#funnily enough I don’t even actually dislike him. I love his character & how he��s written but as a person he STINKS
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TV Review: The Flash (Spoilers)
Season 5, Episode 9: Elseworlds - Part 1
Spoiler Warning: I am posting this review the day the episode becomes available to stream online so if you haven’t seen it yet or are waiting for the entire crossover to air before watching then don’t read on until you have done that.
Overview:
I cannot tell you how much I got a kick out of this episode. I have not done any TV reviews for a while because of my university commitments but I did partially review Crisis on Earth-X last year and wanted to review this crossover because of what is promised but also because it’s the big superhero event on the small screen. I love an elseworlds story in any genre and show/movie that I watch, I love it when they do parallel worlds and alternate realities, I love it when they have dream worlds and any situation or story where the characters we know and love are portrayed differently. This wasn’t exactly that, but it was still so good. I loved the comedy, the Easter Eggs, the callbacks to previous seasons and the change in dynamic, but also I LOVED the new additions to the Arrowverse and will be talking about them down below.
Freaky Sunday:
So I was going to call this a Freaky Friday before thinking it would be funnier to say Freaky Monday but then realized this episode would have aired yesterday so am calling it a Freaky Sunday. Anyway the movie I am parodying is referenced by Barry because of the situation that he and Oliver find themselves in at the start of this episode.
At the very start of this episode we have that same clip that played at the end of Supergirl, Arrow and The Flash last week, so this is now the fourth time I saw it, which shows John Wesley Shipp’s Flash who he portrayed nearly 30 years ago struggling over a warzone of Easter-Eggs, I mean dead heroes, and speeding away from a weird man with a destiny changing book. This man is called The Monitor and I will talk about him when he is focused on more.
Fortunately this isn’t all of the opening scene otherwise I would have been very annoyed and the rest is Oliver waking up in Barry’s bed with Barry’s wife Iris calling him for breakfast. Oliver is now Barry Allen and has his life including speed, wife, friends and most likely job. The interesting thing is even though this an obvious re-written reality, the same storylines that have been happening in all seasons are still going on. So Oliver has just got out of prison, joined the SCPD as a vigilante and now finds himself as Barry Allen the Scarlet Speedster of Central City. It was funny watching him grasp this realization and to be fair to Stephen Amell he does allow himself to have some much needed fun this episode after all the doom and gloom he has been through this season.
However, because he’s new to the speedster game, he almost screws up in thwarting a robbery attack on Ivo Laboratories. Whether or not this new reality created Ivo Laboratories in Central City or not isn’t confirmed but this is a place that has never been mentioned in previous episodes.
Regardless, despite giving the wrong vigilante line before stopping the bad guys, he does stop them with an impressive trick shot of his lightning throw. How he knew how to do that without guidance is a mystery but I digress. Also for any comic-book fan that knows Ivo is a reference to Professor Anthony Ivo, they’ll know the robot Oliver’s lightning bolt accidentally hits.
But then we arrive at S.T.A.R. Labs, which has not changed, and Oliver is scanned for abnormalities I’m presuming because his takedown of the bad guys was unlike Barry’s normal quality, yet to all the brilliant minds in that room, as well as Iris and Ralph, no one can deduce that Oliver is not Barry. Oliver and Barry are the only two on their Earth that seem to not have had their memories affected by this altered reality...so naturally Oliver goes to find Barry to try and make sense of the situation.
We then cut to Star City and Barry seems to have woken up in the middle of a sparring match with Diggle at ARGUS. I have to say, I am slightly confused about John’s position at ARGUS, I know Lyla is the director but does that make John the Deputy or Acting Director as Lyla never really seems to be there?
Anyway, Dig thinks Barry is Oliver and Barry knows he is Barry but when he discovers his body has been changed by this altered reality due to his tattoos, he too suspects something is up. However there isn’t time to contemplate this fully like Oliver did because he is told to suit up as Green Arrow is needed on an ARGUS mission...Green Arrow who was almost arrested last week for being an active vigilante before joining the police force as their agent is suddenly allowed to join ARGUS in a mission...logic!
As with Oliver, Barry takes to his new vigilante fighting skills rather well, possibly because the basis of vigilantism is training in fighting and coordination, but after subduing the threat he and Diggle are sped away by Oliver. Diggle throwing up after speeding is still funny but just seems like it is in there as a cheap Easter Egg.
Somehow ditching Diggle, Oliver and Barry go to the disused Arrowcave which made a return last week and while Oliver has his serious face on trying to understand their current predicament, Barry is weightlifting up that old bar pole that my sister used to get a kick out of every time Oliver used it...Barry has used that pole before and with super speed so has done it better than how he is doing it now so why he was so happy with it I don’t know.
I did like how Oliver was trying to get Barry to be serious because it is very telling of the tone the two shows have. Arrow has always been rather dark and like a Batman story whereas The Flash has always been more like a Marvel Movie or Superman pre-DCEU. However on this point I have to say I was on Oliver’s side because the situation is these two are currently not themselves and Oliver wants his life back, funnily enough after Oliver lets slip he woke up with Iris that morning Barry gets his serious face on.
This early mid-section of the episode is where I lose a lot of respect for Team Flash because they know of the multiverse, time travel and Flashpoint yet they don’t quite grasp the fact that maybe something happened to change reality so that Barry is now Oliver and Oliver is now Barry...none of them, you have a biochemist, a mechanical engineer, two detectives and a journalist yet no one has the perception to even conceive that what two people they know rather well is telling them is a possibility?
Also, when this is all over and fixed and Oliver is Oliver and Barry is Barry, Iris needs to sit down with Oliver and talk out their differences because I did not know Iris had this much dislike for Oliver. I can’t even call it dislike because she must like him on some level, I mean she openly admitted to fancying either him as Oliver or the Green Arrow during the Invasion! crossover but here, because of what has happened to Oliver recently, she cannot seem to get her head around loving Barry as Oliver because the Oliver she knows who in actual reality is at this point her Barry is a man of pain and vengeance. I do like how this is picked up with the two guys later but I’m getting ahead of myself. Iris needs to sort herself out.
Because of Iris distrusting this situation she drugs the man she supposedly loves while Ralph knocks out the man he believes is Oliver and they are locked in a cell in the Pipeline. I love the fact that because they’re not really catching Metahumans of the week anymore these crossovers are really the only time we see the inside of these cells.
I love how Barry and Oliver interact in this episode and the prison scene is one of my favourites because they have to play to each-other’s strengths due to the fact they have each-other’s abilities. Barry dislocating his thumb was hilarious not just because of how it looked but also because Oliver was so blahzay in telling him to do it just like it was a walk in the park. “Just break your thumb, your body has been conditioned by Anatoly in this reality so you can do it”. Also Oliver’s reaction to actually seeing a broken thumb was slightly bizarre because surely he would have seen his own thumb before. Oliver phasing through the door was slightly overkill because he hasn’t found the breaks on his speed yet, also why was everyone so confused by phasing in this episode? It’s a cool power to have, it can get you out of prison cells, or stop a plane from crashing into buildings. One thing I didn’t understand is Barry said the cell was designed to dampen powers so how was Oliver able to phase?
Anyway regardless of continuity errors they escape and plan to use the only interdimensional extrapolater they have left, despite Sherloque breaking it I’m guessing they fixed it, to go to Earth Thirty-Eight to get Kara’s help. Iris apparently predicts this and beats them to getting the extrapolater...incase anyone isn’t paying attention I don’t like Iris in this episode, I don’t know why but something about her just seems off.
Barry however finally manages to get through to his wife by recalling a memory only they would know and finishing it off by calling her his lightning rod, which he told Oliver to call her and he called stupid, and agree I agree with him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for sentiment but I never understood the lightning rod metaphor. I guess it’s how lightning conducts to the rod as an analogy for how Barry would always return to Iris but it just never sat right with me. It does with Iris though and she gives Barry the extrapolater and they go to Earth-38.
I laughed with joy at this moment and this scene because entering Earth-38 the episode has Remy Zero’s “Save Me”, also known as the Smallville theme song playing over it. Anyone who keeps up to date with behind the scenes gossip knows they were using the Kent Farm from Smallville as the Kent Farm for Earth-38′s Smallville but with the theme song playing and I think even the tractor is the same. Although on Riverdale last week they also used the Kent Farm in another capacity so maybe the CW, which broadcasts all the DC shows and Riverdale like that set, I know I do. It’s such a feel-good nostalgia trip seeing it. Also that song, I just love it!
We are reacquanted with Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent and, despite not appearing in Season 3 of Supergirl he did easily slide back into the role. I mentioned in my first reaction to seeing Tyler Hoechlin as Superman that I was won over by the acting and look just the choices taken by costuming threw me. Here we see more of Clark Kent then we do Superman and for me it works. However my biggest issue right now is if they are trying to make out as if this Superman is the same one we saw the origin story for during Smallville played there by Tom Welling. With the theme song playing and the same farm being used it does seem that way. I would be very happy if ti wasn’t as that would obviously mean this Supergirl is the same that Laura Vandervoot portrayed and her Kara was more evolved as a superhero than this Kara.
Also, we meet this Earth’s Lois Lane, portrayed by Elizabeth Tulloch. I like her as Lois Lane, I think she has the same level of drive and bite as Erica Durance and Teri Hatcher did in the role and isn’t as wet and dull as Amy Adams. Interestingly enough when it comes to Superman mythos, the small screen seems to get right what the movies get wrong.
Kara is visiting her cousin after being fired from the D.E.O. and is debating whether or not she should have revealed her identity to Clark looking I guess for justification in her decision, Clark obviously tells her she did the right thing because secret identities are there to keep loved ones safe and that is obviously the right thing to do.
Barry and Oliver arrive giving Lois a fright but it seems whatever alternate reality was put in place only affected Earth-1 because Kara still knows them as themselves. Barry and Oliver are formally introduced to Superman at both are a little bit starstruck but handle it in different ways fitting their characters.
Then when it comes to Barry and Oliver training as each other, Barry has to target practice while Oliver runs at him being a moving target.
The only issue with this setup is while is it is done to make an excellent callback to when Oliver trained Barry, Oliver still thinks he is training Barry here and gets very offended when Barry doesn’t take playing him seriously.
Lois is great in this scene as the impartial spectator and calls it how she sees it calling Oliver a dick. Hilarious.
Barry and Oliver then have a heart-to-heart and discover that in order to be each-other they need to embody what makes each other work as vigilantes, Barry is very light-hearted and positive whereas Oliver is very grounded and serious. So for Barry to be the Green Arrow effectively he needs to be grounded and serious while Oliver being The Flash needs to be upbeat. As I said before I love the meta referencing of how the two shows and characters are so different from each other yet exist in the same space, then Kara comes along who is a bit of both, it’s the trinity right here. DC’s original Trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman has been made DOA thanks to the movies so the small-screen has a new trinity of Green Arrow, Flash and Supergirl.
Cisco arrives and tells the group that they need to come back to stop A.M.A.Z.O. and both Kara and Clark tag along for the ride, with Cisco finally meeting Superman.
Ambushing A.M.A.Z.O:
Back on Earth-1 and sure enough A.M.A.Z.O. makes his debut as these crossover events need badly CG’d robots in them. A.M.A.Z.O. as his comic-book counterpart does, is a robot who mimics powers so as he battles he just gets stronger. Here this is done through displaying symbols of each person mimicked on his chest...the only issue with this is while I understand Killer Frost’s symbol I do not get Vibe’s.
After having their asses handed to them, Cisco decides they need Oliver and Barry, but Iris says she let them go due to believing their story and Cisco goes along with it going to Earth-38 to get them. Whether or not the extrapolator knew where Kara was and so ported Oliver and Barry there is one thing but how did Cisco know where they were? I guess he vibed them but it is never shown.
After returning with Barry, Oliver, Kara and Clark what follows is an amazing battle and it’s only the first part of the crossover. Okay yes the CG on A.M.A.Z.O. is shoddy but so was the CG on Red Tornado and Metallo last year, here the focus is really on Barry and Oliver working as Green Arrow and Flash respectively.
They figure out a plan that includes the Super-Cousins as they are used essentially as battering rams to hold A.M.A.Z.O. in place, I am just thrilled to finally see at least 2 members of the original Justice League working side-by-side, I know Martian Manhunter is coming up most likely in the Supergirl part so I cannot wait for that.
Team Flash acquire a virus that would destroy A.M.A.Z.O. because turning him off manually has been made impossible. In order to install the virus, Barry had to shoot the virus at A.M.A.Z.O. but to make sure he couldn’t phase it through, Oliver had to counteract his phasing. So you had Barry waiting for the right shot while the other three held him in place. They succeed and, after a familiar line from the Green Arrow, A.M.A.Z.O. is no more.
Future Repercussions:
This part got me excited, this was Iris, coming round to the idea that Barry is actually Barry, and warning him not to turn into Oliver. Again the girl has some sort of issue with Oliver being dark and miserable all the time and while Barry is playing Green Arrow for the moment, doesn’t want him to become Oliver.
This got me thinking, what if the events of this crossover have a lasting effect on the future of the Arrowverse? What if by learning how to be each other’s vigilante personas, both Barry and Oliver are changed when they return to their respective personas? I would love this crossover to make that possible as I feel it would make both series’ more compelling going forward.
Preluding the Bat:
So at the end of the episode, Cisco mentions a scattered vibe he had earlier in the episode of this mysterious figure who we know as The Monitor. Again I won’t go into much detail here because we are not given much as is but the vibe shows him with this lecturer John Deagan who he gave this all powerful reality writing book to and caused the events of this crossover.
While no one else really knows who the men are, Oliver spotted a key fact as to where they are, a Wayne Enterprises building...tomorrow’s Part 2 episode will bring about Gotham City and more importantly Batwoman who is seen atop a rooftop from a far distance but it is definitely her. I cannot wait!
Easter-Eggs:
So many Easter-Eggs and this is only episode 1. We see a barrage of dead heroes in that opening scene, these include Captain Cold, either Jesse Quick or Speedy, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, The Ray and a Green Arrow who is in the Green Arrow suit used in Smallville.
Smallville is an Easter-Egg cache of itself here due to that cameo plus the theme song and the farm all being used, most likely just fan-service but I loved it.
I don’t really want to rate the separate parts of the crossover and will rate the whole thing at the end of the event but I think this is a great start to the crossover and I cannot wait for Part 2.
So that’s my review of Elseworlds - Part 1, what did you guys think? Post your comments and check out more DC TV Reviews and well as other TV Reviews and posts.
#elseworlds#elseworlds part 1#arrowverse#dc#dc tv#the flash#the flash 5x09#barry allen#green arrow#iris west-allen#amazo#killer frost#ralph dibney#cisco ramon#vibe#the monitor#john wesley-shipp#superman#supergirl#kara danvers#clark kent#lois lane#batwoman#gotham city#smallville#tom welling#laura vandervoort#justin hartley#freaky friday#The Rapture
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It Happens Slowly (Request)
Group: Bangtan Sonyeondan
Member(s): Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, Jeon Jungkook
Style: One-shot
Prompt: id Skinny Love - when two people love each other but are too shy to admit it but they still show it. young!reader x jungkook/bts long scenario(if you can make it long) w/ members trying to help and snapshots of them showing that they like each other or something like that and with a overdose of fluff pls and thank you.
Summary: Love is not always first sight. Sometimes it happens slowly.
Genre: Romance, Fluff, Slice of Life
Pairing(s): Reader/Jeon Jungkook
A/N: I’ve done it. Months and months and MONTHS of waiting and here it is, guys. I’m so sorry to the anon that requested this. I’m sorry it took so long. I genuinely hope that the wait will have been worth it as you read this. It is possibly the longest one-shot I have ever written, clocking in at 45 pages and 20.1K words. It’s a bit further from what you were looking for, but once I started the story it just kind of ran away with me. I hope that you find parts that do fit your request in there, though. As hard as this was for me to write, I am pretty proud of the finished product and I hope you all will enjoy it. If this isn’t up to snuff for you anon, you can always let me know and I will try again. For now, please enjoy!
Dislcaimer: Gif isn’t mine.
“I was scared.”
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He never really expected you when you came into the picture, tagging along behind Jimin to a party one night. He didn’t speak to you and Jimin had only introduced you briefly, but you stayed glued to the mochi-boy’s side for the entire night looking shy and slightly out of place. After that it was this outing to get food late at night, or that outing to go clothes shopping. Every time Jimin was involved you were there too. Always relatively silent and looking like a deer caught in headlights. At first he hated it. Hated having you around constantly when Jimin-hyung came around. You were so unlike his hyung that he couldn’t believe you two even knew each other let alone had some sort of relationship. And what sort of relationship was it anyway? Were you two dating? Just friends? Fuck buddies? Jimin never explained and with you not speaking unless spoken to it was practically impossible to tell. The worst part was the rest of his hyungs took to you almost instantly. Namjoon, Hobi and Tae had immediately started fawning over how cute they thought your shy demeanor was and Jin was over the moon when the first sound you’d let out around them was when you’d laughed quietly at one of his lame jokes. Yoongi-hyung just liked that you were quiet and would often speak to you in a low tone, your responses usually a nod or shake of your head, or shrug of your shoulders. Why wouldn’t you speak?!
And then suddenly you did. Out of the blue one day nearly a month after having met the boys you just started talking like you had been that whole time. Funnily enough it was when he and Tae had been talking about Overwatch. The maknae line had gotten together to hang out one afternoon and of course Jimin had brought you. You meekly said hello to them as you entered and then remained entirely silent until they had started talking about who the better healer was in the game.
“Mercy’s probably the best healer overall as she’s built to be the very basic version of one. Can pump out the most healing at once as well as revive characters. If you’re solely talking about the healing part then she’s probably top, but she has her setbacks. I don’t generally like playing her and I always get stuck as the healer.”
The entire house was silent for what felt like an eternity as the two boys stared at you wide-eyed. Even Jin poked his head in from the kitchen briefly.
“Did (Y/N)-ssi just speak?”
Jimin looked up from flipping through a manga to look between everyone and you, not looking surprised in the least.
“Yeah. She’s a person, she does that from time to time.”
“I mean, we’ve known her for- what- a month and I’ve maybe heard her speak at least half a dozen times?” Taehyung added. Jimin smirked and shook his head, looking back down at his manga.
“She’s shy. I thought she was going to throw up on me the first time I talked to her.”
Heat flared into your face as you gave him the softest glare a person could probably possess.
“It takes me a while to warm up to people, sorry. I’m still nervous to talk around everyone, but gaming is something I’m really into, so it’s easier to relate and talk about. If it’s not something like that I generally end up being a terrible conversationalist.”
“So you play games?”
Taehyung immediately switched his full attention to you, practically in your face as he spoke to you. Your nerves heightened, but you responded to him regardless, your answers getting shorter and shorter until even Jimin could sense your fatigue. You’d spent too long in the spotlight and it was draining you. Jungkook didn’t speak to you that whole time, Taehyung being the only one actually keeping a conversation with you. Instead he sat grumpily silent as he watched the interaction. He had no idea why he even disliked you. There was just something that upset him whenever he even thought about you. After about an hour of Tae grilling you Jimin came to the rescue, distracting the younger boy as he lifted you to your feet and ushered you towards the front door. With some excuse about meeting your mom for dinner he left with his arm around you, chuckling to himself as you two headed down to the first floor of the building.
“Thanks,” you mumbled, sounding tired.
“It’s what friends are for,” he replied slyly, snaking his other arm around you and squeezing you tight enough to lift you as he walked. It only lasted a moment and he put you back down to walk more comfortably beside him.
“I was actually just trying to get you to myself. If you start talking then all my hyungs will try and take you from me.”
He laughed a bit when you rolled your eyes, but kept close to you as he walked you home, holding your hand the whole time.
Your relationship with Jimin was a strange one, even you could admit that. Sometimes even you weren’t sure if he had feelings for you or not with the way he treated you, but you tried not to think to much about it. He was a good friend, though- attentive. He seemed to notice things about you that sometimes even you didn’t. The other members were kind as well, they accepted you openly despite your lack of any real communication and a few of them had even learned to communicate with you through other means. Tae took to texting you even when you were in the same room, giggling into his phone and sending you funny faces or teasing you. Yoongi seemed to get your answers usually without you even having to speak a word. Jin just threw lame jokes at you constantly, enjoying that you laughed at them. The only one that you didn’t seem to get along with was the maknae.
“I don’t think Jungkook likes me,” you mumbled one afternoon in Jimin’s room. Thankfully the other two residents of the room weren’t around, so you could speak freely.
“Oh? I don’t think that’s it.”
“He glares at me a lot and doesn’t ever talk to me.”
Jimin smirked at you, an eyebrow quirked.
“You rarely even speak, even to me.”
You glared softly at him, your lips pursing a bit.
“That’s not true. I talk to you loads.”
“Maybe for you, but compared to how much other people talk to me…”
Your eyes fell to your fiddling fingers, feeling a bit ashamed. Did it bother him?
“It’s sort of why I like hanging out with you so much. I spend majority of my days with people all around me, talking to me or at me. It’s like it’s never quiet unless I’m here alone in my room. But then that gets lonely, so you’re kind of like a happy medium. The quiet without the loneliness. Plus you’re so cute and I love watching you get flustered or excited,” he finally finished, winking at you.
You rolled your eyes and went back to your phone, trying to ignore his sultry chuckle and grinning stare. He really was such a flirt.
“It’s not that Jungkook, doesn’t like you, trust me. He just can’t get a read on you and I think it’s upsetting him.”
You frowned, blinking a few times as you looked back up.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re so quiet and I never share much about you. Plus our relationship is kind of ambiguous-“
“That’s your fault,” you muttered at him. He only grinned and waved his hand a bit.
“That’s beside the point. I think he just doesn’t get why we’re friends or why the others got so attached to you so quickly. He’s so busy trying to figure you out that he’s not taking the time to actually see you and he’s just getting more and more wary as time goes on.”
That explanation didn’t make you feel better at all and Jimin noticed.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly, trying to ease your anxiety, “… there’s eventually going to be a moment- just one simple moment- where he sees you for the first time for what you are and he’ll understand then.”
“That almost sounds like madness,” you mumbled again, staring down at your phone solemnly.
“It’s not. It’s what happened to me.”
He went back to his book after that, ignoring you when you tried to grill him on what his moment was when he realized he wanted to be friends with you. You were skeptical about what he said. Even if it did happen, how long would it take? You knew Jimin and Jungkook were close, so it didn’t feel great to have him dislike you. You wanted to try harder to get him to warm up to you, but had about as good of a read on him as he seemed to on you. You didn’t know how to get him to like you even a little more. Jimin regularly told you to stop worrying about it after that and just let it happen.
It wasn’t until another month later when it finally happened. You didn’t realize it at the time, but it had hit Jungkook like a ton of bricks. He’d gotten sick and was having trouble kicking the illness, in the kitchen slowly stirring some tea in hopes that it would stop the chills and clear his head and nose enough that his eyes would stop burning. A sad sniffle could be heard, followed by a weak cough and had anyone actually come out of their rooms they would’ve ordered him back to the couch. With everyone sharing rooms he was forced out into the living room to suffer alone so that he didn’t contaminate the room he shared with Jimin and Hoseok. They spent majority or their time in their rooms, the last thing they all needed was the maknae contaminating their safe space and passing the illness along.
The doorbell suddenly sounded and Jungkook groaned, lifting his tea and shuffling to the door. Who could be stopping by at a time like this? He didn’t bother using the peep hole and instead just opened the door, spotting you standing there looking shocked. He knew he should’ve kept himself in check better, but he just couldn’t stop his brows furrowing as he watched you shuffle back and forth from one leg to the other. Your arms shifted as you fiddled with something in your hands and his eyes finally dragged down to spot a white, plastic bag. He suspected you were here for Jimin, so he didn’t ask questions. Instead he just stepped back and pointed back with his thumb.
“Jimin’s in our room.”
He didn’t stick around to lead you in, shuffling back to the living room and plopping down on the couch. You followed him quickly, but quietly, making sure to close the door behind you as you went in. Normally you would’ve just headed back to Jimin, but you were on something of a mission so when you reached the doorway to the living room, you hesitated. You didn’t really know how to start, Jungkook’s attention being occupied by something else for a few minutes. Finally he seemed to feel you standing there, his glare shifting back to you.
“What?”
“Um,” you hesitated, fidgeting a bit.
“U-um…”
This was harder than it looked, especially with him looking so irritated.
“Uh-“
“If you need something ask someone else, I’m sick.” He said, looking back to his cup of tea.
“No- that’s… Jimin mentioned to me earlier that you were ill. He said you guys didn’t have a lot around for helping with being sick, so I stopped to pick some things up for you.”
At first he hadn’t thought he’d heard you right, taking a long moment to process your words. Finally he turned his gaze back to you, the surprise softening his expression enough to help you feel a little braver. You stepped further into the living room, crouching down by the small table and opening the bag. You pulled out various items as you spoke, explaining them.
“There’s tissues with lotion, vapor rub- put it on your chest for coughing and some around your nostrils to help clear your nose. It’ll burn a bit and it smells strong, but it helps. Um… more tissues, I suspect you’ll need a lot. Some vitamins, Echinacea and vitamin C. Echinacea is supposed to help with your immune system. Vitamin C was supposed to as well, but I learned it actually doesn’t. It just eases some of your symptoms so it feels like it’s helping, which I guess is help in and of itself. I got some over the counter stuff too in case you can’t wait to get better before getting back to work. Sinus pills, extra pain pills for headaches. I always get a lot when I’m sick, especially with sinus problems.”
You paused as you rifled through the bag one last time, seeing that you had pulled out everything he could use out here. You stood and lifted the bag with you the weight of it reminding you what items were left.
“There’s some soups in here, honey and some lemon juice for tea. Honey is supposed to coat your throat so it’ll help if it’s dry or scratchy. If you don’t own one and need it, I can take Jimin out to get you a humidifier. There’s a kind where you can get vapor tabs to stick in it so you don’t have to put the rub on your chest or anything. I-“
“Stop!” He finally said, his hand held up and his eyes a little wide as he stared up at you. There was no irritation or anger about him and his tone seemed more shocked than anything else. This was the most he’d ever heard you speak at all, let alone in one go. You’d probably said more just now than you had in the time you’d known them all.
“How do you know about all this stuff?”
Your cheeks heated a bit, feeling self-conscious to hear him actually speak to you and not just at you.
“We never had much money growing up and I wasn’t a fan of doctors so my mom never really took me unless I was really sick and wasn’t getting better. All this stuff is just what she used to do for me and what I eventually learned to start doing for myself. It’s not always a quick fix, but it’s cheaper than a doctor and it helps. You should try and sweat it out too, take showers or a bath- even just sit in the bathroom with the hot water running. It’ll help with your sinuses too-“
“Okay, okay. You sound like a less severe version of Web MD,” he interrupted again, smiling a bit at you. You grinned a little back, chuckling and shrugging your shoulders.
That was it; that was the moment. It struck him like a meteor falling to earth and he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. You’d been such a silent mystery all this time and he could never figure you out, or why you were friends with Jimin. It was like he’d been looking at you in the dark and now he was seeing you in the light for the first time. Your small smile that seemed so natural that he didn’t know why he hadn’t seen it before. Your bright eyes with their soft gaze. You were no longer shifting nervously from foot to foot, instead standing still with your weight on one leg. A racket of coughing finally pulled him from his daydreaming, his mug of tea being gently taken from him as you pressed the back of your fingers to his forehead. They were cold and they felt nice.
“You don’t seem to be running a fever. That cough sounds pretty bad, though.”
You retreated from the living room and into the kitchen, abandoning the bag of soups and heading back into the hallway that lead to all the rooms. When you returned Jimin was with you and he was shrugging on a coat. You smiled softly at Jungkook, who watched you closely. Jimin immediately noticed that the look in his eyes had changed since when he’d first met you. He smirked and shook his head a bit, Jungkook must’ve found his moment. You stepped close enough to pat the maknae on the shoulder a couple of times.
“We’re going to go get you that humidifier. Put some vapor rub on your chest for now.”
You turned and left with Jimin before he could respond and he was left sitting there in something of a daze. Just trying to figure out what had happened.
-
“Is it just me or does something seem different with Jungkook, lately?” Taehyung asked, filling his mouth with some snack he was eating. Namjoon looked up between Jimin and Tae, shrugging slightly and shaking his head.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, he just seems… different. Like with (Y/N). He almost never spoke to her before he got sick, now he talks to her a lot more. He’s really quiet with us lately too, like he’s always thinking about something.”
Again Namjoon shrugged.
“I haven’t noticed.”
“Oh something’s different all right,” Jimin said, chuckling as he flipped a page in the magazine he was reading.
“You know what’s up, don’t you?” Taehyung questioned again, eyeing his friend for a long moment.
“It’s (Y/N). I think he’s starting to realize how he actually feels about her.”
Namjoon let out a questioning ‘huh’ as his face scrunched up a bit.
“I always thought he didn’t like her.”
“That’s what I thought too,” Tae added.
“What he didn’t like was that he couldn’t get a handle on her. She’s not like most girls we know and to instantly feel something for her without really knowing what it was. It got him all mixed up and he just got upset and irritated, instead of letting the feelings happen.”
“What are you even talking about?” Namjoon questioned.
“You can’t seriously sit there and tell me that Jungkook actually likes her.”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” Taehyung deadpanned, not buying it at all.
“The heart doesn’t make sense, my friend.”
Both Taehyung and Namjoon looked at each other skeptically, Tae even rolling his eyes at his friend. Jimin just chuckled and shook his head, going back to his magazine. They’d see it in time. He might deny it if asked outright, but he wouldn’t be able to stave off his feelings for long. They’d come out in some way even if he didn’t want them to.
-
You noticed, but tried not to. The less you thought about it the less likely you were to go overboard. You’d trained yourself a long time ago not to see every guy you became friends with as a possible dating prospect. It saved you a lot of heartache and made it easier for you to get along with people. So, while you noticed his change in behavior towards you, you did your best to keep it in a tiny dark corner in the back of your mind. It was only stupid little things anyway, right? Him speaking to you a little more now, getting your plate for you when Jin decided to cook for everyone. His excuse was that there were so many guys all crowded around being rowdy and fighting over the dishes, someone had to get your plate for you or you’d never be able to eat. He walked next to you more often now when you all went out together and he even bought you a drink from time to time when you guys would stop at convenience stores. It was all small things- minuscule things. Things that Jimin did for you because he was your friend.
So that made Jungkook your friend now right?
But it only ever happened around others. Jungkook never allowed himself to be alone with you, not that you wanted that. You’d probably die of awkwardness if you were left alone with the boy that had seemed to hate you so much not long ago. So maybe it was because someone said something to him and he was being forced to play nice with you now? That would hurt more than him disregarding you like he was before. At least then you would know for sure what he thought about you. Which you didn’t because he never talked to you about it. If you two spoke at all it was little things, usually your orders for food or thanking each other when one of you got the other something.
“Jungkook’s been acting differently lately,” you mumbled to Jimin who was pressed against your side as you two played a handheld game together.
“I told you it would happen,” he said knowingly, not sounding too shocked or worried about it.
“I don’t know if that means he actually likes me. He’s just more civilized with me.”
“He takes care of you in small ways, (Y/N). People who are being ‘just civilized’ wouldn’t go that far.”
“It’s only little things every once and a while.”
“Little things that friends would do.”
“Are we friends? I have no idea. He’s never alone with me so the only time he’s like that is around others.”
Jimin chuckled, but didn’t reply.
“One of you guys didn’t say something to him, did you?”
“Nope, I made sure the others stayed out of it. I knew how you would feel if we meddled.”
You didn’t reply, not sure what else you could respond with. You had no reason to think Jimin had lied to you, he never had before. That meant there was no other explanation for Jungkook being kinder to you. It was something he’d come to of his own accord and was now… A friend. Still, saying it in your head felt almost wrong. Jimin suddenly paused, turning his body a bit to face you as he smirked.
“Why do you care so much about what he thinks of you anyway? Generally you don’t.”
Why did you care so much? It wasn’t like he meant a whole lot to you. And it wasn’t like you were trying to win his affections either. The thought had warmth spreading across your face and you tried desperately to ignore Jimin’s growing grin. You rolled your eyes and glared at him softly, pouting a bit though your face was still hot.
“He’s your friend, he’s important to you. I want your friends to like and be okay with me being around.”
“Oh? You make it sound like we’re dating.”
His grin only grew more. You scoffed and rolled your eyes again, focusing back on the game.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“Alright, alright,” he chuckled out, bumping your shoulder with his lightly.
“Look, instead of worrying about it so much, maybe just accept that things are better between you two now. You always worry too much about things.”
-
“Oh, (Y/N)… I didn’t know you’d be in here. Is hyung around?”
Your heart practically burst from your chest as the door opened and Jungkook’s voice reached your ears, not Jimin’s. You’d been waiting for him for nearly 30 minutes, having been told to wait in his room and that he would be home soon. Granted two others shared the room with him, but he’d told you no one was home and that you’d be fine waiting in there. Unfortunately it seemed one of the other occupants reached home before he did. Your face felt hot as you shook your head, trying to stutter out an answer.
“N-no! He told me to wait here for him. He’s supposed to be home soon. I can go out in the living room if you need the room, he just told me to wait in here.”
“No, it’s fine. I was just going to grab a couple of things. I need to head back out.”
He swept passed you, moving to one of the dressers and digging through it. It took him only a moment before he was grabbing a couple pieces of clothing and moving next to his bedside table. You watched a little curiously as he dug around the items he had there, finally pulling a couple of cords and his laptop up to set them on the bed. You were strangely entranced as you watched him work, but were forced to tear your eyes away when your phone went off. You didn’t need to look at your screen to know who it was, Jimin always having had a special ringtone from everyone else.
“Oppa…”
“(Y/N) I am so sorry!”
“You’re going to be longer, aren’t you?”
“I honestly thought I would be done by now, but things just keep getting more complicated. I’m trying to hurry them along, but at this rate…”
To be honest it wasn’t that big of a deal. You knew how busy Jimin was and it wasn’t like tonight was special in some way. You smiled a bit, even though you knew he couldn’t see you, and shook your head.
“It’s okay, no worries. I know things can get hectic. I’ll just head home and we can try later this week.”
“About that, I took a peek outside and it looks terrible out.”
“Oh,” you replied solemnly, making your way to the one window they had in the room and peeking out of the curtains. In did indeed look terrible out. It was practically a white-out, your eyes unable to see even to the street the snow was coming down so hard. You let out a sigh, the frustration getting to you as you stared at what you could only describe as your doom. You would have to walk home in that.
“Is hyung not coming?” Jungkook finally questioned behind you, standing at his bed and looking almost shy. You nodded, pouting a bit as you looked back to the window.
“His schedule is running longer than expected.”
“Is that Jungkook?” Jimin questioned, seeming to perk up on the other end.
“Mm,” you hummed in affirmation.
“Oh! Perfect! I really don’t want you walking home in this. I was going to suggest you spend the night, but I didn’t want to leave you alone.”
Immediately your cheeks heated and you turned on your heel so you were no longer facing the youngest of the group.
“I can’t spend the night here! Where would I even sleep?” They had a couch of course, but how crappy would it be for the other members to finally get home from their schedules and not be able to relax in their own living room because you were passed out on the couch?
“You can sleep with me,” he replied and you could hear the smirk on his lips.
“Oppa,” you said in a scolding manner. He was laughing when you replied and it only made your frown grow.
“Okay, okay. You can sleep in my bed. I’ll share with Junkook or Hobi-hyung.”
“I can’t just invade your house like that.”
“Is Jungkook near? Can I talk to him?”
You sighed, turning to face the only other person in the room who was still standing by curiously. You reluctantly handed the phone to him and busied yourself with fiddling with your fingers as you listened to Jungkook’s side of the conversation.
“Hyung, I’m not staying. I was going down to the dance studio to work on some things. I’m driving there so I can just take her home on the way… She walks here and back every time she comes over, it’s not that far. If she can walk it all the time, I can drive it in this weather. It’s not that big of a deal.”
He sighed, one of his hands coming up to rest on his hip.
“If I’m driving her with me to the studio then I can just drive her home… Hyung the studio is half way there already! Why would I take her with me to the studio only to drive her back here because you refuse to let her go home?”
You rolled your eyes, stepping close to Jungkook and gently pulling the phone from his ear. He still held onto it, but let you put the device up to your ear.
“-se just work with me here a little, kid.”
“I don’t have anything here, oppa. I’ll just get a cab home.”
“If you can even get one to drive in this. We can lend you clothes to sleep in and you can use my toothbrush and stuff if you really need to.”
“Oppa-“
“I’m not letting you go home in this, (Y/N). That’s final.”
You rolled your eyes and sighed, unable to do anything, but concede.
“Fine, but I’ll stay here on my own and wait for you. Don’t make Jungkook take me all the way to the studio with him.”
Jimin was silent for a long moment before he sighed.
“You’re sure you’ll be okay alone?”
“Mm, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, help yourself to any of the food and don’t be afraid to use the TV or my laptop.”
You nodded, finally taking the phone from Jungkook’s hand.
“Okay, I’ll see you when you get home.”
You sighed, but smiled a bit at the boy before you.
“It’s okay, I’m just going to wait here for him. You can go on ahead.”
“You sure?”
“I’m not a child, thank you. I’m capable of being on my own for a time.”
He raised his hands and took a step back.
“Okay, okay. I’m heading out then.”
You nodded and quietly wished him luck on whatever he was meant to work on. You shuffled your way over to Jimin’s bed, shedding your coat and laying it neatly on the edge. Jungkook was nearly out the door, only pausing to glance back at you and make sure you were fine. It seemed to be a mistake, though. His pause turned into a full stop, his eyes watching you as you seemed to fidget uncomfortably while you looked around the room. When you sighed, he could hear the nervousness in your voice. He shook his head and continued on, intent on getting to the dance studio to work on this new choreo. He didn’t need to worry about you, you’d be fine once Jimin got home. And he kept telling himself that as he stepped out the door, turning to lock it with his key. You would be fine right? You looked like a lost puppy standing awkwardly in his shared room, looking around nervously and unable to even sit down comfortably.
“Damn it,” he sighed out, letting his head fall to the door loud enough that it made a noise. He couldn’t just leave you. He hadn’t even managed to pull the key from the lock before he changed his mind, re-unlocking the door and heading back inside.
“Alright, come on.”
You nearly screamed, jumping up from Jimin’s bed and standing rigidly as Jungkook rested his hand against the door jam. He didn’t mean to scare you, making a face as he tried not to laugh at your wide eyes and rigid form. For a second he thought he might’ve given you a heart attack as it took you a good thirty seconds to finally breathe out and move.
“Wh-what?”
“Hyung is right, I can’t leave you here by yourself. Come on, I’ll take you to the dance studio with me.”
“You don’t have to, really, I’ll be fine.”
“Nope, no. Come on, put your coat on. Let’s go.”
You wanted to protest more, but you were kind of relieved. While you didn’t want to burden him in any way, you thought you might die of anxiety if you’d been left alone in the boys’ house. So, while you hesitated, you eventually turned to put your coat back on and gather up your bag, stepping up to him as he stood in the doorway. He turned on his heel and headed back out, not looking back to see if you were following. He didn’t really need to, you were hot on his heels.
You two barely spoke on the way to the dance studio, though the drive was slow with the snow. You felt awkward and nervous, but Jungkook looked surprisingly relaxed the whole drive. You wanted to tell him again that he didn’t need to take you with him, but seeing as how you were already in the car that idea seemed obsolete. So instead you sat fiddling with your fingers and staring out the passenger’s side window. When you could, you would stare at his reflection in your window, but you rarely ever looked his way. You’d done it a couple of times when you’d first started on your way and it always drew his attention. Staring at his reflection didn’t alert him in any way, though, so it was a safer option. Every time he looked at you it nearly sent you in to cardiac arrest. You couldn’t take the stress of being alone with him.
Why did he make you so nervous?
-
Jimin sighed as he sat back in the booth, checking his phone again to see if you had contacted him.
“If you’re so worried, why don’t you just go home?” Taehyung said, quickly thanking the waiter that delivered his drink.
“Because I told her I was still at my schedule. If I go back she might figure out I lied and she might not even be there.”
“She would figure out you lied. She’s shy, not stupid. And I thought you said Jungkook didn’t take her with him.” Yoongi added.
Jimin smirked a little, trying to hide his worry.
“I just have a feeling is all.”
“Uh-huh and what feeling is that? You seem awfully sure that Jungkook holds some kind of dormant flame for her.” Taehyung replied, pointing his spoon at his friend. Jimin chuckled, sitting forward and going back to his food.
“And you seem awfully sure he doesn’t.”
“Why would he? He doesn’t even talk about her. Sure he’s nicer to her now and he’s acting a little weirder around us, but that doesn’t mean he likes her. Hell, if anything you would be more likely to catch feelings for her. You practically treat her like a girlfriend as it is.”
“Well I don’t have feelings for her.”
“But somehow, Kookie does?”
Jimin rolled his eyes and pulled his phone out again deciding to text you instead of replying to Taehyung.
Hey, (Y/N)! How are you? Everything okay? You haven’t burned the house down yet, have you?
No, I haven’t. I’m not even there. Jungkook decided it would be better if he took me to the studio with him.
Jimin smirked again, producing his phone for Taehyung to see. The younger man rolled his eyes, but didn’t reply making Jimin chuckle.
Ooh? Well either way, have fun! Kookie’s one of our best dancers, so whatever he’s working on will be entertaining, I’m sure.
You practically glared at the winking face he sent with his message, your eyes quickly casting back up to Jungkook as he moved through the steps of the choreo he was working on. Jimin was right when he said the younger member was a good dancer. While you weren’t able to even look his way in the car, you were unable to look away from him as he danced. He was powerful and fluid in his movements, like water crashing against a rocky shore and wearing it down. He wasn’t quite as graceful as Jimin, who was more like air moving about the room with elegant and light steps. Jungkook was more like the earth moving. Powerful, fluid and unstoppable once he started. You could see why he sweat so much now.
And boy was he sweating.
The droplets that rolled from his hair line fell off his skin quickly and you half expected him to slip or something from it. If he’d stood still long enough you swore he could’ve made a puddle. You tried to distract yourself with thoughts like that instead of thinking how good looking he was. You’d never seen him like this before, not close enough to him to be around when he practiced dancing. So seeing him in this manner for the first time hit you hard. Your phone suddenly buzzed again in your hand, another message from Jimin coming up.
Don’t stare too hard~.
You grimaced at the second winking face he sent you, glaring at the message with a vow to give him a good wallop when you saw him again. What did he know anyway? You scoffed and tossed your phone onto your small pile of things, your coat laying over your bag as it was too hot in the studio to keep it on.
“Something wrong?”
You hadn’t even noticed that Jungkook had stopped both his dancing and the music.
“Oh, um… Jimin-oppa. He’s…”
“Being a creep?”
“Something like that,” you agreed, scowling at the phone again. Jungkook chuckled a bit, fiddling with something on his laptop as he spoke to you.
“He’s used to being the small, sweet guy of our group. He enjoys having someone younger to tease. Makes him feel manlier.”
“Doesn’t make him any less of a creep.”
He chuckled again, smiling more.
“He says you’re cute when you’re flustered or mad.”
You scoffed again, but there was no denying the heat that flared in your cheeks. It wasn’t so much because it was Jimin’s opinion, but more so because Jungkook had said it.
“Yeah? W-well what does he know?”
A long moment of silence stretched between you two as you stared at your fiddling fingers, glaring a bit.
“I don’t think he’s wrong,” Jungkook finally said lowly, as if he’d been hoping you wouldn’t catch it.
But you did.
The heat returned tenfold, spreading to your ears and down your neck until you felt too hot to think. Jungkook stared hard at his laptop, almost looking like he might’ve regretted saying that. You stood suddenly and fidgeted a bit, smoothing out your pants and shirt. Your gaze darted around for a moment before you finally turned tail and headed for the door.
“I’m going to stretch my legs for a minute!” You practically shouted, not waiting for a response before you unintentionally slammed the door behind you.
Jungkook sighed, slapping a hand to his forehead and groaning. What the hell had he been thinking saying something like that? You’d practically internally combusted. Were you pissed now? Or just flustered? What did it matter if you were flustered?! Why should he care? You were just Jimin’s friend, that’s all. Right?
You sighed, taking in one last deep breath and letting it out slowly as your head fell to the glass of the vending machine in front of you. What was wrong with you? So Jungkook inadvertently called you cute, so what? It’s a compliment from someone who was finally starting to feel like a friend. You got those all the time from Jimin, why would it be any different for him? You groaned and hit your head against the vending machine again. You stepped back and looked between the two machines, one holding beverages and the other snacks. You’d been at the dance studio for nearly an hour now and Jungkook hadn’t stopped once to even drink water.
Digging around in your pockets, you found what change you usually carried and picked out a couple of water bottles and snacks. Thankfully they came out without much of a fuss and you carried them back to the studio room. Jungkook was still at his laptop when you entered again, not even looking your way as you closed the door. Not sure what to say or how to make the air less awkward you settled for just walking over and setting the water and snack next to him on the floor. He waited until you retreated back to your spot before he looked down at the snack and then up to you.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, grabbing both items and getting to work consuming them. He ate them much faster than you did and quickly went back to work, spending a moment or two more on his laptop before standing and going back to dancing. You tried to watch him less this time, but your eyes never strayed from him for long. He noticed too. When you weren’t focused on his face, he was watching you too. Watched the way your gaze sharpened and focused, the way your pupils expanded so that your eyes almost looked black from this distance as you tried to take in every minute movement he made. Your eyes looked almost hungry and it made something stir in him that he wasn’t sure he was ready to figure out yet. You two didn’t speak for the rest of his practice and the ride back to the dorms was silent and awkward.
-
“I’m taking a shower!” Jungkook practically shouted as soon as he entered the dorm, quickly grabbing what he needed from his room and slamming the bathroom door shut. Both Jimin and Taehyung looked at you curiously and all you could do was shrug back at them with an equally curious expression.
“What happened,” Jimin questioned, moving on the couch so you could sit next to him.
“I don’t know. There was an awkward moment, but it wasn’t that bad. Not enough to make him that upset, I don’t think.”
Taehyung suddenly elbowed Jimin, the younger boy clearing his throat and casting his eyes down to the hand resting over his own crotch. It took Jimin a moment, but he finally caught on and it took all his self-control not to burst into laughter. He turned to you with a strange look in his eyes, very nearly smirking as he spoke.
“Nothing at all happened? Not even something good?”
You rolled your eyes and glared at Jimin.
“What does that even mean?”
“So something good did happen,” he replied, sitting back and nodding knowingly.
“Nothing happened. He took me to the studio, he worked and danced and that was it!”
“You look pretty flustered for nothing happening.” Jimin sneered with a grin on his face.
“What happened, (Y/N)?” Taehyung asked, his curiosity a little more innocent than Jimin’s.
“Nothing! He just… he inadvertently said I was cute is all…” You finally mumbled, looking away and twiddling your fingers a bit. Jimin practically burst with glee, his grin growing as he wiggled around in his seat. You glared at him incredulously, looking to Taehyung who was rolling his eyes much like you had a few moments ago.
“So what? So he called her cute, that doesn’t mean anything. I think she’s cute.”
“Yeah, but you can easily admit stuff like that. It’s not so easy for Jungkookie.”
“You’re crazy, oppa. Even Tae-oppa thinks so. Jungkook and I can barely manage being friends.”
“Ah, I’m not having this argument with you guys. Go use the other bathroom to wash up. I’ll get you some warm clothes to change into.”
You did as you were told, changing into the sweats and big shirt Jimin produced before heading to his room. Jungkook was the only one you found in there, though and when he spotted you he froze.
“Wha-… what are you wearing?”
You blinked a couple of times, moving the things you held in your arms to reveal your outfit fully.
“Oppa gave them to me to sleep in. Why?”
Surely he knew you were spending the night. He’d been right there when you and Jimin had discussed it. Maybe he was unaware that you were sleeping in there? Jimin chose that moment to enter, a snack in his hand as he stepped up next to you and grinned.
“You look cute.”
“Hyung,” Jungkook interrupted, walking over to grab the older man by the arm and pull him a step or two away from you.
“Why is she wearing my clothes?”
“You gave me his clothes?!”
Jimin looked between you two curiously, not missing the heat in both your faces.
“Well yeah, I had to. Your legs are too long to wear anything I own.”
All you could do was stare down at the clothes you wore, flustered and self-conscious to know that they belonged to Jungkook. Jimin grinned devilishly as he watched Jungkook do much the same, his face holding a look of disbelief, but his eyes never straying from you. It wasn’t until Taehyung burst through the door that everyone finally moved, you quickly crawling into Jimin’s bed to partially hide yourself in his covers and Jungkook going back to shuffling around his bed getting ready.
“(Y/N)-ssi~! Want someone to snuggle with while you sleep?” He cooed, moving to crawl under the covers with you. He was immediately pushed away, though, Jimin coming to your rescue as both he and Jungkook shouted out a ‘no.’
“If anyone sleeps with her it’s me,” Jimin griped.
“Hyung don’t be creepy, she gets enough of that from Jimin.” Jungkook followed up, earning a glare from the mentioned elder.
“That’s Jimin-hyung.”
“Is anyone going to let (Y/N)-ssi answer?”
Everyone looked to you and you could only swallow thickly as you pulled Jimin’s comforter further up to cover part of your face.
“I’m fine sleeping on my own, thank you,” you mumbled, Jimin being the only one to really catch it.
“What was that?”
“She said she doesn’t want to share a bed with you, now get out,” Jimin reiterated for you, forcefully turning Taehyung and shoving him out the door.
“Alright, I’m going! Good night (Y/N)-ssi!”
“Good night,” you mumbled, probably too quietly for him to hear, but Jimin effectively shut him out before he could say anything. With a heavy sigh Jimin turned back around, a grin now on his face as if nothing had happened.
“Okay, ready for bed?”
You just nodded silently, not sure what else to do or say. It was only after Jimin had turned the room light off- two small lamps still on to provide dim lighting, one by Jungkook’s bed and one by Hoseok’s- that you remembered the missing members.
“What about Hobi-oppa?”
“He and Yoongi-hyung are still out. They probably won’t return until late, but we usually leave his lamp on so he can see when he comes in. It won’t bother you will it?”
You shook your head, the light too dim to bother you. Settling further into the bed and rolling to one side, you watched while Jungkook and Jimin climbed into the maknae’s bed, Jimin rolling to face you with a grin. You only gave him a small smile in return, closing your eyes the instant Jungkook turned off his lamp. Hopefully sleep would take you quickly.
-
How you had managed it, you would never know, but ever so slowly- as months passed and winter turned into summer- your relationship with Jungkook got easier. He spoke to you more and in a friendly manner, was usually next to you whenever you guys were all out; eventually he grew to sitting next to you whenever you were in the living room. As things got easier with the others around, so too did they when you two were alone. You’d grown to no longer be so nervous in the Bangtan house and often stopped by even without Jimin there. If you’d come over to wait for him, he’d likely find you with Jungkook or Taehyung passing the time. Jimin had even mentioned that Jungkook spent nearly as much time with you as he himself did.
“(Y/N), do you still have that headset I lent you for your PC?” You heard Jungkook ask as he entered the living room, you and Jimin sitting on the floor playing a card game.
“Oh yeah! Thanks for reminding me!”
You hopped up, taking your cards with you, and headed to your bag. It took you a moment of rummaging, speaking as Jungkook peered curiously over your shoulder.
“I finally got my new one in, so I’ve been meaning to return it to you.”
Finally you stood and turned, stepping back with shock to see the maknae so close behind you. He didn’t seem to be mindful of it, though, his hands coming up to engulf yours as he gathered up the cords and head piece. His hands were warm and soft and you swore he was dragging his fingers across your hand on purpose. It cause heat to splash into your face and you had to clear your throat, hiding your now tingling hand behind you.
“Thanks for letting me borrow it.”
“Thanks for bringing it back in one piece.”
He grinned at you, a blinding effect, before turning and retreating back to his room. You let out the breath you hadn’t known you were holding, trying to calm your nerves a little.
“That wasn’t obvious or anything,” you suddenly heard from Jimin, the older man not looking at you as he spoke. Instead he was nonchalantly placing down cards as if he hadn’t said anything at all.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” You griped, moving to plop back down in your place across from him.
“You might as well have just come out and told him you loved him.”
The heat from before flared to life in your face, your body going rigid as it stretched all the way to your ears and neck.
“Are you crazy?!” You whispered harshly, leaning forward and glaring at your friend.
“Could you say that any louder?! And what’re you even talking about? I don’t love Jungkook.”
Jimin smirked, looking up from rearranging the cards in his hand.
“If that were true, your reaction would’ve been much tamer. Besides you can’t hide anything from me. I’ve been watching you two from the beginning, remember?”
“We’re friends now, we get along. That doesn’t mean I have any other feelings than that!”
Jimin rolled his eyes and smiled, but remained silent. He’d learned a while ago that both you and Jungkook would argue into your graves with him about this. Neither one of you would admit he was right. Jungkook was way easier to spot at it than you, though. While your only tell-tales were you getting shy and flustered, Jungkook was more… obvious. He sat so close to you sometimes that it made almost Jimin jealous. He was always next to you, whether you guys were sitting down for a movie or out shopping and getting food with everyone. It had gotten to a point where you might as well have been called Jungkook’s friend and not Jimin’s.
“(Y/N)-ssi! I didn’t know you were coming over today!”
You were pretty much tackled to the ground as Taehyung hugged you, having grown accustomed to smothering you with all his affection at any given time. It nearly sent you to your death the first few times, but he was a force to be reckoned with and was unstoppable in his love for everyone. So eventually you were just forced to get used to it. Thankfully you had Jimin- and at surprising times Jungkook- to save you from being smothered too much for too long.
“H-hello, Tae-oppa…”
At that moment you expected Jimin to lean over and smack his friend until he got off you, but you watched with dismay as he only grinned at something you couldn’t see. Tae was suddenly lifted off you, the sight of Jungkook tossing his hyung onto the couch meeting you as you sat up.
“Yah! What was that for?!”
“Stop hanging all over her, you make her nervous.”
Your face heated at Jungkook’s comment, conveniently burying your face in your hand of cards so as not to stare at him. Or glance at Jimin for that matter, who was smirking so devilishly that he could probably set you on fire. Taehyung was left to pout on the couch as Jungkook plopped down next to you, motioning for Jimin to deal him some cards. You tried to ignore how close he’d sat, but as you stared your cards into oblivion you found yourself unable to read what was actually on them.
“You have to wait,” Jimin mumbled to Jungkook who pouted out a ‘hyung.’
“We’re in the middle of a game, I can’t just deal you in. We’re almost done.”
“Actually,” you piped up, the bickering between the maknae and Jimin giving you the extra time you needed to actually read your hand. You smiled a little and laid it out before you, showing off that you’d won.
“Damn it.”
With a sigh he tossed his hand down, letting you gather up the cards. It was your turn to shuffle.
“Want to play, oppa?” You asked, looking up to Taehyung who grinned and slid off the couch to sit next to Jimin. Jungkook suddenly stood, retreating into the kitchen as you got to work shuffling the cards.
“Jungkookie, get me a coke!” Taehyung called, Jimin shouting out after him that he wanted one too.
“You want something, (Y/N)?” Jimin questioned, Jungkook re-entering with a bag of chips and an arm full of drinks.
“I already got everyone something,” he said nonchalantly, sitting back down and handing everyone a drink. He took the time to open yours for you as you started dealing out cards, thanking whatever gods that you had to focus on counting and not his hand brushing your knee as he set the drink next to you. You finished dealing out the cards and everyone got to work trying to get their hands together.
Three hours, four bags of chips and probably about 8 drinks between the four of you later and you were leaning against the foot of the couch practically passed out. You’d tapped out of the actual card games at about the fifth one in, drained of any energy left to try and beat those guys. Now you were slowly losing consciousness as you watched them play. At some point Jungkook had taken off his flannel shirt and tossed it over your legs, your scrunched up form giving away that you were a little cold.
“(Y/N)-ssi~,” Taehyung cooed, reaching out to link one of his fingers with one of yours that he could reach, “… you’re falling asleep over there.”
You hummed in affirmation, unable to even open your eyes fully let alone speak to him. Jimin moved from his place at your response, leaving his cards in front of where he sat and standing to make his way to you.
“Do you want to spend the night?” Jimin asked lowly as he slowly lowered himself next to you, pulling you gently against him so that your head rested on his shoulder. Again you hummed, but this time in a more ambiguous fashion, neither denying nor agreeing to stay over. While it was something you’d come to do more than a few times in your friendship with the boys, you couldn’t help still feeling awkward every time you did.
“I can take her home, if she doesn’t want to stay,” Jungkook offered. You wanted to take him up on that, but Jimin beat you to the punch.
“It’s okay, she’ll stay here. She can sleep in my bed like always. Can you get some of your things to sleep in? I’ll take her to the bathroom.”
With cheeks dusted pink, Jungkook nodded and stood. He was still flustered about you sleeping in his clothes.
“Can you stand for me?” Jimin asked you quietly, running his fingers through your hair soothingly. You nodded, inhaling deeply and forcing yourself to sit up straighter. You shook your head a bit to clear it, the prospect of actually going to sleep in a bed getting you on your feet. With Jimin following you, Taehyung stayed behind to start cleaning up. Jimin’s hands hovered around you as you started walking, making sure you weren’t going to fall as you woke up a little. When he was sure you could walk on your own he moved closer, one of his hands rubbing your back as he led you to the bathroom. You washed up and changed, moving slowly until you were crawling into Jimin’s bed.
You sighed at its softness, your body crying in relief as you finally got to lay down and let it relax. You squirmed a bit in the bed, smiling as Jimin chuckled at you. You blinked a couple of times, noting that only Jimin occupied Jungkook’s bed. His gaze held a hint of fatigue like yours, though not quite as severe.
“Where’s Jungkook?”
“Helping Taehyung clean up. I think they were going to stay up a bit later too.”
You hummed, your eyes falling closed and sleep quickly creeping up on you. You vaguely heard Jimin whisper out a ‘good night’ before you slipped away. He watched you silently for a moment before rolling over and turning the lamp next to Jungkook’s bed off. He smirked to himself as he looked back at you, spreading out a little more so he took up more of Jungkook’s bed. He briefly wondered what the maknae would do when he couldn’t use his own bed. Hobi-hyung slept spread out most of the time as well and he tended to kick in his sleep. You, on the other hand, slept scrunched up and on one side. Would he brave sharing a bed with you? He had the options of the couch and floor which were more likely. Jimin liked to dream that he would choose an option closest to you, though, however unlikely that was.
-
Jungkook yawned as he entered his shared room, the darkness of it reminding him that everyone was asleep. He’d already washed up, so all he had to do was make it into bed without causing a raucous. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, though, he was able to spot his problem. Jimin slept nearly spread eagle in his bed, taking up the majority of the space so that there was no room for him. He frowned at the sight, reach down to shake his hyung lightly and whisper at him.
“Hyung…”
No movement.
“Hyung wake up.”
Still Jimin did not stir, forcing Jungkook to shake him a little harder.
“Hyung… Hyung!”
Finally Jimin woke, letting out a whiny moan at being pulled from his slumber. He mumbled out a ‘what,’ Jungkook leaning closer and trying to ignore how loud he was being.
“Hyung you’re taking up my whole bed. Move over.”
Again Jimin groaned, waving Jungkook off and sighing out a reply.
“Go sleep with (Y/N).”
“Seriously? This is my bed. Hyung? Jimin-hyung!”
But Jimin was already gone, drifting back into the world of dreams and leaving Jungkook to straighten and sigh. He looked around for a moment, weighing his options as he looked back at Hoseok’s bed. He was spread out as well and Jungkook didn’t fancy getting a random knee to his side in the middle of the night. He could sleep out on the couch, but it was about as comfortable as the floor and he’d be left open to the other members wandering about him and disturbing his sleep.
With another sigh he moved to the closet, picking out the extra bedding they kept in there and getting to work making a place to sleep on the floor. He picked out the extra pillows they had lying around the room and made himself as good of a mattress as he could. He’d laid it out in between his and Jimin’s bed, trying not to notice how close he’d put it to Jimin’s. He could sleep a bit closer to you on the floor without it being weird, right? No harm, no foul. With his makeshift bed made he finally settled down, finding the most comfortable position and finally closing his eyes. It was surprisingly comfortable, so he would fall asleep quickly.
Or at least he thought he would. No sooner had he felt his muscles relax and his body sink further into the pillows, he felt a soft and soothing touch to his head. Cool, soft fingers ran lightly through his hair a few times before he finally turned to look up at you. You were laying with part of your upper half hanging over the edge of the bed, your arm hanging down to pet his head and your smiling face resting on your other arm. Jungkook’s breath caught in his throat, amazed that you could look so beautiful even in the dark. He wanted to freeze this moment and stare at you for the rest of the night. He wanted to see those sleepy eyes as the sun rose to light the room. To see that soft smile as night became day, your face glowing in the light. Your hair all a beautiful mess around your face and making you look so soft and comfortable that all he wanted to do was crawl into bed next to you. In that moment you were so perfect to him that it stole his breath away.
“Sorry,” you whispered softly, your tired smile growing.
“Your hair always looks so soft, I wanted to touch it just once.”
He shook his head a bit, not trusting his voice.
“Jimin kicked you out of bed.” It was more of a statement, but he nodded anyway. Your hand slipped from his hair to fall and rest near his shoulder and Jungkook didn’t stop himself from reaching up to gently tangle his fingers with yours. He spent so much time trying to keep his distance that for just this one moment he wanted to give himself something.
“I’m sorry,” you finally said, your eyes sparkling even in the darkness of the room. It was like he was looking at the starry sky.
“It’s okay,” he finally replied just as softly.
And then for a long time you two just laid there staring at each other, your hand reaching up to playing with a few strands of his hair. Eventually he gave in to closing his eyes serenely and leaning into your touch. Sometimes you would whisper out a giggle and other times you would just smile tiredly. Eventually you moved to simply petting him, running your fingers through his hair as he closed his eyes. He drifted off to your touch, sleeping more soundly than he had in who knows how long.
Jimin woke the next morning to see Jungkook laying on the floor against your bed, your arm hanging over the edge and your fingers gently tangled in his hair. He never did tell you that he had a picture of it on his phone. He also never said anything to you after you two woke and neither you nor Jungkook mentioned it after that, but the dynamic between you two changed again.
-
“Yah, when am I actually going to get to hang out with you alone again?” Jimin whined, laying on your bed as you finished putting laundry away. A last minute chore you wanted to finish before you two left to meet Jungkook and Taehyung for a movie.
“You’re going to have to take that up with your members. I just go where I’m invited.”
Jimin sighed, but stood and grabbed your jacket for you. You closed the last drawer you had open on your dresser and turned so he could help you get it on. You could tell he wasn’t really upset, at least not at the fact he couldn’t hang out with you alone anymore. He just seemed the type to like to whine for no reason.
“You could always come hangout with me without telling them,” you suggested.
“You’d be devastated not to see Jungkook.” He sneered, chuckling at you.
You were so used to him teasing you about Jungkook now that you only rolled your eyes and hit his arm, your face heating only a little.
“Actually more so Jungkook would be devastated not see you,” he mumbled, smirking a bit.
“Oh please. Let’s go.”
-
“Yah! What took you two so long?” Taehyung shouted at you and Jimin as you entered the theater.
“I told you I wanted to finish at least some of my chores before we did this. It’s not like we’re late, the movie doesn’t start for another 20 minutes.” You replied, ignoring Tae’s pout and waving a bit at Jungkook. He only smiled a little and rolled his eyes in return, trying to relay that Taehyung was the only one overreacting to your arrival.
“Ah, I miss when you were quieter,” he sighed, earning a scolding ‘yah’ from Jimin and a couple of hits from Jungkook. You only snorted, working on removing your jacket.
“So do I, you payed less attention to me back then. It was more peaceful.”
Jimin burst into laughter, Jungkook sniggering behind his hand as Taehyung pouted at you. Neither of you meant it, though, smiles cracking both your faces after a moment.
“Well let’s get our tickets. We can play some games while we wait,” Jimin finally said.
You all crowded up at the ticket booth, Jimin and Jungkook standing on either side of you.
“I can pay for your ticket, (Y/N).” Jimin said, pulling out his card.
“It’s okay, I can pay for it. I am a big girl after all.”
Taehyung moved to one side, Jungkook stepping up to buy his ticket. Jimin Pouted at you as you two took a step forward.
“Why are you like this? Let me buy your ticket, it’ll be like a date.”
“It’s not a date, though. I really don’t need you to buy me a ticket.”
Before Jimin could whine at you further, Jungkook turned around and held a ticket out to you. You blinked at it for a moment before frowning at up at the maknae.
“Why did you buy me a ticket? I can pay for my own.”
Jungkook shrugged, holding the ticket out further.
“I figured if someone else bought it for you, Jimin-hyung couldn’t pester you about it.”
Your frown turned to a pout, but you accepted the ticket regardless.
“Thank you.”
“Punk,” Jimin mumbled, but didn’t look too put out.
You moved to stand with the other two, Taehyung slinging an arm around you and grinning devilishly.
“So does that mean you and Jungkook are on the date then?”
Your face heated as you gently pushed him off you.
“Better than being on a date with you.”
He let out a frustrated ‘ah’ and pushed your head gently, scolding you in his soft way. You never looked at Jungkook to see his cheeks dusted a soft pink. Jimin led you all to the games area, each of you slipping in a few bills to get coins to play the machines. Jungkook and Taehyung bee-lined for a racing game, while you and Jimin tried your hand at a fighter game. You were never one for the button mashing fighter genre, so Jimin won three times before you gave up. He joined Taehyung on the racing game offer that, taking Jungkook’s place so you could drag the maknae over to one of the shooting games. You would do much better at that than a fighting game.
Unfortunately you were up against Jungkook and while the game was co-op, you both immediately made it competitive by trying to score the highest. You were actually beating him too, though both of you had resorted to cheating- messing with each other’s aim, pushing the other’s gun around, standing in the way. By the end of it you were both shouting at each other, Jungkook laughing so hard he almost couldn’t aim at the screen as he trapped both your arms in one of his and was standing so that your gun pointed off screen.
“Yah, yah! This is against the rules!” You shouted, trying to make sense through your own laughter as you struggled to break free. In the end he scored the highest.
Eventually you moved to buying snacks (able to buy your own without Jungkook or Jimin paying for you) and we’re sat between the two for the movie. Taehyung spent the previews chucking popcorn over Jimin and onto you and Jungkook, the lot of you laughing as you and Jungkook retaliated. You all settled down once the movie started, though, not wanting to be kicked out for being rowdy.
-
“So when are you going to ask her?”
“Huh?”
Taehyung gave the maknae a flat look.
“When are you going to ask her out, I mean?”
Jungkook finally tore his eyes away from you and Jimin, looking to Taehyung with a questioning look.
“Who?”
Taehyung rolled his eyes, sighing heavily and turning his gaze back to you and Jimin. He and Jungkook stayed leaning against Jimin’s car as the older member walked you to your door.
“Stop playing dumb, you know what I’m talking about.”
Heat flared to Jungkook’s cheeks as he tried to look oblivious.
“Whatever you think you know, you’re wrong. I don’t like her.”
“You can’t really say anything to make any of us think otherwise. It’s so obvious sometimes I’m amazed she hasn’t caught on, yet.”
Jungkook’s eyes widened, looking back in the same direction Taehyung was.
“Us?”
“Everyone knows, Jungkook. You can’t hide it anymore and you certainly can’t deny it.”
But he would. For now he would deny it until his grave.
“You’re wrong.”
“It’s okay to like her. Jimin has been trying to get you two together since he introduced her to us. She’s a good girl and despite her meekness she’s strong. She’s kind and funny, she likes the same things you do.”
“I don’t like her, hyung,” he said resolutely- finally.
Taehyung sighed, shaking his head a bit and standing. He turned to the passenger door, planning to take the seat you’d been sitting in now that you were home. He climbed in and got comfortable, pausing to say one las thing before he closed the door.
“You can run all you like, Jungkook, but if you don’t do something about this… someone else is going to take her heart.”
With that he slammed the door shut and Jungkook was left to fester in his own thoughts.
-
You blinked as you stared at your phone, the text you’d leaned over to read not from Jimin. You’d gotten texts from the other members, but rarely. Getting one from Jungkook was even more so, yet there his name was on your screen. You paused the game you’d been playing, picking your phone up and opening the lock-screen.
Hey, are you busy Saturday?
It took you nearly ten minutes to respond, lost in your shock for a solid five of them and unsure how to respond.
I have work for a few hours in the morning, why? Is something wrong?
No, well... I have these tickets to an aquarium that I was supposed to send to my parents as an anniversary gift ages ago. I wanted to surprise them, but found out they were going away for it before I could send them. They’ve been collecting dust in my room for almost a month now and I figured I better use them. I asked my hyungs, but no one wants to go with me, so…
Wow! I’ve never been to an aquarium before! I’d love to go if you’re inviting me!
Jungkook couldn’t hold back the confident smirk as he read your message, taking a moment to look around and make sure no one else was near.
You’ve never been to an aquarium before, seriously? You’re in for a treat then. I’ll pick you up around three?
Yeah! Sounds great, I’ll see you then!
Your face was hotter than a mug of fresh coffee, your brain desperately trying to tell your shouting heart that it wasn’t a date. It was just Jungkook needing to use up a ticket he paid for. Two friends doing something to pass the time. There was nothing even remotely romantic about it. It wasn’t a date. You’d have to keep this from the others too. While they likely know already, you knew that if you mentioned it around Jimin or Taehyung they would tease you about it being a date until you strangled one of them to death.
-
“Coming, coming!”
You nearly tripped on your way to the door, throwing it open in a flurry of hair and clothes. Jungkook stares wide eyed as you straightened, trying to tame your appearance a little. You smiled sheepishly as you stepped to one side and motioned him in.
“Hey, sorry.”
“Hey, was three too early?” He asked, stepping in as he took in your wild appearance.
“No! Sorry, my cat threw up on me so I changed into sweats real quick to clean it up and start washing the clothes he ruined. I just need to change really quick, I’m really sorry. I’ll be quick!”
You clapped your hands together in apology as you bowed a few times, not waiting for a reply from him before you turned tail and scurried back to your room to change. He watched you in shock, slowly turning to close the door you’d left open before stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets and stepping quietly further into your home. He’d never been inside it before, so he couldn’t help his curiosity as he leaned first into your kitchen and then your living room across the hall to check the place out. It was simply decorated with hardly anything on the walls and only a few knick-knacks and pictures spotted here and there. It was like you barely lived there.
“Hey.”
He jumped at your voice, not having realized that you had quietly returned and was now standing in front of him.
“Sorry…” He mumbled shyly
You grinned, your smile blinding him momentarily as you shook your head.
“It’s okay, this is your first time inside, right? What do you think?”
“It’s…”
“Be honest,” You chuckled out when he hesitated to answer.
“It’s scarcely decorated.”
“Ah, yeah. Makes it easier for me to keep it clean. I get pretty lazy sometimes, so…”
You turned back to him, grinning again. He cleared his throat, looking away to try and hide the pink dusting his cheeks.
“So you’re ready to go then?”
You nodded, letting out a ‘yeah’ as you grabbed a small wallet with a cute frog on it and your jacket. You opened the door for him, following him out and locking the door behind you before you followed him to his car. The ride there was quiet, but you two had grown close enough that the quiet between you now was a little more comfortable. It was easy to get into the aquarium at such a weird time of the day, coming in just after the rush of other people that started in the middle of the day. You were practically bouncing around Jungkook, you were so excited. You’d never gotten the chance to go to a real aquarium, so you were stoked to get inside and see everything.
“I’ve never seen you so lively before, it’s a little weird,” Jungkook chuckled out, smirking as he watched you shift around. It was like you were incapable of standing still.
“Sorry,” you replied, grinning as you settled down a little.
“I never got the chance to go to an actual aquarium only the small ones at zoos. I’ve been dying to go to a big, real one for years now. The kind where a tank takes up a whole wall and they have big fish or sharks in them. Or the tunnel tanks where the whole thing is glass and everywhere you look are fish. How cool would that be?”
He was at a loss for words, unable to get the look of wonder on your face out of his head. He only smiled back at you and led you to the entrance where they were accepting the tickets. Once you were in there was no stopping you, Jungkook having to follow you from one exhibit to another and then back again like you were trying to take in everything at once. Most of the fish in the tanks were hiding or just inactive, but when you caught sight of one they were always beautiful and exotic. Jungkook was pretty pleased with himself for the result he was getting. While you were occupied with the exhibits, he got to sit back and watch you intently without you even noticing. When you’d see a colorful fish you’d get close to the glass and stare with a small smile on your face, eventually muttering out a ‘pretty.’ When you’d see something bigger or a little bit more scary you’d take a step back and Jungkook could always just catch your reflection in the glass, your eyes focused and full of wonder. You were fascinated by eels and jellyfish, and Jungkook had to practically tear you away from the dolphin and stingray exhibits. He was enjoying himself just as much as you were, though most of his attention was on you.
Eventually you reached the end, a restaurant set up on one side with a few giant windows that looked into big tanks and a gift shop on the other. It took you most of the afternoon and evening to walk through the whole place so your stomach was rumbling by the time you spotted the restaurant.
“Are you hungry? We can have dinner before I take you home.”
You didn’t want to keep him longer than he had time for, but as he stared at you he didn’t look like he was in much of a rush. In fact you could probably chance it to say that he looked like he wanted to go. You nodded sheepishly, smiling a bit as you placed a hand over your stomach.
“If you don’t mind, I’m starving.”
“Me too,” he replied, leading the way into the restaurant.
“Welcome! Did you enjoy the aquarium?” The hostess standing at the entrance asked, seemingly glad to finally have someone stop in. The place was practically deserted. Did that mean the food or something was bad?
“Pretty empty in here,” Jungkook commented, looking around.
“Ah, yes, the dinner rush just ended not too long ago. You’re our first late night couple.”
The word couple had heat spreading to your cheeks, though you didn’t bother looking in Jungkook’s direction, instead looking to one of the large tank windows.
“Can we get a table next to one of the tanks?” You asked.
“Of course! This way please.”
You both followed her further in, sitting at a table for four next to one of the largest windows in the restaurant. Just as you sat down a shark swam by.
“Sharks! We didn’t see them at all when we went through the aquarium!” You nearly shouted, Jungkook smirking as the hostess smiled.
“Ah yes, they usually keep the sharks separated from other fish so they don’t disturb them. The only time they really let them out in the other tanks is when it’s a busy day. They make sure to feed them really well before hand too. If they’re not hungry they don’t try to eat any of the other fish in the tanks. Usually they’re kept here until then.”
You grinned, bouncing in your seat a bit and leaning closer to the window. You couldn’t see much other than the surface of the water and were a little sad to see their tank so bare. They could at least give them some fake coral so it feels like home. Regardless you were happy you got to see them before it was all over. Jungkook chuckled at you as the hostess left you two alone, leaning closer to the glass as well and looking around.
“You seem to really like sharks.”
“Not particularly more than any other fish species, but I was a little bummed that it was the only kind we hadn’t seen. They’re graceful hunters, they deserve a bit more love.”
Before he could reply a waitress interrupted you too, blushing hard whenever she spoke to Jungkook. You had to hide you face behind your menu, nearly snorting when she would stumble over her words, trying to flirt with him. You two ordered drinks and she scurried off, giving you time to decide on a meal.
“Boy she likes you,” you stared, grinning a bit mischievously over your menu at him.
“What? Who?”
“The waitress, duh. She was practically a melting puddle while she was flirting with you.”
“Flirting? She was flirting with me?” He asked, turning in his seat as if to see if he could catch a glimpse of her.
“You couldn’t tell?” You chuckled, letting your menu fall a bit.
“No… Why are you jealous?” He sneered back, smirking and chuckling when you rolled your eyes.
“No, I actually commend her on her bravery. She looked so scared that I thought she might puke on you.”
“You were like that once.” He said, laughing with you.
“Only because you all sacred me. You guys are too good looking to be hanging around an ordinary person like me. Plus you were always glaring at me, I thought you wanted to knock me out for whatever reason.” You smiled softly as you spoke, Jungkook looking off to one side as he smiled sheepishly.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I was… I…” He still didn’t know what his problem was back then. He didn’t know what to say- how to explain himself. You only chuckled, shaking your head. The softness in your eyes startled him, bringing a blush to his cheeks.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain anything. People adjust and warm up to others in different ways. Your way is to be guarded and skeptical. Mine is to be… shy and terrified.”
He didn’t know how to respond after that, using his menu as a distraction so he didn’t have to look at you. Your words were true, but when you’d said them they seemed… sad somehow. Like you were filled with regret. He peeked back up at you, glad that you were also staring down at your menu. It gave him another chance to watch you for a moment. That was one of the things he grew to like about you. When it came to being close to someone, you were nearly oblivious about the attention they gave you. While you were still new and shy you were constantly on high alert, able to sense someone looking at you after only a second, but once you got comfortable you were almost always lost in something else. He constantly got long moments where he was able to just watch you because you would be so preoccupied with something else around you. Most girls would be blushing, giggling messes if a good looking guy their age were to stare at them. You on the other hand- even when you caught him you were oblivious, only smiling and saying something like ‘what’s up.’ It was like you had no idea the attention you could pull in a room.
“You’re not ordinary,” he finally said from behind his menu, practically mumbling it. The tips of his ears were so hot he was sure you could tell from where you were.
“Huh?”
He didn’t dare peek up at you, continuing to shift his eyes around the menu without really reading anything.
“Before you said that people as good looking as my hyungs and I shouldn’t hang out with someone ordinary like you. You’re not ordinary.”
Heat spread across your cheeks and down to your neck, your eyes wide as you blinked at him. You were saved before you had to respond, though, the waitress returning and finally taking your orders. Again she tried to flirt with Jungkook, her face so red you thought she was going to pass out. You felt a little pang in your gut as you watched her, something along the lines of panic and fear turning your gaze to Jungkook, gauging his reaction. He seemed as uninterested and oblivious as before, not even looking at her as he finally handed her the menu. You smiled stiffly as you handed her yours and she scurried off to put your orders in.
“It seems kind of rude if she was flirting with me, don’t you think?”
Your head tilted to one side as you blinked curiously at him. He had to act distracted by a shark swimming by just to hide his blush.
“For all she knows we could be on a date. It’s a little rude to flirt with a guy when his date or girlfriend is sitting right in front of him.”
He regretted even opening his mouth. The longer he spoke the hotter he felt, his blush spreading down his neck and chest. You weren’t much better off, your eyes were wide as you mimicked him in looking at the tank’s window. You both watched two more sharks swim by before you cleared your throat and looked down at your hands, folded so tightly on the table your knuckles were white.
“Maybe we just give off that ‘friends only’ vibe.”
Something changed then. A look suddenly settled over Jungkook’s face, one you couldn’t describe. It was almost somber or angry. You couldn’t place why, had you said something to upset him? He was silent for a long while after that and it wasn’t until you were both done with your meal that you finally got the courage to talk to him again.
“Thank you for today, Jungkook-ah. I really had fun and I got to do something I’ve wanted to for a while now. You made that possible.”
Your smile brought heat to his cheeks and he immediately forgot why he’d been so upset. He stuttered out a ‘yeah’ in way of ‘you’re welcome’ before moving ahead to open the car door for you. You smiled a bit more at him as you climbed in, Jungkook hesitating a moment while he watched you buckle your seatbelt. In fact he watched you for so long that when you finally turned to look at him you had to say his name just to pull him back to reality.
“Jungkook?”
He blinked a few times, shaking his head and clearing his throat as he finally closed the passenger’s side door and trotted over to his side. The drive back was much more relaxed, neither of you speaking much though when you did it was in calm, quiet tones. He walked you back to your door and although it was an awkward goodbye it was… sweet. He’d stood there with his hands in his pockets, shuffling his feet and unable to get his voice to work. You did much of the same until you finally thanked him again and said good night. He replied shyly before finally nodding and walking off back to his car.
So I was thinking we could hang out at your place tonight, just you and me?
Hello?
Yaaaah!! Are you ignoring me?!
Seriously, you better be okay because I’m starting to worry a bit here!
Yaaaaahhhh!!! Where are you?! Pls answer me!
You rolled your eyes at the texts Jimin had sent you, not even able to set your things down before your phone was ringing. Low and behold, it was Jimin.
“Hello?” You answered, already sounding exasperated.
“What the hell?! Where have you been?! I was freaking out over here!”
You winced a bit.
“I was fine! I was with Jungkook.”
Silence fell over the other side of the line until Jimin finally spoke again.
“What?”
“I was with Jungkook, he didn’t tell you?”
“Jungkook had practice tonight, he told us he wouldn’t be home until later in the evening.
“What? No, Jungkook and I went to the aquarium since none of you guys would go with him.”
“What? What are you even talking about?”
You rolled your eyes, sighing a bit.
“Jungkook had tickets to an aquarium that he was going to give to his parents for their anniversary, but never got a chance to give it to them. He said all of you refused to go with him, so he asked me and I said yes.”
You really didn’t understand what was so confusing about that.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Jungkook’s parents’ anniversary was six months ago and he give them tickets to go abroad.”
You blinked a couple of times, freezing in your hall.
“What?”
“Yeah, I remember because I went up with him so he could give them the tickets personally and spend a few days with them.”
“I don’t understand…” You replied meekly into the phone and frowning. Had he lied to you? Why? You heard a door in the other end open and close, Jungkook’s voice ringing out as he greeted Jimin.
“Jungkook-ssi, how was practice?”
Jimin’s voice had changed. It was further away now and had a sudden lilt in it that made you uncomfortable.
“Oh it was… fine.”
“Ah, that’s good. Hey, I’ve been trying to reach (Y/N) all day and she isn’t answering. Have you heard from her at all?”
“N-no. Why would I hear from her?”
Your frown grew. He really was lying.
“Just wondering is all.”
You only heard shuffling after that before another door closed and Jimin chuckled into the phone.
“I don’t understand, oppa. We just got back from the aquarium, we had dinner and everything. Why is he lying?”
You were beginning to wonder if you were crazy. Had you blacked out and just imagined all that? What reason did he have to lie?
“Relax, (Y/N)-ssi. He doesn’t want us to know because we would tease him. We’ve been trying to get him to go on a date with you for ages now.”
Now you were really confused, your eyes growing wide and heat blushing up into your face.
“Wh-what? A date? That wasn’t a date, we-“
“Those tickets were never intended for his parents. He got them specifically for you, he never said a word to any of us about them. He was taking you on a date.”
Your head started shaking from side to side, not believing what Jimin was saying.
“No…”
“Why is it so hard to believe? And what’s so bad about it? You went on a date with Jungkook. You like him, he likes you, it’s fit-“
You immediately hung up, unable to hear Jimin finish that sentence. You were breathing a little erratically, panic setting in for whatever reason. Why? Even if it had been a date, why were you so terrified of that idea?
Because Jimin could be wrong…
He could not like you and if you got your hopes up… You didn’t want to think about that. Your phone suddenly buzzed in your hand and you nearly screamed, your hands shaking a little as you saw the name on the screen and answered.
“(Y/N)?”
“Jungkook…”
“Listen, Jimin’s been trying to contact you. When you talk to him, don’t tell him you were with me, okay? He planned on spending the day with you and if he knows I stole you away he’ll get all upset and whine-“
“Why don’t you want him to know?”
You couldn’t stop your voice from shaking, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“Huh? Oh because… Well if he finds out-“
“Why doesn’t he know we went to the aquarium?”
“Because I-“
“Did you even tell any of them?”
“I-… No, I-“
“Why?”
“Would you let me-“
“Was this a date, Jungkook?”
Silence. No breathing, no Jungkook trying to get a sentence out, just silence.
“I already talked to Jimin…”
He cursed on the other end, not sure what to say to back track.
“He said you already gave your parents their anniversary gift six months ago. You bought those tickets to take me out, didn’t you?”
Again silence and then a dead line. He didn’t reply, just hung up. Just as you had done to Jimin. You didn’t get time to dwell on it, your phone buzzing again as Jimin called you. For a moment you thought about not answering as the phone vibrated in your hand, but you did.
“I can’t believe you hung up on me. Are you freaking out that bad-“
A door suddenly slammed open, Jungkook’s voice cutting him off.
“What the hell, hyung?! What did you say to her?! You had no-… Are you talking to her again?”
“Calm down, Jungkook-“
“Give me the phone!”
There was a struggle on the other end and you were frozen. You should’ve called out- shouted someone’s name into the phone to try and distract them. They were wrestling and then you heard a snap, someone’s fist connecting with flesh and bone as someone else flew back. One of them had hit the other. What were you doing?!
They’re hurting each other call out to them!
Just as you’d opened your mouth to shout into the phone the line went dead.
“Jimin-oppa?! Jimin!”
What had you done? This was your fault. Stuffing your phone into your pocket, you rushed to grab your keys and head out the door. It took you a while, but running all the way to the door cut your time nearly in half. You were breathing heavily and your lungs burned as you stood at their door, incessantly banging on it. You could hear shouting inside and it only fueled your anxiety and as you started shouting for someone to open the door. Finally Hoseok opened it, his face grim.
“(Y/N)-ssi? What’re you doing here?”
“Where are they?” Was all you said as you pushed past him and headed further in. It was easy to figure out the answer to your question, most of the members crowded around Namjoon and Taehyung’s room. It must’ve been the room Jimin had retreated to right before you’d hung up on him. Taehyung and Yoongi stood against the opposite wall, Taehyung sticking close to his hyung. Namjoon stood just outside the door, Jin just in front of him and both of them ready to hold back Jungkook if he went at Jimin again. By the looks of it they’d had to do it once already. There was shouting, mostly coming from Jungkook, Jin and Namjoon, the maknae shouting at Jimin while his hyungs tried to calm him down.
“Jimin! Hey! Is he okay?!”
Your shouting silenced all of them, Jungkook looking almost afraid as he turned to spot you.
“(Y/N)-ssi what are you doing here?” Namjoon mimicked Hoseok, the worry in his tone endearing.
“Is Jimin okay?”
“I’m fine,” you heard him call from inside the room. You pushed past the three in the door, sighing in relief as you saw him standing there, a bruise already forming on his jaw.
“You didn’t need to come all the way here-“
“Yeah well I couldn’t just sit on my couch at home while you two started throwing punches!”
You whirled on Jungkook, your glare almost sad.
“What the hell is even going on here?” Namjoon questioned.
“Jungkook got upset because I revealed his secret date with (Y/N) to her. She apparently wasn’t supposed to know.”
“Shut up!”
“Woah, you actually took her out? Is that where you’ve been all day?”
“He lied to us and her so no one would know-“
“I said shut up!”
Jungkook lunged for Jimin again, Jin and Namjoon instantly latching on to him and pulling him back. Jimin stumbled back a bit just able to push you out of the way and dodge another swing sent at his face before he fell back.
“What is wrong with you?!” You shouted, close to tears now and moving to stand protectively in front of Jimin.
“He didn’t want you to know it was a date-“
“It wasn’t a date!”
“You’re acting like this because of a date?!”
“It wasn’t a date! You shouldn’t even be here!”
“I wouldn’t have needed to be if you hadn’t started swinging at my friend! If it was a date-“
“I told you it wasn’t a date! I would never date you!”
And then it all stopped. The shouting, the tension, the struggling- everything just stopped. Jungkook’s face was practically red he’d been so angry and shouting so much, but now he just looked shocked. Like he hadn’t meant to go that far, but it was too late now. He could see that in your eyes. You wanted to hide your pain- to cool your expression and empty your stinging eyes of any emotion. But you didn’t know how. You didn’t want to hurt because of those words, didn’t want to cry, least of all in front of him. So your lowered your head, trying to hide your face as best you could. You turned from him, from all of them, and lowered yourself to reach out for Jimin who still sat on the ground.
“Come on, oppa. We should get ice on your jaw.”
Your voice didn’t shake and you were thankful for that, but Jimin’s look of concern brought the stinging tears to your eyes that much easier. Someone else’s care and concern for you was always a hard thing for you to grasp and so it always made you cry. You reached out, your hands light as you helped him stand and held his hand to lead him back through the crowd. He stopped just before he let you pull him all the way out, his hand slipping from yours so you could distance yourself from Jungkook though you did stop out in the hall. You didn’t look at anyone and didn’t bother looking back at Jimin, but you heard what he’d said.
“Grow up, Jungkook,” and then he followed you out and led you to the door. You intended to just take him to the kitchen and put some ice on his jaw, but you didn’t bother fighting him when he shrugged in his jacket and opened the door for you. None of the others tried to stop you two either. You let him drive you home, brought him inside to tend to his fresh bruise and then housed him for five days after that. He went back twice while he was with you, once to grab some things he would need the day after the fight and again two days later to talk to his hyungs.
“They want me to come back,” he muttered the last night over his food.
“Is that why they wanted to talk to you?”
He nodded, remaining silent- solemn.
“You should go.”
He looked up, a little surprised.
“You want me to leave?”
“I want you to go home, oppa. You should make up with Jungkook.”
Jimin looked even more shocked, frozen for a moment before he started shaking his head and going back to his food with a grumpy expression.
“No, no way. He’s the one that should be apologizing.”
“Oppa…”
“After what he did to you… He’s the one that needs to do the making up.”
“What happened between Jungkook and I…”
You didn’t know how to word it, what exactly to say.
“It was nothing.”
“(Y/N)-ssi-“
“Part of it is your fault. You shouldn’t have instigated and then patronized him like that. What he said to me doesn’t mean anything. He and I were just friends and not even very good ones at that. But you two are more than just friends.”
“You’re my friend too, you know.”
You rolled your eyes, smiling at him solemnly.
“Jungkook has been your friend a hell of a lot longer than I have, oppa. He’s your brother.”
He knew you were right, you could see it. He sighed and looked back down to his food, his expression going from angry to sad and then slightly lost. He missed Jungkook, missed his other members. He missed his home. Again you smiled, a little sadder this time as you reached across the table and gripped his hand comfortingly.
“Go back, oppa. Make up with Jungkook and patch things over with the others. Go home.”
He was silent for a long moment, staring off to one side before looking back to you.
“What about you?”
You shrugged, your heart pulling apart a bit. Things would be a lot harder with Jimin now and you would be surprised if you ever got to see the others again. The reality of that hurt.
“I’ll be here, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still your friend.”
Again he sighed and nodded, his hand turning to squeeze yours. He left that night to speak to his hyungs and make up with Jungkook, returning home for good the day after. He’d only been there for the good part of a week, but when he left your home suddenly felt empty and lonely. It took him a long time to make up with Jungkook- nearly two weeks- the maknae refusing to apologize to you preventing Jimin from really forgiving him. You’d spoken to only one of the older members once after that, Hoseok telling you that things in the house were tense since Jimin refused to really make up with Jungkook until he came to see you. You then spoke to Jimin again after that, finally convincing him that there was no reason for Jungkook to come apologize to you now and that he should forgive him. After two weeks things finally seemed to return to normal.
For the boys at least.
You didn’t see Jimin for three weeks after he returned home and when you did it was rare. He only ever met you out or came to your house, you were no long welcome at the dorm it seemed. You got texts once in a blue moon from Jin, Taehyung or Hoseok, but that was even more rare than when you saw Jimin. You’d nearly been completely cut off from them and your life was lonelier for it. You’d spent so long seeing them nearly every day for a year and you’d taken it for granted. Now it was just you and sometimes Jimin and you were more often than not alone. And you had grown bitter for it.
“The others miss you, especially Taehyung.”
“Do they,” you asked bitterly, your tone more biting than you’d intended it to be. Jimin looked shocked at your response and you were glad you had food in front of you to distract your gaze.
“Of course they do, (Y/N). I know it’s been a while-“
“It’s been two months, oppa. Two months since I was nearly cut off entirely from that entire part of my life. They tried at first sure, but I haven’t heard from any of the other members in over a month and I barely see you.”
You knew how selfish you sounded, your mouth snapping shut to prevent you from going further, but not bothering to apologize for the childish things you’d already said. Jimin sighed moving from the chair he was in to sit next to you on the couch.
“I know it’s hard and I hate that I haven’t been able to see you as much. I’ve been trying to get Jungkook to apologize to you ever since I went back, but…”
“I don’t need Jungkook to apologize to me. You guys were the only friends I had and now… I know that the group is important. You guys are brothers you should choose each other over me, but it still hurts. It still feels like I don’t deserve to be cut out completely like this.”
“Hey, we’re not cutting you out completely. Even if those guys aren’t bothering, I’m still here.”
“Are you?” You questioned, finally looking up at him so that he was finally hit with all the pain and anxiety you were actually feeling.
“For how long? How long will it be until you give up to? How long until you decide that it’s not worth the hassle because I can no longer hang out with the group?”
“I would never do that, (Y/N) and I know you know better than that.”
He was frowning at you now, hurting like you were now that he was seeing your pain.
“I shouldn’t be the one being punished.” You finally said, tears stinging at your eyes. That’s exactly what it felt like too, punishment.
The rest of your evening with Jimin was somber and it ended shortly. You’d cursed yourself the instant he walked out the door, knowing it was your own fault for pushing him away. You cried yourself to sleep that night and every night after when he didn’t even bother to text you. You hadn’t felt this alone since you first moved here and the longer you stayed, alone and unwanted, the harder it was for you to find a reason to do so.
Would you really just let yourself be run out of town like that, though?
Three weeks passed with only a few words here and there from Jimin and you’d finally had enough. It took you a long moment to steel your nerves, taking one last deep breath before reaching up and pounding on the door harder than you really needed to. You waited a moment before pounding again, hoping the people inside could hear your impatience and urgency. Seokjin answered the door this time, his look of shock not surprising you.
“(Y/N)-ssi, what’re you doing here?”
You shoved passed him, knowing that he would never let you in if you waited politely like any normal human being.
“Hey, (Y/N)-“
You didn’t stop, looking around in the living room and kitchen before making your way to his room. You prayed he was in there, otherwise you’d really look like a fool. Jin called your name again, but you ignored him, practically kicking the door in as you opened it. He jumped as the door was thrown open and you were strangely pleased by this reaction. Thankfully he was alone, Jimin and Hoseok seemingly somewhere else. Jin tried following you in as he tried to actually talk to you, but you turned quickly and shoved him out, slamming the door shut and locking it.
“What the hell are you doing?” Jungkook questioned, his expression a mix of almost fear and what he tried to pass off as anger.
“Fixing my life,” you said evenly, glad your voice wasn’t shaking the same way your body was.
“What?”
He gave you an incredulous look, straightening from what he’d been doing and moving towards the door. You blocked him, shoving you hand into his chest to push him back a bit.
“Are you nuts?”
“I have nothing now because of this stupid fight, Jungkook. What friends I did have since moving here you took because you hate me for whatever reason. You don’t need to apologize to me, I don’t want you to, but I need you to get the fuck over this and be okay with me again.”
You’d started off strong, but the longer you spoke the more desperate you sounded.
“You don’t have to like me, let it go back to the way it was in the beginning if that’s what it takes, but give me the good things I had here back. Give me my friends back, Jungkook. Please.”
Your eyes stung with tears and you knew he could see them, his look of irritation turning to one of shock and slight worry.
“What do you mean?” He finally let out, his voice small. Almost like he was scared.
“None of your hyungs will talk to me except Jimin and I hear from him half as much as I did before, if that even. I told him to come back here and make up with you because… Because he should, but I never thought it would cut out a whole part of my life here.”
The tears were abundant now, pooling at your lids and blurring your vision, but not yet falling over the edge. You stepped back from him, looking away as you tried to calm yourself down.
“You don’t have any other friends?”
You almost scoffed, that’s what he’s gathered in all that?
“No! Why do you think I spent so much time with Jimin-oppa? I didn’t have anyone when I moved here. He found me sitting alone in a restaurant, that’s how we became friends.”
It was silent for a long few moments after that, your head falling as you sniffled and wiped at your eyes. What a stupid situation and it had been all your fault. If you had just kept your mouth shut about the date thing none of this would’ve happened. You shook your head a bit, your voice low and even when you spoke again.
“You don’t need to apologize, but I’m not letting you leave this room until you tell me that everything is fine and things will go back to normal.”
He looked away from you, nervous and unsure, but still childishly set in his anger. Again the room fell silent, neither one of you moving. You refused to let him think he could get by you and he seemed just as stubborn in physically backing down. You knew he could shove you out of the way without much effort, but you doubted he was someone that would go that far. Finally after ten minutes he took another few steps back, his voice just as low and even as yours when he spoke.
“I didn’t know it would turn out like this. I didn’t think…”
You shook your head a bit, understanding, but unable to feel sympathy.
“Neither did I. I never should have said anything about the date.”
You weren’t looking at him, but you could practically feel him bristle. You expected him to say something, to refute what you’d said, but he just remained silent.
“I don’t know why I made such a big deal about it. It was a good date, you should’ve just told me.”
“Why? So you could throw it in my face like all my hyungs? Ever since you came around Jimin-hyung has been eying me like he knew something I didn’t. Like he expected us to be together. I didn’t even like you at first!”
His words hurt, but you had known at the beginning.
“I know, it was pretty plain to see.”
His anger immediately receded and he suddenly looked solemn.
“I’m sorry…”
You sighed, shaking your head and finally moving to sit on Jimin’s bed.
“Why did you hate me?”
He shrugged, moving closer, but not sitting down.
“I don’t know, I… You came out of nowhere, no explanation, no reasons. You didn’t speak and hyung never said anything about you. You just… invaded our world and none of us knew anything about you or why.”
That hurt.
“I wasn’t trying to invade. Jimin-oppa was the first and only friend I’ve made here. He found me sitting alone at a restaurant being stood up by someone I thought would be my friend. She never showed and I was practically in tears when I stood up to leave… And then there he was, asking me why I was crying and if he could sit and eat with me. In the two years I’ve been here Jimin has been the only person to really care anything about me. I didn’t speak at first because you guys terrified me.”
“I know, I… I’m sorry about that now. I didn’t want to hate you, I was just…”
“I get it,” you sighed out. It was quiet for a long moment after that, Jungkook finally sitting down next to you.
“I’m sorry about what I said before. When hyung and I were fighting.”
You shook your head again.
“I shouldn’t have attacked you about it being a date. Even if it had been I enjoyed it. I think I was just panicking because you were lying.”
“You enjoyed it?” His voice sounded so small then, revealing to you how much of a boy he still actually was. His cheeks were pink and he wasn’t looking at you. He was shy- nervous. He was scared.
“Of course I did! I mean for a while there we were getting along pretty well and you took me somewhere I’ve never been before. The best first date I’ve ever had. I mean if it had actually been a date.”
He was silent for a time, not looking at you and making you think he was never going to speak. So you did.
“I like you, Jungkook…”
He looked up, surprised. Like he wasn’t sure he’d heard you right. You looked away from him, staring at the wall in front of you so you wouldn’t have to look at him while you finally spilled your heart out.
“I was scared of you at first, but then… When you actually started to accept me you were… sweet. You did small things for me, you were kind to me. You’re passionate and you care a lot about the people close to you. You keep pushing yourself to be better all while still being goofy and dorky and constantly trying to make your hyungs laugh and be happy.”
You paused, finally turning to look him in the eye, all the courage you had ever possessed spilling out in that moment.
“I like you Jungkook… I think I always have.”
You’d never seen his face so red before, his blush reaching all the way up to the tips of his ears and down his neck. He was staring right back at you though and while his silence unsettled you, having him looking back into your eyes was a small comfort.
“I don’t expect you to like me back, but I do hope that you’ll let things go back to normal. I miss everyone here. I miss my friends.”
Still he didn’t say anything. It was like he was frozen in time, doomed to look that shocked and nervous forever. You sighed and stood, no longer planning to hold him captive there. What would be the point of that anyway? You gave him one last look, smiling forlornly at him.
“Good bye, Jungkook.” It was a strange sort of good bye, almost as if you were saying it for the last time. He must’ve felt that way too because as soon as you turned to walk away he reached out for you, his fingers locking around your wrist in a solid, but soft grip.
“I like you too.”
It was your turn to be shocked, your eyes wide as you whipped your head around to look at him in shock.
“Huh?”
He stood, steeling his nerves as he swallowed thickly and finally looked you in the eye.
“I like you too. The aquarium was a date. I… I think I’ve liked you for a while now, but I couldn’t… I couldn’t figure that out.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was scared.”
“And I wasn’t?”
He did have a point.
“After how you were when we first met I thought there was no way you’d ever have feelings for me.”
You had him there.
“I didn’t know what I was feeling for you and with the way everyone was acting… I didn’t want to admit they were right and have them hound me about it for days. It was hard enough to finally admit it to myself.”
You faced him fully now, a softness coming over you as you stepped closer in hopes to soothe him.
“I’m sorry. I never considered that you were just as afraid as I was.”
He wasn’t looking at you again, his face growing redder the longer you stared at him.
“Thank you for the date. I hope we get to go again sometime.”
You stepped closer and pressed a kiss to his cheek before turning and slipping from his grasp, his body too frozen from shock to go after you. You unlocked the door and slipped out before he could pull himself together, running into Jin and Namjoon as you tried to make it to the front door. Jin called your name, pulling the attention of Yoongi and Taehyung as Namjoon stood from the couch and made his way to you.
“What happened? What were you doing in there? Is Jungkook okay?”
Namjoon elbowed his hyung, frowning at him before he put his attention on you.
“Are you okay?”
You nodded, not bothering to smile. You didn’t think you had the energy.
“We’re both fine. We talked and now I’m leaving.”
“But- wait!”
You didn’t wait for them to ask any more questions, stepping past them and leaving before they could stop you.
-
“Yah, seriously, when am I going to get to hang out with you alone again?”
This felt a bit like deja-vu.
“If you wanted me all to yourself you shouldn’t have spent so long pushing us together.”
Jimin sighed heavily, falling back on your bed as you finished tidying up.
“Now are you going to join us on this date or will you leave so I can go?”
Again he sighed dramatically, sitting up before getting to his feet and letting out a whiny moan as he stomped out to your front door.
“I can’t believe you’re kicking your best friend out like this.”
“I literally just invited you on my date. You’re the one choosing to leave.”
“You know I can’t join you,” he grumped at you. You chuckled as a knock sounded on your door, Jimin opening it dramatically to reveal Jungkook.
“Hey hyung, complaining to (Y/N) that I’m stealing her away again?” The maknae asked as he stepped in, grinning mischievously at you. Again you chuckled, Jimin rolling his eyes.
“So what if I am? I wanted you two to date, not have you lock her away so I never see her again.”
“Hyung you see her almost every day.”
“No you see her almost every day. I just get to glance at her in passing as she visits you.”
“Man you’re dramatic. Come on, get out so we can leave. We have an aquarium to get to.” You finally said.
“Again? You two were just there last week.”
Jimin made his way out the door, Jungkook catching your arm and pecking you on the cheek as you went to follow him. You smiled shyly at him, your hand smoothing down his arm in greeting.
“It’s shark week, (Y/N) has been wanting to see this for a month now.”
You turned to lock you door as the two men waited, slipping your hand into Jungkook’s once you were done. The three of you stood there for an awkward moment, your conscience getting the better of you about leaving Jimin behind. He rolled his eyes and pulled you away from your boyfriend for a quick moment to place a kiss to your forehead.
“Go have fun you weird, crazy kids.”
Jungkook snorted, pulling you closer again his jealousy getting the better of him for a moment though he was smiling.
“Thanks, hyung. We’ll see you tonight.”
“Bye oppa!”
You waved to him, your smile bright and beaming as you turned to walk with Jungkook, practically bouncing next to him. He chuckled and squeezed your hand, pulling you a bit closer.
“Excited?”
“Yes. We’ll finally get to see the Sharks out in the big colorful tanks. Thank you for taking me.”
You grinned up at him, shocked into stillness when he placed a kiss on your lips.
“I’ll take you anywhere if you keep smiling at me like that.”
You couldn’t stop the snort from leaving you as you rolled your eyes, your cheeks heating both out of embarrassment and a warmth in your chest. Something akin to love.
“That was pretty cheesy.”
He frowned as you two finally reached his car, the maknae opening the door for you as he pouted.
“It was a really good line!”
“It was a lame line,” you chuckled, beginning to climb into the passenger seat. You paused for only a moment, resting your hand next to his on the car door and leaning up over it to return his kiss from a moment ago.
“I’d follow you anywhere you’d take me, though.”
With that you climbed into the car, buckling in as your boyfriend blinked away his daze and shook his head. You chuckled when he looked down at you judging you a bit.
“Now that was a cheesy line.”
#bts#bangtan sonyeondan#jeon jungkook#bts request#bangtan sonyeondan request#bts scenario#bangtan sonyeondan scenario#bts one shot#bangtan sonyeondan one shot#jungkook request#jungkook scenario#jungkook one shot#bts fluff#jungkook fluff
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1, 9, 14, 22!
ahhhhh yesssss saltttt
1 - What OTPs in your fandom(s) do you just not get? Chulu, Jim/Scotty, Scones, and then there’s ofc the nastiness that is Khirk (or any xKhan ship like jesus fuck what’s wrong with you)
9 - Most disliked character(s)? Why?
TOS - none really, at least no characters that are actually memorable. I mean I don’t particularly like Khan, so I guess he’s my most disliked character, but he’s nowhere near as bad as AOS Khan because at least he’s a proper villain. I also don’t like Cmdr Burak (I think that was his name). (Oh and I don’t like Captain Pike either.)
AOS
Khan - just plain nasty, also because of a) how many people ship him with other characters like wtf is wrong with you and because b) played by Bendybitch Cumberwok and because c) not even a good villain ...
Nero - not a good villain either, also he kinda fucked up Vulcan which was not cool. (Funnily enough I actually kinda like Krall! I don’t support his motivations, but I can emphatize with him.)
Admiral Marcus aka Jar Jar Armbands has no idea of Trek or how to make a good movie and he should stick with SW because that’s already bad (sorry Jim)
Carol Marcus - she had some good qualities (ie smort, focused) but overall she was the proverbial dumb blonde - breathy, airy, started crying when things didn’t go her way and turned out to be a daddy’s girl in the end and that was her grand scheme to save everyone. Had some potential but turned out stupid and I’m glad she wasn’t in Beyond
VOY - not too fond of Tom Paris so far, as well as Seska
TNG - well I didn’t like TNG, so the only characters that were ok was Tasha Yar and Q
DSC - I’ve only seen the first two eps so far and I didn’t like the admiral dude and I absolutely HATE Sarek (and since he’s TOS Sarek I guess he’s the character I hate most in TOS). He’s “doing the best he can while also adhering to his culture” fucking do not even come near me with that bullshit. ‘Hmm, my (adopted) child is crying in front of me, whatever shall I do that’s in line with my culture and our pacifist ways? Hmm, maybe put some more pressure on her while also telling her that she’s not good enough? That worked well with the other kids too!’. No wonder Spock fell in love with Kirk because he was literally the first person of authority in his life who actually loved who Spock was and made him feel loved. Sarek is even worse than Khan imo. Also I guess T’Kuvma should be hated because he’s the villain? But he’s actually kinda ok!
14 - Unpopular opinion about your fandom? A lot of (esp AOS) Spirk shippers are SUPER negative against Uhura and Spuhura because it ~destroyed the gay~ and is homophobic. And yeah, in its essence, Spuhura was written so there could be a het romance instead of the gay romance Spirk was at least hinting at, but that’s due to the writers, not the ship itself! Spuhura is a very beautiful ship, also because it is one of the few interracial couples around, and AOS Uhura and Spock complement each other very nicely, whereas AOS Spirk just doesn’t work at all and there is barely any friendship there, let alone romance. Hell, Spock is probably better friends with Bones than with Kirk in AOS. Which is fine, you know, but Spirk shippers need to stop pushing Spirk so much. AOS simply is not the same as TOS in so, so many ways, and we did lose Spirk, which would’ve been incredibly beautiful and important to portray - but not in the way the characters are in AOS!Another thing - the way Bones is marginalized? Or even hated on? Here’s a post showing how utterly wrong and how much of an asshole you are if you think that :) It’s good and has resources. It’s called a triumvirate for a reason, guys.And more generally - there are a lot of things about Tumblr that piss me off. The special snowflake uwu valid culture. The way we applaud people for doing the bare minimum even though they’re capable of doing way more without at all endangering their mental health. The way anyone who says anything we may not like to hear is “wrong” or “rude” and “how dare they say that, you’re perfect!”. There are probably a lot more, but that’s just off the top of my hat.
22 - Popular character you hate? Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Khan. Seriously. He wasn’t even a good villain. He was just hurrdurr I will murder and be boring. (AOS Khan, that is. TOS was kind of better.)And Sarek. God, I LOATHE Sarek. He is absolutely irredeemable in my eyes (like Snape lmao). “He’s Vulcan though!!” Ya, so’s Tuvok and he’s not uhhh like that and while we don’t know his children / the way he interacts with them, he’s still a lot more nice and a lot warmer than Sarek has ever been in his entire life. “But Tuvok is in the 24th century!!” Manners maketh man in every century.
this was some nice and good salt. please give me more guys!
salty asks
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