Ji-won standing there, dressed impeccably and looking smug.
"Ji-won?" Jimin's voice was sharp. "How do you know my home?"
"Let me in, baby," Ji-won cooed, stepping forward.
Jimin blocked her path. "Answer me."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. I had someone follow Jungkook. Now, are you going to let me in or not?"
Before Jimin could respond, Jungkook appeared behind him, his expression darkening.
"Hyung, what's going on?" Jungkook asked, his eyes darting to Ji-won.
"Nothing," Jimin said firmly, shutting the door in Ji-won's face.
"What the hell, Jimin!" Ji-won's voice rang out as she pounded on the door.
Frustrated, Jimin was about to reopen it when it swung open from the outside. Both men froze.
There, standing in the doorway, was YN...
"Muffin?" Jimin's voice was barely a whisper.
Ji-won's face twisted in shock and anger. "How the fuck does she have a key to your house, Jimin?"
YN stepped inside calmly, shutting the door behind her. She turned to Ji-won, her expression cool.
"Because," YN said firmly, "this is also my house."
Ji-won's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
YN ignored Jimin entirely as she turned to Jungkook.
"Kookie, tell him I'm not speaking to him," she said.
Jungkook looked bewildered but nodded. "Uh, okay."
He turned to Jimin. "Hyung, she's not speaking to you."
YN smirked. "Good. Now, Kookie, stay for lunch. I'm cooking."
Jungkook threw Jimin a look, one eyebrow raised, as if to say, Whatjusthappened? Jimin shrugged helplessly, still too stunned to form words.
After some time YN called them to the table, placing the food in front of them. Jimin sat across from her, unable to take his eyes off her. The way she moved, the way she served the dishes—it all felt like a dream.
She caught his stare and frowned. "What? Eat your food."
Jimin, startled, picked up his chopsticks.
YN's voice softened. "How is it?"
Jimin swallowed the bite he was chewing. "It's good," he said sincerely.
"Good," she replied, taking a bite herself.
Jungkook, caught between amusement and unease, looked at the two of them and muttered under his breath, "I'm in some kind of parallel universe."
After lunch, Jungkook left, giving Jimin a subtle thumbs-up before closing the door behind him. Jimin didn't know what it meant, but he didn't have time to think about it. YN disappeared into the bedroom with a cabin bag she brought with her. Jimin followed her, watching as she unpacked her belongings.
Jimin leaned against the doorframe, watching her. "Are you... staying?" he asked cautiously.
"Hmm," she replied without looking at him, busy folding clothes.
His heart skipped a beat. "Really?"
"Yes."
A wide grin spread across his face. "Muffin, I need to talk to you."
"Not now," she said, glancing at him briefly. "We're going out."
"Out?" His eyebrows furrowed. "Where?"
"We don't have groceries," she replied, slipping on her jacket. "Come down. Let's go shopping."
At the store, Jimin trailed behind YN, his hands shoved in his pockets, watching her pick out items with a mix of confusion and happiness.
"Do you need this?" she asked, holding up a pack of instant noodles.
"Uh, sure," he said, barely paying attention. He couldn't stop staring at her.
At the checkout counter, YN handed him the bags after paying. "Let's go. I'm done."
Jimin immediately took the bags from her. "I'll carry them."
She nodded, walking ahead of him. Once they reached the car, he quickly loaded the bags into the trunk and rushed to open her door.
YN paused, looking at him with a mix of surprise and amusement. "What are you doing?"
"Getting the door for you," he said, his voice shy but determined.
She smiled secrectly and got in.
Back at the house, YN began putting away the groceries while Jimin leaned against the counter, unable to take his eyes away.
Jimin hesitated for a moment before softly calling out, "Muffin, can we talk?"
YN sighed, rubbing her temples as she put the last of the groceries into the fridge. "Not now, Jimin. I'm tired. I need to shower, cook, and clean..."
Jimin's face fell, but he nodded, trying to mask his disappointment. "Okay... Muffin," he said quietly.
As YN headed to the bathroom, Jimin remained by the counter.
After her shower, YN moved to the kitchen, quickly whipping up dinner. Jimin tried to help, but she waved him off with a soft, tired smile.
They sat down to eat, the clinking of utensils filling the silence. Jimin kept stealing glances at her, his words hovering on the tip of his tongue. But every time he opened his mouth, he stopped himself, unsure of how to start.
When they finished, YN stood to gather the dishes, but Jimin reached out, his hand brushing hers. "Muffin, leave it to me. I'll wash them."
She blinked at him, exhaustion evident in her eyes. "Hmm... alright," she murmured, heading to the bedroom.
Jimin watched her retreating figure before turning to the sink.
In the bedroom, YN collapsed onto the bed, the soft mattress enveloping her weary body. She stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. Jimin quietly entered the room a while later, his presence warm but hesitant, he reached the pillow clutching to his chest turned to leave the room. She heard the faint sound of his footsteps and turned to see him heading for the door.
YN: (raising an eyebrow) "Where are you going?"
Jimin froze mid-step and turned to face her, his voice soft. "I'll sleep on the couch, Muffin."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
