Chapter Text
"Have you guys ever thought of making a photoshoot before a play?"
Kim Taehyung's professor asks his class that like it's something completely usual, and the boy catches himself squinting and looking around to check on other people's reaction. His best friend, Park Jimin, simply contorts his face, clearly not pleased by the idea. There are only two or three students who seem interested, and even them don't dare to pronounce a word.
"Honestly, no, professor," Taehyung finally speaks, getting a few nods from the rest of his classmates.
"Well, there always must be a first time for everything," the professor says, coldly opening a smile, "I want you all to hire a photographer, professional or amateur, to make a photoshoot of each of you for the begining of your new project. Of course, hiring is just a technical term, because they are not going to be paid. It's going to be volunteer work. I'm giving you three months to prepare the perfect photoshoot for yourselves, and then you will have one more week to prepare a monologue of the character you created for the photoshoot."
Taehyung groans in frustation. He is definitely not a bad-looking guy, but his profile in pictures isn't the best. He can already see it: his tanned skin being whitewashed "for the sake of the image", his dark brown eyes being covered with contact lenses and all the imperfections being masked.
He looks at Jimin, who also seems bothered, although Taehyung doesn't think he should. Park Jimin is the most handsome guy in his class - the fact that they were best friends never stopped Taehyung from saying that out loud. The fact is that Jimin has perfectly smooth skin, deep dark brown eyes and all his features would easily conquer anyone. Taehyung doubts that anyone would dare to photoshop his friend.
"The studio of pictures that will be used is rented by the University during the entire three months. Seeing that getting a photographer might be a little difficult, I'm giving you the last twenty minutes of class to get in touch with any photographers you know and also help your friends with no one in mind to find one. You have three days to find a photographer."
Taehyung turns in his chair to look at Jimin like his whole life depends on it, but a small smirk is already playing on the older boy's face.
"Sorry, Taetae," he says, taking his phone out of his pocket, "I'm the one getting Yoongi-hyung in this one."
Min Yoongi is also one of Taehyung's best friends - even though he's more friends with Jimin than with Taehyung - and an ex-student from their University. He left college as soon as he got a job as a professional photographer, because the man who hired him was smart enough to know that the fact that Yoongi hadn't graduated yet didn't decrease his talent. He was the best photographer Taehyung knew in person.
"That's not fair, Jiminie!" Taehyung complains. "At least let me call him first and try!"
"No," Jimin says, frowning, the cell phone on his hear, waiting for Yoongi to pick up "Yoongi-hyung's pictures are the best and I need a good grade in this- Oh, hi, Yoongi-hyung."
"Don't listen to him, he's a liar!" The younger boy tries to yell to the cell phone, receiving a death glare from his professor.
"No, hyung, that's just Tae being desperate," Jimin tells Yoongi, winking at Taehyung and being forced to dodge from a eraser as result, "Listen, hyung, we are going to make a photoshoot for our new project, and we need to find ourselves one photographer each. Would you like to be my photographer?"
Taehyung knows what answer he would have gotten. He also knows what answer Jimin is going to get.
"It's for free!" He screams in a last attempt to convince Yoongi, but Jimin puts his arm in front of his body, stopping Taehyung from getting any closer.
"Really?" Jimin says, his face lightening up, and Taehyung knows he lost, "Thank you so much, Yoongi-hyung! And, by the way, since I'm a really good friend, you wouldn't have another photographer to make Tae's photoshoot, would you?"
Taehyung fixes his glance on Jimin while the older boy waits for Yoongi's answer. He raises an eyebrow with the answer and hands Taehyung his cell phone.
"Yoongi-hyung wants to talk to you."
Taehyung squints, but complies, "Hello, Yoongi-hyung. To what do I own the honor?"
"Don't get me started, Taehyung, I'm not in a good mood," Yoongi answers, his voice sounding slightly tired, "I've got the name and number of a good amateur photographer, but I need you to agree with me in a few things before I give it to you."
"Proceed."
"First of all, I need you to be entirely professional during the photoshoot," the elder starts, "He has no patience for people who joke around while working. Second of all, you cannot, under any circunstances, flirt with him."
"I am offended," Taehyung says, pulling out his actor side, "How could you think I would flirt with my photographer?"
"After you assure me those thing won't happen, I will tell you."
"Okay, you have my assurance. Now, tell me."
"There are a few things you need to know about him. Full name: Jeon Jungkook. Life dream: becoming a renowned photographer. Fact: incredibly handsome. Curiosity: loves to break people's hearts."
Taehyung blinks, a crooked smile on his face, "How about we re-do that conditions of what I can't do?"
"Taehyung."
"Is he into guys?"
"Taehyung, pass the phone to Jiminie, will you?"
Taehyung raised an eyebrow, "Why is he Jiminie and I'm Taehyung?"
In front of him, Jimin opens an evil smile, which Taehyung only ignores as Yoongi's voice reach his ears again, "Pass the phone, Taehyung."
"Wait, answer my question first, hyung," Taehyung asks, "Come on."
He hears as Yoongi sighs heavily on the other side of the line as a sign of giving up before he answers, "Yes, he is into guys."
"I'm gonna need his number now."
"I'm talking to him first, checking if he's available to help you," Yoongi says, "As soon as I get an answer, I will let you know. Now, pass the phone to Jiminie, please."
Taehyung complies, not even surprised by the fact that Yoongi accepts to be Jimin's photographer so easily, and neither for the fact that he doesn't trust Taehyung close to his photographer friend. After all, Taehyung might or might not have a habit of flirting with handsome people, but that's not something he feels ashamed for, not even for a bit.
Jimin and Yoongi's friendship is way less complicated than Taehyung thought it would be. They have known each other for years, but, in the begining, Jimin had a huge crush on Yoongi - which was unfortunate, because Yoongi had, and still has, a huge crush on his best friend, Jung Hoseok, who also happens to be a really nice person. Years after Jimin assured Taehyung that his crush was gone, though, Jimin and Yoongi had a moment away from their friends, and something happened between them. A kiss happened.
In the begining, Taehyung felt kind of betrayed, because he didn't find out about the kiss from Jimin, but from Yoongi. He remembers hanging out with Yoongi, Jimin and Hoseok and talking about Jimin's new random crush. Taehyung was joking, talking about how his best friend was way too afraid to confess because he couldn't even be a good kisser, and then, next thing Taehyung could remember, Yoongi was muttering a low "uh, sorry, but he is" and they were breaking in a chaos of yells about how Yoongi could possibly know that.
However, that happened almost two years ago, so Taehyung wasn't worried about Jimin having or not feelings for Yoongi anymore. It would be hopeless, even if he did. Yoongi had eyes for Hoseok, and for Hoseok only.
As soon as Jimin hangs up, he turns to Taehyung, an eyebrow raised, "So, Yoongi-hyung told me that your photographer will possibly break your heart."
"He won't break my heart," Taehyung protests, "I haven't fallen in love for, like, forever, and I'm not falling now. Not for my photographer."
"Whatever you say, Taetae," Jimin says, smiling a little bit, "I'll be here to pick up the destroyed pieces of your heart."
"He won't break my heart."
"What if he's cute?"
"Still, Jiminie."
Jimin shrugs, a playful smile dancing on his lips, and Taehyung doesn't even bother to make another comment. Everyone in class seems focused on talking to someone by the phone or typing in their cellphones, possibly searching for photographer who might live near them. Taehyung is happy that he knows Yoongi-hyung, otherwise, it would be clearly difficult to find someone to take two months of pictures for free.
They only have one more class together during the next hours, but they do meet each other very often in the corridors, and, then, at the end of the day, they return to their shared apartament, which has started to become a little too small for both of them, but that still seems good enough.
"Yoongi-hyung texted me," Jimin says at some point, when Taehyung is turning the kitchen cabinet upside down, searching for something easy to make so he can eat fast, "Jeon Jungkook-ssi accepted to be your photographer. He's meeting you in two days. Here's the number so you can talk to him."
He hands Taehyung his cell phone and the younger boy takes a look at it, laughing at Yoongi's message. Right after the number, there are the words "stay away from trouble, stay away from flirting with jeon jungkook. he's younger than you, so behave".
Taehyung doesn't call Jungkook until the next day.
When he does, the voice that says a calm "hello" on the other side of the line sounds younger than him, but not that much younger.
"Hi," Taehyung says, "It's Kim Taehyung, Yoongi's friend."
"Oh, hello, Taehyung-ssi," the boy answers, "I see Yoongi-hyung has told you I accept to be your photographer already."
"Yes, he did."
"I have to warn you about one thing, thought," Jungkook says, and Taehyung frowns.
"Yeah?"
"I'm used to taking pictures of the nature, and not of human beings. It might sound strange, but it's my comfort zone," he explains, "I'm leaving it, though, because Yoongi-hyung said you have no one else to call, and he's your friend, so there's no reason for me not to accept."
Taehyung presses his lips, "Uh, okay? Can I- uhm, can I see a few of your pictures?"
He hears the boy stopping, "Why? To prove they're good?"
"No, I'm just curious," Taehyung confesses, "Every photographer I met took pictures of people. I'm kinda wondering how pictures of pure nature would look like."
"Oh, well," Jungkook says, "I guess that's okay. Where do you want to meet tomorrow, anyway, Taehyung-ssi?"
"Call me hyung," Taehyung first asks, "And I know a good coffee shop nearby. I suppose you're okay with meeting me there?"
"Yeah. Text me the address. I'll send you my pictures."
"Alright, Jungkook-ah."
He hears a sharp breath, "Bye, Taehyung-ssi."
"Hyung." Taehyung corrects him, and he can almost imagine a boy one or two years younger than him rolling his eyes. That's usually his effect on people."
"Bye, Taehyung-hyung."
"Bye, Jungkook-ah."
The next day, Taehyung finds himself in his favorite coffee shop.
He takes a sip of his coffee, restlessly drumming his fingers on the table and taking fast glimpses at the door. He wonders how Jungkook looks. Yoongi said he's just younger than Taehyung, and his voice didn't sound too young. The pictures that he had sent Taehyung were still in his head, all the work it must have damanded since he wasn't even a majoring amateur. He was just an amateur, and his pictures were pretty good for one.
The door bell ring while Taehyung takes another sip of his drink and he glances up. There's a guy entering, a brown-haired boy with brown eyes and dressed up with a blue jeans, a simple grey t-shirt and a leather jacket. Around his neck, hanging next to his chest, Taehyung can see a professional camera.
That's Jungkook. And he's gorgeous.
Taehyung swallows hard, feeling the coffee burning up his tongue and throat. He coughs a bit, covering his mouth with his hand for a second. The small movement is enough to attract Jungkook's attention to him. Taehyung waves with his hand, telling him to come closer, and he notices a short grin in the younger male's face as he approaches a Taehyung who's still trying to recover from the sudden swig of coffee.
"Ugh," he mutters to himself before Jungkook is close enough to hear, "You're ridiculous, Kim Taehyung."
"Taehyung-ssi?" Jungkook asks as he gets to the side of the table.
"The one and only," says Taehyung, getting up to shake Jungkook's hand, and his voice sounds too hoarse for his own taste, "It's nice to meet you in person, Jungkook-ah."
"Equally, Taehyung-ssi."
"Hey, haven't I told you that 'hyung' is fine?" The elder questions him, and Jungkook wrinkles his nose a bit. It's adorable.
"Okay, hyung."
"Here, let's have a seat."
Jungkook sits in front of him and Taehyung supports his elbows on the table, looking at him. He tries not to be too obvious about the fact that he finds the boy way too gorgeous to be on the behind the camera.
"So, Jungkook-ah," he starts, pretending he doesn't notice as Jungkook raises an eyebrow, "I really liked your pictures. They are some of the best I've seen, a few of them being better than Yoongi-hyung's."
A small smile drafts on Jungkook's face, "Now, that's just too much, Taehyung-hyung."
"And why is that?"
"Yoongi-hyung's pictures are literally my favorites," Jungkook says, "He's one of the most talented photographers I know, even among the famous ones."
Taehyung squints slightly. He remembers the exact description given from Yoongi about Jungkook: someone who shouldn't be messed with, whose personality wasn't easy to deal and who loved breaking other people's hearts. It almost makes Taehyung laugh out loud. The boy in front of him is the exact opposite of all of that.
"Well, let's make you better than him with this photoshoot, then," Taehyung suggests, opening a boxy smile, "The theme is fantasy. The scenarios and costumes will be available for us to choose tomorrow. The ones who get to the class early get the best ones, so we should go a few minutes before the class actually starts-"
"Wait," says Jungkook, "You study there. How come you're going to go early from one class to another?"
"I'll just ditch the last ten minutes of my Corporal Conscience class." Taehyung explains.
He sees a fast glimpse of something that he doesn't know going through Jungkook's face, but it goes away just as fast as it comes. He nods slowly, putting a hand below his camera and placing it on the table.
"My camera might just be our biggest problem," Jungkook says, "It is professional, but it's not even close to being good enough for a photooshot. I hope you don't mind me borrowing Yoongi-hyung's camera."
"Yoongi-hyung would borrow you his camera?" Taehyung asks, widdening his eyes. Yoongi had two cameras, a new one and an old one, but he took equally care of both of them, and he would always try to cut Taehyung's hand off if he tried to touch it. Borrowing the cameras was something that Taehyung couldn't imagine Yoongi doing.
Jungkook shrugs, "He did it before, I don't see why not again."
"Wow," Taehyung laughs, "He must trust you a lot. And I, trusting those who Yoongi-hyung trust, am looking foward to working with you."
The younger male smiles softly, "Thanks for the trust, Taehyung-hyung."
"Now," the elder starts, friendly, "Since I took your time for you to come here, order whatever you want. I will pay for it."
"It isn't necessary..."
"Come on, Jungkook-ah," Taehyung insists, "It's nothing much, just the first step for the actor- sorry, model, in this case, and photographer to connect."
Jungkook's eyes are fixed on him in a way that would make a lot of people uncomfortable, but Taehyung is quite resistent. Finally, Jungkook's expression softens and he nods, letting out a low, fast laugh, which Taehyung can't help but find adorable, "Okay. But I will pay next time."
Taehyung resists the urge to bite his lower lip at the words "next time", calling the waiter without making any comments. When he asks what Jungkook wants, the younger boy looks at him and smiles, "Suggest something."
"Pardon?"
"You've choosen this place, I suppose you came here before," Jungkook explains, "So suggest something, I'll take any coffee you say it's good enough."
Taehyung blinks, turning to the waiter, "A Cappuccino, please."
"I must say I'm surprised," Jungkook comments, smiling kindly as the waiter nods and moves away, "That you're the Cappuccino kind of guy."
"Yeah?" Taehyung asks, finding the comment incredibly funny, "What coffee kind of guy do I look like?"
"I don't know," the younger male says, shrugging a bit, but Taehyung's glance tells him that he won't take that for an answer, therefore, he proceeds, "Don't take that as an offense, okay? You just really look like the kind of person who would order a Frappuccino."
Taehyung gasps, "I am offended."
"Hyung..."
"Offended that you think I would be offended by that," the elder completes, smirking, "Yes, Jeon Jungkook, I am the Frapuccino kind of guy. You just don't seem like someone who would order it, so I went for the second best of the house."
Jungkook doesn't say anything, because his Cappuccino arrives at this moment, and he quietly thanks the waiter and looks down at his cup of coffee, but there's the trail of a smile on his lips. Taehyung finds himself slightly staring, and he looks away as soon as he can, not wanting to seem creepy and scare the photographer away. His coffee is already forgotten in front of him.
"So, Jungkook-ah," he starts, discreetly, "How did you and Yoongi-hyung meet?"
"He's friends with my best friend, Kim Seokjin," Jungkook tells him, taking a sip of his coffee, "Ever heard of him?"
"Uh, I guess not?"
"Well, Yoongi-hyung must have forgotten," he says, "Anyways, Jin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung met a while ago, when Jin-hyung attended to the same University as you do now. They have been friends since then."
Now, that's interesting. Taehyung and Yoongi don't hang out all the time, so the younger male always kind of wondered who were Yoongi's other friends.
"So, you're friends with him too?" Taehyung asks, "Or you two only know each other because of your other friend?"
"I'm friends with him too, I guess," Jungkook says, "He treats me the same way he treats Seokjin-hyung, at least."
Taehyung has to contain the urge to ask a few more questions. He has known Yoongi for long enough to know that he isn't the kind of person who would be friends with bad people, so it simply didn't make any sense that he was friends with Jeon Jungkook after everything he told Taehyung about the boy.
In the following minutes, Taehyung and Jungkook only talk about the phothosoot. Taehyung tells the boy his ideas and listens to every tip Jungkook has to him, quite enjoying talking to him and settling everything so nicely. He must admit he was waiting something rude and closed, but Jungkook is really open-minded and friendly.
Taehyung decides he likes him.
After one hour, Jungkook gets a text. He checks the phone quietly and frowns.
"Is something wrong?" Taehyung asks.
"No," Jungkook answers, "It's Jin-hyung. He's studying in America for a while because of a scholarship and he was supposed to come back in three months, but the trip is going to happen in a week. Change of plans."
"Is that a bad thing?" the elder asks.
Jungkook looks up at him, and, for a moment, Taehyung thinks he's going to say yes, "No, it's not. Just a surprise."
Taehyung nods, not convinced, but not meaning to push, "Is he an Art Major?"
"He's majorying in Art, yeah."
"And what about you, Jungkook-ah?" he finally asks. "Are you majorying in something?"
"No, I'm not," Jungkook answers, moving his fingers in circles on the table, "I was going to be an Art Major as well, but I decided to leave this for the next year."
"So, you take amateur pictures for living?"
The younger boy laughs softly, "I wish I did. Actually, no. My amateur pictures get me enough money to do nothing, so I work part time at a flowerstore nearby."
"Where is it?"
A smirk appears in Jungkook's lips as he supports his back on the chair, glancing at Taehyung by behind his eyelashes, "Curious much, hyung?"
Taehyung can't help but smirk as well, "Is that a bad thing, Jungkook-ah?"
"I suppose not," Jungkook says, and he moves away a bit, getting up, "I have to go now, hyung. Thanks for the coffee. I will be at the University by the morning."
The elder blinks, a tiny glow of amusement in his eyes, "I will see you there, Jungkook-ah."