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Truth be told, Jungkook can’t remember the very first time he met Namjoon. The fact he was barely a few weeks old plays a part of course, but despite that he knows the entire story by heart. It’s a favorite of his family, told to relatives and strangers alike and always reminisced on his birthday each year, never failing to bring smiles and adoring coos from whatever audience is listening.
This is how it goes.
From the moment he was born Jungkook was full of life and energy. Too much energy, his mother always laughs, because in those first few days it seemed that the only thing he did was cry. Even though the doctors assured he was in perfect health he screamed when he was fed, he wailed when he was changed, he bawled when he woke up from a nap…He cried so much that his poor parents barely got a wink of sleep, and no-one could figure out why he was doing so.
Despite this unfortunate occurrence, friends and family still came by to see the newborn. They oohed and awed over his tiny tufts of dark hair and cute little cheeks, but baby Jungkook didn’t seem to share the same interest in them. He continued to fuss and cry and whine, clearly still unhappy.
His parents were starting to get seriously concerned when some old family friends came by to visit, bringing their children along to meet the new baby. The Jeons and the Kims had known each other for many years, the two couples having been friends since university, and hoped that their own children would become close as well.
Four year old Seokjin wasn’t exactly exuberant about meeting the new kid since he seemed not much different from the two smelly brothers he was already stuck with, and baby Taehyung was still too small to really care about the newcomer one way or another.
But little Namjoon, barely three, toddled up to the wailing bundle with curiosity. He lifted himself up onto his tippy-toes, drawn with a seemingly single minded focus toward the baby.
From the moment their eyes locked, there was something that hadn’t been present in the Jeon house for far too long: silence. The stunned adults watched in amazement as tiny Jungkook gazed with wide eyes at Namjoon as if seeing something wondrous and the older child stared right back. Each completely captivated by the other, as if there was nothing else in the world as fascinating as the boy in front of them. The entire room was frozen.
Then slowly, carefully, Namjoon reached out a chubby little hand...and bopped the baby on the nose.
And for the very first time, Jungkook smiled.
– iii –
When Jungkook is three, possessed with the same infectious energy but now accompanied by a penchant for mischief, he and Taehyung become bestest best friends (Taehyung's words). They’re basically inseparable and the younger boy spends so much time over at the Kim house that Seokjin has to come to terms with the fact that for all intents and purposes he now has three little brothers. (It’s something he takes to quite well once he realizes that means a bigger audience for his jokes.) He spends his time watching over them like a mother hen and joining in his own fair share of mischief despite ostensibly being the voice of reason as the oldest.
Namjoon on the other hand is the least likely to take part in their little games and nonsense. Maybe that's why Jungkook and Taehyung find him so much fun, constantly following the elder around like ducklings and wanting to join in whatever he’s doing. If Namjoon is carefully molding shapes in the sandbox they want to be beside him smashing them down. If he's riding his little bike down the street they're right behind, pedaling furiously on their tricycles to catch up with him. When he sits at the table to do his homework they’re beneath it, scribbling with crayons and pretending to work just as hard.
Jungkook just can’t help but be fascinated by his hyung and everything he does. And to his credit Namjoon takes it all in stride, seemingly never annoyed or exasperated by the two barnacles that have attached themselves to his side.
(In fact, Seokjin can’t help but notice that his brother seems to slow down to make sure the younger boys can keep up with him.)
– viii –
It doesn’t take Jungkook long before he realizes how smart Namjoon is. It shouldn't really be surprising seeing as the older boy is at the top of his class and also seems to have his nose in a book more often than anything else, whether he should or if he should rather be paying attention to where he's walking so he doesn't run into another pole. Or tree. Or elderly neighbor.
(That's another thing Jungkook notices about Namjoon- he's quite clumsy. After the sixth time that his hyung knocks over a cabinet Jungkook resolves to watch out for him, to make sure he doesn't get hurt. It seems like the natural thing to do, and he wants to be useful to Namjoon. For the elder to know he can count on him. He doesn’t question why this is so important to him.)
Namjoon seems to know everything about everything, whether the subject is algebra or nineteenth century poets or raising a cactus. He always seems happy to teach Jungkook new things, and makes whatever he’s talking about sound like the most interesting topic in the world (at least in Jungkook’s opinion). The youngest especially likes to listen to Namjoon because he always uses such fancy long words that sound so mature rolling off his tongue. Fastidious. Resplendent. Erudite. Jungkook likes to practice using them himself.
Namjoon is so fastidious in his work.
Namjoon looks resplendent in his formal hanbok.
Namjoon is an erudite student.
“How come you never write any fancy sentences about me?” Taehyung pipes up over his shoulder one day as Jungkook scribbles in his notebook. The younger boy jolts, slamming the book shut quickly. He may be his best friend, but for some reason Jungkook doesn’t want Taehyung to see what he’s written or the doodles of Namjoon that adorn the margins of the pages.
“‘Cuz you’re dumb and smelly, hyung,” Jungkook replies instead, turning around to tickle the other boy. The question is soon forgotten as they wrestle around on the floor, but Jungkook makes sure to keep his writings better hidden from then on.
– xiii –
Jungkook is thirteen when it happens, though he isn't exactly sure what causes the change.
Maybe it's the drama he and Taehyung are currently watching together, some melodramatic romance about struggling lovers that they've been making fun of more than actually paying attention to.
Maybe it's how Namjoon is beside him on the small couch. The older always seems to choose to sit with them even when he’s engrossed in his book and completely unaware of anything around him. Maybe it's the way his shorts are riding up and exposing the tanned skin underneath, pressed against Jungkook’s thigh.
Maybe it’s the fact that at school today one of his classmates had come up to him and confessed their crush, and he had been completely blindsided. He’d stared at them in complete shock, eyes wide and mouth open because Jungkook had never considered that before, being in love. Never thought about any of his classmates that way. Never thought about anyone that way…
No, that’s not exactly true, he realizes as he sits there, mind racing.
And maybe that’s why it happens now, this sudden shift.
Nothing has changed in the room. Namjoon is the same Namjoon as always, solid and warm and comforting.
But all at once Jungkook is thinking less about the two people kissing onscreen and more about what it would be like to turn next to him and pluck that heavy book out of the older boy’s hands and replace it with his own. To lean over onto the older’s lap, press his lips against Namjoon’s and see if they’re as soft as they look-
“Is there something on my face?”
The older’s voice cuts through his haze, and Jungkook realizes with horrible clarity that not only has he been staring at Namjoon, but that there’s an uncomfortable tightness in his own shorts that will be all too obvious if anyone glances in that direction.
There’s a long moment of silence. Then he’s springing up from the couch, face burning and looking anywhere but back at Namjoon as he hurriedly pulls on his shoes, making some stupid excuse about getting home and late homework and ignoring Taehyung’s questioning as he sprints out of the house.
As he stumbles back home, flustered and panicked and in love with his best friend’s brother oh god one thing becomes absolutely clear.
He is absolutely fucked.
– xvi –
Namjoon decides to begin his enlistment at the first opportunity. As with everything else in his life he’s calm and rational about it, reasoning that it’s better to go now and come back with a fresh slate before starting university or a career.
In contrast Jungkook is decidedly not calm or rational when he hears the news. Eighteen months without Namjoon? Eighteen months without hearing him ramble on about the newest book he’s been reading or listening to him talk to his plants as if they’re his own children? Eighteen months without seeing his beautiful dark eyes or adorable dimple that appears when he smiles?
He thinks he’s done a good job of hiding his crush these past few years, keeping his lovesick stares to a minimum and playing cool around the elder- though he can’t help but show off in front of him whenever he gets the chance. So what if he makes sure to show Namjoon how he can lift an entire table on his own, or brag when he gets top marks in his classes? So what if he puts a little (a lot) more effort into his appearance when he knows Namjoon is going to be around? It’s not like any of it seems to matter anyway; as far as he can tell, Namjoon shows no indication of seeing Jungkook as anything more than a younger brother.
Jungkook thought the last few years of pathetic pining were hard, having to watch helplessly from the sidelines as the boy he’s crazy for occupies his every dream and fantasy. But now the prospect of not seeing Namjoon at all? He’s honestly not sure he can make it. Why oh why couldn’t his hyung have waited just a few more years so they could go together at the very least?
In the weeks leading up to the older’s departure Jungkook alternates between morose depression and frantic activity, desperate to have as much time with Namjoon as he can and spending so much time over at the Kim's that his own parents joke he might as well move in there. Taehyung ribs him about being so torn up about Namjoon’s departure but otherwise doesn’t question him, for which Jungkook is grateful. He still hasn’t confessed anything to his best friend about his hopeless crush, and how could he? What would he even say? I’ve been desperately in love with your brother I think maybe my whole life?
No, not happening.
He’s not even sure what he’s hoping for. A grand mutual confession? Falling into each other's arms like in some drama? Even if (and that’s a big IF) Namjoon returned his feelings, it doesn’t change the fact they’re about to be separated for almost two years.
But despite all this, the thought of saying goodbye to Namjoon with these feelings locked tightly inside feels wrong. If he doesn’t tell someone soon, he honestly thinks he might explode.
There’s only one option. He has to confess.
The day before Namjoon leaves the two families get together for a final farewell party. The others eat and laugh and joke but Jungkook is barely holding together. He’s a bundle of nerves about to snap, even now wavering back and forth over whether or not to do it. He finally excuses himself, going out into the yard and breathing the crisp fall night in a poor attempt to steady himself.
He hears the rattle of the gate behind him and can’t decide if it's luck or a curse when Namjoon joins him outside.
The older boy pats him on the shoulder, eyes concerned. “You okay, Kook? You seemed a little off back there.”
“I’m fine hyung,” Jungkook replies shakily, trying not to focus on the warmth of Namjoon’s hand. “Just wanted some fresh air. You should go back; you’re missing your own party.”
“They’ll be fine without me for a while. I think I need some fresh air too. And time with my favorite dongsaeng. Don’t tell Taehyung,” he winks.
Jungkook laughs weakly. “You’re so calm about all this hyung. Aren’t you nervous about leaving?”
Namjoon leans against the metal railing, looking up at the starry sky above them. “A bit, I guess. But the sooner I go, the sooner I can come back to everyone.”
“We’re all gonna miss you so much.” I’m gonna miss you.
“I’ll be back before you even know I’m gone.”
Jungkook closes his eyes. It’s now or never. “Hyung, there’s something I have to tell you. Something important.”
“What is it, Kookie?” The older turns to face him and Jungkook feels heat already rising to his cheeks.
This is it. He’s going to say it.
“Hyung, the truth is, I…”
Namjoon is still watching him, waiting patiently. Almost like he’s expecting something.
He has to do it now. He’s got to tell him. He takes a deep breath.
“I just wanted to wish you good luck.”
– xviii –
It’s so loud here, the pounding thump of the bass reverberating off the walls and making the picture frames on them rattle precariously. He’s surrounded by a swarming mass of sweat soaked bodies, happy people without a care in the world beyond keeping their cups full.
Jungkook barely even remembers how he got here. He doesn’t want to be at this party, only acquiesced when Taehyung used his best puppy-dog eyes and begged him to come with.
(“You’ve been so out of it lately, Kook. You got to stop sulking around. Let me dress you up and you’ll have some hot ass on you in thirty seconds flat.”)
If the amount of interested glances being sent his way tonight is any indication, Taehyung has succeeded in his intention. But all his work has been for naught because Jungkook has spent the majority of the night ignoring everyone else, hunched in the corner drinking the horrible concoction that passes for booze in this place.
He’s just about to finally push himself up and look for Taehyung to tell him he’s leaving when he spots a familiar face watching him across the room.
Hyung?
No. It’s not him. In fact the resemblance is passing at best, this stranger lacking the spark in Namjoon’s eyes, the certain tilt of his smile that he seems to only have when he’s looking at Jungkook. Just another stranger looking for a good time tonight.
But Jungkook is also drunk enough that if he lets himself go just a bit he can pretend those dimpled cheeks are the ones he wants to kiss, that body the one he wants pressed close against his own.
It’s a bad decision, but he seems to be making a lot of those lately. What’s one more?
Just for one night, he wants to forget.
– xx –
Between overlapping enlistments and Namjoon heading straight to university after returning from service, Jungkook is twenty before he sees him again. It's been nearly four years- four years of nothing more than a few short phone calls and an annoyingly overactive imagination that have wreaked havoc on his poor soul. Four years of meaningless hookups, of relationships he tries to begin in hope of moving on that barely last a day when he realizes he’s still stuck in this emotional quagmire.
He could have tried to contact Namjoon more, but something has always held Jungkook back, that disastrous last meeting hanging heavy over his mind and stopping him from reaching out even when he had the chance.
But now he’s home from the military and Namjoon is back from school and Taehyung is insistent that they all hang out again, just like old times. The drought is finally coming to an end.
Walking the path to the Kim house he notes that nothing much about the neighborhood has changed. There’s the maple he and Taehyung had gotten their kite stuck in and had to have Namjoon climb to get it out. There’s Mrs. Choi’s flower beds that Namjoon had fallen into and been forced to replant under fear of death from the old granny. He loses himself a bit in memories and before he knows it he’s standing in front of a familiar front door.
He’d texted Taehyung that he was on his way, but the person who opens the door is decidedly not his best friend.
"Jungkook?"
Jungkook has had so much time to imagine this reunion, to play out every possibility in his mind, and yet he's somehow still wholly unprepared for what greets him.
The old Namjoon was tall and lanky, eyes magnified by gigantic black glasses and always a bit out of place in his own skin. He wasn’t unattractive by any account, just a normal teenager with acne and awkward limbs he hadn’t fully grown into yet. This new Namjoon is...well...
He's fucking hot.
Jungkook isn’t quite sure where to look. At the muscles that are practically bulging out of his tight shirt, broad shoulders barely contained by the fabric? Or maybe his hair, long and sleek and styled in that way that wouldn’t be out of place on the runway?
And oh god, he hasn’t even begun to look at his thighs...
Jungkook is pretty sure he's stopped breathing, especially when those brawny arms are wrapping around him in a tight hug and their warmth is enveloping him.
Is he dreaming? Is this heaven?
"It's been so long, how are you?"
Jungkook has no reply, still trying to remember how to speak as the other finally releases him from the crushing embrace and continues to talk.
"Tae said you'd bulked up…but I couldn't believe it until I saw for myself,” Namjoon says, eyes wide as he looks the younger up and down. He shakes his head, clearing his throat before continuing. “I mean, look at you all grown up now- you’re almost taller than me!"
"Um- what? I mean, yeah," Jungkook finally manages to respond. "Um. You look good too hyung." Nice. Very suave.
“Thanks Kook. Well anyway, let’s stop lingering in the doorway. I know we’ve got lots to catch up on.”
“Yes, I’ve been standing here so patiently,” comes an unknown voice from inside the house.
It's only now that Jungkook notices the handsome man standing behind Namjoon, partially obstructed by his giant shoulders. The stranger steps around him, eagerly wrapping Jungkook in a tight hug.
"So this is the famous Jungkook!” he says. “I've heard so much about you; Joonie talks about you all the time. It's so great to finally put a face to a name! I want to hear all your stories about Joonie as a kid."
Jungkook is once again speechless, but this time it’s not from wonder. There’s a horrible crawling feeling slithering up his stomach that he’s desperately trying to stamp down. “I’m sorry, who-?”
The shorter man laughs. "Oh geez, I'm so dumb, talking like we're friends even though I haven't even introduced myself. It just feels like I know you already. Anyways, I'm Hoseok- Namjoon's boyfriend."
It’s a funny feeling when your heart shatters.
– xxiii –
The problem with Namjoon’s boyfriends is that they’re all such wonderful people that Jungkook can’t bring himself to hate them no matter how hard he tries. And god, he certainly tries. But somehow each one worms their own way into his heart even as it desperately tries to rebuff them.
First is Hoseok, a veritable ray of sunshine and Namjoon’s college classmate who always has a kind word for everyone and somehow manages to make Jungkook feel included even when he’s tagging along with them on what ostensibly should be dates.
(“Jungkook, I need you to ride the coasters with Joonie. If I even get near that thing…I’m gonna die.”)
After Hoseok comes Yoongi, a record producer at Namjoon’s label whose intimidating appearance is undercut by his hidden soft side, and who seems steadfastly determined to help Jungkook further his career.
(“Joon is always showing me your stuff and I think you’ve got real talent, kid. Let me set you up with one of the guys I know.”)
And then there’s Jimin, the model who can somehow simultaneously be an untouchable work of art on the runway and also a giant weeb who gushes with him over anime.
(“While we’re watching the new episode let me try this new makeup line I got on you Jungkookie! Namjoon-hyung says your eyes would go well with this color.”)
As weirdly endearing as each of them are, with every one of these new beaus Jungkook steels himself, certain the end is near. Each man seems so perfect, so well suited for Namjoon, that he waits with a heavy heart for the inevitable engagement announcement. He practices his excited face, the best way to say “I’m so happy for you!” without his smile cracking.
But for some reason none of these relationships last. Thankfully for their odd little growing group each ends amicably with the two parties remaining friends and seemingly unbothered, but it drives Jungkook slightly insane with questions. Even moreso when he finds out offhandedly from Seokjin that Namjoon has been the one to end them all.
The stupidly lovesick part of Jungkook nods at this, because what man in his right mind would break up with Namjoon? But another part of him wonders wildly what man Namjoon could be looking for if not one amiable as Hoseok, as talented as Yoongi, or as beautiful as Jimin?
– xxiv –
Through it all relatives and friends keep trying to set him up with other people, determined that his perfect match is out there somewhere.
(“Just wait, Jungkook. The right man for you is out there somewhere, you just haven't met him yet.”)
Ha.
He goes along, half out of perverse curiosity and half to appease Taehyung, the more-often-than-not mastermind of these unions. He’ll admit with only some reservation that most of the men are nice, and with one or two he even dares to say he feels a slight spark.
He isn’t exactly sure what causes him to invite Yejun to the usual group night out. They’ve been seeing each other for a few months, longer than any relationship Jungkook has had before, but it’s the first time he’ll be introducing him to the rest of his friends.
There’s an odd vibe in the air the entire night, though it’s hard to pinpoint its source. Hoseok greets the two of them cheerfully, waving Yejun into a seat beside him and peppering him with questions (“So here’s the famous boyfriend we’ve heard nothing about!”) but there’s an unusual tinge to his words that Jungkook’s never heard before. Jimin and Seokjin keep looking at Jungkook as if expecting him to explain something. Yoongi on the other hand has his disapproving eyes glued to Namjoon for reasons Jungkook can’t understand. Only Taehyung seems oblivious to the strange atmosphere. And Namjoon…
He’s listening to Yejun talk, but his eyes are colder than Jungkook has ever seen them, lips tight in what looks less like a smile and more like a concentrated effort of composure. When he does speak his responses are curt and sharp, completely antithesis to the usual longwinded and relaxed Namjoon. He looks completely and inexorably unhappy, and Jungkook can't help but be baffled.
All in all, the night is a disaster.
Yejun breaks up with him not long after. ("I just don't think we're compatible. And your friends hated me.")
– xxv –
Sometimes Jungkook catches Namjoon looking at him.
At least he thinks he does. It’s hard to tell because as soon as the younger’s eyes meet his Namjoon already seems to be turning away to laugh at something Hoseok said or correct Seokjin when he falsely declares the capital of Belgium to be ‘Waffle’.
But in that split second when their eyes lock, it’s as if a kaleidoscope of emotions are roiling behind his hyung’s eyes.
Confusion. Regret. Longing. Hesitation.
Jungkook tries not to think too much about it. He’s probably only imagining it, after all.
– xxvi –
When Jungkook is twenty-six, he gets a job offer overseas. It’s a fantastic opportunity, a way to get exposure and further his career, and he would be foolish not to take it. Yet he hems and haws, wavering back and forth on his decision. At last he decides he needs an outsider’s view, and only hesitates slightly before making the call.
Because at the end of it all, there’s still someone whose opinion he trusts more than anyone else's.
“What’s holding you back?” Namjoon asks him. They’re out on the balcony of Jungkook and Taehyung’s shared apartment. It’s January and Seoul is freezing, but it’s the only place where a man can have a private conversation without being overheard by his all-too-nosy best friend. Jungkook takes another drag from his cigarette, the smoke mixing with the condensation of his breath in the icy air. He watches the cars far below as they crisscross on the street, choosing his words carefully.
“I guess I have unfinished business. Stuff I’m not ready to let go of yet. And if I leave, I’m not sure I’ll ever have the guts to come back and do it.”
Namjoon gives him a searching look. “Sounds like you’re between a rock and a hard place.”
"Tell me about it,” Jungkook taps the ash off the edge of the railing.
“If it’s worth anything, I think that whatever it is, if it's important enough for you to be this conflicted about it's important enough for you to see through. No matter the consequence."
No matter the consequence...
Right there, right then, nearly ten years later, Jungkook finds he can finally say the words.
“I love you, Namjoon-hyung. I have for so long. Since we were kids, practically. All this time, I’ve loved you.”
As the words leave his lips he feels a weight lift from his chest. He can’t go back from this, can’t sweep it under the rug anymore. It’s done. It’s over. Namjoon will politely turn him down, reaffirm his brotherly feelings, and that will be it. But maybe now he can leave with a clean slate, finally get a fresh start.
The only sound between the two of them is the distant sound of cars and the rustle of the wind through the eaves. Namjoon stares at him for a long moment, his eyes shuttered, face unreadable.
But then he does something Jungkook doesn’t expect. He suddenly hangs his head.
“Jungkook, I’ve been so wrong.”
Jungkook doesn’t understand. Is…is Namjoon crying? Is he disgusted? Oh no. He’s ruined everything. “Hyung please, I’m sorry-”
“Do you know why Hoseok and I broke up? And Yoongi and I? And Jimin?” He wipes his eyes and smiles ruefully. “It was because of you.”
…what?
“Or, more accurately, I should say it was my inability to get over you.”
“Hyung I… I don’t understand-”
“They’re great, all of them. But no matter who I was with I still wanted you.” Namjoon is still going, fists clenching and unclenching as he speaks. “You know what the real kicker was? When I told them why, they all seemed to already know. Yoongi even scolded me about it once. Said I was being a fucking idiot and that my running around and avoiding what was right in front of me was only making it worse. How right he was.”
There’s a sudden chill down Jungkook’s spine that has absolutely nothing to do with the weather. He can’t speak, can’t even move. All he can do is continue to listen.
“Before I enlisted, I thought you would confess. In fact, I was expecting you to do it. I suspected you were in love with me for years. I didn’t say anything because I always thought I only saw you like another brother. But then while I was away… I realized I wasn’t missing you like I missed Jin-hyung and Taehyung. I missed your smile, your laugh, the way your eyes lit up when you got excited, the way it felt when you’d fall asleep on my shoulder. I wanted more with you. So when I finished my enlistment, I decided I would come back and tell you.” Namjoon laughs, but it’s humorless.
“But after I came home Taehyung told me you’d started seeing other people, and that all but confirmed in my mind that even if you had felt something it had been a passing crush at most. That you’d moved on and I was too late. Stupid. So stupid. I should have still tried to see you. Still told you. But I didn’t. Instead I went to school and met new people and tried to move on. Some help that was.”
“Hyung I-I-” Jungkook barely manages to say, eyes brimming with tears, before Namjoon cuts him off again.
“I don’t deserve your love Jungkook. I’ve caused you pain all this time because I was a coward-” Namjoon suddenly gasps, thrown against the door of the balcony as Jungkook crashes into him, holding him in a vice grip as though afraid he’ll disappear.
“Hyung, will you please just stop and listen to me! I don’t care about any of that. We’ve both been stupid, we’ve both been cowards. I don’t care!” He looks into Namjoon’s eyes, their faces inches apart.
"But-"
"No! No more apologies! I love you. It’s you. It’s always been you and will always be you and I don’t care if it took us this long to get here.” He's still crying, tears streaking down his cheeks, but he refuses to let go of Namjoon, refuses to separate them after so long apart.
“Kook…” the older murmurs softly, reaching up to gently wipe away the tears from Jungkook’s face. “Please don’t cry because of me. I never want to make you cry.”
Jungkook closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. “You feel bad? You feel guilty? Fine. Then make it up to me. By letting us start over. No hiding, no secrets. Just us, together. That’s all I want hyung. All I’ve ever wanted.”
When he opens his eyes he finds the other watching him, his expression so, so soft. “Just us,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “But we still need to talk, we still have so many things we need to-”
“Hyung, I love you and your concern...but I’ve also been waiting over ten years and just found out the man of my dreams has been in love with me the whole time and if you don’t kiss me right now I think I might actually lose my mind.”
Namjoon chuckles, low and soft. "I've never been able to say no to you anyway."
And with that he leans down, gently brushing his lips against the younger’s. Jungkook responds eagerly, pressing himself even closer against Namjoon’s chest, erasing any sliver of distance between them. The wind is picking up, the chill of the winter already starting to freeze his skin, but Jungkook feels on fire, his entire body alight at this embrace. It's everything he's ever wanted and the only downside is that it can't last forever.
When they finally separate for air they’re both breathing heavily, cheeks flushed. “How was that?” Namjoon asks.
“Much better,” comes the reply as Jungkook nuzzles against his neck. “But…I think we’d better do it again, just so you can really make it up to me.”
Namjoon’s eyes widen before he smiles.
And then they do.
– ∞ –
“For the record I always knew you two would end up together,” Taehyung says smugly.
“Oh please,” Seokjin rolls his eyes. “You had absolutely no idea.”
“I’m his bestest best friend, you think I couldn’t tell Jungkookie was in love with my own brother?”
“You couldn’t take the hint if it was spelled out on a billboard two feet from your face. I on the other hand knew they were meant for each other ever since they did that weird soulmate staring thing when Kookie was a baby.”
“You’re such a liar-”
“Can you two stop bickering about our relationship and go away? Some of us are trying to have a romantic evening here,” Namjoon interjects from where he and Jungkook are tangled together on the couch.
“Yeah, you’re ruining the mood,” Jungkook snipes from his comfortable position on Namjoon’s chest. “Get the hell out of here.”
The remaining Kim brothers turn as one to face them. “You can’t kick me out,” Taehyung whines. “This is my apartment too!”
“Oh c’mon Tae, let’s go before we have to witness the unspeakable acts they’ll no doubt perform on that poor coffee table.” Seokjin holds a hand to his forehead in mock dismay. “It's like now that they've finally got their shit together they're trying to make up for the wasted years. You don’t even want to know what they were doing when I caught them in the kitchen last week-”
“Get out! ”
Once they've finally left the apartment Jungkook taps his chin thoughtfully. “You know, Seokjin-hyung isn't exactly wrong. We’ve got at least ten years of lost time to make up.”
“And how exactly do you intend to go about that?” Namjoon asks, though there’s a knowing glint in his eyes.
"I've got a couple ideas," Jungkook smirks. "After all, we've got all the time in the world."