Names- Jikook (✔️)

Chapter Nine

Jimin's POV

"Never thought I'd live to see the day, when everybody's words got in the way." Everybody Talks, Neon Trees

It was well after nine by the time the train finally slowed to a stop and the scuffed blue-and-white doors slid open into Busan's train station. Jungkook nudged Jimin's drowsy form awake, who in turn kicked Namjoon's shin to wake him up. The tallest among them grumbled in protest, eyelids fluttering open, and the trio stumbled their way into the scantily populated station.

"So, you're really gonna do this, huh?" Namjoon asked Jimin as they passed under the harsh candescence of the station's overhead lights.

Jimin's step faltered; Jungkook grabbed his arm in reassurance, and he fixed Namjoon with unreadable eyes. "...Well, there's no turning back, is there?" He answered, attempting an indifferent shrug. He hoped that Namjoon couldn't see how afraid he actually was; he didn't want his tall friend to respect him any less after this whole ordeal was over. Namjoon merely nodded, though the well-oiled machinery behind his calculated gaze seemed to audibly twist and turn as he turned his attention to Jungkook.

"Be there for Jimin, yeah? If anything happens, it's your mess to clean up. Same for Hoseok," He ordered cooly. Jungkook ducked his head, grip around Jimin's bicep tightening. "If anything happens, and you guys still want to be together, you'll need to work it out on your own." With that, he waved goodbye and walked off in search of another exit, leaving his solemn message hanging ominously overhead.

Jimin felt his pulse begin to race, palms sweaty as he clenched his small fists. Jungkook must have known his faith was beginning to waver, because he grasped his slender wrist in one large hand, fixing him with a stare of fierce determination.

"We're going through with this, goddammit," He said decisively, forcing Jimin's chin up when he tried to look away from his burning gaze. "I will take responsibility for whatever happens, Park Jimin. Count on it." Finished, he planted a hasty kiss on the top of Jimin's head. "You know where to go, yeah?" Jimin nodded, the gentle swell of his adam's apple bobbing up and down he swallowed back a bout of nervousness. He began to guide his soulmate towards the nearest exit, the route leading back to his home memorized. Their footsteps echoed through the empty station, the sweet smell of chaste midnight air becoming apparent as they rounded a rusty corner. As they walked towards the exit, nearing the beckoning glow of a thousand streetlamps, Jimin was struck by how much he had learned about himself- about his friends, too- those past few days. And he owed it all to Jungkook, really.

"If I'm going to ruin my relationship with my parents, I'm glad it's with you," He remarked softly as they turned onto the near-deserted street. Despite himself, he was glad it was dark- he certainly didn't want any of his classmates to see him with his soulmate. Not yet, at least.
Jungkook laughed, sounding more melancholic than amused. "If I'm going to ruin somebody's relationship with their parents, I'm glad it's yours," He returned, smiling as Jimin giggled. "Hey, but seriously, however things go down tonight, I promise you'll be sooo happy that you got it over with after."

"What if they kick me out?" Jimin's voice was barely a whisper, afraid that by saying it aloud he would somehow make it real.

"Then I'll force my mom into letting you stay with us forever," Jungkook whispered back.

"Mmm. That sounds nice," Jimin tilted his eyes towards the heavens; each individual star seemed to glow with its own unique candor tonight, and he was transfixed with their complicated beauty. "Forever and ever."

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They walked the next few miles in silence, the brightly lit shops and building of main street giving way to the more gentle glow of well-manicured suburbs. Finally, they came to a stop at the corner of Jimin's street, his house already in view.