Editing is going well.

Avoiding Seokjin is going... too well.

It's been a week since Jungkook first started editing the third and last scene, and Seokjin hasn't called him to his office once ever since. It's odd, not going to his office at least every other day. What once seemed like reason after reason has now vanished, and Seokjin hasn't called him in since he got the hard drive.

It's fine, that's totally normal. If there's no reason for him to go, then there's simply no reason for him to go. Just because Jungkook wants to go, doesn't mean he should.

And just because Seokjin hasn't been coming to the cafeteria for breakfast or lunch doesn't mean that it's Jungkook's fault, right?

They're both coincidences.

And even though he refreshes his email a million times, Seokjin has no reason to be sending him anything. Just because Seokjin doesn't email him doesn't mean that Seokjin hates him or something. That's crazy to assume.

Jungkook goes by on a daily routine, living life on repeat for a week.

Late in the evening when he's shopping, so many things remind him of Seokjin.

It drives him crazy to see a yellow wall that isn't as inviting as Seokjin's, but simply reminds him of him anyway. When he sees anything Mario related, he frowns and picks it up, wondering what Seokjin is doing at that exact moment and if it has anything to do with gaming. He hopes Seokjin is happily gaming away and winning everything he plays.

There's a blue chair which makes Jungkook sigh, remembering how comfortable he was sitting in the chair across from Seokjin as they talked about Seokjin's fun past. And then he sees a gaming poster which once again reminds him of Seokjin gaming, and he seriously wishes he could play a game with Seokjin just once. He knows it would be fun.

When he shops for groceries, the mere sight of a banana makes him want to cry, his chest tightening and shoulders dropping. And then there's pizza, which really makes tears well up in his eyes because he missed out on the chance of trying pizza with the other. The video he took in Chicago is still on his phone and he debates on sending it to Seokjin right then and there, but then he shakes his head and leaves the pizza aisle.

Jungkook really misses Seokjin, unfortunately for him.

He misses the perfectly beautiful aura around Seokjin. The gorgeous way his plump lips crease into a deep smile. His eyes crinkling whenever he does smile like that, and just as gorgeously. The electric feeling of his fingertips along the fabric of Jungkook's clothes. The way it takes Jungkook's breath away. His jokes, with his velvety honey voice, and the way he makes sure Jungkook is always well taken care of. And God, his lips. His healing kiss. Jungkook misses it so badly, craving it every single day ever since he'd gotten it.

God, he misses Seokjin so much.

Days spent missing Seokjin have Jungkook moping around.

He's moping as he's heading to the cafeteria early in the morning—much earlier than usual—and he cuts the corner by the elevators to head towards the buffet when he runs right into someone. It's embarrassing, is his first thought, but then his heart jumps out of his chest once his eyes meet Seokjin's.

They're almost as close as when they were kissing at the bar, and the reminder has Jungkook scrambling to back away from him, blushing hard as he locks his hands behind his back. Just as he's about to apologize and try to think of a way to run away from Seokjin, the CEO beats him to it.

"Sorry, Jungkook-ssi."

Seokjin steps right by him, not even giving him a second glance as he walks towards the elevators. Jungkook watches with his wide, Bambi-like eyes, in shock at why Seokjin just brushed him off and left without another word. Usually, Seokjin would at least smile at him or ask him how his morning is, but the older just walked away without a care in the world, like he doesn't even know Jungkook.

That is not a coincidence.

That is Kim Seokjin avoiding him.

What the hell? Is it because Jungkook was avoiding him? Has he heard about the rumors? Oh, God, what if he has? Is he ignoring Jungkook for the same reason?

Fuck.

He's actually avoiding Jungkook.

Life before the night he met Kim Seokjin was so damn simple. Jungkook could act and love freely, but now he can't, and his world is turned upside down, especially now as Seokjin acts like he's nothing but a stranger to him. He hates being treated like a stranger and nothing more.

Suddenly a wave like a tsunami of emotions and awareness rushes over Jungkook.

He had found it so easy to leave Kunwoo without hesitation. Now, he's practically forcing himself to stay away from Seokjin. It must count for something, he assumes. It must count for something, the fact that Jungkook is more torn over Seokjin treating him like a stranger than he was whenever Kunwoo cheated on him.

Because as of right now, Jungkook's chest feels so tight he can hardly stand it. It's anxiety that rushes over him, telling him that he's fucked up something special, so badly that even Seokjin doesn't want him anymore. He can't even cry because his mind is overflown with thoughts, telling himself he's really lost someone he likes, and this time it's his very own fault.

He didn't know the extent of it before, but he realizes now that he really likes Seokjin.

He realizes that his desire for Seokjin is nothing in comparison to how he felt about Kunwoo, and he'd thought this weeks ago whenever Kunwoo sat next to Seokjin and polluted the area, but now he understands the weight of it. Seokjin is more than Kunwoo is and ever was. Seokjin is all Jungkook has ever needed and more.

But now Seokjin is ignoring him.

Fuck.

~~~

Jimin is Jungkook's immediate thought.

He now trusts Jimin enough to vent to him and he's desperate for some sort of friend to help him out. So, he invites Jimin over to not only distract himself, but to have a shoulder to lean on—literally, he's leaning on Jimin's shoulder as they sit on his couch.

"I love it," Jimin says, still holding onto Jungkook's laptop from where he was showing him the finished product of his edit. "You did so amazing, Jungkookie. I really love the change of coloring you added in for effect, it's so cool." The praise lifts Jungkook's spirit, even if just a little.

"Is there anything I should change?"

"No, it's seriously perfect. You're going to win and get promoted, I just know it. And I'm so excited for you!" Jimin hugs him tightly, cheering him on until Jungkook can hardly breathe and has to force himself out of his friend's hold.

"Yah, Jimin-ssi, you're killing me!"

Jimin lets him go. "Stop calling me Jimin-ssi, you brat!" He swats at the younger playfully, earning a grin from Jungkook. His smile fades quickly and they settle down until Jungkook is staring off into his living room with a frown.

"Do you think Seokjin will like it?"

The mention of Seokjin earns Jimin's full attention. He's looking fondly at Jungkook, giving him a small, pleased smile. "He's going to love anything you do, Jungkook."

The thought makes Jungkook's head fall. "I don't know..." He pouts and Jimin notices, lifting Jungkook's chin and making him look into his eyes.

"That man likes you," Jimin tells him matter-of-factly. "He came to see you on our floor the other day, didn't he? What happened between you two?"

Jungkook furrows his brows at him. "No, he didn't. When?" he asks, making Jimin furrow his eyebrows as well, mirroring each other.

"When you left the cafeteria, he asked me which floor you were on. He came back after seeing you and he was moping just like you. I figured something happened, no?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. He didn't come see me. Only Taehyungie hyung did."

Jimin's lips form an o and he blinks in confusion at Jungkook. "Huh. Is that so?" He hums to himself, averting his eyes from Jungkook. "I don't think you guys are on the same page, honestly."

Jungkook sighs. "I don't know. Maybe I should tell you the full story." He purses his lips as Jimin's head snaps to him and he begins questioning what he means. So, Jungkook spills. "Fine, fine. Okay." He settles Jimin down with his hands, calming him down as they face each other on the couch. "So... I met Seokjin before he became our CEO."

Jimin gasps, his eyes bulging in complete shock. "No way, you did?"

"Yeah." Jungkook scratches the back of his head awkwardly and his heart begins to race. He quickly lets it all out, "I met him at a bar and we kissed, and then he became my boss and things got awkward, but also I really like him and we flirt sometimes, but then I panicked because of the rumors and started avoiding him, so he's avoiding me now." He stops with a little intake of air, holding his breath as Jimin gawks at him.

"Holy shit," Jimin lets out as if he's breathless. "I can't believe that. I knew you liked him, but you kissed him before? At a bar? That's crazy, he became your boss. But that shouldn't stop you guys from anything!" he quickly says, grabbing onto Jungkook's shoulders and shaking some sense into him. "Who gives a shit what other people say? If you like each other, then go for it! You'd be such a power couple."

Jungkook imagines it. Being a power couple with Kim Seokjin. They could sip expensive wine and greet people as lovers at office parties, making themselves be known.

"You're insane." He deadpans at Jimin, who's smiling in return.

"Thanks, I take that as a compliment." He nudges Jungkook's knee and whines. "Seriously. I don't like you being so miserable and sad, Jungkookie. You should talk to him and like, I don't know, kiss again or something." He smirks and suddenly Jungkook regrets telling him (not really, not at all, it's such a relief).

"Okay, okay." Jungkook sighs for the millionth time today. "I'll think about it."

"Good. Now let's watch a movie or something. No more boy talk. It's our night."

They watch a movie, but the entire time Jungkook thinks about Jimin's words. He needs to forget what everyone else thinks about him and just talk to Seokjin. He's right about that. Even after Jimin leaves, it's all Jungkook can think about, up until the very last second his eyes fall shut and he's falling asleep; he needs to talk to Seokjin.

~~~

Jungkook doesn't like being avoided by Seokjin, not one bit. He went to breakfast earlier the next day just to see if Seokjin has been going earlier to avoid him, and sure enough, Seokjin took his meal and sat at a different table than Jungkook's normal spot.

They'd definitely made eye contact and Seokjin definitely sat at a different table just to avoid sitting near Jungkook. He hates it so much he can hardly stand it.

To make matters worse, they're only three days away from time to showcase their edits to the committee, and Jungkook is terrified that Seokjin doesn't like him anymore. So, he decides that he needs to have a talk with Seokjin before then, and he heads right to the CEO's office—not without waiting for him to get out of a meeting with someone, of course. The secretary has to lead him into the office whenever it's over, but he gets there eventually.

"Jeon Jungkook-ssi is here to see you, sir."

Seokjin's eyes dart up to him and the second their eyes meet, Jungkook feels a little relieved. It's just the warmth in Seokjin's eyes that makes him feel this way. The secretary closes the door behind her on the way out, and now they're all alone. It's quiet and Seokjin is staring idly up at him, so it's Jungkook who speaks up first.

"You seem surprised that I'm here."

Shrugging, Seokjin tells him, "I just wasn't expecting you." He averts his eyes to his computer. "Did you need something?" he asks as Jungkook invites himself in, sitting down right on the edge of the blue chair. He tilts his head at Seokjin.

"I feel like you're avoiding me, sir."

The question makes Seokjin's eyes widen into a state of shock that Jungkook has never seen on the older before. He stiffens up in the seat as Seokjin tells him, "You were avoiding me, so I thought I could help out a little."

"Hyung– Sir," he corrects himself, "I don't mean to be rude by avoiding you. I hope you know why I'm having to do such a thing..."

"Yes. I believe I do know," Seokjin tells him, "and It's understandable. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable by being all over you like I was. I'm sorry."

Jungkook frowns, his chest rumbling with something warm and fierce. "I- I didn't mind it." This makes Seokjin's gaze linger on him for a while. "I just needed some time, is all. I didn't want people to think badly of you or myself."

Seokjin tilts his head and his brows furrow in confusion. "Think badly of me? What—"

A knock on the office door cuts off Seokjin's confusion. The door opens, revealing Seokjin's secretary and a man in a suit. "Sir, your three o'clock is here. Sorry to interrupt."

"Shit," Seokjin mutters under his breath only loud enough for the two of them to hear. He tells Jungkook, "We'll talk about this later, okay?"

Jungkook hurries up from the chair. "Yes, sir. Sorry." He bows politely to both the CEO and the man who walks in and greets him. He leaves them to their meeting, rushing out of the office and inhaling an inward sigh to himself, holding it in. He isn't exactly sure why Seokjin looked so confused just then. He thought they were on the same track, but maybe not.

Damn. He was this close to explaining the situation to Seokjin. It'll just have to wait until better timing, he supposes.

~~~

oof the angst. but jungkook finally told jimin!! and jinkook were close to talking, so that's a step! 🥰 next chapter is kinda long so i hope u like it 💕 ;)

are you guys liking the fic? it's coming close to an end 🥺🤧 there's still lots to cover though!! hehe get ready <3

~~~