#heartworm

Part 29

Hey guys! So, I actually published the last chapter yesterday, but for some reason Wattpad just took it down? I don't really know. I just came and saw that it was unpublished. Anyway, so I guess this is a double update by accident. Still all prose. Enjoy!

Jimin was regretting his decision to wear so many rings. He had probably wrung his hands so many times that it looked like they were having a seizure. He felt the metal and gemstones, now turned warm from being handled so much, digging into his skin as he rubbed his hands together. He stopped when he felt another hand on top of his. Jimin looked up at the perpetrator, but Yoongi continued to gaze out the windshield.

"I can feel your worry," he said. "We'll be fine, Jiminie."

Jimin took a shaky breath, "Yeah, you're right. We'll be fine."

Yoongi sent him a wry look, "Do you actually believe that?"

"No."

Yoongi chuckled and despite his nerves, Jimin found himself smiling along.

"It's going to be okay. They'll be a little angry at first, but they'll get over it. All our friends are pushovers anyway."

Jimin couldn't stop the laugh that slipped out, "Hyung, that's mean."

"But, am I wrong?"

Jimin hummed, "Not really."

"Exactly."

Jimin smiled, shaking his head. The two of them lapsed into a comfortable silence as they continued to hold hands. Jimin turned to stare out the window, watching as the scenery of downtown Seoul passed by. They were on their way to have dinner with their friends. They had come to a decision to do so when they had spoken later in the day after the whole news debacle. It was currently the day after and luckily, all their friends had agreed to go out, most likely just to hear the full story. What a way to spend a Saturday night.

When they finally arrived at the restaurant they had agreed on, Jimin and Yoongi found Jin and Namjoon already there. They had booked the VIP section to avoid prying eyes and their group would be the only one there. Jimin watched as Jin immediately stood up to greet them while his boyfriend followed at a slower pace. Jin came to Jimin first, giving him a kiss on the cheek and hugging him while their partners talked.

"Oh, Jimin-ah, look at you," he cooed. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you! I feel like every time we talk, I have to ask."

Jimin smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, hyung. I'm just –"

"Busy, I know. We all are. You need to come over some time."

"I will. I promise."

"You better."

Jimin smiled, letting Jin pinch his cheeks a few more times before he moved to greet Yoongi. The dancer watched, feeling a little nervous, as Namjoon approached him. The two had never met, although Jimin had heard about the older man.

He bowed, "Hello."

Namjoon returned the favour before holding his hand out for Jimin to take. The blond was a little surprised, but he shook the offered hand anyway.

"So, you're Jimin. I've been hearing about you for ages and I can't believe we're only just meeting."

"I can't believe it either, Namjoon-ssi."

Namjoon waved dismissively, "Oh, call me hyung."

"Okay, hyung. It was nice meeting you. I hope we can talk more in the future."

"I hope so too," Namjoon smiled. Jimin was delighted to see the dimples on his face and had to stop himself from reaching out to touch them. The last thing he needed was Namjoon thinking he was some freak who liked to touch people's faces, especially when the reason why they were even meeting was weird enough.

"Well, let's sit," Jin said, already ushering everyone to the table. Before they could sit, the doors opened and familiar voices floated into the room.

When Jimin looked, he saw Taehyung and Hoseok talking as they entered while Jungkook walked behind them, looking back and forth between the two. Taehyung took notice of them first, his face lighting up when he caught Jimin's gaze. He didn't waste any time running to hug his best friend.

"Chim Chim!"

"Tae Tae!"

They hugged each other for a long few seconds and Jimin could hear Yoongi say, "Don't worry. They've always been like this."

"I love your earrings," Taehyung said as he pulled away. He reached up to touch one, flicking the dangling metal.

"I love your necklace," Jimin replied. "Where'd you get it?"

"Graff. I actually bought two. I'll give you the other one later."

"Aw, Tae –"

"I'm standing right here," Jin interrupted with a pout.

"Jin-hyung!" Taehyung's attention was successfully diverted as he moved to hug his fellow actor and model. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"I know. Who wouldn't miss this beautiful face?"

Actually, Jimin was pretty sure that they had worked on a photoshoot together less than two weeks ago, but he said nothing. After Taehyung and Jin were finished, the younger man turned to look at Yoongi who only sighed and opened his arms. Taehyung grinned, stepping forward to hug his childhood friend.

"I can't believe you, hyung. You couldn't even call me after you left."

Yoongi mumbled something in response that Jimin couldn't hear, but Taehyung laughed at whatever it was. He found himself smiling as he watched them reconnect after so many years. He knew Taehyung had missed Yoongi and vice versa. They had an odd friendship and one would think that they wouldn't get along, but they made it work.

Jimin turned to his fellow dancers in the meanwhile, taking their attention away from Taehyung. Once everyone was finished greeting each other, they got seated. Taehyung and Jungkook sat across from each other at the end of the booth. Beside Jungkook was Yoongi and Jimin opted to sit on his other side. Opposite them was Hoseok and Jin who sent Namjoon to sit on the other side. They ordered their drinks and as soon as the waitress had brought them and left, Jin clapped his hands to gain everyone's attention.

"So, I know why you're all here," he began and Jimin heard Yoongi sigh. "We all want to hear about Jimin and Yoongi's relationship and why they didn't tell anyone. Well, I'm also here for food, but never mind. Yoongi-ah?"

Yoongi rolled his eyes but spoke up, "I don't think all of you know the story, but Jimin and I used to date."

"Wait, what?" Jungkook interjected, looking confused.

"So, you two...?" Hoseok trailed off as Yoongi and Jimin nodded. His mouth formed an 'O'. "I knew Yoongi-hyung had a boyfriend before coming to Seoul, but I always thought things just ended badly between them."

"I knew the whole story, but how come I didn't know it was Jimin?" Jin asked, pouting. He looked at Namjoon, who hadn't been surprised by the news. "You knew, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't for me to say," Namjoon defended himself. Jin huffed.

"Wait, am I the only one who didn't know anything?" Jungkook piped up, looking at everyone.

"It's okay," Taehyung said. "They used to date in high school after Jimin moved to Daegu. They broke up after hyung moved to Seoul."

"Oh."

"Thanks for that, Tae," Jimin said. "Now, we don't have to explain."

Taehyung gave him a thumbs up in response.

"Wait, so how'd you two get back together?" Hoseok asked.

The rest of the group started up again, everyone wanting to know what happened. Jimin looked over at Yoongi and laughed at the exasperated expression he wore. The older man looked back at him and stuck out his tongue. Jimin rolled his eyes but he was smiling too hard for it to mean anything.

"If you all shut up, we'll tell you," Yoongi muttered and it worked. Almost immediately, their friends stopped talking and looked back at the couple with expectant eyes.