⊱┊ʜᴏʀsᴇs ༊*·˚

The ice cream date, as Jin likes to call it, was a complete success. Both Jimin and Jungkook were able to get to know each other better. With Minjun on hand, they walked together to an ice cream parlour and ordered a cup of ice cream for each of them. Jimin could safely say that everyone had a good time and he had never seen Minjun so happy, with the exception of the cat he was allowed to adopt. 

No sooner had they received the ice cream cups than Jungkook was joking around with Minjun, often including him in conversations as best he could. Jimin cannot deny that this is something that didn't leave him cold. He couldn't even hide a smile at the sight. Because the closer he got to Jungkook, the more he realised how open-minded, charming and charismatic Jungkook was.

At one point, Jimin had to laugh so hard that he flew off his chair. The reason for this was that Jungkook smeared cream on Minjun's nose with one finger. The toddler's expression was priceless. 

This slowly developed into a routine and once  a week or in two weeks they went somewhere to spend time with each other. Somehow... they clicked and Jimin started to feel comfortable in Jungkook's presence. 

One evening it got to the point where Jimin offered to make dinner of his own accord. Later in the evening, he found Minjun and Jungkook both asleep on the sofa with the cat curled up next to them. He secretly took a photo of it and saved it in his gallery. By now you could even say that it was almost normal for all three of them to do something together every week. Jimin would go one step further and say that they are almost good friends. 

Jimin feels great and happy to talk about likes and dislikes with someone; as if he could talk to him about all kinds of things. It still feels a little unrealistic to him, like he's embarking on something new, but it's exciting. It all started when Jimin was closed off and couldn't trust anyone but his family, and now there's a part in him that wants him to see Jungkook again. He doesn't know if Jungkook feels the same way, but Jimin is grateful to Minjun for being so firm. However, in all that time, Jimin has never questioned how old Jungkook really is, something he would regret later on. 

Today, however, something else is on the agenda. Jimin has taken an extra day off work to be there on this day, be it out of worry or excitement. Without further ado, it's theme day at the kindergarten and the little rascals are allowed to dress up as cowboys. What the children don't know, however, is that they are in for a little surprise at the end of the theme day.

"Mr Park!" Hoseok's voice sounds from the hallway to his right as he steps foot into the kindergarten. He had decided to finally dye his hair purple yesterday and the result seems to be something to behold. Hoseok's eyes widen in shock before a small grin crosses his lips. 

"I'm glad you could come. You can already proceed to the performance room. It's all set up and ready, but I'm sure you as a parent can help Minjun calm down a little," Hoseok says with a slightly depressed expression. He crosses his arms for a short while with his eyes fixed on the ground. "Minjun is a little nervous again."

This is nothing new for Jimin to hear. After all, Minjun has always struggled with stage fright. He looks worriedly at Hoseok and their eyes lock. "Is it... Is it as bad as usual?"

"I wouldn't say that," he admits with a gentle smile. "It doesn't seem as bad as usual, but a little motivation can't hurt, right? Go ahead."

With a firm nod, Jimin walks uneasily to the performance room the kindergarten then had built-in. It is big enough to let children perform something on a stage and the performance can have a few spectators. Jimin rubs his hands together nervously as he approaches the room. His blue denim jacket hangs loose from his shoulders and his leather boots clack lightly against the petroleum floor. They come to a halt the second his eyes settle on Minjun a few metres in front of him, slightly hidden by the door, but he is not alone.

A little motivation can't hurt, right?

Hoseok's words suddenly repeat in his mind and Jimin comes to think that that's exactly what Jungkook tries to do, mostly hidden from the others. Jimin feels a warmth blossoming in his chest, stepping closer to them. Somehow... Jungkook knows exactly what to do as he takes Minjun into his arms, trying to make the adorable cowboy laugh instead with some stupid jokes or stories. Jimin is stunned for a second, recognising that he dressed like a cowboy as well. A really handsome cowboy. 

Never would Jimin have thought to see him dressed like that. It never seemed to be his style when wearing dark colours whenever they met up but today... today he wears a brown cowboy hat, a red denim shirt and blue jeans in comparison to other days. Why does he like the sight so much of them being so close like that? The longing Jimin feels when seeing them together... Can they ever be more? Is there a chance for Jungkook and Jimin to be together? Would he accept him - would Jungkook accept Minjun as a major part of his life?

Seconds later, Jimin shakes his head as he realises how ridiculous the last question sounds in his head. Jungkook is about his age (he assumes), why would he want more when the world is open to him. Feelings of insecurity overtake Jimin - what is it that he is really afraid of? That Jungkook will leave him like Jaesang or that Jungkook might see him as nothing more than a friend? Or that Jimin might take away all open possibilities for him as a young person?

This is the first time he has thought about it for so long, and has come to terms with it like being more connected than he has been.

Whatever the future holds; however events turn out, Jimin will have to accept it and that is what scares him. Having to accept something when he wants the exact opposite. 

"Baby, are you feeling better?" Despite Minjun wearing that terrified expression on his face, he looks calmer as he stands in front of Jungkook, eyes immediately on Jimin the moment he addresses him. Jimin greets Jungkook with a soft smile and tries to push his thoughts and doubts aside. Now is not the time to think about it.

"A bit," he nods strongly and walks towards Jimin with slumped shoulders, his brown cowboy hat proudly worn on his head and Jimin can't help complimenting him on how well the costume suits him. Even though he helped him into the costume this morning, Jimin is pleased as if seeing it on him for the first time. He sees a visible improvement in Minjun's mood as he teases him and banters with him, giving him another compliment.

"Come on, I'll take you to the others. I think it's time to go. Jimin you can sit down already. I'll take care of it," Jungkook tells him with encouraging words and Jimin can only watch idly as Jungkook walks back into the large performance space with Minjun by the hand and taps him once on the nose. 

With a racing heart, Jimin strides forward into the room and finds a seat a little further from the other parents, but also close enough to the edge in case Minjun is unwell again. As soon as he sits, his gaze settles on Jungkook again and he is surprised at how good and open he is with Minjun, or other children in general, compared to when he first met him. Jin seemed to have been right. Jungkook will still grow into it. 

His thoughts are interrupted by the dimness of the light and a shadow next to him. With a small grunt, Jungkook drops onto the chair next to Jimin. No more words are spoken at first until Minjun steps onto the stage with his kindergarten group. Jimin can see from his seat how he starts to shake, causing Jimin to panic. Suddenly a warmth settles around Jimin's hand, making him jump up in his chair. Jimin feels the warmth rise higher into his cheeks as he realises what is happening.

Jimin hears the blood pumping in his ears and feels his heart beat faster at the touch. Sparks fly and a tingling sensation flows through his hand. Jimin's breath hitches in his throat, sensing Jungkook squeeze his hand again as reassuring. Jungkook's ulterior motive behind this makes him nervous. It has Jimin swallowing hard and making him panic inside. This motion may or may not indicate as much more than friends.

For now he tries to embrace the feeling of Jungkook's warmth around his hand and just let his own feelings guide him. Almost by instinct, Jimin squeezes Jungkook's hand back and pulls it closer to him. He doesn't want to think about what Jungkook's ulterior motives are now, he is grateful that Jungkook is thoughtful enough to calm him down.

Together, with their hands intertwined in one another, they watch Minjun's performance, with the children singing a song and the older ones performing a rehearsed scene on the theme of cowboys. Jimin stands up with pride as soon as the little ones bow, his hand eluding Jungkook's. He would like nothing better than to put his hand back in Jungkook's, but this could be seen as more than friendship, couldn't it?

Inwardly, he hopes that the lights in the room were dark enough that other parents didn't notice them holding hands, but also only because he's afraid it might have negative consequences for Jungkook.

After the wonderful performance, the children gathered around the kindergarten teachers and went outside in groups into the large garden, where there was already food on the tables and a campfire in preparation. What the children did not expect, however, is to hear the loud neighing of a horse and to see a line of horses in front of the kindergarten. One of the educators makes the announcement that each child can ride a horse and they will walk with them through the nearby park.

No sooner is the first group of children in the saddles than Minjun comes running excitedly towards both Jimin and Jungkook. His cowboy hat slips off his head and hangs down his back with the strap around his neck. A comforting warmth flows through Jimin's chest and he joyfully lifts Minjun, who animatedly declares that he really wants to ride too.

"You will, I promise," Jimin assures him, his gaze holding fondness as he runs a hand down his back. "How about we eat something first?"

Minjun nods and pulls Jimin closer to the food buffet after he lets him down. He eagerly fills his plate with Jimin's help.

"Careful!" Jimin admonishes him as he sees Minjun tip the plate, unintentionally. "We can go riding again on other days, there's a pony farm not far from here if you enjoy riding." 

As a father, he only wants to provide the best for him and as long as he can afford it, he is happy to see Minjun develop and develop new interests.

"Didn't know you were so supportive," Jungkook chuckles teasingly and stands next to Jimin to take some food as well. If Jimin knew he was giving Minjun piano lessons too... Jungkook's intention behind this is to really surprise Jimin with it, by now, knowing him better, he knows Jimin wouldn't react negatively to it. "I like it. You don't see it in all parents."

"You like that?" Jimin raises an eyebrow in slight irritation and squints at Jungkook, who is putting something on his plate, his eyes lingering on his side profile. Jimin shrugs a few seconds later and averts his gaze again. Surely he didn't mean anything big by that. True, they have both become closer in the last few weeks and talk more openly, but what are they really? What feelings are really hiding behind their facades?

"Hmm, yummy," Jungkook remarks, taking another bite from a purple muffin with white topping. "Ah... your favourite and it tastes so good, hmm," he moans and makes eye contact with Jimin. One of his hands wipes the spot of buttercream from his cheek and Jimin has to break eye contact, cheeks pink from embarrassment and catching his stare. 

"Jimin, you have to try these," Jungkook encourages the other to eat, running his tongue over his lower lip. He has to grin as he catches Jimin's eyes moving for a split second and finds him staring at his lips. It makes his heart beat a little faster. "I bet you're thinking about getting one of those delicious muffins too, aren't you?"

Jungkook risks it and leans forward, causing Jimin's breath to hitch. He sees Jimin's Adam's apple move and he visibly gulps. Jungkook has to suppress a grin. The smaller's cheeks flush more with each passing second and Jungkook's heart flutters. 

"I made them," Jimin blurts out, instead commenting on the other, which has caused an inner turmoil in him. He wonders if Jungkook was flirting with him or just teasingly underlining how much he loves and eats muffins.

"You're kidding, right? You tell me you made them but never cared to tell me that you can not only bake but make them taste so delicious?"

Jimin shrugs as a result of Jungkook's head shaking. "The topic didn't come up."

Ignoring how Jungkook throws him a glance, Jimin takes the lead to sit down at a place with a table and benches on each side, from where they can see the campfire. Other parents do not seem to mind or notice that Jimin and Jungkook are talking so informally. Jimin can see the first group of children already returning from riding and the next children stand in line. Parents help their children onto the horses; it is rare for a child not to want to ride at all, or to want to go near a horse. 

"You know... seeing them prepare the campfire makes me crave more stick bread. Haven't had stick bread in a long time. And smores especially," Jungkook confesses with such honesty and innocence that Jimin almost chokes on his food. He can't help but laugh, 

"Jungkook, I think it's actually for the kids," Jimin laughs again as Jungkook's lips form into a pout and he looks like an offended child who has had his lollipop taken away.

"But there are so many parents here, they must have enough for all of us, don't they?"

"Jungkook?" 

"Huh?"

"You're cute." Jimin shakes his head and grins in amusement. "Don't you work here?"

"Huh? So?" Jungkook blinks.

"Aren't you supposed to know what they make to eat and for whom?" Only when Jimin tilts his head and looks at the younger man with curious eyes does Jungkook seem to realise what he means. Sure. He works here... more or less. He still hasn't brought himself to trust Jimin with his biggest secret, afraid of what might happen.

"Ah, Jimin, you should know, just because I work here doesn't mean I get to know what's going on in the kitchen or what's planned. I'd probably have to work directly in the kitchen for that." 

"Seems so. What else is it like to work as a kindergarten teacher? I have to admit, when I first saw you, I thought you didn't become a kindergarten teacher by choice at all," Jimin chuckles and continues, "The funny thing is, I was even talking to my brother about it the other day."

"What do you mean?" Jungkook chews his cheek nervously, and blood starts pumping high in his ears. Does Jimin know the real reason he's there after all?

"Well... At first it seemed like you had a hard time with children, hesitant in a way, if I can put it that way. Compared to now, it seems ridiculous that I even thought about this." 

"Jimin..."

"No, what I mean is, you're so gentle with the kids and especially with Minjun. I shouldn't be biased, but you're so good with him and the other kids... sometimes I wonder if I imagined it." 

Jungkook sighs inwardly, feeling like he's got ants in his pants, but not because of anything positive but because of the consequences that his lie might carry. Over the past few weeks, Jungkook has come to know Jimin as one of the most loving and kind people (outside of family). So why is he so afraid to tell him the truth? 

'Because parents like to think their kids are safe and don't like it when they're around criminals,' his conscience yells at him. Every second he sits in front of him, he gets more nervous, urging himself to tell him, but he can't bring himself to do it. When is the right time to tell Jimin? Is he even ready for it?

"Appa... Can I go riding the horse?" 

Minjun's tender voice interrupts Jungkook's thoughts and drags him back to reality. Awkwardly, he clears his throat and looks behind as Jimin follows the excited Minjun to one of the horses and helps him up. Surreptitiously, he takes a photo or two of how happy they look. Something Jungkook lacks in his life and something he longs for.

This is something he wants to be part of. Therefore he has to work hard and show that he means it.