Yoonmin in Malta

28 - Promise (II)

Jimin offers no resistance as Yoongi grabs his hand and leads him through the dark hotel room to the bed, only the dimmed desk lamp lighting their way. As if they had already found their way to bed together thousands of times, Yoongi first lies down and then pulls Jimin into his arms as a matter of course so that they find themselves in the spooning position.

The elder holds Jimin tightly in his arms and they share the rhythm of their breaths. The regularity with which their heartbeats have synchronized has a surprisingly calming effect on Yoongi.

The silence that dominates the room also relieves the elder, so that he soon recovers from the previous chaos of emotions. For half an eternity now, they lie there, breathing together and sharing their warmth with each other. All the while, Yoongi watches the flowing images of light projected onto the walls of the hotel room by the city's night time street traffic.

The events of that evening seem so unreal to him. He doesn't dare move or speak for fear that a cruel reality will catch up with him. The fear is too great that if they further talk about the misunderstandings of the past weeks, the situation would escalate and Jimin would move away from him again - and Yoongi certainly doesn't want to risk that.

But wasn't it exactly this hesitation that led to all the pain and all the wrong assumptions? Yoongi knows full well that he is to blame for a disturbing amount of his own pain. But even worse, he has hurt Jimin.

So much he would like to undo the events of the past few weeks.

So much he would like to start over.

So much he would like to go back, to that one night in Malta when Jimin was in his arms and became so infinitely sad.

Yoongi still doesn't know what made him so sad then, but he can't shake the feeling that Jimin needed more than just a shoulder to cry on that night. And as if Yoongi is trying to make up for his mistake that night, he does speak to the younger man.

"Are you okay?" he whispers softly in Jimin's ear, unsure if he has already fallen asleep.

"Yes." the younger man replies in a lowered voice.

He takes Yoongi's hand, which was still clutching him, and begins to trace the course of the prominent veins on the back of the elder's hand with his fingers. In contrast, Jimin's hand seems so much smaller and more delicate. A warm feeling spreads through Yoongi's stomach and he can't help but grin.

He has missed Jimin so immensely. His warmth. His tenderness. His kindness.

"I want to apologize to you, Jiminie," Yoongi hesitantly begins the conversation.

"Not today. Not now. We still have so much time for this." the younger man calmly replies, still peacefully brushing his fingertips over the porcelain skin.

Yoongi releases his hand from Jimin's touch, gently cups his warm cheeks and pulls him into a light kiss. It's as if they are both aware of the fragility of their situation and allow each other only gentle touches of their lips. Ready at any moment to break away, to pull back to a safe distance. Carefully, they explore the limits of what is bearable, becoming more and more daring.

As they deepen the kiss, Yoongi's hands begin to discover Jimin's body, tracing the contours of his back, the curve of his waist, and the subtle lines of his muscular frame. He can feel the way Jimin trembles under his touch, and it only heightens his own desire. Yoongi's arms are almost shaking with longing as they give in to the force of his attraction and tightly hold the younger man's body. He can feel how Jimin curls into his touch and how his spent breath warms the skin on his neck, and it sends an electrifying shiver through his body.