Playlist for this chapter;
Idontwannabeyouanymore - Billie Eilish
Cry - Cigarettes After Sex
_

"Twenty dollars?" Jimin is digging his pocket, opens his wallet. Gives the money to the taxi driver. "Keep the change. Thank you." He bows and fixes his sleeves. Looks around at the crowd entering the event venue. Its pretty crowded. Big banners hung. Some food vendors selling small items for their daily income.

It's twelve in the afternoon, the event about to start in an hour and Jungkook was still not here.

As he looks around, he finds a young kid no older than seven or eight selling handkerchiefs.

Jimin goes to him.

The little kid is standing with a makeshift stand hung around his shoulders. The bundle of handkerchiefs neatly arranged on a cloth, and a small bottle of water clutched in his hand. Although his eyes were worn out he looked determined and kind.

"Hey bud," he calls and the kid looks up, "What's your name?"

The kid smiles, "My name is Minjun, sir."

Jimin crouches down to the boy's level, offering a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Minjun. What are you doing out here in this heat?"

Minjun straightened his stiff shoulders, his voice steady and mature beyond his years. "I'm selling handkerchiefs, sir."

Jimin nods, "Where are your parents, Minjun?"

With his smile still there Minjun replies, "My parents are in the hospital because of food poisoning, and I need to earn money to help them." He blinks, his gaze now at the handkerchiefs his mother used to make before she got admitted with his father in the hospital.

Jimij felt a pang of empathy. The boy's courage and responsibility at such young age, it truly moved him. "That's very brave of you, Minjun. How are they doing?"

Minjun's face lits with small, hopeful smile. "They're getting better, but we still need money for their treatment and medicines."

Jimin reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, handing Minjun few bills. "Here, take this. It should help your parents. And yes I'll take few handkerchiefs."

Eyes of Minjun widened in gratitude, but he hesitated. "Thank you, sir, but that's too much. I can't take it." But Jimin doesn't listen, gently places the money in Minjun's hand.

"You're doing a great job, Minjun. This is just a little help from me. Your parents are lucky to have such a wonderful son."

Listening to that, Minjun's eyes filled with tears, but he quickly wiped them away, nodding fervently. "Thank you, sir. I'll make sure to use it wisely."

From a distance, Jungkook watched the scene unfold. He had arrived few minutes ago, and had stumbled upon this moment. The way Jimin interacted with the boy, his genuine concern and kindness, left a significant mark on his heart.

He saw Jimin just not as a friend but as someone with a deeply compassionate soul. The contrast between his high class background and the simplicity and sincerity of his encounter was truly commendable.

As Jimin looked up, Jungkook caught his eye and smiled. Jimin returned his smile.

The scene had not only touched Minjun but also how Jungkook perceived Jimin. The bond of friendship and respect for him just increased in this one moment.

"Hey," Jungkook removes the invitation from his pocket, "Ready to go in?" He smiles and Jimin takes a last glance at the boy leaving the venue to go the hospital. Looks back at Jungkook, "Sure, I've been waiting." And Jungkook hungs his arms around him. "Let's go, mate." He smiles wide, eyes crinkling in softness and Jimin can't take his eyes off him.

+++

"Shut-up, I'm not." Jimin has his hands up in surrender, "What if you murder me?" He denies blindingly his eyes. "I do not trust you."

Jungkook deadpans, "I'll kill you–no–I can kill you without a blindfold too, so just freakin listen to me."

"But—"

"Dude—listen to me once will you?" Jungkook groans, slaps his back asking him to stand straight and not move around. Jimin gives in at the end.

For some reason after the event Jungkook has taken Jimin to some quiet place and has asked him to blindfold. Its a very quiet place and he's highly suspicious of his kiddish actions. Can't even guess what he's up to.

"Forward your hand." Jungkook after blindfolding Jimin goes to the front. Jimin hesitated, but extended it eventually, totally unaware of what was coming.

Few seconds later Jimin feels Jungkook's palm grazing his hand and suddenly his heart quickened up. "Hey—what the fuck are—" and he feels something in his wrist. Something around his wrist.

"Remove the blindfold, Jimin."

He does and drops his eyes at the bracelet around his wrist. It's a small beaded bracelet attached with a padded lock. He brings up to his eyes to find the year written with a letter J.

Jungkook extends his hand towards him at the same time. Shows his bracelet to him. "A matching customized bracelet, for us." Jungkook smiles softly, his hand finding his at the same time.

"Thank you for today, Jimin." His voice has fallen few octaves lower. "It meant a lot to me, what you did today." His hands are now clasped in his. "Someone like you is one among millions." He breathes heavily, "I'm sure it would've been hard to take permission from your father to attend this or even buy the tickets for invitation in the first place."

No words has affected him as much Jungkook's words are doing to him. It's nigh-time. Breeze heavy. A soft glow at Jungkook's face.

"Kook, these are... beautiful." He is mesmerized. His voice barely above a whisper. There's a lump in his throat.

"I just wanted to thank you." Jungkook admits, clasps his hand around him, his eyes meeting with his, "You're the best friend I could ever ask for." He said, his voice warm and genuine.

As Jungkook glances down at both of their bracelets, Jimin feels an overwhelming urge of emotions. Watching Jungkook so close and yet so unaware of the turmoil inside him.

Jimin's heart ached with a longing he hadn't recognized until now. "Jungkook," Jimin started, his voice wavering. He wanted to say him more, to tell him everything he was feelinf in this moment. But the words caught in his throat. Instead, he reached out and hugged Jungkook tightly, pouring all of his unspoken emotions in the embrace.

Jungkook gets taken aback, but calms down and pats his back. "Thanks to you."

"Always." Jimin whispered, "Anything for you." He had come on terms now. What he's been feeling since these past few days or maybe months.

And all he wants is to run away from it. Deny it. Deny it. Deny it.

+++

Hahaha yess that was for today, will post new chapter sooon ;)
This is gonna be a short book. Maybe 15-20 chapters?
Let's see
Until then, take care <3

Amxnx