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The Importance of ReadingPlump lips, blonde hair, plump lips, blonde hair. He's cute and always has a crowd around him....Plump lips, blonde hair….
Min Yoongi was seeing red. How dare that boy!!! How dare he!!! How dare he desecrate the very practice that is keeping this society alive, that is bringing more harmony to this world than what it is credited for.
How dare he mock the very practice that has brought the world this far? This very practice is what is keeping him from failing!! How dare...
"Park Jimin."
Yoongi growls in front of said person.
Park Jimin was not a failure. Sure he was never the top student in his classes, he just made the pass requirements, but he never, ever failed. Until his English Literature course at University.
That course was just a pain in his plump . He only took it because it was supposed to look nice on his resume. He was more interested in dance, dance was his thing, but he needed something to fall back on.
So he chose literature. He hated reading, writing was no better, he loved texting, but apparently, that didn't fit into the whole point of the course.
He never failed. But this damn course was going to be the death of him. He needed to pass, better yet, he needed to get at least a 70% average for his dance professor to allow him back into the studio outside normal practice times.
So what did his brilliant (and mind you, HOT!) English Literature Professor suggest: Book Club.
Jimin wanted to die at the suggestion.
***
“Mr Park. The only way, you're actually going to even pass this course and I have faith that you'll even get more than that, is just by actually reading .”
Professor Kim Namjoon was hot, smart and just the right amount of dork to make him endearing. But to actually make a suggestion such as this, he was losing his hot factor in Jimin's eyes.
“So, seeing as you are a very social person. I suggest you join the campus book club. Make the reading of all books, including those for this course, a social activity. Make it fun. Then, your essays will be easier to write and you'll even pass my class, ‘cause by the looks of it now...I may just be the reason you don’t graduate in the next few months and we don't want that, Mr Park.”
Make reading a fun, social activity he said. Jimin was having none of it. He wouldn't, he refused. Professor Kim was right about one thing though, he was a social person, so what did he do, he made friends with those in the dreadful book club, when he was there a few times. And if he batted his eyelashes just right, gave a sweet kiss on the cheek and even a promise to invite Jeon Jungkook to family dinners with Soekjin, then he never needed to go to those dreadful meetings, but his name would always be signed on the register.
Park Jimin was a genius.
“How dare you?!”
Min Yoongi was beyond angry! How dare this kid just take his club for granted like that? How dare he just use the club for extra credit and not even try to actively participate?! How dare he!?
“How dare I what? Who are you?”
Jimin deadpanned and this just infuriated Yoongi even more. This little kid just seemed to piss him off more. First his best friend, Namjoon, begged him to take the kid into his club, because “You owe me, hyung.” and then the kid showed up to a few meetings, actually looking bored in Yoongi’s presence and now he sent other people in his place to sign his name into the activities and that was the final straw! How ing dare he just disrespect the sacred act of reading like that.
Yoongi could just kick him out, it was what he usually did when s just used the club for extra credit, but this was a damn favour for Joon.
“Me? Who am I? I am your book club leader, yeah, the book club, you joined for extra credit ‘cause you’re failing your literature classes. Yeah, that’s who I am. And I am kicking you out of my club, if you do not show up to the next damn meeting, then you can kiss your degree goodbye!”
Yoongi was furious. How dare Park Jimin?!
Yoongi wouldn’t actually kick him, he couldn’t. Because he damn well owed stupid Kim Namjoon a stupid favour and Yoongi was more angry at himself for this. He honestly couldn’t care that the damn kid failed, wasn’t his problem. Yoongi had a damn thesis to finish and he had hit damn writer’s block, not only in his research, but in his music and photography too. He had no inspiration for weeks, that would be okay, if he could focus more on his research, but since he had hit a damn wall with that too, he was a little more ticked off than usual and now this kid was just the last straw for him.
Okay, so maybe Yoongi was over-reacting a little, but he was stressed and the book club was his safe haven and damn anyone who tried to make a farce out of his safe haven.
And that included any and all cute boys with pretty eyes and lips!
The meeting that followed Yoongi’s little confrontation with Park Jimin, showed him exactly what he suspected would happen. The kid didn’t show up, he just didn’t, albeit, he got that Jungkook kid to sign his name in. He caught him; watched the the bunny-looking kid sign for himself and Jimin - thankfully the kid at least had the decency to look a little guilty for it, which is a lot more than the stupid Park Jimin.
Yoongi wasn’t going to care, the kid didn’t care, so he shouldn’t. He had a book club to run, thesis to write and hopefully find inspiration for his music and photography.
***
Yoongi cared far too much. He didn’t understand why, but he did. He kept running after the kid, so much so that said kid would actually actively avoid him. Yoongi knew where he had dance practice, but Jimin would actually finish practice earlier and run away before Yoongi could get there, according to Hoseok. Yoongi would try to catch him by his usual hang-out spots, but the moment he saw Yoongi coming along; Jimin would get up and run so fast; it would be funny, if Yoongi didn’t have an actual reason for seeing the kid.
One day, Yoongi was walking to the cafeteria for lunch and saw Jimin, it was an accident, he didn’t plan to even confront the boy that day at all, but he saw an opportunity and he thought why not, Jimin didn’t seem like he would run, he had just started eating and was laughing at something one of his friends had said and when he looked up and saw Yoongi, the kid literally dropped his food and just got up and ran in the opposite direction. His friends all left confused and Yoongi; a little amused at the reaction, but also at a loss for how he was going to get this kid to get his to the book club and raise his damn grade.
But, one fateful day, Yoongi had finally found Jimin’s weak spot. Finally found a way to get the kid to come to book club religiously and actually study the books they were doing and possibly hate the activity less. Yoongi would count Jimin not running away at the sight of him a win at this point.
Yoongi was bored, frustrated and more than a little stressed. So Namjoon, ever the faithful best friend had suggested that the duo head to lunch and just talk, Namjoon was going to help Yoongi out of his block and maybe even with his research. Overall, they were going to to each other about who is more stressed than the other. It was their system and it worked.
So, Yoongi, decided that he was going to just head over to Namjoon’s literature class and sit and wait for the dimpled genius and maybe see if the course was still as interesting as when they were studying for it.
And just before Namjoon walks in to begin his lesson, in walks the infamously elusive Park Jimin. Looking all ready to consume all the knowledge that Namjoon was about to bestow on the students.
The kid sat right in front, got all his notes out and waited for Joon to walk in and once he did, Jimin’s whole face lit up. He even greeted Namjoon! And when he greeted back, Jimin sported a slight blush and looked so ready to learn whatever Namjoon was about teach.
Namjoon could teach why it’s okay to litter and kill mother earth and Jimin looked like he would hang onto every word and believe it all. Jimin had a little crush on his literature professor and Yoongi was going to use that to his advantage. Because he owed Joon this favour and to help the infuriating kid to pass his damn class.
***
Yoongi caught Jimin after class, the kid was so far gone in his little crush, that he even stayed behind for extra advice. Yoongi could not believe.
“Park Jimin.”
Jimin stopped in his tracks and his eyes widen at the voice that was blocking his exit. Jimin looked slightly scared, but as it was Park Jimin, there was that usual defiance just sparkling under the surface in his eyes and that just seemed to fuel Yoongi even more into using his crush against him.
“So, you don’t show up to any meetings, but you show up to the class of the man that suggested that you come to the meetings?” Jimin remains silent and just continues to stare wide-eyed at Yoongi.
“But that isn’t even the best part. Nope, know what the best part is?” Jimin shook his head slightly, if Yoongi wasn't staring at him, he would’ve missed it.
“You’re little crush on the professor.” Jimin’s eyes widen to a comical state and his breath gave a little hitch. Yoongi had him. This was it, this was where Yoongi gave his final blow and Jimin’s reaction would determine the success of Jimin’s book club attendance.
“Well now. Your little secret will be safe with me, but only if you show up to club meetings and sign your own name. Stay for the meetings, do the work and pass your damn course! That way, we both win. I will no longer chase after you like a mad man around campus and...Professor Kim may just give you secret little dimpled smiles that will melt your insides even more.” Yoongi deadpanned. Jimin gave a slight reaction to the last of his statement.
Yoongi hoped that little speech of his would bring Jimin to meetings, it was less of a burden on him and that way, his debt to Joon would be paid (until the next time).
“But, y’know? It’s up to you. Either pass and get smiles. Cause, if you wanted a date with him, it would be so much less scandalous if you were graduated.”
Yoongi left the kid with that, walked right back into the class Jimin had exited and had lunch with his best friend. Yoongi would only know at the next meeting if his words left any sort of effect on the kid.
Yoongi was in a good mood. The night before inspiration had finally hit him for his music & he woke up after three hours sleep in the morning, with the urge to capture so many different things with his camera. The images he got of the sights at the park was just too beautiful for words. His research was coming along great and he just felt like letting his gums out for a bit.
It had been a week since Yoongi had last seen Jimin. A week since he had thrown out his little ultimatum to the kid. Truthfully he wasn't really threatening Jimin, he just didn't want him to disrespect the sanctity of the Book Club, plus, Joon kept asking how Jimin was doing in the damn club and Yoongi hated lying. Joon seemed to be fond of Jimin. He even tried to help the kid get extra credit and ensure he didn't fail. Which says a lot because Joon would never, he felt it took too much time from his own research and he strongly believed people should stick to what they're good at, but this kid. Namjoon had a soft spot for cute things and Jimin was all cute, hence the help. So, as the best friend, Yoongi had to help Namjoon, by helping Jimin - it made sense in his head.
Yoongi honestly wasn’t expecting Jimin to show up to the club at all, if anything, he thought his little threat would actually make Jimin more determined to not show up at all. So, it was a major shock, when Yoongi was just about to start the meeting and Jimin walked in and found a seat and sat ready for the meeting.
Yoongi was shocked and only a little amused at the small glare that Jimin had sent his way. And he even stayed for the whole meeting. A new book was suggested and Yoongi had some copies to give out and Jimin had even taken one, with a promise to read the designated number of chapters for the next meeting. Yoongi was positive things would work out for the better for the kid.
Namjoon was proud of Yoongi, Yoongi was proud of Yoongi and Park Jimin. Jimin had been coming to the book club regularly, still throwing small glares at Yoongi, but he wasn’t bothered.
According Namjoon, Jimin had started participating more in class discussions, he had been doing pretty well with his mini essay, that Joon had given out weekly and his grade seemed to be rising. But they would only truly know that once he wrote the semester’s final essay. But Namjoon was just happy that Jimin was reading, which in turn was improving his grade. It had all worked out well….
Well, not so much for Jimin. While everyone was positive about his rising grade and active participation in club discussions of the current book and in class discussions. Jimin was dreading writing the final essay.
***
Yoongi had caught Jimin glaring at his laptop, the set-work for the essay and his class notes in the campus cafe one morning. Yoongi would’ve left it at that, but no one had the right to glare at a book that hard! Once Yoongi had his coffee in hand, he decided his research could wait a bit, he wanted to know how well Jimin was doing with his work.
“Good Morning.” Yoongi hoped his voice sounded cheery and annoying. By the look Jimin gave after he realized who it was, he had achieved just that. Jimin gave a little grunt in acknowledgment.
“What you got there?” Yoongi grabs the book out of Jimin’s hand and examines it. ‘The English Patient’; Joon was always such a er for the contemporary classics. Yoongi preferred the modern day fiction, but to each their own.
“This is a true contemporary classic and fantastic novel. But it should not be glared at with such an intensity, Jimin.” Jimin let out a small frustrated little sigh and this made Yoongi plonk himself down in the chair opposite Jimin and raise a questioning brow.
“It’s not the book that’s the problem. It is a great book, I actually enjoyed reading it. It’s my essay question. I don’t know how to answer the question with answers from the book…..I just want to cryt.” Jimin let out a small little whine while placing his head in his hands and Yoongi was speechless. This has been the most emotion Jimin has ever shown him, willingly, in the last few weeks of book club and it was throwing Yoongi in for a loop.
“Oh come on, Minnie. It can’t be that bad.” Yoongi visibly smirked at the glared Jimin threw at him after the little nickname. Yoongi didn’t know why but he enjoyed riling this kid up and making him angry. He would admit, it was funny how someone can be so cute when angry. How Jimin’s big brown eyes would send daggers his way with a cute little pout and his small hands would ball into fists from the anger. It was cute. The kid was cute and Yoongi admits it.
“It is that bad, Yoongi-ssi. Just take a look yourself.” Jimin threw the question paper at Yoongi and waited with folded arms while Yoongi read it over.
Yoongi couldn’t believe Namjoon. Jimin had every right to be mad at Namjoon for setting up such a question. It wasn’t overly difficult, it was doable for a final year student, but it was something similar to the types of questions they asked you to answer for your honours thesis, not your semester final at undergrad. Namjoon was terrible, but Yoongi guessed it was preparation for those who would want to pursue their studies further, but for someone like Jimin who seemed to only use the course as a backup plan; it was hell.
“Well then, I actually understand you Minnie. This is a horrible question. I mean, I’m a PhD student and this is something they gave to me for honours.” Jimin’s horrified look was probably more adorable than his small glares. It stirred something in Yoongi’s chest and he would rather choose to ignore it. “But it’s doable….Isn’t the essay due in like a month or something though?”
“Yeah, but since dance is my major and I need a lot of practice with that, I have decided to get a head start on this essay, so that I can give all my focus to my final dance project.”
Yoongi saw the logic in that, with the literature paper out of the way, there was no way that Jimin would fail the course that mattered the most to him.
Yoongi had snuck a peek at what Jimin was capable of with his body, as a dance major. Hoseok had showed him a video or two of what Jimin had done in the class and Yoongi could see why the kid paid more attention to his dance. Not only was he talented, the kid could take someone’s breath away with his performance and Yoongi had only seen a small part of it.
Yoongi didn’t mean to enquire about the kid. But at the time, he needed as much information as he could, to find a way to get the boy to come to meetings.
Yoongi had receded into his mind a little too long for Jimin’s liking. The kid had taken the paper out of Yoongi’s hand and continued trying to find a way to answer the question.
Yoongi couldn’t believe he was about to make the suggestion. He was feeling generous, his coffee was almost finish and his research was going well. So why the heck not? A spare moment in between his schedule wouldn’t hurt him, but would help Jimin. Plus, that pitiful look on Jimin’s face was grating badly on Yoongi’s nerves. No pout should be that cute, it was just an essay for pete’s sake.
“Hey, Minnie….what if I helped you find a way around the question?”
Jimin looked at Yoongi with wide eyes and his mouth hanging slightly open.
“I mean this question seems to be difficult for you and I know how it can be turned around to work in your favour. Plus, it could help you finish much earlier and that would give you more time to practice for your dance project.”
Jimin continued to stare at Yoongi dumbfounded, he was starting to get rather uncomfortable.
“A-Are you offering to help me write my essay?”
Yoongi rolled his eyes, is that not what he just said? God! This kid was annoying. He would never make an offer like this for anyone. But Jimin looked so pitiful and he was invested since Joon had asked if he could let the kid join for extra credit, so it was only fitting that he finish off with helping the kid get his grade higher.
“I just think it would help you a bit and I have free time, but if you don’t want it, it’s cool.” Yoongi was just about to get up and leave, he had research for his thesis to do and Jimin seemed like he didn’t want his help.
“Wait..” Jimin grabbed Yoongi’s arm before he so much as thought of lifting his off the seat, “I never said I wasn’t looking for help, I just thought you hated me….are you serious? Would you really help me?”
“Yes, I would really help you. I’ll help you out once and then after that, every essay would be a walk in the park.”
Jimin looked thoughtful. He needed the help and Yoongi was a PhD student in literature. The knowledge that Yoongi would give would make the course such a breeze and he could graduate without really crying too much, so why not?
“O-Okay.” Jimin cleared his throat, that had suddenly gone very dry. “That would be a great help, thank you.” He gave a small smile, which Yoongi returned.
Yoongi nodded his head, he was really about to help someone that annoyed him most of the time. A friendship would probably bloom, he was friends with Joon and Hoseok after all and they annoyed him often.
“Okay, hand over your number and then we’ll work out the best time to meet.”
Jimin handed Yoongi his phone and typed in his number and sent himself a message.
Yoongi got up to leave and continue with his day; “Oh and by the way, I don’t hate you. I just hated the fact that you disrespected my book club by making other’s sign you in. If you didn’t like the club that much, you should’ve just said that to Joon and he would’ve understood and found another way for you to raise your grade...I guess.”
Jimin gave a small smile and the light behind him reflected off his face just right and Yoongi was short of breath for a small moment.
This would be an easy feat, Yoongi would help Jimin out after a few short sessions on how to answer his question and that would be that.
“OhMyGod!!! Just like that?”
“Yep, just like that..” Yoongi gave a small smile with a nod at Jimin’s astounded look.
“But that’s too easy, Yoongi-ssi.” Yoongi gave a small laugh at that. The way Yoongi had reworded Namjoon’s essay question, to make it easier for Jimin to understand made the question sound a lot like something they would ask in high school. But because of the wording and the level it was been asked, it just seemed complicated. It was a really easy question.
“But you said that they asked something like this for your honours, why is it so easy?”
“Because at the end of the day, Minnie. Academics like to look smart, when truth be told, they just read a lot and have a large vocabulary for no reason.”
Jimin let out a small giggle at that. He no longer glared at the nickname that Yoongi had given him, he seemed to embrace it now. But maybe he was just being nice, since Yoongi was just helping him.
“Okay, so does that mean, all I have to do is use big words in my essay and then Professor Kim will pass me?”
It was Yoongi’s turn to laugh; “Not quite. See you can answer the question rather simply and pass, but he expects you to elaborate to such an extent that you seem ready for your honours and masters etc. So use medium words.”
Jimin scrunched his face at that. But he seemed to get exactly what Yoongi was trying to say. He seemed so awestruck at the fact that the work was actually pretty straightforward. But as they were in university and everyone was pretentious asses, they had to use words that seemed so complicated and stupid for something simple.
“Okay, I think I got it…” Jimin looked at Yoongi rather expectantly and even a little scared.
“Yoongi-ssi. May I begin writing my essay here and maybe when I’m done, you could read it over…..only if you’re not too busy?”
Yoongi gave a small smile. Did Jimin really think that Yoongi was going to leave him just like that? Yoongi was going help this kid plan, write and edit his essay until it was perfect and then some. Jimin’s essay was going to look like a dissertation when he was done with it. Namjoon would not be giving all their hard work anything short of a damn 75 and Yoongi told Jimin that.
What Yoongi didn’t tell Jimin was why he was doing it. In fact Yoongi, himself, didn’t know why he was doing it. But what he did seem to really like about the whole process was the small blush Jimin had seemed to sport after he heard how Yoongi was going to help him pass his class.
***
Yoongi wasn’t messing around when he said that he would help Jimin pass this essay, they met in the cafe every third morning for one hour. Yoongi read over all of Jimin’s planning notes and corrected some of his ideas to sound more like an essay that would help him pass. Once Jimin had passed Yoongi’s intense planning stage, he had began writing. Then Yoongi would intensely edit Jimin’s work, Yoongi was so strict in his editing that it seemed like Jimin was starting to despise him again.
Jimin had seemed to have gotten so used to how intensely Yoongi worked, that he wasn’t even phased by some of the slightly mean comments Yoongi would leave.
They had become comfortable in each other’s company within those few days spent together. They texted regularly, sometimes their texts would stray from the work they were meant to be doing and they would each inquire if the other was doing okay and getting enough rest and eating. The essay was taking longer than what Yoongi was used to when doing essay’s, but that was only because they spent such little time working on it. Jimin had dance classes and other mini essay’s from Namjoon too. Yoongi helped with those too and from the looks of it, Jimin was improving in that too.
Every once in awhile, Yoongi would actually stop Jimin in the middle of his writings, to ask about the book they were currently reading in Book club, which would in turn start a whole new discussion. Yoongi had found that Jimin had stimulated him at an intellectual level, albeit, not like Namjoon, but it was refreshing to hear how different Jimin’s opinions were to his own and that was nice. Jimin wasn’t overly opinionated but he stood by what he believed in, but at the same time, was open enough to accept more information to make his opinion even stronger. Yoongi was truly enjoying his company.
In the beginning, Yoongi didn’t care much for him, because he thought that Jimin just didn’t care to even formulate opinions, from what Yoongi had picked up, Jimin didn’t like literature that much either, he just took it for something to fall back on if dance ever failed him, which Yoongi doubted. But he was happy, that the kid that had disrespected his book club so much in the beginning, looked like he was enjoying himself. Yoongi was proud.
Yoongi had ed up. Completely. He was done and he could not believe that he even allowed for it to happen. It had crept up on him. Literally. He couldn’t believe his luck. Sure he liked pretty things, he was a photographer and saw the beauty in the simple, but this, this was different and it was not something that Yoongi was used to. He had had a few moments in his past that allowed him to notice the signs, but he full on ignored it. Thought he was just going through the motions after his mother’s monthly calls asking when he was bringing someone special home, but he didn’t actually think he would have a name this time. He never cared to answer his mother, but this time, he hesitated in his answer to her and she actually picked up on the scent, like a shark to blood and that was Yoongi’s downfall. Why did he have to think of stupid Park Jimin, the moment his own mother had asked if he had finally found someone.
She asked it as a joke often enough, that her tone wasn’t even serious. But Yoongi just had to actually stop himself from saying Jimin’s name. What was wrong with him? He actually had to try to play to off to his own mother who knew he was lying but let him have it.
Yoongi didn’t mean to fall for the blonde, he really didn’t. He didn’t mean to at all. Just because he had a cute little giggle and small, tiny hands that were swallowed up by his sweater sleeves. That meant nothing. Nor was it the intelligence that just drew Yoongi in, nope, definitely not that. Or how the kid danced or even how he would scrunch up his little nose whenever he was about to prove you wrong. Definitely wasn’t that. Yoongi did not fall for all the little quirks that made up one, Park Jimin.
Yoongi couldn’t fall in love with Jimin, they had just become friends, at least he thinks they did, they spoke outside of study sessions. Jimin would sometimes even make his way to Yoongi’s apartment. Just to read the next book for book club and finish his homework too, since his roommate had found himself a boyfriend and they were a distraction to Jimin. Yoongi didn’t mind, Jimin’s presence had become somewhat of a comfort and calm while he worked on his thesis and hobbies. It all felt oddly domestic to Yoongi: Jimin sitting quietly on his couch and doing his homework with his earphones in, reading a book, or even just playing games on his phone to relax.
They had fallen into a quiet routine. And Min Yoongi had ed up and fell in love.
What an idiot.
Yoongi was freaking out, completely. What on earth was he going to do? Jimin would be there any minute to finish the semester essay and his other work and they would be their normal, oddly domestic selves. But with Yoongi having an internal freak out about the fact that he was in love with Park Jimin. Damn those plump lips and blonde hair and intelligent brown eyes and those tiny little hands and blushy, chubby cheeks that made Yoongi coo and just want to protect forever!
Yoongi was doomed.
A knock at the door, alerts Yoongi of someone’s arrival and Yoongi freaks out more, Jimin is here. Jimin is here and he is still freaking out. Yoongi needed to breath, he was getting lightheaded. Very lightheaded. The man that he had fallen in love with is just outside his door. Banging very loudly, okay, Jimin does not bang on his door. In actual fact, Jimin has a key and usual just knocks before entering for politeness. But the banging at his door, meant that it was not Jimin and in fact someone else. Which could only be his friends knocking, which was worse than Jimin. They would spot his freak out and then ask. Yoongi was doomed.
Yoongi couldn’t avoid them either, because Jimin would arrive soon with a key and then they would find Yoongi freaking out more. Jimin would see and Yoongi couldn’t lie to his friends, it was physically impossible.
“Hyung! Open Up!! I have some news!!” It was Namjoon, okay, maybe Yoongi would be okay. Namjoon had news, which meant he would be more focussed on delivering his news, before he even noticed Yoongi’s turmoil. Yoongi would be able to get himself under control before he would notice. With a deep breath and a promise to calm his beating heart and to sort his out later, Yoongi opens the door to his close friend.
Namjoon bursts in and seems like an over excited overgrown puppy. With a Champagne bottle in his hand.
“Hyung! I got it!! I got it!! I can’t believe I actually got it and I am one step closer. I actually did it!!” Namjoon yells excitedly. Doing exactly what Yoongi had expected that he would do. Ignore Yoongi’s bright red flush and possible constipation look and storms into the kitchen.
“Hyung! Where are the glasses? Hoseok is gonna be here soon! We have to celebrate!”
“Uhh...sorry to burst your excited little bubble, Joon-ah. But what exactly is it that you got? I don’t remember you ever mentioning you saying you were applying for anything?”
Namjoon merely gave a small, dimpled smile and was about to say something, when Hoseok could be heard running down the hall screaming for Yoongi to open the door. Yoongi didn’t lock it again after letting in Namjoon, so Hoseok came bursting through the door, like a happy hurricane.
“Wahhhhhh!!!!! Joonie!!! Yoonie!!!! What’s happening? Why was I summoned to the Dragon’s cave?” Namjoon and Hoseok both let out giggles, while Yoongi just scoffed.
“Okay, okay. We have to sit down first for this news. Get the glasses Hyung!!” With that, Namjoon and Hoseok find their way to Yoongi’s couch, while Yoongi gets some glasses for the champagne.
Once they have all settled down and the champagne is opened and in the respective glasses. Namjoon proceeds to tell them about how he had wanted to join this huge research project that finds the links between how literature and society interlink within history and modern times. He had applied and was placed on the shortlist, he thought he didn’t get in and was content to live with it, he already had a lot on his plate with his current thesis. But then he received the confirmation email this morning. He mentioned that he hadn’t told them, because he didn’t think that he would initially get in. He has already spoken to the university and his supervisor. This research project will be his final contribution to his thesis. Everyone was over the moon for him, the trio had about finished the bottle of champagne and everyone was in great spirits, until a rattle at the door sounded.
Yoongi grew tense and his early freak out that he had been placed on hold, had just returned full force and was back with a vengeance. In all the excitement, Yoongi had forgot that Jimin was meant to show up for their essay session. Now his friends were here and would smell Yoongi’s freak out. Or even see how in love he was with Jimin. Yoongi was about to pass out from anxiety.
“Hyung, I think someone is trying to break in.” Hoseok burst out laughing at Namjoon’s statement, while Yoongi just continued to sweat.
Jimin finally got the door unlocked and gave his habitual little knock to announce his arrival and walked in. Namjoon and Hoseok stared dumbfounded, Jimin gave a small little squeak of surprise (which Yoongi found adorable). Yoongi was about to pass out.
“Jimin?!” Hoseok and Namjoon gave out little surprise yells, while Jimin just stood at the open door like a deer caught in headlights.
“Hyung?! Professor?!.... Hi.” Jimin was blushing and Yoongi didn’t know why. It’s not like it was a secret that Yoongi was helping him with his essay. Although Jimin having a key was another matter altogether.
“Why do you have a key to Yoongi-hyungs apartment?” Hoseok was the first to break the pregnant silence after Jimin’s greeting.
“Uhh?....” Jimin looked to Yoongi, he didn’t know how to answer and hoped that the elder would be able to produce an answer. Yoongi was just turning red and trying not coo at how adorable Jimin was with his damp blonde hair and plump little lips that were parted in confusion. Yep, Yoongi was definitely ed. Way beyond ed.
“It’s just easier for Jiminie to get in when we do our sessions.” Yoongi spoke up finally, how he managed to find his voice was beyond him. But he did and once the words had left his mouth, he realized how odd they sounded.
“Your sessions?...what kind of sessions, hyung?” Hoseok, of course would hop right onto that wagon and would seize any opportunity that would make Yoongi freak out even more, even when he didn’t know Yoongi’s true feelings.
“Not like that, Hoseokie-hyung.” Jimin rolled his eyes at Hoseok, he knew his antics too well already, after dancing in the same team as him for his whole university career.
“Yoongi-hyung has been helping me with my essay for my lit class that Professor Kim teaches.”
Jimin gave a slight blush at the mention of Namjoon. An ice cold bucket of water was spilled all over Yoongi and his warming heart. Jimin still had a soft spot, maybe even more for the lanky dimpled man and Yoongi was merely just helping him with his work for said man to pass him.
Yoongi’s mood had declined; all the previous excitement of Joon’s announcement and his new found love for the cute blonde standing in his doorway all gone. Now he just wanted to be alone and possibly wallow. Wallow in his sadness. He was being dramatic, but he just wanted to wallow in the fact that Jimin would probably never blush for him like that.
“Oh! I will no longer be your Professor from Monday Jimin.” Jimin let out a quiet ‘Oh?’ at Namjoon’s announcement. A mix of happiness and disappointment rather evident in his eyes at this revelation. Yoongi’s mood kept declining, he saw where those words were taking them. He saw it as clear as day and he was calling it now. Right now, in this very room, amongst his friends and his crush, in his head, but he was still calling it.
“Joonie, will be finishing off his thesis with some research outside of the university and will no longer be your Professor, Jiminie. He will just be a Kim Namjoon. If you want, you can be friends and the four of us can hang out.”
Sometimes, Yoongi wished that Hoseok would just shut his mouth. “Okay, enough fun for the week. Joon, Seokseok up and go! Now! Jimin has an essay he needs to finish and you two together are loud!”
Another blush paints Jimin’s puffy cheeks. Yoongi internally dies. He wouldn’t survive this.
“Geez! Fine Gramps. We’ll be out of your hair. Good Luck Jiminie. Make sure his grumpiness isn’t contagious.” JImin let out a little giggle and everyone took a collective breath at the cuteness. Hoseok and Namjoon bid their farewell. Yoongi, however, did not miss the small lingering glance Namjoon and Jimin had shared before Namjoon shut the door behind him. Jimin and Yoongi finished off the essay and Yoongi felt his heart constrict. Thinking that all they will ever be is good friends. If Jimin decided to see him, after he handed in his essay.
Jimin had passed the semester for all his classes! But the one that was the most important to Yoongi, was that he had achieved a 75 on his final essay for the semester in Namjoon’s class. Yoongi had done his job and Jimin was more than happy, hell, Namjoon was more than happy. Everyone was happy. Well, relatively, Yoongi was happy that Jimin had passed, was happy, that Jimin was still considering him a friend even. Yoongi was just happy that Jimin was happy. Although, he may be slightly more happy if Jimin was to spend that happiness of his with Yoongi, as more than friends. Unfortunately, he wasn’t so lucky. Yoongi was never that lucky, he wasn’t Namjoon of course.
The semester had ended. Classes had ended. Namjoon’s employment with the university had ended. Yoongi’s little crush on Jimin; it had not ended. In fact, it had gotten worse. Yoongi was in love. Badly. To the point where he actually cursed one of his best friends for dating the man he wanted.
Once Jimin had handed in his final semester essay. Before exams, Namjoon had actually decided to ask Jimin out and since he no longer worked for the university, it wasn’t illegal. They were both two consenting adults, who had a deep admiration for each other and liked to hold hands and go on dates and being really, really cute.
Yoongi was bitter.
Yoongi wanted to hold Jimin’s hand and go on dates and be really, really ing cute with Jimin, way more than Namjoon. But that wasn’t going to happen. Nope. Yoongi just had to be content with the fact that he was idiot enough to fall for the cute blonde with plump lips. And said cute blonde with plump lips had fallen for his best friend, long before he had even met Yoongi. Now Yoongi would have to sit and watch the two of them being utterly cute together and would have to try to get over his feelings.
Which was hard, because Jimin was affectionate. And their small, little domestic routine that they had started for his essay, it didn’t end and Yoongi was a little bitter. He was trying to get over Park Jimin, who was dating his best friend, Kim Namjoon. But Jimin still showed up after his late classes and did his homework on Yoongi’s couch. Once exam season rolled in, Jimin showed up to study. Something about Yoongi’s presence easing his exam anxiety and making him study better. Yoongi didn’t care much, he got to spend time with Jimin. He could play out the little fantasy of the two of them sharing the apartment like boyfriends and live in his bubble of bliss, until Joon showed up in the evenings to take Jimin back to his dorm, safely. That one knock on the door and his best friends smile, shattered all of Yoongi’s fantasies and that made Yoongi a little bitter.
The three month mid-year break wasn’t any easier either. Sure, Jimin wouldn’t regularly show up to Yoongi’s apartment anymore, but they texted regularly. Namjoon, Hoseok and Yoongi usually spent most nights together in the past during breaks and just hung-out, but now there was a new addition and Yoongi ached. Jimin had somehow managed to worm his way into their little group and create a permanent place for himself.
While Jimin didn’t always show up to his apartment like he used to. Yoongi still managed to see him often and that was not good for Yoongi’s heart. The kid was too cute for his own good.
Park Jimin was in love. But not with his boyfriend. Park Jimin goes to bed at night with one person on his mind, texts one person more often than his own boyfriend. Craves one person’s attention more than his own boyfriend and this makes him feel guilty. For so long he had lusted after Namjoon, he didn’t change his elective that he was doing so badly in, for Namjoon.
Kim Namjoon was hot. Professor Kim Namjoon, with his hair slicked back and his thick framed glasses perched on his nose, was even hotter. But, Jimin was just not feeling it anymore. He liked the man, loved him even, but Jimin was beginning to realize that it was nothing more than a friendship kind of love.
Namjoon and Jimin got together at the beginning of the break, Namjoon was no longer employed by the university and could do what he wanted and that’s what he did. Jimin loved it, the man he had wanted for so long was finally his, but he knew something was wrong, when on their third date, the initial excitement had died completely and he felt as if he was just hanging out with a friend. But he tried. Boy, did he try, he tried for the sake of his heart that lusted after this man for so long but there was nothing. He thought he was just going through some minor post-semester stress where nothing seemed to be as glossy as it was before the break.
But then he saw the man he was actually in love with and he knew he was screwed. The guy he actually wanted, hated him. Well, not hate, since they’re friends and all, but he didn’t see Jimin like that. So Jimin’s love life was back to square one.
As unfair as it was to Namjoon, Jimin knew his chances with him were better than the other guy. So Jimin kept dating Namjoon. Kept his boyfriend close and tried to muster up as much love and affection for his boyfriend as possible. After all, he did want this, he went to book club for this man, got insulted for this man, fell in love with someone else during his pursuit of this man.
Park Jimin was screwed.
“Minnie, the harder you frown, the harsher your headache will be and then you will get an ugly frown line and won’t be pretty anymore.”
Park Jimin was screwed.
“How did you know I had a headache?” Jimin rolled his eyes at the statement.
“You were rubbing your forehead, which you only do when you’re under tremendous stress. And a headache is either forming or is busy shooting through your skull. Smoothie?”
Yoongi sat down in front of Jimin in their usual hang-out spot of the cafe near campus. Jimin hadn’t left for home, because of his holiday dance programme and Yoongi, well, he never really took extended breaks with his thesis, besides his apartment was close by anyway.
He looked good, with his ripped jeans and white t-shirt and blue/grey hair in a classic messy look that was so Yoongi.
Park Jimin was screwed, because he was in love with Min Yoongi.
While Jimin was trying to get his heart rate under control, Yoongi had ordered him a smoothie and himself an iced Americano.
Jimin couldn’t understand how it happened. They hated each other in the beginning, they only occupied the same space, because of the book club and Yoongi’s favour to Namjoon, but then Yoongi had offered to help Jimin write his essay and it all went downhill from there.
Jimin remembers the first time he thought of Yoongi as cute and the perfect boyfriend material.
They were doing their usual domestic thing, where Jimin sat and studied on Yoongi’s couch while Yoongi did work at his desk. Jimin remembers reading through one of the books recommended by the club and and then looking up when he heard a small click. Yoongi had taken his picture in the rare afternoon sun for that time of the year.
Yoongi looked down at the camera and Jimin was floored. The room was cast in a light glow and Yoongi in his black,long-sleeved sweater with his messy hair and his awed look at the picture he’d just taken, Jimin was gone. Jimin knew right then and there, that he would no longer look at Yoongi the same. At the time, he didn’t know how he would look at Yoongi specifically but he knew, things would change and change they did.
Now Jimin is sitting with Yoongi opposite him, speaking animatedly about his new photography equipment. And all Jimin can do is trace the outline of Yoongi’s lips with his eyes and listen intently to the deep baritone of Yoongi’s voice and fall deeper for the simple beauty of the man in front of him. Of his friend and the man he had fallen for.
“So, I hear Namjoon is planning something special for your date tonight, you ready?”
And just like that, a splash of ice cold water is dumped on Jimin and the guilt settles in. He shouldn’t be thinking about another man’s lips when he has a boyfriend, let alone a mutual friend between him and said boyfriend.
Jimin looks down and hopes that the warmth in his face is due to the weather and not his blush. “Uhmmmm, yeah. I am. Outfit is waiting for me. Once we’re done here, I’ll head home to get ready”
Yoongi gives a thoughtful nod while taking a sip of his drink.
“You have any plans for tonight, hyung? Or are you going to do the usual and hole yourself in your apartment and do work again?”
Yoongi lets out a mock offended look “First of all, I was not going to do work tonight, but actually read. I need to compile a new list for next semester’s book club, so I need material. And secondly, what’s it to you, kid?”
It meant everything to Jimin. That would mean that Yoongi wasn’t going to go out and be seen and pursued by someone and that was great, but, it wasn’t. Jimin didn’t have a say or even a right to get jealous over Yoongi. Jimin was dating Namjoon, Yoongi’s best friend. Jimin should not feel any kind of relief for Yoongi still being single or even just staying home and not even actively pursuing a relationship of any kind with anyone. Jimin was being selfish.
“Awww. C’mon Hyung. You work so hard for your thesis and now the book club too, when are you just going to relax? Just let your hair down for a bit? When was the last time you had fun?”
Yoongi visibly ponders Jimin’s question and seems to come up rather empty on an answer. Jimin isn’t even surprised, with the way he has seen Namjoon work when he was still a professor, he can only imagine what Yoongi has done.
Yoongi was a workaholic and perfectionist. He would never sit down for more than five minutes, if it wasn’t going to benefit him in the long run regarding any kind of work.
“Why...Why don’t we hang out? Like just the two of us, let me take you out, treat you and make sure you have some fun. Relax. Really relax! I don’t think I have ever seen you smile before hyung, like a real proper smile. I’d like to see that, so how about it?”
Jimin was being an idiot. He should stop. He hopes Yoongi says no, ‘cause the suggestion would only cause more trouble. Jimin was in love with Yoongi and any time spent alone with the man would only result in hurt. But his hyung needed a break and Jimin was determined to give him one.
With the infamous Yoongi smirk, accompanied by a nod. The two set out a full proof plan for a trip to the amusement park in two days.
In two days, Jimin would have a good time with a friend and seeing that friend relax, but at the same time he would probably hurt himself, when he sees that friend as more than what a friend should look at one another.
Two days later, the pair woke up early. Earlier than Yoongi usually did and embarked on their little day trip. They hopped on a train and headed over to the amusement park. Jimin was vibrating with excitement and could nott wait to try out as many rides as they possibly could. Yoongi smiled fondly at the blonde in his sleep and coffee haze.
Jimin was happy, he got to spend the next couple of hours with his favourite hyung. He even carefully picked his outfit out for the day, it had to be able to handle a hot day out at an amusement while still looking cute.
Jimin knew that it wasn’t a date. He was with Namjoon for ’s sake. But he couldn’t help himself. In a way, Jimin would use the day as a tester, to gauge if his feelings towards Yoongi were real. If they were and all the butterflies in his tummy weren’t just ing with him and turning his gratitude to Yoongi into something that seemed like love. Then he would break it off with Namjoon. Although, Jimin felt that maybe, he was just trying to turn his feelings towards Yoongi into something other than what it was, out of loyalty to Namjoon, he had crushed on the ex-professor. But, that was it, normally crush’s didn’t turn into much and maybe, just maybe, he had done that with Namjoon and that wasn’t fair to any of them. Namjoon didn’t deserve that.
But the day was not to be ruined by his dark thoughts of his doomed relationship. Nope. He was going to spend some alone time with Yoongi and see if those gummy smiles of his were true and not just a myth told by Hoseok.
***
“Which ride do you wanna try first, hyung?” Jimin was bouncing in his seat, like a small boy and Yoongi was far too endeared for it to be normal, considering their relationship status. But the kid was adorable and he couldn’t help himself. He was enamoured and he doesn’t know exactly when it happened, but it happened and Yoongi is only a little grateful he caught it in time. Now to let go, hopefully, today, he could be done with his feelings, so that he can stop being bitter towards his best friend. He was hoping that Jimin would be like a petulant child and be a horrible person to hang out with, so that Yoongi would think twice before ever thinking that they could date. As much as he liked cute things, he hated having people expecting things from him - he was not about to give in to every single one of Jimin’s whims. So today, he was hoping Jimin would sour any and all prospects of what a relationship between them could be. Because Yoongi was tired of being so bitter about his friend’s happiness. Namjoon and Jimin didn’t deserve that.
“Doesn’t matter to me, Minnie. As long as you have fun.” Smooth Min Yoongi.
“No, Hyungie!!! That’s not how it works. We are going together, therefore you have to make decisions too about what we do today. It’s a compromise.” Jimin let out a small mischievous smile and Yoongi couldn’t help his answering smirk. If Jimin was going to act like this for the rest of the day, then Min Yoongi was very much screwed.
The two eventually made it to the gates of the amusement park, not too long after the park had opened for the day and Jimin immediately mades a beeline for the gift store. For cute headbands! They both bickered over what they should wear for the day and Yoongi, seemed to fall more and more for the kid and he hated it. How can he be fighting with Jimin over if the cat or dog ears are more suited for him, it was too much for Yoongi’s already weak heart. Eventually, Yoongi found Minnie Mouse ears and placed them on top of Jimin’s head. Moved his hair into place and, Min Yoongi had fallen all over again.
“There. Now you really look like Minnie Mouse, Minnie.”
Yoongi hoped that the red painting Jimin’s cheeks was real and not his imagination. It made him more endeared to the kid and he had fallen deeper and deeper into those beautiful brown eyes. Yoongi was gone and he could feel like an later, but today, he is rather going to pretend that Jimin and him are on a date. Maybe that can tide him over for awhile and once they leave the park and Jimin goes back to Namjoon, then all of this will at least be a good memory to keep and Yoongi can fantasize.
Before Yoongi knew it, there was cat ears on his head and he wasn’t as adverse to the idea as he thought he would be. Especially when Jimin tells him it matches his eyes well. Yoongi doesn’t get it, but it feels good, because that means that Jimin had taken note of his features and that brought a warmth to his chest. Today was going to be tough. But Yoongi would get through it. He had to. Him, Namjoon and Jimin didn’t deserve his selfishness.
***
The two made their way to the rides, head bands bouncing on their heads and Jimin running around like a kid. In a moment of excitement, he didn’t realize he had held onto Yoongi’s hand and had not since let it go.
Their first ride was a large rollercoaster and as much as Jimin seemed rather apprehensive about it, he was excited for the journey. He held onto Yoongi’s hand and didn’t once let it go. The two didn’t stop giggling from there. Jimin had finally gotten to see the famous gummy smile and he was gone. Hoseok telling him about how cute Yoongi was when he smiled, did not prepare him for the actual event at all. Jimin’s heart was full and warm at the sight and he wanted to always make sure that that smile was on Yoongi’s face.
Yoongi looked much younger and sweeter with that smile. It was a huge contrast from the time they had met, where Jimin avoided him at all costs and they kept glaring at one another and then when they began talking, Yoongi was patronising and sarcastic. Jimin was in love and it was not with his boyfriend, Kim Namjoon. Nope. He was too far gone for his boyfriend’s best friend and his former tutor, Min Yoongi and he didn’t know how to stop it.
***
Jimin had found a way to convince Yoongi to get on every thrill ride possible with him, Yoongi kept insisting that Jimin was not doing too good with thrill rides, because he got scared easily, but Jimin would convince him and they would ride.
And truth be told, Jimin was doing it on purpose, it was the best excuse for him. He got to hold Yoongi’s hand without feeling too much guilt. Yoongi’s hand was warm and much bigger than his. It was almost as if it was made to hold Jimin’s tiny paw. Namjoon too had big hands, but it wasn’t like Yoongi’s. While Namjoon had long, slender fingers. Yoongi had thick, veiny hands that just seemed to hold so much power. Yet, Yoongi held Jimin’s hand so gently, almost as if he was afraid he would break and Jimin’s heart continued to melt.
Throughout the day, Jimin kept picking up more and more endearing qualities of Yoongi. How his eyes actually crinkled when he smiled and how gentle and understanding he was. He would let Jimin get away with absolutely anything, Jimin suspected that Yoongi had figured out his little plan after the third ride, but he let him have it anyway. Their reality made Jimin’s heart ache, but he would rather treasure the small moment in time.
The day truly was all about them two, alone. Their phones were the last things on their mind at all, they had taken enough selfies to last a lifetime. And they were both so happy. Their cheeks hurt when they eventually got back on the train home and both were still busy vibrating from the fun-filled day that they had. Both Yoongi and Jimin’s hearts were full and they were both so glad that they could spend the day together.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Jimin’s ringtone interrupts their musings about Yoongi being more scared than Jimin and the caller ID shatters their little bubble. Jimin’s boyfriend was calling him. Jimin and Yoongi were not a couple. They were not dating and the day was merely a day for two friends to enjoy each other’s company. That was the unfortunate reality of it all.
It had been a couple of days since the amusement park date Yoongi and Jimin had. Yoongi was still smiling. Was still feeling all those butterflies of the day and truthfully, he was still scrolling through some of the pictures he had of that day in his phone. Jimin, the photo hoarder, had a ton more, but Yoongi had snapped many more of the dancer, when he wasn’t looking. Those ones got to him the worst. Jimin was absolutely breathtaking, but when he was standing with the sun behind him, with Minnie Mouse ears on his head and smiling so wide his eyes disappeared. That was just beyond beautiful for Yoongi. And he held onto that picture the most, stared at it the most, etching it into his eyelids. He dreamt about that photo and sometimes he could even hear the tinkling of Jimin’s laughter. Min Yoongi was beyond screwed, he was in love with Park Jimin; but, Jimin was dating his best friend.
A knock brought Yoongi out of his little dream of Park Jimin and their day at the amusement park. With a smile still painting his face, his gums out for all to see. Yoongi answers the door and is met with his two best friends looking kind of solemn. Yoongi’s smile is immediately wiped off his face and he ushers the two in.
With the pair sitting down on his couch, Yoongi offers both of them a beer and throws out a concerned “What’s wrong?” Namjoon’s face turns from solemn to distraught with that one question and Hoseok doesn’t look any better, both let out a small sigh and finally make eye contact with Yoongi.
“Hyung. Just know that, this was never my intention and it kinda all just happened and I already feel like , so if you could keep the anger to a bare minimum. Because at this point, nothing you could say, would make me feel any worse than how I already feel.”
Yoongi is left even more confused after Namjoon’s little speech, what the happened? Why were both so distraught, did they up something that involved him? He doesn’t remember there being any event for them to up, so what the hell was happening?
“We kinda know about your little crush, hyung. That’s why we’ve come to you.” Hoseok broke the silence.
. What? They can’t. Yoongi has been very careful about hiding his feelings for Jimin, there was no way that they could’ve seen it. He’s good at hiding. There was no way! Absolutely no way.
“You’re not exactly subtle about it, Hyung. I saw it, a little later than Hoseok, but I saw it. Was one of the reason’s I even asked Jimin out, I wanted you to get your moving. But then the kid was adorable on our first date and it all spiralled from there.”
“What?!” Yoongi was confused and angry? Did Namjoon really just confess to only dating Jimin to bait him? He was going to kill the er!
“It wasn’t exactly baiting, hyung.” Yoongi must’ve said that out loud for Namjoon to have answered it. “We just wanted to see if you would stop the date and ask Jimin out then. But, we were mislead and then it went too far and now I hurt Jimin and Hoseok and you’re going to be more mad at me once I confess a lot more.”
“Joonie. I’m fine. You already know that. I knew about your plan from the beginning.” Hoseok, comforts Namjoon with a small peck on his cheek and Yoongi reels,
“What the actual ? Can one of you tell me what the is going on? Why is Jimin hurt and why is Seok-ah being more than our usual affectionate with you, Namjoon?! Someone speak!”
Yoongi is no longer sitting down like when they had begun the conversation and he is vibrating with some emotion, he cannot name; anger? Confusion? And it’s all aimed at one Kim Namjoon.
Hoseok is the one to calm the whole situation down, to bring Yoongi back to his senses, he was always good at that with them. While Namjoon and Yoongi could be rather impulsive when their emotions got involved. Hoseok would always diffuse the situation and get them to calm down before they did something irrational.
“Hyung. Namjoon and I are dating.” Bomb number 1. Yoongi looks between his two best friends and pieces it all together, the two had become closer in the recent past, but Yoongi had just thought they had bonded over something trivial, like their love for collecting bearbrick figures, apparently not and Yoongi was a lot more oblivious to his surrounding than he thought.
“We hid it well, Yoongi. We didn’t want you to know yet, because we didn’t want to lose you as a friend.” Hoseok, lowers his gaze in shame at that and Yoongi was even more infuriated with the two.
“Seok-ah! You both know I’m gay. We’re all queer! Why the hell would I ing judge you? And you forgot the Hyung!”
“Not for that, you ….hyung! But for the fact that two of your best friends fell for each other and we were worried that if it didn’t work out, we didn’t want you stuck in the middle.”
“Well, too late, you two es. First of all, I would never choose either of you, you know if it didn’t work out, I’d let you both stew for a bit and then make you mend the damn friendship for my sake, because i’m selfish and need my two best friends in my life at the same time in the same room at any given time of my choosing! And secondly, if I wasn’t so damn mad at both of you, I’d say congratulations. You two look cute together and Namjoon needs you in his life, Hoseok. He’s a mess.”
Hoseok, lets out a small smile at that and turns to Namjoon, “See I told you, Joonie. Hyung would’ve taken it much better at the start.” Namjoon allowed a small smile to slip, his best friend and mentor had just given him the approval he needed to get on with his relationship, however, there was one more issue that needed resolving more than anything. Park Jimin.
“Hyung. I’m worried about Jimin”
That sobered them up a little after their small little celebration.
“What did you do to Minnie?” Yoongi was cold, if these two had confessed to him like that, he can only imagine how Jimin would react. The kid was in love with Joon for the longest time and even worshipped the man, this would break him. Not only was his lover not really his, but his dance hyung had hurt him too.
Namjoon his lips and sat up straighter, held onto Hoseok’s hand a little tighter. Hoseok didn’t look any better, these two were really in love, if they could ground each other that much in such a small gesture, it was real and Yoongi hoped it lasted, for their sake.
“A few nights ago, when the two of you went to the amusement park, I called Jimin over and we confessed everything to him...obviously leaving out the part about you...explicitly.”
Yoongi stopped breathing. “What do you mean, ‘explicitly’?”
If Yoongi knew his friends, and he very much did, minus knowing about their little relationship. He wasn’t perfect okay, but he knew his friends. That could only mean they told Jimin in very little words about his crush. Yoongi swallowed hard, Jimin knew, Yoongi’s blood ran cold. .
“We had to tell him about why we did what we did hyung and well, he seemed to have taken it okay. He didn’t react much, just wished us well and that was it……”
Yoongi gazed at his friends, “But?”
“But he won’t answer any of our messages and calls and we were just worried and well, with the way he usually is with his phone. We’re even more worried.”
. Yoongi could ripped out his hair. His friends were so dumb! Instead of doing all this unnecessary , they could of just teased Yoongi into asking Jimin out, but no, they just had to go and break the little munchkins heart and he needed to get to Jimin, to find out if he was okay or he would strangle the two lovebirds in front of him.
“Hyung!?” Yoongi faintly hears Hoseok and Namjoon calling his name, he doesn’t know how, but one minute he is standing in front of his two idiot friends and the next, he is in front of Jimin’s dorm door and is breathing a knock on the door before he even registers where he is, until a tall stranger is opening the door and asking in a deep baritone “Can I help you?”
Yoongi was confused and had no idea if he was even at the right door, he dropped Jimin off once when the kid had too many books to carry in his tiny hands and was exhausted from dance practice.
“Tae? Who is it? The movie is about to start.” The Tae-person turns to the blonde fluffy head behind him and simultaneously reveals him to Yoongi. He’s at the right dorm. Jimin’s face looked just as shocked as his own he guessed, the two engage in a small stare down, before Yoongi lets out a whispered “Jimin?”
That brought Jimin back to reality and a cold stare fell over his face at the sight of Yoongi. Yoongi’s heart clenched. He had no idea why he came in the first place, it was probably to see if Jimin was okay, but now, he felt like he should clarify what his dumb friends said.
“Minnie? Can we talk?” Yoongi tried to enter the dorm, but the tall guy, Tae, stopped him.
“He didn’t give you permission yet, buddy.” Yoongi wanted to fight, he needed to talk to Jimin and this big oaf, who forgot honorifics, was standing in his way, he needed to tell Jimin, to see if he was okay and if he wasn’t mad at him
Yoongi sees the moment that Jimin allows his walls to break down, it was a look mixed with hurt and sadness. Yoongi hated that look on Jimin’s face. He never wanted to see it again.
“It’s okay Tae, let him in.” Tae sizes Yoongi up once more, before he allowed Yoongi access and hovered over him. If Tae was the infamous roommate that iled Jimin to his apartment, then Yoongi was sort of grateful to the guy, but now, he was just annoying.
“Can we talk alone?” Yoongi hoped that his tone wasn’t too harsh, he didn’t want to offend.
“Tae. Please?” Jimin looked at his roommate with a looked that was filled with so much, Yoongi couldn’t figure any of it out, but the Tae kid seemed to understand well enough.
“Okay, I’ll be by Jungkook’s down the hall, yell if you need me.” and with that the tall kid was gone and the two were left alone with a pregnant silence.
Yoongi stared at Jimin, he looked so small. Yoongi hated that and he needed to change that.
“Jimin can I explain?”
“What’s there to explain, hyung? Namjoon and Hoseok hyungs have been in a relationship for quite some time, Namjoon-hyung asked me out hoping you had balls enough to stop it from happening. You didn’t, which means that you never felt anything for me in the first place and Namjoon-hyung had to end it with me, because it was taking a toll on their relationship and I’m sure you all had a rather good laugh at my expense, yeah?”
Jimin sounded bitter. Yoongi expected that, he knew more or less how Jimin’s mind worked since he spent most of his time trying to read the boy, but he also knew he had to correct all the mistakes in the most gentlest of ways, because he knew Jimin was fragile.
“You know what’s the worst part, hyung? I was actually falling for you and was feeling guilty about it, the whole time. Imagine that, I felt like I was emotionally cheating on my boyfriend, that wasn’t even my boyfriend and I was falling for his friend, that saw me as nothing but a nuisance that was forced into their life because of bad grades. Ha!”
Jimin was way more bitter than Yoongi had anticipated, but “What? You were falling for me? Why?”
“That’s really all you got out of all of that?”
“Well, You know me well enough, Minnie. I pick up on the subtlest of things and run away with it.”
That brought a small smile to Jimin’s mouth and Yoongi was counting it as a win for now, but what he really needed to do, was explain properly. He was not leaving the dorm, until he fully explained and then he would allow Jimin to make his decision from there.
Iit wasn’t up to Yoongi, Namjoon or Hoseok. It was all Jimin’s decision and if he decided that Yoongi wasn’t worth his time, Yoongi would hurt, he’s not going to lie, but then he would try again. Because he was nothing if not persistent and now that Jimin was back on the market, he would seize his opportunity.
“I didn’t know. I never knew at all. Those two ers were afraid to tell me, because of some odd fear about making me the kid in a divorce that would have to choose sides. I only just found out, probably an hour or so ago. So there, you’ve got one up on me.”
Jimin just looked at Yoongi blankly, he would have to try to convince him. Once Jimin made up his mind about something, it was near impossible to change it.
“I thought I had hid my feelings for you pretty well, to be honest. But apparently with those two, it was as clear as day. What they did, it was wrong and they hurt more people than they intended to, but, it was all done with good intentions. I mean, I know I am very bad with letting out my true feelings half the time and hide my love behind glares and insults. But I understand why they did what they did. There was a million other ways they could’ve gone about it, but, there was good intentions in it.”
Jimin still seemed unmoved, but Yoongi knew the younger well enough to know that small little spark in his eye that was gone before it appeared, was something. He would hold on to that.
“Truth is. I’m in love with you, Park Jimin. Really and truly in love with you. I was really jealous that Namjoon got to have your attention. To be honest, I never intervened when he asked you out, because I knew you liked him before. I never thought I had a chance against him. So I just settled for your friend. But now...now I will do anything to ask for your forgiveness, so we can move past this and date, because I’m dying to kiss you right now.”
Jimin let out another little laugh, this one less bitter than before and Yoongi was counting this as a win.
“I don’t know about that hyung, I still feel like you were involved somehow.” Jimin looked at Yoongi rather sadly. Yoongi could see how badly he wanted to believe Yoongi, but the timing of everything was just plain ty and Yoongi hated that.
Yoongi finally shortened the space between the two of them since he had arrived, Jimin didn’t move away, so he was willing to try, even if his brain was against it, his heart seemed willing.
“Okay. Then let hyung prove it to you. We can do another amusement park outing and this time it will be a real date. I’m serious about my feelings towards you Jimin. I’m in love with you. My chest bursts at the sight of you and if I have to spend the rest of my days proving that to you, I really will.”
Jimin’s eyes were tearing up and he let out a watery smile. “Dammit Min Yoongi, why am I so weak for you?”
Yoongi let out his best gums and held Jimin in his arms, the younger let out a shuddering breath. “Okay, so I take it that kiss will have to wait?”
Jimin pulled back to slap his chest, “I’m not as easy as you think, you have to take me on a date first.”
“Will do, Minnie.”
With that, they both are all smiles. And the future looked good for the both of them. Yoongi still had to reprimand his two best friends, but right now, he was just happy that he had his Minnie in his arms and a future relationship that he would work very hard to keep going.
Park Jimin was content. Probably more than content, but right in this specific moment, he was content. He was reading a really good book, that was grounding him in its content and he was very happy about that. And to think, a year ago, he actually hated this and tried to avoid reading as much as possible, but now, he was always purposefully making his way to the bookstore to buy a new book or to just browse, but also not forgetting to bring something back for his boyfriend.
Yes. His boyfriend. The reason that he is even sitting with the book in his hand and enjoying it. With said boyfriend, tinkering and preparing his mixtape. Min Yoongi had changed Jimin in the past year, had made him realize how important reading was. Not just the stacks of books that litter the older’s apartment, but also everyday things in life. Like body language or the words said to you on a daily basis, a lot is said without much words being uttered.
Click. Jimin is startled out of the intense scene that was being played out within the pages and finds Yoongi aiming a camera at him with a small smile plastered on his face.
“Hyung what are you doing?”
Yoongi ignores Jimin in favour of looking at the picture he’d just taken and stares at it in awe.
“Minnie. How?” Jimin frowns at that, “How what, hyung?”
“How are you so beautiful? I tried to capture you just right, but it will never do justice. My camera can’t even capture your beauty right.”
Jimin rolled his eyes and let out a small little giggle, his boyfriend was cheesy. Yoongi got up from his work station and made his way to the couch where Jimin was and sat next to him, still staring at the picture. Jimin, however, decided that staring at him was a much better option.
He still couldn’t believe it, that he is dating Yoongi. They loathed each other a year ago and then became friends over an essay and now, boyfriends, because they couldn’t keep their hearts in check and Jimin was happy for that.
He now found the beauty in books and most importantly, he found Min Yoongi. The one man that showed him the importance of reading.
The end.
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