Archive of Our Own ^beta

step #1

“This is extremely important. I need you to concentrate and listen very carefully,” Taehyung says once again, and although it seems impossible, he sounds even more desperate than in their last call.

Which was no more than five minutes ago.

That, of course, should make Jimin feel completely offended by the lack of faith his supposed best friend has in him, but at this moment all he can feel is annoyance at how desperate Taehyung’s voice sounds through his car’s speaker.

“The only thing I need to concentrate on right now is driving, and I can’t do that if you keep calling every two minutes to make sure I haven’t forgotten what you told me a second ago,” Jimin tries to explain, emphasizing the importance of driving properly, but it seems that Taehyung is not interested in listening to excuses.

“This is really important, you can’t mess this up,” he repeats for what would be the fifteenth time in the last fifteen minutes of constant calls.

Anyone overhearing them talking might think this whole thing is a matter of life or death.

“I know.”

“I’m putting my career in your hands, understand? If you screw it up, you’ll have to carry that burden for the rest of your life.” He’s quiet for a couple of seconds, and Jimin thinks Taehyung has finally stopped teasing him, but then he speaks again. “And you’ll also have to pay all my bills, which, honestly, would be really nice for me.”

Jimin wants to roll his eyes at that comment, but he is driving right now, so it would be very irresponsible of him to do so. Instead, he mentally curses his best friend.

His car’s GPS indicates he should turn left at the next street, showing that the art supply store is seven minutes away. Jimin could not be more excited to finally be done with this adventure, one he is not even sure when he was signed up for—or if Taehyung even asked him if he wanted to do it.

“I don't know if you think I'm stupid, but I promise you it can't be that hard to find a jar of red acrylic paint at an art supply store.”

“Jimin, it's not just any red, I told you it had a specific code…” Taehyung starts to get stressed, and okay... maybe this panic attack is his fault, but in his defense, he can be a little forgetful sometimes about things that are not related to his work.

Sometimes he even forgets to buy toothpaste for his house.

“I know! I'm just kidding!” Jimin quickly interrupts to try and calm his friend down. “Of course I know the code for the color I'm supposed to buy,” he assures him, but he thinks his voice sounds a little shakier than it should.

Taehyung can probably smell the lie from miles away.

The silence between the two men becomes quite awkward, and Jimin knows that Taehyung knows he is trying to convince him that buying the paint in the color he needs is a piece of cake.

Which it would be, if only Jimin could remember the silly code or name of the color his friend told him in the multiple calls they'd had in the last thirty minutes since Jimin left his office and told Taehyung he was on his way to the art supply store.

Why is it so difficult to buy red acrylic paint now? Aren't all reds supposed to be the same? Why do colors have to have codes now?

Jimin is starting to lose his mind with all this silence; he thinks it is only a matter of time before…

“You have no idea about the code, have you?”

He glances at the GPS one more time, and the route indicates he only has to drive two more minutes.

Now, the smartest decision Jimin could make is to admit that he was not paying attention to any of the countless times his friend was behind him, repeating the color code he needed to ask for at the art supply store.

He could even apologize and ask Taehyung to please tell him the code so he could make the purchase. If he is nice enough, maybe he can survive and get this over with quickly so he can go home and sleep for the rest of the afternoon.

Instead, of course, he decides to go for the clumsiest option.

“Red number forty-three?” Jimin asks nervously.

Judging by his best friend's reaction, he's probably nowhere near the right answer.

“You son of a bitch, I’m going to kill you. I swear, I’m going to kill you.” Judging by the seriousness in his voice, Jimin is pretty sure that his friend’s words are more of a promise than a threat. “Oh my God, I knew I couldn’t trust you! I should have asked Namjoon for help. At least he’s a cultured person who understands the importance of art.”

“Hey! I am a cultured person who understands everything about art!” he complains. Okay, maybe he deserved it, but that was pretty offensive.

If he did not understand the importance of art, he would not have driven for thirty minutes just to get the paint that Taehyung swears is absolutely necessary to finish one of his pieces for his next exhibition, right?

Fucking ungrateful fool whom he loves with all his heart.

“PMS 1795,” his friend says, completely ignoring Jimin’s complaint.

Jimin believes that combination of letters and numbers is the crucial code he must not forget, so after parking, he jots it down in his phone's notes app.

"Noted, I'm about to get out of the car."

"You better have done that," Taehyung says, his tone telling Jimin he is not playing around. "This is the only art supply store in Seoul that carries every Pantone paint color. If you get even one number wrong, you'll bring me a completely different color and ruin my work forever."

“Okay, I understand, I swear,” Jimin says, trying to reassure his friend because he feels a little bad for stressing Taehyung out so much.

Then he remembers that he did not even want to drive to a place that is thirty minutes away from his house, so he complains once more, this time without a hint of remorse: “I just think if you were so worried that I couldn't buy the right color, you could have, I don't know, come over and done it yourself?”

“I knew you'd say something like that, idiot,” his friend laughs, and Jimin grins. “But no, it's your duty as my best friend to help me with everything I don't want to do because I'm too lazy.”

“Fuck you,” Jimin scoffs.

“Besides, each bottle costs 23,000 won, and none of the hyungs were going to want to pay for two,” Taehyung blurts out casually, and Jimin almost chokes on his own saliva.

“How much?!”

“And while you’re there, you can buy my birthday present! Bye, I love you so much,” Taehyung shouts quickly and hangs up after the (rather exaggerated) sound of a kiss.

Jimin does not even have words to complain about his best friend’s audacity, so he simply unbuckles his seatbelt, gets out of his car, and walks resignedly into the mall to get this shit over with once and for all.

He is pretty tired today, so all he wants is to get home, take a shower, eat whatever leftovers are in his refrigerator, and sleep for hours so that tomorrow he’ll have enough energy to go back to his office and drown himself in a pile of documents he needs to review.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to find the store where Taehyung needs to buy the two jars of paint.

The website Taehyung sent him earlier in the week says the store is on the third floor of the shopping center, so once he arrives after taking the elevator, he can see it along the corridor because it has a rather eye-catching sign indicating that they carry all kinds of art supplies. Jimin finds it interesting that this floor seems to have quite a few art-related stores. He even sees a musical instrument store and thinks he might go in and have a look around to see if he can find a good Christmas present for Yoongi.

The art supply store is quite large, and Jimin faces a serious problem trying to find the paint section. Then, he has even more trouble finding the correct code among the hundreds of red color variations that seem to be available. But after ten arduous minutes of looking through the jars, he gives up and decides to ask for help from a friendly employee who was passing by in the aisle and who seemed to be quite knowledgeable about the variety of colors available.

Which probably wasn't a great idea because Jimin ends up falling for the girl's sales skills and buying a lot of things for Taehyung when he was only supposed to buy the two bottles of red paint.

He doesn't think Taehyung will complain much about the extra things Jimin added to his purchase, especially since he included a set of paintbrushes that the girl assured him were "every painter's dream."

When he gets to the checkout and the cashier tells him the total, Jimin chokes up and almost wants to complain out loud, but he gives his credit card to the girl and decides he'll just deduct it from Taehyung's birthday present.

"Did you find everything you were looking for?" the cashier asks him with a friendly smile.

"I think so," he smiles, nodding.

The cashier puts all the items he bought into a bag and hands it to him along with a loyalty card so he can get discounts on future purchases. Jimin slips the card into his pocket and assures the cashier he'll use it, even though he knows he'll probably forget to even take it out.

When Jimin leaves the store, he checks his watch and realizes he spent a good twenty minutes shopping and almost wants to facepalm for wasting so much time on a single purchase.

He takes his phone out of his pocket and sees several messages from Taehyung asking how everything is going, so he takes a picture of the bag where the cashier put all the items and sends it to him.

Jimin | 5:39 PM

Order completed.

Taehyungie | 5:39 PM

i love you.
you're the best friend anyone could ever wish for!!!
but I swear, if you didn't buy the right color, i'm going to kill you <3
ARE THOSE PURDY BRUSHES???
I COULD KISS YOU
see u tomorrow at your house, muah

Jimin laughs and puts his phone away.

He's about to head back to the elevator when he remembers that maybe he should buy Yoongi's gift right now, instead of putting it off until the day before Christmas when the stores are packed with people doing last-minute shopping. So he sighs deeply and turns to head towards the music store at the end of the hall. It's only the beginning of October, but Jimin likes to have his gifts ready before December just to avoid all the panic buying.

He is not sure whether he should get Yoongi a guitar or a piano. He knows his friend will appreciate any gift Jimin gives him, but this year he promised himself he'd try to buy something his friends will truly appreciate. He is debating whether he should call Namjoon for a recommendation when something adorable catches his eye: a ceramic pot shaped like the cutest koala Jimin has ever seen.

Jimin feels his heart melt at the cuteness of the adorable little pot in front of him.

The pot is on display inside what appears to be a ceramics studio filled with all sorts of beautiful pieces, but what catches Jimin's eye the most is this koala pot. It immediately makes him think of Namjoon, who for the past couple of months has been fascinated with collecting all kinds of koala-related items because they are his adorable little niece's favorite animal.

He doesn't think of the pot as a Christmas present, to be honest. Namjoon's gift is well hidden inside Jimin's closet because he got it two months ago on a business trip to the United States, but Jimin wouldn't mind simply giving this little pot to one of his best friends.

Jimin thinks it would look quite nice on the shelf in his house next to his enormous book collection.

He probably looks like a fool staring so intently at this small pot, but there's something about it that draws him in so much that he can't tear his eyes away, and it makes him wonder whether or not he should go into this studio.

"Do you like it?" a man asks from behind him. The voice doesn't startle him, despite being sudden and belonging to a complete stranger. "It's quite a nice piece. Koalas are very trendy lately," he continues.

Jimin turns to look at the man behind him. He seems like a very pleasant person, judging by the friendly smile on his face. He notices that the man is incredibly well-dressed for a shopping mall that isn't even that popular. The guy is holding some bags that look like they contain fast food, and Jimin decides it wouldn't hurt to respond to the friendly small talk.

“It reminds me of a friend,” he confesses, smiling.

“Does he like koalas?” he asks again, sounding genuinely interested.

“They’re his niece’s favorite animal, so he’s become a big fan since she told him. He’s also a big fan of bonsai trees, so I thought he could have one in this pot,” Jimin explains.

“That’s adorable,” the man says and seems to think for a few seconds before snapping his fingers and gesturing for Jimin to enter the studio. “I think there’s still a really nice koala statue there. It’s a bit bigger than the pot, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. Do you want to go in and see if I can find it in the back?”

Jimin doesn’t feel like the question was a choice, but rather like the guy was just dragging him into the studio. But he doesn’t really mind wasting a little more time in this place if he can get something nice for Namjoon. He thinks he'll have to reflect later on why he seems like such easy bait for shopkeepers.

He ends up following the man inside and takes a moment to look at all the pieces, which are frankly very beautiful (because Jimin can appreciate art, thank you very much). He's surprised that there are all sorts of things, from sculptures to complete dinnerware sets; everything in this studio seems quite lovely.

There's a pretty good flow of people passing by the shelves, even though it's not a really big shop, so Jimin thinks this shop must be popular. People are carefully examining each piece and then looking down the hallway that leads to another room, probably waiting for something.

Jimin ignores them and just follows the man, who seems to know the studio like the back of his hand.

“I saw it a couple of days ago in the back of the studio, where they hold the pottery classes, but I’m not entirely sure if it’s still available,” the man explains, and as they pass through the register at the side of the aisle, he places the bags of food on the counter.

“Okay, the pieces here are truly impressive.”

“Very beautiful, aren’t they?” The man smiles warmly, his eyes seeming overly excited, which makes Jimin smile involuntarily. “The best part is that they’re all made by the studio owner. He molds and designs every single piece in the shop, so you can be sure that all the designs are completely original.”

“Oh, you’re the owner?” Jimin asks, genuinely interested.

The man just laughs and takes his shoulder, guiding him through the aisle, which Jimin assumes is where the group pottery classes he mentioned are held.

“No, although I’d ​​love to,” he confesses, dragging Jimin across the room. “Jungkook’s the only one with talented hands. He spends most of his time in this room making all sorts of custom pieces and stuff like that,” he points to a corner at the far end of the room. “I prefer to come and visit and watch people get their faces covered in clay in their first class.”

To be brutally honest, Jimin doesn’t have time to think of a kind reply for the man because his mouth immediately goes dry when he sees the impressive man sitting in front of a potter’s wheel, looking quite focused on whatever he’s molding.

The man is wearing gray pants that look rather baggy for someone who appears to be quite large, but it’s his muscular arms that catch Jimin’s eye. He feels it's a crime that someone like him is wearing a tank top tighter than is morally acceptable for the sake of everyone in the room, looking absolutely delicious in Jimin's eyes, who hasn't seen such a beautiful man in a long time.

He doesn't think the friendly salesman noticed his intense interest in the potter, but just in case, he tries to regain his composure and act somewhat disinterested (even though he really can't take his eyes off the guy and tries to steal discreet glances every two seconds).

"Is he the owner?" he asks, turning to point to the man with his hair tied back in a man bun.

"Yes, and although he's quite young, he's very talented, you know?" the man says proudly. "He manages the whole business and teaches people. This is where the pottery classes are held, pretty nice, isn't it?"

“It’s certainly quite beautiful,” Jimin says with all the sincerity he can muster, hoping the man in front of him doesn’t realize he wasn’t referring to the room.

He thanks every god he can think of that the man didn’t seem to hear his comment because he simply gestured for Jimin to follow him and led him to the corner where the handsome potter is standing.

Jimin feels like he’s about to die of embarrassment at being in front of such a beautiful man.

“Hey, do you still have the adorable koala sculpture available?” the man asks after removing the potter’s headphones. “You have a pot on display up front, but I wanted to show my new friend…”

When both men stare intently at Jimin, he understands that the man with the heart-shaped smile wants him to tell him his name.

“Oh, Jimin. Park Jimin,” he says, extending his hand to the potter, just as he does when introducing himself to a new client in his office.

The potter seems amused by Jimin’s formality, but smiles and takes his hand. Jimin nearly faints at the soft yet strong grip; this guy is basically every dream he’s ever had of what his perfect partner should be like.

Is it normal for this room to suddenly feel so hot?

“Sorry, hyung,” Jungkook says, turning in his chair to face his friend. “Jini told me two or three days ago that it had been sold.” Then, taking Jimin completely by surprise, he gets up, grabs a cloth to wipe his hands, and his eyes stare intently at him. (Oh my god, if those eyes weren't the brightest Jimin had ever seen!), he asks directly, "Were you interested in that specific design?"

"Oh, no, not really," Jimin replies quickly, flustered by the handsome eyes staring at him. "I was just here for some art supplies for my best friend, and I saw the flowerpot and thought it was cute, then I bumped into..." He stops abruptly, realizing he's been talking to and following this man around for at least ten minutes and didn't even know his name.

"Hoseok or Hobi, either one is fine," he shrugs with a smile, not seeming the least bit guilty of having dragged Jimin here without even telling him his name.

"Of course, Hoseok," Jimin continues. “But, yeah, I’m not, like, interested in any specific design. I just thought it was really adorable? I wanted to give it to a friend of mine.”

“Thank you,” Jungkook smiles, and if that isn’t the best sight for Jimin’s aching eyes, he doesn’t know what could be. “Well, in that case, the girl at the counter up front can show you a picture of that piece, and if you like it enough, I could make you one just like it,” he offers kindly. “Although you’ll probably have to wait a couple of weeks to get it, I currently have several requests for custom pieces on my waiting list,” he explains, looking a little embarrassed as he tucks a stray strand of hair that falls adorably across his forehead behind his ear.

Adorable.

Beautiful.

Jimin would come back every day if necessary to see this stunning man one more time.

“Or you could also sign up for the group classes,” Hoseok suggests excitedly. “There’s always room for one more student, right, Jungkookie?”

The two men seem to exchange glances that only they understand, because Jungkook frowns, but Hoseok persists with a smile.

“Of course,” Jungkook assures Jimin with a kind smile. “You could attend a couple of group classes, and depending on your progress, I could help you with whichever piece you prefer, koala or not.”

“Oh, I don’t know, I’m not… what you’d consider an artistic person,” Jimin says, because he doesn’t think there’s any way he and a pottery class would be a good match.

“But it’ll be fun!” Hoseok insists, taking Jimin by the shoulders with a little too much confidence. “You should stay for today’s class; it should start in about 15 minutes.”

Jimin thinks Hoseok’s look says something like: you’d better say yes.

Which, frankly, is a little scary.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to ruin your nice clothes for this class,” Jungkook tells him. Hoseok pouts, but nods understandingly. “But if you’re really interested, you can come back next Tuesday. The class is at 5:00 PM. I’ll have a spot reserved for you.” He takes Jimin’s arm and gives him such a kind smile that it completely takes his breath away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get the room ready for the class.” He says goodbye and heads toward the shelves with clay bars and other tools that Jimin assumes are important.

Jimin ends up leaving about 10 minutes later after Hoseok insists he come back for the group class, promising it will be fun and that Jungkook is an excellent teacher.

He promises to think about it and leaves the studio with a contact card, which he puts in his wallet to make sure he doesn’t forget or lose it.

step #2

Jimin didn't go to Tuesday's class.

He really wanted to go to see the stunning man again, but that Tuesday he was stuck all night resolving a work issue caused by a careless mistake from one of the interns in the Finance department. Although he tried to finish everything in time to get to class, things turned out to be more complicated than Jimin had been led to believe.

He had no choice but to stay late until he resolved the issue, which he, of course, managed to do because Jimin is incredibly efficient at his job. However, now he doesn't know how to return to the ceramics studio without looking like a complete idiot who turned down the kind invitation to take a group class.

That's why he makes the (horrible) decision to tell his best friend everything that happened at the studio with Hoseok and Jungkook.

Jimin, of course, doesn't hold back on the details when describing how beautiful Jungkook looked and how much he wants to see him again.

“I think you should just go next Tuesday at 5:00 PM and ask to be in the class,” says Taehyung, from where he’s lazily lying on the sofa in Jimin’s office. “And you should record the class too. I want to see you end up destroying the whole place because you’re drooling over the teacher.” He seems way too excited to see his best friend fail.

Jimin throws him his stress ball, and Taehyung just laughs when the ball lands in the trash can next to the sofa.

“Pottery can’t be that hard.”

“Oh, dude, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Taehyung gets up from the sofa, now more interested. “I was in a pottery workshop once, and I can assure you that at least 60% of everyone there ended up completely messing up the vases they were supposed to make,” he says with a grin. “It was hilarious. I laughed so hard that afternoon, and of course, my vase turned out great,” he says rather smugly.

“I know I can do it,” Jimin assures him.

“If you say so, my little prince,” Taehyung shrugs and sits on Jimin’s desk, who is already tired of telling his best friend that it’s a piece of furniture made of imported wood and shouldn’t be used as a chair. “Did you ask for his number or were you just drooling over him?”

“Don’t be an idiot, please,” he rolls his eyes. “And no, I didn’t.”

“Which one?”

“Neither!” Jimin complains about how annoying Taehyung can be.

“Go to your next class, Jiminie,” Taehyung says, leaning over the desk to gently stroke his hair. “It’ll be good for you to do something other than sit in this boring office all day, you know?”

“I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of him,” Jimin confesses.

“You’re Park Jimin, it would be impossible for you not to be embarrassed in front of someone you find attractive. Remember when we met Namjoon and you almost got run over by his bike just because you were too mesmerized by his thighs in those short shorts?” Taehyung teases, and Jimin feels the urge to sink into his comfortable chair until he disappears off the face of the earth.

“Please, stop,” he begs. “We agreed to forget about that for my own sanity.” Jimin covers his face with his hands to avoid seeing how much Taehyung is laughing.

“Go to class, okay? It’ll be fun!”

“What am I supposed to tell him?” Jimin asks, and Taehyung raises an eyebrow, confused. “To explain why I wasn’t there last Tuesday.”

“Jimin, don’t be a loser, please,” he laughs again. “Just act casual about it. Say you couldn’t make it to the last class because of work, but that you’re really interested in the classes, so you hope your spot is still available,” Taehyung advises wisely, and Jimin tries to mentally take notes on everything his best friend recommends saying.

“I can do it,” he tries to convince himself.

He needs to believe that everything will be alright, or he’ll start overthinking so much that he’ll chicken out and not go to the class.

“Don’t forget that your first completed piece has to be for me, okay?” Taehyung gets down from his desk and kisses him on the cheek goodbye, asking him to let him know if he decides to attend the next pottery class.

The truth is, he doesn't need much to convince himself to go back to the studio; he just needs to remember how incredible Jungkook's arms looked in his tank top and how good they must look while he's molding something on his potter's wheel, to say: Fuck it, how hard can it be?

“I was waiting for you last Tuesday,” Jungkook says immediately after Jimin opens the door to the studio.

That, honestly, took him by surprise.

He blinks, puzzled, a couple of times.

The whole plan Jimin had made to seem casual in front of the potter goes out the window the moment he sees him at the counter looking as incredibly charming as the last time he saw him.

He's speechless for a couple of seconds until Jungkook raises an eyebrow, as if asking him to say something.

“Oh,” is all that comes out of his mouth.

Well done, Park Jimin.

“Did Hoseok scare you too much?” Jungkook asks with a small smile, seemingly doing something at the counter with a computer in front of him. “He usually gets excited thinking everyone will like playing with the pottery.”

“No, no, Hoseok was very kind,” Jimin feels the need to say because, in reality, Hoseok was very kind to him. “It’s just that I got stuck at work that day, and then I didn’t know when the next class would be, so I decided it would be best to wait until today,” he explains, approaching Jungkook.

“Well, I feel a little sad to have to tell you that there won’t be class today,” Jungkook says, looking a bit embarrassed as he scratches the back of his neck. “I have a rather urgent commitment to make, so I let you know last week that there wouldn’t be class today,” he explains in that kind tone that makes Jimin’s skin crawl.

“Oh,” he says, thinking the disappointment in his voice is quite noticeable.

“But you can come to Thursday’s class, same time,” Jungkook offers. “Unless you’re busy that day.”

“Thursday should be fine,” Jimin says, feeling so nervous he doesn’t know how to escape Jungkook’s gaze.

He definitely hadn’t considered how much being in front of the man without Hoseok’s presence would affect him.

Will he be able to survive a whole class?

“Good,” Jungkook smiles easily. “I’ll save your spot in class. Again,” he jokes.

“Sorry,” Jimin rushes to say, not quite sure why.

Jungkook just shakes his head with a smile. Jimin interprets the gesture as telling him not to worry, but he’s completely worried.

“Can I give you a recommendation for the next class?” Jungkook asks, leaving the counter area with a rather large backpack slung over his shoulder.

“Yes, of course,” he nods.

“You’ll need a spare shirt for the class, maybe an old T-shirt you’re not too attached to,” Jungkook says, gesturing to the clothes Jimin is wearing. “Most people end up covered in clay in their first class, and it’s kind of sad when they ruin their favorite clothes. We wouldn’t want that to happen to yours, would we?” Jungkook playfully tapped Jimin on the shoulder.

Now that they were face to face, Jimin felt like he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the potter’s handsome face, but at the same time, he was dying of embarrassment at having him so close.

“I’ll make sure to bring clay-proof clothes,” Jimin said because he couldn’t think of anything better.

Jungkook just smiled and nodded.

“I have to go, but I hope we can see each other on Thursday,”

“I’ll be here,” Jimin promises. It’s such a silly thing to say, but it almost feels like he’s accepting a date with Jungkook. “Sorry, I forgot to ask about the cost of the classes and materials. Should I bring anything? Besides extra clothes, of course,” he congratulates himself for not forgetting to ask something so important.

“The first class is free, materials included.”

“And the following ones?”

“I wouldn’t be so excited if I were you. You have to survive your first class first, right?” Jungkook smiles, and Jimin still thinks it’s the cutest thing he’s ever seen.

He stays standing there even after Jungkook leaves the studio and waves goodbye.

It's a little embarrassing when the store employee (who Jimin isn't sure if she was there the whole time and just didn't notice) asks him if she can help him with anything, and all he can do is say no and quickly walk away, very embarrassed by his little interaction with Jungkook.

Honestly, Jimin doesn't think he's fully appreciated how incredibly handsome Jungkook is, because there's no way he could have imagined that being in a class with him dressed in a tank top, an apron, and tight jeans wouldn't affect him as much as it is right now.

The workshop smells of damp clay, and there are many murmurs of people excited to start the pottery class. Jimin is excited too; to be honest, it's the first time he's done anything like this, and with so many people there, he doesn't think it can be that bad.

There are about fifteen people gathered around different tables, patiently waiting for Jungkook to finish bringing a couple of tools from the storage room so they can start the class.

Jimin arrived a little late, so he didn't have time to talk to Jungkook before the class started. In fact, when he arrived, the girl at the counter, Jini, as he now knows, told him he could take the available seat and to hurry because class was about to start in a few minutes.

When Jungkook saw him, he just smiled politely, but they didn't interact beyond that. He was probably more preoccupied with making sure he had everything ready for class.

He sat on the bench in front of the wheel and rolled up his shirt sleeves to avoid getting it dirty, even though he figured the apron Jini gave him should be enough. This morning he forgot to take the spare shirt Jungkook suggested on Tuesday, so he hoped the idea of ​​ending up covered in clay in his first class was just a myth because Jimin really liked this blue shirt.

"Good," Jungkook said, walking to the front of the group in a spotless apron that somehow made him look even more handsome. “I know some of you are already quite advanced with the art of pottery, but since we have some new students and some beginners,” Jimin notices the small smile Jungkook gives him when he speaks, which makes him blush completely. “Today we’ll be working with basic shapes, okay? I’ll make sure to pay close attention to the beginners, but if any of you need help, you can call me.”

Jimin is still surprised by how kind and pleasant Jungkook always seems, and it’s a little surprising to see that it becomes even more noticeable when he’s in front of his group of students.

He doesn’t think he’ll be able to survive this class. Not with Jungkook looking so delicious while speaking in that tone of voice.

He tries to focus. He really tries to follow every instruction Jungkook gives when he explains how to use the wheel in front of him and how to adjust the speed.

He’s trying to focus.

But Jungkook has his hair tied back and is speaking in a very soft voice, and that sight should be illegal in any public space because Jimin's heart can't bear any of this.

Coming to this class was a very bad idea.

Jimin stops listening, missing at least three instructions he's sure are quite important.

The girl next to him even has to help him remember how to spin the wheel, and Jimin is sincerely grateful because he would have buried himself alive if he'd had to ask Jungkook how to do what he was supposed to have heard two minutes ago.

God, Jimin seriously needs to start listening.

But Jungkook is so damn handsome and so kind that it's making it impossible for him to concentrate.

He's so focused on staring at Jungkook's arms that he doesn't even realize how long he's been kneading his clay and doesn't hear Jungkook's instruction to form it into a ball and place it in the center of the wheel.

"Jimin-ssi," Jungkook's soft voice says close to him.

Too close.

And that's when Jimin realizes Jungkook is standing right in front of him, waving his hand to get his attention.

"Hmm?" He almost jumps when he notices Jungkook looking at him, somewhat confused.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks, this time looking closer, not wanting to draw the attention of the other students.

Jimin glances around and sees that everyone is already focused on spinning their potter's wheels and trying to tame the clay. He notices that he's the only one who doesn't yet have his clay in the center of the wheel.

“I'm fine, really,” Jimin assures him, but he doesn't think he sounds very convincing. “Super, super focused,” he promises with a smile.

He's not focused. In fact, he's just one more look from Jungkook from fainting.

Jungkook presses his lips together with a discreet smile.

“I'm glad to hear that,” he says, looking quite amused by Jimin's reaction. “Is it okay if you put your clay in the center and then turn on the potter's wheel at a low speed? I know you were super focused, but please don't forget to wet your hands and moisten the clay a little more,” Jungkook says.

Jimin recognizes a hint of mockery when he hears it and now knows that Jungkook knows he wasn't paying attention, which is why he had to summarize his entire explanation.

Oh, God, he's not going to survive this, is he?

"I know," Jimin lies, with the posture of a cat that's just been caught. "I was just... taking my time," he tries to convince him.

Jungkook just raises an eyebrow and says, "I know," teasing him with a charming smile that makes Jimin's stomach flutter.

He glances once more at the rest of the group and sees that everyone is already spinning the wheels, hands wet, clay centered, movements serene. He sees a few laughs from some people, more focused glances from those who seem more experienced, and some people struggling a bit with the clay.

Overall, he doesn't think there's that much of a problem with handling clay. Maybe people just like to exaggerate.

Jungkook also seems to be a very attentive teacher to his students, as he walks around with a focused gaze and offers a few comments to help those who are having difficulties, sometimes even approaching them and helping them improve their posture.

It's not so bad.

He can do it, it's not that difficult.

It's just a wheel and a ball of clay.

Jungkook is very handsome, kind, and a good pottery teacher. He's in good hands. Jimin now thinks about holding his hands again, his soft hands with their nimble fingers that…

No. He needs to concentrate.

Jimin takes a deep breath and places the clay in the center, making sure it's firmly attached as Jungkook mentioned at the beginning of his explanation.

Nothing catastrophic happens, and that makes him smile.

"Jaehyun-ssi, it's better if you keep your elbows close to your body," he hears Jungkook say to the boy about four wheels away, moving closer to help him improve his posture. "It will help you stabilize your hands and prevent the clay from wobbling. Good, like that. Well done."

As the wheel starts to spin, Jimin tries to steady his hands.

The wheel picks up speed a little, and he doesn't think this is the slow speed Jungkook had suggested; it's going quite fast for his liking.

The clay starts to wobble, and Jimin realizes he might not have attached it completely to the wheel. He tries to hold it in his hands, but that doesn't do much to slow the clay down.

"Jimin-ssi, you need to slow down," Jungkook says as soon as he notices the wheel is spinning faster than it should.

Jungkook walks quickly to help him, but it's too late because the clay flies off the wheel.

Literally.

It's amazing because despite the speed at which the wheel continues to spin, the clay almost seems to fly in slow motion.

It crashes to the ground like a wet meteor.

A small piece of hard clay even hits the apron of the girl next to him, who just laughs. Jimin is glad that at least someone is laughing because the rest of the class doesn't seem very amused.

Jimin stops breathing, nervous about attracting the attention of the sixteen people in the room.

Jimin glances at the girl's apron, now slightly soiled with wet clay, and immediately apologizes.

"Don't worry, Jimin-ssi," says Jungkook, who is always so kind, quickly moving over to stop the wheel and prevent further accidents. "It happens sometimes," he assures her, but he doesn't seem entirely convinced by his own words.

"Really?" the girl asks, laughing a little.

"Well... not all the time," Jungkook admits, biting his lip as he looks at Jimin, as if apologizing for not being able to defend his honor. "But it's part of the process."

Jimin wants to run out of the room or be absorbed by the earth or even turn into clay. Anything to avoid this humiliation any longer.

"I'm so sorry," Jimin tells the girl. “Don’t worry, oppa,” she replies with a kind smile. “Although I would have liked to record it to show my friends,” she teases cheekily.

Jimin is going to cry.

Fortunately, Jungkook manages to get everyone's attention and refocus the class on their work. Jimin remains motionless, unsure of what to do without causing another accident. He thinks that if he stays still long enough, perhaps everyone will forget he's even in the room.

Jungkook approaches Jimin with a kind smile, holding the ball of clay he had already kneaded during his explanation.

Now that he thinks about it, that ball of clay had been the culprit behind all of this. If he hadn't been so focused on watching Jungkook's very muscular, bare arms tense as he kneaded the clay, perhaps he would have been able to pay attention to the class explanation.

"Are you okay?" he asks, leaning back on the table. His voice is low and soft, almost as if he doesn't want the others to hear.

"I'm fine," Jimin admits, matching the teacher's low voice. "You should ask the clay," he tries to joke, and it seems to work because Jungkook laughs.

It's so cute that Jimin wants to die now that he's seen him wrinkle his nose like a bunny.

"Can you try it this time? I'll stay close to help you fix your clay."

"I want to, but I don't want to cause another mess," Jimin admits.

"You didn't make a mess," Jungkook assures him, placing the ball of clay in the center of the wheel and tapping it against the surface, which is... distracting for Jimin, especially with how close he is. "You were just a bit too enthusiastic for someone on their first day of class who missed half the essential explanation."

"That's an insult disguised as a friendly comment," Jimin frowns.

“No. It’s a compliment,” Jungkook leans in slightly, speaking closer to his face. “It’s better to try and see what happens than just stand there watching, don’t you think?” Worst of all, he winks and walks away with a devastatingly flirtatious smile.

Oh, no.

This man is going to kill him before class is over, especially since every word he says sends a shiver down his spine.

“Let’s try it again. Slowly this time, okay?”

Jimin nods. This time he fully intends to concentrate completely on getting this right. He can’t embarrass himself again.

But any intention of focusing on shaping the clay vanishes when Jungkook takes his hands and positions them on the clay, instructing him to restart the wheel and making sure to explain how to adjust the speed.

Jimin ceases to exist the second Jungkook manipulates his fingers with such delicacy.

Many impure thoughts race through Jimin's mind at that moment.

"Like this," Jungkook guides him in his calm voice, gently handling his fingers. "Press here, Jimin-ssi. No, slowly. Without fear. Exactly, like this, firmly." The words sound gentle coming from Jungkook's mouth, but Jimin can't help but think of another situation where the potter might be saying those same words.

He feels dizzy and is completely certain that he's not learning anything other than the exact temperature of Jungkook's hands.

"Your hands are trembling, and that's making the clay keep wobbling," Jungkook murmurs.

"I'm trying," Jimin defends himself, indignant.

The foolish clay continues to move as if it wants to escape Jimin's hands.

"Oh?" Jungkook smiles mockingly, even raising an eyebrow, like someone who knows the truth perfectly well.

Jimin is overwhelmed by Jungkook's audacity, but secretly (or maybe not so secretly) it excites him to the max.

"I think your clay is spoiled," Jimin says, and the clay seems offended because it vibrates again, startling Jimin once more. This makes him push harder than necessary, and a piece of clay ends up falling directly onto one of his sleeves, staining his favorite shirt.

Jungkook starts laughing and isn't at all discreet about it.

"Maybe," he says, gently wiping Jimin's shirt with his thumb.

Jimin doesn't know what possesses him at that moment, but he becomes brave enough to gently punch him in the arm, which makes Jungkook laugh again. He hands him a rag from his apron so he can finish cleaning up.

“You’re doing well,” Jungkook says kindly. “Really. You just need to relax a little, okay? I’ll go help the others before there are any more accidents, but scream if the clay attacks you again.”

Jimin learns that Jungkook’s smile is kind, even though his words are teasing.

He takes a deep breath and tries to concentrate once more.

He tries again and realizes that, when he’s not staring at Jungkook like a lovesick fool, rolling the clay is actually quite fun. The girl next to him even gives him some tips on keeping his clay still, and Jimin feels that, without Jungkook’s muscular arms in front of him, he might actually get pretty good at this.

“Well done, Jimin-ssi. Keep it up,” Jungkook calls from the other side of the room, where he’s helping a girl finish shaping the vase she’s making.

His concentration almost shatters when he hears Jungkook call his name and realizes he's been watching him, but he forces himself to focus and manages to keep his clay steady.

Jungkook steps in front of the beginners and encourages them to try building up the height of their clay, but most end up ruining it (including Jimin), and Jungkook promises they'll get it right in the next class.

When the class ends, even though his cylinder looks more like a depressed potato than a piece of pottery, Jimin is happy.

Embarrassed, of course. But happy.

He tries to be somewhat discreet about how slowly he takes off his apron and cleans his wheel, which seems to be the most disastrous of all the others in the room, but he thinks he's not being subtle enough when Jungkook approaches at the end, after everyone has left.

"Not too bad for your first time, huh?" Jungkook says, still wearing his kind smile, as he unties his apron and places it on his table in the center of the room.

“I couldn’t even make it look like a bowl. That should be the easiest thing to do, right?” Jimin complains, on the verge of pouting.

“You survived the class, and I think you had fun. That’s what matters.”

Jimin looks at him with a mixture of disbelief and affection. This man is something else. If he keeps this up, he’ll have Jimin eating out of the palm of his hand any minute now.

“Are you going to tell all your students that?” Jimin jokes.

“Of course,” Jungkook replies easily. “I’m a great teacher.”

Jimin decides he should run before he does something stupid like offering his heart to be broken, so he quickly says goodbye to Jungkook, promising to come to the next class on Tuesday.

Jungkook smiles at him before leaving, and, God, Jimin knows he’s doomed.

Completely doomed, but he doesn’t care in the slightest.

step #3

Jimin arrives at the studio fifteen minutes before class starts, and, being someone who's always late to absolutely everything, he thinks that's enough to show how much he wanted Tuesday to arrive as soon as possible.

He's been anxious all weekend and even researched the correct postures for working with clay. And that's not because he wants to impress Jungkook, of course not.

No.

Obviously not.

Maybe just a little, but it doesn't matter.

Jimin is excited and totally committed to this class; he'll do better and get a smile on Jungkook's face for how well he's going to work today, and then Jungkook will ask him out, and they'll kiss a lot, and Jimin will be able to admire those arms up close, and…

He needs to calm down.

When he enters the room after greeting Jini before going into the hallway, Jungkook is already adjusting all the wheels and checking that everything is in place.

He's so glad to be the first one to arrive in class because it allows him to observe Jungkook more closely.

Today, his hair is tied back again, but this time he's let a few strands fall over his forehead. He's wearing a black apron and jeans with dried clay in some places. He has a black shirt on, and Jimin would almost cry because he's not wearing his tank top, if it weren't for the fact that it fits him deliciously snugly and accentuates his biceps in a way that only Greek sculptures could match.

Jimin feels his soul ascending without permission. He's in heaven.

“You’re early, Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook casually remarks, without turning around, almost as if he sensed him coming in. “First to arrive and last to leave, are you that kind of person?”

“Would it be so wrong if I said only on certain occasions?” Jimin replies, trying to sound as casual as possible. “I enjoyed last class, so I was excited to come back.”

That seems to be a good answer because it finally makes Jungkook look at him and smile.

“I’m so glad to hear that. I hope your clay isn’t spoiled today,” Jungkook jokes as he playfully tosses an apron to Jimin.

Jimin puts on his apron somewhat awkwardly and is completely taken aback when Jungkook reaches out to help him tie it. His hands brush against Jimin’s back, and Jimin could swear the touch was deliberate.

Jungkook is driving him crazy.

Especially since Jungkook does it without asking, without even offering. He simply places his hands on Jimin's back and pulls the straps to tighten them.

Jimin stops breathing. Again.

"Good?" Jungkook asks.

Jimin just nods because he doesn't think the words can leave his mouth without saying something that will completely embarrass him.

"It's still your first week, technically," Jungkook says, still behind him, as he finishes tying the knot. Jimin doesn't know why it's taking him so long. "I think you still need some help, but you can improve if you put your mind to it."

"I know."

"You want to improve, right?" Jungkook asks in that soft, honeyed tone of voice that gives Jimin goosebumps.

"I do."

"Then I hope you can concentrate on keeping the clay in place today," Jungkook says, chuckling softly as he walks away to greet the other students Jimin hadn't noticed putting on their aprons while he and Jungkook were talking.

Jimin is about to sit in the same wheel he sat in last class, excited.

“I hope you don’t end up covered in clay today,” says the girl who helped him keep the clay from wobbling.

“I’m not promising anything,” Jimin smiles at her.

At that moment, Jungkook goes around to each student, placing a fresh piece of clay on their wheels and asking them to start kneading and moistening it.

“I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Jimin-ssi. I’ll try to keep you from ruining another shirt,” Jungkook winks at him.

Maybe this whole heart-stopping thing in Jungkook’s class is becoming a habit.

Jimin is completely convinced the clay has something against him.

He's followed every instruction more carefully: keeping his elbows close to his torso, his thumbs connected, and his hands steady. Overall, he's been more focused throughout the entire class.

And, very importantly, he's only glanced at Jungkook's arms five times (a personal record worthy of a big celebration), yet his clay still keeps slipping off his wheel despite multiple attempts to keep it centered.

If it doesn't fly all over his clothes, it ends up completely destroyed.

The clay seems to have a personal agenda against him.

"You need to relax your shoulders," Jungkook says from behind him. "And keep your hands steady; it's important for the clay to stay centered."

Jimin follows the instruction and presses in slightly, but the clay vibrates anyway.

Then it trembles, even when Jimin lets go so as not to anger it further. Finally, the clay leaps up as if fleeing as far away from Jimin as possible.

The wet ball ends up falling into the water tray to Jimin's left, causing water to spill onto the floor and onto Jimin's pants.

The other students in the room no longer even pay attention to his mishaps. Jimin figures that after three accidents in the same day, laughing at the clumsiest student in the class has lost its appeal.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

He counts to three to relax.

It doesn't work, so he counts to five.

"I think I'm a bad teacher," Jungkook observes him with his arms crossed, wearing that expression that's half strict teacher, half man who's thoroughly enjoying watching someone tremble, almost on the verge of laughter. "I'm seriously considering giving you a discount for all the clay on your clothes."

"I'm considering suing your clay for moral and psychological damages," Jimin complains, scandalized. "I don't understand why it jumps every time I try to mold it."

Jungkook suppresses a smile and shakes his head.

"The clay didn't jump, Jimin-ssi. You didn't center it properly."

"I did!"

"Your hands were shaking."

"That's not true," Jimin grumbles.

Jungkook continues to laugh mercilessly.

"If you say so."

“You’re unbearable.”

“Thanks,” Jungkook replies with a playful smile. “Now try with another ball of clay, okay? You can still do it.”

Jimin sighs dramatically, wipes his hands with his rag, and picks up another damn ball.

He spins the wheel and places the clay in the center, wets his hands, takes a breath, and focuses.

Good. This has to work.

He’s watched videos, read articles, and, most of all, observed Jungkook (more than necessary). He can do this.

“Press from the outside,” Jungkook instructs gently. “Keep your left hand steady. Don’t lift it too quickly.”

Jimin obeys, and the clay, finally, begins to center.

He's thrilled by his small accomplishment, but it causes his middle finger to slip a micro-millimeter further than it should. It barely moves, such a tiny movement that it shouldn't even matter.

But it matters. A lot.

The piece begins to deform like a leaning tower of Pisa made of wet mud and collapses, opening like a forlorn flower before dramatically scattering onto the wheel.

Jimin stares at his mess in horror, turning to face Jungkook.

"Oh, your first structural collapse," Jungkook says, very calmly. Almost as if he's proud. "I like to call it an abstract artistic interpretation."

"Jungkook, I don't mean to sound paranoid, but this feels really personal," Jimin complains.

Jungkook shakes his head, his characteristic smile plastered on his face.

“You were opening it too fast. When you open the center, you need to control the pressure so the walls don’t lose support,” Jungkook advises, moving his hands distractingly because Jimin can only focus on how his arms are tensing.

He doesn’t understand why Jungkook is talking about walls now.

“This looks like sad oatmeal,” Jimin says, holding his arms out at the mess.

Jungkook laughs again, but puts a new ball of clay on the wheel and urges him to try again.

“Again?” Jimin asks tragically.

“Of course,” Jungkook says. “You came here to learn how to make ceramic pieces, and that’s what you should be doing.”

Jungkook takes a step back from where he’s standing, glancing at the rest of the class, who seem perfectly fine without the teacher’s help. Occasionally, someone asks a question or asks for help, but today, for the most part, Jungkook has been keeping a close eye on Jimin.

So he has no choice but to take the new ball of clay and position it to begin centering it.

It takes a little time and a lot of work; Jungkook even has to give him advice here and there while he's getting the clay to stay centered, but Jimin manages it.

Finally, his hands are steady and the clay stabilizes.

Jungkook watches him with his arms crossed, but nods several times, proud.

“Very good,” he says softly, trying not to get too close so as not to distract Jimin, keeping a safe distance. “Open the center, please. Slowly,” he instructs, mimicking the movement Jimin should make with his hands in the air.

He inserts his thumbs as the wheel spins, gently.

The center begins to open, and Jimin thinks he's finally getting it, but it's at that moment that his right thumb slips in, and the clay begins to stretch like chewing gum.

Jungkook tries to intervene to rescue Jimin, but the clay gives a fatal pull and ends up slipping off the wheel once again, landing on his apron.

Jungkook blinks, glancing down at his apron, which is almost always spotless when he's teaching.

Jimin thinks Jungkook won't take long to kick him out of his studio, but he's surprised when, with an unexpected gentleness, Jungkook tucks a few strands of hair behind his ear.

"That wasn't so bad," Jungkook says with a calm smile. "You'll get it next time. We're in no hurry."

Jimin is getting better at this pottery thing… or at least he’s trying.

He’s been more committed to the classes than anything else in his life, which is why he’s a little frustrated at being the only one in the class who hasn’t been able to make a single piece that’s even remotely decent.

In today’s class, Jimin tries to open the piece on the wheel, and the shape is… well, recognizable. Mostly.

Jimin is also surprised by how much Jungkook has been helping him improve, always keeping an eye on him, giving him feedback here and there to refine his technique.

Today, for example, Jungkook stands behind him to guide his hands. Literally behind him.

His hands on top of Jimin’s.

His arms framing Jimin’s.

His chest is barely touching Jimin's back as he leans closer.

"Good, Jimin-ssi," Jungkook murmurs, always so gentle. "Press from here, like this."

Jimin tries, but he can't hear anything anymore. Absolutely nothing.

He's so lost in the sensation of Jungkook behind him that he only feels the warmth on his back and Jungkook's large hands on top of his. He thinks that if he leans a little closer to Jungkook's chest, he'll be able to feel his breath against his neck.

Jimin wonders if…

"No, don't press so hard," Jungkook corrects him, pulling him from his dangerous thoughts. "He needs to breathe."

"The clay?" Jimin asks, swallowing hard.

Jungkook smiles and finally moves away from Jimin, wiping his fingers with the rag he always carries in his apron pocket.

"Mmh," he murmurs. "Though you should breathe too."

“I’m breathing.”

“Are you sure?” Jungkook asks, lowering his voice slightly as he walks away after winking.

Jimin is dead. He’s dead.

Completely dead.

Someone should call 911 because he doesn’t know how he’ll ever look Jungkook in the face after this.

After his sixth class, Jimin gets the only piece of pottery left… surprisingly decent for something he made himself.

It’s not beautiful or anything professional, but it’s the most decent thing he’s managed since he started attending these pottery classes.

He’s really surprised to see Jungkook seem genuinely proud when Jimin shows it to him.

“See?” Jungkook says, holding the piece extremely carefully. “You’re so close to getting it.”

“I’m going to take your word for it,” Jimin smiles, shy but happy.

After Jungkook places it with the other pieces he needs to take to the kiln, he turns and looks Jimin in the eyes again.

“I’m really glad you’re enjoying it,” Jungkook tilts his head, smiling in a way that’s almost too genuine.

Jimin doesn’t think Jungkook is the type of person who lies easily, but there’s something about the way his eyes sparkle that makes him believe that when he says something, he means it completely.

“How did you know I was?” Jimin asks, curious. “I think half the time I must have looked like I was wrestling with clay,” he scratches the back of his neck, laughing a little nervously.

“Because you kept coming, of course,” Jungkook says casually, as if stealing Jimin’s breath is one of his favorite pastimes.

Jimin looks down at the floor, a smile spreading across his face. He feels light.

“See you next week, Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook says.

He doesn’t think Jungkook understands how much he can’t wait for Tuesday just to see him again, so he just shrugs and nods.

“Yeah,” Jimin says. “See you.”

Jungkook lingers for a moment longer, almost as if he’s unsure of what to say next, so Jimin simply grabs his bag and turns to leave.

“Oh, and Jimin…” Jungkook stops him.

Jimin looks up, waiting.

“You were more focused today,” Jungkook admits, and then Jimin senses what’s coming just from seeing the devilish grin spread across his face. “Maybe it really helps when you don’t spend the whole class staring at me,” he grins.

Jungkook laughs as Jimin flees the studio as if it were on fire.

On Tuesday, when Jimin arrives at the ceramics studio, he finds Hoseok at the counter.

Jimin is thrilled to see him again; he hadn't seen him since they first met. He smiles as soon as he realizes Hoseok sees him come in.

Hoseok just crosses his arms and smiles like a seasoned criminal. Jimin immediately panics, already looking for Jini or Jungkook to rescue him, but he can't find either of them nearby.

"Well, well," Hoseok says from behind the counter. "If it isn't the studio's favorite disaster."

"Please, no," Jimin begs for mercy, but Hoseok doesn't seem fazed.

"How are your classes going, huh?" Hoseok rests his chin on his hands, looking like pure venom, but in a gentle way. "I heard you love destroying the place."

"No, no, of course not," Jimin says, trying to explain. "I... am I getting better?"

Hoseok's eyes widen, but the mocking smile still graces his face.

"Oh, so now you only destroy half the studio?"

"I liked you better before."

It seems everyone in this studio loves teasing him because Hoseok is smiling, completely ecstatic.

"I wouldn't have to tease you if Jungkook hadn't spent a whole hour talking about you," Hoseok says in a way that makes him seem completely disinterested, but Jimin doesn't miss the way his fingers play on the counter, as if he's waiting for Jimin to take the bait.

"He's talking about me?" Jimin asks carefully, trying to sound casual.

Hoseok glances down the hallway, as if hoping no one is coming out, then leans closer to Jimin's face and lowers his voice as he speaks.

"He said, and I quote, 'Jimin is improving a lot. He's very dedicated. It's nice to see him focused,'" Jimin's mouth drops open in complete surprise. “And then,” Hoseok continued, savoring each word. “He added, ‘though he still gets distracted when I’m too close.’”

Shocked by his words, Jimin almost banged his head on the counter.

“Oh my god, stop, please.”

“But I’m not finished yet!” Hoseok pouted.

“I don’t want to hear anything else!”

“I don’t care because then he said,” Hoseok continued relentlessly, ignoring his words. “‘Jimin is adorable.’”

Jimin needed to sit down.

“I’m going to disintegrate. Just call 911 and say I died of my own free will.”

Hoseok patted him on the shoulder, but continued to tease him even as Jungkook walked out into the hall to tell him that class was about to start.

Jimin sighed and walked over to his wheel.

And then, slowly, as he walks behind Jungkook, who gives him a kind smile when he sees him, he realizes that he is smiling too.

step #4

After all the pottery classes he's taken these past few weeks, Jimin is convinced there are two types of people in the world:

Those born with a talent for anything artistic.

Those who can't even draw a circle without it looking like a potato.

Guess which category he falls into.

Although, to be perfectly fair to himself, it's not entirely his fault. He came here with the best of intentions: to learn a little pottery, maybe discover if he has a hidden talent he didn't know he had, and, of course, silently drool while Jungkook explained how all this pottery stuff works.

Jimin would be completely happy if he could do the latter more often and without getting caught.

But now that the potter's wheel is in front of him, turning with an excessively threatening smoothness, Jimin is starting to reconsider all his life choices once again.

"Remember to breathe, Jimin-ssi," Jungkook says with a calmness that Jimin finds personally offensive. "You've done it before, you know clay isn't dangerous if you don't struggle with it."

“I never struggle with it, clay struggles with me,” Jimin complains petulantly, staring at the lump of clay as if it were about to transform into a monster.

Jungkook lets out a soft laugh, one that makes Jimin’s skin prickle, which, frankly, is unfair.

With how many times he’s seen Jungkook, Jimin should be completely used to the effect he has on him by now, but that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon.

“Maybe that’s because you treat her like you hate her.”

“I don’t hate anyone,” Jimin mutters, trying to smooth the surface of the clay with dignity. Then he hesitates. “Maybe a little bit of Taehyung when he sits on my desk, but he’s my best friend, so that doesn’t count, right?”

“It doesn’t count, don’t worry,” Jungkook’s smile is small, but devastating. “Ready?”

No, of course Jimin isn’t ready. He hasn't been ready since seeing how beautiful Jungkook is, but he nods anyway because he has no other choice.

“Put your hands here,” Jungkook positions himself behind him and takes Jimin's wrists with a certainty that should come with a warning sign for his poor, pathetic heart. Jimin is completely convinced that Jungkook can feel every single muscle in his body tensing, but he's sure he doesn't care much. “Relax your fingers,” he murmurs. “You're squeezing like I'm going to pull clay off you,” he laughs.

“Well,” Jimin swallows, “it's my first time, you have to be more patient with me.”

Jungkook stops.

It takes Jimin a moment to fire up all the neurons in his brain to understand the implication he just made, and he wants to bang his head against the wheel when he realizes what he said.

“In ceramics,” he rushes to add, panicking.

Jungkook seems a little tense, but then he laughs, as if he finds it adorable instead of ridiculous, which makes everything a thousand times worse for Jimin.

"Great," is all Jungkook says.

Jimin tenses up again when he feels Jungkook's hands guiding his once more, his breath catching in his throat.

"Like this?" Jimin asks, though his voice comes out a little cracked.

“Yes, very good,” Jungkook lowers his head a little more until it almost touches Jimin’s temple. “You’re doing well, Jimin-ssi, just don’t squeeze too hard. Let the wheel do the work.”

Jimin tries to follow the instructions one by one, but it’s difficult when his nervous system is too preoccupied with the incredibly hot man standing so close to him.

So the inevitable happens.

The wheel picks up speed, and Jimin doesn’t know if it was him, if he touched something, if the clay hates him, or if the universe simply enjoys torturing him, but the lump of clay rises like a crooked tower, wobbles, and before Jimin can react… it tips to the side, splashing water directly onto his shirt, his face, and possibly his entire dignity.

Jimin freezes.

Jungkook blinks a few times and then, like the charming traitor he is, starts laughing again.

“I’m going to quit,” Jimin says, bringing a hand to his face, completely embarrassed.

“You can’t quit,” Jungkook says, there’s something warm in his voice. “You’re the funniest thing in class.”

“I’m glad at least I can be entertaining,” Jimin says, taking Jungkook’s rag to wipe the water off his clothes.

“I mean it,” Jungkook says, pressing a clay-covered finger to Jimin’s cheek, wiping it off a little. “I’m impressed, to be honest.”

“By my ability to destroy things?”

“And by your commitment,” Jungkook shrugs. “Most people would have quit after the first class.”

“Was it that bad?” Jimin frowns.

Jungkook looks directly at him and shakes his head gently.

That should be completely illegal, considering all the things he’s doing to his heart.

“I’m going to… uh… wash my hands,” Jimin says, already getting up from his seat, because he needs to get away before he does something stupid like fall again or tell Jungkook he smells delicious.

“Go, I’ll wait.”

When Jimin turns toward the small sink, his reflection stares back: disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, a stained shirt, sparkling eyes.

Jimin recognizes that look better than anyone because it's not something he sees often on his own face; it looks like someone who's head over heels in love and doesn't know what to do about it.

Perfect. Exactly what he needed.

Through the mirror's reflection, Jimin can see Jungkook smiling as if he's just won something or as if he knows exactly what effect he has on him.

That terrifies him.

Today Jungkook's hair is a little messy, he's wearing a dark apron stained with clay and a tank top that seems to have made a devilish pact to strategically display every muscle on his body.

That's great.

It means today will be hell, too.

When Jungkook looks up, he smiles. It's a calm smile. Soft. Intimate.

It's the kind of smile that does a lot to Jimin's heart.

"Are you arriving earlier than usual today?"

"Uh… yeah. There was hardly any traffic today," Jimin feels his soul stumble as he answers.

It's a lie. He'd actually driven at thirty miles per hour so as not to arrive too early like a stalker.

"I'm glad," Jungkook says, wiping his hands with a towel. He'd been working on his own wheel when Jimin entered the room. "Then we should make the most of our free time."

Jimin's brain comes up with twenty possible answers, nineteen of which are completely inappropriate to say in the studio… or in front of an audience.

“What do you have in mind?” he asks, trying to sound casual, but his voice comes out a little more shaky than he intended.

“I can teach you how to work on your center,” Jungkook says, approaching and dragging a chair with one hand. “The clay will never obey you any other way.”

Jungkook walks past him, and for a split second, Jimin’s shoulder brushes against the other’s bare arm. It was just a second, a minimal touch that was enough to freeze Jimin, as if his body were an antenna picking up every molecule of Jungkook.

Jungkook, though he most likely felt it, says nothing, acting completely calm.

Jimin thinks it’s obvious that Jungkook wouldn’t say anything; of the two, he’s the only functioning adult.

“Come on,” he calls, urging him to sit on his personal wheel—not the one Jimin uses in class, but the wheel that’s only Jungkook’s. “I’d like you to try it again.”

Jimin sits facing the wheel and takes a deep breath. He forces himself to concentrate, he has to, whether it's on the clay, the wheel, or anything except how good Jungkook smells and his distracting arms.

“Put your hands here, Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook says, pointing at the spinning clay.

Jimin, of course, obeys.

A shiver runs down his spine because the clay is cold and Jungkook's hands are very, very warm.

“I'll guide you this time,” Jungkook tells him before placing his hands on top of his, slowly, as if gauging each reaction. When he realizes Jimin is finally relaxing, he begins to guide his hands gently. “Press a little with your thumbs, but not too much because my hands are already putting more pressure on the clay.”

“Like this?” Jimin asks softly.

Jungkook tilts his head to the side, examines the movement, and then moves his body closer to Jimin's. He's too close.

He's always too close.

“No, a little more, don’t be afraid, you won’t hurt the clay,” his voice is low, almost a whisper.

Jimin doesn’t have to concentrate to feel Jungkook’s breath on his cheek.

He’s dying slowly; this is pure torture for his fragile, pathetic heart.

He tries to concentrate, but Jungkook is really complicating things when he murmurs right next to his ear, with a proud smile, “That’s it, you’re starting to find it, aren’t you?”

“The center?” Jimin asks, avoiding turning to look at Jungkook because then their eyes would be only centimeters apart and Jimin might do something stupid like kiss him.

Or tell him he loves him.

“No, your rhythm.”

Jimin is sure that if Jungkook keeps saying things like that, in that tone of voice, he’s going to have a nervous breakdown.

That’s when the clay starts to take shape, a pretty decent one, almost real. He’s excited to be close to finally getting it right.

“It’s working, isn’t it?” he asks, surprised.

“Totally,” Jungkook lightly squeezes his hands.

“I’m a mess,” Jimin laughs involuntarily.

“Maybe,” Jungkook says calmly, without mockery, as if it were something he finds endearing.

Jimin tries not to look away, but Jungkook is too close, and when their eyes meet, the whole room feels smaller.

Warmer and more dangerous.

“Jungkook?” Jimin asks, feeling like if he doesn’t say something, he’s going to explode into a million pieces.

He needs to distract himself.

“Mmh,” he murmurs, still guiding his hands, without breaking eye contact.

“Are you always a good teacher?”

“Do you think so?” Jungkook raises an eyebrow.

Jimin dies every time Jungkook answers one of his questions with another question.

“Of course, you’ve been helping me improve a lot these past few weeks,” he confesses because it’s absolutely true.

For some reason, a slow smile appears on Jungkook’s lips, and, well, that… shouldn’t be allowed.

“I’d be a bad teacher if I weren’t,” he seems to hesitate slightly as he speaks. It’s then that Jungkook stands up and takes a step back. “But I’d also be a bad teacher if I didn’t tell you that you’ve been improving because you’re no longer more focused on me than on the clay.”

Jimin remains completely still.

“No, no, that’s…” Jimin tries to defend his honor, but is relieved when Jungkook interrupts him and places a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him.

“It’s okay, it’s not something that bothers me.”

With that, all his effort is reduced to zero because the clay slightly deforms in his hands, and Jimin really has to stifle a cry of frustration.

Jimin opens his mouth to say something more, to explain to Jungkook that it's not what he thinks, that he's not some weirdo who only comes to class to see him because, sure, admiring Jungkook is a great reward, but he also enjoys learning to work with clay and thinks Jungkook is fun and really appreciates that he's such a good teacher, and his intention has never been to make him feel uncomfortable and…

He closes his mouth for a moment and then opens it again, the only thing he manages to say is, “I'm going to try to finish this piece again.”

“I know,” Jungkook says, nodding with a smile.

Then, as if he hadn't said something that made Jimin's heart stop, he moves back behind him to continue guiding his hands and explains again the correct technique for his arms.

Jimin is sure that if Jungkook keeps looking at him and talking to him like that, there won't be enough clay in the world to keep him focused.

The afternoon is quiet in the studio. The class is calmer than usual; there are hardly any murmurs from the other students. That means Jimin has only ruined his clay once, not five, and the potter's wheel hasn't tried to decapitate him yet.

Small but significant achievements.

Jungkook is helping a girl lift the clay to make a taller vase, but he's still keeping a close eye on Jimin. When the girl finally finds the right way to raise her vase, Jungkook congratulates her and then turns to watch the rest of the class with intense concentration, making sure everyone is doing their work correctly and no one needs help.

"Very good," Jungkook says, walking over to Jimin. "The base is more stable this time."

"Is that... a compliment?" Jimin blinks, surprised.

“It’s a fact,” Jungkook replies, in that calm tone that makes Jimin want to either hug him or punch him. He still doesn’t know which he wants to do first. “But if it helps you improve, I guess I can call it a compliment.”

Jimin immediately shakes his head, and Jungkook smiles gently, as if he’s already used to Jimin backing down whenever he says something kind.

“Mmh, no, it’s better to press a little harder with your palm, not your fingers,” Jungkook suggests. “Very good, Jimin-ssi. If you keep this up, you’ll be able to make your first bowl in two or three classes,” he says with a smile, but Jimin thinks he’s mocking him.

“My first bowl?” Jimin lets out a bitter laugh. “You have faith, but I’m scared.”

“That’s good,” Jungkook shrugs, as if he were talking about the weather and not about to say something that will make Jimin reconsider his entire life. “One makes you try, the other keeps you awake.”

He always says things that leave Jimin emotionally defenseless.

The class continues without incident, which makes Jimin smile contentedly. He even has time to talk to Hana, the girl who always sits next to him and who always gives him advice on how to improve.

Jungkook waits patiently for him and Hana to finish talking, and then, while Jimin is gathering his things and untying his apron, he approaches.

Jungkook wipes his hands on a cloth, tucks his hair behind his ear, and says casually, catching Jimin completely off guard, “I was thinking there’s a small pottery exhibition in Hangang this weekend. Nothing fancy. Just local artists showing pieces. We could go, if you want.”

He says it without any embarrassment, without showing even a hint of nervousness, while Jimin feels his heart pounding like a frantic drum.

Is it normal to receive this kind of invitation from his instructor? The one he's very much in love with, it should be noted.

Perhaps Jungkook just wants Jimin to find some inspiration by looking at pieces by local artists so he can improve and then get rid of him for good. Jimin doesn't think Jungkook is that kind of person, but one can never be sure.

Jimin realizes he's been silent for several seconds and that Jungkook is just patiently waiting for his answer, and he panics.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he repeats awkwardly.

"Yes," Jungkook replies immediately, looking at him with those calm eyes that aren't helping matters one bit. "You've told me you hardly ever leave your office except to come to class. I think it could be fun for both of us."

Jimin freezes, completely still.

"As friends?"

"If you want to," Jungkook says, with indecent nonchalance.

Jimin doesn't understand what Jungkook just said. What the hell does that answer mean?

Are they friends now? Or does that mean Jungkook wouldn't mind them being friends if Jimin wanted?

"I," Jimin swallows hard. "Want to?"

Jungkook laughs as if Jimin is the funniest thing he's seen all day.

“I don’t know, but I’d like you to come with me,” Jungkook said, looking at him again.

Jimin nodded, not confident that another word could escape his lips without him saying something stupid.

“Okay,” Jungkook said with a smile. Unlike Jimin, his voice was soft and confident. “So it’s a date then. We should exchange numbers so you can tell me where to pick you up.”

Jimin had just lost his grip on reality forever, but he mustered the strength to pull out his phone and add Jungkook’s number to his contacts.

step #5

Jimin has been standing in front of the mirror for twenty minutes and still doesn't know what to wear.

"This is awful," Jimin mutters, throwing his third shirt on the floor. He's turned his entire closet upside down and still can't find anything to wear. "Why did I agree to go out with him?"

Taehyung, who's supposed to be there for moral support (and who hasn't provided any of it at all), is sitting on his bed eating chips like he's at the movies, just raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, honestly, I don't know when you thought you could handle being alone on a date with the man of your dreams," Taehyung shrugs. "But luckily for me, you're being hysterical, and that's beautiful."

"Shut up," Jimin snarls, annoyed, grabbing another green shirt he can't remember buying. "This doesn't match my face today."

"Your face is the same every day, idiot," Taehyung picks up one of his shirts and examines it.

"Not today!" Jimin complains, frustrated. “I’m going out with Jungkook today, and he always looks so effortlessly perfect, and I need to look… polished. Refined. Like… well-baked clay?” Even he doesn’t understand what he means, and that only makes him more nervous.

“I can’t believe what a pair of muscular arms can do to your brain,” Taehyung laughs so hard he almost chokes on the fries he’s eating.

“What if I wear black?” Jimin asks, pulling out another shirt. “Black always works, right? It’s serious. Professional. Mysterious.”

“Mmh, no, not mysterious,” Taehyung shakes his head. “It might look like you’re going to a funeral.” Taehyung grabs his phone and looks at him with a devilish grin. “Why don’t you just ask Jungkook what he’s going to wear? Maybe he’s one of those guys who likes to coordinate outfits with his partner.”

“No!” Jimin turns away, alarmed. “That would make me look… desperate. It’s better if he thinks I’m… cool,” he scratches his head, not entirely sure he’s ever looked cool in front of other people.

“I should message him on Instagram and tell him we need his help to find out what color suits you best,” Taehyung types rapidly on his phone, sending Jimin into a frenzy of panic.

“Kim Taehyung!” Jimin rushes toward him and almost snatches the phone from his hands to stop him from doing something stupid, but he’s too slow.

“So slow, Jiminie,” Taehyung clicks his tongue, thoroughly enjoying this moment.

Jimin feels his soul leave his body, a mental list flashing of all the embarrassing things Taehyung could have already said to Jungkook.

“What did you say to him?”

“Nothing bad, of course,” Taehyung casually extends his phone. “I’ve just been helping you from afar,” he smiles and places a hand on Jimin’s shoulder, urging him to check the direct messages.

Jimin grabs the phone like it’s a bomb about to explode; he didn’t even know Taehyung was talking to Jungkook on Instagram.

He opens the chat, terrified.

That’s when he freezes as he scrolls through the conversation, which, frankly, is a lot.

The thing is, there are photos of Jimin in the studio… a lot of photos, in fact. Most are pictures of him on the wheel; in some, he looks focused, and in most, he’s covered in clay.

Then he reads the messages under the photos and wants to slowly die.

@byjeonjungkook
He’s working hard in every class.

Yes, he’s improving a lot. You have nothing to worry about, Taehyung-ssi.

You should congratulate him. He was almost finished with his first bowl today, but then he got completely distracted. Something caught his attention.

He's so focused, it's adorable how he frowns, don't you think?

He's my favorite student.

"Honestly, I think he's more obsessed with you than you are with him. He's way too soft for you," Taehyung says. "I just wanted to know how your classes were going because you were determined not to tell me anything at all. I didn't even know if he was going to reply, but I mentioned that I was your best friend and we started talking. He's really funny. Now he sends me updates about how you're (or aren't) destroying the studio. I always tell him to make you work harder, but he just says he doesn't like to pressure you."

“Has he been sending you pictures of me in class and giving you updates about it?” Jimin blinks.

“Yes,” Taehyung smiles, softly for the first time. “Even though I had to assure him a hundred times that you wouldn’t mind him sending me those pictures, apparently he didn’t want to do anything that might upset you,” he explains, pausing somewhat dramatically. “It doesn’t take a genius to tell he likes you.”

Jimin feels a wave of panic mixed with an internal emotional hug he didn’t ask for but desperately needed.

This excites him, of course it does, but at the same time, it terrifies him.

“I’m dead,” Jimin says. “Do you think he already knows I’m slowly dying every time he’s near me?”

“Totally, but I think he enjoys it.” Taehyung gets up, and at that moment, Taehyung’s phone buzzes with an Instagram notification. They immediately look at each other and open their direct messages when they see that Jungkook has replied.

@kimtae
quick question: what color do u think looks best on jimin?
he has a date and is losing his mind about what to wear

@byjeonjungkook
He looks good in any color, but I have to admit he's absolutely stunning in blue.

I hope he enjoys his date, tell him not to worry too much. :)

"Well, I think the audience has decided," Taehyung says with a smile and picks up the blue shirt Jimin has been eyeing for the past few seconds.

Jimin takes a deep breath and looks at himself in the mirror, trying to convince himself he can survive this… date.

Of course, he ends up putting on the blue shirt.

The ceramics exhibition at Hangang isn't huge, but it's filled with light and tables overflowing with shimmering pieces, glazed in shades of blue, green, and red. There are so many textures, imperfect shapes, enormous bowls, and intricately detailed miniatures. It's truly astonishing; he's captivated by the sheer number of pieces he's seeing right now.

Jimin walks beside Jungkook and, for a moment, forgets to breathe because of how close they've been since arriving at Hangang.

In the end, Jungkook didn't pick him up at his house as he'd initially planned, not because he couldn't, but because when Jungkook mentioned they'd be going by motorcycle, Jimin panicked at the thought of being so close to him for so long.

It was a difficult task, but Jimin finally convinced him that it would be easier if he picked Jungkook up at his house, since Jimin has a car and enjoys driving. That also gave him an excuse not to have to think too much about saying something stupid when he saw how handsome Jungkook looked in casual clothes. He could pretend he was the kind of driver who didn't like to chat while driving.

The drive to Hangang was quite peaceful. Jungkook made a few comments about anything and everything, but he didn't encourage Jimin to talk. He was content just knowing he was being listened to.

Jungkook looked happy in a way Jimin had never seen before.

He seemed very interested in everything around him, his gaze moving from piece to piece with a childlike sparkle that Jimin had never seen before but that made him melt with absolute tenderness. Jungkook in the studio was a focused and dedicated teacher, but here he was… alive.

Jimin could only watch in amazement, trying to stay on top of everything that seemed to surprise Jungkook.

“Come on,” Jungkook said excitedly, taking his hand without thinking. “I want to show you this.”

Jimin follows him like a magnet.

Jungkook stops in front of a tall, textured, granular piece, his eyes shining brightly.

“Look at this,” he says, pointing to the edge of the piece. “This technique is neriage. It’s when you combine clays of different colors before centering them. The pattern is created inside the block, not outside, so each cut reveals something different. It’s amazing; it takes a lot of practice to get it perfect,” he explains, impressed. Jimin notices that even his voice changes; now it’s faster and warmer. “See this?” Jungkook points to a curved line. “The artist scraped the top layer before the first firing. It’s risky. You can ruin it in a second, but if it goes well, these incredible veins appear.”

Jimin takes advantage of Jungkook being so distracted by explaining each part of each piece to look at him closely and without any embarrassment.

He looks at him with a tender, soft, vulnerable heart.

Ah, Jimin thinks, completely fascinated. This is what it's like when someone truly loves what they do.

It's something he's always admired in others, especially his friends: he adores when Yoongi can listen to a song intently and then match every note on his piano, explaining the production behind it; he loves watching Namjoon explain the meaning of each verse of some poem he found in his favorite books; he melts with tenderness every time he goes to Taehyung's house and listens to him talk for hours about what each color he's using in his new painting means.

But seeing it now in Jungkook, it destroys him in a way completely unlike anything he's ever felt.

Jimin looks at him again.

Jungkook keeps talking, gesturing with his hands, explaining terms Jimin doesn't understand at all but loves to hear: sgraffito, kiln reduction.

He's so fascinated listening to him that when Jungkook suddenly stops, Jimin almost groans aloud.

"Sorry," Jungkook says, looking completely embarrassed. He takes a deep breath before speaking again. "I got a little carried away. I thought it would be good inspiration for you to see so many works, but this outing has been very focused on me, and you're probably bored of listening to me talk," he jokes, but scratches the back of his neck nervously.

Jimin looks at him, surprised. He doesn't like seeing Jungkook embarrassed in front of him. He's the one who can be embarrassed for both of them.

"No," he says immediately, not caring if he sounds pathetic or not. "I was really interested in listening to you talk; I'm enjoying it a lot."

"Oh, really?" Jungkook blinks, surprised.

“Really,” Jimin nods quickly and gathers his courage to gently stroke Jungkook’s hand. “I like it when you talk.”

Jungkook smiles, his eyes shining, just as bright as when he was staring at that cracked blue piece.

“You shouldn’t say things like that, Jimin,” Jungkook says softly. “I could start talking more.”

“Okay,” Jimin murmurs, still holding Jungkook’s hand.

Jungkook stares at him intently; it’s maybe only five seconds, but Jimin feels like time is dragging.

Neither of them looks away, for once.

He seems to be debating whether to speak or not, because Jungkook opens and closes his mouth a few times, but finally, he blurts out, “You like this. With me. Right?” Jimin thinks it’s more of a statement, as if he’s completely sure that Jimin certainly enjoys spending time with Jungkook, but still wants to sound polite enough by asking.

Jimin could lie or ask what he means, even though he knows perfectly well what Jungkook means, but the truth slips easily off his tongue.

“Yes.”

Jungkook nods gently, without drama, without exaggerated surprise, as if he'd been expecting it.

“Good,” is all he says before interlacing his fingers in Jungkook's hand and pulling him along once again, brazenly and without permission. “Let me show you something else.”

Their walking hand in hand feels natural, as if this had been Jimin's sole purpose in life and he'd finally achieved it.

He's surprised to find that, for the first time, he isn't afraid to show Jungkook how he truly feels.

After wandering around the shops for a while, buying a couple of hot coffees that Jungkook insists on paying for since he was the one who invited Jimin on this date, they finally sit down on a bench overlooking the river.

They're silent, but Jimin feels very warm.

"You were acting strange earlier," Jungkook says, finally breaking the silence. He smiles, amused, when Jimin jumps in his seat.

"That's not true," he denies emphatically.

"You took twenty minutes choosing a cookie," Jungkook says, tilting his head.

"Well, there were a lot of options," Jimin protests.

"It was you against the chocolate chip cookies. And you were sweating."

"That's because I'm going through a rough patch."

Jungkook laughs, that soft laugh that makes Jimin feel light and not mind being a little embarrassed if he hears that sound.

“Okay,” Jungkook says with a smile, pausing briefly before speaking again. “If you’re interested, I was nervous too,” he readily admits.

“Too?”

“Mmh,” Jungkook nods, taking a sip of his coffee before speaking again. “You do that to me, you know?”

Jimin’s heart stops. He literally ceases to exist for a second, but tries to pull himself together as quickly as possible.

“You didn’t tell me,” his voice comes out as an incredulous whisper.

“I’m sorry, my mistake,” Jungkook says, but he doesn’t look the least bit guilty.

“You make me nervous sometimes, too,” the phrase is short, but it feels heavy.

Jungkook takes it calmly, but since he loves teasing Jimin, he teases flirtatiously, saying, “Really? I hardly noticed.”

Jimin laughs and taps him on the shoulder, softer than he should.

“It’s nice to see you improving every day,” Jungkook reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind his ear in a delicate, gentle movement.

“In ceramics?” Jimin looks down, blushing.

“In everything.”

“That’s enough, Jimin-ssi. I can’t keep doing this,” Jungkook unties his apron, which is surprisingly clean for someone who spends eight hours a day using paints, liquid clay, grog, and slip, and calmly folds it.

The expression on his face is serious, too serious. Serious enough to make Jimin’s throat go dry.

Jimin thinks this is the end for him, that everything that happened last weekend was just a figment of his imagination, and that, in reality, Jungkook hates him and will ban him from his studio for being a lovesick idiot.

He’s an emotional hair’s breadth away from kneeling and begging him not to be kicked out when Jungkook speaks again.

“From here I can see your brain spinning, thinking of the worst possible scenario,” Jungkook approaches and, unhurriedly, takes a damp cloth and gently wipes a smear of dried clay from Jimin’s cheek with slow, almost delicate movements. As if he enjoyed taking care of Jimin, as if he relished the excuse of touching him.

Jimin swallows hard.

“Overthinking the worst possible scenarios is literally my superpower,” he says out of the blue. “That’s what makes me so good at my job,” Jimin adds, because apparently today his brain has decided it’s a day for gratuitous confessions.

No one asked for that information. He knows it, but his mouth-to-brain filter stopped working the first time he saw those arms molding wet clay.

“I know,” says Jungkook, turning around and grabbing another rag to clean up the mess Jimin made a few minutes ago trying to make a bowl that ended up looking… well, actually, Jimin still can’t seem to get any shape at all.

The clay he’d been trying to center had shifted from the exact spot where it should be, that center Jungkook talks about so much, where the hands have to be firm and steady. If one hand exerts more pressure than the other, the piece warps, wobbles, loses symmetry. And Jimin, of course, operates with zero symmetry.

“So?” Jimin says, wiping the wall. Yes, the wall. A wall he doesn’t know how it ended up decorated with clay, but which he insisted he had to clean because it was his mess. “Is this the moment you finally kick me out of your studio? Are you going to charge me for every mess I’ve made? Just so you know, I hope you accept credit cards because I can’t get that much cash at this time of day.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes as he mops the floor with a small mop, the kind used for cleaning up slip (that watery slurry the mop wheel spits out when someone, Jimin, doesn't quite control the pedal speed).

"I would never kick you out of the studio, Jimin-ssi." That should calm him down, but Jimin is Jimin, so it doesn't calm him down in the slightest. "But frankly, I'm tired of cleaning this whole room every time you come here," Jungkook adds with a smile so damn charming that Jimin almost trips over a bucket of water.

"I can do better," Jimin promises.

Jungkook leans against the work table, arms crossed, as patient as ever.

"I was thinking," he says calmly. "That maybe you could come to my apartment for your next class."

The mop slips from Jimin's hands and falls to the floor.

"Your apartment?" Jimin's voice rises at least three octaves. "Where you sleep and stuff like that?"

Jungkook blinks once and then smiles that smile Jimin would swear is against the law in several countries.

“Well,” he says calmly, “I do more than just sleep in my apartment.”

Jimin chokes on his own saliva after that comment and starts coughing. Jungkook has to pat him on the back, which doesn't help at all because each touch makes his skin burn.

“That's where I live,” Jungkook continues, amused. “That's what apartments are for, I guess.”

Jimin isn't sure whether he wants to punch him, hug him, or kiss him until they both forget how to speak.

"And why your apartment?" he finally manages to ask, trying to sound rational, which is impossible.

"Because my workspace is smaller there," Jungkook explains. "My wheel is right next to the sink, so it's easier to clean up if something goes wrong. It's more practical."

Jungkook takes a step back, picks up the sponge Jimin dropped, and dips it into a bucket of water. He squeezes out the excess with a firm hand and offers it back.

"I'll teach you how to control the pressure of the clay between your fingers," he says. "And it'll be easier at my apartment. No extra charges, of course. It would be good for your wallet to stop paying for each class."

He'd like to tell Jungkook that every payment Jini has made after each class has been the best investment of his life, but he doesn't think he's brave enough to admit it yet.

He takes the sponge.

“Okay,” Jimin murmurs, trying to sound nonchalant, though it’s completely impossible for him to turn down an offer of this magnitude.

“Perfect,” Jungkook smiles. “Could we start next Friday? You can come over after work, just let me know the time and I’ll be ready.”

And good heavens. Jimin wants to punch him and kiss him and punch him and kiss him again.

Preferably in that order.

“Honestly, this is awful,” Jimin slumps onto his desk as if the entire universe had decided to crush him with both hands. He exaggerates the movement so much, but Taehyung doesn't even look up from the donut he's devouring.

“Why?” he asks with his mouth full, busy savoring the donuts Jimin bought him. “I thought we'd already established that you drooled over him.”

“Well, yeah, I could handle that, but this,” Jimin swallows hard, staring at Taehyung, who's ignoring him. “This is worse.”

“Worse than drooling?” Taehyung finally looks at him. He studies his face, his eyes, and his tense hands, chews on another piece of his donut, and Jimin nods, horrified. “So, what's so terrible?”

Jimin takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a second. He makes sure to lower his voice, as if he's confessing a crime in his office during work hours.

“It was one thing to be physically attracted to him, you know? That was manageable. I could ignore it. I could live with the idea that it was a superficial, temporary crush,” Jimin stares at the ceiling as if he were responsible for all of this. “But now I’m on the verge of going crazy every time he smiles.”

Taehyung chews more slowly and observes him very closely.

Jimin continues, because if he stops for a second, he’ll chicken out of saying what he’s really feeling: “The thing is, I don’t think he’s just handsome anymore,” he gestures with his hands, as if trying to grasp words in midair. “Jungkook is kind, but not like those people who smile out of politeness, you know? He genuinely wants to help you. He looks at you like he’s really listening.”

“How awful, a kind man. Your worst nightmare,” Taehyung raises an eyebrow.

“Let me finish before I have a fit,” Jimin hits him with a folder that probably contains several important documents. Taehyung invites him to continue with an exaggeratedly dramatic gesture. “He’s also funny,” Jimin continues, now unable to stop himself as he reflects deeply on his feelings. “He’s funny in that way that makes you feel comfortable even if you’re ruining his entire workspace. He might be teasing me, but not in a cruel way. I can even laugh at my own misery, you know?” He sighs. “And he’s so focused when he works. I’ve never seen anyone concentrate like that. It’s absolutely attractive. Very. More than it should be. You know I have a thing for people who are competent at their jobs, and he’s just making it worse for me.”

“So you really like him,” Taehyung narrows his eyes.

“Yes, and that’s the problem. I can’t like him. Not like that. It’s different.”

“Different from what?” he asks, confused.

“From liking.” Jimin clutches his chest in a gesture of tragedy. “This is worse, much worse.”

Taehyung blinks, his expression suspicious.

“Jimin-ah,” Taehyung crosses his arms and sets the chocolate donut down on the table, alarmed. Jimin doesn’t want to hear what he knows his best friend is going to say, but he’s still surprised. “You’re in love.”

“No, no, no. It’s just an expanded taste. An aesthetic appreciation that got out of hand. A professional interest. He’s an artist! And he’s very talented and passionate, that’s all.”

“A professional interest that makes you blush?” Taehyung stares at him with the flattest expression in the world.

“Shut up, idiot!” Jimin covers his ears.

“So what are you going to do now that he invited you to his apartment?”

“I’m going to die, of course. I’m going to melt or disintegrate like clay without grog,” Jimin collapses as if he’s been shot.

“What?”

“It’s a pottery comparison, ignore it,” Jimin sinks further into the couch. “Maybe I’ll splatter the floor or trip and fall on top of him,” he covers his eyes. “And he’s going to think I’m a lovesick fool.”

Taehyung remains silent, then says something unexpectedly gentle: “Which you are.”

“Which I am,” he readily agrees.

“You’re a lovesick fool,” Taehyung shrugs. “But that’s not a bad thing. Not with you. You fall in love for real, Jimin-ah, you do it beautifully and with all your heart, I don’t think Jungkook could handle that.” Jimin feels a pang in his chest, Taehyung continues. “You like how he works. You like how he looks at you. You like how he treats you,” he gives him a comforting look that Jimin finds incredibly heavy-handed. “And that scares you.”

“Yeah,” he murmurs. “It scares me.”

“But you’re still going to do it, I’ve seen you do hundreds of things that terrify you and everything has turned out brilliantly,” Taehyung picks up his donut again as if nothing happened.

Jimin sighs and sinks even further into his office chair.

“What if I make a mess in his apartment?” Jimin asks, in a small voice.

“You will,” Taehyung laughs.

“Aren’t you supposed to be my best friend, you little shit?”

“What? It’s the truth, and even he knows it, but he still invited you.”

Jimin remains still and ponders Taehyung’s words.

Yes. He did. Jungkook invited him anyway.

And suddenly, the chaos in his chest hurts less and shines a little brighter.

Jimin climbs the building's stairs, his heart pounding so hard he thinks any neighbor could hear him. He doesn't know why he's so nervous (of course he does).

He's about to enter the apartment of a man he's liked since the first time he saw him. A man with strong arms, a calm voice, and the power to turn a ball of clay into art.

He reaches apartment 1103, takes a breath, and clenches his fingers.

He knocks, and it doesn't take more than five seconds for the door to open.

And that's when Jimin is dying to see something as beautiful as Jungkook with his long, wavy hair loose, cascading down his neck.

He's wearing only a loose gray t-shirt that shows off his shoulders and soft cotton pants that make him look casual and comfortable, looking so handsome it should be illegal.

"Oh," Jimin says, because that's all he can manage to say. "Your hair."

Jungkook smiles, leaning against the doorframe as if he knows exactly what he's doing to Jimin.

"Do you like it?" He raises an eyebrow. "It's just that I didn't need to tie it up yet; I prefer it loose sometimes. I figured you wouldn't mind."

"No. Of course not. It's fine. Very fine," Jimin swallows.

"Do you want to come in, Jimin?" Jungkook asks with his characteristic calm.

"Yes," he replies, stepping inside like a robot just learning to walk.

Jungkook's apartment is warm: light wood, lots of plants, shelves with pottery books and tools, colorful furniture, and in one corner a small pottery station with a wheel, a worktable, and shelves full of pieces in progress.

But what catches Jimin's attention most is the rich aroma coming from the kitchen.

"Were you cooking?" Jimin asks.

“Yes,” Jungkook says from the kitchen. “I thought we could eat before work. I didn’t bring you here just to make pottery.”

“No?” Jimin blinks, surprised.

“Nope,” Jungkook turns around with a dangerous smile. “I also brought you here to feed you. Taehyung says you don’t eat on time, and I really can’t allow that when you’re under my care.”

Jimin feels his soul leave his body for the second time and then it dawns on him.

“Taehyung told you that in a text?”

“No,” Jungkook casually opens a drawer. “On the phone, when I asked him if you had any food allergies.”

“On the phone?” Jimin’s voice rises an octave. “You talk to Taehyung on the phone?”

“Yes,” Jungkook replies, as if it were normal for him to talk to his best friend. “About you, almost always.”

“You like him?” Jimin looks at him, surprised.

“Yes, of course,” Jungkook replies with a smile. “He’s kind and funny, he wants the best for you. Me too.”

That.

Well, that… That simple sentence is what leaves Jimin breathless.

Jungkook places the plate on the low dining table.

“Come,” he says, nodding. “Eat with me, please.”

Jimin immediately follows and sits beside him. Jungkook settles in closer than Jimin would expect, close enough that their knees almost touch.

“I made tteokbokki,” Jungkook says. “Taehyung says you like it.”

“Yes,” Jimin says immediately.

Jungkook smiles, and Jimin melts a little more.

They eat and talk about random things like the weather and a bad movie they both saw and enjoyed despite how bad it was. They also talk about the neighbor's cat, which Jungkook adores, and Jimin confesses how much he would love to have a calico cat if it weren't for his silly cat hair allergy. Jimin laughs easily throughout this conversation.

When they finish, Jungkook gets up and wipes the table, insisting that Jimin shouldn't worry about anything. By the time he's done, he's tied his hair up in a messy man bun.

Jimin stares at him. He never thought watching a man tie his hair up could be so damn devastating.

"Ready to work?" Jungkook asks, turning to face him.

Jimin stares at him, taking in his hairstyle, his now slightly wrinkled shirt, and his calm smile. He's so handsome that Jimin wants to strangle him and kiss him.

"Jimin?" Jungkook approaches, leaning in slightly.

"Yes, yes. Perfect," Jimin nods too quickly.

"You're getting nervous," he murmurs. "And I haven't even done anything yet."

"You're very close to me," Jimin replies without thinking much about the implications.

"Does that make you nervous?" Jungkook chuckles softly, moving even closer.

“Yes,” he confesses.

Jungkook looks into his eyes, surprised by how easily Jimin answered. Something changes in his expression; Jimin thinks there’s a spark now, an intention.

“I apologize, maybe I do it on purpose,” he says softly. “I like seeing you like this.”

Jimin feels like he’s going to explode and doesn’t know how to respond, so he says nothing.

“Come on. Let’s get our hands dirty,” Jungkook tilts his head.

Jimin follows him, still in shock, to the corner of the home studio. As Jungkook prepares the clay, Jimin knows this man is going to turn him into soft, malleable, defenseless clay.

But, not so secretly, he realizes, he loves that feeling.

The potter's wheel in Jungkook's apartment is smaller than the one in the studio, but it's just as functional and pristine. Or at least it is when Jungkook is using it.

Jungkook places the damp clay in the center as if it were a natural, everyday gesture. Jimin watches from a few steps behind, trying not to hyperventilate because, honestly, Jungkook with his hair freshly tied up and wet hands is a serious problem for society.

"Come," Jungkook says, pointing to the small bench in front of the wheel. "Sit down."

"Here?" Jimin asks, even though the instruction was crystal clear, because his brain has decided to shut down halfway.

"There," Jungkook confirms, smiling.

Jimin sits down. The clay in front of him seems more intimidating than ever, but what really makes him nervous is how Jungkook approaches from behind.

"I'm going to help you center it," Jungkook says in a low voice. “Don’t tense up, please.”

Jimin automatically stiffens, and Jungkook lets out a barely audible laugh.

“Jimin.”

“Yes?”

“Relax. I’m not going to bite you.”

Jungkook cups Jimin’s hands in his own, guiding him to press the clay toward the center. His fingers are firm, confident, skillful, and Jimin feels each touch like electricity coursing through his skin again and again.

“Breathe,” Jungkook tells him. “If you tense up, the piece vibrates.”

“I am breathing,” Jimin lies shamelessly.

Jungkook brings their hands a little closer together, and the clay begins to take shape.

“Do you feel it?” he says softly. “The strength comes from the torso, not the arms. Let your body be firm, and the clay will follow your stability.”

Jimin listens, but his brain isn't processing anything now that Jungkook's guidance is deliberately more flirtatious. Besides, the words Jungkook chooses to explain working with clay are making his stomach flutter.

"Are you concentrating?" Jungkook asks, already anticipating the answer.

"Yes," Jimin says, but then, unexpectedly, he adds, more honestly, "But maybe not on the clay."

Jungkook smiles; Jimin feels it on his back without even looking at him.

“Ah, I know,” Jungkook says, his laughter vibrating against Jimin’s back. “You’re doing well, though,” Jungkook adjusts the pressure of his fingers. “Better than in the studio, at least.”

Suddenly, he stops the pedal and the wheel slows down. The clay is shaped in a way Jimin can’t even identify.

Jungkook doesn’t move an inch away from him.

“Jimin,” he says close to his ear.

“Huh?” Jimin swallows slowly, fearfully.

Jungkook leans forward, holding the clay in his hands, as if it were casual, though it isn’t. There’s nothing casual about the way he breathes, the way he looks at him sideways, the way his voice becomes a whisper that’s making Jimin’s skin prickle.

“You want to kiss me,” this time Jungkook doesn’t ask, doesn’t seek confirmation as he has on other occasions.

“Yes.” Jimin answers, and he's more certain that he sounds like he's begging for it, the words slipping so quickly and easily from his tongue.

Jungkook nods, his smile small, lopsided, flirtatious, and completely unashamed.

"I can see it," Jungkook admits, finally pulling back slightly, giving him enough distance to calm his heart. "But I'm not going to kiss you today."

"Why?" Jimin complains immediately, devastated.

Jungkook wipes his hands with a rag, unhurriedly.

"Because you still haven't told me what I need to hear," he says with that dangerous calm of his. "I like to be sure that what I'm doing is right, that you're comfortable with me, you know? I don't want to ruin this."

"What do you want me to say?" he asks, a little desperate. Jimin is going to say whatever Jungkook wants to hear if it means he can kiss him and end this torturous longing he's lived with for months.

Jungkook looks at him as if it's obvious, as if he already knows every thought hidden in his head, but he's still gentle when he says, "It's not for me to say," taking a step back. "I'll leave it to you when you're ready. There's no rush. I'm a very patient person."

Jimin feels his stomach plummet and rise and then explode. He breathes, still in shock, still burning inside.

“Jungkook,” Jimin says softly, as if his name carries a different weight now.

“Yes?” Jungkook turns before placing the clay.

Jimin can’t help but try, even though he suspects it won’t work, that Jungkook won’t be satisfied with that, but he says it anyway, quietly, without looking directly at him: “I like you.”

Jungkook smiles, a warm, intimate, satisfied smile.

“I know,” Jungkook replies, gently caressing Jimin’s face, who longs for his touch and feels like he’s floating on air. Then he adds, moving just close enough to reignite Jimin’s passion: “But when you tell me without fear, completely sure of what you feel, then, finally, I’ll kiss you.”

Jimin stands there, breathless and trembling slightly because he’s completely lost in him.

Jungkook places another ball of clay in the center. He acts as if nothing happened, as if what he just said didn't set Jimin's entire body ablaze in the worst possible way.

"Come on," Jungkook says, stroking his arm to offer some relief from Jimin's burning heat. "I want to see if you can concentrate this time."

Spoiler: Jimin can't. Not at all.

step #6

Jimin spends all day in his office, mentally repeating: I'm asking him out today. Today. Not tomorrow. Not in three years. Today.

He's finally going to do it.

He's planned the date, arranged the schedules, and even saved the location on his phone.

He doesn't even have a pottery class at the studio today because it's Wednesday, but Jimin is going with the sole purpose of asking Jungkook out. He drove from his office the moment he received Jungkook's text message saying he'd be working at the studio instead of at home.

And yet, when he arrives at Jungkook's studio, he feels like his legs are made of jelly.

Jungkook greets him with a gentle smile and places a kiss on his cheek as Jimin approaches the counter.

"Hi, Jimin," Jungkook says with a bright smile.

That's it. That's it, it's over. He's dead.

“Hi,” Jimin replies, with the intonation of someone feigning normalcy and failing spectacularly.

“You look tense, is there a particular reason?” Jungkook tilts his head, a little worried.

“Me? No. Not at all,” Jimin tries to play it cool.

Jungkook smiles, thoroughly enjoying how he’s taking Jimin’s breath away.

Time to do it.

“Jungkook,” he begins, looking at anything but his beautiful eyes.

“Tell me.”

“Are you busy this Saturday?”

Jungkook’s eyes widen slightly; Jimin thinks there’s surprise in them. Maybe he didn’t think Jimin would take his words seriously and decide to act so soon. Jungkook seems… interested.

“This Saturday?” he repeats slowly. “It depends, who’s asking?”

“I want to ask you out, please.”

Jungkook's mouth curves into a smile that Jimin doesn't know whether to hug or punch.

"You and me?" Jungkook teases, mimicking the mess Jimin made when he was the one who invited him to Hangang, though his tone is low, almost playful.

"Yes. With me. A date. You and me," Jimin wipes his sweaty hands on his pants.

"Planned by you?" Jungkook crosses his arms, amused.

"Yes," Jimin says with all the nervous pride in the world.

"I didn't know you were planning a date," Jungkook chuckles softly.

“I wasn’t, not really,” Jimin confesses. “Well, I was. For days, but I didn’t know if you wanted to or if it was too soon. I thought it was best to wait, but Taehyung gave me too much advice and told me I should act now.”

“Does Taehyung know about this?” Jungkook asks, intrigued.

“Well, he’s pretty nosy, you know.”

Jungkook laughs even louder.

Jimin just wants to bury himself alive to end this suffering.

“So?” he says, trying to salvage what little dignity he has left. “Do you want to go out with me?”

Jungkook lowers his arms and takes a step forward. He stops about a foot away, close enough for Jimin to smell his soap, close enough to feel the warmth.

“Honestly, I’m going a little crazy that you’re the one asking me out,” Jungkook murmurs. “It’s adorable.”

Jimin melts like wax.

“Is that a yes?” he manages to ask.

“Of course,” Jungkook nods. “I wouldn’t waste this great opportunity, Jimin-ah.”

Jimin breathes a sigh of relief, then tenses up, and then is completely thrilled. All in two seconds.

“And thank you,” Jungkook leans in a little further. "For putting in so much effort for me."

The date Jimin planned wasn't really a big deal. He decided to take him to a small night market with food stalls, warm lighting, and an area where local artists sell all kinds of art—similar to their previous date.

Jimin arrived first and waited nervously, fidgeting in his shoes. This time, Jungkook insisted they meet there, just to torment him a little more.

By the time Jungkook finally arrived, wearing a simple black jacket and with his hair half-up, a few loose strands falling across his face, Jimin literally stopped breathing.

"Did I make you wait?" Jungkook asked, concerned.

"It doesn't matter, you're here," Jimin admitted, because at this point, he really didn't have to lie about his feelings anymore.

Jungkook smiled slightly, and Jimin loved it.

"Lead me, then," Jungkook said, immediately taking his hand, not giving him time to think.

Jimin leads him through the stalls, sharing anecdotes about his childhood or funny things he remembers. Jungkook observes everything with genuine interest. He's intrigued by every dish and every story, seems impressed by the way the lights adorn the place, and, well, he also looks at Jimin a lot.

They talk and laugh the whole time. Jimin tries to act normal but fails, and Jungkook seems to relish every moment Jimin does something awkward, just because Jungkook put his hand on his back, for example.

After a while, they arrive at the section featuring local artists and potters because Jimin had planned it specifically for the end. He thinks it's a detail he knew Jungkook would really appreciate, especially since he'd been reading hundreds of comments on pottery forums recommending this place.

Jimin feels satisfied when Jungkook stops and his eyes sparkle. Once again, he can admire that passion that melts Jimin's heart.

"Was this part of your plan?" Jungkook asks.

Jimin nods, proud of his decision.

Jungkook stares at him, oblivious to everything around him, and that… feels like the best compliment anyone could give him.

“I love it, thank you so much, darling,” he says with unexpected sincerity, gently stroking his hand.

Jimin feels a sweet flutter in his chest at the adorable way Jungkook spoke to him.

As they admire the numerous pieces surrounding them, Jimin takes the opportunity to open up and say, “I hope you’re enjoying it. I wanted to surprise you and do something nice for you,” he says as they continue walking, avoiding Jungkook’s gaze because he’s sure he’s inevitably blushing. “This isn’t just because I like you, you know, but because you do so much for me, being so patient even though I always fail at pottery. And I wanted… I don’t know. To make you happy?” Jimin explains as best he can; he knows the words are clumsy, but he doesn’t really care.

He needs Jungkook to understand how much he means to him.

Jungkook takes his hand, stopping him from walking any further and forcing him to turn so they face each other. He stares at him for a long moment. A very long moment. Then he moistens his lower lip and takes a step toward him.

“Jimin,” Jungkook says his name as if it were something delicate. “Do you know how difficult you’re making this for me?”

“Huh?” Jimin swallows, astonished by the confession.

“So I can behave,” Jungkook chuckles softly.

“You’re behaving? Why?”

“I’m trying,” Jungkook places his hand on Jimin’s waist and pulls him closer. “But you made this date for me. You thought of everything. You look nervous and brave, and I swear you have no idea how adorable you look trying to surprise me.”

“Jungkook,” Jimin feels like he’s going to collapse.

“Mmmh,” his voice is low, serious, almost dangerous. “I’m a patient person, I swear, but I really can’t keep this up when you’re here so close to me and acting like an absolute angel.”

And before Jimin can process it, Jungkook leans in and kisses him.

He kisses him like he’s been waiting too long, hungry, like his mouth is burning with desire. A firm, deep kiss that takes his breath away and makes his knees weak. It makes him tremble and sigh and want to cry, all at the same time.

Jungkook's lips are soft, and the way he opens his mouth with his tongue is frankly… something else. Jimin clutches his jacket, trembling, responding awkwardly and with pure emotion. He doesn't want to stop and doesn't care if people are watching.

When Jungkook finally pulls away, Jimin's eyes remain closed, breathing as if he doesn't know how. Jungkook smiles against his lips, barely touching them.

"There it is," Jungkook murmurs. "Your reward." Jimin opens his eyes, stunned. "Was it worth the wait?" he asks softly, his tone a mix of teasing and affectionate.

Jimin can't speak, so he just nods strongly. He's sure his eyes are watering from the emotion coursing through his body.

Jungkook laughs and takes her hand.

"Good," he says, satisfied.

Jimin shouldn't be so nervous, but oh well, he is.

It's been a couple of days since their date at the night market. Which means it's also been a couple of days since that kiss that stole his breath, his composure, and his logic.

The thing is, now that he knows what Jungkook's mouth feels like, he's not willing to settle for just a quick peck. Yes, he's greedy, sue him.

Jungkook had promised they'd meet at his place on Wednesday after Jimin got off work, but today is Monday, and Jimin doesn't think he can wait any longer without seeing or kissing Jungkook. He refuses to wait that long to get what he really wants, so after confirming that Jungkook is home, Jimin decides he needs to act.

Now he's standing in front of Jungkook's apartment door again, hoping he can finally get what he came for.

He knocks on the door and takes a deep breath, fixes his hair, and tries to think of something witty to say when Jungkook opens it, but nothing comes to mind.

Jungkook opens the door.

Today he's wearing a soft black sweater, his hair half up, half down, a beautiful mess he probably created in five seconds, and on top of all that, he decides to ruin Jimin's life with a smile, not at all surprised to see Jimin at his door.

"Hi," is all he needs to say to completely devastate Jimin.

"Hi," Jimin replies, walking in without Jungkook even having to invite him because today he's determined.

He's not going to let Jungkook control the pace this time.

Jungkook closes the door and looks at him with that mixture of curiosity and tenderness that Jimin already recognizes.

"Everything okay?" Jungkook approaches him, taking him by the shoulders.

"Yes," Jimin swallows hard.

“So?” Jungkook raises an eyebrow, expectant.

Jimin feels like he’s testing his patience, so he takes a step forward, then another, and finally they’re face to face.

“I want to do something,” Jimin confesses. “More like, I need to. If I don’t, I won’t sleep.”

“Hmm, tell me, and I’ll see if I can help.”

“I can’t say it,” Jimin says. “It’s easier to do than to say.”

“Yes?” Jungkook lowers his head, moving closer to him. Jimin can already feel his breath on his mouth.

“Yes.”

“Do it.”

Jimin doesn’t wait any longer; he doesn’t need any further confirmation. He just grabs his sweater and kisses him.

The kiss isn’t as desperate as the first one; it’s more decisive, more genuine. Jimin's trembling hands rest on Jungkook's chest, and it's... heavenly. Jungkook smiles against his mouth as if he's been waiting months for him to take that first step.

Jungkook takes him by the waist, gently, firmly, as if anchoring him to the ground.

When they separate, Jungkook brings his forehead close to Jimin's.

"Mmmh, can I have more of those?"

"As many as you want," Jimin replies easily because, he's realized, things with Jungkook are always easy.

They kiss a little longer, more calmly, with a promise between their lips.

Jungkook pulls back slightly and says, "I have something for you."

"For me?" Jimin blinks, surprised.

"Yes, come here." Jungkook leads him to the small table where he has pieces in progress.

Among all the cups, mini vases, and enamel tests, there's a small blue cardboard box.

Jungkook gives it to him, a little nervous.

“Open it,” Jungkook says.

Jimin wastes no time and immediately opens the lid.

Inside are two small ceramic charms. One is blue with a smooth, spiral texture, and the other is white with a hint of gold. Both have a small hole for attaching a string or chain.

“I made these a while ago. I was trying to plan something else, I guess, but with you, I've realized I can't wait any longer,” Jungkook says with a nervous laugh. “They're for a necklace… or a bracelet. Whatever you want. If you want it, of course.”

Jimin finds it endearing that Jungkook is still so gentle, never forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to do. He's always so patient, giving him options and making sure Jimin understands he can say no whenever he wants. It's a testament to what a wonderful person Jungkook is.

Jimin gently cups his face and places a kiss on his lips, softer this time. Jungkook chases after his lips when they part, and that makes him smile. He focuses again on the charms.

“Are they the same?” he asks quietly, curious.

“Not exactly,” Jungkook smiles. “Ceramics are never identical. But they're a pair. They go together.”

Jimin carefully picks up the blue charm.

“For us?” he asks, blushing.

“Yes,” Jungkook takes the white one. “Only if you want.”

Jimin looks at him and feels himself melting with affection.

“I do,” he says honestly.

Jungkook places a quick kiss on Jimin's forehead, leans in, and fastens the charm with a simple chain.

“So,” he murmurs, adjusting it behind his neck. “Is it okay if I tell Taehyung that we're officially dating now?”

“It's perfect,” he says, just like that.

Jimin smiles, thinking how lucky he was to have walked into that ceramics studio he loves so much now.