Yoonmin in Malta

3 - Vacation (III)

Once the video is shot, the band members disperse to the two rental cars. They first want to go out for something to eat in the capital, Valletta, before they check out their apartment for the week, which is located nearby.

Jungkook heads for the SUV and immediately begins nervously settling into the driver's seat, as in Malta, unlike in Korea, people drive on the left side. Worried about his young friend, Hobi gets into the co-driver's seat and Namjoon follows him into the SUV.

When Jimin also wants to get into the SUV, Namjoon looks at him uncomprehendingly.

"The car is full, go with Jin," he instructs Jimin.

'Crap, please don't, Joonie,' Jimin thinks to himself desperately. He wanted to get in the SUV too, so he wouldn't have to be in the same car as Yoongi.

Disappointed, he shuffles to the van that Jin would be driving and sits in the back seat behind Yoongi. The latter has been sitting in the front passenger seat for a while and has turned his hand fan to the highest setting. Jin has not started the car yet, thus the air conditioner could not cool down the car yet, which is roasting in the summer heat.

The spicy scent of Yoongi's favorite perfume, whipped up by the hand fan, spreads through the back of the car, clouding Jimin's senses. He remembers how carefree they had once been with each other. How natural it was for him to be near Yoongi, and how that very familiar smell had become part of his happy everyday life. Tears form in Jimin's eyes and he gradually feels a lump forming in his throat.

"You need to buckle up, Jimin!", Jin instructs the younger man after noticing that he became motionless as soon as he dropped into the back seat and closed the car door. Jimin follows Jin's instructions and then quickly turns his face to the window, hoping the elder wouldn't notice his teary eyes.

Still muddled by Yoongi's painful scent, Jimin thinks of the nameless song he's been working on.

'Since when have I hurt you, you're getting further and further away from me.'

Jimin started working on the melody and lyrics after Yoongi became so closed off after their fight in Taipei.

'It's nothing special, I said, but to be honest, it can never be true.'

Yoongi listens as Jimin continues humming the melody to the song for a while in the car, and Yoongi recognizes it. Jimin has been humming it to himself a lot lately, deep in thought. Before their fight, Jimin would have gone to him at the first idea for a song, and not just because, in addition to being a rapper, he also produces songs for the band.

'I guess those days are over,' Yoongi realizes painfully as he speaks that phrase to himself a few more times in his mind, letting the Mediterranean landscape of Malta flow past him.