Nevermind

Chapter 20: Baby, I Won't Let You Go

"Oh, you'll see! I'm a great skater" you bragged to Jimin as you headed to the rink the next Saturday. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he looked ahead while he drove you there.

You were dressed in a simple outfit today, jeans and a blouse, but seeing you looking comfortable and dressing more informally around him still made him feel like you were getting closer and more familiar with each other.

It was cute that you kind of matched, he had also picked jeans and a yellow shirt to be able to skate freely. Your make-up was far from simple today, he was not surprised considering you were going out and about.

The opinion of outsiders had certainly driven him crazy when he was struggling, he couldn't seem to ever make anyone happy. When some fans said his cheeks were cute, others said he needed to lose the fat. Then when he dropped weight, the ones that liked them missed them.

He had learned it was not about pleasing everyone, not even if they supported your career. It was about accepting yourself as you are and not over-fixating on what other people's expectations are. Doing what makes you happy.

It was easier said than done, he still was self-conscious, but comparatively he was doing much better. Jimin knew there was hope for you, he trusted you'd see it sooner or later. It was not his call to make whether you'd want to make an effort for your sake, but he'd support you.

You seemed to be very talkative today and he just gladly listened to everything you wanted to tell him. He was excited about being able to hang out beyond four walls once more and you seemed to be in a good mood despite having resisted the whole thing initially.

Slipping the boots on confidently, you thought about how there was at least one thing you could proudly show Jimin. Figure skating couldn't really be that different from double-line rollerskating, right?

Ddaeng*. The moment you stood up with way too much resolve, you fell backwards on the bench. Jimin was ready to catch you so you wouldn't fall off the other side.

"Are you okay, noona?" he asked surprised, yet biting hard on his lip trying not to laugh.

"Yes, I'm alright" you said blushing and warily stood up once more. When your legs wobbled, he hurried to stand up and held your forearms firmly.

"A great skater, huh?" he snorted as he failed to suppress his laugh.

"I don't understand, I figured balancing on four wheels was going to be much easier" you whined being extremely disappointed. This was just perfect, now you'd just look ridiculous in front of him.

"Oh, inline skating?" Jimin asked curiously.

"Figure skating" you quickly answered, your lips seemed to be stuck in a pout now and he couldn't help but look at them. He kept trying to look away and then looking back secretively, but it's like you knew when he turned to you.

"I'll hold you, just follow my lead" he said, pulling from your lower arms as he rolled backwards and out of the door to the skating rink. You shook in his arms as you nearly slipped every other second.

"This is not like ice skating, I hate it" you whined some more and he chuckled.

"Try to straighten up" he instructed and in your attempt you bent backwards and nearly rolled in between his legs.

"These wheels from hell" you grumbled annoyed as he carefully pulled you up on your feet once more. Jimin kept giggling at you and it was so embarrassing.

"It's not funny, Jimin-ah!" you complained in that same whiny voice and he smiled widely, pressing his lips together.

"No, it's not, I know" he tried to be serious, that went down the drain the moment you bent forward as he tried to up the speed a bit.