Tomorrow│YM

[19] Please No

Sweat trickled down Jimin's spine as he thanked the bus driver and squeezed passed the moist bodies blocking the back door. As soon as his shoes hit concrete he sucked in a desperate breath of fresh air, only to be hit with an inescapable wall of humidity. He wiped the salty droplets that clung to his brow with the back of his white sleeve and cringed at the resulting translucent wet patch.

It was way too fucking hot.

A stifling heat wave had rolled in and Jimin was absolutely dreading his Sunday shift at Bangtan. While they weren't as busy as Fridays or Saturdays, Sundays drew a large enough crowd to warrant a DJ. Jimin still hadn't recovered from the persistent stench of feral hot bodies rolling together that followed him home the night before. Even Yoongi was visibly put-off by his scent, scrunching his nose and twitching his ears when Jimin briefly joined him on the couch before sheepishly scurrying off to shower and go to bed.

It only took a few steps along the sidewalk for Jimin to hear the muffled baseline of a deep house track that grew louder and clearer every time the club's door opened. Jimin paused as soon as the entrance came into view, thinking that it wasn't too late to turn around and take the alley to the back door.

"Jimin!" Fuck. It was too late now. "Can we talk?"

Jungkook.

The other reason Jimin was dreading his shift.

It was early in the evening, so the bouncer wasn't slammed with a steady stream of guests to card yet. Donning his mandated tight black t-shirt and skinny jeans, Jungkook sat on a stool outside the club, no doubt content to avoid stewing in the cesspool of pheromones inside. The humidity had done a number on his hair, but only in the most flattering way. His tousled fringe looked downright glossy as it parted at his forehead, framing his wide, pleading eyes.

Things had been... awkward with Jungkook after his impromptu carpool confessional. It was only made worse when on the night of Yoongi's haircut, a very inebriated Taehyung draped his long arms around the bouncer and immediately spilled the beans. I said we should invite Kookie, he sang, but Chiminey said nooo.

The hurt on Jungkook's face as he looked over Taehyung's shoulder had haunted Jimin ever since.

"Please, it'll only take a sec," Jungkook begged. "Don't run away again."

It was inevitable, Jimin supposed. Might as well get it over with.

He approached warily, preparing to be berated for being a shitty friend. "Whatssup, Kook."

Relieved by Jimin's (albeit reluctant) compliance, Jungkook's lips formed a sad half-smile. He gripped the stool between his legs and shifted his weight to them, unconsciously emphasizing his biceps as he fidgeted. "I want to apologize."

Jimin's face went slack with shock. "Apologize? What for?"

Jungkook snorted and shook his head. "I made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry."

"Oh Kookie," Jimin exhaled, "you shouldn't apologize for being honest. I'm the one being an insensitive jerk, avoiding you."

"No," Jungkook refuted, frowning. "I was insensitive. I had no right cornering you in my car, especially the night after you were assaulted."

Assaulted?

Jimin blinked. "I-" he started, but lost his train of thought. Did Steve assault him? His wrist was still a little bruised and sore from his iron clutch... but does that count? It doesn't even compare to what Yoongi...

Then his focus snapped back to Jungkook, who was observing him with his brows knit together.

"Yeah, I guess you shouldn't have done that," Jimin conceded, running his thumb back and forth under strap of his messenger bag. "Thanks for your apology. I accept. You're... a really good guy."

Suddenly shy, Jungkook averted his eyes. "Thanks," he mumbled, pulling his lips over his teeth and pressing them together.

"But I'm sorry too," Jimin added. "I reacted really, really badly. I actually care about you a lot, Kook, and I did a shit job of showing it."

"You care about me?" Jungkook asked softly, lifting his gaze.

Jimin felt his heart rate spike.

"Oh! Jimin, it's ok, I get it!" Jungkook quickly assured, seeing the panic setting on Jimin's face. Jungkook shifted his weight off his hands and tucked his hair behind his ears. "Not in that way. I understand. But you do care about me."

Jimin relaxed and pushed his damp, sweaty bangs off his forehead. "Of course, Kook. You're practically family."

Jungkook scrunched his nose.

"Don't get me wrong," Jimin said carefully, "I'm not blind. You're, uh, very attractive. But you're also so sweet, and I need..." he swallowed. "Please trust me, I would fuck you up so bad."

"Jimin..."

"HANI!"

The men flinched at the sudden high pitched scream and turned towards the source; a flock of giggling women in sashes tumbling out of a black SUV.

"Hani, get your legendary ass out of this uber and enjoy your fleeting freedom, damnit!"

A woman, presumably Hani, gracefully slipped out of the vehicle and onto the street. She fixed her long chestnut hair and smoothed out her sash as her friends cheered obnoxiously.

"Nooo. Not tonight," Jimin whined, tipping his head back. "Please no."

Jungkook snickered and rose from his stool, giving Jimin a playful shove with his shoulder. "But Jiminieee," he teased quietly as the tittering gaggle neared. "I thought you loved bachelorette parties."

Jimin loved them, alright. He loved it when swarms of straight women in tiaras and animal print bodycon dresses, desperate to escape the claws of gross straight men in straight clubs, took to queer dance floors and ran their overgrown talons over gay bodies instead. He'd write an ode to them if he had the time.

"Fuck," Jimin muttered, looking back to Jungkook who had an irritating lopsided grin plastered across his face as he opened the door to the club and waved Jimin in. The cheeky bouncer wouldn't have to deal with the rowdy horde once he let them inside. "I hate you," Jimin hissed.

"No, you care about me," Jungkook corrected with a wink. "A lot."

Huffing in annoyance, Jimin stomped into the sweltering bar before his favourite patrons could trod on his heels.

__________

Short and sweet, like meee! 😇

JK - I'm neither of those things. 😈