Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jimin switches the sign on his pristine front door to ‘Open’ with a grim sense of finality that all of his early morning tasks for the day are over. 

Despite having owned his bakery Serendipitous for over two years now and living through many opening shifts, Park Jimin is still not a morning person. 

He tends to work through his morning tasks on autopilot, brain still asleep while he makes the fresh pastries and bread that is needed and warms up sweet treats. He much prefers day shifts and even closing shifts when it means he can sleep in for longer but even he has to admit there is something special about seeing the sun rise and the village slowly wake up as residents begin to make their way to work - some being his most loyal customers as well. 

Right on cue, his best friend and assistant manager Kim Taehyung walks through the door for his shift, looking annoyingly handsome for so early in the morning but Jimin’s used to that by now.

“Good morning, Jiminie.” Taehyung sing-songs as he waltzes in, already wrapping his apron around his waist efficiently.

“Morning, Taehyungie. Notice how I dropped the ‘good’ because being up this early is never a good thing.” Jimin grumbles as he finishes starting the till up with a final click. 

Despite the sign saying open, they never actually have customers immediately in the door as it is only 6:30am, so Jimin is comfortable to still be setting some things up as long as the basics - food in the correct places, coffee machine on and tables and chairs clean - are presentable.

“Wow. Someone’s extra grumpy this morning, I’m wounded,” Taehyung says, doubling over dramatically, “Did someone leave the store room open or something?” 

“No,’ Jimin says with a sigh, “Ugh... it’s stupid Jeon Jungkook and his stupid Golden Delights. He came in before I left yesterday to gloat about the stall he’s going to have at the festival next month. I’m still annoyed about it even though I know I shouldn’t let him wind me up.”

Taehyung’s eyes widen in understanding, being all too familiar with the rivalry between the two bakery owners.

Almost a year ago, it was revealed that a new bakery was going to open in the same town as Jimin’s, only two streets away. This was relatively big news because their town wasn’t very big and Serendipitous was the only bakery for miles.

 Until Golden Delights opened and suddenly Jimin felt the grip of fear that his kind and loyal customers would prefer the new bakery and it’s staff and suddenly he’d lose his business and he’d have to close and move back in with his family and leave the amazing life he’s created for himself. 

He’s always been a little dramatic. 

Despite those fears, Jimin had decided to be the bigger person and introduce himself to the new bakery owner - and yes he’d also wanted to take a look at the place himself, sue him. He remembers the first encounter he had with Jeon Jungkook like it was yesterday.

Jimin hears the jingle of the bell as he walks through. He never likes doors that have bells on them - finds them annoying. 

The interior of Golden Delights is nice, he has to admit, all very warm tones, art displays on the walls and squashy armchairs. It looks a little bit more like a cafe than a typical bakery but it’s not a bad thing - they are very similar establishments after all. 

He notes with little satisfaction that the counters are all spotless and the cake displays are lovely. There’s a couple of people waiting in line to order so Jimin waits his turn, deciding he might as well try some of the baked goods and compare to his own. He is a notorious critic of his own baking, of course, which means he’s also harsh on other people but in a different way.

“Hi, welcome to Golden Delights. Can I take your order?” The boy on the till looks no older than 21 and has a remarkably handsome face. Wide doe eyes, cute bunny smile and dark wavy hair that dips past his cheekbones in tousled strands. 

“Sure. What do you recommend…’ Jimin scans down to his chest to check for his nametag - noting how muscled the boy looks with a little surprise - “...Jungkook?” He asks, the name falling off his lips perfectly.

“Oh.” Jungkook looks taken aback to be asked but seconds later a huge smile is spreading across his face and he’s gesturing to cakes, pastries and other treats in the big display below. 

“The cookies are particularly liked by everyone, they’re a specialty of mine. If you’re not into super sweet things then the scones are good. We also have croissants which you can have with jam or plain.” Jungkook finishes with a flourish towards said croissants, looking back at Jimin with an expectant expression.

“Oh, you bake some of these too? Cute,” Jimin remarks off-handedly, not sure whether to go for a cookie or a muffin. 

“Well,” Jungkook laughs a little awkwardly, “Of course I bake. I own this place.” 

Jimin’s eyes snap back up to the young man in front of him. He takes in his youthful face, his happy attitude and his wide, innocent eyes. 

“You… You own this bakery? How old are you?” Jimin asks before he can stop himself.

Jungkook looks a little affronted and puffs himself up slightly, “I don’t see how that’s anything to do with you but I’m 23.” 

Jimin flushes at Jungkook’s jab but refuses to leave out of embarrassment. He hasn’t even introduced himself yet.  “Right… well sorry if I offended you. I’ll take a cappuccino to go and a blueberry muffin please.” Jimin says hastily, not wanting to dwell on the awkwardness of the previous conversation.

“Sure, I’ll get those ready for you.” Jungkook taps something into his till and then turns to make the coffee with no further comments.

He returns a few minutes later with Jimin’s coffee and pops his muffin into a takeout bag for him. 

Jimin taps his card to pay and Jungkook doesn’t seem to expect any more conversation but Jimin needs to explain his reason for coming here, “Wait Jungkook-ssi, before I leave you should know I’m Park Jimin. I’m the owner of Serendipitous, the other bakery here. I didn’t mean to offend you when I asked how old you were, I just came here to check out the competition and-” Jungkook’s scoff makes Jimin stop mid-sentence, “What’s so funny?”

“I mean… calling it a competition… Isn’t that a bit of a stretch, Jimin-ssi? Your bakery is cute, sure but Golden Delights is leagues ahead.” 

“Excuse me? Your little cafe is only busy because it’s brand new and once the novelty wears off I can assure you, you won’t be seeing much activity on a daily basis. There’s nothing special about those croissants, honey.”

Jungkook’s cheeks flush red as the impact of Jimin’s words hit him, “This isn’t a cafe and you know that damn well. You’re clearly worried that my bakery is better than yours and honestly you should be.” Jungkook snaps, leaning over the till and making himself appear taller.

“The only thing I’m worried about is your customers getting food poisoning. All your food looks a little undercooked… Anyway I should probably return to my own bakery before my staff get overwhelmed with the amount of customers waiting… You know, because mine is so popular.” He adds pettily, feeling anger towards the man in front of him only increase as he continues talking.

“Oh yeah, shame the front of your shop is so dusty and old, I almost thought it was abandoned when I first walked past it.” Jungkook jabs, eyes narrowing.

“Haha, very funny. I’ll be sure to throw this muffin in the trash as I walk home. I’m sure the rats will love it.” Jimin says, holding up his paper bag as he turns to leave.

“I don’t care if you eat it or not, Jimin-ssi. You still paid for it. So thanks for contributing to Golden Delights.” Jungkook calls after him as he leaves with an annoyed huff. 

And the worst part is he doesn’t throw the muffin away. He waits until everyone has left Serendipitous that evening and then he carefully cuts a part of the muffin up and takes a bite. 

And it’s delicious. The blueberries burst on his tongue with flavour and the muffin is perfectly spongy and sweet to the taste.

And Jimin can’t help but become more worried that his fears were valid as he devours the rest of the muffin guiltily and vows to make his own bakery better than ever before.

Of course, those fears didn’t come to fruition as many in the town tried and liked both bakeries equally but some just preferred the bread in Jimin’s and the pastries in Jungkook’s and vice versa. 

Now - since meeting each other and quickly establishing their rivalry - when it comes to seasonal releases, it’s a constant competition between both of them on who can do the best Christmas hot chocolate, summer iced drink, halloween cupcakes and even the way they decorate the interiors of their shops. 

Somewhere along the way they both involved their friends and colleagues, Jimin roping Taehyung, Hoseok and Namjoon into his feud and Jungkook with his two friends Yoongi and Seokjin but they really never felt the same anger and rivalry that Jimin and Jungkook do; rather they actually became friends with each other instead and Namjoon and Seokjin even started dating at the end of last year, much to Jimin’s chagrin.

However he quickly got used to the idea and now actually gets along with both Seokjin and Yoongi. It’s Jungkook he has an issue with.

Jungkook. Annoying, competitive, obnoxious, irritatingly handsome Jungkook. Since that very first meeting in Golden Delights, Jimin saw just how serious Jungkook was about his bakery. Jungkook came waltzing into Serendipitous a couple of days after Jimin first met him and did everything he could to wind Jimin up, whether it was by making fun of his cute drink names, comparing the interior to a haunted house he once visited and even making height jokes about Jimin. 

He bought a cinnamon bun and told Jimin it was his contribution to a charity for the month and then left. 

After that the war began. 

Everyone in the town knows they don’t like each other. It’s embarrassingly common knowledge not to mention Jungkook when talking to Jimin and vice versa. But it’s also very clear to everyone else that nothing outsiders do or say anymore will stop this year-long competition and intense dislike. It needs to be settled by Jimin and Jungkook. If that ever actually happens.

It’s not until Hoseok and Chanmi come in for their afternoon shifts that Jimin is actually able to explain to Taehyung exactly what happened with Jungkook to put him in such a bad mood. 

Right after Jimin had finished setting up the till this morning and Taehyung had settled behind the counter, they had their first influx of customers on their way to work or finishing up a run - something which Jimin always internally laughed about. Why go on a run and then buy two pastries and an iced mocha?

Tae settles into one of their worn, comfy chairs in the back room with a happy sigh, picking up his freshly made raspberry and banana smoothie to take a sip, “So… I think I’ll regret asking this but what happened with Jungkook this time?”

Jimin huffs as he finishes shoving his dark hair into a small ponytail on the top of his head and then starts shovelling his kimchi fried rice into his mouth almost aggressively in response, “Don’t get me started…’ He swallows the huge mouthful with some effort and then reluctantly begins, “He rocked up around 4pm yesterday when I was getting ready to leave because Hobi-hyung had arrived. He came in, smirking at me as always and started talking about being allocated one of the larger stalls at the summer festival next month and how that just shows he’s more popular than me. And when I said I also have a big enough stall he just completely ignored me and started talking to Hobi-hyung like I wasn’t there. He’s just… infuriating. I hate him.”

“Oh… So he just came in to gloat and then ignored you anyway?” Taehyung narrows his eyes at Jimin and he makes it hard to look away, “Tell me honestly, Jiminie. Were you more annoyed about the stall at the festival or the fact that he ignored you?” 

Jimin flushes at what Taehyung is insinuating but quickly recovers, “No! It’s not even about that, Taetae, I swear. It’s how he constantly tries to one-up me and makes me feel inferior to him.” 

Taehyung quirks an eyebrow at Jimin but drops the subject, “You know, you could try to be the bigger person and stop rising to his jabs.” 

Jimin shakes his head immediately, feeling like he’s constantly saying the same thing when it comes to Jungkook, “I do try but he finds pleasure in taunting me. What am I supposed to do, thank him when he tells me he’s a better baker?” 

Taehyung chuckles at Jimin’s indignance and thankfully changes the subject, “Moving on from Jungkook-ah before you pop a vein, how did those new tarts turn out?”

***

Jimin grabs a basket from the entrance of the grocery store, planning on buying a few items he needs and maybe a bottle of wine to unwind tonight. 

He finished work half an hour ago after a long 12 hour shift but he ended up chatting to his younger employee, Junho, about how he’s finding everything since starting at Serendipitous two months ago. 

Despite being the manager and owner of the bakery, Jimin stays as involved as possible with everyone, he doesn’t like to shun his work off to someone else and stay locked up in the back. He strongly believes that a good manager and owner is what makes a good business and keeps everyone happy and impressed. 

He strolls down the aisles, picking up some ramen, meat and vegetables before he makes it to the main baking aisle where most of the staple ingredients used in baked goods are. 

It’s almost empty, except for one lone figure looking at the different types of sugar contemplatively. Dressed in black with his signature bucket hat on, Jimin doesn’t have to look twice to know it’s Jungkook. 

“I think I have evidence to prove you’re stalking me, Jeon.”

Jungkook turns with a start, clearly having been in his own little world but when he sees Jimin a smirk spreads across his face as always, “Fancy seeing you here, Jimin-ah.” 

“Yes, it must be such a surprise to see a baker in the baking aisle, I’m sure.” Jimin replies drily, turning his attention to the shelves himself and planning to ignore Jungkook. 

“I suppose you’re panicking about the festival next month now that you know my stall will be better,” Jungkook comments idly, reaching for the sugar he’s decided to buy, “Looking to up your game finally?” 

Jimin whirls towards Jungkook, annoyance seeping into his words, “I don’t need to up anything, Jeon. You think you’re guaranteed more customers or even offers for catering at the festival just because you have a bigger space? I could sell my food on the bare grass in the parking lot and it would still be more impressive than what you call baking.”

“Ooh, now I’m scared, Jimin-ssi. You know, competitions turn me on.” Jungkook says tauntingly, stepping closer to Jimin with his signature smirk on his face, eyes flitting down to Jimin’s lips so briefly that Jimin guesses he must have imagined it.

Jimin inhales sharply as Jungkook’s woodsy scent washes over him but he quickly snaps out of it, “And that’s just one more thing I didn’t need to know about you. Now I understand you might be free to have a chat right now with the little effort you put into your store but I actually have a life so excuse me.” 

Jungkook laughs as Jimin moves past him with his head held high, determined not to start a full argument for once.

Jimin stops a short distance away, realising he still needs items from the aisle whether Jungkook is here or not. He grabs his regular ingredients and then glances around for a small bottle of vanilla extract. He finally spots it on the very top shelf. Now Jimin knows he’s not very tall. He’s not so small that it’s an inconvenience constantly but if someone needed a tall guy, Jimin would be pretty low on their list. 

Despite knowing that, he still decides to stretch as far up as possible, one foot lifting off the ground in his effort but his hand still can’t catch the bottle. It’s so close but his fingers can’t graze the side enough to get a grip. 

He doesn’t need vanilla extract urgently but it’s a little irritating that he can’t get it only because it’s so high up. As he’s about to pick up his basket and move on, a familiar hand reaches past him to grab the bottle he had been struggling for. 

He turns to Jungkook with a little huff, holding his hand out for the bottle expectantly but Jungkook shakes his head, “I think I deserve something in return.” He says infuriatingly, holding the small bottle above Jimin’s head and out of reach again.

“Forget it, Jeon, I’m not that desperate for it.” Jimin snaps, fed up of being delayed by a combination of Jungkook’s unnecessary conversation earlier and now a bottle of vanilla extract. 

“Okay fine, here,” Jungkook thankfully relents, handing the bottle over, “But you owe me one, tiny.” 

“Don’t call me that.” Jimin immediately reacts before realising Jungkook will only call him it more now he knows Jimin doesn’t like it. Annoying brat. 

“Sure thing, tiny. See you around.” Jungkook says predictably before taking off down the aisle.

“Hopefully not anytime soon.” Jimin calls after him childishly. Jungkook brings that trait out in him. 

He stares at the vanilla extract in his hand for a moment before tossing it into his basket with a huff. 

Stupid Jeon Jungkook and his stupid height.

***

Jimin throws his shot of vodka back with vigour, relishing the burn in his throat as he swallows it. He’s already feeling pleasantly buzzed as he sits back in his seat. The bar they’re in is filling up steadily as it gets later into the night.

Taehyung decided they should all go out tonight after how busy it’s been since all the kids in town finished their first semester of school for the year, two weeks ago. Serendipitous has been heaving with families, both locals and those visiting for a holiday seeing as the town is right next to a huge beach. As a result, Jimin has had to call in his staff for extra shifts and Jimin, Tae and Hoseok - as the three full time workers - have done so much overtime that they all feel like they practically live in the bakery.

Along with Sunhee and Junho - two of Jimin’s part time staff members - Namjoon has also joined them as even though he owns the record shop in their town and doesn’t work at Serendipitous, he’s been one of Jimin’s best friends since childhood so automatically is involved in any outing they have.

“Has it been any busier for you, Joon-hyung? With the holidays?” Jimin turns to Namjoon who is sipping his beer with a pensive expression on his face. 

“Hmm, not to the point where we’ve had to add any hours but it’s been a little rowdier on our usual quiet days. We had some really good sales though, this rich family came in and spent 500,000 won on some older, pricier records.” Namjoon finishes with his signature dimpled smile on his face, turning all his attention to Jimin as he speaks.

“Wow, that’s great news hyung!” Jimin opens his mouth to speak again but out of nowhere Seokjin appears and swoops in to greet Namjoon with a kiss on his cheek. Namjoon looks startled for a moment but then relaxes and leans back into his boyfriend's touch. 

“Hey babe, sorry I’m a little late. It’s really busy out there right now. Hi Jiminie, how are you doing?” 

Jimin really likes Seokjin. He technically never had anything against him or Yoongi but when he first met them as friends of Jungkook he was wary that they would have the same opinions as the brat himself and have things to say about his bakery. On the contrary however, both Jungkook’s friends make fun of Jungkook more than anyone else. 

Seokjin is actually a well known youtuber; who mainly reviews food places and does mukbangs but has recently started vlogging his days as well. As he tends to have spare time quite often seeing as he makes his own schedule, he also helps out at Jungkook’s bakery when he can. 

When Namjoon and Seokjin first started dating, Jimin thought - probably foolishly, in hindsight - it would end the feud between Jungkook and himself as they suddenly had mutual friends in a relationship and started seeing each other more in a group setting than before. 

But that was quickly shattered by Jungkook; when he saw Jimin at a dinner for Taehyung’s birthday, he asked if Jimin was using his budget for the whole month on the meal out as the bakery “surely couldn’t be making him enough money.”

Things escalated pretty quickly after that. 

But Seokjin is hilarious, doesn’t take Jungkook’s shit whatsoever and he and Namjoon are perfect for each other.

 Namjoon is so intelligent in various topics but when it comes to common skills like cooking he can sometimes be lacking. Seokjin is the best cook Jimin knows and he takes care of Namjoon, who often overworks himself. 

“I’m good, hyung. How’s the vlogging going?” Jimin asks with a smile, knowing Jin has been branching out on his channel lately. 

“Funny you should ask that, Jimin-ah,” Seokjin whips out a small camera from nowhere and quickly turns it on to face Jimin, “Say hello to today’s vlog, Jiminie.”

Jimin waves shyly, caught off guard, “Aish... Hyung, your viewers would rather see your face than mine.” 

Jin turns the camera to himself with a grin, “Is that true?” He winks at Namjoon, who blushes slightly, “Anyway, don’t sell yourself short, Jimin-ah. In the comments of our bake off video practically everyone was talking about how cute you are.” 

Jimin waves him off, embarrassed. He can’t deny that he did see people saying that about him when he painstakingly checked the comments of Jin’s video, initially he was scared he would see something mean but he was pleasantly surprised. 

Jin continues with his vlog, showing Namjoon briefly and mentioning where they are before he switches the camera off and puts it away, “Oh Jimin, I should warn you… Jungkook is on his way.” 

“Hyung,’ he whines, “Did you invite him?” 

“He invited himself, as always. Brat .” Seokjin says but his tone is far too fond to come across maliciously. 

As much as Jin and Yoongi both tease Jungkook, everyone who knows them knows how much they all mean to each other. 

Despite their turbulent relationship, Jimin does have a lot of sympathy for the fact that Jungkook lost both of his parents when he was only 15 and Seokjin and Yoongi as family friends and both being older, took him in. Their rivalry doesn’t stop him from feeling extremely sorry that Jungkook had to go through that.

Jungkook was not the one to tell Jimin this, of course. That would involve having a civil conversation with each other, something that still hasn’t happened in the time they’ve known each other. 

Seokjin and Yoongi actually talked to him - about two months after Jungkook opened his bakery - to explain why Jungkook can sometimes be a little harsh and quick to expect the worst. Jungkook has had to work very hard on his own to get where he is and Jimin knows this. The problem he has is that Jungkook has to be so confrontational with Jimin all the time and for no reason, constantly looking for an argument. 

Jimin sighs, “Great. There goes my relaxing evening.” 

Seokjin chuckles and Namjoon gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. It’s got to the point where none of their friends really know what they can say anymore when it comes to the relationship Jungkook and Jimin have. 

They argue so much but it’s never really deeper than the rivalry they feel about their bakeries so there’s never been any need for any of their friends to intervene. There have been points where Jimin has felt his temper rising to the point of saying something he’d definitely regret but he’s always reined it in and he’s sure Jungkook has done the same.

His feelings have definitely been hurt by Jungkook but he feels like he’s gotten so used to their arguments that it’s second nature to him now. 

He can’t imagine what it would be like to not argue with him. To have a normal conversation with him. To be friends with him. A tiny part of him wishes he could know.

As Jimin ponders on this, the devil himself walks in, clad in a leather jacket with his dark hair slicked back. 

Jimin sighs again, hating how undeniably attractive Jungkook still is to him. He’s only gotten more handsome in the year since Jimin first met him sadly. 

“Hi hyung.” Jungkook is suddenly saying to Seokjin, standing by their table before Jimin can even blink, “Hi Namjoon hyung.” 

Namjoon smiles, “Hi Jungkook-ah. I haven’t seen you in a while, how are things?” 

“Good! Golden has been so busy with all the visitors recently.” They continue talking but Jimin shuts it out, annoyed by the way Jungkook just ignores his presence when he doesn’t want an argument. 

He doesn’t even know why he’s annoyed, he doesn’t particularly want Jungkook to talk to him but there’s something about the way Jungkook ignores him, as if Jimin isn’t worth his time unless it’s to wind him up. It infuriates Jimin. 

He turns to Taehyung and Hoseok instead, who are talking to Junho and Sunhee animatedly. 

Jimin employs seven people not including himself but Chanmi, Sungwoon and Wooyoung are all busy tonight doing various things so it’s only the five of them from the bakery. It’s clearly turned into a bigger group than they expected however, with Namjoon and Seokjin coming as a package deal at this point and Jungkook now turning up of his own accord. 

“Did you see Mr Choi’s face when he got blasted by that old woman about being rude to us. God, I wanted to cheer her on,” Taehyung gestures excitedly to the others and then turns to Jimin to include him in the conversation, “I know you won’t agree, Jiminie but I wish Mr Choi would become a regular at Golden’s instead. I’m over having to be polite to him all the time.”

Jimin hums, half agreeing despite Taehyung’s words, “He is difficult, I know but the fact that he keeps coming back shows that he’s impressed with something. Not that he’s ever admitted that.”

“Yeah, he’d rather bite our heads off for not stirring his coffee in the right direction than admit he likes the bakery.” Sunhee comments bluntly, her short, black hair slightly mussed from her running her hands through it.

Jimin chuckles at the accuracy but then clears his throat, “Enough work talk, we’ve had a long and hard couple of weeks and I know I said this earlier but you guys have done amazingly and I couldn’t do it without you all. So I’m buying us more shots!” He finishes with a flourish as the others cheer loudly in response. 

Jimin buys several shots of different liqueurs and orders everyone to take one - even Jungkook, who takes one without complaint. They quickly realise that Jimin ordered a huge amount as they seem to never end and Jimin decides to make up for this by downing several in a row. 

He throws back vodka, soju, rum and tequila one after the other, the burn in his throat becoming a constant as he feels the alcohol rush down his body.

In hindsight, he will probably regret doing this but right now he isn’t thinking of future him nursing a hangover on his one day off tomorrow, he’s thinking about how nice it is to feel the drunken rush as the alcohol hits him out of nowhere.

“Jungkook-ssi!” Jimin yells suddenly, deciding now is as good a time as ever to pick a fight with his nemesis, “Jungko- Oh, you’re right here.” 

Jungkook appears in front of Jimin or maybe he was always there and Jimin is just losing his eyesight as he gets more and more drunk, “You’re drunk, Jimin.” Jungkook states, his eyes roaming over Jimin with a strange expression on his face.

“And you’re annoying, Jungkook.” Jimin retorts childishly, forgetting why he was calling for Jungkook in the first place but deciding he might as well stick it out now. 

“Oh yeah, very mature,” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “You’d think you’d be a bit more careful about getting so inebriated in front of so many locals and visitors who might recognise you as the owner of a bakery in the town but clearly that didn’t cross your mind, huh?”

Jimin flushes as Jungkook’s words slowly register and he realises that he could come across as unprofessional. 

No, what the hell, Jungkook is just trying to get in his head and make him feel bad for enjoying himself. He’s allowed to do what he wants in his free time, it’s not like he’s drunk at the bakery right now.

“Yeah, you’re right, Jeon. Weird, you didn’t have the same opinion at Seokjin-hyung’s birthday last year… Didn’t you get so drunk that you danced on the table and tried to take your shirt off? Clearly that didn’t cross your mind back then, huh?”

Jungkook grits his teeth, clearly unsure of what he can say now that Jimin has proved him wrong. This is one thing Jimin enjoys about arguing with Jungkook; he never knows what to say once he’s lost the argument. It’s so satisfying to see him flounder for a comeback, opening his mouth and closing it repeatedly. 

Jimin smirks in response, about to move away when Jungkook speaks, “Pool. Let’s play. Winner gets to choose something for the loser to do. You in?”

“Why would I want to play a stupid game of pool with you?” Jimin scoffs, half serious but also feeling his head becoming fuzzier as all the shots he did start to really hit him. How could he even begin to play a game of pool without making a fool out of himself? 

“I’m getting the feeling that you’re too scared to lose, Jimin-ssi…” Jungkook snarks, an annoying grin on his face as he stares down at Jimin.

“ Fine.’ Jimin huffs, “Let’s play pool.” 

***

Jimin realises about five minutes into their game of pool that he would need a miracle to win. Not only is he extremely drunk now - he keeps sipping on his gin anyway - and struggling to focus on one cue ball, instead of the three that he can make out in his blurry vision but Jungkook is also potentially the most competitive person he has ever met. Even if they were friends, Jimin doubts he’d go easy on him. And they’re most definitely not friends.

Jungkook gets three balls into pockets when he breaks which Jimin doesn’t think is fair but Jungkook simply ignores his whines and tells him he’ll have to do better on his go. 

He stands up when it does become his turn and makes his way to the table unsteadily. He squints harshly at the table once he has the cue stick in his hand and when he feels like he’s in the best position he haphazardly pushes the stick forward. It grazes the side of the cue ball and hits the table with a click. His ball rolls once about two inches to the left and stops. 

Silence.

Then Jungkook bursts out laughing as he pushes off the chair he’d been leaning against, his nose scrunching up and head tipping back. 

“Jin-hyung, you have got to watch this, Jimin is so funny playing pool. He’s so drunk.” Jungkook calls out to Seokjin who is still seated at their table a few metres away with the others. Inevitably, now that Jungkook’s got their attention, everyone turns to look at them both. 

“What the fuck, Jeon!” Jimin hisses, embarrassed that everyone might witness him struggling to even hit the ball, “I don’t want anyone to watch.” 

“We’re in a public place sadly, Jimin. They can do what they want.” Jungkook shrugs, a smirk playing on his lips.

Seokjin and Namjoon come to watch but luckily the others decide to stay at the table, for fear of losing the seats and table if they all get up. 

Jimin glares at Namjoon as he joins them but Namjoon just chuckles and pats Jimin on the head, “You’re even cuter when you’re drunk, Jimin-ah.” 

Jimin huffs and downs his drink in defiance, despite knowing it’s only going to make him drunker and even less aware of his surroundings. 

Jungkook pots two more balls on his go and saunters back to his chair with an insufferable, smug expression on his face. Maybe it’s the alcohol coupled with the humiliation of always looking like an idiot in front of Jungkook but anger floods Jimin and he stalks over to the table, determined to at least pot one ball and do something right. 

He lines the stick up to the cue ball, thankfully able to focus this time - his annoyance is clearly preventing the alcohol he’s consumed from hindering his abilities. He takes aim, angling for the ball closest to a pocket and easiest to hit and puts all his strength into knocking the stick against the cue ball. It knocks against the black ball and sends it hurtling into the pocket. 

“YES! I got one in, take that, Jeon!” Jimin yells, twirling around with a little wobble. It’s only when he notices how silent Jungkook and even Seokjin and Namjoon are, that he stops his little celebration and turns to them, “What?”

“Umm… You see, Jiminie…” Seokjin begins hesitantly and then turns to Namjoon, who shakes his head and turns to Jungkook. 

“What? Just tell me.” Jimin says, frustrated and confused.

“You potted the black ball. That means you instantly lose.” Jungkook admits bluntly, his eyes on Jimin with an unreadable expression on his face. 

“Oh.” Jimin deflates as he realises how stupid he must look right now. 

Fuck, why are his eyes stinging? He can’t cry right now over a game of pool. This is why he shouldn’t drink so much, it always makes him emotional.

Namjoon rushes over to him, a glass of water in his hand out of nowhere, “Why don’t you sober up a little, Minnie. I’m sure you’ll feel better then. It’s really not a big deal, I can’t play pool at all.”

Jimin sits down and takes a sip of the water, still feeling humiliated and mostly because he can still feel Jungkook’s presence in front of him, just watching him silently. 

For the second time that night, he feels enraged by Jungkook. It feels like everything he does is to make Jimin look silly and feel bad about himself. When they’re not arguing over their bakeries and competing over who has the best brownies or who has the best breakfast drinks, Jungkook is challenging him to things, like tonight when he knew Jimin wasn’t in the right state to play pool. Or he’s taunting Jimin by grabbing something off a high shelf and then lording it over him like Jimin is his little plaything. Or he’s coming into Jimin’s bakery and causing a scene just for his own entertainment. 

And Jimin’s had enough. He’s done pretending his feelings haven’t been hurt by some things Jungkook has said and done, he’s done acknowledging him in any way for the sake of their town, he’s done playing nice.

“You,’ Jimin gets up and rushes up to Jungkook, anger running through his body. Maybe if he wasn’t still drunk and emotional he wouldn't have the courage to say anything but he’s over hiding his feelings just to prevent a scene, “You’re a horrible, immature man, Jeon Jungkook. You taunt me, challenge me, make fun of my bakery and my hard work, embarrass me in front of customers, make me question my skills, ignore me when you don’t feel like starting an argument and make me feel like absolute shit all the time . Do you have a heart at all? Do you get off on seeing someone humiliated? Seeing me humiliated? Because it feels like you do. And I’m done with it. I don’t want you in my bakery, I don’t want to see you in public and if I do have to see you when it comes to our friends then just stay away from me and I’ll stay away from you.” 

Jimin heaves in a breath, feeling a mixture of relief and immediate regret as he looks around and sees Namjoon and Seokjin exchanging looks and avoiding Jungkook and Jimin. With growing horror, he realises that Taehyung, Hoseok, Junho and Sunhee are looking over with varying expressions of concern. 

He takes a step back right as Jungkook speaks, “Wait, I’m immature? You put up a sign last year that said ‘Rated the top bakery in the area for three years running, so don’t bother trying the other one.’ and essentially drove customers away from me. You spread a rumour that there were rats at Golden and I had to make a statement online and in the store to stop people reporting me. You try to sabotage my bakery too, which is the place I’ve put my everything into, so don’t act as if you’re innocent in all of this.” 

“Everything I’ve done is in response to something you did first, Jungkook. You told people that my sandwiches gave you food poisoning so I told people I saw a rat in your bakery. You faked a quote from me in a sign pretending I called Golden the better bakery so I retaliated too. I’m not talking about any of that, it’s all stupid, petty things. What I’m done with is feeling like shit constantly and always having to compete with you. It’s stopped me from enjoying my bakery and I never wanted that to happen. I know neither of us ever specifically put a stop to all this so it just kept going on but I’m doing it now. I don’t want to see you, Jungkook. Ever.”

There’s silence. Long, drawn out silence. 

“Okay,” Jungkook says finally, holding his hands up, “Okay… Let’s stop this then.” 

Jimin bites his lip as he nods quickly at Jungkook, “Okay. Good. It’s over.” He says shortly and then he turns to walk back to their table, realising as he does so that either the adrenaline has overpowered the alcohol or he’s sobered up. Or a combination of both. 

“Jimin-” Taehyung starts as he gets to the table and grabs his jacket and keys. 

“What?” Jimin snaps before realising his mistake and taking a deep breath, “I’m sorry Taehyungie. I don’t know why I’m still so angry right now…”

“Well you were bound to blow up at Jungkook-ah eventually. I’m not surprised you’re still feeling tense. But I was just going to ask if you wanted me to come back with you or if you want to be alone?” Taehyung says with a comforting smile on his face and a pang of guilt hits Jimin for snapping at him.

“I think I need to be alone. I’m not going to be good company, I don’t think. But thank you for offering, Taetae.” Jimin manages a small smile back before it feels too fake and he drops it. His head is starting to hurt and the bar suddenly feels too packed. 

He glances back to the pool table and sees Jungkook and Jin discussing something while Namjoon stands nearby on his phone. On a closer look it seems like Jin is the one speaking to Jungkook while he sits on his chair with his head down. 

Jimin looks away after a moment, worried one of the trio will look over and catch his eye and also feeling a little bit of shame creep up his neck as it starts to fully sink in that he told Jungkook how he really feels finally.

Along with the shame though, he does feel a strong sense of relief that he will finally go into work knowing that he won’t have to see Jungkook or come up with a brand new and better display to compete with the elaborate ones at Golden Delights.

As he leaves the bar - after awkwardly saying his goodbyes and nodding to a gesture from Namjoon that he will call him later - he starts to hope that this will be the beginning of a more peaceful, stress-free time in his life and hopefully, avoiding Jungkook and not having to be on edge all the time will only mean good things for Serendipitous from now on. 

What could go wrong now?

***

“So you haven’t spoken to Jungkook-ah since that night?”

Jimin places the last of the buns on the tray to bake, picking it up carefully and placing it in the huge oven fitted in the back of Serendipitous. 

“No, I haven’t seen him at all actually,” He replies to Taehyung as he makes his way back to the counter, which Tae is leaning against and Hoseok is sitting on one of the high stools. 

“Not even in passing?” Hoseok asks, looking surprised.

“No, I haven’t even seen him walk past the shop at night like I used to,” When both Tae and Hoseok look at him questioningly he flushes, realising it sounds like he used to look out for Jungkook, “I only noticed it because sometimes he would come into the shop to annoy me, I swear!” 

Taehyung doesn’t look convinced but Hoseok changes the topic, “And you haven’t spoken at all since the bar?” 

“No, like I said, I haven’t seen him, I haven’t spoken to him and I’m perfectly happy keeping it that way.” Jimin replies, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone. He doesn’t want to keep talking about Jungkook. 

It’s been weird in surprising ways, the fact that he no longer has to prepare for Jungkook to waltz into the bakery or find out through someone else what he’s said about Jimin. But - and he isn’t telling anyone this - it’s also unnerving to not be competing anymore and to have gone a whole two weeks with not even a whisper from Jungkook. He’s literally disappeared from Jimin’s life, just like he asked him to.

And it’s not like Jimin’s complaining, at all. But it’s just strange to finally have peace again in the way that he’s imagined for so long and realise it’s actually not as stress free as he thought. It is still busy in the shop, he still had to come up with amazing, new ideas for the festival and he still feels the pressure of having another bakery in town to at least be as good as.

The only difference is he no longer sees Jungkook and lets that tension out with a good argument. 

It’s also embarrassing that Jimin has taken to scrutinising every man in black that he sees, just on the off chance it’s Jungkook. He’s not looking for him, at all but it’s been odd that they live in such a close knit town and have been able to avoid seeing each other completely. Not even catching sight of the other on a street. 

But Jimin needs to stop obsessing over it, seriously. He is the one who asked for this, for god's sake, so he doesn’t know why he’s now wondering where Jungkook has gone. He hasn’t gone anywhere, he’s just finally doing what Jimin asked for.

He shakes the thoughts out of his mind as he swiftly cleans up his cooking area while Taehyung and Hoseok chat idly to each other.

“Oh, Jimin, I suppose you’ll see him tomorrow,” Taehyung suddenly says, making Jimin look up with a raised brow.

“See who?”

“Jungkook, duh. At the festival?”

Jimin sighs, wondering how they’re talking about Jungkook again, “Yes, I probably will but it’s a big festival, I doubt we’ll have to talk to each other.”

The festival is an annual summer event that used to happen in the town next to theirs but for the past two years has moved a lot further away. They ask many different types of cooks, bakers and companies to attend and sell their goods for the day. Jimin still goes as it is good advertising and a decent day of sales and catering companies often send scouts to look for new talent. 

“I wish we could come, I miss getting to try all the amazing food.” Hoseok says with a dreamy, nostalgic look on his face.

“Yeah, are you sure you’ll be alright all day on your own, Jimin-ah? You know someone could come with you.” Taehyung adds, peering at Jimin. 

“Nah, don’t worry about me. Since they moved it to a different town I only really go out of loyalty to the owners. It’s a pain taking all the food with me as it is. I’d feel bad making someone else travel all that way with me.” Jimin explains, just thinking of the three hour drive he’s going to do is making him shudder.

“You know we wouldn’t mind but if you’re sure…” Taehyung says doubtfully, “I just feel bad knowing you’re going all alone with no one to talk to. But then I guess Jungkook will be there too.”

Jimin laughs at the absurdity, “I’d rather not speak to a soul all day than have to spend my day talking to Jungkook.” He laughs again but it’s more from the picture in his head of the two of them having to make small talk at the festival together. It just wouldn’t go well.

Luckily he has his own tent and will be able to sell his baked goods all day with no one bothering him. It should be a great day to promote the bakery and also make some good money. And despite the long drive, it is nice to get out of town every now and again. 

Hopefully it will all go to plan.

***

“We’re sharing WHAT?” Jimin’s voice gets progressively louder and he doesn’t even care that people might hear them. It’s not even a concern in his mind right now. 

He had arrived at the city of the festival late last night after the long drive, with all his pastries, treats and bread safely packed into his preserving kit in his car. Since the festival now takes place so far away from their town, Jimin tends to spend two nights near the city of Yeosu which he’s somewhat familiar with. He was up extremely early this morning, ready to be on his feet selling his goods for the day and he made good time in getting to the huge area set aside for the festival. 

It’s partly indoors and outdoors which is always the safe option in case the weather turns. The outdoors area has hundreds of tents erected for sellers to set up in and there is a big hall where entertainment takes place and people can buy drinks from the bar. The festival is actually a two day event but Jimin only ever comes for the first day - even when it was held at the old location a lot nearer to him he did.

But upon arriving he had unfortunately been met with the sight of Jeon Jungkook, seeing him for the first time in two weeks now. However, he didn’t have time to say a word before Jungkook was descending on him with a stony expression on his face to tell him inexplicably that he and Jimin were sharing a tent for their bakeries.

“You heard me, didn’t you? We have to share a tent, apparently something got mixed up because we’re both from the same town. They thought we were a joint bakery or something. So they registered us to the same tent.” Jungkook repeats, looking more irritated by the second.

“Fuck.” Jimin curses, “Well, can’t they do something for us? Just get one of us another tent. We can’t sell our goods from different bakeries in the same tent.”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? They’re overbooked. They said it’s either one tent that we share or one of us doesn’t have one at all.” 

Jimin frowns, looking over to the staff in the entrance to the festival, “I’ll go speak to them.” He says firmly, marching off without a second glance at Jungkook.

“Jimin, I’ve spoken to them already…” Jungkook calls after him, with annoyance in his tone but Jimin ignores him. 

He can’t share with Jungkook. They can’t possibly work together in any way, so this day will be a complete disaster in their sales and in a personal way. Who’s going to come up to their stall and buy a croissant or a hot cross bun if the two owners are bickering behind it non-stop?

“Hello, excuse me?” Jimin politely greets the two women who are chatting to each other in the makeshift welcome tent.

“Hello, is there something we can help you with?” One of the ladies steps forward with a smile on her glossy lips.

“Yes… It seems like there’s been a mix up somewhere. I was booked to have an individual tent to sell my items but for some reason I’ve been given a joint tent with a guy from the same town as me… There must be a way to fix this little mistake surely?” Jimin widens his eyes a little, imploringly but the lady is already shaking her head firmly.

“I’m sorry but there’s really nothing we can do. We’re already overbooked with some people turning up and having no stall whatsoever so there’s simply no way we could find another tent for you. I’m afraid you’ll have to share.” The woman looks sympathetic as she speaks but Jimin isn’t focusing on that, he’s too busy thinking about how this day is now set to be the worst of his life.

“But hey, if you guys are from the same town, you must know each other, right? It can’t be all bad, at least it’s not a stranger.” The second woman pipes up with an encouraging look.

Jimin scoffs, “Yeah, you would think that but we really don’t get along. We’re pretty competitive with each other.” Understatement of the year.

Both women hum in understanding before one speaks again, “If that’s the case then use this opportunity to prove how good you are at making sales. He’ll see you doing amazing and realise he has to step up his game.”

Jimin can’t help but smile at these two strangers taking the time to give him advice despite not being able to help with the tent situation, “You might be onto something with that. Thank you both for your help.” He turns and reluctantly walks back to Jungkook who is standing with an annoying, knowing look on his face.

“Well?” Jungkook asks, infuriatingly rude.

“Well what?” Jimin snaps at him, “They said we have no choice but to share so it looks like I’m stuck with you all day.”

“Gee thanks. You’re no Rainbow and Sunshines either. Let's just get through today and then go back to avoiding each other.” Jungkook says, oddly sensible in a way that makes Jimin stare at him until it becomes uncomfortable. They both look away hastily.

“I’m telling you now, you better not interfere with any of my potential sales, Jeon. I’m here to sell my items and promote Serendipitous, that’s all. So we can just stay out of each other's way as much as possible.”

“I think you might be overestimating the size of our tent, Jimin. I doubt we’re gonna have room to stay out of each other's way.” Jungkook comments as they make their way back to the parking lot to bring all their stuff in finally.

“Well, we’ll make room. Or better yet, why don’t you just sell your items on the ground? They’ll probably fit right in.” Jimin snarks as he gets to his car and hears Jungkook storm away with a huff.

Jimin knows he could be more civil to Jungkook to try and prevent today from being as turbulent as their interactions normally are but there’s an itch under his skin just from looking at Jungkook and he isn’t feeling very amicable at all. Before he grabs all of his bags to lug them to their joint stall, he pulls his phone out to rant.

Sunshines <3  

Jimin

You won’t believe what’s happened here…

Taetae

What is it???

Hobi-hyung’s on till but I’ll update him after my break

Jimin

I have to share a tent with Jungkook. All day.

Taetae

HAHAHAHAH WHAT OMG

Jimin

Tae.

Taetae

Sorry min but that’s so??? It’s fate :p

Jimin

It most definitely is not fate… It’s my worst nightmare. 

We’re already arguing non stop.

Taetae

Not surprising

You just need to focus on selling and ignore him, I guess. 

Or try being nice but I can’t see that happening.

Jimin

Yeah me neither

I’m just gonna pretend he isn’t there

It’s just one day

How bad can it be?

Taetae

Exactly! That’s the spirit, Minnie

You’ll be fine

Text us if anything big happens

Love you <3

Jimin finds himself repeatedly regretting saying ‘How bad can it be?’ as the day goes on. They can’t do anything right together.

First, they get to their allocated tent and promptly fight over the side they each want. Even as they’re arguing, Jimin is wondering how they’ve got to the point where they can’t even choose a side of the table civilly. He wouldn’t say it’s a wake up call but it is embarrassing to realise how much of a lost cause they are.  

They’re setting their things up when Jungkook places a tray of cupcakes on Jimin’s side of the table with no hesitation. 

“What are you doing?” Jimin asks immediately, walking back over from where he was crouched on the ground.

“Placing my sweet treats,” Jungkook replies, continuing to add more onto the rapidly growing pile of food.

“No. You need to place them on your side, Jungkook. This is my side.” Jimin draws an invisible line down the middle of the table to indicate what he means. 

“That’s way more than half of the table on your side! That’s not fair, Jimin.” Jungkook stands up angrily and places his hand on the table instead, “This is the middle. I’m not arguing about this again.”

Jimin glances at Jungkook’s hand - decidedly ignoring how big and veiny it looks - and then looks back up at Jungkook’s face, “ Fine. But some of your sweet treats are still on my side. So move them.” 

By the time it gets to 9am and the festival is officially open, they have argued over the sides of the table again, - this time because Jimin has a huge stack of paper plates in the middle of it and Jungkook doesn’t think it’s fair - bickered over the amount of space they want between each other when they’re actually selling their food so that it’s obvious they are from different bakeries, disagreed on when they can start to talk to a potential customer - Jimin said they need to see who’s food the customer is more inclined towards first whereas Jungkook thought it should be immediate no matter who gets the sale in the end - and also had a brief argument over sharing their paper plates and napkins to have a more cohesive colour scheme for the tent as Jungkook has brought gold and navy and Jimin has brought black and white.

In the end they decide to keep Jimin’s plates and napkins in the middle of the table because it is an ideal placement for customers, they are standing 2 feet apart but their hostile energy and expressions probably make it very clear that they are not friends and they decide to greet the customers as they walk in but wait till they show an interest in an item to decide who should speak.

Jimin knows from previous years that unlike other events, this festival is busy from open till close so he’s not expecting a break from now until his lunch. Hopefully time will fly and he will be in his car back home where he will be able to peacefully forget about the events of today. 

He has to admit, their table looks amazing filled with their different types of baked foods, multi-coloured cupcakes, cookies, tarts, donuts, scones, honey bread, loaves, baguettes, croissants, savoury pastries and more - all spread across the long table that has caused so many issues. 

As he’s about to ask Jungkook if he can move his huge camera bag under the table and out of sight, the first festival attendees come in. With food like theirs, customers tend to flit in and out all day as baked goods can pretty much be eaten at all times of the day. 

Jimin smiles widely and nods towards the three customers - a family by the looks of it, “Hi, welcome!” As he starts off a conversation with the family while Jungkook stands uselessly next to him, he only hopes that they won’t drive away any customers today with their bickering. 

***

“She was looking at my rolls, Jimin. You stole a customer from me.” Jungkook grits under his breath as Jimin wraps four bread rolls up in a bag. 

“You’re losing it, Jungkook. She asked if you had any cheese covered ones and you don’t so obviously I offered mine. It’s business.” Jimin replies back, careful to keep his voice as low as possible. 

Jungkook mutters something under his breath but it’s probably a good thing that Jimin doesn’t hear what it is; instead he turns to his customers and tells them the amount for the four rolls. 

It’s almost lunch and the morning has gone by incredibly slowly. They haven’t had a big argument yet but they have been throwing insults back and forth and repeatedly sending pointed looks at each other when something annoys them. Jimin keeps having to tell Jungkook to stop interrupting him during sales and Jungkook is adamant that Jimin is trying to sabotage him in some way. It’s safe to say they are not working well together and it’s frustrating for Jimin to realise that their relationship is so bad that they can’t even ignore each other and get on with their own job. 

Jungkook whirls around from the hygiene station that doubles as a small kitchen - with a sink, kettle, microwave, mini fridge and worktop space - with a glare as soon as the customers leave, “You’re doing this on purpose.” He states, a whiny tone to his voice that Jimin is mildly intrigued by.

“Doing what on purpose?” Jimin asks, genuinely confused as he moves nearer to wash his hands quickly.

“Ignoring me.” 

Jimin turns to Jungkook in surprise, not expecting to hear something like that, “I’m being professional , Jungkook-ssi. And the last person who should be offended over being ignored is you.”

“Why?”

Jimin scoffs, “Because you constantly ignore me whenever we’re out with our friends. If you don’t want to start an argument then you act as if I don’t even exist.” 

Jungkook blinks at him, “Oh. Well-” 

“Excuse me?” 

They both turn to see a woman on her own in front of all their food, “I’d like to purchase a few things.” 

Jungkook hurries over with a quick glance at Jimin, clearly determined to have this customer for himself.

As Jungkook chats away to the customer, Jimin ponders on what it would be like to be friends with Jungkook and not have this constant feeling of competition and inadequacy looming over him. He knows Jungkook isn’t some evil villain and he is very different around his friends. He’s quick to tease and laugh, sometimes acts younger than he is when he’s surrounded by his hyungs and generally seems like a fun person to be around. 

But when it comes to Jimin, there’s none of that. Jungkook immediately seems to be defensive or looking for a way to make fun of him and if they were friends, maybe that would be okay but it comes across as malicious to Jimin because of the lack of friendship.

 Sometimes Jimin even wonders if they would be well suited to each other romantically, if they had met in a different circumstance and not had the pressure of their bakeries causing this rift between them.

As Taehyung, Hoseok and Namjoon constantly like to remind him, Jungkook is Jimin’s type physically down to a tee. And Jimin never denies that Jungkook is attractive but he can’t even imagine being friends with him, let alone dating him. And sure, sometimes he thinks about what it would be like to get Jungkook worked up in a different way, how it would feel to be underneath his broad body but that’s his little secret. 

He shakes himself out of his little fantasy, realising Jungkook is wrapping up the transaction and he is just standing by the sink, his dripping hands held out in front of him. He doesn’t often think of Jungkook in that way but sometimes the arguments they have lead to him daydreaming about the amazing hate sex they could have and how easy it would be to be held up by Jungkook against a wall, Jungkook’s biceps straining as he effortlessly pounds into Jimin, a sheen of sweat covering his forehead and-

“Jimin??” 

Jimin hastily turns, flushing over his impure thought going a little too far, “What?” He says evenly, hoping he doesn’t look suspicious at all. Not that Jungkook would probably ever guess what he had just been imagining.

“We’re on our lunch now. The staff just came by to say they’re doing it section by section. But we have to stay in here.” 

Jimin huffs, “So we can’t even look around the festival ourselves,” He grabs one of the chairs provided for them that have been stacked in the corner and sits down heavily.

Jungkook mills around the tent, pulling a couple of things out of his bag and placing them on the small worktop area and then meticulously washing his hands before he starts to make his lunch, grabbing a bread roll from his side of the table and pulling a bento box out of nowhere, which Jimin sees is full of sandwich fillings.

Jimin sighs for no reason and then pulls himself up only to get his own pre-packed lunch out. He brought ramen and kimbap from a convenience store last night, knowing there would be a kettle at least to make his ramen. He grabs a bread roll of his own to eat as well, although he didn’t bring anything to put on it.

He catches Jungkook eyeing him as he makes his way over to the sink and resists the urge to snap at him, instead calmly raising an eyebrow as he speaks, “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Jungkook says quickly, turning away, “I just- I mean if you want to use these after me… You can, I guess. I brought a lot with me.” He says very fast as his ears turn red, gesturing to all of his fillings - sliced onions, potato salad, egg, cheeses all spread out in neat bento boxes.

Jimin blinks in surprise before he regains his composure and nods hastily, “I- Yeah I will. Um… Thanks.” 

Jungkook nods once before he finishes putting his sandwich together and Jimin fills the kettle with water and lets it boil. An awkward silence settles between them as Jimin silently marvels the fact that Jungkook actually offered his own sandwich fillings to him. Is this progress?

Jungkook pushes the bento boxes nearer to Jimin after he finishes using them and then he grabs his own chair from the corner and settles down with his food. 

Jimin quickly slices open his own roll and fills it while his water boils and then he grabs a paper plate and piles all his food up on there. He sits back down in his chair, unsure whether he should try to break the tension between him and Jungkook or just sit in silence instead.

“Thanks… For the sandwich fillings.” He offers and then cringes at how unnatural he sounds. He’s supposed to be making it less awkward but instead it sounds forced. 

Jungkook looks up from his phone, still chewing his food, “Oh. Yeah, it’s fine.” He says shortly and then looks back down at his phone. 

“Do you… Um- Do you want some kimbap?” Jimin blurts out, unable to stop himself from talking.

Jungkook looks startled, staring at Jimin for a moment and then nodding once, “Sure…” He says slowly, as if he expects Jimin to take back his offer. Jimin passes him one of the wrapped triangle pieces and it feels like a very delicate peace offering somehow. 

He doesn’t know what brought on this strange atmosphere of not arguing but also not talking but he’s not going to complain. 

They munch on their food in silence, both on their phones but occasionally Jimin glances up to see Jungkook watching him carefully as if wanting to speak. After the third occurence of this, he speaks instead, “Convenience store kimbap is never that great but somehow I always buy it.” He says lightly, hoping they’ll transition into a casual conversation. 

“Do I really ignore you?” Jungkook says abruptly instead, his own eyes widening as if he wasn’t planning to say that.

“Huh- Well… Yeah. I don’t know if you even realise you’re doing it but whenever we’re not arguing with each other, it feels like you forget I exist.” Jimin doesn’t say it but it’s probably the thing that hurts him the most out of everything Jungkook does or says. Feeling invisible or irrelevant always hits a nerve.

“Oh.’ Jungkook looks shocked, his expression changing and Jimin is reminded of how young he actually is. Jimin sometimes forgets Jungkook’s young age because he is so independent. But he has had to be that way due to his terrible circumstances. It makes him feel like he blames Jungkook too easily for things that he probably isn’t aware of but at the same time he can’t baby him and not hold him accountable. 

“I-’ Jungkook clears his throat, “I didn’t realise I did that. Um… I’m sorry if it’s bothered you.” He finishes awkwardly. 

Jimin feels his face growing hot in embarrassment, “It’s okay,” He squeaks out, “It does bother me but-’ He shrugs, not sure how to word his thoughts, “I guess we both do those types of things knowing it might bother the other. It’s like the basis of our relationship.” 

“No. I don’t do things like that on purpose, I swear, Jimin-ssi.” Jungkook leans forward, his expression earnest, “I wind you up and make fun of you but I guess-” He trails off, his voice growing smaller, “I didn’t realise what was hurting you and what you saw as part of our ‘game.’” 

In a weird way, it makes sense. If Jungkook thought that Jimin saw everything as just another aspect of their rivalry, then he wouldn’t realise what was upsetting Jimin. And it’s possibly true the other way around.

“Have I ever-” Jimin starts, unsure how they’ve started this conversation but willing to see it through, “I mean, have you ever been hurt by something I’ve said during one of our arguments?”

Jungkook nods, “Not really by what you say but I don’t like when you start things in public when people are around. Or when you say something to humiliate me in front of people we know.” He admits, staring at his hands and not at Jimin directly.

That makes sense too, with the personality Jungkook has and how introverted he can be, of course he wouldn’t want big crowds seeing him argue or get called out. Jimin realises with a pang of guilt that his drunk self did that knowingly to Jungkook at the bar. He knew it would embarrass Jungkook the most. 

He speaks carefully, “Well I’m sorry too. I know you’re not comfortable with things like that but I did it anyway. So… Sorry.” He finishes lamely, also dropping his gaze down to his feet. Jungkook nods his acceptance, clearly unsure of what to say.

He realises they’ve been speaking for around ten minutes now with no threat of an argument at all. It feels too soon to call it progress but it’s something, at least. 

Jimin finished his food hastily, realising their break must be ending soon and they’ve descended into silence again. He gets up and throws his used plate away, grabbing his empty flask that originally had tea in and deciding to fill it with water instead. 

It’s as he turns the tap off and goes to pick up his flask that it happens. His hand knocks against his flask instead and it wobbles and falls, spilling water all over the worktop area where Jungkook has left some old book and his used bento boxes. 

“Oh, shit,” Jimin mutters, grabbing a paper towel from the side hastily, in the hope that he can soak up a lot of the water. 

“Um, Jungkook? You left something over here and… I just spilt water over it. Sorry.” He calls out, feeling like he’s about to break the tentative peace they just established in mere seconds. 

Jungkook doesn’t answer but Jimin hears a rustle as he makes his way over. He turns to him but the expression on Jungkook’s face stops him from speaking. Jungkook looks pained as he reaches out for the sodden book lying on the worktop. He holds it gingerly, turning it around to inspect the damage and Jimin visibly sees the emotion that passes over his face. 

“Jungkook… I’m sorry… Is the book really important to you or something?” Jimin mumbles, eyeing the book with it’s dripping corners with unease settling deep within him. It doesn’t look like it’ll be very usable after this.

Jungkook takes a deep breath and shakes the book gently, clearly trying to rid some of the water from it, “It belonged to my grandmother, who passed it to my mother. And she passed it down to me. It’s got every recipe our family has ever used written in it.” Jungkook grits the words out with a pained expression - as if it hurts just to say it.

Oh god.

“God. Jungkook- I- I’m so... I don’t know what to say, I’m so sorry- so so sorry. It was an accident. I’m- We could try to fix it, maybe it’ll be fine once it dries.” Jimin offers timidly.

“DOES IT LOOK LIKE IT WILL BE FINE ?” Jungkook snaps, shaking the drenched book in Jimin’s direction with sudden anger.

“I-’ Jimin closes his mouth, knowing nothing he says will be enough. 

They’re not even friends. That's the worst part. If Jimin was close with Jungkook and had done something like this, he could comfort him better, he would understand more but all he can do is stand there uselessly, rooting around in his mind for anything he can say.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispers, feeling completely out of his depth. 

“Just leave me alone for a moment. Please.” Jungkook says quietly, still with that awful, grief stricken expression on his face. 

And part of Jimin wants to stay, to try to comfort Jungkook or even worse ask why he would leave such a precious possession lying around like that. But he hates the part of him that’s thinking these things, his mind trying to take away the guilt he feels at this moment. He knows Jungkook’s tragic and unfortunate family situation - or at least the jist of it - so to have an item like this ruined in an instant, when it belonged to those late family members, must be an unbearable type of pain.

The rest of the day is spent in almost complete silence.

Their break ends not long after the whole incident and Jungkook seems to put on a persona to carry on. Save for asking Jimin to pass him something and talking to customers, he completely shuts off. It’s like his every action is shrouded with sadness and Jimin has never seen him like this. He supposes he hasn’t spent enough time with him anyway but also this is probably a situation that Jungkook isn’t in very often. Jimin tries to imagine how he would feel in Jungkook’s situation and it’s difficult to even think about. He feels such an immense guilt for causing this and it looms over him for the rest of the day, in every conversation he has with a customer he is still thinking about it in the back of his head. 

By the end of the day, when the festival wraps up and they put any remaining items away or throw them out, it feels like it’s been an age since they arrived and had their first argument regarding the tents. Jimin keeps wanting to talk to Jungkook but he knows he’ll only be apologising more and that won’t change what happened.

Jungkook packs up his side of the table and all his other things in super speed, clearly wanting to leave as soon as possible which Jimin doesn’t blame him for.

Before he leaves, Jungkook picks up the still wet book from the chair he left it on and turns it over, trying to peel open one of the pages carefully before he gives up with a sigh. He hesitates and then turns to the garbage area with many different bins for different uses. He carefully places the book in the recycling bin and it seems to cause him physical pain because he turns back around quickly, catching Jimin’s eye. 

He has tears in his wide eyes as he speaks, “Jimin… I know it was an accident, okay.’ He says softly, “But I just- It meant a lot to me. That book is basically the reason I became a baker. So yeah…” He picks up all his bags and starts to leave.

“Wait- Jungkook?” Jimin calls out before he can stop himself.

“Yeah?” 

“I-’ Jimin hesitates, so much he wants to say but doesn’t know how to, “I just- I’m sorry. For everything.” And he hopes Jungkook understands what he means.

Jungkook nods, still looking emotional and leaves, the tent flapping as he exits.

Jimin crouches down as soon as he’s gone, burying his face in his hands to finally release the emotion he’s been holding in for Jungkook’s sake. He feels so consumed with guilt but at the same time he knows that it can’t be even a quarter of what Jungkook feels. Eventually he gets back up, wiping at his eyes and packs up quickly. 

Before he leaves, eager to get out and leave the festival behind for the year, he hesitates and on a whim goes to the recycling bin and pulls the book out gingerly. He wraps it up carefully in one of the spare bags he has and takes it with him.

He’s going to fix this. Not just the book but everything. If anything, today has been a wake up call. 

***

Jimin grabs his things from the back of Serendipitous quickly, having finished another long 12 hour shift. He’s been working non stop since the weekend of the festival with only one day off a week and basically all 12 hour shifts back to back. It’s been time consuming and distracting but not distracting enough to stop him from thinking about Jungkook and the festival and everything that happened. 

It almost feels like it wasn’t real. When Jimin got back home the next morning, he unfortunately had the whole day off to mull it over and overthink everything. He couldn’t stop picturing Jungkook’s face when he saw the sodden recipe book. He essentially paced around his apartment that entire day to come to the conclusion that they needed to talk to each other. Properly. 

Their feud has gone on for so long because neither one of them have ever thought to ask what the issue is. Why they can’t stop arguing, why they find it hard to be in the same room with each other, why they never see eye to eye. When it really comes down to it, they actually have a lot in common. They’re both bakers, both extremely hard working and passionate about their respective jobs, both do everything for their friends and families and they both have the same competitive nature and willpower. So in an alternate universe, they would probably be great friends and Jimin is starting to wonder if that would still be possible at all, given their history. Seeing Jungkook truly hurt at the festival has really changed his thought process and made him realise how toxic they have both been.

They have both been hurting each other without a second thought and haven’t stopped to think about the consequences. Jimin doesn’t want to keep going on like this anymore.

He still feels guilt hanging over him every time he remembers Jungkook’s pained expression and heartbreaking words as he explained that the recipe book was passed down to him from his late family members and was clearly his most prized possession. Despite it truly being an accident, Jimin doesn’t want to hurt Jungkook anymore even with casual bickering. He wants to talk it out and finally act like adults about their relationship.

He told Jungkook a lot of the issues he had with him that night in the bar but now in hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best way to go about it. He wants them to have a mature conversation about how they’ve hurt each other and why they always jump straight to an argument instead of talking it out. He knows now that they’re both to blame and hopefully Jungkook will be willing to talk to him and understand that too.

He resolves himself as he walks out of the bakery, after a quick goodbye to Sunhee and Chanmi. It’s not cold out as it’s still August but Jimin feels goosebumps erupt on his skin as he walks closer and closer to Golden Delights. It’s a Sunday so the bakery is probably closing soon and hopefully Jimin will be able to ask Jungkook if they can talk after he’s closed up. He’s not sure what he’ll do if Jungkook doesn’t want to talk - he hasn’t thought that far ahead.

The signature bell dings as he pushes the door to Golden open with trepidation, his heart hammering in his chest as he makes his way into the quiet shop. 

“Sorry, we’re about to close but- Oh.” Jungkook cuts himself off as he notices that it’s Jimin who has entered his bakery, “Jimin… What- Um, what are you doing here?” Jungkook asks awkwardly, the tension between them already unbearable.

Jimin steps further into the shop, despite every muscle in his body wanting to stop it, “Well… I hoped we could talk. After you’re done closing?”

Jimin sees the way Jungkook’s eyes widen and his entire demeanor changes, the tension leaving his body as he must sense that Jimin isn’t here to fight, “Oh. Um… Yeah okay. I’ll be done in about 30 minutes.” 

Jimin cracks a forced smile, “Wow, that’s quicker than I can close up, you must be quick.” He chuckles once but the awkwardness prevails and Jungkook merely nods and turns towards the tills.

“You can take a seat, Jimin-ssi.” He says briefly, gesturing to the many armchairs and sofas that decorate the interior of the bakery.

Jimin settles into an armchair in the corner of the shop, still nervous but determined to get this conversation done. Surely it won’t make anything worse, at least.

He passes the thirty minutes by scrolling aimlessly through his phone, occasionally watching Jungkook as he cleans the rest of the bakery and flits in and out of the back room and going over the general idea of what he wants to say to Jungkook.

Eventually Jungkook makes his way over, looking tired but he doesn’t say anything so he’s clearly willing to talk to Jimin right now. He has two mugs in his hands and he slides one to Jimin, who pulls it nearer in surprise. It’s hot chocolate.

“Oh. Thank you.” He says, taking a sip carefully. It tastes like cinnamon and white chocolate and it’s delicious but that doesn’t surprise him. He’s long past pretending to himself that Jungkook’s food and drinks are anything less than excellent. 

“So... what is it you’re here for?” Jungkook asks, not harshly but curiously.

Jimin pauses, unsure where to start, “Well. First, um- I just want you to know how sorry I am about your recipe book. I know nothing I say will make up for it but I wanted to start with that.” 

Jungkook looks down, eyes sad, “Yeah. I appreciate that.” 

Jimin moves on, not wanting to upset Jungkook by continuing to talk about the book, “I also- Well, I’m going to be honest, I don’t know where to begin but I want to stop this rivalry and try to get to know each other. Since the festival- No- Since the bar really, I’ve been wanting to talk to you properly and not in a situation like that night again. Because so much has happened between us that we’ve never had any real conversation about and we just resort to arguing so quickly instead. I don’t want that anymore. So I was hoping… Maybe you feel the same?” He stops rambling, nervous to hear what Jungkook says.

“I- I do want that. I never wanted it to get like this between us, Jimin, I never wanted to have some crazy competition going on with the other bakery when I first bought this shop. I wanted to be friends but it just spiralled out of control from the day we met. And we’re both to blame, no one has more of a role in this. But I don’t know… We both need to agree to put effort in if we’re going to be- Well.. friends, if you’re okay with that?” Jungkook stares intently at Jimin as he speaks, sincerity shining through his words.

Jimin nods quickly, “Yes. Of course I’m okay with that. We just need to talk about all the issues we have with each other so we can start fresh.”

“Okay.” Jungkook hums, “Why did you actually come here the first time we met? I always wondered if you were looking to start an argument that day.”

“Huh? No, not at all. It was to introduce myself and check out the shop but then obviously it became an issue when you said there wasn’t any competition because Golden was better.”

Jungkook groans, “I know… I still feel like such an idiot for saying that because it basically started everything off on the wrong foot. But I guess…” He hesitates for a moment, “I was insecure after you’d said I was very young to be the owner because at the time I was already struggling to stay on top of everything. And I felt like I needed to put on a front to you, to pretend I wasn’t worried about opening with another bakery so close, so I said that. But please, know I didn’t mean it then and I don’t think it now.” He finishes, looking down out of embarrassment. 

“I never would have guessed that you were insecure about that, you know? I actually thought you were younger than you are which is why I was so surprised that you could own a bakery. But I bought Serendipitous when I was 24 so you were actually only a year younger than I was. I genuinely didn’t mean to offend you when I said that, I guess it probably came across as patronising.” Jimin drains his hot chocolate after he speaks, setting it down with a thud. He feels warmth and relief spreading through him the more they talk and get everything out in the open finally. 

“Yeah, maybe I was too quick to take offence as well. But… Jimin-ssi-” 

“You should call me hyung.” Jimin interrupts, not liking how formal they are, “If we’re gonna be friends…” 

Jungkook nods shyly, “Okay. Jimin-hyung I want to know exactly what you meant that night in the bar. I went home feeling awful because I never realised how much everything was hurting you and then I thought the only thing I could do was what you asked: to stay away. But then the festival happened and we still argued so-” He trails off, they both know exactly what happened at the festival.

Jimin hums contemplatively, “I guess we never really set any boundaries at all and as time went on we became worse and worse with each other. I just started feeling so upset about my own baking and I was comparing everything I did to you. I don’t want to say it wasn’t because of the things you said and did but it was also a lot of my own insecurities playing into it as well. I’ve never been the most confident in my own abilities and so having someone turn up with the same skill set as me made me feel vulnerable.” 

“But… What? I was so intimidated by you-” Jungkook blurts out and then reddens, “I mean- You were this popular, talented baker who owned an amazing bakery and there was no real need for another one. I was convinced I’d close down within two months.” He admits, catching Jimin by surprise with his words.

“Really?” Jimin asks and Jungkook nods, “You came across so confident and determined that I thought I was done for. You know, when you told me I must be worried that Golden was better than Serendipitous when we met, you were right. I was so scared that everyone here would prefer your stuff and when I tried that muffin I bought I was even more convinced. Jungkook…’ He inhales, finally ready to admit what he’s known for a year, “You’re so good at baking. I’ve never told you that, obviously but you should know… Any time I’ve ever insulted your work I was lying because I was insecure about my own baking and I’m sorry for that.”

Jungkook looks baffled and Jimin doesn’t blame him, “But Jimin- You’re so good at baking … All of your food is so perfect but you were insecure because of me? I- I don’t even know what to say but um… Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome. And thank you, too.” Jimin replies shyly, feeling slightly embarrassed but also like a weight is lifting off his shoulders gradually and for the first time, he thinks he can imagine what being friends with Jungkook would feel like. It feels like they’re making progress.

They talk some more about the smaller issues they have had, stupid things like creating rumours and teasing each other but mostly it’s lighthearted chatting and finally just talking with each other in a normal way with no ulterior motives behind any of it. 

It was really the conversation they started having at the festival that made Jimin think that it was time to resolve everything because talking to Jungkook without arguing felt like a breath of fresh air. He hadn’t realised how much of a strain it was putting on both of them to constantly be on edge around each other and finally putting it all to rest is exactly what they needed. 

“So what now?” Jungkook asks, after they finish recounting multiple incidents where they had argued over misunderstandings.

“What do you mean?” 

“Like… Do we just hope everyone catches on that we’re trying to be friends now or…”

“Oh. I guess we can tell our friends and then hopefully people will just find out through them? It’s not like we need some big announcement.” Jimin laughs and Jungkook joins in, both of them more happy that they have a reason to laugh together now than actually finding it funny. 

“You say that but people will definitely be shocked. It got so ridiculous at one point that when someone would mention Serendipitous or you in here, others would turn around and make faces at whoever it was, as if I would start raging at the sound of your name.” Jungkook laughs again and Jimin can’t help but join in, just picturing that happening. 

Their laughter fades out and Jungkook tilts his head at Jimin thoughtfully, “You know, this is way easier than I thought it would be. To just talk to you normally, I mean.” 

“You’re right,” Jimin admits, agreeing completely, “I think all this time we were so convinced that we hated each other that we didn’t realise how easy it would be to just sort our shit out.” 

Jungkook nods and then yawns, quickly stifling it with his hand but Jimin sees it nonetheless. He realises how long they’ve been sat here and also how late it’s gotten.

“I should probably go…” He says gently, not wanting Jungkook to feel bad for yawning, “It’s getting late and you’ve probably been up as long as I have.”

Jungkook nods, face a little flushed, “Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping well lately…” 

“Oh?” Jimin leans in slightly, concerned and then realises wryly that it’s taken him all of one night to feel concern for the man who he has been competing with for a year. Typical.

“Yeah… I- I wanted to sort things out with you too so I think it’s been keeping me awake. And… the recipe book thing too.” Jungkook mumbles the last part but Jimin hears it anyway and his heart pangs with guilt. 

“Well, now we’ve sorted it out. At least I think we have?” Jimin asks, not wanting to upset Jungkook by mentioning the recipe book.

Jungkook perks up, “Yeah, hyung,’ He says sincerely, “Thanks for coming here by the way. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to come to you myself, even though I wanted to.” 

“Of course, Jungkook-ah. I’m glad I did. I don’t know about you but I- I don’t know, I feel so much better because of it.”

Jungkook nods vigourously, hair flopping around as he does, “Me too, seriously. I didn’t realise how much it was bothering me that our relationship was so bad. And… to be honest, I’ve really wanted to see what being your friend is like.” 

Jimin grows shy at Jungkook’s words, “Ah, don’t get too excited.” 

“Hyung, don’t sell yourself short… I know how you treat other people and how kind you are so I think that’s why it made it worse somehow, that we treated each other the way we did.” 

“Jungkook-ah… It’s in the past now, okay? We can only move on from here and know not to make the mistakes we’ve made before.” 

Jungkook nods, cheeks growing red, “Okay. But I’m still sorry, hyung. For everything before this.” 

“Me too, Jungkook-ah.” Jimin smiles and Jungkook smiling back somehow feels like the biggest accomplishment of the night. 

He gets up and wishes Jungkook a good night before leaving and just like the way he felt cold from the nerves earlier as he was coming here, now it’s like he’s burning red hot with happiness as he leaves. 

It feels like things are finally working out for them both.

***

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” Everyone yells as Jungkook walks in, a look of absolute shock on his face before he narrows his eyes to find the culprits of the surprise. 

It’s been two weeks since that fateful night at Golden Delights and Jimin doesn’t think his life has been this stress free and happy in a long time. He almost feels like he’s waiting for something to go wrong when it comes to his and Jungkook’s budding friendship but so far it’s only gotten stronger despite the short amount of time that has passed. 

They’ve both stopped by each other’s bakeries one time; partly because Jungkook realised it would be a good way to let their regulars know that they were now over their rivalry and people could freely talk about both bakeries again. But also just because they could. 

It was strange to see people’s jaws drop as they noticed Jungkook leaning against the counter to talk to Jimin casually or some customers doing a double take as they saw Jimin wave to Jungkook when he saw him walk past. 

But by now people have gotten used to it and like any small town, they’ve moved on to something more interesting to them. 

Today is Jungkook’s birthday and Jimin is one of the many guests that has hidden in Golden Delights to surprise him as Seokjin decided to lure him here for a party. They’ve transformed the place into a bar and party area for the occasion and Jimin would guess that he knows about 90% of the people in attendance. Perks of living in a tucked away village. 

“What- Hyung- Was this your idea?” Jungkook asks Seokjin as he’s pulled into a hug. 

“Of course! You thought I was gonna let you stay cooped up in that flat of yours today? Nope, we’re celebrating!” 

Jungkook rubs the back of his neck, “I appreciate this, hyung but I’m not loving the attention…” 

Seokjin pats Jungkook on the back, good-naturedly, “Now that you’ve arrived people will stop looking for you, okay? If it gets too much though, just tell hyung and I’ll kick everyone out.” 

Jungkook chuckles, catching Jimin's eye as he does, “Okay hyung. Thank you though.” 

“You enjoy yourself, alright?” And Seokjin walks off, saying something about finding a drink.

Jungkook steps up to Jimin after Seokjin leaves, raising an eyebrow, “I take it you knew about this yesterday when I was telling you that I prefer to do low-key things for my birthday.” 

Jimin laughs, taking a sip of the wine he was handed half an hour ago, “Yes I did. But I couldn’t exactly ruin the whole thing for you or get Seokjin to cancel it. I know you’re not the biggest fan of these types of things but he’s done it because he cares.”

Jungkook sighs, “I know. And I don’t hate things like this. It just feels silly sometimes to celebrate growing older. Maybe I’m just cynical.” 

“Yes.” Jimin says, deadpan and watches as Jungkook's eyes widen before Jimin laughs, “I’m joking. Well, maybe you are cynical but you’re allowed to feel a certain way about something.”

“Yeah.” Silence settles over them but it’s lost the uncomfortable tension that used to hang over them.

Jimin drains his drink and decides he’ll let Jungkook socialise and hang out with other people instead of latching on to him for the night - no matter how much he’s realised he loves Jungkook’s company. 

It’s crazy really how quickly your feelings can change for someone. In two weeks Jimin has seen how Jungkook really is and he’s never felt so intrigued by a person in his life. Jungkook is witty and funny, deep and insightful and goofy all at the same time as well as being successful, ambitious and good at practically everything he tries. Jimin used to see it as arrogance but now he knows that Jungkook is genuinely just a talented person who has a knack for picking things up quickly. 

“You go mingle, yeah? Oh and happy birthday, Jungkookie.” Jimin says warmly before he leaves, knowing Taehyung is here somewhere. 

The party is pretty lively and it seems like Jungkook does have fun as Jimin sees him bouncing around the room looking like a happy puppy as he greets people, potentially this has more to do with the ever present alcohol he suddenly has in his hand. 

More than once in the past two weeks, Jimin has wondered if they’re rushing into this friendship and if it’s the right thing to do. He knows they’ve hurt each other and he doesn’t want either of them to realise too late that they’re not ready for an actual friendship if there's still some resentment within them both. But Jungkook reassured him that if that happens, then all they need to do this time is talk to each other about it. And it is making all the difference, having the ability to talk to each other now.

Getting to know Jungkook is making him realise how silly they had both been all this time. They could have been friends from the beginning if they’d just put their egos aside.

He mills around the party for most the evening, talking to many regulars and his friends of course.

An hour in, he finds himself speaking to Min Yoongi. 

Yoongi is someone Jimin really looks up to, though he’d never tell him that. He’s so calm and sure of himself and he doesn’t take anyone’s shit. He knows Jungkook really values Yoongi and Yoongi would probably do anything to make Jungkook happy - although he doesn't let anyone else know that.

“Jungkook won’t tell you this but he’s really glad you’re friends now…” Yoongi tells him, a small smile on his face, “He hasn’t shut up about it, he's all ‘ Hyung, guess what Jimin-hyung told me today’ ‘Hyung, do you think Jimin-hyung will like these cupcakes?’” Yoongi chuckles after he mimics Jungkook in a fond tone. 

“Aish, hyung… I’m embarrassed now.” Jimin complains, feeling his face burn. 

“It’s true, Jiminie. I just- I want to know you realise how much this means to him. I don’t think he realised it before because of how competitive you two were but all along I think he wanted your approval. He really looks up to you.” 

Jimin pauses, taking in Yoongi’s serious expression, “Don’t worry, hyung. I’m not gonna mess this up. I don’t want to hurt Jungkook again.” 

Yoongi nods and the serious moment passes. 

Jimin doesn’t know why but it feels like he just got approval from Yoongi. For what, he doesn’t know.

***

 It’s not until about two hours in that he feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see Jungkook. A very smiley, red face Jungkook.

“Hyungie-” Jungkook is very clearly drunk, “Can you take me to get a milkshake please?” He whines while pouting and Jimin tries to remain calm but inside he’s already feeling flustered at how cute Jungkook is acting.

“Uh- Jungkook, this is your birthday party.” 

“Yes and Jin-hyung didn’t think to stock milkshakes for me!” Jungkook huffs, crossing his arms like a child.

“Okay…” Jimin says slowly, “So you want to leave to get a milkshake?” He repeats, smiling slightly.

“Yes, please hyung. Pretty please.” Jungkook widens his eyes imploringly at Jimin and Jimin groans internally.

Damn Jungkook for being so cute.

“Okay. Fine, let’s go.” 

Jimin tries to ignore the warmth that spreads through his chest as Jungkook leaps up in joy and latches onto Jimin’s side. 

“Did you not drink, Jimin-hyungie?” Jungkook asks as they settle into Jimin’s car. 

“I had one drink when I arrived but after that I stuck to non-alcoholic. I knew I was driving.” Jimin explains as he pulls out of the space and heads towards a local fast food restaurant that sells milkshakes.

Jungkook leans his head against Jimin’s car while Jimin drives and when he glances over Jungkook looks sleepy but content. 

“After we get milkshakes-” Jungkook starts in a small voice, “Can you drop me home?” 

“But… Don’t you want to go back to your party?” Jimin asks, confused. 

Jungkook sighs, “I- I appreciate Jin-hyung organising it for me but I get tired of socialising pretty quickly. I had a good time but I kinda want to be in my bed. I'm not a huge fan of having loads of attention on me, I guess.” 

Jimin chuckles, “Okay, hyung will drop you home.” 

“Thanks Jimin-hyung. But milkshakes first, right?”

“Of course.” 

And it feels like a new spark of something that night, as Jungkook happily sips his banana milkshake and they share fries, all in the warmth of Jimin’s car - which he never normally lets anyone eat in. It feels like more than just a close friendship forming. It feels like trust.

***

“Jungkook!! Stop, I'm already covered in flour.” Jimin wheezes, between giggles as Jungkook looms nearer with a bag in his hand.

They are baking. Together. Never in a million years did Jimin think they would get to this point but clearly the universe had a different plan for them. 

“Jimin-ssi!” Jungkook rumbles, making Jimin collapse with laughter again. 

Their friends have finally stopped saying ‘I told you so’ and have now resorted to teasing them about how close they have already become, even going so far as to say that they are like two sides of the same coin. Which Jimin doesn’t exactly disagree with, honestly. 

They are so similar. They have the same sense of humour and goofiness and they both know exactly how to act cute when it’s necessary. They have the same passion and motivation and of course they’re literally in the same career on top of everything. It came as a surprise to no one but themselves that they get on so well. 

“Okay, okay. I surrender, now come on or we’re going to ruin these cookies before they’re even done.” Jimin says, dusting off the flour where he can and heading back to their baking area. 

As they both roll out the cookie dough carefully, finally paying attention, Jimin remembers something Namjoon told him, “Oh, Jungkookie? Namjoon-hyung said you had a date over the weekend, how was it?” He asks casually, not sure why his heart starts beating faster.

Jungkook groans, “Not good. He kept talking for me every time the waitress came over and then when I called him out for it, he said I should appreciate his manners more. Like, what manners?” 

“God, what a jerk.” 

“Yeah… He wasn’t even my type really so I wasn’t expecting to be attracted to him in the first place.” Jungkook admits, as he places several cut out cookies on their huge tray.

“Oh? What is your type?” Jimin asks curiously.

Jungkook glances at him and hesitates, “Um… I guess, shorter than me, a cute face and nice eyes. I like dark hair but it’s fun when people change their hair colour a lot. Also maybe someone who sings or dances and has a lot in common with me. Yeah… That’s pretty much it.”

Jimin gapes at Jungkook, “But isn’t that just you describing m-” 

Jimin’s phone rings, cutting the moment like a knife. Jimin sighs and goes to pick it up, despite wanting to ask Jungkook if he was really describing Jimin. 

“Hello?” Jimin answers his phone, not seeing any caller ID before he picks it up.

“ Hello, is this Park Jimin?” A smooth, male voice asks.

“Yes. Can I help you?” 

“ I’m calling from Cater 4 U in Seoul. We had a client who was scouting for us at the Summer festival last month in Yeosu and they told us that your pastries were sublime. We’d like to offer you a temporary position as assistant baker at our company for six months where you’ll be working but also training to become a permanent member.” 

Jimin is stunned into silence. He’s been scouted? He’s trying to remember which customers stood out on the day of the festival and may have been the client that scouted him but the day was too hectic and he saw too many people to remember. Besides, every person who purchased an item of his received his business card so it could have been anyone at all. 

“ Jimin-ssi?” The voice crackles through his phone, snapping him out of his reverie.

“Yes, sorry, I’m just a little surprised. Um, this is a lot to take in and it would be a big decision to move to Seoul for that long so could I ask for some time to think about it?” Jimin sees Jungkook turn around and look questioningly at him after he speaks. 

“Of course, Jimin-ssi. I’ll send over the official offer to the email we have for you from your website. Is there anything else you’d like to know?” 

“No but if I think of anything I will be sure to email you my questions.” 

Jimin thanks the man and hangs out, turning to Jungkook in disbelief. 

“What was that about?” Jungkooks asks, still working on their cookies. 

“I just got offered a job as a baker for a catering company in Seoul for six months.” 

Jungkook whirls around, eyes wide, “What? Hyung- Oh my god, that’s amazing!” 

“Yeah…” Jimin sighs, wondering why he doesn’t feel as happy as he should.

“You don’t seem very excited.” Jungkook states, head tilted to the side in question.

“ I’m not sure about it. The job, I mean. I’ve heard of the company and I’m sure they’re amazing but… I don’t know, Jungkook-ah. My whole life is here, my bakery, my friends, everything. And I’m almost 26. I don’t know if I want to leave the town.” 

Jungkook looks torn, biting his lip, “Well, it sounds like an amazing opportunity, hyung. But you have to do what you want. So you should take the time to consider it.”

Jimin nods, lost in thought. This is so sudden. And it feels like it’s come at the worst possible moment when he’s finally feeling like his life is sorting itself out in every area. But at the same time, does he want to miss out on the opportunity? But if he doesn’t truly want to go then he’s taking a place that someone else would want more.

“ God. I don’t know what I’m gonna do, Jungkookie.” He says finally, running his hands through his hair.

“Don’t worry too much about this, hyung. It’s a big decision so I’m not surprised you’re feeling overwhelmed.” Jungkook soothes, walking closer to Jimin, “But this is so amazing regardless of if you take it, Jimin! You got scouted! You should be really proud.” 

Jungkook is smiling widely at him, his eyes crinkling at the corners and he looks so genuinely happy for Jimin that it’s hard to comprehend how one year ago they were at each other’s throats.

And now Jungkook is one of the reasons Jimin doesn’t want to leave.

***

“I’m sure this is the right decision for you, Jiminie. And if you don’t like it there, you tell us and we’ll bring you straight home.” Taehyung says as they crowd around Jimin’s computer where he’s drafting his acceptance of the position. 

Once he does this, he’ll have one week till he moves to Seoul for six whole months. Away from his bakery, his pride and joy and all his friends and family for six months. And of course he can visit and they’ll visit him but it won’t take away from the fact that he won’t be living in the same place as them. 

“Here it goes.” And Jimin presses send with a final click. 

As his friends whoop and cheer around him, he wonders faintly if he should feel more excited and less like he’s just done something wrong. 

But everyone keeps saying it’s an amazing opportunity and a chance to really get himself out there, so he doesn’t really have an argument about not going. But he’s starting to realise he’s not interested in the fame or the reputation or anything. He loves his little bakery in this little town with the people he knows so well. And he can’t imagine leaving and knowing he won’t be coming back for so long. 

A deep sense of regret starts to fill Jimin’s stomach as he sits there staring at his acceptance email. But it’s too late. He’s made his choice. It’s only six months after all and then he’ll be back. 

At least that’s what he has to keep telling himself. 

***

Jungkook jolts awake from his splayed out position on his couch as a knocking sound on his front door reverberates through the flat. He sits up with a start and pulls his t-shirt back down his torso from where it had ridden up during his nap and wanders to the door, scratching the back of his neck blearily. He’s still a little hungover from going out with Taehyung, Yoongi and Jimin last night. 

When he opens it, a delivery man is quick to hand him a medium sized box and pushes a tablet in front of his nose for him to sign too. He scribbles a passing attempt at his name and hands it back to the man who nods curtly and leaves.

Jungkook lets his door close behind him as he pads back into his living room and studies the parcel intently. He definitely hasn’t ordered anything… At least he doesn’t remember ordering anything. 

He shrugs and pulls his handy pocket knife keyring out to slice through the cardboard. There’s a lot of tissue paper and then right at the bottom of the box is… A book. 

It’s his family recipe book.

But it can’t be… It got ruined, there’s no way it could have been recovered, right? And not to mention he left it at the festival.

As Jungkook pulls the book out from the box, a note lifts up with it and he grabs it eagerly, unfolding it to see a neat, handwritten letter.

Dear Jungkook, 

I know this might seem silly, writing you a note but I wanted to get my thoughts and feelings out and texting you didn’t seem right. 

As you’ve probably seen by now, I managed to have your recipe book fixed. I searched for so long for a company who specialise in water damage and I finally found an incredible one. There may still be some slight damage to a couple of pages but I was reassured by the company I used that it isn’t severe. 

I guess the only thing left to say now is I’m sorry. I’ll always be sorry for almost ruining something that means so much to you. Hopefully now it’s fixed we can move on from that part of our lives and I will eventually stop feeling so guilty about it - I hope.

But most of all I’m sorry because we’re finally friends and I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m still not sure how to feel about the job in Seoul but I guess this must be the right choice because I’m still going and no one’s told me I should stay. I’ve packed and I’ve handed over the bakery to Taehyung until I get back. I know this probably sounds stupid but I think I’m most worried that I’ll come back and no one will have missed me and I’ll realise that life can go on without me here. 

Anyway, all I really wanted to say was I’m going to miss you Jungkook. I hope that after the six months are over, we can continue getting to know each other even more. And if you ever have a free day and feel like coming to Seoul then please do!

Wishing you the best, 

Jimin

Jungkook doesn’t realise he’s crying until a tear drops from his face onto the letter from Jimin. 

He wipes his face hastily, feeling so overwhelmed and confused but mostly shocked. No one has ever done anything so pure and kind for Jungkook. Jimin must have kept the ruined recipe book even after the festival and Jungkook can’t even imagine how long it took to find a company to fix it for him. And then he still apologised in the letter when he doesn’t even need to anymore. 

He opens the book after setting the letter aside and he can’t help but marvel at how the pages look completely undamaged - save for a few small spots as Jimin mentioned - and the writing is somehow still readable after everything. 

Jungkook always feels emotional when it comes to this book, simply because of the connection to his mother, grandmother and his career but now he thinks he’ll be even more sentimental because of the effort Jimin clearly went to for him. 

He sits back onto his sofa, moving both the book and letter away from him. So much has been happening recently but one main thought keeps popping up, especially since reading Jimin’s letter. Jimin is leaving. For six whole months. Even when they were still arguing and competing it would have been weird to not see him for that long but now… He wants Jimin to stay. He wants to hear him laugh more, bake together again, do all the normal things that friends do.

 And if Jungkook’s completely honest with himself he would like to see if they could be more than friends. When they were deep in the midst of their rivalry, the attraction he felt for Jimin was no more than a passing - albeit often - thought but now he knows he could be truly attracted to Jimin as a person too. He thought Jimin was out to get him and had an ulterior motive for everything but actually he’s genuine and kind and he only gets defensive because deep down he’s insecure like a lot of people are. If Jungkook had known that, he never would have reacted the way he did when they first met. So now he’s determined to make it up to Jimin the same way Jimin has done for him with this incredible gesture and gift. 

He closes his eyes, chuckling to himself in disbelief that he’s got to the point where he thinks about Jimin all the time and not in relation to their bakeries anymore. When he really thinks about it, it’s easy to see that all along he was in awe of Jimin and his work ethic and he was jealous as a result but also that he came up with new ways to get Jimin’s attention like a little boy with a crush. How ironic. 

He misplaced jealousy and competitiveness for his real feelings of awe and attraction and that is what really caused their stupid feud for so long. It’s crazy that it took a prolonged amount of time together at a food stall, a genuine accident with a flask of water and a long overdue talk.

And now Jimin is leaving for Seoul and could meet the man of his dreams there very easily. And what can Jungkook do about it?

Oddly enough, Jungkook doesn’t doubt that Jimin is also attracted to him the way Jungkook is to Jimin and he probably wouldn’t be against the idea of a trial date just to test the waters between them, after so long fighting with each other. They’ve both become more open about their feelings especially since Jungkook’s little slip up about his ideal type while they were baking. But even with that knowledge, it’s hard to predict how either of them will feel in six months time. 

Jungkook sits up properly as flashes of memories cross his mind. 

“I’m not sure about it.” 

“I don’t know if I want to leave the town.”

‘I’m still not sure how to feel about the job in Seoul but I guess this must be the right choice because I’m still going and no one’s told me I should stay.’ 

Jimin has never felt sure about the job offer. He’s made that very clear. But everyone has told him it’s a great opportunity and he should take it so he’s not even considering what he actually wants. 

Jungkook leaps off the sofa with a start, grabbing his car keys and a jacket and pulling his shoes on with haste. 

If Jimin doesn’t actually want to go to Seoul then Jungkook sure as hell isn’t going to let him leave without telling him how he feels.

***

Jimin shuts the cardboard box with a sense of finality. He looks around the room, at all the other boxes and bags dotted around, ready for his imminent departure. 

He declined going out for a farewell dinner but now he’s starting to wish he’d agreed to one. He feels more and more conflicted about leaving as the seconds go by but there isn’t much to stop him. He made his decision and all of his friends supported it and told him it would be an amazing opportunity so they must be right. He’s perfectly capable of making decisions on his own but this was the one that he needed help with and truthfully he doesn’t feel like his friends understood that. 

The reality is it does sound like an amazing opportunity but Jimin just isn’t sure it’s the right one for him. He loves living here, in this small town near the beach and where he knows everyone or recognises faces at least. And sure, he likes visiting Seoul but he can’t imagine living there, even if it’s temporary. He can’t imagine what it will be like to get up in the morning and hear the loud traffic and busy streets of a huge city instead of the quiet, peaceful air and small murmurs of movement that he’s so used to here. And the truth is even since that first phone call he wasn’t sure. He’s starting to think he should have trusted his first instinct because now he’s here, leaving tomorrow and his heart is telling him he doesn’t want to.

Well. It’s too late to back out now.  

He almost doesn’t hear the knock on his door, too lost in his own thoughts but the second knock jolts him out of it. He pads over to open it, not really sure who could be visiting at 5pm but he certainly doesn’t expect to see Jungkook standing in front of him, with a strange expression on his face. 

“Uhh. Hi Jungkook. Are you-” 

“Don’t go.” The words seem to tumble from Jungkook’s mouth out of nowhere and he snaps it shut while Jimin’s jaw drops. 

“Wha- What?” Jimin stutters, confusion spreading through him.

“I’ve been thinking over every conversation we’ve had in the past couple of weeks about you moving to Seoul and I’ve been so stupid. We all have. You just keep saying that you’re not sure if it’s the right decision and everyone’s shrugged you off and reassured you that it is because we thought that’s what you wanted to hear. But I don’t think you do. I think you want to stay. So if you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you to stay, this is it. I’m telling you not to go to Seoul, to stay here. With me.” Jungkook practically exhales all of this in one big breath and then he looks away awkwardly, “If- Well if you want to, I mean.”

Jimin doesn’t think. He surges forward without a thought and presses his lips to Jungkook’s like it’s second nature. Their lips meet with a chaste start but then Jungkook is kissing back, sliding his lips over Jimin’s with fervor and his tongue swipes over Jimin’s lips with confidence. They pull back after moments only for Jungkook to bring Jimin forward again, pecking his mouth gently and with more feeling.

“Is that a yes?” Jungkook breathes, staring at Jimin’s lips but flicking up to his eyes briefly.

“Yes. Yes, of course. You’re right. I didn’t want to go but I felt like I had nothing to stay for. I was going on autopilot, packing everything, saying goodbye but it didn’t feel right.” Jimin admits, feeling lighter now that he’s told someone how he actually feels. Not just someone, Jungkook.

“You do have something to stay for,” Jungkook says, cheeks reddening. 

“The bakery?” Jimin teases, Jungkook swatting at his chest from their close proximity, “I’m just kidding, Jungkook-ah. I agree. I have you.”

Jungkook fully blushes this time, looking down out of embarrassment and shuffling his feet. As Jimin watches him fondly, he realises they’re still standing in his apartment doorway. He pulls Jungkook in properly and shuts his front door behind them with a bang. 

Silence settles over them both. Not uncomfortable but serene. 

They both try to break it at the same time.

“So do you want to sit?” 

“Hyung, I need to thank you.” 

They both laugh briefly at the ridiculousness but then Jimin quirks his brow at what Jungkook said, “What do you need to thank me for?” 

Jungkook shyly reaches into his deep pocket and pulls out the recipe book. 

Oh.

“Jimin-hyung I- I don’t even know where to begin to thank you for this. I’ve never had someone do something so kind and probably time consuming before and I just- It was overwhelming to see it, basically perfect again and I don’t understand how you did it but thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” Jungkook finishes and Jimin sees wetness gathering in the younger’s eyes. 

“Oh, Jungkookie, don’t cry. I don’t want to see you cry, baby.” Jimin rushes forward and wraps his arms around Jungkook with a gentle tug, feeling Jungkook’s large hands come to rest on his back. 

“I’m just- I’m so sorry,” Jungkook sniffles and then pulls back to look at Jimin, “I know we’ve talked about this but I’m still sorry about the way I treated you. I feel so bad whenever I remember that night after we played pool and how upset you were. I didn’t realise till then how toxic we had become. And I know we both played into it but I still feel like I was the instigator of a lot of our moments.” 

Jimin brushes Jungkook’s hair out of his eyes with a smile, “You know, as much as I wish we had always been friends from the moment we met, I think it might be better this way. Because now we know what hurts the other. And what our limits are. So even though it might not be the conventional way to get to know someone, I think we’ve learnt from it,” Jimin pauses, pondering his words, “And I forgive you, Jungkook-ah. We won’t be able to move on if we keep apologising for the past, okay?” 

Jungkook nods, his hair flopping around making him look like a puppy, “Okay, hyung. Also one more thing?” 

“Yeah?” 

“You remember when I won pool and we were originally gonna have a prize of whatever the winner wanted?” 

“Um, Jungkook-ah… I just told you I forgive you and now you’re bringing up that night?” Jimin asks, not particularly fond of the memories he has.

“Just trust me, okay? Do you remember?” Jungkook insists.

“Yes, yes, of course I remember.” 

“Well. I never redeemed my prize and I know what I want…”

“Jungkook, where are you going with-”

“A date,'' Jungkook cuts Jimin off resoundly, effectively shocking him into silence, “Go on a date with me, hyung. I like you. So much.” 

Jimin stares at Jungkook, at his beautiful face and his brown, sincere eyes and pink cheeks, “Okay. Yes,” Jimin pushes up to kiss Jungkook again, just a brief press of their lips but it’s perfect. “And... I like you too, Jungkookie.

“Are you free now?” Jungkook asks when he pulls back, a cheeky grin taking over his features.

Jimin looks around, the many boxes still dotted around his apartment but they no longer look daunting now he knows he’s not going anywhere, “I think I am.” 

They make their way over to the door, after Jimin grabs his phone but right as they leave, Jimin turns to Jungkook and stops him with a pained expression, “Wait. Maybe I should phone that catering company and tell them I’m not coming tomorrow. Oh god, they’re gonna hate me.” 

Jungkook laughs, his voice sounding as golden as ever and Jimin thinks everything will be alright as long as he hears that sound forever.

***

Three years later 

Jimin stretches slightly as he wakes up, feeling a solid weight against his back and over his waist and smiling at the feeling.  

Jungkook is - as always - plastered to Jimin’s back with his cute nose buried in Jimin’s neck and his arm thrown over Jimin’s waist tightly. As Jimin starts to wake up, he inevitably moves Jungkook’s body with him and he hears grumbles behind him in protest.

“Let’s sleep for longer, please.” Jungkook rumbles, still sounding mostly asleep as it is. 

Jimin giggles, falling back into Jungkook’s embrace more snugly, “Ten more minutes then.” 

Jungkook sighs contently behind him, tightening his hold on Jimin and caressing the bare skin of Jimin’s hip with his hand. 

Jimin shivers and leans into Jungkook’s touch even more, feeling the hard press of his boyfriend's morning wood against his ass. 

“Baby… Are you that tired?” He whispers, feeling far too awake now. 

Jungkook doesn’t reply for so long that Jimin half thought he’d fallen asleep again, if it weren’t for the hand still stroking down his side steadily. 

Then, Jimin is turned around easily to face Jungkook and he sees his sleepy, morning face that he loves more than anything else. Jungkook’s eyes are half closed and his cheeks are all puffy and, god he just looks so adorable, Jimin wants to eat him. 

When he tells Jungkook this, he cracks an eye open, slightly alarmed, “I’m not on board with that.” 

Jimin just laughs, impossibly fond and leans in closer, gaze soft as he scans over the details of his boyfriend’s face. His long, thick eyelashes and his various moles. He pecks Jungkook’s lips gently but before he can pull away, Jungkook is pulling him closer to kiss him deeper, sliding his tongue into Jimin’s mouth with surprising ease for someone who looked a second away from falling asleep again just a moment ago.

Jungkook pulls back, “Happy anniversary, Jimin-ah. I love you.” He smiles and it’s full of love and happiness which is all Jimin ever wants to see on Jungkook’s face.

“Happy anniversary, baby.” Jimin replies, sure that he looks equally as in love and happy as Jungkook does, “I love you.”  

They kiss easily now after so long together; it's like second nature to them. The way Jungkook responds so easily under Jimin's touch is still so exciting and he doubts it will ever get old to him. He trails his hands down to Jungkook's bare waist, stroking at the skin there and swallowing Jungkook's whines with heat growing in his body. 

"Off, baby." Jimin pulls at Jungkook's boxers insistently, wanting the only layer between them to be gone so he can fully appreciate his boyfriend. 

"Ah- Jimin-ah... I wanna touch you, too." Jungkook gasps out, as Jimin trails his lips down Jungkook's chest and finally pulls the boxers off properly. 

He's still in awe that he gets to have Jungkook like this, he's the one who gets to see his gorgeous body in the heights of his pleasure, he gets to touch him to his hearts content and watch Jungkook as he tips his head back, hair strewn all around him and back arching with delight. It's all for Jimin.

He's quick to shimmy down Jungkook's body so he can stare at his cock properly, relishing how hard Jungkook is from just a little kissing and teasing. His tongue darts out on instinct to flick at the head and the sharp intake of breath from Jungkook is more than enough reward. 

He lowers his mouth down Jungkook's dick gently, knowing just how he likes it and wanting nothing more than to please Jungkook this morning. He sucks around it once and then licks up the vein on the side, knowing how sensitive Jungkook is there. And the gasp and muffled 'Please' from the man in question only makes him double his efforts. Jungkook never takes long to get to the edge in the mornings and he loves morning sex so that coupled with Jimin sucking his dick makes it very easy for Jimin to get him close to coming. 

"Ah, Jiminie, I'm so close, your mouth is so perfect- I-" Jungkook trails off, gasping softly as Jimin swirls his tongue around the tip of his cock. 

"You can come, Kook-ah. Hyung will take care of it." And as he soon as he sucks around Jungkook's length once more, pumping the rest with one hand, Jungkook is coming down his throat with a strangled gasp. Jimin swallows it all with no complaint, only realising how hard he is himself when Jungkook pulls him up moments later and snakes a hand down his boxers.

It doesn't take long at all for Jimin to come, worked up from Jungkook's noises and the weight of his cock in Jimin's mouth. Within minutes he's spilling into Jungkook's hand with a gasp as Jungkook kisses his neck and lazily pumps at Jimin's softening dick until he's shooed off from sensitivity. 

"Three years and that's only gotten better," Jungkook breathes out against Jimin's neck with a short laugh.

It’s been a whirlwind three years for both of them.

 After much discussion and so much planning they were finally able to open their joint bakery after they both realised it made more sense to have one together where they can co-own. They debated on names for ages, even arguing about it - albeit not badly. It was more because Jungkook was insistent on wanting “Don’t go bakin’ my heart” to be in the running and Jimin was not having it. 

In the end they settled on “Golden” as Jimin admitted he was tired of having to spell out Serendipitous to everyone but this way he still got to keep the one word name that he was so set on.

They sold Golden Delights and used the money to buy the empty shop next to Serendipitous and knock through the walls, extending the new and improved bakery.

It was tough, during the month of renovations because they were essentially living off their savings and having to keep their employees paid until they were back at work. The both of them realised how much they were willing to sacrifice for each other and it only improved their relationship. 

And Golden is thriving. They tend to make a profit almost every single day, since they’ve started offering delivery (one of Jungkook’s excellent ideas) and they all work so well around each other. The whole team is like a family and under the guide of both Jimin and Jungkook, no one ever feels unable to make a suggestion or ask for anything. 

“Jiminie?” Jungkook mumbles from his position on Jimin’s chest, face half smushed against it, 

“Yeah, baby?” Jimin cards his hand through Jungkook’s long hair gently.

“What do you think would have happened if that festival three years ago hadn’t mixed up our tents and made us share one?” 

Jimin glances down at Jungkook from where he’s propped against their pillows, “Where's this come from, huh?” 

“I don’t know,” Jungkook replies, “I’m just curious what you think.” 

“Well, I think everything would have worked out in the end, regardless.” 

“Yeah?” Jungkook says, lifting his head up to meet Jimin’s eyes. Jimin leans down to peck Jungkook’s lips chastely. 

“Yeah. We’re meant to be, honey. We would have figured it out eventually.” Jimin strokes a hand down Jungkook’s cheek as he speaks, in awe over how beautiful his boyfriend looks at all times. 

“Mmm, you’re right. You’re my person, Jimin-ah.” Jungkook leans into Jimin’s touch with ease and Jimin’s heart melts. 

“You’re my person too, baby.” 

And so Jimin spends yet another day marvelling over how having Jungkook in his life makes everything better. It’s crazy how life can take you down so many crossroads and the things you expect the least can be the thing you need the most. 

Jungkook came crashing into Jimin’s life like a storm and they spent so long at each other’s throats that Jimin never would have thought he would get to have this relationship with the very same man. This deep, all consuming, reciprocated love that lifts him up and fills him with warmth. 

But it has happened and Jimin will be grateful every single day for whatever it was that led him to meeting the love of his life, no matter how it began. 

Fin