Young Jimin walked into an office, which he thought seemed much bigger than the one his previous agency had when he first saw it. He felt excited to step to the next pinnacle of his career. Being an actor was great - money also came - but being called a child actor wasn't all that.
This was going to be his first break to show himself as a versatile actor, not just a little boy who worked on coming-of-age projects or high school musicals. He had been working with his new agency for the past year on his first action movie project. He trained rigorously for it too. And today was the day they were going to drop the first trailer.
"Hi, Jimin," he turned around with a big smile on his face to see Namjoon waltzing into the office. Out of respect for the older, he stood up.
"Sit down, babe."
Jimin's brows twitched before he sat back on the chair. Namjoon had been calling him with endearments for quite some time, but only when they were alone. He received mixed signals for it. The producer shut the door behind him and Jimin didn't think much of it, except that they might be discussing confidential things. Even though Namjoon was extremely talented, a visionary, an intellectual, and quite a looker with his big body and muscles, Jimin knew he was a married man.
The teen actor still couldn't help but felt enchanted by the man who was so masculine and was holding a flag to his success ahead. Today was going to be one of the most important days of Jimin's life - a milestone
Instead of taking his own chair, Namjoon sat on top of the table, close to Jimin's chair. "Excited? Nervous?" He asked, his hand suddenly beginning to knead Jimin's shoulder muscles.
"I am only excited. I have nothing to be afraid of when you are here," Jimin answered, expressing his honest feelings while ignoring how the older male kept touching him.
"Before we release the promo, I want you to do something for me, Jimin."
"Anything," the teen replied in gratitude. What could he do for Namjoon when the man was his godfather in the industry? How could he possibly return anything?
Namjoon smiled before standing up and holding Jimin's hand to take him towards the door in the corner. Jimin had never been on the other side of that door, so he felt a bit intrigued, and now, also afraid. When the lights turned on inside, he saw there was a pristine bed. A bouquet of roses sat on the table along with a box of Rolex, which he could recognize.
Namjoon picked up the flowers and the box to hand it to Jimin with a bright smile. "Congratulations for making big, Jimin. Mark my words, you'll be the biggest superstar that Korea had ever seen and I can guarantee you, no one will be able to replace you in the future of the film industry too."
The words made Jimin's eyes water. He has made it. After going through hardships, he has finally made it. He was going to be somebody who mattered, who could influence people's minds. "Thank you," he said while sniffling and accepting the gifts from his producer.
Namjoon pulled him in a warm hug, seeing his tears, and began to soothe his back. Jimin felt a bit uncomfortable now. With the close bedroom, the long hug, and the way Namjoon's breath was fanning on his skin, he felt the need to pull away, but when he tried, Namjoon tightened his grip. "Hyung," Jimin uttered in protest.
"Shh... It's okay. You are going to be a big actor, Jimin. Let's have a good time together today. I want to make you happier."
The indication was clear now and Jimin suddenly felt that the room was constricting, cinching him with it. Darkness surrounded his eyes and he couldn't understand if all the things led to this moment, or if this moment was the result of all the things he had gotten. "Hyung... Hyung - please listen. You are married."
"And you are so beautiful," Namjoon said, pulling away to hold his face and padding his thumb against the actor's cheeks.
"This is wrong. I can't do this."
"You can, babe. You definitely can." Namjoon now captured Jimin's lips and let out a groan. He started rough and it terrified Jimin. With his might and strong muscles that he gained because of constant training, he succeeded to push Namjoon away from himself.
"I said I can't!"
When he started stomping off, Namjoon grabbed him again and pushed him against the wall. "Please, Jimin. I need you."
"This is wrong, Hyung. I respect you, so I am going to let it slide. Please don't ever do this again."
"Then kiss your movie goodbye."
Jimin looked up with hurtful eyes. Hot and thick tears slid out on his cheeks and it made Namjoon sigh. He wiped the teen's tears before kissing his cheeks one by one. Jimin stood like a dead body. The words echoed in his mind over and over again.
Namjoon led him to the bed and sat him down before he started taking off his belt. Jimin heard a voice inside his head, his own voice, yelling and saying 'stop' over and over and over again. But his lips didn't escape a word as he watched Namjoon get naked and walk over to the drawer to get a bottle of lube and a pack of condoms. When he handed the lube to Jimin's hand, the teen took it and looked at it while tears continued to drop mutely.
"I want you to go hard on me, babe. Fuck me, Jimin."
After the two were done, Namjoon hugged Jimin closed and kissed his forehead. "You made me happier, babe. I really really like you."
Jimin's eyes blinked now, which were earlier timid and hollow. "You like me?"
"Yes, so much. I want you to always be with me, Jimin. You don't know how much I have waited for this moment."
**
Jimin was fucking Rose, making her yell and scream in his office. "Oh, Jimin!"
"Yeah, louder... Scream louder."
The woman screamed like an animal.
Jimin smirked, knowing that Namjoon was on his way to his office too, and he wanted the man to encounter this. After losing so much over the years, he now wanted one thing - Namjoon.
The door opened and Rose suddenly flinched before she pushed Jimin away and ran towards Namjoon while fixing her clothes. "He tricked me, Joonie. I swear... I didn't want to do this. It won't happen again."
Namjoon's eyes were on Jimin, who sat naked on his chair, smirking with an investigative look on his face. "Go home." He said softly and Rose immediately dashed out.
Namjoon lurked towards Jimin and grabbed him by his neck. "I can't share you with anyone! You know that well. What are you trying to prove? With my wife, Jimin? You are fucking women now to get back at me?"
"I am not getting back at anyone," Jimin said confidently, letting Namjoon's hands where they were. "I love you and I want you. Be mine and I won't look at any woman, let alone fuck them. Come out with me."
"Nonsense!" Namjoon now turned away, trying to breathe to compose his anger. "I know how the industry works, Jimin. I have been alive for more time than what you've spent acting and building your career. Not only I will take a hit, your career will be ruined."
"Who cares about the career if that's the worst that can happen?" Jimin stood up from the chair and held Namjoon's hands. "I'll have you."
"I can't let that happen, Jimin. And you know damn well you'll do as I say."
"Still threatening me, after what all we have been through, Namjoon," Jimin snarled, feeling his head on the verge of popping. "I am not afraid of your threats anymore. Do whatever you can."
"It can never happen, Jimin. We can never happen."
"Okay... Then. I am not willing to work with you," Jimin declared affirmatively. "I love you, Namjoon Hyung. But if you can't leave this faux prominence behind to love me back, then I don't want to be your boy toy anymore. Accept me in front of the world or watch me go away. I will leave."
Picking up his clothes, Jimin walked into the bathroom and banged the door shut.
"STOP! STOP! STOP IT!"
"JIMIN!" Jungkook patted Jimin's cheeks and the man gasped awake, seeing around. There was no trace of Namjoon. A very concerned and afraid Jungkook sat near him. His curious eyes doted on him and his hands were holding his body. "What happened? Did you have a nightmare?"
Jimin gulped to find that his throat and mouth were parched. He felt ashamed, he felt like a nobody, he felt what he always felt, that he had gained everything, but lost himself. "Get out, Jungkook."
"No, I am not leaving you here-"
"GET OUT!"
Jungkook flinched before he bit his lips to stop himself from a sudden burst down. His feet cradled his slippers as he bolted out of the actor's bedroom in the next moment.
Jimin got off the bed and reached for the bottle that he had hidden in his cabinet. Taking it out, his heart quaked in pain. "You don't deserve this, Jungkook. Oh, sweet Jungkook, you deserve everything in this world," he said fondly while his tears continued to drip. "I am doing nothing but dragging you down with me." Opening the bottle harshly, Jimin glugged down the bitter drink.
"I have to let you go, but I don't know how to. If I let you go, I don't think I'll stay sane anymore. I can't leave you, Jungkook. I am sorry for being selfish and ruining your life."
Jimin chuckled before he began to sob while laughing. His tears always ran astray, with creases on his face. All the boundaries were blurred in his head now and his body couldn't maintain composure. He couldn't bear this pain. He couldn't feel his own skin. He was losing the strings from his fists - the strings that were connected to the human deep inside him, that reminded him that he was still in there somewhere, that he also deserved happiness, that there was a happy ending for him too - he was too tired.
He had to let the strings go.
He kept drinking until the morning and when he glanced at the clock, he knew it was time, the movie was going to be released today.
Jungkook was ready and had made Jimin breakfast as he waited for him to come down. He couldn't think Jimin would be up on time, but when he went to the actor's room, he was already in the shower, so he returned to the living room.
In a few minutes, the blonde made his way downstairs and Jungkook attempted to smile and greet him. Jimin didn't reciprocate in the slightest, but still ate his breakfast, which was enough to put Jungkook at ease. He didn't mind bearing the heat as a result of Jimin's bad moods. "Where's your food?" Asked Jimin when he found Jungkook staring at him like he was some sort of celebrity, which he was, but Jungkook didn't have to treat him like one.
"I have already eaten, Jimin," Jungkook answered, his voice a little shaky, but he still conveyed his emotions that he was happy.
They didn't speak and left soon after.
Jimin didn't know what to expect, but Jungkook knew that the actor's supporters were not going to let his movie flop. They never did. He kept glancing outside as if he was waiting for something to appear.
Jimin sat silently on the back seat, staring out blankly. "Jimin look..." Jungkook pointed. The actor's eyes averted to see infinite fan boards lighting up the area with pictures from his old and new movie clips. It was as if the city was decorated in celebration.
Seeing the shining billboards with supporting messages from fans, and not one, but hundreds of them, Jimin felt like his throat was swelling. "They love you so much." Jungkook enthused.
"What did I do deserve them... And you?" Jimin mumbled to himself with his welled-up eyes, securely masked behind his black sunglasses.