The festival’s noise had faded into the background, leaving only the rustling of leaves and the faint sound of distant music as Jungkook and Jimin stood close, their breaths mingling in the cool evening air. The tension between them was different now—no longer filled with uncertainty but rather charged with the promise of something new, something neither of them had fully expected but both had begun to hope for.
Jungkook’s hand lingered on Jimin’s cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over the soft skin. He could feel Jimin’s breath hitch under his touch, and the warmth of Jimin’s skin sent a shiver down his spine. The reality of what they had just confessed hung between them, fragile and precious.
“Jimin,” Jungkook said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t want to rush things or make you feel pressured. I just… I want to be honest with you about how I feel.”
Jimin’s eyes softened, and he reached up to cover Jungkook’s hand with his own, his fingers gently curling around Jungkook’s. “I appreciate that, sunbae. And I’m glad you told me. I’ve been holding back my feelings for a while now because I didn’t want to ruin what we have, but… I can’t deny it anymore. I really care about you, too.”
Jungkook’s heart swelled at Jimin’s words, and he felt a surge of affection that made him want to pull Jimin into his arms and never let go. But he held back, knowing that they needed to take things slowly, to give themselves time to adjust to this new dynamic between them.
“Let’s take this one step at a time,” Jungkook suggested, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside him. “We don’t have to label anything right now. Let’s just… be ourselves and see where this goes.”
Jimin’s smile was radiant, a mix of relief and happiness that made Jungkook’s chest tighten with emotion. “I’d like that,” Jimin agreed, his voice soft and sincere. “I just want to be with you, sunbae. However that looks, I’m okay with it.”
They stood there for a moment longer, just soaking in the warmth of each other’s presence, before Jungkook reluctantly pulled his hand away, though the connection between them remained strong. He knew that this was just the beginning of something new and beautiful, but also something that would require patience and understanding.
“Shall we head back to the festival?” Jungkook asked, offering Jimin a gentle smile. “We can enjoy the rest of the evening together.”
Jimin nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Yes! There’s still so much to see. Plus, I want to show you around some of the booths. The food here is amazing!”
Jungkook chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. “Lead the way, Jimin.”
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As they made their way back to the bustling heart of the festival, the atmosphere was lively and filled with laughter. The campus was decorated with twinkling lights, colorful banners, and festive stalls offering everything from food to games to handmade crafts. The scent of delicious street food wafted through the air, and the sound of music and chatter filled the night.
Jungkook and Jimin wandered through the various booths, sampling snacks and playing a few games. Jimin’s energy was infectious, his laughter bright and carefree as he dragged Jungkook from one stall to another, his enthusiasm never waning. Jungkook found himself smiling more than he had in a long time, caught up in the joy of the evening and the warmth of Jimin’s company.
At one point, they stopped by a booth selling handmade trinkets and accessories. Jimin’s eyes lit up as he browsed the selection, his fingers delicately touching the various items on display. Jungkook watched him with a fond smile, enjoying the way Jimin seemed to take delight in even the smallest things.
