𝙐𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 ❤ (𝙹𝚒𝚔𝚘𝚘𝚔 💜)

24) Marking the Calendar

The morning sun filtered through grey clouds as Jimin walked across campus, hoodie pulled low over his head, shoulders hunched against the world. He hadn't said a word to Jungkook when he left the flat-didn't need to. What would he even say?

It had been a week. Seven whole days under the same roof. Seven days of silence, brief nods, awkward tension at the dinner table, and one stupid contract that had slapped every bit of hope out of his chest.

How the hell did I let myself think he might actually care?

He scoffed under his breath. "Idiot."

The moment his classes were done, he didn't even glance toward home. His feet automatically took him to Taehyung's apartment. He needed him. Desperately.

When he knocked, it took a minute. Then the door creaked open and Taehyung stood there, dark circles under his eyes, phone in one hand.

"You look like shit," Tae said.

Jimin let out a flat laugh. "Says the one who looks like he hasn't slept in a week."

"I haven't," Taehyung muttered but stepped aside, letting Jimin in.

Jimin flopped on the couch without a word. His eyes burned, but he wouldn't cry. Not over a contract.

Taehyung sat beside him, waiting. It took a few seconds before Jimin finally spoke, voice low.

"He gave me a contract."

Taehyung blinked. "A what?"

"A marriage contract. With terms. Clauses. One year, no real marriage, fake priest, no real kiss, no relatives, and... compensation. Money. Apartment. Like some goddamn business deal."

Taehyung's mouth slowly dropped open. "You're kidding."

"I wish I was." Jimin laughed bitterly. "I actually thought... for a moment... he might be feeling something. You know? He was cooking, waiting up, trying to talk- I thought..."

Taehyung reached over and put a hand on his arm, grounding him.

"But now I get it," Jimin whispered, his voice breaking just slightly. "It's just guilt. Just for grandpa."

Taehyung didn't say anything at first. He just sat there, absorbing it. His own worries set aside as he saw the quiet unraveling of his best friend.

"Do you regret moving in?" he asked softly.

"No," Jimin admitted. "That's the worst part. I don't. Because at least I get to see him care-even if it's not real."

Taehyung sighed and squeezed his shoulder. "That's not nothing, Chim. But maybe... maybe it's also not everything."

Jimin looked over, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe he doesn't know what he feels either. That's still a feeling, isn't it?"

Jimin didn't respond. He just leaned back, closed his eyes, and let the silence sit between them. Taehyung didn't push. He knew when his friend needed time to crumble before he could rebuild again.

"Now you say " Jimin suddenly brought this up.

"Ahh? "

"Why are you being like this? " Jimin asked.

Tae hesitate a bit. "I gave an interview in a company"

"Okay that's great... And you don't need to feel low for getting rejected" Jimin patted tae's head.

"No I got the offer" Tae said making Jimin still.

"Omggg and you didn't say anything to me you asshole " Jimin punched the side arm of Tae.