as his eyes closed, his body immediately found its rhythm, the music loud against his ears as his left foot started to drum along with it. for a moment, he stayed like that, patiently tapping his toe against the hard wooden floor as he lets himself slowly loosening into the music.

when the familiar voice of the singer could be heard, he took it as his cue to move. letting out the breath he didn't know he was holding, he let himself fully get lost in the moment. his actions were intense and sharp, but at the same time elegant and precise. he was becoming one with the music and he loved it.

ever since he was just a child, jimin had always been passionate about dancing. he had always been a very energetic kid even way before, always up for games and whatnots. he liked moving around. because according to the nine year old him: "staying stationary is just too dull and boring." a self-made saying he lives by even up to this day.

for jimin, it didn't matter what dance it is. as long as he gets to move and feel the rhythm running through his veins, he doesn't care. he had always loved the feeling of dancing; always admired the great escape it provides away from reality sometimes. he had always loved the way dancing could flip through his pages and convey them in a beautiful art, how his body could speak of the words that his mouth could never find the courage to utter. so it's safe to say dancing has become a huge part of his life now— a necessity that he wouldn't having in his life.

dancing has always brought a different side to jimin. usually he's always tense, stressed, and a little sad. and that's what he loves about dancing the most– he loves how dancing could make him forget about the struggles of his miserable life or just how hard it is to be him sometimes. nothing ever comes easy, he's aware of it. and yeah, pain is what gives life meaning. jimin knows that. but sometimes you just need to pause and take a breather, y'know. sometimes a temporary escape isn't so bad. and that's what dancing is to jimin. it is his inhaler whenever life gives him asthma.

he finds himself leaping through the air as he makes a turn, a small smile plastered on his face as he landed in so much ease, a little proud of himself for mastering the steps but mainly happy because it's been a week since he got the chance to dance again, all thanks to a certain idiot.

by the time the song ended, jimin found himself staring at his reflection in the mirror, panting as bids of sweat slowly cascaded down his forehead to his chin, and down to his well toned body. and that's when his eyes suddenly locked on a familiar pair of hazels, inwardly groaning as he turns to the boy leaning by the doorway with his arms crossed against his chest.

"–figured you'd be here." he says, his voice now seeming deeper than the last time jimin heard him speak in person. also, jimin noticed his physique became more toned than the last time he saw him, a bit taller as well. but other than those things, nothing much have changed.

"hyung," jimin breathed. "what are you doing here? i thought you won't be back 'til november?" he frowned, confused.

"an old friend invited me to attend his wedding. it was nearby so i decided it wouldn't be so bad to visit and check up on you." he replies, a small smile on his lips just as his eyes disappeared into a crescent, much like how jimin's does when he smiles.

at this, jimin relaxed, the small grin was now back on his lips as he shook his head before heading to his bag and snatched a towel from it. "i thought you forgot about me already, hyung." he joked. "you didn't reply to my texts." this time, he gave his brother an annoyed glare, recalling the texts he'd sent him days ago.

"jimin, we call each other everyday." youngbae rolled his eyes, pushing himself off the doorway as he strides across the room to reach his brother, slinging an arm around the younger and cooing at him for being clingy. "aigoo, my little brother misses me." he laughed.

jimin could only scowl in disgust, pushing his brother away as he start collecting his things, eager to leave and just get away from here. "you wish, youngbae." he rolls his eyes, earning a smack on the head from the older.

"hey! i'm older than you, you brat." youngbae smirks, earning yet another eye roll from the younger. "— anyway, i'm starving. how 'bout we grab some dinner before i drive you home?"

jimin frowned. "you're not staying?"

"nope, i have work tomorrow." was his brief response, throwing jimin an apologetic look. "you're a grown man already, jimin. you'll be fine."

"i know." jimin nods, "– but it's nice to have another presence at home other than just mine." he faintly tells him. a wave of sadness flashed in his brother's eyes. jimin knows it isn't his fault, and that youngbae is pretty much just trying to be good brother for him. but despite being used to it, jimin feels lonely sometimes. he's always alone in their house. a little company wouldn't hurt.

"jimin you know i ca—"

"it's okay, hyung. i understand." he tries to smile. "you wanted to grab dinner, right? c'mon, jungkook recommended this great sushi restaurant. let's check it out."

"you sure it's safe this time?" youngbae asked skeptically as a laugh emitted from jimin's lips, recalling that one time jungkook recommended this seafood restaurant that had his brother running to the bathroom for two days straight.

"let's just hope it is,"

when they reached the sushi place, a frown was immediately painted across jimin's face when he spotted jungkook by an empty table, waving them over like an idiot. "hyungs, over here!" he beckons. "ah, youngbae hyung it's nice to see you again." he greets, being the "respectful" brat that he is.

"i wouldn't be running my way to the bathroom anytime soon, right?" youngbae laughs, causing for jungkook to give him a sheepish grin as he scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed.

"how'd you know we're here?" jimin eyes him skeptically. "are you stalking me?"

"oh please, jimin. don't flatter yourself too much. youngbae hyung texted me." he replies, sticking his tongue out. real mature, yeah? what a dork, this kid.

at this, jimin snapped his head to his brother, who only shrugged before reaching for the menu. "you said you wanted company at home." he tells him.

"hyung, you could've at least invited someone decent." he glanced at jungkook who just glared at him.

"hey, i'm decent!" he argued, earning an eye roll from jimin as he sighs.

after ordering and their food arriving after a good twenty minutes, the three talked aimlessly about anything, minus the crazy escapades the two boys have been doing for the past few weeks. mainly, the topic was directed jimin's incoming dance competition with youngbae promising to do his best to attend this special day for jimin as the younger was more than relieved and happy upon hearing this. although, it's fine and totally okay if youngbae fails to do so, jimin knows he's a busy man and that he needed to work in order to provide for the two of them. jimin understands. he always does.

after finishing their meals, they all got ready to leave, wanting nothing but the comforts of their beds to engulf them into a blissful slumber. jungkook was the first one to get up, bowing his head to thank the oldest for inviting him for dinner, to which was only responded by a sweet and genuine smile from youngbae, telling him it was no big deal since he's pretty much family now, having been best friends with jimin for years now.

when they reached outside, jimin finds himself tugging his brother's sleeve, a sigh escaping his dear lips as he meet his eyes. "you really can't stay? it's already ten o'clock, can't you just go back tomorrow morning?" he mutters. he misses his brother. he rarely gets to spend time with him.

youngbae heaved a sigh, a sad smile tugged on the corners of his lips as he reaches a hand to mess the younger's hair. "if only i could, i would. you know that, right?" he asks as jimin nods in response. "– but hey, take this opportunity to grow independently. get to know yourself and get to explore your own reality. okay?"

"okay," he croaks, sighing as his shoulders slumps. "it would've been better to explore it along with you, hyung. but i know you have your own reality too." he tells him.

"i would've loved that too, chim-chums. but the world won't stop just because i ask it to." youngbae smiles, draping an arm on the younger. "study well, okay? be a good kid and stay out of trouble."

"will do," jimin chuckles, his eyes meeting his best friend's from afar who just watched them fondly a good distance away as if giving them space and privacy for their "brother talk".

"now c'mon, i'll drop you both off." his brother beckons, only for jimin to shake his head 'no'.

"it's okay, jungkook and i can just walk home. it's not that far." he lied. youngbae wanted to argue but jimin already beat him to it. "it's okay, hyung. you still have a long drive to take, dropping us off would just take up more time. just go, we'll be fine." he tells him.

youngbae could only sigh, resigned. jimin was the hardest person to convice once he's had already set and decided. unless, you pull a jungkook on him and blackmail him to do your bidding.

when youngbae finally drove off, jungkook elbowed jimin. the older turned to him, only to find the human sized bunny already glaring at him. "what?" jimin raised a brow.

"what do you mean what? why'd you decline hyung's offer to drive us to your place? we're six bus stops away, what the hell were you thinking?" jungkook exclaims.

at this, jimin frowns. jungkook's just very much overreacting right now and just being incredibly selfish and mean. "— can't you ever stop being such a brat for once?" he snaps. "stop being so fucking insensitive. can't you see how tired hyung was? what the hell, dude?" he exclaims, disbelief written on his face as he stares back at jungkook with disgust.

jimin didn't miss the way the younger's eyes grew in surprise at his outburst. he also didn't miss how his gaze transitioned from mad to guilty just as fast, probably realizing just how much of an asshole he sounded just a second ago.

jungkook opened his mouth to probably apologize, but jimin was having none of it. instead, he waved he younger off. "just go home, jungkook." he tells him before bypassing the boy as he went on his way to find himself a ride home.

he didn't mean to snap at jungkook. jimin knows jungkook didn't mean to say all of that, and was just being his usual practical self when he said that. it was indeed a better choice to accept youngbae's offer since jungkook was right, they're six stops away from his place. it could've been a practical decision. but he could see how tired his brother was from working for hours just to provide them a life to live. clearly, jungkook's insensitive ass failed to see that. as usual.

and it pisses him off.

but don't be mislead. he will always treasure his best friend no matter what. but there are just these kinds of times wherein he would often question himself why he ever put up with the younger. he knows jungkook is a good person. but sometimes he can really be such a bitch about everything.

but he's still his best friend.

so inwardly he groans, rolling his eyes as he halts in his steps. he wasn't surprised to see the younger tailing him like a puppy when he turned around, deciding he can never really hate the idiot despite any circumstances.

jungkook's pout was in full display as his beautiful doe eyes stared back at him apologetically. cute, jimin thought. it only occurred to him how he can never really get mad at his idiot excuse of a best friend for so long. because while jungkook may be insensitive at times and a little stupid, he's still his best friend. jungkook is still the boy who stood up for him during middle school when he was getting bullied for being an orphan; still the same kid who asked his mother to prepare extra lunch just so jimin wouldn't starve during lunch time. he's still the same jeon jungkook who he would go to the ends of the world for, even to the point of sabotaging a wedding.

so without much thought, he rolled his eyes at him, turning on heels as he walks away. "hurry the fuck up, i'm starving."

"— but hyung, we just ate." he hears jungkook faintly replied from behind.

"just hurry up, you knuckle head." he snaps, forcing an angry tone and failing miserably as he hears jungkook's adorable giggle echoing behind.

"aww, you can't stand getting mad at me for so long," the younger cooed.

"don't flatter yourself, jeon. i'm still mad at you."

"doesn't seem like it."

"it does!"

"admit it, hyung."

"fuck you."

"aww, love you too, hyung."