Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Yoongi is more than elated to be in his final year. He loves his university life for the basketball club and the tournaments. At the same time he also hates having to wake up early for classes and having to sit for papers. He is glad he will not have to attend classes in a couple months.

He has an early 8am lecture today, he heads to his locker to get his books before the lecture. 

Oh. Yoongi has another problem that he has been dealing with for the past month.

A certain persistent freshman has been leaving sticky notes in his locker. Every. Single. Day.

He is not surprised to find another familiar pink sticky note and a protein bar.

There’s a tiny heart next to his number. Every sticky note he received included his number. There’s always a protein bar in his locker, today it is chocolate flavoured. 

“Annoying” He murmurs. He crumples the sticky note and tosses it in a nearby bin. Grabs the protein bar and munches it on his way to the lecture hall. 

He did not save the number, not even to ask this freshman to stop his futile, fruitless attempts.

He knows Park Jimin. He has seen him in the campus cafe a few times, other times he has noticed him at the bleachers while he is at basketball practice. Yoongi does not acknowlegde his presence.

The younger has always been lingering in Yoongi’s peripherals, he did not make efforts to come closer or to have a conversations until last week. When Yoongi was having his late lunch alone in the cafe after his classes, Jimin sat right opposite of him at his table. Yoongi knew it was him but he didn’t look up from his plate, shoved his food down as fast as possible and left. Jimin did not try to have a conversation either but Yoongi felt the younger’s eyes on him the entire time.

That’s when Yoongi learnt Jimin is an alpha. His scent, sandalwood, undeniably alpha. Although, those plump lips and soft looking skin could have fooled him.  

Yoongi is not into alphas, not into boys. He only dated omega girls and has no interest in changing that. 

He received a sticky note the very next day, asking him when he will go to the cafe next so they can have their lunch together again.

Annoying.

He walks down the corridor while responding to texts on his phone. He bumps into someone and hears a book dropping on the floor with a thud. He knows who he bumped into before he even looks. The familiar sandalwood scent is strong in the air.

“Oh–” Jimin sounds surprised. “You always seem to end up near me” He smiles, chuckling a little, never breaking eye contact while he crouches down to pick up his book.

Annoying. 

Yoongi just sighs and walks away, he did not miss the chuckle he heard from the younger.

As always, there is a number scribbled on the note but instead of the usual tiny heart, there’s a drawing of a leaf next to it. Yoongi assumes it must be the younger alpha's poor attempt to draw sage.

“Annoying” He murmurs yet he hesitates a few seconds before crumpling the note and shoving it in his back pack. Strawberry flavoured protein bar today.

He has a basketball tournament coming up, so he has been practising with his team these days. 

“Your boyfriend is here,” Taehyung, one of his teammates, says while passing the ball to him.

Yoongi receives the ball and shoots, the ball goes through the hoop. “--What?”

Other team mates are dribbling with the ball. “Your boyfriend is over there” Taehyung repeats, walking closer to Yoongi.

Yoongi looks over to find Jimin sitting on the bleachers. He is the only one there, hugging his bag. Although he is far, Yoongi can tell the younger’s eyes are following him.

“Annoying” He says, under his breath. 

“What?” Taehyung asks. Yoongi doesn’t respond, he busies himself by intercepting the other team member who is trying to shoot.

His friends and teammates are beginning to notice. His closer circles know about the daily cute notes he receives, they tease him endlessly for it. While they tease, he sits there and stares at a random object hoping the topic of conversation changes quickly.

His locker is now carrying a certain sandalwood scent more than his own sage scent. 

There’s a better looking drawing of a leaf next to his phone number this time. He wore a red varsity jacket yesterday for basketball practice.

Jimin is suggesting a meet is new, this is the first time the younger alpha has gotten bolder enough to suggest a meet.

“Annoying..” Yoongi says, looking at the sticky note, the corner of his lips curls into a faint smile. Yoongi finds the sad emojis cute especially because his scent has faded from the sweatshirt but he won't admit that that.

Vanilla flavoured protein bar today. 

He checks the time it is only 7am, Yoongi wonders how early does Jimin come in to place the sticky note and the protein bar each day.

Yoongi decides he is not going to meet Jimin in the library at 5, he’s gonna ignore his suggestion just like he ignores the number the younger alpha scribbles everyday but he will munch on the vanilla flavoured protein bar. 

Yoongi is aware of every passing hour, more than he usually is on a regular day. He meets his team mates for group study at four in the study room close to the campus field. He should be thinking about his assignment but instead his mind is only thinking about the sticky note – the meet up Jimin suggested at the library.

Yoongi ruminates on whether it will be too rude if he doesn't show up. Then again, he is not doing anything different. Jimin has left his number on every single note but he did not text him once. He decides to just stick with his initial plan, which is to not show up.

Later that night, he twists and turns in his bed, trying to fall asleep but his mind is too awake, too loud, too guilty. He feels bad for not going to the library at five.

What if it was something important? What if Jimin waited for hours? 

His mind repeats the same questions over and over again. He has seen the younger alpha laugh once in the passing. That image plays in his head – those eyes turn into crescents, natural flush on his cheeks. In the quiet of the nights, Yoongi admits that, although he  was too far to hear the laugh, that's the most beautiful laugh he has ever witnessed. He would be lying if he said he didn’t want to witness it again, just once, to know how it would sound like.

The next day eventually comes, Yoongi’s eyes burn from lack of sleep. He heads straight to the locker, to see what he received today.

The locker only has his books, his clothes to change for his practice later. There’s no sticky note, no protein bar. He feels a little disappointed and weirdly anxious. 

He checks his watch, it is still six something in the morning. The campus is pretty empty too, maybe he came too early. Maybe Jimin is not here yet to leave his usual sticky note.

It’s okay, Yoongi can wait. 

He heads down the hallway, aimlessly, trying to find a spot to sit. Suddenly, he's being pulled into an empty stairwell and pushed against the wall. Right in front of him is Jimin, surprisingly strong for his small frame but also, it is expected, he’s an alpha after all. He is close, almost crowding Yoongi.

Jimin doesn’t look happy, his eyes are red rimmed, maybe he didn’t get enough sleep last night just like Yoongi.

“Why did you not show up” Jimin’s gaze pierces Yoongi. He doesn't sound angry but he sounds pretty dissapointed.

Yoongi averts his gaze. “I was busy” He replies, curtly.

“Why did you not text me?” Jimin fires another question

“I am not interested, is that not clear? ” Yoongi shrugs, hoping his cold exterior will push Jimin away. He’s clearly wrong.

Jimin searches Yoongi face for something “..I saw you looking for my sticky note in your locker just now –”

Yoongi interrupts before Jimin can finish.“--I did not” 

“I saw you, you did look for –” Jimin is determined, he’s not giving up easily. 

He is not giving up. Annoying. 

Yoongi interrupts again. “..What are you, like 17?” 

“No, I am 18 this year” Jimin crosses his hands. 

"I’m 22”

“Thanks for informing” Jimin looks away, a slight pout forming “.. but I am well aware”

“You are too young —” Yoongi’s gaze drops to the younger alpha’s pout.

Jimin responds but his voice is small, “I am not”

The folded hands, the pout makes Yoongi lose his cold exterior. His voice is soft now “...And you are an alpha” 

“So?” Jimin sounds angry. 

“Pup...” Yoongi sighs and closes his eyes for a moment before looking directly at Jimin “You must have presented like what …3 years ago?” 

Jimin remains quiet, listening. Pout growing bigger. He is looking back at Yoongi through his eyelashes. From that angle, he definitely looks like a pup, which weirdly makes Yoongi's voice even softer, if that's even possible.

Yoongi continues “You will prefer omega, pup. Whatever you are feeling towards me is –- just hormones.”

Jimin frowns, creases forming in between his brows.

Yoongi feels an immense urge to touch and ease the creases but he doesn’t. “You will prefer girls, you will prefer omegas” His voice is remains soft, almost a whisper. 

“..don’t decide for me” Jimin’s voice sounds small and unsure. 

“With time… you will know I am right” Yoongi sounds sure. “Trust me”

For a moment, Yoongi just stares at the younger alpha’s face. Still frowning and pouting. 

“Now, if you let me, I have to be somewhere” Yoongi lies, not averting his gaze.

Jimin moves away, Yoongi pushes the stairwell door open and walks away.

Yoongi breathes in fresh air to clear his system but a few minutes of inhaling the thick sandalwood scent is enough for it to linger for the rest of the day. 

Yoongi thought the conversation they had in the empty stairwell is enough to finally push the younger alpha away but he is wrong. Jimin no longer leaves any notes or protein bars in his locker but his presence is now everywhere.

In cafes, in study rooms, in basketball courts. Everywhere Yoongi goes he finds Jimin. Jimin does not approach him or try to talk to him but whenever his gaze lands on Jimin, he is already staring at Yoongi. No no, not staring more like frowning. 

Yoongi tries to ignore the younger alpha’s presence but it is getting harder because his friends too notice Jimin. Half of the time, they talk about Jimin or they inform Yoongi if they saw the younger alpha elsewhere. They tease him for it, Yoongi doesn’t stop them, he just remains quiet when they do. This behaviour is probably encouraging his friends to tease him even more but he really can’t think of comebacks to fire.

A few weeks passes and he finds a pink sticky note again in his locker, this time it is on a bottle of protein shake.

His number is still scribbled there on the note, next to a leaf drawing. 

All capital letters on the sticky note makes Yoongi huff fondly. That sweet pup. Jimin must have been angry while writing the note but Yoongi finds it endearing. 

Yoongi finally saves his number on his phone as Annoying.

He sees the younger alpha again, in one of the campus events. Jimin has not noticed Yoongi yet, which is probably why he is not frowning at him. He is with a group of other freshmen, giggling, laughing away. The guy next to the younger alpha must have said something really funny because Jimin is practically on him, giggling away. 

A tiny voice in Yoongi’s head wishes, it was him who was next to the younger alpha.

Yoongi recognizes child-like innocence in Jimin – pure, untainted by the whims of life. Even his approach to get closer to Yoongi is so endearing, leaving notes and snacks. Yoongi is in his final year, Jimin is a freshman, Jimin is four years younger than Yoongi. 

It is not much of an age difference but Yoongi knows he doesn’t carry the same wonder for the world or innocence in him. Yoongi has seen life, he is bitter, he’s the kid who grew up too soon. He’s cold, the nonchalant one in the group. 

Jimin is like the bright sunny sky that radiates warmth, Yoongi is so afraid to taint it. Him getting closer to Jimin means he will turn something warm and sunny to gloomy and cold. He will not do that.

Nothing changes, Jimin still shows up everywhere Yoongi goes.

It takes another few days for Yoongi to receive another note with a protein shake.

Yoongi knows what he's gonna do, for his own peace of mind he will show up.

He doesn’t want the younger alpha to pull him into the stairwell again. He will show up this time and put an end to whatever this is.

Sharp at three, Yoongi barges into the library, looking for Jimin. He has basketball practice after.

Their campus library is huge and quiet, there are few students quietly studying, and some students are in the book aisle. No Jimin in sight.

Yoongi glances down the book aisle, looking for the younger alpha. 

“..You came” A voice behind him makes him stop

Yoongi turns around to find Jimin standing clutching a few books against his chest.

“Well if I don’t show up, you will interrogate me at ass o clock” Yoongi shrugs, keeping his voice low since they are in the library.

Jimin chuckles at his response, which makes Yoongi smirk a little.

“Well — I came here to tell you to stop..” Yoongi starts talking before Jimin says anything else.

Jimin looks surprised “Stop? stop what? —” 

“Everything – Don’t follow me around – wherever I go” Yoongi sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. “Wherever I go, you are always there, in cafes, at basketball courts.” Yoongi sighs “Why are you following me around anyway?”

Jimin bites his lips, he looks like he is deep in his thoughts. “I just …”

Yoongi interrupts him “..Whatever the reason may be, just stop ” He says, firmly.

“Okay..” Jimin agrees, quickly.

Yoongi is slightly taken aback by how easy it was.

“Give me your jacket” Jimin continues, clocking his head slightly to the right, like he is studying Yoongi.

Yoongi is flustered with the sudden change in Jimin’s demeanour. His demeanor changed from sweet to confident, even a little flirty. “ – What?” His voice comes out croaky.

Jimin points at the red varsity jacket Yoongi is wearing, he usually wears it for his basketball practice. “ If you don’t want me to show up to ur practice this evening, give me your jacket” 

“Oh.. okay” Yoongi awkwardly shrugs his jacket off and holds it in front of Jimin, although Jimin’s hands are occupied with books.

“Can’t you see?  – I am holding books, put it over my shoulders” Jimin instructs with a playful smile on his face.

Yoongi murmurs an ‘okay’ before he carefully drapes the jacket over the younger alpha’s shoulder, still being mindful of the distance. Jimin chuckles. 

“ Okay, bye. See you around” Jimin turns around and leaves Yoongi in the book aisle before he can even respond. 

Yoongi is not sure what to think of what just happened. He is definitely a little disappointed that it was so easy to make the younger alpha listen to him but on the other hand, if he keeps his word, Jimin will not be showing up wherever he goes, that means no more teasing from his friends.

Like promised, Jimin keeps his word, he doesn’t show up to practices or study rooms. A few days later, Yoongi sees Jimin in the campus cafe but he is not staring at Yoongi. Jimin is with a group of friends studying, he has not noticed Yoongi. He’s wearing Yoongi’s varsity jacket, looks oversized on him, one of the sleeves is falling off his shoulder revealing his skin.

Jimin looks up to his friend and laughs while talking, Yoongi is a little too far away but he swears he heard his laugh. Yoongi wonders what Jimin’s laugh would sound like. He quickly shakes his head and averts his gaze away. He firmly told the younger alpha to stay away from him not too long ago, now he is the one who is staring. Jimin clearly does not care anymore.

He finds a note in his locker, along with a bottle of cold pressed juice.

What? He is being threatened now? He has to buy him coffee and give him his jackets to keep him from following wherever he goes?

Fine, Yoongi will do just that.

Yoongi texts him. 

Yoongi : Hi, it’s me Yoongi

Annoying : Took you long enough (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

Yoongi finds himself putting in far too much effort while getting ready for the coffee shop. He left his basketball practice early to take a shower, get ready and he is now spritzing himself with an ungodly amount of cologne that he only uses for special occasions.

He pauses, that makes him think. It is just coffee with an annoying freshman. This is not a special occasion and he doesn’t even know why Jimin is asking to meet up in this coffee shop. 

When he arrives at the coffee shop, Yoongi is glad he made some effort because Jimin looks more beautiful than usual, if that’s even possible.

“Your hair looks nice” Jimin compliments as soon as Yoongi sits opposite of him.

“So if I tell you to show up at a coffee shop. You do” Jimin says, observing Yoongi thoughtfully. "You listen well"

That statement caught Yoongi off guard, he didn't know what to say so he fixated his gaze on a random object, his cheeks felt warm. 

Jimin stands up a few moments later “Buy me coffee” 

Yoongi follows Jimin to the counter quietly, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket while Jimin scans the menu above them. Yoongi barely understands any of the ridiculously long drink names.

“What do you want?” Jimin asks, glancing back at him.

Yoongi shrugs. “Don’t know.”

Jimin snorts softly. Then he turns to the cashier and orders something iced frappe with too many words attached to it before looking back at Yoongi again.

“Order one too.” Jimin smiles

“I don’t really drink coffee.”

“You came to a coffee shop.”

“You asked me to.”

Jimin’s mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile.“Just pick something ”

Yoongi stares at the menu for a few seconds,” …That one.”

Jimin follows where he’s pointing and laughs quietly.

Yoongi ignores him and pays for their drinks

A few minutes later, they settle into a small table near the window. Jimin sips his coffee slowly while Yoongi stares suspiciously at his own drink. It looks far too brown, almost black. 

Yoongi’s face twists as soon as he sips his coffee, Jimin bursts into laughter. 

Jimin says through his grin, “You hate it...don’t you?”

Yoongi takes another cautious sip “It tastes… burnt.”

Jimin giggles “It’s espresso.”

“It tastes like burnt water. .. No no battery acid”

Jimin laughs harder, shoulders shaking slightly, eyes crinkling into crescents. There it is, Jimin’s laugh.

Yoongi finds himself openly staring, because this is the first time he has heard Jimin laugh. His laugh sounds like a sweet melody to his ears. 

Jimin notices him staring after a second, his laughter softens into a small smile. “What?” He asks, curiosity in his voice

“Nothing” Yoongi looks away immediately and takes another sip out of his terrible coffee. 

He wants to hear Jimin laugh again, so now he has to throw away his usual nonchalance out the window and turn into a clown.

“No seriously, this tastes like someone mixed mud into hot water” Yoongi tries to make a joke after taking another sip.

Jimin laughs, not as much as he did earlier but he still does. Yoongi feels warm. 

Jimin pushes his own drink closer to Yoongi. “Try this..”

Yoongi looks up at Jimin and looks back at the Jimin’s drink “..You already drank from it”

“And?” Jimin asks innocently.

Yoongi goes quiet, his ears turning red. His mind is running miles, if he takes the drink it will be like an indirect kiss. 

“Just taste it” Jimin pushes his drink closer to Yoongi.

Yoongi complies, he takes a sip, this coffee tastes so much better. “Oh?”

“You like this one, don't you?” Jimin giggles.

Yoongi nods and pushes the cup back to Jimin. 

Jimin takes his cup and sips his drink like it's nothing. Yoongi internally curses himself because he is the only one here making a casual hangout weird.

 “It’s salted caramel frappe” Jimin clarifies after taking the sip.

“Yours taste like dessert” Yoongi says, “mine on the other hand …” he trails off not finishing his sentence.

“..taste like wet mud?” Jimin finishes his sentence for him, with a smile.

Yoongi laughs, shaking his head.

Jimin smiles wider, his gaze soft “ You should do that more often”

“Hmm?” Yoongi is confused.

“Laugh more often” Jimin says, quietly. “You look sweet” Jimin’s voice is soft.

Yoongi ignores the statement and sips his coffee, Jimin doesn’t say anything after that either.  They finish their drink in silence but it is not awkward, Yoongi does not feel the need to fill up the silence, he assumes Jimin feels the same.