ᴛʜɪʀsᴛ ☑

#34. Last Day

"Jungkook?" The teen heard his name and he skimmed about to find his grandfather making his way into the bedroom, so he stepped away from the mirror and hid the make-up behind the cabinet. 

"Yeah, grandpa..." The 19-year-old smiled, "Getting ready for the last day at work."

"Last day?" The older grew concerned. "Is everything alright?"

"It is," Jungkook nodded quickly, holding the man and making him sit on the bed. "You tell me. Did you want to talk about something?"

The man nodded, looking a bit disturbed as he gazed at his hands before sighing and averting his weak eyes onto Jungkook's. "Your grandmother told me you got into a university in Japan."

"I am not going." Jungkook shook his head, shuddering as if he didn't even have to consider it.

"You should think about it," The man urged politely, putting an arm over Jungkook's shoulder. "We can handle ourselves here. Don't jeopardize your future for us."

"I don't want to, grandpa."

"Why?"

"Because I like it here. And I love staying at home. You guys can't seriously be thinking that I am sacrificing anything. I am very happy here. Besides, I love you, and if I do anything for you, it's not a sacrifice, it's care."

Mr. Jeon laughed, looking with a proud gleam in his eyes. "Well, I wanted to discuss it with you. It is up to you to decide and we will support you in any decision."

"You would?" Jungkook felt so small, like a little 2-year-old clinging onto his grandfather's leg. 

The older nodded, caressing a hand through his hair. "Grandpa, I- I have known it but I don't know how you'll feel about it or if you can understand it. But I don't want to hide it anymore that I am gay."

The older's brows curved suddenly, forming in the middle of his forehead. Jungkook's jittery nerves instantly made him cry when he felt his grandfather's body going stiff. He desperately held the older's palms. "I have liked men, grandpa. I don't like women that way... I am so sorry I am like this."

"Oh, Kookie," Mr. Jeon held Jungkook's palm back tightly. "Why are you crying?"

"Because I don't want to disappoint you and I don't want you to hate me." He answered, so emotionally vulnerable that he ended up coughing up a storm.

Mr. Jeon offered him water and soothed him a great deal before he could talk again. "Did your parents know about this?" The man asked, still holding Jungkook's palm after a few minutes passed.

"Mother knew." 

"I wish you have talked to us sooner, son. You wouldn't have to be all alone for all these years. Does Taehyung know?"

Jungkook nodded slightly.

Mr. Jeon nodded and gently kissed the boy's forehead. "We are proud of you, little one. No matter who you choose to love in the future."

**

Jimin was waiting for a long, but Jungkook was running late. Tonight was the night he wanted to spend with the boy, and he had cooked everything that Jungkook liked. He had a week for himself to think about everything. A mere teenage boy was making him have second thoughts. And he was finally willing to accept that he might be pansexual, but he still couldn't entirely change his mind about his move to Singapore. He always had plans — both short and long-term — buying a house and a car, getting a promotion, marrying a beautiful girl, and then starting a family by the time he was thirty.

This was his career and his aspiration for so long, and he didn't want to abandon them, but he was also certain that if Jungkook allowed him, he'd work around something in between while keeping his job.

The door knock made him jut his head. He ran to get the door and the first thing he noticed was Jungkook's red eyes. "What's wrong?" He asked, face paling suddenly.

"I was applying make-up and I hurt my eye with the brush." The teen feigned a grin while entering the house.

Jimin smiled a little before closing the door. "Hungry?" He asked.

"Yeah, a bit."

"Can we talk first, Jungkook?" The man asked, unease in his voice.

Jungkook nodded, sensing the elephant in the room, silently pacing toward the couch. As they sat, Jimin heaved a sigh to calm his nerves before continuing. "I wanted to thank you first. If our first meeting was any indication, I never would've thought I'd see this side of me. Thanks to you that I've realized something about myself. It's a real eye-opener."

"I am glad I could help." Jungkook pressed his lips together, seeing Jimin nervously shift on the couch.

"I hope you don't have any resentment towards me. I really want you to be okay after I leave. Tell me if I can do anything more for you. Or if you have anything in your heart, share it with me."

"Oh, Jimin..." Jungkook grinned, seeing Jimin's anticipatory and hopeful gaze, but he couldn't be sure of Jimin's feelings as he blinked to keep his tears at bay.

Jimin was admiring Jungkook's pretty lips while contemplating what his emotions would be, trying to find one hint anywhere in those words that could convey that the teen was also not willing to call it quits yet. "I am fortunate that I had to experience my first with you. I like you a lot and it was beautiful while it lasted."

While it lasted. The older nodded mutely, his gaze traveling to the floor as uneasiness set low on his stomach. 

"Now I am happy for you and excited about my future too, Jimin. Let's see what the world has in its pocket for us."

 "I am sure it has everything that you hope for," Jimin worked up a small smile, his throat gulped with unsaid words. "You are an amazing person, Jungkook... Thank you for the past months. I'll never forget you," he leaned towards him and kissed his cheeks. Jungkook closed his eyes, feeling Jimin's lips still lingering as tears rolled down his eyes. He hung his head down when Jimin stood up, clearing his throat. "Let me set the table and we'll eat."

Jungkook nodded, still looking down. He could also discern Jimin's shaky voice.

The older walked into the kitchen and blinked his misty eyes.

Wiping his lashes, he put the hot dishes into a big tray and brought it out to the dining hall, only to find that Jungkook was gone.

**

Later that night, Jimin stood outside the airport, slightly aware of his feelings for Jungkook, but too afraid to admit it even to himself. While it lasted.

"Is it possible you fell in love with him?" Hoseok asked, looking at Jimin's lost eyes.

The younger remained silent and Hoseok looked around awkwardly. The silence passed over between them again. "I should go in now," Jimin spoke after a brief pause, digging his hands in his pocket and taking out something. "Here are the house keys."

Hoseok accepted the keychain and hugged his friend. "Be happy. If you find yourself lost, think about why you wanted to be there in the first place. You'll find your center."

Jimin pulled away and nodded. "If you can... Check up on him from time to time. I have a feeling he's not going to want to talk to me after today."

"I will," Hoseok assured, feeling empathetic. "See you soon, Jimin."

The younger male nodded before he turned, wheeling his trolley filled with big bags through the gates.