Chapter Text
Jeongukk had texted him, to fix their first date.
Mr. Jeon: Are you free tomorrow?
Jimin didn’t text back. Not immediately. Everything feeling little too overwhelming.
He had seen the notification, but didn't read it. Officially. He just left it there, dangling. He stared at the message for a full ten seconds before locking his phone and tossing it aside.
“Let’s see.” he muttered.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Then thirty.
His phone didn’t buzz again. Jimin picked it up and checked, a few times. Nothing. His brows pulling together slightly.
“No follow-up?”
After more than forty-five minutes, he decided to reply.
He typed. Deleted.
Typed again. Deleted.
Jimin: Maybe.
Sent.
Three dots appeared almost instantly, then gone. Jimin’s eyes narrowed.
Jimin: You’re typing and stopping?
The reply came a minute later.
Jeongukk: Tell me when you’re sure.
Jimin leaned back in his sofa, staring at the screen. The reply was not impatient. Not even curious enough to ask why.
“How pretentious.”
_________________________________________________________
It was infact a date, and Jimin showed up fashionably late. Not too much, Just enough to be noticed.
And instantly his eyes found Jeongukk. It was easy. Standing near the entrance, hands in his pockets. Not checking his phone, neither looking around.
Just… waiting.
Jimin slowed his steps. Walking up casually. “You’ve been here long?”
Jeongukk's eyes shifted to him immediately.
Locked.
“Long enough.”
Jimin tilted his head. “You didn’t call.”
“I knew, you were coming.”
“Most people call, when someone is late.”
“I’m not most people.”
Again. That line again.
Jimin exhaled quietly, stepping past him. “Let’s go.”
Jeongukk followed him.
They ended up at a bookstore café. Jimin’s choice. He ordered for them and didn’t ask Jeongukk what he wanted.
Just like he did, at the restaurant. And Jeongukk didn’t interrupt him.
They settled, and minutes passed in silence. Jimin checked his phone multiple times, sighing. Pretending to be busy.
Jeongukk didn’t say anything. Didn’t ask. Didn’t pull his attention back.
Jimin glanced up, kind of irritated. “You’re not going to say anything?”
“About?”
“This.” Jimin gestured vaguely between them.
Jeongukk tilted his head slightly. “You’re busy.”
Jimin stared at him. “I’m not.”
A pause.
“Then you’ll put it down.”
Jimin held his gaze for a second longer. Then slowly placed the phone face down on the table.
Felt obliged to.
Jeongukk's eyes followed his movement.
Jimin leaned back on his chair, arms crossed. “Let’s say I didn’t.” he said. “Let’s say I kept ignoring you.”
“I’d still be here.” Jeongukk replied after a second.
“You don’t get tired?”
“No.”
“Annoyed?”
“No.”
“Bored?”
A small pause.
“With you?” Jeongukk asked.
Jimin nodded.
“No.”
“You’re either very patient.” he muttered quietly.
“Or?” Jeongukk prompted.
Jimin glanced back at him. Eyes narrowing slightly. “Or you just don’t show it.”
Jeongukk held his gaze, and for a second there was that shift again. “I show it." he said quietly.
“I didn’t text again. I didn’t call when you were late. I didn’t interrupt when you ignored me.”
Each word measured and placed carefully.
“That’s patience." he finished.
Jimin gulped, nervously. “And what’s not?” he asked after a second.
Jeongukk's gaze didn’t waver. "You’ll find out if you keep testing it.”
Jimin felt it right under the surface of his skin. His neck turning red. He let out a short, breathy laugh.
This wasn’t just patience. It was decision.
Observation Result — Patience Level:
* Waits without visible frustration.
* Doesn’t demand attention (gets it.)
* Patience is controlled, not endless.
__________________________________________________________
After having dinner, they decided to have a walk around the street. It wasn’t too crowded. A quiet place, with a small open courtyard, tucked between old buildings. Warm lights, muted conversations, nothing overwhelming. With colorful, unorganised shops scattered around.
Just enough space for reactions to be seen clearly.
Jeongukk had noticed it the second they stepped in.
Not the place. The intention.
“You chose this carefully." Jeongukk said.
Jimin hummed, like he didn’t care, but he did.
They kept walking in silence, besides each other.
Jeongukk's eyes roaming around, observing surrounding.
Jimin’s eyes flicked up briefly, sharp. Throwing daggers at Jeongukk.
“You know... people usually take time.” Jimin said suddenly. “To like someone.”
“They do.”
“You didn’t.”
“No.”
“You don’t get overwhelmed?” Jimin asked suddenly. “With people and situations. Like this."
Jeongukk stopped at that, turning his body completely towards Jimin.
Jimin has just given himself away, just like that. Naive.
“No.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“It’s not hard for me.”
Jimin leaned forward, hands behind his back.
“What about when something goes wrong?” he asked. “When things don’t go your way.”
“They usually don’t.”
“That doesn’t answer it.”
Jeongukk's gaze didn’t shift, but became heavier. More sharp. "I adjust things my way."
“What does that mean?” Jimin asked, voice lower now.
“It means." Jungkook leaned forward, hand behind his back. Mimicking Jimin. “I have more patience than you think.”
Jimin’s brows pulled together. Freezing for half a second, then narrowed his eyes again.
'He knew.'
Because this wasn’t someone reacting under stress. Jeongukk was aware, calculated and steps ahead of Jimin.
Observation Result — Behavior Under Stress:
* Doesn’t get overwhelmed.
* Stays controlled under pressure.
* Observes continuously.
* Adapts instantly.