CIGARETTES AND TULIPS // jikook

27 - look away, now

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the door clicked softly behind him, and jimin took a deep breath. he had spent the last ten minutes trying to look presentable, fixing his hair, staring at his reflection in the mirror as if his nerves would settle if he just tried harder. but when he heard the familiar knock, a rush of anxiety swept through him again. jungkook was waiting outside his door.

he grabbed his jacket in a rush, practically stumbling out as he reached for the handle. jungkook stood on the other side, leaning against the frame with his usual effortless cool, hands shoved in his pockets. he offered jimin a small smile, though his eyes looked tired, almost distant."ready?" jung kook asked, tilting his head slightly.

jimin nodded, swallowing his nerves. "yeah, let's go."

they walked side by side down the quiet street, the evening air crisp but not too cold, a welcome change from the stale, suffocating atmosphere of his room. jimin had been cooped up studying for hours, the pressure of exams gnawing at his thoughts, but now, with jungkook beside him, it felt like he could breathe just a little easier.

"thanks for suggesting this," jimin said, his voice soft but genuine. "i needed a break."

jungkook shrugged, glancing down at him as they continued walking. "you've been working too hard, i could tell. besides, it's good to get out sometimes."

jimin smiled faintly, grateful for jungkook's thoughtfulness. they fell into a comfortable silence for a moment before jungkook spoke again.

"things have been kinda stressful for me too," jungkook admitted, his tone shifting slightly. "the bar's got this event coming up this weekend, and it's gonna be insane. long hours, way too many people... i'm really not looking forward to it."

jimin frowned, glancing up at him. "that sounds rough. are you gonna be okay with it?"

jungkook huffed out a breath, running a hand through his hair. "i don't have much of a choice, do i? but it's whatever. i'll survive."

they reached the convenience store soon after, the familiar buzz of fluorescent lights washing over them as they stepped inside. 

jungkook headed straight for the ramyeon aisle, jimin trailing behind, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. jungkook had mentioned being stressed, but jimin could sense there was more to it, something simmering beneath the surface.

as they walked down the aisle, jimin's eyes scanned the shelves absentmindedly until something, or rather, someone, caught his attention. 

his heart stopped. 

dean. 

the man who haunted his memories. the man who had hurt him. he was standing at the end of the aisle, seemingly unaware of jimin's presence.

jimin froze, panic clawing at his chest. it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. all the memories, all the fear, rushed back in an instant, leaving him paralyzed.

"jimin?" jungkook's voice cut through the haze, sharp with concern. "what's wrong?"

but jimin couldn't respond. 

his eyes were glued to dean, his mind racing, heart pounding in his chest. it was as if he was trapped in a nightmare, unable to move, unable to breathe.

he was here.

right in front of him.

looking right at him suddenly.