Chapter Text
Jimin... doesn’t really mind school.
The fundamentals of learning useless things you won’t need in four years, the thick aura of crumbling bricks surrounding students who smell like they haven’t showered for a week and covered it up with a layered coat of Poundland spray on deodorant. He just LOVES the teachers who you can hear before you see, the sound of their heels clacking across the marble floor scaring everyone up straight, loves the feeling of his blazer sticking to his back because, even in midst of summer, they still have to keep those damn jackets on.
But what Jimin especially loves, is his Maths class. Not because of the fractions and percentages, but because this year, Jeon Jungkook, happens to be in his class, and what the fuck, when did he get so ripped?
So now, Jimin is drooling, and he swears if he looks down there’ll be a pool of it on the cover of his red Maths book.
“Now you all know the bases of this year...” The teacher circles around the chipped wood desk, her fingers scratching along the surface, “Please respectfully leave my classroom.”
As the room erupts into scraping chairs and bundles of sixteen year olds, Jimin takes one last look at Jungkook’s muscles, then makes a beeline for his locker.
They’re all still boring, grey and plain, no one actually decorates their locker until half way through the year, let alone on the first day, but Jimin manages to scout his out when he sees his on-edge looking friends, their skateboards leant up against the bottom row of lockers. Those poor souls who’ll have to spend their break scrubbing off wheel marks.
“Place your bets on me dropping out of year 11 right now, because I’m already on the verge.”
His friends all glance up at his arrival, Hoseok swinging his arms around his shoulders as the four break into grins. “Who hurt you?”
“I’ll be leaving with you if I have to sit behind Seonghwa’s massive head for the whole year. The only thing I learnt in Sociology was funct fam…” Seokjin grimaces and crosses his arms.
“Stay on his good side, though, he’s got links to Daniel” Taehyung claps his hands together, and Seokjin rolls his eyes.
“When will you give it up?”
“Have you heard people talk about his stuff before? Said his brownies taste like rainbows and the high they got was insane”
“Taste the rainbow. Haven’t heard that one before.” Hoseok mimics and gets a sarcastic expression and a face full of middle finger from Taehyung. “What’s wrong though Jiminie? No ones hurt my little angel have they?”
Jimin takes a deep breath and fumbles with his locker. The damn things never open, three months of summer and they still don’t manage to fix anything. “Jungkook”
“Jungkook?” Seokjin frowns, pushing himself up straight with his back. His skateboard slips down and hits Taehyung’s foot. “I’m gonna need more verbs and nouns”
“What like— red hair, loads of earrings, bunny looking Jungkook?” Taehyung raises his eyebrow.
“It’s like a raven black now” Jimin sighs dreamily and slams his locker shut, “And he’s fucking ripped. It’s so dangerous for my arteries”
Seokjin ponders. “I thought you just had a crush on him because he complimented your shoes?”
“Fuck off, I’m not that easy”
All his friends put on the same deadpan expression, he slumps against his locker. “I didn’t know he could get any hotter. What am I supposed to do now? I was worried his shirt was gonna fucking tear at the arms while we were doing equations”
“I wouldn’t know Jimin, never liked someone who doesn’t reciprocate” Taehyung flexes his arms like there’s something there. Hoseok snickers and slaps his ass. He wishes his friends weren’t so bland sometimes.
“Don’t get your hopes up, I heard he doesn’t date” Hoseok shrugs.
Taehyung scoffs, “He doesn’t date? What the fuck does that even mean? Is he trying to put on some mysterious mean boy facade” Taehyung ruffles Jimin’s hair, “He’s probably secretly a vampire or something” Jimin karate chops his arm, and he backs away.
“All I know is that when Annie Clifford asked him to the disco, he rejected her over snapchat. She cried behind the sheds for like the whole day” Hoseok points.
“That was literally in year seven, your sources are weak” Seokjin digs into his pocket and pulls out a torn up cigarette packet. “Anyway” He turns back to Jimin, “Come get new tape with us”
“I have re in five”
“So?” Taehyung slaps his arm over Jimin’s shoulder with a toothy grin, “Jude’s expecting us. Plus he said he’d replace my bearings for free. Not missing that chance”
“You have a fucking job you know” Seokjin retorts.
Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Part time at KFC isn’t enough income to keep my board looking this delicious” He flips it, echoing an obnoxious scratching sound across the floor. They get a few scowls from preppy girls gossiping across from them.
“It’s enough for you to splash out on Tinder premium, though?” Hoseok pipes up and the rest begin to cackle.
“You idiot won’t be laughing when you see the girl I matched with last night” He whips out his phone ready to defend himself. “Her hobbies include gymnastics and contortion”
“What are your hobbies then?” Hoseok manages to snatch Taehyung’s phone. He shrieks, shoving Jimin sideways and scrambling to reach for it. “Skating, singing... fuckin’ your Nan?” The group burst into laughter when he finally gets it back and holds it protectively against his chest.
“It’s comedy. Girls love guys who are funny” Taehyung averts, “You clearly wouldn’t know anything about that sort of thing”
“What are you gonna do when she asks you what type of music you listen to?” Seokjin pokes his chest, doing a weird flip thing with his lighter. “Come clean about the collection of Taylor Swift records you hide under your bed?”
“You don’t ask that type of shit. You just flirt back and forth, shag, then never speak again apart from an occasional nude photo ”
“Wow, romantic” Jimin crosses his arms.
They chuckle. “You skiving or not then?” Seokjin asks. Jimin thinks for a moment.
First day, his last year’s attendance was below 50%, could potentially leave him suspended...
Who is he kidding, he wants to do performing arts anyway. Who needs a religious studies gcse?
“Fuck it. Let’s go”
-
“I swear to god, Taehyung, the next time you kickflip over my legs, you’ll be on the fucking floor begging for forgiveness”
“Stop swearing in front of my brother.” Jimin asserts to Hoseok, glancing at his brother, Jihyun, who watches innocently, rolling back and forth on one of Jimin’s old skateboards.
“He doesn’t care” Hoseok exclaims with a shrug.
“You not skating?” Taehyung rolls up beside Jimin, sitting down next to him and slinging his arm over his shoulders.
Jimin shakes his head and plucks at the fluff on his laces. “My back still hurts from when I fell last week”
“Jimin, you literally skated with a broken ankle once. What’s up”
He exhales heavily, refusing to make eye contact with Taehyung. He looks towards the battered fence like it’ll tell him what to say, jutting his bottom lip out. “Nothin’. Just don’t feel like it”
“It’s not that prick Jungkook, is it?”
Jimin frowns, turning his head, “What has he got anything to do with this?” He asserts. Taehyung throws his hands up in defence and shakes his head.
“I’m jus’ sayin. You’ve been sat here for two hours, you gotta be thinking about something.”
“Well I’m not. Now sod off”
“Alright mardy-arse. Wallow on your own” He skates off.
Ok so maybe he is wallowing.
Only because the three times he has seen Jungkook this past week, he’s paid absolutely no attention to him. Nothing. Not a smile, not a ‘hi’. Nada. He even went through the effort of wearing his old, two sizes too small school trousers to make his ass look better. His thighs didn't thank him for that one — but beauty is pain, and so is staring at the back Jungkook’s head for the whole lesson.
“Jimin!” He glances up to see Seokjin jogging towards him, rips in his jeans proudly displaying his bleeding knees. “We’re going to Costa”
Jimin frowns. “Costa? You’re shitting me”
“Sorry, it was Hoseok’s idea. Plus I kinda want a frappe”
“But Jihyun’s lactose intolerant” He points to his brother.
“Then get rid of the kid. We need to pick up anyway” Seokjin shrugs, rubbing at his knee.
“I’m supposed to look after him for another two hours?”
Seokjin sighs and rubs at his temple. “They got milk alternatives at costa”
“Oh fuck right off, you owe me for this” He takes Seokjin’s hand to help him up, brushing the stones off the back of his cargo pants before picking up his board.
“I’ll cover you for the drinks?” Seokjin raises his eyebrow.
“Yeah okay, fine” Jimin rolls his eyes and Seokjin plants a sloppy kiss on his cheek, before he turns to his brother. “Jihyun, get your ass up. We’re being forced to go to Costa”
“But I can’t have dairy” He calls back.
“They got alternatives, now fucking come on”
“Mum said you can’t swear in front of me anymore” He says when he reaches them. Seokjin snickers as they make their way over to Taehyung and Hoseok.
“Mum also pays for her clothes with your university fund”
“Why’s he coming?” Hoseok asks when they rekindle. “I’m getting more k. He can’t see that shit, he’s twelve”
“I promised my Mum I’d look after him until six”
Hoseok glances at him, then crouches in front of him so they reach eye level. Jihyun shuffles into Jimin’s side a little.
“Jihyun” Hoseok grins, a little creepily. “Do you know what ketamine is?”
Jihyun shakes his head.
Jimin slaps him on the head. “Stop takin’ the piss”
“You scared him you goblin looking headass” Taehyung and Seokjin cackle from in front of them. Jihyun all but looks up at his brother helplessly.
“Ignore him, Jihyun” Jimin shoots him a scowl, slapping him once more but harder.
“What’s a ketamine?” Jihyun asks.
Jimin pats his head, “It’s a sandwich”
They pile into Seokjin’s Dad’s shitty Mini he still doesn’t know his son steals, run a few red lights and laugh at his road rage, before pulling into the costa car park.
“You took two spots you know” Taehyung calls to them from behind the car, his arms crossed and face amused.
“I don’t even have a licence, why should it matter if I park illegally?” Seokjin says, stepping out the car and snickering at the view of his car parked almost diagonally.
“It will matter when someone notes down the number plate and your Dad finds out we're the ones using his petrol” Jimin flicks his head as they make their way towards the forbidden building.
Seokjin shrugs, but laughs.
“Does he still think he’s sleep driving?” Hoseok asks.
The bell rings to their arrival. “Yeah. He’s a little... picnic short of a sandwich”
They pile around a wobbly circle table in the furthest corner from the old couple who just gave them the stink eye, not much room considering Taehyung and Hoseok’s skateboards are slotted in between their backs and bags. Jimin shuffles, moving the position of the wheels to dig into his skin rather than his spine.
“What does everyone want then” Seokjin taps his knuckles on the table. “Also someone give me money”
Taehyung slaps a few notes down. “Get me an iced oat latte with extra caramel”
Jimin lets out a laugh, and Taehyung flips him off without looking.
“I don’t give a fuck. Why the fuck are we even here anyway?” Jimin slumps against the wooden chair. “Get me a brownie though. What do you want Jihyun?”
Jihyun shrugs. “An iced tea?”
“Cool so one latte— thing, one brownie, one iced tea and, Hoseok?”
“Vanilla bean frappe, please” He grins innocently.
“Right” Seokjin throws them a thumbs up “Stay pretty” He strolls to the till.
Taehyung digs his hands into his pockets, whipping out his ds which he then proceeds to play mario kart on full volume.
“Text your tinder girlfriends on there?” Hoseok presses a bunch of buttons, and Taehyung screams so loud the same old couple send them another dirty look.
“You fucking twat, you knocked me back to 11th place” Taehyung slaps him over the arm.
“As if you weren’t already there”
“What even happened to that short shorts girl?” Jimin asks.
“Ugh” Taehyung throws his arms in the air, his ds landing on the table with a clash. “Turns out she was looking for something serious. I mean who the fuck uses only photos of their cleavage when they’re NOT looking for a hookup. Waste of a swipe”
“Why don’t you start looking for something serious?” Hoseok shrugs.
“I’m fucking sixteen. I’m not looking for a wife”
“Can I use your ds?” Jihyun asks. Taehyung nods, sliding it across the table towards him.
“Speaking of wives—“ Hoseok has his attention focused behind them, “There’s a groupa short short wearing girls I’d like to wife up right now”
Taehyung immediately flips his head round. Jimin does it rather slow. He doesn’t need to see Taehyung’s face to know he’s drooling, because there is indeed, a group of girls in shorts and crop tops waiting in line and giggling obnoxiously. He can practically see the trail of bobby pins they’re leaving behind.
“You two are actual nonces” Jimin scoffs.
They take once glance at him, then back at the group. “Jimin, if that was a group of Jungkooks, I’m sure you’d be feeling the exact same”
Jimin kicks his shin under the table.
“Speak of the devil”
He looks up, and his heart practically falls out his ass and lands on the sticky floors below him because Jungkook just fucking walked right in, and mingled with some people in the queue.
“You’re shitting me” Jimin sinks further into his chair, all while Taehyung and Hoseok try not to crack up.
“Damn he is buff as fuck, isn’t he” Hoseok points out, Jimin blushes.
Taehyung makes an ‘Eh’ sound, “I’d give him a go”
“What the fuck? Fuck you both. I’m leaving, Jihyun pack your shit, we’re going home”
“No!” Taehyung desperately reaches over, planting his hands over Jimin’s shoulders to keep him in place. “Not when he’s about to come over”
“But he’s not about to—“
“Jungkook!”
And now, Jimin wants to die because Jungkook immediately looks up, and their eyes catch eachother. He looks confused, he probably has no clue who any of them are and they’re all staring at him expectantly, but he walks over questionably, excusing himself from his friends.
Maybe if he thinks hard enough, he’ll have a heart attack and pass away right then and there. He doesn’t though, and now Jungkook’s hovering in front of their table, and holy fuck he looks even bigger up close.
“Hey...” He smiles a little, “You’re Jimin, right?”
Jimin stammers. Way too much for it to not sound suspicious. “W— Ye- I um”
“I’m Taehyung” Taehyung grins, and holds his hand out. Jungkook shakes it, and that’s when Jimin clutches a glimpse of his fucking hand tattoos. Maybe he will have a heart attack after all. “This is Hoseok” He gestures. Hoseok shakes his hand with a smile.
“Great to meet you. Jimin’s a big fan”
“What?” Jungkook chuckles a little, glancing at Jimin.
Hoseok gets a hard kick in the shins.
“Um— Youre in my Maths, right?” Jimin asks, pushing himself up in the chair.
Jungkook hums. “Think so. You sit at the back?”
Jimin nods, “Yeah. Don’t really talk to anyone in that class”
“You should come sit with us. It’s a fun row when Namjoon’s there. Which is rare”
“Namjoon?” Hoseok quirks up. “Like, Kim Namjoon?”
“Yeah?” Jungkook glances towards him, “You know him?” He raises his eyebrows.
“Well I happen to be buying off him later“
“Oh for real? It’s a small world. Tell him I said get your arse to school, it’s dead as fuck without him”
“Will do” Hoseok grins.
“How come you’re all here then?” Jungkook asks. Its obvious they don’t look like they’d ever step foot in a coffee shop, let alone Costa, so they understand the implications of his questions. He’s kind of looking at Jimin, but Jimin lets the others answer in case he says something absolutely ridiculous, or stutters pathetically.
“Hard to keep up the skater stereotype sometimes Jungkook, its good to let loose” Hoseok pats his lower back, Jimin wants to snatch it away.
“I get the feeling. It’s hard to keep up the scary muscly guy motive too. Tell you the truth, I cry over Disney films and own an earring shop on etsy” Jungkook smiles, and Jimin is having heart palpitations. He’s so charming? What the fuck? Jungkook I am just a hole… Jimin pinches himself discreetly and tells himself to snap out of it.
“Coco’s a tough one. I remember I took Jimin to see it at the cinema once and he sobbed so much the popcorn turned soggy” Taehyung giggles all up until he catches Jimin’s eye, and then he immediately regrets it because damn the boy is scary when he’s mad, and right now, he’s mad.
Jungkook lets out a little laugh. “Cute”
Before Jimin can throw abuse at Taehyung, a pile of drinks is laid out in the centre of the table, and Seokjin stands there with his hands on his hips and a face no less than disappointed. “You fat fucks could’ve helped me instead of drooling at the group of girls with their asses hanging out— I almost dropped your stupid frappes everywhere and made a fool of myself”
“Um Seokjin” Hoseok nudges his side, and Seokjin glances up at Jungkook, his lips turning upwards in a welcoming smile.
“Oh! A guest! And who might you be”
“This is Jungkook” Taehyung winks so fucking obviously.
“OH” Seokjin looks at Jimin with an amused expression, and too sends him a wink. Jimin sinks into the chair. “Nice to meet you. I’m Seokjin, Jimin’s absolute bestfriend.” He gestures for Jungkook to shake his hand, which he does, albeit very confused and looking a little lost, “Wow a firm grip” He winks at Jimin again. “So erm, what were you all chatting about? Personally I would be talking about how Jimin’s ass looks absolutely fantastic in those jea-“
That’s it.
Jimin stands up, the chair falling backwards behind him and bringing very much unwanted attention towards their table before he grabs his brother’s hand. Jihyun squeals as he was still very much indulged in his game of Mario Kart. The ds drops onto the table, “I’m sorry I just remembered Jihyun has a doctors appointment, so ill be getting going now” His friends look confused, he shoots them a scowl before nodding his head at Jungkook, who all but smiles at him, “I’ll see you in Maths then” Jungkook nods and sends him a little wave. God he wants to put him in his pocket.
Then, he rushes out the door without glancing back.
-
“I’m home, Mum” Jimin shouts into his apartment, glancing around the box room connected to the kitchen thats starving to be actually used for something other than cups of tea and packet ramen. It’s somehow messier than when he left that morning.
His house is small. Actually, tiny.
He always uses the excuse it’s because of the mess, but with the 2 bedrooms, 10ft kitchen, and living room which only fits a double seated sofa that pulls into a bed and blocks the front door, the clutter is really just an extra factor.
If he could blame it on the fact they have a dog or a young child, he would, but really it’s his Mum. He loves his Mum, she birthed him... and that’s about it really.
Jimin was an accident, to say the least. He was a very, very unwelcome accident to his Mother, Park Shin-yee and some bald british dude who apparently doesn’t care he’s a Father, just sends the required money every month so he doesn’t have to see what his sperm ended up producing. He was originally placed into foster care, especially because his Mother drank way too much alcohol that she was lucky Jimin was born without so-called ‘issues’, but when he turned seven he was given back because she’d apparently recovered. And also had another baby.
Jihyun is sweet. As sweet as an eleven year old can be who lives in what social workers refer to as a troubled home. Jimin has a soft spot for his brother that he doesn’t like to admit, but he knows the little devil reciprocates. He’s all he’s got really, with his Mother disappearing every day to go to ‘work’, which really means she’s spending money and avoiding the wine aisles in tesco. Or meeting up with Bob. Bob’s her boyfriend. Bob is... questionable. The two boys have never actually met Bob, but apparently he picks up their Mother on a motorcycle and takes her for lunch in the John Lewis cafe. He seems to be making her happy, though, so that’s all that really matters.
So yeah, he’s fine really. He’s got a roof over his head, three meals a day, sometimes, and even though his Mum never cleans up after herself and sleeps on the couch surrounded by overdue library books, letters about bills and coffee mugs that may be growing a habitat, he’s great.
“Why are you so late? You’d promised you’d make dinner for Jihyun tonight” His Mother is on the couch, as usual, wearing a blinding sequin shirt and leather trousers, her makeup smeared down her face with one shoe hanging off her foot. She pushes herself up and rubs the side of her head, wobbling further towards Jimin as the boy slips his shoes off to place them next to the door, “You haven’t been hanging around with those twats have you”
“They’re not twats, Mum”
“They’re druggies! They’ll only send you down a path worse than mine” She tries to sound big, but she knows if she shouts she’ll give herself a headache, so her voice is timid. Jimin starts to walk towards his room, kicking a path from all the bottles of coke and mugs all over the floor. Thank god for hardwood flooring, or else a carpet would probably be covered in many questionable stains.
“Yeah you say all the time” Jimin sighs, hand on his door handle.
“I’ll just order a pizza then” She groans and plonks back onto the sofa, attempting to turn on the tv, but no luck. She groans again.
“If you’d paid the electricity bill then maybe you wouldn’t be surprised whenever the tv doesn’t turn on” Jimin rolls his eyes, “And I already ate, so don’t bother about me, only order for you and Jihyun”
There’s a short silence from behind him, and when he turns around, she’s fast asleep. “Typical” He tuts, before kicking his door open. It fights back a little against his carpet, but opens nonetheless, revealing his fairly decently clean room.
The walls are plaster and peeling from the previous paint job, but that’s nothing a few posters and old bus tickets can’t fix, his bed made of wood pallets that him and Hoseok made a couple years back when he got sick of his squeaky metal bed that almost broke whenever he lay down too hard, and in the corner sits a tiny foldaway desk. He mainly uses it to fix up his skateboard on, but he likes to pretend he does revision on there too.
He does like his room though, it’s a good escape from the fact his Mum cares more about her biker boyfriend than her own children.
He falls onto his bed with a sigh, staring at the spider web in the corner of his room. There’s no spider there. He wonders if it’s found a new home. He suddenly gets envious.
When his phone vibrates in his pocket, he slowly reaches down to slide it out his trouser pockets, the light making him blink a little.
Taehyung’s bussy
8:58pm
tae
-who fuckunf changed the name
-she went no where near my ass okay?
jin
-yeah and jimin likes women
tae
-shut the fuck up jin
hobi
-What time are we meeting then
me
-why are we meeting wtf
-i was not informed of this
tae
-seonghwa’s parents went to korea for a week so he’s throwing a house party
me
-what -_-
tae
-we told u yesterday at school
me
-i wasn’t at school yesterday
tae
-OH
-well seonghwas parents are going to korea for a week so he’s throwing a house party
me
-fucks sake
-i really can’t be asked tbh
jin
-pls min
hobi
-I don’t wanna go either but tae insisted cause daniel will be there
tae
-stop apparently he only sells to people he thinks r cool
-i need to get into his good books
me
-tae in no way are u cool
tae
-i love u too baby
hobi
-Look we’ll just go and scope out the scenes
-plus Jungkook will be there
tae
-omg nows ur chance to get railed in a bathroom
me
-wtf
tae
-come on i know u fantasise abt wall sex
me
-TAE
jin
-he likes them strong
Here’s the thing; Jimin probably should be excited at the fact his big fat crush will be at the party if he hadn’t made an utter fool of himself at school since he saw him in costa two weeks ago. It happened before Maths, when Jimin was waiting to go into the classroom, Jungkook walked past and grinned so fucking wide right at him, waved, then tried to approach him. Safe to say Jimin shit himself. He froze, then stuttered out a pathetic hello before saying he had to go, leaving Jungkook questioning everything. He sat at the back of the class as usual, waving awkwardly at the end of the lesson when Jungkook once again shot him a smile to which he responded with a nod one would call robotic. He hadnt shut up about it since it happened, and even though his friends keep saying he hasn’t actually ‘made a cock of himself’ he still (painfully obviously) avoided him from then on, even skipping his Maths class for literally the past two weeks so he wouldn’t have to face him.
hobi
-Jimin we're picking u up
-Wear something sluttish
tae
-omg wear that lacy top of ur mums
me
-how tf…
jin
-don’t wear something sluttish you’ll look desperate
-wear something casual
-if he doesn’t like u at ur worst then he doesn’t deserve u at ur best
hobi
-It’s a party ur supposed to look like a whore
tae
-jimin never has a worst
hobi
-true
-peng ting
me
-thanks guys appreciate the advice
jin
-was that sarcasm cus i thought my advice was pretty solid
hobi
-We’ll be there in an hour
me
-what why are u picking me up last
hobi
-To give you time to get all dolled up for ur man
jin
-wear some eyeliner baby
tae
-and those tight jeans
-see u soon!
jin
-kisses xx
hobi
-Love u
me
-seriously
-fuck u guys
-i will be making u wait on purpose
-
Jimin ends up wearing his usual cargo jeans and layers a shirt over the hoodie he was wearing anyway. He sprays some old spice over himself for extra measures, slips on a pair on converse and heads out the door, not even bothering to question where his Mum has gone. Didn’t even hear her leave.
He makes his friends wait five minuets outside his house, which they complain about, but he did tell them, so.
“What?! You look like you always do!” Taehyung throws his hands up over dramatically as him and Hoseok shuffle up to let Jimin in the backseats. There’s a few cans already pooling at his feet, and with the close proximity to Taehyung, he can smell the alcohol practically oozing out of him.
“Good on you Jimin! I think you look gorgeous darling” Seokjin grins from the drivers seat, Jimin sends him a wink then averts his attention to the person in the passenger seat. He looks back at Seokjin, then back at the person.
“Oh!” Seokjin suddenly turns, “This is Namjoon! I was originally just gonna buy off him, but turns out we’re all going to the same party, so I thought i’d give him a lift. What a small world!”
Jimin nods, then smiles to Namjoon, who’s turned his head around and is grinning also, deep dimples and eyes crinkled and bloodshot. His hair looks soft. “Nice to meet you”
“Vice versace, Jimin” Namjoon says back, chuckling at his joke, to which Seokjin lets out an extremely annoying wheeze at. He turns his head back to the front, and Seokjin sets off down the street.
Taehyung cups Jimin’s ear suddenly, making him jolt and hit the window “He’s friends with Jungkook”
Jimin immediately goes red. “Oh” He looks down, “Cool”
Taehyung nudges Hoseok and points at Jimin going red as a rose bush, then begins to distribute a few beer cans around the group.
“You do know you’re not gonna be able to drive home right?” Hoseok leans forward, placing his hands on the back of Seokjin’s seat. Seokjin glances into the mirror quickly, then back on the road.
“Yeah, I’ll just leave it there and pick it up tomorrow, all good”
“Last time you did that someone drew a massive cock on the window with spray paint. Took us two days to scrub that off, and I can still see the outline of the balls” Hoseok stretches his arm over to Seokjin’s window and starts dragging his finger along the faint outline, to which the older smacks his hand away and calls him a ‘sarky bastard’ or something. Hoseok thumps back in his seat as they all break into laughter at the memory of Seokjin’s screeching, panicking about what to say to his Dad— the man could barely see properly anyway.
“Hey Namjoon” Jimin reaches forward a little, his nostrils being engulfed in the smell of marijuana and boots aftershave, “Is erm— Jungkook gonna be there?”
Namjoon turns his head slightly, effectively sideyeing Jimin and smiling once again, if he ever even stopped, “Yeah he is I’m pretty sure. How comes?”
“Our Jiminie has a little crush” Seokjin lifts his eyebrows and smiles mischievously like he hasn’t just exposed Jimin. The younger smacks his shoulder without hesitating, getting an offended double take from the driver. At least he wiped that smug ass look off his face.
“Hey! He’s chill, Min, he won’t tell him” Seokjin defends himself desperately from Jimin’s karate hand pose. He sinks back into his seat when Namjoon nods
“It’s all good, I’m used to it at this point. I've heard it all before”
“He’s calling you basic, Jimin” Taehyung snorts, leaning on Hoseok.
Namjoon shakes his head slowly and raises his hands, “Nah, I understand why, he’s a hunch. Got girls pooling at his feet. The boy doesn’t know his privilege I’m tellin’ you”
“I heard he rejected Maisie. I mean for real? I’d pay just to go near her” Hoseok chimes in, playing with Taehyungs hair in one hand and a bottle of bulmers in the other.
Namjoon nods then shakes his head with wide eyes, “Did it right to her face” The three gasp, “I know!” Namjoon chuckles, giving Seokjin an uncalled for sip of his drink. Since when were they so chummy? “I’ll put a word in for you, Jimin”
“Oh no it’s fine, you don’t have to do that I’ll just... continue to stare at the back of his head for the rest of the school year. Then i’ll hopefully never see him again when we leave year 11” Jimin shrugs nonchalantly, playing with the door handle. Seokjin notices and puts child lock on.
“Ahh don’t say those things Jimin, he’s mentioned you before you know” Jimin perks up immediately, and Taehyung giggles in awe at his bestfriend. “We was talkin’ about what colour to dye his hair next, and he said ‘tell you who does dye their hair a lot, that kid in Maths, Jimin, the one who plays naughts and crosses by himself all through the lesson”
Jimin wants to bury himself in his hoodie. He’s seen him do that? Now he probably thinks he has a personality disorder or something, he just likes to practice because him and Seokjin always play it when they’re waiting for the bus! “Oh great” He sinks down the seat, “I look fucking insane now don’t I? How can I ever face him again”
“Yo chill, he said it... sentimentally, I swear. Was just on observation. Shows he pays attention aye” Namjoon winks, and Jimin sighs before Seokjin pulls up beside a detached house with a poorly decorated outside and fake grass up the front lawn.
“We ever been here before?” Taehyung sits up, letting Hoseok open the door for them to get out. Seokjin pokes his head back in the door, “Yeah, Seonghwa had his 11th birthday here”
Taehyung pauses on his way out, “You were invited to that?”
Jimin chambers out the car himself, and Seokjin locks the car with a push of a button, probably doing a silent prayer those spray painting lunatics don’t recognise his car and go over the outline. He takes a deep breath, just knowing that Jungkook is inside that building is sending him into a frenzy.
“Yeah. Me and Seonghwa used to be pretty good friends back then”
Taehyung gasps, “WHAT?” They begin up the path, the remixed pop music echoing out the cracks of the walls already, vibrating the stepping stones that lead up to the front door, begging for a noise complaint.
It’s a stereotypical house party from the minute they enter through the door, sweaty hormonal teenagers doing embarrassing dances they don’t care will be on someone’s story the next day, thick smell of alcohol and drugs lingering in the air wherever they go, it would be suffocating if Jimin wasn’t used to it. It isn’t too cramped, which makes it a nicer atmosphere. Jimin feels a little more relaxed, but still on edge knowing he could make eye contact with the dreaded boy at any second.
“Right” Taehyung slings his arm over Hoseok’s shoulder, “Let’s get absolutely trollied, then bring out my charm hoping Daniel is close by” He grins, kisses Hoseok’s cheek, then grabs Jimin’s sleeve to drag them both to the kitchen. Jimin looks back, kind of wanting to spend time with Namjoon to pry some information about Jungkook, but him and Seokjin seem to be soaked up in conversation, already lighting up and heading into the living room.
They reach the kitchen and Taehyung is already sliding the vodka out of his coat pocket, grabbing three random shot glasses from the table, two of which have lipstick stains on, and rather generously filling the glasses to the brim. He hands them to his friends with a cocky grin, and Jimin and Hoseok give eachother the same concerned look, but cheers the desperate boy anyway, and knock it back like water.
“I’m not in the mood for drinking” Jimin scrunches his face up, putting the glass back down, “You got any joints on you?”
Taehyung’s already pouring another when he answers, “Nah, Seokjin’s got ‘em. And whats so wrong with drinking?”
Hoseok takes another shot, wiping his mouth before nodding, “I agree, but at parties, sometimes it just hits the spot you know? Plus you know just how much I loves beer pong”
“Or truth or drink” Taehyung points and the two start fist bumping in agreement. Jimin giggles and rolls his eyes, opting for pulling a cigarette out his pocket instead.
Just when he brings the lighter to his lips, he feels a tap on his shoulder.
“Hey, could you do that outside?” It’s Seonghwa. He looks a little scared, and slightly regretful.
“What? You’re gonna let people do literal coke, but not let me have a fag?” Jimin frowns. Seonghwa shrugs and looks apologetic.
“Coke doesn’t smell” He points to his back door, “Out or put it out”
Jimin flips him off and starts to head for the back door, not turning around when Hoseok shouts he’ll be right out. The door slides open, revealing a put together garden with a swing set and a paddling pool full of leaves and broken sticks. He opts for a bit of patio to sit on, leaning up against the side of the house and watching a group of people play never have I ever in a circle.
The first inhale has him knocking his head back against the bricks. They’re cold and hard and he swears it has a nail in, but he still does it again, and again, and again. “Ow” He says, stating the obvious, before throwing his cigarette at the glass table in front of him, hoping it’ll land in the clay ash tray perched in the middle. It doesn’t. He plucks another one out his pocket, the other one seemingly not strong enough for his liking.
“Never knew you were a chainsmoker”
Jimin jumps a little, his hand instinctively going against his chest as he turns his head to where that fucking voice came from and god fucking dammit of course it’s Jungkook. He stands tall, almost looming over Jimin in an intimidating way, hands in the pockets of his loose jeans and arctic monkeys shirt flowing through the wind. He looks good. Really good. But that doesn’t surprise Jimin, because he could wear a fucking princess dress and still look out of this world saturn shit.
“Sorry didn’t mean to scare you” Jungkook giggles and wipes his nose before sliding his back down the wall and plonking a distance away that Jimin thinks is too close. He can feel his body heart, even in the british september air, he suddenly starts to sweat.
Jimin shakes his head and brings his knees to his chest, “It’s okay”
“So you smoke?”
He doesn’t want to look at him, he’ll probably kiss him or do something stupid if he catches one glance at his lips, “Erm not really... i mean... sometimes. It’s not like all the time but it’s just like... sometimes”
“Right” Jungkook is smiling, he can see it through the corner of his eye, the way his cute little teeth protrude out the front and his cheeks bunch up like they’re full off food.
“Sorry it’s probably gross” Jimin throws it, missing the ashtray once again.
Jungkook snorts, “You have horrible aim” He sits further up, “You got any left?”
Jimin does a double take at him, before nodding and stuttering out a pathetic ‘yeah’, reaching back into his pocket to pull out one of his last cigarettes and hello kitty lighter. He hands them to Jungkook, careful not to make their hands touch, he doesn’t know if he can deal with that right now. The boy lets out a little chuckle at his lighter, calling it cute before Jimin hears it click, then the familiar wave of smoke flows in front of him.
“God they are gross aren’t they” Jungkook grimaces. Jimin really really can’t look at him.
“Yeah. I’m not even addicted, just always for some reason have a packet on me. I think Taehyung leaves them at mine and I just usually bring them with me” That’s probably the most he’s said to him so he he mentally pats himself on the back for not slipping up.
Jungkook hums, “Used to do ‘em a while back. When I was fourteen”
Jimin widens his eyes and takes a short quick glance next to him. Thankfully Jungkook is facing forward with the cigarette nowhere near his mouth. “Wow. fourteen? That’s super young... how did you even get them at that age?”
“Was bestfriends with this guy at my corner shop. He pitied me because I used to tell him I was an orphan from Korea”
Jimin laughs, a little too much, but oh my god he’s funny too? He can’t fucking do this. “That’s kinda messed up... but also genius”
“Nah, anyone could’ve done it, just need excellent acting and watery eyes”
Jimin laughs through his nose, then starts to fiddle with his shoelaces as it falls into a silence. It’s kind of comforting in a way, the faint blast of music, chatter and giggles coming from all around. Jimin even feels relaxed.
That is until he takes one look next to him, just catching where Jungkook is blowing the smoke back out his mouth, his head back against the wall and eyes closed. His adams apple is prominent, jawline stretched and sharp enough to cut through Jimin’s fucking skin probably. Maybe he can give him a heart transplant, because his surely isn’t working now. He continues to stare, and Jungkook remains in that same position, like he’s thinking about something really really deep. Maybe about the universe or how far space goes. How can he make thinking look hot? Jimin is questioning himself, practically drooling out the corner of his mouth, until Jungkook brings his head back up, and looks straight into Jimin’s eyes. He smiles.
“You good in there?” He teases, waving his hand in front of his eyes, the smoke following his movements in the air. Jimin snaps out of it and coughs awkwardly, now fucking mentally slapping himself for how obvious he made that. It was going so well. Kinda.
“Sorry”
“It’s good” Jungkook chuckles one more time, before throwing the cigarette. It lands in the ash tray, and he looks at Jimin proudly. “Did you see that?”
“You have longer arms! You can’t blame me” He opens his mouth in disbelief.
“I don’t have longer arms, just better skills” He jokes. Jimin begs to differ, squinting his eyes at the boy. “Ok, don’t believe me?” Jungkook raises his eyebrows before straightening his arm out next to Jimin, gesturing for him to put them side by side.
Jimin really can’t do this.
He brings his arm out and hovers it next to the boy’s, making absolutely sure they’re not making one single bit of skin on skin contact. Jungkook scans up and down them, before he suddenly grabs Jimin’s hand with his other and pushes him arm back a little, so their shoulders are aligned. Great plan Jimin. Great plan. He doesn’t let go, even when their arms are lined up and show that Jungkook’s is just the tiniest bit longer. His fingertips feel rough but soft at the same time, and Jimin gulps.
Jungkook scowls and drops his arm, Jimin following suit a little after. “Ok fine they’re a little longer, but that doesn’t mean i’m less skilled”
Jimin blushes, “You’re really competitive”
“Yeah I know I get told a lot” Jungkook blushes.
“I get told I’m shy a lot” Jimin shrugs. What the fuck is he saying.
“You are pretty shy”
“I am?”
Jungkook nods. “You never really say anything in Maths class, just kind of sit there and... doodle I guess”
Jimin shuffles, feeling a little uncomfortable now. Is he being criticised? The thought of Jungkook judging him makes him feel anxious. “Oh”
Jungkook notices the mood shift, and immediately tries to change it back, “Not that thats a bad thing of course, some people just aren’t good at speaking publicly I guess... I mean, I’m not really that confident either unless I’m around people I know”
“Yeah I uh, I don’t know anyone in that class”
“Well now you know me” He pokes his side, and Jimin is so fucking red. Thank god there’s only a dim light out here. “You should sit at the front row with us”
Jimin scratches his nape, imagining all the intimidating people that sit at the front. Like Jungkook. “Oh I don’t know—“
“I’ll sit at the back with you if you want? Then we you don’t have to play naughts and crosses on your own”
Jimin sits up and looks at Jungkook, only to find him with a little smile and blushing cheeks. “Oh my god I cant believe you noticed that. I swear I’m not that guy from split or something, I literally just do it to practice cause I play it with my friend a lot”
Jungkook laughs and shakes his head, “I didn’t think you were weird. I sometimes play rock paper scissors on my own”
Jimin relaxes, and even breaks into a smile, “I do that too. It can go on for ages if I’m not careful. I get really into it” Oh no he’s said too much.
“I get what you mean, I often find myself being entertained by literally just sitting on my floor and playing games with myself” Jungkook perks up like he’s never heard anyone agree with him. Jimin nods enthusiastically to match his energy, also trying to hide how flustered he is.
“Same” He grins, “and yeah, you’re uh, welcome to sit at the back with me. Lots of spare chairs so”
“Cool, I’ll do that next time”
“Your friends won’t miss you?”
Jungkook waves his hand, “Nah, I'm not really that close to them, I just hang around with them because they're in most of my lessons and they're pretty chill.”
Jimin raises his eyebrow, “Oh, right. I just assumed you were close with them because you're super popular”
Jungkook shakes his head a little. “My friendship group is really just Namjoon, Yoongi, and a couple other people in my Music class"
"Really? But you're always being surrounded by girls and whatnot" Jimin tries not to sound jealous... but it honestly makes him angry when he sees a few people ogling at him in the halls.
"I mean I'm flattered" Jungkook chuckles, placing a hand over his heart, and Jimin goes a little wide-eyed, did I just sound like a prick? "But I've only ever rejected Maisie because I didn't like her like that. And Annie, but that was in like year 7. Most girls I hang around with are friends of a friend" He shrugs casually.
“Oh. So Namjoon was wrong, then?” Jimin looks forward again.
“Namjoon? You spoke to him?”
“Yeah for some reason he was in Seokjin’s car when they picked me up. I think he was buying off him but Seokjin offered to drive him to the party cause they were both going”
“That’s why he was so late. I called him six times and once he declined!”
Jimin chuckles.
“What did he say about me?”
“He just said everyone has a crush on you, especially girls” Jimin watches Jungkook’s face go from a frown to outraged.
“Oh what does he know! He never even comes to school!”
“Why do you care so much?” Jimin giggles, confused at the boy’s outburst.
“I just don’t want people thinking that i’m some sort of stereotypical fuckboy who doesn’t date. Yeah the odd bunch have had a crush on me, but only one of them has ever bothered to ask me out” Jungkook pouts and starts to play with the grass that’s growing between the slabs.
“Isn’t that what people think anyway?”
“Yeah, but I just don’t want you to think that about me”
What.
...What?
Jimin has a right mind to ask him to repeat himself because what the fuck does that mean?
“O-oh”
“Jimin! Get your ass in here we’re playing seven minutes in heaven and I know you—“ Hoseok comes bursting out the door, looking around the garden until he spots Jimin and Jungkook sat against the wall. His face turns into a wide grin, “Oh! Jungkook! Hi”
“Hi, Hoseok”
“You remember me, what a doll.” Hoseok winks at Jimin, and he flips him off discreetly, “Well do I dare and ask you to join us for seven minutes in heaven?”
Jimin hopes he says no.
“Nah it’s not really my thing, I’ll probably just go find Yoongi and chill with him”
Dammit.
Jungkook pushes himself up, dusting off the back of his legs before turning back round to Jimin, “I’ll see you in Maths then? Save a seat for me remember!”
Jimin nods pathetically and he disappears into the house with the cutest grin on his face.
Hoseok looks at him expectedly, “Dude?!”
“Hobi” Jimin whines and stretches his arms out, rolling onto his back, “He’s so fucking perfect”
“Oh, Jimin”
“I’m in so, so deep”