Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jimin bites his lip as he looks over the pictures Ironman97 sent him. For a year now, Jimin’s been spending hundreds of dollars on this guy. The first time Jimin laid eyes on him was on tumblr. He doesn’t go on tumblr very often, but when he does, he likes looking at pretty people.

He had been scrolling through his endless feed of beautiful faces and bodies when he stumbled upon a rather revealing picture of a guy. His face wasn’t showing, but his body was on full display, hard cock against his toned stomach. The text beneath it detailed that the guy depicted was going to start selling his nudes, and that he didn’t expect much business, but that he hoped at least a few people would buy.

Jimin is one of those few people. 

He didn’t care why Ironman97 started selling his nudes or how many people have seen him naked. Jimin is a lonely grad student who hasn’t dated in a few years and he swears that this guy is the most perfect specimen he’s ever laid his eyes on. Between class and his nose being constantly buried in a book, Jimin likes to beat it to pictures of him.

The two of them have kind of grown a bond over the past year. It’s pretty obvious that Jimin’s his number one customer by the ways he’s treated. Ironman97 almost always throws in a few extra shots or videos for him. Jimin is a broke bitch, but he always has some extra cash for his online love.

SaveTheWhales: Ironman

Ironman97: Jiminie. Hello (:

SaveTheWhales: my birthday is coming up soon...

Ironman97: Is it? October 13, right?

SaveTheWhales: Yep. What’re u  gonna get me?

Ironman97: Actually, I’ve been thinking...

SaveTheWhales: about?

Ironman97: I want to give u something special for your birthday. Any requests?

Jimin thinks for a moment as he stares at his phone. He’s actually been wanting this one thing for a really long time...

SaveTheWhales: face pic?

SaveTheWhales: if it’s not too much

Ironman97: actually I’m happy to send u a face pic

Ironman97: don’t be shocked when u see my face

Ironman97: I’m ugly ):

SaveTheWhales: yeah I seriously doubt that lmao

Ironman97: I’m telling the truth

SaveTheWhales: literally nothing could ever make you ugly, just saying.

Ironman97: I bet ur hot

SaveTheWhales: if you think not showering in a week and a half is hot

Ironman97: maybe I do

SaveTheWhales: gross lol

Ironman97: your personality is hot so you’re probably hot too

SaveTheWhales: idk. I’m a broke ass grad student. There’s not much that’s hot about that.

Ironman97: your financial status doesn’t matter. Besides, you’re about to graduate soon, aren’t you?

SaveTheWhales: Yeah

Ironman97: when you do, let’s meet up and fuck

Jimin’s eyes widen a little and he chokes on his water. Forward much? Ironman really doesn’t beat around the bush, does he? 

SaveTheWhales: u sure? What if I’m a forty year old  man?

Ironman97: id still fuck u lol

SaveTheWhales: who said you’d be the one fucking me?

Ironman97: (;

Ironman97: id definitely be  the one fucking you.

Jimin bites his lip.

SaveTheWhales: I’ll send twenty bucks to ur PayPal if u send me a video

Ironman97: done. I’ll send it in ten minutes.

Jimin immediately goes to send the money. At this point, he trusts Ironman. He knows he won’t take his money and run. He knows he’ll receive the video, and he’s honestly really excited for it.

To kill some time, Jimin gets up and walks out of his dark room to go get something to eat. He’s been huddled up in his room for what feel like ages, so it’s nice to walk around a little and stretch his legs.

He quietly tiptoes to the refrigerator and is almost blinded by the bright light that beams when he swings the door open. The cool air that comes out feels good against Jimin’s flushed skin. He reaches into the appliance to grab a container labeled JK. He sneakily opens it up and sniffs it to make sure the left over jjajangmyeon is still good.

It might be his roommates food, but it’s been sitting in here for like four days. If he hasn’t eaten it already. He probably won’t any time soon.

Jimin’s roommate’s name is Jungkook. They’ve lived together for a little over a year now, but they’ve probably talked like ten times in total. Jimin has no time to socialize in person, and Jungkook is always in his room. Their arrangement, while it might seem awkward to outsiders, is actually pretty great. They don’t have to worry about being friends and they never fight. It’s honestly the perfect living situation.

As Jimin’s mind drifts to his roommate, he contemplates whether or not he should risk trying to microwave his food. If he does, not only will it be loud but Jungkook will definitely smell it. Deciding that cold jjajangmyeon really isn’t that bad, Jimin heads back to his room.

Jimin sits on his bed again, he opens up tumblr on his computer and clicks on his chat with Ironman to see a new video inside. 

Ironman97: There u go. Fresh vid. I came really fast for u.

SaveTheWhales: How sweet? Lol.

Ironman97: I want u to lick my abs is that weird

SaveTheWhales: not really. I want to lick ur abs too js 

Ironman97: Jimin where do u go to school?

SaveTheWhales: I’ll tell u after I graduate

Ironman97: u suck. Watch the video. I’m going to bed.

SaveTheWhales: bye 

Ironman97: bye night

Jimin sighs before clicking on the video Ironman had sent him. It starts off with a nice view of his shirtless torso, and then he angles to camera down towards his jeans. With one hand, he unbuttons his pants and pulls his cock right out of his underwear.

Jimin lets out an inaudible sigh as he stares at his screen without blinking. Now this is what perfection looks like. 

Sure, Jimin enjoys those exhibitionist videos Ironman sends him of him masturbating in the library or in a random stall at a busy place, but this is what he loves the most. He loves seeing Ironman on his own bed stroking his hard cock with a cute bejeweled butt plug in his ass.  Jimin bets his ass is so tight. What he wouldn’t give to fuck him—

Jimin’s suddenly interrupted by a knock on his door. Panicked, he slams his laptop closed and tries to hide his boner as he sits on his bed.

“C-come in.” He stutters, voice cracking. His door opens and Jungkook pops his head in. “Hi. Need something?” Jimin clears his throat.

“Have you seen my jjajangmyeon?” He asks.

Jimin pauses before automatically acting. He puts on a confused expression. “Jjajangmyeon?” He questions, bringing a hand up to his chin to really deliver this acting as well as he possibly can. “I can’t say I have. Where’s the last place you had it?”

Jungkook narrows his eyes a little at Jimin. “The fridge...”

“Oh, right.” Jimin nods awkwardly. “Yeah, that’s good. You wouldn’t want it to go bad or something.” He nods. “Really smart of you.”

Jungkook sighs. “So that’s a no, right?”

“A no to what?” Jimin asks.

“To knowing where my food went.”

“Oh, yeah. I mean, no—I mean, I haven’t seen your food.” Jimin shakes his head, really trying his hardest not to glance down at the open tupperware container sitting on his floor.

“Okay. Sorry to bother you then.” Jungkook sighs. Before he leaves though, he glances at Jimin one last time. “Also you seem really out of it. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself, okay?”

Jimin nods. “Yeah. I will. Thanks.” He smiles a little. Jungkook nods at him.

“I’m gonna head to bed then.”

“Okay. Goodnight.” Jimin waves.

“Night.” Jungkook closes Jimin’s door behind him and Jimin let’s out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. Before Jungkook can come back in, Jimin scoops the stolen jjajangmyeon up and shoves all of it into his mouth. He refuses to let Jungkook know that he stole it.

After five minutes of Jimin chewing in the darkness, he reopens his laptop to see the video of Ironman paused.

“Well... I’ll save this for tomorrow.” Jimin mumbles to himself. Jungkook almost catching him kind of ruined the moment, but he doesn’t want this video to go to waste. He’ll just have to cherish it some other time.

Glancing at the clock on his nightstand, Jimin decides to call it a night. It’s a little past midnight and he has class tomorrow at ten. He should try and get some sleep before he has to be up again.

With that, Jimin closes his laptop and heads towards the bathroom to brush his teeth. He then plops himself right into his bed and shuts his eyes. Moments like this are when Jimin is thankful that he’s a grad student. He’s gained the ability to fall asleep instantly. So using his superpower, Jimin falls into a deep sleep.

Ironman97: Hey

Ironman97: u there??

Ironman97: ur probably out having fun on ur  birthday.

Ironman97: sorry for bothering u. I’ll message u tomorrow~

Ironman97: Hey good morning, how are you?

Ironman97: how was your day yesterday?

Ironman97: Jimin?

Ironman97: goodnight

Ironman97: morning

Ironman97: yo

Ironman97: I’m probably being super annoying

Ironman97: want some pics? Freebies?

Ironman97: Jimin?? Where’d you go?

Ironman97: I’m starting to get really worried about you

Ironman97: are you okay?

Ironman97: I’m going to bed. pls  message me soon.

Ironman97: morning~~

Ironman97: goodnight 

Jungkook is nervous. He’s nervous and full of so much regret right now. He regrets sending Jimin a face pic because it’s been five days and he hasn’t gotten a response. He’s desperately hoping that he’s just busy or something. He absolutely hates this, and literally can’t stand not knowing why Jimin stopped talking to him. 

He needs some advice.

Jungkook gets up. He knows that his roommate his home. “Jimin.” Jungkook knocks on the bedroom door gently. He can hear rustling on the other side, then rushed footsteps before the door finally opens up.

“Y-yeah? What’s up?” Jimin asks rather awkwardly.

“Can we talk for a minute?” Jungkook responds in the same manner.

“S-sure.” Jimin stutters, coming out of his room and shutting the door behind him. Jungkook walks away into the shared space that is their tiny living room. He sits on the couch, and Jimin does the same.

“Am I ugly?” Jungkook asks.

“What?” Jimin’s taken off guard by the unexpected question.

“Am I ugly to you?”

“No, not at all.” Jimin shakes his head, a bit confused. “Why do you ask?”

“Well...” Jungkook clears his throat uncomfortably. “I… I've been talking to someone online.”

“Okay...” Jimin nods slowly. Is Jungkook confiding in him right now? He is, isnt he. Jimin didn’t realize their relationship was close enough for something like this.

“Here’s the thing, he hadn’t seen my face before, but yesterday I sent him some pictures of me and he stopped responding. I thought that maybe I’m actually hideous or something, and he was disgusted by me.” Jungkook shrugs dejectedly. He’s supposed to be asking for advice, but half of him is testing Jimin to see if he’ll give anything away. It’s been in the back of his mind that his roommate and his online love have way too many similarities.

At Jungkook’s conclusion, Jimin is stunned. How selfish is he? Of course Jungkook might get the wrong idea about something like that. The poor guy sent Jimin some face pics and Jimin—like the asshole he is—stopped responding to him. Jungkook must feel like he was just using him for his body.

“You’re not ugly at all, Jungkook. He’s probably just busy or something.” Jimin shrugs, trying to make excuses. “And if he doesn’t respond, he doesn’t know what he’s missing.” Jimin reaches out, putting a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder.

Jungkook begins second guessing everything at that statement. Don’t you usually say something like that when you’re not the culprit? Maybe Jungkook has just been pinning all of this onto an innocent guy.

“I can’t help but let it get to me.” Jungkook groans, resting his head in his hands. “I...” He sighs. “Can I be honest with you?”

“Of course.” Jimin nods.

“I kind of fell in love with him.” Jungkook admits. “That’s what makes all of this a million times worse.” The younger male lets his head fall into his hands. He lets out a big sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m just putting all of this on you...”

“N-no. Don’t apologize.” Jimin trails off. Jungkook loves him? The more he thinks about it, the more he begins to realize that he thinks he loves Jungkook too, and the more the guilt begins to eat away at him.

“He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. At least I think he is. I’ve never actually seen his face before, but I honestly don’t care at this point. I don’t care who he turns out to be. We always used to joke about him being some old man, but honestly, even if he was...” Jungkook doesn’t finish his sentence.

The words his roommate are saying really pulls at Jimin’s heartstrings. Why does he feel like such a terrible person? Why does he feel so shitty?

“You love him…” Jimin trails off.

“I don’t know what to do, Jimin.” Jungkook sighs. “Do you have any advice?”

Jimin frowns. He doesn’t. He has no advice for Jungkook on what to do because he’s the reason for his pain. “Maybe try messaging him again. He could just be busy. Maybe he’ll have his phone around him and will hear it go off and check.” He responds vaguely.

“Okay.” Jungkook nods. He’s unsatisfied with this advice, but what can Jimin really say to him? He’s thankful he’s even trying to help.

“Hey, Jungkook...” Jimin begins, almost on autopilot. No, I can’t tell him. He thinks to himself. “I have something to tell you.”

“Hmm?” Jungkook looks up.

Jimin’s mouth goes dry as him and Jungkook sit together on the couch, his hand still on the younger’s shoulder. “I want to be friends.”

Jungkook sits up a little at that. “Really?” He asks.

“Y-Yeah.” Jimin nods, trying to cover up his last minute explanation. “Do you... want to go get some food together?”

“You’re not busy tonight?” Jungkook asks.

“I can make some time... for you.” Jimin forces a smile. Jungkook smiles back at him.

“That would be great, Jimin.” Jungkook’s an idiot. He feels really bad for suspecting Jimin at all. He’s even treating him to dinner.

The two of them find themselves in one of the campus restaurants, but it’s pretty empty on a Thursday evening.

“So...” Jimin clears his throat, meeting Jungkook’s eyes as they sit across from each other.

“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Jungkook begins. “We’ve been roommates for over a year, but we’ve never really talked before.” He smiles a little shyly.

Jimin returns it, but he just feels so guilty. It almost hurts. “Let’s change that. Starting today.” Jimin holds his hand out and Jungkook shakes it, nodding in the process. "I hope we can become closer, Jungkook.” Jimin says. And he means it. He wants to really get to know Jungkook for who he is in real life and not just online. Maybe if he does that, Jungkook will forget about who he was talking to before. Or maybe if Jimin becomes really close to him, he’ll eventually tell Jungkook that it was him all along.

“Me too, Jimin. Thank you for cheering me up. I wish we had talked sooner. You seem like a really cool guy. Better late than never, right?” Jungkook grins happily. 

Although Jimin returns it, he can’t help but die a little inside. He doesn’t deserve to see Jungkook’s beautiful smile like this when he hurt him so bad. But he pushes his negative thoughts away. He doesn’t want to think about things like that. This is okay, right? Jungkook will never know. Jimin thinks to himself. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him… right?

“Yeah... better late than never."

Two months. That’s how much time has passed since Jimin found out. That’s how much time it’s taken for him to get close to Jungkook. Does he still feel guilty? Of course. Does he push that into the back of his mind every second of the day? Absolutely. Has it worked so far? Extremely well, actually.

“Jimin.” Jungkook calls once he walks into their shared apartment. Jimin pops his head out of his bedroom only to see Jungkook looking bright eyed and slightly awkward.

“What’s up?” Jimin asks, heart racing just being in Jungkook’s presence.

“You’ll never believe what happened to me just now.” Jungkook coughs awkwardly, approaching Jimin stiffly with his hands hidden behind his back.

“What?” Jimin smiles up at the cute bunny-like male before him.

Jungkook pulls two slips of paper out from behind his back. “Someone gave me these random tickets to this show tonight. I guess it’s a campus concert or something. Wanna go?” Jungkook smiles.

“Like… together?” Jimin blushes, surprised, but not at the same time. The two of them have been spending a lot of time together lately, so this isn’t too weird.

“Yeah, I mean, if you’re up for it. What do you say?” Jungkook bumps Jimin’s shudder playfully.

“I’d love to.” Jimin grins. You might be happy now, but you’ve been lying to him for two months. That little voice in the back of Jimin’s head reminds him. But he tries suppressing that, and keeps the smile on his face. “When does it start?”

“In like an hour. We should probably get ready if we want to get there in time.” Jungkook says, already jogging towards his room. “Thirty minutes, okay?” He points at Jimin, who nods.

“Thirty minutes.” He says. Jungkook closes his door and Jimin lets out a sigh. He returns to his bedroom and quickly changes his clothes, trying to make himself look decent and not like he hasn’t showered in a while, which he hasn’t because he’s been studying nonstop lately. To be honest, he can’t really remember the last time he really even slept. If it were anyone else asking him to go to something, Jimin would probably turn it down. But it’s Jungkook aka Ironman97 aka the person he’s pretty sure he’s in love with. 

After checking himself out in the mirror one last time and spraying himself down with some cologne, Jimin heads back out into the living room to see Jungkook sitting on the couch, waiting. “Ready to go?” The younger male stands.

“Yep.” Jimin nods, taking in the sight of Jungkook’s amazingly tight pants and beautifully styled hair. Next to Jungkook, Jimin feels like a serious eye sore. And that feeling doesn’t go away for the rest of the evening.

As the two of them reach the venue where the concert is being held, Jimin just wants to hide away. Everyone seems to be taking notice of Jungkook. They’re all smiling at him, greeting him. Random girls are going out of their way to tell him he’s handsome, and Jimin feels small and out of place.

“Hey.” Jungkook’s voice pulls Jimin out of his trance.

“Huh?”

“You’re falling behind. I don’t want to lose you.” Jungkook suddenly grabs onto Jimin’s hand. This isn’t just some casual hand grabbing either. Jungkook’s fingers are literally intertwined with Jimin’s as he pulls his roommate along with him through the crowd. Jimin’s heart speeds up. All he can focus on is the warmth of Jungkook’s hand against his. He even begins worrying about his hands becoming too sweaty. But Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, even after the two of them stop at the place they want to be at, Jungkook doesn’t let go.

“My hand isn’t too sweaty for you, is it?” Jimin asks, kind of testing the waters to see if Jungkook knows that he’s still holding onto Jimin or of it was all subconscious.

“No, it’s not. Are you nervous or something?” Jungkook jokes, leaning in towards Jimin’s ear.

“A little.” Jimin admits.

“Don’t be. I’m right here.” Jungkook flashes Jimin a friendly smile, holding onto his hand even tighter. Jimin’s mind is absolutely racing at this. He’s willingly holding Jimin’s hand right now. Jungkook aka Ironman97 aka the one Jimin’s in love with. “Hey, I’m gonna go get a drink. Want anything?”

Jimin nods, trying not to visibly frown at the lonely feeling he gets when Jungkook lets go of his hand. “Could you get me a beer?” He requests.

Jungkook’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise at Jimin’s choice of beverage, but he doesn’t say anything in protest. “Okay. I’ll be right back.” He begins to walk off and Jimin crosses his arms. He hopes that nobody will approach him while Jungkook’s gone. Unfortunately though, that doesn’t happen.

“Hi.” Jimin hears. He turns to see a really attractive and friendly looking guy approaching him.

“Oh, uh, hello.” Jimin greets him.

“Sorry. I don’t want to seem creepy. I’m Taehyung, Jungkook’s friend.” He introduces himself. Jimin relaxes at that statement.

“Oh, okay. I’m Jimin. Actually, I think I’ve seen you with him before.” Jimin nods, remembering.

“Really? You remember me?” Taehyung lights up a little, grinning happily. “Sorry. I don’t mean to freak out of seem weird but…” Taehyung averts his eyes away from Jimin. “I just think you’re like super attractive.”

Jimin is stunned. This guy thinks he’s attractive? Is this real life? “Oh, thank you. You’re attractive too.” Jimin responds almost robotically, but Taehyung doesn’t seem to catch that through all of his excitement.

“Really?” He blushes. “I used to have to biggest crush on you, you know. I kind of still do, but Jungkook told me that you’re talking to someone…”

“Yeah, I am.” Jimin nods firmly. Even though he’s not, he likes to think that he’s talking to Jungkook.

“I figured someone like you would be taken already.” Taehyung smiles, not trying to pry at Jimin. “So, did you come alone?”

“Huh? No. I came with Jungkook. I thought that’s why you approached me.” Jimin says, a bit confused.

“Jungkook’s here? He told me he wasn’t coming when I told him about this a while ago.” Taehyung frowns, thinking. “He had bought tickets a while ago but…”

“He bought them? He told me someone gave them to him…” Jimin trails off. Does this mean Jungkook lied to him? To be honest, he’s not mad. He’s just confused.

“Hey, they had some weird spiced beer so I—oh.” Jimin and Taehyung both hear Jungkook’s voice approaching. “Tae, what’re you doing here?” Jungkook questions his friend as he hands Jimin his beverage.

“I came with Yoongi, but I lost him a while ago. I saw Jimin standing here by himself so I decided to introduce myself. I didn’t know you’d be here. You told me you didn’t want to come.” Taehyung crosses his arms suspiciously.

Jungkook clears his throat. “What? I can’t change my mind?” He questions.

“I never said that. I’m just surprised.” Taehyung explains.

“I thought you said you were given the tickets, Jungkook.” Jimin adds quickly.

“I…”

“Taehyung said that you bought them a while ago.”

Jungkook meets Jimin’s eyes. “Well… I… I didn’t know how to ask you to go without seeming weird. What was I supposed to say? Hey, Jimin, I bought two tickets for us to go to this concert, wanna go?” Jungkook shakes his head.

“Uh, yeah. That’s exactly how you should’ve asked me.” Jimin chuckles. “You don’t have to beat around the bush with me, you should know that by now.” Jimin laughs, playfully smacking Jungkook’s arm.

If Jungkook’s honest right now, getting to know Jimin has been just as bad for him as it’s been good. The good part is that he hasn’t really tried to contact the Jimin from online much, but the bad part is that he thinks he’s beginning to have a crush on his roommate. Actually not beginning to. He does have a crush on his roommate.

Jungkook can’t help but blush at Jimin’s statement. Right. They’re close now. He shouldn’t be so nervous.

“Right. You’re right.” Jungkook nods. “I’m an idiot.” He plays it off, laughing. Taehyung narrows his eyes, smiling at that.

“No, you’re not. It was just a little misunderstanding is all.” Jimin smiles.

“Hey, um...” Taehyung cuts in. “I’m gonna go, but you guys have fun, okay?” He spins around and walks off without waiting for a response.

Jimin and Jungkook are both thoroughly confused.

“Is he always like that?” Jimin questions.

“No, actually...” Jungkook frowns a little in confusion, but shrugs it off. “Here’s to having a good time.” Jungkook holds his beer up. Jimin clinks his plastic cup against Jungkook’s happily.

“A good time.” Jimin echoes, nodding.

-

Jimin’s not exactly drunk. He’s not exactly tipsy either. He’s somewhere in the middle right now.

Currently, him and Jungkook are sitting in a pizza place near their apartment, laughing over an extra-large supreme pizza with tears in their eyes.

“I’m serious.” Jungkook chuckles, taking another bite of his food. “The dude really thought I was his son. I don’t know how he got me and a fifteen year old mixed up but...” Jungkook shrugs.

Jimin swears he’s about to die from laughing so much. In all honesty, the story Jungkook’s telling him isn’t really all that funny, but Jimin’s tipsy and doesn’t care.

“No matter how much you tell me that story, it never gets old.” Jimin snorts happily. It’s not the first time Jungkook has told him this. “Oh, Ironman...” Jimin laughs carelessly, barely realizing what he’s just said

But Jungkook notices.

Oh boy, does he notice.

“What did you just call me?” Jungkook asks, sitting up straight in his seat.

Jimin’s laughter begins to die down and he suddenly sobers up. “Uh...” What did he just call Jungkook?

“Did you just call me Ironman?” Jungkook’s confused and he’s starting to get a little angry. “Jimin...”

“Jungkook, Wait. I can explain.” Jimin starts panicking as he starts understanding the full situation here, hands raised defensively and eyes wide.

“You’re—have you been the Jimin I’ve been talking to online this whole time?” Jungkook finally puts two and two together.

“I...” Jimin swallows hard, terrified. Everything that he didn’t want to happen is happening right now.

“I can’t believe this.” Jungkook stares at Jimin in disbelief. “You’re really him? Aren’t you?”

“...Yeah.” Jimin finally nods weakly. “I am.”

Jungkook laughs humorlessly, tongue poking his cheek in an annoyed fashion like he always does. “Wow.”

“Jungkook, just let me expl—“

“No. I won’t let you explain.” Jungkook raises his voice, standing. “If you knew it was me, you had plenty of time to explain.” He shouts.

It seems like the whole restaurant goes quiet as Jimin gets berated. “Jungkook—“

“Please don’t talk to me right now.” Jungkook throws his napkin down onto the table. He feels so lost, so confused. Jimin is Jimin, as in the person he’s been talking to online for over a year now. Is this some kind of joke? Some twisted, fucked up joke?

So many questions are swirling through Jungkook’s mind right now. How long has he known? Why didn’t he say anything? Was he planning on blackmailing Jungkook?

Why did I let myself fall for him? Both versions?

All Jungkook can do now is leave the restaurant. He doesn’t even go to his apartment. He goes straight to Yoongi and Taehyung’s place.

He doesn’t bother knocking on the door as he walks inside. “Whoa. What’re you doing here?” Yoongi asks as him and Taehyung are sitting on their little couch.

“I lied to you guys.” Jungkook says, emotionlessly and emotionally at the same time. “I never met that Jimin guy. We talked online. I had never even seen him before but now... now I have.” Jungkook can barely finish his sentence. He’s not crying or screaming or anything like that. He’s confused. Baffled. Why didn’t he see it before? He’s angry at himself.

“Jungkook...” Taehyung looks at his friend in shock. “Does that mean...?”

“That I’m a fucking idiot? Yeah. Yes, it does.” Jungkook sits, resting his head in his hands. “Just—can I stay here for a little while?”

“Wait, wait, wait...what? I’m so lost. Can you please explain to me what’s going on here?” Yoongi asks.

“My roommate. He’s... he’s the one I’ve been talking to all this time.” Jungkook shakes his head, eyes closed. He doesn’t want to believe it. “He’s the one I’ve been talking to for a fucking year and I didn’t even know it. I feel... vulnerable. He’s known who I was and he’s seen things and I’ve told him things and—and—“ Jungkook grabs fistfuls of his hair in frustration.

“Hey, calm down, okay?” Taehyung coos with a soothing voice. “It’ll be okay.”

“No it won’t be.” Jungkook raises his voice. He can feel a lump forming in the back of his throat, but he doesn’t want to cry. “It’s not okay. He lied to me.”

“I know, but—“

“But nothing, Tae. I can’t.” Jungkook shakes his head. “I can’t do it. I feel so betrayed.”

Taehyung frowns and looks to Yoongi. “Let him stay for a few days.” He says to his roommate.

Yoongi only nods, a concerned look in his eyes. For as long as he’s known Jungkook, he’s never seen him like this. “Okay... let me get you a pillow and blanket, man.” Yoongi stands up from the couch to get the items he mentioned while Taehyung guides Jungkook over to the couch.

“Just relax, Kook. I’ll go get you some water.” Tae tells him. He leaves Jungkook alone for a moment and in that moment, Jungkook feels like he wants to break down and let it all out. He doesn’t know what to do.

Jimin is Jimin. And he lied. And that’s all that matters.

Jimin has been in bed, staring at the ceiling for twenty minutes now, the events of last night replaying in his head.

“I can’t believe this. You’re really him? Aren’t you?”

Jimin, although he had been drinking last night, remembers the disappointment that he had seen on Jungkook’s face. It’s so fresh and clear in his mind. He looked almost disgusted. Why wouldn’t he? Who would want to date Jimin, right?

“I’m an idiot.” He sighs. Two months of building up a friendship only to have it all crumble down before him. And the worst part? He still has major feelings for Jungkook. Major feelings that he’ll never be able to act on. “He probably hates me now.” Jimin tells himself. He rests his arm over his eyes. The scene replays again, and it forces Jimin out of bed. He doesn’t want to think about it any longer. It’s depressing him. So he tries to be productive.

He cleans. He cleans like he’s never cleaned before and never will again. He scrubs, washes, sweeps, mops, and he swears he can see his reflection in every surface in his apartment.

And it’s only been three hours. And he’s still alone. Jungkook hasn’t come back, and Jimins not sure if he ever will.

Deciding he should just move onto the next task, Jimin locks himself in his bedroom to study. He studies and studies until his brain feels fried. But even then, he studies. It’s the only thing worthwhile to distract him.

But after a little while, he forgets how to read, and he’s forced to get some air. He decides to take the stairs to kill some time, walking three flights to the ground floor. It doesn’t take him long before he’s pushing the doors open and letting the cool, night air hit him. The day really seems to have passed by quickly. Was he really studying for that long?

As he’s thinking that, Jimin realizes how hungry he is. “When was the last time I ate?” He mumbles to himself. Now, he can feel just how dry his mouth is too. “When was the last time I drank anything? I feel weird.”

And like that, he’s out.

-

Jungkook doesn’t want to return back to his apartment, but he has to. He needs clothes if he’s gonna crash at his friends place. He’s just hoping that either Jimin isn’t there, or he’s in his room so he doesn’t have to see him. He slept on it, and he still doesn’t think he can forgive Jimin right away. The worst part though? Even though he found out that it was his roommmate this whole time, he still has feelings for him. Major ones.

Jungkook rounds the corner and slows down when his apartment building comes into view. Great. He thinks. He recognizes the outline of Jimin standing outside the doors. Maybe he should just turn back. Maybe he should just—

“Jimin?” The name escapes Jungkook’s mouth as he watches his roommate suddenly fall onto the pavement below him. “Jimin!” Jungkook’s whisper turns into a shout and he finds himself sprinting towards the other male. “Hey, Jimin.” Jungkook kneels in front of him, picking him up, trying to get him to stand or sit or something, but he’s limp. He’s limp, but he’s breathing. 

Jungkook acts quickly, dialing 119 as fast as he can and explaining his situation to the dispatcher. He knows he probably sounds so panicked. Who wouldn’t? He wanted to avoid Jimin, but what would’ve happened if he really had? What if Jimin were just left out here? Then what?

Jungkook, anxiety ridden as he waits for the ambulance, can’t help but feel guilty. He was only gone for a day, but look? Look at what happened. 

“Jimin, please.” Jungkook begs, hitting his cheek lightly. But Jimin doesn’t respond.

After maybe five minutes, an ambulance finally shows up and Jungkook immediately hops into the back with Jimin, holding his hand the whole way to the hospital. He can barely hear what the paramedics are saying to him as they’re taken to the emergency room. Jungkook is hoping and praying that he won’t get any bad news.

“It’s nothing serious.” The doctor tells Jungkook, who closes his eyes and takes a deep breath at that. “But...”

“But?” Jungkook’s eyes snap open.

“When was the last time he ate or drank anything?” The doctor asks. Jungkook racks his brain. He’s assuming Jimin hadn’t eaten anything all day, so what about yesterday? They didn’t eat at the concert. They just had beer.

“I-I can’t remember.” Jungkook admits, looking to Jimin with concern plastered on his face. “When will he wake up?”

“He should come to soon.” The doctor reassures the worried male. “Once he wakes up, we’ll check his vitals and then hopefully discharge him.”

Jungkook nods and bows, sincerely thanking the doctor. “Thank you very much.”

“No problem. Just make sure he takes better care of himself.” He walks off, leaving Jungkook to watch Jimin. He shakily seats himself next to Jimin’s bed and grabs onto his hand.

“I told you, Jimin. I told you to take better care of yourself. Now look what you’ve gone and done.” Jungkook swallows down the emotions that starts threatening to surface. He doesn’t want this to ever happen again, but he can’t help but feel responsible.

He just hopes that Jimin will wake up soon.

-

Jimin wakes up feeling groggy and weird. The first thing he sees is the ceiling above him, which doesn’t look familiar. The first thing he feels is warm hands on his own.

He looks over to see Jungkook leaning over with his hands clasped around Jimin’s. “J-Jungkook?” He can barely get out.

Jungkook’s head snaps up and a look of relief floods his features. “Jimin, you’re awake.” He says, sighing.

“What happened? Where are we?” Jimin tries sitting up, but Jungkook pushes him back down.

“Don’t try to get up. We’re at the hospital. You collapsed.” Jungkook tells him, a dark expression on his face.

“I did?” Jimin thinks back. Now that he thinks about it, he does remember things getting a little fuzzy when he went to get some air. “I did...”

“What’s wrong with you?” Jungkook suddenly raises his voice, irritated. “I thought I told you to take better care of yourself.”

Jimin meets Jungkooks eyes and can’t help the tears that begin to form. “I-I’m sorry. I just—“

“You just what? You can’t neglect yourself like that. Do you know how worried you made me?”

“You were worried about me?” Jimin questions, now sniffling.

“Of course I was. I’m not heartless, you know.”

“I... I never thought you were.” Jimin frowns.

“Don’t do this again.”

“Okay.”

“Promise me, Jimin.” Jungkook says firmly.

“I promise.” Jimin nods slowly.

“Good. I’ll go get the doctor.” Jungkook gets up, leaving Jimin alone. He sighs. 

“Why is he...?” Jimin trails off. He thought he’d never see Jungkook again, to be honest. He’s not sure whether he should be happy or upset that he’s here with him.

“Alright.” A voice says. Jimin turns to see a doctor walking towards his bed along with Jungkook. “I’m just gonna check a few things and then you should be all ready to leave.”

Jimin nods and goes along with the tests and soon enough, he’s leaving with Jungkook.

“We’re gonna have to walk.” Jungkook tells Jimin once they’re outside. “Wanna... wanna get on my back?”

“No, no.” Jimin shakes his head, blushing. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Alright.” Jungkook shrugs. He begins walking away and Jimin attempts to follow after him, but stumbles and falls. Jungkook sighs. “Get on.” He crouches down so his back is to Jimin.

“No, I’m—“

“Jimin, don’t argue with me.” Jungkook raises his voice a little. Not wanting to argue, Jimin does as he’s told, climbing onto Jungkooks back. The latter stands, readjusting Jimin on his back before he begins walking again.

It’s silent between the two of them. Jimin likes the feeling of Jungkooks warmth below him and the clean scent of his hair.

“Do you hate me?” Jimin asks without wanting to. The words just come out.

“No.” Jungkook let’s out a big sigh. “I don’t hate you.”

“You don’t? Why not? You should.”

“Why would I?”

“I don’t know. Because I kept the fact that I knew who you were from you.” Jimin shrugs.

“Why? Why didn’t you say something to me?” Jungkook asks.

“I was scared.” Jimin frowns. “What was I supposed to say to you? Hey, Jungkook, I’m the one you’ve been selling your nudes to for the past year? No way.”

Jungkook smirks a little. “I guess you’re right. That doesn’t sound like it would’ve went well. Not that things went well anyway.”

Jimin pauses. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s... it’s fine.” Jungkook says. It’s silent for a little while longer before he speaks again. “If I’m gonna be honest with you...”

“What?”

“I still...” Jungkook swallows hard. “I still have the same feelings for you that I did before I knew.”

Jimin is stunned. He doesn’t know what to say. “R-really?”

“Yeah. I woke up and realized that even though I’m mad at you, I still care about you. A lot.” He admits.

Jimin doesn’t know if he should scream in joy or start sobbing. “I... feel the same way.”

“You do? I thought that you stopped talking to me because you didn’t like that it was me.” Jungkook says. His hands grip Jimin’s thighs tighter.

“No. I stopped responding because I was scared, and I felt inferior.”

“What? Why?”

“You’re you. You’re so amazing with everything you do. I just figured that if you knew it was me, you’d be disappointed. I don’t know.” Jimin sighs. Jungkook stops in his tracks and drops Jimin onto his feet. “Am I too heavy?” Jimin asks in concern.

“Jimin.” Jungkook turns around, putting his hands on the shorter male’s shoulders. “Stop being an idiot.”

“But—“

“First of all, no. You’re not heavy. Second of all, I just admitted to you that I still love you so why would I be disappointed?” Jungkook says boldly.

Jimin can only stare up at him with big, tired eyes. “I...”

“Stop being so down on yourself, Jimin. Do you think I like hearing you beat yourself up all the time? No. I hate it. I hate that you don’t think you’re enough. I hate that you thought I would be disappointed. I hate that—“

Jungkook is cut off when Jimin yanks him closer, their lips meeting. All he wants in this moment is Jungkook. He swears he doesn’t need anything else. Warm lips against warm lips, soft skin against soft skin. This is what Jimin has always wanted.

They separate and Jimin feels embarrassed at the wide-eyed stare Jungkook gives him. “I, um, I didn’t expect you to be so bold.” Jungkook coughs.

“Sorry. I just... it was in the moment...” Jimin trails off awkwardly. Jungkook clears his throat and turns before crouching back onto the ground.

“Get back on.” He says. Jimin does as he’s told, and their whole way back to their apartment is silent. Jungkook even silently carries Jimin as they’re in the elevator and only lets him off of his back once they’re inside their apartment.

“Thank you.” Jimin says awkwardly.

“Don’t mention it.” Jungkook nods, not making eye contact. “Stay here, okay? I’ll be back in like three seconds.”

“Oh, okay. Where are you—“ The door slams closed after Jungkook as he leaves the apartment. “—going...” Jimin trails off, sighing. “Why did I do that?” He slumps back onto the couch. “Why did I kiss him?”

Way to go, Jimin. You’re a terrible kisser, so you probably pushed him even farther away. Idiot. Jimin’s inner self won’t let him live this down if he gets rejected by Jungkook now. 

As Jimin’s thinking intensely about the huge mistake he’s made, Jungkook returns. That was fast.

“I got food. You need to eat, and I’m gonna make sure you do.” Jungkook takes a seat next to Jimin on the couch and pulls their food out of the bag he brought. He hands Jimin a burger and watched as he unwraps it and takes a bite out of it.

“Thank you.” Jimin says with a full mouth. Jungkooo just stares at him as he eats, and Jimin’s forced to look away out of embarrassment.

“I don’t like it when you hurt yourself like that. I get that grad school is important, but... you have to be alive to graduate. It’s a requirement.” Jungkook tells him, finally digging into his own food.

“I’m sorry.” Jimin swallows down his food and looks back over at Jungkook. Their eyes meet, and something truly unexpected happens.

To Jimin’s shock and surprise, Jungkook leans over, pressing a simple, closed-mouth kiss to his lips. “Don’t make me worry anymore, okay?” He whispers.

Jimin can feel his face heating up at that. He nods anyway, looking down at the food in his lap.

Jungkook scoffs. “You got so embarrassed because of a tiny little kiss when you were basically trying to make out with me earlier.”

Jimin’s head snaps up. “N-no, I wasn’t! I-I told you it was all in the moment!” He stutters, and Jungkook chuckles heartily.

“I’m kidding, Jimin.” Jungkook smiles. He told himself he wouldn’t be able to forgive Jimin easily, but here he is. “After you’re done eating, go to bed.”

“I’m not tired.” Jimin says.

“Sleep, Jimin.”

“Okay...” Jimin trails off, watching as Jungkook gets up and walks towards his bedroom. Jimin does the same, taking his food with him. He eats as he undresses, changing into pajamas. He gets into bed and sighs.

“Jimin?” Jungkook knocks on his roommates door. JImin quickly opens up, staring Jungkook right in the eyes.

“Yeah?” He asks, heart racing.

“I just wanted to say goodnight.” Jungkook breathes out.

“Oh, um, goodnight.” Jimin responds. Neither of them walk away. They both just stare at one another. 

“We need to talk, but let’s do that tomorrow. Rest for now.” Jungkook says. Jimin can only nod. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yeah, see you.” Jimin smiles a little, closing the door as Jungkook walks away. He runs back to his bed and gets under his blankets, confused. A lot happened tonight. Like a lot. He can’t help but wonder what Jungkook has to say to him. I mean, they kissed. Twice. It must have something to do with that, right?

Not wanting to jinx anything, Jimin forces those thoughts out of his mind. “He said we’ll talk later... I shouldn’t worry about it right now.” Jimin tells himself.

So for now, he rests.