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The smell of salt and brine fills the air whipping past the truck, the wheels bouncing slightly every now and then as they drive down the unused road leading to the coast. There's a plastic bag or two laying in the corner of the flatbed, filled with cheap garage food and snacks, two pairs of feet sitting next to them as the owners doze lightly, legs stretched out as their hands rest clasped together, even in sleep. Soft instrumental music plays quietly from the inside of the driver's cab, low enough so as to not wake the passengers.
Jimin lets his head fall lightly against the back of the truck, legs curled up so that his knees rest against his chest, his arms clasped tightly around them as he watches the road behind them get farther and farther away. The dust kicked up by the vehicle's wheels seems almost magical, the tiny specks of sand and dirt illuminated in oranges and pinks from the rising sun. Taking a glance behind him, peeking around the side of the truck, Jimin can see the ocean in the distance, the water painted in beautiful shining colors by the sun, licks and splashes of lilac and yellow mixed in with the brilliant blue hue of the water, the gleam of the sun catching on the waves and reflecting back into Jimin's face.
I’ve got miles of regrets and confusing friends,
But perhaps it’s just my stupid head in the end,
Thinking should i wait here or make my way home,
You said go
Jimin glances down at the sleeping couple next to him on the flatbed, there is a slightly worn blanket that had initially covered them but was now in a pile to one side, having been kicked off by one of them as they drove no doubt. Jimin suppresses a smile as there's a soft murmur from Yoongi, the second eldest moving around slightly in his sleep, curling up a little more to bury his face in Jungkook's neck, the youngest turning his head to rest his chin atop Yoongi's head instinctively. They'd never openly be this affectionate with each other while awake and Jimin is half tempted to take out his phone and snap a photo but it feels like the calm, careful atmosphere that has been created in the early morning would be disrupted somehow if he did so.
Inside the drivers cab, Namjoon is lightly snoring, head resting against the passenger window, rocking gently. His snores are not enough to disturb anyone but just loud enough to be noticed, beside him is Seokjin, eyes tired but expression filled with satisfaction, gaze drifting between the road and the sight of the water in the distance. He reaches forward as the next song comes on, turning the volume up slightly and humming, the notes low and nostalgic. Jimin finds a small smile creeping onto his face as he recognizes the tune, unable to stop himself from softly singing the lyrics, his voice light and breathy in the early morning air. He feels more than sees Seokjin's gaze flicker to him in the rearview mirror but keeps his own focus on the road behind them, fingers lightly tapping the slow rhythm of the song against his shins.
In the backseat there's a blanket draped over one of the sleeping figures, ticked neatly underneath his chin as soft little breaths escape his lips, eyelashes fluttering against high cheekbones as Hoseok explores whatever dreamland he's found himself in. His arms are crossed over his chest, even through the blanket Jimin can make out the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest.
Making up problems that don’t exist,
Why do i let myself dream like this,
We’re floating away, my body’s in space,
We are going home
Jimin remembers before they started this trip, when they weren't all exhausted from driving for almost two weeks now, back when they all had ridiculous amounts of energy still, except for Yoongi.
There's almost a sense of bitterness when Jimin thinks about having to start heading back tomorrow. It feels like the past two weeks have been some kind of wonderful dream, and idea fuelled by late nights watching movies together and whispered thoughts late into the night about their deepest thoughts and worries and fears.
Regardless of when it ends, Jimin knows its something they all desperately needed.
Jimin turned, his gaze falling on the last person in the truck. Dark hair, overdue for a trim, feathered out over the young man's eyelids, lips parted slightly as every now and then little huffs of breath leave his mouth, lips slightly upturned even as he slept. Taehyung's head rests against the back of his seat, head tilted upwards. Jimin's fingers itch to reach out, to brush them feather light against his cheeks, or to brush away the hair from his forehead, but he stays still, clasping his hands tight to keep them still.
Jimin thinks about the argument they had, days ago, starting over something so small, so insignificant, but turning into something so ugly and desperate, tearing little pieces of Jimin's heart away the more they said, the more they screamed and yelled at one another, unable to stop. He thinks of the way the others had stood by, unable to calm them, desperately pulling words and pleas together to try and stop what was happening. Jimin clearly remembers the way they'd both suddenly gone silent, realizing that the words had turns from scathing remarks into barbed and razor sharp insults.
Missing pieces of my skull,
I’ll sew on patches of my own soul,
There’s nothing you or I can do so let the stars fall,
Cause from up here the sky’s my thoughts and we’re all so small,
Jimin so desperately wishes he could take it back, knowing that the dark bruises beneath his eyes and the jitter that rests in his hands from lack of sleep last night and anxiety is from guilt.
Jimin eyes Taehyung's sleeping face once more before, reluctantly, he turns away, they'll be there soon.
Soon.
Soon.
As Seokjin's truck begins to slow, Jimin's shaking hands begin to settle, the salty air seeming to absorb into his skin, his lungs, and he remembers Busan, remembers the trips with his brother so long ago, a deep calm beginning to gum steadily through his veins as he releases a breath, the tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying falling from his shoulders.
The truck stops and Jimin looks up as Seokjin turns the engine off, turning around to peer inside the drivers cab. Seokjin asks him quietly to wake Yoongi and Jungkook and Jimin nods silently, acknowledging Seokjin's concerned gaze before the eldest steps out of the truck, bending down to touch his toes and groaning lightly. Jimin finally unclasps his hands, cracking the joints to get some feeling back into them. He reaches down, hand grasping Yoongi's shoulder and shaking gently. The elder has always been easier to wake and Jimin's not inclined to try and wake Jungkook himself, in his mood he might just roll him off the back of the truck. Yoongi cracks his eyes open with a muffled grumble before noticing it's only Jimin waking him, he mumbles out a soft "mornin'" before sitting up, head spreading across his face as he notices his hand clasped with Jungkook's.
If it were an ordinary day Jimin might tease them, but not today as Yoongi leans down to whisper in Jungkook's ear, waking the youngest with unusual ease.
Meteor shower, Quick take cover,
But the hues in our hair compliment one another,
I’d sell my own bones for sapphire stones,
Cause blue’s your favourite colour,
The doors of the truck open one at a time, Hoseok being the first to step out, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn and Jimin winces at the loud popping noise his elbows make. Seokjin and Namjoon step out next, hushed whispers between them indicating they'd been talking inside while Jimin was waking the two on the flatbed.
Finally, the last door opens and closes, Taehyung standing on the sand, face clear and eyes bright as they take in the sea. Jimin can't help the soft smile that crosses his face as he take in the hair standing up on one side of Taehyung's head. As though he knows he's being watched, Taehyung turns, eyes meeting Jimin's in the soft light of the sunrise. Jimin's smile softens, his expression a mix of apology, guilt and love.
Jimin isn't sure what he was expecting but it wasn't Taehyung stepping toward him, holding a hand out to him. Jimin's mouth parts in surprise for only a moment before he reaches out, taking Taehyung's warm hand in his own as he steps up onto the edge of the flatbed, balancing for a moment before jumping down.
Taehyung doesn't release his hand though, when he's standing on the ground and Jimin lifts his gaze to Taehyung's, eyes sad. The taller male seems to struggle, his eyes shiny and filled with apologies. Before Taehyung can speak Jimin shakes his head gently, offering Taehyung a watery smile and pulling him a little closer.
It seems the message was received loud and clear as Taehyung leans down, arms wrapping tightly around Jimin's frame as he buries his face into the shorter man's soft hair. Jimin hides his face in Taehyung's neck as his hands clutch the back of Taehyung's sweatshirt, unable to stop a tear or two from trailing down his cheeks, dripping onto the soft skin of Taehyung's neck.
My heart and the earth share the same rule,
It starts with Love and it ends with you,
But don’t go outside, it’s dangerous tonight,
Without me right here by your side
Jimin chokes on an aborted sob, "I love you Tae, you know that".
"I know Minnie" Taehyung whispers, Jimin can feel a tear or two landing on his scalp, "I love you too Jimin, so much".
"We're okay" Jimin says quietly, pulling away a little to look up at Taehyung, "we're okay".
Taehyung gives him a watery grin, lips forming that endearing rectangular smile Jimin loves so much, "we are".
Taehyung moves a hand up to cup Jimins cheek, brushing his tears away and making Jimin breathe a laugh, lips cracking into a smile.
"You two alright?"
They look over to see Yoongi standing a few feet away, the others having already gone down to bring their things to the beach.
Jimin nods and Yoongi takes that as his cue to leave, giving them a crooked smile as he turns away, the previously discarded blanked tucked beneath his arm.
Jimin starts to follow after him but is tugged gently back by Taehyung, he tilts his head as he turns, his gaze questioning, until Taehyung leans down and presses their lips together gently. Jimin freezes momentarily before his eyes are shutting and his hands reach up automatically to tangle lightly in Taehyung's hair. Taehyung's hands glide smoothly over his waist, squeezing gently to comfort the shorter as Taehyung's lips part against his own.
Their lips move together seamlessly, Jimin releasing a content little sigh against Taehyung's lips before he tilts his head slightly, deepening the kiss. It doesn't go any further than than before they're pulling away, Taehyung stepping towards the beach where everyone else is talking and laughing, hand finding Jimin's as he does.
"Lets go".
Take it slow, you’ll know,
Which way to go,
Sew up your skull,
Take your time,
And we’ll be just fine.