Work Text:
INT. PLAIN WHITE ROOM - NEITHER NIGHT NOR DAY
The room is small. The floor and all of the four walls are white. The room is completely empty.
Suddenly, one of the four walls changes colour to a deep violet. Mirrors of all sizes and shapes accompany this change, covering the full length of the newly coloured wall. Some mirrors are oval, others rectangular or square or even circular. Their frames are made out of all sorts of precious metals and some even covered in priceless gems. They reflect the sourceless light that illuminates the room.
In the middle, a white table appears with a gold handheld mirror on top of it. A single white chair with a purple plush velvet seat appears beside it.
MAN #1 enters the room. He is dressed in fine black silk and velvet robes that grace the floor and silver jewels, his outfit a mix of sophicastion and practicality. His tanned chest is exposed and the skin contrasts the silver that hangs from his neck. He walks with a head held high and an erect posture, that compliments his strong and tall figure. He strides to the chair and sits on it. He checks his reflection in the handheld mirror with a face of neutrality. The room is then silent.
Minutes later, a large sofa with colourful cushions and blankets appears on the other side of the white table. Half the purple wall becomes covered in a blue, fleece like material that is soft to the touch. There is a sharp line separating the two halves.
The door opens and MAN #2 walks in. He is dressed in a white loose shirt with a red and black fluffy sleeveless sweater overtop. He wears loose black trousers that hang gracelessly from his hips and black slip-on shoes. The man does everything in an overly slow manner. He always speaks very slowly, often drawing out his sentences. His whole body moves and works with lethargy. He silently and slowly steps to the sofa and sits down, slowly covering himself with the blanket and placing one of the cushions on his lap.
Both men don’t look at each other, even though they are both dying to do so.
MAN #1
*hesitant, cold*
So, you actually came?
Man #2 smiles lazily. He blinks slowly and takes a moment to open his lips before speaking.
MAN #2
Yes. I’m surprised you came.
Man #1 looks at Man #2 with a raised eyebrow.
MAN #1
Why?
MAN #2
I dunno know. Seems like something you’d do
A moment of silence goes by. MAN #1 almost reaches for the mirror again but stops himself, his hand already halfway there. MAN #2 leans his head against the back of the sofa and almost falls asleep but stops himself, blinking fast.
MAN #1
*hard*
So.
MAN #2
*yawning*
So.
MAN #1
What do you want to talk about?
MAN #2
*slow and slurred*
Me? You’re the one that wanted to talk.
MAN #1
No, you’re definitely the one that wanted us to meet here to talk.
MAN #2
No, you’re most definitely the one-
Unexpectedly, a note flies in through the gap at the bottom of the door. After Man #1 and Man #2 look at each other and Man #2, who is nearer the door shows no signs of getting up, Man #1 rolls his eyes and stands to get the note that now lays on the floor.
He picks it up and reads over it. He rolls his eyes, hands it to MAN #2 and huffs, sitting back down on his chair.
MAN #2
*reading note out loud*
To Namjoon and Seokjin. We have witnessed your issues the last few weeks. We are sick and tired of both of you and the only way to sort out your issues is to talk. Please sort it out.
NAMJOON
I can’t believe they did that.
SEOKJIN
*lazy smile*
I can. And to be honest, they’ve done worse.
NAMJOON
*crossing his arms and frowning*
We don’t even have anything to talk about.
Seokjin stares at Namjoon
SEOKJIN
We don’t?
NAMJOON
No. We don’t.
SEOKJIN
So, if I were to walk through that door and leave, you wouldn’t mind.
NAMJOON
No. I wouldn’t.
A silent moment passes by. Seokjin continues staring at Namjoon. Namjoon doesn’t meet his eyes.
SEOKJIN
*softly*
You’re lying.
NAMJOON
Who says I am?
SEOKJIN
Your eyes.
Namjoon turns to face Seokjin. Seokjin and Namjoon stare at each other, Seokjin’s eyes softening.
SEOKJIN
You don’t really want me to leave, do you?
NAMJOON
It’s up to you really.
Seokjin sighs and slowly closes his eyes.
SEOKJIN
When you decide to stop being so stubborn, wake me up. I should be able to get a lengthy nap.
Namjoon sighs. He looks at the wall and sighs again. He begins bouncing his thigh up and down impatiently. He sighs a third time and decides to give in.
NAMJOON
Okay then, fine, I think we should talk.
Seokjin doesn’t answer.
NAMJOON
Seokjin?
Namjoon stares at Seokjin for a long moment, both admiring how peaceful and casually beautiful he looks and also realising he fell asleep.
Namjoon hits the table repeatedly to wake Seokjin up. Seokjin wakes up with a start.
NAMJOON
*annoyed, crossing his arms*
I can’t believe you fell asleep so quickly.
SEOKJIN
*rubbing his eyes*
I’m sloth. What do you want from me?
Seokjin stretches and sits up, taking his time to look at Namjoon up and down.
SEOKJIN
Okay, so are you ready to talk?
Namjoon bites the inside of his cheek, clenches his jaw and shrugs.
NAMJOON
Sure.
Seokjin sighs. He fiddles with the cushion in his arms.
SEOKJIN
*even slower than usual*
I wanted to ask you something to begin with.
Namjoon looks at Seokjin with curiosity in his eyes.
SEOKJIN
*even slower*
Are you- are you and Taehyung a thing?
NAMJOON
Why would we be?
SEOKJIN
Well- you guys flirt a lot.
NAMJOON
Taehyung flirts with everyone.
SEOKJIN
He doesn’t flirt with me.
NAMJOON
That’s because he’s stupid.
Seokjin and Namjoon stare at each other.
NAMJOON
Well I- you know what I mean.
SEOKJIN
Do I?
NAMJOON
Stop answering everything I say with rhetorical questions.
SEOKJIN
*a little more awake*
You started it.
NAMJOON
How did I start it-
SEOKJIN
You just did it.
NAMJOON
I didn’t do anything-
SEOKJIN
Look, this isn’t going to work if we keep going like this. Just answer the question.
Namjoon sighs. He lets his posture relax a little but keeps his arms crossed.
NAMJOON
No, me and Taehyung aren’t a thing.
Seokjin slowly nods.
SEOKJIN
Okay, cool.
Namjoon resists the urge to look at himself in the mirror. He bites his lip and finally speaks.
NAMJOON
Are- are you and Jungkook a- a thing ?
The words force Seokjin to straighten up and become more alert to his surroundings. His speech and mannerisms also become faster than usual.
SEOKJIN
What? No! Why would we be?
NAMJOON
I don’t know! You two have been talking a lot lately, more than before, so I assumed-
SEOKJIN
Yeah well, there’s a reason for that. And it’s not that we’re together.
Namjoon stares at Seokjin.
NAMJOON
Then what’s the reason?
SEOKJIN
I don’t have to tell you.
NAMJOON.
No, you don’t. But isn’t it why we’re even here?
A pause. Seokjin keeps fiddling with his fingers. Namjoon stares at Seokjin.
SEOKJIN
*sighing, back to slow*
I thought Jungkook could help me with my problem.
A pause.
NAMJOON
And did he?
SEOKJIN
I- I’m not sure. Maybe.
Another pause.
NAMJOON
What was the problem?
Seokjin stares at Namjoon. Namjoon holds his gaze. Seokjin smiles shyly and rubs his arms.
SEOKJIN
*hesitant*
Have you ever- have you ever felt something you’ve never felt before?
Namjoon’s eyes widen and he breaks his gaze away from Seokjin. He clears his throat.
NAMJOON
*flushed*
I- I don’t want to answer that.
Seokjin blinks and sighs again. Namjoon can see from the corner of his eye how handsome Seokjin looks with the brown hair falling over his soft eyes. Namjoon lets himself, just for a second, fantasise about petting his hair.
SEOKJIN
Well, I have. And I thought Jungkook could help me figure it out.
NAMJOON
And- and what were you feeling?
SEOKJIN
*straightforward*
Envy. Jealousy. At least that’s what Jungkook said.
NAMJOON
*confused*
Jealousy? Jealousy of what?
Seokjin blushes and lowers his head.
SEOKJIN
Promise you won’t make fun of me.
NAMJOON
*nodding, sincere*
I promise.
SEOKJIN
*quiet, slow*
Of Taehyung. Of you and Taehyung.
Namjoon stares at Seokjin completely dumbstruck. Seokjin can’t meet Namjoon’s eyes and his heart rate speeds up.
SEOKJIN
Please don’t ask me why I feel this way. I don’t know myself.
Namjoon continues staring and slowly lowers his eyes to the floor, like Seokjin. He looks down at the ground, thinking.
NAMJOON
*suddenly*
What does jealousy feel like?
Seokjin thinks for a while, eyebrows furrowed.
SEOKJIN
It feels like- like bitterness flowing through your veins. It feels like a sour taste everywhere, like poison was poured directly into your blood. You feel angry and sad and so- so lost. It feels awful. It feels like wanting to move when you’re stuck or blind when you want to see.
Seokjin sighs.
SEOKJIN
I can’t imagine how Jungkook bears to feel it all the time.
*pause*
I- I don’t feel it all the time. I feel it when I see how Taehyung touches you. How he whispers things in your ear. How he drapes his arms all over you and then you look back at him-
NAMJOON
*weakly*
I don’t look back at him.
SEOKJIN
*sad*
You do. You enjoy the attention, the compliments, the touches. Of course you do. You’re pride.
A pause. Seokjin clutches the pillow close to his chest and tears fill his eyes. This is all a slow process, the tears lazily gathering in his waterline. Namjoon stares at Seokjin guiltily and clears his throat, wanting to comfort the other man so bad.
NAMJOON
*softly*
I would enjoy them more if they came from you.
Seokjin gives Namjoon a vulnerable sideways glance, head still low. Namjoon clears his throat again.
NAMJOON
*vulnerable*
I- I’ve been confused too.
Silence. Namjoon tries to gather the confidence to speak and Seokjin gives him the time.
NAMJOON
*unsure*
I- I don’t like seeing you whisper things to Jungkook either. I don’t like seeing you be so close to him. Like- like you were more than friends. If you were just friends, than it would fine but it looked like more than that and honestly, it made me feel- it made feel sick.
Namjoon sighs and Seokjin slowly turns his head more and more towards Namjoon so his face is visible. His ears and cheeks slowly turn a dusty pink.
NAMJOON
It didn’t just make me feel sick. It made me feel so angry. I swear I saw red at times. I didn’t know what to do with myself.
Namjoon finally meets Seokjin’s eyes, his own brown ones vulnerable. He sees Seokjin’s tears and sighs. He gets off of his chair and kneels by the couch. He takes his sleeve and gently cleans Seokjin’s face. Seokjin slowly closes his eyes and sighs.
NAMJOON
*carefully*
You know, I’m used to living for myself. To doing things for myself. To only caring about myself. So, it’s weird beginning to care about someone else.
Seokjin nods, his eyes now open and he gives Namjoon a small smile. Namjoon returns it, and it’s the softest smile Seokjin has ever seen.
SEOKJIN
*shyly*
I understand. It’s weird wanting to make an effort. Wanting to spend time with someone. It’s weird.
*pause*
But maybe we can feel these weird things.
NAMJOON
Maybe.
SEOKJIN
And maybe we can feel- feel them… together.
Namjoon swallows dryly. With a shaking hand, he brings his palm to Seokjin’s hair and begins stroking it. Seokjin’s face reddens but he slowly melts into the touch.
Seokjin leans his head on the couch arm, eyes sleepy.
SEOKJIN
Come, sit with me on the sofa.
Namjoon hesitates but eventually nods. He stands and walks to the couch, sitting beside Seokjin. Seokjin smiles and crawls to Namjoon’s lap, eyelids heavy. Namjoon is a little taken aback, but his hands naturally settle back into Seokjin’s hair.
SEOKJIN
I’m sorry. I’m so tired. I don’t think I can stay awake.
NAMJOON
It’s okay. Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.
A pause.
SEOKJIN
Promise?
NAMJOON
*smiling*
Promise.
Seokjin, hearing the words, falls asleep. His features naturally relax. Namjoon brushes his soft hair from his face and fixes the blanket so it covers his whole body. The two stay like that for a while, a long while.
Seokjin sleeping and Namjoon stroking his hair.
Namjoon didn’t look at himself once. Why would he, when he could look at Seokjin for an eternity.