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Jungkook and Seokjin are your cliche bff’s. You know the type that live together, laugh together, eat together, go out together, sleep together. Okay maybe not sleep together. Well actually they do usually end up asleep on the couch together so you can say they do sleep together. Bottom line they’re always together. So much so that they complete each other's sentences.
“It’s a surprise you two aren’t boyfriends.” Taehyung would say making Jungkook make a face because please Seokjin and Jungkook boyfriends?
Oh no…haha…not possible.
It’s not like there was something wrong with Seokjin. He was perfect in every way. Blessed with out of this world looks and a body even Jungkook was envious of, Seokjin was a perfect guy with the manners of a saint and the perfect blend of dad humor that was just the right amount of cheesy. Essentially it made Jungkook laugh, only embarrassing him a little.
Then why couldn’t Jungkook fall in love with him?
Well honestly because growing up love was described to Jungkook like fireworks. The big explosion of feelings and the bright lights. The wonder and awe. The mesmerizing display that captivated everyone’s attention. When he thought about Seokjin he didn’t see that. He saw comfort and a quiet place that he could go hide in. He saw peace and tranquility. No Seokjin wasn’t boring but when Jungkook was with him he realized he didn’t have to put in any effort. Jungkook realized he already loved Seokjin but it wasn't what he was looking for.
What about Seokjin? To Seokjin love was also like fireworks.
Fireworks that you stay away from. You watch from a distance while it burns bright. You don’t get too close because you can get hurt. Seokjin years ago had decided love wasn’t for him. He didn’t have the fortitude to bear the aftermath. Once the lights were gone you were left with the smoke and the toxic fumes that burned your lungs and he didn’t want to have to live through that. It’s funny because he’d never been personally traumatized but he’d seen way too many situations where love had burned bright and then left ashes in its wake and he didn’t want to join that pile. He was happy watching from afar.
It also helped that he had his own personal firecracker. His Jungkookie who’s eyes held galaxies. Who was so so full of life. Always so excited to tell Seokjin about his day. Always vibrating with so much energy it would sometimes overwhelm Seokjin.
Was Seokjin in love with Jungkook? Definitely.
But he would be happy with just watching Jungkook shine from afar. He was content with just that. “So I have this co-worker. He’s really nice. You should date him.” Seokjin said over dinner one day, surprising Jungkook. “Why?” he asked suspiciously. “What do you mean why? He’s a nice guy. I think you two will be perfect. He’s like you full of energy and always so excited. Just go for coffee or something. What goes in trying?” Seokjin asked and Jungkook agreed.
Seokjin wasn’t wrong. This guy was someone Jungkook wouldn’t ever be able to find on his own. Their coffee date was filled with laughter. Their first proper date was so enjoyable Jungkook couldn’t stop talking about it. They were always on the phone and always communicating. Jungkook would spend so much time with him. Seokjin who watched from afar would smile at his bff. Happy to see Jungkook shine. Sure his time with Jungkook was cut down drastically but it was worth watching Jungkook glow the way he did.
However, something wasn’t right. Jungkok found himself needing to break away from the guy. There wasn’t anything wrong with him. He perfectly matched Jungkook in almost all ways but soon Jungkook found himself overwhelmed. It was all too much. There was too much energy. Was that possible? Sometimes Jungkook felt like he was in the middle of a fireworks display. Not watching from the sidelines but right in the center where they were all being set off. He couldn’t do this for too long. He needed peace. He needed comfort.
He needed Seokjin.
He had to cut short his date today. He couldn’t stay anymore. And when he came home he got the fright of his life when he saw boxes everywhere. He kept staring at them. His mind racing. He was so lost he jerked when Seokjin shook him a bit. “Jungkookie! What is wrong? Why do you…” but Seokjin had the wind knocked out of him when Jungkook shoved himself into his chest. He also lost his balance and they both ended up falling on the couch with Jungkook wailing so painfully that Seokjin couldn’t focus on the pain he felt.
“Jungkookie. Please. What happened? Did something happen? Did he do something? You’re scaring me!” Seokjin said, one hand in Jungkook’s hair & the other rubbing his back. “Yo-you leaving m-me?” Jungkook managed, pulling back and looking at Seokjin with his tear stained face and red nose. “What? No!! Just rearranging stuff and packing things I don't use! I wouldn’t leave without talking to you!” Seokjin said, raising his brow as he felt Jungkook physically relax. “Please d-don’t leave me…ever.” Jungkook said, nuzzling into Seokjin’s neck.
Oh…Oh no…Seokjin’s heart was doing that weird thing again.
Usually in the past he’d distance himself to keep himself safe. That’s why he’d introduced Jungkook to this guy because lately he’d realized his attachment with Jungkook was getting a bit too comfortable! But right now he couldn’t leave Jungkook! Seokjin realized, for Jungkook, he was ready to be a bit uncomfortable.
What was this? Why was this?
“I’m not going anywhere.” Seokjin said as he wrapped his hands around Jungkook. He’d wonder about the this later.
“I broke up with him.” Jungkook told him the next week. Seokjin already knew. “Was it something he did?” Seokjin asked but Jungkook just shrugged his shoulders. “No. He was very nice. I just…he wasn’t what I wanted.” Jungkook said with a smile. “What do you want?” Seokjin asked genuinely. Jungkook looked at him for a long minute before asking, “What do you want?”
Truly Seokjin didn’t know.
Then all of a sudden he did.
He wanted Jungkook.
OH MY GOD HE WANTED JUNGKOOK!!!
“Are you having a stroke?” Yoongi asked him as he kept staring at his beer. He hadn’t moved for over 2 minutes. “I love Jungkook?” Seokjin said as Yoongi reached out for the spiced cashew the bar had provided. “Are you telling me or asking me?” Yoongi asked, looking bored. “Why are you not surprised?” Seokjin wondered. “Because I'm not blind unlike everyone else.” Yoongi said before his gaze softened.
“To answer your question, yes. You love Jungkook. Not in the ‘Oh he’s my bestie.’ kind of way that you’ve been seeing him since forever but in the ‘I’m in love with him like I’d love a husband’ kind of way. You know, romantically?” Yoongi pointed out. “But what if…” Seokjin began but Yoongi said, “Hyung…try getting out of your comfort zone for once.” Seokjin’s Pacific Ocean shoulders drooped at that, “What if i lose him?” Yoongi hummed at that, “Something tells me you won’t.” is all he said.
Seokjin did try. It came about unexpectedly. Jungkook and he were on Seokjin’s bed. They’d been watching a livestream at 2 in the morning and were finally falling asleep. Both facing each other sideways. Looking at each other. Moonlight illuminating their features, hiding some in the shadow. Seokjin watched as Jungkook’s eyes fluttered to his lips and back. He watched as Jungkook held his gaze and then something very uncharacteristically said, “Fuck it” in his head and he moved ahead placing his lips on Jungkook’s.
It was just a press that lasted 10 seconds before Jungkook literally climbed over Seokjin holding him tight. Lips and teeth and tongue, soon both were panting, Seokjin’s head was spinning. What just happened?
The next morning Seokjin woke up to Jungkook nuzzled in his chest. He smiled at him before sneaking out of bed. Brushing his teeth and going to the kitchen. Wondering as he stared at the eggs if he’d really kissed Jungkook last night? A question Jungkook answered by coming up to him and kissing him again. And again and again till they had to yank the pan with the eggs away so that it didn’t burn.
It continued like that. They kept kissing and being together and sleeping together - yes sleeping together. There was no grand declaration, no angst and no drama. Their first “I love you.” slipped out as Seokjin watched the sunlight dance over Jungkook’s face early one winter morning. Jungkook had smiled back and responded in kind and then both promptly were late to work.
“So what are you now?” Jimin asked as everyone got updated on their new status. “Boyfriends.” Jungkook said, hiding away in Seokjin’s chest. “Wow…so you just kissed him?” Namjoon asked as Seokjin shrugged his shoulders and concentrated on playing with Jungkook’s hair while his ears blazed. “But Kookah…what about the fireworks?” Hoseok asked, knowing of Jungkook’s vision of love. It’s something Jungkook had been wondering about too.
Then he’d realized opposites do indeed attract. Sure he could be like a firework but Seokjin calmed him down. When things got to be too much Seokjin was there to hide behind. When he needed comfort Seokjin was his home. Seokjin was his person. It worked both ways. Seokjin relied on Jungkook to be uncomfortable comfortably. Falling in love - romantic love - was a risk. A risk Seokjin was willing to take with Jungkook. He also knew when he wasn’t comfortable he could be honest with Jungkook who’d scale back or slow down to match his pace.
But Seokjin also realized that he’d been able to do this because this was Jungkook. Jungkook who he was forever comfortable with. Right from the first time they met. No one else. “He’s my person.” Seokjin had told Yoongi after Jungkook and he had crossed that proverbial threshold and as he watched Jungkook look at him with a smile so filled with love he realized that it was indeed true. Jungkook was his person.
“Helloooooo….we’re still waiting!” Taehyung said as Yoongi added, “Yeah what about fireworks?” Only for Jungkook to say, “Well…what can I say? Yeobo…lights me up like dynamite.”
There was silence for 10 seconds and then the couple were both smacked with pillows as the other five groaned as they collectively complaints.
“My goodness he’s really Jin hyung’s boyfriend.”
“That was soooo bad!!”
“What a damn line!”
All while Seokjin and Jungkook were laughing away in abandon before Seokjin bent his head to capture Jungkook’s lips in a kiss that had everyone cooing at them. “I love you.” Seokjin said, looking right into Jungkook’s eyes that shone brighter than any firework he’d ever seen. “I love you too.” Jungkook responded as the five asked in unison, “Bad jokes and all?” making the couple laugh again before confirming, “Bad jokes and everything…forever and always.”
❤️The End❤️