Chapter Text
White.
The first thing Jungkook noticed as he took in his surroundings, was the overwhelming amount of white. White lamps hung from white ceilings, white flowers adorned white walls which were covered by rack after rack of white dresses and suits. Dresses covered in lace, rhinestones, tulle and diamonds. Everything about this place screamed luxury and extravagance, and he had never felt more out of place in his life.
He glanced at Sooyoung by his side and saw her wide eyes beaming with joy and excitement at the sights in front of her. She was most certainly the only person who could convince Jungkook to step into this kind of shop; she was his best friend after all, and there was practically nothing he wouldn't do to make her happy. Sooyoung, noticing Jungkook's glance, shot him a bright smile and grabbed his hand as they approaced the front desk with the rest of the entourage trailing behind.
Finally something black, Jungkook thought to himself as he noted the smiling receptionist's black dress and suit jacket. As he peered further into the location he noticed several other employees milling around, all in black clothes and decided black must be part of their dress code in an attempt to let the brides-to-be really shine in their white gowns. To him it seemed rather silly, as the black dressed employees stood out far more among all the whiteness.
"Ah yes Miss Ha, come right along, our consultant is ready for you!" The receptionist's cheery voice brought Jungkook to the present situation and followed Sooyoung further into the shop, lead by the receptionist.
"Hey Kook," Taehyung walked up next to him nudging his side, "Can you at least try to pretend thar you are enjoying this? You know how important it is to Soo, and a smile really wouldn't hurt."
Jungkook turned to Taehyung, showing him the fakest smile he could muster, which earned him an eyeroll from the other boy.
"You're impossible." He muttered as the entourage arrived at their assigned area which included a lavish white couch in front of a small patio facing a gold and white rimmed full-length mirror.
As they took their seats on the couch, Sooyoung sitting on a chair next to them, Jungkook heard a bright and cheerful voice,
"Hello! I am so pleased to meet you all!"
Jungkook turned to the source of the voice and was met with a very pretty sight. A young man, probably his age he assumed, wearing a sleek black suit and a smile that made his face glow. His blonde hair was styled simplistic but to perfection and even though he looked a tad short, his pose and the way he carried himself made him seem a lot taller. They all greeted him briefly before he focused on Sooyoung,
"And you must be Miss Ha? My name is Park Jimin, and I will be your consultant today!"
Jungkook wondered if this Park Jimin always talked with such enthusiasm, or if it was simply his work default. Sooyoung was looking at Jimin with bright eyes as she shook his hand and replied,
"Oh I know who you are... I mean... I have heard about you and I requested you personally, I really couldn't imagine anyone else help me find my wedding dress Mr. Park." Jimin brought his hand to his chest in a touched pose and smiled brightly,
"Well I am very honoured then, and I will do everything I can to make sure you find the perfect dress! And please call me Jimin."
Was everyone at this place so... Jimin-like? Jungkook thought to himself, having a hard time finding the words to describe the young man, but he was certainly different from anyone else he had ever encountered.
"So who have you brought with you today, Miss Ha?"
"Well, first of all my best friend for, like, ever Jeon Jungkook!"
Sooyoung put her hand on Jungkook's shoulder as Jimin's focus landed on him, his eyebrows rising so briefly that Jungkook wasn't actually sure if it happened.
"His opinion is very important to me," Sooyoung went on, "so he is the one you want to please!"
Her tone was joking and Jimin replied with an equally joking tone,
"Well I will do my best to satisfy you then."
Jungkook could have sworn he saw Jimin smirk, but Sooyoung moved on so quickly that he couldn't be sure and he was left a bit baffled. Sooyoung went on to introduce Taehyung - good friend from uni, work colleague and the wedding planner, her sister Nayeon, future sister-in-law Soyeon and future brother-in-law Changbin. When Sooyoung initially told Jungkook who would be joining them at the apointment, he had questioned if it was really necessary to bring 5 people, thinking that so many opinions could make it diffucult for her to stay focused. Sooyoung, however, had assured him that she had thought it all through and picked only people with the best sense of style, who were also aware of what she would want to wear on her big day. And then of course Jungkook. She had added the last bit slightly teasingly, but it wasn't really a secret that Jungkook wasn't exactly a fashionista or even cared about being one. That was what the others were there for, and everyone knew Jungkook was mainly invited because of his best friend status. He and Sooyoung had practically grown up together, and stayed best friends for all these years, been through thick and thin and Sooyoung never made any important decisions without Jungkook's opinion or advice.
"So, when is the big day?" Jimin asked, still with a smile plastered on his face.
Sooyoung lit up at the question as she always did, when it came to talking about her wedding,
"April 6th! We're having an outdoor wedding, and I have always wanted to get married among the cherry blossoms in full bloom." Jimin smiled widely his eyes disappearing,
"How romantic! I'm sure you will outdo their beauty though!" Jungkook resisted the urge to roll his eyes at this Jimin's overly cheesiness, but figured he knew what he was signing up for, when he agreed to come.
"Well then!" Jimin exclaimed after they discussed which sort of dress Sooyoung had in mind, "Miss Ha, if you will please follow me to the changing rooms, let's find you a dress!"
*
Jimin led Sooyoung to her assigned changing room, to have the traditional "get-to-know-the-bride" talk, before taking on the challenge of finding her perfect dress. The wedding shop where he worked didn't usually take personal requests for specific consultants, but as Jimin was told by his boss, Sooyoung came from quite an influential family in the business world, and it would be in the shop's best interest to cater to her wishes. Also Jimin couldn't deny that he was flattered to be requested by someone as fashionable, and apparently important, as Sooyoung. It wasn't the first time someone insisted on seeing him, but it still surprised him that he had "fans" as his coworkers called them. It definitely wasn't what he expected, when he left his hometown to pursue his true passion.
"So, tell me a little about the wedding!" Jimin started with the first obligatory question, and he loved when brides were as enthusiastic about Sooyoung, with a clear vision for their wedding and dress.
"Well, my fiancé's name is Kim Jiwoo, and she is just... amazing." Jimin noticed how Sooyoung's expression was so soft and fond as she told the story of how she and Jiwoo met, their relationship and of course the proposal.
"We're getting married at The Shilla," Jimin's eyes widened slightly, but figured he shouldn't be surprised considering Sooyoung's family's status and... well, they were obviously rich.
"It's a rather big wedding, so of course everything has to perfect, which I totally entrust Taehyung to make sure of. With my help and advice of course!"
"And your fiancé?" Jimin enquired, "Is she a part of the planning committee? You know we do sometimes have both brides come in and buy the dresses together, but I assume you're keeping it traditional, with the whole no seeing each other's dresses before the wedding?"
Sooyoung let out a small sigh but still smiled as she replied,
"Well, the traditional part, yes but also... Jiwoo isn't as much into the whole planning thing as I am. I think if it was up to her, we would just elope to some small beach with a few friends." Sooyoung giggled and blushed slightly before going on, "Not that she minds the whole big, extravagant, hotel wedding but she is a bit more simpleminded. She of course gives her insight and advice but she really leaves the decisions to me and Taehyung, as she says she just wants me to be happy on our big day, and that's enough for her. Also she will actually be wearing a suit, and I know she will look absolutely stunning no matter what!"
Jimin couldn't help but smile at the obvious affection Sooyoung showed, while talking about her fiancé. It was one of the favorite parts of his job, being surrounded by love and happiness all day long.
"So about the dress, you mentioned a favorite designer... Hayley Paige, was it?"
Sooyoung pulled out a few printed pictures and handed them to Jimin,
"Yes, I really love her style! These are some past designs that I fell in love with, and they really suit what I have in mind."
"And your entourage?" Jimin asked, as he skimmed through the photos, pleased to have some visual aid, "Are they on board with your vision? The last thing we want, is for any of them to discourage or confuse you. Sometimes friends might be too caught up in their own ideas of how they think you should look, rather than how you want to look. The most important are your wishes. It's your big day, so remember that."
Jimin had experienced far too many appointments gone wrong, with brides in tears because their friends and family were too caught in their own wishes and ideas. Quite a few of the times, it seemed that parents thought they had the right to decide, since they were paying for the dress. Jimin saw that as selfish thinking. Sooyoung had informed him that although her parents were paying for most of the wedding, her and Jiwoo were paying for their own outfits. She also told Jimin that if that hadn't been the case, her parents would have been on board with whatever she wanted. Jimin was slightly worried, since Sooyoung had so many people with her, and too many opinions could sometimes be the downfall.
"Oh you have nothing to worry about," she assured him, "everyone I have brought know exactly what type of dress I want, and as you maybe could tell, their fashion senses align quite well with mine."
She was right, Jimin thought. All her friends were fashionably dressed and seemed to match Sooyoung's style. All except one.
"And your best friend... Jungkook was it?"
"Ah yes, Jungkook," Sooyoung flashed a knowing smile, "I know he isn't exactly a fashion forward type of guy, but I really value his opinion, plus he knows me better than anyone else, even my own sister. And he always has my best interests at heart. We are best friends after all."
Jimin smiled. "Well then you just wait right here, and I will be back in a minute with some dresses!" He exclaimed excitedly and left her to go in his search.
He could only hope Sooyoung was right.
*
"Wow! You look positively gorgeous!" Jimin exclaimed truthfully as Sooyoung had put on the first dress.
It was a beautiful ivory, v-neck ballgown with floral lace, a corset bodice and a draped skirt, and Sooyoung really did look stunning.
"So this is a Henry Roth gown," Jimin explained as he adjusted the straps,
"I have brought some Hayley Paige as well, but this one just stood out to me, especially because the bodice and v-back really compliments your figure, and obviously it has this really beautiful lace applique, since I noticed most of your pictures featured lace."
Sooyoung smiled at her reflection in the mirror, and Jimin could tell right away that she loved the dress, but it wasn't THE dress. However, she still wanted to show it to the others, so they could get a general idea of what she wanted. Besides brides rarely chose the very first dress they tried on. Jimin did have a dress in mind that he felt would be her dress, but he was saving it for last. As soon as he had seen her pictures, that particular dress had popped up in his head, and he was usually right about these sort of things. He couldn't wait to show it to her, but he knew that brides would usually feel more sure about a dress, if they had tried on a few others beforehand.
"Well, let's get you out there then!" Sooyoung flashed a wide smile and took a hold of Jimins arm, as he lead her out to the main room, turning heads of everyone they walked by.
"Just imagine how handsome he will look, walking down the aisle with his bride some day."
Jimin heard one of his younger co-workers whisper to another, and couldn't help but smile a bit, wondering if that day would ever come, although he couldn't help but cringe a bit at the word "bride". Almost all of his coworkers knew that he was bisexual, but some om them seemed to refuse to acknowledge the fact, that he might end up with a man. Jimin still didn't understand why so many of his coworkers seemed so invested in his love life, or lack thereof, but decided to just let them. He just wished, that they would at least take his sexuality into consideration.
"See how everyone is staring at you?" Jimin whispered to Sooyoung who just now seemed to realize how many eyes were on her, yet she seemed to enjoy the attention.
"That's usually a good sign!" Jimin added giving her arm a little squeeze.
"Or a very bad sign, depending on why they are staring." Sooyoung replied, earning her an eyeroll from her consultant,
"I assure you, with the way you look in this dress... those are stares of admiration!"
"Well, I'm really more concerned about their opinions." Sooyoung nodded towards her group of friends and family, who now all turned their heads gasping at the sight of the bride-to-be.
*
"So Park Jimin is sure cute huh?"
Jimin and Sooyoung had barely even left, before Nayeon was commenting on the consultant's looks. Jungkook rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. Taehyung however did not.
"Oh please Nayeon, we are here to find Sooyoung a dress, not find you a husband!" He scoffed.
"Who said anything about husband? I simply stated he is cute, because hello I have eyes! And did you see that ass? I mean even if Sooyoung doesn't find her dress today, at least one of us shouldn't leave emptyhanded." Nayeon smirked, playfully flicking her hair.
Soyeon chuckled, while Taehyung started ranting about how all Nayeon ever talked about was boys, boys, boys and couldn't she ever just focus on the task at hand.
"I think he's gay." Changbin suddenly spoke up, and they all turned to him curiously.
"What makes you think that?" Taehyung asked a slight edge to his voice, as if he already knew what Changbin would say.
"I don't know," he shrugged, "I just got a vibe. Also he works as a bridal dress consultant -"
"And you work with fashion," Soyeon interrupted her brother, "doesn't make you any less straight."
"Honestly Bin, that is so stereotypical!" Taehyung added. "For all we know, he could be bisexual."
"Or straight as a ruler." Nayeon chirped in
"Hell, maybe he's fucking ace!" Jungkook finally joined, getting a headache from their mindless bickering. "God, does it even matter what his sexual orientation is? Can you all just shut up for one second?"
The group widened their eyes in surprise at Jungkooks sudden outburst, but quieted down. Taehyung was the only one who spoke,
"You should probably check your attitude before Sooyoung gets back, I swear you better not ruin this day for her!"
"Sooyoung is my best friend!" Jungkook replied annoyed at Taehyung's assumption, "I'm the last person who wants to see her upset, I just couldn't care less about the sexuality of some overly enthusiastic bridal consultant."
Jungkook hadn't noticed that none of the others heard what he had just said, as they had all turned their heads and were staring at someone else. He turned his head in the direction, they were all staring, and his eyes widened at the sight.
*
" So... what do you all think?" Sooyoung addressed her friends, with a bright smile, shining in her white gown.
Jimin turned to them expectantly, pleased with all the smiles on their faces. Well, all of them except one.
"You look so beautiful."
"That dress is gorgeous"
"You're stunning, babe!"
Sooyoung smiled at the compliments coming in, but was staring at the one person, whose opinion really mattered. Everyone now turned to Jungkook, waiting for his judgement. He was looking at Sooyoung, with a blank expression and Jimin's smile faltered for the first time that day, at what he said,
"I don't like it."
The area suddenly went silent, and everyone's smiles vanished as an awkward silence took over for a few seconds, even though it seemed like hours.
"You... don't like it?" Jimin spoke up before anyone else had the chance.
Jungkook just shrugged as a reply, and Jimin had a sudden urge to punch him. However, it wasn't the first time he dealed with diffucult customers, so he simply put his smile back on, as he asked as calm as possible,
"Could you maybe be more specific as to what it is you don't like? Just so we know, what we should watch out for in the next dress."
Jungkook was silent for a moment, just staring at Sooyoung before he finally replied,
"The whole look. It's... boring i guess. Too... normal, too basic, too traditional. Nothing at all like Sooyoung."
Sooyoung listened to Jungkook, and turned to Jimin with a he-has-a-point look.
The rest of the company stayed silent but a few of them nodded in agreement, at what Jungkook had said.
"I see," Jimin looked at Sooyoung once again, and couldn't help but agree with Jungkook a little bit,
"And Sooyoung? Do you agree with Jungkook? Your opinion is the most important." Taehyung said, intent on not letting Jungkook's opnion hold higher value than Sooyoung's.
"Well now that I really look at it," Sooyoung replied running her fingers over the fabric, "I guess he's right. I mean it's a lovely dress, but I guess it doesn't really have that wow-factor I'm going for."
She looked at Jimin apologetically and he was quick to speak up,
"Oh well, that it no problem at all! To be honest, I would be surprised if you picked the first dress. Let's get you back in there then, we have more beautiful dresses to show you all, and I am pretty confident The One is in there!"
*
As Jimin helped Sooyoung put on the next dress - a Hayley Paige blush-pink off-the-shoulder, floral embroidered ball gown, with a draped tulle sleeve - he couldn't help but think about what Jungkook had said. Well it wasn't so much what he said, as the way he said it. He was so cold and passive in his way of speaking, and barely even gave the dress a chance before deciding that he "didn't like it". Jimin hoped it was just a one time thing, and that this next dress would cause a little more enthusiam in Sooyoung's best friend.
*
"You look like a child playing dress up."
Jimin's jaw dropped at Jungkook's words, and it was clear that everyone else was surprised as they all turned to Jungkook, Taehyung glaring daggers at the younger boy. Jimin had dealt with people not agreeing with the dresses, but they usually weren't that harsh in their choice of words.
"Is it really that bad?" Sooyoung asked looking at herself in the mirror, now sightly less happy with the dress she was wearing.
"It's pink - " Jungkook started, but was interrupted by Jimin,
"It's actually a light blush."
Jungkook glared shortly at Jimin before he went on,
"It's pink, and the tulle sleeves... I don't know. It has childish writting all over it in my opinion."
"Well... Back to the dressing room then." Jimin found it harder and harder to keep up the cheery facade.
*
Jungkook wasn't happy about the next dress either, even though Jimin had been sure everyone would love it, since Sooyoung had fallen in love with it instantly. According to Jungkook, the top part didn't match the bottom part of the dress. Jimin had almost lost it at that comment, and he could tell that Taehyung wanted to rip Jungkook's head off. However Jimin just knew that this last dress was the one. It wasn't basic, or traditional or boring and definitely not childish. It was more blush than white, but it wasn't as pink as the second dress. Sooyoung was admiring her self in the highneck, sleeveless ballgown with an open back and tiered skirt. This one didn't have lace but it did have embroidery and was a gorgeous mixture of silk and organza. She turned to Jimin with a big smile on her face. He looked at her questioningly and she simply nodded, as he took her arm to lead her out to the group once again.
*
As soon as the group saw Sooyoung they all stared open-mouthed, and followed her steps all the way up to the podium. Jimin noticed quite a few other people in the shop staring in awe as well.
"So this a Hayley Paige dress. Well within the budget of course." Jimin stated, taking in everyone's expressions for a moment, before finally landing on Jungkook.
"Honestly Soo, I think this is the one." Taehyung exclaimed, everyone else nodding along in agreement.
"I gotta say, "Changbin spoke up, "That is probably the most beautiful dress I have ever seen, in all the years I have worked with fashion."
"How do you feel about it babe?" Nayeon asked her sister, who just stood there beaming,
"I love it! I mean... it's beautiful and it just feels so right." Her eyes landed on Jungkook as soon as she had finished speaking.
At first he had an unreadable expression, but eventually he smiled slightly as he said,
"It's nice... definitelty better than the others," he glanced sideways at Jimin, "but is it perfect? Eh..."
Eh? What the hell was that supposed to mean.
"Do you not think it is perfect for her?" Jimin asked trying to contain himself.
"Like I said, it is a lovely dress... I mean I'm sure you did the best you could, but no I don't think it is perfect."
Jimin felt his vein throbbing at the snide remark, but remembered that this wasn't about him. It was about Sooyoung and he now turned to her, instantly saddening at the disappointed expression on her face.
"Don't listen to Jungkook, Soo!" Taehyung exclaimed, ignoring the glare he earned from the other boy,
"You look fabolous in that dress, and he is out of his mind if he doesn't think it is perfect."
Sooyoung smiled slightly, but Jimin could see the doubt on her face now.
"Look, my best friend is getting married. I have her best intentions at heart, and of course I want her to look perfect. Maybe this is the most perfect dress there is... in this shop." Jungkook directed his comment at Jimin, who just stood there unable to say any of the things he really wanted. Jungkook was a customer, and customerservice was vital in Jimin's line of work.
Jimin instead turned to Sooyoung, who was now looking at herself, doubt taking over all her features.
"I guess this isn't the dress then."
***
Jimin had experienced brides leaving the store without a dress before, but it was very rare, especially for him. There was a reason wny people asked for him specifically, and he took very much bride in his fashion expertise, and ability to read anyone's individual style within seconds. When Sooyoung left wihtout a dress the day before, he had been upset. He was sad on her behalf, disappointed in himself for not finding the perfect dress, and mad at Jungkook for making his best friend sad on such a important day. "I have her best intentions at heart, he had said, but how could that be when he obviously didn't see how much she loved that dress? Jimin hoped she would come back, as most brides did. Their time had run out, but there were still months to the wedding, and she would still be in need of a dress. Jimin couldn't help but think at all the small comments Jungkook had made, clearly directed at him. Everyone who came into the shop usually loved him and his bright attitude and optimism, so he had no idea why Jungkook seemed to have something against him.
All these thoughts fought in Jimin's head on his way to work, and by the time he entered his usual coffee shop, he had worked up quite a resentment towards Jungkook.
"Jimin! Good morning!" Hoseok greeted Jimin, who groaned at his cheerfulness.
Hoseok was Jimins good friend, and also the manager and a barista at Jimins favorite coffee shop. Every day before work Jimin would come in for his usual coffee and talk to Hoseok about the appointments he was looking forward to, and after work he would come in and tell Hoseok all about those appointments.
"What's with the face, Min?" Hoseok asked leaning over the counter, after reaching Jimin his usual Americano.
"Still thinking about that annoying cutie from yesterday?"
Okay, so maybe Jimin had let it slip that Jungkook was quite cute. Just because he was difficult and obnoxious, didn't mean that Jimin could ignore that he was good looking. Not that it even mattered. Jimin saw beautiful people every day.
"His name is Jungkook, not cutie," Jimin replied, "and yes. I can't help it, Hoseok! He clearly insulted my expertise!"
"Did he actually directly insult it?" Hoseok asked doubtfully.
"Well not directly... but he didn't like any of the dresses, even the most beautiful one!" Jimin whined
"And he was so arrogant about it, and cold. I have no idea how someone as sweet as Sooyoung could be best friends with him."
"Well at least he was cute." Hoseok wiggled his eyebrows, and Jimin simply glared at him while sipping his coffee.
"Speaking of cuties... take a look at that!" Hoseok nodded towards the door, in which two customers had just stepped, and Jimin turned around instantly turning back again.
"That's him!" He exclaimed in a whisper.
"Wh...who... Jungkook? The tall handsome guy?" Hoseok asked still stealing glances, at the two young boys who were clearly bickering.
"No, that's his friend Taehyung! Jungkook is the shorter, annoying one!"
Hoseok rolled his eyes, asking Jimin how someone could look anooying, now blatanly staring as Taehyung placed both their orders.
"Well... go ahead then," Hoseok urged him, "give him a piece of your mind."
Hoseok was clearly teasing Jimin, knowing him well enough but Jimin had been so annoyed with Jungkook that for once he didn't wan to hold back. For once, he wouldn't just keep it in and let it gnaw at him. For once, he would let the customer know that they weren't always right.
"You know what, Hoseok? I will!" Jimin exclaimed, getting up from his stool and walking towards Jungkook as Hoseok looked at him with an amused expression, ready for this morning's entertainment.
***