Author's note:  it was supposed to be a double update that of yesterday, so here it goes ;)

00.11

It could be an eternity or just a few minutes.

Jungkook felt very tired, as if he had been running for a long time while he didn’t know he was actually doing it and now his muscles ached.

He blinked twice. He was in the arms of Jimin but both of them had stopped crying and Jungkook might even close his eyes and fall asleep there, on the cold floor of the classroom but safe.

How long has it been since someone had seen this side of him? He had managed to keep it hidden even from Taehyung.

He sighed.

There was no real embarrassment just some confusion at the thought of having to try and figure out how to move from now on. More or less, unconsciously, he had chosen Jimin as his anchor and he didn’t feel like letting him go any time soon. He loosened a bit the grip on Jimin’s shirt, discovering that his hands were numb for the strength of his clenching.

"Are you feeling better?" asked Jimin with clear voice. Jungkook nodded on his shoulder. It was as if he didn’t want to go back being himself any time soon. Jimin seemed to understand because he didn't loosen his grip. Jungkook was grateful because he was pretty sure it was the only thing preventing him from breaking down into million pieces.

"But I'm hungry," added Jungkook, his stomach choosing that time to grumble.

Jimin then laughed. "I'm hungry too! What do you say, we go get something to eat?" he asked kindly.

"Yes, but I don’t want to eat outside. I’m absolutely sure I ruined your shirt forever,” replied Jungkook, still a little dazed.

"I guess I contributed too,” Jimin said lightly.

"Mmm. You're an ugly crier hyung,” murmured Jungkook, trying to joke a bit.

"Is this your thank you for not having smeared your hair?”

Jungkook shook his head, stifling a half-laugh on the shoulder of Jimin. He took a deep breath. Sooner or later they would have to separate and get out, before Kim Seokjin came to see what was keeping them busy, or worse, before he closed them in there.

Jungkook then decided it was time to take back the reins of the situation and broke away from Jimin. He wiped his face with his hand and lift his head meeting’s Jimin gaze.

"Hyung you are all wrinkled,” he couldn’t help but say.

"You don’t look so much better,” Jimin said amused as he tried to set his clothes.

Jungkook smiled and shook his head trying to put himself together. He then went to retrieve his things and he looked absently in the mirror. He was wrinkled, too. He snickered at his reflection.

"Let's go,” Jimin said softly, holding out his hand and Jungkook took it without hesitation.

When they came out into the hallway, Seokjin looked particularly busy tiding up his desk maybe too busy. He greeted them with a shy smile before going back to do what he was doing.

If he had noticed their clasped hands, he decided to not comment.

It was Jimin’s turn to drive, this time toward his home. Although the car ride was short, Jungkook had to fight to keep his eyes open.

"Sleepy?" Jimin commented endeared.

"I’m too hungry to sleep now,” replied Jungkook. Jimin nodded, but luckily after few minutes Jungkook recognized the area where the older lived. He had never been inside Jimin’s house, even when he accompanied him, he had always stopped in the front.

The apartment was small but very cozy. The walls were filled with stunning pictures and there were many shelves crammed with books and plants. Jungkook didn’t have time to look around because a cute cat immediately caught his attention. Jungkook couldn’t help but crouch down and take the pet in his arms. He had a weak spot for cats.

"This is Tao! It’s very easy to win his favor, as long as you give him meat or you become his cuddling machine!” Jungkook cooed at him and took the cat with him on the couch where he seated him on his lap to give him a good scratch.

"Is ramen ok ? It's not gourmet, but at least we’ll eat faster,” Jimin asked from the kitchen.

“Yes, great!" Jungkook replied. He looked around as he continued to caress the cat absently. Jimin’s apartment was tidy but full of things, unlike his whose white walls seemed dull in comparison.

"Jungkook I was thinking…maybe you want to get a shower before eating? I'll take you home after don’t worry I won’t hold you hostage, however, I thought maybe you wanted to relax a bit?” asked Jimin doubtfully.

“Was that an indirect way to say I stink?” asked Jungkook, tilting his head.

"Of course not!" exclaimed Jimin.

"I was joking hyung. I gladly accept. I just don’t know what to wear,” Jungkook said, shaking his head shyly.

"Don’t worry about that, Kookie! I’ll lend you something of mine,” Jimin said flashing him with a sweet smile, motioning Jungkook to follow him.

"Aren’t they going to be too small? Jungkook asked, unable to help himself as he waited in the corridor outside the bedroom of Jimin.

"This brat!" Exclaimed Jimin from the closet. Jungkook found himself laughing.

Jimin's head was visible from behind the cabinet doors and he smiled back.

This situation was odd, weird.

Because their problems were not solved at all, they were in this strange limbo between a decision and the other. Jungkook did not want to get out too early of it because it meant having to deal with the whole thing and this, this wasn’t that bad.

Once he had washed off the sweat and a bit of the fatigue and he was clothed with clean and fresh clothes (Jimin had tried his best but the shirt and the pants were still short and tight), Jungkook headed peacefully towards the kitchen where Jimin was serving ramen in large bowls.

"You're here just in time,” Jimin said as he placed the bowls on the dinner table. They ate in silence, the only sounds were those of Tao eating his kibble in a corner of the kitchen.

Jungkook, already known to be hungry, emptied the bowl in a few minutes and asked for a second portion.

"Luckily, I made double portions!" Jimin said.

"Well today was a busy day,” Jungkook tried to apologize but he knew Jimin was just teasing.

"You say! By the way, I’ll take another too,” Jimin replied.

Once they finished eating, Jungkook volunteered to do the dishes while Jimin went to take a shower in turn. Jimin tried to protest saying that the younger was the guest but in vain. Jungkook pushed him toward the bathroom. It was a strange domestic picture and for once Jungkook tried not to think too much and enjoy the moment.

When Jimin came out of the shower in comfortable and fresh clothes he found the kitchen clean and in order and Jungkook plastered on the couch, with Tao at his side purring for his caresses, while watching distractedly the television. He seemed about to fall asleep at any moment, his eyelids dangerously fluttering. He looked so young and innocent.

Jimin approached on tiptoes and sat by his side, giving a scratch to Tao.

“Jimin," Jungkook whispered sleepy. Jimin wanted to scold him because more often than not, Jungkook forgot to put the ‘hyung’ after his name, but he said nothing instead.

He looked at him with warm in his eyes.

They were going through such hard times.

"Do you want me to take you home?" Jimin asked in a whisper. Jungkook opened his eyes and looked Jimin in the twilight of the television’s bluish light. He looked ethereal.

He closed his eyes again. It was as if the ground had been taken away under his feet and he was now floating in the ocean of nothingness. Jimin was his only lifeline. He had not expected for him to be his rock, he was not sure that it was right, but it had happened.

"Can I stay?" He instead found himself asking. It was as if the move was perfected by countless attempts as if they had done nothing but hug for years, and not like it was just the second time after a wet first time, in which they’ve been in each other arms. The head of Jungkook nestled in the crook of his neck, like that was his place, while the cat looked at them angrily from the carpet for being usurped of his space in between the two, now non-existent.

Jungkook leaned flushed against Jimin while the latter better settled his arm under him to be able to draw intricate patterns on his back with his fingers.

Jungkook did not know how long this truce would last, if by tomorrow he would be back to being himself and if his anger would return to burn in his veins.

He suddenly felt overwhelmed by the weariness and he knew it was just a matter of seconds before he collapsed on Jimin, wrapped around him like a warm blanket.

He didn’t know what Jimin was thinking in that moment, he wondered if the older felt as weak and wounded as he was. If that was why the older had kissed him like he was a child.

If it had felt nice having those lips on him.

"Jungkook you know that I meant it when I promised you that I would find a solution no matter what,” said Jimin, uncertain.

Jungkook didn’t answer. Perhaps Jimin was sincere but it was hard to see the light in that dark moment.

"Tomorrow. We’ll think about it tomorrow,” Jungkook whispered, nuzzling his neck with his nose, feeling Jimin shiver under him. He then closed his eyes and let himself being lulled by Jimin’s breathing.

Jimin woke up lying on his back, the light filtering through the shutters not fully closed illuminating the weight on his chest. During the night they had apparently repositioned because Jungkook was half lying on the couch while the other half was all over Jimin, his long arm resting on his stomach as his torso was half covered by a blanket (Jimin remembered he had gone to fetch some during the night). It was a miracle they had not fallen but perhaps the weight of Jungkook had anchored them on the couch. Jimin blinked, trying to dissipate his sleep. The light didn’t look intense. Hopefully it was still early which was good because he had forgotten to set an alarm and he had to go to work. With a move worthy of a ninja he succeeded to remove the phone from the pocket of his pants.

6:55 AM

Thank goodness. He had plenty of time to get dressed and get a big delicious breakfast and maybe look the morning newscast although he preferred not to wake Jungkook. He glanced back on the weight over him. Jungkook was still fast asleep, his hair was all matted but he looked perfect even like that.

Jimin sighed.

He had prepared himself to the possibility that his actions would result into this chaos. He was prepared to deal with Jungkook’s anger even though he had hoped to be able to explain himself to the younger. It was not his intention to hurt him though, not on purpose, and what pained him most about Jungkook’s accusation of playing with their lives, was the fact that he felt responsible for Jungkook’s downfall.

With his fingers, he gently freed his forehead from his rebellious fringe.

He defied anyone, anyone with a heart, to not feel deeply moved at the sight of Jungkook and his determination.

Jimin wondered if there was something more behind his instinct to protect the younger at any cost.
And in a sense, he already knew the answer. He had already experienced this feeling, to be willing to do anything for someone he considered special. But it was so different this time because Jungkook never asked him to and he would have never because Jungkook didn’t know how to be selfish.

Jimin shook his head trying to not think too hard.

He had lead Jungkook as fast as he could inside the apartment with the excuse of being tired.

However there was another reason. He had recognized the silhouette of Yoongi in the dark as if it was not enough the light coming from the cigarette.

What the hell was Yoongi doing outside his house, god only knew.

A shiver ran through him. Yoongi used to do the same thing years ago whenever the weight of his engagement seemed too heavy on him.

During the last period when he used to spent more time with his soul mate than with Jimin, he still returned to their apartment to look for the warmth and comfort of Jimin as if he couldn’t help it, wounding him every single time. Yoongi had always claimed to love him, but Jimin was also sure he was in love of his soulmate too. How could he not. She was his perfect half.

Yoongi had no logical reason to be there and if he dared to come and bother Jimin, he was confident in being capable to put him into place, but he was sure Yoongi had seen Jungkook and that bothered him a lot.

Because Jungkook was his.

Jimin had to stop himself from wailing. He couldn’t possibly already think like that.

He decided it was time to stop brooding and start instead to get ready.

He tried to shift as gently as possible from under Jungkook, determined to not wake him but it looked like Jungkook was a person that would continue to sleep even during a hurricane because he muttered something unintelligible but continued to sleep, hugging a pillow instead of Jimin.

Jimin smiling at the view, then went to the bathroom to freshen up and get dressed, and then head to the kitchen to eat some breakfast.

The smell of coffee and food seemed to finally be able to wake Jungkook up because Jimin heard noises coming from the living room. With the cup of coffee in his hand he went towards the source of noise to find Jungkook half sitting, eyes still closed as he continued to hug the pillow.

"What time is it?" He asked more asleep than awake.

"It's almost eight. I’m leaving soon. You can stay here if you want, you can have breakfast now or even after if you want continue sleeping. Take your time,” said Jimin, getting closer and he couldn’t help but pet him on the head. Jungkook just nodded.

“I'll leave you the keys on the kitchen table, when you leave just put them under the front door mat,” Jimin continued.

"Thank you," murmured Jungkook, relaxing under the touch of Jimin.

Jimin had been afraid that the next morning the strange atmosphere they had hared would have vanished faster than snow melting under the sun, but Jungkook still looked soft and Jimin strongly hoped they would somehow manage to make it work.

"You are welcome,” Jimin said, withdrawing his hand.

Jungkook opened his eyes. They both knew they had to talk about it again, and that their enormous problems and differences still existed but the night before had marked a beginning. And once there was a beginning, the rest would come by itself.

Jimin returned to the kitchen to put down the cup and take the car keys and his cell phone.
He did not want to leave, but work was calling. It expected him a busy day. He hesitated for a moment but then he went towards Jungkook and kissed him on the forehead as a goodbye before finally leaving.

Luckily there was no Yoongi waiting him outside. He heard his phone vibrate in his pocket. Maybe if he hurried and arrived at the office early he could reply to some of Seokjin’s messages.

His best friend had sent messages full of emoticons all asking him not very subtly, "So how did it go?" like he knew something was going on

Of course he hadn’t been able to answer the night before, but Seokjin didn’t give in and had probably decided to interrogate Jimin early in the morning. Jimin wondered if he should tell Seokjin that he thought he had seen Yoongi the night before, but he instead decided he didn’t want to trigger fights, and he mentally promised to tell him if the thing repeated itself and Jimin didn’t think it would.

Jungkook woke up a few hours later on the couch with Tao happily walking on his back. He stirred and stood up being careful that the cat wouldn’t fall on the floor.

He had stayed at Jimin’s home and the latter had been kind enough to let him sleep in. Probably over him all night.

Jungkook probably should feel embarrassment, but it seemed so natural and comfortable that their ugly situation came second.

He had not forgotten his feelings, problems, and ambitions. But maybe he had been more overwhelmed than he had initially thought. He didn’t regret to have let himself go though.
There still was a mess in his head, but having Jimin by his side had felt reassuring. He was starting to understand the desire of Jimin to have company and share loneliness.

He wondered if this implied something and Jungkook wasn’t one to lie to himself if he was conscious. However his yearn for freedom didn’t stop to exist.

It was hard trying to think of a way in which everyone would win.

He decided it was time to stop imposing on Jimin, he had to go home and do something useful.

On his way to the bathroom he glanced into the kitchen and saw that Jimin had set the table with all the things that one could wish for breakfast for Jungkook, and his heart clenched.

He did not know what he was suppose to feel. He was irritated with Jimin yet he could not deny that there wasn’t the only feeling he had at the moment.

He had rejected Jimin and the idea of marriage horrified him, but he had let the older hug him and he had liked being kissed by him.

Once refreshed he decided to do justice to the banquet that Jimin had prepared and ate half of the food. He forced himself to clean and put everything in order and after a final farewell to Tao he took his things and decided to head for home. Perhaps he could go to Hoseok and Taehyung’s house to borrow a bike and make the comeback quicker.

It was noon when he finally came out into the street. He had dwelt more than necessary, and was hoping to make it in time before Taehyung went out for the afternoon classes.

At first he didn’t notice but after he had walked for ten minutes he wondered if he had seen well. There was a car parked outside the house of Jimin, Jungkook remembered seeing it the night before. He had noticed because it wasn’t the usual family car but it had seemed expensive. But it wasn’t the car what made him think about the brief episode. It was the person inside. Jungkook believed he had seen him somewhere even though he couldn’t remember exactly when or where.

Yoongi swore under his breath.

What was he doing back at Jimin’s home like an ordinary stalker?

He was sure that the first episode of the night before had been a single occurrence. But then he thought about what he had witnessed and the curiosity got the best of him.

It was ridiculous. All of it. He was married, Jimin lived his life.

There was no longer an ‘us’. There hadn’t been for years.

Yoongi regretted many things in his life, his bad luck for one thing, the poverty with which he had handled everything when he was younger.

“There's something wrong with me," exclaimed Yoongi. It was not the first time he thought so.

That morning he had to go on a job meeting with a talent scouts in town to discuss possible new trainees and their potential. Once he finished he was supposed to return directly to the company but had again strayed from his way because he wanted to see how many possibilities there were to catch a glimpse of Jimin’s guest again. It was supposed to be joke. Yet he found himself there again.

If Seokjin found out Yoongi had been there, it would probably be his end. Of course, even though he stayed parked there only for a couple of minutes, like a complete idiot, he was lucky enough to see the guest going out.

How many many chances there were? But it happened and Yoongi couldn’t look away. Now that he could see him closely he realized how young he was, younger than them. And it was unlike any person Jimin had dated so far. The few times that Jimin had tried to leave, and even after he had managed to do so, Yoongi had seen the types that Jimin liked. Quiet guys with a dark aura. In short, copies of him. It had left a bitter taste.

He was an enough decent person to wish Jimin to move on. He had been the worst, but he had loved Jimin, even when he had not known how to do it. There was a time he almost wished to be a zero too.

Yoongi watched him walk out of his sight.

He wondered who he was, what he did in life, and prayed for his sake that he wasn’t a number two.