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Jeon Jungkook has always been fascinated with makeup. The way it felt, the way it smelled and the way it looked on his skin. He started simple, just with some eye make up, so he wouldn’t get pointed at and ridiculed. He was a boy; he shouldn’t wear make up.
After he had gone to college, Jungkook had graduated to foundation, concealer and setting powder. College was more accepting of expression than high school was. He tried his best to make it look as if he were not wearing anything. Yet he still itched to wear more. To use the colors truly enhance his features without having people stare at him.
One night, after he and his friends had a little too much to drink. They decided to go to this bar, even though they were well past their limit.
When Jungkook entered the bar he hears people hoot and clap. The small stage in the back of the bar dims and a spotlight.
“Ladies! Gentlemen! We welcome you to our show! Make sure plates are empty and your glasses are full & Welcome the Queens of the Night!!” A bodiless voice announces.
Sultry music blares as this group of Drag Queens wearing corsets and tights start moving their bodies. They mouth the words to Lady Marmalade. Jungkook’s intoxicated state caused him to see women, tall women.
Once the song reaches Lil’ Kim’s part of the song the one who was a bit shorter than the rest of the group and red hair steps forward and dances solo.
She sees him, smiles, winks and Jungkook’s heart starts thumping.
About an hour later, the performances of the strangely tall ladies end. They had done an introduction, and the girl who he saw him earlier was Miss Jam, that was her stage name of course. Jungkook’s buzz had already faded and his friends, Yoongi and Namjoon, were still trying to talk to get some girls to go home with them. He just wanted to go home, but felt bad if he left his hyungs. But he needed to get out of this bar.
“Guys, I’m going outside to have a smoke, okay?” he yells as he grabs his jacket. They wave him away. Jungkook guessed that they might not care if he left.
The chill bit Jungkook’s face as his took another drag of his cigarette. He tried to shove his free hand farther into his pocket as if doing that could make it warmer. He hears the door of the bar open, and thinks that its his friends. But instead a boy with bright red hair saunters out.
Jungkook can’t help but stare at the boy as he stops and searching his pockets for something. For some reason the boy makes him feel like the girl on stage.
“Hey man, can I get a light?” The red haired boy asked Jungkook.
Jungkook fumbles for his lighter and holds it out for the other boy to use.
“So, did you enjoy the show tonight?” The red haired boy asked as he blew out some smoke.
“It was gr-reat, um, the girls were pretty-”
“Wait, wait, wait, hold on.” The boy coughs. “Girls. I mean you know the performers were Drag Queens?”
“Drag Queens? What are they?” Jungkook asked wide eyed.
“People who dress-up with extravagant clothes and makeup in a feminine manner.” He takes another drag of his cigarette.
Makeup. Maybe this was the way he could enjoy his love for cosmetics.
“It’s quite fun you know; dressing in drag. I mean you get to create this whole new persona, a whole new identity.”
Jungkook then realized that the person who winked at him had been the boy next to him. “So it was you in the red hair…” Jungkook mumbled a bit confused.
“Indeed it was. Jimin,” The boy, Jimin, held out his hand.
“Jungkook.” Jungkook shakes Jimin’s hand. They had finished their cigarettes and parted ways. But Jungkook had gain hope, that he could finally be himself.
A few days later Jungkook found himself back at that bar, sober and in search of Jimin. He had to find out how he could become a Drag Queen.
He walked to the bar and said “Excuse me, I’m looking for Jimin?” The bartender eyed him.
“I go by ‘Miss Jam’ here,” said a familiar voice behind him. Jungkook turns to see Jimin sliding through the crowd.
“This guy cool with you?” The bartender asks Jimin.
“He’s cool, Heidi.” Jimin tells the bartender as he turns them away from the bar and puts an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder. “So Jungkook, what can I do for you?”
Jungkook’s heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. “How d-do I become one?”
“Become what?”
“A drag queen?” They had made their way to the back of the bar behind the stage, where there were dressing room’s.
“So, you want to become a drag queen, hm?” Jimin says as he pushes me down on to the chair in front of the dresser. “We should first work on your look.” Jimin stares at Jungkook’s face, only centimeters between them. Jungkook’s breath caught in his throat. “Hobi, Jin, Tae, I need you guys to help me with this.” Jimin yells and almost instantly three guys appear next to him. “Let’s get started,” Jimin huffs as he spins Jungkook’s chair around.
When he looked in the mirror three hours later, Jungkook could barely recognize himself. “Waaah~” he stares slack-jawed at his reflection.
“Jimin, we did a great job!” said one of the boys – “Hobi” was what Jimin had called him – standing back and folding his arms.
Jimin’s eye twinkled, with pride, and a little bit of something else. “We really did.”
The bar was about to close, Miss Jam and the other three had preformed after giving Jungkook his drag makeover. Jungkook stayed and watched, this time behind the scenes. He was grateful that Jimin and the other boys took the time to help him out and wanted to thank them. Jimin had even spoken to the owner of the bar, Heidi, to work out a schedule so Jungkook could start preforming at the bar. It would be without pay, but if he did well, he might eventually might be able to make some money.
He found Jimin sitting at the bar, out of drag, holding a drink. Jungkook sat next to him. “Hey,” Jimin mumbles, not looking up.
“Hi, Um, Jimin?”
“Hm?” Jimin looked at Jungkook, and for a moment, Jungkook forgot what he had to say. And he wasn’t quite sure if he knew why. It was the first time someone had made him feel like this. As he was growing up, he never had much interest in romantic relationships with girls or boys. Sure, he had a girlfriend or two in high school, but he never felt anything special. Not like he did now, not like he did with Jimin.
“I-I wanted to…thank you and your friends for your help in getting started. I never knew that there was a way for me to use make up like that and I couldn’t have done it without your help, Jimin.”
“No need, Jungkook, anything to help a fellow drag queen.” Jimin flashes a smile at Jungkook. “I just hope your girlfriend doesn’t mind that your doing this…”
“Um, I don’t have one.”
“Oh, a boyfriend then?” Jimin takes a swig of his drink. Jungkook shakes his head. “Then, maybe, would you like to go out sometime? With me, Jungkook?” Jimin was looking down at his glass again, bracing himself for rejection.
“I, um, would really love that, actually.” Jungkook says shyly.
As they left, they walk, Jungkook takes Jimin’s hand. “You know,” Jimin starts to say. “I think I know the perfect name for you.”
“What?” Jungkook grins.
“Kookie.”