Sojourn ♣ JiKook|VMin

"Oceans away" part 1

-Edited 2026-

Chapter Thirty

"Oceans away pt. 1"

♣

"What are you doing here?" Jungkook asks. "How did you—"

"Yoongi brought me here. How are you, Jungkook?" Jimin asks. His eyes are glossy, but he tries his best not to break down.

Jungkook stares into Jimin's eyes, then down to his lips. He parts his mouth, but no words come out. He closes his lips and swallows the lump in his throat, shaking his head slowly as he tries to get a grip on himself. It feels as though all the weight he had been carrying has suddenly been lifted.

His feet move toward Jimin on their own, and he pulls him into a tight hug. He hears Jimin gasp at the sudden action, but the moment their bodies collide, Jimin quickly melts into Jungkook's embrace.

Jungkook wraps his arms around Jimin's back, pulling him even closer, desperately yearning for his warmth. He remembers how it felt to hug him—how he used to bury his nose into Jimin's nape just to catch a whiff of his scent. He remembers how Jimin smiled, how his eyes would slowly disappear into thin lines when he laughed carelessly, making Jungkook's heart flutter. Jimin's warmth, his soft voice when he spoke sweetly, his honest, pretty eyes, his hands that fit perfectly in his, and Jimin's blinding smile. Jungkook realizes just how much he has missed him.

Jimin holds onto him just as tightly, his smaller hands clutching the back of Jungkook's white shirt almost desperately. Jungkook breathes in Jimin's scent as he speaks against his ear.

"Jimin, I missed you so much," he manages to say.

He slowly pulls away, one hand remaining at Jimin's waist while the other delicately cradles the side of Jimin's face. Jimin looks up at him through his lashes, his cheeks dusted with a soft pink.

"I—I mi—" Jimin stammers, cursing himself internally for messing it up. He can't seem to find the right words. "I mis—"

He doesn't get to finish.

The next thing he knows, a pair of lips presses against his.

Jimin stiffens in surprise, but he quickly closes his eyes. Jungkook doesn't deepen the kiss; the moment he realizes what he's done, he tries to pull away. But Jimin rises onto his toes and grips Jungkook's collar, pulling him back.

Their lips meet again.

This time, Jungkook takes the initiative, kissing Jimin passionately and deepening the kiss. It feels like their first kiss all over again. Jimin's lips are soft and supple, tasting faintly of peaches.

Jungkook ends the kiss and pulls away, stunned for a moment before clearing his throat. "I'm sorry," he says softly. "You must've been surprised."

He wants to look away, but he can't.

Jimin is staring back at him, lips slightly parted, eyes wide with anticipation. "Don't," Jimin says quietly. "I wanted to kiss you too."

Jungkook reaches for Jimin's fingers, taking his time before gently intertwining them. He lifts their joined hands and presses a kiss to the back of Jimin's hand. It feels like a flashback—except this time, when Jimin looks up, it isn't Taehyung's face he sees.

It's Jungkook.

"Where were you?" Jimin asks in a small voice, never breaking eye contact.

"Didn't you choose him?" Jungkook says, though it sounds more like a question.

"Did you come to see me when I performed on stage?" Jimin asks, his voice steadier now. "Was it you? That day—the one who gave me those white tulips?"