Archive of Our Own

As much as he hates to admit it to himself, Jungkook has a crush on his neighbour.

When he arrives home after work one evening and opens his fridge, he realises he has no eggs. Instinctively grabbing his phone from his pocket, he presses the call button on Namjoon's contact. It reads "New Neighbour" still, even though it's been almost half a year that Jungkook has been in this apartment since he and Jimin broke up, but he's trying to play it cool.

"Hey!" Namjoon sounds distracted.

"Hey hyung, are you okay?"

Namjoon sighs, "Just. There's been an accident on the metro so I don't know how long it'll be until I'm home. Long day."

"Oh." Jungkook says, "I'm sorry to hear that. I'll bring some chocolate for you when you're home!"

Namjoon chuckles lightly on the other line and Jungkook feels his heart flutter in his chest.

"How come you called?"

"Oh? Right, yeah. I called you." Jungkook shakes his head at himself, "I ran out of eggs and I was wondering if I could borrow a couple?"

"Of course! Go straight in, I'll give your door a knock when I'm home. Oh, and could you feed Nala for me please?"

"Yeah, can do." Jungkook breathes, smiling, "Okay. Thanks, hyung."

"See you later!" Namjoon says before he ends the call.

He lets himself into Namjoon's apartment, walking straight into the kitchen where Nala greets him, weaving between his legs as he tries to reach her food.

"Hey, I can't feed you if you're tripping me over, can I?" Jungkook says fondly, opening the tin of cat food and spooning it into her bowl.

He hears the door beep and click open, and he stops in his tracks, looking behind him at the kitchen door and wondering how Namjoon's home so early.

"Hyung?" Jungkook calls, but there's no answer. He stands up from where he was squatting and hears the sound of Nala tucking into her half-filled bowl, and the sound of socked feet padding closer to the kitchen.

"Oh." The man says, a frown appearing on his face as he takes Jungkook in. He's short, dark black hair falls over his face and eyes that remind him a lot like Nala's.

"Should I be worried?" Jungkook says, holding the tin of cat food in one hand and a spoon in the other like he's been caught doing something wrong.

"No, no." He waves Jungkook off. "I'm Yoongi."

Oh.

"Right." Jungkook nods, trying to act cool.

He doesn't really know what went on between him and Namjoon, apart from the fact that they had broken up a couple of months before he had moved in next door. His gut sinks as he wonders about all of the possibilities of why Yoongi would be here.

As if he read his mind, he pads off to another room. "I'm just grabbing a parcel. My friend keeps sending them here for some reason, even after I told them multiple times it's only Joon-ah that lives here now."

Jungkook lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding. "Ah."

Yoongi appears in the kitchen doorway again, parcel in hand and nods. "Nice to meet you...?" He pauses, expectant.

"Jungkook." He rushes out, "I'm Jungkook."

Yoongi chuckles lightly, "Nice to meet you, Jungkook. Tell Joon-ah I said thanks when he gets home."

"Yeah, of course." He says, and Yoongi leaves.

As the lock of the door beeps after it closes behind Yoongi, Jungkook can't help but stand there frozen still. Nala's already weaving between his legs again, pushing her head against him and silently demanding for more food.

"Ah, sorry baby." Jungkook says as he feels her push a little harder than usual. She was definitely trying to get his attention. "There you go." He sings, emptying the tin into her bowl and using the spoon to mush it up so it's a little easier for her to eat. Her head's already in the bowl, pushing the spoon out of the way as she chews the food noisily.

Jungkook feels a little shaken, trying to busy himself by washing the tin, cleaning her water bowl and refilling it. He can't take his mind off of Yoongi. He opens Namjoon's fridge and looks at the eggs, thinking about how Yoongi used to live here. This used to be Yoongi's apartment, too, and the eggs in here were theirs.

Yoongi, Namjoon's ex.

Did he really ever stand a chance?

He didn't know what Yoongi looked like before, didn't realise how captivating and beautiful he was. It made sense, in the short time he had the chance to observe Yoongi, to what Namjoon loved about him. Or maybe, in the present tense, loves about him.

He shakes it off, giving himself a small pep talk. It doesn't matter what Namjoon thinks about his ex. Jungkook is here getting eggs, and he needs to get a hold of himself. He's just his neighbour. 

He picks up two eggs before an idea pops into his mind; Namjoon probably hasn't eaten yet, and Namjoon probably won't want to cook himself anything when he gets home, so if Jungkook's already making food, why not make enough for Namjoon, too? They usually give each other leftovers anyway, so what’s the difference?

He uses his free hand to lean down and give Nala one last stroke before singing a little goodbye to her and returning to his apartment. He was going to make himself kimchi fried rice anyway, so he sets to work on turning the rice cooker and chopping an onion. It's when he's frying the eggs and moulding the fried rice in a bowl to shape it prettily on a plate that he hears the small familiar knock on his door to signal Namjoon's home.

"Hyung!" He shouts, his kitchen right next to his front door, in hopes that he's loud enough for Namjoon to hear. After a couple of seconds, he hears the small beeps of Namjoon typing in Jungkook's door code and the door opens.

"Jungkook?" Namjoon asks.

"I've made us food!" Jungkook says as Namjoon walks into the kitchen, looking tired and sad. "Get changed into some comfortable clothes before you come back and it'll be ready."

Namjoon's dejected face turns as a small smile curls onto his lips, "Really?"

"Of course, hyung. With your promised chocolate after." He smiles, and Namjoon flushes slightly, looking at the ground.

"Oh. Okay, well. I'll be back in like five?" He says, turning to go back to his apartment.

Jungkook feels giddy as he carefully places the eggs on top of the fried rice, pouring them a drink and setting it all up on his small dinner table. He's cleaning up the kitchen when Namjoon returns, looking a lot less exhausted and in a pair of sweatpants with a hoodie.

"Jungkook, this is so nice." He says, sitting down at the table, "Thank you for feeding Nala, too."

"Anything, hyung." Jungkook says, taking his seat opposite him and picking up his glass to cheers with Namjoon.

"Thank you again." Namjoon smiles as they clink their glasses, taking a sip and almost instantly picking up the spoon to pop the egg and mix it into the rice. Jungkook watches fondly as he tucks in happily, humming as he takes the first bite. "Ah, this is just what I needed after the day I've had."

He looks up to find Jungkook watching, his food untouched and giggles, embarrassed. "Jungkookie, why aren't you eating, too?"

"I'm just glad you're enjoying it, Namjoonie hyung." He says, picking up his own spoon.

"Of course. I appreciate anything you do for me." Namjoon says before putting another spoonful into his mouth and Jungkook has to try his best not to choke on his food at the comment. He takes it slow, reminding himself how to chew and swallow like a normal human being.

"Thanks." He mumbles, looking down at his plate in case he's blushing.

"So." Namjoon hesitates, "This might be weird."

Jungkook looks up to meet Namjoon's guilty face.

"Yoongi told me he met you."

"Oh." Jungkook blinks, putting down his spoon. "Yeah."

"He thought that you're my boyfriend." Namjoon rushes, his eyes trained on the table between them.

"I—"

"Jungkook, I'm really sorry." Namjoon shakes his head, "I didn't deny it. I just let him say it and talk about you."

"You're telling me—"

"I'm sorry if you're uncomfortable with that. I'm sure I could just pretend that we've broken up in a couple of weeks just in case it becomes awkward or something—"

"Hyung, wait." Jungkook says, "Yoongi-ssi thinks we're dating?"

"Yes."

"And you didn't deny it?" Jungkook repeats, trying to explain it mostly to himself at this point.

"Yes. I'm—"

"Hyung, stop. It's fine." Jungkook shrugs, trying to supress the small feeling that begins growing in his gut which feels a little too much like hope. "Do you think pretending to date you would be such a burden?"

At this, Namjoon's face flushes quickly. "I mean, I—"

"I'd be honoured to be your fake boyfriend. Does this mean Nala is now my cat too?"

Namjoon giggles, shaking his head and gently kicking Jungkook's leg under the table. "Shut up."

"Look, all I'm saying is that I might love her more than you in our pretend relationship."

"Even if this were real, I feel that'd happen anyway." Namjoon rolls his eyes and Jungkook smirks, shrugging cheekily.

"I'm not sure if I can deny that."

"Thanks anyway, Gguk. For letting me get away with that. He did say nice things about you, though."

Jungkook raises his eyebrows, "Yeah?"

"Said he can imagine us looking good together."

Jungkook purses his lips and nods, "I think I agree with that."

Another small kick under the table, "And that you're cute, he said that you're definitely my type or something. Looks like Nala likes you a lot which makes him feel better."

"Hyung, now you're just making this a challenge for me." Jungkook teases.

Namjoon's wide-eyed as he looks at Jungkook, "What do you mean?"

"You're telling me that I'm your type and that we'd look good together, and that you didn't deny that we were fake dating and you expect me not to turn our fake relationship into a real one?"

Namjoon sighs, "Stop teasing me. Telling you this was humiliating enough. You're far out of my league, but I appreciate the charity work on your behalf anyway." He laughs self-deprecatingly and picks up his spoon again to continue eating.

Jungkook frowns, wanting to argue back but noticing the look on Namjoon's face, telling him that he doesn't want to discuss this anymore. 

They finish their meals in silence, and Namjoon awkwardly pushes around the last few grains of rice left on his plate to avoid looking Jungkook in the eye and addressing what had happened earlier.

"Hyung." Jungkook softly says, "I'm not out of your league."

Namjoon chuckles, "Thanks Jungkookie. For everything tonight."

"Anytime, hyung. If you're tired I won't keep you." He says, sensing Namjoon's discomfort. "Let me grab you the chocolate." He stands up and grabs the bar he'd saved for him.

Namjoon smiles. "Thanks again." He yawns, "I'm just really tired. I'm not processing things properly."

"I understand." Jungkook nods as he walks Namjoon to the door. "Sleep well."

"You too." He says, and Jungkook stands by his door after it closes, hearing Namjoon unlock and go inside of his own apartment. He sighs, leaning his head against it as he reflects on everything that happened tonight.

Realistically, he shouldn't have been so pushy. He knows for sure now that Namjoon doesn't like him in that way, and he probably didn't correct Yoongi about them dating to make him jealous. Jungkook had given him a good opportunity to join in with the banter, to flirt back. Instead, he made Namjoon uncomfortable , and that makes him feel sick to his stomach. He just hopes he hasn't damaged their relationship with that.

He decides to spend the rest of the evening cleaning up their plates and falling straight into bed, replaying everything he said wrong that evening.

♢

When he gets home the next day, he almost drops the cake he'd bought on the way home from work on the floor, because when he walks into his kitchen, Namjoon is standing there. Cooking.

"Is this my apartment?" Jungkook blinks, placing the cake on the counter before a potential disaster.

Namjoon giggles, "Yes! I hope you don't mind, but I came to return the favour from yesterday. It was really sweet."

Jungkook feels his heart soar—the gesture so kind that he doesn't want to let himself get lost in it. He walks over to Namjoon and hooks his head over his shoulder, "What'cha cookin'?"

"Unfortunately, I only got home from work about thirty minutes ago so it was a little bit of a rush. I'm making us jjajangbap." Namjoon says, carefully stirring the dark brown mixture in the pan.

"Ah." Jungkook says, "Smells so good, hyung." He takes a deep breath and walks away, "What a coincidence I bought us cake, too?"

Namjoon shrugs and smiles over his shoulder. "Perfect."

"Do I have time to shower quickly?"

"Yes! It'll be around ten minutes before it's on the table."

"Understood, Chef Kim!" Jungkook salutes before rushing to the bathroom, smiling and feeling the butterflies flutter in his stomach as Namjoon's laugh echoes against his apartment walls.

It's all so domestic, Jungkook thinks, far too domestic; he's watching as Namjoon carefully plates it up without spillage and bringing it to the table.

"This looks amazing, hyung. Way better than my kimchi fried rice." Jungkook marvels as Namjoon brings across the plates, even having made rolled omelette while he was showering. "I'm impressed."

Namjoon glows as he sits down and nods, "You get all of my efforts." He laughs, "I don't often put this much effort into cooking for myself."

"Cute." Jungkook feels his cheeks hurt from smiling, scrunching his nose in amusement as Namjoon pouts lightly.

"Sh. Eat." Namjoon says, picking up his chopsticks to take a bite of the omlette.

"Hyung, this is delicious." Jungkook moans with a mouthful of rice.

Namjoon smiles, shifting in his chair and getting up. "Wait, I forgot to make us drinks. I'm a bad host. I mean. It's your apartment but, you know."

Jungkook watches him flitter around nervously. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm—" Namjoon shakes his head, pouring a can of beer into a glass, "Look. Something weird happened before you got home."

"It did?" Jungkook asks carefully, "What's up?"

Namjoon brings the glasses to the table and sits down, drawing his eyebrows together.

"So, I thought you'd gotten home while I was just starting to prep the ingredients, but it wasn't you that walked through the door."

Jungkook's confused, looking at Namjoon for a second and trying to run through every person who knows the code to his apartment and why they'd be there.

"Jimin hyung?" Jungkook asks.

Namjoon nods. "Yeah, Jimin-ssi came over."

"Isn't it wild that we're meeting each other's exes so randomly?" Jungkook says, trying to loosen the frown that's tight on Namjoon's face.

"Yeah, weird." Namjoon's head jerks slightly and he pouts his lips.

"Hyung...what happened? What did he do to you?"

"He told me that he knew about the fake dating thing." Namjoon's voice cracks slightly as he says it, "And, might have warned me? That he'll kick my ass if I hurt you?"

Jungkook's face drops. "Oh my god."

"It's good to know that you still have a very close relationship with your ex." Namjoon squeaks, quickly taking a sip of his beer.

"Did he say anything else?"

Namjoon's eyes glaze over slightly as he shakes his head.

"Look, I'm really sorry. He's protective of me. We broke up like, very mutually, and he's now dating his literal soulmate, so he's desperate to ensure that I find someone like that. I'm really embarrassed about this."

"I told him that I was going to tell Yoongi that we were breaking up in a few weeks, so it didn't matter anyway." Namjoon shakes his head and Jungkook winces.

"Hyung..." Jungkook whines.

"My life flashed before my eyes."

"The fact you didn't drop everything and run for your life is impressive to me." Jungkook cracks a small smile, "You think I'm worth it?"

Namjoon blushes, "Well, I—I needed to thank you for yesterday somehow."

"Thanks, hyung. For putting up with Jimin hyung and also me. I'll tell him to apologise for that."

"That's okay. I'm too scared to ever talk to him again, I think."

Jungkook giggles, "I understand. I'll pass on the message."

They finish up the food in comfortable silence and move onto the cake that Jungkook had bought. Originally, his plan for tonight was just to only eat that and feel bad about the night before, wondering why on earth he ruined everything with Namjoon. He didn't expect that he'd be spending the evening with Namjoon and sharing the cake between the two of them, giggling and falling back into their regular conversation.

♢

A couple of days later, he hears a small quick knock on his door.

"It's hyung." Namjoon says, rushed.

He walks and opens the door immediately, "You okay?" Jungkook can feel his heart racing at the panic that Namjoon seems to be in.

"Look. This is gonna sound weird, but, Yoongi's coming over in a second to pick up some stuff he left here and didn't have room for in his old apartment. Could you..?"

Jungkook smirks lightly, leaning against his door frame as he looks at Namjoon. "What? Come and pretend to be your boyfriend?"

Namjoon's face crumples from sheer embarrassment, "Yes."

"I thought you'd never ask, hyung." Jungkook smiles, "Give me five minutes, I need to freshen up."

"You look perfect like that, Gguk. C'mon." Namjoon says, quickly scanning Jungkook's body and smiling before shaking his head.

Oh.

Jungkook's in his sweatpants with his hair tied up in a messy bun on the top of his head. He thinks he looks like a mess , but he supposes the domesticity of this look really adds to the boyfriend illusion , and he kinda likes it.

He follows Namjoon into his apartment and into the kitchen, watching with amusement as Namjoon paces around.

"How should we act? Where should you stand? Should we pretend to be doing something before he turns up?" Namjoon says, mostly to himself.

"Hyung?" Jungkook tries to suppress the amusement in his voice, "Why are you so stressed over this? Just act normal!"

Namjoon stops and looks at Jungkook with a little frown. "I'm..."

"Are you trying to impress him, hyung?" Jungkook tries, testing the waters.

"Yoongi hyung? No." Namjoon frowns, "Not in like a...take me back way. More of just like a, hey, look, I have a hot boyfriend too, ha-ha, kind of thing."

Jungkook raises his eyebrows, slightly taken aback by the words that just left Namjoon's mouth. "A what?"

"Did I just say that out loud?" Namjoon's eyes grow wide.

"Yes. You think I'm hot, hyung." Jungkook states, and Namjoon groans, wiping his hands over his face.

"Look. I don't have time for this crisis."

"You have time to deny it, though." Jungkook teases.

"I'm not doing that." Namjoon replies, and he gasps lightly as the door beeps. "He's here." He whispers, as if Jungkook couldn't hear the door opening and closing himself. "Act normal." He hisses, and Jungkook shrugs, taking his phone out as he leans against the kitchen counter.

He hopes that to Yoongi, it's a grossly domestic scene: Namjoon, well, skittering around nervously while Jungkook pretends to be reading something extremely interesting on his phone (he's scrolling through cat pictures), while Nala is curled up beside him sleeping.

"Jungkook-ah, hi." Yoongi smiles as he walks in, followed by Namjoon as he trails Yoongi, making awkward small talk.

"What is up with you today?" Yoongi frowns as he turns back to Namjoon. "What's up with him?" He directs to Jungkook, who looks up from his phone and rolls his eyes.

"Hey Yoongi-ssi, I'm not sure. He's only started acting like that since you arrived." Jungkook shrugs, turning his attention back to his phone and pretending to ignore the way Namjoon's body tenses at that.

"Me? Joon-ah." Yoongi's voice is stern. "Are you nervous because you've broken something?"

"I—I, no. No, I haven't broken anything. I swear."

Yoongi mumbles something as he walks down the hallway, and Jungkook winks at a scowling Namjoon who then moves to follow Yoongi into the spare room. They emerge a few minutes later, boxes in hand and Jungkook rushes to open the front door for them as soon as he sees them struggling.

Namjoon looks like he's going to drop the box he's holding, so Jungkook moves to take it from him. "Hyung, don't overstrain yourself. I'll carry it." Jungkook scolds as he adjusts the box comfortably in his grip.

Yoongi turns to watch the two of them with an amused smile on his face. "Cute." He says, "This way, Jungkook."

Once they reach Yoongi's car, he helps arrange the boxes in his trunk.

"Jungkook." Yoongi says behind him, making him jump slightly.

He turns to give him his attention, and Yoongi continues. "I'm glad that Joon has someone to look after him." He smiles, "People as beautiful as him on the inside are like gold dust, and they deserve to be treated that way."

Jungkook's stomach twists, conflicted. He wishes he had the opportunity to love Namjoon the way he should be loved, wishes he could show how much of a beautiful person he is and how much he's brightened his life in the short time he's been in it. But for Namjoon, this is fake.

"Of course." Jungkook smiles wistfully, "I'll do my best."

Yoongi pats him on the shoulder lightly before closing the trunk, "Let me go say goodbye to him."

Once they step back inside of the apartment, Namjoon is biting his lip as he stares into space, leaning against the hallway where the front door is.

"Hyung." Jungkook says lightly as they walk back in, "Yoongi-ssi's leaving now. We got it all packed up in his car."

"Right." Namjoon says, standing up straight. Jungkook walks to him and wraps his arm around Namjoon's waist—taking the only opportunity he'll ever get for this. If he's going to pretend, he'll give it all he's got. Namjoon tenses just barely as he feels Jungkook do it, relaxing almost instantly and moving closer to Jungkook.

"Thanks for holding that stuff for me while I got my situation figured out." Yoongi smiles towards Namjoon, and Namjoon nods.

"Of course, hyung. You know I'd do anything if you needed me to."

"Yeah. Same for you. Thank you for the help Jungkook. Don't forget what I said, yeah?"

Jungkook nods, "Yeah. Safe trip home!"

"See you later!" Yoongi says before he leaves.

Jungkook feels like he's overstepping the second he doesn't have Yoongi's eyes on him, moving his arm away and letting out a breath.

"What did he say to you?" Namjoon asks, a small confused frown on his face.

"Top secret information passed between the ex and the new fake boyfriend of Kim Namjoon." Jungkook teases, and Namjoon fondly shakes his head.

"C'mon. You can't hide this from me! I've been so transparent about everything so far!"

Jungkook sniffs, feeling a lump form in his throat as he gears himself up to say it.

"Just," He shrugs, "He told me that he's happy you have someone like me. And that I should take care of you."

Namjoon smiles, "Well, you do that anyway. I'm happy I have someone like you, too."

Jungkook nods, not being able to find the words to respond. "Yeah, I'm lucky to have you too, hyung." He ducks his head and ignores the small pain in his chest, "I'm gonna go back. Got a date with delivery fried chicken and my bed."

Namjoon opens his mouth as if he were to say something but stops himself and nods back. "Yeah. Of course, Jungkookie. Have a good evening, and thank you again."

"Any time." Jungkook smiles, hating the fact that he wished Namjoon would've said something, maybe offered that they could order takeout together. He hates that he holds onto the almost that came out of Namjoon's mouth.

♢

It's about a week after the Yoongi incident that Jungkook hears the familiar knock on his door. He’s making kimchi as he hears it, rubber gloves covered in bright red mixture on his hands.

"Hyung? Come in!" Jungkook shouts, waving his gloved hands in the air as if Namjoon would be able to see why he can’t open the door.

"Hey! Oh." Namjoon says as he walks into the kitchen, "You're making kimchi?"

"Yes." Jungkook breathes, as he turns to Namjoon, wiping sweat off of his forehead. "My grandmother's secret recipe. I was going to make you a container up."

Namjoon smiles, "That's cute."

Jungkook just bites his lip and averts his eyes, "So?"

"Oh. Right, yeah." Namjoon chuckles awkwardly. He hesitates before continuing, "So...You know you helped Yoongi with those boxes last week?"

"Yes?" Jungkook meets his eyes curiously.

"So, he needed the boxes as he and his new boyfriends have moved into a new place together."

"Oh."

"And he invited us to the housewarming party." Namjoon winces, rubbing the back of his neck.

Jungkook blinks, "But I thought you were going to tell him that we broke up?"

"I was going to!" Namjoon whines, "But before I had the opportunity, he'd already asked us to go, and said that Seokjin hyung and Hoseokie want to meet you."

"And wouldn't that have been a really good time to tell them?" Jungkook tries, trying not to let the little spark of hope in his gut rear its head.

"He'd already launched into how much he'd told them that you were good for me and that we looked good together, and I just...I didn't know how to tell him."

"Hyung, you make it sound like you were breaking up with him ." Jungkook giggles, and Namjoon winces.

"It was horrible, Jungkookie. I honestly felt worse telling him we'd broken up than basically lying to his face that we're dating."

Jungkook raises his eyebrow and Namjoon shakes his head, "Don't."

He shrugs and turns back to the kimchi, feeling his face burn up and hoping Namjoon hasn't noticed.

"Look, I'll go with you. Only because I like Yoongi hyung and because I couldn't bear making you go alone. Now grab some gloves from under the sink and help me here. If you want some of the best kimchi you've ever tasted in your life, you'll have to earn it."

Namjoon chuckles next to him, "Alright. Fair deal."

♢

Having never met Yoongi's boyfriends, Jungkook's stressing himself out over what to wear. He doesn't know if going formal is the correct thing to do, or what would be considered too casual. When Namjoon lets himself into his apartment, Jungkook walks out of his bedroom to greet him before taking in what he's wearing. He's got a pair of rolled up slacks on, a black shirt and a dark grey jacket, white socks pulled up past his ankles.

"Hyung," Jungkook whines from his bedroom. "I don't know what to wear."

"Don't overthink it. As long as you're not wearing sweatpants, you're fine."

"Okay." He takes a deep breath, "Give me five minutes and I'll be out."

He goes for a dark blue washed out jeans with ripped knees, a white tee tucked in with a leather jacket over the top. He pulls his socks up past where his jeans are folded his ankles and admires himself in the mirror, hoping he looks like a good enough match for Namjoon.

When Jungkook emerges from his bedroom, Namjoon looks up from his phone and smiles widely.

"See, wasn't so hard, was it? You look good!"

Jungkook pouts, "Yeah, yeah. We look good together anyway." He mumbles, and Namjoon elbows him lightly.

"Maybe we do. C'mon. It's not too far of a walk."

They fall into their usual chatter as they walk together, their hands lightly brushing against each other. Jungkook tries not to think too much of it, Namjoon doesn't pull his hand away, nor does he take Jungkook's hand into his, so he tries to act cool, like this doesn't affect him in any way .

"So, I guess before we go in, we should discuss like. What we're comfortable with." Namjoon whispers as they get closer to Yoongi's block.

"I mean. I'm fine with whatever. I can't imagine you'd pull me onto your lap to make out with me or something." Jungkook laughs, and Namjoon nudges him.

"Well, I could surprise you." Namjoon says, laughing quietly.

"Mmm, yeah, okay hyung. I'm sure."

"Alright. We can do this." Namjoon says to himself.

"Yes, we can. Let's go." Jungkook replies as Namjoon leads him into the block.

When they walk into the living room, it isn’t a party per se, there aren’t people filling almost every room in the house, it’s more of a casual get together it seems, with just a few people all engaged in conversation scattered about the room. Either way, Jungkook still wraps his arm lightly around Namjoon’s waist and brings him closer.

Two people perk up the second they see them, and Jungkook assumes they’re Hoseok and Seokjin as they come bounding over.

“Namjoonie, is this Jungkook-ssi we’ve heard so much about?” One of them asks, his face chiseled like a god with lips in the shape of a heart.

“ So much?” Jungkook smiles between Yoongi and Namjoon.

Namjoon chuckles, “Hob-ah, who else would be holding my waist like this?”

“You’re both absolutely and horrifically cute together. It makes me sick.” The other says, absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Jungkook wonders if he’s a model.

“Thank you?” Jungkook slowly replies, looking to Namjoon for help.

Namjoon laughs, “That’s Seokjin hyung, and this is Hoseokie.”

“Hyung!” Hoseok replies, “I’m Joonie’s age.”

Jungkook nods, “It’s nice to meet you both.”

“You do look really cute together, though.” Hoseok smiles, and Jungkook squeezes Namjoon’s waist lightly.

He wishes that somehow, he could see them from the outside or another perspective. It’d be a little weird to ask for someone to take a photograph of them, and realistically, he shouldn’t let himself get so hung up on their fake relationship. He’s already put his cards on the table, and he gave Namjoon the opportunity to take him up on maybe giving them a serious chance. Namjoon didn’t want to take it, so he’ll get through tonight, let himself live in the what-could’ve-been, and try to move on.

“Yeah.” He hears Namjoon reply, meeting Jungkook’s eyes, and Jungkook wants to melt under his gaze. “Jungkook is gorgeous.”

“You’re both gorgeous.” Yoongi interjects, coming to join the small circle they’ve created in the room. “Glad you both made it, and it’s good to see you again, Jungkookie.”

They all fall into comfortable conversation after this, but it becomes slightly awkward once Yoongi leaves to grab them a drink and Seokjin begins asking about how they began dating. Jungkook lets Namjoon take the lead, unsure if there’s anything he’s already said to Yoongi that he might accidentally contradict.

The story isn’t too far off their actual friendship, which makes an uncomfortable feeling swirl in Jungkook’s stomach. It goes like this: Jungkook moved in next door after breaking up with Jimin and they naturally became friends after Jungkook introduced himself to Namjoon as his new neighbour. Jungkook invited Namjoon to his apartment to eat one evening as he says he made too much food, (in all honesty, he did , but it was intentional in hopes that he could get to know his hot neighbour a little better). After this, they clicked and ended up spending a lot more time together, and as Namjoon put it, “...like, yeah . We became a thing.”

Hoseok and Seokjin lap it up, cooing and smiling at little parts of the story, at how Namjoon points out little things he did to grab Jungkook’s attention which Jungkook has to visibly try not to react to, because this is news to him, and holy fucking shit, Namjoon did that to get his attention? He remembers the anecdotes that Namjoon is telling them, always thinking he had reasoned to why Namjoon had done it: an excuse, anything but because he liked Jungkook.

If Namjoon’s lying and twisting these small situations just for this fake relationship, Jungkook doesn’t know what he’s going to do with himself after tonight. He’s learning a lot about the last six months of knowing Namjoon, and his world has flipped on its axis after hearing Namjoon’s side of the story, albeit “fake”.

Perhaps he does drink more than he should’ve tonight, not drunk, but just slightly tipsy and giggly, letting himself play up to the part and cling onto Namjoon for the entire night. When Namjoon leaves for the bathroom, he gives Jungkook a small peck on the cheek, and his heart soars in his chest. When Namjoon sits on the couch, he drapes himself over him, completely unashamed.

When he said he’s making the most of Namjoon being his, he wasn’t kidding.

“Jungkookie.” Namjoon giggles as Jungkook’s sitting on his lap, “My legs are going dead. Should we head home now?”

“Oh. You think we should?” Jungkook says, trying not to sound too disappointed, but the tone of his voice deceives him.

“It’s getting late, and I don’t think you should drink any more if I need to help you walk home.”

“Mmm. True, hyung. Very true. Okay. Let’s go.”

He climbs off of Namjoon’s lap and stands up, ready to say goodbye to everyone. It feels a little bittersweet, letting himself get attached to these people in the short time they spent together. There won’t be a reason for Jungkook to know these people after tonight, because their fake relationship is ending soon. 

Trying not to let it show as he hugs everyone goodbye, he promises to see them again soon and hopes Namjoon doesn’t hear, ignoring the small tugs in his chest.

“Ready?” Namjoon smiles by the door, putting on his shoes.

He nods and joins him, sliding his own shoes on and letting Namjoon slide his leather jacket onto his arms from behind.

“Thank you for tonight, hyung.” Jungkook says once again when they’re both out of the door, and Yoongi smiles, waving them off.

“Get home safe, you two.”

And really, there’s no reason for Jungkook to slip his fingers through Namjoon’s as they walk home that evening, because it’s over now, but Namjoon lets him, squeezing his hand gently.

Jungkook feels his heart sink as they walk up the stairs to their own apartments, knowing that this is really it. He wanted it to be over so badly before, wanting to stop playing the game and giving himself hope.

They stop outside of their front doors, and Namjoon uses his free hand to gesture to Jungkook’s. Not letting go of Namjoon’s hand, Jungkook takes a step towards his door, and Namjoon follows. He looks up towards Namjoon, squeezing Namjoon’s hand in his and meeting his eyes that are already looking into his own. He darts his eyes between Namjoon’s eyes and lips, unconsciously licking his bottom lip.

“Are you su—” Namjoon starts, before Jungkook closes the gap and stands on his tiptoes slightly to press their lips together, Namjoon responding almost instantly. He holds Jungkook’s hip with one hand and untangles their fingers to bring his other hand to cup Jungkook’s cheek as they kiss so gently and slowly, Jungkook feels like he’s in the clouds.

“Hyung.” Jungkook pulls back slightly, “We don’t need to do this. No one can see us anymore.”

Namjoon gives Jungkook’s lips another small peck before responding, his lips still on Jungkook’s, “I’m doing this because I want it, Jungkookie.”

“Me too.” Jungkook whispers, “I want this so much.”

Jungkook lets Namjoon carefully lead him backwards so his body is against his door, their kiss slowly growing more passionate as the seconds pass, and Namjoon leans back, panting quietly. His hand is still on Jungkook’s cheek, his thumb gently rubbing across his face as he looks at Jungkook with want.

Namjoon looks like he wants him.

“Please can we talk about this in the morning?” Namjoon whispers, “I think we both have things we need to say.”

Jungkook nods, “Yeah. As long as you still mean what you said in the morning, then yes, I’ll let you leave me right now.”

“That I want this?” Namjoon asks, giving Jungkook’s forehead a chaste kiss, “Jungkook, I really really want this.”

“Okay. You’re allowed to go.” Jungkook squeaks, and Namjoon chuckles lightly.

“Goodnight, Jungkookie.” Namjoon says, giving Jungkook one last kiss before stepping back, gesturing for Jungkook to go inside first.

Once he’s inside, he leans against his door to hear the sounds of Namjoon going inside his own apartment and lets the taste of Namjoon’s lips on his own linger.

♢

Jungkook wakes up early, checking his phone repeatedly in hopes that Namjoon has said something about the talk he promised him last night. He shoots him a good morning text and instantly gets out of bed, not letting his insecurities overtake his brain and make him think that Namjoon’s regretting it. He’s probably still asleep.

He goes for a run, picking up pastries from a bakery on the way home and takes a shower as soon as he gets in. When he’s out of the shower and dressed, he picks up his phone and sees that Namjoon has texted him, asking when is best to come round. He replies, letting him know that now is fine as he goes to switch on the kettle and place the pastries on a plate for them both to share.

He’s pouring them both cups of coffee as Namjoon lets himself in.

“Good morning hyung, did you sleep well?” He asks, handing the mug to Namjoon.

“I did, did you?” He asks, sitting down at the table opposite him.

“Yeah.” Jungkook smiles, reminiscing how it feels to kiss Namjoon.

“So.”

“So.”

“Last night.” Namjoon smiles shyly, looking down at the table and fidgeting with his hands.

“We kissed.” Jungkook says, and watches as Namjoon’s smile grows wider.

“Yeah, we did. How do you feel about that this morning?” 

“I feel like I’d really like it if that was something I’d be allowed to do all the time.” Jungkook responds, and Namjoon meets Jungkook’s gaze.

“Me too.”

“Cool.” Jungkook says, “So. I did turn the relationship from fake to real.”

Namjoon opens his mouth wide in shock and frowns, “Hey. Are you teasing me again?”

“No! I’m being honest. I meant it then and I mean it now.” Jungkook smiles. “I got us pastries. To celebrate being real boyfriends.”

Namjoon looks between the small plate of pastries and Jungkook and shakes his head fondly.

“You’re lucky I like you so much to let you tease me like this.”

“I really am lucky.” Jungkook says, and Namjoon takes his hand from across the table.

“No, I’m the lucky one.”