Him || JiKook

Chapter 17

The week of Jimin's recital was hectic.

The event was extremely important for all the dance majors since the biggest dance companies from the country would be attending in hopes of finding new talents. Everyone was on edge, polishing steps and working their bodies so they resembled less and less of a human and more of ethereal creatures gliding on stage. Jimin was exhausted, dark circles under his eyes and prominent ribs making him look fragile like a porcelain doll.

And he wasn't the only one.

Yoongi had been on a terrible mood the whole week, grumbling that Hoseok hadn't been able to sleep more than two hours every day, the pressure making it impossible for him to eat anything.

"Can't wait for this to be over," he groaned, dropping his head on the cafeteria table. "I want my boyfriend back." Jungkook sighed in agreement, he hadn't seen much if Jimin either.

"Just a couple more days," said Taehyung, rubbing Yoongi's back.

Jimin had showed up surprisingly early at Jungkook's apartment that day, making a beeline for the shower. He had plopped himself on the couch besides Jungkook after he was done, hair smelling like coconut.

"Take me somewhere," he said, holding Jungkook's hand. There was emotion on his voice, making it tight and Jungkook wanted to ask him about it, but he knew better. Jimin only shared when he was ready to and now it didn't seem like he was.

"Okay," he said, standing up and pulling Jimin along. He grabbed their coats, wrapping a thick scarf around Jimin's neck before heading into the night.

They had stopped by their favorite cafe and he asked Jimin to order something while he sent a text, waiting anxiously for the response. Jimin came out just in time with the reply giving him the green light, so he grabbed Jimin's hand pulling him along.

"Where are we going?" Jimin asked.

"Surprise," said Jungkook smiling.

He had toyed with this idea for a while now, ever since Jimin had commented how he had considered doing a minor in astronomy but was incapable of doing so because dance consumed most of his time. He knew it was cheesy... hell he was already feeling the blush slowly creeping up his neck but he wanted to do it anyway, especially since Jimin seemed a little on edge.

They arrived to the Astronomy Department in no time. Seokjin, the broad shouldered guy that he met through Namjoon, was waiting for him at the door. He smiled at them, handing Jungkook the keys before waving goodbye. It wasn't until they were at the doors of the familiar auditorium when Jimin turned to him, eyes like saucers in recognition.

"No you didn't!" he almost screeched throwing the doors of the planetarium open.

Jungkook laughed, following him inside. A soft blue light illuminated the vast space, empty but for the two of them. Jungkook pulled Jimin to the middle on the room, making him sit on the plush carpet before going to the control panel. Seokjin had left everything ready, easy to follow instructions on the text he had sent to Jungkook, so after a slight last minute change, he was able to start the program without problem. He made his way back to Jimin quickly, the first stars already showing on the dome.

"I can't believe you did this," said Jimin, connecting their foreheads.

"I would do anything for you," said Jungkook, leaning back.

They watched the show in silence, lying down on the carpet, fingers intertwined. A soft melody was playing as a background and Jungkook's heart was beating almost erratically as the end of the show was getting closer.

Was it maybe too much? Too soon? Is there a timeline for love? Something he missed while growing up? He didn't know, after all, he was never one for feelings. But everything had changed so much since the very first day he saw Jimin dance. Everything that he so obliviously tried to disguise as inspiration morphing into something sweeter, warmer than the sun.

Maybe it was too soon and he was being reckless, baring his heart for the first time to someone he still didn't know as he did the back of his hand. But as the room was left once again in darkness and the stars started to light up, shaping themselves into the closest thing to the words he so badly wanted to say, he felt at ease. Because the feeling had been all too consuming and overflowing to keep it contained on his chest. And because Jimin's face at the particular moment, when the stars finally spelled 'I like you' like a shining galaxy on the dome, was brighter than all of them combined. How many more favorite images of Jimin could he stitch to his heart? Another thing he didn't now...

Jimin turned to him, the stars reflecting in his warm brown eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, closing it as his eyelashes fluttered. Jungkook sighed an embarrassed laugh, hugging Jimin, and kissing the crown of his head.

"I... I like you Jimin," he whispered. "A lot"

"I like you too," breathed Jimin, lips trembling against his throat. He moved away, eyes searching Jungkook's, pressing a kiss to the corner of his lips.

"Promise me you'll never let me go."

Jungkook's heart jumped but he promised all the same, because of course he wouldn't. Why would he let go?

He would never let go.