Chapter Text
Loving someone shouldn't hurt this much. Loving someone would be easy, like the easiest thing in the entire world. That's what he'd heard from all his friends. Then why was he suffering in silence, alone? Jimin didn't understand why loving Jungkook has been so hard for him, or maybe it was the lack of reciprocation which left him tired. Drained.
Jimin was 25, the first time he'd met Jungkook. They were introduced to each other through their parents. Jungkook was raised by his single dad, who coincidentally was a close college friend of Jimin's parents. It was a major gala organised by Jeon enterprises on the completion of their 20th successful year in the business. Not that Jimin knew anything about it. He was there simply because his parents wanted him to meet their friend, Jeon Junghwan, the man who'd built the Jeon enterprises single handedly. He wasn't even expecting to meet his son, but he did. And it changed everything.
"I've heard so many stories about you from my parents" Jimin smiles at the older man, shaking his hands.
"Good ones, I hope"
"Great ones.."
"That's really good to hear, Jimin. Your parents are dear friends to me. I'm glad all of you could come. I also wanted you all to meet my son.. Wait a minute, he should be here somewhere.." The man starts looking through the crowd.
"Ah.. There he is.."
And as Jimin watches a tall and handsome man, with broad shoulders and confidence oozing out, walk towards them, his jaw drops. Jimin wasn't one to be charmed or be impressed by looks alone, but this man was beautiful and gave off an aura of authority.
"This here is my son, Jungkook. He's just returned from the US and is going to soon take over the business.."
Jimin notices Jungkook's stern expression and then his extended hands. It takes him a moment to realise that he was supposed to shake them, so he did, almost mechanically.
"I'm Jimin.. Park Jimin" he manages to stammer out
Jungkook nods.
"Why don't the two of you get to know one another, become friends.. While I catch up with my friends" Mr Jeon says to his son, departing soon and leaving an awkward situation for the two young male to deal with. Awkward, more because unlike Jimin's usual cheery disposition, he finds it hard to actually speak or converse with the man with the brooding looks. But after several moments of silence, he does.
"Have you been around Seoul?"
"No."
"Oh.. I moved here last year.. I haven't been able to really appreciate the city myself.. But I have been to some of the places" Jimin rambles, Jungkook nods.
Jungkook didn't seem disinterested. No. But was he shy? Or just quiet? Jimin didn't know. But half an hour of ramblings from Jimin only helped him find out that Jungkook studied business and was living in Seoul alone, while he'd vomited all information about his schooling, best friends, his job as a dance instructor and what not. Seriously Jimin, learn to keep your mouth shut. He thanks the gods, as he's called upon by his parents, leading him to bid Jungkook a quick goodbye. Jungkook nods. Again.
He'd left with his parents. He'd dropped them at their house while he'd driven home to his own studio apartment. He thinks about the weird encounter with the gorgeous man. About how he's probably made a fool of himself. He chuckles. But it's okay, because he was pretty sure he wouldn't be meeting the man again. He's proved wrong.
***
Jimin's life was simple. He worked as a dance instructor at one of the leading dance Institutions. He loved his job, his friends and his life in Seoul. He lived in the same apartment building with his best friend but on different floors. He'd met Taehyung while he was attending college. Tae was an art collector, while his boyfriend Yoongi worked at a leading record label as a producer. Along with his coworker Hoseok, and his neighbours Jin and Namjoon, Jimin had a lively and lovely life. He'd be lying if he says he didn't want a significant other in his life too. It's not like he hadn't tried dating. He did. And he failed miserably.
He had a busy schedule and at the end of the day, he got so tired that he'd just given up on the entire dating scene. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that there was also a part of Jimin that was insecure. For what? He doesn’t really know. He knew he looked good and had a good personality, but he often found himself lacking in his own eyes. Hsi giving up on dating was also a result of such thoughts.
"How will you find someone if you don't meet new people?" Tae had once asked him.
"I don't care. Maybe there's no one for me. I'm tired of all the douchebags I end up on dates with, and worse.. end up dating. If I'm meant to be with someone, they'll show up"
Now thinking back to the conversation, Jimin finds himself smiling. Because standing right next to him, at another party his parents had dragged him to, was none other than Jeon Jungkook.
"You know.. I thought I would never meet you again."
"Why?"
"After how I had made a fool of myself, I didn't want to meet you.. But it seems like we will be meeting each other more.. Now that our parents have reconnected."
"Hmm" Jungkook nods.
"You nod a lot"
"You talk a lot"
"Wow. So you CAN talk? Why don't you, then?"
"Don't like wasting my words.."
"I should feel insulted. But I also think arguing with you wouldn't help if we're gonna run into one another again.."
"So.. What do you propose?"
"Becoming friends"
"Friends?"
Maybe it was the way Jungkook had spoken the word, or the appalled expression in his face which made Jimin feel that Jeon Jungkook didn't have many friends. He later finds out that his assumption was right. But at that moment, there seemed to be nothing more important to Jimin than becoming a good friend to Jungkook, even if he felt intimidated by the man. He extends his hands.
"Yes, friends"
And to Jimin's utter surprise, Jungkook takes his hand in his and utters the one word.
"Friends"
****
"How are the classes this year?" Jimin's father asks from across the dinner table.
"It's going alright. The new students are more talented and it's been fun.. Hobi and I are getting swamped with these choreography workshops.." Jimin says, chewing a piece of roasted vegetable.
"Good.. Oh by the way.. How did you like Jungkook?"
"He's okay, I think" More than okay. He's fine , Jimin wanted to add but it would be highly inappropriate.
"I hope you can get along with him. His dad told us how he's been a loner most of his life.. Ever since his mom left.. He's just been distant.. So he's hoping maybe you could just be a good friend to him.."
"That explains a few things.. He doesn't talk much.. But I'll try my best, appa"
The older man smiles at his son, while the son wonders if he could keep his growing crush contained.
****
"He's sexy as hell"
"Stop it, Tae"
"I googled him.. He's a well known personality.."
"I know he's gorgeous but that's not the thing.. He's just been alone, I guess"
"You better warm him up then.. If you know what I mean" Tae teases
"How does Yoongi hyung bear with you? You're so shameless"
"He actually loves that aspect of my personality" Tae beams.
"I need to head home.. Bye Tae.." Jimin disconnects the call and gets to booking a cab, when he notices Jungkook standing across the street.
Should I call him? What if he's waiting for someone..? Has he seen me? His thoughts get interrupted as he watches the taller man make eye contact with him from across the street. Recognition visible in his features. Jimin waves his hand and runs to the taller man.
"What are you doing here, friend?"
"Is this how you're going to address me every time?" Jungkook asks, eyebrows raised.
"Do you mind?"
"Sort of. I was here for a meeting. I'm heading home."
"Oh.. My Institute is right around the corner.. I was gonna head home too.."
"So.."
"You know normal curtsy would require you to drop me home"
"I'm not a disciplined or polite man, Jimin."
"You're always so cold and unapproachable. Do you know what you need? You need to have a few drinks and loosen up"
"Okay"
"And then if that doesn't- wait what? You.. you agreed?" Jimin is shocked.
"I have some time to kill"
"Oh.."
Jungkook gets inside his car, all the while Jimin tries to make sense of what was happening.
"You coming in or what?" Jungkook says from his seat.
"Oh.. Yeah.."
They drive to the closest bar and get drunk as hell that night. They later book a cab together, and somehow Jimin ends up in Jungkook's apartment. The last thing Jimin remembers is falling asleep in a warm embrace.
Jimin wakes up alone. It's already 9AM and there's no one in the entire apartment. He's thankful as he didn't think he'd be able to face Jungkook anytime soon. He quickly leaves the apartment in a hurry. It's only when he's inside the cab that he gets fragments of his memories from the previous night. Him getting drunk, dancing on the dance floor, kissing Jungkook and then falling asleep. KISSING Jungkook! He's so appalled at his own brazen behaviour, he doesn't even know what to make of it. He makes it a mission to avoid Jungkook. But that mission fails soon.
****
The next time he meets Jungkook is at his own dance institute's annual programme. He was completely unaware of the young CEO being the guest of honour at the event. So when he'd noticed the doe eyed man looking at him with intense eyes, he'd nearly melted into a puddle.
He still tries to avoid the man, only to be caught by the taller man in the corridor of the auditorium.
"You seem to have a habit of running away, Jiminssi"
"Jungkookssi, what a pleasant surprise!" Jimin tries his best to fake the pleasantries.
"Indeed. So.. Why did you run away from the apartment last time?"
"Straight to the point"
"You know I'm a no nonsense guy"
"Actually.. I don't really know you, to be honest" Jimin says meekly.
"Well?"
"You weren't there. No one was there. I just left."
"I'd left a note, that I'd be returning in 15 minutes"
"I missed the note."
"So.."
"Soo..."
"Wanna hang out with me in my apartment, friend?"
Jimin's mouth hangs open.
"I.."
"We'll only hang out.. Friend"
"Stop saying friend everytime"
"How about no.. Friend"
"I'll come if you stop saying friend"
"Fine."
"I'll be in the car in half an hour"
It's just hanging out. Friends do that all the time. Don't overthink it, Jimin. It'll be fine.
But it wasn't.. And while they both tried to hang out like normal friends, neither remembered how they'd ended up making out on the couch. And much to Jimin's horror, he found himself falling harder for the tall man who was currently holding him so close, like he was the most precious thing in the world. They slept together. Again. This needed to stop. Jimin knew. But he couldn't. They couldn't..
And it continued over the next few weeks. A silent agreement between them. But Jimin knew better. He was never the ‘friends with benefits’ kind of a guy..
"You're playing with fire.."
"I know Tae. But I really like him" Jimin whines through the phone..
"Then tell him that. and if he's not interested, just stop"
"Easier said than done"
"I know."
"He's so focused you know.. On his work.. Sometimes he would tell me about new mergers and acquisitions, knowing well that I wouldn't know shit about it. But it feels nice to listen to him still. He's so driven.. I don't know"
"Jimin.. It'll only hurt more if you don't stop it now"
"I know.. I'll try"
Jimin's method for trying involved avoiding Jungkook. AGAIN. He didn't reply to the texts Jungkook would send and wouldn't call him back. No matter how much he himself craved the doe eyed man and his touch, he resisted. Successfully. That is until Jungkook knocks on his door one night.
He wasn't expecting anyone that late. But when he'd opened the door to the tall man looking intensely at him, Jimin thought he'd evaporate.
"Ju-jungkook?"
"Tell me why you've been avoiding me for so long"
"Come.. Come in" Jimin moves aside to let Jungkook in.
"I need answers. Why are you avoiding me?"
"Straight to the point, again"
"You know me.."
"I wasn't avoiding you, I've been busy," Jimin says, staring at the floor.
"Don't lie to me.. If you want to leave, just say so.. But don't lie to me.. I don't tolerate liars" Jungkook says, the last sentence almost bringing chills to Jimin's entire being.
"I.."
"What is it?"
"I just" Jimin stammera.
"Just say it for God's sake"
"I like you, okay? And I couldn't continue with this ‘friend with benefits’ thing.. It's not me.. I can't do it.. There you go.. Now if you're done interrogating me, you can just leave-"
"You like me?" And it's the second time that Jimin notices that same expression on Jungkook's face, the one he'd noticed when he asked him to be his friend.
"Ye-yes.. And I can't be with you like this.. It's not right.."
"Let's.. Let’s date then." Jungkook says, voice solid.
"What?"
"You said you liked me.. I'm asking for us to be a couple.."
"That's.. That’s not how it works.. I mean.. You don't even like me.."
"How do you know that? I said let's date.. We can date and find where it goes.."
"Jung-jungkook, are you sure?"
"Don't make me repeat myself"
"Oh.. Okay"
And so they began ' dating '. Jimin had been in shock for the longest time, for how could he get such a wonderful person as his boyfriend. Yes, Jungkook was unusual, not the guy next door. But he was honest, kind and he listened to Jimin. Their parents were over the moon on hearing about them Dating . Jungkook's father in particular had held Jimin in his arms and wished him well. And while Jungkook hadn't appeared as excited as Jimin, he was not disinterested or cold. He had a company to run, he had stuff on his plate to take care of. And yet dating him, being his boyfriend, made Jimin happy. He just couldn't wait to see how their relationship would pan out. He finally felt like he'd found someone he’d been missing all his life. He hoped Jungkook was the missing piece, his happily ever after. But life isn’t a fairytale, and sadly happily ever afters are rare and few. Jimin learns it the hard way.