[the building]
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
um guys
i have a small issue ('･_･')
Chocochip_kookie:
how smol
YourHobi:
wut u problem jiminie
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
u see,, I may or may not have accidentally fallen asleep on the train
and I don't know where I am
well I mean I can see a street name or wtvr but like....
I'm not
confident enough about using the subway,,
so I don't
really know
how to get back
on my own
and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't kinda freaking out
Taetae:
JIMINIE R U OK
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
yeah Tae I'm fine it's just
idk what to do?
and idk I don't know how many trains are left running for the night
and I don't wanna get the wrong one and end up more lost
and my phone's about to die
Yoongi:
what stop
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
?
Yoongi:
street
as in where r u
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
uh
xxx street
Yoongi:
stay where u r
Joonie:
yoongs u don't have a car
Yoongi:
I know the subway well enough I don't need a car
Handsome_face:
I have a car tho Yoongi I could pick him up
or actually Jimin u know u could use a taxi
Yoongi:
no don't trust cabs there have been ppl who were murdered by cab drivers
Joonie:
yoongs lmao what r the chances of that happening
Chocochip_kookie:
he's probably just saying that cuz he wants to be the one to come to Jimin's rescue
Joonie:
I'll bet that's the case
huh yoongs
.
.
.
I guess he left
Jimin u still there
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
I have 1% left on my battery
Joonie:
I know yoongs said stay right where u r but try to go somewhere where he can find u easily
best play it safe so u don't risk losing time and missing trains
Blue_ribbon_mochi:
right...
Taetae:
TEXT ME AS SOON AS U GET UR PHONE CHARGED AGAIN
JIMIN?
JIMINIE??
Chocochip_kookie:
oh no
look like he ded
rip Jimin
Taetae:
jIMINIE NOOOOOOOOOO
His phone had just died. Jimin drew in a deep breath through his nostrils, then exhaled slowly out his mouth as he leaned his head against the wall behind him. It was late. He was tired. And it was just a little too chilly down here in the subway for his comfort. Trains were still coming and going and people were still boarding and exiting. But the announcements over the intercom reminded him periodically that the terminal would be closed to the public within the next hour or so, and he couldn't deny it made him a little anxious to watch as the trains came and left.
He didn't end up moving like Namjoon suggested. With how terrible he was with directions and finding his way around in places he hadn't been before, Jimin figured it would be counterproductive, that he would only end up at spot more difficult to find him. For Yoongi to find him. Yoongi.
Yoongi was going to be here.
"If you ever need help, with anything at all, if someone's giving you a hard time, if you can't open a pickle jar, I don't know, just...let me know, okay? I'll be there."
He could hear the words echoing in his head as clear as a bell. Not just the words, but Yoongi's voice, specifically the sweet sincerity of his voice as he had spoken those words to Jimin on his birthday. And the memory of them warmed his heart all the same.
That memory kept him company as he waited for the one who had created it to arrive. It seemed like forever. But of course, it wasn't, Jimin was simply anticipating Yoongi to be every person that passed by. That anticipation, that lingering worry and disappointment, in himself particularly, for ever having gotten himself into this situation to begin with. He was a grown man, he told himself. He should be able to get back on his own without someone else's help.
At least it wasn't so bad. As least it was Yoongi. Yoongi, who had said on his own free will that should Jimin need him, he would be more than happy to assist. He didn't have to feel guilty about burdening him.
Jimin almost drifted off to sleep again when all of a sudden he heard his name being called. Yoongi had spotted him. And the older boy was walking rather quickly in his direction, the concern on his face molding into genuine relief before Jimin's eyes. Seconds later, the latter had been captured in an embrace that somehow felt warmer than any of the hugs he, himself, had initiated. He felt Yoongi press a hand against the back of his head, one arm wrapping around his torso tightly but not to an uncomfortable degree - no, this was far from uncomfortable. It was a little too comfortable, perhaps, that Jimin felt he could stay right where he was for hours without moving an inch. But he didn't have hours. And he had to move.
"C'mon, there's a train passing by in like five minutes that can take us back, but it's not this one, so we have to go. Like, now."
Yoongi didn't hesitate to drop his hand down to grab Jimin's, gripping it firmly as he took off in the direction of whatever train they were supposed to catch. It didn't take long to get there. Happened in the blink of an eye - or better yet, in the beat of a heart. Jimin's rapidly beating heart. Yoongi's hand was so warm. And it didn't let go, even as the train pulled into the station and welcomed the two of them through its briefly opened doors. Yoongi pulled Jimin over to the nearest empty pair of seats.
The doors closed. The train pulled slowly away.
Jimin couldn't bring himself to speak up. Yoongi was still gripping his hand, staring straight ahead as he kept his own mouth sealed shut. His expression was inscrutable.
Neither ended up saying anything even as they were well into the ride home. Jimin's tiredness still clung to him, and it, along with the heavy, rhythmic beating of his heart, dragged him down into the pool of sleep. Which just so happened to be Yoongi's shoulder. And Yoongi, not wanting the boy's head to fall off his shoulder along the bumps and turns of the tracks, wrapped an arm around Jimin and held onto him, hand holding on to the upper part of his arm.
As the train rumbled along the tracks Jimin slept quite peacefully by Yoongi's side. For that, the latter was grateful. Even at first glance Jimin had looked so tired to him. Like he needed to sleep. Like he could use a few minutes of rest. And besides, it was comfortable. Jimin's soft orange hair brushed against his cheek several times. Yoongi gave in to his temptation and touched it, just once at first, but soon he couldn't help himself and began to pet it gently, and it was only soon after that that he pressed a soft kiss to the center of Jimin's head. At the time, the boy was still sleeping. But moments later Yoongi felt him stir awake, and as an instant reaction to this realization he pressed Jimin's head back down before the boy could lift it fully. And this small action shook every last shred of tiredness out of him. Jimin was completely awake now.
His heart hammered against his chest, faster than before. With more urgency than before. He held his breath. How was he supposed to relax like this? How could he possibly fall asleep again like this? He had no idea how much longer it would take until they got back.
Eventually Jimin couldn't take it and had to raise his head again. But he did so gradually, while at the same time turning his eyes towards Yoongi, who in return looked back at him. Once again, no words were exchanged. But with faces so close, tender gazes locked, Yoongi felt drawn to give in to his own heart's subtle whispering, and so he moved even closer to Jimin, mindlessly connecting their lips in a warm, long-awaited kiss. It was worth it. It was so, so worth it. The feeling that flooded his entire body, that sweet warmth that wrapped itself around him and urged him to keep his eyes closed, to keep their lips connected for just a bit longer... So he did. For a little while, he kept his lips pressed gently against Jimin's, and he enjoyed every second of it.
Jimin was no different. He didn't want Yoongi to pull away from the kiss, for a number of reasons, one being the shyness that suddenly overwhelmed him and made his cheeks go aflame. Another being, well, naturally, that he wanted it to last. It was just a small taste, but it was sweet all the same.
When Yoongi finally pulled away, embarrassment kicked in and drove him to frantically repeat his earlier action of pressing Jimin's head against his shoulder. He didn't think he could handle looking into Jimin's eyes right now so he wanted to do what he could to avoid that. And this seemed liked the simplest way.
"...Y-...Yoongi-"
"We'll talk later."
His own heart was caught in his throat. He needed time. Even if just a small window, he needed time to collect himself, his thoughts, his confidence, before talking to Jimin. Of course, kissing him spoke volumes on its own, but there were still things he felt only words could accomplish.
So the remainder of the ride home was spent in silence just as it had been at the start. But when the train at last pulled into their stop, Yoongi found the courage to take hold of Jimin's hand again, rising to his feet and proceeding to lead the boy out of the train, out of the station, down the city sidewalks and all the way back to the dorms. But he stopped there. He didn't begin towards his dorm, nor Jimin's. He waited, shifting his position so that he could stand directly in front of Jimin while still holding his hand. Then he took hold of Jimin's other hand. And for a moment, time on both of their clocks froze.
"I, uh..."
Not off to a good start.
Yoongi cleared his throat. "Jimin, I think you're beautiful--w-wait, wrong thing, that's not what I was trying to say, I-"
He was interrupted by the sound of Jimin's laughter filling his ears, Jimin's quiet, brief, but downright adorable and angelic laughter... Yoongi felt his cheeks turn a darker shade of red.
"Is my awkwardness funny to you?"
"Would you be mad if I said it was cute...?"
"...no. Actually that would be the best case scenario here."
"Well, I think it's cute..."
"No, you're the cute one."
Jimin smiled at him. And it was the same smile he had always shown to him, but in Yoongi's heart he felt there was something different this time, or perhaps he had simply grown weaker to it, so weak that he couldn't help but place his hands on Jimin's cheeks and kiss him again. Then he pressed his forehead against Jimin's with his eyes still closed. But Jimin's were opened. He stared at Yoongi, not bothering to repress the butterflies fluttering around in his stomach, waiting for the boy to look at him, and once he did, Jimin swore his heart melted on the spot.
"Jimin, this is all your fault...I never had any interest in falling in love before but then you came along and...agh, I love you so freaking much..."
"I...love you more-"
"No, no you don't, there's no way you could possibly. I've been thinking about you constantly ever since that day you first came to visit me, and it's only gotten worse over time, and I didn't know how much longer I could take it, and if I had the confidence I would have kissed you a long time ago, I would have said something a long time ago, but...I mean, I guess we're here now..."
"You're going to make me cry, Yoongi."
"No, please don't...I don't know if I could handle that."
"Can you kiss me again?"
"Y-..." Yoongi paused. "...you want me to?"
"I really like it."
"Oh." Oh, that's adorable. He's too adorable. "Well, that's...good. Yeah, yeah, I'll kiss you again."
So he did. He kissed Jimin for the third time that night, slowly, tasting the boy's soft, plump lips, wondering if it were possible for his face to get any warmer, for his heart to beat any faster... He didn't want it to end, he didn't want this night to end, but he knew he would have to part ways with Jimin eventually. But at least the unspoken promise of being able to see him again would count for something.
All of a sudden they were interrupted by the sound of Yoongi's phone ringing in his back pocket. Caught off guard, Yoongi broke the kiss, sighing deeply as he slipped the device out of his pocket. He shot Jimin and apologetic glance, then answered the call.
"J-Joon, what do you want-?"
"Well, your voice is awfully shaky." There was a laugh on the other end of the line and Yoongi scowled, despite knowing his friend couldn't see it. "I just called to ask if you guys made it back alright. You did find Jimin, right?"
"Yeah, we're...w-we made it back..."
"Mm...you sure you're alright, Yoongs?"
"Fine. Never better. Look, I'm gonna walk Jimin back to his dorm, I'll talk to you later."
"Okey-dokey. Bye, Yoongs."
"Bye."
He hung up and silently put away his phone. Then, nervously scratching the back of his head, Yoongi stepped forward again to take Jimin's hand. And it was only then he realized how small and cute Jimin's hands were, and how perfectly they fit in his grasp. He smiled without noticing. But of course, Jimin noticed. How could he not? He chose not to say anything about it, though, instead allowing Yoongi to walk him all the way back to his dorm, just as he claimed over the phone that he'd do. The older boy stopped once he had made it to the door. He stopped, held his breath, and turned himself around so that he could hug Jimin with all his might.
"I want to see you again as soon as you have time."
Jimin suddenly had a flashback from his birthday, when Yoongi had hugged him at this very spot, late at night, just as he was doing now.
"I hope you know to expect a lot of this in the future."
"Hm?"
"Affection. From me. A lot of it. I want to shower you in affection, Jimin."
"...you really are trying to make me cry, aren't you?"
Yoongi hugged him even tighter. "No, but if you do I'll wipe away your tears."
"...here come the waterworks."