Chapter Text
It had been a very long day so far, holed up in the studio in his home, making changes to tracks and having countless zoom meetings with Shadow Sounds and various other people as the comeback preparations gathered pace. Yoongi had left Jimin sleeping early that morning as he had done every morning since everything had kicked off with Taehyung. He missed turning over in bed and pulling his boyfriend into his arms. He missed burying his nose in Jimin’s hair and how his forehead felt on his lips. He missed the sweet noises that his man made as he stirred awake in his arms and the kiss Jimin always left on his chin even before he’d opened his eyes. Yoongi’s heart ached when he saw their ‘His and his’ coffee cups on different sides of the kitchen because he was no longer in any room long enough for them to drink together like they used to. Every time he looked at Jimin he felt like his heart couldn’t shatter any more than it had the time before that and he didn’t know how much longer he could continue like this… he also didn’t know how to make things right.
The breath that he inhaled was heavy as he closed the studio door and padded bare footed towards the kitchen. He hated how there was a small part of him that hoped that Jimin wasn’t home yet so that he could grab a quick coffee and bite to eat then head back for the next meeting.
“Have you heard from Hobi or Tae?”
Yoongi slowed his walk when he heard Jin’s voice which obviously meant that Jimin was on a video call.
“I hope that was a question intended for comedic value?”
Yoongi loiters at the end of their hall to listen in. The sadness of his new reality hung heavily in the air, listening secretly because he wasn't sure if the love of his life had been honest with him when confronted.
“I’m asking because they are ignoring all of my calls and messages.”
“Are you surprised?”
“Jungkook didn’t take the money so I honestly don’t understand what their problem is now. We did what we did and we didn’t obviously give him enough credit as he was smarter than we thought. He didn’t take the money, went running to Tae who got angry. Hobi overheard some stuff and it is what it is. I thought they both would have moved on from it by now.”
Jimin took a breath, “Jin… we’ve lost two of our dearest friends and my boyfriend can’t bear to look at me. We might have thought we were doing the right thing but we weren’t.”
“What do you mean? Why has this affected you and Yoon?”
“Because I deceived him. I went behind his back and was so focused on doing what I thought was best when really if I’d listened to him, my life wouldn’t be falling apart around me. I was so fixated on getting rid of Jungkook but was it worth it? In the end it is what we did that has destroyed our friendships, not Jungkook or Emery… it’s us… we’ve hurt Tae and Hobi more than if we’d have just left it alone.”
“Perhaps we should’ve just let them hang themselves… we’ve made ourselves the bad guys, huh?”
“Exactly. Instead of interfering, if we’d just stepped back, maybe things would have run their natural course, I don’t know but anything would be better than this.”
Yoongi puts his hand over his mouth and takes a breath. It hurts so much to hear the tone of his boyfriend’s voice.
“You and Yoon will be okay though, right? You two have been together forever… you don’t get one without the other… it’s just always been you and Yoon.”
“He c-can’t even look a-at me…” Jimin sharply inhales a breath to stop himself from crying “... he gets out of bed before me every day… I… I’ve not kissed his chin in so long… th-that’s w-what I do, Jin. The way he looks at me…”
"Mochi, look… I'll be back before my birthday and I'll talk to Yoon. I won't allow you to take all the blame, I was in this as much as you. I'm still of the opinion that if the beggar had taken that money, none of this would've happened."
"Jin… we need to let that go. It has to be about trying to make things right now. I can't live like this… I used to have brunch with Tae, I used to be able to stop by Aura and EGO… I used to watch stupid dramas cosied up on my boyfriend’s lap… whatever we thought Jungkook was doing to ruin our lives is nothing compared to what is happening now and that's our fault. We have to try and make it better."
"We can talk about this more when I’m back. I’ll see if I can get back earlier than scheduled. I’ve got to go… hang in there, Mochi.”
Jimin nods as a tear trickles down his face and he reaches up to close the laptop. There’s a huge part of him that wishes he was in the States with Jin. The last four weeks had proven to be a living nightmare. He'd had to get used to the sinking feeling that plummeted in his stomach when he opened his eyes and saw the empty space beside him. He showered alone, got ready for work alone and in the last two weeks, he'd stopped calling out to say 'goodbye' as he left for Serendipity. Greta had asked him a few times if Yoongi was okay because he hadn't brought sushi in for a while. Jimin hadn't experienced such loneliness before and this was the worst kind of loneliness because Yoongi was in the apartment most of the time. He found that he was avoiding his family and making excuses to friends. Some nights he would get some sleep but mostly sleep evaded him. He was bitterly angry with himself for causing all this hurt, he genuinely believed he was doing the right thing to save Taehyung from Jungkook and the longer it went on, the suspicions grew and he couldn't help himself. There was a time when he was convinced that he'd never like Jungkook, never be able to spend time with him but now he doesn't have a choice because he'd royally fucked up and lost people that were important to him.
Yoongi swallowed several times to try and suppress the tears that welled up in his eyes. He wanted to gather his thoughts and compose himself before entering the room where his boyfriend was slumped in one of the armchairs. Yoongi needed to hear it from Jimin, he needed to know that he understood what he’d done and the impact their actions have had. There wasn’t any point in having the same conversation repeatedly and looking at his pained expression because he knew that Jimin would have probably said anything just to have Yoongi hold him again. The rapper wouldn’t usually have stood by and eavesdropped on a conversation but the fact that he knew his boyfriend had no idea he was listening made the words mean so much more. He has loved Jimin for as long as he could remember. When alcohol became a problem and he lost his grip on reality, his life rapidly dissipating before his eyes and not caring enough to do anything about it, it was Jimin who stepped up and saved him. They’d been friends for years and there had always been that special something about the stylist that he could never quite put his finger on but it was there. One particularly bad day, he’d been rummaging around looking for painkillers when Jimin arrived at his place to check up on him as he had been doing regularly. Yoongi had slurred something about needing pills and that had sent Jimin into a frenzy because he thought he was intending on doing something stupid. The fear was etched on his face and he’d begged Yoongi to fight to live because he couldn’t bear to imagine life without him. The rapper had only had a headache but from that moment he realised that he was in love with Jimin, even in his intoxicated state, he knew that much. As he sobered up and accepted that he needed help, booking himself into rehab, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place and he vowed to get well so he could be the man that Jimin needed him to be. His determination and drive saw him through his time in rehabilitation, along with the constant support from Jimin. Once he was out, he declared his love for the man that hadn't once left his side and the rest was history.
"Mini…" He says softly as he approaches the armchair from behind.
The stylist quickly wipes his eyes and clears his throat. There's a heaviness that sits in his core now, that he recognises is all his own fault. "Is everything okay in the studio?" He asks.
Yoongi takes a seat on the couch next to the armchair where his boyfriend sits. He knows this man inside and out. He knows that the expression on his face is fake, trying to mask the fact he'd been crying. Yoongi wished he'd paid more attention when he was being deceived by the love of his life but Jimin had appeared so sincere and he thought he was genuinely moving on and he had no reason to question it.
"The studio is fine. I heard you talking to Jin."
"Oh… you did?"
"Do you want to try and build bridges with them?"
"I don't think it matters what I want. They're never going to forgive me, Yoon."
"When is Jin back?"
"I don't know."
"When he gets back I think we should meet with Joon and see if we can agree on a plan. There's too many years of friendship here to just give up. We've let Tae and Hobi down and we need to find a way to make it up to them, if we can."
"It isn't just Tae and Hobi that I need to make amends with… is it?" Jimin finally lifts his gaze and looks at his boyfriend.
Yoongi reaches across and takes one of Jimin’s hands in his. "I needed to hear you admit that you were wrong. I needed to know that you understood. I'm hurt, Mini… you knew that I would have tried to talk to you out of it so you acted behind my back. I thought that our relationship meant more than that… that I meant more than that."
Jimin’s eyes glass over, “You do mean more than that… you mean more than anything. I don’t have anything if I don’t have you, Yoon. I was so focused on getting rid of Jungkook because I thought that would put everything right. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he would take the money… but I was wrong… I was wrong about all of it. I will do whatever you need me to, to make it better between us. I've never lied to you before and I have no excuses for what I’ve done but I need you to know that I never intended to hurt you… Yoon… If I could go back and know what I know now… things would be very different.”
Yoongi strokes the soft skin of his boyfriend’s hand with his fingertips. He looks deep in his eyes and he believes every word leaving Jimin’s mouth. The last month has been the longest month in history. The couple hadn’t ever been apart for so long and what made the whole situation worse was that they were living in the same apartment. He’d lost count of the number of times he’d heard Jimin crying as he skulked to the bathroom or kitchen from his studio or how often he’d gone to order sushi while on autopilot to Serendipity, turning away at the last moment. Mrs Min had quizzed him after she’d spoken to Mrs Park but neither were aware of the details of what was happening. Both Mothers had heard whisperings from Mrs Kim that something was going on but Ara refused to discuss it and informed them that it wasn’t her place to divulge anything. Yoongi knew that their families would find out one way or another but he wasn’t ready to explain when things were so strained at home. There were so many relationships that needed fixing, so many bridges to build but he couldn’t face any of it without his boyfriend by his side.
“You’ve always been there for me, Mini. You’ve been my rock, you’ve seen me at my very worst when no one else has. I was under the impression that it was you and I that were the unbreakable team so your actions have cut deep.”
Jimin reaches out with his free hand and sandwiches Yoongi’s hand between his own. He doesn’t break eye contact even if the hurt that he sees in his boyfriend’s face strikes him through the heart. “I know and I can’t take it back. I can’t undo what I’ve done but I can try and fix it… please, Yoon, please let me fix it… tell me how I can earn your trust again.”
“You haven’t lost my trust, Mini… I can still read you. Let’s take one day at a time, huh? We should work on ourselves until Jin gets back and then we need to get a plan together to try and contact Hobi.”
“If Hobi threw you and Joon out of EGO, just imagine what reception I will get. I need to apologise to him and Emery, too.”
“One thing at a time and hopefully by the time we leave for Norway, it will all look much better.”
Jimin frowns, “Norway? Is that where we are going?”
“It is. I won’t lie to you, Mini, I very nearly called it off.”
Jimin is speechless. He came so very close to losing everything…and for what? He wants to launch himself at Yoongi, to feel the arms of his boyfriend wrapped tightly around him but the rejection is still all too fresh in his mind so he stays where he is, holding his hand. He is clueless as to how he’s going to make things right but he is sure of one thing… he’s going to give it everything he’s got.
****
Jungkook stared at his reflection in the small circular mirror. The nerves that danced around in his stomach were a contrast to the feeling he thought he’d have several weeks ago. There was so much riding on his visit to Serendipity today, so many options and the outcome would affect everyone’s lives. He was worried about how he would react if Jimin admitted that he’d known about his past, he doubts that he could control himself in that situation. That dingy morning in the subway, he’d been frozen in shock, rooted to the spot, stunned into silence when he’d been offered that bag of money. Back then he couldn’t defend himself but this time would be very different and he wouldn’t be able to stop himself.
There was a part of him that was annoyed that he’d given his choice of clothing as much thought as he had. He wasn’t blind or stupid, he’d seen the snide looks and the way that Jimin looked him up and down with disdain. Today he would be going to Serendipity as Tae’s boyfriend, to defend his relationship and his boyfriend and hopefully, leave with the task of trying to convince taehyung to build bridges.
JK
I’m about to leave my apartment. I’ll call you afterwards.
Emery
Please tell me you stopped stressing about your clothes?
JK
I know it was stupid but I don’t want to give him a reason to look down his nose at me.
Emery
He’s done that from the start so don’t worry about it. Just be yourself. Everyone else has taken you for who you are and so should he.
JK
I’m representing Tae today, too.
Emery
Taehyung loves you.
JK
I know he does and today is important.
Emery
Have you told him where you’re going?
JK
I’m going to call him when I’m close to Serendipity.
Emery
So, what are you wearing?
JK
Jeans, lilac shirt and I borrowed a coat from Ash.
Emery
Taehyung bought you a coat?
JK
I am not wearing that! Jimin will know instantly that Tae bought it for me. I’m wearing the boots as it is.
Emery
Does Ash know?
JK
No, he would be hiding nearby and ambush me as I approached Serendipity. He wouldn’t let me go alone. I’ll let him beat me up later.
Emery
I don’t think you should be going alone.
JK
But you are at the end of the phone and I will call you afterwards. Emery, I’m going to get enough shit from Tae and Ash and probably your boyfriend, too, so I need you to be you.
Emery
Seokie won’t do anything, let me handle him. I want you to be safe. You’ve come a long way, Kook. You’ve got my support with this, you know that.
JK
I know. We’ve got a big job on our hands if this goes as we hope, Tae and Hobi aren’t going to forgive easily.
Emery
No, they won’t but we will have to devise ways to get through to them. Let’s get today out of the way and then we can meet and come up with a plan.
JK
Okay. I’m on the bus a few stops away so I’m going to call Tae. He goes into his meeting at 9:45.
Emery
It’s 9:22. You really aren’t giving him time to talk you out of it are you?
JK
I’ve planned to make dinner at his place later so I’ll deal with him then.
Emery
I’m so proud of you, Kook. This is your time. The charity gala, Blueside and everything after that. Go and show Jimin who you are. I’ll be waiting for your call.
JK
Thanks, Emery.
Jungkook checks his phone as he walks the length of the bus to get off at the stop that is a few minutes away from Jimin’s empire. His finger hovers over ‘call’ on the contact picture that is his boyfriend making him pizza at Emilliano’s. It’s one of his favourite pictures of Tae and it represents so much more than anyone knows. That weekend will always be the slap in the face for him, the time when he KNEW and could no longer ignore the depth of his feelings for Taehyung. He hops off of the bus and starts walking towards the unknown which comes in the shape of Serendipity. When his phone starts calling his boyfriend, he swallows down the extra nerves which he knows are coming from the resistance he is about to get from Tae.
“Kookie? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Jungkook frowns a little at Tae’s hushed but concerned tone, he hadn’t considered that he might perceive the call to be something to worry about.
“Tae… I’m fine… Nothing is wrong…”
An audible sigh is heard before Tae speaks. “I just thought… you are aware of my schedule so I presumed there was something wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong, I promise. I know you have a meeting so I will be brief… I’m… I’m going to Serendipity and I wan…”
Jungkook isn’t overly surprised when Tae interrupts.
“You are what? Did you just say Serendipity?”
“... Yes… yeah I did… I’m close by and I…”
“Jungkook. There is only one Serendipity that I am aware of, please tell me that it isn’t that one?”
“... You know it is, Tae. I can’t explain right now but I need to do this… I contemplated telling you tonight but I’m telling you now. Please understand.”
“So, my options were to hear about it now as I walk into a meeting… the timing of this call hasn’t gone unnoticed by the way… or find out afterwards?”
Jungkook stops as he can see the building up ahead. “Tae… I will send you a message when I am finished and I will be at yours when you get home tonight. This isn’t a decision I have made lightly.”
“So you planned it?”
“Yeah?”
“Hence the timing of the call…” Taehyung takes a very deep breath which he knows was audible. “... I cannot find the words right now to express how unhappy I am about this. I am on the verge of leaving Purple Aura but I know that by the time I get to Serendipity you would have gone inside… correct?”
“Yeah… Tae… I need to do this… please trust me.”
Tae’s tone softens, “It is not you that I have trust issues with. I swear to God, Jungkook, that if he upsets you, I will spend the afternoon destroying his little empire.”
“I know… you have my word that I will tell you everything this evening and I will message you as soon as I leave… go to your meeting… please.”
“I love you, Kookie. I simply want to protect you.”
“I know… and I love you… but I have to see him alone.”
“I will be waiting for your message.”
“Okay.”
Jungkook keeps staring at his phone, even after the call has ended and the screen goes black. That was as difficult as he’d expected it to be but this was something he needed to do and he hoped it was the start of bridges being built between a group of friends who were so very distant these days.
He notices the ‘SOLD’ sign on the building and at first he thinks that Jimin is selling up but then he remembers something Taehyung told him about Jimin wanting to expand so he concludes it must be the empty building next door that he has bought or maybe someone else has bought it. Jungkook smiles to himself as he hopes that a sex shop has bought the building next door or maybe a company that holds drum lessons. It’s a childish thought but it makes him smile as he pauses before pushing open the door of Serendipity.
When the door opens, Jimin looks up from where he is going through appointments with Greta. His insides instantly launch into a hive of nervous energy which causes automatic nausea. He looks at his visitor with wide eyes as he processes the fact that Jungkook is standing in front of the reception desk, looking right back at him.
"Good morning, Sir, how can I help you? Do you have an appointment?" Greta says, oblivious to the fact that her boss is in shock and panicking beside her.
"I'm here to see Jimin.” he says in the most self-assured way he can.
Greta turns to look at her boss, “We can continue this later, Mr Park. Would you like a coffee?”
“Umm… yes… sure… thank you. We will go through to my office.”
“Would you like a coffee or something else to drink, Sir?” the sweet lady asks Jungkook.
“I’ll have a coffee, thank you.”
Greta moves away from the desk, “Mr Park will take you through and I’ll bring your drinks in when they are ready.”
Jungkook bows briefly before following Jimin to his office. His confidence spiked slightly when he witnessed the expression on Jimin’s face. It was a contrast to the smug, arrogant, heartless look he had plastered on his face in the subway.
“Please sit wherever you like.” Jimin says, pointing to the couches.
“I’ll stand for now.” Jungkook replies, standing near the seating and looking around the room.
Jimin is about to speak when Greta knocks on the door and enters with the coffees. She places them down on the small table that usually has the sushi on it when Yoongi brings lunch.
“How is Tae?” Jimin asks once Greta has gone and his office door closes. It probably isn’t the first question he should ask but it’s the first that leaves his lips as he takes a seat on one of the couches.
“There are several ways I can answer that but the easiest answer is ‘worried’ right about now.”
“Worried?”
Jungkook moves and leans against Jimin’s desk that faces the seating area. He isn’t comfortable enough in his surroundings to sit. “Yeah, worried about me being here, alone with you.”
“Oh… I see… I understand that.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I think I do.”
“But do you, though? Do you really understand how he feels?”
“He hates me, I get it. Is that what you want to hear? That I understand I was wrong? That I know I should never have offered you money to leave? That my behaviour was fallacious?”
Jungkook tries to appear unbothered as he walks over to the seating. He bends down and picks up his coffee then stands back a little.
"That's a start… Before I talk about any of this or even decide whether I will be in this room any longer than the next 30 seconds, I need to ask you something.”
Jimin looks up at Jungkook, placing his cup down as he gives the man his attention. “Go ahead.”
Jungkook inhales a deep breath, the tension and silence in the air is palpable. Everything hinges on Jimin’s answer and not just the words that leave his mouth… the expression on his face and the look in his eyes will tell Jungkook much more than simply what he says.
“How much did you know about my past when you decided to pay me off?”
Jimin is quick to answer because the answer is the truth. “Nothing… I didn’t know anything. I couldn’t ever find anything on you apart from the date you started university and how much you earn from the diner. I had a rough idea that something happened because everything I found out was traceable to a particular month and year but it was all recent. It was as if you only existed in the last few years, which is what led me to believe you were a conman, initially.”
Jungkook’s initial reaction was surprise. He hadn’t really expected for Jimin to be as candid as that, he'd expected a one word answer or more of a 'politician's answer'. He sips on his coffee and takes a moment to think. Jimin is looking at him directly in the eyes and he needs a few seconds to accept the fact that he actually believes him.
While Jungkook is pausing in his response, Jimin speaks again:
“I still don’t know very much, only what Tae told me that your stepfather paid off your biological father. I understand why people would think that I knew but I can promise you that I didn’t.”
Jungkook doesn’t want Jimin to know anything more than that right now. He understood why Tae told him what he did in its basic form and there was a part of him that wanted Jimin to know the exact impact his actions had and why. There had always been a chance that Jimin knew already so one way or another he was going to find out. When Tae had apologised while telling Jungkook what he’d shouted at Jimin that Monday, in his heart, Jungkook knew there was nothing to forgive his boyfriend for.
“Hypothetically, let’s say that I believe you. You already knew that I am who I say I am because I couldn’t have gone to London otherwise, so why did you continue to have such a problem with me?”
Jimin now sits back on the coach and cradles the cup in his hands. “Because everything had changed. Tae changed. Hobi changed. That’s what good conmen do, it felt like the people who could see you for what you were, were being ousted and made out to be the bad guys. You had your own little group and we were being pushed out after years and years of being friends.”
“Jimin… You made you the bad guys… not me. If you’d pulled your head from your ass long enough, you’d have seen that I haven’t ever wanted Tae’s money. Do you know how many extra shifts I did so I could buy us drinks when we went out for Emery’s birthday? Do you know how often I have cooked meals because I won’t accept Tae paying for meals all the time? Do you?”
Jimin’s cheeks turn a shade of pink, “Well, no, no I don’t.”
“You don’t know because you didn’t give me a chance. Not everyone who isn’t as well off as you, wants to bleed you dry! I fucking hate money! To me it represents control and makes people think they can do anything they want… which you proved! But not Tae… Tae isn’t like you or the people in my past.”
Jimin can feel the start of pressure behind his eyes and he looks at the small amount of coffee left in the cup in his hands and rapidly blinks.
“You’re right, Tae has a heart of gold and that’s part of the reason I didn’t want him taken for a ride but I got caught up in my head and I acted wrongly, Jungkook. I was so wrong about you and I hope that one day I can show you that I’m sorry and maybe one day you can find it in yourself to forgive me.”
“You treated him like he was stupid. Yes, he’s got a big heart but he wouldn’t be where he is today if he was stupid. Do you really believe that someone could trick him into handing over his money? Don’t you think that he’s seen enough conmen with his business?”
“Yes! Yes, you are right… I thought my friend had been blinded by the pretty boy.”
“The pretty guy who managed to manipulate his way to London?” Jungkook raises his eyebrows at the man who looks up every now and again.
“Yes.”
“If you had taken the time to speak to your friend after London, he would probably have told you what a nightmare I was because trying to get me to accept anything of a monetary value is a fucking challenge! He might also have shared with you how special it was when he took me to a football match and I bought him a shirt or when I bought us tickets to the London Eye! He probably would have told you that I nearly ruined the day because he wanted to buy me some shoes and I made a scene about it… but you are not a friend to him so why would he tell you any of this?”
Jimin growls to himself under his breath because a tear escapes and plops into the cup in his lap. His anger is at himself because he has no one else to blame and he knows wholeheartedly how right Jungkook is. He’s missed out on so much because of his own stupidity and personal vendetta.
Jungkook seized the moment to continue because this was his time and he didn’t want to leave with regrets:
“After the charity event, I nearly walked away because of Tae’s actions but he proved himself and Blueside was his chance to right what he felt he’d done wrong. You don’t know how nervous he was because he wanted to show me that he was proud to be with me… I have no idea why but he is… and then you lot pulled that stunt and embarrassed him in public! You then lied to him, you made him think that you were trying and you weren’t! You had your nasty little plan and plotted behind his back and I know that you know that Hobi heard what you said at Purple Aura! Going after me was one thing but who the fuck did you think you were to drag Emery into it, too? He is the kindest, sweetest, nicest guy and he loves Hobi with everything he has! You all need a fucking Emery in your lives because without him encouraging Hobi to see the bigger picture, him and Tae wouldn’t have the friendship they do now. You could learn a lot about being a decent human being from him. So… Jimin… do you really understand what you’ve done? Was it worth it because no one is happy right now and that’s all on you.”
Jungkook takes a breath. He hadn’t planned what to say because he couldn’t guarantee what Jimin’s answer to his first question would be and that certainly would have determined how long he would have stayed here.
The words that are thrust into the space of his office, reverberate in his ears and pack a punch to his gut. Since Yoongi overheard him on the video call with Jin, yesterday, they’d spoken a lot and gone over the last few months. Discussing it with his boyfriend and hearing it from Jungkook were two very different things and it’s feeble the way a few more tears leak from his eyes now.
“Why did you come here?”
“Because I see friendships that have been ruined and I would like to find a way to rebuild them but I needed to know if you knew about my past. You don’t know me, Jimin. You didn’t give me a chance so you haven’t been able to form a true opinion of me.”
Jimin looks up in surprise, “You want to help build bridges?”
“Yeah… beggars are capable of good things, you know?” He says sarcastically.
“Jungkook, I’m sorry… do you think Tae will forgive me?”
“Honestly? No… but Emery and I are willing to work on them. I don’t care what you think of me because your opinions are invalid. The only thing you should judge me on is how I treat Tae and for whatever reason, he loves me.”
“I know he does. That much was clear when he came to my home to erm… to return the money. I don’t think Hobi will forgive me either.”
“Probably not. Emery and I have our work cut out, we know that but I believe that you didn’t know about my past and I believe that you know that’s you’ve acted stupidly. I can promise you though, that if you hurt my boyfriend ever again, I will support him in destroying everything you’ve worked for.”
“I don’t doubt that. I would do the same for Yoon so I can’t argue with you.”
“I heard that Yoongi wasn’t a part of your plan?”
Jimin shakes his head, “No, he didn’t know what Jin and I were doing. Joon didn’t know either.”
Jungkook can see the hurt in Jimin’s face as he talks. “Well, I’m sure that your actions have brought enough shit to your own door.”
“I nearly wrecked my own relationship. I hurt the one person that I would give my life for. I understand that you don’t know me, Jungkook but please believe me when I tell you that I am sorry. I am prepared to do what it takes to heal this rift. Words alone won’t solve anything.”
“That’s one thing I do know about you… you act to support your words.”
“Jungkook, I…”
“I think we’ve said enough. Tae and Emery are waiting for me to let them know that I am okay so I’m going to go. Thanks for the coffee and for being honest. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you.” Jimin whispers as Jungkook gives him a glance and leaves his office.
As the chilly November air makes contact with his skin, Jungkook expels the deepest breath that he’d held as he walked through Serendipity, only briefly pausing to smile and bow to Greta before exiting. He doesn’t give himself time to think before he pulls his phone from his pocket and sends a message to his boyfriend, smiling as the banner advert for the Centre competition flashes up when he opens the app.
JK
I’m out of Serendipity and walking to the bus stop. I am fine, I will be at home when you get there.
He closes the message and is about to call Emery when there’s an incoming video call which he answers straight away.
“Tae… I said I was fine.” He says as his boyfriend appears on the screen.
“I know but I needed to make sure because your version of what is fine, compared to my version could be two different things.”
Jungkook raises his eyebrows as he makes it to the bus stop, “I promise you that if I was not okay, I would have said so or you’d have had a call from me a whole lot earlier… Tae… are you in the elevator?”
“Yes… I’m coming to get you.”
“No… no you aren’t! Please go back up to the meeting, has it finished? Where is Stefan?”
“The meeting is ongoing and Stefan is at his desk.”
“Tae, when that elevator stops, please go back to your office. I am getting on the next bus which will come before you get here… oh… actually… you should come and get me.”
“What? So you aren’t okay? What did he say to you?” The concern was instant.
“He didn’t say anything to upset me… I just had the idea that I was going to go to the supermarket on the way to your place but it would be a whole lot easier if you were with me as you could help carry the shopping.” The urge to grin was great but he kept his tone matter of fact and his smile to a minimum.
“You’re going to the supermarket?” A change in tone once again as he raises his eyebrows in a questioning manner.
“Yeah, I want to cook dinner for you and since it is my surprise as per our amendment to the agreement, I am stopping by the supermarket… I can see the bus… how long will it take you to get here?”
“I think we both know how I feel about supermarkets, Jungkook.”
“The choice is yours, Taehyung.”
“Are you positive that you are okay?” he says, stepping out of the elevator into the main foyer of Purple Aura.
“I am okay… I promise… go back to your meeting.”
“You don’t need me to come and pick you up?”
“It would save me getting on a bus with shopping bags.” He grins.
“Aside from that… you don’t need me?”
Jungkook looks at the beautiful face on his phone, the tiny, ‘barely there’ pout which gives the tiniest indication that there is more to his words.
“I don’t need you… I want you, baby.”
Tae smiles, “You can have me in whatever capacity you like when I get home.”
“You’ll go back to your meeting?”
“The meeting became most appealing once you mentioned the supermarket but you already knew that didn’t you, Mr Jeon?” The CEO steps back into the elevator.
“I don’t know what you mean, Mr Kim… I love you.”
The smile that forms, is so big that Taehyung almost blushes because he knows how stupidly in love he must look right about now. “I love you… so very much.”
“See you later.”
“You remember the code?”
“Tae, you had it changed to the date we went to Tottenham so I wouldn’t forget it.”
“I was making sure.”
Jungkook kissed the screen which made his boyfriend smile the way that it always did and they stared at each other for a few seconds before the call finally ended. He’d thought that Tae was making a big deal out of nothing when he suggested changing the code. It was a whole lot of hassle because of the company that had to be called out to program it and the complex staff had to change it on their system. As always, nothing had been too much trouble for Taehyung and he told Jungkook in no uncertain terms that he didn’t care what it took, he didn’t ever want his boyfriend to be unable to get into his home ever again.
Emery
Hey, are you okay? I’m tempted to drive down there.
Jungkook sat on the bus and quickly replied.
JK
Sorry! I’m absolutely fine. I’m on the bus now. Tae called me as soon as I left Serendipity and it took me a while to convince him to stay at Purple Aura.
Emery
Phew! NGL I was worried, Do you want me to call you or meet for coffee tomorrow?
JK
Coffee tomorrow would be good. I will have more to tell you because I will speak to Tae about what happened tonight.
Emery
Can I tell Seokie that you went to see Jimin?
JK
Yeah! I don’t think we need any more secrets. He didn’t know about my family. I believe him.
Emery
That’s a relief. Now the hard work starts. Are you going to tell Ash?
JK
We are meeting in the library tomorrow morning so I’ll tell him then.
Emery
Good luck with that but I think from what I know of Ash, if he sees that you are okay, he will support you.
JK
He’ll probably tell me I’m an idiot but you’re right.
Emery
I’ll stop by Dinos after work tomorrow?
JK
See you then
It was going to be a battle with many people when they heard what he’d done and what he hoped could come of it. He understood why people would be opposed to it but he had to try. His biological family didn’t seek him out to try and make amends, he didn’t even know whether they were aware of why he left that day. His biological father hadn’t once made contact to explain why he did what he did and he was all too aware of the pain that festered from actions of people who didn’t care. Jimin’s actions had been erroneous and he was indictable for his behaviour but Jungkook wanted him to have the chance to recompense. He felt like he could never truly be free if friendships were lost and bad blood was once again associated with his past. His biggest challenge was convincing his boyfriend of that.