UNIVERSE / BTS.

63: let the river run / jikook

LET THE
RIVER RUN
( part 2 )

WORD COUNT 4.3k (jesus)
OVERVIEW "what does love mean to you?" / jimin and jeongguk have lived together for a month, and jimin's finally realising his feelings

PLAYLIST euphoria / jeongguk, serendipity / jimin

∆

LIVING WITH JEONGGUK has become normality for jimin in the past month, the now raven haired boy feeling relaxed around the younger. he's finally making money, working at a local supermarket and paying jeongguk a bit of money towards rent (the younger refused profusely at first, but jimin insisted).

the two are easy housemates now, who both care for hyoseol—when they can't, wonwoo and mingyu are more than happy to—, cook, although takeout has become a habit, clean the apartment and make sure that the other is rested. jimin works a few hours a day, while jeongguk's on a 5:00PM to 12:00AM shift, meaning they spend time together when they wake up and when jimin gets back at three o'clock, and at weekends; jimin constantly makes sure that jeongguk rests, even if the younger insists he's fine, that he sleeps while jimin's out and hyoseol's napping.

it's a sunday when jimin is making toast and jam for hyoseol—who's finally eating solids—and jeongguk is singing a stupid version of aladdin's i can show you the world to the baby, hyoseol on his shoulders, that jimin realises how fucking happy he is. a warmth fills his chest as he watches his dongsaeng mess around, watches jeongguk's pierced lips spread into a bunny like grin, watches the way his son beams and pulls at jeongguk's pink hair. jimin thinks of how jeongguk's truly saved him, in a way, helped him and given him a home when they didn't even know each other. he leans against the counter with a fond smile on his face and a yellow bubbling warmth in his chest; wow. he's really happy.

"what're you smiling at, hyung?" jeongguk asks, a lopsided grin on his gorgeous features as he places hyoseol into his highchair, booping his nose. jimin just laughs.

"nuthin'—i just feel really glad i met you," he admits, and jeongguk seems to light up, eyes sparkling. "thank you for everything, gukie."

the younger blushes at the nickname, a pink hue spreading across his nose and cheeks, smiling. "it's nothing, really, hyung—"

"—nothing my ass!" jimin says, looking jeongguk in the eyes. "seriously, you've done more for me in a month than jongin did for years, okay? you're a lifesaver—literally. i would've ended up on the streets without you."

jeongguk smiles softly, about to respond when jimin's phone starts to ring in the other room. jimin looks over to the noise, and back to jeongguk. "i'll feed hyo." the younger promises, and the ravennete goes to respond to the phone call.

INCOMING FACETIME: taehyung 🌺

jimin taps the green answer button, and his best friend, tanned and smiling, pops up onscreen. jimin picks up the phone as taehyung begins to speak, very loud.

"jiminie! you haven't called in forever! i got back from mum 'nd dad's yesterday, god it's been hectic. how are you?"

jimin sits down on his bed, smiling softly. "i'm... alright. great, actually," he sits up against the headboard, legs crossed. taehyung's dressed in a big hoodie, his blonde mullet a mess upon his head, and his new lip piercing glints in the light. "i dumped jongin."

"gasp! word?" taehyung says over dramatically, falling back onto what jimin assumes is his couch. jimin nods. "oh my god, that's so good jiminie! but where are you and hyo living? seokjin's?"