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Jimin fidgets under Seokjin's unblinking gaze. Another bead of sweat rolls down his neck under the glare of the red recording light. As another minute rolls by, Seokjin makes a face as if to say come on, start talking. Or maybe it means my youth is wasting away with every second that you delay this. Either way it's making him nervous.
Jimin clears his throat. "So you know how the green light in the Great Gatsby symbolizes hope for the future? And how, hypothetically, one could make the argument that a red light would signify the opposite? Like, historically red has symbolized war and sacrifice because of its association with blood, not to mention the number of poisonous animals that wear red as protection against predators—"
"Jimin," Seokjin lowers the camera and the demonic red light blinks off. Suddenly Jimin can breathe again.
"Uh. Yes, hyung?"
"I'm sorry, but am I helping you practice filming or am I listening to your thesis on color psychology? Are we going to talk about how much you're sweating next?" Seokjin looks him up and down, frowning. "Actually, should we? Because I feel like the amount of water you're losing right now is sort of troubling—"
Jimin shakes his head quickly. "No. Um, that's not necessary. I'm just—nervous."
Seokjin rolls his eyes. "I sort of gathered that when I had to stop you from regurgitating a paper on color theory."
"Actually, I think color theory is the study of color combination rather than—"
"Jimin."
"..Sorry," Jimin sighs. "Look, hyung. I don't think I'm cut out for the whole filming thing. Why can't you do this again?"
"Because I'm sick," As if on cue, Seokjin's body folds over with a series of wet coughs. He glares at Jimin as he rights himself. "Tell me I look good right now."
Jimin takes it all in: the way Seokjin's normally hydrated skin is blotchy and dry, the glassy eyes, the dark circles. Even Seokjin's hair is hanging limp and greasy around his face. It's not a pretty sight. Jimin gulps.
"You look…good."
"Okay," Seokjin says. "Now tell me that without pausing or looking at the floor."
Jimin opens his mouth to try doing just that but stops at the look on on Seokjin's face. "Alright, so you're not looking your best. Nothing a little BB cream and DayQuil can't fix!"
"BB Cream? Jimin, my face is my brand. If our fans see me looking anything but my best they're going to be disappointed. And when they're disappointed, they're going to unsubscribe."
"Isn't that a little…dramatic?"
"Are we going to start calling each other out for being dramatic?" Seokjin looks pointedly at Jimin. "I just don't get why you're so nervous. You used to dance in front of crowds before, right? How is this any different?"
And the truth is, Jimin's not completely sure. Maybe it has something to do with how dancing is just a performance but there's something about speaking into a camera that feels too personal.
"I don't know. I just feel more comfortable behind the camera."
"Technically, you'll still be behind a camera," Seokjin jokes, but Jimin doesn't have it in him to laugh. Seokjin sighs when he doesn't get a reaction. "Look, Jimin. I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could do it. What are you so afraid of? Have you ever met anybody who hasn't been charmed by you?"
Jimin leans back to think about that but Seokjin shakes his head a second later.
"Let me answer that for you: no. You're a natural with people. You're adorable, funny, and you have the best smile. They're all going to love you. So would you consider it, please?"
Seokjin breaks down into another fit of coughs and it's then that Jimin realizes he's going to say yes. The convincing, the compliments, and the coughs—a perfect trifecta of inducing guilt. Even before Seokjin leans back up to look he has Jimin wrapped around his bacteria-ridden finger.
"…Yeah, okay. I'll do it." And Seokjin smiles so brightly that Jimin can't even regret agreeing. "But this is the only time, okay? No more guilting me with your sickly appearance and all those compliments. My heart can only take so much."
"Sure, sure. Only one time. But I have a feeling you're going to love it."
Jimin cracks a smile. "You know what that feeling is called, hyung? Being wrong."
Seokjin's laughs, but it quickly becomes a coughing fit and Jimin has to fetch him water to make it stop.
"Don't die on me," Jimin smooths down his hair and walks him to his room. "I was serious about only doing this once."
"Whatever. Camera's on the dining room table," Seokjin coughs as he climbs into his bed. "I left a list of restaurants on the fridge. If I don't wake up from this nap tell my parents I loved them."
And Seokjin had called out him for being dramatic. Jimin rolls his eyes. "Of course, hyung. Sleep tight."
It's odd wandering into a restaurant alone, save for the camera over his shoulder. Usually he and Seokjin do this together and it seems wrong to push the door open with nobody following him in, lugging the heavy camera around without somebody to complain to about the weight. As soon as Jimin peeks his head into the doorway he feels out of place.
The restaurant he'd ended up choosing is a small hole-in-the-wall joint. Family-run, barely large enough for four tables, but popular enough that all four tables are occupied. Every table is full except the booth in the corner.
Jimin considers turning around and walking out of the door but he's dreading the thought of lugging his heavy camera back to his apartment so soon. If he walks any longer, his shoulder might actually fall off. After a moment of hesitation, Jimin works up the courage to walk over to the booth where a man is sitting with his head down, scrolling on his phone.
Seokjin will kill you if you don't do this, he reminds himself. The image of getting yelled at is enough to shake off the nerves a bit.
"Hey," Jimin says softly.
The man turns his head up slowly to meet Jimin's eyes. "Hey?"
"Um," Jimin suddenly finds it hard to speak. He'd meant to come straight out with it, but the words are all mangled in his throat on account of the boy actually being sort of pretty up close. He's almost immune to Seokjin's looks by now, but there's something about this stranger that's making him weak at the knees. "Would it be okay if I sat here for a minute? All the other tables are taken and I don't feel like standing alone while I wait for one."
"Yeah, of course!" The boy grins and Jimin relaxes. "I never turn down a chance to meet new people. I'm Taehyung!"
"Thank you so much!" Jimin returns his bright smile and finally sets his camera down on the table. "I'm Jimin."
Taehyung eyes the camera with interest. "Wow. Are you a paparazzo or something? Is a celebrity about to walk in?"
"Huh? Oh, no. I'm, uh, actually part of a food review channel with my hyung. On YouTube." It still feels weird to admit, like he's bragging too much or purposefully drawing attention.
"Food review!" Taehyung says excitedly. "That's insane. What a small world."
"What, really? Do you also have a channel?"
Taehyung shakes his head. "Not a channel. But I run an Instagram account."
He apparently doesn't have any shame about admitting it like Jimin, because even before he's finished his sentence he's pulling up the page on his phone. The handle across the top reads TaesteofSeoul. It's a little cheesy, but Jimin supposes it fits what little he knows about him.
"TaesteofSeoul? Cute."
"Right?" Taehyung smiles. "You can thank my friend for that one. I wanted it to be called TaeterThot."
"Yeah…I think you should probably be the one thanking your friend."
"For more reasons than just that. He suggested the whole account to me because we thought restaurants would give us free food if we got famous enough," He explains as Jimin scrolls through his feed. "I still don't really know how it all happened. We never really expected it to take off or anything, but those videos of melted cheese or chocolate fountains always seem to get a lot of attention. So thank god for internet fads, or whatever."
From what Jimin has gathered from his account it seems like his selfies get most of the attention, but Taehyung is either too oblivious or humble to mention it.
"Congratulations," Jimin hands the phone back. "I can't tell you how many times I've caught my friends watching those cheese videos, so I think you have job security for a while."
"Sure, but it's only a matter of time. My empire's going to fall when they figure out I like Burger King best."
"Ugh," Jimin's stomach turns at the thought. "Seriously?"
"No need to look so disgusted," Taehyung looks offended and Jimin honestly can't tell if its genuine. "They're called the king for a reason."
"Yeah, trademark registration. Not a national survey."
There's movement out of the corner of his eye and Jimin realizes with a flash of disappointment that the group at the table behind them is finally leaving. So much for meeting cute boys, he supposes, but he doesn't have any excuse to stick around now that another table is free.
"Ah," Jimin stands up reluctantly. "I guess that's my cue to go."
"Wait," Taehyung says, and Jimin freezes halfway out of his chair. "Uh, feel free to reject this offer if you want, but I sort of hate eating alone. If you want to stick around and keep me company, I could help you pick your menu? I'm a regular here so I've tried pretty much everything. Only if you want to, of course."
"Well," Jimin pretends to think it over and sits back down slowly. "I guess there's no harm in having a professional opinion."
"Exactly! So, how does your channel work? Do you usually eat one dish or split a few with your hyung?"
"He's usually the one eating most of it, not me. I'm honestly not sure how much he orders but it's a lot. Like, imagine that this half of the table," Jimin gestures in a circle. "Is filled with plates."
"Wow," Taehyung says. "Respect."
"You wouldn't be saying that if you were forced to watch him eat it every week. As for me, I guess just one plate is fine."
"I'll get us each something different and we can share, how does that sound?"
An image of Taehyung leaning over to feed him a bite of his food pops into Jimin's head and he has to drop his eyes from Taehyung's face to nod. "Uh, sounds perfect."
"Any preferences? Allergies? Concerns?"
"Uh, nothing I can think of. I'll pretty much eat anything."
"Awesome."
It's clear that Taehyung actually is a regular from the way the couple behind the counter greet him when he walks over. Jimin busies himself with making sure the camera has enough battery and memory instead of drilling holes into Taehyung's back with his eyes.
When Taehyung returns to the table, conversation flows smoother than Jimin would've expected with a stranger. Taehyung's full of entertaining stories and anecdotes about the restaurants he's eaten at and the things people comment on his Instagram pictures. Jimin barely notices how much time had passed until the owners bring over their plates of food.
"Enjoy boys," The woman says and ruffles Taehyung's hair before she leaves.
"So," Taehyung explains. "I got one noodle dish and one meat dish. I'm not sure exactly what you wanted, but these are my two favorite meals here. I promise their beef is to die for. Here."
Taehyung spears a piece with his fork and holds it out towards his face. Jimin hopes he's not blushing as he leans over to take it in between his teeth. Taehyung follows the movement with his eyes, watching Jimin chew with interest.
"So?"
"Oh my god," Jimin almost moans. "I think I would die for this beef."
"Well, it died for you instead so eat up," Taehyung says and spears another piece to hold out.
"I can feed myself," Jimin mumbles, but accepts the beef anyway.
"Obviously. But isn't this more fun?"
"Just give me the noodles."
The noddles are just as good as the beef. Either Taehyung's taste is amazing, or all of the food at the restaurant is high-quality.
"Do you want me to film you now?" Taehyung asks. "Or how does that work?"
"Uh, usually I film Seokjin-hyung as he's eating. But I think I'll just talk with the dishes in front of me instead."
"Should we do it now before we eat everything?"
Jimin nods. "Probably. Just, uh, let me gather my thoughts."
"Take your time."
This is fine, Jimin assures himself. He remembers the pep talk Seokjin gave him, and he'd practiced a bit of what he was going to say beforehand. This is really, truly fine.
"Alright, I think I'm ready."
Taehyung looks up from where he's messing with the buttons. "I think I have this figrued out," The red recording light flashes on. "Alright. Cue!"
As soon as the camera is on him, though, Jimin freezes. Everything he'd been meaning to say vanishes from his mind and he can't remember anything except that he needs to close his mouth soon or actually say something.
Taehyung lowers the camera. "Um, cut."
"I'm sorry," Jimin apologizes immediately. "This is my first time ever doing this and I guess I'm still nervous. You don't have to film if you don't want to. Seokjin-hyung gave me a pep talk but I'm still just—"
"Don't worry about it. I think we all have problems with public speaking, right? But this is nothing," Taehyung smiles encouragingly. "Just imagine the audience in their underwear like they tell us to do when we're kids. Well, I guess the audience is just me. Imagine me in my underwear."
That is the last image Jimin needs in his brain to help his concentration. "That…will not help."
"You know, this sort of reminds me of high school."
"Uh, it does?"
"Yeah. I used to want to film videos like this," Taehyung says, staring out of the window with a wistful smile on his face. "Not food ones, specifically, but just silly videos. Never ended up doing anything with it, though."
"Why not?"
Taehyung shrugs. "I'm not really cut out to be on camera. I could never speak well in public. I start messing up my sentences and get tongue-tied. I think if I tried to record anything I'd just get nervous and clam up. Sometimes I think about trying it again but I don't think it would work."
"You might think that, but I'm sure you'd be fine," Jimin reassures him. "The hardest part is working up the confidence to do it. After that, editing can get rid of all the flaws and mistakes. It's not as bad as you think it's gonna be."
"Well, there you go then," Taehyung says, smiling cheekily. "It's not as bad as you think it's gonna be. Take two?"
"What—what sort of bullshit story was that?" Jimin gapes at him. "You tricked me!"
"I wouldn't say I tricked you. Mislead you, maybe."
"Those are literally synonyms!"
"What's a little trickery among strangers?" And then Taehyung's face turns more serious. "I promise you it was for the greater good. Sometimes you need to hear advice from yourself rather than anyone else. And if it helps at all, I can tell you have it in you. You'll get it on the next take. And if you don't, you'll get it in the one after that."
Jimin shifts under his gaze. "I guess you're right. Let's do it again."
"Alright," Taehyung lifts the camera up once again. Before Jimin can get distracted by the red light he snaps his fingers. "Just look me in the eyes and don't worry about this at all," he says softly.
Jimin nods. Takes a deep breath, and exhales. He looks into Taehyung's eyes and smiles as genuinely as he can possibly make it. "Hey guys, it's Jimin…"
Jimin is sure he's never hovered so awkwardly in his life. He and Taehyung have been standing outside of the restaurant for a full minute without saying much, just staring at their phones. Finally, Jimin clears his throat before time drags on and it gets even worse.
"Thanks for today, Taehyung. The food you chose was amazing and I can't thank you enough for helping me film."
"No problem," Taehyung waves it off. "I'm just glad I found somebody else who loves good food just as much as me to eat with."
"If you're ever on YouTube you should look me up," Jimin says. It's not everything he wants to say, but anything more seems like he's overstepping something.
Taehyung gives him a thumbs up. "For sure. And if you're ever on Instagram you should slide into my DM's."
"God," Jimin laughs. "You sound like a tool."
Taehyung fakes an offended look. "It's Instagram culture. You YouTubers just wouldn't understand."
Jimin laughs. "I guess not. Anyway, It was really great meeting you. Thank you again."
"You too! And no problem!" Taehyung smiles and waves a little awkwardly.
Jimin takes that as his cue to finally walk away. When he gets half a block down he turns back for one last look, but Taehyung was already around the corner somewhere. And that was that.
It's not easy for Jimin to convince himself that their meeting was a one-off coincidence. Objectively, he knows that the chances of him seeing Taehyung again are slim. That can't stop him from reminiscing, though. It's been a little over a week since that day in the restaurant and Jimin isn't proud to admit that he still remembers Taehyung's dumb Instagram handle.
He only remembers because it was a stupid pun, Jimin reassures himself. And he's only looking because he didn't get a good luck at his feed in the restaurant.
"Did you finally get an Instagram?"
Jimin hadn't even realized Jungkook was in the room until he's hovering over his shoulder. He slams his phone over so it's upside-down on reflex.
"No."
Jungkook stares. "Well, that wasn't dramatic or anything. Are you stalking someone?"
"No."
"Looking at porn accounts then?"
"What? No!" Jimin flushes. "I'm not—just drop it."
"Fine," Jungkook pouts and shuffles over to sit next to him on the couch. He leans over, staring unblinkingly at Jimin. "Hey, your hair looks kind of different today. Did you do something to it?"
Jimin brushes a finger through his fringe. "Really? I borrowed one of Jin-hyung's products but I didn't think that it would work so fast—"
In a matter of seconds Jimin's phone is ripped from his hand.
"HeyI" And Jimin shouldn't be surprised, not really, but still. "Come on, I said no! Jungkook!"
"Oh ho," Jungkook smirks. "Who's this?"
"Nobody. I mean, who? I don't know. It probably popped up when you grabbed my phone."
Jungkook rolls his eyes. "I wasn't born yesterday, hyung. Wow, he has a lot of followers. I didn't think you were the type to follow ulzzangs."
"He's not an ulzzang. Can you just give me back my phone?"
"Not until I'm done scoping out your new boyfriend," But the smirk falls off Jungkook's face as he brings the phone closer. "Hey, I bought this exact same ring for you on your birthday. Weird," And then, somehow, he manages to bring the screen even closer to his face. "Wait, are these your hands?"
Jimin scrambles over to look at the screen. "What? Stop joking."
"I'm serious. I'd recognize your stubby little baby fingers anywhere."
"Shut up! They're normal for my stature!"
Jimin's convinced that Jungkook is just messing with him, but sure enough there's a post time-stamped a few days earlier with a familiar backdrop. The screen is focused on the table but the focal point is clearly the hands resting on top. Jimin's hands, unmistakably. The caption reads Sometimes waiting for your food is the best part~
"Oh my god," Jimin gapes.
"Wait, is he actually your boyfriend? I was joking!"
"He's not!" Jimin assures, still shocked. "I just ran into him at a restaurant once and we ate together because there weren't any free tables!"
That's maybe simplifying things, but there wasn't any way that Jimin could explain this so that it would make sense. Because no matter what sort of connection he'd felt on his side he'd thought it was unreturned. Now, he's not so sure.
"Well you clearly made an impact."
Jimin shakes his head. "I don't even remember him taking this picture."
Jungkook finally sets the phone down. "So what are you going to do?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You were just stalking him so you're clearly interested. And he posted a picture of you with a cheesy caption so he's clearly interested. Did you get his number?"
"…No." Jimin admits sadly.
Jungkook nods. "Alright. So we just have to work a little harder."
"What does that mean?"
When Seokjin walks in on them an hour later they're sitting around the dining room table with a map of Seoul laid out in front of them, dots and lines connecting different restaurants together.
"What the hell is this?" Seokjin walks toward them slowly like he's afraid to get too close. "Have I been secretly living with the zodiac killer?"
"Nah," Jungkook draws another dot on the map. "Jimin's just trying to stalk somebody so he can date him."
"Not better. Try again."
Jimin's not sure there is a way to make this much better. "So, remember that time you were sick…?"
Apparently he didn't have to worry. He should have known that Seokjin would be a smug asshole about it, claiming that he was responsible for everything.
"You met a cute boy while you were filling in for me!" He gushes. "It's fate. I should've known my body wouldn't betray me and get sick unless there was a greater meaning."
And that's how the three of them end up on their laptops, marking down restaurants that Taehyung is likely to eat at based on past Instagram posts. Somehow that morphed into a discussion about where he might live. At some point Jungkook even found his twitter and Jimin accidentally stumbled upon what may have his amazon account. Jimin's not sure how he let them talk him into this.
"This might help," Seokjin says. "He posted a picture of his Burger King coupon about a week ago and it expires tomorrow."
Jungkook grins. "Perfect! Based on what I've learned from his Twitter he seems like the type to forget until the last day to redeem it. Though, I suppose he might also be the type who's so excited he redeems it as soon as he gets it so there's only a fifty percent chance that he'd actually be there if we—"
Jimin pushes himself up from the table. "Alright, too creepy. I officially can't do this anymore."
"Come on, Jimin," Seokjin whines. "You're never going to see him again otherwise. It's fate!"
"Exactly. If it's fate then we're bound to run into each other again, right? Preferably without all this," Jimin points to the map on the table. "I don't want the reason I find him again to be because he's filing a restraining order against me."
"Boss's orders, I guess." Seokjin shrugs and closes his laptop and Jungkook whines.
"Good," Jimin smiles and walks away from the table. "Now I'm going to go take a nap and forget that I ever got to this point."
"That was a nice speech," Jungkook calls after him. "But then why'd you take the map with you?"
"Shut up!"
Fate is bullshit. At least, that's the conclusion that Jimin's come to after eating at the third restaurant that week with no luck. His funds are starting to feel the weight as well. It's not that the food hasn't been delicious either—Jimin has loved every single one and adds that to the list of reasons he and Taehyung are compatible. But he's starting to lose hope.
"Jimin?"
Yeah, Jimin thinks sadly, that's probably what Taehyung would sound like if he was there in real life, calling his name. Then the sound of the chair across from him sliding back shakes him out of it. Sitting down in front of him is the real and actual Taehyung, in the flesh.
"Taehyung?"
"Wow, it really is you," Taehyung grins. Jimin can't believe his eyes. "I thought I saw your face in the window. Figured I might as well stop in and check to see if I was right. I actually live right around the corner! Crazy, right?"
"Yeah," Jimin avoids his eyes. "What a coincidence…"
"But a good one! So, is this lunch for business or pleasure?"
"Business, actually. Seokjin-hyung's having me fill in for him again."
Taehyung tilts his head. "Where's your camera?"
Jimin points to the table without thinking twice. About one second later he realizes that he's pointing at absolutely nothing.
"Oh. Fuck," Jimin crumples in his seat. "Probably sitting right by the door where I left it. Of course this is my luck."
Taehyung laughs. "You should run an Insta instead. You'd never have to lug that monster around again."
"Take it up with Jin-hyung. He's the boss. And he's gonna be so pissed that I'm about to spend even more money on food without getting a video out of it."
"You have to go out again, then?" Taehyung sighs. "Well, I don't know if you have any plans for tomorrow night but I know a few good places around here. Good food, great ambience. Perfect for a hot date."
Jimin almost chokes and he's not even eating anything. "A date?"
"Yeah. You know," Taehyung smirks. "For you and your giant camera."
Well, so much for that. Jimin deflates. "Oh."
"Though I suppose," Taehyung continues. "That your camera might not be as adept as I am at choosing food off the menu. So maybe I should come along as a chaperone. Just in case."
"And in the case that my camera can't pay for me either," Jimin says, catching on. "I don't suppose that you'd be able to fill in for that role as well? You know. Just in case."
"I suppose a big-shot Instagram famous guy like me could do some charity work tomorrow," Taehyung sighs dramatically. "Anything for my fans."
"I guess if a big-shot guy like you is asking me out then I'd be crazy to decline."
"And if this big-shot asked you to slide into his DM's…?"
Jimin holds his palm out. "No. I'll give you my number like a normal person."
"Good enough for me," Taehyung grins. "So…Burger King tomorrow night at seven?"
"Never mind. I'm cancelling."