Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Seven seconds. 

That’s all it took. It might seem like an insignificant amount of time, but, to an aerial skier, seven seconds was everything. It was the length of the entire run. The entire competition. The entire year of training and prepping for the biggest event of their lives amounted to just seven little seconds.

For Jimin, those seven seconds were precious. They were seven seconds of total silence, everyone holding their breath as he sped down the hill and flung himself into the air. Seven seconds of muscle memory spinning him around, his vision full of nothing but blurry white, impossible to tell the sky from the ground. Those seven seconds meant everything to him.

One.

Jimin knew this run was different from the moment he took off. It felt wrong. Everything felt wrong.

Two. 

The wind was terrible. Slashing against Jimin’s face as he tore down the hill in ways he had not been prepared for. It was too late to go back. Too late to stop. 

Three. 

Jimin was used to silence when he jumped. Like a soundproof bubble encased his head for those precious few moments of concentration. Right now, his heartbeat was deafening.

Four.

Jimin knew this jump like the back of his hand. He knew exactly what it took to make it perfect. He knew what it felt like when it wasn't going to be.

He was going too slow. And it was way too late to speed up.

Five. 

Jimin used to think skiing felt like flying. This felt more like falling. 

Six.

Too late. The wind was smashing into him, his world was tumbling upside down, and it was too late, too late, too late.

Seven.

Fuck.

Seven seconds. That’s all it took for Jimin’s dream to come crashing to an end.

❄ ❄ ❄

❄ ❄ ❄

Jimin had always loved winter. 

It was beautiful. Everything cold and white and frozen. Maybe to some people that would sound lonely or sad, but to Jimin it was gorgeous.

Everything seemed to sparkle during the daytime, and the chilly outdoors only made the comfort of a warm fireplace seem even more special. His favorite thing about winter, however, was how peaceful it was. How quiet. How--

“Lookout BELOWWWW!” 

Okay, so scratch that. “Yah! Taehyung-ah!” Jimin shouted angrily at his best friend as he came flying past on his sled, bumping and bouncing over the uneven hill.

Taehyung was laughing, not caring in the slightest that Jimin had to leap back several feet, his frozen fingers nearly slipping where they held onto his precious coffee. Lord help whoever made Jimin drop his morning coffee.

It was currently the ass crack of dawn and Jimin had been dragged out of bed so Taehyung could go sledding before the hill was packed with people. There was only one hill in the resort reserved for sleds only, and the younger boy had been devastated yesterday to find it so overcrowded with children it was barely safe to go down.

“Come on, Minnie, won’t you go even once?” Taehyung asked, bounding up to Jimin with his sled bobbing along behind him. Jimin’s best friend was covered in snow- probably from the several times he’d ditched off his sled instead of coming to an easy stop. His beanie had slipped back and several tufts of jet black fringe were sticking out over his eyelashes.

Jimin just raised his still three-quarters full coffee cup in reply. Until this cup was empty, Jimin did not count as a fully functioning human being. It was way too early for that.

“Aw, Jiminie, don’t be such a party pooper,” another equally annoying morning voice chirped. Jung Hoseok was usually some sort of operations manager--don’t quote Jimin on that, he wasn’t actually sure--at the resort, but for the next ten days he was on vacation at his place of work. He’d invited the pair to come stay with him before they headed back home.

“I’m not a party pooper, Jung, I’m just not a morning person.” Jimin sniffed haughtily, taking another sip of his coffee. Ah, nothing better than a hot cup of coffee. Especially when it was cold as balls outside. “Are you two done being children so we can go warm up for a bit?”

Jimin eyed the pair as they grumbled in agreement, shaking off the snow and returning their sleds. As the three of them trudged back towards the lodge, he watched as their heads bent towards each other, whispering and giggling amongst themselves. 

Taehyung and Hoseok were kind of a thing. Not a real thing, of course, considering they were both idiots and also happened to live, like, five thousand miles apart. Jimin knew they loved each other, even if they were too scared to admit it.

Since Taehyung lived with Jimin in Canada for most of the year, though, Jimin understood why he was reluctant to want to commit himself to anything when Hoseok lived in Seoul. Long-distance relationships were tough, and Jimin knew a part of Taehyung longed to stay in Korea whenever they visited.

“Come on, Minnie! We’re burning daylight!”

Some days, Jimin thinks he might shove Taehyung on the plane himself.

❄ ❄ ❄

Yongpyong Resort was one of the best ski and snowboard resorts in all of South Korea. Jimin had come here several times as a kid back when he was just starting to fall in love with skiing. It feels surreal to be back again, just as a regular guest enjoying the resort.

The three boys were staying together in one of the more expensive cabins near the edge of the village. They were still within easy walking distance of the village proper and all the shops and food, but they were a little more isolated from the crowds. Like any good resort, Yongpyong was packed with people: tourists and natives alike. 

Jimin’s boots crunched through fresh snow as the trio made their way towards the lodge. It was early enough that there hadn’t been too much traffic through this area yet. For a minute, Jimin’s gaze stayed locked on his feet, watching his waterproof boots slip through the white slush. It was almost a little sad; for just a second, Jimin felt disappointed that they were just normal regular boots. Not ski boots. 

To be honest, his ski boots weren’t exactly the most comfortable pair of shoes to be walking around in like this, but it was what they symbolized that made the difference. Because ski boots equaled skiing. And it had been….so long since Jimin had gone properly skiing.

“Whatcha thinkin about, huh Minnie?” Taehyung slung his arm over Jimin’s shoulder, yanking the boy towards him and breaking his train of thought. “You’re too quiet over here!”

Jimin shoved the boy off him, over-exaggerating the way he smoothed down his coat. “Nothing,” he said. “Just wondering where the best place to get a video of you faceplanting will be.” He shot his friend a teasing grin, satisfied when Taehyung’s face screwed up in displeasure.

“Heyy,” Hoseok broke in. “Taehyung is an amazing skier, isn’t that right babe?” He gave the younger boy a peck on the cheek, and now it was Jimin’s turn to scrunch his nose up in disgust. “Oh, sorry, did I say Taehyung? I actually meant you, Hoseok-hyung,” he shot back. 

“Yah!” Jimin dodged out the way of Hoseok’s fist, giggling and poking his tongue out like a child.

He didn’t really mean it. Lord knows Taehyung and Hoseok could ski circles around 90% of the resort's current residents, but it felt good to be able to tease them about this. For so many weeks Taehyung had tiptoed around the subject, scared it would set Jimin off. He’d come a long way in the past year.

“Actually,” Jimin said. “I was thinking about maybe joining you guys. It’s been a long time since I’ve just….skied for fun, and I miss it. It might be a good way to get back into it.” He watched their faces closely to gauge their reaction. Taehyung’s face immediately lit up.

“Yes! Omg yes yes yes, you should totally come!” He bounded over to sweep Jimin into an exuberant hug, twirling the two of them around as Jimin laughed.

“You’re being serious right? Because I know we said we weren’t going to pressure you or anything, but I don’t know if I can actually go a whole week here with you just sitting on the sidelines the whole time.” He pulled back to rove searching eyes over Jimin’s face.

“I- I wasn’t just going to sit on the sidelines,” Jimin mumbled. “I just wasn’t sure if I was going to do any of the harder trails, that’s all. We still had other things planned.”

He felt a little embarrassed that his friends felt this way. Jimin had been cleared to start skiing again months ago, and he knew it confused Taehyung when he didn’t immediately hit the slopes. With summer no longer an excuse to be putting it off, this vacation seemed like the perfect way to ease back into things, but he’d opted out of joining the last couple of times the boys headed for the hills. 

“Well, I’m happy to do whatever you’re comfortable with. Right, hyung?” Hoseok nodded eagerly in agreement, coming over to bump a comforting fist to Jimin’s shoulder. “Right. I mean, how are you going to get videos of us falling if you aren’t out there with us when it happens?” 

Jimin matched Hoseok’s teasing smile with one of his own, appreciative of the effort the older boy put into not making this a big deal.

“Ha, I didn’t even think of that. Guess now I’ll have a front-row seat. That way I’ll be close enough to capture Taehyung’s look of terror in 4k.” He takes a sip of coffee and watches in glee as the words register in his friend’s head.

“Why you-!” All three boys were laughing as Taehyung shoved at Jimin, the other boy shoving back until the whole trio was tussling with each other as they continued their trek towards the lodge. They were so engrossed in their play that they didn’t even notice there was someone else on the path, heading in the opposite direction.

One.

Taehyung’s body slams into Jimin’s, sending the younger boy sliding to the ground as the older one stumbles back a few steps, trying to keep himself from falling. He knows immediately it won’t work.

Two.

Jimin spins on instinct, hands flying out for balance before his brain can remind them of the sacred cup they’re holding. He flails, fingertips grasping too late as he watches the cup slip through them.

Three.

He’s weightless for half a second, frozen in time, before his foot skids on the icy ground and he goes tumbling backwards. A flash of panic shoots through him as he feels his knee begin to twist.

Four.

Jimin tenses, body instinctively prepared for a crash to the ground. The coffee has been forgotten as it falls alongside him. Neither makes it very far.

Five.

Impact. Not with the ground, but with something soft and firm. Something grabs him. Jimin doesn’t have time for relief.

Six.

The coffee crashes a heartbeat later, lid popping off so Jimin can stare in horror as hot brown liquid goes shooting across red fabric.

Seven.

Fuck.

“My coffee!” The words are out of his mouth practically before he even registers there’s a person holding him, the devastation at watching the drink go to waste clear in his mournful cry.

Jimin’s legs are awkwardly bent and a strong arm is holding him up as he struggles to get them under him. He’s still staring at the drops of his precious coffee when he realizes that they’ve landed on another person’s jacket. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry! I- I’ll pay for a new one, I’m so sorry.”

He scrambles to his feet, mind racing as he prays the stranger won’t be too mad. He finally drags himself to a standing position and stumbles back a step, lifting his eyes to find out who the unlucky soul is that is currently wearing his drink. Jimin blinks, thoughts frozen. Holy shit.

There’s a boy standing across from him wearing a lopsided grin, eyes downcast as he holds his hands out awkwardly away from his body. His black hair is fluffy and full of flurries, his eyes a deep chocolate brown when they lift to meet Jimin’s. Pale smooth skin, soft cheeks, and an adorable bunny smile. He’s gorgeous, fuck.

“It’s fine! They’re waterproof, it’ll wash off super easy.” Jimin barely even registers the words, too busy gaping at the boy himself. He’s probably a little younger than Jimin, his face still clinging to the smallest fraction of baby fat in the way only a teenagers would. It dips, concerned, when Jimin just keeps staring at him. He switches to heavily-accented English to match Jimin’s apology. “Are you alright?”

“Oh! I- I’m fine, sorry! I’m sorry,” Jimin snaps out of it. He bows quickly, answering in Korean this time instead. Internally, he squeals over how cute of an accent the boy has.

“Oh, good, you speak Korean. Sorry, my English is very limited.” The boy grins at him, paying no attention to the fact that he’s still dripping coffee.

Jimin waves off the concern, looking around frantically as though a towel will appear out of thin air. “I really am sorry about the coffee,” he expresses. His hands clench and unclench with nervous energy, not seeing anything that can help him clean up his mess.

“Here,” a voice suddenly interjects. It’s Hoseok--Jimin had forgotten they were even here--with a handful of napkins held in his outstretched hand. Jimin quickly grabs the offering, not even thinking before he proceeds to mop up the spill. 

...the spill that’s on the beautiful stranger’s chest, that is. Jimin’s head snaps up so suddenly that it smashes into the poor guy's chin, both of them stumbling backward. “Oh my god! I’m so so sorry, oh my god, I swear I’m not normally this clumsy, I’m sorry.”

shitshitshit, what the fuck, Jimin, get it together.

“No, no it’s okay!” The other boy waves one hand through the air, the other grasping his chin. He lets go with another easy smile. “It was an accident, no harm no foul.”

“Still, um, I’m really sorry.” Was that the only thing he knew how to say? Crap, Jimin’s mind was blanking, his face burning in embarrassment. “My name is Jimin.”

ohmygod, Jimin wanted to slap himself. He didn’t need to know that!

“Jeon Jungkook,” came the easy reply. The other boy didn’t seem to mind Jimin’s temporary idiocy. “Nice to meet you, Jimin-ssi.” Jimin could hear his friends’ muffled giggles behind him as he stuttered out a “nice to meet you, too.” Even Jungkook’s voice was beautiful.

“Um, I, do you want a coffee or something?” he blurted out. “For- as an apology, I mean! For your coat.” He could feel his cheeks growing even warmer the more flustered he got.

Jungkook laughed warmly. “No, no, no need. I’m actually running late for a lesson already, so I should really get going. Get yourself one, though, okay? You sounded so sad that it spilled.” He grins at Jimin, whose face feels on fire with the amount of embarrassment he currently feels. His chin ducks down into his scarf as though he can shield his red cheeks from view.

“A-ah, yeah, haha. Um, well, I shouldn’t keep you. Sorry again!” Jungkook shakes his head at him, reaching out to carefully pry a few napkins that Jimin hadn’t even noticed he was still holding.

“You apologize too much,” he teased. He wiped himself off gently and then stuck the napkins into his pocket. “I’ve got to get to the lift, but I hope you guys have a wonderful day!” He gave Hoseok and Taehyung a short bow before turning and winking at Jimin. “See you around, Jimin-ssi.”

With that the beautiful boy bounded away, a pair of skis held over his shoulder that Jimin hadn’t even noticed. He caught a glimpse of the hangul printed across his shoulders as he disappeared from view. Huh, a ski instructor. Well, shit.

Chapter Text

Jimin’s friends, of course, were merciless in their teasing, pestering Jimin about his flustered words for the rest of the day. Jimin took it good-naturedly, he was still pretty embarrassed himself, and Jungkook was seriously his type. Like, have you ever seen someone more perfect??

“But what if I never see him again? What if we never get a chance to talk? What if I’m just doomed to be alone forever!” The boys were lounging in their cabin that evening, the tv playing some random drama and everyone either on their phone or their computer. Nobody even blinked at Jimin’s dramatic cry, more than used to such displays.

“I’m a little offended,” Taehyung spoke up. “You’re not alone, you have me!” Jimin just shot him a glare that clearly said ‘you know what I mean’. He got a cheeky grin in response. “It’s too bad Hoseok doesn’t know him. Then he could set you guys up.”

“Hm?” Hoseok didn’t even look up from his phone, having clearly not recognized anything but his name. Jimin and Taehyung tended to slip into English together out of habit. 

“What was his last name again? Jung?” Jimin answered Taehyung before his brain even processed the question. “Jeon, not Jung.” 

Taehyung smirked at him over his screen, Jimin’s cheeks flushing lightly. “What? I paid attention, sue me. I’m actually polite that way,” he tried to pull off. He buried his face back into his phone when Taehyung just laughed at his attempt.

A few minutes of typing later, the younger boy spoke up again. “Got it! Jeon Jungkook, certified ski instructor. He teaches private lessons every day, and one group lesson every other day.” 

“What?” Jimin’s head popped up, brow furrowed. “Did you google him?!” Taehyung laughed as Jimin scrambled over the coffee table to throw himself over Taehyung’s lap, twisting the computer around to see the screen. “Of course not,” he chided. “I searched on Naver.”

Jimin’s elbow slammed into Taehyung’s gut hard enough to make him wheeze, but he still managed to laugh. “Hey! At least that means he’s got to be an adult. No preying on teenagers, Jimin-ah, that’s creepy.”

“KIM TAEHYUNG!” Jimin pounced, merciless. His knees and elbows went flying, digging into Taehyung where he squirmed and laughed underneath him. Jimin’s hands were slapping pointlessly against his arms like kids having a catfight. 

Hoseok, by now, had caught on to the chaos and came over to inspect. “What’s this?” he asked, peering at the abandoned screen. “You found Jimin’s little crush?”

“It’s not a crush, hyung!” Jimin whined, flipping to Korean so Hoseok could take part. “Yes, it is,” Taehyugn easily dismissed. “He’s a ski instructor here, Seokkie-hyung, I can’t believe you don’t know him.”

“I don’t know everyone who works here personally!” Hoseok shot back. “Do you know how many employees there are??”

“Well, damn it. Now you can’t introduce him to Jimin so they can fall in love and go skiing off into the sunset together.” 

“Taehyung!” Jimin grabbed the nearest couch cushion and flung it at Taehyung’s head, computer screen forgotten in return for his friend’s demise. The two of them fell off the couch together, Taehyung laughing hysterically as he darted out of reach, Jimin chasing him with the pillow held high.

Hoseok just sighed, carefully moving the fragile computer out of the war zone. “Children, please,” he scolded. “There’s clearly an easy solution here.”

“Huh?” Taehyung skid to a stop, Jimin slamming into him from behind and sending both tumbling to the floor. Like the children Hoseok deemed them to be, they slapped childishly at each other as they pulled themselves to a sit. “What’s that hyung?” 

Hoseok rolled his eyes fondly, turning the computer so the two younger boys could scooch forward and see the screen. “This Jungkook teaches ski lessons. So if we want Jimin to have a chance to meet him again, all we have to do is sign him up!”

“What?!” Jimin screeched, lunging for the screen just a second too late. Taehyung snatched it from the table, standing up and cheering like a maniac. “Oh my god, hyung, that’s genius!!”

“That is a terrible idea,” Jimin hissed, repeatedly hitting Taehyung’s claves with the pillow from his position still seated on the ground. I mean, how stupid could they get?! 

“No, no it’s brilliant! ” Taehyung argues. “Think about it! If he’s busy teaching all day, you’ll never get to interact. This way you’ll have hours to get to know each other.” Jimin just gaped at him. 

“Taehyung! I’m an Olympic skier. You don’t think he’s gonna realize I already know how to ski??” He scrambled to his feet to try and grab the computer, cursing his short height as he popped up onto his tippy toes. “Taehyungggg!”

“Technically, you’re not really an Olympic skier,” Hoseok interjected quietly. “And you haven’t actually skied down hills like these in a long time.”

Jimin paused where he was attempting to tickle his best friend, Hoseok’s words bringing the mood down quite a bit. Hoseok seemed to wince as he registered what he’d said, exchanging a frantic glance with a wide-eyed Taehyung.

“Right. No, you- you’re right,” Jimin said softly, cutting Hoseok off when he tried to stutter out an apology. Because he was right. Jimin wasn’t an Olympic skier. He’d lost that chance.

“Er, um, right!” Taehyung quickly intervened, trying to raise the mood again. “Right, you’re both right. But weren’t you just saying earlier how you missed just being able to ski for fun, Minnie? Just normal downhill skiing? This could be a chance to just get out on the slopes and have a good time!” 

Jimin smiled fondly at his friend, truly grateful for his effort to turn the conversation around. “I said I wanted to ski with you guys, TaeTae, not some stranger. Even a really cute one. It’s a dumb idea, and a total waste of his time and our money, so just drop it, okay?"

Jimin sighed, looking away from his friend's adorable pout. Damn those big eyes. "Maybe we’ll bump into each other again. Preferably without the coffee this time,” he added, trying to lift his mood. It worked, Taehyung’s grin stretching across his face as he launched into another round of teasing. The computer was set aside, and the topic was forgotten. 

That night, Jimin opened the closet door in his room and took a long look at the gear stashed within. It was their third night at the resort, and he’d yet to even take them out of their travel binds. 

When was the last time he’d just skied for fun? No pressure, no worries, no scary heights or daring tricks. Just him, his skis, and a whole stretch of mountain to enjoy. He rubbed his knee contemplatively. He missed those days. He missed skiing. 

Jimin carefully shut the door and slipped into bed, willing himself to sleep. Hoseok’s idea was still ridiculous, but….it didn’t actually sound all that bad. I mean, Jeon Jungkook really was that cute.

❄ ❄ ❄

“Oh my god, I regret everything. I take it back, this is the stupidest idea in the world, why the hell did I let you convince me to do this?!” Jimin might be panicking. Just a little.

He paced back and forth across the snow, not even caring that a few tourists were giving him some odd looks. “Jimin-ah, it’s fine,” Hoseok tried to reassure. “It hasn’t been that long since you’ve done this, it’ll be like riding a bicycle.”

“Which one?!” Jimin squeaked out, half laughing half crying. “Skiing down a mountain or talking to a cute boy?”

“Er, um, both?” Hoseok grinned sheepishly, looking to Taehyung for help. The other boy was practically vibrating in excitement, nearly whacking people with his poles every time he talked.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Minnie! The doctor cleared you to ski, like, months ago, so that’s all good, and you could probably do hills like this in your sleep. And it’s really not been that long since you’ve talked to a cute boy! Just be yourself!”

He shot a smile Jimin’s way that made his heart warm a little. Taehyung really is the best friend he could ask for. Doesn’t mean Jimin isn’t still freaking out though.

“Yes, okay, and what if I’m too good? What if he realizes I don’t need lessons and that I’m just there to flirt with him and thinks it’s creepy and I’m weird and then he’s all creeped out and doesn’t like me at all!” he cries.

Taehyung just raises a single eyebrow at his dramatic display. “Okay, first, chill. It’s not even that creepy. If I were him, I’d be flattered.” 

“We don’t even know if he’s gay!” Jimin nearly shouted. His arms came up to wave around and Hoseok had to duck out of the way to avoid getting hit. “Or he could be in a relationship!”

“He was totally checking you out after you bumped into him, Jimin, trust me. He wouldn’t do that if he were straight or taken.” Personally, Jimin disagreed with that statement, but he just grumbled angrily and didn’t reply, stepping forward to get onto the lift. He didn’t remember any flirting or checking out, and he was the one actually talking to the boy!

“And second, relax,” Taehyung continued. Most people who sign up for privates have skied before. Just, fall down every now and then so it looks like you aren’t that good, simple.” 

Simple, he says. Yeah right. “Fine, whatever. But you owe me, you hear?” He brushed his fringe back from his face and adjusted his beanie nervously.

“Yes! Perfect, I knew you’d agree. Which is good because I already booked him for like the whole week.” Jimin jolted in shock, jaw gaping as he stared at his best friend.

“You told me it was only one lesson!” he screeched. “And how the hell did you manage that?! Aren’t these things booked out like months in advance?” 

“Well…I pulled a few strings,” Taehyung shrugged, a dusting of pink on his cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold. Jimin scoffed, rolling his eyes teasingly and craning his neck to catch sight of Hoseok sitting on the other side. “And by strings, you mean Hoseok-hyung’s dick.” 

“YAH!” Taehyung and Hoseok shouted in unison, shoving at Jimin as he doubled over laughing. The lift wobbled at the movement making Jimin laugh even harder. He still remembered him and Taehyung’s first time on a lift together, and how absolutely, hilariously, horrible that turned out. 

“Alright, alright,” Jimin acquiesced, still giggling a little. “I’ll do the stupid lessons. BUT,” he warned in English before Taehyung could cheer, “You have to tell hyung you’re in love with him.” 

“ What? Whyyy,” Taehyung whined petulantly. Jimin just rolled his eyes. “Because I said so!” he shot back, glancing at Hoseok again to make sure he wasn’t paying attention. “Look, Tae, he’s clearly just as in love with you as you are of him. I’m telling you, he’d say yes.” 

Taehyung sighed, chancing a glance over at an oblivious Hoseok on the other side of Jimin. “Yeah, that’s kind of what I’m afraid of,” he muttered. Jimin just gave him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.

He knew his friend was worried. That he thought by asking Hoseok to move to Canada with him, he would be tearing the older boy from his life and home, something that Hoseok would eventually resent him for. Jimin knew better though. Taehyung didn’t see the way Hoseok looked at him when his back was turned. 

Jimin lifted the bar as the trio approached the top of the hill, heart starting to pound in anticipation. This was where he was set to meet the instructor. Jeon Jungkook. As the three of them pushed away from the lift, Taehyung assuring Hoseok they hadn’t been talking about anything serious, he felt a small sliver of hope wiggle its way into his heart. Maybe--just maybe--Taehyung was right.

❄ ❄ ❄

Taehyung was most definitely not right.

Really, this one was on Jimin. Since when was Taehyung ever right about anything?? Did he not learn anything from the first time?!

“Hi! My name is Jungkook and I’ll be your instru- oh. Oh! It’s you.” Jungkook’s eyes were wide and delighted and he smiled adorably at Jimin when they made eye contact.

“Yep, uh, it’s me,” Jimin awkwardly replied. “Sorry about earlier.”

“Oh no, it’s fine. Actually, I was kinda hoping we’d meet again.” 

“Oh?” Jimin squealed internally at the way Jungkook ducked his head shyly, cheeks just slightly pinker than moments before. So cute!

“Uh, it’s- never mind. We should probably start the lesson, shouldn’t we?” Jungkook fiddled with his poles as Jimin tried to contain his giggles. “It’s Jimin, right?”

Jimin nodded. “And you can call me ‘hyung’ if you’d like,” he offered. Jungkook blinked quickly and blushed. “Oh, uh, how old are you?” he asked. It was clear he had thought he was the older of the two, which….was not an unfamiliar feeling for Jimin.

“I’m 21, you?” he asked. By this point he was used to the surprise that briefly flits across Jungkook’s face. He knows he looks younger than he is. “I’m 19. So you are my hyung.”

“Cool, so now that that’s out of the way, how about this lesson, yeah?” he teased gently. Usually, he’d feel a spark of annoyance at people automatically assuming he was still a teenager, a kid, but there was something incredibly endearing about Jungkook. 

“Right! Sorry, yeah, let’s get started.”

What followed was the best ski lesson of Jimin’s entire life. Or perhaps the worst, it really depended on how you looked at it.

Afterward, he let Jungkook escort him towards the lift, cheeks burning as he continued to brush snow from his outfit. Beside him, Jungkook was laughing prettily, the musical tone to his voice making Jimin swoon.

“I thought you said you had experience skiing!” the younger boy teased. “We haven’t even gotten to the big hills yet.” 

Jimin groaned, his mind replaying the many times he’d ended up splayed on the ground during today’s lesson. It wasn’t his fault! Really!

Jungkook had been taking him through some of the basics, which unfortunately included him squatting in front of him to show him the “proper form” for downhill skiing. Which is great and all, except that it put his ass directly within Jimin's line of view. Can you blame him for feeling a bit flustered?

“I’m just a bit rusty, that’s all,” he covered up. The pair were slowly making their way across the snow, perfectly in sync as they glided along. It made joy rise in Jimin that for once had nothing to do with the beautiful boy beside him. He’d missed this. So much more than he’d even realized.

“It’s no issue,” Jungkook assured. “You’re already leagues above most of the people that sign on for lessons. We’ll have you back out on the slopes in no time.” He eyed the easy way that Jimin was moving now, the older boy as graceful as a swan. He nearly floated across the snow.

“You seem much better now,” he said. “It’s just muscle memory, see? There’s nothing to worry about.” Jimin smiled back at him, but by the teasing glint in the other boy’s eye, he knew they were both still thinking about earlier. Jimin was going to be sore tonight.

“Well, this is where I leave you,” Jungkook said, sliding to a stop near the lift line. “Same time tomorrow?” 

Jimin turned to meet him, coming to a stop with his skis knocking lightly against Jungkook’s. The lesson had only been a couple hours long, and he didn’t want to say goodbye to the other boy yet.

Throughout their lesson, Jungkook had been kind and charming. He was a good instructor, patient and encouraging. Jimin could tell he knew what he was talking about. He had a good sense of humor too, knowing exactly when to tease and when to encourage. By the time they decided to call it quits, Jimin was so far gone he’d be surprised if there weren’t hearts in his eyes.

“Um, do you have another lesson right now?” he asked, mind racing. When Jungkook shook his head ‘no’, he felt a flutter of hope in his chest. “Well, my friends aren’t going to be back for another couple hours. Do you want to grab coffee or something?”

Jungkook blinked at him, long enough that Jimin could feel his face starting to get hot. “Yes!” the younger boy suddenly shouted. “I mean- yes. Um, I have a little bit of time, yeah.” Now it was Jungkook’s turn to blush.

Jimin made sure he didn’t make any outward reaction despite how his insides were currently melting at the adorableness. “Perfect. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you today.”

Jungkook was sweet and smart and easy to talk to. He and Jimin had chatted throughout his lesson, and he’d found himself paying more attention to their conversation than the instructions that were mingled in. Which might be why he ended up on his face so many times.  

Jimin followed Jungkook as he led them towards the little village at the base of the mountain. Most of the tourists stayed here, and Jimin deferred to Jungkook as the younger boy sought out the perfect cafe.

“Here! The best hot chocolate in all of Yongpyong.” Jungkook sent Jimin a wide smile, gesturing grandly towards the little building. 

“Hot chocolate?” Jimin questioned. The other boy’s enthusiasm was endearing, the little hop he made as he approached the door adorable. 

“Oh, uh, yeah. They have coffee too, don’t worry. I just don’t drink caffeine.” Jungkook smiled sheepishly and ran a hand through his messy hair.

Cute, Jimin thought. The hair was sticking up everywhere from wearing a helmet earlier and little snowflakes were somehow still clinging to some of the strands. Jungkook’s cheeks were tinted a dusty pink that stood out against his pale skin and he had the most adorable bunny smile on his face.

Yeah, cute, just about summed it up.

The cafe was warm and smelled like sweets, a few other patrons mingling about and leaving drops of water all over the floor that had Jimin wincing.

Jungkook greeted the employees all by name and asked for his regular, while Jimin just got his usual coffee order. He nearly bought one of the delicious-looking sweets displayed in the case, but decided against it for the time being and the two went to grab a table in the corner and wait for their drinks. 

Jimin snorts, nearly getting boiling liquid up his nose when he sees Jungkook’s cup. “I’m sorry, would you like some hot chocolate with those marshmallows?” he teased. Jungkook grinned sheepishly, rubbing at his ears. “I like things sweet, okay?” 

The younger boy took a small sip, both hands wrapped around the mug like a child. He hummed contentedly as he lowered the cup, a small line of white across his upper lip from the cream. Jimin couldn’t help but track the motion of his tongue as it licked it off, Jungkook running the back of his hand over them a second later finally snapping him out of it.

“I owed you a coffee, didn’t I hyung?” Jungkook teased, tipping his chin at Jimin’s drink. Jimin winced at the memory of their first meeting, but laughed along good-naturedly.

“Actually I think it was I that owed you one for crashing into you.” 

“Oh I dunno,” Jungkook said. “I didn’t really mind that.” He shot Jimin a wink that had Jimin’s stomach flipping as fast as one of his aerial runs. “But do you like their coffee?” Jungkook asked.

Jimin had barely even taken a sip, but he nods rapidly in reply, chin dipping into his scarf with every bob. Jungkook smiled, one gloved hand reaching out to tug at the thick fabric. “Here. I can’t see your smile with that in the way.”

His hand lingered, fingers tucked under Jimin’s chin. Jimin couldn’t breathe for a second, his eyes locked on Jungkook’s own star-filled ones. The moment broke after a heartbeat, both boys taking quick sips of their respective drinks to dispel the tension. But internally, Jimin was squealing. 

Jungkook was cute. Really really cute. And Jimin had never been happier to be falling in all his life.

❄ ❄ ❄

“Wait you got his number?!” Taehyung lunged to try and rip the cell phone from Jimin’s hand, but the older boy was faster, twisting away and sliding said phone into his pocket before his friend could grab it. “Seok-hyung! Jimin got Jungkook’s number already. I was SO right!” Taehyung crowed.

The trio was attempting to have a quiet evening in their cabin, but Taehyung had been curious as to why Jimin had been grinning at his phone like a “lovesick puppy” for the past hour. Jimin had swapped numbers with the ski instructor earlier when they’d parted at the cafe. And they’d promised to try and find other times to meet up outside of the lessons.  

“See? What did I tell ya. Just like riding a bike. You should ask him out already,” Taehyung said, wrapping his limbs around Jimin like the world’s most annoying octopus. The three of them were sprawled across a single bed, and Taehyung rolling around on top of them wasn’t making the tight fit any easier.

“Gah, get off! And it was Hoseok-hyung who said that, not you,” Jimin replied, shoving at the younger boy so he’d go flop onto Hoseok instead of Jimin. “It’s just a phone number. We’re not- I’m not going to just ask him out all of a sudden, I don’t even know if he likes me. Or guys.” 

“Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, hon.” Taehyung rolled over so he was belly to belly above Hoseok, smirking down at the oldest boy. “Seokkie-hyung, tell Jimin that he’s being stupid and that asking Jungkook out is exactly what he should do.” Before Hoseok could actually answer, however, Taehyung leaned down and captured his lips in a deep kiss, moaning theatrically just to be an ass.

“Ugh, keep it PG guys, I’m right here,” Jimin complained, slapping the two with a pillow as they laughed at his discomfort.

Jimin hadn’t forgotten about Taehyung’s half of this deal. He only spent two hours a day with Jungkook. The other 22 were spent having to watch these two lovebirds be disgustingly sweet and in love. And making out. They made out a lot. Like, way more than Jimin ever deserved to have to see with his own two eyes. 

“Jimin-ah, you should just go for it,” Hoseok piped up. “If he doesn’t want to, then okay big deal. You’re only here for a few more days anyway.”

Jimin winced at the reminder. In four days Jimin had to head back home to Canada, on the other side of the world. Even if he really liked Jungkook, they’d end up in the same exact place as Taehyung and Hoseok. Being stuck thousands of miles apart. 

“Well, what’s the point then? Even if he likes me, it wouldn’t work. We go home in less than a week.” He frowned down at his phone angrily. Of course, the one guy he’s actually seriously liked in a long time would live on the wrong side of the world. 

“Who cares!” Taehyung said. “You’ve still got four days left. If I were you, I’d confess already so at least you get to enjoy them.”

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and not so subtly ground down his hips where they were still pressed to Hoseok’s, causing the other boy to bite back a moan at the contact. Jimin’s face screwed up in disgust and he reached around for the pillow to bash it against his friend’s head again. Repeatedly.

But he couldn’t help but think Taehyung kind of had a point. Four days wasn’t a lot, but it was better than zero days, which is what it would be if Jimin stuck to being such a coward. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he’d tell Jungkook how he felt about him. 

Four days was like a lifetime to someone who was used to living in just seven seconds.

Chapter Text

The next day, Jimin was eager to see Jungkook again, showing up 20 minutes early to their meeting spot. To his surprise, Jungkook was already waiting. 

“Hey! I finished a bit early with my morning lesson, so I thought I’d head on over. If you want, we can begin now?” He grinned boyishly at Jimin, and for a minute, Jimin wanted to laugh at the idea that this was his ‘instructor’. He was too busy swooning over how cute he looked with his hour tousled and his eyes sparkling to think about it for long though.

The pair hit the easy slopes pretty quickly, Jimin coasting down the tiny hill with ease under Jungkook’s watchful gaze. Today, they would try some of the real trails.

He thought he’d be more nervous honestly, but Hoseok was right- it was like riding a bicycle. Even when Jimin’s brain froze and freaked out for a second, his body was already moving to keep him floating easily through the snow. 

He’d forgotten how amazing it felt. Even just these tiny little beginner hills were making his heart beat in thrilling anticipation. It had been so long!

“You look great!” Jungkook shouted as the two of them slid to a stop at the base. “Much better than yesterday.” 

Jimin laughed delightedly, breath coming in quick gasps of excitement. “Oh my god, I’d forgotten how awesome this felt!” He spun around to face Jungkook, but in his excitement, he misjudged how close the two were standing and that they were, in fact, still on skis.

With a yelp and a tangle of skis, Jimin tipped forward and slammed into Jungkook’s chest, the younger boy quickly grabbing him and wrapping him in his long arms so he wouldn’t fall. Jimin’s heart was pounding for a whole different reason now as he looked up cautiously and saw Jungkook grinning down at him.

“I might have to take back my statement,” Jungkook teased. Embarrassed, Jimin tried to scramble back to his feet but only ended up sending himself tumbling to the ground instead. “Oh my god,” he groaned, burying his face in his snow-covered gloves while Jungkook laughed. 

“Here.” Jungkook extended a hand to help haul Jimin to his feet, reaching out to help brush some snow off the other boy’s clothes. Jimin hoped his red cheeks would simply be attributed to the cold rather than anything else. 

“Come on,” Jungkook beckoned. “The only way to get better is more practice.” He pushed off suddenly, leaving Jimin to hustle to follow after.

The two of them weaved in between other skiers as they made their way to a lift that would take them to a slightly harder slope where Jungkook could get a better look at how Jimin handled the terrain.

As they made their way across the snow, Jimin admired the easy grace Jungkook moved with, skiing with an ease that spoke of years of experience and training. 

And his ass. He was also definitely admiring his ass. It was a pretty fantastic ass.

❄ ❄ ❄

“So, do you want to get coffee again?” This time it was Jungkook who asked. Jimin’s heart quickened with hope as he eyed the eager expression on the younger boy’s face.

“Yeah, sure,” he said. “I’d love to.” Jungkook smiled at his words, urging them towards the ski lockers so they could drop their gear off instead of having to haul it through town.

Jimin tried not to stare as the other boy shucked his jacket off so he could remove one of his layers now that they were headed somewhere warmer. A thin sliver of toned abs peeked out as he pulled a thick fleece quarter-zip over his head, the little slip of skin already enough to make Jimin’s mouth dry. Ten bucks on Jungkook having a six-pack.

He quickly distracted himself with storing his gear, exchanging his ski boots for something more comfortable. He was right, they weren’t very good for walking around. But boy was he happy to be wearing them again. 

This time when Jungkook went bounding into the cafe, he did so with a squeal of, “Seokjinnie-hyung!” A similarly high-pitched cry answered him.

“Jungkookie! My favorite dongsaeng.” Around the corner of the counter walked what might be the most handsome man Jimin had ever seen. Don’t get him wrong- Jungkook was gorgeous, cute and pretty and adorable. But this man, damn. He could be a model with a face like that.

“Oh? Who’s this, Kookie?” Kookie. Okay, that’s pretty cute.

“This is Jimin-hyung,” Jungkook introduced. “He’s a client of mine this week.” Jungkook reached back to pull Jimin forward with a gentle smile, the shorter boy’s attention still caught on the older man’s perfectly chiseled face.

Said man glanced back and forth between them with a knowing smirk. “Just a client, Jungkookie?” he asked. Jungkook scowled at him, reaching over to slap the older man’s arm. “Yah! I’m older than you.”

Jimin finally snapped out of his trance and cleared his throat. “I’m Park Jimin, nice to meet you,” he said politely. “Kim Seokjin,” he got back. 

“What do you want to drink, Jimin-ssi?” Seokjin asked. “Kook-ah, I assume you want your usual. Extra sweet.” He winked at the younger boy, causing him to blush faintly. Jimin looked between them curiously. He wondered how close they were.

“Um, I’ll actually have whatever Jungkook’s having,” he said. Jungkook beamed at him, cheeks squishing adorably. Seokjin smirked, turning around towards the counter. “Take a seat wherever,” he waved. “I’ll have your drinks shortly.”

Jungkook dragged Jimin to the table they sat at yesterday. It wasn’t long before Seokjin came bearing two mugs, ruffling Jungkook’s hair and shooting Jimin a flirty wink. Now Jimin was definitely confused.

“Seokjin-hyung’s a really good friend,” Jungkook told him. “He owns this cafe actually. He’s always like that, don’t worry; he flirts with pretty much everyone.” Jimin frowned. For some reason, he wasn't fond of the thought of someone flirting with Jungkook. Someone that wasn’t him that is.  

The two boys decided to go for a short walk around the village, Jungkook not having another client until a few hours later. The whole place was bustling with people and shining with multicolored lights. It was beautiful really, most of it still decorated for the holidays despite being a few weeks past. Jimin thinks he even spied a sprig of mistletoe in one of the store windows.

“So what do you think? Is it as good as I said?” Jungkook asked. He watched eagerly as Jimin raised his cup and took a sip, letting the hot liquid fall down his throat as he licked his lips and hummed noncommittally, inwardly laughing at Jungkook’s impatience. “It’s not bad.”

“Not bad!” Jungkook’s face was outraged, and Jimin couldn’t help laughing at it. “I’m kidding, Kook-ah. It’s delicious.”

He wasn’t lying. The drink was superb, if a little on the sweet side, and just what he’d needed after a couple tiring hours on the slopes. He was way more out of shape than he’d anticipated, but he’d wanted to keep up with Jungkook’s seemingly endless stamina.

“Good. Otherwise, I’m not sure I could’ve been your ski instructor any longer, Jimin-hyung. Anyone who doesn’t love this hot chocolate must have terrible taste.” He reached down to grab Jimin’s hand, unaware of the way Jimin’s heart jumped in response. “Now come on, I want to show you something.”

He dragged the two down the snowy path, weaving between people and shops. Jimin had to nearly jog to keep up with his long strides, and his hand was still firmly clasped in Jungkook’s own. When they finally stopped, it took every ounce of athleticism in his body to not go crashing into either Jungkook or the ground.

“Look,” Jungkook said softly. He gave Jimin’s hand a gentle squeeze. Jimin looked. 

It was a mural. A beautiful painting of the mountains that ringed the resort against a background of a starry night. The galaxy cut through the sky, scattering colorful spots of light across the painting. The bottom was covered in the black silhouettes of many trees, each a different shape and size. Unlike the rest of the painting, some of the trees looked lopsided or childish, not nearly as impeccably painted as the rest. 

“Wow,” he said. “It’s amazing. Who painted it?”

“I did.”

Jimin gaped at Jungkook, swinging his gaze between the boy and the wall. “You did?!” he exclaimed. Oh my god, could this boy get any more perfect?

“Yeah,” Jungkook said shyly. His cheeks were tinted a light pink, flattering his fair skin. “It was a project I did with a local youth group for troubled kids. I gave them all free ski lessons. Studies have shown that sports are a great outlet for kids like that. It gives them something to focus on and work for. Something to feel proud of.

"When the lessons ended, I wanted to give them something special to remember it by, and I thought this would be perfect because they’d also be giving something to the community. Each kid got to paint their own tree. I hope they’ll come back someday, and when they see this mural, they’ll remember how much fun they had, and how good it felt to do something nice for others.”

Jimin was speechless. His heart seemed to swell with every word that Jungkook said. He looked back at the painting and all the little trees lumped at the front. If he looked closer, he could just barely make out a list of names printed along the bottom edge. He turned his gaze back to Jungkook, the other boy smiling at the painting with a faraway look in his star-filled eyes. 

Jimin remembered suddenly that he’d seen little sprigs of mistletoe still hung in doorways around the village, the employees having forgotten them after the holidays had passed. His fingers tighten around Jungkook’s hand as he shoves down the sudden urge to go find one. To drag this man, beautiful and wonderful and kind beyond imagine, underneath the stupid plant if only because then Jimin wouldn’t have to work up the courage to kiss him himself.

Wow, he thought again. Amazing. 

Chapter Text

Back at the cabin, Jimin recounted the entire story of the mural to an enraptured Taehyung and Hoseok. “Oh, Minnie,” Taehyung teased. “You’re such a goner.”

“Well, who wouldn’t be!” Jimin shot back. He sighed, thinking about the way Jungkook had held his hand all the way back to the lift. The way he’d sometimes squeeze it gently in time to his words, or swing them slightly as he skipped along. Yeah, maybe he was a goner.

“He’s perfect, Tae,” Jimin said sincerely. “It’s not just that he’s cute anymore. He’s kind and gentle and funny. I mean, that whole story about the youth group? I nearly felt like crying!” He collapsed back against the couch, letting his head roll to the side. “I don’t think this is just some crush anymore.”

Taehyung scooted closer, his own face growing more serious. “So it’s not just a crush,” he agreed. “Why do you sound so sad about that?”

Jimin thought for a moment before answering. “Because if it was just attraction, then that’s fine. I could tell him I liked him and enjoy the next few days. But this, I- I think I’m a little bit in love with him TaeTae. If I tell him I like him now, I’m going to want so much more than just a couple nights. I’m going to want more than just this vacation.”

He’d slipped into English without realizing it, and Taehyung was giving him a sad, understanding look. They both unconsciously flicked their eyes towards Hoseok, who was watching the two with confusion but rubbing a soft thumb over Jimin’s arm in comfort regardless.

“I know what you mean,” Taehyung said. He hadn’t forgotten about his part of the deal in this mess. “If you spend the next couple days together, you think you’re going to fall in love. And then we have to go back.”

Jimin just nodded sadly. Taehyung sighed and slid down to rest himself half in Jimin’s lap and half in Hoseok’s. “I wish I could tell you what to do,” he said. “But to be honest, I’m not sure, Minnie. If you really like this guy, I want to say go for it. But I know how hard it’s going to be to have to say goodbye.”

“Yeah,” Jimin agreed softly. “Yeah, it just sucks doesn’t it?”

Taehyung nodded, playing gently with the fingers of Hoseok’s free hand. The older boy was being very patient, understanding that this was a conversation for the two friends.

“I think you should tell him,” Taehyung settled on. “I think….I think you should enjoy the next couple of days. You still have him for two more lessons, so you're going to have to see him regardless. At least this way you can enjoy the time you spend together, and it would be just as hard at the end regardless, I know you.”

Jimin had to admit he was right. Two more days of lessons and coffee dates, and Jimin just knew his feelings would only grow. If he wanted anything more with Jungkook, he needed to tell him sooner rather than later.

And speak of the devil, that would be Jimin’s phone going off. “Hey, look,” Taehyung said giggling. “It’s Jungkook!”

“Give me that!” Jimin yelped, stretching across his friend’s lap to reach for the phone. Taehyung already had the message open, the nosey brat, and he wiggled his eyebrows at Jimin before tossing it to him. “I think someone just asked you out!”

“What?” Jimin quickly turned the phone around to read for himself.

‘Hey, Jimin-hyung! It’s Jungkook btw. So some of the staff members are doing a little karaoke night down in the village in a few hours, and I wanted to know if you’d like to come! It’s super casual but always a big hit with the tourists, so I thought you might enjoy!’

A second message popped up just as he’d finished reading the first. ‘I’d really enjoy hanging out with you more. Hope you can make it!’

“Oh my god,” he said. He shot Taehyung a frantic look. “What do I do? Do I go??”

“What do you mean ‘do I go’? Of course go!” Taehyung was already jumping off the bed, grabbing Jimin by the hand and dragging him towards the closet. “Come on, we’ve got to find something decent for you to wear.”

“Wait, Taehyung! I thought we just agreed that I shouldn’t get too close?” 

“What? No. You said you were worried about getting too close. I think you should totally go for it.” Taehyung spun around and took Jimin by the shoulders, looking down at his friend with serious eyes.

“Look, Jimin, I know you’re worried. You really like this guy, I can tell. But I think he’s interested in you, too, and I think you’d regret it if you didn’t at least see if that was true. Go have fun tonight, and let things happen how they happen. You’re so fixated on the future that you’re not even enjoying the present. You still have a few more days, remember?”

Jimin sighed, mulling over his friend’s words as Taehyung dug through their suitcases. He was right. This time, at least. Jimin had a least a few more days left to get to know Jungkook and see if the other boy even reciprocated his feelings. And if he did, well, they’d cross that bridge when they got there.

“Okay,” he finally said. “I’ll go.”

❄ ❄ ❄

The karaoke was held in a cute little bar down in the village, a flashing neon sign pointing to the entryway. It was well lit and clean, and clearly doubled as a proper food establishment during the daytime. Jimin had been to a couple noraebangs before, but this just seemed like a restaurant someone had dragged a karaoke machine to. There was a decent amount of resort goers mingling about as someone worked to get everything set up.

“Hey! Jimin-hyung, you made it!” He turned at the voice just in time to see Jungkook bound over and sling an arm around him in a quick hug. “I’m really glad you came.” The younger boy’s eyes sparkled brightly as he grinned at Jimin, already holding a drink in one hand.

He was wearing a navy turtleneck sweater and tight ripped jeans. His hair, usually rumpled and messy, had been combed neat, and he’d thrown on a pair of earrings and some light makeup. The gloss on his lips shimmered as he spoke, and it succeeded in dragging Jimin’s eyes to it more than once. He looked soft, softer than Jimin had expected, and it made his heart skip a few beats in response.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said. “I love karaoke.” He bit down on his own gloss-covered lip to keep anything else he might want to say safely inside. 

“Great! I’m performing with a friend of mine. Seokjin-hyung? From the cafe?” Jungkook turned and pointed to a slim figure in the crowd.

Jimin frowned briefly at that, before shaking himself out of it. He can’t be getting jealous already, they weren’t even together. Besides, Jungkook had said Seokjin was just a good friend, and the other man was clearly several years older than them.

“That’s awesome! I can’t wait to hear you sing.” That, at least, he was genuine about. Jimin loved music, nearly as much as he loved skiing, and he had a feeling Jungkook was going to be pretty good.

“To be honest, I’m a little nervous. I’ve never really sang in front of anyone other than my friends before,” Jungkook confessed. He pulled on an earlobe self-consciously, twin spots of pink rising on his cheeks. Jimin resisted the sudden urge to hug him.

“I’m sure you’ll do great,” he said. “And it’s karaoke. I don’t think anyone is expecting anything serious.” He grabbed Jungkook’s hand on impulse, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The other boy smiled gently, squeezing back. 

“Thanks. I needed to hear that. Now, let’s get you a drink!” Still holding on to Jimin’s hand, he started steering them both towards the bar. 

The bartender was about Jimin’s height. He had ink-black hair that fell over his cat-like eyes, and he was dressed in all black. Several pairs of rings clinked against the glasses as he mixed drinks, and a slim choker accentuated his pale slim neck. Seriously, was everyone who worked at the resort this fucking hot??

“Yoongi-hyung!” Jungkook called excitedly, bounding up to the counter and leaning across it. “This is Jimin-hyung, I told you about him right?” He pulled Jimin closer by the hand, the older boy going willingly and giving an awkward wave towards the bartender.

‘Yoongi’ didn’t seem like he remembered Jungkook saying anything. Or maybe that was just his usual expression, but he seemed almost bored. “Nice to meet you,” he said politely. Jimin answered in kind before the man immediately went back to making drinks. 

“Oh, uhh,” he floundered, not sure if that was a dismissal. 

“Don’t worry, that’s just Yoongi-hyung,” Jungkook reassured. He laughed warmly. “He owns this place actually. Him and his husband. You’ll meet Namjoon-hyung later.”

“Namjoon?” Jimin repeated. Hadn’t he heard that name before? “I think my friend Hoseok knows him.”

Jungkook blinked at him, gears turning. “Hoseok? Like, like Jung Hoseok?” he asked. Jimin nodded, a little confused. Hadn’t Hoseok said he didn’t know Jungkook? 

“Oh my gosh,” Jungkook exclaimed. “You’re friends with Jung Hoseok!” He bounced up and down excitedly, like a bunny with too much energy. “Yoongi-hyung!” he shouted over the bar. “Jimin-hyung knows Jung Hoseok!” 

The bartender looked up from his work to give Jimin a curious look. “Hm. Small world.”

“Wait, what’s so special about Hoseok?” Jimin asked. He was totally lost now.

“Well, I’ve never actually met him,” Jungkook said. “But he works with Yoongi-hyung and Namjoon-hyung sometimes. They rap together. I’ve heard a couple of their songs, and they’re so awesome.” 

Of course! Hoseok had mentioned a Namjoon before when talking about a college friend who he used to mix tracks with. He’d vaguely mentioned a third person before, but Hoseok had never said their name. Jimin hadn’t even heard Hoseok rap before; he just knew it was something that had Taehyung practically coming in his pants at the thought of.

“Huh, yeah. Small world indeed.”

Later, after Yoongi had made a drink and Jungkook a second, Jimin found himself chatting easily with Jungkook’s friends. Yoongi was still behind the bar, but Seokjin and the famous Namjoon were both friendly and easy to talk to.

Namjoon, it turned out, was even clumsier than Jimin. Jungkook was teasing him about the fact that he co-owned the bar but Yoongi never let him behind the counter for fear that he’d break all the bottles.

“Hey, Kookie, I think it’s almost our turn!” Seokjin broke in. Jimin and Jungkook had been talking about skiing, surprise surprise, while the older boys chatted about something else. 

“Oh! Okay, yeah, I’m ready.” Jungkook smoothed his sweater down nervously, handing his drink off to Namjoon. “Do I look okay?” he asked Jimin.

Jimin didn’t even hesitate before he answered. “You look beautiful.” He nearly regretted his words, but the happy flush on Jungkook’s cheeks made it worth it.

“Thanks. Wish me luck!” Jimin did and watched Jungkook bound off towards the ‘stage’ in the corner. They’d seen a few decent performances so far, with one act--a trio of girls Jungkook said worked at the ice rink--giving a really good one.

“So, Jimin-ah,” Namjoon’s voice tore Jimin’s attention away from where Jungkook and Seokjin were getting ready. “You met Yoongi earlier right?” 

Jimin nodded, glancing over at the bar where the man in question still resided. “He’s your husband, right?” 

“He is, yes. For almost a year now,” Namjoon said. “But did you know he’s also a figure skater? Or, he was. He decided to retire from competing last year.”

“Oh?” Jimin said. He was entirely unsure where this was going.

“Yes, it’s why he likes to work here instead of in the city during winter. He gets free access to the rink.” Namjoon shook his head fondly, smiling over his shoulder at his husband. “He was good, too. Really good. He actually managed to make the Korean team for the Olympics last year, although he didn’t medal.”

Jimin’s palms were suddenly sweaty where he rubbed them anxiously against his jeans. He didn’t like where this was going.

“I went to cheer him on, of course. And while we were there, we heard this awful story about a skier who had crashed during practice. We were really intrigued because he was Korean, even though he was from Canada.” Namjoon tipped his head down to look Jimin directly in the eye. “His name was Park Jimin. Where did you say you were from again, Jimin-ah?”

Jimin gulped heavily, mind racing as he tried to think of something to say. “Um, I- I didn’t mean anything by it! I promise,” he blurted out.

Namjoon frowned and cocked his head to the side in confusion. “Mean anything by what?”

“Um, b-by lying? About being a skier.”

Namjoon, frowned at him for another second, the voice of Seokjin introducing the pair heard vaguely in the background before the older man burst out laughing.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Jimin-ah, I didn’t mean to accuse you of anything. I just wanted to say I’m sorry about your accident. Yoongi hurt his ankle once a few years ago, and I know how hard it was for him to be sidelined while it healed.” He smiled warmly at the shorter boy, whose heart was beginning to settle now that he knew Namjoon wasn’t upset with him. “Oh.”

“Yes, sorry,” Namjoon chuckled. “And as for the lying, well I’m assuming an Olympian like yourself doesn’t need lessons, so I think I have a pretty good idea why you’d sign up for them.” He tipped his head towards the stage, where the music was just beginning to play.

“I’m not really an Olympian,” Jimin said, purposefully ignoring the last half of that statement. “I never competed, remember? I blew it.”

Namjoon shot him a curious look. “Well, you made the team didn’t you? You should give yourself more credit. Everyone there said the crash was due to weather, not a lack of skill on your part, and it was just bad luck you were the first to go that morning. It was extremely talented of you to even land as well as you did, the reports all said it could’ve been much worse.”

Jimin glanced up with wide eyes, the casual sincerity in Namjoon’s voice a shock. He’d heard the same words from his friends and family more times than he could count, of course, but those were people who were obligated to say things like that. Jimin had heard differently from people actually involved in winter sports. Specifically his ex-teammates.

“You really think so?” he asked. Distantly, he recognized that Seokjin had started singing and he should really be paying attention.

“I do,” Namjoon said. “You’re an incredible athlete, Jimin-ah. Even Jungkook thinks so and he’s only seen you ski on baby hills so far.” The last sentence was said with a teasing tone. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell him your secret.”

“Ah, thanks.” Jimin blushed, both boys turning back towards the stage. Jungkook hadn’t sang yet, and Jimin could tell he looked nervous. Seokjin’s voice was very good, and he seemed to love being in front of a crowd.

“He’s pretty good,” Jimin said, moving the topic away from his accident- and the ruse he was playing on Jungkook. “He is. Just wait till you hear Jungkook though.”

“Oh?” Now Jimin was even more excited. Seokjin’s voice was already better than he’d expected for a karaoke night, and he had such a fun aura that it made even Jimin want to dance and sing along.

“Yeah, he’s amazing,” Namjoon said. “He doesn’t normally do things like this, but I think he wanted to impress someone tonight.” He shot Jimin a wink that had his blush reappearing in an instant. 

Just as he’d opened his mouth to say something back, Jungkook started singing, and Jimin was left speechless.

It was incredible. His voice was beautiful and smooth, his tone warm and bright. The way he sang was a little airy and soft, but it was powerful nonetheless. The nerves seemed to have disappeared the moment he started singing, his presence filling the room and drawing everyone in.

Jimin felt like his heart was about to burst from his chest and go flying towards the stage. Dear lord, he was so in love.

“Oh my god,” he gasped out, not even registering the words. Beside him, Namjoon shot him a knowing smirk, but Jimin didn’t see it. His eyes never left the boy on the stage. “He’s incredible.”

The song was over far too quickly for Jimin’s taste, and he cheered as loud as he could with the rest of the crowd. As Jungkook placed the microphone back into the stand, his eyes roved across the room until they latched onto Jimin’s. He shot the older boy a breathtaking smile, leaping off the stage and heading his way.

“So? What did you think?” he asked, eyes betraying his nervousness. 

“What did I think? Jungkook-ah, you’re amazing! You should be famous with a voice like that! Oh my god, I never wanted it to stop,” Jimin gushed. 

Jungkook laughed brightly, flattered by the compliments. “He is pretty great, isn’t he?” Seokjin butted in, coming around to bump shoulders with the youngest boy. “Even made me look good up there.”

“Oh, Seokjin-hyung, you were great too!” Jimin said. He wasn’t even lying, the two had sounded wonderful together. Secretly Jimin thought Jungkook’s voice blew Seokjin’s out of the water though, and it seemed the other man knew it, too.

“Ah, that’s nice of you. But I think we all know who the real star here is.” Jungkook blushed hard at his hyung's words, ducking his head and smiling to himself. He glanced up at Jimin from under his eyelashes, and he looked so pretty at that moment that Jimin could barely restrain himself from leaning over and kissing him straight on the mouth.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Jungkook said softly. His words were only for Jimin. 

Jimin melted; his insides were nothing but slush. Damn this boy for being so cute. He shot him his most sincere smile.

“I loved it.”

Chapter Text

“So you want to make sure you stay nice and low; don’t get too tense. And you’re going to want to stick to skid turns. If you’re carving up turns on your edges, you’re going to find it a lot harder to control your speed.”

Right now Jimin was having a hard time controlling his gaze where it kept wandering to Jungkook’s ass. Which just so happened to be right in front of him, the instructor crouched in a typical downhill form to demonstrate.

It was the next day, and that meant it was time for Jimin’s third ski lesson. Both boys had shown up early and eager, and it was finally time for Jimin to try out one of the more advanced slopes.

“Okay, I think we’re ready!” Jungkook grinned widely, reaching up to pull his goggles down. “You all set?” 

Jimin gave him a thumbs up, swallowing thickly to hide his nerves. This was the first time Jungkook was taking him down a proper trail. Not just the easy ones with gentle paths and few obstacles, but a real, steep, tricky downhill slope. His first in at least a year. 

The only upside was that his nerves over the skiing part of this lesson were helping to combat the nerves over the Jungkook part of this lesson. When they’d parted ways last night at the bar, Jimin had been just seconds from giving in and telling Jungkook he liked him. An impromptu snowball fight with Seokjin and Namjoon however had snapped him out of it, and the two had parted ways with Jimin still a coward.

The distant cheer of his name snapped him out of his thoughts, spinning as best he could on skis to search the horizon. “Oh my god, tell me they didn’t.” 

They did. Making their way from the ski lift was none other than Taehyung and Hoseok. “Do you know them?” Jungkook asked. Jimin groaned in answer, nodding as he tried to move faster towards the starting point.

“Those are my friends, Taehyung and Hoseok.” Jungkook was watching the pair curiously, eyes following them as they slid easily over the snow. 

“The Jung Hoseok, huh? They’re pretty good skiers. How come they didn’t give you some pointers?” Jimin froze at the question, not having expected it and unable to think of a quick reply. He’d spoken with Namjoon a bit more last night and decided he’d tell Jungkook the truth about his skiing when he told him the truth about his feelings.

“Oh, um, well, they just suck as teachers that’s all,” he finally settled on. Jungkook nodded, giving the pair a wave as Jimin groaned and tried to move faster.

“Come on, the last thing I need is for them to see me embarrass myself.” He tried to go faster, Jungkook easily keeping pace. “You won’t embarrass yourself, hyung! I think you’re amazing.”

What? Did he just say he thinks I’m amazing? Jimin’s brain seemed to freeze at Jungkook’s words, but his feet had not gotten the memo. Within seconds, his skis had crossed and tangled, sending Jimin slamming into the snow.

“Hyung!” Jungkook yelped, immediately leaning down to help Jimin up. The older boy didn’t offer any assistance, just staying collapsed in the soft ground as his insides burned in embarrassment. “Or maybe I was wrong.” He heard Jungkook tease. In the distance, Jimin could hear his friends laughing at him. Or maybe that’s just in his head.

Jimin groaned lowly, hauling himself up to his feet. Great, he just had to do that when his friends were nearby. And right after Jungkook had complimented him too. “It’s fine, just lost my focus for a second. Come on, let’s get skiing.”

Jimin fought down the bundle of nerves in his throat as he stared down the steep path, the snow a mess of lines where other skiers had already gone down. His heart was racing, his palms sweaty, and for once, it wasn’t because of Jungkook.

The trail they’d chosen was far from the hardest at the resort, but to Jimin, it was steeper than anything he’d gone down since the day of his crash. He looked down the lane and all he could think about, all he could see was--

“Hey.” Jungkook’s voice broke through his frantic thoughts. Jimin turned to see the other boy giving him a warm smile, raising a fist to bump encouragingly against Jimin’s shoulder. “You got this,” he said brightly. “You’re gonna do great.”

There wasn’t even a hint of doubt or fakeness in Jungkook’s voice. Jimin nearly jumped when he felt another hand slip into his own and give it a hard squeeze. “Really, Jimin. I wouldn’t’ve suggested this if I didn’t think you were up for it. This is gonna be a breeze, you’ll see.” 

Their hands were still connected. Jimin took a deep breath, releasing it with a nod. He rolled his shoulders back, tightening his grip on his poles. Yeah. He’s got this.

When he pushed off, there was a single moment where Jimin thought ‘I can’t, I can't, I can't'. And then his skis started sliding as he took off down the hill, and all thoughts and doubts went flying out the window.

This, this is what he’d been missing! Jimin hadn’t even realized how badly until right this moment. Even the thrill of getting back on the baby hills yesterday was nothing compared to right now.

This was only an intermediate slope, but it got pretty steep at parts. The wind bit at Jimin’s cheeks as he slid along, Jungkook shouting encouragement beside him. “You look great!” he heard vaguely.

Jimin's heart was pounding in his ears and his cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. The snow on this trail was hard and fast, and as they hit a steep spot, he instinctively crouched lower, his body thrumming with the need to go faster, faster, faster. 

He almost expected there to be a jump at the bottom. He was almost disappointed there wasn’t. Vague spots of color flew by in his periphery as he passed other skiers and snowboarders on his flight. He knew he was going pretty fast by this point, and he took a second to look around and see if Jungkook was keeping up.

A quick turn of the head reassured him the other boy was, in fact, matching pace perfectly, sending Jimin a quick thumbs up when he glanced his way. They were already halfway down at this point, but Jimin never wanted this to end. 

For the first time in almost a year, Jimin felt complete. A part of him he hadn’t even known was missing had been returned, and he knew, had there been a ramp at the end of this slope, he would have taken it in a heartbeat. Just to feel what it was like to fly again. Oh, he was so glad he’d come on this trip.

“Jimin-hyung! That was amazing!” Jungkook slid to a stop just seconds after him, pulling off his goggles to beam at him. He laughed brightly. “I don’t think you ever needed lessons, hyung, that was incredible.”

Jimin was practically vibrating in excitement as he pulled his own goggles off. “Oh my god, that was awesome.” Overcome with joy, he tried to pull the other boy into a hug, but with a flash of dejavu and an overbearing urge to facepalm, he once again forgot about his skis. With a yelp and a clash of poles, the two boys went tumbling to the ground. 

Jimin ended up sprawled across Jungkook’s chest, the other boy laughing beneath him and both covered in snow. He tried to sit up, but the long skis attached to his feet were not making it very easy. 

“I’m sorry! Oh god, why am I so clumsy?” Jungkook just kept laughing, Jimin able to feel the vibrations where their chests were pressed together. “It’s fine,” he reassured. “I think it’s cute.”

Jungkook smiled up at him, both boys still breathing a bit hard from exertion and flushed from excitement and embarrassment. Jimin had propped himself up on his hands so he was hovering just a few inches above Jungkook’s face. Melted snow dripped from his hair, and Jimin’s eyes followed it as it splashed onto Jungkook’s mouth.

It didn’t really surprise him when his lips followed just a heartbeat later, his eyes sliding shut as he finally kissed Jungkook.

Jimin didn’t expect any fireworks or anything, but there was something incredibly right about kissing Jungkook. The younger boy had eagerly kissed back, their mouths moving together like they were made for it. There was nothing awkward about it. It was as if they’d been kissing for years.

They finally had to break apart to take a breath, soft pants coasting across wet lips as they stared at each other. Jungkook made to open his mouth, right when they were interrupted by a loud cheer, the distinctive sound of clapping gloves hitting their ears.

They scrambled apart, Jimin falling onto his butt when he still couldn’t get his skis in order. He knew exactly who those cheers belonged to. 

“Taehyung-ah!” he shouted whipping around to find his friends standing a few feet away, clearly having come down the hill after them. “I swear to god, I’m going to kill you!”

Taehyung laughed heartily, still clapping. “Well, won’t you at least introduce me first?” he teased. Jimin glared furiously, turning back to Jungkook only when he noticed that he, too, was laughing. 

“Don’t encourage them, they’re incorrigible,” he pouted. 

“Ah, they’re just being friends. Mine would do the exact same thing,” Jungkook replied. He pulled himself to his feet much more gracefully than Jimin would have managed and hauled the shorter boy up with him. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now, by the way. Kiss you, that is.”

Jimin smiled back, squeezing their hands together. “Me too.”

“Me three!” Taehyung butt in, narrowly missing the pole Jimin swung his way. “I’m Taehyung, this is Hoseok, and trust me, we’ve both been waiting for this to happen.”

Jungkook laughed graciously. “Nice to meet you both. I remember now, you were there when I first met Jimin.”

“You mean when I first crashed into you?” Jimin grumbled.

“Yeah. I guess that’s kinda our thing now,” Jungkook joked. “Hoseok-ssi, I think you know my friends Namjoon and Yoongi.”

“It’s just hyung,” Hoseok said. “And yeah! Small world, huh. I work here too actually, I’m just taking the week off.”

While those two chatted, Jimin was busy trying to knock some sense into Taehyung’s skull. Preferably with his ski pole. “You’re such an asshole, you know that?” he hissed, batting at his best friend’s shoulder. 

“Aw, you love me. Besides, you guys are right in the way of everyone coming down the hill. If we didn’t interrupt you, someone running over you would have.” Jimin blinked and realized Taehyung was sorta right. They really were right in the way.

“By the way, you’re really selling the whole beginner schtick aren’t you? That faceplant earlier was oscar worthy; very convincing.”

That’s because it wasn’t fake.

“Yeah, well, I think that run I just did might’ve blown my cover,” he said. “But damn, Tae, it was incredible. I hadn’t even realized I’d missed it so much.”

Taehyung sent him his fondest smile, reaching out to squeeze Jimin’s shoulder. “You looked amazing, Minnie. Really. I’m so happy to see you skiing again.”

Jimin smiled back, looking past Taehyung towards the slope and then turning eagerly when he heard Jungkook ask if they were going again. Yeah, he was pretty damn happy too.

Chapter Text

The next couple hours were some of the best of Jimin’s life. He and Jungkook made their way through the intermediate slopes, Jungkook constantly praising Jimin’s abilities. Taehyung and Hoseok left after not too long, telling Jimin they’d see him on the advanced slopes. Jimin couldn’t wait. Jungkook promised they’d hit some truly tough tracks tomorrow if Jimin was still feeling confident. Neither boy mentioned the kiss.

“Are you up for coffee again?” Jimin asked hesitantly as they made their way back towards the main lift. It was beginning to feel a little awkward now, the kiss lingering in both their minds.

“Actually, I had a better idea,” Jungkook answered. “Come on.”

Jungkook’s ‘better idea’ turned out to be hot tubs. As in, strip down to just your boxers, hot tubs. At least they had swim trunks you could buy.

“If you haven’t skied like that in a while, you’re going to be pretty sore tonight. This should help a little, at least.” Jungkook grinned at him, but Jimin barely heard the words. He was thoroughly distracted by a shirtless Jungkook.

Remember when Jimin said he bet Jungkook had a six-pack? He was right. Very very right. And it was currently staring him in the face, all hard muscle and smooth skin. Jimin was going to die.

“Like what you see?” Jungkook winked, clearly having noticed Jimin’s line of vision. He laughed at Jimin’s mortified face, giving the shorter boy his own once over. “I sure do.”

Without a shirt on, Jimin knew his blush was visible all the way down to his chest. He hated that he had such an overreaction every time. Jungkook, however, seemed to love it.

The two boys were alone in the room, the ‘hot tub’ actually a rectangular pool that went to about four feet deep, big enough for a decent amount of people but too small to swim in. A long bench stretched along the edge so you could sit instead of stand. It was steaming, the hot water impossibly inviting.

Jimin gave a long moan of pleasure as he slipped beneath the water, the sound echoing obscenely around the room. He could feel his muscles relaxing already, sliding down until only his head was barely above the surface.

He looked up to see Jungkook staring at him, the other boy gaping slightly as he admired the view. “Now I definitely do,” he said breathily. He joined Jimin in the water, grinning widely. “God, this feels good.”

Jimin watched him as he stretched out a few feet away, taking in the way the water rolled over his lean body. Two bros, chilling in a hot tub. Five feet apart cause I’m very very gay.

Jimin felt Jungkook’s leg bump against his as he moved closer. He’s pretty sure it wasn’t an accident.

“So,” Jungkook started after a few minutes of silent soaking. “About earlier.” He gave Jimin a look out of the side of his eye, the older boy nibbling on his bottom lip worriedly. “I meant what I said, you know. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”

“Me too,” Jimin repeated. He looked up to meet Jungkook’s sparkling eyes. “You’re kind of amazing,” he said.

Jungkook floated closer, legs bumping against Jimin’s again. “I think you’re pretty amazing, too.” He leaned down, just inches from Jimin’s face. “Can I kiss you again?” he whispered. Jimin didn’t bother replying with words.

This time was sloppier. Wet and messy. Jimin’s arms came around Jungkook, pulling him closer until he was nearly in Jimin’s lap. His hands slid across Jungkook’s back, and Jungkook’s own found their way into Jimin’s hair, dampening the strands.

They broke apart for small gasps of air before leaning back in, Jungkook slipping closer until their bare chests were pressed together, Jimin’s heart pounding so hard he was sure Jungkook would feel it.

He wanted this. God, he’d wanted this for days now, and it didn’t matter that they barely knew each other, they kissed like they’d been doing it for years.

Jimin felt their legs slide against each other, a knee nudging between his thighs. His hands roved across bare skin, pressing against hard abs as Jungkook gasped into his mouth. His fingers dug into Jungkook’s hips, pulling him even closer. 

Jimin’s legs slid apart with just enough room for a knee to fit, the bump of it against the bulge in his shorts causing him to moan lowly. He was half-hard already, hips bucking up on instinct. He slid on top of Jungkook’s thigh, pressing their hips together, and bucked again. Jungkook broke their kiss with a gasp.

“We’re in public,” he breathed. Jimin made a point of looking around the empty room. “There’s no one here.” He pulled him back down into a kiss, letting his hands slide even lower till they were teasing at the edge of Jungkook’s shorts. He could feel the other boy’s own bulge growing.

Jungkook gave in for another few moments before pulling back again. “If anyone walked in on us, my boss would kill me,” he said. It looked like it pained him to pause, but Jimin knew he was right. And….they probably needed to talk first.

The two pushed away so they were sitting next to each other, not on top of each other. “So. That’s something,” Jimin started awkwardly. The hot water and Jungkook’s half-naked body was not making it easy to get rid of his hard-on.

“Yeah,” Jungkook agreed. Both boys looked at each other before breaking into laughter at the awkwardness. 

“Sorry,” Jimin said. “I’m not usually this terrible, I promise.”

Jungkook just smiled and shook his head. “I really like you, you know. I know it’s only been a couple days, but I really like you.”

Jimin felt like his ribcage had suddenly become two sizes too small. “I really like you too,” he breathed. He bit his lip worriedly, still able to taste Jungkook’s chapstick. “I- you know I live on the other side of the world, right?”

Jungkook’s smile dimmed, but he nodded. “Yeah, I know. Just our luck, right?” The two sat in silence for a minute, both of them processing what that meant. 

“You still have two more days here, right?” Jungkook asks. He waits for Jimin’s nod. “Well then, I don’t know about you, but I’m willing to try and make the most of those two days.”

Jimin’s breath stuttered in his chest, and he was nodding before he’d even processed it. Two days. It wasn’t much. But it would have to be enough.

❄ ❄ ❄

That night, Jimin endured all his friend’s teasing with a smile. He knew they were genuinely happy for him under all the jokes. And he was too happy himself to let them bring him down.

When his phone buzzed with a text from Jungkook, he about leaped off the couch to answer it.

‘Meet me at the lift. Wear your gear.’

“Huh?” he questioned aloud. He tilted the screen to show his friends. “It’s pitch black outside.”

Hoseok suddenly smirked, chuckling at him. “Oh, I think I know what he’s up to. I’d go if I were you,” he said. Jimin glared at him, burning with curiosity, but went to change regardless. He’d find out when he got there.

Jungkook was waiting in their usual spot, decked out in ski gear like normal, but this time it was a pale blue instead of the usual eye-searing red. This must be his own gear, not the resorts. It looked good on him. Then again, everything would look good on Jungkook.

“Hey, what’s this all about?” Jimin greeted. Jungkook looked up from his phone with a teasing grin. “You’ll see!”

The two boarded the empty lift together, Jimin registering the fact that there was, in fact, someone still operating it. What was going on?

“Look,” Jungkook interrupted. “Isn’t it beautiful?” 

Jimin had to agree. The view was always spectacular, but at night, it was almost otherworldly. The full moon and the lights of the village reflected off the snow, making everything sparkle with light. It looked like a scene from some fantasy movie, with thousands of stars to see out here, far away from the city. 

He turned his gaze to Jungkook, who was looking out over the mountains. The moon cast a soft glow over his pale skin, and his eyes, which always looked like they held the stars, seemed especially bright. “Yeah,” Jimin said. “Very beautiful.”

Jimin followed Jungkook as they got off, heading toward one of the baby hills they’d skipped the first day. The slope was practically flat, just a bit of curve to it to make things less boring. Jungkook was using his phone as a flashlight, but as they got closer, he could see there were already lights set up.

The whole trail was lined in lights, marking the path from top to bottom. Jimin noticed they weren’t the only ones out there, a few other dark spots on the hill sliding down under the moonlight. 

“Wow,” he gasped. “This is awesome.” He meant it. Jimin rarely got to ski like this- just for fun. Everything usually revolved around training, and he missed the days when he could just go out and hit the slopes without any worries or stress.

“The resort puts this on every week, but they keep it pretty hush. We don’t want a bunch of stupid beginners trying to ski in the dark. Usually, it’s only the instructors and maybe a couple of regulars who are allowed out here,” Jungkook explained. “But I thought you might enjoy it.”

Jimin gave his hand a grateful squeeze, looking up with sincerity. “Thank you.”

The slope on this hill was as inviting as they come, gentle and slow. Normally, Jimin wasn’t stupid enough to try and ski while holding onto someone, but tonight, he just couldn’t make himself let go.

They stayed perfectly in sync, weaving down the lane under the stars. It was oddly thrilling, just as much as it was relaxing. There was something almost rebellious about being out on the slopes after dark, even if he knew they were allowed to be there. But it was peaceful as well. None of the rush and adrenaline that usually came from skiing, just the soft skid of skis on snow and the small huffs of air making clouds in front of their faces. 

Jimin never wanted this moment to end. 

When they reached the bottom, Jungkook didn’t say anything, just gently guided them out of the way. He steered them towards a break in the trees, weaving expertly between them without ever letting go of Jimin’s hand.

The clearing they pulled to a stop at had a small cliff overlooking the surrounding mountains. It was dark here, nothing but the moonlight glistening off the snow. Jungkook beckoned Jimin closer, slipping an arm around his waist to pull him in. 

“The instructors call this place ‘Lovers Ledge’,” he started. Jimin snorted in amusement. “Oh?” 

“Yeah, but I think it’s more because they like the name than anything,” Jungkook laughed. “Most of the time we come up here as a group.”

“What’s so special about it?”

“It’s one of the only spots you can’t see the village,” he pointed out. “There are no lights here.” He turned his gaze away from the view and towards Jimin. He reached out to grip both the shorter boy’s hands and tipped his eyes back a little. “Look up.”

Now, Jimin was used to stars. He had spent the last several years of his life out on mountaintops after all. But that never made it any less of an amazing sight.

“Wow,” he gasped, hands tightening around Jungkook’s. The ink-black of the night was broken in a million places by the glittering light of more stars than Jimin could ever truly comprehend. The tall trees helped block the shine of the full moon a bit, so it was the stars themselves that took center stage.

He had never really stargazed in Korea before. The constellations were all different, the night sky a foreign entity to him. It was breathtaking.

“It’s beautiful,” he breathed, spinning as best he could to take it all in. “You’re beautiful,” he heard back.

It should’ve been cheesy. Too corny and cliche. But it made Jimin’s heart melt all the same, even as he blushed and shoved at Jungkook’s shoulder.

“I mean it,” the younger boy said. “You’re stunning, Park Jimin. And I don’t care if I get one night or a thousand nights with you, I’ll treasure it all the same.” 

He leaned down, pressed a deep kiss to Jimin’s mouth before pulling back just enough to be able to speak, soft breaths ghosting over Jimin’s lips with every word. “Come back with me?” he whispered.

And, I mean, it’s not like Jimin was going to say no.

Chapter Text

Jimin thought he’d be in the clear to sneak back in early the next morning, but he’d underestimated his best friend’s noseyness and unending determination to know every detail of Jimin’s (previously nonexistent) love life. He was caught before he’d even managed to get his shoes off.

“Well, I see someone had a good night,” a voice popped up. Jimin groaned as Taehyung made his way around the corner, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Is this the walk of shame? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do that before.”

“Hey, there’s no shame here. I had a lovely night thank you very much,” Jimin sniffed. He finished shaking his coat off and led the way to the kitchen. “I’m guessing Hobi-hyung isn’t up yet?”

“As if. That man sleeps like the dead. Besides,” Taehyung wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “You weren’t the only one who had a good night.” He burst into laughter at Jimin’s over-exaggerated gagging.

“Ugh, gross Tae, tmi.” He shuddered dramatically, focusing on starting the coffee machine instead of thinking of his friends like that. Nasty.

Everyone always used to think that Jimin and Taehyung had at least experimented together before. Two best friends, both gay, and they’d been living together since they were teenagers. But the pair had always been strictly platonic.

Soulmates? Yes. Partners? Hard pass. Jimin had always thought of Taehyung as another brother, so imagining getting together with him is just- yeah, no. 

“Not really, though, how was last night? What was up with the ski gear?” Taehyung asked. He had acquired a bushel of grapes from who knows where and was popping them in his mouth one by one. 

Jimin blushed as he thought back to last night. “It was lovely,” he repeated. Taehyung scoffed, rolling his eyes and throwing a grape at Jimin’s head.

“Boooring,” he groaned. “Tell me more. Was it amazing? Mind-blowing? Exactly what you’d always dreamed of and more? Or was it, like, kinda average and you’re just trying to be nice.”

Jimin glared at him and chucked the grape back. “The first three,” he grit out. “It was perfect.” He sighed letting his head droop as he poured his coffee. “It was perfect, Tae,” he repeated. “He’s perfect. And after tomorrow, I might never see him again.”

He turned anguished eyes towards his best friend, whose face slid into seriousness as he took in Jimin’s expression. “Hey, you don’t know that. I never thought Hoseok and I would work out, but here we are. Two years later, and still together.”

“Yeah, and it’s torture on you both. You hate being that far apart. And you two weren’t even exclusive until just a couple months ago when you decided to get more serious. I-” He broke off, pausing to blink back unexpected tears. “I don’t want anyone but Jungkook.”

“Oh, Minnie. You’re in deep, huh?” It wasn’t meant to sound condescending. Taehyung’s voice was impossibly gentle. “You know, I- I’ve been thinking about this. About my end of the deal.”

Jimin blinked at him, cocking his head to the side in confusion. Right, he’d made Taeahyung swear to ask Hoseok to move with them to Canada like he knew the two wanted. To admit that he really truly loved him, not just as a casual thing.

“I think, I think we should move here. To South Korea.” Taehyung’s fingers were twisting nervously, but his eyes were steely in determination. “I want to move here, and live with Hoseok, and be near my parents, and, and, and yeah. I want that.”

Jimin stared. He didn’t even move to take a sip of his coffee, he just stared, and thought. “You- you want to move?” he whispered. “Away?”

“Not from you!” Taehyung reassured. “Never away from you, Minnie. With you. I want us both to move here.”

“But Taehyung, our whole lives are in Canada.” Jimin’s mind was racing, unable to comprehend what his friend was telling him. Move? After all these years?

Taehyung just smiled sadly, reaching across to grip one of Jimin’s hands. “No, Jimin, they’re not. Think about it. Why did we move to Canada? Why there?” His eyes searched Jimin’s own for the answer, Jimin struggling to come up with it.

“I- because--” He broke, the truth hitting him suddenly. “Because of me,” he whispered. “We moved because I wanted to ski, and there wasn’t a big aerial program in South Korea.”

Did Taehyung resent him for that? Had he always wanted to move back home?

“And I loved it,” Taehyung seemed to read his mind. “I loved getting to go there. To learn English and study the cities and see you compete. I don’t regret a single second of it. But, before, Minnie, the only thing holding us to Canada was your spot on the national team, and well, you’re not on the team anymore.”

The words were gentle, but they still stung a little. “I’ve been thinking,” Taehyung continued. “You were born here. Your parents live here. You could reapply to become a national of South Korea and then you could compete for their team. Their aerial program has improved in leaps and bounds lately. Wouldn’t it be great, to be able to compete for your home country?”

He had a good point. Jimin was technically a Canadian national, but he still held a large amount of pride for the country he’d spent his early childhood in.

His parents had moved back to South Korea as soon as Jimin was old enough to live on his own, and he’d never held it against them. He’d always been so grateful for the sacrifices they’d made to let him pursue his dreams. To be honest, he had really missed them the last few years. It would be great to be able to live close enough to see them more often.

“You’re really serious about this?” he asked. Taehyung sighed but nodded sharply. “I go where you go, Minnie, you know that. If you want to stay in Canada, then we stay in Canada. And- and I’ll ask Hoseok if he wants to be with me. But I think this could be the right move for both of us, I really do.”

Jimin was torn. He didn’t want to make Taehyung stay with him if he didn’t really want to. But he was scared to move. Canada was comfortable and familiar. If he moved here, he’d be starting over. He wouldn’t be allowed to compete until he gained national status, and he’d have to leave all his friends behind. Sure, he hadn’t exactly made a ton of friends since he was always busy with skiing, but there were a few he’d be sad to say bye to.

Another thought suddenly pushed its way into his mind. “If, if we stay. I could keep seeing Jungkook.” Somehow, above all the other reasons, that one made his heart leap.

“I’m not saying you should make your decision based on a boy you’ve known for less than a week, but yeah. You’d have the chance to keep seeing Jungkook.”

“There’s not enough time. It takes years of living here to gain national status. It wouldn’t be in time.” They both knew what he was referring to.

Jimin hadn’t mentioned the Olympics in over a year, hadn’t even known if it would ever be a possibility again. But after this week, after hitting those slopes, well, that’s what he’d spent his whole life reaching for. He wasn’t ready to let go yet.

“I mean, you could always get married,” Taehyung said cheekily, throwing him a wink to lighten the mood. “I think I know someone who might say yes.”

“Yah! I’ve known him for like four days Taehyung, I don’t think we’re quite there yet.” Taehyung just laughed, leaning over to ruffle Jimin’s hair. “If you say so, Minnie. Personally, I think it’s worth a shot.”

Mood successfully raised, the two slipped back into their normal pattern of bantering, Jimin gulping down his much-needed coffee and Taehyung occasionally throwing grapes at his head as they waited for Hoseok to rise. The seriousness of their conversation slipped to the background, but both boys knew they were still thinking about it.

Moving to Korea. Was it really possible?

❄ ❄ ❄

“Hey. You okay? Still nervous?” Jungkook’s voice was concerned, giving Jimin a little tap on his leg with his ski pole to get his attention. Jimin shook his head, snapping back into the present.

“Huh? Oh, no I’m fine. Just thinking.” Jungkook clearly isn’t convinced, shooting Jimin a worried look.

“Is it about last night? I know we went kind of fast,” he said. 

“What? No, no, last night was wonderful. Really. It was perfect,” Jimin rushed to reassure. Jungkook smiled gratefully, relieved.

“Well, good. I thought it was pretty perfect as well.” He slid a hand down Jimin’s arm to squeeze his wrist comfortingly. 

Jimin swallowed hard, heart pounding. It was perfect. Jungkook was perfect. The more time Jimin spent thinking about him the more he wanted to agree with Taehyung, if only for the chance to keep getting to know this wonderful human being beside him. There was just something about Jungkook that made Jimin feel alive.

“Now, remember, go slow at first on this one, okay? I know you’re gonna ace it, but you don’t want to start too fast and find yourself losing control. The only way to get off this slope is to ski down it, so once we start we’ve got to go all the way to the end, alright?” 

Jimin nodded, pulling his neck gaiter up and securing his goggles. He was ready. This was the hardest slope they’d tried so far, and the last one of the day. The last one he’d ever ski with Jungkook if he didn’t stay. God, he was really starting to want to stay. 

Hoseok and Taehyung had gone down earlier that morning, and they had reassured Jimin that it was nothing he couldn’t handle. Jimin wasn’t even nervous anymore; he was excited. This was it, the real test of whether Jimin was ready to get back into training.

“There’s a few places where they’ve set up ramps near the bottom, so just steer clear of those, okay? I don’t need any broken bones on your last lesson,” Jungkook teased. Jimin froze as the words processed in his brain.

Shit. How had he forgotten? He still hasn’t told Jungkook his secret. Broken bones. Jimin flinched minutely at the image that brought, before firmly shoving it from his mind.

No. No nerves. He would tell Jungkook as soon as their lesson was over. He just had to get through this ride first.

“Alright. You ready?” Jungkook moved a few feet away, shifting into position. Jimin nodded, shooting him a thumbs up since he couldn’t smile. Ready.

Flying. That’s what skiing used to feel like to Jimin. Like the law of gravity no longer applied to him, and he could soar through the air like a bird. 

God, it was incredible. There was really nothing like it. Nothing that could ever compare. The closest to euphoria he’d ever gotten was last night in bed with Jungkook, and even that was in danger of coming in second to the feelings that were rushing through him right now.

The icy wind tore at his face, even through layers of protection. It stole the air from his lungs as he flew down the path. He laughed aloud from the sheer joy of it, the wind stealing his voice. The trees and snow blurred past as he focused only in front of him, on the long winding trail and the people in his path.

He barely remembered Jungkook beside him. Completely ignored his advice to start slow. Instead, he crouched lower, taking short quick turns to push himself faster and faster. He was passing other skiers as if they were standing still, speeding down the hill like a pro. Jimin wasn’t a downhill skier by trade, but he’d spent half his life up on slopes like this. He knew what he was doing.

Vaguely, he heard Jungkook shouting behind him, but he didn’t even process the words. His mind was blank, a bubble of silence and focus surrounding him. He could feel his skis lifting off the ground as he hit some slight hills and bumps, the punch of landing a familiar feeling to his bones. He absorbed the impact easily, a rush of joy flooding his veins at the feeling.

This. This was where Jimin felt at home. He didn’t need Canada or South Korea or any one city or country in particular. He just needed a pair of skis and a place where he could fly. And, as he turned the last corner and spied two figures jumping up and down cheering, he needed his friends. If he had those things, he was home. 

As he flew towards the finish line, he spied the couple of ramps that Jungkook had mentioned earlier. They were off to the side a bit, out of the way of the general path. No one was near them currently, and the landing looked like mashed potatoes, soft and inviting. And suddenly, Jimin knew exactly how to break the news to Jungkook.

He let himself veer to the side, not even registering Jungkook’s yell in the background. In the distance, Taehyung and Hoseok were waiting, cheering at the top of their lungs. Jimin eyed the ramp, hard and fast and perfectly sloped. It was short, obviously meant for recreation, but it would do for now.

This was what Jimin was born for. As he approached the edge, he counted down in his head.

One.

Jimin knew Jungkook was following, his yells becoming increasingly frantic. He paid him no mind. He’d apologize for all this in a minute.

Two.

He hit the start of the ramp and knew immediately this was going to work. He wasn’t going for some big aerial flip, and he wasn’t used to flipping with poles, but he knew, deep down, this jump would be the best of his life.

Three.

The wind was nothing more than a gentle caress, a stream of air helping fuel him forward. There was nothing but silence, not even his breathing breaking through his bubble of concentration.

Four.

There was a moment of stillness when he flung himself into the air. Everything frozen for half a millisecond, his heart not beating, his lungs not breathing. Just air and sky and wings unfolding from Jimin’s back.

Five.

Muscle memory took over as he turned, body twisting as he flipped just once, head over heels. He spotted the ground easily, knew his form was textbook. He’d nailed it.

Six.

He hit the ground hard, slipping back for just a second before he was on his feet, skiing away with ease. His ankles ached, the pain a welcome feeling after so many months without it. He took a deep breath, the first in what seemed like ages, looked up, and--

Seven.

Fuck.

The look on Jungkook’s face was unreadable. Compared to Taehyung’s ecstatic bouncing and cheering, the youngest boy’s face looked made of stone.

He was waiting at the bottom, clearly having taken the shorter track around while Jimin veered off to the side. His arms were crossed, staring at Jimin through the bodies of Taehyung and Hoseok who had leaped up to hug him. Jimin’s heart constricted in his chest. Was he mad?

Then, suddenly, a giant smile broke out across his face. “Oh. My. God. JIMIN!” he shouted. He leaped forward, grabbing Jimin by the arms and slamming their mouths together. “Where did you learn to do that??!” 

Jimin laughed against his lips, sinking into Jungkook’s embrace willingly. “Surprise?” he tried.

Jungkook leaned back to mock glare at him. “Surprise? That’s what you’re going with?” He released one of Jimin’s arms to punch him in the shoulder. “You never needed lessons in the first place you fucker!”

Jimin winced dramatically, pouting up at the taller boy. “Well, no, I guess not. But I had it on good authority that the instructor was very cute.”

Jungkook smiled at him, eyes softening. “You signed up for lessons just so you could see me?” he asked. Jimin blushed but nodded. “Um, yeah. Are you mad?”

“Mad?” Jungkook laughed. “I’m flattered!” He leaned down to peck one more quick kiss to Jimin’s lips. “And I’m glad.” Jimin smiled back at him fondly, lost in Jungkook’s star-filled eyes.

“Alright, lovebirds, break it up. We’re in public, ya know,” Taehyung’s voice broke through. Jimin didn’t even hesitate to slap him in the leg with a ski pole. “Ouch! Hey! Unfair!”

He shrugged. “You deserved it.” But he did separate from Jungkook, keeping their hands clasped as they turned to face the other two.

“I guess you two knew as well?” Jungkook asked rhetorically. Both boys nodded anyway. “I should’ve known. You two were way too good of skiers for Jimin to be needing so many lessons. And Jimin, I should’ve figured it out after that run yesterday. You’re a speed demon, aren’t you?”

Jimin just shrugged as if to say, ‘what can I say’. He gave Jungkook’s fingers a squeeze. “That flip though,” Jungkook continued. “Damn. I don’t even think I could do that.”

Jimin chuckled, leaning over to bump shoulders. “You have no idea.”

❄ ❄ ❄

“Olympic team? You made the fucking Olympic team??”

The two boys were currently sitting under a pile of blankets in Jungkook’s private cabin, the fireplace giving off a steady glow as they sipped on hot chocolate. Or half-melted marshmallows with whipped cream and a splash of hot chocolate in Jungkook’s case.

“Yeah. But I- I blew it in practice just a few days before the competition.” Jimin lowered his eyes to his mug, not wanting to see the familiar pity on Jungkook’s face when he got to this part.

“There was a wind advisory that day, but they didn’t listen. I was the first to go that morning, and the wind knocked my balance completely off track. I crashed on landing, tore my ACL and broke my femur. Had to have surgery to piece everything back together.”

Jungkook was silent, but Jimin felt his hand sneak under the blankets to squeeze his thigh comfortingly. “The doctor cleared me for sports after 7 months, but I wasn’t allowed to do any jumps on the snow for another 3. That- that was over a month ago. And until this week, I hadn’t even put a pair of skis on in almost a year. You gave me courage again.”

He looked up finally, bracing himself for what he’d find. Jungkook was staring at him, eyes soft in sympathy. But there wasn’t an ounce of pity in them. “Jimin-hyung….that’s, that’s amazing, you know that? What you did, coming back from that, skiing the way you did today, that’s incredible.”

He didn’t say he was sorry. Didn’t say there wasn’t anything Jimin could’ve done. He set his mug aside and crawled over the blanket to lean over him, eyes sparkling with sincerity. “You’re the strongest person I know, you know that? And the greatest skier I’ve ever seen.” 

Jimin didn’t argue that Jungkook hadn’t even seen him do aerials yet. He just set his own mug aside and reached out to grab Jungkook’s shirt, pulling the younger boy down to crash their lips together. “Thank you,” he whispered. “For giving me back my wings.”

Jungkook just shook his head. “You did that all on your own.”

He slid their mouths back together, moving slowly, carefully, lovingly. The blankets were kicked off, Jungkook’s hands tugging against Jimin’s shirt. The kiss got harder and sloppier, Jimin’s fingers reaching for Jungkook’s zipper. 

They broke apart panting, Jungkook moaning as Jimin succeeded in getting a hand down his front. “Bedroom,” he managed to gasp out, untangling their legs to pull Jimin off the couch. Jimin nodded and scrambled to follow, pulling Jungkook back towards him, kissing him as they shuffled towards the door, losing bits of clothing every time they pulled apart. 

They hit the bed fully naked, Jimin tumbling backward and yanking Jungkook with him. They melted into one another, skin against skin and breaths mingling. Jungkook paused for just a moment, hands hovering, to catch Jimin’s eyes. 

“Okay?” he double-checked. Jimin nodded eagerly, taking in the sight of Jungkook naked and panting and flushed with pleasure. His eyes glittered at Jimin in the dim light, and Jimin had never felt more sure of his answer. Yes. Yes to everything. Jimin was going to say yes.

Chapter Text

Jimin had always loved winter. 

It was beautiful. Everything cold and white and frozen. Maybe to some people that would sound lonely or sad, but to Jimin it was gorgeous. The morning dawned with a golden light shimmering against the snow, and Jimin felt warm and content, wrapped in Jungkook’s embrace and glowing from the inside out.

He rolled over, drinking in the soft features of a sleeping Jungkook. He looked young like this. Young and soft and so so beautiful. Jimin couldn’t leave this boy. His heart wouldn’t be able to take it.

“Jungkook,” he whispered. “Jungkookie, wake up.” 

He knew Jungkook still had morning lessons today, but Jimin only had a few hours until his vacation was technically over. He had made his decision, but now he needed to see it through. 

“Jungkookiieeee. Wake up.” He leaned over and pressed a hard kiss to the boy’s lips, smiling against them when he felt him instinctively kiss back. His eyelids fluttered open, blinking in the morning light.

“G’mornin,” he rasped. Jimin smiled at him, feeling Jungkook tug him closer where his arms were wrapped around Jimin’s body. Morning snuggles were the best.

“It’s my last day,” Jimin reminded the boy. He didn’t want to break the mood, but he needed to talk to Jungkook before he had to get to work. Jungkook frowned, shaking his head.

“Nooo,” he whined, pouting adorably. His grip tightened around Jimin. 

“Yesss,” Jimin said back, giggling at the little bunny pout. “I have to go pack before they kick us out of the cabin.” Jungkook groaned, throwing an arm over his face as he rolled onto his back.

“Whyyy,” he whined again. He pushed himself up so he was propped against the headboard, Jimin joining him and leaning against his still naked chest, propping his chin on Jungkook’s collarbone so he could look up at him.

“Sorry. But this is all we paid for. We’re going to have to leave by noon.” He watched Jungkook shake the morning haze from his mind as he frowned down at the older boy.

“I don’t want to say goodbye,” he whispered, eyes dark and sad. Jimin tried to match his seriousness for all of one second before he broke into a wide grin, Jungkook’s brow furrowing in confusion.

“Then how about a ‘see you soon’ instead?” he asked. He watched Jungkook's nose scrunch up as he cocked his head to the side. “Huh?”

Jimin sat up fully, throwing a leg over Jungkook’s lap so he was straddling the taller boy, reaching out to clasp their hands together in between them.

“Jeon Jungkook, I like you very much. And I would like to get to know you for longer than five days,” he said. Jungkook still looked confused, but he nodded all the same. “Me too,” he said. “I’d like that very much.”

“So what I need to ask you is- would you, would you like me to stay? Not here, at the resort, but here in South Korea. Stay here in South Korea so we can get to know each other. Because, because I really like you, Jungkook-ah, and I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

Jungkook seemed to have caught onto the seriousness, sitting up straighter and squeezing their hands. “Stay in Korea? For me? Jimin-hyung, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“I want to,” Jimin stressed. “The only thing keeping me in Canada was my skiing. But I can do that here in Korea, too. My family is here. My friends want to be here. And- and you are here. So I want to stay. Now,” he took a deep breath, “Do you want me to?”

Jungkook was gaping at him, but his face was brightening, eyes starting to sparkle again. “You’re serious?” he clarified. “This is really what you want?” Jimin nodded emphatically. “Then yes! Yes, yes, of course I want you to stay!” 

He grabbed Jimin and flung him over, laughing delightedly as he pressed a million kisses to Jimin’s skin. Jimin’s cheeks hurt from how hard he was smiling, eyes pulling up into precious crescents. “I was really hoping you’d say that,” he laughed. “Because I lo- I really like you, Jungkook-ah. Really.” 

He choked down the other words he’d almost said, because they weren’t ready for that yet, they weren’t. But Jungkook cupped Jimin’s face gently and smoothed soft thumbs over his glowing cheeks and said, “I really like you, too, hyung,” and Jimin knew he felt it too.

I love you.

❄ ❄ ❄

❄ ❄ ❄

Epilogue 

Seven seconds. 

That’s all it took. It might seem like an insignificant amount of time, but, to an aerial skier, seven seconds was everything. It was the length of the entire run. The entire competition. The entire year of training and prepping for the biggest event of their lives amounted to just seven little seconds.

Jimin’s hand clenched into tight fists, eyes blinking behind his goggles as he took a deep breath. He distantly heard the announcer say his name, “Park Jimin for the Republic of Korea” and some other nonsense intro. He knew they would be mentioning his ‘comeback’ again. They always liked to bring up the past.

There was a faint “three, two, one” and a swell of cheers. Jimin breathed, released his fists, and pushed off.

This was it. His final run. The last jump of the competition. Jimin knew he was taking a risk here. He’d only managed to land this jump one time before, and even his coach didn’t know it was the one he was going for today. He’d be in big trouble afterward, but if he landed it, if he made it, it would be worth it. He’d be the first person to ever land it in an international competition.

He crouched low, the wind whistling silently past his ears as he encased himself in his bubble. He hit the bottom of the ramp and time seemed to slow. He stood up straight, momentum taking him up the slope, and then-- weightlessness. Flying. His body twisting and turning and flipping through the air. He wouldn’t be able to spot the ground on this one, but he knew where it was. He knew he’d nailed this jump.

Impact. Jimin skid through the soft chopped snow to the sound of a whole country’s cheers. They were deafening, Jimin’s heart pounding in celebration along with them. The announcer was shouting, the blur of people on the sidelines jumping up and down.

He’d done it. He gasped for air as he slid to a stop, breathless as he waited for the score. Please, please, let it be enough. Let him be enough. Please, pleas--

Jimin’s eyes slammed shut. His body lurched forward as a single dry sob ripped out of his mouth. He tore his helmet and goggles off, incomprehensible sounds slamming into his ears. Tears shone in his eyes as he held a hand to his heart, opening his eyes to the shine of blue sky and South Korean flags.

He’d won. There were bodies slamming into him. His teammates, his coach, his friends. He wasn’t sure. There was yelling and cheering and crying and Jimin was pretty sure he was doing all three. He couldn’t really hear. Nothing was making it through the roar of the crowd. Except--

“Jimin-hyung! JIMIN!” He whipped his head around, frantically searching the sidelines. There- a figure breaking through the crowd, leaping over the fence. Jimin took two steps and flung his arms out. The figure was going too fast. Too fast, too fast.

One.

Jimin broke away from the small crowd, skis taking him across the snow.

Two. 

He saw the figure leap at him from a yard away, slamming into his body and taking them both to the ground.

Three.

There was snow trickling down Jimin’s neck and snow falling from Jungkook’s hair. He was overjoyed, screaming cheers in Jimin’s ears as he grabbed the boy in a tight hug. He leaned back slightly, laughing at the two of them.

“We have to stop meeting like this,” he teased. His eyes were shining, sparkling, more radiant than the sun itself.

Four.

“I love you,” Jungkook whispered. It was the only thing Jimin could hear. Jungkook’s wedding band glittered on his finger when he raised it to run a hand through Jimin’s messy hair.

“I love you, too.” 

Five.

Their bodies were pressed together. “We’re in public, you know,” Jimin reminded him. Surrounded by strangers and friends and cameras. Broadcast on screens across the world. Jungkook propped himself up on one hand so he was hovering over Jimin’s face, the dejavu a welcome sensation.

“I don’t care,” Jungkook said and leaned down to shove their lips together, the cheer of the crowd rising to deafening levels. 

Six.

Everything was sparkling and bright and the snowflakes on Jungkook’s hair reflected sunlight like a halo around his head, and Jimin felt warm warm warm. 

He closed his eyes and melted into the kiss like it was the first time and last time he’d ever get the chance.

Seven.

Fuck, yes.

The End.