The waves kissed the shore softly, retreating only to return again, just like the thoughts that had plagued Jimin's heart over the past few weeks. He walked ahead, his feet sinking into the cool sand, but his eyes remained fixed on Yoongi, who followed a few steps behind. The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and lavender, the kind of beauty that could only exist on evenings like this.

"Are you just going to trail behind me forever?" Jimin called out, a soft smile tugging at his lips. His voice held a teasing edge.

Yoongi stopped, letting the breeze run through his hair. "Always," he replied, his voice calm yet laced with something deeper. "I like watching you. It's peaceful."

Jimin finally stopped, waiting for Yoongi to catch up. When he did, Yoongi reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Jimin's face. "You look happy," Yoongi murmured, his eyes scanning Jimin's features.

"I am," Jimin whispered, his voice barely audible over the waves. "For the first time in a long time, I feel like things might be okay."

Yoongi's heart clenched at the vulnerability in Jimin's voice. He stepped closer, closing the gap between them, and took Jimin's hands in his. "They will be. I promise."

Jimin replied, a faint smile on his face,"I don't know what I'd do without you."

Yoongi didn't say anything for a moment. Instead, he pulled Jimin closer, wrapping his arms around him in a gentle yet firm embrace. "You won't have to find out," he whispered against Jimin's hair.

Jimin closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of Yoongi's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For a moment, the world felt still, like it is just the two of them.

As they pulled back slightly, Yoongi cupped Jimin's face, his thumb grazing his cheek. Their eyes met, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. Slowly, Yoongi leaned in, their foreheads touching first before their lips finally met. The kiss was soft, unhurried, and filled with unspoken emotions.

When they finally pulled away, Jimin let out a soft laugh, his cheeks flushed. "We should do this more often," he joked, though his tone was serious.

"Walking on the beach or kissing?" Yoongi teased, a playful glint in his eye.

"Both," Jimin replied, grinning.

They continued walking along the shoreline, their fingers intertwined, the world around them fading into the background.

As the sky grew darker, Jimin glanced at Yoongi. "Yura's surgery is in two days. I'm glad everything's falling into place," he said softly.

Yoongi nodded, his expression turning serious. "I still can't believe it's actually happening. I owe you everything, Jimin."

"You don't owe me anything," Jimin said firmly, his voice carrying a quiet conviction.

Yoongi tilted his head, his gaze soft but questioning. "Hmm, you do owe me something," Jimin added, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Yoongi arched a brow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Two weeks ago, Jimin had told him he managed to get the money for Yura's surgery. When Yoongi had pressed for details, Jimin had vaguely mentioned asking a few old college friends, most of them wealthy enough that it wasn't a problem. Yoongi didn't push further, but he accepted on one condition: Jimin had to let him pay the money back, no matter how long it takes.

Now, as they stood on the beach with the soft orange hues of the sunset casting a glow around them, Yoongi studied Jimin, waiting for what he wanted to say next.

"You owe me a promise," Jimin said, his tone suddenly serious.

"A promise?" Yoongi repeated, his brows knitting slightly in confusion.

Jimin stepped closer, closing the small distance between them. His hand reached up to rest on Yoongi's chest, right above his heart, as he looked up into his eyes. "No matter what happens in the future... if you ever see me behaving differently, doing things you don't like, hiding parts of myself, just know that isn't the real me. The real me is this, Yoongi. The person standing in front of you right now." His voice wavered slightly, but his resolve didn't falter. "Promise me you'll always hold onto this version of me in your heart."

Yoongi's heart ached at the vulnerability in Jimin's words, the weight behind them. "Why are you saying this?" he asked softly, his voice laced with concern.

"No questions," Jimin said quickly, his fingers curling slightly against Yoongi's shirt. His eyes pleaded with Yoongi to let it go, to just agree. "Just promise me."

Yoongi stared at him for a long moment, his chest tightening as he tried to decipher the storm of emotions swirling in Jimin's eyes. Slowly, he reached up to cover Jimin's hand with his own, pressing it more firmly against his chest. "I promise," he said, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his thoughts. "I'll always remember this version of you. Always."

Jimin's lips trembled, a small, bittersweet smile forming as he nodded. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.

The horizon is painted in soft oranges and deep purples, the sun a glowing ember sinking slowly into the ocean. The waves lapped at the shore rhythmically, a steady hum that filled the spaces where words might have been. Jimin and Yoongi sat side by side on the beach, close enough for their shoulders to brush but saying nothing.

Yoongi's gaze is fixed on the endless expanse of the water, but his mind isn't there. It is back on Jimin's words-his promise.

It unsettled him, the way Jimin had spoken, as if he were preparing Yoongi for something he couldn't yet understand. The weight of it pressed on his chest.

Beside him, Jimin is quiet, his focus entirely on the patterns he is drawing in the sand. Swirls, loops, random shapes that disappeared as the waves crept closer. His fingers moved absentmindedly.

"You're quiet," Yoongi said softly, breaking the silence, though his voice is barely above a whisper.

Jimin's hand stilled for a moment before he shrugged lightly. "It feels good... to just sit here. To not have to say anything."

Yoongi nodded, his lips twitching into the faintest smile. "Yeah. It does."

The silence returned, not awkward but heavy with unspoken things. Yoongi tilted his head back slightly, letting the salty breeze ruffle his hair. The promise hung in his mind, circling, prodding, demanding attention.

He turned his head to look at Jimin, watching the way his brows furrowed slightly as he focused on his makeshift art in the sand. "Jimin..."

"Hmm?" Jimin replied without looking up, his finger tracing a heart absentmindedly before smoothing it away with his palm.

Yoongi hesitated. He wanted to ask-wanted to demand answers about why Jimin would say something like that, why he sounded like he is preparing for something he didn't want to share.

"Nothing," Yoongi murmured instead, though his voice betrayed the turmoil in his chest.

Jimin glanced up then, his soft brown eyes meeting Yoongi's. He gave him a small smile, one that didn't reach his eyes but carried warmth nonetheless. "Don't think too much, Yoongi. Just... be here with me, okay?"

Yoongi let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "You're telling me not to think too much? I don't think so I have this privilege. Overthinking is my only trait"

Jimin's smile widened, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips."Shut it Yoongi just let your brain rest. Jimin is here. The one who keeps you grounded. Let him do all the thinking yeah?"

For a moment, the tension between them eased, and Yoongi reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Jimin's face. His hand lingered for just a second too long, his thumb grazing Jimin's cheek before he let it drop.

"That means you have to always guide me, direct me. Without you I won't be able to process. Do you want this Jiminie?" Yoongi said, his voice softer now.

"May be" Jimin replied back his face slowly turning red.

"Done then I am your responsibility now. Just think like you adopted me"

Jimin looked down, his cheeks tinged with a faint pink. His fingers returned to the sand, tracing another pattern a sun this time, with rays stretching outward. "I will gladly do it"

The ocean's waves crawled closer, washing away the edge of the sun he'd drawn, but Jimin didn't seem to mind. He let the sand smooth out beneath his touch, then started again, drawing a smaller sun.

They sat like that for what felt like hours, the world around them slipping away. The sun dipped lower, its warm light bathing them in a soft, golden glow.

.
.
.
.

The evening air is cool as Jimin walked along the dimly lit street, the soft glow of streetlights reflecting off the wet pavement. The day had been long, filled with the monotony of college and his part-time job, and all he wanted now is to return to Yoongi's apartment, to the comfort of his presence and the solace of their shared space. Yoongi is skipping college as he is mostly in the hospital these days. But he returns apartment before Jimin, his efforts which never fails to melt his heart.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the stillness of his thoughts. Pulling it out, he glanced at the screen. Officer Kim Seokjin. His heart immediately picked up its pace.

"Hello?" he answered, his voice wary.

"Park Jimin," came the firm yet calm voice of Officer Kim Seokjin. "We've uncovered some significant leads in Jihoon's case. I need you to come down to the station as soon as possible."

Jimin stopped in his tracks, "Significant leads?" he repeated.

It's been few weeks since the case and mostly he received updates that seems like an excuse to hide their laziness at their job.

"Yes," Seokjin confirmed. "We've traced some call data from the time of his disappearance, and there's more you need to see. It's urgent."

Jimin's grip on the phone tightened as his mind raced.

"I... I'm not far," Jimin managed to say, his voice determined. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"Good. I'll be waiting," Seokjin said before the call ended.

Jimin lowered the phone from his ear, his chest heavy with anticipation and a flicker of fear.

As he approached the station, the familiar building loomed ahead, its fluorescent lights casting a sterile glow. Jimin took a deep breath, steadying himself before stepping inside.

At the front desk, Officer Kim Seokjin was waiting for him, his expression serious but not unkind. "You're here," he said, gesturing for Jimin to follow him.

"What did you find?" Jimin asked, his voice urgent as he trailed behind Seokjin.

"I'll explain everything in the briefing room," Seokjin replied, his tone measured. "But I'll warn you, what we've uncovered might be difficult to process."

Jimin's stomach churned, a mix of hope and dread swirling within him.