A heart divided

In the bustling city of Seoul, Park Jimin was the heart of their close-knit friend group. Soft-spoken, kind, and glowing with a warmth that could melt the coldest winters, Jimin's presence was the one thing that brought comfort to everyone around him.

Two of his closest friends, Yoongi and Jungkook, found themselves in an unspoken rivalry—a rivalry rooted not in hatred but in love. Both of them had fallen deeply for Jimin, but neither had expressed it openly, fearing not only rejection but also ruining the beautiful bond the three of them shared.

Yoongi, with his quiet yet intense nature, always found solace in Jimin's understanding eyes. He adored the way Jimin would listen to him without judgment, always offering gentle words of encouragement. Yoongi, who was known to be cold and distant to others, felt completely at ease around Jimin. For Yoongi, Jimin was a safe haven.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of Yoongi. He was energetic, passionate, and bold. His affection for Jimin was harder to hide—often displayed through playful teasing, small gestures of care, and the way his eyes always sought Jimin in a crowded room. Jungkook couldn't imagine a world where Jimin wasn't by his side, smiling and laughing with him.

The rest of their friends, Namjoon, Jin, Hoseok, and Taehyung, noticed the subtle tension between Yoongi and Jungkook, but no one dared to address it outright. After all, both were their brothers, and they trusted that they’d handle their feelings in their own time.

One autumn evening, the group gathered for a weekend getaway in the countryside. Surrounded by nature, the air was filled with a peaceful calm that seemed to mirror Jimin’s gentle aura. They laughed over shared stories, enjoyed Jin's amazing cooking, and played games by the fireplace. Yet, there was an undercurrent of unspoken emotions between Yoongi, Jungkook, and Jimin.

That night, as the stars shone brightly in the sky, Yoongi found himself sitting beside Jimin on the porch. He had always been good with words when it came to writing lyrics, but in Jimin’s presence, words seemed to escape him. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yoongi softly broke the silence.

“Jimin, I… I have something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while.”

Jimin looked at him with those same understanding eyes, his heart fluttering slightly, sensing the gravity of Yoongi’s words.

“I love you. I’ve loved you for so long, and I’ve been too scared to say it. But I can’t keep it to myself anymore.”

Jimin’s breath hitched. He always knew Yoongi cared for him deeply, but hearing those words still took him by surprise. Before he could respond, another voice cut through the quiet night.

“I love you too, Jimin.”

Jungkook stood at the doorway, his gaze unwavering as he walked towards them, standing beside Yoongi. Unlike Yoongi’s quiet confession, Jungkook’s was filled with a passionate sincerity.

“I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember. Every day with you makes me realize I don’t want to live without you, Jimin.”

Jimin felt overwhelmed, his heart torn between two people he held dear. He had always admired Yoongi’s quiet strength, the way he understood him on a level that few others did. But with Jungkook, there was a spark, a deep connection that felt alive and raw, like they had been meant to find each other in every lifetime.

The rest of the group, sensing the seriousness of the moment, gave them space, retreating to their rooms while leaving the three to figure it out.

For days after their confessions, Jimin struggled with his feelings. He didn’t want to hurt either of them. He loved both Yoongi and Jungkook in different ways, but as time passed, he realized where his heart truly belonged.

It was a quiet afternoon when Jimin approached Yoongi, finding him sitting at the piano, lost in his own thoughts. Sitting beside him, Jimin gently placed his hand on Yoongi’s, causing the older man to look up with a soft smile.

“Yoongi,” Jimin began, his voice barely above a whisper, “I love you. I’ll always love you. But I’ve realized that the love I have for you is more like that of family. You’ve been there for me when I needed someone the most, and I’ll forever be grateful. But…”

Yoongi smiled gently, his eyes betraying a hint of sadness but also understanding. He knew what Jimin was going to say before the words left his mouth.

“You love Jungkook,” Yoongi finished, his voice soft but accepting. “I’ve seen the way you look at him. It’s okay, Jimin. I want you to be happy, and if he’s the one who makes you happy, then that’s all I could ever ask for.”

Tears welled up in Jimin’s eyes as he hugged Yoongi tightly. “Thank you for understanding.”

Later that day, Jimin found Jungkook by the lake, skipping stones across the water. Jungkook looked up as Jimin approached, his heart racing, unsure of what Jimin’s decision would be. Without a word, Jimin stepped closer, taking Jungkook’s hands in his own.

“I choose you, Jungkook,” Jimin whispered, his eyes shining with a love that was as deep as the ocean before them.

Jungkook’s eyes widened, disbelief and joy flooding his face. “You… you do?”

Jimin nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I’ve loved you for a long time too. I just didn’t realize it until now.”

Jungkook pulled Jimin into a tight embrace, his heart pounding in his chest. “I won’t let you regret this, Jimin. I promise.”

As the sun began to set, the group gathered one last time by the campfire. There was no tension, no awkwardness. Yoongi, while heartbroken, was at peace with Jimin’s choice, knowing that love was not something to be forced. He knew he’d always have a place in Jimin’s heart, even if it wasn’t in the way he had once hoped.

Surrounded by his friends—his family—Jimin smiled, his heart finally at ease. He looked at Jungkook, whose hand was now intertwined with his, and then at Yoongi, who gave him a reassuring nod from across the fire. Everyone was at peace, and love—whether romantic or platonic—was abundant.

And that was all Jimin had ever wanted.