Chapter Text
Chapter 1
~ Tingles ~
Blankets off. Blankets on. Roll left. Roll right. Turn pillow. Turn pillow again.
He worries about the upcoming test, his next cover, his best friend's audition, the future, the meaning of life.
At some point Jeongguk has had enough and sits up with a drawn-out sigh.
He looks up at the source of the pale light streaming through the skylight and scowls.
“I hate you.”
Jeon Jeongguk has a problem. He's an insomniac. His brain tirelessly supplies him with subjects to worry about and ideas to consider, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, whether he wants to or not.
During the day he plays video games when he needs relief, but lying in bed in the dark and quiet of the night creates the perfect breeding ground for all his thoughts. When there is no escape from them whatsoever.
He's at his wits' end. Seokjin, his best friend, had suggested last week to try ASMR videos.
Jeongguk had looked at him as if he saw water burning. Jin's amused explanation of the ASMR phenomenon had gone in one ear and out the other.
But right now he feels desperate enough to find out what it is.
He grabs his phone from the nightstand and enters a search for 'ASMR' on Youtube.
“What the hell? It's an actual thing?”
The hundreds upon hundreds of results have his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
Tapping, crinkling, inaudible whispering, ear cleaning...
“Ear cleaning?”
He laughs and shakes his head at that. After plugging in his earphones he plays a random video.
A girl pokes a fake set of ears with q-tips and a range of other items that shouldn't go anywhere near a real ear, ever.
The scratchy noises are odd. It doesn't do anything for him other than remind him of his old school's chalkboard getting a makeover by a knife.
The next random video he plays makes his stomach growl because the girl keeps squeezing a bag of candy.
He jumps from video to video from the suggestions list almost mindlessly at some point, his thoughts drifting off to his upcoming test, his next cover, his friend's audition, the future, the meaning of li-
“You can't sleep, can you?”
The soft voice pulls him abruptly out of his train of thought.
“Of course you can't, or you wouldn't be here.”
A giggle. The cutest giggle Jeongguk has ever heard in fact.
“Let me help you with some simple guided meditation, okay? Just lie down on your back in a comfortable position. Let your arms rest next to your body. Come on now, you want to sleep, don't you?”
Jeongguk blinks stupidly and does as told by the enchanting voice. A guy for once, after all the chicks in the previous videos. But a sweet, slightly high pitched voice. Clear and bright like fairy bells, yet soft.
Wait, what even are fairy bells?
He glances at the screen but it only shows a fire in a fireplace. Pretty, but he's kind of curious what the owner of the voice looks like. Not that it matters.
His eyebrows rise to new heights when he notices the number of views. Over one million.
“Whoa.”
“Stop looking at the screen. There's nothing to see here anyway. I want you to close your eyes and focus on the sound of my voice.”
Jeongguk rolls his eyes with a smile and does exactly that, carefully putting down his phone next to his pillow.
“Take a deep, slow breath in-” the guy then breathes in, “-and out even slower,” the guy breathes out as he speaks.
“Do it with me. Trust me. Breathe in-”
Jeongguk figures why the hell not.
“-and out. Good. Feel your chest expand with the air you take in. Try to push that air down into your belly as you breathe in. Then relax all your muscles, let go of the tension in them, and feel the air leave your body all on its own. Just like that. You're doing great!”
The guy makes Jeongguk repeat it a few more times and he'll be damned, it feels good.
He jumps a bit when the voice suddenly sounds closer as if the guy is right next to him.
“It's just me. Keep breathing the same way, I'm just going to massage your shoulders and your arms a bit.”
A gentle rustling sounds close to his ear. It's not too loud, not too soft, not too scratchy. In fact, it does sound like someone is massaging him through his shirt.
“It has to be tiring to have so many thoughts all the time. Even your brain needs a break. Tomorrow's another day. You can think of all that important stuff again tomorrow. They'll still be here. Just pause them for a short while. Right now, only think about what makes you smile. Where would you like to be right this moment?”
The beach, Jeongguk thinks automatically.
“So go there. In your mind, anything is possible. Imagination is a powerful thing. Go to that place you want to be, and imagine what you would smell there.”
God, he misses the smell of the ocean.
“Are there people around you? Animals? Or are you completely alone?”
Alone. No, not alone. Someone else is there too.
“Or with someone you know perhaps?”
Not someone Jeongguk knows, yet. It's someone faceless, the same someone he sometimes dreams about. It's weird to have a faceless person next to you. He can feel the presence, but can't seem to focus on an identity.
“What sounds do you hear around you? Focus on those. Let them soothe you.”
Rolling waves and the occasional shrieking of seagulls.
“Are you inside, or can you feel the sun on your face?”
Jeongguk remembers the feeling of the sun's warmth and the soft breeze, can almost feel it tickle his hair.
He lets out a content sigh when he remembers the sensation of his toes digging into the sand.
It's the last thing he consciously thinks about that night.
☛♡☚
“You mean it worked?”
“Why do you look so surprised? You're the one who suggested it,” Jeongguk scoffs before taking a giant bite out of his hamburger.
“Well I just... didn't expect you would actually try. You didn't look too interested. You had that 'I'm here but not really' face when I talked about it.”
Jeongguk swallows and responds with a quick “I was desperate,” before eagerly attacking his burger again.
“I'm glad you found something that works. I was afraid I'd soon have to start carrying your eyebags for you.”
“Har-de-har-har. You're not getting funnier with old age, you know.”
Jin slaps a hand on the table, almost knocking his drink over.
“I'll have you know, more and more people appreciate my jokes.”
“I'm sure the senior citizens at the old folks' home you volunteer at just love you.”
“Brat,” Jin scoffs, but smiles regardless and ruffles the younger's hair. “Saw that your latest cover has over half a million views now. You're getting there.”
Jeongguk shrugs.
“Why the shruggage? As if half a mill on the 'tube is anything to sniff at.”
After swallowing the last bit of his burger and wiping his hands, Jeongguk makes a snorting noise.
“Should have seen the views on that ASMR video last night. Over one million. I'm in the wrong business I think. Maybe I should start making whisper videos too.”
“A million? Show me.”
Jeongguk rolls his eyes and hands Jin his phone after looking the video up.
“Oh, yeah I've heard of this guy. He's actually one of the most popular ASMRtists.”
“He's a what now?”
“It's what they call themselves. ASMR artists, ASMRtists, get it?”
Jeongguk unwraps his second burger, his face blank.
“There's that 'I'm here but not really' face again. Whatever. This guy has been doing this ASMR stuff for years. Never shows his face though. Probably adds to the mystery and the popularity. Though his voice does most of the work anyway.”
Jin scrolls down to read the comments and snorts.
“'I sleep with you every night', 'Your voice is of an angel', 'Oppa your voice is like liquid sex'. They can't make up their minds. What did you think?”
“Hm?” Jeongguk utters while taking another bite.
“Did you think his voice was sexy?”
A violent cough hits Jeongguk as a crumb shoots down the wrong side of his throat.
“What?”
“Or did you think it was angelic?”
“What?” Jeongguk dumbly repeats.
“Did you swallow your brain with that burger? What do you think of the guy's voice?”
“Uhm... It's nice? I guess?”
He didn't really think about it in depth. But yes, the guy's voice is easy on the ears.
“That's all that your bi ass can come up with?”
Jeongguk heaves a sigh of annoyance and puts his half-eaten burger down.
“Since when does my sexual orientation have to do with anything? Am I supposed to have the hots for anyone with a dick?”
“No, but for me, a straight guy, you are the prime source for assessing a guy's attributes dependably. If you say his voice is just 'nice', I'm worried for this guy. Or maybe for you.”
“For fuck's sake.”
He picks up his burger again and eats, making it clear the subject is closed.
☛♡☚
When he lies in bed again that night, he has to admit he's curious about this ASMR guy who calls himself 'Mochi'.
And who is he kidding, the guy's voice is more than just nice. Which is probably a big part of why he's so successful doing what he does.
He has a Patreon account and everything. Jeongguk wonders what kind of money the guy makes from it.
Scrolling through Mochi's videos, he finds all kinds of ASMR. He's seen the tapping and ear cleaning titles before, but then his eyes catch a peculiar one. Posted a month ago.
'Boyfriend roleplay for personal attention and positive affirmation'. 1 point 8 million views.
“Hah. I knew this ASMR stuff was a front for kinky shit.”
He plays the video with a grin.
This time, there's a view of a living room as seen from a couch. A television shows a movie, its sound so low it serves as white noise.
“Hey, don't fall asleep yet. I got you a drink.”
A hand comes into view, putting down a glass of liquid on the table in front of the camera.
Jeongguk catches a glimpse of multiple rings.
The image then wobbles slightly and legs are seen stretched out. Ripped jeans and yellow Converse.
“Thought we could have a relaxing evening in. You had a rough day. You worked hard, so let me take care of you tonight. You deserve it.”
The voice is barely above a whisper directly in his right ear and Jeongguk shivers.
Then there's a soft crinkling sound.
“I got us some jellies. Oh of course, I know you like these. Why do you think I bought them? Here. Now just relax and watch the movie.”
Mochi's talking as if Jeongguk said something to him. Jeongguk snorts, but keeps listening, and watching. For some reason he finds the legs intriguing.
The sound of jellies being eaten then fills his right ear and a weird tingling sensation erupts over his scalp.
“Hm? Yeah, I know you're tired, baby. Come here.”
It's unexpected, the voice uttering the term of endearment. Jeongguk coughs awkwardly and shifts around in bed.
The camera tilts slightly sideways towards the guy and more of the legs come into view.
“Lie against my shoulder. You did really well today, baby. I'm so proud of you. Get some rest. I'll be here.”
Jeongguk feels his cheeks heat up at the gentle whisper into his ear and knows the answer.
His voice is both angelic and sexy. As impossible as that sounds.
He stares at the shapely legs and the blurred movie playing, listens to soft breathing right next to him and the occasional sweet words, even a barely noticeable heartbeat, and before he knows it he's under.
☛♡☚
A french fry hits Jeongguk squarely in the face.
“Can you shut up already about creepy leg-guy? I'm trying to eat over here.”
“Says the guy who just last week regaled us with a fantasy about a threesome with Hobi and the chick from the cafeteria,” Jin threw back indignantly at Yoongi before pointedly slurping his drink.
Jeongguk scowls and throws the fry back at his friend.
“Thanks hyung, I really needed that reminder,” he whines.
Yoongi snorts, but Jin ignores it.
“I never thought I'd ever say it, but a guy who puts you to sleep is actually a good thing. A bonus if he's hot. Is he hot?”
Jeongguk shrugs.
“No idea. He never shows his face. I've seen him from the hips down. His legs are incredible,” he pauses to swallow a fry and sighs dreamily, “Sometimes a hand. A really cute, small hand. He likes rings.”
“Oh it's true then. Never shows his face huh. I like me some mystery. The game is afoot, Watson.”
Yoongi delivers an irritated vocal sigh and coughs.
“Just fucking check his channel's about page. I bet you he ain't that mysterious. People on youtube crave attention.”
Jeongguk raises his eyebrows at his older friend.
“Yeah, you too, buddy. Even if you're awkward as fuck,” Yoongi adds without looking at him, knowing him well enough.
“I see our smurf haired friend has one of his assholey moods today. But he's got a point with the about page.”
Jin picks up his phone and looks up Mochi's channel.
Jeongguk rolls his eyes and stuffs a few fries into his mouth.
“Oh my.”
He almost swallows them prematurely at Jin's dry remark, choking as he sits straight up.
“What. What.”
“You're a dummy. He put a link to his instagram on the about page.”
Jin lets his phone be snatched from his hands with a smug expression.
Jeongguk eagerly taps the link.
“Fuck.”
When he sits still staring at the phone in shock, Jin takes the opportunity to snatch his phone back.
“Jeongguk.jpg is back.”
He looks at Mochi's instagram and laughs, interspersed with a snort or two.
“Well, at least you've seen various other body parts now. Cut and paste and you can build an actual full person. Holy shit, he has more followers than you.”
After scrolling through the instagram images, he purses his lips.
“Damn, he's after my Juiciest Lips title. I don't like him.”
He looks up to find Jeongguk on his own phone with wide eyes and smirks.
“You should send him a private message on his youtube.”
The idiotic look of shock on Jeongguk's face makes even Yoongi laugh.
“I may have... clicked follow on his instagram.”
Yoongi is positively wheezing now and Jin slaps his forehead.
“Well, skipping a few steps is fine. No problem. He has so many followers, he probably won't think anything of it.”
Jeongguk groans.
“Can we stop talking about him now?” Yoongi asks as he leans forward and digs his own phone out of his pocket, “Did you need the studio this week? You could have two hours Thursday evening.”
“That would be awesome, hyung. You're the best.”
Jin reaches out and pets Yoongi's freshly dyed blue hair.
“Good little hyung smurf.”
“Fuck off, juicy-lips,” Yoongi snarls while swatting Jin's hand away. It holds no bite though and a weak smile plays on his lips.
A shriek echoes through the apartment, making Taehyung spill the drink he is pouring.
He runs to Jimin's bedroom in a panic.
“What? What's wrong?”
He finds his best friend huddled in a corner, staring wide-eyed at his phone lying on the bed as if it will attack him.
“What happened?”
Jimin stretches an arm out and points at his phone.
“He... The... Oh God.”
Taehyung strides over and picks up the phone, worried it might be one of Jimin's stalkers again.
“I'm not sure what the problem is here. Did instagram get shut down or something?”
Jimin vehemently shakes his head and straightens himself, brushing off his jeans.
Then Taehyung sees it.
“Oh. Oh. I'll be damned. Isn't that the singer guy you've been drooling over for almost a year now?”
He grins and waves the phone at Jimin.
“The same guy you imagine when you make your ASMR videos? He follows your instagram now? How does he even know you?”
Jimin makes grabby hands at his phone.
“Gimme. Shut up, I haven't been drooling.”
“Oh, excuse me. Lusting.”
“I said shut up. I'm not drooling or lusting. He's just... I mean you love his covers too. You've heard him. You've seen him. He's the cutest, most adorable thing ever.”
Taehyung laughs, pointing a finger at his friend and refusing to return the phone.
“Yeah I've followed his work longer than you, but you're the one with the crush. You're the one who has been lurking his instagram for a freaking year too chicken to actually follow it.”
“Dammit, give it!”
Jimin chases his taller friend, jumping for his phone unsuccessfully.
“'I'm the B in LGBT'? He's a dork, what the fuck. But hey, lucky you.”
“Kim Taehyung! Give. Me. My. Phone. Right. Fucking. Now.”
“Whoops,” Taehyung calls out comically.
Jimin freezes on the spot.
“Oh no you didn't.”
“I sure did.”
With a dramatic yet elegant dive, Jimin throws himself onto his bed and buries his head under the pillow.
“Hah! I knew it. He follows your ASMR channel too. Didn't figure him for a tingles kind of guy.”
This makes Jimin perk up his head, the pillow sliding slowly off.
Nochu listens to his ASMR?
His heart starts beating even faster. To know his voice has been in Nochu's ear like Nochu's voice has been in Jimin's ear...
He's startled out of his reverie by his phone hitting the duvet next to him.
“At least we're finally making progress. I was getting sick of hearing you gush without the guts. I don't get it. You're usually so confident. Anyone else and you'd have already made your move and then some.”
“I know. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me.”
Taehyung slaps Jimin's butt playfully.
“Message him. Go get your man.”
The gasp almost explodes his lungs.
He was just minding his own business, taking a break from playing Overwatch, getting himself a drink and checking his notifications.
'95mochi started following you'.
“Oh shit. Shit shit shit shit shit.”
He frantically taps out and calls Jin.
“Gukie, it's past midnight. Are you dying?”
“Hyung. Hyung! What the fuck do I do? What do I do?”
“Okay, calm down, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Should I come over?”
“I don't know what to do!”
“Jesus Guk, breathe. Tell me what's wrong.”
“He... he followed me back on instagram!”
It's quiet on the other end for a few seconds.
“That's why you woke me up in the middle of the night?”
“I-,” Jeongguk blinked and glanced at the big wall clock, “Oh shit. Sorry hyung.”
“Congrats. He followed you back. Now go sleep.”
“But what do I do?”
“What do you mean 'what do I do'? It's a blatant sign of interest, my young padawan. What you do is hit like on that photo of his lips and message him with a 'hey you',” Jin says boredly like it's the most obvious thing in the world, stifling a yawn.
A sound suspiciously like a squeak squeezed out of Jeongguk's throat.
“I can't. Oh shit I'm so screwed.”
Jin sighs.
“Well that's the plan, isn't it?” Jin laughs his windscreen wiper laugh at his own innuendo. “It's not rocket science. Gukie, sweetheart, you need to get a date at some point. When I forced you... I mean advised you to put 'I'm the B in LGBT' on your profile I had your best interest at heart. You're so painfully shy, it hurts me too. You're a cute, adorable, funny, talented guy with a killer bod and I want to marry you off before I die. Do what hyung told you, okay? Goodnight young one.”
Jin hangs up without waiting for Jeongguk's answer.
The younger stares at his phone with huge eyes. He may need some time to scrounge up that kind of courage.
☛♡☚
Jimin smirks, but a happy butterfly on steroids tries to escape his ribcage.
“So you like my lips eh? If only you knew what I can do with them.”
He almost jumps when the phone in his hand pings.
-thenochu: Hey
He double-checks. It's Nochu alright. The butterfly in his chest explodes into twenty more.
-95mochi: Hi! How are you? :)
Lame. But safe. Jimin bites his lip. No response comes and Jimin panics slightly. He wants to send another message, but doesn't want to come across as too eager.
He sighs with relief when the response finally comes in.
-thenochu: Doing great. You?
Jimin straightens up and braces himself. Now or never, Park.
-95mochi: Suddenly better than before ;) I really like your covers. Your voice is amazing.
-thenochu: Oh thank you... I like your videos too. I've been having trouble sleeping and my best friend recommended ASMR. Works like a charm. I was surprised.
Jimin pouts. Not exactly the reaction he was hoping for.
-95mochi: Why were you surprised? It's been proven that ASMR is beneficial to relaxation and overall well-being. Do you have favorite triggers?
The response takes quite a while again.
-thenochu: Triggers?
-95mochi: Are there particular sounds or movements that give you tingles?
-thenochu: Sorry I'm a bit new to this...
-95mochi: It's okay. Tingles are what we call that tickling sensation you feel. It can start on your scalp and even go down to your neck, back and arms, sometimes as far as down to your toes.
-thenochu: oic
His phone remains disturbingly quiet after that and Jimin thinks he's finally scared his adorable boy off.
He swallows his pride.
-95mochi: Hey you don't have to talk about it if it's awkward. I'm just glad my videos help you. That's why I make them you know. It's so hard to relax and return to yourself in this day and age with so many worries and pressure.
His fingers pause. Then he smiles and adds one more sentence.
-If you have any requests, let me know, because I do take requests for my videos.
When still no response comes, he sighs with another pout and puts his phone down. He's on his way to the kitchen to get a drink when he hears the faint ping and stumbles all over himself to get to his phone.
-thenochu: Apparently those tingles happen when I hear whispering. I mean I do feel them when I hear soft crinkly sounds and stuff, but I feel them most when a nice voice is all up in my ear.
Jimin really tries to keep his composure. He really does. But the squeal finds its way out nonetheless.
-95mochi: Alright. There's all types of whispering though, I'll need an example. Was there a particular video where you felt it the most?
This time Jimin does get enough time to get his drink.
-thenochu: I haven't seen a LOT yet, but that roleplay one you did is cool.
He splutters mid-gulp and has to hold his glass with both hands for a second.
Then he decides to be a brat, because he can.
-95mochi: Okay, which one? I did a few.
-thenochu: The most recent one.
-95mochi: Oh you mean the boyfriend one?
-thenochu: I guess...
Oh God, he's adorable. And yes, apparently there is a God.
Jeongguk throws his phone onto his bed and hides his red face in his hands.
He can't believe he just admitted that. His life is over.
He almost gets a heart attack when the phone rings.
“Hey kid, would you mind getting to the studio earlier? I got an unexpected booking for later.”
“Sure hyung. I'm grateful for any time you can give me.”
“Oh shut up. You know I live for your covers. Hurry up.”
Being a typical Yoongi, he ends the call abruptly and Jeongguk's face lights up. He's been waiting for some studio time.
He has a recording setup at home, but nothing beats the quality of an actual studio and its professional equipment.
And he already knows exactly which song to cover.
His phone pings again while he's throwing on his jacket.
-95mochi: Are you ok? I didn't scare you off did I?
-thenochu: No! Sorry, I got a call and need to run.
-95mochi: This late? Going clubbing?
Jeongguk snorts.
-thenochu: Me and clubbing. Funny :p No it's work.
-95mochi: Well I don't know you (yet..?)
His heart skips a beat. He wants to get to know him better?
-thenochu: But you want to?
-95mochi: I thought it was obvious...
Jeongguk knows he's dense and clueless most of the time. People need to spell things out for him. He doesn't do hints. When he starts typing, his hands tremble a bit.
-thenochu: I guess I'm a bit dense? Sorry.
-95mochi: You're adorable, that's what you are. Are you gonna be out long?
-thenochu: At least an hour or two. Why?
-95mochi: Oh just asking. Gonna try to fall asleep to my voice again later?
The blush spreading on his cheeks is burning hot.
-thenochu: Probably... I mean, it really helps to calm my mind.
-95mochi: I'll see you later then. Sort of. ;)
-thenochu: C ya :)
When he returns home close to midnight, he's looking forward to bed.
It means he gets to listen to Mochi's voice again. There are so many videos he hasn't seen yet, the guy has been active for a few years.
He showers, brushes his teeth quickly and jumps onto his bed in just sweats, phone in hand and earphones already in.
The first thing he notices is the notification and he raises his eyebrows.
Mochi has uploaded a new video.
When the title of it sinks in, his face and then his whole body heats up.
“I don't think I requested any pillow talk...” he mutters to himself.
He blows out a breath forcefully and lies down, tapping to start the video.
There's rustling and he can see Mochi crawl onto the bed. How he does it, Jeongguk can't even imagine, but Mochi makes sure only his lips ever show, sometimes a bit of his nose.
But the lips are already too much. So full and sensual. Soft-looking.
“Hi. Did I wake you? Sorry. I just wanted to hang out with you a little bit.”
Jeongguk sighs at the sound of mochi's pretty voice and tears his eyes away from the lips to close them.
“I got another special request today. A request from a sweet person, so I decided to fulfill it immediately. I really want this adorable person to sleep well tonight. You know who you are.”
Jeongguk's eyes fly open and he reaches for his phone, just in time to see mochi's small smile.
A smile just for him. Apparently.
He watches as Mochi edges closer towards the camera.
“I hope you didn't work too hard today.”
It sounds breathy and directly in his left ear. The tingles erupt all over the back of his scalp and shoot out to his upper arms.
“But you probably did, didn't you?”
A gentle chuckle and more movement. Soft breathing fills his other ear now.
“Why don't you close your eyes and relax. There's nothing to see here.”
Jeongguk begs to differ, but when the screen gets blocked by something (a pillow?) he doesn't have a choice.
“I'm just gonna tell you about my day and play with your hair. Is that okay?”
Mochi could read a mathematics textbook to him and it would be okay.
A soft sigh that sounds way too sensual makes its way into his ear and Jeongguk's breath stutters a bit.
“Thursday is my favorite day because I get to play with lots of puppies. They had a new addition today. The poor pup looked terrified. Makes me wonder what he's been through. But at the end of the day he was more relaxed. Seems he loved the tennis ball the most. It didn't survive the day.”
The sweet chuckle makes Jeongguk's heart skip. He listens to Mochi's story about the dogs, the strange story he heard at the grocery store and his friend's weird but hilarious antics.
He picks up a subtle sound as if someone is rubbing and scratching his scalp.
Light shivers run down his spine as more tingles spread.
“Mmm your hair is very soft. I just knew it would be. You're very beautiful, do you know that? I've always wanted to tell you.”
Oh God, that whisper sounds so close it's as if he's actually here. Is Mochi talking about him?
He swallows down a big lump in his throat. It's not that he isn't relaxed, but he's starting to feel something else as well.
Mochi starts breathing into his ear and Jeongguk bites his lip, hard.
“Maybe I should read you a story to help you sleep. How about...”
There's a sound of pages being flipped through. It's oddly calming.
“Hmm how about The Little Prince? It used to be my favorite story when I was little.”
A charming chuckle. “Who am I kidding, it's still my favorite.”
Jeongguk has no idea what it is, but if Mochi likes it, he's ready to hear it.
“Don't worry, I can turn pages with one hand and still play with your hair with the other.”
Unexpectedly, the soft smack of a kiss sounds in his ear and Jeongguk blushes like a virgin.
Which is not too hard to do... He really is a virgin.
Fingers rub on paper, a page is purposefully turned and Mochi sighs into his ear.
“Once, when I was six years old, I saw a magnificent picture in a book called 'True Stories', about the primeval forest. It was a picture of a boa constrictor swallowing a wild beast...”
All the while, the gentle sound of fingers running through hair and over a scalp is present.
Jeongguk feels his whole body go limp from the relaxing tingles and drowns himself in Mochi's whispers, which switch from ear to ear every now and then.
He really wants to know how the story ends, but he'll have to wait, because he's out within ten minutes, with a smile on his face.
☛♡☚
-95mochi: Did you like it?
Jeongguk stares at his phone knowing full well what Mochi means.
-thenochu: Like what?
He winces, hating his own childishness.
-95mochi: I posted your request last night.... Was I too late?
-thenochu: Oh... No I saw it
-95mochi: Pfew I'm glad :) Did it help you sleep?
-thenochu: Yes, thank you, I slept well.
-95mochi: My pleasure. If you ever have another request, don't hesitate to ask!
-thenochu: Thanks again.
The butterflies in his stomach have a field day.
Jimin smiles and holds back a squeal.
“He's so adorable. I can't handle it.”
-95mochi: I'm curious... Where are you from?
Is it too fast? Too forward?
Why is he this insecure all of a sudden? He's Park Jimin. He always gets what he wants with zero effort.
-thenochu: I'm from Busan.
Jimin gasps and freezes for a good five seconds before jumping up and sitting down again.
“No fucking way. My Busan boy.”
-95mochi: No way, me too! Which part of Busan??
-thenochu: I don't live there now... I moved to Seoul four years ago.
He can't help the disappointed pout.
-95mochi: Too bad... Your latest pic on insta, is that your best friend?
God, he hoped so. And not his boyfriend.
thenochu: Yeah. Jin. He's way older but he always says we have the same mental age. In other words, he's a dork.
-95mochi: So you're a dork?
-thenochu: Pretty much.
-95mochi: I like dorks.
-thenochu: Oh... hehe.
“Please please be mine,” Jimin squeals and makes cooing noises at his phone with wiggling fingers.
-95mochi: Are you working on a new cover?
-thenochu: Just finished recording one.
His heartrate picks up. Nochu's voice is pure and breathy and does things to him. He'll go as far as to say it's his own favorite ASMR trigger. It's the only thing that gives him the elusive full-body tingles. But no need to tell his adorably awkward cutie that.
-95mochi: I'm excited! Are you gonna upload it soon?
-thenochu: Doing it right now actually.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
-95mochi: Nice! I'll be listening to that all night then. Your voice is really something ;)
“My little dense oblivious boy, when will you get it?”
He throws another pout at his phone. Looks like Nochu is done talking.
When he was the first to message, Jimin thought he knew the deal, but...
He's just being... nice. Friendly.
Not that there's anything wrong with nice and friendly. Not at all. It's just that Jimin was hoping for something... more.
Is it that Nochu is not interested? Because how much more obvious can Jimin get?
“Oh, plenty,” Jimin snorts at himself.
He chews on his bottom lip, realizing how impatient he is. Which is unusual, he usually enjoys the chase and takes his time. He's used to the other party being the impatient one.
“Well. This is new.”
He forces himself to put the phone down and take a shower.
Nochu's cover will be there when he finishes. Hopefully.
And it is.
It's been a while since Jimin's felt this elated. Kind of like being in high school all over again and having his first real crush.
He hops into his bed and puts his earphones in.
When the video pops up full screen he gasps.
The picture he used as a background is... breathtaking.
Jimin's used to Nochu's playful and natural instagram selcas, some alone but most with his friends, taken by himself or obviously by someone else. Never staged or modeled, only spontaneous everyday snapshots.
He always looks cute and just plain adorable, especially when he wears his glasses, making Jimin want to boop his nose and pinch his cheeks.
The fact that Nochu's personality seems equally as cute and adorable makes Jimin very happy. If his gut instinct proves correct, there's no way he'll let this one get away. No sir.
He stares at the image some more. He has always thought the boy is attractive in his own unique way (Tae had been right, there had been drooling involved on several occasions), but this picture is on another level.
He's beautiful, plain and simple.
Jimin knows his photography, it's his beloved hobby after all, so he recognizes the professionalism and obvious talent of the photographer. Wonders who it is. Is there someone else Jimin should start worrying about or is it Nochu's best friend?
The by now familiar pout makes its way onto Jimin's face. He decides to worry about it later. Probably blatantly ask Nochu about it. He's at such a point right now.
He lies down on his back and starts the video. Nochu's breathy voice immediately fills his ears and he sighs happily.
Not a slow song or ballad this time.
The voice holds so much emotion, Jimin wonders if he's singing from experience.
“Who's the monumental idiot that dumped you, baby? Can't get her out of your brain? I want to help you with that,” he chuckles at his phone.
The song ends in exceptionally breathy words and Jimin shivers, the tingles shooting down to his toes.
He moans.
“Fuck yes. What is it about your voice huh?”
He wonders if Nochu's speaking voice is as captivating as his singing voice and he jerks upright.
Before he knows it he's typing out a comment on the video. He's never done that before.
“Nochu baby, it doesn't get more obvious than this. Let's see how you react to that.”
He has to admit, he's nervous. He may have destroyed any chance of at least a friendship.
Or this is going to be a happily ever after. Somehow it feels like there's no inbetween.
So much for sleep.
Dropping the phone on the bed he stands up, decides to make himself a comforting cup of hot cocoa.
He lingers in the kitchen, nervous butterflies protesting. Has Nochu seen the comment yet?
Finally he gives up. “Fuck. Okay.”
Trudging back to the bedroom he eyes his phone suspiciously.
“Look what you've reduced me too, you tool of the devil.”
Then he sighs and picks it up. When he sees the aftermath of his spontaneous comment, he realizes what he's done.
“Oh my fucking God.”
To Be Continued...