Archive of Our Own

Work Text

Loose pages yet to be fit together. A story not yet finished. The binder brings them together to make a story, sewing them together one by one until they meet at the author's intention. Pages are brought together and bound, then the spine is worked on so they stay that way. Slowly the edge of the book is rounded and folded into that of each other page, successfully bringing the story together so that it does not fall apart as the process moves forward.*******************Min's Bookshop was one of the few antique book shops left in the city. They specialized in many types of literature from children's books to classic authors. If there was a book you wanted, they either had it, or would do anything in their power to find it for you. The shop also had a specialty. They restored older books and were well versed in the art of bookbinding. Not with machines like they do now, but in the original way, done by hand with hours of hard work and care put into every piece that leaves the shop. Knowledge of the craft had been passed down through generation in the family from parents to children, from a time when the place was known as simply a book shop instead of one that specialized in only antiques.This is where Park Jimin worked. The shop was located in a small corner with a strip of other small bookshops near the cultural center in Insa-dong. With the advancements in E-reading and the practice of scanning older books to preserve them and make them more accessible to the public the once thriving line of shops, had been reduced to 4 including Min's. Their main customers being historians, tourists, and the occasional lover of classic literature. The shop tried to get new stock in regularly and often spent time looking for works to add to the collection but it did not have the same following it used to. The shop itself had begun to fall into disrepair, broken shelves and floor tiles, leaks in the roof. The owner and his son did their best to keep it in good condition, doing most of the repairs themselves and working to keep the books safe.Jimin loved the place. The first time he saw it was in his final year of high school, while he was on the way to the cultural center to do research for a class project. He walked in and fell in love with it instantly. The books in the felt like they held the world in them, the smell of old paper and ink, and the coziness of the shop itself, it felt like he had walked into a dream and never wanted to wake up. He started coming in as often as he could, slowly making his way through the stacks of books. He even managed to bond with the shops owner, a kind older man.When Jimin graduated he received a scholarship to study literature at a local university, it was the major he had wanted to pursue the most. In doing so, it caused a rift in his family, he had to move out of his family home and move into an apartment with his best friend. He was hopeless and lost but he still had the shop, and he went every day the weeks following his break from his family. He would go to run away, to get lost in the stories of different worlds, ones that all had happy endings.  During that time the shops owner offered Jimin a job at the shop. His son had been off at university in another city for two years already and it was getting hard for himself and his wife to watch the store alone. According to him Jimin was “At the shop enough without spending money anyway so he might as well earn some.”While Jimin had never told him what exactly had happened  he had a feeling the elder man knew. Mr. Min gave him the most hours and the highest pay he could afford, so that he could continue his studies without worries. Jimin hadn’t even asked for it, but the elder had always treated him like a son when he came in, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that he insisted on the boy working there.Lately the elderly man had been sick and his wife was looking after him. His son had returned after graduated university so he had taken over a majority of the shops duties. Jimin would work whenever he didn't have classes and Yoongi would come in before or after working his other job to work the other times. They overlapped shifts often when the elder had to work in the back on the bindings and restorations.The two didn't talk much. They had only met a few times before this, when the elder had come home on breaks or weekends. Jimin was afraid that the elder saw him as a replacement to his father while off at college, so he had tried to stay as professional as possible around him and well, Yoongi had always kept his distance anyway.Today was a Saturday so Jimin would work all day and Yoongi would come in at 3 after he got out of his other job, let him go on break and then go to the bindery in the back and work while Jimin ran the shop for the rest of the day.He always seemed nice with his father or their regular customers but whenever he looked at Jimin, it was blank. No expressions or emotions what-so-ever. Jimin tried not to let it get to him.Min Yoongi loved books, literature in general really. He had grown up in Min's, first when it was his grandfathers, then when it had been passed to his father. He had learned how to bind and restore books in high school, had even got his certification in the craft. He went to university for degrees in classic literature and business so that he would be ready to take over the shop when it was time.In the past few years as he worked to earn his degrees, he became increasingly aware of the reality of the shops future. He was no longer as optimistic as he was in highschool. His father's heart had been getting progressively worse as time went. Doctors bills and medication had become an extra financial strain.The shop itself was making much less than it had in the passed. Their main business right now came from the bindings and restoration contracts from museums, even those orders had been steadily decreasing in the past few years. They had tried to keep costs down, taking care of repairs themselves, keeping only one employee, even closing earlier than before.As opposed to taking over the shop full time when he came back, Yoongi went and got another job at a publishing company, just to make sure there was an extra income to cover the bills. While Yoongi would do anything and everything he could to keep the shop open, he had come to the understanding that the era of Min's Books, might very well come to and ending with him and the guilt of letting a generations old tradition rested with him as well. When he was younger he had imagined what it would be like to run the shop, keep it as lively as his family always had, having his own child and bringing them in; reading to them, letting them watch him in the bindery the way he had watched his father. Now that wasn’t going to happen. At this point he was trying to decrease his attachment to the shop, in hoped it might hurt a little less.They were pages of a story not yet connected.When Yoongi entered the shop it was as usual, devoid of people. Except for Jimin of course who sat at the front counter on his laptop, most likely doing homework. Or at least that's what he assumed given the boy was a senior, he never really bothered to ask though.The kid looked frustrated, probably because it was close to finals time. He made a mental note to bring out one of the space heaters to put at the counter since it would start to get cold.As he went up to the counter he couldn't help but notice the kids bag contained only convenience store foods again. Did he just not eat real food or what? Again Yoongi didn't ask.“You can go on your break now.” His voice is blank, so as not to invite further conversation.“Oh. Thanks hyung!” Jimin always had this very positive attitude, gone was the frustration from a moment ago. At first he thought it was fake, but seeing the kid like this every day just lead him to believe it was a personality trait. Much like his friend Hoseok.It was 15 minutes later when Jimin came back out looking like he wanted to ask a question that he didn't know how to phrase.Yoongi raised an eyebrow “You know your break is an hour right? It hasn't even been 15 minutes.”“I- I know. I um, wanted to ask a favor? You majored in classic lit right? That's what Mr. Min said.”The elder nods back, still confused as to what exactly the boy wants.“Great! I uh- I mean; I major in creative writing and I sort of, kind of have an assignment due tonight and I really really need someone to review it for me? Please? It's not very long, I kinda just ran out of time to find someone.” It wasn't that Yoongi made him nervous, well actually that's exactly what it was. After all this time and so little interaction with the elder he had become a little scared of him. He shifted from foot to foot, keeping his eyes on the counter where his laptop rested instead of Yoongi while waiting for the answer.Contrary to popular belief creative writing was actually quite a lucrative field. You could work in editing, journalism, speech writing etc. Jimin's parents hadn't agreed, but he was good enough to get a scholarship, and he really loved what he did. He still feared the reactions of others, after all this time it felt like that was something that would never change.Yoongi was surprised, realized he probably shouldn't be with the amount of time he's seen Jimin going through the shop and reading whatever title caught his eye that day.“I- uh sure. I guess. I don't have many orders today so it should be fine.” God he really hoped it wasn't bad. The kid was nice but Yoongi had the mind of a book editor now, and applying that to the writing of a student could lead to a bad outcome. Like Jimin quitting the shop, which he really couldn't afford right now. At the same time he couldn't really say no, whether it be due to his sense of duty or general curiosity about the others writing.Jimin had actually been going back and forth on asking the elder who was basically his boss for the past hour. At this point he didn't really have another option. This piece had been harder to get out than some of his others and took a little more time. Now it was done but it needed to be reviewed before he submitted it and none of his classmates were available. Besides Yoongi knew what he was doing, it was his job.The story itself wasn't bad, better than half the manuscripts that had come across his desk in the past few months. There were little errors here and there, the only major one being the ending. It was abrupt, likely due to the time constraints. He felt like Jimin could definitely develop it more and it would lead him to an easy A.“Seriously Thank you hyung! You're a lifesaver!”“Anytime Jimin.” While the two had established less formal speech when Yoongi started working in the shop more, mainly because Jimin was only a couple of years younger and the formlessness made him feel way older than he was, the youngers name was still foreign to his tongue. “I mean it, you’re not bad at all. If you need a recommendation or a connection once you graduate, I got you.”The younger’s face fell a little. It sounded almost like the elder didn't expect him to be at the store once he graduated. While he had always known he would eventually work in other jobs, he really did love the shop and didn't like to think of leaving it.His smile picked back up again “Thanks, that's actually really nice of you.”Yoongi laughed “Did you think I was not nice?”“Well no.....but you do come off as kind of intimidating and you’re also sort of my boss.”He lifts a brow “Your not like this with my dad.” he says it like a statement, he's seen the two interact before. The way they acted you would think they were father and son. It didn't bother Yoongi, it was actually kind of sweet.“He talks to me though.” He points out from his spot on the floor before grabbing another ship from the bag he had produced out of nowhere.“Then what am I doing now?” His tone was joking, it had been a while since he could have such a lighthearted conversation.“Hyung. You took over the shop months ago, this is the first conversation we've had that's longer than 5 minutes.”“Hmmmm, well if you don't like it I could always go work on those orders I have in the back. I believe you have homework to finish too.” The book edges he had set to dry the night before were likely done and ready for sanding.Jimin groans “C'mon you didn't graduate that long ago, you should know not to remind a student of deadlines.”The other shrugs as he gets up, he really should get to work to avoid losing the few customers they did have. “I graduated because I got my work done. You should try it.”“Old man.” Jimin mutters as he walks past to take his place in the seat.“Whatever you say fetus.”It wasn't until Yoongi got to the work room in the back that he realized that he was about to break his promise to himself to stay detached. With the resolve that he wouldn't let it happen again, he got to work.Only, it did happen again, and again, and again. The younger was a force that was hard to resist. After their first conversation the younger had seemed to grow more comfortable with him often coming to ask questions or bring up topics of conversation. Yoongi just couldn’t say no to him, he was sure if he did the younger would start pouting, something he learned he was weak for. As Jimin's classes came to an end for the semester the two of them ended up working together a lot more often. Simple talks about literature and experiences became more frequent and soon morphed into deeper topics. When Yoongi learned that the younger had to take the bus home after work he started dropping him home, his promise entirely forgotten at that point.It was one of those drives that the elder finally had the courage to ask Jimin why exactly he was estranged from his parents. They had talked about it before but they had never quite broached the topic of why it had happened. Whenever they did Jimin looked sad and Yoongi wanted to know why. If only so h could cheer the boy up, Jimin looked better when he smiled.“They're pretty well off people.” He started, not looking directly at Yoongi, instead focusing on the passing lights as they drove. “High paying jobs, professional types. They wanted me to study something like that, practical they said. I call it boring. I just couldn't do it. So I entered a bunch of contests for writing scholarships, I thought if they didn't have to pay for my school then they would be fine with it.”“But they weren't?” Yoongi asks quietly. He thought about it, even if he had chosen to study something else his family would have been supportive, they told him as much for years before he made his decision. He couldn't imagine a family that wouldn't support their child.“Nope. They told me if I became a creative writing major then they would kick me out. I thought they were bluffing but the day after I declared they did. I took what I could and left. Luckily Tae was already planning to move out, he has a bunch of siblings so he wanted some space. He covered most of the expenses until your dad offered me the job a week later. My parents and I haven't spoken since.” He sighed “I doubt they've had much time to think about me or care at all really, their work always was more important to them.”“You know that you are though right? They may not be able to see it, but you are.” Yoongi lived by the philosophy that everyone was important, he had a feeling though, that Jimin was special. He didn’t know in what way but he knew there was something in him. To think that anyone would be able to forget him was ridiculous. He hoped that Jimin would be able to see how important he was, if not to anyone else, at least to Yoongi.A sad smile “I know hyung.” he shakes his head, as if the bad thoughts will just fly away, and maybe they do. “So we talked about me, how about you tell me why you were so cold with me hmm?”Yoongi grips the steering wheel a little tighter “It's not about you Jimin-ah. Trust me you couldn't do anything to make me like that. There's just a lot of other stuff going on and I thought it would be easier to keep my distance. Don't worry about it.” He  didn't want to risk the younger freaking out if he found out the state of the store.“You know you can tell me anything right? I'm here for you too.”The sad smile was Yoongi's this time “I know.” With that they've reached the younger’s apartment and they bid each other good night.Jimin walks into the tiny and slightly run down apartment to the sight of his best friends making out on their couch. “You know other people live here right?”They break apart startled by the voice. “You’re home early?” comes from Taehyung trying to flatten out his bright red hair, mussed from Jungkook's tugging. Why would he apologize when this is a daily occurrence. “Did the bus come early or something?”“Nah. Yoongi -hyung dropped me off.” He misses the look the two throw at each other before they chase after him to the tiny kitchen. All of the appliances and the minimal counter space were ffit against one wall and a stacked metal shelf was on the opposing wall as a makeshift pantry. The three of them could barely fit in it, yet the two insisted they need to interrogate their hyung while he makes them all a mediocre dinner in the space.“Yoongi-hyung huh? Is that why you look so happy?” the youngest was annoyingly perceptive, brown eyes boring into him from the doorway.“I'm happy because I didn't have to wait an hour to come home. It has nothing to do with him.”“Yeah and I'm a fairy.”“Shut up” Jimin grumbles as he finishes setting the stove to make his instant noodles.“Chim Chimmmmmmmm! C'mon you can't tell me you don’t have a crush on him, I can see it on your face!” his roommate has always liked to whine about Jimin’s lack of a love life, while he maintains that he doesn't have time for dating right now.“I don't, well not yet. It's more like admiration right now, not quite at the point of a crush yet. I don't want to rush things Tae he's my boss.” Jimin finally admits, if only it'll get the younger off  his back.“He has a point.”Jungkook was ever the voice of reason in his and Taehyung’s relationship and Jimin was grateful for it, or who knows what he would get into. One time Tae spent 3 hours trying to convince Jimin to become a nude portrait model for money so that they could afford a vacation, until Jungkook came over and reminded them that the money wouldn’t be enough for a vacation anyway.“Fineeee.”As Jimin sits down at the table with his food, after having served the other two he finally speaks up again. “I told him. About my parents.”“What did he say?” Taehyung asks, mouth full of noodles.Jimin rolls his eyes as Jungkook snickers at his boyfriends antics “He said that I was important.”“Awwww cuteeee. Date him.”“We went over this you dingus!” With a smile he pretends to swat at his best friend with his chopsticks.“He wouldn't date me anyway.”Both other boys look up at that, recognizing the insecurity that often laced Jimin's voice “And why do you say that hyung?”“I don't know, he's just so cool and amazing and smart. Did you know he graduated college early?” he looks down into his bowl suddenly feeling a drop in appetite. “I'm not special. Besides I don't even know if he’s gay.”He hadn't realized the two had moved their chairs to be on either side of him. “You know that's not true, he said it himself Minnie, you’re important.” They both wrap him in a hug, Taehyung taking the lead as usual. “Also he’s totally gay, the only time I say him in the  shop with you when I visited, he was totally checking out your ass.”“Tae!” Comes from the now sandwiched member of the trio.He laughs “What it's true! Now eat your food, we can't afford to waste.”The two of them instantly make Jimin feel better. The rest of their dinner is the passing of stories and laughter in the best way.Jimin's family wasn't much, just the three of them, but it was enough. Often times they felt like more of a family than his biological one had ever been. These two knew everything there was to know about him, they were the only people Jimin wholeheartedly trusted.They had been there for everything, from his family issues to the panic attacks and moments of doubt. They were the people he loves most and he couldn't help but feel like their little family might grow soon and he welcomed the idea with open arms.***********When Yoongi goes home he sits at his father's bedside, checking on him. He can only be on his feet a few hours a day at this point, and it terrifies Yoongi. His father had always been so healthy and lively, to see him so weak now was like watching your hero lose to a villain. When he was little and came home from school,  on the days his mom was at the shop, his dad used to pick him up and swing him around. Now he could barely get out of bed. One day he could come home and his father won’t be there to greet him, that was his worst fear.“How is it?” his father asks after taking a few sips from the glass Yoongi brought with him.“The shop?”“No, the weather. Yes the shop.” His father may be sick, but he hadn't lost his sense of humor in the least.“Well its been getting colder so not great I'd say.” Sarcasm runs in the family “The shop is fine dad. A little cold but nothing a few space heaters can't fix”“Make sure you keep them away from the books-”“Only in the front I know, I know. Did grandpa nag you this much when you took over?”The man chuckles “Oh he was way worse, he followed me around the shop for weeks making sure I did everything just right. I would be too if I could.”“I know you would, and you'll get to as soon as you get better.”“Yoonie, your food is ready.” His mother calls from the doorway. She had been doing her best to stay strong this whole time. Spending a lot of effort on taking care of her husband and cooking for Yoongi to keep busy. He wanted her to rest too, but she just wouldn't listen.“I'll be back” he whispers to his father before walking out to the kitchen to join his mother.They eat in relative silence until she speaks up “The doctor called today, they said that the test results don't look good.”Yoongi stilled in his seat as he stopped chewing on his food, anxiety settling in his gut. He expected it, he could see his father's condition deteriorating daily. He just wasn’t ready to accept it.“Did they say what they plan to do about it?”“What else can they do, more medications and more treatments.” She's trying to stay strong. Yoongi wants to pull her into a hug and let her cry but he knows she won't. So he doesn't. Instead he offers to do the dishes and tells he to go into the room with dad.They spend the next hour talking together, the three of them. Talking about anything and everything, his parents ask about Jimin, glad the two have become friends. While they viewed the boy as another son, they knew Yoongi had been trying to keep his distance, they couldn’t blame him, the shop has had plenty of employees over the years that had come and gone.Their new friendship had caused a change in Yoongi’s mood, he was happier, Jimin always had that effect on people. It was comforting to them.For that little bit, it feels like things will be okay.The next month passes just the same. The shop is closed for Chuseok, and while Jimin spends it with friends he doesn't forget to text the elder greetings, he even gets him a gift. A scarf because he lost his last one.Yoongi in turn gives Jimin a book from his personal collection, something he knows would inspire the younger.They get closer, it's only natural. A few days before the younger is set to start his final semester at university, Yoongi finally tells him the truth about what's happening to the shop.  He had avoided saying it because he didn’t want the younger to quit, in part because he needed an employee and the other because he just didn’t want to lose the company.“So you’re saying the shop might not make it to next year?” his voice sounds pained whether from fear or sadness Yoongi can't tell. He himself is sitting on the floor against the wall. The two had been cleaning the non fiction section when the older, who had just had a meeting with the businesses accountant, broke down. The stress being too much made him shut down, and when Jimin had asked he just let it all go.The younger moved closer to him, throwing an arm around Yoongi's shoulder, for who's support neither was sure but the contact was appreciated by both regardless.“Yeah. We're doing what we can, cutting corners where we can but even so we aren't getting enough sales or even orders to keep us up. That plus my dad's health issues. I don’t know what's going to happen.” Hopeless, that was the only way to describe the tone in Yoongi's voice.“What-what if I took a pay cut? I have enough savings that a little cut won’t be an issue.” He and Tae already lived tight, the latter not wanting to ask for more money from his family, but there were places he could cut back. He was saving money on the bus when Yoongi drove him home, he could stop buying so many extra snacks, he doesn’t really need Netflix or anything. He would make it work, if it was for this place and the people he's grown so close to, he would do anything.“Jimin I can't ask you to-”“I want to.” he moves closer to Yoongi “I love this place.” there's something unspoken there, something neither of them can quite place just yet, but it's there.“It might help a little, by us an extra month or so from when we predicted.” Yoongi gulped but the idea of a little more time was helping him breath easier. He just needed time to figure something out.“I have a friend that works in social media marketing, another that's a small time celebrity in the country, if I cash in a few favors I can get some promo from them. I can talk to some professors on campus too, get them to send Thesis students to us for the binding, though the volumes would be smaller than what your used to working with. We'll make it work hyung.”The thought of everything going on always made him feel so alone, he couldn't tell his parents, he didn't want them to worry about the shop on top of everything. He was terrified if something happened to one or both of his parents he would be left all alone and it hurt. It scared the shit out of him.It's there on the floor of his childhood second home where the two of them are hugging, that Yoongi feels more hope than he has in months.He doesn't feel so alone anymore. He wants it to work. He wants to save the shop and his craft. He wants to do it with Jimin by his side.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It takes the right person to put all the pieces together. After the pages are sewn and the spine set, there is more to be done. A cover must be laid, carefully aligned with the pages. It should be sturdy and made to last. The spine decorated from the inside, first, before the leather is ready to be laid. There are careful steps in the process that bring about the finished product. Time and care must be put into the work in order to do the words inside justice.
 
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It was slightly busier than usual today, Christmas was about a week away so rather than the regular crowd there were a few gift shoppers. Jimin thinks he's seen some of his professors come in too, likely looking for volumes to gift colleges. Business itself had improved a bit as well, Jimin had created social media pages for the shop after his talk with Yoongi.  He was using it to try and connect with collectors and historians across the country and it did seem to have some effect, however little.
 
It wasn't enough progress that the store would be in the green, but anything was better than nothing.
 
Jimin soon found out that Yoongi was really the Christmas type of person. He must have gotten it from his dad because one day he walked in and all of the decorations, including  the small artificial tree that Mr. Min usually needed help to set up, were out and setting the mood. For Christmases past, Yoongi had gone home ,so Jimin hadn't seen him enough to know exactly how much the elder loved it. Now, seeing the Santa hat Yoongi was wearing, Jimin was able to see the more childish bits of the others’ personality, and it was adorable.
 
Since Jimin was on break before he went back to school, they were working together most days. The mornings were still slow, often times Jimin would go back into the bindery, babbling to Yoongi while he worked, watching his hands smooth leather and sew spines. It was something Jimin loved to see, not just because the process was beautiful but because Yoongi himself was so practiced and skilled that his hands moved like they were doing a dance. The whole process was a performance Jimin had the luck to be privy to.
 
Some evenings the shop generated more traffic than others; people not really buying yet so much as looking through the volumes for gift ideas or simply killing time while waiting for others. On these occasions,  Yoongi would come out and sit with him at the front. When they weren't talking to or helping customers they would talk about the different volumes in the store and share Christmas memories. It was during these sweet moments that Jimin realized he was falling for the elder.
 
While the elder was talking about the adventures -- based on books in the shop --  that he and their regular customer Namjoon had gone on, Yoongi sipped on coffee as the ball of his Santa hat fell into his face. The coffee was from the shop across the street; the owner was a friend of his so he often got free coffee and hot chocolate for the two of them in the evenings.
 
This time, Yoongi was recounting the time he and Namjoon had walked along Han River for an hour looking for water sprites because they had read about them in one of the mythology books. He was smiling, cute pink gums showing as he described how his best friend had leaned over a railing to look closer at a butterfly and nearly fell into the river, but all Jimin could focus on was the look on Yoongi's face. Happy, cute, lovely. It was in this moment Park Jimin noticed that he wanted to do nothing more than see this face for the rest of his life, but right now wasn't the right time. There was too much to worry about, but, maybe one day, he could tell Yoongi. Maybe it would work.
 
For now, Jimin's focus was on finding the elder a Christmas gift. He had found relatively cheap gifts for Jungkook and Taehyung and something for Yoongi's parents as well. It was the man himself that was giving him trouble. He had gotten his two younger friends video games. Jungkook lived in the dorms, but he spent most of the time at Jimin and Taehyung’s apartment, something neither of them complained about, so the games would likely be kept there and split between the two. The Mins would be getting a nice, new set of bookends. He had learned from Yoongi that the families’ personal collection was quite large as well, including a shelf of books that his father had given his mother when they were dating. The Bookends were a matching boy and girl made to look like they were kissing. They could be placed on each side of the shelf making it look like they were sharing  a kiss though the books. Jimin found it cute, and it was something that suited their relationship perfectly.
 
Currently, he found himself roaming through the shops looking for a gift for the one he had come to fall in love with. He had gone through clothing, different trinket shops, and even other book shops, but he had no idea what to get that was both within his budget and fit the elder. He was nearly about to give up and get something practical like a wallet or a tie until he saw a little display of bookmarks near the cash wrap. They weren't exactly right for the elder, none seemed good enough, but they were the right idea. Yoongi read for work; he read in the shop when he had time. He was practically always reading. With that in mind, Jimin took off, pulling out his phone to text his art student roommate and heading to the nearest craft store.
 
It was a bit hard to put together at the last minute, thankfully Taehyung's art skills and Jungkook’s photography skills made it work. The first step was getting Jungkook to take a picture of the the shop without Yoongi noticing the younger through the window. It was flurrying that night, and he ended up getting the perfect shot of the shop lit up, snowflakes reflecting the light, making the moment seem almost magical.
 
He was able to edit the photo into a 2x6 size and print two copies. From there, Jimin and Taehyung attached the photos to either side of a piece of sturdy card stock and got it laminated. Tae taught him a little bit of calligraphy for detailing the bottom of it with a golden “Min's Books” and also how to make a gold threaded tassel for the top. It was beautiful but Jimin felt like it wasn't enough, after all bookmarks get lost easily. It was Tae who came up with the idea of making a case for the item. It was rather simple really, some wires bent into a vine like design attached to a metal frame taken from an old pencil case. It wasn't extravagant, but it was beautiful, fairy-like, and so very much Yoongi.
 
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In Yoongi’s case,  he noticed it as it happened -- slowly, daily. When he worked with Jimin, talked to him, and watched his actions. He felt it a little more every day, but he wouldn't understand that it was love for quite a while.
 
For Christmas, the elder combed through the shop, looking for one volume in particular that he had seen the younger read multiple times. It was a book of poetry from a past decade. The book itself had been refurbished years ago but never bought. He had heard Jimin talk about getting inspiration from some of its contents in the past, and it would be perfect as a gift. It only needed one final touch -- a golden “Park Jimin” stamped into the outer cover on the right hand corner. It was perfect -- both personal yet not too much for a first gift.
 
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They exchanged gifts the day after Christmas. Yoongi having spent the holiday at home with his family, and Jimin with Taehyung and Jungkook, neither of which had wanted to go home for the holiday.
 
Jimin held his breath as he watched Yoongi pull out his gift from the cheap paper gift bag. He was worried it was too little, even after all of that hard work.
 
He only looked up when the elder gasped “Jimin this is amazing! Did you make it?”
 
“I-uh yeah, I had some help.”
 
“I always lose my bookmarks when they aren't in a book but I can keep the case in my bag. I really love it! Wait... is this the shop?”
 
Jimin was a little embarrassed at the elders excitement but happy all the same. “It is!”
 
“I love it! I really do” Yoongi shook his head a little trying to get his platinum blonde hair out of his eyes. He was smiling that smile Jimin loved seeing so much. “Okay, now for yours!” Yoongi pulls out an item wrapped in red, handing it gingerly to the now orange-haired man.
 
He can tell what it is from just the first rip of the brightly colored paper. “Yoongi-”
 
The elder looked down slightly flushed “You said it inspired you. I've enjoyed reading what you write, so I want you to have it, to be inspired every day.”
 
Just that brought tears to the younger's eyes. He always had been quite sentimental. He believed it was part of what made him a good writer. Jimin tried to hold back the tears as he continued to rip off the paper. Yoongi hadn't done the best job, but it was the thought that counted. The tears finally fell when he noticed the gold stamping of his name on the cover’s edge.  
 
“Hyung.” he breathes out, running his fingers over the indentations slowly.
 
Yoongi places his hand over the others, “One day you'll have your own collection, this is just a start.”
 
“Thank you.”
 
So went a tearful and lovely winter afternoon; the two of them in the shop reading and drinking hot chocolate as snowflakes fell.
 
It was a few days after this that the next step in their relationship began.  The day before New Years Eve, to be exact.
 
Jimin and Yoongi were in the shop as usual, talking, laughing,  and attending customers. There were no orders right now. There usually weren't between the two holidays, so Yoongi was spending most of his time in the front with Jimin, as the publishing company he worked with was also closed for the week.
 
In the morning, an elderly woman who frequents the shop had commented on how the two made a cute couple and that they looked similar to how Yoongi's parents did when they were young. It had flustered both of them but secretly they enjoyed the comparison. Even after explaining that they weren't a couple, the woman simply waved them off with a “I get it, not ready to tell people yet. Don't worry your secret's safe with me.” before leaving with her purchase.
 
The two attempted to recover; the redness in their faces died down and awkward coughs broke the silence, but neither could really look the other in the eye for the next few hours. Mainly because they were too busy imagining what it would be like if maybe they were a couple. God, Yoongi wanted to hug him more, but he wasn't sure if he was ready for that, or if Jimin even wanted that.
 
Most of the day proceeded normally, with the occasional customer and talk of books. Around mid-evening, just before they were getting ready to close, was when two of Yoongi's best friends and shop regulars, Namjoon and Seokjin, walked in.
 
They were bundled up in coats and scarves; it made sense given the cold wind that had rushed in when they opened the door.
 
The couple had immediately come up to the counter. Jimin had spoken to them enough times for them to be considered acquaintances, so it wasn't awkward at all.
 
“YA Namjoon! You know we’re going to close soon” The elder scolded, but there was no real bite in his words.
 
“Yoongi- ah I made him come, I wanted to take a look at one of those cookbooks your mom keeps around here.” Jin defended, rolling his eyes while the two of them unwrapped themselves from the layers hiding their red faces.
 
“Well, you know where they are, go ahead.” He directs his friend as he takes a seat next to Jimin at the counter in order to talk to Namjoon.
 
“We were actually wondering, Hoseok is coming over for New Years tomorrow. You guys should come too.” Jimin was confused as to why he was gesturing to the both of them. He didn't think either of them knew him well enough for that.
 
“I'm supposed to spend the night with my roommate and his boyfriend, I don't think-”
 
Jin cut him off with a shout from behind a shelf “Oh! Bring them with you! The more the merrier really.” Namjoon only nodded along with a dimpled smile.
 
Jimin looked to Yoongi, who seemed to be delighted with the idea of Jimin joining in, if his encouraging nod was anything to go by.
 
“I-uh will go ask them.” He said, pulling out his phone and walking into the back to call his best friend.
 
It was during that time that Namjoon dropped his smile and turned to Yoongi  “You’re not together yet.” Stated as a fact, not a question.
 
“I- no. I don't even know if I'm into him that way, or if he likes me-” Namjoon just face palms.
 
“This is why you’re still single. Because you’re overthinking it.”
 
“He's right!” Jin calls, then emerging from the shelves with a book in hand “Then again, Joonie is always right.”
 
Yoongi could have sworn he saw Namjoon blush. Honestly, the two have been together since high school, and they still act like they just started dating. He found it both disgusting and adorable, depending on the day.
 
“I mean I do, like him I mean. Right now though Joon- it’s just not the right time. There's too much going on. I'm still worried about the shop” he pauses for a second “and dad.”
 
The others’ face soften a bit. The man was like a second father to Namjoon, he understood where the elder was coming from.”
 
“I know. Yoongi, there will never be a perfect time, but you should at least think about it. Please. For us? We don't want you to have to deal with everything alone.”
 
The blond finally broke down in a sigh, collapsing his head onto the counter “I'll think about it.”
 
Just then, Jimin came back out. “They said they're in as long as there's food!”
 
“Well of course dear, what do you think the cookbook is for?” Jin answers proudly. “Now come ring me out, Yoongi's being lazy”
 
-
 
Jimin wouldn't say he was freaking out  per say, just reasonably stressed, in his opinion. He was going to be spending New Years eve, not like he had planned, in his pajamas eating junk food and getting drunk with Taehyung and Jungkook while watching idol performances. Nope. Now, he was going to be spending it with his boss, whom he may or may not be falling in love with, and his friends. It would be the first time he was seeing the man in an outside-of-work setting, and he had to mingle with other people too!
 
He spent at least an hour in the morning in front of his closet trying to figure out what to wear. His orange hair disheveled from the amount of times he had run his hands through it. Finally, Taehyung forced his way into the elders’ room, in part because Jimin needed to come out and eat lunch and because he was eager to help his friend look good for the night.
 
Jimin didn't go out much. Most of his clothes were for work or class -- some jeans, sweaters, t-shirts -- all pretty worn through from the past few years since he never really had the money for shopping. It hadn't bothered him much until right now when he realized how much he wanted to impress Yoongi and his friends. Thankfully, Taehyung is as fashion forward as he is artistically gifted.
 
It took the art student ten minutes of digging to find a nice pair of black ripped jeans that he had gifted Jimin the year before that he had entirely forgotten about as well as a black jacket with white trim from a cover performance he had done back when he was still in dance classes in high school. It was a little snug in the arms but it wouldn't be so bad, it actually showed off the little bit of muscle he had well. Pairing it with a black t-shirt made it a perfect night out outfit of the likes Jimin didn't think he owned. To think he was going to get rid of that jacket when he moved out.
 
The other half of today's battle would be mental. It was easy to talk to Jin and Namjoon in the store but in their home? With other people? He could feel the anxiety bubbling under his skin as he thought about the three of them sat on the couch, trying to be immersed in a movie. It wasn't until Jungkook, tired of the elders’ restless movements, reassured him that the two of them would stay by his side the entire night and that they could leave at any moment, that he calmed down a little.
 
For all of Jimin's worrying, the night actually started off really well. They headed over to the couples’ apartment around eight. Jin had said it would only be the couple, Yoongi, someone named Hoseok and the three of them, but he was still worried there would end up being more people. He was pleasantly surprised to find out it really was only the seven of them when they entered the apartment.
 
Everyone else was there when the three arrived, sitting around the living room munching on appetizers that Jin must have set out. The TV was on, set to whatever channel would soon start their New Years special soonest. It seemed similar to what the boys had originally planned, just with better food and drinks. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. The three of them took a seat on the empty couch, Jimin sitting beside the couple and next to Yoongi who was in the single armchair nursing a beer.
 
Jimin nearly lost his breath when he saw the elder. His look was more casual than what he wore for work at the publishing company but less so than the shop -- ripped jeans and a black button down. No slacks or the hoodies that he changed into when he was working in the back. He looked...well...kind of hot.
 
Jimin shook his head, he needed to stop thinking about these things, it was going to get him in trouble one of these days. Jin was handing them drinks. He was about to introduce them to Hoseok when the man himself cut Jin off.
 
“I know you! You’re Park Jimin!” Jimin’s face immediately went red as the attention was focused on him. Yoongi's eyebrows were raised in his direction, obviously confused. “I used to watch your dance covers when you were in high school! You guys must be Jungkook and Taehyung then right?”
 
“Uh yeah.” Taehyung was the one to speak up as the other two became immediately shyer at the idea that someone had watched the dance covers filmed in their classes all those years ago. “It was a hobby back then. Haven't really gotten to do it much since high school though. These two were really the best at it!”
 
Taehyung then yelped a little. Jungkook must have pinched him.
 
“Oh! I know! I'm a dance instructor now but when I was a student I would watch a lot of cover videos to suss out my competition. I was actually amazed I never met you guys in competition considering how good you were!”
 
“Ah” Jimin spoke up “because we weren't very serious about it, we didn't feel like competing would be right. We just do it for fun every once in a while when we have the time now that we don't take classes anymore.”
 
“Really!?” Hoseok's eyes lit up “I'm actually opening up a studio of my own around here soon! Even if you guys aren't interested in classes or filming anymore, you should totally come check it out. We could hang out and mess around with some songs! It would be amazing to dance with you guys!” The elder was excited, honestly Jimin was a bit excited too. While his passion and love was writing, dance had always been a nice escape for him, for all of them. It would be nice to do it a little more often.
 
“Sure!” Jungkook exclaimed, finally getting the voice to speak again. “I've actually seen some of your work too-”
 
As the two began conversing about different videos Yoongi turned to Jimin “I didn't know you danced. You'll have to show me some videos sometime.”
 
Jimin groaned and hid his head in his hands, trying to control his blush “Hyunggg. Please, he’s overselling me I'm really not that good! Plus, I was a kid at the time!” Cute...Yoongi couldn't help but think.
 
“Please Jiminieeee”
 
Of course Jimin couldn't resist when the blonde pouted at him, “Fine.” Suddenly their little moment was interrupted by Namjoon clearing his throat. The two hadn't noticed everyone staring at them at all. They also hadn't notice the smirks on all of their faces.
 
“Dinner is ready!” Came from Jin, just in time to break all the awkwardness.
 
The rest of the night too, had gone rather well. The seven of them got along famously, telling jokes, casually teasing each other, and making comments on whichever group was performing at the time. Jin's cooking was amazing, to the point where the three youngest practically begged him to become their mother. (He said yes, unsurprisingly.)
 
When it was nearing midnight and they were all to the point of pleasantly buzzed, they waited for the special moment by passing conversation about this and that until suddenly the topic of conversation became New Years kisses. Of course, Namjoon and Jin would be kissing each other. Taehyung and Jungkook were already sneaking in little kisses while the others weren't looking, not that they would try to hide it if the others did look. So it seemed that Yoongi, Jimin, and Hoseok would be the odd ones out.
 
“So you're saying you've never had a New Years kiss, Jimin?” Jin asks. Jimin fails to notice the way the elders’ eyes flicker to Yoongi.
 
The orange haired man shrugs, looking down into a drink. “I haven't really had time for relationships with everything, plus I usually just spend the night with these two idiots.”
 
“Hey!” Jungkook protests from the couch. It wasn't very intimidating given the fact that he and Taehyung were so entangled they could look like a single person at this point.
 
Taehyung ignores the comment completely. “We used to climb up to the roof of Jimin's house to watch the fireworks when we were younger. We've spend every New Year together since we were like ten and Jungkookie here was eight.”
 
“Do you always have to bring up that I'm younger than you?”
 
“It bothers you, so yes.”
 
“You’re my boyfriend, you’re not supposed to be trying to bother me.”
 
“I'm your boyfriend because I don't have to try.”
 
The others just rolled their eyes returning to their previous conversation. “My only New Years kiss was that one time Yoongi and I got super drunk, and I thought he was the guy from my math class I was into.” Hoseok comments. Suddenly Jimin finds the floor interesting, the idea of Yoongi kissing someone else, it hurt a bit. Hoseok was amazing. He was the kind of person Jimin aspired to be. They would make a good couple.
 
“Please! We agreed to never speak of that again! That is not a night I want to remember.”

“Just because I'm not your type, doesn't mean I was bad.”
 
“I never ever want to relive that moment. Ever.” Yoongi seemed so dead set on not thinking about it, maybe Jimin was just overthinking it. He was lost in his own head thinking about it until Jin started yelling excitedly.
 
“ONE MINUTE!” Jimin's head sprang up only to see Yoongi looking at him from the side. Their eyes met and it felt like everything slowed down. They could still hear everyone counting down, but it was like it was happening in slow motion. Just when everyone was screaming, they both leaned in a bit. It wasn't a long kiss. It wasn't something that would have told either one the other’s feelings. It was just...sweet. Sweet, simple, and short. Too short if you asked them. They broke apart after just a couple of seconds, getting up to laugh, drink, and celebrate like it never happened. Just like that the moment was over, to never be spoken of again. Everyone had been too preoccupied to notice anyway. It had happened, but it just wasn't the time for it right now.
 
Jimin had been off for the past few days, he had been short with Yoongi, no longer indulging in their longer conversations. He would brush him off with one word answers and return to his schoolwork. He wouldn't even talk on their drives home, focused on his phone screen instead.  Jimin had been eating less too. It was as if he had shut down completely.
 
At first, Yoongi was worried it was because of the kiss the two had shared on New Years, but that had been over a month ago and things had been fine until just this week. After having a rather long phone conversation with Taehyung, he understood that it was likely stress from his final semester of school. Taehyung has also mentioned that it seemed like Jimin was avoiding someone’s calls, though he hadn't been able to figure out who's. That could have been playing a role in his stress.
 
Tae mentioned that Jimin usually withdrew when he got stressed with school, that once during high school, Jimin locked himself in room to study for three days straight without eating. He and Jungkook had to search the house for the key to his room door and force him to eat and sleep when they found him in a corner shaking and surrounded by crumbled paper. His parents had been so hard on him that they hadn't even cared what they had put him through.
 
While Yoongi was glad Jimin hadn't gotten to such an extreme point, he knew it could still happen and they needed to snap him out of it before it got that far.
 
It was on Friday that Yoongi had decided enough was enough. When he walked in after work, he noticed that Jimin was still glued to his laptop screen. He immediately turned back around and locked the shop’s door. He then walked into the back to change into casual clothes and to make a sign that read 'closed for the evening' to stick on the front door.
 
Jimin didn’t even notice the elder until Yoongi is closing his laptop screen in front of him. “Hyung? What-”
 
“Break time.”
 
“I don't need a break today” Jimin responds, trying to re-open his computer despite the blonds hand still being on it.

“Not that kind of break. C'mon you’re coming with me kid.” Yoongi grabs Jimin's hand, pulling him up to bring him around the counter. He doesn't try to resist much but that could also be because he lacks the energy to try.
 
“But- “
 
“But nothing. It's the weekend, your homework can wait a day, and the shop won't do any better or worse if we close it for a few hours.”
 
Jimin's phone starts to ring just then and Yoongi takes it from the other’s hand to turn it off.
 
“Now, let’s go have some fun.” Yoongi gives him a wry smile that makes Jimin feel just a little bit better.
 
That, is how Jimin finds himself and Yoongi in an arcade not far from the shop. It's not necessarily where one would expect to find two grown men, but it's exactly what Jimin needs right now. They spend the next few hours playing games both against each other and as singles rooting each other on. Jimin totally destroys Yoongi at DDR, but the elder gets revenge when they play air hockey. Yoongi even tried to win him a stuffed animal at one of the claw games though Jimin insisted he give up after the 3
rd
try so that they could play more games.
 
After they had run out of coins and Jimin had a much more carefree and happy smile on his face, Yoongi suggested that they go to his house for something to eat. He had already let his mom know he would be closing the shop early that day to help Jimin feel better and since she knew about her son's crush on the boy, she couldn't have been more supportive of the idea even offering to make food for the two of them.
 
While Jimin rationally knew that this whole thing had been something Yoongi had put together just to help him feel better, it felt like a date. He wished it were a date.
 
When they reached Yoongi's house, his mother had greeted them with a megawatt smile and ushered them up to Yoongi's room while she finished cooking. Even though both of them had offered to help, she just sent them up, telling them not to worry about it.
 
Currently, Jimin was sitting on Yoongi's bed laughing at something the elder said. The older was going around the room looking for something he wanted to show Jimin. Finally, he returned with a thin orange folder, sitting on the bed next to him.
 
Yoongi's room was actually pretty well decorated. He had some posters on the walls of different bands, a desk with an electric keyboard sitting on it, bookshelves filled both with books and various knick knacks, and a tv with what looked like a PS4 hooked up to it.

“This” he takes out a paper out of the folder “is my transcript.”
 
“why-”
 
“Take a look at my second year.”
 
Taking a second look at the sheet he notices something, “Wow. You, did terrible!”

Yoongi chuckles, “I did. I just barely passed all my classes. You could say that I had a bit of a stumble in terms of concentration. Yet I still graduated, I still got a job and everything's okay. I know that you’re worried about graduating and keeping your scholarship, but one grade below an A won't ruin you.” Then it finally clicked for Jimin, what the elder was doing.
 
“I- I know.” He put the paper on the bed and started pacing on the floor in front of it. “Like I know that I shouldn't be this worried, and it's stupid, but I've just been raised to think that my grades are everything and if I'm not perfect at school then I'm not good enough at all. I was able to go against my parents in major choice, but it’s like their ideals are still wrapped around me. Every time I try to escape, they wrap around me tighter until-” He tried to take a deep but shaky breath “until I can't breath. I know that it's in part the anxiety talking and that it was the way I was raised to be but I don't- I don't know how to stop it.” Just the thought of everything was sending him into a panic.
 
Yoongi stepped in front of him then, placing his hands on the youngers shoulders. “Hey. Jimin. It's okay. It's okay. Anxiety is hard to control. You’re right, you were made this way through your parents’ actions. What you need to do is learn to reach out and talk to us. Me, Taehyung, Jungkook. Even Hoseok, Namjoon, and Jin would come running the moment you said something was wrong. We're here for you Jiminie. You don't have to deal with it alone.”
 
They end up sitting on the bed together a few minutes later, Jimin leaning into Yoongi as he takes in everything that just happened. “Thank you hyung.” he said softly.
 
“Anytime, Jiminie. Now do you want to tell me who keeps calling you? It doesn't seem to be helping you.”
 
Jimin sighs “My parents. They left a message the 1
st
time they called, and for some reason they keep calling no matter how many times I reject them.”
 
“About what?”
 
“They know I'm about to graduate, I'm honestly surprised that they know that much. They're saying that now that I've gotten my “stupid dreams” out of my system with my useless degree that they can at least get me into a base level desk position at their company and that I could work my way up to a respectable career even if my degree is no good. It wouldn't bother me normally. I would just ignore them until they gave up, but the stress of the semester and trying to figure out what I am actually going to do now...I don't know, I guess it all just got to me. It made me insecure and I got to thinking, what if I do actually have to take that job and live the way they want me too…? Was everything I did for nothing?”
 
“It is not for nothing. Your degree is not useless and neither are your dreams. If I didn't have the store I would probably have been just as lost as you. Actually, most of the people I graduated with are just as lost. It takes time to get to where you want to be, but I'm sure you'll find a career in your field soon. You don't have to go work in your parents’ company or do anything they ask of you. You because estranged for a reason and that's okay. If you want I can even try to get you an in at the same company I'm at. After all, we already know we work well together.” He chuckled and they're so close Jimin can feel the vibrations of his chest against his side. “What I'm trying to say is that it will all work out, just take it one step at a time, and it will happen.”
 
Yoongi then takes Jimin's phone from where it's resting on the bed to turn it on. “As for your parents. I'm going to block their numbers for now. You can undo it when your ready to talk to them, but for now focus on your school work and enjoying your last semester.”
 
It's not much. It's nothing Jimin didn't already know, but it feels good to hear it from someone else. Specifically from Yoongi's calming voice. It really does feel like things will be okay. “Thank you hyung.”
 
“Always. Now let's go downstairs. I'm sure the food is ready by now, and I want to make sure dad doesn't need help getting to the table.”
 
That night was nice. It was domestic in a way Jimin had never felt before. Mr. Min was a little bit stronger today, a sign the treatment was working. He had been able to come to the table by himself and even stayed up quite a while talking to them after dinner. Both of Yoongi's parents insisted that they would be coming to Jimin's graduation whether he liked it or not. Mrs. Min even tried to show him some of Yoongi's baby photos. It was exactly what Jimin had always imagined a happy family to be like. It was something he hoped he could have one day, maybe even with Yoongi if he ever got the courage to confess.
 
It was Jimin's graduation day, and of course, today of all days was the day Yoongi was running late. He had stopped by the shop to pick up Jimin's graduation gift, which he hadn't been able to take the night before because the younger insisted on working with him even when he should’ve be preparing for one of his greatest moments. Thankfully, his parents were waiting in the car so he didn't have to double back for them before going to the campus.
 
The family had decided ahead of time to keep the shop closed for the day so that they could all be there for the person that had become a family member to them.
 
They managed to make it with five minutes left to spare; thankful that Jungkook and Taehyung, who would be graduating next year, saved them seats next to the rest of the group. After New Years, the three youngers had naturally become a part of their original friend group, and Yoongi couldn't have been happier about it.
 
The event itself was pretty long and boring, but they all cheered as loud as they could when Jimin walked across the stage. The meeting at the gate afterwards was filled with hugs, laughter, and congratulations. Yoongi thinks he saw Taehyung tear up a little too.
 
After a quick photo session, courtesy of Jungkook and his ridiculously expensive camera, they headed to a nearby restaurant to celebrate.
 
It's a relieving for Yoongi, to see his father laughing and enjoying himself like this. It's almost as if he wasn’t sick at all. Jimin, on the other had, had been unusually somber. Of course, he's laughing and playing along, but Yoongi could tell that it wasn't entirely real. He decides he would ask him later rather than now in front of everyone.
 
After everyone became full and some a bit tipsy, the speeches start. Offers of luck and heartfelt advice find the younger along with a small pile of gifts. Yoongi had decided to wait until the two could be alone to give Jimin the gift he prepared.
 
When the excitement had died down and everyone was back to speaking calmly, Yoongi asked Jimin to join him outside for a few moments. As they walked and talked in the cool, spring air, Yoongi played with the wrapped item in his hands. They came to a stop at a nearby bench and as they sat down the nerves in Yoongi's stomach lurched. This gift was decidedly more personal than any he had given Jimin before. This one carried a meaning.
 
“This is for you” He held out the gift, not really meeting Jimin's eye.
 
There was a soft “Thank you hyung.” as Jimin took the gift in his hand gingerly.
 
“You- uh- can open it now, if you want.” It wasn't necessarily a romantic gift but it was intimate in a different way. While making it, Yoongi felt closer to Jimin than he ever had before.
 
Jimin unwrapped it slowly, just as he had with the gift Yoongi gave him on Christmas. From the first opened edge he could already tell it was a book, bound in a lemon yellow leather and detailed with silver stamping. As he finished taking off the wrapping and laying it on the bench beside him, his eyes and mouth dropped a little in shock.
 
Slowly, he ran his fingers over the letters spelling out “The Archive of Park Jimin” on the front cover. He slowly opened the cover, landing on the page where a dedication would usually be. Jimin could feel the tears pooling in his eyes, instead of a dedication there was a printed black and white photo of all of them on New Years Eve. Underneath was a handwritten note in delicate handwriting.

“Every year you grow a little more, every story gets a little better. Whenever you feel 
discouraged, take a look at how far you've come.” - Min Yoongi

Jimin started flipping through the pages slowly. It really was an archive of every piece he had ever written. From terrible fanfiction he had written in middle school, angsty poetry from high school, every piece he had written for college classes. Anecdotes, prompts, even the random lines that he had written here and there that never really developed into anything.
 
As he was flipping ,Yoongi started speaking “Taehyung helped me. He sent me all of the bits you've sent him over the years. He got some of them from your laptop when you weren't around. B-but don't worry I didn't really read any of it. I mean- I didn't want to read anything too personal or something you weren't comfortable with. So I tried to avoid reading too much while I was organizing the format.” Yoongi was rambling, his nervousness getting the best of him. It's not that Jimin wasn't listening, it's just that he wouldn't have minded if Yoongi had read any of it. He's probably one of the only people Jimin would let read his cringe beginnings. Instead of focusing on responding, he focused on the pages. Pages printed with his words. As he got to the last few pages, he noticed they were blank save for the heading “For Whatever Comes Next” That was when the tears started to spill over.
 
Jimin closed the book, setting it carefully on top of the wrapping he had placed on the bench just moments ago.
 
“Jimin-”
 
Yoongi's words were cut off by Jimin throwing himself into the olders body, burying his head in his neck as he sobbed.
 
Somewhere in his heart racing daze Yoongi was able to wrap his arms around Jimin, rubbing soothing circles into the youngers’ back.
 
Once his sobs had subsided a bit, and Jimin could bring himself to form words he whispered softly in Yoongi's ear,  “I don't want to lose you.” A sob broke his words “Please Yoongi, don't let me go.”
 
Yoongi's first reaction is shock then confusion. He slowly pulls Jimin away, just enough so that he can look into the man's eyes. They were still close enough to feel each other's breath. He reached up to wipe away some of Jimin's tears with his thumb. “What do you mean?” Yoongi asked softly.
 
“I-I don't want to stop working with you just because I graduated. I don't want to stop spending every day with you. I want to watch you while you work, sleeves rolled up while you cut leather. I want to help Mrs. Choi when she comes in to find a new book for the week while you watch me with that cute smile you think I never notice. Please, Yoongi. I don't want to move on or succeed, not if I don't have you with me.”
 
Jimin's teary confession hung in the air as they looked into each others eyes. In this moment, words just weren't enough. So Jimin leaned forward, placing his lips right over Yoongi's.
 
It was both different and as familiar as their first kiss. There was more to it this time, unconveyed feelings were finally allowed to escape their prisons. It was passionate, yet it still had the same sweet and soft feel as their first. The same qualities that all their interactions have had over the past few months.
 
There is so much yet to be said, so much yet to be understood between the two of them. For now though, this is enough. Sharing soft, languid kisses, looking out into the night while playing with their intertwined fingers.

When your whole being is about words and how they're used, sometimes you learn that they aren't always necessary.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Every time a book is bound, there will be mistakes. Little errors or marks that, while unintentional, are a part of the story in their own way. A scratch in the leather here, a mistaken stamp there, some glue that fell over the edge. These become the mark of the binders;  a part of the process that makes every book unique and maybe even a little stronger against the test of time.
   
After graduation things had changed. Not drastically but still for the better now that Jimin and Yoongi were actually dating, as opposed to that strange state of limbo they were in before. Kisses and compliments flowed like water and for a while every day felt  like a dream.
 
Jimin had decided to keep working at the shop along with a new job at a local online magazine that entailed working on everything from street journalism to short stories.
 
It wasn't easy, just like when Jimin was in college the two of them had to coordinate their work schedules around each other so that one person could always be in  the shop or they could be there together. At this point, Jimin had insisted Yoongi no longer pay him for working at the shop, as he now made enough at his new job. He now viewed the shop as part passion and part a way to be close to his boyfriend rather than a source of income.
 
Things were going well, or so they thought.
 
Unfortunately life happens, things go wrong in every process and sometimes the imperfect moments leave scars that last a lifetime.
 
The first scratch was a few weeks after graduation. Yoongi was over at Jimin's apartment for their first “movie night”. A sweet simple date they had been looking forward to for days. Thankfully Jungkook and Taehyung took the hint and decided to go out for the night. Where? Jimin doesn't know or particularly care as long as it means he finally gets to spend some time alone with his very sweet, very attractive boyfriend.
 
It wasn't even and hour into the movie and the screen was forgotten in favor of a heated makeout session on the ratty, green couch in the living room. Jimin's apartment wasn't really the most romantic place for a date, with its stained and scratched second hand furniture and less than ideal atmosphere, but it suited them just fine.
 
At this point Jimin was practically in Yoongi's lap, their kissing slowly progressing into more serious intentions. Of course, just as Yoongi's long fingers make their way under Jimin's striped t-shirt, there was a loud knock at the door.
 
Yoongi paused, pulling his lips back slightly from where they had been on Jimin's neck before the younger groaned out an “Ignore it.” trying to pull Yoongi back to him insistently. There was another set of loud knocks causing Yoongi to pull away entirely.
 
“It could be important.”
 
Jimin grunts a bit as he peels himself away and runs a hand through his already mussed hair. “I swear if Taehyung came back just because he forgot his key again-”
 
Yoongi gives him a quick peck cutting him off. “Just go. I'll calm down and join you in a minute so we can ream them out together.”
 
The knocks kept coming as Jimin slowly dragged himself to the door, attempting to fix his hair a bit. He was reluctant to leave their moment behind. The sight when he opened the door though, stopped him in his tracks. All thoughts flew out of his head at the two figures standing in the hallway in front  of his door.
 
It's Yoongi who pulls him back to reality. The elder comes up behind him, wrapping his arms around Jimin's waist and leaning his head on Jimin's now tense shoulder making it drop just a little. “Who's this, love?”
 
Yoongi's presence grounds him a bit, it doesn't help the nervousness bubbling in him at the moment but it's something. He takes a shaky gulp of air before he can bring himself to finally speak. “Yoongi. These are my parents.”
 
The reaction from his boyfriend is instant. He stands up a bit straighter, pulling himself away from Jimin to stand beside him. His stance is protective but also open. Yoongi said in the past that even if Jimin never spoke to his parents again, he still wanted to meet them and introduce himself properly. He was old fashioned that way. Jimin found it endearing even if he never wanted it to happen. Now it was happening with little to no mental preparation.
 
Yoongi greets his silent and stern parents with a bow before Jimin allows them inside. The silence was already a sign of their displeasure. Jimin remembers that silence was always the first reaction when they didn't like something he did as a child. It was quiet a lot of the time in his household. He had forgotten how suffocating it was.
 
As the elder couple sat down at the chipped, wooden dining table that Taehyung had found at a second hand shop a year or so after they moved in, Jimin realized that they would probably have something to say about his living situation on top of everything else.
 
How had such a nicely planned evening come to this? Jimin felt the anxiety stirring the way it always did when his parents were around him. This was a lot like his last year back home. He was glad Yoongi offered to help him make tea in the kitchen. He needed the comfort before he was ready to go back out there.
 
As soon as they entered the cramped space, Jimin collapsed against the counter a little bit while Yoongi set about grabbing everything for the tea. It was safe to say that he had been here enough times to know that much.
 
After a second of deep breathing, Jimin attached himself to Yoongi's back. “I'm scared Yoon.”

Yoongi turned the stove on and turned around to hug his boyfriend.
 
“I know. I know. It'll be okay, Minie. If they say anything that really hurts we'll tell them to leave, but we have to hear them out first.”
 
Jimin whines a bit “But I don't want to. Yoongi you don't know what they put me through all these years.”
 
“I'll be with you the whole time, baby. I'm here now and you’re stronger than you were back then. It's okay.”
 
The pot started whistling and Yoongi had to turn around to take it off the stove. Jimin then nuzzled his face into the elders back. “Okay, but after this I want extra cuddles.”
 
It's with a small, gummy smile that Yoongi reassures Jimin that he will get those cuddles after this is all over.
 
They return to the table with a tray of tea and biscuits. Jimin's father has an eyebrow raised, “It takes both of you to make some tea?”
 
Yoongi could see Jimin shrinking in his seat already, so he cleared his throat a little before responding. “Well as you can see Park-ssi, we weren't expecting anyone today and your visit is quite a shock.”
 
“Hmmm well, it wouldn't have been if Jimin here would answer our calls.”
 
Finally Jimin finds it in him to respond, Yoongi taking his hand under the table for support. “I'm sorry mother but your calls kept interrupting my preparation for finals, and after all you always taught me that no one and nothing is more important than my studies. I blocked your number, and I did not feel a need to unblock you after graduation.”
 
There was a snort from his father, “What they actually give you exams for those useless classes? Please. They're probably the easiest thing since kindergarten. Then again you’re not very bright, so they must have been a challenge for you.”
 
Yoongi feels Jimin's hand tighten around his. This is already going bad. “With all do respect sir, Jimin and I were in similar courses and the work is most definitely not easy.”
 
“Min Yoongi. I looked you up while you two were...speaking in the kitchen.” Jimin's mother's voice is the kind you hear from rich ladies in movies...who would have thought that there were actually people who talked like that in real life. “You majored in literature and business. You are now the owner of that silly, little book shop that Jimin seems so fond of, and you work a second job at a publisher. Well, business must not be too good then?”
 
Yoongi clenches his jaw a little, “Business is fine. My father has some health complications and needs treatment. I am working the second job in order to fund that.”
 
“Oh yes, that person. You know when Jimin first started going to that shop I went in as asked him not to allow my boy in anymore. He had some crazy notion that children should be allowed to pursue whatever they wish even if it involves disturbing their studies. Then again, I guess that's why you’re running the shop and not a doctor that can cure him.”
 
“Don't you dare!” Surprisingly, it wasn't Yoongi who yelled. Jimin was fuming at this point. They had no right to insult both the man that had become a second father to him, and his incredibly hard-working and responsible boyfriend. “I know you have absolutely no compassion or care for anyone besides yourself, but you do not have the right to insult the people that care more about me than you ever have, you selfish people!”
 
“Minie it's okay, calm down.” Yoongi was leaning into him trying to calm him down.
 
“You call us selfish son, but isn't that exactly what you are? We did everything that was best for you and you threw it all away for a silly dream that will never get you anywhere. The only redeeming quality your friend here has is that he is taking care of his parents with the money he's earning at a real job. You refuse to work a job that will allow you to take care of your mother and I properly like a good son. I would call that pretty selfish.”
 
“He does have a second job.” Yoongi's voice is deathly calm at this point. If Jimin wasn't so angry, he would be pretty scared himself. “He has a 'real' job, as you call it, that pays him rather well. He has this job because he has skill, talent, and intelligence. He was not at all selfish for acting to preserve his own mental health in the face of such people that refuse to treat him as a human being instead of a tool in their retirement. If you cared about your son at all, you will leave now.”
 
“We will not leave until we discuss what we came here to discuss. I had hoped Jimin would be alone when we said this, to spare your feelings, if anything, but if you insist on hearing it then so be it.” said Jimin's mother. The women seems wholly unaffected and uncaring about everything that has happened in the last few minutes. As if all of this meant nothing to her. It was actually kind of disturbing to Yoongi.
 
“Now, son. If you’re done playing this little game, you can come and work at our office. You can work your way up even with your useless degree and get to a place where you can do everything a good son does.”
 
“I already told you before, I won’t. I have a real job working for a magazine that pays me well. I am happy with my current life, and if you truly see happiness as a game then you will not benefit from the happiness that retirement is supposed to bring anyway.”
 
“Ever the difficult one. E-magazines don't last long. Your stupid little book shop is about to go under anyway, and if you think this thing,” His father gestures to Yoongi “Will be able to support you then you’re truly delusional.  If you don't accept you'll never get out of this disgusting shoe box you call a home.”
 
“If that is all you had to discuss then it is time for you to leave.” Yoongi was now holding a shaking Jimin. He knew the tears would start soon, and he needed to get them out of here before that. “Jimin and I will be keeping the shop alive and well for a very long time, to the point where we'll be able to hand it down to our children comfortably if they so wish to take it. They will have the choice unlike what you’re giving to Jimin. Now, as I said, please leave.”
 
The couple got up wordlessly and started walking to the door when Jimin stopped them, “One thing. How did you know where I live? I never told you.”
 
“Oh dear, we payed Taehyung's mother for that information, of course. That ridiculous friend of yours has some use after all.” His mother said as the two of them walked out.
 
The second the door closed Jimin broke down into tears against Yoongi's side. “Can you- can you call Taehyung, please. Tell him to come home.” comes out through the sobs. Yoongi does, but he doesn't want to. He knows he wants Taehyung for comfort, but he should be turning to Yoongi for that shouldn't he? Hasn't he proven to be enough comfort yet?
 
Within ten minutes Taehyung and Jungkook are back at the apartment and making Yoongi hand Jimin off to them to sandwich him in hugs. Jimin’s cries get stronger the second they take over, now able to let out their full force of anguish.
 
Yoongi stays, just sitting there watching the two younger boys comfort his boyfriend. He feels so useless. He's not sure what to say or do. Maybe that's why Jimin wanted Taehyung and Jungkook, because they could help him. He should leave but at the same time the idea of Jimin being without him didn't feel right.
 
Eventually, Jimin falls asleep in their arms and Yoongi helps Jungkook carry Jimin to his room.
 
They come back out to see that Taehyung has replaced the untouched cups of tea from earlier with steaming mugs of hot chocolate. It's too late for coffee. It's silent for a little while until Taehyung asks for a full explanation of what happened.
 
“I was wondering where my mom got the money for that new T.V., guess now I know.” he says slowly, not hiding the bitterness in his tone. “Thank you, for staying with him until now.”
 
“Until now? I was hoping I could stay until morning, on the couch of course, but I don't want to leave him alone like that.”
 
Taehyung gives him a small smile.“I was hoping you would say something like that. The emotional strain of dealing with his family has always been hard on Jimin. I'm sure the only reason he didn't have a panic attack was because you were here for him.”
 
The eldest looks into his lap for a moment not sure what to say, how to ask what he wants to ask. Luckily, it seems like Jungkook already knows. “You want to know why he wanted us and not you right?”
 
The blond nods slightly.
 
With a sigh Jungkook puts his mug down. “It's not that he doesn't want you or that he doesn't see you as a comfort. It's just that Tae and I, we grew up helping him through this. On a bad morning, we would skip homeroom and help him calm down. At night, one of us would sneak up to his room to hold him when no one else would. When it comes to his family, he's afraid people who meet them will leave or, worse, agree with them. Logically, he knows you’re with him, but emotionally he's still a bit scared, so he still looks to us to be his main pillar. He loves you Yoongi, and I know that you love him too. That part is just going to take some time, but I know that you two can get there.”
 
“Wow. That psych class you took really sunk in, huh?” His boyfriend says, breaking the tension in the room a little.
 
“Please” Jungkook groans, “That class was hell, no matter how helpful it was.”
 
Yoongi smiles just a little.“Thanks kid, maybe you’re not so bad.”
 
“Hey!”
 
“We’re gonna head to bed now. Yoongi you really don't have to sleep on the couch. Jimin's bed is more than big enough. Plus, I'm pretty sure that's how the night was supposed to end anyway.” If Taehyung notices the little blush on Yoongi's cheeks, he doesn't say anything.
 
Yoongi does go to Jimin's room but only with the intention to find a blanket and check on Jimin before taking his spot on the couch. He doesn't expect Jimin to wake up when he enters or for him to lift his arms and make grabby hands for him. It’s then that Yoongi remembers he still owes his boyfriend some cuddles. He pulls off his jeans and hoodie leaving him in just a t-shirt and underwear before going to join his needy boyfriend in bed. The conversations that need to be had, could wait until morning.
   
When Jimin woke up, he was curled around Yoongi's straight frame, the elders arm around his shoulder. He really did look like a cat while sleeping. He remembered everything that happened last night, his parents, his breakdown, Taehyung and Jungkook comforting him, and Yoongi. Yoongi who stayed even though Jimin had pushed him away, who had still come to bed and held him so he could sleep peacefully.
 
He slowly reached his hand up, going to touch the blond's face, making sure he really was there. A part of him was always afraid that if Yoongi saw his family, what they could be like, what Jimin was so scared of turning into, that he might change his mind. Knowing was one thing, seeing it was another. Yoongi had such a close and loving family while Jimin lived in a world of loneliness and fear.
 
“Good morning” Yoongi groaned out, his eyes were still closed but Jimin guessed his action had woken the other up. He wrapped his arm a little tighter as he turned to face Jimin properly before opening his eyes.
 
“You stayed” Jimin whispered out.
 
Yoongi shook his head a bit, his already messy blonde locks getting even more mussed. He buried his head against Jimin's neck and whispered back, “Always. You can't get rid of me that easily.”
 
Jimin wasn't sure if it was the feeling of Yoongi's breath on his neck, his relief, or the way the other had said it but it had him giggling. A full body giggle, eyes closed and everything. He was so busy laughing that he didn't notice Yoongi move his head back up to peck his lips oh so gently.
 
They stayed that way for a little while, up until Jimin's alarm went off. They would have to open the shop soon.
 
It was only after they had gotten ready, after they were in the car that Jimin brought it up. “I'm sorry, hyung.”
 
“For?”
 
“I pushed you away.”
 
“You did. You wanted someone you were more comfortable with in that moment.”
 
“It's not that.”
 
“Then?”
 
“I'm comfortable with you, I just got scared.” Yoongi took Jimin's hand over the console.

“I know. I know, Jiminie, but I'm not running away. I never will. So I'll work hard from now on?”
 
“Work hard?” Jimin raised an eyebrow.
 
“To make sure you know that. Consciously and subconsciously. I'll work to make sure that you know I'm always here, and that I will do whatever it takes to protect you.”
 
Jimin sat back in his seat a little, letting those words sink in “Then me too. I'll work to make sure you know that you can always rely on me.”
 
Some cuts are small, some aren't very deep. Scrapes like these, with the right attention heal quickly to the point where all that's left to show their impact are shadows in the right kind of light.
 
However, other cuts hurt. They dig into the skin and leave scars that take so long to heal that you’re never really sure if they will.
  
It was warm that day. Summer had set in, and Yoongi had fans blowing in the shop.  Even though Jimin had told Yoongi not to waste the money on the extra electricity, as the shop still wasn't doing very well, Jimin had insisted that it was for the comfort of the customers and not just himself. Yoongi was at work right now, while Jimin was taking care of the shop and finishing up a piece for work.
 
He remembers every part of that day in vivid detail. It was a little after one in the afternoon that he got the call. Yoongi's mother on the phone in hysterics telling him to get to Yoongi and bring him to the hospital where his father went for treatments, immediately.
 
He's never locked up the shop quicker, running with his messenger bag slung over his shoulder, as quickly as he could towards the building Yoongi worked at just a few blocks away.
 
He didn't have time to think. He needed to get Yoongi there safely. His own feelings were the last thing that mattered.
 
He took the stairs up to Yoongi's floor, too anxious to wait on the elevator. He got there in record time, painting heavily and stopping only once he reached the desk the blond was sitting at.
 
“Jimin, what-”
 
Jimin cut him off “We have to go.”
 
“What?”
 
“Please, Hyung. We have to go.” There was desperation in Jimin's voice. Yoongi knew something was wrong, very wrong for his boyfriend to be so frantic. So he let Jimin drag him out of the building and into a taxi. Nothing was said. Jimin not wanting to tell Yoongi just yet, knowing his boyfriend would become anxious and unable to wait until they reached the hospital, and Yoongi too afraid to ask.
 
It was only when the familiar building came into sight that he realized what it could be.
 
“Dad.” he breathed out. He knew. He had had a bad feeling all day but now looking at the building, he just knew.
 
Finally, Jimin spoke, “Mom called the shop.” he said quietly.
 
The second the taxi stopped, Jimin handed the driver a handful of bills, and the pair took off running into the building. It was in one of the hallways that they found his mother crying.
 
Yoongi immediately knelt down in front of the crying woman while Jimin sat next to her, trying to rub her back soothingly. He couldn't cry as much as he wanted to right now because two of the most important people in his life needed him right now.
 
“Mom. Where is he? Where's dad?”
 
She didn't answer her son. She only bawled harder. That's when Yoongi knew for sure. His mother isn't someone who cried often. Not when his father was diagnosed, not through all the treatments and tests, not even as they had seen him grow weaker, but now, now she could only cry.
 
Yoongi let the rest of his body drop to the floor in defeat. As far as the doctors had said, as far as they had seen, his father was getting better so, how? How could he be gone? They had just had breakfast together this morning. How?
 
There were tears. He knows that much, but he can’t remember much else. He recalls there being a doctor and Jimin talking to the doctor. Something about transportation arrangements. He could barely think straight. Then he's being picked up. Jimin is supporting him on one side, and his mother on the other side. It must be hard, he thinks, but he doesn't say anything. He can barely see though the tears in his eyes.
 
The next thing he knows he's waking up in his bed at home. There's no more tears. He just feels blank. The alarm clock looks back at him from where he lies, the large 2:00 am shines in his face. Slowly, he picks himself up out of bed and walks downstairs. He doesn't expect Jimin to be there, doesn't expect to see him sitting at the dining table with his mother, two cups of tea between them. They don't notice him entering. They're speaking in hushed tones, but Yoongi can still hear them.
 
“There is enough for the funeral. I know that, but I don't know how we'll manage afterwards.” his mother's voice is frail. He could see her red-rimmed eyes from the hallway.
 
“I can help. I can take on a few extra projects a month at work.” Jimin says taking her hand. He shouldn't have to, that's Yoongi's job. Yet he can't bring himself to do anything. He's just as useless as when Jimin broke down in front of him. This time, it's him. He's the problem.
 
Suddenly, he can't stand to be in that room, so he walks further down the hallway, bypassing the two completely. Suddenly he's in his father's room, or at least what became his room when stairs became too hard for him to climb every day.
 
He walked around slowly, going to the desk full of books -- of course it was. His father was reading, even in his old age, every day without fail. There was a book in the middle of the desk, his current read. There was a bookmark in it.
 
'He'll never get to finish it.' he moved over to the bedside. A half-full glass of water, bottles of pills everywhere. ‘Stupid pills, they didn't work!’ None of them worked or his father would still be here. He picked up the bottles and started flinging them towards the wall next to the open door.

One

Two

The noise must have gotten his mother and Jimin's attention because as he threw the third bottle he saw a familiar head of hair in the doorway. He was saying something, but Yoongi couldn't hear over the blood pounding in his ears. He just picked up another bottle and raised his arm to throw it.

Three

Four

“Yoongi!” Suddenly Jimin was holding his arm back, trying to force him to calm down. He resists for about a second before dropping the bottle. He's shaking, but there are no more tears.
 
He doesn't remember anything after that.Yoongi doesn't go to the shop for days. He takes leave from work. He barley leaves his bed. He doesn't respond to his mother or to Jimin when they come to check on him. He eats only a little. He feels like a zombie.
  
The only day he gets up is the day of the funeral. He doesn't know about the preparations, doesn't even know what happened in the end. He just shut down.
 
Namjoon is there, so are his parents and Jin. Hoseok, Taehyung, and Jungkook are there too. A lot of the regulars from the shop, people he recognized from over the years. They pass by with condolences and sadness. Yoongi can't respond properly to any of them. It doesn't feel real.
  
One month passes. One month of Jimin working and taking care of the shop. One month of him crying behind closed doors for both the man he considered a second father and the lover that he feels like he's losing more each day. The work is a distraction and a necessity if he wants to be able to help both the shop and Yoongi's family.
 
It's been one month, and he doesn't know what to do anymore. That's why, the night that Jimin stays at the shop late to do paperwork and maybe finish an article, he doesn't expect what happens. He doesn't expect Yoongi to walk into the shop with newly dyed black hair. He doesn't expect any of the things that come next.
 
Yoongi walks up to him at the counter, where Jimin is too stunned to say anything really. “Yoon-”
 
“Lets sell this place.” Those are the first words out of his mouth. The first full sentence Jimin hears from his boyfriend in a month is about them selling the place they've worked so hard to keep.
 
“What? No! This- This is-”
 
“It is the place MY family built. It is MY shop to do what I please with. Dad is gone. The shop is failing. So let's just sell it.” He's calm, too calm for what he's saying. Jimin can't take it.
 
“Yours! It's only yours?! As if I haven't put years of my life into this place?! He was a father to me too, Yoongi! This place means something to both of us and if you think I'm just going to let you get rid of it like it's just some piece of trash then you have another thing coming!” Jimin is yelling now. He's moved off his stool to stand directly in front of Yoongi.
 
“Well,  he was my real father! He cared about me, and he wouldn't want me risking our family’s livelihood over it!” Yoongi is yelling too. A month’s worth of anger coming out in his words. “He gave his life to this place, and now he's gone Jimin!”
 
“He might be, but his legacy isn't.” Jimin's voice breaks a little. “For a month, I have watched you suffer. For a month, I have held back my own pain so that I could be there for you. Even if you shut me out completely, I wanted to be there for you. Taking care of the shop, working myself half to death, all of it! I love you. I love you, and I love this place, so for you to come in here, after a month, and have the first thing you say be that you want to close this place-” His sobs stop his speech. The tears are free flowing now.
 
That is what finally breaks Yoongi out of his trance. Jimin, his sweet, lovely Jimin was crying because of him. He was hurting too. This whole time he was hurting because of him. The realization is the thing that snaps him back to his senses after all this time.
 
He wraps his arms around Jimin and pulls him in as closely as he can. There are a few moments of silence, and Yoongi holds Jimin as he cries, and he lets some of his own tears fall a little too.
 
The healing starts from there. Scars like that need work to repair. They start by figuring out the stores paperwork, and trying to make a plan for the future. Yoongi decides to go back to work. They work together. The scar will always be there, a reminder of how wrong things can go when they don't go the way you want them to.
 
The imperfections on an otherwise perfect creation have become a part of it. The work done to try and fix them has made the book all that much stronger.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Every book comes to an end. The process of its creation comes to an end but that does not mean the story is over. One volume gives way to another, and another, and another. The process begins again, new pages to sew, new words show, new leather to lay. It never truly ends.
  
Yoongi and Jimin worked on both their relationship and the shop after that day. Yoongi does learn to move on and part of doing that is keeping the shop he worked so hard for going. Together they worked out a plan for the longevity of the shop while continuing their own jobs. Things would take time to get back to “normal” from there. Step by step, day by day their story continues, and the love they share grows.
  
It wasn't long after both Taehyung and Jungkook graduated that Yoongi had asked Jimin to move in with him. In truth, he had been worried about leaving his mom alone in their family home, or he would have asked sooner. Then one day while taking a walk with Jimin after dinner, they noticed an apartment for rent just down the street. It felt like a sign, so he went for it.
 
“What if we move in here?” He gestured to the building.
 
“What?”
 
“Well you said Kook and Tae want to get an apartment of their own now that they’re working. I think we've saved up enough that it would work out. It's not too far from mom, but we would have more privacy.”
 
Jimin was silent as Yoongi spoke and for a few moments after. His eyes just looking at the apartment building in front of them.
 
“I mean.. unless you don't want to move in together I-”
 
“No, no I do! I just, you've never brought it up before. I was worried that you didn't want it.” Jimin was ecstatic, he could already see them in the building, growing a life together, maybe even planning a wedding. He had just been waiting for Yoongi to ask.
 
“So, is that a yes?”
 
Jimin giggled and tackled his boyfriend into a hug. “Of course it's a yes, you idiot.”
  
Now as Jimin was standing in his and Yoongi's new bedroom, he couldn't find it in him to regret or even be wary about his decision.
 
He was trying to decide which picture of them should go on the nightstand when he felt the older come up and hug him from behind. “Hobi called. He wants to know if you can help him with the elementary class at the studio next week.”
 
“Hmmm. Depends on my deadlines.” He answered lazily. For now he just wanted to enjoy this moment and this feeling.
 
The domestic nature of living together with Yoongi just felt right. In that moment, it truly felt like they would last forever.
   
Today was the grand re-opening of Min's books. A few years after the two had moved in together, they got married. They had adopted a little girl and boy and even moved into a bigger house which was right next door to Yoongi's childhood home. It was sometime late last year when Yoongi went looking in his father's old collection for a book he wanted to read the kids that he found an extra life insurance policy his father had.
 
If it had been a few years ago they would have used that money to simply to live, but things had changed so much from back then. The shop had been doing better with the new wave of readers returning to paper books. The intimacy of the hand binding process had begun to attract people again, and things had been better than they had been since even Yoongi was a child. He had been able to quit his second job and put his all into the shop after that.
 
At the same time, Jimin had gotten a few books published. He had grown in popularity enough to quit his other job. Now he helped at the shop, stayed home with the kids, and wrote. They were living their dream life as it was.
 
Instead, the money went to something they had both wanted to do for years--renovating the shop. Restoration of the old shelving, expansion into the empty shop next door, new shelves, and a proper heating and cooling system were all things they had always wanted to do, but they never thought they would get to.
 
There were two crowning jewels of the renovations. The giant glass window showing off the updated binding and now bookmark making room to promote interest and appreciation for the craft. Also, the connection from the expanded shop into the cafe Namjoon and Jin opened next door. Not only did it offer the perfect environment for reading, learning, or spending time with friends, it also meant that the kids could spend time together whenever they wanted, just like Namjoon and Yoongi had. It really was a dream come true.
 
Now, Yoongi and Jimin stood at the counter together surveying their living fantasy as they watched the kids dart around the shop, weaving through customers after each other.
 
“Did you ever think about this back then? That we would have our happy ending?” Yoongi asked.
 
“Happy ending? Are you sure? I mean I could always leave you to keep it interesting.” Jimin joked with his husband.
 
The elder just shook his head with a smile “Nah. Our story is over.” He makes a gesture toward the kids, laughing and playing happily. “It's theirs now.”
 
“Yeah” He responded with a content sigh, and a small kiss to his husband cheek.
 
When one story ends, another begins. As long as there are stories to be written, there will be bookbinders to bring them together.