𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄

𝖮 𝖮 𝟦

⊹ chapter four ⊹

after meeting up at the mall, jimin let taemin drag him into store after store, both trying on the clothes in their endlessly growing piles. taemin had easily convinced him that just because they wouldn't buy everything didn't mean they couldn't try it on— and well, who was jimin to deny that? truthfully, he loved outfit shopping, too; even if it wasn't his main focus, he had always liked fashion.

"ugh, my feet are killing me from walking so much. we should take a break and get some food," taemin whined. he dragged his feet as he switched the arm full of bags from one arm to the other, shaking his right arm and sighing in relief once the weight was gone.

jimin nodded along in agreement; his own bags were starting to cut red marks into his arms. "sounds good, i need a break, too. you can choose what to eat; i'm fine with anything."

they shuffled through the crowd in comfortable silence, squeezing past groups of rowdy teenagers. jimin had probably spent more than he should've, but that last fluffy jacket was worth it. after feeling how soft it was, there was no way he was leaving it behind; he'd just have to budget a little better next month.

"man, i wish we didn't go to different colleges. i miss hanging out with you and tae," taemin pouted, leading jimin into the food court as his eyes scanned around for an empty table.

"me too. we don't get to hangout much anymore. me and tae miss seeing you; you should come hangout more often."

"hey," taemin nudged him with an elbow to the arm. "speaking of tae, isn't that him?" he pointed past the crowded tables to taehyung, who was eating ice cream with a satisfied grin.

jimin's eyes narrowed when they landed on his friend. taehyung had always said it was more fun to go to the mall with someone else than to go by himself. as far as jimin knew, namjoon and jin were having a date night in. he and taehyung had that argument last night, so it was obvious that he wouldn't have asked jimin to come. that left yoongi and hobi. yoongi didn't like going to the mall often, said it was too crowded, but jimin's pretty sure he was crashing after another one of his all nighters anyway, which meant he probably convinced hobi to nap with him. so, why was taehyung here?

"ooh, it looks like he's here with someone!" taemin clung to his arm, bouncing on his heels. "did he finally get a boyfriend? why didn't you tell me?!"

"what?" jimin's nose scrunched up. what was taemin talking about? all he saw was the fake plants that sectioned off every few tables. "i don't see—"

looking closer, he saw jeongguk sitting next to taehyung, shoulders shaking as he giggled at something taehyung had said.

"what's his name? i can't believe taehyungie has such a cute boyfriend— we should go say hi!"

"no. i don't think that's such a good—" before jimin could finish what he was saying, taemin was already dragging him towards where the two sat.

"hi!" taemin beamed as he bounded up to their table.

"taemin?!" taehyung cheered, eyes going wide with surprise as he smiled and jumped up to hug him. "what are you doing here? i haven't seen you in so long! how are you doing?"

"i'm good, i'm good! i was hanging out with jiminie and we saw you, so i wanted to come say hi and meet your cutie!" he winked at jeongguk, who flushed at the compliment— and maybe just a little at the assumption that he was taehyung's.

"well, i'm glad. it's good to see you." taehyung's smile widened, tilting his head towards jeongguk. "and this is jeongguk."

taemin turned his attention to jeongguk, and jeongguk couldn't help but notice how similar he and jimin looked; if he didn't know better, he would've wondered if they were brothers instead of friends.