Chapter Text
Jungkook was awoken by the loud ringing and hectic vibration of his phone. He slowly sat up in bed and reached for his phone, checking the time while he was at it. ‘Who the hell calls someone at 5:00 am on a Sunday?’ was all Jungkook thought about while looking at his phone. By then, it had stopped ringing and Jungkook thought he could go back to sleep when his phone started ringing again, the same obnoxiously loud ringtone filling his ears. He groaned and took a look at the caller ID to see who was disturbing his precious sleep on a day off.
‘god of destruction’ appeared on the screen and Jungkook heaved a sigh before sliding to answer the call, putting the phone to his ear.
“What do you want, calling me at 5 in the fucking morning on a Sunday?’ His voice was groggy with sleep and eyes barely able to be kept open for more than 2 minutes. Jungkook cringed as he heard the voice on the other line, too loud this early in the morning.
“Jungkook? Hey, were you asleep? You’re voice is laced with sleep.” The voice laughs and Jungkook rubs his eyes in an attempt to get rid of the sleep still in him. “No shit sherlock. Who in their right mind would wake up this early on a precious day off? Especially a college student, like me, I need beauty sleep.” A laugh makes its way to his ears and Jungkook just squints in the darkness. “Well, sorry princess. Didn’t mean to disturb your precious sleep.” More laughs as Jungkook scoffed into the phone. “Whatever. What do you even want Namjoon? I hope it’s important.”
Namjoon just laughed before speaking again. “I hope you didn’t forget that Jin and I are taking you out to meet our friends. I know it’s really early but you take forever to get ready. Don’t even try to deny it because you know it’s true. Get off your ass and get ready. You really don’t want Jin to call you and yell at you, do you? ” Jungkook blinked and sighed. “Alright, alright I got it. I’m getting up ok?” He got off his bed hesitantly and stretched his limbs.
“Good. I’ll video call you to help you get ready, you know with the colors and all.” Yawning, Jungkook just grunted as a sign of approval. Ending the call and getting up to open his curtains and turned on the lights in his room. Thinking, once again, about his dull life with no vibrant colors.
Yes, he can’t see color- at least not yet. It’s not that he was born color blind or anything like that. Even if it’s what it seemed like, and sometimes Jungkook thought that maybe he was, but that was just the way the world was. The world where only a few people got to see color and the supposed ‘beauty’ of the world. Only people who have found their other half get to experience that. Only soulmates.
Jeon Jungkook was 19 years into living and had already given up on finding his soulmate. Only one year into looking and Jungkook grew tired of searching, choosing instead to focus on his demanding college classes and his friends.
His friends, Namjoon and Jin, had found out they were soulmates when they were freshman in college. Accidently bumping into each other, Namjoon entering the bathroom and Jin exiting. Not the most romantic or epic way of meeting your soulmate, but hey, they were happy as ever.
Jungkooks parents had always told him about the world and how one day, he would also meet his soulmate and be able to see the colors. He always wanted to see colors, to see what all the adults around him were talking about. But the more he searched and tried to find the one person who would allow this to him, he couldn’t. No matter how many people claimed to see colors when they touched, he never saw anything.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing once again, indicating that Namjoon was video calling. With one last sigh, he answered the call and made his way to his closet.
Jungkooks wardrobe consisted mostly of t-shirts- that all looked black and white to him but according to Namjoon there were colored, for the most part- jeans and beanies.
“You don't have a lot of variety as always. Man you're boring.”
“Shut up Namjoon, not like you have anything better. Besides I don't have money to go out and buy expensive clothes.” Jungkook glared at Namjoon through a phone screen and Namjoon just laughed it off. “Yeah, yeah. Anyways let's choose an outfit already.” He scanned the closet Jungkook was showing him, looking at all the different colored shirts and jeans.
“You know you might as well just have a wardrobe full of black and white clothing since that's what almost all your closet is.” Jungkook scoffed at him, turning to look at his wardrobe. “Yea well that's all I can see so I wouldn't know what I have.”
Namjoon just hummed and began to pick out an outfit. “You see that shirt all the way on the left? Pick that one.” Jungkook did as was told because, after all, without Namjoon he wouldn't know what he was putting on. “Umm you see those jeans, third to the bottom of the second shelf? Wear those.” Jungkook looked for the jeans and apparently chose the wrong ones as Namjoon yelled out that he got the wrong one.
After choosing an outfit for Jungkook, Namjoon hung up and told him that he'll be outside in 30 minutes which gave Jungkook 29 minutes to get ready. He cursed Namjoon under his breath and decided that he wouldn't have time to take a shower. Slowly he changed out of his sleeping clothes and changed into the clothes Namjoon picked out, praying to the heavens that he would look okay.
Once fully changed, he looked at the mirror to check his appearance and was relieved to see he looked fine. All he hoped for was that they weren't any weird color combinations.
He got a text from Namjoon saying that he was outside and to hurry up and with one last look at the mirror, he was out the door and into Namjoon’s car.
The ride in Namjoon’s car consisted of him blasting music way too loud for his liking and Namjoon singing along like Jungkook wasn't sitting next to him the entire time. Jungkook just sat there, inwardly cursing himself for forgetting his earphones at his apartment. As much as he was grateful that Namjoon always helped him out, he couldn't stand listening to him scream his lungs out in his car.
But, since it was Namjoon's car he didn't say a word of complaint. He sat there in silence while wishing for time to go faster somehow. Jungkook sat there completely zoned out that he didn’t notice Namjoon come to a complete stop. He was pulled out of his thoughts when Namjoon lightly punched him and looked at him weirdly. “Hey you ok? I had to stop by to pick up Jin so…” He trailed off and Jungkook knew exactly what that meant. Being the youngest of his friends, he always had to switch to the back seat whenever the older ones were present. He grumbled before opening the car door and switching to the back seats.
Minutes later, Jin opened the door to the passenger seat and smiled at Jungkook when he saw him. “Hey, Jungkook! I haven't seen you in a few days. How have you been?” Although Jungkook was salty that he had to move because of Jin, he returned the smile genuinely- after all Jin always takes care of him and makes sure he eats some actual food. “I've been fine. Just school has been making me really busy recently with all the projects due in a few weeks.” Jin hummed in acknowledgement and nodded his head knowingly. “Ahh hang in there. I'm sure you're projects will turn out amazing.” Jungkook gave him a small smile as thanks and was about to say something when Namjoon raised the volume of the radio, completely cutting Jungkook off.
Sending a small glare to Namjoon, he relaxed into his seat and just watched. He watched Jin laugh at Namjoon’s singing. He watches how Jin looks at Namjoon with eyes full of love and how Namjoon returns that look when Jin isn't looking. He watches how when they lock eyes briefly at a red light, it was like he didn't exist in the same car as them. Somehow, watching them brought a sense of happiness and bitterness to Jungkook. He was happy for them, obviously. They were meant to be together and they were lucky enough to have found each other at such a young age. He loves seeing them happy, although he rarely admits it. But the bitterness inside him that is jealous of their happiness and love.
He wants someone to look at him the way Jin looks at Namjoon and vice versa. He wants to see colors like they do. He wants to experience what it would feel like to be with the person you're meant to be with and see the beauty in the world together. He wants to experience that happiness for himself. Jungkook long gave up ever finding that person, but a small part of him deep inside his heart hopes that maybe- just maybe- he'll be able to find that person.
Without noticing, they had arrived at the café they agreed to meet at. It was a nice cozy café, and Jungkook personally liked the design of it. Exiting the car after parking, they started walking towards the café. Jungkook couldn't help but feel nervous. Yes, people said that he gave off a cold and distant feel, which gave him a reputation at college that he'd rather not question, but he was always nervous about meeting others. They were Jin and Namjoons friends, sure, but he couldn't help but wonder if they would like him. Did he look okay? Did Namjoon choose good clothes for him? It was times like these where Jungkook wished he could see colors. He breathed in & out steadily and followed his friends into the café.
Stepping into the well-decorated café, Jungkook felt the knot in his stomach tighten as he began realizing that he was meeting 2 strangers who just happen to be friends with his friends. His head started spinning and he started thinking of excuses to back out of this meeting. But a reassuring hand from Jin and a ruffle of hair from Namjoon made him feel a bit more at ease. Just a little.
“Hey, I'm sure that Yoongi and Hoseok are gonna like you just fine. Alright?”
Jungkook pushed the negative thoughts to the back of his head and nodded at Jin’s statement.
Namjoon looked around and approached a table with two guys sitting at the table, One of the guys was talking animatedly, hands making wild gestures and he had the most expressive face that Jungkook had ever seen. The other boy, who had pinkish hair, that strangely suited him well, was on his phone while occasionally looking at his companion just to show that, yes, he was listening. And that seemed to be enough for the other as he kept talking about whatever.
He realized that these guys were Namjoon and Jin’s friends as one of them looked up and waved at Jin. Jungkook quickly began to get those butterflies again from the nerves of meeting a new person. His face quickly contorted into a blank face, which made it seem like he was bored and cold. In reality, though, he doesn’t notice his face change when he gets nervous. It just happens sometimes. People just usually never stick around until he warms up to them.
That was how he got his reputation at his college. Because no one has ever seen him smile at anyone besides Namjoon and Jin, they thought that he was just that kind of person. So they let him he and didn't bother getting close. Jungkook, truthfully, felt lonely. Really, his only friends were Jin and Namjoon- and maybe the stray cat he feeds every day but can't adopt because his apartment doesn't allow it.
Approaching the table, Namjoon and Jin sat down and motioned for him to sit with them, facing the other two males who were now looking at him as he sat. The nerves and silence was killing him inside and he badly wanted to bolt out the cafe. Jin cleared his throat breaking the awkward silence and began to speak to the two males across the table. “Yoongi. Hoseok. I want to introduce you to one of mine and Namjoon’s closest friends.” Jin put his arm around Jungkook's shoulder and subtly squeezed. The small gesture gave Jungkook enough courage to look up at the people sitting across from him. “This is Jeon Jungkook. He goes to the same college as Namjoon and I.”
With an encouraging smile, Jungkook takes a small breath and urges his nerves away. “It's nice to meet you.” He bows his head a little and when he raised his head, Jungkook was met with a huge smile by one of the boys across the table. The other had a smile on his face as well, but it wasn't as big as the others.
The guy with the huge smile started to speak and Jungkook could feel that he was going to just fine.
“Hey Jungkook! I'm Jung Hoseok and this guy right here is Min Yoongi."
Soon, 2 hours passed since Jungkook met Yoongi and Hoseok, and now it felt like it was natural. Like he's known them for years. Jin and Namjoon were happy that Jungkook opened up, even if they were shocked at how fast he relaxed. They continued talking about anything they could think of for hours on end. It was when the topic of soulmates came up that Jungkook shrunk back.
He wished this topic didn't come up.
“So, have you found your soulmate Jungkook?” It was Hoseok who asked. Jungkook looked anywhere but at Hoseok. “I- I um… what about you hyung?” He wasn't entirely avoiding it.
Hoseok smiled at Jungkook, seeming to not notice how he desperately tried to not answer the question. Jungkook failed to catch how Namjoon and Jin were looking at him.
“Me? Yea I found my soulmate. It's actually-”
“It's me.” Hoseok was cut off by Yoongi who was looking at Jungkook now. Jungkook figured. The way they acted might have been subtle and unreadable to some, but Jungkook saw it and thought they could be soulmates. They had the same air that Namjoon and Jin had when they were together. In love. “Ah.. I kind of figured but I didn't want to assume..” Yoongi raised an eyebrow at Jungkook and he smiled, not the gummy smile he saw before- which by the way Jungkook thought looked best of the man- but a small smile.
“Well what about you? Don't think you could avoid the question Kook.” Everyone slightly chuckled at Yoongi’s comment. Everyone except Jungkook.
He sighed before looking at Yoongi, then at Hoseok, then back to Yoongi. “No. I haven't found my soulmate. And i kinda gave up on finding them for now. Might as well concentrate on school right now.” He sipped a bit of his half empty coffee cup, slowly, trying to avoid the inevitable. “Hm really? Well it's nothing to be ashamed or worried about. You'll find them, eventually. Some people are just really lucky. And who knows. Maybe today you'll miraculously run into your soulmate.”
This time Yoongi did give him his, now, signature gummy smile.
Jungkook scoffed. “Yeah, right. That'll definitely happen.” Yoongi rolled his eyes at his sarcasm. “Hey man. You never know.”
“He's right. Maybe it'll be just like Jin and Namjoon’s meeting. Running into each other at the bathroom. Imagine that Jungkook!” Jungkook laughed loudly. “No no no. No way that would be so weird. But it is a funny story.”
Like that, the conversation ended and started again. The café was filled with their laughs and voices. It continued for another hour before Yoongi had to go get ready for class and Hoseok wanted to go finish some homework. They said their goodbyes to each other, with the promise of meeting up for lunch tomorrow.
Hoseok and Yoongi walked one way while Namjoon, Jin and Jungkook piled into Namjoon's car. Before Namjoon started the car Jin spoke up.
“Hey, before we go home can we stop by a shop?”
And Jungkook inwardly groaned.
He would've been better off walking at this rate.
Jungkook has been standing around the flower shop for around an hour. In all honesty, he didn't expect Jin to take this long on a “little errand”. If he were honest with himself, a little part of him expected this to happen. He just wished it wouldn't happen. Sighing for what seemed like the billionth time that day, he looked over to Namjoon with pleading eyes. Silently begging the older man to get them out of there fast. Namjoon seemed to be in the same situation as Jungkook but he was more used to it. He caught Jungkook’s eyes and shrugged looking back to Jin.
It seemed like Namjoon was also looking at Jin with the same pleading eyes because when Jin looked over at Namjoon, he shook his head lightly. Still, he ended the conversation quickly after that and Jungkook had never been so happy to be out of a shop. They all left the store with Jungkook and Namjoon breathing a 'finally’ under their breaths.
“Was it seriously that long?” Jin frowned at them once they reached the nearby park.
“Yea I think I've gotten old and wrinkled just by standing there waiting. It was that long.”
Namjoon earned a smack on the shoulder.
The three were walking through the park when music and cheering was heard from a distance. Of course they were curious so they decided to go towards the source. As they got closer, Jin noticed a giant crowd of people surrounding something. He realized it was where the music was coming from and pulled Namjoon towards the crowd, Jungkook trailing behind them once he saw them moving. There was so many people gathered around that they could not see what all the fuss was about. After about 5 minutes of trying to see what exactly was happening, Jin had gotten annoyed and just pulled Namjoon with him as he pushed through the crowd. Jungkook who hadn’t seen this immediately, began to frantically go after them, afraid of getting separated from the only people he knows. He politely and carefully maneuvered his way through the tight crowd. Unlike Jin who just shot straight through with Namjoon promptly apologizing to everyone that was pushed aside before being pulled away again.
Jungkook continued to push forward, picking up his pace but still being careful. He almost caught up with the two before the crowd erupted in a series of cheers. Everyone now refusing to let Jungkook move from his spot as they were too focused on whoever it was at performing. He sighed and tried one more time to push through. Using everything in him, he made it through the last few people and now stood next to Seokjin and Namjoon at the very front of the entire crowd. They had a front row view now and could see very clearly now. There were a few boys dancing to random songs there- and they were great at it. They looked like they were really having fun too so everyone in the crowd couldn’t help but feel like smiling at them.
Jungkook stood there just mesmerized by the aura that the boys emitted while dancing. It was as if they were born just to perform in front of an audience. Suddenly the crowd began to get even more crowded and people were getting pushed together just to make space for the new people coming in. Jungkook was unlucky enough to be pushed from one person to another.
He tried to plant his feet but wasn’t given a chance to do it properly. Seokjin and Namjoon didn’t even seem to notice his dilemma as they were watching the performers intently. Jungkook was beginning to get annoyed and was about to turn around and glare at everyone when a flash of brightness hit his eyes. It was only for a second but Jungkook was sure of what he saw.
Jungkook just stood dumbfounded. That couldn’t have been what he thought right? There’s just no way. He looked around him for any sign of anyone sharing his same reaction but found nothing. He sighed and just put it in his mind that he imagining things because he’s so tired. He tried to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest and concentrate on the dancing boys.
Until he once again saw the brightness in his eyes.
And this time it stayed there.
It was then he knew, he was seeing color. He was seeing what all his friends can see. He looked to his left but he wasn’t touching the girl at all. She didn’t even seem to notice him. So he looked to his right and saw a boy, shorter than him looking completely entranced by the dance in front of him. But Jungkook also noticed that their knuckles were slightly touching as well.
That could only mean that Jungkook was seeing all this color because of the boy standing next to him, not even looking as affected as Jungkook. That would mean that this boy was his soulmate?
Jungkook was confused. Why did the boy show no reaction at all? Out of impulse and curiosity, he tapped the boy's’ shoulder, his heartbeat quickening and his stomach becoming knots. The short boy turned his head and looked at Jungkook with big questioning eyes. He had to stop for a moment there because- wow, he was not prepared to see the cutest thing ever. Shaking those thoughts away he asked the one question he wanted to ask.
“Do you see it too?” For some reason Jungkook becomes anxious to hear his reply. This is the most anxious he's felt since he was waiting to hear back about his acceptance to his dream college.
The black haired boy just looked at him in confusion.
“I'm sorry what? What are you talking about?”
Jungkook doesn't think his heart has ever dropped that fast in his entire life.