121118. jimin & jungkook.

[lovestrippedbare]

WINTER.
December 11, 2018.

WHO jimin & jungkook
WHAT train getaway

WHERE seoul to incheon
TIMELINE cycle 1

JUNGKOOK It never takes much to get Jungkook out of the house in the morning. None of his immediate family tend to be morning people to begin with, which means that waiting until they're all gathered around the dining table is more or less impossible, and bound to find someone in a bad mood regardless. It's easier for Jungkook to slip out early with a quickly muttered line about needing to study more before a test - one of the few excuses that easily slips by his father, though he can't use it too often without drawing suspicion. Today is one of the times when it's worth falling back on the ready excuse, though. Jimin is always worth the trouble.

He had stayed out late the evening prior, lingering in the street outside of Jimin's house, breath fogging in the cold as he waited for any sign that Jimin was okay. Through the curtains, there wasn't much that he could see, but the bit of light that slipped around the edges of the window had to be enough. He wasn't about to storm in, not unless he knew it was the only way, knowing Jimin's parents wouldn't be receptive to sudden visits.

This morning, he waits outside of Jimin's classroom until almost the last minute, and it's enough. Jimin's not as early getting to class as usual, and Jungkook takes that as a sign that there won't be any long conversations - not in the morning, at least. A hug will have to suffice, and Jungkook makes it a long one, holding tight around Jimin's back and hooking a chin on one shoulder, hugging a little longer than a normal greeting allows for. "I'll be back after class," he says at the end, not as a threat but to provide a way out, if Jimin should really need. "I hope you'll wait for me?"

Jungkook doesn't wait for a response, not needing one right then, not wanting to pressure. But the hours while away, the tick of the clock slow against the racing of his pulse, and when the final class ends, Jungkook immediately tears down the hall to reach Jimin's classroom, ignoring any protests from staff in the halls. He tries to catch his breath subtly, inevitably failing with the way his shoulders heave, as he leans against the wall and waits to see if Jimin will emerge.



JIMIN He doesn't deserve a hug, Jimin knows that. He doesn't deserve any bit of kindness, especially from Jungkook, especially after yesterday. Granted, he hadn't known until hours later that Jungkook had been lingering outside his house, waiting in the cold for Jimin to come out and talk to him. He hadn't known because he'd been avoiding his phone entirely, avoiding any sort of contact with any of them, hiding away like he always does when things get too heavy to bear, too suffocating.

Today, he feels stupid about all of it. Stupid and ashamed and embarrassed. It takes every bit of self control to not cry when Jungkook wraps him in a hug, every bit of willpower to get through his first class without curling into a ball of self pity.

And Jungkook hadn't been lying about waiting for him, already there when Jimin steps out into the hall, clearly winded from running halfway across the school. Something about the heave of his shoulders and flush to his cheeks makes Jimin laugh, a short, slightly hysterical sort of sound as he wraps a hand around the strap of his bag.

"Are you going to hug me again?" he asks, mostly a joke though some small part of him almost wants the answer to be yes.



JUNGKOOK The laugh is better than any salve, erasing all of Jungkook's exhaustion as he pulls himself up to full height, trying to grab for a full breath so that he isn't panting all over Jimin. Nudging his backpack fully behind him, Jungkook rushes at Jimin again, a little more force in his embrace this time. Even if he's not sure what it was exactly that made Jimin retreat, it's always a comfort to see him emerge again.

He's been replaying all the conversations in his mind, ever since Taehyung told him that Jimin was acting strangely. Pushing other people away. There are little bits and pieces that he's picked up from the other hyungs, about how sometimes Jimin comments that he's broken, that he's gross, and both are so far from the truth that Jungkook can't even fathom what gives Jimin that impression. It doesn't feel as simple as a matter of self-esteem.

As he pulls back, raising both hands to squeeze Jimin's cheeks, Jungkook can't help but take a second to really search Jimin's eyes. He wishes he were better at reading them.

"Aigoo, our Jiminie is so handsome," Jungkook beams, briefly running a thumb over the curve of Jimin's cheek before dropping the hand down to reach for Jimin's, lacing their fingers, quietly offered support. "How can I not hug such a handsome face? Maybe I'll soak up some of those good looks by proximity."



JIMIN Jungkook's getting so big Jimin thinks as he finds himself enveloped in a new hug, this one not as long as the first, but no less warm. Again, he fights the lump in his throat, forces himself to breathe then forces a smile as Jungkook leans back to meet his eyes. The touch to his cheek is soft and kind and Jimin wants to lean into, hungry for the affection but hating himself for it at the same time.

Instead, he laughs again, a stilted sort of sob as he ducks his face away.

"Don't let hyung catch you saying these things," he says, once again trying for teasing and playful. Trying to be normal, whatever that might mean. "He might get jealous."



JUNGKOOK There isn't a single part of Jungkook that regrets being in a relationship with Yoongi, though there are times when he starts wondering at the distance that it seems to have drawn between him and some of the others. Like everyone's more careful, wanting to make sure that Jungkook and Yoongi have their space. Jungkook isn't sure how he'd react himself if he were in their shoes - perhaps the closest proxy is the way that he feels about Taehyung and Jimin, the way that the two of them are just a little closer than the others, leaving Jungkook wanting not to intrude on something special. Maybe the others view Yoongi and him in the same way.

But there's something just a little lonesome about it, Jungkook feels, and it's a selfish part of why he wants to hold so closely onto Jimin today. Jimin was the only one who demanded Jungkook be shared.

Jungkook doesn't want to lose that.

"Yoongi also knows that when it comes to an angelic face, no one surpasses Park Jimin," Jungkook says, giving Jimin's hand a soft squeeze. "And if he's jealous, then let him be jealous. I'm not going to give up my time with my best friend. C'mon, I can have my mom talk to your mom. Where do you want to go today?"



JIMIN There's a lot that's wrong with Jimin's face and he's absolutely no angel, but he can't deny that he likes how Jungkook describes him all the same. He smiles faintly but genuinely, lets some of the anxiety knotted inside his chest loosen a bit.

Jungkook's hand slides easily into his, like it's no big deal at all, like he's not angry with Jimin for his behavior yesterday, like he doesn't hate him for a million other reasons. He squeezes back just a little, grateful for it even as he shrugs.

"Not home," is his only response. His parents won't be there and, even if they were, it's not as though they'd provide any solace at all. Jimin's not sure Jungkook will either despite his best efforts, but his house is dark and cold and empty where Jungkook is warm and sweet and so full of kindness. It's selfish but Jimin wants to soak it all while he can, for as long as he can until the crushing weight of guilt and disgust and sadness washes over him again.

"Just-- I don't know," he adds, trying to be helpful. "Not the studio. Not--" He shrugs again, not sure how to say it. He's afraid to be seen by the others right now, afraid of the inevitable fussing and worry and hurt. He's afraid, most of all, to see Taehyung even as he aches to.

And he doesn't know how to put any of that into words.



JUNGKOOK Not home. Not the studio. The combination of those requests makes Jungkook immediately think that what Jimin needs most is an escape, which is something that Jungkook himself understands too well. He's lucky in that there's been an easy place to retreat to lately - that even without a place in mind, being alone with Yoongi is a comfort. The silence that Jimin trails off into makes Jungkook think that Jimin's safe harbor is one that he's denying himself now.

His heart aches for Jimin and Taehyung, but sometimes it isn't Jungkook's place to intervene.

"Mmm... I know," Jungkook hums under his breath, tugging on Jimin's hand gently to take them down the hall, in the opposite direction that they normally take. Away from the classroom, away from where the other hyungs might see. He glances over at Jimin with a reassuring smile, hiking the strap of his backpack up higher on his shoulder.

"Let's take the train," he suggests. It's a pastime that Jungkook enjoys better than almost anything, letting the steady rock of the train lull him into a sense of security. He can never afford to take it too far, not down to Busan like he wants, but there's plenty that can be found in the space of a couple of hours. "Maybe over to Incheon? We can get there in under an hour. Watch some of the planes taking off."

For what amounts to the price of a couple cups of coffee, Jungkook's always found the excursions to be worth the cost.



JIMIN It's not the suggestion Jimin's expecting, not one he'd have thought of himself. But something about it is thrilling, even a little exciting despite it just being a train ride. Like maybe he won't have to come back, maybe he can just stay in Incheon or sneak his way onto a plane there somehow. Maybe he can fly off to somewhere new and exciting, start a new life with a new family that cares about him.

Except he knows that's not how it works. Even if he could fly away, a new family won't fix anything. It won't take away anything that's happened.

And then there's the others. Jungkook and his hyungs. And Taehyung. Always, always Taehyung.

"You're not going to get in trouble, are you?" he asks even as they start walking toward the train station. It'll be a more expensive trip than he's used to, but he tends to skip the train in favor of walking home with Hoseok-hyung anyway. He has more than enough to afford the ticket.

But it's a different kind of cost Jimin's worried about, one Jungkook shouldn't have to pay.



JUNGKOOK "Mm?" Jungkook hums, glancing over at Jimin with an easy smile. There's a touch of unease that comes with the question, though Jungkook doesn't let too much of it show. He's grown so accustomed to hiding what it is that goes on at home, downplaying it, shrugging it off, that he's pretty sure most people wouldn't realize what trouble exactly entails for Jungkook. Yoongi didn't know, before seeing the bruises on Jungkook's shoulders.

At the same time, if there's anyone who would pick it up from mood alone, it would be Jimin. And there are times when Jungkook finds himself nearly slipping, letting the thoughts free, because there's a type of comfort Jimin affords that would be right for the situation. Repose, rather than protection.

Maybe later, when they're not making their way through school halls and side streets.

"I don't think so. I told mom I'd be with you today," Jungkook shrugs, taking a deep breath as they step out into the wintry air, letting it chill his lungs. "And no one said I had to be home for dinner. It's getting close to the holidays, so dad's been out a lot for work parties and stuff, and I don't think I'll be missed at home. Besides, I've missed Jimin time. They can't keep me from you forever."



JIMIN It's possible Jungkook's only saying as much to convince Jimin to let this happen, it's possible he's downplaying what might happen, or outright lying. But, for one, Jungkook is a terrible liar and, for another, Jimin can generally tell when Jungkook is being cagey; his barometer might be a little off right now, but he feels like it's still holding steady on this much at least. He lets himself relax just a little more.

"They being your parents, or hyung?" Jimin replies, still trying for teasing as they make their way down the street. "You're not supposed to meet up with him tonight, are you?"

Because the last thing he wants is to get in the way of one of the very few things that makes Jungkookie happy. And maybe he doesn't want to get even more on Yoongi-hyung's bad side either.



JUNGKOOK It's not that Jungkook feels guilty, exactly, for the happiness he's found with Yoongi. Sometimes happiness feels so fleeting for them all that Jungkook doesn't think that any of them can really be blamed for finding it in whatever fashion they can, even if it means roaming around past hours in the evening, littering walls with graffiti. But there's a little ache that settles in his chest nonetheless, wishing that the others could find that kind of happiness as well.

"Anyone," Jungkook clarifies, firm in the sentiment. He can't imagine ever losing the bond that he has with Jimin. "There's no one who's going to keep me from Jimin-ah, as long as I can help it." He swings their hands a little, not calling extra attention to the deliberately kept space in the words. If anyone keeps Jungkook from Jimin, it might be Jimin's parents. Taehyung.

Jimin himself.

"And no, I wasn't planning on meeting Yoongi tonight. We agreed I'd stay over tomorrow," he adds in reassurance.



JIMIN There's no hint of insincerity in Jungkook's tone, but still Jimin's smile is a little forced. He can't help but wonder if eventually the two of them will pull away from the rest of the group, happy in their own little bubble. It's a stupid thing to consider, he knows, and worse still to be upset about. They make each other so so happy, that much is obvious to all of them. Jimin would never want to take that away.

Sometimes he hates how lonely he can feel, hates that he brings it on himself.

He gives Jungkook's hand one more squeeze before letting go, wrapping it around the strap of his bag instead as they keep walking.

"I'm sorry about last night," he finally manages after a moment, his eyes on the sidewalk ahead of them, afraid to look Jungkook in the eye right now. "I didn't know you came by until later. Didn't mean to leave you out there." I didn't mean to worry you, he wants to add but that seems empty somehow. Hollow. Of course Jungkook would worry, especially if he talked to Taehyung. And maybe some part of him is glad that someone worried since his parents refuse to.

But that's fucked up, isn't it? To want someone to worry about him? He's so fucked up.



JUNGKOOK The loss of Jimin's hand feels cold, but Jungkook doesn't feel that he has the right to really chase after that warmth. Or maybe, he realizes a second later, it's Jimin who doesn't want to allow that for himself. Jimin's gaze is heavy, lingering on the ground, his shoulders slouched in a way that they almost never are on normal days.

"Hey, it's okay. Don't apologize when I'm the one who decided to stop by without warning," Jungkook says with a smile, hesitating for a moment longer before reaching over to sling his arm over Jimin's shoulders, keeping him close. "If it weren't for your parents being completely unreasonable, I would have barged right on in. So maybe I'm the one who should be sorry, right? I should learn to give my hyung his space."

Glancing forward, Jungkook licks his lips briefly, trying to find the right words. "You know that you can talk to me though, right? I worry, Jimin-ah. I wish you wouldn't push me away."



JIMIN Jimin isn’t quite sure how to respond, doesn’t know how to say that Jungkook likely wouldn’t have enjoyed his presence last night at all, that he would’ve gotten bored or angry or upset with him in no time at all. It’s for the best that he’d stayed out, though Jimin wishes it hadn’t been so cold.

“I talk to you,” he says, though he knows it’s not quite what Jungkook means. Not entirely. “I just--” He tries for another smile, one that looks a little more genuine. “You’re happy, I don’t-- You should be able to stay that way, not worry after your stupid hyung.”



JUNGKOOK Jungkook blinks at the remark. You're happy. The simple statement brings Jungkook back to the conversation he had with Yoongi the previous day, about how sometimes, even the happiest of days can't brush away the lingering shadows in the corners of one's mind. He thinks about how tenuous happiness is, even now - about the sinking feeling in his gut whenever he turns his mind to thoughts of eventually sharing his relationship with his family, with the world.

With his mother.

Strange, how the happiness can run so deep and so fragile.

"I'm less happy when I don't have my stupid hyung around," Jungkook murmurs, squeezing Jimin's shoulder with his hand. "You're my best friend, you know? I want to be there when you're feeling down. You wouldn't want me to be alone when things are tough, yeah?"



JIMIN "You have five other stupid hyungs to keep you company," he points out, but he's warmed by Jungkook's answer all the same, by the idea that he might be special. He doesn't know why he needs to be, why that matters so much to him. It doesn't with everyone, but with some people it does, Taehyung and Jungkook especially. And with Hoseok, for as much as he's still trying to ignore that.

He doesn't reach for Jungkook's hand, but he does take the half a step toward him to walk closer, their elbows bumping lightly.

"None of us are going to let you be alone," he continues. "Not ever. You're precious."



JUNGKOOK "Yeah, and none of those other hyungs are Park Jimin. You're irreplaceable," Jungkook points out, his tone friendly in spite of the furrow in his brow. It isn't difficult to believe, conceptually, that Jimin might doubt his place in the group. Jungkook isn't sure that he'd consider any of the seven particularly confident - Taehyung has a certain presence, but even that isn't quite the same - but he finds that Jimin's light wanes a little more often than the rest.

Jungkook reaches out to nudge back with his elbow.

The subway station isn't too far from the school, and it's one that Jungkook knows all too well. He hasn't invited many of the others on his excursions yet - Yoongi's gone once, but that's about it. Public transit is one of the things Jungkook finds himself most grateful for, that he can disappear in the crowds, ride away to some space where no one will know him, no one will mind. He doesn't have to feel like an imposition, as he often does at home.

"Do you believe me?" Jungkook muses, glancing over at his hyung. "When I tell you that you're precious to me?"



JIMIN I'm not precious to anyone, is Jimin's knee-jerk mental response. There are times when it's easier to argue that, easier to believe that he is something important to at least a few people. To Taehyung and Jungkookie and maybe sometimes Hoseok when he's having a really good dance day.

And other times it's so much easier to believe they'd all be better off without him.

For now, he shrugs and tries for the most honest response he can muster. "Sometimes." He says it with a smile though it feels weak. There's no doubt that Jungkook means more to him than he means to Jungkook, but he's mostly okay with that, too. It feels right, like that's the way it's supposed to be. He just needs to work harder at being less of a mess or he could run Jungkook off entirely. There's only so much anyone should have to handle for a single person.

"Not--" he rushes to clarify because he doesn't want Jungkook to think he isn't appreciated. "I mean, it's not because I don't think you're sincere. I know you are. It's just. Hard, I guess. Sometimes."



JUNGKOOK It doesn't sting, exactly, when Jimin says that he only believes the sentiment some of the time. To more accurately describe the feeling would be to call it an ache that settles in his chest, the same one that always pulls to the surface whenever Jungkook feels that he'd rather take his hyungs' pain for them. They are all, in their own ways, better than Jungkook feels he is himself. Generosity, compassion, talent - indescribable sparks that make them stand out over the rest. It seems unfair sometimes that Jungkook should uniquely receive so much love, the youngest in their group, so often held as someone precious.

Jimin is the one who deserves more love, Jungkook thinks.

"I think I understand, a bit," Jungkook nods, taking on a quieter, solemn tone. "Because you don't know what other people see in you, right? I really wish I could make you see what I do."

He looks forward, breaking the gaze for a moment as they approach the entrance to the station, slowing down the pace of the walk so that their words more easily fade into the noise of the city.

"You said before that you feel broken." Jungkook's gaze briefly skirts over the ground. "I feel broken too, sometimes."



JIMIN Jimin huffs a quiet laugh at that. There's no humor behind it, more air than anything, as he ducks his head. He's not sure whether or not he'd really like to see himself from anyone else's eyes. Though, maybe, if he had to, he'd pick Jungkook or Taehyung. They both seem to think far better of him than he deserves.

Any hint of smile on his lips fades as Jungkook continues, brow furrowing.

"What do you mean?" he asks because he doesn't like the sound of that at all. Immediately, his mind goes to Jungkook's homelife, to the marks he's noticed here and there on Jungkook's skin. They've never spoken of it, but Jimin's often wondered how deep those welts lie, how many of them there might be, how badly they hurt. He's wondered more how anyone could ever raise a hand to their own kid, wonders how he's any better for not doing anything to stop it, for being too scared to intervene.

He swallows the guilt for now, focuses on putting one foot in front of the other. "Is it because of your dad? Because of... that." It's the closest they've gotten to talking about it and Jimin is afraid of how far he can push, how much Jungkook wants to be seen.



JUNGKOOK It takes Jungkook a while before he works up the will to reply. The last thing that he wants is to turn this situation around in susch a way where he's the one complaining, where he's the one demanding comfort and attention when the whole point of this exercise was to make Jimin smile again. It's hard to know where that line is between empathy and diversion, but the conversation from the previous night with Yoongi stands out in Jungkook's memory. Pointing out that perhaps knowing that one isn't alone in their feeling is important. Maybe that's better than steadfastly trying to point only to the positives.

He tries for a wavering smile, but it trembles too much at the cheeks to keep quite pinned in the right place. Instead, Jungkook glances to either side near the subway entrance, then pulls them down a small hallway, between a large advertisement panel and a few storage closets. Briefly, he pulls up the hem of his jacket, revealing a few inches of his lower back, where he knows there's at least one or two bruises from the previous day.

Jungkook drops the hem quickly after, cheeks already flushed as he reaches for Jimin's hand, guides them towards the ticket vending machines.

"It's really not so bad," he says, focusing on his wallet and trying not to curse at the way the bills shake in the air. "I'm fine. It doesn't really hurt when he does it, or hyung. Just..."

Jungkook holds his hand out for Jimin's pass card. Says the words he's been told what feels like countless times, and can't help but hope they'll work better for Jimin. "Being broken isn't your fault, Jimin-ah. And it doesn't make me love you any less."



JIMIN Jimin doesn't get a long look, really just a glimpse of the bruises that mark Jungkook's soft, pale skin. But it's enough. More than enough, honestly. Because wondering and suspecting and fearing are one thing, but knowing for certain, seeing the actual evidence... that's something else.

For a minute, he can't breathe, can only stumble after Jungkook as he's dragged toward the vending machines, stands there stupidly, staring at Jungkook's shaking hand, at the nervous twitch of his eyes, the anxious tilt at the corner of his lips.

"How can it--" he starts, before stopping himself short. There's no explaining it, he knows. He's not about to make Jungkook try for his sake.

He fumbles for a second with his wallet, finding his card and handing it over, his eyes again lingering on Jungkook. Sweet, talented, lovable, strong Jungkook. If Jungkook ever decided to fight back, if had even an ounce of violence in his body, he could end it instantly.

But he won't. Of course he won't.

He wants to say something, aches to. But his throat has closed up and all he can do is shake his head again. It's the same, but it's not, and some sick part of Jimin almost wishes that the bruises he carries were visible. If only so he could watch them fade over time instead of lingering fresh and raw and open.

"Can we just get a one-way?" is all he can manage a second later. He's only half joking.



JUNGKOOK He can feel Jimin's gaze on his body, and it makes Jungkook's ears burn in shame. It's never easy when someone else learns of what he's facing at home - it makes him feel weak, and guilty for the burden of knowledge that it places on the others. Even Taehyung, who perhaps understands this particular challenge better than anyone, is someone Jungkook hates bothering with this, knowing that Taehyung must hate the fact that Jungkook never pushes back. It's hard not to feel like he's only hurting Jimin more, sharing something like this.

The card in his hand helps, Jungkook running his thumb over the edge, watching it press against his skin, firm and straight. Jimin asks a question then, and Jungkook glances over in surprise. There are other people waiting behind them for the kiosk, placing just enough pressure on the both of them that Jungkook grins and clicks the one-way price, sliding a bill into the slot and then tapping Jimin's card on the tray to recharge. His own follows shortly after.

"One-way," he declares, waving the card playfully in front of Jimin's eyes. Maybe it's stupid, throwing away the discount that they'd get with a round-trip charge. But the whole exercise is about escape. If there's any small detail that will help them feel that they can escape the gravity of their surroundings, even temporarily, maybe it's worth it.

He reaches out for the back of Jimin's neck, massaging briefly, then sliding his hand further up to ruffle Jimin's hair. "C'mon. I reserved you the window seat."



JIMIN It's a waste of money, though not by a whole lot, at least. Still, Jimin makes a mental note to try to repay Jungkook soon, maybe with coffee or something. After all, Jungkook shouldn't be paying for these things; it's Jimin who's the hyung. He should start acting like one.

The idea that they might not have to return, however dumb, makes some strange weight lift from Jimin's shoulders and he finally manages an actual smile, a real one, as he ducks away from Jungkook's hand.

"Aish, watch the hair!" he says, all teasing as he turns to walk quickly toward the platforms, making sure that Jungkook isn't too far behind. They have plenty of time, but the hurry is fun and Jimin's nearly laughing by the time they jump onto the train.

"You should take the window, actually," he says as they wander down the car to find their seats. "So you can take pictures."



JUNGKOOK Jungkook stares for a couple seconds too long at Jimin's smile, at the way that it completely lights up even the thin lighting of the underground, and feels his own smile broadening in turn. He's not sure exactly what he's done to bring that light back, but Jungkook lets out a small and not very threatening roar as he rushes to catch up with his hyung, the inevitable apologies he owes passersby slowing him down until he practically tumbles onto the train car, a couple of paces behind Jimin.

At least half of the folks on the train have luggage in tow, a few parents rounding up rowdy children, and an elderly pair with a phone held aloft between them. Even though they could probably fit their backpacks directly in front of their feet under the seats, Jungkook makes a point of throwing them up in the rack above their heads, the way he sees other travelers doing.

Helping to pretend that they, too, might be jetting off to somewhere far away.

"Nah, you take the window. I'm not good enough to get great shots while the train's moving. I've tried," Jungkook complains with a slight wrinkle of his nose. "But maybe while we're in Incheon, we can head up one of the taller buildings. I hear that the bridge looks great at night."



JIMIN It might not be true, it might just be Jungkook trying to be nice, trying to make Jimin smile more, but Jimin also knows that Jungkook is a terrible liar so there's at least some truth here. Either way, he doesn't argue, grinning a little as he lets Jungkook shove their bags in the overhead rack before he slides in to sit at the window.

All of it is still just a game, just pretend. But Jimin finds it so so easy to sink into it right now, dwell in it.

"We could go to the one of the bridges, too," he says as he rests back in his seat. He tips his head to look over at Jungkook, his smile a little easier now. "Just to see it."



JUNGKOOK "Yeah, I'd be up for that," Jungkook grins, already thinking about the long exposure shots that he can take, how they'll look great if they manage to get in place before the sun's rays have fully vanished for the night. There's always a certain pleasure that comes from managing a good shot, but more importantly, Jungkook cares about documenting the memories. A first train ride with Jimin, out of the city, seems like an occasion to remember.

He wishes that he'd thought of it sooner, but there's a comfort in knowing that they're closer in age, that trips like this can easily continue happening for at least another year.

"Incheon's nice. I don't go there a lot, but by the water, everything's so open," Jungkook muses, briefly dropping his hand down on Jimin's thigh, giving it a pat. Behind them, the doors hiss to a close. "But what does Jimin hyung want to see?"



JIMIN Jimin's been a few times, usually for the airport, to be jetted off on some vacation his parents reluctantly took him on. It's been awhile though. Years. They don't take him many places anymore, haven't since... a really long time ago.

"Don't really care," Jimin answers honestly, strangely comforted by the warm, friendly weight of Jungkook's hand. "Just-- not the airport."

If anything, he's just looking forward to the time spent with Jungkook, time spent away from what's supposed to be his home, away from the shame and the guilt and all the stupid stuff he carries with him. The cloud that's been hanging over him since yesterday.

Jungkook isn't Taehyung, but it's a similar feeling. Maybe too similar in some ways, but Jimin can ignore that for now. Jungkook is adorable dongsaeng, but he's a lot more than that, too. He always has been.

"Maybe we could do dinner? I'll pay," he adds with a small smile.



JUNGKOOK Occasionally, there are little pieces that still manage to surprise Jungkook about his hyungs. Not the airport, Jimin requests - such a small remark, and one that immediately sends Jungkook's mind spinning. Fear of flight? Seems unlikely. Or is it that being at the airport would remind them too sharply of what they can't have, the ability to escape and never turn back. But Jimin doesn't seem particularly upset when he makes the small request to avoid the tarmac, so Jungkook doesn't press the issue, simply giving Jimin's knee another squeeze as he meets the other boy's gaze.

"Ah, dinner would be good," Jungkook admits, pouting just a touch. "I don't know how the school lunches are ever supposed to be enough to fill us. I feel like they haven't increased the amount we get since, like... primary school." He rubs his stomach for emphasis. There are times when he makes sure to pack extra snacks for himself, but he didn't have the time for it earlier that morning, given his rush to beat Jimin to campus.

"Mm, I think Incheon has really good jjajangmyeon," he murmurs, pulling out his phone to check a few apps. Jjajangmyeon would be on the affordable end of things, too. While Jimin's parents don't necessarily restrict him much in funds, Jungkook figures that the better impression left on Jimin's parents, the better.

Though not for their sake.



JIMIN “I think they like keeping us hungry,” Jimin agrees with a tiny smile. “Like if we’re hungry for food, we’re hungry to learn. Like a metaphor or something. I bet hyung I has a whole theory about it.”

He doesn’t like the idea of Jungkook not getting enough to eat though and wonders if he can get away with giving a little bit of his lunch over to him every day. It’s not like Jimin needs it, after all. But Jungkook’s still growing, packing on height and muscle while Jimin just keeps packing on fat. It could do them both some good.

He watches as Jungkook starts scrolling through his phone, shifting to get a better view of the screen himself. “What about that place?” he asks, pointing at one of the little dots on the map. “It doesn’t look too far from the station.”



JUNGKOOK "Yah... hyung would say something like that, wouldn't he? Does that mean that he should actually be a school supervisor?" Jungkook asks, raising a brow at the thought. There's no question that Namjoon is probably the brightest of all of them, as far as picking up concepts is concerned, and half of the team he actually manages to spark Jungkook's interest. He's a lot better at it than their high school teachers, at any rate.

The thought pulls a small grin on his face before he turns his attention back on his phone, leaning closer to Jimin to give him easier visibility.

"Ah, yeah," Jungkook agrees, clicking on the location and scrolling through the menu and reviews. "The comments look pretty good... ooh, the chahan looks really good too. That's one of hyung's favorites, right? Let's get an order of that. If we can't finish, we can ask for them to pack it up."

When the train lurches to a start, Jungkook's smile widens. He pats Jimin's leg eagerly - it'll take a few minutes before they pull above ground, but even the movement itself is enough to get him excited. "Train rides are the best," he sighs, leaning back in his chair.



JIMIN Jimin lets out a bright laugh then, turning to look at Jungkook for a second as he asks, “Can you imagine hyung as a teacher? He’d get so flustered!”

Though, aside from that, Jimin thinks that Namjoon-hyung actually would make a decent instructor. Maybe in a university or something. But that would probably require a degree himself and, well… he’s not sure hyung has the money for it or if he’d even want that. If he’s entirely honest, he doesn’t know much about hyung’s hopes and dreams though he’d like to.

He turns his attention back to the phone though, nodding as Jungkook talks about their dinner and then settling close enough to rest his head on Jungkook’s shoulder as the train starts to pull out of the station.

“Do you do this a lot?” he asks, dropping his own hand to Jungkook’s thigh, tracing an idle pattern along the fabric of his jeans. “Take a train out of the city on your own?”



JUNGKOOK "Ahh... yeah, I guess if his students were as mischievous as us," Jungkook snickers at the thought, though part of him thinks that if there were more instructors who were like Namjoon, who taught for the sheer love of the subject area, all of them would probably work harder to apply themselves. He considers briefly mentioning about how much Namjoon knows about the stars, how Jungkook can easily see him leading some type of class on astronomy.

But sometimes, talking about the future seems a little too frightening these days, at once too close and too far from reality.

Instead, he smiles when the weight of Jimin's head rests against his shoulder, turning briefly to press against his hair with something between a playful bite and a kiss. Being physically close to Jimin has always felt easy, somehow.

"Yeah, I ride the train a lot," he murmurs, gaze flickering over to the window as the walls of the tunnel grow lighter as they approach the outdoors. "Not usually as far out of the city as Incheon, because I think dad would notice, but definitely to the ends of some of the central lines. Sometimes I don't even look at which line it is when I step on the platform; I just take the first one that comes. It makes me feel like... there's always a way out, if I need it."



JIMIN “Mmm,” is Jimin’s only reply at first. He finds it so easy to picture, to imagine Jungkook leaving school and, instead of going home, instead of even going to their classroom, instead going to the train station and boarding the first train out to anywhere.

He loves the idea, and hates it at the same time. Or, more correctly, hates that Jungkook has anything he needs to run away from at all. Especially since they both know that sometimes there isn’t a way out.

“Do you like doing it on your own?” he asks, his head still on Jungkook’s shoulder, hand still on his thigh. “Or would you like company sometimes?”



JUNGKOOK The question brings a smile to Jungkook's lips. For so long, riding the train had been something of a little secret of his - it always felt a little wasteful, a little unnecessary. The others have always had other destinations they could seek without reserve - for Jimin and Hoseok, the studio; for Yoongi, his piano; Taehyung and Namjoon have their evening excursions; Jin has a truck that can take him anywhere. For Jungkook, there's never been an easy place to run without stepping over lines he's unsure he can return from.

But having taken the train with Yoongi, and again now with Jimin, Jungkook wonders if it's ever really been necessary to keep this a secret. He smiles, leaning his own head back to rest against Jimin's, anchoring them there while the train rocks.

"It's nicer with Jimin hyung here," he says quietly. "We should do it again, even after today."



JIMIN The rest of Jungkook’s head atop his own is comforting, a gentle, grounding weight. He thinks he maybe shouldn’t like it as much as he does, being the hyung. But the warmth that blooms beneath his chest can’t be denied and smiles quietly.

It’s a different kind of feeling than when he’s with Taehyung, if only slightly. Different from being with Hoseok as well, different from other hyungs. Jungkook is special in his way; Jimin thinks he always has been.

“I’d really like that,” he says, giving Jungkook’s leg a squeeze and letting out a breath.

And maybe one day, he thinks… maybe one day they can all get on a train and never come back.


CODE BY TESSISAMESS