Work Text:
“Jimin! Come on! We’re gonna be late!”
Jimin ignores the shout from his best friend and cousin Taehyung and continues arranging the loose, drape-neck on his ivory turtleneck sweater as he stares into the mirror. He tucks his dainty silver chain necklace underneath the layers and runs a hand through his blond hair, adding some dishevelment to the straight mass.
He and Tae are going out to meet close friends they haven’t seen since college and Jimin knows the route to the cafe only takes 6 minutes - walking. They have a 10 minute window still!
“JIMIIIIN!”
“I’m coming, calm down.”
Jimin enters the living room, still in the process of putting his silver rings on, sticking his tongue out at the taller, hazel-haired male.
"Here, put your damn shoes on. Quick.”
Taehyung doesn’t bother looking at his friend, just thankful he is out of his room. He pulls out Jimin’s shiny black Doc Martens off the rack and lays them on the ground, knowing they are Jimin’s usuals and would go with his over-sized sweater and ripped denim skinnies.
He loves his best friend more than almost anyone else on earth. But oh boy, does Jimin like to test his patience sometimes.
As Jimin walks over and bends over to slide the boots on, Taehyung smacks his ass and grumbles out a few choice swear words before heading out the door.
—
“Yoongi-hyung! Namjoonie-hyung!”
Jimin starts waving enthusiastically as he sees their friends sitting behind a booth. These two hyungs are a few years older than he and Tae, but they have all built a strong bond over the years. The two are business partners, working in the music industry and have spent the last four years in America. They are finally back in Seoul for good, to start up their own company and Jimin is ecstatic for them.
Namjoonie, the eloquent, clumsy but well-spoken individual with his stylish, signature gray hair and black-frames is a towering almost 6’ and Yoongi is a small, thin, fragile looking guy with fluffy white colored hair. Total opposites in appearance, yet together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Their musical abilities had made them the most popular guys on campus and YouTube had helped propel their careers.
After a round of hugs and affectionate pats, they sit down to eat and listen to the elders speak about their plans in Seoul.
“Didn’t Jin-hyung say he is coming to meet us too? He’s over thirty minutes late.” Namjoon checks his Rolex.
Jimin sips his coffee. “Jin-hyung?”
“Jeon Seokjin. He and his brother worked with us the whole last year in the US. He’s from here too. Matter of fact, I think he mentioned your neighborhood in Busan, Jimin. I-“
“Sorry guys! Got stuck running an errand!”
Four pairs of eyes swing over to the tall, dark haired individual with a huge smile bumbling down the aisle in a pink sweater and blue jeans. He slows down abruptly when his eyes meet Jimin’s.
“Jin-hyung?!”
“Jiminie? Park Jiminie?!”
Jimin is out of his seat and in Jin’s arms before anyone else can blink.
“Hey! Seokjinie-hyung! It’s me, Taehyung! Remember? I used to visit Jiminie in Busan when I was 14 and you guys were still neighbors!”
Jin reaches out to hug Tae as well, enthusiastically answering that he does remember; how can he forget the tall skinny kid with the box smile?
“Waaah, Taehyung, you’ve grown so tall and have such a big build now!” Jin keeps an arm around Tae’s shoulder and turns to Jimin.
“And you! You were such a small muscle ball when young...and now....you’re...well, small still...but so pretty!”
Jimin giggles cutely and Jin pinches his cheeks.
“Even cuter too!”
“Hyung,” a new voice enters the group’s atmosphere. “I finally found a parking spot for your huge mini van.”
Jimin freezes. He recognizes that voice. He knows who it is without even turning around.
“Hey! Kim Taehyung! So that means...”
Jimin slowly turns around, his eyes narrowing threateningly, knowing exactly what is to come.
“Wow. If it isn’t Park Ji-Meanie!”
Ohhh! He hasn’t heard that nickname in a long time but how Jimin hates it. Especially from that bratty voice. But it’s ok, he can retaliate in kind as well.
“Well. Hello, Dumb-Dumb-Kook.” Jimin retorts back snidely as Jungkook laughs back. His eyes go over the tall male. “Amazing. You have changed. Into an even bigger idiot.” Jimin gives his enemy a dirty look.
Jungkook stares right back, his eyes twinkling, traces of mirth lining his mouth.
Jimin has known Jeon Jungkook his whole life, it seems. They had grown up in the same neighborhood and being only a year apart, they had been majorly competitive as children and it had moved into their teen years as well, inspiring a dislike in one another.
When the boys were 16, Jungkook’s family had moved to the US and Jimin had said goodbye happily. He never thought he’d see him again.
“Yaaah, you two still remember those sweet names?! Jeeze it’s been 10 years!” Jin laughs his signature windshield wiper laughter, breaking the tension.
“Come on, sit down and eat! It’s so good to gather with friends again.” Jin steals and pops a piece of chicken into his mouth as he slides inside the booth. Tae follows and than Jimin at the end, making him face to face with Jungkook.
Jimin pointedly ignores the person right across from him, but as everyone around chitchats, he allows himself to internally gape in awe.
The last time he had seen Jeon Jungkook, they were just teens and he had been a tall, lanky, skinny boy with features too big for him. Big eyes, big nose, big teeth, bad skin as well. They had picked on one another relentlessly in their youth.
He hopes he had done a good job hiding his surprise earlier because the Jeon Jungkook now, is a far cry from the younger one.
This one is very tall, so much taller now, with big broad shoulders, arms and hands. He’s grown into his features as well, the eyes, nose and teeth so dominating before now have come together rather cohesively, forming a face even Jimin has problems looking away from. And that's saying a lot because Park Jimin is one picky s.o.b. Granted, ten years have passed since they’d last laid eyes on one another..but...can a person change that much? For the better? How unfair could the universe be?!
—
“Can you believe that’s Jeon Jungkook? My god, he’s such a...God!”
Taehyung plops, back first, into Jimin’s plush bed and then proceeds to flap his arms up and down as if making a snow angel, knocking over Jimin’s throw pillows.
“Stop making a mess, you goof. And he’s....alright.” Jimin takes off his dangling earrings and lays them carefully into his jewelry drawer before pushing it shut.
“You’re such a bad liar.”
“I’m not lying.” Ok, he is, but Tae doesn’t need to know that.
“If I wasn’t so deathly in love with my Hobi, I’d so ask him out.”
Jimin rolls his eyes and heads into the bathroom, wondering if he is going to hear this gushing all night.
—
“I've missed this city. The night sky is always so pretty here. Not to mention it’s home to all our good friends. And then! To run into Park Jimin as well...what a night!”
Jungkook nods in agreement as he brakes at a stop light. Beside him, his brother starts fiddling with the radio.
What a night, indeed.
The Park Jimin he remembers is small, short, chubby everywhere, bratty, dark hair and cute but still very dorky-looking. The one he’s just seen...is blonde, still small, trim and lithe but damn, so pretty. Jungkook can’t help thinking he's gotta be prettiest person he has ever seen. He’d seen Jimin laugh and smile tonight and he’d had a hard time looking way - the way his eyes crinkle into half-moon slits and his cheeks apple up is just too cute an image for Jungkook to ever forget.
But.
Jimin is still the brattiest of all and his attitude towards Jungkook tonight had shown it. Seems he still held a grudge against Jungkook from their younger years and to be honest, Jungkook thinks he kind of deserves it for teasing the elder so much back then. He actually finds Jimin's testiness kind of endearing now.
When he’d pouted earlier while everyone was teasing him about his height, Jungkook had been surprised at how insanely cute he found it to be.
“...So are you and Park Jimin planning to continue this rivalry from our Busan days?”
Jungkook grins at Jin’s inquiry.
“Hope so.”
—
“Jiminie! I found this amazing artist from the states to help us with judging the kid’s artwork contest!
Jimin looks up as his fellow teacher colleague and friend and Taehyung’s boyfriend, Hobi, comes bumbling forward, a wide smile on his face, his lunch bag swinging around haphazardly.
Jimin grins at him, glad he had decided on sitting out on the balcony where none of the other teachers cared to eat at. Hobi’s loud voice could annoy many of the other adults, but Jimin and the young students they teach love it. He loves the man’s bright personality.
Hobi settles down across from Jimin, flashes him another wide smile and pulls out a container of soup from his lunch bag.
“Oh? That’s amazing hyung. Who is it?”
“He’s going to be here soon to meet with us, actually. He’s super excited and his name is-“
Jimin chews on his kimchi as Hobi’s words get caught off with the ringing of his cellphone.
“Hello? Yes, this is Jung Hoseok. Oh! Hi-oh, yes, it’s fine, I’ll be right there, please give me a minute...”
Eyes wide and mouth full of rice, Jimin watches as his friend gets up and starts walking away with his phone glued to his ear, towards the little black gate that leads out into the parking lot area. With a shrug, he continues eating and scrolling through his phone, reading up on the latest news.
It’s only about 5 minutes later when he hears the gate swing open again and Hobi’s boisterous laughter as he enters with another person in tow, this one a tall male with tinted aviators, a short-sleeved khaki button up and white tee tucked neatly into lean black skinnies. A pair of redwing boots completes the look.
The guy smiles back at Hobi and Jimin almost spits out his bite of food.
No. No way. N.O.
“Jiminie!”
God cannot be so cruel.
Hobi is waving furiously at him and Jimin just knows. Jeon Jungkook is the artist to work on their kid’s art project for the upcoming Museum display.
—
Jungkook smiles at the story Hoseok, sorry, Hobi as he’d requested to be called, is telling him about how awesome his teaching partner is. As they enter into the back patio of the teacher’s lounge, he looks up and almost laughs out loud when he recognizes immediately who Hobi’s esteemed colleague is.
Park Jimin.
Twice in two days by accident cannot be a mere coincidence in Jungkook’s book.
He sees the tightness on Jimin’s face, how his eyes narrow and his lips pinch together and he laughs inwardly. It’s going to be so much fun teasing Jimin while they work on this project for the next two weeks together, he thinks.
“Jiminie, this is Jeon Jungkook, the artist who penned the acclaimed manga “Straight from the Stars” and he’s-“
“I know who he is, Hobi-hyung.”
Hobi stops, eyes widening. “You do?”
Jimin continues eating, not bothering to get up to greet Jungkook properly.
“He’s a brat. I didn’t know what he did for a living, but I do know he’s annoying.”
“Jimin!” Hobi audibly gasps, a hand flying over his mouth at his dongsaeng’s audacity.
However, he’s even more shocked when he hears Jungkook’s loud laugh.
“Hobi-hyung, Jimin and I have history together. We grew up as competitive kids in Busan.”
“Ahh, really.”
“It’s going to be a real pleasure working with you these next few weeks, Park.”
Jimin finally looks Jungkook squarely in the face and rolls his own eyes as if to say, whatever.
And as Hobi apologizes for his dongsaeng’s bad behavior, Jungkook just grins, confusing the poor red-head even more.
—
Jimin is at his desk, stuffing his art supplies into his woven carryall as beside him, Hobi sighs a loud sigh of relief that their day is done.
It’s their fourth day working with Jungkook, who’s already left. He had been in earlier to talk to the students and give them pointers on their artwork.
And even though Jimin is still annoyed by his very presence, he can’t ignore how good the man is with kids and how superior his talent is.
He’d taken every opportunity to tease Jimin as well, stealing chips from his lunch bag when he wasn’t looking (and all HIS students would be in on the joke and laugh too, of course), using Jimin’s favorite charcoal pencil when everyone knows not to touch it and then rubbing his back after he stood up from crouching down low to help one of his kids. Of course, this was done publicly, in front of his students so Jimin could only fake a smile and pinch Jungkook’s (very strong) arm when he was able to. And all this wasn’t even half the stunts he’d pulled. Argh.
Jimin gets up and walks over to the chalkboard where his diminishing charcoal pencil is sitting in the chalk tray. He fumes a bit as he retrieves it and Hobi starts grinning.
“What?” Jimin stops to look at his friend.
“You and Jungkook-ssi...you two have such a chemistry.”
“Pshhh,” Jimin scoffs and returns to his desk. “Clearly, you haven’t been paying attention. We can’t stand each other.”
“Is that what it's called now-a-days? Cause...I’ve yet to see two people who dislike one another so much be so damn touchy.”
“What do you mean?”
Hobi laughs gaily, excited to talk about his observances with his clearly-dense-in-the-head friend.
“Since day one, when all 3 of us met the first time, he reached over and took a pickle from your dish and you reacted by slapping his hand and he just laughed. I mean, he could’ve had mine, but he didn’t even pay attention to me. Day after that, he started finger painting with the kids without an apron and when he finally remembered, he turned to YOU and asked you to put it on him...and even though you purposely tightened the string when you tied it around his waist, don’t think I didn’t notice you eyeing him to make sure it wasn’t too tight when he crouched back down. Yesterday, you were showing the kids some pottery displays from the the upper classes and he teasingly kept moving items away from your reach until you turned around and grabbed both his hands warningly to stop...and he just laughed because well, you look cute when you’re mad. And today. Today, you initiated the touching...you made sure he had an apron on, you dusted his shoulder after he leaned against the chalkboard, you even told him to be careful with his hot coffee and all this AFTER he'd used your favorite pencil.”
Jimin can only stare, agape, at Hobi as this all sinks in.
What. The. Fuck.
“It’s...nothing. It’s common courtesy, hyung.” Jimin stutters out, turning away from Hobi’s knowing gaze.
“Mmm hmm. Park Jimin, you keep telling yourself that. But to me, the room is practically on fire when you’re both in it together. I was tempted to take the children out of class earlier when you were brushing the dust off his shoulder. He looks at you like you’re some tasty morsel and he’s a wolf that hasn’t eaten in 6 days.”
Heat climbs up Jimin’s cheeks. Impossible! They can’t even stand one another. Hobi is just looking too deep into their interactions.
“Whatever, hyung. Come on, I need to get to the bus stop and make a trip to the art supply store since some idiot decided to whittle down my charcoal pencil.”
—
Jungkook smiles to himself as he starts up the cement steps leading into the Arts building. In front of him is little blonde Park Jimin, hands full of books and shopping bags from a nearby art supplies shop. It’s cute how adorable he looks in his oversized sweaters, jeans and converses.
He’s enjoying this crazily fun banter between them, maybe a little too much. But he likes pulling out as many emotions from the smaller man as possible. Even anger. An angry little mochi is still soft. And cute. And Jungkook finds himself wanting a bite every so often.
Pulling his hands out of his pants pockets, he hurries forward and reaches out for the two stacked boxes Jimin has against his chest.
“Wait-“
“Good morning, Jimin-ssi.”
“You. Of course.”
Jimin wrinkles his nose sneeringly at him and Jungkook laughs heartily, a soft ‘cute’ escaping from under his breath.
He sees Jimin freeze momentarily, as if he had heard it, and then turn around and resume walking again, no thanks offered.
Jungkook follows along, seemingly unable to stop smiling, enjoying the way the smaller man’s butt looks like in his denim pants and basking in the soft fresh scent of whatever cologne Jimin is wearing today.
—
“Do it like this, honey,” Jimin holds on to the 7-year old’s hand and helps him paint a cloud shape in his sky.
The child smiles brightly once completed and holds up the paper, beaming at it in such a way that stalls Jimin’s breathing.
It’s the little moments like this, the sheer joy and innocence on children’s faces that make him really love his job.
“Thank you, teacher Park!” Junho, the child squeaks up at him before returning to his group to show them his achievement.
Jimin smiles softly as the others cheer him on as well. He leans back in his chair and his eyes fall (accidentally, of course) on Jeon Jungkook, who is at the other side of the classroom with Hobi as they demonstrate how to draw moving vehicles.
Jimin’s eyes trace along Jungkook’s black timberland boots, up his blue-denim encased legs and his long back to his broad shoulders. The man doesn’t look like a typical, successful artist who spends entire days in a chair, drawing.
Instead, he looks a lot like those guys Jimin had dated in college - tall, buff, strong and handsome.
As if he spends his days working out or working in the open instead of cooped up in a studio office, bent over a desk tracing angular lines and stylish ovals.
Jimin hates to admit it, but Jungkook really has grown into a beautiful man. A jerky, beautiful man with a bunny smile and crinkly eyes and a habit to tease his hyung too often.
He’d had a tough time sleeping last night, after the conversation with Hobi. It paints his situation with Jungkook in a different light and he’s not sure he is ok with it.
Jungkook has always been a pain in his ass and that gives them a good distance. He’s tried to be more conscious of his actions today with Jungkook, but it’s as if his body moves of its own volition...he’d found himself clapping Jungkook on the back as he’d introduced him to a few other teachers and it wasn’t until Hobi had caught his eyes and winked that he’d realized his hand is still on the other’s shoulder. He’d snatched his hand away quickly, but it was too late, of course.
And then, when Jungkook had been standing behind his chair and had leaned over his shoulder to point out a certain color on the painting in front of him, he’d all but scrambled out of his seat.
Jungkook unnerves him. His presence is dominating, but not exactly unwelcoming either. He dislikes his automatic response to it. Jimin just can’t wait for this project to end - next week.
—
“Jimin. Can you do the 1st batch judging tomorrow?”
Jimin freezes on his way out the door and turns to Hobi.
“Of course I can. But I thought...you wanted to do it?”
“I did. I do. But you know Taehyungie is sick...and I’d rather be there for him.”
Jimin’s surprised expressions gives way to a soft, sympathetic smile. Yes, that brat is sick and has been staying with Hobi the last few days so Jimin understands his friend’s turmoil.
“No worries hyung. I will come and do the judging. You take care of TaeTae.”
“Thank you so much. I didn’t take you away from important Saturday plans, did I?”
Jimin laughs.
“No such thing. I’m single and alone. It was just going to be ice cream and k-dramas all day.”
—
Jimin enters the gymnasium exactly 30 minutes early and is excited to see that the youth have already set up the tables against the back wall and laid out the school’s art works.
Each grade will have 5 works of art chosen to go on to the semi-finals before one work of each grade will be awarded honors, a small trophy and guaranteed registration into the youth program at Seoul Art Institute for a year.
He’s leaning over a painting done by one of his students when he hears a familiar, boisterous laughter erupt behind him.
Of fucking course Hobi's judging partner would be Jeon Jungkook.
Jimin ignores it and continues on with his viewing, admiring each piece of art before the actual judging starts.
Someone announces that snacks and drinks are ready and Jimin hears people vacate the room. He sighs softly, satisfied that he can at least now enjoy his viewing in peace.
Suddenly, the tiny hairs on his arm stand up as a presence crowds over him. He already knows who it is, really, only one person seems to be having this effect on him lately.
Even though Jimin can feel Jungkook's presence directly behind him, he continues on with his duty, not sparing the other a glance or a greeting, in hopes that he’d take the message and leave like everyone else has. But, alas, it’s not to be because when he moves, Jungkook does as well and his presence becomes crowding, almost smothering. But not a bad feeling at all.
"Mmm, that's a pretty one."
His voice vibrates against Jimin's back as they stop over a pretty painting depicting autumn in Seoul. Jimin swallows thickly, completely affected. He moves quickly over to the next piece, forcing his body to behave. His erratically beating heart is another matter altogether.
Of course, Jungkook follows, seemingly unaware of the turmoil Jimin is experiencing. He continues murmuring comments about each artwork, trailing along until Jimin finds his shoulder against the far end wall. Crap.
He turns around and starts to scoot away, but Jungkook moves at the same time, effectively pinning Jimin against the table's edge and the wall.
Their eyes meet as Jimin gasps softly and tilts his head up.
"This one," Jungkook murmurs softly as he dips lower, eyes delving deeply, his hands gripping the table edge on either side of Jimin. "Is pretty too. Probably the prettiest one so far."
What's happening? Is he dreaming? Is Jungkook...pinning him against a table? Why is this suddenly so hot? Why is his body so hot?
Jimin's thoughts start train-wrecking together, his eyes falling to Jungkook's lips, suddenly craving what he shouldn't be.
Somewhere beyond them, a jangling of keys can be heard and Jimin immediately and swiftly slides away, clearing his throat and pushing his bangs off his forehead, praying his expression is neutral and not like some kid who’d just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Hi guys, please allow the janitor to sweep in here before we start the judging." The school principal announces as he comes in, barely bothering to look at them.
Paranoid, Jimin's eyes dart quickly to Jungkook and back.
Damn him.
He stands there, cool as a cucumber, arms folded across his massive chest, a smirk on his face as he stares at Jimin.
Jimin is flushing, he knows it. He knows why as well and he hates him. Kinda.
—
Jungkook can’t be bothered to wipe the smirk off his face. Of all the states of emotions he’s pulled out of Jimin, this is his favorite so far. This flustered, embarrassed, shy look.
He looks adorable with his flushed cheeks, red lips from being chewed on, his small fingers clinging to one another as he tries to remain calm.
Even when they were kids and at one another’s throats, Jungkook remembers Jimin still always having a bit of shyness within him, always with a regretful look when he realizes he may have stepped too far.
But that Jimin and this one are far and different. Jungkook has thoroughly enjoyed watching Jimin this week as he’d interacted with his kids, patience, calmness, strength demonstrated.
He is also encouraging, having that little bit of magic to get kids to come out of their shells. Jungkook completely understands why Jimin is a teacher.
But he doesn’t understand how Jimin can manage to look so damn...alluring. Or why he is still single. He should have a million persons chasing him. But Jungkook is glad he doesn’t. Makes his chase a little easier. A little. And he’s going to keep chasing until he gets Jimin to see him as more than just the annoying 16 year old kid from their past.
—
“I heard from Taehyung and Hobi that you and Jimin are quite a chemically reactive pair these days?”
Jungkook smiles into his cup of noodles at Jin’s inquiring. It’s Sunday and they’re having their usual dinner together.
“Don’t play with his feelings, Jungkook.”
“Hyung!” Jungkook looks up and cries out in offended surprise, some noodles falling out of his mouth and back into his noodle cup.
“What?”
Jungkook quickly chews and swallows, putting down his chopsticks. “How dare you insinuate that! I wouldn’t play with him like that! I’m not that kind of person.”
“Well, you’ve no shortage of admirers either...you can have your pick of dates...and you and Park Jimin have never gotten along so I don’t understand why you’re pursuing him all of a sudden.”
“I like him, hyung. And it’s not 'all of a sudden' either. It’s always been. Besides, we’re both not the same people we were during our youth. Things change and people change.”
Jin is quiet, judging him with raised brows until Jungkook squirms in his seat.
Then Jin is cheering, whooping, laughing and getting off is stool to come hug his little brother.
“What...the...fuck, hyung.” Jungkook lets out, dodging Jin’s big hands as he tries to ruffle his hair.
“I’m so glad to hear that. You’re becoming such a good adult. Yes! Take responsibility and courage in your actions! It sure doesn’t hurt that Park Jimin is so pretty, right?”
Jungkook rolls his eyes but he knows Jin can’t miss the smile he is unable to hide.
—
It’s Monday and Jimin figures it’s as good a time as any to start distancing himself from Jungkook. He’s chalked up the whole cornering thing on Saturday to just Jungkook wanting to fluster and embarrass him and he’s not about to let him have his fun.
He’s just rounded the corner of the building stairwell when he spots Jungkook, arms folded across his chest, half leaning against the wall. He’s dressed in an olive button up tucked into black jeans with his always present black timberlands and he’s talking...no flirting...with the principal’s secretary Song Junghwa.
Junghwa is making googly eyes at him and Jungkook is smiling back with that killer smile...and the roiling in Jimin’s tummy suddenly spirals, making him want to puke.
He turns down the hall quickly and enters his classroom.
Hobi greets him with a sunny smile and Jimin musters one up for him as well, not entirely sure why he’s feeling so anxious over Jungkook’s flirty nature.
Class begins as his students start piling in and Jimin puts his focus in gear, ready to avoid Jungkook as much as possible.
—
“Hobi-hyung.”
Hobi turns around from watering his cactus plant at the voice.
“Oh, Jungkook-ssi.”
“Is...is Jimin alright?” Jungkook hesitates slightly.
Hoseok smiles secretively. Ahh, so he did notice the distance Jimin had firmly placed between them. Jimin had spilled to him during the kid’s recess what he’d seen and though Hobi had reassured him that it was probably nothing, he knows Jimin still suffers from the last guy he had liked leading him on.
“Jimin’s...fine. He can be a bit...insecure at times." Hobi starts carefully as a plan starts formulating in his head.
"Insecure? About what?”
“Well...you know...” Hobi turns on his serious charm. “He’s short. Stumpy. Not very good looking-“
“Woah, wait. Are we talking about Jimin? You’re crazy, hyung. He’s gorgeous-“
Jungkook’s offended tirade drops off when he see’s Hobi’s sly smirk.
“You like Jimin, don’t you?”
“What?”
“Don’t try to lie, friend. I’ve seen you and Jimin dancing around one another this whole time under the pretense of enemies.”
Jungkook breaks into a slow grin. “I was that obvious, hmm?”
“Yeap. And I’m rooting for you all the way-“
“Teacher Hobi, teacher Hobi!”
They both look up as one Jimin’s students, a Kim Junho, comes running in with red cheeks and flustered breathing.
“What’s wrong, Junho?” Hobi bends down to eye level with the child.
“It’s teacher Jimin! He fell down on the steps and he can’t get up-“
Hobi’s mouth drops open as before Junho can even finish talking, Jeon Jungkook has already fled out of the classroom as if hell was nipping at his heels.
—
Jimin curses himself silently. How can he be so clumsy?
He smiles a bit helplessly at his two other students as they scramble around to pick up the bundle of art supplies he’d been carrying when he’d stepped and slipped on a slippery plastic folder that slid out of his hands and go tumbling backwards.
What a mess.
He hopes Junho gets Hobi to come down and help him hobble back down the two flight of stairs to get his most-likely twisted ankle iced at the nurse’s office.
“Jimin?!”
Jimin groans inwardly. Oh no, not Jeon Jungkook. This is the last thing he needs for his humiliation to be complete.
“Jungkook. Where’s Hobi-hyung?”
“Are you ok? What happened?”
“I’m fine-“
“Teacher Jimin fell! He slipped on a folder and he went down. I think his ankle is broken!”
Jimin closes his eyes so as to not give his sweet student a death glare. He knows Youngmin is only trying to help...
“Let me see.”
Jimin hears Jungkook murmur softly as he crouches down beside him on the landing and reaches out with a cool hand to touch his ankle.
Jimin hisses slightly as he feels Jungkook’s fingers put slight pressure around the area.
“It’s just twisted, doesn't feel like anything is broken.”
“Can you call for Hobi-hyung to come help me back down-yaaah!”
Jimin squeals out loud as Jungkook shifts his hands and he suddenly feels himself in the air, against a broad chest.
“Jungkook!”
Jimin stares at his enemy with big, round eyes, shocked to be picked up so easily, shocked Jungkook is helping at all.
“Kids, take Teacher Jimin’s supplies to Teacher Hobi. Tell him I have taken Teacher Jimin to see the nurse.”
“Yes, Teacher Jungkook!”
Jimin smiles at the children and as soon as they’re out of vision, he turns back to the man holding him. “Jungkook!” He hisses. “Let me down! This is embar-“
“Not as embarrassing as you crawling on your hands and knees to the nurse’s office.”
Jimin holds back his retort, knowing he is in the right there.
Jungkook purposely hops down two steps and Jimin yelps out, looping his arm tightly around Jungkook’s shoulder, fear of falling propelling him to throw away his pride for a minute.
—
“Jimin-ssi, I think you need to take off the rest of the week until your ankle swelling goes down. You’re lucky it’s just a pulled muscle and nothing overly serious. Putting too much pressure on it can cause the pain to worsen, not to mention heal incorrectly.”
Jimin pouts a little at the expected news as Nurse Yim cuts off the end of the bandage she’s wrapped around his ankle.
Jungkook is leaning against the door jamb across from them, arms folded across his chest, watching them diligently, even though Jimin had protested for him to leave the room once the nurse came in. Of course, the stubborn ox had refused to budge.
“I can have our custodian drive you home-“
“No need, Nurse Yim. I’ll see to it that he gets home.”
Nurse Yim turns and beams a smile at Jungkook, as if he had just offered up a cure for cancer.
“You’re such a sweet boy,” she answers warmly, her eyes crinkly fondly.
Jimin holds back from gagging. Sheesh, no one was immune to Jeon Jungkook it seemed. He, included.
“I think you better let the principal’s secretary know that you are leaving,” he grumbles after the nurse exits, pulling down his pants legs.
He sees Jungkook wrinkle his brows.
“Junghwa? Why would she...”
Jimin looks up as he trails off and suddenly wishes he can throw something at the idiot’s smug expression.
“Why Park Jimin. Are you jealous?”
Jimin scoffs. “Please. Pull that damn big head out of the clouds.”
In his exasperation, he forgets his bandaged ankle and hops off the high bed he had been sitting on during administrations, only to gasp and double over in pain.
“Jimin!”
In a flash, Jungkook is, once again, crouched down in front of him, hands encased softly around his ankle, giving it support.
“That was foolish.”
"Well, it was your fault for distracting me."
"Junghwa-ssi was just asking me about my job, that's all."
"I don't care, Jungkook." Jimin folds his arms across his chest, refusing to look the younger in the eyes.
Jungkook grins. "Stay here. I'll pull my car out front and come back for you."
"Jeon Jungkook. I'll be fine, really-"
Jimin pouts as Jungkook leaves, not bothering to pay attention to him.
Same ol' Jeon.
--
"Jungkook! Go home!"
Jungkook pretends not to hear Jimin's loud whine from the living room as he continues unloading the food he'd had delivered from the market down the street.
He’d help Jimin enter his apartment, propped his sore ankle up and proceeded to get Jimin something to eat after hearing the thunderous rumbling from his small tummy, only to find an almost empty fridge.
Jungkook had called the corner market for some chicken, spicy ddukbokki, and pickled cabbage, waiting patiently for 15 mins for the doorbell to ring, all the while ignoring Jimin yelling out that he should just go home.
He peels off the lids to the containers and piles them onto a large circular tray before carrying it into the small living room.
The annoyed glare in Jimin’s gaze fades immediately upon espying the tray of food, complete with piping hot steam and delicious aroma.
“Oh, now you wanna smile.”
“Shut up and bring me the ddukbokki.”
--
Jimin hobbles out of the bathroom and plops onto his big queen size bed, laying down on his back and turning to curl against his body pillow.
The evening sky is black and glittery through his window blinds and quietness surrounds him, interrupted by minor local sounds from outside.
Jungkook had left two hours ago and since then, Jimin has been conflicted. Jungkook had been surprisingly nice and easy-going, even though Jimin had had all his defenses up.
He’d been waiting for Jungkook to make his snide remarks and overly teasing jokes but Jungkook had been open and funny the whole time, filling gaps and silences with witty remarks and stupid puns that had made Jimin laugh. Jungkook had opened up (without even being asked) about his past, what he’s been doing the last ten years, and why he’s back in Seoul (to spend more time with his brother Jin).
Ugh.
So now, not only does Jungkook look different but also acts a whole lot different as well. Jimin can deal with the physical changes, but he’s not sure how to handle the others.
Clearly he’s grown up a lot and left behind their past...something Jimin needs to learn to do regarding him and the younger. He’s not sure why the other irks him so much; to be honest, Jimin has always been the type of person eager to happily bury the hatchet in the past and move on into the future with no qualms. Jungkook just strikes his mood oddly and Jimin can’t figure out why.
And if he was admitting it freely, the Jungkook earlier, laughing and smiling and being nice just actually made him even more attractive.
Jimin squeezes his eyes close and scrunches up his face into his pillow, unable to believe he’d just thought that.
--
Jimin yawns and rolls over unto his back, stretching his fisted hands over his head. The smell of roasted garlic, scallions and eggs permeate his air and he tucks his hands under his cheek again, trying to get back to dreaming about the breakfast he’d want to eat.
He wrinkles his nose, once, twice.
Jimin’s eyes pop open. He hears sizzling sounds coming from outside his bedroom door. What the hell?
Sitting up in bed, he gets up and hobbles over to his door, cracking it open. There is definitely someone in his kitchen.
Grabbing the nearest hard item next to him, a wax candle, Jimin inches out into his hallway as quietly as possible. Carefully, he peeks his head around the corner.
“Jeon Jungkook!” He yells out upon espying the other male bent over his kitchen stove. He can tell that backside anywhere.
“Good morning Jimin.”
Jimin’s mouth drops open. The disrespectful brat doesn’t even bother turning around.
“I heard your door open.” Jungkook flips the omelette he is frying and then shuts off the stove before turning around to face Jimin.
“I thought you were an intruder! I knew I shouldn’t have told you my lock code.”
“You thought I was an intruder?” He repeats, looking at the candle in Jimin’s hand. “Is that why you brought that candle? To burn my eyebrows off?”
The image is so ludicrous that Jimin can’t hold back his giggle.
Jungkook smiles back. “Go sit down. I fried pajeon and odeng and I took out your leftover kimchi from last night.” He turns back to the stove and Jimin can only look at him in surprise.
“Jeon.”
“Hmmm?”
“Why...why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?” Jungkook picks up two plates and carries it past Jimin to place at the small circular table.
Jimin follows and eases himself down unto a chair. “You know...this. Being nice and all. To me.”
“Why can’t I be nice to you?”
“Well…” Jimin looks down at his hands in his lap. “I...I haven’t been...the nicest. To you.”
Jungkook sits down next to Jimin and grins.
“Jimin, are we going to play games again? Are we competing over who can be nicer to the other?”
“No!” Jimin pouts at the other, looking away and biting his lips. “I’m just...curious. That’s all. Why you’re so nice and all all of a sudden when we hated each other’s guts before.”
“I never hated you.”
“Jungkook, you made fun of and teased me all the time!”
“Jimin,” Jungkook picks up a piece of odeng with his chopsticks and drops it into Jimin’s rice bowl. “In your class, have you seen how Junho always picks on Amie? Pulls her pigtails, pokes her, calls her gaemi (ant) because she’s so small?”
“Yes, of course. He’s only doing it because he finds her so cute and darling and-“
Jungkook cants his head slightly and raises a brow at Jimin when he fades off, proud that he’s finally pieced it together.
“Oh.”
Jungkook laughs and Jimin’s cheeks heat up. Suddenly, he can’t look at Jungkook anymore and he turns his head down to stare at his rice bowl as he tries to come to terms with what Jungkook has just admitted to.
Jungkook places his chopsticks down and reaches out with one hand, nudging Jimin’s face back up to his. “You’ve only become prettier with time, Park Jimin.” He says softly. He gets the reaction he wants when Jimin’s eyes widen, his plump lips fall apart and his cheeks burn a beautiful shade of pink.
Jungkook winks at him and brushes a finger against the tip of Jimin’s nose before letting go and turning back to his meal.
Jimin blinks a few times, now completely out of his element with Jungkook. That compliment and that wink was hot, he had to admit.
“Eat. It’s getting cold.”
Jimin finally picks up his chopsticks, but his eyes keep drifting back to the handsome man beside him.
—
Jimin watches Jungkook clean the dishes from his living room couch. The man is whistling and barefoot in his gray Puma joggers and white tee, ridiculously good looking. He feels his heart rate amp up the longer he stares at Jungkook. He’s suddenly feeling shy and awkward around him and though it’s not a bad feeling, it’s not the best feeling either. His mind wanders back to earlier when Jungkook had called him pretty. He thinks Jungkook should look himself in the mirror, the man is a walking epitome of sex and charms. Plus, Jimin loves his eyes. They’re like the night sky with twinkling stardust.
He’s absolutely attracted to Jungkook, has been since he re-entered his life; how he acts around Jungkook at his job is a clear indication of that. He’s just been in a great state of denial.
Of course having Jungkook admit it first is nice, but now Jimin has to answer to it.
He looks back into the kitchen as Jungkook shuts off the water and wipes down the sink. God, he even finds this simple act of domesticity sexy. Jimin winces at himself before pushing up and hobbling in that very direction.
Jungkook freezes momentarily when he feels two arms wrap around his waist from behind, the fingers locking tightly and then Jimin’s cheek press against this back.
He turns his head slightly. “Jimin? You okay?’ He feels the slight bobbing of Jimin’s head against his back and he smiles.
“Jungkook-ah. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jimin finally relaxes his hold a bit and Jungkook turns around. Before he can even comprehend, Jimin has risen on tiptoes and dropped a fast peck on his lips.
“What was that?” Jungkook asks, leaning back to look down at the smaller man.
Jimin turns beet red. “A kiss.”
Jungkook laughs. “That was not a kiss. Try again.”
Jimin can’t help the giggle that erupts. He used to hate Jungkook’s teasing. Now, he thinks he loves it.
He presses his lips, in the middle of his laugh, unto Jungkook’s smiling ones and a laughing kiss ensues, something Jimin had never known was possible. The laughter dies down fast though, as Jungkook cups his face in his big hands and angles Jimin’s head slightly so he can deepen the kiss.
Jimin moans softly as Jungkook’s tongue rubs against his own, all feeling in his legs evaporating. He finally breaks away to breathe and Jungkook chases his lips, pecking against them softly until he is giggling again, hiding his face in the broad chest, tightening his arms around the trim waist. Now that was some kiss. He can still feel the sparks in his heart.
Jungkook drops one more tender kiss into the fluff of blonde hair before leaning his cheek upon it. He’s definitely in love.
—
8 months later
Jimin quickly stuffs the art book he had been flipping through into his book bag as he stands up. Class is done for the day and his students have all left to go home already. He’s got a schedule to keep and he’s eager to leave.
“Woah, slow down, friend. You’re gonna hurt yourself!” Hobi admonishes as he enters the classroom just in time to see Jimin trip over his own two feet.
“Hobi! You’ve disappeared since lunch time!” Jimin pouts. “You were supposed to come back so I could leave a little earlier and shower.”
“Ahh, I’m sorry Jiminie, I had an important errand to take care of.”
“You should’ve told me, hyung. You know Jungkook is coming back home today and I need to pick him up from the airport.”
“Hyung is so sorry, little bean. Is Jungkook due back today? How long was he gone this time...a few days?”
“1 whole week, hyung. Straight from the Stars did so well internationally that they want to turn it into an actual animation and Jungkook has been in New York discussing that. I told you, remember?”
“I forgot. But look at you. So cute. You miss him so much you’re tripping all over yourself and packing up like a madman.”
Jimin laughs and turns back around to finish stuffing his shoulder bag. “Yes, I miss him everytime he has to travel for work.” His tone of voice turns soft. He can’t help it!
“It’s crazy, right Hobi-hyung? I never thought I’d love someone so much, much less someone I didn’t like at all growing up. But now, now, I can’t imagine being with anyone else, loving anyone else like I do him. He makes my heart happy.”
“You make my heart happy too.”
Jimin gasps at the familiar, husky voice, spinning around so fast he drops his bag. There, standing at his classroom door is his boyfriend, charming smile complete with crinkly eyes and broad shoulders.
“Jungkook?”
“I love you too.”
And then Jimin is running, straight into the arms of the person who has become his entire universe.
When they finally break away from their passionate kiss, Jimin runs a finger down Jungkook’s nose and inquires on how he had made it there from the airport.
“Tae and Hobi,” Jungkook presses another kiss to the pretty lips he’s missed, “picked me up earlier,” and another kiss. “My flight came in early and I thought to,“ another kiss.”Surprise you.”
Jimin giggles and wraps his arms around his boyfriend’s neck.
“Nothing feels as good as being welcomed home by the prettiest boyfriend randomly telling the world he loves me.”
Jimin smiles cheekily, rubbing their noses together.
“Ugh, keep it PG, you grossies. Jungkook, hands off the Ji-booty while you’re in public please.” Hoseok comes back inside the classroom with his boyfriend Taehyung who is also cheesing from ear to ear.
Jungkook laughs. “The Ji-booty is a magnet, hyung. I try all the time but my hands don’t listen. My mouth doesn’t listen either.”
“Oh my god, gross.” Hobi rolls his eyes affectionately at Jungkook’s teasing wink. “Tae and I had wanted to take you both out to dinner...but I don’t know how agreeable you two are to that notion right now…”
“Jungkook’s tired. He had a long flight and he needs to rest,” Jimin says.
“Riiight. Rest.” Taehyung rolls his eyes and pushes Hobi out the door. “We’ll have dinner by ourselves then. You guys enjoy your ‘rest’. Don’t break the bed,” he cautions with a pervy wink.
Jimin narrows his eyes threateningly at his best friend at the same time Jungkook says, “No promises.”
“Jungkook!” Jimin blushes and smacks his chest.
“What? They know I can’t keep my hands off you. Especially after a whole week of abstinence. Our bed is going to get no peace.”
Jimin laughs at the pervy expression on Jungkook’s face. Gosh, he loves this idiot and his humorous, teasing manner. How ironic is it that everything that used to annoy him about Jeon Jungkook have now become his favorite things about him?
“Come on. Jung-thighs and Ji-booty have a meeting back at home.”
Jimin doubles over laughing as he remembers the hilarious conversation they had had a while back in regards to those stupid names. Jungkook had remarked that he loves how shapely Jimin’s booty is and then he’d wheedled until Jimin had confessed that he loves the way Jungkook’s thighs look. Since then, Jungkook would, of course, use any chance he’d gotten to flex for Jimin, who never complained.
Jungkook picks up the fallen bag off the ground and drapes Jimin’s sweater over one arm before turning to give his laughing boyfriend a fond look. He waits as Jimin wipes away his tears of mirth before hooking his arm through Jungkook’s, pressing close.
It’s good to be home.
END