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Of all the things Jimin hated, blind dates were number one on his list.
The idea of spending an hour with a stranger, one completely unfamiliar to him, wasn’t appealing in the slightest. He liked getting to know someone through a few casual hangouts with other people before feeling comfortable enough to spend time with them one on one in that type of setting. All of Jimin’s friends knew this, so when Taehyung signed both of them up to take part in a speed dating show on YouTube, Jimin hadn’t been impressed. But he would do anything for Taehyung, even if that meant sitting in a chair, blindfolded, with a table with a boxed button in the middle.
The fact that he got paid to do this helped.
The blindfold disoriented him and put him less at ease than he would have been actually able to see the person in front of him. The staff had explained the rules to him and played the sounds that would indicate the button turning red and if someone hit it. Taehyung also forced him to watch multiple videos, so he knew how it generally worked.
He only wished he participated in one that didn’t involve the blindfold. He supposed it helped keep things genuine—trying to prove that people didn’t only connect with physical attraction, but emotional as well. Not that it worked. There had been one video where a couple matched but the second the blindfolds were off the man ended up pushing the button on the final call. He tried playing it off as getting cold feet, but Jimin knew it was because she didn’t have the body type he liked.
His loss, honestly. The woman was beautiful, and if Jimin had been the one sitting across from her, he would have been a little star struck. He hoped that guy—Michael or John or something—regretted the decision the second he did it.
“Jimin, are you ready?”
Startled, Jimin tilted his head towards the left, where the voice came from.
“Er, yes.”
“We’ll bring you out then.”
Jimin nodded, and held out his arm for the staff to use to guide him. He’d been in the waiting room for a while, separated from Taehyung because they put him in the other room. The last girl came in and encouraged the others—whoever was going next—to buzz the guy out because he had buzzed the last two girls in quick succession because he didn’t like high voices. When Jimin got called, the girl immediately looked at him and declared,
“You have to buzz him out.”
Jimin agreed with their decision and pleadings. Despite voices being important to him too, immediately buzzing someone on that in this type of situation was a bit extreme.
“Here is the chair.” The staff gently put his hand against the chair and Jimin thanked them quietly.
“Did they finally bring out a guy?”
Jimin blinked behind his blindfold. “Excuse me?”
“Are you a guy?”
“Yes.” Jimin sat down, frowning. “We all filled out a sheet before this declaring our preferences… if you don’t like girls you should have indicated-”
“Oh, I like girls.” His haughty tone set Jimin on edge. “But I’m less picky with guys. What’s your name?”
Thankfully, in that moment the little noise for the button lighting up sounded and Jimin wasted no time blindly reaching for it and pressing it.
“Eric, you’ve been rejected,” The button joyfully announced in its cute distorted voice.
“Wow,” he scoffed. “What’d you do that for?”
Usually Jimin would be kinder in explaining his rejections, but not for a jerk like him. “You’re annoyingly arrogant, and you rejected the last two girls over petty things.”
“You didn’t even try to get to know me-”
“I don’t want to.” He tilted his head and flashed a smile. “Bye.”
He heard the guys disgruntled mutterings as he walked away. Jimin laid his hands flat on the table, suddenly nervous for the next person they’d bring out.
“Alright, we’re bringing the next person.”
Jimin nodded, biting his lip and wiping his sweaty hands on his skinny jeans. Although appearances weren’t important for this, Taehyung insisted they dress up. He regretted it now, sitting in the slightly stuffy studio in a white turtleneck with a fashionable long coat over the top. Taehyung called him boyfriend material, but Jimin felt like melting ice cream.
Jimin took a deep breath and let his fingers push forward to find the edge of the box that held the button. He turned his head towards the noises coming from the other side of the room as a staff member led his ‘date’ to their chair.
“Oh- ah, there’s the table.”
The staff laughed a bit, and Jimin cracked a small smile. They were female, judging by the lighter tones of her voice.
Despite his nerves, Jimin tentatively murmured, “Hello.”
“Ah!” She sounded peppy and bright. Jimin got the image of a golden retriever. “Hello, I’m Serah.”
“Jimin.” He took another breath. Serah seemed nice enough. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same.”
A split second of silence stretched between them. In that single second, Jimin vowed to kill Taehyung at the end of the day.
Serah laughed a little, the nerves evident in the shake of her voice. “This is a little strange, isn’t it?”
“A bit.” Jimin bit his lip. Taehyung made him promise to try. “What are some of the things you like to do?”
“I’m an avid reader.”
“Really? What genre?”
“Don’t laugh, but romance.”
Jimin tilted his head. “Why would I laugh? I like reading romance too.”
She made an approving surprised noise. “Most guys can’t say the same. I got to ask, where are you from? You have a bit of an accent and I can’t place it.”
“Oh, I grew up in Korea. I came here for school and ended up applying for residency and getting a green card.”
This wasn’t too bad! Serah was nice to talk to, though he got the impression she would be a better friend than a date.
“That must have been tough.”
“A lot of customs and doing a bunch of paperwork while feeling like you’ve filled out the same things over and over again.”
The sound for the button lighting up followed his sentence and he paused, waiting for her to make a move. Jimin kept his hands on the table. This turned out to not be as bad as he thought, and he would like to talk to Serah a bit more, just to be sure.
Another second passed, and Serah laughed a little.
“I honestly thought you were going to press it for a second.”
“I was thinking the same about you.” Jimin smiled, though she couldn’t see it.
“What did you do in school?”
“I double majored in mathematics and dance.”
“Wow,” she drew it out, awe clear. “Those are two vastly different fields. What made you want to do both?”
“Dance is my dream and mathematics has always been something I’ve been good at so it was the ‘secure’ route.”
“I think you two have a bit of chemistry,” the button suddenly said. A little embarrassed, Jimin put his face in his hands.
“Maybe we do,” Serah confirmed, humming. “Though… I don’t think it’s romantic chemistry.”
A little relieved, Jimin nodded, forgetting momentarily that she couldn’t see him. “I think you’re right.”
“So you both are rejecting each other?” A staff member asked, his voice faint. Jimin nodded.
“I think so.”
“Not that you’re not nice or anything.”
“Yeah, no, I get it.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll head back to the waiting room,” Serah announced. “There was actually a guy in there that I think I connect with.”
“Oh really? Good luck with him.”
“Aww, thanks Jimin. Good luck to you out here too.”
“This makes me sad,” the button whined. “I thought we had a match!”
“It’s alright,” Jimin consoled it, though he knew it was simply saying that for content. “At least I made a friend.”
“That’s the spirit.”
He fell into silent apprehension as they got the next person. He knew he probably only had one more chance, since they didn’t like one person hogging the seat.
But as the next person took their seat, Jimin knew his turn was over.
“Tae?” Jimin laughed.
“Jiminie?” he gasped. A moment later, his hand bumped up against Jimin’s and he gleefully lifted it to swing it around. “Jiminie~! My soulmate~!”
“You two know each other?”
“Tae is my soulmate,” Jimin sighed, curling their fingers together.
“Oh? So we have a match?”
Even with the blindfolds, Jimin knew they made the same disgusted face.
“Nope.”
“Ick.”
“Platonic soulmates,” Taehyung corrected in his deep voice. “I did try to tell the staff that they shouldn’t put us in separate rooms.”
“They must have thought you were pining after each other.”
“I’m flattered if Tae really did pine after me, but I’m afraid I’m turning you down, Tae.”
“My heart has been shattered into a million different pieces.”
“Such a dramatic little guy,” Jimin teased as he rose from his seat. He lifted the blindfold a bit to peek so he didn’t accidentally hit Taehyung in the face as he patted his head. “I’ll go back to the waiting room and let you shoot your shots.”
“Actually,” Taehyung said hurriedly. He lifted his blindfold, turning towards the staff. “If you let Jimin have a bit more time I think I can make him a match.”
They perked up. Truthfully, they’d been there for over an hour already, and no one had made any matches. Jimin knew, since the twenty or so people in the waiting room cycled out pretty fast. And out of all his friends who introduced him to people, Taehyung had the best record of successes, even if Jimin only went on one date with them.
“Are you alright with that, Jimin?”
He shrugged. “I trust his judgment. I’m sorry we’re taking over your show though.”
The director shrugged, flashing them a sharp smile. “As long as we get content, I don’t care what happens.” He paused. “Okay, that sounds wrong, but you know what I mean.”
“Sit back down Jimin,” the button chirped. “And Taehyung go get Jimin’s romantic soulmate.”
Taehyung laughed, his brown hair flopping. He winked at Jimin as he stood. Jimin hesitantly lowered himself back into his seat, nervous all over again. After putting his blindfold back on, he tapped his fingers against the table, biting his lip.
The person who sat across from him did it so quietly Jimin didn’t realize they were there until a foot tapped against his under the table. He startled, his gasp echoing the other persons.
“Sorry,” they said, drawing their foot back quickly.
“Oh, you were fine. I was stretching out.” Jimin licked his lips.
“Are you two already playing footsie?”
“What, no!” The other person choked out, sounding embarrassed. Jimin laughed, though he could feel his face turning red.
Though… not because of what the button said.
The person across from him—male—had a warm, rich tone of voice. Not necessarily deep, but it couldn’t be considered high or even in the middle. The point was, it was soothing and checked a few boxes.
“Let’s start over,” Jimin offered, trying to calm himself. “I’m Jimin.”
“Jeongguk.”
Jimin heard clothes rustling, and a moment later, Jeongguk muttered, “oh” and coughed. “Uh, I stuck out my hand, expecting you to shake it, but neither of us can see…”
He’s awkward, Jimin thought with a little laugh. But it’s cute.
“Hold out your hand again?”
He didn’t know if he complied until he carefully stretched out a hand and bumped against his. They both laughed a little, a mix of awkwardness and nerves, but the laughter died out as they shook hands.
Jeongguk had big hands, if not a little cold. They were a little sweaty, but Jimin chalked that up to nerves, only hoping that his weren’t the same. The most prominent thing was that Jeongguk’s hand practically swallowed Jimin’s, making him a little embarrassed.
“Your hands…”
“They’re small, I know.” He pulled his hand away quickly.
“I was actually going to say that they were soft,” Jeongguk murmured.
“Oh.”
He put his hands in his lap, picking at his jeans.
“Jeongguk likes music,” the button offered helpfully. No sooner did it speak, a bang sound and the table rattled, followed immediately by a muffled curse edged in pain. It wasn’t difficult to put the pieces together.
“Are you okay?” Jimin asked through his giggles, having guessed that Jeongguk banged his knee against the table.
“Fine,” he choked out, sounding a bit closer. Leaning over the table, maybe.
“Did I startle you?” the button laughed.
“...maybe.”
“The table isn’t that low,” Jimin teased, the thought that maybe it might be rude not crossing his mind until after he said it. “Er, but you must be pretty tall.”
“Five ten,” he muttered. “You?”
“You’ve got two inches on me.” He sighed. “I’m jealous.”
“Why? You’re not in danger of smacking your knees against the table when an inanimate object speaks.”
“Well, yeah, I guess.”
The sound of the button lighting up almost made him jump and reminded him of where they were. The reality made him a little dizzy—Taehyung sent this guy out here because he thought he was a good match for Jimin and in the few minutes they’d been talking, Jimin could admit there was a spark of curiosity.
He held his breath until ten seconds passed.
“You didn’t press,” Jeongguk breathed.
“I didn’t.”
“So I passed round one?” he sounded a bit awed, and it flattered him.
“Who's to say I’m not the one who passed the round?”
Jeongguk laughed breathlessly, and Jimin found his own lungs feeling a little empty at the sound.
“A gut feeling. I’m here to impress you, not to be impressed. Though, you’re doing that easily.”
“Flattery, huh? A bold tactic.”
I’m flirting. He’s got me flirting. Taehyung, how do you know me so well?
“Is it working?”
“I didn’t press the button,” Jimin reminded, quietly answering the question. He cleared his throat, trying to reel himself back in. He didn’t want to make his interest too known. “The button said you liked music?”
“Yeah… I don’t do anything professional with it though. I just like singing and I sometimes help my friend out with some of his stuff. He’s the real music man.”
“What music do you like?”
He laughed. “I’m a Pandora's box. I listen to a little bit of everything, but my playlists are mostly pop.”
“Jimin is a dancer.”
“Oh?” Jeongguk’s lightened, showing genuine interest. “You dance? What kind?”
“I dabble, but my focus is contemporary and hip hop.”
“I dance a bit too, but I’m probably not even close to your level.” His foot tapped against Jimin’s again. He didn’t apologize, but drew away. Thinking impulsively, Jimin tapped back before he moved away completely.
Checking a second later, Jimin found that Jeongguk’s leg remained outstretched. Pleased, Jimin grinned.
“Jimin, do you think you can teach Jeongguk a few moves?”
Jeongguk laughed nervously, and Jimin tilted his head, getting the impression he absolutely did not want to do that.
“I don’t think that would be very safe.” He waved a hand in front of his own face. “Can’t really see.”
“Oh, but Jimin, you’ve danced blindfolded before,” the button purred. Jimin jolted in surprise, turning his head towards the left, where he knew the staff sat.
“How in the world did you guys find that?!”
“You’re not even denying it?” Jeongguk laughed. “Wow. Drunk dare or something?”
Face burning, Jimin cleared his throat. “A showcase, actually. My senior one.”
“Was it a sexy dance?”
While doing his pre-research with Taehyung, Jimin cringed at a few of the questions the button asked, especially when it came to the physically active part about relationships. No one in their right mind would ask those types of questions on a blind date. If they did, it was an immediate red flag in Jimin’s book and there wouldn’t be a second date.
This wasn’t as bad, but it still fell along the lines of questioning that Jimin didn’t want to answer or even have asked in front of a stranger.
“No,” he said firmly, making his displeasure of the question known. “The dance was actually quite depressing, and the blindfold symbolized being caught in the dark and unawares of the situation. And,” he took a deep breath. “Even if I can dance blindfolded, that’s hard to do with two people, especially when I don’t know your level of skill, Jeongguk.”
“Yeah, I’d rather not try to dance blindfolded,” he jumped on top of Jimin’s out, and Jimin could hear the smile in his voice despite not knowing what it looked like.
“Finnnne. But since you ruined my fun…”
Jimin tensed, waiting for the worst.
“Jeongguk is sensitive to smell.”
“That’s true,” he agreed with a light voice. He clearly wasn’t bothered by the button giving that out. “I don’t like a lot of colognes because they bother my nose. I prefer perfumes.”
“Me too, actually.” Jimin smiled, sheepishly running a hand through his dark hair. “I’m okay with colognes for special events, but for daily wear I like the lighter scents most perfumes have.”
“Are you wearing some right now?”
“Who, me?” Jimin pointed a finger at himself, accidentally jabbing himself in the chest.
“Both of you.”
“Yes?”
“Yeah?”
The button took on that low tone Jimin knew meant trouble. “Smell each other.”
A beat passed.
“Oh my gosh,” Jimin whined, pressing his face into his hands. “Why.”
Across from him, Jeongguk laughed, though it was less nervous than before.
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to. I mean, it’s on my wrists so it won’t be too weird?”
“I mean, if smells are going to be a dealbreaker or something, I don’t want to lead you on,” Jimin joked, though he was a bit serious. He liked trying a whole bunch of different scents, but he still stuck around the light, floral and fruits smell. If Jeongguk didn’t like those… “Do you want to?”
“I don’t mind, but only if you’re comfortable too.”
Jimin bit his tongue, but nodded, stretching his arm across the table.
“I’ve put my arm across the table.”
“Okay.”
It took a second, but a featherlight brush of fingers across his forearm. Jimin suppressed a shiver, biting his lip and holding his breath. Jeongguk traced his fingers down, finally finding Jimin’s wrist. He gently pulled Jimin’s arm up and a moment later Jimin felt something cold tap against his wrist.
“Crap, sorry, that was my nose.”
“Do you get cold often?” Jimin asked, ignoring how the touch of Jeongguk’s nose against his wrist made goosebumps rise over his body. It didn’t help that he could feel Jeongguk inhale and exhale, breath ghosting against his skin.
“Just my hands and nose. And my toes, I guess. Otherwise I’m a personal heater.” He lowered Jimin’s hand, but he didn’t let go. “Citrusy? What is it?”
“Orange blossoms.”
“Do you like it?” If the button could giggle, Jimin was sure it would do that.
“I do, actually. You’ll have to tell me the brand.”
“I will,” Jimin promised with a small laugh. “Your turn.”
He switched their grip, Jimin’s thumb pressing securely against Jeongguk’s palm. He got the urge to smooth his thumb over his skin, but resisted. Jeongguk gave him permission to smell the perfume on his wrist, not to fondle his hand. He stopped as soon as he could smell the scent, and hummed in surprise.
“Noir Tease?” he guessed. Jeongguk’s hand twitched in his.
“How’d you know?”
“I’ve got a bottle in my bathroom. It’s one of my favorites, actually.”
“I guess I chose well then.”
Jimin lowered his hand, smiling. “I guess you did.”
Before he pulled his hand away, his finger brushed against raised skin and he paused. Curious, he ran his finger over the skin again, tilting his head.
“Jimin likes physical contact.” The button chose to pitch in before Jimin could let go of Jeongguk’s hand and ask why the skin was raised. He froze.
“Uhm.”
“Is that true?” Jeongguk asked, the hint of a teasing tone in the words.
“It might be,” he muttered, pulling his hand away. He almost gasped when fingers caught him by the wrist. His breath caught in his chest. As Jeongguk’s fingers curled around his, under the table—out of sight—he stretched out a leg, their calves not only tapping, but pressing together. Jimin swallowed harshly.
“That’s a bit bold, isn’t it?” he whispered, skin beginning to tingle.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?”
Jimin shook his head, once again forgetting that Jeongguk couldn’t see him. He didn’t get to verbally answer before the button crooned, “I think there’s a connection~”
Jeongguk’s fingers curled a little tighter before loosening. He cleared his throat. “Is there?”
“I think there is,” Jimin murmured, putting his heart out there. He wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling, but the idea of finding out sent a thrill rushing through him, a good indication that the seeds of attraction had been planted.
“I think I agree with you.” The smile in his voice returned, making Jimin grin.
“Alright~ You two can take off your blindfolds and I’ll light up red one more time. If neither of you press the button you win it and get to go on a second date!”
Jimin was the one to squeeze his hand this time, getting a reassuring squeeze in response.
“On the count of three?”
“Alright.”
“I’ll count for you. Three…”
Jimin took a deep breath. Underneath the table, Jeongguk’s leg tapped once more before pulling away.
“Two…”
He let go of his hand, Pulling his slightly shaking fingers to his face. He found the blindfold.
“One!”
Jimin pulled it off.
Eyes.
They were the first things that caught his attention. Big and warm; deep pools of soothing brown, like the rich soil that housed his succulents. Then, he let his eyes explore, chest growing tighter the longer he didn’t breathe.
His hair was dark, long, and effortlessly wavy in a way Jimin could never accomplish. It brought attention to his smooth cheekbones and sharp jaw. His ears had multiple piercings, drawing Jimin’s attention as he tilted his head, the studs and long chain catching in the studio lights.
“You…” Jeongguk’s voice was high, and Jimin’s eyes snapped up. Jeongguk ran a hand through his hair, a dark arm catching Jimin’s immediate attention.
Tattoos.
Damn.
“You,” Jeongguk repeated, his eyes flicking over Jimin’s face. “I- I don’t- wow.”
The pure starstruck awe in his voice made Jimin’s cheeks flare with heat. Desperate to keep his dignity he jokingly drawled, “I’m that ugly, huh?”
“Hell no,” Jeongguk breathed. “You’re beautiful.”
Jimin’s jaw dropped.
Jeongguk, processing his own words, went red, the color spreading to the tips of his ears.
“I-I mean-” he shook his head, offering Jimin a lopsided grin. “Actually I do mean that.”
Lip piercing.
“Take that out.”
Jeongguk’s smile dropped, his brow—frick even his eyebrows were attractive—furrowing. “What?”
“The lip piercing.” Jimin waved a hand at him, covering his face best he could with the other while slumping in his chair. “Please, for my sanity.”
“Do-do you not like-”
“Jeongguk, I like it a bit too much,” he forced out, trying not to let his voice squeak. “That with the earrings and the tattoos…”
“Oh,” the word practically shivered with delight.
“Can anyone else feel the tension?” The button purred. “Because I can.”
“You’re a button,” Jeongguk said, though it sounded absent. “I’m sure you can’t feel something like that.”
“I dunno. AI technology is moving pretty fast… I’m going to light up red, so last chance.”
Jimin peeked through his fingers, staring at Jeongguk’s hands and waiting for them to move. Jeongguk’s you’re beautiful echoed in his ears, but surely Jeongguk couldn’t look like that and be willing to go on a date with him. Any moment now he’d realize he was lowering his standards.
The button stayed red for another five seconds
It turned back to blue, the center lighting up in celebratory colors.
“Congratulations! You two matched and won the button! Your prize? A fully paid for second date!”
“Is it my birthday?” Jeongguk asked in astonishment. “I feel like it’s my birthday.”
“Oh my gosh,” Jimin buried his face in his hands, unable to believe what just happened. “Why didn’t you press the button!?”
“Did you want me to?”
“No!” he exclaimed, raising his head. He found Jeongguk raising an eyebrow at him, lip piercing still in place. “I just don’t understand how you-” he gestured to him. “Think that I-” he gestured to himself. “Am good enough for you.”
Jeongguk’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding me.”
“Dead serious.”
“Wonderful,” Jeongguk leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest—how did he not see Jeongguk’s fully defined muscles in his arms and chest—the dark sleeve of tattoos standing out against his other arm, making it look pale in comparison. “We both think that we’re not good enough for each other.”
“That’s because-”
“And I was set on going on a second date with you no matter what you looked like,” he interrupted, voice dropping. “I’m one of those rare species of human that cares more about personality more than looks. Though…” he gave Jimin a once over, smirking. Jimin blushed to the tips of his toes. “The fact you’re really cute only makes me want to take you on a really good date.”
Jimin pressed one of his hands to his burning face, whining a little. “And to think I thought you were shy.”
Jeongguk laughed, smiling brightly afterwards. His smile—showing prominent front teeth—made Jimin melt.
“Your first impression is correct; I am really shy.” He bit his lip, pulling his bottom lip slightly into his mouth and showing off the tiny mole previously hidden in the shadow of his lower lip. “I’m just super happy right now and a little high on adrenaline.”
Jimin almost responded, but he got distracted by the blur that shot towards him.
The chair screeched against the ground, nearly knocking over as a weight slammed into Jimin’s side.
“OHMYGOSHITOLDYOU!” Taehyung screamed into his neck. Jimin coughed, the breath having been knocked out of him.
“Tae, oh my gosh be careful.”
Taehyung pulled away, grinning like mad. “What did I tell you! I knew I could make you a match.”
“Technically,” Jimin ground out. “It was the producers because they picked Jeongguk out of the applicants.”
“But you, Mr. I’ll Go Back To The Waiting Room, would have missed him if I didn’t have him take my place out here. I’m the true matchmaker.” He lifted his head proudly and turned towards the staff. “You all should hire me!”
Jimin threw his head back in laughter, sinking in his chair. When he got control of his giggles, wiping at his mirthful eyes, he caught Jeongguk’s gaze.
The other man stared at him in wonder, the corners of his mouth pulling into a little smile. His eyes bled fondness and Jimin’s heart skipped drastically.
“Jeongguk,” Jimin called, calm even with his heart thundering under his skin. “How do you feel about ramen?”
Jeongguk smiled.