FALLING FOR YOU | KM [✓]°

24. Beach Date

the two months had passed slowly, gently, like pages turning in a book they were both learning to read together again. the couple had progressed so much in that quiet, careful time. every morning now, they woke up together. jimin would open his eyes first most days, blinking sleepily at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, and then he would turn to his husband. a beautiful, genuine smile would bloom across his face—the kind that reached his eyes and made them crinkle at the corners. jungkook lived for those smiles. they were better than coffee, better than sunlight. he badly wanted morning kisses—soft, lazy ones pressed to sleepy lips—but he always held himself back, patient, waiting for jimin to set the pace.

they would have breakfast together at the small kitchen table, sunlight spilling over the countertops. the conversations were light, easy—little chitchat about dreams from the night before, what the weather looked like outside, silly things like how jungkook always stole the last piece of toast even though he pretended he didn't. in the evenings, after the day had worn them both down in its own ways, they sat close on the couch or in the garden, talking for hours. real conversations. about work stresses, old memories, future hopes, the small fears that still lingered in quiet corners. they talked until their voices grew soft and the night grew deep.

whenever jungkook left for the office, they never forgot the ritual that had become sacred. standing at the door, jimin would rise on his tiptoes, and jungkook would bend down slightly. they would whisper against each other's lips or cheeks, "i love you," like a promise they renewed every single day. sometimes jungkook would linger a second longer, brushing his nose against jimin's, stealing one extra breath of him before stepping out.

jimin was beyond happy. some mornings he would catch himself smiling at nothing, heart so full it almost hurt. he still couldn't quite believe it—jungkook had returned his feelings, truly, deeply. they were living like a normal couple now. laughing over burnt pancakes, arguing playfully about whose turn it was to do dishes, falling asleep tangled together even if all they did was hold hands. the hesitation that had once lived inside jimin whenever jungkook reached for him was fading day by day, melting like frost under steady warmth. he no longer flinched at casual touches. he leaned into them instead.

that afternoon, jimin was curled up on the sofa, legs tucked under him, scrolling aimlessly on his phone when it buzzed with an incoming call. the caller id made his heart do a little flip. his one and only husband.

"hey baby~" jungkook's voice came through warm and teasing.

"hi kookie," jimin answered, already smiling.

"what are you doing right now?"

"nothing!" jimin pouted even though jungkook couldn't see it. "i'm getting bored."

"then get ready. i'm taking you somewhere for a date."

jimin sat up straighter, excitement bubbling instantly. "date? where?" his voice turned curious and bright.

"surprise, baby. get ready in twenty minutes."

"twenty minutes?" jimin squeaked. "okay, fine! i'll get ready soon."

"okay bye baby, i love you."

"i love you too."

jimin ended the call and practically sprinted to the bedroom, heart racing with giddy anticipation. he didn't know where jungkook was taking him, but the surprise made it even better. he showered quickly, picked out soft casual clothes—a light sweater, comfortable jeans, sneakers—and styled his hair just enough to look effortlessly pretty. when he ran back to the living room, breathless and flushed, he found jungkook already there.