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the pink scarf around his neck mirrors the hue on his cheek as he walks down the sidewalk. both of his hands were wrapped in thick leather gloves, while his entire body was engulfed in a coat. maybe taking a walk on christmas day was a bad idea, jimin thought. since he does not have anything to do inside his apartment, he opted to go for a walk, maybe shop and eat out then.
he finally arrived downtown. it was packed with a crowd, not surprising because today is a holiday. jimin smiled, his crescent eyes on display as he looks at the children walking with their parents, wearing festive clothes— one was even wearing a santa claus costume with a faux white beard.
he stops in front of a cafe, it was covered in unlightened fairy lights with a snowman under it. the whole ambiance of the cafe was welcoming, which is what made jimin go inside without second thoughts. the chime of the bell as he goes in alerted the barista on the counter, he beamed. "happy holidays, may i take your order?"
"it's my first time going here. do you have any recommendations?" jimin smiled back. "well, if you want something sweet and festive— you can try our toasted chocolate white mocha. it is our best seller today."
he nodded his head in response, "sure, i will have that. can you please add a blueberry cheesecake, too?"
after ordering his drink, it was then he realized that the coffee shop was packed too. he walked around, trying to find an empty seat. he found a booth beside the glass window, but there was a person sitting in it. the guy was looking outside, holding his drink with both of his hands. shyly, jimin approached him.
"hello."
no response. jimin hesitantly reached out his hand to tap his shoulder, the guy snapped his head back so fast that it startled jimin. "oh, sorry. i was just going to ask if i can sit here?" the other person's lips turned up a little as he gave jimin a nod. silence then engulfed the table.
jimin could not bear the quietness though, "i am jimin, what's your name?"
"my name is jungkook," the other one introduces himself. jimin chirped a bit, finding jungkook not snobby at all. "were you waiting for someone here?" asks jimin and received a shake of head for a no from the latter.
"i was just walking around the area."
"oh, me too!"
when the waitress settled down jimin's orders, his and jungkook's conversation continued. regardless of the noise of the place, the beating of both of their hearts was loud enough to awaken cupid in his deep slumber. jungkook's eyes glistened with sincerity and excitement as he told jimin when he picked up a fish from the shore. he giggled as jungkook actions as he tells the story, reaching up his hands up to hide his face in his palms. like magic, he felt that tug of the red string on the tip of his finger.
"is it weird that i feel like we have met before?"
jimin uttered as they walked on the sidewalks. it was already past five o'clock, both of them nearly spent three hours inside the coffee shop. jungkook suggested to walk jimin home, and the latter agreed. the orange and pink hues reflects on the snow as the sun sets, jungkook reaches out his hand to hold jimin's hand. his cheeks flushed red before he squeezed jungkook's hand in response.
jungkook just smiled at him. "merry christmas, jimin."
both of them exchanged numbers, promising to keep contact and spend the rest of the week together roaming around. it was luck, maybe, that they were both free. on the 26th of december, jimin and jungkook ate in a michelin restaurant. on the 27th, they spent the night in jimin's house making smores and gingerbread houses. december 28th was then spent in a rented car as they roamed around different towns. they were worned out by the 29th and decided to spend it in a museum tour. and they have reached the 30th day of december, the day before new year's eve.
jimin walked down the hallway of his home holding a pile of pillows that was taller than him and brought it to the living room. jungkook was in the kitchen, rummaging through the refrigerator, trying to find snacks to eat on their movie night.
"mimi, i will just run to the market fast. okay?"
he approached jimin that was settling the pillows on the couch. the latter nodded, "get ice cream." jungkook grinned, shaking his head in agreement. "of course, baby. i will be back."
he leaned in.
it was like there was a gust of wind passed by that made the hair on his arms up as he felt a pair of lips leave a peck on his cheek. jungkook's kiss on his cheek lingered. it was mere seconds but there was an electrifying feeling going inside jimin. both of them made eye contact, jungkook's eyes was round, staring at the other's soul deeply. jimin was quick to wrap his arms around jungkook's neck and pulled him in.
his plump lips brushed against jungkook's lips softly and delicately. the other one was taken aback, but was quick to respond to the kiss. it was long, passionate but not harsh. it was not rushed, neither jimin or jungkook was trying to pin the other. instead, they were both seeking closeness. they were determined to feel every part, to cherish every part in a gentle way— calming the butterflies in their stomachs.
when they pulled back, the tug on their lips was inevitable. jimin leaned in to rest his head on jungkook's chest, arms still wrapped around while jungkook was carressing his waist.
"i will go now, mimi."
"okay."
slowly, they both detangle themselves with each other, smiles still plastered on their faces.
jimin settled himself on the pile of pillows, scrolling through the movie options to find what he liked. all of a sudden, his phone rang. his face beamed up as he read the familiar name popped on his phone.
"taehyung!"
"hi, jimin. did you miss me?"
"happy birthday, baby bear!"
"it's almost the end of the day, jimin. why are you only greeting me now?"
jimin giggled on the other side of the phone. he knew that taehyung does not really mind it, he was just teasing him. "well, i was rather caught up."
"with what?"
"more like, with who."
"what?" taehyung shrieked, making jimin laugh at his reaction. "what the hell do you mean who? who was it? what happened? park jimin, i swear to god. start talking now, i need details!" jimin started revealing his holiday escapade with jungkook from a to z, where they first met, everything they did and up until today.
"that sounds nice, jimin. what is his name?"
"jungkook. he's really nice and treats me so well, taeh." the other line went silent for a minute. "hello, are you still there? taehyung?"
"min, you haven't been drinking your medicine, no?"
"what medicine?"
"baby chick, please do me a favor." jimin could hear taehyung sigh heavily on the other line, "go to the kitchen, check the right cupboard. there is an orange pill container there."
as if taehyung was controlling him, his feet moved him to the kitchen. he was fully suprised to see a pill container there, he did not have any idea that he owned this medicine. "drink one pill, jimin. please."
and so he did.
thirty minutes have passed. the pills were scattered on the kitchen tiles as jimin was sprawled out on the floor, in a fetal position as he cried his lungs out. taehyung was still on the phone, listening to his friend's cries as he explained.
"baby chick… jimin, he is dead. jungkook is long gone, it has been three years. before, you two always spent your holidays together. you were inseperable during christmas. but he was in an accident on the day before new year's eve. baby, i know it still hurts for you. you are schizophrenic, jimin. i am sorry but jungkook was only in your head the whole time. he is gone, jimin. i am really sorry."
a scream echoed through the room, followed by a loud crash as jimin wailed at the top of his lungs and threw the phone against the wall.
that is a lie! that is a lie! jungkook is alive, jungkook is here, jungkook is with me always. not just on christmas.