GOLDEN TALENT | VKOOK ✓

17 | CLEANER'S ROOM

Jeongguk had his head resting on Jimin's thigh.

The blonde held his phone in one hand while writing in his notebook with the other. When Jeongguk felt a little more lonely than usual, he dropped on his couch, and who was Jimin to kick him out of his apartment?

Jeongguk had been sleeping on him until he opened his eyes and looked up at him. After a while, Jimin noticed him with his periferia and smiled down at him, ''What?''

''Just, you know.'' Jeongguk sighed, ''Do you ever wonder what we would be doing if it wasn't music?'' He spoke slowly, standing up on his elbow.

''From where did this come from?'' As he tossed the notebook on the table beside the couch, the blonde frowned.

''Ah,'' Jeongguk said, considering, ''I was just having a talk with Taehyung a few days ago. Partly about my childhood, not in great detail. And I thought about Soyeon and all. '' A hum slipped: ''I just overthought a few things, nothing serious.''

''Aw, Jeongguk-ie,'' Jimin melted towards Jeongguk and pressed his palm against his cheek. ''Did you have trouble sleeping again? While considering those things?''

''Don't baby me like that,'' huffed Jeongguk, but whoever melted slightly at the touch, ''I'm fine, told you, nothing serious,'' he said, pressing his palm against the other.

Jimin shakes his head ruefully, ''I am made for ballet. If not for singing, I'm sure my path would have taken me to the dance floor. I can feel it, you know?'' The boy drew away and motioned for the other to lie down on his lap again so he could massage his hair. ''You know how, as cliche as it may sound, each of us has a unique role in this world? You shouldn't be insecure because you weren't the best in math because you were perfect in everything else.'' Jeongguk was listening with his eyes closed.

''I was the top student in computer science. I also sucked at biology but studied my ass off.'' The ravenette exhaled through his nose and relaxed his hands on his stomach.

''See? You get what I mean; I don't think we should wonder what we would be doing if it wasn't for music, because we chose music and it chose us. That is our responsibility.'' Jimin talked in a smooth and quiet voice, ''Most importantly, it will be worth it in the end.''

''Will it truly?'' Jeonguk chuckled and hummed along.

''Yes, my adorable baby.'' Jimin cooed and squished the other's cheeks as he stood up. Jimin let out a low laugh and grabbed both of his cheeks, squeezing them both. ''I'm here as well, okay? We've been through it all, and we'll go through it all again, okay?''

Jeongguk couldn't help but blush at Jimin's affectionate gesture, his cheeks still in the gentle grip of his friend. He met Jimin's gaze, finding reassurance in the sincerity of his words. "Yeah, you're right."

Their laughter subsided, and Jimin didn't squish his cheeks as hard as before. Jeongguk parted his lips and looked at the other, who was still smiling. ''Are you happy, Jimin?''

Jeongguk's gaze traced the contours of Jimin's face, his eyes lingering on every familiar line and curve. He marvelled at the way his features had grown with time yet still retained the essence of the boy she had known since childhood. Meanwhile, Jimin's gaze met hers, a silent acknowledgment of the depth of their bond. There was a shared vulnerability and trust that transcended romantic notions.

''I'm quite happy,'' In response, he nodded his head. ''You know, someone likes me for more than just my ass. I'm not sure what I think of it, but I like it. He never refers to me as a slut, you know? Yoongi. He has such a gentle soul. I think he makes me happy these days; I don't know.''

Jeongguk listened intently to Jimin's words, a soft smile playing on his lips. ''I'm happy for you being happy, Jimin,'' Jeongguk licked his dry lips and softly blinked. "And Yoongi sounds like a great guy."