Chapter 7: Secrets Revealed

The following days blurred together in a whirlwind of training, missions, and stolen moments. Jimin found himself increasingly aware of Suga’s presence, each shared glance igniting a flutter of emotions that left him both exhilarated and terrified. Every time they fought side by side, Jimin felt a deeper connection forming—a bond that transcended the typical camaraderie among comrades. Yet, he was uncertain if Suga felt the same way.

During a particularly grueling training session, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Jimin felt his exhaustion melt away in the warmth of the late afternoon glow. He was surprised to see Jin, always the caretaker of the group, lingering nearby, watching him with a curious expression.

“Hey, Jimin,” Jin called out, his tone light yet teasing. “You’ve been looking a little distracted lately. Is everything okay?”

Jimin paused, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Yeah, just tired, I guess.”

Jin arched an eyebrow, stepping closer. “Tired? Or maybe you’re thinking about someone special?”

Caught off guard, Jimin’s cheeks flushed crimson. “What are you talking about?” he stammered, avoiding Jin’s probing gaze.

“Oh, come on. I’m not blind. You’ve been stealing glances at Suga during practice,” Jin pressed, a playful smirk on his lips. “It’s written all over your face, you know.”

Jimin felt his heart race. “It’s not like that,” he replied, though the words felt feeble even to his own ears.

“Not like what? Because it sure looks like you’re crushing on him,” Jin teased, nudging him with his elbow. “The way you two work together, it’s kind of cute.”

“Stop it!” Jimin exclaimed, a mix of embarrassment and frustration bubbling inside him. “Suga is my superior. I can’t think about him like that.”

Jin simply grinned, clearly enjoying Jimin’s flustered state. “If you say so, but I think it’s only a matter of time before he notices.”

As they finished their training, Jimin tried to shake off Jin’s words. The idea of Suga knowing about his feelings was daunting, yet the thought lingered like a haunting melody.

Later that evening, as the crew gathered around the dinner table, the atmosphere was light and filled with laughter. Jimin tried to focus on the chatter around him, but his mind kept drifting back to Suga and the growing intensity of his feelings.

“Hey, Jimin!” Taehyung called out, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Why don’t you tell us about your little crush on our fearless leader?”

The table erupted into laughter, and Jimin’s heart sank. “Shut up, Taehyung!” he protested, though his voice lacked the conviction he hoped for.

“Oh, come on! You can’t deny it!” Jungkook chimed in, a teasing smile on his lips. “It’s obvious to everyone except him!”

“Right? It’s like watching a romance unfold right in front of our eyes,” Jin added, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. “Maybe you should confess to him. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Jimin felt his cheeks heat up as he glanced down at his plate, desperately trying to hide his embarrassment. “I don’t like Suga like that!” he insisted, though the way his heart raced suggested otherwise.

“Sure you don’t,” Namjoon said with a knowing smile, nudging Jimin’s arm. “But really, if you feel that way, you should say something. Life’s too short to let opportunities slip away.”

As Jimin attempted to refute their teasing, the atmosphere shifted suddenly. The door swung open, and Suga walked in, his presence commanding immediate attention. The laughter faded, and an anticipatory silence fell over the table as everyone turned to face him.

“Hey,” Suga said, his voice low and steady, eyes scanning the room. “What’s going on?”

Jimin felt a rush of panic as he realized they were all looking at him. His heart thudded in his chest, a mix of anxiety and excitement. The teasing suddenly felt so much more serious, and he could feel Suga’s gaze lingering on him.

“Uh, nothing!” Jimin blurted out, his mind racing for an excuse, but his voice came out squeaky and nervous.

“Right, just some friendly banter,” Taehyung said quickly, shooting Jimin a glance that practically screamed, What are you doing?

Suga raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Is that so?” He walked over, leaning casually against the table, his focus shifting to Jimin. “Jimin, is there something you want to say?”

Caught in the moment, Jimin could feel his stomach drop. The teasing had gone too far, and now he was under Suga’s piercing gaze, heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement. He wanted to confess, to be honest about his feelings, but the words caught in his throat.

“Uh, no, I’m good,” Jimin stammered, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

Suga studied him for a long moment, and Jimin could almost see the gears turning in his mind. He shifted his weight slightly, a hint of concern flickering across his features. “If something’s bothering you, just let me know. You know I’m here to help, right?”

The sincerity in Suga’s voice made Jimin’s heart ache. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the gap between them, but the fear of rejection held him back. He nodded instead, managing a weak smile. “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Hyung.”

Suga’s expression softened, and he straightened up. “Alright, let’s eat then.” He turned to the rest of the crew, the playful atmosphere slowly returning as Suga settled into his seat.

The dinner continued, but Jimin felt the tension lingering. The teasing had only heightened his feelings for Suga, and now, with Suga’s attentive gaze still lingering in the back of his mind, he found himself lost in thought.

As they ate, the conversation flowed freely, but Jimin’s mind raced with a storm of emotions. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a pivotal moment for them. Every laugh, every shared glance with Suga felt charged with unspoken words, the air thick with potential.

After dinner, the crew decided to unwind in the living room, the remnants of their meal cleared away. As they settled in, Jimin found himself sitting next to Suga, their shoulders brushing against each other. His heart raced at the closeness, the warmth radiating from Suga making him acutely aware of the connection between them.

“Hey,” Suga said, leaning closer, his voice low so only Jimin could hear. “You okay? You’ve been quiet since dinner.”

Jimin’s heart fluttered at the concern in Suga’s voice. “Yeah, just thinking,” he replied, hoping to keep his emotions in check.

“About what?” Suga probed gently, his gaze searching Jimin’s eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Jimin felt a surge of courage. This was his chance to be honest. “About us,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Suga’s eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and curiosity flashing across his face. “Us?”

Jimin nodded, his heart pounding as he took the plunge. “I… I just wanted to say that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve always been there, and I… I care about you, Hyung. More than I probably should.”

The silence stretched between them, tension thick in the air. Suga’s expression shifted, the seriousness of the moment sinking in. “Jimin…”

Before Suga could continue, Taehyung’s loud voice interrupted, pulling the focus back to the group. “Hey! Who’s up for a movie?”

Jimin felt his heart sink as the moment slipped away. Suga’s gaze flickered toward the group, and Jimin’s chance to share his feelings faded into the background noise of laughter and excitement.

“Sure,” Suga replied, the moment lost but not forgotten. He turned to the rest of the crew, and Jimin felt a mix of frustration and longing within him.

As the movie started and the room filled with light, Jimin couldn’t help but glance at Suga, who was laughing at something Namjoon said. The warmth of the moment and the laughter surrounding them was comforting, yet the unspoken words still lingered between them like a heavy fog.

In the chaos of their lives, Jimin found solace in the knowledge that Suga was there—fighting by his side, sharing laughter, and, despite the teasing and uncertainty, slowly unraveling the walls around his heart. They were bound together by more than just loyalty; they were on the brink of something profound, and Jimin was determined to navigate the complexities of their relationship, even if it took time to figure out how to bridge that gap.

As the movie played on, Jimin resolved to find the right moment to express his feelings, knowing that the flicker of trust ignited between them would eventually light the path to something more.

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