Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Please tell me that was the last one.”

“Of this group, yes.”

Jungkook slouched in relief with a long sigh, shutting his eyes briefly. It had been a long four hours of auditions he was sitting through, and none of them had really sparked his interest.

“Why are there so many of them?”

“Because it’s the brand-new company being founded by the world-renowned face of Korea entertainment, Jeon Jungkook,” Namjoon explained, running a hand through his iron-gray hair as he tapped away on his iPad. Jungkook briefly glared at his manager but ultimately, he was right.

“I bet half of them just wanted to see you in person,” Yoongi said nonchalantly. “They probably think your eyes are faked and wanted to see if they are real.”

“That’s stupid for multiple reasons,” Jungkook remarks. “Why would I do anything official and not have rainbow eyes if they were fake?”

“Beats me. I’m not that stupid,” Yoongi deadpans, rubbing his own eyes before blinking the purple irises at the youngest. “Why am I even here anyway?”

“Because I trust your opinion,” Jungkook explains. “You have a good ear and creative genius and maybe you’ll see or hear something I don’t.”

“Says the one who is destined to be skilled at everything,” Yoongi teases. “Granted I don’t want to be in your shoes. I’ll keep my single-color eyes and be a quiet, creative genius. You can be the all-rounder golden boy.”

“You’re quite the martyr,” Jungkook deadpans, earning a chuckle from Namjoon.

“I try. When’s the next block of auditions?”

“An hour,” Namjoon answers, his golden eyes skimming his schedule to confirm.

“Cool. I’m going to be a recluse for that hour. If you need me, don’t,” Yoongi says as he stands and leaves the two in the studio.

“I need coffee,” Jungkook grumbles, pushing his own chair back to get up.

“Want me to get it?”

“Nah I could also use the fresh air.”

“Then take your sunglasses. I’m sure you don’t want to get mobbed when all you want is a caramel macchiato,” Namjoon advises.

“Got 'em,” Jungkook answers, lifting the large wireframed sunglasses in his hand before sliding them onto his face. The lenses were perfectly dark so no one could see his eyes but he can easily see the world.

“Call if you need rescuing,” Namjoon instructs and while Jungkook laughed, he knew it was serious.

Jungkook walked the empty hall out, giving a polite nod to his secretary before taking the elevator down and stepping out on the street.

No one gave Jungkook much attention, much to his relief. Without a clear view of his eyes, Jungkook could blend in with every other Korean. He insisted on keeping his hair dark and had a mostly black personal wardrobe for this very reason.

Jungkook was used to the chaotic life he lived since he’s been living it for most of his life. He was quickly swept into the world of entertainment and debuted as a solo idol at a fairly young age, all because he was blessed, or in his mind cursed, with rainbow eyes.

Every person has their place, and their eyes defined it for them. The color of one’s eyes showed what that person was most skilled at and destined to become. So at a young age, people are guided into their fate and expected to excel at whatever the universe chose for them. And the majority of society accepted this as the way of life without question.

Jungkook was deemed a miracle for having every color possible in his eyes. He must be great at everything, they said. He can do anything and be great, they said. So he and his rainbow eyes took the entertainment industry by storm, showing off all of the talents he had and wowing the world. And now as a budding entrepreneur with his own company at only twenty-one, he was further showcasing that he was indeed destined to be great at everything.

“Bullshit,” Jungkook mutters to himself as he reminisces on his life. He shook his head of the thoughts as he yanked the door open of the nearby coffee shop he found on Naver and entered.

Jungkook stepped in line behind a man who is in a deep discussion with the baristas. He didn’t think much of it until the conversation became an argument, and he had no choice but to hear what was being said.

“White eyes here isn’t making my coffee. End of story,” the man in front of him grits.

White eyes?

Jungkook leaned slightly to see around the bulky muscles. There were two baristas standing there. One with bold green eyes and broad shoulders who looked like he was trying his best to not lose his shit. And then a pink-haired one who looked like he was trying to become as small as possible. The pink-haired one looked up briefly and that’s when it clicked. He had opaque eyes with no clear hue. They were the exact opposite of Jungkook’s with how little color they had. He was the white eyes in question.

“Hey some of us have more important things to do than to listen to your outlandish bigotry,” Jungkook interrupts, his patience already thin from work and now having an asshole being a piece of shit to someone for something they can’t control pushing him over the edge. Was this the smartest choice for him being a massively public figure? No. But he knew how it felt to be different.

The man whips around to face him, his red eyes in a resolute glare as he eyes the nonchalant Jungkook.

“Mind your business,” the man grits.

“How about you do the same. Either get your coffee or fuck off.”

“Aren’t you a cocky bastard,” the man chuckles darkly. “You’re probably some green-eyed schmuck. Low on the totem pole of some company but thinks he’s hot shit.”

“You done?” Jungkook asks nonchalantly. “I just want my coffee, not a worthless debate with a brute.”

“The fuck you call me? Why don’t you take your trust fund ass and-”

The man chokes on his words as Jungkook lifts his sunglasses, letting them rest on his head as he stares intensely.

“Leave,” Jungkook says sharply and the man nearly sprints from the shop, clearly knowing who Jungkook was once his eyes did the talking. Jungkook could tell every person in the place was watching him intently. And he was unbothered because that is just how his life was when his eyes were on display. He taps his sunglasses back down and everyone immediately went back to minding their own business.

“What can I get for you?” a broad-shouldered man with green eyes asked as Jungkook stepped up to the counter.

“Large caramel macchiato to go,” Jungkook says. He flips open his wallet, but the man raises his hand in protest.

“Don’t worry about it,” the man says.

“This isn’t because I’m-”

“It’s because you got that asshole to leave my store and to leave my employee alone,” the man interrupts. “We’ll call your name when it’s done.”

Jungkook is a little stunned but gives a small, polite nod before moving aside. He could feel he had eyes following him as he moved to the side, but he just pulled out his phone and aimlessly scrolled through his phone while he waited.

“Hi Jinnie!”

The loud voice entering the shop pulled Jungkook’s attention away from his mindless scrolling to find the person it came from. A man in an eclectic outfit, bright purple eyes, and an equally bright smile is the source, and he is approaching the green-eyed man who took his order.

“Hi Hoseok,” the green-eyed man said calmly.

“Is Jiminie here? Need to drop off the studio keys so he can use it later,” Hoseok asks.

“Yeah, he’s in the back. Can you wait a second?”

“Sure hyung,” Hoseok affirmed with a smile before finding a small empty table and taking a seat to wait. Jungkook observes him for a while. Something about this guy was familiar but he couldn’t pinpoint it.

“Jungkook!”

Jungkook snapped his head towards the call to see a man with blue eyes and a boxy grin holding his drink to hand him.

“Thank you,” he replied politely as he took his drink.

“No, thank you,” the blue-eyed barista said before turning to go back to work. Jungkook watched him walk away with a concealed confused expression before turning to leave. He took one last glance at the eclectically dressed man to see that the pink-haired barista was sitting and chatting with him, looking much more relaxed than before.

Something about this man was magnetic to Jungkook. He felt a pull towards him that he didn’t fully understand but wanted to know more. His eyes lingered a little too long, though concealed by his dark eyewear. The barista must have sensed he was being stared at because he looked up and unknowingly made eye contact with Jungkook, his icy eyes a stunning contrast to what was seen daily by the idol.

“Shit,” Jungkook said under his breath as his phone started to ring loudly, scaring him out of his trance. He snatched it quickly and answered without checking the id. “Hello?”

“This is quite a long coffee run,” Namjoon said on the other end.

“Something happened.”

“Will this something appear in headlines that I’m going to have to damage control?”

“Doubtful but possible.”

“Okay well get back here already. The next pool of auditionees have arrived already.”

“On my way.”

Jungkook shoved the phone back in his pocket and stole one last glance towards the pair, but the table was empty now. He took that as his cue to forget about them despite his slight disappointment. But his entire walk back was filled with thoughts of remembering the purple-eyed man and the eyes of the barista looking into his rainbow ones.

--

“Jiminie! We’re gonna be late if you don’t get up now!”

The knocking and muffled shouting through the bedroom door finally woke Jimin from his deep sleep. He groaned and rubbed his palms into his eyes to get the rest of the sleep out.

“I’m up!” he shouts back, definitely still sitting in bed feeling half asleep.

“Good. We’re leaving in five!”

“Five?!” Jimin calls back but gets no response. “Shit.”

He springs out of bed and rushes into his attached bathroom, making quick work to wash his face and brush his teeth, doing a half-assed attempt at styling his hair before bounding back into his bedroom to get dressed.

“I’m coming in so you better not be naked!”

The door opens to reveal the boxy grin and bright blue eyes of Taehyung, Jimin’s best friend and roommate. His steel-gray hair was curly and falling expertly in his eyes, and he was overall too handsome for his own good.

“You’ve seen me naked, so would it really matter?” Jimin asks as he buttons his shirt, rolling his sleeves to his elbows after.

“Guess not. You’re also undeniably hot, but that doesn’t mean I want to see you nude first thing in the morning,” Taehyung replies with a small smirk. “Now let’s go. Jin-hyung will hang us if we’re late.”

“Fine, let’s go.”

The duo departs their apartment, bounding down the stairs before exiting out onto the street. They live a few blocks from the coffee shop that they were both employed at, so they walked most days. And most days it was uneventful, but today seemed to be different.

“Tae people keep staring,” Jimin mumbles, seeing every other pedestrian looking his way at one point or another.

“It’s probably because you’re not hiding behind glasses today,” Taehyung remarks casually.

“Fuck I forgot them,” Jimin mutters, stopping on the sidewalk and look back towards their apartment.

“We don’t have time Min,” Taehyung comments, grabbing Jimin’s wrist and pulling him to keep walking.

“Today is going to be a nightmare.”

“It will be fine.”

“Says the one with the beautifully normal eyes.”

“I can’t tell if I should feel offended for them being normal or complimented for you saying they are beautiful,” Taehyung remarks, a smirk pulling on his lips as he looks towards his friend.

“You know what I mean,” Jimin grumbles, keeping his eyes on the sidewalk so people will stop staring.

“Jimin your eyes are beautiful because they are special. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“You are twenty-three years too late with that for me to believe you, Tae.”

“Just because you have colorless eyes does not mean they aren’t beautiful. Just like how they don’t mean you are talentless or doomed to be a failure like every asshole tries to tell you.”

Jimin grumbles internally. They’ve had this conversation a lot and Taehyung never relents with it either. And Jimin is thankful for that and grateful to have someone believe in him when the world told him his difference meant he was worthless.

“I still wish I had normal eyes. I don’t even care about the color at this point. I’ll take red or yellow or green with no complaints. I’d murder for purple and would be happy with blue. But I’m cursed with white. Empty and sad.”

“Enough of the self-pity. We both know that you are an incredible person with a lot of talent and heart and that this eye color bullshit is exactly that: bullshit.”

“You can call it bullshit but it works for everyone else. Like Jin-hyung is a great business owner just like his green eyes predicted. Your blue eyes are perfect for your caring nature and you’ll be an amazing therapist once you finish school. And Hobi-hyung is an amazing dancer and the best choreographer in Seoul, which we all knew would happen thanks to his purple eyes. So with all of that evidence, how am I supposed to believe I’m not hopeless.”

“So the three of us have found our paths fitting for our so-called destiny. I bet there are plenty of others who don’t resonate with what some pigmentation in their iris dictated for them. Just because it is true for some doesn’t mean it is the whole truth,” Taehyung argues, stopping in front of the coffee shop to finish his spiel before pulling the door open and walking in.

“Cutting it close you two.”

“But still on time,’ Taehyung replies with a grin to the handsome, broad-shouldered man with sandy blonde hair that is Seokjin, their boss. “And blame Jimin. He overslept.”

“Wow Tae. How could you betray me like that?” Jimin says as they head behind the counter and towards the backroom to store their stuff. “Especially in my fragile state.”

“Fragile?” Seokjin asks, quirking an eyebrow at the duo as his bright green eyes flick between them.

“Same old same old hyung,” Taehyung answers. “People were staring at him cause of his eyes.”

“You sure they weren’t staring at your hair?” Seokjin asks, ruffling the bubblegum pink strands on Jimin’s head.

“Positive. Forgot my glasses,” Jimin grumbles, running his fingers through his tousled locks to attempt to fix them. “Tae already gave me the lecture, so I don’t need to hear it again.”

“Fine. But only because we open in five and have work to do,” Seokjin relents, turning on his heel to head back behind the counter.

“Don’t stress about it Minie. Don’t ruin your day before it even happens,” Taehyung says softly with a reassuring smile before following Seokjin out. With a long sigh, Jimin stores his belongings and joins the other two, hoping for the best but anticipating the worst.

The majority of the morning goes by smoothly with Taehyung taking orders and Jimin fulfilling them. Since he was behind the bar and not facing customers directly, Jimin and his eyes were left ignored like he liked it. It wasn’t until halfway through their shift that the day took a turn.

“Tag, you’re it for the register,” Taehyung says, tapping Jimin’s shoulder playfully.

“Can I not today?” Jimin asks, whining a bit at the idea of directly facing customers.

“It will be fine Min. Jin and I are here if anything goes wrong. And it’s now the slow period, so fewer people needing their caffeine fix.”

“Okay fine,” Jimin grumbles. He takes a deep breath before moving to the front of the counter. The first few customers went fine and Jimin was starting to relax and think Taehyung was right after all. A new customer walks in and Jimin steps up to the register waiting for him.

“What can I get for you?” Jimin asks, his full customer service persona on as the customer approaches the counter. He’s clearly an athlete of some kind, mainly because of his red eyes and secondly from all the muscles he has expertly sculpted. The man eyes Jimin carefully and the barista already knew this was not going to go well.

“I want to speak to your manager,” the man says, expression angry as he stares down Jimin.

“E-excuse me?” Jimin asked, taken aback by the aggressive request.

“Oh god you’re stupid too. Man-a-ger,” he enunciates.

“That is me. What is the issue?” Seokjin asks, voice even but Jimin can feel rage starting to brew in the elder from his aura.

“I don’t want him taking my order,” the man said plainly. “Or making it for that matter.”

“And why is that sir?” Seokjin asks, crossing his arms over his chest with a stern expression.

“Because it is bound to be a disaster. Possibly kill me.”

Seokjin rolls his eyes dramatically before looking at the red-eyed man directly and saying “That is irrational and will not happen.”

“Are you out of your mind? Of course it will happen. Look at him.”

Jimin shrinks slightly at being addressed more directly. He feels eyes are on him and he hates it. If only he remembered his glasses.

“I’m positive I know my employees better than you do,” Seokjin says with finality.

“White eyes here isn’t making my coffee. End of story,” the man grits with his own finality.

“Looks like we’re at an impasse.”

“Listen you-”

“Hey,” a voice interrupts. “Some of us have more important things to do than to listen to your outlandish bigotry.”

Jimin steps to the side to see a man with dark sunglasses on looking mostly nonchalant but his aura was obviously impatience. Jimin couldn’t place it, but the man seemed familiar. His dark brown hair wasn’t a clear tell of his identity and his sunglasses covered the easiest tell. He was dressed in designer clothes and very stylish albeit fully black, so maybe he was an idol of some kind.

“Why don’t you go take your break now?” Seokjin asked quietly, his eyes focused on the two customers now in a heated conversation.

“O-okay,” Jimin mutters. He takes one last look at the maybe-idol before turning to head to the break room. He slumped onto the tattered couch they had back there and let out a shaky breath, his eyes watering a bit.

“Don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry,” Jimin muttered to himself, willing the tears to reabsorb and disappear. This wasn’t the first time this has happened to him, and it wouldn’t be the last. But they somehow never got easier. Or Jimin never got tougher. He took a few controlled breaths until he felt calm again, pushing the harsh words and constant stares out of his mind.

“Hey Min. Hoseok is here to see you,” Seokjin called from entry to the back.

“Okay thanks,” Jimin called back. With another deep breath, he stands and heads back to the front.

“Jiminie!” Hoseok says with a big smile as the barista takes the seat across from him. “You still want to use the studio later yeah?”

“Yeah. That’ll make my day so much better,” Jimin says with a relieved sigh.

“Something happen?” Hoseok asks, handing the keys to said studio over to Jimin.

“Just usual bullshit,” Jimin mumbles, pocketing the keys. Hoseok simply hums in understanding, knowing as much as Taehyung and Seokjin do about his insecurities.

The feeling of being watched creeps over Jimin, so he looks up to see the guy who spoke up earlier look at him. Or towards him; Jimin can’t really tell with his big, dark sunglasses. But it feels like they’re making eye contact which makes a knot twist in Jimin’s stomach.

“Oh before I forget. Tomorrow I’m hosting a class that you will love. Think you can make it?”

“I should be. It’s my day off,” Jimin confirms. A loud ringing goes off and the man is quick to answer, speaking in a hushed voice to whoever called.

“Perfect. I gotta run now but I’ll see you tomorrow. It’s at ten.”

“Sounds good hyung. Thanks for the studio tonight,” Jimin replies with an appreciative smile.

“Of course Jiminie,” Hoseok says with a sunshiny smile. They both get up and part ways with Hoseok leaving the shop and Jimin going to put the keys safely in his bag.

“Hey Minie. You okay?”

Jimin turns to see Taehyung standing in the doorway with an apologetic look on his face.

“Yeah, I’m okay. We can just move on, yeah?”

“Yeah of course,” Taehyung says with a nod. “By the way, did you see who that guy was?”

“What guy?”

“The one who spoke up against the asshole. Tall, dark, and handsome.”

“Kind of yeah.”

“So you recognized him.”

“No. Just seemed like an idol or other rich dude.”

“So you didn’t see him take off his sunglasses?”

“No…” Jimin trails, quirking an eyebrow at the younger. “Does that make a difference?”

“Oh it absolutely does,” Taehyung says with a smirk. “Because under those dark glasses were the most identifiable eyes in all of Korea.”

Jimin furrows his brows in confusion at what Taehyung was insinuating. He thought carefully but his confusion never ceased, so Taehyung spoke again.

“It was Jeon Jungkook.”

“What?!” Jimin gasped. “No way. You’re fucking with me.”

“Why would I fuck with you about this?” Taehyung asks rhetorically. “I’m completely serious. Those rainbow eyes are undeniably Jeon Jungkook’s. And Jeon Jungkook came to your aid.”

“He spoke up cause he wanted his coffee, and that asshole was preventing that,” Jimin deadpans, denying the possibility that Jeon Jungkook could ever care about him.

“I’m not too sure about that one Jimin,” Taehyung says with a shrug. “Regardless of his intent, it was definitely him.”

“Today just had to get wilder,” Jimin says with an eye roll. “Let’s hope this is the end of the surprises.”

They head back to work, thankful for an uneventful end of their mutual shift as Taehyung returned to the register and Jimin to making the drinks. Even though Jimin wanted to put it in the past, he couldn’t get the thought of Jeon Jungkook, the Jeon Jungkook, standing up for him. And the fact he made eye contact with the man, or thinks he did anyway, makes the knot in his stomach twist tighter.

Chapter Text

“Does the name Hoseok ring any bells for you?” Jungkook asks as he steps out of the elevator and is faced with Namjoon.

“Uh potentially. Any other details?”

“Purple eyes. Eccentric dresser. Sunshiny smile.”

“Sounds like the guy who choreographed your comeback in spring of last year,” Namjoon answers, walking side by side with Jungkook as they had back to the studio.

“Hyung you’re a genius!” Jungkook answers when the realization hits. “Can you get me his info? He owns a studio so that info specifically.”

“Can I ask why?” Namjoon asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Later. I have to sit through this now,” Jungkook replies as they reach the studio.

“Fine. I’ll get that for you.”

“Thanks hyung!” Jungkook says with his bunny smile before shifting back into pure professional mode and returning to yet another slew of mediocre auditions.

--

“Want to go get sushi with hyung and I?” Taehyung asks, pulling his best friend into a side hug by the shoulders.

“I was going to go to the studio,” Jimin replies, focusing on finishing his last tasks of his shift.

“Can’t you go after?”

“Maybe next time Tae. I just want to get the day out of my head for a while.”

“Okay. I’ll get some to-go so when you get home, you’ll have dinner.”

“Thanks Tae. You’re the best,” Jimin says with a genuine smile to the younger.

“I try,” Taehyung replies with a smirk and a wink. “Don’t stay there too late.”

“I won’t,” Jimin reassures as he completes his last task. Taehyung simply nods and heads over to Seokjin who is finishing closing the coffeeshop for the day.

Jimin is quick to grab his things and head out the back door, taking the back way to Hoseok’s studio to avoid unwanted attention. It wasn’t a short walk by any means, especially when not taking the main streets and easy path. But Jimin would rather sacrifice his time than his mental wellbeing, especially after today’s early incident.  

Jimin knew how to cope with being considered a negative in the more colorful eyes of the world. He could recover from the sting of hurtful words. But in the moment, the sting was more like a dagger in his chest that overwhelmed him with emotional pain. He should be immune to it all after living with it for twenty-three years, but he never developed that.

Taehyung always told him that it was good he wasn’t becoming emotionally numb to the world. That was Taehyung’s healer coming out and he often healed Jimin’s mental wounds over the years. Jimin is forever grateful for his blue-eyed best friend.

Once he arrives to the studio’s building, Jimin decides to just take the stairs up to the second floor studio. This building was full of different dance spaces that could be rented out or even purchased like Hoseok had. The elder just wanted a consistent place to dance that was his, so he bought the largest studio space in the building after his first windfall of K-Pop idol money when he choreographed for some boy group.

The building is empty since it’s fairly late on a Monday and Jimin is thankful for it. He pushes into the bathroom to change out of his work wear before going to Hoseok’s studio.

The space looked like any other for the most part. The floors were hardwood, and one wall was solely mirrors. The space was made more Hoseok-like with the opposing wall from the mirrors being bright red with a large “HOPE WORLD” logo painted in neon green and blue bubbly letters. At first Jimin found the logo a bit obnoxious, but it quickly grew on him as this space became a safe haven.

“Welcome home,” Jimin says to himself before walking over to the sound system, dropping his back next to it and digging for his phone. He puts on his warm-up playlist to do just that and then begins working on some choreography he’s been creating for fun.

The world melts away when Jimin dances. Nothing mattered and there were no obstacles or troubles in his life at that moment. It was just him and the music, everything else kept outside the glass door of the studio. Dancing has always been a refuge for him with its ability to express one’s self how they choose rather than uncontrollable factors.

Jimin isn’t sure how long he is at the studio until the music is cut-off mid run-through by his phone ringing.

“Hello?” Jimin asks, breathing heavy from his non-stop dancing.

“Jimin it’s almost ten,” Taehyung says, a hint of concern in his tone.

“Oh shit really?”

“Yeah. You’ve been there for over four hours.”

“Doesn’t feel like it,” Jimin replies breathily, wiping the sweat off his face with his tank top. When he looks up again, he thinks he sees movement outside of the studio but Taehyung speaking again interrupts the thought.

“Don’t overwork yourself Minie.”

“I won’t. I’ll come home now,” Jimin reassures.

“Good! Mainly I am bored and want my cuddle buddy,” Taehyung says lightheartedly.

“I should have known,” Jimin muses getting a laugh from the younger. “I’ll see you soon.”

He hangs up and snatches his bag, tossing it over his shoulder and heading out of the studio.

--

Jungkook can’t decide if this group of auditions are truly not good or if he is too hyper focused on the pink-haired barista with white eyes. He connected the dots when trying to focus yet another auditionee singing one of his songs (big mistake in his opinion) and concluded that this choreographer was giving his studio keys to the barista, thus the barista must be a dancer. And now Jungkook just wants to get out of his building and catch the magnetic mystery man dancing. Why? He doesn’t really know. The pull is undeniable but Jungkook isn’t exactly sure what it is about the guy that attracts him so much.

“Thank you. We’ll call if we want to see you again,” he says once the final audition concludes. As soon as the door of the studio shuts, he slumps in his chair so low he could slip to the floor.

“What time is it?” Jungkook asks, feeling his eyes weigh down with sleep.

“Five after nine,” Yoongi answers before pushing up out of his seat. “I’m going home now.”

“Night hyung,” Jungkook calls as Yoongi heads to the door.

“You owe me Kook-ah,” Yoongi says, earning a chuckle from the youngest. “Good night.”

“You should go home too,” Namjoon comments, eyes on his iPad.

“Probably,” Jungkook mumbles, forcing himself to sit up in the chair. “Did you find that info I asked for?”

“About Hoseok-ssi? Yes I did,” Namjoon answers simply.

Jungkook sits up straighter and looks at his manager with a grin and sparkly doe eyes.

“Can I have it?”

“Not till you tell me why.”

Jungkook deflates somewhat which makes Namjoon chuckle. “I saw him today talking to someone who could possibly be a good candidate to take on.”

“And why does that require Hoseok-ssi’s studio address?”

“He is supposed to be there tonight. I was hoping to try and see him dance.”

“So you don’t actually know if he can sing or dance or anything?” Namjoon asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“Technically no,” Jungkook says, rubbing the nape of his neck awkwardly. “This is going to sound crazy, but I felt drawn to him.”

“Are you sure you don’t just want to fuck him?”

“Definitely sure. I know when I just want to fuck. And this is not that.”

“Do you think this guy is our Solo Star?” Namjoon asks.

“Potentially. I don’t know why I’m drawn to him, but I want to find out. Which means I need to see him again. So that brings us back to that address,” Jungkook says with a small smirk towards the elder.

“In some circles this is called stalking.”

“Hyung you know I’m not like that!”

“Okay fine, relax. I’ll text it to you,” Namjoon relents, shaking his head fondly as he pulls his phone out. “It’s getting late, so he probably isn’t there anymore.”

“Won’t hurt to check,” Jungkook says, hopping to his feet and leaving the studio. “I’ll see you tomorrow hyung!”

“Don’t make it weird Kookie!” is the last thing the younger hears before leaving the studio and rushing out of the building and into his driver’s car.

The drive to the studio is quick thanks to the later hour and it not being too far from the office. Jungkook bounds up the stairs when he enters the building, and it is dead silent when he enters the second floor which isn’t a promising start. But then a muffled melody starts and Jungkook perks up immediately and rushes in the direction of the music. He identifies the studio and stops dead in his tracks at the glass door, eyes growing wide at what he sees.

It is definitely the pink-haired man from earlier that day and he’s currently dancing choreography of some kind. And Jungkook is mesmerized. He had no expectations necessarily, but he definitely didn’t expect this man to be such a beautiful and emotional dancer. His motions are so fluid and effortless looking, which takes so much control and technique to control. And his performance quality is equally as stunning. It’s impossible to not watch him dance.

Jungkook is reaching for the door handle when the music suddenly cuts-out and he instinctively freezes. His eyes are glued onto the dancer as he stops, looking just confused as to why he was interrupted. Jungkook shakes out of his stunned state as the man answers the phone and realizes how weird it will be to just walk in and say, ‘I’ve been watching you dance for the last few minutes and want to hire you’. And it will be even weirder if he gets caught just standing there. And Namjoon told him to not make it weird.

Jungkook moves from the studio then, making quick work down the stairs to exit the building and leave. As his care drives away, he peeks into the rearview mirror and sees the man stepping out of the building and walking the opposite direction. He watches until the man is out of view and for the rest of the drive, only one thought crosses Jungkook’s mind.

I need him.

--

“Oh hello again,” the green-eyed man says when Jungkook approaches the counter. “What can I get you?”

“The pink haired barista,” Jungkook answers, getting a very confused look from the man.

“Excuse me?”

“I want to talk to the pink haired barista. The one from yesterday.”

“Um okay. He’s not here today.”

“Do you know where he might be?” Jungkook asks calmly.

“Uh no but… hey Tae!” the man calls, facing the way towards the back.

“Yeah?” another man answers, poking his head out to be the blue-eyed man that gave Jungkook his coffee yesterday.

“Do you know where Jimin is right now?”

“Yeah. Why?”

The blue-eyed man steps out then, eyes flicking between Jungkook and the other barista with a curious look.

“He wants to talk to him,” the green-eyed man answers, basically tossing the questions Jungkook’s way before walking away to take care of other customers.

“About what?”

“I have an offer.”

“Are you aware of how ominous you sound saying that?” the blue-eyed man asks with a laugh. “Look I know you did a noble thing yesterday but that doesn’t entitle you to Jimin.”

“I don’t want to be entitled. I just want to talk to him,” Jungkook explains. “I’m sure you know who I am.”

“Of course I do. Who in Korea doesn’t?” the blue-eyed man answers with a shrug. “To be honest, that doesn’t mean shit to me right now.”

“I want to offer him a potential job. I can’t say more than that,” Jungkook adds, his patience starting to wear thin from this interaction. “When I mean just talk, I’m serious.”

The blue-eyed man eyes him carefully before their eyes lock in an intense stare as if he was trying to read his soul through his eyes.

“He’s at a dance class,” the man answers, a wariness in his tone.

“With Hoseok-ssi?”

“Yeah. How did you-” the man starts, eyes going wide in surprise that Jungkook would have that detail. Jungkook is already walking away before the man can finish his question. He couldn’t stop thinking about the dancer all night and most of the morning, so he is now on a mission and has been delayed long enough for his liking. He slides into the backseat of his driver’s car, requesting to be taken to Hoseok’s studio.

--

“Alright let’s get some groups together to film for YouTube!” Hoseok announces as his class starts to come to an end. He calls a three dancers up to run through the choreography they all learned before choosing a duo to do the same. “Okay a solo now. Jimin-ah!”

Jimin steps forward, running a hand through his pink hair as he takes the center of the floor. Hoseok resets the music and when cued that they were filming, Jimin begins the choreography.

A year ago this would have been just a dream of Jimin’s. He was often looked over and rejected from the dance world before he even took the floor because his eyes were colorless. Even though he knew he was good enough, the world didn’t care. His eyes weren’t purple and that alone meant his dreams were always going to be dreams.

Until he met Hoseok by happenstance, and the choreographer took a liking to him. He invited him to take the professional level classes and use the studio whenever he wants. And when Hoseok decided to start a YouTube channel for his choreography, Jimin was often featured in one way or another. Jimin broke down in tears after the first time Hoseok asked him to be in a trio for a video. Jimin may not be a professional dancer like he wanted, but this felt close and that was enough.

The choreography ends and the room fills with applause as he politely bows to the cameraman and Hoseok. But then a swift hush falls over the room and Jimin instinctively turns to see the crowd of dancers part like the Red Sea to let a man through. Jimin is quick to recognize the man in multiple ways and he feels his heart jump to his throat.

“Great class everyone. That’s all for today,” Hoseok announces calmly, seeming to be the only one in the room with his wits about him. The dancers were a mix of quick to depart and quick to linger and see why Jeon Jungkook, the face of Korean entertainment, is there.

“Jungkook-ssi! To what do I owe the pleasure?” Hoseok says in his usual friendly tone as he approaches the man.

“Nice to see you again Hoseok-ssi. I’m actually hear to talk to someone.”

“Oh?”

Jimin snaps out of his daze and hurries for his bag, tossing the strap over his shoulder and is about to push his way through the lingering people to leave.

“Yes. The last dancer you had. The pink haired one. Name is Jimin I believe,” Jungkook explains. Jimin freezes mid step and feels the eyes of everyone person in the room train on him.

“Oh you want to talk to Jimin,” Hoseok repeats, quirking an eyebrow at Jungkook before looking at Jimin, eyes asking what the younger knows. Jimin shrugs in mild panic and then he feels the intense eyes of Jungkook on him and he kind of wants the floor to open up and swallow him out of this moment.

“Is there somewhere more private we can talk?” Jungkook asks Hoseok with his eyes still on Jimin.

“Uh right,” Hoseok says before ushering everyone who was lingering to leave the studio and locking the door, leaving the three of them in there alone.

Jimin forces himself to stand up straighter and generally be more confident than he felt, which was a Herculean task when the intense rainbow eyes of Korea’s most talented man are focused on you. Hoseok was soon next to him, eyeing him carefully before looking over at Jungkook.

“So…” Hoseok started, trying his best to cut through the awkward tension.

“Jeon Jungkook,” Jungkook says, holding his hand out towards Jimin who hesitantly took it.

“Park Jimin.”

“You’re probably wondering why I wanted to speak to you,” Jungkook starts, his professionalism on display which does not help how intimidating he is.

“Does this have anything to do with yesterday?” Jimin asks abruptly, his nerves getting the better of him.

“Yesterday?” Hoseok asks, raising an eyebrow at Jimin.

“No, it doesn’t,” Jungkook clarifies. “I wanted to offer you an opportunity.”

“Excuse me?” Jimin asks, eyes bugging out.

“I can’t really explain further unless we talk privately. No offense Hoseok-ssi.”

“None taken. But Jimin,” Hoseok says, turning solely to focus on the pink-haired man. “Are you okay with that?”

Jungkook quirks an eyebrow at that and Jimin gulps, embarrassment making his face flush.

“Yeah, it’s fine hyung,” Jimin says with a soft smile. Hoseok hesitates for a moment before turning to leave, the last two remaining waiting for the door to shut before speaking again.

“Why is everyone so protective over you?” Jungkook asks nonchalantly.

“Excuse me?”

“First your coworkers were hesitant to tell me where you were and then Hoseok-ssi was hesitant to leave. Why is that?”

“Does this have anything to do with your offer?” Jimin asks defensively.

“No,” Jungkook answers, slightly taken aback.

“Then why don’t we just talk about that.” Jimin shifts to fully face Jungkook then in an attempt to feel as equal with him as possible despite them being equals a complete impossibility. It was difficult enough to face the great and talented Jeon Jungkook on its own but add how undeniably attractive he is and Jimin wanted to crawl in a hole and hide.

“Fair enough,” Jungkook replies, clearing his throat afterwards. “I want to recruit you to my company.”

“You what?!” Jimin asks, the words knocking the air from his lungs in surprise. “Why?”

“Because I’ve seen you dance. And there is an upcoming competition show that my company will be a part of, and I need a worthwhile performer for it.”

“And you think that is me?”

“Yes.”

“You are out of your mind,” Jimin mutters.

“I’m very right in my mind actually.”

“Okay then you’re just blind.”

“I can see great actually. I can see how talented you are for one. And yes, I can see your eyes perfectly fine as well. And I don’t care,” Jungkook says resolutely.

Jimin eyes him warily, still unbelieving that this is reality. There must be a catch of some kind. He’s never been offered an opportunity from a stranger that wasn’t a catch.

“As much as I’d love to stand here while you think it over, I do have other things to do. So if you want to talk about this further, come to the company,” Jungkook says, pulling a business card from his wallet and handing it to Jimin which the dancer takes it tentatively. Jungkook nods curtly before turning to leave, stopping just short of the door to face Jimin again.

“This isn’t out of pity, in case that is what you think. I do actually think you have talent. And I have a feeling you think so too,” Jungkook says, his formal persona fading a bit to something more sincere and soft. He turns again and pushes out the door, leaving Jimin in stunned, confused silence.

“What was that about?” Hoseok asks, immediately entering the studio having seen Jungkook leave.

“He wants to recruit me to his company. Invited me to it to talk about it more,” Jimin mutters, flipping the business card in his fingers.

“Seriously?! Jimin that’s amazing!”

“It doesn’t feel real. Like, there must be a catch. Why would Jeon Jungkook, the face of the nation, want me? No one wants me.”

“That is not true. Case in point you are holding the man’s business card. He literally hunted you down.”

“You’ve worked with him before, right?” Jimin asks, looking at the elder then.

“Yeah.”

“Would you say he is trustworthy?”

“Well,” Hoseok starts, thinking more before answering. “I know he works hard. He’s incredibly humble for someone in his position. And he doesn’t go into anything half-assed. So if he wants you at his company, he’s serious about it.”

Jimin worries his bottom lip in thought, intaking Hoseok’s words as he thinks things over.

“He invited you to talk more about it, right?” Hoseok asks.

“Yeah.”

“So go do at least that. Get more information, see how you feel about working with him, and then you can decide. Don’t throw the opportunity full away till you know everything,” Hoseok advises with a reassuring smile.

“Okay. Yeah okay,” Jimin answers. “I’m off tomorrow so I can go then.”

Hoseok smiles brightly and claps excitedly before insisting they celebrate under the guise of preparing Jimin for the meeting. It took no time at all to get Taehyung to join them at one of their favorite restaurants followed by Seokjin shortly after.

“So you are telling me that the Jeon Jungkook is trying to steal one of my best employees?” Seokjin says jokingly.

“Hyung,” Jimin groans despite the obvious joke.

“Jiminie I’m kidding. This is exciting and I’m proud of you.”

“Me too Min,” Taehyung says brightly. “He should have just said what he was doing. I would have told him where you were faster.”

“Wait what?” Jimin says, turning to look at the youngest with a raised eyebrow.

“He came to the coffee shop looking for you. He was pretty guarded about what he wanted to talk to you about, so I was a bit hesitant to tell him.”

“Oh he did mention going to you guys,” Jimin recalls. “But if he already wanted to offer me a job when he went to talk to you guys, how did he see me dance?”

“You were at a dance class Min.”

“Yeah, but he said he saw me dance and then wanted to recruit me. So he had to have seen me dance before today,” Jimin theorizes. “But how?”

“You have been in Hobi-hyung’s videos a few times,” Taehyung supplies.

“And I have worked with him before. Plus if he has been actively looking for people, he might have been searching online,” Hoseok adds.

“Does it really matter how?” Seokjin asks. “What matters is he thinks you are talented, which you are, and wants you. This is what you’ve wanted Minie.”

“Sort of I guess,” Jimin replies. He never considered being an idol, thinking that was way too out of reach given his situation. He couldn’t even get into professional dancing so being a full idol was an impossibility.

“Please Jiminie for us don’t overthink it,” Taehyung says with a reassuring smile. “You’ll get more information and then we can overthink it together. But right now just celebrate the fact that finally your talent is being properly recognized.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Jimin relents with a small smile.

“To Park Jimin the next superstar idol,” Taehyung says, lifting his soju bottle in a toast. The other three clink their own bottles in cheers, taking a swig and then letting the conversation move on to something else, to Jimin’s relief.

Jimin can’t focus on the conversation much though. He keeps reliving the sequence of events that led to Jungkook’s offer and trying to figure out why he would offer something so big to him. Hopefully he gets his answers tomorrow.

Chapter Text

“Hyung I think I fucked it up,” Jungkook says, slouching in his desk chair that he spins in aimlessly.

“What makes you say that?” Namjoon asks, not looking up from his own desk as he continues doing work.

“I don’t know. He just seemed so apprehensive.”

“Did you consider the fact that you are world-famous Jeon Jungkook and are kind of intense?”

“Of course I have. I can never forget even if I wanted to,” Jungkook sighs, ceasing his spinning to face his manager. “I don’t want to be intimidating. You know I’m really not.”

“I have also known you since you were in diapers and before you fully became Rainbow Bright,” Namjoon adds, peeking over his glasses to look at the younger then. “Unfortunately, your eyes alone set the tone for you.”

“And it’s fucking bullshit. They say our destiny is determined by our eye color and I get cursed with having every single color possible. Some pigmentation makes me elite and successful, not actually me.”

“You know that isn’t true. You are the one who has done the actual work to be successful.”

“I know but…” Jungkook trails off. They’ve had this conversation, or a version of it, thousands of times. “It drives me crazy that there is both truth and fallacy in this whole eye color thing. And I hate how the world relies on it so heavily.”

“Is that why you’re giving this Jimin kid a chance?” Namjoon asks, with no judgment in his tone.

“No! I-well-I mean,” Jungkook stutters, trying to organize his thoughts. After his interaction with Jimin yesterday, he immediately called Namjoon to rant about it, which resulted in him telling the elder about the incident at the coffee shop. “It would be pretty shitty of me to give him a chance just because his eyes are white. And that isn’t why.”

“But it was the reason you went looking for him in the first place.”

“It might have made an impact,” Jungkook mumbles, resting his elbows on Namjoon’s desk and his face in his hands. “So I am a shitty person.”

“No you’re not,” Namjoon replies calmly. “You said yourself you felt drawn to him. Maybe in an odd way you relate to him and the struggles of having unique eyes and thus unique experiences with life. And then you saw him dance and that is when you wanted to recruit him. So your decision to bring him here has nothing to do with his eyes.”

“I guess,” Jungkook sighs, dropping his hands to look at the elder. “You really are the wisest person I know. No wonder you have yellow eyes.”

“Yeah, and my destiny said I should be a scholar and educator, yet here I am keeping your ass in line,” Namjoon deadpans with a soft smile at the end.

“Your knowledge and keen sense of awareness are invaluable to me hyung,” Jungkook says, getting a quiet snort from the elder.

“Yeah, yeah quit being a kiss ass. You should probably think of a back-up if Jimin never shows. The network wants finalized details by the end of the week.”

“Remind me again why I agreed to do this show?”

“Because you are starting your own entertainment company and the promotional value of working with this show was undeniably worthwhile. Plus you love the idea of mentoring someone, especially if they are special.”

“That last part is the hardest,” Jungkook resigns, scooting his chair back to his own desk.

“Your other option was to do yet another comeback now that you are under your own roof. Which you honestly should still do.”

“Yeah, I know. Already started talking to Yoongi-hyung about that.”

“It’s really weird to open the door and hear my name being said.”

Jungkook looks up to the door to see Yoongi walking in and taking a seat across from him. His black hair was mostly hidden by the beanie he’d thrown on and his purple eyes looked even richer in color than usual.

“Just talking about my next comeback,” Jungkook explains.

“Right. Do I have a deadline for that?”

“Not until we figure things out with Solo Star,” Namjoon answers.

“I thought you recruited someone?” Yoongi asks, attention turning to Jungkook.

“Not fully. I told him to come here if he wants to discuss it more. And he hasn’t shown up yet,” Jungkook answers, deflating a little.

“Well what is so special about him that it has to be him for this?”

“Hyung he’s just… I don’t know. His dancing is amazing. It’s like watching an ethereal being move,” Jungkook explains wistfully.

“You sound like you have a crush.”

“I do not have a crush. All I know is what he looks like, his name, and he is a dancing god.”

“Is he attractive?” Yoongi asks with a quirked eyebrow and a smirk.

“Yeah,” Jungkook answers a bit too quickly so he has to recover with “He’d have to be for me to consider him as an idol.”

“Uh huh sure Kookie,” Yoongi replies, leaving the conversation at that.

“Hyung he won’t even come here for a job offer. Pretty sure there is no romantic interest either,” Jungkook defends. A soft knock at the door interrupts the conversation and Jisoo, Jungkook’s secretary, sticks her head in.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but Park Jimin is here. He said you requested he come,” Jisoo explains politely.

“Ah yes right. We’ll meet with him shortly,” Jungkook replies hastily. Jisoo nods before shutting the door to leave the trio alone.

“So you were saying?” Yoongi asks with a shit eating grin.

“Don’t you have music to make or something?” Jungkook chides.

“Fine I’ll go,” Yoongi relents, still satisfied with himself. “Should I go tell the kid to come back here?”

“No. Namjoon-hyung should do it I think,” Jungkook explains. “Thank you though hyung.”

“Yeah yeah don’t get too mushy with me,” Yoongi says with a soft smile before leaving the office. 

“Is this a private meeting or will you want me to stay?” Namjoon asks, straightening his suit jacket after having stood.

“You’ll need to stay since you know all the nitty gritty details about Solo Star. Plus your presence will probably soften my unfortunate default of being intimidating.”

“Okay,” Namjoon chuckles softly as he rounds his desk and leaves the office to get Jimin.

--

“They’ll be with you in just a moment,” the secretary says as she returns to the lobby. “You can take a seat over there.”

“Okay thank you,” Jimin says with a small bow before taking a seat. He was trying his best to stay calm and collected, at least from an outside perspective. On the inside, he was panicking. He decided to focus on what Taehyung had said to him this morning.

The ball is in your court. He already wants you, so you don’t have to prove anything to him. He has to prove himself to you. You have the power today.

“Park Jimin?”

Jimin snaps his head up to see a dark gray-haired man with warm yellow eyes looking at him.

“Yes, that’s me,” Jimin says as evenly as he can muster. He stands and then bows politely to the man, feeling his heart rate spike now that interactions have started.

“Hi. Kim Namjoon. Right this way,” the man says with a soft smile. He turns back down the hall he came up from and Jimin follows, willing his nerves to calm down.

“M-may I ask what you do here?” Jimin asks Namjoon a bit awkwardly.

“I’m Jungkook’s manager,” Namjoon answers simply. “And yours if you agree to the offer.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t take that as me trying to sway your opinion. Although it would be flattering to be the reason you accept the offer after everything Jungkook has told me about you.”

Jimin’s eye go wide and mouth agape at the implication of Jungkook not only talking about him but saying good things. Before he can respond though they reach the office and thus reach Jungkook himself.

“Jimin-ssi!” Jungkook says brightly upon seeing him, which startles the dancer a bit. He was expecting the intimidating professional but is greeted by an exuberant boy with a bright doe eyes walking towards him eagerly. His energetic expression is made even brighter by his all-black attire of a button-up with sleeves rolled to his elbows and skinny jeans.

“Uh hi?” Jimin responds, not sure how to react with this new side of the idol.

“Please come in,” Jungkook says with a bright smile, ushering Jimin in to take a seat at the more casual sitting area of Jungkook’s office. He sits in one of the armchairs while Namjoon sits on the adjacent couch. “Would you like water or anything?”

“I’m fine,” Jimin answers with a small smile. Jungkook nods simply before taking a seat in the opposing armchair.

“I assume you have numerous questions about all of this,” Jungkook starts, slipping into the professionalism Jimin is more familiar with from their brief interactions. “So I think it is best we start there.”

“Oh um okay,” Jimin starts. “You haven’t really given me any details about this offer yet.”

“Right,” Jungkook says with a nod. “At the basic level, you’d become a trainee with GC Entertainment. But specifically in this case you’d be representing GC Entertainment on the upcoming competition show Solo Star.”

“What does that entail?”

“Different companies will have a competitor and will compete weekly doing different performances and other idol related activities. They’ll be judged and ranked by some of the top names in the industry, but the winner will be an audience vote. The winner and their company will receive prizes from money to features on the network’s programs,” Namjoon explains.

“Okay so back to me thinking you are out of your mind,” Jimin says turning to Jungkook, who breaks his professional façade with a light chuckle. “Why do you think I can do that? You know nothing about me.”

“That’s not true,” Jungkook says. “I know you can dance.”

“Speaking of that, how do you know? Because the timeline of events from yesterday doesn’t make sense to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“As far as I know, the only time you’ve seen me dance is at Hoseok’s class, which is also when you offered me this. But you went to my work first saying you had an offer for me, so how did you already want to give me an offer if you had not seen me dance yet?”

Jimin can see out of the corner of his eye how Namjoon is trying to bite back a smirk while Jungkook’s cheeks start to redden. Jungkook looks over to Namjoon before looking back at Jimin.

“I saw you at Hoseok-ssi’s studio the night before,” Jungkook answers.

“How did you even know I was there?”

“Overheard Hoseok saying he was dropping off keys for you,” Jungkook answers, dropping his head briefly before looking back with a new intensity in his colorful eyes. “Look I know it sounds weird-”

“That is an understatement,” Jimin chimes in.

“-but there is just something about you that I find intriguing. And then I saw you dance, which you are phenomenal at, and I wanted you with my company,” Jungkook finishes with sincerity.

“And this really has nothing to do with my eyes?” Jimin asks self-consciously. “It’s not pity after hearing some asshole talk shit, right?”

“Not at all.”

The resolute sincerity with which Jungkook confirms causes a wave of relief to wash over Jimin. Having someone who doesn’t know anything about him somehow in his corner is refreshing.

“You don’t even know if I can do anything else besides dance,” Jimin points out. “Idols have to sing. You’ve never heard me do that.”

“Well you can fix that right now,” Jungkook points out with a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

“I-but-uh,” Jimin stutters. He should have known bringing that up would mean he would be asked to demonstrate. And besides the occasional song in the shower or badly sung duet with Taehyung in the safety of their apartment, he doesn’t sing.

“We don’t have to do it right here on the spot,” Jungkook offers. “But you are right that I should hear you sing before actually handing you a contract.”

“Right,” Jimin exhales, anxiety over it lowering from a boil to a simmer.

“Do you have any other questions right now?” Jungkook asks calmly, eyes observing Jimin gently.

“Um no. Not right now,” Jimin answers, mind now distracted with having to sing later.

“Okay. Namjoon will pull up a contract. And in the mean time I can give you a tour,” Jungkook says, hopping to his feet with Namjoon standing himself shortly after. Jimin takes that as a cue he should stand as well, doing so after Namjoon passes and heads towards a desk while Jungkook approaches him. Jungkook gestures to depart the office, holding the door open for him and following him out into the hall.

“I don’t bite,” Jungkook says as they begin walking up the hall Jimin came down before.

“What?” Jimin asks softly, nerves spiking a bit.

“You look terrified of me. I promise I’m not intimidating.”

“Isn’t being intimidating determined by the other person?” Jimin asks.

“I guess so. But I promise there is no reason to be intimidated by me.”

“Says world-famous Jeon Jungkook,” Jimin mutters, making Jungkook snort.

“You’ll see. I’m too soft for my own good,” Jungkook says, smiling softly to Jimin which makes the latter blush. “So this is our main studio.”

They approach a door that Jungkook opens to show a studio space about the same size as Hoseok’s studio with a wall of mirrors and a graphic wall opposing it. Instead of a bright red wall though, it has a mural that blends into the GC Entertainment logo. The far wall from the door is purely windows with a view of the Seoul skyline.

“Who designed this?” Jimin asks, pointing towards the mural wall.

“I did,” Jungkook answers, watching Jimin as the other eyes the painting.

“Of course you did Mr. Good-At-Everything,” Jimin replies.

“I don’t have a choice.”

Jimin turns his attention to Jungkook, brows furrowed in confusion. Jungkook is eyeing his own work now, a bit solemnly. When his eyes meet with Jimin’s though, they are back to their bright Bambi nature.

“So besides this studio there are a couple smaller ones as well. I can show you the main recording booth and introduce you to Yoongi-hyung,” Jungkook explains, turning to leave the studio.

“Yoongi-hyung?” Jimin asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“He’s a producer. I’ve been working with him since my debut and then I stole him when I moved to my own company.”

“Stole?”

“Okay an exaggeration. He came willingly because I let him work with whoever he wants as long as he gets work for me done. A luxury he didn’t have with Rhapsody.”

They pass in front of the secretary who smiles politely at the duo as they go by and head down a different hallway. Jungkook points out a few things on the way, mainly plans he has for the future. They then reach a glass door that’s covered on the inside with a placard on it reading “Genius Lab”.

“Just a bit of warning. Yoongi can be a bit…abrasive at first,” Jungkook says before knocking on the door.

“You don’t say,” Jimin responds, eyeing the welcome mat that says ‘go away’ and a cat flipping them off. The door opens to reveal a black-haired man with radiant purple eyes and a wholly unamused expression.

“Yes boss?” Yoongi deadpans, making Jungkook roll his eyes and Jimin snicker.

“I’m here with Jimin-ssi. Can you be hospitable for at least five minutes?”

“You never learned to respect your elders,” Yoongi chides, stepping aside to let them both in. The room feels small due to all of the equipment Yoongi has. His multi-monitor desk setup is on the far wall, with speakers flanking that. To the side is an electric keyboard and an acoustic guitar. And behind them is a small leather couch tucked into the corner next to the door.

“So you’re Jimin,” Yoongi says, sitting in his desk chair as he eyes the dancer. Jimin wants to cower behind Jungkook from the judgmental eyes, but he knows that’s not what an idol would do. The man’s eyes shift to Jungkook before speaking again. “You were right. He is attractive.”

“Hyung don’t embarrass him,” Jungkook scowls while Jimin’s face flushes to a bright red.

“You failed to mention his eyes though,” Yoongi adds, looking back to Jimin.

“It’s not important,” Jungkook defends, which comforts Jimin somewhat.

“True it isn’t,” Yoongi replies with a shrug. “Anyway I’m Min Yoongi since the brat failed to introduce me.”

“Park Jimin,” Jimin says finally.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.”

“Aw another hyung to look after our sweet Kookie,” Yoongi teases, earning a glare from Jungkook. “Have you heard him sing yet?”

“Not yet but-” Jungkook starts.

“No time like the present,” Yoongi interrupts, pushing out of the chair and passing the other two to leave. Jimin gives Jungkook a panicked look and the younger returns an apologetic one as he follows the producer out. Jimin follows as well, feeling like he is walking to his demise of sorts as the trio walk a few doors down until Yoongi enters a new room.

The room they entered is half of the recording booth, specifically the production half with a giant soundboard and recording equipment. Attached it the booth itself with a window between the two. The simmering anxiety is now boiling over inside Jimin as he tries his best to stay as calm looking as possible.

“Hyung what are you doing?” Jungkook asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“There is a method to my madness I promise,” Yoongi says, plopping into the producer’s chair and facing them. “Can I safely assume you’re nervous, Jimin-ssi.”

“Might be an understatement,” Jimin answers honestly.

“Well thanks to this brat having this weird desire to feel isolated when recording,” Yoongi says, gesturing his head towards Jungkook who pouts at him. “this window can be switched to one-way so the recording booth side feels like its own separate room. You won’t even know we’re here.”

“Except for the fact you are telling me,” Jimin points out.

“Well yeah. But at least you won’t have us staring at you the whole time. I know having rainbow eyes here watching is intimidating.”

“Hey! Why is it roast Jungkook day?” Jungkook snaps, furrowing his brows at the elder who just smirks at him.

“Teasing you is one of my few pleasures Kook. Deal with it,” Yoongi replies, getting a huff from Jungkook and a soft chuckle from Jimin. “So what do you say Jimin?”

“I’ll have to do this eventually so might as well do it now,” Jimin relents.

“That’s the spirit,” Yoongi says with a smirk, getting a soft chuckle from the dancer. “I can have music play to your headphones in the booth so just tell me what you’d want to sing.”

“Um okay,” Jimin mumbles, worrying his bottom lip in thought. “How about Eyes, Nose, Lips by Taeyang?”

“Can do. Just go in the booth through that door.”

Jimin turns to where Yoongi gestured and goes through said door. The room is uneventful with a microphone set up and big headphones hung off a hook on it. Jimin approaches it tentatively, taking the headphones off and sliding them on before standing to face the pop filter of the mic. He looks around the room and as Yoongi said, there is no window anymore and instead a mirror reflecting his appearance at him. Jimin moves his focus away, knowing that just behind it are the two others.

“Whenever you’re ready Jimin-ssi,” Yoongi says through the headphones. Jimin takes a deep breath and then nods, knowing he can be seen. Moments later the instrumental intro of the song begins and as Taeyang starts to sing so does Jimin.

“Holy shit,” Jungkook mutters upon hearing the dancer’s singing for the first time. Just like his dancing, Jimin’s voice is ethereal.

“Damn near angelic,” Yoongi comments, sitting back in the chair to listen. “He rivals you easily.”

“He does,” Jungkook replies, in awe of Jimin’s voice as he sings through the chorus. “I was not expecting this.”

“Well aren’t you lucky,” Yoongi smirks. “I already have ideas for his voice.”

As the song comes to an end, Jimin’s heart is racing violently. He could easily pass out right then from how anxious he feels. When the music is gone and there is nothing but silence, Jimin starts to panic.

Fuck they’re talking about how to reject me.

Why else would they be taking so long?

“You can come out,” Yoongi says through the headset. With a harsh swallow, Jimin removes the headphones and heads towards the connecting door, stepping through to now stand in front of his jury. Yoongi’s expression hasn’t really changed from before which is not reassuring at all. Jungkook looks like he is trying to remain passive and professional, but there is a glint in his doe eyes that spike Jimin’s curiosity.

“So?” Jimin asks since neither have said anything to him yet.

“Wow,” Jungkook says, his façade softening. “I was not expecting that.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“It’s a great thing,” Yoongi chimes in. “You did good kid.”

“Save the kid for the brat,” Jimin teases, his insides feeling both relieved and elated.

“Hey!” Jungkook says with a pout and Yoongi laughs brightly.

“I like you,” Yoongi says to Jimin with a smile. “You better give him a good offer Kookie.”

“Well speaking of offer, we should go back to Namjoon now. Thanks hyung for being a delight as always,” Jungkook says.

“Any time,” Yoongi replies with a smirk. Jimin and Jungkook leave him then to go back to the latter’s office.

“Was it actually good?” Jimin asks after a moment.

“Your voice is incredible. Hyung called it angelic,” Jungkook says, giving Jimin a bright smile which Jimin returns. They are silent the rest of the short walk with Jimin buzzing with happiness as they enter the office to find Namjoon waiting for them.

“I figured you’d want to look it over first,” Namjoon says, handing a copy to Jungkook first who takes it to his desk to review. Jimin takes a seat across from the younger and waits patiently, although the silence is making his nervousness come back.

“Double the money and everything else is good,” Jungkook says to Namjoon.

“Double?” Namjoon asks, quirking an eyebrow at the youngest in curiosity.

“You’ll understand when you hear him sing. He’s worth it, trust me,” Jungkook answers, handing the document back to Namjoon. The manager takes it and goes back to his own desk, typing the changes in before printing it out again. He hands the new contract to Jimin then and the dancer is keenly aware of the eyes watching him.

“Can I take this home to review?” Jimin asks.

“Of course,” Jungkook says. “Just know though we need an answer soon. We have to confirm details for Solo Star by the end of the week.”

“Okay right yeah,” Jimin mutters.

“Well unless you have any further questions, I’d say that concludes this meeting,” Jungkook says, pushing his chair back to stand up. “I can walk you out Jimin-ssi.”

“Okay,” Jimin says awkwardly, standing himself and making sure he has the contract with him. “Thank you Namjoon-ssi.”

“No need to thank me,” Namjoon replies with a smile that shows off his dimples. “I hope to see you again Jimin.”

Jimin nods in response, not really sure of what words to say at this point. He follows Jungkook to the door and they leave the office much like they did earlier, although staying silent as they walk up the hallway. They reach the lobby area in a growingly awkward silence until Jungkook speaks up.

“Jimin,” Jungkook says as the dancer calls the elevator. “We auditioned hundreds of people for this position.”

“Why are you telling me that?” Jimin asks softly with a quirked eyebrow as he looks at the younger.

“Because out of hundreds of people who auditioned, I picked you who I only saw dance for maybe ten minutes max and heard you sing after the first offer. Again, not out of pity because you really are that strikingly talented. And I’m not desperate either. So please give me, us, a chance.”

The elevator pings with its arrival then, the doors sliding open to beckon Jimin inside. But he hesitates, eyeing Jungkook carefully, searching for anything to make him believe there is a lie or a catch involved. But he sees nothing of the sort.

“I’ll consider it,” Jimin finally says, turning to step into the elevator. He pushes the lobby button and looks up to meet Jungkook’s starry eyes just as the doors slide shut and cuts their eye contact off.

Chapter Text

“Jiminie! How did it go?” Hoseok greets as Jimin enters the coffee shop. As soon as Jimin stepped out of the elevator he called the elder to ask to meet him there.

“It was… a lot,” Jimin answers, dropping into the seat across from Hoseok, running his hand through his pink locks.

“Well I’m all ears.”

“Wait for me before you tell him anything! I want the juicy details too!” Taehyung calls from behind the bar, making the other two laugh. After a few minutes, the youngest joins the pair, eagerly looking at Jimin. “So, what’s the deal?”

“He basically said I’d be like a trainee and would be a competitor on some competition show to represent the company,” Jimin starts, trying to recall everything from the meeting.

“So you’d become an idol?” Hoseok asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Do you even want to be an idol? Can you even sing?”

“Oh he can sing,” Taehyung interrupts. “Even his intentionally bad singing is the voice of angels. It’s unfair really.”

“Tae you’re exaggerating,” Jimin whines, cheeks tinging red in embarrassment.

“Did you sing for him? Oh please tell me you did,” Taehyung asks eagerly.

“Yeah. Him and his producer.”

“And?!”

“Jungkook said my voice is incredible. And his producer say it was angelic,” Jimin recounts, his cheeks burning more.

“Told you!”

“Okay so that just brings me back to my other question,” Hoseok says. “Do you even want to be an idol?”

“The thought scares me honestly,” Jimin admits, fiddling with his fingers. “But I want to dance and perform. If this is my opportunity to finally do that, than I’ll become an idol.”

Hoseok eyes him carefully, as if those amethyst irises can see through Jimin and read his soul. It’s not common for Hoseok to be this intensity, but Jimin hopes it is for a good reason.

“Okay if that is what you want Minie,” Hoseok says finally with a big smile, his intensity relaxing. “So did you sign a contract?”

“Not yet. I have it with me. I didn’t want to read it while they stared at me.”

“They?” Taehyung asks.

“Jungkook and his manager, who would also be my manager.”

“Does he have yellow eyes by chance?” Hoseok asks. “Name is Namjoon I believe.”

“Yeah.”

“Ah I met him when I choreographed for Jungkook. Seems like a chill guy.”

“Yeah, he does,” Jimin remarks. “His producer was funny. Kept teasing Jungkook. It was weird to see him not in his professional persona when with him.”

“They must be close,” Taehyung says.

“Yeah. He followed Jungkook when he left his old company. I guess his manager did too.”

“Loyalty. That’s good,” Taehyung muses. “Jungkook must be a good person if they’d take the risk to follow him.”

“Is it really a risk when it’s rainbow eyes?” Jimin asks. His question reminds him of their interaction in the studio.

I don’t have a choice.

“Can I read the contract?” Hoseok asks, interrupting Jimin’s momentary flashback. The younger nods, sliding the papers to him.

“Whoa,” Hoseok comments, eyes growing wide as he reads the document. “Have you read any of this yet?”

“No. Why?”

“This number is… holy shit Jimin-ah.”

Jimin snatches the contract back and starts skimming through it to find the number in question. He finds the compensation section and when he sees it, his heart stops.

“Oh my god,” he mutters, baffled at it.

“Let me see!” Taehyung demands, taking the document and doing the same. “Oh wow. He must really want you with an offer like this.”

“You should still read through all of it. Make sure there is nothing hiding in there that will bite you in the ass,” Hoseok advises.

“Yeah of course,” Jimin agrees, still mind blown by the number. The offer before he doubled it is already crazy, so this is insane.  

Am I really worth this much?

“So is the world-famous Jeon Jungkook stealing my favorite employee?”

The trio turn to Seokjin who is approaching them then with a soft smile, primarily looking at Jimin.

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” Jimin answers weakly.

“But you’re going to, right?”

Jimin sighs as he thinks. Yes, he wants to perform and dance especially. But his is terrified of all of this. His life has been nothing but rejection over the arbitrary nature of his eye color. And now this opportunity comes from nowhere and he’s not prepared in the slightest.

“If I don’t, I’ll regret not even trying,” Jimin muses, looking up to the eldest then who smiles at him like a proud father.

“Go for your dreams Min. You of all people deserve it,” Seokjin comforts. Jimin turns to look at the other two who have similar comforting expressions and Jimin can’t help but be appreciative of these people.

“Thanks guys,” Jimin says, feeling a little choked up. “Now give me that so I can properly read it.”

Taehyung hands back the contract before getting up to go back to work. Hoseok chats casually with Seokjin, letting Jimin read the terms of his future.

--

“I’m going to lose my mind hyung.”

“That’s dramatic even for you,” Yoongi replies, not turning to face Jungkook when he answers. They are in Genius Lab, initially working of Jungkook’s comeback but the younger can’t concentrate.

“I’m not dramatic,” Jungkook pouts at the back of the elder’s head.

“Pretty sure that TV show you had a cameo in would beg to differ.”

“That doesn’t count, and you know it.”

With a sigh, Yoongi spins around in his chair to face the younger with an unamused expression.

“Jungkook it hasn’t even been a full twenty-four hours since Jimin was here. And didn’t you say he has a job currently? He’s probably there.”

“Right. Probably…”

“Don’t you dare go there.”

“I wasn’t going to! I’m not that crazy,” Jungkook defends, although it did cross his mind.

“Mhm sure Kookie,” Yoongi deadpans, spinning back around to his many monitors.

“Hyung you heard him sing. He’s fucking amazing. And his dancing is just as good. He’s perfect.”

“Okay lover boy.”

“Stop it. This is purely platonic and professional.”

“I know. You just sound like you’re in love and I have to tease. And he is your type.”

“I don’t have a type,” Jungkook argues. “I don’t have the time for a type.”

“Yeah, can’t really deny that,” Yoongi replies. “An unfortunate sacrifice for the fame and fortune.”

“Yeah…” Jungkook sighs. “Enough about my lack of a love life. We should be working on the comeback.”

“We? You mean you. I have been working on it this whole time,” Yoongi argues. “Although you haven’t given me much to go off of.”

“Sorry,” Jungkook mumbles, moving to sit next to Yoongi in the spare chair he drug in there. “We have freedom finally and I don’t know what to do with it.”

“Well, you can finally pull from your own experiences. And sing about what you want to. I would love to never have to write you bubbly bullshit again though.”

Jungkook snorts at that, remembering that particularly awkward comeback where they both hated the concept but couldn’t do anything about it. Jungkook’s memories are interrupted though when his phone starts to go off.

“It’s Namjoon-hyung,” Jungkook announces as he sees the caller ID. “Yeah hyung?”

“I know you’re with Yoongi, but I think you should come to your office right now,” Namjoon says.

“That sounds horribly ominous.”

“I wouldn’t blindly lead you into a bad situation Jungkook.”

“Yeah, yeah I know. I’m coming,” Jungkook says before ending the call. “I have been summoned.”

“Good. You’ve been useless to me,” Yoongi teases, getting a playful slap on the arm from the younger. Jungkook takes his leave then, leaving the elder behind to work as he answers the call of his manager.

When he opens his door, he sees Namjoon sitting on the couch facing away from him, seeming to be talking to someone. He steps in and shuts the door, which makes Namjoon turn to look at him and the other person leans to see him as well.

“Oh hi Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook says, willing himself to be calm and professional despite the excitement suddenly buzzing through him.

“Hi,” Jimin replies with a gentle smile, which does nothing to help Jungkook’s buzzing excitement.

“So…” Jungkook trails off, crossing to join the two in the seating area. “I assume this is about my offer.”

“Safe assumption,” Jimin replies. Jungkook can’t stop the smirk that twitches on his lips with Jimin’s sass.

“So is it good news or bad news?”

Jimin just smiles at Jungkook before his eyes shift to Namjoon. The manager takes the hint and hands Jungkook a small stack of papers. On the very top is the contract itself and front and center is Jimin’s signature.

“Thank god,” Jungkook exhales, relaxing back in his chair into a slouching position. Jimin stifles a laugh, surprised to see the CEO of his new company so uninhibited. Namjoon clears his throat then, reaching out for the papers again and rolling his eyes fondly at Jungkook before heading over to his desk to take care of Jimin’s official hiring.

“So uh what now?” Jimin asks awkwardly. His body has been flooded with nerves since he stepped into the building and are showing no signs of subsiding soon.

“Hyung is taking care of the official stuff,” Jungkook says, siting up again and slipping back into his professional persona. “Tomorrow will be your real first day.”

“Okay,” Jimin says, extending the ‘o’ while he thinks. “Anything else I should know before then?”

“Namjoon will be your manager, although I think he mentioned that yesterday,” Jungkook says, quirking an eyebrow at their manager when Namjoon returns to the couch with his iPad in hand.

“I’m sure it will be a pleasure. You can’t be any more difficult than Jungkook,” Namjoon says, successfully getting a soft laugh out of Jimin as the youngest glares at him.

“Anyway,” Jungkook says, moving past the quip so more teasing doesn’t ensue. “He will have your schedule and details daily. For now, it will mostly just be training here, but once Solo Star gets here, we’ll be busy with that.”

“We will?” Jimin asks, nerves bubbling up knowing Jungkook’s involvement.

“Yes, we. I’m your mentor after all. So we’ll be working together through it all,” Jungkook answers calmly. “It’s part of the premise of the show that the CEOs mentor their idols.”

“Oh,” Jimin utters.

“Don’t take that as me only helping you because of that. I’d mentor you regardless of a competition being involved,” Jungkook clarifies, sensing Jimin’s hesitancy. The intense sincerity of Jungkook’s rainbow eyes doesn’t help calm Jimin at all.

“Speaking of the show,” Namjoon cuts in, much to Jimin’s relief. “I’ve sent over the details, so it’s now official that Jimin is representing GC Entertainment.”

“When is this show happening anyway?” Jimin asks.

“Promotions start in a month. The show itself two weeks after that.”

“Six weeks?! I only have six weeks to prepare?!” Jimin asks, anxiety spiking through the roof as his white eyes grow impossibly wide.

“Yes, that is the case but you’re not alone in this Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook says. “We have six weeks. It’s not you alone. Plus you’re lightyears ahead of many trainees and even some current idols with your dancing and singing.”

“Is that what you really think or are you just trying to keep me from freaking out?”

“Both,” Jungkook says, slipping into a smile that Jimin could best describe as bunny-like.

“The fact you aren’t a teenager is also helpful, which I know sounds odd,” Namjoon adds. “I’m confident we’re not going to have to babysit you. Doesn’t seem like your character.”

“Thanks?” Jimin says, not really sure what kind of comment that is.

“Enough about the show. That can wait till tomorrow,” Jungkook says, pushing up from the chair and heading towards his desk. He grabs three short glasses and a bottle of what looks like whiskey or scotch and returns back to the other two.

“Jungkook it’s the afternoon,” Jimin points out with a quirked eyebrow.

“And? It’s a celebratory drink. Only if you want one of course,” Jungkook says, putting the glasses down and starting to pour. He looks at Namjoon who just nods without even taking his eyes off the iPad. He fills the second glass and then looks to Jimin who sheepishly nods as well.

“I am looking forward to working with you Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook says, raising his glass towards the elder before taking a swig.

“Likewise,” Jimin answers, mainly because it just feels like the right thing to say.

“The network just got back to me. They say they’ll send over all the itineraries and competition details by the end of next week,” Namjoon says then, resolute in still getting work done.

“Knock knock,” a new voice says. Jimin leans to look past Namjoon to see Yoongi. The producer seems very unamused until his eyes meet Jimin’s. “Look who returned after all. Seems like you were being dramatic for no reason Kook-ah.”

Yoongi crosses to join them, plopping down in the opposing armchair from Jungkook which is next to Jimin. Jimin furrows his brows in confusion at Yoongi’s comment, watching the elder sit before looking to Jungkook whose gone wide-eyed and blushing to his ears.

“Do you always have to try and embarrass me hyung?” Jungkook asks, decisively not looking at Jimin.

“I don’t try. I succeed,” Yoongi answers. “And if Jimin-ssi is joining the company he might as well get used to me teasing you since it is the norm.”

“That will be the easiest thing I have to do,” Jimin mumbles before taking a sip. He can feel the piercing purple eyes on him and sees the producer smirk from his peripheral vision.

“So you have signed?” Yoongi asks, although seeming to know the answer already. Jimin just nods, suddenly feeling very much watched. Guess he’ll have to get used to this feeling.

“That,” Yoongi starts, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back in the chair, “is the best news I’ve heard all day.”

Jimin feels a little frozen by that. All of this is a little surreal still and he isn’t sure he is going to get used to having support besides Seokjin, Taehyung, and Hoseok. And he definitely isn’t going to get used to having the Jeon Jungkook in his corner.

“As much as this is a wonderful moment, Kook-ah you have a schedule,” Namjoon speaks again, peaking over his glasses to look at the youngest.

“Yes right,” Jungkook sighs, tossing back the rest of his drink then. “Sorry to leave so suddenly.”

“Don’t worry about it boss,” Yoongi says with a small smirk. “I’ll walk Jimin out.”

Jungkook squints briefly at the elder but says nothing, instead choosing to turn his attention to Jimin again. “Namjoon will send you your schedule for tomorrow by the end of the day.”

“Okay thanks,” Jimin says, giving Namjoon a small smile. He gets up then and follows Yoongi out, feeling those rainbow eyes watching him closely as he leaves.

“I hope you aren’t put off by my teasing of Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi says when it is only the two of them.

“Not at all. It helps humanize him, so he isn’t as intimidating, to be honest,” Jimin admits, feeling oddly comfortable with the producer already.

“And that’s why I do it. Well partially. He’s also just really amusing to tease. But most people treat him like a god and put him on a pedestal he hates being on, so I try to keep him down to Earth.”

“Did he ask you to do that?” Jimin asks, curiosity blooming.

“Nope. I kind of just sensed it,” Yoongi answers. “I’ll never genuinely embarrass him like in public. I won’t risk his reputation. But I do want to help him feel normal.”

They reach the small lobby area with the secretary behind the desk typing away and only giving them a quick smile before returning to work. Jimin calls the elevator and he senses Yoongi’s lingering presence. He turns to face him again with a quirked eyebrow.

“Yes?” Jimin asks, seeing Yoongi eyeing him carefully.

“Same goes for you,” Yoongi says, flicking his cat-like eyes to look into Jimin’s. “Don’t hesitate to bother me if you just want to escape and feel normal. I have a couch in my studio for a reason.”

“Oh um,” Jimin starts, not sure what to say.

“Look I don’t know what your situation has been like,” Yoongi continues. “But I’ve seen Jungkook’s. It’s going to be a whirlwind. Hell a whole tempest. So if the storm gets too crazy, Genius Lab can be your lighthouse.”

“That was very poetic,” Jimin comments, still trying to process the elder’s sudden and quick support.

“I am a lyricist,” Yoongi says with a small smirk. The elevator dings to indicate its arrival and the doors slide open to beckon Jimin inside. “I’ll see you around Jimin-ah.”

“Yeah, see you,” Jimin says before turning to step in the elevator. Much like yesterday, when he looks up after choosing the lobby as his destination, his eyes meet Yoongi’s. The elder’s eyes don’t sparkle like Jungkook’s, instead having a serenity to them that Jimin finds comforting. All too soon though the doors close and he is descending.

--

“How’d it go?”

Jimin didn’t answer, instead choosing to flop face-first onto the couch with a groan while Taehyung watched from their kitchen. The younger moved to sit in the spare chair, unfazed at his roommate’s dramatics.

“Tae this might be way over my head already,” Jimin says, voice muffled by the couch cushion.

“What makes you say that?”

Jimin huffs and rolls over to both speak and breathe better. “That show I told you I’d be on starts in six weeks. I have six weeks to become a debut-able idol.”

“Damn that’s quick.”

“Yeah no shit,” Jimin grumbles.

“But I know you can do it,” Taehyung adds calmly.

“Everyone except me thinks so. So how come I’m panicking still?”

“Because you’re too close to yourself and your anxieties to view yourself objectively like the rest of us can,” Taehyung explains. “Also I don’t think the Jeon Jungkook would have given you an offer if he didn’t think you could handle it.”

“He knows nothing about me,” Jimin counters. “Sure he has heard me sing and seen me dance a little. But he doesn’t know anything about my personality or character.”

“Well then believe me when I say you can do it since I do know your personality and character,” Taehyung says. Jimin just grumbles, because he knows Taehyung is right but that doesn’t mean that all of this doesn’t worry and scare him.

“I don’t really have a choice but to do it,” Jimin pouts. “And it is going to be twice as hard than an average trainee.”

“And you have twice the talent than the average trainee.”

Jimin just grumbles. He knows he isn’t going to get Taehyung to budge. Not like this is the first time they have had a similar conversation.

“Jiminie stressing yourself out over it is not going to help and I know you know that,” Taehyung says patiently. “You can do it and do it well. You have so much support around you. Just take the bull by the horns and show the world what talent really looks like.”

Jimin sighs, pushing himself to sit up properly and gives Taehyung a soft smile. “Thanks Taetae.”

“Any time Minie,” Taehyung smiles back. He gets up to return to the kitchen, ruffling Jimin’s hair affectionately as he goes by.

Jimin feels his phone buzz in quick succession, so he pulls it out of his pocket to see a slew of new messages.

Maybe Namjoon (4:29 pm):

Hi Jimin-ssi

It’s Namjoon

I have your schedule for tomorrow

Sort of

Jimin (4:30 pm):

Sort of?

Namjoon (4:32 pm):

We need you here by 9am

And you’ll be here all day

That is all Jungkook gave me

Jimin (4:33 pm):

Great

 I just love surprises 🙃

Namjoon (4:34 pm):

Noted 😉

As if the looming stress wasn’t bad enough, tomorrow was going to be full of surprises.

--

“Morning Namjoon-ssi,” Jimin says upon seeing his manager waiting in the lobby. Jimin can’t help but properly look Namjoon over now that there is more familiarity. Jimin is immediately struck by the yellow eyes, actually better described as golden. His gold eyes and gold skin make him look god levels of handsome. He’s very striking and, now that Jimin thinks about it, quite young given his position.

“Good morning Jimin. And you can just call me hyung,” Namjoon says with a dimpled smile. He hands over a card, similar to a hotel room keycard, and Jimin takes it with his free hand while the other clutches the desperately needed coffee.

“What’s this?”

“Your own access card. That way you can just come up whenever you need to without worry,” Namjoon explains. The elder turns then for the elevators and Jimin follows obediently, eyeing the card briefly before sliding it into his pocket. Namjoon calls the elevator and one is already waiting, so they board together and Namjoon chooses their floor.

“I see you’ve prepared,” Namjoon comments while eyeing the large coffee cup.

“Wouldn’t I be prepared once it is finished?” Jimin asks with a raised eyebrow.

“I guess if we get technical about it. Either way, you’ll need the caffeine.”

“That sounds ominous,” Jimin remarks, taking a drink of said coffee.

“Jungkook is excited. And when he is excited, he is energetic. You’ll see,” Namjoon explains casually. The elevator dings its arrival and the pair exit, politely greeting Jisoo before going towards Jungkook’s office.

“What is happening today anyway?” Jimin asks.

“Jungkook wants to evaluate you.”

“He what?!” Jimin asks, stopping dead in his tracks with a wide-eyed expression at Namjoon.

“Don’t worry. We just want to know what needs to be worked on more than others. For example you probably need more singing training than dancing, or so I assume. That’s all it is.”

“And you’ll be there too?”

“Yes. And Yoongi may stop by, although he said he was satisfied with what he already heard and has ideas,” Namjoon explains casually. They continue on their way until they reach Jungkook’s office that Namjoon enters without even knocking. Jimin cautiously enters behind him, shutting the door before moving in further.

“Where is Jungkook?” Jimin asks, noticing that the younger isn’t even present.

“Investor breakfast. Should be here soon though. Be warned, he’s going to go a million miles a minute the second he gets here.”

“Great,” Jimin grumbles, hearing a soft chuckle from Namjoon.

“Don’t stress. I’m his opposite so I’ll bring him back down.”

“So you balance each other.”

“I guess you could say that,” Namjoon answers, collecting his iPad from his own desk before sitting next to Jimin at Jungkook’s desk. “We’ve known each other for a long time so we work very well together.”

“Have you always been his manager?”

“No. He had someone else at the start of his career, but they weren’t a good fit for him.”

“Not a good fit how?”

“I’m too crazy and they couldn’t control me.”

Jimin jumps at the sound of Jungkook’s voice, whipping his head around to see the younger striding toward his desk, dressed in a proper suit and loosening the tie to immediately take off.

“They were also a bit too starstruck by you. Or so you said anyway,” Namjoon adds, typing rapidly on his phone.

“So then how do you handle him if he is crazy?” Jimin asks unabashedly, earning a bright laugh from the youngest.

“Again, known him for years. Since diapers. So I don’t have hang ups when it comes to his eyes or anything he does. He’s just Kookie to me,” Namjoon explains, his dimples making a brief appearance. “Also you can’t handle Jungkook. He’s smart enough on his own to know what to do and not to do.”

“Hyung is more like an advisor too me than a manager. Although he does manage my schedule,” Jungkook says, now having removed his suit jacket and rolling the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows.

“Speaking of schedules, you’re late,” Namjoon teases, smirking with an amused look in his eyes.

“You try and get Choi Siyoon to stop propositioning me to marry her daughter,” Jungkook defends with a disgruntled sigh. “Pretty sure that woman only became an investor in hopes it gave her an in to me marrying into the family.”

“If only she knew you’d prefer the son over the daughter,” Namjoon says easily, and Jimin’s brain stops at hearing that detail.

“Pretty sure she would ignore that entirely. It’s not like I keep my preferences private.”

“I feel like this is information I don’t need to know,” Jimin interrupts, feeling very out of place.

“If it was something you really weren’t supposed to know, we wouldn’t talk about it,” Namjoon assures. “We should probably get to actual work though.”

“Right yes. Hang on,” Jungkook says, doe eyes sparkling with sudden excitement. He rushes over to a bookshelf, skimming the spines before grabbing a hold of a book and pulling it out. He flips through it as he returns to the desk and then promptly snaps it shut and hands it to Jimin.

“What’s this?” Jimin asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“My trainee journal,” Jungkook explains as if that is a completely normal thing to hand someone.

“And why do I have this?”

“Because it’s full of things I learned in my training. And as much as I would love to pass on the knowledge from myself directly, we just don’t have the time,” Jungkook reasons, plopping down into his desk chair. “Which brings me to today’s plan. Did hyung explain it?”

“As much as you explained it to me,” Namjoon chimes in.

“Which is basically nothing,” Jimin mumbles, hearing the quiet snort from Namjoon.

“You two are going to get along too well and turn against me one day I just know it,” Jungkook teases, a small smile growing on his face.

“Don’t leave me out of that plan,” Yoongi’s voice cuts in. “I call dibs on his office after we overthrow him.”

“Okay Brutus,” Jungkook chides with an eye roll. Yoongi snickers to himself as he walks further in, grabbing Namjoon’s desk chair and rolling over to sit with the other three. “I’m surprised you’re actually here.”

“You hurt me boss,” Yoongi says, pouting dramatically which just gets him an eye roll from the youngest. “For starters you asked me to be here. And also I like Jimin-ah.”

Jimin feels himself start to blush at that and makes a feigned attempt to shrink himself in his chair from the curious eyes of the producer.

“I’ll take what I can get with you,” Jungkook teases, getting a playful shove from the eldest.

“Anyway,” Namjoon prompts, clearly used to such interruptions and antics. “Your plan Kook-ah?”

“Right. So we need to evaluate you,” Jungkook announces, turning to look at Jimin. “I already know you can sing and dance, but being an idol goes beyond that. People skills, interview skills, general decorum, stuff like that.”

“Aka the stuffy unimportant bullshit,” Yoongi says.

“It’s not unimportant,” Jungkook continues. “As much as even I would want the career to be solely the performance side, we do represent the company as well as ourselves and have to do so with finesse. And a lot of this comes with promoting the performance side, like going on interview shows and doing sponsorships. And, if we’re looking at the short term specifically, you’re not just going to be singing and dancing on Solo Star. You’ll be interviewed and compared with every other trainee that has been at this much longer than you.”

“Don’t scare him,” Yoongi grumbles.

“It’s the truth hyung,” Namjoon replies before Jungkook. “It’s just the reality of the situation. Not that any of us think Jimin-ah can’t do it.”

“Exactly,” Jungkook agrees. “And we’ll need to prepare you for the inevitable backlash and criticism.”

“You mean the things I’ve had said to me over the last twenty-three years of life,” Jimin clarifies.

“Not necessarily. Although it will come up, as much as none of us want it to,” Jungkook says, a quick flicker of frustration in his tone. “And even if it was all the same, multiply it by millions. It’s going to be a lot more than you’re used to.”

“How do you intend on evaluating any of this?” Jimin asks, his nerves mixing with frustration now.  

“We can do a mock interview. Keep it simple,” Namjoon offers, his patient and calm aura the one soothing thing for Jimin then. “As for general decorum, you’ll probably just want to go straight to etiquette training instead of evaluating. That shit is too specific per situation to determine a baseline.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Jungkook muses, brows furrowed in thought.

“Can I make an observation?” Yoongi suddenly asks, making everyone turn to look at him.

“This won’t be sarcastic will it?” Jungkook asks with a lifted, skeptical eyebrow.

“I’m not always sarcastic brat,” Yoongi chastises, turning his attention to Jimin after. “Jimin would it be fair to say that you are most comfortable in situations familiar to you or when you know what to expect fully?”

“Yeah?” Jimin answers, perplexed at how this man he has met three times could even understand that.

“So then for most of this, the most beneficial thing you can do for him is to give details, so he knows what to expect and subsequently do. Be it in an interview or on the show or whatever. No surprises,” Yoongi explains to Jungkook specifically.

“That would be genuinely really helpful,” Jimin adds a little awkwardly. Namjoon simply nods and makes a note on his iPad while Jungkook switches his furrowed brow expression between Jimin and Yoongi, as if he is also trying to understand how the hell Yoongi would know that.

“Don’t get jealous it was just intuition,” Yoongi explains without being asked, looking specifically at Jungkook. That seems to fluster Jungkook which just confuses Jimin more.

“Do you want me to handle the interview side of his training?” Namjoon asks, ignoring the previous moment entirely.

“That works,” Jungkook says, avoiding eye contact with both Jimin and Yoongi. “Yoongi-hyung and I can do vocal training. That okay with you?”

Yoongi simply nods, expression completely neutral which doesn’t aid Jimin’s confusion over their previous interaction.

“Should still have dance training to refine some things. And we’ll need time to work on performances for Solo Star,” Jungkook adds.

“I can reach out to the academy you did your etiquette lessons with and see if we can manage some last minute ones,” Namjoon says which Jungkook simply nods to.

“That should cover most things. And we can refine as we go. Any questions Jimin-ssi?” Jungkook asks, finally looking to Jimin then.

“Can I take a nap?” Jimin asks sarcastically before he can think it through. A spike of panic hits him but the trio just laugh and Jimin can feel the formality subside.

“Was the large coffee not enough?” Namjoon teases. “You haven’t even had to deal with energetic Kookie yet.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Jungkook asks, pouting at his manager.

“We both know you’re like a sugar high rabbit when excited,” Namjoon answers casually.

Jungkook, Namjoon, and Yoongi fall into a slight bickering and teasing conversation, and Jimin just stays quiet to observe and listen. They all really act like brothers and it is nice to see the professional sides of them fall aside so they are real people. Especially Jungkook.

“Yah aren’t you supposed to be training Jimin-ah?” Yoongi complains when they start pushing his buttons specifically. All three of them look to Jimin then.

“Oh no you can keep going. I can sit back and watch this for hours,” Jimin says in a bold moment of comfort.

Yoongi descends into complaints about how Jimin is supposed to be his friend which leaves Jimin giggling way too hard. He would think the producer was genuinely annoyed if it wasn’t for the small smirk tugging at his lips as he spoke.

They eventually get to actual work, with Yoongi insisting they do some vocal stuff while Jungkook was free. Jimin didn’t miss the obvious big brother energy Yoongi had towards him as he always strived to make things comfortable for him. This led to Jungkook being teased frequently, and Jimin would be lying if he said he didn’t find flustered Jungkook amusing and refreshing.

Many hours and a full belly later, Jungkook is gone for some CEO meetings and Yoongi has actual music production to do, which leaves Jimin with Namjoon to discuss the fine art of interviewing. It starts off as genuine training, going through need-to-know techniques and approaches for common questions, but eventually turns into a what not to do training at the expense of past flubs Jungkook has made.

“Are you two actually working?” Jungkook asks when he returns to his office to find Namjoon and Jimin laughing on the couch. Jimin doesn’t miss the smile on the younger’s face so he knows he isn’t actually bothered.

“Yes. I’m giving Jimin examples of things to not do thanks to your past mistakes,” Namjoon explains, and the smile on Jungkook’s face is quickly replaced with a mouth agape, wide-eyed expression of embarrassment.

“Why are all of you out to get me today?”

“I haven’t done anything!” Jimin defends.

“You’re the enabler!” Jungkook retorts.

“You hired me so that means it is your fault,” Jimin counters with a smirk.

“You’re going to fit in just fine Jimin-ah,” Namjoon says with a chuckle. He pats Jimin’s shoulder as he stands up, repeating the action to Jungkook as he passes him to go to his desk.

“Well it’s six, so you’re more than done for the day,” Jungkook says to Jimin.

“Already?” Jimin says, a bit shocked that the day actually went by quickly.

“Mhm,” Jungkook hums, turning to go to his desk. He grabs the journal Jimin had left their earlier and hands it to Jimin again. “Don’t forget this.”

“Oh right,” Jimin says, taking the book. His nerves come bubbling back as he interacts with Jungkook and he can’t help but wonder if he will ever get comfortable with him like he has with Yoongi and Namjoon. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, tomorrow,” Jungkook says with a small smile. Jimin gets a bit lost in the kaleidoscope of colors that is Jungkook’s eyes but forces himself to look away and shove the journal into his bag instead.

“Good night hyung,” Jimin says as he turns to leave, smiling to Namjoon who smiles back.

“Night Jimin-ah,” Namjoon replies. As the door clicks shut behind Jimin, Jungkook release a long exhale as if he was holding his breath. “What is it Kookie?”

“Do you think he will ever relax around me?” Jungkook asks, wandering to the couch and flopping down in it. “He seems to already be fine with you and Yoongi-hyung, but still awkward with me.”

“Well your relationship to him is different than ours,” Namjoon answers, grabbing two glasses and the bottle of whiskey before sitting with Jungkook on the couch.

“How so?”

“You’re his boss. And mentor. Hyung and I are just helper monkeys.”

“You are not helper monkeys.”

“But you see what I mean right? You give the orders. You tell him what to ultimately do. Hyung and I don’t do that. And let us also not forget that you are the Jeon Jungkook, the man who is good at everything,” Namjoon explains, pouring each of them a glass. “You’re so far above him that he can’t connect with you as easily as with hyung and I.”

“I’m not above him at all,” Jungkook grumbles, swirling his scotch before taking a sip. “I don’t want him to view me as just his boss. I don’t want every interaction with him to be awkward.”

“Just give it time Kook-ah. It’s been what four days max of knowing you. In his eyes you are the Jeon Jungkook. He needs time to get to know you as simply Jungkook,” Namjoon advises.

“There you go being the smartest person I know.”

“Flatterer,” Namjoon teases, taking his own drink then. “To be fair I had insider knowledge.”

“What does that mean?”

“Hyung told me that Jimin finds you intimidating, but when we tease you and thus you stop being idol Jungkook and just become Kookie, it humanizes you.”

“Is that why you have both been pushing my buttons all day?!”

“For me, yes. For hyung, he always pushes your buttons,” Namjoon answers with a smirk, and Jungkook simply huffs next to him.

“Since when did hyung know so much about Jimin anyway?” Jungkook grumbles.

“I don’t think he actually knows that much Kookie,” Namjoon comforts. “Sure he was told the intimidating thing. And the stuff earlier was genuinely just his intuition. You know how razor-sharp and perceptive that man is.”

Jungkook grumbles quietly and indecipherably. This shouldn’t be a thing that bothers him. He should be happy that someone out of the three of them makes Jimin feel comfortable enough to be honest. Jungkook just wishes it was him.

“You’re his boss Jungkook,” Namjoon says, a gentle tone of warning in his voice.

“I know that. Can I not be friendly with him? Can he not trust me like he trusts you and Yoongi?”

“You can be and I’m sure he does trust you. But you need to be honest with yourself that your relationship with him is boss and employee. Nothing more.”

“You say that, but you and hyung are like my brothers. We’re not much for formal employee-employer relationships around here.”

“You are smart enough to know that I’m not talking about being friends with him,” Namjoon says, quirking his eyebrow with an unamused expression.

“Why does everyone keep thinking I want anything with Jimin romantically?” Jungkook asks exasperatedly.

“Kookie I’ve known you for two decades. I’m neither blind nor stupid,” Namjoon says, finishing off his drink afterward. “Just be careful and smart.”

Namjoon leaves Jungkook at the couch, choosing to finish up some work and leaving Jungkook to his thoughts.  

Chapter Text

“I have never seen you read something so intently,” Taehyung comments, leaning against the doorframe of Jimin’s bedroom.

It’s been a full week since starting at GC Entertainment, and Jimin is still in a state of feeling mind blown regularly. It is nothing like he expected if he is honest. It’s definitely difficult and busy, but ultimately everything feels doable thanks to the unwavering support of everyone there.

The most mind-blowing thing to Jimin though is Jungkook. Jimin had some pre-conceived notions about the younger based on what he has seen on music shows and online. And then he had some assumptions of what a CEO would be like. And every day, Jungkook surprises him by breaking his expectations in some way. But the thing that is really altering Jimin’s opinion and perception of the younger is the journal he has been reading non-stop.

“It’s interesting okay,” Jimin defends, sinking into his bed more to hide behind the book and continue his second read through. Taehyung however leaves the doorframe and snatches the book out of Jimin’s hands. “Hey!”

“What even is this?” Taehyung asks, skimming through the hand written pages passively.

“Jungkook’s journal from his trainee days,” Jimin answers awkwardly.

“What?! How do you even have this?” Taehyung laughs.

“He gave it to me to read,” Jimin explains, Taehyung giving him an amused eyebrow raise with a smirk. “It has a lot of tips and things from when he was training. Like a guide of sorts.”

“He couldn’t just teach you this?”

“He said we didn’t have enough time. Which I mean I get cause this thing has three years’ worth of training info in it,” Jimin explains, taking the book back from Taehyung.

“If it’s a journal, does it have any juicy secrets in it?” Taehyung asks, a smirk blooming on his face.

“No. It’s just things he learned and didn’t want to forget. No secrets,” Jimin answers. And that is mostly true, because nothing in the journal is particularly juicy or private. But it is like looking into Jungkook’s mind, and that is not something Jimin wants to admit to finding fascinating.

“Sounds boring then,” Taehyung comments to Jimin’s relief. “I want sushi for dinner. That cool?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Jimin answers, opening the book back to where he was. He hears Taehyung leave and he returns to his reading about how Jungkook dealt with feeling isolated from the other trainees because of his eyes.

It never really crossed Jimin’s mind that Jungkook would experience the world in similar ways to Jimin. They’re fates are polar opposites according to the destiny of their eye color, but Jungkook has had so many similar experiences to what Jimin went through. From feeling isolated to having ridiculous expectations that their peers never had to reach, Jimin feels more connected to the younger in ways he never anticipated.

Now the question is: will Jimin ever bring this up to Jungkook?

--

“How do you still have energy?”

“Sugar high rabbit, remember?”

Jimin just rolls his eyes before chugging his water bottle to empty. He and Jungkook have spent the entire morning in the dance studio and Jimin feels all of his muscles turn to gelatin from overuse. And Jungkook is somehow still standing and still dancing even.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you’re on stimulants,” Jimin teases as he watches from his seat on the floor and leaning against the mural wall.

“Maybe you don’t know better,” Jungkook replies with a smirk, making eye contact through the mirror.

The slight creak of the door opening along with the squeaky steps of sneakers on the wooden floors makes the duo turn their attention towards the new person, being Namjoon.

“Hyung Jungkook’s on drugs,” Jimin says with a chuckle while the younger squints at him.

“That would explain a lot,” Namjoon replies nonchalantly, making Jimin laugh brightly and Jungkook scowl. “Anyway I come bearing info.”

“What kind of info?” Jungkook asks, still bouncing side to side with his abundant energy. Jimin forces himself to stand and join the other two, lucky his legs are keeping him standing after the intense dance session.

“The network sent over the details for each episode of Solo Star. So we can start planning performances,” Namjoon explains. Jungkook lights up at that and excitedly claps much like a child whimsically reacts to things. Jimin should find it ridiculous to see his boss acting like this, but he just finds it endearing.

“Okay so what are we waiting for?!” Jungkook asks, quickly rushing out of the studio and presumably going to his office.

“How the hell do you keep up with him?” Jimin asks, making Namjoon snort.

“That is the thing. I don’t. I stay steady so he comes back when needed.”

“So that’s the secret,” Jimin muses, moving to grab his bag and toss the strap over his head to cross his body.

“Guess so. And you have to enjoy, or at the very least tolerate, his wilder moments. You seem to be fairing fine though,” Namjoon comments, turning to look at Jimin with a knowing expression that makes Jimin nervous.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jimin says, because he really doesn’t.

“Answer me this then. Do you find our sugar high bunny boy annoying or endearing?”

“Endearing,” Jimin answers immediately, which shocks him just as quickly as he said it. Namjoon just continues his knowing look and now Jimin just wants the floor to open up and swallow him.

“Come on slowpokes!” Jungkook calls from the door, having hurried back to chastise them before sprinting off again. Both Namjoon and Jimin laugh with a headshake before choosing to leave the studio themselves.

“Gimme,” Jungkook says when they enter the office, snatching the iPad from Namjoon.

“You’re like an excited toddler,” Jimin comments, plopping into a seat across from Jungkook at his desk.

“I do have a childlike whimsy,” Jungkook responds, brows furrowed in concentration as he looks for the email with the information. Jimin simply shakes his head again, an undeniable endeared expression on his face. He can feel Namjoon eyeing him as the eldest sits beside him but chooses to ignore him.

“Okay I expected an original piece and that is the finale, so we still have time,” Jungkook says, the whimsy fading to more professional and Jimin tries not to frown over it. “The first episode is artists’ choice, and they specify focusing on only one area so just singing or rapping or dance. You should definitely dance for that. And everything else is covers.”

“Not quite just covers,” Namjoon chimes in. “Third week is a collab with another artist at the company.”

“So a collab with me,” Jungkook says resolutely and Jimin feels his heart drop.

Fuck I have to perform with Jungkook.

THE Jeon Jungkook.

“Euphoria would be perfect for that,” Namjoon adds. “They don’t specify it has to be a song by the established artist, but your fans will be disappointed if you don’t do one of yours.”

“Right yeah that makes sense. And Euphoria doesn’t need a big production either. We can keep it lowkey and focus on the vocals and make it a great duet. Are you okay with that Jimin?”

Jimin startles slightly at being addressed suddenly and snaps his head up to meet Jungkook’s sparkling eyes. Jimin is finding it really hard to say no to those eyes.

“Yeah, that works for me.”

“Are you sure? If anything we suggest doesn’t work for you tell us. You’re the one taking the stage every week to perform,” Jungkook emphasizes.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Jimin answers, mustering all of his confidence.

“Cool that is one down. Back up to week two is simply a cover of your choice. No details beyond that. Seems like an extension of the previous week in a way,” Jungkook continues.

“Should we get Yoongi-hyung’s opinion?” Jimin asks then. “I feel like he’d have some good ideas.”

“Sure,” Jungkook answers, although his demeanor seems to shift slightly. He quickly types something on his phone and then sets it aside, staring intently at the iPad and not looking at anyone else. Jimin feels his heart sink at that but doesn’t really understand why.

“I’ve been summoned?” Yoongi says when he arrives a moment later.

“Yeah, we’re talking about Solo Star performances,” Jungkook explains, his previous brightness having lessened.

“And I’m here because…”

“I wanted your opinion,” Jimin answers, feeling nervous at the tension now in the air.

“Okay,” Yoongi replies nonchalantly, grabbing Namjoon’s desk chair and pulling it over. “What’s the details?”

“We already determined that for the first week Jimin will dance, since he can only perform one skill. And for the third week it is a collab and we were thinking that Kook can duet Euphoria with him,” Namjoon explains, not showing any emotion that alludes to feeling the same tension as Jimin.

“That will be nice,” Yoongi comments. “What about week two?”

“That’s what we’re on now. It has to be a cover, but there isn’t much else required.”

“And we want Jimin to stand out, right?” Yoongi clarifies, looking at Jimin then.

“What do you have in mind for standing out?” Jungkook asks.

“Well most of these companies are probably going to have their competitors sing songs from their catalogs as well as whatever they deem most fitting. Knowing some of these companies, they’ll likely keep the covers to matching gender and similar vocal ranges.”

“So you are thinking…”

“I’m thinking two things. First, we can’t have Jimin only sing your songs, so we’ll need to get approval from other companies to use their songs. And second, we shouldn’t limit him and put him in a box. So I’m thinking he could do IU’s eight for this first cover.”

Neither Jungkook nor Namjoon say anything which makes Jimin nervous. They seem to be deep in thought about it though.

“That’s a good idea,” Namjoon finally says. “Having heard Jimin’s voice it would be perfect for that song. And singing a female solo song will be unexpected.”

“Can we get the approval to do it though?” Jungkook asks.

“Shouldn’t be an issue. I produced it after all,” Yoongi answers casually.

“Aren’t you also on it?” Jimin asks, having an epiphany. “Like you rap in it right?”

“Yeah?” Yoongi says, quirking an eyebrow at him.

“I could do the rap part if I had to,” Jimin starts. “But wouldn’t it be much more surprising and entertaining to have the original rapper do it?”

Jimin turns his attention to Jungkook then who is looking at him intensely. It makes Jimin nervous, thinking he has spoken out of turn, and he’s about to backtrack when Jungkook decides to speak.

“That would be epic. Definitely make headlines and get attention,” Jungkook says, seeming to relax. “We’ll have to make sure that is allowed though.”

“On it,” Namjoon says, already typing away on his phone.

“Are you willing to do it hyung?” Jungkook asks, seeming to have relaxed with Yoongi now much to Jimin’s relief.

“Sure. Don’t expect me to dance though,” Yoongi answers. “Leave the dancing to Min.”

“Min?” Jungkook asks, quirking an eyebrow and looking at Jimin.

“Can he not have a nickname Kookie?” Yoongi asks, a slight teasing tone.

“He can have what he wants. Just first time hearing it.”

“Same, to be fair,” Jimin says. “Well at least from Yoongi-hyung. Pretty normal nickname to me though.”

“Okay moving on,” Namjoon interrupts. “What’s week four?”

“Day in the life. Says it will be interviews and a behind-the-scenes look at the competitor’s life before and during training,” Jungkook reads. “Says we’ll have to schedule everything outside of the interviews and the interviews will happen at the network.”

“My life is not interesting,” Jimin mumbles, feeling self-conscious.

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Jungkook says, the sparkle returning to his eye. “Is there any place you’d want to show off?”

“Um,” Jimin mutters, worrying his bottom lip in thought. “To be honest the only places that mean anything to me are the coffeeshop and Hoseok’s studio.”

“Done. Those are perfect actually,” Jungkook comments.

“How so?”

“Well Hoseok’s studio for the dancing side of you obviously. And I assume he is an important person to you,” Jungkook explains. “And the coffeeshop, this is going to sound so cheesy, is where I discovered you.”

“You’re right that’s so cheesy,” Jimin laughs, earning a smile from Jungkook.

“Yeah, but it will be great television,” Jungkook adds. “Although we can leave the bigoted asshole part out of it. And really anything involving your eyes. Unless you want it to be about that. But I personally would rather have everyone focus on your talent instead.”

“Same,” Jimin sighs a little heavily. He can see Jungkook surveying him out of his peripheral vision but refuses to make eye contact.

“Hyung can you reach out to Hoseok and…” Jungkook starts, trailing off when realizing he doesn’t know who the coffeeshop contact would be.

“Seokjin,” Jimin provides. “Kim Seokjin.”

“Right. Reach out to them about reserving those places for recording. It says here they’ll pre-record that whole episode the week of.”

“Noted,” Namjoon says, continuing his rapid thumb movements as he types.

“Does that mean everything else will be live?” Jimin asks, the thought nerve-wracking.

“Seems like it. There will probably be some other pre-recorded pieces, but performances will definitely be live,” Jungkook answers. Jimin’s response is just a nod while biting his bottom lip, dropping his gaze to his lap.

“Hey,” Jungkook says, voice suddenly very soft. The softness is what makes Jimin look up and his eyes meet the colorful irises shining with empathy. “You’re not alone remember. We won’t let you go out there without feeling fully prepared.”

This is a side of Jungkook that Jimin has yet to see and he doesn’t know how to feel about it. What Jimin does know is that Jungkook is no longer intimidating to him.

“Alright. I trust you,” Jimin says and he is rewarded with Jungkook’s big bunny smile.

“What’s week five?” Yoongi asks, pulling them back on track.

“Dark and sexy,” Namjoon says so casually it makes Jimin snort.

“Seriously? It’s dark and sexy?” Jimin asks.

“That is what it says. Specifically they want you to cover a song with either a dark or sexy concept. The following week is bright ballads, so it looks like they want to see the range of the artist,” Namjoon further explains.

“Sexy will be easier than dark,” Yoongi comments which makes Jimin give him a confused look.

“How so?” Jimin asks.

“Visually Jimin you’re not dark, but definitely sexy,” Yoongi answers and Jimin immediately blushes bright red. “Not to make it sound weird.”

“Too late,” Jungkook deadpans.

“But,” Yoongi cuts back. “You are attractive and since you’re a dancer, it’s easier to use that to your advantage with a sexier concept. Honestly, the audience would melt seeing you doing something sexy. I can already see it.”

“Okay but what song then?” Jungkook asks, a touch snappy but Jimin is thankful to have the subject not focused on his looks.

“Well who is an artist that comes to mind when you think sexy dancer?” Yoongi prompts, unaffected by Jungkook’s snapping.

“Taemin,” Jimin immediately answers.

“Thirsty,” Yoongi adds. “Thirsty would be perfect. That would be so hot.”

“Can we even get that song? Or any Taemin track?” Jungkook asks, focused on Namjoon with a slight jaw clench.

“I’ll see what we can do,” Namjoon answers. “I’ve got some contacts at SM so there is a chance.”

“Okay so now the bright or ballad,” Jungkook says abruptly to move the conversation along. “Do you have a preference Min?”

“Uh not really,” Jimin answers, taken aback at Jungkook using the nickname now too.

“eight is on the brighter side. So maybe go for a ballad,” Yoongi suggests. “Make the audience cry with that angelic voice.”

“You know who has a great ballad. Wonho,” Namjoon says. “Losing You is a tearjerker for sure. And Starship is pretty amenable.”

“Alright that works for me,” Jungkook says. “And the last week is the original song but we can work on that later. We already have plenty to work on.”

A soft knock is heard at the door and then Jisoo sticks her head in then.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but Bang Sihyuk is here to speak with you,” Jisoo says politely. “He says it is urgent.”

“Okay,” Jungkook exhales, extending the ‘o’. “Thank you Jisoo. You can send him back now.”

Jisoo nods politely before leaving and Jungkook’s attention switches to Jimin. “Hopefully, this won’t take more than an hour. Good time to get lunch, yeah?”

“Sure,” Jimin says, understanding the subtle dismissal. He moves to stand and Yoongi does as well, both of them exiting the office as another man walks toward them, politely bowing before going into Jungkook’s office.

“Is there something wrong between you and Jungkook?” Jimin asks suddenly when left alone with Yoongi. The elder gives him a confused look, one eyebrow raised in questioning.

“Not that I know of. Why?”

“I don’t know it just seemed tense between you two. Or really with Jungkook towards you.”

“Ah,” Yoongi says in understanding suddenly. “Want to do lunch?”

Jimin just blinks at him in confusion for the sudden topic change while the elder looks at him in waiting.

“Sure,” Jimin relents, assuming the topic has been dropped. With a nod, Yoongi heads up the hall to the elevators and the descend to street level before walking a couple of blocks to a ramen place.

“I didn’t drop the subject,” Yoongi says randomly. “I was just starving.”

Jimin snorts, shaking his head briefly as he gets a bite full of noodles. “You seemed to have a realization.”

“Yeah. Not a very exciting one. And more so just my intuition at work again,” Yoongi answers, focusing on his food. “Jungkook is terrible at hiding his emotions and reactions to things.”

“So he does have an issue with you.”

“I guess, but also not really.”

“Care to explain that one?”

“Only if you promise not to tell Jungkook I said this,” Yoongi says, looking up with seriousness burning in his purple stare.

“O-okay.”

“He’s jealous that you are more comfortable with me and Namjoon than with him.”

“Oh.” Jimin sits there stunned. It’s not wrong that he is generally more comfortable with the elders, but he didn’t think it was a significant issue.

“Don’t take that as you need to change how you act towards him. You need to be genuine with how you feel otherwise none of this arrangement will work.”

Jimin hums in acknowledgement, swirling his ramen in the bowl while in thought.

“It’s not that I dislike him or anything. Just, he’s different than you and Namjoon-hyung. He’s the boss,” Jimin reasons.

“I get it. I know I give him shit all the time, but I also built a relationship with him prior to him becoming my boss. And he was pretty adamant with not wanting our relationship to change because of it. Same goes with Namjoon. I don’t think he is used to having an employee first relationship, so he wants to be your friend before your boss, if that makes sense.”

“It does,” Jimin assures.

“Let me guess you also came in with a bunch of assumptions and ideas of what kind of person Kook-ah would be, right?”

“Your intuition is too good,” Jimin mumbles.

“This is less intuition and more just an assumption. I’ve seen Jungkook interact with new people, and they always have a pre-made image of who he is in mind when they meet him. It’s not your fault that is the case, since he is a household name with a certain image. And in most cases, Jungkook keeps up the persona. But he doesn’t want that with you.”

“Why not?”

“That I don’t know. I can make guesses, but I probably won’t get it fully correct,” Yoongi explains. “Kook-ah is a complex guy. He is very smart in such a quiet way you can miss it if you don’t pay attention. And he is also a deeply emotional person. Which is part of the reason he can’t hide his feelings very well.”

Jimin nods in thought, thinking back to everything he has learned and unlearned about the younger over the past days and through reading his journal.

“Has your idea of who Jungkook is changed at all?” Yoongi asks, eyeing the younger carefully.

“Yeah. Not sure I even have an idea of who he is anymore,” Jimin admits.

“Well, he isn’t one thing. A single idea can’t cover all of him, or all of anyone really. Humans are multifaceted after all.”

“Makes sense,” Jimin says, returning his attention to his lunch.

“This is going to sound weird at first, but you should give Jungkook a chance,” Yoongi says. “By a chance I mean a chance to be not just an idol to you or just a boss to you. I know I embarrass him constantly, but I do love the brat and he is a really good friend. And I know he wants to be more than just those things to you.”

“I’ll consider it,” Jimin says, still thinking it all over. “But only if you get him to relax when it comes to you and me interacting. That was tense and awkward.”

“Yeah, I can do that,” Yoongi chuckles. “Don’t take that too seriously. He’s still young after all and now has to balance a million things on his shoulders. I can’t really blame him for letting his frustrations boil up.”

“I just don’t want to become a problem,” Jimin admits awkwardly.

“You’re not a problem Jimin-ah,” Yoongi replies with resolute sincerity. “None of this is your doing, even if you think it is tied to you. Just keep working hard and focusing on all the training, everything else will work out.”

“If you say so,” Jimin mumbles. The conversation relaxes from then on, but in the back of his mind, Jimin can’t help but think about how Jungkook is so different than what he expected and how that pleases him.

--

“Come in,” Jungkook calls having heard a knock at his office door. He’s reading through a mountain of paperwork that has accumulated since he’s been spending most of his work hours with Jimin, so now it is late, and he thought he was the only one still there.

“It’s just me,” Yoongi says as he steps inside, closing the door and striding over to the younger’s desk to sit across from him.

“What’s up hyung?”

“Jimin,” Yoongi says simply and Jungkook snaps his head up from the boring legalese.

“What about him?” Jungkook asks nervously.

“He asked me if something was up between you and me because you were acting weird towards me during that planning meeting,” Yoongi explains casually.

“There’s nothing up with us,” Jungkook defends.

“I know that. But I also know you better than Jimin to understand you were just jealous.”

“Jealous?! I’m not-”

“Don’t even try Kook. We both know you can’t hold your emotions back when behind closed doors,” Yoongi interrupts. “I explained it to him as best I could.”

“And what did you say?”

“That you just want him to be equally as comfortable with you as he is with Joonie and I.”

“Okay yeah that’s true,” Jungkook admits, leaning back in his seat with a sigh. “I guess I am jealous of that.”

“Jimin’s already gotten more comfortable with you, believe it or not. He doesn’t seem intimidated by you anymore. But you are still his boss.”

“Right,” Jungkook sighs. “I don’t know why this bothers me so much. It’s not like we need to be best friends to work together.”

“Be honest Kookie. Is it really just friends you want?” Yoongi asks, a curious look in his violet eyes.

“Yes. Just friends. Or at least friendly,” Jungkook answers. “You remember my relationship with Jeong at Rhapsody. Always so cold and formal. I hated it.”

“So you just don’t want to be a heartless CEO to Jimin?”

“Exactly,” Jungkook affirms. “Heartless doesn’t keep people around. And I want to keep Jimin around.”

Yoongi hums in understanding, a knowing look in his eyes as he observes the younger carefully. “I told him to give you a chance at not being just his boss or just an idol.”

“What did he say to that?”

“That he’ll consider it if you relax over it. Don’t get jealous of Joon and I. Neither of us are trying to steal your crush.”

“I don’t have a crush!” Jungkook counters, sitting up straight as he’s called out.

“Sure you don’t,” Yoongi says casually. “Regardless, I’m sure you’ll get the friendship you want as long as you chill.”

Jungkook simply sighs, flopping back in the chair again. He wants to relax about this. He has so many other things he could be worrying about, but he can’t get Jimin out of his head. Specifically his relationship with Jimin. Or rather friendship.

“You look exhaust. You should go home,” Yoongi says when Jungkook doesn’t speak.

“I have work to do. You know the whole being a CEO thing. We’re still hiring people and until then, I’m doing all of their jobs too. And so is Namjoon-hyung.”

“Doesn’t mean you should overwork yourself Kookie,” Yoongi adds, an uncharacteristic softness in his tone.

“I won’t.”

“I bet you Jimin would hate you overworking,” Yoongi says with a smirk.

“Are you going to use him against me now?” Jungkook asks, quirking a challenging eyebrow at his elder.

“If it works, then yes.” With that, Yoongi gets up and heads to the door, leaving without another word to the younger.

Jungkook tries his best to concentrate and get back to work, but he can’t let the idea of disappointing Jimin out of his head.

“God dammit,” Jungkook mumbles to himself, dropping his pen and pushing away from the desk, choosing to go home for the night.

--

The closer they got to the start of Solo Star, the more stressed Jimin was getting. He felt in no way ready to face his competitors let alone the world. He was confident in his dancing and getting more confident with singing, but that is where the confidence stopped.

“You don’t feel ready, do you?”

The question broke through Jimin’s thoughts, making him turn his head to look properly at Yoongi who had asked it.

“Not at all,” Jimin admits. Over the weeks Jimin had gotten more comfortable with the producer than anyone else thus far, and he did find himself searching for Genius Lab like a lighthouse. Today was one of those days where he found himself sprawled on Yoongi’s couch during a break in his training.

“Want an outside perspective?” Yoongi asks, merely glancing at the younger through his peripherals while facing his many monitors.

“Sure.”

“You’re more than ready. You just won’t feel that way till you’re actually having to stand on that stage.”

“That’s optimistic of you,” Jimin mumbles.

“It’s just what I see. Once you start dancing or singing, you’re in your element and do so well. Just need to apply that with everything else as well.”

“What if they hate me?” Jimin asks, his biggest insecurity coming out.

“Don’t focus on what strangers think Min. Inevitably people will not like you, and there is nothing you can do about that. But there will also be people who love you. They just need to meet you and see you perform, and they’ll see.”

“If they can get past my eyes,” Jimin mumbles.

“You know how Jungkook is all about not making a big deal out of your eyes?”

“Yeah?”

“He is adamant about it, so he’ll do his best to not let it be the forefront of discourse when talking about you.”

“He can’t control that realistically. Maybe on the show in official capacities, but the second people see my eyes that is all they will talk about.”

“So let them talk,” Yoongi counters calmly. “I want them to talk about your eyes, especially when they realize that your eyes predict nothing about you. Can’t wait for them to realize eye color means nothing.”

A knock at the door interrupts the conversation before Jimin could respond, but he didn’t really have anything to say anyway. He sits up and sees Jungkook sticking his head in, bright rainbow eyes sparkling as he looks at Jimin.

“There you are,” Jungkook says. “Are you two busy? Or can I steal Jimin?”

“Is it stealing when you’re the boss?” Yoongi asks, still facing the computer. “We were just talking.”

“I don’t own him hyung,” Jungkook argues with a frown.

“Relax Kook. Just a joke.”

Jimin has slightly zoned out of the conversation, lost in his thoughts and worries. He stands from the couch and slings his bag over his shoulder, looking Jungkook as the indicator he’s ready to go. Jungkook eyes him carefully, a frown still pulling his lips but Jimin tries to ignore it and shove his concerns away.

“Bye hyung,” Jimin says to Yoongi as Jungkook turns to leave and Jimin follows.

“Bye Min. See you later I’m sure,” Yoongi replies, his persistent intuition still unfathomable.

The two are silent as they walk up the hall, with Jimin lost in thought and Jungkook lost in his concern over Jimin’s demeanor. It’s not until Jungkook suddenly stops in the middle of the hall that Jimin snaps out of it and looks at him.

“What’s wrong?” Jungkook asks, looking worriedly at Jimin which makes the elder fidget nervously.

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Jimin makes the mistake of making eye contact then. The multicolored eyes are usually very intense, no matter what Jungkook is emoting, and the intense worry in his eyes makes Jimin feel guilty.

“Do we really have to talk about this now?” Jimin asks, eyes averted from Jungkook’s concerned stare.

“Well no. But it’s better to not let it fester especially when we’re so close to the show starting,” Jungkook reasons.

“Fine. Can it at least not be in the hallway?” Jimin relents. Jungkook quickly nods and keeps walking. Jimin assumes they’ll go to the younger’s office. But Jungkook instead goes to the elevator, one already waiting at their floor when he calls it. Jungkook boards and Jimin gives him a confused look while standing outside still. Jungkook has to stop the doors from shutting with his arm when he sees Jimin didn’t follow him in.

“Come on. We don’t have all day,” Jungkook says. Jimin wants to question it further, but he can’t question his boss. Even when his boss is the least boss-like boss he’s ever had. Jimin gets on then and Jungkook chooses the top floor, furthering Jimin’s confusion. Once at the floor, Jungkook takes an immediate left towards a door, swiping his keycard to unlock it and opening to reveal the bright sunshine of the outdoors.

“What the…” Jimin trails off, crossing through the threshold when Jungkook gestures for him to do so. They’re obviously on the roof, but for an otherwise standard office building this was a treat. It would probably be better described as a balcony of sorts, since the area they can access is small with just a couple chairs and a table.

“Don’t ask me why this is here because I have no idea,” Jungkook says, stepping past Jimin to sit in one of the chairs.

“Why are we here? I thought we’d just go to your office,” Jimin questions, tentatively taking a seat himself.

“My office is too formal,” Jungkook explains. “So what’s wrong?”

Jimin sighs, slouching into the chair and resting his head back to stare at the sky.

“It feels weird to tell you,” Jimin says instead, nervous for how to navigate this conversation.

“Because I’m your boss?”

“Well that. But not just that,” Jimin starts, worrying his bottom lip briefly. “It’s cause I know you’ll get it.”

“Get what?”

“I’ve read your journal,” Jimin says instead, deciding this needs more of a premise and deep down also stalling.

“That is why I gave it to you.”

“And I’ve learned some things.”

“Also why I gave it to you.”

“Will you stop that,” Jimin laughs, swatting at Jungkook who laughs himself.

“Okay sorry. Go on,” Jungkook says, having relaxed from his intense concern which makes Jimin relax.

“The point I’m trying to make is that it is weird to know that, to some extent, you actually understand things that I’ve felt no one could ever understand,” Jimin explains.

“Like what?”

“Just feeling different and alone over something you can’t control.”

“Oh,” Jungkook mutters. “This is about your eyes.”

“Yeah,” Jimin sighs, deflating. “I know you’re very adamant about not making it a big deal and saying it doesn’t matter, but no one agrees with you. It will inevitably be treated like a big deal.”

“And that scares you,” Jungkook supplies, surveying Jimin carefully.

“Yes, it does,” Jimin sighs, tilting his head to look at Jungkook then. The younger looks deep in thought, with a tinge of sadness in his expression and overall aura. “I don’t know if I’m ready to handle the inevitable hate.”

“Will you believe me if I say that you are?” Jungkook asks.

“Honestly, no. Not cause it’s you; I don’t believe anyone when they say that right now,” Jimin answers, rolling his head back to his view of the sky instead.

“Well I do think you are ready. And I know better than anyone else what your experience will be like. The expectations we’re given will never be the same as our single-color-eyed peers. Hell you’ll have an easier experience than me.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because your bar is set low. No one expects you to be as talented as you are. So you can only ever blow them away with how amazing you are,” Jungkook explains sincerely. “I had a high bar to reach. I had no choice but to succeed and be talented.”

“Is that why you say you have no choice but to be good at things?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook sighs, deflating slightly. “No room for failure.”

“I know you say I have a low bar, but I really don’t,” Jimin clarifies. “If I want to be taken seriously, I can’t be the bare minimum. I have to be above and beyond to even be looked at as an equal to others. And I’ll never get to a point where people view you and me as equals.”

“I view us as equals,” Jungkook says, furrowing his brows as if offended that it could be any other way. “And who cares what anyone else thinks.”

“Easier said than done Kook-ah,” Jimin says with a sigh, the nickname slipping.

“Right yeah I get that,” Jungkook says. “I guess we can never really disassociate ourselves from what the public thinks. But we can choose what we focus on.”

“What do you choose to focus on?”

“The people that genuinely know me and care about me. People who actually like me and not the good-at-everything persona of me. People who won’t view me any differently if I fail, because yes I do have the ability to fail,” Jungkook answers. “So basically just Namjoon and Yoongi hyungs.”

“And me,” Jimin says, surprised at his confidence to say it and feel comfortable with it. Jungkook goes through three different expressions, from surprise to happiness to confusion, and Jimin has to stifle a laugh at how emotive the younger is.

“You’re not just saying that cause I’m your boss, right?”

“I’m not saying it because you’re my boss,” Jimin reassures and Jungkook visibly relaxes. “Granted I wouldn’t say I know a lot about you. Not like we’ve had any getting to know each other conversations. But I’d like to think I’ve seen more of the real Jungkook. And I like the real Jungkook more than the Jeon Jungkook persona.”

Jungkook wills every cell in his body to not let him start blushing at having Jimin say he likes him. The real him.

“I do have a question for you,” Jimin says, interrupting Jungkook’s spiraling thoughts.

“Shoot.”

“Why were you so sensitive to me getting comfortable with the hyungs quicker than you?”

“I take it back you can’t ask that question,” Jungkook says jokingly, earning a soft giggle from the elder.

“Don’t be like that,” Jimin giggles. “I just…feel like we should talk about it to get past it.”

“Fine,” Jungkook groans dramatically. “I guess I just hated it being awkward between us. Cause I knew you viewed me one way and that isn’t how I actually am. So maybe I was just impatient to get to the point where you didn’t feel awkward with me. I didn’t want to be seen as the intimidating guy you initially viewed me as.”

“Well, I don’t find you intimidating anymore,” Jimin admits, and Jungkook perks up happily. “Although I still have to get used to you switching personas suddenly. That’s still kind of awkward.”

“Well, I can’t really help that I guess. I still am CEO Jeon Jungkook after all.”

“Yeah, I get that. Just still getting used to all of this,” Jimin says, circling his hands to indicate everything.

“Well you have me and the hyungs to help you out,” Jungkook chuckles softly.

“I know. Thanks,” Jimin says softly. “That’s another thing to get used to.”

“What? Having help?”

“Not exactly. Just,” Jimin starts. “I grew up with no support, deemed a failure at birth basically, but had Taehyung in my corner. And then Jin-hyung and Hoseok-hyung came in. And it’s just been them supporting me. So I’m not used to suddenly having twice the amount of support from basically strangers.”

“Is that why they were protective of you when I gave you the offer?” Jungkook asks, having that question linger in his mind since that day.

“I guess. More often than not, interacting with strangers was like that asshole in the coffeeshop and would go poorly one way or another. They don’t want to see me get hurt since I’ve already been hurt so much. So when they don’t know a person and their intention, they are protective. No exceptions.”

“Makes sense,” Jungkook says. “Not gonna lie I’ll probably be the same if anyone tries to give you shit at the show or anywhere really.”

“You don’t have to do that Jungkook.”

“I’m not going to let the industry treat you like shit for something you can’t control and definitely defy with how great you are. Maybe I don’t have to, I know it’s not an obligation, but I’m going to do it anyway,” Jungkook replies resolutely, stunning Jimin with his earnest belief.

“That’s…” Jimin starts, not really knowing what to say. “I appreciate that.”

Silence falls between them and it’s comfortable for the first time ever. It’s like the last clouds of awkwardness in their relationship have dissipated and its clear skies of friendship.

“I am confident that you’ll get more love than hate though,” Jungkook says then.

“Why?”

“Besides being talented, you’re also charming and kind and just the kind of idol that fans will want to protect and cherish,” Jungkook answers. “You’ll be adored, I am sure of it. People just need to see you as yourself, which we will make happen.”

Jimin wants to ignore how his heart swells at Jungkook’s description of him, but it’s hard when he feel like he might burst.

“I don’t know what you see because I don’t see any of that, but I’ll trust you,” Jimin says, needing reprieve from the sparkly kaleidoscopic eyes observing him. Thankfully Jungkook’s phone goes off, thus cutting this conversation short.

“It’s hyung,” Jungkook announces before answering. “Yes?... Yeah I’m with him now…The roof…Don’t worry about it…Yeah we’re coming.”

“Have we been summoned?” Jimin asks after Jungkook hangs up, relaxing at the proposition.

“Yeah. Namjoon-hyung wants both of us for some reason,” Jungkook explains, choosing to stand then and Jimin does so as well. Jimin is about to walk to the door when Jungkook puts a hand on his shoulder, making him turn around to face the younger. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I am,” Jimin answers with a soft smile. “Thanks Kookie.”

“Any time hyung,” Jungkook says with a big smile that warms Jimin’s heart. With that they leave the roof to answer their summons.

Chapter Text

“Are you excited?!”

“Not as excited as you, apparently.”

“Well, fix that,” Jungkook says, poking at Jimin like a little brother bothering his older brother. And that is what their relationship has turned to in moments like this. Moments where Jungkook doesn’t have to be the boss.

“Based on what you told me, basically nothing is changing,” Jimin points out as the younger pulls open the salon door with enough enthusiasm to pull it off it’s hinges if a little more strength was used.

“What if I changed me mind?” Jungkook says, raising his eyebrows with an amused smirk.

“Namjoon-hyung would kill you,” Jimin points out.

“Good point. Hello,” Jungkook says, immediately snapping into his professional persona while Jimin tries to stifle a laugh at the abrupt switch. They are escorted to a more private area with stylists fluttering around since the Jeon Jungkook is there. The woman waiting at the designated station though seems completely unaffected by Jungkook’s presence.

“Jian-ssi has been my go-to stylist for years so you’re in good hands,” Jungkook says quietly to Jimin before approaching the woman with a bright smile and a bow. “Hello Jian-ssi. Always a pleasure to see you.”

“You’re such a kiss ass Jungkook,” she says and Jimin can’t contain his snort. “Who’s this?”

“This is Jimin. He’s with my new company,” Jungkook explains, smiling brightly.

“Nice to meet you,” Jimin says politely with a bow. She eyes Jimin carefully, clearly lingering on his eyes but not reacting or saying anything. She gestures for Jimin to sit in the chair and as he does Jungkook plops down in the chair at the neighboring station.

“You’re staying?” Jimin asks, eyeing his boss with a raised eyebrow.

“Yep! For once I have no meetings so I figured I’d keep you company,” Jungkook explains, swaying side to side in the chair.

“So what are we doing today?” Jian asks, having spun Jimin to face the mirror and running her hands through his hair.

“We want to keep the pink, but make it a little darker. Cut wise, up to you. I trust your judgement,” Jungkook explains. “Needs to be photoshoot and television ready.”

“Oh? Already debuting?” Jian asks, more towards Jungkook than Jimin.

“Competing on an idol show.”

Jian just hums in understanding, eyeing Jimin’s hair for a little longer before moving to collected the needed materials.

“I’m surprised you’re keeping him pink, Jungkook-ssi,” Jian says as she mixes the dye. “You’re always so boring with your own hair.”

“I’m not boring,” Jungkook defends with a pout, making Jimin chuckle quietly.

“You aren’t. But your hair is,” Jian clarifies. “Only ever black or brown. When am I going to get to do a fun color on you?”

“My eyes have enough color,” Jungkook replies, a tiny amount of grumpiness in his tone that Jimin catches. Jimin can’t really look at him or react because Jian is now painting the dye in his hair.

The rest of their time in the salon is spent with Jian asking Jimin questions or her telling stories of some crazy clients. When asked if Jungkook was ever a crazy client, Jian only speaks fondly of him which makes the youngest preen proudly.

Hours later, Jungkook and Jimin are finally leaving the salon despite Jian’s many attempts to coerce Jungkook into a haircut.

“Why are you so adamant about not dying your hair?” Jimin asks, amused when Jungkook schlumps into his seat in the car now that he can relax out of CEO Jungkook.

“I don’t need any more giveaways of who I am when out in the world,” Jungkook says. “My eyes alone give me away every time.”

“But you wear sunglasses.”

“Yeah, when I want to be left alone and attempt some anonymity. If my hair is neon green along with my eyes, sunglasses don’t do me much good for the hair.”

“You could wear hats,” Jimin offers.

“I could. But it’s just simpler to keep it neutral.”

“Funny,” Jimin mumbles. Jungkook tilts his head in his direction and quirks a curious eyebrow. “I do the opposite.”

“How?”

“I want colorful hair so people look at that instead of my eyes.”

Jungkook hums in understanding before saying, “You’d look good with any hair color. Hell you’d look good bald.”

“Please do not shave my head ever.”

Jungkook squawks a laugh and Jimin joins in as the car pulls up to the company building. The door immediately slides open to reveal Namjoon standing there.

“What are you two laughing at?” Namjoon asks, a smile twitching on his lips.

“Hyung don’t you agree that Jimin-ah would look good bald?” Jungkook asks while Jimin steps out of the car.

“That isn’t the plan we agreed on,” Namjoon says, quirking an eyebrow at Jimin who just shakes his head with a laugh. “Although we can keep that in mind for your comeback.”

“Don’t you dare,” Jungkook says as he hops out of the car, pointing a finger in warning at Namjoon who just laughs.

“Wouldn’t he look good bald Jimin-ah?” Namjoon asks tauntingly.

“I don’t know. I’d love to see neon green personally,” Jimin teases.

“You two are the worst,” Jungkook grumbles, making the other two laugh.

“Anyway, I’m here to steal you Kook-ah. Network called and want all the CEO’s to meet prior to tomorrow’s photoshoot and promotions recording,” Namjoon explains.

“Right now?”

“Yep. Meeting starts in thirty minutes, so we need to go now.”

“Okay then,” Jungkook sighs, looking at Jimin with a flicker of disappointment in his eyes that makes Jimin feel nervous.

“I’ll go bother Yoongi,” Jimin says with a small, reassuring smile even though he doesn’t know why he feels the need to reassure Jungkook.

“Sounds good,” Jungkook says, returning the small smile. Namjoon ushers Jungkook back into the car and Jimin watches them drive off, a weird feeling blooming in his chest that he can’t identify.

--

Jimin can’t sit still as the car pulls away from the company building to head to the network. He worries his bottom lip and his leg continuously bounces as he fidget in his seat.

“There is no reason to be nervous,” Jungkook says gently.

“Says you. You’re used to this kind of thing,” Jimin counters.

“Well you’re gonna have to get used to it,” Jungkook says almost apologetically.

“What is happening today anyway? Be specific,” Jimin requests, leaning slightly to speak to Namjoon who is sitting in the front passenger seat.

“Today is primarily the photoshoot for promotional purposes. You’ll also meet the other competitors and probably the other CEO’s as well, since they’ll be hanging around,” Namjoon answers.

“Great,” Jimin mumbles sarcastically.

“Don’t worry about them. They legitimately don’t matter. They have no say in judging and the audience votes in the end,” Jungkook adds. “If you ever feel uncomfortable just look for hyung or I.”

“You should interact with your competitors though,” Namjoon says, looking back at both of them. “As much as we want to prevent unnecessary rudeness over the obvious, we shouldn’t babysit Jimin-ah. This might just be a photoshoot, but it is also first impressions and networking.”

“Right,” Jimin says, feeling his soul vibrate with nervous energy.

“Even so, you don’t have to prove anything to these people Jimin,” Jungkook says. “Don’t go out of your way to prove yourself. Just be yourself.”

“Okay,” Jimin mumbles, taking a deep breath after. He forces himself to relax back into the seat, closing his eyes and focusing on breathing evenly as they continue their drive.

“Should we warn him?”

Namjoon’s question spikes anxiety in Jimin, who immediately snaps up and stares wide-eyed at Jungkook.

“It’s not a big deal,” Jungkook says to Jimin to try to calm him. “It’s just my former company is part of the show.”

“Oh. Is that something to be worried about?” Jimin asks, vague uneasiness rippling through him.

“It shouldn’t be. We parted cordially,” Jungkook says. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t be guarded and mindful of them.”

“So I should also be careful?” Jimin asks nervously, eyeing Jungkook carefully.

“Better careful than regretful,” Jungkook answers seriously. Jimin just nods, his nerves boiling up again. They are silent the rest of the drive and as they pull up to the network’s building, Jimin lets out a shaky breath. Namjoon steps out first, opening the back door and giving Jimin a reassuring smile as he steps out. Jungkook steps out after, thanking their driver Sejin before closing the door.

“Ready?” Jungkook asks, smiling at Jimin in an attempt to comfort.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Jimin mumbles. Namjoon leads the way, followed by Jungkook and then Jimin who tries his best to like calm and confident. Once inside, the eldest navigates them down a hall and eventually onto a soundstage that is setup with lightboxes and a neutral set for the photos. There are a few different clusters of people, one cluster clearly the CEOs of the different companies and one of their idols. The last seems to be managers based on how they happily wave to Namjoon.

As eyes start to turn towards them, Jimin’s feigned confidence and composure freezes and he quickly grabs onto Jungkook’s arm, stopping the younger who quickly turns to face him with a worried look. Jimin must look incredibly panicked because Jungkook’s first instinct is to hug him, which catches Jimin completely off guard.

“Everything will be fine, okay? You trust me, right?” Jungkook asks quietly so only the two of them can hear.

“Yeah. I trust you,” Jimin mumbles. Despite the initial surprise, the hug is exactly what he needed so he hugs Jungkook back for just a moment.

“You’ll kick everyone’s ass,” Jungkook says when they separate, successfully making Jimin laugh like he intended. The mood is quickly dampened by the approach of two other people.

“Ah Jungkook-ssi how nice to see you again,” an older man says. Despite his words, he has no expression of actually being happy to see Jungkook, his forest green eyes dull unlike Jungkook’s constantly sparkly ones.

“Likewise,” Jungkook replies, flipping to professional Jeon Jungkook effortlessly so Jimin chooses to be mindful of his own actions as well.

“I see you successfully found a competitor,” the man says, eyeing Jimin then. And as expected, his gaze lingers on Jimin’s eyes. Jimin shoves the tightness growing in his chest as far down as possible. This is nothing new, he reminds himself. “Seems like an interesting choice. I didn’t expect you to take such a risk with your company. Although you never were one to keep things simple.”

“What may be a risk to you is an opportunity to me,” Jungkook says diplomatically. “It’s unfortunate you’re too stuck in your ways to think outside of the box and keep worthwhile talent.”

The man’s dark green gaze sharpens and Jimin tenses beside Jungkook. The other person, who looks to be an older teenage boy with eggplant-shaded eyes, also tenses and meets Jimin’s gaze. The teenager makes a gesture with his head to indicate they should leave their CEO’s and Jimin nods before leaning over to whisper to Jungkook.

“Murder is illegal,” Jimin whispers and he sees Jungkook stifle a laugh as his existing smirk twitches. Jimin walks away then, following the teen just far enough away to get away from the tense atmosphere.

“Well that could not have been more awkward,” the teen says and Jimin can’t stifle his chuckle. “Oh I’m Woojin.”

“Jimin.”

“So you’re Jungkook’s trainee?” Woojin asks, seeming genuine and considerate with his questioning.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Jimin answers a bit awkwardly.

“Not gonna lie, I didn’t think he’d have time to find someone.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He just left my company like six months ago officially. That is a short turn around.”

“It has definitely been short,” Jimin admits.

“He must think you have a lot of talent if he thinks you can take this on already,” Woojin says, and the compliment catches Jimin off guard. He was prepared for his competitors to be assholes towards him but he is already being proven wrong. “Or he really is just a crazy risk taker putting faith into a white eyes.”

Ah, there it is.

Before he can respond, Jimin feels a hand on his shoulder and turns to see Jungkook there, an intense protective look in his eyes mainly focused on Woojin.

“You’re familiar,” Jungkook says to Woojin, and the latter looks like he might faint at being addressed by the Jeon Jungkook.

“I-I mean- We haven’t officially met but I was a trainee while you were at Rhapsody,” Woojin stutters like a fanboy and Jimin resists the urge to roll his eyes.

“And you’re still at Rhapsody?” Jungkook asks evenly.

“Yes sir.”

“Shame,” Jungkook says and the way Woojin’s face falls is honestly comical. At that, Jungkook guides Jimin away from the boy who looks dumbstruck over what just happened.

“That was a little harsh,” Jimin mumbles when out of hearing range.

“I recognize him. He was a…troublesome trainee. CEO liked him but it’s cause they have similar personalities. I was never fond of him despite him being a fan of mine,” Jungkook explains. “I also heard the last thing he said, so he needed to be put in his place a little.”

“You can’t do that every time someone makes a comment.”

“True. But that was a fire that needed to be put out before it grew,” Jungkook says ominously. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he and his CEO are colluding to get under my, and subsequently your, skin.”

“I thought you left cordially,” Jimin asks, quirking an eyebrow.

“And I did, technically. But CEO Jeong has always been heartless. And despite his risk-taking comment, he is the one who will dig deep to get what he wants. Relationships be damned.”

“Easy Kook-ah,” Namjoon says, joining the pair then. “You already ran into Jeong didn’t you? I could sense your frustration from across the room so be careful.”

“Yeah, right sorry,” Jungkook sighs, letting the lingering tension out of his body.

“Onyx Entertainment wants to talk to you. Sounds like they want to use one of your songs for their competitor's cover,” Namjoon explains.

“That is a bold choice,” Jungkook comments, quirking an eyebrow. “Let’s go. Come with hyung.”

Jungkook gestures for Jimin to follow, so he does so. He’d definitely rather follow Jungkook around than to have another snide conversation with another idol. They approach an older woman, looking to be in her early forties, and standing with her is a late teens blonde boy who Jimin could best describe as bubbly. The boy is the first to see them approach and he lights up when he sees Jungkook and Jimin now thinks that ever interaction with other is going to be like this.

“Ah Jungkook-ssi,” the woman says, nodding politely to Jungkook who bows politely in return. She has a soft green, actually closer to teal, eyes that radiate serenity. “I’m happy to see you amongst the otherwise dreary companies.”

“As honest as ever I see Soomin-ssi,” Jungkook says with a laugh. Jimin can already tell that this CEO is one Jungkook is much more comfortable with, although still a persona towards.

“I’d like to introduce you to our trainee Taehyun,” Soomin says, gently place a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He smiles brightly and his blue-violet eyes sparkle in a way that reminds Jimin of Jungkook’s own doe eyes.

“I’m honored to meet you,” Taehyung says, bowing deeply towards Jungkook. Jimin can tell that Jungkook feels a bit awkward with the gesture, but he only knows that because of how close they are. To an outside eye, Jungkook is completely relaxed.

“And this is Park Jimin,” Jungkook says, his hand returning to his shoulder which makes Jimin jump slightly.

“A pleasure,” Soomin says politely, eyes lingering on Jimin’s as expected but somehow not as uncomfortable as expected. “Jungkook-ssi I knew you’d be full of surprises. I was not expecting this.”

Jimin tenses then and he feels Jungkook squeeze his shoulder as if reassuring him it’s okay.

“Please don’t take that the wrong way Jimin-ssi,” Soomin continues calmly. “I know how smart Jungkook is. I’m looking forward to seeing you perform because it must be spectacular.”

“I guarantee that it is,” Jungkook affirms and now Jimin just feels tense for a whole new reason. He is convinced he will never get used to Jungkook’s compliments no matter how friendly they get.

“Speaking of performance, I do have some business I want to discuss with you if you don’t mind,” Soomin says casually, turning her full attention to Jungkook.

“Of course,” Jungkook responds. He gives Jimin’s shoulder a final reassuring squeeze before walking away with Soomin, leaving Jimin with Taehyun and Namjoon. Shortly after a voice calls all managers to convene, so Namjoon gives a reassuring smile before walking away.

“So what is it like working with Jungkook-sunbaenim?” Taehyun suddenly asks. Jimin turns his attention towards him, eyeing the boy to attempt to sense any danger but he radiates such a bubbly energy that no malice comes forward.

“It’s been interesting,” Jimin answers, not really sure how to explain and how much to even share.

“I bet. I’m honestly jealous. He’s the reason I wanted to become an idol, so meeting him here is mind blowing,” Taehyung says, pure admiration in his expression as he talks about Jungkook.

“Is that why you want to sing one of his songs for the show?”

“Yeah! I was hoping to do Begin for the second week. It’s my favorite.”

Jimin can’t deny that how Taehyun talks about Jungkook makes his own heart melt.

“So, um, this might come across a little weird,” Taehyun suddenly says. “But I kinda just wanted to say that I find your eyes cool.”

“Oh,” Jimin says, taken aback for what feels like the hundredth time today.

“I know you’ll probably be given a hard time for them, but I wanted to say I don’t agree with any of the stereotyping. If Jungkook believes in you, you must be the real deal.”

“You really admire Jungkook a lot, don’t you?” Jimin asks, not sure what else to say because he’s going to have to unpack this entire conversation with Taehyung later. Maybe even with Jungkook.

“He’s my role model,” Taehyun admits shyly. “I just hope he doesn’t turn out to be an asshole.”

“He’s not an asshole. Far from it actually,” Jimin says, making Taehyun’s face light up all over again. With that Namjoon returns, placing a hand on Jimin’s shoulder much like how Jungkook does.

“Sorry to interrupt but I need to steal you for a second,” Namjoon says politely.

“No worries. See you around Jimin-ssi!” Taehyun says before walking off towards his own manager.

“He seems like a good kid,” Namjoon remarks. “I hope he didn’t give you a hard time.”

“Not at all. He’s actually rather sweet. And adores Jungkook,” Jimin says.

“Not surprising. Jungkook is quite adorable,” Namjoon says with a smile. “Anyway, I hate to bring the mood down, but I have some not great news.”

“Oh no,” Jimin groans.

“Not the end of the world. But the plan for the day is to start with group photos, and then company photos followed by solo photos.”

“Company photos?”

“They want photos of you with Jungkook. Since the premise is the whole mentorship idea.”

“Okay so where does the bad news come in?”

“You’re going first,” Namjoon says, quick like ripping off a band aid. “Both company and solo you’ll be up first.”

“Oh. Oh god,” Jimin groans. He can already feel all the judgmental eyes watch him.

“I know it isn’t ideal but think of it as getting it over with faster. Plus it means when they do the video pieces, you’ll be alone because all the other competitors will be in holding for photos. Well alone besides me and probably Jungkook.”

“Okay so not the end of the world,” Jimin says. “So photos first and then video. What am I doing in video?”

“You won’t have to talk. It’s just clips they can make teasers with. They might ask you to dance some since that is your specialty.”

“Okay that’s fine,” Jimin says. Knowing the details eases his nerves somewhat.

“Good. Now it is time to get ready. Let’s go.”

“What about Jungkook?” Jimin asks, wanting the younger’s comforting presence.

“I’m sure he’ll come find us when he is done,” Namjoon answers. He turns to lead the way and Jimin follows, refusing to let his mind wonder about why he wants Jungkook around so bad.

They arrive to a makeshift dressing room with two rows of four make-up and hair stations. All the other competitors are in their chairs, leaving one empty for Jimin. He takes his seat at his stylist quickly goes to work, not having time to ogle his eyes. Plus Jimin has to close them to have eye make-up put on anyway, which is honestly a relief. The stylist doesn’t try to start a conversation and Jimin is honestly thankful for it, so he lets himself zone out and have his face moved around freely.

Just as Jimin’s hair and makeup are done and he is has changed into his outfit for the day, Jungkook appears then.

“Wow you look good,” Jungkook says, eyeing Jimin carefully.

“Why do you have to sound surprised?” Jimin teases, despite his bubbling nerves.

“Cause I didn’t know what the stylists were gonna do. But I should have known you’d look good regardless,” Jungkook says nonchalantly and Jimin blushes.

“Jimin they’re ready for everyone,” Namjoon says then, sticking his head in to escort him back.

“I’ll be there in a second okay,” Jungkook assures with a gentle smile. Jimin just nods and quickly exits the dressing room to follow Namjoon back to the sound stage.

Once at the sound stage the crew quickly takes Jimin away to join the other competitors, staging them how they see fit. All of the competitors are in full black outfits that vary in small details. And this is also the first time Jimin can see all of his competitors.

Besides Woojin and Taehyun, there are two other male competitors. One, who looks closer to Jimin’s age, reminds Jimin of Yoongi with his tough exterior and vibrant violet eyes. Just the way he holds himself screams he is a rapper, and the stylists have definitely given him the ‘bad boy’ makeover. The other is a very young boy and his styling definitely leans into his youthfulness. If Jimin had to make a comparison, he’s a little like Hoseok.

The last three competitors are all female and if looks could kill, Jimin would be dead. All three of them are stunning and having matching disdain-filled expressions as they survey Jimin’s entire being. If Jimin wasn’t used to being stared at constantly he’d probably cower in fear. Instead, he just lets out a quiet sigh, choosing to focus on the photographer’s instructions instead.

“You. Pink hair. Come to the center,” the photographer says suddenly, making Jimin startle slightly but do as requested while the eyes of his competitors watch him like he is prey. The photographer then adjusts the other competitors before snapping more photos and shouting tips to them all. Jimin can feel the tension between him and the others and the longer they stand there the more tense he starts to feel.

During a small moment of reprieve while the photographer speaks with other crew, Jimin catches movement in the corner of his eye. He turns to find Jungkook seemingly trying to get his attention. Once successful at catching Jimin’s eye, Jungkook immediately starts making ridiculous faces to make Jimin laugh.

“Ridiculous,” Jimin mumbles to himself, a smile pulling on his lips as he shakes his head at the younger. Shortly after Namjoon is standing beside Jungkook, giving him a judgmental look and that is what cracks Jimin into stifling a laugh. He knows there are judgmental eyes on him now, but the photographer is back then and Jimin feels more relaxed.

By the time Jimin starts to get dizzy from the constant flashing lights, they determine that the full group shots are done. The other seven competitors are dismissed as Jimin is told to stay and shortly after Jungkook is joining him with a giant smirk that makes Jimin roll his eyes.

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?” Jimin says quietly so it’s only Jungkook who hears him. The crew is bustling around to properly set up the duo shots, so they have a moment.

“Yes, I do. It was for a good cause,” Jungkook reasons, bouncing side to side like he can’t stand still.

“What cause was that?”

“To get you to relax. And it worked, did it not?”

“To be fair what really broke me was hyung looking at you like you were crazy,” Jimin admits. Jungkook dramatically pouts at him which makes him quietly giggle, so Jungkook determines that is his win for the day. The photographer returns then and immediately gives them instructions which Jungkook effortlessly follows, clearly showing this isn’t his first photoshoot.

Despite having an audience of varying glaring stares, Jimin can’t help but feel comfortable with Jungkook at his side. A month ago the idea of posing side by side with the Jeon Jungkook was unfathomable to Jimin, but now it’s probably the easiest thing he will do all day.

But quickly Jimin is left alone for his solo shots and he can feel every single eye on him. Even if they aren’t all judgmental stares, they feel intimidating and Jimin’s fight or flight response starts to kick in and his mind tells him to run.

“Hang on a second,” Jungkook suddenly says and now all eyes are on him as he walks back onto the set and towards Jimin. He stands directly in front of Jimin then, blocking the elder’s view of the rest of the room.

“What do you need to get through this?” Jungkook asks so quiet it would be inaudible if he wasn’t face to face with Jimin. “I can tell you’re panicking.”

“Sorry,” Jimin mumbles.

“Don’t apologize. This isn’t the norm to you yet. I had a full panic attack at my first photoshoot because everyone was watching as if greatness was about to unfold, and I was just a fifteen-year-old kid,” Jungkook comforts, speaking softly as he does when he wants to soothe Jimin’s worries. “Do you want me to stop the staring?”

“Can you even do that?” Jimin questions.

“Watch me,” Jungkook says with a smirk, turning on his heel and gesturing for the shoot to continue. Jimin watches as Jungkook approaches the other competitors and all of them watch the young CEO with wide eyes of awe as he strikes up a conversation with them. Soon after all of the CEOs are watching Jungkook carefully, thus leaving Jimin to be ignored for the most part.

Jimin’s solo shoot finishes quickly once all eyes are on Jungkook instead of him and the photographer even compliments his modeling before summoning the next idol and CEO. Jimin makes a beeline for Namjoon who is casually in a corner on his iPad minding his own business.

“I survived,” Jimin says with a long sigh of relief.

“You did more than survive. You looked great,” Namjoon compliments, tucking his iPad under his arm to give Jimin his proper attention.

“I didn’t feel great for most of it,” Jimin admits quietly.

“Well I don’t think the camera caught on to that.”

“Then why did Jungkook feel the need to make a fool of himself to get me to relax?”

“Honestly, I think he is more hyper-aware of your feelings, so he knows if you’re feeling anxious before most others see it. Also he wasn’t doing it for good pictures. He was doing it so you wouldn’t stress out,” Namjoon explains casually. “He prioritizes your well-being.”

“Oh,” Jimin says, taken aback by that answer. “No wonder he interrupted then.”

“Yeah that,” Namjoon sighs. “Honestly, that was very bold of him. Not just interrupting the shoot but also distracting everyone for you. He must have sensed something.”

“I was seconds from running away in panic,” Jimin mumbles, feel his cheeks blush in embarrassment.

“You two must have some special connection or something,” Namjoon says casually. “Because I can’t say that is a normal idol and CEO relationship.”

“Since when was Jungkook a normal CEO?” Jimin asks.

“Good point. And I say it is bold but thinking of Jungkook it’s not bold for him when he cares about the person. And he obviously cares about you.”

“Yeah, I can tell,” Jimin mutters, still not having fully wrapped his head around that.

“Everyone thinks you two are the best of friends, and that was from just watching you take photos together.”

“Wait really?”

“Yup. Managers were whispering about it and I heard some of the idols were too. Imagine what they’d think if they saw you interact in a relaxed setting,” Namjoon says with a smirk.

“Then they would see how Jungkook is our annoying younger brother,” Jimin remarks.

“Not wrong,” Namjoon chuckles. “Speaking of Jungkook, he’s signaling for me to save him, so I’ll be right back.”

“He has a signal?” Jimin asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“Yup. We should teach it to you too, so we don’t have to purely rely on Jungkook’s keen Jimin senses.”

With that, Namjoon strides over to Jungkook who is still surrounded by the wide-eye idols even after Jimin had left the set. Jimin watches Namjoon effortlessly pull Jungkook away and then gesture for Jimin to join them. Jimin hurries over to join them and he quickly picks up on Jungkook ranting about something.

“Not going to lie, seeing all of their CEOs switch to protective mode was hilarious. I didn’t expect that,” Jungkook says quietly. “Well except Soomin. She wasn’t bothered.”

“That isn’t surprising. She respects and admires you,” Namjoon says, pulling them both out of the soundstage to head to another. “Have you decided on letting her use your song?”

“I haven’t. You talked to the boy right Jimin-hyung?” Jungkook asks, looking to him then.

“Yeah.”

“What do you think? Should we let him sing my song?”

“You’re asking me?” Jimin clarifies, quirking a confused eyebrow at the younger.

“Yeah. I trust your opinion. I view us as equals remember?” Jungkook answers, a sincere sparkle in his eyes.

“Well then,” Jimin starts, still feeling out of place to give his thoughts despite Jungkook’s assurances. “I think you should. He adores you. Said you’re the reason he wanted to become an idol and that he was jealous of me for getting to work with you.”

“Just wait till he sees you perform and then he can be jealous of that,” Jungkook says with a smirk, earning an eye roll from both of his hyungs. “Okay, then I approve it. Except Euphoria, since we’re doing that for the collab week.”

“He said he wanted to do Begin,” Jimin says.

“Fine by me. Can you pass that info along hyung?” Jungkook asks Namjoon, who simply nods.

They enter the new soundstage which is a lot smaller than the first and has few crew in it but more equipment since it is the video area. Jimin is quickly pulled into the whirlwind of recording him reading lines to dancing and he is kept so busy he doesn’t notice how quick time has passed and he is then officially done.

“You did it. How does it feel?” Jungkook asks as they walk back to the dressing room.

“Like I want to sleep for a year,” Jimin admits honestly.

“Yeah, get used to that feeling and never getting the opportunity to do it,” Jungkook replies with a chuckle. They fall into comfortable silence, passing the other idols and CEO’s who eye them both suspiciously before going to the next task. Jimin can’t help but watch Jungkook who confidently walks past all of them and Jimin wishes he could be that comfortable with himself when being stared down.

“I can see you’re staring hyung,” Jungkook says, looking at Jimin through his peripheral vision. Jimin immediately snaps his head to look forward which just makes Jungkook chuckle.

“How do you do it?”

“Do what?” Jungkook asks, stopping in the hall and tilting his head towards Jimin like a curious puppy.

“Remain confident when constantly being stared at?”

“I’m just used to it I guess. No real secret to it unfortunately. You’ll get there.”

“I doubt that,” Jimin mumbles.

“What don’t you trust your best friend?” Jungkook asks with a smirk.

“Namjoon told you about that I assume.”

“Yes, he did. And I’ll take it over scary CEO.”

“You’re definitely not scary CEO. But Taehyung will take offense to you claiming the best friend spot that is clearly his,” Jimin adds, choosing to continue their walk to the dressing room.

“Is that the blue eyed one?”

“Yep. Best friend for many years. You don’t stand a chance,” Jimin answers with a smirk. Jungkook furrows his brows and pouts and Jimin wants to laugh at the fact this boy is his boss.

“You can have multiple best friends you know,” Jungkook argues.

“Do you seriously want to be my best friend or are you just being your ridiculous self?” Jimin asks, expecting the answer to be the latter.

“Both,” Jungkook answers matter-of-factly, so Jimin just rolls his eyes and pushes his way into the dressing room to change back into his normal clothes.

“It will happen.”

“What will?” Jimin asks, moving behind the changing area.

“I’ll be your best friend.”

“It wasn’t meant to be a challenge Kook-ah.”

“Maybe not but I accept it anyway.”

“You really are the annoying little brother,” Jimin says and Jungkook simply laughs.

“Also true. And your boss. Look at me being multifaceted.”

Jimin rolls his eyes as he moves out from the privacy barrier, handing a stylist his outfit politely before walking out to meet with Namjoon so they can leave. Jungkook stops him before exiting the dressing room though and Jimin turns to him with a confused expression.

“I didn’t say it earlier, but you did great today,” Jungkook says with a soft smile. “You’re a natural once you get your bearings.”

“Well I couldn’t have found my bearings if it wasn’t for you and Namjoon, so thanks for that,” Jimin replies. Jungkook seems to light up with that and Jimin swears his expression is one of affection, and that makes the elder’s heart start to race.

The moment is broken when another contestant enters the dressing room, being one of the girls who eyes them with a skeptical look before going about her own tasks. Jimin takes that as an opportunity to get out and away from a moment that could have gone places it shouldn’t.

--

“Okay I know I’m the one who usually never stops, but now I’m saying you need to stop so please take a break,” Jungkook says, crossing his arms and giving Jimin his best boss stare to get the elder to cooperate.

“The first episode is in a few days Jungkook. I just want to be ready,” Jimin argues, panting from having been dancing for hours already.

“You are ready already. The piece is already phenomenal, and everyone will love it so please for my sanity take a break before you exhaust yourself to of illness or injury.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“I’m speaking from experience,” Jungkook says seriously. “Don’t make me carry your ass out of here.”

“You can’t-hey!”

Before Jimin can even claim Jungkook isn’t capable of doing so, the younger has stormed towards him and has lifted him over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing.

“Put me down Kook-ah!”

“Not till you promise to take a break.”

“Jungkook!”

“Jimin!”

“Fine! I’ll take a break!”

Jungkook puts Jimin down then and gives the elder the smuggest smile he can muster, which just makes Jimin roll his eyes dramatically.

“I can’t believe you’re the boss,” Jimin says, moving past Jungkook to grab his bag.

“You rarely see me having to be the boss to be fair.”

“Have I officially upgraded to getting real Kookie all the time?” Jimin teases.

“When possible, yes. I’m still trying to get that coveted Jimin’s best friend spot after all,” Jungkook says.

“You know you can’t stop being my boss, right?”

“I know. Doesn’t mean I can’t be more than just your boss. Just like how Namjoon is more than just my manager.”

“Speak of the devil,” Jimin remarks as the glass door to the dance studio opens to reveal their manager.

“Photos are out for the show. I figured you’d want to see them and the response,” Namjoon says.

“Perfect! Jimin just finished for the day,” Jungkook says with a smug smile to Jimin, the latter squinting at him.

“Thought it was just a break.”

“Yeah. A break till tomorrow,” Jungkook explains and then pulls Jimin by the wrist to follow him out of the studio and to Jungkook’s office.

“Photos first or reception?” Namjoon asks as Jungkook dramatically plops down onto the couch and Jimin reluctantly sits beside him.

“Photos,” Jungkook says eagerly. Namjoon hands over his iPad and the younger is quick to take it and start swiping through them. “Damn Min it’s impossible to not look at you.”

“You’re looking for me, doesn’t count,” Jimin deflects.

“Even if I wasn’t, it’s hard not to. You make the rest of them look young.”

“So I look old.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it,” Jungkook says with a squint at Jimin. “You have the least amount of training, but you don’t look like it. You look like an idol who should be doing a comeback. Hell you look like a professional model.”

“Give me that. I don’t believe you,” Jimin says. Jungkook hands over the iPad and watches for Jimin’s reaction carefully. Jimin looks at the group photo displayed on the screen and he’s honestly shocked. He’s in the center and definitely stands out from everyone else. And for once, it isn’t because of his eyes. And not even because of his hair, although that does stand out from the black, brown, and blonde hair of everyone else.

“Who is this and what did they do with Jimin,” Jimin says, because he really can’t believe that the confident and mature looking man looking back at him is actually him. Jungkook rolls his eyes with a smile, grabbing the iPad from Jimin.

“That is you hyung. Can’t deny it,” Jungkook says proudly. He continues swiping through until he lands on their duo photo.

“The internet is quite fond of that one,” Namjoon comments with a smirk.

“What does that mean?” Jimin asks.

“Meaning they refer to you as Jikook and want you to get married,” Namjoon answers, trying to keep his laughter at bay. “Lots of comments about how you two look good together and just being perfect for each other cause of your eyes.”

“Did they forget I’m his boss?” Jungkook laughs, swiping through more photos of them.

“You forget you’re my boss half the time,” Jimin teases.

“I never forget. Just sometimes ignore in favor of the best friend quest.”

“Best friend quest?” Namjoon asks, arching an eyebrow with a smirk.

“Don’t ask,” Jimin sighs.

“Okay but here is the real winner of photos!” Jungkook says excitedly, shoving the iPad in Jimin’s face to show him the photo in question.

“What else has the internet said?” Jungkook asks while Jimin keeps looking at the photo of himself, taking the iPad from the younger.

“There is the expected,” Namjoon says and Jimin feels his heart drop. He knew it would happen, they all did, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck any else. “But not as much as we anticipated.”

“Anything we need to keep an eye on?” Jungkook asks, suddenly serious in tone.

“Not that I have seen. We have our PR team watching though just in case something spirals.”

“Okay. Can you also tell them that I won’t hesitate to take legal action if necessary?”

“Wait what?” Jimin asks, fully snapping back into the conversation.

“If any of these comments go too far, I’ll take legal action,” Jungkook explains. “We’re not going to tolerate defamation.”

“Is that really necessary?” Jimin asks, feeling self-conscious.

“Yes, it is. It’s not solely for you, but also the company as a whole. Although primarily for you,” Jungkook adds.

“It’s a pretty normal thing to do Jimin,” Namjoon adds as well. “I’ll let them know to look out for anything truly defaming.”

Jimin nods and tunes out the rest of the conversation, stuck mentally on potentially costing the company money over lawsuits simply because people hate him for existing.

Is all of this even worth that risk?

Isn’t this just making others suffer over my problems?

“Hey.”

Jungkook’s soothing tone cuts through Jimin’s thoughts and he turns his head to look at the younger. Jungkook seems to be eyeing him carefully and his expression shows he knows what Jimin is thinking.

“You’re not a problem. Or a burden. Or whatever else you’re possibly thinking,” Jungkook assures. “And if you keep thinking such things, I’m gonna have to fight you.”

Jimin falls into a giggle fit from the quick tone shift and Jungkook ends up falling into one too since Jimin can’t compose himself. Jimin falls into Jungkook’s shoulder while laughing and Jungkook instinctively wraps an arm around the elder’s shoulders.

“Okay I’ll stop but only cause I know I won’t win that fight,” Jimin replies finally, wiping his watery eyes from having laughed so hard.

“That’s right-hey!” Jungkook says, yelping when Jimin jabs his ribs suddenly. “Don’t be mean.”

“You threatened to fight me.”

“Out of love.”

“Yeah sure,” Jimin taunts, moving pull away and sit up but Jungkook just yanks him back into a tight hug he can’t escape. “Jungkook let me go!”

“No. You’ve been captured,” Jungkook says, holding Jimin despite the elder’s squirming.

“This isn’t doing you any favors for your best friend quest.”

“You will not deter me with your weak threats.”

“Would you like me to attempt stronger threats?”

“Not really,” Jungkook sighs, releasing his hold on the elder who shuffles down the couch away from him. “Okay but in all seriousness hyung, you are never an issue. Please don’t think that way. Promise?”

“Fine I’ll try not to,” Jimin relents.

“Good. Now go home. If I catch you in the studio, I will carry your ass home.”

“I think you’re just looking for excuses to flaunt your strength at this point,” Jimin chuckles. He stands then and as he passes Jungkook he ruffles the younger’s hair and quickly scurries away as Jungkook jumps up.

“Good night hyung!” Jimin calls towards Namjoon before fleeing so Jungkook won’t chase him.

“You two are ridiculous,” Namjoon comments once alone with Jungkook. “And you need to be careful.”

“We’re just friends,” Jungkook grumbles, already knowing where this conversation is going.

“Since when do friends flirt with each other?”

“We’re not flirting. That wasn’t flirting.”

“You’re treading a fine line Jungkook,” Namjoon sighs. “And what is this best friend quest nonsense?”

“It’s just a joke,” Jungkook defends nervously.

“Is it really? Cause I know you and how you interact with people you want to be close to and you’re laying it on thick with Jimin, who is your employee by the way.”

“I am fully aware of who he is hyung,” Jungkook snaps back, losing patience. “Is it the end of the world that I enjoy his company? That I want to be his friend?”

“It’s not but Jungkook be honest with me,” Namjoon says, closing the gap between them and placing his hands on the younger’s shoulders. “Is there any other feelings towards him? Actually think about it before answering.”

Jungkook sighs, not wanting to go through this exercise but also knowing Namjoon will not let it go until he does. So he sincerely thinks about it, about Jimin and his relationship with him.

You care about him obviously.

Just like you care about Yoongi and Namjoon.

But then you always want his attention.

And to see him happy.

And to be the reason he is happy.

Fuck do I have feelings?!

No, that’s all normal friend things.

You did get really jealous with Yoongi and Jimin interacting.

But that was just cause you wanted to be friends!

Right?

“I don’t know,” Jungkook mumbles, realizing his feelings are much more convoluted that he initially thought. Maybe his actions and desires to get close to Jimin are deeper than just friendship and comfortable working relationship. Maybe that draw he felt all those weeks ago was always more than recruiting. Maybe it just has always been more.

“You need to figure it out Kook-ah,” Namjoon says, his usual nurturing nature coming out. “As much as I’d love to let you have feelings for him and maybe finally have a relationship with someone who genuinely cares about you, the circumstances are too complicated for that. Your careers would be on the line, not to mention your general reputation.”

“Right,” Jungkook mutters. “Just don’t catch feelings. Keep boundaries and don’t fall for him. I can do that.”

“Doesn’t matter if you can Jungkook,” Namjoon says sadly. “You just have to do it.”

Namjoon moves away then, going back to work and leaving Jungkook to get lost in thought.

You are good at everything.

You can be good and not fall for Jimin.

But do I want to?

Chapter Text

It didn’t matter if Jungkook wanted to or not, because he couldn’t stop himself from catching feelings. Mainly because they were already there, he just denied to see it as anything other than wanting friendship.

The last few days leading up to the first episode of Solo Star were hectic for everyone at the company, now having grown beyond the original five to better accommodate all of the work but ultimately still keeping everyone busy. Despite being busy, Jungkook would still seek out Jimin every chance he got. He’d yell at himself in his mind to not do that, but his heart was winning every fight.

And honestly, he didn’t regret it.

He could have a crush and just not act on it.

Right?

“Hyung I’m having a crisis,” Jungkook says as he flops onto Yoongi’s couch while the elder works.

“Is this an actual crisis or just CEO bullshit?”

“Actual crisis.”

Yoongi turns away from his computer to give Jungkook is full attention. “Okay what’s up?”

“It’s Jimin.”

“What about him?”

Jungkook shrank into himself. He wasn’t supposed to have feelings. He extra wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about them. But he felt like he was going to explode if he didn’t.

“Ihavefeelingsforhim,” he mumbled so quick it all blended together.

“Excuse me?”

“I…have feelings for him.”

“Like romantic feelings?”

Jungkook nods, wanting the couch to swallow him whole so he didn’t have to have this conversation.

“I knew that already,” Yoongi says nonchalantly. “I don’t see why this is a crisis.”

“He’s my employee hyung. I can’t have these feelings.”

“And yet you still do.”

“I tried not to but…”

“You had already fallen,” Yoongi finishes for him. “You know how I kept teasing you about this very thing? It’s cause I knew it was actually true.”

“Then why didn’t you stop me?!”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I’m his boss! I can’t have a crush. I can’t want him romantically. It just can’t happen.”

“And why not?”

“Because it would ruin our careers and reputations. It would hurt the whole company. It’s inappropriate.”

“Kookie breathe for a second,” Yoongi says, sensing the extreme frustration boiling up in the younger. “Maybe I’m just so anti-establishment, but I sincerely believe this won’t ruin everything like you think it will.”

“You know how this industry works hyung.”

“Yeah, but you’re also acting like you’re in your fifties hitting on him. You’re only twenty-one.”

“Age doesn’t matter, it’s the positions we hold.”

“Okay but you are also acting like you’re already fucking him or something. You just have a crush Kookie that is harmless.”

“But what if I don’t want just a crush,” Jungkook says, voice growing soft.

“What do you want then?” Yoongi asks patiently.

“I…I don’t know,” Jungkook mumbles. “I want this to not be so complicated.”

“I wish it wasn’t Kookie. I wish you could pursue the relationships you want without consequence or fear. I will be honest though that I think you could make it work if you really wanted it to.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yeah, but I also wouldn’t recommend you do anything right now. You’re both jumping into insanity with the show and your focus needs to be on that. Plus Namjoon will kill you. I’m sure he is very rational and business-minded about this.”

“Don’t remind me,” Jungkook grumbles. “I know he means well, and he is looking out for me and Jimin too. But I just want to be normal for once.”

“You’ve never been normal Kook. And never will be. And neither will Jimin.”

“Right,” Jungkook agrees, worrying his bottom lip in thought. He can wait. Waiting will be easier than denying his feelings. He just can’t let them show. He flops back against the couch with an exasperated sigh, shutting his eyes and maybe when he opens them it will be two months later, and he can maybe pursue Jimin like he wants. “Why did I have to meet him now of all times?”

“The universe is funny like that,” Yoongi deadpans, turning back to his work. “Did I successfully help you with your crisis?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook sighs, blinking his eyes open to be in the present unlike how he wished. “Thanks hyung.”

“Any time Kook-ah,” Yoongi assures, pulling headphones on to indicate he is fully returning to work so Jungkook takes his leave. He makes his way back to his office, feeling marginally better about the whole situation, until he runs directly into the person causing his inner turmoil.

“Oh!” Jimin jumps back, head snapping up from his phone to look at Jungkook. “Sorry Kookie.”

“Don’t be. I should have been paying attention,” Jungkook says awkwardly.

“You okay? You seem kind of out of it?” Jimin asks, his face falling with concern that makes Jungkook’s heart ache.

“I’m fine. Just busy you know,” Jungkook answers. “Speaking of busy, I have a meeting to get to.”

“Right yeah,” Jimin says, stepping aside to move past Jungkook to go to Yoongi’s studio. Jungkook is just about to make a break for it when Jimin speaks again.

“You know how you always say that we’re in this together and I can count on you?”

“Y-yeah,” Jungkook replies, frozen like a deer in headlights as he looks at the elder.

“Same goes for you, okay? You can count on me too,” Jimin assures with a gentle smile and a caring glint in his eyes that makes Jungkook want to melt on the spot.

“Okay,” Jungkook musters. With a small nod, Jimin turns to leave and Jungkook watches him go, realizing just how screwed he is when it comes to Jimin.

--

“Will you stop pacing? You’re not even the one performing,” Namjoon sighs, watching Jungkook pace up and down the hallway.

“Am I not allowed to be nervous?” Jungkook asks, ignoring Namjoon’s request.

“Did you ever consider you being visibly nervous could freak Jimin out?”

Jungkook immediately freezes and Namjoon rolls his eyes so hard they go back in his head momentarily.

“Don’t give me that look. It’s a big day and I want everything to go smoothly,” Jungkook defends when Namjoon gives him an exhausted, knowing looking. “I just want the best for Jimin.”

“Right,” Namjoon sighs. “The rehearsal went flawlessly, so you don’t need to stress about it.”

The door that Jungkook had been pacing in front of opens and Jimin steps out, fully performance ready as the show is about to start the live broadcast. Jungkook immediately shoves his nervousness down in an attempt to seem calm for Jimin’s sake. Too bad the elder immediately gives him a curious look deeming his attempts unsuccessful.

“Why are you more nervous than I am right now?” Jimin asks, eyeing the youngest carefully.

“I’m not nervous.”

“You’re lying.”

“Kook-ah did you forget you two have some psychic connection?” Namjoon teases, making the youngest give him a wide-eyed dumbstruck look.

“Or he is just really bad at hiding how he feels,” Jimin assures, which really doesn’t alleviate any of Jungkook’s concerns.

“Enough about me. I’m fine. How are you feeling?” Jungkook asks, decisively moving attention off of himself.

“Mostly okay,” Jimin admits. “Dancing is what I’m most comfortable with. It’s everything else I’m dreading.”

“You know what to expect right? We went through everything?” Jungkook asks, turning to Namjoon to confirm.

“Yeah, we have. Just still nerve-wracking,” Jimin answers, his presence deflating slightly.

“Hey everything will be fine. You’re going to be great, okay?” Jungkook comforts, his reassuring look easing Jimin’s worries.

“You’ll be here right? When I’m done and leave the stage you’ll be there?” Jimin asks and Jungkook feels his heart flip at the request.

“If you want me to be, then yes I will be,” Jungkook assures softly, feeling fondness wash over him.

“Please,” Jimin says softly. Jungkook has to use every cell in his body to resist the urge to pull Jimin into a close embrace and whisper all the reasons the elder is a perfect human who deserves love.

“Jimin on standby,” a production assist summons, saving Jungkook from making an undeniably foolish decision. The trio head to the stage together, waiting for the previous performer to finish her song before Jimin goes on. The closer it gets to his turn, the more tense Jimin becomes. He tries to calm himself, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. He focuses on the silk he has folded into his hand to hide, not wanting to reveal his secret for his performance.

“We’ll be right here,” Jungkook assures as the PA comes to take Jimin and Jimin musters a small smile of appreciation before he is fully whisked away.

You can do this.

This is what you’ve always wanted.

“And now for our next contestant, representing the brand-new company founded by the one and only Jeon Jungkook, Park Jimin,” one of the host announces, thus cueing Jimin to take the stage. With one last deep breath, Jimin does so, smiling as happily as he can muster while the audience politely applauds his entry. Jimin can feel the skepticism seep from the anonymous hoard, but he keeps his head up and focuses on what Jungkook would want him to do. He approaches the hosts, politely bowing and greeting them before taking his spot between them for the small interview portion.

“So Jimin, how does it feel to be taking the stage for the first time tonight?” the first host asks.

“It’s quite surreal. A couple of months ago I would have never expected to be here,” Jimin answers honestly.

“That’s right you have only been officially training for a few weeks, correct?” the second host asks. “It must be very exciting to already be deemed debut ready after such a short period of time.”

“It definitely is, and I have to give most of the credit to Jungkook-ssi and the rest of GC Entertainment for all of their support.”

“We’re sure they must be very proud of you right now,” the original host says with a polite smile.

“You are the only participant doing a dance piece tonight. How does that make you feel?” the second host asks.

“Dance has been my main passion for many years, so I’m honored to be able to perform this piece tonight as my introduction to everyone watching,” Jimin answers, just like he and Namjoon practiced.

“And is it true that you choreographed this piece yourself?” the other host asks.

“Yes, it is,” Jimin answers with a genuine smile. He’s very proud that this piece he has spent many, many hours on even before meeting Jungkook is finally getting performed properly.

“We’re all very excited to see what you have to show us,” the first host says, and that is Jimin’s cue to get ready for the easy part of tonight: dancing. He tunes out the hosts at that point, switching his mind to focus solely on himself and his performance. He unfolds the piece of silk and strategically blindfolds himself with it and he hears quiet gasps and murmuring in the audience. If only he could hear and see Jungkook’s reaction to his surprise plan.

This piece in particularly was Jimin’s way of opening himself up to the world. He knew that everyone would only look at his eyes if given the choice, so he decided to take that option away by blindfolding himself. He made the decision only a few days prior, so he spent late nights in the studio perfecting the piece while blind. And he kept it a secret so it couldn’t be taken away from him.

The music begins and it’s all muscle memory from then on. The outside world fades away and Jimin just focuses on his movements and getting lost into the music.

When the music begins to fade at the end of the piece, Jimin’s heart starts to pound loudly in his chest and not just from the exertion. It’s back to being an idol, being judged for things he can’t control, and now time to see if his plan paid off.

The roar of applause and cheers from the audience shocks Jimin. He snatches the blindfold off his face, blinking rapidly a few times to adjust to the stage lights. He stands frozen, trying to gauge reactions, and the wave of relief he feels when he sees the excited and impressed expressions of the audience and crew makes him want to cry tears of joy. He smiles brightly, bowing appreciatively before he is being ushered off just in time for his eyes to start watering.

The first thing Jimin sees once backstage is Jungkook’s dumbstruck face. His rainbow eyes are the size of plates as he ogles the elder in shock.

“Did I do well?” Jimin asks, adrenaline still surging through his system as his tears start to break free.

“Did you do well?!” Jungkook replies back in shock. “That was incredible! Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you were going to do that?!”  

With a new burst of happiness, Jimin throws his arms around Jungkook in a surprise hug, shocking the younger once again. It takes a second for Jungkook to get his mind together enough to hug Jimin back, pulling the elder closer.

“I’m so glad you’re not mad,” Jimin exhales.

“How could I be mad at that?! I mean I do wish you told me beforehand, but it was brilliant.”

“I didn’t want to risk not being able to do it,” Jimin admits.

The sound of Namjoon clearing his throat for attention snaps the pair out of their bubble and both quickly step away from one another. That is when Jungkook catches the suspicious stares of the crew and he feels his face heat up with embarrassment.

“Dressing room,” Namjoon says evenly, turning to head away from the immediate backstage area with the other two in his stead. Once safely inside said dressing room, all three of them let out a breath to relax now out of the way of the crew and their stares.

“Okay but where is my hug?” Namjoon teases. “I am just as shocked as Kookie and near had a heart attack.”

“Sorry hyung,” Jimin chuckles, giving Namjoon a quick hug as well before plopping down on the nearby couch.

“You’re fine Min. Just no more surprises. At least not for me. You can keep secrets from Kook-ah all you want,” Namjoon teases, making the youngest scowl at him. The scowl doesn’t last long though, because too much adrenaline is still running through Jungkook. And frankly, he is giddy seeing Jimin so happy right now.

“Deal,” Jimin agrees after chugging an entire water bottle.

“So why did you do it?” Jungkook asks eagerly, dropping to sit beside the dancer.

“My eyes are the only thing anyone ever looks at and all I want is for people to watch me dance. So if they can’t see my eyes, they have to watch me dance,” Jimin explains, fidgeting a little admitting the reasoning out loud. It’s very personal and now he is feeling self-conscious.

“We’re not going to have to blindfold you for every performance, are we?” Namjoon asks, immediately receiving the deadliest glare from Jungkook. “I’m kidding Jungkook.”

“It’s fine,” Jimin says, furrowing his brows in confusion at Jungkook’s angry reaction to their manager. “I just wanted it for this. It was my introduction after all and for once I didn’t want it to be solely about having colorless eyes.”

“I get it,” Jungkook replies reassuringly. “And it also turned out epic. If it isn’t the most talked about performance of the night, I’ll be shocked.”

“Well Jimin is trending on Twitter already,” Namjoon says, scrolling through his phone. “He’s the only performer trending.”

“But are they saying good things?” Jimin asks warily.

“It’s a lot of caps lock and emotional flailing, which I take as a good sign,” Namjoon assures with a gentle smile. “I’m going to go see where we’re at in the show and will come get you when they need you for the end.”

“Okay hyung,” Jimin says. Namjoon leaves them then and Jimin sighs contentedly as he rests back against the couch.

“Hey hyung,” Jungkook says.

“Yeah Kookie?”

“I understand how you don’t want your eyes defining you. Trust me I really do,” Jungkook starts, fiddling with the hem of his shirt as he speaks candidly. “But I want you to embrace them too. Because your eyes will forever be a part of you and if you do embrace them for what they are, which is special and beautiful, then others can’t use them against you.”

Jimin is stunned, staring at Jungkook with wide eyes and unable to think of what to say to the sudden heart to heart moment. Jungkook’s own expression doesn’t help either, as he softly looks at the elder in a way Jimin hasn’t seen before.

“What makes you say that?” Jimin manages to ask, heart starting to beat faster.

“I guess what hyung said. Even though he was joking. But I don’t want you to hide any part of yourself just because of the assumptions of strangers,” Jungkook admits sincerely. “The world should see all of you because all of you is worth seeing.”

Jimin just stares back at Jungkook. He’s honestly speechless and his mind is moving too fast to process this thoughts and feelings coherently.

Would a best friend say this?

Or is this more?

It can’t be more. That’s impossible.

He’s just being a caring friend.

And good boss.

“Jimin,” Namjoon calls from the door, making the dancer snap his head in his direction, still in shock at Jungkook’s sincerity. “It’s time.”

“Right,” Jimin says, immediately jumping up from the couch and adjusting his outfit before heading to the door. He can feel Jungkook following him, now hyperaware of his presence all of a sudden. For once relief comes as he takes the stage for the final shot with all the contestants.

Jimin’s lack of response makes Jungkook spiral into an internalized panic, complete lost in it until Namjoon physically shakes his shoulder to get his attention.

“What’s gotten into you?” Namjoon asks in a hushed voice.

“Nothing!” Jungkook deflects immediately, not wanting to admit to Namjoon what happened knowing the elder will lecture him about feelings. But it was too late, because Jungkook was in too deep already and now speaking without thinking. “Just lost in thought.”

“Did something happen while I was gone?”

“No. Just imparted some great wisdom.”

“I thought I was supposed to be the wise one,” Namjoon teases.

“I can have my moments, can’t I?” Jungkook teases back, relieved that Namjoon doesn’t seem to be pushing the issue. Jimin appears again than, generally looking incredibly relieved that the first episode is done.

“Can I go home now?” Jimin asks jokingly, although Jungkook can see the glint in his eyes of suspicion towards him.

Fuck

I fucked up.

He knows.

And if he doesn’t, I fucked up our friendship.

“Are you coming?” Jimin calls back after he and Namjoon had already started walking to the dressing room again, having left Jungkook behind to panic. Jungkook drops his head and strides toward them, feeling Jimin’s eyes survey him briefly before continuing his conversation with Namjoon.

After changing back into his street clothes, Jimin makes his way to meet with the other two to finally leave for the night, but only finds Jungkook waiting.

“Where’s hyung?” Jimin asks as he approaches Jungkook.

“I told him he could go ahead, since he lives the opposite direction from us,” Jungkook explains, averting his eyes from Jimin completely.

“Oh okay,” Jimin says, nerves bubbling up inside him at the thought of being alone with Jungkook again. They head out in silence, quickly stepping into their car to leave. The tension in the car is getting more palpable by the second, but neither knows what to say if anything.

“Hey um sorry if I said anything to make you uncomfortable,” Jungkook finally musters, his internal panic getting to loud to ignore.

“You didn’t make me uncomfortable,” Jimin says.

“You didn’t respond so I thought-”

“I was surprised, not uncomfortable. I didn’t respond because I didn’t know what to say.”

“So I didn’t fuck up?” Jungkook asks with a small frown of concentrated concern and Jimin has to stop himself from cooing at him.

“Not at all. It was unexpected, but I appreciate it,” Jimin assures with a soft smile, watching Jungkook relax as if this worry was the heaviest weight in the world. “I don’t often get told positive things about my eyes or told to accept them, so it was surprising.”

Jungkook hums in understanding, worrying his bottom lip after as he falls into deep thought.

“Why were you so worried about this?” Jimin asks, since Jungkook still seems a little uneasy.

“Cause I thought I overstepped a line between boss and employee and didn’t want to fuck up our friendship,” Jungkook admits.

“I promise you didn’t fuck up our friendship. If anything you got closer to best friend status.”

Jungkook lights up with a ridiculous grin and Jimin cant stop the laugh that bubbles out of him for the reaction.

“How close am I?” Jungkook asks, mood completely flipped from his previous worries to a giddy energy.

“Actually,” Jimin starts, thinking briefly about his answer while Jungkook pouts at him dramatically for stalling. “I think you’re already there.”

“So I win the best friend title?”

“It wasn’t a competition Kook-ah.”

“To you maybe.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Jimin sighs, thankful the tension is gone, and they’ve returned to the usual dynamic.

“That’s me. Your ridiculous best friend,” Jungkook says with a smug smile. Jimin rolls his eyes with a chuckle as the car pulls up to his apartment building. Jimin opens the door for himself to get out, crouching out of the car and onto the sidewalk.

“Good night best friend!” Jungkook calls, full bunny smile and sparkling doe eyes as he looks at the elder.

“Good night Kook-ah,” Jimin replies, amused at Jungkook’s enthusiasm. He shuts the door and turns to go inside, his body tired but heart full.

--

“Remind me again why I agreed to do this?”

“Because it’s for Jimin and you like Jimin.”

“Yeah, but not as whipped as you are,” Yoongi taunts, eyeing Jungkook who whips around and gives him a warning glare.

“Not here hyung.”

“I know Kookie calm down. I only wanted to push your buttons a little.”

“You don’t understand how little my buttons can take when it’s Jimin related.”

“Awww Kookie’s in love,” Yoongi coos, attempting to pat Jungkook on the head and quickly getting swatted away.

“I swear to god Yoongi if you-”

“Hyung quit annoying Jungkook,” Namjoon sighs, used to their antics but also not wanting to bother with them. “Especially not with the storm coming this way.”

“The what?” Jungkook asks with a raised eyebrow. His answer comes with an outburst and some frantic attempts at calming the fuming CEO Jeong storming towards him. Jungkook mumbles to himself “Fucking perfect,” as he closes the distance between them.

“What are you playing at Jeon?” Jeong asks once close enough. His intense glare would be intimidating if he was staring down anyone besides Jungkook. But the young CEO just gives him an unamused, unbothered look.

“What is this about?” Jungkook asks, already exhausted with this conversation.

“You think you can ignore the rules and do what you want? Think you can just bring out a surprise performer while the rest of us have to rely on our trainees alone?”

“It’s not my fault you couldn’t think outside of the box and come up with interesting performances for your talent. And I didn’t ignore any rules. The network approved it. Unlike some people I have common decency to get approval for things,” Jungkook defends, not flinching or backing down at all. “And it isn’t my fault you don’t trust your artist enough to excel on their own.”

“You wouldn’t even be here right now if it wasn’t for me,” Jeong growls.

“You’re right. If I had gone to a better company with a CEO that actual gave a shit about its artists and not solely on money, I wouldn’t have decided to start my own company to get away from your shitty treatment and to make sure that artists get the respect they deserve.”

“Oooookay let’s just take a step back,” Namjoon cuts in. “Mr. Jeong, we got formal approval from the producers that having a guest artist, who is featured on the original song, is allowed. Your ire with us not solve anything, and I am fully aware of what the network has told you about the situation.”

Jeong doesn’t look at Namjoon at all when the latter speaks, instead staring daggers into Jungkook’s eyes emanating nothing but loathing. And Jungkook just stares back blankly, because frankly he gave up wanting respect from this man many years ago.

“Watch yourself Jeon. You’re in a league you don’t understand now,” is the last thing Jeong says before he storms off.

“Glad to see he is still a prick,” Yoongi says, also unaffected by his former boss’ outburst. “It was fun seeing you put him in his place Kook-ah.”

“And he shouldn’t have done that,” Namjoon sighs. “Kookie I know you have a bunch of pent-up frustration towards him, but publicly arguing and insulting him is not a great look.”

“Hyung can you just not be purely rational for like two seconds?” Jungkook asks exasperatedly. “The guy is an asshole and I finally have the ability to not have to take his shit. So I’m not going to let him. Also I’m not the one angrily storming at him and starting this shit. I’m minding my own business.”

Namjoon just sighs again, massaging his temples briefly as if to ease a headache.

“You gotta admit that it was fun to watch Joon-ah,” Yoongi chimes in again.

“What was fun to watch?” Jimin asks, appearing beside Jungkook then and making the youngest jump slightly.

“God you’re like a cat. Making no sound as you appear,” Jungkook sighs, rewarded with a soft giggle that soothes all his previous frustrations away.

“Guess you’ll just have to put a bell on me so you can hear me coming,” Jimin says innocently.

“Kinky,” Yoongi snorts, immediately getting an embarrassed stare down from Jungkook and a bright laugh from Jimin.

“Don’t make it weird hyung,” Jimin chuckles, completely unaware of the panic happening to his left. “Anyway no one answered my question of what was fun to watch.”

“Just Kookie putting our previous CEO in his place. Much to the displeasure of Namjoon,” Yoongi explains.

“You know that Jungkook doesn’t just start shit for no reason hyung,” Jimin defends. “I barely met the guy and know he is an asshole, so it must have been his doing in the first place.”

“Exactly!” Jungkook says, finally recovered from his momentary gay panic. “I’m not going to make a habit of getting in his face. Frankly I never want to see it again. But I’m not backing down from him anymore.”

“Fine. I get it. Just try not to do anything rash,” Namjoon relents.

“Like I said last time: murder is illegal,” Jimin says with a smirk, making Jungkook laugh airily at the memory.

“Last time? Wait no, I don’t want to know,” Namjoon says, turning and walking away from the trio.

Soon after, a PA appears to escort Jimin and Yoongi for their performance. They are the first performance of the night, and Jimin is mostly relieved to not have an interview portion and to have Yoongi on stage with him, although he starts off alone.

“Nervous?” Jungkook asks quietly from behind Jimin.

“For once, no,” Jimin answers, turning to smile at the younger.

“Good,” Jungkook replies, smiling back and feeling his heart melt at Jimin’s genuine grin.

“You’ll be here after, yeah?”

“Of course.”

“No fighting the other CEOs while we’re performing.”

Jungkook snorts a little too loud, causing some crew to give him a weird look. Yoongi though gives him an amused, knowing looking and Jungkook’s feels he cheeks warm, thankful to be behind Jimin so he doesn’t see.

Jimin is pulled away then to take the stage while Yoongi truly gives Jungkook a shit-eating grin that worsens Jungkook’s blushing. The younger is now questioning whether telling his hyung anything was a good idea because at this rate, he will be the reason Jimin finds out his feelings.

The performance happens flawlessly, with the audience going crazy when Yoongi took the stage for his rap part and again at the end. As rehearsed, Yoongi leaves the stage before Jimin who has to wait for a scoring from the judges panel. Jungkook can’t hear what is being said clearly, but the way Jimin smiles so big his eyes turn to crescents is enough of an indicator that it went well.

“Oh my god Jungkook!” Jimin cheers once he’s off the stage, surging for the younger who is just barely prepared for the bone-crushing hug the elder pulls him into.

“What did they say?”

“They loved it! They had a couple critiques but overall they loved it!”

“As they should,” Jungkook replies smiling brightly at the pink-haired man smiling just as bright back at him.

He’s so pretty when he’s happy.

“Hyung!” Jimin calls, moving out of Jungkook’s embrace and nearly tackling Yoongi.

“Yah! What the hell Jimin-ah!”

“Shut up and accept my love,” Jimin says, squeezing Yoongi harder who can’t stop the laugh that breaks free. “We did it hyung!”

“More like you did it, Min,” Yoongi says, finally relenting and hugging Jimin back. Shortly after Jimin is skipping happily to Namjoon, and it is probably the most adorable thing Jungkook has ever seen. The only thing that pulls him from his happy bubble is Yoongi smugly grinning at him.

“You’re so whipped,” Yoongi teases.

“You’re not much better hyung. You have a weak spot for him too,” Jungkook defends, watching Jimin happily babble to Namjoon.

“I may have a spot, but your entire being is weak for him,” Yoongi clarifies, giving a final knowing glance to Jungkook before joining the other two as they go to Jimin’s dressing room.

--

“Jungkook we’ve been at this for hours,” Jimin whines, pushing his palms into his eyes in a feigned attempt at staying awake. They, mainly Jungkook, finally had time to start planning for the final performance for Solo Star, but it was late with everyone else having already gone home for the night hours earlier. The coffee they both had consumed earlier was wearing off now, and they had very little progress to show for the hours spent in the office.

“This would be easier if people didn’t set such ridiculous expectations,” Jungkook sighs, slumping against the couch with a huff.

“Yeah,” Jimin sighs, slumping equally. There is a moment of silence where Jimin lets his mind wander, and that is when an idea hits him. “Let’s make it about that.”

“Huh?” Jungkook asks, blinking sleepily at the elder.

“Everyone has expectations of us and have a set impression in their minds. But we don’t always fit those molds, do we?”

“Right.”

“So we make a song about that. About being able to be multifaceted despite what other’s think.”

Jungkook pauses briefly to think, but the way his doe eyes grow in size as he thinks seems like a good sign.

“It’s genius!” Jungkook says, eyes sparkling with excitement at the elder’s idea and suddenly wide awake compared to where he was at a moment ago. “You can be and do anything. You can fit any filters and defy expectations. You have no limits on what you can do.”

Jimin blinks rapidly and feels his face warm with blush. Jungkook taking to the idea was already a lot but having described in such a complimentary way was making his heart palpitate. He watches Jungkook with wide eyes as the younger whips out his phone and starts scrolling quickly.

“What are you doing?”

“Calling Yoongi-hyung,” Jungkook says, eyes on his phone.

“Jungkook it’s almost two in the morning,” Jimin reminds him. Jungkook seems to not care, so Jimin snatches the younger’s phone from his hand.

“Hey!”

“He’s sleeping Jungkook. Like a normal person,” Jimin reasons to the pouting face and doe eyes. It’s funny how this boy with Bambi eyes is the CEO of his own company. “Something we should probably do ourselves.”

“But I’m excited now! I can’t sleep this excited,” Jungkook tries to reason, giving his best puppy dog eyes. Jimin is unfazed however, instead rolling his eyes and getting up from the couch, leaving Jungkook’s phone in his seat.

“Well I’m going to go home and get some sleep so we can work on this during daylight hours,” Jimin replies, tossing his bag strap over his head so it crosses his body.

“Fine,” Jungkook grumbles, grabbing his phone and typing something on it.

“That better not be Yoongi you’re texting.”

“It’s Sejin,” Jungkook explains, his hype having deflated which makes Jimin feel a little bad. “He can give us a ride.”

“Us?” Jimin asks with a raised eyebrow.

“How else do you expect to get home?”

“I don’t live that far,” Jimin mutters, intending to just walk. He usually only gets a ride home after the show, choosing to walk home from the company every other time.

“It’s two in the morning. I’m not letting you walk home,” Jungkook says with finality, standing up to face the elder then. “Let’s go.”

Jimin follows the younger out of his office and into the elevator, too tired to argue. As they descend to the lobby, the silence makes Jimin nervous, so he decides to speak, his exhaustion getting the better of him.

“I almost feel bad for saying to go home,” Jimin admits, eyes on his shoes.

“Why?”

“Cause you’re cute when you’re excited.” Jimin looks up to see Jungkook eyeing him carefully with a mostly unreadable expression. The only feeling Jimin can identify is a slight surprised look in those rainbow eyes.

“Are you sure you should call your boss cute?” Jungkook asks, quirking his eyebrow and trying to hold back a smile at having his crush call him cute.

“Depends. Do you not want me to?”

Jimin doesn’t know what makes him say it and he feels his cheeks start to redden immediately. And by the look on Jungkook’s face, the younger isn’t fairing much better. The elevator pings as the doors open on the ground floor and that breaks the small moment between them. They walk out in silence and just outside the lobby doors is Jungkook’s driver, who opens the backseat door for them. Jungkook gets in first followed by Jimin, and then they are departing the building.

Oh god why did you flirt with your boss?!

The thickening tension between Jungkook and Jimin is palpable, and Jimin is quick to start overthinking everything he has said that night.

You’re just tired. It is really late.

There must have been some truth to what you said if it slipped from your tired brain though.

You can’t have feelings towards your boss.

“Jimin.”

Jungkook’s voice startles the elder and he whips his head to look at the younger. Jungkook is resting his head back against the seatback with his eyes closed and Jimin is relieved to not have those colorful eyes observing him currently.

“You’re overthinking.”

“What? No I-”

“I can feel your brain going into overdrive,” Jungkook interrupts, tilting his head towards Jimin and cracking his eyes open.

“Well stop that,” Jimin defends weakly, getting a quiet snort from the younger. The car pulls to the side of the road then as they arrive to Jimin’s apartment building and the driver is quick to hop out and open the door for the elder.

“Good night hyung,” Jungkook says, voice dropping the more tired he feels.

“Good night Jungkook,” Jimin mumbles before hopping out of the car, trying to rush into his building as casually as possible.

Jungkook watches Jimin leave the car and through the window even after the elder is out of sight. His eyes are trained out the window even after his driver pulls away from the building and has begun their drive to Jungkook’s penthouse.

Do you not want me to?

“I want you to,” Jungkook sighs to himself, tilting his head back up and staring at the car’s ceiling the rest of the drive.

Chapter Text

“We should record this version for you to release,” Yoongi tells Jungkook. They had just finished a rehearsal of Euphoria with Jimin, who had to rush out thus leaving the pair. “Would be great promo for Jimin and yourself.”

Jungkook hums in assent, only partially paying attention as he lays on the couch staring at the ceiling.

“You look lovesick,” Yoongi comments, having turned to face the younger and eyeing him carefully with an amused smirk.

“I am,” Jungkook admits. He was already smitten with Jimin, but this duet is making him fall even deeper into his feelings.

“Uh oh you’re not even denying that. You’re in too deep.”

“Yeah,” Jungkook sighs. “He’s just so…perfect. Even his flaws are perfect hyung. I can’t handle it.”

“Well you have to handle it, boss,” Yoongi emphasizes, making Jungkook groan for the reminder. “Especially since you’re going to be sitting next to him singing a love song together on live television.”

“I am fully aware of all of that, thanks,” Jungkook deadpans. “I shall hide my feelings as always and be a good singing partner and that is it.”

“I know it sucks Kook-ah,” Yoongi comforts. “I know I tease the fuck out of you about it, but I wish you could pursue him like you want.”

“Yeah well it’s just life I guess,” Jungkook sighs. “It’s probably never going to happen so I should just resign myself to that.”

“What happened to after the show is over?”

“I’m still his boss hyung. That little fact can’t be ignored.”

Yoongi sighs, spinning back around to face is set up and work on new tracks. “It’s your life Kookie so you do what you want to.”

“It’s never been mine though,” Jungkook says solemnly. He pushes himself to standing and starts to leave the studio. “See you later hyung.”

--

“We’ve planned the release of your duet to happen after the show ends on Friday, so make sure you post about it and encourage your fans to support it.”

“Okay.”

“And we confirmed with Hoseok-ssi and Seokjin-ssi that we have their places reserved on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.”

“Okay.”

“And confirmed with the network that we’ll have a crew those days as well.”

“Okay.”

“Jungkook are you even listening to me?” Namjoon sighs, peering over his glasses to look at the younger.

“Yes, I’m listening. Duet recording is scheduled, and we’re good to go with filming next week,” Jungkook responds, absentmindedly swinging back and forth in his chair.

“Okay so you’re just not paying active attention.”

“Correct.”

Namjoon snorts at the younger’s honesty, locking his iPad and setting it on Jungkook’s desk before turning his own attention fully on the younger. “What’s on your mind Koo?”

Jimin.

It’s always Jimin.

“Nothing,” Jungkook lies with a sigh. “We need to get Filter ready.”

“Has hyung been working on it?”

“Yeah. He’s currently in full ‘you interrupt me and I kill you’ state, so I assume he is getting that done right now.”

“Good. Can’t really do anything else until we know what the song sounds like right? Have to get it recorded and everything.”

“Right,” Jungkook sighs. “Can you get that all worked? We should get Jimin in to record as soon as hyung has it done.”

“Sure,” Namjoon agrees. “Now tell me what you’re trying to avoid talking about?”

“You’re too smart sometimes,” Jungkook grumbles. “But really it’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“Is it Jimin related?”

“No,” Jungkook answers. It’s not a complete lie, because really it’s Jungkook dwelling on his own life and how said life he can’t freely do what his heart wants.

“Are you at least talking to hyung about it?”

“Yeah, he knows.”

“Okay good. I don’t want you holding back things that worry you Kookie so at least talk to one of us,” Namjoon answers.  

The younger simply nods, choosing to get back to work. Jungkook appreciates his hyungs. But no one can really help him at this point. He’s in too deep.

--

“Where’s Jungkook?”

“I think he’s talking to some of the other idols. He’s friends with a few of them.”

“Oh,” Jimin responds, turning back to the mirror to check his appearance one last time. An undefinably know twists in his stomach over that and Jimin doesn’t like the feeling. “That must be nice to get to see them.”

“He rarely gets to, so yeah it is. He finally gets to talk to someone besides you, me, and Yoongi,” Namjoon adds.

“Sorry!”

Jimin turns around to see Jungkook entering then, looking apologetic for no reason. But the knot in Jimin’s stomach is gone.

“For what?” Jimin asks him.

“For not being here,” Jungkook explains.

“You don’t have to be with me every second Kook-ah,” Jimin says, although the smile pulling on his lips tells a different story.

“Plus you two are the last performance. So we have plenty of time,” Namjoon adds, a quirked eyebrow and amused smile on his face that Jungkook tries to ignore.

“Well I didn’t want to be gone in case you wanted to run through it again or something,” Jungkook deflects.

“I think we’re fine Kookie,” Jimin says, turning back to the mirror.

“I’m being summoned. Think you can watch the time yourselves?” Namjoon asks.

“Yeah hyung,” Jimin assures with a smile that makes Jungkook’s knees weak. Namjoon shoots the youngest a knowing glance before leaving them alone.

Jungkook’s heart starts to race by simply being alone with Jimin. He both loves and hates it, wanting alone time with him but also worried he’ll let something spill if left unsupervised for too long. He lets his eyes wander vaguely over the elder, who looks undeniably cuddly in the fuzzy blue cardigan that is part of his stage look for the night.

“You should change.”

“Huh?” Jungkook asks, having zoned out observing the elder.

“Change. Get dressed for the show,” Jimin clarifies, eyes meeting Jungkook’s through the mirror. “You’re still dressed like a CEO.”

“Oh right,” Jungkook mumbles, looking around for what he’s supposed to wear for their duet.

Jimin tries really hard to not let his eyes linger and follow the younger around as Jungkook grabs his outfit and moves behind the privacy partition to change. Jimin tries to focus on his own appearance in the mirror but discovers he can see Jungkook changing in the reflection.

Don’t be a pervert!

Jimin turns his head away abruptly but his self-control wanes and he ends up peeking as Jungkook strips out of his black button up, revealing his superbly toned abs and shoulders. Jimin subconsciously bites his bottom lip as his eyes scan over the exposed skin. But when his gaze dips too low as Jungkook goes to change out of his slacks, Jimin immediately whips around, knocking over stuff as he does in his flustered state.

“Shit,” Jimin swears, quickly squatting down to recover the fallen items while his pulse rises and his heart pounds.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks.

“Y-yeah just knocked stuff over,” Jimin answers, thankful he has a genuine excuse for being suddenly flustered. Just as Jimin has placed everything back in it’s original spot and he feels his flaming cheeks start to cool, Jungkook emerges from changing.

“Wow,” Jimin says immediately when he looks up at the younger. Jungkook is in a loose fitting white and lilac stripped sweater and plain skinny jeans. He looks cuddly and Jimin starts to wonder if Jungkook is a cuddler.

“What?” Jungkook asks, feeling flustered at Jimin just staring at him.

“You’re not wearing black,” Jimin answers quickly, startled by Jungkook’s voice permeating his thoughts. “And you just look so cozy.”

“Am I not usually cozy looking?” Jungkook laughs, endeared by the elder as usual.

“No. You’re in all black and look ready to kick someone’s ass all the time,” Jimin admits.

“Well I’m pretty sure the plan for the performance was to look cozy, as you say,” Jungkook says, trying to not let his smile get too big and suspicious.

“True,” Jimin mumbles, turning away from Jungkook to fiddle with something and calm his racing heart down.

“Do you like it?”

“What?” Jimin asks, jumping when he sees Jungkook is standing next to him now.

“Do you like when I look cozy?”

Jimin turns his head to look at the younger instead of the mirror, and Jungkook does the same. Jimin becomes very aware of his racing heart and close proximity to Jungkook. And the way the younger is looking at him does not help Jimin’s flustered feelings.

A knock at the door interrupts the moment and Jimin is so thankful he quickly surges for the door. His heart goes back to racing when he opens the door to see Sunmi, his favorite female soloist, standing there.

“You’re Jimin!” she says happily which just further stuns and confuses Jimin into silence.

“Hi Mimi,” Jungkook calls from behind Jimin, then appearing just behind the latter. “What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to say hi to my favorite Jungkookie,” she says sweetly, and now Jimin doesn’t know how to feel. “I’m performing with the girl from my company tonight.”

“It’s nice to see you again,” Jungkook says, resting a hand on Jimin’s shoulder as he does to calm the elder.

“And you must be performing too. I figured since your company is new so you’re the only other artist there.”

“Right,” Jungkook confirms. “I wouldn’t trust Jimin with anyone else to be honest.”

Jimin tries his best to not react to that despite feeling his heart start a full gymnastics routine in his chest. At this rate, he’ll have a cardiac event before they make it to the stage.

“I don’t blame you,” Sunmi giggles. “By the way you both look adorable. I’m guessing you’re doing one of your sweeter songs.”

“Euphoria,” Jungkook explains with a soft smile.

“Okay that is too precious. You look like a couple and singing Euphoria? Swoon,” Sunmi says and Jimin feels his brain short-circuit. Jungkook’s brain isn’t processing that much better, but he chooses to focus on Sunmi and not how Jimin tensed under his hand.

“That was the goal,” Jungkook decides to say.

“Well you succeeded. Everyone is going to adore it I’m sure,” Sunmi compliments with a warm smile. “You’re both so talented everyone is going to melt.”

“T-thanks,” Jimin manages to say finally.

“I should go find Narae before she freaks out I’m not there for some reason. She’s a little dramatic. Anyway have a good performance you two!”

“Thanks Mimi,” Jungkook says with a bright smile and Jimin musters a small one.

“You good hyung?” Jungkook asks after shutting the door, a small, amused smirk on his lips.

“I think my brain is broken,” Jimin admits, which makes Jungkook laugh brightly. He turns back towards the mirror and then Jungkook has both hands on each of Jimin’s shoulders.

“You were fine. I was much less composed than you when I first met Sunmi,” Jungkook admits. His eyes fall on the two of them in the mirror and Sunmi was right. “We do look like a couple.”

Jimin’s eyes meet with Jungkook’s in the mirror and he feels his heart swell with so many feelings because of how Jungkook’s rainbow eyes shine with fondness. This should make Jimin panic, but instead he feels what can best be described as relief.

“We do,” Jimin says softly. He averts his gaze and moves away from Jungkook then because his heart can’t take much more of this interaction. His mind is racing with thoughts and he needs to calm down.

This is ridiculous.

Stop feeling like this.

You can’t feel like this.

Jungkook eyes Jimin carefully, and he can see the elder seems tense and a bit flustered. His hand twitch at his side with the desire to comfort, but he shouldn’t. He can’t. So he turns away from him reluctantly to the temptation dissipates.

They are silent in the dressing room for the remainder of the time in there, and are silent as they walk to the stage to get ready to perform. Jungkook starts to worry that maybe he crossed a line and it’ll ruin the performance now, but his spiraling concerns is interrupted when Jimin suddenly turns and hugs him.

“What’s this for?” Jungkook asks, happily pulling Jimin closer.

“Just needed a hug,” Jimin admits and Jungkook feels his heart burst with affection. Neither of them make a move to leave the embrace, so a PA has to interrupt it so they are on time to their stage.

Normally Jimin has a surge of nerves right before he takes the stage. But with Jungkook standing next to him he feels calm. With one last customary shoulder squeeze from his boss, Jimin takes the stage followed by Jungkook. The crowd loses their minds, likely because the Jeon Jungkook is there, but Jimin can hear people shouting his name as well.

For their Euphoria performance, they chose to simply sit on stools while turning in towards each other to keep it low-key and focus on the vocals. Jungkook sang the opening verse, followed by Jimin on the second. They shared every pre-chorus and chorus but split again with Jungkook on the third verse and Jimin taking the bridge.

Jungkook would be lying if he said he wasn’t singing the song to Jimin the entire time. Cameras be damned because he was finally somehow able to express his feelings to the elder without completely ruining everything like he feared. And he let himself believe Jimin was doing the same thing since the elder was almost always looking at him the whole time. Jungkook didn’t want this moment to end, because it felt like they finally in their own bubble where they could feel freely. But the song came to an end and the roar of the audience burst the bubble.

But Jimin is smiling at him with that bright smile that makes his eyes crescent and Jungkook could feel he was smiling just a big at the elder. Even with their moment over, Jimin manages to make Jungkook’s heart soar.

Jimin moved then because it was time for him to hear critiques from the judges panel. And Jungkook knew he was supposed to exit the stage for this. But he couldn’t bring himself to do so. It made his heart ache at the thought. So he instead walked over to stand beside Jimin instead.

Jimin whips his head to look at the younger, his expression clearly asking what he was doing. But Jungkook simply smiled at him, placing a hand on his shoulder with a squeeze as he always does.

Jungkook could see the producers in mild panic, because this was a live show so they couldn’t just stop the production and make Jungkook leave. So there the young CEO stood as Jimin received his feedback, which he always did so graciously.

“It was truly a beautiful performance. You both have such wonderful chemistry on stage,” one of the judges complimented and Jungkook grinned brightly at it. He looked over to Jimin who was smiling just as bright and Jungkook felt perfect. All of this is perfect.

After critique they leave the stage while the hosts end the show as usual. They hand over their mics and ear pieces and head back to the dressing room. The whole walk their Jungkook felt like he was on cloud nine.

This is what euphoria feels like.

Jungkook is knocked out of his reverie when Jimin throws his arms around him in a tight hug, like he always does after a good performance.

“It was so good Kookie!” Jimin says happily.

Jungkook wraps his arms around the elder’s waist and tightly returning the embrace, nearly lifting Jimin off the ground with his hard the hug is.

“Yes you were,” Jungkook eventually says.

“You mean we.”

“No, I mean you.”

Jimin pulls back enough to squint at Jungkook in the face and Jungkook can’t stop the giggles that bubble out of him. He’s still holding Jimin close and their faces are just far enough apart to look each other in the eyes.

“But it’s your song,” Jimin argues along with his squint.

“You made it better,” Jungkook replies softly, fully aware he isn’t hiding his feelings in the slightest. Jimin’s expression relaxes and he watches the younger’s gaze examine, eyes lingering on his lips before flicking up to make eye contact.

Kiss him.

A quick knock and the door opening makes both of them jump apart comically. It’s just Namjoon who enters and he switches his focus between the two of them with a growing smirk.

“Am I interrupting?” Namjoon asks cheekily. He knows with how Jimin and Jungkook are both blushing and avoiding eye contact with another he absolutely did.

“No. Not at all,” Jimin quickly says.

“Uh huh okay,” Namjoon replies, obviously not believing him. “Well your performance has made the internet explode again. And the song is already blowing up with listens.”

“That’s good!” Jimin says happily.

“Indeed. But producers are peeved that someone deviated,” Namjoon says, eyes switching to Jungkook specifically. “But viewers loved it so they can’t get that mad. But expect to get a lecture later Kookie.”

“Fair,” Jungkook sighs, earning a quiet giggle from Jimin that makes his heart flip.

Namjoon proceeds to talk about the following week’s episode, since it has no performance but will involve an interview for both of them. While Jimin listens attentively, Jungkook is not focusing at all to be honest. His thoughts are lost in what would have happened if Namjoon hadn’t shown up right when he did.

What if you kissed him?

What if he kissed you?

What if he feels the same way you do?

“Jungkook.”

Jungkook startles at being directly addressed. Namjoon is standing directly in front of him, eyeing him with a knowing glance that burns through his soul.

“Yeah?”

“You good?” Namjoon asks, choosing his words carefully since Jimin is still in the room, currently changing out of his stage outfit.

“Yeah. I’m good,” Jungkook answers, because he is good. Great even. He doesn’t want the night to end. Namjoon places a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, much like how the younger does to Jimin. Jungkook is reluctant to meet Namjoon’s eyes, already knowing what the look will be. But he does anyway to find what he expected, which is those golden eyes holding a weary but knowing look that makes Jungkook’s heart ache. It’s a look of warning, a look to remind him that he can’t have what he really wants.

“All yours Kook,” Jimin says when he emerges, passing the pair without a single look.

“Thanks,” Jungkook mumbles, moving away from his manager to change so they can leave.

It takes twenty minutes to get to the lobby of the network building because everyone keeps stopping them to congratulate their performance. Jungkook spends most of those interactions watching Jimin, who is bashful and sweet to every idol and CEO that approaches him. Jungkook loves it, but it also further pushes his forlorn feeling that Jimin will never be his. Not how he wants him anyway.

“Are you okay?” Jimin asks when they finally start their journey home.

“Yeah. Just tired,” Jungkook lies. He can feel Jimin’s eyes survey him but the elder says nothing and the rest of the drive is silent as Jungkook’s heart aches for the boy who is so close but also too far.

--

“Hyung have you seen these headlines?!” Jungkook says excitedly as he bursts into his office, knowing Namjoon is already there. It’s the day after their collab performance and Jungkook woke up to thousands of notifications from both fans and news sites about their performance.

“Some of them,” Namjoon answers patiently, needing to balance Jungkook’s enthusiasm. “Which ones have you this excited on a Saturday work day?”

“That it’s the collab of the year! And all sorts of praise about the performance! And that we look good together!”

It slips before Jungkook thinks it through and regret immediately smacks him in the chest like he was hit by a truck. He stares wide-eyed at his manager, who simply sighs before speaking.

“You fell, didn’t you?” Namjoon asks, his expression already showing he knows the answer.

“I… I couldn’t help it okay,” Jungkook sighs, accepting defeat. “I know it is stupid of me, but I couldn’t stop myself from falling.”

“You haven’t done anything about it, have you?”

“Meaning what?”

“You and Jimin. You’re not together or anything without me knowing right?”

“Of course not! I wouldn’t hide that from you hyung.”

“Good,” Namjoon says and then sighs, standing from his desk to move towards the younger. “Kookie I want you to be happy, you know that right?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook mumbles, preparing himself for the hard truth.

“You can’t be with him. I hate to say it Kook I really do, but it will hurt your career. And it would hurt Jimin’s as well.”

“Are you using him against me hyung?”

“I’m speaking the truth Jungkook,” Namjoon says seriously. “We both know how harsh this industry is. Even if there are people who champion a relationship between you two, if that actually happens the backlash will be huge. A homosexual relationship between an idol and his boss will not go over well and could severely hurt everything you’ve both worked towards.”

“I know hyung,” Jungkook sighs. “Just… why can’t I have both?”

“I wish you could Kookie,” Namjoon says softly, an apologetic look in his eyes. “I really do.”

Jungkook stays silent, his eyes starting to burn as hot tears pool. He already knew all of this was the case, but it doesn’t hurt any less. Namjoon pulls him into a comforting hug, which doesn’t help Jungkook’s desire to not start crying.

“Maybe one day you can have everything you want Kookie,” Namjoon soothes.

One day.

If I’m lucky.

Chapter Text

Jimin usually doesn’t check what is being said about him online to keep some level of separation and sanity. But when he wakes up the day after his performance with Jungkook, he can’t resist. So he snatches his phone from his nightstand and begins to scroll.

Various news sites have different articles that Jimin skims, talking about how their duet was the best of the night and complimenting how well their voices went together and made the song better. A few of these articles point out how Jimin has done nothing but excel on the show so far, thus challenging the stereotypes his eyes labelled him with. Those pieces should be what Jimin gets the most elated by.

But then there are the articles about how he and Jungkook look good together, paired with photos taken from the show when Jungkook stayed by his side for critique. The comments on that article just further emphasis how the internet thinks they’d make a cute couple.

It’s Twitter that really starts to make Jimin’s mind reel.

We do look like a couple.

We could be a couple.

“Fuck what am I thinking?!” Jimin mutters to himself, tossing his phone down the bed and flopping back amongst the pillows.

You can’t fall for your boss.

That can only end badly.

The knocking at his door makes him jump, but it could only be one person and he could use a good talk with him.

“Come in!” Jimin calls, still lying in bed. Taehyung is quick to enter with a smirk on his face already and now Jimin is questioning if he really wants to talk to him now.

“You’d tell me if you had feelings for Jungkook, right?” Taehyung asks immediately, plopping down at the foot of the bed to look at Jimin.

“What? I don’t-”

“I didn’t ask if you did have them. Just if you’d tell me.”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know. But you two seem real close based on that duet. You both looked smitten,” Taehyung muses.

“Both?” Jimin asks, nerves crawling up his system.

“Yep. And you two did sing a love song so maybe you’re just really great actors. But I have a feeling that isn’t the case.”

Jimin sighs deeply, covering his face with the covers still on him as his cheeks flush.

“I don’t know how I feel Tae,” Jimin whines from his hiding spot. “He’s my boss. That alone is a huge red stop sign with flashing danger lights.”

“I mean you aren’t wrong.”

“So it doesn’t matter how I feel. I can’t feel. End of story,” Jimin says, dropping the sheet from his face to look at the younger. “Right?”

“I can’t really speak for you Minie. Of course there are a lot of downsides and just straight up issues. You’re boss and employee as well as both public figures. But you know I am a hopeless romantic and seeing you look so happily in love with him warmed my heart, and double so when he looked at you the same way.”

“I’m not in love!” Jimin defends quickly. “And he doesn’t look at me that way.”

“Beg to differ. Sure he is mister good at everything, but he was not acting from what I saw. He couldn’t even leave your side after the performance and looked completely infatuated with you. And most of the internet agrees with me.”

Jimin groans, rolling onto his stomach to bury his face in the pillows as it grows red all the way to the tips of his ears. He was already having to deal with figuring out his own feelings towards Jungkook and subsequently squashing them into the deepest depths of his soul. But hearing that Jungkook looks in love with him sets his stomach on fire and his heart tumbles happily with hope. And it shouldn’t do that, which makes it all worse.

Jimin’s phone rings from the foot of the bed and when Jimin makes no motion to answer it, Taehyung grabs it and answers without checking the caller id.

“Jimin’s phone,” he answers cheerily and like he is Jimin’s personal assistant. His cheesy cheeriness subsides immediately, and he chokes on the following words, “Yeah he’s right here.”

He holds the phone out and slaps Jimin’s ass to make him look up. Jimin reaches his hand back without moving anything else and once the phone is to his year, he turns his head to not be muffled.

“Hello?”

“Jimin.”

Oh fuck.

Jimin sits up so fast he almost feels dizzy. He shouldn’t be surprised to have Jungkook calling him, but after his conversation with Taehyung just now his heart and mind are racing.

“Oh hi Jungkook,” Jimin replies, trying to sound as even as possible.

“Who answered your phone?” Jungkook asks, sounding surprisingly serious even for him when in full formal professional mode. It’s been so long since Jungkook has spoken to him like that and it makes Jimin’s heart drop.

“My roommate,” Jimin answers, looking panicked towards Taehyung. “I’ve told you about him. Taehyung.”

Taehyung now looks panicked and confused, opening and closing his mouth like a fish because he wants to ask but knows better to not while Jimin is on the phone.

“Oh,” Jungkook replies, sounding surprised and, is that relief? Jimin can’t think about it because Jungkook continues talking. “Anyway, can you come to the company today?”

“Today? It’s Saturday,” Jimin asks. He usually gets Saturday as a rest day, something Jungkook insisted he take for his health, both mental and physical.

“I know. But Yoongi-hyung has a first draft of Filter and he wants to put your vocals on it to demo before finalizing anything.”

“Oh,” Jimin replies, perking up a little bit. “Then yeah I can come in. When?”

“Now?” Jungkook asks.

“Um okay,” Jimin replies. “See you soon then.”

“See you,” Jungkook responds softly, and those two words somehow made Jimin’s heart flip. He ends the call abruptly and then scrambles out of bed to get ready.

“What have you told Jeon Jungkook about me?” Taehyung asks immediately.

“Just that you’re my best friend and how you always support me,” Jimin answers as he digs through his closet. “He was trying to claim he was my best friend but I told him about you. But he was determined to be my best friend anyway so yeah.”

“And is he?”

“Is he what?” Jimin questions, pulling out one of his nicer sweaters.

“Your best friend.”

“Oh. Um I guess kind of? I don’t know we have gotten a lot closer. It’s definitely different than out friendship but still close and unique,” Jimin rambles, nervously bunching the sweater in his hands.

“Uh huh,” Taehyung responds carefully. “Want to explain what makes it unique?”

“He just…understands,” Jimin explains with a sigh. “Like I love you Tae you know that. But you don’t completely understand how it feels to be…so different.”

“And he does?”

“Well yeah. We have had a lot of similar feelings over our own situations, even though we are completely opposites technically. So it’s just been really nice to have that connection.”

“And you’re sure that connection is purely platonic?”

“Tae, I told you. I can’t,” Jimin sighs, turning to find a pair of jeans to wear.

“I get that. But that doesn’t mean you haven’t developed feelings,” Taehyung argues. Jimin frowns at his friend, brows furrowed in thought before deflating.

“I don’t know Tae. I’ve thought about it but I can’t get past the fact he’s my boss,” Jimin admits. “And I know you and the internet say he has feelings, but I don’t think he does. He is a good boss and a great friend who does care about me, but not in a romantic way.”

“Well I disagree, but you do see him more than I do. So maybe he was just a great actor while singing his top love song directly at you.”

“Laying it on thick there aren’t you?” Jimin teases, finally changing into his chosen clothes regardless of Taehyung’s presence.

“I’m telling it like it is,” Taehyung replies with a shrug. “And is there a reason you are dressing so nice to go to work on your day off in a hurry?”

“Can’t I look nice?” Jimin defends.

“You can. Just want to know if it was for any reason. Or any person,” Taehyung implies. Jimin rolls his eyes and goes to the bathroom without answering the younger at all.

He looks over his appearance in the mirror then, now debating if he was dressing too nice.

You can look nice whenever you want.

It doesn’t have to be for anyone else.

You don’t need to impress him.

Him?!

Jimin snapped himself out of his thoughts, deciding that thinking about it too much was worse than ignoring it entirely. He can shove away these thoughts and feelings surely.

--

“You look nice.”

Jimin startles, almost dropping his coffee as he spins around to see Jungkook eyeing him.

“Can I not look nice when I want?” Jimin asks nervously. Jungkook quirks an eyebrow at him in confusion over the response before speaking again.

“Of course you can. Can I not compliment you on it?” Jungkook asks.

“Of course you can,” Jimin replies nervously. Why is Jungkook making him so nervous suddenly?

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks, chest tightening seeing Jimin so frazzled. He hasn’t seen the elder act this way. Usually when nervous or uncertain, he gets shy. But right now he’s jumpy, his eyes avoiding Jungkook’s entirely, and it is making the younger nervous.

“Yeah of course I am,” Jimin deflects quickly. He turns to head to Genius Lab then and he can sense Jungkook on heels.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure Kookie,” Jimin replies, flashing a smile to ease Jungkook enough to stop asking. The younger doesn’t fully buy it, but elects to drop it.

“Okay,” Jungkook relents. And awkward silence falls between them as they make their way to Yoongi’s studio and Jungkook feels anxiety start to boil up.

“Did you see the reaction to our performance?” he asks tentatively.

“Uh yeah,” Jimin responded, worrying his bottom lip after. Jungkook eyes the action carefully and his anxiety spikes seeing Jimin feeling seemingly awkward about it.

He must have seen the couple stuff.

And he is now uncomfortable with me.

Fuck.

“A lot of good things. Was nice to see,” Jimin adds, turning to look at Jungkook with a gentle smile.

“Yeah,” Jungkook replies softly.

Okay so maybe he isn’t uncomfortable with me?

And he is okay with the couple things?

Does that mean-

“Good you’re here,” Yoongi says, opening a recording room presumably when he heard the pair approach. He ushers them inside and immediately starts going over his idea and what he was written so far.

“Wow hyung this is great,” Jimin compliments with a genuine smile.

“What do you think Kook?” Yoongi asks, snapping Jungkook back to the conversation when his mind had drifted into trying to figure out what was wrong with Jimin.

“Oh um yeah. If Jimin is happy I’m happy,” Jungkook responds. Yoongi lifts an eyebrow at him in skepticism, but says nothing about it.

“Can you record some vocals Min?” Yoongi then asks. Jimin nods eagerly before hoping of the couch and going into the recording booth.

“What’s up?” Yoongi asks Jungkook then, still eyeing him suspiciously.

“Does Jimin seem off to you?” Jungkook asks back.

“Not really. Why?”

“He’s been acting weird with me today.”

“Weird how?”

“Like jumpy. I don’t know. I feel like something has changed between last night and today.”

“Ready,” Jimin spoke into the mic. Yoongi spun back around and began instructing Jimin, flipping back into work mode seamlessly while Jungkook was still stuck on his worries.

They spend almost two hours in the studio, and Jungkook doesn’t manage to relax about his concerns despite seeing Jimin having relaxed himself. But when Jimin steps out of the both with his big, crescent-eye smile directly towards him, his heart completely melts.

“How was it?” Jimin asks Jungkook specifically, and now Jungkook’s puddle heart is flipping somehow.

“Great, as always,” Jungkook answers with his own smile. He gently places a hand on the elder’s shoulder and Jimin tenses briefly as he does, looking a bit shocked even though this was an action Jungkook did frequently.  Jungkook’s expression scrunched in confusion about it but Yoongi interrupts before the youngest can ask anything.

“I’ll cobble a demo together and sent it to you tomorrow,” Yoongi said towards Jungkook.

“It can wait till Monday hyung,” Jungkook counters. “That way we can all meet and go over it.”

“All?” Jimin asks quietly.

“Yeah,” Jungkook assures, looking back to Jimin with another confused look. Why would Jimin question that? Jimin simply nodded and then stepped away from Jungkook, having his hand slip off his shoulder.

“Okay well I’m still gonna go work on it now,” Yoongi announces. He gestures a small wave of goodbye before leaving the two alone in the studio.

“Jimin,” Jungkook starts tentatively, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Something seems wrong.”

“What?” Jimin asks awkwardly, not making eye contact.

“Yeah. Does it have anything to do with our performance or the reactions?” Jungkook asks, aching to know if that is the case although hoping it isn’t.

“No!” Jimin answers quickly, eyes snapping to meet Jungkook’s. “No of course not.”

“Then what’s wrong?” Jungkook asks softly, genuinely worried about Jimin’s sudden behavior shift. He steps towards Jimin who seems to tense slightly but doesn’t back away. Jungkook examines Jimin’s face carefully for any tell of his concerns, but before he can decipher anything, Jimin is wrapping his arms around his waist in a hug.

“Sorry,” Jimin sighs, holding Jungkook close. The younger is stunned, not having expected any sort of contact with how jumpy Jimin has been all day. He snaps himself out of it enough to hug Jimin back, pulling him even closer for further comfort.

“You don’t need to apologize. I just…” Jungkook trails off, soaking in the feeling of holding Jimin like this. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. And help if you aren’t.”

“I’m fine. I promise,” Jimin answers, and based on how Jimin relaxes in Jungkook’s arms makes the younger believe him.

“Is it cause I asked you to come here so suddenly on your rest day?” Jungkook theorizes, trying to find any explanation for the elder’s behavior.

“Yeah,” Jimin answers hesitantly, so Jungkook doesn’t believe that is actually the case. He chews on his bottom lip in thought before pulling back to look at the elder properly.

“You’d tell me if something is every wrong, right?” Jungkook asks. He always made it clear that Jimin could trust him with anything, but maybe Jimin was still skeptical of that.

“Yeah, of course,” Jimin assures with a soft nod.

“And if not me you can talk to Namjoon-hyung,” Jungkook offers as well. He just wants the best for Jimin, maybe more than he really should.

“I know,” Jimin affirms with a gentle, warm smile. “Thanks Jungkook.”

“Any time hyung,” Jungkook replies. Jimin steps out of the hug which makes Jungkook’s heart ache slightly, having to let go of the elder never what he wants.

“Can I go home? Or am I still needed?” Jimin asks then, his slight awkwardness creeping back up.

“Go home and relax,” Jungkook decides. “I can call Sejin to give you a ride.”

“Oh no don’t worry about that!” Jimin quickly declines. “I could use the walk honestly.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Good way to clear the head,” Jimin explains. He quickly grabs his bag and with a small smile he leaves the studio, and thus leaving Jungkook alone.

Jungkook worried his bottom lip in thought. Jimin said he is fine, but something still seems off. But all Jungkook could do was hope that it was a fleeting feeling. Because as much as he didn’t want to believe it, he felt like Jimin’s sudden awkwardness has something to do with him.

Chapter Text

“Excited?”

“Nervous.”

Jimin fiddles with the hem of his sweater, looking down at his actions instead of making any eye contact with anyone else in the car. Or specifically Jungkook who is sitting beside him with a worried expression.

“Why are you nervous?” Jungkook asks carefully. It seems that Jimin has been nothing but nervous when around Jungkook the past few days, and it’s making the younger start to panic.

“I’m going to be judged.”

“Judged? There is no judging this week.”

“Not that kind of judging,” Jimin sighs, still refusing to look over at Jungkook. “Judged by the media and the world.”

“How is it any different than any other show?” Jungkook asks, brows furrowing trying to understand.

“Because this time I can’t rely on dancing or singing to be what people watch. It’s just me.”

“Well that is kind of the point,” Jungkook replies stupidly. Jimin just sighs and turns his head to face the window and watches as the buildings grow in familiarity.

“I’m not interesting Jungkook. I’m not charming. I have no personality worth paying attention to.”

“None of that is true,” Jungkook is quick to say. “You are definitely charming and interesting.”

“Not as much as you,” Jimin mumbles.

“Don’t compare us Jimin,” Jungkook says calmly. “You are just as charming as I am, if not more. You’re very likeable and have tons of personality that audiences will love to see. Don’t sell yourself short.”

Jimin turns his head to look at Jungkook then and the earnest expression the younger gives makes Jimin’s heart start to race.

“Don’t you think it will be boring following me around for a whole day?”

“First off, it isn’t a full day. It’s only the coffee shop and Hoseok-ssi’s studio. And even if it was a full day, it wouldn’t be boring. And I would know because I spend every day with you,” Jungkook assures with a smile.

“We’re here,” Namjoon announces from the front seat, stepping out of the car and opening the backseat door for the younger two. Jimin hops out, his nerves still bubbling inside him despite being at a place he usually finds so comforting.

“Jiminie!”

Jimin’s tension melts away hearing Jin call for him, his bright green eyes a welcome sight. Jimin rushes up to the elder and hugs him close, earning a bubbly laugh from the taller man.

“Thank you for doing this,” Jimin mumbles into the hug.

“For you Min, it is no problem at all,” Jin assures. “Plus it’ll be good publicity.”

“Minie!” Taehyung’s voice calls from down the street. The blue-eyed boy rushes over, crashing into Jimin with a bone-crushing hug.

“Tae I saw you this morning,” Jimin laughs, still happy to accept the hug and it’s calming qualities.

“I’m excited. This will be fun!” Taehyung replies.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Namjoon says suddenly, having approached the trio. “But I have to steal Jimin so we can do a run down with the crew.”

“No problem!” Taehyung says with a boxy grin, pushing Jimin towards Namjoon. “We’ll see you inside.”

Jimin smiles apologetically to his friends and follows his manager over to where a few familiar crew members have started to unload equipment. A producer approaches them, already rambling off what kinds of shots they need and asking a million questions that Namjoon has most of the answers to, much to Jimin’s surprise.

“So what’s the story we’re going with?” the producer asks, turning to Jimin specifically who just blinks at her in confusion.

“Story?” he asks.

“Yes. What do we want the viewers to see and learn about you? Who is the idol really?”

“Let’s not focus on him being an idol.”

The new voice is unmistakable Jungkook, and Jimin whips around to look at him with a nervous, questioning expression.

“Care to elaborate Jungkook-ssi?” the producer asks, with a skeptical look.

“Well let’s be blunt: Jimin is not like any of the other contestants for multiple reasons,” Jungkook begins, moving to stand beside the person in question. “So giving him an idol narrative doesn’t make much sense in the long run. He hasn’t been training for years. He hasn’t dedicated his life to this in the same way others have. He’s the opposite of the standard idol.”

Jimin feels his heart start to race in panic, not understanding where Jungkook is going with this. He watches the younger carefully while he patiently continues his explanation.

“So instead of making some story or sticking Jimin into a narrative that doesn’t fit, just capture reality. Let Jimin tell his story how he wants so it can be genuine.”

The producer easily agrees and is quick to turn back to the crew to explain what the plan is. Jimin is quick to grab Jungkook’s arm to get his attention, because he went from simply nervous to complete panic.

“You want me to lead this?!” Jimin whisper-yells. “But I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what I’m doing Jungkook.”

“Hey calm down for a second,” Jungkook says softly, placing both hands on Jimin’s shoulders to ground him. “I know it sounds like I put it all on your shoulders, but we’re a team. I’ll be here the whole day to help.”

“Okay but what story do I have to tell? I’m not interesting Jungkook. There is no story.”

“Breathe,” Jungkook says, starting his own deep breathing to encourage Jimin to breathe with him, which the elder does. “All I want you to do is be yourself. Interact with your friends, pretend the cameras aren’t even around. Answer questions if asked, and that is it, okay?”

Jimin simply nods, lowering his gaze as he tries to calm down and process the plan. Jungkook however lifts Jimin’s face up by the chin so their eyes meet, and it sends Jimin’s heart into a tailspin.

“I promise that everyone will love you,” Jungkook assures sincerely, smiling reassuringly as he does.

Do you love me?

The thought makes Jimin’s brain become a hurricane of feelings, overwhelming him enough to jump away from Jungkook in a panic. The action makes Jungkook panic as well, staring wide-eyed in confused shock at the action.

“Jimin,” Namjoon summons then and Jimin thanks the stars for saving him from this moment.

“Coming,” Jimin calls back and immediately walks away without giving Jungkook another glance, not sure his heart could handle connecting with those multicolored eyes. He can feel them watching him carefully as is, which is already doing weird things to his feelings. Eye contact would set off a dangerous explosion.

“You okay?” Namjoon asks, quirking his eyebrow upon seeing Jimin looking panicked.

“Yeah, just nervous,” Jimin deflects.

“No need to stress. You have Jungkook and I here to help,” Namjoon reassures.

That is part of the problem.

“I know,” Jimin answers instead. “You um needed me?”

Namjoon proceeds to go back to work, being the connecting person between the cameras and Jimin as they start filming. Jimin started to relax a little, but every time he saw Jungkook out of the corner of his eye, he would start to panic over whether or not the cameras could tell he had feelings for his boss.

“Hey what’s up with you?” Taehyung whispered between takes at one point, sensing Jimin’s worrying.

“Jungkook,” Jimin whispers back.

“What about him?”

“He-”

“Jimin.”

“Speak of the devil,” Taehyung murmured as Jungkook approached, looking very concerned at Jimin specifically.

“Yeah?” Jimin musters, forcing himself to look at the younger despite the pounding in his heart.

“Can we talk?”

“That’s my cue,” Taehyung says and immediately walks away to leave them alone.

“Talk about what?” Jimin stutters slightly.

“I know we joke about having some sort of psychic, special eye connection but I know something is wrong. You seem really stressed,” Jungkook states.

“I…” Jimin trails off awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

“I just want to help hyung,” Jungkook assures. “I know this is all way outside of your comfort zone. I need you to tell me what you need to get through it.”

Jimin lets out a long, shaky exhale. His undefined feelings are getting the best of him and he can’t let that happen.

“Sorry,” Jimin mumbles.

“No don’t be sorry,” Jungkook jumps in. “It’s okay to be stressed about all of this. I just don’t want it to get so overwhelming you shut down on us.”

Jimin simply nods, feeling guilty for letting emotions take over his better judgment. He should be focused on the filming, not on feelings.

“So what do you need?” Jungkook asks gently, tilting his head to make eye contact with the elder. Jimin worried his bottom lip in thought and just lets his instincts take over, wrapping his arms around the younger’s waist in a gentle hug. Jungkook happily returns the hug, keeping it gentle and friendly like how Jimin initiated it, and his heart warms at the action.

“We still have some filming to do here before we got to the studio,” Jungkook informs. Jimin pulls out of the hug and nods with a deep breath, seeming more composed but still nervous. “Better?”

“Yeah,” Jimin assures with a gentle smile. The producer summons Jimin again and they go back to filming, leaving Jungkook to wander back to Namjoon who was watching on from a table in the far corner.

“Everything okay?” Namjoon asks quietly when Jungkook returns looking slightly downtrodden.

“I don’t know,” Jungkook sighs.

“Still think it has something to do with you?”

Jungkook worries his bottom lip briefly before looking over his shoulder back at the shoot. Jimin seems more relaxed now, talking to Taehyung, laughing and smiling. It makes Jungkook’s heart smile.

“I haven’t completely ruled that out,” Jungkook answers honestly. “He is still very jumpy and nervous with me and I don’t know why. Nothing has changed between us as far as I know.”

“As far as you know,” Namjoon parrots, a flash of understanding in his golden eyes to imply he knows more.

“All I know is he is stressed and I want him to not be,” Jungkook continues, ignoring the knowing expression of the elder.

“Maybe it’s just because this week is so different from every other. He’s further out of his comfort zone than usual. So maybe once this episode passes everything will calm back down,” Namjoon theorizes, although not sounding sold on it entirely.

“Maybe,” Jungkook mumbles, turning his attention back to watch the shooting. Or rather watch Jimin.

Jimin becoming constantly nervous has by proxy done the same to Jungkook. But Jungkook is mostly nervous that his relationship with Jimin has somehow been strained. He’s also nervous that Jimin is not okay, and that thought makes his heart ache. Either way, he just wants to fix this.

“We’re done here,” the producer announces. The crew begins dismantling their set up so they can move to the next location, so Namjoon and Jungkook both make their way over to Jimin.

“Do we have time before we have to leave?” Jimin asks when the pair have joined him.

“Depends. Why?” Jungkook asks, tilting his head with curiosity.

“We want to steal him for a bit,” Taehyung explains, draping an arm over Jimin’s shoulder protectively.

“By steal, we mean lunch,” Jin further clarifies. “And it would be here.”

“We think Jimin could use some not-filmed friend time,” Taehyung adds with a grin to persuade Jungkook, who was already going to give in.

“Hyung what’s our schedule?” Jungkook turns to ask Namjoon.

“We’re actually ahead of schedule, so we have an extra hour before starting again.”

“That hour is yours,” Jungkook decides, smiling at Jimin who smiles brightly back at him for the first time in days. “We’ll go with the crew and send Sejin back to come get you, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks Kookie,” Jimin nods happily. It was like the old Jimin was back and Jungkook has never felt such a strong wave of relief before.

“Of course Min,” Jungkook replies, returning the smile. Taehyung and Jin quickly sweep Jimin away, chatting and laughing in a way that makes Jungkook feel mildly jealous of the bond they share. Or really jealous that he hasn’t been able to get Jimin to smile and laugh like that recently.

“Let’s go,” Namjoon prompts, eyeing the younger briefly before heading out. Jungkook follows him out, although he suddenly really wants to stay.

Even after the much needed respite with his friends, Jimin was still nervous to get back to filming. Thankfully though the first person he sees when arriving at the studio is Hoseok.

“Minie!” Hoseok says brightly as the younger steps out of the car. He quickly pulls him into a tight hug as if trying to squeeze out any negative energy and replace it with his personal sunshine.

“Hi Hobi,” Jimin replies, happily accepting the affection.

“I have to admit, this is a little crazy,” Hoseok says with a laugh.

“You’re telling me,” Jimin mumbles. The pair head up to the studio where the crew was just finishing their set up. Jungkook is quick to approach Jimin after entering, and the elder feels his anxieties spike again.

“So I told them I want footage of you two dancing together. Figured that would be great. And then also some of you dancing alone,” Jungkook explains to Jimin who simply nods.

“Is that it?”

“Uh no, but it’s what we’re starting with,” Jungkook answers a bit nervously. Jimin furrows his brows and is about to ask, but the producer summons him and Hoseok then to get started.

Dancing with Hoseok is the easiest part of the shoot by far, because it is mostly just Jimin and Hoseok laughing together and reminiscing about old choreography. Jimin takes the positive energy from that into filming his solo dancing. Once the crew is happy with that footage, they begin to change their set up for the next part while Jimin catches his breath.

“How’re you feeling?” Jungkook asks.

“Good,” Jimin replies with a genuine smile. Jungkook’s presence finally isn’t stressing him out, as long as he doesn’t let his mind wander.

“Good,” Jungkook muses. “So um this next part.”

“Yeah?”

“We want you to talk about your dance journey,” Jungkook explains, seeming awkward which sparks Jimin’s curiosity.

“Like what?”

“I want you to talk about being rejected over your eyes,” Jungkook admits, looking nervously at the elder. “And talk about how Hoseok-ssi accepted you and how that impacted you in the long run. And how you never gave up.”

“R-really?” Jimin asks softly, his nerves boiling up.

“I know it’s a sensitive subject, but I want you to be a little vulnerable,” Jungkook explains. “I’ll admit that the producers want it to make good TV. But I want you to do it so people understand just how incredible you are beyond your talent. You have so much determination and you’ve never let your circumstances hold you back. I know it’s a hard thing to talk about, but it’s part of your story and what has made you who you are which is an incredible person.”

Jimin takes a deep breath, scanning Jungkook’s face nervously. Jungkook decides to continue.

“Remember when I told you that the world should see all of you because all of you is worth seeing?”

“Yeah,” Jimin answers quietly.

“This is part of that. The world should see how resilient you’ve been,” Jungkook finishes with a reassuring smile.

“Okay,” Jimin answers. “Okay yeah I can do that.”

“You can refuse if you really don’t want to Min,” Jungkook offers, eyeing the elder carefully for any signs of hesitancy.

“No, I’ll do it,” Jimin assures with a gentle smile. Jungkook smiles back before turning to talk to the producer.

They set up the shot how they want, with the mural in the background and Jimin standing in front of it. He was nervous of course, but seeing the reassuring faces of Namjoon, Hoseok, and Jungkook next to the camera made it all a little easier.

Surprisingly talking about the challenges he faced before meeting Hoseok was not as difficult as Jimin expected. It was from that point on that became difficult.

“And then Hoseok-ssi invited me to a class and that-” Jimin was cut off by the lump that formed in his throat partnered by a quiet sob. “that was such a turning point because it showed that someone in the industry cared a-and-“

Tears started to spill, rolling down Jimin’s cheeks as he quietly began to cry. He tried to swallow it back down but it was too late.

“I-I’m sorry I-” Jimin said shakily but was cut off when he was suddenly pulled into a tight hug.

“Don’t be sorry,” Jungkook whispered as he held Jimin close. Hoseok was by his side as well then, rubbing his back soothingly while Jimin let himself cry into Jungkook’s shoulder. “Do you want to stop?”

“No,” Jimin mumbles, moving back to wipe his tears. “I just needed a second.”

“Do you want Hobi to stand with you?” Jungkook offers.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course it is,” Jungkook assures.

“Then yeah that would be nice,” Jimin says. Jungkook simply nods before walking over to the producer and talking to them about it.

“You know,” Hoseok says quietly so only Jimin can hear while they adjust the shot. “I was a little worried about when you signed with Jungkook. Because even though I worked with him once, I wasn’t exactly confident that you’d be treated how you deserve.”

Jimin simply blinks at the elder, wiping away the last of the tear trails from his face. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

“Because I’m not going to stop you from pursuing your dreams Min,” Hoseok answered. “And it turns out my worries were for nothing.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Honestly no CEO in this industry would ever comfort their idols. But Jungkook immediately did. He clearly cares about you a lot and I’m happy he does.”

Jimin turns to look over at Jungkook who looks over towards him at the same time, giving him a reassuring smile that makes Jimin’s heart melt at the sight.

“He does care a lot,” Jimin mumbles. He can feel his chest start to constrict as the emotions rise again, and he immediately has to shake the feelings away.

No Jimin.

No feelings allowed.

They resume filming, getting through the last of it with few tears shed and a lot of Hoseok hugs, which Jimin was more than happy to receive honestly. Once the producer declared they were finished, Jimin let out a long exhale of relief.

“You survived,” Jungkook teased lightly as Jimin approached, but the elder didn’t respond with words. Instead he wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s neck in a close hug that confused the younger.

“Thank you,” Jimin said softly.

“For what?” Jungkook questioned, tentatively hugging the elder back.

“For caring.”

Jungkook felt his heart explode at that, his nerves buzzing with happiness. He hugged Jimin closer, as if they were the only two in the room. But that fantasy was quickly ended by their mutual manager.

“So we’re done here. Tomorrow is your interviews at the network so you should head home and rest,” Namjoon explained, completely ignoring the little-too-intimate hug the pair was sharing.

“Right okay,” Jimin replied, stepping away from Jungkook.

“Producer wants to talk to you,” Namjoon says towards Jungkook. “Might be a while, so Jimin can go ahead and Sejin can come back for us.”

“Alright,” Jungkook agreed hesitantly. Honestly, producer be damned he wanted to spend more time with Jimin. Maybe more time hugging Jimin. Maybe-

“See you tomorrow,” Jimin interrupted his thoughts, softly smiling at the younger before heading off to say his goodbyes to Hoseok.

Jimin knew his feelings were on a slippery slope and could avalanche down at any moment. So he needed to get away from them without being away from Jungkook.

Totally doable.

Right?

--

“Ready?”

“Actually, yeah,” Jimin answered as he took his seat in the car beside Jungkook.

“Really?” Jungkook asked in mild disbelief. After the rampant nervousness over the last few days, he was expecting Jimin to be a stressed mess. But instead the elder seemed rather relaxed, much to the younger’s relief.

“Well hyung and I have been preparing for the interview a lot,” Jimin explained. “So I feel like I know what I’m getting into.”

“Good,” Jungkook replies with a smile. The rest of the drive is quiet, Namjoon being the one to speak the most as he reviews possible questions with both of them. As soon as they arrive at the network and enter the sound stage, Jimin is whisked away by stylists and then sat across from the female host of the show who would be the interviewer.

“How have you been Jimin?” she asked politely to ease them into the interview. “How has it been to be on a show like this?”

“It has been a whirlwind for sure,” Jimin answers honestly. “But everything has been an enjoyable experience thanks to all of the support I have gotten from both GC Entertainment and the fans.”

“Speaking of GC, how has it been working with someone as prominent and talented as Jeon Jungkook?”

“It has been eye-opening in a lot of ways,” Jimin starts, heart rate peaking slightly at the topic of Jungkook. “He has become one of the closest supporters in my life and I’m very thankful to get to work with him.”

The interviewer smiles and then switches cards and the way she looks up at Jimin again is all the tell Jimin needs to know where this interview is going.

“We have to ask what everyone has been talking about and that is about your eyes,” the interviewer starts and Jimin refrains from letting himself deflate over the inevitable topic. “The rhetoric we’ve seen is that, due to your lack of hue, you are ‘doomed to fail’ or ‘have no talent’. Has this been an obstacle you’ve face your whole life?”

“Yes. Nothing that has been said about me and my eyes is new to me. By default people assume I am a failure, or an idiot, or simply talentless. But these people don’t actually know anything about me, and they don’t want to try either, so I focus my attention on those who do know me and on making myself better.”

“That is very admirable,” the interviewer responded politely. “Do you ever wonder though that the assumptions are the truth in the end?”

“Did you know that when you combine all the different colors of light, they make white?” Jimin begins. “So who is to say that by default I am set to fail, especially when they don’t know me personally? People will always have their opinions and assumptions regardless, and they will never dictate the truth. I’ve worked hard and know what I am capable of. I am here after all. Being here is a success to me and that alone disproves any theories I’m set to fail.”

“That’s nice to hear,” she responded with a genuine smile, as if proud of Jimin’s answer.

The rest of the interview was light an easy, focusing on Jimin’s love of dance and wanting stories about his experiences learning the craft. Jimin happily talked about meeting Hoseok and how he was a big support and inspiration and overall Jimin left the interview feeling relieved.

“You were great,” Namjoon whispered when Jimin met him just behind the cameras.

“Thanks,” Jimin sighed quietly. The crew was bustling around to set up for Jungkook’s interview, with younger already striking up a conversation with the interviewer. Jungkook oozed effortless charm, and even though Jimin knew it was Jungkook becoming Jeon Jungkook for the camera, something about his warm and personable persona still warmed his heart.

“You’re done for the day if you want to go change and then head home,” Namjoon offered with a small smile. Jimin simply nodded and made his way to the dressing room.

By the time he changed back into his street clothes and removed the makeup, Jungkook’s interview had started. Jimin was just going to sneak back in and wait for the younger to be done so they could leave together like usual. He snuck in and stayed back against the far wall to not interrupt anything or distract Jungkook. He knew he couldn’t be seen by Jungkook that far back since he couldn’t see back there because of the lights.

“How much influence would you say you have had on Jimin and his performance thus far?” the interviewer asked.

“The talent you see on that stage every week is all Jimin. I simply found him and wanted to support his pre-existing talents.”

“Speaking of finding him. You are often said to be an all-rounder of sorts and are frequently successful at what you take on. Did that influence your decision on taking a risk on Jimin?”

“Excuse me?” Jungkook says, a quirked eyebrow and sudden unamused expression. “Jimin isn’t a risk. I never considered him one.”

“It does seem like a bold decision though.”

“Not at all,” Jungkook answers simply.

“But as a new company, don’t you consider taking on an older and potentially unsuccessful trainee to be a risk?”

“He was never a risk. In fact, I was the risk if anything. Jimin trusting me and a brand-new company was the risk. He is undeniably talented as we see every week and if people would get past solely looking at his eyes, they would see that.”

“You seem to feel very strongly about Jimin. Is there a reason why?”

“It’s simple,” Jungkook says calmly. “I have seen, like you all have, how gifted he truly is. And I have seen the unwarranted difficulties and blatant hate he receives solely because his eyes are the opposite of mine. He doesn’t deserve any of that and I will stand firmly in support of him and against the uncalled-for bigotry.”

Jimin was shocked. He knew Jungkook believed in him but something about the way he is speaking of him in this moment, when Jimin is presumably not around, is making Jimin emotional. It’s making him feel things he told himself he wasn’t allowed to feel, that he was determined to not let avalanche. But the avalanche began anyway.

Jimin rushed out of the studio again as discreetly as possible, feeling his eyes water and chest tighten with the overwhelming emotion. He hurried back to the dressing room and quickly locked the door behind him after entering.

“Shit,” Jimin muttered shakily. “I have feelings.”

He can’t deny it as they strongly hit him, refusing to be denied any longer. He has feelings for Jungkook. Strong feelings. Romantic feelings. He’s fallen for his boss and can’t deny it anymore.

A knock on the door makes him jump. “Who is it?”

“Jungkook.”

“Fuck,” Jimin mumbles to himself. He aggressively wipes away the tears that were building in his eyes but had yet to shed. He took a deep breath and then moved to the door, unlocking it and opening it for the younger. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Jungkook said softly, eyeing the elder and his brows furrow quickly. “What’s wrong?”

“Why would something be wrong?” Jimin tries to deflect, but the way his voice shakes ever so slightly gives him away.

“Hyung,” Jungkook says carefully. “You look overwhelmed.”

I am overwhelmed.

Overwhelmingly in love with you.

Jimin inhales a sharp breath with the word love coming to mind so easily. Jungkook’s expression flicks to panic, having heard that, and he steps inside the room quickly and shuts the door behind him.

“What do you need?” Jungkook asks quickly, eyes surveying Jimin carefully, his rainbow eyes filled with worry. “Is this because of the interview? And the questions? Because, hyung, you answered them beautifully.”

“Jungkook it’s not that,” Jimin tries to assuage, voice still shaky as nervous energy fills him.

“Then what is it?”

“I-”

I’m in love with you.

And I shouldn’t be.

But I am.

And it scares me.

“I just got a little emotional,” Jimin answers with instead. “And then your knock startled me. I’m fine I promise.”

“Really?” Jungkook asks gently, but skeptically.

“Promise,” Jimin says, forcing a soft smile. “I would tell you otherwise.”

Jungkook eyes him carefully, brows furrowed in concentration. He says nothing but pulls Jimin into a hug, which does nothing to help Jimin’s overwhelming feelings. But he hugs him back, trying his best shove his realization down so he can get through this moment.

“I meant what I said,” Jungkook says after a moment. “Your answers were beautiful. Perfectly Jimin.”

“Really?” Jimin mumbles.

“Really,” Jungkook assures softly. He pulls back to look at the elder and the softness in his eyes makes Jimin’s heart flip. The look seems fond, even affectionate, and it’s making Jimin’s mind spin out of control.

“Thanks Kook-ah,” Jimin says. He pulls out of the hug and takes a deep breath to regain some level of composure. “Um, are we done?”

“Oh yeah. Hyung is probably waiting for us in the lobby,” Jungkook says, seeming a bit nervous to Jimin. But Jimin is too focused on his own nervousness that he ignores it. He nods and the pair leave the dressing room together, seeming to be fine despite Jimin’s internal screaming.

“So since we don’t have a live show tomorrow, I want you to take the day off,” Jungkook says after they’ve begun the drive to their respective homes.

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’ve been working hard. You deserve some extra time off,” Jungkook reasons with a gentle, reassuring smile.

“Okay,” Jimin mumbles, secretly relieved for the extra time off to get his emotions in check. The rest of the drive is silent and after arriving to Jimin’s apartment, the elder bids a quick farewell before rushing inside.

“Hey! How was the-”

“I’m in love with Jungkook,” Jimin interrupts Taehyung, looking at his roommate panicked. Taehyung however remains completely calm, smiling gently at the elder.

“I knew that already.”

“No you assumed it.”

“Okay, but I wasn’t wrong now was I?”

Jimin collapses on the couch, the tears pooling in his eyes again. “Tae this is bad.”

“Why is it bad?” Taehyung asks calmly, sitting in the adjacent armchair.

“He is my boss. This is unprofessional a-and can ruin our careers if people find out,” Jimin says, voice cracking as the tears start to fall.

“Hey, Minie, don’t think that way,” Taehyung comforts, quickly moving to sit next to Jimin instead.

“But that is the reality of it, Tae. I-I can’t feel this way. I can’t be in love with him!”

“Jimin don’t deny how you feel,” Taehyung comforts, gently rubbing the elder’s back. “I get that it could have huge consequences if you act on it. But you don’t need to bully yourself for feeling it.”

“How am I supposed to keep working with him?”

“How has Jungkook been able to keep working with you?”

“What does that have to do with any of this?” Jimin asks, looking utterly perplexed.

“Because he is in love with you too.”

“No he isn’t.”

“Oh he absolutely is Minie. You’re just too close to see it.”

Jimin falls silent to think, fiddling with the sleeves of his hoodie. “That doesn’t matter.”

“Why not?”

“Because we can never act on it,” Jimin reasons. “Him loving me back, which I don’t believe, doesn’t suddenly make everything okay. This would be a career killer for both of us, and mostly for him.”

“Oh Jimin,” Taehyung sighs.

“I just have to forget about it. If I get in too deep, I’ll lose focus and could lose my dream. And I’m so close to it now.”

“If you say so,” Taehyung muses, pulling Jimin into a quick side hug. He gets up to return to his previous task, leaving Jimin on the couch deep in thought over the man he can never have.

--

Jimin spent all of Friday in bed, and the majority of it asleep. The trifecta of exhaustion, being physical, mental, and emotional, came crashing into him after his realization yesterday, so spending the day sleeping was all Jimin could manage to do.

On Saturday he determined he needed to do something so he wouldn’t spend his entire day thinking about Jungkook. He was trying to decide what when a knock rang from his bedroom door.

“I’m going to work,” Taehyung said after poking his head in.

“Okay,” Jimin responded, and then he had an epiphany. “Can I come with?”

“You want to come to the coffee shop? What are you going to do all day?”

“I can help out. I miss it and…” Jimin trails off. “I need a distraction.”

Taehyung nods in understanding and then gives Jimin is best boxy grin. “I’m sure Jin will love having you back even if only for a few hours.”

Jimin smiled brightly and then jumped up to get ready. Even though he was at the coffee shop a few days ago for the episode shooting, it wasn’t the same. It was all very staged, even his interactions with his friends were. But now he can just be himself.

“Jiminie!” Seokjin said happily seeing the younger. He quickly moved to hug the boy, squeezing him tight. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s my day off and I wanted to visit. Maybe help out,” Jimin answers.

“I should turn you away, but I miss your sassy self making iced americanos like you were born to,” Jin replies, earning a bright laugh from Jimin.

The trio seamlessly worked together as if Jimin had never left. Jimin stuck to making drinks alongside Taehyung while Jin handled the register and taking orders. It was a busy day, but it was so relaxing for Jimin.

He worked a full shift, despite Jin and Taehyung saying he should enjoy his day off as well. He eventually relented when the pair threatened to ban him from the shop jokingly. He definitely felt better, so he intended to ride the high of being with his friends for the rest of the night.

Jimin kicks off his shoes at the door when he returns to his apartment and is barely two steps beyond that when his phone goes off. He pulls it out of his pocket and sees Jungkook’s name which makes him furrow his brows in confusion.

“Hello?” Jimin answers suspiciously.

“What are you doing right now?” Jungkook asks.

“I just got home.”

“Any plans for the rest of the night?”

“No…”

“Good. I’m sending Sejin to pick you up.”

“What? Why?” Jimin asks, a mix of nerves and annoyance bubbling up. “It’s my day off.”

“I know. I didn’t say it was for work,” Jungkook explains calmly.

“Then why?”

“You’ll see.”

“Jungkook.”

“Jimin.”

“Why can’t you just tell me?”

“Why can’t you just trust me?”

Jungkook’s tone doesn’t signal any actual annoyance at the elder, but Jimin’s heart still drops at it. Jimin does trust him. He feels a lot of things about him. And that is the problem.

“Okay fine,” Jimin relents.

“Good. Sejin will be there in twenty.”

“Twenty?!” Jimin clarifies, nerves punching him the face at the short timeframe.

“Yep. Gotta go see you soon bye!” Jungkook rambles before hanging up.

In a mix of panic and frustration, Jimin peels out of his clothes to take the fastest shower of his life. He tries to find something else to wear but it doesn’t help that he doesn’t know what he is being summoned for, so he doesn’t know how to dress. He settles for nice jeans and a light blue button up he knows he looks great in, just in case he is having to meet people he has to impress. He has enough time to put on some light make up and get his hair suitably styled for still being damp before he hears his phone go off to indicate Sejin is there.

“Good evening Jimin-ssi,” Sejin says with a smile when Jimin exits the building.

“Hi. Do you know what this is all about?” Jimin asks abruptly as he gets in the car.

“Just where you’re going and to not tell you where,” Sejin answers before shutting the door and going back to the driver’s seat.

“Does he have a habit of blindsiding people with last second invites?”

“Not that I know of. He always has a reason for what he does though.”

With that they fall silent as Sejin drives through the bustling streets of Seoul. For six p.m. on a Thursday, the streets are already filled with club-goers to enjoy the nightlife. Jimin watches them absentmindedly out the window as a distraction from the anxiety brewing in his chest.

“We’ve arrived Jimin-ssi,” Sejin announces as he pulls in front of a tall building. Sejin hops out as he always does to open the door for Jimin, who smiles gratefully at him. “Take the elevator to the top floor and the first door you see is the one you want.”

“O-okay,” Jimin replies nervously. “Thank you Sejin-ssi.”

With a smile and a curt nod, Sejin returns to the car and drives off, leaving Jimin awkwardly walking into this increasingly fancy building the further inside he goes. The door man gives him a polite nod as he passes by and the security guard does the same. Both of those entities being here do nothing to settle Jimin’s nerves though.

One elevator ride later, he is facing the door in question which is also the only door in the whole hallway. Of course Jungkook owns an entire floor.

Jimin takes a deep breath and then knocks, hand shaking slightly as his knuckles rap against the wood. He worries his bottom lip as he waits and surprisingly doesn’t wait for very long as the door bursts open in front of him to reveal the young CEO.

“Hi!” Jungkook says cheerily, smiling brightly at Jimin before stepping aside to welcome the elder inside.

“Hi?” Jimin says hesitantly in return as he steps inside. He skims over Jungkook, who even in a slightly disheveled state looks very handsome. His dark hair hangs in his face slightly, and he is noticeable bare faced. He’s wearing simple jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, and oddly has a dish towel thrown over a shoulder.

“You look nice,” Jungkook comments, having been eyeing the elder while Jimin did the same to him.

“You didn’t tell me what we were doing so I assumed presentable was better than not,” Jimin argues, his cheeks tinging pink at the complement, nonetheless.

“Fair enough,” Jungkook replies with a shrug. He turns and walks out of the entryway so Jimin slips off his shoes before following the younger further inside.

“So what am I doing here?”

“Well,” Jungkook starts, stepping into his kitchen and tending to some pots on the stove. “You’ve been stressed lately. So I wanted to do something to help you relax.”

“So you invited me over for dinner?” Jimin hypothesizes based on the scene in front of him.

“Yeah,” Jungkook says, giving Jimin a big smile before returning his attention to the stove.

This, in normal circumstances, wouldn’t seem like a big deal. But Jimin’s heart is flailing. His boss, who he is also in love with, invited him to his penthouse to make him dinner. Not order takeout, but actually cook him dinner. And he looks so good doing it too.

“Need any help?” Jimin asks suddenly to distract himself from the slippery slope of his thoughts.

“Sure, you can pour yourself some wine and relax,” Jungkook answers, amused with himself.

“That doesn’t count as helping.”

“To me it does.”

Jimin rolls his eyes fondly and grabs the bottle of wine set nearby with two glasses. He pours a serving into each glass and then takes them both to join Jungkook further into the kitchen.

“Here,” Jimin says, holding out one glass for the younger. Jungkook quirks an eyebrow at him but takes the glass without questioning it further. “I didn’t expect you to cook.”

“Would you say it’s a good surprise?” Jungkook asks, gently prodding at some vegetables in a pan.

“Yeah,” Jimin answers wistfully. “I figured you’d be more of the takeout all the time kind of person.”

“What made you assume that?”

“You’re an idol. What free time do you have to cook?”

“Fair point,” Jungkook chuckles. “And to be fair I don’t cook that often. But I enjoy it and wanted to do it for you.”

Jimin’s heart flips hearing that Jungkook is doing this for him. The elder could easily let his mind wander and turn this into a date, because it has all the qualities of one. But this is his boss wanting to help his employee de-stress. That’s normal, right?

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jungkook requests, eyeing the elder who seems lost in thought.

“You think my thoughts are only worth a penny?” Jimin teases.

“Actually I’d pay millions of won to know what you’re thinking,” Jungkook admits sincerely, sending Jimin’s heart into another loop.

“Now you’re just trying to flatter me,” Jimin attempts to deflect, sipping his win to hide his increasing blush.

“And what if I am?” Jungkook retorts, smiling at the elder who is becoming more flustered.

“You’re too much,” Jimin mumbles, clearly failing at hiding his blush as the younger gazes over his features patiently.

“I think you enjoy it,” Jungkook replies, the butterflies in his stomach fluttering to life seeing Jimin like this and how natural this all feels. Jimin snaps his eyes to meet with Jungkook’s and it feels like time slows down briefly.

Kiss him.

“So um how much longer till food is ready?” Jimin asks abruptly to change the subject, averting his gaze and failing to hide his reaction.

“Oh um almost done actually. Can you grab plates? They’re in that cabinet,” Jungkook asks, pointing to a nearby cupboard. Jimin quickly does the task, grabbing two plates and going to the nearby dining table with them. Jungkook begins dishing all the different dishes while Jimin further sets the table, including moving their wine over for both of them.

“Wow Jungkook this looks amazing,” Jimin awes at the spread. Bulgogi, rice, kimchi, japchae, and more fill the table and all of it is mouth-watering.

“Thanks,” Jungkook replies and Jimin sees a blush creep over the younger’s cheeks. They both dig in, Jimin realizing he was much hungrier than he first thought. They have a casual conversation, with Jimin mainly talking about spending the day at the coffee shop while Jungkook actively listened.

This feels right.

“Let me help you,” Jimin orders after they finish dinner and Jungkook tries to insist on cleaning himself.

“You’re my guest hyung you don’t have to.”

“I want to,” Jimin assures, grabbing dishes from Jungkook and walking to the kitchen with them. Jungkook relents, mostly because the domesticity of this moment made his heart swell. So they clean up side by side, lightly joking and teasing one another and both feeling so much affection for one another but explicitly saying nothing about it.

“Want anymore wine?” Jungkook offers once they finish.

“No I’m good,” Jimin answers, worrying his bottom lip in nervous thought. He doesn’t want to leave yet, but also doesn’t want to overstay his welcome.

“Do you want to hang out some more?” Jungkook questions, hoping his intuition is right and telling him that Jimin doesn’t want to leave yet.

“Sure,” Jimin replies with a smile, proving Jungkook’s intuition correct. He heads towards the living room with Jungkook following, both sitting down on one of the couches with a content sigh.

“Why do you do all of this?” Jimin asks suddenly, his heart make decisions instead of his mind at this point.

“All of what?”

“All of this,” Jimin says, gesturing his arms around as if it clarifies anything. “What CEO invites an employee to their penthouse to cook them dinner because they are stressed?”

“You know I’m not your average CEO,” Jungkook deflects, his heart rate starting to increase over where this conversation could go.

“It’s almost like you’re not my boss at all sometimes,” Jimin continues. “Not in a like bad way. Just you do so much for me. And only for me. You never comfort me or help me because it ultimately helps the company. You just care so much.”

“Do you not want me to?” Jungkook asks, confusion increasing along with his heart rate.

“No, I want you to,” Jimin clarifies quickly. “I just don’t understand why you do it all. Why me?”

“Why not you?” Jungkook asks, almost offended that Jimin would question his deserving of care.

“I can think of some reasons,” Jimin mumbles, head dropping to watch as he fiddles with his sleeves.

Jungkook on instinct moves down the couch, gently lifting Jimin’s face by the chin to make eye contact before speaking.

“And all of those reasons are wrong. You deserve to be cared for. You deserve to be loved,” Jungkook assures, rainbow eyes reflecting so much affection it makes Jimin’s heart palpitate.

“Do you?” Jimin asks quietly.

“Do I what?”

“Do you love me?”

Jungkook’s heart rate skyrockets as it pounds in his chest. Alarm bells are ringing in his head, telling him to back away from this entirely. But his heart chooses to speak much too quick for his mind to stop it.

“I do,” Jungkook admits softly, staring deep into the opaque eyes of the elder looking back at him hopefully. “I love you.”

Jungkook watches Jimin’s reaction carefully as the elder’s eyes grow wide and fill with a million emotions at once. The longer Jimin says nothing the more panicked Jungkook becomes. Just as the younger is about to attempt to back track or make up some lie to clarify, Jimin speaks.

“I love you too,” Jimin whispers, eyes focused on the younger’s reactions now.

“What?” Jungkook asks, unsure if he heard him correctly as his doe eyes expand to twice their size.

“I love you, Jungkook,” Jimin says louder this time, although still soft. Jungkook blinks at him in shock, still ignoring the alarm bells ringing in his mind at an increased frequency. He eyes Jimin carefully as the elder starts to smile, seeming so relieved compared to a few moments ago. He looks in love and that is what makes Jungkook close the distance between them and softly kiss him.

It’s a sweet and tender kiss, with no rush but so full of love it makes them both melt into one another. Jungkook cups Jimin’s face in on hand while the other gently rests on the elder’s waist. Jimin snakes his arms around Jungkook’s neck, pulling them closer together in the process. They deepen this kiss, keeping it intimate but both succumb to their passion as it goes on. Jungkook licks over Jimin’s bottom lip and the elder easily lets the younger in, his tongue exploring eagerly.

It’s Jimin who changes their positions, pushing Jungkook back against the couch as he throws a leg over him, straddling the younger as he connects their lips again. Jungkook is briefly take aback but soon returns the lip lock with equal fervor as his hands find purchase on Jimin’s small waist.

Jimin gently tugs on Jungkook’s bottom lip with his teeth, pulling a soft groan out of the younger who then surges into a hungrier kiss, pushing his tongue into Jimin’s mouth to explore and pull soft moans from him.

“Jungkook,” Jimin gasps out of the kiss for air. “I want you. Do you-”

“Yes,” Jungkook immediately answers. “I’ve wanted you for so long.”

Jimin whimper quietly and proceeds to kiss down Jungkook’s jaw and down his neck. Jungkook drops his head back, exposing more of his neck for the elder to continue his ministrations while his hands slide down over Jimin’s hips and thighs, going back up and around to gentle squeeze his ass. Jimin gasps against his skin before sucking a mark against it and making the younger gasp under him.

“Bedroom,” Jungkook declares. He immediately stands with Jimin in his arms, connecting their lips in a hungry kiss as Jimin wraps his legs around his waist tightly for support. Jungkook somehow manages to navigate them to the bedroom despite Jimin’s incessant need to continue kissing him. He lays the elder down on the bed gently, like he is the most precious thing in the world, and his eyes say the same thing.

Jimin pulls the younger into more kissing, getting needier as time passes. Their lips are swollen from all of it but neither care. Not when the person they love is there.

“Let me take care of you,” Jungkook says softly when he pulls back from the kiss. “Let me love you.”

“Okay,” Jimin agrees breathily. Jungkook smiles down at his lover before he starts unbuttoning Jimin’s shirt, watching as the elder’s chest rises and falls with anticipating breaths. He pushes the shirt off of Jimin’s shoulders who then shrugs out of it entirely. Jimin then pulls on Jungkook’s t-shirt and the younger lets him remove it for him, tossing the piece of fabric aside as he eyes Jungkook’s bare torso.

“You’re so hot,” Jimin mutters, letting his small fingers trail over the defined muscles of Jungkook’s chest and abs. He feels how the muscles move as Jungkook chuckles at his statement and then the younger grabs his hands and interlaces their fingers together.

“I was going to say the same thing about you,” Jungkook comments, leaning back down and pinning Jimin’s hands over his head as he connects their lips again. Their hips press together in this positions and they both moan quietly into the kiss as their growing erections rub through their jeans.

“Please Jungkook,” Jimin pants out of the kiss, pushing his hips into the younger to get his point across. The younger seems to understand, unlocking their hands and sitting up to unbutton Jimin’s jeans. He carefully strips them off the elder, leaving him in just his boxers as he openly ogles the boy under him.

“Yours too,” Jimin orders, pushing himself up on his elbows and eyeing Jungkook. The younger does as asked, getting off the bed to strip his jeans and returning in his Calvin Kleins.

“Can I prep you baby?” Jungkook asks as he leaves gentle kisses across Jimin’s cheeks.

“Yes please,” Jimin pants. Jungkook chastely kisses his lips and then moves to remove the last bit of clothing on the elder.

“So beautiful,” Jungkook murmurs as he gazes over the bare boy below him. Jimin feels so vulnerable but also so loved by the way Jungkook looks him over, making his chest flush with need.

“Please Kook-ah,” Jimin whines slightly, desperation starting to boil up inside him. That snapes the younger out of it, and Jungkook is quick to apologetically kiss the elder before moving to the nightstand to grab the necessities.

“I love you,” Jungkook murmurs lightly, gently kissing Jimin’s inner thigh as he pops the cap of the lube bottle open and lathers his fingers with the cool gel.

“I love you too,” Jimin replies, his heart swelling happily being able to say it and have it returned. Jungkook smiles at him lovingly, peppering his thighs with kisses as he warms the lube briefly. Soon after he is circling Jimin’s entrance and slowly pushing in his first finger.

“God you’re tight,” Jungkook comments, his expectant dick throbbing at the potential of entering into that tight heat.

“It’s been a while,” Jimin comments, breathing labored as he gets use to the intrusion.

“It’s okay baby just relax,” Jungkook soothes, returning to peppering wherever he can reach with soft kisses. He slowly starts to move the first finger, listening for any sounds of pain from the elder.

“Another,” Jimin requests, whimpering at the feeling of being filled. Jungkook obliges, slowly adding a second as Jimin mewls. He scissors him open and when there is little resistance he adds a third finger, working them deep inside in search of Jimin’s most pleasurable point.

“O-oh fuck,” Jimin cries suddenly, arching off the bed as pleasure spikes through him.

“Found it,” Jungkook murmurs proudly to himself. He massages into Jimin’s prostate, making the elder whimper and moan and leak precum onto his stomach.

“Please Kookie please,” Jimin begs, mind clouding with arousal.

“What do you want baby?”

“Want you inside me.”

Jungkook groans softly as his neglected cock throbs for attention with that. He slides his fingers out slowly, making Jimin whine when empty which he quickly soothes with a kiss. He strips of his underwear, his cock springing free as he kicks them aside. He finds Jimin staring hungrily at him then which makes his arousal catch fire in his abdomen.

“Like what you see?” Jungkook taunts, quirking an eyebrow and smirking at the elder whose eyes are glued to his erection. Jimin’s eyes snap up to meet Jungkook’s and the younger swallows audibly at the lustful look in those icy eyes. Jimin pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, looking coy as he nods to Jungkook.

“Fuck,” Jungkook murmurs, quickly grabbing the condom he had set aside earlier and tearing the foil open hurriedly. He rolls it onto his length, gasping at the touch, and then coats himself in lube before crawling back into the bed and positioning Jimin how he wants.

“Ready beautiful?” Jungkook asks, pushing Jimin’s legs back towards his chest to better expose his hole.

“Yeah,” Jimin answers, grabbing his legs for Jungkook who takes his cock in one hand to guide himself in.

Jungkook begins to push inside, his head breach the ring of muscle as Jimin pants below him. The younger is breathing heavily himself as he slides all the way in, Jimin’s tight heat so welcoming to him it makes his heart race. He bottoms out, his hips flush with Jimin’s ass, and Jungkook lets out a low groan at the feeling.

“So tight baby,” Jungkook grunts, letting them both adjust to the feeling. “So good Jimin. Feels so good.”

“Kiss me,” Jimin pants. “Kiss me Jungkook.”

Jungkook obliges, leaning down to connect their lips. Jimin releases his grip on his legs and tangles his fingers into Jungkook’s hair, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. It’s intimate and passionate, exchanging tongues and soft moans between them.

“You can move,” Jimin says after breaking the kiss. Jungkook chastely pecks his lips one more time and starts to roll his hips into shallow thrusts.

“Fuck you feel so good,” Jungkook groans. He pulls out to the tip before sliding back in with smooth, steady thrusts that make Jimin whimper and moan softly.

“Oh my god,” Jimin pants, dropping his head back as pleasure starts to pool in his abdomen. “You feel amazing.”

“Yeah? Like how I fill you?” Jungkook asks, restraining himself from just pounding into the elder.

“Love it,” Jimin sighs. “Want more Jungkook please.”

With a low growl Jungkook starts to speed up, snapping his hips into Jimin instead of rolling. The elder responds immediately, his moans getting louder and longer as Jungkook’s cock massages his walls just right.

“So gorgeous,” Jungkook muses. “So gorgeous for me.”

“Only for you,” Jimin pants. A spark goes off in Jungkook’s eyes like a firework and he starts to piston his hips harder and deeper now as well. “Oh god oh yes like that.”

Jungkook grips Jimin’s hips then, maneuvering them slightly and with the next thrust he is hitting that special spot again.

“Oh fuck there Jungkook right there!” Jimin rambles, eyes rolling to the back of his head as his pleasure spikes.

“God Jimin you’re so good. So good on my cock baby fuck,” Jungkook grunts, his orgasm coiling inside him steadily.

“Touch me. Touch me please,” Jimin pants, his climax rising rapidly inside him as he approaches the edge. Jungkook does as asked, wrapping a hand around Jimin’s cock and using his precum to aid the slide as he strokes along with his thrusts.

“Fuck you look so good like this,” Jungkook comments, eyeing Jimin’s fucked out expression, lips parted with a constant stream of moans slipping past. “A fucking vision Park Jimin.”

“Fuck J-jungkook I-I’m close,” Jimin stutters, on the edge of his release.

“I love you Jimin. Fuck I love you so much,” Jungkook pants, feeling his own release only moments away.

“I-I Jungkook I-”

“Cum baby. Wanna see how beautiful you’ll look.”

“A-ah!” Jimin cries, falling over the edge as he releases all over his stomach. His muscles tense as his orgasm rolls through him, sending him to cloud nine as Jungkook thrusts him through it.

“Fuck Jimin I-” is all Jungkook manages to say before he is spilling into the condom, muscles shaking as he pushes himself deep into the elder’s heat that clenches around him.

Jimin goes lax after his high, and Jungkook follows shortly after by lying beside him as they catch their breath together. Jungkook wraps an arm around the elder and pulls him close, lightly kissing his shoulders and neck as they both come back to reality.

“You’re so beautiful Jimin,” Jungkook murmurs between kisses. “Seriously so stunning.”

“I’m covered in cum, Jungkook,” Jimin laughs, the compliments still going straight to his heart and making it bloom with love.

“Still stunning,” Jungkook retorts. “Stay here.”

Jungkook pulls out then, removing the condom and tying it off as he rolls off the bed towards the en suite bathroom. A few moments later he returns with a wet washcloth and starts cleaning off Jimin’s torso as the elder hums appreciatively.

Jungkook tosses the washcloth aside and crawls back into the bed, pulling Jimin close as the big spoon and returning to lightly kissing wherever he can reach.

This feels right.

Jimin rolls over to face Jungkook and softly connects their lips in a tender kiss. They both melt into it, keeping a languid pace as they share their love through their actions. Their hands wander reverently over each other and Jimin is sure this is what euphoria feels like.

“Get some sleep baby,” Jungkook whispers, seeing Jimin melt into the pillows with his eyes closed, breathing evening out.

“Love you,” Jimin murmurs sleepily.

“I love you too,” Jungkook replies quietly.

Jimin nuzzles into Jungkook more and drifts off to the most peaceful sleep while Jungkook watches him.

“I wish we could stay like this,” Jungkook murmurs, knowing Jimin can’t hear him. With a small frown, he relaxes down into the bed, choosing to enjoy this while he still can.  

Chapter Text

Jimin isn’t sure if it’s the unfamiliar bed or the weight of someone against him that startles him awake, but either way his eyes are quick to snap open when he realizes he is not at home and in his own bed. He tries to sit up and get his bearings, but an arm pulls him back into the someone which paralyzes Jimin briefly.

“Morning,” the someone mumbles and the familiar voice is what clears it up for Jimin.

It’s fine you’re just with Jungkook.

Sharing a bed.

Because you confessed to each other and then had sex.

“Jimin?”

“Yeah?” Jimin replies shakily, remembering everything now and starting to panic. This is his boss. This was exactly what he was supposed to avoid.

“Relax,” Jungkook murmurs into his neck, softly kissing there as his arm wraps more around the elder, his hand resting over his heart and feeling it race.

“B-but”

“Please,” Jungkook whispers, something off-putting in his tone that makes Jimin’s heart drop. “Can we just stay like this while we still can?”

Jimin says nothing, not really sure what to say. He relaxes, eventually melting back against the younger who delicately peppers featherlight kisses over his exposed skin.

“I love you,” Jungkook murmurs against Jimin’s skin. “Please don’t forget that.”

Jimin rolls over to face the younger, brows furrowed in confusion but relaxing out of it when seeing Jungkook’s rainbow eyes so full of love it makes his heart skip.

“I love you too,” Jimin murmurs back, softly kissing the younger as they melt into their languid, loving kisses curled up in their own bubble that will soon pop.

They need to talk about all of this, Jimin knows that. But right now, they just want to enjoy this moment together because once they leave this bubble, everything changes.

--

“Jungkook can we-”

“I have a meeting,” Jungkook interrupts. “I’m sorry.”

Jungkook hurries out of his office, knowing fully that Jimin is watching him go with a forlorn expression that rips Jungkook’s heart to shreds. And it’s his doing, but he can’t help it.

After that night, that unfortunately amazing night, Jungkook hasn’t been able to face Jimin. He knows the elder wants to talk about it, and the mature thing would be to have that conversation. But Jungkook is scared.

It’s going to end in rejection. That is the only way this whole thing can go. And Jungkook can’t face that heartbreak just yet. He can’t face Jimin to be the one to break his heart.

Jungkook didn’t have a meeting. He just needed an excuse to get away from that conversation until he was ready to have it, however selfish that might be. His mind was racing with so many thoughts that he autopilot went to the one place that was always a sanctuary to him.

“What are you doing here?” Yoongi asks upon opening his studio door to find a discouraged Jungkook.

“I needed to get away,” Jungkook explains, sliding inside the studio and dropping down on the couch.

“Away from what?”

“Hyung I fucked up,” Jungkook answers with instead.

“Okay but every other time you have come in here saying that, you were wrong,” Yoongi points out, settling back into his desk chair to better face the younger.

“This time I have really done it,” Jungkook emphasizes. “I slept with Jimin.”

“You what?!”

“Slept with Jimin. As in had sex with him,” Jungkook admits, guilt washing over him for so many reasons. “I fucking told him I love him and then we fucked.”

“Okay back up a second,” Yoongi starts. “So you told him you love him. What did he say?”

“That he loves me too,” Jungkook answers quietly.

“So how is this you fucking up?”

“Because it should have never happened hyung! And now everything is ruined.”

“You’re being dramatic Kookie,” Yoongi responds. “This seems like a great thing, to be honest. You both love each other, now you can live happily ever after and all that shit.”

“I’m his boss hyung,” Jungkook emphasizes. “Also Jimin panicked the morning after, so I think he also thinks none of this should have happened. It’s just going to end in rejection.”

“Or you can both be fucking adults and make it work instead of bending the knee to the industry,” Yoongi suggests.

“We can’t do that. I can’t do that.”

“So what? Are you going to break his heart then?”

“He probably thinks the same way I do. He keeps wanting to talk, probably to reject me and say it shouldn’t have happened.”

“And you’re running away from that conversation because you don’t want him to break your heart,” Yoongi hypothesizes.

“Yeah,” Jungkook mumbles, dropping his head down in shame.

“And what if that isn’t what Jimin wants?”

“Doesn’t matter. The only outcome is rejection hyung.”

Yoongi lets out a long sigh, rubbing his weary eyes briefly before continuing this conversation with his stubborn boss.

“Hyung,” Jungkook starts before Yoongi can continue. “Jimin is finally getting to live his dreams. He’s wanted to be a performer for years. I can’t imagine he’d sacrifice all of that to be with me.”

“Do you think he can’t have both? Or are you refusing to let him have both?” Yoongi asks.

“He can’t,” Jungkook answers. “I won’t let him risk his dreams like that.”

“Shouldn’t Jimin make that decision for himself?”

“There is no decision to make anymore,” Jungkook announces, sounding defeated. He stands from the couch and leaves the studio before Yoongi can further question him.

As much as Jungkook loves Jimin, he can’t let the elder sacrifice anything to be with him. How he is going to tell Jimin that, he hasn’t determined yet.

--

“So he’s avoiding you?”

Jimin had told Taehyung everything as soon as he got home from Jungkook’s. That conversation led to many realizations for the elder, mainly that he wanted to be with Jungkook. Yeah, they were boss and employee, but their relationship has never been strictly that to begin with. And they are adults who can make their own decisions. Why should they have to sacrifice love for their careers, or vice versa?

“Yeah. I’ve barely seen him all week and when I do it’s never just the two of us. And the moment it is, he bolts,” Jimin explains with a sigh.

“Do you think this has anything to do with what he said the morning after?” Taehyung asks carefully. “What as it he said again?”

“That he didn’t want me to forget that he loved me. But why would I? I don’t get it.”

“You did say were panicking a little. Maybe he was just trying to get you to calm down,” Taehyung offers, albeit it skeptically.

“Then we still have no explanation for why he is avoiding me,” Jimin sighs, flopping back against the couch in defeat. “I just want to talk about it.”

“Maybe he is scared,” Taehyung theorizes. “Maybe he thinks you’ll tell him it was a mistake.”

“Or maybe he is the one that regret is,” Jimin grumbles.

“Either way, you won’t know until you talk to each other.”

“Right,” Jimin sighs. “I should just focus on the show tomorrow anyway. If I want to make it work between us, I have to prove that our relationship doesn’t get in the way of work.”

“Fair,” Taehyung says. “Also isn’t this week the sexy week?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Well, maybe your performance can encourage motivation on the relationship side,” Taehyung suggests with a smirk.

“Don’t make it weird.”

“I’m not,” Taehyung defends calmly. “At least it could capture his attention for long enough so you can finally talk and tell him you want to be together.”

Jimin worries his bottom lip in thought. To be fair, he wouldn’t be going out of his way to trap Jungkook. He’s just doing the performance they agreed on months ago. And if it just so happens gets Jungkook to stick around for more than five seconds, then who is Jimin to deny that opportunity.

--

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Jimin does one last look in the mirror before following Namjoon out of the dressing room to head to the stage for his performance. He forced himself to ignore Jungkook’s convenient, but unexplained, absence, even though he failed to hide his disappoint over it.

“He’s here, I promise,” Namjoon tried to console. Jimin simply shrugged, not wanting to speak on it further.

If he won’t show up, I’ll show him what he is missing out on.

That was the motivating mantra of Jimin’s performance. Every roll or thrust of his hips were even more exaggerated, he gave the camera is best bedroom eyes, and in his mind, he was performing solely for Jungkook.

He graciously accepted the judges’ feedback, although it all went in one ear and out the other because the only opinion he wanted to hear was his boss’. And as he left the stage and descended to the wings, the man in question was standing there looking dumbfounded.

Jimin would have probably teased him if their circumstances were different. But they weren’t, so he simply grabbed Jungkook by the wrist and pulled him to his dressing room.

“Hyung can we have a minute?” Jimin asked upon entering his dressing room to find Namjoon sitting there. The elder quirked an eyebrow at them, seeing Jimin gripping Jungkook’s wrist tightly and the mild panic on Jungkook’s face, and decided to simply say “Okay” before leaving the room.

“Jimin,” Jungkook starts tentatively. He feels like he might explode for multiple different reasons, but which one will be the trigger he doesn’t know yet.

“We’re talking about it,” Jimin declared, releasing Jungkook’s wrist.

“About what?”

“You know exactly what Jungkook,” Jimin sighed. “Or did you forget how we confessed we love each other?”

Jungkook worried his bottom lip as his only response, and his nervous energy made Jimin nervous. Why was he acting like this?

“Can we not talk about it here?” Jungkook finally asks, looking panicked when his eyes meet with Jimin’s.

“Then when Jungkook? It’s been a week of you avoiding me over it,” Jimin questioned, softening his approach seeing Jungkook look so worried.

“I…” Jungkook trailed off. He wasn’t prepared for an ambush, although he basically caused this to happen. A knock on the door startles them both, followed by an exasperated sigh from the elder.

“Sorry. I know you’re talking but the producers want to talk about next week’s performance with you Jimin,” Namjoon explained, sticking his head in.

“Now?” Jimin asks tiredly.

“Yes, now,” Namjoon confirmed, looking apologetic for interrupting.

“One minute, hyung,” Jimin informed. Namjoon nodded and shut the door, leaving them alone once more. Jimin closed the distance between them, now toe-to-toe with the younger, scanning his face in a feigned attempt to read his mind. He could see so much worry swimming in those rainbow eyes that it made his heart ache.

“I don’t know what your problem is, but we have to talk about it,” Jimin says softly.

“I know,” Jungkook mumbles in an apologetic tone.

“You tell me when,” Jimin decides. Before he talks himself out of it, his softly kisses Jungkook on the cheek and then leaves the dressing room.

Jungkook stood frozen, now completely alone with just the delicate feeling of Jimin’s lips on his cheek and silent tears starting to fall.

He can’t let Jimin be the one to end this because it will crush him. Which means he has to do it himself, for the sake of his own heart.

--

The soft clink of a glass being placed on his desk is what rips Jungkook out of his usual, spiraling thoughts over Jimin. He lifts his head to see Namjoon pouring him scotch before pouring one for himself. Jungkook eyes him and the drink suspiciously before he finally speaks.

“What’s the occasion?” Jungkook asks as he takes the glass.

“Look like you could use it,” Namjoon comments, sitting down in one of the chairs across from Jungkook.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You look stressed out and exhausted Kookie. And I have no idea why.”

Jungkook worries his bottom lip, watching the dark liquid swirl in the glass as he gently circles it.

“What happened with Jimin?”

Jungkook snaps his head up to look the elder in the eye, finding his golden eyes looking back with the usual all-knowing wisdom to indicate he already has an idea.

“What makes you say anything happened?” Jungkook asks, weakly deflecting against the smartest man he has ever known.

“Well I know you can’t be stressed over your schedule, because I am the one who manages that,” Namjoon starts calmly. “Despite the fact you apparently keep saying you have meetings when you’re just trying to get away from Jimin, and end up with Yoongi.”

Checkmate.

“And there is also how your interactions with each other are painfully strained. Even Jisoo noticed, and she purposefully ignores those kinds of things.”

Double checkmate.

“You look like you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown, and Jimin looks like he is going to burst into tears every time you walk away from him. So what happened?”

“I told him I love him,” Jungkook snaps, putting the glass aside because his hands are shaking too much. “And he loves me back. But we can’t hyung. We can’t-”

“Breathe Kookie,” Namjoon interrupts with a soothing voice, sensing the strain in Jungkook’s.

“I fucked it up hyung. I let myself get too deep and ruined everything. And now I can’t even face Jimin for the inevitable rejection.”

“Why is it inevitable?”

“Because of everything you said! I’m his boss. It will kill our careers. And I can’t risk that. None of that should have ever happened, but now that it has it’s just going to be heartbreak.”

“Jungkook…” Namjoon soothes.

“I keep running away from the inevitable as if avoiding it means we can all go back to before. But I have to end it and that…that hurts hyung.”

Namjoon gets up from his seat, drink long forgotten already, as he rounds the desk to embrace Jungkook.

“I should have just listened to you,” Jungkook mumbles.

“Kook-ah don’t say that,” Namjoon comforts.

“But you were right. Everything has gone to shit because I fell too hard and couldn’t stop myself.”

“Jungkook if you want to be with Jimin-”

“It’s never going to happen,” Jungkook cuts off. “I refuse to be the reason he can’t live his dreams. It has to end here.”

Namjoon stays quiet, eyeing the younger carefully with weary eyes.

“So when are you going to tell Jimin that?”

Jungkook hesitates before whispering, “I don’t know.”

Namjoon sighs, stepping away from the younger but still watching him carefully. The way Jungkook is completely deflated, shoulders dropped and eyes heavy with sadness, breaks his heart.

“You have to do what you think is best,” Namjoon says.

Jungkook barely nods, head dropped down as if in shame. Namjoon surveys him one last time before leaving the younger to think in silence.

You have to do what you think is best.

And this is what’s for the best.  

--

Be patient.

That has been Jimin’s mantra for the last week, but the more he has to say it to himself, the harder it is to actually feel.

He told Jungkook to tell him when he was ready to talk. And now that seems like a big mistake. The longer they don’t talk about it and the more Jungkook avoids him, the more convinced Jimin is that the younger regrets it. And that though breaks his heart each time he has it.

Shouldn’t have fallen for your boss.

“Jimin it’s time,” Namjoon’s voice interrupts his thoughts. Jimin simply nods, takes a deep breath, and leaves his dressing room for his performance.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” Namjoon prompts calmly, but the worry in his eyes is evidence.

Why talk when I can’t talk to the one person I want to.

“Jimin I know what’s going on.”

Jimin looks up at Namjoon then, feeling himself deflate at the clearly remorseful expression in his manager’s eyes.

“So you know why he won’t talk to me?” Jimin asks. Namjoon simply drops his head slightly, and that is answer enough.

He must regret it.

He’ll talk to everyone but me about it.

“Jimin-”

“Don’t hyung,” Jimin interrupts, having approached the wings of the stage. A PA pulls him aside then to get his ear piece set up and ensure his hand mic is working. He is then ushered to take the stage for his ballad.

Of all the songs in the world that Jimin could have performed this week, it just had to be this one. It had to be the one that was a painful reminder of his breaking heart the entire time.

♫ “Hold me closer, don't let me go over
Hold me closer, mm
Lock it away, keep my heart at your place, 
Pull me closer” ♫

Don’t break Jimin. Don’t break.

♫ “'Cause you're the air inside my lungs
Suffocating when you're gone
I'm a mess and it's all wrong without you here
Oh, nothing's clear, and I need you to know” ♫

Jimin’s voice gave way then, the sob unstoppable as it cracks his voice going into the second chorus and throwing his tempo off entirely. He struggles to recover, stumbling over words in his haste. At the pre-chorus he just stops, his breathing erratic as he forces himself to swallow his tears.

Finish the song. Just finish the song.

He re-enters at the final chorus, forcing himself through it just to get it over with at this point.

♫ “'Cause losing me is better than losing you
It's better than losing you” ♫

The last line might as well have been a whisper and Jimin just wanted to run away. It was a disaster, he knew that. He could hear it in the pitiful applause and feel it  in the pitying stares. But what was worse is he felt it in his heart.  

“It’s unfortunate to see you perform like that after having been so strong in previous performances.”

“While emotion can enhance a performance, it shouldn’t get in the way of it either.”

“I sincerely hope this was simply a tough song for you and not a reoccurring performance with the finale next week.”

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

Jimin forced himself to stand there and take the criticism. He forced himself to use whatever shred of dignity he had left to look them in the eye as they told him he failed. He forced himself to not cry, even as he power walked off the stage and passed all of the crew eyeing him worriedly.

He reaches his dressing room and is thankful to find it empty, locking the door behind him and letting himself slide to the floor as the flood of tears finally broke free.

“Jimin,” Namjoon’s voice came through, muffled by the door. “Jimin please open the door.”

He stayed motionless, too emotionally weak to move. The tears that have been threatening to fall all weak have finally taken over and now all Jimin can do it cry.

“Jungkook is worried.”

He now cares about me?

“I’m worried Jimin. Please open up.”

Jimin managed to stand, but instead of unlocking the door, he goes to grab his phone from his bag, pulling open his texts with Namjoon and sending him a message that way. He can hear the elder’s phone ping from the hallway, and then muffled voices. The second must be Jungkook, but Jimin doesn’t understand what they are saying. He sends another message.

Jimin (8:56 pm):

Don’t wait for me.

I’ll find a different way home.

“Jimin please,” it’s Jungkook’s voice now and hearing it just makes Jimin choke out another sob, his chest aching as his heart hurts.

No.

This is your fault.

Jimin pulls open his contacts and swipes blurry eyed till he finds the one he is looking for. He hits the call button and begs that he will answer.

“Jimin,” Seokjin says, sounding concerned. He must have watched the show.

“Can you come get me?”

“What happened? Don’t you usually ride with Jungkook?”

“H-hyung,” Jimin’s voice cracks.

“Okay okay I’ll come get you. Just tell me where,” Seokjin responds, muffled sounds of him moving around his apartment.

“I’ll text it to you.”

“Okay. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Jimin ended the call, seeing a flood of new messages from both Namjoon and Jungkook. He had half a mind to throw his phone across the room in frustration. Instead he muted all messages from Jungkook, not even bothering to read them. He opened Namjoon’s only to send him a message.

Jimin (8:59 pm):

Seokjin is coming to get me.

Namjoon (9:01 pm):

Okay

We’ll talk tomorrow.

About twenty minutes later, Jimin got a text that Seokjin had arrived so he grabbed all of his stuff, pulled his hoodie over his head, and left the dressing room in a rush. He half expected Jungkook to have waited for him, but there was no sign of the younger as Jimin rushed down the hall for the exit.

“Minie!” Taehyung called when he saw the elder, running over and quickly pulling him into a tight hug.

“What are you-”

“Hyung got me. Said he’d need back up,” Taehyung explains. “Minie did something happen with him?”

“Nothing has happened,” Jimin mumbles, somehow having new tears trickle down his face. “That’s the problem.”

They leave it at that and Jin takes them home with Taehyung cuddling with Jimin the entire ride. Jin even stays for a while at their apartment and even Hoseok shows up.

Even through his shattering heartache, Jimin is thankful to have people that truly care and support him. He just wishes Jungkook was one of those people.

--

Jimin wakes the next morning with a message from Namjoon saying Sejin will be picking him up to bring him to the company. All of that sounds like the worst day ever to Jimin, but maybe he can finally get some answers. He can’t keep going like this.

Thirty minutes later he is in the backseat of Sejin’s car and has made the grave mistake of opening his social media accounts.

“Fuck,” Jimin mutters to himself, locking his phone and dropping it in his lap as tears start to fall. He wipes his eyes away exasperatedly and just as he has collected himself they arrive to GC Entertainment.

Jimin is on autopilot as he head up the elevator and towards Jungkook’s office, already knowing that is where he is meant to go. He only stops when he reaches the door, knowing that whatever conversation they have will seal his fate in one way or another. With a deep breath, Jimin knocks and then sticks his head in.

“Come in Jimin,” Jungkook says when he sees the elder. Jimin does so reluctantly, crossing over to Jungkook’s desk and taking a seat across from him.

Jungkook looks exhausted and Jimin can’t help but feel to be the blame for that. Beyond the exhaustion, Jimin can’t really identify a particular feelings, which is unsettling to say the least.

“Where’s Namjoon?” Jimin asks, now wanting him as a buffer for whatever is about to happen.

“Meeting with PR,” Jungkook explains simply.

“Cause of me, right?”

Jungkook worries his bottom lip, but doesn’t say anything which is a confirmation in and of itself. Jimin feels tears wanting to fall but he swallows them down. Now isn’t the time.

“What happened Jimin?” Jungkook asks, his tone a weird mix of exhaustion and concern.

“You saw what happened,” Jimin deflects.

“Okay but why did it happen?”

Jimin averts his gaze. He doesn’t want to admit it, if he is honest. It hurts his pride that he let Jungkook let him affect him this much. It’s the exact opposite of what he wanted to prove.

“Regardless of why,” Jungkook continues when he sees he won’t get an answer, despite having an idea. “You can’t break like that Jimin. Doesn’t matter what is happening behind the scenes, it can’t affect your performance.”

“It’s your fault,” Jimin mumbles, his resolve cracking already.

“What?” Jungkook asks, seemingly taken aback by that answer.

“It’s your fault, Jungkook,” Jimin emphasizes, looking back at the younger. “If we had just talked it wouldn’t have gotten this bad.”

“Jimin,” Jungkook says, sounding both annoyed and afraid.

“No Jungkook. Stop avoiding it. Can’t you see it’s hurting me?!”

Jimin shoots up out of his seat, unable to sit still as waves of anger and hurt crash over him all at once.

“I know but-”

“But what? How is me hurting somehow the better option to you?” Jungkook is sat speechless which prompts Jimin to continue. “I thought you loved me.”

“I do love you.”

“Then why are you doing this to me?!” Jimin cries, tears breaking free. “Do you regret it? Is that it?”

“No I don’t-”

“Then why Jungkook?!”

“We can’t do this Jimin!” Jungkook breaks.

“Can’t do what?”

“We can’t be together,” Jungkook answers, feeling his emotions rattle his insides. This conversation is happening whether he wants it to or not.

“Why not?”

“Why-why not?!” Jungkook asks back, baffled by the question. He thought Jimin already knew.

“Yes, why not? We love each other. We’re adults. We can do whatever we damn well please,” Jimin reasons, which only further blows Jungkook’s mind. “I want to try, Jungkook.”

“Jimin-”

“I want to try! I want to be with you. Fuck the whole boss and employee situation. I want you.”

“Jimin you know we can’t! It’s a death sentence to both of our careers,” Jungkook explains desperately.

“Are you just saying that because you don’t want me?” Jimin asks, voice shaky but stance firm as he stares down the younger.

“Jimin I-”

“Yes or no Jungkook,” Jimin says, his voice breaking on the younger’s name.

Jungkook opens his mouth but nothing comes out. He doesn’t know what to say anymore. He thought he knew how this conversation was going to go and it has completed derailed. He thought that being the one to end this was the best choice for himself, but now he isn’t sure of anything.

“I’ll take your silence as the answer,” Jimin mutters, turning quickly to leave before he fully breaks down.

“Jimin wait!” Jungkook calls after, quickly standing from his chair but the elder is quick to disappear from his office and the younger feels frozen, unable to go after him.

It is a long few minutes before Jungkook drops back down in the chair, still completely stunned and mind blown by the whole interaction he just had.

Jimin wanted you.

He didn’t care about the situation.

Or the consequences.

He just wanted you.

“Fucking dammit!” Jungkook yells at himself, throwing himself out of his chair in complete frustration. He was so sure that the inevitable answer was rejection. He was so focused on that that he made the selfish decision to be the one to end things. And then Jimin thought they could do it. He was willing to try.

You were too scared to try.

Chapter Text

“Have you heard from him at all?”

“Not at all. Haven’t even seen him.”

“Well, he has been around,” Yoongi speaks up.

It’s the night before the Solo Star finale and Jungkook hasn’t spoken to Jimin at all. The elder is clearly avoiding him, and Jungkook hasn’t mustered any courage to reach out himself when he is still trying to process it all; thus why Namjoon and Yoongi are in his apartment well past work hours.

“He’s been rehearsing Filter. Came to do some vocal work on it with me,” Yoongi adds.

“So he is avoiding me,” Jungkook determines, slouched against the couch in defeat.

“You did this to yourself,” Yoongi says simply, never one to coddle. “You are going to have to reach out to him if you want to fix it because he’s already tried multiple times.”

“I know I just…” Jungkook starts. “I don’t understand how it came to this point.”

“Do you really need to understand it before fixing it?” Namjoon questions.

“Also it’s pretty clear how you got to this point,” Yoongi interjects. “You kept running away from a conversation you thought could only end poorly, so when Jimin admits to wanting the better option for both of you, your brain short-circuited and let him run out in tears. So now you are left heartbroken, have broken Jimin’s heart, and are stuck in trying to psychoanalyze a situation when you could be fixing it.”

“I got it hyung. I am a complete fuck up. Thanks,” Jungkook deadpans bitterly.

“I’m not going to sit here and pat you on the head when you brought this fully on yourself,” Yoongi continues rather defensively. “I even asked you what if Jimin wanted to be with you. But you had made up your mind for him. And now you’re lying in that made bed.”

“Hyung you’re being a little harsh,” Namjoon intervenes.

“I’m being honest,” Yoongi defends. “I’m also tired of seeing Jimin come to my studio with bloodshot eyes and telling me everything is fine when it isn’t.”

“I get it, okay?!” Jungkook snaps, tears breaking through his defenses. The three fall silent except for Jungkook’s quiet sniffles.

“Kookie, you know that I want the best for you,” Yoongi says, tone softer. “Which is why I can’t sit here and watch your inner turmoil when you can fix this.”

“Can I?” Jungkook asks weakly. “Can I even fix it?”

“Of course you can,” Namjoon answers. “You just have to talk it out with Jimin. After the show ends.”

Jungkook simply nods, worrying his bottom lip in thought over the whole situation. He was so afraid of getting heartbroken that he let this problem fester, making it worse than he ever imagined.

“You should get some sleep,” Namjoon suggests, pushing himself out of his chair with Yoongi doing the same. “Let’s get through tomorrow and maybe things will get better.”

“Night Kookie,” Yoongi says, gently squeezing his shoulder in reassurance. Jungkook watches his hyungs leave, still sitting there long after they are gone before forcing himself to go to bed. He immediately crawls into it, forgoing any nighttime routine.

Even though it’s been a few weeks since Jimin was there with him, Jungkook stills aches from the absence of the elder’s presence. He aches for the quiet morning, the languid kiss and gentle touches, the whispered ‘I love you’s. He never believed he would ever have that again, but Jimin did. And now Jungkook can’t stop thinking about it.

--

“Is he ready?”

“You could go see for yourself you know,” Namjoon sighs, although he knows that really isn’t the best choice given the situation. “But yes, Jimin is ready.”

“Speak of the devil.”

Jungkook jumps slightly hearing Jimin’s voice for the first time since their fight. The elder masterfully avoided him, even when it shouldn’t have been possible like at the show. But he managed it, until now.

“Hi,” Jungkook says nervously, rapidly scanning Jimin’s face for any sign of hope. But all he sees is neutrality.

“Hi,” Jimin deadpans and promptly walks past the pair to head for the stage. Namjoon follows him and Jungkook follows after. The younger gets no chance to say anything else before Jimin has ascended the steps to the stage, waiting for his cue to go on.

Please look back. Please look back.

As if they truly do share a telepathic connection, Jimin looks over his shoulder and directly at Jungkook. It makes the younger’s heart skip and he tries to give his best, encouraging smile. Jimin’s expression doesn’t change, but there is a flicker of something in his opaque eyes that Jungkook catches. And just like that, Jimin is taking the stage.

“Jeon,” an unfortunately familiar voice cuts through Jungkook’s tiny moment of reverie.

“Jeong,” Jungkook deadpans, not even turning to look at the man.

“So how does it feel?”

“How does what feel?”

“How does it feel to finally fail?” Jeong prompts, a devilish grin pulling on his lips already.

“Who says I have failed?” Jungkook questions back, trying to stay neutral despite the obvious, and effective, attempt to get under his skin.

“Isn’t it obvious? There is no way Jimin will win. Not after last week’s performance.”

“The night isn’t over yet,” Jungkook counters. Frankly, he doesn’t give a shit about the show at this point. He just wants to repair his relationship with Jimin. That would be a success to him.

“Even so,” Jeong muses. “His chances are slim. So maybe you aren’t good at everything after all.”

Jungkook can sense the elder walk away from him and he takes a deep breath to regain composure. Now isn’t the time to lose control, no matter how riled up and frustrated he feels over everything. The familiar music of Filter interrupts his inner rage, and Jungkook forces himself to watch the performance.

Jungkook hasn’t seen the performance in over a week, so it’s almost like he is watching it the first time. Jimin is, as always, mesmerizing to watch as he effortlessly moves across the stage. The song is perfect for him, letting him tap into different sides of himself much like switching between filters.

The outfit change was the only thing Jungkook held his breath for. They had practiced it hundreds of times, but he hadn’t seen it as of late. As it approached in the choreography, was tense in anticipation with his fans balled into fists and jaw clenched.

“Yes,” Jungkook whispered sharply at the change went of flawlessly, making a few of the crew turn to look at him with varying expression questioning his sanity. But he didn’t care, not when Jimin was killing his performance and showing everyone how truly talented he is.

Jungkook could hear the roar of the audience when the performance finished, and it made his heart swell with pride for the elder. After a quick bow, Jimin is jogging off the stage with a giant grin.

“Congrats Minie,” Namjoon says as Jimin canters over to them, hugging his manager in appreciation. He pulls away and moves towards Jungkook, but immediately hesitates as his smile falls slightly.

“You were amazing,” Jungkook compliments, his attempt at an olive branch.

“Thanks,” Jimin mumbles tentatively, clearly very awkward and not easily accepting Jungkook’s words, much to Jungkook’s disappointment.

“So there is only one performance left before they’ll need you on stage to announce the winner,” Namjoon steps in, subtly diverting the focus away from the palpable tension between the other two. “So we might as well stay here for that.”

Jimin nods, immediately turning away from Jungkook and watching the performance of his competitor. Jungkook aches to say something. He aches to clear the air. But now is not the time.

“We need all the competitors lined up,” a producer calls. The idols gather together, forcing Jungkook to step aside with the other CEOs as the await for the results of the fan voting.

“You seem tense.”

The familiar voice of Soomin speaks from behind him, making him quick to turn around to see her calming expression.

“Regardless of what the outcome is tonight,” Soomin starts, eyeing the younger gently. “It doesn’t make you a failure. You are the one who defines what success looks like to you.”

“Thanks Soomin-ssi,” Jungkook replies softly. She simply nods once with a smile and then turns her attention to the monitor, awaiting the results like everyone else. Jungkook, however, doesn’t pay any attention to it. The results don’t matter to him, not when his entire relationship with Jimin is in shambles. And win or lose, Jimin is still a worthwhile performer that deserves every bit of love and success he can get.

“Holy shit,” Namjoon mumbles quietly, making Jungkook snap his attention to the screen. They’ve read the results in reverse order, starting with the lowest ranking and working up. The eight idols have gone done to four, with Jimin still standing there. Now only three left. And then the final two being Jimin and Taehyung, Soomin’s contestant.

Jungkook’s eyes are glued to Jimin’s reactions, seeing him look completely awestruck heartwarming. He’s getting the love and attention he deserves, and probably never imagined possible, and Jungkook is loving it for him.

“Second place, with a total of 1,192,889 votes, Park Jimin of GC Entertainment!”

It should feel disappointing, but the way Jimin happily congratulates Taehyun, hugging him as the younger of the two starts to cry in shock, just further warms Jungkook’s heart. Other CEOs go to congratulate Soomin, so Jungkook does the same even though she insists he should congratulate Taehyun for all the work he did to succeed.

The idols return then, with Taehyun being stopped every two steps as he gets congratulated. Jungkook is eventually able to give his own felicitations and he gets pulled into a bone-crushing hug by the boy.

“Remember what I said Jungkook,” Soomin says before walking away with her victorious idol, leaving Jungkook in a frozen moment of thought.

You are the one who defines what success looks like to you.

Success is fixing my relationship with Jimin.

Jungkook spins around to try to find the elder, not seeing him anywhere in the vicinity. Namjoon is deep in conversation with other managers, so Jungkook takes it upon himself to find the elder. Dressing room would be the most logical, so he makes his way down the hall, weaving through crew with mumbled apologies.

It is at about twenty paces away from Jimin’s dressing room that Jungkook stops dead in his tracks.

There is Jimin, still in his stage outfit, speaking with CEO Jeong. He’s smiling at the man, which makes Jungkook’s stomach turn to knots in anxious worry. The anxiety bubbles over into anger as he sees Jeong hand Jimin a business card, with Jimin accepting it happily.

Jeong walks away then, with Jimin examining the business card briefly before looking up and meeting eyes with Jungkook. His expression immediately falls into one of annoyance and shame and that is what sparks Jungkook’s reaction.

“What was that?” Jungkook asks intensely as he charges toward the elder, closing the distance between them in only a few strides.

“No. You don’t get to act like this,” Jimin says defiantly, turning abruptly to go to his dressing room.

“Act like what exactly?” Jungkook asks, following Jimin and trying to stop him.

“Like you own me. Or that you actually care about me,” Jimin answers sharply, but his voice gives way to sadness at the very end.

“Jimin, I do care,” Jungkook says, softening a bit hearing Jimin’s sadness, but his anxious anger still overpowering all other emotion.

“No, you don’t. You care about yourself and your career,” Jimin replies severely, crossing into his dressing room and honestly wanting to slam the door in Jungkook’s face. But the younger is too close behind him and follows him in too quickly.

“How can you say that?!”

“Seriously? How could I say that?” Jimin scoffs, turning to stare daggers into the colorful eyes he has fallen so hard for. “You fuck me then avoid the topic until telling me you regretted it.”

“I never said I regretted it.”

“Close enough,” Jimin grumbles, turning away until Jungkook grabs his arm and makes him turn back around.

“What’s gotten into you?” Jungkook asks harshly, Jimin’s heated words making him burn more.

“Me?! What about you?!” Jimin asks back, pushing Jungkook away making the younger stumble back a step. “You say you want me, fuck me, and then throw me away. Are you going to do the same now that the show is over? Should I accept Jeong’s offer now that you’re done with me?”

“You can’t do that,” Jungkook says, voice getting tense with anger and hurt. “You’re still under contract.”

“Ah finally you admit that I’m just business to you,” Jimin says bitterly.

“You were never just business!” Jungkook replies, volume increasing with his frustration. “God you’re being insufferable.”

“And you’re an asshole,” Jimin shoots back, but his tough anger is shifting to frustrated heartbreak as his eyes begin to water. “And I’m the idiot who fell in love with you.”

Jungkook feels like he got kicked in the chest. He isn’t sure what hurts more: the fact Jimin thinks he is an idiot for loving him or the fact this is yet another conversation that has completely derailed. He came to make amends, but instead let his own frustration get the better of him.

“Please hyung-” Jungkook tries, trying to release his anger so maybe he can salvage this.

“Get out Jungkook,” Jimin interrupts softly, tears breaking free and rolling down his cheeks.

“Jimin I-”

“I said get out!” Jimin cries out, loud enough to make Jungkook flinch.

“Guys.”

The new voice makes both of them turn to see Namjoon sticking his head in the door with a stern, worried expression.

“First, if you get any louder the whole building will hear you,” Namjoon warns.

“Sorry hyung,” Jimin mumbles, aggressively wiping the tears off his face.

“Second, Kook-ah the producers want to speak with all of the CEOs, so they need you.”

“Now?” Jungkook asks shakily, not wanting to leave at such a crucial, emotional moment between him and Jimin.

“Now. In fact they needed you like five minutes ago,” Namjoon says evenly.

Jungkook turns to look at Jimin but the elder has turned away and is digging through his bag, clearly done with their conversation. With a sigh, the youngest leaves without another word and his head down. After stepping outside of Jimin’s dressing room, he walks down the hall in silence with Namjoon at his side.

“Can you go back to him hyung? Make sure he is okay?” Jungkook requests quietly.

“Sure,” Namjoon agrees softly. The elder turns to go back to Jimin’s dressing room when Jungkook’s voice stops him.

“Will everything be okay hyung?” he asks weakly, feeling like he might start crying himself.

“I don’t know Kookie,” Namjoon replies honestly.

“I hate when you don’t know things,” Jungkook replies, dropping his head to look at the floor. Namjoon steps back towards him and places a comforting hand on his shoulder, making the younger look up.

“If you want it to be okay, you’re going to have to work for it. It’s in your hands Kook-ah,” Namjoon advises, his golden eyes filled with patience and care. Jungkook simply nods and Namjoon goes back to the task of checking on Jimin while the younger watches him go, wishing he were the one walking back.

The second the dressing room door shuts, Jimin collapses into a pathetic pile on the floor and lets every tear heave from his body in heavy sobs. Every interaction with Jungkook keeps making things worse and his heart can’t take the repeat turmoil.

Just as his sobs start to soften there is a knock at the door, and Jimin both wants it to be Jungkook and dreads if it is.

“Who?” is all Jimin can muster to shout ask from his weakened, emotional state.

“Namjoon,” the voice on the other side says.

“Come in.”

Namjoon opens the door carefully, looking sympathetic at first and then panicked to see Jimin collapsed on the ground in distress.

“Shit are you okay?” Namjoon asks hurriedly, shutting the door before rushing to Jimin.

“Physically, yes. Emotionally, not at all,” Jimin says honestly. “Did Jungkook send you?”

“He might have,” Namjoon answers, always honest even when keeping subtle. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“To you, no. No offense,” Jimin replies.

“I get it. Don’t worry,” Namjoon answers with a reassuring smile. He stands from his squat and holds a hand out to help the younger up, which Jimin takes. “Can I help you in some other way?”

“I just want to go home right now,” Jimin mumbles.

“I can get Sejin ready to do that. You won’t have to wait for Jungkook,” Namjoon offers.

“Yeah okay. Thanks.”

Namjoon nods before taking his phone out and rapidly typing a message to summon Sejin. “He’ll be waiting out front. Why don’t you change and then you can leave? I’ll keep Jungkook busy in case his CEO meeting ends soon.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Jimin says, feeling guilty.

“Jimin I am just as much your manager as I am his. And I’m not picking sides. I helped him by coming here to check on you and now I’m helping you go de-stress,” Namjoon answers simply. Jimin just nods, not really able to put his feelings to words after his draining sobs. The elder seems to sense this so he simply pats his shoulder comfortingly before leaving him alone to change.

Jimin makes quick work of switching back into his street clothes, not even worrying about his sweaty make-up glued to his face or his undeniably bloodshot and tear-stained eyes. He hurries out of the building and jumps into the car at the first sight of Sejin, not saying a word to the driver and the driver doing the same. Namjoon must have warned him to leave Jimin be, which is yet another thing Jimin is thankful for of him tonight.

As he watches the streetlights pass by during the drive, Jimin can’t help but feel at his lowest ever. He feels in a worse state than before meeting Jungkook, where he was immediately rejected from every audition purely because of his eyes. That rejection was much less painful than Jungkook’s, and he would rather live a lifetime of his eyes being his demise than he would to have this broken heart.

Chapter Text

“Minie?” Taehyung asks softly as he sticks his head into the elder’s bedroom cautiously. Jimin didn’t respond, curled up under the covers into a ball in the dark room. Taehyung entered then, opening half the curtains on the window to let some light in for gently sitting at the foot of the bed.

“Min you can’t hide here forever,” Taehyung says gently.

“I’m not hiding,” Jimin defends.

“Then what do you call this?”

“Recuperating.”

“It’s been two weeks Jimin.”

“I didn’t know I was on a timeline.”

“Jimin,” Taehyung sighs tiredly. “I know you’re hurting. And rightfully so. But you can’t let this take over your life. Don’t succumb to the heartbreak.”

Jimin shifts somewhat in his blanket mound but says nothing in response.

“Namjoon came to the coffee shop,” Taehyung announces. At that, Jimin sits up somewhat to look at his roommate.

“He did?”

“Yes. Looking for you. Said you haven’t responded to anything he has sent you. Is that true?”

Jimin dropped his gaze, pouting with guilt at the call out.

“He says he can’t go ahead with anything without your approval,” Taehyung continues.

“Did he specify what?”

“No. But I’m pretty sure he is thinking about your contract with them,” Taehyung answers. “You are still under contract and currently not doing anything with them so it’s not the best look Min.”

“I know,” Jimin mumbles. “It just…”

Jimin hesitates but Taehyung waits patiently, his rich blues eyes emanating a soothing comfort Jimin desperately needs.

“It hurts Tae. It hurts so much. I-I can’t face him,” Jimin says, voice shaking the more he speaks. “It physically hurts Tae.”

“But you’re going to have to sooner or later Min,” Taehyung says calmly. “Whether it is because of work things or just in the building.”

“I can’t Tae!” Jimin cries, tears threatening to fall. “I can’t be near him. I can’t stay there. It hurts too much.”

Jimin chokes out a sob and Taehyung is quick to pull him into a hug, holding him protectively as the smaller boy cries.

“You need to figure out something Minie,” Taehyung says softly.

“I know…” Jimin whispers.

“And I’ll support you with whatever you decide.”

Jimin leans back to face the younger, smiling weakly and saying “Thanks.”

“Of course Min,” Taehyung assures with a gentle smile. He pulls Jimin back into the hug, knowing the elder needs much more comfort. They stay like that for a while until a quiet chime comes from Taehyung’s pocket.

“Oh uh Minie I have to be somewhere. But you can call me if you need anything, okay?” Taehyung informs.

“Okay,” Jimin responds, mustering a tiny smile to reassure Taehyung at least a little. The younger reluctantly leaves and Jimin sits motionless, hearing the front door close to mark Taehyung’s departure. After a few more minutes of sad silence and stillness, he forces himself out of bed.

He trudges into the kitchen, avoiding looking into any reflective surface knowing he looked ill. He decides to make some tea and mope on the couch for a change of scenery as opposed to his bed. It was still an improvement, at least in Jimin’s mind.

He has never felt this broken and hollow before. It’s like Jungkook snatched his heart from his chest and crushed it. Jimin’s hidden away since the finale of Solo Star, not looking at anything about it for fear it would just spiral into looking up what Jungkook was doing. In fact Jimin couldn’t even tell you where his phone currently is, having avoided it the majority of the two weeks.

With a sigh, Jimin decided to find it, only to inform Hoseok and Seokjin that he was not dead, even if he felt like he was emotionally. After some light searching, he finds it tangled up in his bedding with very little battery life left. He sees a slew of messages from a variety of people, mainly Namjoon and Hoseok. Jungkook’s name never appeared, to Jimin’s relief and dismay. He sends a quick message to Seokjin and Hoseok, even a talk soon message to Namjoon, and then plugs it in to charge as he returns to the living room.

--

“Jungkook-ssi, your next appointment is here,” Jisoo says politely from the door.

“Appointment?” Jungkook questions, unaware of any meetings today. Namjoon hadn’t told him of anything, and the elder isn’t here to question either.

Jisoo simply nods and then steps to the side, revealing who the appointment in question is.

“Tae?” Jungkook questions, now even more confused. Taehyung politely thanks Jisoo for the escort and then crosses over to the younger’s desk, sitting in one of the chairs across from Jungkook who looks at him completely dumbfounded. “What are you doing here?”

“To talk to you,” Taehyung answers simply, sounding very neutral to Jungkook’s surprise. “But first, you look like hell.”

“I know,” Jungkook responds. He has been sleeping and barely eating, basically only running on coffee and long work nights to distract himself from the ache of hurting and pushing away Jimin.

“Jimin looks just as bad.”

Jungkook perks up hearing Jimin’s name. It’s honestly the first time he has heard it since the show, and the fight. Everyone around him seemed to wary of mentioning it as if he’d combust.

But then he deflates at the thought of Jimin feeling equally as bad as he has. And it being his fault.

“Is that why you’re here?” Jungkook asks, not even attempting to hide behind a professional façade.

“Yeah,” Taehyung admits. “My first instinct is to honestly punch you in your stupid idol face.”

“And you haven’t.”

“I don’t always listen to my first instinct. Something you could do with trying,” Taehyung says bluntly. “And even though punching you would make me feel better, it doesn’t fix anything.”

“Is anything even fixable at this point?” Jungkook asks despondently.

“Depends. Do you want to fix it?”

“Of course I do,” Jungkook answers immediately. “I’d go back in time if I could. But every time I try to fix it, I make it worse. And I can’t-”

Jungkook is cut off by the sob that catches in his throat, every feeling from guilt to shame to anger surging to the fore front at once.

“I can’t hurt him anymore. I physically can’t handle the thought of it. So it feels too far gone to salvage.”

Taehyung eyes him carefully, with no clear emotion behinds his eyes as they survey the younger in silence. Jungkook swallows back his tears, quickly wiping any evidence from his eyes, even though he knows Taehyung can see his broken state.

“Doing nothing hurts Jimin,” Taehyung finally says, eyes meeting with the rainbow orbs swimming in unshed tears. “Leaving him to suffer hurts him, Jungkook.”

Jungkook feels his chest tighten painfully tight, his heart breaking in real time despite already being shattered.

“He’s never going to come face you on his own. Not unless he really has to,” Taehyung continues. “So if you really want to fix this, regardless of if you think it has gone too far to really repair, you have to initiate it.”

Jungkook absorbs the elder’s advice. His own guilt has been holding him back and he isn’t sure he’ll be able to get past it. Not yet anyway.

“Is he really hurting?” Jungkook asks quietly.

“I’ve known him since we were kids,” Taehyung begins. “And I have never seen him this painfully devastated over anything.”

Jungkook clenches his fists and squeezes his eyes shut to try and subdue the wave of despair crashing into his. A tear still manages to escape, slowly rolling down his cheek which Taehyung watches with a frown.

“For what it’s worth,” Taehyung starts when the silence stretches too long. “I think you can salvage this.”

“Really?” Jungkook questions weakly, relaxing his tension.

“Yeah. You’ll have to work for it. But if you want it, you can do it.”

“But does Jimin want it?” Jungkook asks, more just into the universe than at Taehyung specifically.

“You’d have to ask him that,” Taehyung answers anyway. He pushes himself to standing, deciding he has had the conversation needed. He leaves Jungkook then, who simply sits quietly, staring off into space completely lost in thought as the tears roll down his face silently.

--

Another week passes since the meeting with Taehyung had really thrown Jungkook for a loop. The CEO spent most of it battling against his personal guilt to try and find a way to reach out to Jimin, to try and fix anything he could. But he couldn’t conjure anything to mind, and whatever he did think of he could never get past his own insecurities and shame to act on it.

“So I just got off the phone with Jimin.”

Jungkook whipped around to face Namjoon as the elder walks into his office, looking a bit somber.

“And?”

“He wants to break his contract,” Namjoon answers evenly, although his golden eyes show how torn he feels.

The news felt like a dagger of sorts. Not because Jungkook was losing business, but because his last connecting thread to the elder would be severed.

“I think you should let him,” Namjoon speaks again.

“What?” Jungkook asks in shock, wide eyes scanning him as if he is suddenly an alien.

“Let him go, Jungkook,” Namjoon repeats, although his words take on a different meaning and drip with sadness. “It was a hard choice for him, but he was adamant that he couldn’t continue.”

Jungkook sat frozen, desperately searching in his mind for any solution. Any option at all. And then he remembers something Taehyung said to him.

If you really want to fix this, you have to initiate it.

“I want to talk to him,” Jungkook decides on the spot. Namjoon gives him a look that blatantly reads ‘you must be crazy’, so he continues. “We should talk in person about this. We can’t have any more misunderstandings.”

Namjoon eyes him carefully, nervously even, before asking “Are you sure that is what you want?”

“Yes,” Jungkook answers instantly. Was he ready to see and speak to Jimin? Not really. But it needed to happen, and waiting was doing nothing but hurting them both.

Namjoon sighs quietly and pulls out his phone, typing out a message to Jimin and sending it right away. A few moments later his phone pings with a reply.

“He’s coming now,” Namjoon warns, looking up at the younger who is deep in thought. It’s completely silent between them, a tension slowly building.

“What are you really going to talk about?” Namjoon asks, knowing Jungkook and how this won’t really just be business. Not when he is emotionally invested this much.

“I have to fix this. I can’t let this hurt continue, for either of us,” Jungkook answers, both incredibly vague and crystal clear. Namjoon just nods, leaving Jungkook to his decision knowing he wouldn’t be able to change anything.

Twenty minutes pass and then there is a knock at the door, which Namjoon goes to open.

“Hi Jimin,” Namjoon says calmly, mustering a reassuring smile.

“Hi hyung,” Jimin responds, not bothering to hide his feelings. He steps into the office, just enough to face Jungkook but not get close, and Jungkook’s heart sinks. It was like looking in a mirror with the dark circles under his eyes and gaunt form. He looked sick, and that made Jungkook feel ill himself for having been the reason.

Jungkook met eyes with Namjoon and nodded simply before getting up from his desk. The eldest took his cue to exit, leaving the pair alone.

“Sit,” Jungkook requests gently, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. Jimin hesitates, his hands in fists at his sides as if he was plucking all the courage he had to approach Jungkook. And he did eventually, sitting stiffly in one of the chairs, staring intensely at the younger.

There was palpable tension between them, and it was suffocating. Jungkook had so desperately wanted to be near the elder again, but now that he was he felt like he was drowning in all the things he wanted to say.

“Do you want anything?” Jungkook offers tentatively, testing the waters.

“Just let me out of the contract,” Jimin says, jaw clenched. It wasn’t angry the way he said it, more like afraid and defensive. That didn’t make Jungkook feel any better.

“Jimin,” Jungkook started as patiently as possible, feeling his own emotions boil up but trying to remain calm.

“Why are you being so fucking stubborn about this?!”

“Please just let me-”

“Let you what? Try to convince me to stay? It’s not going to happen, Jeon,” Jimin hisses in frustration.

“Will you-”

“Listen to me for once.”

“No!” Jungkook snaps as he stands suddenly, slamming his hands onto his desk, all of which startling Jimin enough to silence him finally. “Let me fucking talk before you keep making assumptions about what I’m going to say.”

Jimin opens his mouth but no words come out, stunned into silence by the younger’s outburst. He eyes Jungkook carefully, and the younger looks as frustrated and upset as Jimin feels. So the elder shuts his mouth and gestures to let Jungkook speak.

“Thank you,” Jungkook exhales as if to let the outburst go, dropping back down into his chair. “Jimin, I don’t give a shit about the contract.”

“You don’t?”

“No. You could tear it to shreds right now and I don’t give a single fuck because what I actually care about is you. About us.”

Jimin blinks back at him with bewildered eyes, staying silent to let him continue.

“I know I fucked up. Massively fucked up. I wish with every fiber of my being to go back in time and make it so I never turned you down and insisted we couldn’t be together. I didn’t want to do that, and I do truly want you, but I was scared.”

“Of what?” Jimin asks, voice almost inaudible with how quiet he asked.

“That you would reject me. That rejection was inevitable because of our working relationship and the roles we play in society. I thought being the one to stop it would be better, but I was so wrong and I’m so sorry.”

Jungkook’s voice catches at the end as tears start to roll down his cheeks. Jimin doesn’t know what to do or think or feel right now so he sits frozen in his bewilderment watching the younger.

“Jimin, I love you,” Jungkook says, voice surprisingly even for being in the middle of crying. “It scares me how much I love you sometimes and I just want to fix this. I don’t want to lose you like this.”

“Jungkook…”

“I know I’ve probably fucked it beyond repair, but I couldn’t leave it without telling you. I know I hurt you so bad. It kills me inside knowing I hurt you like that. I wouldn’t blame you if you hate me now.”

“I don’t hate you,” Jimin interrupts softly.

“You probably should,” Jungkook says, worrying his bottom lip as he drops his head. “I don’t deserve you after how I treated you.”

“Jungkook stop,” Jimin pleads softly. “You’re acting like you murdered my family.”

“I broke your heart,” Jungkook points out, voice weak. Jimin eyes him somberly feeling a mix of emotions he doesn’t wish to feel. The elder doesn’t know what to do or say but he has to do or say something.

“D-do you really love me?” Jimin asks shakily.

“Yes,” Jungkook answers immediately and with complete sureness, looking up to make eye contact with the elder. The gaze is intense as Jungkook’s colorful eyes emit so much love as he looks at Jimin, and Jimin feels overwhelmed from everything happening. “Jimin I’ll do anything to prove how much I love you.”

“I believe you,” Jimin mumbles, heart beating fast as their intense shared gaze continues.

“Do you still love me?”

Jimin feels his chest tighten with anxiety, but he manages to whisper “Yes.”

“Even after I hurt you and was a complete asshole to you about it?”

“Yeah,” Jimin answers softly. “I still love you.”

Silence drops between them, but so does the tension. It’s a contemplative quiet, both of them deep in thought about everything.

“I…” Jimin starts, seeming troubled over what to say. “I still want out of the contract.”

“Done,” Jungkook answers immediately, making Jimin blink at him in surprise.

“Really?”

“Yes. If that is what you want, it’s done,” Jungkook assures.

“Thank you,” Jimin mumbles softly, still a little taken aback by the immediacy. They fall silent again, with Jimin fiddling with the threads on his sleeve and Jungkook carefully watching him.

“So,” Jungkook starts. “What now?”

“I think…” Jimin starts, forcing himself to look at the younger. “I think we still need time apart. I need time apart.”

He watches as Jungkook’s face falls, but he nods still in agreeance.

“It’s probably not healthy to jump into anything right now,” Jimin clarifies. “And I need to find my footing again. On my own.”

Jungkook simply nods again, although clearly sad about that response.

“I understand,” Jungkook eventually says. “I promise I do.”

“It’s not because I don’t- I do love you,” Jimin further clarifies, not wanting to see Jungkook down about it despite its inevitably.

“I know Jimin,” Jungkook assures. “I want the best for you. I really do. So if that means we are apart, then that’s fine.”

“Not forever,” Jimin pledges. “I promise.”

“I believe you,” Jungkook assures with a small smile. Silence falls again, no longer suffocating but very still.

“C-can I…” Jimin starts nervously. “Can I have a hug?”

Jungkook smiles genuinely at the question and immediately stands up, moving to stand beside his desk and holding his arms out. Jimin jumps from his seat and dives into Jungkook’s arms, wrapping his around the younger’s waist tightly and nuzzling into his neck. Jungkook hugs him back equally as tight, as if he’d lose the elder if he didn’t hold on.

“I missed you,” Jimin whispers with a quiet sniffle, tears breaking free after the roller coaster of emotions this encounter has been.

“I missed you too,” Jungkook replies, holding the elder closer having felt him start crying and kissing his forehead lightly. They stayed like that, gently swaying in each other’s arms and absorbing the comfort and affection they’ve long missed.

“I should probably go,” Jimin murmurs after what feels like hours, but was likely only a few minutes.

“Right,” Jungkook mumbles. They reluctantly drop their arms from around each other, exchanging small smiles before Jimin turns to leave.

“Jimin,” Jungkook says as the elder grabs onto the doorknob. Jimin looks back with a curious look waiting for him to continue. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait for you.”

Jimin stands frozen, sustaining an intense eye contact that emitted so many feelings between them. He then simply nods, twisting the handle and leaving Jungkook’s office.

Jungkook stood frozen for what felt like an eternity, letting everything settle inside him. After months of torment, he could settle. And more important, Jimin could settle after all of the hurt. Jungkook’s guilt was still simmering inside him, but now there was hope. And the hope was stronger.

He eventually sat back down at his desk, pulling himself in and resting his elbows on it, fingers laced as he rests his chin on them.

Jungkook, Mr. Good-At-Everything, was not always certain he would succeed at everything he tried. His track record was proof that his success rate was astronomical, but that doesn’t mean he blindly relied on the magic of his multicolored eyes to get him through anything. But one thing Jungkook was certain he would succeed at.

“I’ll wait for you,” Jungkook whispered into the silence, a promise to the universe. “I’ll wait for you, Jimin.”

Chapter Text

“So you just let him go?”

“You say that like he will never come back hyung.”

“It could.”

“What happened to the Yoongi who championed a relationship between us?” Jungkook questions with a huff.

“I’m still here. But I also have to be realistic,” Yoongi answers. “There was a lot of hurt between both of you, and you haven’t necessarily cleared through it all.”

“He promised,” Jungkook defends quietly. “He promised it wouldn’t be forever.”

“And you believe him?”

Jungkook knew Yoongi was simply looking out for him. Honesty is the best policy Yoongi’s only way to operate.

“I do,” Jungkook affirms calmly. “And I’ll wait as long as he needs me to.”

“That’s a big commitment.”

“So would a relationship,” Jungkook shrugs. “I want to be with him when he is ready. Yeah we have residual hurt to deal with, but there is no bad blood. And knowing Jimin, he wants to be in a stable space before committing to anything.”

“Yeah, sounds like Jimin,” Yoongi muses. “As long as you’re sure Kookie. I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for him.”

“I’m not sacrificing anything,” Jungkook clarifies. “I’m committing to him. I’m committing to blending our lives together when the time is right.”

“You really do adore him, don’t you?”

“Unbelievable so,” Jungkook admits shamelessly.

Yoongi eyes him gently before nodding once and turning back to his many monitors.

“Okay well let’s pass the time by making music. You have a comeback to make,” Yoongi declares.

They go back to work, no longer discussing the situation. But Jungkook can feel Yoongi’s unconditional support, even if the elder doesn’t say it. And for that he is grateful.

--

“If you look at his Instagram one more time, I’m confiscated your phone.”

“Don’t you think that is a little harsh?”

“Kookie,” Namjoon said firmly, giving him a knowing look. “I know it’s been a month and you have heard nothing from him, but constantly checking his socials isn’t healthy.”

“I just want to know how he is doing,” Jungkook murmurs, fiddling with his phone.

“And that requires scrolling his profiles every second you have free time?”

Jungkook drops his head in shame, knowing he’s been got.

“I’m worried, okay?” Jungkook says, looking at the elder with pleading doe eyes.

“About what?” Namjoon asks, tone softening as he sits beside the younger on the office couch.

“That maybe he won’t actually come back. That he’s moved on,” Jungkook admits. “I want to respect his need for space. Let him come to me when he is ready. But I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tearing me apart a little.”

“You kind of set yourself up for this Kook-ah,” Namjoon says, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze.

“I know. And I stand by the decision. It’s just been harder than I expected.”

“It’ll work out Jungkook. You said he promised to come back. So you know the outcome already. Just not when.”

Jungkook nods, although that doesn’t necessarily make him feel much better. But he has made his choice, he promised to wait, and he isn’t going to give up on this. He isn’t going to give up on Jimin.

--

“Okay I have determined my fans hate me.”

“That doesn’t even make sense Jungkook,” Namjoon replies, eyes glued to his phone as he rapidly types away. They were in the final stages of Jungkook’s comeback, so everyone was busy with that. And Jungkook liked being busy because it distracted from the fact it’s been two months since he last saw Jimin.

“Okay but have you seen what they are saying?”

“What are they saying?”

“They keep asking about Jimin,” Jungkook answers with a pout. “Both professionally and my relationship with him.”

“Well we haven’t released a statement about his departure,” Namjoon mentions. “Should do that though. I’ll tell PR.”

Jungkook sighs. He frankly doesn’t care about the business side. He just wants to see Jimin again. And every day after that. Forever.

“You’re daydreaming.”

“No, just thinking.”

“Same difference,” Namjoon says with a smirk. “Anyway enough about Jimin because you have an entire comeback happening in under a week and we have a fuck ton of shit to do for it.”

“Fine,” Jungkook sighs, relenting to business Namjoon and getting back to work.

--

“How do you feel?”

“Nervous,” Jungkook admits, unable to stand still while waiting to take the stage.

“You? Nervous?” Namjoon asks, genuinely surprised to hear Jungkook is nervous to perform.

“Yeah. This one is so personal,” Jungkook explains. The song, My Time, is about his lost childhood to the entertainment industry. They even went sexy for the concept, much sexier than he had done prior. Plus this was his first comeback under his own roof, so there were many factors leading to his nerves.

“You’re going to be amazing Kookie,” Namjoon comforts with a dimpled smile. “Yes, it is personal, but that just emphasizes your performance. It adds motivations you never had before. You’re going to be the real you on stage, and everyone will love it.”

Jungkook looked at his manager, a frown of worry pulling his face down as he scanned the elder’s face. And Namjoon simply looked sincere and steadfast, which did calm Jungkook some.

“Thanks hyung,” Jungkook murmured.

“No need to thank me for telling the truth,” Namjoon responds with a dimpled smile. “And if nothing else, your fans will lose their shit over your long hair and exposed chest.”

Jungkook barks a laugh at that, knowing how true that was. He could see the screenshots already.

“Jungkook on stand-by,” a PA called in passing. Jungkook took a deep breath to calm his shaky heart and enter his performance state of mind. Shortly after he is ascending the steps to the stage to record his stages.

Once on stage, singing his song, it was liberating. Jungkook felt the freedom he craved for years when under the thumb of Jeong at Rhapsody. It was both exhilarating and soothing, both feelings working in tandem to make Jungkook feel whole.

For once it felt like he was talking instead of his eyes.

After a successful recording, he happily heads backstage and towards Namjoon, who is smiling smugly at him.

“Told you you’d be amazing,” Namjoon said once Jungkook was in front of him.

“You’re biased.”

“Do you not think you were amazing?” Namjoon asked with a quirked eyebrow.

“It felt amazing,” Jungkook admits. “Whether it was to anyone else doesn’t really matter.”

“Perfect,” Namjoon muses. “Now I hate to burst your bubble, but we have to leave right now.”

“Right now?” Jungkook asks, tilting his head in curiosity.

“Yeah. You have a meeting I forgot to tell you about. And we don’t have time for you to change so you’re going in that,” Namjoon explains, briefly eyeing Jungkook’s stage look.

“Are you serious?” Jungkook asks in shock. His skin tight black leather pants, studded leather jacket, and pseudo button-up shirt with a single stitch to close where desired, which was half way down his chest, was not meeting attire. “Hyung I-”

“Sorry but we really have to go,” Namjoon interrupts. He hands over Jungkook’s bag with his things and strides down the hall towards the lobby. Sejin is waiting for them and the pair quickly climb into the car to head to GC Entertainment.

“Are you going to give me any briefing?” Jungkook asks, anxiety simmering under his skin.

“You don’t need one. It’s more of a conversation than a meeting to be honest,” Namjoon answers.

“You’re being vague.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Namjoon dismisses calmly, leaving Jungkook even more confused. His manager isn’t acting weird, or out of character, but a last second conversation-meeting was abnormal.

They arrive to the company, heading right to the elevators and choosing their floor as they step out, Namjoon stops suddenly.

“Shit Jungkook PR needs me. You can handle this alone right?” Namjoon asks, already walking towards the marketing department.

“Hyung, I don’t even know what it is about!” Jungkook calls, albeit useless because Namjoon has already rushed off, leaving him to face this surprise meeting alone. With a sigh, he makes his way to his office, shaking his arms to relieve some of the anxious energy building up.

He hesitates at his own office door, having to shake it off because he is the CEO after all. With a deep breath, he opens the door and steps inside.

“My apologies for…” Jungkook begins, professional persona turned on but freezing as he sees a lone individual standing with his back towards the door. The man is blonde, standing with authority that Jungkook can see even though he is facing away. What makes Jungkook really stop in his tracks is the familiar figure, slim and toned.

And then the man turns to face him.

--

“So he agreed to give you some space to figure everything out?” Taehyung questions, quirking an eyebrow at his roommate.

“Yeah, he did,” Jimin says softly. “He told me to take me time too. Said he’d wait for me.”

“Well how about that,” Taehyung muses, leaning back in the armchair. “So what’s the plan now?”

“Honestly,” Jimin starts. “I don’t know.”

“Fair. You did have your world flipped around a few times in the last few weeks.”

“Yeah,” Jimin sighs. “I need some time to think. Need to figure out what I want now.”

“Besides Jungkook,” Taehyung adds with a small smile.

“Right. Besides Jungkook,” Jimin agrees, feeling himself blush as he smiles to himself.

Jimin won’t lie, the events of the day have been unfathomable to him. When Namjoon said Jungkook wanted to talk about the contract, he was ready to have to fight him over it. He was expecting a fight. But he got what he really needed the most: an apology. A sincere apology and a confirmation of feelings.

Although he does feel massively relieved, there are lingering worries Jimin needs to process. He didn’t really think beyond getting out of the contract, so now that he is out of it he is left with one, massive question: now what?

“You don’t have to make a decision overnight,” Taehyung comforts. “You can take your time. And I’m sure Jin-hyung would love to have you back at the shop if you need work while deciding on what to do.”

Jimin nods, grateful for the unconditional support of his friends even through the disaster that was the last few weeks.

“You know what I need right now? Actual, decent sleep,” Jimin decides. “Think I’m going to call it a night early.”

“Okay. Good night Minie.”

“Night Tae.”

Jimin leisurely completed his nighttime routine and promptly burrowed under his blankets. This is the first night in weeks where he hasn’t felt completely depressed as he crawled into bed. He finally feel content, relieved for the cleared air and eased mind.

Only thing that would make this better is if Jungkook was here.

Jimin frowned at the thought. Was it really the best choice to take time apart? Right after making amends? He knows he needs room to figure his life out, but he could do that with Jungkook beside him, right?

These questions are the last thoughts Jimin has before he drifts off into a much-needed deep sleep.

--

“Get dressed!”

“Why?”

“You’re coming with me to work,” Taehyung declares. Jimin furrows his brows in confusion, waiting for further explanation for this declaration. Taehyung eventually sighs, turning to face the elder head on.

“You have been a recluse for two weeks. I know you’re still determining your life path, but you can do that outside you know?”

Jimin snorts at the dramatics of his best friend. “So you just want to go outside?”

“And to see hyung. He keeps complaining you haven’t come by since you ‘got your sweet, sweet freedom’ as he puts it.”

Jimin laughs brightly. Of course Seokjin would phrase it like.

“Okay I’ll come with you,” Jimin relents, putting his empty dishes in the sink and escaping to his room to change out of his uniform of sweats and long sleeves. This is an excuse to dress up a little, so he puts on his nicest jeans and a cozy sweater, styling his hair somewhat and applying a little make-up to hide the remaining bags under his eyes.

“Hyung is going to think you’re all dressed up for him,” Taehyung comments when Jimin returns to the living room.

“What if I am?” Jimin teases.

“Trying to make Jungkook jealous?” Taehyung teases back. Jimin rolls his eyes in response, knowing it is all in light jest, and they head out for the coffee shop.

“Hey Min,” Taehyung says halfway through their walk.

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you’re happy again.”

“What makes you say that?” Jimin asks after a pause of confusion.

“Just you were really hurting and it was a little scary to see how bad you felt and not being able to do anything about it,” Taehyung explains. Jimin eyes his friend carefully and then abruptly hugs him, making them both stop their walk.

“You helped so much Tae,” Jimin assures. “I knew you were always there when I needed you. And that means so much to me.”

Taehyung just hugs him back tightly before letting go and taking a deep breath.

“Okay no crying before work,” Taehyung says, earning a laugh from the elder. They finish their walk in silence, lingering close to each other the whole time.

“Do my eyes deceive me? Is that the Park Jimin?” Seokjin teases upon seeing the pair enter the coffee shop. “And he’s dressed all pretty. I have been blessed.”

“Shut up hyung,” Jimin laughs.

“Someone seems to be feeling better.”

“Yeah,” Jimin smiles. “I haven’t figured out anything yet, but I definitely feel better.”

“Good, I’m glad,” Seokjin says with a genuine smile. “Do you want to help or just loiter and pester Tae all day?”

“Hey!” Taehyung shouts from the back, making the elder two laugh together.

“I’ll hang out. And if you get desperate, I’ll think about helping.”

“Oh someone gets a little bit of freedom and thinks he is hot shit,” Seokjin teases. “It’s a good thing I like you Jimin-ah.”

“I like you too hyung,” Jimin says with a bright smile.

Most of the day is spent with Jimin hanging out at a table near the pick-up counter so he can easily talk to Taehyung during down time and be out of the way of the hustle and bustle.

It’s late morning and Jimin is scrolling aimlessly on his phone when he gets tapped on the shoulder. He looks up to see two teenaged girls, smiling a little nervously at him.

“Um hi you’re Park Jimin right?” the blue-eyed one asks.

“Yes?”

“We just wanted to say we loved you on Solo Star,” the purple-eyed one says. “Your dancing is incredible. I wish I could dance like that.”

“Oh,” Jimin replies in genuine surprise.

“Could we maybe take a picture with you?” the blue-eyed girl asks. Jimin blinks back in shock for a bit before he responds.

“Sure!” he says brightly, earning equally as jubilant smiles from both girls. He poses with them as one takes a couple selfies, both girls giggling excitedly over the experience.

“Can we ask what you’re doing now that the show is over?” the purple-eyed girl asks after the photos.

“Oh um,” Jimin starts, rubbing the nape of his neck briefly. “Still figuring it out to be honest.”

“Well, if you ever decided to do like dance workshops or something, I’d absolute attend.”

“Me too!” the blue-eyed girl adds happily.

“Oh that’s very kind of you,” Jimin replies, still mind blown by the whole interaction. The girls smile at him one last time before scurrying away, both giggling to each other with excitement.

“My best friend is famous,” Taehyung says, faking wiping away a happy tear and then holding his heart with fondness.

“Shut up,” Jimin whines, his face heating up with blush. Taehyung is ready to continue his lighthearted jabs, but an excited voice cuts him off.

“Jiminie!”

“Hobi!”

Jimin jumps out of his seat and hurries over to Hoseok, both hugging each other like old friends who haven’t seen each other in years. When in reality, it’s only been a month since they last saw each other.

“You seem good! Have things looked up?” Hoseok asks.

“Yes! Actually I have a lot to tell you, if you have the time,” Jimin says, realizing he hadn’t updated the elder on the conversation with Jungkook.

“For you, absolutely,” Hoseok agrees with his sunshiny smile. They return to Jimin’s table with Seokjin bringing them both coffee as Jimin retells the whole tale of his impromptu meeting with Jungkook, ending his contract, and the break.

“Wow,” Hoseok says once Jimin finishes.

“Right? It’s a little insane but, it feels right. It feels like this is what was supposed to happen,” Jimin muses.

“I’m glad that is how you feel Min,” Hoseok says sincerely. “Also I am glad you’re not with GC Entertainment anymore.”

“What? Why?” Jimin asks, surprised at the admission.

“Not cause I think they’re a bad company or anything. No ill-will towards them. But it means I can give you my own offer.”

Jimin blinks a the elder questioningly, which seems to be the theme of reactions for him today.

“I’ve decided to start my own dance company. Expand Hope World beyond the single studio and into a full performance company. Also have dancers for hire for entertainment companies. I already have a couple past companies I’ve worked with that are interested in the idea.”

“Oh wow hyung that’s amazing.”

“I know. It’s a dream come true honestly. And I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“What?” Jimin questions, completely taken aback by that.

“Ever since the episode of Solo Star where you came to the studio, interest in my classes has exploded. Hundreds, hell maybe even thousands, of people wanted to learn where Park Jimin did.”

“You’re kidding,” Jimin says in disbelief.

“Not at all. You’re the best publicity I could have only ever dreamed of,” Hoseok says genuinely. “Which brings me to my offer. I want you in my company.”

“You what?!” Jimin asks in more disbelief.

“You heard me,” Hoseok laughs. “I want you in the company. I want you to dance with me.”

“Are you serious hyung?! Like seriously serious?!”

“Super serious,” Hoseok replies, a big grin pulling on his lips. “Regardless of your help in making it possible without your knowledge, you’re a fucking great dancer. And you’ve shown the world that. I gotta snatch you before other companies try.”

Jimin laughs at that, mind reeling from it all.

“Okay but hyung this is…” Jimin trails off, hundreds of words come to mind to describe it. “This is my dream. You’re offering me my dream!”

“I know,” Hoseok says proudly. “Another reason to be glad you’re out of GC. I know you really wanted to perform and do anything to get there, but I knew you didn’t really want to be an idol.”

“Then why didn’t you say something?”

“Because I was never going to stand in your way of getting your dreams realized in any way,” Hoseok answers.

“Hyung I…this is amazing,” Jimin says in awe.

“You don’t have to decide right-”

“Are you kidding?! Of course I’ll dance with you!” Jimin interrupts, standing and hugging the elder across the table awkwardly. Hoseok laughs at the enthusiasm, hugging the younger back as best he can.

“Okay perfect. Also, I want you to help beyond just dancing. I want your input on things,” Hoseok adds.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I trust your opinion. Plus you have some insider knowledge of the industry,” Hoseok explains with a wink, making Jimin roll his eyes but flaunt his smile still.

“Okay. When do we start?”

The pair descend into deep conversation about the company, what Hoseok has already done and what they need to do. They talk until closing of the shop, and even after since they have friendship privileges. Taehyung and Seokjin have to drag them out because they are both too excited and driven to stop. The foursome ends up getting dinner and drinks, celebrating all the good things coming their respective ways.

It’s when Jimin watches on as the other three get into a ridiculous debate that he truly, fully feels an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. These three people have been the definition of ride or die for Jimin. And he can’t imagine where he would be without them. But something is missing still. Or rather someone.

Only thing that would make this better is if Jungkook was here.

“Min?”

“Huh?” Jimin snaps out of his thought to find the three friends looking at him.

“Want to go to Jin’s for a bit?” Taehyung asks, clearly repeating the question.

“Oh yeah sure,” Jimin answers with a smile. The group heads out from their dinner and Taehyung pulls Jimin aside briefly.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” Jimin answers. “Just thought about Jungkook.”

Taehyung nods in understanding, wrapping an arm around his best friend and hugging him into his side as they walk to the car.

Soon.

I can go back to him soon.

--

Jimin had very little time to eat, let alone think about Jungkook, with how busy he got helping Hoseok setup and premiere Hope World. They made it a goal to have a cast of dancers by the end of the following month and a debut showcase a few months after that, so every day and most of the night was spent getting everything ready to do so.

And Jimin enjoyed all of it, even if it was exhausted. It was exciting, especially getting to work side by side with one of his closest friends, and every day was rewarding.

But the closer it got to their full cast deadline, the more Jimin started to ache for Jungkook. He wanted to share all of this with him, but they hadn’t reunited yet. And that was Jimin’s doing, solely because he just hasn’t had the time. When he had a free moment and he checked up on the younger, he’d see the updates about his comeback. While happy to see him busy as well, Jimin was sad he couldn’t be a round for it. And he didn’t just want to message out of nowhere, knowing Jungkook needed to focus on his biggest comeback to date.

“What will it take to convince you to let me dye your hair?” Taehyung asked one afternoon while working at the coffee shop and Jimin worked at the table near the pick-up counter.

“Enough time to do it,” Jimin commented, eyes glued to his laptop. They had auditions for the company that weekend, and the following weekend was their deadline for a full cast.

“We can multitask if we have to,” Taehyung countered. “You can work while I fix up your hair. Easy Peasy.”

“What’s wrong with my hair?”

“For starters, your roots are showing,” Taehyung points out. “Second all of the pink has faded, so your hair is more white than anything else.”

“Okay okay fine. I’ll let you play hairdresser,” Jimin relents, eyeing his reflection in the screen and seeing how bad his roots have gotten. “I don’t think I want pink though.”

“Oh? What were you thinking?”

“Maybe a blonde. Like a warmer, darker blonde.”

“Yeah okay I can see it,” Taehyung concurs. “So after I get off, we’re going to the store and then I’m doing your hair tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“You said Hoseok is busy with a choreography gig tonight, so you’d be working alone anyway. Work while I make you pretty.”

“Fine,” Jimin relents with an eye roll, getting a happy laugh from the younger.

“Jimin?”

Jimin looks up to see Namjoon looking at him, a dimpled smile growing as he confirms the younger is who he is.

“Hyung!” Jimin says with a smile, standing from his table and rushing over to hug him, startling Namjoon by it.

“You seem well,” Namjoon remarks.

“I am. Busy, but well,” Jimin explains. “How have you been?”

“Busy with Kookie’s comeback. It’s been adventurous for sure.”

“In a good way?”

“Yeah, in a good way,” Namjoon affirms. “So if you’re doing better, should I expect to see you appear soon?”

“Oh,” Jimin says, not expecting the question. “I’d love to. Really, I want to. I’ve just been so busy I have barely had time for myself let alone Jungkook.”

“Fair enough,” Namjoon says with an understanding nod. “I’ll happily help set that up if you wanted to surprise him.”

“Surprise him…” Jimin trails, ideas sparking in his mind. “Actually do you have a second?”

Namjoon quirks an amused eyebrow and agrees, following the younger to his table and joining him.

“So Jungkook’s formal comeback date isn’t until the thirtieth. But he’s pre-recording his stages tomorrow.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. So, if you want to surprise him, you can be in his office when we get back,” Namjoon suggests.

“Yeah. Yeah okay!” Jimin says happily as the idea processes.

“God how adorable,” Taehyung chimes in from the counter. “A surprise romantic reunion. Swoon.”

“Shut up Tae,” Jimin says, tossing a crumpled napkin at him.

“So does that sound like a plan? I can send you the details so you can plan accordingly,” Namjoon offers.

“Yeah okay. Thanks hyung,” Jimin says with a smile.

“Honestly my pleasure. It’ll also get Kookie to calm down.”

“Calm down?”

“He’s been…eager for you to come back,” Namjoon explains carefully. “The comeback has been a decent distraction, but he really misses you.”

“I miss him too,” Jimin replies softly.

“Well, tomorrow you’ll be reunited. Much to the shock of Jungkook,” Namjoon chuckles. “I gotta get going. See you tomorrow probably.”

“Yeah. See you hyung.”

Namjoon waves goodbye to Taehyung and Seokjin, two coffees in hand with one likely for Jungkook.

“Good thing I’m doing your hair tonight,” Taehyung teases, earning a glare from his best friend which just makes him laugh brightly as he returns to drink making.

--

“Okay it’s happening. This is happening,” Jimin mumbles to himself as the elevator transports him to his floor.

He coordinated with Namjoon for when he should arrive to the company, letting him know Jisoo would let him go to Jungkook’s office no problem. He spent the night with Taehyung bleaching and dying his hair and helping him choose a suitable outfit, wanting to look nice but not try hard. He barely slept he was too excited, and nervous, for this reunion.

The elevator pinged and the doors slid open at GC Entertainment, so Jimin stepped out on the familiar floor.

“Jimin-ssi!” Jisoo said brightly upon seeing him, smiling happily.

“Hi Jisoo-ssi,” Jimin replied.

“I’m glad to see you’re well. You can head back,” Jisoo adds before turning back to work. Jimin thanked her and then made his way down the familiar hallway, passing the studio rooms with groups of young dancers practicing. Once at Jungkook’s door, he lifts his hand to knock, then realizing that would be ridiculous since it is empty, so he just lets himself in.

Jimin has never been in Jungkook’s office alone. Either Jungkook or Namjoon have been here with him, so being in it alone is weird. He debates sitting down, deciding that he feels a little too tense to sit still. Instead he wander the space, glancing over the bookshelf and recognizing the spine of Jungkook’s trainee journal. Jimin smiled fondly at the memories of reading it and learning about the younger. Who knew he’d end up here, hopelessly in love with the boy who wrote his thoughts in that book.

Jimin continues his slow wandering towards the windows, realizing he has never once looked out them. The view is ridiculous, towering above Seoul below and making you feel like a godly being.

Jimin hears the door open and he freezes, waiting for some indication of who is there. And then the voice he’d never forget and deeply missed spoke. “My apologies for…”

Jimin had to resist the urge to laugh at how the younger trailed off. He turns to face him, and his heart swells with love finally seeing him again.

“Jimin,” Jungkook exhales like he was holding his breath, his eyes big in surprise and an overall shocked expression.

“Hi,” Jimin says with a fond smile and warm eyes. On autopilot Jungkook crosses the room with large steps and pulls Jimin into a tight embrace, holding him as close as possible as if Jimin will disappear if he lets go. Jimin holds him just as close and it is silent as they hold each other.

“You’re here.”

“I am.”

“Oh my god you’re here,” Jungkook repeats, pulling out of the hug to look at the elder who giggles at Jungkook’s reaction. “You’re my sudden meeting.”

“Sudden?” Jimin asks, his smile a permanent feature.

“Hyung wouldn’t tell me anything and just said I had a meeting right after my stage thus why I am in my fucking stage outfit.”

“To be fair, this is something you’d just wear,” Jimin remarks, eyeing the all black ensemble. “Although a little risqué for day to day.”

“Who cares what I’m wearing. You’re here,” Jungkook reiterates much to Jimin’s amusement.

“Yes, we’ve established that,” Jimin laughs, eyes shrinking into crescents as he smiles which makes Jungkook’s heart melt.

“Oh my god I missed you,” Jungkook says, pulling Jimin back into a tight embrace that the elder equally returns.

“I missed you too,” Jimin admits. “Fuck I missed you so much.

“So this means we-are we-“ Jungkook starts but he is quickly cut off when Jimin kisses him firmly, answering the question that way. Jungkook is briefly shocked and then quickly melts into it, pulling Jimin closer and deepening it in the process.

“I love you,” Jimin pants out of the kiss, round eyes filled with affection and adoration as he looks into the rainbow eyes he’s longed to see again.

“I love you too,” Jungkook replies, eyes sparkling with joy and smiling his characteristic bunny smile. They both lean back into a kiss, much softer and intimate this time and they reacquaint themselves with one another.

“Jimin,” Jungkook says quietly when he pulls away from the kiss. “Please be mine. Be my boyfriend. Be my anything just be mine.”

“I’m yours,” Jimin states, his grin growing wide. “I’m all yours if you’re mine.”

“I’ve always been yours,” Jungkook replies, surging back into a kiss and guiding them to the couch. Jimin lies back on it and Jungkook hovers over him until the elder pulls him done so their bodies are pressed together. The kiss each other eagerly, full of love and affection for each other, until they have to break to seriously breathe.

“Hi,” Jimin pants.

“Hi,” Jungkook replies breathily. “You’re blonde now.”

“As of last night, yes.”

“Looks great. You always look great.”

“Flatterer.”

“Isn’t it my job as your significant other to flatter you endlessly?” Jungkook questions with a smirk. Jimin rolls his eyes in response and the younger is quick to peck kisses all over his face until Jimin is giggling uncontrollably.

“Stop!” Jimin whines, his laughter revealing his true feelings.

“Never,” Jungkook says. He goes to kiss Jimin’s cheek again but the elder grabs his face in both hands and guide their lips together in a slow, almost sensual kiss.

“You grew your hair out,” Jimin murmurs into the kiss, hands sliding up so his fingers tangle in the long, dark strands.

“I did.”

“Looks good,” Jimin murmurs again, his tone shifting to something darker that sparks something inside Jungkook.

“Wow okay, wasn’t expecting this.”

The couple jump, with Jungkook falling to the floor as Jimin sits up abruptly to see Namjoon standing there looking incredibly smug with amusement.

“Hyung you could knock,” Jungkook complains, pushing himself off the floor and plopping down behind Jimin, snaking his arms around the elder’s waist protectively.

“I did,” Namjoon points out. “Someone was lost in their personal bubble.”

Jimin giggles as Jungkook squeezes him tighter, affection warming his body at the younger’s actions.

“I’ll take it the surprise was successful,” Namjoon remarks, eyeing the couple. Jimin nods, eyes shining happily as Jungkook looks adoringly at him, the scene making Namjoon’s heart warm with fondness. “Good. You’re off the rest of the day Kookie.”

“I’m what?”

“Off. As in go spend time with Jimin somewhere that isn’t here,” Namjoon clarifies.

“Okay,” Jungkook quickly agrees jumping off the couch and pulling Jimin with him, holding the elder close to his side. “If you need me, don’t.”

“Got it,” Namjoon chuckles at the youngest’s enthusiasm. With quick goodbyes, Jungkook is pulling Jimin along, his hyper active rabbit side coming out as they take the elevator and he can’t stand still. He isn’t much better in the car to his apartment, but Jimin finds it too endearing to get annoyed honestly.

“I need to change,” Jungkook declares when they enter his penthouse. He’s about to head to his bedroom when Jimin grabs his arm to stop him. He spins around with a confused look, eyeing the elder.

“I could help with that,” Jimin suggests, eyeing the younger hungrily, pulling his lip between his teeth seductively when his eyes meet Jungkook’s. The younger furrows his brows in further confusion and then the epiphany hits. His eyes grow comically wide and a grin splits his face before he snatches Jimin into his arms, lifting him off the ground and carrying him to the bedroom.

“Jungkook! Put me down!” Jimin laughs, honestly enjoying the moment of brute strength by the younger.

“Okay,” Jungkook says, lying Jimin on the bed and quickly crawling on top of him after discarding his jacket haphazardly.  

“Namjoon-hyung is evil,” Jimin remarks as he eyes the younger over him.

“How?”

“He made you come see me wearing this,” Jimin explains as he trails his hand down from Jungkook’s neck over his exposed chest, sending chills through the younger. “You’re wearing bang me pants.”

“Bang me pants?!” Jungkook laughs.

“Yes, bang me pants. Or fuck me pants.”

“But I want to fuck you,” Jungkook says, lowering himself onto Jimin so his bodyweight rested on the elder.

“Then take the pants off,” Jimin reasons, his voice straining slightly from the pleasurable weight on him. Jungkook raised an eyebrow at him, questioning his audacity with an amused expression, and then moved off the bed to do as wanted. He pulled the shirt off first, also tossing it aside with little care. The leather pants followed after along with his boxers, leaving him complete naked as Jimin eyes him hungrily.

“You’re a fucking Greek god,” Jimin comments as he continues his devouring stares. “A whole Adonis.”

Jungkook chuckled darkly and then moved over Jimin again, his presence pushing the elder back down.

“We have a problem though,” Jungkook remarks.

“What’s that?”

“You’re still dressed.”

“Then fix it,” Jimin decides, playfully challenging the younger.

“You’re so bossy today,” Jungkook points out, highly amused.

“Well you’re not my boss anymore so I can do what I want,” Jimin reasons, a flicker of mischief in his eyes.

“Oh really?”

Jimin hums in assent, pulling his plump bottom lip between his teeth to seduce the younger. Jungkook audibly growled at the action, sparks of arousal striking his nerves, and as much fun as the back and forth is, he’s reaching a breaking point.

“As you wish baby,” Jungkook relents playfully, grasping the hum of Jimin’s sweater and lifting it off the elder. He takes his time sliding his hands over his smooth skin, down his chest and over his abs. The touch is reverent, and goosebumps trail every touch as Jimin’s breathing becomes labored with arousal.

“Jungkook,” Jimin pants, cock straining uncomfortably against his jeans, wanting to be touched. “Jungkook please.”

“Relax my love,” Jungkook murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. He moves to unbutton Jimin’s jeans, pulling them off when Jimin lifts his hips to make it easier. His underwear follows, and they are both bare for each other.

“You’re so beautiful,” Jungkook says, gazing over his lover with so much care it warms Jimin’s heart. Jungkook connects their lips again in a slow, soft kiss, feeling Jimin’s fingers nest into his hair to keep them close as they melt into one another. He trails gentle kisses down Jimin’s jaw and neck, peppering his chest before moving down his torso. The closer he gets to Jimin’s dick, the more worked up the elder gets, but Jungkook avoids it as he kisses over Jimin’s hip and down his thigh before switch to kiss up his other leg.

“Kookie please I-I need-,” Jimin pants, incredibly worked up from simple kisses.

“What do you want baby?” Jungkook asks, noses brushing together as he comes face to face with the elder.

“You,” Jimin answers, making Jungkook’s heart warm and a smile pull on his face. “Just you. Please.”

“Okay love,” Jungkook assures softly, kissing Jimin quickly before moving down his body again.

“Oh fuck!” Jimin yelps as Jungkook licks over his cock slowly before holding it in his fist. This wasn’t what he expected.

Jungkook continues his licks, going up the length of the shaft and swirling over the head. Jimin’s pants and whines are music to his ears, and as he sucks on the tip the most beautiful moan rings through the room.

“Fuck Jungkook,” Jimin pants. The younger continues working Jimin, bobbing his head steadily and taking more every time. “Fuck baby feels so good.”

Jungkook groans at the pet name, a new piece of tinder for the fire of his arousal. He starts sucking harder and bobbing faster, making Jimin fall apart. The elder firsts his hair desperately, which jolts Jungkook with pleasure and reminding him of his own hard cock.

Jungkook pulls off with a pop, eyeing the rapid rise and fall of Jimin’s chest and his fucked out expression, feeling proud of his work thus far.

“Fuck me Jungkook,” Jimin pants, half-lidded eyes staring intensely at the younger. The stare makes Jungkook’s dick twitch and he groans with the request, quick to crawl up and hungrily kiss the elder. It’s messy and desperate, tongues sliding and swallowing moans between them. During the kiss they mutually roll over so Jimin is now on top of Jungkook, the younger sliding his hands down his back to rest at his hips lovingly.

“You’re an angel,” Jungkook says when they break the kiss, looking up at Jimin who lovingly smiles down at him.

“I am not,” Jimin chuckles, cheeks blushing at the compliment.

“Yes, you are,” Jungkook affirms. “My angel.”

“Have you always been a cheesy romantic?” Jimin asks, managing continued eye contact despite his reddened face.

“Yes. Too bad I couldn’t have been this way with you sooner,” Jungkook remarks, a small drop in his expression.

“Well now we have all the time in the world,” Jimin reassures with a smile.

“And I’ll use every second of it,” Jungkook claims earning a soft giggle from the elder that makes him smile. “I’ll use every second to show you how much I love you.”

Jimin hides his face in Jungkook’s neck, feeling his blush intensify at the bold claim made for him. Jungkook however won’t have any of that.

“No baby no hiding,” Jungkook says, shifting so Jimin’s no longer nuzzled into his neck and looking at him, red cheeks and all. “No hiding that beautiful face from me.”

“Stop,” Jimin whines, attempting to hide behind his own hands but Jungkook just tugs them away. Their eyes meet, both exchanging enamored looks that make their hearts swell with love and affection.

“I love you Jimin,” Jungkook says softly.

“I love you too,” Jimin replies just as quietly. Jungkook pulls Jimin into a kiss, soft and loving, savoring how their lips perfectly move together like they were always meant to. The kiss slowly grows sensual as they return to the previous mood, with Jimin rutting in Jungkook making them both gasp and moan in pleasure.

“Need you to fuck me. Please I can’t wait anymore,” Jimin begs before crashing their lips together again.

“Let me prep you,” Jungkook insists, breaking the kiss and squeezing Jimin’s ass playfully making the elder whimper.

Jimin quickly rolls off, resting against the pillows while Jungkook grabs the necessities. He turns back to Jimin, who has already moved a pillow under his hips and spread his legs open, and sucks in a harsh breath at the view.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” Jungkook murmurs, situating himself between Jimin’s legs.

“No dying. Only fucking,” Jimin declares as he watches Jungkook coat his fingers in lube.

“And loving,” Jungkook amends, flashing a smile at Jimin as he warms the gel.

“Such a romantic.”

“Only for you.”

Jimin smiles wide at that and then gasps into a moan as Jungkook circles his rim before pushing his first finger inside. Jungkook works slowly, gently praising Jimin as he stretches him open to two and then three fingers.

“Fuck!” Jimin swears sharply, body jolting as Jungkook curls his fingers into his prostate. “Ready Jungkook baby fuck me please.”

“Fuck,” Jungkook growls, the pet name and plea sparking in him. He removes his fingers slowly and works on himself, sliding a condom on and slicking himself with more lube.

“Ready?” Jungkook asks sweetly, even in their heated moment.

“Yeah,” Jimin pants, pulling his legs back towards his chest and watching the fireworks of arousal set off in Jungkook’s eyes.

“Fuck how did I get luck enough to have you?” Jungkook asks as he positions them both, pushing the head of his cock against Jimin’s entrance.

“I could ask myself the same thing,” Jimin replies. He takes one of Jungkook’s hands into his, lacing their fingers together and squeezing gently. The gentle affection makes Jungkook smile and he returns the act to Jimin before pushing inside.

“Oh god,” Jimin moans as Jungkook stretches him further. “Fuck I missed this.”

“Fuck same,” Jungkook grits, the warm wetness already pushing him to the edge as he bottoms out. “Missed this. Missed you.”

“Missed you too,” Jimin murmurs. They kiss as they both adjust, their bodies melded together fully. Jungkook starts to roll his hips into Jimin at a slow, steady pace, swallowing his gasps eagerly.

“You’re so perfect,” Jungkook whispers into Jimin’s ear when kissing is just moaning for him. “So perfect for me love. I love you so much.”

“Jungkook I-” Jimin tries, his mind so blissfully fuzzy with arousal and affection blending together. “Fuck I love you. So, so much.”

He can feel Jungkook smile against his cheek and then the younger softly kiss him there before propping himself up more and making deeper movements, pulling out to the tip before sliding back in smoothly to the hilt.

“Oh god you feel so good,” Jimin exhales. “More Kookie. Faster.”

Jungkook does as asked, continuing his long movements at a quicker pace. His resolve is starting to break, wanting to fuck Jimin fast and hard to their release. But he wants to savor this and make it more about loving than fucking.

“You’re so beautiful baby. Feels so good a-ah!” Jungkook gasps as Jimin clenches around him from the praise, the elder moaning loudly with it. “Fuck Jimin I-oh god fuck-”

“More baby. Fuck me like you mean it,” Jimin demands.

“Fuck!” Jungkook breaks, snapping his hips harder and faster, making Jimin arch off the bed with a moan.

“Oh god fuck yes like that baby,” Jimin pants as Jungkook pounds into him. As much as the slow build was enjoyable, he wants-no needs-to cum.

“Fuck you’re a dream. Taking me so well baby,” Jungkook grunts. “Look so good to damn.”

“Fuck Jungkook I-”

“What is it baby?”

Jimin grips Jungkook with his thighs and wraps his arms around his neck before rolling them over to straddle the younger. Jungkook stares at him with huge, disbelieving eyes from it and watches Jimin sink down on his length and start bouncing eagerly.

“Holy fuck didn’t think you could look better,” Jungkook says in awe watching Jimin ride him like a damn professional.

“Never underestimate me Jeon,” Jimin teases, continuing his rhythmic pace as the sound of skin slapping fills the room.

“Fuck baby yeah like that. Fuck yourself on my,” Jungkook pants, kneading Jimin’s thighs as he watches his cock disappear in the elder.

“Jungkookie please I need you,” Jimin begs. Jungkook shifts to plant his feet on the mattress and holds Jimin’s hips as he starts thrusting up into his movements experimentally.

“Oh holy fuck!” Jimin cries out, Jungkook going so much deeper now that they’re moving in to meet each other.

“Oh my god,” Jungkook groans, jaw dropping as he eyes Jimin. The sight is so sensual, sinful eve, that it has his orgasm burning in his body already waiting for release. “I’m close baby fuck.”

“Same fuck same so close,” Jimin pants, needing just one more thing to push him over his edge. “Touch me Jungkook.”

Jungkook immediately does, moving one hand to grip his cock and stroke in time with his thrusts, the slide aided by the copious precum the elder had. Jimin lurches forward with a moan, hands gripping Jungkook’s shoulders for support, and the change of angle has Jungkook hit his prostate now.

“Fuck fuck Jungkook I-together please!” Jimin pleads, body shaking with his imminent orgasm.

“Fuck okay baby,” Jungkook says. With one more thrust, Jimin’s climax rips through him with a cry of pleasure, body visibly shaking as he cums between their bodies. With a groan, Jungkook cums too, pulling Jimin down on him hard as he fills the condom with his release, muscles tense with the surging pleasure.

After their shared high, Jungkook wraps his arms around Jimin and pulls the elder into a hug, holding him close in a comforting hug as they both catch their breath in unison.

“I love you,” Jungkook exhales, softly kissing Jimin’s shoulder after as the elder slides his arms around his neck to hug him back.

“I love you too,” Jimin whispers. Jungkook hugs him closer, heart so full of love it could burst. They’re both in a bubble of their own euphoria, uncaring of the stickiness between them because they’re just glad to be close.

After some languid kisses and whispered ‘I love you’s, they decide the filth is unbearable and clean up, ending back in the bed cuddled together.

“So tell me what you’ve been doing,” Jungkook prompts, raking his fingers through Jimin’s hair.

“Starting a dance company.”

“Wait what?!” Jungkook asks in surprise, earning a giggle from his lover. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. With Hoseok. He’s been wanting to do it for a long time and after he was on the show with me he got a huge increase in work and got the money together to do it.”

“And he asked you to join him?”

“Yeah. I’ll be a dancer too. So I’ll get to perform like I’ve always wanted as well,” Jimin explains with a big smile. Jungkook pulls him on top of him, making him yelp in surprise and then laugh at the awestruck face on the younger.

“Baby that’s amazing,” Jungkook says, pulling Jimin into a chaste kiss.

“Yeah,” Jimin smiles. “It’s kind of taken all of my time which is why it took me so long to come back.”

“I told you to take your time,” Jungkook reminds. “And since you were busy with wonderful things, it’s completely fine.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. I have you now, that’s all that matters.”

Jimin smiles his crescent-eyed smile before leaning down to kiss Jungkook delicately, lovingly. This is what perfection feels like.

“Okay tell me everything,” Jungkook says when the end the kiss. “I want all the details.”

Jimin excitedly descends into stories and the plans they have, and Jungkook happily listens, staring lovingly at the love of his life speak so passionately.

Jungkook was not a believer in fate necessarily. He always dismissed it, since the concept related to how he was treated far too frequently. Fate wasn’t the reason he was good at everything, he worked for that. He’s worked for everything he’s had.

But meeting Jimin, how everything went, and where they are now feels like fate. Even with all of the bad, the hurt, the misunderstanding, it was all supposed to happen. This was meant to be.

This feels right.

Chapter Text

“Are you going to act like this throughout rehearsal?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that.”

Jimin snorts, shaking his head as he watches his boyfriend bounce side to side like the hyperactive bunny he is.

“It’s not every day I get to work with the love of my life,” Jungkook reasons as the elevator reaches their floor.

“That is how it was at first,” Jimin reminds him, stepping out with Jungkook following, giving a polite smile and nod to Jisoo.

“Yeah, but I didn’t know I loved you yet,” Jungkook reasons with a cheeky grin that makes Jimin roll his eyes.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it.”

“I love you,” Jimin clarifies, booping Jungkook’s nose before heading to the studio.

“It’s a package deal babe!” Jungkook calls as he jogs to meet with Jimin. “And no returns after a year!”

“Ugh fine,” Jimin groans jokingly.

The couple had been together for just over a year and a half, but it still felt like they just started. The love was overflowing between them. Every day was a good day if Jimin was with Jungkook, and vice versa.

After the successful debut of Hope World, the company had rocketed into popularity, selling out performances in only a couple hours much to the astonishment of everyone involved. Jimin still remembers the first time it happened because he literally tackled Jungkook in excitement, much to the younger’s complete surprise.

The idol business side was also blossoming, with dancers working with different companies frequently. They even expanded into offering choreography as well, thanks to Hoseok’s existing presence in the industry. Jimin was the first choreographer added after the elder, so now Jimin was visiting companies left and right, working with idols. Sometimes he would get paired with one of his former competitors from Solo Star. Sometimes he works with GC Entertainment’s trainees. And sometimes he’d get paired with his favorite idol of all.

“I’m excited to see what you’ve come up with,” Jungkook says as they enter the studio, a few dancers warming up inside. “I already know it’s going to be great.”

“Flatterer,” Jimin chuckles, waving at the familiar faces who happily wave back.

“Okay first off, that is my job,” Jungkook starts, earning a bright laugh from the elder. “And second off, it’s the truth. You’ve already won an award for your choreography.”

“Well I had a good idol to work with,” Jimin reasons with a smirk, winking at his boyfriend who rolls his eyes in return.

“You could have given that choreo to anyone and it would have won. And don’t you day argue with me because I am right and that is final.”

“Okay Mr. CEO,” Jimin teases. Jungkook huffs a laugh, shaking his head at the sassy man he gets to call his. “I’m in charge now though, so get your ass over there and warm-up.”

Jungkook barks a laugh and then follows the elder towards the sound system, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling Jimin’s back to his chest.

“I love when you get bossy,” Jungkook murmurs into his ear, kissing his temple for a bit too long to be innocent.

“Jungkook…” Jimin trails in warning, but the younger can see the smile pulling on his lips.

“Remember that for later,” Jungkook finalizes, walking away then to do his warmup as instructed.

“Menace,” Jimin mumbles to himself, setting up the sound for the rehearsal. He turns and briefly observes the group, seeing Jungkook happily talk with the other dancers that will be his backup for this comeback. A wave of fondness washes over him watching the younger so joyful.

As if he could tell he was being watched, Jungkook turned to look at Jimin, a smile pulling his lips as he sees the elder looking back.

“I love you,” Jungkook mouths to Jimin, making the elder giggle.

“I love you too,” Jimin mouths back with a grin, enjoying the bunny smile appearing with it.

After a small moment of them in their bubble, Jimin moves towards the dancers.

“Okay let’s get started.”