Pretend • Vmin

"Drowning"

[Edited]

Chapter Seven

"Drowning"

Three new messages!

Jimin bit his lip before glancing around, checking if Taehyung was still at the counter. His thumb hovered over Taehyung's phone. He just wanted to know. He knew he shouldn't but curiosity gnawed at him relentlessly. There was nothing wrong with reading a few messages, right? Jimin convinced himself it wasn't a big deal.

Hyorin

Did you forget to save my number again? Aish, you idiot.

Hyorin

I'll be calling you later. 😘
Let's get naughty? 😉😋

Hyorin

I miss you 💋

Jimin quickly pushed the phone away, his heartbeat speeding up.

Hyorin.
The girl from the club?

"Baby! Here's your cola." Jimin flinched slightly as Taehyung appeared beside him, slipping an arm around his shoulders. Tae slid the soda across the table, then flashed him a quick smile before turning his attention forward.

"Jimin?" Taehyung asked softly. "Did something happen?"

Jimin pressed his lips together and forced a smile, tilting his head up. Taehyung was frowning now, eyes searching his face. "Did someone mess with you?" he added. "Was it Jungkook?"

Jimin shook his head immediately. "No. No one did.

Taehyung studied him for a moment before looking away, his arms falling back to his sides. "Good," he muttered. "No one gets to hurt you."

His hand found Jimin's, fingers threading through his gently—not tight, not possessive, just warm and grounding.

Jimin stayed quiet. Hurt always seemed to find him somehow. One way or another.

Taehyung didn't love him.

Not because of the way his hand felt safe in his own.
Not because of the stupid jokes he made just to see Jimin smile.
Not because of the soft pecks to his cheek.
Not because of the way he looked at him like he mattered.

No. Definitely not.

Still, Jimin wanted to keep going. Taehyung had become an important part of his life, and truthfully Jimin loved living with Taehyung in it.

"Tae..." Jimin said softly. "I was thinking of going out with you tomorrow." He hesitated, then added, "For the record—I'm asking you out."

"Hmm... Yeah I guess, " He shrugged with an amused smile. "I'll think about it."

Taehyung laughed lightly.

"There. See? You always say I don't ask you out, so I beat you to it." Jimin grinned. "Happy now?"

"Hm." Taehyung tilted his head, amused. "I guess."
Then, teasingly, "I'll think about it."

Jimin opened his mouth to protest—but Taehyung leaned in and kissed him.

It was quick. Gentle. Almost innocent.

"Of course I'm happy," Taehyung murmured against his lips. "What kind of question is that?"

Jimin's face burned. "T-To-morrow..." he stammered. "I'll buy jajangmyeon on my way to your place."

"Oh? We're eating at my apartment?" Taehyung perked up. "I can send you my location if you want—or I could pick you up. They said the snow's supposed to get pretty heavy."