♥║ eight ║♥

The next week at school, Jungkook has his camera out, taking yearbook shots of the Valentine's Day decorations. There's a dance on Thursday as well that he'll have to attend just for the yearbook, which he isn't happy about, but he's used to attending dances at this point. No one notices him anyways as he weaves in and out of the crowd, snapping cutesy shots of picture-perfect couples.

As he raises his camera for a shot of the heart streamers wrapping around a tree in the middle of the courtyard, his eyes catch on something—or rather someone, else. Taehyung is in the courtyard with his group of friends, undoubtedly chatting away before the bell rings for first period. Almost naturally, Jungkook zooms in towards the older boy, snapping a picture of him mid-laugh.

He hadn't even realized he was taking pictures of Taehyung until there's a tap on his shoulder that makes him jump practically to the clouds. He whips around fast, lowering his camera almost in shame.

A girl named Yeonsoo stands there with a smile on her face, a boy standing beside her. "You're for the yearbook, right? Can you take a picture of us? He just asked me to the dance this Thursday." She's beaming, grinning from ear to ear while the boy keeps his eyes locked on her, a small smile on his face.

"S-sure," Jungkook stammers, realizing he hadn't been caught basically stalking Taehyung.

The two pose in front of the tree he was supposed to be taking pictures of. He lets them see it for their approval before they scurry off, the girl already talking about the dress she wants to get.

Jungkook chews his bottom lip as he watches them leave. He wonders what it's like to get excited over a school dance with your crush as your date.

"Eh, excuse me."

Jungkook's eyes widen at the deep voice. He slowly turns around, blinking at Taehyung who stands in front of him, his friends around him.

"Are you taking pictures of people for the yearbook?" Taehyung asks, smiling that boxy smile of his.

Jungkook is too afraid to speak in case Taehyung recognizes his voice, so he nods instead.

"Awesome. Can you take a group shot of us?"

He nods again.

The group consisting of five boys scurries over to the tree, shoving each other playfully in the process. He snaps a few shots of them playing around, then takes multiple group shots with them posing differently each time. He fights the urge to zoom in on Taehyung. He can always make a copy and crop it later....

He shakes his head to himself, grumbling under his breath.

Once they're satisfied with the pictures, Taehyung shouts, "Thanks, Bak Jungkook!" right as the bell rings and they hurry off to class.

The simple fact that Taehyung remembered his name, albeit a fake one, has him smiling the rest of the day.

༺༒༻

"Can you crop that and send it to me?" Jimin asks, smiling at the group picture of the boys while he looks at one in particular.

Jungkook rolls his eyes but smiles. "Yeah, yeah, I'll do it later. How's that going, by the way?"

Jimin shrugs, but he's grinning. "We talk a lot. He's really smart and actually enjoys deep conversations, unlike you. And he appreciates my karaoke at two in the morning, unlike you."

"Maybe you're soulmates after all. Wait, you've actually called him at two in the morning?"

"We'd already been on the phone, but I was really tired so I started singing, like I used to do with you. And he complimented me, which is something you never did. I finally found better for myself, can you believe it?"

Jungkook slaps Jimin in the shoulder, which makes the older boy scowl at him. "Do his friends know about you yet?"

Jimin gives a look. "Is the translation to that: 'do his friends know because then Tae might find out who I am'?"

Jungkook scrunches his nose. "Maybe."

Jimin sighs. "Jungkook-ah, you really need to tell him who you are. Tae told you he liked you, didn't he?"

Jungkook nods, fiddling with his thumbs.

"See! You have to show him your face. You can't hide forever."

"What if he doesn't want someone with my face, though?" Jungkook mumbles, sounding like a grumpy five year old.

Jimin puts his arm around Jungkook's shoulders. "Despite your personality flaws, you have a nice face, okay? It's the only reason I'm friends with you."

"I hate you sometimes."

Jimin laughs, pinching Jungkook's cheek. "You know you love me. But really. If you're not ready to meet him, then maybe send him a picture."

"Why are you on his side?" Jungkook all but whines. "You're supposed to tell me to show myself when I'm ready and to not force myself to do anything I don't want to."

"Well, you just told yourself that, so do I really need to?"

Jungkook shoves Jimin off of him. "You may exit my house now, thank you."

Jimin chuckles, but stands nonetheless. "Actually, I do need to leave. I have to help my parents get ready for their 'important' guests for dinner."

"Don't scare them away with your horrid personality," Jungkook teases.

"No promises!" Jimin yells on his way out his bedroom. He hears the older boy tell his mother goodbye before the front door shuts.

Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat, glancing over at his phone on his nightstand. Hesitantly, he reaches for it, his heart pounding.

jungkook: tae?

tae 🐘: yes my child?

jungkook: child what

tae 🐘: i feel the need to protect you from all dangers in the world so yes

you are my child

jungkook: okaayyy i'm second guessing this

tae 🐘: WAIT WHAT

SECOND GUESSING WHAT

jungkook: ....

never mind

tae 🐘: oh don't yOU DARE DO THAT

jungkook: fine but stop yelling at me

tae 🐘: what's going on?

jungkook: if i... if i send you a picture, can you promise not to talk to me in person?

tae 🐘: oh my god it's happening

EVERYONE STAY CALM, IT'S HAPPENING

I HAVE GAINED MY CHILD'S TRUST

jungkook: yeah i'm second guessing bye

tae 🐘: NO WAIT, I'M SORRY

in all seriousness, you don't have to send a picture if you aren't comfortable, okay?

but i'm also not complaining if you do, ya feel

jungkook: i want to but... i'm still scared

promise you won't come up to me at school?

tae 🐘: why can't you see that i want to hang out with you :(

but okay. if that's what makes you comfortable, i promise.

Jungkook's hands are shaking as he scrolls through his camera roll. He's taken a selfie here and there, but he's never been one to take a lot of pictures of himself. He needs to find a good one, even though Taehyung already knows what he looks like in person. Still. He can't send a bad picture when he's revealing himself.

When he finds one he's somewhat okay with, it takes him a good fifteen minutes to get the courage to actually send it. 

jungkook: