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Message

JiminNo need to fetch me.

JungkookWhy???

JiminMy boss needs my help.

JungkookBaby, It's late!

JiminI know, but he needs me.

JungkookTell me what time? I will pick you.

JiminNo...You have a lot of things to do.

JungkookYou know I will do everything for you?

JiminI know but still...you need some rest.

JungkookYou too

JiminAnd I will get good rest when I'm home.

JungkookWhen? A year later?

JiminHyung, TONIGHT!

JungkookYeah right.

JiminHyung........ 🥺

JungkookI miss you

JiminI misssssss you more!

JungkookIf anything, call me. Okay?

JiminOkay, Love you! 😘

JungkookLove you too 💋

Jungkook hated it when Jimin had to work extra hours. He knew exactly how exhausted Jimin was, especially with his constant whining about not getting enough sleep. But when it came to his boss's orders, Jimin would never argue or resist. He simply stayed quiet and endured, even if it meant pushing his limits.

"I need this job," Jimin would say in response to Jungkook's concerns. He understood how difficult it was to find stable work, and as long as he received a monthly salary, he was willing to bear any hardship.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was also preoccupied with his upcoming exhibition, which kept him quite busy. Despite that, he always offered to pick Jimin up from work. Yet, Jimin consistently rejected the offer, not wanting to burden Jungkook further with his long hours or stress.

At home, Jimin’s absence was particularly hard on their son, Jae. Every night, Jae refused to sleep until his "Jiminie Appa" came home. His stubbornness tested everyone's patience, especially Jimin, who scolded him almost daily for waiting up so late.

Tonight was no different. Jae was wide awake, fighting off sleep in the hopes of seeing Jimin.

"Jae, I think you need to go to sleep now," Hobi said gently, trying to coax Jae to bed.

"Why?" Jae pouted.

"Your Jiminie appa has some things to finish at work. He’ll be home late tonight, so there’s no need to wait for him," Hobi explained, but it was clear Jae was not convinced.

"Can we go to Appa?" Jae asked, his voice full of hope.

"Nope, not tonight, little one," Hobi replied firmly but kindly.

Seeing the struggle, Tae—who had been watching the exchange—stepped in. He picked Jae up and carried him to his bedroom. Jae was still restless, but Tae knew exactly what would help.

"How about I read you a bedtime story?" Tae offered, settling next to Jae in bed. He pulled out a book from the drawer and began reading softly.

It wasn’t easy. Jae was so stubborn, just like Jimin, and it took Tae three short stories to finally get the little boy to fall asleep.

"***************

It was nearly two in the morning, and Jimin had just finished his shift at the store. Exhaustion weighed heavily on his body, each step feeling like an effort. His mind drifted to home, imagining the warmth of his bed and the comfort of wrapping his arms around his son. That was all he wanted at this moment—a few hours of peace and rest.

As Jimin walked through the quiet streets, the crisp night air biting at his skin, something caught his attention. The smell of smoke lingered in the air. At first, he dismissed it, thinking it was just a distant chimney or someone burning something nearby. But then, his heart skipped a beat. Something was off.

As he turned the corner, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in horror.

The building just ahead—Jungkook's gallery—was ablaze, bright orange flames licking the sky, devouring everything in their path. The fire roared, snapping and crackling, as black smoke billowed into the night. Jimin’s feet froze on the pavement, unable to move for a second as the scene unfolded before him.

"No... no, no, no..." His voice was barely a whisper, but inside, he wanted to scream.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest as panic surged through him. He couldn't think straight—everything felt like a blur. The gallery, the place Jungkook had worked so hard for, was burning, and the devastation of it hit Jimin like a punch to the gut. His legs shook, but he forced himself to move, running toward the fire in desperation.

Jimin’s mind raced—was anyone inside? Was Jungkook there? What about the artwork, Jungkook's prized pieces, the result of countless hours of dedication and passion? He could barely breathe as he got closer, the heat from the flames scorching his skin even from a distance.

Jimin ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but with each step, the reality of the situation hit harder. It was too late. The fire was too fierce, too consuming. By the time he reached the gallery, most of the shop had already been swallowed by the flames. He stood there, frozen, his breath catching in his throat, unable to fully comprehend what was happening. His mind felt disconnected from his body, numb with shock.

The heat from the fire radiated outward, the crackling sound of burning wood and collapsing beams filled the night air, but Jimin could barely process it. His eyes wandered, desperate to find something, anything to make sense of this nightmare. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something unusual lying on the ground, just a few feet from the gallery.

A small white bottle.

Jimin hesitated, confused. He stepped closer, noticing a lighter nearby, half-hidden in the shadows. His heart began to race as a cold feeling crept over him. Carefully, he bent down and picked up the bottle. He brought it closer to his face, inhaling the scent cautiously.

"Petrol?" he muttered under his breath, the smell unmistakable. His fingers trembled as he held the bottle, the realization dawning on him that this wasn’t just an accident. Someone had set the fire intentionally.

Jimin’s heart pounded louder in his ears as his mind reeled with possibilities. Who would do this? Why? His grip tightened around the bottle as confusion, anger, and fear swirled inside him. As he stared at the incriminating evidence in his hand, a wave of dread washed over him.

Just then, a familiar voice pierced through the crackling noise of the fire. "What have you done?"

Jimin turned sharply, his heart skipping a beat. There, standing a few feet away, was Jungkook. His face was a mixture of shock and anger, eyes wide as they fixed on the bottle in Jimin's hand. The accusation in his voice was unmistakable.

"H-hyung..." Jimin stammered, taking a step back, his mind spinning.

Jungkook's gaze shifted from Jimin's face to the bottle in his hand, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. The fire raged on behind them, but all Jimin could focus on was the disbelief in Jungkook's eyes.