[202] JIKOOK ONE SHOTS/ PROMPTS [ONGOING]

[62] MATCHED - JAN 21 2025

Mrs. Jeon, poised but frail-looking, sat at a table near the restaurant's window with an unfamiliar young woman. Her hands trembled visibly as she struggled to pick up her fork, her motions clumsy. The woman across from her - the prospective partner she had invited to evaluate for her son Jungkook - watched her with thinly veiled disdain.

"She's clearly putting on a show" someone whispered from a nearby table.

"Can't even eat properly" another said.

Jimin had just entered the restaurant, looking around for his old college friend. His gaze fell on the commotion at the far table. He didn't know Mrs. Jeon, but the woman's apparent vulnerability made something inside him ache. The whispers and judgmental glances felt unbearable. Worse still, the younger woman at the table seemed just as cruel, rolling her eyes every time Mrs. Jeon faltered.

Jimin didn't think twice. He approached the waitress. "Excuse me, can you bring a new steak to that table? Have it cut into smaller pieces beforehand. And bring a straw for her drink."

The waitress hesitated, surprised by his request, but the sincerity in Jimin's voice prompted her to nod and move quickly. Moments later, Jimin himself carried the prepared plate and drink to Mrs. Jeon's table.

"Ma'am, I thought this might make things easier" he said softly, setting the items down. He shot a sharp glance at the young woman sitting with her. "And maybe more comfortable."

Mrs. Jeon froze, staring at him in astonishment. Her hands stopped trembling, the act momentarily forgotten as warmth spread through her chest. She thanked him with teary eyes.

"Such kindness" she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "What's your name, young man?"

"Park Jimin." He smiled gently before retreating to his own table.

Unbeknownst to him, Mrs. Jeon immediately took out her phone and dialed her son.

**

Jungkook arrived twenty minutes later, his tall frame and sharp features drawing everyone's attention. The moment he stepped inside, his mother waved him over, a sly smile on her face.

"Jungkook, meet Park Jimin" she said brightly, gesturing toward the table where Jimin sat.

Jungkook turned, his eyes locking with Jimin's. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jungkook felt a pull he couldn't quite explain, and Jimin, though surprised, felt something stir within him as well.

But as quickly as the moment came, they both recoiled internally.

Mrs. Jeon, however, was determined. "Jungkook, you need someone kind and thoughtful in your life. Jimin, you've already proven you have a good heart. I think you two should get to know each other."

Jungkook sighed. "Mom, you can't just..."

"Actually, I can." Mrs. Jeon's tone was final.

With no room to argue, Jungkook sat at Jimin's table. They exchanged polite words, but Jungkook couldn't take his eyes off the way Jimin's lips curled into soft smiles or how his cheeks flushed when their hands accidentally brushed. And when Jimin absentmindedly started fussing over his mother's drink, reminding her to take small sips, Jungkook felt his chest tighten.

It was the simple sweetness of Jimin's gestures, the way he didn't seem to expect recognition or reward, that made Jungkook's heart stutter for the first time.

**

Within a week, Mrs Jeon had approached Mrs. Park with a proposal. A quiet wedding followed, leaving Jimin and Jungkook tied to one another but unwilling to embrace their new reality.