Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A warm breeze of a summer evening drifts lazily through the air. The flowers along the streets are in full bloom. The scent of flowers and fresh earth mingles softly, wrapping the evening with gentleness.

The air in the bakery carries the same kind of gentleness, only the scents are different. The whole bakery smells like coffee, cinnamon and sugar, very fitting to the name of the bakery, The Sugar Rush.

Jimin refills the fast selling slices of chocolate cakes in the glass counter display right next to the cashier table.

“Papa. papa, papa” An enthusiastic 3 year old jumps right next to him while he is arranging the cake slices.

“Yess what is it?” Jimin asks his daughter with fondness in his voice.

“I want that” the toddler jumps pointing at the chocolate cake.

“Arin, you already had one this morning, finish the cucumber slices first” Jimin says firmly yet there’s gentleness in his tone.

“Nooo. I dont want this” Arin starts stomping the floor pushing away the plate of sliced cucumbers.

The front door wind bells chimes indicating there’s someone entering, Arin quickly stops her tantrum and hides herself behind her father’s legs. Jimin simply chuckles and looks up to the incoming customer.

“Yes, what do you like to have?” Jimin asks poltely.

In front of him stands a boy who looks around 20 to 23 years old, carrying a duffel bag, wearing huge glasses, white sweatshirt and denim dungarees and a film camera with a black strap hanging from his neck. 

“No, I…. I saw the poster outside, you are looking for assistance in the bakery..?” Jungkook asks, pointing at the poster outside his bakery. Jimin put up a poster for vacancy as bakery assistant few days ago.

“Oh yes, yes, do you have baking experience?” Jimin asks, although he thinks this boy looks like he is from the city. Jimin is sure the city boy has no baking experience.

“Not for baking but I do cook. I am pretty sure it’s just the same” Jungkook shrugs with confidence in his voice.

Jimin would beg to differ, cooking and baking are entirely different but he is in need of assistance, managing his little daughter and the bakery with no help is taking a toll on him. He takes a look at the boy in front of him again, he does look like he is sincere on landing a job.

“Well, I hope you are a quick learner. If you are then you can join tomorrow” Jimin hands a piece of paper and a pen to the boy. “At 5AM. Put in your details, your name, age, address and landline number” 

“Umm okay” the boy takes the paper and starts writing down and then hesitates before he voices out again “ I don’t have an address or contact number” He looks up to Jimin. “..yet” he adds.

“How old are you?” Jimin asks curiously, because he doesn’t want to employ a runaway child. On second look, the boy in front of him could be 17.

“I’m 23” the boy quickly responds. Jimin gives him a suspicious look. Then, he quickly adds “I am from the city, I’m looking for a fresh start…” he trails. “..I like this town” he adds and hands over the paper.

Jimin takes the paper and reads the name out loud. “Jeon Jungkook”

Jungkook nods. 

Then comes a toddler voice with honeyed lisp that only babies have “Jeon Jungkook!”

That’s when Jungkook notices a toddler standing behind Jimin. “Yes. that’s right” Jungkook smiles brightly at Arin and Arin quickly hides behind her dad again.

Jimin chuckles at that exchange “Okay, you can start tomorrow. At 5 -” 

“..I can start now” Jungkook interrupts with enthusiasm.

Jimin thinks about it for a few beats. “Okay, then, I can show you how I operate since we don’t have any customers now” 

“Jeon Jungkook!!” Arin yells, eliciting laughs from both Jimin and Jungkook.

Jimin leads Jungkook to the back kitchen first, showing where he prepares his pastries and cakes. All the mixing bowls, whisks and baking trays neatly arranged in a corner. There’s a fridge that holds a few baked and decorated cakes along with some mixed flour in huge bowls waiting to be  baked. He shows where he stores all his dry ingredients and wet ingredients. 

All through the explanation, Arin closely follows her dad, peeking her head from behind his legs while her dad explains away how everything works. 

Finally, Jimin shows Jungkook a worn out notebook which holds his handwritten recipes, that he perfected through the years. Jungkook keenly listens to the explanation and that puts Jimin at ease. He was doubtful to hire someone who does not have baking experience so watching Jungkook listening to him attentively makes him feel better about the hire.

It is nearly closing time when Jimin begins wiping down the counters. Jungkook lingers near the doorway, shifting from one foot to the other as if debating with himself. Finally, he clears his throat.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I stay here for a while? You can deduct it from my salary, I don’t mind.”

Jimin paused, cloth in hand, eyes narrowing. He hesitates but Jungkook rushes in quickly.

“I promise I won’t bother you. You, your wife, your kid…I won’t get in the way.”

That made Jimin scoff, as he set the cloth down with a little thump. He looks at Jungkook with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “There’s no wife. Just me and Arin.”

Jungkook’s face dawns with realisation but he doesn’t say anything about that.

Jimin finds himself looking away. After a beat, he exhales and nods. “Fine. You can’t stay in the bakery but you can stay where I stay” He goes back to wiping the counter. “I have a spare room that you can take” He adds.

After closing the bakery for the night, Jimin manages to lock the doors with one hand while carrying a very drowsy Arin against his shoulder. The little girl’s small fists clutching the fabric of his shirt. Jungkook walks beside him in silence, matching Jimin’s pace. 

By the time they reach Jimin’s house, a modest, two-story place with flower pots lining the small front step, Arin had already surrendered to sleep. Jimin slips off his shoes at the entryway and carries his daughter upstairs to tuck her into her bed. He silently nods to Jungkook so he can follow too. 

Jungkook waits outside the bedroom for Jimin to tuck his daughter. After a few moments, Jimin comes out and gestures to Jungkook to follow him down the hall.  

They walk down the hall and Jimin stops outside one of the doors. “It’s not much,” he says before opening the door.

The space is simple yet welcoming. A neatly made bed, there’s a small dresser against the wall, a closet and a window that is letting the glow of streetlight from outside. 

Jimin moves to adjust the curtains  “This’ll be yours for now,” he gestures. “Clean linens, extra blankets in the closet. The bathroom's just down the hall.” He says pointing at the direction of where the bathroom is.

After Jungkook places his duffel bag in the closet, Jimin walks him through the rest of the house. A small balcony at the end of the hall upstairs. There’s a narrow kitchen downstairs, all the dishes and mugs neatly arranged in the shelves. A living room that has a TV, and children's toys scattered all over the couch and floor.

Finally, he folds his arms and leans against the doorway. “That’s about it. Make yourself at home, but don’t make a mess. I don’t have the energy to clean up after another kid.”

Jungkook smiles faintly at that, sensing the gruffness is not serious. “Got it, you won't regret, I promise.”

This place exceeds Jungkook’s expectations, in fact he loves it. Everything about the house, bakery, this small town, and even his boss Jimin are welcoming and warm as opposed to the city and the life he just left for good. He can really see himself living here.

Chapter Text

The next morning rolls in, it is the weekend, Jimin does not open his bakery on the weekends unless there’s special reservations or orders. This is mainly to make sure he can spend a restful day with his daughter.

Jungkook wakes up earlier than Jimin and Arin, he decides to make breakfast. He looks for the ingredients and the right pan to make something. It takes him some time to figure out where everything is but he gets there quickly enough.

Jungkook makes a couple of toasts and whips up three omelettes with a sprinkle of sliced vegetables on top. 

He slices apples and then he cuts some of them up in the shapes of the stars and moon for Arin. Then he hears, voices of Jimin and Arin.

“What do you want for breakfast, baby?” He asks his daughter softly.

“Toast! Toast! Toast! ” Arin excitedly yells. 

“Oh you are up!” Jimin says, surprised when he sees Jungkook in the kitchen.

“Yea, I thought of making something” Jungkook gestures to the counter where he has already laid out what he was preparing.

Jimin looks surprised with a neatly laid out breakfast, Jungkook seems to notice that and he proudly smiles. 

“Looks like the toast is already ready!” Jimin looks at his daughter. 

He places her in the high chair for toddlers to eat, and makes a plate for her. He cuts up the toasts into tiny little pieces while Jungkook makes two plates for them.

Jungkook hands a plate with toast, omelette and sliced up fruits for Jimin and in another plate there’s apples cut up in different shapes, stars, moon and squares.

“This is for Arin” Jungkook places the plate in front of Arin. “..if she likes apples” he adds, hesitantly, looking at the toddler.

“Oh, you really made an effort on this one” Jimin smiles, amusement in his voice.

Arin reaches for a star-shaped piece with a squeaky little laugh. That reaction from Arin warms Jungkook’s heart.

“This is really good!” Jimin says, finishing the last bite from his plate and setting his fork down with a satisfied sigh.

“I was thinking… I want to go out today. Maybe check out the beach, explore the town a little.” Jungkook hesitates, then asks more carefully, “Do you think you and Arin would like to come along?”

Jimin blinks at him, caught off guard. “I usually stay in on weekends,” he admits, reaching for Arin’s sippy cup to help her take a sip. 

Before Jimin could add more. Arin lets out a squeaky, enthusiastic sound. “Beach?” she repeats, clapping her hands against the tray of her high chair, her eyes shining with excitement.

Jimin looks at her, then at Jungkook, lips pressed together. He sighs defeatedly, though a small smile breaks through. 

The vast ocean spreads across the entirety of the view, waves rolling and hitting the beach in a gentle rhythm. Jungkook holds his film camera up to his eye, the click of the shutter capturing fragments of the day. He captures the tide, children running, then he turns the lens towards Jimin and Arin.

Jimin is crouching in the sand with his sleeves rolled up to his elbow. He is guiding Arin’s tiny hands as she packs the wet sand into a little sandcastle. She is giggling as she taps the sand against the crooked little castle.

Jungkook smiles behind the camera and snaps the moment.

Just as quickly the beautiful moment turned into chaos when the bucket next to the castle tips over spilling all the seashells that they collected over the sand castle. That impact of seashells made the castle to slowly crumble down, into a blob of shapeless sand.

Arin lets out a loud wail at the sight of her now non-existent sandcastle. 

“Hey, hey… it's okay, we can make this again” Jimin quickly chimes in, and tries to save the unsalvageable sandcastle.

“Nooo, it is ugly now” Arin cries in frustration, tears streaming down her puffed cheeks.

“Sweetheart, this …” Jimin tugs at Arin who is now lying on the sand flailing her arms while she cries. “..come here look” He tries.

Arin pays no mind to Jimin's effort and trashes her legs, her cries rising louder. 

Jimin gives up the sandcastle and collects his frustrated little daughter in his arms. “Its okay.. sweetheart. We can make it again” Arin’s loud cries turn into much quieter cries. “… do you wanna play with the waves? Hmm” Jimin asks softly. Arin shakes her head no, while she takes big breaths, still crying.

Jungkook is at a loss for a second before he crouches beside them. He puts the camera near Arin.

“Arin,” Jungkook says softly to get her attention. He presses the button and there’s a click sound.  “Look. It makes a sound. Wanna see? ”

She hiccups, still sobbing, but her little head turns just enough to peek at him. Another click, the tiny reel turning inside, and her cries falters into curiosity.

Jimin exhales hard, brushing sand from her sticky cheeks as she reaches out a hand for the camera. His shoulders sag in relief. “Thank you… you’re a lifesaver,” he mutters, his voice a mix of exhaustion and gratitude.

Jungkook chuckles while shaking his head. “Guess she’s got good taste in technology.”

Jimin laughs, hugging his daughter close while her tears finally dwindle.

By the time the sun dipped low, streaking hues of purple and pink, they left the beach behind and wandered into the local supermarket. 

The chatter of everyone shopping fills the supermarket as Jimin reaches for a basket. Arin toddles along beside him, still clutching her emotional support doll, her little sandals squeaking against the floor.

They move through the aisles - cereals, eggs, rice, vegetables. Jimin reaches automatically for the brands he always bought, moving with the efficiency of someone who had done this countless times. Jungkook follows with quieter curiosity, slipping a packet of ramen and a jar of peanut butter into the basket for his own purchase.

Everything is calm until Arin’s small gasp breaks the silence. She stops dead in front of the toy section, her eyes glued to a penguin plushie perched neatly on the middle shelf. The penguin plushie is huge, soft and pink.

“Papa! Want it!” she squeals, bouncing on her toes, pointing her little finger to the pink penguin plushie.

Jimin’s brows knit immediately. “Arin, no. We’re here for food, not toys.” He tugs lightly at her hand, but she doesn't budge.

She shakes her head fiercely. “Please!  Want her!”

“Arin.” His voice lowers, firmer now. “Look, you already have Bubu in your hand and have more at home. You don’t need another one.”

Her lip wobbles. “But I dont have pink penguin…” Her voice cracks, her other hand clutching at his shirt sleeve.

Jimin crouches down, meeting her watery eyes. “Baby, listen. We can’t get everything we want every time we see it. That’s not how it works. You have plenty of toys at home.” He tries to explain to his little daughter.

The beginnings of a tantrum brewing. She stomps her foot hard against the floor “Don’t want old toys! Want this one!”

“Arin,” Jimin sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Enough. I said no.”

Her cheeks flushes bright red, tears spilling freely as she starts crying, tiny fists tight at her sides. 

Jimin tries again, softer this time. “We’ll come back another time, okay? But not today.”

Jungkook finally crouches down beside her, silent until now. He studies her red face, then the doll, then Jimin’s exasperated expression. Slowly, without a word, he reaches up and pulls the pink penguin plushie.

“Here,” Jungkook says gently, holding the plushie out to Arin. “This is yours.”

Her crying stops instantly. She blinks at him through damp lashes, then lets out a delighted squeal, hugging the plushie to her chest with both arms after giving the doll she already had to Jimin.

“Jungkook,” Jimin says sharply, straightening up. “You don't have to, she needs to learn to have a no for an answer.”

“It’s my first gift for her,” Jungkook replied calmly, his gaze stayed on Arin’s bright, relieved smile.

Jimin wants to argue but then he looks at Arin, who is already cuddling the plushie like it is the most precious thing in the world. His sigh comes out defeated.

“You’re spoiling her,” he mutters, shaking his head.

“Maybe, but I hope she doesn’t forget who gave her this one.” Jungkook smiles.

Jimin shoots him an annoyed look before smiling too.

Chapter Text

The morning sunlight creeps through the curtains, and Jimin stirs awake. The first thing he does, like every morning, is glance toward the crib. His chest seizes when he sees it empty.

“Arin?” His voice cracks with panic as he throws off the blanket, already halfway to the door.

He rushes down the hall, heart pounding, but stops short at the sound of laughter drifting from the living room.

There, in the middle of the room, Jungkook is swaying while singing along to the cartoon song playing on the TV, holding Arin securely on his hip in one hand and holding a plate of star shaped apples in another.

Arin happily nibbles one star shaped apple while giggling at his silly dance.

Relief crashes over Jimi. “God…” he mutters, running a hand through his hair as he walks towards them. “Scared me to death.”

Jungkook glances over, sheepish but still moving to the beat. “She was outside your bedroom door when I woke up. Figured I’d keep her company.” He lifts the plate slightly in explanation. “Breakfast and cartoon”

Arin squeals as Jungkook makes another slow spin and smashes another apple star into her mouth.

Jimin exhales slowly, the panic ebbing away. He crosses his arms and asks “Where did you learn the lyrics for the cartoon?”

“What do old people like you know about cartoons!” Jungkook replies and Arin giggles while munching the apple.

“Old people! Papa is old people!” She says, giggling.

“Heyyy! I’m not old! I am 29!” Jimin protests.

“Yes, that’s old.” Jungkook lazily replies.

Jimin throws another mock annoyance in his expression but he is grateful. He was worried about how Arin would feel to have someone new in their home. The only person the three year old has lived with is Jimin. Surprisingly only took couple of weeks for Arin and Jungkook to warm up with each other.

Usually, if Arin wakes up early she would stay in her crib and play with her toys till Jimin stirs awake. 

He is grateful that today she is happy and fed, it is really helpful to have someone around. He did not have help in anything for years so this feels new yet comforting to Jimin. For once in a long time, he now has a little space for him to not be on top of his game all the time. He also reminds himself that having Jungkook around is temporary and may be he should hire a nanny for Arin once Jungkook moves out.

After all the loud giggles and running around the living room, Arin finally drifts into her afternoon nap, her penguin plushie clutched tightly in her arms. The house grows quiet except for the random programme still playing on the TV.

Jungkook stretches his arms and heads for the kitchen. “I’ll make lunch,” he says casually, already rummaging through the cabinets. “Maybe some vegetable soup, fried chicken and rice?”

Jimin follows, eyebrows raised. “You can cook all that?”

“Of course, I can ,” Jungkook replies, pride playing in his voice. He pulls out a pan and sets it on the stove, glancing at the vegetables Jimin had bought yesterday. “Might not be fancy, but edible.”

Jimin chuckles, leaning against the counter at first, watching him work. But soon enough he steps closer, reaching for the cutting board. “I can help.  Here, let me.”

Their hands brush when Jimin takes the mushrooms from the younger, the light contact pulling Jungkook’s eyes up to his face. Jimin feels Jungkook’s eyes on him but he doesn’t look back, pretends to be focused on slicing the vegetable. Then, Jungkook turns his attention back to the boiling broth.

The brief moment when their hands brush left both their hearts pounding with loads of adrenaline rush. Jimin remains focused on cutting the vegetables in smaller pieces.

“Relax, you are not in a cooking competition,” Jungkook teases.

“Slicing vegetables are important for the taste of the dish!,” Jimin retorts, there's a smile on his lips.

The air shifts to warm and charged in a way neither of them acknowledges outright. They move around each other in the small kitchen, shoulders brushing, sharing utensils, their rhythm slowly syncing.

At one point Jimin leans across Jungkook to grab the salt, his sleeve brushing against Jungkook’s arm, and for a brief second, both of them pause before continuing as if nothing happened.

When the vegetable soup is almost ready, Jungkook takes a spoonful and blows the spoon so the heat dissipates before holding it out for Jimin.

 “Not bad,” Jimin admits after slurping the soup from the spoon.

Jungkook grins, standing a little too close beside him. “Told you it’d be edible.”

Jungkook feels warm making meals for Jimin and his daughter. Half of the time Jungkook forgets that Jimin is his boss. Talking to Jimin comes easy. He anticipated a certain level of unease when he first came here but so far it has only been liberating comfort that he has never felt with anyone before. Although it has only been a few weeks since he came to this town and got acquainted with this stranger who only exudes warmth, he feels like he has known this stranger all his life.

The next morning rush had eased, both of them came to the bakery around 5am to prepare and bake fresh pastries for their 8AM customers. Arin slept away the entire time, Jimin says she usually wakes up at around 9AM.

The bakery is warm with the smell of butter and sugar. Jimin ties his apron tighter, sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows as he gestures to Jungkook to come closer to the counter. Jimin is determined to teach Jungkook some of the easy recipes so he can take over the harder ones.

“Alright,” he says, sliding a bowl of flour and sugar toward him. “Simple sponge cake. No one can mess this up.”

Jungkook nods, rolling up his sleeves. “Okay, tell me what I should do.”

Within minutes, Jimin is proven wrong. Jungkook can mess up simple sponge cake.

Flour coats the counter, their shirt, even the tip of Jungkook’s nose. Jungkook stirs too aggressively, sending little puffs of powder into the air, coughing dramatically as Jimin glares.

“Not like that! Gentle,” Jimin snaps, grabbing the whisk from him to demonstrate. His movements are quick and precise, fluid in a way that makes Jungkook stare. 

Jungkook not only stares at Jimin’s skillful hands whisking the ingredients in the bowl, his gaze quickly shoots up to Jimin’s face. He notices how the other’s brow is knitting together in concentration, the plump lips before shaking his head and turning his gaze back to the mixing bowl.

When Jimin hands it back, Jungkook tries again, this time better. However, when he cracks an egg next, Jungkook does it so clumsily that half the shell plops into the bowl.

“Oh my god,” Jimin mutters, fishing the shards out with annoyance. “You’re hopeless.”

Jungkook laughs, unbothered. “Hopelessly charming?”

“Hopelessly irritating.” Jimin shoots him a look, but his lips twitch, before he smiles widely..

They move through the recipe with Jimin correcting nearly every step. 

“No, not that much sugar” 

“Why are you whisking like you’re trying to kill it? Use less force” 

“That’s salt, Jungkook!”

“Only a pinch of baking soda not a whole packet of it!”

After a whole battle in the kitchen, the batter is finally in the pan and the oven door closes.

Jungkook leans against the counter, dusted in flour, looking far too pleased with himself. “See? Teamwork.”

Jimin sighs, shaking his head, “You’d burn this place down without me.”

“I think I enjoy doing this with you, I don’t think I will enjoy it if I bake alone,” Jungkook says easily, and for a moment the kitchen air feels warmer than the ovens.

Chapter Text

The sponge cake sits cooling on the rack, the sweet smell filling every corner of the bakery. Jimin is wiping down the counter, muttering about the flour explosion Jungkook left behind. When he notices the younger man has gone quiet, he voices out.

“Is everything okay?”

Jungkook stops arranging the doughnuts in the showcase and turns to look at Jimin. For once, he’s not smirking or smiling.

“Nothing,” he hesitates, instead of answering yes or no.

Jimin looks up, pausing with the cloth still in his hand. “What is wrong?”

There’s a beat of silence before Jungkook exhales. “I didn’t just come here for fun. I… I needed a fresh start.” His gaze drops to the floor. “Back home, my dad’s been pressuring me to take over his business. It’s this huge responsibility, and no matter how much I tried, I just…” he shakes his head, “..I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Jimin sets the cloth down, leaning on the counter, listening.

“So I ran,” Jungkook admits, “Everyone probably thinks I’m some spoiled kid avoiding real life, but the truth is… I don’t want that life. I’ve always wanted to be a photographer. It’s the only thing that feels like mine.” His voice breaks.

Jungkook glances at Jimin, as though bracing himself for judgement or statement just like everyone else.

Jimin doesn’t speak right away, he studies Jungkook, the way his shoulders curve like he’s been carrying something too heavy. Jimin realises the boy in front of him has been carrying some sadness within him. Finally, Jimin crosses his arms, tilts his head slightly.

“You’re terrible at baking,” he says simply.

Jungkook blinks. “Huh?”

“But… you’re good with a camera,” Jimin continues. “I saw the way you were at the beach. The way you looked through the lens…you were not just pressing the button”

The expression on Jungkook changes to something that looks like relief.

Jimin shrugs. “If photography is what you want, then it’s not running away. It’s choosing yourself.”

Jungkook smiles and continues to arrange the doughnuts in the glass display.

The windchime above the bakery door jingles, and a group of girls spill in. The calm atmosphere of the bakery instantly filled with laughter and chatters. Jimin looks up from behind the counter, instantly recognizing them. They are regulars from the neighborhood.

“Heyyyy, I am back!” one of them chirps, leaning on the counter near Jimin. “The usual, please.”

Jimin nods, reaching for a pastry bag to pack a couple of doughnuts and apple danish that the girls usually order. 

One of the girls goes near Jungkook who is wiping the counter with his sleeves rolled up,

“Who’s this?” she asks, pointing to Jungkook.

Jungkook glances up and politely replies. “Uh.. I’m Jungkook. New assistant here.”

“Ohhh..” She steps closer, she’s curious about him “You look like you belong in magazines, not in a bakery.”

Jungkook smiles awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “Oh… you’re exaggerating.”

She quickly replies. “No.. You are really handsome.” and the rest of the girls chimes in.

“Yea, he could definitely be a model, don’t you think?” asking another girl

“Yea, yea! Look at his puppy eyes”

Jungkook turns beet red from all the attention, he just laughs awkwardly. 

Something churns in Jimin’s stomach, he feels jealousy bubbling in him. Not because Jungkook is getting attention from the girls but not him. He feels … possessive over Jungkook. 

I need to get a grip, Jimin thinks to himself and that's when he realises he has been crushing the pastry bag he is holding.

He smoothes out the crumples and fills the rest of the bags.

“Your order,” he says flatly, sliding the bags across the counter towards the girls.

The girl blinks, then smiles sweetly at Jungkook again. “See you around, Jungkook.”

“Yeah,” Jungkook looks flustered.

The windchime jingles as they leave, the bakery returns to the quiet warmth after the group of girls leaves.

Jimin is still trying to muster up a neutral expression on his face because he can feel Jungkook’s eyes on him.

Jungkook frowns. “Is something wrong?”

“No… Nothing,” Jimin cuts in quickly, pretends to check the number of slices left in the glass case.

Jimin feels hot all of a sudden, and this unfamiliar feeling spreads through him. He asks himself why he was feeling that way when the girls were being flirty with Jungkook.

The rest of the day goes in silence between them, customers coming and going. Jimin busies himself with his daughter’s antics. Jungkook takes over the cash counter and packs the pastries, without Jimin instructing him to do so.

It starts raining in the middle of the night, Jimin found Arin heating up and she did not get an ounce of sleep the entire night, neither did Jimin. He stayed up all night taking care of a really grumpy toddler.

She only fell asleep at the break of dawn but Jimin has to get ready to go to the bakery. After settling Arin in the crib at the corner of the bakery, Jimin quickly got into baking the chocolate chip cookies and the pastries.

Jungkook on the other hand wipes down the entire glass counter and sterilises the counter before Jimin moves to that counter to bake some cakes.

“Do you need help with that?” Jungkook asks Jimin who is kneading the dough.

“No, it's okay. Maybe you can decorate the doughnuts later” Jimin dismisses Jungkook’s help.

The 8AM customers start to stream in, Jungkook takes over the cash counter yet again while Jimin remains in the back kitchen, moving to baking the cakes. 

Once he puts the batter in the oven, he comes to check what is going on. He finds Jungkook leaning against the wall near the cashier counter.

Arin stirs awake from her sleep. She rubs her eyes and gets out of her crib. She toddles over to Jimin.

“Papa” She says, dragging a doll in one of her arms.

Jimin bends and scoops her up. He places the back of his hand to check his daughter's temperature. He sighs in relief, the temperature is back to normal.

“You feeling better, baby?” He asks, his daughter fondly. She doesn’t respond, she simply places her head against his shoulder.

“She’s sick?” Jungkook looks concerned.

“Yes, she was burning up a little all night” Jimin glances at Jungkook “But she is all better now” He ensures Jimin “Are’t you. baby?” He tugs Arin’s little hands, before pressing a kiss to her hair.

With one arm around Arin, Jimin reaches into the pocket of his apron. He pulls out a small slip of paper, scribbled with a number in his neat handwriting. Sliding it across the counter toward Jungkook, he says, “A friend of mine is looking for a pre-wedding photo shoot. You could contact them. Try it out. See how it goes.”

Jungkook stares at the paper, blinking. His throat works as he swallows. “You’re serious?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Jimin shifts Arin to his other arm, bouncing her gently as she hums against his shoulder. “You need to start somewhere. So I thought…I could help you a little.”

For a second Jungkook doesn’t move. Then he steps forward, picking up the paper carefully, his eyes little glassy “Thank you, Really, You have no idea-”

“You really don’t have to thank me” Jimin interrupts, with a smile.

Arin wiggles in Jimin’s arms, reaching her tiny hand toward Jungkook. “Jeon Jungkook!,” she chirps.

Jungkook laughs softly, taking her hand for a brief squeeze. “Arin, cutie,” he says, his grin trembling and he turns to Jimin to give him an earnest look.

Jimin smiles back, recognizing the sincerity in the other.

Chapter Text

It’s a sunny weekend, Jungkook left early in the morning for the prewedding photo shoot, he said something about catching the early sunrise by the beach.

Arin is dancing in the living room after her lunch, toys scattered all over the floor. Jimin is sitting on the floor, watching her after he spent the entire morning playing with her and making up stories with her Barbie dolls to entertain his daughter. 

Jungkook barrels inside with a huge grin on his face. He has a stack of freshly developed photos clutched in chest and a small paper bag of new film rolls.

“How did it go?” Jimin asks, as soon as he notices Jungkook is back.

“It went very well” Jungkook lays out the photos on the coffee table near where Jimin is sitting. “Namjoon and Jin were very cooperative… and we were able to catch the early morning sun”

“That sounds great” Jimin smiles at Jungkook who is exuding enthusiasm.

Jungkook slides a few of the prints. “Look. They turned out better than I thought. I hope they love it when I deliver it to them tomorrow.”

Jimin looks at the photographs, they look like they are taken by a professional camera crew. The early morning sun behind the couple, a lot of candid laughter and some beautiful shots near the waves. “They are good” Jimin admits. “You have an eye for it”

Jungkook beams at the praise. “I bought more films. So I can capture more.” Jungkook feels even more satisfaction with Jimin’s praise than he expected. Namjoon and Jin were praising all morning although he did feel happy about it, validation from Jimin feels far more special. 

Arin tugs at Jimin’s sleeve. “Papa, pretty picture,” she says, pointing at the photo of Jin laughing.

“Yeah,” Jimin ruffles her hair. “Pretty picture.” He sets the photos aside before Jungkook can see how much he’s lingering on them.

Jungkook leans closer, watching him. “Is baking your passion? Like photography is for me?”

A beat passes, Jungkook feels like he asked something wrong.

Jimin ruffles Arin’s hair again, his gaze fixed on her when she wiggles away to play with her dolls. He finally nods. “Yea, it is”

Something like hesitation flickers in his expression before he exhales and looks at Jungkook. “I wanted to get a proper degree before getting a job as a pastry chef.”

Jungkook breathes in, his heart clenches when he sees a vulnerable look pass Jimin’s face.

Jimin speaks again, quieter now “I had a girlfriend once. As soon as Arin was born, she left. She did not like the life. So, it has been me and Arin since the very beginning.” 

Then, Jimin looks at his daughter again who is giggling while playing with her dolls. “For her, I had to give up getting the degree, so I thought the recipes myself and opened the bakery”

Jungkook smiles at that. Jimin is only a couple of years older than him, Jungkook cannot imagine how it must have been to raise a newborn daughter all alone. The responsibility to take care of her must have been huge and overwhelming, and he isn’t sure he could have done as well as Jimin if he were put in the same situation

Jimin doesn't usually hand out the truth that easily to anyone, in fact, this is the first time he has said anything about his past on his own. He quickly busies himself in arranging the Lego pieces nearby.

Jungkook notices that Jimin’s shoulders are tense. Jimin rests his hand against Arin’s back instinctively when she tries to climb the couch.

“You have done amazing” Jungkook finally speaks and gently pats Jimin’s shoulder. “You don’t need that degree, your pastries are already Michelin level”

Jimin scoffs ”Come on” 

“No really, I have tasted Michelin pastries. I am not biased when I say yours is equally good. Maybe even better” Jungkook reaffirms.

Jimin turns to lock eyes with Jungkook and all he sees is sincerity, he was expecting a teasing look. He suddenly feels his vision turning blur and he quickly looks away.

Jungkook squeezes Jimin’s shoulder a few times. He understands Jimin needs space so he carries Arin to go look at the flower pots in front of the house, to see if there’s any new blooms.

Jimin feels at ease even if he did not go into much details on what happened. It’s not because he is not willing to share with Jungkook, he just did not want to make the entire situation too grim when Jungkook is feeling happy after the photoshoot. 

He did not know that talking about it can feel like a weight has lifted. He does have friends who really care about him but he could never open up about this particular part of his life. There’s something about Jungkook that puts him at ease, makes him want to talk about all his deep dark sad feelings that he kept buried in his heart.

One night, a few days later, after Arin is tucked into her bed after dinner, Jungkook suggested they make some carbonara and have some soju to celebrate - Namjoon and Jin liked his pictures so much that they booked him for their wedding too.

The kitchen is filled with the smell of garlic sizzling in butter. Jimin stays close watching Jungkook work. He helps occasionally when Jungkook needs some utensils or a pan.

In the narrow kitchen, as soon as one moves, their shoulder brushes. Jimin holds his breath everytime there’s skinship. Their shoulders brush too often to be ignored and none of them are making an effort to avoid it either.

“Careful,” Jimin mutters when Jungkook touches the hot pan while stirring the food. Jungkook hisses in pain. Jimin quickly reaches over and takes his hand to blow the reddening skin.

“No this won’t do” Jimin panics and runs the cool water over the sink before putting both their hands under the stream.

Jungkook glances up. Their eyes meet.The air stills. 

Jimin is holding his breath again and Jungkook can feel his heartbeat going wild against his chest.

Neither of them move, Jungkook leans in every so slightly and Jimin can feel the whisper of his breath.

Jimin does not pull away. Without even thinking about it, his lips part slightly and Jungkook’s gaze darts from his eyes to his lips.

Then the spoon clatters from the pot, startling them both. Jimin jerks back, clearing his throat, snatching up the spoon like nothing happened.

“Don’t burn the food,” he mutters, trying to mask the flush creeping up his neck.

Jungkook forces an awkward laugh, but his eyes linger on Jimin’s profile, “Yea….Right. The food.”

They both do not acknowledge what almost happened as they finish their dinner.

Soon after dinner, they found themselves sitting on the kitchen floor against the cabinet, drinking soju straight from the bottle.

Jungkook lifts his camera and clicks.

Jimin tries to catch Jungkook. “Hey what are you doing??”

“Don’t move,” Jungkook murmurs, already adjusting the focus. “You look… perfect like this.” Jungkook continues to snap more pictures.

Jimin scoffs, but his ears turn pink. “I’m sitting on the kitchen floor, wearing white and white. Hardly perfect.”

“You don’t see it,” Jungkook says quietly, almost to himself. “But I do.” Another click.

Jimin swallows, unable to hold his gaze, so he snatches the camera when Jungkook lowers it. “Fine. My turn.”

Jungkook tries to snatch “Hey come on, Give it back to me.”

Jimin giggles and snaps a photo. 

“What are you doing, give me back the camera” Jungkook laughs and comes closer. Jimin is still clicking away while giggling louder.

As a last measure, Jungkook crowds Jimin, putting both his hands on either side of Jimin against the cabinet. 

Their eyes meet. The laughter and giggling quickly dies and the room is quiet. Jimin slowly gives back the camera, Jungkook takes it and places it on the floor next to them.

The world blurred and Jimin swears he saw Jungkook’s gaze darting to his lips.

Jungkook breaks the silence “Jimin… I think I found a place for myself” His voice careful, he is reading Jimin’s expression. 

Jimin feels his heart clench painfully “..A place?” he says, unable to hide the disappointment in his voice.

“Yea, a small studio, nothing fancy. Enough for me to stay and work on photography” Jungkook looks at Jimin intensely, like he is trying to read what is going on in the other’s mind.

“Oh..” Jimin looks away. “That’s….good. You need your own space” He covers it with a shrug.

Jimin feels his chest tightens, he really got used to having someone around, he doesn’t want Jungkook to leave but who is he to dictate what Jungkook should or shouldn't do.

Jungkook tilts his head, watching him. “Do you mean that? Is it good?.”

Jimin exhales slowly, leaning against the cabinet. He won’t meet Jungkook’s eyes. “You should… do what you want.”

Silence stretches. Then Jungkook’s voice dropping lower. “But what if what I want… isn’t to leave?”

Jimin’s head snaps up, his breath caught. Jungkook’s gaze holds his like he is daring Jimin to answer.

For a moment, Jimin’s mask falters. He looks away again, his fingers curling the hem of his shirt. “…Don’t say things that…….you don’t mean,” he mutters, but his voice cracks a little.

Jungkook doesn’t push further, he moves away. He only smiles faintly.

Jimin reads the others expression, the look on Jungkook is almost sad, like he is disappointed. If he found a place for himself, shouldn’t he be happy?

A couple days later, Jungkook goes to the town after his bakery shift to develop the pictures they took and buy more films for Namjoon and Jin’s upcoming wedding.

Inside, the living room is filled with Arin’s giggling and laughter. Jimin sit right beside her making funny voices pretending to make her dolls talk.

“Papa, noo, she is flying” Arin corrects him.

“Flying?” Jimin echoes, lifting the doll higher. “Alright, flying.”

The door clicks open. Jungkook steps in, waving the envelope. “Guess what I have.”

Arin’s eyes light up. “Snack?”

Jungkook chuckles. “Yes, that too but I have something better.” He takes out a bar of chocolate out of his pocket and hands it to Arin.

Arin squeals as soon as she sees her favourite chocolate bar.

He sits on the couch, patting the cushion until Jimin reluctantly joins, Arin climbing up after them. Carefully, Jungkook slides the photos out, laying them across the coffee table.

There’s Jimin in white on the kitchen floor, head tilted slightly, eyes soft. Jimin wonders if that’s how he looks, he looks photogenic in these pictures.

There’s Jungkook who is grinning wide, like he is not ready for the photo but the picture still turned out good.

There’s a picture of Arin and Jimin making sandcastles by the beach. Arin smiling wide, her baby teeth showing.

Then, Jimin sees a picture of him casually posing making a ‘V’ with his thumb and forefinger under his chin. He is not even smiling in the picture.

Jimin scoffs, looking at the picture. “Why… why would you keep this one? I am not even smiling”

“Because it’s my favorite,” Jungkook answers without hesitation. His gaze flicks from the photo to Jimin’s face. “You’re… really pretty. I would develop every picture I take of you.”

Jimin blinks, caught off guard, he is lost of words. He opens his mouth and closes, fumbling to find something, anything to say.

Arin giggles, pointing at one of the blurry photos of Jimin. “Papa funny!”

Jimin laughs at his daughter, trying to cover up how Jungkook’s words affected him.

It’s the day of Namjoon and Jin’s wedding. It is small and intimate, only a few friends and some of the family members are there. Jimin recognizes most of them. Scent of flowers and soft music fills the evening air.

Jimin stands at the edge of the crowd, with a champagne glass in his hand, next to a guy he went to high school with. His eyes land on the couple then quickly darts to someone near to them. Jungkook is adjusting the strap of his camera and he is looking at Jimin, his entire posture facing Jimin, not the couple.

Jimin quickly looks away and engages in more small talks.

Throughout the event, even if they are far apart, with so many people in between them, every so often their eyes always find each other. 

Every time one of them darts a glance, the other is already watching.

By the time they leave, it is already midnight. The cool air hits their face, the streets have quieted down.

As soon as Jimin entered, the sitter greets them with a smile. “Arin went down easy. She’s already asleep upstairs”

Jimin thanks her and gives her the fee. Once she’s gone, he shrugs his coat and holds it in his hand.

The space feels too quiet with just two of them in complete silence. Jungkook loosens his tie and watches Jimin for a beat too long. He breaks the silence “ What are we?”

Jimin stills, “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.” There’s something vulnerable in Jungkook’s voice. “We’re not just… friends. I don’t look at you like that. And you…” he swallows “...you don’t look at me like that either…”

Jimin exhales, running a hand through his hair, buying time. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Really? Is that what you want to do” Jungkook asks, annoyance in his voice. 

Jungkook comes closer to Jimin and exhale. “I like you. More than I should. More than I can hide. And I don’t want to leave, because being here with you, with Arin..it feels like…” He trails off, shaking his head. “...home.” the last word, almost a whisper.

Jimin’s chest tightens at the words thrown at him. He immediately wants to build the walls higher and push Jungkook away. 

“I don’t know what you think of me but whenever I am near you, I feel..” Jungkook trails

Truth is even if Jimin wants to push Jungkook far away and never lay his eyes on him again, Jimin knows he doesn’t have the strength to do it. It would be a self inflicting pain, if he does that.

Deep down, if he is truly speaking from his heart, all he wants to do is pull Jungkook close and never let him go. To learn more about Jungkook, to spend every weekends with him, to always have him around as long as the universe will allow.

Jimin finally meets the gaze of Jungkook who has been burning holes through his gaze “ You think you are the only one?” He says, sharply “ I have been losing my mind every time you smile at me, every time you look at Arin like she is yours too” 

Jungkook’s eyes widens, like that is not what he was expecting to hear from Jimin  “So you…?”

Jimin nods. “ When I am with you I feel…”

Before he could finish the sentence, Jimin feels a soft lips crashing against his own. The kiss is soft, lingering like Jungkook is pouring whatever that was unspoken between them through the kiss.

Jungkook’s hands wrap around Jimin’s waist and Jimin gasps softly. Jungkook pulls him closer to deepen the kiss. 

Jungkook’s hand slowly trails from the waist to his chest right above his wildly beating heart. “Adrenaline rush” Jungkook heaves, the words are mostly air, breaking the kiss.

“Huh?” Jimin looks confused, his pupils blown wide.

Jungkook takes Jimin’s hand and presses it to his own chest, where his heart is racing, as if running miles in a single breath.

“When I am with you…. Adrenaline rush” That’s the most coherent sentence Jungkook can muster up, he is still affected by the searing kiss.

Jimin understands, instead of saying ‘me too’, he guides Jungkook’s hand over his chest where his own heart is erratic. “Adrenaline rush” he murmurs.