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Jimin should have known third-wheeling with his best friend and his boyfriend would have ended up like this. He successfully managed to advert Taehyung and Jeongguk's focus from the two seater rides to the ones with at least 3 or more since they first arrived at the amusement park, but he blames himself when he had one to many waters and slipped away to the bathroom for a mere 2 minutes. He should have known better really.
"Jiminie, we have been riding the rides you wanted to ride all day! It's almost time to leave and we didn't even get to the main attraction." Taehyung whined as he stuffed a churro in mouth trying to eat the rest before Jeongguk could steal it back off of him.
"But I'm pretty sure it's only a two seater..." Jimin mumbled, already close to having a mental break down thinking about riding the scariest ride alone without his dongsaengs there to protect him. He may be the eldest out of their friend group but that didn't mean he wasn't allowed to act like a 'complete baby' when it came to roller coasters as Jeongguk would say.
"It won't be that bad Hyung, I think I saw a group of little girls come off just fine." He teased, poking the elders puffed out cheeks.
Jimin silently agreed while walking towards the ride while his friends squealed happily behind them. Why did I even tag along? He wondered.
-
40 long strenuous minutes waiting, forced to hear the screams of the innocent people as their souls probably descended from their bodies on the 300 foot drop at the beginning of the ride, and finally they were nearing the front of the line.
"If I die on this will you tell my family I love them?" Jimin asked as his eyes never left the ride as it started to slowly climb the tracks before teetering over the edge sending people flying at an ungodly speed, hurtling towards the ground only to even out at the last second.
"What did you say Hyung? Jeongguk questioned while still keeping his attention to something Taehyung was showing him on his phone.
"Nothing." He grumbled back. He was grumpy no doubt. Probably would have even turned into a whiney brat and throw a bit of a fit like he does when he doesn't get his way but there were too many judgmental eyes around him so he held it in. But he damn knew for sure that they would be getting an earful on the drive back home.
"Any single riders?" A voiced yelled from the front of the line. Before Jimin knew what was happening he was being shoved to the front by his friends, throwing him thumbs up wishing him well in the hell he was about to endure. He kinda blacked out and next thing he knew the the automatic seatbelts where coming down over his front, locking him into place. Making it way to late to turn back now.
"Doesn't look like you like coasters much, huh kid?" A voice teased next to him causing Jimin to looked up for the first time and holy shit Jimin doesn't think he's met anyone more attractive.
"U-um no. Not really... But I'll be fine." he stuttered out, a blush creeping up onto his face as he adverted his eyes from the other mans beautiful yet intimidating eyes. He heard a hushed chuckle from seat beside him followed by a "whatever you say man."
His pride would have been a little hurt but he didn't have enough time to focus because before he knew it the ride screamed out with an loud screech, causing him to grip at the shoulder harness so hard that his knuckles turned a pale white color. He threw his head back against the headrest and awaited his pending doom.
He silently cursed inside his head as the ride started to slowly creep up the tracts and god damn did it feel like an eternity before they even reached the top. His heart was racing and he swore he didn't have a fear of heights but being up this high made him feel some type of way as he peeked his eyes open to look at the horizon in front of him. He tried to will away the feeling of nausea that was closing in on him, he really didn't want to blow chunks next to the hot guy next to him because he would never let himself live that down.
Moments away from the ride taking the first plunge, a deafening screeching sound filled his ears as the ride skidded to a halt causing his whole body to go numb in panic. And of course, the goddamn ride is broken.
Honesty he should have suspected this with the sheer amount of luck he had, and also this ride looked hundreds of years old.
You see, he probably should have been thinking of ways to kill his friends that were safely located on the ground, maybe he would strangle them.. who knows but no. Jimin did not have the luxury of trying to plan his friends homicide because he quickly felt his breathing become more shallow. Every breath harder than the last and this is honestly just what he needed. Having a panic attack while stuck at the top of a roller coaster. Cross that off the bucket list.
He could here the hushed murmurs and whispers of the other riders, their talk muffled in his ears as he listened to the blood corse through his ears. He faintly heard a voice that sounded close to him yet far away at the same time. His head slowly swiveled to his left making eye contact with the side of the strangers face as he calmly stared into the sky before them.
"W-what did— huh?" Jimin pushed out. The boy with snow blonde hair beside him finally broke contact with the horizon, meeting the younger's frightened gaze.
"I said this thing breaks down all the— Woah, are you alright, kid?" The blonde spoke with worry evident in his voice. His coffee colored eyes searched the clearly younger boys face, taking in the tears that were threatening to spill from his eyes and his ragged breath.
Normally Yoongi would have rolled his eyes and minded his own business, but he felt a little twinge in his heart as the boy let a muffled sob slip past his extremely plump lips. Min Yoongi wasn't the best one to comfort people but he would sure as hell try.
"Hey, it's going to be okay...okay?" He spoke softly, reassurance laced through his words . He had been told that his voice was particularly calming hundreds of times by his annoying friends, calling him at 4am so he could talk them to sleep but it seemed to be having little to no affect on the shaking boy.
"Can't— can't-breathe." He heard the boy choke out as an endless stream of tears spilled down his splotchy red cheeks.
Yoongi's eyes widened in horror as realization set in, this boy wasn't just freaking out because the ride stopped. He was having what looked like a panic attack.
Yoongi had dealt with panic attacks before. Not himself per say but his friend Hoseok would constantly have panic attacks when they were younger, so he knew what helps to some extent. Even though everyone deals with them differently he had a hunch that being 300 feet in the air and a harness strapped over their chest that was making it a little hard to breathe, even for Yoongi, wasn't going to make it any better.
"Hey, you're going to be okay. What's you're name?"
"J-Jimin"
"Jimin, you are safe. You need to breathe."
The shoulder harness obstructed his view a bit but he tried turning his head as far as it would go, holding a steady gaze with Jimin.
Stretching his arm towards the boy he made contact with his firm thigh, gently caressing it trying to distract Jimin. Yoongi wasn't really sure if it would help. Some people need someone to hold and others like to not be touched. Yoongi was just straight up taking a leap of faith, wanting to calm Jimin down as much as he could.
He was startled when he felt a hand come down on top of his and Yoongi thought for sure Jimin would push his hand right off. Yelling at him for invading his personal space.
But he didn't.
Jimin's significantly smaller hand gripped at Yoongi's, slotting their fingers together tightly. Yoongi would be lying if he said that it didn't make his heart flutter a little bit.
"Jimin, I don't know when but this ride is going to start back up again and we are going to get sent down that hill. I know you don't want to do this anymore but it's the only way to get off. I need you to be ready for that, okay sweetheart." The blonde spoke firmly as he let his thumb glided over Jimin's tanned knuckles. Blush spreading over his cheeks at the nickname he let slip out.
Yoongi knew the reality of this grim situation. They were going to be rocketed down a massive hill at about 90 mph and he needed to have Jimin somewhat calmed down before that happens.
He had no idea what it would do to Jimin if he had to ride this whole roller coaster in the middle of having a panic attack. He physically shuddered at even the mere thought of that happening.
“Yoongi, is everything okay up there?” He heard Hoseok yell from behind him. Shit, he forgot Hoseok and Namjoon were still with him.
“I think he’s having a panic attack! What do I do?” Yoongi didn’t scream in fear of any loud noises setting the younger boy off but he needed to raise his voice slightly so his friends could hear him. Yoongi could sense the nervousness in Hoseok voice as he spoke back.
“Shit—Shit just...”
“Yoongi just try to get him breathing steadily!”
Jimin couldn’t really make out the different voices. Between the blood pumping in his ears and his inner self screaming and begging himself to breathe. His chest felt unbelievably tight and his body felt like it was about to sink through the seats, his only anchor holding him there being the blondes hand on his.
Jimin normally hated being touched whenever he had panic attacks. The smallest touch would send him curling into himself, sheltering away from reality but for some unknown reason the stranger was oddly comforting.
Calloused thumb gently grazing his knuckles back and forth. Shivers running through his body with every passing stroke pulling him out of his mind and back into reality, but not quite enough.
“Jimin— come on breathe with me.”
“I c-can’t” he sobbed quietly. Frustrated with himself trying to twist in his chair to relieve the striking pressure on his chest.
“Come on I know you can do it, just focus on my voice okay?” Yoongi started taking guiding Jimin with his voice
“Breathe in and out.” He spoke softly, letting out a breathe of his own he didn’t even know he was holding when Jimin started to push out some unsteady breaths. At least it was a good start.
“That’s it—doing so good Jiminie.” He praises as he squeezed the younger’s hand earning a weak squeeze in return.
Jimin’s eyes were shut, unshed tears glueing them together. His heart was still beating at an alarming rate but he could feel it start to slow. The feeling of gaining control over his body slowly started to replace the fear.
Until another ear piercing screech rang out from the ride.
Yoongi’s eyes blew wide open as the ride started slowly inching forward closer and closer to the drop off. His head whipped over to Jimin who’s crescent shaped eyes were probably wider than his own. It would have maybe even been comical if not in the situation they were in.
Everything felt like it was in slow motion. Yoongi’s hand firmly gripped Jimin’s as he heard the panicked boy let out a heart shattering mangled cry.
“Jimin, don’t let go of my hand.” He commanded as if the boy wasn’t frozen in fear, too frightened to even move if he wanted to.
The ride paused for a second at the peak before tumbling over the edge.
And both boys never thought that two minutes could feel so much like an never ending eternity.
-
He can still feel the whirlwind of air hitting his face, making it that much harder to breathe. He still hears it whistling in his ears as it mixed with the gleeful and frightened screams of the other passengers.
Jimin barely even remembers the still unnamed man next to him hastily pulling him off the ride and towards the exit desperate to get him to safety.
“Jimin Hyung!”
“Fuck! What’s wrong!?” Familiar frantic voices screamed, catching the attention of random park goers.
Yoongi’s eyes scanned the large crowd of people and locked eyes with two younger looking males that were rushing towards them.
“What happened?!” A boy with bright red hair asked, clearly frantic. Wide eyes scanning Jimin’s body as Yoongi held him close.
Yoongi’s mind was racing a million miles per second. This whole damn scenario felt like some cheesy movie and he would have rolled his eyes if it weren’t for the fact that he was genuinely worried as much as the others, and he didn’t even know the kid.
“He had-panic attack. Tried to help but—” Yoongi rushed out as both boys huddled around Jimin, taking him out from the elders grasp.
Jimin felt the familiar presence of his friends yet let out a loud cry when he felt the warmth of the stranger ripped away from him. His knees bucked and caved in as he sank to the ground trying to escape Jeongguk and Taehyung’s grasp. He didn’t need to look up to see the hurt look in their eyes, but he knew they understood.
“Come on hyung, you need to get up....” Jeongguk whispered as he stroked Jimin’s slightly overgrown hair out of his eyes. He could sense the looks of people as he sat on the ground sobbing. The embarrassment will no doubt set in later but he willed himself not to think about the judgmental eyes of strangers.
Yoongi watched as the two boys desperately tried to get Jimin up off the ground. He watched as silent tears slid down one of his friends faces.
“Let me help...” Yoongi mumbled out, crouching down to Jimin.
“He doesn’t like to be touched—” the youngest called out, trying to protect his friend. He was thankful that the stranger help him this far but they could take care of their hyung.
Yoongi ignored him all together and picked up the shaking boy from the ground. Jimin silently let himself be handled by the stranger, a calming aura surrounding him whenever they touched. His head fell into the crook of Yoongi’s neck, lightly breathing in the faint smell of his cologne.
The couple stared in surprise as they watched their friend wrap his arms around the strangers neck and lock his legs behind his back as the blonde supported his thighs.
“Let me at least help him to the car.” Yoongi pretty much pleaded as he felt the boys sobs rack against his body. He felt warm tears soaking his T-shirt but he didn’t mind.
“Y-yeah...okay.” Taehyung agreed locking eyes with his boyfriend who just shrugged his shoulders in return, before walking off towards the park exit.
“So what is your name?” Jeongguk asked looking back at the man carrying his hyung. He stared in amazement as he watched the guys hand rub slow circles on Jimin’s back. He could also faintly hear him whispering in his hyung’s ear.
“Min Yoongi.”
“Well I wish we could have met on better circumstances Yoongi-ssi, but I’m Taehyung and that’s Jeongguk.” The redhead spoke as he tried to engage in subtle conversation. Yoongi just nodded his head and turned his attention back to the boy in his arms.
-
“You can set him in the back.” Taehyung spoke quietly as he opened the door to his car for the two.
On the walk back to the car Jimin had significantly calmed down, his cry’s now reduced to sniffles being muffled by the elders neck. He let out a whine when he was sat down in the seat all warmth gone from his body.
“Hey, you’re okay now.” Yoongi reassured as his fingertips feathered over the boys cheeks and up to his forehead to brush back the raven black hair from his bloodshot eyes. Jimin nervously adverted his eyes to his lap already feeling flustered about this whole situation.
There was a moment in time when he thought blowing chunks all over the attractive stranger was the worst thing he could do. But now he definitely thinks crying and clinging to him like a baby was possibly even worse.
“I’m really sorry..” He knew that he couldn’t control the fact that he had a panic attack but he still couldn’t help but feel ashamed in himself for no doubt ruining Yoongi’s day. It didn’t even realize he started crying again until he felt a warm hand tuck under his chin pulling it up to meet his gaze. His rough finger swiped away the stray tears that ran down his soft skin.
“You have nothing to be sorry for Jiminie.” His breath fanning over Jimin’s face making him realize just how close they were. He blushed, watery eyes looking past Yoongi’s body and meeting his friends sympathetic stares.
“This is all your guy’s fault.” Jimin half-heartedly joked to his dongsaengs.
Taehyung gasped and ripped Yoongi away from the car (Jeongguk making sure to catch him) before throwing himself on top of his hyung.
“I’m so sorry Hyung! We’ll never make you do anything again. We are so sorry, we saw that it got stuck and got out of line to wait for you to get off and when we saw you I thought you hated us for making you ride it alone and I’m so—” he rambled before Jimin cut him off with a small giggle. He could never stay mad at the two boys, they were like his blood siblings.
“TaeTae- you’re crushing me.”
The redhead pulled back immediately flashing a shy smile before planting a small kiss his hyung’s head.
Yoongi watched awkwardly as he felt he was intruding and no longer needed in this situation. His lips slightly pouted as he scratched the back of his neck. Jeongguk seemed to take notice in his uncomfortable aura.
“Thank you so much Yoongi-ssi! You really helped him out when we couldn’t, so thank you.” Jeongguk bowed to show his gratitude, but Yoongi just waved him off as if saying “no problem”.
“Thank you Yoongi-ssi...” Jimin spoke as he made eye contact once again, blushing when he saw the older boy flash a gummy smile.
“I’m just glad you are okay.” He hummed in content nodding his head lightly. Heart fluttering when Jimin spoke back a little “yeah” in English in return.
“Well... my friends are probably looking for me so...”
“Oh—okay...”
“I’m just going to go now...”
“A-alright..”
“Make sure you rest lots, drink water and all that...”
“We will take care of him Yoongi-ssi.”
“Right—okay... well uh goodbye Jimin...”
“G-goodbye, hyung...”
“Bye...”
“Oh my god just ask for his number already!”