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The hall was buzzing with laughter and celebration. Fairy lights flickered like tiny stars across the ceiling, and music pulsed softly through the speakers. Everyone was high on joy, dressed in their best, toasting the bittersweet end of a chapter.

It was Jimin's graduation party.

He had invited Jungkook along, and though it wasn't Jungkook's usual crowd, he had agreed without hesitation-quietly trailing beside Jimin, letting him have his moment.

Jimin looked radiant that night, dressed in white tucked shirt and high-waisted black slacks, soft waves in his hair, eyes shimmering with happiness. He laughed, talked, ran around with his classmates-while Jungkook leaned against the wall near the drink table, silently watching him.

He didn't speak much. Didn't interrupt.

Just... looked at Jimin the way someone would look at the stars. With soft awe and affection.

A couple hours in, the alcohol started to hit. Jimin, encouraged by his friends, downed another glass of soju, his giggles turning louder. He didn't usually drink, but tonight-tonight was special.

Suddenly, he climbed up on a bench in the center of the hall, arms spread wide like wings.

"I-Park Jimin-have finally escaped the clutches of exams and assignments!" he declared dramatically, wobbling just slightly.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

"And now I shall bless you all... with my voice!" he added before bursting into a playful, tipsy rendition of a popular pop song, dancing off-beat but glowing with joy.

Jungkook couldn't help but smile. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes crinkling as he watched Jimin-happy, free, shining.

But then-Jimin suddenly swayed too far to the right.

His foot slipped from the edge of the bench.

"Jimin!" Jungkook shouted as he lunged forward just in time, catching him mid-fall.

Jimin gasped, arms wrapping instinctively around Jungkook's neck as he landed against his chest.

Jungkook looked down at him, eyes narrowing in concern. "Okay, party prince. That's enough stage time."

Jimin blinked up at him, cheeks flushed, giggling. "You caught me... like in a drama."

"Yeah, but next time I might not be so fast. Let's go home."

Jimin pouted playfully, but didn't resist as Jungkook helped him down and held him by the waist to steady him.

As they walked out into the cool night air, Jimin leaned his head on Jungkook's shoulder and whispered, "You're always there to catch me..."

Jungkook didn't respond with words-he just pulled Jimin closer, silently agreeing.

The corridor of the banquet hall was quiet, dimly lit with golden sconces. Jimin clung loosely to Jungkook's arm as they walked-his steps clumsy, laughter still bubbling on his lips.

"Can't believe I sang," he giggled, resting his head on Jungkook's shoulder.

Jungkook chuckled softly, tightening his grip on Jimin's waist. "You didn't just sing. You auditioned for a musical on top of a bench."

"Was I good?" Jimin asked, lifting his head, eyes sparkling.

"You were loud."

Jimin gasped dramatically. "You're so mean-"

Suddenly, he stopped walking.

"I'm tired," he murmured, stumbling a little as he leaned back against the wall, breathing out.

Jungkook halted immediately, turning to support him.

"You okay?" he asked, one hand flat against the wall beside Jimin's head, the other steadying his waist.

Jimin slumped a little lower, almost sliding down.

"Yah-stand straight." Jungkook guided him up again, laughing under his breath.

"I am standing," Jimin said with a lazy pout.

"No, you're melting."

Jungkook's phone buzzed just then.

He sighed, pulling it from his pocket. "Just hold still for a second, okay? I need to take this."

"Okay..." Jimin mumbled, pressing his back harder against the wall as Jungkook answered the call.

"Yeah, hyung? I'm on my way," Jungkook said into the phone, turning slightly to pace away.

But in that moment, he caught Jimin's figure from the corner of his eye.

He turned back just in time to see Jimin losing balance, his knees giving out-eyes fluttering half-closed.

"Jimin-!"

Jungkook lunged forward instinctively, arms wrapping around him and pulling him up.

Their faces collided softly-barely-but enough.

Enough for their lips to brush.

Just a faint, drunk, accidental kiss.

Time seemed to freeze.

Jimin blinked up at him, surprised, cheeks flushed deeper. Then his fingers clutched Jungkook's sleeve as he whispered, almost like a child:

"Don't leave..."

Jungkook didn't hesitate.

He ended the call mid-sentence and pocketed the phone without looking.

"I'm not leaving," he said, gently brushing Jimin's fringe from his forehead. "I'm right here."

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