Work Text:
Bikes and books
“Piece of shit!” Yoongi growled and kicked at his bike once more. The motor did not start no matter how hard he kicked it.
He sighed frustrated, it was 8 pm and his tattoo studio was closed. He had nowhere to go in the city which he recently moved his studio to, he lived out of town and transported himself with his motorcycle, which now decided to fuck up and not start.
He sighed heavily and sat down on the ground next to the big pile of metal, rested his head back at the coldness and emptied his head. How would he get home… he did not know anyone in this town, and he could not ask anyone to drive all the way to the city to help him. The busses stopped going out of town an hour ago. He was stuck.
It was an ice cold September night and he had no way of getting home. And he had no money to rent a room somewhere, the move here cost him all.
He scratched his head and got up, locked the bike again and started walking, no goal in mind. Maybe he could just walk around all night, find a good old bench to sleep on. Would not be the first time.
Just as he rounded the corner he almost bumped into someone. He apologised and bowed his head, not bothering to check who the person was. The one he walked into had brought their small hands to Yoongi’s arms to steady themself, a small, baby blue umbrella hung from their pocket.
Yoongi has a very social job, He is a tattoo artist, he meets different people each and every day. Also he touches people, their skin. But even though he wore his leather jacket he could still feel the warmth the other person spread.
“It’s OK.” A voice answered him. High pitched but so beautiful, mesmerizing. Yoongi could not in his mind decipher whether the lovely voice belonged to a girl or a boy and the curiosity of who the person was almost got the best of him.
A deep scent of roses hit him which made him hurry away from the person even faster. The scent was pleasant, don't get him wrong. But the way this person had in a matter of seconds got his mind and body affected scared him, and so he hurried onward; not daring to look back.
***
Park Jimin had had a great day. He managed to clean the whole bookshop all by himself and the accomplishment made him feel proud. It was not often, between the customers and making coffee, packing up new books to the shelves to catch the time to clean. He was also in a good mood because the new book he had been waiting for for months had arrived. He looked forward to settling down on his couch with the soft blankets and a cup of hot chocolate to dive into the romance and drama.
Jimin had the luck to live upstairs in his shop. To have the two places he spent the most time in in the same building was comforting. The many books he read each month were easily purchased by himself in his own shop.
People may think as an owner of a bookstore he did not receive a lot of money, but Jimin made a living for himself and he loved what he was doing so there were no problems.
He was now on his way to the store since he had to purchase milk to do his hot chocolate. It would rain this evening so he had brought an umbrella with him which dangled from his pocket, where he usually ties it so he does not need to hold it until it starts raining. Since he was only buying milk he did not bring a bag either, just casually strolling to the store. He hummed a tune and was about to turn the corner when someone walked right into him.
The person wore all black; leather jacket and jeans. Black raven hair. The man did not look at him as Jimin sought for eye contact. To prevent his fall Jimin clinged to the man and a small blush formed on his soft cheeks.
“I’m sorry…” the man muttered.
Even though the man seemed to be in a hurry since he detached himself from Jimin and hurried off, there was this second -a moment- where he too stood still next to him.
Jimin found that the musky scent of pine left an imprint on his mind as he watched the man hurry off. A stranger. He would probably never meet him again yet he stood mesmerized and watched him leave Jimin behind.
These moments were special to Jimin. Not in the wrong way he is not a creep. But this incident really triggered the universe. Because the two boys had different stories and settings. Jimin was on his way to buy milk and this man, without an umbrella Jimin saw, was on his own way to someone else. The point is that right here, by this corner, their stories collided, maybe created a different ending to their stories.
Jimin caught himself staring after the man and started walking away too, as if nothing happened while pushing his round glasses up his nose.
***
Yoongi had walked for hours, but the watch on his phone showed him only ten minutes had passed. How was it even possible? How would he survive a whole night outdoors…? Then the idea hit him. How could he be this stupid? Sure, the tattoo studio had no furniture yet, they were to be delivered next week, but he could at least sleep on the floor or something, he did not have to sleep outside. He sighed at his stupidity and made his way back. Right when he turned around the sky opened itself and rain came pouring down. In a matter of a few seconds Yoongi was a wet cat. He sighed again at his luck and walked back to his studio not even bothering to hurry, he was already soaked.
***
“Thank you!” Jimin smiled happily at the woman behind the register as he took his milk and walked outside.
It had not begun raining yet, maybe he would make it home without using his umbrella. He danced away cheerfully. Then he saw something on the ground. Was it a penny? Maybe..? Jimin stopped. What was it he had seen? Should he start walking again and forget about the thing as a normal human or should he walk back, bow down to the ground and take a look? Was this too a choice the universe gave him. If he continued onward the story would be formed as it should, nothing would happen since he did not stray from his story. But if he broke the path and took a look at the ground, what would happen? What adventures would await him?
Jimin stood still for a second and then he moved backwards to look at the ground. Sure enough, it was a penny. He gleefully took it, a lucky penny! Just as he touched the item the rain poured down.
What a wonderous evening, Jimin thought as he uncapped his umbrella from his pocket and put the penny there instead. He continued his way to the book store as nothing had happened. But the thought lingered in his mind, could he have changed his story now? What would happen? And deep into his mind he wondered if the man without an umbrella had found a safe place to stay dry.
***
Yoongi had decided to run. He would absolutely get a cold, even the leather was drenched and he coughed slightly. He knew he would freeze to death indoors since he had nothing other than his tattoo-tools in the shop, but he figured it was better to die from hypothermia indoors than outdoors.
Just as he was about to round the corner the noise of thunder broke the soft sound of rain on the pavement and Yoongi stood still abruptly. He was not scared of thunder but it was still not an enjoyable phenomenon to him. He deeply regretted stopping a second later, maybe he would have the chance to prevent the person walking into him if so, this time however. He did not hold himself back from looking at the person.
***
Jimin had walked, minding his own business when the thunder boomed. He loved it, it was nothing better to read while it was thundering and lightening. Because of this he hurried onward, the blue umbrella did however cover his sight and as he rounded the corner he, for the second time this evening, bumped into someone.
***
Blue. The umbrella was blue. Yoongi did not register why it mattered until the sweet scent of roses hit him. It was the same person as before. That was… odd. What were the chances?
The person from under the umbrella looked up and Yoongi sucked in a silent gasp of air.
Stunning. This person was absolutely beautiful.
He had full lips, parted in awe as he with big eyes stared at Yoongi. He could tell the young man recognized him too. Despite the dark weather Yoongi felt himself dive into the brown color of the boy’s eyes. His cheeks were round and so pretty. His hair was in a soft purple color and his too big glasses had slid to the tip of his nose.
Yoongi let himself feel attracted to the man. It did not happen often. Not sexually or senually. Just aesthetically, this person was so beautiful in Yoongi’s eyes he felt himself grow more euphoric over the fact that he bumped into him again.
***
It was the ‘no umbrella’-man. Again.
All this is no coincidence, Jimin thought.
The features of the man were as his clothes dark. Very dark eyes. Mysterious to Jimin. But at the same time so soft. Cute button nose and pretty but purple-ish lips. Poor boy must be freezing. Jimin looked for the man’s eyes again and he saw that the man acknowledged him too. They both stared into each others’ eyes. Jimin felt himself wanting to search for something in the deep black eyes but he did not know for what.
It was the other man who broke the silence.
“You.”
It was not an accusing remark, more of an enlightening one.
“You.” Jimin answered. “I’m sorry for bumping into you…”
The other man chuckled. “I guess we are even.”
This is no coincidence, it repeated in Jimin’s head.
“I was actually wondering how you were doing without an umbrella.”
“I don’t have one in my shop… and my bike won’t start so I have no way of getting home.”
Jimin nodded… it was all weird. The way they connected, Jimin felt as if he had known this person his whole life.
“I’m Jimin.”
“Yoongi.”
The boy with purple hair smiled softly.
All this is no coincidence.
“Do you have a place to stay for the night then?”
Yoongi shook his head, then shrugged. “I mean, I have my shop. But no place with bed. I guess I’ll have to sleep on the floor.”
Jimin did not know why but he shook his head and heard himself answer.
“I have a couch. Why don’t you stay the night? I wouldn’t want you to freeze to death.”
All his childhood JImin was taught how to never trust strangers. But it was something about this Yoongi that made Jimin feel trust. Somehow, he knew he was destined to help him out. Maybe it was the universe but maybe it was also his heart of gold. It did not matter that Yoongi wore all dark and rode a motor-cycle. He wanted to help him out.
***
Yoongi stared at the boy. Is he really saying that? Is he offering a cold, dark Yoongi a place to sleep?
Of course, it was not the first time Yoongi slept at a stranger's house... it had happened before. But those were people at a party or in college kind enough to lend him their couch, not a stranger on the street. A very kind stranger though. Or was he?
The boy did not look devious at all, maybe he was just a kind person. Do they still exist? The boy had these beautiful, pure and innocent eyes and Yoongi felt himself believe truly that he was only kind to give him a place to stay.
“I accept the offer Jimin but may I ask why?”
Jimin shrugged. “Don’t you think it is weird that we bumped into each other once again, it is as if the universe wants us to interact. And you should not go against the universe.”
Yoongi nodded. Ok so he was… different. He had never met a person who fully believed in this purpose of life thingy but here stood Jimin.
Jimin stepped closer to Yoongi so he too was covered under the umbrella.
“Shall we?” Jimin asked and Yoongi nodded.
The boys walked away and now two stories became one.
***
Jimin did not know why he felt excited to show Yoongi his place. Maybe because the place meant a lot to him, his secure place. He did not often have company so he was eager to show it to this stranger.
“This is my bookshop.” Jimin unlocked the door and pushed it open. The lights had been out since 6 pm but one could still see the books in the dark. When Jimin walked inside he smelled the aroma of books. Home.
Yoongi looked very out of place, lips still purple and shivering in dark clothes.
Jimin put away his umbrella and locked the door again, took his milk in one hand and Yoongi’s hand in the other and started to drag him through his shop.
He felt electricity shoot through his whole body the second he touched Yoongi. He knew he made the right decision to take him home. Who knew how cold he would be on the floor of his shop.
“I live upstairs, I have blankets and dry clothes you can borrow.”
***
The moment Jimin grabbed Yoongi’s hand every doubt about the decision flew away. Jimin’s hand was warm against his cold, damp skin. He was easily dragged away by Jimin, making their way through the books to the back of the shop where a spiral stair was hidden. On the steps were flower pots filled with something that in daylight would have been green.
That’s very Jimin, Yoongi thought. It did not even cross his mind how he now found a whole category of things that was Jimin-y.
At the top of the stairs stood a door which Jimin unlocked and then he dragged Yoongi inside behind him.
Jimin had probably been cold too because the heat in the room was on and Yoongi felt himself relax. Also, the whole place smelled of Jimin’s sweet scent which made him feel remarkably secure.
“I like it warm.” Jimin said and took off his coat and hung it on a hook on the door. Yoongi did the same and shivered slightly.
Jimin took his hand again and Yoongi sighed in relief not knowing he had missed the connection in the first place.
“Here is my room,” Jimin opened the door. “Go ahead and change to something warm, I won’t bother what you choose, just please be warm.”
He smiled this angelic smile which lightened up the whole place in soft warm colors; then he closed the door, leaving Yoongi alone to change.
Jimin’s room was soft. Not too big and simple. It had a closet and a bed, a door which led to a small bathroom. The bed was not the biggest but could easily fit two people. Yoongi opened the closet and searched for a while before he took out grey sweatpants and a black plain T-shirt. The boys were the same height so the clothes fit him perfectly. He took his time to change socks too. Suddenly feeling much dryer and warmer he sighed in content. Yoongi’s eyes drifted to the bed and he could not help it but moved to it and sat down on one side. Dragging his hand over the duvets before he leaned forward and breathed in. It smelled of Jimin, like the most perfect roses. It smelled like home. Yoongi did not even react to the act, how weird it would seem to sniff someone else’s bed. Nobody would know. But smells that are comforting, like Jimin’s was to Yoongi, is something rare and precious. Yoongi found himself not wanting to part from it. He gathered his clothes and walked out to the living room again.
He found Jimin by the couch. Two cups of something warm on the coffee table. Jimin was on his way to fluff up the pillows after bringing more blankets to the couch when Yoongi entered. He looked up and smiled heartwarmingly at him which made Yoongi’s heart beat fast.
“Great,” he said, “I just finished making the sofa comfortable. I’ll go ahead and change too.”
Jimin made his way to his room and closed the door. Yoongi sat on the couch and gathered all the blankets he could and wrapped himself up. He was no longer cold but warm to the core of the heat and the feelings Jimin started inside of him.
He had almost fallen asleep when Jimin came back looking so soft Yoongi wanted to take him into his arms and just cuddle him. His fluffy purple hair matching so well with the gray sweatshirt and black shorts. And holy mother of … Legs. Jimin had beautiful legs, sculptured by the most delicate hands. Yoongi did not know where these thoughts came from. He looked at Jimin and he saw art, if he could he would just stare at him. But he did not want to make the boy uncomfortable so he looked away.
“Aren’t you a sight.” Jimin sat down beside him taking a piece of the blanket. “I didn’t know someone as tough looking as you could look so soft.”
Yoongi only shrugged.
Jimin brought one of the mugs to Yoongi who eagerly took it and started smutting on it. Hot chocolate. He sighed. This was exactly what he needed.
Jimin drank from his own cup and took out a book which he opened and started to read in silence. He pushed his glasses up a bit on his nose for them to fall down again, but he did not seem to care as if it was more of a habit than a problem.
It was also understood between them that this was a comforting place, Jimin shared it with Yoongi. Jimin read because he wanted to and did not seek permission from Yoongi who was his guest. And Yoongi was happy to see that Jimin still did not make a change of his plans for the evening, that even though Yoongi was there Jimin would still read his book and it was something that fascinated Yoongi.
He did not know why but he scooted closer to Jimin, took one of his many blankets and covered the young man in soft pink, he made himself comfortable next to him.
“Can you read out loud?”
Jimin smiled and began rereading the first page.
***
Jimin knew Yoongi was not his similarity, therefore he was not surprised when Yoongi came out of his room with arms covered in tattoos. He was not scared of it either, more curious. He wanted to know the story of the tattoos, why did he get them and what do they symbol in his life? He wanted to touch them, trace his finger over the lines. How much skin had Yoongi covered in art?
Now, sitting here with Yoongi close and warm while reading about the forbidden romance he let himself analyse the situation in between the reading. He knew he felt attraction to Yoongi. In a way he had never felt before actually. He just wanted to get to know him and feel him close, have his trust. Most of all he wanted to be pressed into Yoongi’s chest, having the other’s fingers run through his locks, wanting to feel secure in his arms. He did not know when he felt their connection, but it was there. Around them, tying them together as if they were written in the universe’s book. That made Jimin calm and which was why he let himself fantasize about Yoongi holding him close. He knew it was reckless, Yoongi was barely a friend but the feelings were still there. The connection they shared and the attraction he felt.
Around page 30 Yoongi’s head dropped to Jimin’s shoulder as he began breathing more softly. Jimin understood Yoongi had fallen asleep and took it as a sign to go to bed as well. He tucked Yoongi in carefully, made sure all of him was covered in blankets, made sure his head was on the pillow and did it without waking him up from his tender sleep. Now, relaxed in comfort the dark and mysterious boy from earlier had turned into this sleeping beauty and it took Jimin every inch of will to not caress his soft cheek.
“Good night.” He murmured as he turned off the lights and quietly went to bed.
At night he dreamed of comfort and strong arms covered in art who kept him secure in a scent of pine.
***
It was way too early. Yoongi thought. He was awake but did not want to open his eyes. He had not slept this good in so long. His mind was starting to take up the sound which woke him up. A soft humming of an unknown melody. He recalled what happened the night before but did not feel anxious about the events but rather felt himself relax in the pillows.
He heard soft padding and a hand touched his shoulder.
“Yoongi. I’m going down to open my shop, there is coffee and breaky downstairs if you want. Also, I washed your clothes so they are drying right now. And… good morning.”
The soft padding on the floor started, a door opened and then closed.
Yoongi growled softly and stretched like a cat on the couch before opening his eyes. It was very light, there was a large window that opened the room up and lightened up the walls with pure sunshine. It was morning and the sun was about to rise. Yoongi sat up and pulled a hand through his dark locks. Coffee would be great he thought as he went to the bathroom. When he came back from the room to go down to Jimin in his bookshop he saw that the boy had left him a grey sweatshirt which he happily pulled over his head and then made his way down to the store.
As soon as he stepped to the stairs he noticed things he did not remark when it was dark. There were books everywhere and they looked both old and new. Shelves up to the ceiling which made a ladder useful. So many stories. Had Jimin read them all? Yoongi himself was not a great reader but he knew Jimin was. He recalled the events of last night when Jimin read outloud to him and he felt a faint blush form.
Yoongi heard someone at the front of the shop and walked over to see Jimin behind a counter, making coffee and sandwiches. Apparently this was sort of like a café too. Yoongi had not noticed that either but there was a space in one corner where one could sit, drink coffee and eat a sandwich while enjoying a book. That’s so Jimin, Yoongi thought and made his way over.
“Oh,” Jimin had now seen him, “Hi Yoongi. Happy you found the sweatshirt. Do you want breakfast?”
Yoongi hummed in thanks and took a cup and drank it.
Jimin faced him while resting against the counter.
“So what are the plans for today?” He asked.
“Continue cleaning in my studio. Hopefully call someone who can help me with my motorcycle and maybe… not bother you anymore…” The last thing was not a plan he wished would come true and he hoped he made it very clear.
“You don’t bother me though.” Jimin said, smiling his eye-smile. “I rarely have visitors, it was nice having someone over.”
“I am very, very thankful for you letting me stay here.” Yoongi said.
“Of course.”
It was quiet for a while. But not uncomfortable, a silence was sometimes needed.
“May I ask what you do? Like for a living? You know I run this bookshop.”
Yoongi nodded. “Yeah, I’m a tattoo artist. I just recently opened my shop here but nothing has arrived yet so I cannot take customers at the time. I hope with some time to find myself a place here, right now I live with what I can afford outside of the city.”
“And your motorcycle is your way of taking yourself places?”
Yoongi nodded.
“And now it doesn’t work.”
Yoongi shook his head.
“Well, you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need.” Jimin exclaimed happily.
Yoongi smiled, he wanted to stay with Jimin for a little bit longer, the thought of leaving this sunshine was truly painful.
He bit into a sandwich. “I would really want to stay for a while yeah... Have you read every book in here?”
Jimin looked at him for a moment and then giggled. “No, I haven’t… most of them sure but there are many that I don’t feel comfortable reading.”
Yoongi looked at him in question. “Why would you have books that make you uncomfortable?” He munched on his tasty sandwich.
Jimin shrugged. “Because my customers want to read them. I buy books people look for. As you can see some of them are vintage, because they don’t make that cover, version or even the whole book anymore. I collect them and people get in touch if they want one.”
Yoongi hummed… “It’s actually pretty interesting. But, why are some of the books uncomfortable… are they about aliens or something?”
Jimin smiled and shook his head so his glasses fell down a bit more, his hair bounced around him. Adorable.
“No… they may be interesting and a good read for many, it’s just… for me, I personally don’t like to read those books.”
“Why?” Yoongi asked.
Jimin watched Yoongi for a while. “Because they contain sex-scenes.”
Yoongi paused mid-bite. “And that makes you uncomfortable?”
Jimin nodded, watching Yoongi’s reaction close.
“Yes. I get uncomfortable by thought of the act of sex.”
Yoongi continued eating. “OK, so you are like… sexrepulsed. Asexual?”
Now Jimin looked surprised. “You know about aspec?”
Yoongi nodded. “Yeah. My childhood friend Hoseok is aromantic so I have kind of grown up knowing about the As.”
“I’ve never met a stranger who knows about the spectrums before…”
Yoongi shrugged. “Yeah, I know. When Hoseok and I went out and people asked if we were dating and he pulled the ARO-card.” Yoongi chuckled. “It was as if he had to bring his laptop with him to give each stranger a powerpoint presentation about the whole thing. “
Jimin laughed too. “Yeah, I can recognise that.”
Then he quieted down. “So… you don’t mind? That I am different?”
Yoongi shook his head harsh. “Never. It’s a sexuality, nothing wrong with that. I myself is somewhat ace, but at the same time I don’t really care about sex. To me it’s more important with the… the…”
He was trying to find the right word when Jimin interrupted him.
“Connection?”
Yoongi nodded. Yeah.
“I have long thought about demi-sexuality… but I have figured that me being attracted to someone in a sexual way has to do with the other person; like I can feel sexual atraction, but sometimes I don’t want to have sex with someone even if they want to have sex with me. So… I’m thinking demi-grace?
“Semi-sexual maybe? That you feel attraction but has no desire to act on it…”
Yoongi shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t really care honestly… about my own sexuality! I care about others. I am very happy that you found out about Aspec, I know a lot of people don’t.”
Jimin nodded. “Yeah. It was hard though…”
Yoongi took a sip from his coffee. “You wanna talk about it?”
Jimin shrugged. “It’s not a problem to talk about it really. I was 16. I was together with my first boyfriend, the only other homosexual or homoromantic that was out in school. After a couple of months I noticed how he got more comfortable with touching me, wanting to go further. But I realized that I wasn’t comfortable with being touched in certain places or such. He was frustrated and dumped my ass. Made me question that I was gay for a long time. I have never been into girls, and now I was apparently not into boys either. But I still felt that I could connect with someone, love someone. I am very romantic and I love other forms of attraction like sensual attraction. I love being hugged, held and sometimes kissed. I just have a problem with the act.”
Yoongi listened carefully to every word Jimin said. He thought the boy was so brave to speak about it and Yoongi was pleased by the fact that Jimin trusted him enough to know his story.
“You ex sounds like an absolute shit…”
Jimin laughed, his eyes turning into crescent moons. Yoongi had to hold his breath to prevent a small gasp. It was as if he was enchanted by the younger, what was in this coffee?
“Yeah, maybe… but he was one of my first real loves.” Jimin spoke. “A while after we broke up, when I was still sad and confused… I thought I was broken… I met this man, his name is Seokjin. It was at a bar and we just happened to be seated next to each other. Either way, it was destiny. Since I talk a lot when I’m drunk I told him everything about my problems and he just knew about the Aspec. His partner Namjoon is agender, they do not feel as if a gender is for them, genderless. So they’ve helped me a lot, realising who I am.”
Jimin smiled which Yoongi met softly.
“Oh,” Jimin outburst, “that reminds me. Namjoon is a mechanic. I figured maybe they could fix your bike.”
Yoongi brushed Jimin’s arm with his hand. It may look like a nice gesture but Yoongi found himself touch starved, just to reach out and put his hand on Jimin’s shirt was enough to calm him somehow. Jimin was so nice to him. He had never experienced anything like this, it was actually not that odd that Yoongi felt longing towards the boy.
“Jimin you are amazing, and have been a big help. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you…”
Jimin thought for a while, a soft frown forming as he thought of a payment for Yoongi who nervously chewed on his last piece of sandwich.
“Just…” Jimin started. “Don’t leave. Like when you have everything in order at your studio, please come and see me and don’t forget me.”
Jimin picked at his sleeves and now with sweatpaws looked shyly at Yoongi with a soft pink blush on his cheek. Yoongi felt his cold heart melt.
“Jimin, after everything you’ve done and helped me. I don’t think I could ever forget you, and since I have been exposed to your kindness I don’t think I want to leave you.”
Jimin smiled and looked down.
There was tension in the air. But not the tension you feel at a club with the music and the people and you stare right into another person who licks their lips while looking at you, not the hunger. More the soft tension of love; could be romantic, could be platonic.
“There is one thing though…” Jimin said quietly, still finding the floor more interesting than Yoongi’s eyes. “As I said before, I am very sensually attracted to people. Doesn’t have to be kissing or so… just physical connection is something I find very calming and nice… and… and you are nice too, So- I thought that maybe...”
Yoongi smiled. “Jimin, just give me a hug.”
The growing tension in Jimin’s shoulders left him as he with a sigh plunged into Yoongi’s arms. He lay his head on Yoongi’s shoulder and breathed in deeply as he relaxed. Yoongi on the other hand was in full panic. Jimin was here, close, in his arms. He wanted to hug Yoongi. He is hugging Yoongi. Yoongi is hugging Jimin. Oh my God, he needs to hug Jimin not just stand there like a stone statue!
Yoongi put his arms around Jimin’s waist and pulled him in closer. Jimin’s whole body was so precious and soft and just holding him like this made Yoongi’s heart stop out of affection. He brought his face closer to Jimin’s hair and breathed in the scent he had so many times found himself cherishing.
“This is nice.” Jimin hummed to Yoongi’s neck, Yoongi just answered in a soft sigh.
It was Jimin who broke from the hug but only to move a bit away from Yoongi to look into his eyes. Yoongi found himself drowning into the pools of brown, warm and homey.
“You really need to get going to your shop.” Jimin said.
“Really?” Yoongi crooked an eyebrow.
Jimin nodded. “You are distracting me from my opening routines and I don’t think it would be a great reputation for you to not show up at your studio when it hasn’t even opened yet.”
Yoongi sighed and brought a hand to ruffle in Jimin’s purple hair. “Guess you’re right. I’ll be on my way, I’ll be back later. And, again, thank you for everything.”
Jimin smiled and gave Yoongi a small note which he brought from his pocket.
“Here,” he gave it to Yoongi, “it’s my number. In case anything happens. If you send me a quick message I’ll send Namjoon’s number to you. Tell them you know me.” He said with a smile.
Yoongi took the note and went up to Jimin’s loft again to find his keys and phone, then with a cup of Jimin’s to go coffee he was on his way.
***
Jimin stood by the counter. The clock turned 6 pm, closing hours had ended and his bookstore should be unable to enter. However, this evening Jimin did not lock his door, he waited for someone. It had been a long day, a surprising amount of people wanted to shop for books today which somewhat brought warmth to Jimin but also stress. He now needed to purchase new books for his shop. Which was how he spended his time waiting for Yoongi, by the computer searching for new volumes of books. He had found something about fantasy, romance and one about growing up as an outcast in a harsh society. He had also received multiple requests which he looked into and ordered.
The door opened and Yoongi stepped inside, shivering by the cold. Jimin felt himself have a rush of happiness which flooded in his veins as he stood up to greet his new friend.
Jimin stood right in front of Yoongi who looked adorable. Face frostbitten and his hair was everywhere, dark eyes on Jimin.
“Hi.” Jimin said with a smile.
“Hi.” Yoongi answered, voice sore from breathing in the cold air.
It took a couple of seconds from hesitation but as if they both quietly agreed on it, they stepped into each other’s embrace and hugged closely.
Jimin shivered too, Yoongi was very cold after being outside but at the same time the warmth of being close to Yoongi sheltered him.
***
Yoongi noticed slowly how much he enjoyed being with Jimin in his home. He had now been staying there for a week. His bike was at Namjoon’s and all of his furniture and his tattoo utensils were set up and ready to use. He had already received messages from different customers who wanted to get a tattoo from the new artist. He had posted his artwork on a facebook page and received multiple positive feedback on them.
This meant that he indeed could sleep at his studio. But it was such a hassle. He had to sleep on the hard sofa which was for customers who waited and Jimin’s sofa is so much more comfy. Big arguments right there… and Jimin did not mind at all. He had told Yoongi over the last couple of days how much he liked having someone around, he was not lonely.
They had started a routine as well. Had breakfast together down at the bookshop, then they worked and when Yoongi came home again they shared a dinner. Later they snuggled up on the couch with lots of blankets and Jimin read outloud to him. Yoongi found himself listening to Jimin’s precious voice telling a story and figured he would not want to trade this with anything in the world.
The hugs they shared became a normal thing the two would do when greeting each other. Jimin buried his face in Yoongi’s neck, sometimes he imagines he could feel Jimin’s lips there too. But, maybe that was just his imaginary.
Everything was floating as it should until one evening when Yoongi came home to a very stressed Jimin and a cold house.
Yoongi stepped inside and was greeted by Jimin with a livid expression on his face and purple hair everywhere.
“Jimin-ah, is everything alright?” He took off his coat and staggered up to the younger to take him into his arms where Jimin sank and let himself relax in his grip.
“There were some technical problems…” Jimin said, shivering from the cold. “All elements stopped working. I have some portable ones but I put them in my room upstairs but it’s still cold. The technicians told me they could maybe fix it in five days.”
Yoongi carrased Jimin’s back in a fast pace to make him warmer.
“OK, but Jimin. These things happen all the time. It’s another problem to fight through. And I’ll be with you, no need to stress over it when it will be solved soon. Your customers can wear jackets inside and coffee will be on us, make the best of the situation.”
Jimin only nodded.
“I’m tired…” Jimin mumbled into his shoulder.
“Let’s go upstairs then.” Yoongi dragged a tired Jimin with him upstairs.
***
Yoongi took a step towards the sofa with the thought in mind to sleep, wearing more clothes than usual. It had taken a lot of hugs to calm Jimin down and now they were both very tired.
“Wait.” Jimin’s quiet voice made him spot as he spun around to see Jimin dressed head to toe in warm. He looked like an marshmellow, very cute.
“You can't sleep there…” Jimin spoke again; he watched the floor and blushed deeply.
“What do you mean, I’ve been sleeping here all the time.”
“No…” Jimin slowly went closer to Yoongi and put his hand on Yoongi’s arm, he searched Yoongi’s eyes with his own. “I mean; it’ll be too cold if you sleep out here. I have an element in my room, but you’ll freeze out here.”
Yoongi froze, is Jimin asking what he thinks he is asking?
“I mean only if you are OK with it. You know I’d never force you into anything I was thinking about your health and…”
“Jimin stop talking.”
Jimin closed his mouth with a clap. Yoongi brought him in closer to him, chest against chest.
“Are you asking me to share a bed?”
Jimin blushed deeply and tried to break their gaze but Yoongi held Jimin’s soft face with tender hands.
“Jimin, you don't have to be ashamed. And also, you know I’d never do anything to hurt you in any way.”
Jimin nodded.
“Then come here.” Yoongi took a hold on Jimin’s arm to lead him to his room.
The bedroom was much warmer than the living room and Yoongi felt himself relax. Jimin had let go of his hand and had seated himself on the bed, waiting for him. Yoongi turned the lights off and walked to the bed where Jimin had pulled away the covers. In silence they lay down in comfort. Only inches apart that felt like miles. They stared at each other, somehow feeling each other's needs to be closer, to feel the physical touch.
“I haven’t gone to bed with anyone before… not since…”
“You ex?”
Jimin hummed.
“What did he do to you, Jimin.”
Jimin’s soft face against the pillows twisted into a frown and Yoongi wanted to take the younger to his chest and keep him safe forever.
“He tried… he talked me into having sex once. I didn’t like it at all. It hurted a lot and it felt as if he did it against my will… since I begged him to stop but he didn’t.”
A pang in Yoongi’s chest. Not his pretty Jimin, no, who could ever hurt his angel? He could not hold it anymore as he reached forward and grabbed Jimin’s form, pulled him against him against his chest.
“Jimin, that is not OK. Do you hear me?” He shook Jimin gently who hummed in answer.
“He… what he did. It hurts me, that you went through that. That you’ve been scarred with that.”
Jimin had quietly begun crying. Tears wetting Yoongi’s shirt, but he did not mind. He would ruin all his clothes if it meant Jimin was in comfort.
“I just think about it a lot…” Jimin whispered. “Maybe it was my fault, because of my asexuality. I could not please him.”
“No.” Yoongi pushed Jimin away a tiny space to look him in the eye. “Sex is not everything Jimin. This. The hugging and closeness. This is enough if it is enough for you. If he is not pleased with you boundaries then he can leave because you should not go over your limits and make yourself uncomfortable to please someone.”
Jimin nodded, gazing into Yoongi’s eyes.
“So this is OK?”
“This is more than enough, baby.”
Yoongi cuddled Jimin again against his chest while petting his hair.
“Try to go to sleep angel.”
“Thank you, Yoongi.”
***
Everything was actually finished. Yoongi’s tattoo shop had opened and lots of people admired his artistry. He made a good amount of money himself, he could almost afford an apartment in the city, he could also buy himself a new bike if he saved enough. But Yoongi did not move from Jimin’s.
Throughout the whole time the heat was out in the apartment, Yoongi and Jimin shared a bed. Fell asleep in each other’s embrace and woke up with their legs all tangled up. When the day came that the elements now funcured as they should, Yoongi did not move either way. Jimin did not want him to sleep on the couch and Yoongi did not want to sleep without Jimin.
After some weeks it started with a peck on Yoongi’s cheek when he gifted Jimin a free tattoo, which the younger had spoken about. The tattoo of a small dragon found its way on Jimin’s ankle. The pain on the skin was easily forgotten by Yoongi’s tender hugs. A few months later, that peck found itself on Yoongi's mouth.
Yoongi never felt any desire to have sex with Jimin, but those pecks. Those sweet gestures made Yoongi love the other. The longing he felt towards him since the day they met grew stronger and deeper and turned into love.
Yoongi never started anything. He never kissed JImin first and the younger’s heart swelled with gratefulness.
Jimin himself had known. He had known since before they met that they were destined. The penny he had found on the ground was now a small pendant on a bracelet Yoongi gifted him the day on the anniversary when they met.
Jimin had thought that he would be lonely forever. That he was not good enough for anyone. He was not enough. But Yoongi entered his lonely life and planted flowers everywhere. Flowers which grew at pace with Jimin’s self acceptance. He was good enough. Yoongi showed him. They had both opened a new world to each other; Jimin read Yoongi stories and the older one let him know of his tattoo’s, let him trace their lines. Which is why he said ‘yes’ five years after their meeting when Yoongi asked him to marry him. Jimin had kissed him longer than ever, never heated make out sessions, just for Yoongi to understand the love he gave him. Yoongi was the one to break the kiss, to instead hug Jimin who had begun sobbing in bliss.
Destiny found Jimin once again when he met the young publisher Taehyung and his boyfriend Jungkook. Taehyung asked Jimin to write his and Yoongi’s story, to give more attention to the Aspectrum.
Which he did.
And he wants you, the reader, to know that even if you feel broken and not enough… you are. Jimin loves you, he is proud of you for embracing your asexuality. Hoseok is with you every way and gives you strength for your aromanticism. Namjoon always has your back when you doubt your gender identity. Yoongi supports your every decision about you finding yourself, and he respects you. Taehyung wants to hear your story. Jungkook is cheering for you behind the curtains, crying about how happy he is for you when no one is around. Seokjin is there for you on the hard day, when you need cheering up or a comforting hug. Bangtan is there for you when you need them and they will always care about you, think that you are good enough and love you even though you are Aspec.
***
The end.
***