The café was tucked away on a quiet corner, with soft music playing overhead and the scent of fresh pastries in the air. They sat in a booth by the window. Outside, the world moved on — but inside, time felt suspended.
Jimin stirred his tea, avoiding Jungkook’s gaze.
Jungkook watched him, silently, until he couldn’t take it anymore. “You look… tired.”
Jimin smiled faintly. “I am. Tired of pretending. Tired of wondering what we could’ve been if I’d just waited a little longer.”
“I should’ve fought harder,” Jungkook said quietly. “I thought I was protecting you by walking away. But I was just scared.”
Jimin looked up. “Scared of what?”
“Of my father,” he confessed. “Of dragging you into something poisonous. Of hurting you more by staying than by leaving.”
Jimin’s eyes softened. “But you hurt me by leaving, Jungkook.”
“I know.” His voice cracked. “And I’ve regretted it every day.”
They both sat in the heavy silence that followed.
Jimin spoke first. “I’m married, yes. But Taemin Hyung and I… we’re friends. That’s all. It’s a name on paper. A shield.”
“A shield from me?” Jungkook asked, though he already feared the answer.
“No,” Jimin said gently. “A shield from the world. From expectations. We agreed to keep each other safe. But love was never part of it.”
Jungkook swallowed. “Do you still… love me?”
Jimin looked at him for a long time. Then he reached across the table, placing his hand gently over Jungkook’s.
“I never stopped.”
Jungkook blinked rapidly, trying to breathe through the ache in his chest. “Then why does this still feel so far away?”
“Because I’ve built a life without you in it,” Jimin whispered. “I don’t know how to unbuild that overnight.”
Jungkook tightened his grip around Jimin’s hand. “Then let me help you. Not rush you. Not push you. Just… be with you. However you need.”
Jimin's eyes welled up. “You’re serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
He paused, voice shaking slightly. “If I have to wait again, I’ll wait. But this time, you’ll never doubt how much I want you.”
Jimin stood slowly, sliding out of the booth.
Jungkook panicked. “Where are you—”
But Jimin came around the table and slid into the seat beside him instead. He leaned in, resting his head on Jungkook’s shoulder, and closed his eyes.
Jungkook stayed still, stunned, then wrapped an arm around him carefully, protectively.
“I don’t want to wait,” Jimin said softly. “Not anymore.”
“Taemin hyung deserves the truth,” he said softly. “He’s always been honest with me.”
Jungkook nodded. “Then let’s tell him together. I don’t want to start this with any lies.”
Jimin sat up and looked at Jungkook, eyes shining with something between fear and relief. “You really mean that?”
“I want to do this the right way,” Jungkook said. “Even if it’s messy. Even if it hurts.”
YOU ARE READING
Loving you from afar
Fanfiction"I will always love you even though I can't be with you" Where Jimin an innocent boy who comes from a humble background falls inlove with a heartthrob of the city who comes from a rich family. Their different backgrounds was a curse to their love bu...
