Paper Hearts

16

Jimin's life had always been a mess. His taste in men was absolutely "horrid", according to his best friend, and his indecisiveness landed him in unfavourable situations.

He stood in the middle of the dance practice room, panting loudly and wiping sweat off his neck and forehead. Dancing had always been a good outlet for the whirlwind of emotions in his head, and even this time, it had worked. His muscles ached and his lungs burned. His dry throat along with the lump that always came after these sessions made him wince as he used all his willpower to hold back his tears.

Jimin sat down on the floor, curling up into a ball, and sobbed into his knees, biting on a piece of the fabric of his sweats to prevent any audible whimpers from escaping his mouth. He must've stayed that way for a long time before a hand settled on his shoulder.

He looked up, startled, straight at Yugyeom kneeling beside him. The latter smiled and whispered, "You can cry. Just letting you know that I'm here."

Jimin sat motionless for a few moments before he collapsed into Yugyeom, his sobs achingly loud and his shoulders rising and falling frantically. "It's okay. I'm right here. It's going to be okay." Yugyeom patted Jimin's head and whispered soothingly, his other arm wrapped protectively around the smaller, pink haired boy.

The entire scene would've been quite endearing to anyone, expect the pale skinned boy who stood outside the practice room, eyebrows furrowed and lips turning into a frown. Anyone would've sighed at how someone as aggressive as Yugyeom was comforting a boy like Jimin, but not Min Yoongi. He didn't sigh or coo or even smile. He just walked away, his heart heavy and his usually calm brain reeling with emotions he usually didn't feel.

That would be the exact moment he knew he had it bad for Park Jimin, and the worst part was that he had already screwed it up.

• • •

Taehyung sat at the foot of his bed, staring at a wet and shirtless Jungkook. He gulped slowly and looked at his feet, trying not to lose his composure.

"I'll take out clothes for-"

"I brought mine, so there's no need to worry," Jungkook said, taking out his clothes from the bag he'd brought along with him and walking back into the bathroom to change.

When he emerged again, he wore a loose black tank and grey shorts, and besides Jeon Jungkook, no one had quite had him starstruck with just their biceps. He cleared his throat and walked towards the door, trying not to fumble. "You have the bed to yourself. I'll sleep in Jisoo's room. There's a little fridge near the desk if you want something to drink or eat and a spare charger in the left drawer if you need it."

Jungkook stood quiet for a moment before nodding and dropping onto the bed. He didn't see the older leave, but the sound of the door closing after him confirmed his departure and Jungkook stomach sank painfully. It's for the best. You need to stay away from him, anyway.

• • •

Taehyung and Jimin sat in the cafeteria, waiting for no one in particular. Taehyung had half choked on his drink when Yugyeom had smiled and waved in Jimin's direction, the gesture returned with the same fondness by the pink haired boy who was questioning why he even had pink hair.

"Did he just-" Taehyung stuttered. "Did you just-"

"Yeah, I know." Jimin laughed. "If you told me a week ago that I'd ever say this, I would've asked you to stop snorting crack for breakfast but...Yugyeom's pretty nice."

"Right."

They sit in silence for the next few minutes till Taehyung feels a hand on his head, the touch light and familiar. "Hey, how was the test?"

"It was great! I don't know why I even worried!" Taehyung said with his signature boxy grin.

"See? I told you you'd do great. You aren't the CP for nothing, you know." Yoongi ruffled Taehyung's hair fondly and smiled brightly, something which surprised everyone except Jungkook and Taehyung.

It was strange, Jimin thought, how Min Yoongi wasn't willing to even hum in his direction and look at people in general. Hell, he limited himself to dry words of reassurance when it came to Jungkook. But with Taehyung, he was different, and it didn't take a genius to notice it. He talked, smiled and even laughed at Taehyung's adorable habits, his eyes warm and fond for the younger.

"I'm gonna head out," came Jungkook's voice. "I'll wait by the car."

Taehyung looked up at Jungkook, who avoided his gaze and hurried off towards the exit. Yoongi followed him shortly after exchanging a goodbye with Taehyung.

"So, how's the whole shoot coming up for you?" Taehyung asked Jimin.

"I need someone to model for the remaining few clothes which mum suggested would look good on someone younger than the one she hired."

"So, what's she going to do? It already sucks that you have to do more than half the work, which is mostly makeup and labor," Taehyung said with a snicker.

"Which reminds me," Jimin said. "I need you to model for the rest."

Taehyung stared at him, looking for signs of humour. "You're kidding."

"No? Why would I?" Jimin deadpanned. "You're younger than that dude, and ten times more good looking. Plus, I won't have to pay you."

"Good looking?" Taehyung laughed a little bitterly. "That's enough insults for a day, thanks."

"Stop pretending like you don't know," Jimin smirked. "You know you're a pretty ass boy who can make people pop a boner with just those innocent eyes."

"Yeah, right. Shut up," Taehyung said, his ears turning red. "I'm not cute, or good looking. Your argument is invalid."

Jimin open his mouth to argue, but closed it sharply when he saw how serious his best friend was. He actually believed that he wasn't beautiful- what with that rich, golden skin, huge eyes and fluffy brown hair. Jimin's thoughts wandered to the countless times he had caught rich-slash-heartthrob Jeon Jungkook staring at Taehyung when he wasn't aware of the younger's eyes. He thought of how Jungkook looked at Taehyung like he had cosmic dust on his skin and his aura projected a magnetic pull, but only towards the other. He thought of how Jungkook smiled when Taehyung did something(anything) moderately cute, and how his eyes lit up like whole galaxies that reflected Kim Taehyung's existence as his own salvation.

But Jimin didn't say a word about all that went on inside him, instead smiling and looking at his best friend, who had no knowledge of how he was the moon, stars and whole nebulas itself for that one boy who had more than half the city's teenage population at his feet. "Sure. Whatever you say."

•    •    •

Author's note:
I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but I promise I had reasons. My wattpad account keeps acting up and it's so annoying because my drafts didn't sync for like 4 times and I had to write the whole chapter again. I know, life sucks and that shit.
It sure does.