Sojourn ♣ JiKook|VMin

"Dreams"

-edited 2026-

Chapter Five

"Dreams"

•

Five years ago...

"Art gallery?"

"An art gallery?"

"Someday, I want my artwork displayed here," Taehyung said, eyes bright with ambition. A wide smile spread across his face, his gaze sweeping across the walls. "And you'll be here to witness my success."

Jimin giggled, nodding eagerly. "Of course. I have no doubt about it."

They walked further inside the gallery. To Jimin, every painting felt alive—each brushstroke telling a story. He was entranced by the way colors blended, bloomed, and breathed life onto the canvases.

"Wow," Taehyung muttered, stopping in front of a large piece. "The landscape ones are incredible."

"They really are," Jimin agreed. Then he hesitated, shifting slightly. "Tae, can you excuse me for a second? I need to use the restroom."

Taehyung laughed. "Go ahead. Take your time."

Jimin headed toward the restroom, but slowed when a conversation nearby caught his attention.

"I know someone will buy my painting—please don't take it down," a boy pleaded, desperation thick in his voice. "I really need this."

Jimin paused, pretending to examine a painting nearby as he listened. His curiosity was piqued. How did he manage to display his work here? he wondered.

"I understand," an older man replied, sounding conflicted. "But your piece has been up for months, and no one's shown interest. The only reason it's here at all is because of your older brother. Without him, you wouldn't have been allowed to display it. You don't even have a license yet."

Jimin glanced toward the painting. It depicted a boy sitting by a window, gazing at the moon. The technique was rough, clearly amateur—but something about it tugged at him. Quiet. Lonely.

"I don't care if it's because of my brother," the boy said, his voice trembling. "I just need it sold. Even if it's cheap. I need the money."

Jimin's chest tightened. The boy was taller up close than he'd expected, though Jimin could only see his side profile. There was something painfully sincere about him.

"Just one more day," the boy pleaded softly.

The man sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine. Just today. If no one buys it by the end of the day, I'll have to take it down. That's reality, kid."

The boy nodded stiffly, then turned and walked away.

Jimin watched him go. Once the boy was out of sight and the man was about to leave, Jimin stepped forward.

"Wait—sir."

The man turned, surprised.

"How much is that painting?"

The troubled look on the man's face melted into relief. A small smile appeared, making him look older than Jimin had initially thought.

"Then it's sold."

⸻

Jimin dropped onto the couch the moment they returned to the apartment.

"What—?" Taehyung exclaimed as he carefully unwrapped the painting his lover had bought.

Jimin looked at him quizzically. "Something wrong?"

Taehyung stared at the canvas as if Jimin had completely lost his mind. "Out of all the artwork there—like, hundreds of them—you chose this amateur piece?"