Chapter Text
“I will stay, Jimin-ah. If that is what you want,” Yoongi answers within a heartbeat looking at Jimin. He takes in as much of the moment. He feels that familiar burn behind his eyes, but it wasn’t because he missed the younger or regretted every wrong he had done in the past and the lack of effort he put in. This time, it was because he feels they have that chance of reconnecting again.
Brushing Jimin’s cheeks, he swears to himself that he will fix it all, even if it will take him so much time, he will fix it all.
He will go through picking up every shattered piece, no matter how small or how big, and put it all back together for Jimin to feel better and trust him once again. Like a vase that has been broken, he will lace the gaps with golden liquid, making it all okay, better than okay. They’ve both hit the ground hard, all of their pieces shattered and now, he knows it will take them a while to put things together.
“I will stay,” Yoongi leans in and brushes his lips on Jimin’s forehead. Soft, gentle, not rushed. Yoongi's hand moves down to Jimin's jaw, and he feels how Jimin exhales and nods in his hold. In that moment, the younger’s breathing has settled a bit more. Rising and falling rhythmically instead of how it struggled earlier when he let everything go.
For a few more breaths, Yoongi stays close to Jimin. His chin resting on the younger's head, looking up he prays to the heavens that this was the chance he had asked for over and over again. To be with Jimin again, or even to be in his presence to help him heal.
Yoongi gazes down and sees Jimin’s eyes closely shut, his lips parted for a bit. Jimin has fallen asleep in his arms, just like how he did before, when he would hold on to the younger and give him that quick break from work he needed whenever things got too much or when they finally have time for each other. Jimin always mentioned, he found his solace, his rest in Yoongi's arms and it seems to still be the case even after everything that happened.
“I will stay, like this, here for you whatever happens, whatever you need.” Yoongi brushes a lock of hair away from Jimin's forehead, leaning again to place a soft kiss there. The younger clenches his fist, holding on to Yoongi's shirt as if responding that he wanted Yoongi to just be there.
Keeping his hold on the younger as tight as he can, cradling Jimin in his arms lost in the moment, lost in the feeling that finally he has awakened from a nightmare. That he is finally making his way home after all of the detours. Back to a place where he can be just who he is, welcomed with a warm embrace of someone he would do everything to keep in his life.
“I will show you how much I love you,” Yoongi continues to whisper, even if he knows that Jimin probably won't hear what he was saying, because his heart yearned to say those words.
“I know our tomorrow isn’t promised, that you can change your mind anytime if I fail you or if it all gets too much, so please let me stay like this now. If all I have is now, I want to be right next to you.”
Yoongi looks at Jimin’s face and he feels how the younger nuzzled closer to his hold, Jimin’s grip on his shirt tightening even more as if afraid that he would wake up alone, and as he was about to reach and cup Jimin’s face, he feels his phone vibrate.
He tries to move as little as possible, reaching up to his phone to answer the call from his manager, Minho.
“Yoongi, where are you? Can you come to the agency now? We need to—” Minho starts only to get cut by Yoongi right away.
“I can’t hyung. I told you, when we talked about it before. I need to do something important, something to keep me going at it.” Yoongi keeps his phone between his ear and his shoulder, looking at Jimin still sound asleep in his arms with such a peaceful look in his face. He won't leave, he won't go. This time won't be like before when he would go, say goodbye to Jimin, and kiss the younger whispering promises of making it up. No, it would be different.
“There are no negotiations for this hyung, we talked about it. I need more freedom if I will stay with the agency, I can’t do it like how we did it before.” Yoongi adds, eyes never leaving Jimin.
“I,” Minho takes a deep breath in and out. The last thing he wants is to go through the ordeal again, of almost losing out on such a talented artist he cared so deeply for. On seeing Yoongi crumble and lose the light that ignited deep within him when he first started. He knows pushing the idol further away can just cost them an artist he knows can reach something that most never would.
Minho nods and replies, “Fine, we just need to meet tomorrow. We need to finalize everything for the album, I assume there’s nothing else you want to add there and then we talk about schedules and the release. It will be a busy few months Yoongi, you and I both know that.”
Yoongi knows. He knows it all too well. But he can’t go at it like he did before. He knows what is important now, and it feels within his grasp. “Yes, we need to talk about it. We need to review the schedules because I can't do the same type of promotions before. It needs to be tapered down, spaced out.”
“Yoongi, we can’t just—” Minho tries, wanting to tell Yoongi that this comeback was a highly anticipated one. His fans were buzzing with excitement already, knowing he was in Loco's party. All speculating that it signified the comeback of Yoongi.
“We can. It’s,” Yoongi looks at Jimin sleeping peacefully in his arms, holding on to the younger tighter. He promised Jimin it would be different this time around, and it starts with him, not just showing up, but making sure too that Jimin would never feel he is pushed to the sidelines. “It’s not negotiable. Either we do it my way or I am out.” Yoongi grabs his phone, ending the call just before Minho can answer back. As he does so, he sees the silhouette outside Jimin’s office, and it moves closer until he sees Tae stepping inside.
Tae looks at him and Jimin, and blinks away the tears that have started to form. He heard it all, he heard Jimin’s cries from where he was standing.
He was there when Yoongi and Loco started their heated exchange, he heard it all. And when he tried to make the two go, both of them tried to resist. Loco started talking, telling him that he will stay and wait for Jimin to come back, that he wouldn’t leave. While Yoongi stood there, his body still as his eyes moved and traced where Jimin was going. It was instantaneous, in a snap of a finger, Yoongi darted towards Jimin and Loco tried to follow.
Tae didn’t know what to do and who to stop. The two can just open up the wounds Jimin had tried to heal for the last few months, he knows he couldn't stop the two by himself. The first thing he thinks of is that if Yoongi talked to Jimin then perhaps that would give the two the closure they needed. So he grabbed Loco's wrist, pulling the other idol and pushing him to go out, asking him to give the two time. Time that he hopes would lead to Jimin healing.
He heard it, Jimin’s crying and questioning, and he lived through it. Through the times when Jimin tried to look okay but it was as if he was playing hide and seek with his real emotions. Smiles that never reached his eyes. Blank stares when they would watch the tv or go out for coffee. Those moments happened in bits, when the exhaustion becomes too much or when Jimin thinks he is by himself.
Tae looks at Yoongi, unsure what to feel seeing the two like that, he didn’t know if he should be happy for Jimin and Yoongi or if he should feel frustrated because he’s not sure if Yoongi deserves that chance again. He trusted the elder to look after his friend, to be there for Jimin. He trusted the elder more than once, but Yoongi just ended up failing on fulfilling his promises. He doesn't know how things would be different this time around, if it would be any different at all.
Yoongi sees the way that Tae looked at him, to Jimin and then back at him again. He can still remember the confrontation they had the night it all went south and he could never blame the younger for that. It wasn't just Jimin that he failed, but Tae as well. Tae who possibly feels he is in between two big rocks colliding, hoping Jimin would be happy again yet not knowing if the man who's with him now can help bring the smile back or just cause his heart to bleed again from too much hurt. Both a plausible scenario with Yoongi in the picture.
Brushing his hand on Jimin’s face, Yoongi gently moves Jimin to the sofa. Lifting each finger that held on his shirt. Placing a pillow underneath Jimin’s head, whispering “I’ll be back” to the younger before he approached Tae.
“Leaving right away, like always?” Tae snaps through gritted teeth as Yoongi stands close to him.
“No, Tae. Please, let’s talk?” Yoongi asks, his voice low and pleading.
“About what?” Tae responds, voice still tinged with daggers. He looks at Yoongi from head to toe, recalling every tear that Jimin shed, every night he heard cries from his best friend
“About how I will have to be there again to catch him? To be there with him waiting for you to show up? To see him go through the whole ordeal of your fake relationships plastered everywhere even if you have him?” Tae pokes at Yoongi’s chest as he speaks, he tries his best to keep his voice down not to wake Jimin up even if all of his emotions were bubbling up.
Yoongi knew that he would be met with harsh words reminding him of all of his lapses, and he would take it all because he deserved every bit of it. He sighs, replying to Tae, “It will be different this time, Tae. I know my words won’t have any bearing, it won’t have any weight. I know it’s my fault, but please, let me show you that it won’t be like before,"
“Right, and I’m just supposed to believe your words?" Tae shakes his head trying his hardest not to push Yoongi away. He still remembers how he trusted Yoongi before only for it to crumble.
"You hurt him so much. You didn’t see how broken he was. Not just when you two broke up, but during the times you didn’t show, the times that you had to leave abruptly because your manager called your or was looking for you, and times he told you he was okay by the fake relationship your agency set up. You didn’t see, you weren’t there!” Tae shakes his head, beads of tears falling down his eyes. His and Jimin’s bond were more than just friendship, they were each other’s family. And all he wanted was for Jimin to be happy.
“I know, and I’m sorry. Even if I say it over and over again, I know it won’t be enough. Tae, I’m sorry, to you and to him. But if you give me this final chance, I would make sure I would do things differently. It's different this time, it is.” Yoongi tries to reach out his hand to Tae's shoulder but then he hears Jimin speak.
“Hyung? Taetae?"
Yoongi looks back and sees Jimin waking and sitting up looking at him and Tae.
“Jimin-ah,” Yoongi takes big strides to come back next to Jimin. Kneeling in front of the younger as he cups Jimin’s cheeks, hoping this will help slowly re-assure Jimin of his presence. That he stayed, he never left not like before.
“Chim, are you okay? Do you want me to,”
“No, Taetae. I’m okay.” Jimin looks up at Tae with a small smile shaking his head and repeats "I'm okay, I promise TaeTae."
Jimin looks back down at Yoongi, holding the idol’s wrist. “I’m okay.”
Yoongi was about to reply when his phone vibrates again, and he sees how Jimin looked at him as he instinctively reached for his phone. How the younger's eyes blinked fast, lower lip bitten down, perhaps expecting him to just get up, answer the call, and leave.
And Yoongi knows, he has to show Jimin how different it will be now. He knows it was his fault why Jimin reacted that way. Because answering a phone call before when they were together, almost always meant he has to leave. Every single thing he would do from that moment on needed to help reassure Jimin that things were different. No matter how small or big they were, he had to do it to prove himself worthy.
Yoongi keeps his other hand on Jimin's face while he answered the phone, not even bothering to look at who was calling. He slowly tilted Jimin's face to look back at him even if Jimin's grip on his wrist suddenly loosened.
“Hello?” Yoongi answers the call and hears Namjoon at the end of the other line. Checking if they were still on for dinner at Jin’s place that night because he is already in the elder's place to help the Jin fix up.
“Dinner?” Yoongi answers, the plans with his friends slipping his mind with what happened that day. Yoongi feels Jimin's hold on him disappear with the younger leaning back on the sofa perhaps already expecting Yoongi to go.
Yoongi looks up at Jimin, with a small smile on his face. He straightens up, reaching back again to cup the younger's face, thumbs grazing on Jimin's chin gently even if Jimin looked away.
“Yeah, I’ll be there, tell hyung I might introduce someone special, okay? I just need to check if he's free and if he wants to come with me to meet you both.” Yoongi hears Namjoon say out loud to Jin that they are expecting more people and Yoongi takes it as his cue to drop the call.
Jimin will no longer be kept a secret, he swore he would never do it again if Jimin gives him a chance. And this will be a first step to take, to introduce him to his closest friends. The look on Jimin’s face was a mixture of worry and surprise.
“Come with me to dinner, baby?” Yoongi asked Jimin hoping to the younger will say yes.
“Di-dinner?”
“Yes, with Jin hyung and Namjoon. Please, if it is okay with you?” Yoongi smiles as he then tucks away the loose strand of hair behind Jimin’s ear.
He can see how Jimin seemed to be thinking through the situation and wondering if he will say yes or no. Jimin knows of Namjoon and Jin. That those are his two closest friends in the industry. And until now he regrets not introducing Jimin to them before. But that was in the past, and he is in the present. The present where he is trying to start fresh and correct all the wrongs he has done before. The present where he is given a chance to show Jimin he has changed.
He sees how Jimin looked up at Tae as if trying to get an idea whether to say yes or no.
Jimin was trying to consider it all. He asked Yoongi to stay. He asked him to. His heart was still on the edge, wondering if this was all real. If this meant that Yoongi was staying true to what he said. It was different but it felt good. Jimin closes his eyes, deep in thought. Hoping that his decision will be the right one for that moment.
“Okay, hyung.” Jimin nods and Yoongi takes that as a step forward.
He knows he needs to be careful because what they have going now is as vulnerable as a bubble that can pop anytime. And when it does, he will feel like he is under water again scrambling to hold on to what he can to swim back up to breathe again. So he will take Jimin’s lead and only push back when Jimin asks him to.
“Chim, are you sure?” Tae asks Jimin as he walks towards the two.
“I’m sure Taetae. It’s just dinner right, hyung?” Jimin asks Yoongi who nods back at him.
“Just dinner at around 7:30.” Yoongi repeats.
“Okay, can we just meet there? Eyes might be following you and I still have a few things to finish and,”
“I can wait or I can pick you up at home? All up to you, baby.” Yoongi was quick to answer.
He knows the lingering concern on Jimin’s mind. Cautious of people seeing them together, but this time is different and should someone ask him he will come out with a statement about the real deal. He won’t let the pressure get to him and make him back out. He knows people will talk, but he knows that the real ones that care for him will like him to be happy. They wouldn’t bring him down or ask him to not be true to his heart. He was too afraid before, too hesitant to even consider that and it caused him a loss that was too much to bear.
“But hyung, how about,”
“You don’t need to worry, just let me know if you would want me to wait or come back a little later.” Yoongi gently swipes his thumb over and over on Jimin’s chin. He wants Jimin to know, to feel that he has the power to tell him to go away or stay. And Yoongi will just listen.
“Ma-maybe, just stay?” Jimin answers in a whisper. Vocalizing something he had always wanted to say, to ask. For Yoongi to stay with him, for Yoongi to choose him even for just a while. He knows Yoongi is busy, he always understood it before. But for now, he wants to be a little selfish to ease his heart, for him to start believing this, them, have a fighting chance.
“Okay, I will stay. Hyung will stay. I will just sit here while you work and if you need anything just tell me, okay?” Yoongi answers as he stands slowly, giving Jimin his hand to hold and help him stand up.
“Is it really okay? Your manager might call, they might need you at the company, hyung. I know you are going off hiatus soon and,”
Jimin sighs as Yoongi leans in and kisses his forehead.
Yoongi is hoping it will help the old thoughts Jimin carried with him go down, to chase the ghost of their past away. Yoongi knew that him showing Jimin how important he is would be an adjustment for the younger. That the old bad habits and ways they've maneuvered their relationship would no longer be, replaced instead of new ways, new habits that will help him show Jimin just how worth it he is. How much more important he is for Yoongi, more than his career.
“It’s okay. I want to stay. Minho hyung knows I’m somewhere important. Now go,” Yoongi squeezes Jimin’s wrists, breathing in and out slowly. Loving the moment that is somehow making him feel free - free to show everybody who he loves, the person behind his smiles, the person he will fight for even if it meant getting away from the limelight. He would do it.
“Okay, hyung.” Jimin takes a deep breath in before turning around to make his way towards his table. And he sees how Yoongi just looks at him before sitting on the sofa then taking his phone as he starts to type something.
It was odd at first for Jimin, seeing Yoongi in his office - seemingly like any normal boyfriend waiting. He didn’t seem like an unreachable idol. It was different, but he’s unsure if it is different good or different bad. He wants it to be like this but he’s stopping himself from expecting to have a repeat of that situation since it’s still too early to tell, he reminds himself.
So he settles into checking the remaining things he needed to address, and the silence becomes comfortable. With Yoongi just typing and sometimes looking at him, head leaning to the right before smiling, Yoongi humming a tune every now and then, and Yoongi stopping him from standing up somehow knowing he needed a drink that Yoongi fetches him a cup of water. The silence was comfortable for the very first time again, no longer plagued by thoughts of what ifs and what could have beens.
Wrapping up everything he needed to do, Jimin didn't notice that minutes have passed since he last checked on Yoongi. He finally shuts down his laptop and looks back again at Yoongi. Yoongi who was still waiting for him. Yoongi who chose to stay and wait for him because he asked the idol to. Yoongi who had fallen asleep, head resting on the sofa, eyes shut, arms crossed over his chest.
Jimin looked at the time, it was almost 7 PM. He goes about gathering his things before he walks to where Yoongi was. It was always the other way around, him waiting, him falling asleep. And the sight before him was different, and somehow it was slowly reassuring him that Yoongi really is trying, that this time things were different.
Leaning down, Jimin reaches out his hand to brush Yoongi's hair but he stops midway and decides to just gently tap Yoongi’s shoulder to wake the idol up slowly. Yoongi stirs and wakes up. Eyes slowly fluttering open, hoping he didn't just have good dream that he is in Jimin's office and he is now waking up to a reality again where the younger was not there with him and it was his friends tapping him to get up.
Heart beating loudly in his chest, Yoongi exhales and couldn’t help himself from smiling. Relief floods his heart seeing Jimin waking him up. His heart fills with so much hope, even though he knows it is still too early to do so, he couldn't help but hope for a shared future with the only man he has ever loved.
“Hyung, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you to wait. You must be tired.” Jimin bites his lower lip as the guilt suddenly comes. But he then looks back at Yoongi, as he feels the idol’s touch on his wrist.
“Waiting for you is worth it, Jimin-ah. You asked me to stay, to wait so don't worry about it, hmmm?” Yoongi sits up straight, as he tries to take in that moment as much as he can. Slowly he pulls Jimin closer, testing the waters still, and Jimin follows his lead until the younger sits on Yoongi’s lap, hooking his arms behind the idol. And Yoongi whispers a grateful prayer to the heavens, for he is enveloped by that warm embrace once again. A welcome change from all of the cold days and nights he had spent without Jimin by his side, with the thought of Jimin being with another.
“I missed you so much, baby. I miss us. I still have a lot to make up for." Yoongi whispers, his forehead resting on Jimin's. "But if ever you change your mind, I will understand. I know I was too much, that I took too much before. So if you don't want any of this, Just say the word, I will do whatever you want me to.”
Jimin just holds on tighter, as he nuzzles his nose to Yoongi’s neck. Taking in the familiar scent of Yoongi’s perfume - one he has loved to be wrapped around.
It was all too familiar, yet all too new at the same time. It was still the same Yoongi, but he was more vocal now, and he was more forward in showing his seriousness. His actions now were speaking loud and clear.
Yoongi doesn’t let go, and keeps his eyes closed letting the sound of their breathing be the sound that calms him down. He takes a deep breath in as he feels one of Jimin’s hands going down to his chest, feeling his heartbeat. The touch gentle, from someone who is forgiving, someone who never gave up on him.
“Is this really happening, hyung? Are we really trying again? Am I really meeting Jin hyung and Namjoon hyung?” Jimin asks as he lifts his head, scanning Yoongi’s eyes for the answer.
“It is all up to you, baby. But I hope that we can try again, if you would have me still." Yoongi cups Jimin's face, thumb brushing the younger's chin gently. "And yes I would love to introduce you to them. I should have done it before. I shouldn’t have been afraid and I should have trusted them - because they are my closest friends. You deserve to be known and I am sure they will love you.” Yoongi answers as he then tucks a lock of hair behind Jimin's ear.
“What if they don’t like me. They don’t even know me.” Jimin couldn't help but ask.
“They know who you are Jimin. When we,” Yoongi chokes up just remembering the pain they both went through and how Jin and Namjoon were there for him. “When we parted, I told them about you, about us. I am pretty sure Seokjin hyung said to Namjoon that you are beautiful when they thought I was sleeping.” Yoongi smiles.
“But, how?”
“The picture you left me. It’s in my room beside my bed.” Yoongi answers, keeping his eyes locked on the younger.
“Oh.” Jimin tries to look away. He never expected Yoongi to talk about him with other people. He never expected him to display that photo, let alone keep it close to him. And somehow his heart feels the hope starting to bloom inside knowing that Yoongi talked and thought about him even when they broke up, much like he did.
“Why are you looking away, baby? Look at me.” Yoongi rests his palm on Jimin’s face as he slowly moves it to face him again.
“Hyung, it’s just. It feels different. I don’t know, I’m not used to it. To being known, to others aside from Tae knowing about us.” Jimin answers honestly.
“I know and that is my fault. You never deserved that, I never should have asked that from you. So if you let me, I will love to show you off, starting with this dinner, okay?” Yoongi says and sees Jimin nodding slowly, taking it all in as he unconsciously bites on his lower lip.
Yoongi's eyes trace every part of Jimin's face only for it to fall on the younger's lips. He mimics the way Jimin bites on his lips and he couldn't help but ask; “Can I?”
And the moment Yoongi hears his question, he exhales the breath he never knew he was holding in. With Jimin's hand still on his chest, he's certain the younger would feel just how fast his heart was beating.
It was Jimin's effect on him. One that seemed to never have disappeared - no matter how calm and collected he may look, Jimin always takes his breath away. He doesn't know if Jimin will say yes or no. But whatever answer the younger will give, he will accept.
Jimin closes his eyes he wants to say yes, he feels just how much Yoongi's heart was beating. He feels it on his palm. He wants it too, but he's trying to stay logical, his mind's response after everything that happened between them.
“Ma-maybe later, hyung. Can we take it slow, I just,”
“You don’t have to explain anything." Yoongi holds the hand that Jimin placed on his chest, squeezing them gently. Those tiny hands that can be covered entirely by his.
"I told you, waiting for you and putting in the work to earn your love back is worth it. I will wait, Jimin. Let’s go?” Yoongi asks, gentle smile painted on his lips as Jimin nods.
“Okay hyung. I’m looking forward to meeting Seokjin and Namjoon hyung.” Jimin stands up and reaches out for Yoongi’s hand. And as Yoongi stands close to Jimin, the younger one gives him a small smile before he gives Yoongi quick kiss on his cheek.
An action Jimin was willing to give, a silent message that he is willing to see what Yoongi would do, that he is also serious in giving them another chance. Jimin tries to hold back the giggle in his lips seeing the idol all tense, perhaps not expecting that.
Yoongi takes a second to recover, looking down whispering “They will love you.” as they make their way out.
🩶🖤🩶🖤🩶🖤🩶
“Namjoon-ah, can you call Yoongi? Ask him where he is, the food will go cold.” Jin calls over from his kitchen and Namjoon was quick to dial Yoongi’s phone. He waits for Yoongi to answer when the doorbell rings.
Namjoon walks towards the door, phone still in hand and when he opens it he sees Yoongi. Only he wasn’t alone, he’s with someone they've just seen through the photo in Yoongi's bed. A person they've known so much about through stories that Yoongi shared before. The person that Yoongi loved deeply. Jimin.
Jin walks up towards the door, wondering who it was when his eyes land on Namjoon with his mouth agape, phone held in his hand close to his ear, then to Yoongi and Jimin. Jin knew, Yoongi bringing Jimin there was a big deal, but he also didn't want to make the two, especially Jimin, feel pressured or uncomfortable. So he decides to just play it normal, like he would when either Namjoon or Yoongi comes late.
“Nice of you to finally show, Yoongi.” Jin huffs as he uses his right pointer finger to push back Namjoon’s chin up to close the other's mouth whispering out loud while shaking his head “Manners Joonie, manners.”
“I was just a couple of minutes late, hyung.” Yoongi answers back, his hand still interlaced with Jimin’s who stayed quiet, fingers flinching in his hold. Yoongi assumes Jimin must be unsure how to act or what to say.
Sure Jimin had seen him before with Jin and Namjoon, especially during the event where they met. And Jimin had heard him talk to them, especially when he would put either of the two on speaker. The two are still well known individuals in the industry and now Jimin is meeting them again. But this time in a different circumstance, he’s meeting them not as an event organizer but as someone special in Yoongi's life.
“I-I’m sorry. It’s my fault Yoongi hyung was late. He waited for me to,”
“Oh!" Jin says right away. "Then he is excused, no apologies needed.” Jin smiles at Jimin, his voice much softer than it was earlier when he spoke to Namjoon and Yoongi.
“Come inside, you two. And Joonie you know you can put down the phone. Yoongi is here, dear.” Jin reminds Namjoon, his eyes rolling at the other as he steps inside his home directing the two to his living room.
"You can wait here first, Jimin. Joonie here," Jin pulls Namjoon and places both of his hands on the younger's shoulder before he continues, "Will entertain you. I just need to steal Yoongi away for a quick second, okay?"
"Joonie, why don't you talk first to our Jiminie here? Yoongi will just help me prepare drinks and we will be back right away." Jin then steps away pulling Yoongi to the side leaving Namjoon awkwardly smiling at Jimin trying to think of conversation topics. And once they were out of earshot, Jin busies his hands, mixing up mocktails for pre-dinner drinks. He stays silent waiting for Yoongi to speak up, to be the one to start the conversation.
It takes a while, so Jin clears his throat loudly as he looks up at Yoongi.
"We are trying again, hyung."
Jin hums, eyes back on the drinks he's preparing. "And what will you do different this time, Yoongi?" Jin keeps his voice firm, not judging but his tone laced with a reminder that he hopes Yoongi will pick up on.
"Many things, hyung. I haven't told you yet, but I discovered Taemin and him were never really together when I saw him at Loco's listening party. We, we had a moment. We talked and I knew I had to do everything that I can to show him how much he matters to me, even if this wouldn't lead to us getting back together. He has full control, when he says I should leave, I would follow. If he tells me at any point that he can't do it again, I'll go. I'll do everything he would ask me." Yoongi looks at his hands and then back to where Jimin was seating but all he sees was the back of Jimin's head and Namjoon talking animatedly with both hands.
"Hmmm." Jin hums as he mixes the drink then pouring them into four glasses, urging Yoongi to continue.
"And this is the first of the many things I will do differently. Introducing him to you and Namjoon. I am still not sure if I will get him back, if he will let me in again in his life - but I'll do everything I can hyung."
"I know, Yoongi. I know you will. Just this time," Seokjin looks up at Yoongi with his lips slightly upturned, "Don't hide, don't hold back. Give this chance everything that you've got. Because not everybody gets another chance."
"I will hyung, I will." Yoongi comes close to Seokjin, grabbing two glasses and nodding at him as they both go back to where Namjoon and Jimin were.
Yoongi gives Jimin the glass before sitting right next to him, leaning back as he wraps an arm behind Jimin's waist. He sees how Jimin looked at him as if asking why he was doing so in front of other people, but he just raises his glass with a smile.
Throughout the dinner, Yoongi stayed as close as he can to Jimin. Putting food on his plate, placing a hand on the back of Jimin's chair or sometimes on top of the younger's hand. Actions he always wanted to do in front of other people but held back on because he was afraid of losing his career, his fans. But it was different now. He knows better now.
Yoongi observed how Jimin was welcomed warmly by his friends and how Jimin eased his way in. Laughing at Jin's silly jokes, listening intently to Namjoon as he explained more about how he fell in love with producing and even Namjoon's fascination about mythology and how he incorporates it with some of the songs he wrote. And through it all, Yoongi stayed quiet, feeling guilt in his heart creep in and out. Wishing he had done it before, wishing he had done it right when they started so he wouldn't hurt Jimin as much as he did. Wishing that the damage he caused is still repairable.
As they finish up dinner, Jin asks Namjoon to stay in the kitchen to clean up while he and Jimin make their way to the balcony in silence.
"Hyung, are you okay? You were silent during dinner." Jimin asks as they were alone. He noticed Yoongi smiling but he was mostly quiet during dinner, just a few words here and there. And he's worried that Yoongi might be already regretting introducing him.
"I am, are you?" Yoongi asks as he shrugs off his jacket, putting it on Jimin reminiscent of how he did previously.
Jimin closes his eyes, feeling the weight of Yoongi's jacket on him giving him additional warmth from the cold spring winds. His small hands grab on the edges of the jacket, tugging on them to keep them steady. This was Yoongi, his Yoongi who knows he loves to get bundled up when it's cold, who knows he can't sleep without any blanket on top of him.
Looking back to the idol, Jimin responds, "I am. Thank you for introducing me to Jin and Namjoon hyung. They are very nice, and I—" Jimin breathes out as he takes a step closer to Yoongi. "I am glad you had them when I wasn't there, when everything crumbled. I can see just how much they care for you and I—" Jimin looks up at Yoongi. He would be lying if he said it never crossed his mind, the thought of Yoongi just going through their break up alone to keep their past relationship a secret until the end.
Nobody knew about them, just Tae. And eventually Hobi and Taemin knew. He was surrounded by people who tried to help him in whatever way they can. But he knew that none of Yoongi's friends did, but now he is certain Yoongi had people with him and it somehow washes a flood of relief in his heart.
"They were there and I told them all about you, about us. And that's why I wanted them to see you and finally meet you, baby." Yoongi circles his arms around Jimin's waist underneath the jacket he draped over the younger.
Under the moonlight, they were together once again. Spending the night with his friends, which was almost coming to an end. He wanted to hold on tightly, he wanted to never let go again, afraid that tomorrow Jimin will block his number and not let him meet him or see him.
They stay in each other's arms, both of them hoping no one will let go, both of their minds running with a mixture of positive and negative thoughts. Jimin knows it's all up to him, that he can tell Yoongi to stop but with the elder holding him close, he knows that the happiness he experienced with Yoongi will never be replaced. His heart, even after all the bruises, still wanted to be with Yoongi.
"Baby," Yoongi whispers and Jimin understands how that single word is laced with a question — if he is in borrowed time or if Jimin hasn't changed his mind.
"I still want you to stay, hyung. I see you are trying." Jimin whispers back as he breathes out a sigh, feeling content at how good it feels to say that.
"Thank you, Jimin-ah. I would love to stay here with you, but it's late and I should give you a ride back home now, you still need to rest after the event and today. I know how it goes and I'm sure you haven't had enough sleep just yet."
Jimin clutches his hand on the elder's shirt, not wanting to let go just yet and whispers his truth. "But my rest is you, hyung." Jimin leans his head on Yoongi's chest wanting to stay that way — close to each other again — feeling Yoongi's embrace, his warmth, his gentle breaths in and out.
Yoongi looks at Jimin before resting his head on top of Jimin's. "And you are my rest too, my home." Yoongi responds before he looks up at the moon now a witness to how they are slowly trying to make their way towards each other again.
They stay that way until Jin calls after them, saying out loud that he packed them all food to take home, scolding Yoongi for staying outside for a long time where it was cold, and telling him to take Jimin home. Yoongi just huffed and Jimin laughed at how the elder still followed Jin's orders which was why they soon made their way down with Yoongi driving him home.
The ride was silent, a comfortable one that had Jimin falling asleep again and Yoongi just driving with the song he had started to write in Jimin's office still running in his mind. A song he wants to put into pen and paper, dedicated just for Jimin.
Soon they arrive at Jimin's building with Yoongi waking Jimin up.
"Jimin-ah, we are here. Come, I will walk you to your door."
"Hyung, you don't have to." Jimin says, eyes opening not remembering when he had fallen asleep and how long it took for them to get to his building.
"I want to." Yoongi reaches out to help Jimin unbuckle his seat belt. Reaching back to the paper bag with the food Jin has packed for Jimin. And Yoongi didn't fail to notice how Jin packed more for Jimin than for him and Namjoon.
"But it's just there, a few steps." But before Jimin can further protest, afraid that someone might see the idol, Yoongi gets out of his car, rounding up to open the other door for Jimin.
"No more buts, baby." Yoongi places his hand on the door frame, shielding Jimin's head in case he bumps the corner - an action he had always wanted to do. And as Jimin and him walk up the stairs, Jimin starts to remove Yoongi's jacket but the idol stops him. Even if he is feeling cold, and Jimin is home, he wants Jimin to keep it.
"Are you sure, hyung?" Jimin asks and Yoongi nods.
"Go now, it's really late and Tae must be waiting for you." Yoongi reminds Jimin as he reaches out to hand the paper bag with a smile. Jimin turned to face Yoongi, and he feels overwhelmed with how his day went down. How something he gave up on is here again - and how this time, everything is starting much better. And warmth blooms in his chest wondering if this was how their story was supposed to continue and not end.
"You can now, hyung." Jimin steps closer to Yoongi as his hand trace up from Yoongi's chest, slowly making its way behind Yoongi's neck.
"Are you sure?"
Jimin breathes in Yoongi's perfume again, woody and citrusy. And he feels the cold winds blowing but he stays warm, in the embrace of Yoongi. A breath in and he answers, "Yes.
Yoongi then leans in, hand just on the younger's cheek, eyes scanning Jimin's face trying to memorize each freckle, each line. Yoongi then kisses Jimin's forehead first before planting feather light kisses with each breath tracing down the younger's nose - gentle and slow as he takes in each second the warmth of Jimin's body, the hands that were on his neck, the breath they were both sharing.
Yoongi takes it all in, thanking the heavens for giving him that chance again. Yoongi catches his breath before he finally lines up his lips with Jimin's, with a shaky breath he asks the younger again; "Are you sure?"
And Jimin nods with eyes closed, before the younger closes the gap between their lips.
Their kiss started slow, as each of them wants to memorize how it feels again - how their lips perfectly slot to each other's, how their bodies and hearts feel full. The kiss filled with so much longing, of Yoongi pulling Jimin as close as he can, dropping the paper bag on the floor as a hand rests on the small of Jimin's back while the other is on the Jimin's nape. And Jimin takes it all in, as he opens his mouth letting Yoongi take a taste of him. In every slide of their lips and entanglement of their tongues it was as if they were getting intoxicated again - their whole being remembering how it was before when they were together.
A reminder of how much love they had, they shared. A kiss that felt so familiar and so fulfilling - as they are finding their way back to each other.
Yoongi pulls back, needing to catch his breath even if he didn't want to part his lips from the younger's. He looks at Jimin, hand on Jimin's cheek as he leans in again for a quick and gentle kiss on those plump lips he missed kissing.
"I think I need to go now, hyung." Jimin feels his cheeks warming up. He looks down, smiles and bites his lips again.
"When can I see you again?" Yoongi asks, thumb brushing on the back of Jimin's hand not wanting to let go just yet.
"I'll," Jimin places his small hands now on Yoongi's chest as he breathes out. "I'll message you hyung, is that okay?"
"Yes, whenever you are ready just message me okay? But when I can, I will try to drop by your office and bring you and Tae food, okay?" Jimin nods as he takes a step back, Yoongi grabs on the paper bag again, giving it to Jimin.
If only he can, Yoongi wants to take Jimin home with him. If only he can, Yoongi will ask Jimin if he can stay. But Jimin wanted to take it slow, and he still needs to prove himself. So he will watch Jimin go, just relishing on the thought that they are moving forward continuing the story they started years ago. A story that met a bump in the road, but has now gone back towards a better direction.
"Good night, baby. I love you, and you don't need to say it back not until I've earned it." Yoongi tells Jimin as he finally lets Jimin go. And Jimin nods replying good night before he goes inside, taking a quick look back at the idol before disappearing from Yoongi's sight.
Yoongi looks at the door, and he feels that heavy boulder on his chest finally lifting. He was about to walk back to his car when his phone vibrates - and he wonders if it was Jimin so he immediately checks his phone.
It was a message, but not one from Jimin but from Loco;
<Fr: Loco>
If you think I will just back out, I won't.
I want Jimin and he deserves someone better,
someone who is not you my friend.
And if you know what is best for you
and for him, you'll step aside.