Chapter Text
The moment they’re out the door, Hoseok chimes, “okay, who wants to bet that I can get them together within one week?”
“No,” Jimin protests, eyeing Hoseok, “too easy. Five days.”
“Five days? Challenge accepted. You have to pay me fifty bucks if I get them together by Friday,” Hoseok steps forward, smirking, “We don’t say a word of this to both of them.”
“Fine,” Jimin stands up, extending a hand, “shake on it.”
“You guys are so fucking dumb,” Yoongi grumbles against Namjoon as the two shake hands, “Idiots.”
~
“Look at his handwriting, Jiminnie,” Taehyung whines pathetically, hair flopping into his eyes, “Look how perfect it is, just like he is.”
Jimin snorts, eyes rolling, “you’re so whipped, Kim Taehyung. What am I going to do with you?”
Taehyung snuffles into the sleeve of his hoodie, waving Jungkook’s essay in one hand, “Why is Jungkookie so perfect? Why didn’t he stay tiny and cute and adorable, like his handwriting?”
His best friend shoots him an exasperated look before turning back to the math homework in front of him, “Is it just me, or is your crush on Jungkook getting even worse? It’s just handwriting.”
“It’s not just handwriting,” Taehyung smooths his fingers over the paper, sighing dreamily, “it’s his handwriting.”
“Why don’t you ever do anything about your crush? You could always confess to Jungkookie, you know.”
“Are you kidding me?” Taehyung smacks the other’s bicep, “Jungkookie is straight. There’s no point.”
“Jungkook? Straight? He’s like those saloon door hinges — he obviously swings both ways.”
“Jiminnie, we both know you’re full of shit. Remember in fifth grade, Minah? And also, freshman year? He totally had a thing for Irene.”
“Okay, but he also had a crush on Kwon Jiyong that year? He used to get so starry-eyed about him,” Jimin retorts, twiddling his pen between his fingers.
“That’s different, he looks up to Jiyong-ssi,” Taehyung groans, “he’s his idol.”
“Sure, fine,” Jimin puffs out his cheeks, “whatever floats your boat.”
“Hi, I’m back,” the sound of Jungkook’s voice has Taehyung sitting up in his seat, like a puppy at the arrival of its owner, “and I got food.”
“Jeon Jungkook, I could kiss you right now,” Taehyung crows, and Jungkook flushes a brilliant red. The elder takes no notice, however, too preoccupied with the bags of takeout in Jungkook’s arms.
“Yes, you could, Tae,” Jimin remarks dryly, smirking at Jungkook’s flustered state. The youngest only scowls at him, glaring threateningly.
The three of them hang out in the library after school usually, studying and doing homework (or at least trying to). The librarian has long given up on trying to keep them under control, preferring to let them stay in the study room furthest away from the counter.
The takeout fries and burgers are cleared in a matter of minutes, Taehyung licking crumbs from his fingertips and sighing contentedly.
“Hyung, you have ketchup on your face,” Jungkook points at a spot on his cheek, “and also on your nose.”
Taehyung blinks, crossing his eyes to see the spot of ketchup on his nose. Jungkook smiles fondly at the sight, and he walks over, reaching his hand out.
“Here,” Taehyung stares with wide eyes as his crush smooths a thumb over his cheek. It’s warm and soft, like the fluffy paw of a bunny. He hopes Jungkook isn’t close enough to hear his heart thrumming like a Ferrari in his chest.
“I- uh, it’s okay,” Taehyung stammers, licking his lips nervously, “I’ll just go wipe it off in the bathroom.”
Jimin watches with amusement dancing in his eyes as Taehyung scampers off, leaving a slightly dejected Jungkook behind. “I’m pretty tired of being the third wheel all the time, you know,” the elder pipes up, sipping on his coke.
Jungkook glares at him, “Shut up, Jimin. I’ve basically been friend-zoned forever.”
“Yeah, sure, like the two of you don’t make doe eyes at each other every fucking day.”
“I’ve been dropping hints for the past three years. If he was interested, he would’ve made it clear by now,” Jungkook slides into his chair and slumps against the desk, “He probably still thinks I’m a little kid. Fuck.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Jimin scoffs, grimacing as he thinks of all the thirst rants Taehyung had gone on after he saw Jungkook at the gym, “He really, really doesn’t.”
“You’re full of shit, Jimin-hyung.”
“So I’ve been told.”
~
“Yo, Jungkook, wait up,” Jungkook turns around, arms clutching heavy textbooks.
“Hobi-hyung?”
“We haven’t talked in so long, Kookie,” the elder slings an arm around his neck, completely disregarding the books in his arms, “how are things going?”
“What do you mean, how are things going? I’m fine, I talked to you at lunch yesterday, hyung.”
“Okay,” Hoseok pouts a little, “but I mean how are things going with Taehyung?”
His cheeks immediately flood with red, “Nothing. There’s nothing going on because there’s nothing to it.”
“Don’t give me that shit, Jungkookie,” Hoseok ruffles his hair, “seriously though, has anything happened?”
“Of course not,” Jungkook mutters bitterly, “He doesn’t even like me. Why would he? I’m… Well, me.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. Self-deprecation is an unattractive trait. Have you seen yourself?” Hoseok squeezes Jungkook’s biceps, “Besides, I might actually be able to help.”
Jungkook tries not to perk up too much at that. “What do you mean?”
“Quoting Justin Bieber-sunbaenim at desperate times, aren’t we? Well, I have a friend in a similar situation. You know Kang Seulgi?”
He nods his assent, “yeah. The hottest girl in sophomore year, right? The dancer.”
“Yeah, her. She, like you, has been… unsuccessful in getting her affections returned. What I’m proposing here is that the two of you pretend to be in a relationship to get the other person jealous.”
“What?” Jungkook gapes at his hyung, eye twitching, “That literally sounds like a page out of a shoujo manga.”
“True, but no one ever said that shit wouldn’t work. You sure you don’t want to give it a try? Jealousy is a very valuable tool,” Hoseok tilts his head with a smirk.
“I never said no,” Jungkook says immediately. The elder snickers at his desperation, cooing at Jungkook as his cheeks flush a darker shade.
“Well, I’ll give you till tonight to decide. It’ll be easy. All you have to do is walk her to her locker or to her class, look affectionate, and the rumour mill will do the rest,” Hoseok untangles his arm from Jungkook’s shoulder. “Think about it.”
Jungkook nods, a little deep in thought. Hoseok did get Yoongi and Namjoon together after all — that in itself was a rather impossible feat.
“Wait,” he finds himself yelling down the hallway after Hoseok. The elder turns around, eyebrow raised in question.
“I’ll do it.”
~
The next day, Taehyung wakes up to the worst news of his life.
The “ping” notifications from text messages wakes him three minutes before his alarm rings. Partially blinded by the morning sun, Taehyung blindly grabs for his phone and squints at the screen in confusion.
[ Hobi hyung : holy shit tae ]
[ Hobi hyung: seulgi confessed to jungkook ytd and now they’re together?? ]
[ Hobi hyung : where are you?? ]
[ jiminnie : tae are you awake ]
[ jiminnie : have you heard ]
[ jiminnie: are you okay ]
[ jiminnie : this makes no sense ]
[ jiminnie : don't worry im going to fuck jungkook up later just u watch ]
Taehyung stares at his phone unblinkingly. Oh.
He can’t say he hadn’t seen this day coming. Jungkook has always been a chick magnet, what with his natural good looks and boyish charms. His only downfall was that he was awkward around girls, which meant he usually kept his distance from them.
Taehyung muffles his groans of despair in his duvet, stomach churning with discomfort. The corners of his eyes are a little wet, but nothing uncontrollable. School is going to be so much fun today.
~
Jimin is immediately by his side the moment Taehyung steps into the classroom, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and steering him to his seat.
“I swear to god I’m going to punch Jungkook in the face,” Jimin mutters, “That piece of shit.”
Taehyung smiles weakly as he slides into his chair, “No, it’s not his fault. I never knew that Kang Seulgi liked him though. I’m obviously no match for that.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t tell us!” Jimin paces in front of Taehyung’s desk, running his hand through his hair, “I found out through Yoongi hyung. What the fuck!”
“I’m sure Kookie has his reasons,” Taehyung sighs, biting the insides of his cheek, “he’ll tell us later.”
As if on cue, Jungkook steps into the classroom, looking a little lost. He shuffles to his seat, wincing a little under Jimin’s fierce glare.
“Jeon Jungkook, what is the meaning of this?” Taehyung winces at the volume of Jimin’s voice.
“I was just going to tell you,” Jungkook stares at his feet nervously, bunny teeth worrying his bottom lip. He’s still as adorable as before; Taehyung is so fucked.
“Why are you so nervous?” Taehyung laughs like his insides aren’t burning up, “our Jungkookie is growing up! I can’t believe you landed Kang Seulgi though. Damn, did you sell your soul to the Devil?”
Jimin just stares on with sad, sympathetic eyes while Jungkook blinks at Taehyung for a while. Taehyung can feel himself twitch nervously under Jungkook’s gaze, sweat gathering in his palms.
“Hello? Earth to Jeon Jungkook?” The younger shakes himself out of his trance, smiling with thin lips.
“Yeah, sorry. I’m a little tired, I was up all night last night,” Jungkook rubs his eyes sleepily.
“Our little Jungkookie is all grown up,” Taehyung fake-sobs into Jimin’s shoulder (like he doesn’t actually want to break down), “He’s talking to girls now.”
Jimin just stares at Jungkook, eyeing him suspiciously. The other smiles gingerly in return, rubbing his neck. Too busy sobbing into Jimin, Taehyung doesn’t notice the dejection and disappointment on Jungkook’s face.
~
“Jungkook, you’re full of shit,” Jimin slams his locker shut, still pissed off, “What the absolute fuck.”
Jungkook winces a little; Jimin usually doesn’t swear, and not with this much anger, “To be honest, it wasn’t my idea. And hey, at least now we know for sure that Taehyung doesn’t like me.”
“Jeon Jungkook, I’m going to kick you where the sun doesn’t shine. If you think Taehyung’s unaffected, it’s because he’s a fucking actor, you dumbass,” Jimin snarls, “He’s literally the lead in theatre.”
Jungkook shrugs, unconvinced.
“Wait,” Jimin whirls around, fire burning in his eyes, “it wasn’t your idea?”
“No? Hoseok-hyung suggested it. Actually, he was the one that set me up with Seulgi.”
“That little-” Jimin yells, waving his arms in the air angrily, “I’m going to fight him. Be right back.”
Jungkook watches with slight amusement as Jimin runs down the hallway, still muttering angry curses.
“Hey, Jungkook,” there’s a soft tap on his shoulder.
He turns around, “Hey Seulgi. Has it been working?”
“I think it’s kind of working,” Seulgi smiles, tucking her curls behind her ears, “She was kind of a little miffed this morning. How about you?”
“I don’t know,” Jungkook sighs, “He didn’t really react much besides his usual theatrics. At least it’s helping you right? Come on, I’ll walk you to class.”
Seulgi wets her lips meekly and links their arms together, “Thank you, Jungkook.”
As they walk away, Taehyung stares on with sad eyes, hiding from behind the lockers.
~
“Hoseok-hyung, you’re a fucking piece of shit.”
Hoseok looks up from his seat, pen falling from his hand. Yoongi, Namjoon and Seokjin immediately back away when they see Park Jimin storm in, staring in shock and a little fear.
“Okay, okay, but it’s for the bet,” Hoseok laughs nervously, standing up and putting his hands in the air in surrender.
“Really? Because both of them are not happy,” Jimin yells, “Sure, Taehyung is jealous and also sad, but he doesn’t show it! At least not to Jungkook!”
“Oh,” Hoseok bites his lower lip, deep in thought.
“Yeah, ‘oh’,” Jimin snaps, “What are we going to do now? Both of them aren’t going to talk about it.”
Yoongi just sighs as he leans against Namjoon’s shoulder, “You guys are such fucking idiots.”
~
The bell ringing signals the end of school for the day, and Taehyung immediately shoots up from his seat, his bag packed and ready to leave.
“Hyung,” Jungkook jogs over to his desk, “Where are you going?”
“Dentist’s appointment,” Taehyung groans, faking a grimace, “see you tomorrow Jungkookie!”
Jungkook looks a little suspicious, and Taehyung stills for a second. Shit, did he see through his lie? “Okay, hyung. See you tomorrow.” Maybe not then.
Taehyung gives him a weak smile and a wave, walking out the door with his heart sinking down to the soles of his shoes.
“Tae, wait,” Jimin stumbles after him, school bag slung hurriedly across his shoulder.
For a while they walk in silence, Taehyung being uncharacteristically quiet and Jimin staring at his best friend, eyebrows creased with worry.
“You okay?” Jimin says the moment they step out of the school gates.
“Yeah,” Taehyung licks his lips, “I’m fine. It’s just kind of a shock. Should’ve seen something like this coming a long time ago.”
Jimin sighs, “Jungkook will come around. Now forget about him, let’s go get ice cream and binge-watch Friends.”
~
[ jungkookie : hyung it’s not exactly working ]
[ jungkookie : i guess he really just doesn’t like me ]
[ Hobi hyung : nah he’s just good at hiding it ]
[ jungkookie : really?? i doubt it /: ]
[ Hobi hyung : just wait another day or two ]
[ Hobi hyung : it’ll work okay dont u trust hyung )-: ]
[ jungkookie : okay but im still not convinced ]
[ Hobi hyung : )): ]
~
“Tae, are you free for lunch today?” Taehyung looks up at Jungkook as he nervously drums his fingers against his desk.
“Sorry,” Taehyung smiles, ignoring the throb of his heart against the lines of his ribs, “I have drama rehearsal today. And don’t you have to hang out with Seulgi?”
Jungkook scratches the back of his head, “Uh- Okay. I’ll see you later then.”
As Jungkook leaves, Jimin pipes up, “You know sooner or later he’ll realise you’re avoiding him, right?”
“Yeah, I know. What else can I do though?”
His best friend falls silent at that, deep in thought.
Taehyung sighs. At least the next class is Math and he doesn’t share a class with Jungkook.
The two of them walk to their lockers in silence. Suddenly, Jimin stops in his tracks.
“What?” Taehyung asks, then looks up.
~
Jungkook walks over to Seulgi’s classroom, ignoring the people whispering around him. Seulgi is the most popular girl in grade, and for some dumb unknown reason, Jungkook is also pretty popular with the girls, so it’s not surprising that gossip has been flying around like crazy.
“Hey,” Jungkook says, approaching the brunette from behind, “Walk you to your locker?”
“Oh,” Seulgi turns around with a quick smile, “Yeah, thanks.”
They walk side by side, hand in hand, shoulders brushing slightly. It’s still a little awkward, but it’s passable for a couple, and excitable gossipy teenagers are hardly a tough audience. Seulgi’s locker is not too far away anyway, so it’s not much of a problem.
Jungkook is standing next to Seulgi’s locker, helping her with her books, when all of a sudden she whirls around to face him, eyes wide, “Kiss me. Please. Now.”
He blinks at her dumbly, mouth slightly ajar in shock. Urgency flashes across Seulgi's face and he can see the desperation in her eyes. Before Jungkook can regret it, he closes the gap between them, pressing his lips against hers. Seulgi’s lips are soft, but it feels wrong, their movements out of sync.
Jungkook sees something brown flash by from the corner of his eye, and then Seulgi is breaking apart and pushing him away, “Wendy, wait!”
Dumbfounded, he watches as Seulgi chases after the girl running down the hallway, eyes blinking with disbelief. There’s a scuffle and a few sounds of protests behind him and Jungkook turns around. A mop of familiar orange hair disappears around the corner of the hall, and amongst the whispering onlookers, Jungkook can see the plain look of disappointment and disapproval on Jimin’s face.