Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jimin is late again. This isn’t the first time Jungkook has had to wait for his best friend, and it certainly won’t be the last.

The university’s entrance hall is slowly emptying of students, who are leaving the building to eat during their lunch break.

The clock is already ten past twelve, even though Jimin promised he’d meet Jungkook right there, in front of the large glass windows in the entrance hall, at twelve o'clock.

Then again, Jungkook isn’t surprised by the futile promises his best friend often makes. At times like these, Jungkook wonders how he ended up befriending someone who doesn’t respect schedules, even as those same schedules are so important to him.

Another minute passes.

A sigh leaves Jungkook’s lips when he finally accepts defeat and sits down on the lobby couch in front of the windows, which point to the green grass of the campus and the conveniently planted trees, which create a make-shift park around the building.

Jungkook places his army green messenger bag, which is tearing at the seam on the strap, on his lap. His fingers play with the magnetic button, which keeps the flap secure over the bag. The button clicks multiple times in a row, unlocking and locking itself every time Jungkook plays with it.

A few more people walk past him, speech quieting into a mumble as they walk outside through the doors. The early spring breeze blows through the door before it closes. Jungkook can faintly smell the grass that grows outside the building.

It’s already mid-March, and the new academic year started about two weeks ago. Jungkook is now in his second year, having passed with flying grades his first year at the Seoul University of Arts.

The weather is cool in the mornings but warms up during the day. It makes getting dressed harder because it’s either too cold or too hot. That day, Jungkook had picked up a black T-shirt with a dark grey long sleeve under it, along with dark grey jeans to match it. He’s starting to get hot under his brown leather jacket and the black-grey striped scarf, which wraps loosely around his neck.

He decides to remove the scarf. The soft material slides against his neck as he pulls it off and shoves it in his bag with his books and laptop.

Finally, Jungkook recognises the familiar clack of Jimin’s boots, which have a slight heel to them. They echo against the tall walls all the way up to the giant man-made flowers, which were an art project from the department of design. 

Four huge lilies hang from the ceiling of the building, all different colours and all made from scrap fabric. They’re secured with almost an invisible line, probably a fishing line, but they’re set up in a way where the air conditioning hits them at the right angle and makes them spin very slowly.

Jungkook stands up when Jimin finally rounds the corner to the foyer, cheeks flushed a pink colour. He runs up to the other man, a grin widening on his lips.

“You’re late,” Jungkook says before Jimin even catches his breath.

“I–okay, yeah, I know, but I have a good reason!” Jimin holds up his palms in defence, the strap of his bag dangerously close to dropping from his shoulder.

Jungkook stares back in silence, waiting for the excuse.

“So, I was texting with Yoongi,” Jimin starts, but Jungkook is already turning his head away, letting out a soft sigh.

It’s always about Yoongi, Jimin’s new friend, whom Jungkook hasn’t even met. Jimin started talking about the guy in mid-December, and he explained to Jungkook that Yoongi was also studying film, like Jimin. They met at a party for the film students at the end of the fall semester and hit it off, apparently.

“What’s with the face?” Jimin sighs and tilts his head in an attempt to meet Jungkook’s gaze.

Jungkook gives in fairly easily, but doesn’t smile when their eyes meet.

“It’s always about him.”

“It is not always about him,” Jimin protests. “He’s having lunch at the KBBQ place nearby with his friends and asked if I wanted to join.”

Jungkook blinks, unimpressed.

“I told him that I’m having lunch with you, and then he said…” Jimin explains, dragging out the last word as he digs out his phone from his pocket.

Jungkook watches as Jimin’s face lights up with the colour of his and Yoongi’s texts before he turns the screen to him.

He reads:

Oh, Jungkook is welcome to join, as well.

It would be nice for our friends to finally meet, anyway.

Jungkook looks back up with the same blank expression.

“You’re asking me to eat with people whom I’ve never met before?” Jungkook clarifies, tone tight.

“That is the point of meeting new people.” Jimin nods while pocketing his phone. “I know you don’t like talking to new people, but c’mon, just this once, please. If you hate them, then you never have to hang out with them again. I promise.”

Jimin smiles and bats his eyelashes, which he always does when he’s asking Jungkook to do something out of his comfort zone.

And this definitely is out of his comfort zone. Jungkook doesn’t like talking, especially to people he doesn’t know. He doesn’t go to parties or other events exactly for that reason. If he can avoid talking and meeting new people, he’s going to do so.

“I have class in 45 minutes.” Jungkook tries to make up an excuse so that he wouldn’t have to eat with the random people.

“They already ordered, so the food should be there when we get there,” Jimin says. “And they’re paying.”

Jungkook sighs. Even though he hates people, he loves food. He can hardly dismiss a free meal.

Jimin’s lips pull into a smile as he links their arms together. “You’re the best.”

They walk out of the building as Jimin starts blabbering about his previous lecture. The sun that was peeking through the clouds earlier that day had disappeared completely, replaced with dark clouds foretelling rain.

The Korean BBQ restaurant isn’t far from campus, and it’s a very popular place among the students to have lunch or dinner after late lectures. It’s always packed with students, and the decibels are rather high as the sounds of sizzling grills mix with the yap of the people.

The university is up on a steep hill, which means you have to exercise every single day to get to school. Jungkook doesn’t mind it, since he works out weekly and his legs are quite strong, but he would be lying if he said he didn’t get sweaty.

And if he had to choose between walking and not walking the hill, he would opt out. That’s why he’s already annoyed with walking back, since he has a lecture in forty minutes.

The restaurant is at the bottom of the hill, standing at a corner of a T-intersection. Beside it runs a small fence, preventing people from falling and cars from swerving off the rocky cliff. It presents a beautiful landscape from high up.

Jungkook and Jimin enter the restaurant, and while Jungkook is trying to adjust to the abundance of people, Jimin is already waving his hand at a group of people and walking over to them, dragging Jungkook after him.

“Jimiiiin!” A man stands up from the booth and lifts his arms in excitement.

Jimin’s hand lets go of Jungkook’s arm as the stranger wraps his arms around Jimin and nearly lifts him off the ground.

Off of Jimin’s explanations of Yoongi, the man is quite calm and chill, so Jungkook doubts that this is the man Jimin has been talking to.

“Hey, you’re scaring him off!” another stranger says and shoves the one hugging Jimin aside.

Now the new stranger is hugging Jimin just as tight, while humming a contented tune.

“Guys, get off of him.” A third man sighs from the booth, the only one left sitting.

Jungkook bets that’s Yoongi.

He’s proven right when Jimin is finally released from the hug, and he waves his hand at the man in the booth. “Hey, Yoongi.”

“Sorry about them.” Yoongi waves a hand in the direction of the two strangers who are now standing next to Jimin, chopsticks in their hands.

Jungkook notices the food is already on the table, and their plates are filled.

“Hyung, you’re not going to introduce us?” one of the men asks.

Yoongi slightly rolls his eyes before extending an arm towards the men. “This is Hoseok and Jin.”

“Figured.” Jimin nods while smiling. Then, he turns to Jungkook, who has been completely invisible for two minutes. “Here’s Jungkook.”

Jungkook can tell Hoseok and Jin are the kind of people who get a kick out of getting to know new people because the way their eyes light up is almost scary.

Both of them are offering their hands for him to shake while introducing themselves personally, as if Jungkook didn’t just hear their names.

The slightly taller one introduces himself as Jin, nodding eagerly and offering his hand to shake. His hair is black, the fluorescent lights making it look almost blue. Dark strands of hair hang over his forehead, and his hair seems purposefully made to look slightly spiky with gel and hairspray. Jungkook thinks it looks cool.

The other man, Hoseok, is saying how nice it is to meet him, and the smile on his face is practically blinding Jungkook. As he shakes his hand, Hoseok tugs at his tie as if this were a job interview and Jungkook was the interviewer and Hoseok the nervous but trying to be confident interviewee.

Unsure of what to do, Jungkook shakes both of their hands briefly, bowing his head but not saying anything. He manages a small, forced but polite smile. His cheeks tremble in the poor attempt at smiling, so he drops it as soon as the two turn away from him.

Once the hyper pair have calmed down and settled back into the booth, Yoongi nods to Jungkook. “Hey, Jungkook. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Hi. It’s good to meet you,” Jungkook replies, partially lying because he would rather be at home or at the university library than here surrounded by random people.

Jimin and Jungkook sit in the booth across from the three, who already have food gathered on their plates. There’s a grill in the middle of the table with various pieces of food grilling.

“Help yourselves.” Yoongi points towards the grill and the side dishes beside it.

The atmosphere between the group is less tense than Jungkook expected. No one is paying special attention to him, and it’s almost as if this is a casual hangout rather than an interview. Hoseok and Jin are asking Jimin a lot of questions. Yoongi must have told them about Jimin enough to make them curious.

However, Yoongi doesn’t seem like the type to tell a lot of details about his new friend, which is maybe why the other two are so curious and are making their own detective work since Yoongi has given them nothing.

“And what do you guys study?” Jimin finally gets to ask between the bombarding questions.

“Architecture,” Hoseok answers, pointing at both of them.

“Fourth year.” Jin lifts four fingers and wiggles them.

“And how old are you?” Jimin squints his eyes.

“I’m twenty-seven and Hobi’s twenty-six.” Jin lowers his chopsticks and tilts his head. “Am I hearing an accusatory tone, Park Jimin?”

“I just think it’s funny how you act like children at your big age.” Jimin shrugs.

Jin gasps dramatically and shakes his head, pointing an accusatory chopstick at Jimin. ”Big age my ass!”

“The betrayal.” Hoseok shakes his head in disappointment. “We thought you’d accept us as we are.”

“Jimin has a point, and you know it,” Yoongi says.

As Hoseok is about to argue back, Jin turns to Jungkook.

“Jungkook, what do you study?”

He has to take a moment to process the fact that his name was said. Jungkook looks up at Jin while he’s chewing a grilled mushroom.

There’s a small moment of silence when Jungkook chews fast and gestures that he will answer in a second.

“Music,” Jungkook replies after swallowing down the food he definitely did not chew enough.

His voice comes out a bit choked and weirdly pitched, which makes him blush in embarrassment.

“Oh, wow! Just music overall, or are you specialising in something?” Jin asks, sounding genuinely interested.

Well, why wouldn’t he be?

“I specialise in singing. I’m also learning musicology,” Jungkook explains, not loving how everyone is looking at him at that moment.

“That’s cool!” Hoseok joins the conversations. “Which year are you on?”

“Just started my second year.”

“Do you get to learn instruments, too?” Yoongi asks.

Jungkook nods. “If we want. My main focus is vocal music, but I play the piano and guitar, too.”

“Well, aren’t you a multitalent?” Hoseok grins.

“I wouldn’t say that…” Jungkook shrinks the tiniest bit and looks down at his plate of veggies and tofu. 

“He’s being modest. Jungkook’s voice is like crack.” Jimin’s arm wraps around Jungkook’s shoulders. “You should hear him.”

Hoseok and Jin’s affirmative exclamations drown out Jungkook’s small denial, as Yoongi smiles softly.

“How old are you?” Hoseok asks while tugging a strand of hair behind his ear. Jungkook makes note of the modern style mullet the man is rocking. A few curled pieces stick out from the back of his head, visible from the front.

“Twenty-two,” Jungkook says.

Hoseok’s jaw slacks slightly, and Jin’s eyes widen.

“Wow, you’re a baby!” Jin exclaims. “And I feel like a grandpa.”

Jungkook knits his brows, but his lips pull up into an unsure smile. “It’s only five years.”

“I was expecting you to be… I don’t know, like, twenty-five,” Hoseok mumbles, evidently still surprised to find out about Jungkook’s age.

It makes him slightly embarrassed. Is he the youngest in the group? Jimin is two years older than him, and if he recalls correctly, Jimin mentioned Yoongi being twenty-seven. That would make Jungkook the youngest. And, according to Jin’s words, a baby.

Luckily, the conversation moves on from Jungkook, and he can finally quiet down and observe from the side without being acknowledged.

Hoseok and Jin are fighting over a piece of meat on the grill. Jungkook finds it hard to believe that those men are four and five years older than him when they’re acting like total children. Perhaps that’s why they thought Jungkook was older, because he seems more mature than them. Or do Hoseok and Jin even acknowledge their childishness? 

“Will you two stop?” Yoongi sighs, looking over at Jin and Hoseok.

“Jin is trying to steal the meat I put there. It’s perfectly cooked, look!” Hoseok manages to grab the meat with the tongs and presents it to Yoongi, who blinks in response.

Then, he looks over at Jimin and Jungkook. “They never make good first impressions.”

“Well, I was warned you lived with two children.” Jimin laughs softly, flipping over his own piece of meat on the grill.

“Live?” Jungkook asks, albeit quietly, and mostly from Jimin.

Yoongi hears him, however, and speaks before Jimin gets to.

“I live in the same apartment with them. Don’t ask me how I ever said yes to that,” Yoongi mumbles, shaking his head.

A smile twitches at the corner of Jungkook’s mouth, but he suppresses it by shoving a piece of tofu in his mouth.

“Ah, you love us, Yoongi-hyung. Your life would be awfully boring without us.” Hoseok tries to wrap his arm around Yoongi’s neck, but the other man dodges it.

Hoseok scoffs and swats a dismissive hand in Yoongi’s direction before giving up and continuing to eat.

“Where’s Taehyung?” Jimin asks.

Jungkook wasn’t aware that they were waiting for more people.

“Probably making out with Yunjin. Yet again.” Jin sighs.

Hoseok makes an agreeing hum while Yoongi shakes his head with a small smile.

Jungkook wonders who Yunjin is.

“He said he’d be here–” Yoongi brings out his phone to check the time. “--twenty minutes ago.”

“That bastard. He has no courtesy. He does know we have other people here, right?” Hoseok shakes his head disapprovingly.

“Yes,” Yoongi says.

Jungkook doesn’t know if this Taehyung person was made aware of Jungkook’s presence as well. Originally, Jimin was the only invitee, and even though Yoongi had said it was okay if Jungkook joined them as well, he could not have been sure of Jungkook’s attendance.

Just as Jin is about to say something, the door to the restaurant opens, and footsteps approach the table. 

Jungkook doesn’t lift his gaze from his food, gently assembling his next bite with his chopsticks, but he feels a presence appear next to him, and a shadow falls over him.

“Ah, speak of the devil!” Hoseok points a chopstick at the presence next to Jungkook.

“You’re late,” Yoongi states.

The stranger pulls a chair at the end of the table, between Jungkook and Yoongi, even though there is still space on the side of the booth where Jungkook and Jimin are sitting.

“I know,” he says.

His voice is low and calm, almost too smooth for Jungkook’s liking.

“Where are your manners, you petulant child!” Jin jerks his head towards the man next to Jungkook.

Jungkook finally looks up from his plate and glances carefully to his left. There, at the end of the table, sits a blonde man with golden and thin wire-frame glasses with rounded bottoms resting on his nose. He’s wearing a dark grey college with its sleeves bunched up to his elbows.

There’s a small white spot on his collar, and it almost looks like paint, but Jungkook can’t be sure.

He already took his jacket off while Jungkook avoided looking at him, because a black leather jacket was wrapped around the backrest of the metal restaurant chair.

The man spreads his knees, slightly knocking against Jungkook’s, as he tilts his head at Yoongi.

“I’m sorry. Class ran late,” he says.

“Right, ‘class’ ran late…” Jin rolls his eyes. “Is that what we’re calling Yunjin now?”

The man exhales through his nose and blinks, an uninterested look in his eyes. “I wasn’t with her.”

“Dude, her lipstick is smudged all over your mouth.” Hoseok grimaces, cheeks puffed with food.

Jungkook’s eyes fall to the man’s lips, examining if Hoseok is telling the truth. Before he gets to squint his eyes at the small shimmering pink smudge on his cupid’s bow, the man brings his hand to swipe over his lips, removing any trace of said lipstick.

Yoongi shoots him a glare before turning to Jimin with a softer look. “Anyway, here’s Jimin.” He nods towards the mentioned man.

Then, he turns to look at Jungkook and opens his mouth, ready to introduce him, as well, but the man to his left is talking again.

“Ah, the famous Jimin. I’ve heard a lot about you.” The man smiles and leans his forearms on the table, crossing his fingers before him.

He’s only looking at Jimin, who’s sitting on Jungkook’s right, and is completely ignoring the other person next to him.

Jungkook leans back in the booth, trying to get out of the man’s line of vision, trying not to get noticed.

“As I have of you,” Jimin replies.

“I hope you’ve heard only good things.” The man grins, turning his head to Yoongi.

“Let’s just say you’re living up to the imagination,” Jimin sighs, pulling out his phone and pointing at the time on his lock screen, a reminder of how late the man arrived.

The man leans back in his chair, making a tutting sound with his mouth as he shakes his head. He crosses his arms over his chest as he turns to Yoongi again. “Have you been talking shit behind my back, my dear hyung?”

“I’ve only told him the truth,” Yoongi says with ease.

A small silence falls between the group as the man looks at Yoongi disapprovingly before looking back at Jimin with a polite smile.

“Well, apologies for being late. I, on the other hand, have only heard good things about you. It’s nice to finally meet you, Jimin.” The man reaches his right hand over the table, right over Jungkook’s plate of food, to shake Jimin’s hand.

Jimin lets out an airy laugh but shakes the extended hand. “You too, Taehyung.”

Jungkook eyes both Jimin and the man, Taehyung, still leaning heavily against the cushioned backrest of the booth’s bench. 

Taehyung nods in approval and leans back in his chair, retracting his arm back in his lap.

As he settles into the chair, his eyes finally dart over to Jungkook. The dark brown eyes blink behind the golden-framed glasses, and Jungkook suddenly feels critiqued.

Taehyung’s eyes look into Jungkook’s for a millisecond before slowly trailing down, until they find their way back to Jungkook’s eyes.

And just as fast as Taehyung had looked at him, his eyes were already looking somewhere else, more specifically at the meat grilling in the middle of the table.

It’s as if Taehyung couldn't care less about the stranger next to him.

That’s fine with Jungkook. He doesn’t like getting to know new people. Meeting Yoongi, Jin and Hoseok was already enough. And besides, Taehyung seems… well, totally different from Jungkook. He’s not interested in getting to know someone who doesn’t even say hello to him.

Jungkook looks back at his plate and the discarded chopsticks he had placed on the napkin next to it as he was leaning as far away from Taehyung as possible.

“And who’re you?”

Jungkook doesn’t register the words immediately, and that they’re directed towards him, but when a silence stretches after the spoken words, he looks up once again, eyes meeting Yoongi’s expectant ones. He turns to the source of the words, to Taehyung, who’s reaching to grab pieces of meat onto his plate.

Taehyung is not looking at him as he does so. When there are four pieces of meat on his plate, he grabs his chopstick and finally looks up at Jungkook. His eyebrows are slightly raised as he’s waiting for Jungkook to respond.

No one has said anything in 30 seconds, and Jungkook realises that and starts to feel his cheeks heat up. He looks around the table. Everyone is watching him, Jimin’s gaze especially apologetic.

He has to say something, or the situation will become even more awkward than it is.

Jungkook clears his throat and lowers the chopstick on the edge of the plate, afraid that they would reveal the shakiness in his hands otherwise.

“Jungkook,” he replies.

Taehyung nods and glances at Jimin with a lifted brow.

“Friend of Jimin?”

Jungkook doesn’t like the way Taehyung talks.

“Yeah,” Jungkook affirms.

Taehyung makes a curt nod before placing his right elbow on the table and opening his hand for Jungkook to shake. “I’m Taehyung.”

A part of Jungkook is surprised by this somewhat polite gesture the man is making, but then again, he has no idea what type of person Taehyung is. It’s not like the interaction with the man was the best and textbook courtesy.

In fact, it’s the bare minimum.

The idea of leaving the man hanging lingers in Jungkook’s mind and satisfies him, in a way, but he hates awkward situations, so he lifts his hand to shake Taehyung’s.

The man’s palm is cold against Jungkook’s warm one as they press against each other. Taehyung’s long fingers curl around Jungkook’s palm, squeezing the lightest amount, and his thumb is pressing against the base of Jungkook’s.

The interaction lasts for two seconds, and soon Taehyung’s hand is back to holding his chopsticks and bringing food into his mouth.

No one says anything after that for a few seconds, until Yoongi speaks. “Yeah, Jungkook, this is Taehyung. Forgot to mention that he was coming too. He’s my friend from childhood, so I'm still legally obligated to hang out with him.”

Jungkook smiles again, and it threatens to grow when Taehyung scoffs and rolls his eyes.

“Don’t take it personally, Tae. Yoongi hates us, too,” Jin sighs dramatically. “Doesn’t even like living with us.”

“Well, yeah, no wonder. You two are a nightmare.” Taehyung laughs like it’s obvious.

“Why don’t you and Yoongi live together if you’re such lifelong friends?” Jimin asks.

“Good question, actually.” Taehyung leans his chin on his palm as he bats his eyes at Yoongi.

“Not a hard question, actually. As much as these two drive me crazy, they’re nothing compared to you,” Yoongi says calmly, not even pretending to joke.

“Unbelievable.” Taehyung shakes his head and gets back to eating.

“Oh! Great news, Tae!” Hoseok straightens his posture. “Jungkook studies art too, so maybe you have something in common.”

Jungkook stiffens at the mention of his name, but doesn’t get to dwell on it for long, since he’s trying to understand what Hoseok just said.

Art? He doesn’t study art.

“I don’t–” Jungkook tries to deny, shaking his head, but Taehyung is already talking.

“Yeah? What do you specialise in?”

When Jungkook looks back at the man, it’s clear as day that Taehyung is an art student. No doubt about it. The bleached hair, the paint on his shirt, the pretentious glasses, which probably aren’t even real.

“I specialise in singing,” he opts to say instead of immediately denying everything.

He can see the gears shifting behind Taehyung’s eyes as the other man studies him for a few seconds.

“That’s not art,” he monotones.

“What did you just say?” Hoseok gasps.

“Now hold on.” Taehyung lifts his hand to Hoseok, who is pointing a threatening chopstick at Taehyung. “I don’t mean music isn’t art. It’s just not the same as art in university. It’s not conventional art that you do with your hands. Not the kind of art that I do.”

Instead of staying silent, accepting everything that comes out of Taehyung’s mouth, Jungkook opens his mouth. “I’d argue,” he mumbles, accidentally voicing his thoughts.

Taehyung turns to him, curious, with lifted eyebrows. “Well. Please. Do argue.”

Maybe he should stay quiet and stay out of this. Maybe he should backtrack and just agree with what Taehyung is saying. He did have a point, after all.

But yet, Jungkook doesn’t agree a 100 %.

So, he pushes the urges to shrink down and shut up, and looks at Taehyung, holding eye contact.

“Music is made with your hands. You write lyrics, you play instruments, you write notes. Is that not making art with your hands?”

As Jungkook is looking at Taehyung, he’s not sure who gasps an ‘ooh’ and who whispers damn, but he recognises Jimin’s voice saying, “He has a point.”

Taehyung’s cheek bulges with the tongue he’s poking on the inside of his cheek, before he lets his head drop for a second. His gaze is soon back on Jungkook, and this time he’s leaning his elbows on the table, his face closer to Jungkook.

“I see. And does writing and picking at instruments require complex colour theory and the knowledge of anatomy?”

“You know it doesn’t.” Jungkook glares at Taehyung.

“Excatly. That’s precisely what I meant by conventional art that you do with your hands.”

“You said complex colour theory as if what you’re studying is harder than mine.” Jungkook continues when he knows he should stop.

“Hm. Is it?” Taehyung lifts a brow, but he’s smirking.

“I don’t know. I’m not a painter.”

Taehyung sighs. “Now, let’s find out. Do your studies not consist of learning the Do Re Mi:s?”

Jungkook has to take a breath before replying. “And this complex colour theory of yours, is it not just learning what colour red and blue make?”

“Ha…” Taehyung hums. “I create art with physical material, whilst you create art with abstract material, producing another abstract material.”

“Are instruments and notes abstract in your opinion?” Jungkook lifts a sarcastic brow.

Taehyung’s jaw tightens for a second until he mimics Jungkook’s expression. “Isn’t music abstract?”

“Depends on how you look at it,” Jungkook argues.

“How do you look at it?” Taehyung inquires, a sort of fauxly curious tone in his voice.

Jungkook’s fist clenches on the table, the motion visible and audible for everyone at the table. Taehyung’s eyes fall to his fist, then back up into Jungkook’s eyes, a satisfied glint in them.

“Alright, alright, let’s just agree that both your majors are hard and that you both are studying a form of art,” Jin speaks up, his voice calmer than it was before.

Jungkook snaps out of the trance and blinks. He quickly looks away from Taehyung at his own plate.

He realises how much he had talked. That was the most he had ever said to a stranger the first time he met them.

The acknowledgement of his words settles in Jungkook’s head, and heat rises in his neck to his ears.

He can’t believe he said all that.

“Sure.” Taehyung yawns, stretching his arms over his head. “Equally as hard.”

Jungkook feels the other man’s gaze on him, and he digs his fingernails into his palms. The shapes of moon crescents transfer onto his palm as he restrains himself from getting right back into the argument.

“I need a smoke.” Taehyung’s chair creaks against the floor as he gets up and digs something out of his jacket pocket.

“You should stop.” Hoseok shakes his head. “That shit’ll kill you.”

“I know,” Taehyung says before walking towards the exit.

The table is completely silent until the door closes behind Taehyung.

“Sorry, Jungkook. I hope you didn’t get upset by his words,” Hoseok winces. “It’s my fault for bringing it up.”

Jungkook shakes his head dismissively. “I’m not upset.”

It’s half a lie. He isn’t upset, more just annoyed. More upset he is over how much he just let himself talk and get ragebaitet. He just doesn’t know what force took over him for him to speak so freely. He’s surprised.

“You sure? He can be a lot.” Yoongi looks at Jungkook with apologetic eyes.

“I’m sure.” Jungkook forces a smile and nods.

“If it’s any consolation, I was totally on your side,” Jin whispers, as if Taehyung might hear him.

Jungkook smiles softly and makes an acknowledging hum.

“Me too. Taehyung can be really annoying when it comes to his major.” Hoseok rolls his eyes. 

The support feels odd in Jungkook’s gut. He’s not used to this. He only has two close friends, so receiving such a warm welcome and support from practically strangers feels odd. And it’s surprising to find that he doesn’t dislike it as much as he thought he would.

Jungkook glances at the time on his phone and sighs quietly in relief when he sees that he has to leave.

“I need to go. My class is starting soon,” he tells the others.

“Aw, man,” Jin groans. “Well, it was great meeting you.”

Hoseok and Yoongi join in on the statement, and Jungkook nods in response, giving a polite smile to all of them. 

Then, he turns to Jimin, who can probably read him like a book. Jimin can tell Jungkook is overwhelmed, absolutely done with today. “I’ll come over later,” he says.

Jungkook nods once, waves at the rest of them and starts walking towards the exit where Taehyung had disappeared minutes prior.

His head swarms with thoughts and post-argument clarity. He doesn’t understand what had compelled him to argue back. Worst of all, he doesn’t understand how he had let a stranger get under his skin. He’s usually too nervous to even talk, and when he does talk, it’s very curt, but this interaction totally caught him off guard.

The March air cradles his face as he steps outside the restaurant, not having eaten much since he was nervous to meet the new people. His stomach was hurting slightly, so it was hard to get anything down. He probably left some uneaten food on his plate, as well.

He stops a few steps away from the front door to close his eyes and breathe in and out slowly. As the cool air enters his nostrils and chills his body, his muscles relax as well. He opens his eyes and looks to his right to admire the landscape of the city.

The clouds are darker than before, and it seems like it’s already raining in the city. He should hurry up the hill to the campus before the clouds catch up to him.

As he turns around, feeling much calmer already, he’s met with Taehyung leaning against a lamppost, holding a cigarette between his lips.

The half-smoked cigarette rests between his index and middle fingers. His left arm lies across his stomach, while his right elbow props itself on it. His left leg is bent across the other one as most of his weight is being pressed against the lamppost.

Taehyung’s eyes study him from behind the pretentious glasses. His bleached blonde strands sway in the wind, revealing black root growth.

The tension in Jungkook’s head is back, his shoulders heavy with dread, and his back aching with exasperation.

“Leaving already?” Taehyung asks.

“I have a lecture,” Jungkook replies calmly.

Taehyung hums and nods. “Better not miss it.”

“Better not.” Jungkook won’t stand there a second longer and begins to ascend the road to campus.

If Taehyung says something, he doesn’t hear it, because the wind suddenly picks up, slowing Jungkook down. But he doesn’t care as long as he doesn’t hear the obnoxious art student with the dyed hair and fake glasses.

—

The clock nears four PM when Jungkook finally enters his apartment building. He lives near campus in student housing. It’s a three-story house, which is one of many similar ones beside and across it.

He lives on the second floor, in apartment nine, right at the end of the hall on the left. His apartment windows face the street, which he likes, since he can see the university buildings up the hill and the main city behind it.

Just as he’s about to unlock the door, he hears shuffling behind him. He turns just as the door across from his apartment opens.

“Oh! Oh my god, you scared me.” Namjoon, his neighbour, places a hand on his heart as he bends down slightly with a smile.

Jungkook lets an airy laugh through his nose. “Sorry, hyung.” He notices the trash bags in Namjoon’s hands. “Cleaning?”

“You would not believe the state of my place after I returned from break.” Namjoon groans. “I swear this is the last time I let my friends stay here without my supervision.”

Jungkook smiles, lopsided. He finally opens the door to his apartment. “Do you need help?”

Namjoon looks wary. “You’d help?”

“I’m helpful.” Jungkook shrugs as he enters his own apartment and places his bag on his desk chair.

The other man peeks his head inside the apartment, still unsure. He glances around the neat apartment, which Jungkook thinks is one of his best qualities. He likes to keep things clean.

“Well, you do know how to keep a place clean.” Namjoon shrugs. “If you’re bored, sure, you can help.”

Jungkook nods and walks back to Namjoon, grabbing a few of the trash bags from Namjoon’s hands.

They’ve known each other since Jungkook moved into the student apartment roughly a year ago, when he started his studies. Namjoon was already living in the apartment across the hall. He studies psychology, and he’s already in his fourth year.

His friendship with Namjoon is the only one he’s made throughout his time in university. Jimin has been there since fifth grade, and besides him, there haven’t really been any other friends, not long-term anyway.

Jungkook doesn’t mind it, though. He likes having only a few friends. It makes life easier. There’s no drama, no arguments, no jealousy of who likes who best.

Jimin and Namjoon are good friends as well, the two having met through Jungkook. They usually hang out at either his or Namjoon’s place, and the trio gets along splendidly.

That’s why Jungkook doesn’t seek new friends, because he’s very content with what he’s got. That is also why he has been a little bitter toward Jimin since he met Yoongi.

But after having met Yoongi, Jungkook understands why Jimin likes him so much. Yoongi seemed like a very down-to-earth kind of guy. He’s calm and collected, but funny in an effortless way.

“Had a good day?” Namjoon asks as they’re walking back inside the apartment building after throwing the trash out.

“Jimin made me meet Yoongi,” Jungkook says. “And Yoongi’s friends were there, as well.”

“How’d it go?”

“Fine.” Jungkook debates whether he should mention the argument with Taehyung, but realises Jimin would tell Namjoon sooner or later. “But this one guy was kind of annoying.”

“Uh-oh,” Namjoon winces.

Jungkook explains the situation as they walk up the stairs to the second floor and through the hallway to Namjoon’s apartment.

“He just sounds like every other art student,” Namjoon says as he opens the door.

“I think he is like every other art student.” Jungkook follows Namjoon into the apartment, which indeed is messy.

Namjoon had rented it to a few of his friends as he was staying at home for the winter break. Jungkook makes his way to Namjoon’s open kitchen. An island divides it from the living room, just like in his own apartment. All of the apartments in the student housing have the same layout.

”I just didn’t like how he dismissed my major,” Jungkook mumbles.

”Didn’t you do the same thing?” Namjoon chuckles.

Jungkook glares at Namjoon, pursing his lips. He doesn’t respond.

“You said there were other people there. Were they nice?” Namjoon asks while folding a blanket and placing it on the backrest of the couch.

“I guess. Two of them are very hyper. Yoongi is nice. Quiet.” Jungkook nods.

“So it sounds like it’s three nice guys versus one annoying guy.”

“What are you hinting at?” Jungkook sighs, already dreading what Namjoon might say.

The older man shrugs. “I’m saying that you should give them a chance.”

Before Jungkook gets to object, his phone rings in his pocket. He purses his lips and shoots Namjoon a glare before digging out his phone. Jimin’s face fills the screen, with red and green buttons at the bottom of the screen.

He accepts the call and brings it to his ear. Before he gets to greet his friend, Jimin is talking in his ear.

“Where are you?”

“At Namjoon’s.”

The call ends abruptly, and seconds later, there are knocks on Namjoon’s door.

“Jimin?” Namjoon asks Jungkook as he’s walking to the front door.

Jungkook simply nods and stacks dirty plates on the kitchen counter. He hears the door open and footsteps.

“You could’ve told me you’re here. I’ve been knocking on your door for at least three minutes.” Jimin’s voice is annoyed.

Jungkook shrugs sheepishly.

Jimin slumps on the couch. “So? What’d you think?” 

“Yoongi’s fine. Jin and Hoseok are… interesting, but alright,” Jungkook says.

“And Taehyung?” Jimin quirks a brow.

A slow sigh leaves Jungkook’s lips as he relives the annoying interaction in his head. He stares at the dirty pile of dishes, eyes unfocusing as he considers how to say politely that he doesn’t care for Taehyung.

“Before you say you hate him, you gotta admit that he’s the first stranger that actually got you to speak your mind.” Jimin yawns, stretching his legs on top of the coffee table, which Namjoon is trying to clean with a wet rag.

Jungkook blinks and brings his eyes over to Jimin on the couch and Namjoon, who’s swatting Jimin’s ankles with the rag.

“Ew, stop!” Jimin groans, pulling his feet against his chest.

“I’m trying to clean, you child.” Namjoon shakes his head and starts to scrub the spot where Jimin’s feet were.

Jungkook doesn’t react as he opens the tab to let warm water fill the plugged sink. He considers Jimin’s words and squirts a bit of dish soap in the sink. Once again, his eyes unfocus as he stares at the rising soapy water.

Taehyung indeed got Jungkook to actually talk. Talking is one of Jungkook’s least favourite things, as he would much rather observe the ongoing conversation. But he was not going to let Taehyung dismiss his major, which he dearly appreciates and loves.

“Well, anyway, they really liked you,” Jimin says, snapping Jungkook out of his thoughts.

He looks up, lifting a brow. “They said that?”

“Yeah. Jin and Hoseok would love it if you hung out with us more. They even want you in the group chat. Yoongi, too.”

“And Taehyung?” 

Jungkook’s suspicious. He didn’t get the feeling Taehyung was a fan of him either. Jungkook doesn’t want to hang out in a group where one person has a problem with him. And vice versa.

“Well, he had left by the time Jin and Hoseok started begging me to add you to the group chat. But if it means anything, he didn’t say anything after you left?” Jimin smiles.

“Why would that mean anything to me? I don’t care what he thinks,” Jungkook shrugs.

“Then it shouldn’t matter if Taehyung wants you to hang out with us or not. You should come. We’re going to play tennis someday.”

Jungkook scrunches his face. “Tennis?”

“Uh-huh! Joon, you’re welcome to join us if you want. I mentioned you to them, and they want to meet you, as well.” Jimin nudges Namjoon’s thigh with his toes.

“Ah, I don’t know.” Namjoon walks to the kitchen to place the rag on the counter. “I’d feel too old.”

“Jin and Yoongi are older than you. Hoseok is the same age as you,” Jimin explains.

“And these Hoseok and Jin sound like children.”

Jungkook smiles. Namjoon isn’t wrong.

“Just think about it. Or join us another time if your joints are too old for some tennis,” Jimin mumbles.

Namjoon sucks air through his teeth. “Do you want me to throw this rag at you?” He lifts a brow as he points to the wet rag on the counter.

“You say Jin and Hoseok sound like children when you’re here threatening me with a play fight.”

“There is nothing playful about this,” Namjoon warns, making Jungkook suppress a smile while Jimin visibly swallows.

“Hyung, stop being scary,” Jimin mumbles as he digs out his phone from his pocket. He groans. “Ah, Mom is pestering me about visiting.”

“Why won’t you?” Namjoon asks.

“Because I’m drowning in school stuff,” Jimin explains while typing something on his phone, probably answering his mother.

“Jungkook-ah, should we make a trip to Busan soon?” he asks while keeping his eyes on the phone.

“Sure. I’ll probably have time in May,” Jungkook responds.

“Great. I’ll let Mom know so she’ll stop asking me to come over for at least a while,” Jimin mumbles.

—

The following night, Jungkook is hunched over his desk, a guitar resting on his thighs as he’s writing lyrics in his notebook. He hums while he mumbles the lyrics under his breath, while scribbling them down. Every once in a while, his fingers find the chords on the guitar strings.

He goes over the lyrics, matching them to the chords. His careful hum becomes stronger as the lyrics start to sound sensible in his head.

Just as he’s about to write down another lyric, his phone lights up on his table. His eyes drift to it, and he notices a notification from the messages app.

He assumes it’s Jimin and continues his work with the song, but as two more notifications pop up, he sighs and grabs his phone.

As the face recognition allows Jungkook to see the content of the notifications, he notices that he’s been added to a group chat.

Realisation dawns on him as he understands that Jimin really did add him to the group chat consisting of Yoongi, Hoseok, Jin and Taehyung.

Carefully, he taps the notification, which brings him to the messages app. There, at the top, he sees the group chat name: Lord of the Pings.

He physically cringes at the name and assumes it’s either Jin or Hoseok’s idea.

Then his eyes go over to the texts Jimin had sent.

You were added to this group chat

Jimin: Here’s Jungkook!

Jimin: Don’t scare him away

Not even a second later, a new message pops up.

(Unknown number): Hello Jungkook!!

(Unknown number): Pleasure to have you on here

(Unknown number): Hey, Jungkook

Already overwhelmed with the amount of messages, he types a response, palms getting slightly clammy for no reason whatsoever.

You: Hello. Who’s who?

Immediately, the three dots pop up, but before he gets to wait for the response, his sister’s face appears on the screen, as she’s calling him.

He responds automatically and sets the call on speaker, and continues to write his lyrics down.

“Hey, Koo!” His sister’s soft voice echoes from the phone speakers. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Hey, nuna,” he replies and looks out of the window into the pitch-black night. An orange lava lamp stands on the windowsill, illuminating soft hues before the window. “No, I’m just writing a song.”

“Can I hear it?” His sister, Shinhye, asks excitedly.

“It’s not done yet.”

Shinhye groans on the other side of the phone. “Anyway, I was just calling to let you know I’m coming to Seoul in two weeks. Maybe you want to go have dinner or something.”

“Yeah, sure.” Jungkook nods, even though Shinhye can’t see him.

“Perfect! Mom will probably insist on me to bring food for you, so prepare your fridge and freezer.” She sighs with a light tone.

Jungkook smiles. Because his sister stayed in Busan, where their mother lives, every time Shinhye comes to Seoul to meet him, she brings a box full of food with her from their mom.

“Your birthday is in two weeks as well.” Jungkook points out. “Do you have any birthday wishes?”

“Ah, don’t start, Koo. You’re my little brother; you shouldn’t get anything for me. Save your money for yourself.”

There is a five-year age gap between Jungkook and his sister, as his sister is 27 and he’s only 22. But it feels as if there isn’t even a day separating their ages. They grew up very close; they never fought and always stuck together. And even though Shinhye is Jungkook’s older sister, Jungkook sometimes feels as if he’s the older one. Shinhye likes to disagree, however.

“Well, if you had to make a wish, what would it be? Do you need something?” Jungkook asks calmly, tilting his head as he’s now only tracing the written-down lyrics.

Shinhye sighs. “Well,” she groans as it’s clear she’s thinking of anything to wish for. “I suppose a new sketchbook. I’m running out of my current one, and there’s a big project coming up at work.”

Jungkook goes to write ‘sketchbook’ in the corner of his paper. “Okay.”

“But that doesn’t mean that you need to buy one! You hear me, Koo?”

“Yeah.”

Jungkook will be buying a sketchbook for her.

They chat for a few more minutes before Shinhye apologises as she must catch her bus. When the call ends, the group chat lights back up on Jungkook’s screen.

He had forgotten this whole ordeal during that phone call with his sister, but now the overwhelming feeling is taking over his body once more.

There are new messages.

(Unknown number): I’m Hoseok!

(Unknown number): Jin

(Unknown number): This is Yoongi

As Jungkook reads the names, he changes the phone number to the corresponding names, just so he doesn’t get confused. He’s almost certain he will never open this group chat or take any part in the conversations, but just in case.

After the three had introduced themselves, there were multiple messages from Jin and Hoseok arguing over their next hangout activity.

They stop as Jimin’s text interrupts them, telling them to quiet down or Jungkook will leave the group. There’s a text from Yoongi, who’s also apologising. Then there’s a series of apologies from Hoseok and Jin, and the latest text from Hoseok, who had sent a picture of him and Jin, smiling brightly at the bottom corner of the photo and Yoongi in the far background, sitting on the couch, staring at them with a monotone expression.

Jungkook doesn’t understand why they are texting when they are in the same room.

He also notices that there isn’t a single text from Taehyung.

For a moment, he considers the possibility that Taehyung isn’t in this group chat. Maybe the others had picked up on the tension between them, too, and created a whole new group chat just for Jungkook, but his hopes are crushed when he clicks on the group chat info, and one last unknown number pops up in the members section.

He knows it’s Taehyung. No doubt about it. But yet, Jungkook does not make the effort to change his name. He leaves the unknown number as it is, because if his text does appear in the group chat, Jungkook will know who’s behind it.

Jungkook types a message, considers before sending it, but eventually does hit send.

You: It’s fine

A multitude of texts come from Jin and Hoseok, thanking Jungkook, while Yoongi only reacts with a thumbs up. 

Still nothing from Taehyung.

Jungkook exhales a half laugh through his nose as there’s another picture from Hoseok, where he and Jin had moved closer to Yoongi, Jin poking the man’s cheek while the annoyed expression still rests on Yoongi’s face.

Not wanting any more distractions that night, however, Jungkook mutes the group chat and shuts his phone.

—

A week after the phone call from his sister and the overwhelming event of Jungkook being added to the group chat, he finds himself walking into the nearby art store to find a sketchbook for Shinhye’s birthday present.

He’s never been inside the store, but he has walked past it on multiple occasions. It’s close to campus, and the glass windows display a plethora of art supplies, everything from large canvases to clay.

There are also a few artworks displayed on the window. There’s a price tag on them, signifying that you can buy art from here, as well.

Jungkook stands in front of the store as the late-March rain slightly soaks his shoulders. The hood of his jacket is pulled over his head to prevent himself from getting wet, but the rain manages to touch his bangs anyway.

He examines the artwork behind the glass.

It’s a painting of a woman’s face. She has orange hair, which flows around her like water. Around her are hands, some of which are grabbing her hair, while others are pinching her cheeks. The woman is smiling widely, her teeth white and lips rosy. She’s quite beautiful.

The painting costs 120,000 Korean won. Reasonable price, as the painting is very well made, even though Jungkook knows nothing of art.

He steps inside the store and removes the hood. The ends of his bangs had gotten wet, nonetheless, and are now curling from the moisture. Jungkook shakes his head, and a few water droplets fly off his hair onto the dark wooden floor, which creaks under Jungkook’s feet as he makes his way towards the different aisles.

The store itself isn’t large. All the canvases and necessary materials for them are presented on the left wall. The large canvases are propped up on high shelves, and Jungkook wonders how on earth they reach them. That is, until he notices the ladder leaning against the wall near the register.

In the middle of the room, there are many shelves, a little taller than him. On each of the shelves’ edges is a silver plate, where the title is engraved in capital letters. 

Jungkook eyes the plates until he finds ‘DRAWING’. He can only assume he will find the sketchbooks there. And perhaps a good sketching pencil for Shinhye as well.

As he’s walking towards the shelf, he eyes the rest of the store, and notices a large glass window on the right wall. Through it, he can see another room. There is a large shelf on the wall, filled with art supplies. Right next to it is a stand, where on top of it sits a clay figure. Jungkook can’t decipher what it’s supposed to be.

Then his eyes go to the other figure in the room. This one isn’t made of clay, however, since this one is a real person. The person’s back is towards Jungkook, and they’re facing a large canvas, which rests on an easel. They’re moving their right arm, and Jungkook notices that they’re painting.

Even though Jungkook can only see their back, he notices the dark brown apron that’s tied around their waist. On their head is a black scarf, tied over the back of their head. 

Jungkook shrugs, assuming that this is the person who runs the store, and possibly the one whose paintings are on display in the window.

He arrives at the drawing section and eyes the shelf. It’s filled with different supplies: pencils, pens, coal, erasers, markers, rulers, and materials Jungkook can’t even name. Then he spots the notebooks. They vary in size and looks, as well as in prizes.

A frustrated sigh leaves his lips as he realises he has no idea what he’s looking for. He wants to buy something good, something a bit more durable for his sister. He doesn’t want the cheapest option, even though maybe he should. As a student, he doesn’t have a lot of money to spend, but when it comes to his sister, he doesn’t like to be parsimonious.

He doesn’t know how long he stands there, examining the different sketchbooks and their prices, but he snaps out of it when he hears someone speak behind him.

“Hey, can I help you with something?” A male voice echoes in the store.

Jungkook snaps out of his thoughts and looks up, his still-wet bangs hanging nearly over his eyes.

It feels like all his blood drops from his head to his toes. His chest tightens around his ribs, and it’s as though his heart beats right against his skin from the inside.

He can’t believe his luck.

Taehyung is standing at the end of the aisle, wiping his hands with a rag, which is covered in paint smudges. His brown apron is just as smudged as the rag, and there’s even a swipe of paint on his cheek. His bleached hair peeks out from under his scarf, curling over his dark eyebrows, which Jungkook finds ridiculous, because his hair and eyebrows don’t match in the slightest.

The pretentious glasses are still resting on Taehyung’s nose, and there’s a polite smile on his face, the apples of his cheeks grazing the bottom frames of the glasses.

The sleeves of his grey sweatshirt are bunched up around his elbows, displaying his arms, which flex as he tries to rub the smudges out of his hands.

Jungkook must’ve been quiet for long enough, because Taehyung takes a step closer and turns to look at the sketchbooks in front of Jungkook.

He lifts his eyebrows, non-verbally asking if this is what Jungkook is looking at. “Sketchbooks?” He adds.

Confusion clouds Jungkook’s mind as he stares back at Taehyung.

Why is he acting and speaking like this? Like it’s the first time they meet? As if Jungkook is just another customer? Like they didn’t have an argument face-to-face just a little over a week ago.

But even though his confusion is high, nothing is higher than his pride. If Taehyung wants to act like they never met, so be it.

So, he blinks and turns back to the sketchbooks. “Yeah.”

He can practically see the way Taehyung’s shoulders relax when Jungkook finally speaks. Taehyung must’ve been worried Jungkook wasn’t going to speak at all.

“What are you looking for? A sketchbook for beginners, advanced, something in the middle?” Taehyung asks and slips the rag into the pocket of his apron.

“Advanced,” Jungkook says.

“I see,” Taehyung mumbles as he bends down a little to examine the sketchbooks. “Now, there are a few options I’d suggest.”

He points to a notebook, which is low on the shelf. “This one is very high quality. But so is the price, unfortunately.”

Then, he points to another, closer to Jungkook. “This one is basically the same, but with a lower price.”

Finally, he straightens his posture and points to a one on the top shelf. “However, this one is my personal favourite. Good price, good quality. Everything.”

Jungkook eyes all the given options, but doesn’t find any difference between them. So, as he is acting as just another customer, he asks: “What’s the difference between them?”

Taehyung smiles and grabs the one he pointed at first. “Good quality, looks professional, but very pricey. It also needs a bit more professional materials.” Then, he takes the second option. “This one is a cheaper version of the first one. However, it doesn’t have as many pages, and if you use this daily, you will run out of pages quickly.”

Then, he grabs the third one. “This one has it all. Good quality, enough pages, doesn’t require professional materials, but can stand them when wanted. And a bonus, it looks very stylish and professional.” He shakes the brown leather notebook in his hand, the silky page marker peeking from between the pages.

Jungkook shrugs. “I suppose I’ll take that one then.” He nods towards the third option.

“Fine choice,” Taehyung confirms and hands the notebook to Jungkook.

Jungkook hesitantly takes it, while Taehyung places the other two notebooks back in their place.

“Anything else?” Taehyung asks.

“Maybe a pencil to go with this.”

“Advanced?” Taehyung makes sure, to which Jungkook nods.

“I think these are very good. I use them, as well.” Taehyung points at a set of pencils with different thicknesses.

“Do they smudge?” Jungkook lifts a brow.

“The thicker ones do. That’s their point,” Taehyung explains with that customer service voice and smile.

Jungkook bites his lip as he looks at the pencils. Frankly, he doesn’t know if the pencils Shinhye needs should smudge.

“May I ask what you are using these pencils for? It might be easier to suggest a type if I knew.”

Jungkook opens his mouth but closes it quickly. He’s not interested in telling Taehyung that he’s buying these for his sister, who is a fashion designer and needs these for her work.

“I’m sure these are fine, actually.” Jungkook nods and grabs the pair Taehyung had suggested.

Taehyung smiles as a response, along with a polite nod.

The politeness is starting to annoy Jungkook. He wishes the man would just leave him alone. He doesn’t like it when people approach him at stores, asking if he needs help. Even if he did, he wouldn’t ask for help. His mouth won’t allow him to speak up.

Now it’s different because Taehyung forced himself into the situation, forcing Jungkook to talk.

As he continues to stare at the shelves, considering if there is something else he could add to the gift, he can see from the corner of his eye that Taehyung is looking at him, quite intensely.

He carefully glances at Taehyung, who is now standing with his hands crossed over his chest, head tilted with a pondering expression.

With a blush rising to his cheeks, Jungkook looks back at the supplies, grabbing another set of pencils, just to have something in his hands to inspect. Maybe he needs new pencils for himself, anyway.

“Wait a minute,” Taehyung says, a light laugh echoing in the back of his throat. “You’re that guy from the restaurant. You’re Jimin’s friend.”

Jungkook’s blood runs cold again. He turns his head to Taehyung with a wary expression, not sure what kind of reaction Taehyung will have. Will he throw Jungkook out of his store? Will he continue to be a polite customer servant?

“Yeah… You were the one who said my major isn’t as hard as yours.” Taehyung points a finger at Jungkook.

It seems like Jungkook has to continue talking.

“I never said that,” he protests, but stays calm.

Taehyung hums. “You’re the music major,” he says, mostly to himself while looking down. Then, he looks back up at Jungkook. ”What was your name again?” Taehyung looks away to think before looking back with a lifted brow. “Was it Jukyung?”

Jungkook blinks, head completely empty. How can he forget Jungkook’s name? They’re in the same goddamn group chat.

For some reason, he feels embarrassed for being forgotten while he immediately recognised Taehyung. Then again, he’s not surprised that someone as arrogant as Taehyung forgets someone as quiet as Jungkook. 

He keeps calm, though, and lets out a breathy, humourless laugh and shakes his head. “Close. It’s Jungkook.”

“Ah, right. Jungkook.” Taehyung nods, tapping his index finger on his temple. “Now I remember.”

And instead of letting the subject be, Jungkook clears his throat and asks: “And you were Taewon?”

Yes, Jungkook could just say he remembers Taehyung or even stay silent, but the petty response is out before he gets to think.

Taehyung smiles in a way which makes his nose scrunch. It looks fake.

“Close. It’s Taehyung.” He mimics Jungkook’s earlier response.

“Right,” Jungkook says, nodding, purposefully leaving out the apology for getting Taehyung’s name wrong.

After all, he didn’t get an apology from Taehyung.

A silence follows, which Jungkook hates, until Taehyung claps his hands together. “Well! Would that be all?”

“I think so,” Jungkook says and follows Taehyung, who is walking towards the register at the end of the store.

He rounds the cash register and taps something on the screen. Jungkook places the notebook and the two pencil sets on the counter. He considers putting the other random pencil packet back, but Taehyung is already beeping it with the barcode reader.

“Getting yourself into drawing?” Taehyung asks, glancing at Jungkook from under his brows.

“They’re a gift.” He monotones back.

“Really? For whom?”

Jungkook busies himself with digging out his wallet from his pocket. When he looks back at Taehyung, the other man is still waiting for a response.

“A friend,” he replies.

While it isn’t a lie, Jungkook still doesn’t want to reveal that they’re for his sister. What is Taehyung going to do with the information? Probably nothing. But Jungkook doesn’t like sharing his personal business.

Taehyung lifts his brows and rolls his eyes softly away from Jungkook, pursing his lips. “Do you want them wrapped? It’s free of cost.”

“Sure.”

The price appears on the card reader, and as Jungkook pays the sum, Taehyung begins wrapping them in brown wrapping paper.

“Leave that one out.” Jungkook points to the set of pencils he got for himself on a whim.

Taehyung simply places the set on the side and continues to wrap the notebook and the other set of pencils inside the wrapper.

The silence in the store is getting thicker by the second, and Jungkook can’t wait to leave the store. The only sound is the sound of Taehyung folding the wrapper neatly over the edges of the notebook and the sound of rain hitting the windows outside.

As Taehyung is done wrapping, he spreads his long fingers over the packet and looks up at Jungkook. “Do you want a ‘To, From’ sticker on it?”

Jungkook shakes his head. “No.”

The other man nods and slides the packet over the counter to Jungkook.

As Jungkook grabs it, his thumb grazes over Taehyung’s index finger. The other man’s skin is soft and warm, and it’s a stark contrast against Jungkook’s cold pad of the thumb. 

It’s as though all of Jungkook’s blood is still in his toes, his upper body completely cold and still in shock from running into Taehyung. He doesn’t like unprompted meetings where he is forced to come up with conversation quickly. Which is why he never starts a conversation.

Jungkook looks at how Taehyung slides his fingers away from the wrapped notebook and pencils, and he leans his forearms against the counter.

Taehyung looks up at Jungkook with an unreadable smile. “Welcome back anytime, Jungkook.”

No words leave Jungkook’s mouth as he’s completely speechless. He simply stares back at Taehyung with a puzzled and slightly annoyed expression. He doesn’t want to spend another second in this store.

And so he leaves without saying anything. As he walks through the aisles to get to the front door, he shoves the present in his messenger bag.

Behind him, he can hear Taehyung exclaim: “See you around!”, before Jungkook is out of the door and standing under the rain, once again.