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Jungkook had always had a crush on Jimin, but he never felt the need to admit it. He was satisfied with just keeping his hyung close to him, satisfied with just being friends. Or at least, he thought he was. Things changed when Taehyung transferred into their college about two weeks ago. Jungkook had always had Jimin by his side, they had been friends for years since the day they’d met in math class back in eighth grade. They had been paired up for an assignment and become friends, best friends actually. They had been inseparable ever since, or so Jungkook thought. He wasn’t so sure anymore as he watched Taehyung whisper something into Jimin’s ear. Jimin looked surprised as he turned to face Taehyung and then burst out giggling along with Taehyung.
Jungkook didn’t like it. He didn’t like how close Taehyung had gotten to his Jimin. Jimin used to always be up for going out to places with him, but now he would ditch Jungkook for Taehyung. Ok, Jimin didn’t actually ditch him, he was much too kind to do that, no, Jimin would always invite Jungkook to go with them, but Jungkook would refuse. He had gone with them once and Jimin had spent more time with Taehyung which had irritated Jungkook to no end. So from then on he had refused to go with them. Taehyung was a very social person and went out a lot, and Jimin joined him often nowadays. Jungkook kind of missed Jimin since Jimin was always out with Taehyung and rarely at their dorm spending time with Jungkook. Jungkook realized while he was alone just how much his crush on Jimin had grown over the years. He had to admit it to himself now, he was in love with his hyung. He was in love with Jimin. But he couldn't confess. He was too scared to confess. Jimin probably didn’t even like him back in that way. His love was probably unrequited.
“Hey, Kookie, me and Tae are going to the new cafe that opened up, wanna come?” Jimin asked as he picked up his books since class had ended a few minutes ago. Jungkook looked up at Jimin, not realizing he’d spaced out.
“Uh…” Jungkook wasn’t sure if wanted to.
“Come with us Kook, I’m sure you’d enjoy it,” Taehyung said with a smile as he came up behind Jimin and rested his head on Jimin’s shoulder.
“...Ok.” Jungkook reluctantly agreed. Jimin smiled at him and said, “Great, let’s go!”
They made their way out of class and to the cafe which was only a ten-minute walk. Inside the cafe was bustling with people and looked rather busy. They managed to find an empty round table and so they took it and then looked at the menu. When a waitress came to their table they told her their order and then waited. Taehyung began talking, recounting a story about a stray cat he’d seen outside his dorm. Jungkook wasn’t paying attention, he was preoccupied with how Jimin was sitting closer to Taehyung then him. After a few minutes, Jimin excused himself to go to the bathroom. Once Jimin was out of earshot, Taehyung addressed him.
“Do you like Jimin?” Taehyung asked.
“W-what?” Jungkook stuttered out surprised by the sudden question.
“It’s a straightforward question. Do you like Jimin?” Taehyung asked again raising an eyebrow.
“N-no!” Jungkook denied as a blush crept up his cheeks. That was a total lie, he loved Jimin and he knew it.
“Hmm...well that’s good. Guess he’s mine for the taking.” Taehyung said with a sly grin. Jungkook was about to speak when the waitress came back with their order. Once she left Jungkook glared at Taehyung and spoke.
“You like Jimin?” Jungkook questioned, he had always got the feeling Taehyung might like Jimin but he could never be sure. Taehyung shrugged as he stabbed at his cake.
“Maybe.” He finally replied.
“Maybe?” Jungkook wasn’t satisfied with that answer.
“Well he’s hot, so it’s not like I’m not attracted to him.” Taehyung replied taking a bite of the cake before continuing, “But I wouldn’t really say I’m in love or anything close to that.”
“...You can’t have Jimin.” Jungkook said after a minute. Taehyung looked him weirdly.
“And why not? You just said you don’t like him.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re not serious about him. Jimin’s never dated anyone and I’m not letting my best friend’s first ever boyfriend be someone who doesn’t even like him.” Jungkook said angrily.
“Seriously dude?” Taehyung asked.
“Yes seriously. Don’t even think about asking him out or try to make him fall for you.” Jungkook replied through clenched teeth.
“And what exactly are you going to do to stop me?” Taehyung questioned with an amused expression.
“I’ll keep Jimin away from you. I’ll make sure you don’t get the chance to make him fall for you.” Jungkook responded. There was no way he was going to let Taehyung date Jimin. If they did Taehyung would probably just hurt Jimin.
“Oh really? You really think you can keep Jimin away from me?” Taehyung asked with a smirk.
“Ye-” Jungkook began but was cut off when Jimin returned to the table and said, “What did I miss?”
“Nothing,” Jungkook said quickly.
“Actually we were talking about you Jiminie.” Taehyung chirped and Jungkook glared at him.
“Me?” Jimin questioned wondering what they had said about him.
“Yea. Jungkookie here told me you’ve never dated?” Taehyung asked.
“Oh...ah yea never felt like it,” Jimin said with a chuckle.
“Hmm...well how about now? If someone asked you out would you consider it?” Taehyung continued.
“Uh depends on the person I guess,” Jimin answered.
“Well, then how about m-”
“Hyung can I try some of your cake?!” Jungkook interrupted Taehyung. Jimin looked surprised by Jungkook sudden outburst but nodded sliding his untouched cake over to Jungkook.
“As I was saying would you con-” Taehyung began again.
“This cake is delicious hyung! Come on try it!” Jungkook cut Taehyung off again lifting a piece to Jimin’s mouth. Jimin gave Jungkook a confused look before accepting the bite. Once he swallowed he nodded.
“Yea it is good. So what were you going to say Tae?” Jimin asked.
“Oh, I was just asking if y-”
“Ah sorry!” Jungkook said as he purposely spilled his drink over Taehyung. “It slipped out of my hand.” He continued but his eyes were daring Taehyung to contradict him.
“It’s fine Kook-ah...why don’t you come help me clean up in the bathroom.” Taehyung gritted out to him. Jungkook merely nodded and excused himself to Jimin.
“Wait here hyung, we’ll be right back,” Jungkook said to Jimin and then followed Taehyung to the bathroom.
“I can’t believe you, kid! You’re seriously not going to give me a chance?” Taehyung demanded when they reached the bathroom.
“No. I’m not,” Jungkook responded as Taehyung dabbed at the wet spot on his jeans.
“Well then...that just makes me all the more determined to ask him out,” Taehyung responded, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I’ll stop you every time,” Jungkook assured him.
“We’ll see about that... This means war kid, and I never lose. I will ask Jimin out by next Monday.” Taehyung said confidently.
“Fine, war it is. But since it is war, you can’t just ask him over text. And if you haven’t asked him by Monday, you can’t afterward” Jungkook replied, determined to keep Jimin away from Taehyung.
“Fine. I can deal with that. I’ll retreat for today, but by this time next week be prepared to hear about Jimin’s new relationship status.” Taehyung responded as he threw away the napkins and made his way back to their table, Jungkook following close behind.
“We’re back Jiminie, sorry we took so long. This stain isn’t coming out, so I’m going to have call it a day and head back. Wanna meet up tomorrow for a study date?” Taehyung asked Jimin while motioning one of the waiters over to ask for a to-go bag for his cake.
“Sure. Same place as usual?” Jimin asked as Taehyung took the bag from the waitress and placed his cake inside.
“Yep. See you there at two! Bye!” Taehyung said and waved to them as he left. Jungkook waited until Taehyung was gone before speaking to Jimin.
“I wanna study with you guys tomorrow,” Jungkook said quietly taking a bite of his cake.
“Really? I thought you hated studying with others, though?” Jimin said surprised.
“...I changed my mind. I like study groups now.” Jungkook muttered.
“...If you say so.” Jimin responded taking a bite of his cake.
“So can I come?” Jungkook asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Jimin replied and that settled it. Jungkook could join them and make sure Taehyung didn’t say anything unwarranted.
When it came time for the study date the next day, Jungkook went with Jimin to the library. Taehyung was already there waiting, he frowned when he saw Jungkook but quickly replaced it with a smile.
“I didn’t realize you’d be joining us Kook-ah,” Taehyung said when they were in front of each other.
“Sorry, hope my presence isn’t unwelcome,” Jungkook replied good-naturedly.
“Na, it’s fine. The more the merrier! I booked us a study room today.” Taehyung said and then they headed to one of the library’s many study rooms.
Once inside Jungkook sat on one side while Jimin and Taehyung sat on the other side since they were studying for the same class. Jungkook pulled out his laptop and pretended to work on something for class but truthfully he was paying attention to the conversation going on between the other two.
“I don’t get this problem Jiminie,” Taehyung whined in a quiet voice leaning back as Jimin leaned closer to see what Taehyung was stuck on.
“Hmm...well you solve it like this,” Jimin said and began to show Taehyung how to work on it.
“Oh wow, I get it now. Thanks, Jiminie!” Taehyung said and hugged Jimin, he even ruffled Jimin’s blond hair.
“Yah! Stop!” Jimin cried in protest and pushed Taehyung away with a giggle. They returned to their work, but not without Taehyung shooting Jungkook a smirk. Jungkook was peeved, he was regretting not going out with them before now, he wondered just how many times Taehyung had done that to Jimin.
“Jiminie I need help again,” Taehyung said after a few minutes of silence. Jimin leaned over to see the problem again and Taehyung suddenly pulled Jimin out of his seat and into his lap, startling both Jimin and Jungkook.
“Ah..What are you doing?” Jimin asked angling his body to face Taehyung.
“Yea, what are you doing? Let go of Jimin” Jungkook repeated shooting Taehyung a heated glare.
“Yah! it’s hyung to you! And why did you pull me on your lap Tae?” Jimin asked curiously.
“It’s easier for me this way. I actually need help with the rest of these and I didn’t want you to have to lean over the whole time while teaching me. Just sit quietly and help me ok?” Taehyung replied resting his head on Jimin’s shoulder and hugging him around his waist. Jimin sighed but nodded and began to explain the problems to Taehyung. Jungkook watched baffled by the calmness he saw in Jimin and Taehyung’s audacity. Taehyung was rubbing his thumb along Jimin’s side while listening to the explanation Jimin was providing.
Jungkook was growing really irritated by the scene. They were too close to each other. He’d never been able to hold Jimin like that even though they’d been friends for years. Jungkook had always been shy and had never held Jimin close unless it was for a quick hug. Jimin showed his affection for Jungkook freely so there were plenty of contact between the two of them, but Jimin would always initiate it. They’d never been a situation where Jimin had needed to sit on Jungkook’s lap and so it had never been done. It wasn’t even necessary now, but Taehyung still did it, and that made Jungkook berate himself. Why couldn't he have ever done something like that? Why did he have to be so afraid of holding his hyung close?
“So do you get it now?” Jimin asked angling his body so he was facing Taehyung again. Taehyung nodded with a huge grin on his face.
“Yep! Thanks for the help Jiminie, here’s your reward!” Taehyung responded and then placed a kiss on Jimin’s forehead.
“Agh, stop Tae,” Jimin replied in fake disgust as he smiled sweetly. Jungkook, on the other hand, was fuming on the inside. Taehyung had kissed Jimin! He had been brave enough to kiss Jimin! His Jimin! Had they done that before? Just what transpired between them when Jungkook wasn’t around?!
“Hey Jimin, I’ve been wanting to ask do you wan-” Taehyung began but was cut off by Jungkook.
“Hyung, I think we should get going now. We have class in a little bit.” Jungkook said hurriedly, worried that Taehyung was about to ask Jimin out. Jimin looked at his watch and nodded.
“Yea we should go. But what were you saying Tae?” Jimin questioned much like yesterday.
“Do you want to go to the am-”
“Hyung hurry and pack up! We have to go now!” Jungkook demanded as he began putting his stuff away.
“Jungkook quit interrupting Tae.” Jimin scolded as he pulled himself out of Taehyung’s lap. “What were you saying Tae?” Jimin continued while Jungkook pouted. Now Taehyung was going to ask Jimin out and Jungkook couldn’t stop him without incurring the wrath of Jimin.
“I was just going to ask if you’d like to join me at the amusement park this weekend,” Taehyung said surprising Jungkook who had thought Taehyung would have asked Jimin out for sure.
“Amusement park?” Jimin questioned unsure.
“Yea. I got free tickets from my brother who works there. I wanted to invite you, you could also invite someone. How about Kookie? I’ve got three tickets so we could all go.” Taehyung supplied.
“Uh, I’m up for it, what about you Kookie?” Jimin questioned turning to Jungkook.
“Sure,” Jungkook responded. There was no way he was going to let Jimin go to the amusement park with just Taehyung.
“Great! Well then I’ll see you guys later” Taehyung said. Jimin nodded and packed his stuff then bid Taehyung farewell as he and Jungkook made their way to their next class.
The rest of the week went by relatively quickly, Jungkook managed to stay with Jimin whenever Taehyung was around. He also managed to keep Taehyung from getting too close to Jimin, but Taehyung was persistent. Honestly, his persistence bothered and amazed Jungkook. For someone who claimed not to like Jimin, he sure was putting a lot of effort into trying to get closer to Jimin and ask him out.
On Friday Jungkook followed Jimin to the cafe where they met with Taehyung. Taehyung sat next to Jimin and fed him from his cake while Jungkook watched, irritation rising within him. Jungkook had done that many times himself, but it had never been as intimate as it looked now. Jungkook tried to ignore the feeling of jealousy rising within him but was finding it really hard to keep his hands still. All he really wanted to do was pull Jimin away from Taehyung.
“Ok, so the amusement park, let’s go on Sunday. I’ll pick you guys up at ten ok? You live together right?” Taehyung asked as they left the cafe.
“Yea, we do,” Jimin answered.
“Great, Sunday is fine right?” Taehyung made sure.
“Yep.” Jimin nodded.
Jungkook was up and ready early on Sunday. He devised a plan to keep Jimin with him at all times, to make sure Jimin would sit next to him on the rides, basically, he devised a plan to keep Taehyung separated from Jimin. This was Taehyung’s chance to finally ask Jimin out, and Jungkook had to make sure it didn’t happen.
Taehyung picked them up at ten like he said he would. He drove them to the amusement park and they then went in after Taehyung gave them their admission tickets.
“So what do you guys want to ride first?” Taehyung asked looking around.
“I’m fine with anything,” Jimin replied also looking around.
“How about we just start from the beginning and work our way towards the end,” Jungkook suggested.
“Works for me,” Taehyung responded with a shrug then grabbed a hold of Jimin’s hand. “Come on let’s go!” he said. Jungkook glared at Taehyung’s hand as he grabbed Jimin’s other hand and intertwined their fingers.
“We’re going to hold hands?” Jimin questioned looking at the both of them confused.
“Yea, wouldn’t want you to get lost hyung,” Jungkook answered.
“I’m holding your hand because it’s small and cute!” Taehyung replied at the same time.
“Yah! You’re both horrible!” Jimin replied with a scowl but didn’t pull away from either of them. They made their way from ride to ride. Jungkook made sure he was the one who sat beside Jimin on the rides where it was two people per seat. He managed to keep Taehyung in check and away from Jimin using petty excuses like, ‘the ride looks scary hyung!’ or something along those lines. He even sat next to Taehyung but he made sure Jimin wasn’t alone with Taehyung ever.
“Let’s take a break and get something to eat,” Jimin suggested after a while. The other two agreed and they went to one of the food carts. They ate hot dogs and then got ice cream before walking around and deciding what to go on next.
“Hey try mines Jiminie!” Taehyung said holding out his ice cream cone towards Jimin, who took a small kitten lick.
“Hmm, it’s good!” Jimin responded with an eye smile.
“Mines is better! Here!” Jungkook said shoving his ice cream in front of his hyung’s face. Jimin took a bite of Jungkook’s ice cream and nodded in affirmation.
“Let me try yours Jiminie.” Taehyung pleaded and Jimin allowed it. He also offered some to Jungkook when he saw the younger pout.
“Oh let’s go in there!” Taehyung said pointing towards the haunted house. Jimin tensed up, he would get scared of things like those easily. He hated horror, and Jungkook knew this so he shook his head.
“No, I don’t think we should go in there,” Jungkook responded.
“Aw, why not? You scared Kookie?” Taehyung teased.
“No,” Jungkook replied glancing at Jimin to see if he’d say anything.
“..uh..I-I do-don’t want t-to go e-either.” Jimin stuttered out already afraid by the idea of having to go through the haunted house.
“Please, Jiminie! It would be so much fun. Don’t be scared! I’ll protect you from all the scary things.” Taehyung bargained and Jimin reluctantly nodded.
“Hold my hand,” Taehyung instructed as they entered the haunted house. Jungkook grabbed Jimin’s other hand and squeezed it tightly to let the elder know he was there for him too. They walked deeper into the haunted house, and Jimin was shaking even though not much had happened besides scary noises, bats, and a few loud bangs of doors closing. Then it happened. Someone jumped in front of them screaming “Help!” The person had fake blood gushing out their stomach and it drenched their white clothes. Their skull had an arrow going through it and fake blood streamed down their face. As soon as the person had jumped in front of them Jimin screamed. He pulled away from both Taehyung and Jungkook and started running.
“Hey wait! Jimin!” Taehyung called after Jimin
“Hyung!” Jungkook said at the same time barely registering what had just happened. Once he realized Jimin had run away, he started running after him. He called out for the elder but got no response.
He looked everywhere but couldn’t find Jimin and so he exited the haunted house hoping he’d see his hyung outside. He found him shortly after exiting, he was with Taehyung. Jungkook saw them sitting on a bench near the haunted house, and Jimin was crying into Taehyung’s shoulder, while Taehyung rubbed his back trying to shush him. Jungkook felt jealousy rise in him like it had been all day whenever Taehyung managed to hold Jimin, but he pushed it aside and rushed over to them. He pulled Jimin away from Taehyung and hugged him tightly, letting Jimin bury his face into his chest. He encircled his arms on Jimin’s waist and started rocking on his feet slightly going back and forth.
“Shh, it’s alright hyung. I’m here. I won’t let the monsters get you. It’s ok hyung. I’m right here, I’ll always be here.” Jungkook said reassuring his hyung that he wasn’t alone. Jimin calmed down slowly and then took a huge breath and pulled back slightly.
“Thanks, Kookie...sorry for being such a scaredy cat.” Jimin murmured.
“It’s ok hyung. It’s normal to be afraid.” Jungkook reassured him and Jimin smiled.
“Sorry for making you go in there Jiminie.” Taehyung apologized.
The rest of the day was less eventful, they went on more rides. Jimin stuck close to Jungkook on his own accord since the haunted house. Taehyung noticed and felt bad but he didn’t know what to do to make it up to Jimin. When it was sunset they decided to leave. As they were heading towards the exit Taehyung stopped them.
“Hey wait, can we play that game before we leave?” Taehyung asked pointing to a stall with water guns and moving targets.
“Um, I’m no good at those type of games,” Jimin admitted.
“That’s ok cause I’m a pro. Here I’ll win you a prize!” Taehyung said with a boxy grin and then headed towards the booth and paid to play the game.
Jungkook watched Taehyung as he started to play but then excused himself to go to the bathroom, hoping he would be fast enough to get back before Taehyung finished playing. Jungkook rushed to the bathroom, did his business, and then returned to find Taehyung had won a brown teddy bear that was half of Jimin’s height.
“...my confession ok? And think about it, please. ” Jungkook heard Taehyung say to Jimin. His heart stopped then, he had failed. Taehyung had managed to confess to Jimin.
“Alright...I’ll think about it,” Jimin replied and then noticed Jungkook and waved him over. They left after that and the ride home was mostly silent. Taehyung dropped them off at their apartment and Jimin waved goodbye to Taehyung while Jungkook opened their door for them. Once inside Jungkook sighed and set himself on the sofa in the living room. Jimin sat down next to him and turned on the TV, flipping through the channels. Jungkook wanted to ask what Jimin was thinking if he planned to accept Taehyung’s confession or not. After some internal debating, he finally decided to be brave and ask.
“...so what are you going to do about Taehyung’s confession?” Jungkook asked surprising Jimin who turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
“You heard us?” Jimin asked and Jungkook nodded.
“Oh...well what’s there to do then?” Jimin continued turning back to the TV.
“What do you mean ‘what’s there to do?’ Aren’t you going to give him an answer?” Jungkook asked confused.
“Answer to what?” Jimin murmured confusedly.
“His confession? Didn’t he ask you out?” Jungkook asked fed up with beating around the bush.
“Wait what?....Ask me out? No, he didn’t.” Jimin replied surprised.
“What? He didn’t? Then what did he mean when he said, ‘think about it?’” Jungkook continued confused.
"He was asking me if I wanted to go skiing with him next week. I was apprehensive about it since I’ve never been skiing and don’t like the cold.” Jimin responded.
“Wh-what?...Seriously?...then what did he ‘confess’ ?”
“I thought you heard?”
“Apparently I didn’t.”
“He said to tell you he surrenders.”
“What?”
“After he won the bear he told me it was his apology for me as well as a confession. I asked him what he meant and he told me to forget it and grant him a favor. The favor was to tell you he surrenders should you ask about his confession. He also said to tell you, stop being a coward and man up before it’s too late” Jimin replied looking puzzled.
“Oh…” was all Jungkook could say.
“Mind explaining?” Jimin asked hopefully.
“...” Jungkook didn’t know what to say, his mind was racing with what Jimin had said. Taehyung had backed out, had really given up on asking Jimin out. Instead, he was telling Jungkook to ask Jimin out. To man up and be brave. Jungkook looked at Jimin’s questioning face and sighed, maybe Taehyung was right, he should stop being a coward.
“I love you,” Jungkook said softly.
“Hmm, I already know that I love you too. And that was kind of random of you to say just now.... But I was ask-”
“No I mean as more than a friend...Jimin I love you. I have for quite a while now. Years actually.” Jungkook admitted deciding it was now or never. Jimin was stunned, he blinked in surprise by the sudden confession.
“Kookie...do...you mean it?” Jimin asked hesitantly.
“Yes. I really love you hyung.” Jungkook replied with a small sad smile, he was afraid he’d be rejected now.
“...I can’t believe it...all these years…” Jimin mumbled.
“Hyung?” Jungkook asked not understanding Jimin’s mumbling.
“I love you too idiot” Jimin replied and kissed him. Now it was Jungkook’s turn to blink in surprise. But he quickly closed his eyes and responded to the kiss. Looks like his love wasn’t unrequited after all.