For what feels like an eternity, nobody moves, nobody speaks. The box slips from Aeri’s hands, but it doesn’t hit the floor. She drops it and immediately catches it again, nearly stumbling forward in the process.
“Jimin?”
The name comes out small and disbelieving. The woman standing in the doorway freezes, and for the first time since he'd met her, he genuinely freezes too. Then Aeri lets out a strangled noise that sounds suspiciously like a sob.
“Oh my God.”
The box hits the floor properly this time as Aeri launches herself forward so quickly that Jimin barely has time to brace before she collides with her. Arms around her neck nearly knocking her backwards into the apartment.
Jimin lets out a surprised laugh.
“Aeri-”
“What the fuck?” Aeri breaks slightly, tears forming. “What the actual fuck?”
She pulls back just enough to stare at her, then immediately hugs her again, even harder than before.
Jimin's arms wrap around her automatically. “Aeri.”
“You bitch.”
“Aeri.”
“You absolute fucking asshole.”
“Aeri.”
“Why didn't you tell me you were back?”
The way she asks the question sounds out genuinely upset, not angry, just hurt.
Jimin's smile fades slightly. “I don't know.”
“That's not an answer.”
“I know.”
“You were just going to what, keep it secret forever?”
Jimin's shoulders shake, she's laughing again, which only seems to make Aeri more emotional.
“You didn't tell me!”
“I know.”
“You didn't tell me!”
“I know.”
“Jimin, I thought you were still in Korea!”
Jimin winces. “Yeah.”
“You said you were staying at least another year.”
“I know.”
“You missed my birthday.”
“I know.”
“You missed Christmas.”
“I know.”
“You missed-”
“Aeri.”
The way she says her name is softer than any other word she’s spoken. Immediately, Aeri's mouth snaps shut and for a moment, neither of them says anything. Then Aeri's eyes start watering properly. “You’re here, you're actually here.”
For a moment, Jimin doesn't say anything. Then she reaches up and gently cups the side of Aeri's face. “Yeah,” she says quietly. “I'm here.”
That seems to be the final straw. Aeri makes another strangled noise and throws her arms around her again. “Oh my God.”
Jimin laughs helplessly. “Aeri-”
“No.”
“Aeri.”
“No.” Aeri shakes her head violently against her shoulder. “You don't get to talk right now.”
“Right.”
“You don't get to explain.”
“Okay.”
“You definitely don't get to apologise.”
Jimin lets out a breath that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. “Got it.”
“You vanished.” The words come out muffled. “You literally vanished.”
Something flickers across Jimin's face. “I know.”
“You left me on read for over a month.”
27 likes from honeynutcornflakes, readeroncest, Nashty21, YujinnieWinter, iMARKurmom, champagnecoast, SaboSmile, PinkBlood, sirwalterlox, ty, JadeViper, Sullyoonist, WACHOWism, voltaire, englishaboutconfidence, DaphneBlue, samael, Seantopeae, topslo1, and banks, .