Chapter Text
Jungkook paced back and forth across his room, his sock-clad feet barely making a sound against the wooden floor.
His fingers raked through his hair as he muttered under his breath, replaying the moment in the living room over and over again.
Taehyung sat cross-legged on Jungkook’s bed, watching him with patient eyes. “Kook, you’re wearing a hole in the floor.”
Jungkook ignored him, still walking. “I just—I just don’t want to make him uncomfortable. What if I’m being disrespectful? He doesn’t remember us, Tae. And here I am, acting like we’re still—” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “I don’t want to embarrass myself. What if I’m just making it worse?”
Taehyung rolled his eyes and reached out, grabbing Jungkook’s wrist as he passed. “Kook. Stop.”
Jungkook did, reluctantly, turning to face his best friend.
Taehyung’s expression softened. “You’re wonderful. You’re beautiful. You’re literally the most lovable person I know. Namjoon would have to be an idiot not to fall back in love with you.”
Jungkook sighed, flopping onto the edge of the bed. “But what if he doesn’t?”
Taehyung scooted closer. “Then he’s an idiot, like I said."
Jungkook let out a weak laugh, running a hand over his face.
“I get it, though,” Taehyung continued, his tone a little more serious. “You feel like you should step back, give him space, let him figure things out on his own, right?”
Jungkook nodded. “Yeah. I think I have to.”
Taehyung tilted his head, considering.
Then, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he grinned. “Or… hear me out… what if you don’t?”
Jungkook blinked. “Huh?”
Taehyung leaned in, voice dropping like they were scheming something illegal. “You know Joonie almost better than he knows himself. You know what makes him tick, what makes him happy, what he loves.”
Jungkook’s brows furrowed. “Yeah, so?”
“So,” Taehyung said, drawing out the word dramatically, “instead of backing off, what if you do the opposite? Sweep him off his feet. Remind him—show him—exactly why he fell in love with you in the first place.”
Jungkook stared at him.
“You know his favorite date spots, his love language, the little things you do that make him melt. Use that.” Taehyung’s eyes sparkled. “Make him fall for you all over again.”
Jungkook chewed his lip, clearly mulling it over. “That feels kinda unfair, doesn’t it?”
Taehyung shrugged. “Is it? You’re not tricking him. You’re just… giving him a little push in the right direction.” He grinned. “Besides, it’s not like you’re pretending to be someone you’re not. You’re just being you. And he loved you before—he’ll love you again.”
Jungkook was quiet for a long moment. Then, finally, he sighed. “I dunno, Tae…”
Taehyung nudged him with his foot. “C’mon. Worst case scenario? You get to spend more time with him before we fix this mess. Best case scenario?” Taehyung wiggled his eyebrows. “He falls for you all over again.”
Jungkook swallowed, something stirring in his chest. Slowly, a small, hesitant smile crept onto his lips. “Alright. Fine. I’ll try.”
Taehyung beamed, clapping him on the shoulder. “That’s my boy.”
*
Jungkook and Taehyung stepped back into the living room, the warm glow from the television casting soft shadows across their faces.
Jungkook slid back into his seat beside Namjoon, his usual bright smile in place.
“I’m sorry for acting like that earlier,” he said softly, glancing at Namjoon with a hint of embarrassment. "Just getting used to this new version of you. Or... Old version, I guess."
Namjoon’s eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the sudden apology. “No, I should be the one apologizing,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to flinch, I just—” He hesitated before shaking his head. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
Jungkook waved him off, his cheeks dusted pink. “It’s okay.” He looked down at his lap, fingers curling into the fabric of his pants.
Jimin, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. “I paused the movie for you guys,” he said, looking between them before giving Taehyung a small nod and pressing play on the remote again.
Namjoon hesitated only for a second before instinctively pulling Jungkook back into his arms.
Even if he wasn't in love with him, he still loved him a lot. Regardless of anything else, Namjoon never wanted to be the reason Jungkook was hurt or upset.
Namjoon's embrace was warm, reassuring, and Jungkook melted into it, resting his head on Namjoon’s shoulder.
Namjoon leaned down slightly, whispering one more apology against Jungkook’s hair.
Jungkook simply hummed in response, forcing himself to focus on the movie instead of the million thoughts racing through his head.
The rest of the evening felt normal again, like they had all somehow fallen back into their usual rhythm.
There were the occasional glances from Jimin, the quiet teasing from Taehyung, and the warm laughter that filled the space between them.
But even as Jungkook laughed along, his mind was elsewhere—on Namjoon, on the plan.
He was almost relieved as the night came to an end, and the group slowly started to disperse to their rooms.
*
The dorm was quiet now. Everyone had gone off to their rooms, but Yoongi and Jimin remained curled up together on one of the comfy chairs in the living room, the soft flicker of the television casting a warm glow over them.
A drama played on the screen, but neither of them was paying much attention.
Jimin sighed, resting his head against Yoongi’s shoulder, his arms wrapped around his knees. “I’m worried about them,” he admitted softly.
Yoongi hummed, his fingers lazily running through Jimin’s hair. “I know.”
Jimin chewed on his bottom lip, watching as a couple on-screen argued dramatically. “I just… I love them both so much, and it’s painful to see them hurting like this.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Kookie looks so lost. And Joon… he’s trying so hard to be okay, but I know him. He isn’t okay.”
Yoongi exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly as he considered Jimin’s words. “They’ll figure it out.”
Jimin pulled back slightly to look at him, brows furrowed. “How can you be so sure?”
Yoongi turned his gaze toward him, a small, knowing smile on his lips. “Because it’s them.”
Jimin blinked.
Yoongi continued, voice gentle but sure. “They’ve already fallen in love once. And honestly, I don’t think Namjoon ever really stopped loving Jungkook, even if he doesn’t remember. It’s in the way he looks at him, the way he reacts without thinking. Love like that doesn’t just disappear.”
Jimin’s eyes softened, but his worry still lingered. “But what if this is different? What if they don’t find their way back to each other?”
Yoongi let out a quiet chuckle. “I think Jungkook is gonna make damn sure that they do.” He reached over, poking Jimin’s cheek playfully. “You saw him tonight. He’s already made up his mind.”
Jimin sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah… I guess you’re right.”
Yoongi’s arm curled around Jimin’s shoulders, pulling him close. “I know it’s hard to see them struggle, but you gotta have a little faith.” His voice was warm, laced with affection. “They’re a mess right now, but they’re our mess. And they’ll be okay, because we'll make sure of it.”
Jimin let himself relax against Yoongi’s chest, letting out a soft hum of agreement.
He wanted to believe it. He really did.
As the drama on-screen reached its emotional climax, Yoongi pressed a kiss to the top of Jimin’s head, murmuring against his hair, “Now stop worrying and relax, hm?”
Jimin chuckled. “Okay, okay.”
*
Jin, ever the older brother, turned to Namjoon as they walked down the hall with an easy smile. “You can stay in my room if you want. Y’know, if you’d rather have someone close by.”
Namjoon shook his head, offering a small smile in return. “Thanks, but I think I just need some alone time to process all of this.”
Jin nodded in understanding, patting Namjoon’s arm. “Fair enough.” He smirked as he reached up and nudged Namjoon’s chin. “But hey, you can’t really blame Jungkookie for falling in love with those cute dimples.”
Namjoon chuckled, shaking his head as he turned away.
He made his way down the hall, instinctively heading toward what he assumed was his room. But the moment he stepped inside, he realized his mistake.
Jungkook stood in the middle of the room, completely shirtless, his toned chest and arms on full display as he changed into his sleepwear.
Namjoon’s eyes went wide, and he immediately turned away. “Shit—sorry! I could’ve sworn this was my room.”
Jungkook froze for half a second before he realized what had happened.
His blush spread down his neck, over his collarbones, and straight to his bare chest. But then, remembering Taehyung’s advice, he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders.
“It’s okay,” he said, voice a little steadier than he expected. “I can show you to your room.”
Namjoon hesitated but eventually nodded, still keeping his gaze firmly on the floor. “Thanks.”
Jungkook grabbed a shirt from the bed but didn’t put it on. He led Namjoon down the hallway, the cool air of the dorm brushing over his warm skin.
Namjoon tried not to look, but his gaze betrayed him for a split second—just long enough to catch the smooth lines of Jungkook’s back, the way his muscles moved, the sharp dip of his waist.
Taehyung, who had been leaning against his doorway the entire time, smirked at the scene unfolding before him.
“Damn, Koo,” he called out teasingly. “You look hot tonight.”
Jungkook groaned, his blush deepening. “Oh shut up,” he muttered, opening a door and waving Namjoon inside.
Namjoon practically bolted into the room, eager to escape the embarrassment.
Jungkook followed, shutting the door softly behind him.
Namjoon turned to face him, frowning slightly. “You okay?"
Jungkook exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just… wanted to apologize. Again.”
Namjoon’s brows furrowed in confusion. “For what?”
Jungkook took a deep breath before letting it all spill out. “For what I’m about to do.” His voice was quiet, but firm. “For deciding not to give you space.”
Namjoon tilted his head. “Uh... What?"
Jungkook looked down at the floor, his fingers fidgeting at his sides. “Instead of backing off, I’m going to try to make you fall in love with me again.”
Namjoon’s breath hitched. "Oh?"
Jungkook let out a nervous chuckle, shaking his head. “I know it’s kinda manipulative, and I swear I wasn’t trying to use my shirtlessness as a tactic just now—but I just… I can’t lie to you.”
Namjoon was silent for a moment.
Then, slowly, he stepped forward, lifting his hands to cradle Jungkook’s face.
Jungkook’s eyes widened as Namjoon gently forced him to look up, their gazes locking.
"Do me a favor?" Namjoon began.
"Anything."
“Do your best,” Namjoon said, his voice soft but sure.
Jungkook blinked. “What?”
Namjoon smiled—small, but genuine. “If you think you can make me fall in love with you again, then go ahead and try.” His thumbs brushed lightly over Jungkook’s jaw. “Because I want to. So badly."
Jungkook’s heart stuttered in his chest.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the sparkle returned to his eyes.
Because if there was one thing Jungkook was good at, it was winning.
And he was determined to win Namjoon’s heart all over again.
***