"slow down, slow down," namjoon said, "tell me what happened."

the two boys were still at the café and namjoon was desperately trying to calm jimin down and figure out what happened while he was in the bathroom.

"here- sit," namjoon said, motioning him to sit back down at the table, and quickly sitting down beside him.

"ok, go on," joon said.

jimin continued sniffling, wiping off his wet face with the back of his hand. he felt embarrassed- thinking maybe he overreacted. but at the same time, he knew what he was feeling was valid. jungkook had violated him and crossed his boundaries. it was okay to be upset.

"j-jungkook," jimin said, wiping off more tears, "he came in here and... and was all mean to me. he called me slurs and... and he tried to like... touch me," jimin said, finding it hard to get the words out due to how embarrassing it was, "i-i don't know, joon he was just being an asshole. sorry i'm so emotiona-"

namjoon stopped him.

"what do you mean, 'he tried to touch you'?" namjoon asked.

jimin lifted his head up to look at joon, with red eyes and puffy cheeks.

"just... you know how guys like that are. they think it's funny to exploit people... like us. he thought it was funny assuming that just because i like guys i'm some sort of nympho. that... that i was desperate for someone to like... touch me like that," jimin said, not making eye contact, wiping off more tears as they fell, "and even if i was... why is me being interested in doing sexual stuff such bad thing? if it was a girl wanting to be with a guy in that way it wouldn't be weird, so why is it weird if it's me?" jimin said, "i just don't understand how people could see it like that, you know? why me? why does loving who i want to love make me look so... different to some people?"

namjoon's heart shattered at jimin's words.

he knew how the boy was feeling exactly. in fact, joon lived it his whole life- people making him feel less than because he liked guys. he just never wanted jimin to feel like that, he wanted to protect him from it. but now he knew he couldn't. he was just happy that this was only the first time something like this had happened to jimin. happy that he was here to help him through it. happy that they had each other.

"j-jimin," joon started, grabbing the boy's hands in his, "i'm sorry. i'm so sorry. i wish that didn't happen. i wish you never had to feel like that. you don't deserve it."

jimin looked up, still crying a little bit.

"you know... stuff like that happened to me all the time growing up... it never got easier. i know exactly how you feel," joon said, his thumb tracing over jimin's hand that was being held tightly in his, "but, i can tell you now, none of it bothers me anymore. i got over all that because of you. you taught me what matters in life, jimin. you taught me that love is so much more important than anything else- loving myself and loving others- and being confident in it. that's what matters. you taught me that- so don't forget it, okay? you're you and you're perfect. that's all. jungkook's an asshole, who will probably grow up and have three divorces and an alcohol problem and six kids he doesn't want, so don't care so much about what he thinks," joon said, happy that he got a little laugh out of jimin, "and... and we can report him to the school, too, okay? he's not gonna bother you again. i won't let that happen."

jimin just smiled lightly at joon for a moment, thinking about everything he said.

and he couldn't help but focus on how dominating the man was.

this was the side of joon that only jimin got to see. this was a side that took control- that protected.

and he loved it so much.

he loved every part of namjoon.

jimin leaned in and hugged namjoon tightly, his head digging into joon's shoulder once again.

"thank you," he mumbled, into the fabric of namjoon's jacket, "you always know how to make me feel better."

namjoon kissed the top of jimin's head, squeezing him in closer.

"i know," he said, teasing.

jimin pulled away after a moment, scoffing at him, with a laugh.

"nevermind. i make myself feel better," jimin said, with a little teasing smirk, going back to eating his cold danish.

joon just laughed at him, turning back to the table as well and taking a sip of his drink.

"there's the jimin i know."

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soft hours are open y'all 🥺

also i'm so excited to write the chapter where joon meets jimin's mom- it's gonna be hella soft and i'll try to have it up soon! also some spicy stuff will also be happening in a little while here so get ready ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)