to say that the afternoon was not okay was an understatement, that could be categorized in two ways.

one, the stares jaebum would give jimin were nerve racking, as jimin didn't know why the former was staring at him, plus he didn't know where to look. it felt as if jaebum was trying to read him-- as if he knew something.

two, the issue with the customers. well, jimin wasn't a problem. he greeted the customers with a smile and served him successfully. yoongi on the other hand... let's just say he wasn't too good with the customers and leave it at that.

at the end of the day, mr. park decides to close shop a little bit late, as customers were still coming in at around 5 o'clock. it was half past 5 now. bambam and mark were still nowhere to be found. mr. park went ahead to the car-- leaving yoongi, jimin and jaebum to close shop.

jaebum was fixing some things at the back and jimin was about to, too, until yoongi grasped his arm, making the younger stop in his tracks.

"jimin," yoongi breathed out, "are you okay?"

jimin slowly turned to him, staring before he nodded. "yeah. i'm fine," he gave yoongi a smile, "i'll bring these to the back. it'll be quick." he pointed at the box of pastries in his hand, watching as yoongi scanned his face for uncertainty.

yoongi sighed. "okay," he let go of jimin's arm, "scream if you need help."

— — —

"hello there, jimin."

jimin almost-- almost flinches when he hears a voice slice through the previously silent atmosphere as he made some space for the pastries in his hand. quickly, he placed them into the storage, closed the fridge door and turned to jaebum with an unreadable expression.

"jaebum."

"so, yoongi's the new boyfriend?"

"yes," jimin answered steadily, "how have you been?"

jaebum hummed, stepping closer and jimin almost had the urge to step away, if it weren't for the fridge behind him. "oh, me? nothing much has changed," he shrugged, "still straight, you know?"

jimin gritted his teeth behind his lips, is he being a dick on purpose?

"oh?" jimin tried to sound as uninterested as he could, "that's nice."

jaebum tilted his head to the side, "are you happy with yoongi?"

"what," jimin laughed, "is with all the questions?"

jaebum shrugged. "nothing," he said absentmindedly, "just... yoongi might not be who he seems."

goddammit, jinyoung.

using the tone best for convincing, he spoke, "what are you talking about? yoongi is a very nice person, thank you very much. and i really, really, love him." he scoffed, trying to surpass jaebum who had somewhat cornered him, "now, if you'll excuse me--"

suddenly, he felt arms trap him against the fridge, hands against the surface on either sides of his head. he gulped, watching as jaebum scanned his face carefully, a smirk appearing on his lips as he leaned in close enough for jimin to feel his breath against his lips.

one second.

two seconds.

four seconds.

five seconds.

seven seconds.

nine seconds.

ten seconds.

jimin's frozen in fear as he feels jaebum's lips on his own. familiar, yet so foreign. he doesn't understand why it's happening and why jaebum is doing this but he quickly regains his senses as he presses his palms against jaebum's chest, pushing him away harshly, a disgusted look on his face.

"what the fuck even is your sexuality," jimin exclaimed, wiping his lips.

jaebum blinked at him, then smiled. "well, you let it happen. i gave you ten seconds," he stated, "you're still not over me, aren't you?"

jimin glared up at him. "well," he said, stomping his way towards the door and turning back at jaebum for the last time, "i certainly am now." before walking out the door, frustrated.

— — —

yoongi doesn't know what happened inside the back room but he definitely had a few guesses. on their way back to the house, jimin was quiet. too quiet. even when yoongi decidedly wrapped his arm around jimin's waist, the latter was still dead silent.

it went on, even until dinner. ah, dinner was nice, besides the fact that jimin was practically mute the entire time. taehyung was talking about some interesting science facts, yejin was conversing with yoongi which the latter thought was cute, although jinyoung was still staring at yoongi.

which made him wonder, really. what does jinyoung know? did the boy have guesses regarding yoongi and jimin's real relationship? did he just not trust yoongi enough? or does he think yoongi'll break jimin's heart?

who knows.

after dinner, yoongi volunteered in helping with the dishes. a conversation with mrs. park was quite cheeky and eventful.

("are you using protection?"

yoongi almost dropped the plate, "mrs. park, no! i mean, yes, we would-- but we haven't--"

"just messing with you.")

afterwards, yoongi, being tired and all, immediately went upstairs to jimin's room. once inside, he quickly spotted jimin on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. sighing lightly, yoongi strode over and sat on the empty space, staring at jimin's eyes which had a gaze glued to the ceiling.

"penny for your thoughts?"

"oh," jimin sat up, glancing at yoongi. "it'll cost more than a penny."

"how much for them?" yoongi asked. "a kiss?"

at those words, jimin flinched, legs stopping at their swinging motion. at this, yoongi frowned, immediately noticing.

"oops, sorry," yoongi said, a bit sheepishly, "did i make you uncomfortable?"

"no," jimin mumbled and continued to swing his legs back and forth on the edge of the bed. "it's just that... um."

"um?" yoongi pressed.

"well," jimin took a shaky breath, "jaebum. sort of... kissed me." he looked down at the floor, biting his bottom lip.

yoongi lifted his head, staring at jimin with slightly wide eyes. a feeling at the pit of his stomach started to brew, but he wasn't sure what it was. or why his face was beginning to heat up, certainly not due to the temperature of the room.

"he what?" yoongi wasn't sure, but perhaps he shouted those words.

"no, no," jimin said, worriedly, as he captured yoongi's hand with his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "it's fine, hyung. you don't have to beat him up. i'm fine."

"but it's not okay," yoongi frowned further. "he's your ex. he has no right. he's the one who broke up with you, why is he-- you have a boyf--" he stopped at that, trying to contain his feelings.

"just," jimin groaned, "it's fine. i'm okay." he turned to yoongi, giving him a pleading look. "you don't have to do anything. i'm fine."

yoongi's frowned slightly lifted although it didn't completely vanish. he reminded himself that mentioning the break up may still break jimin's heart. perhaps there were still some lingering feelings, although yoongi decided not to think too much of it.

jimin sighed. "please hug me."

"what?"

"you know," jimin shrugged. "hugs. the thing you do with your arms."

"why?"

"i don't know," jimin said. "i just want a damn hug. can you just--"

without any more hesitation, yoongi wrapped his arms around jimin, letting the latter rest his chin upon the older's shoulder. jimin tensed, unexpecting the sudden initiation, but soon relaxed, hugging back. without breaking the hug, jimin brought his legs up to the bed and yoongi did the same.

for five whole minutes, the two stayed like that, comfortable in each other's arms.

december 21

jimin had just woken up to the cutest sight ever. yoongi, yawning next to him, with his mint colored bed hair.

jimin chuckled lowly. "you look cute."

yoongi blinked at him, before rolling his eyes. "shut up."

jimin laughed, before stopping as he felt a small tug on his shirt. looking down, he spotted the small yejin in between yoongi and him, her arms now wrapped around jimin's waist.

"when did she..."

"she came here last night after you fell asleep," yoongi smiled, "asked if she could sleep with us because it was getting lonely in her room. she wouldn't let go of me the entire night. i guess she transferred to you."

jimin cooed, "she's warming up to you. how cute."

"yeah, well, unlike a certain somebody..."

jimin laughed. then glanced at the door. "do you feel like going out today?"

"hell no," yoongi mumbled, getting comfortable. "it's seven in the morning. also, we have nothing to do."

jimin hummed, closing his eyes. "right."

and just like that, the three of them were asleep once more.

— — —

"no," jaebum spoke into the phone. "i don't think yoongi's faking his interest on jimin. i think they're both faking it. some kind of tactic to make me jealous, maybe."

jinyoung sighed, thankful. "good. i just don't want my brother to get hurt."

"well..."

"oh, god. what did you do, hyung?"

"sorta kissed him."

silence.

"you know he's hurt. i wasn't there when he was, but whatever happens, i don't want to know that he's hurt again. so, answer me this, im jaebum. what the fuck are you planning?"

silence.

all jinyoung got in response was a light hum, more of mischevious sounding than anything.

the line went dead.