Work Text:
"One two three, one two three, one two..."
Jungkook stepped into the living room, the warm aroma of pepper and onion still faintly clung to his hands, remnants of the dinner he had just prepared. The soft glow of the overhead lights cast a gentle halo around Jimin, highlighting the graceful lines of his form as he moved. Jungkook paused, leaning against the doorframe, mesmerized.
The blond was lost in his own world, every step a brushstroke on an invisible canvas. His hair cascaded in gentle waves, swaying in rhythm with his movements. Jungkook couldn’t help but notice the way his brow furrowed in concentration, the small smile that flickered across his lips when he nailed a particularly challenging sequence. It was a dance that seemed to tell a story — of longing, of freedom, of an unspoken connection that lingered between them.
His heart raced, not just from the sight of his friend, but from the weight of his unconfessed feelings. He had always admired Jimin's talent, but tonight, the beauty of his dance felt like a confession of its own. Each leap and turn whispered the emotions he struggled to articulate. Jungkook’s heart echoed louder in his ears — something it always seemed to do for the past three years whenever he was around his best friend.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed off the doorframe and stepped into the room, the sound of his footsteps breaking the spell that surrounded Jimin. The blond turned mid-dance, eyes widening in surprise, a flush of color rising to his cheeks as he caught the taller's gaze.
“Dinner’s ready,” Jungkook said, trying to mask the tremor in his voice, but the smile tugging at the corners of his lips betrayed him. Jimin laughed, a lovely sound that filled the space with warmth, and Jungkook couldn’t help but return his gaze, feeling the unspoken words swirl like the rhythm of his dance.
“Hey! I didn’t hear you come in,” Jimin said, breathless but radiant. Oh so radiant.
The music continued to play softly in the background as they sat on the dining table across from each other. They picked up their forks and began to dig in.
Tonight was Chickpea salad — a mixture of chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley with a lemon-olive oil dressing — a refreshing salad perfect after a dance routine.
It was also Jimin's favorite.
"Mmm. Have I ever told you that you absolutely need to open a restaurant?" Jimin moaned in delight and closed his eyes in pure bliss at the first bite. The flavors unfolded like a symphony — it was comfort food at its finest, and Jimin savored every mouthful, relishing the way it warmed him from the inside out.
And if the real reason for the way his insides filled with warmth was sitting right in front of him, well... no one had to know.
Jungkook chuckled, a deep sound from within his chest resonating like a lullaby, "Yes, you tell me every day."
Jimin playfully frowned, "And it's still not enough to convince you."
Jungkook chewed and swallowed before sinking his fork in for another bite, "Nope."
Jimin pouted at that, and before Jungkook could stop it from happening, his gaze traveled down to the smaller's thick, pillowy lips and had to quickly force himself to avert his gaze before he did or said something stupid like I want to kiss you or do you know what you do to me?
Lord have mercy.
"Why though? You'd have so many people lining up to eat your food. Business would do great."
Jungkook swallowed the food in his mouth before replying, "I'm not interested in cooking for someone else."
The brunette continued to immerse himself in his bowl, fully well aware of the way his friend had gone silent, his actions halted as he stared at him.
“What do you mean?” he asked, already knowing the answer deep down.
Jungkook looked up from the bowl and met the other’s gaze. There was a flicker of vulnerability in it… and something else.
A look that Jungkook knew all too well. Something he felt all too well.
He looked into Jimin’s eyes as he said the words, not an ounce of hesitance in his tone, “You’re enough for me.”
In that moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them. Time seemed to slow, as if the universe itself was holding its breath.
The unspoken implications hidden beneath the surface didn’t go unnoticed.
He can see the exact moment when Jimin’s eyes soften, the way the apples of his cheeks flush a delicate pink, the way he sheepishly reverts his gaze back to his bowl like it was the most interesting thing in the world, as if too shy to maintain eye contact.
The next few minutes of them finishing their dinner in comfortable silence pass by in a blur, the only sound being the faint, melodic notes of the piano drifting through the air, wrapping the moment in a delicate atmosphere.
They got ready for bed together, like they’ve always done since the day they bought an apartment together. As soon as they both graduated a year ago, they came to an agreement to share as it’ll be easier to split the rent.
And it’s not like it didn’t raise eyebrows. When they broke the news to their friends, they were stunned, to say the least. The two of them have always been close — closer than normal friends should be. Their friends and families would often call them “two peas in a pod”. And it was true, in every sense.
But living together, sharing a room, a kitchen, a bathroom… it wasn’t unheard of per se, but they both had stable jobs — Jimin working as a middle school dance teacher and Jungkook as a guitarist who did gigs frequently, whether it be at pubs, private events, cafés, on the street or at music festivals. You name it.
So no one really understood the reason they both decided to share a space. No one but them. And it wasn’t rocket science.
They just enjoyed each other’s company. A lot.
They brushed their teeth side by side, occasionally bumping hips causing them to break out in giggles. After changing into more comfortable clothing, they closed the lights and got under the sheets, whispering soft good nights and leaving unspoken words hanging in the air.
They both went to bed with full, content stomachs and hearts filled to the brim with warmth and longing.
It was one of those days.
The first pale light of dawn crept through the narrow gap in the curtains, casting faint streaks across the worn wooden floor. A muted chill clung to the air, making the quilt around Jimin feel heavier than it was.
The darkness clung to him, thick and oppressive. His breath came in shallow gasps, heart pounding wildly in his chest as if it were trying to escape. In his dream, shadows loomed — a familiar face he never wanted to see again — chasing him through corridors that seemed to stretch on forever. He couldn’t outrun him, couldn’t scream. His legs were heavy, like lead, dragging him deeper into the abyss.
Then, all at once, he jolted awake, a small, panicked cry escaping his lips. His eyes flew open, wide and frantic, the world still blurred by the remnants of terror. For a moment, he didn’t know where he was, the room unfamiliar, the bed too soft, the night too quiet.
But then there was warmth.
A soft hand cupped his cheek, brushing damp strands of hair away from his face. “Shh… it’s okay. You’re safe,” a familiar voice murmured, low and steady, pulling Jimin back from the edge of his fear. Jungkook’s arms slid around him, drawing him close to his chest, his warmth enveloping him like a shield against the dark.
Jimin sank into the loving embrace, trembling, his face pressed against the brunette’s strong chest, where the steady thump of his heartbeat began to anchor Jimin.
“Another nightmare?” Jungkook whispered, fingers tracing soothing circles on the smaller’s back.
Jimin nodded, unable to speak. His throat was tight, the images of the dream still too vivid. For a while, Jungkook just held him, his presence a quiet reassurance in the dim light of early morning. Outside, the first light of dawn was beginning to creep in, soft and golden, as if the world itself was trying to coax Jimin away from the lingering shadows.
“I’ve got you,” the taller whispered, his voice tender, lips brushing the top of Jimin’s head. “I’m here.”
And slowly, with each whispered word, the tension in Jimin’s body began to melt away. The nightmare faded, its grip loosening as the warmth of his best friend’s embrace filled the empty spaces inside him, and he let himself be held. Just for a minute longer.
As sunlight began seeping through the curtain, Jimin decided it was time to get up and face the day. He slowly got up and rested his back against the headboard, mind still faintly delirious from the remnants of his nightmare. He felt movement beside him, turning his head to look at his friend who was now mirroring his position, their shoulders touching.
It was quiet for a moment, the only sound was nature gently breathing in tandem with the rise of the sun and birds chirping in unison.
"Are you okay?" his friend quietly asked. He must've heard the way his heart was still beating louder than normal.
Jimin hummed in affirmation, but Jungkook didn't believe him. He was all too familiar with having to wake Jimin up from his frequent nightmares, one less traumatizing than the next.
But it's not like he minded. If waking up in the middle of the night meant holding Jimin close and hearing his heart beat in harmony with his own in the quiet of the night, then he would gladly continue doing so for the rest of his life. If only it meant seeing the peace and relief wash over his best friend's soft features.
Jungkook reached out and placed his hand on top of Jimin’s smaller one that rested on the bed between them. He could feel him tense a little, before relaxing completely at the familiar touch.
”He’s gone. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
It wasn’t the first time Jimin had heard those words, but there was something about them being softly uttered repeatedly to him by the person he holds most dear, that made the words feel different. Real.
It had been nearly four years since he had won the trial against his abusive father. He rarely gets nightmares anymore, yet every time they pay him a visit, it feels excruciatingly suffocating.
Jimin’s gaze fell on Jungkook — on his brown wavy hair that was getting longer by the day (Jimin had always told him he liked it long), on his well-defined cheekbones and sharp jawline, on his large eyes that looked like they held the entire galaxy in them.
His eyes were Jimin's favorite.
Time seemed to stand still as he traced the outline of his best friend's features with his gaze, from the graceful arch of his thick brow to the way his eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings. It was in these quiet moments that Jimin felt an overwhelming surge of love, a quiet acknowledgment that this was his home.
Jungkook was home.
In all honesty, Jimin didn't know where he would've ended up if it wasn't for Jungkook. He thought of all the little moments that had brought them to this point — laughter shared over late-night conversations, whispered dreams exchanged under starry skies, and the comfortable silences that felt like a language of their own. Each memory wrapped around his heart, tightening its hold as he realized how deeply intertwined their lives had become ever since they crash-landed in each other's lives eleven years ago.
But alongside those vibrant memories came the shadows. He thought of the nights when life felt heavy, when the weight of the world bore down on their shoulders. He remembered the silent tears they shared during difficult conversations and the tight hugs that conveyed more than words ever could. He recalled the days and nights when he felt like the world was caving in, how lost and alone he felt. There had been times when anxiety gripped his heart, leaving him gasping for breath in the stillness of the dark.
It was then that Jungkook had held him close, his steady heartbeat a comforting rhythm against his ear. They didn’t need words; the warmth of their embrace spoke volumes. Just the simple act of being there had grounded Jimin, reminding him that he was not alone in the struggle.
He recalled the way they had sat together, side by side on the kitchen floor that fateful day when his mother passed away when he was only seventeen. He remembered how he had bawled his eyes out for hours, how Jungkook held him close and cried with him. How he took him out for a late-night drive to the park with his guitar in the backseat, sat with him on the grass, and let the instrument fill the silence, each pluck and strum caressing their ears, wrapping around them like the tender embrace they needed.
As Jimin stared at his friend, he realized that he could not live without him.
"I know."
"You have any plans after your class?"
"No. Why?"
"I've got a gig tonight at Cheonggyecheon."
The knife Jimin was using to slice the red apple paused. He looked back at his friend, eyes wide, who was mindlessly scrolling through TV channels, "Are you kidding? That place is so pretty at night!"
Jungkook smiled, "It is. And... I want you to come."
Jimin playfully scoffed and returned to cutting the apple, "You're saying that like I don't go to ninety-nine percent of your gigs."
"I know but... tonight is different," Jungkook admitted, fiddling with the remote control.
Jimin placed the fresh apple slices in a bowl and made his way over to where Jungkook was sitting on the couch. He plopped down beside him and handed him the bowl and a fork, earning a quiet thanks from the taller.
"Why is tonight different?"
Jungkook picked up a slice and placed it in his mouth, feeling the cold apple juice melting on his tongue, "You'll find out when we get there."
Jimin pouted but didn't ask further, knowing Jungkook wouldn't tell him anyway.
They spent the next hour searching for a movie to watch on Netflix and another hour actually watching it. They ended up snacking on shrimp-flavored crackers that Jimin found lying on the couch while The Matrix played on the TV.
As they watched the credits roll on the screen, the two boys silently sat side by side, still processing.
"Wow."
"That is an understatement," Jungkook chuckled.
"I can’t believe how much that film makes you question reality."
"Right? I mean, who doesn’t want to plug into a world where they can fly and dodge bullets?" Jungkook licked his fingers from the remnants of the crackers he was eating, causing Jimin to smack his hand with a grimace and pass him a tissue from the small table in front of them.
"But see, that’s the thing! It’s not just about the action. It’s all those layers of perception and control. What if everything we see is just... a facade?"
Jungkook hummed in thought. "You mean like social media? People curating their lives like they’re living in a highlight reel?"
"Exactly! It’s like we’re all plugged into our own little matrixes. And can you believe that ending? It’s like a mind bomb. What’s real, what’s not… it’s all so twisted."
"Yeah, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Keanu Reeves can do all that and still be such a chill guy."
Jimin giggled, "Right? He makes being “the One” look so easy." He turned off the TV and added, "He's kinda hot too.”
Jungkook looked at him blankly, "Jimin. He was thirty-something back then."
"So? That’s only like an eight year difference."
The taller swallowed thickly and watched as Jimin got up to throw the empty crackers bag in the trashcan, "Well... he's still too old for you."
Jimin went back and sat back down on the couch beside his friend, who was now looking at the clock hung up on the wall in front of them as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"I like them older," Jimin said, biting his lower lip to prevent a huge smile from taking over his features.
Jungkook didn't say anything. Jimin watched with great amusement as the taller poked his tongue in his cheek, still refusing to meet Jimin's eyes.
A few seconds later, Jungkook awkwardly cleared his throat, "He's not even your type."
Jimin raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, "Oh? And what do you think my type is?"
That finally made Jungkook turn his head and meet the smaller's eyes, who looked like he was enjoying this way too much. And for a while, Jungkook didn't say anything.
Me, Jungkook wanted to say.
God, I hope it's me.
He instead said, "Fat old men with three inches?"
That caught Jimin off guard, because his eyes widened before he broke out in tinkling laughter, eyes turning into pretty little crescents and body leaning forward from the force.
And Jungkook...
Jungkook was in love.
Jungkook stood backstage, his heart thrumming in sync with the distant hum of conversation and laughter that filled the park. The night wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, the cool breeze ruffling his tousled hair. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of grass and the faint aroma of food from nearby vendors.
His guitar felt familiar against him, the smooth wood cool under his fingertips. He had poured his heart into it, crafting melodies and lyrics that echoed the unspoken feelings he had carried for years — feelings meant for one person: his best friend.
With each passing moment, the crowd’s murmur swelled, a wave of energy that both thrilled and unnerved him. He peered out from behind the curtain, taking in the faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. He spotted his friends — Taehyung, Namjoon, Yoongi, Seokjin, and Hoseok — their smiles wide and encouraging, among other people, who were visibly eager for the first chords to ripple through the air.
He could feel his heart thrumming faster with each passing second. He had been playing in front of crowds for as long as he can remember, but this time, it felt different.
Because the reason for his anxiousness, anticipation, and slight fear was out there among the sea of faces.
Just the thought of him sent a flurry of butterflies dancing in his stomach and Jungkook knew he was a goner.
He heard his friend, Minwoo, announce him to the crowd with his mic, which was accompanied by an excited roar, causing goosebumps to rise on Jungkook's skin.
The exhilarating feeling never gets old.
With his heart in his throat, he stepped into the crowd and into the spotlight. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, a wave of sound that surged through him, igniting his spirit. He couldn’t help but smile, a genuine grin breaking across his face as he soaked in the moment.
He glanced at the crowd, a vibrant tapestry of friends and strangers, all eager for the music to begin. But among them, he sought him out, scanning the audience until he caught sight of his radiant smile.
Jimin stood near the front beside their friends, his beautiful blond hair catching the soft light, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the chance to share his heart through the song he had written just for him.
His muse.
Jungkook took a deep breath, steadying himself. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, both thrilling and terrifying. This song was not just another performance; it was a confession, an offering of everything he felt but had never dared to say.
With a quick flick of his wrist, he adjusted the guitar strap, his fingers brushing over the polished surface as he recalled the late nights spent writing and rewriting, trying to capture the essence of their friendship and the deeper feelings he had kept hidden.
Would Jimin understand?
Would Jimin see the pure, genuine love woven into every note?
He glanced at his person, Jimin, again. His eyes were bright with encouragement and in that instant, he felt a surge of courage.
This was it.
He strummed the opening chords, letting the music fill the air. Each note resonated with his heartbeat, and as he began to sing the lyrics he had crafted for his muse, his voice trembled with raw emotion. The words flowed out, painting a picture of their shared memories, the laughter, the late-night talks, the moments when their hands almost brushed but never quite did.
And Jungkook was afraid. With every note that flowed out of his lips, he felt everything inside him urge him, beg him to seek Jimin out again.
But Jungkook was afraid.
He was afraid of what he would see on his best friend's face.
Would he be confused? Would he be angry? Would he be happy?
Be brave, Jungkookie.
In the distant part of his mind, he could hear his friend's voice, and all of a sudden, he was back to when they were twelve.
He recalled the day he fell off a swing for the first time and injured himself in the process. His bottom hurt badly and tears sprung to his eyes, but he refused to let them out.
He had always been a stubborn kid.
But then Jimin ran up to him and sat beside him, patting his back and telling him that it was okay to cry. That crying didn't make you weak. That crying was just an indication of how strong and brave you are.
He vividly remembered the moment Jimin uttered those three words to him with kind and gentle eyes. Always so kind and gentle.
Be brave, Jungkookie.
So, Jungkook was afraid. But the night is young, and life is far too short to allow his doubts to keep him in shackles.
And so, with all the courage he could muster, he lifted his head and finally, finally met his eyes.
Those eyes he fell in love with six years ago, ever since he learned what love really was.
As Jungkook sang, he watched Jimin's expression shift from surprise to something deeper, something more. His eyes widened, glistening under the starry sky, and for the first time, Jungkook felt the distance between them start to dissolve.
Lost in the melody, he poured his heart into the performance, each strum a silent declaration of his love. The crowd faded into a blur, their cheers and applause becoming a distant echo. It was just him and Jimin, suspended in this moment, where his truth hung in the air like a whispered secret.
As Jungkook reached the final notes, he locked eyes with Jimin, feeling an unspoken connection that transcended the words he had sung. The last chord lingered in the air, a gentle conclusion that held the promise of something new.
Applause swelled around him and a warm buzz filled the air, but his heart raced for an entirely different reason.
The crowd’s cheers began to die down, but the weight of the moment lingered like a soft echo in his mind. He took a deep breath, feeling the microphone cool against his palm as he stepped forward, his pulse quickening.
With a slight tremor in his voice, Jungkook leaned into the mic, feeling every eye in the park fix on him. “Thank you all for being here tonight. I hope this performance was able to match your expectations. Or exceed them," light-hearted laughter filled the crowd.
“But, yeah, um... there’s something I need to say, actually… something I’ve kept inside for too long.”
His gaze locked onto Jimin, who stood frozen in place, a mixture of surprise and hope shimmering in his eyes. The crowd sensed the shift, a charged silence falling over them as they leaned in, anticipating what he would say next.
He swallowed hard, the moment stretching before him like a tightrope. “Jimin,” he continued, his voice gaining strength, “you’ve been my best friend since forever. You're my friend, my classmate, my roommate, and..." he swallowed, trying to tame his widely beating heart that threatened to escape, "and you’re the reason I write music, the reason I wake up excited every day. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, and I can’t keep it to myself any longer.”
Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd, but he barely heard them. All he could focus on was his best friend. He watched as a lovely flush crept across his cheeks, his eyes wide, reflecting a mix of emotions Jungkook could barely decipher.
“I don’t know if you feel the same way,” he pressed on, his heart racing, “but I had to tell you tonight, because you deserve to know how I feel. You’re my muse, my heart, and I don’t want to hide it anymore.”
The silence that followed felt thick, almost tangible. For a heartbeat, it seemed like time stood still, and then, with a swift motion that sent his heart soaring like never before, Jimin broke into a radiant smile. He dashed through the crowd, laughter bubbling up from his lips as he crossed the distance between them.
Before he knew it, Jimin was in his arms, his warmth enveloping him like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds. The crowd erupted in joyous applause, cheers ringing out as they witnessed the moment unfold, a beautiful union of love and friendship.
Jungkook held the smaller boy tightly to his chest. He held him like it would be the last time.
He held him like a lover.
“Jimin,” he whispered, his voice a mix of disbelief and happiness. “You—”
Jimin pulled back slightly, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “You are such an idiot."
Jungkook's eyes flickered between Jimin's own, "I... wha—"
"I’ve been waiting for you to say that! I thought you’d never tell me, Jungkook. Do you know how worried I was—” Jimin kept repeatedly hitting his chest with his small fists, causing Jungkook to laugh out loud.
He had never felt so... happy.
"Hey, hey. Easy, baby." Jungkook held Jimin's fists in a gentle grip. Jimin looked up at him with a playful scowl, lips jutted in an adorable pout. His cheeks turned crimson at the petname, and Jungkook couldn't help but lovingly caress the apple of his cheeks with his thumb.
"I love you," Jungkook uttered the words in a whisper, like a shared secret only between the two of them.
It was at that moment that Jungkook realized his purpose. Because as Jimin's soft features melted into a blinding smile — the smile that Jungkook sees in his sweetest dreams — he knew that he would crawl to the end of the earth and back for the boy in his arms.
"I love you too, you fool," Jimin gently cupped Jungkook's face in his hands, gazing up at him with an expression that rivaled the moon above them.
His hands were tiny, but to Jungkook, they were home, warmth, and love personified.
"Is this the part where we kiss or..."
Jungkook was unable to tame the huge smile that took over. He was sure he looked like a complete idiot to everyone else, but he couldn't bring himself to care.
He had the entire universe in his arms at this moment. Sue him.
And fuck it, Jungkook had been longing for the day he would get the privilege to kiss those lips. So without another thought, he dived right in.
It was tender, almost hesitant at first, like stepping into the unknown. But the warmth of Jimin’s mouth against his sent a rush of emotion through him so intense it nearly knocked him off balance. His heart raced, his mind spinning with disbelief that this was happening — Jimin was kissing him back. The tension that had coiled tight inside him for years slowly unraveled, replaced by something sweeter, something raw and real.
It was a kiss that that was filled with years of unspoken longing, of silent love that had always been there, just beneath the surface.
Their hearts raced, beating in time with each other, and for a moment, the world melted away, leaving just the two of them, tangled in something so simple, yet so profound.
It was unlike anything he had imagined. It wasn’t the fireworks or the sudden clarity he thought it might be. Instead, it was soft, like the calm after a storm. Jimin’s hands wrapped around his neck, and that simple touch sent a wave of heat through him. Jungkook pulled the boy closer by the waist, deepening the kiss, feeling the years of friendship melt away, leaving something new, something fragile yet unbreakable.
It felt like coming home, like finding something they hadn’t even realized they had been searching for.
And it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“Finally!”
”Thank god. I don’t think my ears would have survived another two hours of I love him so bad and do you think he feels the same way?”
”I can finally sleep peacefully at night.”
The two friends— lovers broke apart with amused giggles on their lips. They looked at their friends in the crowd, who were all watching them with looks of utter relief and fondness.
“Were we that bad?” Jimin looked up at him with a sheepish smile, hands rested on the taller’s chest.
Jungkook chuckled and tucked Jimin’s hair behind his ears, “Apparently. But it doesn’t matter.”
Jimin’s expression shifted into a confused and curious one as he tilted his head in question.
“Because, my love,” Jungkook’s hands found their way to Jimin’s waist, where they belonged. He leaned closer and whispered the words in his ear.
”If we were bad before, we’re about to be their worst nightmare.”
And Jungkook has no excuse for the way his heart summersaulted in contentment, happiness, and absolute devotion at Jimin’s bubbly laugh.
They still had a long way to go, but as he gazed at the boy in his arms, he knew that whatever obstacles life threw their way, they would get through every single one of them.
Together.