He had been working in the convenience store for all of a few weeks when he first saw him.

It was around two in the morning and Park Jimin was on his usual shift when he heard the somewhat familiar (it didn't sound to much on weekdays) sound of the chime for the front door. Jimin looked up from the latest Japanese rock magazine, quickly lowering it to a less visible place below the counter before beginning his standard greeting.

"Hello, Welcome to KSM," he said automatically, looking up and greeting the customer.

However upon making eye contact he paused, and so did the customer, their eyes on one another for a few moments that lasted longer than what was typical or normal. He was tall, taller than Jimin at least, with dark hair that fell into rich dark eyes. Those eyes were beautifully almond shaped with a sharp slant that -along with the face mask that covered his mouth and nose, made him look like the protagonist in really debak fighting drama. He also wore a burgundy beanie, black hoodie, ripped jeans and brown Timberland boots. The blond behind the counter gave a wide eyed blink and pushed his hair back offering a small bow that seemed to break the taller male out of his stupor as he returned it.

Finally breaking eye contact Jimin went back to his magazine and waited for the male to bring up his purchase, or at least that's what he told himself. However, a few moments later he felt his eyes lift, following the broad shoulders of the guy as he perused the isles looking for something to buy.

He looked good...

Well from what Jimin could see, but at the very least he had a nice body- even with a hoodie on that wasn't up for debate after all. It was just as obvious as the height the other wore so easily.

Jimin lightly bit his lip, the magazine crumpling a bit in his hands as he leaned forward on his palms and lifted to his toes trying to get a better view of the man as he headed down the far isle closer to the refrigerated food and drink section. When the man suddenly turned and looked in his direction he quickly ducked down behind the counter to hide before he instantly realized both, that he'd done it, and how stupid he looked doing it.

  'For s sake Jimin, you're an employee! If you're caught looking you're supposed to ask if they need help like a normal ing person! Not crouch behind the counter.'

Clearing his throat and pretending that he'd had to pick something up, Jimin slowly stood, relieved (and a tinge disappointed) to see that the good looking shopper wasn't paying attention to him. Feeling stupid he sighed and shook his head muttering to himself about his own spastic behavior. He didn't know why he couldn't react normally to normal situations? But, then again, he wasn't exactly normal was he? Though who cared, after all what was the fun in "normal"? That's what he often asked himself. As for why he considered himself abnormal... well...

He liked guys.

Yes, in that way. And it wasn't considered the norm in Korea, but he wasn't exactly ashamed of it either. He had a supportive family and good friends- so, while he didn't announce it, he didn't cower at the thought of it either. That said, he was free to check out any tasty specimen that came into this shop, after all that was one of the very few and very rare perks he got working here. Well, besides the quiet that allowed him to study and the shift differential pay for the overnight position. With that in mind, and with a bit more confidence he looked up to sneak another peek.

"Aish! !" he yelled clutching his chest and jumping back dramatically. "You scared me!" He accused the customer, before reminding himself that he was talking to a customer. An attractive customer. At his job. Flushing he cleared his throat and bowed a bit. "I mean, excuse me Sir, I didn't see you come up..." he corrected in a painfully forced tone.

Because the stranger was wearing a face mask Jimin wasn't able to make out the full reaction to his attempts to clear up his faux pas, the male's brows furrowing and the slight crinkle around his eyes being the only indications he'd even had one at all, before he tilted his head curiously and returned the bow. He then sat a bento, some seaweed chips and a choco milk on the counter to be rang up.

"Did you find everything you needed?" Jimin asked pleasantly as he tallied the purchases.

His response was a mute nod of the head.

Oooookay.... so, maybe he couldn't talk? Jimin offered a small smile. "It's nice out tonight, it's been raining all week so this break is a good thing, ne?"

Once again a mute nod was his response.

Jimin cleared his throat. "Okay well... that'll be seven-thousand and ninety-five won." He accepted the money for the purchase after putting the items into a bag. "Your change is two-thousand, nine hundred and five won." He passed the change, which the man accepted. "Thank you for making KSM your choice, we hope to see you again." He finished with a bright smile.

The dark haired man's eyes grew wide and he stared at Jimin for a minute before shaking his head and offering another silent nod, grabbing his bag and leaving. Jimin watched him go confused... confused and horribly attracted. Was it true? Were the eyes the window to the soul? Because he had beautiful eyes, the color was a rich chocolate brown and that shape... that shape could make a even a straight guy swoon. He seemed to be wearing just a hint of liner that accentuated them, making his long thick lashes stand out even more and making it hard for Jimin to forget them even though he was long gone.

Jimin bit his bottom lip his eyes going to the window outside to catch one last glimpse, but he couldn't see the stranger anymore. Heaving a forlorn sigh, the blond instead headed to the nearby mirror and looked at his own small eyes.

'Maybe I should try wearing liner,' he thought to himself examining his own face and pulling at his eyes to readjust the shape and wideness, before looking over quickly as the door chimed. Much to his disappointment a group of girls entered instead of the good looking stranger, they were loud and laughing, obviously stopping in for after party snacks after leaving a club or something of the sort.

"Hello, welcome to KSM!" He called to them per usual, they looked over, giggled and went on about their business.

'Oh well, the view had been good while it lasted,' the blond thought giving one last glance out of the window, before putting away his magazine and heading from behind the counter to answer one of the girls questions about the freshness of their food.

****************

Jimin looked up as the bell sounded, a bright smile on his face at the now familiar figure.

"Hello! Welcome back to KSM!" he called cheerfully to Timber(land) Oppa (his personally made, super secret, nickname).

Jimin had initially been worried that Timber Oppa had walked out of his life forever after that first visit. He had been wonderfully mistaken. The good looking stranger had returned the next night to buy some dried squid, spicy chips and choco-milk, then the next to buy milk-tea, choco milk and pudding, and so on, this continued for subsequently over the next two weeks for almost every night Jimin had worked. It had become his favorite part of the evening, those few daily minutes that Timber Oppa would appear to grace him with his presence. After all who wouldn't look forward to it? He was tall and smelled nice, and had great eyes... if only he'd take off that face mask.

When Jimin had told him about the mysterious and attractive customer, Hobi-Hyeong, his friend and assistant manager, often joked that the guy must be like the slit mouthed woman underneath, and that was why he never showed his face. Leaving Jimin torn between adamantly denying it (as he just couldn't see it at all) and- to be honest, not caring. After all looks didn't determine the person there were other factors that could make or break someones appeal. In fact, there was something just as important to Jimin, if not more, than just the fact that he'd not seen the man's full face... he'd not heard his voice.

Now THAT drove him mad. He was freaking dying of curiosity here! It had even reached the point that he'd dreamed of what it could sound like, the timber, the tone. If he sounded smart, refined, educated or more like a gangster? Did he have an accent? Was he a Seoul native or did he have a dialect? Jimin had even imagined a conversation that consisted of more than him talking about menial store matters, purchases and change with no response but a nod or incline of a head. - But alas, it had never happened in all of the weeks that Timer Oppa had been stopping by.

Instead their conversations had remained woefully one sided...

"Silver."

"Mmm," Jimin said lifting and touching his hair, he'd recently changed it and everyone had been commenting on it all day. "Yeh, I think it looks-"

He cut off as he realized that he was staring at Timer Oppa and blinked, a slow wide-eyed blink as he studied the taller man.

"Where you?... I mean...did you say... that?"

He nodded.

He ,i>ing nodded. Again. Wordlessly.

"Oh..." Jimin blinked and looked around, he chuckled and ruffled his hair before accepting the items. "Another bento today, huh? I guess you must be tired of all of those snacks you'd been picking up lately," he commented to the taller male, in his usual self sustaining conversational way. "Though..." he looked over the items. "Ah, you're missing a choco milk."

"You were out..."

Jimin looked up in surprise once more. He had gotten so use to holding his own counsel during his moments with Timber Oppa that getting actual responses was throwing him the off. The silver haired man blinked once more and lightly bit his lip. "We may have something in refrigeration in the back, did you want me to check?"

He shook his head.

For s sake.

Jimin wanted to groan, but he didn't want to scare him off... yet from what he'd heard, Timber Oppa's voice was different from what Jimin had imagined. He had thought it'd be deeper, richer, but it was a lighter tone... slightly scratchy in a way, nothing too much -but still a higher pitch than he'd thought. Over all he sounded... younger. For the first time since they met, Jimin wondered if Timber Oppa wasn't really an Oppa after all. Could he be younger? And if so, how much? And also if so- then why was he out so late?

"Well... next time then I'll just be sure to make sure one is set aside for you, ne?" he offered aloud with an amused tilt of his lips.

The taller male inclined his head in thanks and Jimin completed ringing him up.

"That'll be four-thousand, nine hundred and twenty won." The younger male wordlessly gave him the money and Jimin returned the change with a smile. "Thank you, and thanks for shopping at KSM. Have a good night and enjoy the meal."

Timber Oppa accepted the change and the bag before hesitating, Jimin frowned curiously at him.

"What is it?" the silver haired boy asked. Had he forgotten something?

"...you were saying something..." the taller dark haired man said looking at him once more with those beautiful eyes.

"...I was?"

"The hair... about the hair... you were saying something... but you stopped," he said in a shy, awkward tone that just melted Jimin's heart.

Okay so it wasn't a y baritone, but if I wasn't cute!

"Ah, right," the shorter man laughed and touched his head. "I was saying that I think it looks okay on me, it was a last minute decision when I went to get the blond touched up."

Timber Oppa nodded again, before adding. "You look good." Then, as if realizing what he'd said, he quickly bowed and practically rushed from the store, hitting his arm on the handle and leaving a blushing and bewildered clerk in his wake

Slowly recovering from his shock Jimin gave a slow smile an then a light laugh.

he was cute.

********************

"Hello! Welcome to KSM!" Jimin called as the man entered the store.

It wasn't Timber Oppa, but this one was attractive too. He had large eyes, much larger than normal, something Jimin couldn't help but notice as the male stared at him. Confused, the silver haired clerk blinked and stared back for a moment before pushing his hair from his face and raising both brows.

"...May I help you with something?"

"It is silver..." the lanky boy said suddenly, heading towards Jimin's counter. "You-"

He cut off as the door opened again, they both looked over to see Timber Oppa standing there, he was hurriedly adjusting his face mask as he looked around in an seemingly agitated state.

"Hello... Welcome to-"

"Tae-Hyeong," he said in a voice much louder than anything Jimin had ever heard from him before.

It wasn't yelling, per se, but it was clear that he wasn't happy. Jimin watched somewhat bewildered as Timber Oppa approached and proceeded to grab and drag the large eyed man towards the back of the store by his arm.

"But JK!" the guy complained as he was hauled off. "I only wanted to see!"

They exchanged whispered words, with a confused and still bewildered Jimin watching from the front counter. 'They are both attractive,' the silver haired boy silently acknowledged. They also looked good together... really good together. The lanky man had light brown hair and an almost other worldly beauty to him, he also had the deep baritone that Jimin had always imagined Timber Oppa to have and long graceful limbs. Actually, speaking of Timber Oppa...

JK?

The other guy had said the name 'JK'... was that Timber Oppas name? Jimin was so ing curious about this and so much more as he watched them with unabashed interest. They stayed near the farther end of the store and continued to talk in whispered tones with the Tae guy looking over every now and again, only to be forced to look away once more. They perused the back isles, standing horribly close to one another as they moved and spoke. It was obvious, even to someone with as limited knowledge as Jimin (who didn't even know their real names), that they had a very close relationship with one another. So close in fact, that the two males seemed to have no sense of personal space, especially the new guy who was literally hanging off of Timber Oppa... or JK?... He supposed.

As 'Tae' laughed and jumped halfway on 'JKs' back, Jimin found himself frowning before he realized it and when they both looked in his direction once more he quickly averted his gaze, silently cursing himself.

One- this was not a Manga... not every guy was gay, in fact in the real world nowhere near enough of them were. Soooo, that said, they most likely weren't gay at all -let alone for each other. No matter how incredibly good they looked together.  Basically that meant there was no use, or point in getting jealous over an unconfirmed most likely non-existent relationship. Two- even if they were gay or Timber Oppa was, the possibility that he'd be gay for Jimin was about as likely as 'Timber Oppa' being his real name. After all, even gay guys had standards and any guy who looked like that (with the exception of Hobi-Hyeong's slit mouth thing being true) most likely had plenty of options male OR female to choose from. So, if there was in fact something between them, him and the Tae guy, then at least the other guy was someone he couldn't compete with right? And, that said, even if the two of them were boyfriends, was it even his business at all?

"Do you have any more choco-milk?" a deep voice asked.

Jimin jumped slightly and looked up to see Tae and Timber Oppa standing just in front of him. "Choco milk?" he repeated dumbly.

"Yeah, it's JK's favorite," the lanky man said with a kind smile, clapping Timber Oppa on the shoulder.

Jimin blinked and looked at 'JK', so his name was JK... before nodding. "Actually... one moment." He held up a finger and headed to the side store room, then into the refrigerated section returning a minute later with a single choco milk. "Here you are, last one."

"Awesome! You had one left," Tae grinned happily.

"Yeah, I saved it," Jimin remarked, his eyes flicking to JK as he offered a small smile.

The dark haired man blushed, he actually blushed. Jimin was quite sure that was the case even though he could only make out the dusting on his cheeks around the perimeters of his face mask.

"Oh, was this yours?" Tae asked with a confused frown. "I don't want to take your personal drink."

"No, no," Jimin said quickly, holding up his hands. "I didn't save it for me... I.... uh..." he stumbled, his eyes flicking subconsciously to 'JK', then down to the counter, then back to Tae.

"Let's go," JK remarked cutting in, as Jimin noticed the overly curious look Tae was giving both him and Timber Oppa.

"You're not getting anything?" Tae asked looking curiously at him, finally pulling his attention from the clerk. "Why come in here if you're not buying anything?" he added with a smirk that had Jimin giving a confused frown.

"...Wh- of course- I mean yeh... Yeh, of course I'm buying something," JK said, quickly grabbing something and tossing it onto the counter. "I came in for this."

"...Stockings?" Jimin remarked dumbly.

"What?" both of the other males asked, before looking down at the counter to see that he had, in fact, tossed down a pack of sheer black stockings.

The silver haired man looked up at him from beneath pale fringe. "Uh... is that all?"

"Y-yes..." JK said slowly, while Tae had shifted and was hiding his head against the other males back.

The shaking of the lanky mans shoulder and muffled snorts told Jimin he was laughing even if he couldn't see it.

"That and the choco milk," JK finished just as slowly, no longer meeting his gaze.

"Right..." Jimin quickly rung up the purchase and gave him the total placing the items in a small bag. "Here's your change. Thank you for coming to KSM, we hope to see you again soon..."

"Right..." JK replied before accepting the bag and moving away, he dragged the Tae guy along with him.

"Nice to meet you Jimin-sshi!" Tae yelled with a grin. "I'll be-"

He cut off as he was shoved out of the door, JK bowed to Jimin once more before exiting behind him. For his part the silver haired man stared in confusion at the door before his hand subconsciously lifted to the name tag on his chest, he looked down, seeing the name 'JiMin' staring back at him before his eyes flicked back to the door. So... it seems they knew one anothers names now...

*************

This time he wasn't in his usual place, so when the door opened to signal the customer had entered he turned towards the front and saw the back of Timber Oppa's (okay so his name was JK, but Jimin had grown partial to his own little nickname) head as he faced the counter. It was clear he was confused, Jimin smiled a bit and moved from the isle coming to a halt just behind him.

"May I help you?" Jimin asked pleasantly. He immediately jumped back and then broke into a fit of giggles at the stance that the taller man had taken, clearly having been surprised by Jimin's appearance behind him. This silver haired man offered him a wide smile and applied a small amount of pressure to JK's arm, to get him to lower it from the defensive stance. "I didn't mean to startle you," he apologized with an amused look before trying again. "Welcome back to KSM... may I help you?"

"....I... no, no I'm okay just... came to grab something," JK said slowly.

Jimin nodded at him and the two stared at one another for several moments, that was until the door sounded. The silver haired boy looked past JK and smiled at the new entry, a couple of teenage guys.

"Hello, welcome to KSM," he remarked inclining his head before looking at JK. "Well... when you're ready to check out, let me know... I'll be right over here, restocking," he said indicating the isle he'd just vacated.

"I will... thanks," the taller man said.

They looked at one another for an additional awkward moment before a question from one of the teens pulled Jimin's attention. The silver haired man went to assist them and JK slowly made his way further into the store to get his items. About fifteen minutes later he made it to the front.

"Jimin-sshi," the voice called, causing Jimin to look over.

The sound of his name from Timber Oppas lips made his heart pick up a bit, but he quickly pushed that aside because now was the time to be professional, or some .

"One moment!" he called putting the razors back into the box to restock later and returning to the front.

The younger men had left several minutes ago, leaving the two of them alone once more- as they often tended to be at JK's two to three am visit times. As he came up to the counter Jimin took note of the basket full of various things, soju, beer, chips, dried squid, nuts and other drinking snacks greeted him. He shot that taller man a surprised look as he began to slowly pull them out to scan them.

"First stockings, now this... you're really branching out," Jimin teased dryly with a subtle smirk.

JK was blushing again, that much was obvious as a pale red crept down to his neck and he lowered his head, using the soft looking hair to hide his eyes. Jimin offered a subtle laugh and continued to work, however once he reached the soju and beer he looked to Timber Oppa and lightly bit his lip.

"Uh... ID?"

"What?" JK asked with a confused look.

"I need to see your ID... to verify, before I can allow you to purchase the alcohol," Jimin explained holding out his hand.

"Oh..." Timber Oppa remarked before going into his back pocket, he seemed to hesitate as he opened the wallet before pulling the ID and passing it over.

Jimin was worried that it'd say that he was underage (for more reasons than one), or at least be fake, but no. It was a legitimate ID and upon checking the date he was old enough to drink at 20... still he was only twenty, which did, in fact, make him younger. But at least he was legal. His eyes went over the boy in the picture, then over the one in the store.

"JungKook-sshi?" he asked, looking up a bit excitedly and offering a blinding smile. "Is that what the JK stands for? JungKook-ah?"

The younger man gave him an odd look before slowly nodding. "It... it is."

"Right..." Jimin snorted and offered an amused smile. "Sorry I guess that was a stupid question." He then went back to the ID before returning his gaze to the man. "Uh... I'm sorry but... could you?" he indicated the mask. He had to make sure the picture matched after all, it wasn't because he was curious... well, it was JUST because he was curious.

JungKook's brows rose and he hesitated once more but in the end he lifted his hand, unhooking one half of the mask he let if fall exposing his face.

  For the love of he was beautiful.

Jimin's mouth almost dropped, but he willed it to stay shut... this resulted in him making a strangely skeptical face and holding his breath for an awkward moment. Then abruptly releasing the air in one loud puff that caused him to lean forward a bit, an action that was so spastic it that if Hobi-Hyeong were he he'd declare it was Park Jimin through and through. Realizing what he'd done he made a slight face and ran a hand though his hair, passing the identification back.

"Thank you JungKook-sshi... or do you prefer JK?" 'or do you prefer Timber Oppa?', his mind finished before remembering JK was actually his Dongsaeng.

"Either is fine..." the younger man said frowning at him.

It was a new experience... being able to see his full face. On top of that JungKook was staring at Jimin oddly and he wasn't sure why... well, that was until he realized that he'd forgotten to finish ringing up the purchase.

"Aish, sorry," he laughed before adding in the soju and beer to the transaction, and telling him the total.

JungKook continued to study him curiously and much more intensely than he had before as Jimin when through the motions of completing the transaction. Once he was done the smaller man looked up at JungKook through ash colored fringe and frowned a bit.

"Is something wrong?"

"I....no, not at all..." JungKook said slowly, very slowly as if waiting for something.

When Jimin just blinked and looked at him, he finally offered a wry smile.

"It's nothing," he said once more.

"If it were something, would you tell me?" Jimin asked with an amused tilt of his lips.

The tall man smiled fully and Jimin damn near swooned, for s sake he was not a Secondary school girl! So why did he feel like one right now?

"If you really wanted to know..." JungKook responded in a gentle tone.

Those eyes on Jimin's face and that smirk on JK's lips had the shorter man lightly gripping the counter to keep from melting like one big gay mess. He felt like a ing stereotype right now. That said there was one thing there was no denying, no matter how much he may have (occasionally) tried to in the past...

He wanted him.

He wanted him bad.

He needed a star, a clover, a religion, something ANYTHING to help him get this man!

"If I really wanted to know..." Jimin repeated lightly biting his lip for a moment before finishing, "...what?"

That smirk got a bit more pronounced, white teeth showing from just between smooth lips. "Well-"

He cut off as the bell sounded, the sounds of giggling girls from the club resounded. "Hello! Welcome to KSM!" Jimin called his usual greeting as if on autopilot.

However, when he looked back at JK the flirtation was gone, as if he'd imagined it- had he imagined it? The face mask was also back in place and eyes were once more averted. The younger man offered Jimin an incline of his head before grabbing his bag and exiting without another word, his head down the whole way. As one of the girls complained that they didn't have any of the strawberry flavored drink she liked, and wanted to know if they had more, Jimin allowed himself to be pulled back into work.

However, try as he might, the odd behavior of the younger man stuck in his brain.

************************

"Yes," Jimin said smiling at the older woman who was before him.

Though it was almost midnight the woman had come in, as she often did on Thursdays, to make a small amount of groceries on her way back to her tiny apartment. Apple Halmoni, as Jimin called her due to her work on her son's apple orchard during the early part of the week, would often stop by to get milk, eggs and other things of the like to make meals for her days off.

Jimin enjoyed her visit, she was a lively older woman who always had an interesting story to tell. Like children, he enjoyed spending time with elderly people, they were often a great source of entertainment and unknown facts about the city around him.

"So what did he do about the order?" Jimin asked as he found that her son had oversold his premium apples, and needed almost five dozen more for his larger, and frankly more important, customer.

"Oh, well we got-" she stopped as they both looked over.

Jimin's brows rose in surprise to see JungKook-ah enter, almost two hours before his usual time. The pink haired man offered him a smile and light wave.  "Hello JungKook-ah! Welcome to KSM, again."

The younger man had been back a few times since his soju purchase, and Jimin had reach a point where he was pretty comfortable dropping the more formal style of speaking with the younger man... In fact he'd even venture to say they might even be friends at this point. At the very least they talked more, he now knew that the younger man loved playing video game, has taken martial arts classes, and is also from Busan originally. Though he still doesn't know why he always comes to the store so late at night- Jimin at least gets to have regular talks with him sans face mask now.

The younger man offered him a bow. "Hello Hyeong..." he said in that soft tone of his that Jimin had grown to love, before heading to shop.

"Sorry Halmoni," Jimin apologized to the older woman. "JungKook-ah is one of our late night regulars," he leaned forward and whispered in a loud voice. "I think you'll like him!"

"Why? Is he cute?" the woman said turning to look. "He's wearing a mask how can you tell?"

"He has a very cute personality," Jimin declared.

The older woman snorted and shook her head. "Aigooo, you kids today."

"I thought it was the personality that was important? Beauty fades and all that," Jimin laughed looking at her.

"It's not the personality you have to stare up at in bed," the older woman responded, earning a squeaking giggle from the young clerk.

"Halmoni!!!" he exclaimed scandalized.

"I may be old but I'm not dead, I use to be quite the beauty in my day," she remarked as Jimin began to ring up her items.

"I wasn't aware it was still you day. Everyday must be your day at this rate," the pink haired man smiled at her.

"You shameless flirt..." the woman said suppressing a smile. "I like it. Do more."

"I can't, if I do then you'll have to keep me as I won't let you get away," Jimin teased with a charming grin.

The older woman giggled and hit his arm. "Just give me my total you brat."

"Ne, Halmoni," the younger man smiled. "That'll be twenty-six thousand, two hundred and forty-five won," Jimin said putting the items into her reusable bag. "I don't know why you shop here, you can get all of this much cheaper at the supermarket."

"Aigoo... that's not how you make a sale," the older woman chided going into her purse. "If I were your boss I'd fire you."

"Right, Minhe-yo. What I meant to say is, you should by more- this rice is on special two bags for five thousand won."

"That's better," she said shooting him an amused look.

However after a moment her amusement faded and so did Jimin's.

"What's wrong?" the pink haired man asked.

"My coin purse... I can't find it," the woman remarked setting her bag on the counter.

"I'm sure it's in there," Jimin assured her watching concerned as she searched.

However after a few minutes he was no longer sure. The older woman removed some larger things from her bag but still no coin purse.

"I must have left it out at SunWoo-ah's farm..." she frowned in dismay. "I'm sorry Jimin-ah... put it all back."

"Nonsense, Halmoni," Jimin said passing her the bags as she returned the items to her purse. "You keep it, I'll take care of it."

"No," the woman replied pushing the bags back. "I have some stuff from last week, I'll stretch it until I can get my son or grandson to bring up my coin purse."

"It's not a big deal, I can help-"

"This is a business, you can't give things away you'll be fired," the older woman frowned looking at him.

"I'm not, I have some won in my wallet-"

"Absolutely not," the woman cut in drawing herself up. "I will not take money from a child who's already working nights to make ends meet."

"Halmoni- I live with my parents. I work for other expenses-"

"Exactly and those expenses aren't me," the woman cut in. "I refuse to take your money Jimin-ah and you won't convince me otherwise."

"Will you take my money?"

Both Jimin and Apple Halmoni looked over to see JungKook-ah standing there holding a pack of seaweed snacks, candy and choco-milk. His face mask was removed as he looked over at the two of them, those large doe eyes of his showing actual concern.

"How old are you?" Apple Halmoni instantly demanded, frowning at him.

"Old enough to have a job that pays well," JungKook responded with a small smile. "Allow me to help Halmoni."

"I'm not taking your pocket change," the woman declared.

The younger dark haired man smiled and put the seaweed snacks under his arm, pulling his wallet he showed her the contents. Jimin looked over to see, but was too far to make out anything more than general bills, however what he showed her must have been effective.

"A small loss of pocket change shouldn't hurt him to much," she said looking at Jimin as she pulled the bags close once more.

The pink haired man gave a hearty laugh. "I'd think not, he's in here almost every night just throwing it away."

"You should eat better than that," the woman declared looking at JungKook again. "Do you like Kimichi-stew?"

"Yes, 'Halmoni," JungKook answered inclining his head.

"I'll bring you by some tomorrow, leave it with Jimin-ah," the woman responded.

"I look forward to it," JungKook smiled.

"Can I have some?" Jimin pouted.

"Aren't you chubby enough?" the woman said looking Jimin up and down skeptically.

The pink haired man's mouth dropped. "I am NOT chubby, Halmoni! That's mean, I just have a round face!"

"I know fat when I see it," the woman countered in a haughty tone.

However Jimin didn't take offense, she was like this. If he asked her for food or talked about eating she'd call him fat, if she offered food and he refused she'd call him too skinny. She just liked being disagreeable, and he enjoyed that about her as well.

"Is that really a no?" the pink haired man pouted.

She seemed to consider before deciding on an. "We'll see..."

Jimin smiled in response. "Please do..."

He helped her take the two bags as JungKook moved forward. "Can I carry them for you?"

"No," the woman said firmly. "You can pay for them though... I shall allow it, I suppose. Since you're well off."

JungKook chuckled and inclined his head. "Ne, Halmoni, thank you."

She inclined her head back before looking at Jimin. "You're right Jimin-ah... he is cute."

Dropping that bomb and taking her two bags the woman made her way out of the store leaving the two males staring at the exit in her wake. After a moment, JungKook shot Jimin an amused look.

"Cute, huh?" he asked dryly.

Jimin scrunched his nose and held to fingers almost indivisibly spaced apart. "Barely."

Kook laughed but didn't argue the point. "How much is it if you add mine to the total?"

Jimin tallied up the additions an gave him the new amount. "That was sweet of you..." he said looking at the younger male. "To pay for her."

JungKook shrugged and pulled out the money, passing it to Jimin.

"Though now I'm curious..." the pink haired man said slowly.

Kookie blinked and looked at him. "...About what?"

"How rich ARE you?" the clerk inquired. "I mean... she didn't even offer to pay you back like she normally would have- she just offered you stew."

JungKook blushed. "I'm not rich... I don't think. But, I do make a nice amount at work now."

"What do you do?" Jimin inquired full of curiosity.

"I... wait, did you change your hair color again? Pink... it's an interesting choice."

Jimin lifted a hand to his hair, petting the soft locks. "Interesting bad?"

JungKook snorted. "I'm convinced that nothing can look bad on you Hyeong..." the younger man said as he accepted his change. "I'll be back for my kimchi stew tomorrow- don't eat it."

"Are you calling me chubby too?" Jimin countered pouting at him.

"Not at all, I love your cheeks," JungKook said his hand coming up to cup Jimin's face.

His fingers had just grazed the curve of Jimin's jawline before he seemed to realize what he was doing and quickly pulled back, blushing. The face mask went back into place and he grabbed his bag.

"Goodnight, Hyeong," JungKook said quickly exiting the store.

"Goodnight, JungKookie..." Jimin said softly, his hand coming to caress the part of his cheek JungKook had.

He was so shaken by what had happened, that that causal but intimate touch that it wasn't until thirty minutes and two customers later that he'd realized...

JungKook never told him what that money making job was...

******************

Jimin walked into the convenience store, his backpack over his shoulder and his work shirt over his arm as he passed the front and waved to one of the evening clerks. As he made his way to the employee area to get changed he was suddenly grabbed and dragged over into the management office.

"What the-" he cut off noticing Hobi-Hyeong looking at him with a frown. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Are you serious right now, or do you really not know?" Hosoek demanded obviously worked up.

"I... really don't know," Jimin said slowly. "Is everything okay? Did something go wrong on shift last night- which, by the way, why are you here?"

He and Hoseok had switched night shifts this week, Jimin had needed to study for an exam this morning and Hobi-Hyeong had agreed to take his shift to help out last night.

"You're off right?" the pink haired man frowned.

"Who cares, ya, you... Jimin... Jimin-ah... Park Jimin," Hoseok repeated over and over, more exasperated with each version and leaving the younger man studying him in confusion.

"Hobi... Hobi-Hyeong, Jung Hoseok," Jimin returned slowly. "What, is your problem?"

"You really don't... Timber Oppa?! You really don't know?!"

"What? Did something happen?" Jimin asked his heart racing.

He knew Timber Oppa, or JK would come in last night- it was part of the reason Hoseok had agreed to take the shift. He had never had a chance to meet the tall, good-looking guy as, for some reason, he only seemed to show up when Jimin was working. That said, the elder had been eager to meet the young man whom his Dongsang was fanboying over and had happily agreed to the shift not only to help out but for the chance to have a peek at Jimin's long time crush.

He'd not expected what he got.

"Did something happen?" Hoseok demanded incredulously. "Ya, Park Jimin. Micheso? Do you really not know what he does for a living?" Hobi asked, he loved his friend to death but Jimin did have his flaws.

For one he was a bit slow at times, this made him extremely gullible (something Hobi had secretly worried that this 'Timber Oppa' had been taking advantage of). He was also a bit of an airhead, often unaware of his surroundings, and too nice for his own good. But this, this took unaware to a whole new level.

"Oh no..." Jimin frowned before grabbing Hobi's hands. "Tell me... is he really an ? I'd only been joking! Or like a host or something!"

"Wh- for 's sake Jimin-ah stop reading Manga!" The older man yelled snatching his hands back, grabbing Jimins shoulders and shaking him. "There aren't any host clubs around here! And what kind of host comes in in the middle of their best money making hours even if their was!?! AND in jeans and hoodies and t-shirts and ! With face masks! He's not a ing host!"

"Okay, okay I get the point!," Jimin exclaimed cutting him off with a calm down motion and prying the elders hands from his shoulders. "Then what? What's the problem? Why are you being spastic?"

Hobi looked like he wanted to hit him.

"Infires, man!" he exclaimed.

Jimin rose a brow. "I... don't even know what the ..."

"Infires... IN-FIRES!"

"I, what does that mean? Like, what language is that? It's not Korean," Jimin insisted.

Hobi mimed hitting him before abruptly leaving the office. Jimin blinked in confusion watching the door, unsure of what he was supposed to do next. Should he wait? Should he follow? ... Should he escape while he has a chance? Whatever the choice it was too late as the door opened again, a moment later Jimin found a magazine slapped into his chest with a less than impressed Hoseok staring back at him.

"Are you even Korean?" the older man demanded with a frown.

"I think so..." Jimin said dryly before pulling the magazine away from his chest.

He looked over it, his eyes instantly going to a large logo that said 'Infires' before it lowered to the sight of five guys, two rappers and three vocalists apparently. However it wasn't long before he recognized a familiar face as the large eyes of 'Tae' from a few weeks ago stared back at him from behind fingers making a 'V' symbol over his eye.

Jimin quickly scanned the short paragraph next to his picture:

'Kim TaeHyung - 22yrs old and Vocalist for the hit idol group 'Infires'.'

Hit idol group?

Then there... just on the other side of a man named 'Jin', there he stood... Timber Oppa- or, as the information paragraph said:

'Jeon JungKook- 20yrs old, Main Vocalist, Dancer and Maknae of the hit idol group 'Infires'."

He was an idol.

He was a ing idol.

Jimin stared flabbergasted at the page as weeks of late night visits came back to mind. But... why? How? The questions must have shown on his face as Hoseok came to look just over his shoulder.

"Their practice studio is rumored to be nearby," Hobi commented resting his chin on Jimin's shoulder. "Apparently they're preparing for their next comeback..."

"Apparently..." Jimin repeated numbly.

Instance, so many instances came to mind as things fell into place. Why JungKook always wore a face mask. Why he probably didn't speak much. Why he never looked at other customers. Why he never came after, or stayed until the end of, 'club time'. His hesitation at handing over his ID when buying the alcohol, the way he'd looked confused when he removed his face mask and Jimin didn't respond, the money he'd had in his wallet to easily pay for Apple Halmoni's food at his young age without even batting an eyelash.

  He was a ing idol.

And, if this several page spread Jimin was currently flipping through was right, he was a pretty damn popular one at that.

"When you set your sights you set them high don't you Jimin-ah?" Hoseok sighed, clapping him on the back.

"Shut up Hyeong," Jimin grumbled finally lowering the magazine.

"Well, look at it this way, you have a better chance with him than you do with Sean Mendez..." the older man added, earning himself a deadly glare.

"Hyeong I swear," Jimin glared at him fully.

Hoseok snorted. "What I just can't get past the irony. Here you are, focused on American Pop because you claim to be over, or not a fan at all, of K-Pop -and the guy you've spent  months fawning over is an insanely popular kpop idol."

"How insanely?" Jimin asked slowly.

"They sell out stadiums, they tour overseas- they've won Daesang... that insane," Hoseok answered dryly.

The pink haired man stared silently at the wall for a moment before snapping, "Don't you have a dance class to teach, Hyeong?"

"Not at ten o'clock at night," Hoseok replied. "BUT I'll go anyway... I have a feeling you need time for this to marinate." He then indicated the magazine. "And don't forget to pay for that, no stealing."

"Get OUT Hyeong," Jimin ground out.

Hobi laughed but did as he was told, meanwhile JImin fell into one of the chairs in the office. He knew, intellectually, that he had to get up and finished getting changed for work soon... but he couldn't move. Not right now, not with this on his mind. What the hell? What the hell did he do now? What did he say to him now? He preferred not knowing who JungKook-ah was... interacting with him would be harder now. Much harder.

Especially since now he KNEW, there was no denying it, no doubt, no way in hell... that he had a chance.

'International K-Pop idol?' Jimin scoffed to himself.

No... not even the hope of a chance.

his life.

************

He was pacing when JungKook found him next. The dark haired man entered the store at his usual time and Jimin turned to look at him, - for once his customary greeting failing to fall from his lips. The two males stared at one another for several moments before JungKook unhooked the mask from his face. His beautiful, idol face...

Jimin hadn't been able to resist looking him up, since he'd found out who he was. And since he and Hobi had switched days off JK hadn't come in that night when he'd been working, the next day was his normal day off, and so he'd had had both nights/days to find out more about 'Infires' and the beautiful dark haired Maknae. And there was a lot to find out, like his likes, and dislikes, his hobbies, and history with the group, his family, information on his past 'girlfriend' ... as well as rumors of a relationship between he and his band-mate, the beautiful Tae, or TaeKook as they were called.

He was so far out of Jimins league he couldn't help but feel like an idiot for his actions and fantasies over the past several weeks.

"Hyeong..." JungKook said approaching him, studying him.

Jimin didn't know what kind of expression he was making but he lowered his gaze and offered the younger a bow. "JungKook-sshi."

The younger man frowned. "Don't do that..." when Jimin looked up at him he continued. "I knew it... I was worried it would happen, no, no I knew it would happen. When I realized your coworker recognized me..." he studied Jimin with those dark eyes. "You can't go back to now knowing, can you?"

The older man offered a wry smile, lifting a small ringed hand to push fluffy pink hair from his face. "I'm sorry... I can't." He then gave a soft laugh. "Who knew... I'd been talking to an international idol all of this time. You know for a moment Hobi-Hyeong was sure you were the Slit-Mouthed Woman's cousin or something." Jimin rambled a bit, something he did when nervous.

"...What?" JungKook frowned seemingly confused by the conversation.

Jimin closed the space between them and used his hand, lifting the mask to teasingly cover Kook's face. He did his best to ignore the tingles in his fingertips as they grazed the younger males strong jawline.

"Slit-Mouthed Man... why else so often?" he chuckled, as he moved to drop his hand Jungkook caught it and Jimin's eyes flicked to his face, then down to the linked hands.

"I could just be a germaphobe," Kook suggested dryly.

Jimin snorted, his eyes pulling away from their hands to JungKook's gaze as he rose a incredulous brow. "A germaphobe that eats convenience store bento?... I think not."

The taller man gave a soft laugh and Jimin's stomach flipped. "Touche..." Jungkook relented. "But still there are other reasons."

"Like you're a famous k-pop idol?" Jimin threw out in a droll tone.

JungKook had the grace to blush and avert his gaze, before giving an affirmative grunt.

The older man laughed and gave the hand that held his a squeeze. "It's okay JungKook-ah, Hyeong's not mad... just... I feel kind of bad. Here you were coming in here regularly for over two months and I never recognized you... that has to , ne? In my defense though I don't really like K-Pop- Oh!" He held up both hands in his usual spastic manner and made a stop motion. "Not that I- I mean, I just prefer American music, like their pop or HipHop/R&B. Like Sean Mendez, Usher, Chris Brown, Tori Kelly, I love Tori Kelly... just... yeah."

JungKook, who had been looking at him wide eyes, gave a soft laugh and shook his head. "It's okay Hyeong, I understand. I like a lot of American music as well, though mainly rock and alternative... I also like some pop."

Jimin visibly relaxed and offered him a wry smile. However the sound of the bell chiming cut off any further replies, Jimin watched as JungKook replaced his face mask and moved into the isles as the nosy group of young people entered. Calling out his usual greeting, the pink haired clerk was dismayed at the sudden influx of customers he had, apparently some underground group had played at a nearby club and everyone was arriving for after concert snacks and drinks.

Though he'd tried to keep an eye on JungKook it wasn't long before that was no longer an option, half drunk people loved to open items in store and slip out with what they could without paying. He'd been forced to stay diligent and even had argued with three drunk guys about the chips they were eating in the store, before a threat to call the cops got him the money for the purchase. The pink haired man didn't even know how long the rush lasted, just that he as tired by the end of it.

As he lay with his head on the counter he heard someone set down an item and sighed sitting up, Jimin froze as soon as he saw the masked face of JungKook.

"JungKook-ah... you're still here?" he asked dumbly, he'd been sure that the other had long since left. Between the time it had taken to clear the influx, and the possibility of him being recognized Jimin had been certain JungKook-ah would leave like he normally did when multiple people would come in the store whilst he was there.

"So it seems..." the younger man said, once again unhooking his face mask and offering a small smile. "I wanted to... well... we're getting ready to start promotions again. So..."

Jimin's mouth formed a small 'O' and he nodded. "You won't..."

"No..." the younger male affirmed lightly biting his lip. "Not for a while at least... promotions, concerts, CF's and the like... the rest period is over so..."

"So... this is goodbye then?" Jimin asked trying not to sound as sad as he felt. It didn't work.

JungKook stared at him for a moment before giving a small smile. "For now... at least. I..."

"Well... JungKookie... you'll be missed for sure," the older male said with a wide smile. "I...th... Halmoni is going to complain endlessly about you not letting her know. You know she brings you stews since you payed for her groceries last month."

"Ne, let her know I'm going to miss them like crazy. I mean, Jin-Hyeong can cook great, but Apple Halmoni's stews remind me of my own Halmoni's cooking. It kind of takes me back to Busan."

"That's right- you're from there too," Jimin chuckled.

"Okay..." JK smiled at him, recalling their conversations weeks ago about where they were from and why they moved to Seoul.

It seems he wasn't alone however when Jimin suddenly asked, "Hey, when you said you moved to Seoul at fifteen for work... you meant yourself and not your parents, didn't you?"

The younger man blushed and bowed. "Mianhe-yo."

"Aish! You brat," Jimin replied hitting him with a laugh before pulling back, his hand clutched to his chest. "Ahh, right I can't hit you- you're an idol, quality person and all that."

JungKook scrunched his nose at Jimin in the cutest ing way ever (in Jimin's opinion). "No, Hyeong- you can't hit me because I'm a customer, normal person and all that."

The pink haired man giggle-snorted. "Right, that too..." he studied JungKook for a moment before lightly biting his lip. "So, famous idol customer... you were just going to disappear on me then? After being a regular for so long?"

"No... I was going to tell you that I had to travel for a bit," JungKook admitted before adding. "You know... I mean, I didn't know if you'd care but I still... thought maybe... you may wonder... so..."

"I would," Jimin responded softly holding his gaze. "I'd wonder... I'd miss you..."

JungKook froze and so did he, their eyes locked on one another until the door to the convince store opened once more. The pink haired man cleared cleared his throat and looked over.

"Hello! Thanks for choosing KSM!" he called.

The older man nodded and it wasn't long before another bell sounded. "Ahhh... weekday warriors. It'll pick up for a bit now..." Jimin said after giving his greeting to the woman who entered his gaze on Jungkook. "Shall I ring you up?"

"...Yeh..." the younger man said softly, his gaze still intense.

Jimin tried not to blush as he rang up the purchases, and handed the change back. "Well..." the older man said offering JungKook a wry smile. "Until next time?"

"Yeh... until next time, Hyeong... thank you..." JungKook said slowly, he seemed to hesitated before adding. "Heyong, I..." he trailed off as the man got into line behind him, and pulled on his facemask. "Bye Hyeong." With that he gave a light bow and headed for the door.

Jimin opened his mouth to reply but the next customer was in front of him before he knew it. The pink haired man offered him a smile and started the translation before stopping. "Aish! One moment Sir, Mianhe-yo."

  , , , , .

He was almost out of time. He thought as he nipped to the back, grabbed something and took off out of the store leaving the confused customers watching. Jimin almost collapsed in relief to see JungKook just up the road nowhere near as far as he'd thought he'd be.

"JungKook-ah!" he called.

The younger man turned in obvious surprise as Jimin barrelled towards him, Kook's hands came out to catch him but Jimin managed to stop just in front of him without the assistance. (Later he would kick himself for not taking the opportunity though.)

"Heyong?" JungKook asked watching him with clear confusion as Jimin doubled over to catch his breath. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"You-you... forgot something," Jimin got out between breathes.

"I did?" JungKook frowned looking into his bag. "What? I think I have-" He cut off as a choco milk was shoved into his face. The dark haired man blinked in confusion and slowly accepted it, though he gave a light shake of his head. "There weren't any..."

"I saved you one," Jimin said proudly and with a wide smile, his eyes disparaging into half moons as he finally stood.

JungKook scoffed and then laughed softly. "You..."

"Yep," he lightly his lips and looked at the younger man, his gaze soft but intense. "It's a gift... come back soon JungKookie..." his tone came out just as gentle as his gaze and he offered the young idol one last smile before turning and running back to the store.

He hadn't said all that he probably should have, hell- he hadn't said anything really, but he still was happy. He was happy he was able to give JungKook the gift (even if it was quite small) and he was happy he got to see him again even for a moment. It was impossible and improbable but at least, he thought, maybe he'd been able to convey a bit of what he felt.

He didn't regret it.

Not at all... though he also hoped he wouldn't lose his job for running out of work like that. Oh well, Hobi-Hyeong would let it pass, he was sure of that. Anyway, back to work and time to leave the fantasies and international pop starts behind.

************

"But why would you raise a pig to kill it?" Jimin pouted at the older woman as he leaned forward on the counter, long since ignored text book open in front of him.

"Why not?" the woman countered stubbornly. "Believe it or not Jimin-ah someone raises the pigs that even you eat."

"Not personally!" the dark haired man exclaimed. "Your son's apple farm is doing just great -why bring pigs into it!"

"The pigs are for dinner the apples are for profit," the older woman responded firmly. "Stop being such a little Jimin-ah."

The younger man clutched his chest. "Halmoni! Did you just call me a little ?!"

"Yes, my Grandson told me it's a good thing to say when a man isn't acting like one," the cantankerous older woman responded unabashed.

"Your grandson needs his kicked," Jimin replied making a face. "Besides he's all of like sixteen- what does he know about being a man anyway?"

"More than you," was the response.

"Che," Jimin scoffed. "W-Yo... Halmoni, that's-"

He cut off as the bell for the door sounded, both of them looked over as Jimin greeted the new-comer. "Hello and Welcome to-"

He cut off as familiar eyes looked at him from beneath the rim of a baseball cap, wearing an equally familiar face mask. Jimin swallowed thickly as JungKook stood just inside of the door to the store. It had been months... four months, twenty two days and three hours to be exact, since he'd last seen the idol in the store.

He had kept up with him, with his progress, his shows. His parents and Dongsang had been thrown by his sudden interest in the Hallu wave and the famous k-pop group 'Infires', whom it seemed, his Dongsang followed to an extent. JiHyun apparently enjoyed some of their music and was a big fan of the solo mix-tapes of the two rappers. Jungkook and his group had done various music bank shows, interviews, TV shows, commercials and concerts in and out of the country. Now aware of him and watching, Jimin was struck with his own obliviousness at how he'd failed to notice the group before, their popularity, or their music, which was surprisingly good.

"Halmoni, can you watch the store for a moment..." the dark haired man said as he moved from behind the counter and grabbed the arm of the younger man.

Not giving either her OR JungKook a chance to respond, he dragged the younger man back into the employee changing room. Once inside he closed the door and pushed JungKook against it.

"Hyeong-"

The younger was cut off as he suddenly found his face mask pulled off and himself being kissed. Jimin didn't know what made him do it, maybe he'd gone crazy or was crazy, however months of watching the younger from afar with no chance or hope of seeing him again may be to blame. He'd convinced himself over the weeks that his last actions had been to rash, the milk thing was too much, the attraction he'd thought he'd seen had been in his head.  The "Golden Maknae" which he'd learned JungKook-ah was called, was far out of his league.

So when he saw him standing there. When he saw that he'd returned, he'd come back, something had snapped in him. Now, here he was basically assaulting a famous idol in the employee quarters of his work place. Finally getting hold of his senses a bit he pulled back, his breathing heavy his forehead against JungKooks as his hands clutched the younger mans shirt.

"Push me away," he whispered after a moment.

"...What?"

"Push me away," Jimin repeated. "Just... do it... I..." he sighed his eyes closing as he lightly his lips. "I know what I just did was wrong... and gross... and... and... it's just... I like you. So much... and have for a while, and I thought you were gone, and the milk thing was to much and to cheesy and, creepy and- and I just did something stupid and...just, just push me away. Push me away so that I know that it was in my head, that... you don't, you CAN'T feel the same. Push me away so that I can move on... that I can let you go. Release me, JungKook-ah..."

Jimin held his breath, his eyes closed as he waited tensely for JungKook to push him away. He had learned enough about Jungkook, even before he knew the younger was an idol to know he was a gentle soul, so he wasn't expecting a shove. Just... a gentle push to his waist or a removal and push of his hands. Just something to let him down kindly.

What he wasn't expecting... was the pull.

Jimin's eyes popped open as he found himself even closer to JungKook, they were already nose to nose but now their chests touched as well as the younger man twined his arms around Jimin's waist and pulled him near. The older guy's brows rose in surprise and he looked at the Maknae, who looked back with just as intense a gaze.

"I don't want to," JungKook finally answered in a stubborn tone. "I don't want to push you... I..." he scoffed and closed his eyes, his forehead once again against Jimin's as he and chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, formulating his thoughts. "I had this whole speech planned for tonight, in hopes of seeing if maybe... if maybe I had been right about the reason behind the milk thing. If maybe you liked me too... and then you," he laughed softly and opened his eyes looking at Jimin. "Hyeong you're so... you do all of the I'm to scared to do... in one action you blew away my meager dialogue."

"JungKook-ah-"

"I like you," Kookie cut off looking at him. "I like you too... and also have... for a long time... since the first day... I mean, who needs that much convenience store bento?"

"Or pantyhose?" Jimin chuckled.

JungKook groaned. "You're never going to let me live that down are you?" The other man shook his head, the dark hair falling into his eyes, JungKook lifted a hand pushing it back. "Your hair is black..."

"Ne," the older man chuckled. "I'd love to say it's a fashion statement, but it was more a budget thing. I had to register for classes, books, some more dance courses... I don't have the money for pastel hair upkeep."

"I like it..."

"You always like it."

"I do," JungKook nodded not at all offended.

Jimin chuckled and blushed prettily. "Brat."

This time it was his turn as JungKook surprised him by bringing their lips together in a short, but still intense kiss. As they pulled apart, Jimin's eyes lingered shut for several moments before he opened them.

"Obstinate brat," Jimin corrected and the younger man smiled a bit.

"I'm okay with that... are you?"

"Okay with you being an obstinate brat?" Jimin asked shooting him an amused look.

"Okay with me being your obstinate brat?" JungKook countered.

The older man blushed, though a sound from outside got his attention.

"! Halmoni!" he exclaimed pulling back. "Wait here for a second!" He peeked out to see the older woman talking to two customers who seemed a bit annoyed, before looking at Jungkook. "Let me get rid of the customers, I'll let you know when it's okay to come out, ne?"

"Sure," JungKook agreed.

Giving one more brief smile, the older man headed out into the store apologizing to the customers. As he explained to them that he had to use the restroom, he ignored Apple Halmoni's skeptical snort and pointed look to the employee door that JungKook had yet to emerge from. Ten minutes later found the three customers (the two that had been waiting and the one since his reappearance) checked out, and Jimin moving back towards the room.

"Aigoo! Now you're not going to leave me here to do your work so you two can pay naughty night clerk," the older woman complained causing Jimin to laugh and give her a scandalized look.

"Halmoni!" He exclaimed opening the door and motioning for JungKook to come out. "No, I'm just letting Kook-ah know it's safe to come out."

"Mmm," the woman grunted and looked at JungKook who had returned with a searching frown. "It took you long enough," she said after some thought. "This one has been getting on my nerves, he looks like a dog waiting for his master to return every time the bell sounds."

"Halmoni!!!!" Jimin exclaimed flushing deeply and looking away as JungKook shot him an amused look.

"Minhae-Yo, Halmoni, I had to work."

"So I heard, some type of pop star or something right?" the woman responded. "Back in my day, that was when they did REAL singing, with live instrumentation and raw talent..." she seemed to study him before adding. "But you seem like you'd be okay..."

"Thank you," JungKook remarked his lips twitching.

"Are you back?" the woman asked. "Should I bring you seafood stew tomorrow?"

JungKook grinned. "For a few days... so, yes. I'd like that."

"A few days?" Jimin repeated studying him.

"Yeh... we go to Japan for some fanmeets next week," JungKook frowned a bit. "I'll be there about two or three weeks..."

"You do a lot of traveling," Jimin stated with a nod.

"Mmmm..." Kookie agreed slowly studying him. "Is that... okay?"

"We-"

"So what if it isn't, you gonna stop? Don't ask stupid questions." the old woman cut in blandly before motioning to Jimin. "Come ring me out Jimin-ah, I have some cooking to do and I want to get out of here before your flirting makes me lose my appetite."

Both younger men laughed. "Yes, Halmoni."

As he moved to ring up her purchases, the woman motioned to JungKook. "Are you buying anything?"

"Me?...sure, uh... probably some seaweed snacks," he responded.

"Well, get them. I'll buy them with mine."

"Halmoni, you don't have to."

"Did I ask a question? I was quite sure I'd given an order," the woman responded. "Get them."

"I... okay, I'll get them," JungKook said after he and Jimin shared a look.

They waited until he returned with the item and Jimin added it to the older womans purchase. This time, coin purse in hand, she completed the transaction and grabbed her bags. "Now... you two have a good night and ..." she studied JungKook. "Enjoy the time you get and come back soon, ne? Anyway that's enough sappy , I'm leaving."

Jimin giggled. "Right, goodnight Halmoni. Thank you for sho-"

"Yeh, yeh, yeh," she gripped waving him off with her hand and heading out of the door.

"She's great," JungKook said still laughing.

"She is," Jimin agreed looking at JungKook. "I wouldn't trade that personality for anything."

The younger man laughed and nodded before he began to shift from one foot to another, unsure of what to say next as silence fell upon them. It was only a few minutes later when his phone sounded and Jungkook pulled it out, reading the text before sighing. "My manager noticed I left... I have to head back."

"Short leash there..." Jimin teased, though he was disappointed.

"Sadly," JungKook agreed. "Hyeong... do you... I mean, can- like, would-"

"Exchange numbers with me JungKookie," Jimin remarked cutting to the chase and pulling his cell.

JungKook blushed. "You did it again."

"That's because you're adorably awkward but *I* have a sense of actual time, and we don't have enough for me to wait for you to stumble through what to say," the older man said unlocking his phone and passing it to JungKook. "So I just take the straight, no pun intended, route. Put your number in."

"Right," Kookie replied making a face at him before doing just that and pressing send so that it called his phone and he had Jimin's number. He passed the phone back. "Call me when you get off?"

"I get off at seven in the morning... you won't be asleep?"

"I'll wake up."

Jimin blushed and looked down at the phone, biting his bottom lip. "Right... then I'll call you then."

"Goodnight, Jimin-ah."

"Goodnight, JungKookie..."

They shared a look, knowing it was too open for much more before JungKook finally turned and headed out of the store. Jimin watched him through the glass of the storefront and was pleased to see JungKook look back several times before he disappeared into the darkness of the dim street lighting. Looking down at his phone he stared at the newest entry for several dreamy minutes before sending a quick text.

  'Stay safe.'

He exhaled and opened to add the number to his contacts only to be interrupted by the sound of an incoming message.

  'You too, Jimin-ah.'

The black haired man smiled widely to himself, and inhaled slowly before quickly updating his contacts. Just as he finished a customer walked in, followed by another as one of his small nightly influxes began. As he sat his phone on the shelf just under the counter he heard another ding as a message lit up. Reading it on the preview Jimin chuckled to himself before going back to helping customers.

Damn but it had been a wonderful night...

***Message:***

  Timber Oppa:

'Don't forget to call me when you get off. I'll be waiting.'