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Jimin vaguely knew what he was getting into when he listened to his dance teacher and auditioned for BigHit Entertainment. It's been a little under a year since then and he wasn't sure this was what he was meant to be doing for the rest of his life. But how could he really tell when it hadn't even been a year yet?
Well, he was exhausted, hungry, sweaty, and annoyed. He wanted to be in the group, he didn't want all this work to amount to nothing, but he was tired. There was one boy—other than Kim Taehyung who shared his birth year—that he adored. He was a bit rough around the edges but he was also quite young
Jeon Jeongguk.
A shy boy but good at what he's been training for. He was from Busan too. His satoori was a bit thick. He was quite the pain in the ass though. The youngest in his family so he had a mouth on him. It didn't matter how many times people told him to fix his tone, it was still as rough and inappropriate as before.
But Jimin liked him. Thought he was cute and that he reminded him of his own younger brother of the same age. He thought Jeongguk was cool with him, not too involved but also he knew he didn't hate him. He had a soft spot for the boy. Who wouldn't?
Though, sometimes, the younger boy did work Jimin's nerves. For example:
The day was like any other. The final line-up of the members was decided and they had moved into their dorm. The seven young boys were sitting around eating a meal that Seokjin had prepared for them, talking and laughing to lighten their tired hearts.
Jeongguk spoke. "That's stupid."
Everyone paused. Everyone blinked.
"That's not nice, Jeongguk," Hoseok frowned.
Jeongguk shrugged. "But it is, Hyung."
"Those are thoughts you keep in your head," Seokjin sat his chopsticks down and fixed his gaze on Jeongguk.
"Why would I when it could stop someone from saying the stupid thing to other people?"
"Jeongguk," Namjoon shook his head.
Jeongguk sighed, looked at Yoongi who was eyeing him, and then focused back down on his food.
Taehyung eyed Jimin and Jimin eyed him back but they continued eating without any more commentary from the youngest member. Later that night, Jimin searched around for Jeongguk to speak with him. He figured he might as well. He knew Hoseok had already, but sometimes things sound different if said by someone your age—or at least closer to it.
Jimin spoke to Taehyung about it and he agreed it might be good for the youngest. Jimin made a plan in his mind to pull Jeongguk aside after practice to speak with him about it. They were working hard toward their debut and Jimin knew that being an idol, a public figure, meant watching your words—that included how you said the words as well.
As the members started to file out, Taehyung throwing his soulmate a double-thumbs-up, Jimin walked over to Jeongguk.
"Hey."
Jeongguk looked up. "Hey, Jimin Hyung."
"Could I talk to you for a sec?"
Jeongguk looked around. "Okay…"
They stepped into a corner of the practice room and Jimin let out a slow exhale.
"You know what we've been telling you, don't you?"
Jeongguk blinked. "That I need to shut up?"
Jimin's brows furrowed. "No…? That you need to be mindful of your tone. It can come off as rude. It is rude."
"But I'm not being rude. I'm just talking and telling the truth."
"Are you even listening to me?"
Jeongguk buffed out his young chest and crossed his arms. "No because I don't care and you aren't making any sense."
Jimin blinked. "I'm trying to help you and you've been nothing but annoying and now disrespectful! I've been nothing but nice and this is the thanks I get in return!?"
"You don't have to be nice to me just because we're both from Busan! You don't have to be nice to me just because we're in the same group either! If looking out for me means nitpicking everything I do for no reason, then I don't think I want it."
Jimin folded his lips and let out a sharp exhale. "Fine! I'm not going to care for you anymore!" Jimin shouted and spun on his heel.
He heard Jeongguk call after him but the older boy didn't spin around. He didn't have to take that or listen to it. If Jeongguk didn't want him to look out for him, then he wouldn't. Why should he? He didn't need another younger brother. He had one. One that actually cared and liked him. Loved him.
He didn't need this. Especially not from some rude boy who didn't seem to care about anyone's feelings but his own.
He left Jeongguk to storm off on his own, outside into the cold night air. He should've went back to the dorm but he was pissed off and his pride was bruised. He walked around aimlessly, cursing Jimin up and down, lost in his thoughts. City lights flashed around him and cars rushed through puddles beside him.
He thought about his argument with Jimin and how stupid it was. It was pointless. He knew his error and he knew it wasn't impossible to train himself to not be so brazen. But he just didn't like being called out like that or told that how he was was wrong. He had to apologize. He knew that.
What he said to Jimin wasn't fair. Jimin was just trying to be kind to him and be considerate, but Jeongguk just had to take that and throw it back into his face. He was always doing that. Jimin was just different. He didn't play pranks with him like Taehyung Hyung did, he didn't feed him like Seokjin Hyung did, he had his own way of showing his care but it made Jeongguk feel shy. He doesn't hate him and he does want to get a lot closer to him but just…
He gets shy and anxious. He isn't sure why. He wanted to fix it but he had to blow off some steam first.
Eventually, the light drizzle turned into violent downpour and the streets no longer looked familiar.
"Dang it," Jeongguk huffed as his eyes watered. Where the hell was he?
He snatched his phone out of his pocket after throwing his hood up and scrolled through his contacts. Who could he call? Namjoon? He was probably busy working on lyrics with Yoongi and Hoseok. Seokjin? Asleep or gaming more than likely. Taehyung then? No… He definitely knew about his argument with Jimin.
Jimin was the finally option. He did need to apologize to him anyway.
He wiped his wet eyes with his drenched hands and dialed Jimin's number. It rang. And rang. And—
"What do you want? I told you I was done with you."
"Can you come get me?" Jeongguk sniffled as he covered his shaking eyes with his hand, his hoodie sleeve heavy with water.
Jimin was quiet and then sighed. "Where are you?"
"I don't know where I am," Jeongguk's voice shook as a soft sob wrecked his chest.
Jimin's throat tightened on the other side of the call. "I'm coming to you. Don't move. I'll find you."
"No. Wait. I'll get a taxi."
"Okay. I'll wait for you."
Jimin hung up. Jeongguk looked around and then hauled a taxi. He fed the driver the address and then sat back and sniffled quietly in the backseat, subconsciously counting the seconds until the streets looked familiar.
Once the taxi stopped, Jeongguk saw a figure standing outside in the pouring ran wearing nothing but a crew-neck and jeans. He paid the man and threw the door open. He slammed it behind him and sprinted across the empty street. The figure perked up and then came running at him. A grateful cry escaped Jeongguk's lips as soon as Jimin's face came into view. But instead of an embrace, hands balled up the front of his shirt.
"You freakin' idiot!"
And before they both knew it Jeongguk was tackled to the ground by his band mate Jimin. With the slam came a flash of bright light.
A sharp and freezing cold feeling tore through their lungs and iced their nerves. They gasped out and their muscles ached as it felt like they were being thrown around through ice and fire. They screamed together through the whole thing but Jimin did not let go of Jeongguk's collar.
They ache and pain finally came to an end when their bodies slammed into dry warm carpet. They groaned against the floor and then looked up at each other. Jimin scowled while Jeongguk looked away and then paused.
"What the—!" Jeongguk squealed.
Jimin followed Jeongguk's line of sight and paused. Eyes—his eyes!—stared into his. Jeongguk stared into his eyes as well. Then they switched. Jimin stared at the older doe eyes and Jeongguk stared at the older siren eyes.
There they were. Clearly them but older. Very obviously older. They were kissing! Well, much more than that! There older Jimin was, naked, in older Jeongguk's lap, equally naked!
"What the hell?" Older Jeongguk whispered as he unconsciously wrapped his arms around Older Jimin's naked torso.
"What is going on!?" Jimin screeched as he shot up and looked between the two of them.
"Uh, could you two step outside?" Older Jimin cringed.
"What!? Step outside!?" Jimin hollered.
"Yeah, we're kind of busy," Older Jeongguk shrugged.
Jeongguk was still on the ground in shock but Jimin was flushing red from his hairline to his toes. Jimin bent down and snatched Jeongguk up, dragging him out of the room and slamming the door behind him. He paused as he took in the spacious apartment.
"Damn," he looked around, hoping to find the living room of sorts. He dragged Jeongguk along and then dropped down on the long and large couch.
Jeongguk dropped down beside him wordlessly. His hands rested in his lap and he subtly scooted away from Jimin. Jimin scoffed and crossed his arms.
"Oh, come on! We're clearly hallucinating and it must be a manifestation of your mind because it sure isn't mine!"
"Hey!" Jeongguk snapped his head to him. "Why do I have to be the pervert!? You're older than me!"
"It'd be bad if it were me because I'm older than you! So, it must be you!"
"Ugh!" Jeongguk turned away from him and slammed his back against the back of the couch.
Jimin smoothed his hands over his head and down his neck and sighed. "This must be a collective nightmare or something. There's no way we time traveled and especially no way we're like that in the future," Jimin mumbled aloud. "I'm sure they'll be out soon and this will all make so much sense."
"Sure, Hyung. What answers could we possibly have for us?"
"Clearly a lot since it's supposedly us!" Jimin exhaled and leaned back against the couch with his arms crossed once again, scooting away from Jeongguk. "Does everyone know?"
"Define everyone," Jeongguk mumbled.
"Family, friends, members."
"Who knows," Jeongguk frowned.
"They'll be out soon. We'll just ask."
"Sure."
Soon ended up being at least twenty minutes. The music that Jimin assumed was to drown out any sounds that were happening in there stopped and then it was just quiet. Then a door down the hallway opened and there was whispering and movement. Then, with a blanket around his body, came Jimin down the hallway with a lopsided awkward grin.
"We're gonna go shower real quick. You two are free to rummage through the kitchen," he waved at them and then walked back down the hallway. Another door shut.
Silence filled the apartment before music blasted from the bathroom and then the sound of water running rolled. Jimin dropped his head into his hands and groaned out like a child, kicking his feet in frustration.
"What is our problem!?" He screeched, smacking his palms into his head.
Jeongguk slumped in his spot. "This is insane. If we really are in the future, how are we supposed to get back home?"
"Shut up!" Jimin wailed into his hands. "We can't be stuck here!"
"But I thought future us had all the answers?"
"Shut up, Jeongguk! For once! This is a lot to take in, okay!?"
Jeongguk scoffed and disappeared further into his soggy hoodie.
After less than fifteen minutes this time, the door opened and down the hallway came Jimin and Jeongguk; much taller, broader, blonder, and tattooered. That isn't a word but you get the point. They were different.
Older Jimin cleared his throat as he finished tying his robe while Older Jeongguk rolled the top of the towel around his waist to keep it secure. He eyed Older Jeongguk with his hands on his hips.
"Done?"
"Mhm," Older Jeongguk nodded.
"Alright," Older Jimin nodded and then turned to Jimin and Jeongguk. "So…"
Jimin shot up and huffed. "If you're finally done," he spat as he looked between the two of them. "Would you like to tell us what the hell this is!?"
"Uh, we showered?" Older Jeongguk shrugged.
"No! Not that!"
"We had sex?" Older Jimin whispered with a raised eyebrow, one hand attempting to shield his mouth from Jeongguk.
"Not that either! This relationship! When the hell did this happen!?"
Older Jimin and Older Jeongguk looked at each other with a mischievous look on their face.
"Well, before we can answer that, I think we should ask you both some questions," Older Jimin pursed his lips in thought as he walked past Older Jeongguk and sat down on the couch opposite the one the younger versions were sitting and standing at.
Older Jeongguk walked over and dropped down beside him. "So, is this like a timeline clash or something?"
"How would we know? We just got dropped here at a very unfortunate time," Jeongguk scowled.
Older Jimin snorted endearingly behind his hand, eyeing Older Jeongguk with a small smile before turning back to them.
"Why are you both so calm!?" Jimin hollered.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Older Jimin sighed softly with a shrug.
"No! I don't think it is!"
Older Jeongguk cackled as he leaned back against the couch with a huge grin. He locked eyes with his younger counter part and found him eyeing his tattoos and piercings.
"You got pretty cool, huh?" Older Jeongguk smirked.
Jeongguk's eyes shot up to his and then looked away as his cheeks flushed.
"You guys are drenched. Did you just come from… a fight?" Older Jimin looked between the two and they both seemed horrified that he had guessed that.
"How did you know that?" Jeongguk whispered as he shot up.
"Because we're you," Older Jeongguk laughed, "future you."
"So then you two are 15 and 17 then," Older Jimin hummed. "Sorry you had to see that."
Jimin blew air from his pursed lips, letting them flip and flap, as he dropped back down on the couch.
"We've been together for," Older Jeongguk turned to Older Jimin. "What? Nine years?"
"Mhm," Older Jimin nodded with a small smile.
"Nine years!? Nearly a decade!?" Jimin hollered as he looked between the two of them.
"Is the band still here at least?" Jeongguk looked between them.
"Oh, of course. The group has got our relationship by a few years," Older Jimin assured.
"When? How?" Jimin frowned.
"See, unfortunately, I believe in the butterfly effect and that things will come in due time, so, I can't tell you that," Older Jeongguk shrugged.
Older Jimin playfully rolled his eyes and shoved him. "Unfortunately, I agree with him."
"Ugh!"
"Is… Is all this work worth it?" Jeongguk whispered as he picked at his nails.
Older Jimin and Jeongguk grew quiet as they turned their attention to him.
"What do you mean?" Older Jimin asked with a small smile.
"I mean for the group. All that we're doing, all that we're sacrificing. Will it even be worth it?"
"Oh, so worth it," Older Jeongguk chuckled. He lifted his hand and wiggled his fingers at him. "And this name here is why it will be."
"ARMY?" Jeongguk raised an eyebrow.
Older Jeongguk nodded. "The fans, the members, and the music will make it all worth it. I know it'll be hard, it'll feel like a living hell right now. That doesn't really fully go away but it gets so much better and it makes you so much stronger. And you won't be by yourself. You'll have the members and this one especially," he lightly bumped Older Jimin with his elbow.
Older Jimin grinned and nodded. "You especially," he pointed at Jimin. "It will be hell. But you will be so much better for it."
"Fuck," Jimin muttered. "How hellish? For how long?"
"Years at least and very. But just don't act like you have to deal with it alone."
"You act like that today," Older Jeongguk pursed his lips and pushed them to the side.
"Oh, be quiet," Jimin slapped his chest.
"Who knows about this?"
"Our friends and families," Older Jeongguk answered.
"What about ARMY?"
"Eh," Older Jimin shrugged. "No official announcement. If they can guess, they can guess."
"Are you ever going to tell them?" Jimin pulled at his lip anxiously.
Older Jimin and Jeongguk looked at each other and then looked back at their younger selves.
"I'm not sure."
They're quiet for a moment before Older Jeongguk chose to speak up.
"Hey. Just let it be. If you try to hard to be us, then you won't be. Or if you try too hard to not be us, you might ruin the group. When we get you home—somehow—just live your life, okay?"
Jimin and Jeongguk looked at each other and cringed.
"I don't know," Jimin shook his head.
"I promise you," Older Jimin nodded at him. "It'll all be worth it."
"So, we last at least eleven years as a group and nine years as a couple? We really don't get to know how or whats going on?" Jimin frowned.
"That ruins all the fun of the future. It's already no fun he gets to know how cool he'll get and you get to know how beautiful you get," Older Jeongguk sighed and shook his head.
"You're so corny," Older Jimin snorted while Jeongguk cringed.
"I'm this weird in a relationship? I can't see myself even with a dude let alone Jimin Hyung. So not only that but I'm a loser too!"
"Hey," Older Jeongguk raised an eyebrow. "Not too much on me. This man is amazing and I'm obsessed with him. You'll understand within a year tops."
"I doubt it took you from 2012 to 2013," Older Jimin pinched Older Jeongguk. "Be honest."
"Okay, honestly, three years tops."
Older Jimin giggled.
"I can't believe this… at all," Jimin mumbled.
"Okay, we've got a day ahead of us tomorrow and I'm sure you two have got to practice like crazy," Older Jeongguk stood up and clapped his hands onto his hips, "let's figure out how to get you two back."
"Already!? But I still have so many questions!" Jimin whined.
"And they'll be answered with life. That's the only way we'll be us. If we're lucky, when you get back home, you'll forget all about us," Older Jimin smiled softly.
"What did you two do before you get here? Like after the fight," Older Jeongguk inquired as he walked closer to them and placed a had on both of their shoulders.
"I called Jimin Hyung and met him outside of our dorm building—"
"And he came running for a hug but I was still pissed off so I grabbed him by his collar and tackled him to the ground."
Older Jimin and Older Jeongguk groaned.
"That's gotta be why," Older Jimin complained as he walked over to them beside Older Jeongguk.
"What? Why?"
"Because in our timeline, we hugged," Older Jimin answered.
"You were sent here so we could stop you before you destoyed the entire world as we knew it. We just prevented the zombie apocalypse or the robot takeover," Older Jeongguk gasped out dramatically.
"Orr," Older Jimin cut his eyes at him, "we just prevented our personal growth and career from collapsing."
"Which would cause the zombie apocalypse!"
"Jeongguk-ah, please," Older Jimin held a hand up. He slapped the man's hand off of Jimin's shoulder and then held his own young face between his hands. "He's a pain. He's always going to be, that won't change. But he loves us. We're greatly loved but he loves us. So, no more collar grabs, got it?"
Jimin gnawed at his lips. "Do you swear?"
"I swear."
Jimin looked at the two Jeongguks and then back at himself. "Okay…"
"He's going to be your favorite person in the entire world," Older Jeongguk jabbed a finger into Jeongguk's chest. "Don't go messing that up, alright?"
Jeongguk nodded quickly.
"I think we can fix this," Older Jimin started as he gestutred to the windows behind him with his thumb. "It's raining right now. If you two go out and recreate what happened, maybe it'll send you back."
"And what if it doesn't?" Jimin wondered anxiously.
"Then we'll find something else."
"Maybe electrocution or truck-kun," Older Jeongguk shrugged as he leaned against Jeongguk.
"Geez!?" Jeongguk barked out as he snapped his head to Older Jeongguk who cackled.
Jimin and Jeongguk stood by the front door while Older Jeongguk and Jimin got dressed. They came back out murmuring about something before stopping before them.
"This… has been a weird meeting," Older Jimin laughed.
"Yeah, it's a shame we couldn't catch up somehow without destroying our future," Older Jeongguk sighed dramatically as he shook his head.
"Can I just ask one more thing then?" Jeongguk asked.
"Sure," Older Jeongguk nodded.
"What do your tattoos mean?"
Older Jeongguk smirked and flexed his arm. "You're gonna have to live it to find out."
"Boo," Jeongguk pouted.
Both Jimin's smiled at the interaction. Older Jimin clapped. "Let's go before the rain stops."
They shuffled out and made their way out to the front of the building, the quiet and empty street welcomed them. The rain was coming down hard. Jimin and Jeongguk stood out in the middle of the street while Older Jimin and Jeongguk sat under covering.
"So… we just run at each other?" Jimin furrowed his brows.
"That's what we're banking on," Jeongguk nodded as he turned to Future Jeongguk and Jimin, noticing how their hand-holding seemed to natural and intimate.
They had given the two men long and wondrous hugs before stepping out into the street and they both couldn't help wanting to stay with the men just a little bit longer but who knew if that would change things?
Jimin took a breath, turned around, walked for a bit, and then turned. The two turned at the same time and sprinted at each other.
As their bodies collided they heard Jimin sing to them, "Your future awaits you patiently!"
That same feeling washed over them and tore them apart as they were thrown from ocean water to volcanic pit. Their screeches tore their vocal cords and then they came crashing down onto wet concrete. They got up on their hands and knees, on two different sides of the street, a taxi pulling off down the street.
Jimin stood. Jeongguk stood. And they ran. Their bodies collided and they held each other. Jimin's chin dug into Jeongguk's shoulder as did Jeongguk's, they held each other tightly despite their wet bodies.
"That was so…" Jimin started.
"Weird," Jeongguk finished with an exhale.
They pulled away from each other and stared at one another. Then they laughed. They laughed until their stomachs hurt and so hard if there were people around, they'd think they were insane. As their laughter subsided, Jimin and Jeongguk looked at each other a bit fonder.
"Do you think we'll forget all about this in a few years?" Jimin wondered aloud as he pulled Jeongguk inside.
"Probably. But I'm sure we both agree to not tell anyone about this."
"Of course. Who would believe us? I mean come on. You and me dating? No way."
Jeongguk nodded in agreement.
That's what they said but the image of future them being intimate and the glaring number leading to nearly a decade haunted the back of their mind for awhile.
But then they debuted. And then they were working their asses off for just a second of screen time and a proper dressing room. So their freaky day wasn't something they had time to worry about.
They were too focused on trying to make it all worth it.
"Oh, so worth it." Jimin nor Jeongguk could really remember who had told them that but it rang through their heads through it all.
It'll all be worth it.
Even when Jimin realized what he felt for Jeongguk was a bit stronger than what he thought was appropriate but he couldn't help but show it. Even when Jeongguk pushed off the behavior or called him weird.
"Oh, so worth it."
Even when Jeongguk realized he'd only pushed Jimin away because he didn't know how to handle the emotions Jimin was presenting. Even when Jeongguk worried Jimin wouldn't be interested in him anymore.
"Oh, so worth it."
That's what rang through Jeongguk's head as he booked plane tickets and arranged a hotel room. That's what kissed Jeongguk's ears when he was buying the right to use a song and searched up video editing tutorials.
"Oh, so worth it."
Was what gave Jeongguk the courage, at nineteen years old, to ask his Hyung if he wanted to go to Japan with him.
"Just the two of us."
Jimin had stared at him and stared at the tickets before smiling at him.
"I'd love to Jeongguk-ah."
Whoever you are… Jeongguk agreed. It was oh, so worth it.