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“What is a slam dunk?” Taehyung asked, reading from the first index card.
“When a player on offense jumps and grabs the rim of the hoop to get the ball straight into the basket,” Jimin quickly responded.
“How far away from the hoop is the free-throw line?”
“Fifteen feet.”
“What happens during a jump ball?”
“Two players fight to get possession of the ball for their team. Just like at the start of a game.”
“Excellent. I like that there is no hesitation on any answer. Keep it up, babe,” Taehyung winked, firing the next question off.
They continued with the speed quiz until Taehyung reached his final index card.
“Final--and most important--question...Are you ready?”
Jimin took a deep breath and nodded, suddenly feeling the pressure.
“What position does Kim Namjoon--basketball’s Korean-American god, my personal role model and idol, oh, and your boyfriend of four months--play?”
“Oh shit,” Jimin cursed, eyes going wide as he wracked his brain for the answer.
“Seriously?”
“Just let me think!”
“Jimin, this is the index card I used red Sharpie on and decorated with glitter. You’re meant to have it tattooed on your brain!”
“Oh my god--shortstop!” Jimin threw the term out.
“You are an embarrassment,” Taehyung shook his head.
“Don’t be such a dick,” he hissed.
“You were in a completely different sport, genius. Namjoon plays basketball not baseball and he is a jaw-dropping, breath-taking power forward .”
“Fuck,” Jimin muttered. “I remember now. I was going to memorize it by thinking of how I power walk forward on every runway I grace with my presence.”
“I’m leaving,” Taehyung declared, standing up from Jimin’s couch and shrugging on his coat.
“No,” Jimin whined. “Why?”
“Because it’s 10:00 pm on a Thursday and I promised my boyfriend I’d be home hours ago. He just came back from a month-long shoot in Tibet and we need to catch up on our ‘us’ time.”
“You mean sex?”
“Precisely.”
“I don’t want to be a cockblock, but I need your help, Tae,” Jimin pouted.
“I can’t do anything else for you, Chim. You have the index cards I made you; just review. Drop two or three terms in your next conversation with Namjoon and you’ll impress him.”
“I want him to know how serious I am about our relationship. I want to learn more about his job and really his whole life.”
“And that’s adorable. He’s definitely going to appreciate it.”
“I told you I bought the season pass, right?”
“Fucking finally!” Taehyung clapped. “Now, I know for a fact how serious you are about him. You showed up to zero of your ex-boyfriends’ games. You said even if you were dating an athlete you wouldn’t ‘reduce yourself by attending barbaric celebrations of steroids and jockstraps’.”
“Yeah, well, none of those guys were worth my time. Also, Joonie doesn’t use a jockstrap. Or a cup.”
“The NBA doesn’t require them, but from time to time players get a ball to the balls and it looks painful as hell. You’re lucky it’s never happened to Namjoon. That means all his essential parts are safe and in good shape,” Taehyung grinned.
“Oh, I know they are,” Jimin giggled impishly. “And I would describe them as in amazing shape...and size.”
“Ooh, tell me more,” Taehyung’s eyes flashed with interest. “Is it big?”
“Didn’t you say you had to leave?” Jimin raised an eyebrow.
“Ugh, you’re right. Quality dick game gossip is intriguing, but I’d much rather get a live performance in my own bedroom.”
After Taehyung finally left--but only after pestering Jimin for intricate details and an anatomically accurate sketch--Jimin prepared for bed. He did his ten step skin care routine, brushed his teeth, combed out his recently dyed blonde hair, and changed into his softest Ralph Lauren pajama set--made of all silk of course.
When he checked his phone he was delighted to see three text messages from his boyfriend, who had played a charity fundraising game in Los Angeles that night. Jimin missed him. They hadn’t had a chance to see each other in person for over a week due to time conflicts in both of their work schedules. Luckily, Namjoon would return to New York the following day and Jimin had prepared an absolutely romantic weekend for them, including a cute lunch date at Central Park and a visit to a cat cafe for Sunday brunch. He had also penciled in a night of vigorous love-making for Friday night.
Namjoon was endlessly amused by Jimin’s obsession with calendars, agendas, and lists. Jimin had defensively explained that he felt a need to plan out his days to give himself a semblance of order and control over the chaos his job and life tended to bring. Namjoon had then given him a tender smile and pressed a kiss to his lips.
‘If it makes you happy, it makes me happy too.’
It was moments like those, moments where Namjoon sweetly and earnestly tore down any walls Jimin thought he had secured around his heart, that the supermodel had to bite his tongue to keep back three very important words.
It felt like it was too soon to declare his love, but, at the same time, Jimin felt he was waiting too long because Namjoon deserved to be loved and even more to be told, often and with genuine passion, that he was loved. And oh wow did Jimin want to be the one to do so.
In the past few months, Namjoon had strived to attend all of Jimin’s fashion shows. He’d read tons of books on the history of fashion in the U.S. and abroad and had compiled all of his research into an ever-expanding Google Doc that he reviewed often so he could strike up a conversation about fashion with Jimin, Taehyung, Seokjin, and colleagues of Jimin’s he’d already met.
When Jimin asked him why he’d dedicated entire weekends to this, Namjoon easily replied with
“That’s what you do when you care about someone. You get invested and, trust me when I say this, Jiminie, I’m invested.’
Jimin nearly cried at the sight of his boyfriend’s pink cheeks and deep dimples. That was the day Jimin whined to Taehyung over the phone for a solid 45 minutes about how much he needed his help to learn about basketball. Jimin had been studying his best friend’s index cards for a week now and he thought he had all the material memorized but ended up receiving a reality check during the speed quiz.
The Dragons won tonight.
It was a charity game but still a nice ego boost.
Also, the charity was a global animal rescue society. One of the founders let me meet her kitten after the game. I swear it was you in animal form.
Jimin snorted at the third text, quickly typing a reply.
Graceful, well-mannered, and stunningly beautiful?
Namjoon responded in less than a minute.
Fluffy-haired, cuddly, and high-maintenance ;)
Jimin released a haughty scoff.
That is so not me, he replied.
You when I forget to buy wine to go with dinner.
“Oh my god,” Jimin couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
My little alcoholic <3
I miss you
Jimin bit his lip, eyes stuck on the heart, wishing he could reveal his feelings then and there. Then again it would be kind of a cop-out to do it in a text. The first time he said “I love you” he wanted to be able to see Namjoon’s face and reaction.
I miss you too, Joon <3 he typed instead.
There was a series of short raps on his front door. Jimin instantly flew off the couch and ran to the door, pulling it open and grinning at the sight of his boyfriend.
“Well, hello there, good looking,” Jimin greeted him flirtily.
“Hey, gorgeous. It’s been too long since I saw your beautiful face. I was suffering” Namjoon sighed dreamily, making Jimin blush.
“You’re sappy.”
“I’ve embraced it,” he winked. “Aren’t you proud of me for arriving early? A full three minutes ahead of schedule.”
“Extra time means extra making out!” Jimin cheered, tugging Namjoon inside and leading him to the couch once he’d taken off his shoes and set his bag down.
“I’d never say no to those lips.”
Jimin giggled, making himself comfortable on Namjoon’s lap once the basketball player had sat down. The younger pressed their lips together and sighed into the kiss, relishing the softness of his boyfriend’s thick lips.
They remained lip-locked, hands gently exploring chests and thighs, for over a half-hour before Jimin’s phone buzzed on the coffee table.
“Oh, that’s dinner,” Jimin said, his words coming out breathy from the effects of their make-out session.
“Dinner? It’s only 5:00 though,” Namjoon did his best to steady his own breathing.
“I know, but I wanted to have an early dinner since I had to skip lunch for a work thing. Also, I didn’t want to interrupt our schedule for tonight so it’s best for the food to be here now.”
“Ah, yes because tonight we have a very important shared activity to complete,” Namjoon’s grin was lascivious.
“You’ve been gone forever. I need my Joon time.”
Jimin answered his phone, letting the doorman know he could send up the delivery man. When he hung up he saw Namjoon’s scrunched up face.
“What?” Jimin inquired.
“You’re just so adorable.”
Jimin rolled his eyes. “You say that all the time. I’m not a baby animal, despite how much you think I resemble one.”
“Jimin, that kitten was your clone.”
“Shut up,” Jimin giggled, shoving at his boyfriend’s shoulder.
The doorbell rang and Jimin went to receive the food, leaving it on the island counter for when they were ready to eat and returning to Namjoon.
“I ordered Japanese food from the restaurant you said you liked.
“Thank you, gorgeous,” Namjoon pressed a chaste kiss to the shorter blonde’s lips. “Oh, I have news.”
“Good news?”
“Interesting news,” Namjoon chose the word carefully, making Jimin narrow his eyes in suspicion.
“Go on…”
“Well, the charity game was so successful--we received nearly $800,000 in donations--that the owner of the Dragons and the coordinator of this charity event had an idea for an even bigger event. And they believe this type of event will allow us to raise over a million dollars.”
“And by this ‘type of event’ they mean what?”
“People can pay to...go on a date with an eligible bachelor of the New York Dragons.”
Jimin glared at his boyfriend’s guilty expression. “You said no, right?”
“Um--”
“Because you are not an eligible bachelor. You are off the market and that is clear to all parties, right?”
“I think--”
“Namjoon Kim, tell me you aren’t prostituting yourself just to raise money for Orca whales!”
“It’s not prostitution! And it’s for a whole lot of animals in need, not just whales.”
Jimin crossed his arms, jaw tight as he stared the basketball player down.
“I’ve told the entire squad about us. Hobi knows and as my manager he makes things known to the higher-ups. I’ve posted things about you on my social media channels. I am in no way acting like a single man, I promise you that. This will only be a one-time thing--for charity.”
“Ugh, when you remind me it’s for charity it makes me feel like an asshole for getting mad when innocent animals’ lives will be saved because of you getting pimped out.”
“Jiminie,” Namjoon chuckled. “I don’t know what you think the date will entail, but let me assure you there will be no risky business of any kind. I was planning to dinner and maybe a night at the fall fair.”
“I love fairs!” Jimin whined.
“Sweetheart, then we can go this weekend,” Namjoon said appeasingly but Jimin shook his head.
“It will only feel tainted now.”
“Oh my gosh,” Namjoon sighed at his boyfriend’s usual flair for the dramatic.
“Plus, we have our weekend booked. We’re too busy to add the fair.”
“Oh, really? And apart from spectacular sex, what else is on the agenda?” Namjoon’s grin was wicked as he reminded Jimin that his schedule didn’t set an exact start time for said spectacular sex but it could--and should--be now.
“Mm, I can sh-show you the itinerary l-later,” Jimin’s eyes fluttered close at the feel of Namjoon’s soft lips trailing from his earlobe to the curve of his neck, stopping to suck at his collarbone.
“Why don’t we take our scheduled activity to your bedroom so we can properly check it off the list?” Namjoon trailed the tip of his tongue down Jimin’s jaw and gave a quick nip to the corner of his mouth.
“Fuck yes, let’s do that,” Jimin shivered.
After a romantic weekend that would go down in history (Jimin’s carefully calculated itinerary was nearly forgotten because he was so distracted by every part of his boyfriend’s body), Jimin was excited for the Dragons’ basketball game. That Monday night, Jimin dressed in the perfect outfit, a look that screamed “Namjoon=Mine.” He had asked a designer at Gucci he was good friends with to customize the traditional New York Dragons fan jersey in a way that suited Jimin’s fashion style. This, of course, meant the jersey was sparkling with jewels, including a beautiful array of sapphires, which spelled out Namjoon Kim across the back (right under the “Jimin’s” written in diamonds).
Unfortunately, Taehyung was working that night and Seokjin claimed he was too cool for mainstream sports, so Jimin was attending the game alone. He had recognized a few of the other famous faces sitting courtside that night. A singer who was climbing in the charts. An up-and-coming television producer. And Delilah Hill, a soap opera star known for being an impossible-to-work-with diva.
“You’re Jimin Park, right?”
Jimin wished he could ignore Delilah’s already grating voice, but they were sitting right next to each other and there were cameras on at all times, so he didn’t want to stir up drama when he was here to support Namjoon.
“Yes, I am,” he replied, patting himself on the back for how perfectly polite he sounded.
“I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m Delilah Hill,” the red-head oozed arrogance and self-importance.
“No, sorry,” Jimin shrugged, biting back a smile at how the pretentious actress recoiled.
“I started on the small screen, but you can see me in major motion pictures now. I just released a movie with Tom Cruise,” she scoffed, as if Jimin were clinically insane for not knowing the fact.
“I don’t go to the movies,” Jimin hummed, turning his attention to the court as the announcer began to speak, the speakers booming the names of the Dragons’ beloved line-up.
“Well, anyway,” Delilah cleared her throat obnoxiously, evidently wanting Jimin to ignore the basketball game they were all there to see to indulge her ego. “My agent booked me courtside seats to the game because several actors at our company will be participating in a series of commercials with the Dragons. The production level will be over-the-top. I wasn’t a basketball girl myself, but I’d heard amazing things about the team...especially about Namjoon.”
Ah, there it is , Jimin thought. He had just realized why this two-bit actress was interrupting his supportive boyfriend endeavors. From the way Delilah crooned Namjoon’s name, it was obvious to Jimin that she was interested in his boyfriend.
Now, if this were another time and Jimin were younger, more temperamental, and insecure about his relationship and everything it represented--he would have reacted in some way. An intimidating glare, an acerbic quip, something. However, Jimin liked to think he had evolved. Furthermore, his relationship was his safe space and Namjoon his anchor. The supermodel no longer felt one argument away from falling into an abyss of despair and loneliness.
Jimin had found true joy with Namjoon. He loved Namjoon. A dumb soap opera star with offensively large, bulging breasts wasn’t going to change that.
“He’s the best at what he does. I’m happy to meet any of my boyfriend’s fans. Thank you for coming,” Jimin’s tone was sweet and his smile even sweeter.
Whatever Delilah was hoping to accomplish that night seemed to die in her eyes, which hid her fury and didn’t match her fake, mile-wide smile.
“Of course I came--for Namjoon. I’ll be here every night for him,” she said with a high-pitched giggle that made Jimin’s left eye twitch.
“That’s nice of you, although, sadly, that won’t be possible as the Dragons only play once a week. But, you can wish Joonie positive thoughts every night.”
Before Delilah could open her mouth again, Jimin gracefully raised a hand to cut her off.
“The game is about to start. Apologies, but I’ve turned into a bit of a basketball zealot, so I don’t want to miss anything. I hope you enjoy the game!”
With that, Jimin’s first meeting with Delilah Hill was over and he was free to drool over his long-legged boyfriend.
Unfortunately, it would not be the last.
“Oh no, she fucking didn’t,” Jimin growled, having to be held back by Seokjin so he wouldn’t commit an unspeakable action like pulling out Delilah Hill’s uneven hair extensions.
It was the night of the charity ball, which meant Jimin had to show up (looking stunning of course) to watch some horny person buy his boyfriend for a night. Namjoon had been the last member of the team to go on stage for the date auction and Jimin had been indulging in the unlimited open bar, so he hadn’t seen the bitchy soap opera star in the crowd. And then suddenly she was there--offering to pay $25,000 for Namjoon.
“The bidding was only at $8,000!” Jimin hissed. “She’s trying to fuck with the other bidders’ heads.”
“It’s working,” Taehyung whistled, pointing out how two of the women who had been steadily raising the bid lowered their paddles and sat down at their tables again, defeated.
Thankfully, an older designer both Jimin and Seokjin had worked with, known for his eccentricity and predilection for fit men in their mid-20s, raised his paddle and bid $30,000. Honestly, that brought an ick factor with it, but Jimin still preferred it to Delilah.
“$40,000!” Delilah shouted, making many heads turn.
On stage, Namjoon himself looked confused. Jimin knew his boyfriend had no clue who the red-head was and he couldn’t have known that Delilah would go to great lengths to win the date with the hopes of turning it into something more. Seokjin, their resident gossip enthusiast, had spilled the tea about the actress, informing Jimin that she was known for being a homewrecker because she went after any man that caught her eye--without caring about their relationship status.
“We can’t let her win,” Jimin glared at the woman, who had just upped the bid to a whopping $50,000.
“You want one of us to bid?” Taehyung asked. “I honestly would not mind a night alone with Namjoon!”
“Um, why don’t you tone down your enthusiasm? I’m right here,” Seokjin snarked.
“Yeah, I see you standing there. And?”
Before the couple could get lost in the soon-to-be argument, Jimin jumped out of his seat, waving his paddle and shouting, “$75,000!”
“What the fuck are you doing?” Taehyung screeched under his breath.
The entire room stared at Jimin, eyes-wide, including Namjoon.
“Are you going to pay such an exorbitant sum for a date with your own boyfriend ?!” Seokjin’s words dripped with disapproval but Jimin only grinned, winking in Delilah’s direction when he raised the bid again, unprompted and proclaimed that he would pay
“$100,000 for a date with the Dragons’ extraordinary captain!”
An hour later found Jimin cheerfully scarfing down Chinese food in his pajamas as his T.V. played reruns of Seinfeld .
“Jimin,” Namjoon called his name.
“Hmm?”
“Was that really necessary?”
“What was?” Jimin played dumb.
“Wasting so much money on me.”
“First off, it can never be a waste of money if it’s being spent on you. You’re worth every single penny,” Jimin spoke so matter-of-factly Namjoon was quickly blushing. “Second, it was for charity and that makes it even more meaningful.”
“Third?”
“I had no third.”
“Jimin,” the way his boyfriend said his name this time was chastising.
“Okay, fine,” the supermodel rolled his eyes. “Third, it felt amazing leaving Delilah Hill pouting and cursing in the corner because I hate her and don’t want her anywhere near you and the end.”
Namjoon gazed at him in silence for a few moments before letting out a small chuckle.
“You’re ridiculous,” the blonde shook his head, looking extremely fond. “You’re crazy too. Ridiculous and crazy.”
“Accurate,” Jimin grinned.
“And I love that about you. Really, I love everything about you because I just love you, Jimin. Every part of you is lovely and perfectly imperfect--and I love you.”
Jimin dropped his chopsticks, uncaring that black bean sauce was now staining his cream carpet.
“Oh my god,” he breathed.
“If you feel it’s too soon, I understand. In no way do I mean to pressure you,” Namjoon was quick to assure, but Jimin groaned loudly.
“I can’t believe you beat me to it.”
“Wait, what?” Namjoon blinked in confusion.
“I had thought out so many scenarios and was putting careful consideration into each one to pick the best one! I wanted to make you swoon with the moment I said it.”
“And by ‘it’ you mean--”
“I love you! Duh, of course, I love you, Joonie. Your proportions are flawless, your apartment always smells like cinnamon and coffee, you have the gentlest soul, and you make me feel happier than I’ve ever felt.”
Namjoon’s smile was deep and adorable, dimples flashing.
“Wow. You love me.”
“You love me too,” Jimin pointed out.
“So much, Jiminie. I love you so much I don’t know what to do with myself sometimes. I wish I could hold you in my arms all day and, like, feed you bon bons while I stroke your soft little cheeks. That would be paradise for me.”
Jimin burst into a fit of giggles. “Bon bons? You’d make me fat, Joonie.”
“You’d still be gorgeous, my love.”
Jimin couldn’t hold back the overwhelming need to kiss his boyfriend and bask in his adoration. So he jumped forward, finding his usual place on Namjoon’s lap and kissing him with all the strength and love he possessed in his tiny body (which was a lot).
“I love you,” Jimin whispered.
“And I you, darling,” Namjoon tapped his nose.
“I’m just as invested, Joon. In you,” he clarified. “I’ve been studying basketball. The history of the sport and the right terminology for all of the plays and scoring. II haven’t mastered the knowledge yet, but I have index cards! And I review them every day.”
Namjoon only kissed him again. “You’re so wonderful.”
“Hmm...wonderful enough to merit a massage and a bubble bath?” Jimin waggled his eyebrows, making his boyfriend laugh.
“I’d love to do that.”
“Yay!” Jimin clapped. “I bought some new bath bombs earlier today and they’re right here in my vintage, faux dyed leather Burberry bag.”
“You know, you’re not on a runway right now. You don’t need to name drop every brand you’re wearing or using,” Namjoon joked.
“Oops, sorry. It’s second nature now,” he shrugged. “Shall we?”
“Let’s go,” Namjoon stood carefully, taking Jimin with him and carrying him towards the bathroom. “Maybe we can dim the lights in there and play some music from my special playlist.”
“You mean your sex playlist?”
“That’s not what it’s called,” Namjoon protested.
“But, it’s what it always leads to,” Jimin giggled.
“You know what, you’re right. We definitely need my playlist tonight.”
Jimin spent the rest of his night laughing until his stomach hurt and experiencing pleasure and euphoria at the hands of the man he loved more than his entire Yves Saint Laurent and Versace collection combined.