take two | VMIN | BTS

tied together with a smile

"I'm here. I'll be right up."

Jimin slid his phone into his pocket after his call with Taehyung ended. He was at the Atlys offices, ready to meet Taehyung's assistant, Amber, who wanted to go over potential profiles for Jimin's team. According to his grandfather, there was going to be an executive assistant and a security guard and Jimin thought that was quite enough but apparently there would also be some PR person, and a stylist. Jimin was going to bat the last one away. He was not important enough to have a stylist but decided against it. He didn't know what events he'd be expected to attend and the less time he spent fretting about his outfits, the better.

Jimin had told Taehyung he'd be right up, but he hadn't even left the safety of his car yet.

You can do this.

It wasn't every day you returned to the spot where you died.

Letting out a slow breath, Jimin braced himself and stepped out of his car, grabbing the bag of goodies and treats he got for everyone. This was his first visit to Taehyung's office as his fiancé. But this wasn't Jimin's first visit here.

He used to traverse this space weekly in his previous life, visiting as Jaehyun's husband and coordinator for company events and retreats. That was then. Now he was just a stranger to these parts. One with vivid memories.

Jimin walked down the crowded payment slowly, tracing the steps he had taken the day he died. This was the path he had walked, unassuming and happy, right into a blubbering desperate confession by his husband to his sister.

His eyes followed the trail and stopped at the corner where the old Jimin stood, listening as his life came crashing down around him. And then? And then Jimin walked away. Walked away from the couple and right into his death.

What had his life been then? A life reigned by fear, insecurity, and the desperate need to be enough.

Jimin's ears were ringing so loud he almost didn't hear the distant, 'Jiminie?'.

He had been so convinced he was happy back then. Why? Because he had a space he could call his home. Because he was out of the family mansion. But what was his life, really? Jimin had spent it serving his husband, nurturing that man's career, caring for his ungrateful family, never letting anyone in beyond the cursory level because he was so fucking scared. What was he scared of? Of them seeing the truth.

What was that truth?

"Jiminie, are you okay?" The hand to his elbow brought him back to the crowded street, and Jimin nearly jumped out of his skin at the touch. He turned back, eyes wide, heart hammering in his ears.

That he wasn't enough.

He stared up at Taehyung's warm brown eyes. They stared back at him, filled with concern. He had asked Jimin a question, what was it?

"S-Sorry?"

"Are you okay?" Taehyung asked again, partially hidden behind a face mask. The mask didn't obstruct his handsomeness, if the random pedestrians walking by, doing double takes and sneaking glances was anything to go by.

Jimin had been back for less than two weeks. In such a short time, his life had changed completely. It wasn't much easier but so much better.

Before he knew what he was doing, he had surged into Taehyung's arms. "Jiminie... what's wrong? Please... let me help." The alpha pleaded.

"N-Nothings wrong." Jimin replied softly when he drew back finally. "I just... the last time I was here I was with Jaehyun. He hurt me." Taehyung stiffened.