Chapter Text
The first week back to school was not going well. Jungkook had failed the pop quiz Professor Kim had thrown at them “just to refresh their memories and get those gears rolling again!” and now Jimin was moving out.
“Waaaee?” Jungkook half-whined as Jimin threw another pair of ripped jeans into the open suitcase. “Why can’t you stay here in the dorm with me?”
Jimin snorted. “You mean live poor like you and bum it out for no reason?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean. College is supposed to be hard, hyung. It’s all about late nights, lots of ramyeon, complaining to each other … you know … character building stuff.”
“I’ve got lots of character already,” Jimin laughed. He stretched out his hands and even with his shorter arms, he could easily touch both walls of the narrow dorm room. “Come on, Guk, this is a coffin, not a room for humans to actually live in. You want me to stay here when I could have my own room and my own bathroom in a huge mansion? Yeah right.”
Jungkook sighed. “But if you leave, I’ll be all alone.”
“That’s why I kept telling you to make more friends. Plus, you won’t be entirely alone. You’re friends with that tall Namjoon guy, right? The quiet one who mumbles to himself?”
“That’s not the same! You’re my best friend and live right next door! What if the guy who moves in is louder than you or makes the dorm smell bad?”
Jimin was going to crack another joke, but when he looked over at Jungkook’s downcast face, he grew soft and serious. He stopped his packing and came over to put his hands on Jungkook’s shoulders, even though he was the shorter of the two. “Ah, Jungkookie, my poor friend. What will I do with you? Really, Jungkook, you should lighten up. Get a sugar daddy of your own!”
Jungkook snarled and yanked his shoulders out of Jimin’s grip. Jimin just laughed and turned back to his packing. Jungkook stormed out of the room, slamming the thin wooden door with as much force as possible.
He threw on a padded winter jacket, beanie, and scarf before heading out into the brittle March air. Snow still clung to the edges of the sidewalks and Jungkook had to walk hunched over, eyes on the ground in case of any ice patches.
Students moved out of Jungkook’s way as he marched quickly across campus. He did not really have a set destination in mind. Just somewhere far away from Jimin. Far away from the two guys Jungkook had grown to hate. Jimin’s sugar daddies.
Actually, they were pretty nice guys. Had treated Jungkook well and bought him some gold earrings and even taken him to a really nice restaurant with the best steak one time. But none of that kindness mattered now. Not when they were stealing Jimin from him.
Jungkook got halfway across campus when he realized he had forgotten his bag back at the dorm, including his student ID. Without that, he could not sign into the study area of the library or even check out books. Could not even buy some cup ramyeon at the little cafeteria. Scowling, he trudged the long way back to his room. Hopefully Jimin would be gone already and Jungkook could save face for his lapse of memory.
But when Jungkook arrived back at the dorm, a tall van with tinted windows was parked out front. Great.
“Jungkook!” a deep voice greeted him as he warily walked towards his room. A tall, lean guy stood in the hallway and it seemed like even the dim lights could not dull his beauty. His face was one of kind - worth a million dollars, it was rumored - and normally, when serious, had looks that could kill. Now Mr. CGV smiled at Jungkook with the most charming smile, making him looks years younger and much cuter. He held his arms open wide and clasped Jungkook tightly even though the younger boy grimaced and tried to avoid contact.
Taehyung, the highest paid model in all of Korea, with marketing deals with Puma, Gucci, Rolex, and even BMW, stood just outside of Jimin’s tiny dorm room.
Inside the room, with the door swung open for all to see, stood the only man in all Korea who could rival Taehyung in terms of beautiful faces. He was tall, too - Jungkook wondered if their company, Genius Entertainment, slipped illegal growth stimulants into the water - but had shorter legs, broader shoulders, and a face that was currently split wide open in the largest smile. Mr. Worldwide Handsome was slapping Jimin on the back, making Jungkook’s orange-haired friend fall over on the bed in a fit of giggles.
Considered the greatest drama and movie actor of this era, Jungkook never would have guessed it based on the scene before him. Seokjin had tears streaming down his face and he was making his trademark “window cleaning” laugh. When he saw Jungkook arrive, he tried to blurt out a joke as he pointed at Jungkook, but fell on the desk chair in a fit of laughter, unable to get the words out.
Jimin was laughing hard, too, his whole body flopping as he threw himself onto the bed. Even Jungkook had to admit that his friend looked over-the-moon happy whenever he was with his two sugar daddies. Not exactly a victim like Jungkook sometimes made him out to be.
Within the next fifteen minutes, two managers wrangled the luggage out to the van, herded their wards into the van, and allowed Jimin to give Jungkook a tight hug before he, too, was whisked away. All neat and efficient. Jungkook could not help but feel alone, standing on the curb, knowing the room next to his now stood empty.
//
“Yoongi-hyung!” Hoseok burst into the dark room. Light poured in behind Hoseok’s slim silhouette, making Yoongi groan with pain as it hit his eyelids.
“Go awaaaaaay,” he moaned.
“Come on, get up,” Hoseok demanded. He went around the large room, bustling with purpose. He found the remote for the blinds, pushed the button, and did not even bother to watch as they softly hummed into motion. Afternoon light filtered in, making Yoongi snuggle deeper into his large bed. Hoseok made an actual tut-tutting sound.
Without any sympathy, he marched over to the bed and yanked back the covers. He even threw the pillows to the floor, knowing Yoongi would probably just squash his face into those feathery lumps and pretend he was still hiding from the sun, even if his ass was completely exposed.
“Fine, fine,” Yoongi croaked. “I’m up. I’m up, goddammit.”
Hoseok gave a small satisfied smile and then motioned to the door. Two maids nervously peered inside and at further encouragement from Hoseok, entered the room. One held a small tray with a glass of water and a small collection of vitamins and pills. She came close to the bed and held still as Yoongi glared up at her. But at least he took his pills.
“Go take a shower,” Hoseok sniffed at him. “You reek.”
Yoongi started to protest, but as his friend threatened to actually grab his wrist and pull him off the bed, he stood up and trudged over to the large off-suite bathroom. He had a feeling Hoseok would just dump him into a stream of cold water if he did not hurry, so he used the toilet and started the shower. Four different shower heads pointed down at him. Two were normal, but the third had a “rain” effect and the fourth was a power jet that could massage your back. Yoongi stood under the hot water, remembering what it meant to be human again.
“Chop chop!” Hoseok called from just outside the shower. Yoongi glared in his general direction, but knew his friend could not see him through all the fog. Sighing, he hurriedly put soap and shampoo on himself and rinsed off. Knowing Hoseok, the man would just barge in here himself, naked as the day he was born, if Yoongi did not finish quickly enough.
Soon Yoongi was freshly showered and groomed, smelling like $10,000 dollars, and casually leaning back in the passenger seat of Hoseok’s red convertible porsche.
“Remind me where we’re going,” Yoongi drawled, one hand lazily lying on the window and leaning out of the car.
“We have that thing,” Hoseok reminded him.
Yoongi gave him a look, but the effect was lost due to the sunglasses. Hoseok barely even glanced at him, he was too busy speeding down the freeway and fiddling with his black hair while staring at his reflection in the rearview mirror.
“What thing?”
“You know … that thing … ah, what’s it called? Some bachelor auction or something-or-rather.”
Yoongi groaned, suddenly remembering why he had been avoiding contact with the outside world, and Hoseok in particular. His best friend had been bothering him to go to this charity event for weeks now. The Sugar Daddy Auction. Yoongi loathed everything about it and had specifically circled the date in his calendar, penciling in a ton of other appointments and possible excuses so he could avoid tonight.
Hoseok’s mouth made a “ㅅ” as he heard Yoongi’s moan of complaint. “Come on, hyung, stop being such a party-pooper. We need to get you a boyfriend! Can’t have you pining after me after all these years!”
Yoongi growled softly. “I’m not pining after you or anybody, Hobi.”
A quick grin from Hoseok let Yoongi know his friend had been joking. Truthfully, it had been three years since they had tried to be more than just friends and it had spectacularly blown up in their faces. Three years since Hoseok had then dated humans of every kind. Men, women, Asian, black, white, Latino - it didn’t matter. As long as Hoseok was feeling frisky, he would grab a local person no matter where he was in the world, and would bless that person with his long tongue and active hips. Not that Yoongi knew anything about that …
Yoongi, meanwhile, had decided dating of any kind was bad for the heart. Bad for business, too.
“I’m not going to participate,” Yoongi warned Hoseok. “I might have been kidnapped and have no choice but to attend, but I refuse to get involved in what is basically prostitution.”
“Boo, you’re no fun,” Hoseok pretended to frown, but was actually laughing. “Well, as long as you come and have a few drinks, Hyung. Just relax for the a little bit, yeah?”
Yoongi made a “mmm” sound of agreement and then settled deeper into his seat. He could go for a few drinks. Just as long as Hoseok understood what was what. Under no circumstances was Yoongi about to pay for some young thing to be his boy-toy for a month, charity or no charity. He did not have time or energy for such things.
//
“Why are you going?” Jungkook watched as Namjoon tried on his fifth pair of reading glasses. “Did you lose a bet to Jimin? Is this about getting revenge … wait! You’re not doing this to get laid, are you?”
Namjoon paused and turned around to give Jungkook a look.
“What?” the younger one asked with big innocent eyes. “Lots of people do dumb things to get laid. I just thought you were smarter than that.”
“I’m the smartest of all, my young one,” Namjoon said. He put on the second pair of glasses and then nodded at his reflection, satisfied. Jungkook scowled, hating that his nerdy friend cleaned up so well. If he looked this good, he’d probably be successful in snagging a sugar daddy of his own. Then Jungkook would lose yet another friend to the evil corporation of big money.
Namjoon saw his scowl and gave a small laugh. His cute dimples showed and this deepened Jungkook’s frown even more.
“Look, kid,” Namjoon said, “studying for a doctorate isn’t easy. You think I want to be locked up in this dorm with all you undergraduates? Studying in the library at all hours? Hell no. I want my own room and my own study area. Jimin’s got those things, so why not me? I just have to find the right guy, lure him in, and then use him. See? Smart!”
“So you’re willing to sell your body for your studies?” Jungkook sneered.
Namjoon grinned. “Yup - and my soul. One day you’ll understand, Jungkookie. Until then, stay the cute, innocent kid that you are.”
Jungkook rolled his eyes and laid back on the narrow bed. At this rate, he’d have to actually talk to other people to try to make new friends. It was bad enough he never saw Jimin anymore, but now Namjoon was actively trying to get a sugar daddy and move out. It was like they were torturing him on purpose.
“Come on, go get ready,” Namjoon told him.
“What? Wait, what?” Jungkook asked, looking up. Namjoon stood over him and hit him on the leg.
“Get up, I said. Come on, kiddo. You’re coming with me.”
“What for?” Jungkook practically screeched. “I don’t want no sugar daddy!”
“Yeah, and I don’t want to go out to a strange party all by myself. You’re coming with and being my designated wingman. That means no drinking for you, lots of flirting and drinking for me, and you make sure I leave the place with all my money still in my wallet. Now go get dressed.”
Jungkook pouted, but when he saw the serious glint in Namjoon’s eyes, he rolled off the bed and went down the hall to his own room.
He stared at the few clothes hanging in his “closet” - just hangers on a pipe over his bed, really - and decided to just wearing the cleanest, nicest thing he owned. It happened to be a pair of black pants and a simple dark blue button-up dress shirt. Jungkook paired it with his signature hoop earrings and studs, and not so signature black shoes.
“You look good,” Namjoon told him when they met out front a few minutes later. Namjoon looked like some kind of a hot, nerdy architect. “I’m glad you decided to avoid your Timbs and to actually tuck in your shirt for once. It’s a rare sight to see you in something tighter than your baggy pants and incredibly large white shirts. Now come on, let’s go get a cab.”
An hour later, Jungkook found himself sitting alone at a really tall, really small, circular table. The room was a large ballroom in some fancy hotel, with the main lots pointed at the dance floor in the center. The rest of room was plunged into darkness, which suited Jungkook just fine.
He perched on the stool and bit his bottom lip nervously. Many drinks filled the table in front of him, but Jungkook’s only beverage had been water with lime in it. Namjoon had long left him to go mill around with the others, and Jimin had only come over to say hi before being dragged out onto the dance floor by his boyfriends.
Jungkook sighed. The evening was going about as terrible as he had thought it would go.
“Rough night?” a low, male voice asked. Jungkook looked over to see a slim man with silver hair approach the table. Judging from the perfectly tailored tuxedo and expensive Rolex, this guy was one of the potential sugar daddies willing to buy a boyfriend for one month … for charity.
“Whoa, I’m not here for the auction,” Jungkook immediately blurted out, putting up his hands.
“Calm down, kid,” the man chuckled. “Neither am I. These things are full of shit.”
Jungkook squinted through the gloomy dark and studied the man. He seemed to be telling the truth. He relaxed slightly and muttered an apology. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be all jumpy and assume things about you. It’s just … I got dragged here against my will.”
“Same.” The man stuck out a hand. “Yoongi.”
“Jungkook.” They shook hands and bowed slightly to each other. Jungkook gestured to one of the stools around his little table and Yoongi quietly took the offer. They sat side by side in silence, judging everyone else. Yoongi was nursing a glass that looked like whiskey, while Jungkook kept playing with straw in his glass of water.
The auction started then, with everyone cheering and all abuzz. Those who were participating moved to the long stage on the other side of the room, with the others crowding below it. Jimin came over to Jungkook with Tae and Jin in tow. He flung an arm around Jungkook and breathed hot air in his face, smelling of alcohol. “Aww, Jungkookie, you should be up there! You should get yourself a real man - one who can treat you right!”
“Knock it off,” Jungkook said, but not crossly. He even let Jimin keep his arm around his neck, although it was much too hot in this room for any skinship. Yoongi just watched them quietly, as if bored by everything. Jungkook was surprised when Tae and Jin bowed to Yoongi with a slightly deeper bow than necessary for a stranger. He figured all these rich dudes knew each other and Yoongi must be slightly higher up on the food chain.
“Let’s start the bidding!” the MC announced. Cheers and wild clapping exploded. A long line of available men and women stood on the stage. Namjoon was near the middle.
“Who is that fine man?” Jin asked them loudly, pointing directly at Namjoon. “That one, with the yummy proportions and fine glasses. What’s he doing up on the stage when his appearance just screams ‘daddy?’”
“That’s Namjoon,” Jimin answered. He wrinkled his nose. “When did he get so hot though? Jungkook, was he hiding his good looks from us this whole time?”
Jungkook shrugged an answer, but the others were already talking about other contestants. Jimin, Jin, and Tae moved closer to the throng of people, to be closer to the action. A rich woman had already bought the first young lad, and she was all aglow as her prize walked down to her with a megawatt smile.
“You know Jimin and Namjoon?” Yoongi asked quietly.
“We all attend the same university,” Jungkook answered. He sighed loudly. “We all used to live in the dorm together, but Jimin’s moved in with his boyfriends, and now Namjoon wants a rich man to take care of him, too.”
“Is the dorm that bad?” Yoongi asked. He sounded genuinely curious. Jungkook looked over at him, a bit incredulous.
“Have you never lived in a dorm?” Jungkook asked. “If you have, then you know how cramped and awful it can be!”
Yoongi made a “hmm” noise, but did not confirm if he had ever lived in a dorm or not. Jungkook studied him then, curious. The man did not look much older than him. In fact, with his cute face, he looked rather young. He wore the tuxedo well and his Rolex screamed of big money - not to mention the way Tae and Jin had shown him respect earlier - but surely even this big wig had gone to college once, right?
“Like what you see, kid?” Yoongi asked with a small chuckle. Jungkook realized he had been staring and jerked his gaze away. He felt the back of his neck grow hot. Yes, he had liked what he had seen, but no need to let this guy know that. Jungkook was sitting close enough to the other man to see that he was good looking in a conventional way, but had an unconventional personality. The contradiction sparked Jungkook’s interest.
“Sold!!!” the MC roared into the microphone. Jungkook and Yoongi both politely clapped with the others, before both stood up swearing.
“That’s Namjoon!”
“Shit, that’s Hoseok!”
They turned and stared at each other. “Wait a minute …”
They slumped onto their seats, shocked. Moments later, a proud, beautiful man was leading Namjoon back to their table. Jungkook assumed it was Yoongi’s friend Hoseok.
“Look what I just bought!” he announced proudly.
“Hoseok …” Yoongi said the name both as a warning but also a tortured groan, as if asking what his friend had done now.
“Isn’t he yummy!?” Hoseok crooned. He already had an arm linked through Namjoon’s, looking for all the world like a girlfriend on a date with her man. Then Hoseok caught sight of Jungkook. “Wait, hold up, what’s this? My, my, my! So you found a young one, too? And what a looker! Wow-wee!”
Hoseok looked Jungkook up and down, making him squirm in his seat. Yoongi was scowling and telling Hoseok to “leave the kid alone” when Namjoon finally realized that he was standing in front of Jungkook. Until then, his eyes had been only for Hoseok. “Jungkookie?”
Jungkook sighed. This night was getting worse and worse.
//
Yoongi was not really sure why he had chosen to sit by Jungkook. It was probably because Jungkook’s aura screamed “get me out of here!” and had nothing to do with his dazzling good looks. Oh, Tae might be the face of Korea, and Jin the most handsome man in the world, but the young kid sitting at the table could both give them a run for their money. Yoongi felt drawn to the big eyes, completely at odds with the small furrow of irritation on his forehead. It was an interesting juxtaposition: a study of innocence but also world-weariness. Yoongi just had to speak with him. Besides, of all people at the party, this one looked just as bored as he felt. No, it had absolutely nothing to do with his fierce eyebrows, pretty lips, or sharp jawline. Nothing at all.
Now, standing before them, his best friend had his arm wrapped around the kid’s friend. How had it come to this? If Jungkook knew his connection to Tae and Jin, too … well, Jungkook might never talk with him again. Not that Yoongi was thinking about that or anything. If he ever wanted to see Jungkook again, he had better make sure Hoseok did not break the heart of this Namjoon guy. Yoongi inwardly sighed and cursed. Damn Hobi and his inability to think with something other than his dick! He would probably screw Namjoon and then leave him high and dry. Then Jungkook would further hate the industry and everything Yoongi stood for.
The new couple left them alone, joining Jin, Tae, and Jimin at the edge of the crowd. Jimin was congratulating Namjoon on his prize. Everyone knew Hoseok was a player, but they also knew he was the best triple threat in all Korea: a singing, rapping, dancing god. If Namjoon could hold his interest, he would be royally taken care of, that was for sure.
The auction was still going on. Yoongi grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waitress. He grabbed a second one on impulse, handing it to Jungkook without a word or even a glance.
“Ah, thanks, but no thanks,” Jungkook replied. He politely took the drink, his left hand under his right arm, and immediately placed the glass on the table. He ignored Yoongi’s surprised look and kept his eyes on his two college buddies and their trio of sugar daddies. Jungkook’s eyebrows were drawn together and his fierce, serious aura made him look older. The kid did not realize it, but he was practically dripping with sexiness.
“You’re not drinking?” Yoongi heard himself asking. It was a stupid question and he regretted asking it. He blamed the kid’s damn eyebrows.
Jungkook answered without looking at him. “Yeah, I’m the designated wingman, although it looks like my work is done now.”
There was a pause, then a soft, “I wish I could go home now.”
Yoongi chuckled, amused. The kid finally looked at him, slightly irritated, but then his face softened as he joined Yoongi in the joke. Neither one wanted to be here, yet here they were, stuck.
“Cheers,” Jungkook said, clinking his plastic cup of water against Yoongi’s flute of champagne.
“Why don’t you want to date someone with money?” Yoongi asked, unable to actually say the term “sugar daddy.” Still, he had been trying to find a way to ask the question all evening. Considering he was surrounded by the most elite of Seoul all the time, it was interesting to find a young man who wanted nothing to do with money or fame.
Jungkook shrugged, as if that were answer enough. Yoongi studied him, thinking the kid would not expand, but as he watched, Jungkook seemed to be mulling the question over in his mind. He kept biting his bottom lip, which both amused Yoongi and made his belly hitch ever so slightly. Finally Jungkook replied, “Well, I just want to be a normal person, I guess. Jimin wanted love and attention, money and toys. He got everything he wanted. Namjoon wants someone to take care of him and let him focus on his dreams without being stressed about his financial situation. Me? Well, I just want to go to school and then get a job. I’ll make my own money and pay my own way.”
Yoongi could not tear his eyes away from the young man sitting next to him. Jungkook was this weird mix of young and old, dark and light. He smiled like a young man, but saw the world through cynical eyes. It reminded Yoongi of himself, actually.
Jimin ran over, ruining the moment. The spotlight was following the orange-haired kid, who was speaking excitedly and pulling Jungkook’s hand high into the air. He yelled out, “My friend Jungkookie!”
Yoongi watched with quiet amusement, but also dread, as Jungkook’s eyes grew rounder and wider than should be possible, both fear and irritation lurking within.
“Ah, fantastic!” the MC was speaking the microphone, “we have a surprise contestant! And what a looker! Come here, young man!”
Jimin had pulled Jungkook up from his stool and was pushing him towards the stage. Because they had been sitting this whole time, Yoongi had not realized how tall Jungkook as. How long his legs were and how muscular he looked. How his thick thighs were really accentuated by his tight black pants. Yoongi gulped and downed the rest of his drink.
Jungkook now stood on the stage with three spotlights shining down on him. His eyes were the spitting image of a deer caught in the headlights. Yoongi could have sworn he could see beads of sweat forming on Jungkook’s temples. The nervously wiped them away and wiped his hands on the front of large thighs. The action sent a ripple-effect around the room. The predators gathered closer to their prey.
He swore under his breath and stood up. He started shoving his way through the crowd. What was wrong with these people? Couldn’t they see how scared the kid looked?
“$10,000,” a woman screamed, holding up the fan with her number on it.
“$20,000!” The price immediately jumped.
“Look at his face!” a woman near Yoongi murmured to her friend. “He looks so young and scared, but isn’t he handsome?”
“I’m too busy looking at his legs,” her friend whispered back. “I want him to choke me with those thighs!”
The women cackled and Yoongi felt like setting them on fire. Humans and their stupid lust.
“$25,000!”
“$27,000!”
“$30,000!” The number kept jumping. Jungkook looked ready to bolt out of the room. Yoongi did not blame him one bit.
“Hyung,” Hoseok appeared right behind him. “Namjoon says I should buy him, just to save him. Should I?”
Yoongi’s mind froze. All he could picture was Hoseok’s sweating body fucking Jungkook from behind, the kid both terrorized as hell, but loving each thrust. His face screwed up as he yelled out in pleasure, his long fingers grasping at the sheets.
Yoongi had to stifle the urge to choke Hoseok, instead growling, “I’ll buy him. You back off.”
Hoseok stepped back, surprised.
“33,000 dollars, folks,” the MC was saying. “Is that the final offer? Going once, going twice-”
“$100,000!” Yoongi’s voice rose above the crowd. A small murmur went up at the large price. None of the other people had sold for so high. Then, when the crowd stepped back from Yoongi and gave him space to walk up to the MC, a louder buzz filled the room. They knew who he was. They knew how much money he was made of and how powerful he was. Good.
Yoongi swaggered all the way to the front of the room, eyes locked on the MC and not even once glancing Jungkook. This was just to save the kid, nothing more.
“$100,000,” Yoongi repeated. Then paused and spoke into the silence. “Cash.”
He flicked a finger and one of his bodyguards rushed forward with a briefcase full of money. The crowd gasped in unison and even Hoseok looked shocked out of his mind. Yoongi allowed a small smirk to show. What rich person did not carry around a small amount of cash for emergencies like this?
The MC stammered and finally announced that Jungkook was sold to Yoongi for the price of $100,000. That was the conclusion of the event, thanks for coming, folks, etc. etc.
Yoongi walked away, not caring about anyone’s looks - especially not the hot stare coming from one Jungkook, whose dark eyes seemed to be burning holes in his back. Yoongi tried not to squirm. Tried to look nonchalant.
He went back to the little table where they had both been sitting. Jungkook came later, walking with sharp, militant precision in each step.
“Now, look here-” he started to say, finger raised and pointed at Yoongi’s chest. Yoongi was curious what else the kid was going to say, but Jungkook was cut off by the others. Jimin flung himself at Jungkook once again and was loudly thumping him on the back. The others were cheering and everyone seemed so happy that Yoongi and Jungkook had ended up together.
Jungkook just glared at Yoongi under the praise of his friends, and Yoongi felt a great sorrow building in his abdomen. At this rate, he might not even get a conversation out of the guy, let alone a date or even a kiss.
“Good job, Jungkookie!” Jimin shouted. “You got yourself a sugar daddy!”