𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 || 𝐉𝐉𝐊 𝐱 𝐏𝐉𝐌

- 9 -

♡

The unpleasantly cold winter air gnaws at Jimin's skin and makes him wrap the scarf tighter around his neck to protect himself from the biting cold. Jimin shivers as the wind penetrates his pores and his bones. He rocks nervously on his feet and his cheeks turn pink, waiting at the entrance of the yoga studio.

He shakily exhales warm air and watches as it rises in little puffs of white. The aerial yoga session has done him good today and distracted him from what's to come. Jimin never thought he'd be able to persuade Jeongguk, Jin's mysterious and intimidating alpha brother, to go out with him for the benefit of both of them.

After the shock of seeing Jin and Yoongi kiss, a wave of despair swept over Jimin and the idea of fake dating seemed like a lifeline to him. Even though he has no idea what the result will be from today's conversation with Jeongguk, he can't help but feel a sense of hope.

"Sorry, I'm late," a deep voice suddenly sounds behind Jimin, making him spin around. "I popped into a bakery to get something."

Jeongguk approaches him with a thickly lined winter jacket and a brown paper bag in his hand, which he holds up. Jimin studies him, hands sinking deeper into the warm pockets of his jacket. Jeongguk's shy, seemingly composed smile hints at a flicker of nervousness. Jimin appreciates the small gesture of getting something sweet but keeps his thoughts to himself, unsure how to deal with the stark contrast to his usually reserved nature.

Jeongguk is only a few minutes late for their meeting, having texted him beforehand that he would be a little late. Therefore, it's not a big deal for Jimin.

Not wanting to prolong the awkward silence, Jimin clears his throat and returns his smile. His gaze then flickers down to the brown paper bag in Jeongguk's hand, examining and pondering what might be in there.

Curiosity takes hold of him, and Jimin can't resist asking what's inside the bag.

"It's fine," Jimin assures, nodding to the street that leads to his home. The Christmas decorations have already been taken down except for a few strings of tree lights illuminating the streets in the dark. People hurry home from work into the comfort and warmth of their homes. Because even though it's already January, it's still lousy cold. If his jacket hadn't pockets, his fingers would already be red and aching from the cold. "Let's go to my dorm already. My flatmate isn't there for the weekend."

When Jimin thinks about it, he doesn't know what he thought when he invited Jeongguk over. They're not particularly close, and the alpha has never been to his place before. In his time living in this city, the only alpha he's ever brought to his home has been Jin, but that's because Jimin knows and trusts him. Yet, it's the best place to talk privately and minimise the risk of someone from the university hearing us.

Silence settles over them as they walk towards the dorm. From the corner of his eye, Jimin realises that the cold is also getting to Jeongguk. He adjusts the zip of his jacket and pulls it up until he can hide his mouth behind it.