Chapter Text
Jungkook contemplated if it was actually worth drowning in student debt that comes from the overwhelming pain of writing a twelve page paper. Especially about a topic that he could really care less about.
But alas, he wasn’t blessed with the comfort of depending on his parent’s money for his future.
He closed his laptop and groaned while running his hands through his slightly tangled hair. It had gotten long again reaching just at his chin, not really putting it a huge priority to get it touched up with his demanding school work.
Grumbling, he pulled the hair tie off his wrist and slicked his hair back in a low bun. Some little hairs had escaped that framed his face.
He stood from his desk pushing back his chair and began to stretch, enjoying the pleasure that came from the popping in his joints and back. Walking to his bed, he picked up his phone to check any notifications that had come through. Not that he expected much anyways, he really didn’t know many people.
There were multiple messages from Yugyeom letting him know that he was coming by to see him at his apartment. The last message just contained a bunch of different heart emojis.
“Ah, I really hope he brings food,” Jungkook says to himself while typing out a simple confirmation text, returning the unnecessary excessive heart emojis.
Yugyeom was Jungkook’s closest friend. They met during the first semester their first year in college and they just seemed to click right away. Towards the second semester, they decided to get an apartment together, agreeing that it would be affordable to just split the rent.
They fell into a comfortable rhythm being roommates. It was nice to have someone else to be there to both support and comfort each other when it came to finding the motivation to push through their academics. There were multiple nights where they contemplated their life choices. Saying “screw it” and becoming strippers was still left on the table.
He also appreciated how Yugyeom just knew whenever he was upset or overwhelmed. It always ended with Yugyeom giving him a very needed hug or would surprise him by bringing lamb skewers to make him feel better. However, there were times where he didn’t necessarily want to burden Yugyeom with some of the stress that came with a particular exam or project, so when Yugyeom would ask if he was alright Jungkook would respond that he was perfectly fine. Yugyeom, for some inexplicable reason, always knew he was lying.
Jungkook knew the minute Yugyeom started seeing someone was when he started coming home late, then eventually leading to him coming home days later. Jungkook didn’t mind, he was happy for him if anything.
He cornered him one day and demanded that he tell him all about this new lover of his. “His name is Jaebum,” Yugyeom had said while blushing, “He’s really sweet Jungkook, and I really like him.” When he showed Jungkook a picture of him for the first time, he thought his jaw was going to snap off with how fast it dropped. He was insanely attractive and was easily intimidated by the muscles he exhibited.
Yugyeom started spending more and more time with him and when it came to the time he sat Jungkook down telling him Jaebum asked Yugyeom to move in with him, Jungkook wasn’t at all surprised and pulled him into a hug congratulating him.
Nearly again having his jaw snap off was when Yugyeom told him Jaebum insisted that he take care of the rent for the apartment so that they’re not leaving Jungkook to fend for himself.
“That’s insane,” Jungkook had responded, vigorously shaking his head. “There’s no way I could accept that. He’s your boyfriend not mine, hence not making me his responsibility.”
Yugyeom had simply placed his hands on his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye, “He may not be obligated to, but you are the most important person in my life,” he says while he brushes the hair away from Jungkook’s face. “And I’ll be damned if I ever leave you high and dry for you to struggle with anything unnecessary. I will always take care of you, Kookie.”
That was one of the many moments where Jungkook wondered if they were actually the same age. Yugyeom had always wanted to take care of him and treated him as if he were many years younger. It took time to get used to, having someone actually want to care and protect you.
He will always miss having him here all the time, but it’s all pointless since it’s the happiest he has seen his friend.
Jungkook nearly jumps and drops his phone when he hears knocking at the door.
“Of course he’s here already,” He says while walking out of his room.
“I don’t know why he bothers texting me when he’s already at the door,” He mumbles as he reaches the door handle.
As soon as he opens it he sees a pouting Yugyeom holding a bag, what he assumes to be snacks, wearing tight, black skinny jeans and a loose fitted green top. Standing out the most were the Gucci stud earrings he wore complimenting the stunning Gucci belt around his waist. That’s another thing he noticed when Yugyeom started dating Jaebum, his boyfriend was loaded and loved to spoil him.
“I still text anyway because it’s the polite thing to do,” Yugyeom said, still pouting and made his way past Jungkook to let himself inside.
Jungkook rolled his eyes.
“Quit using your freaky hearing talent to listen to my private mumbling,” Jungkook countered back with.
Another thing Jungkook had added to the list of Yugyeom’s weird talents was his insane hearing ability. When they had lived together he noticed Yugyeom always was able to hear his mumbling when he was in a different room.
When he had asked about it one day Yugyeom just shrugged and said, “It’s to make up for my blindness.”
Which was the fattest lie. Yugyeom especially had a talent to be able to move smoothly in the dark, while Jungkook always faced multiple bruises on his leg or jamming his poor toe on furniture in the dark apartment.
“Well then make sure your private mumbling doesn’t consist of me in it,” Yugyeom said while placing the bag of snacks on the table in the living room. “Besides, I can’t help it. You’re such a naturally quiet person I always have to strain myself to hear you.”
Jungkook couldn’t argue with that.
“Fine, fine,” Jungkook sighs while reaching to pull out chips from the snack bag. “What’s up? Having trouble in paradise?” He says sarcastically.
Now making himself home on the couch, Yugyeom rolls his eyes. “Can I not just come to see you without a reason?”
Jungkook raises a brow at him while chewing on a chip.
“Alright, fine. Yes. I just need to have some space, even if it’s for a couple of hours,” Yugyeom groans, throwing his head back. “I love Jaebum, I really do. But he can be overbearing at times. Especially the others too, they won’t even let me walk two steps outside the house without bombarding me with thousands of questions on what I’m doing,” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest. “Shit, they sometimes hover near the door when I’m trying to take a piss.”
It had been kind of a shocker to find out that Yugyeom didn’t just move in with Jaebum, but with six other people as well. Jungkook has been over twice, and on the first visit he had to first get over the initial shock of the massive mansion, but also nearly fell over and had an aneurysm when it wasn’t either Yugyeom nor Jaebum who had answered the door.
They were all nice and welcomed him with open arms. They weren’t close or anything really, but they treat him well nonetheless. Jungkook just made sure to try his best to be social with them as much as his introverted self could, especially since Yugyeom cares about them just as much as he does Jaebum.
Jungkook will never understand the minds of rich people and their living conditions.
“I’m sorry,” Jungkooks says, rubbing Yugyeom's arm. “But I don’t think they mean it with any bad intentions. Even I can tell that they all care about you so much.”
Yugyeom flops down and lays his head in Jungkook’s lap, nuzzling his head on his stomach while wrapping his arms around his waist. “I know that, but sometimes it just gets too much. You know how much I hate being confined, Kookie.”
Jungkook hums in agreement and reaches over to put his abandoned chips on the table. He starts running his fingers through Yugyeom’s soft hair.
That was one thing he knew that makes Yugyeom feel better in any situation, affection. He was always hugging Jungkook with any opportunity he got, and especially liked putting his head in his neck right where his shoulder and neck meets. Yugyeom used to say he had such a soothing scent, and his aura alone calmed him down no matter what. He assumed he was just a naturally clingy person, explaining his need for constant physical touch.
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” Jungkook says, continuing to run his fingers through his hair. “We can stay up all night watching cringey movies and eating popcorn. I even have the kind that has extra butter that you love.”
Yugyeom sits up at that and has that mischievous glint in his eye that never means anything good.
“I was thinking we could go out tonight- hey, stop hear me out,” Yugyeom says, grabbing Jungkook’s arms as he tries to escape from under him.
Stupid Yugyeom and his also freaky strength. Also on his list of his unusual talents.
“Come on, let’s go to this club. I just want to do something fun for once. I haven’t been able to go into a store, the boys saying ‘It’s too dangerous,’” He mocks, lowering his voice dramatically at his impression. “Literally how? Is a tomato going to just get up and strangle me?”
“You never know. Especially with the unexplained ingredients in processed food.”
Yugyeom slaps his arm. “Stop, don’t feed their delusions.”
They both chuckle, and it almost made Jungkook forget about his momentary conundrum. “Why can’t you just rebel here while watching movies. We don’t have to go out,” Jungkook quickly replies to cut Yugyeom off right as he was about to protest, “Plus, I don’t want to get punched by your boyfriend. I’ll pass.”
“Jungkook, you know that I would never allow him to lay a finger on you. You know that,” Yugyeom says, looking at him with a shocking serious tone. “He would have to go through me first before he gets anywhere near you.”
Jungkook knows that. He doesn’t doubt it for a second he would knock someone on their ass if they ever touched him. It was kind of scary.
Yugyeom huffs out a breath. He stays quiet for a couple of seconds before he looks at him again, obviously reaching a conclusion he was coming up in his head. “If I call Jaebum and let him know, will you go with me?” This time, he puts on the biggest puppy dog eyes that could give any baby puppy a run for their money.
Jungkook was a weak man. Especially when it came to those eyes.
“Okay we can go, and I mean only if you call your boyfriend and let him know. I’m serious, I don’t need a black eye.”
Yugyeom squeals and wraps Jungkook into a bone crushing hug. “Okay Kookie, give me five minutes to call him. Go get ready,” he was already pushing him towards his room. As soon as they reached it Yugyeom ran right back out, closing the door along the way.
He released a breath and began going through his clothes in his closet. He ended up putting on black leather pants with a black turtleneck, a single silver chain placed on top around his neck. Grabbing the gel in his drawer in his desk, he ran his fingers through his hair pushing it away from the face. Once again, there were small hairs that escaped from the front that just laid right on his forehead.
When he walked out of his room, he saw Yugyeom sitting back on the couch and he himself had touched up his own hair.
“Alright, what did he say?”
Yugyeom sighed, but stood up and made his way towards him. “He got mad first of all that I ran off without telling anyone,” he rolled his eyes, “Then Jaebum insisted that he drive us and go inside. I couldn’t shake him off,” he reached over and adjusted the chain on Jungkook’s neck. “Honestly, I don’t even care anymore. I’m just glad to go fucking out. You look amazing by the way, Kookie.”
Jungkook blushed and mumbled a quiet thanks. “I think this is for the best. Use this opportunity to talk to him. Explain how you understand he worries and he cares about you, but there needs to be some type of balance.”
“You’re right. Thanks for always being there when I need you the most, Kookie.” He then wraps his arms around Jungkook and pulls him into a much needed hug.
They pull apart when Yugyeom’s phone chimes and he looks down at it. “Alright, he’s here. Let’s get absolutely trashed tonight,” He says, with the most dangerous smirk on his face.
Accepting his fate, he followed Yugyeom out the door and headed towards the sleek Mercedes Benz waiting for them in front of the apartment complex.
Yugyeom immediately went towards the back seat, intentionally leaving the front seat for Jungkook to occupy, sitting right next to his intimidating boyfriend.
When he opens the door, he sees Jaebum sitting with a black leather jacket behind the wheel. He nodded his head in a greeting towards Jungkook. “Hey pup, come on in.”
Immediately after he said that, Yugyeom kicked his seat from behind.
Realization came across Jaebum’s face and he mumbled a quiet “Sorry I forgot,” That Jungkook didn’t pick up.
He then turned to face the backseat, “Hey, baby.”
Yugyeom just turned his head to the side and looked out the window, pouting while crossing his arms.
Jaebum just sighed in response and started driving anyway.
Jungkook tried his absolute best to keep a casual conversation flowing between them, since Yugyeom was giving him the silent treatment and couldn’t come to the rescue.
When they arrived at the club and started walking up to it, Jungkook tensed with the feeling of the bass from the music inside. Shaking his entire body.
Jaebum turned towards Yugyeom with concern written all over his face. “Baby, do you think that it’s really a good idea to bring Jungkook to this side of the city?”
The two stared at each other, almost looking like they were communicating with their eyes.
He felt an arm wrap through his and pulled him inside the building.
I guess that was his answer to that question.
The music inside was just as loud, playing was some EDM mix. He was being pulled straight to the bar, Jaebum silently but quickly following from behind.
As soon as they got there Yugyeom had already leaned over to the bartender and ordered two shots. He looked back at Jungkook and gave him the biggest smile. “Now this is all I ask for. Having fun with the best friend anyone could ask for,” right as he finished speaking the two shots were placed right in front of them.
Yugyeom gestured to the shot and Jungkook picked it up in his hand, then he held it out towards him. “Cheers to being my best friend and never failing to know how to pick me up when I’m feeling the lowest.”
Jungkook smiled and held his own towards Yugyeom’s. “Cheers to that,” and they both clinked their glasses and drank it all in one go, throwing their heads back at the action. Jungkook felt the burn in his throat immediately and scrunched up his face as his natural reaction.
On the other hand, Yugyeom didn’t react at all to it. Just flashing Jungkook with a blinding smile.
Jungkook glanced beside him and noticed Jaebum hovering, not quite sure where to stand. He felt bad for the guy, he really did. He had to fix this, it’s becoming unbearable to watch.
He leaned over and whispered in Yugyeom’s ear, already knowing he could hear him over the blaring music. “Hey, I think now would be the perfect opportunity to talk to Jaebum.”
In response, Yugyeom glanced over to where Jaebum was standing and let out a long sigh. Rubbing his hands down his face. “I know, I know. You’re right, ” He once again leaned over and ordered another shot. “What about you? Do you promise to sit right here and not move until I get back?”
The bartender placed the shot in front of him again. Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Yes, mom. I’ll be sitting right here, singing my little heart out and talking to these wonderful drunk people as company.”
Yugyeom hummed, but with that blinding smile disappearing from his face he looked right into his eyes again. “Jungkook, I’m serious. Do not move from this spot. Okay?”
Jungkook gulped, always being slightly intimidated when Yugyeom was acting serious. It downright made him feel rooted to his spot. “Alright, I promise. Now go get your man.”
Yugyeom grabbed his shot and once again drank it all in one go, throwing his head back. He slammed the glass down on the counter and stood up from the stool. “Here goes nothing. See you in a second, Kookie,” and then he turned around and marched right up the Jaebum, pulling his arm and disappearing into the crowd.
Now here is Jungkook, withering away like the antisocial person he was.
He shyly ordered a drink, a fruity one, and sat there sipping on it. Patiently waiting for his friend to return and save him from his misery.
Figuring he could be there a while and not wanting to seem like an idiot, he began to look around and look at the club.
It was appropriately packed, many people trying to dance in an enclosed space. Jugkook scrunched up his nose at the idea of all the sweaty bodies rubbing against each other.
But then it seemed as if all the air had been sucked out at once.
Confused, Jungkook looked around and noticed that everyone had tried to act as if nothing happened but he could see eyes looking towards the entrance.
Jungkook felt like someone had punched him in the gut.
Walking in were six men who looked anything but real.
He noticed the bouncers were bowing at them in a perfect ninety degree angle. One of the stunning men, with no expression, waved them off and continued to waltz in paying no one any attention.
Tucked under the arms of one of the men, who Jungkook knew that if he even so much as breathed his way he would crumble, looked like a majestic angel whose presence naturally drew everyone’s eyes to.
However, it seemed to be just to be the opposite with everyone else in the room. They all avoided making eye contact as if their life depended on it. Everyone moving out of their way so that they don’t risk brushing against them.
You would think they were royalty.
The said male tucked under the arm of the other started scanning the room, and Jungkook knew better than to keep staring.
Then they made eye contact.
Jungkook couldn’t breathe.
He immediately whipped his head away from those piercing eyes and prayed to any God that would listen that he could just go on with the night just blending into the crowd.
He knew that was asking too much. Because quite frankly, nothing goes his way.
“Now why is someone like yourself sitting all alone?” A luring deep voice asked him, seeming to be right next to his ear.
Jungkook had nearly flown off his chair and he whipped to the side to look right at the person he made eye contact with. He was standing not even an inch away from him.
How the hell was he able to get that close and Jungkook didn’t even know he was there until he spoke?
It’s like his presence was hidden all together.
“Oh, I’m not. I came here with a friend.” Jungkook replied, shocked at himself he didn’t stutter at all.
The man looked at him from head to toe with his eyes alone, and then looked right back at Jungkook in his eyes.
He really should stop doing that or he might pass out.
“So where is this said friend?” The stranger asked him, then looked at the person sitting at the chair right to Jungkook. The poor guy scrambled out of his chair and ran right to the exit.
He really wished he could do the same, he just really wanted to be in bed.
The stranger sat elegantly on the chair and looked at Jungkook, then raised a brow.
Oh shit, he asked him a question.
“He went off to talk with his boyfriend,” he rushed it all out in one breath.
The man looked at him, clearly amused and displayed the most dangerous looking smirk. “They shouldn’t let you wander alone by yourself. There are many people who would want to simply eat you all up.”
At that point, Jungkook will blame the alcohol running through his veins since he didn’t know where the attitude came from, “I could easily throw someone on their ass, even a pretty boy like you.”
Someone needs to punch Jungkook in his face. Now.
The stranger looked at him with his eyes widening into saucers, clearly not expecting that kind of response at all. Then he threw his head back and began laughing with his soothing deep voice.
Jungkook decided right there that he loved the sound and would love to hear it again.
Again, the man looked at Jungkook but not with a smirk this time, but rather an attractive boxy smile. “What’s your name?”
Almost passing out from that breathtaking smile, he was able to pull himself together.
“Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook,” seeming to remember how to manage a normal conversation, he returned back with his own smile. “And what’s your name?”
Seeming to be thrown off once again, the stranger opened and closed his mouth. Looking as if he truly was at a loss of words. “Do you not know who I am?”
“Believe me, I would remember someone like you if I knew them.”
Looking like he was able to pull himself together again, he put back on that cool demeanor. “That would most definitely explain your ability to speak freely to me. You’re lucky you keep surprising me tonight, pup. My name is Kim Taehyung.”
Pup? That’s what Jaebum would sometimes call him, always seeming like an accident.
Brushing it off, he smiled at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Taehyung.”
Then Taehyung looked right in his eyes, and he means really looked. It felt like he was seeing right through him and was able to pick apart his soul piece by piece.
“I want you to follow me,” Taehyung said, his voice sounding almost impossibly deeper.
Jungkook blinked, seeming at a loss of words. “I-I can’t. I have to stay here, I promised my friend to be in the same place so he knows where to find me.”
Taehyung tilted his head and also blinked, seeming confused for whatever reason. “Interesting, you are just full of surprises,” he muttered.
Before Jungkook could ask what he said, Taehyung quickly stood up and placed his hands on his shoulders. Seeming to have a frightening tight grip.
“It’ll only be a second and then I can return you right here before your dear friend returns,” then pulled Jungkook up from his shoulders alone. He was once again frightened by how easily he was able to be planted on his feet as if he weighed nothing. “It is your friend’s fault for leaving you by yourself. Very irresponsible to put you at risk.”
And then they were moving. He was being guided through the crowd, Taehyung maneuvering him by still gripping his shoulders from behind. Everyone was giving him looks of sympathy.
Was he really that screwed?
Then they were walking towards the marked off area that was strictly for VIP guests only. Taehyung had lifted the rope with one hand while still gripping Jungkook’s shoulder with the other, and guided them further into the area.
Jungkook seemed to stop breathing for the millionth time that night.
There were the other five remaining men, lounging comfortably. Holding themselves that demanded nothing but the utmost respect.
“Oh, and who might you be, little one?”
He really wished he could be in his bed right now.