Chapter Text
the thing about Jin was that, at times Jin was the most patient man in the entire continent and he could make shifts and rounds and write discharge papers and calmly deal with aggressive parents whose children were admitted in the hospital and work non stop and he would feel like jumping off the topmost floor but he still kept on going. at times Jin had the patience range of a water drop, which was threatening to drop from the rims of the water tap. like, now. when he was desperately waiting for Irene to reply back, when they were supposed to meet up after work.
its not fair to him, Jin thinks, he had the department director of pediatrics yell at him for mismanagement even when it wasn’t his fault. but he complied with it, bcz he just wanted it to be over soon. and just talk with Irene. Irene was supposed to meet him outside the hospital since her shifts ended too and it was Irene who proposed that they go and hang out together since they haven’t hung around together in a long time, but Irene was not responding.
Jin:
where are you
Irene:
be there in a sec
wait a bit
and its been like 45 minutes since Jin had been standing out and waiting for her and Irene doesn’t seem to be coming to him anytime soon
Jin:
are u coming or what
no response.
this was annoying.
Jin:
im going home
and Jin took a long way route back to his shitty apartment where he hated living. but he was saving up.
Jin may not look like it with the great sense of fashion and dressing sense he has, but Jin wasn’t a big money spender. he chose his costs carefully. often shopped in bundles whenever there was a sale and always chose groceries next to expiring, and he stopped himself from impulsively buying plushies and figurines which he used to long for so much during his teen days. Jin can afford a better apartment, a better condo, but he was saving up. he doesn’t know exactly what he's saving up for, he doesn’t know what he wants to do with this money in his account except for the fact that he's just saving up. He can just move to a better apartment but he was saving up. he wanted to do something. and he was saving money just for that.
its a shitty apartment but Jin took care of it real nicely when he first moved in. the plasters were sloughing off, the pipes were rusty and crooked and leaking but Jin took care of them neatly with time. much to the disapproval of the landlord, he painted his walls pastel and lavender. he didnt have much in his apartment, except for the living room, a kitchen and a bedroom. but that was just perfect for someone who's been living alone for a long time.
it would be hypocritical to say Jin didnt long human interaction which was when he always reached out to Irene, but Irene had her own world too and Jin felt selfish and he later felt bad bcz he wanted her all to himself, but that wasn’t possible and that wasn’t the right thing to do.
THAT IS WHY I KEEP TELLING YOU TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS JIN
Jin laughs at himself as he can actually hear Irene say that even when she's not round.
Jin places his bags and apron on the couch and plops down and turns on the TV, he doesn’t find anything interesting there as he sees some of the reruns of already watched animes when he decided to hit up on Jimin. He scrolls through his contacts when he comes across the numbers of his parents. he lingers for a moment then he scrolls again. he didnt want to do this today. not now. Jimin did not pick his phone up even after 4 rings so Jin decided to check on Irene again.
Jin:
YO
YOOOOOOOOO
Irene usually responds right away or she doesnt, theres no in between for her. since she isnt replying back that must mean she's still busy. Jin doesnt know what to do now. Jin might just probably take a shower and take a nap. yeah thats what he'll do.
So jin takes a long shower trying to wash all the tiredness and boredom away and puts on a nice grayish pink pullover and a jeans and decides that the day is too beautiful to just waste away. jin checked his wall clock and saw that it was 4 in the afternoon and he doesnt wanna nap. he wants to be productive, so productive he will be.
just as jin gets ready to walk out of his home and grabs his keys, his phone rings aloud.
Hope gleams in his eyes as he expects irene but its irenes mom on the phone.
it makes jin happy nevertheless.
" Hi aunt"
" Hello there sweetums. how are you doing, you havent called us in forever hun"
" Aunty i just called you two days ago" jin laughs as he puts on a sneaker on one feet with one hand while sandwiching the phone between his ear and shoulder.
" two days?? you are supposed to call me every day, i worry about you all the time." Jin smiles. his insides warm up.
" its okay aunty, i'm doing perfectly okay, there is nothing to worry about."
" oh i dunno hun, irene has been telling me all sorts of things."
" Ughh, shes being stupid." Come to think of it, irene prolly got the same worrywpart habit from her mother. also the overthinking part.
" Jin you know how much i love you" and jin knows.
Honestly he does. " and i love you too mam, you know that too"
" So do your old aunty a favour and look up this girl i'll be telling you about. "
this mother and daughter duo, Jin swears to god.
" She's really pretty, and nice. shes been friends with irene since they were kids. look up park sooyoung in facebook. you'll find her"
jin was done with his shoes and he was ready to go out.
" Aunty please i am seriously not looking for anything right now. "
" Just look at her would you, she's extremely sweet, and caring. "
" Aunty please, whatever irene has set you up for, dont buy it, She's just messing around. and honestly im not interested. "
" Oh im really sorry hun, i might've offended you, are you interested in men, bcz if you say so i have so many nice boys i could set you up with. "
" NO no nO, aunty just let this go, im not interested in men either, please." Jin was locking his apartment.
" Dear dont hesitate in front of me okay?? you know we worry. "
" You guys worry too much. and im okay, believe me. honestly. "
" If you say so. But still look up sooyoung, okay? "
" Okay okay i will. I love you, i'll call you later, im going out."
"You're out on a date?? that's splendid !! why didn't you tell me so earlier. "
" I'm not going out on a date ughhhhh bye aunt"
" check her up in facebook."
the call ends. its a great day to take a walk in the park and play catch with you dog and hang out with your freinds and have coffee and and and...... Jin doesnt know what to do, as he strolls down the pavement to walk to the nearby park. he got out of his apartment thinking the fresh air would do him good, but the moment he stepped out, he wants to go back in. but he knows he wants to be outside, he just doesnt know what he wants to do. so he puts his headphones on and walks. he walks wherever his feet takes him.
he's been walking since forever, when he stops in front of a bakery shop. the shop has been here since he can remember. the shop isnt very popular, there were hardly any customers, the window pane and the signboard outside was rusty and dusty and it screamed out of business. but it was still there. and jin lowkey wanted to work there, jin wanted to leave his job and be a baker. Jin only knew the basic baking recipes, he knows if he wants to work in a full fledged bakery, he should start from the actual baking basics and he would need to attend baking classes and that would heavily compromise with his residency at the moment. is his baking dream really worth it. Jin ponders for a bit and jin walks away.
jin has been walking for what it seems like an hour and his feet feel sore when he realizes that he's just a few blocks away from Jockies Mockies. After what seems like few minutes of battling with himself Jin finally walks over to the shop. Today's the day he makes things okay with Jungkook.
when Jin enters the shop, he sees the familiar brown head hunched down and writing on a coffee cup while a very eager customer takes it away from him. Jungkook seems to sense a customer approaching as he starts saying the usual- " Welcome to Jockies Mockies how............. may I help you" a small smile spreads across Jungkook's face as he sees Jin.
" I was wondering if i could just talk with you for a second." Jin finally said it. Jungkook looked utterly taken aback by the sudden honesty in Jin's words and he started stuttering.
" I ...... uhh ....... well..... i don't get off from work until .... uhhh... 11"
" you're working extra shifts? "
" I .... uhh... no... 11 in the night. "
" Oh its okay, i can wait."
" But its 5:30. "
" Oh" Jin wondered if he could really wait for the kid and if it was worth it but then Jin remembered something.
" wait, you sure, you're gonna be here till 11? "
"....Yeah?? that's how the shifts work, i guess? "
" Okay you stay right here mister, im gonna be back here again"
and Jin sprinted out of the coffeeshop leaving a confused Jungkook behind.
it wasnt until two blocks later Jin realized that he overestimated himself when he first started running, for 1) Jin was panting like crazy and 2) even though he always walks this distance, he's definitely not in the proper condition to actually run since that looks really stupid. so Jin hailed a taxi and reached his apartment faster even though Jin doesnt like the idea of wasting money on taxi fare when its a walking distance. but this is an emergency. Wait a second, why is this an emergency again.
Jin went to his apartment and grabbed some of his text books and notes and some pen and paper and stuffed them in a backpack and off he went back to the coffeeshop by taxi again. Jin's MD residency exam had been coming up but it wasn't until 6 months and he had absolutely no reason to study this early, but he remembered his fellow collegues studying and he always convinced himself to start studying, but as soon as he went out of the hospital he forgot whatever resolve he had left and procastinated.
but Jin now has an excellent idea to start studying in that coffeeshop since he actually did have to study plus it now would seem less awkward trying to find up an excuse just to initiate a talk with Jungkook. Yep, everything's good. the plan is perfect. except Jin doesnt know why he's putting so much effort into this. Jin isn't usually like this, he is socially a very aloof person. he's kind but he wouldnt go all the way out just to talk to someone, like this. so what is it.
_________________________
Jungkook really wasn't expecting Seokjin to comeback when Seokjin made such a show of his leave and Jungkook kinda wished they stopped having these weird encounters when he saw the gates open to reveal a customer huffing and puffing with a big bag which he had problems keeping on the straps and Jungkook found it even more surprising when he saw that it was Seokjin.
Jungkook was surprised at first, then he laughed to himself as he was wiping the counters with a cleaning rag. and Seokjin came up to him. " You dont have a problem if i... uhh.. if i hang out here for a bit?" Seokjin asked.
" Of course not, you can be here for as long as you want."
"okay" and Seokjin left to sit at the window side in a corner as Jungkook saw him opening up his bag and pull out some books and papers and Seokjin was arranging them in table before he could properly do what he actually came here for. Jungkook wondered if Seokjin would really stay here for his shift to end bcz Seokjin really seemed to be engrossed in studying.
funny, Jungkook liked how concentrated Seokjin was when he made little gestures and pouted when he must've come across some thing difficult or how he would keep marking or writing whatever he was studying and it was just so nice to look at, in between Jungkook's job. and more often than not Jngkook would catch Seokjin looking at him, and they'd both turn away from each other, both feeling flustered af.
It was after a few hours when Seokjin came up to him to ask for a drink when Jungkook felt that he should've been the one to offer him a drink when Seokjin first came into the shop. " Yeah so i've been feeling a little dry, can i get a.... hot chocolate, uhhh, with steamed milk and vanilla and mocha flavoured syrups, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, with some extra salt??"
" I'm sorry what?"
" What?"
" You asked for extra salt. shouldn't that be sugar?"
" oh darn.... yeah yeah you're totally right"
Seokjin was laughing like an idiot to hide his embarrassment and even though Jungkook wanted to laugh too, he felt he shouldn't embarrass the elder further as Seokjins ears shot up to a bright shade of red.
" Yeah extra sugar, okay coming right up. " as Jungkook finished typing the order he took out the order slip and handed it out to another girl working behind him who proceeded to make his coffee.
" wait you forgot my name there"
" its okay, its Seokjin right? i already wrote that down. "
" i uh yeah..... thanks" Seokjin put his hand on the back of his neck to relieve some of the tense uneasiness which Jungkook seemed to notice too. Seokjins drink came fast and Jungkook saw Seokjin hover infront of the dessert shelf as he chose two brownies and Jungkook took them out in a plate when he saw Seokjin already leave with the drink in his hands.
Jungkook wanted to call him out but he was confused how he should do it.
" Seokjin "
Seokjin did not turn back.
" Hyung"
Seokjin sat at his table and placed the drink.
" Seokjin HYUNG"
and suddenly everyone was staring at Jungkook, including Seokjin who prolly wanted to drink his chocolate but put it back on his table and came back to the counter.
"what did i do?" Seokjin had a smile on his face. Jungkook smiled back at him
" You forgot to take your brownies just after you ordered them"
" Wait arent you supposed to bring them over to me?"
Jungkook was smiling and pointed below a place in the counter where there was a small but conspicuous sign, that read SELF SERVICE
Seokjins smile faltered for a bit but he quickly plastered it back into his mouth " Aahhhh why didn't i see that before stupid me haha, anyway thanks" Seokjin said and took the plate away to his table as Jungkook saw Seokjin smacking his head with his other unoccupied hand.
Jungkook was getting busy with his customers and he was looking at Seokjin time to time who was immeresed in whatever he was doing, scribbling a little, turning pages and again pouring into his books and notes and Seokjin often looked at Jungkooks way and they made it a habit by then to smile at each other instead of turning away embarrassed and Jungkook was glad they both picked up this habit through telepathy.
it was 8:30 pm and it had been half an hour since the last customer came by and there sure wasnt any sign of future customers to which all the employees in shop unanimously agreed that this was there closing time. but Seokjin over there had been taking a nap, sprawled over his notes and papers. Seokjin ordered two more brownies after the last order and the plate was still there. Jungkook was contemplating waking him up but it was his turn today to go last and lock the shop before he left. So everyone went away one after another and bade Jungkook goodbye and some were even concerened for Seokjin, to which Jungkook said that it was okay, he'd take care of that.
______________________________
Seokjin awoke at the sound of a chair getting dragged across him, when he lifted up his head to find Jungkook sit across him, and placed two cups of what seemed to be steaming-
" i've got you coffee. i hope you take milk with your coffees bcz i really cant stand the bitterness and i also added some extra sugar since i saw you prefer them on the last order there. i hope its okay" Jungkook smiled as he pushed a cup towards Seokjin.
extra sugar, Jungkook was right about that. milk with coffee, nope, Seokjin always preferred dark black coffee ever since he could remember but that wasn't something he should say right now, bcz honestly, he was happy. Seokjin doesn't know why he feels so happy at the moment bcz usually if he had an off day like this, he'd usually take a nap and wake up and make a light little snack and watch some animes or kdramas. But he hadn't had his afternoon power nap, and he just couldnt help feeling drowsy and dozed off and now he was sitting across Jungkook, who offered him coffee and that made Seokjin awfully happy and Seokjin wasn't sure if he was actually happy or it was his stupor making him feel all giddy. whatever it was Seokjin was smiling ear to ear and Jungkook smiled back too.
" Thanks Jungkook, i really appreciate this. " and Seokjin took a sip and honestly, what was it with coffees in coffee shop that tasted so good. if milk coffees usually tasted this good, it wouldn't be long since Seokjin actually changed his preferences. and Seokjin groans a little that makes it obvious that he really liked the coffee
" You like it?" Jungkook asked
" its perfect, ummmmmhhhh, 'mazing" Seokjin took another sip.
" I'm glad you like it "
" but its only 8:50 , where is everyone, are you guys closing this early?" Seokjin asked. "weren't you supposed to work till 11?"
" yeah...... but business isnt doing that well, and i dunno why the heck our boss decided to move to this place, but not many people know of us, so yeah, we're closing early"
" that's bad, im sorry man. but you can put up flyers though, you guys need to advertise yourself."
" hey thats not a bad idea thanks, i'll tell the others and ask what they think of it." Jungkook was smiling again.
" So how are you Jungkook?"
" fine, i guess. how are you Seokjin hyung? "
" just fine and dandy. sorry about sleeping in your coffee shop"
" technically its not my shop, but its okay"
it was a few miliseconds before Seokjin guffawed and Jungkook joined him and they were both laughing pointlessly when Jungkook asked
" how is that friend of yours? the pretty lady."
" who? Irene? yeah shes fine."
" what is she to you? are you guys dating ?" Seokjin almost choked on his coffee and he laughed out and said
" what me?? dating irene?? impossible. we're best friends. well, we did date once, but that didnt work out and we resorted to being friends and this is the best thing i could ask of irene. dating her??? No way. "
" wait so you're friends with your ex and she's single now?"
" yeah, you interested in her? i could let a word in or two but i really dont know if she's into kids."
" God please no, i just asked, jeez. "
Seokjin was laughing and he emitted a type of squeaky sound much like the sounds of windshields getting wiped and it was extremely contagious and Jungkook laughed back too.
" No seriously, if you like her, i could bring her back here, she's already so fond of you anyway."
" Really?"
" Yes and look whos getting hopeful haha you are so easy to read Jungkook. "
and sure enough Jungkook did turn a shade of pink but he composed himself fast.
" I'll look forward to seeing you both again. and i really hope its not as awkward as the last time."
" Irene might be a psychiatrist but she tends to be weirdly dumb at times, but i'm sure she wont be like that again. "
" wait she's a doctor too, whoa... and you guys work together and she's your best friend. man thats really cool. "
" yeah we go way back, we were friends from highschool and we dated but it worked out better that we expected and i wouldnt have irene in any other way. " seokjin says." and hows your friend? tae? kim taehyung? "
" oh you met him right, yeah, he told me about you. "
" Yeah, he seemed like a nice guy."
" he's really sociable and can get you feeling like you've known him for years. tae does that to people. "
" yeah he actually brought me desserts that i ordered that day, to my table, which is why i thought, you know, you were gonna bring them over to me too."
" He did what? oh god Tae."
now it was Jungkook laughing loudly and Seokjin wondered if he did anything funny bcz all he could do was blink stupidly and ask-
" Whats so funny?"
" Nothing. its just that- " Jungkook clapped a hand over his mouth and his whole body was shaking.
" Okay im gonna wait till you get over this. " and Seokjin kept sipping his coffee while he saw the waves of laughter going through Jungkook and when Jungkoook finally stopped laughing ,what he said, made Seokjin spurt his coffee all over his precious notes.
" Hes just trynna slide into your pants. " Jungkook looked so triumphant.
" he what?" Seokjin was gaping and he was sure how stupid that made him look, but just didnt have control over his lower jaw. " yeah, he likes you. thats why he did that. well he is gay. "
" he's what? " Seokjin was gaping more.
" its the 21st century hyung, why are you overreacting, jeez. you're not a homophobe are you?"
" I-..... uh... of course not... i just couldnt..... anyway i have no problem with him or anyone being gay...... its just..... i- ....... well never mind. "
" no, if you dont mind me asking, can i ask your ... umm sexuality? you dont have to say it if it makes you uncomfortable." All the laugh and humour Jungkook had in him seconds ago, just vanished and he was peering into Seokjin and he even came a bit forward and Seokjin felt extremely probbed, like, Jungkook was turning his insides upside down and Seokjin was remebering things he didnt want to remember. he wanted to go away from this place and beads of sweat formed on his forehead and he wiped them away.
" hey man its okay, i didnt mean to-" Jungkook quickly sensed his uneasiness and tried to divert the topic when Seokjin replied
" Nah man, i just..... i'm kinda in the middle of figuring that out myself. i'm.... i actually dunno what i am, i'm just not interested in anything like that."
"but you dated irene, right? you were straight once, but not now anymore. anything happened in between?"
" I- Jungkook, lets not talk about this anymore. im just not good with this since i'm in the middle of figuring out. can i get some water though ?" " Oh sure" and Jungkook jumped up to get a glass of water and as Seokjin saw him go, hundreds and millions of memories came flushing into him, and Seokjin felt nauseated, if anything he wanted to go away from this shop and fling himself down into the ice cold lake across the city. but Seokjin didnt let any of it show in his face. Jungkook came back quickly and asked Seokjin if he was okay and Seokjin assured him that he was. and Jungkook was taking his sit across Seokjin as he said-
" Well, i'm straight as a pencil, if you're wondering. and i have no problems with gay people or any other people. but i was just asking what you were since you had that weird reaction to tae being gay. he's my best friend you know? i'd never like a person who'd hate him. "
Jungkook clearly hadnt noticed the internal turmoil that went through Seokjin a second ago, bcz Seokjin had a hard time composing himself, but Seokjin replied nonetheless. " No please no. i'm not a homophobe. also i dont hate him, your friend tae. he's really nice, but its kinda weird hearing he wants to get into my pants bcz he was being absolutely adorable. No hints. "
" Glad to know you like him though. i love my best friend a lot, hes been with me through thick and thin and i would hate for anyone to misunderstand him for his sexuality."
" Please no, he's really nice. and he seemed really genuine too."
" Yeah he probably likes you thats why he did those small gestures, i know him too well. but dont tell him i told you these things. sliding into your pants was maybe a bit out of line, but he definitely likes you. i know it. "
" yeah really? "
" yeah he couldnt shut up about you and youre really good looking for one " Jungkook smiled
" you think im good looking? " Seokjins face was crinkled as he was smiling like fuck.
" I- uh.... of course you are good looking, i mean, we've been talking about how good you look haha, it was mostly Tae though " Jungkook was rubbing the back of his neck now that he was embarrassed, and he looked really cute, noticed Seokjin.
" well, i am worldwide handsome. " Seokjin was used to people call him handsome but he always felt shy whenever people said that to him. he brushed it off with his weird humour, which irene diagnosed as Seokjins inability to handle praise. people usually called him shameless bcz of this but this was better than blushing head to toe everytime people called him handsome, which was kind of a daily occurance. so when Jungkook was amazed at how Seokjin was being funny, Seokjin further replied with a flying kiss that threw Jungkook into a fit of giggles. and Seokjin found it really amazing to look at Jungkook when he laughed his heart out.
" Jeez, this is the first time i've seen a person admitting to their good looks. i dunno if i should call you over confident or shameless." Jungkook wiped a tear away from the corner of his eyes.
" I think both works " and now Seokjin winked at him.
" Oh My Gosh stop that, are you really a doctor, i dont believe you. arent doctors supposed to be all glum and cool and you know, not like you?"
" stop watching stupid doctor dramas and maybe start watching scrubs for a change." " i've watched scrubs okay? they're cool in their own way and you are just the most un-doctor-ish person I've seen till now. "
" You should meet the rest of my colleagues, theyre a bunch of crackheads i swear to god." Seokjin exclaimed " but hey, we talk about each other to our best friends haha"
" Yeah we do."
" hey i got an idea"
" yeah? "
" we four people should totally hang out. you, me, irene and tae. i've told irene about you guys so much she knows you two better than myself. "
" Gee i dunno, i mean-" Jungkook was squirming " I mean, you look like a fun person and all, but this is like the most legit convo we've had since we've had our weird encounter. i dunno."
" its gonna be great. also irene has this thing, she always pushes me to mix with people and make friends, and even though it kind troubles me a bit, but she's a very dear friend to me, and i know she's gonna be happy if i go out with yall. and i want to make my dear friend happy too. "
" Whew, thats a lot to take in. but i cant assure you anything you know. " Jungkook sighed " But listen, im glad you decided to wait and talk to me. i really liked this, talking to you i mean. "
" I'm usually not that friendly, but i uh, can i have your number? " jeez Seokjin, why are you embarrassed like this, hes just a kid. Seokjin said this to himself.
" Sure. " and they exchanged numbers and looked up from their phone and smiled at each other. there wasnt any coffee left in their mugs but Seokjin held his mug out and he ushured Jungkook to do the same as Seokjin said " To our new found friendship." as if on cue Jungkook smiled back and repeated the same words and clinked their mugs.
" its late Jungkook and i gotta go home and i really look forward to our meetings in the future." Seokjin got up from his chair and packed his stuff in his bag as Jungkook stood up too.
" Me too hyung, i had a fun time. "
" Well i need my morning coffee, and i'll prolly be here every morning and youre gonna be sick of seeing me."
" Oh i dunno, with that face, i prolly wouldnt hehe."
" If you werent so straight i wouldve thought you were hitting on me."
" Please no even i have standards. " Jungkook scoffed
" okay i know i offered to be friends but i did not sign up to this disrespect. I am older, you know" Seokjin laughed back.
" weird flex, but okay."
" Did you just- "
" Yeah i did. " and Jungkook had that same endearing but mischievous smile to him.
" stan tweet person, nice." and Seokjin slung the bag over his back.
" and i commend you for understanding it. even tae doesnt know internet lingo, and that idiot cant even make threads in twitter."
" Okay top ten reasons why i shouldnt date him. "
" Definitely. " Jungkook agreed.
and Seokjin stayed until Jungkook had finished packing his things, much to Jungkooks dismay but Seokjin insisted that they both leave together and he'd feel bad to leave this kid alone, again. he doesnt wanna make the same mistake as the last time he and Jungkook parted. Jungkook had bag too and he wore a oversized big denim jacket and they both got out of coffeeshop as Jungkook took a last view of everything being in order, and stepped to lock the shop.
" So we part, again, haha. " Jungkook said " But we'll be seeing each other again. "
Seokjin laughed. " Yes, and no more awkward encounters."
" Yep, please no more." Seokjin fake pleaded and Jungkook nodded as to agreeing with him.
" Okay come here you." and Seokjin grabbed Jungkook into a hug and Seokjin felt Jungkooks unesiness melt away the very second as he hugged Seokjin back.
" Thanks hyung. " Jungkook said in a quiet voice. " For saving me that day. " Seokjin pulled a startled Jungkook away from him as he locked his eyes on Jungkook and firmly started saying-
" Listen lets never ever talk about that, okay? also im glad that i saved you too. you dont deserve any of that. and im glad that i saved you cuz i made a great friend. i guess this is fates weird plan. " Seokjin laughed internally as to how he just repeated what irene had said him.
" Yeah i guess. but thanks again hyung. i really mean it. "
" Well if you really mean you need to give me free brownies for the rest of your life."
" I'd rather jump. "
" I'm kidding you idiot. " and Seokjin ruffled up Jungkooks hair, to which Jungkook just recoiled of embarrassment and he looked too cute and Seokjin stared at him. But Jungkook didnt seem to notice and he smiled with all his teeth out. and Seokjin and Jungkook parted ways, both smiling all the way back to their home.
Seokjin found himself going to the shop literally every day, on days he had shifts in the hospital, and even days when he didnt have his job. and whenever Seokjins night shifts ended acc to his favour Seokjin always took out the time to wait for Jungkooks shift to end and chit chat about life and stuff and Jungkook didnt seem to mind either. Irene often accompanied Seokjin in their late night rendezvous and irene was so endeared by Jungkook she decided to adopt him as her babby brother the fifth time they met, much to Jungkooks embarrassment.
" Sorry man, she's not interested in you like that" Seokjin slid a snide remark in between irene cooing to Jungkook about how she wants to dress him up in a bunny onesie.
" Shut up hyung" Jungkook muttered under his breath.
" you said something kook?" Irene asked
" Oh nothing irene, i was just..... I-" and Jungkook couldnt say anything as irene cupped Jungkooks cheeks and squished them which left Seokjin laughing breathless. Jungkook didnt mind cuz he really kind of loved this newfound friendship between the three of them and taehyung joined them most often and they just had the most fun time Jungkook had ever had. Even though Jungkook told Seokjin about how taehyung was into him tae made very subtle hints like adding extra toppings or slipping Seokjin a dessert or two, Seokjin didn't find it any awkward and irene said that it was no biggie either. and irene told Seokjin not to sweat it either, since he could give the kid a chance and even accept his offer if Seokjin ever changed his mind. but Seokjin wasnt interested in him, he wasn't gay anyway.
But Jungkook and Seokjin had grown close despite knowing it themselves and Seokjin didnt mind when Jungkook made fun of him about his age and Jungkook didnt mind anymore when Seokjin teased him about his rather large front teeth.
" Stop it jin, he's really cute with those teeth, he looks like a bunny. Dont you kook?" irene retorted, but Jungkook shyed back and got embarrassed.
" Aww look at that grown ass baby boy get babied by an old hag, i'm gonna puke." Seokjin made a fake gagging noise.
" suck it up jin, i know you want this too." Irene pulled a tongue out at him.
" No thanks please" as Seokjin flipped a meat over the searing grill. it was exactly two months after Seokjin and Jungkooks reconcillations and it was one of their late night rendezvous after Jungkook had gotten off his shifts and irene insisted that they go to a late night barbeque bar and irene said that it was Seokjins treat much to Seokjins own dismay. Irene took her seat beside Jungkook and fed him bits of steak and even though Jungkook protested wildly, irene was just too stubborn and Jungkook just gave in, Seokjin was having the time of his life teasing Jungkook and Jungkook promised that he would pay back for this humiliation.
" So kook, both Seokjin and i have been thinking of doing this... uh... thing." irene prodded at the meat to see if it was done.
" we have? " Seokjin asked with his mouth full of meat.
" Yes, we have jin." irene answered curtly, and her voice turned overtly sweet as she turned to Jungkook " We have these free tickets and how would you like to come with us to this amusement park, kook?"
" Really? i mean, youre really inviting me?" Jungkook was wide eyed.
" Of course, silly. i mean we had these extra tickets and i hoped you could come with us. right jin?"
" Huh?!! Yeah yeah sure of course yeh why not.." Seokjin was rubbing his shin, the place where irene kicked at.
" jeez guys, i mean, im really happy, is it really okay? i mean-" Jungkook was rubbing the back of his neck and irene grabbed his other hand in between her hands and looked extremely sincere.
" Jungkook, kook, sweetie, you're my sweet little brother and Seokjins precious little friend, of course we want you with us. you have to relax a bit, we need to relax too you know? and we wanna hang out with our precious baby boy, right jin?"
Irene was again staring at him with her head tilted a bit as if shes prompting Seokjin.
" I dont agree with the baby boy part but of course you can come with us Jungkook. "
" I mean its all really great and all, and i'm so thankful you guys, but would you guys mind if i invited tae along with us?" Jungkook asked carefully.
" Oh my gosh kook i cant believe you'd even ask that, of course you an invite him. invite anyone you like okay?"
" Irene- "
" shut up jin, as i was saying, the more the merrier, i've been meaning to visit that park and i would really like you guys to join. so tell tae about this, and we meet next tuesday how about it jin? I know you dont have any shifts that day."
Irene has that impassive smile that always makes Seokjin uncomfortable.
" Yeah i dont?? okay so thats final?" Seokjin takes the final meat of the grill as irene snatches it away from him and feeds it to a reluctant Jungkook, who seems really elated and embarrassed at the same time
. " okay i gotta tell tae about this. thanks irene." Jungkook smiled shyly.
" Aww" Irene pinched his cheeks " I love you guys so much, and we're gonna have so much fun, i cant wait." irene looked genuinely happy now.
"yea. cant wait. " Seokjin was brooding over his last meat, and blaming Jungkook through his intense stare. Jungkook noticed and showed him a subtle thumbs down, and Seokjin gaped at how Jungkook had gotten, with irene coddling him. Brat, Seokjin mouthed. Jungkook just responded with a wink.
their playful interaction didnt go unnoticed by irene. but she pretended not to notice and let them have their way.
after getting out of the shop and saying their goodbyes Jungkook walked to the opposite side and Seokjin immediately grabbed irene up into a huddle and whispered
" Just what the fuck did you do?"
" What?"
" What the fuck do you mean extra tickets, irene? We dont even one ticket fuck."
" Calm down jeez, we can manage tickets." irene said as a matter of factly.
" And you're paying."
" Yeah cheapskate, i am. not like i expected you to either." irene scoffed.
" Yeah good luck with the tickets i hear they're really expensive and hard to get." Seokjin sniggered.
" Yeah you dont have to worry about that, i'll manage."
" I really dont understand you sometimes. it wouldnt have been hard to inform me beforehand you know?"
" Please jin if id told you earlier you'd flat out reject it. now i hope your ass will be there on time. dont be late, and show up, okay? Dont embarrass me."
" I- ughhh okay, jeez. i'll show up. but-"
" No buts.i know youre free that day dont make up stupid excuses."
" Yeah about that, i wanted to tell you how you stalking my roster schedule is totally creepy-"
irene wasnt listening as she hailed a taxi and got into it.
" we'll talk about the time later, kay? bye now."
irene waved goodbye. " see ya at work, bye." and watched irenes cab fade into the distance and Seokjin took a walk towards his apartment, with millions of thoughts and confusions.