𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒

X

Jimin straightened his bowtie and ran a hand through his hair. Lifted elegant fingers to unlock the lock. Knocked on the door with the back of his hand.

From through the slender gap between the doorway and the door, he could hear Rosé's and Jungkook's voices. Murmuring quietly. Jungkook's voice teasing. Chiding her for something.

Rosé laughing. Clear. Bell-like. Melodic. A splash of water.

Something tugged at him annoyingly, persistently as the sound grew louder.

The handle on the door turned abruptly; he caught a glimpse of Rosé's face, features dewy and cheered, before her mouth flattened into an intractable line. Her eyes grew blank, her upper lip curling slightly as her eyes came to rest upon his face.

Well, let's just get this over with, I suppose-

"Good evening, Jimin." Her voice bore no trace of the good humor it had contained only moments before. Simple politeness. Distance. Vague interest.

Jimin inhaled shallowly as he took her in. Not quite as-well-sinful-looking as the previous night, but still fetching nonetheless.

"It's seven o'clock, Miss Park. Are you ready?"

Rosé nodded, studying Jimin's face as he, in turn, looked at her, she in turn feeling every flicker of his eyes acutely against her skin. His eyes dropping to sweep over the front of her gown. Her waist. Then back up again. To her lips.

Is he blushing...?

Her mouth tasted bitter at the thought as she lowered her eyes to the floor demurely. To his black dress shoes, perfectly shined.

Still she felt his intent gaze. Creeping over her. Brushing along her shining hair.

Resolve settled in her bones.

Tonight I'm playing vinegar.

Ice.

Make him want it.

I will play the long game with you, Park Jimin.

And I will win.

His hand pressing against the small of her back. Sure and steady. Blessedly not wandering. Lips at her ear. She, smiling as if she had a secret, for the benefit of the screaming photographers. Him guiding her through a massive set of doors. Another hotel. Another night. Another masquerade.

"And this is my date, Miss Roséanne Park..." Jimin's face bore a typical smirk as June lifted Rosé's hand to his lips, Rosé smiling placidly as she accepted the gesture, Jimin's hand still at her back. The heel of his palm almost digging into her spine.

"Ah! A pleasure, Miss Park..." June replied in heavily accented Korean. He straightened and extended his hand to Jimin, who shook it. He took Jimin a step ahead leaving Rosé dumbfounded.

You have found a very beautiful woman, Jimin... if you are not careful, someone could steal her...

Jimin laughed, a low, husky sound. As Rosé turned to her head to look at him, eyes round with confusion, he responded easily.