A/N: Please leave some comments and votes if you like this chapter ✨️

Jimin was seventeen and in eleventh grade when he fell in love with someone for the first time — just as described in one of his many manga. His heart beat faster when he was around him, and he stammered embarrassedly — a boy, for that matter, was the one who he fell for. 

Together with his twin brother Jaehyun, who was one level higher in twelfth grade, he attended high school in Geumgangri, a small town by the river. Unlike Jimin, Jaehyun loved to devote every spare minute to basketball and play in the school club. Jimin often had no choice but to wait so that they could go home together. 

Jimin was by no means a sports fanatic or had any idea about them. It was enough for him to know how to throw the ball in PE lessons so that he didn't just stand there and get a bad mark. That's why he sat down on one of the benches at the back of the gym in the afternoon. He quickly became bored and decided to take one of his manga with him to read. Because he could devour manga. He didn't care if anyone saw him; most of them were playing basketball anyway and ignored him. 

During the breaks, Jaehyun would sit with him or talk to his friends; he often envied him when it came to making friends. Jaehyun presented a year ago as an alpha and embodied more strength and muscle. He was interested in sports and extroverted, so it was easy for him to make friends. On the other hand, it was difficult for Jimin, as an omega, to make friends. Still, he was lucky enough to get along well with two of his classmates, which didn't make him feel lonely. 

"Careful!"

Jimin looks up too slowly. Within seconds, he feels a dull thud on the side of his head, his glasses shift and a basketball lands in his lap where he was just reading a manga. It dawns on him what has happened as a shadow looms over him and someone crouches down in front of him. A wave of coconut pheromones envelops him before he looks up into dark brown eyes full of concern. 

The other person's lips move, but Jimin can't hear what they are saying. It feels like he’s under a spell until the person snaps his fingers in front of his face. 

"Are you alright? Do I have to accompany you to the infirmary?"

"W-what?"

The student frowns and bites his lip, now squatting in front of him. Wet tips of his toffee-brown hair fall into his face and Jimin is horrified to realise how good-looking the student is. Like everyone else, he's wearing loose sportswear but he can't stop his gaze from wandering down to his arms and legs. 

"Maybe I should take him to the infirmary after all..." the student mumbles quietly and stands up. Just then, he stretches out a hand and places it under Jimin's arm, pulling him out of his trance in an instant.

"I—I'm fine," Jimin stammers and innerly curses the blush that rises to his face. Curious, he takes a closer look at the student and adjusts his glasses on his nose. Has he been at the basketball club all this time? Jimin has never seen him before. He remembers not seeing him the first few times when he was bored and watching. Maybe he was ill and that's why he was absent.

Jimin sees the student open his mouth but is interrupted by another student calling Jeongguk loudly across the hall. 

"In a second!" the student in front of him shouts back, turning his head towards the court. Annoyance resonates in his voice as his brows draw together and wrinkles form. Jimin is slightly taken aback as he turns back to him and studies his face. 

"Are you sure you don't want to ice it?"

Hesitantly, the alpha raises a hand and presses gently on the spot where the ball hit him. Jimin hisses and moves his head away from the student's fingers. The pressure is still there. Pouting, he mumbles, "Ow..."

"Sorry..." the other apologises softly and looks at him briefly. "I can't force you to go to the infirmary, but you'd better go if it hurts a lot." 

Sighing, Jeongguk stands up and stretches before looking at Jimin expectantly. When Jimin doesn't budge, he tilts his head and raises his eyebrows.

"What..."

"-the ball... Could you give it back to me?"

Jimin follows his gaze down to his lap and his cheeks turn pink. He has completely forgotten about the ball in the presence of the alpha. He quickly grabs the basketball and gives it back to Jeongguk with a shy smile. Embarrassed, he bites his lower lip and avoids eye contact until Jeongguk is back on the court.

Jimin lets his gaze wander back down to the manga in his hands. A tingling sensation arises in his stomach at the thought of the alpha. For some reason, the scene continues to float before his eyes, and he can't resist the temptation to take a quick glance and then a second. Jimin feels his wolf stirring inside him, and he feels inexplicably drawn to Jeongguk.

Jeongguk has won Jimin's attention with his appearance. He doesn't seem to be the walking cliché of an alpha, nor does he seem to have faked his concern, and that's what makes Jimin so curious to find out more about him.

Of course, Jimin wouldn't walk up to him and speak to him like anyone else. That requires courage, which Jimin doesn't have. At least not in Jeongguk's presence. Besides, what would he even talk to him about? He is sure that he would just blather on about stupid things and, in the worst case, he would be labelled weird again. Jimin would then no longer be able to meet him face-to-face.

So what else can he do but peek from the manga? 

Now, the times he is allowed to follow Jaehyun to training are suddenly no longer as boring as before. They also give him the perfect opportunity to use this as an excuse, as he hasn't spotted Jeongguk in the schoolyard at break time either, as if he's hiding from Jimin.

That’s what Jimin would love to do. Because Jaeyhun, who is now sitting in the second row with Jimin during a short break to share snacks with him, abruptly stands up and calls over to Jeongguk to throw the ball over from a distance of two metres. Jimin stiffens as Jeongguk stops dribbling with the ball and complies with his brother's request. Jimin's eyes widen as he comes towards them too, exuding confidence.

It's enough to increase Jimin's nervousness. If it wasn't for Jaehyun speaking up, Jimin wouldn't have been startled and turned his head away. "Have I already introduced you to Jeongguk? He transferred to the school this term and has already become a good friend of mine," Jaehyun introduces him and starts dribbling with the ball. "Jeongguk, this is Jimin, my twin brother."

"Ah, do you go into the same class as Jaehyun?"  

Jimin looks sheepishly at the floor and shakes his head, voice low. "I'm a class below him, in eleventh grade. I had a few problems at school and repeated a class..."

Jimin presses his lips together and stifles an unhappy groan. He blurted it out before he could stop himself. Why did he have to say that? He squeezes his eyes shut, bracing himself for judgment.

Does Jeongguk think differently of him now?

Jimin can't interpret his gaze, and that makes him more insecure. Jeongguk looks at him for a few moments until a gentle smile plays across his lips and makes him forget all his worries.

“Nothing to be ashamed of,” he says gently. “Everyone faces their own challenges. Please don't take offence, but you seem incredibly studious and I wouldn’t have guessed you had any previous struggles with school. Your focus and the way you handle yourself say otherwise. You seem perfectly content where you are, and honestly, it shows. You're obviously flourishing now.” 

Jimin peeks up at Jeongguk through his lashes, surprised to see a genuine smile playing on the alpha's lips. There is no judgment, only a warm acceptance that further fuels the spark of attraction Jimin feels stirring within him. "I—I just…like to read and get lost in stories.”

“He's right, Min,” Jaehyun chimes in, his voice firm. “Don't beat yourself up about something in the past. You're obviously a quick learner. Remember how you struggled with that advanced maths concept last semester? We spent weeks on it, but you eventually got it. You might learn at your own pace, but you're comfortable in your current grade, and that's what matters.” Jaehyun gazes at him, holding the ball in his hands. Surprised by his sudden seriousness and honesty, Jimin doesn't know how to react. Jaehyun doesn't often show this side of himself. Sometimes, they don't need to talk to each other because they have a good idea of what's going on with the other person.

He quietly mumbles a "thank you" before the coach calls Jaehyun and leaves Jimin and Jeongguk alone. Jimin is still sitting on the bench, nervously playing with his fingers. Jeongguk sighs, shoves his hands into the pockets of his sports trousers and sits down at a distance next to Jimin.

He grins uneasily. The alpha's presence makes him hyper-aware of his surroundings and so he notices when Jeongguk turns his body to face Jimin and lets his eyes drift downwards. He opens his mouth several times and closes it again. Jeongguk must be unsure what he wants to say.

“What person sits on the bench to read manga instead of watching the players play?”

“Someone who isn't all too interested in basketball.”

Jimin's eyes widen and shame spreads through him. Only too late did he realise that there was no malice in Jeongguk's voice, but curiosity. He doesn't know what possessed him to say that at that moment. Did it come across as too cheeky? 

Jeongguk chuckles. "That's an honest answer. I assume you only come here because of your brother then. So, what are you reading?"

Jimin nods. "All kinds of things, but my favourite is manga..."

"I've never read one before. What's special about it?"

Jimin thinks for a moment and weighs up whether Jeongguk really is genuinely interested. "There are various types of manga and it's hard to explain everything. But in general, they consist of lots of painted pictures and dialogue. There are many different manga. Also with- also with different couples," Jimin bites the tip of his tongue nervously and immediately falls silent. He really should stop blabbering on too quickly.

"When you say different couples, do you mean... well, couples of the same sex?"

"As well, yes."

Jeongguk looks at him in surprise. "As well? What else?"

Jimin opens his mouth and closes it again, unsure of what to say. A slight pink glow appears on his cheeks as he thinks through all the possible genres of manga and he prefers to keep to himself what genres there are to discover. Fortunately, the coach's voice rings through the hall, and Jeongguk bids him farewell as he has to get back to training.

Weeks go by and Jimin follows Jaehyun to training without any reluctance, always armed with a book in his hand. Neither Jaehyun nor he comment on the fact that Jimin now takes a seat on one of the benches in the sports hall without sulking.

He has been watching Jeongguk on the quiet ever since Jaehyun introduced them to each other. Jimin admires his basketball skills and how he plays the ball with effortless grace on the court and usually makes precise shots. 

Jimin sits tensely on the bench in one of the training sessions, book in hand but focused on the court as Jeongguk dribbles the ball towards the basketball net. Like the other players, he almost jumps joyfully when he successfully sinks the ball into the net.

Their eyes meet and Jimin feels a heat rumbling in his stomach. His fingernails dig into the cover of his book as he feels his Omega in overdrive. He smiles bravely at Jeongguk before burying his face in the book again, hoping innerly that no one saw him smiling proudly at Jeongguk.

Later that evening, Jimin decided to go to his favourite comic shop to look for new manga. Jaehyun had sent him a message saying he had invited a few friends over for a barbecue and was welcome to join them. He hasn't cancelled to Jaehyun directly, but he's not the type to join a group, most of whom he doesn't know. Many of them are bound to be alphas and making small talk with them is one of his weaknesses. Wasn't the conversation with Jeongguk a good start?

Jimin would rather lock himself in his room and read the new manga he has bought. It's summer and he could take the opportunity to lie down on a lounger in his garden. However, the sun sets later and Jaehyun and his friends will certainly want to take advantage of this. Jimin also doesn't want to come across as a taciturn or socially shy brother afterwards.

When he gets home, he juggles a stack of manga in his hands and arms so that he can dig the key out of his trouser pocket. Jimin has made his way back with more manga than he first thought. Part of the money he had saved had to be spent anyway.

Jimin pushes the door open with a weary sigh, letting it slam shut behind him as he enters the house. He shuffles in, overlooking a pair of shoes in the entrance area as he fumbles for the light switch. Click! One foot caches on a forgotten pair when he leans back and trips over them. A silent curse dies in his throat, colliding with someone as he loses his balance. The stack of manga he’s been clutching falls out of his arms on impact, scattering across the floor. Reaching out blindly into the air, Jimin suddenly realises the intoxicating scent of coconuts. His breath hitches and every muscle in his body goes rigid.

He instinctively reaches for the fabric of the other man's top and holds it tight to collect himself and his thoughts. This simple gesture gives him a sense of security and allows him to savour the moment. No matter how much he wants to linger like this, he realises with Jeongguk's deep voice next to his ear what position they are in.

"We shouldn't make a habit of meeting like this."

Gasping, Jimin recoils, eyes dropping to the floor in a mix of shame and panic. Manga lie scattered everywhere at their feet, their brightly colored covers mocking his clumsiness. One, a bold illustration of two men locked in what looks suspiciously intimate combat, seems to leer back at Jimin. He doesn't think twice and shoots his hand straight out to grab the book, collecting the rest of the manga and shoves them tightly to his chest in a desperate hug.

As he straightens into a standing position, a cold dread washes over him,. realising too late what Jeongguk is holding in his hands. He has been too slow. Way too slow.

His coconut scent grows stronger and he looks intently at the front cover of the manga, his gaze almost piercing. Jimin finds it difficult to remain calm and watch Jeongguk continue to hold it in his hands. 

In a split second, Jimin lunges forward. He snatches the manga from Jeongguk's grasp and tugs it hastily behind his back. A flush creeps up his neck, staining his cheeks a rosy pink. He feels Jeongguk scrutinising him intensely, gaze burning into him, making the heat rise even further. Jimin can't believe that Jeongguk just held a manga with an BL NSFW cover in his hands. How could Jeongguk be so nonchalant about holding a BL manga with...well, that kind of cover? Jimin bought it specifically after seeing good reviews.

"What kind of manga is this?" Jeongguk leans forward, his voice teasing as he shoves his hands in his pockets.

Jimin swallows hard, his throat suddenly dry. "N-nothing," he stammers, clutching the manga tighter. "Just a manga."

Jeongguk’s smirk widens. "But the cover looks interesting," Jeongguk teases, raising an eyebrow. "Can I see it again? I won't laugh either, I promise."

Jimin hesitates, chewing his lip thoughtfully under Jeongguk's intense gaze.

He pulls the manga out from behind his back and holds it out, an honest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth quickly. The worry in his stomach eases a little.

"So so…” Jeongguk drawls, taking the manga and flipping through it casually, “isn't it, uh, actually for someone over eighteen years old? Where did you get it from?"

Won’t he comment on the fact that he’s holding a BL manga in his hands?

"The comic shop," he mumbles, his cheeks burning, "and it's, uh, for ages sixteen and up."

Jeongguk raises an eyebrow and looks at Jimin with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. 

"Is that so?" Jeongguk muses, his eyes flickering back to Jimin. "I'm not sure if one can read it if they’re younger than eighteen."

Jimin's heart is pounding in his chest, his cheeks burning with embarrassment and anticipation. Relief at Jeongguk not laughing is quickly replaced by a prickling anxiety. Jeongguk's scrutinising look increases his unease and he can't help but squirm under it.

Jeongguk's teasing tone is in the air and makes the situation even more awkward. Jimin can't help but wonder if Jeongguk deliberately tries to embarrass him or if it's just playful banter. The uncertainty only makes Jimin even more embarrassed.

“Does Jaehyun know about this?” Jeongguk's lips curve into a sly, knowing smile. His scent intensifies, sending a shiver down Jimin's spine. The air crackles with an undercurrent of mischief, and Jimin can't shake the feeling that Jeongguk is up to something.

“No, he doesn't. Please don't tell him.” A look of sheer dread washes over his face. 

“Don't worry about it,” Jeongguk’s expression lightens, and he grins. “I won't tell him— If… you make me a bookmark. I've heard you have a knack for it and paint them yourself.”

“How do you know?”

“Jaehyun might have mentioned it to me one evening when discussing secret talents and passions. Your name came up, and I asked if he had a photo of them and— I'm sorry, that was supposed to be kept as a secret, no?”

Jimin has never made a bookmark for anyone other than his parents. He keeps most of the bookmarks he has already painted in a box hidden in his cupboard and rarely gives any out. Jaehyun must have shown him the one he gave his father—a white bookmark on which he has painted a dragon in green watercolours. He is really proud of it.

Jimin's lips press together in a slight grimace. He's flattered that Jeongguk likes the bookmark but doesn't know how he should feel about Jaehyun telling him about his talent. He's kind of baffled by it. Jimin didn't think Jaehyun would blurt it out for someone else, aware that he isn't comfortable with attention. But he didn't just tell anyone. He told Jeongguk of all people.

"In his defence," Jeongguk clears his throat and looks down at his hands, "he sounded very proud and just wanted to tell me how talented you are and that you like reading manga. I'm really impressed with your bookmarks, they're really beautiful."

His compliment makes Jimin's stomach tingle and he can't help but smile sheepishly at Jeongguk. He wonders if Jeongguk realises how shy he feels in his presence. "Thank you, I'm glad."

Jimin decides he can't pass up the opportunity to impress Jeongguk. After all, the alpha has only ever seen him with books in his hands. He wants to show him that he's good at something other than reading heaps of books. Various ideas are already popping into his head, and suddenly, the threat is forgotten and replaced with a challenge.

"I'll make you a bookmark. Do you have a specific design?"

Jeongguk shrugs his shoulders. "Not really. Can I say ‘surprise’ me?"

"Sure," Jimin nods and presses the manga more firmly against his chest so that there is no more air between them. "I just don't know if you'll like it then."

Jimin gives a startled gasp as Jeongguk leans forward and a grin forms on his face. "I'm pretty sure I'll like it no matter what you draw."

"I'll do my best," Jimin smiles shyly and looks down at his feet.

"I'm looking forward to it. It will motivate me to read books. Just what I need," Jeongguk says confidently and hands Jimin back his manga. "Now that we've sorted that out, would you like to join us at the barbecue or..."

Jeongguk falls silent as soon as his gaze falls on the manga in Jimin's arms, probably assuming that he won't be at the barbecue. "I guess you're not coming to the barbecue in your garden... Too bad. I won't keep you any longer then."

Jeongguk turns round with slumped shoulders and walks to the door leading to the garden. Just as Jimin breaks free from his stupor, Jeongguk turns back to Jimin at the end of the corridor. He thinks he sees disappointment reflected in his face, but Jimin is sure it's only in his head. "If you change your mind, you can join us in the garden anytime."

Perplexed, Jimin keeps his gaze fixed on him until the door closes behind him and he stands alone in the corridor.

🌑 

Jimin grumbles, dissatisfied and stares at the ceiling of his bed. The muffled bass vibrates through the walls and makes his bed vibrate ever so slightly. Annoyed, he grits his teeth, trying to block out the clamour coming from Jaehyun’s room, who’s there with his friends. Gone are the studious thoughts he'd been so meticulously about.

With a defeated sigh, he closes his eyes as if sheer willpower could silence the noise, so he can concentrate on the words in his notebook, which lies mockingly open on his stomach.

The voices of his brother and friends talking loudly and playing video games in Jaehyun's room drown out any thoughts. The noises of the video games and their laughter rob him of any motivation to study. 

Annoyed, Jimin tosses and turns on his bed, eventually rising from his bed and stretching. He steps into the hallway and eyes Jaehyun's closed door with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Maybe a quick peek wouldn't hurt? He could ask how long they plan to stay.

The unfamiliar voices that filter through the crack make him pause. It’s enough to make him freeze, hands turning slick with a sheen of sweat in his palms. He isn't exactly known for his social butterfly performances, and the thought of stepping into a room full of unfamiliar faces of strangers is enough to make him retreat back to the comfort of his own room.

Jimin decides to wait until his brother and his friends are gone. He heard earlier that they were planning to go to a diner a few hundred metres away, and Jimin wants to wait until then to leave the room. He doesn't feel like talking to them or listening to their loud comments, so he reaches for his phone and gets immersed himself in a game to distract himself.

After a while, a creak from the door jerks him back to attention. The voices, hushed before, rise in volume. He switches off his phone, throwing it on the bed and he listens intently as they head down the corridor towards the stairs.

Not much later, the front door slams shut and Jimin sits up. It has become quiet. Apparently, his brother and his friends have left.

Jimin takes the opportunity to get up. He wants to get ready and go to bed. As he walks past his brother's door, he takes a quick look inside. The room is empty, the bed is messy and the controllers are scattered all over the floor. 

Jimin raises an eyebrow and shakes his head with a sigh. He gets ready in the bathroom, slips into his pyjamas and takes a quick look in the mirror. The circles under his eyes are clearly visible, and his face looks puffy. Tired and exhausted from the day, he longs for his warm bed.

When he reaches his room, he notices the open door and is startled. He panics when he sees his rabbit's empty cage. Has she used the open door as an opportunity to hop away again? Not that Coco isn't allowed to do it, but Jimin is bone-tired, and he is ready to fall face forward onto the bed.

"Coco?" Jimin calls after the little white and brown ball of fur and raises his eyebrows. Where has the cheeky little fellow been hiding again? Coco is like his faithful companion. When he is lying on his bed, Coco occasionally comes to cuddle up to him or lie on his tummy. She's not very old yet, quite the opposite, but she's already like someone who's there for him when he's had a bad day or just wants a cuddle.

"Coco?" he calls out again. His voice sounds strained and his eyelids are fighting against tiredness. Where the heck is the little fellow hiding? No matter how fond he has become of the little one, he will never be able to get rid of her tendency to run out of the room out of nowhere.

Jimin takes another look in the corridor, but there's no rabbit's ear to be seen there either. Sighing, he turns away and looks again in another room and whines. "Where are you cutie, baby?"

Jimin is just turning around to go back to his room when he hears a noise behind him. He is startled and whirls around. Jeongguk is standing motionless in the corridor, the door behind him still open. He is holding Jaehyun's bunch of keys, which he apparently got from his brother to get into the house. 

He squeals and stares at Jeongguk with his mouth open. Jeongguk looks a little surprised and Jimin thinks he's lowering his gaze because he's embarrassed, but he doesn't expect Jeongguk's eyes to wander up and down his outfit. Only then does he realise that he is wearing cosy pyjamas. With a bear hood on his head, a fur-coloured top and matching shorts, he stands embarrassed in the corridor and lowers his bright red head to his chest.

"Jimin," he mumbles and steps closer. His gaze lingers on his top, causing Jimin's skin underneath to burn. Jimin automatically tugs at his sleeves and avoids his gaze. Jeongguk's scent, a mixture of coconut and a hint of almond, is heavier in the air and Jimin struggles against giving in to his omega instinct and inhaling the coconut pheromones deeply.

Magnolias and coconut go together perfectly.

Jimin slides back on his heels, embarrassed. He shakes his head like he's trying to shake off his thoughts. "I... er... I forgot something," Jeongguk says, swallowing hard. He jingles the bunch of keys in his hand. 

Jimin nods, still slightly embarrassed, and asks, "What did you forget?"

Jeongguk hesitates briefly, then throws out a weak laugh. "Nothing important, really. Just... my phone."

Jimin blinks, eyes widen. "Your phone? You left it here?"

Jeongguk nods and grins sheepishly. "Yep, seems like it. I thought I shoved it in my back pocket when I left with your brother, but it must have fallen out or I misplaced it."

Jimin nods in understanding. "Okay, no problem. Let's look for it together then." He turns and walks towards the kitchen, Jeongguk following him. "Did you forget it in the living room?"  Jimin asks, glancing over his shoulder. He would certainly have seen it, but he could easily have missed it as he was only looking after Coco.

Jeongguk shakes his head. "No, it's not there. I'm pretty sure the last time I had it was in Jaehyun's room."

They search his room and then the garden. They look on the chairs, in the grass and on the bed. But Jeongguk's phone is nowhere to be found.

"It's disappeared off the face of the earth," Jeongguk mumbles in frustration. "Sorry," Jeongguk says gloomily. "I really don't know where I left it."

"Nevermind," Jimin smiles encouragingly at him, "It's easy to lose a phone like that. Maybe it's in the living room or somewhere in the hallway," he suggests. Jeongguk may well have put the phone on the shelf while getting dressed. "You look in the hallway and I'll look in the living room, but I have to check something in my room first."

Hopefully, Coco is already back. Just because Jimin is feeling an adrenaline rush doesn't mean he wants to play hide and seek. As Jeongguk walks down the stairs, Jimin looks under his bed and takes a peek into the cage. Nothing. "Where are you? I put a carrot down for you."

No matter where he looks, he can't find the doe. Jimin sulks in disappointment and sits hunched over on the end of the bed, his legs bent and his arms wrapped around his knees. His expression is tense, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. Jeongguk's voice makes him look up. "Are you looking for the rabbit?"

Jeongguk stands in the doorway, leaning casually against the door frame. In his arms, he is holding a small white ball of fur, the bunny, which is resting peacefully. Jimin blinks in surprise. Jeongguk's expression is warm, and a gentle smile plays around his lips.

"Coco?" he whispers in disbelief and sits up.

Jimin slips off the bed and hurries to Jeongguk to gently take Coco from his arms. He gently strokes her fur and hugs her to his chest. His eyes shine with joy. "Coco, where have you been? I was so worried!" he scolds.

"I found her under the hanging shelf in the hallway. Where I also found my phone," Jeongguk explains.

Coco's fur feels soft and warm, and Jimin can feel his heart tighten. He glances up, catching Jeongguk’s gaze lingering on him. There's a flicker of something in his eyes – maybe a hint of admiration? The corners of his mouth curl upwards, a silent thank you for bringing Coco back. "Thank you for finding her. She is very dear to me. I've had her since she was a baby bunny. It feels like she's my soulmate."

Jeongguk shrugs and stretches out a hand, which he places on Jimin's head. Only now does Jimin realise that he no longer has his hood up. "Nothing to thank for." Jeongguk gently tousles his hair and grins. "You would have found her either way, I’m sure. But I'm glad I could help."

They stand there and look at each other for a while. Jimin feels his cheeks flush. Jeongguk's closeness and the gentle touch of his hair make him feel embarrassed. He releases himself slightly from Jeongguk's grip and fiddles with his pyjamas.

"Thanks again," he mumbles and shuffles his feet a bit. "I… um… I should get some sleep. It's getting late."

Jeongguk nods and smiles. "Yeah, me too, actually. I should go too."

He lingers for a moment, then blurts, "Hey, maybe we could catch up again sometime? I would like that."

Jimin is surprised. He didn't think Jeongguk would be so direct. But secretly, the idea of getting to know him better sparks a thrill.

"Yeah, absolutely," he smiles. “I’d love to.” 

He quickly takes Coco to her cage and offers to walk Jeongguk out. At the door, Jimin turns around and waves goodbye. Jimin watches him disappear around the corner before closing the door with a soft sigh. Leaning against it, he bites his lip, a nervous flutter in his chest replaced by a giddy excitement about what the future might hold.

_________

A/N: What are your thoughts about the first chapter?? 👀

If this chapter gets twenty votes by tomorrow I might drop the next chapter ♡