The small town (jikook)

The Call of Something New

Late into the night, Jungkook lingered in his office, staring out at the city lights sprawled below him. The hum of traffic and distant sirens filled the air—a familiar melody he'd known his whole life. It was the sound of ambition, of hard work, of a city that demanded everything he had and gave little in return.

But tonight, the allure of the city felt different. Where once the skyline had represented everything he wanted, now it only reminded him of everything he'd left behind. His thoughts wandered back to the small town, the quiet streets, and the warmth of the bakery where he'd shared stolen moments with Jimin.

He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and letting the memories wash over him. The way Jimin's laugh had filled the space, light and genuine, or how his eyes had lit up over something as simple as a fresh-baked croissant. Jungkook had always been focused on the next goal, the next milestone, but being with Jimin had forced him to pause, to notice life's small, precious details.

The city lights blurred as his gaze shifted to his desk, where a framed photo of him and his colleagues sat—a snapshot from a night out, all smiles and raised glasses. It was a picture-perfect scene, a life of accomplishment and success. Yet, the emptiness in his chest reminded him that success here wasn't enough anymore.

He picked up his phone, reading through Jimin's last few texts, each one tugging him a little closer to a decision he wasn't sure he could make.

Jungkook: "Keep those croissants fresh. I'll be there tomorrow morning."

The moment he hit send, he felt his heart skip, excitement flooding through him. There was no turning back now. He was done second-guessing himself, done playing it safe.

As he gathered his things, Jungkook felt a sense of anticipation unlike anything he'd felt in years. It wasn't about the thrill of a business deal or the rush of a city achievement. It was something softer, something that promised warmth instead of status. And that terrified him, but it also made him feel alive.

The Next Morning:

In the small town, Jimin woke to the sun streaming through his window, casting golden light across his room. He'd barely slept, replaying Jungkook's message over and over in his mind. "I'll be there tomorrow morning."

Those words had filled him with a thrill he couldn't quite explain. He'd grown so used to his quiet life, the steady rhythm of the bakery, and the comfort of knowing exactly what each day would bring. And yet, somehow, the thought of Jungkook arriving that morning felt like an adventure of its own.

Jimin moved through his morning routine with a buzz of nervous energy, setting out fresh pastries, cleaning the counters, arranging flowers on the tables—anything to keep his hands busy and his mind off the clock. The townsfolk streamed in as usual, greeting him with friendly smiles and compliments on the smell of the fresh-baked goods. But his mind was elsewhere, his gaze drifting constantly to the door, waiting, hoping.

Finally, just as the early morning crowd began to clear, the bell over the door jingled, and Jimin's heart leapt. He looked up, breath catching in his throat as he saw Jungkook standing there, framed by the morning light filtering in through the windows.

Jungkook's eyes found his immediately, a warm, slightly uncertain smile crossing his face. He was dressed more casually than usual, in a plain black sweater and jeans, but to Jimin, he looked just as striking as ever—perhaps even more so, without the city armor he usually wore.

"Morning," Jungkook said, his voice soft, as if he were afraid to break the spell of the moment.

Jimin's face broke into a smile, and he felt the last bit of his nervousness melt away. "Morning. I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."

Jungkook chuckled, walking up to the counter. "Not a chance. You didn't think I'd miss a chance to see if your croissants really are better with company, did you?"

They shared a laugh, the ease between them settling in as naturally as if they'd never been apart. Jimin handed him a croissant, fresh from the oven, watching as Jungkook took a bite, his expression shifting from amusement to delight.

"Still the best I've ever had," Jungkook said, meeting Jimin's eyes. His gaze softened, turning serious. "I missed this place... and I missed you."

Jimin's cheeks flushed, but he didn't look away. "I missed you too," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think... well, I didn't expect to."

They stood there, a heartbeat of silence stretching between them, charged with a tension that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. For both of them, it was an unspoken admission that things had shifted, that maybe this wasn't just a passing connection.

Jungkook reached out, his fingers brushing against Jimin's hand on the counter, a tentative gesture, yet it spoke volumes. And in that small, tender moment, they both knew—they weren't just two people from different worlds. They were something more.