__________________________

Don't forget to comment and vote if you enjoy!
__________________________

🐰

It's day 11 of being here in 2027. It's almost been two weeks since I came here which is crazy. It's such a long time and I should probably start working a bit faster. The time moves equally fast in 2109 and 2027. 11 days is a long time and my coworkers may start to get worried, but they can't do anything about it.

The only way to go back is when the light on the traveler watch turns green when you've completed my mission—or if it turns red and you've fucked up, but I've never seen that happen before. My team leader at TravelTen, Dohyun, will get the signal on his computer and he will then get me home within 24 hours, the time depends on whether it's working hours or not. I have no control over when I get sent back, but my watch starts beeping about 10 minutes before I'll be going, so I can get somewhere where no one will see me.

I don't want to worry my co-workers, but I'm sure they trust that I know what I'm doing. Still, I should really hurry up with finishing this mission, but... I don't know if I want to hurry anymore.

"Is something wrong?" Jimin's voice pulls me out of my thoughts and I look up from the table where my food has just arrived in front of me.

But I have to differentiate my work and personal life. I can't succumb to my feelings and rewrite the whole time line by staying here. I should've never gotten my feelings involved in this case. So, here I am, with the last member I have to convince.

I force a smile as I look Jimin in the eyes, "No, everything is fine." I lie.

When I went looking for Jimin, he was not in the hospital anymore. It relieved me that he got out, but also disappointed me as I had to go looking for him then. But it wasn't that hard as the receptionist at the hospital bluntly shared with me, where Jimin lived. To be honest, it didn't even surprise me as I've come to learn that privacy is something you can shove up your own ass here in 2027.

I never got to his home however I walked past him on his street. I approached him immediately and even though he said he had plans, it wasn't hard to convince him to grab a quick lunch with me after I mentioned Jungkook.

Jimin and Jungkook are still friends and I don't think I need to convince Jimin much, but I want to let him know about the plan too. And even though I shouldn't be, I am interested in his story as well.

"So you're Jungkook's friend." Jimin says after taking a sip of his drink and placing it on the table.

It sounds more like a statement and something he's telling himself than like a question, so I don't answer. Jimin tilts his head and a frown accompanies the hair falling over his forehead.

"I've heard about a girl, but he didn't mention any name."

My stomach does a flip as Jimin says that Jungkook has talked about me. I want to know what Jungkook said, but I pull myself out of it. I shouldn't let my feelings interfere for any longer and I choose to stay silent again.

Jimin starts playing with the food on his plate and I do too, starting to eat. I look over at Jimin and see the unpleased expression on his face as he takes a bite of his sandwich. It makes me lose my appetite as I feel a sadness clench my heart.

"So, why did you want to talk to me?" Jimin says and puts his sandwich down after a long time of debating whether or not to take a bite.

"Right," I say and shift in my seat, sitting up straight, "Since your Jungkook's friend too, I don't think I need to explain much..." Jimin hums and leans back in his chair. He runs a hand through his hair and I can't help but admire his handsome features for a moment.

I clear my throat before continuing, "Jungkook is not coping well with his mental health lately, as you probably know," Jimin nods, "I know why."

"You do?" Jimin asks to which I nod, "I thought he didn't talk about it with anyone." Jimin mutters.

"He didn't tell me. I figured out myself." I await Jimin's reaction, but he keeps silent and waits for me to speak further.

"I have convinced Namjoon, Hoseok, Seokjin and Yoongi to meet up a day to see if it'll work out and you all—"

"Hold up," Jimin interrupts me and he's shifted to the edge of his chair sitting in a less relaxed position, "You did what?"

"I talked to them, figuring Jungkook needed you guys as a group again." I admit hesitantly, as my confidence is knocked down by Jimin's reaction.

"Now why did you think that was a good idea?" Jimin almost looks upset and I shrink in my spot.

"Jungkook is lonely Jimin, you know that. He needs his old friends. I've observed him and he misses them constantly, he's not even able to make new relations, he's given up." I reason.

Jimin is not looking at me anymore. He's leant back in his chair again and he's looking to the side, shaking his head as if he doesn't believe what I'm saying.

"You guys were best friend and you all split up in the matter of days. Jungkook didn't know anything else but spending time with you guys, you raised him. As I confronted the members I found out that they miss each other too, it's not only Jungkook and I can easily tell that you need them too—"

"I don't need them." Jimin corrects me, still looking to the side.

"Tell me why you're not eating anything. Tell me why you were in the hospital last week and Jungkook sat by your side, crying, scared of losing the only brother he had left. Tell me why he was begging you to stay healthy while holding your hand that had a tube attached to it." I dare him bluntly without thinking twice.

"I—How do you know?" Jimin is now looking at me. His eyes are glossy.

"I know because I care about Jungkook. He's pretending he's okay, he even wiped away his tears when you told him not to cry." My voice comes out a bit stronger than intended and I sigh afterwards, muttering a sorry.

"You didn't answer my question." Jimin voices.

"You didn't answer mine." I look up to meet his eyes again. My voice is more calm this time and I speak gently, not wanting to piss him off accidentally.

"Right, I'm fucked up, is that what you want to hear? I'm weak and fragile and my depression is weighing on Jungkook, I know it, you don't need to remind me. I lost my fucking best friend. I guess you know this, but I feel like I need to remind you because of how insensitive and reckless you're being right now." Jimin raises his voice slightly, "I lost my fucking best friend, how do you expect me to be fine? I tried being strong, but I'm not. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't be strong for Jungkook and I'm sorry that he's affected by my coping but I can't help it. I fucking miss him, so much. I'll never get over it, I'll never be okay. Taehyung he—" Jimin breaks into sobs in front of me.

I feel terrible as I watch the guy in front of me break down. I hate how insensitive I can be when I get greedy and impatient, only thinking of convincing the other part to my advantage without thinking about how my words can potentially hurt them.

"Jimin, I'm sorry that's not what I meant." I mutter. I reach a hand across the table, and grab his hand, stroking it lightly, "That's not what I meant." I repeat in a soothing voice.

Jimin tries to control his sobs, wiping away his tears, "I know. I just miss him all the time." Jimin whispers.

I stay quiet for a moment, feeling affected by the situation. It's tough to see Jimin feeling this somber. I swallow thickly feeling the emotions well up in me.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up. I'm so selfish, I just want Jungkook to feel better and I completely forgot about your feelings and I should've never brought up your health, fuck I—I'm sorry Jimin." My voice is thick and hard to push through. I hold back my tears, not wanting Jimin to feel bad, because he did nothing wrong. I'm just so terribly affected by this whole situation and I'm mad at myself for using Jimin's weakness against him.

"It's okay Y/n." Jimin removes his hand from under mine and places it on top, taking my hand into his, "I'm happy to see someone care for Jungkook as much as you do."

My gaze drop and I face away from him, not wanting him to see the tear falling down my cheek.

His words remind me of what I'm doing and how I'm feeling. I shouldn't care for Jungkook as much as I do. I should only care for him to the extend necessary to complete my mission. I shouldn't be feeling this emotional and I shouldn't be feeling my heart clench as I think of leaving him.

I pull my hand back slowly, drying my eyes before shooting Jimin a smile. One which I try to make seem cheerful but it most likely looks wistful.

"I'm happy he has you Jimin." I admit.

I'm happy Jungkook has someone that seems to care about him like Jimin does. I'll have to leave, and Jungkook will need others to care about him.

"I'm happy I have him." Jimin smiles and also dries his eyes. He lets out a chuckle which turns into a laugh, "Look at us crying in the middle of a cafe."

I laugh along with him. I didn't even think about how we were in public right now.

We start talking about other things that makes both of us in a better mood. It's quite difficult to hold a genuine conversation with Jimin as he's asking a lot of questions about me that I cannot answer, but I try to dodge them as much as possible. I shove the questions to him and I get to know him quite well. He reminds me a lot of myself, which makes me feel comfortable in his presence.

Jimin never finishes his sandwich, which concerns me a bit, but to be honest the food here is not the best and I leave my plate unfinished too.

Jimin and I say our goodbyes. We unite in a tight hug and I feel myself gettin emotional again as I realize how lucky Jungkook is to have Jimin and how unlucky I am to have to leave both of them.

I never got a direct answer if Jimin was in on the plan of reuniting, but really I don't think I even needed to convince him in the first place. I did this to inform him and get to know his story, which I succeeded in. Jungkook would probably tell him anyway, which makes me relax. Jimin seems like the type of person to do anything to please others, as far as he can. He's such a kind soul.

I meander through the streets of Seoul, deciding to walk back to my hotel rather than taking a taxi. It hits me that I've talked to all the members and that my mission is coming to an end.

I decide to walk, as I would like to enjoy the last time I've got left here in this decade—and because I would like a coffee from Starbucks before I get home.

I'm not going to miss the dirty streets and dry air here, but it's always kind of melancholic when I'm done with a case and have to leave.

I still have things to do here though. The members haven't reunited and I'm not sure if I have to set up a date and place for them to meet. I'll have to figure that out when I come home, but right now I'm just enjoying my walk.

I observe people I walk past. Some are holding hands, some kids are walking around in school uniforms which I find quite fascinating as we don't have that anymore in my year. I pass by some old couples and smile at them as we lock eyes, but then don't smile back. Maybe I should've bowed, I'm still not content with all the formality.

A group of young boys pass me. They're teasing each other but with a smile on their faces. My mind wanders to BTS and to Taehyung. I would've really liked to meet Taehyung. He was a part of their group and I'd like to be able to reunite all of them as a completed friend group—but sadly I'm working with suicides, not accidents and I cannot save Taehyung from the horrible accident, no matter how much I want to.

Another young couple passes by me and wakes me from my thoughts only to bring me into new ones. They're holding hands and the smiles on their faces tell me everything—they're deeply in love.

I think about Jungkook and I. I'm not sure what it is about him, but I want to stay with him. I want to walk down the streets of Seoul like that couple, holding Jungkook's hand and feeling secure. I want to see if our feelings could blossom, I want to know more about him. I want to be there for him and with him. I—

...think I really like him.

I don't want to leave.

I chuckle a bit as the thought strikes me. Jungkook makes me want to stay in trifling 2027 where nothing is like I'm used to and how I like. I'm crazy.

But my heart clenches and my chuckle fades as my imagination is unrealistic, unethical and stupid.

I can't stay here. As much as I want, wish, try to, I can't. It's not my choice and it's tearing me up inside.

🐰