Dear Jung Hoseok (JiHope)

Chap 20

The day the fanmeet was scheduled Jung Hoseok was not able to sleep more than two hours. Between practice, dancing, and the raw nervousness he felt for the simple fact that he was going to meet Jimin prevented him from sleep.

When they finally arrive at the location they wait backstage while the fans enter the location and sit down. He breathes deeply, making sure to keep his composure; it was nothing, just another fan, Jimin was just another fan.

As soon as they come out the fans screamed and cheer, cameras start to click away.

They greet and talk for a while, introducing themselves and generally entertaining their fans.

Without hesitation Hoseok looks around the crowd for the boy with the full cheeks and bright smile he had seen on Facebook. He is unsuccessful.

Finally they take a seat at their respective spots and let the fans start walking up to the table with the albums and their questions.

Hoseok looks at every fan and interacts with them as much as he could, but whenever he gets a break he scans the crowd looking for Jimin.

It isn't until half an hour in when he finally sees him.

Jimin walks up the stage, his album in hand and a smile on his face. Hoseok tries to concentrate on the fan in front of him, but Jimin's voice reaches his ears and he finds himself distracted by it.

The closer Jimin comes, the more nervous Hoseok gets.

Why did I have to be at the end of the table today, damn it. He thinks to himself.

Jimin finally reaches Hoseok, and he was finally able to observe him from close up.

Unlike the pictures he had on Facebook Jimin's cheeks were sunken, and he had dark eyes around his circles worse than Hoseok's. Jimin smiles lightly, the smile not reaching his eyes.

"Hello." Jimin says nervously. He avoids looking at Hoseok, and hands him his albums for him to sign. Then he looks for his present in his jacket, finally taking out an envelop.

"Uh, this is for you." Jimin hands Hoseok the letter as he finishes his message on the album.

Hoseok writes without asking his name, already knowing what to write.

'Dear Park Jimin,

I believe in you.

Please keep eating and stay hydrated.

With love,

From Seoul,

Jung Hoseok'

When the staff is going to pick up Jimin's letter to put it in the stack of presents from fans Hoseok stops her, "No, I'll keep this one." He takes the letter and keeps it near him.

When he looks up from the album Jimin's eyes are bright with excitement and his cheeks red from the mere embarrassment of being in front of the one and only Jung Hoseok.

"Uh, I'm not sure what to say I had a speech or something but I forgot." Jimin laughs at himself. He wipes his eyes, "Oh no."

Hoseok sees a small tear slipping down Jimin's eyes.

"D-Don't cry, please." Hoseok wants to reach out to Jimin and comfort him. Tell him he's been reading his letter and that everything will be okay.

"I-I'm sorry." Jimin hiccups and looks up at Hoseok, "This is so uncool." He giggles.

"You're Park Jimin, right?"

Jimin stares at Hoseok, unable to react.

Suddenly the line is being pushed and the staff is pulling Jimin out of the line.

"Yes, I am." Jimin says.

Hoseok stands up and reaches out for Jimin, his hand on his wrist while the staff pulls Jimin away.

The whole world stops.

Hoseok feels Jimin's soft skin underneath his hands. There's bumps on his skin and Hoseok wonders if that's where the blood came from.

He wants to tighten his grip around Jimin's wrist and take him into his arms. He wants to hug him until Jimin cries all his worries out and there's nothing but happiness filling his heart. He wants to tell Jimin he's read every letter and he has to be strong.

He wants to do a lot of things, but he can't.

Everyone is staring at them.

Hoseok picks up the album from the table and hands it to Jimin, "You forgot your album." He smiles, pretending everything is okay.

Jimin smiles and takes the album, "Thank you." The staff pushes him away and he leaves the fan meet immediately after.

Hoseok looks at him as he walks his way around the crowd and leaves.