CIGARETTES AND TULIPS // jikook

10 - crush

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music filled jimin's room, a fun melody vibrating through the floor as he sat cross-legged in front of his mirror, makeup spread out like a painter's palette. taehyung stood beside him, carefully drawing eyeliner across his own lids, his face a canvas of delicate confidence. 

the two of them had been drinking quite some wine to get ready for the house party and jimin was feeling tipsy. 

he glanced at his reflection, hesitating. the shimmer of eyeshadow on his lids caught the light, making him feel a little more like himself and a little more like someone else, someone beautiful. 

"you look stunning," taehyung grinned, leaning over to ruffle jimin's hair. "we need to take pictures. now."

jimin laughed, warmth bubbling in his chest as he picked up his phone. they snapped photos, first smiling sweetly, then pulling faces, their laughter spilling into the music that pulsed around them. it felt easy, effortless, just them in this little world. jimin felt his worries slipping away, especially when tae posted one of their mirror selfies with the caption, the hottest duo in town.

"what if they make fun of it?" jimin joked, but his heart swelled, his reflection catching the way the makeup highlighted his features just right. he felt beautiful, like for once he could see what others might see in him.

"who cares?" taehyung replied, grabbing a bottle of wine they'd opened earlier. "we're hotter than them." 

they clinked glasses, the alcohol smooth and warm in jimin's throat, loosening something tight inside of him. 

when they were finally done a few minutes later, they stepped outside into the cool air. the house of taehyung's friend was not too far away so they walked.

their arms linked, taehyung humming the song they'd just listened to on repeat, jimin felt lighter than he had in days. but as they got closer, the sound of the music from the house, loud and chaotic, made his stomach tighten. 

"you okay?" taehyung asked, sensing the shift immediately. his arm stayed looped through jimin's, grounding him.

"yeah," jimin whispered, not entirely sure if it was true. the crowd spilling out onto the lawn, the pulse of the bass, it was all so much at once. they stepped inside, and the warmth of bodies, the scent of alcohol and sweat, hit jimin like a wave. he swallowed hard.

"just one drink," taehyung nudged him gently toward the makeshift bar. "then we'll find somewhere quiet."

the first drink helped. it always did. the alcohol spread warmth through his limbs, softening the edges of his nerves. 

it was right when he started to relax that they ran into jungkook, who was standing with two older guys, both looking like they'd stepped out of some vogue magazine. 

jungkook. now.

fuck.

"oh, tae, jimin, hey," jungkook smiled, eyes lighting up at the sight of them. the two men beside him - yoongi and namjoon - gave lazy nods, sipping their drinks. 

taehyung was quick to introduce himself, his energy blending effortlessly with theirs, while jimin hovered quietly at his side. taehyung reached for his hand, their fingers linking in a familiar, reassuring grip.

"so, yoongi, you own the bar?" taehyung asked, clearly impressed.

"yeah," yoongi said, smiling softly, "play music there on weekends too. namjoon helps out sometimes, but he's got his art gallery to run."