Chapter Text
네 손을 잡은 순간, 외롭지 않았다. (The moment I held your hand, I was no longer lonely.)
(1)
The parking lot of the Korea National University of Arts, K-ARTS, was always crowded after eight at night. People carrying violins, tap shoes echoing through the hallways, vocalists warming up without a shred of embarrassment, and even sweaty dancers improvising steps after a dance session. And, in the middle of all that, there was Park Jimin, sighing after a dance class where he could swear he had spent six straight hours repeating the same steps, and as if that wasn’t fucking exhausting enough, he was now listening to his ex-boyfriend repeat for the twenty-sixth time: let’s get back together, please.
Min Hyunwoo, a prodigy student in music composition. Pianist. Perfect voice. The entire campus’s collective crush. Professors struck up conversations with him in the hallways. Freshmen trembled when he smiled. Because besides the perfect smile, he had a face that captivated while simultaneously screaming trouble. And, unfortunately, that trouble also happened to be Jimin’s ex-boyfriend, completely incapable of understanding the concept of “we broke up.”
— Jimin-ah, let’s talk. — Hyunwoo insisted, grabbing his arm outside the dance building.
— We talked yesterday.
— Then talk to me again.
— Hyunwoo… — Jimin sighed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
Completely irritating, Jimin thought.
— You can’t just ignore me.
Jimin pulled his arm back, exhausted. He could and should ignore Hyunwoo, because he wasn’t just a shitty ex-boyfriend, he was an ex-boyfriend who treated him like shit, an ex-boyfriend who ruined every happy day Jimin was trying to build. But Jimin had been so trapped by his charm over the last three years that not even all the times they broke up and got back together were enough to serve as a sign that this narcissistic guy was not meant to be the love of his life.
Jimin kind of believed in that, a love of his life. Somewhere out there, but definitely not Min Hyunwoo. But he was possessive and didn’t understand that this time, the breakup was final.
This had been going on for three weeks. Flowers in his locker. Endless messages. Waiting for him after class “by coincidence.” Showing up at rehearsals. All of it accompanied by that perfect smile that made the rest of the campus think it was impossible for him to be a problem.
“He seems so kind.” they said. “Jimin, don’t be so hard on him.” someone always liked to add. “How could he say no to Min Hyunwoo?” was the biggest question in the university forums and gossip groups.
Of course charming psychopaths exist too. And Jimin was almost certain Min Hyunwoo was one of them.
— You’re overreacting, — Hyunwoo said more softly, stepping closer. — We just went through a rough patch, it wouldn’t be the first time, right?
— You called me twenty-three times in one night.
— Because you didn’t answer.
— Because I was rehearsing.
— How was I supposed to know? You wouldn’t let me copy your class schedule.
— This isn’t normal, Hyunwoo.
— I worry about you, Jimin-ah. — Hyunwoo tried to take his hand, and Jimin stepped away again. — You’re so beautiful, and people keep looking at you…
Jimin took a deep breath, searching for patience somewhere in the universe, and then he heard the roar of a motorcycle catching his attention.
Everyone heard it.
The black motorcycle rolled slowly into the parking lot, drawing immediate stares. Jeon Jungkook, he was like a limited-edition Birkin bag that no one could have, wild leather, the scent of danger, always arriving on his motorcycle as if he were starring in his own bad-boy music video, tattooed, pierced, and with perhaps an endless list of people who wanted to sleep with him. And another endless list of people who already had.
Jungkook removed his helmet with absurd calm, messy hair falling over his eyes, a leather jacket open over a black T-shirt, a few shining necklaces, and leather boots that Jimin knew meant Jungkook cared at least a little about fashion, because they were from Prada’s new collection.
Half the people around them simply stopped walking.
Jimin rolled his eyes, because it was ridiculous. He was just another playboy who used music, along with his pretty face, to charm people and probably left them traumatized once he was done having fun with them.
They had only had two or three conversations until now. All of them very superficial, except for one that had been almost emotional, because Jimin had fought with Hyunwoo and was at a bar with his friend Taehyung, drinking colorful cocktails he thought would comfort his newly broken heart. Jungkook had been there with a friend who had also just gone through a breakup, and Jimin had joined him to cry.
Jungkook had found the scene amusing, commented once or twice that Jimin was cute, but in the end Jimin was dragged away by Taehyung, who said he would regret crying like that in front of a handsome guy.
Jungkook got off the motorcycle and noticed the scene almost immediately: Hyunwoo standing far too close and Jimin clearly uncomfortable.
His eyes narrowed.
— Is there a problem? — Jungkook asked, stepping closer with a posture that was very calm, but very firm.
— It’s none of your business. — Hyunwoo let out a nasal little laugh.
Jungkook looked at Jimin first, as if trying to communicate with him telepathically. His eyebrows moved, shifting the piercing slightly, and Jimin frowned, wondering whether Jungkook could possibly share a neuron as chaotic as his.
— Is it really not?
Jimin didn’t even think.
— It is. It’s very much your business.
Silence.
Hyunwoo stared at the two of them, confused.
And then Jimin had the worst, or perhaps the best, idea of his life. The idea he thought he was mentally sharing with Jungkook, though judging by the confused way Jungkook furrowed his brows, apparently he wasn’t. But it was already a little too late by the time Jimin decided it was a good plan.
He walked up to Jungkook, grabbed the collar of his jacket, and said:
— Honey, you’re late.
Jungkook blinked once. Twice. But he slipped into the act almost instantly, because he understood that Jimin was not someone who would give this kind of attention for free unless he was desperate.
— The professor kept us after music theory class. I almost thought I wouldn’t make it to the studio. — he replied naturally. — Sorry, baby.
Hyunwoo went pale, and Jimin wrinkled his nose because that nickname sounded strange coming from someone like Jungkook.
— Baby?
— Ah… did I forget to tell you? — Jimin smiled with poisonous sweetness, rubbing a hand over Jungkook’s chest as if he were proud of him.
Jungkook wrapped an arm around his waist as if he did it every single day. And it was frighteningly convincing.
— We’ve been together for a while now… — Jungkook added.
A horrible lie. And Jimin nudged Jungkook with his foot, lightly stepping on his boot.
— Well, not that long, but it feels like it… it’s as if Jimin has always been part of my life.
— Aww, my beautiful… radical kitten. — Jimin mentally cursed himself for being so bad at pet names.
But it was an extremely effective lie. Because Hyunwoo looked at Jungkook like someone who had just lost a war.
It made sense. Everyone knew who Jeon Jungkook was.
The pop music boy. Lead vocalist of the university band. Popular. Talented. Owner of an absurd collection of motorcycles and designer clothes. The kind of guy who seemed impossible to intimidate. Tattooed. Sexy. A little cute. He was the perfect combination of boyfriend material.
Hyunwoo tried to maintain his composure.
— I see. — Hyunwoo scratched the back of his neck, clearly understanding nothing. — So… you two…
Jungkook pulled Jimin a little closer.
— Boyfriends. Is there a problem with that?
Hyunwoo’s jaw tightened. He was incredulous that someone like Jimin could move on so well and leave him behind. Not that Jimin lacked popularity of any kind. In fact, he was well known in the dance building for being beautiful and talented. He drew attention because the blond hair he had decided to dye matched his energy and his very pale skin, giving him an almost angelic aura.
A sin sent from heaven.
So plenty of people might be interested, but few would dare try anything knowing he was Min Hyunwoo’s ex-boyfriend. But suddenly, it seemed entirely possible, because Jungkook didn’t appear to be afraid of anyone.
— No, just unexpected…
— Great. — Jungkook replied. — You were already on your way out, Hyung?
Hyunwoo nodded and cast one final look at Jimin before walking away. It was a temporary victory, seeing the defeated look in Hyunwoo’s eyes for the first time and watching him leave, even if only for a few days, giving Jimin room to breathe.
As soon as he disappeared, Jimin let out his breath violently.
— Oh my God.
Jungkook still had his hand on Jimin’s waist.
— So… “honey”?
Jimin stepped away much too quickly.
— It was to make it convincing. He wasn’t going to leave. — Jimin tugged at the sleeve of his sweater, looking a little shy for the first time. — Don’t let it inflate your ego…
— Of course.
Jungkook looked around, watching a few people whispering about the situation, about them. And he smiled, almost too proudly.
— Thank you for helping me. — Jimin said. — I’ll deal with him later when he comes back and realizes it was all a lie.
Jungkook rested his helmet against his hip.
— Is he the crazy ex?
— Obsessive ex, actually.
— I see.
— And now he probably thinks we’re dating, which gives me a week or two free from him. — Jimin smiled.
— And how many weeks would you need for him to move on?
— What?
— How many weeks would I need to be your boyfriend?
Jimin laughed, assuming Jungkook was at least a little bored to say something like that.
— I don’t want to be that guy who talks about one-night stands, but this was a one-time emergency situation. — Jimin smiled and patted Jungkook on the shoulder. — Don’t take it personally, it’s just too big of a mess to fake.
Jimin’s phone beeped and he cursed.
— Late?
— As fuck. — Jimin laughed. — Thanks again, Jungkook-ssi. — He bowed and ran down the stairs.
— See you later, baby. — Jungkook waved the helmet in the air, speaking a little too loudly and drawing the attention of several people, who quickly did their part in spreading the gossip across the forums.
“Wasn’t he Hyunwoo’s ex? Oh my God! He only gets the best ones?”
“Isn’t he the number one dancer? I heard he turned down several universities just to stay in Seoul.”
“I heard this is the first boyfriend Jungkook has ever gone public with. This is serious, right?”
2 days later
— YOU DID WHAT? — Taehyung shouted in the middle of the cafeteria near the film building.
Jimin buried his face in his hands, regretting the fact that Taehyung always managed to make his spontaneous ideas sound idiotic by pointing out all the things Jimin had never thought about. And Taehyung was always right.
— It was an emergency, I know, it was stupid…
— You fake dated Jeon Jungkook. That is not an emergency, that is you turning your life into an SBS drama script. — Taehyung lowered his voice. — He is, like, the hottest guy in the music building. Hyunwoo must have been so pissed.
— You should have seen his face. — Jimin admitted. — He looked like he had just failed an audition for a record label.
— Half the university thinks he’s unattainable. — Taehyung kept going. — And then Park Jimin, who already had Min Hyunwoo wrapped around his finger, gets him too…
— Great for me, then. — Jimin celebrated.
— I am friends with the biggest gay in Korea.
— Shut up. — Jimin knocked his forehead against the table. — I just wanted to spend my time dancing and I keep getting involved in romantic dramas. I need therapy.
— You’ve been in therapy for three years, my friend.
— Then I need a retreat. Somewhere without men.
— What a nightmare. — Taehyung laughed and took a sip of his coffee, his eyes widening as he looked toward the door. — Don’t turn around, the devil is among us.
— Hyunwoo? — Jimin did not even move, only sank deeper into his chair.
The problem was that Hyunwoo had not completely backed off. Jimin knew he had asked at least six people from the dance department whether Jimin was really seeing Jungkook, which worked out great for Jimin because after the incident in front of the building, everyone more or less believed they were a couple and even more rumors began to spread.
Hyunwoo now watched him from a distance, without approaching too much, as if he were waiting for the right moment to prove that everything was a lie, because his ego was so enormous that he still could not believe Jimin had moved on.
Jimin finished his coffee quickly and left with Taehyung, completely ignoring Hyunwoo. But he was always there, like two days later when they were attending a lecture in the auditorium about art and Jimin needed some extra credit hours, so he was sitting at the end of a row that Hyunwoo also chose to sit in.
And that was exactly why Jungkook showed up in the auditorium that Friday, holding two coffees.
— Thanks for saving my seat, baby. — Jungkook said, gesturing to Jimin’s backpack that was occupying the seat next to him and handing him one of the coffees.
Jimin nearly dropped his bag as he moved it from the chair and cast a quick glance in Hyunwoo’s direction.
— Don’t you have class?
— I sort of caught up through the forums and saw that your ex keeps stalking you around campus. I don’t want people starting rumors that we broke up and him taking advantage of that. — Jungkook smiled, draping an arm over Jimin’s shoulders.
— You don’t have to do this… — Jimin said.
— I know, but I hate asshole guys. Your ex is one of them.
— So you’re not an asshole? — Jimin stared at him, ignoring how close they were, because from that distance he could see even the tiny pores on Jungkook’s skin and the small beauty mark beneath his lower lip.
Jimin mentally cursed himself for staring too much, because when Jungkook looked back at him, he realized he had been hypnotized for a few seconds.
— Do I look like an asshole?
— I don’t know. I’ve met too few of them, which is why I fell into Hyunwoo’s trap.
Jungkook glanced in Hyunwoo’s direction and saw that he had not looked away, only pulled his lips into a smile.
— Hold my hand.
— What?
— Hyunwoo is literally staring at you.
Jimin looked discreetly.
— Okay, fine.
Jimin took Jungkook’s hand. And it was a mistake. Because his hand was warm, large, and comfortable. It fit perfectly with Jimin’s, and the feeling was good, even if it was not real. Jimin missed a little affection, a little comfort, because even when he had been with Hyunwoo, it had not always been like this. Those moments had been rare.
Hyunwoo was bossy, demanding, always picking fights, always making demands, always wanting Jimin to be exactly the way he wanted him to be, to do everything exactly the way he wanted. And sometimes the only comfort Jimin had was during sex. Because Hyunwoo was good at that, and Jimin thought that little bit of affection was enough.
He was in Seoul, far away from his family, with only Taehyung as his best friend. But Taehyung was struggling to break into the film industry, and he always needed to be working, taking small roles, filming commercials for skincare products or fast food. And Jimin hated being alone, so when he arrived in Seoul three years earlier, he had been the perfect victim for Hyunwoo.
At first, it was good. Sweet. A little too jealous, a little too controlling, but still warm, loving, and less lonely.
— Guys like him know how to find people like you. — Jungkook said after a moment of silence.
— People like me?
— Too good. — Jungkook sighed. — It’s shitty.
Jimin thought about the tone Jungkook was using and the way he spoke about it as if it were something deeply personal. He was sympathetic, understanding, and at the same time so friendly, gentle, and comforting. It was strange if you looked at Jungkook and knew his reputation, because he was so different.
Maybe it was the voice of the good part of Jimin shouting at him that Jungkook was nice and not an asshole, once again, and unfortunately, Jimin was not putting much faith in the voice of his good part.
— You know, I need a dancer for the video for my next song… — Jungkook said, still holding Jimin’s hand. — What if we make a deal? You create the choreography, find three more dancers, and perform in my music video. And I can be your boyfriend for as many weeks as it takes to get rid of that asshole.
Honestly, Jimin did not have to accept this, even if he did not trust himself very much to stay strong against Hyunwoo on his most vulnerable days, because he was a little too needy and Hyunwoo was a little too persuasive. Maybe having Jungkook pretend to be his boyfriend would make things easier, but he also knew that Jungkook did not need his help as some huge favor, because Jungkook had money and popularity. If he simply knocked on the door of the rehearsal room and made an offer like that, half a dozen people would volunteer immediately.
So he could just say no.
— Okay, it sounds like a good deal. — Jimin replied.
— Sounds like? — Jungkook smiled, and Jimin nodded in agreement.
And when Jimin looked away, he watched Hyunwoo clench his jaw after staring at their joined hands for far too long. So, in some way, that arrangement was deeply satisfying.