it's just kissing | m.j ✓

CHAPTER SIXTY TWO.

"I've been meaning to ask," the man continues slowly. "Do you find it difficult to believe that I really do want to do these things for you?" he asks and drops his gaze just slightly, and Jimin doesn't miss the hint of uncertainty in the other man's voice. And Jimin spends the next few seconds just staring, almost mesmerized by the fact that Kim Namjoon is sitting right in front of him, looking so unsure of himself again.

"Because I really do," Namjoon starts again, suddenly looking quite nervous as the silence stretches on. "I know I have a reputation."

"Oh, I-" Jimin starts, knowing that this is going into a territory that should probably be avoided. He did not mean to make Namjoon feel this way or remind him of all the rumors, and he already feels horrible for having acted so skeptical.

"Please, let me continue. I think it's only right that we, or I, talk about this."

"Okay..."

"I know that I have a reputation," Namjoon repeats slowly, and this time, Jimin only listens. "And I deserve it after what I've done. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that that was all a mistake, because it wasn't. I did all those things knowing exactly what I was doing. And I'm not going to tell you that isn't who I am, for the same reason."

"..."

"But I need you to know that that's not all I am."

"...I know," Jimin replies honestly, hoping that Namjoon will believe him without a doubt. "I've always known," he tags on slowly, needing the other man to just know that he knows. Hell, that's the reason why he had gotten into that fight with Mingyu in the first place.

Namjoon is now watching him in silence, and Jimin can't quite tell if it's out of surprise or something else.

"I always knew you were more than those rumors. A lot more."

"...Thank you."

"It's nothing to thank me for...it's just the truth. Anyone would have to be crazy to not see what I saw. Everyone at the bar thinks the world of you, but I don't need to tell you that," Jimin replies with a playful grin, hoping to get the man back on a more positive mood.

Yet, he's not ready for the next words out of Namjoon's lips.

"Would it be too crazy if I kissed you right now?"

"..Oh, but I just had some food, and I swear this has garlic in it?" Jimin begins to ramble in an attempt to hide the fact that he almost choked again and proceeds to cup a hand over his mouth and blow into it before giving it a small sniff. "Oh, it's not that bad...wait, I don't know. That might be because I can still smell the-" Jimin is cut short at the sudden sound of Namjoon's laughter. It's not loud. It's not meant to be insulting. Jimin's surprised to find it full of endearment, and great, his cheeks must be so red right now.

"Maybe not now then," Namjoon says as his laughter dies down, and Jimin finds himself staring at his own plate as if he's hoping that it will swallow him whole.

"Sorry, I messed that up, didn't I."

"No apologizing for that."

"Right...I um, I do want to kiss you."

"I know."