Chapter Text
‘’What are you doing?’’ A voice coming from behind startles him as a small hand touches his shoulder in a way of saying hi and sorry for scaring you.
‘’I’m considering either burning this whole school down or becoming the next goat man. Did you know a man really did that? Like how freaking smart is that. I don’t wanna live in capitalism anymore.’’
Jimin smiles and shakes his head at Jungkook’s cute ranting as he slides into the seat next to him.
‘’You can do it. You’re almost done with your essay anyway.’’
‘’I’m almost done because I wrote twenty pages of bullshit.’’
‘’Isn’t that how all essays are written?’’
‘’ Very true.’’ Jungkook angrily types one more line of nothing and asks while closing his laptop,’’ Are we still hanging out after your class?’’
‘’Sure, if you’re willing to wait for an hour.’’
‘’I’ve waited for you for three hours before.’’
‘’Yes, you have.’’ Jimin replies hiding his guilty smile behind his sleeve.
‘’I’ll just nap here and wait for you.’’
‘’I swear, ever since we graduated you lost all your energy. You’re always lying and napping here and there.’’
‘’Becoming an adult is hard, okay. Not everyone is like you and experience an awakening in college. And you should drop out of at least two of your clubs, you’re always so busy Taehyung keeps annoying me about how you don’t like him anymore.’’
‘’ Is that your way of showing concern for me, Jeon Jungkook?’’
‘’I have reasons, you spend a Friday on two at some shady party, you forget to answer Seokjin and Taehyung’s texts, you even skipped class last week.’’
Jimin hums ‘’ But I also spend all my Mondays with you. I make sure to help out at the plant store at least once every two weeks; I also give you and the guys lifts because none of you want to get your driving licence. I let Hoseok use me as a cover every time one of his dates goes wrong. And I come visit my best friend at the library during my break even when I was asked by other people to hang out with them at lunch.’’
Jungkook pouts. The argument is pointless, he wasn’t really accusing Jimin of anything and Jimin isn’t really trying to defend himself. They just…do that sometimes. Argue for no reason.
Jimin looks over at Jungkook from the corner of his eyes, a small smile on his lips.
‘’I’m fine Kookie.’’
‘’Are you taking your vitamins?’’ Jungkook asks after a while, his face hanging low before the sound of Jimin trying to laugh discreetly not to disturb the other students busy studying brings a smile to his lips.
Let’s be honest, Jimin fails miserably at being quiet and it makes the whole thing even funnier.
‘’My vitamins.’’ Jimin articulates before laughing again. ‘’ I have them, don’t worry.’’ He adds when he finally calmed down while patting his pocket. ‘’Do you want some?’’
Jungkook nods and extends his hand as Jimin pull out the metallic box of his pocket and drop two little capsules in the palm of his hand.
Skittles.
Jimin has this habit of buying a couple of bags then opening them all and choosing the ones he likes the best before putting them in a small box that he carries around. Jungkook is probably one of the only people that know about it because Jimin categorically refuses to share the lemon ones with anyone else. The red and purples ones all end up in Taehyung’s stomach since Jimin always makes a small bag with the ones he doesn’t like for him.
Jungkook’s eyes catch a strand of hair that escaped from Jimin’s care. Looks like it didn’t want to be stuck under a beanie, he thinks.
Jungkook knows Jimin isn’t that happy with his brown hair and that’s probably the reason why he rarely sees him without his beanie. Even though, everyone knows beanie is Jimin’s middle name, ever since he came back from the hairdresser with no hair showing, angry as fuck, Jimin constantly hid what he considered to be a mess.
Without thinking about it, Jungkook reaches out to fix it. It’s a simple gesture and Jimin barely reacts. They’re both used to it now. They always have their hands all over each other.
Jungkook discovered that skinship with Jimin was actually really nice. Their height and size difference made him feel like he could protect him (even though, when angry, Jimin is probably the scariest one). It made Taehyung jealous sometimes too, but most of the times, he was more busy trying to figure out Yoongi (something he has been doing for the last 2 years).
‘’Aren’t you gonna eat?’’
‘’I’ll eat after you leave for your last class.’’
Both notice the new notification on Jimin’s phone at the same time and Jungkook rolls his eyes.
‘’He texts you more than he texts me.’’
‘’All he does is rant about Yoongi. See.’’ Jimin hands him the phone to show him the new messages.
Taehyung: look who I bumped into
‘’Yoongi’s been quite chill about the whole thing, don’t you think?’’
‘’That’s ‘cause Tae never confessed or showed the will to be in a relationship with him.’’ Jimin answers as he replies to Taehyung.
Jimin: I see those matching drinks
Taehyung: u know me, Im a hoe for discounts ;)
Jimin: not just for discounts
Taehyung: ;)))))))))))))))
‘’Why do I have a feeling they didn’t accidently bump into each other.’’
‘’That’s because they didn’t. It’s just Tae trying to make us believe Yoongi doesn’t enjoy his company.’’
‘’Who does he think he’s fooling?’’
Jimin laughs. ‘’Good question. Himself, probably.’’
Jungkook packs his laptop under Jimin’s understanding gaze.
‘’Time to go?’’ He asks and Jungkook hums in answer.
Jimin caresses the back of Jungkook’s head before the latter stands up to leave.
‘’Well, see you later.’’
‘’Yeah. If I don’t die before that.’’
‘’You know which class I’m in right?’’
‘’Got your schedule in my phone, I’ll find my way.’’ Jungkook assures before waving and taking his leave. Jimin watches him until he disappears behind the shelves and texts his friends to know where they are before also heading out of the library.
His hair are chocolate brown since winter is coming faster than what everyone wants.
He nods in the direction of a familiar face but doesn’t stop to chat.
He has a place to be.
**
‘’Kid!’’ A voice calls out behind Jungkook as he comes out of his last class of the day. He turns around to greet Yoongi with one if his typical sheepish smile. ‘’ Are you done for the day?’’
‘’Yeah, I was on my way to Jimin’s class.’’
‘’Doesn’t he finish later, though?’’
‘’Yeah, I’ll wait for him.’’
Yoongi hums like Jungkook just revealed some kind of secret information.
‘’You two are going on a date?’’
‘’It’s not more of a date than what you and Taehyung had at lunch.’’ Jungkook answers, struggling to put his hoodie on.
‘’Damn, so aggressive.’’ Yoongi smiles as he tugs at the collar so Jungkook can pass his head easily. ‘’Relax kid, I’m not telling your secret to Jimin anytime soon.’’
‘’Is it really a secret at this point? We’ve been flirting with each other for the last 2 years.’’
Yoongi shoves his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie like he’s ready to hear about what Jungkook has to say.
‘’Don’t look at me like that.’’ Jungkook warns and Yoongi laughs.
‘’I don’t really understand what’s between you and Jimin but as long as none of you is hurt then whatever, I guess.’’
‘’He didn’t look that upset when I told him I went on a date.’’
‘’He wasn’t. It surprised me too. Would you be upset if he went on a date with someone or if he started dating someone that isn’t you?’’
Jungkook considers the question for a while.
‘’I mean, a date would be fine but Jimin said he didn’t have time for dating so….’’
‘’He does have a lot of time for you, though.’’
‘’We’re best friends.’’
‘’Come on. You’re more than that and you know that as well. I can’t even count the number of times you two almost made out. Maybe you should try becoming friends with benefits?’’
‘’Nice idea Grandpa but Jimin’s ass isn’t all I want. I’m not ruining my chances by fucking Jimin with no feelings.’’
‘’He has a very nice ass. He wouldn’t let you forget it.’’ Yoongi shrugs.
Jungkook is honestly slowly getting annoyed with the conversation. Talking about his and Jimin’s situation isn’t something he particularly likes. He even tries to avoid thinking about it because he always ends up with a headache. He’s fine with whatever as long as he is important to Jimin.
He quickly changes the conversation to Yoongi and Taehyung. ‘’What about you and Tae?’’
‘’You know I’m still not down to get in a relationship and Taehyung seems to understand that. It looks like he’s waiting until I’m ready. No one ever waited until I was ready, you know.’’
‘’I know.’’ Jungkook pats his shoulder to give Yoongi some support once he notices his mood change.
Maybe changing subject wasn’t a so good idea after all. Jungkook was never really good with handling an emotional Yoongi.
‘’Whatever, go wait for your prince. I’m going home.’’
‘’Alone?’’
‘’Nah, I’m taking the bus with Seokjin. He’s probably furious by now. See you later kid!’’
Jungkook nods and smiles before heading to Jimin’s class.
Luckily he finds an empty bench close to Jimin’s class so he immediately installs himself on it, taking out his laptop, determined to finish his essay. A quick glance at the time lets him know he still has forty minutes until Jimin is done.
Thirty minutes pass by without him noticing because for once, he actually feels inspired. Actually, he’s so concentrated on his work that he barely raises an eye at the person who drops their phone right in front of him.
Out of habit, he licks and nibbles at the corner of his mouth where his piercing previously was. He actually decided to take it off a couple of months ago. Not without regrets, he had so many fantasies that involved Jimin and his piercing. He mostly felt satisfied with the ones on his ears now and didn’t like his lip piercing as much as before.
Hoseok even said he looked better without it, which resulted in Jimin and Jungkook ignoring him for the next hour. Jimin had made it pretty clear that he had a thing for piercings, he had even asked Jungkook to go with him when he got his own ears pierced.
Jungkook never told anyone but when Jimin had asked him to accompany him he had felt incredibly proud but also a little bit more in love with him.
He also never told anyone about how he had slept at Jimin’s house that night and kissed the tip of his ears ever so lightly every time Jimin complained that it hurt.
He unconsciously smiles as he remembers that day.
The sudden flow of students in the hallway pulls him out of his reveries. He immediately scans the crowd for Jimin and smiles when their eyes meet.
‘’Hey.’’ Jimin greets, stopping right in front of him, the edge of their shoes touching. ‘’Are you ready to go?’’
‘’I’m always ready for you.’’ Jungkook says, packing his stuff.
‘’Is that a new hoodie?’’ Jimin suddenly asks when he notices the new clothes.
‘’Yeah, why?’’ Jungkook questions as he stands up.
‘’It looks comfortable, can I try it later?’’ Jimin asks, his hands sneaking under the hoodie, brushing on Jungkook’s abdomen as he feels the fabric.
‘’ It’d be a bit too big for you but you can always try it. No stealing this time, though. You already have enough of my clothes at your house.’’
Jimin giggles and nods, taking his hands out of Jungkook’s clothes.
‘’Should we stop by the grocery store before going to your house?’’
‘’Oh is that where we’re going?’’
‘’You knew we’d end up crashing at yours.’’ Jimin states and they start walking.
‘’Is it video games and cuddles night?’’
‘’Yeah. I need that right now. I’m exhausted, the class was boring as fuck.’’
‘’You do look tired.’’ Jungkook agrees and playfully ruffles Jimin’s hair. At the same time, someone walks past them and slaps Jimin’s butt.
Jungkook is about to turn around and punch the asshole who dared assault his best friend when he notices Jimin smiling back at the guy.
‘’Going home, Chim?’’ The guy asks, walking backward as he talks with Jimin.
‘’Yep.’’
‘’Okay, see you tomorrow then!’’
‘’Sure!’’ Jimin replies and turns back to Jungkook.
‘’Nice way of greeting each other.’’ Jungkook says, trying to hide the bitterness in his voice.
‘’He’s just a really touchy person, I guess?’’
‘’Hm.’’
‘’You act like you never touched my butt.’’ Jimin’s eye smile is suddenly showing and it slightly irritates Jungkook. He remembers when Hoseok had pointed out that Jimin didn’t usually enjoy others to touch him but didn’t mind when it comes to Jungkook. Looks like he was wrong.
‘’That’s not the point. I just don’t understand why you let someone touch your ass if you don’t enjoy it.’’
‘’I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy it. I just go with it. I don’t mind.’’
Jimin shakes his head and sneaks his hand in Jungkook’s back pocket when he understands he has to cheer Jungkook up.
‘’Your ass is the only one I touch, though.’’
The contact brings a smile to Jungkook’s lips. Jungkook who’s looking down and blushing. After all this time he still wasn’t used to Jimin boldness when it came to skinship.
Jimin smiles at Jungkook’s reaction, satisfied to have altered his mood a bit and pulls out his hand.
Jungkook tries to ignore the fact that Jimin’s hand fitted a bit too well in his pocket.
He also purposefully ignores the little voice at the back of his mind telling him that Jimin’s hand would fit in anyone’s pocket and that he’s not special.
**
Jungkook accidently clinks his bottle too hard on the nightstand when he puts it down. He casts a look at Jimin and takes the bottle from his hand, interpreting the gesture as a silent demand to get rid of his bottle as well.
Now that they’re in college they’ve been drinking more often together. Most of the times, it’s when they play video games because Jungkook isn’t that of a heavy drinker. He mostly drinks with Jimin and because Jimin doesn’t drink until he gets drunk, unlike Taehyung and Hoseok.
Their controllers are back in their hands after a quick drinking pause and Jungkook restarts the game. With some practice, Jimin became a great opponent for Jungkook. Probably because he’s the one who taught him all the tricks he uses and just, how to win basically.
‘’Are you sleeping here tonight?’’ Jungkook asks as he starts beating up a guy from Jimin’s team, his bottom lip stuck behind his lip as he concentrates hard on double-tasking.
‘’I can’t, I have a morning class tomorrow. Gotta be there at eight.’’ Jimin answers, busy fighting his own member of Jungkook’s team. The one who killed him during the previous round.
Jungkook had even refused to revive the guy after he killed Jimin and thanked the Gods when Jimin didn’t make any comment about it.
‘’Yes!’’ Jimin screams, a fist in the air to celebrate his victory, his face activated on full mode cutie. The sight can’t even make Jungkook mad for losing.
Yoongi had accused him once of letting Jimin win just because he was cute and way too happy when he won.
Jungkook hadn’t confirmed what Yoongi had accused him of doing but internally he couldn’t help but admit it was true.
Jimin turns to him with a big grin.
‘’Should we eat something?’’
‘’Sure.’’ Jungkook replies, setting his controller down and picking up his phone. ‘’Pizza it is then.’’ He says while putting the phone against his ear after dialing the number. He places their usual order and hangs up while Jimin walks around the room a bit because his legs hurt.
Jungkook falls back on the pillow mess he’s using as a headboard and watches Jimin scan his room through half-open eyes.
‘’Have you ever considered getting a tattoo?’’ Jimin asks, his back facing him as he looks at the books on the shelf.
Jungkook runs a hand through his hair and lets two seconds pass before answering.
‘’I haven’t, really. I like tattoos on people but not on me.’’
‘’You’d look hot with a tattoo, though.’’
‘’Here we go again. I thought I already am the hottest guy on the campus.’’
‘’Hm, one of the hottest, yeah. Don’t let Taehyung know I said that.’’ Jimin replies, looking back at Jungkook with a sly smile that Jungkook returns.
None of them really knew what kind of game they were playing. They often found themselves flirting with each other but it never led anywhere, no one ever made a move or confessed. That’s why a few months into college, Jungkook had agreed to go on a date with a girl and they had something close to a relationship going on for a couple of weeks before Jungkook broke things off. Mostly because he was having a hard time with accepting his feelings for Jimin at that time and felt as in he was being unfair to both Jimin and his girlfriend.
No one had said anything about it even though they all knew. Jimin had never asked about it either. The only person who knows the whole story up to this day is Taehyung and that’s only because he had seen Jungkook’s ( ex )girlfriend making out with another guy at school and was wondering if they had agreed on an open relationship or if he had to fight for his honor.
The situation had forced Jungkook to explain that they weren’t together anymore and that even when they were, they weren’t that loyal to each other.
Taehyung hadn’t pushed the matter further mostly because he knew who Jungkook was referring to and because he knew it wasn’t his type to get with someone for fun. He asked only one question. One simple question. ‘’Did you love her?’’
‘’No.’’
It wasn’t selfish or revolting. Their relationship wasn’t based on love; it was based on physical attraction. She was pretty and thought Jungkook was handsome. Taehyung was right about Jungkook usually not involving himself in relationship based on attraction but he wanted to know. As stupid as it sounds he wanted to know if Jimin would’ve been jealous but also if he was really serious about his own feelings too.
It’s been more than a year now and he’s as convinced as before about his feelings for Jimin.
The thing is, he’s awfully scared.
What happens when you end up falling for your friend? He’s not that scared of confessing because he knows Jimin wouldn’t coldly reject him. But what happens when you break up with your best friend? The last thing he wants is to lose Jimin one way or another.
That’s why he prefers this. He prefers the flirting because they could flirt forever.
As long as he’s by Jimin’s side, he doesn’t mind what kind of status they have.
Best friend, boyfriend, crush, they’re all the same as long as he can love Jimin from up close.
Just like he said he would, Jimin goes back home after eating and napping on Jungkook’s chest. He leaves Jungkook perturbed and to deal with his emotions and hormones.
He lies on his bed, staring at the ceiling for a while. Spacing off. Like it could help him find answers.
Only when the space where Jimin was lying isn’t warm anymore does he stand up to take a shower, his mind filled with fantasies and his pants suddenly too tight.
The warm water hits his back as it wants to remind him it’s wrong to masturbate to the image of your best friend.
Every time it’s the same thing. He imagines, jerks off and feels guilty afterward. It’s an endless cycle that no one dares to break.
He’s not fifteen anymore, he should be able to control his hormones better than that.
And what would Jimin think if he knew?
Fuck.
**
Everything is back to normal the next day. The memories of last night far in Jungkook’s mind. As long as he was sitting on his anchor buoy it wouldn’t come back to the surface. It’s only when he lets his self-control waver (like last night) that he allows the red anchor buoy to float in his mind and prepare to welcome guilt back.
**
‘’Park Cheatmin I hope you have a good explanation for forgetting about our date.’’ Taehyung says without missing a beat when Jimin calls him after class on Wednesday.
‘’Hey to you too, Tae. Am I not your sunshine anymore?’’
‘’The only thing you and the sun have in common now is that you both need to stay very far away from me. You’re murderers! The sun killed Icarus and you killed me! You betrayed me and broke me.’’
Jimin rolls his eyes at Taehyung exaggeration and comparison.
‘’Tae, before dissing my ass, shouldn’t you give me a chance to explain?’’ Jimin tries.
‘’I only will because I believe in our justice system.’’
Jimin coughs and whispers ‘’ You shouldn’t’’ but Taehyung doesn’t catch it.
‘’Anyway, are you free on Friday?’’ Jimin asks seriously to make sure Taehyung won’t stop him mid-way.
‘’Not to hang out with you, no.’’
‘’Tae, it’s important.’’
‘’What do you need me for?’’
Ah-ah. It’s curiosity that killed the cat, not the sun.
Jimin smiles in victory, too aware that Taehyung can’t see him.
‘’We need to go see a doctor.’’
‘’What?! What happened? Are you alright? Of course I’ll go with you my favorite squishy cheeks. Are you hurt somewhere?’’
‘’I mean, it’s not for me. It’s for you.’’ At this point, he’s biting the skin around his thumb, wondering when Taehyung will understand.
‘’What?’’
‘’We need to consult for your confusion and memory loss. You aren’t even twenty-five, Tae. This is serious.’’
‘’What the fuck do you mean?’’
‘’Look at the date on your phone.’’
‘’Why?’’ He argues back.
‘’Just do it.’’
‘’Okay, okay wait.’’ Jimin hears rustling on the other side and patiently waits until Taehyung’s voice resonate again. ‘’What am I supposed to see?’’
‘’What day of the week are we?’’
‘’Wednesday.’’
‘’Hm’’
Jimin lets him connect the dots. The extra second Taehyung puts in reflection makes Jimin doubt for a short moment. Would he be able to read between the lines?
‘’OHHHHHHH!’’ He clears his throat. ‘’Uh, I’ll see you tonight, then?’’
Jimin chuckles.
Rule #1, Never underestimate Kim Taehyung.
‘’Sure. See you.’’
‘’Yeah, bye.’’
Jimin would probably never get an apology for being wrongly accused of missing one of their ‘’date’’ but he doesn’t mind. He doesn’t because he knows it’s not important. Taehyung would end up buying him something in apology anyway.
**
Jimin: Did someone see Hoseok?
Yoongi: Can’t you text him instead of messaging in our group chat?
Taehyung: Right
Jungkook: I saw the back of his head earlier
Taehyung: Very pertinent information Jungkook, what would we do w/o you
Jungkook: Shut up
Jimin: Hes not answering
Seokjin: can’t you guys shut up, Im in class rn
Yoongi: …
Taehyung: and you’re looking at the chat because….?
Seokjin: class is boring as hell
Jimin: Kim Seokjin! you will focus on your class. Your teacher didnt go to school for 24 years for you to disrespect him like that
Seokjin: *her
Jimin: whatv
Jungkook: wow, since when do you care about teachers Jimin?
Yoongi: I’d like to know too.
Taehyung: yeah me too because last time I checked you didnt mind disrespecting your dear teacher when Jungkook messaged you
Seokjin: LMAO
Yoongi: Exposed much?
Jungkook: what should I do with this information?
Jimin: understand that it means you’re more important than my education
Jungkook: :’) I shall send you memes every time you’re in class then
Seokjin: *COUGHS*
Jimin: ???
Jungkook: ???????
Taehyung: shit bro, that scared me and you didn’t even cough next to me
Seokjin: weren’t u looking for someone Jimin
Seokjin: srry Tae
Jimin: Right! Hoseok! WHERE IS HE I NEED MY FELLOW SUNSHINE PARTNER
Taehyung: That should be me ಠ_ಠ
Jimin : I can feel that stare
Namjoon: He’s with me.