"Are you going to the office party this Friday?"

Jungkook deadpans at Jimin, looking up at him through tired, heavy eyelids. He's standing behind the younger, hovering over him and eyeing the strands of hairs that he decides to sort out for Jungkook—he's run his fingers through his dark brown locks probably about ten times within the past twenty seconds.

"Party?" he repeats, sighing out as Jimin nods. "I'd rather sell my left foot, but yes. I'll sit in the corner for a few hours and fake a smile at old people. Sure."

"That's the spirit." Jimin smiles like an angel, but in a sarcastic way. Jungkook pouts to himself. "Jungkookie, you have to go to the party anyways. It'll leave a good impression on CEO Kim."

With the reminder of the CEO, Jungkook overwhelmingly frowns to himself. Not only has he made the worst impression already, but he's almost positive that his risky moves on Seokjin might taint his chances at getting the job.

"Selling my left foot might actually happen, you know."

Jimin rolls his eyes and calls him dramatic, but Jungkook rots in the reminder that Jimin has no idea how serious he is. "You'll be fine," Jimin tells him, "because you're going as my plus one." He grins.

"I am?"

"Yup." Jimin's grin is mischievous. "To make someone jealous, of course. You know, like they do in all the fake-dating movies?"

Jungkook eyes him curiously. "Who exactly are we making jealous?" he asks, which causes a dust of pink to spread onto Jimin's cheeks.

"Taehyung," he mutters quietly.

Jungkook raises a brow at him. If he remembers correctly, Jimin and Taehyung have been chasing after each other for far too long now. They never confirmed nor denied being a couple, but Jungkook knows one thing for sure: they fuck. A lot.

"If this is some kind of kink thing, I don't want in on it."

Jimin pouts and whines, "No, it's just... Taehyungie totally blew me off last week to hang out with some girl—his sister and her friend, but still. He's always thought that you're too hot for me to hang around and I know he'd be jealous and probably feel like an idiot for blowing me off, and then we'd go to his place and fuck. Hard–"

"Save the details," Jungkook begs, holding his hands up to block his ears. "So this is a kink thing."

"Mildly."

"Then count me out. Also, what the hell? I'm too hot? What does that even mean? I'm not going to steal you from him or something."

Jimin shrugs. "You're a threat to society, Jungkookie. Ah, but okay, then I guess you don't want free dinner before the party. Guess I'll just find someone else to take to that new fancy restaurant by the cinema. What a shame."

Jungkook rolls his eyes and then asks, "What exactly does the new restaurant have on their menu?"

"I heard the chef makes delicious, tender, juicy meat. The best in Seoul."

A pause. Then, Jungkook tells him, "You better not try to drag me back to Taehyungie hyung's place with you." Jimin shrugs.

"Didn't plan on that, but okay! Does that mean you'll be my plus one? Please?" he begs, holding up his tiny hands in front of him. Jungkook chuckles and turns back to his desk, shaking his head fondly.

"Yeah, sure."

Jimin claps his hands together, and all Jungkook can think about is how he's going to see Seokjin this Friday, and what he should wear to the CEO's first office party—the celebration and welcoming of Kim Seokjin.

What better way to welcome Seokjin, than with a paper bag over his head?

~~~

It's Friday night.

Jungkook used his expensive soap and cologne, put on a little makeup—an entire routine consisting of dark eyeshadow brushed across his eyelids and pink lipgloss—and he put on his matching navy blazer and slacks. He tried not to whine and pout over his hair not fixing easily, but he ended up washing all the gel out and settling on straightening his part to the side instead.

He's pretty and that's all that matters to him.

However, what sucks is the party.

Jimin is dressed similar to Jungkook and everyone else who's attending the party. They went out to eat at that fancy restaurant, which was great, but now that they're at the party, all Jungkook wants to do is go home. It's awkward and he hates "partying" with old people.

At least Jimin is having fun, forcing Jungkook to stick by his side and being all smug every time Taehyung looks over at them. Jungkook does think it's kind of amusing, to see Taehyung glaring and sticking his tongue into the side of his cheek from across the room—Jimin was right about Taehyung going to want to take him home after this, and oddly enough, Jungkook is happy for them and their kinky bedroom shenanigans.

Good for them.

"I'm going to go up there and order a drink next to him," Jimin informs him, glancing over at the bar that Taehyung is sitting at. "Be right back."

Jungkook chuckles as Jimin struts over there so confidently, swaying his hips. The man may hate talking in front of a crowd, but when it comes to Kim Taehyung, he'll do whatever it takes to get his attention.

Averting his own attention, Jungkook glances around at the swarm of people, smiling awkwardly whenever someone comes up to him and tells him they enjoyed his editing skills during certain scenes. Sometimes, he glances around for a specific tall figure, listens for a honey-like voice, and a bubbly, squeaky laugh. It never comes.

However, a familiar face does walk up to him.

Unfortunately.

"You know..." It's Kunwoo who walks up to Jungkook, hands in his pockets and an arrogant, amused look on his face, "you wouldn't have had to bring your friend to an event like this if you'd stayed with me. We would've been here together."

It's gut-wrenching, the fact that Kunwoo has a hint or saltiness in his voice. He's squinting slightly, not maliciously, but as if he's testing the waters. Seeing what Jungkook might think or say. Wondering how far of a line he can cross before Jungkook tells him that no, he doesn't care if Kunwoo is salty that he fucked up, he will never be with him again.

"I will never attend another party with you," Jungkook tells him straightforwardly. Kunwoo grimaces to himself, almost like he's cringing at the rejection. It makes Jungkook's skin tingle, becoming lively. "You are the reason we aren't together anymore. And honestly? I'm thankful for that. Goodbye."

He turns his head, telling Kunwoo to leave because not only does he not want to talk to him, but Miyoung is stepping up behind him with a scowl.

"Kunwoo? Why are you talking to him?" She wraps her hand around Kunwoo's wrist as he lies, telling her it's nothing. Miyoung tugs him away, giving Jungkook a dirty look. "Let's go, baby. Don't talk to him. He's just desperate."

All Jungkook can do is watch in a confused daze as the two—the happy couple—walk away. Now, he's slightly more pissed off because 1) he's not desperate and 2) Kunwoo is the one who walked up to him: desperate.

But whatever.

Jungkook sighs, frowning to himself, and he goes back to looking around the floor. People are all over the place with drinks in their hands, talking to each other. But the one person who really catches his eye is across the room.

There he is. Kim Seokjin.

They lock eyes, and it doesn't take long for Jungkook to notice the stern look in Seokjin's gaze, or the way he was obviously watching Jungkook from afar, for who knows how long.

Jungkook shifts, drawing his eyes to his drink instead before chugging the rest of it—it's champagne, for fuck sake.

He sets his drink down at a nearby table and inhales deeply as he glances over again, noticing that Seokjin has moved from his spot and is coming up to him now. God, he needs another drink. But at the same time, he doesn't need any drinks; the last time he got drunk near Seokjin... Yeah, no more.

Eventually, Seokjin makes it to him, towering over him not because he's taller than Jungkook by a lot, but because Jungkook has his head lowered and his back isn't as formally straight as the CEO's.

"You're drinking a lot," Seokjin states, "again."

Jungkook looks up into his eyes, giving a weak smile. If his eyes glance down to Seokjin's lips, it's because it was an accident and nothing more. "Maybe I am," Jungkook agrees in a small, quiet voice. "But how would you know that?"

Seokjin tilts his head slightly, eyeing Jungkook with those amused irises. It's like he's reading Jungkook, getting to know him just by observing everything and nothing all at the same time.

"I saw you," Seokjin tells him matter-of-factly. "You've had three full glasses. Impressive." He's looking over at the three empty champagne glasses that Jungkook had in fact put there.

"Well, I was under the impression that this was a party, sir."

A small fit of laughter leaves Seokjin, smiling at Jungkook. "Yeah, some party, huh?" He takes a sip of his own drink, looking around at all the older men and women in fancy clothing with fancy hairdos and fancy laughter. "Don't worry, Jungkook-ssi. I'm having to retain my boredom just as much as you are. We're in this together."

Jungkook smiles, raising his hand up to his arm just to have something to hold onto whenever Seokjin smiles back at him. It's gorgeous, and undefyingly so. It's driven Jungkook insane since first sight.

Before he can do anything dumb and totally out of line again, Jimin comes stepping over happily, smiling from ear to ear. "Here you go, Jungkookie," he sings, holding up a glass of water, of all things—damn him for caring about Jungkook.

"Thanks."

Jimin sips from his own glass, which definitely isn't water, and then he looks up at Seokjin, being shorter than him. He looks tiny, actually. Like Seokjin could step over him and nobody would even notice.

"Oh?" he questions, looking at Seokjin from head to toe. "Hi, CEO Kim! I'm Jungkookie's plus one," he introduces himself in a way that makes Jungkook nearly choke on his water. Seokjin gives Jimin a small, curt smile. The smile doesn't stretch nearly as much as his other ones do.

"Nice to meet you. Jungkook hasn't told me about you..?"

Jimin's smile fades slightly. "Really? I'm Jungkook's bestie forever," he says, and it makes Seokjin's weak smile grow bigger, as if he's just realized something crucial. Jimin continues, "I guess he never talks to you about his friends..? I'm assuming you talk about editing..? And other business-related stuff."

Seokjin turns and looks at Jungkook, his gaze curious and maybe even a little tempting. "Editing. Right." He nods slowly. "Amongst other things." He's staring at Jungkook the entire time he speaks. It makes Jungkook stiff, unsure of how to react with such dark eyes set on him.

"Right," Jungkook quietly agrees.

It's silent for an awkward beat. Seokjin and Jungkook are just looking at each other, observing until Seokjin finally decides to break the silence. "I guess I should get back to the people, tell them all they want to hear. This party is for me, after all."

He goes to walk away, but Jungkook stops him with a little Wait, reaching out just to graze his fingers over his shoulder. Seokjin halts, turns around, and locks eyes with him. Suddenly Jungkook's mouth is as dry as a desert.

"I..."

He slowly moves his hand further, reaching his other one up as well. Seokjin watches wide-eyed as Jungkook slips his fingers underneath his blue tie and begins straightening it out. He can't see Jimin, but he just knows that Jimin's silence is a sign of shock—he's been silent for a minute, too.

Jungkook's fingers are warm pressed up against Seokjin's warmer chest. His cheeks are even warmer, probably dusted pink by now. He has no idea why he decided to be the one to fix the CEO's tie, but here he is, doing it anyway. It was hardly out of place, too. Just enough to make Jungkook dumb enough to reach out and fix it.

"There you go," he mumbles, pulling his hands away after patting down the tie neatly. It's perfect now. Seokjin looks down at it, smiling to himself, and then up at Jungkook.

"Thank you, Jungkook-ah," he says just as quietly before patting his arm gently and walking away. Jungkook watches until Seokjin is stopped by someone to talk. His back is broad, shoulders probably on the verge of bursting out of his suit.

But then he hears a tiny voice clearing his throat beside him.

He turns to Jimin, blinking down at him. Jimin's eyes are wide with shock. He asks, "What the hell was that? Jungkook-ah? What universe did I just shift into?"

Smiling awkwardly down at his feet, Jungkook shrugs. "It's nothing," he lets out, brushing it off. But Jimin lifts his finger and pokes him in the chest.

"You have a thing for the CEO!" he whisper-shouts into Jungkook's chest, saying, "Oh my God! You like him! You're insane, Jungkookie."

Maybe he is.

Maybe I am.

Minutes of silence passes by. Jimin is on his phone and Jungkook wishes be brought his because the classical music and light chatter just isn't cutting it.

"Jeon Jungkook-ssi?"

Jungkook turns to an unfamiliar man's voice, eyes wide and curious. Somehow his eyes bulge out even more once he does recognize the face of CEO Kim—former CEO Kim. He quickly bows to him, both greeting each other.

"H-Hi there! It's so nice to meet you in person!"

The man is almost Jungkook's height. He has mostly grey hair, probably in his sixties or so. And his eyes, they're just like Kim Seokjin's, dark and sparkling with deep joy. He greets Jungkook so happily that it makes Jungkook's head swirl.

"You, young man, are excellent at your work," he tells Jungkook, swelling his chest with pride. Blushing like crazy, Jungkook smiles, thanking him. The elder leans in a little closer. He smells like coffee. "I heard my son is thinking about promoting you to the top floor," he says, which makes Jungkook's face redden even more, "I was sent over here by him. He told me about you, and I told him he's made an excellent choice by picking you."

Jungkook lowers his head bashfully, trying to hide his smile. Seokjin sent him over here? "Ah, he hasn't exactly picked me yet, sir, but I'm going to try my best to show him what I'm capable of." And he truly means that.

"You know, I'm a part of the committee who will be voting the best person for the job," Kim tells Jungkook, smiling up at him as he pats his arm. "I've worked with you plenty enough to have my vote in. But I'm positive you'll impress my son regardless. You're perfect for him."

Those last words ring in Jungkook's ears even after the man walks away, ending their conversation right then and there. For a split second, Jungkook's brain involuntarily flashes a faux scene in his imagination, in a world where CEO Kim isn't talking business, but rather talking about how good of a man Jungkook will be for his son in other, likely romantic situations.

The thought disappears just as quickly as it enters his brain. Not because Jungkook's heart doesn't want to believe or indulge in it, but because Jungkook shakes his head and forces the thought away, not needing his random spurt of feelings to get caught up in the business world.

Stop thinking about your boss in that way.

After the party, Jimin leads Jungkook outside. Though Jungkook drove both of them to the company building, Jimin is seeing him off, wrapping him into a big hug to tell him goodnight—the hug is much tighter and longer than usual, and Jungkook is almost positive he notices Taehyung roll his eyes where he's standing beside them, waiting on Jimin to follow him to his SUV.

"Text me and let me know you've made it home safely," Jimin orders him like he's Jungkook's mother. It draws a small smile from the younger.

"Can't promise he'll reply right away," Taehyung mentions in a smug, deep tone. It takes all of Jungkook's strength not to grimace at the implication of them being busy doing who the hell knows what by the time he's home.

"Okay," he lets out into the chilly night air. It's windy, blowing his hair dark back. Not only his, but his friend's hair too. Except they look like angels underneath the company building lampposts, and he just feels like a normal dude who happens to be standing next to them. "I'll text you when I'm home," he agrees, but probably doesn't mean it—Jungkook normally isn't great at texting because he gets distracted by other things and forgets.

Jimin peels himself away from Jungkook and instead falls back into Taehyung's arm, which lowers over his back comfortably.

There's truly no reason why they aren't exclusive to each other. Taehyung and Jimin are clearly obsessed with each other, and on multiple occasions, Jungkook has had to sit through being a third wheel, watching them hold hands, laugh like they're soulmates together, and kiss lovingly. Despite rolling his eyes as the two walk away, he loves them dearly and wishes them the best.

"Jungkook-ssi."

The sudden call of his voice almost makes Jungkook stumble in the heavy wind. He whips his head around and he stills as none other than Kim Seokjin crouches below him. The CEO picks something up off the ground, but even as he does, all Jungkook can focus on is the fact that Kim Seokjin is at his feet.

"Your wallet."

Blinking dumbly down at him, Jungkook stands there like a fool. The sight of Seokjin looking up at him is dangerous. Far too dangerous. The way his eyes search for Jungkook, the lampposts shining little twinkling stars into them—it's so pretty. Even prettier than the stars themselves. And not only that, but the lights glistens off his lips as well, probably because of chapstick, or maybe Seokjin is just a god who has naturally beautifully shining pink, rounded lips.

"Your wallet, Jungkook-ssi." Seokjin huffs out a small laugh as he raises up from the ground, practically shoving the black wallet into Jungkook's hands. It forces him back into reality, and he looks down at his wallet which must have fallen out of his back pocket.

"Thank you," he mumbles quietly, brushing his fingers over his bangs which won't stop blowing around in the wind, much like Seokjin's dark hair.

He's standing next to Jungkook now, no longer crouching to obtain the wallet. "You're welcome." Seokjin steps to the side to let people pass him, bringing him closer to where Jungkook stands. He clears his throat. "So, I heard my father met you. How did it go?"

Heard about it? From Jungkook's understanding, Seokjin had sent him over to Jungkook. He doesn't mention that, though. Instead, he averts his gaze and smiles softly, but his smile falters as his eyes land on something—someone—across the sidewalk.

"It was..." He gets lost in thought as Miyoung laughs aloud, lifting her freshly done fingernails to Kunwoo's chest. "It was really..." Again, he gets lost in thought as Kunwoo's eyes meet his, and he grimaces. Seeing his ex boyfriend holding onto his ex best friend while looking at him, it angers him in a way. He eyes Kunwoo hard and looks him up and down as if to say Why are you looking at me when you have a new girlfriend?

"Was it that bad?" Seokjin questions.

Jungkook's eyes widen and he turns his attention back to the CEO. "N-No! I just—" Seokjin's sight has shifted its attention to Kunwoo and Miyoung as well. Jungkook sighs and places his hand on Seokjin's forearm to earn his gaze again, and it works. Seokjin's eyes find his easily. "Your dad is amazing. He told me he loves my work and he asked me about the position I'm interviewing for. Which, by the way, I'm totally ready for the next scene to edit."

Seokjin gives him a small smile. "Right. About that..." He sounds like he wants to mention something. Jungkook's heart races as Seokjin once again glances over at Kunwoo. "I'm assuming you've figured out who you're up against? Just guessing."

The observation earns a small pout from Jungkook. From Seokjin's viewpoint, it probably looks like Jungkook has been giving dirty glances to his competitor. It's not exactly the case, but Jungkook also doesn't want to tell Seokjin that Kunwoo is his ex boyfriend. So, Jungkook sighs.

"Kunwoo?" he says almost bitterly.

Seokjin tilts his head at him. "How did you figure it out?"

Because the asshole was all up in Jungkook's business and wouldn't leave him alone despite having a new girlfriend, and someone congratulated him on getting the job even though he hadn't gotten it yet.

"I just heard about it in passing," Jungkook says, which isn't a lie. He doesn't want to lie to Seokjin. "Kunwoo and I... we sort of... know each other. He knew I was going for the position as well, so it's not really big news." Not to Kunwoo, at least. But it was huge news to Jungkook, finding out that Kunwoo was the man he was up against.

Nodding, Seokjin hums. "Okay. So you both know that you're the two I'm thinking about hiring." He looks Jungkook in the eyes. "That makes what I'm about to ask a lot easier, then."

What?

"What?"

"There's a scene we're working on," Seokjin informs him. Jungkook has no idea where he's going with this. It makes his heart race a little. "It's a scene that will be filmed overseas in America. I wanted to ask you and Kunwoo-ssi if you'd be available to come with me and monitor the scene and then edit  based on how you envision it. Since, you know, you'd be doing it a lot if you got the position. And it would be the final scene I'd have you edit. So, probably about two weeks from now is when we're leaving."

Stars fill Jungkook's eyes brightly, and his lips curl into a big, delighted grin as Seokjin keeps talking. "Really?" he asks as if it's unreal. Seokjin nods, smiling right back at him. "Oh my gosh, yes! Thank you!" Jungkook bounces on his heels happily. He almost can't keep his hands to himself, raising them to his chest and cracking his knuckles. "That's such an amazing opportunity. Thank—"

Jungkook gasps as some random woman walks by him and trips over her overly-elevated heel, bumping right into him. She apologizes as Jungkook is practically lunged forward, but is caught by fast arms.

He doesn't even listen to her apology because his ears filter out anything that isn't the sound of Seokjin's little gasp, and the only thing he truly cares about is the warm, vibrant feeling of Seokjin's fingers holding onto his waist.

"Um." Jungkook looks up from where he's almost face-planted into Seokjin's chest, and his mouth goes dry as he realizes how close to Seokjin's face he is. Last time he was this close, he was far more drunk than he is right now—the alcohol has worn off by each hour he's spent at the party.

"You okay?" Seokjin asks him and he simply nods, gulping because Seokjin's low, velvety voice is right in his ears.

"Yes, thank you." He straightens up his posture, but Seokjin's hands are still scorching on Jungkook's waist and they're way closer than they were moments ago. "And thank you for letting me have the opportunity, too. I appreciate it a lot."

Again, a warm smile forms on Seokjin's face. "Of course, Jungkook-ah."

Wow, they're awfully close.

Isn't that the guy who's interviewing for the CEO right now?

He's all over him.

Quickly, Jungkook pulls his hands away from Seokjin's arms—when did they even get there, anyway? He takes a step back and clears his throat, dismissing the fact that Seokjin pulls away just as quickly. They're on the same page, it seems.

"I'm sorry," the younger mumbles quietly into the wind, "I'll be looking forward to the second scene, Seokjin-ssi. And the last one, too."

He bows his head a little and blushes as Seokjin returns the gesture silently. Seokjin doesn't say a word, merely letting him go. He seems void of any contact now. That's fine.

Jungkook goes on about his business, stepping off the sidewalk to go home, and he's mildly infuriated by the fact that Miyoung is clearly talking about him, snickering and pointing for Kunwoo to look at him like he's a walking clown or something.

Clenching his fists, he walks away. He can't afford to let them get to his head. Not right now. He has a scene and an overseas trip to worry about now.

Once Jungkook is sitting all alone in his quiet car, he takes a breath and thinks to himself: Wait a minute. I'm going on a trip with Kim Seokjin? In two weeks?

He blinks dumbly at his steering wheel.

Holy shit, I'm screwed.

~~~

yay business trip 🥳

~~~