(Ship and concept requested by EdithaBunar)

(Concept: Jimin and Nayeon are best friends, but they both secretly like each other. Jimin finally says something when there's a possibility of Nayeon being with someone else)

(Jimin POV)

We're just friends.

I can't count how many times I've had to say that.

Whenever we're hanging out, at least one person will assume that we're together, but we're not. I've known Nayeon since middle school. We became best friends in high school and now we're working adults. She hasn't changed much though. She's still the same bright and outgoing person I've always known.

We're not together,

but I wished we were.

I think this feeling came upon me after our high school graduation. I just realized how she was there with me through it all. We were there for each other. When she had problems with her girl friends, she came to me. When I had problems with my guy friends, I went to her. She meant so much to me. I've told her how important she is to me, but I've always left out the part about being in love with her.

I've kept these feelings to myself ever since. I don't want to risk telling her and then losing my best friend.

Buy my mind was changed one sunny afternoon.

I was walking home by myself; I was going home from the store when I noticed something.

On the other side of the street, I saw someone familiar sitting at a table in front of a restaurant. It was definitely Nayeon. I wanted to go say hi, but then I saw someone else join her.

I watched as some guy sits with her and they start talking. I couldn't hear anything, but just by their body language, I could tell he was a lot more interested in whatever was happening than Nayeon.

Suddenly, I felt rude for watching them, so I kept walking. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Who was that guy?

I never asked her, but she told me about him later that day.

Turns out, that guy was a friend that asked to meet with her. She said they haven't known each other long, but he was a nice guy.

"He told me he has feelings for me, but I didn't know how to respond." She explains.

My heart hurt a little, but I still wanted to be a good friend.

"Why's that?" I ask.

"I just..." She was hesitant, "I don't know how I feel."

"Would you date him though?"

"I don't know."

"Then don't." The words kind of just fell out of my mouth. I didn't realize how bad it sounded until after I said it.

"What?"

Screw it. There's no going back.

"Nayeon, I like you. No, I love you. I have for a while now. I know this isn't the best time for me to do this, but I can't stand seeing you with someone else."

She was speechless. I feel like I made a mistake. 

"Jimin..." She laughs nervously, "I wish you would've told me sooner."

"What?"

"I thought you wouldn't feel that way, so I never said anything."

Wait...

"You're telling me-"

"I like you too, Jimin. I've felt this way since high school, but I didn't want to make things weird between us."

____________

(Nayeon POV)

"I'm sorry, I think you're a great guy, but my heart is in place for someone else right now. I hope you can understand."

I broke the news to my friend today. After Jimin told me how he felt, I couldn't just let that go. I wanted to try things out with Jimin. We already know each other's personalities and I already know he's a good guy, so why not? 

I do admit, things were a bit awkward at first, but it was the cute kind of awkward.

He got nervous when I held his hand for the first time. It caught him by surprise, but I could tell he was happy about it. 

On our first date, it was like we were strangers again. Meeting with a new purpose was exciting and nerve wracking. It was like we both forgot everything we've ever done together. 

"Do you wanna get dessert? There's an ice cream shop down the street. You like ice cream right?"

"I do- wait. You should know that already!"

As time went on, we settled into our new relationship. The fun part was telling everyone else about it. Our friends had no idea until one of them saw me kiss him on the cheek one day. Their reactions were priceless. 

"Eh? When did that happen?"

"Did you just kiss him?"

The best reaction came from our families though. Our families have known each other for so long because Jimin and I were school friends. 

"Mom, I have something to tell you."

"Okay. What is it?"

"I have a boyfriend now." 

On video chat, their faces were shocked, but not too bad. I'm not a kid anymore anyways. 

"You do?" My mom asks, "And who might that be?"

That was Jimin's cue. He was sitting near me, but he leans into frame when he hears this. 

"Hi, Ms. Im!" 

"Oh, Jimin-ah. It's nice to see you..." My mom trails off as she puts the pieces together in her head, "You two are dating?" 

She seemed pretty happy about it. After we told our parents, we learned that they've been wanting us to get together for a while now. 

I felt pressured because our parents had high hopes for us, but I know we'll be just fine. After knowing each other for more than twelve years, I think we'll work fine as something more than friends.