Work Text:
“Thighs.”
That’s what starts this entire mess.
Big thick thighs that have Jungkook’s gay brain in a frenzy. He’s always been a leg person. And no one can blame him for not being able to think straight when he’s met with a pair of strong, muscular thighs that glisten slightly. He still hopes the mystery man with the glorious thighs — that could absolutely crush him — didn’t hear him.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case because as soon as the words leave his lips, the man sputters next to him, dropping the weight that was held in his right hand to the floor — right on top of Jungkook’s phone. There is a loud crunching sound and it kind of resembles the way Jungkook’s life is currently going. Crumbling into pieces because he’s an idiot who really needs to work on the connection between his brain and mouth, and what’s socially acceptable to say out loud in public spaces.
Jungkook has never claimed to be smooth.
Truly, it’s his cross to bear. Sometimes he says things without thinking them out completely. Jimin always tells him it’s going to get him in trouble one day, but Jungkook has always brushed off the words because he’s an adult okay. He doesn’t need to be reprimanded like a child.
But as he looks down at his crushed phone, he thinks maybe Jimin is onto something.
The man who destroyed his phone pulls out his headphones and glances down at where the dumbbell is currently pinning Jungkook’s iPhone 11. He looks up apologetically, but Jungkook doesn’t care much for apologies because holy fucking god — it’s RM.
“I’m so sorry,” RM says as he leans down to pick up whatever is left of his phone. The poor thing cracks more, making a terrible sound as RM lifts it from the ground. Both of them wince.
“You’re…” Jungkook says blankly, still not able to fully comprehend the situation at hand. He doesn’t recall taking any drugs, so he’s unsure how his mind is able to conjure up such a vivid dream.
“Oh god, are you a fan?” RM asks, expression slowly morphing into pure terror. “I just broke a fan’s phone. Seokjin is going to murder me.”
Jungkook doesn’t know who Seokjin is and why dream RM is saying his name, but he doesn’t question it. He’s never drinking caffeine late at night again.
“Are you okay there?” RM asks, eyebrows drawing together in confusion. Dream RM is really pretty, Jungkook thinks. I mean, the real RM is pretty too, but he’s never been able to see him so up close.
He reaches out, wondering if he’s able to touch people in his dreams as well. RM has adorable dimples and maybe Jungkook has always wondered what they feel like. Sue him. It’s not weird okay? It’s completely rational to want to poke RM’s dimples and maybe call him the best boy. He freezes when his fingers hit smooth skin… that feels very real. Oh holy god.
“Uh?” Not so dream RM says, stepping back a bit. He looks completely put off and Jungkook is going to jump off the nearest building because this is fucking real.
Oh my god. “Oh my god.” Jungkook pulls his hand back so fast he fears it might break. “I’m so sorry. I— I thought this was just a really vivid dream.” He glances down at his broken phone in his hand and winces. He really does not have the funds to replace that right now. “Fuck, my poor phone.”
RM winces, handing Jungkook the broken remains of the phone. “I’m sorry. I can pay for it.”
Jungkook cradles the iPhone to his chest. “You don’t have to. I— oh my god you heard me? I’m an idiot. I promise, I’m not some weirdo that hits on people at the gym,” Jungkook says, the words coming out rushed in his haste to defend himself. “I just sometimes don’t think before speaking and you… you, uh, have nice thighs.”
Literally what the fuck is he talking about. He snaps his mouth shut before he’s able to say anything else stupid — like how cute RM looks when he’s confused. Because that’s creepy.
“I— thank you?” RM says and it’s obvious he doesn’t know what else to say.
Jungkook steps back. “I… am going to go workout and try my best to pretend this never happened. I already know it’s going to haunt my three A.M thoughts.”
That cracks a small smile out of RM. “It’s okay. Fans have said worse, believe me.”
Jungkook frowns. That doesn’t necessarily make it okay.
“Well you don’t need to replace my phone and I’m sorry again,” Jungkook says instead of voicing his other thoughts. “It’s not your fault you broke it.”
It’s RM’s turn to frown. “Yeah well I’m not the most coordinated person.”
“Well you also don’t expect a random college student to exclaim ‘thighs’ when you’re working out either,” Jungkook reminds. “Especially not at two in the morning.”
RM laughs at that and Jungkook’s heart stutters in his chest. It sounds even more beautiful in person — his poor gay brain isn’t equipped to process that fact. Jungkook ducks his head, turning to go to one of the machines farthest away from the celebrity as possible. RM doesn’t say another word to him as he walks away and Jungkook is grateful for it, already having embarrassed himself enough for the evening.
They finish their workouts in silence, Jungkook resolutely blasting his music — and thank god he brought his radio this time — so he doesn’t lose focus and do something stupid like propose to RM in the middle of him doing squats. Because whew, impressive. Jungkook tries not to wonder if RM can squat him.
When they wrap up, RM does a small nod to him as a way to say goodbye and Jungkook returns it as smoothly as he can. Which is not smooth at all, because he ends up dropping a weight to the floor and it makes an unbelievably loud sound as it hits it. It makes RM smile though and really, that’s all that matters.
Jungkook leaves once he knows RM is actually gone, not wanting to do anything that could be considered weird. He truly doesn’t want to know what car RM drives or anything of the sort, because it feels like an invasion of privacy.
When he gets back to his apartment, Taehyung is sitting in the living room with paint smeared on his cheek. Jimin is asleep on Hoseok’s lap, both of them always keeping their boyfriend company when he has a creative burst — even when it’s at three in the morning.
“Anything interesting happen?” Hoseok asks, looking up from where he had been scrolling on his phone.
“Nope,” Jungkook replies, popping the p obnoxiously.
Because how the hell does he even begin to explain what happened tonight without sounding like a crazy person?
🍂
“Jeon Jungkook you better explain what the hell happened last night.”
Jungkook blinks, confused by the loud noise. He hardly registers the words before he gets a lap full of Jimin and Taehyung. His affronted yelp is drowned out by their collective giggles.
“Why are you both in my bed?” Jungkook mumbles hoarsely, still half asleep. “Why are you both so annoying .”
Taehyung settles next to him, cuddling up to his side. Jimin sits up, cradling his knees to his chest and resting his chin on the top of them. Hoseok comes into the room only a moment later, nursing a mug of coffee.
“I thought you said nothing interesting happened last night,” Hoseok says as he sits on the edge of the bed, seeing as there is hardly any room on the bed with both of his boyfriends occupying it.
Jungkook frowns. “Because nothing did?” He says slowly, as if it’s a question, mostly because he’s confused. I mean sure, meeting your favorite rapper does technically fall under the category of interesting but it’s not like Hoseok could possibly know what truly happened last night. It would be impossible.
Or at least that’s what he thinks.
He’s proven wrong when Jimin shoves his perfectly intact iPhone in his face and he sees grainy photos of RM and — oh fuck . He drops the phone. The photos are of him and RM , standing extremely close to each other as they look at the remnants of his phone. But from the angle and the shitty lighting, it just looks like they are having an extremely cozy conversation at two in the morning.
The title of the article reads RM’s Mystery Boy? Which doesn’t really bode well for him or RM. He turns hesitantly towards his friends, who are all wearing matching expressions — a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
“So uh, I met RM last night?” He says because hell if he knows how to even begin this conversation. He still doesn’t quite believe it himself.
Chaos descends upon him the minute the words are out. Both Taehyung and Jimin immediately pounce on him, a million questions being thrown at him with little time in between. He groans, laying back down because it’s far too early to be dealing with this.
“Okay, explain,” Hoseok finally cuts in, silencing his very rambunctious boyfriends who concede with matching pouts. “Are you dating RM?”
Jungkook shoots up from Hoseok’s guest bed. “What? No?” He says quickly but boy isn’t that an idea. “He— he just so happened to be at the gym last night. Hyung, why didn’t you tell me you lived in the same building as him. What the hell!”
Hoseok rolls his eyes. “Because I didn’t know? I mean, I knew these apartments were nice when I chose them, but I had no clue they harboared celebrities.” He pauses, placing his mug down onto his lap. “But that’s doesn’t really explain why you two look like you are extremely comfortable with each other. What’s that about?”
Jungkook groans, pulling his phone out from the table next to the bed. He hands the broken pieces to Jimin who gasps.
“Jungkook how the hell did you manage to do this?” Taehyung asks, leaning across him to inspect the cell phone. “Holy shit.”
Jungkook huffs. “ I didn’t . RM did.”
Jimin looks up, confused. “He broke your phone on purpose? Why?”
“Well… I wouldn’t say it was on purpose,” He says. “I may have… startled him.”
Jimin raises an eyebrow. “And how did you do that?” The way he says it is a bit too knowing for his tastes. Jimin knows him entirely too well and it’s unfair.
“That is neither here nor there,” Jungkook deflects. He takes the phone back from Jimin and dumps it on the bedside table. “All that matters is we are all safe.”
Taehyung snorts. “You’re an idiot, that doesn’t even make sense. I bet you said something weird.”
“No, I didn’t.” The flush on his cheeks says otherwise and they all laugh at him. Jimin pinches his cheek, rolling out of the bed and moves to drape himself over Hoseok.
“Whatever, I’m hungry. Let’s eat breakfast?” Jimin says, pulling Hoseok up from the bed. “We can talk more about RM’s mystery man at the table,” He sings as he exits the room. Taehyung follows them, his laughs echoing off the walls of the apartment. It’s going to be too long of a morning, he already knows it.
Jungkook groans and lays back down on the bed. He turns to look at his broken phone, the article replaying in his mind.
It will die down eventually, it’s not like they will ever spot him with Namjoon again.
Or so he thinks.
🍂
Truly, Jungkook has got to get a car because walking to Hoseok’s apartment in the dead of winter is getting really old, really fast. He sighs into his wooly scarf that’s completely encompassing the lower half of his face. It’s been a long day and he wants nothing more than to be babied by his hyungs — even if he wouldn’t dare voice those words out loud.
“iPhone boy!”
He freezes when he hears those words, his eyes growing wide because he recognizes that voice and there is absolutely no way. When he turns, it’s to see RM running towards him — which makes sense because who else would call him iPhone boy?
“Uh… hi?” Jungkook says once RM is in front of him. The greeting is muffled by his scarf and RM smiles at him.
“Would you mind getting coffee with me?” RM asks. Jungkook thinks he feels the exact moment his heart stops beating in his chest because what in the fuck is going on. If he’s on punked he’s going to be pissed.
“What?” He says again, pulling his scarf down to reveal his face. “What do you mean?”
RM raises an eyebrow. “Have you never gotten coffee with someone before?”
Jungkook needs to get his ears checked because that sounded a bit too closely like teasing — and why would RM be teasing him? Did he accidentally inhale Taehyung’s paints again? If he’s actually dead his mom’s going to be pissed.
“I have… but that doesn’t explain why you are asking me to get coffee? With you?” He says slowly, pinching himself on his thigh to make sure this isn’t really a dream. He winces slightly when he does it too hard and RM’s eyes follow the movement.
RM laughs and holy god, Jungkook doesn’t think his heart can deal with much more of it without combusting. “You’re cute.” Jungkook has to physically restrain himself from doing something embarrassing like squealing. “But I wanted to ask for your help with something.”
Jungkook wants to deny getting coffee with him because this entire thing seems insane but he finds he doesn’t really have a good reason to say no. Also, he’s not entirely sure that he isn’t dead and this isn’t just his version of heaven.
“Sure?”
RM smiles, walking away and Jungkook follows because he doesn’t know what else to do.
The only solace he has is that his day can’t get any weirder than it is.
🍂
Jungkook chokes on his coffee and nearly sends the cup holding the hot liquid down across the table. RM raises his own cup, not wanting it to be a causality of Jungkook’s disaster gay qualities. But to be fair, it’s completely warranted this time.
“You want to what?” Jungkook says in utter disbelief because he must have heard that wrong. There is no way that the RM just asked him out — well, asked him to be his pretend boyfriend but same difference.
“I want you to pretend to date me,” RM says calmly, like it's as simple a request as asking someone for a ride home from work or to borrow a pencil. “At least until the news finds something else to pick up on.”
Jungkook blinks at the rapper, utterly confused because what. This type of stuff doesn’t just happen. “But… are you — wouldn’t that make you come out of the closet?”
RM nods. “Yes, which is something I’ve been wanting to do. It helps if I have a strong, long lasting relationship to sell along with it. Makes it easier for people to visualize me as gay that way.”
It’s kind of fucked up to think about it that way — like people wouldn’t believe him if he didn’t have visual proof of being not straight. Jungkook guesses that’s just how fans are. He knows thousands of them will be heartbroken when they realize they really don’t have a chance with RM — even if they really never did.
“I…” Jungkook is completely out of depth here. “Why would you want to date me? I’m… I'm no one.”
“Just because you aren’t famous doesn’t mean you’re invalid,” RM comments firmly. “But I would rather not hang out with anyone from the industry longer than explicitly necessary, and the only two other famous people I know are already very much dating and in love with each other.”
Jungkook doesn’t feel convinced that he’s the better option but RM is looking at him with a hopeful expression and it’s doing strange things to Jungkook’s heart. It’s completely unfair. How does someone manage to look an even mixture of intimidating and absolutely adorable.
“I don’t even know your real name,” Jungkook practically whispers because he feels a bit overwhelmed.
“Namjoon,” RM — Namjoon , says. “Now you know my name but I don’t know yours.”
“Aren't we doing this kind of backwards?” Jungkook says and Namjoon raises an eyebrow at him. “We started dating before we even know each other’s names.”
Namjoon cracks a smile. “Well, I still don’t know yours.”
“Jungkook.”
“Well Jungkook, do we have an agreement?”
🍂
Jungkook seriously needs to start evaluating his life decisions more thoroughly before he agrees to things. Why he ever thought fake dating his celebrity crush would be a good idea is beyond him. He knows somewhere out there Jimin is laughing at his misery.
Namjoon squeezes his hand as he pulls him towards the door of the car. He’s already been thoroughly prepared for this, but words pale in comparison to the raw skirt of the situation.
“You can do this,” Namjoon says gently, hand resting on the handle of the door but not opening it just yet. “I promise I’ll be by your side every step of the way. I hate being here as well so once we are inside the event, we can hide away from everyone.”
Jungkook exhales shakily, squeezing Namjoon’s hand gently. It’s the first time they’ve actually held hands. They talked about it extensively the past week — Jungkook having gone over to Namjoon’s apartment every day in order to make sure everything was in order before their first public event together. It turns out Namjoon lives literally just across the hall from Hoseok, making it continent to stop by after his courses.
The agreement was simple — fake date until all the talk about Namjoon and his sexuality dies down. They are to attend events together so the public can snap as many pictures of them as they want but Namjoon promises they never have to do more than just hold hands or on rare occasion hug. They also are to go on small dates like walking through a park or grocery shopping so people don’t begin to think this is only for the spotlight. Kissing, Namjoon deems unnecessary, which Jungkook is absolutely not upset about — Taehyung making fun of him be damned. Namjoon also asked if they could flaunt on social media a bit since it’s easier to pretend to be something your not when hiding behind a screen.
Jungkook thankfully Namjoon doesn’t go to many events, mainly because he doesn’t care for them that much. He only goes to ones that put him up for major awards, like album of the year — which is why they are at one now. The Melon music awards nominated mono. and Jungkook knows there is no way it won’t win.
He glances up at Namjoon, nodding. “Okay, lets get it.”
Namjoon rolls his eyes, already acquainted with Jungkook’s catch phrase. Jungkook’s never been good at hiding away parts of himself and he has a terrible habit of trusting people a bit to naively. He can’t help how comfortable he feels around Namjoon, there is just something about the elder that makes Jungkook want to truly be himself around him.
Namjoon squeezes his hand gently. “Let’s get it.”
When they open the door of the car, it’s too loud screams and the sound of multiple camera shutters going off. It’s disorienting and overwhelming but when he feels Namjoon squeeze his hand again, he knows that he can get through it.
🍂
Jungkook finds that it’s easy to be around Namjoon.
Namjoon is kind and soft spoken. He indulges Jungkook every time he whines and listens to every word he says as if whatever Jungkook is thinking is the most important information in the world. He lets Jungkook play video games in his living room and he even sometimes plays with him— even if he is absolutely terrible, Jungkook doesn’t care.
While Namjoon is learning every small quirk that Jungkook has, Jungkook realizes he hardly knows a thing about the rapper. Namjoon tends to not talk about himself and often deflects anytime Jungkook tries to learn things about him that go beyond his persona.
It’s unbelievably frustrating.
“Why don’t you try talking to him about it?” Jimin asks, hanging upside down from Hoseok’s bed. His textbook is long forgotten next to him. “Tell him you want to actually be his friend.”
“Isn’t that weird though?” Jungkook closes his book, knowing that he doesn’t have the mental capacity to study about different videography techniques right now.
“Why would it be weird?” Taehyung asks, head popping out from behind his large canvas.
“Because are you supposed to try to be your fake boyfriends friend?” Jungkook says like it’s obvious. Is it obvious? He doesn’t know the rules that come along with fake dating someone.
“Why wouldn’t you be?” Jimin counters, raising his eyebrow. “You can be his friend. You spend everyday with him anyways and have a crush on him the size of—“
Jungkook tosses a pillow roughly at Jimin, his cheeks burning red. The pillow hits Jimin square in the face and he squeaks indignantly.
“I hate you,” Jungkook says venomously but Jimin doesn’t look the least bit put off.
Jungkook opens his mouth to reply but is stopped by Taehyung draping himself over him. Jungkook turns slightly, trying to get a better look at his best friends face. Taehyung is looking at him seriously and it’s a complete contrast to the way they usually are together.
“Give it time jungoo,” Taehyung says gently. “Not everyone is the same and some people have a harder time trusting people, even good ones. Namjoon is nice but he looks like he’s dealt with some terrible things.”
“I’m terrible at being patient,” Jungkook says petulantly but he knows that isn’t true. Especially with someone as wonderful as Namjoon — he can't even imagine ever doing anything to make the elder upset.
Taehyung pinches his cheek. “You’re not and like Jiminie said — you have a crush on him the size of a goddamn planet. I know you don't mind waiting.”
Jungkook tries to deny but the way his ears turn a bright shade of red maybe gives him away.
🍂
When he hears Namjoon laugh unabashedly a week later for the first time as they watch some stupid late night show, he knows that he made the right decision.
He is willing to wait however long it takes to see the person Namjoon tries to hide from him.
🍂
It’s on a bad day that Jungkook finally gets to see the side of Namjoon that he had begun to question really existed. Jungkook is used to Namjoon having days where he isn’t as talkative or where he stares off into space for a long period of time. He’s never asked why because he didn’t feel like it was his place.
What he’s never experienced was Namjoon letting out a frustrated groan as he rips another piece of paper from his notebook. Jungkook silently watches from the other end of the couch, his own homework long forgotten in front of him. When he sees a tear roll down Namjoon’s face, he does finally stand because he really can’t take seeing him cry.
“Hyung?” Jungkook asks tentatively, sitting down on the couch next to him. There is still quite a bit of space between them, so he hopes he’s not overstepping any boundaries. “Are you okay?”
It’s a stupid question to ask, but it’s the only one he’s got. Namjoon’s eyes widen when he hears the words, almost like he forgot Jungkook was still in the apartment with him. He wipes the tears from his eyes roughly but it doesn’t help when more fall in their absence.
“Sorry,” Namjoon says, voice thick with tears. “Just struggling to write.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” Jungkook says gently. He feels completely out of depth but he knows that he doesn’t want to leave Namjoon to suffer alone. “It’s okay. We all have bad days.”
Namjoon snorts. “This is embarrassing,” He finally says, wiping more tears with the sleeve from his oversized olive green sweater. “You shouldn’t have to see me like this. You don’t want to see me like this. It ruins the image.”
“The image?” Jungkook echos, not quite understanding.
“You know— RM .” Namjoon says his stage name like it’s a curse word. Jungkook’s stomach twists in guilt because at one point in time, that’s all Namjoon was to him. He was an enigma, almost inhuman to him. “People want RM, they don’t want this.” They don’t want me, it goes unsaid but Jungkook hears it loud and clear.
“You’re just human,” Jungkook says gently, unsure of what else to say. “You’re allowed to be just human. You don’t always need to be the person you have to be on stage.”
“Not as glamorous as you thought, huh?” Namjoon asks, sniffling just a bit. Jungkook’s heart aches in his chest as he watches Namjoon’s persona continue to break in front of him — watches as the mask finally cracks and he’s able to see the man behind all those magazine covers.
Jungkook scoots closer, careful not to touch unless Namjoon seeks it out. “It’s not,” He answers honestly because it isn’t. He always assumed that living this sort of life would be full of nothing but glamour and happiness he would never achieve — but now that he’s been able to see the backstage, he knows that’s not the case. All it is, is a bunch of double sided mirrors and smoke obstructing what the reality of being famous really is.
Namjoon’s shoulders fall, like it was the answer he was expecting but was hoping he wouldn’t get. It makes Jungkook wonder what exactly the rapper has faced before — the people he’s lost when they realized that this life wasn’t all award shows and money in their bank accounts. It was pouring your soul into your work and never truly knowing if you would succeed. It was fans who thought they owned you because they lined your pockets with money, or because they thought they knew the real you. It was never truly getting to show yourself due to fear that the world wouldn’t love every part of you. Knowing that there were people out there who claimed they loved you, but would be the first to abandon you if you did something that didn’t fit in their perception.
“But,” Jungkook says, the word nothing more than a gentle whisper. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to run, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Namjoon tenses next to him, and Jungkook yearns to reach out and hold his hand but he refrains from doing so. He doesn’t want to make the situation worse in any way. Namjoon exhales, his breaths stutter before he finally allows himself to relax again. His hand drops next to Jungkook’s, their pinkies grazing each other— it’s not quite the hand holding Jungkook had in mind but it’s just as good.
“Are you disappointed?” Namjoon asks, the words are rushed out in a scared whisper. “That— That I’m not the person you hoped I would be?”
Is Jungkook disappointed that Namjoon is more than heart wrenching lyrics and a god tier beat? No. He can’t say he is. RM is cool. Don’t get him wrong, he will always be a fan of the person that Namjoon allows the world to see. But… he’s also quite a big fan of the person that Namjoon actually is. He likes that behind the fast tongue and complex rhymes, there is Namjoon who enjoys taking long walks in the park and befriending small animals like a modern day Snow White — if Snow White was actually a 5’11 Korean man.
He’s a big fan of the person that the world sees and an even bigger fan of the person the world doesn’t.
“No. I’m not,” Jungkook says firmly, not a trace of a lie in his words because there isn’t one. “I could never be disappointed in anything you choose to be. Well,” He pauses, waiting for Namjoon to look up at him. “Unless you decide to tell me you’re going to be a furry or something. Then I might just be a bit disappointed.”
It startles a laugh out of Namjoon and Jungkook thinks he’s found his new calling in this world. It has nothing to do with getting his degree in visual arts and design, but everything to do with making Namjoon laugh — even when the task seems impossible.
When Namjoon looks at him fully this time, there isn’t the same cloudiness in his eyes. They are still rimmed red, but he doesn’t look so lost anymore and Jungkook will take it as a win.
“Thank you,” Namjoon says quietly, and the words are said with such sincerity that Jungkook’s stomach twists in knots. He tries not to think of the implications behind it.
“You don’t need to thank me,” Jungkook promises because it isn’t a burden to him, to reassure Namjoon when he’s having a hard mental day. Just being with you is enough, is what Jungkook wants to say. “It’s what I’m here for.” Is what he says instead.
Namjoon’s pinky tentatively wraps around his own and Jungkook doesn’t question it.
Jungkook wants to be the one to say thank you. Wants to thank Namjoon for finally trusting him enough to show him who he actually is.
Wants to say thank you to Namjoon for just being Namjoon to him and not RM.
🍂
It’s a surprisingly easy fall after that.
Once Namjoon finally lets down his defenses and lets him see the person that hides behind the mask, Jungkook learns a lot of things about him that he never thought he would. Things that he files a little too closely to his heart.
He learns that any time they have to go to an event, Namjoon has to mentally prepare himself for hours before they even walk out the door. He learns that when they arrive at said event, Namjoon won’t necessarily smother him in physical affection — but he will seek Jungkook at every turn, just hovering close to him and always keeping him within arms reach. He likes the familiarity of Jungkook when put in stressful situations because he makes him feel safe.
He learns that Namjoon likes small coffee shops that are owned by families versus big corporations. He learns that Namjoon isn’t driving because he’s scared to more so than another reason — because he feels like it’s a responsibility that he isn’t quite ready to deal with when he has so many other things going on. He learns that he prefers lunch over breakfast, and that he would rather have a home cooked meal, but he’s terrible in the kitchen. Jungkook takes to cooking for him while Namjoon watches and tries to help in the smallest ways possible. Jungkook doesn’t mind when the carrots are chopped too largely or when the meat is sliced too thinly.
He also learns that there are days when Namjoon seems to be stuck in his own head. He’ll sit outside on his small balcony and talk to his bonsai trees, trying to find the words that seem fitting for the song he’s currently working on. Sometimes the words come easily and he runs into the house with light in his eyes and happiness in his words, but then there are other days where Jungkook has to physically force Namjoon to eat and slip into bed at a reasonable hour. Jungkook finds these days spent with Namjoon are the most special to him. The days that he gets to spend with Namjoon and not RM are the days that he slowly begins to realize the difference between infatuation and love.
Which, Jungkook shouldn’t be surprised by the realization of his own feelings. If he’s being honest, it would be harder to not fall in love with Joon versus falling for him. He’s a warm soul that faces its own troubles, the same as anyone else but that doesn’t make him undesirable like Jungkook suspects the elder thinks it does. There are moments — however fleeting that Namjoon looks at Jungkook like something he desires but doesn’t think he’s allowed to have. Almost like he’s a piece of beautiful art hanging in one of the museums he frequents but that he’s not allowed to touch.
It’s frustrating in a way, because Jungkook knows how he feels. He knows that the deal this was based upon is no longer what keeps pulling them towards each other. If that was so, he wouldn’t be sitting across from Namjoon while he talks quietly to each of his plants as he waters them. It’s completely endearing and Jungkook has to fight the violent urge to just stand up and tell Namjoon the truth. The urge to grab his face gently and kiss away every bad thought he’s ever encountered.
He stays put though, because while he knows he’s ready, he also knows that Namjoon isn’t quite there yet. Namjoon is still in denial that they are anything more than friends — at most, he thinks that Namjoon considers him one of his best friends.
“What are you thinking about?” He hears Namjoon ask, the inquiry pulling him from his thoughts. He blinks, glancing over at the elder and offers a small but genuine smile.
You. “I’m thinking about what you should buy me for dinner tonight hyung,” Jungkook teases, standing from his stool and shutting his laptop. His homework can wait. “I’m thinking stir fry?”
Namjoon rolls his eyes but he doesn’t look put off in the slightest. “You just use me for money.”
They both know it’s not true in the slightest. Jungkook laughs, moving over to join Namjoon by the various plants he keeps inside his luxurious apartment. When Jungkook first asked why he keeps so many, even when he’s traveling, Namjoon told him they simply made him feel less alone. Jungkook had came over the very next day with a small cactus that Namjoon immediately named Googie.
Jungkook chooses not to comment on how the cactus is now proudly presented on the bed stand next to Namjoon’s bed. It’s the first thing the rapper sees when he wakes up and the last thing he sees before he goes to sleep. It’s sitting next to a picture of Namjoon’s mother and of Yoongi, Seokjin and Namjoon. It’s where he keeps his most valued things.
“No, I also like you for your big brain,” Jungkook replies, standing close to Namjoon but not touching him. Namjoon isn’t one that is open to affection at all times — more so someone who asks for it when he wants it.
Namjoon knocks his arm against Jungkook’s and leaves it resting there even if there is quite a bit of room to move around. Jungkook leans into the touch, pretending not to see the way the tips of Namjoon’s ears burn red.
“You still need help on that paper?” Namjoon asks conversationally, his eyes still focused on the myriad of plants in front of him. He’s named them all and Jungkook finds that fact absolutely enamoring.
“Nah, I think I got it.” Jungkook bumps into Namjoon’s arm gently to grab the rappers attention — to which the elder gives it. “But dinner?”
Namjoon nods, setting down his watering pot. “Can we walk there?”
The day outside is nice. Jungkook recognized that fact when he was walking over to Namjoon’s just a few hours ago. He knows that if they walk, Namjoon will want to take the longer way through the park just so he’s able to immerse himself in the nature around them. Jungkook’s legs are sore from dance practice and his arms ache from the session Jimin and him did at the gym just this morning. Even so, he already knows his answer before Namjoon is able to finish asking the question.
He smiles. “Of course we can.”
When Namjoon’s eyes light up and he rushes over to grab his favorite scarf, Jungkook knows that the decision was the right one to make. It’s rare that Namjoon allows himself the luxury of being expressive with how he feels. Spending your entire teenage years working towards stardom does that to you. You grow up living under a microscope and having to develop a persona that the world wants to see.
With Jungkook though, Namjoon no longer feels the need to be RM — because to Jungkook he no longer is.
🍂
The first time Jungkook thinks Namjoon has began to catch up with his feelings, it's when they are taking a walk through one of Namjoon’s favorite parks. It’s something they do often together, both of them finding solace in the crunch of the leaves under their boots and the birds chirping around them.
They never talk much on their walks and Jungkook finds he doesn’t mind. It’s more than enough to just exist with Namjoon.
But this time, Namjoon does talk. He talks and talks about whatever comes to mind. He talks about how he grew up and how he misses his mother but doesn’t want to go back. He talks about how he sometimes envies Yoongi and Seokjin, and how they seem to complete each other so effortlessly and how he wishes he had someone love him for him and not the person he pretends to be. Jungkook doesn’t voice that he already has someone who’s doing that exact thing.
He talks and Jungkook listens, hanging on to every word because he loves knowing what Namjoon truly feels.
When they finish their walk, Namjoon quietly thanks him for listening to his rambles and Jungkook is quick to wave it off.
“You don’t ever have to thank me for listening to you talk,” Jungkook promises. “I love hearing what you have to say.”
“I believe you,” Namjoon replies but the way he says it has Jungkook wondering if he doesn’t say it often. Jungkook doesn’t ask because he knows it isn’t his place to.
“Want to get some ice cream?” Jungkook asks, steering the conversation to a lighter topic.
“Am I paying for this ice cream?” Namjoon asks and there isn’t a hint of annoyance in the words.
Jungkook smiles, sliding closer to Namjoon and smiling innocently. “I could always pay.”
Namjoon rolls his eyes but doesn’t move away from him. He smiles at Jungkook and it’s just so… warm that it makes his heart skip a beat. It’s not often Namjoon looks as content as he does in this moment. Jungkook wishes he could take a picture to save this moment in time forever.
“I’ll pay but you aren’t allowed to get mint chocolate chip,” Namjoon finally concedes, turning to walk towards the small ice cream stand that usually inhabits the park around this time.
Jungkook rolls his eyes and follows, knowing that Namjoon is terrible at not giving into him.
When he’s licking at his mint ice cream cone a few minutes later, it’s with a smile in Namjoon’s direction and a warm feeling in his chest.
🍂
The second time is when they are holed up in a small karaoke bar, all of their friends gathered together as they sing off key to whatever song pops up. It’s his first time meeting Yoongi and Seokjin and it has him on edge the entire time. Yoongi and Seokjin are the most important people in Namjoon’s life and he wants to make a good impression.
It seems all of his stressing from before the hangout is wasted because Seokjin takes one look at him before announcing — very loudly that he plans to adopt him. Yoongi rolls his eyes at his fiancé but it’s with nothing but fondness. He offers Jungkook a kind smile and Namjoon tells him that’s a good indicator that Yoongi likes him.
Unsurprisingly Jimin, Hoseok and Taehyung also mesh well with them. Jimin and Seokjin begin talking about terrible puns and how their boyfriends are the cutest boys alive. Hoseok and Taehyung take an immediate liking to Yoongi who seems a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention but he does his best to divide his attention evenly between the two.
“I’m glad they like you,” Namjoon whispers to him, leaning back on the coach in the karaoke room. Jungkook turns to him, tearing his eyes away from Yoongi and Seokjin doing a drunk rendition of I will always love you by Whitney Houston.
“They are both really cool,” Jungkook says honestly, because they are.
“They don’t like a lot of people,” Namjoon replies and he isn’t looking at Jungkook anymore. “But I guess it would be kind of impossible not to like you.”
Jungkook tries and fails not to read closely into the words. “Oh, so you like me too?”
Namjoon glances over at him and there is a raw emotion in his eyes that Jungkook can’t quite name.
“Like I said, it would be impossible not to.”
🍂
The third seems more significant than the rest. It's just the two of them doing something as simple as grocery shopping. They do it quite often, mostly upon Jungkook’s insistence. He refuses to let Namjoon’s fridge and cupboards to get as empty as they had once been.
Jungkook holds the list in his hands. “Green onions?” He asks, glancing into the basket.
Namjoon continues to push it and nods his head. “We have some at home, we never made the fried rice.” He throws in a package of Jungkook’s favorite snack into the cart as if it’s second nature. “Did you want to make that tonight or did you just want to pick up something on the way home?”
Jungkook hums, grabbing Namjoon’s favorite brand of tea. He ends up putting two in the cart because the elder goes through it like crazy. “Let’s pick something up. I’m too tired to cook.”
“Works for me. We can watch that show you’ve been wanting to watch?” Namjoon says as they make their way up to the cashier. “And maybe after we can even play a match of overwatch.”
Jungkook smiles widely. “Even if you are terrible? I love when you get all frustrated when you lose! It’s adorable.”
Namjoon rolls his eyes. “I’m not even that terrible you’re just inhumanly good. I still maintain that you’re cheating, I’ll catch you one day.”
“Sounds like something a loser would say,” Jungkook says, poking one of Namjoon’s dimples. “Also did you call Yoongi and Seokjin? They wanted to hang out. I told them you would call back after you left the studio.”
“Ah, I forgot to but I’ll call them in a bit. Should I invite them over?”
“I wouldn’t mind! I love when they come over because we always bully Yoongi into treating us to ice cream.”
“You and Seokjin are truly a force to be reckoned with.”
“It’s because we are both adorable but stubborn.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Excuse me.” They are pulled from their conversation by the cashier, who's looking between the two of them with a small smile. She’s an older lady, kind of reminding Jungkook of his grandmother.
“Oh, sorry,” Jungkook says bashfully, grabbing Namjoon’s card to pay for the grocery’s. She waves him off with a warm expression.
“Don’t be sorry,” She says sweetly, patting Jungkook on the hand softly. “You two are adorable by the way. Remind me of how my husband and I used to be when we were young and in love.”
Jungkook flushes to the roots of his hair. He glances over at Namjoon, expecting the elder to look put off but he simply smiles — a genuine dimpled smile and thanks the woman for her kindness. When he catches Jungkook’s eye, his smile widens just a fraction and reaches his eyes.
Neither of them bother to correct her.
🍂
The realizations begin to blur. Slowly, Jungkook begins to lose count of the days they spend together. It’s easy to get lost in the feelings they share for each other even if neither of them have yet to voice them aloud. He notices the way Namjoon sits closer to him when they are watching their favorite shows on Netflix, hovering the line between what’s socially acceptable when their relationship is supposed to be nothing more than just an agreement. He also notices that Namjoon brings home banana milk from the grocery store every time he goes, even though he doesn’t care for it much.
He notices everything from small things like Namjoon staring at him for a second longer than necessary to the larger things like Namjoon coming to him when he’s having a bad day. There is a trust between them that wasn’t there before but again, Jungkook doesn’t push the subject. He is content to wait for Namjoon to have the same realization that he did.
Which happens a lot sooner than he thought it would.
It’s on one of Namjoon’s particularly bad days — the type of day that sees Namjoon curled up against the window not saying a word as he is trapped in his own mind. At first, Jungkook didn’t know how to handle these days, always afraid he would overstep, but he’s come to learn that Namjoon doesn’t like being alone on when he feels low like this. He doesn’t necessarily want to be fawned over, but when he snaps out of it, even if it takes hours, he likes to snap back to Jungkook doing his homework on the table or cooking dinner in the too large kitchen.
So that’s exactly what Jungkook does. He drops a gentle hand to Namjoon’s hair, pushing back the now brown locks affectionately before he pulls out of his space. He pulls out his laptop, opening up the latest assignment that’s due and sets to work. He glances over at Namjoon ever so often, always relieved when he notices a small shift in his position. Some days are worse than others and the worst of them is when Namjoon stays stationary for hours on end. Those are the only days Jungkook intervenes when it’s become too much.
It’s maybe an hour or so after he arrives that Namjoon finally moves away from the large window overlooking the busy city below them and moves over to the couch. Jungkook glances up from his paper, offering a warm smile. Namjoon doesn’t return it but he does sit as close to Jungkook as possible.
“How you feeling?” Jungkook asks after the silence stretches a beat too long. Namjoon lays back, letting his head rest against the back of the couch. Jungkook shifts slightly, moving to interlock their pinkies. It’s something they’ve taken to doing when either of them want to just… remind the other they are there.
“Better,” Namjoon says honestly, turning to look at him. “It’s funny, I always seem to be better whenever you’re around.”
The words are raw. Honest in a way that Jungkook isn’t quite used to. Namjoon always chooses his words carefully, he doesn’t just give them out. There is an emotion in his eyes when he looks at him that he can’t quite recognize, but knows is mirrored in his own when he looks at Namjoon. Maybe it’s the look of realization.
The look of finally realizing that what your soul has been searching for, has been right in front of you this entire time.
“I always feel better when you’re around as well,” Jungkook replies with just as much raw honesty. It’s what Namjoon deserves — what he wants to give him. “It’s why I don’t like leaving sometimes.”
Namjoon smiles then, it’s small but genuine. “Then why do you ever leave?”
Jungkook opens his mouth to respond before he realizes he doesn’t really have anything to say to that. “Because why would you want me to stay?” He finally decides on, more so just wanting to know the answer for himself.
“It would be selfish of me to want you to stay,” Namjoon says, like it’s answer enough. Jungkook doesn’t quite understand what he means by it, his stomach twists uncomfortably.
They don’t speak after that. Namjoon stands, pulling his pinky away from Jungkook’s own and mumbles something about having to go work on a song in the home studio. He doesn’t offer to let Jungkook come sit in the room with him like he usually does. He remembers that night — just a few weeks ago when it was just the two of them in the too large apartment, when he didn’t mind as Jungkook sat with him while he worked on music. If it was anyone else, he would never allow it, but Jungkook wasn’t anyone else to him.
Namjoon turns to him before he leaves the room and for a moment Jungkook hopes it’s to ask him to join him.
“I don’t want to be selfish when it comes to you.”
He leaves without another word.
It sounds too much like a goodbye.
🍂
It was a goodbye, is what Jungkook comes to realize when his phone calls start getting screened the next day — which then turns into the next week. He tries not to let it affect him as much as it does but he can’t quite stop the ache in his chest anytime he so much as hears the rappers name being uttered in the small cafe he works in. He yearns to pull out his phone and call Namjoon but he can take a hint even when he doesn’t want to.
“Shit, you look just as bad as him.” Is what pulls Jungkook from his thoughts. He blinks, eyes focusing on Yoongi and Seokjin.
“What?” He asks, even though he heard him clearly the first time.
Seokjin shakes his head. “Could you maybe take a quick break, Jungkookie? We would like to talk to you.”
Jungkook hesitates because as much as he’s hurting, he knows that Yoongi and Seokjin are Namjoon’s best friends. He wonders if he told them what happened because he sure as hell doesn’t even really know.
“I—I’m working… I don’t—“ He says nervously but he’s interrupted by Taehyung. “He can take a break. He needs one.”
Taehyung nudges him forward, fixing him with a pointed look. It’s his own way of telling him not to run away, which is a little unfair, he thinks — especially seeing as that’s exactly what Namjoon did. He deserves the same chance. But then he looks at the couple in front of him and sees the worry etched onto their faces and knows that even when he’s angry or upset with Namjoon, he loves him. He loves him so much in fact that he takes off his apron and throws it at an affronted Taehyung.
He leads the couple to a back table, one that doesn’t see many customers. “What’s wrong?” He asks, wanting to cut to the chase. He’s tired of having to tiptoe around words that need to be said. “Is he okay?”
Yoongi huffs out a laugh but it sounds more frustrated than anything. “He’s an idiot,” He says bitterly and Jungkook opens his mouth to defend him but Yoongi continues speaking. “But he’s our idiot and we want what’s best for him.”
Jungkook’s throat feels dry. “And what’s best for him?” He has a feeling he knows what they are thinking but he has to be sure, for his own sanity.
“You are,” Seokjin says easily. “He’s just too terrified to accept that fact.”
“Terrified of what?” Jungkook asks, his fingers twisting in his black hoodie. “Terrified of me?”
“Terrified of what you make him feel,” Yoongi answers, leaning back in the stiff wooden chair of the cafe.
“What do I make him feel?” Jungkook asks and he hates how vulnerable he sounds.
“Well that’s something I think you need to ask him,” Seokjin says, the words gentle. “Something that we have no right to say for him, but that he needs to say to you himself.”
“What if he runs away again?” Jungkook asks, pretending as if his mind isn’t already made up. “What if he doesn’t love me the way I love him?”
“Love doesn’t have to be mirrored,” Yoongi says softly. “Maybe you don’t love each other the same way. Maybe it’s different for the both of you but that doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other. But what I will say…” Yoongi looks at him with a warm expression. “Is that he’s no longer just writing about the pain that smothers him alive — he's writing about love that helps fix the broken pieces of his soul.”
Jungkook pauses, biting his lower lip. He wonders if this is what love means — putting yourself in a position you never thought you would be in you care so much about the other person. He doesn’t particularly want to see Namjoon, especially after how easily he tossed him aside but he also does want to see him. He’s angry with him but, god, he does miss him regardless. All he wants to do in this moment is spend a minute scolding him and demanding answers before spending the next hour after that poking his dimples after making him laugh.
“Why are you telling me this?” Jungkook asks even if he thinks he already knows the answer.
“Because above all, we want him to be happy and it seems that he is happiest when he’s with you,” Seokjin answers honestly, and the truth feels too raw. Too close to what he feels in his chest whenever he thinks of his own happiness. He doesn’t know when the word became a synonym with Namjoon.
“And because I know that he adores you,” Yoongi continues after his boyfriend. “All he ever does is talk about you, as if you hung the sun in the sky yourself. I don’t want him to throw away his chance at happiness because he’s scared.”
“Where is he?” Jungkook asks, his mind already made up on the next course of action. Even on the slight chance that Yoongi and Seokjin are wrong, he knows that he has to at least try to get closure. If it turns out Namjoon doesn’t feel what he does, then he can at least begin to move on.
“He’s at the studio,” Yoongi says and the relief in his words is palatable. He passes Jungkook a key with a kind smile. “You remember which was his?”
Jungkook nods, taking the key and stuffing it in his pants pocket. He stands, glancing over to Taehyung who nods his head with a fond eye roll, his way of telling him he will cover for him. Jungkook will buy him his favorite ramen in gratitude tomorrow.
He doesn’t look back, instead he heads out of the shop and runs towards what he hopes is a new beginning, and not a bitter end.
🍂
Jungkook only hesitates for a second before he opens the door to Namjoon’s studio. His stomach twists in knots as he pushes the heavy door open, not knowing the reaction he will get from the elder. He hopes he doesn’t get angry with him for bothering him during what’s supposed to be his free time.
Namjoon is sitting at his desk, his head in his hands. He doesn’t look up at the sound of the door opening, instead he just buries his face deeper into his palms.
“I told you I don’t want to talk about it,” Namjoon mumbles, the words muffled by his hands. “Just leave me to moping over missing him in peace.”
“Well I hope it’s me you’re missing or this is going to be embarrassing,” Jungkook finds the confidence to say, but his words don’t mirror it. His words shake as they leave his lips, his heart feeling as if it’s about to beat out of his chest.
Namjoon’s face whips up from his hands. He swivels in his chair, turning to face Jungkook. His eyes widen slightly as they take him in and Jungkook notices the redness around their rim. Namjoon looks… broken. There isn’t any other words to describe it.
“Jungkook?” The elder breathes, he says his name in utter disbelief as if he’s scared this is nothing more than a dream.
“I thought you preferred to call me Googie,” Jungkook teases, trying to lighten the mood. It does nothing to alleviate the tightness in his chest.
“What are you doing here?” Namjoon asks and the words aren’t harsh by any means, but they still make Jungkook shift nervously from foot to foot.
“Well, for a lot of reasons. Mainly because I wanted to know why you’ve been ignoring my calls.” Jungkook throws Namjoon a pointed look when the elder opens his mouth, probably to dispute the accusation. He closes his mouth at Jungkook’s look, knowing there is no way to deny the truth. “And because I wanted to make sure you are okay.”
Namjoon clasps his hands together, wringing his fingers — a nervous habit Jungkook picked up on weeks ago. He doesn’t like thinking he’s the reason for Namjoon’s uneasiness, but he knows this conversation is one that needs to be had.
“I didn’t mean to ignore you,” Namjoon says quietly, eyes boring into his lap in order to not look at Jungkook.
“Regardless if you meant to or not, you did. Why?” Jungkook just wants the truth, even if it breaks his heart. “Is it because you realized?”
“Realized what?” Namjoon asks, finally looking up at him. He looks thoroughly confused and Jungkook feels heat rise to his cheeks. It’s now or never.
He exhales. “That I’m in love with you.” The words come out rushed but he can’t help it. He’s never said it out loud and it’s a lot harder than he thought it would be.
There’s a sharp intake of breath from Namjoon and Jungkook clenches his fist at his side, waiting for the rejection he’s unsure his heart can handle. It never comes though. Instead there’s the sound of a chair being jostled and footsteps approaching him at a rapid pace. He doesn’t get much time to react before he feels arms hesitantly gripping his shoulders.
“You what?” Namjoon asks, but he’s so much closer than he had once been. This time it’s Jungkook who can’t quite look the other in the eyes.
“Please don’t make me say it again,” Jungkook whispers, and he hates how vulnerable he sounds. He doesn’t like being weak. “Not if you don’t feel the same.”
Warm hands come up to grip his chin gently, urging Jungkook to look up. The younger finally concedes with a detached sigh, allowing Namjoon to raise his face until he’s looking at him. Namjoon is even more beautiful up close — a fact Jungkook has known for a while now but never allowed himself to acknowledge.
“Say it again,” Namjoon says softly.
Jungkook frowns, having already made himself clear. “Namjoon, I just said—“
“You said don’t make you say it again if I don’t feel the same,” Namjoon interjects. Jungkook snaps his mouth closed, because no . Namjoon can’t possibly mean— “so I’m asking you to say it again.” His palm flattens against Jungkook’s jaw, caressing it lightly. “Please say it again.”
Jungkook feels as if his heart is somersaulting his chest, but this time from elation and not anxiety. Namjoon’s thumb gently strokes his chin as he looks at him with such a tender expression that Jungkook thinks he would melt if it was possible. The knots in his stomach loosen as he looks back at Namjoon. It’s always been easy with Namjoon.
“I love you,” He whispers because the words feel too delicate to say loudly. They feel fragile — words that need to be treated with special care. Jungkook knows that Namjoon will cherish them.
Namjoon smiles at him and it’s a smile Jungkook has only seen on rare occasions. The smile that spreads across the elders face when he’s happy. When he finally finishes a song he never thought he would figure out, or when he brings home a new book that he can’t wait to read. The smile he sometimes wore when he was simply existing with Jungkook, doing absolutely nothing more than watering his plants together or watching whatever nature documentary that’s captured Namjoon’s attention.
“I love you,” Namjoon says back like it’s the one thing in the world he’s absolutely sure of.
Surprisingly, hearing those words come from Namjoon isn’t earth stopping. Jungkook doesn’t feel as if the ground slips out from under his feet or as if he now has a purpose in life. Instead, all he feels is — whole. It’s not that he’s half a person with Namjoon, he knows that isn’t true. But it’s like every crack and bump in his heart that he’s acquired from the pain he’s dealt with along the way, is finally starting to heal over.
He feels loved.
He doesn’t know who leans in first. and if he’s being honest, it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is when Namjoon presses his lips to his, it's like they were made to fit together. Jungkook ends up smiling into the kiss and it kind of ruins the entire mood but he can’t help it. He’s never been so happy. Namjoon also ends up smiling into the kiss so he can’t be the only one at fault.
Namjoon pulls back but he doesn’t let go of Jungkook. He looks at Jungkook like he’s something precious and Jungkook knows that his own expression is radiating a similar thought. Namjoon is the most wonderful person in the world to him.
“So I guess that means we won’t have to renew our contract then,” Namjoon jokes after he places a small kiss to the tip of Jungkook’s nose.
Jungkook snorts. “I totally forgot all about that stupid contract,” He says honestly because they never really abided by the rules they tried to set. If he’s being honest, none of this has ever been fake to him and he knows Namjoon shares the same sentiment.
“I’m glad Namjoon was able to live up to RM,” Namjoon says quietly and it’s an insecurity Jungkook can’t believe the rapper ever had.
He grips Namjoon’s face gently, slanting his lips against the elders. When he pulls away, he doesn’t move too far, allowing Namjoon to rest his forehead against his.
“I’ll always be RM’s biggest fan.” He leans up to press another kiss to the corner of Namjoon’s lips. “But Namjoon? He’s my favorite person. I’ll always be a bigger fan of his than anyone else.”
“It’s kind of boring being a fan of Namjoon, isn’t it?” It’s said as a joke but Jungkook doesn’t treat it as such.
“Never,” He says sincerely. “I’ll never grow tired of cheering you on.”
Jungkook will always be grateful to RM’s music for saving him when he was lost. He will always be grateful to Namjoon’s persona for allowing him to become a fan so it could give him the chance to meet the man behind the fame ridden mask.
But to him, Namjoon isn’t RM anymore.
To him, Namjoon is his Joonie hyung who pretends to hate the myriad of cutesy nicknames he gives him, but blushes scarlet red anytime he says them aloud. He’s Namjoon, the tall uncoordinated beautiful boy that managed to steal his heart in between long walks in the park and naming small plants just because. He’s Namjoon, the book nerd who can spend his days lost in between the pages of whatever new read he’s found, but who also can’t focus on cooking dinner long enough not to burn it.
To him, he’s just Namjoon.
And just Namjoon is more than enough.