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minjoon | 1.7k words | strangers to lovers, single parent joon

Jimin sighs, gently shutting the book in his lap after another unsuccessful attempt. His mind simply refuses to absorb any of the words, and even though he’s read over the first line a number of times, he wouldn’t be able to tell anyone what it said. He bends to put the book in his backpack before straightening in his seat to look out the window.

A brilliant display of pink, purple and orange lights up the river, shimmering as the sun kisses it. Jimin resists the urge to reach for one of his larger cameras, and settles for using his phone instead. The images still turn out wonderfully, and he smiles to himself as he swipes through them.

The sea truly is beautiful, especially at this time of year, and Jimin is suddenly glad he chose to take this trip.

No one else on his team wanted to travel to spend a year living in the smaller city near the sea, so Jimin stepped in to accept the assignment. It involved extensive photography and documentation of a variety of materials, both of which he excelled at. It was also easy for him to pack up and move from his apartment for the year away, especially when he didn’t really have any close friends.

Maybe if I’m lucky, I won’t have to move back.

He takes a deep breath and returns his gaze to the window, the train pulling away from running alongside the sea. A few minutes later, the announcement for the next station sounds through the speakers, and Jimin gathers his things. He only has a medium-sized suitcase, two bags for his cameras and a backpack, while the rest of his belongings will be arriving in a few weeks once he’s found a place to stay for the year.

He carefully makes his way down the aisle of the train car, leaning against the pole in front of the doors. They slide open after the train slows to a stop, and Jimin pulls out his phone after he steps out on the platform. He clicks the address for where he’ll be staying until he finds an apartment. It’s only supposed to be a five-minute walk, so he quickly makes his way off the platform after finding the directions.

The short walk brings him to a smaller building, one with a shoe shop beneath it. Jimin walks to the door at the side and presses the button.

“Hello?” A familiar voice crackles through the speakers, seemingly distracted.

Jimin leans in to answer, “Hi, this is Park Jimin? I’m—”

“Ah yes, come up to the second floor!”

The door clicks and Jimin reaches out to push it open, rolling his suitcase in as he steps through. He eyes the stairs, then decides to leave his suitcase off to the side so he can carry his camera bags and backpack up first. He quickly makes his way up the stairs, pausing in the open doorway when he makes it to the top.

“Hello?” he calls, peering inside.

A taller man with silver hair appears in the doorway, motioning him inside. “Come in, I left the door open for you.”

Jimin dips his head and he moves over the threshold. “Seokjin-ssi…?”

“That’s me,” Seokjin confirms with a smile. “Sorry, I was in the middle of wrapping up some things for the week ahead.”