Fate

Chapter 193

Mina's P.O.V.
"I can't believe you brought your mixer to Seoul, Min."

Why wouldn't I? I frowned.
"What makes you think it's not his? Or that I didn't buy it here?"

He stared me up and down.
"This?"
He pointed at it.
"It's hot pink. It's not a brand from here aaaaand it has scratches. Clearly not new."

That burns!
"Ooookay. I get the bitchiness, thank you. My mom got it for my 21st birthday. It's not expensive, but it's been doing great so far."

He smiled at my comment.
"That's fair. Maybe an upgrade would be great soon, especially if we're all asking for batches."

It made me chuckle.
"It'd be my pleasure to make some more often. It's a hobby. I don't need anything fancy. Actually, if your hyung keeps eating them at his current rate.. I might need an elite one."

"That bad huh?"
He laughed, then nodded, prepping the ingredients with me. He grew quiet.
"I don't need anything fancy either."

"Still talking about mixers?"

A half grin.
"Not really."
He finished measuring the last ingredient.
"You've been in relationships before."
I nodded.
"You're in the same position as him."
Somewhat.

I nodded again. He seemed hesitant. "What is it? You can ask me anything. I'm not one to judge. We spent an evening talking about our struggles with our body image, our tattoos.. Going to a gay club. "

"Right. We do talk about anything. "
He finally asked.
"Did you have a same sex relationship? Did you date a woman? Is it different?"

I leaned against the counter while he sat on the one in front of me.
"I went on dates with a few, nothing lasted more than a month or two.. Once three."
I still remember that woman.. She was so passive aggressively sweet, sarcastic too. I loved it.. Anyway.
"It's different for sure. It was a new way of dating, no beating around the bush, creative dates, beautiful ladies really. It's less scary because you know the girls' rule book. The romance part is very new and daring at first, but it's great."
I was getting off track.
"Why do you ask?"

"Why didn't it work out?"

MANY reasons. I shrugged.
"Between 2022 and 2025, I was building my business. I spent many hours on it. I had a routine with my dog. I had a full-time job the first year of it starting. I didn't have the time to do anything in person and couldn't spend much on activities or gifts. I wasn't present enough for them and they didn't like the alternative date ideas I had.
It was mutual most of the time. Your boyfriend is having trouble with the ever-changing schedule and the long time away, huh? Touring was rough?"

"Yeah, I mean.. We met in the military and he got off before me so he reached out all the time, but he knew I could not answer him right away because he lived it.
Since I got back to my actual job, he's been getting annoyed by the fact I finish late.
He has a 9 to 5 job. I'm usually waking up at 9 in the morning. I get home at 2am regularly when we have a comeback coming. We're not moved in together, but I come over as often as I can.
I live too far from his job in Incheon, but I can't go all the time because we can't really be seen out together. His employer is not very friendly to that type of relationship. The media either.. What am I doing wrong?"

Nothing! You're BASICALLY doing EVERYTHING for him to be at ease. I can't ask Joonie to drop everything for me each time I'm bothered by something that includes him. I can't be mad at our different schedules, our demeanor at functions.
"Oppa, I'm not an expert. I can understand how it feels to be wary. Namjoon and I had a long-distance friendship when you got back to work. FRIENDSHIP. Even then it was complicated.
We had a 12h time difference. He sent me his availability on Google Calendar and we booked time to talk. He made sure I knew it was never guaranteed as things changed, but he'd always let me know beforehand not to make me wait for nothing.
Same thing when we started dating. Do you want to know how MANY times he stood me up on a date or call?"
He sure did.
"I stopped counting at ten! It still happens to this day. I'm allowed to be upset, but I knew what I was getting myself into."

Jimin smiled lightly.
"You did have a pretty rough introduction to dating an Idol."

It made me chuckle.
"That's for sure, but what I'm trying to say is..
Did he really know what he was getting into? Did you, oppa? Did he think it was going to award shows and having a show-ready partner all the time?
Because you know as much as me that when you cross that door, makeup and tight clothes come off. You're human and live as such."

That stung him, didn't it?
"Maybe he didn't know what he signed up for.. Neither did I."
His eyes were glistening. I hated seeing him like this. We all did.
"I just wanted to be loved by someone for who I am. Is it that wrong?"

He was all choked up. He got off the counter, and I hugged him, patting his back.
"It's not wrong Jimin-ah.. You deserve it SO much. You're kind, thoughtful, and funny..
If he's your person, you two will do the work. If not, then someone else will understand you and you'll adore them for it."

We stayed like this for a moment. "You're the best, Min.. Thank you."

I nudged his shoulder.
"Thank me when these cookies will be done. Come on, I need my sous-chef."

"On it. Want to learn an old modern dance I used to do while it bakes and cools?"
If it can get your mind off your boyfriend.. I'd love to.

Namjoon's P.O.V
Fucking hell..I didn't see the time pass! I hope I didn't miss her to kiss her goodnight. I had resolved my dilemma and somewhat cleared my conscience-
There's an extra pair of shoes? They look familiar.. Is Kookie here again? I'll have to speak to that man, because she's MY girlfriend, not his when Meg is not here pseudo girlfriend. It..smells good in here. Sweet. I saw a hair clip peaking through the kitchen.
"Kitten, I'm sorry I'm 2 hours late. I just had to finish that last track and-"
She was packing cookies in boxes and containers.
"You baked?"

A simple yet soft smile.
"I had help. I figured we could spread a bit of joy during such a dull season. Besides.."
She walked up to me and left a peck on my lips.
"You're always late when you're in the studio."

Not ALWAYS, but.. "Weren't you up early? Where did you pick Jungkook up? I thought he was at a Calvin Klein event."

She nodded.
"He is. Jimin's here. I was up at 7am, but I wasn't going to bed without seeing you first. Wanted to make sure you felt okay."

Unusual overnight guest- Well.. He's been a mess.
"Where is he?"

She calmly turned her head towards the corridor.
"Asleep, in my bed. I saw him after practice around 10 this evening. He offered to walk me home and we started chatting."
Her smile disappeared for a moment, being replaced with concern.
"I could not leave him alone with his thoughts, Moonie.. He's guilt-tripping himself. Nothing is his partner's fault."

What? "What about? Everything is worked out since their last fight, no?"

Wrong. She rolled her eyes.
"You're kidding, right? You didn't see it? He's slouching. He's letting his Busan dialect slide out. He's keeping to himself."
I honestly hadn't.
"I told him you wouldn't mind letting family stay the night without prior notice, so don't give him a hard time."

I never noticed that she was so protective of him. I thought she was a kind friend to him, not a sister. I was his brother. That's why he usually showed up at my door.
"Are you his mom or something, Kitten? I'm not gonna scold him for hanging out with you in the evening at our place. I'm glad he can count on the both of us, on our place to be a safe space."
She gave me a look.
"I'm serious. Mini's a very emotional person. Better here than alone."
I let out a sigh, looked towards the room like my girlfriend and whispered.
"How is he?"