Chapter Text
Jungkook had been behind a lamppost, that couldn’t even cover half of him, glaring at the stupid shop sign across from the street, for the last five minutes.
This particular scene, him glaring at a building, sounded awfully familiar and Jungkook wasn't sure he liked the reminder. He cast a glance at the entrance under the sign that screamed in bold letters the name “the Centre”, read again the hopelessly-wrinkled-by-his-nervousness flyer which showed printed the same name (who even calls a community center, a Centre), and stomped a foot in annoyance.
By now he knew the text there by heart. His eyes had skimmed over it every morning during breakfast, and he had brought it to college to read it again and over again during breaks.
You are a hopeless case, Jeon Jungkook, he told himself fidgeting on the spot.
Then a very familiar-looking person, dressed in a light jacket and slacks, entered the building and he immediately took a step back turning to look the other way so he couldn’t be seen in the face. The sense of deja vu became stronger. He had already found himself looking at Park Jimin from across the street. Hiding.
He sighed.
The fact of being there, and being fully dressed, was itself an answer.
He crumpled the flyer, shoved it into his pocket, and after looking around suspiciously -as if he was afraid to be spotted there- he pulled the hoodie over his head and crossed the street.
“It's just for dancing, and not Park Jimin,” he muttered under his breath while entering the building. Beyond the transparent doors that opened to his passage, there was a small but shiny red reception desk behind which stood the most ridiculously handsome man Jungkook had ever seen. This man was talking with Park Jimin with intimidating familiarity.
Jungkook stopped on his track and somehow the movement was enough to catch the attention of both.
They simultaneously turned to look at him making him feel uncomfortably on the spot.
Jimin’s delighted surprise transformed into such an encouraging smile that Jungkook felt oddly impelled to return just as warmly despite the rigidness of his facial muscles.
It was too late to go back now. His fate had been sealed way before he trespassed the stupid threshold of this community center stupidly called The Center. His fate had been sealed the moment Park Jimin had come to hunt him down at the college and had given him a flyer with the words dance lessons printed on it. Even back then he already knew he was going to accept the offer and become his dance partner.
Jimin hadn’t stayed long after their little back and forth. Something like a short lunch break and My office is across town. Jungkook hadn’t insisted as Jimin was still a stranger to him and he couldn’t fathom the idea of spending time with him even now that they had come to a sort of a truce. So he had just nodded and had watched him go, but not before the older had pushed a flyer into his hand and said a very much hunting “please give it an honest thought!”.
Jungkook hadn’t know if feel annoyed or intrigued by the way Jimin seemed to have to sneak up on his defenses, coming here to face him and use the episode as leverage. He tilted his head in bewilderment then his gaze landed on the piece of paper.
It was a simple flier with schedules and course names organized by what looked like a community center.
Jimin had highlighted in yellow the hip hop and modern dance classes scheduled from 7:30 pm to 9 pm, probably thinking that the evening hours would be convenient for both. The courses were held twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, not a particularly challenging schedule considering how Jungkook had been used to dancing every single day.
Dancing.
No. Jungkook wasn’t sure his heart could handle that over again.
Yet, sometimes he could still feel in his limbs the sensation of sore muscles exerting in transitions, feet following steps on the hard parquet at the sound of music. Sometimes he still woke up in the middle of the night after having dreamed of untried steps and impossible choreographies.
Jungkook shook his head. He couldn't think about this now or he risked going insane, he needed a distraction, and who better than the fool of his best friend Kim Taehyung for the part?
Taehyung answered on the third ring, and without too much fuss he agreed to meet with him in the canteen. Jungkook found him out there, ten minutes later, recognizable even from afar thanks to the shocking pink sunglasses he was wearing and a patched denim jacket that was supposed to be fashionable. He had his hands in his pockets and was rocking back and forth on his shoes on the edge of the pavement as if he were unafraid of the force of gravity. Jungkook was hit by an evil idea.
"Taehyung!" Jungkook shouted at the top of his lungs. His best friend got so startled, that he lost his footing, and fell forward. Were it not for his quick reflexes he would have plastered his nose on the asphalt.
Jungkook slowly approached, holding his stomach for too much laughter while Taehyung got up red from the embarrassment.
"I could have died, you imbecile!" He exclaimed in disdain as he embarrassedly took off nonexistent dust from his pants and put back on his nose his now battered sunglasses. Jungkook, if possible, laughed harder.
Taehyung, in spite of it, found himself joining in. Ten seconds. It had taken them just ten seconds for the tensions of all those days to disappear.
After Taehyung had recollected himself and Jungkook had managed to recover from the excesses of giggles, they finally entered the canteen.
"So, what did you do these past days, apart from missing me?" Taehyung asked, teasing him as he served himself all the dishes available on the menu. Jungkook followed suit with the same amount of food and also grabbed a dessert.
"Look, from what I heard, you were the one moping around the house.”
"Hoseok. Why I am surprised that you have spoken with Hoseok. As soon as he is back from practice, he will hear a couple of words from me,” threatened Taehyung but they both knew those were just empty words as it was most likely Taehyung would end up hugging him tighter.
Hoseok had that effect on people, especially on a soulmate who adored every single hair on his head.
"You should thank him instead. I always knew he is the smartest of the three of us, and I'm not saying this just because he is at medical school. He simply is several lengths ahead,” Jungkook sighed as they propped down at the most isolated table they could find as Jungkook hated shouting in order to overcome the chatters of the other tables.
"You wouldn't say that if you ever saw him dancing in front of the television over crappy summer songs," Taehyung commented with glee before stuffing his face with food.
" I guess not even Hoseok is perfect. Suddenly I am so glad to not have been appointed to such long-life endeavors, thank you so much algorithm,” Jungkook said with dramatic flair. Isolated tables came in handy also for his unavoidable tendency for dark humor. What would be life if he couldn’t at least laugh at himself?
"I remind you that you're talking about my soul mate only I can talk bad about him. Not like there’s no such thing, he is perfect to me,” Taehyung retorted.
"You do realize this doesn’t paint in favor of your objectivity, do you?" Jungkook said with a sardonic smile.
All his fake smiles paled in comparison to the genuine ones stemmed from the pleasure of teasing his best friend.
Taehyung glared at him, then decided to take revenge by opening his mouth full of food.
"No, not again!" It was Taehyung’s turn to laugh.
It was so easy with Taehyung.
Without even trying, without the slightest effort they were like two instruments that harmonized together on a beautiful piece.
“Anyway, you owe me a few updates,” Taehyung accused him with a fork after he finally swallowed.
Jungkook glared at him.
"I have nothing to update you about.”
"Liar. I have known you since I learned how to count to 100 Jeon Jungkook. I know when something happens to you.”
"But if I always have to tell you everything myself!”
"So there is something to tell!" Taehyung triumphantly exclaimed, waving his fork in the air as if it were a flag.
Jungkook shook his head stubbornly refusing to add more. Naturally, Taehyung insisted.
"I bet you've met with Park Jimin,” he commented with a know-it-all tone.
Jungkook snorted as he tried very hard not to get too annoyed by the enthusiasm, he could sense in his demeanor. "I’ve met Park Jimin again. Just today though and only for like, ten minutes,” he conceded in an attempt to contain Taehyung’s curiosity. “But only because he came to ambush me. “
“Sounds like an impromptu date to me,” Taehyung joked, eyes shining with glee.
"Taehyung…just, stop it. Stop this enthusiasm, this expectation,” he said, suddenly turning serious. "When I say I don't want a mate, I’m not saying it for bravado, it’s not a shield meant to cover my sad and pathetic fate of number zero. I actually mean it. And you have to understand it once and for all." His fork collided with the plate making a screeching sound.
"I know,” Taehyung said after a while. Jungkook was surprised to meet his gaze. No shadows hid behind them. Taehyung was being sincere.
"Do you?”
"Yes, I know. I know your wishes and remember your plans very well but that doesn’t stop me to wish you something different. I can’t help but hope that you’ll eventually change your mind. Would it be so horrible to have some company along your journey?”
Jungkook had to look away perturbed by the force of his best friend’s feelings.
Taehyung was a romantic. He couldn’t help his nature, even if he had been by Jungkook’s side for every painful step a number zero went when growing he still believed there could be something out there for Jungkook. Jungkook didn’t know if believe him delusional or feel touched.
Someone could think Taehyung just acted blinded by the certainty a number two was given in life - the belief that everything has meant to be. But the thing was, that even if his mind couldn’t escape the influence of a luckier fate, he truly wished Jungkook the best.
To be loved.
But wasn’t love something he already had? Not the love of a soul mate, never the love of a soul mate, but hasn’t his family, Taehyung and later Hoseok showered him in affection since they had entered his life? Wasn’t the love moved by choice more precious?
Yet again how could Jungkook ever pretend to explain or to make understand this concept to a number two?
"It won't happen in the near future. I'm sorry,” Jungkook said feeling bad when he saw Taehyung’s shoulders sag. “If it makes you feel any better,” he continued as he literally saw Taehyung’s ears perk in curiosity, “you’ll be glad to know that at least I apologized. You will also be glad to know that he immediately used that to ask a favor in return.”
"Park Jimin that tries to tame Jeon Jungkook?" Taehyung commented waving his eyebrows. He sounded awfully intrigued.
"Keep teasing me, but that's exactly what happened. I was taken advantage of. I gotta give the guy more credit, he is tougher than what I thought.”
Jungkook thought back to the Park Jimin he remembered, the one in high school that was hated by half of the students. Perhaps in the smile that Jimin had never lost, there was a hidden strength that only now Jungkook seemed to realize. He had thought him naïve and spineless because those were the only reasons that could justify his inaction as nobody could keep smiling as if nothing had happened under those circumstances.
But perhaps Park Jimin, like Jungkook, had refused to let anybody try and steal pieces of him and had faced the blows of life with a smile on his lips.
"What favor did he ask of you? I guess he didn't ask your hand in marriage, or you would be angrier than a hedgehog.”
"You are making me sound like someone who has anger issues, Taehyung.”
"A little?" the other suggested with a shrug. Jungkook was beginning to regret having talked about the episode with Park Jimin.
"Oh, come on don’t get offended on me now! Just spit it out, you know you’ll feel better after!” His best friend urged him, afraid Jungkook would stop talking. Luckily, for Taehyung the favor asked was so ridiculous that Jungkook couldn’t possibly keep it to himself.
"He wants me to be his dance partner,” Jungkook confessed as if the idea was downright crazy.
"He is not tougher Jungkook. The man is a genius,” Taehyung exclaimed in clear fascination. "He really knows how to get you.” Jungkook cringed because in a way Taehyung was right. There was nothing Jungkook had regretted more than having to abandon his only outlet and long-lost love, dancing. People who didn’t love anything that much would never be able to understand what it meant to leave it behind not because you wanted but because you must. He asked if Jimin felt the same and if that terrified him just as much as it terrified Jungkook to get the chance to have it back.
Even though this form would pale in comparison to what had been, it was awfully tempting.
"Well, actually I lied. He didn’t just come to demand a favor,” Jungkook added all of a sudden somehow not sitting well with him to picture a portrait of Park Jimin of a person with ulterior motives only. "Thanks to him I gained time from this engagement thing."
Taehyung ‘s mouth comically open in a perfect o, "Really? Your parents are giving up like that?”
"I finally read all the emails my mother has left. Yes, emails. Once they realized I would not answer the phone they resolved in sending me those. I think they were on the verge of sending me a pigeon.”
"Well, the Jeons have always been nothing but determined, look at you, his son, a bundle of stubbornness. What were the emails about anyway,” Taehyung concluded quickly as he noticed Jungkook was once again glaring at him.
"At first they were apologies, then requests of explanation, and then downright aggressive questions about what I have supposedly done to park Jimin to make the engagement reach such a drift,” Jungkook elaborated with a sigh. Taehyung smiled sympathetically but then added.
"To think he has come to personally talk to you and even asked you to be his dance partner. I wonder what goes around in his head…” Taehyung said trailing off.
"I don't have the slightest idea. And honestly, this makes me nervous,” Jungkook admitted scratching him behind his ears. He didn’t want to admit however that the thought of Jimin possibly having an agenda towards him scared him less than the possibility of finding that intriguing. Never in life anyone had ever chased him for anything.
He chunked a big scoop of chocolate pudding into his mouth to stop himself from voicing these considerations.
"Maybe he really just wants to be your friend.”
"Can you really think that possible given our circumstances? How can someone walk in with the perspective of engagement and walk out with just friendship? I mean if it hadn’t been for my opposition, our union would have gone forward. He had come there, ready.”
"People are unpredictable that is for sure. I guess you know too little to have a right guess. So what are you going to do Jungkook? Will you accept?”
Jungkook swallowed down slowly but even when his mouth was free, he didn’t have words to give to Taehyung.
Yet in his best friend’s gaze he saw reflected the same silent answer his eyes held, that Jungkook had always, always wanted to get back on the dance floor.
Jimin still marveled at his own creativity for having come up with such a solid idea. Seokjin had been mentioned to him over the last couple of years, with the hope of convincing Jimin to go back to dance, how his community center held several dancing courses for all ages.
The community center was the project of a lifetime of his best friend Kim Seokjin. From what Jimin knew what had started as a volunteer job had soon transformed into a full-time mission and nowadays Seokjin was part of the management that made sure that the community center run smoothly. Most of his and Namjoon gains went into donations just for that purpose and Seokjin was very well-liked and respected in the community who admired the hard work he had always put into maintaining the safety and quality of the activities the center offered.
People saw in Seokjin the successor of the current president, but Jimin knew Seokjin hoped that would come way down the lane or never. The actual paperwork was light enough to allow him to sit at the reception desk and do both things. The perspective of massive paperwork to do in the solitude of an office, scared him to death.
Jimin who was stuck in a boring office job understood that fear very well even though he guessed that a satisfying goal would probably make the difference. Jimin envied Seokjin life and Namjoon lifestyle not because they were wealthy, which they undoubtedly were, but because they had chosen their paths and had thought hard to make them work.
He remembered when Namjoon worked part-time at a gas pump while composing songs at night, while Seokjin juggled between thousands of jobs as a waiter, ceremony photographer, and driver. Seokjin came from money so when his family kicked him out and forced him to not only abandon his studies but to stick up for himself in everything, he hadn’t been prepared.
However, he and Namjoon had managed, with hard work and sacrifice, to build the life they wanted for themselves. Conquering it together had meant more for their union than whatever number two status printed on their ID.
Jimin realized that watching Jungkook dancing, had stirred something in him, something that he thought he had buried under years of resignation but had instead survived, waiting for the right moment to come back. The greed, that desperate feeling of wanting something so much and being willing to do anything to achieve it.
He had spent years of his life watching passively his friends meet their goals using his status as an excuse for his incapability. The government said that he couldn’t choose the arts field as a career path, but it had never demanded he stopped pursuing it for himself. When had he started to deny himself what he truly desired?
It was true that he had always eyed with suspicion all the facilities that organized activities with only number zeroes, firstly because it sounded unsafe to go to a place publicly known to gather number zeroes, and secondly, he couldn't help but see the community center as a parody of club for lonely souls. In other words, he had been narrow-minded and frankly, pretty pathetic. Seokjin wouldn’t have ever proposed to him anything that would even remotely sound like those two options, Jimin had just been too afraid to try.
Maybe doing this could be a new beginning for him and not just an excuse to spend time with Jungkook.
After explaining his idea to Seokjin, his friend had taken the task to heart and proceeded to give him all possible and imaginable information about each dance course, correlated with explanatory leaflets.
"Did he have to be the one to get you back dance?" Seokjin had commented upon the news, yet his smile had also been unusually wide. He was glad for him and Jimin felt as elated as embarrassed. He hadn’t known just much he had worried his friends about his behavior.
Determined to follow his little plan, Jimin used his lunch break to go to Jungkook's college. He had found a schedule of his classes easily and even if it made him uncomfortable to snoop around like that, it was better than asking his parents for his phone number, especially after having told them that he wanted a break.
Jeon Jungkook was as terribly handsome as he remembered, but he didn’t let this detail distract him from telling him off. Jimin sympathizing with him didn’t mean he hadn’t him found rude and insensitive.
Jimin was happy to find him calmer and more inclined to listen, he was even more happy to receive an apology from him. And so, this is also Jeon Jungkook, he told himself as he watched the other explain his point of view.
Of course the other part of Jungkook, the rebellious one, the one that would go straight to his goal unbothered of who they decked in the path, didn’t fail to make its presence.
“No," he sentenced, leaving no room for discussion. Jimin almost laughed at this reiterated show of stubbornness.
"The lessons take place in the community center. Don't make that face, I know what you think, I too am not very fond of zero associations. But my best friend has been working there since forever and I trust Seokjin. If he says the lessons are good it means they are,” besides it’s not like you can be picky since there’s no other place who offers dance lessons for number zeroes, he had wanted to add but for the sake of the conversation, he refrained the sass. Judging by the arched eyebrow of Jungkook it seemed like he had got the underline without him having to say it though.
"Promise me you’ll give it an honest thought. At least come with me for the first lesson so I won’t be alone. You can stop coming soon after if you don’t like it. "
In a sense, it had been a low blow.
If Jungkook had loved to dance just as much as Jimin, it would have been impossible for him to not come and see. The temptation would be too strong to ignore. That opened a wide margin of speculation about why Jimin was willing to go to such an extent for this Jeon Jungkook, but Jimin wasn’t going to examine that just yet. It was too early.
"Not everyone feels like being saved," Seokjin had said. But Jungkook didn't need to be saved. Maybe it's me who needs to be. Jimin shook his head. The more he thought about it, the more it appeared confusing.
The first day of the lesson was quick to come. The community center was a couple of blocks afar from his house, so he decided to go by foot, besides some fresh air would help him clear the mess of his mind.
He didn't linger in the entrance though, he stepped inside the building with confidence and when Seokjin, seated behind the reception, greeted him with a welcoming smile, Jimin realized there really was nothing to be afraid or nervous of. He could do it.
"Jimin! How are you? And what about your golden boy?”
"Golden Boy?” Jimin asked tilting his head back in laughter.
"Since he managed to come here even though I tried for many years, I think the nickname is appropriate," Seokjin replied crossing his arms over his chest. Jimin was spared the chance to reply by the telltale of movement coming from the glass doors.
He turned.
Jeon Jungkook was standing there, hoodie pulled down on his head and the air of someone who doesn't know what to do. Jimin felt a smile pull automatically at the corners of his lips and to his surprise, Jungkook returned one back. As he stepped closer Jimin vaguely registered that he will soon come face to face with Seokjin who was scanning through him as he wanted to embed every detail in his brain. Most likely to be able to do an identikit if the younger acted in some way he didn’t approve.
Jimin internally cringed but decided to ignore the elder.
"Hello," Jimin said as soon as Jungkook was at arm's length.
“Hello," Jungkook murmured back clearing his throat.
"I'm glad you could make it! Jungkook, this is my best friend, Kim Seokjin.”
"Nice to meet you,” said Seokjin politely. He even smiled. Jungkook replied with 'nice to meet you too' yet they stared at each for a long second. Seokjin then flashed such a look at Jimin, the latter felt like wanting for the floor to open and swallow him whole.
"Jungkook let's go! The classes are about to begin. We can register later,” Jimin exclaimed grabbing Jungkook by the hoodie and dragging him towards the classroom’s direction.
"One lesson. We agreed on one lesson!" Jungkook protested alarmed. Jimin could have argued that it hadn’t gone exactly like that, that he didn’t promise such a thing just suggested that he could, but he thought to hear a note of panic in Jungkook’s tone and so he let it go.
Unfortunately for him, it didn’t seem like Seokjin was of the same advice. He was studying Jungkook as if it were a special specimen.
"We will see about that later. Now let's go!” he chirped back pushing Jungkook down the hall.
Jungkook thankfully didn’t protest any further and silently let himself be led by Jimin who wanted to put as much distance as possible from them and his best friend.
Jimin could imagine what Seokjin thought he had seen. Physically, Jungkook was different from all the people Jimin had liked, but he also shared some similarities with all of them. The reluctant air. The piqued character.
Seokjin must believe he had in front of him the copy of that someone who was once important to Jimin. He was wrong, though. Jungkook was nothing like Min Yoongi.
Yoongi had done nothing but lie to himself and in the process lie to Jimin as well. Jungkook instead, despite his questionable manners and edgy temper, had never lied to him. He had always been awfully honest. And that was, what made him so damn fascinating.
It wasn't only his looks, even if objectively Jimin admitted finding him attractive. It was the flame that burned under the skin, that desire of his to always be himself at all costs. Someone would call it desperation, Jimin saw it for what it was.
A stubborn and irrepressible desire to live his way.
Jimin realized he had been dragging Jungkook by the wrist only once they stopped in front of their classroom door. He let him go abruptly horrified by the thought he had been restraining Jungkook from leaving. But even when he let go, Jungkook stayed. He was actually looking at Jimin expectantly to which Jimin nodded. It was now or never. He put his hand on the handle and opened the door.
They looked around for a moment dazzled by the neon lights but when he put into focus the room, he saw that a lot of people were already there and seemed already busy warming up.
Jimin froze on the spot and judging by the reflex of them in the mirror Jungkook was handling it any better.
"Please come in! Seokjin has told me everything about you!” The professor exclaimed attracting the general attention to them. Jimin threw an apologetic smile toward Jungkook as he realized om what mess he had dragged them on. Jungkook didn’t even spare him a nod in acknowledgment.
Because Jeon Jungkook 22 and Park Jimin 26 (almost 27) were currently in a class where, to be generous, the average age was seventeen.
"I'm Lee and this is my class," the kids and the teacher seemed to expect a reply and Jimin realized with horror that they were expecting them to introduce themselves.
"Park Jimin, nice to meet you all,” Jimin said with an awkward smile. The whole class smiled back and then their eyes shifted towards Jungkook who fidgeted in his spot.
"Jeon Jungkook,” he said with a tone of death.
"Great! Please go stand in the back! And follow copy the warmup exercises of the other. We will start in five minutes,” Jimin took off his jacket and so did Jungkook and if looks could kill Jimin would have fallen dead at that moment.
Jimin sighed. Why life seemed to find particularly funny to mess with him?