Chapter Text
“i don't understand,” jimin pouted and banged his head against the table, “what am i doing wrong?”
“i don't think you’re doing anything wrong.” tae replied next to him. jimin led out a groan, “but i must be doing something wrong, if he runs away from me.”
taehyung looked at him over his glasses and took another sip from his bubbletea, “maybe he's just shy?”
jimin looked up, his ears still flattened against his blond hair, “you think i should try harder?”
taehyung nodded, “definitely.” taehyung's face light up as if an idea struck him, “maybe he's old fashioned.” taehyung says.
“old fashioned?” jimin asks.
“yeah, maybe he likes to be courted, you know brought gifts and so on. don't cats do that?”
jimin looked down at his hands and thought for a second, “isn't that a bit weird though? courting someone in 2019?”
taehyung took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly, “its sweet and thoughtful. i don't know how cats court one another but you could bring him gifts? if he doesn't like it he’ll tell you.”
jimin still looked unsure, “i just don't want to make him uncomfortable, you know?”
“i believe that you are overthinking things,” taehyung tried to reassure jimin and jimin smiled thankfully at taehyung's encouraging words, “its okay. he won't hate you.”
“okay,” jimin replied, “i'll do it.”
###
the story was as following: jimin had this massive, huge, gigantic crush on a certain bunny hybrid called jeon jungkook. jungkook was a film major, a year under jimin and jimin just… he couldn't stop staring at jungkook. his cute bunny ears, his thoughtful look when he looked down at his sketches, his tooth when he grinned. jungkook was so cute and kind . had such a big heart and jimin only knew him from afar. he never really talked to jungkook, to shy and embarrassed to talk to his crush but jimin could tell so much about jungkook just by how the younger treated his friends and other people.
jimin wished he could hang out with jungkook. wished he could make jungkook laugh and giggle and pet his big floppy ears.
its not like jimin wasn't confident (well sometimes he had his self conscious moments too but who didn't). he knew he was a pretty kitten, knew he had cute ears and a fluffy tail. he was affectionate and stood up for things he thought to be right. and most people liked him.
but for some reason jungkook didn't . and that hurt more then jimin anticipated.
jimin was in his second year of his literature and arts major and he had one class together with jungkook. it was an elective class on socio-political impact of art and quite interesting. only a small group of 20 people were im the class and jimin knew jungkook knew he existed.
maybe jimin was a bit desperate but he just wanted jungkook to like him, so every friday jimin made sure to dress extra nicely, brush his tail, put on nice clothes, a little bit of makeup, dangly earrings, perfume.
and then jimin would stare at jungkook, trying to get the youngers attention because that's how cats do it under each other so it should work for a bunny to, right?
and here jimin sat again, his last class for the week, sitting on the other side of the room then jungkook. jungkook had his laptop out and was typing what the teacher was saying, his mouth was slightly opened and his eyes wide while he took everything in. jimin stared at him with wide eyes, his tail bouncing back and forth on the floor with anticipation. theoretically, jimin should pay attention to what his teacher was saying, it was quite interesting. they were talking about how artist impacted politics in the anti-colonialist movement and tried to get people to start revolting against the West, which led to certain artist being banned to publish their art in countries like france.
and usually jimin was a good student... but jungkook…
he looked extra soft today. he had black pants on with a couple pockets and a large black shirt and his hair , oh god, his hair. it was so fluffy. it was long and curly and jungkook's bunny ears flopped cutely against his head and jimin was so smitten. he wanted to stroke jungkook's hair, maybe nibbled on his ears, he wanted to purr into jungkook's neck. honestly it was crazy how jungkook managed to bring out jimin's most animalistic instincts. jimin even wanted to lick jungkook, which he practically never did because it was considered to animal like.
“jimin?” someone touched his shoulder and jimin looked around, noticing everyone was staring at him, the teacher looking at him with anticipation. quickly jimin noticed jungkook's large eyes were now fixated on him, and a small blush painted his cheeks.
“jimin?” it was his teachers voice. (of course it was who else would bother talking to him when he was not paying attention.)
“yes?” jimin asked. his voice came out higher than anticipated and he felt slightly embarrassed.
“i asked what the magazine was called that artist used to publish their political thoughts in the 60s and 70s.”
jimin wasn't a bad student so he always made sure to read the articles and chapters assigned before the lecture and he never was more thankful for his productive ass then right this second, “it was called tricontinal.” jimin answered.
“good to know that you read the articles.” his teacher said and then turned back to the powerpoint presentation.
jimin sank into his chair relieved. sometimes he really hated class.
###
once class ended jimin quickly packed all his stuff and ran out of the door hoping to catch jungkook before the younger left the building. jimin had promised himself that today he would talk to jungkook, would introduce himself and if everything went well jimin also had a small gift. it wasn't anything special but jimin thought jungkook might like it.
“jungkook?” jimin caught up to the younger. jungkook stopped in his tracks and looked at jimin with wide eyes. jimin smiled brightly and extended his hand, “i feel like we haven't really talked to one another. i'm jimin.”
jungkook stared at his hand for a second but then he reached out to shake it, “ugh hi? i'm jungkook.” the younger said back with a quiet noise. jimin's heart jumped in his chest because ! holy shit!!! jungkook just talked to him!!!
jimin stared at jungkook for maybe a second to long because he could see jungkook taking a step back, so jimin quickly grabbed his shoulder, “jungkook, i wanted to give you something.”
“what?” jungkook replied confused.
jimin grabbed his backpack and took out a lunch box, “i made you a lunchbox.” jimin exclaimed proudly and pressed it into jungkook's hands, “see? it has lots of meat!”
“meat?” jungkook replied and stared down onto the box. jimin could hear jungkook grinding his teeth and jimin's heart flew into the air. he read once that when rabbits clink their teeth they feel comfortable. it must be working!
“yes!” jimin smiled, “see it as a warning.” jimin tried to tease. maybe a bit of flirting could help?
“a warning?” jungkook asked.
“yeah, of what more is to come!” jimin answers and winked at jungkook.
jungkook gulped and jimin was sure he made the younger boy flustered. taehyung was right, jungkook was just a bit shy and jimin had to up his game. jimin wanted to say some more to jungkook, maybe ask for his phone number when a voice from the end of the hall and called jungkook's name. both boys turned around and jimin saw a handsome men with broad shoulders gesturing to jungkook, “come on brat. i've been waiting.” jungkook nodded, grabbed his stuff and ran off.
jimin didn't mind that jungkook hadnt said goodbye, he felt to giddy and happy because he finally managed to talk to jungkook. and give him a present! cats loved feeding the people they love, it was a sign of kindness and that you could take care of your loved ones. real cats would bring dead birds and mice but hybrids would just cook a meal for their friends, family and love interests.
jimin's heart fluttered and he jumped around a bit.
###
jimin was a cat. and cats love attention, they love being cuddled and taken care off, love being stroked and being praised. some humans don't know that or mistake quietness for emotionless. but jimin felt a lot .
jimin saw jungkook in the park a couple days after jimin gave jungkook the food. jimin's heart beat painfully in his chest when he saw jungkook. jimin checked his appearance in his phone camera real quick before walking over to jungkook. the younger was reading an article and was writing notes.
cute. so cute.
“jungkookie!” jimin greeted the younger and put on his smile that generally won everyone over, “hello.”
jungkook looked up and jimin had no idea what jungkooks face was expressing but he decided to not overthink things. jimin sat down next to jungkook. jungkook nodded towards him, shyly.
“ahm hi?”
jimin giggled at jungkooks cuteness (or maybe he was just a loser in love). he really was lovesick and maybe jimin was being embarrassing, giggling the entire time and following jungkook but he was just a young person in love.
“are you studying?” jimin asked.
jungkook nodded, “yed.”
“thats cool,” jimin responded, “its nice weather, right? do you have something planned today?” jimin asked hopefully. he hoped jungkook would get the hint and ask him to do something together.
“ah no?” jungkook responded, “i need to study.”
“oh.” jimin hoped he didn't sound disappointed. quickly he put back a smile onto his face and put his tail on jungkooks legs. jungkook looked down with a surprised expression. jimin was just trying to mark jungkook a bit with his scent, he hoped the younger wouldn't mind.
jimin desperately wanted to ask if jungkook enjoyed the food. did he eat it all? did he like it? did jungkook understand what jimin wanted from him?
jungkooks nose crunched and jimin wasn't sure if it was a bunny thing or just a jungkook thing but it was cute and jimin if possible smiled wider, “you're a pretty bunny.” jimin said. and he had no idea why he said that. but the words just flooded out of his mouth while he was looking at jungkook's pretty face, his eyes that seemed to hold the whole galaxy, and his pretty hair and kissable nose. jimin just wanted jungkook to know. know how pretty he was, how gorgeous.
“what?” jungkook looked at him with wide eyes.
jimin put a hand over his chest, trying to calm down, “i said you're a pretty bunny. i don't know any bunnies but you... and i… i think you're so pretty.” jimin explained. jungkook stared at him speechless, “do you think i'm a pretty kitten?” jimin asked shyly. he was a cat and liked attention and affection and he loved compliments. he hoped jungkook would also find him pretty.
jungkook looked around wide eyed, “i think… i think i need to go.”
jimin froze. his heart sank because jungkook didn't say he was pretty too. but jimin quickly put on a small smile not wanting to cause a scene, “ah well… have a nice day kookie!” jimin gave the younger one last smile. jungkook nodded and then ran off.
jimin frowned and looked down at the grass under his hand. he didn't understand, what was he doing wrong?
###
“maybe i'm not being obvious enough?” jimin asked into the room.
hoseok looked up from his phone and regarded jimin, “mh… what did you do so far?”
jimin groaned, “i just told you the whole story hyung!”
hoseok looked up from his phone and smiled apologetic, “im sorry jiminie. i was just…” he waved around with his phone and jimin saw he was on an instagram page.
“are you stalking that cat out again?” jimin pouted.
hoseok blushed, “no?!?”
jimin grinned knowing exactly that he caught hobi. hobi had this crush in another cat. jimin thinks his name was yoongi but he was not 100% sure.
“why don't you ask him out?” jimin asked.
“he doesn't know i exist.” hoseok answered.
“introduce yourself then?”
hoseok let out a sigh, “jimin-ah. he's a cat.”
“and? i'm a cat to and i like you? what kind of bullshit excuse?!”
hoseok grabbed jimin's hand and pulled it against his chest, “ah you like me?”
jimin frowned, “not right now because you aren't helping me with MY problem!”
hoseok led out a sigh and smiled apologetically, “so this jungkook dude. you like him but he doesn't like you?” jimin's heart hurt at hoseok's blunt words but he nodded.
“yeah, i think so…” jimin whispered. he felt shy and embarrassed. he's so used to people just liking him it's weird that the one time he desperately wants someone to like him it doesn't happen.
“since i have my experience with smaller hybrids i can help,” hoseok said. hoseok was a squirrel hybrid. pretty rare not like cat or dog hybrids. hoseok always explains how humans and cat and dog hybrids don't understand how sometimes their actions can be misinterpreted. “what exactly did you do so far?”
jimin pulled at his sweater, “not a lot? i made him a lunchbox once.”
“and?”
“thats it.” jimin looked up, “and i talked to him. but everytime he sees me he runs out of my way and doesnt even look at me. i don't get it.”
hoseok looked at him and jimin felt like prey dispute the fact that he was the natural predator, “try harder.” hoseok concluded.
“you think so?”
hoseok nodded, “definitely. i think he's shy and needs more encouragement. he's a bunny, right?”
“yeah,” jimin nodded, “he has the cutest ears.”
“that's disgusting. please stop, i'm an aquarius and can't deal with that.” hoseok responded with a neutral voice.
jimin rolled his eyes, “stop blaming everything on astrology.”
“no seriously jiminie. this shits scary. like you're a libra right and you perfectly-”
“can you stop?” jimin asked. he wasn't actually upset or anything but he needed to get hoseok to focus.
“whats jungkooks star sign?” hoseok asked curiously.
jimin groaned, “i don't know . jungkook doesn't talk to me remember?”
“ah yeah right.” hoseok said, “okay jimin be bolder. he's a bunny and bunnies are a bit reserved so just go for it. make your aim clear. tell him what you want.”
jimin frowned, “but i brought him food.”
“is that like a cat bringing its owner a dead mouse?” hoseok asked. jimin whined. because it was. when cats bring someone else food it's a sign of love and that you want to take care of them and for jimin it was a very telling and important gift. and jungkook ignored him.
“just i didn't bring him a dead mouse or bird,” jimin hissed.
“okay so what else can you gift jungkook?”
jimin's instincts told him a lot of things. he would like to nuzzle jungkook, would love to scent him, would love to cuddle him the entire day, would love to bring food and wash his hair but, but he was also very human and he knew that sometimes things could be too much and jimin had to somehow compensate, “i want to bring him things.” jimin explains shyly.
“do that,” hoseok encouraged, “just make sure your intent is clear. he's not a cat, jimin-ah. he might not get the subtle message other cats would get.”
make your intent clear
jimin had an idea
###
he saw jungkook a couple days later sitting under a tree with a fruit smoothie in his hand. jimin stood a considerable amount a way from jungkook and just looked at the other. at his black oversize shirt, his jogging pants, his long hair. the way his lips sucked on the back of the pencil while the younger was reading. damn jimin really had it bad for the other.
jimin made sure he fluffed his hair and tail up, and that he looked soft and approachable. people love soft looking cats and that was what he was aiming vor.
his heart was beating so loudly in his chest and he never felt this anxious before. his whole body was vibrating and he felt like he was about to explode. because the present he got for jungkook, it couldn't be misread.
he had called one of his moms and asked her for advice. his mother told him how she used to buy expensive gifts for her lover and how happy it made her. jimin couldn't spend to much money on gifts but his mother made a suggestion that jimin could get. he just hoped jungkook would like it.
jimin took one last deep breath and then walked towards jungkook. jungkook was listening to music so he didn't hear jimin approaching until he plumbed down next to the taller boy. jungkook looked at him with wide eyes and quickly took out his earphones.
“hey jungkookie,” jimin greeted the other enthusiastically even though he felt close to throwing up.
“oh… hello,” jungkook replied. he didn't sound as happy as jimin wished he did.
“are you studying?” jimin asked and he wanted to die of embarrassment because the question was so stupid. of course jungkook was studying- what else would he be doing?
jungkook looked down and then up again, “yeah i am. why?”
jimin fidgeted with his hand, “uhm i got you something.” jimin took out the little present (which he wrapped in red and with a small bow.) and handed it over to jungkook. jungkook looked down at the present surprise painting his face and jimin knew he saw the younger slightly brushing.
“thank you?” jungkook asked confused.
jimin grinned, “open it!”
jungkook nodded and shyly played with his floppy, black ear for a moment before unwrapping the present gently. jimin vibrated with nerves. jungkook stared at the black box under the wrapping paper and then opend it.
jimins heart stopped, hoping, praying jungkook won't eject his obvious attempt of dating. jimin had no idea what to do if jungkook rejected him. jimin watched jungkooks face go from curious to confused. the younger stared down at the present, his reaction was neither positive nor negative. jimins hands began to sweat from anxiety and maybe he wanted to die but that's his initial thought after every unpleasant situation.
“jimin,” jungkook said after a moment, “what is this?” jungkook's tone was cold and jimin felt his heart sink.
“uhm… its… like… i mean,” jimin stuttered a bit, “it's a collar?” jimin had first thought it was a perfect present but now seeing jungkook's reaction made him rethink… was it to much? cats like to mark their partners and his mother told him this was a common present under cat hybrids.
jungkook was awfully quiet next to jimin and jimin shyly looked up to gauge jungkook's reaction. jungkook was staring down at the collar and-
“are you crying?” jimin asked surprised. he didn't understand why jungkook would start crying? was he this touched? was he upset? “im sorry. im so sorry, just jungkook please don't cry.”
“i-” jungkook's voice broke after the first syllable and jimin's heart ached .what had he done “ i need to go.”
and before jimin could say anything jungkook got up and left. jimin didn't even dare watch jungkook leave. he didn't understand what just happened . why did jungkook start crying? what did jimin do wrong? why did he reject me?
jimin stared down at his hands for a while. confused and sad . his heart hurt so badly. he had hoped jungkook would smile, would hug him and agree to a date. instead jimin sat on the grass, silent tears running down his cheeks and his head turning over and over.
eventually he got himself together knowing overthinking things won't make anything better for him and walked home.
###
he didn't tell hoseok or taehyung about the incident. jimin concluded his friends were pretty useless when it came to dating advice and decided to just stay quiet about the whole issue.
but jimin also knew that he was a responsible adult (he hated adulting) and that he at least needed to clear the air between him and jungkook.
after a couple days of jimin self-loathing and overthinking things and jungkook also not approaching jimin first, jimin decided it was time for him to be the responsible one and approach jungkook.
jimin sees him in his usual space. in the little park sitting near the tree. jungkook isn't alone this time. another guy sits next to jungkook. they seem to be in a heated conversation the other guy shouting something while jungkook's whole face was scrunched up in laughter. jungkook looked cute so happy and his whole body quivering with small giggles. jimin's heart panged while watching jungkook. he really was one of the cutest people jimin had ever met.
jimin took a couple steps closer wanting to ask jungkook to speak to him alone. but before jimin could even say anything, the other man next to jungkook saw jimin approach. his whole face fell and a stony expression overtook the happy one instead. jungkook at seeing his friends expression turned towards jimin and here again jimin could watch the laughter on jungkooks face fall.
it hurt more than it should.
the tall guy next to jungkook came towards jimin coming to a stop right in front of him. jimin can tell thats hes only human but still he feels threatened and lays his ears flat.
“relax kitty,” the guy responds with a more gentle tone but jimin isn't convinced in any way. he can feel his tail swish back and forth.
the guy rolls his eyes at jimin's reactions, “i just want to talk to you.”
“why?” jimin snaps.
“it's about jungkookie. now come with.” the tall man says and jimin reluctantly follows him. away from jungkook.
“who are you?” jimin asks while they walk to a more secluded corner.
“my names seokjin and im jungkooks hyung.”
“im jimin.” jimin says.
“i know.” and that's that. jimin doesn't know what he should think of seokjin or this situation.
jin comes to a stop in front of the wall of a building. he leans against the wall with one shoulder and jimin might feel just a bit intimated (he hated tall people), “so…” jimin asks.
“so.” jimin answers, “jimin ssi i'm going to be blunt. leave jungkook alone.”
“what?” jimin hadn't expected that at all. he didn't understand what he had done wrong.
jin let out a sigh, “you've hurt him. and i don't like seeing him like that. i don't know what game you're playing but just,” seokjin gestures with his hands, “so just leave him alone.”
“I don't understand what i did.” jimin whispered.
jin looked at him weirdly, “you're playing with his feelings!” seokjin sounded angry but he tried to keep it together. jimin stared at the older with wide eyes.
“i didn't do anything like that.”
jin looked at him for a moment and jimin could feel ants crawl up his arm, “what about theses ‘presents’” jin quoted with his fingers.
jimin was so confused. he had no idea what was going. literally none, “i don't understand. they were presents!”
jin stares at him again and then led out a sigh, “god, so you two are just stupid.”
jimin balled his fists, really pissed of with the conversation at this point, “listen,” jimin hissed, “I have no idea what you are talking about so either shut up or enlighten me!”
“honestly, i shouldn't since jungkook should tell you personally but..” seokjin rolled his eyes, “jungkookie is a bit shy and would never tell you from his side, especially since this seems to be a big misunderstanding.” seokjin took a step closer, “let me ask you one question.” jimin nodded, “do you like like jungkook?”
jimin fiddled with his hand and he didn't dare look into seokjin's eyes, embarrassed with the questions, “uhm…” he took in a deep breath, “i do? i-i really want to get to know him better.” jimin answered. he knew his face must be beet-red.
seokjin looked satisfied at his answer, “great. now let me tell you that kookie has had a huge crush on you since he started university.”
jimin's eyes widened, “what?”
jin nodded, “yeah, but he would never tell you and was way too shy to approach you. you two met at a party once though and well…”seokjin drifted off for a moment, “well, you didn't say some nice things behind his back and he was a bit heartbroken about it.” jimin's heart sank at seokjin's words and he had absolutely no ideas what the other man could have been referring to, “anyway, he was really surprised when you started to show interest in him… i just think he might have been interpreting your actions a bit wrongly though.” jin stared him into the eyes, “you do know that he's a bunny hybrid right?”
the amount of information jin just dumped on him was overwhelming and jimin had no idea what he was supposed to say to all of that. “i- of course i know who jungkook is but i don't understand any of this. i never talked bad about jungkook?”
“listen, i really think you should talk most of this out with jungkook but just keep in mind that bunnies are sensitive and that they get scared easily,” seokjin put a gentle hand on jimin's shoulder and jimin appreciated the gesture, “the presents you gave him… i don't know if its normal for a cat but for him it came over as if you were threatening him.”
“oh.” jimin replied, “i see.” he didn't but he had no idea what to answer.
jin gave him one more reassuring pat before he explained that he had to go back to jungkook. jimn thanked jin for his help. to many thoughts swirled in his mind, driving him crazy and jimin decided to text namjoon in order to get his thoughts straightened.
###
namjoon stared at him with open mouth and jimin whinend, “stop looking at me like that.” jimin complained
“uhm, yeah, sorry.” namjoon replied and shut his mouth, “uff jimin.”
namjoon was a human. a human very interested in social science, society and behaviorism. he studied how people interact with one another, how cultures influence a person and how that can lead to miscommunication between one another. jimin likes talking to namjoon, finds what he's studying highly interesting and that's also why jimin is here. if someone can tell jimin anything it'll be namjoon.
“please just help me out of my despair,” jimin mumbled.
“yes!” namjoon jumped up, “okay wait just-” he walked off to grab his laptop from the desk and then flung himself down next to jimin again, “here. i just want to make sure that i've got everything right you know?”
namjoon typed something onto his computer and jimin watched him silently. jins words from earlier today were running through his mind and jimin really had no idea what to do or what he even did. namjoon was his last option of friend left that could adequately help him. namjoon let out a ‘aha’ and looked at jimin, “found it.” jimin scooted closer to look at namjoons screen. it was a scientific report but there were to many words and no headlines so jimin could not scan what namjoon was looking at.
“see jimin, your mistake was that you assumed jungkook would know about your culture and behaviour.” namjoon started, “you said you gave him lunch as present and it was meat, right?”
“right.” jimin answered
“bunnies don't eat meat. they are plant eaters and the same applies to jungkook.” namjoon continues, “the fact that you gave him meat . a dead animal, close to his kind is very insensitive jiminie and could even be perceived as a threat.”
“oh,” jimin said. he felt so stupid once namjoon said it out loud like that. he totally forgot that jungkook was a bunny and must have had other rituals and customs then him.
“oh god.” jimin whispered out shocked once he remembered what exactly jimin gave jungkook, “i made him chicken… chicken and rabbits tend to hang out well together.” jimin felt like crying, he felt so insensitive, especially considering that rabbit hybrids and bird hybrids have been advocating for a ban on that kind of meat because they consider it unethical and a threat against their kind.
“what the fuck.” jimin whispered again, “i'm so stupid.”
namjoon put a comforting hand onto his back, “jimin, it happens. yeah it is a bit stupid but you have a crush and had good intentions.”
“jungkook must think i'm a total asshole,” jimin whinend.
namjoon was quite for a while and jimin opened his eyes to look at namjoon who was biting his lips and looked uncomfortable. jimin knew what it meant, “just tell me what else i did wrong.” jimin whispered.
namjoon gulped and looked back to his computer, “well, jimin-ah. you said the second gift was a collar right?” jimin whined, “see under cats this is one of the highest praise. it means commitment, possession but also pride. you wear your collar with pride and it signals that you are happily taken. cats hate collars usually but wearing it shows trust.” jimin nodded. collars were not worn on a normal day, because they can feel uncomfortable. it's more worn for very formal occasions, family gatherings or inside a house. his mothers had given each other collars and though jimin did not see them wear them often, they did wear them for anniversaries or other family gatherings.
“okay so how did jungkook misunderstand this one?” jimin said and was already ready for shame and embarrassment to wash over him.
“bunnies used to be hold captive with collars, especially by predators. it's a symbol of slavery and captivity.” namjoon says flatly.
“you're telling me. not only did i give jungkook meat which shows him aggression and his dead friends but i also gave him a present that signalled slavery of his kind?” jimin said. he felt… he had no idea how he felt. he felt sick with himself for not at least researching before. he felt upset that he was so insensitive and angry that jungkook had to deal with him.
“jimin, listen. bunny-hybrids are very rare and we don't get educated on these things in high school unfortunately,” namjoon began trying to comfort him but nothing would really easy jimin's mind until he apologized to jungkook, “and you obviously had good intentions. if you apologize and explain yourself to jungkook i bet he would understand.”
“i fucked up so badly this can't be real.” jimin cried out. what must jungkook be thinking about him?
“it'll pass jimin. i know jungkook. he's a nice guy, i bet he understands.” namjoon said.
“how can i make it up to him?” jimin asks. its his priority at the moment.
“apologize and explain, i think those two are the most important things. rabbits are a bit timid and shy. you should give jungkook time to trust you and feel comfortable around you. go out with him etc.” namjoon explained.
jimin nodded. he knew he would have to read up on jungkook's kind a bit more to understand what he liked and what was important to the younger. jimin really wanted to fix this, maybe jungkook didn't like him or had no interest to date jimin but jimin could never forgive himself if he didn't explain the misunderstanding.
###
jimin saw jungkook again under the tree. he was alone this time which jimin was thankful for. jimin took a deep breath, clutched the paper in his pocket, where he wrote down everything he meant to say to jungkook and then walked over. he tried to make himself a bit smaller, tried to seem more unthreatening. jimin never took into consideration that him being a cat hybrid could set jungkook on edge.
“uhm jungkook?” jimin announced his presence. jungkook looked up and jimin could see that the younger looked a bit uncomfortable, “hey, can i speak to you for a bit.” jimin ran his a hand through his hair, “i want to apologize about some things and just want to, you know, clear some misunderstandings.” jimin smiled shyly at jungkook and hoped the younger would say yes.
“uhm sure,” jungkook put his stuff to the side, “please sit down hyung.”
hes so polite and kind.
jimins heart clenched painfully. jungkook was such a kind person, even after everything that happend. jimin sat down, making sure to leave some space between him and jungkook.
“im sorry i'm disturbing you again, while studying” jimin chuckled quietly. he took out his paper, scanning the words that he wanted to say to jungkook in order to not miss anything. he felt so nervous. “uhm the reason why i am here is because i wanted to bring up some misunderstandings between us that my hyungs have made me aware of.” jimin began. jungkook was looking at him with bright, curious eyes. it made jimin relax a bit.
“i didn't read up about you and your roots jungkook and i,” jimin vice became quite, “i gave you things that were insensitive and shameful. i apologize. i never mean to make you uncomfortable or give you the wrong idea. i gave you the food and the collar because under cats its consider gifts of high importance and when you care for another person.” jimin blushed a bit t his words. jungkook was still listening quietly, “i didn't know what they could mean to you and i know now that i made you uncomfortable. i'm really sorry. i hope you can accept my apology and the only thing that i wanted to achieve with this is to make sure you know that i never meant to hurt you.” jimin breathed out and some of the tension left his body.
jungkook was quite next to him until the younger left out a sigh, “thank you for telling me and i..i'm not angry.” jungkook began, “i was at first, well more hurt then angry but i talked to my hyung. yoongi. he's also a cat-hybrid and he explained to me what you were trying to tell me.” jimin's heart pounded widely in his chest and he could feel his cheeks blush again. “i didn't know they symbolized that, jimin-hyung. when i found out i felt very flattered and i- well, what i want to say that i must have hurt your feelings too, by rejecting you every time when you only wanted to ask me out.” jungkook said. jimin had to push tears away, he didn't feel like crying but he just felt so touched . touched that jungkook despite everything still went out of his way to ask what jimin meant and then also apologized.
jimin wanted to desperately ask, if maybe jungkook still wants to go on a date but the situation didn't feel right and jimin was scared, so scared, that after everything jungkook will decline. jungkook is the one to break the tension, “i just have one question,” jungkook began, “why did you say that on the party?”
jimin looked up having no idea, what jungkook was talking about, “the party?”
jungkook was fiddling with his hands nervously and jimin wished he could take jungkook's hands into his, “yeah, a couple weeks ago, we were at the same party. you were really wasted.” jungkook looked up. jimin thinks he remembers what part it was. he had drank pretty badly that one night, “and well i overheard you speak to someone. they asked you if you like me and you denied and said i was just… yummy.” jungkook blushed brightly at the words and jimin couldn't help but do the same. he knew now what jungkook was talking about.
“no! you misunderstand.” jimin shouted out, “i was embarrassed. i didn't even think you knew who i was and oh god,” jimin closed his eyes, “i didn't know the person well and they just asked me. i denied because i was embarrassed and didn't want to admit that i have a crush on you in front of a stranger. shit spreads fast, you know.” jimin answered.
“you have a crush on me?” jungkook asked with wide eyes.
“i mean, yeah… i thought me being here and the presents would have indicated that, “jimin mumbled.
“oh, yeah, right i forgot about them for a moment,” jungkook laughed awkwardly. “so you didn't mean it?” jungkook asked again with hopeful eyes.
“no jungkook, i didn't mean that. im sorry.” jimin apologize again.
“and,” jungkook began again, “you didn't mean anything bad with the presents either, right?” jungkook asked again his eyes wide.
jimin thought, fuck it, and took jungkook's hands into his. he wanted to reassure the younger so badly “no jungkookie, i'm so sorry i made you think that. i never meant any of that and i'm so sorry you thought that. i can't apologize enough for my mistake.” jimin reassured the younger.
jungkook laughed, a bright smile finally making space on his face. jimin smiled to, “well, hyung. since i misunderstood you the first time, i will accept your presents.” jungkook said with a bright smile.
“huh? what?” jimin asked and shook his head, “no jungkookie. please let's forget that happened. or not forget but just.. ugh,” jimin gathered his thoughts, “i don't want that coming between us and it was insensitive so why don't we just.. start again?” jimin suggested.
jungkook smiled, “i would like that.”
jimins heart fluttered and his tail was high, “im so happy!” jimin smiled brightly and his whole body vibrated, he wanted to shake himself, release all the positive energy, “do you want to go to a restaurant with me? there is a nice vegan one in itaewon.” jimin had googled all vegan places in seoul so he could take jungkook there. he wanted to make sure the younger didn't feel threatened and now knowing the whole story behind meat-eating and its symbolism jimin decided to cut down on meat to.
“i would love to hyung.” jungkook answered and smiled brightly. jimins heart melted at the sight and he knew everything would work out.