Chapter Text
Jimin doesn’t remember the ride back home. Not properly. Just flashes of lights passing, the quiet hum of the car, his own reflection in the window looking… off.
Jeongukk had asked him to drop off personally, but he refused. So in the end he went back with Hajun.
No conversation, no glances. Just silence. By the time he reached home, it was late.
Upon entering, he dropped his bag on the floor, standing there for a second, as if huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Then plopping himself on the small couch.
“What even was that?”
Jimin ran a hand through his hair. Emotionally exhausted.
Jeongukk, who was annoyingly normal.
Not flashy. Not rying too hard to impress him. Not even pushing.
Just there. Listening. Watching.
Jimin pulled his legs up, resting on the coffee table in front. fingers fiddling with throw blanket. Absentmindedly.
“Within a week?” he scoffed softly, shaking his head. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
It didn’t. Atleast not to him. People don’t just decide it like that.
“And he was so serious." he said quietly. The words hanging there. Which was the most unsettling part.
Not the interest. The certainty.
Jimin groaned.
“Great. Perfect. Exactly what I needed.”
He silently stared at walll in front of him, for few minutes. Then he reached out for his phone. Calling.
It rang twice...
“Jimin?” Hoseok’s voice came through. “Do you know what time it is or...”
“I went to dinner with him.”
“With who?”
Jimin sighed. “Mr. Jeon.”
"Oh.. OH...!" Hoseok hooted. “That sounds like a story.”
“It is." Jimin said, standing up and starting pacing around his tiny living room.
“Start talking.”
So he did. Not everything in detail, but enough.
Their banters throughout the week, conversations. His last day. Then Jeongukk appearing at workshop, after a day. Telling, how he like him.
Jimin finished with frustrated sigh. “A week Hyung. Only in a week.”
Hoseok hummed thoughtfully on the other end. “And?”
“And? what do you mean and?” Jimin stopped pacing. “That’s insane.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“Or is it just new?”
Jimin opened his mouth, then paused. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Turn this into something logical.”
“I’m not." Hoseok said lightly. “I’m just asking.”
Jimin exhaled sharply. “He said he’s interested. Like it’s nothing. Like it’s normal.”
“And you said?”
“I said I need time.”
“Good.”
Jimin frowned. “Good?”
“Yeah." Hoseok replies. “You didn’t run.”
“To be honest, i wanted to.”
“But you didn’t.”
Jimin leaned back against his two person dining table. Lost and thinking. Hard.
“He doesn’t make sense.”
“People don’t always have to.”
“He’s too… sure.”
“And you’re not used to that.”
Jimin didn’t answer. Because, yes. That’s exactly it. He has been alone in his life for so long, that it felt like a part of him. People never stayed without a reason. Expect for his mother, and Hoseok. Not even his own father.
Hoseok’s voice softened, knowing Jimin. “Did he pressure you?”
“No.”
“Made you uncomfortable?”
Jimin hesitated. "No.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
Jimin stared at his mom's photo frame on the showcase, then at the floor. Too scared to admit anything.
“I don’t get it,” he said. “How does one, like someone just like that? That fast?”
Hoseok sighed, fondly. “Jimin-ah, people don’t follow timelines like it’s a rulebook.”
“That’s not helpful.”
“It is,” Hoseok insisted. “You’re trying to make it make sense before you even let it happen.”
Jimin pressed his lips together.
“I’m not telling you to fall in love with him." Hoseok added. “I’m saying… don’t shut it down just because it doesn’t fit what you’re used to.”
Jimin's mind went back to the restaurant.
The way Jeongukk didn’t rush him. Didn’t interrupt. Didn’t get angry or scowled, when Jimin pushed back.
He just… stayed. Calm.
“He gave me his number.” Jimin told.
“And?”
“Just... gave it. And said I can take my time.”
“That’s sounded genuine."
“You’re not helping Hyung."
“I am." Hoseok laughed. “You just don’t like my answers.”
“Which is?”
“Go with it.”
Jimin closed his eyes for a second.
"I mean... he is handsome, rich, one of the very few, eligible bachelor of our country. And obviously hot."
Jimin laughed at that. Thanking heavens, for no one being able to see blush creeping it's way to his face.
“Jokes aside, do it carefully.” Hoseok added. “At your pace. But don’t overthink yourself out of something before it even starts.”
A small pause. Then Jimin huffed quiet.
“I’ll think about it.”
“You’re already doing that.”
“Shut up.”
Hoseok laughed. So did Jimin.
And for the first time since dinner, Jimin’s chest felt a little less tight.
Still confused. Still unsure.
But more clear.