Pretend • Vmin

"Addicted"

[Edited]

Chapter Five

"Addicted"

•

They'd been playing pretend for a little over two weeks now—long enough for habits to form. Public touches came easily. Taehyung's arm around his waist no longer startled him. Jimin had started expecting Taehyung beside him without realizing when it happened.

"If I fall and die I'm going to hunt you and drag your ass to hell." Jimin said grudgingly as he took another nervous and cautious step forward.

"That's really sweet, honey," Taehyung said sarcastically, his tone lazy, but his eyes flicked to Jimin, gauging his balance.

Taehyung hadn't explained much—just said it was a place he liked. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere people didn't stare. Jimin hadn't questioned it then.

Jimin's legs trembled as a sudden gust of wind swayed the bridge. "Whose idea was this again? Why the fuck are we in the middle of a hanging bridge?!" he yelled, gripping the ropes tightly.

"You said you wanted to go and have fun," Taehyung replied, strolling behind him, casual as ever.

"This is everything but fun! Do I look amused to you?" Jimin snapped, glaring back.

"No," Taehyung said smoothly. "You look furious."

"Exactly!" Jimin cried out.

Taehyung sighed, eyeing the bridge ahead. "Calm your panties, baby. We're almost there."

"We're halfway there!" Jimin shouted, panic creeping in. He hated heights and refused to peek down.

Taehyung clicked his tongue. "You're impossible."

Before Jimin could protest, Taehyung lifted him easily, settling him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing. "I've got you." The bridge swayed, and Jimin's heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

"Aaaah! Tae, you idiot! We're gonna die!" Jimin screamed, clutching Taehyung's jacket, eyes squeezed shut.

"Relax," Taehyung said calmly, his voice steady despite the swaying bridge. "Open your eyes."

When Jimin obeyed, they were finally on solid ground. Taehyung set him down gently, though Jimin's knees still trembled.

"We're in heaven!" Taehyung exclaimed, pointing toward the top of the mountain.

"You're horrible!" Jimin muttered, crossing his arms as he trudged forward.

Taehyung caught up quickly, taking Jimin's hand. "Hey, slow down. I'm sorry, okay?"

"I don't want to continue. I want to go home," Jimin pouted.

"We will, once we reach the top," Taehyung insisted, squeezing Jimin's fingers.

Jimin stomped his feet, frustrated. "Fine! Go reach the top. I'm staying here."

Taehyung froze, eyes narrowing. "You're acting like a spoiled brat."

"I don't care!" Jimin shot back.

Taehyung stared at him for a long moment, jaw tight.
"Stay here," he said finally. "Don't move."

He disappeared into the trees, leaving Jimin standing alone. Taehyung had chosen the spot, the time, the whole outing. He wanted Jimin here, subtly, without having to say it. It was quiet, secluded enough to watch the sunset if Jimin chose to look—and no one could mistake it as anything other than a hike.