Yoonmin in Malta

8 - The first evening (II)

Soon the party breaks up and the band scatters around the boat. Hobi and Jungkook stand at the bar and think about which drink they should have first to start the night off right. When they finally have the bar's first recommendation in their hands, they return to the seating area on deck where Namjoon and Yoongi have been sitting since they arrived on the boat.

"They're doing it again," Namjoon complains as he watches Jimin and Jin reenact a famous scene from Titanic on the bow of the boat.

"They've been doing it for three years," Yoongi suddenly speaks up.

"On our trip to Northern Europe, in Hawaii, and now here," he clarifies.

"They also did it at our last Season's Greeting," Namjoon adds another event to the list.

"I'm going to fall off the boat!" Jimin cringes and giggles at Jin who is standing behind him and has just grabbed the younger man under his arms, which tickled him.

"That's how you're supposed to do it!" Jin defends himself, amused.

"No! You have to hold me here!", Jimin instructs with a grin and points to his small hips.

"Jimin ... close your eyes and trust me," Jin speaks solemnly. Both of them concentrate on their roles and Jimin stretches out his arms again.

"Don't let go yet, not until I say so!" the elder suddenly yells and Jimin doubles over laughing again.

"Don't yell at me!"

Yoongi observes the two friends having inexhaustible fun recreating a simple scene from a movie. There was a time, when Jimin used to be this happy and carefree, even in Yoongi's presence. In fact, they were known to be very affectionate with each other. Yoongi has to admit that one can't really do endless fun and games with him. For that, Jimin has his two younger bandmates Jungkook, Taehyung, and of course, the eldest, Jin. 

With Yoongi, Jimin was always able to create an island of security and trust. Both of them have had similar experiences and have overcome obstacles in their lives, which has connected them in a special way. With the rest of the band, Yoongi tends to have a rather cool relationship. No one is allowed to get too close to Yoongi or even touch him, with the exception of Jimin.

This was also the case during their training period before their debut. Back then, there was no doubt in Yoongi's mind that he had a purely brotherly relationship with Jimin. He also saw himself as his mentor. And yet, there were always those glances and little touches that Yoongi just couldn't let go of. He was unaware that his gentle caressing of Jimin's neck and arms followed a deep desire for Jimin's closeness. For him, it was just protecting his younger bandmate, who was so insecure and helplessly happy to follow Yoongi's gentle guidance. Nevertheless, there is nothing better for Jimin than to be praised, affirmed or simply noticed. And Yoongi has noticed him, the younger man felt that.

But Jimin is no longer the insecure boy who was afraid of being kicked out of the band, searching for guidance. Park Jimin is now by far the most charismatic member of the band, no one can deny that. Nobody expected him to develop such an amazing singing voice so quickly, not even Yoongi himself, but he has supported him from the beginning in finding his own style. Yoongi is convinced that Jimin's extraordinary ambition and willingness to work hard has brought him to where he is today.

Yoongi sighs, lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the golden sea.

But then his thoughts are interrupted by the on-board crew, who bring Mediterranean sandwiches for their guests. The friends, attracted by the food, reassemble in the lounge area.

"We should record a video message for Tae," Jimin suggests.

"Yeah, let's record a video for Taehyung!" repeats Hobi a little louder, while Jimin is already pointing his smartphone at the group.

"Hey V! It's really warm over here!" Hobi shouts into the camera, Jungkook slips into view and repeats Hobi's words. "Yeah, it's damn warm over here."

"Everyone tells him they love him one by one now!" orders Jimin, holding his smartphone in front of each person's face in turn.

"Taehyung, I love you," Jungkook says casually. 

"Taehyung, I love you," Namjoon repeats with a slight singsong in his voice and a gentle smile.

Now it's Yoongi's turn, who turns away from the camera with an embarrassed grin. Hobi, who is sitting next to him, laughs mischievously at him. Words like that don't come out of his mouth as easily as the others, even if it's just for fun.

"I ... love you," he mumbles reluctantly, still averting his eyes.

"Love you!" Hobi purrs into the camera, forming a heart with his fingers.

"I love you!" Jin says, pursing his lips.

"I love you, come here quickly!" shouts Jimin finally, waving at the camera, his smartphone held far away from him so that everyone can be seen again at the end.

Meanwhile, Taehyung is sitting in an airport lounge in Incheon, waiting to board his flight. With a big grin on his face, he watches the video as soon as it reaches his smartphone. He giggles as Yoongi's evasive behavior is played. Taehyung pauses the video near the end and shows the frozen image to his manager sitting in front of him.

"How cute he looks."

In the picture, Jimin can be seen smiling happily at the camera and waving.