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It’s 7:49 and Jungkook is very tired. Coffee in one hand, phone in the other, he tries to navigate the never-ending maze of buildings and hallways in search of his first class of the day. It’s not that he’s having trouble finding his class because he’s never gone, but the hallway he usually walks through is blocked by a ridiculous amount of chairs because the drama classes are using them and someone decided that it was a great idea to just leave them in the middle in one of the most used hallways on campus.
He walks into his classroom and tries to sneak into one of the seats in the back of the lecture hall, but that doesn’t stop the curious gazes of the people who are trying to pay attention to the class. He slides into a seat, opening his bag. He takes out his laptop and folder, shifting through some papers while he waits for his laptop to start up. Except it doesn't.
He ends up taking notes by hand. By the end of the class Jungkook just wants to go home and sleep the rest of the day. Except he can't. He has work in a few hours, and even though Jin would be okay letting him come in a bit late, he needs the money, and so ends up going to a bistro near his work to catch a bite, then it's work from then until evening.
He walks into the bakery, his smile not quite reaching his eyes, the words he says are quiet and calculated, and he supposes that maybe it's because he's having a hard time, but when Jin asks he just says he's tired. It's not a lie. He is tired. He works until 9pm, which is the end of his shift. It takes a while for him to change out of his uniform and clean up counters, and Jungkook is half-asleep at that point. Jin stops him on his way out, telling him to take care of himself. He hums out a response, ignoring the way that Jin frowns, too tired to care.
It's sprinkling outside. Jungkook hates the rain. Especially when he doesn't have an umbrella and the only thing he has on is a t-shirt, jeans, and his timberlands. He speedwalks through the streets, head down and mumbling an incoherent stream of apologies when he bumps into people. By the time he reaches the dorm, it's nearly 10.
Jungkook is so, so , tired. Too tired for this. Even though he just wants to sleep, he knows that he has exams the day after tomorrow, so downs a coffee he throws himself into studying. Or he tries to at least. He didn't think that he'd need his calculus textbook, so he lent it to Taehyung to use. Lo and behold, the days that he decided to let him use it are the days that he actually needs it. He studies everything else, giving up on math. And when he tries to sleep, surprise! He can't fall asleep, even though he's been stumbling around the entire day like a zombie.
That's why he's at the local pharmacy even though it's almost 2. He has a bottle of sleeping pills and a bag of chips in one hand, and some school supplies that he's short on in the other. He paces through the aisles one more time to see if there's anything that he needs, and goes to dump his things onto the counter.
"You're a college student, right? There aren't many people buying supplies in the middle of the night." He smiles as he scans the items. His name tag reads Namjoon.
"Yeah, you too?" Namjoon responds with a nod and a smile.
Namjoon is cute. He can't be much taller than Jungkook, his silver hair contrasting with his tanned skin. Cute. He also looks tired, humming out the replies during their conversation, but what can he expect, it's late. Jungkook pays for the stuff, and reaches over to grab the two bags.
"This might be a bit straightforward of me, but can I have your number?" Namjoon's cheeks are slightly flushed pink and he's looking down.
"That is very straightforward," Jungkook agrees. "But yes, you can. Only because you're cute though." Namjoon hands his phone to Jungkook, who enters it in and sends a text to himself.
"Bye Namjoon hyung~" Jungkook leaves the store more cheerful than when he entered. The walk back to his dorm is short, and when he gets there he quickly changes and takes two of the sleeping pills, texts Namjoon goodnight, and is asleep before Namjoon replies.
He wakes up at 1, which is halfway through his class, and sighs. He texts Jimin, asking him to send him his notes. Namjoon texted him back.
2:03 // [namjoon hyung:] lol my names jungkook
Jungkook mentally cheers, congratulating himself for remembering his phone number correctly for once.
2:19 // [me:] Hi it’s jungkook i’m sleeping gn
6:03 // [namjoon hyung:] Well you’re probably asleep now, but if you’re not for some reason, please go to sleep you need to rest
6:03 // [namjoon hyung:] Also if you’re not busy have some coffee with me, my shift starts at 3 and i’ll be at the shop all morning, it’s the one by the library
6:04 // [namjoon hyung:] And maybe explain why you needed a ridiculously large amount of sleeping pills at 2 in the morning
Jungkook is pretty hungry, his stomach suddenly rumbling to remind him to eat. He throws on a pair a jeans and his timberlands, not bothering to change the shirt he wore to bed yesterday. He puts his laptop and his calculus textbook (tae must’ve returned it when he was asleep) into his messenger bag along with his headphones, notebooks, and pencil case. Just before he locks his door, he texts Namjoon.
1:11 // [me:] demanding as ever lol
1:11 // [me:] i’ll be there in 10
He walks down to the local coffee shop, the bell tied to the door ringing as he pushes it open. The smell of coffee and cinnamon hits him as he walks in. Well, that’s probably why Namjoon smells like coffee. He’s in a corner, writing in a notebook. Jungkook slides into the seat across from Namjoon, and takes his laptop out. Namjoon is still furiously scribbling into his notebook, and Jungkook can hear the heavy bass of the music he’s listening even though the other has earbuds in. Jungkook waits for another minute, then reaches over and taps the side of the notebook that Namjoon isn’t writing on.
His reaction is immediate. His eyes meet Jungkook’s and he almost knocks over his coffee out of fright. After clumsily pulling out his earbuds, he finally speaks. “Um, hi. You weren’t waiting here for too long, right? Sorry, I have a class assignment due tomorrow and I don’t have much time to finish it today and I want to finish this so I can sleep tonight and-” Jungkook cuts him off with a laugh, saying that it is most definitely okay, that he was also planning on working too so there’s no problem.
While Jungkook waits for his laptop to power on, he orders a coffee. He sits back down, setting the coffee on the side, and gets to work. He finishes half an essay before noticing that Namjoon is obviously distracted, his fingers lightly tapping on the table. Jungkook pulls off his headphones and asks him what’s wrong.
Namjoon doesn’t reply at first, playing with the ring on his index finger. “Hear me out because this might make zero sense to you.” Namjoon visibly swallows, adam’s apple bobbing. “Uh so you came in and bought an abnormally large amount of sleeping pills, paper and pens, and some food, right?” At Jungkook’s confirmation, Namjoon continues. “So I’m a psych major, and like, ugh I don’t know how to say this-”
“Is it something bad?” Jungkook doesn’t really know what to expect. When Namjoon replies that it isn’t, Jungkook urges Namjoon to continue. “If it’s not going to hurt us then is there anything to be afraid of?”
“Okay. Um. Physiatrists are the people who prescribe the medicine, and so we have to learn about the proper amounts and basically if you took all the ones in the bottle you had last night that you’d probably be dead and you also bought paper and stuff and I was really worried and ahh this is so embarrassing.” Namjoon finishes, his cheeks flushed.
“Namjoon, you are older than me right?” Jungkook asks. “I’m only 20, so,” Namjoon only nods. “Okay. So. Namjoon hyung, I don’t think that you should be embarrassed for being worried, because that just shows how much you care about other people, even if you don’t know them.” He waits for Namjoon to look at him, then continues. “I can’t really blame you for being worried, I knew that the amount that I bought would last me a while, and quite honestly, that’s why I got that bottle. With the paper and pens I can see why you were worried.”
Namjoon is unmoving and silent, staring down at the table. Jungkook doesn’t know what else to say. “It’s okay. I’m not studying in medicine, so if you didn’t say anything I honestly wouldn’t have noticed. If you want not talk about this we can talk about other things, like maybe why the infamous RM is studying medicine and not music-”
“You know me?” Namjoon sounds a bit surprised. Jungkook thinks that he’s being too humble because literally everyone knows him. Jungkook is still look at him, waiting for an answer. “Well, my parents wanted me to do something that I could make a living out of in case music didn’t work out, and I decided on medicine because I like helping people, y’know?” Jungkook chuckles, motioning for him to continue. “Our deal was that I’d get to major in music if I also did another major that they approved of. So that’s the story of how I became a double major.” Namjoon finishes his short life story, checks the time. Before Jungkook can say anything, Namjoon cuts him off.
“It’s almost three so I have to go but if you want to I’m free when the cafe closes.” Namjoon starts packing up his stuff, which isn’t a lot, only his notebook and pens. Jungkook says he has to go practice, not saying anything more than that when Namjoon asks what for. “You’ll see when I want you to. Have fun making coffee and money.”
“That isn’t any way to talk to your hyung, you know,” Namjoon says with a grin.
“But you adore me,” Jungkook shoots back. With a smile and a eave, he’s out the door.
The next time they meet, it’s accidental.
Jungkook heads to his class, his bag thumping against leg as he walks through the halls. He sits in the back as always, and sets up his computer so he can take notes and record the lecture. It’s really early, and he decides he’s not up for taking notes, so he closes all the tabs on his laptop and lets it record. He rests his head on his arms, one earbud in, half listening to the drone of the professor until he falls asleep.
There’s a hand carding through his hair. That's the first thing he registers when he's a bit more awake. It feels good, he decides, even if it is a bit creepy. He opens his mouth to tell off the other, tilting his head so he can see the person more clearly.
"Hey sleepyhead," Namjoon's quiet voice is as relaxing as ever, and Jungkook thinks that he's been sent down by a God. He stops playing with the other's hair to check the time.
Jungkook closes his eyes again, whining at the loss. Namjoon just chuckles, hand settling on Jungkook's head again. That's how the class goes, until Jungkook realizes that it's the first time that he's seen Namjoon in a class.
"Hyung, I didn't know you came to my university, how have I never seen you before?" Jungkook scoots his chair over to hear Namjoon better. Jungkook sighs, relishing the feeling of Namjoon's fingers.
Namjoon explains how all of his medical related classes are in the morning, and his music related ones are later, either in the afternoon or at night. "I work better in the morning, and it's easier for me to pay attention then too. Besides, I know a decent amount in terms of music so it's easier for me to take the ones that I have more trouble with in the morning. I recently got some classes switched around, and this is my new morning class." Namjoon smiles, dimples showing.
"You're stuck with me now." Jungkook hums. "I'm not hard to please though, just keep scratching my head and you'll be a-okay." The class ends not long after that, and Jungkook goes to a studio to practice a new choreography and Namjoon goes to the studio to work on some tracks.
Jungkook invites Namjoon over one day. He wants to repaint the walls in his apartment, and, well, also wants to see Namjoon again.
They meet in front of the local hardware store, the chilly breeze tickling their noses. Namjoon is there before Jungkook is, but that’s only because he drove and Jungkook took the bus.
“Hi,” Jungkook walks up to Namjoon, his breath coming out in puffs. “You didn’t wait too long I hope?” The two head in to the store in search of the aisle with the paint. Namjoon turns toward Jungkook, who is staring at a case of color samples. “What color were you thinking of painting your walls?”
Jungkook hums. “So the thing is, I haven’t really thought far enough to decide on colors. Asking you to come with me was kind of a spontaneous thing.” Namjoon lets out a chuckle, Jungkook continues explaining. “My walls are this shade of light yellow right now,”Jungkook explains, pointing at a strip of colors. Namjoon takes one of them.
”I asked my landlord already and she said that I could paint it but to okay the color with her beforehand. So I guess we should find a variety of colors and I’ll see which ones she’s okay with and we’ll go from there?” Jungkook finishes talking with a small smile.
An hour later Jungkook has a ridiculous amount of paint samples, held together with a rubber band. Namjoon is next to him, comparing two shades of blue. “See I really like this one,” Namjoon points at the color to the left of Jungkook, but I think that this one is good too.” After talking for a while, Namjoon, picks up both cards.
“You know what would be cool?” Namjoon asks as they browse the last case of colors. Jungkook immediately shoots back that he’s cool, which earns him a light smack from the other. Namjoon thinks for a moment, then continues. “It’d be cool if we did an impromptu photoshoot right now.” Jungkook agrees, and pulls Namjoon toward other aisles.
It’s been an hour and Namjoon doesn’t know how he hasn’t broken anything yet. He’s posed with everything, stood in front of lights, let Jungkook style flowers in his hair, sat on huge wooden beams. It’s fun though, and Jungkook seems to be having a great time. He takes out his phone, and tells Jungkook to go pose too.
Two hours later, Namjoon and Jungkook leave the store, phones filled with photos of each other. Jungkook scrolls through his phone, thinks that the photo of Namjoon in front of the large array of lights is his favorite.
Namjoon drives Jungkook back to his apartment, telling him to give him a call if he ever needs anything. Like rides to class.
Jungkook just laughs, and tells him to be safe on the road.
The semester blows by faster than Jungkook thinks, and it’s the end of the semester, which means two things: finals and projects.
Thankfully, Namjoon exists. He's Jungkook's partner for the final project, and his study buddy, though Namjoon is probably going to end up helping Jungkook a lot more than Jungkook is going to do anything for Namjoon.
The project is split into two parts, a writing portion and a track that they had to submit. The instructions for the track was simple, compose a song that both partners of the project had to be involved in. Depending on the complexity of the song, points would be awarded. The writing portion is just a written explanation of the song.
That's how Jungkook found himself in a recording booth in the studio that Namjoon booked. He sits on a stool, mic in front of his face, glass that shows the soundboard. Namjoon is in front of it, fiddling with the sliders and buttons. He gave Namjoon a list of songs that he knew by heart, the other decided that having him sing would be a great idea.
"Can you hear me?" Namjoon's voice filters through the speakers. After Jungkook nods, Namjoon says that he's going to play an instrumental and all Jungkook has to do is sing to it.
A soft introduction plays and Jungkook starts to sing.
The way to love me isn’t hard, just hold me tight like you are now
Namjoon is blown away. He fiddles with a few sliders as Jungkook sings the verse, then he sits back and closes his eyes. Jungkook is slightly surprised, but sings the entire song from memory. He ends the song, voice fading. He meets Namjoon’s eyes through the glass, and Namjoon motions for him to come out.
“Hyung? Was that okay?” Jungkook was and is still hesitant to do the vocals for their final project because it’s worth a large percentage of their grade. Namjoon thinks otherwise though.
“Okay? That was great, I loved it!” Namjoon smiles and his dimples show, he feels a bit like an over-excited puppy. Jungkook looks worried, his eyes drilling holes into the floor. It’s unusual for Jungkook to be so quiet. Namjoon pats the spot next to him, and Jungkook sits down, shoulders tense. Namjoon kicks it up a notch, and pulls Jungkook so that he’s sitting with his back pressed to him, his arms circling Jungkook’s waist. Jungkook lets out a squeak, and Namjoon chuckles, positioning Jungkook so that his head can rest in the crook of his neck.
“Your voice is really beautiful and I think that both us know that,” Namjoon begins, “So why do you doubt yourself? I’m sure that you know that you’d do good on a project like this, especially with all the creative freedom that the professor gave us.” He shifts his arms so that he can draw reassuring circles on Jungkook’s hands, and waits for him to reply.
It take Jungkook a while to formulate what he wants to say, there’s too much of it and he can’t get it out in words. “I don’t doubt my singing abilities, per se. I just-”
“You are Rap Monster, one of the most respected people in the rap community and, and I don’t know, I don’t think I’m good enough to make music with you, you’re on a whole different level. I couldn’t really even comprehend that I met you that night, I thought I was dreaming. Like, meeting you in the middle of the night in a pharmacy? How did that even happen?” He gulps in a breath. “You’re literally the reason that I was ever interested in the music industry and I don’t know if I can handle working with you? If that make any sense I guess. I just, I just don’t want to let you down, don’t want to let myself down.” Jungkook finishes, his shoulders slightly shaking.
Namjoon doesn’t hesitate in hugging Jungkook closer, sitting up a bit more. “I know that I can’t make you think differently, only you can do that. But if it means anything, I really do think that you can go far with a voice like that. I’m saying this as Namjoon, your friend, but also as RM. You have talent, you’ve practiced, and it really shows. Work can only get you halfway, you have to have talent to be able to sing. And I definitely think you have what it takes.” Namjoon moves his hands to draw circles on his waist, letting Jungkook muffle his sobs in his hands. “It’s also okay to let it out, y’know?” Namjoon hands Jungkook some tissues, and they stay like that until Jungkook’s phone dings with a text.
“Ah,” The younger’s voice cracks a bit. “I told my friend that I’d study with him, so I have to be back at the dorm in half an hour.” Jungkook takes Namjoon’s offer to drive him home. He sits on the couch in Namjoon’s hoodie as he watches the older shut down the software and equipment. Namjoon grabs his keys from the desk, “You ready?”
They’re in the car when it happens. Namjoon dials down the music so it’s softly humming, and when he hits a red light, reaches over to grab Jungkook’s hand. “Jungkook, you trust me right?” He holds the other’s hand until they reach Jungkook’s apartment. He stops the car, and turns toward him. “Give me a hug before you leave?”
Jungkook all but falls into his arms, and Namjoon hugs Jungkook like he hasn’t seen the other in forever, a hug that leaves both of them smiling. “Bye hyung, and thanks for today.” Jungkook shoots him a small smile, and walks into the apartment complex.
Both of them don’t stop smiling for the rest of the day.
They’re almost done with the track that they’re going to submit. Jungkook is doing some lines over and Namjoon wants him to add a few adlibs here and there, but other than that, it’s his track. Both of them are really proud of it. Even though Namjoon didn’t end up rapping in the song, they’re confident that they’re both going to get a good grade on it.
Jungkook walks into the recording booth, the track begins to play. He listens, and starts to sing the parts that the track is missing.
I don’t know sadness well, but I’ll just cry, because, because
He thinks back to when he first met Namjoon compared to now. There have been ups and downs, but that’s what happens. Nothing it always happy he supposes, so it’s okay.
You made me again
Jungkook wrote the lyrics to this song for Namjoon. The other doesn’t know that yet, because Jungkook wants to surprise him. He’s starting to think that it’s a bad idea though. What if he freaks out and doesn’t like him anymore? The track ends, and Namjoon motions for Jungkook to come out of the recording booth.
“Hey, I think I have all the lines I need. If you give me a bit of time, I can put everything together now and you can listen to it and we can make adjustments if you’d like?” Namjoon smiles, ad Jungkook thinks that that is his favorite thing of all time. “Sure hyung, I have other homework to do anyways, so I have time.”
That’s how it goes, the soft clicks of their keyboards in the room as both of them work. Jungkook is in the middle of his second essay when Namjoon calls him over to listen to the final track. Jungkook isn’t gonna lie, he’s really nervous, wringing his hands as he stands behind Namjoon.
“Listen and tell me if there’s anything you want to change, okay? This is your song, it should be what you want it to be.” Then he hits play. The audio filters through the stereo, then Jungkook’s voice. He shifts halfway through the song, leaning on the back of Namjoon’s chair, eyes closed.
Honestly, before he played it Jungkook already knew that it was going to be great. He’s listened to so much of Namjoon’s music before, and he’s never failed to make it sounds great, so when Namjoon asks if there’s anything that he does want to fix, Jungkook says that there isn’t. Namjoon beams, and says that all they have to do is export it.
As they wait, Namjoon sits next to Jungkook, who finishes up the last few paragraphs on his essay. He closes the laptop cover, and thinks for a bit. “Hyung, are we friends?” Namjoon blinks. “Well I sure hope so, considering that I’ve done a photoshoot with you in Home Depot and made a song with you.”
“But you’ve also gone out with me more times than I can count, and during most of those I’ve ended up cuddling you,” Jungkook adds.
Both of them fall silent, Jungkook biting his lip. “Have I done something to make you feel uncomfortable?” Namjoon looks worried, and Jungkook is quick to assure him that he has done nothing wrong. He sighs, looking down at his hands. “Hyung, I”
I like you.
He can’t bring himself to say it, says the next best thing. “I wrote this song thinking about you, and-” Deep breath in. “um, it’s okay if you don’t like me back I just needed to let you know.” It’s quiet for a moment, and Jungkook panics, his breathing becoming more erratic, grabbing his bag and standing up. “Ah I’m just gonna, gonna go.”
Namjoon doesn’t even realize what’s happening until Jungkook is almost at the door, his body unconsciously reaching out for him, enveloping him in a hug. “Wait, no, don’t leave.” Both of them stand in the doorway, Namjoon’s hands wrapped firmly around Jungkook’s waist, his heart thumping so hard he’s sure the other can feel it. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
Namjoon swallows, thinking about how he wants to words this. “You seemed so in to the whole idea of me being Rap Monster and with the music project and you being able to make music with me- I didn’t want you to think that I wanted you only for your voice.”
“W-what? That makes no sense, you’re not that type of person?” Namjoon can hear the confusion in the younger’s voice, so he explains. “Jungkook, I’m a rapper who’s already somewhat known in the community, and if I suddenly show up with you with the new track it’s going to seem that you’re with me because I like your voice. No one knows about you, and naturally everyone’s going to be curious. It’s not easy, transitioning into a life of someone who is known more, and I know that I could just not tell anyone about you but I do want to. If you were with me I’d want everyone to know, and I was willing to wait.”
Jungkook’s head is spinning, mind not understanding things all the way. “Wait. You’re saying that you also like me?” Namjoon curls tighter against Jungkook.
“I thought that was implied, we’ve gone on a ridiculous amount of dates in the last month,” he chuckles.
“Are you serious? I had no idea that they counted as dates? I just like hanging out with you.” Jungkook’s cheeks are tinted pink, has reaching to touch Namjoon’s. They’re quiet for a moment. Namjoon breaks the silence.
“Does that mean you’ll date me?”
“Yes, I’ll date you,” Jungkook laughs, he can only think Namjoon Namjoon Namjoon. He turns around hugging Namjoon so hard that they both fall onto the sofa. They’re comfortable that way, Jungkook burrowing himself into the crook of Namjoon’s neck.
Approximately nine days after the pair receive their project back with full marks, Namjoon releases an album consisting of eleven tracks, one of which is Jungkook’s song.
He’s happy to let the world know that Jungkook is his.