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Rain tapped softly against HYBE’s windows as the clock slipped past two in the morning. The building was almost empty, except for the light still on in one of the practice rooms and another, much dimmer, in the small private studio where Jungkook had been staring at his right hand for nearly twenty minutes, as if he were trying to solve the mystery of the century.
Crumpled papers, uncapped pens, and an abandoned bag of snacks were scattered across the table.
ARMY
A R M Y
Simple, pretty, and dangerously sentimental, but by far the design he liked the most.
-This is ridiculous… -he muttered to himself, sketching the same thing for what felt like the hundredth time.
A beneath his index finger.
R on his middle finger.
M on the ring finger.
Y on the pinky.
It was the fandom’s name, but written in a way that also represented the initials or identifying letters of each member, which was why he needed to add a J over the knuckle of his ring finger.
Namjoon was in the RM. Seokjin in the extra J he had decided to add. Yoongi in the final Y. J-Hope in the same J as Jin. Jimin in both the J and the M. Taehyung in the A on his index finger which, without the horizontal line, looked like a V if you tilted it.
One name was missing. His own. That was where the problem started.
Because Jungkook had spent over an hour trying to convince himself that discreetly adding “JK” somewhere would balance things out, but every time he wrote it down it felt like it ruined the meaning. He didn’t want to make a tribute to himself. He wanted to carry them.
Especially one of them.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair.
The “JM” on his ring finger had belonged to Jimin in his mind from the very beginning.
At this point, he wasn’t even trying to fool himself anymore.
Not after years of sharing hotel rooms, endless flights, concerts, late nights eating ramen after hours and hours of practice… and Jimin’s infuriating habit of looking at him as if he could understand every thought in his head without needing words.
The worst part was that Jimin seemed completely unaware of the effect he had on him. Or maybe he was pretending not to notice, which would somehow be even worse.
Jungkook grabbed another paper and started sketching more detailed ideas. If he was going to do this, it had to look good. Subtle, but not too subtle.
The “J” and the “M” ended up slightly bolder than the other letters. Just a few extra strokes. Enough to make them stand out a little more.
Nothing exaggerated. Nothing that screamed I’ve been hopelessly in love with Park Jimin for years.
Nothing like that.
…Probably.
He stared at the finished design for several minutes before smiling to himself.
-I’m doomed
*************************************************************************************
Days later, Jungkook walked into the living room wearing black gloves, which was already suspicious enough on its own.
-Why are you wearing gloves inside? -RM asked from the couch, barely looking away from his laptop.
-I’m cold.
-Cold? It’s thirty degrees outside.
-My hands are emotionally cold.
Jin’s loud cackle echoed from the kitchen.
-Ah yes, and if your nose is cold too, then it’s definitely diarrhea.
Ignoring both the comment and the laughter, Jungkook headed straight for the fridge. He was just about to open it when someone grabbed his wrist.
-Kook.
Shit.
Jimin’s voice always lowered his defenses and raised his heartbeat at the same time.
He turned around slowly.
Jimin was looking at him through sleepy eyes, his hair messy and an oversized shirt that clearly wasn’t his.
Probably Jungkook’s.
That didn’t help either.
-What are you hiding? -Jimin asked, rubbing at his eyes in such an adorable way Jungkook was pretty sure twenty-five fairies had just been born somewhere.
-Nothing.
-Then show me.
-No.
-Aha! You’re definitely hiding something.
Jungkook tried to pull away, but Jimin tightened his grip.
-Did you hurt yourself?
And there it was again. That tone. The immediate concern. The way Jimin always sounded as though any injury Jungkook got somehow belonged to him too.
Jungkook swallowed.
-It’s nothing serious.
-Serious? -Jimin looked fully awake now.
-I didn’t say serious.
-You literally just did. Did you get hurt?
-Hyung…
-Did Jungkook get another tattoo? -Tae asked suddenly, appearing behind the couch out of nowhere.
Silence.
Everyone looked up.
Jungkook closed his eyes.
Traitor.
-I KNEW IT! -Jin shouted.
In less than ten seconds, six men were crowding around him like curious paparazzi.
-Show us.
-Where is it?
-Is it big?
-What is it?
-Did you tattoo a cow? -Jin asked suddenly.
-Why a cow? -Yoongi asked from the corner, confused.
-How should I know? He’s Jungkookie! I don’t understand how his brain works!
Jungkook tried to escape and he failed miserably.
Jimin was still holding onto his hand.
Still smiling.
-Show us, Kook-ah.
Damn it.
With a dramatic sigh, Jungkook slowly pulled off the glove.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Six pairs of eyes dropped to his knuckles.
ARMY.
The black letters, still covered by the protective second skin from the tattoo studio, stood out sharply against his pale skin.
For one second nobody spoke. And honestly, that scared Jungkook more than any screaming would have.
Until Hobi inhaled sharply.
-Oh no...
Jungkook looked at him immediately.
-This is… way too adorable.
-RIGHT?! -Tae yelled. -I’m emotional!
Namjoon stepped closer, studying the details carefully. Then he smiled in that small, sincere way that always made Jungkook feel like he had done something right.
-You tattooed all of us… ARMY and us.
He had deciphered the hidden meaning immediately. Jungkook shrugged, pretending to be casual even as warmth slowly crept up his chest.
-Well, you’re all important to me. ARMY and BTS.
Jin looked genuinely touched. Which was rare considering he usually used every opportunity to tease him.
-Jungkook… this is actually really beautiful.
-I know. I’m amazing.
-I never said that.
-You thought it.
-Absolutely not.
While everyone kept laughing at the pointless argument, Jimin stayed quiet. Too quiet.
Jungkook noticed immediately. And then he made the mistake of looking at him. Jimin was staring specifically at the “JM,” his thumb absentmindedly tracing along the outline.
Of course.
Because the Universe personally hated Jungkook and Jimin had a tendency to notice tiny details like that.
A dance move one millimeter off.
A bead sewn incorrectly onto a stage outfit.
A note sung slightly flatter than expected.
How could he not notice the extra strokes on his initials?
-Hm -Jimin murmured.
-What?
Jimin slowly looked up.
-Interesting.
-What’s interesting? -Jungkook asked, not wanting to know the answer.
-Nothing.
-Hyung.
Okay, maybe he did want to know.
Jimin smiled faintly.
-My letters look more… defined.
Jungkook’s heart stopped for approximately three seconds.
Taehyung whipped his head around.
-He’s right.
-What? -Jungkook answered way too fast.
Yoongi raised an eyebrow.
-Yeah. Those definitely have more ink than the others.
-It’s not...
-They’ve got extra shading -Namjoon added.
-They look bigger -Hobi said.
-Even from here they stand out more than the rest -Jin finished from across the group.
Jungkook wanted to die.
Right now.
Instantly.
Preferably evaporate and leave no trace behind.
Anything was better than enduring everyone staring at that damn “JM.”
-I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe the ink just settled weird there -he tried to defend himself, though he would’ve sounded more convincing if he hadn’t stuttered halfway through.
-Hmmm, if you say so… -Tae teased.
-If you wanted to confess, you could’ve written him a song, taken him out to dinner, brought him to see the stars… I don’t know, something less complicated. Or maybe just tell him you’ve been in love with him for years! -Jin added, laughing.
And then silence fell.
Jungkook froze.
Jimin blinked.
-What? -he asked.
Everyone turned toward him at the exact same time.
All of them.
Like they had just discovered someone didn’t know the sky was blue.
-…What? -Jimin repeated, more confused.
Namjoon slowly removed his glasses.
-You didn’t know?
-Know what?
Yoongi let out a dry laugh as he leaned back against the couch.
-I don’t know what’s happening anymore…
Jungkook wanted to die.
Again.
For the second time in less than five minutes.
And Jimin looked genuinely lost.
-Wait -Hobi said, looking back and forth between them. -Neither of you realized?
-What exactly am I supposed to realize? -Jimin asked, exasperated.
Taehyung opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Jungkook could feel his heart slamming against his ribs. Because there were only two possibilities. Either Jimin truly had no idea. Or he did know… and was pretending not to. And Jungkook didn’t know which option was worse.
-Forget it -he muttered, pulling his hand away as he tried to get his glove back on. -It’s not what you think.
But Jimin grabbed his wrist again.
-Not so fast.
Jimin’s smile was small. Curious.Dangerous.
Almost as dangerous as the look in his eyes.
-Why are my letters darker? -he asked softly.
-They’re not.
-Yes, they are.
-No.
-Yes.
-No.
-Jungkook.
-Hyung.
-Do you love me more than the others?
The other five held their breath at the exact same time Jungkook choked on his own.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Not a single word came out.
Because Jimin was still looking directly into his eyes.
Too close.
Too soft.
Too sweet.
His small hands still wrapped around Jungkook’s.
And somehow he still seemed completely unaware of the devastating effect all of that had on him.
-You’re all important to me -Jungkook answered.
Technically, it wasn’t a lie.
Jimin tilted his head and gave him a tiny smile.
-Hmmm.
-What do you mean ‘hmmm’?
-Nothing.
-You said it for a reason. What?
-Nothing.
-¡Stop saying nothing!
-Then admit you told the tattoo artist to make them darker.
-I DIDN’T!
-You made them stand out.
-No.
-They’re way more obvious than the others.
-No.
-I’d call it romantic.
-NO!
-Maybe even sensual.
-PARK JIMIN!
Laughter exploded around the room.
It felt like everyone was watching a tennis match, their heads turning back and forth every time they argued.
Jimin started laughing too, still holding onto Jungkook’s hand, and something dangerously warm settled in Jungkook’s chest at the sight.
Because Jimin had always been the definition of beauty and sweetness.
But lately…
Lately, Jungkook had started noticing little things.
The way Jimin always chose to sit beside him even when there was plenty of space elsewhere.
The way he constantly found excuses to touch him.
The way his smile looked different when Jungkook was the one making him laugh.
The way he looked at him.
God.
Especially the way he looked at him.
And still, Jungkook had never let himself think too deeply about it.
Because loving Jimin was one thing. Falling in love with him was another. But believing those feelings could actually be returned? That was pure delusion territory.
***********************************************************************************************
The problem officially began three days later. Because aside from his angelic side, Jimin also had a tiny little demon living inside him.
And that demon had decided to have fun.
And when Park Jimin decided to play with someone, that person rarely survived intact.
-Can I see it again? -he asked one night, dropping down beside Jungkook on the dorm couch.
-See what?
-The tattoo.
-You already saw it twenty times today.
-I want to see it twenty-one -he curled closer against Jungkook as he said it.
Jungkook sighed but obediently pulled off the glove and Jimin took his hand in his .
The others were scattered around the room relaxing after practice, though all of them seemed suspiciously attentive despite pretending to focus on conversations, phones, or the show Jungkook had put on and was now completely ignoring.
-Hmmm…-Jimin murmured, absentmindedly stroking his ring finger knuckle. -I definitely like it.
Jungkook swallowed and prayed his palm wouldn’t start sweating.
-They’re just letters.
-And?
Jimin’s thumb slid slowly over the “M”.
Far too slowly.
-I can practically see the love behind them.
Hobi literally choked on his drink in the background. Namjoon patted his back while smiling.
-Are you trying to kill me? -Jungkook muttered, instinctively pressing his free hand against his chest.
Jimin smiled innocently.
-Why would you die?
Because you’re looking at me like you want to kiss me.
Because you’ve been glued to my side all week.
Because I can feel every single place our bodies are touching right now.
Because every time you smile like that I lose years off my life.
But Jungkook said none of it.
He only tried to pull his hand back.
Jimin didn’t let go.
-Jimin-shi.
-Hmm?
-Let go.
-I don’t want to.
And there.
Exactly there.
Something shifted.
Because Jimin wasn’t entirely joking anymore. And Jungkook started seeing it.
The lingering looks.
The way Jimin moved closer until their legs brushed even when there was no reason to.
The way he smiled every time Jungkook got flustered.
And worse…
The way he tried to hide his blush whenever Jungkook got brave enough to flirt back.
************************************************************************************************
The war officially began during a late-night recording session.
-Jungkook-ah.
-What?
Jimin appeared behind him while he was reviewing mixes. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook from behind and leaned over his shoulder to look at the screen.
Too close.
His chest pressed against Jungkook’s back.
His voice brushing against his ear.
It wasn’t exactly unusual for them, but that night… something felt different.
-What are you listening to?
Jungkook closed his eyes for a second, trying to gather all his remaining brain cells into one functioning task.
-The new song.
-Hmmm.
He didn’t move.
Not even a little.
And when he finally did, it was only to bury his face into the crook of Jungkook’s neck and tighten his hold.
Jungkook’s thoughts scattered immediately.
Some of them wandered into dangerous territory.
-Jimin-shi.
-Yes?
The warm breath against his skin made goosebumps rise along his neck.
-You’re doing this on purpose.
-Doing what?
Jungkook turned his head slightly.
And that was a mistake.
A terrible mistake.
Because Jimin turned too. And suddenly he was close. Absurdly close.
Close enough to see the shine on his lips.
Close enough that if he leaned forward just a little...
-Oh! Oops! -Jin exclaimed as he walked into the studio. -Am I interrupting?
They sprang apart instantly. Far too fast. Far too suspiciously.
Jin looked between them. Then slowly smiled as he opened his mouth.
-Hyung, don’t start -Jungkook groaned before he could speak.
-I didn’t say anything.
-You’re thinking it loud enough for me to hear from here.
-So I did interrupt? -Jin teased with his witchy little laugh.
-ARGH!
****************************************************************************************************************
After that, the push and pull only got worse.
Or better.
Jungkook wasn’t sure anymore.
Jimin started stealing his gloves just to “admire the art.”
Jungkook started grabbing his waist every time he walked by just to watch Jimin lose the ability to speak for a second.
Jimin began leaning all over him constantly, sometimes on purpose and sometimes unconsciously.
Jungkook started whispering things into his ear at the worst possible moments just to watch him lose track of whatever he’d been saying.
And the others…
Well.
The others were slowly losing their minds.
-At this rate we’ll retire before they finally kiss -Yoongi said one night over a glass of soju.
-I can’t watch them anymore -Hobi complained- Yesterday they stared at each other for like five whole minutes without speaking!
-That cannot be normal -Jin said.
-It looks like some kind of mating dance -Taehyung explained.
-And when exactly are they planning to mate? -Hobi replied dramatically.
-You do realize you share a room with one of them, right? -Yoongi raised an eyebrow- Are you sure that’s what you want?
-Oh no! -Hobi suddenly looked completely sober. -Please, someone let me stay with them when that happens!
-If it happens before we die -Jin scoffed.
Namjoon sighed deeply.
-I just hope I live long enough to see the ending of this.
*************************************************************************************************************************
There’s only so long two people can dance around each other before something finally gives in.
And what everyone had been waiting for finally happened.
It was late Friday night.
Jungkook sat at the desk in his room, scrolling through videos, when Jimin appeared in the doorway fresh out of the shower, hair damp, oversized hoodie hanging off his frame, and that soft expression that always tore down every wall Jungkook tried to build.
-You’re still awake?
-Mhm.
Jimin dropped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling quietly.
-Can I ask you something?- he asked softly.
Jungkook turned his chair toward him. His concentration had vanished the moment Jimin walked into the room.
-Depends.
-My initials…
Oh no. Not again.
-What about them?
This time Jimin held his gaze without speaking.
The distance between them suddenly started bothering Jungkook, so he got up and laid down beside him.
Jimin kept looking at him, but this time there was no teasing in his eyes.
No jokes.
No playful smiles.
Just pure and raw honesty.
-You made them like that to… say something you couldn’t out loud, didn’t you?
The air disappeared from Jungkook’s lungs. He felt the need to speak, to explain himself, but failed miserably.
Because suddenly everything was there.
All those years.
All those looks.
All the songs shared in silence.
All the unspoken words.
Everything.
And Jimin was still waiting for an answer.
Patient and gentle. As always.
Almost as he was scared too.
Jungkook let out a nervous laugh.
-Was it that obvious?
Jimin smiled slowly and turned onto his side until they were face to face.
-If the members hadn’t said what they said that day, I probably would’ve blamed the tattoo artist. But after all those comments…
Jungkook lowered his eyes for a second.
-I didn’t know how to… I didn’t know if you knew… or worse, I didn’t know if you knew and were pretending not to know…
He was fully aware he was rambling, but to his surprise, Jimin answered his mess of tangled thoughts.
-Well, I didn’t know if you knew that I also…
At that, Jungkook looked at him again and found exactly the same thing he had been hiding for years reflected in Jimin’s eyes.
Affection.
Tenderness.
Desire.
And a ridiculous amount of love.
-Jimin-ah… -he whispered.
Jimin shifted closer.
-Jungkook-ah…
-If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to do something I’ve been thinking about for way too long…
Jimin’s smile trembled.
-I like your impulsive side. Stop thinking and do it.
And that was it.
Jungkook kissed him the way he had wanted to for years. Without room for doubt.
One hand wrapped around his waist while the other found its way to his neck as Jimin let out a breathless sound against his lips and moved even closer.
Burning.
Desperate.
Completely overwhelming.
Perfect.
And God.
Oh, God!
Jimin kissed exactly the way Jungkook had imagined during far too many sleepless nights. His lips soft but insistent. His hands gripping at Jungkook’s chest and the back of his neck. His breathing turning uneven when Jungkook deepened the kiss and Jimin practically ended up lying on top of him without even realizing.
Years of tension exploded all at once. Every flirtatious glance. Every lingering touch disguised as innocence. All the waiting.
Jungkook held him tighter while Jimin cupped his face with both hands as though he needed to make sure this was real. That everything happening between them was real.
As though he had wanted this just as badly.
The bedroom door suddenly opened.
-Jungkook, are you coming to… dinner?
Silence.
The five members standing behind Taehyung froze in the doorway on their way to the kitchen.
Tae's mouth slowly fell open.
Hobi looked seconds away from crying from happiness.
Namjoon covered his eyes with one hand.
Yoongi simply nodded like someone who had just won a very long-running bet.
And Jin…
Jin pulled out his phone.
-DON’T YOU DARE! -Jungkook shouted over Jimin’s shoulder.
-I need to immortalize this historic moment!
Completely red, Jimin buried his face in Jungkook’s neck while the others started yelling in celebration.
-FINALLY!
-ABOUT TIME!
-I CALLED IT BACK IN 2017 AFTER TOKYO!
-YOU ALL OWE ME MONEY!
Jungkook ended up laughing into Jimin’s hair.
Jimin lifted his head, still blushing, still holding onto him.
-Kook-ah.
-Hm?
Jimin bit his lip to stop himself from smiling too hard.
-I think you can finally admit my letters were the darkest ones... and you asked for it.
Jungkook stared at him for a few seconds in disbelief.
Then he kissed him again right in front of everyone, earning screams, applause, and dramatic groans from the people already dreading what their future was going to look like.