The Jimin Effect ✔

Part Four/Chapter Thirteen

Jimin:

Jimin searched for Jungkook at dinner, first in his usual seat: across the canteen and opposite Jimin. And then when he wasn't there, Jimin scanned all around the room with his eyes, and then wandered in and out of the kitchen, went to the bathroom, even looked inside the janitor's closet they had talked in once. But there was no sign of him, and eventually Jimin sat nervously down between Montero and Taehyung with a plate of rice and veggies and fruit... but he couldn't make himself take a bite.

Montero studied him quizzically, as he pushed his food around the plate and moped gloomily.

"What's wrong with him?" Montero asked Taehyung.

"Someone found out exactly how old he is," Taehyung muttered under his breath, and Montero's eyes widened.

"Ooooooooh snap, bet that didn't go over too well, huh? Jungkook doesn't seem like the predator type..."

Jimin's stomach swooped with guilt and tears came to his eyes and he glared at Montero.

"It's not like I'm actually a child," he spat. "I'm fucking seventeen, and I could have legally consented a year ago."

"Jimin, those laws are made to prevent the worst and weirdest abuses. Not to normalize a sixteen year old having a relationship with some old person," Taehyung said pointedly.

"He's twenty-two! My own parents are five years apart, Taehyung!"

"And did they start dating when your Mom was 12 and your Dad was 17, Jimin?"

"What? No! Come on, that's weird."

"I know it is Jimin, and you can't seem to see that this is weird, too. I'm guessing Jungkook wasn't happy when you told him?"

Jimin just looked wide-eyed at Taehyung, and then at Montero, who shrugged.

"Do you agree, you think it's weird that Jungkook would like me?" Jimin asked Montero, tears smarting his eyes.

"Jimin..." Montero's eyes softened and he leaned back in his chair, reaching out to hug Jimin, and Jimin started to cry and wrapped his arms around the broad shoulders, and buried his face in Montero's neck and sobbed. It felt like pain and helplessness flowed out with his tears and wracking sobs; and maybe, into Montero's body through his, as he clung to him. Eventually he realized he felt better, and his sobs slowed and quieted, and he sat back down in his own chair.

"It's not weird that anyone would like you, Jimin," Montero said softly, wiping a tear off his cheek. "If I was twenty-two and you asked, I wouldn't say no either," he whispered, and squeezed Jimin's hands, and his eyes flicked to Jimin's lips, and he licked his own.

"Well, I didn't exactly ask..." Jimin realized out loud...

Montero raised eyebrows. "What do you mean? You-," he dropped his voice, glancing around, "-you seduced him?"

Jimin's eyes shifted nervously. Don't avoid the truth. Jimin sighed, and nodded.

"You seduced him, and lied to him about how old you were? Wait, and you got him to pop your cherry under those conditions? Damn." Montero looked him up and down, at once impressed and intimidated.

Jimin couldn't help but smile to see the desire play on his face. Montero caught his eyes and blushed.

"Look, that is really fucked up Jimin... but Jungkook is completely whipped for you," Montero reassured him in a low voice. "I highly doubt the man is going to walk away from..." his eyes flicked down to Jimin's ass before meeting his eyes again, "...from you." He blushed again. "The man who could do that would be a strong man indeed..."