Archive of Our Own

Jimin wasn’t told the name of the artist he’d be working for when he took the train to Seoul to attend the interview. The listing had just said a solo artist in the idol industry and that he’d be working under the senior make-up artist on a series of music videos for their visual album. The pay was great for an entry level position and it sounded like amazing experience for his resume, so frankly he didn’t care who it was. He’d studied makeup at beauty school for the past three years whilst working part time as a barista, so he was just glad to finally have work in the industry.  

He was accepted for the job on the Tuesday, miraculously found someone who was subletting the spare room in their apartment for a reasonable price on the Wednesday, and was off to Seoul by the end of the week. He didn’t have much in the way of belongings to take with him. He’d previously been living at home with his parents, so he hadn’t accumulated his own furniture or anything yet. 

For now he was happy to sleep on a futon he’d had delivered to the apartment ahead of time. When he starts earning properly he’ll invest in some furniture like maybe a bed frame and mattress, but he was used to sleeping on futon when he visited his extended family. 

Seokjin, the guy he was living with, was nice. He was older than him by a couple of years and was a chef. In his messages with Jimin, he’d explained that he has been covering the rent himself until now but the hours he was working to do it were too stressful. So he’d cut back a little bit and was compensating by subletting.

When Jimin arrived, he’d helped him carry his bags upstairs and told him he’d already put the futon in his room. 

Now, one week later, his new Hyung has made him breakfast before his first day on the job. 

“Just don’t stab anyone in the eye with your makeup brushes and you’ll be fine,” says Seokjin, laughing squeakily at his own joke. But when he sees Jimin repeating the advice to himself under his breath as if to memorise it, he waves his spoon in front of him.

“Hey! It was a joke. You’re gonna be great. You have the talent, otherwise they wouldn’t have hired you. And you look the part!” he says, gesturing to Jimin’s face. He’d decided to do a full face for himself this morning. Nothing too extra, but definitely noticeable. Pretty.

“People are going to want to gobble you up, you’re so sweet! Try to relax, okay?”

Jimin breathes in through his nose and lets it out slowly through his mouth. He was going to be fine. “‘Kay,” he echoes. 

“Good,” smiles Seokjin. “And if you manage to snag any freebies, remember your Hyung prefers shades of green. Really makes his eyes pop!”

This makes Jimin giggle, which is definitely the intention. Jimin had worked out pretty quickly upon meeting him, that Seokjin’s favoured method of ice-breaking is humour. Usually outrageous self praise, intending to shock with his unapologetic shamelessness. 

“Noted,” says Jimin, feeling himself calm slightly. 

All he needs to do is Not Fuck It Up.

~~~~~

‘Agust D’, reads the name on the dressing room Jimin is led to. His heart stops beating.

“Don’t gawk, he hates that. And keep the small talk to a minimum, he’s moody in the mornings,” says the tall woman who led him there from the front desk. 

“Kyubok-ssi will be in there already, and Chin-Hae-ssi will be down with the garments shortly.”

With the way his mind is racing with the revelation that he’s working for THE Agust D, he only just about manages to comprehend that those are the names of the two men who’d interviewed him. The senior make-up artist and the stylist respectively. 

“Okay,” he says, his voice hiding away in his throat. He inwardly kicks himself for sounding so timid.

She looks him over and then gives him a small smile, “You’ll be fine, kiddo,” she says, before knocking on the door and opening it. “Everyone, this is Park Jimin-ssi, the new junior make-up artist. Make him welcome,” she says to the room at large.

And then she’s leaving, and he has to go inside by himself. He suddenly wants to hide behind her skirts like she’s his Eomma and he’s four years old again, afraid to go to preschool. 

“Hello,” he says, bowing to everyone, “I’m Park Jimin. Please take care of me.”

There’s a general murmur of welcome from the small collection of staff. Through his anxiety-induced tunnel vision, he finds it hard to spot his new boss. But soon the man is talking directly to him. “I’ll be with you in a moment, Jimin-ssi,” he says distractedly.

Jimin turns to the voice to see the man placing equipment on the counter in front of the mirrors. In the seat he’s standing beside is him . Agust D. Famous Idol Rapper and renowned hot head. Jimin gulps thickly. It’s so weird to see him in real life like this. 

Last night before bed he’d promised himself that no matter who it is he won’t get star-struck. That would be unprofessional and he doesn’t want to make his client uncomfortable. But this is different. He’s not star-struck so much as honestly terrified. The rumours speak for themselves. Agust D is meant to be an asshole. Talented. A musical genius even. But an asshole all the same.

He remembers seeing a viral video where the rapper was caught swearing his head off at a staff member backstage at an awards show, before storming towards the person filming and demanding they delete the video. 

Obviously they hadn’t, and the internet was their witness.

Now he’s staring down at his phone, airpods in, raven haired and sullen faced as Kyubok-ssi works around him. 

“Alright,” Jimin replies. He walks over to them and for lack of anything better to do, loiters awkwardly. He’d put his bag down somewhere or sit, but he doesn’t know where it is okay to. 

Agust D pays him no mind, he’s focusedly tapping away at his phone screen. Kyubok eventually finishes and turns to him, “Oh you can put your stuff down anywhere,” he says, when he realises that Jimin’s still wearing his messenger bag. “Then I want you to take a picture of the set-up. I’ll need you to have it exactly like this every morning when you come in.”

Jimin nods, springing into action now he has a task.

It’s not until Jimin literally bumps into him that Agust D looks up from his phone to look at him. Jimin is trying to get the best angle on his photo so that all the brand names and specific equipment are visible. It’s a struggle with the lighting, not to get glare on the shiny lids of the products. He’s on tip-toes to try and get a birds-eye shot, and as he takes a step back he stumbles, jostling into the rapper’s arm.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!” says Jimin, whirling around to look at him. His heart is thundering in his chest and he braces for an explosive response, but all that happens is that the rapper looks up at him with confusion wrinkling his brow. 

There’s no sharpness in his eyes when he asks, “Who are you?” 

“Park Jimin,” he says, bowing as close to 90 degrees as possible in the small space between them, “I’m the new junior make-up artist starting today. I really am so sorry.”

Agust D blinks up at him a few times. “No one told me we had a new hire,” he says, ignoring the apology. 

Jimin almost apologises for that too, but manages to stop himself before making a fool of himself. He’s counting his lucky stars that the rapper seems to be unperturbed about the incident and he wants the conversation to be over as soon as possible. 

He hates small talk . The woman from the front desk’s voice reminds him.

“I’ll work hard not to disappoint, Agust D-ssi,” he says, bowing again. It sounds stupid even to him, but he doesn’t know the man’s real name. He doesn’t wait for a reply before turning back to the task at hand.

The silence feels deafening, and Jimin, cheeks aflame from the stressful encounter, purposefully doesn’t look up into the mirror. He’s too nervous to check for the rapper’s response.

Thankfully, Kyubok soon returns and provides a distraction by talking Jimin through the plan for the day. There are four make-up concepts they need to trial and photograph on Agust. The senior make-up artist hands over images of each look modelled by himself, and explains them calmly and precisely. 

He’s on the intimidating side, but is incredibly talented. He explains that he will be taking the reins on the more technical aspects of the looks, whilst Jimin will assist in prepping the face with the appropriate bases. 

On the day of the actual shoot, Jimin will largely be looking after the makeup of the background dancers and Extras. And tomorrow he’ll have trials with some of them, but today they’ve started him off in the hot seat.

The first look they trial is one that features a large, angry red scar through the rapper's left eye. They’d done plenty of work at beauty school on make-up for film, especially that for music videos. So he feels confident he can do what Kyubok is asking of him. The only thing that has him on edge is Agust D.

His hands are shaky as he picks up the brush to begin applying primer. Agust has seemingly gone back to his phone, but Jimin can’t help but be extra conscious of him. He wants a moment to fling the nervous energy from himself with some jumping jacks or something, but he can’t just leave. So he tries to just ignore it and pull himself together. This rapper is the same as any other person in his chair. 

If Jimin does his job properly then there’s nothing to worry about. 

Kyubok clears his throat, obviously impatient, and so Jimin squeezes some primer onto the back of his hand, dabs his brush in and gets going. Even close-up, Agust’s skin is beautiful, like porcelain. Jimin is impressed to see his pores unclogged and skin exfoliated. It’s the face of someone who is consistent with their routine. 

Focusing on the skin, he’s able to relax more and let the job take precedence. He primes the face, then applies concealer to the under circles of the eyes. Unfortunately no amount of skin care can stop someone from looking tired if they’re working as hard as an idol does. 

It’s not until he’s almost finished smoothing on the foundation that Jimin notices he’s being watched by an extra set of eyes. Agust’s gaze tracks his movements in the mirror, phone forgotten on his lap. Jimin can see the video he’d been watching, still playing to the ceiling. 

He pretends not to notice, finishing up with the foundation and moving on to setting it with powder. But the watchful eyes bring Jimin’s nerves back. What’s he doing that is so distracting that Agust has stopped watching his show? Surely he can’t have done anything that differently to how Kyubok does it, or else the senior makeup artist would have corrected him. 

Just then the door flings open and Chin-Hae is sailing through it with a rack of clothes on wheels. “Hyung!” he calls to Kyubok, “Can you come help check these?”

Kyubok sighs noisily, rolling his eyes, but he goes to the younger man, telling Jimin to continue. He’ll be back in just a moment.

Jimin nods to him as he grabs the eyebrow pencil. He can do this. Maybe Agust always watches his makeup being done?

He’s about to lean in and begin, when he suddenly remembers the coffee he’d drunk on the way over. Usually he would stick to tea when working with clients so he doesn’t get coffee breath in their faces, but he’d accepted the thermos from Seokjin gratefully without question. What if Agust is disturbed because his breath smells? He’s been breathing through his nose, but who knows? He should try breathing less just in case. 

So he takes one deep breath before leaning in, and then holds it as he lines the brow. He gets about halfway through before his lungs start to burn and he needs to stand, almost gasping for air. 

With the interruption from Chin-Hae, Agust seems to have gone back to his video and thankfully hasn’t seemed to have noticed. That is until Jimin does it a second and third time.

“Are you okay?” he asks as Jimin puffs the held breath out to the side and sucks a new one back in desperately. 

“Yes!” Jimin replies, chest heaving and face flushing red at being caught. 

“You seem like you’re having an asthma attack.”

“I’m not. I’m just…” Jimin can’t think of an explanation that doesn’t make him sound insane. “I’m alright.”

The rapper has his brows furrowed in obvious disbelief, “Okay… If you’re sure.”

It’s then that Kyubok returns. 

“Everything okay?”

“Yep!” Jimin chirrups before the rapper can say anything else. Then turns back to the task at hand. He goes back to breathing normally, but he can’t stop worrying about his breath. However, if Agust is suffering he doesn't show it in his expression.

Jimin finishes the brows, and then a simple smokey eye before handing over to Kyubok.

Kyubok talks Jimin through how he’s approaching the scar and when he’s done he hands Agust a hand mirror, asking for his thoughts.

The rapper examines it closely, face blank. “Looks good,” he says.

“Happy with the colour and length?” Kyubok prompts.

Agust nods, lips pulled tight into a sort of smile. “Yeah, it’s dope.”

Jimin has to agree. The rapper's black hair framing his pale face, along with the angry red scar allow for a striking effect. It’s hot. He looks like a pretty badass.

“Great. Okay, Jimin take some close-up shots and then Yoongi-ssi can head to Chin-Hae for the fitting.”

Yoongi. That must be Agust D’s real name.

It’s a pretty name that honestly suits his face. Despite what the rumours say about his personality, and although he’s not very expressive, the rapper has dainty features. Pristine skin, a sweet button nose and pouty little lips; He could easily be a fairy.

Jimin grabs the DSLR from the counter, making sure it's set to auto before he takes shots from each side and the front. Yoongi stares into the lens blankly, and then he’s ushered away to his stylist.

It’s a relief. He quickly rushes to his bag where he knows he has mints and puts three in at once. They burn his tongue, and he gulps water down over them before rushing back to his station to clean and set up for Look Two.

He hopes he can go the rest of the day without making a fool of himself.

~~~~~

With the anticipation of the music video, and his work in the studio perfecting the tracks. Yoongi had forgotten all about the new hire, but when he arrives on set the first morning of the four day shoot and is faced again with sweet puppy dog eyes and pillowy lips he wonders how he ever managed it.

He’d been enchanted since he’d first laid eyes on the man, so soft and sweet looking in hues of pink and brown. 

And then when he’d spoken, Yoongi had known he was done for. His voice had a lilting lispy tone that made him want to rest his hand on his palm and simply listen. He’d been distracted from his show multiple times by the need to watch the pretty man at work.

Now, wearing a long green cardigan and blue jeans, he looked like the boy next door from Yoongi’s teenaged daydreams.

“Good Morning, Yoongi-ssi,” the boy says, bowing deeply so his autumnal orange hair dangles off his forehead. 

“Morning,” Yoongi replies. It comes out gruffer than he’d like thanks to disuse, and he sees Jimin fidget nervously as he continues on his way past him into the green room.

The problem is that the makeup artist appears to be scared of him. New staff tend to be, at least a little bit at first, until they figure out that his reputation is false. Yoongi doesn’t usually care. He’s polite to all staff and friendly with some. What they make of him is up to them.

But with Jimin… It’s more than a little upsetting to Yoongi that the angel incarnate wants to keep his distance.

He’d noticed it at the make-up trial last week. The man could barely look him in the eye, and even seemed to be conscious of how he breathed around Yoongi. At one point he thought the poor guy was going to pass out. He’d tried his best to be as disarming as possible, but social stuff isn’t exactly Yoongi’s forte and when faced with a pretty boy he’s even worse. 

He thinks that he might have made him panic more whilst trying to console him.

Yoongi sighs as he follows the make-up artist into the room. He’ll just have to try harder.

“Hyung!” calls Taehyung as soon as he enters the room, “Come look at the cupcakes Hoseokie Hyung sent!”

He ambles over, eyes surreptitiously sweeping the room to see where Jimin has settled. He’s already in front of the mirror setting up the equipment, glossy full lips pursed in concentration. It’s very cute, and makes Yoongi smile.

Unfortunately when he focuses back on Taehyung he sees that he was watching him intently. The hairdresser grins at him obnoxiously. “Oh Hyuuuuung,” he coos, “That’s cute.”

“Shut up,” he murmurs, cheeks flushing. The last thing he needs is Taehyung being obvious about his infatuation. 

Taehyung mimes zipping his lips and throwing away the key, but it doesn’t make Yoongi feel much better. The boy infamously has zero filter.

Regardless, the cupcakes are hilarious. His bandmate has got icing with a photoshopped image of his face on a calendar with the heading AGUST D. He snaps a picture and sends it to Hobi with the caption, “LOL. Thanks dude.”

Hobi sends back, “Kill it today,” with a series of fire emojis. 

He and Jungkook would be appearing in the third music video for the album. A fun easter egg for the fans who follow both Yoongi’s solo stuff and his music with Bangtan.

Yoongi pockets his phone and peaks over at Jimin again. Maybe he should take him a cupcake? He’s new so he might feel weird about taking one for himself and it’ll be a good way to break the tension between them. Taehyung watches with a smirk as Yoongi picks one of the cakes from the box, places it onto a paper plate and walks it over to the chair. 

“Oh, Yoongi-ssi,” Jimin says, frozen in place with a powder puff in his hand and brown eyes wide, “We’re not quite ready for you yet.” 

He won’t be getting into makeup until Jimin has all the Extras prepped. They’ll show up with their base and foundation in place, but he still has to add the embellishments. Jimin will set up their station at seats further down the mirrors. This spot is reserved just for Yoongi.

Yoongi nods, “I know, I was just bringing a cupcake over.”

Jimin looks down at the plate and then back up at him. “Of course,” he smiles tightly. He doesn’t reach for it immediately, but he’s busy of course. So Yoongi puts it down on the counter.

He’ll be heading out for a production meeting with the directors soon to go over the schedule for the day, and then run through the shot list for the first scene they’ll be shooting. They’ve rented out a Folk Village to create a Joseon era setting for his song Daechwita. 

Yoongi doesn’t know what to do next. Should he sit down in the chair and try to chat before he has to go? Or will Jimin find the interruption annoying whilst he’s trying to work? 

He loiters for a moment, looking between the chair and Jimin. The make-up artist still hasn’t gone back to his task, and is looking at Yoongi like he’s waiting to be struck. Yoongi should say something to convey that he’s not there to order him about or anything. He’s just killing time.

“Uh, alright,” says Yoongi,  stuffing his hands in his pockets and nodding for no reason. “Cool then.”

Perfect.

Jimin’s eyes shift side to side as if he’s trying to figure out what’s going on. “Do you need anything else, Yoongi-ssi?” he asks politely.

Yoongi is so frustrated. How do people do this chit chat thing!?

“Nope,” he says, trying to hold in a sigh. He needs to leave he supposes. He could explain where he’s going, but he knows if he opens his mouth he’ll just say more stupid things, so he simply turns on his heel and goes. 

Nice one , pabo , he chides himself as he leaves the green room. God, why can’t I be the kind of awkward Namjoon is? At least people find him endearing. I just freak people out!

His manager and best friend struggles with social stuff as well, but his coping mechanism seems to be to talk his way out of situations. Yoongi, rather, sticks to monosyllabism. 

He finds Namjoon sitting with the choreographer. Gossiping probably.

“Ah, Hyung!” he greets, “I was just coming to find you!”

Yoongi sighs. If only he’d come five minutes earlier. He could have saved Yoongi the embarrassment.

Namjoon sees the motion and scoots off his chair, bowing his head to the choreographer and holding his finger up to gesture one minute. He slings an arm around Yoongi’s shoulder and steers him to a quiet corner.

“Everything alright?”

Yoongi pouts. “No.”

“What’s up? They won’t let you use real swords again? Because you know Hyung, we can always insist that the Extra was missing the eye before the shoot.”

He’s trying to make Yoongi laugh. Unfortunately it works.

“Kim Namjoon, I’m trying to sulk about my abysmal love life. Could you please stop being a dork for five seconds?”

Namjoon places his hand on his heart, “I can only try.”

Yoongi rolls his eyes.

“So, your love life? I thought you were in a period of abstinence. The love of your life is music, yadda yadda.”

“I was,” Yoongi agrees sadly, “And then I met an angel on earth.”

Namjoon looks at him confusedly, “I’m sorry, who are you and what have you done with my Yoongi Hyung?”

He makes a noise of disapproval, “I’ve been known to crush!” Yoongi says, affronted.

“Yeah. Sick beats on the radio!” Namjoon cries, and then holds a hand up for a hi-five.

Yoongi stares at his palm blankly. “I’m not dignifying that with a response.”

Namjoon scrunches his nose, retracting his hand and nodding, “Yeah alright, that was pretty bad. So! You’re in love. Want to bring me up to speed?”

“The new makeup artist-”

“Say no further,” Namjoon interrupts with a wave of his hand. Yoongi wants to bonk him on the nose but he refrains. “I saw him on Thursday. Yes, okay, I see it. Totally your type.”

“I have a type?”

“Absolutely. You’re a parody of yourself really. Scary rapper man likes his men soft and innocent.”

Yoongi points at himself, “Scary rapper man?” he asks with an eyebrow raised.

“To the outside eye,” Namjoon nods, “It’s your aesthetic, Hyung. It doesn’t matter that inside you’re a hamster on a running wheel. Anyway! What did you do?”

Yoongi shrugs, “Just normal stupid not knowing how to talk shit. Plus… I guess the scary rapper man vibe isn’t helping.”

Namjoon sighs sympathetically, “Okay, well…”

The director announces over the microphone that the production meeting will be starting in three minutes. Namjoon rubs Yoongi’s back comfortingly. “Let’s go have this meeting, and then we can go back to the green room together and I’ll assess the situation.”

Yoongi drops his shoulders. Kim Namjoon wouldn’t usually be his first port of call for relationship advice, but he’s all he has right now. 

“Yep,” he says.

~~~~~

Yoongi doesn’t attempt much in the way of conversation when he eventually returns to the chair for his hair and makeup. He does notice the cupcake is still on the paper plate though. Perhaps Jimin is sugar free. That’s something people do these days. He makes a mental note to find out somehow.

Jimin and Kyubok recreate the first look before Yoongi knows it, and then Taehyung is switching with them to do his hair. Namjoon approaches then, whilst Jimin is busy making finishing touches to the Extras.

“He’s scared of you,” he says unceremoniously.

“No shit, Sherlock,” Taehyung laughs.

Yoongi glares at them both in the mirror. “Yes, I already knew that, thanks. I was hoping for tips on how to change the situation.”

“Have you tried talking to him?” Taehyung says cheekily.

“Silence, you!” frowns Yoongi, “Namjoon?”

His manager sighs, “I mean, anything really would be better than nothing,” he says, pulling his mouth taut into a toothy grimace.

“Yes, but I don’t know what to say!” Yoongi hisses.

“Ask him about his life before he started working here,” Taheyung suggests before Namjoon can say anything else. “Just get to know him, hyung. Forget about trying so hard.”

Yoongi listens. It’s not bad advice actually. He’ll still struggle of course, but focusing on moving forward instead of trying to rectify something from the past is probably more useful. Plus, if he asks questions then he doesn’t have to talk so much.

He starts brainstorming for next time he’s in the chair.

Except next time he’s having his make-up done, Kyubok literally will not shut up.

He’s delivering a near constant monologue of advice for Jimin. Telling him how to do the slightest of motions. To the point where Yoongi is confused. During their trials, the senior make-up artist had been relatively happy to let Jimin do his thing. 

What had happened?

He finds out later.

“I heard the dancers gossiping,” Taehyung whispers to Yoongi as he’s pinning him into a long blonde wig. “Apparently Jimin-ssi did them all in shimmery eyeshadow instead of matte. Kyubok made him do them all again.”

Yoongi whips his head around to where the dancers had been, “There’s like twenty of them!”

Taehyung nods gravely, “And now he’s watching him like a hawk. Doesn’t want any more errors setting them back.”

Yoongi frowns. Added pressure from his boss is sure to make the man more prone to mistakes if anything else.

“Have you spoken to him?” he asks Taehyung.

He half nods, half shakes his head. “Just bits and pieces. He's not had a moment alone, poor guy.”

Yoongi glances over to where Kyubok and Jimin are. Kyubok appears to have taken the brush from Jimin’s hand and is showing him how to build a bruise on the Extra’s face. “Maybe you should make an excuse and pull him aside for a word?” Yoongi whispers.

“Or you could,” Taehyung suggests, “Kyubok can’t say no to you.”

Yoongi pauses to consider it and his heart skips about three beats.

“Nope. Can’t do. You’ll know what to say to make him feel better.”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Okay, once I’m done here.” he says, grabbing the hairspray from behind him.

~~~~~

Jimin clenches his teeth. He knows how to paint a simple freaking bruise. 

Yes he’d made a mistake with the dancers. But he’d only used the shimmer shade because Kyubok hadn’t specified in his plan and the look was meant to be a modern style to contrast with the traditional Joseon backdrop. He should have asked, he knows that, but Kyubok had been busy and he’d taken the gamble that he was right. 

He won’t do it again that’s for sure.

But now Kyuboko was treating him like he couldn’t be trusted to do the simplest of things. He doesn’t say anything because Kyubok is his senior, and because he’s feeling sheepish about the mistake, but it’s still annoying.

“Yes, I see,” he says, as Kyubok demonstrates using yellows and greens around the edges of the bruise to make it look aged. Something he'd learnt in his first year of beauty school.

When he’s done, he gets Jimin to take a photo on his phone of the exact products he used.

It’s not until Jimin is over half way into his first face that the senior make-up artist decides he can be left unattended, and goes back to his own work. Not long afterwards, Taehyung cosies up beside him.

“I’ll do this one’s hair at the same time, if that’s okay?” he says softly.

Jimin nods. No problem to him.

“So… Kyubok Hyung is a bit intense huh?” Taehyung says, spraying hairspray onto the comb and setting a strand of the Extra’s hair in place.

Jimin doesn’t want to be caught gossiping about his boss. Especially when he's on thin ice already. “Oh, it’s alright. It was my mistake,” he says with a forced laugh.

Taehyung glances at him sideways and then taps his nose, “Okie dokie,” he says, “Heard loud and clear.”

It’s quiet between them for a second before Taehyung inches even closer, “But just between you and me…” he murmurs, “Don’t let him make you feel bad. Anyone can see that you have a lot on your plate and you’re doing great. When I first started I was a mess.”

Then he bumps against Jimin’s shoulder with his own chummily.

It’s nice. A small gesture of solidarity. 

“Thanks Taehyung-ssi,” he says.

“Hmmm, how old are you?” the hair stylist asks thoughtfully, focusing back on his comb again.

“25,”

“For real?” Taehyung turns to him, huge eyes shining with excitement. “Same as me!”

Jimin smiles at his sincerely excited face. He’s just the kind of person you can’t help but get caught up in the enthusiasm of, “Oh cool!” he says back.

“Let’s speak casually then, okay? Call me Taehyungie!” 

It’s sweet. When Jimin had first seen him across the room he'd been intimidated. The hair stylist has a major case of resting bitch face, but now that they're talking he couldn't be more animated. 

"Alright," Jimin agrees.

"And you can come to me for whatever, okay?" Taehyung says.

“Thank you, Taehyungie,” Jimin says, stopping blending for a moment to look the man in the eye. “Really.”

 "Us 95s have got to look out for each other," the hair stylist says, grinning at him so that his cheeks bunch up adorably. It makes Jimin grin back at him.

Jimin’s grateful. It’s the little mood boost he needs to keep him soldiering on through the day. Even when a camera director stops him on his way through the set and asks him to pick up a tray of coffee for the team. 

~~~~~

When Yoongi breaks for lunch on the second day he intends to go straight back to the green room. Jimin had been sent on his break just as the last take was being shot in the last scene, so he should be eating there now.

Except before he can leave the stage, the choreographer corners him with pointers for the upcoming sword dance scene and a cup of Tteokbokki as his bribe. They talk for a good fifteen minutes because really Yoongi will take all the pointers he can get for the difficult scene. However, once talk turns to socialising Yoongi begs off, saying Namjoon had also wanted him for something.

He hurries to the green room, hoping to get to spend some down time with Jimin before having to go back to filming. That morning he’d had the confidence to ask Jimin about the kind of music he usually listens to. The man had looked shocked, and then sheepishly told him that he was into more female vocalists than anything else. WamaWoo and OA to name a few. 

Yoongi tried to reassure him that just because he’s a rapper doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate other genres, but the make-up artist seemed to think he was teasing him. Since then, he’s been thinking of some recommendations to give to Jimin that will convince him that he’s serious.

But when Yoongi gets to the room, he’s met with an adorable alternative to conversation. Jimin is curled up on the padded bench that runs along the back of the space, fast asleep. His mouth has fallen slightly open as he snores ever so softly, and his arms are hugged tightly around his middle. The arms of his cardigan fall well past his hands in sweater paws, and his hair is like a fluffy halo around his head. 

In front of him a salad goes uneaten. 

Yoongi glances at his phone. The makeup artist can’t have more than five minutes left of his break at this point and he hasn’t eaten a single bite. He knows he could easily tap the man on the shoulder to wake him up himself, but the thought makes his stomach flip. Plus, what if Jimin thinks he’s in trouble? He’s already so cautious of Yoongi.

He quickly dials Namjoon’s number.

“Hyung?” his manager sounds confused, and he can hear his voice both through the phone and echoing down the hallway. He ducks his head out the door and sure enough Namjoon is squatting in the corridor on his phone. He makes a hurried beckoning gesture, and Namjoon gets up. Loudly groaning as he does.

“What?” he asks, “I was texting this guy-”

“No time!” Yoongi interrupts, getting behind Namjoon and steering him into the room. “You need to wake up Jimin so he gets to eat his salad before his break is over.”

Namjoon looks over his shoulder, “Why can’t you do it?”

“Because I’m a coward and apparently I’m scary. No one can be scared of you! You’re a giant puppy. Now go, go!” he says, bouncing on his feet and slapping Namjoon’s arm to hurry him along.

Namjoon goes, but not without rubbing at his bicep and grumbling under his breath.

Yoongi hurries to sit in a chair where he can watch without looking suspicious. His manager crouches down beside Jimin and places a hand on his shoulder.

“Jimin-ssi,” he hears him say.

“Huh?” comes the man’s groggy voice as he lifts his head and peers around confusedly. Yoongi has to hold in a coo because it’s so much raspier after even just a small nap. 

“Oh my God!” Jimin then cries, flinging himself upright. “What time is it?”

“It’s fine, you’ve got a few minutes left,” Namjoon reassures calmly, “I just thought you might like to eat?”

Jimin looks down at his phone and then shakes his head. “Ah no time, thank you so much. I better... Sorry Namjoon-ssi!” He stands up suddenly, bows quickly and then runs out of the room. He leaves the salad behind.

Yoongi frowns. That’s not how that was supposed to go… He wonders where Jimin has run off to. He’ll be doing the back-up dancers' makeup for the next scene soon and he won’t get a chance to sit down and eat again until dinner break.

He doesn’t have to wait long to find out. Jimin rushes back into the room not two minutes later, carrying a big duffel bag. He approaches Kyubok, who’d been sitting in the corner talking with Chin-Hae, and hands over a set of keys with both hands. 

“Oh, you got it?” Kyubok asks nonchalantly.

Jimin nods, lifting the duffel bag from his shoulder.

“Can you unpack over there,” says Kyubok pointing to a rack in the dancer’s area. “Then we’ll get started on the eyes.”

Yoongi peers over his phone to watch as Jimin kneels down on the floor and unzips the bag. He wants to know what's inside. Maybe some component of the dancer’s costume that Kyubok had forgotten to bring from his car?

When he sees Jimin pull out a long padded coat, a scarf and hat, he’s confused. The junior make-up artist hangs the coat, tucks the hat in the pocket and drapes the scarf over the shoulder carefully. Then he reaches into the bag again and pulls out a pair of Ugg Boots, placing them below the coat on the floor. 

They must be Kyubok’s for when it gets dark and they’re shooting outside.

“Thanks Jimin-ah,” calls the senior make-up artist, taking a long pull from his water bottle and then frowning. “Actually before you start, Can I get a refill on this?”

Jimin hesitates, but agrees, holding his hand out to receive the bottle.

“Ooh! Me too actually!” Chin-Hae says, reaching into his bag to pull out his own bottle.

Yoongi clenches his jaw. These aren’t parts of Jimin’s job. Especially on his last moments of lunch break. He stands quickly, not really thinking. “I’m going to get a bottle for myself. I’ll do it,” he says.

“Oh, no! Yoongi-ssi, it’s fine!” Jimin says at the same time as Kyubok looks around worriedly.

“You’re busy,” he says, “And I’m going there anyway. It’s fine. Here.” He takes the bottles from Jimin, who looks utterly shocked.

“Oh, Yoongi-ssi,” Kyubok says, standing up. “It’s-”

Yoongi turns and leaves the room without saying anything. He won’t be rude to his make-up artist, but he’s not pleased with him either. Jimin might be working below him, but he shouldn’t be used to run personal errands. Plus why is the guy so tired he’s choosing to nap on his break rather than eat? If it continues like this, he’ll say something.

He opens a food delivery app on his phone whilst he walks and puts an order in for tofu kimbap. He doesn’t know what Jimin eats but this is something he’ll be able to take quick easy bites of whilst he works. He puts in directions for the delivery person to navigate the site, and then shoots a text to Namjoon with a link to the tracking.

“Can you give this to Jimin when it arrives?”

Namjoon messages back, “From you, or me?”

Yoongi hesitates with his thumb over the screen, “From you. Just say you saw the salad and didn’t want him going hungry.”

He can practically hear Namjoon sighing through the screen. 

“Sure,” he replies with a thumbs up emoji. 

He takes his time filling the bottles, scrolling on his social media as he walks. And when he gets back to the green room, his stylist and make-up artist accept their water bottles sheepishly. 

Not long after, Taehyung comes to fix his hair. He’d removed the wig for Yoongi for his break, but they needed it back on for the next scene. He doesn’t need to change his make-up yet, just a few touch ups on his concealer and powder before he goes back on stage. Jimin does it in a flash before rushing back to the dancers. 

Yoongi is back on set with the director, talking over the upcoming shots before the delivery even arrives.

~~~~~

It starts raining in the afternoon. The schedule has to be completely reshuffled as all the day’s outdoor shooting is delayed. The plan is to finish all of the rest of the indoor scenes today so that the shoot can stay on time for the rest of the days. It means more costume changes than anticipated and even more work for the hair, makeup and styling team. Jimin’s sure all the actors and dancers are exhausted too.

Jimin doesn’t stop rushing back and forth between filming and the green room for the rest of the day. No one even stops for a dinner break because the consensus on set is that it’s better to power through and finish filming so they can go home. So he’s incredibly grateful that Namjoon-ssi had showed up just after lunch with a container of kimbap for him.

“Make sure you eat,” he’d said with a dimpled smile.

Jimin had been confused at first, taking the package with a dazed smile. Why was Agust D’s manager giving him - a new hire - food? But after some thought he assumes he saw what happened between him, Kyubok and Yoongi-ssi and wanted to make him feel more comfortable as a newbie. Which is very considerate of him. He has that kind of energy. Like a goofy fatherly type, even though he’s probably not much older than Jimin himself. 

He doesn’t get home that night until 4.00 am. and Seokjin is snoozing on the couch, TV still on and a bag of takeout on the coffee table in front of him. There’s enough for both of them, and Jimin feels his heart pang with gratitude when he realises his Hyung had been trying to stay up to welcome him back from work. He’d been working an evening shift yesterday when Jimin had come home from his first day, but been on the lunchtime shift today. Jimin knew because they’d agreed to put their work rosters on the fridge.

Slipping off his shoes, and dumping his bag at the entryway he pads over to Seokjin and touches him on the shoulder, “Hyung?” he whispers.

Seokjin opens his eyes blearily, smiling when he sees Jimin’s face. “Jiminie, welcome home.”

“Thanks Hyung,” Jimin says through his own smile, “Bed now?”

Seokjin nods tiredly, “My spine feels like a shrimp. Speaking of, I got Jjamppong. Picked out all the mussels for you.”

“You’re the best,” Jimin says, hauling his Hyung up onto his feet. The chef had made him fill out a list of allergies and disliked foods before he moved in. He claims that if their preferences were too different he wouldn’t have let him stay.

“I should get an award,” Seokjin agrees, eyes sliding shut as he sways on his feet.

Jimin giggles, “I’ll make sure you get one, now go rest before you fall and I have to carry you.”

“Oh teeny tiny Jiminie, you could never,” he says as he shuffles off. As he reaches his door Jimin hears him say to himself, “I’m much too broad and handsome.”

Jimin gratefully inhales the food that Seokjin bought, then rinses the containers and puts them aside for recycling. He has a quick hot shower before changing into a pair of pyjama bottoms and collapsing in bed. He’s so exhausted that he doesn’t even remember drifting off to sleep.

Only when he opens his eyes to the blaring of his morning alarm does he realise he’s slept.

He groans into his hands. It’s 7.00 am. He has to be on set by 8.00 am. 

He rolls out of bed, performing his morning routine robotically. He’s not used to working on such little sleep. 

Seokjin is drinking coffee in the kitchen when he wanders out. 

“There’s my little worker bee,” he smiles.

Jimin tries to say “good morning,” but it comes out slurred.

“Bright as a button!” Seokjin quips, pulling a thermos out of the cupboard and pointing at the coffee pot with it questioningly.

Jimin shakes his head, “I’ll make tea instead,” he mumbles, accepting the thermos and shuffling over to the kettle. Just the smell of jasmine is enough to reinvigorate him a bit.

“What are you up to today, Hyung?” he asks, taking an apple from the side and biting into it as the kettle boils. He peers at the fridge to see that his Hyung has the late shift at work again.

“Lazy morning,” says Seokjin, “Going to have a bath and play some games. Maybe take some photos... For this guy I’m seeing.”

His gaze slides to Jimin. It’s the first mention of dating or relationships between them so he’s likely gauging Jimin’s response.

“Ooh nice,” Jimin says, perking up dramatically. It’s been a long time since he’s had someone to gossip about boys with. “What are you thinking? How long have you been seeing him?”

Seokjin’s grin holds a tinge of relief and Jimin wonders a tad sulkily what about him could possibly scream, “homophobe!” But really he understands being wary of new people regardless. You never know. 

“About 2 months now. We’ve been in the cutesy flirty stage mostly so far but I’m trying to amp it up a bit,” then he rushes off towards his bedroom, “Wait here! I’ll show you my options!”

Jimin giggles brightly. Well this is fun!

When Seokjin returns he’s got an armful of silks and lace, “Option one” he says, lifting a strappy black silk bralette with a lace strip around the bodice. “Option two” He raises a deep emerald green babydoll with floaty organza. “Or, option three?” this time it’s a sheer pink off-the-shoulder bralette with little daisy embellishments. 

“They all have matching underwear…”

Jimin instinctively is drawn to the last one, but that’s because he loves adorable things. Jin is looking for something sexier. “I’m going to need to see the underwear to make a decision.”

Seokjin grins like a cat that got the cream, “I was hoping you'd say that.”

It’s not until he’s out of the apartment building that he realises just how cold it is. The storm must’ve cooled it down. He and Jin had let time get away with them so now he was in a rush to get to the bus stop on time, so turning back wasn’t an option. He doesn’t have a proper winter coat anyway, he’d planned to buy one when he got here but hasn’t had time yet. 

He’ll have to make do with his denim jacket for today at least.  And he’s suddenly very glad for the scarf he’d wound around his neck before leaving on a whim, for sensory comfort rather than thinking of warmth.

By the time he arrives on set he’s shivering and his hands are frozen. He’d finished his tea on the bus, so he quickly rushes to the coffee station to grab himself a refill before he clocks in. 

They gather everyone for a staff meeting in the morning. The production assistant apologises for the long day previously and asks everyone for their understanding and perseverance whilst they power through to finish the shoot. 

Yoongi stands to the side of the direction team, nodding along stoically. 

“As a thank you, there are hotteok and starbucks vouchers in the green room courtesy of Yoongi-ssi. All staff are welcome to them.”

There’s a murmur of gratitude. Jimin feels shocked. He really didn’t expect the rapper to be the type to organise such things for his staff. When he looks at Yoongi, he’s not changed expression; he simply silently listens as the director gives a quick run down on the scenes to be filmed that day. It could be a look of aloofness, but maybe Jimin has been reading him wrong? Although he’s been quiet, so far Jimin hasn’t seen any indication that Yoongi lived up to Agust D’s reputation.

After the meeting Jimin goes with Kyubok to prep the extras for a large market scene. He nabs a hotteok whilst they’re still warm - the perks of working in the green room - and munches on it whilst Kyubok gives him the rundown of the plan for the day.

~~~~~

When Yoongi arrives in the green room five minutes before he’s expected, Taehyung makes a big deal of it. Because of course he does.

“Oh Hyung,” he says giddily, “On time three days in a row, that must be a record! What’s the deal?”

He knows exactly why Yoongi is suddenly obsessed with punctuality when he’s previously always ridden the line of tardiness. 

But Yoongi can’t make himself feel too annoyed about the call out because it looks like he’ll finally get another chance to talk to Jimin. The man is standing behind his chair whilst Kyubok is putting prosthetics on some of the extras. He seems too busy to be micromanaging Jimin, so he gets the man to himself.

Ignoring Taehyung completely, he wanders over to his chair and sits down. 

“Good Morning, Jimin-ssi,” he says.

The makeup artist looks surprised at being spoken to first. “Good morning, Yoongi-ssi.”

“Did you have any Hotteok yet?” 

Yoongi internally congratulates himself on the smooth question. Now he’ll be able to gather more intel on Jimin’s dietary requirements. 

“I did, thank you very much,” the make-up artist bows. 

It’s more formal than Yoongi would like them to be with each other, but he’s working on it. Maybe he should tell him to call him Hyung. 

Or is it too soon? 

No. They’ll be working with each other closely. It’s fine. 

It’s fine? 

Right?

“You can call me Hyung,” he blurts, making Jimin’s eyes widen even further. He looks like an adorable little owl. Yoongi wants to squish him. 

“I mean, if you’d like. We’ll be working closely together, so let’s be comfortable,” he adds.

The owl eyes lessen. He’s still adorable.

“Alright, Yoongi Hyung,” Jimin says with a smile. 

Yoongi basks in his success whilst Jimin primes his face. With him it’s relaxing having the brush glide product over his face. Yoongi usually tries to zone out whilst having his makeup done so that he doesn’t get caught up in the awkwardness of having someone in his space, but with Jimin it doesn’t feel awkward. At least, not for Yoongi. He wonders what the make-up artist is thinking.

He doesn’t even touch his phone, trying to make it clear he’s open to conversation, but Jimin doesn’t take the hint. He’ll just have to take the initiative himself.

“So,” says Yoongi, as Jimin busies himself mixing the colour for Yoongi’s foundation. “Is this your first job out of school?”

Jimin smiles as he dabs his brush into the product, “That obvious, huh?”

“No!” Yoongi says quickly, making Jimin actually jump. The last thing he wants is for Jimin to think he’s not good at his job. “I was just asking,” he assures, looking at Jimin earnestly.

The man giggles, “Okay, Hyung.” he accepts, “Yes it’s my first. I just finished beauty school in Busan last semester. I moved here for the job.”

“How are you finding it?”

“Seoul?”

Yoongi nods.

“I haven’t had a lot of time to explore or anything, but it seems cool.”

“You’ll need someone to show you around,” Yoongi says. He doesn’t really know why, because he can’t exactly be the man’s tour guide without being followed by over-zealous fans and the media. 

Jimin doesn’t seem to take it as an offer anyway. “My housemate is really nice. He’ll make sure I settle in,” he smiles.

He’s still holding back; giving Yoongi his professional persona instead of opening up as a new friend. But it’s a start. It goes quiet again whilst Jimin gets to work on his face, but Yoongi is determined to keep things going.

“Is he in the business too?” he asks.

It’s been long enough that Jimin is confused at first. A wrinkle appears between his brows as he thinks. 

“Oh, my housemate?” he says eventually, “No, he’s a chef actually. Though I haven’t seen him cook yet. It seems to be true what they say, that chefs don’t cook for themselves.”

Yoongi nods. He can understand that.

“It’s not the same for make-up artists then,” he says, gesturing to Jimin’s face. Every day Jimin has been made up prettily. Today’s look is simpler than previous, but Yoongi thinks he’s just as beautiful.

The comment makes Jimin laugh. “Doing my own make-up is like stress relief,” he says, “Although I was in a rush this morning…”

“It looks good,” Yoongi assures, “But I really liked the blue yesterday.”

“The graphic eyeliner?” Jimin asks, eyebrows shoot up his forehead.

Yoongi thinks he might’ve impressed him, “Yeah, it was cool. I haven’t seen that before.”

“I can do some for you sometime if you like?” Jimin suggests, “For a stage performance or something?”

Yoongi laughs, it’s not really what he’d meant. “I’m not sure that fits my image.”

Jimin shrugs, “There are no rules in fashion, Hyung. If you like it, you can wear it.”

He’s always thought of fashion as having very strict rules, but he likes this idea better. He’s about to half-agree to the concept when the song playing in the background ends and a WamaWoo song comes on.

Yoongi snaps his jaw shut and tries to play it cool, but Jimin notices. Which was the point after all.

“Oh my God! This is my favourite song!” he squeals. He must remember where he is because he blushes slightly at his outburst, but he hums along nonetheless.

“Did you do this, Hyung?” he asks after a while.

“Hm?” Yoongi says, looking up from his phone as if he hasn’t been paying close attention to every little movement.

“The song. I told you I like WamaWoo.”

“Oh, did you? What a coincidence,” he says. “I’m actually really into them at the moment too.”

Jimin narrows his eyes at him, “Oh yeah?”

Yoongi nods, “Broadening my tastes.”

At that moment Namjoon comes into the room and loudly proclaims, “What the hell? Who changed the playlist, you guys know how pedantic Hyung is about it!”

Then he turns to see Yoongi in the chair. “Oh, you’re here. Why aren’t you making a fuss?”

Yoongi glares at his best friend. The jibe is badly timed but probably fair enough. He likes to think he’s an easygoing idol as far as most things go, but having the right atmosphere whilst he’s in between scenes is important to him. He’s very strict about his playlist. Even if he wears his airpods a lot of the time, as Namjoon had so kindly pointed out once. Yoongi revoked his rights to suggestions for a week.

But seeing Jimin happy is steadily seeming important to him too.

“Why would I do that, when I love this song so much?” he says firmly, trying to convey to Namjoon the situation with his eyes.

Namjoon looks like Yoongi just told him he would like to eat a brick for lunch, “What?”

“I said…” he begins, cutting himself off with a sigh, “It doesn’t matter. Did you need me for something?”

“No,” says Namjoon with an innocent shake of his head.

“Cool,” he says meaningfully.

Namjoon looks between him and Jimin. Yoongi can tell from his face that it finally sinks in. “Ahhhh, okay right. I’ll just be… over here then,” he says, pointing over his shoulder to the bench.

Jimin has an amused little smile on his face as he continues with his make up. Yoongi wonders what he’s thinking. Did he see through him? Has he realised he has a crush the size of a blue whale?

“So, Yoongi Hyung,” he says eventually, “What’s your favourite WamaWoo song?”

Yoongi wracks his brain for a song name but comes up empty. The only thing he really knows about them as a group is that they’re known for their live vocals and he met one of them at a gay club once. They’d met each other's eyes, smiled and moved on. It wasn’t uncommon to see other idols at the clubs, and they all made sure to be discreet.

What was her name? Something to do with the moon...

“Probably this one,” he says. “I love Lunar’s part.”

“Yeah, she’s great,” says Jimin wistfully, dusting eyeshadow along his lid, “My favourite right now is HOP.”

Yoongi mentally files it away to add to the playlist later. “Nice, that’s a good one too,” he says, keeping up the facade despite being sure the man knows exactly what was up. Any moment he was going to call Yoongi out on his crush, tell him that he’s not interested and ask that they remain professional.

He waits.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

~~~~~

The only explanation is that he’s dating Lunar, Jimin decides. Since he obviously doesn’t know a thing about the music despite claiming to be a fan. 

It’s fun having a bit of insider knowledge. He signed a non-disclosure agreement when he signed his contract, so he can’t say anything. Not that he would have anyway. He thinks idols deserve their privacy just like everyone else.

A tiny piece of Jimin feels disappointed about it though. It’s so stupid, because he’s barely talked to the rapper and his reputation isn’t good. But at the same time, he’s very pretty and very talented and has only ever been very nice to him and he’s very sexy when he raps. And Jimin… Well, he’s very gay. So sue him! 

He finishes up Yoongi’s makeup humming along to the song. Maybe he should offer to help the rapper with his knowledge so he can impress his girlfriend? He’d have to admit he’s figured it out, but it would be fun! It would give them something to talk about then too. Since Yoongi seems to have fallen bored with whatever show he was previously watching.

He’ll think it over. For now, he’d better switch with Taehyung so the rapper can get his hair styled.

12 hours later and Jimin has never been so cold. 

Forget that time he’d gone to a ski lodge with his family, tumbled down the slopes and fallen face first into the snow. THIS is worse!

He flexes his hands, trying to get feeling into them, but they’re icicles; frozen around a makeup brush. It’s not even that late yet - 8pm and they’ll likely be shooting until at least midnight.

Kyubok is fine. He’s swaddled in the big padded coat that Jimin had fetched for him from his car yesterday. Jimin meanwhile is shivering in his denim jacket. He’d known it wouldn’t be enough when he left the house this morning.

He jogs on the spot and does jumping jacks to try and stay warm. 

It’s when he’s distracted, reapplying little crystals that have fallen from the dancer’s faces, that Namjoon approaches. He has a thick blanket in hand.

“Jimin-ssi, here,” he says.

“Oh my God, thank you!” he says, pulling it around him gratefully. He rubs his arms against it trying to warm up as quickly as possible. 

“No worries. You need to get a padded jacket!” he says, patting him on the back and heading back towards where Yoongi is swaddled in his own blanket, waiting for the scene to start. 

“Will do!” he calls after him. It's the first thing on his agenda for the weekend. Maybe Seokjin will have a spare one he can borrow for now, he wonders.

Except he doesn’t get a chance to ask. Seokjin is at work when he gets home and sleeps in late the next morning. So Jimin layers a thick cardigan with his jacket and hopes for the best. Today is the last day of the shoot, so he only has to cope with the cold once more. 

He feels better than the day before, and the weather isn’t as cold anyway. The storm has well and truly passed, letting the meagre autumn sun do it’s work. Though he’s sure once it gets dark it will be freezing again. He shivers just thinking about it.

Walking into the building he hopes that the blanket is where he had left it last night. It was a huge help. He should remember to thank Namjoon for it again. Between that and the kimbap he feels like the rapper’s manager is really going out of his way to be kind.

Maybe he should buy him a coffee or something? That wouldn’t be weird right?

He thinks it over as he walks to the green room. Namjoon is either being nice because he’s a nice guy, or there is another other option…

The man isn’t much older than Jimin from what he can tell. And he definitely gives off a bi vibe, so it wouldn’t be completely unbelievable that he’s flirting with Jimin. 

He considers it. Namjoon is definitely handsome, and a proven good guy. But Jimin isn’t really looking for a date right now, and Namjoon isn’t his usual type. He’s more of a cat person. If there’s going to be a puppy in his relationship, it’s going to be him thank you very much. 

He’s probably reading far too into it anyway.

Get it together Jimin. Not every nice guy is flirting with you.

Entering the green room, he greets the rest of the staff and puts his bag down on the bench. It’s nice and warm inside so he shucks his jacket off as well. It’s when he turns to start setting up the makeup in front of Yoongi’s chair that he notices it.

A padded jacket. Maybe it’s Kyuboks? Or Yoongi’s?

But as he walks over he sees that there is a post-it note stuck to it. 

“Jimin, stay warm,” it reads.

He flushes bright red, ripping the post-it note from the coat and sticking it in his pocket like he’s trying to hide evidence. He glances around but no one is paying attention to him. Taehyung isn’t here yet, and the rest of the staff are either zoned out with their morning coffees or already working like him.

It’s Namjoon. It has to be Namjoon. His comment about the coat yesterday when he came with the blanket and now this? 

Fuck. He’s going to have to turn him down isn’t he?

He carefully removes the coat from the chair and takes it over to his bag. He’ll wear it tonight because it’s going to be freezing and he’d be an idiot not to accept the offer, but he’ll make sure he gives it back afterwards. It doesn’t look brand new thank goodness, so it's probably Namjoon’s own coat. 

And then they’ll have a whole week off before shooting the next video and have to see each other. So if it’s awkward, they’ll both have time to recover. 

He breathes deeply. He can do this.  

~~~~~

He cannot do this.

Namjoon is so nice, with his big smile and dorky laugh. It would be like kicking a puppy.

They’re nearly finished shooting and Jimin, although dead-tired, is dreading it. 

All day and all night Namjoon has been hanging around, lifting the team’s spirits as they enter the final stretch. Although he’s Yoongi’s manager only, he seems to take it as his duty to keep everyone around him happy. 

But there is no denying that Jimin has been getting special attention. A hot drink when he was grabbing one for Yoongi. A spare hand finding rogue products when he was rushed off his feet. A warm word of praise when Kyubok is being short with him. 

It’s so lovely Jimin nearly convinces himself that he should just give him a chance. But then the reasonable voice in his head reminds him that men don’t deserve dates just because they’re kind. And the fact of the matter is, Jimin isn’t interested in him like that.

So when the director has yelled cut and they’re all packed up, heading back inside to finish for the week, Jimin plucks up his courage, shrugs off the coat, and walks it over to Namjoon.

“Namjoon-ssi,” he says, holding it out politely with both hands, “Thank you for the coat.”

A shocked look and then amused smile crosses the man’s face. “You’re welcome,” he says, taking it from him. “You were warmer than yesterday?”

“Much,” Jimin agrees.

Namjoon doesn’t look displeased that he’s giving it back. Maybe it was only ever meant to be a loan anyway. Those coats aren’t cheap.

But Jimin wants to make his point clear.

“I’m very appreciative of all the help you’ve been giving me,” he says, “But I think we should be friends.”

Namjoon looks at him with a small furrow between his brow like he’s trying to figure out exactly what the words mean. “Yes, friends,” he ends up echoing. “That would be nice, Jimin-ssi. You can call me Hyung, if you’d like?”

“I-” Jimin doesn’t understand what’s happening in the conversation. Namjoon doesn’t seem let down.

There’s a call from behind and Namjoon yells back that he’s coming.

“Sorry, Jimin-ah. I’ve got to go. See you next week, okay?” he says, reaching out and squeezing Jimin’s arm before rushing off. Not flirtily, but more like a mentor reassuring a player before a match. Jimin stares down at it in confusion.

“Yeah, alright. Bye Hyung,” he says to Namjoon’s retreating back.

That was weird. Maybe he’d got it all wrong and Namjoon really had just been being nice after all.

He quirks his head in confusion.

Well, if that’s the case it would be a relief.

~~~~~

The week between shoots goes so quickly that Yoongi doesn’t even feel like he really rested. Back when Bangtan were newbies, their label had worked them even harder. But now that they’re established and successful enough to throw their weight around a bit, the three of them put their foot down about schedules being more humane.

Still, the week flies by and Yoongi is back on set feeling not so refreshed. He is, however, excited to be seeing a certain make-up artist again.

He’s been feeling happy in the small ways he’s been able to look after the man. Even if he’s been having Namjoon doing his bidding. He’s also learnt a few things from Namjoon’s efforts. 

Today he’s leaning on his knowledge that Jimin doesn’t drink coffee at work. After his hair appointment with Taehyung this morning, he’d ordered an iced americano for himself, Namjoon’s favourite (some seasonal abomination that’s more syrup than coffee) and a hot chocolate for the make-up artist. He’ll have Namjoon drop it off to Jimin when it arrives.

Nothing could go wrong.

Except.

Except Jimin is frowning. Yoongi watches from his place across the room, sipping on his coffee in confusion. Namjoon had handed the drink over about 15 minutes ago and since then the wrinkle between the brows of the make-up artist hasn’t gone away. 

Is the hot chocolate bad? Too cold? Too bitter? Not enough whipped cream?

He wants to go and ask, but then he’ll blow his cover so instead he just sits, secretly watching and wondering.

He’ll be heading over in a while anyway to start the process of getting made up. This shoot is for his song What Do You Think? and today he’ll be shooting the scenes where he’s stalked and mobbed by a group of masked figures, shoving their phones in his face for photos. 

Then tomorrow Hoseok and Jungkook will come for their cameo. They’re filming a scene in a set built to look like an interrogation room where the trio do some choreography that ends in an explosion of cash. Jungkook has been excitedly texting him about the stunt, trying to get information about how it’ll work that Yoongi doesn’t have. It’s nice though. He can always count on his Bangtan members to get involved.

Make-up is pretty simple today compared to the last shoot. Since nearly all of the extras will be wearing balaclavas, neither hair nor makeup have to bother with them. Jimin’s focus today will be on shadowing Yoongi to make sure his make-up stays pristine. 

`~~~~~

Jimin, 8.34 am: Code Purple!!!!

Seokjin Hyung, 8.35 am: What did he do now?

Jimin, 8.35 am:

No one else got a drink! Just me! 

Seokjin Hyung, 8.36 am: LOL what did he say?

Jimin, 8.37 am: He didn’t even have an excuse he just said that he remembered I liked hot chocolate when he put his order in!!!!! I’m so confused!!!

Seokjin Hyung, 8.40 am: I’m going to need you to send a picture through of this hot chocolate buying guy. For science. 

Jimin, 8.40 am: okay gimme a sec.

Jimin, 8.45 am:

That was easier than expected. Dude needs glasses for sure.

Seokjin Hyung, 8.51 am: brb

Jimin, 8.59 am: wtf Hyung!! I’m in a crisis!!!

~~~~~

Seokjin Hyung, 8.46 am: Kim Namjoon

Namjoon, 8.50 am: Hyung?

Seokjin Hyung, 8.50 am: Do you enjoy receiving images of my panty clad ass?

Namjoon, 8.50 am: This feels like a trick question.

Seokjin Hyung, 8.50 am: ????

Namjoon, 8.50 am: Yes Hyung. I love seeing your panty clad ass. 

Seokjin Hyung, 8.51 am: And you wouldn't do anything to endanger that arrangement...

Namjoon, 8.51 am: No! Give me five seconds. I’m calling you.

~~~~~

Seokjin Hyung, 9.06 am: Sorry Jiminie Hyung is suddenly very busy. Gotta go.

Jimin, 9.06 am: >:(

Seokjin Hyung, 9.06 am: xoxox

~~~~~

The day feels long and the whole Namjoon thing has Jimin on edge. He’s a professional of course so he doesn’t let it stop him from doing his job, but it does mean he avoids the man where possible. However, and he’s not sure if it’s just in his head or not, Namjoon seems to be doing the same with him.

He doesn’t notice right away, but when Jimin is watching Yoongi shoot a scene rapping atop a large illuminated cube he sees Namjoon enter the stage area looking purposeful, until he looks his way and they meet eyes. The manager quite literally turns on his heel and leaves the way he came.

Jimin stares at the door he left through in disbelief. What in the world is happening?

From then on, he realises he’s seeing Namjoon far less than usual, not just because he’s been avoiding the manager himself, but because he is no longer approaching Jimin in the ways he had before. 

However he’s still receiving little gifts. It’s just that now, rather than things being delivered to him, they seem to be miraculously appearing in convenient places. Jimin is sure that Namjoon is sneakily putting them where he’ll find them, but he’s not sure why the manager has suddenly switched to covert measures. 

Frustratingly, it makes it very hard for Jimin to turn him down.

Maybe that’s the idea? Except Jimin doesn’t think that Namjoon is the kind of guy to do that and not take no for an answer. Or… he didn’t think that before, but now he’s confused.

Meanwhile the gifts have reached a point of absurdity. 

On the last day of shooting for the first music video Jimin had been complaining to Taehyung about how sore his feet were after the long days of standing. His new friend had recommended a brand of slides that were extra cushiony but Jimin had gawked at the price, telling him he’ll wait until he’s been paid… for a year.

Well, Namjoon must have overheard the conversation somehow. Because when Jimin comes back from a toilet break at the end of lunch, a pair have appeared. They’ve been placed on the counter beside where he has set up Yoongi’s station. A post-it note atop them reads, “Ordered wrong size. Free to good home.”

It’s unmistakably the same handwriting as the note from the padded coat. Plus, who in the world wouldn’t resell shoes so expensive!? It’s an obvious attempt to gift him some, without actually having to face giving them to him.

He sighs loudly, pushing them further down the counter away from him. He’d love some free shoes but he’s not accepting them. Take-out drinks or loaned coats are one thing, especially when he hadn’t understood the motive, but accepting expensive shoes from an unrequited crush is quite another. Hopefully either Namjoon will take the hint and re-sell them, or another staff member will snap them up.

Jimin tries not to think bitterly about it. He’s done ridiculous things in the name of a crush before, but he wants it to end. He vows to find Namjoon before home time and try again to make himself clear.

“You don’t need shoes?” Yoongi’s voice cuts through his thoughts.

“Hm?” he says turning to face the rapper, who he hadn’t noticed had moved to sit in the chair. “Oh, no…”

He doesn’t know how to explain himself without sounding incredibly presumptuous. He’s sure it’s Namjoon but to an outside ear it’ll sound arrogant of him to presume.

“I heard they’re great for work. Really comfy,” Yoongi continues, an awkward little smile on his face.

Is he in on this?

“I just think maybe the person who bought them should re-sell them. That’s a lot of cash to just waste.”

Yoongi frowns and it's a reminder that they aren’t exactly in the same income bracket. Jimin wonders if the rapper, who probably makes tens of millions of won more than him, has a sane concept of money.

“I suppose,” says Yoongi. “Maybe it’s not a lot of the person who bought them though?”

Jimin hums. Maybe. It still feels wrong. He just shrugs at Yoongi, and begins touching up his makeup. 

“I was thinking…” Yoongi says as he approaches, “If we have time. That this next scene could be a good time to try the graphic liner?”

Jimin is surprised. He’s only really been joking with Yoongi. Testing his ideas on make-up when he’d mentioned it. But there’s no denying that the neon green jacket he’s wearing would go well with some colour framing around the eyes.

“Yeah?” Jimin asks, “I’ve got time. Let me run it past Kyubok-ssi though.”

“Oh, I actually already did,” Yoongi smiles, “Told him I’d seen it on you and loved it. He gave the OK this morning.”

Now Jimin is stunned. He was sure Kyubok would shoot down the idea, but saying no to Yoongi would be much harder than saying no to Jimin he supposes.

He feels a bubble of excitement in his stomach. This will be the first time something of his own design ends up in a real music video. It’s nothing huge, but it’s exciting all the same. He grins in anticipation.

“Alright then!” he says, “Let’s do it!”

~~~~~

“Hyung,” says Jimin, “Can we talk?”

Namjoon stares at him, like a deer caught in the headlights. “Yes?” he says, sounding more like he’s asking than confirming.

It’s just after midnight and they’ve just wrapped for the day. Jimin wants to get this over with as soon as possible.

He walks over to a seat and gestures for Namjoon to join him. 

“It’s about the gifts,” he says.

“Gifts?” Namjoon repeats, voice cracking slightly. Okay, so he’s deciding to play dumb.

“The hot chocolates, the coat, the conveniently placed hand wipes and covert water bottle refills…” Jimin rattles off, counting them on his fingers.

Namjoon gulps thickly, “Alright, I know what it looks like, but I promise it’s not what you think.”

Jimin raises a brow. “Hyung, it’s really kind of you to do these things for me but-”

“It’s not me,” says Namjoon.

Jimin gives Namjoon a reproachful look. Does he really think he’s going to believe him when half of the things he’d listed had been handed to him directly?

“No, I’m…” Namjoon looks like he’s about to tear his hair out as he looks about himself in frustration, “I know that technically it was me who handed those things to you. But they weren’t from me.”

Oh.

“They weren’t?” he asks, voice small and confused.

“No. And I actually have a boyfriend. Well, that’s a lie. I have a guy who I’m seeing who I’d really like to be my boyfriend. But anyway, please don’t think I’m doing this to woo you. I… not that you're not woo-worthy. You’re really nice and all. But I’m, you know...”

Jimin feels both relieved and embarrassed at the same time. “Taken,” he says, cutting Namjoon’s rambling short.

“Yep.”

They sit looking at each other awkwardly.

“But… someone is trying to woo me?”

Namjoon opens his mouth and then closes it again. “This is really putting me between a rock and a hard place,” he complains, raking his hands back through his hair.

Jimin narrows his eyes, but he supposes that’s true. Namjoon was doing a favour for a friend and he’ll likely feel bad about outing said friend without at least giving him warning. Jimin sighs. 

“Well, tell Mr Casanova that he needs to come clean himself or else I’ll be getting the information from you,” he says, wagging his finger. “Wait. It is a mister right? Because I’m extremely gay.”

Namjoon guffaws, “Yeah, it’s a mister. And okay, will do.”

~~~~~

The next morning Jimin meets J-Hope and Jungkook. 

He’s trying hard not to fanboy, but J-Hope is an amazing dancer and Jimin is a huge fan. If he hadn’t ended up going into make-up, that’s what he would've pursued. He danced all the way through school, but decided out of his two passions that make-up was a more reliable field for his career. He plans to attend classes whilst in Seoul just for fun and fitness, but only once he’s more settled.

Not to mention, his reputation doesn’t fail him, he’s a walking ray of light. He and Jungkook (the youngest member of the Bangtan trio) are already in the green room when Jimin arrives in the morning. They’ve brought a small amount of their own staff with them, and Jungkook seems to be filming with a handheld. Jimin wonders if it’s for another GCF production. 

They sit together talking and giggling, and when anyone walks into the room they greet them with a bow - J-hope brightly and Jungkook a little more shyly. 

Jimin has finished setting up his station by the time Yoongi arrives. It’s out of character for the rapper who, so far, has been in the chair early every time Jimin has worked on him.

“AGUST D!” J-Hope cries out as soon as he lays eyes on him. Jimin turns at the same time as Jungkook whirls around so his camera captures Yoongi’s reaction.  

He has silvery green hair.  

Jimin’s brain malfunctions.

Pretty.

Pretty rapper boy with edgy hair colour.

Pretty rapper boy with edgy hair colour and a thick bandana around his head.

Pr pr pr pr

He gulps thickly to make sure he isn’t doing anything embarrassing like drooling.

Yoongi has paused by the door. He seems to do a sweep of the room with his eyes, meeting Jimin’s appreciative gaze and smiling bashfully, hand flying up to rest behind his ear.

He knows.

Jimin snaps himself out of it, and bows politely to Yoongi before turning back to his work station. He definitely doesn’t watch in the mirror as the rapper puts a peace sign up, smiling tightly for the camera. 

It’s an expression that Jimin has seen him pull many times before. At first he had thought it was a passive aggressive gesture, but now he knows that the rapper is simply slightly awkward, and it’s his put-on-the-spot smile. He thinks it's endearing. Like a little frog or that one Pokemon, Wooper. 

J-Hope is across the room in seconds, pulling Yoongi into a hug. “Hey bro!” he’s yelling into his ear.

Jimin busies himself with going over the looks for the day whilst he waits for Yoongi to come and get started. Technically he doesn’t need to get into make-up for another half hour or more, it’s just that usually he comes early. 

He sits in the chair and flips through the look book, forcing himself to focus on going over details whilst the trio talk. Taehyung comes in not long afterwards, waving at Jimin merrily. He and Yoongi must’ve met early to get his hair dyed and styled before the day started. 

The hair stylist plants a casual kiss atop both J-Hope and Jungkook’s heads like he sees them all the time and then glides away to set up his area.

It’s not too long afterwards that Yoongi is heading over to Jimin.

“Oh! Good Morning, Hyung,” says Jimin as casually as possible, getting up so that Yoongi can sit down.

For some reason it’s the rapper who looks sheepish when he replies, “Morning Jimin-ah.”

“All okay?” Jimin asks with a smile. The best way forward is to simply pretend he wasn’t having a mental breakdown over the man in front of him a few minutes ago. Refuse to acknowledge it. Yoongi on the other hand looks nervous. Maybe he feels weird having the extra pressure of having his colleagues here today. They seem close but who knows.

“Yeah,” he answers, but Jimin can see he’s blushing. 

Maybe Jimin’s thirsting made him feel uncomfortable and now he feels weird with him doing his make-up? He hadn’t looked upset, only a bit shy when he’d first noticed Jimin looking, and being an idol he’s probably used to people staring at him like he’s a snack. But then again that doesn’t mean it’s okay for him to be objectified. Especially behind the scenes by a staff member he’s meant to trust. Though he’s unlikely to find a little innocent appreciation surprising-

“Jimin?” Yoongi says, peering up at him kindly. “You okay?”

“Ah! Yes! Sorry, lost in my own thoughts for a second. Let’s go!”

He sets to work cleaning and priming the rapper’s face, watching for any discomfort in Yoongi’s expression. He fiddles with his hands, but he doesn’t seem upset. Thankfully the weird tension between them goes away pretty quickly and soon they’re back to chit chatting about music and the TV show they both happened to watch over the break.

The makeup for Yoongi is relatively tame today. Full coverage with a strong brow and some smokeiness around the eyes to make his gaze look piercing. When he’s done, Jimin thinks he looks really hot. The perfect image of who he’d imagined when he first thought of Agust D. The fierce rapper with a sharp tongue. But Yoongi’s eyes are soft as they look up at him for his final check.

“Alright, good?” he asks, handing him the mirror so he can look up close.

“Good,” he agrees.

Jimin leaves him to be checked by Kyubok, moving down the counter and gesturing for J-Hope to join him in the chair. The rapper-dancer springs up from his seat and practically skips over to him.

“Good morning Jimin-ssi!” he trills.

How in the world does J-Hope know his name already? 

“Good morning, J-Hope-ssi,” Jimin manages to say, congratulating himself on not stuttering.

“Hoseok Hyung is fine,” he immediately corrects.

“Or Hobi Hyung!” Jungkook calls from behind.

“O-okay,” says Jimin. Failing this time to keep his cool. One of his idols wants him to call him Hyung? He feels faint. 

Hoseok smiles at him kindly, “So, what are we doing here today? Yoongi Hyung sent pictures of his eyeliner yesterday! That was so cool!”

Jimin feels his face get hot. Thank God for full-coverage foundation.

“He did?” he nearly squeaks.

“Yeah!” Jungkook pipes up again, “I want that too!”

The younger member didn’t look up from his camera either time, too engrossed in watching the footage he took. 

Jimin glances Yoongi’s way, but the rapper isn’t meeting his eye. He’s honoured that he liked the look so much he wanted to share it with his friends.

“I can definitely do that,” he says, looking back at Hoseok. 

He gets started, and it’s not long before he and Hoseok are talking like old friends. The guy just has something about him that, despite his real star power, makes him approachable. 

“So,” he says at one point, “What’s it like working with Yoongi?”

Jimin thinks it’s an odd question considering Hoseok has been doing exactly that for years, and must have seen how Yoongi interacts with hundreds of different staff members over the time. But he’s happy to oblige.

“He’s been great,” Jimin says honestly. “Welcoming and open to new make-up ideas.”

Hoseok pulls a face that Jimin doesn’t quite understand, but it looks a bit smug, “Yes, our Hyung is the best . His perpetual lateness hasn’t driven you insane yet though?”

Jimin frowns, “Yoongi Hyung is never late. Well, except this morning.”

Hoseok’s eyebrows shoot up his forehead and he looks over at Yoongi, “Oh is that right, Hyung?” he asks loudly.

“Shut up Hobah,” Yoongi murmurs, not looking up from his phone.

Hoseok simply giggles and turns back to Jimin, “And what about these morning moods?” he asks pointedly.

Jimin thinks back. He’d been scared when he first started that Yoongi was going to be a tyrant but he’s really been nothing but lovely. He doesn’t want to say too much about his reputation in case the rapper overhears, but he also wants to answer the question honestly. Besides, Yoongi has his airpods in. The only reason he probably heard Hoseok is because the man talks at five times the natural decibel range for humans. 

He lowers his voice anyway, “If I’m honest...” he starts.

Hoseok leans forward in his chair, happy to listen to gossip it seems.

“I was worried when I first started. I’d heard he, you know, swore and things,” Jimin continues a little awkwardly. He’s mindful that this is a close connection of Yoongi’s he’s talking to and he doesn’t want to offend. “But I haven’t seen him be that way at all. He’s been really sweet.”

Hoseok smiles at him with a shake of his head like he’s said something funny, “Yoongi Hyung wouldn’t say boo to a goose,” he says. “He’s just a bit of a grumpy grandpa in the mornings without his coffee. I’m glad you looked past what you’d heard to see the real him.”

Jimin feels like he’s being praised and he’s not quite sure why. He’d only let his own interactions with Yoongi colour his opinion of him, rather than rely on rumour. Surely that’s not too rare.

~~~~~

“You saw the video?” Yoong asks him. They’re standing backstage and it’s just the two of them as Jimin fixes his makeup between scenes.

Jimin feels called out. “Uh…”

“I heard you talking with Hoseokie this morning. It’s alright,” he says gently. The look on his face is in stark contrast to the bad guy rapper facade he’s been playing on screen all morning. 

“Yeah… I’d seen it go around. Before I started, you know?” says Jimin, fiddling with the brush in his hand.

Yoongi nods. 

“But I don’t think badly of you,” Jimin is quick to add on. “I mean, knowing what I know about you now, the dude must’ve done something really shitty I’m guessing.”

Yoongi smiles. It’s a small thing, not happy as such, but it’s genuine. “Yeah, he did,” is all he says.

Jimin doesn’t need to know if Yoongi doesn’t want to tell him. It’s enough.

“Hyung,” he says instead, “Thanks for asking for the liner yesterday. I didn’t say it at the time, but it means a lot to me to have my own make-up in the video.”

The rapper grins this time, gums and tiny teeth on display in the dim light, “It was cool. I’m excited to have you designing more looks for me in the future.”

Jimin’s tummy does a somersault that he’s not entirely sure is simply down to the idea of his career progression. 

“Me too,” he says.

~~~~~

Jimin knows.

Or… Well actually he doesn’t know. He’d apparently thought that Namjoon was flirting with him, which in retrospect is a fair assumption. But now Yoongi’s been given an ultimatum, come clean or Namjoon has to tell.

He plans on talking to Jimin at some point. Just not yet. He wants to make sure that neither of them have to suffer through working together straight after the confession. So he’ll wait until shooting is over tomorrow. 

Yet he’s letting himself have this one last thing. It’s small, just another hot chocolate on the morning of the last day. But he’s going to have to deliver it himself this time - secretly of course.

He and Namjoon get to set fifteen minutes earlier than usual and thankfully sees on the check-in list that Jimin isn’t there yet. A few other staff are milling around but he just smiles at them and let’s Namjoon do the talking. He’s frustrated when one of the set designers pulls them into a conversation about the football game that aired last night, keen to get to the green room and set the hot chocolate in place.

Yoongi eventually manages to make the excuse of needing the toilet and escapes, leaving Namjoon there with a subpar knowledge of sport and a crippling inability to say no to people. 

He rushes to the green room, thanking his lucky stars when he sees only Taehyung and one of the junior stylists inside. The stylist is steaming the outfits for the day whilst Taehyung sits in an armchair eating a huge cup of ramyun for breakfast. 

“Morning,” he bows, rushing over to the chair where Jimin will soon set his stuff up. He places the drink down right in the centre, making sure it’s turned so that Jimin’s name, scrawled on the side of the cup, shows. Thankfully it still feels warm. 

He turns to rush away, knowing Taehyung will be watching him judgingly but not caring to look up. But then a voice shocks him. Sweet and surprised.

“Hyung?”

It’s Jimin. He’s peeking up from the bench where he’d been laying down. In an oversized hoodie and leggings, in his rush Yoongi had mistaken him for a pile of clothes. He’s all puffy faced and sleepy looking. If Yoongi didn’t want to scream he’d coo. 

“Jimin-ah,” he replies instead of doing either.

“It was you?” the man asks. The owl eyes are back. He utterly shocked, obviously didn’t even have a sneaking suspicion. It makes Yoongi feel cold. Surely if there was any interest on his end there would have been something.

He could try to deny it slightly longer, but there’s really no use now. “Yeah,” he says. “Sorry.”

Jimin frowns, “Sorry?”

The door of the green room slams open, “Yoongi-ssi?” the voice of the director calls. “Can I borrow you for a moment?”

Yoongi dips into a bow in lieu of saying goodbye, and then follows the director out onto set. It’s a nice reminder of where he is. He’s been working on this visual album for months. This is an exciting and demanding project. He can’t get caught up in an unrequited crush. He’ll apologise again later and then keep things professional moving forward.

~~~~~

Yoongi. 

It’s Yoongi. 

Pretty, sweet, kind, funny, quiet Yoongi. But he’s Agust D too. A passionate, talented, confident, hot rap star. He’s so far out of his league Jimin hadn’t even thought of it. He has his little crush of course, but he never dreamed it could be returned. 

Even as he’d stayed up late last night wracking his mind trying to think of who could be his secret admirer, he hadn’t considered it. He’d even rung Taehyung at well past 2 am. to double check it wasn’t him. 

“I mean, you’re totally hot and I’d totally tap that in a completely platonic way. But no, it’s not me Jiminie,” he’d said, voice groggy from sleep. 

Now, the make-up artist smiles at him softly. He obviously knew already but his sense of loyalty had stopped him from telling.

“I was going to say something if he didn’t,” Taehyung says, as if reading Jimin’s mind.

“It’s alright,” Jimin says distractedly, his mind still racing.  

Maybe not thinking of Yoongi makes him a little bit stupid now he thinks of it. Namjoon is his manager after all. It’s the thing that makes the most sense. To an outsider maybe it was blindingly obvious. It’s just that… It’s Yoongi. 

Jimin always accepted his kindness as professionalism, but now he looks back on everything the signs had definitely been there. If he hadn’t been so oblivious.

He needs to talk to him. But first they have to get through the work day. It won’t do to have a heart-to-heart over the concealer brushes.

~~~~~

Yoongi is pacing outside the green room. He knows Jimin is inside waiting for him to tell him he’s ready to go. They’d decided earlier, through blushing conversation as Jimin powdered his forehead. They’ll go to the late night cafe near the studio so they can talk. It’s a place Yoongi likes. Discreet and atmospheric. He writes there sometimes.

And perhaps it was just him being hopeful, but the look in Jimin’s eye when he’d accepted hadn’t seemed pitiful. He looked nervous and a touch shy, but not like he was preparing to let him down.

He runs his hands over his trouser legs. His mouth is dry.

He’s going in.

~~~~~

The cafe is cool. The kind of hole in the wall joint that Jimin can see himself whiling away the hours at with a book and endless supply of lattes. Lo-fi hip hop and art on the walls.

The guy behind the counter looks at Yoongi hungrily and it's a stark reminder of who he's with. He's wiped the thick foundation from his face but he's still in his sexy eye makeup, silver hair swept off his forehead with a thick headband. Agust D. Passionate, talented, confident, hot rap star. He looks the part.

But he's Yoongi too. Pretty, sweet, kind, funny, quiet Yoongi. The barista doesn't know that version of him. That's Jimin's privilege.

“I didn’t think you drank coffee?” Yoongi says once they're seated.

That explains the hot chocolates. It’s sweet.

“Only at work. Coffee breath, you know?”

Yoongi’s eyebrows raise, “I’ve never considered that to be honest,” he says.

Jimin giggles, “When you get all up in people’s faces for a living it’s something you pay more attention to.”

Yoongi nods, fiddling with his fingers. He’s nervous. Jimin wants him not to be.

He reaches out and places his hand atop the rapper’s, making him startle.

“It’s alright,” he says gently, “I’m not upset. I’m flattered.”

Yoongi looks at him thoughtfully, “Flattered in the ‘that’s nice but please stop’ way, or?”

“More like in the ‘hoping you’ll ask me out on a date’ way,” he says honestly. He's been thinking about it all day. He wasn't looking to date, that's true. But sometimes things come looking for you anyway. Plus he'd be lying if he said Yoongi didn't fascinate him.

Yoongi visibly gulps and Jimin tracks the bob of his Adam's Apple with his eye, “This can be a date!” he blurts, before quickly adding on, “If you want it to be.”

Jimin giggles again, he can’t help it. Yoongi’s just so cute. Especially when flustered. It’s not something he’d anticipated upon first meeting him. Who knew the rapper with a big reputation was really a softie.

He’s excited to get to know more about who Yoongi is when he isn’t putting on his Agust D persona.

“I’d like that,” Jimin smiles, “I think it would be nice to get to know you better. But maybe another when we’re not so tired? I don’t know about you but after this week I’m ready to sleep for a whole weekend.”

Yoongi smiles at this, “Okay,” he agrees, but then his face drops a little, “But I can’t really take you many places. I’d love to, but… you know…”

Jimin squeezes Yoongi’s hand. He’s a celebrity. Getting in a dating scandal with a man won’t be helpful for his career. He gets it. He really does.

“I’m kind of a homebody,” he says meaningfully. 

It makes Yoongi smile again, a little hopeful thing that tugs at Jimin’s heart strings.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he confirms, “Give me Netflix and wine, over a fancy restaurant any day.”

Yoongi flips his hand so that he can thread his fingers with Jimin’s. They’re tucked away in a corner. Besides, people mind their own business here. 

“I could show you that one about the zombies I told you about?” Yoongi offers. “Next Friday?”

“Sounds like a plan,” he grins.