Calico Cat Tattoo

Chapter 6

Jungkook's breath was brushing against his neck, making Jimin hesitate too much while he was working.

"Beautiful," Jungkook whispered next to Jimin's ear, making Jimin gulp. The boy's voice was so quiet and sweet. Jimin pulled away from the boy's leg, "Can we take a 5-minute break? I need a smoke?" he asks Youngjae.

"Sure! Of course," allowing Jimin to walk away and out the front door. He needed to clear his head, again. Within a second, he pulled a cigarette into his mouth. He was going on a pack a day at this point, wracked with thoughts of the boy that was now standing at his workbench. Jimin dared a look inside, shamefully looking for those big doe eyes. It was becoming harder to brush off this feeling of attraction to Jungkook. He hoped it was just curiosity that would die out like it always had. But this time was different.

Jungkook's eyes looked around the shop and traveled to the window, where Jimin was smoking outside. They held each other's gaze for about a minute. Jimin saw Jungkook visibly sigh and walk away. He looked away back into the street to calm his heart. He heard the door open behind him and turned his head expecting to see his employee. His eyes widened when Jungkook came towards him.

"Hello, can we talk?" Jungkook asks, keeping his voice steady.

"Sure, what about?" Jimin stamps out his cigarette into the ground, uh oh.

"I wanted to apologize if we started on the wrong foot or if I've annoyed you in any way. I am only hoping to get the desired pictures you are wanting," Jimin wasn't expecting him to say all of this. "If you would like me to shadow someone else, I can. I would just like to do what is best for you and your business." Jungkook bows deeply, hoping to appease the tattoo boss.

"No-" Jimin said too quickly, embarrassed he looked away. He coughed, bringing his hand to his face to cover a blush rising. "It's that not you're annoying me," Jimin said quietly. "I'm sorry if I made you feel unwelcome. I'm just not great with new people," now looking at Jungkook straight on. Maybe he was being too cold with the kid? "But, maybe you're right," Jungkook was looking at him with pleading eye, hoping. "We might have gotten off on the wrong foot, let's start over?" Jimin stretched his hand out to him, Jungkook stared at it in disbelief then broke into a giant smile showing his bunny teeth and crinkly eyes. Jimin's heart skipped a couple of beats this time. After a few seconds of shaking hands, Jimin coughed again.

"Thank you, Park Jimin-nim!"

"Just call me Jimin-ssi," Jimin pulled his hand away and back to his face.

"Of course, Jimin-ssi," Jungkook almost sang, making a blush rise to Jimin's cheeks.

"Well, I need to go finish that tattoo," he said fleeing away from the bunny that was creeping too close to his heart.

"Thanks for waiting, you ready?" Jimin spoke to Youngjae. The rest of the morning blended together, Jimin working diligently on tattoo pieces, conversing lightly with customers, while Jungkook was never far away from capturing each moment. Jimin tried to ignore Jungkook's presence and focus on the work at hand.

As morning turned into afternoon, Jungkook's grumbling stomach signaled a time to eat. Hoseok ran up to Jungkook with a sandwich in hand.

"Here, eat this!" Hoseok smiled brightly at the young boy.

"Thank you, Hoseok-nim" smiling brightly back.

"Oh, please! Call me hyung or Hobi, whichever, or both" Hoseok ruffled his hair.

"Ok, thanks hyung," Jungkook followed Hobi into the back break room.

"So, how's working with grumpy cat?" Hobi wiggled his eyebrows. Jimin was still in the front room, finishing up with another client.

"It's..well," he chuckled lowly. "It was kind of awkward at first but it's been nice so far," he smiled at his sandwich.

"Hmmm, is that so?" Hobi has a skeptical smirk.

"Hmmm?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just had an interesting thought." Hobi says standing up to walk away, "Let me know if you ever need anything!" 

The rest of the afternoon progressed quickly and smoothly. Jimin's last appointment was running longer than expected. Jungkook wanted to stick around to see the finished product to snap some fresh pictures. After the last touches of the needle gun, Jimin leaned to stretch his back and wipe his sweat.

"There! All done," he smiles at his last client. He wipes disinfectant and cream over the new tattoo while he gives her a mirror to see. She is ecstatic over the new artwork on her body and hugged Jimin with whispered 'thanks'. Jungkook's heart squeezed a little at the sight. Jealousy? He brushed it off and snapped more pictures.

It was well past 6 pm, which was supposed to be when Jungkook was scheduled to go home. The autumn sky was dark out with only a few street lights to guide his walk home. Jungkook stood in front of the shop that was still bustling with life. Camera bag over his shoulder, Jungkook started his walk home in the dark. Soon after, he heard a motor near him. Turning to see the black bike slow and stop beside him on the road. He recognized Jimin's bike from this morning and his petite frame even if his face was hidden behind a helmet. Jimin held a helmet out, "Get on," his raspy voice was muffled, yet so loud in Jungkook's ears.

Jungkook quickly put on the helmet and climbed on the back of the bike. His heart was racing, Wait.

"Wait, where are we going?" Jungkook shouts over Jimin's shoulder.

"You ask that after getting on?" Jimin chuckles and looks over his shoulder, "Home." Jimin revs the engine and takes off, making Jungkook hold onto Jimin's waist. He didn't actually know which home Jimin meant, but was gonna worry later. He felt guilty for enjoying the warmth of Jimin's back, this was technically his boss. But the night was cold and the wind strong.

From behind his helmet, he recognized his school as the bike slowed at the street light.

"Which way to your house," Jimin yelled over the engine. Jungkook pointed left, and Jimin followed. A few more minutes and they pulled in front of Jungkook's apartment building.

Jungkook hesitated before getting off the bike. Jimin cut the engine, encompassing them in a blanket of silence, as they both stayed still. A minute passes before Jungkook pulls himself away, immediately missing the warmth of Jimin's back. Climbing off the bike, he pulled his helmet off and passed it to Jimin.

Jimin stifling a chuckle in his throat, looking away from his hair. Jungkook realized his hair had been sticking out in weird angles. Patting them down as best he could with no mirror, he bowed to Jimin.

"Thank you for the ride home, Jimin-ssi"

"It's no problem," Jimin smiled softly at him.

"I'll see you Thursday," he bowed and walked into the building. Before he shut the door, he heard a muffled 'see ya' followed by the engine starting.

Jungkook stood in the lobby of the building, calming his heart. His crush was taking over. The man was becoming more and more present in Jungkook's heart and mind. He wanted to hear more laughs, see more smiles, especially ones directed at him. Jimin's piercing gaze was never very far today, it followed him when he walked away for lunch or walking around the shop. It was making his heart skips in irregular beats all day. Just hearing his low chuckle or raspy voice would send a chill down his spine. The next couple of weeks would be trouble.