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Jimin checks himself in the mirror for what seems like the fifth time. Smoothing over any crease on his washed out jeans, fixing his khaki jacket so it fits right on his shoulders. He takes a big breath of air, exhales through his mouth. He shouldn’t feel this nervous, everything will be fine. His colleagues will be nice. His new students will love him. Surely.
“Hey, baby-” Jimin snaps out of it, glancing at his boyfriend, “you okay?” the older asks, brows furrowed in what seems like worry.
Jimin hums and shakes his head, “Yeah, hyung, just a tiny bit nervous,” he admits.
Yoongi’s face softens, “They’re gonna love you, I’m sure of it,” and he reaches out to rub Jimin’s back. He feels like he could purr.
“Thank you,” he whispers.
“Hey, I was gonna ask if you want coffee? I know it’s almost time for you to leave, so you want me to put it in a flask?”
He lets a small smile bloom on his lips, “I’d love that.”
“‘Kay,” Yoongi gives him one last reassuring smile, “you look really pretty in that,” the man compliments him before heading to the kitchen, and Jimin just smiles bashfully. Almost five years into the relationship, and yet his heart still leaps when Yoongi tells him sweet words like that.
He takes one last look in the mirror and tells himself he’ll have a wonderful first day of school.
***
“And what do we say when it’s time to leave?” Jimin says pointedly to the group of 4 year-olds that are sitting at their respective tables, gesturing with his hands for them to answer.
The kids are still shy around him, adjusting to the dynamic of answering in unison or answering at all, almost all eyes on him with a clueless expression, one of them picking his nose and Jimin has to remain professional and not burst out laughing because of how cute it is.
“We say ‘goodbye’, kids! You say ‘goodbye, teacher!’ and I will answer ‘goodbye, children, see you tomorrow!’” he nods his head and looks directly at all the little pairs of doe eyes, some nod and he smiles.
“Okay, how about we practice it, yes?”
“Yes!” the kids say in unison, and Jimin nods at them encouragingly.
“Goodbye children, see you tomorrow!”
“Goodbye teacher,” the kids say somewhat coordinated.
“Good! Good, how about we do it a bit louder this time? Okay, goodbye, children!” he says once again energetically.
“Goodbye, teacher!” the kids manage to say louder and one little girl elongates the last syllable, face getting a bit red.
Jimin giggles, “That was perfect, okay now for real, see you all tomorrow, your daddies, mommies and caretakers are already here,” he goes open the door as the kids start to grab their backpacks and handbags, “remember that we make a queue to go out, c’mon, I want to see a nice and neat queue, that’s right.”
The kids start to leave one by one and he waves at them, “Bye, bye.”
One of the little girls goes straight to his legs for a hug, wrapping her little arms around him tightly, “Bye, teacher Mimi,” she says with her face pressed against him.
Jimin giggles as he taps her head, “Hey, Haerin-ah, it’s teacher Jimin, Ji-min,” he pronounces clearly.
The kid whines a little, “But Mimi is cuter! And you’re cute!” she says stomping her tiny feet to let him know she is serious. Jimin just can’t help but laugh.
“Okay, as long as you call me teacher, you can call me that, bye bye Haerin-ah!” the kid waves at him with a big toothless grin on her face.
He sighs when all the kids are gone and he’s the only one left in the classroom. The day was intense, but his heart feels content to be honest.
He goes sit at the desk to finish a few formalities on the school’s website.
“Knock knock,” a voice disturbs his concentration, he glances at the doorframe and his colleague enters.
“Hey, come in,” Jimin tells the man who he now notices. He brings a cup holder with two iced americanos in his hand.
“Thought you might need one of these,” Taehyung hands him the coffee to Jimin.
“You are a lifesaver,” Jimin says before dramatically taking a sip, “thank you, Tae, how was your day?”
His friend sits down on one of the tables, taking a sip of his own coffee, “Hectic, almost got my shirt painted with green by chubby little fingers,” Taehyung says sounding exasperated, Jimin giggles, “but that was my own fault for not having my apron on. How about yours?”
Jimin shakes his head, “Crazy, I had never experienced a first week of school.”
“Right, you got here mid year.”
“Yeah, so it’s like teaching the kids everything from scratch, social norms, classroom rules and all,” he sighs, “but they’re lovely, still a bit shy, but we’ll all warm up to each other.”
Taehyung smiles at him, with that boxy grin that Jimin finds endlessly charming, “Hey what are your plans for this weekend? We should go out for drinks this Friday,” the man says and wiggles his eyebrows.
They didn’t meet as much as they wanted to during summer break, since it’s a busy season, mostly catching up through social media and chatting. Jimin did want to get closer to Taehyung, but he felt they were on the right track.
“I don’t have plans, but I do want to buy a birthday present for my partner,” he says and blushes a little, because it’s still weird to talk about his private life at school, even if it’s with Taehyung.
The man raises his eyebrows in interest, “Really? What are you gonna get him?”
Jimin ponders a bit before saying it out loud, “I know it may be kind of bold? But I’ve been thinking of getting him a ring, or well- for the both of us…” he presses his lips tightly together.
“That’s good, Jimin-ah,” Taehyung nods to him with an approving expression.
“You think so?” he says, hesitant.
“Yeah, why not? What are you apprehensive of?”
Jimin hums, “Honestly? I don’t want people to think I’m married- or engaged, not that I wouldn’t like to someday, well, when- if it is legal someday. But it’s the constant questioning, you know?”
“Yeah, it’s tiring, but it’s none of their business, you’re not obliged to answer nosy questions, y’know?”
Jimin stays quiet because Taehyung is right, but he is a deep rooted people pleaser and to deny an answer, an honest answer, or to lie to people, even if they are just being intrusive- it’s hard for him.
“And if you’re worried about what people are gonna say, excuse me, but,” Taehyung looks around before saying, “fuck them!” Jimin chuckles, “people are always going to talk because they are bored of their lives and that’s it, it says nothing about who you are and you don’t owe them an explanation, or anything, Jimin-ah,” the brunette man takes a sip of his coffee, “so my opinion is that yes, buy those rings, I’m sure your boyfriend will love it.”
Jimin smiles to himself, fond, “Yes he would, he’s a romantic.”
***
It’s Saturday, Yoongi’s birthday and Jimin had made a reservation at their favorite restaurant. Yoongi was so delighted to know Jimin prepared this in anticipation. The food was amazing as expected and since Jimin was paying, Yoongi overate a little, and well him too to be fair. Teacher salary isn’t much, but it’s enough and Jimin loves to coddle his hyung.
They’re on their way home, and got out of the subway station. It’s around midnight and it’s still chilly, spring slowly making its way to Seoul.
Jimin looks at Yoongi’s way, who has a rosy tint on his cheeks and nose and he’s dying to kiss him, but they’re still in public. Although he discreetly looks around and checks if there’s anyone near, and there isn’t. So he reaches out and interlaces his pinky finger with Yoongi’s, catching him off guard, but being rewarded with a soft smile.
“Love you,” he mouths to the older, being a bit too cute, but sue him, he’s a bit tipsy and in love.
Yoongi follows him along and mouths a “I love you more”, and it makes Jimin giggle.
As they get on the elevator, Jimin’s heart starts to pound rapidly with anticipation. Now it’s the most important moment of his planned celebration, he’s going to give Yoongi the rings. It’s not a proposal, he repeats himself trying to appease a bit of his nervousness, it’s a promise and his boyfriend will understand and will like it for sure.
They get inside their apartment and Jimin quickly puts on his slippers and heads to their bedroom. He looks for the small gift box inside his side of the closet as he hears Yoongi from the kitchen, saying, “Baby, do you want something warm to drink?”
It startles Jimin a little, but he answers, “No, I’m fine, hyung!”
He takes the gift box and before getting out of the bedroom, he takes a deep breath, keeping the hand holding the box behind his back.
Yoongi is scrolling through his phone, while he waits for the water to boil, a slight pout on his lips.
“Hey,” he begins, Yoongi looks up, “you noticed how I didn’t get you a present?” he teases a bit, biting his bottom lip.
Yoongi frowns, and hums, “I thought the dinner was your present,” he says a bit confused and his expression is so cute, it makes Jimin’s heart skip a beat.
“Well, that was part of it… but there’s more,” he raises his eyebrows, with a mischievous face.
Yoongi frowns again, thinking before saying bluntly, “Are you gonna fuck me as a present?”
Jimin sputters, “W-What?!” before almost doubling over laughing, “No! Why would you say that?”
The older seems unfazed by Jimin’s reaction yet admittedly, a bit disappointed and shrugs, “You know it’s been a while since we’ve had birthday sex,” he pouts and crosses his arms over his chest, “and I’ve been the one topping the last few times.”
Jimin is a bit taken aback at first before giggling, “Oh my God, hyung you sound like such a needy bottom!” he teases and Yoongi’s pout deepens, and he can’t help it and grabs the older’s chin with his free hand, squeezing his soft cheeks and pecks his lips a few times. He hears Yoongi humming.
“I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay? We have all day Sunday,” he whispers and as a spoiled child Yoongi nods enthusiastically, with a hopeful glint in his eyes. He kisses him again before backing away.
“But well, since you’re so bad at guessing, I did get you a present,” Jimin’s heart rate picks up again as he retreats his hand from behind him and extends his arm towards Yoongi.
“Happy birthday,” he says softly as the older looks at the box curiously and takes it.
As he unwraps it, Jimin’s heart beats faster and faster, an anxious feeling at the pit of stomach.
“Oh- Jiminie,” Yoongi whispers softly, eyes wide open as he looks at what’s inside the box, “Is it-”
“It’s a promise!” he cuts, nervous, “um, it’s not- I’m not-” he takes a deep breath, “I know we can’t, yet , but I wanted to have something to symbolize that we are together, that you’re the love of my life and something to remind you of me,” he finishes with a shaky smile.
And Yoongi looks at him, endeared and with glossy eyes, “But baby, you’re always on my mind,” and grins at him, gums showing.
Jimin laughs a bit wetly, “Cheesy,” he says with no bite.
Yoongi takes the ring that is considerably bigger than the other and puts it on his right ring finger. It’s a simple shiny silver band. He takes the other one and takes Jimin's right hand, and as the older slides his ring on his finger, his breath hitches.
Jimin slides his hands around Yoongi’s waist and nuzzles his neck, still smelling of Invictus after so many hours since he sprayed it, as the older wraps him in a warm hug.
“I love you,” Yoongi says against his shoulder, Jimin kisses his neck.
“I love you too,” and sighs happily.
***
Jimin sighs before taking a sip of his coffee. He hates this part of his job, well hate is a strong feeling, but he dislikes it deeply. He’s at the staffroom, preparing his classes for next month, the activities he’s going to do with his kids, and planning the much dreaded parent-teacher conference. Last year he did pretty decently, with some help from older teachers though.
But he doesn’t like thinking too much ahead of time, he much prefers focusing on the present, otherwise anxiety rears its ugly head inside of him. He’s working on it, though, he swears.
Tapping his pen against his chin, deep in concentration when one of the teachers approaches him at his desk, it’s Hayeon, the PE teacher.
“Jimin-ssi, how are you?” she greets him politely.
Jimin bows his head and smiles just as politely, “Good morning, Hayeon-ssi, I’m good, how about you?”
“I’m good too! I just wanted to tell you that Yeonjunie fell and had to go to the infirmary, he scraped his knee,” her eyebrows furrow a little.
“Oh, poor thing, I’ll talk to him later, see how he’s doing,” Jimin says with a hint of pityness.
“He’s okay though, just letting you know if he sulks or is a bit down during the rest of the day,” the teacher smiles reassuringly.
“Sure, thank you, Hayeon-ssi,” he bows, before fixing his attention back to his task, but is interrupted by the teacher.
“Oh! Jimin-ssi, you got engaged?” she says, eyes fixed on the silver band on his finger. And his own eyes widen in panic before schooling his face.
“A-ah, no, well something like that?” he says a bit flustered.
“Who got engaged?” he hears one of the older teachers across the room, it’s Misoon, one of the History teachers, she must be around sixty. He sees her leading her slow steps towards his desk, and my God, Jimin’s nightmare is becoming real.
Along with Misoon, comes yet another teacher, Junghee, the Science teacher, who’s a middle aged woman, with a curious look.
“Ah-” he manages to say, before the three women are towering over him with curious glints in their eyes.
“Jiminie, you got engaged?” Misoon asks, fixing her thick glasses.
“Uhm- not really, well something like that-” he repeats as he scratches the back of his neck, suddenly feeling hot under the touch.
“Ah, are you going to invite us to the wedding?” Junghee adds with a hopeful expression and Jimin feels genuinely trapped.
“I-it’s a bit too early to say-” can’t help but stammer, he shrinks into himself slightly.
“Definitely! You have to save a lot of money,” Misoon says, nodding her head.
“Weddings are so expensive nowadays,” Junghee says and Jimin hums.
“Aigoo! And I bet your girlfriend wants a beautiful, expensive dress,” Misoon jokes and the two other ladies giggle and squeal. Jimin’s blood runs cold and his face drops.
“I’m sure she’s very pretty,” Hayeon adds and he suddenly feels a lump in his throat that he can’t swallow.
“Of course! She has to be, to be with such a handsome man such as yourself,” Misoon says vehemently, before letting out a thunderous laugh, the two other women joining.
And Jimin is paralyzed, mortified and defenseless. He’d never wished Taehyung to be by his side so desperately as he did now, for moral support, or maybe he would know what to say to stop the three teachers from making the wrong assumptions, without causing gossip or chaos.
His stomach sinks, imagining telling his colleagues that no, he has a very pretty boyfriend , that he’s the love of his life and he’s pretending to marry a man some day. But he can't do anything more than let out a forced chuckle, a soft resigned, “Yeah,” is all he can utter.
***
That same day, Jimin gets home with an uncomfortable sensation at the pit of his stomach, something he couldn’t shake off even after taking a breather, and having lunch with Taehyung, venting a little when they were left alone at the teacher’s cafeteria, a sad frown forming on the man’s handsome face. Not even the gifts two of his students gave him, one drawing of him and a flower made out of clay (he almost shed a few tears), could cheer him up enough.
So he drags his feet to the sofa in the living room, almost planting face first on it. His body feeling heavy and his mind swirling in thoughts.
He should have been courageous enough to tell his colleagues about Yoongi- he felt so ashamed for not being able to stand up for himself. He feels hot tears prickling his eyes. Yoongi doesn’t deserve this, is all he can think about, he should be able to be proud and unapologetic about who he is and who he is with.
Though, Jimin knows that’s not how things work, homophobia is so rampant in his country, it’s dangerous and he can’t risk losing this job he likes and is not even a year into it yet.
He sniffles as more tears roll down the side of his face, forming a wet patch on the sofa. His eyes suddenly feel heavy, fatigue takes over him as he drifts to sleep.
He’s awakened by a warm hand caressing his cheek, “Baby?” Yoongi calls him gently, worry written all over his face.
Jimin blinks his eyes and groans, “Hi, hyung,” he greets.
“Hey,” the older smiles at him sweetly, “are you okay?”
Jimin hums, “Yeah, just really tired,” he tells a half-truth, not wanting to worry Yoongi.
But it seems like his boyfriend isn’t buying it entirely, by the suspicion on his face, “You sure?”
Jimin looks at Yoongi for a few seconds, taking in his boyfriend’s face, before smiling softly. “Yeah,” he whispers before pecking the older’s lips.
Yoongi relaxes into the kiss, “Okay, I didn’t want to wake you up just yet, so I made dinner while you were out.”
And to this Jimin beams genuinely, before stretching his arms and his back.
Yoongi had cooked his favorite, kimchi jjigae, and it smelled heavenly. The table was all set and Jimin is overwhelmed with endearment, he wraps his arms around Yoongi’s waist, who’s serving the plates, and nuzzles his face on his back.
“Thank you, hyungie,” he says and plants several kisses there, which make Yoongi chuckle.
“‘s nothing, baby,” he says warmly.
And he’s so grateful Yoongi doesn’t push the subject, doesn’t ask about the tear tracks on his face. He gives Jimin space, and he will tell him, not just yet, it still tastes way too bitter in his mouth, when he’s ready.
***
“Be careful, kids, don’t run too fast!” Jimin exclaims in a gentle, yet warning voice to his three students who are racing against each other.
“Yes, teacher Jimin!” one of them, Minho, waves at him and whispers something to his two friends.
Jimin chuckles at this, walking around the playground, looking after the kids if they fall or argue, or even fight, but that hasn’t happened luckily, at least not yet. It’s a cold morning, so he wraps his cardigan tightly around his torso, shivering a little.
He then notices one of the kids sitting on one of the benches, swinging his small feet, a distant and bored expression on his chubby face. It’s Kai, one of his students. His family came from the US, and moved to Korea not so long ago. He’s a bit shyer than most of his students, and so far he hasn’t made any friends. The boy is still adjusting to the language, mixing some of his words or sometimes deciding to stay quiet altogether, but he’s one of his best students, diligent and always does his homework.
So Jimin walks up to him slowly, sitting beside him, “Hello, Kai,” he smiles at the kid.
“Hello, teacher,” he says quietly, but doesn’t look up.
“What are you doing?” he asks and it seems like a silly question, but with kids sometimes he has to be obvious and literal.
Kai takes a few seconds to answer, “Nothing,” he says in english.
Jimin hums and decides to try and speak in his native tongue, he does it when the boy doesn’t quite understand his instructions in class, “Are you bored?” he says with a heavy accent, but it works.
The boy just hums and nods his little head.
“Why aren’t you playing with uh- your classmates?”
He receives just a short shrug, and hums before saying his next words, carefully.
“You don’t have friends yet?”
Kai stays silent before answering, “They don’t like me,” and Jimin’s expression sours.
“Why do you think that?”
The kid shrugs again, and says, “I’m different from my classmates,” he says in the smallest voice, and it breaks Jimin’s heart a little.
“Aw, Kai, being different is not a bad thing,” he thinks of the best way to put his next words, “all of us are different in some way,” and the boy finally looks up at him, with a puzzled expression on his face.
Jimin smiles gently at him, “It’s um- an advantage, you will not have to learn English like your classmates!” he tries to cheer Kai up, and the kid seems to consider it.
He switches to a few words in Korean, “Some of your classmates are good at other things too, some at Taekwondo, some at PE, some at drawing, and you’ll be good at English.”
Kai nods slowly, taking in Jimin’s words, “You’re unique, Kai, you’re not wrong for being different, and you can still play with your peers, even if you can’t speak Korean perfectly.”
The boy hums, “They will learn from you, and you will learn from them, just give it time,” and that seems to spark a bit of hope in the boy’s eyes, who smiles a little and nods.
Jimin beams at him, “And if you need my help, I’m here, okay?”
“Yes, teacher,” Kai answers, his voice louder.
The bell rings and the boy waves at him before running to their classroom. Jimin’s smile slowly fades away. His words to his student, resonating with his own situation. He knows it’s hard being different in any way, but he doesn’t want to show his students that it’s a barrier to one’s happiness. Though he’s not sure he’s learned that lesson thus far.
***
A few days later, Jimin gets a text from Yoongi when he’s just about to leave work. His boyfriend tells him to meet him up at a different subway station than the one near their apartment, and when Jimin asks curiously the reason, Yoongi simply says it’s a surprise, which excites Jimin and puts a big smile on his face.
He’s at the station before his boyfriend, he patiently waits until he spots Yoongi between the crowd of passengers. He waves immediately for the older to see him and when he does, Jimin grins at him, Yoongi gives him a soft, shy smile.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” Yoongi says and Jimin shakes his head.
“It’s fine, I’ve been here less than ten minutes,” Jimin reassures, and notices the man is carrying a paper bag in his hand, but doesn’t comment on it.
Jimin lets himself be guided by Yoongi through the station. When they’re on street level, they head their steps near the river.
“So where are we going?” Jimin asks.
“Almost there,” it’s all Yoongi gives him.
It’s a cool evening and the sunset at the park is close. There are a few people sitting at the benches, some students sitting on the grass, drinking boba, chatting happily, some couples walking hand in hand, people riding their bikes, some people reading on their own, or just appreciating the view.
Then, Yoongi stops walking, “Here,” he says as he finds an empty spot, not too many people around them. He takes his coat and places it on the grass, for the both of them to sit.
“Aren’t you gonna be cold afterwards, hyung?” Jimin says in a concerned tone, he doesn’t want his boyfriend to get sick.
Yoongi makes a dismissive gesture, “It’s fine, Jimin-ah, come sit,” he pats the spot beside him and Jimin complies giddily.
He’s looking attentively at his hyung, waiting for his explanation of what they’re doing there, other than obviously watching the sunset.
But before Yoongi says anything, he takes the paper bag and opens it. There's a small box and inside there are six, “Oh! Hotteoks!” he says excitedly.
Yoongi smiles at him, “Yeah, got them on the way to the station.”
Jimin claps his hands and smiles sweetly at Yoongi, “Thank you, baby,” he wishes he could kiss him right there and then, but he opts for a quick one on his boyfriend’s soft face.
It surprises Yoongi, but still grins at him, “It’s nothing.”
Jimin takes one of the hotteoks, which is still a little warm, and takes a bite, humming absolutely pleased.
“So?” Jimin asks finally, “what are we doing here?”
Yoongi swallows and his expression turns more pensive, “I wanted us to have a nice date,” he says in a calm voice, “I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit down lately and uh- I didn’t want to meddle or pressure you into talking to me, I know it’s not what we do, so I just wanted to cheer you up a little,” and the look on his boyfriend’s face is so sincere, so profoundly fond, it moves Jimin, makes a lump form inside his throat.
He just hums softly, “It’s true, something happened,” he says as he looks down at the hotteok in his hand, “It happened at work, and I- I still don’t really know how to feel about it,” he admits and tries to swallow.
Yoongi just waits for him to continue, patiently offering his silence and putting a hand on his thigh, squeezing lightly.
Jimin breathes deeply before speaking, “A few days ago, after your birthday, at the staffroom, one of the female teachers noticed the ring,” Jimin glances at Yoongi who raises his eyebrows, “and then other two of them, they’re old ladies, came in too, and the three of them started to ask me things, to- I feel bad for saying it, but they started to annoy me, asking if I got married, if I got engaged and-” he stops abruptly, remembering the bitter moment, and it’s the part that he’s ashamed of telling Yoongi.
The older rubs his thigh, reassuringly, “Hey, baby, it’s okay, you don’t have to tell me everything,” he says in a hushed voice and it almost makes Jimin cry how infinitely considerate Yoongi is to him.
He bites his lower lip and shakes his head, “No- I want to, just-” he takes another deep breath, “they assumed I had a girlfriend, of course, and started to make all sorts of comments about it, saying they bet she’s pretty and she wants an expensive dress and all.”
Jimin glances at Yoongi again, he has a deep frown on his face, pursing his lips.
“And-” he blinks a few times, “I didn’t deny it, I just- paralyzed, I didn’t know what to say, and I just agreed, I-I don’t,” he sighs, head hanging between his shoulders, “I know I had to say something, and these past few days I’ve been fantasizing about talking to these them, and correct them, tell them that they’re wrong, that there’s no woman,” he raises his head and looks at his boyfriend, his expression saddened, “I want to tell them I’m with you, hyung, and I’m so embarrassed I couldn’t tell them the truth, because I’m not- I’m not ashamed to be in love with a man, but-” he presses his lips tightly and feels his eyes prickle, “I’m scared,” he admits in a small voice, Yoongi nods at him, “I didn’t want to make you feel bad for my lack of determination, hyung, I am so so sorry,” his voice wavers a little and then he’s engulfed in his boyfriend’s arms and chest.
“Hey shh, it’s okay,” Yoongi says and he blinks away a few tears, “I know it’s not easy.”
He grips the older’s shirt tightly, “Still, I-I want everyone to know,” he whispers.
“I know, baby,” Yoongi pulls away and looks at him with a sympathetic face, “but your circumstances aren’t ideal.”
He wipes his eyes and sighs, “I know that, and I’m still kind of new at school, I’m still building my reputation, but it feels so… fake, I even talked to one of my kids, he’s mixed, still learning the language, told him it’s okay to be different,” he lets out a bitter laugh, “makes me feel like a hypocrite,” he confesses.
Yoongi hums, “You know I’ve told some of my colleagues, even my supervisor knows, and they are all okay with it,” Jimin nods at this, “but our work environments are so different, we can’t really compare, Jimin-ah.”
Jimin agrees, Yoongi’s been at his current job for almost three years, getting promoted and always excelling at his work, because he’s just amazing like that. Their conditions are deeply unlike each other.
“Yeah, I know,” he sighs.
“Hey, and I don’t feel that bad about passing as a beautiful woman,” Yoongi says jokingly and shrugs, Jimin giggles and pushes his hyung.
“Shut up!” he says without malice.
“Yah, don’t tell me you wouldn’t want to see me with an expensive dress, I know you, Park Jimin,” the older man wiggles his eyebrows and Jimin doubled over laughing harder. He can’t fully deny it.
“You’re a dummy, hyung,” he says wiping his eyes and Yoongi smiles fondly at him.
When he has calmed down, Yoongi rubs his back, he hums appreciatively.
“You don’t have to tell anyone if you don’t want to, well aside from Taehyung-ssi,” Jimin hums as he places his own hand on his boyfriend’s thigh, “just take your time; I swear I won’t doubt your love for me or anything.”
Jimin looks at Yoongi, “I would like to try still,” he admits softly.
Yoongi gives him a tender grin and nods.
***
Jimin is having breakfast with Taehyung in the staffroom when it happens. He’s sipping his latte, warming his hands with the mug as he listens to his friend tell him about some drama happening in his college friend group. He’s thoroughly invested, some cheating, talking behind someone’s back and lying involved. Jimin almost can’t believe how Taehyung got involved in a group of people like that, when he’s so nice.
But then he hears a group of female teachers talking enthusiastically, gushing at one of them at the center of the group, catching his attention. He can decipher some of what they’re saying, “my husband”, “special date”, “so jealous.”
He tries and discreetly peeks over to look at his colleague who’s in the center, and sees the woman holding a bouquet of three big sunflowers.
Taehyung stops talking as he notices Jimin’s attention drifting away, “Ah, it’s today,” he says matter of factly.
Jimin frowns, confused.
“It’s the spring equinox, y’know?” Taehyung informs him. And something clicks in Jimin, some article he saw somewhere: the beginning of spring, when lovers (usually male because heteronormativity)give yellow flowers to their female lovers, as a sign of eternal love. It was more popular amongst younger couples though, highschool sweethearts and all.
“Ah,” it’s all Jimin says, as Taehyung resumes his storytelling, and his eyes stay fixed on the three sunflowers, longingly.
***
It’s the end of his work day, and Jimin is absolutely spent. The kids were so rowdy today. It took him almost thirty minutes to do a task, when it usually took him ten minutes because they weren’t following the instructions right. Then, three of his kids fell during recess, one of them sent home, because he hurt his ankle. At some point, his apron was smeared with tears, snot and dirt.
In short, it had been one of those days. So he’s sluggishly arranging his stuff to get the hell out, putting everything in his backpack when he receives a call.
It’s Yoongi and it instantly puts a small smile on his lips.
“Hey, hyung,” he greets sweetly.
“Hi, Jiminie, how are you?” Yoongi asks at the end of the line.
Jimin groans, “So freaking tired, can’t wait to get home! You?”
“I’m good, actually, I need you to get to the school entrance.”
Jimin blinks, “What? Why?” he asks, confused.
“I’m here,” Yoongi says and he can hear his smile.
His heart starts to pound, “What? Oh, hyung, you’ve never come to pick me up,” he says excited, but cautious so no one can hear him.
“Well, I just felt like it,” Yoongi says and Jimin hurries his steps to meet him.
Jimin chuckles, “Okay, I’m almost there.”
“Good, don’t hang up,” Yoongi says and it’s a bit suspicious, why is he making such a big deal out of this? He’s just picking Jimin up.
“Okay?” Jimin says as he crosses the schoolyard, waving at some of his students from other classes.
He goes through the lobby and waves goodbye at the janitor and other colleagues, bowing his head, wishing them a good weekend.
When he arrives at the entrance, there are a few older students leaving alone, some with their caretakers and a few parents waiting for their own children. And he sees Yoongi, he stops dead in his tracks, the hand holding his phone, falls to his side and his mouth agape.
“Hi,” Yoongi greets again, he looks a bit flustered, pink dusting his cheeks and nose, hair a little disheveled. He’s wearing no tie and has the first two buttons of his shirt undone, the sleeves rolled up. One hand holding his work briefcase with his jacket.
The other holding a bouquet of beautiful yellow daffodils. He blinks slowly.
“Hyung,” he says softly, achingly, and longing, like it was the first time he could say it, so full of love and yearning.
Yoongi gives him a gummy smile, extending the bouquet for him to hold it. He takes it slowly and feels so overwhelmed, like his chest could burst from all this affection, like he could leap out of his skin.
And he can’t quite find the words to express what he’s feeling, it’s just a handful of flowers, but it’s so much more. It’s bravery, it’s unapologetic and reckless in the best way.
He gapes looking at the flowers, clutching them, and feels his eyes get watery. And looks up at Yoongi, who has a dopey smile on his face.
“You know,” he says so only Yoongi can hear him.
The older closes his eyes for a few seconds, before answering in the fondest voice, “I know.”
And it’s just them in this moment, he forgets the students passing beside them, the parents waiting for their kids to finish their school schedule, and his colleagues heading home. It’s them, only them matter in this bubble of time, and Jimin knows is all that counts. He doesn’t need anything else to be brave. Just him and Yoongi.