Chapter Text
She was a walking reverie, elegant in each step she took. Jungkook could have said the same about Jimin but he’d save the sweet talk for later, they had a show to watch and the other was focused on his cousin who had just gotten up on stage to perform. She had changed from the outfit before and was instead wearing a brocade cocktail dress that had cutouts from between her breasts where the dress was tied at the front just for decoration and down to her adonis belt, it looked like a basic cocktail dress Jimin saw on his Pinterest recommendation page but it was paired with a clear bustier that looked like it was handcrafted by Theirry Mugler himself with how snatched her waist looked. She was wearing a lilac pair of the Versace platforms that everyone was going crazy about nowadays. Her hair was also kept the same save for the Swarovski crystal-studded crown and the matching nail armor to make her outfit simple yet elegant.
She flowed on the stage like a cherry blossom making its journey from the tree to the ground in the spring. Jimin was entranced with the way she moved her back along the pole to the beat of her own song. He’d never seen her perform live since he’d only just now found out about this place and he felt bad for watching this performance for free.
She gripped the thick pole with one hand and walked around before lifting herself on the pole and pulling stunts Jimin couldn’t even imagine pulling with his amateur skills. He didn’t even care to take a single glance at Jungkook who was looking at him with delight and lust clouding his eyes. Jungkook was simply enjoying the fact that Jimin looked like he’d miss any detail if he were to blink. Jimin so badly wanted to join the people dancing along on the floor but he was scared that they would block the beautiful view of her movements from up top of the pole, looking down at them with her torrid gaze and pink contact covered hazel irises.
Time passed by fast, and soon the performance was over almost as quick as it started. Jimin blinked once and then thrice after Elysia had left the stage with the people throwing glitter that they had picked up from a place Jimin didn’t notice.
“Why are they throwing glitter on the stage?”
“It means that they enjoyed the performance. Instead of the money being thrown on the stage there are glitter packs you can buy if you ask for them. The money goes straight to charity when Elysia performs or it goes straight to anyone brave enough to perform on stage.” The younger simply replied, shrugging his shoulders.
“Hi~” They both heard Jungkook’s cousin say sweetly as she greeted them with a little wave.
“Hey, Elysia.”
“How are things after I left? I’m pretty sure Jungkook explained everything to you before and after my presence. But do you have any personal questions for me?”
‘I do, and it might be rude but if you don’t get paid much by the alcohol bought here and most of the performance money goes to charity and the performers then where’s your major source of income? That sounded very rude of me I’m sorry-“
“Oh, that’s not a rude question at all actually. I own the whole building but that doesn’t matter, did you enjoy the performance?” The lady said, simply brushing off the fact that she was the owner of the immaculately built skyscraper they were standing in. She was more concerned about Jimin’s thoughts about her performance and he was happy to give his feedback.
“I really loved your performance, Elysia. I can only imagine being able to go up on stage like you. You make me want to relearn how to pole dance!” Jimin couldn’t help himself from fanboying. He didn’t pay attention to the look Elysia was giving him, it was a mix of mischief and surprise. She looked like she was planning something and Jungkook didn’t like it at all.
“Jimin let’s not get carried away here-“
“I understand your need to relearn, and I’m glad I’m your inspiration but you must be careful, I’m a hundred percent sure that Jungkook would burst an artery in a certain place if he saw you pole dancing.” Elysia teased with a light laugh as both Jungkook and Jimin turned red at her words.
“Oh!? Mademoiselle pink lady Elysia?!!”
“Oh? Kevin?! It's been a while!” Elysia waved and quickly ran off to their relief and now they were standing there with almost nothing to do. They were buzzed, almost tired, and craving the comfort of a bed.
“So, did you enjoy the taste of the Elysian realm?” Jungkook asked Jimin as they watched the other people in their eccentric outfits continue to dance and maybe Jimin’s almost drunk mind was imagining things but Elysia was definitely making out with the white platinum-haired man named Kevin, or at least that’s what he thinks Elysia called him.
“I did. I love it here actually, the ambiance and vibes are totally different than the other low-key clubs that I’ve been to. I’ll come here with Tae someday in the future.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it because I enjoyed watching you enjoy yourself.” Jungkook said as Jimin walked in front of him and towards the exit. Jimin halted in his tracks and turned around. Even if Jungkook had just seen him, he was a sight for sore eyes with the only difference in his outfit being the missing belt that was taken off halfway through the night in fear that he would lose it.
“So you’re one of those people?”
“One of what type of people?” Jungkook asked, interested in what Jimin thought of him.
“Not to automatically assume anything but you seem like one of the people who like watching others enjoy themselves instead of enjoying the moment yourself.” Jimin said turning around and walking backward, not caring if he could hit something because Jungkook would warn him. He smiled and Jimin took another small part of Jungkook’s soul for himself.
“I never knew that about myself. My god, you are something.” Jungkook said softly with a dopey smile, only realizing how unsober he was at that moment. He felt the alcohol clouding his mind and realized that he had been drunk all along. Shaking his head, Jungkook stumbled closer to Jimin and they walked back to the elevator, talking about both nothing and everything at the same time. Jimin saw a couple making out in the hallway with two herbal cigarettes that smelled like lavender hanging from their fingertips and he kinda wishes that were him. But alas, he had a resting place to get to and he wanted to sleep the night away so he entered the elevator with Jungkook who was now visibly drunk, as if he had more alcohol before they left.
“You good Jungkook?” Jimin smiled in confusion as Jungkook hugged himself with a bright smile on his face. He looked like a madman and Jimin found it cute but he quickly snapped out of it and hid his face in his hands.
“I’m fine! I just took a gargantuan gulp of Ely’s drink before we left.”
“But I didn’t see you?”
“Yea, but I did it anyway… I’m fine! I’m A-okay!! So don’t worry about me and let’s get home.” All Jimin could do was laugh at Jungkook‘s slurring and loud voice as the elevator descended. When the elevator arrived on the first floor Jimin had to drag Jungkook out of the elevator and into an Uber.
Jimin rolled down the windows a little bit to get some flowing city air and looked over at Jungkook, only to be met with a sight he’d never thought he’d see in his lifetime.
Jungkook had taken off his Fanny pack and was taking off his sweatshirt, muscles flexing in every place Jimin could set his eyes upon. Jimin thanked the heavens that Jungkook was wearing a tank top, but everything came with a price and Jungkook’s abs were visibly flexing under the thin fabric as he removed his top from his head.
“Sorry, I’m just feeling very hot.” Jungkook noticed him staring. He put his pricey glasses in his bag and held his hand out for Jimin’s also. Jimin placed the pink shades in his hands. When they touched he felt like a teenager with a crush.
“O-oh no, it’s fine.” It was not fine. Because Jimin was about to do another bold thing in the backseat of the Uber. In a moment of impulse, he grabbed Jungkook’s jaw softly and pressed their lips together, kissing him for only a few seconds before he realized that there was indeed a third passenger in the car. Jungkook’s drunken smirk turned into the wildest smile with teeth showing. The two of them turned red and faced their respective windows, waiting for their ride to be over.
“You like the view?” Jungkook asked as the car did one last turn before they arrived in front of Jimin’s shop and Jungkook’s apartment complex.
“Shut up.” Jimin flushed furiously as the car pulled to a stop on the side of the road. The other chuckled and they made their way into the apartment. Closing the door behind them Jungkook remained with his back to the door, watching as Jimin dropped himself on the couch, the crop top he was wearing riding almost up to his chest. The skin that was showing was Jungkook’s weakness because he was a waist and torso man, even if he didn’t have a preference.
“Do you wanna shower first?” Jungkook asked, walking over to the dining table to pour himself and Jimin some water.
“I’m fine with whatever you’re fine with. I don’t really care.” Jimin’s voice was muffled by his hands that were on his face, wishing he wasn’t so woozy at the moment.
“You can shower first, I can wait.” Jungkook said before taking a sip of his water and handing another cup to Jimin. The older gladly took the cup of water that was handed to him and drank it all in huge gulps.
“Ok then, just know that I might fall asleep the moment my head hits that pillow.” He warned Jungkook before heading into the bedroom to get ready and shower.
That statement was a lie because the shower woke him up instead and he just decided to scroll on his phone in the living room, waiting for Jungkook to finish and trying his hardest to not think so much about Jungkook’s muscles. He was just about to text Taehyung when Jungkook peeked his head out of his door and gave him a quizzical look.
“Are you suddenly not tired or….?” Jimin smiled and turned off his phone, bringing his charger with him into the room so he could charge the phone. They were both doing their own things before finally getting into bed together, silently agreeing to sleep on the same bed, and hopefully they would just be sleeping and not like whatever they did at the club. Lucky for him Jungkook has shown no signs of wanting to kill him over these past 2 days so that is good enough for Jimin to rest his mind.
Thinking back to when they were eating together at the cafe and avoiding the little moment where their lips touched, Jimin thinks that the younger man might already have his heart, but it is never good to rush into things like relationships. They could just start as friends and then they could see how it goes from there. Yes, friends... although it would be hard to not catch even more feelings for the cute man who was everything he dreamed of. It was hard to not think of their lunch and the club visit as dates. Taehyung would be over the moon when he hears about what happened while he was gone.
Jimin thought he was the only one awake but he was wrong. It was past midnight and it was time for him to sleep even if he had an off day, so in an act of comfort, he turned to his other side and was met with Jungkook's beautiful doe eyes. Jimin’s breath hitched with the closeness the two shared. His heart was beating so fast and loud that he was sure that the other man could hear it.
"I thought you were asleep but you aren't so can I be honest with you Jimin?" Jungkook whispered, pushing Jimin’s hair back from his view.
"Anytime, anyplace." He responded softly, leaning into the light touch of Jungkook's warm hands.
"I know we've only actually known each other for a few days, but I really like you. You've been in my mind ever since you made the 'your looks freeze me' comment." Any ounce of sleep that was slowly seeping into Jimin’s body was quickly diminished at the statement.
"In what way do you like me though, because just like my older brother and mother, I too am a proud hopeless romantic and I sometimes rush into things without thinking about my future self. I just don’t want to get hurt." Jimin spoke with confidence in a soft voice. It was as if they were going to wake up the whole neighborhood if they raised their voice when that wasn't the case, Jungkook had no neighbors yet.
"I know this may be fast but I honestly feel a connection with you. Umm… like you said when we were walking over to my place. Damn, that shit sounded like something out of love island but I hope you get my point." Jungkook silently giggled with a smile for days as he placed a hand on Jimin’s waist.
"I also feel a connection with you." Jimin scooted closer and bopped Jungkook's nose with a smile. "Although I must say, I don't know whether to move on fast with this or go slower."
"Just go with the choice you're most comfortable with." Jungkook grinned while he soothingly traced soothing shapes with his index finger on Jimin's waist causing goosebumps to rise on his skin.
"Apple, temptation. You tempt me too much. You'll just have to tell me if we move too fast then." Jimin said in an almost inaudible voice before lazily kissing Jungkook. His lips were sweet like the sugar of the glittery alcohol they had at the club along with the mint from his nighttime routine. The grip on Jimin’s waist grew tighter and Jimin got up from his position in his bed to straddle Jungkook. Before he could lean in and kiss the man once more his phone started ringing and all he wished was to shove some Cuscuta down their throat. When he checked the caller Id he wasn’t surprised to see that Taehyung had finally called him. With a roll of his eyes and an apologetic smile, Jungkook nodded for him to take the call and Jimin excused himself.
“What the fuck do you want after ghosting me for these past days?” Jimin whisper-yelled into the phone while standing in the living room.
“Well yes, I arrived here in Shanghai intact and with no harm done. I also have, like, a lot more meetings for the rest of the week but I just wanted to tell my platonic soulmate that I’m still alive and not on mars. What happened to hello, hi, how have you been? Taehyung I’ve missed you so much, it’s been a few days, please come back because I can’t live without you?” he heard his friend say in a sarcastically saccharine voice. It was the way they talked to each other and Jimin didn’t fail to hear the chuckle in the background. He could tell that Taehyung had a bright smile on his face.
“You interrupted something very important, I’m not telling you until you come back.” Jimin smiled when he heard the betrayed gasp from the other line. Taehyung loved happy gossip that didn’t ruin anyone’s life, especially when it had to do with the people he knew. He loved to be in the know every day, all day.
“Wait! Omg no I’ll come back right now just so you can tell me!! My sweet Jiminie, my 4-lifer, my bbestplatonic soulmate, please don’t do this to me! I’ll buy you stuff!! Tell me please!!” Jimin smiled in triumph when his friend started begging on the call.
“I'll text you later, so you better bring me that souvenir. Something expensive. If it’s something cheap, the most you’ll hear from me is that I am currently at Jungkook’s place because I left my keys at home and you locked the door and took the other keys.”
“WHAT!!! IT’S LIKE NIGHTTIME AM OVER THERE OH MY GOD JIMIN ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!!?? DID HE INVITE YOU OVER FOR RAMYEON!!?? DID YOU ASK TO SEE HIS FUCKING CAT!?!!!!WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE-” Jimin hung up the phone and smiled a sadistic grin before re-entering the bedroom, finding Jungkook fast asleep. He even managed to look strikingly handsome while asleep. As to not disturb his slumber, Jimin quietly snuck under the covers and turned on his side so he could get some sweet sleep. Almost immediately he felt strong arms wrap around his torso and Jungkook’s nose nudging the back of his neck. So he was the koala type, Jimin didn’t mind one bit. In fact, he would be bluffing if he said his heart didn’t skip a beat before he closed his eyes to wander off in dreamland.
————
Jungkook thanked every single deity that made it possible for him to wake up early and see Jimin’s beauty up close. He had perfect skin and plush lips that he wished he could kiss on the daily, but that wasn’t possible… yet. Just before Jungkook could move his hand to brush the stray strands of hair away from Jimin’s face, Jimin's eyebrows furrowed and he had a little pout as he slowly woke up. The sheer beauty of Jimin’s face made Jungkook want to jump into a pool filled with whipped cream and clouds. When Jimin opened his eyes and saw that Jungkook was staring at him he quickly covered his face with his hands because of his blush and also not feeling very confident in his puffy morning face that earned him the nickname Mochi.
“I wanted to talk more yesterday but I accidentally fell asleep waiting. Oh, I learned something just for you. Um… China Rose, it means Beauty is always new. That’s what I meant to tell you yesterday but I fell asleep.” Jimin smiled sleepily as he sat up in the bed but not getting up just yet. He was impressed and a bit shocked that Jungkook searched for a flower just for him.
“And what does that have to do with me?” Jimin said, leaning forward and pushing Jungkook’s hair back so he could plant a little kiss on his forehead. Jungkook was blushing, it was the first time Jimin saw him actually blush and he thought it was cute.
“You know… ever since I moved here your beauty has always shocked me.” Jungkook said, looking at Jimin in awe.
“Okay… Double China Asters, I partake in your sentiments.” Jimin said with a soft smile before pecking Jungkook on the lips and getting up from the bed to do his morning routine minus the skincare part. Jungkook sat on the bed amazed, it was amazing to him that one person could have the most knowledge of some things random people wouldn’t care about. Not thinking for long, Jungkook soon joined Jimin in the bathroom.
“I found the spare toothbrush.” Jimin said obviously while brushing his teeth. Jungkook was feeling playful so he pinched Jimin’s sides in hope for a funny reaction but instead he was met with Jimin washing his face with a wide smile that could be easily mistaken for a psychopathic look.
“I’m not ticklish.” He said before leaving a shocked Jungkook in the bathroom to start his own morning routine. When Jungkook was finished he made his way out of his room to find Jimin in one of his hoodies and shorts. It was an interesting sight for him to say the least. Jimin’s thighs looked scrumptious in them so, before any other thoughts could flood his mind he shook them away. Now was not the time to be staring at the other man like he was some sort of full course buffet.
“Apparently today is like a holiday I forgot about so I decided to wear your clothes and stay here for awhile if that's fine with you, I told Hobi- I mean Hoseok to open the shop later today.” Jimin said, smiling at him and crossing his legs. Lord have mercy, Jungkook tried his hardest to not look at Jimin’s thighs but it was hard. It’s not like Jimin was doing this on purpose because Jimin was smaller than him and those were the shortest shorts that Jungkook owned.
“I figured you’d be open just in case people need flowers?”
“I don’t feel like working early today though. After all, I’m the boss.”
“What do you plan to do then?” Jungkook took his phone out of charge and proceeded to check his sparingly few notifications just so he didn’t have to look at Jimin.
“Sleep in until I have to get ready.”
“That sounds like a good idea and I would also join but I have to finish some things with my shop.” Jimin said while replying to Jinwoo who called in sick, telling him to feel better Soon.
“Then I’ll leave you to it.” Jungkook proceeded to get ready to go out by walking around the apartment and Jimin’s eyes followed him with every movement until he was at the front door putting his shoes on.
“See you for lunch at two?” Jimin asked as Jungkook finished putting on his shoes.
“Sure, I put the spare keys on the kitchen island.” Soon after, Jungkook left the apartment. Jimin was by himself now but instead of searching through Jungkook's stuff like a weirdo he decided to just steal a sweatshirt and comfy pants and be on his way. Walking across the street and straight into his shop he greeted Hoseok who was staring at one of the customers.
"Who’re looking at?" Jimin teased as he went to the back of the shop to put on his apron with a smile.
"Nobody, Jinwoo called out sick today." Hoseok stopped leaning on the counter to help a customer check out. There was a slight increase of customers and Jimin was ready for it all.
"I know." Jimin joined his friend's side and prepared to start the work day. Sadly Madam Choi had in-laws to visit so she didn’t visit him. He didn’t really have anything to think about though, his day was busy enough for him to not daydream while watering the various plants in the area. He didn’t even think about the happenings the night before, not that he remembered much though. Come to think about it, he couldn't get the blurry memory of Jungkook’s smile and Elysia’s dance out of his head. Not to mention the fact that they both admitted that there was something between them just before they fell asleep next to each other. What were they now that they had both skipped the pining part of romance?
“Jimin… Jimin!” Jimin hadn’t realized that he was spacing out, he thought that he didn’t have any thoughts that day but he was wrong. He couldn’t stop thinking about last night or what lunch would be like. He couldn’t stop thinking about Jungkook and it was crazy. It’s only been a few days since they’ve known each other and they were already in a blurry position between lovers… and two strangers with a high dose of tension. He was thinking of bringing it up when they had lunch together.
“Huh?” Jimin responded to Hoseok who was staring at him with his hands on his hips in an expectant manner, he rolled his eyes.
“You’ve got an order for a birthday dinner. From the way they were speaking and the way they were speaking on the phone and asked for the owner to personally come to the phone they are a person of class.” Hoseok said, handing the phone to Jimin who had his eyebrows raised. As the owner took the call in the back room, Hoseok stood at the counter playing with one of the succulents they had for display that day. He’d have to water the ferns soon but he’d wait until the customer who had been there for a solid 20 minutes finally chose either a flower or some plants and checked out.
He wasn’t all that bad looking, with his long blond hair and pale skin. He was pretty cute actually, cute enough for hoseok to ask him for his number but that would only be possible when he finally came up to the cash register. Hoseok wasn’t one to rush, but he really wanted to see this boy up close. There was another way to see him up close, and that was if he was to ask the cute boy if he needed help but Jimin recommended that they shouldn’t pester the customer if they’re taking awhile to choose because jumping to conclusions wasn’t always a good idea. Maybe if he told him to come back next time he would.
As if he felt like he was being stared at, the customer stood up from his position crouching down and looked at hoseok with two candles in his hands.
"Do you need help?" Hoseok asked and the man walked up with the two products in his hands shaking his head no with a red face.
The customer set the two candles down on the counter and Hoseok rang them up, told him the price, and was handed the money in cash.
"Come back next time…" Hoseok called after the man and he turned around and gave a quick bow before deciding the shop and almost bumping into the other man who just gave him a smile and laughed it off. Maybe it was national hot people day because the man that just walked into the shop was sexy with a hoodie that had Balenciaga spelled out on the breast, matching shorts and Off-White sneakers. Very stylish and something hoseok could never afford.
"Good afternoon, how may I help you?"
"Hi, is your owner here?" The man asked, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Yes he is."
"That's great, umm is it- actually never mind… I'm Jungkook by the way, umm I'm opening up a boutique right above you guys." For a handsome man, he was very awkward. And Hoseok laughed, because it was funny and he also may be a little mean.
"Ah… the root of all my headaches… I'll go and tell Jimin you're looking for him." Hoseok pointed to the back door and smiled before he left, leaving the man to himself.
"Someone's looking for you out there. Tall, handsome, and waiting for your presence with an awkward look." Hoseok said, knocking on Jimin's crowded desk. He looked up and finished typing before looking at the time and realizing that it wasn’t time for lunch yet.
"We've got an order from one of Madame choi's friends for a dinner party. Can you believe it? This is our first high profile client." He said excitedly, standing up and patting hoseok on the shoulder before going out of the room to see why he was called.
"Oh Jungkook? You're here early, my lunch isn't until three, it's two right now." Jimin said, looking at his watch and smiling at the other. “I just wanted to be early… was I a bit too early?”
Jungkook scratched the back of his neck nervously, shifting from side to side as Jimin shook his head no. “You’re fine, I’ll be on break in a while, you can just wait at the photo shoot place in the corner over there.”
“Oh my god you have a photo shoot place? How did I not notice? No offense, but I’m stealing that idea.” Jungkook gave Jimin one of his dopey smiles before heading towards the photo area that was a godsend for their advertisement. Hoseok could only smile in disgust at the look Jimin was giving Jungkook.
The flowers there were changed each week due to the transient nature of the flowers they had there, but most of the time the greens they added stayed because they lasted longer than the blooms. Jungkook seemed to blend perfectly with the flowers since this week they’d decided to go with simple white and pastel pink flowers with only a small amount of ferns added and he was wearing beige colored clothes. There was also dried lavender added there by Jimin because they made the place smell heavenly.
“This place smells heavenly!” Jimin and Hoseok heard Jungkook exclaim as he sat himself down on the fancy couch they had bought from Madam Choi, she had sold it because it clashed with the new interior decor her and her husband had for their hom. She also gave it to them more than half off because they were like sons to her.
“Stop ogling the man and continue to water them plants Mr. Owner.” Hoseok chided and moved from the counter to go outside of the store and fix the displays so he had something to do with his hands. Jimin shook his head and grabbed one of the watering cans before continuing to water the philodendrons.
Soon enough, right after a little boy and his uncle came to buy flowers for his older sister’s graduation it was time for lunch. Jimin went to the back to take off his apron and grab his things.
Jungkook had also seemed to know what time it was because when Jimin had made it out of the back room he was making conversation with a flustered Hoseok.
“Please stop flirting with my coworker and let’s go.”
“Oh? Are you jealous or something Jimin?” Hoseok wiggled his eyebrows suggestively before giving Jimin a shit eating grin. Jimin flipped him off with a bright smile filled with love as he and Jungkook exited the shop. Jungkook placed a hand around Jimin’s waist as he led him to his car.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere not far from here.” Jungkook started the car before looking at Jimin with a soft smile and faced the road before taking off.
“I’m looking forward to it.”