[a/n]

soundtrack continuation: play video! (if you want😊)

you may need to turn up the volume after the door slam

sound effect if you want to hear the song more clearly

The door slammed shut behind him and, with the music now muffled, Jimin could breathe again.

He took a few steps and stopped next to the pool. The weekend was forecast to be unseasonably warm for mid-October and the pool had not been emptied or covered. Its lights below the surface of the water cast a faint blueish-green glow.

He watched the automatic filter floating along the walls, creating ripples and disrupting the beams of moonlight on the surface of the water.

Jimin sat next to the ladder and reached down to create soft waves in the cool water.

He let out a sigh.

Why did Yoongi have to be in his life again this way? And why did it have such a huge effect on him? Why did his emotional scars suddenly burn with the same intensity as when the wounds were inflicted?

And why did he want to take everything out on Hoseok?

He could hear the muffled music picking up behind him and decided to take off his shoes. He rolled up his pant legs and dipped his feet into the water, letting the sensation distract him if only for a short time.

He watched the moonlight dance across the pool and marveled at how some things just didn't care how he felt and went right on being beautiful.

Before long, he was thinking of how much he just wanted to sink to the bottom of the pool.

-   -   -

This is why you don't go to a party with a couple, Jungkook thought.

Yoongi and Hoseok were off dancing and he didn't have anyone to talk to - save for a short girl that he briefly chatted with earlier in the night. But now she was unabashedly staring at him and honestly freaking him the fuck out.

He made up an excuse, even feigned receiving a text in order to bail himself out of any further interaction and began ambling aimlessly around the party.

He happened to glance out the window and saw a figure sitting by the pool. He squinted and recognized the profile of one of Hoseok's friends. They'd been introduced earlier and, though Jungkook remembered his face, he could not remember the name [🙃] to go along with it.

Jungkook grew increasingly concerned when he wondered if the boy might be drunk and sitting beside an open pool by himself. He felt compelled to go check on him.

Jungkook went outside and saw the boy's posture turn rigid following the sound of the door slamming behind him.

Whoops.

He hadn't meant to make such a loud noise.

He watched a hand dart up as the boy hastily wiped tears off his face.

"Hey, are you okay? Why aren't you inside at the party?" He asked softly once he reached the side of the pool. For several moments, Jungkook thought maybe the boy didn't hear him, so he took a breath to begin again.

"I'm fine," came a whispered tone.

That clearly wasn't true.

Jungkook sat and looked at Jimin.

Jimin. That was his name. Seeing him up close made the memory click in his brain.

"Jimin-- it's Jimin right? Hoseok introduced us earlier, not sure if you remember."

"Yeah. You're Y-Yoongi's roommate?"

"Yep... Jimin, why are you out here alone?"

"I just can't be in there with Yoon--" Jimin's mouth snapped shut.

"Yoongi? Why? Did he say something stupid to you? I wouldn't worry about it, he's kinda moody and sarcastic. But if he really bothered you, I'd be happy to go back in there and heckle his dancing." He unleashed his bunny smile hoping to cheer the blond up even a little, but he merely slumped against the pool ladder.

Jimin kicked the water with his left foot. "No. He didn't say anything. We just... have a history I guess you could say? Clearly not as important to him as it was to me if this is the first night you've heard my name."

Jungkook just stared at the water, not knowing what to say. Yoongi had never mentioned Jimin, and they'd talked about past relationships with each other when they came up in conversation over the years.

Jimin continued, "I guess I wasn't prepared to see him here... and with somebody else."

"I'm sorry. Do you want me to leave? I mean, I wasn't enjoying the party either, but if you'd rather be alone..."

There was a prolonged silence after Jungkook's voice trailed off. He watched Jimin, whose teary eyes reflected the caustics** kaleidoscope set forth by the swaying water inside the pool.

"No. You can stay if you want." Jimin glanced toward him, offering a weak smile

A full minute of silence passed as Jungkook looked out at the water, not really sure what to talk about... or if he should talk at all. "So... Hoseok said you're a vocal coach? That's really cool. I'm in school right now for photography and film--"

"Look... um...?"

"Jungkook."

"Right. I don't mean to be rude, Jungkook, but can we just sit quietly for a while?"

Jungkook nodded and watched Jimin lean his head back onto the ladder, staring into the night sky.

He decided then that he wanted to make Jimin forget all about whatever past he had with Yoongi.

Of course, how could he know that he would one day regret it?

[ a/n ]

**fun fact, i learned the word caustics about a year ago.

it's the scientific name for the pattern created on a surface when light bounces off of water,

like you might see from a pool.

(🌈 the more you know 🌈)

even though it looks like light, technically, it's considered a type of shadow.

take from that what you will in regards to my story... 🙃

also, friends, if you turned up your volume

remember to turn it back down

i want to protect your earrrrs

💜