CIGARETTES AND TULIPS // jikook

5 - no pressure

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the next day, jimin woke up to a rare day off from university.

the morning was quiet, and the sunlight streamed gently through the curtains of his small bedroom. he had spent the first few hours of the day helping his mother at the flower shop, as he usually did on days like this.

the familiar scent of fresh flowers filled the air, and the soft petals were softly brushing against his fingers.

but as he worked, his mind kept drifting back to jungkook.

the guilt had been gnawing at him ever since the night at the bar. he had paid for their drinks, and jimin hadn't even answered his texts at all.

he felt bad—really bad. and the thought of how jungkook had looked at him, how gentle and kind he had seemed... it just made the guilt heavier.

after a while, jimin couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to do something. an apology text didn't feel right, though. no, he needed to do something more personal, something that felt like him.

so, he decided to do what he knew best. he would make jungkook a bouquet—a real one, full of thought and care.

he might not be good with words, but he was good with flowers.

jimin carefully selected the flowers, focusing on tulips, his absolute favorite, and a few other personal touches that reminded him of peace and comfort. soft, pastel tones mingled with deep, rich hues as he arranged them with careful hands.

the bouquet came together beautifully, each stem placed with intention, and when he was finished, he wrapped it delicately, hoping that jungkook would understand what he was trying to say through the flowers.

"mom, I'm heading out for a bit," jimin called out as he grabbed his jacket. his mother, busy at the counter, looked up with a gentle smile.

"take your time, jiminie," she said, her voice warm as always. "and be careful."

with a nod, jimin left the shop, the bouquet clutched in his hands. the walk to the bar felt longer than usual, his nerves making each step heavier. but when he finally reached the familiar place, he took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

the bar was quieter than it had been on friday night, the mid-afternoon lull casting a peaceful atmosphere over the space.

and there, behind the bar, was jungkook.

he was dressed entirely in black, an oversized sweater hanging loosely over his frame, making him look both stylish and comfortable at the same time. his dark hair fell softly over his forehead, and when he noticed jimin approaching, a small, welcoming smile spread across his lips.

"jimin," jungkook greeted him, his voice gentle. he looked kind of surprised, his doe eyes big, lips parted.

jimin hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest, but he managed a small, shy smile in return. "hi jungkook."

he held out the bouquet, his hands trembling slightly.

"I... I made these for you. I'm sorry for not replying to your messages. and... thank you for paying for our drinks the other night. you didn't have to do that."

jungkook's eyes softened as he took the flowers from jimin, his fingers brushing lightly against his.

he handled the bouquet with such care, as if it were a treasure. "these are beautiful. thank you. I'll make sure they're well taken care of."

true to his word, jungkook found a vase and filled it with water before placing the flowers in it with the same gentleness he had shown before.

he set them on the counter, right where everyone could see them, arranging the stems just so, ensuring they looked perfect. jimin watched, feeling a strange warmth in his chest as he saw how much attention jungkook gave the bouquet.

it meant more to him than he expected.

when jungkook turned back to him, his expression was kind, but there was curiosity there too. "you don't need to apologize," he said softly. "I'm just glad you're here now."

jimin bit his lip, trying to find the right words.

"I'm... I'm not good at texting. or... letting new people into my life. it's hard for me."

he spoke carefully, choosing his words as if they might break under the weight of what he was trying to express.

jungkook nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I get it. it's okay, no pressure."

his voice was so gentle, and jimin found himself actually relaxing a little. the tension in his shoulders eased as he met jungkook's gaze.

for a moment, it felt like the world outside didn't exist, just the two of them in this quiet space, surrounded by the soft hum of the bar.

"thanks," jimin whispered, feeling a little more at ease. jungkook's presence was comforting, not overwhelming, and that meant everything.

time seemed to pass in a blur after that.

they talked for a little while, nothing too deep, just light conversation that felt surprisingly easy.

and then, before jimin knew it, he was saying goodbye, stepping back out into the cool afternoon air. but this time, there was a small smile on his lips, and his heart felt a little lighter.

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on monday evening, as jimin walked home from the university, his thoughts drifted back to the bar.

he hadn't been there since he'd given jungkook the flowers, but something drew him towards that familiar street. his feet moved of their own accord, taking him past the bar's large windows, and he glanced inside, half-expecting nothing to be different.

but then he saw it.

the bouquet he had given jungkook still sat on the counter, nestled in the same vase.

the flowers were well-cared for, their petals still vibrant and fresh. they hadn't wilted or been forgotten. no, they were arranged with love, displayed prominently as if they were something precious.

jimin stopped in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat.

it might seem stupid but there was something about seeing those flowers, still in perfect condition, that made his heart swell with a strange, unfamiliar emotion.

he wasn't sure what it was, but it was warm, soft, and almost comforting.

and maybe, just maybe, it made him feel a little less alone.

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