If Memory Serves [YoonMin]

02

PRESENT

He reaches for the key to his room when it swings open and Jimin has to jump back to avoid being hit in the face.

The boy in the doorway looks at him, lips quirked upward and eyes amused. He's got on a rock t-shirt of a band Jimin's only heard the name of and boxer shorts that have him feeling a tad uncomfortable. Jimin recollects himself, reminded that he can't be uncomfortable if they're going to be roommates.

"Well, come in." The boy's voice is deep and it takes Jimin a second to notice the tattoos on his hand that getsures him in.

The room is spacey. It's bigger than the train rooms, if only a bit. The paint isn't as chipped and the floors are wood rather than carpet. He walks past two mini fridges, stopping short when he notices the brunette boy on one of the beds. Uncertain of what to do, he takes a small step back and turns to his roommate.

"Ah," his roommate says. "Taehyung's having issues so he's come here for help."

Taehyung looks up, eyes narrowing at his friend. "Have you even introduced yourself or have you forgotten manners?"

Realization registers across the tall boy's face and he turns his whole body to face Jimin, extending a tattooed hand. "Jeon Jungkook, your roommate."

Reluctantly, Jimin takes his hand and shakes gently. "Park Jimin," he supplies quietly, dropping Jungkook's hand as quickly as he'd taken it. He turns toward the empty, sheetless bed and sets down his bag. At the edge of the bed is a built-in cupboard that touches the ceiling. The desks are beside it, facing the wall and beside the windows. Jimin walks to the windows, where he pulls aside awful pattern curtains to acknowledge the view. He thinks of Yoongi then, and how they spoke about seeing views from high up places and making a name for themselves in the world.

"So, Park Jimin." Jungkook only continues when Jimin turns to face them. "What's your major?"

"He looks Sports science," Taehyung suggests, almost thoughtfully. It's ironic because that's what he'd be studying if his family had their way.

Taehyung, cross-legged on Jungkook's bed, is fiddling with the edge of a worn blanket. He's dressed in sweats and he's got a camera around his neck. When he and Jungkook look at each other, Jimin feels as though he's interrupting a moment.

"First year dance major," he says.

Jungkook's eyebrows spring and there's a sparkle in his eye. "Really?" he asks like he actually can't believe it. He looks prepared to hug Jimin, but must think against it because he only smiles. He looks kind when he smiles. "Me too! Oh, I won't be alone. This is great."

"Do you want to come with us to the cafeteria?" Taehyung asks, getting to his feet. He's out the door before the 'yes' can float from Jimin's lips to the air. He follows after them.

The cafeteria is empty save for three students in the far left corner and the servers. It's big, with seats on the ground and a lamp leading up to other tables. They walk in a line to get their food and find a table up the ramp. Jungkook and Taehyung sit beside each other, shoulders touching and smiling like there's something secret only they know.

"So, were you nervous about being in a class alone?" Jimin asks, going for the dumpling on his plate.

Jungkook lifts his head, hands mid air and half leaning forward. "A little," he admits sheepishly.

"Kook's a year younger. Skipped a year."

Jimin nods. Not wanting to appear standoffish, he goes for a smile. He notes the way Jungkook's eyes flicker to his tray and he expects something bad. He knows there are other dancers that are obsessed with eating nothing.

"Have you danced before?"

"A few years, yeah."

"You eat well." His eyebrows lift. "I don't mean it in any way. Just that a lot of dancers like to watch what they eat, y'know?"

He knows. He got shit for eating actual food and went through hell from other kids. It didn't stop him eating what he wanted. If only because on that train, he realized that life's too short and he spent half his 11 year life starving. He knows the feeling of not being allowed to eat. A different feeling to not allowing oneself to eat.

"As long as you're happy, y'know?"

He doesn't say anything more as he eats. Jungkook and Taehyung do the rest of the talking and he only listens. They're fun to listen to and Taehyung offers him some of his chips when he can't finish them. Jungkook says he needs to watch what he eats, but steals some anyway.