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Jeon Jungkook is totally quirky.

At 178 centimeters, he's tall enough, but not enough as in he stands out for his height. His brown hair (which often teeters between mousy and something else plain, like mud) is virgin to the harsh chemicals of bleach that many of the people at his university experiment with. He boasts no vibrant red locks, no midnight blues, no electric greens, not even a sun-kissed blond. Just plain ol' brown. 

He never wears contacts, corrective, colored, or otherwise, glad to stick to his trusty glasses. His eyes, therefore, are the oh-so-typical shade of flat brown, like a Coke left out overnight.

Unlike many of his peers, Jungkook shows zero signs of interest in joining a fraternity. He doesn't flock to sports games to squeal over a favorite player (primarily because he doesn't have one). In fact, he, unlike the others, never goes out of his way to stand out or indulge in fashion or garner a large posse of friends.

Instead, he spends many an hour studying or otherwise reading in the library, glasses perched on his nose. In fact, Jungkook spends a lot of time reading. One might even dare to call him... a nerd. 

That's right. Jungkook doesn't indulge in the frivolous, materialistic, and quite frankly shallow activities of his schoolmates. He just isn't like the others.

When Jungkook's alarm goes off for his 9:30 class, he really doesn't want to get up. He'd stayed up much too late the night before, reading one of his newest books. So he lets the alarm beep for a while, eyes closed, until a sock nails him in the forehead.

"Oh my god, can you shut that thing off?" Jungkook's grumpy roommate, Yunki, grumbles while diving back under the covers. Yunki is not to be confused, however, for one of Jungkook's few friends — Min Yoongi — as the former is in a constant state of grump while Yoongi is actually rather pleasant to be around. Jungkook would know. They're friends, after all.

"Sorry," Jungkook mumbles back, turning his alarm off. He rolls out of bed and throws his plain brown hair into a messy bun— Okay, not really, since his hair isn't quite long enough. It's in that state where it's long enough for him to have to brush the unruly waves back with his fingers, but too short for him to tie successfully. It's... sort of floating in the limbo in between. And Jungkook cannot be bothered to get a haircut.

He pads to their mini kitchen and whips up a simple oatmeal breakfast that he practically inhales before brushing his teeth and changing. Unlike the others at his college, he doesn't care much for fashion. He slips on a black hoodie and black sweatpants, grabs his bag, and leaves without even checking himself in the mirror.

He actually has a confession. As much as he (pretends that he) hates it, he does have a secret obsession. Not quite a hobby, per se, but more than a vague interest. And it's not books, or studying, or anything remotely nerd-like.

Jeon Jungkook likes wearing makeup.

He's never told anyone, of course. There's no need to go broadcasting those sort of things to the world, and besides, it's more for himself than anything. He's not like those petty girls who cover their faces in art— er, concealing paints — for it is, to him, an art more than anything.

That's another thing he enjoys. Art, that is. When he was younger, he could hardly be found without a crayon in his stubby little fingers or a sketchbook tucked under his arm. In middle school, painting was far and away his favorite pastime. He still does keep a sketchbook with him, but he hasn't been able to do much more than just that — sketches — for years.

So when he's completely sure he's alone, Jungkook will create his personal art with his face as the canvas.

He hasn't tried much, really— again, it's not much of a "hobby." But he often likes how it looks, the feel of the makeup brushes dancing across his skin, the way he's transformed into something not quite different, but rather... enhanced. Taking the face he's been given and, instead of trying to hide it, accentuating his finer qualities and adding to them.

But of course, no one can know. As quirky as it could be (he is a guy, after all), he has an image — of not having one, really — to uphold.

His first class goes by, uneventful. Jungkook isn't surprised. His life is dull, devoid of any sort of flair or flavor, so it wasn't like he was expecting calculus to end up as anything more than just that. Calculus.

As he's heading to the library afterwards, however, he notices the whispers beginning to pick up. It's subtle, of course, slowly building up until he finally realizes that the tone of the walkways is different than normal.

Jungkook likes his normal. But he also has heard such whispers often enough for them to be "normal" too, which annoys him to no end.

Once the whispers rise to just the right, predictable pitch and volume, Jungkook doesn't even have to look up to know who he's passing. One faint whiff of a distinct overpowering man-spray is all he needs.

That, plus the sharp squeal of, "Oh my god, Jimin is even hotter today!" kind of gives it away.

Despite everything, Jungkook finds himself letting his gaze wander ever so briefly upwards. Just so he doesn't run into anyone, obviously. 

Just his luck that he finds himself staring into the piercing gray orbs of one Park Jimin.

Well. Jimin's eyes aren't actually gray, obviously. Just like his hair isn't really blond. It's not like Jimin's white or something. No, he's just one of those people. Maybe even Those with a capital T. New dye job every month or two. Colored contacts rotating through each day like some sort of kaleidoscope. Lip balm just shiny enough to make those (plump, pink) lips catch the sunlight.

Jimin doesn't wear makeup, though, of course. He's about as Guy™ as a Guy™ can get in college. Wears all the trendiest new clothes. Plays basketball, field hockey, and baseball (and apparently water polo on the side— "just for fun"). Captain of basketball, star player of all three and a pro at the fourth. Hordes of people kissing his feet everywhere he walks. All the girls want to date him. All the guys want to be his BFF. Black studded piercings. Ego the size of Jupiter. You know the type.

Of course he just has to be devastatingly handsome. With his lean, muscular body, piercing colored orbs, and impeccable facial structure, Jimin is the epitome of gorgeous. Clearly, the whole campus agrees. Jungkook tries really hard not to (but objectively, he is objectively biologically gifted in terms of physical appearance). 

Obviously, unlike the others, Jungkook does not worship the ground that Park Jimin walks on. He doesn't give one porcupine shit about what that guy does. He really couldn't care less. If anything, he really, really wishes he wouldn't see and hear about Jimin everywhere he goes. He's just so different like that.

Jungkook clutches his precious book tighter. He hopes his nerdiness — and general quirkiness — will ward the popular weirdo away.

No such luck. "Hey, Jeon." Jimin smirks in his infuriatingly self-important way. Jungkook has half a mind to keep walking, but he's polite enough to answer people when they talk to him.

"What is it," he huffs. Okay, so maybe "polite" isn't the correct term. 

Jimin's grin just widens. Cocky bastard. "Whatcha reading there? Some shit about space unicorns? Is it any good?"

Jungkook feels his blood boil and fights hard to keep his eyes from rolling back into his head. Of course Park freaking Jimin just has to take a jab at one of Jungkook's predominant interests. What a loser. It doesn't help that Jimin's smirk is so devilishly handsome.

Instead, he just grits his teeth in a poor imitation of a smile. "It's not some shit, a-hole," he replies, easily defensive over what he has now determined is his new favorite book. He spits out the curse word — probably the one time he'll use a real one — like it's a sweaty sock. "And it's actually very good. It starts off with this knight who saves a queen and when the queen goes to thank him, he takes off his helmet to reveal 'he's' actually a wom—"

He quickly cuts himself off, cheeks hot. Frickity frack. He can't believe he was starting to rant to Park Jimin about his newfound favorite book. Not to mention the fact that it's a romance, and a gay one at that. He'd never be able to live down the ridicule that little crapburger would give him after that.

Jimin furrows his eyebrows, grin faltering slightly. "I didn't—"

"Didn't think it'd be any good? Yeah, figures." Jungkook fights the urge to roll his eyes again, curbing the impulse by adjusting his glasses. Instead of waiting for an answer, he hurries away, book clutched a little tighter in hopes that Jimin won't — and didn't — see the title. The last thing he needs is for Jimin to look the book up and find more things to give him crap for.

Jungkook really doesn't see how practically the whole school is whipped for that musty cheese wheel. 

The next day, Jungkook is halfway to his second class before he realizes he left his notebook at home. "Shizzle sticks," he mumbles to himself as he sprints back to get it. He was already cutting it close on time, and now he might even be late.

Jungkook hates being late.

By the time he grabs his notebook, accidentally knocks over a chair (with an indignant shout from Yunki), and runs out the door, there's only two minutes until class starts. He steels himself, determined, and speeds up his pace. He may not be a sports guy, but he works out well enough (what? He just likes keeping his body healthy) so at least he can keep up a decent sprint.

Right as he rounds a corner, however, he accidentally slams his shoulder into a person that was turning from the other side that he didn't see. And, oh dear god, his notebooks, binders, sketchbook (don't blame him, he likes to doodle in class— it helps him learn better), and the few loose pieces of paper go flying out of his arms.

"Moldy turnips," Jungkook swears under his breath, hurriedly crouching down to gather the scattered items. He's definitely going to be late at this rate.

The person he ran into — a guy, he presumes — leans down to help gather up his things as well. Jungkook sighs quietly. "Sorry for that, thank y—"

He cuts himself off abruptly when he finally looks up and realizes what he's staring into.

That's right.

The piercing gray orbs of one Park Jimin.

Well actually, they're not the same gray today, more of a light greenish-gray. But that's irrelevant. Of course it's just his freaking luck that the one person he has to run into is Park Jimin. Jungkook shuts his mouth tightly and gathers his things from the other boy without a word.

But then Jimin leans down to pick up one last item. Jungkook's sketchbook, which had fallen open to one of the pages with actual art on it. Oh no.

Jimin's gaze visibly lingers on the drawings as he picks the sketchbook up, eyes scanning the page like a, well, scanner. Jungkook flushes heavily, fighting every single urge he has to just rip his precious sketchbook away and run. Jimin hands it back slowly, not even trying to hide the fact that he's intently staring at the drawings on the pages.

"It's rude to look at other people's private art without asking, you know," Jungkook says sassily. Jimin's eyes widen slightly, and Jungkook just knows it's because no one's ever stood up to him. Figures. 

Jimin gapes at him for a moment before gulping. "I- I didn't mean to be rude, they're..." He pauses, seeming to search for the right word. "...Interesting."

Jungkook scoffs, giving into his instinct to roll his eyes this time. As much as he's practiced, Jungkook's not always so confident in his drawings, and Jimin's lame effort at finding a compliment does nothing to boost his confidence. "Thanks for the illustrious compliment, Park. Really an ego-booster. I can feel your incredible sincerity." Jimin opens his mouth again, maybe to defend himself, but Jungkook cuts in. "Sorry, I don't have time. I'm already late for my next class."

He pushes past Jimin and sprints away without another word. He's completely unaware of Jimin's piercing gray-green orbs, staring after him. 

Jungkook is able to slip into the back of the lecture hall, and no one seems to care or notice. Well, there are over a hundred people in his class, but still. Just the notion of being late makes Jungkook feel... ick. 

He tries to keep the panting to a minimum as he gulps down some water and pulls out his laptop and notebook. Yes, it may seem redundant to have both, but Jungkook is nothing if not a studious student. Also, he feels uncomfortable so far away from the professor. Seriously, he's pretty much always at the front (what a nerd, right?). 

Luckily, the professor hasn't gotten far into the lecture and it takes him seconds to copy down the few notes he missed from a helpful neighbor. As the professor reviews something they covered last week that Jungkook can recite in his sleep, he pulls out his sketchbook.

He dusts off the cover and cracks it open. One of the sheets is folded from the odd angle it hit the ground, but otherwise, it's mostly intact. 

He flips to the pages that Jimin saw. They're covered in several small doodles with one larger, central drawing in the center of the two open pages. One is a sketch of his friend Namjoon, in a three-quarters view. Whenever he looks at it, Jungkook always feels like something isn't quite right about the drawing, like he messed something up, unable to capture the realistic beauty of his friend. What great luck that Jimin had to see it.

The other is much worse. Well, not worse as in bad, but as in worse for Jimin to see. It's a sketch he made last night of the queen and knight from his book. One of his favorite things to do is draw characters from the books he reads, based off their cumulative descriptions. In his drawing, the queen has her arms looped around the knight's neck, chin tilted up with a smitten gaze. The knight has her hands around the queen's waist, a similarly fond look on her non-helmeted and distinctly female face. 

It's one of Jungkook's favorite scenes from the book (besides the kiss, but Jungkook is too embarrassed to draw that, even privately), but also decidedly really flippin' gay. And, well, Jungkook is really flippin' gay, but there's no reason for Jimin to know that, and plus these are girls, and he really hopes Jimin doesn't think he's one of those creep guys who fetishes lesbians.

Well, Jungkook obviously doesn't care what Jimin thinks in the first place, so he shakes the thought off and closes his notebook.

The rest of the class procedes as always, and Jungkook quickly loses himself in the lecture. By the end, he's completely forgotten about the Jimin incident as a whole and leaves with a content smile on his face, brain full of new information.

That afternoon, Jungkook's snuggled up in his favorite chair in the corner of the library.

He spends a good number of his afternoons in the library, being the quintessential nerd that he is. He always feels comfortable there; it's like his second home. Currently, he's sitting with his knees tucked into his hoodie, round glasses perched on his nose as he reads a book about worms.

As he's reading a particularly interesting part about worms having five "hearts," he sees someone sit down in the chair beside him out of the corner of his eye. He continues reading for a moment before he glances over out of curiosity to see who it is.

Just his luck. It is, yet again, Park Jimin.

Except this time, although Jimin is already staring at him (for some reason, ew), Jungkook is not met with piercing gray orbs. Not even piercing gray-green orbs. For some reason, Jungkook is only met with orbs the color of semi-sweet chocolate. 

Jungkook is even more confused when he realizes something else: Park Jimin is wearing glasses.

Jungkook practically jerks back in shock. Nani the heck? he thinks (he's kind of a weeb, don't shame him please). No way The Park Jimin wears glasses. It's just not possible. A popular ding-dong like him wouldn't be caught dead wearing those nerdy old things.

Except here he is, wearing regular old glasses just like any other near-sided person. Or... maybe he's far-sighted? Jungkook can't bring himself to care about spending enough time thinking about it. 

Jungkook snaps his gaze away after that. Whatever. He doesn't know why his luck has been so bad recently, what with seeing Jimin three times in two days and all. He's not having a good time.

He stubbornly refuses to acknowledge or even look at Jimin after that. He's not going to give that egotistical fish stick the satisfaction of getting any more attention. He pointedly reads more worm facts, hugging his knees a little closer to his body. 

As he's reading a section on worm respiratory systems (did you know that worms breathe through their skin?), he can't help but feel the burning sensation of someone staring at him. Without looking up (and he refuses to do so), he knows that it's Jimin. 

Oh lord, can't that guy leave him alone? It's really irking Jungkook. He's already been inadvertently insulted the last two times he saw Jimin (making fun of his book and struggling to find a decent compliment for his drawings) and he doesn't want to endure a third.  

As time goes on, Jungkook rarely feels the gaze leave his face. Goodness gracious, what's wrong with this guy? Doesn't he have a book to rea— Oh right. People like Park Jimin don't read books for fun. 

Jungkook wonders what on the earth Jimin is doing. He knows his face isn't anything special, and he knows that he just got a pimple on his cheek, and Jimin is probably staring at it and thinking about how ugly Jungkook is. Like god, he gets it, and he doesn't care all that much about his looks, but does Jimin seriously have to stare at him this much? 

After a while, Jungkook can't take it any more. He shuts his book — even though he was just reading a good part about regenerating segments — and gets up, walking away without a word, the sharp gaze of Park Jimin fixed on his retreating figure.

Jungkook's out at lunch with his only two friends, Yoongi and Namjoon.

They're not quite like him — he's too unique and quirky for that — but they've all become fast friends anyway. They're both more the expressive music types. Yoongi was part of a fraternity back in freshman year, wears things like Rolexii (he's plenty rich enough), and is not nearly as niche nerdy as Jungkook. Namjoon is an avid fashionista, cycling pro, and environment extraordinaire. 

Despite their varying personalities, they're BFFs.

Today, Jungkook is relaying to them all about his awful encounters with Park Jimin.

"...And he just wouldn't stop looking, so I decided enough was enough and left. He made me leave my favorite chair, guys. My favorite chair!" Jungkook ends his long-winded story with an exasperated sigh, throwing his hands dramatically in the air. 

Namjoon pats his arm comfortingly. "I'm sorry, bud. That's the worst. If someone made me leave my favorite bicycle I would smack them upside the face." 

"Thanks," Jungkook says, not entirely sure what he's thanking Namjoon for. Probably because empathy. 

"But," Namjoon continues, and Jungkook slumps a little in his chair, "maybe... I dunno... you're overreacting? I mean it's Park Jimin, after all. Anyone would kill to be in your position. Having him look at you? For a sustained period of time? That's some good luck."

Jungkook huffs. "I'm not overreacting!" he says loudly, throwing his hands in the air again. He makes sure to catch them. "Don't tell me you're whipped for him too, Joon. Puh-lease. Someone needs to put him in his place. And he's just looking at me because I'm like that roadkill you can't look away from."

Yoongi snorts out a laugh. "You're funny, Kook. You may be nerdy, but you're still cute."

"Ha ha." Jungkook puts his hands on his hips, but not before pointedly pushing his glasses up his nose. "You think someone like Jimin would think someone like me is cute? Good joke."

"But you are," Yoongi insists, adjusting his Rolex. "You're... quirky. Cute in your own way." Jungkook fights an eye roll.

"Hey, I know," Namjoon pipes up, fiddling with his pro-bees bracelet. "Jackson's having a party tomorrow night. It's going to be wild. Yoongi n' I can totally help you dress to impress and show everyone just how spicy you can be."

"I dunno..." Jungkook looks down at his ratty sneakers. "I kind of like what I usually wear."

"Nonsense," Yoongi chuckles, giving him a playful shove. "Come on, Joonie and I will help you out. It'll be lit. And, if you're lucky, you can show that Park Jimin just what's what."

Jungkook takes a deep breath. On the one hand, he rather enjoys his comfy hoodie and sweatpants and sneakers. But on the other hand, he would like to show Jimin up, maybe prove that he's not the ugly pimple that the popular melonhead thinks he is. 

He takes another deep breath, then coughs because he never let out the first one and now his lungs are too full. 

"I'm in," he says gracefully.

The next evening, Yoongi and Namjoon are in Jungkook's apartment, clothes strewn around his room. Luckily, Yunki is nowhere to be seen, or else he would be throwing a fit for sure. 

Jungkook's two friends spend a good amount of time picking out various clothes and holding them up to his body. He's already long-since resigned himself to the fact that he's going to have to wear something vastly outside of his comfort zone.

Oh noes.

Once they're finally done with the transformation, Jungkook stares at himself in the mirror. Wow... He barely even looks like himself. 

He's wearing contacts, so his face is now unburdened by the large frames that are usually perched on his nose. His wavy hair has been neatly combed and parted gently in the middle, revealing part of his forehead that hasn't seen the light of day in quite some time. His ears are studded with his double and helix piercings, the full extent of which he hasn't worn in some time (thank goodness they haven't closed up completely). 

In terms of the outfit, his friends have chosen a loose white button-up crop top paired with fishnets under ripped skinny jeans. At Jungkook's loud protests of indecency, his friends explained that they would show off his abs.

"What's the point of working so hard for them if you can't show them off?" Yoongi reasoned. Jungkook just glared at him.

Jungkook blinks at himself. He really can't believe this is him. Well, his face looks the same, but the outfit... He never imagined he would be wearing something like this. Ever. 

"Wow," Namjoon says. Yoongi nods.

"Wow," he repeats.

They both stare at him. "You look hot, Kook," Namjoon says approvingly.

"Ditto," Yoongi chimes in. "But I feel like there's something that needs to tie this whole thing together..."

Jungkook knows what they mean, and he sort of has an idea. But he's hesitant to try it. Remember earlier when he admitted to creating art on his skin? Yeah...

"Well, um, I kind of have an idea?" he ventures, suddenly even more nervous than before. His friends look at him to continue. "I mean, it might be kind of crazy, and please don't judge me—"

"We'd never judge you," Yoongi interrupts. "We're your best friends."

Jungkook smiles slightly. "Thanks... Well, um, I was thinking... I've actually... Put on makeup? Before? Like, to experiment, since I like painting, and I thought, why not, haha? And if I'm already doing this much I might as well go all out? So? I could? Put on? Make? Up? May? B? E?" Jungkook's sure he's used up his week's allotment of question marks.

Namjoon and Yoongi blink at him for a moment before grinning. "That sounds perfect," Namjoon says approvingly.

One hour later, and they're ready to go. Jungkook chickened out and decided not to go to the full extent of his prowess, but still ended up with some shiny rose-colored lipstick, red eye shadow, and a gentle dusting of red glitter at the top corners of his cheeks. Why so much red, one may ask?

"Because red equals sex, baby," Yoongi grinned. Jungkook slapped his arm and blushed furiously after that. It took some coaxing to stop him from taking all his makeup off.

Jungkook pulls on the black leather boots that are handed to him and now he's ready to go. Looking like an entirely different person.

They all pile into Yoongi's car and he drives them to Jackson's place. "Welcome!" Jackson yells as soon as they open the unlocked door. He does a double take when he looks at Jungkook. "Well, hello there. Who are you?"

Jungkook is much too embarrassed to answer, so Namjoon does it for him. "Jeon Jungkook," he says matter-of-factly.

Jackson squints a little before his eyes widen. "What? The nerd? No way!" Jungkook ducks his head in shame. "Sorry, man, you just look so different. Well, come on in, guys, don't just stand there!"

The three friends head inside. Jungkook feels uncomfortable that no one has taken their shoes off. Seriously, they're in an apartment, this is someone's living space. But he doesn't want to be the one weirdo in his socks, so he keeps his boots on.

As they walk over to the drinks table, Jungkook notices quite a few heads turning their way. "What are they looking at?" he whispers nervously to Yoongi. The older just laughs and claps him on the shoulder.

"You, dummy," he answers. "You're hot." That makes Jungkook blush and unconsciously cover his stomach before Yoongi bats his hands away. 

He notices the eyes of far too many girls drinking him in. I'm gay, dammit, he thinks, turning away to accept the drink Namjoon has poured him. He downs it, trying to distract himself, and winces. Much more bitter than he'd like. I didn't ask for — or expect — this much attention. 

As he's sipping his drink at the pace of the snail, trying not to gag, he finally sees heads turning away from him. Thank bejeezus. He's glad for a moment, until he realizes who they're turning to. 

Of course. He should've expected it. There Park Jimin is, in all his blond haired, gray eyed, toned body glory. And of freaking course he has to look more attractive than a five-star meal at this moment in time. Jungkook whips around before they can make eye contact and hastily pushes his friends into the next room.

"Hey, what was that for?" Namjoon remarks, upset. Jungkook goes to rub his eyes but then remembers his eye shadow and stops. 

"Park Jimin is here," he hisses, eyes darting nervously to the doorway. "He can't know I am too."

"But... I thought that's the whole point of why you're here," Yoongi points out skeptically. "You can't come all this way just to avoid him."

Jungkook sighs. "I know..." he mumbles. It's just... he's nervous. Very nervous. As much as he hates to admit it, he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of Jimin, or for Jimin to think he looks ridiculous right now. He's more or less terrified that Jimin will think he looks like a clown. "I just don't know if I'm completely ready yet."

"And that's fine," Namjoon says reassuringly, putting a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "Take your time. But sooner or later, he is going to see you." 

Jungkook sighs again, and opens his mouth to say more. Before he can, though, someone else walks into the room.

Looks like Jimin chose "sooner" rather than "later."

Despite himself, Jungkook finds himself blushing aggressively when Jimin's eyes find his before unsubtly travelling down the length of his body. Jungkook automatically crosses his arms over his stomach, trying to cover up. 

"Hello, Jimin," Yoongi greets cheerfully. "Nice to see you here."

Jimin's orbs barely leave Jungkook's face as he spares Yoongi a quick glance. "Yoongi," he acknowledges with a nod. "Namjoon." Namjoon gives a little wave.

They all stand awkwardly in the room, Jungkook trying as hard as he can to look everywhere except at Jimin. Wow, the little mole under Namjoon's lip sure is fascinating. Ah yes, the veins on Yoongi's hands are riveting. Jimin? Never heard of him.

His friends, however, have a different idea. "Soooooo," Namjoon says, breaking the awfully awkward silence. "Yoongi and I will be getting more drinks, you want any Kook? Jimin?"

"I'm good."

"I'll come with you."

They speak at the same time, and Jungkook doesn't wait before scootching towards his friends, who are trying to leave. Yoongi holds up a hand. "No, Jungkook, please, we got you covered," he says, raising his eyebrows and subtly tilting his head in Jimin's direction. "What would you like?"

Jungkook stares at him, dumbfounded. He can't believe he's being betrayed like this. "I— Um, I dunno? Whatever's good? I can look myse—"

"Great! Joon and I will pick something for you." Jungkook doesn't even have time to cut in before Yoongi is grabbing Namjoon's arm and dragging him out of the room. 

Jungkook is frozen. Now he's left with Jimin in a room — what even is this place? — with no good excuse to leave. He stares stubbornly at the ground, playing with his fingers and hoping that Jimin will stay silent as well.

No such luck, apparently. "You look good," Jimin says. It's soft, like he's afraid that if he speaks any louder, Jungkook will run away. He might be right about that, actually. Jungkook opens his mouth, but no words come out. 

He flounders for a few more seconds, Jimin watching in amusement. "Uh, thanks," he manages. Smooth. Very smooth. He ducks his head, avoiding Jimin's strong gaze.

He feels Jimin step closer and his cheeks heat up. Jeez, what's wrong with him today... Jimin definitely shouldn't have this effect on him.

"You're really pretty," Jimin murmurs, and Jungkook looks up, heart in his throat. Jimin's much too close to him now, and when Jungkook finds himself looking into Jimin's piercing orbs, he can't tear his gaze away. 

Get it together, Jungkook, he berates himself, this is Park Jimin talking to you. You know, the popular dingleberry that has teased you and made fun of you far too many times, especially in the last two days? Seriously, get your act together, this is clearly some sort of prank.

Nonetheless, he still can't seem to look away from those eyes that hold his gaze so steadily. He tries to make up for it by saying something at least moderately intelligent for once.

"Oh really? Is it just because of the makeup?" he accuses. At the way Jimin's eyebrows lift, he can tell he's on the right track. "Or is it because I'm not wearing my glasses? Because you've never had a problem pointing those out before." He crosses his arms, a bit more confident now.

Jimin looks oddly confused. "What do you mean?" 

"What do you mean, 'What do you mean?'" Jungkook shoots back. "You've never hesitated to comment on my glasses, or my hair, or my books or my drawings or anything I do with your air of superiority before. So why do you call me pretty now? Is it because I've finally dressed to meet your lofty standards?" 

Jimin's eyes widen for a moment before he smirks. Jungkook wants to slap the smirk off right off his stupidly handsome face. Jimin steps closer and Jungkook steps back, his back hitting a counter. 

"Nut," Jimin says.

"What the kidney bean?" Jungkook exclaims, leaning away. Jimin eyes him up and down again. "What the hamster ballsack is that supposed to mean?"

Somehow not put off by Jungkook's odd choice of swear words, Jimin just grins. "That's hot," he explains. "I've never had someone stand up to me like that before. You're so... different from everyone else, Jungkook."

"And you're gross," Jungkook points out, shoving Jimin's encroaching hand away. "Please. A guy like you would never think a guy like me is hot unless I change myself to look how you want, which apparently, I'm doing right now. I bet you wouldn't have found that very hot if I was wearing my glasses, hoodie, and sweatpants."

Something in Jimin's gaze changes slightly, and his cocky grin fades to a look of moderate confusion. "What? Why?"

"Because." Jungkook pokes Jimin's chest, annoyed at how solid it is. "You. Are. A. Popular. Jock. And I? Am but a lowly nerd. Cheerleaders, that's your kind. Short shorts, that's your kind. What I'm wearing now, that's your kind. But I myself am not."

"But," Jimin leans in again, "that's what makes you so special. You're not like all the other people. You don't stumble over yourself, vying for my attention. I like it when you play hard to get. It's cute how much you pretend not to want me."

Jungkook fumes. At the beginning there, he was starting to soften, but then Jimin kind of ruined it. "I'm not playing hard to get," he informs him. "I'm being me. I'm not inadvertently asking for you to like me just because I'm 'playing hard to get.' Jeez, how does anyone like you?"

Jimin pulls back, stung, and Jungkook takes the opportunity to push past him and make a beeline for his friends by the drinks table. As predicted, they seem to have had no intention of bringing Jungkook a drink. He makes his own and downs it anyway.

"Hey, how'd it go?" Namjoon asks. Jungkook tips back the rest of his drink and then sighs.

"Bad," he grumbles. "Well, it was okay, and then it was weird, and then he was being a toe nugget so I left."

Yoongi gives him a sympathetic pat. "I'm sorry, I was hoping it would go better. At least... Maybe you got to give him a piece of your mind?"

Jungkook gives a small smile. "I guess I did."

Jungkook has been spending all weekend winding down from the rest of the week. Friday night, especially, killed off the last of his brain cells — the whole encounter with Jimin wasn't exactly his favorite experience.

At least he can take comfort in the fact that, since it's the weekend, he's nearly guaranteed not to see Jimin. Unless he can get into Jungkook's apartment, which would be creepy as all heck.

That's right, Jungkook's been holed up in his apartment all weekend, only leaving for a quick workout before sprinting back to his home as quick as possible. It's sort of hard to keep to himself when he shares a room with Yunki — so what if they bought a one-bedroom apartment? They're cheap, okay — but he tries his best.

All's going well for his two-day Jimin-free detox until he gets a call from Yunki. "Hello?" Jungkook answers on the second ring.

"Hey, can you buy us more almond milk? We're out," comes the voice on the other side. And also... from the other room? 

Jungkook peers through the doorway. "Yunki?" he calls, eyebrow raising in confusion. Said boy turns around, phone held up to his ear.

"Yeah?" he answers.

Jungkook blinks at him. "Why are you calling me when I can literally see you right now?"

Yunki shrugs, still on the phone. "I'm trying to conserve my vocal chords and I'm too lazy to walk over there right now."

Jungkook stares at him. Seriously, this guy is wack.

He hangs up and ruefully rolls out of bed. He doesn't even bother changing out of his Peppa Pig pajama pants and merely throws on a hoodie and grabs his keys on his way out. 

He jogs down to the supermarket, because why not get some extra exercise in, the supermarket's only one and a half kilometers away anyway and he doesn't feel like shelling out extra money when he can just run it.  

He quickly finds the correct almond milk and decides to grab two — he's sure Yunki will use up plenty experimenting yet again with chia pudding before proclaiming that it tastes like dirt — before checking out.

He decides to walk home, since the weather is nice today and he's in no hurry to return. It turns out to be a bad idea, though, because as he turns a corner, he sees three of his least favorite people in the world.

Surprisingly, Jimin is not one of those three. No, this is Hojun and his two cronies, Minchul and Changwoo. The ultimate bane of the existence of nerds like Jungkook. He immediately regrets not changing out of his Peppa Pig pajamas.

"Well, well, well," Hojun smirks, quickly blocking Jungkook's path, Minchul and Changwoo only a step behind him. "If it isn't little McNerd nugget."

Jungkook gulps, taking a step back. As much as he likes to be self confident, bullies like Hojun and his bros will always be able to get to him a little better than most. It's college, so really, people like this shouldn't be a thing anymore, and yet here they are. 

Jungkook refuses to say a word. Hojun steps closer, shoving Jungkook's chest. The latter stumbles back, but only a step or two. At least those workouts are helping. 

"Nice PJ's, nerd," Hojun sneers, and Minchul and Changwoo cackle dutifully. "How old are you? Three?"

"Twenty one," Jungkook corrects under his breath. That only makes them laugh harder. 

"Did you hear that boys?" Hojun looks back to his friends. "Twenty one and he's still wearing cartoon pig jammies. And what's that you got there? Milk? You don't get enough from your mommy?" That sends the three of them into peals of laughter.

Jungkook keeps his mouth shut, not wanting to rise to the bait. He can feel his ears turning red, though. 

"Aw, look at his ears," Minchul points.

"They're so red," Changwoo says helpfully.

"I hope you don't mind if we take these," Hojun smirks, grabbing the almond milk from Jungkook's hands.

"Give those back," Jungkook glares, lunging for one of them. Hojun just tosses it to Minchul, who holds it teasingly above his head.

Jungkook knows what they want him to do, and he refuses to look like a fool playing their little game. So he just crosses his arms and waits. 

He can tell it's working from the way Hojun's gaze darkens. "What? So you're compliant now, is that it?" He shoves Jungkook's chest again.

Jungkook stays silent, glaring defiantly at him. Hojun shoves him again. "Little pig-lookin' fucker." And then again. "That's why you like pigs so much, is that it?" And again. Jungkook actually does stumble back this time, into... a solid chest?

Jungkook turns to see Jimin standing there, hands on his hips like an angry mother. "What's going on here, fellas?" he says in that cool, put-together tone of his.

Hojun takes a step back, raising his hands and pasting a wide grin on his face. "Hey, we're just joking around, having some fun. How are you, man?"

Jimin glares at him. "Don't 'how are you' me, Hojun. I saw you shoving Jungkook around. What's up with that?"

"I told you," Hojun insists, "just a little messing around. Tussling like boys, eh?" 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "Don't give me that 'like boys' bullcrap either. I heard you call him a quote unquote, 'pig-lookin' fucker'. You think that's funny? Hm?" He takes a step towards Hojun, who cowers under his glare.

"I— no— it was just a joke, because of his pajamas—" It's clear that he's scrambling for excuses now, and his two goons are beginning to look nervous. 

"Oh shut up, Hojun," Jimin scoffs. "This is just pathetic. I, for one, think his pajamas are cute. Now give him back his almond milk now, hm? Before I ruin your reputation so bad your dicks will look like shriveled eggplants by this time next year." 

Hojun lets out a sound somewhat akin to a squeak. He and Minchul shove the almond milk in Jungkook's hands and the three of them sprint away. 

Jimin watches them go, hands still on his hips, before turning to Jungkook with a sigh. "Sorry about them, they're real assholes." He rubs his forehead slightly.

Jungkook gapes at him for a moment before blushing and looking down. "Yeah, they are." He scuffs the ground with his toes. "But... I had it under control." He definitely hasn't forgotten what Jimin said on Friday, being a creepy egotistical blimp and all.

Jimin tilts his head, eyes sparkling, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, well, I still wanted to help." 

Jungkook glances up before flushing slightly at Jimin's genuine smile. He shrugs his shoulders up to his ears, avoiding eye contact at all costs. "Ah. Thanks, I guess."

"'I guess,'" Jimin repeats, grin widening. "I'm loving the sincerity." 

Jungkook blushes heavily, as much as he tries not to. Jimin smirks at him. "Aw, am I making you blush?"

Jungkook steels his gaze and ducks his head, kicking a pebble away. "Shut up. And don't think that this makes up for your dumb toenail self last Friday."  

"I know." Jimin's teasing grin has faded, replaced by a serious look. "Don't worry, I know."

Jungkook spares him a glance, looking into those piercing orbs once again. "Good." He pauses for a moment before adding, "And Peppa Pig really isn't that cute considering she's over two meters tall." 

Jimin stares at him for a moment before he bursts out laughing. "Really? That's horrifying."

"I know," Jungkook agrees.

Against Jungkook's better judgement, they end up walking back towards campus together. It's mostly silent, but they manage some terse conversation, mostly Jimin asking Jungkook questions that he replies to as quickly as possible.

"Well, this is my place," Jungkook says, gesturing to his apartment complex. He's more than relieved that he's finally made it.

"Ah, cool," Jimin nods, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. He keeps alternating between crossing his arms, putting his hands in his pockets, and letting them dangle at his sides. 

"So... Bye," Jungkook hints, inching towards the entrance.

"Right, bye," Jimin echoes, and Jungkook jogs inside, almond milk clutched in his hands, the orbs of Park Jimin glued to his retreating figure.

For some reason, Jungkook can't stop thinking about what happened on Sunday. With Jimin, that is. For some reason, whenever he thinks about Jimin actually taking the effort to stand up for him, he feels a smile unconsciously slip onto his face (which he quickly puts an end to when he realizes it's happening).

Yeah, he more or less had it under control, but... Jimin definitely helped. And he helped. Jungkook would not have thought that was possible from someone like Jimin who, in his own way, doesn't seem to mind teasing him. 

As much as he hates to admit it, Jungkook finds it kind of... sweet. And when he thinks of Jimin giving him that extremely rare, gentle, genuine smile, Jungkook gets a little funny feeling in his chest.

Not that he would tell anyone this is happening.

So he doesn't tell anyone, of course, and yet his brain can't stop forcing him to think about it. It really is impossible to avoid Park Jimin, even in his own mind.

"Jungkook? Hello?" Yoongi's waving a hand in front of his face.

Jungkook shakes his head slightly, snapping himself out of it. "Sorry, what?" He'd been over-analyzing the events of Sunday again.

"I was asking if you wanted to see the game with us tomorrow," Yoongi says, eyebrows raised.

Jungkook looks confused. "Which game? There's so many."

Namjoon leans in. "He means the basketball game, silly," he explains. 

"Okay..." Jungkook's still confused. "Why do you want to see a basketball game all of the sudden?"

Namjoon smirks. "Because he wants to watch Kim Taehyung play." He elbows Yoongi teasingly in the side.

"And you want to see Jung Hoseok play," Yoongi elbows back.

They both turn to Jungkook. "And maybe you'll want to see Park Jimin play," Yoongi winks with both eyes.

Jungkook's mind helpfully reminds him of The Smile again and he blushes. "What? No. Remember Friday? He's a jerk. Nope, no, definitely do not want to see him."

"Why are you blushing then?" Namjoon observes. Jungkook blushes harder and keeps his mouth shut. 

"C'mon, please, Kook," Yoongi says, pouting. "You're our best friend and we want to hang out with you. Just this once?"

Jungkook looks at him. Really, it's hard to ignore the Yoongi pout. And... He is kind of curious to see how good J*min really is at basketball, since he's never actually seen him play. 

"Fine," he sighs reluctantly. "I'll come with you." Yoongi and Namjoon high-five. 

So that's how Jungkook finds himself sandwiched between his two friends, sandwiched between even more people in the stands at the basketball game.

He keeps unconsciously playing with his fingers in his lap, oddly nervous. He's not entirely sure why, but... he is. He tries not to look too interested when the players finally emerge, his eyes casually roving the figures below until he finds Jimin.

He forces himself to keep observing the other players as if Jimin is some random person he doesn't know. This is fine, it'll be fine. He'll just observe the game like a normal spectator with no vested interest in anyone.

I mean. He is a normal spectator with no vested interest in anyone.

Clearly Namjoon and Yoongi are no such normal spectators, already leaning over Jungkook to whisper about Taehyung and Hoseok. Jungkook sighs to himself, leaning back slightly to give them more space.

Jungkook doesn't even realize it when the warmups are over and the game's beginning, mostly because he zoned out while staring through the tiny gap between Namjoon and Yoongi's faces.

"Do you guys want to sit next to each other or something?" he asks finally. They exchange glances and smile at him sheepishly.

"Sorry Kook," Namjoon apologizes sincerely. "We can stop now."

"No, seriously, it's an offer," Jungkook answers, not even mad. "I don't mind you guys talking about whatever you'd like to talk about."

Namjoon and Yoongi exchange glances again before nodding slightly, embarrassed. Jungkook switches spots with Yoongi without a word.

A buzzer sounds and the game begins. Jungkook doesn't completely grasp the rules of the game (he's more of a taekwondo person himself), not sure why fouls are called or what number twelve is getting so heated about. But he decides not to dwell on it, sitting back and just watching the ball trade hands and occasionally swish through the net.

He's mostly here for his friends' sakes anyway, since he's not entirely interested, even if he wants to be. Basketball is nice enough, he decides, but it's just not his cup of (boba) tea.

He does accidentally spend a fair amount of time with his eyes trained on number thirteen. A certain person with (not naturally) blond hair and (currently) blue orbs who seems to be subtly commanding the court.

It's not like Jimin is a ball hog, or that he yells at his teammates to force them beneath him. Rather, he carries himself and directs his teammates with an effortless air of strength and skill, deft in his movements and at home on the court.

Jungkook likens this confidence to how Jimin carries himself on campus, or at parties, surrounded by people he knows will listen to him. But at the same time, this confidence feels more organic, natural, really, in that he's not trying overly hard to achieve it.

The game goes by both in a blur and at the pace of a snail, Jungkook reluctantly noticing the multitude of baskets Jimin is sinking with seemingly no effort (although, a practitioner of fluent skill himself, Jungkook knows that's far from the truth) from a variety of distances on the court.

Jungkook is somehow unsurprised when Jimin lands one last three-pointer with a satisfying swoosh mere seconds before the final shot clock sounds. Their school has won, although Jungkook admittedly wasn't looking much at the score.

The smile Jimin gives when he jogs over to his teammates catches Jungkook off guard. There it is again, the pure, genuine smile of exhilaration and innocent pride in a job well done. Jungkook decides, whether he wants to or not, that Jimin's natural smile is rather pretty.

After the team has a quick huddle and breaks, Jimin meanders towards the stands, one arm around Taehyung and Hoseok each. Jungkook snorts as his friends begin their fierce whispering again, crushes making their way closer to them by the second.

He stops cold, though, when Jimin glances up and meets his eye. Jungkook feels his heart retract into his chest in a funny sort of way, throat drying out at the eye contact. Jimin looks surprised for a moment, then his face sort of lights up, like he's happy to see Jungkook. For a moment, his eyes sparkle and a smile — a pure one — spreads across his face as he looks at the brunette.

Jungkook maintains eye contact in that moment, heart thumping unusually loud in his ears, his chest, his throat — everywhere, really — as he attempts to gulp down some saliva. 

Those two seconds of heart-fluttering connection are shattered, however, the moment Jimin's smile morphs into his usual one. Less eye sparkle, more slightly narrowed eyes and dark appraisal. Less poufed cheeks, more eyebrow quirk and knowing smirk. 

Jungkook feels his heart sink in disappointment. He struggles to rid himself of the feeling, but it lingers long after he's looked away. The interaction of sorts had felt real, for once, a refreshing break from Jimin's cocky, popular, usual self. He thought for a moment that maybe, maybe the fragile connection they formed during the whole Hojun & Co incident counted for something.

He doesn't know why he ever expected anything different.

Jungkook is walking down the hallway in his art building, zoned out as he thinks about random things he'll probably forget in a few minutes. It's for this reason that he doesn't notice Jimin approaching.

Jungkook, who is still zoned out, doesn't register that a figure is coming closer to him until Jimin stops in front of him, blocking his path.

Jungkook quickly looks up after that, orbs meeting Jimin's blue-gray ones. Other than the one time at the library, Jungkook doesn't think he's ever seen Jimin without colored contacts on, and he wonders for a moment if it feels strange to change one's natural appearance that often (even in a subtle way). 

His wondering quickly morphs into annoyance, however, as Jimin places one hand on the unused lockers beside Jungkook's head, leaning on them with his usual smirk on his face. "Afternoon, Jeon," he greets, running a hand through his hair.

Jungkook just grunts in response and tries to move past him.

"Hey," Jimin says, stepping out a bit, staring Jungkook down. "Don't act so excited to see me."

Jungkook sighs noisily. "I'm really not, and I'm sure you know that."

"Why?" Jimin looks genuinely confused. "I thought we bonded on Sunday and you'd be more willing to talk to me."

Jungkook regards him for a moment, trying to see if he's joking or not. "If your definition of 'bonding' is that awkward mess of a not-conversation, then I have some serious concerns about your social life."

Much to Jungkook's surprise, Jimin giggles at that, an incredibly rare sound that Jungkook has never heard before (in contrast to his "sexy snicker" or "charming chuckle"). It's higher pitched than Jungkook would've thought, a bright, bubbly sound that actually brings a slight blush to the brunette's cheeks.

"Wh-why are you laughing?" Jungkook asks, suddenly a little shier. 

Jimin grins at him, softer than usual. "You're funny, Jeon Jungkook, you know that?"

Jungkook sort of stares at him, blush still lingering. He doesn't know what to say to that, unaware that his joke was deemed funny enough for a laugh. He thought it would garner a good old nose exhale at most. 

It's so strange, really, how one moment Jimin is this egotistical avocado pit and the next, he's a normal, personable, friendly guy. It's giving Jungkook some serious whiplash. 

He scrambles for something to say, his mind plucking out the fact that they're both standing in the same building. "Wait, why are you in the art building anyway?"

Jimin gives him a funny smile, like he's half not sure if Jungkook's serious and half amused with the question. "Um... because I have classes here?"

"No way." Jungkook's jaw drops. "You take art?"

Jimin shrugs lightly, looking away from Jungkook's gaze for the first time today. "Mm, yeah, just for fun, I really enjoy it." While Jungkook regards him for a moment, a bit stunned, Jimin adds, "Would you like to see some of the work I've done? It's only a few classrooms down."

Jungkook looks at him, still dumbfounded at the fact that a jock like Jimin could possibly like art. But he nods after a moment. "I guess... Why not?" Jimin gives him a smile before turning to walk down the hall.

When he notices Jungkook isn't following, he pauses and looks back. "Aren't you coming?" he asks. Jungkook shakes his head lightly, trying to clear his head, and quickly catches up to the other boy.

They walk to Jimin's classroom in silence. Jungkook's head is still spinning with that whiplash again — Jimin's being too nice, too sweet, too down to earth, and it's scaring him. What's also scaring him is the way his heart is beating quite a bit faster than it really should be. Maybe Jungkook needs to see a doctor.

Finally, they reach the door. "There's no class right now," Jimin explains. "We can just take a quick look if you'd like." He waits for the nod of confirmation from Jungkook before pushing the door open.

It looks rather similar to Jungkook's art room, walls covered in various projects from various years, counters and desks piled with ongoing works, paints, buckets of paintbrushes, chalk, pastels, and all sorts of other art supplies.

Jimin leads Jungkook to a cabinet in the back, which he opens to reveal several shelves stacked with various artwork. Jimin gingerly pulls several out, laying them on the desk beside them.

Jungkook stares at them. It appears that Jimin favors paint, mostly acrylic, with the way the canvases are decorated with color in said medium. There's colored pencil and charcoal pieces as well, but primarily paint.

Even with how different they are, all the artwork has one thing in common: they are, in a word, mesmerizing. Seriously, Jungkook can't keep his eyes from them, going back to each one multiple times to see and appreciate things he didn't notice the first time.

Jimin fidgets nervously as Jungkook stares at his art. It's been a good minute when Jungkook looks up, a gentle smile on his face. "They're beautiful," he says.

Jimin's cheeks turn a little pinker at that. "Oh," he says. "Thank you. I'm glad you think so." Jungkook's smile widens, and Jimin blushes more. This is so strange.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jungkook asks, referring to Jimin's dazed expression.

Jimin shrugs, eyes sparkling, although he appears unusually shy. "That's the first time you've smiled at me."

Jungkook blinks at him, eyebrows furrowing. "What? I've smiled at you before."

Jimin shakes his head. "You've faked ones before, or grimaced at me, but I've never seen your real smile until now. Not directed towards me, at least."

Jungkook doesn't know what to say to that. "Oh," he manages. 

They stare at each other, locked in each others' gaze and unsure where to go. 

"It's really pretty, by the way," Jimin mumbles, cheeks still pink. Jungkook blinks at him.

"What is?"

"Your smile."

Jungkook blushes hard and keeps his mouth shut, not trusting himself to speak. Your real smile is pretty too, he thinks, but he's much too embarrassed and not nearly bold enough to say it out loud.

The moment passes and Jimin quietly gathers up his artwork again. As the blond is busy putting it carefully away again, Jungkook notices that Jimin's sketchbook has fallen open onto the table.

As much as Jungkook tells himself that it's rude to look at someone's sketchbook without permission, his curiosity gets the best of him. Jimin did the same to him, after all, so it's only fair (although even that logic leaves him a little guilty).

On the pages, Jungkook finds himself looking at... himself.

Not like a mirror or something, but rather little sketches, primarily of his face from different angles. In almost all of them, he isn't smiling, but it's clear that Jimin's attempted to recreate it in one or two. The smile never looks quite natural, however, and it's clear Jimin feels the same by the amount of erased lines on the page.

Jungkook should feel creeped out. Really, he should. There are sketches (remarkably good, lifelike sketches) of him in Jimin's sketchbook. Without Jungkook knowing. And yet.... he isn't creeped out. 

Instead, he feels a strange warm feeling spread inside of him, secretly flattered by the whole thing. Jimin thinks about his face enough to recreate it on paper, and multiple times, too. It's weird, yes, Jungkook can't help himself from thinking so, but also... sweet, in a strange way.

He quickly turns from the sketchbook, pretending he never saw it, heart thumping loudly in his chest. Jimin's finished putting his artwork away and quickly closes his sketchbook as soon as he sees it, surreptitiously glancing over to see if Jungkook noticed. Jungkook tries hard to look innocent.

"So, um... Thanks for showing them to me," Jungkook says awkwardly.

Jimin nods. "No problem. I'm honored that you liked them, considering you seem to be quite the art master yourself. Maybe... Maybe you can show me some of your work sometime?" At the sight of Jungkook's impassive face, he quickly adds, "But only if you want to, of course."

Jungkook shakes his head, snapping himself out of it. "What? Oh, yeah, um, sure, some time, maybe, yeah..." He trails off after thoroughly stumbling over his words.

Jimin smiles encouragingly at him and Jungkook allows himself to smile back.

Jungkook's been thinking about a lot lately.

Well, not really a "lot," since it's just one subject, but also a lot of little things related to that one subject. That one subject being Jimin.

It's been rather confusing, what with how hot and cold Jimin is towards Jungkook all the time. It seems like every time they interact, he's met with a different Jimin. He wonders how the blond can maintain so many personalities.

It's no secret (within himself, that is; he still hasn't told anyone about his inner conflict) that his favorite Jimin is the Jimin he met with yesterday and from last Sunday, who stood up for him when he most definitely didn't have to. The sweet, gentle, humble Jimin.

It's not that he hates Jimin's confidence or extroverted personality, it's the cocky ego and faux superiority that are dragged along with them that Jungkook likes to avoid. The one that led Jimin to tease the brunette about his nerdy reading and make comments about his dressed down appearance several times in the past.

So as much as Jungkook dislikes Ego Jimin, he has to admit that he... likes Authentic Jimin. Well. He'd never admit it out loud, and definitely never to Jimin, but he's finally allowed himself to admit that Authentic Jimin kind of has a fluttery-stomach effect on him that he enjoys.

However, Ego Jimin still exists and still gets on Jungkook's nerves. He is a reality that Jungkook just can't ignore. So he pushes aside his bubbling feelings for Authentic Jimin and carries on with his life as someone who isn't halfway in love with Park Jimin, unlike everyone else.

Jungkook is excited.

The art field trip that he's been waiting all year for is right around the corner. The corner being today, and the trip being tomorrow. The trip in which he and the rest of the art department fly to Tokyo and explore various art exhibitions, visit famous pieces of architecture, and of course, eat amazing food.

The trip is only three days and two nights, which makes Jungkook sad, but three and two is better than zero and zero so he doesn't complain. 

He hasn't gone to Tokyo since he was little, so he's very enthusiastic about the whole endeavor. Plus, Tokyo is amazing from what he's heard and seen, so he knows the trip will be one to remember, even if it's short.

He fights hard to keep his foot from tapping due to nerves and excitement as his teacher begins listing the room assignments. Unfortunately, they weren't allowed to choose their own roommates for the hotels, which kind of sucks since Jungkook could end up with anyone in the class (well, any guy). He was hoping to room with Kim Seokjin, one of his friendly classmates that he often talks to as he works. 

Sadly this isn't up to them, so he sits (im)patiently as he listens for his name.

"... Yoon Minji with Kim Jiyun." Jungkook watches the two girls highfive, wondering when his name will be called. It sounds like his teacher has gone through most of the class already, if not... all of them?

"Ah, and Jeon Jungkook," his teacher says finally. Jungkook's head snaps up, ready to hear his assignment. "Unfortunately, we have an odd number of people, so you will not be paired with someone from this class."

Jungkook deflates. Oh no. This means he'll have to end up rooming with someone he doesn't know, which will most likely be awkward as all donkey dung.

"May I ask who I will be paired with then?" he asks tentatively, at least wanting to hear the person's name so he can ask his friends if they know who it is.

His teacher peers at the sheet. "Yes, um... It says you'll be paired with someone from Mr. Choi's class... His name is Park Jimin."

Jungkook's heart drops to his stomach. Park Jimin. Oh my actual banana slug, Jungkook has to room with Park Jimin of all people. As if his feelings aren't confused enough with the whole ordeal, now they have to sleep in the same room.

At least we'll probably be outside most of the day, Jungkook tells himself, trying to keep morale high. And at least we'll have two separate beds, so it's not like I have to really notice he's there for more than twenty minutes a day. 

With those thoughts, he feels a lot better. Granted, it'll still be terrible — nerds and jocks just shouldn't share a hotel room — but Jungkook will... most likely survive the whole ordeal.

Most likely.

The day of the trip (aka, the next day) finally arrives and Jungkook is a mess of nerves and excitement.

The plane ride seems to go quickly enough, since luckily they could at least choose their seat assignments and Jungkook can sit next to Seokjin. They talk most of the time about video games and alpacas.

They land in the mid-afternoon, so they have time to explore the city a bit with the promise that they'll be back to their hotels to get situated by 7 pm (the art tours aren't until tomorrow). With several hours to kill, Jungkook and Seokjin join up with another group to just walk around downtown Tokyo and enjoy the city.

Jungkook loves it already. Although the environment of Tokyo isn't vastly different from Seoul, he still enjoys all the little differences in culture and general ambiance of the place. 

He's also glad for the distraction. Ever since yesterday's announcement, he's been trying as hard as he can not to think about the fact that he has to share a hotel room with Jimin. The city walk definitely helps to keep his mind off things, so he savors it all he can.

They're able to enjoy a taste of the night life before they have to head back to the hotel— also known as the one big thing that Jungkook has been dreading.

Once all the students have gathered at the hotel, the teachers begin giving instructions about the rooms. Luckily, since the teachers have deemed them old enough to take care of themselves, there aren't any major restrictions on things such as bedtime and visiting other rooms (just no illegal activities, please!).

Jungkook awkwardly makes his way over to where Jimin is standing when they're told to find their roommates, and he avoids eye contact at all costs. Corndog on a stick, this is going to be excruciating, isn't it.

They each receive their keycards and are told to head up to their rooms to get settled. Just as they're about to go up, Jungkook receives news that feels like a waking nightmare.

"Wait, Park, Jeon," Jungkook's art teacher calls before they head to the elevator. They turn politely and wait for further comments. "I'm so sorry, but the rooms we thought we booked didn't turn out as expected. We thought we had enough rooms with two queen beds, but apparently they double booked and other guests got the last one."

Jungkook gulps. Does this mean... what he thinks it means?

"So, due to the double booking, we were forced to move you two to a different room," she says apologetically. "And unfortunately, that room only has one king bed."

Jungkook feels his heart practically stop. What the actual rabbit fart?? He blushes automatically at the thought of having to share a bed with Jimin. The idea that had been getting him through all this was that at least they would have separate beds. But now they have to share? 

Oh no. Just... oh no. 

He fights to avoid eye contact with Jimin as he nods obediently to his teacher. They drag their suitcases to the elevator in silence, avoiding each others' gaze the whole way.

Once they get to the room, Jungkook seriously feels like he's going to have a heart attack. There it is, the confirmation of his demise: the singular king bed smack dab in the center of the room.

He quietly lets Jimin choose which side of the bed he wants before placing his luggage down and sitting on the very, very edge. He can't believe this is happening. 

They leave the room quickly, heading back down to the lobby before dinner. Jungkook gloms onto Seokjin as soon as possible, wanting to get as far away from Jimin as he can. The two of them hadn't spoken a word the whole time, and it was quite possibly the definition of painful. 

Jungkook and his small group head to a little sushi place for dinner. The food, unsurprisingly, is delightful. Jungkook never wants to leave the place, and it's not just because he's dreading going back to the hotel.

And yet he has to return eventually, and he's glad to find that Jimin isn't back yet. He gets ready for bed as fast as he can, despite knowing that he won't be going to sleep for quite some time. He debates sleeping without a shirt — it's hot in there, even with AC, and he's used to doing so most days — but decides that it would be horrific if Jimin walks in to see him shirtless.

By the time Jimin walks in, Jungkook's tucked under the covers, lying directly at the edge of the bed. Jimin respects the quiet as he gets ready for bed as well, slipping under the covers on the opposite edge.

They lie in silence for a while, perched as far away as possible from each other without falling off of the bed. 

Then Jimin decides not to respect the quiet. 

"So," he says, at least being courteous enough to keep his voice down. "Here we are."

Jungkook makes a wordless sound of agreement. 

"I never expected this to happen," Jimin continues. "You know... for us to end up sharing a room together. And then a bed."

Jungkook flushes at the implication but says nothing. 

"To be honest, I never really thought we'd be talking to each other much at all," Jimin says.

It's silent for a while.

"I'm sorry, you know," Jimin murmurs. Jungkook barely hears him, but he does. His eyebrows furrow slightly in the dark.

"For what?" he asks. "I mean, I can think of a lot of things you could be sorry for, but what things are you thinking of?"

Jimin laughs softly at that. "Yeah, you're probably right." He pauses. "I don't know, just... everything."

Jungkook stays quiet, waiting for the blond to continue. 

"Like, I'm sorry that I act like an egotistical douchebag a lot of the time," he says, and it's soft, like a confession. "I don't mean to be, especially not to you. It's not an excuse, but I guess it's sort of a defense mechanism for me. If I act confident enough, then maybe no one can bring me down."

Jungkook just stares at the ceiling.

"And to be honest, when I say things about your books or drawings or outfits I'm not trying to be mean. I... I guess I'm just nervous, so my brain goes on autopilot, which apparently isn't very smart. I can't think of the right thing to say, so I guess I end up saying the wrong thing without meaning to. I'm no good with books like yours, so when I ask about them, I'm actually curious. It's just... I sound condescending because I don't know how to ask about something I know nothing about."

Jungkook glances over at him, despite only barely being able to make out Jimin's face in the dark. Jimin... hadn't been mocking his books? 

"And with your outfits, god, I'm really bad, aren't I? But you honestly look cute in them, especially with your glasses. I wasn't trying to tease you about your clothes or the fact that you wear glasses, I really do appreciate that you wear what you want to wear. But again, my brain to mouth connection is stupid and I end up saying shit I either don't mean, or that sounds worse than I meant for it to be. I... I guess I'm too dumb and embarrassed to compliment you, so my brain has to find some other way of making a comment.

"And your art? Wow. Just... Wow. Your sketches are beautiful, Jungkook. I'm not at all surprised that you're known to be one of the best artists in your class. Seriously, your work is amazing. But I just fell flat when I tried to think of the words to describe how I felt about it, because words just weren't enough and my brain definitely wasn't fast enough to at least conjure ones that were decent."

They fall silent again for a beat, Jungkook trying to search Jimin's face in the dark.

"Why are you telling me all this?" he asks finally. 

He can see Jimin smile faintly as he turns to face the brunette. "Because... Because I honestly feel terrible about being a jerk to you in the past, and I didn't think I'd have the courage to say this in the morning." 

Jungkook bites his lip unconsciously. Well, this is adding to the mess of thoughts and feelings he's been worrying about over the last several days. Although it does help to clear the haze a bit on Ego Jimin, and the often covered bits of Authentic Jimin are beginning to shine through.

Jungkook doesn't know what to make of that.

"What about what you said at the party?" he asks. "Do you really think I play hard to get just because I want you?"

Despite the darkness, Jungkook is pretty sure that Jimin is blushing.

"Ah, right..." he mumbles. "I'm really sorry about that comment. You know, just to slip half off topic here for a bit, I really did think you looked pretty that night, but I also think you look pretty every day. I was confused when you said you thought I thought you looked pretty just because of the makeup and your outfit." He shakes his head with a small smile.

"Wow, that sentence was trash. But you know what I mean. Sure, they may have enhanced your beauty, but you already are so pretty that there wasn't much enhancing for them to do. So in the moment, I was convinced that you were aware of how pretty you were, and by denying it you were just waiting for me to compliment you further, or for me to think you're humble or something. Again, I know it's dumb, but I can't exactly think straight around you.

"I know, or at least I know now, that you aren't playing hard to get. That's what's so amazing about you, Jungkook. You're not like everyone else. You don't try too hard to impress people or act how you think other people want you to act. You're so unabashedly you, and I think that's... beautiful."

Jungkook has no idea what to say to that. He does blush quite aggressively, though, and he turns back to the ceiling in hopes that Jimin won't see. 

They're quiet for a beat. "Anyway... I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Jimin murmurs. "You don't have to forgive me, or say anything, but I just wanted you to know. Before I chickened out and left you thinking I'm an asshole. Which, to be fair, you might still think, and I don't blame you. But... yeah. Now you know."

When Jungkook doesn't answer, he whispers, "Good night, Jungkook."

Jungkook whispers it back.

He barely knows what to think about this whole thing. He's glad that Jimin explained, though, and it does make him feel better in one way or another. And it looks like Authentic Jimin is more genuine than he could have hoped for... He just hopes that Jimin doesn't chicken out and revert to his llama brained self in the morning.

He has to say, it unfortunately makes Jimin all the more attractive in Jungkook's eyes, knowing that he isn't inherently an egotistical jerk all the time. But at the same time, he still did say those things, and they still hurt at the time.

Much to think about.

Jungkook finds that he's a bit warmer than he's comfortable with, so he waits until he hears the steady breathing of Jimin having fallen asleep before shedding his shirt like a chrysalis and wrapping one cool sheet around himself.

Much to think about. 

He does his best to fall asleep. 

"Jungkook!"

Jungkook groans quietly, rolling out of bed and throwing his mousy brown hair into a messy bun. He fumbles for his glasses and slips them on, momentarily disoriented. 

"Jungkook, hurry up, lets go!" 

Jungkook groans quietly, pulling on a hoodie. "Coming, Mom, calm your bajingas." He then pads to the kitchen. 

Jungkook's mom is leaned against the kitchen counter, ten cigarettes stuffed in her mouth. "I sold you to pay off my gambling debt," she says around a literal mouthful of cigarettes. 

He blinks at her, rubbing his eyes in confusion. "What? Sold me?"

She nods, a cigarette flying out of her mouth and onto the ground. She doesn't even glance at it. "Yep. I've racked up so much debt drinking and gambling and getting tattoos since your father left us that the only way for me to pay them off was to sell you. Speaking of tattoos, look at my new one." She turns around to show a tattoo of Shaggy bench pressing a large pig with hair, a caption proclaiming in bubble letters, zOINKs!

Jungkook furrows his eyebrows, blinking his orbs uncomprehendingly. "I—"

"No time," she cuts him off, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him to the door. As if on cue, the sound of five hands knocking on his door breaks into the semi-silence. 

Jungkook stumbles to the door, dragged by his mom, who finally releases him with a broad grin, four more cigarettes tumbling out of her mouth.

"Your new owners are here," she cackles.

She then throws open the door to reveal all five members of One Direction (even Zayn!), standing stick straight in the doorway with identical smiles on their faces. "Hello, Jungkook," they say in unison without blinking. "You're coming with us now." 

Jungkook looks to his mom in shock, but she just laughs at him as five pairs of hands grab his arms and haul him to a sketchy white van. "Welcome to our harem, Y/N," they say together, their grinning faces the last thing Jungkook sees before he's thrown into the darkness, the only though his mind can form being, Who on earth is Huai En?

"Jungkook!"

He jolts awake, panting. Jesus McFreakin' Christ, that was by far the scariest dream he's had since he was a toddler. 

He quickly ducks back under the covers with a blush once he remembers that he's not wearing a shirt. He hopes Jimin didn't see anything.

Speaking of Jimin, he's currently looking over at Jungkook with a worried look on his face. "Hey, are you alright?" he asks. "You were fidgeting a lot and you looked kind of in pain." He blushes before quickly adding, "Not that I was watching you or something, it's just that I woke up and saw you looked uncomfortable and... yeah. You were mumbling something like You're insecure so I figured you were having a bad dream and I thought I'd wake you up...?"

Jungkook rubs his eyes sleepily. "Mm, yeah... Sorry if I woke you, I just had a really strange dream. Thanks for taking me out of it, though."

Jimin gives him a soft smile. He glances over to see what time it is. 3:45. They still have time until they have to get up.

They quietly settle down, ready to fall asleep again. 

A few minutes in, Jungkook whispers, "Do you know who Huai En is?"

Jimin rolls over, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. "Y/N? Like, in those cliche second-person Wattpad stories?"

Jungkook stares at him like he's grown a third arm. "What's Wattpad?"

Jimin laughs at that, shaking his head with a smile. "You don't want to know."

They settle back down again, and all is quiet in the darkness of the room.

Before he can think better of it, Jungkook reaches out to place his hand on top of Jimin's (while still keeping his unclothed chest beneath the covers— he really doesn't want Jimin to see that). 

"Really, thank you for worrying about me," he murmurs. Jimin looks at him in surprise, eyes widening, before it softens into a smile. 

"Of course," he responds. "I just want you to feel safe."

And with that, Jungkook releases his hand and eventually drifts off to sleep again.

Jungkook wakes up a little warmer than he felt falling asleep.

At first he thinks it's because it's morning, so since the sun has risen, so has the temperature. Then he realizes that the room has curtains and the AC is on, so it's not like that would even affect the temperature at all.

Then he notices that it's mostly just his back that's warm, and part of his tummy.

Wait.

Oh mozzarella sticks.

Jungkook feels even warmer — like he's been lit on fire, really — when he realizes the real cause of his rise in temperature. It's Jimin, who is currently pressed up against his (bare) back, more or less cuddling him from behind. 

Jungkook's heart stops, drops, and rolls to put the fire out.

It doesn't work like how they say in the emergency procedure lectures, and he is very upset by this fact.

So his heart continues to feel like it's been set ablaze as he tries to survey the damage without Jimin waking up. Somehow, in the middle of the night, Jimin ended up spooning Jungkook, chest pressed against Jungkook's back, one arm wrapped around his torso.

Jungkook is seriously going to die.

It really does not help that he is not wearing a shirt, so now he can feel Jimin directly against his skin which is not a good time. 

Jungkook can feel the beat of Jimin's heart against his back and his steady breathing as he sleeps peacefully, completely unaware of Jungkook's existential crisis. 

He hates to admit that he feels comfortable in Jimin's arms. Safe, really. It's annoyingly comforting to have Jimin holding him like this, as if he's reassuring him that there will be no more robotic One Direction to whisk him away.

The moment is shattered, however, by the sound of Jungkook's alarm. They had been told to meet in the lobby by 8:00, so Jungkook had set an alarm to make sure he got up in time.

It also makes sure that Jimin gets up in time.

Jimin stirs slightly at the sound, even as Jungkook hurriedly tries to turn it off. Still sleepy and hazy-minded, Jimin instinctively burrows his face in the crook of Jungkook's neck, mumbling something about wanting more sleep.

Jungkook is probably going to explode.

He can feel Jimin's surprisingly soft hair brush his cheek (Jungkook thought it would feel like straw after all the dyeing, to be fair) and he feels so weak. What the actual donut hole, this is not okay.

Then Jimin's alarm goes off, and the blond begins to wake up for real. Jungkook can almost feel the heart rate quicken against his back as Jimin realizes where he is and what he's doing.

"Fuck," Jimin says, not one for grandma swearing like Jungkook is. He quickly rolls off of the brunette, and Jungkook can now see the heavy flush on his cheeks in the bits of daylight seeping into their room. 

Jungkook sits up slightly, watching as Jimin melts into an embarrassed pile of goo next to him.

"I'm so sorry," Jimin babbles, "I— I don't know why I did that, I'm so used to holding something when I sleep at home, I'm so sorry, I didn't— I promise I'm not trying to be creepy, I wasn't thinking, I'm really sorry..."

Jungkook looks into Jimin's chocolately brown orbs, seeing the genuine shame and embarrassment reflected in them. And hey, they're brown now, not hidden behind a different color, and it makes Jungkook feel even more like he's talking to Jimin. 

"Hey, it's okay," Jungkook says, oddly switching roles to be the one comforting Jimin. "Don't worry about it, it's fine, seriously."

Jimin gives him an apologetic smile and they just kind of look at each other for a moment.

Then Jimin's eyes flick down and back up, fast as lightning, but Jungkook still sees it.

Oh Yoda's hairy green ears, Jungkook's still not wearing a shirt. His cheeks heat up as he quickly covers himself with the sheet. "So, um, should we get ready now?" he asks, suddenly feeling rather awkward.

"Oh, yeah, okay," Jimin nods. "I'll, um... go to the bathroom to change." He slips out of bed and scurries away.

Jungkook flops back down for a moment, letting out a long breath. Wow, that was pain personified. He's not sure if this will make things more or less awkward between them than it already was, but he hopes there will at least be some improvement.

What with everything Jimin said last night, things do feel quite a bit different. Now Jungkook doesn't have the solid excuse of "Jimin is a moldy tomato that could care less about other people" to flap away any possible feelings. Because even though Jimin was a jerk sometimes, he also was sweet sometimes. And if the jerk was just an act...

Plus, he has to admit, Jungkook hasn't been the nicest to Jimin either. Even though he kind of deserved it sometimes, Jungkook would always brush Jimin off before he'd said much. Now that he has the opportunity to make amends, maybe he should. 

And really. When Jimin's not being a jerk, he's often kind, compassionate, and gentle. And Jungkook... Well, he really likes that. Maybe more than he should.

Jungkook changes while Jimin's in the bathroom, then they both head down to get some food. They eat the complementary breakfast that the hotel provides, but not before splitting off into their own groups.

Jungkook's both glad and a little reluctant about the separation. Glad because he's not sure he could've lasted another minute with the aura of intense awkwardness between them (both from Jimin's semi confession last night and the whole spooning-shirtless-Jungkook business this morning). And reluctant because as uncomfortable as it was, something inside of Jungkook is tugging him towards Jimin and doesn't want to leave his side just yet.

After breakfast, once everyone's brushed their teeth and ready to go, the art classes head out for the day.

Jungkook doesn't have time to worry about his feelings for Jimin when he's distracted by the art exhibits and other beautiful locations their classes visit, for which he is grateful. He spends the whole time glued to Seokjin's side, avoiding eye contact with Jimin at all costs.

So, pretty much what he used to do before they started talking (more than a few terse words, that is). 

He loves everything he sees. The art here is gorgeous, rendered in such meticulous detail, and he can't help but gaze at each of them in awe. He hopes that one day his art can be just as good, even if it's a different style that would be hard to compare. 

As the classes travel across the city, Jungkook just falls more and more in love with it. He knows he just has to come back, hopefully some time soon in the future. Who knows, maybe he'll come with a future boyfriend... or husband (he feels physically exhausted by the force with which he tries to shove the image of Jimin being said boyfriend/husband out of his mind).

However, apparently some caterpillar toe stated that all good things must come to an end, and come to an end they do. Soon enough, Jungkook finds himself back in the hotel room, lying on his back under the covers, just thinking.

By now, it'll be really fricking hard to convince himself that he doesn't have some semblance of feelings for Jimin. And he dislikes that fact. He really does.

Part of it is that less than a month ago, Jungkook was convinced that Jimin was the most big-headed, cocky, jerkiest jerk to ever jerk. Part of it is that everyone else in school is already in love with Jimin, and Jungkook hates being like everyone else.

And part of it is, as much as Jungkook hates to admit it, he's kind of insecure.

Now, Jungkook prides himself on being someone that doesn't need the approval of others to thrive. He doesn't care what other people think of him, and he does whatever the heck he wants to do. He prides himself on being the kind of person who is self-assured without being aloof, confident without being egotistical. He doesn't let the opinions of other people affect how he feels.

However, all of that is going out the window when it comes to Jimin, and Jungkook is feeling way out of his comfort zone.

First of all, there's the fact that Jimin could very, very well be straight. In fact, up until a few days (or is it weeks? he's not so sure about the timeline) ago, Jungkook was positive that he was. I mean. Look at the facts: Jimin is a jock, Jimin is popular, Jimin has 230498023849028348234 girls thirsting over him, Jimin is an egotistical jerk. For the last one, at least, Jungkook would like to think that none of his fellow gays would dare be such a baboon armpit.

And second, even if Jimin somehow isn't straight, there's zero way that he could like Jungkook. Jungkook isn't anything special, he's just... Jungkook. That's it. Nothing more. Not exactly someone for Mr. Captain and Ace of All Sports and Social Circles to find attractive. 

Jungkook knows he's plain, and he's always sort of prided himself on that. But now, with these brewing Jiministic feelings, he suddenly feels more (or is it less?) than that. Bland. Flavorless. Dull. 

Besides, they just wouldn't fit. They're too different. No way would someone like Jimin, who could quite literally get anyone that he wants, fall for someone like Jungkook, who quite literally couldn't give two asparagus toots about relationships and appearances and societal pressure until this moment.

Jimin is big and bold, loud and flashy— whereas Jungkook is small and contained, calm and utterly ordinary.

So as he's lying in bed, half waiting for Jimin to finish brushing his teeth, Jungkook tries to convince himself to give it up now before it's too late.

It's not long before Jimin's climbing into bed beside him. They don't lie on opposite edges like they did last night, but they still leave a good two feet between them as they lie there in silence.

Jungkook closes his eyes briefly. Another reason why Jimin definitely doesn't like him back is because Jungkook's always been so short with him, answering in annoyed tones and never giving him the time of day. Yes, he'll admit that.

Well... at least he can hopefully fix one of the reasons.

"I need to say sorry too," he says into the darkness after taking about five minutes to work up the courage to say the words out loud.

Jimin rolls over to face him, confused. "What? Why?"

"Because... as much as you've been a mildew-brain, I haven't been the nicest to you either. Even when you've tried to talk to me without any snarky insults, I'm the one being snarky before you've even said much. I'm sorry for never giving you the time of day just because I was too blinded by my stereotypical vision of you."

Jimin huffs out a laugh. "Your vision wasn't so much a vision as something I was portraying, but... Apology accepted. Even though you didn't have to apologize."

Jungkook shrugs. "I thought I should anyway. You're really not so bad, Park Jimin."

Jimin smiles at him.

"You aren't either, Jeon Jungkook," he says. "I've always thought you were... intriguing."

Jungkook tilts his head in question. "How so?"

"I dunno. It's like I said last night, you're so different from everyone else, ya know? Unique. You stand out that way, and I couldn't help but want to know more. I'll admit that the way I went about it was a bit creepy and often rude at first, but I must say that my interest never went away. Well actually, it changed into something else."

Jungkook furrows his eyebrows when Jimin doesn't elaborate, the blond just looking at him as if trying to convey messages via his orbs. "Sorry... I don't think I follow?"

"Attraction," Jimin clarifies. "Interest turned into attraction. To you, that is."

Jungkook just stares at him for a moment, dumbfounded. "I— Me? What? But... Aren't... you straight? And like? Otherwordly-level popular? You could literally like anyone and you're saying you like me."

Jimin laughs at that. "Straight? Me? You're funny. I guess that goes to show that nothing in your daily life truly demonstrates sexuality. I may seem like a very heterosexual jock, but I promise you, I am not." He smirks. "Definitely not, since I've have a fat crush on you since, like, freshman year."

Jungkook gives a small gasp and blushes all the way to the tips of his ears. "How can you just say it like that," he mumbles. "And I still don't get why you 'chose' me when there are ten billion people — girls, mostly — who are in love with you and you could easily date anyone you want?"

Jimin's smirk turns into a wide grin. "First of all, there are only seven billion people in this world—"

"Oh wow, you know basic facts, I'm head over heels."

"Shut up. Anyway, I told you so many times, dummy. I like you because you're you and you've never tried to impress me. Yeah, maybe you were short with me, but you've never been afraid to speak your mind about how you feel and what you want or don't want. You've never tried to kiss up to me to make me like you, and therefore you're showing me you, not the person you think I want to see."

Jungkook goes quiet at that, unable to find a good retort. "Oh," is all he says.

"Yeah," Jimin says back, eyes softening.

They're quiet for a moment. And then a few moments more. If Jungkook didn't know any better, he'd think Jimin looks rather nervous right about now. Maybe because he confessed and got no response.

Oh, right.

"If it helps at all," Jungkook says to the ceiling, "I apparently have a fat crush on you too."

Jimin slaps his arm. "You jerk! Why'd you wait so long to say that? As confident as I may act, I don't think I'd handle rejection well. And what do you mean by 'apparently'?"

Jungkook grins. "I wanted to watch you squirm. Also, I forgot. And 'apparently' my brain and heart plotted against me and made me like you, which by the way, wasn't my decision. I was against this from the start, but they're more powerful than my own sheer force of will, so..."

Jimin giggles, making Jungkook's grin widen at the sound. "God, you're adorable."

"Oh, no need, you can just call me Jungkook," Jungkook offers, earning himself another giggle.

Jimin tentatively scoots closer so their shoulders are touching. He's clearly a bit unsure of himself (something Jungkook would have never guessed was possible), so Jungkook turns to rest his head on Jimin's chest to reassure him that this is okay. He hears Jimin's breath hitch slightly before going back to normal, and it brings a smile to his face.

"Can I kiss you?" Jimin asks suddenly, after a few minutes of comfortable silence.

Jungkook flushes. "I— I've never done it before... I wouldn't want to disappoint you..."

"Nonsense," Jimin says. "You could never disappoint me. Don't worry, we can take it slow."

Jungkook thinks for a moment before nodding against his chest. He hopes it's not just his imagination that Jimin's heartbeat has gotten a lot faster over the last minute or so.

He takes his head off of Jimin's chest and rolls over slightly so that he's facing the blond completely. He feels his breath get stuck in his throat at how beautiful Jimin looks right now, the minimal moonlight filtering through the curtains illuminating his face in just the right way. 

Jungkook's always tried to avoid it, but nothing can stop him from admitting that Jimin is breathtaking. Well, he always is, but especially right now. With his silky hair and delicate eyebrows, petite nose and eyes full of affection (that's right! affection for Jungkook), he's nothing short of gorgeous. 

Oh, and also his lips. What the cheese whiz, his lips are so plump and pink and pretty and Jungkook can feel goosebumps just thinking about them— Oh wait, he's supposed to kiss Jimin anyway.

He takes a deep breath, staring into Jimin's chocolately brown orbs, and giving a tentative smile. He bites his lower lip in anticipation and Jimin's eyes flick down to follow the movement.

Jimin reaches out to put a hand on Jungkook's cheek, gentle and comforting. Jungkook takes another deep breath before closing his eyes. "I'm ready," he murmurs.

He can practically feel Jimin's smile before he leans in and brushes their lips together.

Jungkook feels fireworks explode behind his eyelids, even at the simple touch. He feels tingles run up and down his entire body and he immediately wants more. Jimin pulls away after a moment but Jungkook chases after his lips, putting his hand on Jimin's cheek and leaning back in.

Wow. Jungkook feels like he's in actual heaven. Maybe Jimin was on the right track when he called Jungkook God. The kiss is gentle, still slightly tentative, and Jungkook lets Jimin take the lead. 

(Of course, since this is a cliche Wattpad story, the position somehow isn't uncomfortable at all and they are able to kiss lying on their sides for a while without it feeling awkward. Additionally, since this is a cliche Wattpad story, Jungkook is immediately a grade a expert kisser despite never having kissed someone in his entire life.)

Nonetheless, in one way or another, Jungkook decides that he's much too addicted to this feeling already and takes the initiative to move to an even more comfortable position. He ends up lying on top of Jimin, straddling his hips, arms caged by the blond's head. Jimin reaches up to tangle his fingers into Jungkook's hair, the latter giving a little sigh and causing Jimin to smile into the kiss.

The kiss never gets very heated, remaining sweet and gentle, and Jungkook loves it.

Eventually they break away, Jungkook just staring down at Jimin with his flushed cheeks and reddened lips. Jungkook feels like swooning. Jimin smiles a gorgeous smile and Jungkook automatically blushes before burying his face in Jimin's chest, suddenly embarrassed.

Jimin laughs, but it's not mocking. "Why are you being all shy?" he teases.

"hhhhhh" is the response. Jimin gently cards his fingers through Jungkook's hair as they lie there for a while.

Eventually Jungkook turns his head to the side, getting some crisp air. "I like you a lot, Jimin," he mumbles, cheeks still stained red as he traces little patterns on Jimin's chest. "It was really, really hard for me to admit it to myself, but... I really do."

Jimin smiles softly. "I like you a lot too, Jungkookie," he murmurs back. "Wasn't hard for me to admit it to myself at all. But I really do." Jungkook giggles at that and glances up at the blond. Jimin leans down to give him a quick kiss.

"I guess it was good that the hotel messed up our reservation, huh," Jimin says. Jungkook hums in agreement. "Otherwise, who knows if this ever would've happened."

"Probably not," Jungkook muses. "We'd probably be stuck in our own beds, too awkward to talk." He pauses. "Well, we still were awkward as all heck, but at least we talked."

Jimin smiles, smoothing back Jungkook's hair and pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"At least we talked."

Jungkook doesn't mind showing Jimin his drawings anymore. In fact, he enjoys doing so, especially knowing that Jimin will show him his sketchbook in return.

Jimin's sketches of Jungkook are even more lifelike now, with smiles that light up his face just right now that he's seen them many, many times in real life. 

After Jungkook shows his sketch of the queen and the knight, he even gets Jimin to read the book for himself (Jimin's not even halfway through, but he loves it already). 

Jungkook likes doing Jimin's makeup. He's only ever done it on himself before, but he decides that he enjoys doing Jimin's makeup too — it feels even more like a beautiful canvas for him to work with.

Jimin invites Jungkook to all of his games (basketball and otherwise) and Jungkook goes to as many as he can. He can be seen in the stands, watching the game with rapt attention, standing up and cheering whenever number thirteen scores or otherwise does something to critically assist his team.

Jungkook lets Jimin take him shopping, unable to resist the adorable pleading eyes that beg him to do it, just this once. He's much too weak, so they end up going, and Jimin picks out some outfits for Jungkook. Jimin thinks they make Jungkook look hot, even more so than normal, so the latter blushes and wears them just for him. 

They both adjust a little to each other's lives without changing who they are. And they don't mind at all.

Jeon Jungkook is totally quirky.

He doesn't wear ripped skinny jeans and fancy shirts like the majority of his school. He doesn't dye his hair extravagant colors. He doesn't skip class or break rules, join fraternities or follow trends. He doesn't care about his image, nor does he try to change himself to impress others.

But — ah, duck it — like seemingly everyone on campus, he's head-over-heels obsessed with Park Jimin.

As he walks down the paths of campus in his plain old basketball shorts and t-shirt, hand in hand with the most beautiful boy in the world, Jungkook just can't bring himself to care about the jealous glares or the eyes of so many people on him. He can't even bring himself to care that for once, in one aspect, he is sort of like everyone else.

All he really cares is that he is walking down the paths of campus, hand in hand with Park Jimin, the breathtaking boy that he really, really likes.