012019. jimin & namjoon.

[lovestrippedbare]

WINTER.
January 20, 2019.

WHO jimin & namjoon
WHAT about escaping and tae

WHERE burger joint
TIMELINE cycle 1

JIMIN Though he doesn’t really intend to, Jimin gets to the park a little early. It’s nice though, walking there by himself, taking in the quieter sounds of nature in winter. There’s something calming about it, how the world goes softer in the colder months, makes it feel a little like every living thing is hibernating at once.

It’s not that way around the world, he knows. But here it is. In this world, his world. It’s quiet and soft and serene. In a few months it will be wild again with fresh buds and twittering birds and happy, shrieking children.

But right now it’s quiet.

Jimin walks down the path, hands stuffed in his pockets and hood up against the cold. It’s getting dark already, the sun starting to disappear behind the horizon and Jimin takes his phone out as he pauses by a nearby bench, tapping a quick text to Namjoon to let him know where he is before he sits down. He grins as a little kid toddles by in a big puffy blue coat, her mother walking just behind her.

Somehow, it’s still nice and quiet.



NAMJOON Even though he knows Jimin is waiting for him, it's hard for Namjoon to hurry in this atmosphere. He tries to bury part of his face behind his scarf as he walks, hands firmly in the pockets of his coat. He flexes his fingers, smiling at the feel of the gloves Jimin had gifted him.

It's cold, but he can't feel at all unpleasant. This is Namjoon's favourite setting. With darkening skies, quiet, empty paths, and soft wind through the trees, he lets his mind drift, allowing it to detach itself from where it was tethered and explore wherever it wanted to go, unconcerned with small immediate issues. Namjoon was obligated to deal with day to day tasks, but he hated staying in that world for too long. It made him feel heavy and confined. Walks in the park like this gave him the space he needed to unravel all that, and he was glad Jimin seemed to enjoy it too.

Namjoon is nearing Jimin before he realizes it, his thoughts already elsewhere and not remembering to keep a lookout for his friend. A shock of bright hair on a lone figure brings him back to himself, and he calls out to him, waving a gloved hand as he quickens his pace.

"Jiminie! Hi, sorry to keep you waiting."



JIMIN When it’s this cold even shouts seem muffled. Still, it’s not cold enough for Jimin not to hear his name and he glances up, grinning already when he sees Namjoon’s tall figure walking closer.

“Hi,” he says, immediately getting to his feet, his face half hidden behind his scarf though he hopes hyung can tell that he’s smiling. “I’m glad you could come. What have you been up to today?”

It’s maybe a dangerous question to ask. There’s so much Namjoon is responsible for, so much beyond his work at the gas station and whatever he gets up to with Taehyung most nights. There’s so much he has to deal with at home, so much Jimin doesn’t know or understand. He knows just enough to wish that Namjoon was free of it.



NAMJOON Even though it was hidden behind a scarf, it was impossible not to know Jimin was happy to see him. Jimin smiles with his whole face. Namjoon can't help but feel warm when he sees that and his own smile gets wider.

"Ah, well." At the question, Namjoon considers his options. Does he start off what's supposed to be a nice time by complaining? About the stressful occasion that was his Dad's birthday? Does he share something Boyeon had told him that had him concerned about his mother, even if he wasn't yet sure if it was true or not? He comes to his senses before he can get lost for too long. Jimin had asked him about today. He can talk about today.

"I stayed over at Seokjin's, so I was there today and had breakfast. Now I'm mostly trying to relax and enjoy the hours I have before work, so I'm glad I get to come here with you." He reaches out to pat Jimin on the shoulder, keeping his hand out for a moment before putting it back in his pocket, showing off the glove and grinning. "It's really cold today! Thank goodness some angel got me these."



JIMIN There’s just enough of a pause for Jimin to know there’s at least something Namjoon’s not choosing to share with him. Maybe even a lot of things. It doesn’t upset him at all, there are a lot of things Jimin doesn’t share with most people either, a lot of things nobody else really needs to know. And maybe Namjoon wants to share, or will want to in time, but Jimin isn’t going to push.

His smile warms at the feel of Namjoon’s hand heavy on his shoulder and he leans into him a little, laughing when Namjoon shows off his gloves.

“They look good on you, hyung,” he says, bumping shoulder to shoulder as they walk. “Do you wear them at work too?”



NAMJOON "Of course I do!" Namjoon smiles widely, brushing against Jimin as he walks in line with him. They continue down the path and Namjoon scans the area, marveling at how quiet it is. "I don't know how I survived before. How have my fingers not fallen off yet? I can't go back to life without them now." It was entirely true, but he wanted to make sure he made a point to say it out loud. Jimin enjoyed all kinds of praise, and it was some version of a thank you that Namjoon could give.

The family worries that had popped up faded as quickly as they came now that Jimin was walking beside him. It was nice to spend time alone with his thoughts, but there were times when being with a friend felt healthier -- even if he and Jimin didn't do or say much together.

Feeling lighter alrighty, he braved pulling a hand from his pocket so he could toss an arm across Jimin's shoulders. "And how is Jiminie today?' Today specifically.



JIMIN Though it's entirely possible Namjoon's exaggerating his appreciation for his gloves, Jimin's happy to hear it all the same. It hadn't been the most sentimental of gifts, he knows, but he's glad Namjoon can at least use them and that they really are helping to keep his fingers warm in the harsh cold. Jimin's seen the cracks on his skin before, has often worried that he hasn't had the means to keep himself protected. There are worse things out there than the cold, so many worse things that hyung has to handle daily; the gloves are basically inconsequential in the bigger scheme of things.

But he's glad Namjoon's getting some use out of them all the same. That they're doing their part.

His smile widens under the comforting weight of Namjoon's arm around in his shoulders and he lets out a breath. "I'm okay," he says and it feels mostly true. "Spent some time at the studio earlier today. That's always good." He doesn't mention his parents; there's no need to. "Might see Taehyungie later tonight. Do you think you'll get to see Jin hyung?"



NAMJOON "Ah, working hard still! I'll need to come by some time and see how good you've gotten." He squeezes Jimin's shoulder playfully.

The mention of Taehyung, and then Jin, turned Namjoon's thoughts upside down. He gives a long exhale, his breath releasing in a cloud of warm smoke in the cold air. "I don't know yet. I have work tonight but I probably will go after. Jin's pretty good with me being very last-minute all the time."

"I hope you do get to see Taehyungie." His gaze drifts downward, and he kicks a stone in the path of his feet, frowning a little. "I haven't gone out with him in a bit, and I feel kind of... bad about that." After getting himself through all the ups and downs of another day, it was so appealing to go to Seokjin's apartment where everything was comfortable and easy. Guilty, was the word he was looking for. He felt guilty about that. There was comfort, at least, that Taehyung had Jimin.

It may be difficult to open up to each other about whatever personal issues they kept tucked up inside, but somehow, Namjoon found it didn't feel embarrassing or shameful to voice his worries about this particular topic. Both Namjoon and Jimin cared about Taehyung in the same way.

"How is he, anyways?"



JIMIN In truth, there's no rhyme or reason to Taehyung's visits. He'll come by if Jimin asks him to, without question, but Jimin tries to keep those requests to a minimum if he can help it. He knows Taehyung's busy, especially at night, often assumes he's out with Namjoon most of the time if Jimin doesn't hear from him.

So to know that he hasn't been lately makes him feel strangely worried. And guilty, too. While he's genuinely glad his hyungs are happy together he can't help but ache a little for Taehyung.

Frowning, he looks up at Namjoon again, his hands still stuffed in his pockets. "Why not?" he asks, ignoring Namjoon's question for the moment, his brow furrowed. "Something's not wrong, is it? He really likes those nights he spends with you."

Jimin is honestly not trying to make Namjoon feel guilty and likely shouldn't be getting involved either way, but it's Taehyung they're talking about. He can't not get involved if there's something he can do to make things a little bit better for Taehyung. He has to at least try.



NAMJOON "No, no. Nothing's wrong. I love nights out with him, so much." Namjoon shakes his head, his arm slipping off of Jimin's shoulders. He shoves both hands into his pockets and sighs. "Ah, it's just that your hyung is a bad hyung."

Why not, Namjoon? Does he tell Jimin that he hides at Seokjin's because it's easy and the only way he can recharge now? Does he tell Jimin that he's spending time with Seokjin almost every night even though he knows Taehyung needs to be out of the house, needs those outings and that space to vent more than he does? It's all true but saying it means confirming that Namjoon is entirely selfish.

"When things are stressful, Jin's place has been good for... well, it's sort of healing, you know? So I keep staying over there. I thought, well, he has you and always wants to see and talk to you anyways, so maybe it was okay. But I've been going there a lot."



JIMIN The statement catches, reminding Jimin far too much of only days ago at the cafe with Jin when he'd said nearly the same thing. He can't help but wonder if they both feel guilty about their relationship, worried that they're spending too much time with each other instead of the rest of the group. He wonders if Jungkook and Yoongi feel the same way, wonders if maybe he should feel guilty too, worried that he's neglecting Jungkook by spending too much time with Taehyung.

But that doesn't feel right either. Taehyung is his safe place, the one person he knows will love him despite how twisted and broken he is inside. Even if Taehyung doesn't know all the darkest places, even if he never does, Taehyung's his soulmate. That could never change.

And Taehyung has more than one soulmate.

"He needs you too," he says, voice low and words careful even as his stomach starts to churn a little. "I mean-- it's good that you have Jin hyung. Like, so so good. I don't think you should stop seeing him if you need that, but Taehyung." Jimin swallows, entirely unsure that he can say what needs to be said properly. "He needs you too. Sometimes it's you he wants to see, you know? Sometimes you're the one he needs most."



NAMJOON Namjoon knows there's something about the way his brain is wired that makes him unable to believe when people are saying genuinely good things about him. It pushes away compliments and praise, convincing him that they must be talking about someone else. He's unable to control it, but he knows how it feels when it happens. This, for once, isn't that.

Namjoon looks over at Jimin with genuine surprise. This wasn't the fake, emotional disbelief he struggled with. Namjoon had what he thought to be facts about the situation, but Jimin's words, though they went against what he believes to be true, were so sure and honest.

"But... Me? I mean, I know our outings are important and I'm not saying our time together isn't that. Its important to me too. I enjoy it and I like being able to look out for him while we're there, but you're the one... I mean, I'm..." He sighs.

I do
I want you to leave me alone

That whole issue was over now. Taehyung had apologized and redacted what he said, but Namjoon found the words flickering in his head anyway, and poking uncomfortably at his guts. They felt true.

"I feel like I annoy him. I'm the one who's annoying and overprotective and always trying to pry when he doesn't want me to. You're the one he loves. You're the place he always wants to go to. You're the one I think he... actually talks to."



JIMIN "You're more than a place, hyung," Jimin replies, brow furrowed at the tone of Namjoon's voice. He sounds confused in a way Jimin doesn't typically associate with this particular hyung, like he's trying to piece together some puzzle or like he's trying to determine some misstep.

As far as Jimin can tell, Namjoon hasn't done anything wrong. If anything, Namjoon's always gone above and beyond for all of them, made time for them when he already has so little of it to give. And maybe that time is more occupied with Jin right now, but he deserves whatever comfort he can get. Taehyung certainly doesn't resent him for it either, Jimin knows that much.

But still...

"And he does talk to me, but that's--" He cuts himself off with a soft frown, staring at the cold path ahead of them. "It's different, I think. Those nights he has with you, those are really important to him. Special. That's something only you can share with him and it's more than just protecting him or looking out for him. He's-- you know. He's talking to you too in his way."

He needs you just as much as he needs me. He doesn't say it, but it's true. Sometimes he needs you even more.



NAMJOON "I guess he is..." Namjoon's eyes drift downwards again. He always knew Taehyung, unique in everything he did, had his own way of communicating and expressing the things he was feeling. Namjoon usually felt confident in his interpretations when Taehyung was so easily misunderstood by others. That communication was just always more blatant with Jimin, and Namjoon assumed that meant he was more comfortable there.

"I guess he is, but I'm stupid and am not looking at it correctly." He laughs suddenly. "Heol, I had this problem with Seokjin, too. If it has to do with other people, I'm on top of everything, but for some reason, when it comes to me..."

He sighs and puts an arm around Jimin again. "Sorry, Jiminie. Of course you're right."



JIMIN "You're not stupid," Jimin corrects him with a fond little nudge in the ribs before leaning easily into him again. It'd taken him some time to get used to, but he's long loved the physical affection that's so freely given among their group. Most of it comes from Taehyung, of course, and Hoseok and Jungkook.

There's something even more special when it's Namjoon and he can help how warm and safe and protected it makes him feel.

"I like when you tell me I'm right, though," he adds, still grinning. "Makes me feel smart. And I guess I am when it comes to Taehyung, so that means you should listen to me as the Taehyungie Expert -- don't be afraid to see him. Not ever. I can promise you, he always always wants to see you."



NAMJOON The Taehyung in his head tells him to leave him alone again, but Namjoon puts his insecurities to the side, squeezes Jimin a little and smiles, feeling more relaxed. Still feeling guilty and stupid, but this was the only person in the world he could discuss this with, and that makes something inside of him feel at ease.

"Good that you feel smart, because you are smart. Dr. Park Jimin, PhD in Taehyungie. I'd be a fool not to take such valued advice." He fiddles with his scarf a bit while his feelings settle, moving it up to protect at least a part of his cold face. He'll have to explore this new perspective later, on his own, but for now...

He checks the time. "Did you still want to get dinner?"



JIMIN There's more he could say, of course. He could tell Namjoon that Taehyung loves him the way he loves Jimin. Or, if not exactly the same way, that it's close. He could tell Namjoon that Taehyung considers Namjoon his soulmate too, could say that there's so much more here, so many more layers.

But that's not his to reveal, just like Taehyung wouldn't ever say a word to Hoseok. Maybe they're both hopeless here, doomed to pine after other people who don't feel the same way as they do.

Some part of Jimin, some deep, dark, selfish part of him wants to keep it that way. At least they can pine together.

He brightens at the question, immediately turning to smile over at Namjoon though his mouth is still largely hidden by his scarf. "Definitely! I was thinking that burger place, actually." He doesn't mention the gift cards, not yet. It's only a matter of time before Namjoon wonders about them, but he's hoping he won't try to put up any kind of argument. "Does that sound okay?"



NAMJOON "Ah, yeah, that sounds perfect!" Namjoon smiles back. "I haven't been there in a while, actually, but I know a bunch of you really like it, so I'm excited."

Namjoon hadn't thought about the gift cards for some time, assuming that they had already been used. He had told Jimin to use them with anyone, but he secretly hoped he and Taehyung had gone for dinner together. He hoped that, if he wasn't the person that Taehyung wanted to be around or talk to, he could at least facilitate an outing with the person he felt the best with. If Namjoon knew that Taehyung was with Jimin, he felt the same kind of comfort as when he's watching Taehyung's back personally.

He scans the pathways in front of them, the ground cold and hard and barren, and nudges Jimin to one direction. "Here, let's go this way. It'll take us to a bus stop. Then we can warm up at least a little before we get there."



JIMIN Namjoon doesn't even question the location and Jimin lets out a breath of relief, quickly changing course to keep up with his much taller hyung to head toward the bus stop. The promise of warmth is alluring though he thinks he doesn't mind the cold so long as he has Namjoon at his side. He thinks he can understand why Taehyung finds so much comfort in Namjoon's presence even if they both share something much deeper than just a walk through the park.

"Hyung's always so smart," he murmurs with a grin, hands still shoved in his pockets. He gives Namjoon a gentle bump with his elbow, head ducked against the wind. He laughs then, says, "Next time I'll pick a warmer day, I promise."



NAMJOON "Ah, it's not like you can control the weather, Jiminie." Namjoon laughs and nudges Jimin back. "Anyways, I'd rather go out with you on a cold day than not at all. It's not so bad like this. I'm glad we came."

The pathway wound away from the park and back to civilization, back to the noise of a busy street and groups of people rushing to and fro. Namjoon leads them to the nearby bus stop, and, to his relief, they don't wait long for the next bus to show up.

He pays his fare and finds them seats together, rubbing his face with his hands, reveling in the slight increase in warmth. "This reminds me of going to school. Aish, that's soon, isn't it? How was your break?"



JIMIN For a second, Jimin considers offering to pay for Namjoon's fare. After all, it was his idea to meet at the park, to meet at all, even. It only seems fair that he pay for their transportation given how far a walk it is. But he keeps quiet, afraid of causing his hyung any embarrassment, quietly paying for only himself before following Namjoon toward the middle of the bus, side by side.

It's definitely warm in the bus and Jimin settles in close to Namjoon, shoulder to shoulder, as he takes in a breath.

"Okay," he says, remembering the talk with his parents weeks ago, about how they'd pushed for him to keep up his studies even over the break. He still doesn't understand, if he's honest. Why are they suddenly pretending to care? He's done as they asked though, spending a few hours every day reviewing his math and science books though he really doesn't have much heart for it at all.

He slumps a little, his mind wandering to the trip he'd taken with Jungkook weeks and weeks ago. "Do you ever think about just... leaving?" he asks after a moment. "Like, just. All of us packing up and going somewhere. The seven of us."



NAMJOON Namjoon looks over at the sudden question from Jimin. He furrows his brow a little when his automatic thoughts consider where the question came from, and why, but he sends those concerns to the back of his mind for now.

It wasn't a new suggestion. He had heard this idea pop up within their group before. The concept of leaving together, of running away for a while. It was something he thought about often, himself, and hearing it from others just solidified to him that they all had something here that they wanted to get away from. The city is suffocating them all in more ways than one, and Namjoon feels a soreness in his heart, thinking about it.

"Yeah, I do." Namjoon reassures him. "Seokjin and I have talked about it too, but everyone's been busy. I think it would be really nice, though. Should I ask to see if he can arrange something?"



JIMIN The offer isn't something Jimin's expecting. When he and Jungkook had talked about it, it'd felt like only a pipe dream, an impossibility. And he knows that Namjoon isn't thinking about anything permanent, but just the idea that there's even a glimmer of an escape on offer lifts his mood a little.

"Wait, really?" he asks, grinning as he sits up a little straighter. "I meant like, you know..." He trails off, not sure if Namjoon has any idea what he really means, but not wanting to go into too much detail. It sounds sounds too hopeless when he puts it to words. "But something small would be fun! Maybe the beach? Or, well. I know pretty much everyone but me and Hoseok hyung wanted to go to Lotte World, but I guess I'd be okay with that if everyone else really wants to go."

The beach is cheaper though, Jimin doesn't point out. Free. He'd really really rather go to the beach even if it'll be cold.



NAMJOON Namjoon smiles softly and nods. "It's okay, I know what you mean." He pats one of Jimin's hands. "Answer's still the same. I think about it a lot. But I figure..." His gaze drifts to the city slipping by them outside the window, "... something small is better than nothing, right? I'm more favouring the beach idea, but it doesn't really matter. Maybe if we went somewhere we could breathe, when we come back, it might be a little easier."

His eyes follow cars that pass, shop windows, apartment buildings. He's not sure he believes what he's saying, but he does hope. Running away forever sounded nice in the short term, but Namjoon couldn't help but think ahead to all the problems they'd face once they made that choice. Maybe if they got some distance, some new solutions might come to them when they got back. Maybe. At the very least, it'd be a break.

He turns back to Jimin, grinning. *And if it doesn't, then we can all pack up and leave together. Okay?"

The bus slows to a stop and Namjoon looks up. "Ah, we're here. Let's go."



JIMIN Jimin's gaze stays fixed on the side of Namjoon's face when Namjoon looks out the window, wondering for a long moment if he's imagining the bags beneath his hyung's eyes, the wear and tear of the world written into his golden skin. He's pretty sure the bags are there, but the rest... well, that's probably just his imagination. Hyung's skin is flawless despite the heaviness that tears at him.

"I like the beach better too," he admits, grabbing the bar of the seat in front of him as the bus slows to a stop. He pauses for the few moments it takes to hop off the bus, shivering anew into the cold as they make their way up the street. "You don't worry we'll just feel worse once we get back and remember we're still stuck here for the forseeable future?" he asks, his tone joking enough to hide the very real worry that lies just beneath.

He isn't sure how likely it could ever be to pack up and leave all together for good. Though he doubts his parents would really care all that much if he disappeared, they'd likely at least try to make it look like they cared, which might mean the police coming after them.

And, at the very least, Jungkook's mom would worry.



NAMJOON "It's possible." Namjoon nods in agreement, pulling his scarf up against the cold air once more. "It's likely, even. But then we'll just have to get together and go again!"

Jimin is shivering and Namjoon immediately scans the area for their destination. The warmth they gained on the bus only makes the weather outside feel that much colder, that much more painful when the wind tears it away from them. He's struck with the observation that it's exactly what Jimin was saying about coming back to Seoul after leaving. Instead of refreshing, is this what it would feel like?

Namjoon frowns before spotting the restaurant. He puts a hand on Jimin's back to guide him through the loose crowd of people both exiting and entering the bus and heads towards the intersection. "Come on, let's cross here." He nods towards the crossing and quickens his pace to get there before the light changes, to get to the restaurant before he started to hate the cold like he hated the grey gloom of the city that suffocated his friends.



JIMIN Grinning behind his scarf, Jimin jogs to keep up with Namjoon’s long strides, jumping up onto the curb across the street and hurrying towards the familiar hamburger place. The cold bites at his cheeks and freezes his lungs, but with Namjoon right beside him, he can only laugh. It’s easy enough right now, right here in this moment, to believe it really could be as easy as Namjoon says, that they could just leave again when things get to be too much.

Moments later they’re stepping into the warmth of the building, into the smell of cooking meat and spicy condiments. Jimin tugs his scarf away from his face as he nods up at the menu, still smiling wide.

“Choose whatever you want, hyung,” Jimin says then as he steps up to stand beside Namjoon, elbow to elbow. “A good friend of mine gave me a gift certificate recently and he said I could do whatever I want with it.”



NAMJOON The restaurant is loud, busy, but it's warm, and smells of everything delicious, so Namjoon doesn't mind too much. His skin prickles as feeling returns to his face, and his stomach rumbles, complaining of how long it's been since he's eaten today.

Namjoon scans the menu, weighing his options. He's about to tell Jimin not to worry about it before the words finally click. "Wh-- Jiminie! I told you to use those!" He sighs, Jimin's wide smile giving away his ploy. He'd been planning this the whole time.

"I meant--" with Taehyung "... You know, not with me." He puts a hand on Jimin's head, messing with his hair. He can't help but smile at his crafty friend. "Aish, what am I going to do with you?"



JIMIN "You said I could do whatever I want and this is what I want," Jimin says again, laughing as he tries to duck away from Namjoon's hand. He doesn't go far though, happy to stay at Namjoon's side, happy to see that little surprised smile stretched across his hyung's face. "So you're going to pick anything on the menu that you want and we're going to have a nice dinner."

Of course, it's still just a hamburger and maybe it's cheating because it's still technically Namjoon's money, but he hopes that Namjoon can at least see the sentiment behind it. Even if he's still curious about how Namjoon that so much money to begin with.

The line moves forward and Jimin steps up with Namjoon right at his side, turns his head to smile up at him again. "And then we're going to eat and talk some more, maybe about all the ways we can escape this place or maybe about how much you love Jin hyung or maybe about how incredible Tae is. Or all of it. How does that sound?"



NAMJOON "It sounds like you didn't come up with this plan just now." Blindsided as he was, it was hard for Namjoon to feel anything but endearment towards Jimin as he lays out his plan, pride and satisfaction splayed across his face. Namjoon can't help himself from laughing at the situation. "I can't believe you tricked me with my own thing!"

Even though it is technically Namjoon's to start with, he's never been comfortable recieving gifts. Always worries that he hasn't given back enough to deserve them. Sure, his friends deserved every nice thing in the world and then some, but Namjoon? He had told Jimin to take anyone out for a meal, but hadn't counted himself as an "anyone". Jimin looked so pleased. He must have put some thought into this, so Namjoon let himself accept it.

He looks back up at the menu, considering what it would look like with his options more open. He spies a burger he's always wanted to try. Beef, bacon, some sort of special, slightly spicy sauce...

"Okay, Jimin, you got me." He looks back at him, shaking his head as he steps forward to the cashier. "We'll go with your plan."



JIMIN Honestly, part of Jimin expects Namjoon to argue, to shake his head and shove the gift card aside and insist that Jimin take Taehyung or Hoseok or literally anyone else at all. When he doesn’t, when the look of surprise on his face only morphs into a bright, fond smile, Jimin practically feels giddy and he laughs happily as he knocks his elbow into Namjoon’s playfully.

“My plan is perfect,” he agrees, happily placing his order before nodding to Namjoon to do the same. He orders the fries as well because they’re delicious and even if the total goes over the amount on the gift certificate, Jimin is happy to pay it.

“Go pick where you want to sit, hyung, and I’ll be right there,” he promises, nodding toward the seating area back behind them.



NAMJOON As he watches the money be spent on him, Namjoon feels a quick stab of guilt. Was he being selfish? Should he have refused? Was being with Seokjin letting him think he could allow himself nice things now? The voices that pop up are complicated and hunger drains the patience he has to battle them all with logic. Jimin's expression as he pays, however, is alight like nothing else. If anything, he can let himself have this for Jimin.

"Aish," he shifts on his feet as Jimin gleefully uses the gift card, and pays the rest of the balance with his own money. "You know, I'm only letting you do this because you pulled a fast one on me. I have to reward being clever, but it won't be so easy next time!" He teases. "That, and you have that face on."

He almost asks Jimin if he needs help carrying things to the table before he has a flashback to a time where he dropped a tray of many, many drinks at a place like this. Instead, he nods and scans the seating area for a good spot.

There's a table for two near a window, but it has drinks left on it from the last people who sat there. He could find another spot, but the bigger booths were occupied with loud groups and Namjoon doesn't want to sit near them. He takes the leftover cups from the table and throws them in the trash. As he returns, he sees an employee had rushed over to hastily spray and clean the table for him, smiling nervously and apologizing excessively for the inconvenience. Namjoon tells her that it's no problem and sits down, watching her rush off to deal with some other thing, clean another table, apologize to another customer.

Namjoon sighs and slouches in his seat, trying not to think about how much time there was left before he has to go to the gas station and rush around smiling and apologizing to people like she was.



JIMIN Jimin almost wants to ask what face it is he has on, but he thinks he has a fairly good idea and grins smugly as Namjoon wanders off to find them a table. In Jimin's experience, the wait for food at this place is always somewhat lengthy but worth it and this time is no different. Though he's not timing it, Jimin estimates that he waits by the counter for at least ten minutes before his name is called and he hurries to grab the tray with their gorgeous, greasy burgers and fries.

Namjoon's found a two-person table in a quieter spot of the restaurant, his long legs folded under the table and shoulders hunched. Sometimes Jimin thinks he looks like someone who is constantly trying to take up less space, a feat that is clearly impossible for someone as bright and overflowing as Namjoon.

"Here we go," Jimin says, sliding the tray onto the table and then hurriedly taking off his coat, hanging it off the back of chair. He reaches over to immediately steal a french fry from the basket, shoving it into his mouth as he sits down, grinning as he chews.

"Have you had the fries here?" he asks, still chewing. "They're so, so good. I wonder if we could get Jin hyung to make some for us just like them."



NAMJOON The time had slipped by for Namjoon, having found a pleasant zone in staring out the window. It was grey outside, almost desaturated if not for the streetlights that had begun to flicker to life. Words float through his thoughts as cinematic descriptions of his view came to mind, and he wonders if he should write them, or something like them. Frigid, silvery air that bites at your skin in a cold, indifferent landscape but not for the lights that suggest the way home...

Jimin slides into the seat across from him and he brings his attention back into the restaurant. It doesn't take long for him to return to the present. The smell of food lights his senses up. He tries not to look too eager as he grabs two fries for himself. "Jiminie!" He claps twice, his mouth full and smiling with pleasure as he takes one more. "So good! We'll have to come back with Seokjin so he can figure out how they get them like this."

It takes him a few more fries before Namjoon remembers his burger. Rubbing his hands together, he sits back in his seat to admire it for a moment. "It's been a while since I've had burgers. My mom would take us to a place like this if we got a good score at school. I heard some people had their parents get them ice cream or something but, I guess we've always just liked meat more."

He picks the burger up, shifting his fingertips so that he's holding it securely, marveling at the weight of it. Even when his mother was treating them to burgers, they hadn't had a choice of which of the various customized kinds to get. It had always been the simplest ones, whatever was at the top of the menu, and Namjoon had never questioned it, simply happy to enjoy the treat. He got accustomed to not needing anything too complex or elaborate. Those things were for other people, not for them.

He's about to take a bite, the smell of bacon and meat making his mouth water, but he stops short. Instead, he reaches across the table to lay several happy pats on Jimin's shoulder and arm. "Ah, thank you, seriously. I already know this is going to be delicious. Thanks, Jiminie." With a last, appreciative touch of his palm to Jimin's cheek, Namjoon returns to his burger and dives in for a bite.



JIMIN Cute, Jimin can't help but think when Namjoon happily eats a few fries, clapping like a giddy toddler, and he laughs in response before grabbing his own burger.

He gets distracted by Namjoon's story though, watching carefully as Namjoon speaks about what sounds like a somewhat happier time. It strikes him that there's still so much about this hyung he doesn't know, so much about all of them he still doesn't know. He's never considered it particularly strange before; they connect on a level that's deeper than simple knowledge. He may not know all the details of Namjoon's past, or even all the details of Taehyung's, but he understands who they are as people. He /knows/ them and they know him. They get each other.

Yet, at the same time, Jimin can't help but wish that things were easier, that Namjoon didn't have to shoulder so much responsibility all the time, that he didn't have to work so hard to barely scrape by. It just doesn't feel fair.

His smile returns as Namjoon reaches across the table to pat him on the arm, letting out a quiet laugh as he gives Namjoon's foot a light nudge under the table. "You don't have to thank me, hyung. If anything, I should thank you since you're the one who gave me the gift certificate and the excuse to get you to myself for awhile. I'm not usually so lucky."

Namjoon's already taken a bite of his burger and Jimin follows suit, grinning as well as he can with his stuffed cheeks and humming happily. "Goo-- yeah?" he asks with a full mouth.



NAMJOON Namjoon's mouth is full but he nods, making an unintelligable noise that sounds very approving. His body rejoices at the taste and the feel of something heavy in his stomach. He takes another bite, but makes himself chew slowly. He'll be finished his meal before he knows it, and it'd be best to make sure it's enjoyed.

He smiles once he swallows, putting down his burger for a moment in favour of taking a few fries; another tactic to try and make the food last longer. "What, you don't like sharing people?" he teases, snickers. and returns to his burger.

"Mm. Honestly, I was imagining you'd take Taehyung here, like a date, or something. I thought it'd be a good thing for you both because then you're out of the house, and he's off the street. Like a nice middle ground activity that helps everyone."


CODE BY TESSISAMESS