Nascent

Chapter Nineteen

As Jimin woke up to the soft morning light streaming through his floor-to-ceiling windows, he groggily moved around in bed, feeling the aftermath of a night of unexpected events. Rubbing his puffy eyes, he realised that he wasn't in his pajamas. His gaze wandered around the room, and that's when he noticed his shoes casually placed on the floor. Still dressed in the suit from the wedding, the memories of the previous night began to flood back.

He recalled the call from you, asking for help with the wedding gift, the impromptu invitation as your plus one, the conversations, the shared pictures, and his unexpected turn as a singer on the stage. The recollection ended with the realisation that he must have had a bit too much to drink, resulting in a throbbing headache and a sense of something missing.

As Jimin pondered his hazy memories, the doorbell rang, prompting him to get up with a lazy stretch. He gently rubbed his head, feeling the dull pain from his hangover. Opening the door, he found you standing there, holding a bowl and a bag of medicines. You were dressed in a matching lazy outfit, with grey sweatpants and a blue sleeved shirt. Your hair was pulled back with a large claw clip, but a few strands framed your face.

"Good morning, Jimin," you greeted him with a warm smile. He let you in, and you continued, "I got you some things to recover from your hangover."

You guided him to the living room, where you set down the bowl and medicines on the coffee table. The bowl contained a warm, soothing soup with steam rising delicately. The bag of medicines had an assortment of remedies for headaches and upset stomachs.

"You might need this after last night," you said, your tone a mix of concern and amusement. "I hope it helps you feel better."

Jimin, still feeling a bit disoriented, managed a grateful smile. As you looked after him, tending to his hangover, the morning unfolded with a sense of comfort and care.

Jimin's slender fingers gingerly massaged his temples, a silent acknowledgement of the pulsating headache that threatened to overpower him. He cast a grateful glance toward you, his eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and appreciation. "Oh, what would I do without you?" he murmured with a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

In response, you shot him a teasing smirk, your eyes glinting mischievously. "Hmm, let's ponder that for a moment, shall we? Perhaps pass out on a table in the middle of a wedding?" you quipped, a playful edge to your voice.

Jimin's embarrassment was palpable, and you swiftly moved to reassure him, your tone laced with humor. "Don't worry, no one saw. And even if they did, your singing is bound to be the more memorable event," you assured him with a playful wink.

Rubbing his aching head, Jimin grimaced at the memories of the night before. "Oh God, I'm not sure if I want to remember last night," he muttered under his breath.

Leaning in, you whispered conspiratorially, "Well, I sure hope you do."

Confused, Jimin questioned, "What?"

"Get yourself together. Go take a shower and change while I work my magic on reheating this soup for you," you instructed, your voice carrying a note of authority. When Jimin inquired about the soup's origin, you retorted with a sly smirk, "If I had made it, I'd have a paramedic on speed dial."

A chuckle escaped Jimin's lips as he dubbed you his savoir, expressing gratitude with a gentle squeeze on your shoulder before retreating to prepare for the day. Seizing the opportunity, you took a moment to survey his surprisingly tidy living room and clean kitchen. Reheating the soup and jotting down medication times, you played the caretaker role seamlessly.

When Jimin emerged, clad in grey sweats and a black compression shirt that accentuated his sculpted upper body, you couldn't help but blush and gulp in surprise. While you were aware of his gym routine, the sight before you exceeded expectations. Oblivious to your reaction, Jimin casually remarked, "Hmm, it hasn't smelled this good in here forever."