Work Text:
Jungkook’s hands gripped the edge of the sink as he took a long, deep breath, staring at his reflection. He hadn’t felt this nervous since his debut days—except now, he wasn’t facing a stage, a camera, or a crowd of fans. This was somehow scarier.
“Okay, Jungkook,” he muttered to himself, tapping his fingers against the cool porcelain. “Just act normal.”
He had practiced this scenario in his head at least a dozen times. But no matter how many imaginary conversations he ran through, he still couldn’t shake the butterflies in his stomach or the heat that kept creeping up his neck. It was one thing to ask advice from his bandmates; it was another thing to ask advice from Seokjin-hyung. Especially since he wasn’t exactly telling the whole truth.
He took a shaky breath, recalling the many times he’d tried to bring it up in casual conversation. “Hey, hyung, what do you think about relationships?” he’d started once, but Seokjin had given him a puzzled look, then made a joke about how the group was “married to ARMY,” and the conversation had fizzled out.
This time, Jungkook was determined to get to the bottom of it.
The reason he was so nervous? Because, well, he wasn’t actually interested in the cute new makeup artist everyone had been talking about. That was just the cover story he planned to use.
Truth was, Jungkook had it bad—for Seokjin.
He could still remember the first time he realized it. Seokjin had been goofing off on set, as usual, cracking jokes that only he found funny. Jungkook had laughed along, like he always did, but something felt… different. His heart had thudded a little too fast, and he couldn’t shake the way his face felt warm every time Seokjin looked his way. That moment had changed everything.
But what was he supposed to do? He couldn’t just confess out of the blue, especially with all their other members around. And what if Seokjin didn’t feel the same? What if he thought Jungkook was being ridiculous?
That’s why he’d come up with a foolproof plan: pretend he liked someone else and go to Seokjin for advice. That way, he could talk to him about romance without making it personal. If he saw any hint that Seokjin might like him back, well… then maybe he’d find the courage to take things further.
Jungkook straightened, taking one last look in the mirror.
“Alright, Kook. Just be cool. Play it casual.”
When he finally walked into the dressing room, Jungkook immediately spotted Seokjin. He was lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone, his face half-covered by a goofy bucket hat. The rest of the members were milling around, getting ready for their schedules, so it wasn’t exactly private. Still, Jungkook figured he could at least get Seokjin’s attention.
“Hyung,” Jungkook called out, trying to sound relaxed.
Seokjin looked up, flashing him a bright smile. “Hey, Kookie! What’s up?”
Jungkook felt his nerves surge again. 'Focus,' he told himself. “Can I… talk to you for a second?” he asked, fidgeting with the edge of his shirt.
Seokjin’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh? This sounds serious.” He gestured for Jungkook to sit next to him on the couch, patting the spot beside him.
Jungkook’s heart hammered as he sat down. He knew he’d rehearsed this, but Seokjin’s easy grin and bright eyes weren’t making it any easier. “It’s not… that serious,” he said quickly, clearing his throat. “It’s just… about this girl.”
“Oh!” Seokjin’s eyes sparkled with interest - and something Jungkook couldn’t name.
“Wait, are you telling me that our Jungkookie has finally got a crush?”
Jungkook scratched his neck awkwardly. “Maybe… something like that,” he mumbled, trying to keep the blush off his cheeks.
Seokjin laughed, nudging him playfully. “Aw, our little Kookie’s growing up. So, who is it? Someone we know?”
Jungkook hesitated. This was the part where he was supposed to say, “Yeah, it’s Jiyoon, the new makeup artist,” but his nerves got the best of him. “Uh… yeah, kind of,” he stammered.
Seokjin tilted his head, studying him with amused curiosity. “Alright, alright,” he said, his voice softening. “What’s bothering you? Do you like her, but you don’t know how to ask her out or something?”
Jungkook nodded quickly, hoping he could keep the conversation vague. “Exactly. I’ve never really done this before, you know? So I thought… maybe you could give me some advice?”
Seokjin’s face broke into a proud smile. “Of course! You came to the right person,” he announced, straightening up. “Your hyung knows all the tricks of the trade.”
“Oh yeah?” Jungkook asked, a smile tugging at his lips despite his nerves.
“Obviously!” Seokjin grinned, puffing out his chest dramatically. “Do you know how many girls asked me out when I was in high school?”
Jungkook tried not to laugh, especially as Seokjin began recounting every “relationship” he’d had, complete with exaggerated details and sound effects.
“She practically fainted when I asked her out, I swear,” he said, smirking as if the memory were still fresh. “And that other time—”
“Hyung,” Jungkook interrupted, a faint smile on his face, “I don’t need a play-by-play of your dating history.”
Seokjin paused, feigning hurt. “Hey! I’m trying to share my wisdom here, you know. If you want advice, you have to learn from the best.”
Jungkook bit his lip, holding back a laugh. He couldn’t help but feel grateful, though. The more Seokjin talked, the less nervous he felt. It was just Seokjin, after all—his funny, ridiculous hyung. The one he could trust.
“So,” Seokjin said, finally getting serious, “are you nervous because you don’t know what to say to her?”
“Yeah,” Jungkook replied, nodding. “And, like… what if she doesn’t feel the same way?” He felt a pang of guilt as he said it, since he wasn’t actually talking about Jiyoon, but the question still felt painfully real.
Seokjin hummed, thinking it over. “Well,” he said finally, “the truth is, you’ll never really know until you try, right?”
Jungkook looked at him, surprised at the genuine warmth in Seokjin’s voice. “You… think I should just go for it?”
“Yeah,” Seokjin said confidently, patting him on the shoulder. “Look, you’re Jungkook. You’re talented, you’re kind, and anyone would be lucky to date you.” He grinned, giving Jungkook a quick wink. “But you don’t have to rush anything. Just start by being her friend.”
Jungkook’s heart sank a bit. Friend. That was all he’d ever been with Seokjin, and all he ever would be, as far as he knew. But the encouragement was still enough to give him a small spark of hope.
“Thanks, hyung,” he said, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice.
Seokjin gave him a thumbs-up. “Anytime! And if you need more advice, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m always here for you.”
Jungkook smiled, trying to ignore the small ache in his chest. “I’ll remember that.”
---
The next few days after Jungkook’s conversation with Seokjin felt like a blur. He was still preoccupied with the advice Seokjin had given him, but now it was mixed with a deeper unease. What was supposed to be a simple problem about a girl had somehow turned into something far more complicated.
Each time Jungkook saw Seokjin in the hallways, during rehearsal, or in the dressing rooms, he couldn’t help but feel that familiar flutter in his chest. But it wasn’t just the gentle teasing or the shared moments of laughter that caused it. No, it was the fact that Seokjin had become so much more to him. He was more than the funny, kind older brother Jungkook had always looked up to—he was now the one Jungkook couldn’t stop thinking about.
The way Seokjin smiled at him, the way his eyes twinkled whenever they made eye contact—it was all making Jungkook question everything he thought he knew about his feelings. He had tried to distract himself by focusing on his "fake" crush on Jiyoon, but every time he saw Seokjin, it felt like a punch to the gut.
Why did he have to be so perfect?
Jungkook would catch himself staring at Seokjin when he wasn’t looking, his thoughts completely distracted. The older man’s voice would pull him out of his trance, and he would force himself to look away, blushing furiously. 'Stop being obvious,' he would think. But no matter how much he told himself to snap out of it, the feelings remained, unspoken and persistent.
It had been a week since their conversation, and Jungkook had tried to act like everything was fine. He smiled when Seokjin teased him, laughed when the others made fun of him, and distracted himself with work. But deep down, he knew that he was lying to himself. The truth was, he couldn’t stop thinking about Seokjin. Not in the way he had with anyone else.
Seokjin, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious to Jungkook’s internal struggle. If anything, he was as playful as ever. And, Jungkook swore, there were times when it seemed like Seokjin was purposefully getting closer, brushing against him more often, or throwing him small, knowing glances when no one was looking.
It wasn’t that Seokjin wasn’t aware of the changes in their interactions—it was more that he wasn’t sure how to process them. He had been feeling his own shift in emotions for Jungkook for some time now, but he’d been doing his best to push it aside. 'It was ridiculous,' he’d thought. 'He’s just my youngest member. We’ve been through everything together. This is just a phase. Just some silly feeling I’ll get over soon.'
But as time went on, Seokjin found himself growing more and more drawn to Jungkook in ways he didn’t want to admit. He liked the way Jungkook’s eyes shone when he was excited. The way his laugh made the whole room feel warmer. The way he seemed to care about everything, even when it wasn’t his responsibility.
More than anything, Seokjin couldn’t ignore how much he wanted to protect him. To be there for him. But there was a line, wasn’t there? They were friends, hyung and maknae.
Nothing more than that.
And yet, here he was, feeling like a fool every time he caught himself staring at Jungkook for just a little too long.
Seokjin had tried to convince himself that it was just his older brother instincts kicking in. Jungkook had always been like a little brother to him. So, why was his heart racing every time their hands accidentally brushed? Why was he starting to feel a familiar warmth spreading across his chest when he heard Jungkook laugh?
He tried to shake it off, but it only seemed to make things worse. The more he tried to distance himself from these feelings, the stronger they became.
One particular evening after a long day of filming, the members were gathering in the van to head back to their hotel. The mood was light, everyone was tired but still joking around. Seokjin and Jungkook ended up sitting next to each other. Jungkook, exhausted from a day of rehearsals, sat with his arms crossed, head leaning slightly against the window.
Seokjin had noticed how quiet Jungkook had been lately. His younger member was usually the first to crack a joke, the one who brightened up the atmosphere with his presence. But today, Jungkook had been… distant.
Seokjin glanced over at him, his eyes lingering a moment longer than usual. He wondered if Jungkook was going through something, or maybe it was the exhaustion getting to him. But Seokjin had this sense that there was something more—something unspoken between them.
“You alright, Kookie?” Seokjin asked gently, nudging him with his elbow.
Jungkook blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. He smiled faintly. “Yeah. Just tired.”
Seokjin nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly in concern. “If you’re ever feeling off, you know you can talk to me, right?” His voice was softer now, not joking, just sincere.
Jungkook swallowed hard. His heart pounded in his chest, his palms growing clammy. He wasn’t sure if it was the exhaustion from the day, or if it was the weight of his feelings for Seokjin pressing down on him, but suddenly he felt like he couldn’t breathe properly. This was it—the moment. He could either continue pretending everything was fine or finally take the plunge.
He turned to Seokjin, their eyes meeting, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down. The noise in the van quieted, and all he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat.
Seokjin’s brow furrowed, his lips parting in preparation to speak, but before he could ask anything more, Jungkook found himself leaning in—just a little bit—toward Seokjin.
The moment stretched between them, an electric tension growing. Seokjin’s eyes widened slightly, and Jungkook froze, realizing what he was doing. His face went beet red, and he quickly pulled back, looking away in panic.
“Sorry,” Jungkook mumbled, clearing his throat awkwardly. “I—I don’t know what I was doing.”
Seokjin sat there for a moment, caught off guard. Then, with a small, knowing smile, he placed a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual, “don’t worry about it. It’s just us, right?”
Jungkook glanced at Seokjin, his heart still racing. “Yeah, right,” he whispered.
Just us…
But in that moment, Seokjin felt something shift between them. He couldn’t explain it. He didn’t know if it was just a figment of his imagination or if Jungkook had truly been about to do something. Something more.
---
The days after their near kiss in the van felt strange. They were both aware of it. Jungkook couldn’t stop thinking about how Seokjin’s hand had lingered on his shoulder, the way his voice had softened, and how he’d almost leaned in. It felt like they were inches away from something neither of them could name, and that thought gnawed at Jungkook every second. The air between them felt charged—every glance, every casual brush of their arms, seemed to speak volumes.
Jungkook, despite his nerves, tried to act normal. He joined the other members in their usual banter, helping set up the next shooting scene with his usual enthusiasm, but his eyes always seemed to dart toward Seokjin. He watched him more than he wanted to admit, especially when Seokjin smiled or joked around. That damn smile of his. It wasn’t fair how it could make Jungkook’s heart race in the most unpredictable moments.
And Seokjin—Seokjin noticed everything. He was no stranger to subtle shifts in behavior. The way Jungkook would look away whenever their eyes met, the way he suddenly became quieter when Seokjin was near—it didn’t take a genius to figure out something was up.
But Seokjin didn’t know what it was. Was it just a phase? A bit of nervousness? Or was Jungkook hiding something more?
That afternoon, as they gathered for a quick break on set, Seokjin caught Jungkook sitting off to the side, fiddling with his phone. His back was to the group, his posture stiff. Something was definitely off.
“Hey, Kookie,” Seokjin called out gently, sliding into the empty seat next to him.
Jungkook’s head jerked up, startled. “Hyung! I didn’t hear you coming.”
“You’ve got your mind elsewhere, huh?” Seokjin said with a teasing smile, nudging his shoulder lightly. “What’s going on?”
Jungkook shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flicking to the side. “Nothing. Just tired, I guess.”
Seokjin raised an eyebrow. “You know you can tell me if something’s bothering you. We’ve been through a lot together. Whatever it is, you don’t have to carry it by yourself.”
Jungkook hesitated, his heart beating faster. His throat was dry, his palms sweaty. Seokjin was so close, and yet there was this unspoken distance between them that Jungkook couldn’t cross. He felt like there was a weight he couldn’t shake, a feeling he couldn’t share without everything changing.
“I… I don’t know, hyung,” Jungkook finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just… don’t know what to do with how I’m feeling.”
Seokjin watched him carefully. He knew there was something more, but it wasn’t clear what it was. His instincts told him that this wasn’t just about the random crush Jungkook had mentioned a few days ago. It was something deeper, something more confusing.
“I’m here for you, Kookie,” Seokjin said, his voice soft and reassuring. “I always am.”
Jungkook swallowed, his heart racing. There it was, the kindness, the warmth that he loved about Seokjin, but it also made everything more complicated. He couldn’t keep pretending. He had to do something—say something.
“Hyung…” Jungkook started, his voice faltering. He took a deep breath before continuing, “Can you… Can you teach me how to kiss?”
Seokjin’s eyes widened in shock, his mind briefly going blank as the question hit him like a ton of bricks. He blinked rapidly, unsure of how to process it. “W-What?” he stammered, his voice higher than usual.
Jungkook flushed a deep crimson, his hands fidgeting in his lap. He avoided Seokjin’s gaze. “I don’t know… how to do it. And I’m too embarrassed to ask anyone else.” He gave an awkward laugh, but there was a clear nervousness to it. “I thought, well… you’re, uh, you’re the oldest. You’ve probably kissed someone before, right?”
Seokjin was still frozen in place, his mind scrambling for a response. He had never in his life imagined that his younger member would come to him for advice on kissing—especially not like this. He cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “Kookie, are you serious? You want ME to teach you how to kiss?”
Jungkook nodded, his face turning even redder. “Well, yeah. You’re like my older brother. You’ve got experience, right? I just need some guidance, that’s all.”
Seokjin's mind raced, struggling to come to terms with what was happening. Of course, he’d kissed girls before—but he’d never imagined this situation. It felt strange, bordering on absurd. But there was no denying that Jungkook seemed so vulnerable, so sincere in his request, that Seokjin’s heart softened. It was just a kiss, right?
Just a kiss.
“Alright, alright,” Seokjin said after a long pause, running a hand through his hair and letting out a nervous laugh. “But this doesn’t mean I’m suddenly your dating expert, okay? We’re just gonna keep this... practical.”
Jungkook looked relieved. “Thanks, hyung. I promise I’m not gonna make it weird.”
Seokjin chuckled, though it didn’t completely mask the nervous flutter in his chest. “Well, this is already weird, but I’m in too deep now, so I guess I’ll have to follow through.”
Jungkook’s lips curved into a shy smile, clearly relieved to have finally asked. The tension in his shoulders melted a little as Seokjin shifted closer, but his heart was still pounding. There was no going back now.
“Okay, Kookie,” Seokjin said, trying to regain his usual air of confidence. “The first thing you need to know is that it’s not about technique. Kissing should be about being present. Feeling the moment. And making sure the other person is comfortable.”
Jungkook nodded along, trying to absorb every word. But Seokjin could tell there was still something else in his eyes, something he wasn’t saying.
Before Seokjin could continue, Jungkook leaned in slightly, his face inches away from Seokjin’s. “Is this—” He stopped, biting his lip nervously. “Is this how it feels, hyung? When you kiss someone? Close like this?”
Seokjin’s breath caught in his throat. He hadn’t expected Jungkook to move so suddenly, but now that he was so close, the air between them felt thick. His heartbeat quickened as he tried to keep his thoughts straight.
This is just practice. This is just practice.
But Jungkook didn’t back away. His eyes were dark with something Seokjin couldn’t quite place—something deeper than curiosity. And then, without thinking, Jungkook closed the distance, pressing his lips against Seokjin’s.
It wasn’t a peck. It wasn’t anything polite or rehearsed. It was a kiss—a real, heated kiss—that made Seokjin’s chest tighten, his pulse racing.
Jungkook, with no more hesitation, kissed Seokjin harder, more urgently, his hands now on Seokjin’s face as he deepened the kiss. Seokjin’s mind spun, his body frozen for a fraction of a second before he instinctively kissed back, his hands falling to Jungkook’s waist.
God, this was real.
His body responded before his brain could catch up, and it felt like a flood of emotions crashed down on him all at once.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Jungkook pulled away, both of them panting lightly. His cheeks were flushed, and his lips trembled from the intensity of what had just happened. Seokjin blinked, his eyes wide, his breath shallow.
“Hyung…” Jungkook whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I… I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I’m sorry if that was too much, but… I’ve been in love with you for so long.”
Seokjin’s world tilted. It all clicked—everything Jungkook had been doing, the tension, the way they had been dancing around each other. Jungkook was in love with him.
Before Seokjin could say anything, Jungkook looked up at him with searching eyes. “Hyung, please say something. You—"
But Seokjin cut him off, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love you too, Kookie. I just… I didn’t know how to say it.”
Jungkook blinked in surprise, and then his face lit up with a mix of relief and pure joy. Without another word, he kissed Seokjin again, this time slower, more tender, and filled with a sense of undeniable affection.
And this time, Seokjin kissed him back with everything he had.
The kiss lingered in the air between them, still warm on their lips, but something more profound had settled. Seokjin pulled away first, his hands gently resting on Jungkook’s shoulders as they both breathed a little heavier. They were close now—closer than ever before. The distance they’d held between them for so long seemed to vanish in that one impulsive moment. And though the reality of what had just happened began to settle into their minds, there was an undeniable sense of clarity.
Jungkook looked at Seokjin, still trying to catch his breath, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “I… didn’t expect that to happen,” he admitted, his voice quiet but filled with raw emotion.
Seokjin, still holding Jungkook’s gaze, gave a small chuckle, trying to ease the tension with his usual teasing. “What, you didn’t expect me to kiss you back?” He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes.
Jungkook, now blushing even deeper than before, averted his gaze but didn’t pull away. “Well, I didn’t exactly expect it to be THAT intense,” he murmured. “I mean, we kind of went straight into it. Was that okay?” His nervousness was evident, his shoulders tensing at the thought of possibly overstepping a boundary.
Seokjin smiled softly and gently cupped Jungkook’s face, his thumb brushing across his cheek. “Of course it was okay. More than okay, actually,” he said, his voice tender, laced with sincerity. “But we probably need to talk about what happens next. This is… big. For both of us.”
Jungkook nodded, his gaze now fully locked with Seokjin’s. He could see the seriousness in Seokjin’s eyes, and it made his heart swell with affection and anticipation. “Yeah… I think I should’ve said something sooner, hyung. I’ve been wanting to tell you how I feel for a long time now.”
Seokjin’s eyes softened, and he leaned in slightly, his lips brushing against Jungkook’s forehead in a soft, lingering kiss. “I know, Kookie. I could tell. I didn’t want to admit it either, but I’ve been feeling the same way about you for a while.”
The words were out, the truth hanging between them, warm and real. Jungkook felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. For so long, he had been afraid to admit his feelings—afraid of ruining their dynamic, afraid of complicating things. But now, everything felt lighter, clearer. He felt like he had a solid foundation to stand on, and it was Seokjin’s warmth and affection that anchored him in this newfound honesty.
“I’ve been waiting, too,” Seokjin continued, his voice steady now. “But I didn’t want to make it weird between us. We’ve always been close, and I was scared that if I said anything, things might change in a way I couldn’t fix.”
Jungkook looked up at Seokjin, a mix of relief and gratitude in his eyes. “But now that we’ve kissed… I don’t want to go back to the way things were. I want this, hyung. I want...us.” He was almost shy now, unsure of what Seokjin’s response would be, but when he saw the tenderness in Seokjin’s smile, he knew he was right to take the leap.
Seokjin pulled him into a gentle hug, his chin resting on top of Jungkook’s head. “I want it too, Kookie,” he murmured softly. “You don’t have to worry about that. But we’ll have to take things slowly. There’s no rush, okay?”
Jungkook nodded eagerly, squeezing Seokjin tighter. “Yeah, slowly. I can do slow. As long as we’re doing it together.”
Seokjin chuckled, rubbing his back comfortingly. “Of course, we will. There’s no one else I’d rather take this journey with.”
The two of them held each other for a few more moments, savoring the closeness they had never fully allowed themselves before. It felt like a new beginning—one that was full of hope and excitement, but also caution. They both knew there was a lot to figure out, but they were in it together. And that was all that mattered.
The following months were a whirlwind of excitement and subtle tension. Seokjin and Jungkook continued to support each other as they always had, but now there was something new—something deeper that connected them. It was unspoken at times, a glance or a brush of their fingers when no one was watching. But in private, they grew closer in ways they never thought possible.
They took things slow, as they had promised, but every day felt like an adventure. There were moments of awkwardness, especially when the other members started to notice their closeness. They never openly talked about it, but everyone could sense it. The knowing glances exchanged between the members, the teasing remarks that sometimes felt too close for comfort—it all added up to a kind of unspoken understanding.
Jungkook’s once-shy demeanor had blossomed into something more confident. He wasn’t afraid to be around Seokjin anymore, to share little moments with him. And Seokjin—Seokjin found himself more and more drawn to Jungkook, not just for the young man’s humor and charm, but for his genuine kindness and strength.
They made sure to be discreet in public, mostly out of respect for their fans and the nature of their profession, but when they were alone, the walls that had once separated them dissolved. They shared their favorite music, laughed at old videos together, and often sat in silence, just enjoying the peaceful presence of the other.
One afternoon, as they walked back to their shared hotel room after a long day of filming, Jungkook took Seokjin’s hand as they passed through the lobby. Seokjin shot him a playful glance, raising an eyebrow.
“Someone’s getting bold,” he teased.
Jungkook simply smiled, his eyes twinkling. “I’m just tired of hiding it.”
Seokjin’s heart fluttered, and he squeezed Jungkook’s hand in return. “You don’t have to hide anymore, Kookie. Not from me.”
The two of them walked down the hall, side by side, hearts light, knowing that whatever came next, they’d face it together.
No longer just a hyung and a maknae, they were something more—something beautiful.
And as they entered the room, the door closing quietly behind them, the world felt like it was theirs for the taking.