Chapter Text
Jimin's own eyes looked back at him in the rearview mirror. He rubbed at his eye bags and pulled at his cheeks, trying to smooth out the stress wrinkles. Sighing, he gathered his things and stood outside the car, letting his shirt open a few buttons. The summer humidity pressed in on all sides, it could only be worse inside.
Most people tend to frequent the club to pick up partners and grab a private room. This left the main space relatively empty. Jimin breathed in the familiar scent of sweat, perfume, and leather conditioner. The smell of playtime. Although lately Jimin found himself playing less and less. It had been almost 3 months since he had last stepped inside.
Jimin shoved his keys into his pockets as he chose a booth to slide into. He turned to the side, letting his legs hang out and his head rest against the seat. He recognised many of the mingling faces, quickly looking away in case they mistook his eye contact for an invitation. A waiter dressed in small shorts and a loose gray top offered him a tray of assorted drinks. He waved them away with a tired smile, despite the dryness behind his teeth. Jimin sighed.
What am I even doing here right now?
He stood, smoothed the front of his slacks, and made his way to the bar. He nodded at the tender, quietly ordering his usual. He hadn't even settled into his stool before someone was vying for his attention.
"Hey there, handsome. Wanna snag a playroom?" Jimin scoffed.
"Not a shot, princess. I'm not the one you're looking for."
"I can domme for you, pretty." Jimin willed the frustrated flush from his cheeks. He ignored her as the bartender slid his glass forward. Her fruity perfume lingered under his nose as she breezed past. Jimin's head started to spin.
"Not looking for a partner then. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed." Two broad shoulders slid into the stool next to him. Jimin tilted his head in their direction.
"Then I appreciate your honesty. But you are correct." Jimin licks his lips, the alcohol doing little to wet his throat. He sighed into his glass, sliding it forward with a couple of bills.
"You're heading out already?" Jimin gently slid out off the stool, wiping his clammy hands down his thighs.
"Yeah I should..." His vision went fuzzy. Only, a little unsteady on his feet, he gripped onto the counter at his side.
"You alright?" The stranger was in front of him. Jimin pressed his chapped lips together. This wasn't an unfamiliar feeling. He turned back to the bar.
"Water, please." He croaked. The tender slid forward a tall glass.
"On the house." Jimin leaned onto the counter and took a small sip.
"I thought you were going down for a second there." Jimin shrugged, resting his head in his hands. The stranger crowded into his space.
"Sit. Please. Drink slowly." Jimin took another sip and slid back into the stool. The stranger took the one next to him, asking for another glass.
"You'll have to forgive me. I'm a doctor at the clinic down the street. I don't mean to bother you." Jimin waved away his words.
"I'm just dehydrated. It will pass." Jimin clamped his hands over his ears and groaned as another group joined them.
"Namjoon hyung!" One of them yelled. The stranger next to him shushed them quickly. Jimin folded into the counter and rested his forehead on his arms.
"Who's this? Should we find another ride home?" Namjoon shook his head.
"We can leave as soon as you guys want." Jimin slowly raised his head and took another sip of water.
"You don't look so good." One of the group leaned into his space, yet again, studying his face.
"Thanks." Namjoon stood and looked down at them.
"Taehyung, any chance you have any of your drink packets? He's really dehydrated." Tae ruffled through his bag, pulling a pack from his collection.
"Here," he ripped it open with his teeth and poured half into each glass. He plucked a straw from the basket and stirred.
"Drink up okay? You'll feel better." Jimin mouthed at the straw, sipping down the, now salty, water.
"I'm also sorry about before. Of course you look good." The younger smirked down at him.
"But you also look tired." Taehyung pouted down at him, smoothing Jimin's hair back with his palm.
"I am."
"Let's get you home then, hm?" Jimin pushed the empty glass forwards and dunked his straw into the next one. Behind him Namjoon was gesturing wildly at the group.
"You'll have to forgive us, my hyungs are pretty loud." Jimin shrugged.
"They're allowed to be." Taehyung hummed. Now that his head wasn't pounding, Jimin sat up a little straighter and studied the group behind him.
"We're a strange group. But I promise we mean no harm." Jimin look up into his face.
"That's what serial killers say." Taehyung threw his head back in a deep laugh. Jimin eyed the column of his throat, shining with sweat.
"I suppose so. But I don't think hyung's have a mean bone in their body. Or Jungkookie despite his muscles." Taehyung gestured at a young man, definitely muscular, in a black compression shirt and sweatpants. Taehyung stepped up against his back, resting a firm hand on his chest.
"Lean into me. You must be exhausted." And he was. Jimin rested against Taehyung's firm torso as he introduced his hyungs.
"Jin hyung will cook you the best meal you've ever had. And send you with leftovers for days. Namjoonie hyung works at the clinic down the road. We keep saying he should be at a hospital or ER instead. He's so smart..." Taehyung hadn't even mentioned all their names before Jimin was snoring gently against him. Taehyung gestured wildly at his hyungs as he kept Jimin steady with the other.
"Oh my goodness, this sweet angel." Seokjin brushed a knuckle under his eyes as he looked the younger over.
"He's worked himself to the bone hyung. I don't wanna wake him up."
"I also don't want to kidnap him." Jin smiled wryly. Namjoon joined his side. He rubbed a firm hand over Jimin's chest, trying to gently jostle him.
"What's your name, sweet."
"Jimin." He groaned, rubbing at his eyes. Seokjin gently moved his hand away.
"Okay, Jimin-ah. Did you take a cab? Can we send you home?"
"We can't just send him! He can barely sit upright." Jimin titled his head back. Taehyung had a protective hand on each shoulder and was pouting down at Namjoon.
"Jimin-ah would you like to come back with us? We can set you up in the living room all comfy." Jimin let his head roll to look at the group.
"Or we can take you to your home." Jin supplied.
So do I let them take me home and kill me or kidnap me first. It'd be way to embarrassing to die in my own apartment.
"You're home." He muttered. Everyone started moving at once. Seokjin left some money for the bartender and began ushering the rest of the group out to fetch the car. Taehyung stayed as Jimin's backrest and held his water glass, encouraging him to finish it.
"Hyungs are going to fuss over you all night. They can't help it." He whispered conspiratorially. Taehyung and Namjoon sandwiched Jimin between them, holding him at the upper arms and guiding him into the passenger seat.
"I'm not sure if you normally get car sick, but if you're going to- now seems like the time." Jungkook offered, holding on to the wheel awkwardly. Jimin nodded gratefully. Taehyung held onto his hand as he climbed into the SUV, shutting the door once he was buckled in.
"Let's get you home, hyung. I hope you don't mind me assuming, you look about Taehyung's age."
"October, '95." Jungkook hummed.
"Yeah, hyung. Let's go home."