#hehe tbh it's so typical to the point where i feel like i've written it before??

[eat-a-mint-jungkook]

Let the date pay

Jikook, 2.8k, crack & fluff

Jungkook’s friend might have said to let the date pay, but that doesn’t mean he should go without his wallet. Because if your date doesn’t have theirs either...then you’re both out of luck. 

A/N: Happy birthday to @c-cygnus !! MEARIIE I’M NEVER GONNA FORGET YOU SAID TO LET THE DATE PAY LMAO but here ya go! hope ya like~ 

Jeon Jungkook was about to commit the biggest crime of his life.

And the worst part was that it could've easily been prevented.

To say that he'd been distracted by his gorgeous date, Jimin, was an understatement. With one flirty message on Facebook, he'd walked out of the house without bringing his keys. With a flirty Snapchat showing off just how stunning this Jimin guy (who claims he really isn't an editorial model) was, Jungkook had just about forgotten his own name.

So it shouldn't really be a surprise that he'd left his wallet at home.

The most ironic part was perhaps the pep talk that his friend, Seokjin, had given him right before he started preparing (read: panicking) over this date. Jimin had picked out a restaurant with a really fancy name, and with Jungkook's wallet connected by a direct feeding tube to his college, he had just gotten some more stress added to the pile of midterms and assignments.

"Calm down, Jungkook. Relax. Chill," Seokjin had said, shrugging as he helped himself to another bag of honey butter chips. "Let the date pay."

Jungkook had simply stared back. "What?"

"It's an expensive place, right? Just let the date pay." He'd hopped onto Jungkook's couch, waving at him like it was obvious or something. "Chivalry is not dead!"

What did he even mean by that? Is that supposed to be an insult? Does he think I'm not manly enough or...?

Jungkook snorts, rolling his eyes at Seokjin. "Like you've ever been on a date."

"Hey!"

So much for a pep talk. Jungkook thinks that he would've been better off without his so called friend over to feed him all these subliminal messages that ultimately led him to this situation.

However, he can't deny that their date was really nice. The location was a prime spot for date night, in a popular area with many other events going on. Despite the way the streets bustled outside with the nightlife, the interior of the restaurant had a much more subdued atmosphere, and Jungkook could see exactly why Jimin had chosen this place.

The soft glow from candle light, the velvety table cloth, a live piano player, and more than enough utensils for his entire squad to use—it was indeed romantic. Maybe much more so than a first date should've been, but all of that just flew out of his head when Jungkook got to see someone as attractive as Jimin in a suit. And dress pants. Very nice dress pants that were tight enough to show the curve of his a—

"Jungkook?"

He's pulled out of his thoughts at the sound of a hesitant voice, and the beautiful owner of said voice is glancing over at him shyly after the mention that he hadn't quite enough cash to cover much of the meal, and—what kind of restaurant doesn't take card?

Either way, it would've been the perfect chance for Jungkook to pull out a wad of cash, mutter keep the change coolly in his totally natural husky voice, and impressed the hell out of Jimin. Which might score him a slighter greater amount of student debt at first, but it would also guarantee him a second and third date, a potential husband, a dad to his kids, a partner in crime to grow old with in a nursing home or something.

Well, in this case, he'd literally just scored himself a partner in crime.

"Umm, yeah. I-I got us covered," Jungkook lies, trying to buy some time until he could come up with a plan of some sort. He doesn't even know what will happen if they're caught. Will they be chained to the restaurant, working endlessly to pay off for their sins? Will they spend the rest of their lives in jail? Will they have to come up with some crazy way to make fast money like smuggling drugs or doing undercover work or modelling for sketchy agencies—maybe Jimin would be good at that one, judging by that a—

"Yeah? I'm sorry about this; I really didn't mean for this to happen," Jimin ducks to avoid his gaze and buries his cheeks in his hands. "Ah, you probably think I'm faking it now. That's fine, I-I don't expect another date."

"No, it's fine, Jimin. Seriously. Well, except for the part where you don't expect another date because you should, but...only if you want to," he hesitates and decides to put in a warning, "after this."

More like, if they aren't getting arrested and then spending the rest of their lives in jail. Maybe Jimin should expect another date because they'd technically be seeing each other every day if they did happen to be escorted off there. They'd really be life-long partners in crime then.

"Really?" Jimin's eyes light up, and that makes Jungkook panic even more because what did he just get himself into? "Yeah, I'd really like that..."

"Me too." Jungkook shoots a smile. Or tries to at least. He doesn't think his eyes cooperate very well with his upturned lips.

Then the bill comes.

He's never been so afraid his entire life, not even when he woke up late on the day of that final exam. Because what was he supposed to do now? The first kind of option would be saying he'd take care of the bill and then making Jimin leave first, and then somehow charm his way out of the situation? Or just run out? Jungkook had always been a fast runner since middle school, but he really didn't want to say that all of the track and field training has just led up to this moment.

The next option would be maybe running out together? But then he would have to actually tell Jimin the truth in that case...unless he pretended to pay for the meal first and then run and say that some crazy waiter was hitting on him or something.

Then there was the last option. Where they didn't necessarily run, because in this case, everyone would be running out of the restaurant. So that meant doing something like pulling a fire alarm, starting a flood in the bathrooms, maybe even 'accidentally' tipping a candle over.

"Um, so, Jimin." Jungkook decides to ask. He's stalling of course, but he sees no way out of this situation as all three options suck, each one more than the last. "How much do you want a second date with me?"

Jimin tilts his head a little, eyes never lingering on Jungkook's for too long. "Hmm, a lot?"

"Is it enough that there would be nothing that could change your mind as of this moment?"

"Well, if you need to fart or something, that's um fine, I guess?"

Jungkook nearly smacks himself in the face. "No, that's not it." He's not sure if he wants to laugh or cry, but either way, there's a wave of deliria just threatening to overwhelm him. "I—uh."

"Did you want to go somewhere else afterwards?"

"No, that's not—I mean yes, sure? Of course! But that's not what I meant."

Jimin, for whatever reason, giggles. "You're cute, Jungkook. I've had a wonderful time so far and would love to get to know you more."

"Well, thank goodness." Jungkook lets out a breath that he didn't even realize he'd been holding. He relaxes in his seat slightly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Maybe he'll magically find a twenty dollar bill that he'd left in there years ago? Or maybe there was enough spare change to cover—nope. His pockets were completely empty minus the ring he'd taken off earlier for fear that the accessory wouldn't make his outfit formal enough.

But that gives him an idea.

"Wait, so...that means you won't change your mind even after whatever I tell you next, right?"

Jimin gives him a questioning look. "Please don't tell me you've murdered someone."

"I...what?" Jungkook figures that their situation may as well be put into the same type of crime category. "No, I haven't, but I also wouldn't tell someone about that on a first date if I had. Gotta leave some mysteries for the second date, you know?"

A crack of a smile. "What is it then?"

"Oh, um. Can you just please play along with whatever I do next? I promise you I'll treat you to dates for the rest of my life or something."

"Is that a proposal?" Jimin laughs.

"No, but this is."

With one smooth move, Jungkook slips out of his seat and gently goes down on one knee on the soft, carpeted floor in front of Jimin. He takes the ring out of his pocket, holding it up in front of his date all the while being careful not to get too close to him for what if he accidentally touches his thighs or something? Which, as tempting as it sounded, would not do him well in acting out the next few minutes.

But that wasn't even the worst part. The worst was when he had to force himself to gaze directly into Jimin's eyes despite how utterly aghast Jimin looked.

It's completely fine though. At least it still looked like a natural expression for someone getting proposed to.

"Park Jimin." Jungkook's voice cracks already and he nearly gives up on the spot. But he has to pull through, for the sake of keeping the sun over his head instead of some cement cell ceiling.

If he thought the restaurant was quiet, it seems to get even stiller as all the pairs of eyes in the room gravitate towards them at that moment.

"Maybe you realized why I decided to take you here tonight, as it's the place where we met on that fateful date, exactly five years ago. Every time I pass by this place, I get reminded of that pleasant time we had here, and I just think to myself how different our relationship might have turned out, if it had been any other place."

Jungkook stops himself, wondering if that was a little too much flattery for the restaurant. Did it sound too fake, as if he was endorsing them? How do proposals go anyway? It's not like he ever had any experience in that field, or in dating, for that matter. Yet here he is, proposing to somebody on the first date. And even though no part of this was real in any way, Jungkook's hands clam up and the suit feels much too hot with the sweat dripping down the back of his neck.

He decides to move onto the next part of this improvised speech.

"Our anniversary today marks five years of mutual love, support, and growth, and I really wish to be able to spend the rest of my life with you."

He stops, not sure what else to say to try to make it as realistic as possible, then seeing Jimin's slight nod, deciding to add in a touch of truth because that should be more convincing.

"Jimin, you're a great conversationalist who seems to really care for the people around you. You have a great sense of humour, and a love for memes, and not to mention, you look so hot tonight—wait, not that you don't all the time, because you do look really good. So good in fact that you even made me forget my wallet on our first date when you sent me that Snapchat, and um, you could totally be a model if you wanted to. Just saying."

He panics a little inside when he sees all the eyes on him. Which includes Jimin's, glancing back at him expectantly as his mouth quirked up just a little, probably trying to hide his laughter. Wait, what was Jungkook even supposed to say next?

"And just—I'd really love to get to know you more."

"Jungkook..." Jimin shoots him a pointed look, and that's when he realizes his mistake.

"Um, to continue to get to know each other more. Through, uh, marriage. Through the second halves of our lives, together," Jungkook scrambles to correct himself.

There's a shy smile on Jimin's face, a slight tint of red on his cheeks, and to Jungkook's surprise, he replies, "That sounds nice."

"Really?" He says a bit too loudly. Then coughs to cover it up. "So, Park Jimin, will you marry me?"

"Jeon Jungkook. I'd love to."

The ring slides on easily because it's much too big for Jimin's finger, but before Jungkook could even begin to worry about people noticing, Jimin's pulling him up.

And then leaning in.

And then kissing him.

For a moment it's as if the world disappears, despite the way the rest of the room break into applause for them. Perhaps the piano player follows up with a perfect cadence, signifying the success of this event, and maybe a waitress takes a picture of them to give to them later, but Jungkook doesn't hear any of that either.

Heck, he completely forgets about this being a first date because for in that instant, all the emotions just feel too real.

Maybe this really is what it's like in the moment your significant other accepts your proposal, as now all he could feel was the pure happiness running through his veins as Jimin's soft lips meet his in a kiss that couldn't possibly convince him it was their first. The fear from a possible rejection, the relief and joy from Jimin's confirmation—it all makes Jungkook's heart soar with how raw this moment felt, as if they'd really known each other for all that long and were beginning a new stage of their relationship.  

"Congratulations to the engaged couple!"

There are people raising their glasses around the restaurant, but when they break apart, all Jungkook could keep his eyes on was Jimin. The soft, loving gaze that Jimin gives him could've won an Oscar if it'd just been acting, but with the glow on his face and fingers just lightly brushing over Jungkook's lips, Jungkook already knows that there'd been something there all too real to be just for this act.

He wanted to kiss Jimin again, to feel so much all at once, but somebody stops by their table and interrupts the moment.

"Congratulations to you both! On behalf of our restaurant, I wanted to take the time to thank you for being our loyal customer and for that, we would like to say that your meals are on the house tonight."

"Really? Thank you so much!" Jimin answers.

It's proof of this having been too real. Because most importantly, it'd been believable enough to pull them out of this situation safely.

"It's a pleasure to have been working with you for the past years. We hope that you lovely couple will continue to be happy and successful."

The rest of their time there turns into a blur, with staff members and strangers from the tables near theirs coming up to congratulate them. The bill gets taken away at some point, and Jungkook is still in a daze up to when Jimin leads him out of the restaurant. By the hand.

It's dark outside and a little chilly, but the warmth of Jimin beside him continues to fuel the embarrassing red on his cheeks. The adrenaline is still pumping through his body in full force so his heart runs fast through his chest and there's hysteria just lingering beneath the surface that makes Jungkook want to do something impulsive like kiss Jimin again. But that can't happen.  

"So...so now is when you get to say if you're going to change your mind." Jungkook finally breaks the silence. "You know, from what you said before. Because I screwed up so bad, I know."

They come to an alleyway between two buildings, far enough from the restaurant that they can discuss without having to worry about someone coming for them.

"But please don't hate me?" Jungkook squeaks.

"Hate you?" Jimin sounds surprised, before breaking off into intense laughter. "Jungkook, this was the best first date I've ever had."

"Seriously? We could've been, I don't know, arrested or something! What if the plan hadn't worked? We would've been spending the rest of our lives in jail for dine and dash instead of spending it on more great dates."

"You know, maybe we should do this thing again sometime. It was cute seeing you propose like that," Jimin giggles. "I don't think I've ever heard so many compliments from the self-proclaimed bad boy, Jeon Jungkook."

Jungkook looks away, cheeks heating immediately. "So that means you'll actually be willing to go on another date? After all this craziness?"

"Yeah, didn't you promise to treat me to dates for the rest of our lives?" Jimin raises an eyebrow. "I mean, I agreed to marry you too, so I'm expecting a lot of free dates."

"O-oh. Okay. That's great. Yeah."

"Though next time, Jungkook, maybe I shouldn't send you a picture of me before the date."

They never did the whole proposal thing again until five years later, when they received their second free meal at that exact restaurant.

[wooahaes]

I would consider myself small and skinny and even I hate when writers describe readers as small 😭 it makes me so uncomfortable bc I know there are so many people reading who probably don't fit that and it's strange to me that they don't consider that when writing. it's why so try to be super conscious of how I describe reader (which I barely ever describe ANYTHING physical about them, I hate even when people describe putting hair in a ponytail or something) and even try to be conscious of actions that might not be inclusive (such as being lifted, wearing bfs shirt, etc).

I'm really sorry that you are finding so many fics that aren't inclusive :/ with smaus that use ulzzang pictures, i always try to imagine that it's just the aesthetic/pose writer is going for but it still breaks the 4th wall for me bc it sticks out like a sore thumb being like "that's not what i look like/most readers look like"

hi nonny ur cool and very nice i love u

also god... the ponytail thing gets me every time as someone who typically cuts her hair short lmao literally i kinda run my hand through my hair like how... how did i do that... magic.......

i think the thing that gets me is that it's like... really not that hard to write an inclusive reader fic imo? like why is it important for reader to be thin/tiny/petite/small/whatever word you wanna use to designate that they're small? is it really that important that you have to derail from your writing to include something like that? also, who thinks of themself like that? it's also annoying in first person (both fic and published works) when people do the "my blue eyes" shit because no one consciously thinks like that. there's a big difference between a new writer saying "i open my blue eyes and run a hand through my long blonde hair" and maybe using it to set something up. maybe your character has contacts or maybe their eye color mysteriously changed because ~magic~, or maybe they're on the run and dyed their hair and chopped it all off. but in reader fic? where the whole point is projecting onto a blank slate to imagine yourself in these situations? i don't need to tell you what you look like. you already know what you look like.

whats the point? it's fine if you want to write something for yourself and for other people like you. genuinely, it's okay to do that as long as you tag it so people know. i respect smaus with ulzzangs that outright say that the writer used pictures for reader. i'm personally not going to read them, but at least i actually get a warning. even if its easier to just not include the pictures, i respect works that tell me outright whether it'll actually be for me or not. i write chubby!reader fics sometimes where all that's specified is that reader is a bigger person. i don't think i've ever specified how big, but the sentiment is still there. people write fics for people of color and they tag them.

i think it's completely okay to write works for yourself and people like you, but it just kinda feels unfair that if you fit into this "other" category (not thin, not short, not white, etc.) you have to tag it. everyone should tag their stuff. it just makes it easier to navigate and for people to find works that they can potentially see themselves in.

anyway i don't really read smaus that aren't written by my mutuals, tbh. i think there's one i started but then went "oh i'll come back to it" and then failed to do that lmao (i'll get around to it sometime tho!! it actually seemed super cute and i don't think there were any ulzzangs Anywhere, bless).

but if you want inclusive smaus... u should check out my mutual, ursa @thepixelelf !!! she's very funny and cool and also she talks about inclusivity in fics and why its important <3 she's the one who made a lil text convo with the vernon idea i posted about he + reader saying they're expecting when they're literally just getting a cat together hehe <3 but shitty fanfiction + the entirety of been there, done that is very good!! for a completed work... u should check out first to fall (cheol x reader) <3

also you should just check out ursa in general tbh she's one of the best ppl i know and i'm very thankful to have a mutual like her? i think everyone i'm mutuals with is someone i care for a lot and people who i think are extremely kind, but ursa has the biggest heart and i truly appreciate everything she does.