Print It!

by yoonminiest

Summary:

Jimin works part time at a print shop. It's pretty boring, if he's honest - until one time his crush from college, Yoongi, comes in to have pictures of his dog Holly printed and Jimin gets a peek into his life that he never anticipated.

Tick. Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

It's a funny thing, time. Sometimes, it flies by so fast you're barely able to grasp it. A blink of an eye and hours have passed, without your knowledge - or consent for that matter. Almost as if it's been stolen, grasped away by an invisible force that for one reason or another has decided that you've had enough for now. Like a bartender cutting you off when you're barely getting started.

Other times, it's incredibly slow; lumbers on at a snail's pace, until minutes feel like hours feel like days, and all you can really do is sit there and wait. Stare at the hands of the clock slogging through another circuit as though dragging through mud.

Tick.

Tock.

Jimin sighs, tearing his gaze away from the clock hanging on the wall. He knows what time it is, has known for the past hour - ever since his last customer, a lovely old grandmother who had wanted pictures of her grandchildren printed out, had left the shop with a smile on her face and two hundred newly printed photographs tucked into her purse.

It's five twenty. It's been five twenty for what feels like forty minutes already.

Jimin leans back in his chair, rolling his shoulders in an effort to loosen up the knot beginning to form there; he can feel it, under his skin, and just knows it'll be annoying as all hell tomorrow when he has a full day of dance practice to get through. He sighs again before moving his head from side to side in rapid succession, satisfied with the loud crack he manages to pull from his neck.

And then he looks at the clock again.

Five twenty-one.

He's grateful for his job, really, he is - flexible hours, a nice manager, and pay that just barely makes it worth spending so much of his free time after classes sitting in a chair behind a desk - but it's just. so. boring.

It's especially boring at closing time; that last half hour before he has to get up and lock the door, where he can't really do much other than wait for the clock to finally strike six pm so he can haul his ass home. There are never any customers, not after five, and although Jimin's thankful he doesn't have to stay late, it does mean he has to suffer through that last hour of excruciating wait every few days.

When the clock hits five thirty, he finally gives up and digs out his phone.

It's not strictly allowed; Jimin remembers the crash course - rant - he'd gotten on the day he started, which had consisted of approximately five minutes on how to use the machinery in the shop, and half an hour of his bossy coworker drilling it into his head that phones were not allowed during company time.

It's a stupid rule, anyway, and his manager couldn't care less as long as he doesn't ignore customers because of it.

He's just sent a text to his roommate about dinner when the bell above the door chimes. It's silly, but the surprise makes him sit up ramrod straight in his chair, and his heart picks up its pace as he shoves his phone into the desk drawer as though hiding something illicit.

"Welcome!" he calls out, more out of habit than anything, as he tries to gather himself. "How may I-"

The new customer raises his head as he steps into the shop, revealing a long fringe of bleached blonde hair peeking out from under a large blue beanie, and smiles.

Jimin nearly swallows his tongue.

"...help. You," he finishes, and he can hear how flustered he sounds; can feel his cheeks heating up, too, merciless as always in showing the whole world how embarrassed he feels.

Great. He totally wanted to embarrass himself in front of Min Yoongi, of all people.

"Hi," the man replies, shuffling to the desk with his hands tucked inside the pockets of his oversized hoodie; there's a rip in the knee of his jeans, Jimin's brain notes, before he manages to drag his eyes up to meet Yoongi's. "You still open?"

"Uh," Jimin mumbles, absentmindedly biting at his lip even as he nods, "yeah, for around twenty more minutes."

"Great," Yoongi murmurs, and turns a little to start digging in his bag; Jimin's shoulders sag as the tension in them releases suddenly. It's hard to look at such pretty eyes from so close up, okay?

"I wanna get a few pictures printed, here-"

Yoongi leans forward, bracing one elbow on the desk so he can show Jimin his phone screen. There's a picture of a dog filling it at the moment; a cute little poodle with curly brown fur and a sweet face. Not unlike its owner, Jimin thinks - the cuteness, not the fur.

"This is Holly," Yoongi says, and his voice has dipped a little lower now, a fondness evident in his tone as he smiles at his phone. It makes Jimin smile, too. "I'd like all the pictures I have of him on my phone right now, if that's okay - there's around thirty, I think?"

"Sure!" Jimin breathes out, doing his best not to let his smile waver when Yoongi turns to him again. He's a lot closer now, close enough for Jimin take in the curve of his eyes, the line of his thick eyelashes.

He's so, so pretty.

"It should take around half an hour," Jimin somehow manages to say, despite the raging crush currently working his brain at full capacity. "You can wait here or just leave your phone with me and come back-"

"Wait," Yoongi frowns, "didn't you just say you were gonna be open for twenty minutes?"

"Oh, um..."

"And it takes half an hour to print the pictures."

"Yes...?" Jimin says - asks, really, because while he's usually great at math, he seems to be having trouble with it right now.

Must be the gay.

"I can come back tomorrow," Yoongi offers, straightening up again and pulling his phone away, but Jimin's quick to shake his head - it's his day off tomorrow.

"It's fine!" he smiles, tries his best not to sound too breathy and fails miserably. "I have to do clean up after closing anyway, a few minutes isn't too much trouble."

For a moment Yoongi simply looks at him, a little skeptical, but then he shrugs. "Okay."

"Okay," Jimin repeats, and reaches his hand out. "I just need your phone. Do you want to wait here?"

"No, I'll come back," Yoongi says, and honestly? Jimin's relieved. He's not sure how efficient he'd be if he had to work with Yoongi - Min Yoongi - waiting for him in the next room.

As soon as the door closes behind the man he gets up and heads to the back room. It's set up with a computer and a printer, along with various other machines and things he doesn't luckily need right now - printing from a phone is the simplest of his duties. He hooks Yoongi's phone up quickly, and sits down to sift through the files for pictures of the dog he'd showed him.

The thing is, people don't really think about what they have on their phone when they bring them to places like this. Don't consider the fact that the worker that's printing their pictures can see all of them, not just the ones they want to get a physical copy of. Jimin's seen his fair share of nudes in his time at the print shop, and he always tries his best to skim over them and respect his customers' privacy - as well as protect himself from getting traumatized.

But he does have eyes.

So he can't really say he's surprised to find pictures of a more... interesting nature, on Yoongi's phone - he's just not expecting it.

The picture that first catches his eye is fairly innocent, as far as things go: just a shot of someone from the shoulders down, an oversized sweater covering their frame until it stops at the tops of their thighs, showing off a few inches of skin before it's covered again by thigh highs. They're really cute, actually, a pair of black socks with bows sitting at the front; the edges digging into skinny looking thighs tight enough to have a bit of fat spilling over.

It's the next picture that makes Jimin's cheeks heat up and his eyes swivel away rapidly.

The sweater has been dragged up, now, revealing a patch of stomach and a pair of panties that match the socks perfectly: black, with a little bow at the front, clinging tightly to the figure wearing them - and showing off the bulge at the front very prominently.

Jimin bites his lip, squeezing his eyes shut, because he knows it's wrong - to look at these pictures, to see what kind of stuff Yoongi might be into - even if it's not really his fault he's seeing them in the first place.

It’s only when he finally pries his eyes open to glance at the next one that he realizes these might be more than just regular jack off material. Because the next picture, the last of the series, shows the person's face clearly enough for there to be no doubt in Jimin's mind.

Blonde hair, falling into pretty eyes; curved lips, twisting up in a coy smile.

Yoongi.

Jimin lets go of the mouse as though burned, actually turning around in his chair just so he can make sure he doesn't accidentally look at the pictures again.

He feels hot all over.

 

Five minutes past six, the bell above the door chimes again and Yoongi walks in. He's carrying a grocery bag this time, so full it looks like it might burst at the seams at any moment, and he's walking a little funny because of the uneven weight on his hands. He stops at the counter, smiling down at Jimin, who promptly flushes scarlet.

"Hi again," Yoongi greets him, setting the bag down and leaning against the desk casually. "You ready?"

"Uh- uhuh," Jimin agrees, nodding vigorously as he does his best to avoid meeting Yoongi's eyes. He turns away to grab the envelope containing the printed photos and has to take a moment to steel himself before he can turn back. He tries to drag on a sufficient customer service smile, but he's not too sure about his success.

He can't help but imagine it; that under the layers of overly large clothes, Yoongi might be hiding something prettier.

Yoongi's quick to open the envelope and pull out the first picture, an absolutely stunning smile spreading across his face as he takes it in, and it's like Jimin can't physically stop himself from speaking.

"You're cute."

"Sorry?" Yoongi asks, eyes lingering on the picture for a moment longer before he's looking at Jimin again. "Did you say something?"

"Your dog is cute," Jimin corrects himself quickly, somehow managing to sound far more confident than he feels right now. "Holly, right? So cute."

"Thank you, um," Yoongi says, and his eyes crinkle as he smiles, "Jimin, right?"

Inside his chest, Jimin's heart suddenly slams against his ribcage.

Yoongi knows his name.

"Yeah, that's me," he says with what he hopes is an easy chuckle. "You're welcome."

"No, really, thank you," Yoongi repeats, as he stuffs the envelope into his bag and leans down to grab his grocery bag. "You didn't have to stay open for me. Thanks."

"It was no trouble," Jimin says, and it's only after Yoongi's gone that he finds he's able to breathe normally again.

-

Jimin tries really hard not to think about it.

Really, he does. He knows that the pictures he saw weren't meant for his eyes; that Yoongi would probably be upset if he knew Jimin had seen them.

Jimin kind of is, too.

Not because the content of them was upsetting, by any means - in fact he had to actively not think about the memory of them while he was in the shower last night, trying to ignore his persistent boner and ultimately failing.

It was really hard. No pun intended.

No, it's upsetting because this is something personal, something Yoongi probably only shares with people he trusts, and Jimin would rather have found out from him, instead of by accident. If he ever managed to gather the courage to even speak to the man, that is.

The problem is... Jimin already thinks about Yoongi pretty often as it is. About his sweet smile and sharp eyes, his cool exterior and soft voice; his daydreams consisting of long cuddle sessions and soft kisses shared in the quiet of the night. Cute things, for the most part, like holding hands and sharing secret smiles and being able to hold the man close.

And those thigh highs were really, really, really cute.

And okay, yes, sometimes he wonders what it would feel like to touch him. If his skin is as soft as it looks. What he sounds like, after having the breath kissed out of him. How his body would feel against Jimin's. If he likes wearing pretty things to bed, too-

Shit, he's thinking about it again.

Jimin leans back against the arm of the couch, his body slumping gracelessly onto the cushions, and lets out a groan. It's loud, the sound filling up the otherwise quiet dorm room.

A few moments later the couch cushions sink next to him.

"What's up, bub?" Taehyung asks, and Jimin cracks his eyes open to watch as his roommate settles down, leaning comfortably into his side. There's a can of soda in his hands, and he snaps the lid open as he levels Jimin with a bright smile.

Jimin sighs dramatically, throwing his arm over his eyes and letting his head sink back into the cushions. "I'm gay."

"Mm, yes," Taehyung agrees. He brings the can up to his lips, drawing in a long, noisy draft of his drink. "I'm pretty sure we established that back in high school."

Jimin lets out a grunt.

"When you thought you had a crush on me for like two weeks-"

"I did have a crush on you, stinkbutt, and it was two months- "

Taehyung laughs, happy and silly and warm, as he reaches out to pull Jimin's arm down. "Stinkbutt? That's my favourite one so far."

"Yes, well," Jimin says, and finds his lips quirking up despite himself, "you're very inspirational."

"Thank you," Taehyung says, and it sounds like he's actually pleased. Jimin lets out a quiet laugh and twists on the couch until he can wrap his arm around his friend's waist.

"But back to business," Taehyung hums, and then he's leaning over Jimin to look right into his eyes with a serious expression on his face. "What's wrong? Is it boy trouble? Do I have to fight someone?"

"No," Jimin says. He can't quite stop himself from pouting, just a little bit. "Just the usual."

"Ah, I see," Taehyung agrees with a sage nod, even as he reaches out to brush a lock of hair from Jimin's eyes, "Min Yoongi?"

"Yeah," Jimin sighs again, and it's mostly for the dramatics, but also kind of not. "Min Yoongi."

"You know you could just talk to him, right? Ask Hoseokie-hyung to introduce you, you know he'd be more than happy to."

Jimin sits up, so suddenly he almost tips Taehyung over the edge; he's quick to grab onto him, though, clutching at him even as he looks at him with his eyes blown as wide open as he can get them.

"He's so pretty, Taetae."

For a moment Taehyung just looks at him, the expression on his face so profoundly unamused it's actually pretty funny.

"I don't know why I'm doing this to myself, but it seems like you have a lot more to say so..." He lets out a loud huff before nodding resolutely. "Go on."

Jimin draws in a deep breath.

"He came to the shop yesterday and he's so pretty and has the cutest dog and he's so fond oh my god you should've seen the smile on his face when he saw the photos and then he remembered my name even though we've never really talked and I just-"

"You're just really, really whipped?" Taehyung interjects, and Jimin kind of wants to shove him off the couch for real, but it's not like his friend's wrong.

Yoongi’s really fucking cute and Jimin doesn’t know what to do about it.

-

There are some things you just have to learn the hard way. You can hear people warn you about them over and over again, and you can even appreciate, on some level, that all these people are probably right, but still somehow manage to convince yourself that you're invincible. That surely, such a thing couldn't possibly happen to you - all those other people were simply careless, reckless, while you're anything but.

One of those things is that you should never scroll down your crushes Instagram feed further than a few weeks, especially when you're in a public space where there's a chance that you might get caught.

Jimin? He learns the hard way.

It's been a particularly grueling dance practice, the kind that makes Jimin's shirt wet with sweat, his limbs warm and limber even after he stops moving; the kind that has his mind floating, just a little, letting go of his worries and simply living in the moment.

Hoseok, the dance team captain, has been drilling them non-stop for the past few hours - teaching a new choreography he's finally finished, something to do with his final project before graduation.

And Jimin gets it, he does. It's important.

But boy, is he glad when Hoseok finally moves to the stereo and shuts off the music, calling out for a thirty minute break.

He's the first one to his bag, already digging out his snacks and water bottle while the others follow behind, simply grabbing them along with his phone before he's moving to the farthest corner of the room to sit down and just. Breathe. For a moment.

It's about twenty minutes into the break, when he's finished eating and has a few more minutes to just relax, that he finds himself looking through Yoongi's account.

It was an accident, he swears; he'd been scrolling down his own feed when he'd come across a picture Taehyung's friend, Seokjin, had posted, and had almost moved past it when his eyes had caught on the figure perched under the taller man's arm, smiling happily at the camera.

It had taken all of 20 seconds for him to find Yoongi's username, handily tagged in the picture, and get lost in his thoughts as he scrolled down, down, down.

Most of the pictures on his account are street photography; street signs and graffiti, silhouettes and urban scenery. One picture in particular, showing a young girl whizzing past on her skateboard so fast she's blurred while the rest of the shot isn't, catches Jimin's eye. But in between there are also selfies, and those are the ones Jimin finds himself lingering on. There's a particular angle Yoongi seems fond of, taken from above with his head tilted up - it's quite endearing, seeing it repeated so many times.

Where his selfie angles are repetitive, however, his style is not; Jimin notes at least four different hair colours, varying degrees of make up, and is even pretty sure that Yoongi's wearing a dress in one of the pictures.

"Whatcha doing, Jiminie?"

Jimin jumps at the sudden loud voice right by his ear, his shoulders rising up when two warm hands land onto them; he fumbles with his phone, heart in his throat as he struggles to turn the screen off.

"Nothing!"

Behind him, Hoseok lets out a sharp laugh, and then he's crouching down next to him. The man's grinning in a way that seems terrifyingly predatory to Jimin's rattled brain.

"Was that Yoongi-hyung?"

"Uh... no?" Jimin tries, but the way Hoseok raises his eyebrows tells him it's a lost cause. He smiles a little sheepishly. "Yes, um. I like his... photography."

"Mmhm," Hoseok hums, nods, but he still looks like a smug little squirrel that's found a big, fat nut to chew on.

Jimin kind of wishes he would choke on it.

"Seemed especially fond of the ones where he's pouting at the camera," Hoseok sing-songs, thankfully in a quiet voice that shouldn't reach the others. Jimin sends him a warning glare anyway.

It's probably less effective because of the raging blush on his face.

"Don't you have a practice to run?" he hisses, and then he's getting up, all but throwing his phone into his bag as he makes his way to the dance floor again.

By the time he's on his way home, most of his irritation has fizzled away, beaten out of him by the heavy thrum of bass, the strain on his muscles that only a good practice can give. Jimin lets out a long breath as he unlocks his phone to check for messages. The screen opens up to one of Yoongi's selfies, posted a year ago, and Jimin stops right in his tracks.

The heart below the picture has turned red.

-

So. Things could be worse.

Sure, Jimin did basically expose himself to his crush on accident and sure, he did it in the most awkward way possible - by making himself seem like a creepy stalker who has nothing better to do than ogle year-old selfies and, like, drool or something.

And sure, said crush is best friends with his dance captain, who definitely knows about Jimin's infatuation now, if the teasing little remarks that he's been doling out for the past two weeks are any confirmation.

But things could be worse... Jimin just isn't sure how, exactly.

He shifts in his chair, leaning back and nearly bumping his knees on the desk, and lets out a sharp huff as he glances at his phone.

Jungkook, who had been absolutely delighted to hear the whole story, has since picked up this stupid little habit of going back through Jimin's instagram every few days, going back a year or two and un-liking a post just so he can re-like it and have a notification pop up on Jimin's lock screen.

It's annoying as hell.

So when Jimin sees yet another notification from the app, he's this close to deleting the whole thing, or maybe tossing his phone in the trash - but before he can do either of those things his eyes catch on a familiar username.

"myg93 liked your post" his phone proudly declares, and Jimin nearly drops the thing in his haste to unlock it and open the app.

He has to take in a long, deep breath before he can actually force his fingers to open up the notification and see which picture Yoongi - Min Yoongi oh my GOD - liked.

And then he groans. Really, really loudly.

It's an old selfie, like really old, one of those pictures that you've been meaning to delete but never got around to it and now it just sits in the depths of your account like an unfortunate, cursed relic just waiting for a brave explorer to find it.

The brave explorer? Yoongi. The cursed relic? The cringiest selfie Jimin has ever taken - ever seen for that matter, and the caption really doesn't make it any better whatsoever.

Am I charming? Who says that?

For a moment Jimin seriously considers swallowing his phone whole, but then he closes his eyes and takes another deep breath.

Yoongi liked his post. Yoongi went through his account, far enough back to find the- the monstrosity hidden there, and liked it. That's a lot of effort to make for a random creeper, right?

Jimin's shaken from his thoughts by the shop bell ringing, announcing that he has a customer, and resolves to freaking out properly once he's home and has the emotional support of Taehyung to cling onto.

It seems fate has other plans, however. And really, Jimin curses the day he ever thought that the business didn't get any customers after five pm. Because apparently just thinking it was enough to jinx him for the foreseeable future.

At 5:15, when Jimin's just resigned himself to yet another boring hour at work before he can finally go home, the door opens and Yoongi walks in.

It's almost like a film scene, in Jimin's head; the way the setting sun paints the backdrop of the street behind the man a warm pink tone that bounces onto the back of his head, colouring his blonde strands of hair. The way everything seems to happen in slow motion, just for a moment, Yoongi's steps slowing down as his head comes up, eyes meeting Jimin's even as they curve in a smile. The way the air seems thicker - or maybe that's just Jimin's body forgetting its most basic functions and focusing fully on just looking .

God, he really needs to get a grip.

"Hello," Yoongi greets him as he walks up to the counter, pulling Jimin right back into the present with his warm voice and sweet smile. "I'm a little earlier this time."

"Yes," Jimin breathes out, nodding dumbly before he can stop himself, "um, I mean. Hello! Welcome to Print It, how may I help you?"

He can feel his cheeks burning, knows he must look like a distant relative to the common tomato right now, but he does his best to shake it off and act professional.

Across the counter, Yoongi's grinning at him, and there's a spark of mischief in his eyes as he digs his phone out of the pocket of his hoodie and hands it over. "I'd like a few pictures printed."

"Of course," Jimin smiles, and is glad his hand doesn't shake as he accepts the phone from Yoongi. "How many, and which ones?"

"Just five this time," Yoongi says, moving so he can lean against the desk, slouching a little as he regards Jimin from under his lashes. "The last five, they're pictures of my friends," the man continues, "I think you know them actually? Seokjin and Hoseok."

Jimin can physically feel his smile start to slide off his face and struggles to pull it back up even as he nods in agreement. "O-oh, yeah! I know them."

"Great, that makes it easier," Yoongi smiles, and then he's pushing off the counter and moving towards the arm chairs scattered around the front room. "I'll just wait here, yeah? Shouldn't take long?"

"Okay!" Jimin all but squeaks out, pausing to cough even as his cheeks burn all the hotter. "Um, there's magazines and stuff, help yourself. I'll be right back!"

It's a relief, being able to scurry to the back room and hide.

Because no, Jimin's not too proud to admit that he is in fact hiding, trying his best to catch his breath so he can get through the rest of the day without exploding out of embarrassment.

It's so frustrating, how he seems to lose all his marbles whenever it comes to Yoongi, left to metaphorically scramble after them whenever the man directs his attention towards him. How he somehow always feels like a little kid, trying his best to impress the person he likes and failing miserably. So he takes a moment to just lean back against the door and close his eyes. Breath in, out, in, and calm the fuck down.

A minute later, he's hooking up the phone and sitting down to browse through the files.

Just like Yoongi said, the last five pictures feature Hoseok and Seokjin. The setting looks like a casual hangout, just the three of them from Jimin can tell. He can recognize the couch, familiar from the few times he himself has visited Hoseok and Yoongi's place; an ugly old thing, faded green and patchy in places, but comfortable as all hell.

The first two pictures feature Seokjin and Hoseok alone, posing for the camera with silly looks on their faces as they hug each other close, and Jimin can't help but smile fondly as he takes in the happiness glowing on their faces.

They really are perfect for each other.

The third picture is of Hoseok with Yoongi, the fourth swapped out so that it's Seokjin sitting next to him instead, and they continue the same theme as the other two: silly faces, warm hugs. Jimin smiles wider.

The fifth picture makes him linger longer, because it features all three of them. Taken from closer up, it's a selfie from Yoongi's angle, and his two friends have squeezed in to fit in the picture, so close their cheeks are smushing up against Yoongi's and making him look adorably squished. He's got this annoyed little scrunch to his face, but it's obviously fake; beneath it, his eyes are crinkling at the corners, his mouth lifted up in an almost-smile.

He looks beautiful.

It's as Jimin's selecting the files to print that his eyes stray to the sixth picture on Yoongi's phone, and he swears he really tries not to look... but he does anyway.

It's another selfie, though obviously taken somewhere completely different from the other pictures. The setting is a lot darker, for one, like the picture was taken in low light. Yoongi's alone in the frame, shown from the shoulders up, and his get up is... well.

He's wearing a black sweater, as seems to be his signature style, one sleeve hanging lower than the other and revealing a stretch of collar bones and the top of his shoulder. His head is tilted slightly to the side as though to elongate the line of his neck, his eyes half-shut in a sultry, black-lined gaze, and his lips are pouted out, index finger pressed against them teasingly as though he's playing coy for the camera. Atop his head sits a pair of fake cat ears, black and fluffy among his messy blonde hair.

A black band runs across the width of the picture, with white letters glaring up at Jimin.

"Am I charming?"

Jimin swears his heart stops beating for a second.

His mouth feels dry all of a sudden, his palms sweaty, and there's a definite shakiness to his breath when he goes to draw air in.

What?

Now, call Jimin crazy - he really doesn't care, honestly, at this point he pretty much agrees anyway - but it's almost like Yoongi... wanted him to see the picture? Sure, it could be a coincidence - a really, weirdly specific one - but Jimin has never been the type to kid himself and yet here he is.

Considering it.

Because hadn't Yoongi liked his old selfie with that specific caption earlier? That cringy, awkward caption that somehow doesn't feel embarrassing at all when attached to a picture like the one Yoongi has on his phone. Because it is charming, and sexy, and cute, and all those things Jimin has come to associate with Yoongi.

And all of it could be aimed at him.

Jimin swallows hard, and finally clicks print.

 

It takes a moment for Yoongi to notice him.

The man's slouching in an armchair, a magazine spread open in his lap, but he's staring down at it without really reading, his eyes fixed on one spot and not moving. He's gnawing on his lip, a slight frown pinching at his eyebrows, and his leg keeps bouncing up and down, up and down, ruffling the pages of the magazine each time. It looks like he's curled in on himself, just a little, his hands clutching at the fabric of the seat, and for some reason Jimin feels the urge to just go to him and hug him close.

And then he looks up.

He's got this- this look in his eye, intense and unreadable as he watches Jimin stand there, and it feels like Jimin should say something, maybe, but when he goes to open his mouth nothing comes out.

It's like Yoongi knows that Jimin knows, and Jimin knows that Yoongi knows that he knows, and yet they say nothing.

And then Yoongi looks away and the moment's broken.

"All done?" he asks, shifting to get up and place the magazine back on the side table next to his chair, and there's a voice in Jimin's head screaming at him to do something, but in the end he just nods and clears his throat.

"Yeah, um, all done."

-

"I think I'm going insane," Jimin declares as soon as he walks through the door.

On the couch, three heads turn to look at him as one; it's kind of uncanny, how in sync they move, but Jimin barely glances at them before he's kicking off his shoes and walking to the kitchen. It feels like he's on autopilot as he collects a glass from the cupboard and fills it with water, leaning heavily against the counter as he drains all of it in one go.

He feels out of breath.

When he goes back to the living room, it's to find the couch fully occupied - oh, right, someone's over, his mind notes belatedly - and then he's slumping down onto it anyway, landing awkwardly on three laps and eliciting a chorus of groans from above him.

"Ow, Jimin, your knee-" someone whines, and Jimin smiles a little despite himself.

"Hi, Joonie-hyung," he mumbles into the fabric of Taehyung's shirt, nuzzling closer and heaving a heavy sigh. "And hi, Jungkookie."

"Hi Jiminie," Taehyung coos. Jimin can feel his hand settle at the nape of his neck, fingers starting a soothing pattern against the skin there, and it's like he can physically feel his worries melting out of him as he settles down and closes his eyes. "Why do you think you're going insane?"

"Because," Jimin begins, only to trail off because even thinking about it feels so incredibly outlandish that making himself say the words out loud seems impossible. "Because, um, I think- I think Yoongi maybe just flirted with me?"

"Ooh," all three of his friends sound off in unison, and it makes Jimin giggle nervously as he shifts to glance at them. There's a tiny morsel of embarrassment churning in the pit of his stomach, but he swallows it down.

"Um, I don't know, I could just be imagining it though..."

"Nonsense," Namjoon declares, patting gently at his thigh and giving him an encouraging smile. "Stop doubting yourself and tell us what happened."

It only takes Jimin a few minutes to catch his friends up to speed, and by the end they all seem convinced that Yoongi is, like, in love with him or something, which is frankly ridiculous - but does make Jimin feel warm and fuzzy, just a little bit.

"Thanks guys," he murmurs, and he can feel his cheeks burning even as he smiles. "I don't know if I really have a chance but I appreciate you all rooting for me, any-"

Sharp, evil fingers suddenly dig into Jimin's side and he lets out an undignified squeal, squirming almost violently as his knee knocks into Namjoon again.

"Hey, I said watch the knee- "

"It's your boyfriend's fault!" Jimin whines, finally managing to trap Jungkook's hands with his own and push them away. "Keep him in check, please!"

"It's your punishment for being stupid, hyung," Jungkook says, and Jimin swears one of these days he's going to teach the brat a real lesson, but there's sincerity hiding behind the smug grin on Jungkook's face that gives him pause.

"You're funny, and kind, and handsome, and more than good enough for Min Yoongi - so shut up and go get him!"

For a moment the four of them just sit there in stunned silence; Jimin can see his own surprise reflected on Namjoon and Taehyung's faces, all wide eyes and slack jaws, because it's not every day that Jungkook just doles out compliments like that.

Namjoon lets out a drawn out coo and pulls his boyfriend against him. "You're so cute, baby!"

Jungkook’s cheeks flush a bright pink.

-

The thing about crushing on someone from college is that you're bound to run into them. And it feels like Jimin's running into Yoongi all the damn time.

Of course, he's always seen Yoongi around a lot, because they share friends and teachers and even some lectures, and Namjoon had been kind enough to explain to him about confirmation bias and how he probably just pays more attention to it now, but it really feels like Jimin can't turn a corner or open a door without catching a glimpse of the man these days.

He's not necessarily complaining , Yoongi is very nice to look at after all, it's just... It's been three days since the man came into the print shop and Jimin still hasn't gathered up the guts to talk to him.

So, when Jimin's walking down a corridor on his way to dance practice and he suddenly spots Seokjin, Hoseok and Yoongi approaching from the opposite direction, his first instinct is to hide.

He stops in his tracks, nearly bumping into three people in the process, and for a moment just. Stands there, panicking. It's enough for Seokjin to notice him and lift his arm up in greeting.

"Jimin-ah!" he calls out, and Jimin knows it's too late, but finds himself glancing about for something to save him anyway-

and then the three men are right there in front of him and it really is too late and god, why didn't he wear his good jeans today.

"Hi," he says, voice too quiet until he clears his throat and straightens his back, "hi, Jinnie-hyung, Hobi-hyung..."

He bites his lip and lowers his head, hands balling into fists around the sleeves of his flannel shirt as he tries his best to smile normally. "Yoongi-hyung."

When Jimin glances up, it's to find Yoongi looking at him with that unreadable expression of his; heat floods into his cheeks and Jimin knows he must look like a walking stop sign, but as he ducks his head again he thinks he can spot a small smile on Yoongi's face.

"You heading to practice?" Hoseok asks him with a smile, but when Jimin nods he becomes more serious. "Good, we gotta talk. Let's walk together."

"Oh, okay-" Jimin says, a little confused now, but turns to bid farewell to the other two. "See you later, maybe?"

Yoongi does smile, this time, a small quirk of his lips that sends Jimin's heart fluttering; from the corner of his eye he can see Seokjin and Hoseok give each other meaningful looks, but it doesn't really seem as important as the fact that Yoongi's looking at him. And smiling .

It takes a nudge from Hoseok to finally get him moving again, and he lifts his hand up in a little wave - aimed mostly at Yoongi, if he's honest - before he finally turns to follow.

Hoseok stops them by the practice room door. "Okay, what's up with you?"

"What?" Jimin asks, frowning as his friend crosses his arms and raises his eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Hoseok says, leaning closer and lowering his voice, "what did you say to Yoongi?"

"I-"

"He's been all up in my ass about how I tricked him or something, made him think you liked him when you don't, which is absolutely ridiculous because everyone and their blind grandmother can see that you have a big, fat crush, and-"

"Whoa, whoa, slow down," Jimin says, brain working overtime as he tries to make sense of what Hoseok's saying, "come again?"

"Yoongi thinks you don't like him."

"Right."

"And you clearly do."

"Yes," Jimin admits before he even realizes what he's saying. He claps a hand over his blabbering mouth, but Hoseok keeps going.

"And he's upset because he thinks you're not into him, so I'm here to tell you to get your act together," the man finishes, nodding resolutely and leaning back to look imperiously at Jimin. "Just confess, it'll be fine!"

For a moment all Jimin can do is stare at Hoseok like he's grown three heads or something.

And then it starts to slowly sink in.

"You mean... I..." Jimin says, the words muffled under his hand until he lets it fall, "He likes me back?

"Oh my god, are we in middle school?" Hoseok groans, shaking his head, " yes , idiot, so can you please do something about it so he can get off my case?"

Jimin nods, a little dumbly, as he stares over Hoseok's shoulder into nothingness. There's a fierce kind of happiness building inside him, and within moments he finds himself grinning so wide his cheeks hurt.

"Thank you, hyung," he breathes out, and Hoseok gives him a weirdly fatherly smile as he reaches out to pull him into a one-armed hug.

"You're welcome, Jimin-ah," the man says, "now get your ass inside so we can start practice."

-

A few hours later, when Jimin's finally on his way home and already fantasizing about the long, cooling shower he'll have tonight, his phone buzzes in his pocket. It takes him a moment to dig it out, the fabric of his sweats twisted around weirdly and making it hard to get his hand in, but once he does he almost stops in his tracks again.

He's been doing that a lot lately.

There's a message from an unknown number on his lock screen; Jimin frowns, confused.

> u didn't answer me

For a moment, he contemplates simply ignoring it - it's probably a wrong number, they'll figure it out eventually - and even puts his phone back in his pocket, but the next second he's pulling it out again and opening the messaging app.

me
> what??

So he's curious - sue him.

When he doesn't get an answer right away, he lets out a quiet huff and puts his phone away as he keeps walking.

He's almost home, walking up the first of three flights of stairs in his dorm building, when his phone buzzes again. Jimin opens the message, and nearly plants face-first into the stairwell.

On his phone screen, a very familiar selfie is glaring up at him.

The black sweater, pulled down to expose a shoulder. The finger pressed against pouted lips. Those pretty eyes, lined in black, and the cat ears and messy hair and sweet, sweet face that makes something in the pit of Jimin's stomach flutter restlessly.

It's just so much .

Jimin isn't sure how he gets home, exactly. He just knows that one minute he's in the stairwell, and the next he's walking through the door, kicking off his shoes and crossing the living room to get to his bedroom - all while staring at his phone screen, transfixed.

"Hi, Jiminie!" he vaguely hears Taehyung call out from the kitchen, and is pretty sure he even grunts back a response, but then he's falling onto his bed on his stomach, his phone held in one hand and his keys in the other.

"Am I charming?" the picture on his phone is asking him. "Am I charming?" Yoongi is asking him.

Jimin swallows, tries to wet his dry mouth, and rolls around to lay on his back.

Holy shit.

"Hey," Taehyung's voice comes from the doorway, and Jimin looks up to see his friend frowning at him. "You alright?"

It's automatic, the way Jimin shakes his head no.

"Oh, bub," Taehyung croons, and then he's hopping onto the bed and snuggling into Jimin's side. "What's wrong?"

Silently, Jimin hands him his phone; it's easier than trying to make his brain cooperate long enough to explain.

Taehyung gives the screen a quick once over. He, too, seems speechless for a moment, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, but then he lets out a sharp laugh. "Wow, Jimin-"

"Right?" Jimin says, though it's more of a croak.

The way Taehyung is grinning at him is kind of infectious though, and before Jimin knows it he's smiling too, letting out a quiet laugh as giddiness wells up inside him.

Yoongi texted him.

"Why haven't you replied though?" Taehyung asks, shaking the phone at Jimin. "You really wanna keep him waiting?"

"Oh, fu-" Jimin breathes out, snatching the device back and rolling over onto his stomach again. "I'm so stupid oh my god-"

"Nope, just a mess," Taehyung quips, and normally Jimin would do something about it, but he's a little preoccupied right now.

Taehyung gets up, then, patting Jimin's leg twice and laughing quietly. "I'm gonna leave you to it. I'll be in my room if you need anything."

"Thanks," Jimin says, turning to give his best friend a bright smile, "love you."

"You too, idiot," Taehyung smiles fondly, and then he's walking out, pulling the door shut behind him and leaving Jimin alone.

Alone with a text from Yoongi to reply to.

It's so silly, but Jimin kind of wants to scream into his pillow right now.

He doesn't, though; bites his lip, instead, in an effort to contain the huge grin on his face as his fingers fly across the keyboard.

me
> yeah
> i mean
> yes, u are
> charming

Yoongi doesn't answer immediately - which, granted, Jimin didn't either, so busy dealing with his gay panic that it took him over ten minutes - but the butterflies in Jimin's stomach are getting more and more rowdy with each minute that passes without a response. By the time Yoongi finally responds, it feels like there's a riot going on down there.

yoongi
> thanks

It's a little underwhelming, as far as replies go, and for a moment Jimin flounders, unsure how to respond to it and keep the conversation going-

And then his phone buzzes again, making him jump.

It's another selfie, a far more candid one this time: no make up or headbands or suggestive poses in sight, just a shot of Yoongi smiling up at the camera. He's wearing the shirt he had on earlier, and Jimin suspects he might have taken the picture just now. Just for Jimin.

His next exhale comes out a little shaky, his stomach fluttering again, but he doesn't allow himself to hesitate before replying.

me
> cute

yoongi
> 💁

Jimin barks out a laugh at the emoji, but before he can even start to think of what to say in response Yoongi's texting him again.

yoongi
> so
> i take it u saw the pictures before too

It feels kind of like someone's poured cold water over Jimin all of a sudden, the way his smile drops off his face and a wave of guilt washes over him. It's no use denying it, however, since Yoongi obviously guessed already - and Jimin doesn't want to lie to him anyway.

me
> ...yes
> i'm sorry
> i didn't mean to snoop it's just
> my job?

yoongi
> which one was ur fav

It takes Jimin a moment to realize what Yoongi's asking.

Once he does, though, he nearly drops his phone in his haste to hide his burning face in his hands. Because the thing is, he doesn't even need to think about it; he already knows the answer.

me
> the ones w the socks and... yeah
> with the bows?
> pretty

yoongi
> hmm
> i see
> what about these?

The picture Yoongi sends is an angled down view of his lap. His free hand is gripping onto the edge of his shirt, dragging it down as if to cover his bare upper thighs, drawing attention to the socks that have been pulled up past his knees. They're white, this time, with black ribbon threaded throughout to end in neat little bows on the sides, and the fit of them is quite snug, if the bit of flesh spilling over the edges is any indication.

Jimin lets out a groan.

He honestly doesn't know how he managed to get himself into a situation like this. Where the guy he has the biggest crush on is sending him selfies like these - and it's not like he's complaining, but it's a honestly little overwhelming.

It takes him so long to reply that when he finally manages to tear his eyes away from the picture Yoongi's texted him twice.

yoongi
> do u like them?
> jimin? are u getting off or smth lol

me
> no!!!!!
> sorry I was just looking omg no i'm not doing that!!

yoongi
> why not?

Jimin does drop his phone this time, just lets it slip from his fingers as he presses his face into his pillow and. Screams. Just a little bit.

"Everything okay?" Taehyung calls out from the next room, his voice muffled by the wall.

"Fine!" Jimin manages to shout back after a moment, "tell you later when I'm not dying!"

He can hear Taehyung laugh in response, and can't quite stop his own lips from quirking up as well.

me
> BECAUSE
> that would be weird
> without ur permission

Jimin sucks on his lip, brows furrowed as he considers his next words carefully. It's not something he'd ever have the courage to say if they were face to face right now, he knows that, but maybe... maybe he needs to take advantage of this momentary, distance-induced bravery and just go for it.

me
> and i'd like to take u on a date before we start sexting

In the few minutes it takes for Yoongi to reply to him, Jimin has time to regret his entire existence; from the very first time he ever accidentally tipped over a flower pot as a child, to the few reprimands he had in middle school for being disruptive in class, to right now when he totally just asked his crush on a date and talked about sexting him in the same sentence.

Can someone please just take his phone away and lock him in his room so he's not a danger to society at large anymore?

yoongi
> ok
> when?

-

Jimin's late.

He'd agreed to meet Yoongi at the local movie theater at three. It's a 20 minute walk from Jimin's dorm to get there. It's 2:45 right now.

And although he's kinda panicking, it doesn't stop his brain from working out that the difference is way too much.

See? Jimin can do math.

He lets out a loud sigh, running a hand through his still damp hair as he sits heavily onto his bed. He knows sitting and staring at his closet won't help, won't make the perfect date clothes suddenly appear out of thin air, but it's the best he can do right now.

"I'm screwed," he groans, pathetically loud in the hopes that his roommate will hear - sure enough, a few seconds later Taehyung is peeking through the doorway, eyes widening comically as he takes in the mess of clothing littering the floor of Jimin's bedroom.

It only takes a second for him to pull himself together, however, and then he's marching up to Jimin. The man gazes down at him critically for a moment before nodding and turning towards the closet.

"It's time for some best friend magic."

"Please," Jimin says, letting himself fall backwards onto the bed and closing his eyes, "I'm late, my hair's wet, I don't have anything to wear - really need you to transform this pumpkin right about now."

"Yoongi-hyung won't mind a few minutes, and you're quick on your feet," Taehyung is quick to reassure him. Jimin can hear him shifting through the hangers; judging by the determined, repeating swish of metal on metal, he's looking for something in particular.

"You definitely have something to wear," he continues, and Jimin feels something land on him, hanger and all - he lets out a quiet grumble that Taehyung resolutely ignores. " And it's raining so no one will pay attention to your hair anyway."

"It's raining?" Jimin whines, finally pulling himself up just in time to see Taehyung chuck a pair of jeans at him: they land on Jimin's head, obscuring his view again.

"Yep, so bring an umbrella."

Jimin shakes his head, knocking off the jeans so he can give Taehyung a grateful smile. "Thank you so much."

"No problem," the man grins back. "Fairy godbestie, always at your service!"

Jimin snorts, but his smile falls off his face as soon as he glances at the clock.

2:50.

He jumps up, not even really registering what he's pulling onto himself as he drags a shirt over his head and wiggles into his good jeans - thank god Taehyung found them - before he's grabbing his bag and all but bolting towards the door.

"Be back later," he shouts out, flashing Taehyung another quick smile as he pulls on his boots and trusty leather jacket, "love you, thank you, bye!"

"Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" he can hear his best friend call after him just before the door closes.

 

In the end, it's only 3:03 when Jimin bursts into the lobby of the movie theater. His legs are burning, his breath heavy as he comes to a stop and leans over, and his panting is embarrassingly loud as he tries his best to breathe evenly, eyes already searching for Yoongi.

It's not crowded, by any means, but it still takes a moment for Jimin to spot his date - his date! - standing by the far wall, hands in the pockets of his jeans. He's wearing a large flannel shirt that all but swallows him up, so large it hangs off his frame, and his hair is covered by a black beanie that sticks up at the top a little.

Despite his nerves, Jimin finds himself smiling widely as he heads towards him.

"Hey," he breathes out, biting his lip in an effort to somehow contain himself, "sorry I'm late."

Yoongi huffs, crossing his arms across his chest as his eyes dart behind Jimin and back again. "By, like, 5 minutes, tops. It's cool."

"Cool," Jimin repeats, and he knows he sounds a little breathy, a little silly, but he's here, really here , on a date with Yoongi , who's smiling up at him and shrugging his shoulder, whose blonde fringe is peeking out from under his beanie, almost tickling his eyelashes - whose cheeks are reddening as Jimin continues to stare at him dumbly.

"Ah, sorry," Jimin croaks, averting his eyes as his cheeks burn, "um. Good to see you?"

Yoongi hums, nods slightly, and for about half a second Jimin considers shutting up already but then he just - keeps going.

"You look really cute."

And Yoongi- Yoongi lowers his head, a hand coming up to rub at his ear, but Jimin can see the blush on his cheeks and the smile on his lips clearly enough.

Something in Jimin's chest flutters frantically for a moment.

"Thanks," Yoongi murmurs, shrugging again, and then he nods towards the ticket booth and food vendors. "You wanna get some popcorn?"

It's once they're finally seated, waiting for the lights to dim, that Yoongi leans in to murmur into Jimin's ear.

"You look really good too."

Jimin's never been more grateful for low lighting in his life.

The thing about movie dates is that it's impossible to talk. The sound is so loud that speaking would be impractical, not to mention it would disturb the other people in the theater.

It has its pros and cons.

Cons? Jimin can't talk to Yoongi right now, can't listen to his low, calm voice - can't ask him all the questions he wants to know the answers to.

Pros? Jimin can't talk to Yoongi right now.

Can't stumble on his words, can't ramble on aimlessly like he sometimes does when he's nervous, can't make a fool of himself by saying something he doesn't mean to say out loud.

Yeah. Pros and cons.

It's still kind of hard to focus on the movie, though, because even if they can't talk, Yoongi's still there . Right there, beside Jimin, eyes glued to the big screen every time Jimin glances his way.

It's about halfway into the movie that Jimin feels something touch his hand. It makes him jolt embarrassingly, his hand twitching hard under the sensation, and when his head snaps to the side it's to see Yoongi withdrawing his own hand back onto his lap.

Oh. Had- had Yoongi tried to hold hands?

Jimin bites his lip, not even caring about the movie anymore as he looks at Yoongi: at his left hand, clutched into a fist in his lap now, at the set of his jaw, clenched like he's embarrassed but trying not to show it.

There's a bundle of nerves buzzing in Jimin's stomach as he draws in a deep breath and reaches out. Carefully, he touches the very tips of his fingers to the back of Yoongi's hand.

It takes a moment during which Jimin doesn't even breathe before Yoongi's fist loosens, fingers uncurling, and then he's turning his hand over. Jimin's fingertips rest on his open palm as he looks up to find Yoongi staring right back at him. His eyes are sharp, reflecting the lights coming off the screen, but then he purses his lips and he just looks uncertain. Jimin can feel his heart pounding against his ribcage as he spreads his hand and threads their fingers together.

Yoongi smiles.

 

They only let go once the movie ends and they have to get up. It's a little upsetting, if Jimin's entirely honest, the way his hand feels so much colder without Yoongi's in it.

The rain hasn't let up during the two hours they've been inside; in fact, it seems to have picked up a little, large raindrops splashing onto the ground and gathering into little pools all along the sidewalk. Jimin's quick to open his umbrella as they step outside, holding it over Yoongi's head as he turns to smile at him.

"D'you still wanna get something to eat?"

That had been their plan, a movie and then dinner somewhere, and there's a part of Jimin that's still kind of nervous even after all the hand-holding, worried that maybe Yoongi won't want to continue the date anymore, but the man only smiles, letting out a quiet laugh as he grabs Jimin's arm and pulls him closer.

"Get under the umbrella, silly," Yoongi snickers.

Jimin just nods.

He knows he must look dumbstruck right now, but there's something about seeing Yoongi's smile from this close up that just makes it hard to pay attention to much else. It's beautiful, all shiny eyes and bunched up cheeks and teeth, and Jimin really, really wants to kiss him.

"Yeah, I could eat," Yoongi says, snapping Jimin out of his daydreams, "what're you thinking? There's a pizza place down the street, maybe we won't get too wet on the way..."

"Yes," Jimin agrees, "yeah, pizza sounds good."

It's harder than it sounds, two people trying to walk under one cheap, flimsy umbrella without getting drenched. After a while Yoongi sighs pointedly and steps closer, his arm wrapping around Jimin's lower back under his jacket.

To his credit, Jimin only stumbles a little.

He's blushing again, can feel the heat simmering under his cheeks, but when he turns to look at Yoongi he finds the man ducking his head, his face red as well. There's something really reassuring about the fact that neither of them is unaffected.

They're quick to shuffle inside once they get to the restaurant. Jimin folds his umbrella, grimacing at the way it drips water everywhere, but then Yoongi's grabbing his hand and pulling him along and into an empty booth at the back of the restaurant. They settle in and order quickly, and then they're left to their own devices.

No excuses.

Jimin lets out a trembling breath as he tries to gather his wits, but when he looks up at Yoongi the man's already opening his mouth, smiling.

"Did you like the movie?" he asks, and Jimin would be grateful that he doesn't have to think of something to talk about, but... he really wasn't paying attention.

"Um," he begins, stopping to laugh quietly at himself even as he makes a face and shrugs, "I, uh, don't really remember much."

"Oh?" Yoongi asks, quirking an eyebrow. "That boring?"

"No," Jimin's quick to say, "I mean- I don't really know. It was hard to pay attention because-”

He pauses, takes a moment to breathe, and then decides to just go for it. Full honesty. "Because I was so nervous."

"Ah," Yoongi breathes out.

For a moment they stay quiet, long enough for Jimin to convince himself that he seems like a total loser and has ruined any chance he might have had, but then Yoongi speaks again.

"I'm nervous too."

And now it's Yoongi's turn to avert his gaze, to stare down at his lap as he shrugs a little awkwardly.

Jimin's chest aches.

"But I really liked holding your hand," Yoongi says. "I think... I'd like to hold it again."

"Y-yeah?" Jimin says, and it kind of feels like this isn't really happening, like it's not really him that's sitting in the seat opposite Yoongi, but it is and Jimin can't stop himself from smiling so wide his cheeks hurt. "I'd like that too."

"Good," Yoongi murmurs.

The waiter coming by with their pizzas is enough to diffuse the tension lingering between them, and by the time they tuck in Jimin has relaxed again.

"Did you like the movie?" he asks around his mouthful, grinning when Yoongi lets out a little laugh.

"Yeah, it was pretty good."

"Wanna tell me about it?"

They spend the rest of the date talking, first about the movie and then about school, their friends, anything that comes to mind. Jimin finds that it's incredibly easy to talk to Yoongi, once he gets past the initial nerves. He still manages to stumble over his words once or twice, even gets lost in his thoughts as he watches Yoongi talk animatedly about his dog for ten minutes, but as they're walking home, sharing the umbrella again, he's smiling without even realizing it.

"Thanks for the date," Jimin says as they stop by Yoongi's dorm building. "I had fun."

"Me too," Yoongi hums. When he turns to face Jimin he finds himself doing the same. "We should do it again, yeah?"

Jimin nods, probably coming across very eager, judging by the grin emerging on Yoongi's face. "Yeah. Soon?"

"I'd like that," Yoongi agrees, and then he gets this look in his eye; a little calculating, a little mischievous. "I like you."

Jimin splutters, once again cursing whatever gene he inherited that made it so goddamn easy for him to blush.

"I like-" he manages, and then Yoongi's leaning in and his lips are pressing into Jimin's cheek and he kind of forgets what words are for a moment.

"...you too."

"Good," Yoongi smiles. He takes a step backwards, into the rain. "Text me, yeah?"

"Sure thing," Jimin manages, and then Yoongi's giving him a little wave and turning, scurrying towards the door and inside.

Later, when Jimin's in bed and reading webtoons on his phone, it suddenly buzzes with two new messages.

The first is a selfie: Yoongi's laying in bed, too, his hair a mess and his eyes tired, but he's smiling lazily at the camera.

The second is a single line.

yoongi
> I like the way u blush

-

This time when Yoongi comes to the shop, he gives some warning. They'd agreed on it the night before, when they'd both been tucked in bed and texting again - it's become sort of a bedtime ritual, for Jimin at least, and he swears his quality of sleep has improved a hundred-fold.

They haven't gone on another date yet, their schedules rather busy and in ways that always seem to conflict each other. Which is why Yoongi had finally texted Jimin last night, telling him that he'd be by because, and Jimin quotes: "I miss your tomato-looking face too much."

Naturally, it had made Jimin blush so hard he swears his pillow had still been hot when he fell asleep.

He lets out a quiet sigh and leans back in his chair behind the counter, rolling his shoulders and picking up his phone. It's a quarter to five, so Yoongi should be here soon - maybe he should nip into the bathroom, try to do something about his hair, or just wash his face with cold water in preparation-

But then the door chimes and Yoongi walks in and Jimin just. Stops.

It feels kind of like he'd forgotten, for a moment, just how beautiful the man really is, and now that he's met with that stunning smile leveled right at him, those sparkling eyes and fluffy hair and rounded cheeks - it's like he's been smacked in the face with it all over again.

"Hi, babe," Yoongi hums as he walks up to the counter and lounges against it, and Jimin's first instinct is to lean in and kiss him but they haven't done that yet and it's not the right time and Yoongi's smiling, so wide and happy, and-

"Hi," Jimin wheezes.

The way Yoongi laughs is usually pretty quiet, a low chuckle or an amused hum, but he takes one look at Jimin's face and breaks into actual giggles.

It's the most beautiful sound Jimin has ever heard.

"What's with the face?" Yoongi snickers, and his eyes are scrunched up at the corners, the apples of his cheeks more pronounced, and Jimin? Jimin may be a little bit in love.

"I forgot how pretty you are."

Yoongi lets out another little snort, burying his face in his hands even as his shoulders continue to shake. "Shut up, oh my god."

"I'm serious!" Jimin exclaims, reaching out to wrap his fingers around Yoongi's wrist and tug his hand down. "Selfies really don't do you justice."

"You're rotting my teeth, Jimin-ah," Yoongi whines, but he's still smiling when he meets Jimin's eyes. "And anyway, that should be my line."

"Nope," Jimin grins, despite the growing heat in his cheeks, "all mine. Claimed, trademarked, copyrighted. Get your own lines."

Yoongi hums, and it's only as he twists his wrist out of Jimin's grip that he even realizes he's still holding onto it in the first place. He goes to pull back, but doesn't get far: Yoongi's hand wraps around his, thumb smoothing over his palm in a way that feels soft, intimate, and Jimin's exhale comes out shaky as his heart flutters in his chest.

"I'll think of something," Yoongi murmurs. It takes a second for Jimin to remember what he's talking about.

For a moment they just look at each other, Jimin's hand held firmly in Yoongi's as he gets a little lost in his eyes, and then Yoongi smiles.

"I did have something I wanted to get printed, you know."

"Oh," Jimin says; it's a bit of a struggle, pulling himself back into the present. When he does, though, he finds himself pouting. "I thought you were here for me, hyung."

"Who says those aren't the same thing?" Yoongi says, and there's that hint of mischief again. It makes Jimin swallow hard, eyes falling to where Yoongi's pulling his phone out of his pocket.

He bites his lip and nods. "Okay, um, which ones?"

"Just the last three," Yoongi tells him, as he slides the phone across the counter towards him. "Wait, I think I took a picture of a cat on the way here - the three before that."

That makes Jimin laugh, despite the nerves buzzing under his skin now, and he manages to relax a little as he lets go of Yoongi's hand and picks up his phone. "Okay. Three pictures should be quick. I'll be right back."

"Take your time," Yoongi murmurs, and when Jimin looks up it's to find him rubbing at the back of his neck, his cheeks turning a delicious pink. "No... no rush."

It takes approximately two seconds to figure out why Yoongi was blushing so hard.

And really, Jimin should have expected it - did expect it, really, but somehow the pictures still manage to pull a surprised groan out of him.

The very last picture is indeed just a quick, blurry shot of a cat laying on a park bench, eyes closed as it lounges in the sun, and normally it would be the kind of thing that'd make Jimin smile, but now he barely spares it a glance before he's focusing on the earlier ones. The ones Yoongi wants printed.

The first of three is, once again, a selfie: Yoongi, lounging back against what looks like a mountain of pillows, wearing the oversized flannel he'd had on for their date. The fingers of his free hand are playing with the buttons of his shirt, the first two already undone, and his blonde hair is all mussed up and falling into his dark-lined eyes that seem to be staring straight at Jimin. He's got a wide-eyed look on his face, like he's acting cute for the camera, but his tongue pokes out from between his glossy lips enticingly, curling up towards his top lip like he's tracing it.

It's automatic, the way Jimin finds himself copying the action.

God, he remembers how soft those lips were, pressed against his cheek - can only imagine how much softer they'd be against his own.

In the next picture, the shirt has been unbuttoned completely, the fabric pulled aside to reveal Yoongi's soft stomach. A pair of thigh high stockings are once again covering of his legs, stopping just above his knees, where a lace trim holds them steady. The lace is repeated in the waistband of his panties, black and a little plain but still pretty with the way they fit on Yoongi's body.

The final picture, third of the series, is different. It's obviously taken with a timer, the phone set further away from the bed to allow Yoongi to pose more freely. He's managed to capture his full body this way, kneeling on the bed with his back facing the camera. His back is arched, just a little, his thighs spread wide, and his hands are grasping onto the edges of his shirt to pull it up and reveal his backside.

The back of his panties is nothing but sheer black lace, hugging his cute little ass in all the right ways; allowing Jimin to appreciate the soft curves in as much detail as the dimly lit picture allows.

He shifts in his seat, suddenly aware of the arousal simmering in his gut.

 

When Jimin gets back to the front room, it's to find Yoongi sitting in his chair behind the counter.

"There you are," the man smiles as soon as he sees Jimin, "it's past six so I took the liberty of flipping the sign on the door, that okay?"

"Oh," Jimin manages. A glance at the clock tells him that it is indeed five minutes past six already. "Yeah, thanks."

There's a moment where neither of them speak, and it reminds Jimin of the first time Yoongi had flirted with him like this - through pictures saved on his phone. He'd been unsure, that time, about whether it was intentional - but now, he has no doubts.

"Here," he says, stepping forward to hand Yoongi the photos.

The man swings around on Jimin's chair to accept the envelope, but he keeps his head down as he shifts through them, and Jimin can see his cheeks colouring rapidly.

"Did you like them?" Yoongi asks, so quietly Jimin almost doesn't hear him. He's rubbing at his stomach in a gesture that just screams shy and uncertain.

That makes two of them.

"Yeah," Jimin finally admits, after a moment of silence.

He walks closer, then, step by step, until finally he's standing right in front of Yoongi, slotting himself between his spread knees. "Yeah, I really liked them. Really like you."

Jimin doesn't really know what moment of insanity comes over him, then, but when Yoongi looks up at him with those sharp, pretty eyes of his, he hooks his fingers under the man's chin and lets his thumb brush the skin under Yoongi's mouth.

"Really wanna kiss you, too."

Jimin can physically feel it, the pull, the need to be closer; like an ache set deep in his bones. It's a relief, when Yoongi's mouth pops open and he lets out a shuddering breath. eyelids fluttering, and nods.

"Kiss me."

Jimin takes a second to just breathe. Lets his eyes roam across Yoongi's face, taking in every little detail, savouring this moment and how open it feels, how raw. And then he leans in, using his grip on Yoongi's chin to tilt his head back, and presses their lips together.

It's better than he imagined.

Softer, yes, infinitely softer, and sweeter too - but most of all, far more real. He can hear Yoongi's breathy gasp before he leans into the kiss, can feel it against his lips; can taste it on his tongue, when the man pulls him closer.

Yoongi tastes like strawberries.

Rationally, Jimin knows that it's probably some kind of candy he's just eaten, that people don't just walk around tasting like fruit all the time. But he knows this is something he'll remember forever: that their first kiss tasted like strawberries.

When Jimin pulls back, they're both panting, lips kiss-swollen and eyes shining as they simply look at each other.

"That was..." Yoongi begins, but seems to struggle with how to finish his sentence. He's smiling, though, his hands still clutching onto Jimin's arms where he'd first grabbed at him, and Jimin can't help but follow the silent request and lean back in.

"Yeah," he agrees, and his voice comes out a little husky, a little hoarse, but he doesn't really feel like talking right now, anyway.

Jimin cradles Yoongi's face in his hands, and kisses him again.

 

It's well past seven by the time Jimin's finally doing his final clean-up of the shop, shutting down the computers and making sure everything's in place. Yoongi, who insisted on walking him home this time, has been sitting in Jimin's chair while he waits, and it's definitely not making him work any faster when he has to stop every few minutes to go over and kiss the silly smile off his face again.

"I'm done," Jimin finally declares, and Yoongi's quick to jump off the chair and join him by the door, hand already reaching for Jimin's.

"Finally!"

"Sorry," Jimin says, but he's sure his grin betrays exactly how not sorry he really is, "I'm so very easily distracted, my bad."

Yoongi tsks loudly, shaking his head. "Distracted by what, exactly?"

Jimin laughs as he pushes the door shut and locks it behind them.

"I know you're fishing for compliments," he accuses, grinning when Yoongi shrugs at him faux-innocently, "but seeing as I'm fine with that..."

He uses his grip on Yoongi's hand to pull him in, wrapping an arm around his middle so he can hug him closer. "Distracted by how gorgeous you are."

"Wow," Yoongi says, and his eyes are a little wide as he looks at Jimin, "you didn't even blush, this time."

Of course, pointing it out is what has Jimin's cheeks heating up again.

"Spoke too soon," he grimaces, but Yoongi just laughs, loud and bright, and leans closer.

"I like it a lot."

Jimin kind of wants to pout, just a little, complain about how it's mean to tease people about things they can't help, but Yoongi stops him with a kiss.

"It's cute," he says, "you're cute."

He pauses, biting his lip as his eyes fly over Jimin's face, and then he nods.

"Here," Yoongi says, pulling the envelope Jimin gave him today out of his bag and pressing it against Jimin's chest. "Take this."

"Wha-" Jimin splutters, grabbing onto it automatically as Yoongi steps back.

"I took them for you," Yoongi shrugs, like he's trying to sound nonchalant but failing. Badly. He turns, then, reaching out to take Jimin's hand in his even as he looks somewhere else entirely. "You're the only one I want looking at them, anyway, so..."

"U-um," Jimin says, the implications of all of that tumbling around in his brain like laundry in a washing machine, but then Yoongi tugs at his hand and sends him a little smile from over his shoulder.

"C'mon, let's get going."

And for once, Jimin stops himself from overthinking things; just squeezes Yoongi's hand a little tighter and picks up his pace so they can walk side by side.

-

"He wants to be your boyfriend."

Jimin shifts his gaze to where Taehyung sits beside him, sprawled against the couch and staring straight at him like he's trying to bore a hole into his skull or something. Sat beside him with his legs thrown across Taehyung's lap, Hoseok raises his eyebrows at Jimin as well. His are eyes wide and cheeks flushed, and he's nodding so hard the hair on top of his head flops adorably.

Get one beer into him and the man turns into a shameless gossip. "He really does!"

Hoseok's toes dig into Jimin's thigh, bony and uncomfortable even through his socks, and Jimin lets out a quiet hum as he pokes at them in retaliation.

"Yeah," he agrees easily, grinning when Hoseok lets out a quiet squeak and withdraws his feet hastily. "I think so too."

He turns his gaze back towards the door, then, but not before catching the look of surprise that passes over his friends' features.

As Jimin watches, the door opens once again, and there's a brief moment where his heart jumps in his chest in anticipation - only to sink when another unfamiliar face slips through the door, a big grin on their face as they greet Seokjin enthusiastically.

It's not a party, exactly, at least not according to their host - Seokjin had been adamant in insisting so, but as Jimin spares a glance towards the untouched beer sitting by his feet, the dozen or so strangers hanging around Seokjin's place and chatting away loud enough to cover the music playing from the speakers, the way Namjoon and Jungkook are canoodling in a corner as if they aren't perfectly visible to everyone... It's a party.

And Yoongi's late.

"Wait, really?" Taehyung's voice brings Jimin back to the present, and he takes one final look at the door before giving up with a sigh - it's not like the man will get here any faster if he just sits there and stares - and turning to his friends again.

"Yeah? I mean, the message he's been sending recently is pretty clear."

"Oh thank heavens," Hoseok sighs, slouching back against he armrest of the couch dramatically, "and here I thought you were absolutely hopeless."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jimin demands, and Hoseok lets out a giddy little laugh even as he mimics zipping his mouth shut.

"I don't know," Taehyung is the one to speak with a shrug, a slightly puzzled frown on his face as he meets Jimin's gaze. "You're usually so dumb about these things, it's weird to hear you agree with us for once."

"Hey!" Jimin exclaims, lifting his hand in playful warning. "Don't make me spank you again."

"Again?" a familiar, warm voice cuts through their conversation. Jimin feels a hot flush run through his body, a thrill of nerves that make his fingers tingle even as he turns to find Yoongi standing in front of him.

He looks cute, smiling down at Jimin; swallowed up by his oversized black hoodie with sleeves long enough to cover his fingers, his jeans ripped across the thighs to show slivers of pale, soft skin. There's a hint of eyeliner clinging to the corners of his eyes, his hair a mess of blonde locks not covered by a beanie for once, and Jimin just really wants to kiss him.

"I didn't take you for a disciplinarian, babe," Yoongi continues, and he's outright grinning now, looking very much like he's enjoying the way Jimin's cheeks are tingeing a rosy red.

He lets out a breath, louder than he means to. "Um..."

The way Yoongi's looking at him right now, with his lip bitten between his teeth and his eyes sparkling, Jimin can't help but let his imagination run a little wild. It really doesn't help when Yoongi leans in, lowering his voice, and murmurs, "We can explore that more later."

Jimin feels this close to experiencing a real life spontaneous combustion, right there on Seokjin's fancy leather couch.

"Have some mercy, hyung!" Hoseok laughs, loud and wheezing, "Poor Jiminie, just look at him!"

Jimin tries to give him his best death glare but it just makes Hoseok snort into his laughter; the sound of it makes Taehyung start giggling too.

Yoongi doesn't seem bothered by either of them, however, just reaches out to take Jimin's hands in his and gives him a smile. "I am looking."

Jimin ducks his head to hide the smile pulling at his own lips in return.

"It's a little crowded, hm?" Yoongi asks, glancing about the room quickly. His eyes stop for a moment on the empty spot beside Jimin on the couch before his gaze returns to him again. "Oh, well..."

Without another word, the man steps forward, guiding Jimin's arms around his waist as he climbs into his lap and settles down with a pleased hum.

Jimin swears his heart is going to burst out of his ribcage.

"I guess I'll have to squeeze in," Yoongi says, and his grin has turned a little sheepish now, like maybe he's feeling embarrassed by his own boldness, but he still loops his arms around Jimin's neck, leaning in close enough for their noses to touch.

"Hey," he breathes out, quiet and intimate, and Jimin can feel the corners of his mouth tugging upwards, his stomach fluttering as he squeezes Yoongi's waist a little tighter.

"Hey."

"Missed you," Yoongi murmurs. His eyes drop down to Jimin's lips, his own falling open and his tongue peeking through to wet his skin. When he looks up again, it's from underneath his thick eyelashes, eyes a little wide and mouth pouting out invitingly. Jimin fists the fabric of his hoodie in his hands and pulls him in.

Yoongi kisses like he has all the time in the world.

Starts off slow, soft, easy; mouths pressing together tenderly, almost delicately, breath rushing out on a soft exhale that's shy, shaky with feeling. Grows more insistent, after the first few pecks, lips dropping open to drag against Jimin's wetly, lingering between each kiss until Jimin isn't sure where one ends and the next begins.

He seems to just... melt into Jimin, fingers threading into the hair at the back of his head and his knees pressing up against his hips, holding him close, tight yet so, so gentle it makes Jimin lightheaded with the pure want he feels.

He wants to kiss Yoongi, just like this, wants to hold him in his arms and pull him closer. Wants to share moments like this with him, moments where nothing exists outside of the two of them.

Wants to keep kissing him, like they have all the time in the world.

Unfortunately, they don't, and way too soon for Jimin's liking Yoongi's drawing back again. There's a sweet smile playing on his lips, and his fingers stay tangled in Jimin's hair, stroking at his scalp in a way that's a little ticklish but sweet. Jimin manages to cling onto their little bubble for a moment longer, just by looking into Yoongi's eyes, but then someone somewhere in the apartment lets out a loud whoop and he's brought crashing back into the present.

The present where Min Yoongi is sitting in his lap, kissing him silly, while their best friends sit right beside them on the couch.

Jimin can feel it, his face burning bright red, and he leans forward to hide it against Yoongi's chest, a little groan breaking free but thankfully muffled by black fabric. He stays there for a few breaths, letting Yoongi's warm scent calm him, before he finally lifts his eyes again.

Hoseok and Taehyung are grinning at them like idiots.

"I can't believe-" Taehyung starts, as soon as their eyes meet; Hoseok isn't far behind him, his excited voice joining Taehyung's until they're talking over each other.

"Oh my god that was so-"

"I've never seen Jimin be this bold-"

"Are you kidding me? Yoongi totally-"

Above him, Yoongi lets out a sigh and rolls his eyes, sharing such an overly exasperated look with Jimin that he can't help but snicker.

"They're just so cute ," Taehyung finally coos, "you two are so cute and I'm so happy and I'm gonna go and leave you alone now, bye!"

"Bye," Hoseok calls out as Taehyung drags him off the couch and somewhere in the direction of the kitchen as well; the smile on his face is so bright it makes Jimin giggle under his breath.

When he turns back to Yoongi the man looks a little sheepish.

"Uh," he says, sucking at his lower lip as his fingers stroke a long line down the back of Jimin's neck in a way that's terribly distracting. "Sorry about that, I got a little carried away... I don't even know how you feel about PDA."

Jimin shakes his head, quick and sure. He can feel a smile building on his face, squeezing at the corners of his eyes, and he lets it free as he smooths his hands up Yoongi's sides and down again. "I don't mind."

"Yeah?" Yoongi mumbles, and he squirms a little under Jimin's hands, body twisting almost imperceptibly into his touch. It makes the bottom of Jimin's gut feel warm.

"Yeah," he says, his voice coming out warmer too, "I don't mind the whole world knowing I get to kiss you."

Yoongi ducks his head at that, his fringe falling forward and into his eyes; his fingers slip down the sides of Jimin's neck and tangle into the front of his shirt instead. "Yeah?"

"Mmhm," Jimin agrees. "Don't mind you getting carried away either, to be honest."

"Oh?" Yoongi muses, and his lips twist up in a little smirk when he lifts his head again. "Are you an exhibitionist or something?"

Jimin snorts. "No, just really, really smitten."

The way Yoongi smiles, then, bright and happy and so, so beautiful, is enough to make Jimin's breath catch in his throat. He takes a moment to just take it in, then wraps his arms around Yoongi and pulls him close.

"Baby," he whispers, and waits for Yoongi's wide eyes to meet his before continuing, "Kiss me again?"

He doesn't need to ask twice.

"Call me that again," Yoongi asks with his mouth pressed against Jimin's, the words spoken into his mouth, wet and hot, "please."

"Baby," Jimin whispers; Yoongi shivers.

And then he pulls back, shuffling out of Jimin's lap and standing up.

"C'mon," he says, and holds out his hand for Jimin to take. "Let's get out of here."

-

Yoongi and Hoseok's place is exactly the same as it's been every other time Jimin's visited.

The same small, homey living area, same kitchenette at the back of the room. Same standard white walls and light wood-patterned vinyl covering the floors. Same ugly old couch, sitting in front of a small tv.

Everything's the same, but somehow Jimin feels entirely unfamiliar with the space; unfamiliar with the way he's walking in with Yoongi, now, not just hoping he'll be home and Jimin can catch a glimpse of him. The way Yoongi's holding onto his hand as he leads him inside.

"Um," the man says, and when he turns to look at Jimin there's a shy little smile playing on his face, his free hand coming up to play with his ear as he ducks his head.

"I'm just gonna pop in the bathroom real quick, okay? There's drinks in the fridge, feel free to grab anything."

"Okay, baby," Jimin smiles, and isn't disappointed when Yoongi's cheeks take on that sweet rosy tone again. He reaches up to press the tip of his finger to Yoongi's chin for a moment before stepping back. "Hurry back."

Yoongi's answer is a silent nod as he bites at his lower lip, and then he's turning and all but speed-walking away, arms swinging wildly at his sides. It makes Jimin giggle under his breath, and he can hear Yoongi's responding snicker before the door closes behind him.

For a moment Jimin just stands there with a stupid grin on his face. Reflecting on where he is right now, with whom. It's a little wild, the ride he's taken to get to this point - but, he thinks, he wouldn't change a thing about it.

A glance inside the fridge shows him a whole variety of options to choose from, from bottles of water to sodas and even a few beers. In the end, he goes for one of the sodas, popping the can open as he walks to the couch. A bit of the liquid jumps out of the can, spraying onto his chin, and he wipes at it quickly before bringing the can to his lips to get rid of the excess as he sits down.

The couch really is stupidly comfortable, a little give in the cushions yet firm enough to offer support. Jimin can't help but let out a quiet sigh as he sinks into them, head falling back so he can stare up at the ceiling.

He feels so warm, here. Unhurried, content.

It only takes a few minutes for the bathroom lock to finally rattle, the sound pulling Jimin from his thoughts. He lifts his head, eyes turning to the door just as Yoongi walks out.

His jaw drops.

The man isn't wearing his jeans anymore, his oversized hoodie barely reaching the tops of his thighs before fabric gives way to skin. Soft-looking skin, pale in contrast to the black of his hoodie - and the thigh highs covering his legs and knees.

They're a little sheer, clinging onto Yoongi's legs so prettily, with black bows at the top where the socks dig into his thighs. His long sleeves fall past his knuckles, all but hiding his hands as one comes down to play with one of the bows. As Jimin watches, Yoongi shifts on the spot, his fingers circling the knot as he looks at Jimin from under his lashes. He looks so shy, uncertain, so unbelievably cute -

Jimin's heart hammers in his chest.

"Yoongi," he finally manages, voice coming out raspy and wrong but he can't bring himself to care, "c'mere, baby."

Something loosens in Yoongi's shoulders, then, as though that's all the man really needed to hear. He takes a step towards Jimin, then another, until finally he's right there, settling down beside him on the couch.

Jimin takes a moment to turn towards the windowsill, setting his soda can down beside one of the tiny succulents scattered about the apartment. Absurdly, the small, spindly plant reminds Jimin of Yoongi in that moment, and he's smiling when he turns back again.

"Hey," he murmurs, reaching out to take Yoongi's hands in his. Shuffles a little closer when he finds the space between them too wide.

"Hey," Yoongi says, and he's smiling too, quiet and small but beautiful. So, so beautiful.

"You," Jimin begins, only to pause when he struggles to find the right words to say. He can feel himself blushing, a light, gentle thing, even as he sweeps his thumbs over the backs of Yoongi's hands. "You look nice."

He grimaces as soon as he says it. Nice? Nice doesn't even begin to cover it, the way Yoongi looks, the way he makes him feel.

"Look pretty," he amends, relieved when Yoongi levels him with an amused smile.

"Thank you," the man says, and then he's the one shuffling closer, until Jimin can feel their knees bump together. Yoongi's quiet as he lifts up their hands, guiding them until Jimin's palms are resting just over his knees. One of the bows tickles at his fingers and he swallows.

"Said you liked them," Yoongi continues, shrugging a little as he brings his own hands up to his lap, "so I wanted to wear them for you."

"Oh," Jimin breathes out. He can't help it when his hands squeeze a little tighter around Yoongi's thighs.

Yoongi bites his lip, then, sharp eyes flitting over Jimin's face quickly before he moves. Shifts onto his hip, first, before he's swinging his leg over Jimin's and settling into his lap. The movement has Jimin's hands dragging upwards, onto Yoongi's bare thighs, and finally. Finally he gets to feel just how soft his skin really is.

"Baby," he barely has time to murmur before Yoongi's lips are on his.

Yoongi's kissing him, dragging and pulling and nipping, and Jimin finds it so easy to just open up for him, let him take whatever he wants. Accept everything he's willing to give. His fingers massage at Yoongi's thighs, digging into the flesh as he lets himself be swept away, swallowing down every little noise Yoongi makes with a hunger so strong it's honestly a little dizzying, and it's so easy , so incredibly effortless, being here with him.

Jimin lets his hands wander, after a while, ducking down first to play with Yoongi's socks again before going back up, up, circling around to the backs of his thighs. It makes Yoongi bite down a little harder, makes him press closer, and when Jimin's fingers travel further up to tickle at the skin of his buttocks, the man gasps, finally breaking the kiss.

Jimin's so hard it aches.

"Jimin," Yoongi pants, his hands leaving his hair to grab at his wrists, and for a moment Jimin's sure he's gone too far, that Yoongi's going to pull away and ask him to stop and that's fine , he's fully prepared to feel embarrassed by his own eagerness, but all Yoongi does is press his touch closer, drags his hands up to fully cup at his cheeks, and grinds back against them.

"Fuck," Jimin wheezes.

Yoongi laughs, a breathless little sound. "If you want to."

For a moment, Jimin's brain goes absolutely blank.

It must show on his face, because Yoongi's leaning back again, looking down at him with concern in his eyes. "Hey, only if you want to, right? We don't have to do anything at all."

"It's not- not that," Jimin says, shaking his head. "I do, want it I mean, you don't even know how much-"

Yoongi hums, mouth quirking up in an amused grin. "I'm sitting on top of you, Jimin, I think I have an idea."

Jimin groans. "I'm sorry."

"Why on Earth are you sorry?" Yoongi asks, eyebrows rising on his forehead, and Jimin sighs. Thinks, for a moment, and then draws in a big breath.

"I just don't want you to think that I only like you because you're sexy," he rushes out, finally remembering to take his hands off of Yoongi's ass; they hover uselessly for a second before he grabs onto the front of the man's hoodie. "You look so cute and hot right now and I want you so much it's honestly overwhelming but I don't want you to think that's the only reason-"

"Then why do you like me?"

"Huh?"

"Tell me," Yoongi says, tilting his head to the side, hand coming up to push a lock of hair behind Jimin's ear. "Tell me why you like me."

For a few seconds all Jimin can do is gape, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, but then he meets Yoongi's eyes and he's speaking before he even knows it.

"Because you're sweet."

Yoongi hums into the silence that follows, giving Jimin a small smile that encourages him to continue.

"Because you're gentle, and warm, and funny - god, so, so funny - and sharp, sometimes, but also soft. You're smart and creative and honest, you love your dog so much and you aren't afraid to be yourself, you're generous and cute and when you smile the whole room lights up-"

Yoongi shuts him up with a kiss. When they part, Jimin's cheeks are still warm, burning under Yoongi's gaze, but there's a lightness in his chest that's making his lips tug upwards in an uncontainable smile. "I really, really fucking like you, Yoongi."

“I know, babe," Yoongi says with a smile, sweet and gentle, and leans in to kiss Jimin's heated cheek. "I really fucking like you too."

It's as easy as breathing, in the end - leaning back in to draw Yoongi into a kiss, letting his hands fall down to grip onto his thighs. Easy, to draw him closer, to pull at the hem of his hoodie and drag it off of him. So, so easy, to just let go and be swept under the tide.

He's wearing the panties too, the ones with the little bow in the front, and Jimin's rather proud of how stable his hands are when he smooths them over the soft curve of Yoongi's behind, fingertips teasing at the edges where fabric meets skin until he finds the courage to dip underneath. Yoongi's breath is heavy where it hits the top of Jimin's head, the man's head bowed over him and caging him inside his embrace.

Jimin never wants to break free again.

"Baby," he whispers, muffled by Yoongi's skin and not caring in the slightest - not when he gets to draw in his sweet, comfortable scent with each inhale. "Can I touch you?"

"Yeah," Yoongi agrees, even as his grip on Jimin tightens, "yeah, I think- think I'd like that."

Jimin smiles, wide and happy, and gives his panties a light tug. "Can you-"

"Oh, right-"

Yoongi scrambles out of Jimin's lap, hands already pulling his underwear down when he suddenly pauses. He gives Jimin a wide-eyed look, his cheeks flushed pink, and ducks his head. "Um, you too?"

And it's funny, really, how easy it is to just do as he asks - to pull off his shirt like it's nothing, as if the mere thought of doing that in front of Yoongi wouldn't have had Jimin paralyzed with mortification just a few months ago. But here he is, and there's Yoongi. Wearing lingerie for him, undressing for him, waiting for him - and god, it's so damn easy.

Jimin manages to pull his pants down to his knees before Yoongi's knocking his hands off, grabbing onto the wrists and pressing them against the back of the couch as he climbs back onto his lap, and he's naked , save for his pretty socks, and he's hard and he's soft and he's kissing Jimin again and it's perfect.

The way Yoongi melts into him, chest to chest, the way he guides Jimin's hands back onto him and leans into the touch, the way they seem to fit together just right-

They're perfect.

Every action feels so intimate, here, with Yoongi in his arms: the way his fingers tangle into Jimin's hair, scratching along the scalp with blunt nails. The way his breath hitches when Jimin moves lower to paint kisses along the skin of his neck and shoulder and down, lips dragging over the heated skin of his chest until he's arching his back, silently asking for more.

So intimate, the quiet moan he lets out when Jimin licks over his nipple, slow and teasing.

The sounds Yoongi makes are like melted honey, Jimin finds, wet and hot and so, so sweet; quiet sighs and moans breathed into Jimin's ear as his hands wander, map every inch of him he can reach before finally circling to his front.

"Fuck, Jimin," he groans as Jimin grips his length, and Jimin wants to burn it into his memory - the sound of his name on Yoongi's lips.

"Yoongi," he hums in return.

He feels caught, torn between looking down to where his own hand is wrapped around Yoongi's cock, pumping evenly, and up where Yoongi's biting his lip, eyes soft and hazy with pleasure.

"Baby boy," Jimin whispers, almost reverent; Yoongi lets his head drop down onto his shoulder as he gasps out another low moan.

For a moment he stays there, shivering under Jimin's touch, but then he leans back and reaches down. Jimin nearly chokes on his breath when Yoongi's fingers wrap around his aching cock, softly at first, then firmer - a few fumbling strokes that leave Jimin's head spinning before Yoongi finds his rhythm again and matches it with Jimin's own.

"Jimin," Yoongi pants, leaning in to press his forehead against Jimin's, nose brushing over his softly, "babe, you-"

Maybe it's a little rude, to cut him off like this, but Jimin can't help himself as he rushes forward to press their mouths together again. His fingers tighten where his hand grips at Yoongi's ass, thumb slipping over his tip with the other, and Yoongi sinks his teeth into his lower lip in retaliation.

"Feel so good," the man pushes out, "you feel so good, make me feel so good-"

And maybe someone might find it embarrassing, how close to coming Jimin is already, but he can't bring himself to feel anything other than good. Not with Yoongi.

"Yeah," Jimin agrees, the warmth in his gut twisting, spiking as he meets Yoongi's eyes, "yeah."

Jimin isn't sure who comes first. Isn't sure he cares, either, to be honest - not when he still has a lapful of Min Yoongi, happy and sated and smiling, in his arms as the end result.

"Damn," the man hums, shifting a little as though trying to find a comfortable spot on Jimin to lean on, "just... damn."

Jimin laughs, bright and airy, and loops an arm around Yoongi's back to pull him closer to his side. He can see the man grimacing from the corner of his eye.

"Sorry, I know, we can get cleaned up in a second - just wanna hold you for a bit." He breathes in, out, eyes slowly fluttering closed. "Just for a second, yeah?"

"Oh no," Yoongi groans, but there's a smile in his voice that has the corners of Jimin's mouth tugging up as well. "Are you the sleepy-after-sex type? Should've known."

"What's that s'pposed to mean?"

"You're too perfect," Yoongi says. Jimin opens his eyes to find the man smiling at him, pink-cheeked and glowing,  "Had to have one flaw, after all."

"Hey!" Jimin protests even as his cheeks grow warmer. "Give me like, two minutes, I'll be good to go."

Yoongi grins, then, eyes flitting over Jimin's face and down his chest as he bites his lip dramatically. "Yeah?"

His expression is so over the top that Jimin can't help but laugh, and it takes a moment for him to collect himself long enough to reply.

"Wait and see, baby boy," he says, wiggling his eyebrows and sending Yoongi a saucy wink that's mostly successful.

Yoongi's shoulders shake with his laughter as he slumps down on top of him.

-

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

It's a funny thing, time. Some days, it can go by so fast you don't even notice until it's two hours past your bedtime and there's thirty action-packed minutes of your favourite show left to watch.

And some days, ten minutes can feel like ten hours, each minute dragged out of the clock one after the other at a pace so agonizingly slow you kind of start to wish time didn't exist as a concept.

Yoongi's ten minutes late.

Jimin lets out a huff and spins around in his chair, narrowly avoiding bumping his knees against his desk. Every machine in the shop has already been turned off, every shelf tidied up and every pen on the counter arranged in a neat row according to colour.

So maybe Jimin likes to tidy when he's bored, sue him.

He nearly jumps out of his skin when his phone suddenly buzzes, rattling against the counter repeatedly until he finally picks it up and answers.

"Hey, Taetae," he greets. At the other end, there's the sound of scuffling, a muffled voice in the background whooping while another yells something. "Seokjinnie-hyung and Jungkookie already at it, huh?"

"Hi, bub!" Taehyung laughs, "yeah, they're getting restless and you know what that means."

Jimin sighs loudly, just to pull another giggle out of his best friend. "Just... stop them before they get physical. I wanna see it."

"Of course," Taehyung agrees easily. There's a bit of shuffling, then the sound of his voice calling out into the room at the other end. "Hey, no wresting before Jimin gets here!"

"Then tell him to haul ass 'cause it's going down !"

Jimin can't help but laugh, loud and happy, as he leans his elbow on the counter. He doesn't know what has Seokjin so amped up, eager to get his butt kicked by someone five years his junior - don't tell him he ever even thought that, please - but Jimin looks forward to seeing it.

"You get that?" Taehyung asks him, voice clearer again. "Have you left yet?"

Jimin glances at the clock before turning towards the door again. "No, hyung's running a little late. I'll text you when we're on our way."

Taehyung hums. "Tell your boyfriend to hurry his cute little ass, okay? Or you two won't get any say in the movie pick tonight."

As if on cue, Jimin finally catches sight of the man in question through the display window.

Yoongi's peeking in as he passes by, and when he meets Jimin's eyes he lifts one hand up in a wave and breaks into a smile. It's wide and gummy and so bright, Jimin feels his heart flutter in response.

"That's okay," Jimin mutters, a little absent-minded as he waves back and smiles. "We can suffer through another teen movie if Hoseok really wants to watch one."

"Wait- he just got there, didn't he?" Taehyung groans, dramatic and amused. "I can hear it from your voice. You're so whipped , Park Jimin, it isn't even funny anymore."

"And yet you continue to laugh at me, anyway," Jimin quips.

The bell above the door rings as Yoongi walks in, his pace quick as he approaches to counter. He seems a little out of breath, like he's been walking faster than usual in his haste to get here, and Jimin bites his lip as his smile threatens to grow wider.

"Okay, time for me to hang up before I have listen to your kissing noises," Taehyung says quickly, " again . Hurry up and get here, yeah? See ya."

The line goes dead just as Yoongi leans over the counter and pulls him into a kiss.

"Hey," he murmurs when he pulls back, his hand lingering over Jimin's cheek and his eyes sparkling. "Sorry I'm late."

"Fine," Jimin says, a little dumbly, "s'fine."

"I was on my way here," Yoongi says, and he's running his thumb over the apple of Jimin's cheek as he smiles, "and then I saw the cat - you know, the lazy one that's always by the park - and had to stop to take a picture."

Jimin laughs as he settles his hand over Yoongi's, tilting his head into his touch. "Of course you did."

Yoongi gives him a look, then, one that tells him to shut up I'm telling a story here , so Jimin presses his lips together over his smile and nods for him to continue.

"So I was crouching there, taking the picture, and when I looked up there was this thrift shop! And something caught my eye in the window, so I went to take a closer look, and I was going to just leave but then I saw that the place was closing in ten minutes and, well, I just got this feeling that I needed to buy it now or it would be lost forever, you know?"

Yoongi lifts up his other hand and sets a paper bag down onto the counter between them. He gives Jimin's cheek one final, tender squeeze before letting his hand fall, dragging Jimin's down with it.

"So I did. Here. Um," Yoongi shifts, then, shrugging his shoulder a little, "it's for you."

"For me?" Jimin asks, and he smiles, feeling a little giddy as Yoongi slides the bag over to him with a shy nod. "Yoongi, you know you didn't have to-"

"I know," Yoongi's quick to say. "But... I wanted to. So just open the thing already."

Jimin shoots him a smile before peeking inside, his eyes widening as soon as he spots the object within. It's a polaroid camera - a rather old one, judging by the appearance; its pink and blue cover has faded unevenly, a scratch marring one corner, but as Jimin picks it up he can't help but appreciate it.

"It works," Yoongi says quietly, and Jimin's eyes snap up to see him playing with his ear nervously. "I tested it at the shop. Perfect working order, despite the way it looks - we can paint it or something, if you want."

Jimin shakes his head quickly. "No, it's perfect. I like it as it is."

"Good," Yoongi sighs, and he looks relieved, a bit of tension leaving his shoulders. "I just... I don't know, I saw it and thought of you. Of this place -" Yoongi twists to look back at the room behind him, the walls covered in printed photographs, before turning back again. "And how photography just seems to be our thing."

He smiles then, and reaches out to cover Jimin's hands with his own, the two of them cradling the camera together.

"I know I'm usually the one taking the pictures but I saw this camera and I thought... I'd love to see your perspective, too."

Jimin's heart beats in his chest, hard and fast and frantic. He can feel a prickling behind his eyes and he swallows hard, blinking a little faster as he tries to cool down his emotions, just a little, just so he doesn't start crying right now. A thought, a feeling, one that has been growing inside him for so long now, is blossoming within him, making his fingers shake as he lowers the camera down onto the counter, his chest ache with each inhale until he feels like he can't contain it anymore.

"Thank you," he says, barely above a whisper. "Baby..."

Yoongi looks up, a worried frown on his face, and Jimin knows. He just knows.

"I love you."

It's silent for a moment; just the sound of the air conditioner working, a car passing by on the street. Yoongi's breathing mixing with his own.

And then Yoongi smiles.

"I love you too."

 

They end up missing the wrestling match, in the end, and the beginning of Clueless too. When they finally make it back to Jimin and Taehyung's place, all the best spots are taken, but Jimin finds he's content to sit on the floor when Yoongi settles in behind him.

It's so warm here, surrounded by all their friends, with Yoongi's arms wrapped around him and his soft laughter in his ear; Jimin lets out a little sigh and relaxes, hand finding his boyfriend's and twining their fingers together.

An idea sparks in Jimin's mind, then, and he leans over to grab his bag and pull out the camera. He shoots a quick look over his shoulder at Yoongi, who simply raises is eyebrows at him, before Jimin leans back against him and aims down. He's never used a camera like this before, so it's a bit of guesswork trying to get their intertwined hands in the frame, but finally he presses down on the shutter. The flash is bright, making him blink rapidly.

He doesn't wait for the picture to develop, too impatient, just sets it aside and turns the camera around to face the two of them.

"Smile, Yoongi," he says as he steadies his grip, thumb hovering over the shutter button.

Yoongi's lips press into his cheek just as the flash goes off.

Notes:

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the fic. If you did, please don't forget to leave kudos!! Comments are very much appreciated as well.

This was originally written as a threadfic on twitter! Edited a little to fit ao3 better.

You can find me on twitter and curiouscat! Come say hi!