A Caged Bird | Minjoon

55

the end of the summer was quickly approaching and it would only be a few more weeks until namjoon had to leave for school— until they both had to leave for school.

joon had already submitted his applications for housing and paid the expensive fees with some of his money from working with jimin. he had also already selected all the classes that he wanted to take.

things really were wrapping up nicely for him.

jimin, on the other hand, was anxiously waiting for his letter, feeling frustrated that it still hadn't came. he assumed transfer students would hear back a bit late, but this just seemed ridiculous.

he really did want to get into that school, but again he would be alright if he didn't.

he would still be going. either way.

-

"jimin!" namjoon shouted, running out into his living room, wearing some lounge clothes he had thrown on in a hurry. jimin had slept over the night before, so he had made his way out into the living room when he woke, eating a bowl of cereal while he waited for joon to wake up as well.

"areum's asking if we want to meet at the café?" joon asked, "hoseok's working today, too."

jimin smiled. it had been a while since they had visited the café and he missed it.

"yes, tell her of course," jimin said, "i'll get ready!"

jimin took a few quick last bites of his cereal and then swiftly ran off to change without a second thought.

namjoon laughed at his excitement and went to text areum back.

-

"just a couple more weeks, then?" areum asked taking a bite of her breakfast sandwich.

jimin stayed quite as she asked the question and namjoon spoke up.

"yep," he said, nodding.

she could sense they didn't really like talking about it so she didn't push much further.

they talked about other— more simple— things. areum shared a funny story of hoseok interacting with her parents and hoseok glared at her from across the café counter, listening in while he made some drinks.

"really?" jimin asked, laughing.

"really," she said.

namjoon was laughing, too, as he sipped his black coffee.

they talked a bit more, before namjoon excused himself to use the restroom.

it was just jimin and areum remaining and areum spoke up quickly.

"so what's the deal?" she asked, as soon as joon was out of sight, "he's...he's actually going through with this? he's going?"

jimin looked up at her and nodded.

"yeah... yeah, he's going."

jimin said it a little too casually and areum squinted at him.

"and you're okay with that?" she asked.

jimin shrugged.

"i mean... it's a big change. but... it's not like he's doing it alone," jimin said, "i'm going, too."

hoseok walked over to the table with some refill drinks for them, clearly intrigued by the conversation.

"did you hear back from snu yet?"

jimin shook his head.

"no. and i can imagine the outcome won't be great. namjoon seems to think i'm getting in, but it's probably just wishful thinking," jimin said, "but i'm still going. whether i get in or not."

they looked suprised.

"you mean.., you'd leave school?" areum asked.

jimin nodded.

"i mean... not forever. just until joon is done and we can come home. it would be temporary."

areum and hoseok both still looked pretty baffled.

"what?" jimin asked.

areum shrugged.

"i mean... i'm just a little suprised joon is on board for that. you know... i'd just think that he would want you to put your education firs-"

jimin cut her off, clearly not listening.

"i mean... we haven't completely discussed it yet, but... i know we'll work it out. that's what joon keeps telling me. i think we'll discuss it once i get rejected, you know?" jimin said, "i'm sure he doesn't want to make any plans before being sure that i'm not getting in."

there was a pause, and jimin spoke up again.

"but he's not leaving me here," jimin said, "he wouldn't do that."

there was silence.

areum and hoseok just left it there. it was clear jimin had his mind made up and they were worried about what would happen if they pushed him further.

"right," hoseok said, nodding, "i mean... i've said it before, but he loves you so much, jimin. i'm sure he'd stay behind before he left without you, you know?"

and, selfishly, jimin like the sound of that.

jimin agreed with him.

and before they knew it, namjoon was walking back over to the table.

"did i miss anything?" he asked, taking a sip off the fresh coffee that had been left on the table for him, "thank you, hoseok."

hobi just smiled and said it was no problem, then quickly got back to work.

"you didn't miss much," areum said, smiling, "just jimin talking about how obsessed with you he is, but i'm sure you don't want to hear about that."

joon just smiled, looking over to him and setting a hand on jimin's leg under the table.

"oh, yeah?"

jimin laughed in reply, joon always knowing how to make him so very happy, with practically no effort at all.

and the three sat there together for so long, making back and forth jokes and sharing stories, hoseok eventually joining them once he got on his break.

and it felt right.

and jimin wanted it to stay that way.

always.