After class, the two rapidly made their way towards their favorite café named MM . With their favorite strawberry flavoured bingsu in front of them, Taehyung and Jimin started to devour the said dessert. This is their usual hangout place even before they entered high school. They were having fun, it was going smoothly, until Taehyung finally said it.

“You know… I kind of noticed that you’re no longer hooking up with random guys, is Jungkook that good?” Taehyung asked out of nowhere making Jimin spit out his drink.

“What the , Tae?” Jimin managed to finish his sentence while coughing. “Sorry, I just can’t help but notice it. I never expected you to soften up to someone you just met three months ago.” Taehyung continued to pry.

Jimin couldn’t think of a retort for that. He, as well, did not expect that he will let Jungkook in his life. “I don’t know either, it just kind of happened. And for the record, we never had .” He clarified. Taehyung who took a spoonful of the bingsu rolled his eyes, “Yeah right. It’ll happen soon enough though.” Jimin looked down on the dessert and softly poked it with his spoon, “It won’t. I specifically told him we can’t have . Just make out.” Taehyung’s eyes widened in astonishment, he never thought his friend would say such a thing. “That’s a first. How come?” Sighing, the other replied, “I don’t know. I just don’t think making him do it to that extent is not right, not that what we’re currently doing is right, but… I just don’t want to make it worse. We all have reasons, and he agreed anyway so it’s fine.”

Taehyung hummed in response before eating a big chunk of strawberry. He didn’t want his friend to be doing such vulgar things to random guys but no matter how many times he scold the other, he won’t listen. Taehyung could only watch and protect Jimin from not getting hurt any further.

-

Taehyung and Jimin have been friends since middle school. Their mothers are very close, most definitely best friends like them. The two never separated since the age of 7. They both know each other’s weaknesses, strengths and even their darkest secrets. At the age of 10, Taehyung watched as Jimin’s father beat up Jimin’s mother. Jimin’s family are wealthy. He is the son of a Director of PJ Group. In other people’s eyes, Jimin’s life is perfect. He got the looks, the brain and the wealth.

In reality, Jimin’s life is complicated. No one but Taehyung was allowed to get inside their home. Jimin was raised and was only taught that are business related, for the better of the company. No matter what accomplishments Jimin gets, his father never acknowledged it. It was bearable; Jimin could bear all of that, especially for his mother. That is until Jimin and Taehyung saw right handed how his father beat up his mother. With bruises on her body, sprawled on the floor, with drops of blood coming from her head. Jimin, who could no longer handle the rage, grabbed a knife and began threatening his father. “Get away from her!” he shouted. Taehyung could only watch from the sideline as he was too shocked by the events currently occurring. Jimin’s father snorted, “What can you do, huh? You’re just a kid. You and your useless mother live under my house! The least you can do is to not disrespect me!”

What happened further was traumatic enough that every time Taehyung remembers it, he couldn’t help but be protective of his friend. They may not be blood related but he does think of Jimin as his brother. It’s been 5 years. Jimin and Jimin’s mother now lives right next to Taehyung’s house. Jimin’s father is still a Director of the company but his parents divorced. Due to the law, his father continues to support them financially, but that was just it. His father is no longer getting in touch with them but the trauma it caused to his friend was severe.

Taehyung was so lost in his thoughts that he never heard Jimin calling out his name five times now. “Earth to Tae! Hello! You there?” Jimin said loud enough and this time Taehyung snapped back to reality. “Oh, sorry. Just remembered something.” He said while smiling at the lad in front of him. “Gee, I already finished the bingsu. Not my fault you’re spacing out.” Jimin smirked making his friend whine. “How could you! Buy me another one!” Jimin sticked his tongue out, “No way. Your fault not mine.”

“That’s just mean!” Taehyung continued to whine. Jimin chuckled at his friend’s cuteness. “Fine, I could at least buy you a popsicle before going home. I’m not going to sleep at the condo anyway so I’ll go home with you.” Taehyung brightened up at the other’s response. “Great! Let’s go buy then.” He quickly stood up, pulling Jimin’s arm encouraging him to get up as well. “Aren’t you eager.” Jimin commented but stood up anyway. They bid their goodbyes to the staff which they now think of as their friends before walking out of the café.

“I’m gonna take a picture of the popsicle and send it to Jungkook. Teasing him always makes my day, after all.” Jimin laughed at Taehyung’s plan, “You two are like peas in a pod.”

“We are not! I am better.” Taehyung proudly say earning a snort from the other. “Right. Whatever you say, Tae.”

-

Their walk to the convenience store was quiet but it was never awkward. The two had their own thoughts to think about and figure it out. It took them fifteen minutes to finally arrive at the convenience store and Taehyung had quickly grabbed two pieces of popsicle. He immediately put it on the counter for it to scan. “Jimin, give me your wallet.” Taehyung without a question snatched Jimin’s wallet from his pocket. Jimin can only watch as his friend does whatever he wants.

“You two, it’s been awhile since you guys came here! How’s school?” The guy named Namjoon who is also the one working at the counter asked the two.

“We’re fine, hyung. I’m letting Jimin treat me today cause he finished the bingsu earlier. Such a slytherin.” Taehyung replied and Jimin only rolled his eyes in amusement.

Namjoon laughed at the two. “You two never changed, that’s good. Come by whenever you can, I’ll treat you guys to some meal.” Taehyung and Jimin nodded and waved their goodbyes to their friend. Taehyung opened up the package of the popsicle and took a photo of it before sending it to Jungkook. “You know, this guy might like you, Chim” Taehyung casually said as he starts eating the popsicle and handing the other to Jimin. Jimin looked at him suspiciously. “Ha? No way. The guy’s straight.”

“A straight guy wouldn’t make out with another guy, Chim.”

“Not at all straight guys are like that. This is just his way of forgetting, remember?”

“Hn. Whatever you say. Just be careful though. You might get swept away instead.”

“Ohh, are you worried about me?” Jimin teased. Taehyung’s eyebrow twitched. He looked at Jimin while glaring. “Of course, I am. Who do you think I am? I am Kim Taehyung. Your one and only best friend and your one and only brother.” Jimin laughed at his friend’s retort. “Right, of course you are. Thanks for worrying. I got it under control, Tae. Don’t worry.”

Taehyung and Jimin’s now on their way to their homes when Taehyung’s phone suddenly chimed. After reading the text he received, Taehyung burst out laughing making Jimin curious. “What? What happened?”

“This guy is way too amusing.” Taehyung handed the phone to Jimin and Jimin saw a message from Jungkook, ‘I want one, too! Not that one though. I want Jimin hyung’s!’.  Jimin’s face turned red after reading the message. “T-This idiot. How can he say that easily?!”

“Told you. He’s kind of cute though.” Taehyung started laughing again. Jimin can only lower his head in embarrassment.

-

After all the bickering they have done, the two had finally arrived at their respective houses. Jimin who is now walking towards his room, felt exhausted. He didn’t know why but he seemed so tired that he thinks he will be able to fall asleep anytime soon. Plopping on his bed, he sighed in relief. “This day was fun.” He muttered to himself.

Ever since he and his mother had left his dad, they started living a normal life. Jimin’s no longer being forced to do things that he doesn’t even like. He was free but somehow that made him feel empty. Because of the upbringing he was trained for, he never had the chance to think of what he really wants. He has become nothing more than an empty vessel. His mother, on the other hand, is happy. His mother began her own clothing shop which was her dream in the first place. Jimin smiled at that thought, ‘At least she’s happy.’

Without noticing, his eyes slowly began to close and drift him to a deep sleep.

-

The next morning, Jimin arrived at school with only a piece of bread hanging on his mouth. His mother texted him earlier and informed him that she wasn’t able to go home due to some work so he had no choice but to stick with a slice of bread. While walking, he then heard a familiar shout getting near. “Jimin hyung! Good morning!” Jungkook excitedly ran towards him and stopped till the other’s beside him. Jungkook noticed the bread on his mouth. “That’s your breakfast?” Jimin nodded while taking a bite of the bread.  Jungkook scowled at that. “That’s not enough.” Jimin rolled his eyes, “It’s plenty enough. Leave me alone.” He replied before taking another bite of the bread. “No, it’s not enough! You need to eat more!” Jungkook reasoned out but to no avail. Jimin finished the bread quickly and made his way to their respective classroom, ignoring the pouting Jungkook behind him.

“Good morning! Woah, what’s with him?” Taehyung greeted Jimin and averted his gaze to Jungkook who is currently sulking. “Leave him alone. I don’t know why he’s sulking.” Jimin replied but Jungkook immediately faced Taehyung, “You know what he ate for breakfast? Just a piece of bread. That’s not enough!” Taehyung looked at Jungkook for a moment. “Oh, right. Well when it comes to food, you can’t really force Jimin to eat. He’ll seriously get mad at you.”

Jimin sat on his respective chair and lowered his head on the table after. “I’m still sleepy.”

“You alright?” Taehyung asked while touching his friend’s forehead. “I’m fine. Just a bit exhausted.”

While the two were conversing, Jungkook remained quiet. His eyes fixated on Jimin’s.

The homeroom teacher arrived and began the class. While the others are engrossed with the lesson, Jimin somehow can’t force his eyes to stay open. He didn’t know why but he felt really sleepy. This did not go unnoticed to Jungkook. After an hour of lecture, the teacher went outside and Jungkook this chance to talk to Taehyung. “I’ll bring Jimin to the infirmary. I don’t think he’s feeling well.” Taehyung glanced at Jimin before nodding. “Sure, I’ll just let the teacher know.” Jungkook without wasting a second, stood up and carefully woke Jimin up from his sleep. “Hmn. What is it?” Jimin asked sleepily. “Let me take you to the infirmary. Come on.“ Jungkook carried Jimin bridal style. People didn’t even bother staring as this has been a normal occurrence for them since Jungkook transferred and they know how smitten the younger is to the other. Jimin didn’t even bother to argue as he didn’t have any strength to do so.

Upon arriving at the infirmary, Jungkook saw that the nurse isn’t there. He carefully placed Jimin on the bed making the other move a little. He checked the other’s forehead and confirmed that he’s not sick which made him sigh in relief. “Guess he’s just that exhausted, huh.” He mumbled. Jungkook carefully covered Jimin’s body with the blanket and let him have a good sleep.

Jungkook couldn’t help but stare at the lad in front of him. He’s a guy and yet he can’t help but find Jimin beautifully breathtaking. Caressing Jimin’s face, he remembered the first time the two of them met. He never would have thought that he would get a chance to be this close to Jimin. When he first saw Jimin, he was mesmerized. He looked into his eyes and what he saw was emptiness. Jimin would laugh with you, have fun with you, but his eyes remained empty. He doesn’t know why but that pulled Jungkook and gave him the urge to get close to the older. He wanted to know more about him. He wanted to be with him. Fill all the moments where he wasn’t included. Sighing, he messed his hair. He knew that the more he spends time with the older, the more dangerous his thoughts and actions become. Even he is afraid of himself.