Chapter Text
Jimin was near the painting, between him and the pretentious society was a stanchion. He was adjusting the painting. As it was recently restored, it looked a little wonky. Tilting once in a while to either direction.
Hobi has gone to get them some drinks, and snacks. They have been standing near the same spot, in the samen position for an hour now.
Jimin was busy staring at the painting. Until he realized that someone else was also looking at it. He turned around to find a man.
Tall, handsomely dressed in black outfit. So precisely it looked effortless. Broad shoulders, sharp eyes and posture controlled. Defined straight nose, and his eyes…
Dark. Not just in color, but in weight.
Making it hard for Jimin to breath, to look at him directly. Scared he would burn.
It was Jeon Jeongukk.
But Jimin didn't know him, but he assumed that if he is here with that powerful aura, he must be of an importance.
Jeongukk was staring at the piece in front of him. It seemed out of place in this world of wealth. A delicate restoration of gilded lotus panel. Gold edges dulled, ruined. Colors painstakingly forcefully brought back to life. And the man beside it, small and focused.
Jimin.
Who looked up at him, as his shadow fell across the piece. And their eyes met. Just brief seconds.
Two strangers from entirely different worlds.
Jimin’s eyes were bright, earnest.
While Jeongukk's were unreadable and empty.
Something was pulling Jeongukk forward, and he didn't calculate it's risk for the first time. He moved, crossing the stanchion, going pass Jimin. Standing in front the painting, he touched it. Barely. Hand hovering over it.
“You’re going to ruin it by touching it sir. It is not allowed.” Jimin said curtly. Turning towards Jeongukk, whose back was in Jimin's view.
Jeongukk raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"I’m not touching anything. Yet.” he said without turning back, eyes still glued to the painting.
“Doesn’t matter. Anyone is not allowed to cross the stanchion. It's there for a reason. Sir." Jimin replied. His tone little fiery, putting seething effort in honorific.
Jeongukk's lips twitched at Jimin's nerve and big words. Full of conviction. Somewhat Interesting.
“You’re serious about this huh.." he said finally turning to look at Jimin. Intently.
And he noticed. He did. For the first time.
Blond strands falling gently over Jimin’s forehead, catching the light in a way that made him look almost unreal. His features delicate, but not fragile. Full lips, smooth jawline, eyes that held something warm and something dangerously unguarded.
His thoughts reflecting on his face clearly. Soft and genuine. That Jeongukk hadn’t seen in a long time.
His fingers twitched at his side.
“You actually think a damaged surface can be fixed?” Jeongukk asked in heavy voice.
“I fix what’s broken.” Jimin replied, straightening his posture. A little proud. His voice steady.
“Some things aren’t meant to just stay lost.”
A small spark of intrigue lit in Jeongukk's chest, a tiny rare dangerous flicker. He could kill Jimin, for speaking back at him. Easily, without any hesitation.
But it didn’t bother him. Not that much.
Not in that way.
“Strange world we live in." Jeongukk said, circling Jimin and standing in his space.
“People here don’t care about history, the hidden meaning, or preservation. They just want to show off what they can buy.”
Jimin’s gaze hardened, lips pressing into a thin line, trying to maintain his calm.
“And you?” he asked.
Tone sharp but curious. “Which side are you on sir?”
Jeongukk tilted his head. Amusement in his voice.
“Maybe I’m just….. observing.”
The conversation lingered in the air. For the first time in his life, Jeongukk felt a subtle burn in his heart. Hard to describe but he could feel it.
"That means you know their worth, but just don't want to accept it." Jimin replied with a little sass.
Ghost of smile appearing on Jeongukk's lips. Unnoticeable.
"Somethings are just useless.. unworthy of attention. They live as per norms and dies with it. What you do is nothing more than letting their incompetence live."
He won, he always had and always will. That's what Jeongukk thought but he was not prepared for Jimin's words.
Or how they will affect his lone soul.
"Damage doesn’t erase worth sir. It just changes what it needs.”
Silence. Cold silence.
Jeongukk was speechless. He had no idea what to say, how to prove Jimin wrong.
"Being attentive is the only way you can identify a soul worth loving."