D E S P E R A D O

twenty one

As evening came around they had talked about everything but at the same time, nothing at all. They concluded that the weather was indeed nice, the food was good and Jimin's efforts payed off, the clouds were just blobs which did not look like animals especially the one Jimin claimed to be a grasshopper(who even thinks of that) and that there were blue as well as yellow butterflies.

Jimin looked surreal. His jacket was kept on the blanket after it got warm, but Jungkook kept his fluffy sweater on especially since it was gifted by Jimin. The food was packed up in the picnic basket as they sat in uncomfortable silence. There was really nothing to talk about. Was this where they realized that they weren't compatible? 

Jimin sighs and stands up. "You wanna see the sunset?" 

Jungkook was caught off guard by the question but nodded his head. 

"Come on." Jimin takes his hand and walks to the car. 

Blood rushes up to the younger's cheeks. They've done things far far less PG 13 so why is some hand holding making him feel jittery. But the warmth was gone as soon as it came as Jimin opened the door for him.

"Where are we going now?" 

"You'll see." 

This time they drove slowly which Jungkook was thankful for. "You know I still can't believe you can't handle a little speed racing." Jimin chuckles.

"I could stab you and you would say that you can't believe I did that, so what do you believe I'm capable of?"

"Touché, brat." 

Jungkook rolls the window when he sees the scenery change into trees and cute cottages. As he breathes in the smell of salt in the air he knows exactly where they were. As they enter the clear road his suspicions get confirmed. They were at the beach.

He smiles widely staring at the waves and letting his hair get messed up by the wind. The ocean always reminded him of his home town, though the memories were things that he hated to reminisce, he still felt at ease with any reminder of Busan. 

The car parks on the side of the road. It was almost sunset and people were leaving. Jungkook steps out of the car and takes in a lung full of air. Nostalgia almost hits him like a truck and he tears up a little until he hears Jimin.

"I love the beach so much, it reminds me so much of my childhood..." The older puts his hands in his pockets and admires the setting sun. "And considering the undertone of Busan satoori in your voice, I think the same for you?" 

Jungkook is surprised that the man picked up on that but he nods shyly. Jimin must have noticed his sad face because he reaches out and holds on to Jungkook's hand. Soon they rolled up their pants and walked into the shallow waves. It was increasing by the minute but that was the least thing they cared about. 

As the sky bled and colored the vast expanse in fading colors of the setting sun, they felt content. Jimin squeezes his hand to let him know that he was there, the younger didn't know why but that was something he needed. It's been a long time since he even thought of home. That's probably because the memories are filled with sorrow, regret and trauma. 

He looks as the sky slowly darkens in color as the sun in no longer in sight and the evening turns to night. There was a sliver of hope in his heart that bloomed as he squeezed Jimin's hand right back. Maybe in the future he would be alright, maybe in the future he would be happy, maybe in  the future he would be able to let go of all the hurt, maybe in the future he would live in the present and not the past. 

"My family used to have picnics at the beach back in Busan... my dad, my mom, my brother and I, we were all very close." Jimin continues. "I don't know what changed. One day my father said that we were moving here and suddenly he got to pre occupied with work to save time for our family. It soon felt like we weren't a family anymore..."