Yoonmin in Malta

25 - Love Yourself (I)

Yoongi's recovery from the shock happened surprisingly quickly. Yoongi didn't hold Jimin responsible for the romantic feelings he had. Especially since he now knew they would never be reciprocated. The idol life can be lonely and brutal, so he couldn't fault Jimin for seeking comfort in sexual relationships.

Yoongi decides not to take advantage of their closeness and does his best to suppress and reframe his emotions. Slowly, he tries to convince himself that a romantic relationship between the two of them wouldn't work out. It's crucial for Yoongi not to burden Jimin with his own feelings; Jimin isn't responsible for Yoongi falling in love.

After that night at Han River Park, no resentment brews between them. They continue to maintain a professional front, as expected from bandmates. However, the once-intimate interactions between them have vanished.

The soft giggles that used to fill the room when they playfully teased and joked with each other are no longer present. The gentle smiles they exchanged, with Yoongi placing a supportive hand on Jimin's shoulder, praising him for a job well done, have disappeared as well. Even the warm, reassuring back hugs Jimin used to give his hyung, as if to prove that he was there, have become a distant memory. All these tender gestures that made their interactions special and loving are gone now.

Jimin channels all his energy into preparing for their upcoming world tour, using it as a distraction to keep his sanity intact. But when night falls and he lies alone in his bed, waves of loneliness crash over him. In those quiet moments, he musters all his remaining strength not to think about Yoongi. He battles against memories of Yoongi's warm smile, the smile that was once reserved solely for Jimin.

Taehyung watches his best friend closely, growing increasingly worried. Jimin avoids talking about what happened at Han River Park, begging Taehyung not to bring it up. Respecting Jimin's request, Taehyung remains silent, but in the rare moments of quietness, he recognizes profound pain shimmering in Jimin's eyes.

Namjoon, always attuned to the dynamics within their group, senses tension lingering between Yoongi and Jimin once again. Although he's grateful that their strained relationship isn't affecting their preparations for the world tour, he also realizes the importance of addressing any underlying issues. The band faces their biggest challenge yet, as the tour will span several months and continents. They cannot afford any weakness now.

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The 'Love Yourself' world tour kicks off in mid-August 2018, and the members of the band feel an immense pressure hovering over them. With each record they break and every new level of success they achieve, the weight of their fans' expectations grows heavier. Will they be able to live up to these soaring expectations on this tour?

The first concert turned out to be a slight disappointment, with slip-ups in their choreography and an energy burnout from the first three songs that made it difficult to keep up the momentum until the end. Nevertheless, they pushed through and finished the show.

Four weeks later, after eight more shows, they find themselves in the middle of the North American leg. Exhaustion lingers in their weary bodies, each performance taking its toll on their physical and mental well-being. Los Angeles, Oakland, and Fort Worth had already left their mark, leaving the band drained.

In the dimly lit hotel room in Fort Worth, Jungkook and Jimin sit together, sharing a quiet dinner. It is a rare occasion for them to eat together, but Jimin insisted on Jungkook on this night.

The room is filled with a hushed ambiance, the faint scent of their meal mingling with the soft music playing in the background, that intertwines with their conversation.

"L.A. was brutal, wasn't it?" Jungkook exclaims, his voice filled with exhaustion as he reaches for another piece of steak.

He didn't expect Jimin to respond, as he also knows only too well how challenging their four concerts in Los Angeles had been. With only one day off between shows, they were pushed to their limits.