A Little Bit Yours • Park Jimin

Chapter 13: Phone Numbers & Kisses on the Cheek

You and Jimin stayed at the restaurant until 1:00am just talking. You were really happy it was a 24-hour diner or else you would've felt really bad for keeping the server past closing time.

You don't know what it was but the more you spoke to Jimin, the better you felt. You told him about all of your stresses and anxieties (okay, almost all of them  - you were not going to tell him about well, him) and he listened and didn't judge you for any of it. You were a little worried because of how fast he was able to calm you down and make you feel normal. You could see him becoming your safe space but you didn't want that unless he genuinely cared about you like you seemed to care about him.

What a conundrum you found yourself in.

It was so easy to talk to him - something about him made you want to tell him everything about you, and you did. You not only told him about your stresses and concerns (casually not mentioning him being a major concern in your life) but also about all of your hopes and dreams you've ever seemed to have.

And he told you his.

He told you about how he really didn't like playing hockey, but he did it because his parents liked it and he didn't want to let them down because they had done so much for him.

He told you about how he wanted to go to school to be a vet or maybe even a pediatric doctor. He said he knows it's cheesy, but he loves kids and animals and wants to work with them and help them every day.

Well, shit - could he be any more perfect?

Through your long and extensive conversation with Jimin, you started to realize that you had maybe (definitely) completely misjudged him and you felt terrible. Jimin had seemed to notice the frown set in on your face because he stopped talking abruptly.

"What's wrong?" He brought his hand up to your face and cupped your jaw softly. His thumb was rubbing soft circles on your cheek and for half a second, you contemplated what would happen if you just leaned forward and kissed him. You decided against that because things were going well and you didn't want to completely fuck up anything by showing your true feelings for him.

"I'm sorry." You blurted out. You needed to get this guilt off of your chest because it was going to drive you up the fucking wall, or worse - make you do something you'd absolutely regret (like kissing him, yikes).

The frown on his face deepened, but he didn't stop rubbing his thumb on your cheek. You should start wearing a heart rate monitor around him to see what he actually does to you. You know, for science.

"Sorry for what?" Again, his voice was gentle and god, you could listen to him talk all day.

"I uh," Well shit, why was it so hard to admit that you misjudged him? Maybe because this was almost an admission that even though you didn't like him before, you were starting (currently) liking him.

"Talk to me, please love." His voice was pleading, and you felt instantly bad - again. You had kept so much from him previously and you know he was beating himself up over it and now you're doing the exact same thing again.

"I'm sorry for how I treated you before." Alright, that's a good start. Now keep going. "I didn't get to know you before judging you. I assumed that you were some arrogant, douchey hockey player and didn't give you the chance to really get to know you first. So, I'm sorry." Okay. deep breath. That went well, and he's still in front of you and he's smiling. Wait, why is he smiling?

"I suppose I owe you an apology too." He retracted his hand from your face ("Wait, why? Put it back. It felt nice.") and gently held your hand instead. His thumb started to gently caress the back of your hand ("Oh, that's nice too.")

"Why?" You couldn't stop staring at your hand in his. They looked like they belonged together.

"Because," He licked his lips and wow, that was super attractive. Granted, this guy could be wearing socks with sandals and you'd still think he looked like a Greek god. "I was kind of an arrogant, douchey hockey player when we first started working together. You were right in thinking of me like that."

He looked at you and you legitimately giggled when your eyes met. Gosh, this guy was turning you into a high school girl with a crush. "Yeah, you were kind of a dick." He smiled and nodded in agreement with you.

"I know. God, I'm so embarrassed about that. I am also so sorry for stealing that big table and saying you couldn't handle it." He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know why. You bring out a weird side of me Y/n."

"Yeah, ditto." That's an understatement for sure. You weren't going to tell him that though.

———

He drove you home and you felt like you were getting dropped off after a first date. You were wondering if he was going to walk you up to your door, but you thought that would've been too much.

He pulled up to your apartment building and unlocked the door for you. You gathered your things and got ready to get out of the car before Jimin put his hand on your shoulder. You looked over your shoulder at him and had to force yourself to stop; staring; at; his; lips.

"How are you getting to work tomorrow?" You swallowed because man, was he giving you an intense look.

"My car." He quirked an eyebrow at you.

"But, you said your car didn't start today?"

"It didn't, but I know how to fix it. I just was not in a good place today and didn't want to attempt to fix it." He nodded, but didn't remove his hand from your arm. It was a gentle grip, but his touch made you warm.

"So, you'll be okay?" You smiled at him and nodded. You found his concern to be endearing. "Well, if you aren't and you end up needing a ride, will you text me?"

"But, I don't have your number?" He smiled at you shyly and bit his lip. He needed to stop doing that, or you were gonna do it for him. Wait, what?

"Yeah, this was me trying to ask for your number Y/n."

Oh.

Oh shit.

Your cheeks flushed immediately and you bit your lip hard to try to not break out into a smile.

You didn't really say anything (because you were trying to maintain all your composure, but it was crumbling slowly and surely) and Jimin must've thought he had offended you in some way.

"Only if you're okay with that though?" He added quickly. He cleared his throat and looked down, and you could see the crestfallen look on his face.

"Of course it's okay. I was wondering why it was taking so long is all." You wanted to ease the tension a bit and it seemed to work because he looked up at you and broke out into a massive grin. You handed him your phone and he punched in his contact information. He handed you back your phone and you got ready to get out of the car, but not before sneaking a kiss on his cheek.

"Good night Jimin, I'll see you tomorrow." You whispered and when you got out of the car, you almost missed the blush that was coating his cheeks.