Chapter Text
Jungkook glares as his friend is being dragged away by the school’s princess.
He does this too often―this glaring thing.
Taehyung is his friend. And recently Taehyung has made friend with the Royal duo of their high school. The thing was that Seokjin, the duo’s driving force, mistook Taehyung for his twin brother. Since then the poor friend never had the simple, peaceful high school life he deserves anymore.
But Jungkook didn’t befriend Taehyung because he is involved with the school’s duo. Jungkook befriended Taehyung because as soon as the new boy showed up in front of everybody looking as confused as ever on that first day, Jungkook knew he had to help this guy. Taehyung turning out to have a decent personality is what keeps this friendship going.
“Heyo, Jungkookie~”
And then there’s Jimin, Jungkook’s other friend.
They know each other since middle school but there’s never been a day where Jungkook doesn’t get strangely annoyed by him. Maybe it is due to the fact that Jimin is a fair boy, and cute, and friendly, and straightforward. And that Jungkook is in love with him.
Yeah. That.
With Taehyung it’s minimal flirt, minimal crush, subtle care, and casual annoyance.
But with Jimin everything is a waterfall of feelings. It keeps on coming and has never stopped.
Unless, of course, there is some magical force out there that wouldn’t mind lending a helping hand. Other than that, nope. Jungkook’s in too deep.
“Yaaa~ you didn’t wait for me again. We live in the same dorm for crying out loud.” Jimin complains as he fixes his backpack to the other side so he can hold onto his friend. He likes touching Jungkook.
“Chill,” Jungkook says as he brushes Jimin’s hand off of his shoulder. The other boy doesn’t notice. Or if he does, it doesn’t show on his face.
“Where’s Taehyung, though?”
“Off with his royal highness.”
“Why do you sound so sad? You jealous?”
Jungkook shoots him a glare. If he is jealous, it’s only when Jimin accepts those chocolate from some girls he doesn’t even know on Valentine’s day and Christmas. Or when Taehyung massages him and Jimin moans in pleasure like what is wrong with you? Please stop making that face and sound, it’s already hard to fall asleep every night knowing you’re in the next room! Or when Jimin cannot study so he asks Taehyung to accompany him the whole day. Jimin never asks Jungkook, but that doesn't stop him from going as well.
Or that one time when Jimin openly flirted with Taehyung so Jungkook had to pull Taehyung away and left Jimin to die alone because he needs to take the hints already.
Not that the hints are, in any way, obvious. Who would think that when a person said he hated your face and wanted you to go die he actually meant he’s in love with you?
Jungkook bites his cheek and looks away slightly.
“Maybe. Taehyung is my friend after all.” He grumbles.
They take a turn and are now in the hallway. Jungkook walks a little further ahead from Jimin.
Jimin sighs. “It’s not like you can tag along. Don’t be a third wheel, Kookie.”
“That Namjoon guy tagged along all the time and nobody said a word.”
“So you do want to go with them…”
“What?” Jungkook glances back at his friend with wide eyes. “No!”
“But you just said-”
“Forget what I said! Let’s go to class.”
Jungkook reaches out to grab Jimin’s hand, but he stops midway and retreats. He is well aware of everyone and he isn’t ready for any attention yet. Jimin notices it, but again, he acts like he doesn’t care.
~
Jimin and Jungkook study in different class. Jungkook is with Taehyung in 1A, whereas Jimin in 1C.
At lunch break, it’s often just Jungkook and Taehyung. Jimin doesn’t eat lunch because he needs to save the money he earns from all those part-time jobs he does. Who knows what he’s saving up for? And recently, with Taehyung being dragged away to sit at the Royal duo’s table, Jungkook finally has a good excuse to buy two breads and two milks and give one each to Jimin.
“Does Seokjin just give you breads and milks every day?” Jimin asks one afternoon. This question is bound to come sooner or later yet it still puts Jungkook on alarm.
Jungkook swallows his food. “Umm…yeah?” He knows Jimin doesn’t quite believe that because everyone knows how much of a stingy person the princess is. If there’s extra food, instead of giving it to someone else Jin would definitely finish it all himself.
“I mean,” Jungkook adds. “Lately it’s from the other boy. What’s his name? Um… I don't care know.”
“You mean Namjoon sunbae?”
“Maybe… :/”
“Wahh…~” Jimin smiles brightly and Jungkook’s heart does a back flip at the sight. “He’s so generous. To think of his best friend’s friend’s friends like this? Man, I must thank him when I see him.”
“That’s totally unnecessary!”
“ o.o ”
“I mean, I already said thank enough. He doesn’t want endless gratitude. He’s easily annoyed. Do not talk to him.”
“That’s weird as hell.”
And Jimin continues eating his bread.
~
A few days later Jungkook comes to class alone again. Well, he did wait for Jimin yesterday. Only that, other days the poor boy was left alone as usual. While passing by class 1C, Kook hears a familiar laughter. He stops and makes his way back. There, he sees Jimin laughing his ass off about something. Sitting on Jimin’s table is Kim Namjoon.
Oh.
Wait, KIM NAMJOON?!
Jungkook stares in disbelief.
How does Jimin get in contact with the lesser of the two devils?
The older boy is saying something and making Jimin laugh even harder. Jimin reaching out and playfully hitting Namjoon on his thigh, and Namjoon reaches back and nuzzles Jimin’s hair.
How does this happen?
Since when?
Why ?
Jungkook’s about to push the door to get inside when Namjoon looks up and stares straight at him. He knows Jungkook’s been watching and he is proud upon seeing the younger boy's expression. He lets out a poisonous smile at Jungkook which sends chills down his back.
He gulps.
Jimin doesn’t notice. He’s still laughing.
Jungkook’s hand slips from the doorknob as he backs away from the classroom. He turns around and Taehyung is already standing there.
“What are you doing?” He asks. Jungkook shakes his head, though he does not really feels anything anymore. He's blank.
“You were staring inside like you’re about to cry.” Taehyung says. "Why, is there something?"
“No.”
“Are you sure? Where’s Jimin anyway? You left without him again, didn’t you?”
“No,”
“So where is he? I have something I really need to tell him.”
“I don’t know,” Jungkook shakes his head again. He places his backpack down once he reaches his table and a sigh escapes his lips. He doesn't know how he gets to class. Surely he has walked here, but he doesn't know.
“Jimin doesn’t need you to worry about him anymore.” Jungkook murmurs with emptiness. “Jimin is happy.”
“What are you even saying?”
~
At lunch break, Jimin shows up at the cafeteria as well though he brought foods from outside. Surprisingly Taehyung doesn’t need to go with any royalties today, so together the 3 of them eat.
Jungkook is still a little moody and keeps quiet the whole time, whereas Taehyung and Jimin have a lot to talk about—mostly about some childish stuffs they mutually like.
And then the topic shifts to Namjoon and Seokjin out of nowhere.
Jungkook secretly pays attention.
“Namjoon sunbae is way nicer than Seokjin.” Taehyung says. “I don’t even understand why they stay friends for so long.”
“Maybe because one is so nice and the other isn’t, together they complement each other.” Jimin suggests. “Like Kookie and I. I’m so good and smart and outgoing and then there’s him.” He nudges Jungkook, who undoubtedly blushes but hides it well.
“Shut up. I’m also very nice.” He bites back. "At least I'm loyal. And… good.”
“Really? In what way?”
Do you really want to know? Jungkook looks up in attempt to glare at Jimin but when he catches his friend’s eyes, he freezes. Jimin has very clear eyes, it’s captivating. It sucks you in, making you not afraid to die in there.
“You’re looking into my eyes,” Jimin comments. “With such deep look I have a feeling we should date.” He means it as a joke but Jungkook takes it literally and panics.
“What!?”
“Why, you don't want to?”
“I… what?? It's too… it's too… sudden. I…” He finally notices both Jimin and Taehyung's suppressed smile and his face redden in embarrassment. He almost blows it.
“Go die, idiots!” He hisses and turns to the side to hide his face.
“That’s too rough.” Jimin turns to Taehyung and they exchange a knowing laugh. “A simple no will do too, y'know.”
“I hate both of you.”
~
Every Friday the school broadcasting club (or what others usually refer to as the pre-debut club) has the permission to play music and the freedom to do any pretend-talk-show they want during lunch break. Normally they have the school's princess, Kim Seokjin, on board. But since his pretty big scandal—him hitting other kid and escaping punishment—Seokjin is not so much everybody's darling like he's used to be anymore.
Today a deeper voice greets everyone.
«Hello, students of Bangtan High.»
Many students pause their eating and look up at the speaker phone (although they can't see the face of the host, it's become a habit now). The voice is oddly attractive.
«I will be your host for this afternoon, my name is Mind-Yo-Own-Business.»
There's a quick pause.
«I'm sorry, that was a bad joke.»
Laughter chorus through out the cafeteria.
«Anyway, here's the first song to help you eat your meal deliciously. Just Right by pretty boys GOT7.»
“This is a nice song,” Taehyung comments. Jungkook nods in agreement, unknowingly taps his finger along the beat. And then at the corner of his eye, he spots the familiar figure dashing toward their table.
He turns around 180°. There, Jimin waves at him.
“Hey~” Taehyung waves back. “Come on dude, we just started eating.”
“What's up with you?” Jungkook asks and realizes his tone comes out harsher than usual. He didn't mean to sound pissed, he's just surprised Jimin shows up at the cafeteria twice in one week. “I mean, hi.”
“I was told to come to the cafeteria. Surely, the music here's good~ ^^” Jimin places down his tray and sneaks into a seat next to Taehyung, across Jungkook.
Who told you? Jungkook wants to ask. Thankfully Taehyung asks out loud for him.
“Who told you?”
Jimin shrugs. “Just someone.”
Jungkook glares again—like he's trying to force the answer out of Jimin with his gaze. Jimin must have feel something because he wipes away his sweat and avoids eye contact with Jungkook for the whole time.
«How did you like the first song, everyone?»
The host says once the song ends.
«You all noticed the confession hotline posted yesterday on the school information board, right? Apparently I got one confession. Yahh~ y'all some pretty shy people, huh?»
The background takes over for two seconds before the hosts speaks again.
«Don't live like that. You'll die regretting. Here's the one and only confession sending in by one who wishes to remain unnamed.»
The background music changes into a softer note and the host starts reading.
«Recently I've been feeling weird toward my friend. I don't know how to describe it, but I checked the net and it was speculated that I might be in love with my best friend.»
Jimin shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Taehyung doesn't notice, for he is still focusing on his food and drink. Jungkook, though, has heard the confession so far and has turned pale like a paper. How come someone is in the exact same position as him?
“I think this milk is expire.” Taehyung speaks up. “It tastes weird, but not bad weird, you know what I mean? No?”
Jungkook has been lost for a moment that he hasn't heard the rest of the confession. What he's hearing now is probably the ending.
«I do not want to ruin this friendship in case feelings are not mutual. Thank you for reading my message. I would love to hear a song, please at least grant me this little wish.»
Jungkook and Jimin both exhale in unison. It draws Taehyung's attention away from inspecting the bottom part of his strawberry milk.
“What's with you two?”
“Huh?/Huh?”
“You're tense and awkward as hell. What are you, new lovers?”
“Don't spit nonsense.” Jungkook clears his throat. “I'm just cringing at the confession.”
“Same.” Jimin murmurs.
Before Taehyung can open his mouth and say something else, the host interrupts.
«Wahh, I like this song. It is also a special dedication from my friend Kim Seokjin toward his special person. Here's Boy in Luv.»
This time Taehyung tenses up and drops everything he's holding.
Unknowingly Jimin and Jungkook turn to each other and grin.
And then they stop and just look at each other. Both of their eyes sparkle, each of them note. Both of their eyes are giving away the truth, they agree. So they both spin away to hide just a little longer.