Lost and Found (Jirose)

Lost and Found

Chaeyoung had been sitting in between Lisa and Jisoo, quietly observing her friends. She smiled to see Kris with Wendy looking quite intimate, while Joy was gazing softly at Luhan as he laughed.

The rest of the couples were gradually settling down and cuddling up too as the raucous chatter softened, allowing them to soak up the tranquillity of their surroundings.

Chaeyoung searched for Jimin, frowning slightly when she didn't spot him immediately. Glancing behind her, she spotted a lone figure standing at the edge where the water kissed the sand. He was almost invisible in the darkness.

She walked away stealthily from the group and was thankful that nobody called after her.

After a whole day well spent in good company, she wanted Jimin all to herself now.

"Hey," Chaeyoung said as she slipped her arms around him from behind. She rested her cheek in the space between his shoulder blades.

"Hey..." he responded. She heard the smile in his voice.

"Did you ever realise that we only ever greet each other with 'hey'?" Jimin asked. "It's kinda romantic. It's like our thing. Like 'Always' is for Snape you know? Or how 'okay' is the thing for those kids in that John Green book."

She giggled. "That's your idea of romantic?"

"Well yeah-"

"It is romantic," she agreed in amusement, "and yeah I kinda noticed, now that you mention it..."

He undid her hands from around his abdomen and pulled her to the front next to him, wrapping an arm round her waist. Chaeyoung leaned into his shoulder.

"Watching stars?" she asked.

He hummed. "I was just...thinking..."

"Yeah?"

"About...well...I think I got a little overwhelmed back there, watching everyone so happy and peaceful. I'm just...so thankful," he said bashfully. "Chaeyoung, months ago I was rock bottom. I thought I ruined everything, I thought my girlfriend was going to end up a vegetable by my own hand-"

"Well vegetables can be tasty," she interjected lightly, attempting to steer the conversation away from any lingering guilt feelings he had.

"Chaeyoung listen," Jimin said. He turned to her, eyes gleaming in the dull blue light of the stars. The sea lapping at the sand next to their feet was quiet and gentle, as though giving Jimin his time to speak his mind.

"I am so thankful I have you in my life," Jimin said quietly, "otherwise, I don't know what would have become of me. I would have committed a thousand other atrocities most likely, or get caught and spend my days pacing about in a cell. Instead, I get an amazing girlfriend and awesome friends."

"I look up at the stars," he added, tilting his head back and she copied him as he continued, "I look up and just...my heart could burst right now Chaeyoung, that's how happy I am. I don't want this feeling to ever fade. I love you and...and one day....maybe...we could get married?" he finished shyly, his eyes hovering uncertainly over hers.

Chaeyoung reached up to kiss him.

"Well that came out of nowhere. Are you proposing to me?" she asked playfully. But her eyes were serious-she wanted him to know that she was ready. "Because if you are, I'll say yes. I'll say yes anytime any day, Park Jimin."

He chuckled. "Haven't gotten a ring yet but good to know."

"Even if we can't have children?" Chaeyoung said quietly. This was probably her worst fear- she feared that despite his love, Time might change his mind and he'd tire of her.