Chapter Text
The next morning came softer than expected.
Jimin woke up still half-wrapped in yesterday’s exhaustion, but lighter somehow.
He went through his routine. Taking a shower, having coffee and eggs while talking to the small plant.
Standing in front of his closet for way too long before settling on something simple but nice.
Before leaving, he grabbed his phone.
Good morning🥱
A second later, he added.
Have a good day.💌🙈
Then slipped phone back into his pocket and headed out.
Outside the building hallway was the same. The stairs were the same. The creaking sound of entrance door was same too.
But the moment Jimin stepped outside. One thing was different.
Because parked right in front of his building, was sleek, black, impossible to ignore was the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Jeongukk's car. Who was sitting inside, but looking at him.
Waiting.
Jimin’s brows lifted slowly, surprise spreading across his face as he took a few hesitant steps forward.
The drivers side door opened. Jeongukk stepped out. Dressed sharply like always.
Untouchable.
He didn’t say anything at first.
Just looked.
Slowly from head to toe. Taking Jimin in.
Checking.
Making sure.
Jimin felt the weight of that gaze. Heat creeping up his neck as he approached the taller.
“Good morning?” he tried, half confused, half amused.
Jeongukk walked closer to him and stopped right in front of him.
Too close for just a casual morning.
Jimin tilted his head. “What are you doing here this early? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“You didn’t meet me yesterday.”
Jimin blinked.
“You didn’t pick my calls.”
Another step closer.
“You didn’t talk.”
Jimin stared at him for a second, then he suddenly smiled fondly.
“Aww...you’re sulking.”
Jeongukk's expression didn’t change.
Jimin laughed under his breath, lifting his hands and without warning, gently squishing Jeongukk's cheeks.
“God, you’re cute.”
This time, Jeongukk froze. Shocked to his core. His expressions literally showing on his face.
Eyes widened just a fraction, as Jimin grinned at him like he hadn’t just casually broken every boundary known to the violent man.
“You came all the way here because you missed me?” Jimin teased, still holding his face. “That’s kind of adorable.”
Jeongukk slowly blinked. Hands twitching slightly at his sides.
"Get in." he said instead. Bringing his composure back.
Jimin let go, still smiling. “Bossy.”
Jimin relaxed into the seat. Unbothered. Tuning in his favorite radio channel. While Jeongukk drove in silence.
“Yesterday was insane.” Jimin started, turning slightly toward him.
Jeongukk just looked at him a brief second, as a response. Then at front.
“Hoseok and Minsoo bullied me the entire time.” Jimin continued. “Minsoo almost fainted when he found out what car you have.”
“Ofcourse.” Jungkook said dryly.
Jimin laughed. “He literally said it’s not a car, it’s a life decision. And Hoseok said I have ‘evolved’? because I kissed you.”
Jeongukk's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
Just slightly.
Jimin didn’t notice.
“They’re both insane.” he finished, smiling.
Silence settled for a second.
But Jimin’s mind drifted.
Back to yesterday.
When are we meeting him?
Jimin hesitated. Then glanced at Jeongukk.
“Hey, umm...they want to meet you.”
Jeongukk's shoulders went a little rigid. “Why?”
Jimin shrugged lightly. As if the answer was self explanatory. “Because they’re my friends? And they’re curious about you."
A pause.
Jeongukk's fingers ingers tapped against the wheel.
Thinking.
“I don’t…do that." he said after a moment. “Crowd. People.”
“It’s not a crowd.” Jimin said quickly. “It’s just Hoseok and Minsoo. They’re harmless. Mostly.”
Silence.
Jimin watched Jeongukk's reaction. Not missing it this time. The slight tension, the way his posture had changed.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to." Jimin added, softer. “It’s okay.”
Understood but disappointed.
Jeongukk looked at him, ears catching on, on his faked sadness.
Soft exhale left his mouth, a something near a smile. "It’s fine.”
Jimin blinked. “Yeah?”
Jeongukk nodded once, eyes still on the road. “If you want it.”
The words were simple.
Jimin’s face lit up instantly. “Really?”
A small nod.
“That’s great!” he said, genuinely excited now. “I’ll arrange something. Nothing too crazy, I promise.”
“Okay.”
Jimin leaned back into his seat, smiling to himself.
Already planning. Speaking out loud. Thinking about how chaotic it was going to be.
Completely unaware of the way Jeongukk's mind was already calculating.
Because this... letting people into something he kept controlled, wasn’t natural to him.
Wasn’t comfortable.
But Jimin wanted it, so he’d allow it. Even if every instinct in him resisted.