Chapter Text
To be South Korean in this day and age and not know Jeon Jungkook is quite impossible.
His name is echoed on televisions and radios alike, with headlines repeating his unending list of achievements as a young yet renowned worldwide idol. His face is plastered in almost every corner, with his numerous advertisements for various brands coupled with promotions for his activities. His music is always on top of local and international charts alike, with music stations almost looping his entire discography due to popular demand. His entire existence is ingrained in every platform possible to the point that the younger generation will willingly or unwillingly be updated on Jungkook’s life.
Kim Seokjin would like to believe that he is still part of the younger generation.
One look at Twitter, and Seokjin knew that the singer was back in the country — it was hard to miss when all the worldwide trends were related to Jungkook. His feed is flooded by images of the man in an all-black outfit, casually greeting the press and fans who have waited for him at the airport.
Jeon Jungkook has arrived in Korea
JJK welcome back
Jungkook safely returns home for a break
Rest well, our Kookie!
As Seokjin tuned in to the news while driving, it was no surprise that the man was once again mentioned:
Jeon Jungkook was spotted at Incheon Airport. It has been reported that the Grammy-nominated star will stay in Korea for a while before continuing his world tour. He’ll visit a few states in America next and insiders speculate that he’s set to break the record for the best-selling tour after selling out the tickets for his stadium concerts in various countries…
Everyone in Korea knows how talented and hard-working Jungkook is, and everyone believes that he is destined for greatness.
But Seokjin knew Jungkook a lot more than everyone does.
The familiar boots welcomed Seokjin’s sight as he opened the door of his flat. They were the same shoes that were speculated by fans to be worth thousands of dollars. Seokjin proceeds to his bedroom and as he expected, there he finds the boy who’s the subject of many women’s and men’s desires.
The Jeon Jungkook was on Seokjin’s bed, lying on his stomach and comfortably tucked underneath the latter’s sheets, but his shirtless back and tattooed arm were on full display.
I could take a picture of him now, produce photocards, and I swear his fans would be willing to pay a year-worth of my bills, Seokjin thought.
Seokjin sighed, pondering for the nth time why a multi-million star still leeches off his childhood friend who’s also a struggling business owner.
He creased his forehead before deciding the best way to wake up Jungkook: he slaps the younger’s butt hard making the latter groan in reply.
When Jungkook sleepily looked at him, Seokjin raised an eyebrow and greeted, “Hey there, intruder.”
“It’s not called intruding if I have a key to your house, hyung,” Jungkook yawns.
“I told you that’s for emergency purposes,” Seokjin rebuts.
“Well, I need emergency rest,” Jungkook states as he stretched, causing more of his skin and his abs to show.
Seokjin scoffs before asking, “Did you even eat before coming here?”
The younger shook his head and cheekily smiled, “Please feed me hyung.”
“Jungkook, what’s your black card for if not for eating at restaurants —”
“Hyung, the paparazzi were on me because I just came home. I can’t go out soon.”
“You could have reserved a private room.”
“Too busy.”
“Your manager could have done it for you — “
“Namjoon hyung needs rest too. I don’t want to stress him out with my meals.”
“You could have ordered food, then!”
And like a secret weapon, Jungkook wields his puppiest eyes and pouts, “But hyung’s food is the best.”
Seokjin closed his eyes in frustration. He had already seen that pleading face on a hundred different occasions, but it still melts his resolve every time. Unfortunately, Jungkook knows this well and uses it to his advantage.
When a sigh escaped Seokjin’s lips, Jungkook grinned, knowing he had already won the argument.
“Want more compliments as payment for my meal, hyung?” Jungkook teases.
Fighting back a smile, Seokjin shakes his head and says, “I can make janchi guksu.”
Jungkook shows a thumbs up as a reply, but Seokjin immediately added, “Please at least wash yourself and wear some clothes.”
“You should appreciate my body more, hyung!” Jungkook exclaims as he ran his hands down his chest and torso, but Seokjin quickly turned around with a groan.
As Seokjin made his way to the kitchen, Jungkook chuckled before shouting, “My fans said my body’s a work of art!”
Cooking for Jungkook would almost count as a hobby for Seokjin. During their younger days back in Busan, either Jungkook or Seokjin would get invited to each other’s house to eat meals. Seokjin was starting college in Seoul when Jungkook followed him a few months after, saying that he had passed an audition. Since then, the latter took it as a responsibility to make sure that Jungkook still ate well and healthily, despite the strict diet imposed by his company.
However, when Jungkook started earning on his own, especially when he started earning more than ten times Seokjin could make in a month, Seokjin thought that his role as a meal-provider for Jungkook would end, but Jungkook would make any excuse possible to bother Seokjin and make him cook for the both of them.
Seokjin would protest a little at first, but both would know that he would eventually give in.
After all, Seokjin savors each meal shared with Jungkook, because in these moments, Seokjin gets a glimpse of the Jungkook he grew up with, away from the spotlights and the cameras.
During these moments, Jungkook would share stories that he will never disclose to any interview or vlives – stories that only Seokjin becomes privy to.
He talked to Seokjin about his tour, how he would feel like floating whenever he sees the sea of people enjoying his performance, how Namjoon, would drag him out of his hotel to at least appreciate nearby travel places while touring, how he laughed at his stylist’s stress over “wardrobe malfunctions” that would result to him showing more skin than usual, how being far away from Korea made him crave for more traditional foods, how he bonded with his backup dancers, how he clinched collaborations with other foreign artists, and so on.
The food was long gone when Jungkook finally asks Seokjin, “How about you, hyung? Anything interesting lately?”
Seokjin gave a small smile before announcing, “Yoongi and Taehyung had decided on a date for their wedding.”
Jungkook widens his eyes and exclaims, “And I’m not informed?!”
Seokjin replies, “It was an out of a whim decision. They said it when we were having drinks yesternight. They’re probably going to tell you tomorrow, letting you rest for a day or so.”
Jungkook immediately picks up his phone, asking Seokjin for the tentative date so that he could tell Namjoon to block the schedule for him. He also does not forget to send a message to Yoongi and Taehyung alike, telling them that he’ll throw a fit if he’s not allowed to sing at their wedding.
Seokjin then talks more about the rough draft of Taehyung’s and Yoongi’s wedding, all planned over bottles of soju. Jungkook had a smile on his face while listening to how Taehyung had made Yoongi agree to almost everything.
Jungkook could still remember all the times that Taehyung would jokingly say, “Marry me, Yoongi” and the way Taehyung sobbed when Yoongi finally proposed.
“I tried to pinch in pink as the wedding color, but Taehyung’s heart was set on purple,” Seokjin narrates, “Actually, I think none of my suggestions made it — the disrespect to their hyung, really.”
Jungkook giggles in reply and Seokjin chortles with him.
However, when a pregnant pause followed after, Jungkook looked at Seokjin and saw how the man’s gaze had turned melancholic.
“Hyung?” Jungkook whispered, the smile on his face also disappearing, “Did something else happen?”
Seokjin shakes his head, but he let out a long sigh after. His countenance melts into a pensive one as he whispers, “I just feel… old.”
“I thought you already got used to that feeling. That’s your everyday life,” Jungkook counters with a teasing smile, trying to inject humor onto their conversation.
Seokjin rolls his eyes and retorts, “What I meant was, I think I should settle down too, because I am not getting any younger.”
Suddenly, bells started ringing in Jungkook’s ears — not the soulmate type of bells that he always hears when he’s with Seokjin, but sirens, loud sirens creating panic inside him.
He then finds himself stuttering, “B-but you’re still young, hyung.”
Seokjin snorts, “Brat, you called me old not a minute ago.”
“You know that’s a joke!” Jungkook couldn’t stop words from pouring out of his mouth, “You still have your life ahead of you and you could still spend a few years enjoying the life of a bachelor!”
Jungkook is fully armed with arguments because he had countless questions thrown at him for his decision to stay single. Since telling the public that he’s unrequitedly in love with his childhood friend is not an option, Jungkook had listed all reasons why people choose to stay out of relationships.
But his heart broke as Seokjin firmly shook his head.
“Most of my former high school classmates already have families of their own. My college batchmates are settling down as well — hell, my best friend is getting married too,” Seokjin utters.
“And so? It’s not like there’s a competition on who could have a better family life!” Jungkook’s rising voice is parallel to the fear increasing within him.
“I know, Kook-ah. But I’m not competing with anyone. I decided this for myself,” Seokjin replies. His brows then furrow as he contemplates, “It’s been so long since I’ve been in a relationship. I think my last fling was shortly after college and that was it.”
Seokjin’s eyes met Jungkook’s as he adds, “I might as well try again, right?”
There’s a resounding ”no” stuck in Jungkook’s throat.
But Seokjin then said, “Besides, everyone agreed that I should bring a plus one to the wedding. Taehyung said he’d even help me find someone before then.”
“You’re a fucking traitor,” Jungkook glares through the screen, his teeth gritted in anger.
“It was Hoseok hyung who suggested that Seokjin hyung should have a plus one,” Taehyung retorts, “And most important of all, it was Seokjin hyung who decided that he should start dating again!”
“But you promised to help!” Jungkook pouts — one of the tell-tale signs that he was throwing a tantrum.
“Because he’s my friend and I don’t want him to look miserable!” Taehyung argues.
“Well, I’ll be miserable if hyung starts dating again!”
“Then how about you try to date him, then!”
Jungkook opens his mouth to retort but ends up blabbering, “I-I can’t! I still have an ongoing tour.”
“Excuses,” Taehyung sighs, “You’ve been making excuses for years now, Kook.”
Kim Taehyung was not originally Seokjin’s nor Jungkook’s friend. He went to the same college as Seokjin, but Taehyung would not have met Seokjin if not for his crush on Seokjin’s best friend and then-roommate, Yoongi.
Taehyung would always frequent Seokjin’s and Yoongi’s dorms before, and that’s where he met Jungkook who would also always choose to spend the weekends with Seokjin. With Jungkook’s heart always on his sleeves, it was not difficult for Taehyung to decipher that Jungkook had always been in love with Seokjin. Taehyung knew that Jungkook has been in love for as long as he could remember, but at the same time, he also knew that Jungkook had always chickened out of confessions.
Taehyung knew that Jungkook had always been contented with stolen skinship, intimacy cloaked in friendship, constant care in the guise of childhood habits, and quiet forms of love.
Jungkook presses the heel of his palm on his eyes as he whispers, “I don’t wanna lose him, hyung.”
“You know you’re never gonna lose him in your life, Kook,” Taehyung replies, “Seokjin hyung would not allow that.”
“But you have to decide on whether you’re just gonna play the same role in his life,” Taehyung adds, “And you have to decide soon.”
“It wouldn’t have been so soon if you wouldn’t help him!” Jungkook’s back at whining.
“Well, if you’re not gonna help yourself then I’m gonna help, hyung,” Taehyung threatens.
“I hate you,” Jungkook whines.
Taehyung groans, “He’s just gonna try dating again! It’s not like he’s gonna marry the guy!”
“There’s already a guy?” Jungkook gasps.
“Not yet, but – “ Taehyung halts when he saw Seokjin come out of the door behind Jungkook.
“Oh, Taehyungie,” Seokjoon walks towards the couch. He sat on the floor before pressing his face close to Jungkook so that they’ll fit on the cam.
As if on cue, Jungkook removes one of his AirPods and brings it to Jin’s ear. But as Jungkook looked back at the camera, he saw the way that Taehyung’s lips curved into a teasing smile at the gesture. With a hard glare, Jungkook tries to send a message for Taehyung to wipe the smirk off his face.
However, as if trying to tease Jungkook further, Taehyung begins asking Seokjin, “So how’s the hunt, hyung?”
“Please don’t talk like I’m going to devour the person,” Seokjin complains.
“Well, technically, you could,” Taehyung raises his eyebrows suggestively.
Jungkook tries to sneak a glare at Taehyung before turning to Seokjin, “I told you asking help from Taehyung hyung is a bad idea.”
But as Jungkook noticed Seokjin’s reddening ears, he hit him on the shoulder and uttered, “Hyung, really?!”
Taehyung’s loud laugh resonated before he suggests, “Hyung, the app I told you about is also good if you’re just looking for hook-ups!”
“Oh… I actually downloaded it,” Seokjin whispered, “But my profile is still empty.”
Jungkook’s jaw clenches as Seokjin’s ears keep turning a darker shade of red. He turns to Taehyung and demands, “What app?”
“WeClick – a dating app for the gays,” Taehyung answers with a satisfied smile on his lips as he can see the hard expression on Jungkook’s face. As if mocking the younger further, Taehyung tells Seokjin, “I’d help you curate your profile, hyung! I’ll choose your most mouth-watering pictures!”
No matter how hard Jungkook pestered Seokjin on his progress with the WeClick app, the latter wouldn’t budge. He would only become a blushing mess all the time, insisting that such was a “private matter.” Jungkook had always loved how Seokjin’s ears would easily color whenever embarrassed, but at that time, the warm tint blooming on Seokjin’s skin infuriates him.
Frustrated that he was kept in the dark, Jungkook made a dummy account. He had been on his bed that night, mindlessly chewing his lower lip as he rigorously sifted through many accounts with the intent of only finding one.
His breath was knocked out of him when he finds Seokjin’s photo. He immediately sits up but took a big gulp before clicking Seokjin’s profile with trembling fingers.
A whine almost escaped Jungkook’s lips as he focused on Seokjin’s profile photo – it was one of the pictures he took when they were in Helsinki for a vacation. Seokjin was wearing a black coat that perfectly complements his white polo and cream vest, with his hair neatly swept back, showing the handsome features of his face.
It was one of Jungkook’s favorite pictures of Seokjin because it screams “boyfriend material” and now, he felt betrayed, as if one of his most treasured possessions had become a weapon against him.
He scrolled through Seokjin’s profile and felt an amalgam of anger toward Taehyung and an intense desire toward Seokjin.
Taehyung made good of his word – Seokijn’s profile contained pictures that Jungkook categorized as “lethal” and aptly fitting to the goal of making Seokjin look like he would “devour” someone whole.
He found himself staring at Seokjin’s pictures, with that familiar desire burning at the pit of his stomach, but his growing hunger died down as soon as he realized that some other people using the app might also be thirsting over Seokjin, and perhaps, one of them is already talking to Seokjin at that moment.
“No, no, no, no, no,” Jungkook wails, “These sex god photos should have been for my eyes only!”
Jungkook grits his teeth before burying his head on his pillows, screaming all his frustrations out. Absent-mindedly, he tosses his phone on the other side of the bed, but when he heard that it made a thud on the floor instead, he quickly scrambles to pick it up.
However, instead of inspecting for any scratches on the phone, what he first checked was the one pressed between the back of his phone and the phone’s casing – a jewel that Jungkook held dear to him.
A paper ring that he had already been keeping for ages.
When Jungkook was five, one of their activities in grade school was to create paper rings. Remembering the teacher’s explanation that giving a ring signifies that you want a person to stay in your life, he carefully folded the pieces of paper given to him, with only one person on his mind.
“Please promise that we’d keep these rings,” five-year-old Jungkook told ten-year-old Seokjin back then, “If we keep these rings, we’d be together forever.”
Back then, the paper ring looked perfect on Seokin’s ring finger while Jungkook’s matching pair was large even for his own thumb. Twenty years later, Jungkook’s still keeping his paper ring, now barely fitting his pinky finger.
From then until now, Jungkook had always wanted Seokjin to be by his side, for them to test the limits of eternity.
With the way Seokjin confessed that he wanted to open a new chapter of his life, Jungkook felt that his relationship with Seokjin was like the small paper ring he kept – fragile and in danger of easily slipping out of his fingers.
“What do I do now?” he whispers as he stared at the paper ring on his pinky, “Can’t it always be just the two of us, hyung?”
“You look like you’re a harbinger of doom,” Namjoon utters as he gave Jungkook his iced coffee.
Kim Namjoon has been Jungkook’s manager since the beginning. He was the intern who has scouted the thirteen-year-old boy, and as Jungkook strived hard to debut, Namjoon worked hard to be promoted to be a manager. When Jungkook was about to debut, he insisted on having Namjoon, and for a while, a more-experienced manager co-handled Jungkook until Namjoon proved to be capable on his own.
Since Seokjin took it upon himself to be Jungkook’s guardian in Seoul, he frequently contacted Namjoon, and even had fights with him, especially on the days that Jungkook cried himself to sleep because of stress. Nevertheless, the mutual caring hearts that Seokjin and Namjoon have for Jungkook as well as their shared belief that Jungkook would make it big became steppingstones for their friendship.
Jungkook savors the bitter taste of the coffee that Namjoon offered, perfect for his somber mood, before replying, “RJ’s looking for a boyfriend.”
And as Seokjin is a frequent topic in their conversations, Namjoon deemed it proper to make a codename for Seokjin to keep his identity protected. They both settled on “RJ,” Seokjin’s favorite cartoon character.
“Oh,” Namjoon mumbles, “Well, it’s been long since hyung dated.”
“Yes, and those past years have been the best years of my life. But now, I feel like I’m going to run out of happy days soon,” Jungkook complains.
“But isn’t this the perfect opportunity to step up your relationship with him?” Namjoon suggests, “Maybe it’s hyung’s way of saying he’s ready for the next level?”
“He’s looking for anyone who could date him! Not necessarily me!” Jungkook almost shouted the last part in frustration.
“Could be you, if you’d just confess,” Namjoon replies, “Come on. It’s been two years since your dating ban’s over.”
Jungkook’s dating ban lasted for three years since his debut, not even counting the trainee days when he was supposed to be single. Staying partnerless was easy for Jungkook but the hardest and most torturous part was when Seokjin kept dating a lot, with him having a boyfriend for two out of the three years of Jungkook’s dating ban. Jungkook hated all those times he had witnessed Seokjin in the arms of another man, and he was only slightly grateful that his busy schedule as a newly debuted artist kept him distracted.
“You’re extremely supportive for a manager, hyung,” Jungkook comments.
“You know I always have your happiness in mind,” Namjoon sincerely replies.
“Aww,” Jungkook coos, “I think I am in love with you, hyung.”
“Please,” Namjoon rolls his eyes, “I am pretty sure you’d never get over RJ… so you might as well go for it.”
Jungkook grumbles, “I don’t know if he looks at me that way, hyung. Maybe he still sees me as a kid who followed him to Seoul – some boy he needs to take care of because my family knows him.”
“So what are you planning to do then?” Namjoon asks before joking, “Stop him from getting a new relationship?”
But then, as Jungkook’s eyes widened, Namjoon gasped, “Oh no.”
Jungkook’s previously gloomy countenance was then replaced with mischief and relief as he told Namjoon, “You’re a genius, hyung.”