Chapter Text
„ But you get ready, all dressed up
to go nowhere in particular. ”
If you’re an aimless soul, life has many things to offer for you. In fact, life has always things to offer to you, but you may not always realize it until it is already too late and there’s nothing you could do about it.
Jeon Jungkook was one of these aimless souls.
He didn’t care about being punctual for university, he didn’t care being neat and tidy like the other students and he certainly didn’t care what life had to offer him. Jeon Jungkook lived his life in an endless mantra he didn’t give any attention to. He was stuck in it without knowing it.
» Jungkook, you should really do something about your life. «, Jimin huffed and threw himself on Jungkook’s bed.
» You’re missing uni so much, I am sure the professors have already forgotten about your existence. «, Jimin continued and poked Jungkook in the sides, making the younger one shudder. He hadn’t paid any attention to Jimin, being too concentrated on the old song playing in the background, but also at the same time not giving it any second thought. He was captured in his own thoughts, which lead to everything and nothing.
» Were you even listening to me? «
» I guess, I wasn’t. «, Jungkook answered slowly and smiled, looking at his friend, who was getting annoyed by his nonchalant behavior. Jimin was one of the remaining friends Jungkook had, willing enough to put up with his messed-up soul and give him advice, which he very much ignored as good as he could.
» I said, that you should come to uni again, you’re missing too many classes at this point. «
» But I don’t want to get up early.«, was Jungkook’s response, making Jimin sigh.
» Listen, I don’t like waking up at 8am, too, but Jungkook you aren’t even that stupid, as you make it out to be.«
» I think that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me, Jimin.«, Jungkook mocked and fell backwards on his bed, head to head next to Jimin.
» I… I just don’t know what I want. I thought I finally found the perfect major for me, but it is already making me want to drop out. I have no reason to get up in the morning, either, I just – I just want to sleep the whole day and not face anything. «, the younger explained to his friend, who was listening carefully. Jimin didn’t interrupt him, knowing how hard it was for Jungkook to voice his feelings out loud.
» I really should go into therapy. «, Jungkook laughed.
» See you all in therapy. «, Jimin chimed in, referencing one of his favorite lines in Spongebob.
» But seriously, it wouldn’t be a bad idea, Kook. It very much sounds like depression to me and I think Taehyung would confirm that. «, Jimin said in a serious voice, exhaling and turning around, so he could lay on his belly.
» Look, if you come tomorrow to your classes, I will take you out somewhere. «, Jimin offered, in hope Jungkook would agree.
» Lamb skewers? And as many as I want? «
» As many as I can afford, Jungkook. I am not rich and still depend on my parents. «, he laughed, while patting his own shoulder for finally making baby steps regarding Jungkook.
» Fine. But I can’t promise anything, Jimin. «, Jungkook finally said, after thinking about his friends offer.
» Thank god! «, Jimin exclaimed and jumped out of Jungkook’s bed in victory. » I am seeing you tomorrow at 9am in front of class! Don’t you dare not showing up! «
And when Jimin said it like that, Jungkook actually became a little bit intimidated by him.
What Jungkook didn’t know, was that it was hard getting up at 7:30am. He didn’t understand why he was going trough that pain for lamb skewers and eventually some time he got to spend with Jimin, he really didn’t understand it.
But here he was, standing in front of his mirror and splashing cold water into his face, so he would wake up and be able to function this early. It only worked partially, barely enough to make him aware of that he had put on his white t-shirt the wrong way and he couldn’t leave the house looking like a mess, even though he felt like one.
» Be dammed Park Jimin and your damn offer of lamb skewers. «, he muttered, changing and grabbing his things, actually putting effort in not arriving too late for his classes.
The cold morning air hit him in the face, making him rethink his choice of only wearing a leather jacket. But at the same time, he only stood in front of his door, breathing in and out, enjoying the rather empty streets, before decided that he certainly should treat himself to some coffee in the café around the corner.
He had never been there, always coming home too late to stop there or running late, but today was different. Jungkook had plenty of time left to make it to university and getting up so early should be, in his opinion, celebrated.
The café around the corner was already open, tables and chairs already aligned and the scent of freshly made coffee greeted Jungkook upon opening the door of it. A small bell above the door announced his arrival and a man, soft brown hair and a dimpled smile, greeted him from the cash register. It was almost empty, only an elderly couple sitting at the window and sharing a piece of cake, but other than that, it was calm and soft jazz music was playing in the background, setting a welcoming atmosphere.
Jungkook walked up to the cash register, trying not to fall over his own feet, while the cashier was smiling at him. And god forbid, he wasn’t going to make a fool out of himself in front of a beautiful man like that!
» Good morning, what can I get you? «, the cashier asked and Jungkook almost forgot how to breathe.
» I am not sure…«, he looked at the cashier’s name tag which read ‘Namjoon’ »… Namjoon. What could you recommend me? «, Jungkook asked, yawning when trying to smile.
» Oh, someone is still tired. Uni? «
» Yeah… decided to show up there after a long time. «, Jungkook answered and watched Namjoon turn around and prepare something he didn’t know.
» I know it all too well, how it was going to uni every day. Happy to be out there. «, Namjoon said, turning quickly around to smile at Jungkook, only to turn around again and continue.
» Oh? What did you study? «
Jungkook wasn’t the one to initiate a conversation, but Namjoon sparked his interest.
The soft smile he gave him, when he smiled at him and the deep, with sleep laced, voice didn’t help there either.
» I studied psychology, reached bachelor’s degree and started my first semester for master’s degree, but life doesn’t always play like you want to and I dropped out.«, Namjoon told Jungkook, his back still facing Jungkook.
» Here you go, it’s my special mix. Every time a little bit different than the last. «, Namjoon smiled, giving Jungkook his coffee.
» How much? «, Jungkook asked and put down the coffee on the counter, to get his purse out of his backpack.
» It will be on the house, if you tell me your name. «
There was it again, the dimpled smile, which reached Namjoon’s eyes and Jungkook couldn’t stop his heart from beating a little bit faster.
» Ju-Jungkook. «, the young boy said, cursing himself for stuttering.
» Well then Jungkook, please enjoy your coffee, come by more often. «
» Will do! «, Jungkook said hastily, taking his cup of coffee and making his way out of the café, looking one more time back when opening the door again and seeing Namjoon smile at him, then exiting. When he was finally out of the café and out of sight, he stopped to finally take sip out of his coffee. It was sweet, not too sweet, with milk and a note Jungkook couldn’t put his finger on. Was it that, what Namjoon meant with his ‘special mixture’? Jungkook shook his head sat down on a bench nearby, putting his coffee down next to him and pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
He didn’t know when he started smoking, but he neither planned on stopping it. They calmed him down after situations like that and let him concentrate for a brief moment to only inhale and exhale. It wasn’t healthy, Taehyung and Jimin having him told that various times, that smoking and drinking coffee, before eating anything at all, would be the reason why they would see him soon in the hospital.
But for now he didn’t want to think about it and recall everything what happened before. From Namjoon greeting him to that moment he asked him for his name, a red hue tinting Jungkook’s cheeks when he thought how nice his name sounded, when Namjoon said it.
» Oh fuck his smile, I am going to be late!«, Jungkook muttered to himself, finishing his coffee and throwing his cigarette away. Jimin had to be proud of him just this once, so he could get free lamb skewers.
From that day on, Jungkook tried to care more.
He started to care waking up in the morning and pulling himself together for the day, he cared what he wore and what he did; at least he tried to care as much as he once did.
But the only thing which really started to matter to him, was his morning chit chat with Namjoon in the café. They didn’t talk for long, but every morning Jungkook was greeted by Namjoon smiling at him, slowly preparing his coffee and sometimes giving him a cookie along.
It became a routine for Jungkook, a moment he always anticipated as soon as he would wake up and leave the house. Talking to Namjoon, even when it was only him complaining being up so early and being barely awake, he enjoyed every second of it. And Namjoon would always listen to him, nod along and then tell him something poetic, a little quote of the day, as he liked to call it – Jungkook savoring every word of it and maybe he also started to note them in his notebook. But Namjoon didn’t need to know that and neither did his friends.
» I see you’re pulling yourself together, going to uni almost every day. «, Namjoon remarked, when Jungkook entered the café in the morning.
» Yeah, I am kind of trying. «, and he really was. Namjoon just didn’t need to know that he still liked to ditch his least liked lectures or sleeping trough some of them, too. After all, he was making an effort to show up.
» But I am behind on so many essays and other things. I am dying while trying to work on them. «, Jungkook sulked, leaning against the counter and watching Namjoon make his coffee, once again.
» When I think that I finally caught up with everything, my professors drop more undone work on me. I don’t deserve this, hyung!«, the younger cried, making Namjoon laugh.
» If you want to, you can come here and do your assignments and when I have my break, I maybe can help you.«, Namjoon offered, flashing his dimple smile at Jungkook.
» You would?«
» I would.«
And if Jungkook didn’t know already that he had developed a crush on Namjoon, then he knew now for sure. He had laid on his bed at nights too long, pondering about the question, if he liked Namjoon more than he really should. Spend countless times at Jimin’s and Taehyung’s, ranting how happy he was seeing Namjoon in the morning, them never missing out on pointing out the obvious to Jungkook and every time the older boy would smile at Jungkook, his heart would do the little weird jump.
It was safe to say, he liked Namjoon a lot. After all, Namjoon was the reason why he was pulling himself together.
It wasn’t for the promised lamb skewers or the happy voice of his mum, when he told her that he was going to university regularly, it was all for seeing Namjoon in the morning and talking to him, before he would go there and suffer trough another lecture of his professors.
He wanted to impress the elder, seem like he had his life more or less pulled together and aimed high for his dreams, when in reality he still asked himself if dropping out hadn’t been the better choice.
Jungkook was trying for Namjoon, who he barely knew anything of, and it gave his life a little bit of structure back.
» Thank you so much, hyung! You’re a lifesaver! «, Jungkook thanked Namjoon and smiled, his teeth visible and eyes wrinkled – something Namjoon loved so much about Jungkook.
» But you should get going now, or else you will be late, Kook.«, Namjoon reminded him and pointed to the clock. » We don’t want to slip back into old behavior! «
» Fuck! Thank you again, hyung! See you later!«
And with that he was out of the café, sprinting down the street with a warm feeling in his gut.
He was already late for his first lecture, lying to Namjoon that it would only start at 9am, when in fact it started half an hour earlier, meaning that he is already 15 minutes late to it. Jungkook didn’t get to drink his coffee, nor did he want to take it with him, not wanting his professor to think that he gave more priority to his morning coffee, than his education.
He didn’t, he just gave more priority to Namjoon.
So, when Jungkook tried to enter the auditory as silent as possible and failing, he tried to find a free seat as soon as possible, not wanting to cause more attention, than he already did.
But when did that ever work out?
» Jeon Jungkook, returning already to old habits? I would like to talk to you later.«, the professor said, before continuing to talk about the importance of learning various decoding methods when programming. And any other day, Jungkook would have been eager to listen to this professor’s lecture, actually really liking him, but after not being able to drink his coffee, made by Namjoon with love and being called out by said professor, had his spirits sink to the bottom.
Silently he sat down, getting his laptop out of his backpack, but he didn’t really listen to the professor, his mind wandering around the thoughts, which usually occurred at 3am.
Was he really so far gone? Did his efforts matter at all, when in the end he couldn’t even manage the work he had missed on? Or was he just too dumb to do so? At point he was so caught up in his thoughts, that he didn’t notice that the lecture had ended and his professor was standing right next to him.
» Jungkook! You really should pay more attention! «, the professor said and sighed, making Jungkook snap out of his thoughts.’
» When you started this course, you were different. Did something happen? I am just your professor, but I used to be a student just like you, Jungkook.«, the older man explained, making a hand gesture to symbolize that he wasn’t lecturing Jungkook but much more trying to support his student.
» Thank you professor.«, was the only thing he said, before collecting his things and putting them back in his backpack.
» I can’t make you talk, but remember I am here. Also please don’t forget the assignment for next week, yes?«, and Jungkook only nodded.
» Again, thank you very much, I will try to turn it in as soon as possible.«, Jungkook answered, managing a polite smile, before bowing and making his way out of the room.
Today he didn’t stop at the café, he even took another way to avoid Namjoon seeing him passing by and went home straight away. It was just a minor inconvenience, something he hadn’t even thought about for a second, but right now he couldn’t stop beating up himself.
He always made mistakes, always took, took, took and never gave back. His friends were worried about him and what did he do? He didn’t say thank you to them.
Jungkook hated it, hated it so much for feeling how he was about to slip back in his old habits, he wanted to throw away.
» Jeon Jungkook, you are a dumbass for thinking you will ever get your life together. «
Nothing new, a mantra he was used to and would repeat until his thoughts were silent.
Jungkook sighed, getting his pack of cigarettes out of his backpack and throwing himself on his couch, another lighter laying right on his coffee table.
Right now it was too much for him, too much to worry about, too much what could go wrong.
But lighting his cigarette gave him a moment of peace, it was something he could do well, could do with closed eyes and without thinking.
But this time he thought too much, about the warm smile he was always greeted with in the morning, a soft voice asking him how he was. Jungkook couldn’t stop thinking about Namjoon, couldn’t stop thinking about him probably disapproving his habit of smoking and certainly disapproving him in general. And yet Jungkook couldn’t stop his heart aching in pain, massaging his chest with his hand and putting with his other hand the cigarette once again against his lips.
The room of his felt so small, becoming even smaller when he exhaled the smoke and watched how it raised higher to the ceiling, making him feel bigger than he was, making him feel like he was taking way too much space up: He tried to curl himself up in a ball, careful not to let ashes fall down on the couch or the ground, tried to make himself small as possible and hum a melody he had recently heard on the radio.
It had been a stupid love song, a song he usually wouldn’t have listened to, but as soon as he heard the soft tune of it, he had to think about Namjoon.
Namjoon. The thought of him eased the pain in his heart, made him feel like he was breathing fresh air, even tough he was in a room filled with cigarette smoke.
Namjoon. Namjoon. Namjoon. Namjoon. Namjoon. Namjoon. Namjoon.
He was all he could think about and maybe it was making him crazy, so crazy that he felt like the thought of him was the only thing keeping him saint.
» You have so many problems and on top of that you get yourself a crush, just great! «. Jungkook said to himself, laughing and inhaling the last remains of his cigarette before putting it out. The young boy had no energy left to get his laptop from the hallway, nor did he have the motivation to spend his night with programming, he just wanted to remain on his couch, watching the smoke dissolve, while his eyes would become heavier.
It didn’t take long until Jungkook had fallen asleep, drifting into various dreams his subconscious would create to cope with his real-life problems.
Jungkook woke up, breathing heavily from having a near death experience in his dream. It took him a while to calm his breathing, looking around if he could find his phone on the table and check the time – it was 7am, an unholy time to be awake on a Saturday and Jungkook cursed Dream-Namjoon, who let him fall out of the couch, for this. He fell back on the couch, sighing while pushing a hand through his hair. Jungkook had fallen asleep in all of his clothes, now sticking to his body and making him feel disgusted and uncomfortable.
Groaning he slid out of the couch, considering all his life choices when he laid on the ground, before really standing up and going to the bathroom, so he could take a shower he so desperately needed.
Avoiding to take a look in the mirror, he started to strip down, throwing his clothes in the dirty laundry basket and shivering at the direct contact with cold air and his skin. Once he was under the shower, he finally released all the tension he had been holding, just standing there and facing the water, taking his sweet time to wash himself.
“ You really deserve a coffee and a cookie, Jungkook.”, he told himself, when exiting the shower, putting on a white shirt and black jeans.
“But maybe you also just want an excuse to see Namjoon.”, he added silently in his thoughts. He also didn’t care to blow dry his hair, telling himself that they will dry on their own, while he put on his shoes.
Usually he didn’t go to the café on Saturdays, giving Namjoon a day off from him, so he wasn’t even sure if he would be there, but it was worth a shot. To his surprise some people were already sitting outside of the café and happily chatting with each other and when he went inside, there were also considerably more people sitting at the tables.
» Good morning! May I help you? «, a nice voice asked him, when he didn’t move from the door. It wasn’t Namjoon’s voice, it was woman’s voice watching him from the counter and smiling at him, dimples on both sides of her cheek.
» Uh, yeah? Is Namjoon here? «, Jungkook asked shyly and the older woman pointed to the back.
» You must be Jungkook, am I right? «, she asked, her smile not leaving her lips, but before he could answer, Namjoon came out of the back, wearing for once his daily clothes without an apron.
» Jungkook? You usually don’t come here on Saturdays. «, Namjoon stated, looking confused, but the smile creeping on his lips couldn’t be hidden.
» Well, there’s a first time for everything, Joon! «, Jungkook smiled, his bunny teeth showing until the elder woman cleared her throat.
» Joon, I raised you better than this! Won’t you introduce your own mother to this young gentleman? «, she asked, scolding Namjoon with a smile still present on her lips. Namjoon on the other hand hid his face behind his hands, embarrassed of his mum calling him out like that.
» Mum, I am sorry! «, he laughed. » Jungkook this is my mum, mum this is Jungkook. «, he properly introduced them both and Jungkook shook Namjoon’s mums’ hand – Namjoon watching their small interaction with a smile.
» I am happy to finally meet the infamous Jungkook, my son has told me a lot about you!«, she smiled, making Namjoon sigh in defense. It wasn’t his fault, that Jungkook came almost every day to their café and it certainly wasn’t his fault that he spend the whole time their until closing, or was it?
» Mum, you can’t tell something like that! What if he doesn’t come back? «, he exclaimed, ready to apologize to Jungkook, but Jungkook could only laugh.
» I hope he only told you the best about me! «, he answered, making Namjoon mutter something along the lines, that both are against him.
» Anyways, I have to go back to work! Namjoon is on his way to the farmer’s market, would you like to accompany him, Jungkook?«, she asked.
» I am sure he has better things to do, than go with me to the market, mum.«
But before Namjoon’s mum could answer to that, Jungkook had already his mind up and the answer didn’t disappoint Joon’s mum.
» I would be happy!«
Namjoon’s mum smiled sweetly, going back to serving a costumer and leaving the boys alone.
» You really want to go with me?«, Namjoon asked, making sure that Jungkook didn’t say that just because his mum was present.
» Yeah, is something else than me always sitting here in the café, besides, I haven’t been to the market since ages.«, Jungkook said, still smiling at the thought, that he got to spend some time with Namjoon outside from work.
» Okay, but please let me have my first coffee of the morning! I will make you one, too. «, Namjoon said and before Jungkook knew it, he was walking down the street, coffee in his right hand, a cookie in his left hand, next to Namjoon on their way to the farmer’s market.
» It’s nice to have some company sometimes. Any other Saturdays, I am always going alone to the market, my mum taking over at the café. «, the older boy said, finishing his cookie.
» I really hope there will be the farmer from last summer, he had the best strawberries! «, he continued, his step becoming lighter at the thought of fresh strawberries. Jungkook was listening to him talk, finishing his cookie, too, and taking a sip from his coffee.
» I prefer bananas, but that’s maybe because of my love for banana milk. «, the younger said, making Namjoon smile more.
» After you eat my strawberry cake, I am sure you won’t even think about bananas anymore. «, said Namjoon proudly. Jungkook was about to say something inappropriate, but decided to keep the conversation pg, after all he himself didn’t want to think about the other kind of banana.
» Kim Namjoon, you’re full of yourself! To think I would forget my love for banana milk and bananas all together! «, Jungkook answered dramatically, laughing and almost tripping over his own feet.
» Just wait, I will prove it to you! «, Namjoon said and then they were finally there. The market was buzzing with life, farmers talking to costumers and selling their products. To say at least, it was full of people, more than Jungkook did expect.
» I love coming here, it’s probably my favorite part of waking up on a Saturday. «, Namjoon smiled, leading Jungkook down to some stands. He took his time to talk to ever farmer, looking at various vegetables and fruits, sometimes he bought some, sometimes he only stopped to talk to one of them.
» Oh Namjoon, not alone today? «, a young girl asked at a stand, selling various seasoning.
» Yeah, a surprise. He is a great company though. «, Namjoon answered the girl, smiling at Jungkook.
» Are you sure it is not because he is carrying most of your bags? «, the girl asked, pointing at Jungkook with an accusing finger. Jungkook hadn’t realized that he, in fact, was carrying more bags than Namjoon and smiled.
» He promised me cake after this. «, he said, shaking his head in defeat.
» I knew it! Oh well, don’t let him load everything on you! Also, Namjoon, please greet your mother from me. «, the girl said and Namjoon nodded, pulling Jungkook further with him.
» We went to the same elementary school, a really sweet girl. «, he explained, when they were far enough from the stand, so the girl couldn’t hear them anymore.
For a split second Jungkook felt jealousy raise inside of him. He wanted to be called ‘sweet’, too, by Namjoon.
» But not as sweet as me. « And there it was. He had just said his thoughts out loud, before he could even think about what consequences it could have. Jungkook expected everything as an answer from Joon.
» Of course not, she would never carry my bags for me!«. This wasn’t what Jungkook expected. He didn’t expect Namjoon teasing him – didn’t excpect him to agree with Jungkook’s statement.
While Jungkook continued to ponder about the last 20 seconds, Namjoon stopped at, finally, a stand with strawberries.
» Good morning Namjoon! I thought you wouldn’t show up! I stored some strawberries especially for you. «, the farmer smiled, turning around so he could get the strawberries.
» Jin, I could never not show up!«
» Of course. I am too important in for your life and strawberry cake.«, Jin exclaimed and made a dramatic hand gesture.
» Anyways, you should come visit me sometime again. Your mum, too.«, Jin continued, while packing the strawberries for Namjoon.
» We really should and then go to the sea like in good old times. Oh! Jin this is Jungkook.«, Namjoon finally gave Jungkook some attention, but the younger not even noticing that all eyes were on him.
» Your boyfriend? Namjoon, I thought you would tell me everything! «, Jin almost screamed.
» Poor boy, having a boyfriend like that! I would treat him better.«
Jin’s scream pulled him out from his train of thoughts, making him look around in confusion.
He didn’t even get a chance to say something, before Jin was already motioning him to come closer, what Jungkook of course did.
» He snores, so don’t ever sleep over at his!«, he whispered, when Jungkook was close enough, making him blush.
» We… I… Uh Namjoon and I aren’t together. «, Jungkook said shyly, making Jin sigh.
» And I thought I could finally show someone old pictures of him!«
Jin was dramatically hugging Jungkook’s shoulders, making the younger boy tense up and silently ask Namjoon for help. Thankfully, he understood that Jungkook needed to be rescued.
» Jin I can’t believe you! Jungkook is now forever traumatized thanks to you.«, Joon said, pulling the younger away from Jin and next to him.
» But I would like to see pictures of you when you were younger, hyung!«, he pouted.
Namjoon was looking at Jungkook in utter disbelief.
» Is this how you thank me for rescuing you?«
But there was no seriousness in Namjoon’s eyes, he just smiled while patting Jin on his shoulder.
» Oh well you two, a business doesn’t run itself! Here are your strawberries and make sure to call me sometimes, you crab.«, Jin reminded Namjoon and winked in the direction of Jungkook. » If you come next Saturday, I will show you some pictures. «, the farmer winked at Jungkook.
» Jin!«
» Have a nice day!«, was the only thing Jin said, before waving them goodbye and helping another costumer.
And even when they were already out of Jin’s sight, they still could hear his laughing over the market.
» So you snore?«, Jungkook started the conversation, Namjoon groaning as an answer.
» Not as bad as Jin made it out to be!«
» You probably snore like a bear.«, Jungkook added, skipping some steps ahead of Namjoon.
» Please, stop. My mum used to call me Joon Bear. «, he cried out loud, making Jungkook laugh even more.
» Joon Bear? I am never letting you live this down! «, he exclaimed, keeping to make fun of Namjoon until they arrived at the café, Namjoon’s mum greeting them.
» You boys are back early.«, she said, before taking some groceries from Jungkook and putting them.
» Yeah we met Seokjin and he was ready to tell all kinds of stories about me to Jungkook. I couldn’t risk that!«, Namjoon laughed, his mother only smiling.
» Oh and also Jangmi said to say hi to you. «, he tried to change the subject, fearing that his mum would be more than happy to tell Jungkook some stories, too.
» Oh sweet girl, I hope she is doing fine. Anyways, I will bring the groceries upstairs and you two will prepare the strawberry cake, yeah?«, she asked, looking at Jungkook and Namjoon.
» Jungkook can take my apron.«, she said, not even letting Namjoon or Jungkook say no to her idea.
» Have fun boys!«, and with that she went away, leaving the two of them alone again.
Baking a cake was proving itself to be harder than Jungkook would have thought.
Sure, he had seen his mum bake a cake, had eaten it and made a mess out of himself when he was younger, but he never had actually helped during the process.
» Namjoon, I really don’t know how to make a cake.«, the younger admitted, letting his head hang low only to look up when he heard a chuckle.
» That’s okay Kook, I wouldn’t be able to show you the secret recipe anyways.«, Namjoon reassured him and gave him an apron.
» But you can cut the strawberries, that would help me a lot.«
Jungkook nodded along, following Namjoon to the counter where he could cut the strawberries and also watch how Namjoon was mixing all the different ingredients for the cake. He was so memorized by Namjoon swiftly moving trough the kitchen, pouring and adding more to the mixture, that he had already forgotten why he was here.
Namjoon had noticed that, so he, the man he was, took a little bit of flour in his hand and threw it right at Jungkook. It took him a while to realize what happened, took him a while to understand why Namjoon was laughing at him and not continuing his work, but it also took him mere seconds to get ready for his revenge on him.
Jungkook took quite a bit from the flour, before throwing it on Namjoon, who couldn’t believe that Jungkook really did that.
The thing is, Jungkook is competitive, something Namjoon didn’t know and had to find out now trough the hard way.
» Jungkook! I dare you!«, Namjoon said, taking two steps back from him and preparing himself for more flour on his face.
» Oh a dare? It is on!«, Jungkook smirked and took some more flour out of the bag, Namjoon did the same. Both were now standing opposite of each other, watching every move and before they knew it they already had thrown it at each other. Their faces and hair were covered in white, the cake and cutting strawberries long forgotten while both had already progressed not just taking some flour out of the bag, but throwing the whole bag.
» Namjoon, Elza called. She misses her talking snowman. «, Jungkook snickered, when he looked at Namjoon, being covered from head to toe in flour.
» Oh? The mafia called, they want their cocaine back. «, Namjoon retorted, throwing some more flour at Jungkook.
» Okay, I wave the white flag! Mercy! «, Jungkook fake begged, got on his knees, ruining his black jeans even more.
The whole kitchen was covered with flour. It would take hours to clean that up, but Namjoon didn’t mind that. He got to see Jungkook laugh and having fun, he got to see him don’t mind anything and that was kind of worth for him to clean the mess later up.
» Okay Jungkook, you have my mercy! «, he said seriously, helping him up.
» But only if you help me bake this cake.«, he added and Jungkook of course said yes. It meant spending more time with Namjoon and if that meant he got to watch him bake, so be it. But if he was honest, he would even watch the paint dry together with Namjoon.
And when they were finally finishing up baking the cake and cleaning the kitchen, Namjoon offered him a slice of the freshly made baked good, to which Jungkook couldn’t say no.
They were sitting at an empty table in the café, still covered at some spots with flour and enjoyed their cake, Jungkook trying not to eat it in one bite.
» Namjoon, it is so good! «, he said with a stuffed mouth, taking another spoon full of it.
» Thank you, Kook. I am happy you like it, or else I would have to cancel our friendship. «, the older joked, while taking a bite himself.
» You wouldn’t. Or else I would have to break in here and steal all of the cake.«, Jungkook pouted, savoring the very last bite of his cake and looking with pleading eyes at Namjoon’s.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Namjoon, because some moments later, he was pushing his plate across the table to a very happy Jungkook.
» Eat up kid, your happiness is mine happiness, too.«
» I think I am in love with you.«, Jungkook blurted out, stuffing his mouth with cake again and sighing in bliss. Namjoon on the other hand had a hard time not choking on his own saliva, telling himself that Jungkook only said it, because he was feeding him.
It became a routine both got used to pretty quickly.
Jungkook sitting in the café and talking to Namjoon whenever he could and just joking around about every topic they were talking about, maybe also discuss the nonsense of the political world and how the school system was taking a great tool on the mental health of students.
Sometimes Namjoon had to serve some customers, interrupting their conversation, but that was okay. Namjoon was working after all and Jungkook was a friend, he loved talking to. On days, where it was more busy than usual, Jungkook even helped out with serving some of the customers and taking their orders, Namjoon telling him that he didn’t have to do that, but Jungkook insisting that it was the least he could do for all of the free coffee he had gotten.
The café became quickly Jungkook’s little happy place. No matter what kind of day he had, as soon as he stepped into the café, he relaxed. And maybe it wasn’t the café itself, maybe it was Namjoon alone who had this effect on him.
Was it possible to feel like coming home when you see a person? Jungkook definitely asked himself that question, whenever he saw Namjoon
» Do you plan on ever taking us to that café, so we know how Namjoon looks like? «, Jimin asked, pointing at Taehyung and him. Jungkook shook his head.
» So you can tell him everything about me? I don’t think so. «, Jungkook answered, laughing and taking another bite from his sandwich.
The cafeteria was considerably empty, so it was no problem for the three of them to talk about everything.
» We certainly won’t tell him that you smoke and vandalize some streets with spray-paint, Jungkook. I am sure he would actually join you, making the streets of this god damn city more beautiful. «, Taehyung mused.
» No, he wouldn’t. «, Jungkook said, drinking his banana milk, trying to avoid this conversation as good as he could.
» Are you sure about that? «, Jimin asked.
» Namjoon works in a little café, owned by his mother and writes poetry in his break. He has this dimple smile you only can fall in love with and I am sure his whole wardrobe is filled with nothing but soft and warm sweaters. He isn’t the type to like do something what we do. «, Jungkook explained, while Jimin and Taehyung shared a knowing look.
» Of course Jungkook, of course.«, Taehyung mused, Jimin only starting to laugh when Jungkook looked at them confused.
» You seriously worry too much, Kook.« , both said, while leaning against each other.
» Namjoon likes you and something small like you smoking won’t scare him away from you. The only one you’re killing is yourself on long term.«, Jimin shrugged, scoffing at the thought that Jungkook did something like that to his lungs on the daily.
» Yeah, it wouldn’t scare him away, but it would certainly make him think badly of me and I don’t want that.«, Jungkook answered, finishing his banana milk and glaring at the two lovebirds.
» Oh sweet Jungkook. Just let us meet him and we will help you get laid.«, Taehyung said, winking. But Jungkook didn’t want to get laid, he just really enjoyed Namjoon’s company.
» Oh fuck off you two, his dick wasn’t what touched my heart.«
» I think Taehyungs dick went so deep inside of me, that it touched my heart and hence we are together.«, Jimin chirped in, making Jungkook almost gag.
» And they say romance is dead!«, Taehyung exclaimed, giving Jimin a quick kiss.
Later that day, Namjoon was sitting next to him, scribbling something into his notebook, while Jungkook was typing out a program for his next class in the café.
» What are you writing, Namjoon?«, Jungkook asked, when he leaned back, stretching out his muscles and leaning over Namjoon’s arms, so he could see.
But Namjoon was fast to close his notebook.
» You can’t see it yet, it is not done yet.“, he explained and smiled. It was mostly like that when Jungkook would ask, if he can see it, Namjoon not being done with his work and maybe being a little bit shy to show it, too. Other days Namjoon is beaming to show Jungkook something new he had written down, new thoughts he wanted to discuss with the younger or simply wanted an opinion on it.
Jungkook, for the most part, didn’t understand poetry to that extend as Namjoon did, didn’t always understand the references and metaphors he made, but Namjoon was always eager to explain them to him, not scolding him for having not read that book or watched the movie he loved so much. In fact, Namjoon always made sure to recommend Jungkook a new book, which he always noted so he could go to the library and maybe one day read, or a movie he should watch and tell him his thoughts of.
Namjoon always made sure to share something of his world with Jungkook.
» Too bad. And I wanted to share with you my new program, but I guess I can’t show it to you either. «, Jungkook playfully pouted, making Namjoon laugh and lean back in his seat.
» Patience. «, he said, patting Jungkook’s head.
» But I was wondering, if you wanted to come over later, so we could watch a movie? Of course if you don’t have too much work for uni!«, Namjoon offered, scratching his neck and waiting for Jungkook’s answer.
And Jungkook wanted to say no – having so many work left to do, but he knew he couldn’t say it. Not to Namjoon, who was smiling at him, probably already chosen the movie he wanted to show Jungkook.
» I would love to. Shall I bring some popcorn? «, Jungkook answered instead of saying no. Namjoon’s smile became even brighter, if that was even possible, after hearing the younger’s response.
» And I will order the pizza! Okay, but I really have to go back to work now, see you later at 8pm? «, he asked, standing up and straightening his apron.
» I will be there! «