Hate With Benefits | Jikook

Chapter Twenty Seven • Dreaming

Hi hi i'm back :3

The days pass by uneventfully, though much faster than Jimin is accustomed to. He's certain spending time with Jungkook is part of the reason; they lose themselves to time easily when they're together and Jimin barely notices a change in atmosphere as the tournament nears its date, finals creeping just right around the corner as well.

The thought of it has him pacing around his room stressed, mind running wild with dates and tests and practice matches and a bunch more. He hasn't planned his date with Jungkook yet, hasn't had the time to really think it through, and that's one more layer added on top of the pile of recent worries.

"Jimin, can you please just calm the hell down? You're starting to stress me the hell out," Taehyung groans from where he lies on Jimin's bed, head hanging over the edge of the mattress as he tracks the older's movement upside down.

Jimin scoffs, halting abruptly to shoot his friend a sharp look because he does not seem to understand the depth of his issues. "Relax? Tae, the tournament is in two weeks, I haven't finished revising all the material for the finals which are also not far ahead, and on top of everything, I still don't have a clue what the hell I'm gonna do for my date with Jungkook!"

He throws himself next to his best friend and screams into his pillow, the sound muffled by soft fabric. He hears Taehyung chuckle from beside him and feels a dip in the mattress as he moves closer to him, hand coming to rest gently over his back.

"You're always such a worrywart, Jiminie. Never living in the present," Taehyung sighs. "Just take things slow, one thing at a time, okay?"

Jimin turns his head to look at him, expression twisted into a pout. "I just need everything to be perfect."

The youngest chuckles fondly. "I know. But you've got nothing to worry about, seriously. You're still top of our class and I doubt anyone's gunning for your position. I mean, even if you get some questions wrong in the exams, I'm sure you'll pass just fine–"

"Not the exams, Tae," Jimin cuts in. "I was talking about my date. It needs to be perfect." He blushes a little at the statement, heart fluttering at the realization that he's really doing this, that he's finally taking that step with Jungkook.

"Oh," Taehyung says. His hand leaves Jimin's back and reclaims its spot on the mattress. "Well, the point still stands. It will be perfect..." His voice lowers into a gentle promise. "Just like you deserve it to be."

Jimin rolls onto his side. He stares at Taehyung, searching in the depth of his expression for discomfort in regards to the topic. He imagines how this can be difficult for him to hear. After all, Jimin would feel torn too, if faced with the same predicament.

"You're allowed to be upset, you know?" He says softly.

The younger one turns to him with a hint of guilt flashing across his face, gone as quick as a passing breeze.

"I'm not. What makes you think I'm upset?" He says with a small laugh, but makes the mistake of looking away, and Jimin instantly sees through the cracks. Taehyung hasn't really talked to anyone about his one-sided crush, except for – ironically – said crush himself. Jimin sometimes feels guilty about that. He wishes Taehyung would trust others with this vulnerable side of himself, as Jimin could only do so much to soothe the pain as the cause of his anguish.

He sits up and levels Taehyung with a gentle look. "Just know that you can always talk to me about these things, okay?" He means it. Though he knows he's the one breaking Taehyung's heart, he means it.

Carefully, Taehyung faces him, eyes timid. He looks impossibly small, and Jimin's own chest feels tight around his heart. Taehyung parts his lips around a sigh.