⊱┊ᴅᴇʟɪɢʜᴛ & ᴘᴀɪɴ ༊*·˚

Jimin walks in Jungkook's big hoodie through his own apartment door, carrying a few different kinds of soda in his arms he brought on the trip in case the children get thirsty. Shortly following him, Jungkook walks through the door, closing it behind him. Minjun had asked him beforehand if he could stay with Jin this weekend and since the school trip happened on a friday, he has offered to pick him up on his way home. Jimin had agreed, however, what he didn't expect was to see Jin picking Minjun up with a big grin on his face, seeing the kind of hoodie Jimin wore.

Jimin, of course, tried to explain it, but as his brother's gaze wandered secretly to Jungkook more than once, Jimin knew Jin would believe nothing less than what he thought was true at this moment.

"I still can't believe that the employee pushed you into the fountain," Jungkook says dryly and smacks his lips.

"He probably didn't mean anything bad. He said it wasn't on purpose."

Jimin shrugs his shoulders, hoping what he said was correct and that the employee didn't do it with malice. While putting the thought to the back of his mind, he momentarily forgets he has the jars of jam that all three of them made earlier on in the day in his hands.

While placing the jar on the kitchen side, Jimin has a thought. "Hey, would you mind if I had a shower? Then when I'm changed, do you... I mean would you like to stay and try the jam? I'm starting to feel a little peckish." Right on time Jimin's stomach grumbles like a low deep thunderstorm.

Without even thinking the words just roll off of Jungkook's tongue, nodding as they make eye contact. "Of course! You take a shower and get changed into something warm. Staying in drenched clothes isn't good for you." Jimin smiles and nods. He proceeds to his bedroom with the en-suite attached.

Meanwhile, Jungkook takes a seat on the sofa in the open kitchen, letting his gaze wander like he has done so often before. The soft pastel colours he sees make the room feel like home.

Home? The word causes a shudder to run down his spine. Warmth spreads in his chest just thinking about how comfortable he is by being here. Usually, this is where he'd play with Minjun. Over the weeks- months they've established a close relationship. He's been here as often as he could recently, craving the proximity of Jimin and Minjun as if they were his family. As much as Jeongguk craves this feeling to be part of this family, being able to fall deeper for Jimin and be someone Minjun can look up to, it's Jimin who will make the decision if he can be part of this.

When did he become so soft?

Willing to distract himself, Jeongguk plays with the idea of making them both a warm cup of tea. He stands up and walks back to the kitchen counter where the kettle is located. It doesn't take him long before he fills the kettle with water and places it back on the appliance base.

The sound of the water getting hotter makes Jungkook impatient. His throat feels dry like he hasn't touched a drop of fluid in days. Maybe it's also just his imagination that this evening is different from all the others.

The water now bubbling extremely fast, popping and making the kettle shake slightly while the hot steam escapes through the small spout. Click.

Taking two clean cups from the side, Jungkook places them in front of him and brews both cups of tea, placing one on the table in the living room. He takes a seat, hoping Jimin wouldn't mind himself making a drink.

Jungkook doesn't know how much time passes as he sits there and stares at his hot tea cup. All sorts of thoughts go through his mind before suddenly the door opens and out walks Jimin in some comfy grey joggers and some thick fluffy socks and-

Jungkook gulps as his gaze flickers over the sweater Jimin wears. Jimin had the chance to change his clothes and there he is wearing Jungkook's again.

"You... put on my hoodie again."

"Yeah... I saw it laying on the side and it was so comfortable." Jimin giggles, hiding his blushing cheeks with his sweater paws. "I couldn't refuse its call." Jimin isn't going to admit that he wants to do more than just wear Jungkook's hoodie. In fact, he wants to be surrounded by the scent that's becoming akin to something more. Something he couldn't–wouldn't put a word into.

"I hope you don't mind, but I... I made us a cup of tea." His cheeks flush faster than the kettle boiled. Not knowing where to look, he looks down at the cup in his hand.

"Aww thanks Kookie, this is just what I needed. This is so sweet of you, thank you again."

"Let me just get it for you." Without another word, Jungkook gets up and scurries to the kitchen island where he placed Jimin's cup. It's still warm to his luck. Seeing Jimin wearing his hoodie did wonders in every fibre of his being. He wills his mind to remain calm.

"Here-" Jungkook stops talking as he's about to turn around, not having expected for Jimin to stand next to him in the next moment. Up this close, calming down and looking away from Jimin's lashes are something Jungkook had found difficulty in doing.

A small yelp leaves his mouth, almost having spillt the tea all over the floor. Instead of looking for a rag to clean the mess, Jungkook blinks at Jimin, studying the curl of his lashes. His eyes land on the plump lips.

He wants to say something - anything - but he sees Jimin's nose twitch for a moment. He blinks owlishly and leans closer, unable to stop himself.

"Are you...smelling me?" Jimin whispers. There's a soft rumble in his voice, high-pitched and shocked and Jungkook unabashedly nods.

"You smell so much like me now," Jungkook replies, eyes dancing. He sees the way Jimin's cheeks blush and Jungkook clears his throat, focusing back his attention on the mug. He takes a sip of his tea and looks away.

What Jungkook hopes Jimin would simply drop - an interaction he doesn't have any idea where it would lead to - Jungkook preens when Jimin simply replies, "Hmm...I'm wearing your hoodie. It smells really nice."

Jungkook nods, acting nonchalant and sets the mug down. He studies Jimin's face, admires the way the sweater paws nestle the mug between his small hands, watches the steam blow against his cheeks. Jimin looks at him, he blinks and then flusters even more.

"What?" Jimin squeaks, pulling the mug higher across his face, attempting to hide. Jungkook doesn't respond. Instead, he wraps a hand around Jimin's wrist and gingerly removes the mug between his hands.

Jimin clears his throat, letting Jungkook with his muses and can't help but tug at his bottom lip consciously. "Don't look at me like that."

Jungkook remains quiet. He sees Jimin's eyes flicker at his lips and before either of them realises it, the gap between them diminishes instantly.

Jimin gasps when Jungkook wraps his free- tattooed hand around Jimin's head, pulling him with pressure but still as gentle as he can be. Jimin's eyes close immediately, blood rushing against his ears. He can feel his heart raging in his rib but he feels safe.

Junkook kisses like the first snowfall, gentle and soft and filled with so much joy, Jimin couldn't help but be pulled in his embrace. Jungkook tilts his head to the side, grazing his lips against Jimin's carefully, almost scared. Jimin couldn't imagine that someone like Jungkook could be this sweet. His hands reach for the front of Jungkook's shirt and he puts more pressure, invading Jungkook's space even more.

Jungkook moves his hands on Jimin's waist, his head clouded but in a good way, the best way. Jimin moves against him, pushing him closer to the counter. He likes to have Jimin in his hold, feel the lips he'd never stopped dreaming of. Suddenly, he wants more.

But then his elbow hits the mug, pushing it off the counter.

The sound of porcelain and hot liquid pooling around his foot. Jimin blinks his eyes open, his hands uncurling from the shirt. He steps away, face red and lips glossy. Jungkook wants to reach out but then he remembers that he shouldn't be this reckless. He shouldn't have let his feelings consume him when he hadn't even explained the reason why he was teaching in the kindergarten in the first place.

What would Jimin think? The hot liquid is nothing compared to the tension and worry that he was feeling. He glances at Jimin and sees him frown, eyes full of worry. Jungkook chokes at the concern, thinks he doesn't deserve it. He coils his fingers into a fist and exhales heavily.

"I think I should go," Jungkook mutters hurriedly. "I should leave."

Once the front door shuts close, Jungkook clears the lump in his throat. Just a minute ago he wass delighted, but now, he's panicking, worrying and feeling dejected. He's doing it again, he's running away and this time, he's running away from Jimin because just like last time, he couldn't get life together.

As he speeds down the street, he remembers the pained look on Jimin's face. He vividly remembers the way Jimin almost reached for him, wanting to hold him, stop him. Jungkook wonders, bumping into a few passers by if he'll ever let Jimin anchor him.

The panic bubbling in his chest is stronger than anything he's ever felt, but not as strong as how he feels for Jimin. But he's not being honest to Jimin, he's not being honest to himself. He wants Jimin back in his arms, against his frame–kiss him, but he couldn't. He has no right because he knows that the moment he tells Jimin everything, he will lose both of them.

There are a lot of things he wants to say, things he wants to do with Jimin and Minjun but then he realises–will all this be worth it? When the only reason he's met the family he may want to share his life with has now finally come to an end?

Back in the apartment, Jimin tries himself not to break. Thoughts rush in his head relentlessly—Does he think this was a mistake? Does Jungkook regret the kiss? Does he suddenly realise that he couldn't commit because of Minjun?

Jimin wants answers but Jungkook left and he can't help but think some more– Will he come back? Will they ever talk about this? Will they deal with this together? Or will Jimin wallow into his emotions alone? Does this mean anything to him?

He furrows his brows and closes his eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks. He lifts a finger and traces the faint press of Jungkook's lips against his. To kiss Jungkook was something he couldn't imagine was possible to happen. Tears blur his vision and when he sniffles his cries, his heart almost drops at the scent of Jungkook filling in his senses.

He wants Jungkook back but the worry and the fear wouldn't stop countering his pleas–Will Jungkook ever want him as much as he wants Jungkook?

-'๑'-

Jimin feels his fear become real when he hears nothing from Jungkook in the next few days and Minjun greets him at the kindergarten a few days later with his head down. If Jimin thought things might turn out for the better, after all, this was a clear sign to him that this was not the case.

Determined and with hope blossoming in his chest, he makes his way from his work to the kindergarten. Today will be one of the days Jungkook goes to work. Ever since Jungkook had kissed him in his flat and left him standing there without another word, Jimin has heard nothing from him. Repeatedly, his finger lingered over the call button or the send button with messages like 'Why did you just leave without an explanation?', 'Didn't the kiss mean anything to you?' or 'Can we talk? You owe me an explanation'. Now, Jimin was aware that the second question should have worked more like a trigger-had he sent it.

But none of these messages he could send in the end. Inwardly, he knew there had to be more to it, and that Jungkook must have at least a hint of feeling for him. It wouldn't make sense to Jimin why Jungkook had otherwise kissed him so gently and carefully. At that moment, everything felt so right.

"What's wrong, Minjun?"

The second Minjun leaves the group room, Jimin is aware that something is going on. Something must have happened. His head hangs as if he is disappointed in something or sulking. Seeing Minjun standing like this puts a twinge in his heart. It has been a while since he has seen Minjun like this. In fact, the last time was a while ago and was before Jungkook came into their lives.

"Jungkook isn't here today."

And there goes all his hope, thrown out of the window right there. All the courage he built up crumbles like a wrecking ball hitting a wall. Jimin subconsciously notices how his lips press into a thin line, stomach dropping with a tinge of disappointment. There's nothing that could've prepared him for the sadness and frustration he feels. This feels just so unfair. Here he was actually considering giving all this a chance just for Jungkook to show him that this is not the case.

As much as he has considered Jungkook might actually have a simple explanation for it, this convinces him actually from the opposite. Was this all just a mistake for Jungkook?

"Have to go pipi." Jimin barely registers Minjun's voice. Squeezing his eyes for a moment, Jimin balls his hands into fists as he feels his chest tightening. The following words make it barely past his lips, "Go quickly, I'll wait here."

Jimin leans against the wall next to the group room in an attempt to sort out the circling thoughts in his mind. Feeling overwhelmed, his shoulders sag and he lets out a deep breath, not knowing that he's about to hear something he was absolutely not prepared for and will not cost his will to do something rash that he would probably regret afterwards.

"I bet Mrs Dawson would have hired him, in the end. He has become more comfortable with kids recently. Jungkook has settled in really well, despite the bumpy start and his reluctant willingness to do his community service here."

Jimin is not sure who is speaking, but he didn't care just then. Even more so as it feels like his world is about to collapse right now.

"If I'm honest, I had my concerns and a little fear at first. Not of him, but he struck me as someone who didn't care if a child got hurt."

"That's right, and lo and behold, he is the only one who has managed to talk to Minjun and become friends when no other educator has been able to do so. Man, I miss him already. Didn't he once say in passing that he was a high school student and would have his exams soon?"

"Yes, he has changed a lot in the last few weeks, not only his manner but also his personality and interests. Let's hope the same applies to the exams..."

Jimin tunes out the rest of the conversation. Tears sting his eyes and threaten to fall. He has heard enough. There is this uncomfortable feeling of betrayal that he just cannot shake off. His lips begin to tremble. The fear of everything has been a joke to him becomes too great and makes Jimin ponder if he made the wrong choice of letting the wrong person be part of his life.