So this is a two parter that I simply kept together. Hopefully this is still enjoyable and different? Have fun!

67,000 words.

Part 1:

matchmakers

In which Hufflepuff Jungkook and Slytherin Jimin help (H) Hoseok and (S) Yoongi get together, while slowly realizing they're developing feelings for one another along the way.

____

Jungkook excitedly said goodbye to his parents and headed through the platform. He made sure his brother was with him before checking his things.

"You excited?" Junghyun smiled at him. "I wanna know where you get sorted, I think it's completely up in the air."

"I am excited! I wonder what it's like to be with so many similar people." Jungkook smiled as they saw the train, Junghyun helping him get on and find a place to sit. "You're really fine with me being with your friends?"

"Of course. I want you to be as comfortable as possible. Besides, my friends are excited to meet you too." He bumped their shoulders. "But if you feel brave you can go try and make some friends with other first years."

"N-no, I'd rather meet people at the dinner."

"You'll fit right in, I promise." Junghyun reassured him. "I was nervous too, but I didn't have anyone to help me. So if you need me, I'm here."

"Thank you." Jungkook smiled at him. "Can I look around?"

"When the train starts, sure! Maybe even one of the others will show you around. We've got some spare money but- well, you know-"

"It's okay, I don't need anything." Jungkook smiled. "I just want to look."

They nodded at each other. Anything to keep their money. They had to save up for big things like books and equipment, not for splurges. Not for candy and treats, but for quills and scrolls.

They waited in their car until some of Junghyun's friends came in, Jungkook maintaining small talk, before the train started moving. Jungkook felt excitement, but quickly boredom.

"I want to look around." Jungkook spoke quietly to his brother, Junghyun nodding.

"Go ahead. I'm sure you'll feel better exploring on your own." He smiled at him, but Jungkook shook his head.

"I'm nervous..."

"Would you rather be nervous or bored?"

"Mmm..." Jungkook looked away. "Fine."

"Come back in 30 minutes or I'll go look for you, okay?"

"Okay." Jungkook got up and headed out the car, seeing some people walk around and to the left, so he followed them. They were older, so they probably knew what they were doing.

Jungkook looked around in awe. He'd heard everything from Junghyun but seeing it himself was so different. Everything felt magical, unlike their home.

Jungkook and Junghyun were half-bloods, their mother a wizard, their father a normal muggle, but their house was a beautiful mix of both. A little magic unless there were guests over. He was used to it, especially once Junghyun started going to school and showing him tricks. Until their mom banned them battling each other in the living room after Jungkook got hit and got a cut on his cheek from getting pushed backwards and hitting a desk.

He touched his cheek nervously as he kept following them. He was excited, but nervous; he knew what everything was but he'd never experienced it himself personally. He loved it, but...he was alone. He only knew his brother. And it's not like his brothers friends had little siblings, of course they didn't, that was just his luck.

He was rather alone and that was okay! He'd just...entertain himself like he always did. He had his own handheld gameboy with him, so he'd just...have that forever. It's not like it needed to be charged. It's not like he wanted to talk to anybody.

He followed them until the two stopped at a bar with candy and drinks. He looked at the car, seeing it was meant for food. He went to the counter in hopes of getting something, but he knew he was only teasing the idea of getting anything.

He looked at all the options as the guy at the bar helped the two older students, Jungkook only looking. He heard more students talking and come up behind him, Jungkook quickly looking at them and moving out of their way.

"You're not getting anything?" The one in front of them asked, raising his eyebrows.

"N-no, I'm not." Jungkook bowed and backed away a little more, deciding to look around a little more.

"Want anything?" He smiled at him as the group he was with started to ask the bartender what they would like.

"Oh- oh no, no, I'm okay." Jungkook smiled shyly, speaking quietly.

He gasped a little. "Oh! You're a first year? Oh my god perfect." He turned to the bartender and asked for things, then asked for many things separately. Jungkook didn't know whether to stay or go. "Here!" The boy handed him the bag of separate treats. "Hopefully your first year is amazing." He smiled happily at him. "We'd love more Slytherin's."

Jungkook nodded, taking the bag happily. "T-thank you...?"

One of the others laughed. "No way he'll be a Slytherin. His brothers' Junghyun, isn't it? You're a Jeon?" They tilted their head to the side to see Jungkook.

"R-right." Jungkook took a look at the group as they analyzed him. Two younger, two medium, one older, and an obvious elder of the group. They were terribly paired up and intertwined as a group.

"So...probably a baby Gryffindor."

"Oh no, that wouldn't be preferable." Jimin tutted.

"There's nothing wrong with being a Gryffindor." One of them laughed a little. "Nice to meet you Jeon! Hopefully your time here is good. Maybe we'll even get some classes together? Can he hang out with us?" He cooed. "He looks so cute! Maybe he could be a Hufflepuff."

"We can't really say. We don't know him yet." One of the others shrugged. "Thank you Jimin for paying by the way."

"Of course." Jungkook smiled a little, learning his name, as Jimin turned to the person who spoke to him. The boy was taller than him, had dark hair, and a kind smile. He turned back to Jungkook. "Well...if you want to hang out I'm sure we wouldn't mind."

"Oh- oh no, I should get back to my brother..." Jungkook spoke quietly, holding the bag tightly.

A couple of them laughed. "Well, we'll be here most likely if you get to stop by!" Jimin smiled at him. "Bye! I can't wait to see your placement."

Jungkook bowed. "Thank you." He smiled shyly at them before leaving. That was too much social interaction for him, not when he was still so anxious about talking to people and too shy to share anything about himself.

That friend group looked far too intertwined for him to be around them. It was too much of a clique. Besides, they had an older friend who was too handsome and put together, which was also terrifying.

He went back to his car, Junghyun smiling at him. "Got yourself some candy?"

"N-no, someone bought it for me." Jungkook smiled a little.

"Really? Did you thank them?"

"Of course!"

"Good. Then enjoy." Junghyun smiled at him before talking to his friends again.

Jungkook smiled as he looked through the bag of candy, deciding what to try.

He really enjoyed being able to try everything. He'd have to thank Jimin, if he'd ever see him again.

He honestly didn't know what he would be. His brother and mother were both Gryffindor's, but he didn't know what he would be. He was ambitious, and kind, and curious, and brave. Well, maybe a little less brave than the rest of the list, but he could definitely see himself doing the right thing no matter what.

The rest of his day was busy. He went with the other first years to travel on the boats, then went with them into the school, to the dinning room.

Everything was grand, and bright, and Jungkook felt...like maybe he could belong here. School before Hogwarts was tough. He was shy, he knew more than anyone ever would, but he was just so shy. Walking in though...he felt like he could maybe relate to people here.

Maybe to other people who also had that mix of life and magic. He hoped that someone here would be kind. That's all he needed.

He had to admit though, it was incredibly terrifying to see others go up when their names were called, watching them be sorted. His turn made him anxious.

He looked for his brother, who gave him a smile and thumbs up, his friends doing so as well.

He took a deep breath...as...the sorting hat stayed silent for him. Silent, until, it asked him where he wanted to be.

Jungkook responded with anywhere. He wanted fate to decide what was going to happen.

"Hufflepuff!" The sorting hat yelled out, and the table of Hufflepuff's yelled in happiness. Jungkook looked at the hat as it was taken off of him, wondering why it said barely anything to him.

He went over to the table, smiling a little as they welcomed him and smiled at him. "Hi! Welcome to being a Hufflepuff!" Two older girls welcomed him as the sorting continued. "You'll be with us for every meal and every down time! We're so happy to welcome you." They introduced themselves.

"Know anyone?"

"N-no, just my brother." Jungkook spoke quietly.

"Then if you ever need to sit by someone, don't mind sitting by us. I'm the Prefect here, so I'm in charge of a lot of people." One of the girls laughed a little. "So don't feel bad if you need to come to me! Or her, she's my friend."

"Thank you." Jungkook smiled and looked back at the people getting sorted, before a little speech, and finally, food.

Jungkook sat where he was allowed, watching food float and move. He watched many other kids become ravenous, while he waited to see what he wanted. He finally got some food on his plate when a couple people sidled up to him.

"Hey! We're happy to see you, I wish you could've gotten to know us on the train!" Jungkook recognized this one. "I'm Jung Hoseok, nice to meet you!"

"It's nice to meet you too...I'm Jeon Jungkook." Jungkook smiled at him, before the person on the other side of him spoke.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Kim Seokjin." He smiled, making Jungkook a little shy. He was the older, handsome one. Jungkook was so out of his league.

"I'm so glad you're a Hufflepuff! Something inside me thought so." Hoseok laughed a little. "How's your day been so far?" They started to eat, so Jungkook followed suit.

"It's a lot. But...not surprising. I knew a lot of what was going to happen cause of my brother, but...experiencing it is definitely different." Jungkook smiled a little. "But nothing too scary."

"Ahh, I'm the oldest so my first year was scary." Seokjin laughed. "But I was aware of magic at least."

"I didn't know anything until my letter arrived! My parents didn't tell me where my sister went to school. But, well, neither of them were wizards so it was certainly different at my house." Hoseok laughed a little. "Namjoon laughed at me when I didn't know how to get on the train. He thought I was joking the whole time!"

Jungkook smiled at him. "Your parents didn't tell you?"

"Nope. I'm not a pure blood. I'm barely even a half blood. More like- more like an eighth blood." Hoseok laughed. "My granddad was half, mom was a quarter."

"And you still got a letter?"

"Mhm! Got pretty lucky. My sister got one too, so we're both golden children." He laughed again. "How'd it feel when you got your letter?"

"It was really amazing. I was sort of expecting it, but it was amazing nonetheless. It's exciting but a little scary to leave your home."

"What's really weird is not getting your own room." Seokjin hummed. "It's a downgrade."

"Are you kidding me?" Hoseok looked over Jungkook to laugh at Seokjin. "You're just used to being rich, this is an upgrade for me. For Taehyung too."

"No maids though? Or butlers? There's not even private bath rooms. Don't get me started on bathing." Seokjin sighed.

Jungkook laughed a little. "I think it's meant to humble you then. Put everyone on the same level."

"I wish." Hoseok shook his head. "If you've got money...you can kinda get away with anything. Or get ahead of everyone. Like quidditch, or equipment, or bribes- well, less of that recently, but you know what I mean! Even the balls can be a bit of a mess cause rich kids can get the most expensive clothes."

Seokjin laughed. "I helped out!"

"Yeah but I still only had hand-me-downs!"

"Did you go with anyone?" Jungkook asked with a smile.

"Oh- oh no, I went with Yoongi. We went as friends." Hoseok smiled a little shyly. "Jimin and Taehyung went as friends as well."

"I went with Namjoon twice." Seokjin smiled happily. "But that makes sense."

"Hm?" Jungkook looked at him.

"Oh, we're dating. I asked him out on my ball year, and he asked me to go with him on his." Seokjin smiled softly before grinning and whispering. "I think Hoseok is a liar~ though."

"I'm not a liar!"

"You are too." Seokjin stuck his tongue out at him. "You totally went with Yoongi as a date. Just admit it."

"No way! Sorry I'm not like you, I'm not into guys." Hoseok blushed abs looked at his food.

"Well that's a shame, cause Yoongi certainly was happy to say yes." Seokjin teased him further as Hoseok blushed more. "Seriously? You believed that he wanted to go as friends?"

"If Jimin and Taehyung can go as friends why can't we?" Hoseok sighed a little. "Besides...I don't think his parents would like me..."

"That doesn't matter." Jungkook laughed. "My parents hated most of my friends and I still hung out with them."

"Didn't they get mad at you?"

"Sometimes, but not angry. Just letting me grow and decide you know? Why wouldn't they like you? You've been nothing but kind."

"Well...I just don't know how they would react if Yoongi brought me to his house. Ah- no, no Jin, no I'm not-" Hoseok sighed again and looked at Seokjin with a pout and a deeper blush. Jin was smiling proudly.

"You are."

"I'm not crushing on him!" Hoseok shoved food in his mouth, Jungkook laughing a little with Seokjin.

"Sure, sure. You just...totally danced with him the entire night, that's all." Seokjin smiled. "And totally didn't...show up at our dorm that night?"

"We hung out." Hoseok rolled his eyes. "So what?"

"Mmhmm." Seokjin rolled his eyes before changing the subject. "Did you know Prefects get their own rooms?" Seokjin asked Jungkook.

"Really?"

"Mhm! Namjoon's trying to become one, it's pretty cool." Seokjin nodded. "I think Jimin's trying as well, when he can. They're both so smart."

"Oh...I don't think I could become one."

"You've gotta be better than average." Hoseok nodded. "Not for me either."

"I think Namjoon can do it though."

"Mm, me too. He's smart enough for all of us."

"Pretty much!" Seokjin nodded. "You've eaten enough? I think we show you guys around a little before we take you to our dorms. If we can, we can totally get you in our room. I think they wouldn't care, plus I'm like, really good at convincing people."

"You're tall and handsome." Hoseok shook his head. "People get convinced cause they want to sleep with you."

"Hey, whatever works right?" Seokjin laughed a little. "I'm in a very happy relationship, and Namjoon doesn't get jealous. And I get what I want. So! You can absolutely room with us."

"Really?" Jungkook looked at the both of them.

"Of course! You're definitely welcome with us, and our group. Once school actually starts again I'm sure we could invite you to our study group too, and if you really need the help then Namjoon and Jimin would be more than happy to help. The rest of us..."

"We cheat off of them." Hoseok finished eating with a smile. "It took some convincing but Seokjin..."

"What can I say? I'm tall and handsome." Seokjin laughed before the room was quieted, and was dismissed.

"Follow your Prefects!"

Each table got dismissed separately, Hufflepuff going second.

Jungkook felt a little nervous, but...he was happy. He was happy to be around people he could relate to either way, although he was nervous and shy. A lot of the first years were more outgoing, asking questions, looking around and being loud, while Jungkook stayed by Hoseok and Seokjin as closely as he could.

It was so cool to see everything move and speak and exist with such magic, such interest, such personality. He saw some paintings look at him with curiosity before they got to a lovely, tall painting.

In it, was a lady of the lake, water being everything she was. "Oh hello! Is it time already?"

"Yes ma'am. May we enter?" The Prefect smiled at her, asking kindly.

"Of course." She nodded and the painting opened, the Prefect leading them inside, going in after everyone went ahead.

"Alright everyone. Welcome to the common room. We don't like to assign rooms so we'll probably have first years together and friends with friends. For the most comfort." The Prefect smiled as everyone looked around. "Any objections?"

"We want Jungkook!" Hoseok raised his hand and put his other on Jungkook's shoulder.

"Sure! Any other objections?" She looked around as people started to request roommates.

Seokjin put his hand on Jungkook's other shoulder. "Perfect. You're ours now! Let's get you aquatinted with our room. Oh! Sorry, unless you want to stick around and check things out!"

"A- a little! If you'll show me around? What's there to do?"

"Well we have this area, mostly what our common room is, you know, for hanging out or waiting for your friends to get ready. A real waiting room." Seokjin leaded them to another room. "This is for studying and reading. A quieter area. And on the other side is more of a game room! A louder area for more fun. I'm sure you'll use them all."

"Wow...that's really cool. And the dorms?"

"Left for the guys, right for the girls. We like to keep it safe and polite." Hoseok nodded with a smile as they led him to their dorm. "Ah, perfect, our bags are already here. Tomorrow you'll be going out and getting what you need, right?"

"R-right. I already have some books though."

"Perfect. We can go with you if you'd like?"

"W-whatever you'd like. I think my brother is going to go with me." Jungkook nodded a little shyly.

"Ahhh, Junghyun, right. Well! If you want one of us to go with you, I think I need more ink."

"Ahhh, I keep losing my quills..." Hoseok sighed. "I probably need to go as well. Ah. Plus- yeah okay I need to go. Maybe the others will join for fun." Hoseok smiled slowly. "You haven't even gotten a wand yet! Oh! That's just amazing. That's always fun, I think Jimin would appreciate going with you."

"Oh yeah! He studied what everything means, didn't he?" Seokjin started to unpack his things as they spoke. "Maybe Jimin would like to go with you Jungkook."

"You guys are really nice."

"Hey." Hoseok smiled at him as he sat on his bed. "We understand not really being included. I was a lone kid at school before here, same as Namjoon, cause you know, not everyone gets it."

"What Hoseok means is this place used to be notoriously racist." Seokjin nodded a little sadly. "So we try our best to invite people we think will be left alone. Each of us are in a house and it's sort of...a pact we made. It's less so now, but I wouldn't be surprised if after a week people stopped caring about you."

"Oh." Jungkook's smile faded. He was hoping it would be different here. "I see."

"But don't worry! We won't let anything happen to you." Hoseok smiled for him. "Cause we don't want anyone to go through that. Had to teach the Gryffindors's a lesson one year during quidditch, it was something fantastic."

"Really?"

"Mhm!" Seokjin smiled happily. "We beat the fuck out of them during a huge match after they said some shit, but they apologized when the match ended. You know. But we gotta- being a Hufflepuff means you're strong. People forget that sometimes."

"But isn't everyone strong?"

"Yeah. But we're kind. And people forget that that is a strength as well." Seokjin laughed before laying down. "Ah. I can't wait to get back into things."

"What year are you two?" Jungkook started to feel a little more comfortable.

"I'm a fifth year.

"I'm a seventh."

"Oh! This is your last year?"

"Mhm. Gotta soak it all in every day." Seokjin laughed a little. "I'm sure I'll get sick of it soon."

"I'm sick of it now. But, school is better here than outside..." Hoseok laughed too.

"That's true." Seokjin smiled.

The two held conversation while Jungkook unpacked his things, and changed his sheets. He liked the smell of his house, his nose sensitive to other, unfamiliar scents.

He sat on his bed, smiling a little to himself. He hoped that he would at least fit in with this group. He wanted to fit in with them. They already seemed so nice and welcoming, and Jungkook knew, he just knew they were going to be amazing.

____

Jungkook walked with his brother to the town, looking at his list of things to get.

Junghyun looked over at him. "So. How's it going so far?"

"It's...odd...it's odd without you."

"I don't want to baby you too much. I'll help you with expenses of course, but...I want you to explore mostly without me. You know?"

"Yeah...I just...it's weird without you..."

"You made some friends already didn't you?"

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah...I did. But still...I thought maybe I'd be able to be in the same house as you..." he looked down.

"Mmm~ no, you're different from me. You're very different. To be honest...I wasn't sure where you would be placed."

"Do you think mom will be upset?"

"No way." Junghyun laughed. "She doesn't need us both to be Gryffindor's, besides, you'll have fun being in Hufflepuff. You'll get a whole new experience."

"Yeah..."

"Hey." Junghyun ruffled his hair. "You'll be fine. Seriously. I'll help you get some things here but mostly...I kinda want you to experience it yourself. You know the drill, you know the list. You've got the right amount of money. Right?"

"Right..."

"Then. Wanna try it on your own?"

"Y-yeah."

"I'll be around."

"And so will some of my friends."

"Then you're okay. Right?"

"Right." Jungkook smiled.

"Okay. Then go get what you need." Junghyun nodded, patted his shoulder, and left.

Jungkook exhaled and decided to get books first. That line was short, so he went to get school supplies, or whatever he didn't already have from Junghyun.

Next were the fun parts. A wand, and a pet. His parents had saved up enough for him to get one, so technically, it was his birthday present.

He went into the wand shop, a little anxious to find his perfectly balanced wand.

"So the balance of a unicorn tear and a Phoenix feather would be-"

"Ah. You're just on time." The man at the desk looked at Jungkook and nodded at him, before smiling at the boy at his desk. "How would you like to help me today Jimin?"

"That sounds great!" Jimin turned to see Jungkook. "Oh! Hello Jungkook, it's very nice to know your name." Jimin smiled at him.

Jungkook nodded.

"There's no need to be shy, your time here is important. Do you mind if Jimin helps?" The owner started to walk around, touching boxes and mumbling to himself.

"No, I don't mind." Jungkook spoke quietly.

Jimin went over to him. "Tell me about yourself."

"Like- like what?" Jungkook felt embarrassed, shy. He looked away from the attention.

"Like...you? What do you like about yourself? Wands are a part of us you know. They're curated and made for us."

"Try this." The owner handed Jungkook a wand, before immediately taking it away from him. "No."

"Ah...um...I like...that I'm kind. And I like that people find comfort in me. I like when people trust me. Um...I like...my ability to listen to others and understand them." Jungkook tried to think of more things, but he shook his head. "That's it."

"That's really nice." Jimin smiled at him, before nodded. "I hope we have some classes together."

"I- I hope so too. I heard you're smart, maybe- maybe you could help me." Jungkook felt embarrassed to say anything.

"This one." The owner came back, handing another wand to him. Jungkook took it. "How does it feel?"

"It feels light. Should it be light?" Jungkook didn't know enough, unlike Jimin.

"It can be anything, considering how the wood can be dense or not. But you...you have a light soul. How does it feel?"

Jungkook gripped it a little tighter, before trailing his fingers over it with his other hand. "Good. It feels good."

"Perfect. You've got a bright future Jungkook. This world is yours." He nodded and walked off, Jungkook watching him go.

"I'm..."

"Don't worry. He's just like that." Jimin smiled at him. "Finishing your last day before school?"

"Yeah. I need to pick a pet though..." Jungkook pocketed the wand, guessing that since the owner left, the payment was shaky.

"Oh! That's so fun! Can I go with you?"

"S-sure." Jungkook smiled a little before shying away from Jimin's eyes.

They seemed to simply analyze him. Perhaps he was a perfect Slytherin; his eyes were sharp and insightful. Jungkook felt very noticed at the moment.

"Only if you want me to."

"Yes. I...don't know what I'm doing."

"Oh! Okay. I can lead you there." Jimin smiled happily and started to lead him. "And to answer your question beforehand, yes I can help you with homework. We have a study group, I'm sure you could join!"

"Thank you..." Jungkook gulped. He felt small next to Jimin for some reason. "Um, thank you. For the train ride as well. I really enjoyed the gift."

"Oh it's no problem." Jimin laughed. "You looked like you wanted something so I got a little of everything."

"It was very nice of you."

"I try to be kind." He smiled at him before leading him into a shop full of animals.

"Oh wow." Jungkook spoke quietly as he looked around. There was just about everything, ranging from small to large animals. "This is amazing."

Jimin smiled at him. "What kind of animal do you like?"

"Oh...really any?" Jungkook laughed a little shyly. "I like most animals."

"Hmm. Okay! Let's just look around then, I'm sure one will call out to you." Jimin nodded with a smile.

Jungkook nodded back and started to walk around. He looked at the smaller animals, then the cats, Jimin stopping and cooing at some, before they looked at the owls.

Jungkook looked at some before he stopped and stared at the tallest owl he'd ever seen. "Woah."

The owl stared back at him, tilting its head, observing him right back.

"Oh wow." Jungkook smiled a little, tilting his head as well, then carefully put his hand up to it.

"I would advise you don't do that." The shop owner came over with wide eyes. "He'll peck you quite violently."

"Oh." Jungkook retracted his hand, but the owl didn't seem harmful. He just looked curious. "What is he?"

"He's a Blakiston's Fish Owl. Biggest in the world. But he's feisty, really likes to peck at the customers."

"Well..." Jungkook kept looking at the owl. The owl kept staring back at him. "I want him."

"Sir?"

"I want him." Jungkook put his hand to the cage again, the owl eyeing him...before slowly leaning down and putting his head against his hand. "He's kind to the right people I think." Jungkook smiled a little.

"...alright. Bring him up front please."

Jimin came back to him from the cats. "Oh! My god, are you-" he laughed a little. "Wow. I'm actually really surprised."

Jungkook heaved the giant cage up and carried it to the counter, Jimin following. Jungkook smiled as he payed for him, crying internally at how much he was.

He smiled happily as he held the cage, the owl staring at him. "Happy birthday to me~" Jungkook tilted his head, the owl following suit. He laughed. "He's so cool."

"...when's your birthday?" Jimin smiled at him curiously as he led them away from people.

"Oh it was last week. But this is my birthday present." Jungkook nodded as they walked. "He's definitely worth it."

Jimin nodded, but Jungkook could tell he was taking in other information. "You're quite special you know."

"Hm?" Jungkook looked at him.

"Your wand. It's got a phoenix feather in it."

"Does it? I'm not really sure what it is. He sort of just handed it to me." Jungkook laughed a little. "What does it mean?"

"It means you're really strong. Or- that you're going to be. Lots of potential."

"Oh? That's really nice of you to say." Jungkook smiled and looked at the owl again. "Gureum. Definitely."

"Aww, how cute." Jimin smiled at him. "You're something else."

"Hm?" Jungkook looked at him in confusion again. "What- why?"

"Cause. You've got the rarest core for your wand, and now one of the rarest owls in the entire world. I think you've got a bright future." Jimin smiled at him when Jungkook looked at him with shock. "You didn't realize?"

"He...just looked cool?" Jungkook gave a small smile.

"Is that all?"

"Well..." Jungkook looked at his new owl. "...he looked lonely."

"You're already proving how kind you are." Jimin smiled at him. "And...I don't think I've ever heard the shop owner say such a kind thing before. He's usually very foreboding..." Jimin looked away for a moment before bouncing back. "But it made me happy he said something so kind to you."

"What did he say to you?" Jungkook asked curiously.

"Oh. You know. The uh...the usual. You know." Jimin laughed. "How I'm gunna use it for someone else, but it's the one I'm meant to have. Very foreboding."

"Is that...what does that mean?"

"Means it's what I was born for but not what I want."

"Oh." Jungkook looked at Jimin with a small frown. "Are you someone important?"

"I-" Jimin laughed a little. "Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. It's just that yes, I am. My family is very um...rich."

"Oh, like Seokjin?" Jungkook couldn't imagine.

"Yeah, sort of." Jimin laughed. "A little more higher status. It's odd, really. But I'm happy to be here instead of there."

"What's wrong with being at home?" Jungkook smiled. "I like being at home. My brother is fun to be around and we have nice dinners together."

"Mmm. No, I don't have any siblings. And our cooks make our meals so..."

Jungkook laughed. "You have cooks? When was the last time you made a meal?"

"I haven't."

"What?" Jungkook laughed again. "We only use magic to clean up, but...magic can't make a meal taste homemade, only mom can do that." Jungkook hummed. "Ah. I'm gunna miss that."

"Yeah...that sounds nice." Jimin smiled at him, making Jungkook realize how rude that was.

"Oh god, sorry. But I mean, at least you don't have to worry about money. Like today! You just saw me get my birthday present." Jungkook laughed. "But I'm happy. You know? That's okay cause I don't need anything big." Jungkook smiled as he held the cage, readjusting it. "I have what I need."

They walked until Jungkook met up with his brother again.

Jimin immediately introduced himself. "Hello! My name is Park Jimin, I'm pleased to meet you." He bowed a little, before smiling. "Jungkook has been lovely company."

Junghyun laughed. "He wasn't a little rascal? How unlike him." He put his arm around Jungkook's shoulder. "Thanks for hanging out with him today."

"Of course! I had a lot of fun."

Jungkook smiled at Jimin. "Thank you for accompanying me."

"Thanks for letting me."

"Hopefully we have a class together."

"Hopefully we do." Jimin smiled back. "Have a good rest of your day, both of you." He bowed again before leaving.

Jungkook watched him go, wondering why someone so kind seemed so careful about his actions.

____

Jungkook got ready for school. He was a little nervous, but Seokjin and Hoseok were both very kind to him and helped him through it.

He had a class with every house, supposedly to create diversity and have a mix of friendships, but Jungkook noticed people sticking to their own houses.

So Jungkook did the same, unless Jimin was there. He liked sitting closer to Jimin, since he could explain to him what was happening much easier than the teacher.

Mostly though, he had classes with first years.

His favorite class though, was about animals and monsters, a class he shared with the Slytherin's.

"What makes a monster different from an animal? Aren't they still creatures made on the same planet? What differentiates a dragon, from a mole?" The professor questioned the class, walking around. "You'll need to know how to protect yourselves in case of any accidents, or perhaps future employment. So! Who can tell me the difference? Just speak up."

"Monsters attack, while animals will run."

"Good start. Any more?"

"Monsters will attack first while animals will observe first."

"Monsters are mindless, while animals have feelings."

Jungkook listened to kids talk more about it. He didn't really know much, but he knew dragons could become companions. What made dragons, a creature that was inherently scary and able to kill without a second thought, so much more attainable than an ogre?

Jungkook raised his hand.

"You may speak, you don't need to take turns." The professor reassured him.

"Monsters aren't given the same kindness as animals are." Jungkook spoke softly before looking away.

The professor gave him an odd smile, before nodding. "Correct. Today's lesson is about why we feel the need to harm monsters and not animals." The professor then continued, starting the lesson for the day.

He stared at his desk, rolling his quill in his fingers, a little nervous about speaking up. The girl next to him slide him a paper.

Good job! That was really smart of you to say

Jungkook read it, then looked at her. She smiled and tapped the paper.

Thank you. Jungkook wrote. I'm not used to speaking in class.

She smiled at him a little more. I could tell, your voice was quiet. But you did good!

Thank you.

Jungkook smiled a little too.

The class ended soon enough, Jungkook exiting the class with everyone else.

The girl sidled up to him. "That was really nice of you to speak up."

Jungkook took her in this time. She had long, black hair, and a lovely Slytherin scarf. "Oh...um...thank you."

"I really liked that lesson, I've never thought about it that way before. But I guess you didn't need the lesson since you already did." She laughed a little. "You must've been raised very kindly to have that answer."

"I was...but that's just what you notice when you try and befriend every stray cat you see. Or dog. Even crows are intelligent if you give them enough time to trust you. It's all about trust. Every living creature trusts a person who won't hurt them."

"Wow. So if you saw an ogre, what would you do?"

"I wouldn't fight. I'm not sure how intelligent they are, but if they can understand words I'd try. You have to try. They still live and breath." Jungkook shrugged as they walked together.

She nodded. "I've only been around domestic pets. You've been around strays? Aren't you scared they'll bite you?"

"Mm. Not really. They wouldn't go up to me if they intended to harm. Especially cats. They would never go up to someone they didn't like." Jungkook laughed a little as they got stopped by foot traffic. "That was our last class, right?"

"Right. I heard next week were going to work with animals."

"Really? I think I'll really like that." Jungkook smiled as he leaned a little closer to her to hear her over the crowd of people walking in front of them and past them. "What kinds?"

"Not sure! I'm hoping all sorts. Creatures, monsters, all of the above."

"I wonder if they'd let first years around monsters."

"They let us around hundreds of birds and other animals, I'm sure they'll allow one monster."

"Jungkook!" A voice from behind him made Jungkook turn around.

"Oh! H-hello Jimin." Jungkook bowed a little to him before smiling. "D-done with classes?"

"Yeah. Can I steal you? Or are you going somewhere?" Jimin walked over to them, the girl shying away from his smile.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Mind if I steal him Dawn?" Jimin asked the girl kindly.

"N-nope."

"Thank you. We've got some studying and...a little development to ask you about." Jimin led him away with a smile.

"Development about what?"

"The two lover birds."

"Ah. I thought they were just friends?"

"Mhm. Let's talk somewhere else, preferably not in the hallway."

"I see." Jungkook followed him.

"I see Dawn is in your class. How is she?"

"She's nice." Jungkook smiled a little. "Um...just...she's very talkative in a way that makes me shy. I think I'm just shy." Jungkook laughed a little. "B-but I spoke in class today! And I got the answer right!"

"Good job!" Jimin smiled happily at him, making Jungkook beam. Sometimes...he really needed the praise.

"I was really happy with myself. T-the professor was teaching us about monsters and animals and why we don't consider them just animals." Jungkook explained, wondering if Jimin even wanted to hear it. "It was fun."

"What do you like about it?" Jimin prodded him on though.

"Oh. It's um...I like...when classes are about personal behavior. Why would you assume that a stray animal is worse than one bred? Cause you're taught to. Why do we assume that a homeless person is more dangerous than anyone else? Cause we're taught to." Jungkook smiled a little. "You know?"

"Mmm, I see why they're teaching that in first year classes." Jimin nodded. "I'm glad you have a good class that you like. How do you feel about your other classes?"

"Mmm...I...I don't know, it's a little nerve wracking to be alone. I'm used to having people that I know."

"Ah. But you know Dawn now, so that might help." Jimin nodded a little. "I guess that's fair. I've always had Taehyung around if we have the same class. But I know people from my year too. Do you?"

"N-no." Jungkook laughed a little. "I um...I'm too shy to make friends..."

"You made friends with us?"

"You invited me in." Jungkook gave a small smile. "That's why."

"Ah, that's true...that's cause of Hoseok, he's so nice! And well, we um- you know, they explained it right?" Jimin gave him a smile.

"Yeah." Jungkook nodded. "I get it. Well! I want to know what's going on with everyone. It's only been a week?"

"Yoongi won't leave his room and he's not hanging out with us."

"It's only been a week?" Jungkook was confused as they headed outside, finding a place on the grass. "What the heck happened?"

"I don't know! I think he's a little sick? Something happened in class during potions and- I don't know. He won't get out of his room! Namjoon said he'd check him out today after his class, but like- here's the real problem." Jimin laughed a little.

"What happened?" Jungkook was concerned.

"I think his potion went wrong. A couple of other Slytherin's from his year said he messed up his potion with his partner and the fumes got him."

"So what's this go to do with Hoseok?" Jungkook shook his head. "Is he okay? Are they okay?"

"Well...two things happened. Yoongi isn't getting out of his room, but Hoseok isn't...trying to meet up with him or us. Has he been weird today?"

"Oh...I don't know. I was a little late on my way to class so I didn't eat breakfast."

"You didn't eat?"

"I had to get to class. I had lunch though! But...I don't think I saw him." Jungkook hummed. "I barely saw Seokjin."

"Hm. Well, Taehyung said Hoseok avoided him in the halls when he passed by."

"Oh no...I can ask him?" Jungkook wanted to help. He was surprised that this was something that would come up for this group. He wasn't used to much, let alone relationships in groups. Then again...he wasn't used to being in groups.

"I think that's a good idea."

"So um...Jimin...how'd they...?" Jungkook wasn't sure how to ask it.

"How'd they get in this situation? Yeah. I'm not sure myself. I think...Yoongi fell for him a long time ago." Jimin laughed a little. "Ah. But Hoseok has no idea."

"It seemed like he had an idea?" Jungkook titled his head. "Seokjin was making fun of him, but...he said they're friends."

"Yeah. That's the thing...Yoongi likes him as a friend, but he likes him as more than one too."

"Ah." Jungkook nodded. "Yeah."

Jimin eyed him. "You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

"Hm? Oh no, no, I...I just haven't...met anyone? Before? My primary school was not very...open." Jungkook laughed a little. "But yeah. I um...I don't mind. It doesn't change anything."

"Yeah." Jimin smiled at him. "It's something special isn't it? Imagine finding someone you want to be forever with. Did you know swans can be gay? Even penguins! I just love the idea of gay little penguins, did you know they're rarely over three feet tall? And the tallest penguins in the world can maybe be four feet? That's so small."

Jungkook laughed. "That's cute. I didn't know so many animals had such relationships."

"Oh- anyways." Jimin smiled a little with a blush. "Yoongi isn't coming out of his room, but I swear I'm hearing him sing. Our Prefect won't tell me what's happening."

"Maybe it's private."

"Yoongi always tells me everything." Jimin pouted. "I think we should ask the other person what kind of potion it was."

"Maybe. But...isn't that being nosy?"

"I'm- I'm always nosy." Jimin laughed a little. "I like knowing things. Besides...I'm concerned. Our Prefect won't even get a nurse."

"Hm. We could ask? Who was the class with?"

"I think it was Hufflepuff's."

"Then...I'll check it out. And get back to you. Probably during our study group time." Jungkook nodded. "Our Prefect is nice, she'll definitely tell me."

"Ah. Ours is a little more uptight. He likes to keep things in order. And he cares about privacy." Jimin laughed.

"Yeah...well, I should head back. I've got homework and I need to write a letter to my parents."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I gotta update them on my owl, they were wondering what I'd spend my money on." Jungkook laughed a little before getting up, extending his hand to help Jimin up.

"Why...aren't owls a necessity?"

"Yeah." Jungkook shrugged as they walked. "That's why it was a birthday present."

"Then what else did you get for your birthday?" Jimin smiled at him.

"Hm? Oh nothing, that's my birthday present!" Jungkook smiled back. "I'm very happy to have gotten something so amazing and expensive, we really saved up for it. I'm just grateful to have anything." He smiled fondly as they walked. "Well. We split here."

"Yeah." Jimin smiled a little...sadly at him. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"For studying, yeah." Jungkook smiled back before heading off.

He wondered how long this sort of thing had been going on. The ignoring, but pining. He wondered what he would do in either of their positions. If he was Yoongi, would he confess to his best friend? Probably not. He'd probably let it be what it was forever. If he was Hoseok, would he bring it up and talk about their actual feelings? Also probably not. Jungkook didn't like talking about relationships himself, but he did like seeing other people's relationships...

He got to his common room, stopping at their studying room and getting his books out. He heard a little commotion in the lounge room, so he peaked his head out.

"She came out of her room!" One of the three girls sat down the second girl, talking over her to the third.

"Isn't he lovely? I should write to him! I should bake something! Do you think he likes baklava?" The second girl spoke dreamily, sitting down and hugging herself. "Isn't he?"

"She should rest, or- or should we take her to a nurse? We should take her to the nurse." The third girl spoke to the first.

"What's going on?" Jungkook spoke softly as he walked into the room. It wasn't like he was going to study with people talking.

"She fucked up her love potion in her class and her and her partner got the end of the stick." The first girl looked up at him and shook her head. "She won't shut up about a boy she likes."

Jungkook clicked everything into place. "Oh. Will it fade or go away?"

"Not sure! We should take her to the nurse Kiara." The third girl spoke to the first.

"Should we?..."

"It's not like we know what we're doing and it's probably not a smart idea to leave this to us. We barely passed potions class."

"You're right. Alright well- Jungkook, right?" Kiara looked at him. "We'll be back! If anyone asks for us tell them we're heading to the nurse. And tell our Prefect."

"Sure." Jungkook gave a small smile, one they returned.

"Alright come on, let's go." They helped her up as she continued to talk nonsense about poems and flowers and feelings.

Jungkook packed his bag up and went to the Prefect's room, knocking on the door.

She opened it after a moment. "Hey. What's up?"

"K-Kiara and her friend took u-um someone to the nurse."

"Oh shoot, I didn't realize she'd gotten up! I'll head there too, thank you Jungkook." She smiled at him before grabbing a sweater and heading out. "Study up, you've got a couple hours before dinner!"

Jungkook smiled a little as she left.

He didn't feel like studying...he sort of felt like talking to Jimin about the whole thing. Maybe even Seokjin, but he was busy with seventh year stuff, and Hoseok was out with his friends.

He decided to do some homework instead, a little lonely at the moment, before he wrote his parents a letter.

He'd send it after dinner. Maybe Jimin would show him how to do it.

Dinner was odd, as he saw Jimin across the way without Yoongi. They made eye contact, Jungkook wishing he could somehow sign that he had answers or that he wanted to talk or that he wanted to ask him for help sending a letter.

As much as he felt comfortable with Hoseok and Seokjin, Jimin and Taehyung were closer to his age, and he felt even more comfortable around them at the moment.

And Jimin had been very kind with showing him around, since Hoseok and Seokjin were both really busy.

Dinner ended and Jungkook kept his eyes on Jimin, trying to find his way over to him. He really wanted to be with someone at the moment who wasn't busy studying or too tired to talk.

He made his way over before realizing he was in the middle of many Slytherin's leaving and Jimin's friends stopping.

Jimin noticed him, smiling softly. "Hey." He seemed to notice that Jungkook was nervous. "You okay?"

Jungkook froze up a little, nodding but unable to speak up as eyes landed on him. He didn't know why he went to him so quickly, or why he didn't wait a little or why he didn't just ask Hoseok to show him how to send a letter-

"Okay, let's go then! I forgot we had something planned, let's see if the library will still take us." Jimin smiled wider as he put his arm around Jungkook's shoulder. "I'll be back for cards tonight don't worry." He spoke to his friends before walking off with Jungkook. "You okay?" He spoke softly as they walked off.

"Y-yeah. I..." Jungkook spoke quietly. "I just wanted t-to- I- I don't know why I did that...you don't have to stay, I can go back to my-"

"No no, what's up? I don't have anything until later tonight." Jimin reassured him.

"W-well, I- I wanted to send a letter but...I don't know how..."

"Oh! Right, I can show you. Do you have the letter with you?"

"N-no..." Jungkook pouted a little.

"Then let's go get it. I could use the fresh air." Jimin nodded and started to lead them to the Hufflepuff common room.

"Really, you don't have to..." Jungkook felt a little embarrassed. "It's just so silly."

"No no, it's not! Why do you think it is?"

"Cause. I...I don't know. I just want to be around someone." Jungkook didn't know why he was being like this. He pulled Jimin away from his friends for himself. He just wanted someone to be around who would pay attention to him and give him special attention and smile directly at him. He was being selfish.

"Hey, I don't mind." Jimin laughed a little, then shrugged. "I like having someone around too."

Jungkook nodded and left it.

They got to the beautiful painting, Jimin smiling at it. "Wow. She really is beautiful isn't she? The paint is just...spectacular, and the colors- wow. You can see each stroke of the brush was made with such care." He sighed with a smile.

Jungkook smiled a little. "She's really kind." He cleared his throat and she woke up.

"Oh! Hello~ what would you like to say today?"

"May I please enter?" Jungkook smiled at her more, asking politely.

"Mmm. Tell me, is this young man going with you?"

"No ma'am. But I'll be quick so he isn't waiting long." Jungkook smiled more as she twirled her hair.

"Hmmm~ young man, tell me something good about the boy in front of you." She spoke to Jimin, who smiled a little.

"He's very considerate and helpful, even for his young age. I've much to learn from him."

"Such kind words. Come in!" The door opened as she smiled.

"I'll be just a moment." Jungkook held a finger up before running inside to get the letter he wrote.

Jimin waited patiently, looking around, seeing some more Hufflepuff's go inside.

Jungkook came out a little later. "Sorry! Um- let's get going, we have to be back before curfew."

"Right." Jimin gave him a small smile.

Jungkook exhaled shortly before nodding. "Okay. So I found out what happened in Yoongi's potion class."

"Oh! Cool! What happened?" Jimin was immediately interested, looking at him excitedly.

"Apparently their love potion spilled." Jungkook played with the ends of his sweater. "The girl he was partners with was spewing a bunch of nonsense about her crush, talking about like, how to confess basically. So a couple of her friends took her to the nurse and you probably saw them go in. She's okay!"

"Oh my god so that's why he hasn't been leaving! He's afraid he'll say something." Jimin nodded. "...did it wear off?"

"Seems like it."

"Okay, so he should be alright today, good good! I'll check on him after we send your letter." Jimin smiled. "What'd you write?"

"Just...you know. My first week. What classes I have, you guys, my owl and wand. All the important things." Jungkook smiled a little. He didn't want to write about how isolated he felt though. He didn't know how to explain it without making them worry, or, even make Jimin worry. He'd barely met him and he was already attached.

"How has it been? I remember how scary it was, but I eventually met Taehyung. He was sort of intimidating as a first year." Jimin laughed. "We had a class together and I, being me, was a top student trying to do my best, and he thought I was so fucking preppy."

Jungkook looked at him in surprise, not having heard him swear before.

Jimin continued as if it was nothing. "So we got into arguments in our class, cause he wanted to you know, knock me down a notch, so every class we would fight to answer questions first, fight to get higher test scores, fight for the best essay score, until one day they sent us to the principals office together." Jimin laughed. "I was terrified! I've never had to go to the principals office before."

"What happened?"

"She made us apologize to one another and made us find middle ground. Said stuff about if we were smart enough to be top students that we should share that with the class instead of fighting one another and making it about ourselves." Jimin smiled fondly as they started to walk up the stairs to the owls. "That sort of struck a nerve in both of us. Since we were so similar in our wants...well...both of us were startled at being called selfish."

"I'm...really glad you got a friend." Jungkook smiled. "I think I get what you mean now. When you said that you're not surprised what we're learning as a first year. I think...I think they're just trying to put everyone on the same level, cause I mean, if you didn't go to classes like that...you probably wouldn't hang out with me." Jungkook laughed a little as they got there, looking up at all the owls there. "Wow."

Jungkook held his arm up, his owl landing on it. He gave him the letter, tying it around his claw.

"Did you really need my help here?"

"Oh- I- I didn't know where it was, yes." Jungkook laughed a little as he sent his owl off, never hearing him flap his wings. He walked down the stairs a little to watch him fly, loving how cool he looked and how majestic it seemed. He leaned on the handrail, looking up at the sky.

"...just so you know...even if I didn't have those classes, I would've hung out with you."

Jungkook looked at him, seeing him sit on the staircase. He sat down beside him. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I would. I'm not an asshole, I just like being smart. I like people seeing me be smart. But if I'd met you without having had those classes or lessons...I still would've liked to get to know you." Jimin looked at him honestly. "I'd like to get to know you."

Jungkook nodded. "I'd like to get to know you too. So. What's it like to live like you?"

"To live like me? I guess here...very school oriented. I like working and focusing on school. Plus friends of course."

"What about for fun? No quidditch for you?"

"Oh no, I'm scared of flying. I don't think I'd be very good at it." Jimin laughed. "But I do play poker with my friends. Card night." Jimin leaned back on the staircase, looking up at the sky. "Nope. It's just me...and school."

"Is that what you like?"

"It's nice. But uh...my parents put that sort of pressure on me. You know, gotta be good at school, gotta be the smartest, gotta be on the top!" He punched the air enthusiastically. "...but that's expected of me so it's boring."

"At least you're parents aren't celebrating a passing grade like me." Jungkook laughed. "They're excited if I get anything higher."

Jimin hummed. "That sounds nice."

"I'd rather be smart. I promise, it's better." Jungkook smiled at him before looking at the sky again. "...do you miss your home?"

"To be honest? No. I like it here. I like the freedom I get, and the independence I get, and the pressure I don't get." Jimin hummed. "I like the people here. The food. The atmosphere. The awe and talk. I could live here forever."

"Oh. I miss home. Like you said, the food here...it'll never be equal to my moms food. Or my dads dessert. I hope they send some for me and Junghyun, you'll love it." Jungkook hummed as well. "...it's scary here."

"First year. I promise it gets better."

"I'm not making any friends."

"It's the first week!" Jimin laughed a little. "Besides, you made friends with us."

"Yeah...but if you hadn't tried, I would've never tried." Jungkook sighed. "...I'm not good at making friends. I can't start conversations and then I regret not starting them and then I'm alone. I just- I just hope...I can make some friends in my year..."

"I'm sure you will. You're really kind and charming you know. However awkward, you've got good in your heart." Jimin laughed. "I could tell that immediately, and I think anyone could. Besides...Phoenix feather...damn."

"What's your core?"

"It's really whatever. It'll be whatever I make of it, so I'm going to do my best."

"Are you happy doing your best?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Cause. You don't seem happy all the time about what you're doing."

"Who's happy all the time? I just like doing what I'm good at."

"Well...have you tried anything else?"

"W-well no..." Jimin stuttered, then mumbled. "What if I'm bad at new things?"

"Try it! I think you should try quidditch. I think you'd be really good since you're so analytical! The sport isn't just about pure strength you know."

"I don't know, I'm really small. I think I'd get the wind knocked out of me." Jimin shivered. "And that sounds horrible."

"But you haven't tried it."

"Nope."

"I'd want to. Might as well try, right?"

"Please, stop giving me more lessons!" Jimin laughed. "What's with you?" He looked at him with a smile, leaning on his hand.

Jungkook looked at him and blushed a little. "What do you mean?"

"What's with you? You say shit like that all the time. So- you speak with such wisdom that a kid shouldn't have. You've got one of the rarest wand cores, and you've got the rarest owl. What's with you?"

"I- I don't know. I just...I've learned from experiences? I couldn't tell you about the other stuff. I don't know why that's happening to me. Even the sorting hat was weird to me." Jungkook laughed a little as Jimin looked even more intrigued. He had to say...he liked that.

"What do you mean?"

Jungkook liked Jimin's curiosity. "It...asked me what house I wanted to be sorted in. Nothing else! Not my name, nothing cryptic, nothing in poem or rhyme. It just asked, I said whatever it thought was right, and then it yelled out. So to be honest, I don't know what's wrong with me." He laughed a little more as Jimin smiled at him lopsidedly.

"You. Are a true neutral." He poked Jungkook's heart. Jungkook noticed his crooked tooth, smiling fondly. He liked the idea of a rich kid having normal things about them. "That's so fucking cool. Maybe even a good good. That's the energy I get from you. More than neutral good. You could do good anywhere you went."

Jungkook blushed at the compliment, looking away from his mouth. "T-thank you...that means a lot to me."

"Ah, wish you were a Slytherin though. That would've been fun." Jimin smiled and looked away, back at the sky. "We could talk all night if you were one. Why do you think you were chosen to be a Hufflepuff? I knew I was a Slytherin before I even got in line for the sorting hat. Ambition."

"I think...kindness. Is my core." Jungkook touched his heart, right where Jimin had. "I think it's always been that way."

"You..." Jimin laughed a little. "You're too good for this place."

"You're kind too you know." Jungkook looked at him. "You've been nothing but kind so far."

"I try. But you- you don't have to try. You just are."

"Trying makes you a good person too you know. Just cause I was raised to be kind, doesn't mean your kindness cancels out somehow. You showed me kindness immediately."

"Because...I...I know I can spoil people with things." Jimin sighed a little.

Jungkook kept looking at him. "Do you think that you're not kind?"

"Well- no, but I...I don't know. I feel like I'm forcing it."

"It didn't feel forced to me. You didn't have to walk me here. You didn't have to invite me to your study group. You didn't have to keep me updated on things. But you did without a second thought. So...whoever's telling you that you aren't kind is wrong. Especially if it's yourself." Jungkook smiled at him.

"Yeah?" Jimin looked at him.

"Yeah."

Jimin laughed through his nose. "Thank you."

"Of course." Jungkook smiled at him before looking away. "Of course."

"We should do this again." Jimin hummed. "I like this. Maybe somewhere less loud with owls."

Jungkook laughed at that. "Sorry. I didn't know if you'd want to stay."

"Of course I do. It's nice to just...relax and hang out with someone. You know?"

"Yeah. I do."

"Well! We should head back before we get in trouble for being late to curfew. Lord knows my Prefect would kill me." Jimin laughed and got up, holding his hand out to help Jungkook up.

He took it happily, the two heading down the stairs as the night sky darkened.

____

Jimin watched Jungkook make his way to their spot at the library for studying, Yoongi with him. They sat down, Jungkook smiling, Yoongi mumbling.

"Hello sleepyhead. You alright?" Namjoon was first to show concern for him.

"Yeah. Fine. Perfectly fine and absolutely scroll-less." Yoongi mumbled as he got his books out.

"Oh no! How come?" Jimin smiled at him teasingly as he passed him some extra paper.

"You all know the situation." He sighed and looked around. Hoseok and Taehyung were at quidditch practice, so the five of them were fine with gossiping. "Do you know how many fucking love songs I wrote? I think I wrote on every single paper I had. Our Prefect took my guitar away too, cause he was sick of hearing me play all night."

Jimin giggled. "Oh that's so funny. You've got a lovely voice though, promise!"

"The girl was confessing her love over and over, I'm sure Hoseok saw it." Jungkook smiled a little.

Jimin nodded, Seokjin nodding as well. "He definitely did. He said that the Slytherin Prefect wouldn't let him in to see you either." He spoke to Yoongi, who shook his head.

"The Prefect knows me well. He knew I didn't want him to see anything." Yoongi sighed heavily. "I'm never going to fuck up a potion again, that was horrible."

"I wonder what would happen if Hoseok was hit by that." Namjoon hummed as he worked on his homework. "He really doesn't like explaining how he feels."

"Yeah no shit." Yoongi rolled his eyes before sighing. "But it's okay. I'm alright with being his friend cause he's a good guy. You know? I don't want to scare him with the idea."

"You know where all cool with it right? Like- even him."

"I don't know. He hasn't said anything about whether it's cool or not."

"There's no way he doesn't!" Seokjin laughed. "I'm dating a boy." He nudged Namjoon, not doing his own homework. "I'm pretty sure he doesn't mind."

"But he might not want it for himself." Yoongi shook his head. "Besides, nothing crazy like that should happen again. Oh! Jungkook, are you going to watch the quidditch game?"

"I should be able to? I don't think they would ever make us have classes during our only sport." Jungkook sighed heavily. "But I am behind."

"It's been like, two weeks." Jimin smiled at him with confusion.

Namjoon leaned over Seokjin and shook his head. "Jin, that's not the right answer."

"What?!"

"Jungkook let me help you." Jimin moved closer to him.

Their studying and homework session commenced, eventually the older students having to leave for their own responsibilities.

Jimin stayed with Jungkook, smiling once the others left.

"Okay. Tell me more about your home life." Jimin leaned his chin on his hand as he smiled at him.

"What? I thought...we've still got some time to do homework?" Jungkook laughed a little, obviously confused.

"You've done so much, I can tell you're tired. There's no need to pressure yourself to do more than you can handle." Jimin watched Jungkook blush and close his book.

"Oh. Well um- what- what do you want to know?"

"Anything. Do you and your brother share a room? I'm a single child so...I didn't have anyone to grow up with. Only a dog I'm allergic to and now a cat that I had to pay to not give me allergies. They like, put a spell on her so I wouldn't sneeze every time I was around her." Jimin laughed a little.

Jungkook laughed. "Well, my brother and I used to share a room before we moved. But I do have my own room now, since it's just the two of us and my parents. Um, we have a family dog though it's really my moms." Jungkook smiled. "He doesn't like to listen to anyone else for some reason, but he's cute."

"That's so nice." Jimin shook his head. "What's it like?"

"It's mostly fun? Mostly- mostly stupid fun. We did a lot of random things all the time, and he used to teach me spells before mom banned it in the house." Jungkook laughed. "Cause I got a scar on my cheek when we were fighting. I kind of miss that though. What do you miss from home?"

"Hm...I think..." Jimin thought about it as Jungkook observed him curiously. His eyes were so wide and cute. "I think I miss the space. Sometimes I want to be alone you know?"

"Ah, yeah. Recharge." Jungkook nodded. "I can't even imagine what it's like to be at your house. How- you said you're higher status than Seokjin?" Jungkook asked carefully, as if...he wanted to know just how big the barrier was between them.

Jimin wanted that to go away completely. "Yeah. But that doesn't change anything, does it?"

"Well. Yeah. It does a little." Jungkook gave an apologetic smile before looking down. "...cause would you be able to hang out with me outside of school? Or is school all of it?"

"I don't care what my parents think about my friends." Jimin looked at him seriously. He remembered Taehyung also being worried about this. "I'm friends with good, kind, hardworking people. I don't care about your status."

"Yeah but I'm like- I saw how awkward you were. When I said that my birthday present was my owl. You looked really surprised and I just-" Jungkook shook his head. "Sorry! Wow this is probably really rude."

"Hey." Jimin spoke kindly. "I like hanging out with you. And I'd like to continue to hang out with you. I really enjoyed our time at the owl post...and I want to have more time like that."

"Why?" Jungkook asked him honestly.

"Cause? You're cool? And you're nice? And kind. And really cute. Dawn won't stop talking about how much she likes sitting next to you in class~" Jimin teased him. "Goes on and on about how sweet you are when you whisper answers to her or share your opinion under your breath. I wish I had a class with you, I think we'd have fun."

Jungkook laughed a little. "She talks about me?"

"Mhm. And I ask sometimes. I like checking up on you. But mostly she just talks." Jimin laughed a little.

"You like checking up on me?"

"Yeah. I remember being a first year. It was scary and lonely, so...I like checking up on you to make sure you aren't those things."

"I am still scared. But...you guys are helpful." Jungkook smiled at him. "I feel normal around you all. Like you all just took me into the group without me needing to convince you about myself."

"Cause. We could all tell you were something special. And that your fit right in." Jimin reassured him. "And I'm glad you've joined the group."

Jungkook smiled more and looked away. "Thank you...I'm happy to...finally belong somewhere."

Jimin nodded. He would remember that.

____

The rest of the year had less action. Jungkook got used to the workload, the tutoring, the quidditch games, and the feeling of having people around him. He got used to being around Jimin and Taehyung, and he definitely got used to being around Hoseok and Seokjin.

Yoongi scared him a little, and he was too nervous to talk to Namjoon seriously, but he was getting used to it! He really was enjoying it here.

It was only when the year was ending did he notice that everyone was sad.

He finally realized it was Seokjin's last year.

The seven were on the train back, all talking but...knowing that summer was all they had to see Seokjin for the time being. They had a card game going as they talked.

"...well. Since no one will say it, I will." Seokjin exhaled shortly as he played his card. "I'm really lucky to have you guys and I'm going to send you howlers every month on random days."

Namjoon smiled at him. "Confess your love every month?"

"Yell at you all to keep up on homework and graduate with your best efforts. Give Jungkook lots of love and yell at you to hug him." Seokjin smiled a little. "Tell Taehyung to keep being weird. Tell Jimin to keep being himself. Tell Yoongi to keep dreaming. Tell Hoseok to keep making his noises. I'll send letters to you though Namjoon, you're special." Seokjin bumped his shoulder with his own.

They all seemed a little somber, but Hoseok tried to keep it light. "Well, you can't leave Namjoon out of it. What will you tell him?"

"You wanna hear it?" Seokjin raised an eyebrow, looking at them all teasingly. "I'm going to send him letters about what I'll miss doing-"

"Ahhh, no no! Say something cute and cheesy!" Yoongi cut him off. "I hear enough about that shit!"

Seokjin laughed, everyone lightening up. "Okay. Okay. I'd tell Joonie...to keep being pure. Keep loving what you love. Keep standing up for yourself. That goes for all of you." He played his card again, not looking up at them as he spoke. Everyone was looking at him though. "Keep- keep...protecting yourselves. I won't be there anymore to be your hyung to go to...but...I know- I know you'll keep protecting each other. And if you need more help then send for me and I'll come, I'll beat anyone up, I promise!"

Jungkook laughed. It felt odd, knowing that he was going to have to say goodbye to him, but it made him happy to know that he'd made friends. His parents would be so happy for him.

"Yoongi is now the certified hyung." Seokjin stuck his tongue out at him. "Have fun comforting and doing as they say~"

"I won't."

"He does." Jimin shut him up immediately. "When I was sick earlier in the year-"

"Ahhhhh, leave it! Don't share that!" Yoongi exclaimed, making Hoseok and Taehyung laugh.

"He made sure I was fed~ and made sure my washcloths were cold~ and made sure someone from my classes would give me notes~" Jimin teased further as he played his card. "He's just less open about being happy to do things for us."

"Right right!" Taehyung pointed at Yoongi a little. "He told me not to tell anyone when I asked him for a hug, one he definitely hugged me back!"

"Aish, leave me alone." Yoongi sighed heavily.

"Yoongi's always been a hugger! He always lets me hug him." Hoseok laughed a little.

"That's cause you're nice about it!" Yoongi rolled his eyes as he played his card. "Taehyung rubs it in!"

"I do." Taehyung smiled, fluttering his eyelashes at Yoongi. "Because I know you love hugs."

"You'll be perfectly fine. You all will." Seokjin smiled at them, looking up for the first time. "I know it."

"We'll miss you for sure." Namjoon gave him a weak smile.

"I know. That's why I'm inviting you all over during the summer." Seokjin smiled a little wider at them. "For a week or so, depending on who can come when or for how long."

"Really?" Jimin gasped happily. "That would be amazing!"

"I could probably go for a week." Jungkook thought about it. His parents would be fine with a week...besides, he really wanted to see Seokjin's house.

And he wanted to be around them more. He was sure his parents would let him be around friends, since it'd been so long since he'd had friends.

"Good good. I have all your addresses so we'll be alright."

"It's too bad not all of you have phones." Hoseok laughed.

"My parents don't like when I have outside things." Jimin sighed deeply. "Even if they're cool, it's muggle shit to them."

"Same here." Seokjin laughed. "Not even a little bit. They banned a soccer ball once."

"Mine banned a CD player." Jimin sighed.

Jungkook smiled at the thought. The mix between worlds was so much fun.

"Well. That just means I can text most of you." Hoseok shrugged. "I'll just write letters to you two like you're grandparents~"

"Oh please, my mother might even get mad about that." Jimin rolled his eyes. "But I should be able to go to Seokjin's house."

"Status bullshit." Yoongi explained to Jungkook quickly before they continued.

"Good! I want everyone there. We can't say goodbye yet, cause you're truly the best friends I've ever had." Seokjin set his last card down. "I win."

"Bullshit! Half of us weren't looking!"

"I never even said uno and no one called me out!" Seokjin laughed.

"You created a diversion, how could you be sappy for a win?"

"Well I meant everything I said." Seokjin shrugged.

"Well. I hope you keep being yourself too." Jungkook smiled at him.

"I will." Seokjin smiled back. "Cause for once I'm confident in myself."

"For once?"

"You're good people. It helps."

Jungkook nodded.

It was odd, to say goodbye, knowing you'd see them again but you'd never be in the same familiar place again. From then on, things were going to be different and everyone knew it.

____

His second year was a little boring, but he still hung out with Jimin a lot and Taehyung a lot more.

Though...he had to admit. It was tough to be spending double the money for both his brother and himself. Books, new clothes, ink, quills, and everything in between...Jungkook felt the calmness of his parents become a little worried instead.

He tried his best to ignore it, to be a good student and a good son, but it was hard spending money when he knew there was nothing to spend.

"Did you hear us?" Jimin tapped Jungkook's book.

"Huh? Oh no. Sorry."

"I said Taehyung convinced me to try out for quidditch and I think you should try out for it too."

"Me? No way, I'm too academically behind. My grades aren't good enough."

"We can absolutely work on that. I think you'd be really good at it." Jimin reassured him. "We can totally help your grades. I think we should try it! Then all of us have more reason to hang out."

"No, I- I really can't." Jungkook shook his head. He wouldn't even be able to buy any equipment. "Really." He gave a nervous smile, trying to hold back his embarrassment and worry.

"Really?" Taehyung pouted a little. "You've got really good coordination though. Like, really good. You could really help your team, and I think Hoseok would have a lot of fun with you there!"

"No, I- I really don't have time for anything else. I need to focus on school." Jungkook shook his head and looked at his book. "I..."

"Hey, it's okay. We just want you to have a good mix of it all. I'm very school first everything second, but...I think it'll be good to have some sports too. And I think you'd benefit from it too! Especially since you wouldn't be alone." Jimin smiled at him.

"That's not the problem. Well, not the only problem. I don't have good enough grades."

"Well what are all the problems? Do you want to play?" Taehyung asked him kindly.

"I mean...it looks cool...and fun..."

"Do you want to play?"

"Yeah." Jungkook shrugged. "But I really can't. Really."

"Cause of grades? Let's get them up. What do you need?" Jimin asked Taehyung.

"I think it's just passing. They prefer in the 80's, but 70's are good too. 60's are shaky." Taehyung shrugged. "They mostly let it slide unless you're really low."

"Guys. I can't." Jungkook sighed. "Really."

"Ah." Jimin nodded and gave him a thin smile and another nod of understanding. "I can-"

"No. Really. I can't." Jungkook smiled at him. "I already owe it to my parents to keep focused on school so I can do my best for them. I owe that to them and I'm not doing well right now and it's only my second year. If I don't get my shit together..." Jungkook shook his head. "Then I'm not going to be able to stay in school. This is a huge investment."

"And we're more than willing to help you." Taehyung smiled at him. "It's not like we're leaving you for the sharks. We can help with homework and studying."

"I think I need more tutoring. Like. Teacher tutoring."

"Ask Dawn. I'm sure she'd be happy to help." Jimin smiled at him teasingly. "She's still in your classes right?"

"She is. But she's..." Jungkook blushed a little. "She's very talkative...and I think we'd get carried away talking instead of working."

"I'm talkative too though." Jimin laughed a little, but Jungkook blushed more and nodded.

"Yeah." Jungkook pursed his lips. "I'm just not used to it is all..."

"Aww~ so cute!" Jimin cooed. "Do you like her?"

"I don't know." Jungkook shrugged. "It's not important I guess? I'm still trying to just be...a good student?" Jungkook sighed a little. "I don't know. I'm wondering what's worth what."

"Well. I think we should all try sports and we can help you get tutoring." Taehyung smiled at him. "And...we're inviting you to the ball."

"What?" Jungkook was shocked, then shook his head. "No, no, I can't go. I'm-" Jungkook didn't have money for clothes. "There's no way I could go."

"Why not." Jimin pouted. "We're finally fourth years and we want our group there! You're the only one who has to be invited." He sighed a little once he saw Jungkook's face. "Fine. But I'm not forgetting it okay? I'll bring it up later too."

"Please don't..."

"You're knocking out every fun option we're bringing up. No sports, no dating, no balls...what're you gunna do?" Taehyung shook his head.

"Focus on school? Like we're supposed to?"

"I have 100's." Jimin shrugged.

"I'm high up there." Taehyung glanced at Jimin.

"You have 100's? Why aren't you tutoring me better?" Jungkook pouted at Jimin.

"Cause. I like talking too much." Jimin smiled at him. "Taehyung knows that."

"Yeah, you're always talking but I like listening." Taehyung shrugged. "Seriously though Jungkook, we're inviting you and once we get the actual invites we're giving you one."

"Really. I promised my parents I'd do better." Jungkook looked down at his book and homework. "...I've got two essays and one project, and another group project to finish. I need to go do those." Jungkook started to pack his things up. Why didn't they understand? He didn't have money or time to have fun. He didn't deserve it yet.

"We can help?"

"I've gotta ask some questions to my professor." Jungkook sighed as he finished packing his bag. "I'll be busy for a little bit until I finish those things."

"Can you even go to town with us?"

"Nope. Too busy."

"Excuses."

"I don't have- I'm not allowed yet."

"Excuses~"

Jungkook sighed as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Really. I don't have time for anything else." He gave a weak smile before he left. They really didn't understand. Or they just didn't think about it. Fun meant money. And money was something he couldn't afford to spend.

He sighed as he went to his dorm for a moment before staying to study there. He really wished he could just have money...then he wouldn't have to say no all the time.

He studied until he finished at least one essay and one project before he headed to dinner.

He ate only a little before leaving early, Hoseok giving him a little bit of concern but not stopping him.

He headed to send another letter, updating his parents on his current hard work. During the summer they said how much they liked getting letters, so Jungkook was trying really hard to give them some happiness. His other letter was for Seokjin.

"Gureum." Jungkook called out to him, watching him land on his shoulder. "Thank you for your hard work. I can't wait to get to summer again and let you scare the neighborhood. They still don't believe it when I say you're my pet." Jungkook laughed a little as he pet him, then tied the letters to his feet. "Thank you for being my messenger."

He stared at him before flying off.

Jungkook sighed as he watched him go.

He started to walk down the stairs before he saw Jimin, both of them jumping a little as they saw each other. "Ah! God- damn it Jimin you scared me!" Jungkook held the handrail, stumbling a little as his feet tried to find their footing.

Jimin jumping high in the air, but he didn't move. "S-sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!"

"W-well." Jungkook cleared his throat and nodded, starting to go down the stairs again.

"Wait." Jimin grabbed his arm before letting go. "Sorry. I came to check on you. You seemed really...upset today. Like everything was bothering you."

Jungkook nodded, a silent ah coming from his lips. "I see."

"Are you alright? You even...skipped dinner." Jimin looked concerned as he stared into Jungkook's eyes.

"I ate some. But I just...need to get back to work. I've taken a long enough break and I need to get back on it." Jungkook laughed a little. "Sent some letters first though."

"Are you sure that's all? We can help with that. And besides, you've been working hard for a weekend."

"I'm sure." Jungkook kept his smile.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?" Jimin looked at him seriously, a pout on his lips.

Jungkook simply smiled, trying to deescalate the situation. "I'm fine. Really. I'm just a little behind and a little stressed. But I can make it up and I will. So...have a good night Jimin, I need to get going." He tried to continued to walk but Jimin stopped him again, this time walking in front of him. "Jimin."

"Seriously, somethings wrong."

"No there isn't."

"Yes there is, I know you." Jimin huffed a little.

"No you don't." Jungkook spoke before immediately regretting it. He looked away before he could see the surprised, pained face Jimin gave him. "Sorry. I'm sorry. But you don't. Otherwise you wouldn't ask me to join things I can't pay for, or ask me to things I can't dress for, or ask me to go places I can't fully enjoy." Jungkook rubbed his nose quickly as he looked down. He could see Jimin's feet shift side to side and his hands rub one another.

"...but I do know those things and I ask you anyways because I want to hang out with you. And we both do, and we all do. I ask you to things without expecting you to need to spend money. I'm...sorry I never realized how it sounded. But I just...want to be a good friend. And ask you anyways, even if you have to say no. At least you'd be invited."

"...I can't...do fun things. Okay? I can't do fun things. I can hang out with you all, sure, but I can't do fun things."

"Who said you need money to have fun?"

"You need money for sports. And to have a girlfriend. And to go to balls and to go to town, and I can't have fun." Jungkook finally looked up at him. "I thought you understood that."

Jungkook probably looked like he was about to cry since Jimin's eyes widened and became puppy-like. "Jungkook...you can have fun. With us, and with all of that! If you need something, god, just ask me." Jimin took his hand softly, and slowly, as if asking for permission to touch him. "I'm full of it, and I always support my friends."

"N-no, I don't want to abuse that. It's not my fault that I don't have money to pay for things and you shouldn't have to pay for me."

"Exactly! It's not your fault! So let me help you have fun. Jungkook we're kids. We should be having fun." Jimin smiled at him. "Let me help you worry less. God knows you have enough of that."

Jungkook shook his head. "I don't want you to have to."

"I enjoy giving gifts. So! Does that means I can have fun with Taehyung to help pick out a suit for you?"

"What?" Jungkook shook his head but laughed. "That's your first thought?"

"I want you at the ball! It'll be fun and we'll all have fun together and we'll dance and eat and have fun. You need some fun. Come on." Jimin started to pull him along. "Can I have permission to give you gifts?"

"N-none too expensive..." Jungkook mumbled as he got pulled along.

"Mmmm~ okay I'll lie about prices then."

"Jimin!"

"I like giving gifts! It's an easy and thoughtful process." Jimin laughed a little as he took them down the stairs. "Have you ever snuck out at night?"

"What?! No way! I'd be beaten to a pulp if my mom found out about-"

"It's not too hard. Do you have anything tomorrow? It's still the weekend~"

"N-no..."

"Okay. Do you want to sneak out with me to the kitchen? I...I found a recipe for this cake that I really want to try, but...mom won't let me, and they don't really make it here. So...?" Jimin looked at him with a smile.

"I don't know how to sneak out." Jungkook laughed. "Why do you know how?"

"I go to the kitchen sometimes or...you know. Walk around." Jimin smiled slyly, and for once, Jungkook remembered why he was a Slytherin.

"You're really cool." Jungkook smiled a little.

"What?"

"You're just- really sure of yourself. I didn't expect you to want to break rules though."

"Ah...well, that could be Taehyung's fault." Jimin laughed a little. "He's braver than I am, but, I do like getting what I want if it isn't harmful to anyone. And I think making a cake isn't harmful to anyone. We've gotta go like- really early though. You fine with meeting up at the kitchen at like, 1am? Cakes take a long time to cool and shit."

"Um...I could make my way to the dinning room? But I don't know where the kitchen is."

"Perfect. Stay by the door and I'll take you to the kitchen." Jimin smiled at him.

"Who else will be there?"

"Just you and me." Jimin smiled as they got to their fork in the road. "Well. I'll see you tomorrow at one?"

"Yeah." Jungkook exhaled as he looked at Jimin. He really was kind and...

He was really attractive.

____

Jungkook stayed up till 00:30, then headed out, getting his sweater on the way. Hoseok helped him, making sure no one saw him on the way out.

He felt nervous, but...at the same time it was sort of exciting. He knew only a couple of professors walked the halls at night to make sure no one was out and about, but he didn't really know their schedules. He made his way quietly, wishing for once that his sweater didn't have yellow, very noticeable, stripes.

He felt his pulse quicken as he made his way to the dinning room, uncertain about what time it was, or if Jimin was there already.

It was odd to be out, knowing it was breaking the rules, but he was looking forward to spending some more time with Jimin.

"Hey."

"Ah!"

"Shhh!" Jimin put his hand over Jungkook's mouth. "You'll get us in trouble!" He whisper yelled, before leading them away. "We can't get in trouble now, you're already out of your dorm. How does it feel?"

"It's weird." Jungkook whispered. "I haven't broken rules before..."

Jimin laughed quietly. "How cute! I used to go out with Taehyung sometimes, since we both couldn't sleep at night."

"Ah, yeah." Jungkook nodded. He used to stay up till early mornings playing video games with his brother, so he was used to that.

"Well! We'll be fine. No one checks the kitchen, and the workers aren't here till like 6 or something." Jimin pulled him inside a door, one Jungkook hadn't even noticed until he was through it.

"Woah."

"Okay! We can talk louder now." Jimin giggled as he pulled out a paper. "I like your sweater. Yellow and black looks really good on you." Jimin smiled happily before he pulled his wand out. "Lumos." His wand lit their way.

"Okay...how can I help?"

"We're making a Swiss roll. Do you like chocolate or strawberry?"

"Let's try strawberry!" Jungkook smiled a little. He hoped they would have fun here and not get in trouble.

"Okay! Get me milk and flour." Jimin pointed to a fridge, and then the cupboard beside it. "And sugar."

Jimin went to get other things as Jungkook went to get what he was asked for.

"Why'd you want to try this?" Jungkook tried to start a conversation, a little tired at the moment. "Seems like you could ask for it to be made."

"Cause. I never get to make things myself." Jimin shrugged as he got bowls and the other ingredients. "So I like to do things myself sometimes...I know, it sounds so pretentious."

"Hey...I...really am sorry for earlier." Jungkook gave him what he needed. "I didn't really mean that."

Jimin smiled at him. "You sort of did though. And I get that. Apology accepted. I'll do better to be more considerate as well." Jimin started putting the ingredients together. "Will you let me buy you things?"

"N-no." Jungkook shook his head. "I would feel bad."

"Mmm." Jimin nodded and continued.

They finished the batter, Jimin putting it in the oven.

They started and finished the cream needed for later, waiting for the batter to rise.

They sat down and leaned against some cupboards.

"Why can't I pay for things for you?" Jimin leaned his head back on the cupboard. "I want you to have fun with us without worrying about money."

"Cause...that's too much. It would be too much. I can't join quidditch." Jungkook shook his head. "I don't deserve it yet."

"Woah! Hold on, who said you need to deserve to have fun?" Jimin looked at him with shock. "Everyone deserves to have fun. And you work so hard!"

"N-no, no I don't, I need to do more first." Jungkook shook his head.

"Okay. Let's make a bet. Or- a deal. We help you get your grades up and you try out for quidditch. If you get in I buy you the newest nimbus 3000."

"What!? No! That's way too much money!"

"It's a two part deal! If you think you need to earn something good then I'll trick you into doing that. If it helps your brain. But...I want to gift to you. I know we've only know each other for a year, but...I gift to everyone else as well and I never tried to gift to you since you seemed so uncomfortable. But now that I'm more comfortable asking you...I really want to. It's a way I can easily make others happy."

"But- but-"

"No buts! If your way of being friendly is time together, then I'm going to spend time with you! If mine is gifting...why can't I gift to you?" Jimin looked at him honestly, before laughing a little and looking forward. "Why do you get so anxious at the idea?"

"C-cause." Jungkook frowned a little. "Cause it means that I'm in debt. And it means I have to work hard to prove that spending that money was worth it and that I'll use it well and take care of it. And it means that my parents will have to work even more and longer so they can get that money back, I-" Jungkook sighed and looked away from him. "We live in different worlds Jimin."

"So let me give you less anxiety." Jimin laughed a little before slowly dropping his head onto Jungkook's shoulder. "Please. I see you struggle a lot and I have something that can ease that. Or at least some of it. I want to see you smile and mean it and dance and have fun and be happy. And at the moment I only see that momentarily."

"...I have to do my best with school."

"Then we can help you. We can do real work, or we can-"

"I don't want to dampen your fun. You and Taehyung are both good students..."

"So?"

"So I don't want to bring you down." Jungkook slowly let his head fall on top of Jimin's. "You two are on the same page, and I'm a couple behind. I can't have fun yet cause I haven't earned it."

"You don't need to earn breaks. If your body needs breaks then you gotta listen to that! And your brain needs fun to be able to perform normal tasks. Do you think stress is good for school work?"

"I don't have much of a choice."

"You do. I can help you." Jimin sighed. "Will you at least consider it? Get your grades up a little, try out for quidditch, and then from there...we can see how things go."

Jungkook sighed. "Fine. But I'm not going to your dance."

"Awww, but you'd look so cute in a suit! I can't wait for it, it'll be really fun. I wanna dance and eat everything."

"There's gunna be food?"

"Oh of course." Jimin laughed a little. "There's amazing food, they barely ever make it any other time. It's like- like a ball special."

"Woah~ that's so cool! I'll have to wait till my fourth year."

Jimin laughed. "I'm asking you to the dance!"

"What?" Jungkook blushed a little.

"I'm asking you to the dance. Will you go with me?" Jimin hummed easily. "I went my first year cause of the others, but you didn't get to go cause you declined. But I want you to go this year. Our group will be so happy to have you there...we'll have a lot of fun. We get to stay up late and eat and talk and dance...it's just...a day we all get to relax and forget everything."

"Ah..." Jungkook felt odd to feel disappointed. It's not like...he wanted Jimin to ask him to be his date. Definitely not that. But then again, he wouldn't be out here past curfew for anyone other than a friend. A good friend.

"Doesn't it sound nice? Every day we go to class I feel like...I never get to connect with anyone cause they know my status. If- I wish I could just say shit. I wish I could connect to people but I can't cause I've never had the same experiences."

"...well...I didn't know who you were before I was told."

"And what was your first impression?"

Jungkook smiled a little. "I thought you were kind."

"Right. I gave you candy." Jimin laughed. "Like a kid."

"We're kids."

"You sure don't act like one."

"I wasn't raised to have a long lasting childhood. You know I'll work in the summers once I'm old enough. Junghyun works in the summer now."

"Oh..."

"It's okay. I don't mind. Whatever will help my parents. That's all. They've done so much for me and my brother, and if we need to return that favor sooner than we thought then that's that. Do you ever thank your parents?" Jungkook dragged the conversation away from the ball.

"No...they're usually not home."

"Oh." Jungkook thought for a moment. "How come?"

"Cause. They're busy at work. Besides...it's not fun to be home. They're really uptight about everything. Especially the way I talk, they don't like how casual I get or- cursing is absolutely forbidden. I'm just used to being around Yoongi and everyone."

"Yeah...the only thing that's forbidden in my house is magic outside the house but that makes sense." Jungkook laughed a little. "Ah, we're sure a handful."

"Mmm. I want to spend just...a day in your house. Just a day, really. I think I'd know you much better."

"I can ask if- well...I guess you can't come over in summer can you." Jungkook pouted a little.

"No...only Seokjin's house. But I could lie."

"I wouldn't want you to get in trouble." Jungkook shook his head.

"What about for Christmas?"

"Hm?"

"What about during Christmas break?" Jimin patted Jungkook's thigh. "I don't go home during then, so they wouldn't know."

"I'd...have to ask. Cause Christmas is special and all, and...we really don't have room for more guests..." Jungkook thought about it. "We'd have to share a bed. Cause my grandparents come down."

"Oh! How lovely!"

"Yeah." Jungkook blushed a little. "But I'd have to ask. I just don't know that answer."

"Of course. Don't worry about it." Jimin patted his thigh again before sighing. "Alright. Let's check our soon to be cake."

The rest of the night was rather quiet, as the both of them tiredly finished the cake. The rolling process was a little hard, but they mostly got it. Jimin cut the cake for them.

"Well. Thank you for coming out with me. I know it was random but...I wanted to spend time with you." Jimin hummed as he cut a bite. "So! Can we agree I know you?" He raised his fork, ready to clink his with Jungkook's.

"Yeah. I'm sorry." Jungkook did the same. "You do know me."

"Alright! Then...to knowing each other better." Jimin clinked their forks before they both took their bites.

"Mm! That's really nice."

"Creamy~" Jimin hummed happily. "Oh wow, this is so much more rewarding."

"Yeah? You know what I'll send a letter to my parents. Ask them if you can come over. Maybe not this year, but maybe next year?"

"You really don't have to." Jimin smiled at him. "Okay?"

"I want you to."

"You do?"

"Yeah! Hoseok invited Yoongi during Christmas, why can't I invite you?"

"Well, cause that's different." Jimin laughed a little. "They like each other."

"Well I like you." Jungkook smiled. "Sure it's different, but..."

"That's really sweet of you Jungkook." Jimin smiled happily at him. "I'd love to go to your house, but really, don't worry if your parents say no."

"It's...mostly just about budget." Jungkook shrugged. "That would be the only issue. So maybe next year."

"That sounds lovely too."

Jungkook nodded. "...we should bring the rest of this to Hoseok and Yoongi. Is it cheating to say it's from the other?"

"That's definitely cheating. There's not too much time left...I say...we spice shit up and then during the ball we get them to dance."

"Mmmm, okay. So...how should we do that?"

"I don't know! Got any ideas?" Jimin smiled at him. "Cake for the both of them. And..."

"Okay. So. Yoongi literally plays the piano cause we had a music class together, and I know that Hoseok said he loved listening to it." Jungkook smiled a little. "But I also know that Yoongi is shy when Hoseok listens."

"Oh you beautiful, observant boy, you just saved me a lot of planning. This'll be perfect." Jimin praised him before laughing. "Oh! Wow, okay. You have that music class with him, right?"

"Right."

"Okay. Cause I can totally bring him to that area after your class. Does Yoongi stay afterwards?"

"Mhm! Yeah. Usually he's the last to leave."

"Oh perfect."

"So you think we can do that?"

"Oh absolutely. And I'm sure with a little help from Taehyung, we can get something happening during quidditch."

"Oh! I think me and Namjoon can also get something going during studying."

"We've got this. Those two idiots are in love."

"Exactly. They need some more idiotic help." Jungkook laughed a little. "Is it really our place to do this?"

"If we don't...then...will they ever get together? Yoongi doesn't have time to avoid it anymore...we talk a lot you know. Me and Yoongi. He really likes him. I mean- we're all great, but something about Hoseok is recharging for him. You know?"

"Yeah. There's something amazing about Hoseok. He recharges me too. But...that's really special for Yoongi. You know. To feel safe with someone."

"Exactly." Jimin pointed his fork at Jungkook. "Yoongi's had crushes on boys, sure, but...never like this. That's why I care so much. I think he really needs someone other than friends."

"I'm here to help." Jungkook smiled at him, then yawned. "I think they both need a little more than what we can give. And...I mean...I think they both really do like each other. Much more than we can offer."

"Yeah." Jimin smiled back. "It's sweet, isn't it? I hope...one day I'll get to have that."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Jimin smiled at him shyly. "I like the idea of spoiling someone I like."

"Do you like anyone?"

"I'm not sure. I think it's a little too early to tell."

"Ah, yeah, I get that." Jungkook thought about it. Jimin had a lot of classes...he could like anyone. He spent time with nearly every house, every year, every person. "Who?"

"Ahh, it's not important. I don't need to date at the moment, and besides, I want to help Yoongi first since he won't make a move and Hoseok won't admit shit."

Jungkook laughed. "You just don't want to say you like someone."

"Well...perhaps that too. But don't worry, I haven't told anyone." Jimin smiled happily. "But you don't have to worry about me. I'll either get over it or ask them out."

"Oo, you won't even give me a gender?" Jungkook titled his head curiously.

"Nope." Jimin kept his grin. "I won't. Cause if you know you'll think about it."

"So you do have a crush." Jungkook laughed in disbelief. "Why won't you tell me?"

"Cause! You'll analyze every single person I talk to. And then you'll wonder who it is. And I'm not even sure if I do like them, I just gotta figure it out first."

"Hmmmm. Well. I can easily say that I don't have a crush. At the moment. I think." Jungkook laughed as Jimin did.

"That doesn't sound certain at all!"

"Well, I just don't know! I don't know the difference between friendship and romantic feelings...so I guess I'm with you. Waiting to see how I feel later."

"Mmm~ fun, isn't it?"

"Not really. I don't even know if I like guys."

Jimin smiled. "So he's a guy?"

"Maybe." Jungkook blushed a little. "But I don't know. How am I supposed to know?"

"Well. I know I like guys cause I get the same feeling when I like a girl."

"But I don't think I've liked anyone before."

"Okay well- I can't help you with that." Jimin laughed a little. "Zero crushes?"

"Everyone was mean to me before I got here." Jungkook shrugged. "So I never liked anyone. But a lot more people are nice here and I...really feel welcomed. Thanks to you guys." Jungkook smiled at him. He yawned again.

"...we should get going."

"No no, I want to stay until we have to leave." He smiled tiredly. He just...wanted to spend more time with Jimin. "Unless we do have to leave."

"We could spare a moment." Jimin smiled back at him. "Besides...we have some cake to finish."

"Right. What made you want it?" Jungkook took another bite.

"One of my friends was talking about it and I just- god I wanted to make it. I want to make things. You know? Do it myself."

"You had my help?"

"Oh! Of course I don't mind friends being around. I just don't want a maid to do everything for me. God like- even dressing myself is done by a butler. You...would you find that fun?"

"Maybe for a day but not for life."

"Yeah. Exactly. I wonder what my mother would say if you came over." Jimin laughed a little.

"Oh god no, she'd kill me cause I'm poor." Jungkook laughed.

"Or she'd try and make you look..."presentable" like she does for me. She thinks our clothes here aren't presentable. But I really like your sweater!"

Jungkook laughed. "Thank you. I like yours too, I think green looks good on you."

"Yellow is definitely one of your colors." Jimin hummed before cutting the rest of the cake in half, wrapping them up. "I like that sweater on you."

"What's your favorite color?" Jungkook cleaned the dishes.

"Oh. I'm...not sure. I like a lot of colors."

"Mmm." Jungkook nodded. "Well. I think you'd look good with anything."

"Maybe." Jimin handed him one of the bundles of cake. "We should head back, I'll walk you to your door."

"Ah...thank you. Um...thank you for inviting me out...I had a lot of fun." Jungkook whispered as they headed out. "I didn't know you liked breaking the rules."

"Well...I break them a lot. I'm just also a straight A student. I like getting 100's." Jimin giggled a little. "Let's study for real tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? I think I'm going to pass out for most of the day."

"Then at night."

"Mmm...maybe." Jungkook smiled a little. "Depends if I have it in me."

"I'll help you. But...I really want you to do tryouts with me. They're holding them soon."

"Then...grades up first."

"Okay. I'll help for real this time."

"You really want me to try out with you that badly?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Then...then I will."

"Good."

Jimin walked Jungkook to his painting, both of them...lingering.

"Well...thank you for tonight. I had fun." Jungkook played with the sleeves of his sweater.

"Good. You deserve fun." Jimin smiled at him. "So...we kind of said a lot of things tonight but...I do want to help them out. You're still down for that?"

"Yes. Let's get them together during Yoongi's last year."

"Good. I'll tell Taehyung and you tell Namjoon?"

"Sure. Well...see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." Jimin smiled at him before heading off.

Jungkook snuck back inside, careful of the noise. Their new roommate was a deep sleeper, so he didn't have to worry too much. He set the wrapped cake on Hoseok's beside table before climbing into bed.

God...he really liked having Jimin around. He made everything better, he gave him confidence, and the best part of him...he made him feel valuable and wanted. He belonged when he was with Jimin. So. Maybe he did like guys.

____

Jimin and Jungkook put their plan into action. Namjoon shared the same music class as Jungkook and Yoongi, so Jungkook let him into their plan.

"We just keep him playing and get the professor to leave." Jungkook whispered to him as the class was closing to an end. "Jimin and Taehyung are bringing Hoseok with an excuse."

"And this'll work?"

"Yeah." Jungkook smiled. "With real questions the professor should leave with us. I've got real questions and you're there for me to be taken seriously. Cause you know. You're smart."

Namjoon laughed a little. "Okay. Sure. I hope Hoseok can hear him play more often. He really likes it."

"I know." Jungkook smiled. "Maybe he'll be able to hear it if they live together. They would both love that wouldn't they?"

"Fuck, I miss Jin." Namjoon sighed. "He's learning the piano right now, said he'd play for me during the summer."

"That sounds really nice..." Jungkook smiled at him. Class ended, Jungkook getting his notes ready for the professor. "Ready?"

"Mhm. What're your questions?"

"Um...mostly how can I pass this class regarding my current grades..."

Namjoon laughed lightly. "Alright. I see."

The two got up after most of the class had left, getting together with Yoongi. "Hey."

"Hey. The piano is all yours, we're gunna get the professor out of here." Namjoon gave Yoongi a smile.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. You haven't played in a while so Jungkook and I are luring the professor away."

"Oh you guys are too nice." Yoongi smiled at them. "I owe you one if it works."

"Oh it will." Jungkook smiled. "I'm a lost cause, he'll definitely want to help."

"That's true." Yoongi grinned. "I'll take whatever I can get."

Jungkook nodded as he went up to the professor with Namjoon. He explained his questions, watched the professor sigh heavily and pull them away separately and out of the room to go over a real schedule that the two of them could work out.

He smiled as he saw Hoseok and Jimin around the corner, watching Hoseok stop to listen to the piano, smile, and stay by the door.

He watched Jimin give Hoseok a soft smile before urging him inside, to which Hoseok laughed and did. Jimin went to meet them, going over to Jungkook and Namjoon.

Jungkook was given a schedule with the professor, with Namjoon, and given a planner to help get his grades up.

Jimin smiled at him when the professor left them. "Success?"

"Success. In both way." Jungkook smiled back. "I'm getting my grades up."

"Good! Try outs are next week~"

"Yeah, I'm- I'm trying."

"And you're doing well!"

"Especially with our help." Namjoon reassured him. "We'll get your grades up, definitely. You deserve to get some rest."

Jungkook laughed. "Yeah. I am...pretty tired. But there's work to do!"

____

Jungkook and Hoseok had a class with the Slytherin's the next day, Jungkook trying to get Hoseok to learn how to grow flowers.

"It'll be fun!" Jungkook smiled at him.

"This isn't part of the curriculum!" Hoseok fret a little.

"So? Since when have you cared about that? Let's grow some flowers." Jungkook grinned. "Disrupt the class with some pretty flowers."

"Seriously Jungkook-"

"Seokjin would let me." Jungkook pouted.

"Ugh, fine, just- stop giving me puppy dog eyes." Hoseok sighed. "Go make flowers."

"You've gotta do it too. Lemme show you." Jungkook smiled as the teacher turned to a different group in their herbology class, getting his wand out and carefully whispering his spell. In front of the professor, flowers started to bloom from the dirt, becoming tens, becoming hundreds. 

The professor exclaimed, before looking around. Jungkook feigned innocence as she did, but once she looked away, he nudged Hoseok. "If you do it too...maybe class will be canceled."

"Get someone else to do it!" Hoseok whispered back to him. "Aren't you worried at all?"

"Nope! Do it!" Jungkook whispered happily.

Jimin had, originally, given him this plan. Jungkook was told that flowers were made based on the wand owners emotions, so that would be an easy tell if Hoseok's colors were red or something else. The other part of it was creating said flowers in front of Yoongi. That was the more difficult part.

"Where?"

"By the Slytherin's."

"Oh come on."

"Otherwise the professor will know it's you if you do it in front of you." Jungkook smiled. "Do it in front of Yoongi. He won't get in trouble cause she's lookin over there."

"Ah...that's true..."

"Don't be nervous! I'll just say it was me if she questions you." Jungkook smiled at him. "Do it!"

"F-fine." Hoseok sighed heavily, pulling his wand out and casting the spell quietly in front of Yoongi. He quickly put his wand away, watching the flowers slowly push out of the ground, and sprout, blooming before his eyes.

Jungkook watched the flowers start as yellow, before morphing into a mix of yellow and red and pink. Jungkook smiled as Yoongi looked at them in confusion, before looking across to Hoseok.

He watched Hoseok's eyes widen, his cheeks blush, but the two unable to look away. Yoongi's blush became pink.

"Alright, I won't have to done twice. Who did it?" Jungkook watched her look around, then find the guilty face of Hoseok. Jungkook got her attention instead, as he was still holding his wand. "Young man. Office."

Jungkook smiled as he stood up and walked with the professor. He'd done his job well.

The professor brought him into the room inside after dismissing the class. "You need to get your act together. Do you think it's okay to disrupt the class? Do you think it's funny?"

"No, it's not funny, but I do enjoy learning new spells." Jungkook smiled. "I enjoy practicing new spells as well."

"I'm prohibiting you from casting spells during class."

"Yeah okay." Jungkook looked down with a smile.

"And you're going to have to write me an apology, or, you can clean the garden."

"I'll clean the garden." Jungkook couldn't risk another essay, but he could take manual labor.

"Alright. Let me get you some tools." She sighed and got up to go to her closet of tools. "The garden should be clean and beautiful alright? Cut the flowers you made. Sweep when you're done."

"Yes ma'am!" Jungkook bowed and took the tools she gave him and headed into the garden.

It took him some time to organize himself, but it was nice to take off his robes and roll up his sleeves, pulling the flowers out of the dirt.

He heard a knock on the doorway to the garden. "Hey."

"Hm?" Jungkook looked up, dropping the plucked flowers into a bucket. "Oh! Hey Jimin!"

"Sorry you got in trouble. I told her I'd help you finish."

"Well, there's not much left to do." Jungkook smiled, looking back at the flowers as Jimin took his robe off and rolled his sleeves up. "Just to pull the flowers out and then sweep."

"Then I'll help." Jimin smiled and went to the other side of the flower patch Jungkook had made. "How'd it go? Sorry you got in trouble."

"At least it wasn't an essay. I think it went very well. See over there?" Jungkook pointed behind him. "That patch is Hoseok's. While lookin at Yoongi. Pinks and reds with yellow. That's friendship plus more."

"Oh good. And they?..."

"Noticed? Yeah. Long stare. Some blushing. It was really cute." Jungkook laughed as he plucked the flowers. "Just...really cute. Dunno where they went afterwards but...what's the next plan?"

"Not sure. Must be during quidditch, right?" Jimin helped him. "Wow...your flowers are really pretty."

"Oh...thank you."

"I love tiger lilies. I think they're beautiful."

Jungkook nodding, blushing a little. "T-thank you..."

"Pink and white hm?"

"Y-yeah." Jungkook kept plucking them. He hated how smart Jimin was sometimes. He knew what most things meant, and he was good at subtext. "You know the spell."

"I do." Jimin smiled at him. "I wonder what mine would look like. Maybe I'll try it another day." Jimin laughed a little. "Who knows what it would be like."

"Why don't you try it now? Since we're already cleaning up."

Jimin laughed. "You just want to see it."

"Of course!" Jungkook laughed as well. "I really like how everyone's is different."

"Mmm~ but what if I reveal something like Hoseok did?" Jimin kept his smile as they finished Jungkook's patch and moved to Hoseok's. "What might you say?" Jimin followed him.

"Well you saw mine...why shouldn't I see yours?" Jungkook glanced up at him before looking back at Hoseok's flowers, picking them. "...you don't have to..."

"No no, you're right, we already have the work to do." Jimin smiled shyly before casting the spell where they were, gorgeous, yellow with red tipped flowers blooming. "Wow. Okay."

"...what's it mean?" Jungkook looked at them curiously as he finished Hoseok's flowers.

"Well...should I explain? Figure it out Kookie." Jimin laughed as he started to pluck them. "You'll understand soon enough."

"Aww, please? It'll save me a trip to the library."

"Lord knows you need that trip."

"I'm trying to get my grades up!" Jungkook laughed. "I don't have time to look at flower color meanings. I don't know complicated ones, only the ones you told me!"

"Well I can explain yours." Jimin smiled at him. "Pink is the early stage of love. More...innocent. Put together with white...definitely innocent love. Perhaps even first love? First crush? It's young, innocent love." Jimin smiled softly. "How cute. I'd be happy to know who it's for but, considering how red you are, I'll save you the embarrassment." Jimin smiled slyly before plucking his own flowers. "Mmm."

Jungkook was red as he looked down. "I-"

"No no, don't worry, I won't pry it out of you. But...those are the meanings of your colors."

"W-well I want to know yours!" Jungkook was still red, as he grabbed the broom and started to sweep. "Because..."

"Cause why?" Jimin finished picking them and putting them in the bucket.

"Because...it's only fair, right?"

"Mmmm. Fine. I'll tell you if you tell me your grade for this class."

"You'd be happily surprised to know that it's in the 70's." Jungkook smiled a little. "A high 70."

"Wow!" Jimin smiled happily at him. "Okay! I'll tell you. Yellow and red...means...acceptance." Jimin blushed pink. "It's um...accepting your feelings."

"Ohhhh, wow!" Jungkook laughed a little. "Thanks for saving me a trip to the library. I hope um...whoever you accepted your feelings for is nice."

"Yeah? I hope whoever your first love is is also nice." Jimin smiled at him, the two making eye contact and blushing, looking away after. "Well. I want to keep the flowers."

"I'd...like some too..." Jungkook finished sweeping, taking a look over everything. He deemed it finished.

"Alright! Let's split some." Jimin went over to him and looked through the bucket of picked flowers. "I like yours."

"Well I like yours."

"And we can give Hoseok's to Yoongi and Hoseok."

"Yeah."

They took what they wanted before leaving the garden, passing the professor and giving her the tools and flowers.

"Now I don't want you two to get into any more trouble. Alright? Your grades are rising Jungkook, I don't want that to change. And Jimin, I heard you're trying to become the Prefect once you're old enough...I don't want to see any change in your behavior either. This was just a silly joke and it won't happen again, right?" She looked at the flowers. "Ah. Please just...stay on top of things."

"Yes professor." Jungkook gave a small bow.

"We'll keep our grades up." Jimin bowed as well.

"Good. If you ever need more help, I'm here to help." She nodded. "Have a good rest of your day."

"Thank you." They both bowed again before leaving.

"So! Success?" Jimin held up his fist.

"Success." Jungkook smiled at him, meeting him half way.

____

The next week, Jungkook tried out for quidditch with Jimin, surprisingly finding himself a natural at it.

And with that...plus his grades getting better...Jimin grinned as they found out if they got on the team or not.

"You know what that means~" Jimin chimed, happy to his core.

Jungkook blushed a little, but rolled his eyes. "Fine. You...can buy...me...a..."

"Yay! Oh good! I promise I'll keep helping you keep your grades up, I really will! So that your gift, won't go to waste. Since that worries you." Jimin sounded giddy as they headed to dinner. "Next time I'm in town, which should be soon~ I'll make sure I get it and I'm sure I can convince Yoongi to come with me. Do you think you can convince Hoseok to go with us?"

"Mmm...maybe." Jungkook thought about it. "He cares about his grades too...ask Namjoon to go as well and you guys can pair off. Or bring Taehyung?"

"Yeah yeah...I wish you could come."

"'Next year." Jungkook shrugged. "I'm not sneaking out that far."

Jimin laughed. "Ah. I wouldn't feel safe if you did. That might get us in real trouble."

"Well...I look forward to going with you...and the others."

Jimin smiled. "You're cute. It'll be fun when we go!" He chimed. "Well, I'll have fun. I'll treat you when you can go."

"Really?"

"Yeah!" Jimin nudged him. "Yeah. I think we'll have fun."

"I hope so." Jungkook thought about it. "...I'd love to get my parents something for Christmas one of these years."

"I could help you?"

"Ah, no, I don't have money to do that." Jungkook laughed. "...another year. When I do have money. I'm going to spoil them."

"...what do you want to be?" Jimin smiled at him, intrigued.

"Well...I...want to play quidditch...I think...I don't want an office job with papers." Jungkook laughed a little. "...I don't like it."

"Makes sense. I don't know what I'll be."

"What do you want to be?" Jungkook wondered just how much Jimin thought about himself. It seemed like he never did, or never thought about his wants or options.

"Oh, um...I don't get a choice." Jimin shook his head.

"But what do you want to be? Theoretically then." Jungkook smiled at him.

"Um...I...don't...know." Jimin laughed a little embarrassedly. "I haven't thought about it since everything already laid out for me. I'm trying to become a Prefect right now, so 100's are imperative."

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Jimin laughed. "I don't care what I do for work. I just want someone to come home to who actually loves me." Jimin shrugged. "Really. That'll make everything okay."

"Jimin..."

"It's true." Jimin shrugged again. "...that's all I need."

____

Jungkook excitedly got ready for his first game. He'd been practicing with the team for a little while now, but it was officially his first match. Luckily it was against the Ravenclaw's, so he didn't have to go against his friends.

Something about the crowd made him equally nervous and excited, and when the team came out, he felt so...amazing. Getting in the air made him realize how anyone could be here. Any gender, any ranking, any social standards...they all went away. There were some richy assholes who targeted people they didn't like, but Jungkook found it easy to get their attention and get them away from people they targeted.

Jungkook didn't have an official position, but he had a fun time being a wildcard at the moment.

The game...went exactly as Jungkook had planned with Taehyung two days ago.

"Okay. So. The balls trajectory is fast and only gets faster during the matches."

"Right."

"Hit it at Yoongi."

"What?!"

"Don't worry, we'll sit with him of course, so if possible flirting doesn't work, me, Namjoon and Jimin will stop it. But...if we can lure Hoseok into saving him then we should try. We can only do it once though." Taehyung hummed. "So work on your aim."

"God, okay." Jungkook blushed a little. "That seems a little harsh but if you're positive you'll protect Yoongi."

"Oh absolutely. Three of the smartest people I know? If Namjoon isn't quick enough Yoongi sure as hell will be. He's got the fastest reflexes I know."

"You're right..."

"Don't worry. The professors also won't let anyone get hurt!"

"If someone gets hurt I'm never playing again." Jungkook huffed.

"Fine. It'll all be about trajectory anyways."

Jungkook called out to Hoseok, purposely missing and hitting the ball towards Yoongi.

Hoseok's panicked face to get there quickly made Jungkook's job a success in it of its own, but Hoseok's slight clumsiness made the situation much better.

In order to stop the ball from hitting anyone in the crowd, Hoseok went under it to hit it backwards. What he didn't take into account, was that the velocity he was going at would not be able to be stopped very quickly. So I'm order for both his broom and himself to not hit anyone, he abruptly pulled his broom upwards, though, he himself fell off, conveniently into Yoongi's arms.

"Shit are you okay?!"

"Ow!"

Jungkook smiled at them before having to focus on the game, his job sufficiently done.

____

Jimin was particularly excited after that.

"It was so good! Perfect even!" He whispered at him as they had a break from studying in the library. "Yoongi was so ready to catch him, and I- Hoseok was so flustered but Yoongi wasn't and it was just perfect. You did amazing Jungkook, truly."

"Thank you. Though you should thank Taehyung, since he's the one who trained me. I got my aim practice in." Jungkook smiled happily. "...but I am happy that things are going well."

"Yeah." Jimin smiled happily at him. "You'll be there for my game?"

"Who should I even root for? You're going against Taehyung." Jungkook laughed.

"Me of course! You'll root for me, won't you?" Jimin pouted a little, making Jungkook give in instantly.

"Of course."

"Good good. I think I'll be good to watch. You better watch me." Jimin teased him. "You usually do though, right?"

Jungkook blushed a little but ignored it. "I think you'll be good to watch too. You're observant. But clumsy."

"Oh no! What if I fall on you?" Jimin nudged his shoulder.

"I don't think I'm strong enough to catch you."

"It's not like Yoongi was." Jimin laughed. "I'd catch you if you fell on me. Well. I'd try."

"I'd try too. I've gotta get more in shape if I'm going to have a more physical position." Jungkook shook his head. "Hoseok is way more fit than he looks you know? Like- he's perfect for quidditch."

"You'll get there! You're only a second year. He's been doing this since his second year so of course he's more fit." Jimin laughed a little. "I have at least fencing practice so I'll be alright but I've gotta work on my balance a little."

"Right...that too..."

"At least you have good aim. That's definitely a good quality to have." Jimin cheered him up. "I don't have to worry about that, but you're a natural. I say give you a year? Two? And you'll be top of the team. Would you want to be captain?"

"No way."

"Co-captain?"

"...maybe."

"I think you'd be great at it. Co-captain with Hoseok as captain maybe? He's going for it isn't he?"

"He is. Cause he can like- he's really good at seeing everyone and telling us what to do better. He's born to notice the little things, I swear." Jungkook sighed before laughing. "He could tell I wasn't in the right formation in only a second."

"Who's the captain right now?"

"Some seventh year." Jungkook shrugged. "I think it's our Prefect's friend."

"Ahhh, so he can try soon." Jimin nodded. "...I hope they're okay. I hope they'll be okay."

"Me too. I'm worried about what will happen once Yoongi leaves. What...what would you do?"

"I'd send letters. Just like Seokjin does. Keep in touch, send gifts. And I'd expect letters back of course. Perhaps even send pictures if I could sneak one off my mother." Jimin laughed. "Ah. I wish..."

"Yeah. You're right. It isn't too hard is it?"

"No. Namjoon's happy, isn't he?"

"He misses Jin a lot, but...he doesn't complain either you know?"

"Yeah. They just...talk about when they can meet up. And um...since Hoseok and Yoongi don't have um...class issues, they'll be able to see each other too. During summer and winter."

"Right. Namjoon's sort of up there isn't he?"

"Yeah. Not as high as Seokjin but their family doesn't care about that like mine does." Jimin sighed. "I want you over so badly. Maybe I can bring it up for a moment or two. See if my mother will allow Taehyung and you over."

"Right." Jungkook sighed. "I wouldn't hope on it."

"Just wait. Maybe she'll soften up as she gets older."

Jungkook laughed. "With all you've said about her, I doubt it. I doubt she'd ever let me step inside your house. Oh, sorry, mansion."

"Please, don't." Jimin gave him a playful smile, but Jungkook didn't joke about it any more. He could tell that pushed a button. "She wouldn't let you in cause of your clothes alone." He teased though, making light of the situation.

"Oh I'm sure she wouldn't. I'm still wearing last years clothes. Technically, the only new clothes I've gotten have been from the school." Jungkook laughed. "I love the sweater though." He looked down at what he was wearing, the yellow and black sweater making him smile. "My mom wants to make me a bigger one since it's getting a little tight and they're kind of expensive."

"I could..." Jimin stopped when Jungkook tensed a little. "Sorry."

"Sorry." Jungkook apologized. "I'm just not used to it. Sorry."

"Would you mind? If I got you shit for Christmas?"

"Oh...um...I...I guess after Christmas break. After Christmas and I see how things go at home...you can get me a gift."

"After?"

"After. Cause if you get me something and my mom already did I don't want her to feel bad." Jungkook looked at their textbooks. "...she's already stressed enough."

"Then of course I'll wait." Jimin patted his thigh before closing their books. "Wanna head outside?"

"Isn't it snowing?"

"Yeah! We can go out on the bridge but you've just been working so hard. It's like...every time we study I realize how stressed you are." Jimin shook his head as he packed his bag.

"Well...yeah. I mean. I trust you so I tell you things. Should I...should I not?" Jungkook felt instant worry. "I can keep it to myself if-"

"No no! Keep telling me things!" Jimin looked at him with shock. "Please...I like listening to your worries and everything. Seokjin...Seokjin was really good at being the older brother, and so is Namjoon...and I want to be that for you too." Jimin gave him a pained smile before looking down.

Jungkook nodded, but blushed a little. He knew what Jimin was implicating. "You are good to me. But..."

"But?" Jimin looked at him with fear.

"But you don't have to be like an older brother." Jungkook smiled at him, trying to reassure him. "Cause you're young too, so Hoseok and Namjoon...Yoongi and Seokjin. They can be our hyungs. But um...you don't...you don't have to be one for me." He smiled more as Jimin's face eased and smiled back.

"Okay. Let's go see the snow." Jimin seemed immensely better.

"Let's!" Jungkook packed his bag, the two heading outside. "You know...I like wearing the casual clothes. Especially since it's getting colder, the robes just aren't very warm."

"I like your sweater."

Jungkook laughed. "Why, you want it? It would probably fit." He teased him. "It's small enough for you."

"Oh please." Jimin rolled his eyes as they made it outside. "I'll steal it when you aren't looking."

"Promise?" Jungkook continued to tease.

"Promise." Jimin smiled at him before leaning on the rail of the bridge. "I love the snow so much. It's one of my favorite natural beauties. You know? It's just..." Jimin sighed happily as he watched the snow fall softly. "Beautiful."

Jungkook watched Jimin. "Yeah. Beautiful."

"Mmm. I'd go down in the snow, but lunch is soon."

"Let's go with everyone afterwards." Jungkook smiled at him before looking at the snow. "...maybe we can start something and get Hoseok and Yoongi together."

"Fuck. The day they kiss is the day I can finally relax."

Jungkook laughed. "Yeah. Putting them first hm?"

"Yeah. I can worry about myself later, but they're serious now. Yoongi's mature. I think he'll make sure they're both okay."

"Woah, I don't know enough about relationships. What goes into one?"

"Oh a lot! Trust, chemistry, happiness, communication, commitment, and so much more." Jimin laughed a little. "But Yoongi is really good at all of that. You know? I'd trust both of them to really try to keep a relationship together. Seokjin and Namjoon are also good at it, cause they're just amazing friends. They were friends first you know."

"Mmmm, yeah. Hoseok and Yoongi...they were friends first, right?"

"Mhm. They were like, instantly friends. Something for them clicked but...I think that click developed."

"Wow. I wonder if that'll ever happen to me." Jungkook laughed a little. "But I guess I'll never know until it happens."

"Exactly. I think both of them were surprised. Namjoon was surprised when Seokjin confessed to him."

"Really?" Jungkook's eyes widened in curiosity.

"Mhm." Jimin glanced at him before laughing. "You wanna hear it?"

"I- I do." Jungkook blushed a little, but, with the cold, Jimin wouldn't have known any better.

"Well...Namjoon liked Seokjin first, but...he was never going to say anything. So you know, they sort of hung out in their classes, they sort of hung out for events, and they became friends. Good friends! And I'll never forget it, cause it was so cute. Seokjin and I have been friends for a long time cause of our parents, and he wanted some help to ask Namjoon out.

"Really? Why would he be nervous?"

"Cause. Namjoon's a great guy. But it's sort of hard to tell if he's...you know." Jimin laughed. "So we actually got this bridge set up. We filled the whole thing up and down with flowers, got some help learning spells to make the sides grow green moss and the roof to hang greenery too."

"So that's how you knew the flower spell." Jungkook clicked it together.

"Mhm. Whole bridge green from head to toe. And Seokjin couldn't look him in the eyes at all as he asked him out. They were so cute about it." Jimin sighed dreamily. "If I were to ask someone out, I think I'd be dramatic and extravagant. Since I can."

"Well, romantic is more important." Jungkook thought about it. "It'd have to be romantic."

"What's romantic look like to you?"

"Hmm...private. I think a moment alone where you can really say what you mean and want. Flowers are always romantic. So are candles."

"Cliche."

"It is! But it's cute and romantic. Can you imagine if someone picked out your favorite candle and lit it just so you could come home and smell your favorite scent? Or giving you flowers just cause. For no reason. Those are inherently romantic!"

"Okay okay...what else?"

"Hmm..." Jungkook thought about it, pouting a little as he did so, watching the snow. "...I don't know. Maybe a dance? Or maybe outside with the stars. Everyone loves the stars."

"Right, right. So. If um...if you had all the money in the world...how would you ask someone out?"

"Hm." Jungkook shrugged. "Something simple. You don't need money to prove you like someone. In fact, money doesn't prove anything. All that matters is honesty...and something you know they would like. Right?"

"Right." Jimin smiled at him. "Thanks."

"For?"

"Coming out to see the snow with me."

"Of course. After lunch let's play in the snow. I haven't in a while..." Jungkook laughed a little. "It should be fun! Let's challenge Yoongi and Hoseok to a snowball fight."

"Let's do it!"

The two grinned at each other before heading to lunch, Jungkook asking Hoseok to come out with them, Jimin asking Yoongi, and then bombarding Namjoon and Taehyung before they could run off.

The group laughed together as they got outside, Jimin happily getting in the snow. "Ah! It's so lovely!"

Jungkook watched him happily before he rolled up a ball of snow. Hoseok and Yoongi were standing next to each other, huddling together to warm up, while Namjoon and Taehyung took a seat on a bench, talking.

Jungkook went over to Jimin playing in the snow. "Ready?" He whispered to him, Jimin sitting up and nodding. Jungkook turned around and threw his snowball at Yoongi.

He watched it hit his chest, and fall to the ground. Yoongi watched it fall before looking up with a grin. "If you tell me who did it...I'll let you off easy."

Jungkook pointed to Jimin. "He did it."

"No I didn't!" Jimin laughed. "It was Jungkook!"

"Hm." Yoongi looked at them both, then reached down and made a snowball, then handed it to Hoseok, before making another one for himself. "I guess you'll both have to get hit since I'm not sure who did it."

Jimin and Jungkook both leaned down to get snowballs as well. "Sure. As long as you're down for a fight."

"You bet."

The four commenced in a snowball fight, hearing Namjoon and Taehyung laugh behind them and joined them as more kids saw them and started to join in.

The snow day was a success. Laughter, happiness and bonding...Jungkook and Jimin laughed and giggled together as they grew tired, laying down on the snow. The six grouped together again, Jimin laying on Jungkook's stomach, Yoongi resting against Hoseok, Namjoon and Taehyung sitting on their bench again.

"Wow. I forgot how fun that was. When was the last time we had a snowball fight?"

"Like, super long." Hoseok laughed a little, now tired. "That's fun." Hoseok slowly leaned his head on Yoongi's shoulder. "Super fun."

"Yeah." Yoongi smiled a little, moving closer.

Jungkook felt Jimin pat his leg. Another victory for them.

____

Jungkook reluctantly went to the ball. Jimin had invited him, everyone else was there, but by god was he not prepared. Jimin had pampered him and got him nice clothes for the occasion, and had taken it upon himself that he felt okay.

"Isn't it gorgeous? The theme changes every year, I'm really happy they went with a more fun one this year. Last year was a little too formal for my liking."

"I...haven't worn a suit before." Jungkook felt embarrassed. Jimin was showing him around, his hair done nicely, a perfect flower in his coat pocket. He looked rich. Jungkook...was a little less put together, but he still looked nice. A couple of the girls who were also going had done his hair for him, and has tied his tie.

"Well, for your first time, you look really nice." Jimin smiled at him happily before leading him to the food. "Alright, let's get everyone what they want. We've...got enough hands I think."

"Totally." Jungkook nodded as they gathered food on plates for their group, taking it back to them.

Their plan was really simple. They were already at a ball, they just had to get them to dance. And with this group, that would be beyond easy, as they all enjoyed dancing.

Jimin nudged him a little as they sat at their table. "What's your thoughts on it so far?"

"I dunno. It's odd cause everyone looks so pretty here. You know? Like- everyone's happy and that makes them pretty."

Jimin laughed. "I was expecting something like the decorations are nice, or the food is good."

"Well that too! And- and thank you for the clothes again..."

"Of course."

"But...it's nice to see so many people be happy. I don't think anyone's worried about a thing. Except, maybe asking someone to dance." Jungkook laughed. "I'd be afraid of getting rejected."

"Thinking of asking someone to dance?"

"Mmmm..." Jungkook glanced at Jimin. "No. If I get asked I would dance though."

"You wanna dance?" Jimin smiled wider.

"Sure." Jungkook smiled back.

"Hoseok! Jungkook and I are going to dance now, wanna join?" Jimin spoke over the table, interrupting their conversation.

"Oh! Sure! Yoongi join me?" Hoseok gave Yoongi a smile.

"...ask Taehyung..." Yoongi mumbled, a blush growing.

"No way, I'm asking you! Tae and Joonie are joining later." Hoseok kept his smile, getting up and holding his hand out. "Come on!"

Yoongi sighed slowly before taking his hand.

Jungkook couldn't help but smile at the two, happy to dance with Jimin, but happier to watch the two dance beside them.

"Hey." Jimin spoke softly.

"Hm?" Jungkook looked at him.

"Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for meeting me halfway."

"Thanks for caring."

"Thanks for caring." Jungkook smiled at him. "I...never thought I'd be here."

"Me neither. I thought I'd...well, let's just say I never thought I'd end up here."

Jungkook laughed a little. "That doesn't make anything clearer."

"Not really, no." Jimin laughed as well. "I'm just happy they're happy. Think they'll talk it out soon?"

"They better. I'm getting sick of seeing them avoid holding hands."

Jimin laughed. "It's sickeningly sweet, isn't it?"

"It is! Might as well put them in a bakery."

"For real, it's too much to take. Make a move already damn it, I'm sick of being a wingman."

"You love it, shut up." Jungkook laughed.

Jimin smiled. "Yeah, alright. It's a little fun, but only cause you're here too."

"Really?"

"Mhm. You make it better." Jimin blushed a little. "I enjoy doing silly shit just to get them to understand each other a little more."

"Well, I enjoy it too."

Jimin looked down with a smile and a blush.

Jungkook looked around. "Oh shit, where did they go?"

"Hm?"

"Where'd they go? They disappeared!" Jungkook looked around a little, before Jimin started laughing, and Jungkook followed suit.

"Oh my god they ditched us."

"Think they're...talking?"

"Oh at the very least."

"What else?"

"Think they found a spot to kiss at?"

Jungkook laughed. "Yoongi could barely look at him, I doubt it."

Jimin laughed as well. "God they're fools!"

"Happy fools." Jungkook grinned at Jimin.

"Happy fools." Jimin grinned back.

____

Jungkook spent Christmas at his home, reluctantly watching Jimin stay, and happily watching Yoongi go with Hoseok.

But...it was odd to see Jimin seem happier to stay than to go home to his house.

He'd never truly understand that.

He sent Jimin letters during the break, updating him on his time at home and about how his parents responded to having Jimin over. It was iffy, but it wasn't a no. They also discussed more about Hoseok and Yoongi, deciding that during the last half of the school year they had to step it up. 

Coming back from winter break meant it was go time.

Jimin had given it much thought for what they could do next.

"If we just keep leaving them alone they'll recognize it. Especially with quidditch, especially with classes, and especially since they went home together!" Jimin huffed as the two walked to a class together. "They should get it by now."

"Well it's hard to admit sometimes! Cause what if Hoseok is worried about them dating and breaking up? Wouldn't that ruin the friendship?"

"No way! It's maturity."

"You don't think it would ruin anything?"

"I don't."

"Okay but what if Yoongi still likes him but Hoseok doesn't? Isn't that weird?" Jungkook tried to rationalize it. "Like...if you break up but one of you still likes the other."

"That just happens sometimes. It's not like that's a huge flaw, as long as they both understand their emotions and shit."

"I guess." Jungkook shrugged. "Still though. I can understand the hesitation."

"Would you hesitate?" Jimin smiled at him.

"...probably? I'm...I'm shy..." Jungkook blushed a little. "That's all...I'd be nervous about screwing up."

"If you like them it isn't screwing up. As long as you respect them."

"I guess." Jungkook shrugged. "As long as they're happy. Right? I mean, fuck, they're really happy when they're together."

Jimin gasped. "You cursed!"

"What? No I didn't, don't-" Jungkook blushed a little from shame. "Don't tell my brother."

Jimin laughed. "Oh my god that's so cute! Don't worry, I won't."

Jungkook sighed heavily, blushing a little more. "I...that's my bad."

"Don't worry! I curse all the time."

"You're around Yoongi all the time."

"That's true." Jimin giggled. "Hoseok also curses a lot."

"They also hang out a lot." Jungkook smiled a little. "...you think the group will be okay? With two couples in it?"

"We've been fine with one in it, right? I think it'll be fine. Cause we're fine. No one's jealous, or upset, or mean, so we'll be alright." Jimin smiled back. "Right?"

"Right. You're right. Every one of us could be dating and we'd be alright."

"Exactly." Jimin smiled happily. "So we'll be fine."

"Yeah." Jungkook smiled back. "Let's get them together."

"Let's do it." Jimin held up his fist for a fist bump, Jungkook meeting him halfway.

____

Jungkook sighed heavily as he got back to his dorm with Hoseok, flopping down on his bed

"Oh man, you look like you've had a rough day." Hoseok went over to Jungkook. "What happened?"

"If I don't get my grades up I'm going to have to drop quidditch." Jungkook mumbled sadly into his bed. "I'm already studying with you guys, with Namjoon individually, and with Jimin individually. Some classes I have tutoring with teachers. What else could I possibly do?"

"...have you considered taking a break?"

"What?" Jungkook sat up a little to look at Hoseok. "How's that supposed to help?"

"Well, actually, especially for skills, you have to let your mind rest and sleep on it. Cause in your sleep your mind moves conscious skills to subconscious. So...maybe you need a break. Some fun."

"...no...no, I can't." Jungkook frowned. "I owe it to my parents. And I love quidditch."

"Okay. Let's make a deal. You take a break, see how it goes, and if I'm wrong I'll make it up to you."

"If you're wrong I'm going to fail my classes."

"Fail?"

"Well...low grade."

"You don't need perfect grades you know. Maybe you're hanging out with Namjoon and Jimin too much." Hoseok laughed. "I'm not a 100 kind of student and I'm not upset about it. Why are you?"

"C-cause." Jungkook sighed and leaned on him. "Cause my brother is good at school. And I have to do my best as well."

"What if your best is 70's?"

"I guess I'll be a disappointment then." Jungkook shrugged.

"No, it just means you're better at something else. Like quidditch!"

"...that's true..." Jungkook thought about it. "Huh. Okay! Yeah. You're right." He nodded. "You're totally right. We should hang out then, if we can!"

"Yes! We should! Let me see if Yoongi is- wait, no, he's busy..." Hoseok hummed. "I think Namjoon's out of class."

"We can ask Jimin to get Yoongi?"

"They've got some Slytherin thing tonight." Hoseok sighed. "He wouldn't tell me what though."

Jungkook nodded. Their meeting was actually a bet on how Yoongi was going to ask Hoseok out. "Oh, well, then we just have to wait! What're you looking forward to?" Jungkook smiled at him.

"Um...I guess uh, some time off of school again. I know we just had a good break, but I'm still rather busy."

"Taking breaks?"

"Yeah. I need a break."

Jungkook nodded. "What about like- what if you were whisked away. Where would you want to go?"

"Hm...I'm...not sure. I love museums, so probably somewhere with a lot of art and paintings. I love it here really, cause there's so many paintings." Hoseok laughed. "But I heard that there's a much more secret area with special paintings and like, actual statues? Like marble statues. I wanna check it out." Hoseok grinned. "Although I'd be scared to break the rules...I think it'll be worth it."

"That sounds so cool!" Jungkook smiled wide. Oh he was so going to win the prize that the Slytherin's were betting on. "I could totally help you look for it!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! I'll look for it and then I'll tell you when I do. I'm sure it'll be easy."

"It's literally secret!" Hoseok laughed. "How're you going to find it?"

Jungkook wanted the bet money. "I have my secrets." He was totally going to ask Jimin for help to find it. "I'll find it for you! Then you can enjoy it."

"You'd really do that for me?" Hoseok smiled at him.

"Of course!" Jungkook smiled. "I'll get it done."

____

"This is so much harder than I thought." Jungkook sighed as he and Jimin wandered the halls. "I thought it would be a little easier."

"Why? It's secret for a reason." Jimin giggled, but kept quiet. They weren't supposed to be over here.

"Okay true." Jungkook smiled. "But I dunno, it's not like there's a lot of doors to pick and choose from."

"There should be more soon." Jimin looked at their map. "I've been around here sometimes for fun but...never inside the rooms. Hidden? I wonder why it keeps itself hidden."

"I'm not sure..." Jungkook thought about it. "It's an art room, so...maybe it hides from vandalism?"

"Then what does it open up to?" Jimin tried to figure out the puzzle.

"Not sure." Jungkook smiled a little, looking at Jimin's hands. "I'm not sure at all."

"Well-"

Jimin was cut off by the sound of footsteps. Jungkook panicked a little, trying to find the sound, while Jimin looked around for somewhere to hide. He grabbed Jungkook's hand and tugged them to the side, neither finding a door, but finding a piece of armor. Jimin pressed them against the wall...

They slowly pushed the wall in, stumbling for a moment before quickly getting inside the hidden room, closing the door behind them as quietly as possible.

"Oh my god." Jungkook put his hand over his heart. "That was terrifying." He blushed as he let go of Jimin's hand.

Jimin nodded before smiling and laughing. "God we're such idiots."

"Happy idiots?" Jungkook looked around. "Oh. Oh wow. Jimin!"

"I-" Jimin looked around as well. "Oh fucking jackpot. Oh that money is yours." He laughed. "Oh we totally won." He walked around a little, looking at some paintings, some statues, and careful not to touch anything. "...this is beautiful."

Jungkook sat in the middle of the room and looked around, before looking at the ceiling. "I'm in heaven. This place is gorgeous."

Jimin looked around a bit more, Jungkook losing him for a moment. He stared in awe at the ceiling. It was covered in paintings, not a spot left blank. It was beautiful.

Jimin came back, his face red, as he sat next to Jungkook, then laid down.

Jungkook laughed. "What'd you find?"

"Oh nothing. Just more beautiful art."

"Mmmm." Jungkook looked at him suspiciously. "Sure you did. Why are you blushing?"

"No reason." Jimin mumbled quietly.

"Sureee." Jungkook nodded slowly. "I totally believe that."

"Sorry. There's just cool shit around, I got distracted."

"When uh, should we head back?"

"Oh shit, probably soon." Jimin exhaled and stood up, holding his hand out for Jungkook. Jungkook took it. "We've got all we need, right?"

"Right." Jungkook smiled before they both let go of their hands, blushing slightly as they made their way to the exit. "Let's just be careful on the way out, I really don't want to get in trouble."

"Just fake it."

"I still don't want to get in trouble." Jungkook slowly opened the door, peaking outside, before leaving. He pulled out a marker from his pocket, squatting down and marking the floor a little. Jimin closed the door behind them. "But I guess I've done it before."

"Sorry, that's sort of my bad." Jimin laughed a little, being quiet. "I sort of taught you how to get in trouble."

"You kinda did." Jungkook smiled. "But that's okay! I don't mind...cause we're helping them. That's all it is."

"We're about to get in trouble again for them."

"Probably." Jungkook shrugged.

They almost made it back to a not restricted area before they heard footsteps. Jungkook quickly grabbed Jimin's hand, turning on his baby mode.

The footsteps were a professor, who immediately gasped. "You two! This is a restricted area."

"I got lost, I'm really sorry." Jungkook pouted, his eyes going wide. "Jimin was trying to show me around but I got too curious and we couldn't find our way out."

"Ah, well, next time let's be a little more careful." She smiled and relax, leading them away. "Alright?"

"Yes ma'am." Jungkook nodded solemnly as she sent them on their way.

Jimin waited until they were out of hearing range. "That...was the most convincing, pathetic performance I've ever seen."

"Did you fall for it?"

"Did I? I think everyone within hearing range would've fallen for it!"

"Really?" Jungkook looked at him happily,  before blushing and letting go of his hand. "Oh! Sorry!"

"...I don't mind." Jimin blushed a little. "Do you?"

"W-well no."

"...can I hold your hand?"

"Yeah." Jungkook blushed a little more, as Jimin slowly reached and took his hand again.

They walked in silence for the rest of the way.

____

Jungkook counted his money happily. "That was such an easy bet."

"For real. Especially since Hoseok gave us his perfect answer. Like- it was perfect." Jimin sighed happily. "Let's celebrate?"

"What's that mean for you?" Jungkook eyed him.

"Can I treat you?"

"No." Jungkook rolled his eyes and went back to his homework. "You've gifted enough to me."

"What's more then?"

"What's more? It's money and- we've been over this." Jungkook shook his head and wrote down an answer. "I don't want you to spend money on me."

"But...it's easy? I still don't get it."

"My conscious tells me that spending money is bad. Even for necessities. So please, just...don't spend money on me. It makes me feel better if you don't." Jungkook sighed a little. "I don't like when money is spent on me."

"...even gifts?"

"Even gifts."

"So what are you going to do with that bet money?"

"I'm going to save it." Jungkook smiled. "For as long as possible of course."

"It was quite a lot."

"I know. I'm going to save it." Jungkook smiled at Jimin. "Maybe even treat myself once. But for now...we've only got a quarter of a year left. And with finals...we don't have too much time left."

"That's true. I think we...only need one more thing." Jimin smiled.

"Hm?"

"A date."

"Ohhh, right! C-cause the secret museum was for Yoongi to ask him out, right?"

"Right."

"Did he?" Jungkook thought about it. "Hoseok didn't say anything."

"Mmm...he sort of did. Implied it. But Hoseok kind of needs directness. So! We need a date. A real one where he can actually ask him out." Jimin smiled at Jungkook. "Got any ideas?"

____

Jungkook and Jimin started to lug a painting to the Hufflepuff lounge.

"This is so heavy..." Jungkook sighed.

"Hey. You said you'd help." Jimin huffed. "This is a certified Yoongi painting. One and only! He's gunna do it today. Right before finals start. But fuck, I didn't think we'd have to do this at night." He mumbled.

"I swear...we don't get paid enough for this."

"I'll treat you."

"...I might take it this time." Jungkook blushed a little, happy it was dark. "Fuck we better not get in trouble."

"We definitely won't. We'll just be a little late getting to bed. That's all."

"Not horrible..." Jungkook sighed. "Still gotta finish that essay though."

"I wrote you notes for it?"

"Right. I'll go over it and- fuck- I'll go over them and then write it." Jungkook readjusted it. "This is so fucking heavy and for what?"

Jimin laughed. "For love."

"Then why isn't he carrying it!"

"We're the pigeons!" Jimin laughed. "We're the carriers~ and besides, he's coming later. It'll be perfect."

"Mhm. Go over the plan again?"

"Okay. So. We're lugging this to the common room, and then tomorrow Yoongi and Hoseok are leaving breakfast early and going to see it. He'll ask him out then." Jimin smiled happily. "And then there's a week till finals!"

"Oh god no..."

"They'll get to have the honeymoon week."

"Yeah and then finals..."

"You'll do alright! I know it. You've been studying hard and you've gotten better at everything. Plus with your designated break days, I think you're doing really well."

"Do you think they help?"

"Oh absolutely." Jimin nodded. "Hoseok's smart! You're not good at school. And that's totally okay. It's not for everyone. But you are good at other things."

"Like?"

"Well, art for one. Quidditch. Singing." Jimin shrugged. "And I'm sure with time, I'll learn more things you're good at."

"How do you know I'm good at art?" Jungkook laughed a little. "I only...dabble in it..."

"Yoongi said he started painting cause he saw one of yours. I would've loved to see it." Jungkook blushed when Jimin spoke. "And singing! Yoongi said you'll sing next to him if he plays a song on the piano you know. He said you're lovely."

Jungkook blushed more, not responding.

Jimin laughed. "Yeah? Is that too much of a compliment?"

"Yeah." He mumbled, looking away as they readjusted the painting. "Yeah, it's um...too much."

"Sorry." Jimin laughed. "Well...I hope to hear you sing one day too."

They walked in silence the rest of the way, Jungkook struggling to open the door, before they got inside. They set it down gently in the study room.

"You'll wake up early to make sure nobody touches it?" Jimin spoke quietly.

"Mhm." Jungkook nodded.

"And you'll make sure it's safe the whole time?"

"Mhm." Jungkook nodded again. "You'll bring me food afterwards? Since I'll be puppy guarding the painting during most of breakfast."

"Sure." Jimin smiled. "And if I don't bring enough, I'll treat you."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Why are you so intent on treating me."

"Cause. You don't get enough." Jimin shook his head, keeping his smile. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow."

Jungkook headed to his dorm after Jimin left, feeling a little excited to see how tomorrow would go. He was sure it was going to go fine, as Hoseok greeted him with a smile.

"You good? You seem a little winded."

"Yep! Just the usual with Jimin." Jungkook got ready for a shower.

"Well...I'm going to head out early tomorrow, Yoongi said he has something to show me."

"Nice! You'll eat first though right?" Jungkook had to make sure everything was going according to their plan.

"Yeah. Just not for long, sorry, I won't be able to eat with you."

"That's alright! I'll be fine." Jungkook smiled. "Have fun~" Jungkook giggled as Hoseok looked down and blushed.

He was so happy that things were going well.

____

Jungkook whined as Jimin brought him food. "I'm so hungry Jimin."

"Thank you for doing so much for them." Jimin smiled as he watched Jungkook eat. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Hey, in all seriousness...it's worth it all." Jungkook smiled. "They're happy. And that's all I want for any of us."

"Yeah. Me too." Jimin smiled at him a little more...fondly. "What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. What about your happiness? You've been putting it on the sidelines for them, but now?" He sat next to him on the grass, Jungkook having left the dorm for Hoseok and Yoongi to talk and hang up the painting.

"Mm. I don't know. I'm not really...I don't have anything. I guess. I don't know. I guess now I just have school to focus on." Jungkook shrugged. "...'s not like anyone likes me. I don't have those sort of worries."

"Well that's not true." Jimin laughed. "People like you."

"Not like that. Not like Yoongi and Hoseok." Jungkook continued to eat.

"...I don't think that's true." Jimin spoke softly.

"Really? You know someone who likes me?" Jungkook laughed. "They must be joking. Besides, I've got you guys, that's all I need. Not like I could date a girl." Jungkook laughed again, thinking of Dawn. "I can't do it."

"Really?"

"Mhm. Not really...interesting to me? I dunno. That could change."

"Anyone you have been interested in?"

"I...I don't know..." Jungkook mumbled and blushed. "It's hard to tell. I'm- I'm not really sure."

"Mmm~ well, if you ever figure it out, you have to tell me." Jimin leaned against him. "Cause I gotta see if they pass the test or not. Same with Taehyung. He'll have to make sure they pass the test too."

"Yeah?" Jungkook laughed a little.

"Oh absolutely! If they don't pass Taehyung's test then they aren't good." Jimin nodded. "If it's someone we know though...it's probably alright." He smiled a little.

"Woah...what if he doesn't like them?" Jungkook felt a little worried. Well...if he was fine with Hoseok and Yoongi and Namjoon and Jin...would he be okay with another couple in the group? Was that too much? Would it be scary and hard?

"He might dislike them." Jimin smiled more. "But really...most likely he'll say yes. Unless they're trash. Just ask him! But tell me first."

Jungkook laughed a little. "You're just always curious."

"Absolutely." Jimin laughed as well. "There's not a problem with that is there?"

"Oh no. It somehow fits you to be curious." Jungkook nodded. "You're naturally...sly."

"Oh yeah. I love information."

"Do you like being a Slytherin?" Jungkook tilted his head as he asked.

"I do. We all know what we're doing here, you know? But it's still kind. A little...preppier than I imagined it would be, but it isn't horrible. There's people like that everywhere." Jimin shrugged. "I think it's fitting for me."

"Yeah, I think so too. For me as well." Jungkook nodded. "Is it common for Hufflepuff's and Slytherin's to date? I feel like it happens a lot."

"Mmm, mhm, it's pretty common. Something about them just...clicks." Jimin smiled at him.

"Mmm, that makes sense." Jungkook nodded.

He was still rather uncertain about his feelings but...he was happy with him. So maybe that's all that mattered.

____

Jungkook finished the next few years of school, begrudgingly, but he did it. He somehow kept his grades up, he somehow was able to continue playing quidditch, but now...Jimin and Taehyung we're seventh years. And Jungkook was not ready to be alone again.

He stuck by Jimin's side as much as possible.

"You know, we could go to my dorm-"

"No no, I've gotta leave soon so I might as well not get comfortable." Jungkook shook his head, the both of them in the library. He'd...really only gotten more entranced by Jimin, though, neither of them had made a move. It was too scary to him.

"You're literally getting comfortable." Jimin laughed a little before closing Jungkook's book. "Might as well pack up and go before the library closes."

Jungkook sighed. He was going to miss him so much...

"Or we can stay until it closes." Jimin spoke softly, letting Jungkook rest his head on his shoulder. "...you know I'll still letter right? And I'll still send you shit? It's not like I'll be gone."

"Yeah but I have like, barely more than half a year left with you." Jungkook pouted. "...and that'll go too fast. I just know it. I don't want you to leave..."

"Well. Then we'll just have to spend time together when you aren't in school." Jimin smiled at him, knowing he couldn't see it.

"...my mom said she'll consider you coming to Christmas this year."

"Really?"

"Mhm. Since it's your last year...she's being more lenient. I think it's like, an 80 percent possibility." Jungkook nodded his head. "So count on it."

"I will. If um...if I go to your house for Christmas...would you be okay with going to my house for New Years?"

"Oh? I- wait Jimin." Jungkook sat up and looked at him. "I don't think I'd fit in."

"It's not like I do either. I'd...I mean, if you went, I'd finally have someone I know." Jimin spoke quietly before looking down. "It's okay if you don't want to go, it's really a lot of work."

"No no, it's not like I don't want to be there for you! I just don't...fit in." Jungkook laughed a little. "I mean look at me. Still wearing the same clothes for multiple years, I've got worn down shoes, I'm not even academically smart. All I have is athleticism. And besides how I look, your mother would chew me down for my status. You said so yourself." Jungkook shook his head. "I don't belong there."

"Neither do I." Jimin looked at him seriously. "I don't fit in there."

"I don't want to be an embarrassment." Jungkook shrugged. "Sorry. You could ask literally anyone else, they would have less-"

"I want you there." Jimin pursed his lips.

Jungkook sighed a little. "...I'm the worst pick. Sorry..."

"Don't apologize. And you're not the worst pick. None of- Jungkook. I just wanted you to consider it. You shut me down without considering it." Jimin sighed too. "Please?"

"I..." Jungkook looked at Jimin's defeated face. "...how bad is it?"

____

Jungkook anxiously waited for Jimin's car to come pick them up from his house. "Are you really sure this'll be alright?"

"Hey. I had Christmas with you, you should have New Years with me. That's only fair."

"Yeah but my family is like, cool and shit." Jungkook picked at his peach fuzz. "This is weird. You're like- you're cool and you fit in with people."

"Okay? And? You'll be sticking with me the entire time."

"What if you get pulled away from me?" Jungkook fret, looking out the window to see if the car had arrived.

"Jungkook. Really. I'll take care of you." Jimin smiled at him. "Ah. Alright. They're here~"

"The fact that you have a driver..." Jungkook sighed heavily before his mother came out of the kitchen.

"Leaving already?"

"Yes ma'am." Jimin bowed to her. "Thank you again for letting me stay during Christmas. I had the most fun I've ever had during break." Jimin smiled at her happily.

"Well, if you're allowed...we'd love to have you next year as well." She smiled. "Be safe you two! And you're coming back when?..."

"Tomorrow. It's just for tonight." Jimin smiled a little more. "I'll take you on your offer! We'll be going now."

Jungkook hugged his mom before going out with Jimin. They got in his car, Jungkook nervous, readjusting his tie.

Jimin had provided him with appropriate clothes, but Jungkook still felt awkward.

Jimin talked to the driver before looking at Jungkook. "You okay?"

"Not really." Jungkook felt antsy. "This is not fun, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. We'll stay a little and then we're gunna dip." Jimin spoke in a hush.

"We are?"

"Yeah. I've got an idea. If you don't mind me sharing it." Jimin smiled. "When we get there of course."

"S-sure. I mean...this is for you." Jungkook glanced at him before looking away. "Isn't it?"

"Well...I do hope...that you do have some fun." Jimin spoke quietly. "I want you to eat as much as you want, and dance your heart out, and just...have some fun. For once."

"I've had fun. You think I've never had fun?" Jungkook smiled a little.

"Tell me."

"Well, I had fun when we went to the kitchen. And when we danced at the winter balls. And I had fun going to the little secret museum thing.  And I had fun when we played in the snow! And well, quidditch is always fun too. Plus some classes here and there...I- we have fun."

Jimin smiled softly, but happily. "...so you have fun when I'm around?"

"Well..." Jungkook looked away and blushed a little. "Yeah."

"Well." Jimin looked down as well. "...I have fun when you're around too."

The rest of the car ride was silent.

They both knew. At this point, they both knew. It'd been 5 years that they'd stuck around each other, finding their interests, finding their footing, making a friendship and they both knew the other wanted more.

Jungkook was just waiting for a good time.

Maybe Jimin was too.

Upon arriving to Jimin's mansion, Jungkook nearly got a panic attack.

"Oh my god Jimin I didn't know- I- I didn't know it was-"

"Hey, it's okay." Jimin got out of the car with Jungkook, shooing the driver away so he could comfort him alone. "Its really going to be alright." He spoke quietly, taking Jungkook's hand. "Alright? Just look at me."

Jungkook stared at the ground, overwhelmed by the size of Jimin's house. He didn't fit in here. He didn't belong here.

"Hey, take a deep breath." Jimin took Jungkook's other hand, standing in front of him.

Jungkook took a shaky breath.

"Let's do it again. Ready? Deep breath in." Jimin did it with him. "And out." Jimin exhaled, Jungkook following suit. "Good! Let's do it again. Slow your heart rate."

They did it a couple more times.

"Can you look at me now?" Jimin asked softly, Jungkook looking up at him. "Good. You okay? Any better? Even just a little better is good."

"Yeah." Jungkook stared at him. "Yeah, I feel better."

"If you ever need to leave, just tell me, I'll take you out of here. Okay?"

"Okay." Jungkook nodded. "Sorry. God that's probably so impolite..." Jungkook fret yet again. "Sorry."

"No no, don't worry." Jimin smiled reassuringly. "It's not impolite. It's honestly a little funny, cause I hate it here too. You'll be alright though cause I'll be right here. Okay?"

"Okay." Jungkook nodded. "You're sure about this?"

"Oh yeah. The party will...exist...and we won't participate in anything they have to offer. Except food."

"And dancing."

"Yeah. I might have to talk to some people but...it shouldn't be for long."

"Okay." Jungkook nodded and took a deep breath. "Okay! Okay. Let's go in."

"Alright." Jimin continued to hold one of his hands as he led him inside, Jungkook nervous.

The New Years party was already starting, Jimin asking to be brought late so they weren't noticed immediately. They slipped inside, Jungkook immediately widening his eyes at the sheer size of the place.

"Woah." Jungkook whispered as Jimin led him by the hand.

"Pretty big, huh."

"It's huge."

"Yeah. But that just means we won't get noticed for longer." Jimin smiled before looking away. "...and I'd like to avoid my parents for as long as possible." He stopped them by a stairwell.

"Yeah me too." Jungkook laughed before holding Jimin's hand tighter. "We don't need to be around everyone to dance, right?"

"Of course not. I can do whatever I want. And so can you."

"Then..." Jungkook looked at their hands, before offering his other one. "Wanna dance?"

Jimin smiled happily. "I thought you'd never ask."

Jungkook took the lead. "Well. I'm too nervous to eat." He led him under the stairs. "And besides, you're right. I'd rather not be around so many people since I'm with you."

"Aww, ashamed?" Jimin teased, following Jungkook's lead.

"No." Jungkook smiled a little. "Perhaps a bit too proud. What would they say if they saw a lowlife like me with you?"

"Oh dear god, I might just have to repel them. Otherwise they might take you away from me."

"No way, they'd rather date you than me."

"I'd rather date you than me."

"Why would you date yourself?"

"Not the point Jungkook." Jimin rolled his eyes playfully, before looking up at him. "Not the point at all."

"Ah." Jungkook blushed but couldn't erase his smile. "Well if my options were me or you, I'd choose you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Jungkook held Jimin's waist a little tighter. "Yeah I would."

Jimin batted his eyelashes with a smile. "Really?"

"Yeah." Jungkook smiled back. "Yeah, really."

"Hmmm~" Jimin looked down with a pink blush, moving a little closer to Jungkook. "That's nice."

"You like dancing?" Jungkook smiled more. "You're certainly are flowing with the music."

"You lead well."

"Only because I want to impress a certain someone."

"Oh really?" Jimin hummed in approval. "Might I know this fella?"

"Oh yeah. Really well." Jungkook smiled and nodded, playful about it. "Perhaps the best."

"Oh no. Not Taehyung." Jimin laughed, happy as he pressed against Jungkook. "Indulge me, who could it possibly be?"

"Who could you possibly know best if it isn't Taehyung?" Jungkook laughed a little as well, stopping their dance to look at him. "Who could it be Jimin? I'll give you one guess."

"Well. It could be Namjoon. Or Jin. I know them pretty well."

"Do you know him the best?"

"I know Yoongi."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Jimin."

Jimin laughed. "Oh I know I know. I'm just teasing you. If you're asking me out..." Jimin looked down. "Then..."

"Jimin." A stern voice interrupted them.

Jungkook immediately let go of him, Jimin turning to the voice and moving in front of Jungkook. "Mom! Hi, I um...didn't see you at the entrance so I thought I'd...join the party..." Jimin trailed off.

They were definitely not with the party.

Jungkook's eyes were glued to the floor, his embarrassment high as he tensed up when Jimin's mother spoke again. "Jimin. Who did you bring? And why are you under the stairwell and not introducing yourself to your friends?"

"This is Jeon Jungkook. He's a schoolmate of mine." Jimin slowly reached back and took one of Jungkook's hands. Their fingers intertwined.

Jungkook exhaled. Jimin always tried to make him feel better. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Park." Jungkook bowed low, keeping his head down.

"Mm." She dismissed him. "Jimin, go greet people. Find your father, he should be with the usuals." She started to walk, Jimin exhaling quietly before following. As they walked out from behind the stairs, he let go of Jungkook's hand.

Jungkook stopped walking with him, watching him go off with his mother.

He took a look around.

He didn't belong here. He wasn't meant for this place, this party, this fun. It wasn't meant for him. It was meant for people like Jimin, who knew what they were doing, who had money and power and authority.

He sighed as he went to stand somewhere out of the way. He even felt too embarrassed to eat.

He felt a little shocked when Jimin's mother came up to him, a drink in her hands. "So. Jeon Jungkook."

Jungkook looked up at her. "Yes ma'am?"

"My son...how often do you two spend time together at school?"

"Um...every day? Studying, classes, meals, outside events...quidditch...free time..." Jungkook gulped. He didn't like where this was going. "Every day ma'am."

"Mmm. He chooses interesting friends. Not many like Seokjin or Namjoon. If only he would. I've never heard of you. Who are you?"

"Um...I'm...Jeon Jungkook? Ma'am?" Jungkook didn't know what to say. She was too intimidating.

She sipped her drink. "...so you're a nobody."

"Yeah. I guess you could say that." Jungkook looked down. "Jimin just didn't want to be alone tonight. That's why I'm here."

"Alone? His friends are here." She looked around. "He has childhood friends. Neighbors. Classmates. He isn't alone here."

"He-" Jungkook stopped. He didn't want to continue this conversation. "He wanted me here. That's why I'm here."

"A nobody." She continued to look away. "...you don't belong here."

"No." Jungkook stared at the floor intensely, blinking as to not cry. "...no I don't."

"Why are you here Jeon?" She sipped more.

"...Jimin wanted me here."

"And you think that was a good idea? Look at you. No ones going to talk to you. They don't know you. They won't know you. You can't fit into this world...you should get back to your own." She turned to him. "Don't interfere with Jimin after tonight. He has a future and you don't."

Jungkook nodded, still unable to look at her in the eye. "Yes ma'am." He spoke in a whisper.

"Mmm." She hummed and left.

Jungkook exhaled shakily, finding a better corner to hide in. He wanted to go home. This sucked. He felt horrible.

He didn't know how much time passed before Jimin appeared in front of him. "Jungkook! God I'm so sorry I just walked off I really hate it here. Ready to go to my room?"

"It's okay...I should probably head home..." Jungkook spoke quietly, still looking down and out of it. He didn't belong here. He didn't belong with Jimin.

"Hey...let's go to my room and take a break. Wait till everyone leaves. It'll be pretty soon cause it's almost midnight." Jimin smiled, putting a hand on Jungkook's arm. "Does that sound okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah that sounds good. What um- how do we leave without being noticed?"

"Oh noticed? No. Just not disturbed." Jimin smiled as he got his drink, raised it as a toast, then poured it on himself, before splashing Jungkook's chest with the rest. "Oops! We need new clothes."

"Oh please get me out of this suit." Jungkook mumbled as Jimin took his hand and led Jungkook through the crowd.

Jimin apologized to people, explaining where he was going with a smile, as he dragged Jungkook up the stairs away from the party, away from the people, the noise, and the expectations.

They walked down a long hallway, Jungkook only hearing their steps.

When he got to Jimin's room it blew him away.

"Goddamn it...I'll never get over it..." Jungkook started to undress, Jimin doing so as well before getting them some clothes. He threw Jungkook a larger sweater, one that Jungkook barely fit into comfortably.

"Yeah. I know...but it's what I have."

"Your rooms too big. This is like, how big my house is."

"I like your house."

The two got changed, Jimin leading Jungkook to his balcony. They sat down, watching the snow fall gently. "And of course you have a balcony too."

"I like the moon. Just look at it. I wonder if I reached for it...would I ever make it?" Jimin reached for it, Jungkook reaching up and taking his hand. "Hey. I think I made it." Jimin looked at him and smiled. "What about you? Any big hopes and dreams?"

"Sure. Everyone does right?" Jungkook looked at the sky. "Everyone hopes for something they can't have."

"I think mines obtainable."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Yeah. Yeah yours was obtainable years ago."

"...we were focusing on Yoongi and Hoseok. I didn't want both to happen."

"I don't mind. But...now it's your last year." Jungkook looked down. "...so what am I going to do for two more years? Without anyone?"

"You'll be alright. You always have been. You'll figure it out." Jimin rubbed Jungkook's hand soothingly. "And I'll send letters, and so will everyone, and it'll be okay."

"Yeah...but I'll be alone."

"Make some friends."

Jungkook laughed. "Yeah. No thanks."

"Then be alone."

"I want to be with you." Jungkook sighed. "...I don't want to be without you...cause I'll be alone."

"But I'm not leaving you in the dust. I'll still be sending letters and gifts."

"...yeah. But it won't be the same."

"Of course not! But I'll still be here with you." Jimin squeezed his hand. "We'll figure it out."

"Sure." Jungkook doubted. He didn't belong with him. He just really liked him, but he didn't belong with him. He'd never fit in with his life.

"Hey hey, the fireworks should start soon! They'll count down outside and then start fireworks."

"Really?"

"Mhm! We can hear them." Jimin became quiet to hear the count down. A feint ten was heard, so Jimin started to count down as well.

Three!

Two!

One!

Jungkook kissed Jimin's cheek as the fireworks started. "Happy New Years Jimin. I'm happy to start it with you."

Jimin looked at him with shock, then seriousness. "Can I kiss you?"

"W-what?"

"Can I kiss you?" Jimin repeated himself, turning his body towards Jungkook.

"I..." Jungkook faltered. He didn't belong here. But...he could be a little special. Cause he didn't belong down there...but he belonged right here. "Yes." Jungkook answered in a whisper.

Jimin nodded and leaned in closer, tilting his head just enough and kissing him softly. "Happy New Years Jungkook."

Jungkook blushed.

"Can I kiss you again?"

"Yeah."

Jimin let go of his hand to hold Jungkook's cheek, kissing him again. "...can I kiss you again?"

"Yes." Jungkook put his hand on Jimin's cheeks as well. "Yes, you can."

Jimin smiled and kissed him again, this time Jungkook taking his bottom lip in between his own. Jimin didn't protest, instead, leaned into him. Jimin slowly moved closer, Jungkook moving backwards.

"Hey." Jimin was pink, his face illuminated by the fireworks.

"Hi." Jungkook was red, leaning back on his hands.

"Why are you leaning away?"

"...'m nervous."

"Can I kiss you more?" Jimin crawled over him, Jungkook continuing to lean back.

"Hey wait-"

"Can I?" Jimin stopped when Jungkook was leaning back on his elbows.

"J-Jimin..." Jungkook blushed more, Jimin hovering above him.

"You can say no." Jimin nodded. "You can totally say no."

Jungkook shook his head. "I want to but..."

"But?"

"But I shouldn't be here."

"You should actually. Cause you know, the only person I know best besides Taehyung is myself." Jimin leaned down a little further and whispered. "Can I kiss you more?"

"Yes." Jungkook gave in. If he had to forget him the next day...he at least wanted to kiss him. "Yes, yes you can kiss me."

"Okay." Jimin leaned down the rest of the way, kissing Jungkook passionately.

Jungkook slowly pushed back against him, nervous but...god Jimin's lips were nice.

Jimin pulled away. "C-can I get a leg in between your legs?"

"Yeah." Jungkook looked at Jimin, eyes wide in awe. "Yeah, you can- you can do whatever you want."

"I'll keep asking." Jimin fit a leg in between Jungkook's, the other going outside of Jungkook's left leg. "Can I kiss you again?"

"Yes." Jungkook smiled a little before Jimin kissed him, leaning down, guiding Jungkook to lay down.

Jungkook could've lost his mind. Jimin was delicately not touching him, their chests barely touching as he leaned down to kiss him. And his mouth...god Jungkook didn't know how he knew how to kiss. Jungkook had only read about it.

He was greeted with Jimin's tongue against his lip, licking very carefully before pulling away. "Can I?..."

"Yes."

Jimin smiled a little before kissing him again, licking Jungkook's lip, then pressing inside his mouth. Jungkook slowly moved his hands to Jimin's waist, holding him as kindly as possible. Jimin smiled a little, putting his free hand over Jungkook's, tightening his grip. Jungkook blushed but complied.

Jimin licked into his mouth pulling away only to come back and tease him, taking his time with it. He kept it slow, easy, and careful. Jungkook squeezed Jimin's waist.

Jimin pulled away. "Too much? S-sorry-"

"No no." Jungkook shook his head. "Not enough."

Jimin stared at him before laughing quietly. "...can I touch your thigh?"

"You can touch anywhere." Jungkook blinked a couple of time, looking at Jimin's eyes. "You're beautiful. Did you know that?"

"You're cute. Cuter than cute." Jimin laughed a little before smiling at him. "I really like you Jungkook."

"I like you too Jimin." Jungkook broke their eye contact. "...maybe too much."

"No way." Jimin slid his hand from Jungkook's hand to his thigh. "Not enough."

"R-really? C-cause I think it's too much."

"Oh no." Jimin gave him a quick kiss. "Not enough." He kissed him again, rubbing the outside of Jungkook's thigh. He slowly raised it up as he continued to kiss him, this time taking it slower, lips taking lips.

Jungkook jolted a little as Jimin moved closer to him. "Ah- Jimin."

"Sorry sorry. Too much?"

"I- I don't want to do anything...here." Jungkook blushed. "Too awkward. And your mom hates me enough."

"She doesn't hate you." Jimin giggled, but Jungkook just looked away. "...does she?"

"Mhm."

"Did she talk to you?"

"No." Jungkook lied. He didn't want to make Jimin feel bad. He didn't want him to try to fix something he couldn't fix. "No, she just...she didn't give me a second glance Jimin. She doesn't like me."

"Probably cause your hands were on me." Jimin smiled, Jungkook letting go of his waist.

"Sorry-"

"Which I like." Jimin raised an eyebrow at him. "You okay? What's got you worried? Need me to stop?" He sat up a little.

"N-no, it's nothing. I just...want to be around you even more." Jungkook sat up to meet him. "No no, don't- don't go."

"Go? Jungkook I'm not going anywhere." Jimin looked at him with concern now. "Hey..." he slowly sat on Jungkook's lap. "Hey I'm not going anywhere."

Jungkook looked down. "...but this...we...we can't be together. However badly we want to."

"What? Jungkook I just spent like 10 minutes kissing the fuck out of you, why wouldn't we be able to date?"

"Cause..." Jungkook pouted. "...cause I'll never be like you. I don't...I don't belong here. Or with you...there's plenty of qualified people-"

"Jungkook."

"Really, I don't have anything that people would accept-"

"Jungkook."

"And it's not like I can change that-"

"Jungkook!" Jimin held Jungkook's face, making them have eye contact. "Seriously, what's gotten into you?! I like you! I want to be with you." He softened. "I don't care about the rest of that. It's not important to me. I like you. That's what matters."

"Jimin..." Jungkook dropped his eyes. "...we can't. I can't do that to you. You shouldn't need to worry about me and your parents and all of that-"

"Jungkook you're the only person I've ever kissed. You're the only person I've ever wanted to kiss or be with like this. I don't care about my parents, you're the only person who's made me this happy in this way." Jimin tipped Jungkook's chin up. "Why are you so worried now?"

"Cause I kissed you."

"Hm?" Jimin tilted his head with a smile.

"Cause I kissed you. And I don't want to not kiss you. But I'm gunna have to."

"Jungkook." Jimin laughed a little in confusion. "What are you trying to say?" His smile died. "What do you mean?"

"I really like you Jimin. I have for a while." Jungkook blushed saying it. "But...I can't do this. This- the pressure I'll get from being with you...I can't do that. I'm not strong like you. I can't just put up with it..."

"But- but we can date at school. My parents leave me alone."

"Yeah. And then what?" Jungkook shook his head. "And what happens when your parents want grandkids, want a wife, want a wedding and someone rich and pretty and good for you. I'm not good for you."

"Jungkook!" Jimin looked at him in disbelief. "I like you! What else do I need to say? Do you not believe me?"

"I do! Really, but..." Jungkook tried to move Jimin off of him as politely as possible. "But I don't belong here. This isn't my place or my world. I don't...this isn't for me. I'm not for you. I don't...get to have you."

Jimin stood up. "So you won't even try?"

"I really like you Jimin." Jungkook looked up at him, pulling his knees in to his chest. "I really do."

"Then try. At school. We can try it for the rest of the year."

"Jimin...I'm sorry. Your status is too high for me. I can't fit into your life like you want me to. I'm not built for it."

Jimin stared down at him. "...so we try at school. Keep in touch during your last two years. And by then I'll be somewhere else. We can make it work."

"...I'm not that special Jimin. Can you please stop trying?"

"No. No I won't. I like you. I want to date you. So fucking date me." Jimin extended his hand to help Jungkook up.

Jungkook stared at it. "I..."

"Try."

Jungkook took his hand, standing up. "Jimin." Jungkook shook his head. "...I can't escape your parents."

"No. But that's okay. Cause I like you and that's what matters right?" Jimin smiled at him. "I like saying that. I really like saying I like you."

"It's...nice to hear." Jungkook smiled. "I..." Jungkook felt the sadness take over. "I can't have you."

"Why not? I'm here aren't I? Why can't you have me Jungkook?" Jimin looked at him with confusion. "...I'm right here."

"Jimin..." Jungkook looked at him. "We're fine here. Together like this. But...not...out there." Jungkook looked over the railing of the balcony. "Look at them. Look at me." Jungkook sighed before closing his eyes. "I don't belong here Jimin. I don't belong- I can't be with you."

He had to stop it. He...couldn't do this.

"Jungkook..." Jimin shook his head and stood by him. "Jungkook I don't care about them. This life doesn't matter to me what matters is you and our friends. I finally fit in somewhere. I fit in with you. You make me happy. So please... we can try...can't we?"

"Jimin." Jungkook rubbed his eyes before slowly squatting down. "I really want to be with you. I want to kiss you and hug you and be closer and be the same but...I can't."

"Jungkook..." Jimin squatted down with him. "I'm sorry this is so overwhelming. I'm really sorry it is. But if you tell me how to help...I can help."

"You can't help." Jungkook sniffed, rubbing his eyes. "You can't help cause I'm just not on your level. I can't be on your level. I can't- this isn't...I really like you Jimin."

"Then date me." Jimin put his hand on Jungkook's back. "We've gotten this far, we can go longer. I know! We can just be a secret. If you can't stand being open. Is that the problem?"

"Jimin...no." Jungkook sniffed more. "I can't- I can't do this."

"Jungkook..." Jimin rubbed his back. "Please."

"Why do you even want to be with me anyways? You could find someone better. You could find someone who actually knows about classical music like you do, and who can give you actual happiness-"

"Woah woah woah. Jungkook! Why are you getting insecure? I'll protect you from all of that shit that I had to go through. I won't let you go through all of it...and I really like you. I want to finish our dance and enjoy our time and sleep in my bed and cuddle and just fucking exist together. Don't you get it?"

"...I do...but I can't have it. I don't deserve it." Jungkook shook his head.

"Yes you do." Jimin tried to lift Jungkook's head. "Hey. Come on, let me see you. Let me comfort you."

"N-no I can't...do it..." Jungkook sniffed. "I can't do it."

"Why not? We've been friends all this time, why can't we date? At least let me comfort you."

"No. Please I can't..." Jungkook shook his head and tried to stop his crying. "I can't do it."

"Why not? Why can't we be together?" Jimin asked him softly. "We're both here. We both like each other."

"Cause! We can't just- just jump into it without th-thinking about all of the consequences. I can't."

"Okay. One. My parents. I talk to them and then we date. Two. Your parents. I talk to them and they'll love me, that ones easy. Let's see...school? No one fucking cares and it's half a year. After my school? You come over as much as you can and I send you letters as often as I can. After you get out of school? You come live with me. Or who knows! Maybe I'll live with you." Jimin smiled before laughing a little. "...we can work it out. As long as we don't freak out."

"I'm freaking out."

"I know. So let me reassure you and comfort you. Hey look! People are leaving. That's great." Jimin giggled as he looked through the balcony rails. "So I think I can give you less worries. But honestly, I really really like you and that's more important than anything else."

"...I'm scared..." Jungkook spoke quietly. "...I...don't belong here..."

"And neither do I." Jimin laughed a little again. "I belong with you though. That's true."

"Jimin..." Jungkook looked up at him. "I..."

Jimin wiped his tears, holding his cheeks with a smile. "Yes?"

"I really like you." Jungkook whispered it, leaning into his hands.

"I really like you too." Jimin smiled wider. "Can I kiss you?"

Jungkook nodded.

Jimin leaned in, kissing Jungkook once, squishing his cheeks a little to do so. "Feel any better?"

"Only a little."

"Well. How can I help?"

Jungkook looked at him with teary eyes. "We never finished our dance from before."

"Give me just a minute!" Jimin dashed inside his room, Jungkook smiling before he heard music being played on a record. Jimin came back. "Okay! May I have this dance?" He bowed a little, holding his hand out for Jungkook yet again, helping him up.

"Yes." Jungkook took his hand and smiled wider. "Yes you may."

Jimin led this time, taking Jungkook rhythmically around the balcony. "So we can try?"

"I...yeah. We can try." Jungkook smiled. "I really like you Jimin."

"Mmm~ it's cute how much you're saying it. I like hearing it though. You're really cute you know. All of you. You've always been cute."

"Just wait. I'll grow out of it soon." Jungkook laughed. "I'll get even more muscles and I'll get taller."

"Yeah? I can't wait to see the day." Jimin smiled. "Hey. You know. I've liked you for a really long time."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"What um...solidified it?"

"When we went to the secret art museum. There's a...there's a mirror in it."

"Yeah? I think I looked at the ceiling. It was gorgeous." Jungkook thought about it. "What was the mirror?"

"Yeah. It's...it shows you your deepest want."

"Oh?" Jungkook sniffed. "What did you see?"

Jimin blushed, but looked at Jungkook bravely, "I saw us at home. Our home. And I just...all I've ever wanted was to feel at home somewhere and Jungkook you do that for me. So let's go slow."

"Yeah. Yes, I want that." Jungkook smiled at him. "I really want that."

"We can go slow and we can be open and talk and be the same but...I want to kiss you." Jimin laughed shyly. "If you like that."

"I do." Jungkook smiled shyly as well. "I like you...I like you a lot."

Jimin giggled. "God you're so cute! Keep saying it, I don't think I'll ever get sick of hearing it."

Jungkook smiled more. "I'm just happy you like me too. What more could I ask for?" Jungkook shook his head. "What could possibly be better?"

"Mmm~ dunno. Can't really think of anything else." Jimin hummed as the song ended, pulling Jungkook into a hug. "You're wonderful. You know that?"

"If you say so then it must be true."

Jimin laughed, before cuddling into him. "Yeah. It's true." He walked them over to his bed, cuddling up to Jungkook once they'd gotten on it. "You know...I really never thought it'd be like this."

"Like this?"

"Yeah. Like this. I thought...I thought we'd never make it."

"What!? Why?" Jungkook sat up on his elbow and looked at him, bewildered. "You thought Yoongi and Hoseok would get together."

"Cause...I was scared you didn't like me." Jimin laughed, looking at Jungkook with a smile, before looking at his ceiling. "I know it's stupid...cause like, it was obvious that we liked each other. But...I was still scared."

"I'm the one who was scared!" Jungkook shook his head, smiling. "I still am scared."

"Yeah but like, you're amazing. You're kind, and helpful, and fun and just- I could go on but what I mean is...I was scared that you would want...to find someone else. More- more on your level. Someone who was your age, in your class, I don't know. I guess I was scared that you were talking to someone else as much as me. Someone I didn't know, you know?"

"I...I don't talk to many people in my classes..." Jungkook laid down again, looking at Jimin, then mirroring him. "I just wanted your attention."

"I definitely gave it."

"You did. And I...found comfort in that. I still do. Cause I just really like your attention...it makes me feel wanted."

"Well I'm glad. Cause I want you around." Jimin hummed and rolled over to his side, propping his head on his hand to look at Jungkook. "So. Stick around?"

"Yeah. I will." Jungkook smiled at him. "Can...can I kiss you?"

"Please." Jimin laughed before leaning closer and kissing him, smiling as Jungkook sat up a little to meet him.

"Can you d-do what you did earlier?"

"Mmm~ yeah." Jimin got in between Jungkook's legs, his other leg going on the outside of Jungkook's thigh. "Do you want me to touch your thigh again?"

Jungkook nodded shyly. "Y-yeah."

"Okay. Tell me if you ever want me to stop, I'll stop immediately okay? Even just uncertainty, I'll stop then too." Jimin looked at him.

"Okay." Jungkook nodded. "P-please."

Jimin smiled and kissed him, Jungkook kissing back just as much. He slowly felt Jimin's hand on his thigh, rubbing the outside a little before grabbing it and hiking it up. Jungkook felt embarrassed, but...the way that Jimin was kissing him made everything better.

Lips in between lips, they kissed slowly, Jimin in charge of what they were doing, Jungkook happy to be following and not leading.

Jimin squeezed his leg, before pulling away. "...can I kiss your neck?"

"Y-yes."

"Hesitant? You can say no." Jimin spoke softly softly he nosed at Jungkook neck.

"...I want you to." Jungkook blushed before give Jimin more room. "I really want you to."

"Okay." Jimin smiled before kissing his neck, soft and kind. Once, twice, three times, before he moved to Jungkook's chin, then his cheek. "I really like you Jungkook."

"I really like you too. You've always been kind to me...a-and you've always treated me like anyone else."

"Oh no. I treated you specially."

"But you never talked down to me." Jungkook sat up a little, putting his forehead against Jimin's. "And I'll never be able to thank you enough for that."

"Thank you for treating me the same too." Jimin whispered, before laughing quietly. "You've never treated me differently."

"...I treated you specially too." Jungkook smiled before pulling Jimin on top of him, hugging hm tightly. "I think I always have."

"...good." Jimin smiled, hugging Jungkook back. "You're fine with spending the night?"

"Yeah. You said I'd be home tomorrow and besides...if no ones coming in here it's okay."

"Exactly. They won't." Jimin sighed happily. "Thank you Jungkook. I know it's scary, it's scary for me too. But I know we can do it together and with everyone else as well. We can do it."

"I know we can." Jungkook did the same, exhaling happily. He finally felt relaxed for the first time the entire night. "I know we can do it."

____

Jungkook woke up first, the both of them rather sprawled out on the bed. It was way too big for Jungkook, so he'd cuddled him for most of the night until they slept.

But now...now he laid on his back, looking at the ceiling, glancing at Jimin sleeping, then continuing to look at the ceiling. What...what happened next? He'd never been in a relationship before. He didn't know how this worked. If anything, he should ask Jin and Namjoon, but at the same time...he wanted to figure it out with Jimin.

He rolled onto his side, leaning his head on his hand to watch Jimin. He looked so...peaceful. He really didn't want to disturb that.

A soft knock on the door got Jungkook's attention, a paper being slid underneath.

Jimin didn't stir, so Jungkook smiled and slowly got out of the bed, wanting Jimin to sleep as much as possible.

He went over to the paper, seeing it was a letter.

He opened it, hoping it wasn't urgent.

Instead he was greeted by dread.

Dear Jeon,

Master Park has requested you to see him in the garden immediately. Please come alone.

Jungkook read it and looked at Jimin in bed.

He knew what this meant...he wasn't an idiot. But he was right. There was no way this was going to work as it was.

He got his shoes on, going to Jimin's desk and writing on the back of the letter.

Simple, I'm sorry.

He carefully left the room, a maid waiting outside.

"Right this way sir." She spoke quietly before walking, Jungkook following with his head low.

The walk wasn't far, but it felt like forever. Jungkook swore his chest was heaving, but that was just in his head. His shaking hands weren't though.

"Jeon." Jimin's father spoke as soon as Jungkook walked into the garden. "Please take a seat."

The maid left as Jungkook sat down on a bench made of wood. The garden was beyond lovely, a koi pond, flowers and trees of all kinds, soft gushing of water from somewhere else, and the soft thud of wood against wood, weighted down by water.

It was calming. But it couldn't calm Jungkook.

His father stood, back to Jungkook, hands together behind his back. "I'm sorry for the outcome. You seem to be a good, young man, but you're no longer allowed to step inside this house. Nor will I permit you to be in contact with my son."

Jungkook stared at him.

"...I understand that that may be difficult, but I am not requesting this. I am demanding it." He turned to Jungkook now, his face a mixture of sadness and pain. "We'll have a discussion with Jimin. But for now...will you comply?"

"What if I can't? We have a class together." Jungkook tried to find a loophole.

"Ignore him."

"Quidditch?"

"One of you will have to quit."

"I'll quit." Jungkook looked down. "It's his last year...I'll just join again afterwards." Jungkook winced at that. He was kind of the captain...no no, he could work something out. Drop his grades. Then he would have to quit. It was for Jimin anyways.

"...ignore him completely Jungkook." Jimin's father squatted down in front of Jungkook, looking up at him. "This is for Jimin. He needs to grow up and be someone who can fit into this society. I know I'm asking a lot. But I need you to forget him. Like you'd never met him. I know he's attached to you, but he can't keep pretending. So please...for Jimin...will you comply?"

Jungkook watched the fathers face. He meant what he said, fully, this was for Jimin. But Jungkook knew Jimin wouldn't be happy with this. "...if I don't?"

He stood, looking down on him. "Then I'll be a real pain. We can make a deal. I will send your family a sum amount, perhaps pay off your house? Get a new car? Whatever expense you think is enough, in return for you to ignore, avoid, and forget Jimin. If you don't, however, agree to my terms-"

"I agree." Jungkook looked up at him. "Besides. I'm just a nobody, aren't I?"

"I didn't say that. You're a good young man. But you aren't good for Jimin." He gave a sad smile. "I am sorry to send you on your way."

Jungkook shook his head. "If you were sorry you wouldn't do it."

"Parents do what they must for their children. I don't think you'll understand that until you have your own."

Jungkook shook his head again. "I think I understand better than anyone."

"Well. I'll show you the way out." His father ended the conversation, taking Jungkook through the garden to the front gate, leading him to the giant roundabout. "There's your car, it'll take you home."

"...can you just tell him to keep being himself?" Jungkook spoke softly as he opened the car door. "That's all I ask. And I don't know what my parents need so...just...anything helps."

"Yes. I can do that. Safe travels young man. You'll pick yourself up, I'm certain." He nodded with a smile as he closed Jungkook's door.

Jungkook watched the mansion disappear as the driver took him away.

He didn't even get to say goodbye.

____

Jungkook felt horrible. The move back to school was lonely, since he didn't meet up with Jimin and Taehyung, and he sat in a car alone.

Going to dinner was also difficult, as he sat with some people he sort of knew and talked with them. But he could tell Jimin was looking at him. With what emotions, he didn't dare to look up to check, but he knew Jimin wasn't going to let this go easily.

He went straight to the dorms afterwards, making sure that Jimin wouldn't be able to stop him or talk to him.

He had to forget him. He had to do that for Jimin. He had to do this for Jimin.

He had to ignore him first.

The next day, Jungkook went to classes with his friends, making sure to be one with the crowd. He dreaded the class he had with Jimin, knowing it was coming up by the end of the day.

He was planning on skipping, since that was the class he was going to plan on flunking. It was going to work perfectly, if he did it right.

He could flunk this class very easily, stop seeing Jimin in class and stop playing quidditch since he needed all his grades above a 70 to participate. It would be horrible to have nothing to do, but he could survive half a year.

He could do it.

He just had to survive one dreaded class with Jimin and then he could stop going. That way the teacher would know he's in the class, and it would go mostly unnoticed.

He went through the rest of his day ignoring Jimin, eating as early as possible and leaving as early as possible. He avoided the usual halls that they would pass each other in.

But finally his last class of the day arrived.

He went in, taking his usual seat next to his one friend in the class. They didn't have a third friend to fill out the table, but it was alright, usually someone would fill it out.

"So. How was your break?" His friend started a conversation, obviously trying to fill in the time before class started.

"It was pretty nice. I got a sweater that fits me." Jungkook laughed a little, looking down at his new yellow and black striped sweater.

"Perfect." He smiled. "I heard you went to the Park's New Years party? Someone said they thought they saw you there."

"Hm? Oh no, I spent New Years with my family. I always do, it's tradition." Jungkook smiled back, shaking his head. "My grandmother would kill me if I missed it."

"Guess they had poor eyesight then. Did you-"

They were cut off by their professor, calling class to attention.

The class started, the professor writing on the chalkboard.

"Excuse me professor! I can't see very well, can I sit over there?" Jimin raised his hand, asking politely.

"Ah- yes, go ahead. Continuing on, when we discuss what is good for wizards and what is good for the environment, we come to a standstill..." Jungkook tuned out the rest of the words as Jimin made his way over to their table.

Jungkook immediately glued his eyes to the chalkboard, knowing Jimin had caught him staring. He felt anxious as Jimin sat next to him, making sure he didn't look at him. Damn it. He wished that literally anyone else had sat next to him. Why did he sit in the middle seat?!

Jungkook sighed shortly and started to pay attention to try and block out Jimin staring at him from the corner of his eye.

"...so that's it?" Jimin whispered to him.

Jungkook nodded, not looking away from the professor.

"I don't think so."

"It's not your choice." Jungkook whispered back. "It was mine."

"You said we'd try."

"And I also said I'm sorry. I said a lot of things." Jungkook looked down. "...and I'm taking back a lot of things."

"Don't say that." Jimin spoke lowly. "Don't take back anything you said to me."

Jungkook looked back at the chalkboard. He had to do this for Jimin. "I am. I can't do it. And it's better if I don't try."

"...I'm not going to let that slide." Jimin exhaled sharply.

"...are you threatening me?" Jungkook laughed a little before clearing his throat and trying to be indifferent again. "Leave me alone."

"I'm not leaving you alone."

"I'm asking you to."

"You said we'd try." Jimin spoke sharply, staring at the table. Jungkook packed his bag. "Don't fucking run away-"

"I'm feeling sick I'm heading to the nurse." Jungkook stood and spoke to the class, turning tail and leaving before the professor even gave him permission.

God he knew Jimin would try something. He knew it wasn't going to be easy. He just knew it.

He walked back to his dorm, exhaling sharply as he tried to work this out. That was his last class with Jimin, and the one he was going to flunk. He'd stop playing quidditch, he'd stop going to their study sessions, and he was going to eat at weird times.

He could do this.

____

He didn't take into account Jimin being persistent.

Jungkook avoided him as best as possible. But god Jimin was making this difficult, and Taehyung was as well.

"You're quitting quidditch?!" Taehyung yelled at him in the halls.

"I- I'm failing a class...I can't continue to play whether I like it or not..." Jungkook mumbled as Taehyung put his arm around his shoulders.

"Get tutoring? Jimin would be more than happy to-"

"I've bothered him enough." Jungkook shook his head as he cut him off. "Besides. It wasn't helping, he was too nice and I didn't learn..." he made excuses, trying to brush Taehyung's arm off him.

"No no, he likes tutoring you. He likes-"

"It doesn't help though. Besides...I'll just do better next year..." Jungkook sighed.

"But I want to play against you. And Jimin and I like going to your games. You'll still go to our games right?" Taehyung tightened his grip on Jungkook's shoulders.

"I don't think so...I'll need to focus on school since I've been doing so badly." Jungkook sighed again. "Come on, let me go."

"No way! You love quidditch. You've always put in the work to be able to play it, and you- your team."

"They'll be fine." Jungkook shook his head. "I'll be fine."

"You love quidditch."

"I do. And it's my fault for messing up and it's up to me to get back on track. Okay? That's all." Jungkook shrugged Taehyung's arm off his shoulders. "That's it."

"It's not Jungkook...somethings up. Especially with you two, I don't know what happened over break but-"

"It's nothing." Jungkook shook his head. "I've gotta go Taehyung, I need to get started on homework..." he muttered, feeling sad about quidditch. "I've gotta go." He needed to avoid Jimin.

"But Jimin's class should be-"

"I need to go Taehyung." Jungkook smiled and started off a different hall.

He used to walk with Taehyung to Jimin's class and the three would go study together. But now...now he walked alone.

For a moment only.

Jungkook jumped when his arm was grabbed. "Jungkook-"

"Goddamn it Jimin leave me alone!" Jungkook got out of his grip roughly, giving him a cold shoulder.

"No! No, I won't!" Jimin exhaled shakily as he tried to grab Jungkook's arm again.

Jungkook batted him away. "Go away. Leave me alone." Jungkook huffed and started to walk away faster.

"You said we'd try!" Jimin stood his ground, not following him.

Jungkook could tell. This was his chance. One more push and he'd leave him alone. He stopped walking, looking down. "...and I'm taking it back. I don't want this, I'm sorry. I'm just not interested." Jungkook continued to walk, not hearing Jimin follow him.

____

Jungkook sighed heavily as he saw his workload. There was no way he was going to do all of this. Plus with his old teammates trying to help him so he could get back on the team...nothing was getting done.

He drifted off during a class, unable to focus on anything other than keeping his part of the deal. Jimin would forget him eventually. He just had to keep pushing him away.

A paper hit the back of his head, making Jungkook wake up. "Hm? What?" He sat up straight before seeing he class had ended. He looked up to see Jimin, hand on his hip, a rolled up scroll in his other hand. "Goddamn it Jimin-"

"I see this is a declaration of war. I'm going to make you confess again, whether that be publicly or privately, you choose." Jimin threw the scroll on the table. "Read through it. I'm playing dirty since you've pissed me off." Jimin glared at him coldly before leaving.

Jungkook blinked, disoriented.

Jimin was not forgetting him at all, no, this was not supposed to happen. He was supposed to forget him! At the very least ignore him.

Jungkook took the paper, his professor clearing his throat. "Jungkook...you should get a councilor. Would you like me to help you set that up?"

"Do I need..." Jungkook sighed as he saw his professors face. "...for what exactly?"

"Mental health."

"What?" Jungkook felt shocked. "Um...am I doing that bad?"

"...you dropped quidditch. Everyone was shocked by that."

"I'm failing a class, that was just a part of it." Jungkook looked down at the paper in his hands. "I have things going on."

"Which is why I'm suggesting a councilor. I can help you get set up with one within a day, I think you would really benefit from it. We want you to do what makes you happiest, and that was quidditch." She sighed a little. "You haven't been performing as well since you quit."

"I didn't quit. I got behind in homework."

"And you haven't caught up. So. I'll set you up with a councilor, and we'll see how that works. If you two don't mesh, just tell me and we can find a better fit."

"Thank you." Jungkook stood and got his bag. "...I'll try harder."

"You're doing well Jungkook. You just need a little help and that's okay. Your friend Jimin, he's a smart guy. A good Prefect as well. Try tutoring with him, I'm sure he'd be happy to help."

"Thank you." Jungkook gave a small smiled before leaving. He gripped the scroll Jimin gave him tightly.

He couldn't deal with it at the moment.

____

Jungkook,

There is not a word nor an action that could convince me you dislike me in any way. I cannot forget the words you've graciously spoken to me, and I will not let them go as you are trying to do. I know what you're doing, but I won't let you go so easily. You of all people should know I'm stubborn and ambitious. So don't try to get rid of me, it won't work. You've got a week to confess again or I'm going to take matters into my own hands. I'd spare you the embarrassment, but you deserve it.

Jimin :)

____

Jungkook ignored most things, gaining a concerned Taehyung and a concerned teacher and councilor. 

His attitude was definitely falling, as he nearly broke down in the councilors office when they spoke about quidditch, and he couldn't exactly bring himself to eat all too much.

He finally made his way to the dinning hall during the weekend, his friend making him eat breakfast together. "You need the food. You've really fallen off..."

"Mm." Jungkook sat down next to him. "I know. I'm just feeling bad."

"...I have an idea. You can practice quidditch with us. Not okay in the games, but at least practice. There's no rule against that, right?"

Jungkook looked at him before smiling. "That might actually be really nice."

"And you can hit the gym with us. So you'll get a least a little fill until you can come back."

"I think I'll do that."

Jungkook felt a little better at that, before he started to put some food on his plate. Owls started to fill into the room, dropping off letters and packages. Jungkook felt a little shocked to see Gureum come in and drop a letter in front of him.

His face changed from shock to dread as the Howler slowly started to rise from the table.

"Jeon Jungkook! How dare you leave me and run away from your feelings!"

Jungkook slowly blushed as he looked at the letter.

"Don't you dare deny a thing you brat, you kissed back!"

Jungkook immediately heard laughter from the dinning hall, as he covered his face with his hand, blushing more. His friend nudged him, laughing. "You have girl problems?"

"You're not getting away so easily you idiot, you're digging your own grave the more you ignore it!" The Howler huffed angrily before ripping itself up, covering Jungkook in the shreds. He was embarrassed to his core. He heard more laughter, looking up to see Jimin. He was pleasantly smiling and laughing, before looking back at his friends, Jungkook knowing this was his very first "act of war."

Jungkook couldn't erase his blush during the entirety of breakfast, his friend teasing him throughout it. "You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend! Was the breakup bad? She seems cruel."

"No no...we never dated." Jungkook sighed as his cheeks burned. He covered his face. "It's complicated obviously."

He gasped. "But you kissed her!"

"Yeah...yeah I did." Jungkook mumbled.

"You gunna get back with her?"

"I...don't know." Jungkook shook his head. "It's complicated okay. It's very complicated."

"Tell me everything!" He laughed as they got up from the dinning hall, the people there clapping and hollering at him, congratulating him on his embarrassment.

Jungkook quickly left, brushing some ripped letter off of himself. "I don't wanna talk about it."

"Aww, come on. Is she younger? Older? Our year?" He laughed a little when Jungkook sighed.

"...older..."

His friend laughed more. "Older? Gosh Jungkook, I didn't know you had it in you to do anything. Let alone kiss an older girl. And now look where that's gotten you. Now she's obsessed with you!"

Jungkook blushed more. Was Jimin obsessed with him? He couldn't tell...maybe he really did just like him. Could he ask for them to be friends? No no, Jimin would absolutely deny that. He was stubborn so that wouldn't work...

"Hey. You good? That was a lot of attention back there." His friend gave him a kinder smile.

"Yeah- yeah. I'm alright. Just...embarrassed. I mean who wouldn't be. And god, of course this is what he meant..." Jungkook mumbled as he kept walking. "So dramatic! Goddamn it." Jungkook sighed heavily as he kept walking. He hated how much he wanted to just go to Jimin, apologize, make everything right, but he needed to say goodbye for Jimin's sake.

And slightly for his own.

He really wanted to be around him, god, it was so obvious that Jungkook was straining himself to get rid of Jimin. He wasn't convincing at all.

So. If this was a war. So be it.

____

Jungkook stepped up his act. He had to seem indifferent and actually upset at Jimin. He had to make him believe it, because Jimin was right. He hadn't made it convincing, and he had absolutely confessed to him with certainty. So now it was time to take that back. He had to undue everything he'd once done.

He started with Jimin's gifts. He had to make sure he was no longer wearing any clothes he'd gifted him, any jewelry, any pins or quills or paintings. It was impossible to convince Jimin he didn't like him if he still wore the things he'd gifted him.

Next was keeping busy. If he was too busy, he wouldn't think about him. The less he thought about him the more he'd be able to get over him.

Avoid Slytherin's, and avoid Taehyung. Those were the final two things. All of the Slytherin's knew each other, and Taehyung understood the situation now.

Jungkook went to classes as always, but now he went to the quidditch practices and their workout sessions. He felt himself feeling a little better from this, but...not going to games was difficult.

He couldn't seem to get away with it. He went to a game because of his friends, his luck low as always.

He watched a Hufflepuff and Slytherin match, trying to keep himself unnoticeable as he couldn't keep his eyes off of Jimin. He just...was so elegant no matter what he did. He'd always watched him, but now...now it felt like the start of it all over again. Looking away whenever Jimin was close, hiding and shying away if his section was looked at...it was like he was in the first stages of a crush once again.

Which he needed to avoid!

He looked away from the game, his friend laughing a little. "Who's the lucky girl who's trying to get your attention?"

"...Slytherin..." Jungkook sighed heavily.

"Slytherin?!"

"Please." Jungkook sighed. "Just-"

"Look out!" His friend grabbed his arm and pulled him away, their part of the stands scattering as the quaffle hit the stadium.

Jungkook looked at where it came from, Jimin flying over and grabbing the ball. "Sorry everyone!" He smiled at Jungkook before leaving.

Jungkook shivered. Jimin was pissed. He was so fucking pissed. He always gave that polite smile when he was angry, and that ball...that was meant for him.

Jimin was skilled. He didn't do that on accident.

Jungkook tried to leave early as well, but with his friend there, he really couldn't.

He stood with the Hufflepuff's after their game, feeling a little worried that the Slytherin's would go over and talk to him.

As if he wasn't cursed enough, his luck got worse as they did.

"Good game! Too bad you don't have your golden child." The captain of the Slytherin's made a sly remark at Jungkook. "If only he was there, then it would've been a match."

Jungkook laughed. "What, are you scared of me? If I was there...you'd have lost. It wouldn't have been a match at all."

"Get your grades up idiot, maybe then you can live up to your words." The Slytherin laughed before Jimin stepped up.

"Don't be rude." Jimin smiled politely. "Only I get to call him a fucking idiot." He went over to Jungkook and grabbed his sweater, pulling him down to his level. "Get your fucking act together and play against me."

"Not worth it." Jungkook stared at him, trying to seem indifferent. "Better luck next time I guess."

Jimin let him go and laughed. "You still look like you're trying not to care." Jimin looked him up and down. "It's not working by the way. I'm not convinced at all. Actually, if I were to be honest-"

"Stop." Jungkook blushed and looked away.

Jimin laughed again. "I told you I'm not playing fair anymore. I asked you nicely once-"

"Just drop it." Jungkook sighed and turned to leave, Jimin simply following him as they left the two teams. "I said drop it."

"No way. You still look at me the same." Jimin giggled. "I'm not worried at all Jungkook, you'll give up eventually!"

"Stop it Jimin." Jungkook mumbled, trying to get himself collected again. "I'm done."

"You're very obviously not. I saw how you looked at me during the game. And just now too. Your eyes tell." Jimin continued to be cheery as Jungkook tried to get away. "I'm not stopping Jungkook. I don't have forever."

"Exactly." Jungkook stopped walking, looking down as Jimin stopped as well. "You don't have forever. And we don't have any time. You need to move on and forget just like I'm trying to do."

"No." Jimin stared at him. "Look at me."

"No." Jungkook kept his eyes on the grass, trying to calm himself. "You need to forget what happened."

"No. I won't, because it meant so much to me and I'll never-"

"Jimin! Stop being dense, you're smarter than that!" Jungkook looked up at him angrily. "I can't be with you. That's it. That's the truth. So forget it. There was never a chance from the beginning and I can't go through it."

Jimin's eyes softened before he smiled at him. "...I'd believe you but you look like you're confessing instead."

Jungkook was shocked before he turned away and kept walking, wiping his eyes a little as he did so. Goddamn it he was stupid. He had to stop talking to Jimin, he was too familiar with him! He was too...too relaxed around him.

Jimin called out to him. "I give you a month before you can't take it anymore!"

"In your dreams!" Jungkook yelled back angrily. He kept losing.

"Always!" Jimin laughed, Jungkook hearing it echo in his head.

This was definitely not going in his favor. This was absolutely not working out the way he had planned all of this. Jimin knew him too well.

Maybe he shouldn't have left that note.

If Jimin had read the inside as well then he must've understood the implications as well. But maybe he could use that.

____

Jungkook continued to get publicly humiliated. Jimin was relentless in making it known to the whole school that Jungkook had to apologize and explain himself.

And god Jungkook could tell Jimin was pissed. He was being too kind, very passively aggressive, and sometimes he would simply be rude. Jungkook deserved it of course, but he could do without the public shaming.

Posters were the subject today. Jungkook was taking them down when he saw them, taking the time after his classes to go down the halls and take them off the walls. They all said something different.

Jeon Jungkook still hasn't responded! Do me a favor and tell him good job on running away :)

Tell Jungkook to get it together!

Jeon Jungkook won't win, tell him his odds!

And of course people found fun in this, telling him whatever the posters would ask. So far he's heard a totally of 40 comments that day, hoping it wouldn't become more. Jimin was certainly reveling in this.

He sighed heavily as he continued to pull the posters down, blushing at some. Jimin really was angry at him.

"Having fun?" Jimin sped up to walk next to him, keeping pace with Jungkook. "This sure is a lot of work isn't it? Wouldn't it just be so much easier if you just-"

"Stop it Jimin." Jungkook tried to erase his blush and smile. "At this point this is harassment."

"Mmm~ just talk to me. Come over to my dorm. We can talk it all out and-"

"Jimin. Stop it. Don't you get it?"

"I do! My dad requested to talk to you and he scared you. But that's okay cause you have me."

"No, you don't get it." Jungkook tried to keep it together. "We did talk. And I don't want to be with you."

"No, you don't want to be with my family." Jimin huffed. "You don't...you want to be with me, right?"

"No." Jungkook kept taking papers off the walls. "I don't."

"Then say it to my face." Jimin laughed. "You won't even look at me. How can you mean it if I can tell you don't mean it?" He walked in front of Jungkook, making him stop in his tracks. "Is this really making you happy? Because I'm not going to stop. Not even after I graduate, you don't understand. I'm not taking no for an answer unless you mean it so prove to me you fucking mean it." Jimin looked up at him, Jungkook sighing deeply as he stared at the ground.

"I don't like you."

"Say it to my face." Jimin stared at him, angry now. "Say it and mean it."

"I don't like you." Jungkook spoke quieter, unable to look at Jimin. He took a shallow breath to collect himself before he looked up at him. "I don't like you."

Jimin looked at him before his eyes slowly relaxed, and he smiled softly. He took a step forward and brushed Jungkook's tears off his face. "I can't believe that when you cry. It's more like you're confessing to me."

"No- no no- stop it." Jungkook pushed Jimin's hands away, trying to wipe his own tears. "No- no-"

"Jungkook." Jimin spoke softly as he kept trying to wipe Jungkook's eyes. "It's okay."

"No! No it's not, stop it!" Jungkook moved away from him, turning around as he wiped his eyes aggressively. "Stop it."

"Jungkook-"

"No! S-stop it!" Jungkook hiccuped and tried to calm down. "Stop it. This- you don't get it."

Jungkook jumped a little when Jimin gave him a back hug, holding onto him tight. "Jungkook I think I'm the only one who does."

Jungkook sniffed and kept wiping his eyes. "N-no you d-don't. You don't get it at all."

"Yes I do. I understand my household. I understand it best. Why do you think I understand? I want to be with you, that's what matters. I won't be happy with anyone else, I don't want anyone else! Whatever my dad said, whatever my mother said, it doesn't matter because no matter what they say that doesn't change what I say." Jimin hugged him tighter. "...and I'm upset at you."

Jungkook couldn't stop crying, as he hiccuped and tried to wipe his eyes as Jimin hugged him. He didn't try to push him away this time.

"I'm upset that you trusted them more than me. There's nothing you can do...that can convince me you hate me. All you've done is show me you hate yourself." Jimin continued, burying his head in Jungkook's back. "...you kissed me back."

"I d-did- I did kiss- kiss you back." Jungkook hiccuped. "But- but-"

"No buts. You like me. That's okay. I know you're scared of the aftermath..." Jimin slowly went around to the front of Jungkook. He started to wipe Jungkook's tears again. "But you'll be okay if we do it together. Whatever they said...it's not true. Tell me...tell me what they said to you."

"N-no Jimin, it's okay. Just...forget me."

"I can't. I'll never be able to. I don't want to live up to my parents expectations. I want to be with you."

"B-but we can't."

"Yes we can." Jimin looked at him happily. "What do you fear the most about us?"

"I- I'm scared of your parents. What they can- can do to me. To my family. They already hate me Jimin...I don't belong in your world."

"You do though! You do belong in my world. In my world." Jimin sighed happily. "You belong with me, that's it. That's all it is." Jimin smiled at him. "So can you stop pretending? It's been a month of this."

Jungkook shook his head. "N-no. I can't stop pretending. It's not going to work. You need to fit in with your-"

"No." Jimin laughed. "No, I won't fit into my household. I'll never fit in because I'm bi and I like you. I'll never fit in because I like wearing makeup and feminine clothes. I'll never fit in because I've learned so much and I like it here and I'm going to be different from everyone. I don't exist like that. And I. Like. You."

"Why? Why would you drop everything for me? We don't- we don't have anything. I don't have anything for you." Jungkook shook his head. "You shouldn't give up your privilege."

Jimin stared at him before brushing his cheeks again. "I like you. Say you like me too."

"Jimin..." Jungkook sniffed. "I can't. You need to move on for your own sake and be happy."

"You're miserable. That doesn't make me happy." Jimin shook his head a little. "So can you stop it? I'd rather not force it out of you, I just want to go back to how it was."

"Jimin." Jungkook tried one more time. "There's nothing."

"That's not true."

"We aren't like Namjoon and Jin. We aren't like Hoseok and Yoongi. We can't be like that. I'm too low and you're too high."

"But Jungkook. We did everything Yoongi and Hoseok did! We were the ones who went on a secret museum date. We were the ones who made flowers bloom. We were the ones who set up the snowball team fight. We went to the ball together! We were the ones who tried out all their date ideas...don't you get it? We're exactly like them."

Jungkook was in shock. How had he never thought of that before?! They'd been going on dates for years and he didn't even know it?!

Jimin laughed. "God you're still so cute. So. How about we head to my dorm and we talk it out? Get this...little mishap all fixed up."

Jungkook sniffed one more time and nodded.

"Okay." Jimin smiled at him before taking his hand and leading him. "You know, I'll give it to you, you put up a great effort! But it's time to get you back on track. You need quidditch."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Is that what matters to you?"

"Yes, because it's what makes you the happiest. And I care a lot about your happiness."

"Oh." Jungkook blushed a little before he stayed silent.

He'd really tried his best. He really did. It wasn't his fault that Jimin knew him too well, and it wasn't his fault that Jimin was too stubborn to give up. If anything...

It just made Jungkook like him more.

"Thank you...Jimin..."

"Hm?"

"...for...for not giving up on me..." Jungkook spoke quietly as his blush darkened.

Jimin smiled happily. "Of course Jungkook. I really like you. And I knew you liked me too, otherwise you wouldn't have said it over and over till we fell asleep. You wouldn't have kissed me if you didn't mean it."

Jungkook nodded. "You're right."

"I know I am."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Yeah. I'm sorry."

"Save the apology for when I can kiss you."

"Who says you can't?"

Jimin got them to his painting, pulling Jungkook closer, then down, kissing him passionately. Jungkook immediately kissed back, his blush only darkening as Jimin pulled away. "Maybe I should've just kissed you from the beginning."

"...maybe you should have."

"Oh so it was you Jimin." Another Slytherin came up to the painting. "No wonder the punishments were so cruel." They spoke to the painting, letting the three of them in.

Jimin laughed. "I know, I fell for an idiot."

"Hey!" Jungkook pouted, but Jimin squeezed his hand.

"I wouldn't take anyone else." Jimin smiled happily at him as Jungkook stepped into the Slytherin common room.

It was warm and cozy here, everyone having put in the work to make the dungeon more aesthetic and light. Jimin must've led that.

"Looks nice."

"Matches our vibe." Jimin led Jungkook to his dorm, Jungkook sort of nervous. He'd really never been here before, after all the years he'd known Jimin. Jimin had been over to his dorm...but also Jungkook wasn't a Prefect. "Isn't it nice?" Jimin sat down on his bed. "I like having my own room."

"It is nice...I can't imagine having my own dorm." Jungkook sat on the edge of his bed carefully.

"Come here." Jimin laughed at him. "I'm not upset."

"You said you were!" Jungkook looked at him with slight fear.

"No, no I'm not upset. I'm just...a little ticked off."

"That's such a lie. You were definitely upset." Jungkook shook his head as Jimin moved closer to him. "You tried to kill me."

"It would've only sent you to the infirmary if it hit you." Jimin shrugged and laughed. "But you're fast. I'm not angry at you. I just felt a little...betrayed that you trusted my parents more than me."

"...well...you won't hurt me." Jungkook looked down. "Cause they don't care about me. They don't like me. So they don't care about my happiness or my family...they don't care about hurting me."

"But I can protect you from that. I have that same power."

"But you're just a kid. And they're adults...that changes things." Jungkook shook his head. "I want to be with you. Really. But...because of them, I can't."

"Mmmm, that's not true." Jimin moved closer again. "I told you. We date here. I send you letters during your last two years. By then I'll have a job and a house...you move in."

"It's not that easy-"

"But it is." Jimin laughed. "They can't fucking stop me. It doesn't matter what they do...I'm going to take care of you."

Jungkook blushed as he looked up at him. "Y-you will?"

"I will. I promise."

"Then...then I'm in your care." Jungkook blushed deeper as he gave a small bow, Jimin trying to pull him on the bed.

"Come here."

"Jimin..." Jungkook was red as he looked up at him.

"Come here! Why would you be afraid now?" Jimin giggled as he continued to tug at Jungkook's sweater, wanting him to come closer.

"Cause..." Jungkook reluctantly followed Jimin to the middle of his bed. "Cause you could still be mad at me..."

Jimin laughed. "Afraid of more public shaming?"

"A little bit yeah." Jungkook laughed a little. "Cause...cause they'll know now."

"So?"

"Yeah. I guess you're right." Jungkook laughed more. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too. For not making things perfectly clear. I want you to trust me Jungkook. More than them."

"I'm sorry." Jungkook looked down as he got a little more comfortable, sitting on his feet. "I really just wanted to do what's best for you."

"Mmm. I...appreciate the sentiment, but I'm happiest with you and our group. That's makes me happy."

"...I'll be better for you." Jungkook nodded. "I'll do better."

"It's okay Jungkook, I'm not upset." Jimin lifted Jungkook's chin. "I understand it. I just wish you'd talked it out with me. So please...what did my parents say to you?"

"It's nothing really..." Jungkook mumbled.

"No, it must be something. They're not- my father would never ask to meet with you if- and- and I know I left you at the party. They must have said something."

"It was nothing." Jungkook shook his head. "It was nothing."

"Jungkook...help me understand." Jimin took Jungkook's hands, playing with them kindly.

"...nothing." Jungkook shook his head again, pursing his lips for a moment. "She said I was a nobody. And he told me that I needed to forget you so you could be a part of your society. Really. It doesn't matter..." Jungkook muttered as he knew what Jimin's reaction would be.

"They what?!"

"Really, it's not a big deal..." Jungkook mumbled as he looked down, Jimin grabbing his hands tightly and sitting up on his knees.

"It is a big deal!" Jimin yelled at him. "That shit stays, and they're lying! They don't know you. You're somebody to me." Jimin's eyes watered. "And you make me happy."

"Well...that's really nice to hear, but that doesn't make your parents hate me any less." Jungkook didn't look at him. "Besides...they're just words."

"Yeah, words you shouldn't hear directed towards you." Jimin sighed and sat back down. "Jungkook. I really like you. That's what matters."

Jungkook nodded. "...so what should I hear?"

Jimin laughed a little. "Mmm~ you should hear about how kind you are...how lovely you are to be around..." Jimin moved closer, playing with Jungkook's hands. "How sweet you are...how determined and hard working you are...and many more good things."

"Many?" Jungkook looked up at him a little shyly.

"Many." Jimin smiled and closed the gap, leaning upwards a little to kiss Jungkook. "You're good at many things."

Jungkook blushed. "Like?"

"Mmm~ I dunno, I'm sure we could try things out." Jimin smiled happily at him. "If you want."

"I- I'm not sure." Jungkook blushed more. "I- I mean, of course I've thought about it but...but doing anything is very different."

Jimin nodded. "Then slow."

"Slow." Jungkook nodded...before tilting his head and shaking it. "I don't want to go slow."

"No?" Jimin raised an eyebrow.

"No. We can go our pace. Which...is...sort of- well, it's our pace." Jungkook looked down again, now embarrassed.  "Right?"

"Of course." Jimin laughed a little. "W-whatever you want to do...I probably want to as well."

"T-then what do you want to do?" Jungkook looked up, his blush burning.

"Well...I don't know. Maybe just...familiarize ourselves." Jimin pouted and blushed as well, looking down.

"O-okay." Jungkook nodded. "We can- can do that. N-no one...no one will come in, right?" Jungkook looked at him shyly, a little apprehensive...but curious.

Jimin looked up at him. "No. No one will come in." He looked down at Jungkook's hands, playing with them carefully. "...do you...are you sure?"

Jungkook nodded. "And not as an apology. I really like you. Although I am sorry for- for listening to your parents instead of you...I'm not doing this as an apology."

"Okay." Jimin nodded. "Okay good. I..." Jimin pulled Jungkook a little closer. "I really want to kiss you."

Jungkook nodded again. "I want that too." He moved closer, inching towards Jimin's face. "Can we?"

"Yes. We can." Jimin smiled a little before moving his hands to Jungkook's cheeks, holding them kindly before leaning in and closing the gap.

Jungkook kissed back immediately, equally feeling happiness and regret. Jimin tried to kiss it out of him, pulling him closer and closer, leaning back further and further until he made them lose balance.

"Jimin!" Jungkook caught himself before he could fall on top of him. "You okay?"

"Come here." Jimin laughed. "Kiss me more, come here, stop- stop being careful. Really."

Jungkook shook his head. "I need to be careful."

"Why, cause my dad will kill you if you hurt me? Jungkook." Jimin laughed. "Come on. We're already "breaking the rules" and I don't care."

"You don't have to care." Jungkook looked away. "I have to care."

"Jungkookie." Jimin put his arms around Jungkook's back and pulled him down, Jungkook fighting it until he couldn't. He slowly rested on top of Jimin. "There we go. See? Not so bad?"

"Jimin..." Jungkook felt embarrassed. "A-at least let me lay beside you."

"Mmm." Jimin hugged him tightly, moving him beside him. He looked at him happily. "You'll stay tonight, right? You won't leave in the morning?"

"You want me to spend the night? Can- can I even do that? Is that allowed?"

"I allow it. I'm the Prefect." Jimin kissed his nose. "Questions?"

"Nope." Jungkook smiled a little. "No questions."

"You'll stay the night?"

"Yes." Jungkook kissed him softly. "I'll stay the night."

"Mmm~ good good. That's a good answer."

"I've gotta make it up for you." Jungkook shook his head. "I have to. I didn't mean to cause you pain...I wanted to help."

"You'll be more helpful with me then without me." Jimin kissed him. "Okay?"

"Okay." Jungkook smiled. "Okay. Yeah, I'm- I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Jimin matched his smile. "I'm not mad at you. Well, anymore. I was a little upset that morning but I understood immediately. And by the way...thank you."

"What?" Jungkook laughed. "What did I do?"

"You told me to keep being myself. So I did. I'm going to still be myself which means I'm going to still like you." Jimin giggled. "...and I still really like you." He looked at Jungkook's eyes before glancing at his lips.

Jungkook blushed. "Oh."

"Oh indeed." Jimin kissed him, this time not letting him go. He took his bottom lip in between his own, kissing him with need, as he held onto his sweater. His hands slowly inched Jungkook's sweater up as he kissed him, getting his hands up his back.

Jungkook shivered, trying to pull away, but Jimin didn't let him. He continued to be demanding, Jungkook moving closer to him. He bit down on his lip when he was finished.

"Ow!"

"That's your punishment." Jimin nodded, running his hands up and down Jungkook's back.

Jungkook pouted, his blush dark. "J-Jimin..."

"Yes?" Jimin started to draw circles on his back with his fingertips.

"Y-you can t-take my sweater off." Jungkook blushed deeper but looked at him seriously when Jimin faltered. "I mean it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Jimin sat up on his knees, Jungkook doing so as well to help him get his sweater off. They both looked at each other afterwards, cheeks pink. "D-do you want me to take off mine?"

"Only if you want to." Jungkook spoke quietly.

Jimin nodded and took off his sweater. "Y-you're...already bulking up and you're younger than me." Jimin laughed. "Quidditch is really good for you hm?"

Jungkook laughed a little. "Yeah. It helps me. Keeps me in shape."

"Yeah it does." Jimin looked over him. "You always wear such...baggy clothes. Why?"

Jungkook shrugged. "I like being comfortable. That's all. I didn't have anything to show off before."

"Mm. With more time you'll be even more defined. We're still young."

"I wanna be strong." Jungkook laughed. "You know. Be able to carry someone strong."

"Oh yeah? Why?"

"In case someone needs help...and cause I think it would be nice." Jungkook smiled a little. "It would be nice to carry my partner..."

"Then I look forward to the day." Jimin smiled at him. "If of course...you want that."

"I do, I do." Jungkook reassured him. "I- I just...never thought I'd be here."

"Fuck, me neither." Jimin laughed. "...I wasn't expecting to meet you. It wasn't part of the plan."

"You've never stuck to your plan though."

"Exactly." Jimin kissed his cheek. "So don't feel bad about being a part of it."

Jungkook nodded. "I'm going to try not to. Okay?"

"Good." Jimin smiled at him proudly. "That's really good." He looked down before putting a hand on Jungkook's thigh. "You know...you've always been so good to me."

"Me? You're the one who's been good to me."

"You let me be me."

"Jimin." Jungkook laughed. "It's the other way around!"

Jimin squeezed his thigh. "You're precious."

"Y-you can t-take off my shirt...too." Jungkook stared at Jimin's hand on his thigh. "Y-you can kiss there..."

Jimin hummed. "Are you sure? You're being awfully generous right now."

Jungkook nodded. "I told you. It's not to make up for anything. It's cause I want to."

"What goes on in your mind?" Jimin laughed a little but let go of his thigh, taking the hem of Jungkook's shirt and slowly lifting it off of him. Jimin blushed. "W-why did you want me to do that?"

"Cause." Jungkook leaned forward and kissed him. "Cause I want you to kiss me. A-and you can't leave marks in places people can see."

Jimin blushed deeper. "I- I see. Y-you want that?"

"Would I suggest it if I didn't?" Jungkook looked at him seriously, pouting a little. "Unless...you don't want to?"

"I didn't say that."

"Will you practice on me?" Jungkook blushed as he asked. "Please?"

Jimin nodded. "Yes. Okay, wow, sorry I'm- you're so cute." Jimin moved closer, slowly putting his hand on Jungkook's thigh again. "Is this okay?"

Jungkook nodded.

"Okay. And I can...can kiss you?"

Jungkook nodded again. "Please. I want you to."

Jimin smiled a little before leaning down and kissing his chest.

He was careful, as he sucked in a hickey, knowing that this was both of their first times exploring options...he wanted to be kind. He leaned up to look at Jungkook afterwards.

Jungkook nodded. "Y-you can m-make more." 

"You sure?"

"Yes." Jungkook nodded. "Please."

"O-okay." Jimin blushed and went down again, kissing and marking his skin. His hand on Jungkook's thigh tightened, Jungkook shivering. "Sorry! Sorry-"

"N-no keep- keep doing it." Jungkook blushed more. "I'm just not used to it."

"Sorry." Jimin apologized again. "I should've asked before trying."

"You can." Jungkook nodded. "It just makes me shy."

Jimin laughed. "You make me shy too. B-but I also want to...make sure you know you're mine. Cause you are. I'm not giving you up." Jimin kissed his chest. "Okay?"

"W-what if you have to?"

"I won't."

"But what if you have to?" Jungkook watched Jimin look up and glare at him.

"I'm not going to give you to anyone." Jimin glared more. "Stop trying to run away."

"I'm not! What if- what if-"

"No." Jimin bit him.

"Ow!" Jungkook jolted. "What was that for?"

"Stop it." Jimin kissed over the spot he bit. "Or I'll bite you again."

"S-sorry." Jungkook mumbled, embarrassed. "I'm just really...worried."

"Don't be." Jimin smiled at him before sucking in another mark. "No one else should make a mark on you...and no one else should touch you."

"Y-you either." Jungkook shook his head a little. "C-can I..."

"Hm?" Jimin smiled at him.

"No- sorry." Jungkook laughed a little, blushing more. "I'm too shy to do anything."

"That's okay." Jimin sat up a little. "I'm patient."

Jungkook looked away. "I want...to make you happy."

"You are." Jimin laughed. "You always have?"

"Maybe...maybe another night...I can...can give you more." Jungkook sat up on his elbows. "Okay?"

"Whatever you're comfortable with." Jimin nodded. "I'll always ask okay?" He moved up and laid down on him, kissing his cheek. "And if you ever dislike something tell me. Even apprehensive! I'll stop." Jimin smiled at him.

"Okay. You're...very kind." Jungkook laughed a little as he put his arms around Jimin's waist. "Can we just stay here?"

"Yes. This is nice." Jimin kissed him softly. "If you want you can touch."

Jungkook shook his head. "That's...too much for me right now."

"One day." Jimin nodded. "That's okay."

"...but one day. I want to."

Jimin giggled. "Then I'll look forward to that day."

Jungkook blushed. "...you're...too much..."

"I know. You've got what it takes?"

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."

____

Jungkook woke up first, a little disoriented. But...it was nice to wake up next to Jimin. He rubbed his back, drawing circles with his fingers, smiling a little.

He wanted this. When they would go to Seokjin's house in the summer, the seven of them would sleep in the same room, Jungkook would always sleep next to Jimin. He'd gotten used to it even. But this...this was different. This was definitely different.

Jimin suddenly woke up. "What time is it?"

"I dunno." Jungkook shrugged.

"I- we have class oh god I didn't set my alarm!" Jimin got up, making Jungkook laugh. "Why aren't you getting up? We've got like 30 minutes to get to class!" Jimin glanced back at him before rummaging through clothes.

"It's fine." Jungkook shook his head.

"I'm a Prefect." Jimin shot him another glance before hurrying up. "Get up, come on, we've got places to be!"

"What if I just...skip."

"Not with me here." Jimin huffed. "You need to get your act together now. Get back into the rhythm. I'll help you study and you can get back on the team." He finished getting ready, going over to the door...before turning around and going over to Jungkook. He kissed his forehead. "Get out of my room."

"Lemme sleep a little more."

"This is why you're always late to class." Jimin fixed his hair before heading to the door again. He got his shoes on. "10 minutes, then go."

Jungkook nodded. "Mmm, mhm, okay." He snuggled into Jimin's bed again. "Sure." Jungkook sighed a little.

"...15."

"Perfect." Jungkook smiled and closed his eyes again.

"You're going to be late."

"Yeah...probably." Jungkook laughed a little. "But I want to be in your bed longer."

Jimin audibly gulped. "...I'm heading out now."

"Mmm~ I'll see you for lunch?"

"Yeah." Jimin cleared his throat. "I'll- I'll be going now!"

"Mm!" Jungkook nodded and started to sleep again.

It was probably a mistake to do that, as he woke up in a panic after knowing he'd slept too long. He quickly got up, grabbing whatever sweater was on the floor and getting his robe on. He headed out, not seeing anyone else in the common room as he made his way to class.
He had about...3 minutes to get there.

Upon arriving he quickly found his seat, his friend looking at him. "Um..."

"Hm?" Jungkook hushed as the lesson started. He ruffled his hair. "I just got out of bed, I probably look disheveled."

"Jungkook..."

"Hm?" Jungkook rubbed his eyes, looking down at his clothes. "Oh. Hm. Well. That might make things interesting huh." Jungkook saw the Slytherin robe he'd accidentally put on, with his Gryffindor tie. "Yeah. Huh."

"...so...a Slytherin hm?" His friend teased him.

"Please...if everyone doesn't figure it out by lunch I'd be surprised." Jungkook mumbled. He knew Jimin liked to tease, but at this point...he'd be surprised if he didn't just tell everyone.

"...who is it?" His friend whispered curiously.

"Boys, please keep quiet." The professor asked kindly before continuing the lesson.

Jungkook shook his head. "Really...you'll know by lunch."

____

Jungkook sat next to Jimin during dinner.

Everyone fucking knew.

Jimin bumped his shoulder. "Lookin' like a Prefect today Jungkook!"

"Please." Jungkook sighed heavily, hanging his head. "...I wasn't looking when..." he was too embarrassed to say anything else.

Jimin laughed. "Ah. It's beautiful. I love seeing you embarrassed. You done running from me now?"

"I already said sorry!" Jungkook groaned as Jimin's friends laughed.

"Didn't know you were into guys Jimin."

"I'm into Jungkook." Jimin smiled at Jungkook, taking his hand and playing with it. "I think I just like Jungkook."

His friend laughed. "So you kissed him and then ran away?"

Jungkook sighed heavily. "It was more complicated than that. Really, it was." He hung his head in embarrassment.

Jimin laughed. "It's okay now! I'm still upset you ran from me though." He hummed. "Good choice deciding to stop that."

"Really, let me live." Jungkook mumbled. "I need to get back so I can get this robe off..."

"It's cute. Next time you spend the night, I'll let you borrow a sweater. We can trade." Jimin smiled at him. "Sound alright?"

Jungkook mumbled embarrassedly.

"Nice." Jimin kept playing with his hand while he talked to his friends.

Jungkook couldn't help but feel both equally happy and embarrassed, but at least...at least Jimin was stubborn. At least he wasn't angry at him...that's what he was scared of the most.

____

The rest of the year went by too fast. Jungkook wasn't ready to say goodbye but- but he knew he had to...and he knew he wouldn't see Jimin for a while either.

Jimin took his hands while they rode on the train back. "Like I told you...my parents are sending me away to a business school to train me to take over his job one day...so- so I won't be here for most of the summer and then you'll have school."

Jungkook nodded. "It's okay."

"And Taehyung." Jimin shook his head. "I don't want you to think I'm ignoring you. Okay? I don't know how long I'll be gone..."

"It's okay." Taehyung reassured him. "Just don't forget us."

Jimin laughed. "Of course not!"

Taehyung nodded. "I know. Alright I'm getting us drinks, give me a minute." He stood and left their car, Jimin looking at Jungkook.

"...hey. I have something important to say to you."

"Y-yes?" Jungkook looked up at him.

"If...I'm going to go away for a while. My parents know about us and all that...and they want us to separate. But I want you to know that if you want to date people while I'm gone, it's okay. I don't want to hold you back, okay? If your feelings fade...that's okay. That's natural. Okay?"

"Jimin..." Jungkook looked at him sadly. "I...I don't really want to break up..."

"Wouldn't it be better? To break up while I'm gone? So you can...you told me. You said you can't do long distance." Jimin took his hands. "And that's okay!" He looked at him sadly before looking down. "That's okay. We can take a break."

"A break?" Jungkook looked at him with wide eyes. He was sad to say goodbye...but he was bad at long distance. "What if- what if you find someone you like there?"

"Will you let me date them?"

Jungkook exhaled sharply before looking away. "...yeah. Yeah, you're right. I can't do long distance. B-but you better still letter me."

"I will. I promise, if I can, I will." Jimin sighed and let go of his hands. "I just don't want to hold you back."

"I don't want to hold you back either. But...but how long will you be gone?" Jungkook looked up at him again, eyes wide.

Jimin shook his head slowly. "I- I don't know. But hey...if I come back and you're happy with someone...that's okay. Besides. This is just high school for other people. Alright?"

"But Jimin..." Jungkook sighed. "You're right. Fine. You better write to me. And you better watch me on the big screens, I'm going to be there." He crossed his arms and looked away, pouting a little.

"Oh I better see you there." Jimin laughed a little. "I look forward to saying you're one of my best friends. I can imagine watching and saying I know him!" He smiled. "I'll watch you."

"Good. You should go to a game if you can. You and Taehyung. Everyone actually!" Jungkook laughed, looking at Jimin fondly. "You better go to one game."

"You better make it on the team." Jimin teased him.

Jungkook laughed a little heartier, feeling bittersweet. "Just wait."

Jimin kissed his cheek. "I will."

"Oh." Jungkook blushed. "Oh. But you said-"

"I know what I said. And I mean it. But...I doubt I'll find anyone else." Jimin smiled. "And that's okay."

"O-oh." Jungkook looked down again. "But if you do then go for it."

"Mmm." Jimin took one of Jungkook's hands again. "Yeah. But for now...let's be happy right now."

"Mm." Jungkook nodded and held Jimin's hand.

Taehyung came back with drinks and some food, the three of them enjoying their last moments together before Jimin was pulled away and sent off.

At least Jungkook would have the others but...

But they weren't Jimin.

____

Part 2:

this is war

In which Jimin and Jungkook come together after many years. Things have changed, but their feelings have not.

____

The next years were hard.

Jungkook was inevitably busy; he got on an official quidditch team, was playing competitively and seriously. His parents moved, his brother got married, Namjoon showed him the ring he was going to propose to Jin with, and Hoseok and Yoongi were still going strong. Taehyung and Jungkook were living together, but both of them knew that it was hard without Jimin.

They both missed him.

But Jungkook knew he had to move on. He had to, there was nothing about himself that Jimin should be interested in and he was never going to be someone he was going to be with.

So...he got a boyfriend.

He was really kind, very handsome, athletic, tall, all the nice things. They both played quidditch so it was easy to see each other without going too far out of their ways to meet up. Jungkook really did like him, he was fun to be around and showed him a softer side to him regularly.

Jungkook liked to think he did the same in return.

He was getting into the rhythm of things again. It was weird, but it was nice to finally feel good about himself.

He'd grown. He'd gotten taller, more muscular, more sharp. He looked older now. And that's what the point of his interview was today.

"From 2017 to 2021, you'd been playing quidditch at a competitive level, correct?"

"I did play earlier than that while in school, as I started when I was a second year, but yes, competitively I've only played five years."

"And within those five years you've ranked only higher and higher as a leaderboard player. Jeon Jungkook, how does it feel to become the number one player in the world?" The interviewer smiled at him.

Jungkook smiled back rather shyly. "It doesn't feel real. In fact none of it does. Now I know I'm no captain, but it's odd to have people look up to me when I've always been the youngest. In my family, in my friend group, in my teams...so to answer your question...it feels rewarding, I'm proud of myself, but I won't forget where I came from."

"And how does it feel to not be captain? As far as we've all heard, you aren't planning on becoming one, is that still true?"

"It is. I don't want to be a leader." Jungkook laughed. "I think I've been babied too much in my life to become a leader. I need the stability of a captain more than anyone, and I couldn't be that for others." He shook his head.

"You've matured a lot then, as you were the captain during your time at Hogwarts. What changed?"

Jungkook thought about it for a moment. "Hm...I...I met people. I realized that I was a better player when I relied on people instead of trying to lead people. I'm a great support. I'm an amazing support. And hey, maybe one day I'll be an assistant captain! But I don't want to be a captain again." He shook his head with a smile.

"I'm sure I speak for everybody when I say we're happy to hear that you know yourself better now." The interviewer smiled with a nod, looking through the papers. "Yes, so with your recent new ranking...how does it feel to have been in the top five players for the past five years? Going from a fifth worldwide ranking rookie to the top ranking as a fifth year player...how does that feel?"

"Well it's incredible." Jungkook laughed. "I never thought I'd be anything, but with a little help from my support groups...I feel like I maybe actually deserve it."

The interview continued, Jungkook happy and anxious to have the spotlight, but he was more than happy to finish it.

He thanked the interviewers, then everyone else, as he started to help them clean up. After that, he headed out, fixing his button down: tucking it in better, fixing the creases, rolling up the sleeves.

He happily greeted his boyfriend at his car. "Hey! How'd it go?" He smiled as they got in, Jungkook driving tonight.

"It went well! They're super nice, but the production is so high...just the quality." Jungkook laughed as he glanced at him. "We've all had our fair share of bad interviews."

"Especially after the games. God the horrible things spat at us if we lose."

"Sorry." Jungkook teased him. "I don't intend to lose."

"I'll get up there. I'm ranked high as well you know." He teased him back. "I'm in the top ten your highness."

"Oh please, grovel at my feet and pray, give me offerings first. Then you may say my name." Jungkook rolled his eyes. He checked his watch. "Taehyung's brining a guest, right?"

"Yep. Not a double date though, just a get together."

"Okay, good. I'd be too shy to meet another one of Taehyung's partners. Last time he brought someone over she literally payed more attention to me than him." Jungkook sighed. "Not very nice of her."

"Who wouldn't look at Taehyung?" His boyfriend laughed. "He's literally sculpted."

"You wouldn't, babe." Jungkook raised an eyebrow as he glanced at him. "You walked right past him to introduce yourself to me."

"I wanted to say it was a good game."

"You didn't let go of our handshake and wouldn't look away from my eyes for a moment."

"What can I say? I was charmed." He laughed. "Okay. So maybe I didn't see Taehyung."

"I rest my case."

They arrived at the restaurant the two had picked, getting their table and waiting for Taehyung and his guest.

"You look good today." Jungkook admired his boyfriend. "Who're you trying to impress?"

"You of course! You always look good, I've gotta put care into my outfits cause of you."

Jungkook laughed. "Blame Taehyung. He made me care."

"I do blame him. You've even chided me."

"How could you go out in sweatpants when you have designer clothes?"

"Comfort?"

"Fashion." Jungkook shook his head with a smile, tapping his boyfriends hand. "You'll get there. You look good today."

"You look good everyday."

"Cheesy."

"You like cheesy."

Jungkook laughed a little and kissed his cheek, before looking over and seeing Taehyung and his guest coming over. "Oh good, I'm ready to eat."

His face slowly morphed from happiness, to shock, back to immense happiness.

"No way!" Jungkook stood from his chair. "Jimin! You didn't tell me you were coming!" Jungkook laughed and ran to him, Jimin opening his arms happily as they embraced.

Jungkook picked him up easily and spun him around before setting him down. "God Jungkook it's been too long." Jimin smiled at him.

Jungkook looked at Taehyung. "How could you keep this a secret! Jimin! Oh god Jimin." Jungkook held his face happily, before bringing him into another hug, before holding his shoulders. "You- I- wow!" Jungkook looked him up and down, Jimin laughing. "Wow!"

"Wow to you too!" Jimin laughed a little more as Jungkook looked at him. "You've grown so much Jungkook."

"How- how long are you staying?"

"For as long as I want. I'm free!" Jimin laughed again.

Jungkook slowly let go of his shoulders. "Oh my god, how rude of me! Jimin, meet my boyfriend." Jungkook led him to their table, getting the chair for him. He pushed in Jimin's chair before going to his own.

He smiled at his boyfriend before looking at Jimin snd Taehyung. "Hi, my name is Soo Hyunwoo, it's so nice to meet you." He bowed a little. I've heard so much about you, Jungkook really admires you." He smiled at Jimin who smiled back.

"It's nice to meet you. I can't wait to see your game tomorrow, I'm excited to see my first one in person. Jungkook, I expect only the best performance." Jimin teased him, Jungkook only able to smile.

"Of course I will! I'll do my very best if you're going to watch." Jungkook stared at Jimin. He looked so...good. His hair was slicked back, wearing earrings and rings, his button down tucked into black slacks really showing off his figure. It seemed like Jungkook had bulked up and Jimin had slimmed down.

Hyunwoo leaned forward on the table. "You know, he just became the number one ranked player in the world-"

"Please." Jungkook laughed in embarrassment.

"He just finished his interview today right?" Taehyung smiled at them all. He laughed when Jungkook blushed a little and looked down. "So that was today. How did it go?"

"It went well but it's still so surprising! I can't like- believe that everything has happened. Even though I've put in the work, it still doesn't...feel quite right. It's odd." Jungkook laughed a little. "It's really odd."

"Well, I think you deserve it." Jimin hummed. "I haven't been able to go to any games in person, but I've watched many at friends houses. I know you deserve it."

"He's played his heart out, of course he deserves it." Hyunwoo smiled. "Tomorrow's game will be good."

"Hope so!" Jimin smiled.

"It will be!" Taehyung laughed.

The four of them enjoyed dinner together, Jungkook more than happy to hear from Jimin about his time at school and starting his business.

Afterwards, Jungkook dropped his boyfriend off at his apartment before headed home. Jimin was spending the night with them.

When Jungkook got home, he was insanely tired. He sat on the couch, taking his belt off and untucking his shirt. He exhaled slowly, resting his head on the back of the couch, seeing Jimin. "Oh! Hey Jimin!" Jungkook smiled and sat up as Jimin came around. "I..."

Jimin sat next to him, simply staring.

"Hi." Jungkook spoke quietly.

"Hi." Jimin kept looking at him. "I'm trying to recognize you."

"Sorry." Jungkook whispered. "I'm sorry."

Jimin smiled softly. "...when we're you going to tell me?" He reached out before retracting his hand.

Jungkook moved a little closer. "You can touch my face."

Jimin sighed a little, still smiling. "When? Were you ever going to?" He reached out and brushed Jungkook's hair out of his eyes, then touched his cheeks.

"I was...but I was scared..." Jungkook closed his eyes. "I was scared of what you'd think about me."

"Jungkook...it's okay. It's been years and years...I understand. I'm not upset, we agreed. I was just a little surprised to have never heard about it. Are you out in public?..."

Jungkook shook his head. "No. No, it's confidential. For multiple reasons." He opened his eyes as Jimin brushed over his lips. "Please tell me you don't like me anymore."

Jimin let go of his face, staring at him. Jungkook could see his lips twitch as they tried to say something, and his eyes trail his features.

"Jimin." Jungkook looked at him sadly. "Tell me you don't like me."

Jimin pursed his lips before slowly shaking his head. "...I can't..." he whispered.

"Jimin please." Jungkook laughed sadly. "Tell me you're over me, please."

Jimin's eyes started to water as he mouthed the words Jungkook never wanted to hear.

I think I love you.

He never said the words, but Jungkook knew them. He swore he could hear them in his head, he knew Jimin's voice, he knew his cadence, he knew his lips.

Jungkook laughed and looked down. "Sorry. I'm sorry Jimin, I'm really sorry." He stood up from the couch.

"No no, don't go, please." Jimin quickly took his hands but Jungkook moved them out of his grasp.

"Jimin I have a boyfriend." Jungkook shook his head. "You can't say that to me."

"I didn't say anything. And I already said it's okay, we already said it was okay."

Jungkook ruffled his own hair as he looked away. "But if you- this- it'll disrupt things. That's not something you should say to me!"

Jimin looked at him in confusion. "Disrupt things? Jungkook if you really like him and you don't have feelings for me, then I shouldn't be disputing anything."

Jungkook looked at him with shock, then blushed and looked away.

"Jungkook." Jimin looked at him with concern. "Tell me you don't have feelings for me."

"I- I don't, really, I'm happy with him." Jungkook stuttered, feeling shame and embarrassment. "I really don't- I really don't have feel- I really don't have feelings for you a-anymore." Jungkook struggled through it.

No no no, he was supposed to be better than this.

"Jungkook say it and mean it." Jimin looked up at him from the couch. "Please, don't give me hope."

Jungkook sighed heavily and slumped onto the couch, then slowly slinked to the floor. He hung his head. "I'm happy with him."

"Say it."

"I really like him."

"Do you love him?" Jimin asked curiously.

"Stop pestering me! You said it was okay!" Jungkook shook his head, hands covering his face before grabbing his hair. "I didn't know you were coming."

"...Jungkook...I shouldn't be a problem?"

Jungkook snapped at him. "You've always been a problem, what are you talking about? I've liked you for longer than you've liked me. As soon as- I- the flowers- you-" Jungkook stuttered before sighing heavily. "I really do like him."

"Then say you don't like me."

"It's not that easy!" Jungkook shook his head. "It's never been that easy. I didn't know you were coming."

"So...what should I do?" Jimin slowly sat next to him. "I'll be supportive. Happy for you. But I want to talk about it instead of not. I came to surprise you since...well...I don't think I could've written anything to prepare you." He laughed a little, quietly and soft.

"I just...it feels wrong." Jungkook quickly glanced at him before looking away and blushing. Jimin was too fucking handsome and he wasn't used to that. "I can't admit it because I'm...with someone."

Jimin laughed a little louder, making Jungkook blush more. He sounded so lovely. "I can't help you with that. I just wanted to make things clear. I will respect your decision, but on my half, nothing has changed."

"...things have changed on my half but...but I can't say they're different either." Jungkook glanced at him again.

"...what's changed?" Jimin asked softly.

"I have a boyfriend."

"That's it?"

"I can't say I don't still have feelings for you. I can't say that because it would be a lie." Jungkook pouted and looked away. "But I also can't say I don't have feelings for him, because I do."

"Mmm. So what would you like to do?"

"I...I want to stay with him." He nodded. "Goddamn it I didn't know you were going to be here." Jungkook muttered to himself.

"Okay. I'll respect that. I will." Jimin patted his thigh. "But I won't be a liar. I'm still a shoulder to cry on, a friend, and someone who cares about you a fuck ton. So. If you need anything...I'll be here. Okay? Taehyung is going out with me to get a phone tomorrow so I'll be learning a lot. And then I'm going to your game, I'm so exited."

Jimin had somehow gotten back into their flow of things, Jungkook still in awe of how different he looked. He couldn't really get over it. "Yeah. Yeah that's a good idea. I'll play my best for you Jimin."

"For me?"

"Of course. You're the person everyone will be playing for." Jungkook laughed a little bit. "Once people find out you're going...you'll be in the vip section won't you?"

"Mhm."

"Then yeah. You'll be getting a lot of eyes."

"Well, I'll be honest, I'll only have mine on you." Jimin smiled at him happily. "I'm not used to seeing you so mature yet. Have you gotten a good look at me yet? Thank you for letting me touch your face, I know that's a little odd."

"No, I mean- you've always been touchy." Jungkook shrugged. "And no. I'm not used to you yet. I feel bad for staring." He looked away.

"...I want you to stare at me."

"Please don't flirt with me." Jungkook whispered. "Please."

"Ah sorry. I think I got used to it." Jimin laughed cheerfully.

"Did um...did you ever date anyone? Ever like someone?" Jungkook tried to feel less shame.

"Mmmm...no? Not really. There was one girl I sort of liked but then I noticed I just liked her cause she reminded me of you." Jimin laughed again. "So...yeah."

"I see..." Jungkook felt bad now. "Sorry. I'm really-"

"Don't apologize." Jimin reassured him. "We agreed and I stand by that. I'll be polite. Really, I will! I'll try not to flirt, that was my bad."

Jungkook sighed heavily. Jimin was too kind. "Sorry. I'm sorry. I should head to bed Jimin, I've had a long day. I'm really happy to have you back home, I am. I wish I had known, I would've put something together for you."

"Taehyung said you'd say that which is why it was a surprise. So that you wouldn't make yourself too busy." Jimin spoke softly. "I didn't want you to stress over it."

"But I wish I could've been ready." Jungkook glanced at him. "I guess I never really would've been. You look good."

"So do you. We're not little boys anymore."

"No. No, we're not." Jungkook laughed before speaking quietly. "You look really good."

"...I feel confident now. I'm glad you can tell."

"Jimin."

"Mm?"

"Enjoy the game tomorrow. I really do have to rest now."

"Hey. Just- just one more thing." Jimin put his hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "I'm still your friend. If you need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, someone to give advice, I'm still there for you. Okay?"

"Okay Jimin, thank you. I do- I do appreciate it. I do. I missed you." Jungkook stood up and held his hand out for Jimin. "I can't wait to catch up a little more after my game."

"Only a little?" Jimin laughed as they started to walk down the hall.

"Well I'm- yeah. I'm going over to my boyfriends house afterwards." Jungkook stopped at his door. "...we'll catch up more later. Since you're staying."

"Right. Goodnight Jungkook."

"Goodnight Jimin." Jungkook smiled and went into his room, Jimin going into Taehyung's.

Jungkook couldn't sleep.

He couldn't sleep, he couldn't rest.

Jimin- Jimin was beautiful. He'd grown, he looked so mature, so handsome, so pretty...Jungkook felt bad. He had a boyfriend and he was happy with him, but...Jimin coming back...he couldn't ignore his feelings. He knew them well and he knew they would resurface once Jimin spent more time here.

Fuck, this wasn't going to go well. He had to be a good boyfriend. And Jimin was supposed to forget him.

____

Jungkook played the game with 110% of his energy, effort, and focus. He was on his game today, feeling good, tired, but good, as he won with his team. He happily congratulated their captain, then shook hands with the opposing team.

"Dinner tonight?" His boyfriend smiled at him as they shook hands.

"Yeah." Jungkook smiled back. "You're cooking tonight right?"

"Loser cooks dinner." He laughed as they went their own ways. 

Jungkook went back to his team, celebrating with them before they got stopped by some press. Some interviews, a shy Jungkook, and some alcohol took place before he was able to head out.

Taehyung and Jimin were talking with some players as Jungkook went up to them. He put his arm around one of the players shoulders. "Good game today!"

"Oh fuck off Jungkook, you're too good at this." She laughed as Jungkook grinned at her, then looked at Jimin. "Have you met him yet? This is Park Jimin, my dad works with him."

Jungkook nodded. "We went to school together."

"We were more than that Jungkook!" Jimin laughed a little while Jungkook blushed. "But yes, we know each other well. Jungkook, you played so well! I was concerned this morning by how tired you were."

"You live together?" She looked between them. "I thought you just lived with Taehyung."

"He's living with us for the time being, but he's getting a house soon." Taehyung smiled. "We're just happy to have him here again."

She nodded but seemed to understand. "Well, I hope you enjoyed the game. Good work out there Jungkook, you never disappoint." She laughed a little before heading off, Jungkook waving goodbye.

Jungkook sighed as she left. "Jimin, really..."

"Hm? Can I not say that?" Jimin smiled at him, but Jungkook was extremely used to it. He knew how sly he was, he knew what that fucking smile meant. "You are my ex you know."

"Yeah but you know how it sounds." Jungkook crossed his arms and looked at him, glancing at Taehyung. "You're enjoying this too much."

"I am." Taehyung nodded.

"Oh me too." Jimin laughed. "I do know how it sounds. People should back off from me and you."

"Me? I'm taken Jimin." Jungkook sighed again before talking quietly. "But that's not public...which is why you shouldn't say we were ex's in public either."

"Oh! Well, that I can respect. For any particular reason?" Jimin smiled at him, Jungkook trying not to blush.

...he just looked so happy to be here. So happy to see him, so genuine and-

"Yeah, yeah." Jungkook looked away. "Um, he wanted to have our private lives separate from our work. And I respect that."

"Mmm. So how does that...apply to me not being able to say that we were...?" Jimin asked honestly, still smiling at him.

"Well...I don't really want people to know yet. I don't want people to analyze how I treat men just because I like men. And that could out Hyunwoo on accident and he's just not ready for that." Jungkook looked around them.

"Mmm, alright. I'll be respectful." Jimin nodded. "But that doesn't stop me from hugging you right? That's still alright?"

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah. That's alright. Why, you want to congratulate me for the game? How'd you like it?" Jungkook smiled a little as Jimin happily walked forward and hugged him.

"It was fun! I haven't been to a game in so long, I love the energy. Though you were right, there were a lot of eyes on me. Though I was right too." Jimin pulled away from the hug. "I had my eyes on you the entire time."

"Jimin, please." Jungkook shook his head with a smile. "Keep your comments to yourself...I can't return them." Jungkook held Jimin's shoulders, squeezing them before letting him go.

He heard walking down the hall and looked back to see Hyunwoo coming down. The two smiled at each other. "Hey! Nice to see you both again, shame our game was against Jungkook. Otherwise I would've seemed much cooler."

"You did amazing!" Taehyung reassured him. "But you just...can't really beat the best."

"Please." Jungkook laughed. "I do my best, that's all."

"Yeah, which just so happens to be the best in the world." Hyunwoo laughed and put his arm around Jungkook's shoulders. "I'd be happy to stick around, but we've gotta get going."

"Right! We've got a lot going on today. I'll be back tomorrow morning Taehyung. If I get home early enough I'll take you guys out for breakfast." Jungkook smiled.

"Sounds good. Actually text me this time?" Taehyung smiled at him thinly.

"Mm, yeah." Jungkook nodded. He wasn't going to.

Taehyung sighed but knew that anyways. "Alright, well, I'm giving Jimin your number."

"Ah, alright. Thanks for coming guys."

"Of course!" Jimin smiled at him happily, staring once again at his features. "I can't wait to go to all of them."

Hyunwoo nodded with a smile. "They're worth it."

"Oh he definitely is." Jimin smiled at Hyunwoo. Jungkook knew that smile as well. Jungkook took a shaky breath.

"We should get going." Jungkook smiled and nodded his head before starting to walk.

"Bye!" Hyunwoo waved to them and followed Jungkook.

Goddamn it Jimin.

That fucking smile. That was his polite but angry smile. He was competitive. Jimin wasn't letting this go easily like he was saying...he was upset. And as far as Jungkook could tell now...Jimin wasn't going to let this go easily. He was a fucking snake and Jungkook was so susceptible and easy and-

"Hey Jungkook?" Hyunwoo asked softly as they got in his car.

"Yeah?"

"...do I need to worry about Jimin?"

"What? No! No, no, you don't." Jungkook smiled at him fondly. "We've always been affectionate."

"He's your ex, right?"

"Yeah. But he's still my friend, that didn't change." Jungkook tried to reassure him. "You don't need to worry about him."

"It's just- you know this is my first time in a relationship with a guy...I'm not used to everything."

"I can't say I'm very skilled at it either, but I can understand the concern." Jungkook nodded. "He's not someone to worry about. He's just...mmm, naturally flirtatious."

"Yeah but...his tone. I- I dunno, he spoke kind of...passive aggressively. Are you sure you two cleared the air?"

"We did. I made myself clear to him."

"Did he make himself clear to you?"

"Well...n...not really?" Jungkook thought about it. "He said he was going to respect my decisions."

"...okay...cause I do mean it...he was a little passive aggressive."

"He was a little...antagonistic." Jungkook sighed. "I think he's not used to not flirting with me."

"Wait- wait didn't you guys break up in like, high school? Graduation?"

"Yeah." Jungkook nodded.

"So it's been years."

"Yeah." Jungkook nodded again.

"So why is he still interested in you?"

"Um...he's Jimin. He's stubborn...but he's genuine. I- I mean we've kept in touch this whole time."

"So he knew about me right?"

"Well...no..." Jungkook mumbled.

"No?"

"No." Jungkook sighed. "I didn't- I didn't tell him."

"Well why not? I trust he wouldn't out us. But I guess we never really talked about that, so I get it." He tried to rationalize it, but Jungkook felt a little shame. He only hadn't told Jimin because he...didn't want Jimin to feel bad. And he didn't...he was so selfish. Jungkook didn't want Jimin to think he wasn't an option.

His relationship was rather new, but still. He should've told Jimin. And he should've told Hyunwoo.

"I'm...I'm thinking about it Jungkook. I am."

"Woah, no no, I don't need you to need to come out! Really, I'm okay with not being out. I like that our personal and professional are separate. I do."

"But you're so confident in yourself and I'm just trying things out."

"Yeah? And? That's okay." Jungkook shook his head. "Don't force yourself to do anything. It took me time to be confident, it's okay for you to take your time too."

"I am thinking about it though. Because it is weird to pretend."

"If you're worried because of Jimin...don't be." Jungkook shook his head. "He's not a problem."

"Okay. I trust you you know."

"I trust you too. I know this is different for both of us really, but I think we're okay." Jungkook nodded. "Cause you're really good at talking to me."

"I try."

"Me too."

The two had a good rest of their night.

But in the back of Jungkook's head...he couldn't get the feeling of guilt away.

____

Jungkook dressed for breakfast, meeting Taehyung and Jimin there. He was more than happy to spend time with them, especially if that meant catching up.

Jungkook wore a more put together look today than his usual athletic wear, which he found to be fitting as Jimin walked in with Taehyung.

The two always tried to one up him in fashion. But now he could match them. Jungkook smiled as they sat down. "Already ordered, hopefully you aren't starving."

"Only dying to see you." Jimin smiled happily at him. "You look good for a morning."

"I had something exciting to do." Jungkook smiled back before looking at Taehyung. "And you always look good, do I really need to say anything?"

"Best part?"

"The hat."

"Perfect."

"Aww, you won't tell me I look good?" Jimin teased.

"You also always look good." Jungkook shrugged. "Do you need me to say it?"

"Yes." Jimin smiled at him happily. "I do need to hear it from you."

Jungkook sighed with a smile. "You look good."

"Thank you." Jimin smiled to himself, looking bashful.

Jungkook laughed a little, but looked at him fondly. He wanted to learn him better, learn him all over again, hear his laughs and voice. "How are you Jimin? Really, how are you?" Jungkook smiled at him happily.

"I'm better now, I feel better. Coming home is really nice...I feel better already." Jimin smiled at the both of them. "You have no idea how weird it was there. Imagine going from our friend group to nothing. And then going from nothing to everyone. Kids finding out who I was...god, I just wish I had you two. You've always treated me the same, I wish I had that."

"And letters don't really help with that. They're good for keeping in touch, but...not everyday." Taehyung nodded.

"But now I have a phone!" Jimin happily pulled it out. "Taehyung's been showing me how it works, so I'll be able to call you guys now. When I find a place I like, I'll be sure to call you after I move in."

Jungkook laughed at his excitement.

"What?" Jimin pouted. "You know I wasn't allowed to have any muggle things, so this is a first!"

"I know, it's just cute." Jungkook covered his mouth as he laughed.

Jimin smiled a little. "You think I'm cute?"

Taehyung patted Jimin's thigh. "Be polite."

Jimin simply smiled as Jungkook shook his head a little. "...really Jimin, you said you'd respect my decision."

"I do respect it."

"But?"

Jungkook watched Jimin lean on the table, resting his chin on his hand, looking at him seriously. "But that doesn't change the fact that you lied to me and are breaking a promise."

"I-" Jungkook immediately felt defensive his eyebrows furrowing. "You said it was okay."

"Yeah. I did say it was okay. But I also expected you to tell me if you got in a relationship. I came back thinking you weren't in one, so you can understand the confusion and anger." Jimin stared at him, smiling thinly.

Jungkook looked away. He knew that simple smile. He didn't miss that, but at the same time...he deserved it. "I already said that I was sorry."

"Can we not have like, a normal breakfast?" Taehyung looked between them. "You can discuss your personal lives when I'm not trying to enjoy some quality time with you two."

"Sorry."

"Sorry."

Jungkook and Jimin immediately apologized.

"Alright. So. What've you been up to Jimin?"

"Oh! God, I've just been so busy. Obviously I'm going to be in charge of my dads business eventually, so with that I sort of get to do other things. In particular, I'm working with other ministries around the world so that our policies are still in check."

Jungkook nodded. "That's amazing. You're really dedicated."

"Same as you." Jimin looked at them. "Both of you! You're both so dedicated."

"We've all got things going for us." Jungkook smiled. "I think we'll be okay."

"Mm." Taehyung nodded.

The food arrived, they ate, but Jungkook couldn't get it out of his head.

Jimin was completely right.

He was selfish.

____

Jungkook trained, played, and spent nights at his boyfriends house, and at his own. As much as he was happy to have Jimin here, he was also avoiding him. He just wanted things to be normal, he just wanted their relationship to be okay.

But yeah. He'd fucked things up a little.

He knew it. He knew it. It was something he accidentally did on purpose. He wanted both things, even though he knew it was wrong. He wanted to be with Hyunwoo and he wanted to have Jimin still be interested in him. He wanted Jimin to know that he was still interested in him, but he also knew he liked Hyunwoo.

It was bad, yeah.

He knew it.

But he didn't know what to do. He really did like him, but he also still had unresolved feelings for Jimin. Those were deeper, had more meaning, had more emotions attached, were old and he was afraid there were going to be new ones.

But he really liked Hyunwoo. He was kind, he was careful, playful, a gentleman, hardworking, god, he was everything.

But Jimin...

Jungkook laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow was an off day, and he couldn't sleep. Too much on his mind. Not enough closure.

But that was also his fault.

Jungkook never let there be closure. He purposely made sure that Jimin knew he was still interested in him. He made sure during their letters. He made sure that it was obvious, that they were still flirting and- and he was an asshole. He was being an absolute dick to some of his favorite people.

He just didn't know what to do.

He was happy, but would he be happier with Jimin? If he wasn't, he'd lose them both. Was that worth it? He was happy.

But could he work to be happier? Should he settle for happy, instead of something even better? Was he settling? Was this settling?

A knock on the door made Jungkook sit up. He looked around his room as he went to it, thinking that maybe Taehyung had accidentally left something in here.

Jimin stood in the hallway when he opened it. "Hey..."

"Hey." Jungkook spoke softly, leaning on the doorframe. "Need something?"

"Just some company. Taehyung fell asleep but I couldn't...and it seems you still can't either." Jimin spoke quietly, laughing a little. "Can you keep me company?"

"Yeah, come in." Jungkook let him inside, closing the door behind him. "What's keeping you up at night?"

"Oh you know. Daily stress. People stress."

"...can we not? Not tonight." Jungkook got back in his bed, opening the blanket for Jimin. "For tonight...let's just relax."

"But I want to talk about it." Jimin got in, laying on his side to see Jungkook. "I want to be angry at you, but I can't."

"Be angry at me. I deserve it." Jungkook stared at the ceiling, hands clasped over his chest. "I'm upset with myself."

"I'm upset with myself too."

"You have no reason to be upset at yourself." Jungkook looked at him. "You haven't done anything wrong."

"I'm a liar too."

"Hm?"

"I said I'd respect your decision, but I can't help but flirt with you when I shouldn't. I even make other people feel our tension on purpose. I'm jealous."

"Yeah? Well I'm an asshole."

"A jealous ex and an ex that's an asshole." Jimin laughed a little. "What have we become?"

"...stupid." Jungkook looked back at the ceiling. "We've become stupid."

"You're right. We're stupid."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Well, at least you have a degree."

"Is it helpful for whatever's between us? No. So it's not useful."

"Jimin, there's more important things than me."

"I like you." Jimin quickly corrected himself. "No. No, I love you."

"Don't say it." Jungkook sighed. "We're both being selfish."

"I want to be selfish. Because I want you and I don't want anyone else to have you." Jimin shook his head a little. "...it makes me jealous to see you come back from his house. I just want to...to be with you again."

"I know. And I'm sorry for leading you on."

"...Jungkook. You led me on while you were dating him." Jimin looked at him. "Don't-"

"I know. That's why I said I was an asshole."

"...don't you think that's unfair to both of us? To all of us?"

"I do. I knew it was. I know it is." Jungkook spoke softly. "I apologize. I am sorry, I am, I just...couldn't make up my mind. I still can't."

"Jungkook..."

"I know. That's why I'm upset. Cause I really can't...I really don't know."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"I just- I am happy with him. I like him a lot. Maybe I even love him. But I don't know. And I don't know if I'm happy with him but could be happier with- with you." Jungkook blushed a little. "I just don't know. Because no matter what happens, I could lose you both."

"You'll never lose me Jungkook. I stayed all this time, didn't I?"

"Aren't you mad?"

"Sure." Jimin laid on his side again so he could look at Jungkook. "But I can't stay mad at you. It's impossible."

"How come?"

"Cause. I know you mean it when you say all your words. I know you mean it when you say it's complicated. Sure I'm upset that you lied, and I'm upset that you led me on. I'm upset that you didn't trust me enough to tell me."

"...I am sorry..." Jungkook looked at him, frowning a little and feeling guilty. He was trying not to cry. "I know I'm in the wrong. I know it's my fault."

"But I'm not going to be upset forever. I'm just trying to figure you out. I think I've stared at you enough to recognize you, but now I need to know you again." Jimin smiled at him. "There may be mixed feelings for you...but there aren't any mixed feelings for me."

"That doesn't help me." Jungkook shook his head. "You aren't helping me."

"I told you. I'm jealous and angry." Jimin put his hand on the pillow. "I'm not trying to help you."

"Please...make this easy for me."

"Chose me."

"Jimin." Jungkook rolled onto his side. He put his hand over Jimin's on the pillow. "I can't right now."

"Why not? What if we will be happier?"

"Then I'll feel guilty. I'll feel bad for Hyunwoo. He's done nothing wrong and I do like him." Jungkook stared at Jimin.

"But-"

"No. I need...I need to be good. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry but...maybe another year. I hate to make you wait longer but...I can't do this. If I ask you to wait, that means I'm already thinking of being with you. And that's wrong to him."

"I want to make you fall for me again."

"Jimin...you said you'd respect it..."

Jimin's hand tightened underneath Jungkook's. "I do respect it. But I'm also not over you and I would respect it completely if...if you didn't have feelings for me too."

Jungkook tightened his own hand over Jimin's. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have led you on."

"If you didn't, I would've let you go."

"Would you have?" Jungkook asked genuinely.

"I mean...I think so." Jimin stayed quiet for a moment before looking at the pillow instead of Jungkook. "...maybe not. I love you. I think I knew that a long time ago, and I don't think I ever want to let that go."

"I'm just a high school sweetheart. That doesn't mean anything."

"Then why would we be in this situation?"

"God I don't know, maybe cause I'm scared to let go of the one person I think I've ever loved?" Jungkook let go of his hand. "Even though I should."

"Jungkook..." Jimin spoke softly before brushing Jungkook's cheek. "I still like you though. Why should we- wait- the only person?"

Jungkook blushed a little. "Oh god I'm sorry. I'm not helping anyone."

"I want you Jungkook."

"That's great, but I can't...I can't." Jungkook took Jimin's hand off his cheek. "I can't. I'm sorry."

"Can I fight for you? Is that allowed?"

"Fight for me?"

"Win you back. Get you back."

"Jimin..."

"I want you Jungkook. I want you." Jimin tried to touch his cheek again.

"Jimin." Jungkook held his hand tighter to stop him. "Maybe you should go back to Taehyung's room."

"...I've done it twice already." Jimin moved his hand away. "And I'll do it again." He rolled over, but didn't get out of the bed.

"Jimin...let me go." Jungkook spoke softly. "Please."

"Why, so you don't feel guilty anymore? Too bad! Feel guilty! I'm not letting you go. If you love someone let them go, that's what you're thinking right?"

Jungkook felt called out.

"Well it's a lie. That's not true. Letting someone go is if you don't agree anymore, but you're just indecisive. If you're not, tell me, but from what I can tell, you just don't want to let go of either of us and you'd feel better if I made the decision for you. But I'm not going to." Jimin turned around to him again, sitting up a little. "I'm not making your decision for you."

Jungkook felt immensely called out. "Oh." He hated but loved being known by Jimin. He felt loved that way.

"Yeah. So get your act together and make a decision." Jimin huffed and laid back down, facing away from him. "Cause I'm not playing around anymore. This isn't high school. We aren't high school sweethearts anymore. I love you."

"Stop it. You- how can you say it so easily? That's not something you can say lightly." Jungkook sat up a little.

"I'm not saying it lightly. I'm saying it with my whole heart."

Jungkook blushed deeply, surprised at his honesty. "J-Jimin..."

"So stop acting like I'm taking this lightly. I'm serious. And I'm not backing down."

Jungkook stared at him dumbfounded. He didn't have the words at the moment.

"...so don't give up on me either."

Jungkook slowly laid back down. "I guess we aren't kids anymore."

"Nope."

"Did you really just want company or did you need to talk with me?"

"...a...a bit of both." Jimin mumbled. "I just had too much on my mind and...I missed sleeping next to you." Jimin quickly said the last part.

"Ah. I...I hope it'll be...I hope you sleep well...tonight..." Jungkook felt embarrassed and shy and everything all over again.

"I think I will. Thank you."

"...goodnight Jimin."

"Goodnight Jungkook."

____

The two woke up rather tangled up and rather sideways. Legs between legs, Jimin had stolen Jungkook's pillow to hold, and Jungkook was laying crooked. They both groggily sat up, untangling themselves with slight embarrassment.

"Good morning." Jungkook spoke softly, as his morning voice was unable to speak any louder.

Jimin blushed darker. "Goddamn it Jungkook."

"What?" Jungkook rubbed his eyes.

"Sorry." Jimin looked away. "I gotta go."

"Hm?" Jungkook looked at him in confusion.

"I'll see you for breakfast." Jimin hurriedly left, Jungkook still confused.

"What?" He watched his door close, not really knowing what happened. Why did Jimin just leave? It was totally normal for them to sleep next to each other wasn't it? He guessed that maybe sleeping without a shirt was different, but that wouldn't be what would make him run away, was it?

Maybe his voice? Jimin's voice was also deep from sleep, and yeah, Jungkook kinda liked it a lot, but not to react like that.

He shrugged it off to get ready for his day. 

He went out to help make breakfast with Taehyung.

"Morning. Jimin alright?"

"Hm? Yeah he's taking a shower, he'll join us afterwards. He crawled into your bed last night didn't he." Taehyung laughed a little.

"He did." Jungkook blushed. So Jimin was taking a shower. Oh. "He couldn't sleep and you know me."

"You should get that checked out." Taehyung hummed as they worked together in the kitchen.

"Ahh, no, it's not a huge problem." Jungkook cut some vegetables. "It doesn't affect my performance so I'm alright."

"But you're always tired." Taehyung sighed. "Don't you think you should check it out?"

"Mmm, no?" Jungkook laughed. "I'm alright."

"Alright. I'm just expressing my concerns."

"Thank you for doing so." Jungkook smiled before humming to the music Taehyung was playing.

"So uh...Jimin went to your room last night?"

"Mhmmm." Jungkook knew where this was going.

"Andddd?"

"And we talked a little." Jungkook pursed his lips.

"And?" Taehyung poked.

"God, everything's just so fucking complicated." Jungkook broke. "He's really serious about me and I fucked it and I'm horrible but I still have feelings. I still have feelings for him but I'm happy with Hyunwoo, but I know that being with either of them has complications because of me." Jungkook exhaled quickly before going off again. "There's no good answer and I'm gunna be in the wrong every decision but Jimin isn't letting me go and Hyunwoo hasn't done anything wrong."

"But you're happy with him?"

"Yes."

"So why is there a problem?"

"Because I still like Jimin."

"So?"

"That makes it complicated."

"You like them both?"

"I- yeah. I really do like Hyunwoo. I just...still have feelings for Jimin. They haven't left." Jungkook sighed. "But he won't make the decision for me and I understand that."

"Mmm. Well. Do you want advice or just a listening ear?" Taehyung went over and added the vegetables to what they were making.

"I...I don't know."

"Stay with Hyunwoo. You're happy with him now, and that's what matters. If Jimin is taking that happiness away...then I think you'll figure it out." Taehyung nodded.

"Yeah...yeah that's probably a good idea." Jungkook nodded back. "I'll do my best."

"And if you don't want to listen to me, that's okay too. I'm not telling you what to do." Taehyung walked to their dining table. "Don't hold it against me if anything goes wrong!"

Jungkook laughed and brought the rest to the table. "Maybe I will. I just wish things were easier but I sort of made it difficult for myself."

"You did."

"You should've stopped me."

"I am not your parent." Taehyung laughed. "I don't look over your shoulder when you write letters to make sure you spell everything correctly."

"Yeah yeah, fair point." The two sat down after getting what they needed.

"Just...do better. They both don't deserve to be hurt."

"Me neither."

"Good mentality."

"I just want everyone to be okay. I feel bad already." Jungkook sighed a little. "I know things are only going to become harder now."

"Oh? How come?"

"Cause. Jimin's unforgiving."

"Oh." Taehyung gasped. "Oh no. He's stubborn."

"Yeah. I'm fucked. Hyunwoo is going to find out cause Jimin is shameless. And angry."

"That's true! I am shameless and angry." Jimin walked in, joining their table. "I'm going to fight Hyunwoo."

"Jimin!" Both Jungkook and Taehyung looked at him in shock.

"I will! You can't confess like that and just expect me to do nothing about it. You give me hope twice and then shut me down twice? I won't take it anymore!" He looked at them. "What?"

Taehyung looked at Jungkook. "You didn't tell me you confessed. I thought you were going to lie."

"Lie?!" Jimin yelled at him as Jungkook looked down at the table.

"How about we enjoy a nice breakfast together without anything else in between?" Jungkook tried to do what Taehyung did at their other breakfast.

Jimin didn't let him.

"Lie to me?! You were just never going to tell me? Ever?" He looked pissed and betrayed.

Jungkook sighed and started to serve himself. "Maybe." He pouted.

"Jungkook!" Jimin slapped his shoulder.

"What?! What was I supposed to do?!" Jungkook defended himself. "I should've not said it."

"Why?" Jimin pestered him.

"Jungkook, you really said it?" Taehyung shook his head. "So you're an actual idiot."

"Please." Jungkook sighed and started to eat. "...Jimin surprised me last night."

"So you really were never going to say it." Jimin stared at him as Taehyung put food on their plates. "You're an asshole." Jimin sounded genuinely hurt, making Jungkook feel even worse.

"I know." Jungkook sighed. "I wasn't expecting you last night. I wasn't expecting that conversation at all okay, I wasn't expecting you to even be here."

"Well I am here and you've been avoiding a lot of things it seems." Jimin huffed and ate.

"I thought things were a lot more clear than it is." Taehyung raised an eyebrow as he ate. "Y'all are a mess."

"Yeah, I know..." Jungkook mumbled. "I didn't mean to..."

"It still happened." Jimin scoffed. "I can't believe you weren't going to tell me."

"I have a boyfriend! Of course I wasn't going to tell you." Jungkook glanced at him. "I...I wasn't trying to...look, I know I messed up. I know that. Can we just enjoy breakfast?"

"Mmmm, no. Cause now I'm upset with you again. It's hard to stay mad, but I sure am mad." Jimin exhaled shortly. "I can't believe you Jungkook."

"What? What was I supposed to do? Tell you oh yeah, I love you, and by the way I have a boyfriend." Jungkook shook his head. "No! No I wasn't- I didn't mean to say it. You surprised me last night. That's all."

"That's all? Jungkook. Really." Jimin rolled his eyes with a laugh of disbelief. "It's not nothing! It means something to me!"

"It means something to me too but I'm happy with Hyunwoo and I'm not going to throw that away." Jungkook rather defensively looked at Jimin. "I know I fucked up. Okay? But I'm not throwing my feelings for Hyunwoo out the window just because I still have feelings for you."

"God you're a mess." Jimin sighed and ate. "Just figure it out. If you tell me you don't like me I'll take you seriously but you can't confess and then expect me not to fight for you. You're an asshole for giving me hope."

"I- okay. Yeah. That's fair." Jungkook spoke quietly. "I need to talk to Hyunwoo."

"You're mine today." Taehyung shook his head. "You've been gone too long, it's a cleaning day."

"Goddamn it." Jungkook sighed. "I helped last week though."

"Weasel." Jimin chirped.

"Please, you're the snake here." Jungkook chirped right back. "I'll clean more tomorrow if you let me go today?"

"Nope. It wont work this time, you're helping me clean today. The whole house." Taehyung sighed, Jungkook knowing he'd done this before.

"The whole apartment?!"

"Yep." Taehyung huffed. "The whole apartment."

"Fuck fine." Jungkook sighed again. "I'll do the kitchen."

"Living rooms mine."

"We can do the bathroom together."

"Laundry?"

"Jimin can do laundry." Jungkook nodded his head at Jimin. "He's living here for the time being isn't he? Chores."

Taehyung laughed. "Yeah good point."

"What? I'm a guest."

"You're Jimin, do some work."

The three of them cleaned breakfast and started to clean the house. Jungkook cleaned the kitchen, then his room, then helped Taehyung with the bathroom.

The three of them separated laundry in the living room together.

"Thank you Jungkook." Taehyung folded his clothes.

"It was overdue, sorry I've been so busy."

"No need to apologize. Besides, we had our lovely Jimin with us this time and he makes everything better."

"True." Jungkook tilted his head a little, focusing on his clothes.

Jimin smiled to himself at that.

"You have a game tomorrow?" Taehyung checked the time. "I should be able to make it."

"I do. And good, I want you to see it. Jimin? Can you go?" Jungkook looked at him expectantly. He really wanted Jimin to see his games.

"Of course. I'm here now, I can go to all your games." Jimin smiled at him.

"Good. Hyunwoo will be there too, just so you know."

"Ah, alright,"

Jungkook pursed his lips. "So..."

"I'm not going to stop flirting with you."

"Jimin, please." Jungkook sighed. "I need you to be polite to him."

"I will be polite to him. But I won't be to you." Jimin shook his head. "You don't deserve my kindness."

"I-" Jungkook sighed heavily. "Goddamn it."

"It's the consequences to your actions." Taehyung went to the kitchen for drinks, coming back and handing them some.

"Yeah I know." Jungkook shook his head, taking the drink. "I am stupid okay."

"Yeah. You are. Dumbass." Jimin glared at him before finishing his laundry. "I'm ashamed that I love you."

Jungkook blushed and looked away. "Sorry. Stop loving me then."

Jimin threw a sweater at him angrily and forcefully.

"Sorry." Jungkook took it to the back of the head, finishing up his laundry before taking Jimin's sweater and folding it too. "Shitty thing to say."

"Yeah. Shitty thing to say." Jimin stood up and took his clothes out of the living room.

"Sorry." Jungkook whispered as Jimin left. "Taehyung can I uh...leave? Can I go to Hyunwoo's?"

"You sure you wanna leave now? Jimin might want...to keep you around for today...you've been gone for most of the days." Taehyung looked at him with concern. "Are you running?"

"Woah, woah, no I'm not- I don't run away from my problems." Jungkook laughed nervously. He collected his clothes. "I just want to be with Hyunwoo. Ground myself."

"Mmm. Yeah." Taehyung gave him a knowing glance. "Sure. I'll tell Jimin you're going."

"Thanks." Jungkook put his clothes on his chair before heading out.

____

Jungkook finished his game, worried about how he'd greet his vip box. He talked to some press and talked to his team before he headed outside to see his box.

Jungkook exhaled as he saw his group. He knew Jimin was going to rip him to shreds as soon as he could.

He walked up to them, waving. "Hey, thanks for waiting."

"Of course! I was just talking with Hyunwoo." Jimin smiled at him, but again, Jungkook knew that smile. It wasn't kind.

"O-oh! I'm glad. How was the game?" Jungkook tried to keep the conversation easy and simple.

"Oh it was really good! You're number one for a reason, I can totally see why. You move very well." Jimin smiled at him.

Hyunwoo looked at him and nodded. "He does. We practice together sometimes and he's always been more skilled than me. Team player."

Jungkook could feel the tension. "Thank you both." He was walking on thin fucking ice.

"Really fast." Jimin glance at Hyunwoo.

"Strong player." Hyunwoo glanced at Jimin.

"Oh yes, only got stronger! Quick too."

"Mmm, quick learner too." Hyunwoo clicked his tongue, Jungkook looking at him immediately before blushing crimson.

Jimin kept his smile, looking at Hyunwoo now. "Wow, did you train him?"

"We train together." Hyunwoo smiled.

"Oh I see." Jimin crossed his arms, intrigued, but pissed. "How often?"

"As often as we can. We've got busy schedules." He gave a smile back.

Jungkook looked at Taehyung with wide eyes for help, but he offered none. They both couldn't help an angry Jimin, and to be honest, Jungkook had never seen Hyunwoo get so defensive.

"Ahhh, I see. What do you practice?"

"Mostly form, since he knows the techniques already. I may have played for longer, but he's miles ahead of me."

"Mmm. Guess he really has a type." Jimin hummed before pouring salt in the wound. "Hopefully he's kinder to you."

"Jimin that's enough." Jungkook couldn't erase his blush as he sighed, holding the crease of his nose. "Can we go now? We should celebrate my win, not argue over my sex life."

"You should probably explain some things to him." Jimin smiled thinly at Jungkook. "I think the poor boy's confused."

"Please." Jungkook sighed again. "Can we just celebrate?"

"Jungkook I thought you said he wasn't going to be a problem." Hyunwoo looked at Jungkook with concern.

"I am going to be a problem." Jimin pointed a finger at Jungkook. "You've dug your own grave so don't even try to get rid of me."

"Jimin!" Jungkook looked up at him. "You said you'd respect my decision, I want to be with Hyunwoo."

Hyunwoo pursed his lips.

Jungkook looked at Hyunwoo. "I mean it. I do."

"Things got complicated didn't they?" Jimin smiled at them both. "I'm not going to suffer alone because of your decision to keep in contact with me while-"

"Please." Jungkook spoke more desperately this time, looking at Jimin with his wide, doe eyes. "Please."

Jimin stopped. "Sorry. That was petty of me." He looked away. "I'm still mad."

"Rightfully so." Jungkook spoke softly before looking at Hyunwoo. "We should probably celebrate another time. Will you let me talk to you?"

"Yeah." Hyunwoo nodded and put his arm around Jungkook's shoulders. "Yeah I think that's a good idea."

"I'll see you guys later. I'll text you Taehyung." Jungkook nodded at him.

"Okay. Be safe."

"Yeah." Jungkook sighed heavily as he walked off with Hyunwoo.

Hyunwoo sighed too. "So. He uh...made himself clear didn't he?"

"He did. Just a couple nights ago." Jungkook shook his head.

"...how um...how long have you loved him?"

Jungkook felt a deep sadness. "Since high school."

"Okay but when. First year? Seventh?"

"...maybe...maybe third? I think it was third year..." Jungkook spoke quietly.

"...so why aren't you with him?"

"Cause." Jungkook glanced at him. "I could never have him."

"...so...so what's stopping you now?"

"Now? Now I'm with you. And I'm happy with you." Jungkook bumped their shoulders together. "I don't want you to doubt yourself."

"But I want you to be your happiest. And if that's with him, that's okay-"

"I don't want you to doubt yourself." Jungkook gave him a concerned look.

"I'm not doubting myself." He clarified. "I just want you to be happy. The happiest you that you can be. And you're someone I'm willing to give up for." He looked at Jungkook honestly, making Jungkook shake his head.

"No. No I want to be with you. You'd give me up? I thought you'd fight for me." Jungkook smiled a little, teasing him. "You've fought off loads of girls, what changes now?"

"I- I mean you have a history with him."

"Yeah. He's my ex. But he's my friend first. We're close, but we've never- well, you know." Jungkook blushed a little. "I'm happy with you."

"Would you be happier with him?" Hyunwoo questioned as they got in his car.

"I don't know. But I don't want to break up with you just to try with him since were already dating. I want to be with you."

"And that's...that's true? And final?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Hyunwoo nodded. "Okay. I'm- I'll fight for you. Just...maybe talk to me if you ever feel like you need to change this."

Jungkook nodded. "You're too kind. I really like you. You're really amazing you know..." Jungkook sighed. "I got really lucky."

"I just wanted to be kind in my first relationship with a guy...I...I hope I'm doing well." Hyunwoo glanced at him. "I want to be good to you."

"You are good to me."

Jungkook sighed quietly to himself. He was the only one who wasn't good here.

____

Jungkook came back at night, being as quiet as he could. He took off his shirt, heading to the kitchen to make something as he tried to cool down.

He warmed up a cup of noodles, looking around to see the time. He had an off day tomorrow, but he wanted to actually sleep tonight.

He hummed a little as he made an egg, letting his ramen cook.

Footsteps made him look up. "Shit was I being too loud Tae?" Jungkook whispered as he made his bowl of food.

"Hm? Oh no, you're alright Jungkookie." Jimin spoke softly. "I was just... getting um, getting some water." He blushed and looked away. "God why don't you wear shirts."

"Hm? Oh sorry." Jungkook searched the kitchen for his shirt with his eyes before shrugging and sitting on their kitchen island. "It's fine right? I'm just really hungry right now." He started to eat, watching Jimin make his way into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

"It's...it's fine. Just...well..." Jimin cleared his throat. "Showy. Kind rude. Fucking attractive. You know."

"Oh. Is that why you left that morning? I don't sleep with a shirt on sorry."

"I mean, me neither but waking up- I- it was too much." Jimin sipped on his water, leaning against a counter. "I'm not used to seeing so much skin from you."

"We used to."

"We were kids."

"Mmm." Jungkook nodded. "And now we're old."

"Yeah. Old and...in love."

"Ah." Jungkook cleared his throat. "Please be kind to me."

"I won't. Cause you have no idea how jealous I am right now." Jimin sighed, staring at his cup.

"Why? There's nothing special here." Jungkook gestured to himself as he ate.

"Jungkook...seriously." Jimin sighed. "I'm jealous of Hyunwoo. He gets to see you like this all the time and gets to leave bite marks on your chest." Jimin sighed heavier. "And you're- I- you're so special Jungkook. You're so special to me."

"Ah. Shit sorry." Jungkook blushed as he tried to cover his chest. "Um, shit, sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, I'm just expressing myself. I am jealous." Jimin stared at his cup and shook his head. "I just want...I just..."

"I am sorry."

"I'm over your apology. I've accepted it. I'm trying to figure out how to be polite but still tell you how I feel. Yeah. I'm pissed, I'm still angry...but I've never let you go before and I won't now." Jimin took a sip.

"I...I need you to let me go. I think I've always wished you had let me go." Jungkook sighed and finished his food. He set his bowl down. "I never deserved you, and I still don't."

"Why?"

"Hm?"

"What makes you think you can't have me? Who made you think you don't deserve me?" Jimin looked up at him, tilting his head.

"Um..." Jungkook pursed his lips.

"Are our feelings less important than other people's thoughts?" Jimin stared at him, pressuring him as Jungkook stayed silent. "Jungkook. Why don't you deserve me?"

"I never did deserve you. Then, I wasn't able to provide for you and I wasn't mature enough to understand all the parts of- of being with you because we were kids." Jungkook got off the island, going to clean his dishes. "And now." Jungkook turned off the water, staring at the sink as he felt Jimin's eyes on him. "...and now I'll never be able to be on your level. Now it would be serious. Now we're adults and it's not fun and silly or childish. We can't just date and be like haha, this is fun let's go out for the weekend." Jungkook shook his head. "Now we'd have eyes."

"...so...you're worried about...other people." Jimin set his glass in the sink, putting a tentative hand on Jungkook's arm. "But you've already said it. We're adults now."

"Yeah. And that means...means a lot. It has a lot of implications." Jungkook softly brushed his hand off.

"Yeah. It does."

"Jimin. No matter what I do I'm not enough for your parents or your family. No matter what I do...I'm never going to fit into your life." Jungkook looked away. "...that's always been true. Your mother meant that and she was right."

"No! No, don't say that." Jimin huffed angrily. "I've said that before and I'll say it again, I don't care what they think. You make me happy. Sending me away to some far away school didn't change anything, don't you get it? Time hasn't changed anything, I love you."

"Stop it." Jungkook snapped at him. "Don't say that."

"Jungkook..." Jimin spoke softly.

"No." Jungkook put down his boundary. "I'm with Hyunwoo. I need you to stop saying that."

"Jungkook." Jimin stood his ground. "Whatever your fear is, let me put it to rest. Let me be a comfort to you, I can't handle you thinking that you don't deserve me. If you want me...you can have me. I'm here. And I'm not leaving this time." He stared at Jungkook. "...if you want me to respect you and your decisions, then at least get it straight. You can have me. I'm not going to belong to anyone else."

"Goddamn it Jimin, stop saying that." Jungkook looked at him. "I can't have you. There's no world where I can have you, where I can just be with you, there's no future like that. Grow up." Jungkook felt himself want to cry. "I'm sorry that I led you on, I did do that, I'm not denying that. But I could only do that knowing I'd never be with you. I didn't-"

"Stop it." Jimin looked at him angrily. "There is a future where you can, there is a world where we can be happy together don't you get it? Why haven't you opened your goddamn eyes? We literally confess over and over, why can't you understand that I have nothing to do with my parents? What's holding you back?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that I have a boyfriend?" Jungkook sighed. "Maybe the fact that I'd be pretty much inclined to come out."

"We wouldn't have to."

"If a lousy quidditch player dated you, yeah, I'm pretty sure the news would get out. You're the highest tier there is when it comes to status, you- you were on the news for going to my game. Something as simple as that!" Jungkook sighed. "And I...I..." Jungkook looked at him sadly. "I can't do it. When you said we should break up in your final year...I was devastated. But I've had time to think since then and you were right. That was a good decision. We shouldn't be together."

"I meant for a while. Not forever. I still love you, I can't get rid of that feeling."

"It's old Jimin. It has nostalgia, but...but I don't know if they're still relevant. Seeing someone you haven't for a long time, that'll bring back memories of course."

"What did you think of when you saw me?"

"Hm?"

"You said it brings back memories. What do you first remember?" Jimin asked him honestly.

"I...I remember flowers." Jungkook spoke softer. "And I remember just...feeling okay. But we were kids. I just wanted to fit in."

"No, you wanted to kiss me, that's not "fitting in" that's liking me. And I remember a lot. I remember a lot of feelings...but they're mature now. You can't tell me your feelings are still immature and childlike. We've grown. We're older."

"Stop telling me what I should feel." Jungkook sighed. He was right but he didn't want to hear it. Things were different, he was mature now, and he still...had feelings for the boy, now man in front of him. He looked away from him. "Please...I can't do this again."

"Again?" Jimin looked at him with a sad confusion. He touched his arm softly.

Jungkook nodded. "Again. I can't do it again."

"What do you mean?" Jimin asked him seriously. "What do you mean again?"

"I mean I can't go through this again. I can't have you. I have never been able to be with you, then and now, and the fact that you're here again, doing the exact same thing as you did before...it hurts. It hurts Jimin." Jungkook put his hand over Jimin's. "It hurts."

"What I don't understand is why you think you can't be with me." Jimin looked up at him.

"Because. No matter what I do...I'm never going to be an upperclassman like you." Jungkook shook his head. "I never will. And my-"

"That doesn't matter. Is that your only reason?" Jimin's hand tightened on his arm. He seemed like he was barely holding himself together.

Jungkook looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry Jimin. As much as I do like you, and as much as I wish I could be with you...I...I can't." Jungkook laughed a little, shaking his head. "I- I can't- I never have been able to- I- I'm with Hyunwoo..." he faltered. He couldn't remember his reasonings.

Jimin shook his head. "Why are you scared of being with me? We're not kids anymore. My parents can't do anything about our decisions. We're adults. I understand having some fear, that never goes away, but I'm- I'm not- I want to be with you. I'm going to be stubborn. And I'm going to fight for you." Jimin sighed softly. "Why won't you just be with me?"

"Because." Jungkook squeezed his hand before letting go. "I'm with Hyunwoo. I'm happy with him."

"Yet you look at me with the same eyes as before." Jimin sighed and let him go. "Hyunwoo's a good guy. But if I'm disrupting the water, are you really happy with him?"

"What?" Jungkook didn't get it.

"Were you happy with him simply because I wasn't here? And now that I'm here...are you still happy with him?"

"I- I am happy with him."

"But you're still thinking of me." Jimin glared, pointing to himself before he sighed, looking away when Jungkook blushed. "Sorry. That was rude of me." He turned and started to walk away.

"I...I don't know what to do." Jungkook whispered, watching Jimin stop. "I don't know what I should do. Taehyung said I should stay with Hyunwoo because I'm happy with him, but I don't know anymore!"

"...it's about your happiness either way."

"But that- that requires me questioning what I want. And I can't have both. I can't. I know that. But you being here...it really doesn't help me. It feels like everything that was balanced is no longer balanced. Because sometimes all I think about is you and I feel bad about it. I can't- thinking about you makes me feel guilty." Jungkook stared at him, wanting an answer.

"Why." Jimin hugged himself. "Why would that make you feel guilty?"

"Because." Jungkook looked down. "I'll never be ready for you. You're just- you're too good. Too kind. Too professional and mature and I just...I'm...I'm too insecure about what other people will think and say. Maybe I am afraid of other people, but that's a fair argument okay? I'm scared to be with you. Hyunwoo...Hyunwoo is easier to be with because we're the same."

Jimin turned back to him, angry. "Since when have other people been more important?"

"Always." Jungkook shook his head. "They've always been more important because you're important."

"Jungkook." Jimin shook his head and laughed a little. "You're an idiot."

"What?" Jungkook looked at him with shock.

"You're an idiot. You think that other people are more important than you and me?"

"I- yeah? They do...they do matter?" Jungkook looked at him quizzically.

"No they don't. Who's opinion do you care about with you and Hyunwoo?"

"Um...his? He doesn't want to be out yet, I told you that." Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't understand you yet."

"You proved my point. You care about his opinion and not anyone else's." Jimin tilted his head. "So why's it different with me? Do you feel like we'd have to be out? Do you- what do you think is going to be different?"

"Um...I...I think that...um..." Jungkook blushed. "I don't know. I don't know! This is why- I- I don't know what to do because I don't know anything anymore. I can't- I don't know. I don't know anymore." Jungkook started to have a mental breakdown.

Jimin smiled at him. "Well. When you do know something...I'm right here."

"Please. I don't know."

"I'm not making the decision for you." Jimin laughed a little. "I never have. I just want you to know your own feelings."

"I don't know them." Jungkook pleaded. "I don't know what to do."

"And that's for you to figure out silly." Jimin laughed again. "So figure it out for me. I'd like to know what you really feel eventually." Jimin smiled at him before turning and walking again. "Goodnight Jungkook."

Jungkook watched him go.

He was too nice. He didn't deserve him at all. He was too kind, too soft, untouchable, unreachable; Jimin was too perfect for Jungkook to be with. He was too much of a mess for Jimin. Jimin deserve someone strong, and kind, and caring, and full of love.

But...the voice in the back of Jungkook's head told him he was all of those things. And that maybe...just maybe...

He would be good for him.

____

Jungkook debated for many more weeks. He spent a lot of time with Hyunwoo in the days, and then a lot of time with Jimin at night. He couldn't make up his fucking mind as the days passed, his mind only becoming more and more unfocused.

He wasn't expecting Jimin. And he wasn't ready to let Hyunwoo go yet.

He knew Hyunwoo could tell that he was out of it, especially after his matches. "Jungkook..." Hyunwoo spoke softly to him.

"It's fine. I'm fine." Jungkook sighed as he held an ice pack to his head. "It happens."

"Yeah but not to you." Hyunwoo helped him carry his things as they made their way to Jimin and Taehyung. "You're always aware."

"It happens. Even to number one." Jungkook smiled at him.

"Oh please, there's no need to rub it in." Hyunwoo laughed but showed concern again. "But really..."

"God Jungkook, are you okay?" Jimin and Taehyung immediately went to pamper him, holding his ice pack for him, checking the injury, and seeing his other cuts.

"I'm fine. Really." Jungkook smiled a little.

"That fall didn't look fine at all!" Jimin fret.

"We have a professional healer, don't worry." Jungkook smiled more, trying to reassure him.

"It did look bad Jungkook..." Hyunwoo also showed concern.

"No more broken arm, I'm fine." Jungkook raised his arm before shivering.

Taehyung winced. "It looked really bad actually."

"Okay so my arm did snap. That's true." Jungkook tried to laugh it off. "Happens sometimes."

"Not to you." Hyunwoo stated again. "You don't get hit very often."

"They're a strong team! They aimed for me. That's it." Jungkook shrugged and tried to lead them to their cars.

"Jungkook." Jimin sighed heavily. "I'll say it, you were unfocused."

"Yeah I wonder why." Jungkook spoke bitterly before walking off. "I'll do better next game, I'm already dreading the news."

"I mean you guys still won." Taehyung walked beside him as the other two walked behind him.

"Yeah but you know my fall is going to be the headline. I fell from so fucking high..." Jungkook grumbled, obviously in a bad mood. "Broke my fucking arm and cut my head. All cause of a beater. A beater of all positions."

"Hey, I was a beater when I played." Taehyung teased.

"You didn't play dirty." Jungkook didn't feel better.

"True." Taehyung spoke quietly.

Jungkook shook his head as he rubbed his arm. That fall was so terrifying. He forgot about the scary part of quidditch, and he also forgot just how painful it is to fall and break your arm. He knew the camera was on him, he knew the news was going to show his reaction and his facial expressions...he knew it was going to concern Jimin.

Fuck.

Jungkook glared at the ground as he walked.

Why was Jimin always the first person to pop up in his mind? Why wasn't it Hyunwoo? Why did he like Jimin so much? Why did he love him? He needed to know before he made any decisions.

"Hey...you okay?" Taehyung asked him softly.

"I'm fine." Jungkook spoke curtly.

"Fuck, okay then." Taehyung rolled his eyes. "God, don't give me attitude about it, just say no."

"I said I'm fine."

"Yeah, and you're a filthy liar, so shut your trap and don't give me attitude." Taehyung wasn't having it, snapping right back at Jungkook.

"Stop acting like you're right all the time, you're not always right!" Jungkook snapped back, Jimin immediately speaking up.

"Hey, woah, why are you guys yelling at each other?" He looked between them, Taehyung glaring at Jungkook, Jungkook staring at Taehyung, a little pissed.

"Not your problem." Jungkook looked away.

"Alright that's enough." Hyunwoo put a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "You've had a bad day, that doesn't mean you can take it out on others."

"Thanks, needed that." Jungkook shrugged him off. "I think I need to cool down, you guys can go on ahead without me." Jungkook didn't want to look at any of them right now.

"...need me to drive you somewhere?" Hyunwoo asked him quietly.

"No..." Jungkook softened. "No I'm okay. Just need a little alone time."

"I'd say." Taehyung huffed, still salty.

Jungkook dropped his ice pack, turned to him and grabbed his collar. "What's your problem right now! Why are you fucking ticking me off on purpose?" He made Taehyung take steps backwards, which only made him grab onto Jungkook's shirt.

"Maybe if you didn't create such horrible tension I wouldn't have to be the mediator! Did you ever think about anyone else?!" Taehyung shook his fist a little, Jungkook glaring.

"Of course I did! I'm constantly thinking about everyone else, every goddamn fucking person except myself so why are you mad at me for thinking about myself for once!" Jungkook yelled right back.

"Maybe if you weren't so unaware you wouldn't have to be selfish!"

"Selfish? You think I'm being selfish?!"

"You've left me to do everything for months now! Stop running away-"

"Don't you fucking call me selfish-"

"Cause you're scared-"

"Taehyung, I'm doing my best!-"

"Of actually committing to something!-"

"Will you both shut your goddamn mouths!" Jimin yelled at both of them, making both of them stop and look at one another.

Jungkook let go of his shirt, Taehyung doing the same.

"Look at each other! Why are you yelling? Why are you upset? You can talk this out like civil human beings without being rude. So stop it."

Both of them shifted on their feet awkwardly. "Sorry..." Taehyung spoke first.

"Don't say it to me!" Jimin glared at him angrily.

"Sorry Taehyung..." Jungkook apologized, bowing. "I shouldn't have started it...I'll do better."

"I'm sorry I was petty." Taehyung bowed too. "I should've just talked to you instead."

"Good. Shake on it." Jimin crossed his arms.

Jungkook and Taehyung hugged.

"Okay. Now. Come back to it when you're both cooled down and composed. No more yelling."

"Sorry Jimin..." Jungkook apologized to him as well.

"...so you're the oldest?" Hyunwoo asked Jimin.

Jimin smiled at him a little. "By a couple months. But yes."

"Mmm." He nodded.

They eventually headed home, Jungkook going somewhere to relax a little first beforehand. Upon arriving home, Taehyung and Jimin quickly changed the channel. "Hey! You hungry?"

"Ahhh, it's fine it's fine, put it back on the news." Jungkook sighed and sat down next to Jimin on the couch. They looked at him with concern. "I'm over it, it's okay."

They put the news back on, Jimin immediately apologizing. "We couldn't see from our view, sorry, we just..."

"We're curious." Taehyung shrugged a little. "Sorry."

"No no, it's okay." Jungkook got a little more comfortable. "I wanna see how much they show."

The three watched the news, watching the beater aim for the quaffle, then quickly change aim to Jungkook's broom. He knocked him off balance, Jungkook unable to grab onto anything. They watched him desperately grab at his broom a couple times before he hit the ground, landing on his arm and head. The camera did not pan away, instead showed Jungkook's reaction; his face contorted, his free hand holding his arm immediately as he sat on his knees, head on the ground. He seethed, yelling out as he slowly laid down again, medics coming as soon as possible.

"Oh god!" Jimin grabbed Jungkook's wrist as reaction, Taehyung wincing as well. "Fuck! We did not see that from our booth!"

"Jesus...that's horrible...are you okay?" Taehyung looked at Jungkook as the newscaster spoke.

"I mean...I'm fine now." Jungkook shrugged and looked at Jimin's hand on his wrist. Jimin was worried, since his grip was tight. "Kinda fucking hurt, but...they said I should be fine by tomorrow."

"God that looked horrible." Jimin looked at him with a pout. "Are you sure you're okay? No wonder you lashed out, that must've been traumatic."

"I've fallen before."

"Yeah but not so badly." Taehyung shook his head and went to the kitchen. "I'm making your favorite tonight."

"No no, is okay-" Jungkook tried to stand-

Jimin brushed his hair off his forehead softly, making him stop in his tracks. "How's your head?"

Jungkook blushed. "I'm fine..."

"Maybe another bandage would be smart." Jimin hummed. "Your cut doesn't look amazing right now. Stay right here." Jimin let go of him and got up, Jungkook unable to leave. Jimin has asked so kindly, he didn't dare to move. Jimin came back with an amount of things. "I think the cut opened up again."

"From what? It's not like I was head banging all around town." Jungkook smiled a little as he moved to a position more convenient for Jimin. He closed his eyes as Jimin cleaned it up.

Jimin smiled. "No, it's just- well, heads bleed a lot. It probably just opened by itself." Jimin tended to it. "...you know we were worried...right?" He spoke softly. "They didn't let us see you until afterwards."

"...I know...but it wasn't the worst I've been through."

"That doesn't make it better." Jimin sighed before kissing his forehead. "Get your head in the game so you don't scare me anymore."

Jungkook blushed more. "I'm sorry for making you worry Jimin."

Jimin smiled at him. "I wasn't the only one worried."

"But- I- I'm sorry." Jungkook looked down. "It wasn't my fault as you saw...but...I am out of it. I just..." Jungkook stared at Jimin's hands. He wanted to hold them...maybe even kiss them. "I'm..."

"Yeah? You okay? Head hurt a lot?" Jimin showed concern again. He put his hand on Jungkook's forehead. "Mmm...you're kinda warm."

"I'm alright. Thanks for cleaning me up." Jungkook smiled a little more. It was cute to see him worry so much. "I'm alright, really." Jungkook took Jimin's hand, watching him slowly smile.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'm sure." Jungkook laughed a little before letting go of his hand. "Sorry."

"No no, it's okay." Jimin laughed a little too. "You know I'm happy to hold your hand. In fact, I would always like to hold your hand. You know, Hyunwoo's a little rude." Jimin huffed. "He didn't have to rub it in that your first time was with him."

Jungkook blushed red. "He what?"

"Well we talked during your game of course. It just- well it came up, and he said your first time was with him."

"W-well it's true but why did that come up?" Jungkook looked down, embarrassed to his core.

"Well...I might've asked. And he might've teased the idea. But at least I was your first kiss. I didn't know you were a bottom."

"I-I'm a switch." Jungkook stuttered, utterly confused. "Why did that- how- okay, you know what never mind. I'm glad I wasn't there."

"...he's a good guy."

"Jimin." Jungkook sighed. "Not today. Really, I just...I'm having a rough time already, I don't want to think about it more. And with today's incident I'm really trying to just...stay calm. Not blow up on you."

"Okay." Jimin smiled at him. "Then let's help Taehyung with dinner."

"Alright."

The two went to help Taehyung, playing music and singing and laughing together. Jungkook clung to Taehyung a little to apologize for earlier before they ate together.

Jungkook said goodnight after that, exhausted from his day.

And at this point...he was just avoiding the inevitable. Maybe he just didn't want to admit it, maybe that was it. Maybe he just wished he could love someone else, maybe he wished that he wasn't utterly fucked.

But maybe...just maybe...he should allow himself to be happy.

____

Jungkook went to Yoongi and Hoseok's house a couple days later. They'd had lunch, and were of course talking about him and Jimin.

"But why not?" Hoseok laughed.

"Cause, I'm with Hyunwoo."

"But you've crushed on Jimin for like, years now. Shit, has it been...a decade?" Yoongi shook his head. "You should give in already."

"I really don't want to think about it." Jungkook sighed. "I just wish...there was an easy indicator."

"Oh! How about that flower spell, do you still remember it?" Hoseok smiled at him. "We can do it in the backyard."

"Really? Isn't that a little dangerous?"

"Bah, no one looks. Besides we have a flower garden, no one will notice." Yoongi stood up. "Alright come on let's try."

"Ah, god, okay." Jungkook followed them outside and got his wand out. He felt a little awkward about it.

"Alright close your eyes." Hoseok led him to their flower garden. "Okay okay. Let's start with Hyunwoo. Think about him, what you like, your favorite memories, your feelings for him, your thoughts about him. What made you like him in the first place?"

Jungkook thought about it. He remembered being charmed by him, found him a gentleman, kind, handsome, polite, gentle. He was a lovely boyfriend, always caring about him, taking him out on dates when they could. He said the spell quietly.

"Keep your eyes closed, okay?" Yoongi spoke softly, turning him a different direction. "Okay. Now think about Jimin. What makes you like him? What made you like him first and now, what are you favorite memories, what does he make you feel?"

Jungkook thought about Jimin. He remembered their not quite dates, he remembered their late night talks, their walks, their plans and goals for the future, he loved his smile, his laugh, he wanted Jimin to always smile at him. He missed his crooked tooth, the sparkle in his eyes, he loved his kindness, his charm, his authority, he loved his softness that could ease him in a second. He...he said the spell quietly.

Hoseok hummed. "Well. I think that answers it, doesn't it?"

Jungkook opened his eyes to see yellow chrysanthemums and vibrant red tulips. "Oh..."

"Need to know what they mean?" Yoongi smiled a little. "I think you know what red means. But yellow chrysanthemums...those are goodbye. Letting go." He hummed. "...you already knew this, didn't you?"

Jungkook frowned. "I think I did." He knelt down and started to pluck the flowers. "I...I just...I don't want to lose either of them...I do love them both."

"Well...it's okay to stop loving someone. And it's okay to want to be friends with someone." Hoseok put his arm around Yoongi's shoulders. "It happens. It's natural."

"It's painful." Jungkook sighed as he took enough for two bouquets, one for Hyunwoo, one for Jimin. "I feel horrible..."

"But Jungkook...you have your answer now. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I still- I- I still have feelings for him...I had them. Goddamn it...Jimin really isn't fair. This isn't fair at all."

"It's Jimin." Yoongi shrugged. "He's never played fair when it's come to you."

"True! We kinda thought you two would get together before us." Hoseok laughed a little.

"What? I didn't even know how to be in a relationship yet, why did you think that I was- well- I mean, I thought maybe..." Jungkook sighed. "I just wanted him to like me."

"And now he loves you. That's what you wanted, no?"

"God, yes, but...but I can't...he's..." Jungkook sighed as he stood up.

"And now he's an adult. And you're and adult." Yoongi shrugged and led him inside. "Let's get you some paper for your flowers."

Jungkook nodded and followed.

He just wanted...

____

Jungkook went to Hyunwoo's house, bouquet in hand. He felt nervous, sad, upset, but mostly apologetic. It wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault at all. Jungkook was just...

Utterly in love with Jimin.

Hyunwoo opened the door. "Hey..."

"Hey." Jungkook handed him the flowers. "I'm sorry Hyunwoo. I really love you, I do. And it's not your fault, it isn't, it's not either of our faults." Jungkook exhaled shakily. "There is no fault here. It's just feelings, and I can't argue with that." He looked up at him. "I can't argue with that."

Hyunwoo smiled at him. "These are lovely Jungkook. I already told you...I'm not going to be upset at you. I still want to be your friend...if you'll accept that?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Of course!" Jungkook exclaimed. "Of course." He pursed his lips as he tried not to cry. "I really- thank you. You were amazing to me, and I know the next guy you end up with will be lucky."

"Hey. Thanks for letting me experience my first real relationship with you." Hyunwoo opened his arms. "Last hug?"

"Last hug." Jungkook gave him a bear hug, trying not to cry into his shirt. He felt really bad, but he knew Hyunwoo would take it well. He'd always been the kindest.

He said his goodbye before getting in his car and exhaling. He looked at the passenger seat, seeing the bouquet of vibrant red tulips. He sighed.

How could he do this now? After everything? Would Jimin really want to be with him? He'd waited this long...

Jungkook drove home, anxious and tired. He didn't know how Jimin would react, he didn't even know if they were home since he'd been out all day. He anxiously ran a hand through his hair as he thought about it. Maybe he should bring more than flowers. Maybe he should be apologetic, maybe he should be just excited, maybe-

He stopped.

No. Jimin would just want him to be himself.

Jungkook got home, still anxious about what could happen. Jimin could either tease him, embarrass him, or accept him, or a combination of them all...Jungkook blushed as he opened the door.

He looked around him, not hearing anyone around. "Jimin? Taehyung? I'm back."

He heard quick footsteps, Jimin coming around the corner with a smile. "Hey! Taehyung went out, apparently Namjoon had something for him. What'd you do today?" Jimin kept his smiled before he looked at Jungkook's hands behind his back. "Whatcha got?"

"Um, I- I went to Hoseok and Yoongi's house today." Jungkook smiled a little. "It was nice to see them."

"What'd you get from them?" Jimin peaked around him, Jungkook still hiding the flowers. Jimin smiled slyly. "What'd you get?"

"U-um..." Jungkook continued to move so Jimin couldn't see the flowers. "Jimin-"

"Let me see!"

"N-no, Jimin wait, hold on-" Jungkook kept avoiding him, embarrassed. "Jimin-"

"Come on~ what'd you get?" Jimin laughed as he tried to see what was behind Jungkook's back.

"Jimin." Jungkook stopped and shoved the bouquet into Jimin's chest. He blushed as red as the tulips. "I..." he looked down, feeling like a child all over again as his cheeks burned.

Jimin slowly took them. "Oh. Oh Jungkook." Jimin looked up at him with a smile and a blush. "Do you mean it?"

Jungkook nodded, muttering. "...I thought things over..."

"Hm?" Jimin batted his eyes. "Tell me Jungkook."

"I...I broke up with Hyunwoo." Jungkook still couldn't look at him. "And...Yoongi and Hoseok made me use that spell again. You're smart...don't make me say it..."

"I want to hear it." Jimin laughed. "Please, let me hear it. I want to hear it every day, I love you coming home to me."

"I...I do. I do love you Jimin." Jungkook covered his face, feeling the heat on his cheeks.

"Oh please! Say it to my face!" Jimin moved closer to him, smiling and laughing. "Please!"

"Jimin..." Jungkook muttered.

"Say it!" Jimin laughed giddily, putting the flowers down on the kitchen counter. "Please!"

Jungkook looked up at him, still red as his tulips. "...I love you..."

"Again." Jimin took his hands, holding them tightly.

"I love you."

"Again!" Jimin laughed.

"Goddamn it, I love you Jimin!" Jungkook yelled out, embarrassed to his core. He stared at Jimin, feeling fond and happy and embarrassed but giddy. Jimin was giddy as well.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Me too!" Jimin laughed and jumped into Jungkook's arms. Jungkook held him, surprised at the sudden movement. Jimin's arms went behind his neck, laughing. "Are you serious?"

"I- I am serious." Jungkook laughed a little. "I'm really serious. I love you, I think I have for a long time."

Jimin laughed more. "Can I kiss you?"

"C-can we wait a little Jimin? Just a little. Let me- let me grieve a little. I need to be sad over Hyunwoo first."

"Oh! Of course! I'll wait! I've waited this long, I'm alright. I just- wow, I'm really happy." Jimin smiled at him before hugging him. "I'm so happy."

"Me too. I'm- I am happy." Jungkook smiled. "Give me a little time. Then I'll be able to actually be with you. Okay?"

"Okay! As long as you don't ditch me, I'll be fine." Jimin laughed and pulled away. "As long as I can sleep next to you...maybe kiss your hands and you'd forehead...let me hold your hand, hug you...flirt with you..."

"Jimin, that's- that's not exactly going slow..."

"It isn't. I want to-" Jimin stopped himself. "Never mind." He giggled. "I'll wait for that."

Jungkook blushed. "P-please. Wait."

"Mmmm~ okay." Jimin smiled at him before walking away and around. "When Taehyung comes back, we can make a celebratory dinner and I can start planning out real dates. Oh! Oh my goddess I can plan dates and make reservations-"

"Hold on- wait, Jimin this isn't an invitation to spend money-"

"I'm going to spoil you rotten like I've always wanted to Jungkook, oh my god you're never going to get the end of it, I'm- I'm living my dream!" Jimin happily laughed. "I love you so much." He giggled.

Jungkook blushed, but smiled. He loved seeing Jimin be happy. "You're an idiot."

"Me?" Jimin turned to him quickly. "You're the idiot who took too long to figure everything out."

"You're an idiot for loving me." Jungkook raised his eyebrows for a moment.

Jimin went back over to him and kissed his cheek. "Then I'm the happiest idiot in the world."

____

Jungkook came back from another win, pride in his chest. He finished his interviews, heading to the locker room to change.

This time, Jimin met him there instead of outside the arena. "Ah- Jimin, you should've waited outside." Jungkook got his robe off, rolling his shoulders.

"...you're an asshole." Jimin stared down at him changing.

"Ah, I know." Jungkook smiled happily at him before standing up. "Despicable, aren't I?"

"And you think I'm dramatic!" Jimin blushed.

"You're special, angel. You get a nice special booth, covered by trellises. I've only ever been good at one spell anyways. You know it well." Jungkook laughed before Jimin walked up to him and pushed him against his locker, Jungkook teasing exterior changing instantly. "Jimin, please, wait till we get home-"

"You said many people would try to confess to me, ask for my hand. You didn't say you would be one of the losers to do it." Jimin glared at him. "You're horrible."

Jungkook laughed a little before Jimin's hands snaked around his waist. Heidi eyes widened. "W-wait Jimin-"

"I'm really sick of waiting." Jimin laughed a little, but his smile wasn't kind. His hands started to move Jungkook's pants down.

"Ah-" Jungkook put his hands over Jimin's to stop him. "Not here."

"I frankly don't care." Jimin laughed again, tightening his hands. "Let me have you."

"Not here!" Jungkook blushed pink. "P-please, we can wait till we're home."

"We could. But you're here, and I'm here, and you're already half naked. Perfect conditions if you ask me." Jimin gave a short smile.

"I'll happily take my shirt off at home."

"Mmmm~ convince me." Jimin kept trying to slide his hands down.

"I- I can- I can take more clothes off at home." Jungkook's whispered before blushing at the realization of what he said.

"Ah, you've convinced me." Jimin smiled and let go of him. "I'll wait in the car." He kept his smile as he left, a skip in his step.

Jungkook leaned against his locker and put a hand over his heart. God Jimin had become even more shameless over the years, and even more forward. If Jungkook was any more pathetic he would've let Jimin do as he pleased.

He finally got changed and headed to the car. Jimin drove them today. "It was a good game to watch today. I'm proud of you you know."

"Thank you." Jungkook smiled proudly. "It felt appropriate to confess on the last game before playoffs...no?"

"I'm your boyfriend now." Jimin declared, not allowing Jungkook to back out.

"Yes." Jungkook laughed. "Yeah. You are." Jungkook smiled happily at him. "I couldn't ask for anything more."

"Yes I am." Jimin smiled happily. "I'm going to demand things now."

Jungkook laughed. "Is this what you were looking forward to? Demanding things of me? Oh Jimin, I thought you were better than that."

"I really, really want your hands on me." Jimin kept his smile, glancing over at Jungkook.

"Oh." Jungkook blushed. "Um- those kinds of demands?"

"I've waited a long time Jungkook." Jimin laughed. "I'm still jealous of Hyunwoo. I always wanted to be your first."

"You were a lot of my other firsts." Jungkook felt a little embarrassed. "And besides...we tried things..."

"Oh sure, we tried a lot of things. But..."

"...you want more."

"Yeah." Jimin spoke quietly before clearing his throat. "Yeah. I do. I mean- come on, we're older now. I'm so fucking attracted to you. And your chest...your thighs..." Jimin exhaled shakily, a pink growing on his cheeks.

"Mmmm, I see. Okay." Jungkook nodded, smiling a little. "That's very nice to know. What else?"

"Jungkook..." Jimin blushed a little more.

"Please tell me?" Jungkook smiled wider at seeing Jimin become embarrassed.

"Your arms- I- just the- you-" Jimin sighed heavily. "You're so strong now...so fucking attractive."

"Mmm~ yeah. Remember when I promised I'd be able to pick up my future partner?"

"Oh." Jimin blushed more. "Mmm."

"Mhm." Jungkook held back a laugh. "You're cute Jimin. Why are you embarrassed now?"

"Cause I'm thinking about things." Jimin sighed. "And I really want to kiss you."

"Well." Jungkook looked at his hands. "...I want to kiss you too. Hold you too."

"Please. I want- I-" Jimin laughed. "I'm desperate to try everything again."

"...what do you want to try first?" Jungkook asked softly.

"I really want to kiss you. All over. And I...I want to see you...and I want your touch."

Jungkook looked at him with shock, before softening. "We're you lonely?"

"Mmm." Jimin hummed. "...I just wanted you all the time."

"Oh Jimin." Jungkook frowned. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I'm honestly just happy that we're here...going home together. Doing the typical things everyone has the pleasure to experience but that I've only dreamed of. I told you. The one thing I saw in that mirror that day was coming home to you. And Jungkook, I'm doing that."

"We're doing that." Jungkook smiled a little.

"Yeah." Jimin flashed a smile at him. "We are."

They arrived home, Jimin happily taking Jungkook's hand and letting them inside.

"Well. How's it feel?" Jungkook squeezed his hand.

"How's it feel?"

"To come home with me." Jungkook laughed before letting go of his hand and picking him up bridal style.

"Jungkook!" Jimin quickly out his arms behind his neck.

"Well?" Jungkook leaned a little closer to kiss him, waiting for Jimin to meet him halfway.

Jimin smiled, raking his hands into Jungkook's hair. "Well...I couldn't be happier." He met Jungkook halfway, pulling him closer.

They kissed. They kissed and Jungkook couldn't help but smile, carrying Jimin to his room as they kissed and they kissed and kissed. Jungkook pulled away to set Jimin down. "Y-you good?" Jungkook closed the door.

Jimin immediately pushed him against the door, pressing up against him and kissing him again. He pushed hard, Jungkook feeling his hands go for his belt.

"Mm!" Jungkook tried to grab his hands as Jimin got his belt off and went for his zipper. He grabbed one of Jimin's wrists, though his other hand untucked Jungkook's shirt. "Jimin!" Jungkook gasped out as Jimin gave him a chance to.

"What?" Jimin stared at him, his free hand still working on unclothing Jungkook.

"Jimin." Jungkook grabbed his other wrist. "Please."

"Please what? What do you want?" Jimin laughed. "Let me- can I- can I kiss you?"

"Of course." Jungkook smiled.

"Can I touch you?"

"You just wanna see my chest." Jungkook smiled at him, putting his wrists together and raising them above his head.

Jimin blushed. "And your thighs."

Jungkook spun them, putting Jimin against the door, wrists above his head. Jungkook leaned closer. "Shameless."

Jimin looked him up and down, smiling with his half lidded eyes. "Mmm~ you look just...perfectly disheveled."

Jungkook met his gaze. "Want less clothes on or can I keep kissing you?"

"They'll leave eventually, just keep kissing me. Don't stop kissing me." Jimin pushed his hips forward so they met Jungkook's. "Maybe then you'll understand how I feel."

"I think I understand." Jungkook smiled and pressed against him, getting a leg in between Jimin's. "I think I'm the only one who does."

"Then kiss me." Jimin resisted a little against Jungkook's grip.

"Mmm~ let me take in the view for a moment." Jungkook looked down at him. Jimin was so beautiful. He'd gotten a little lost in thought once or twice before, but now...now he took in his figure, his shape, his clothes, his fucking waist. Jungkook put his hand on Jimin's waist. "This okay?"

"Take my clothes off."

Jungkook laughed. "Is this okay?"

"Touch me more. Take my clothes off, touch me Jungkook." Jimin glared at him.

"Okay okay, gosh, I'm trying to be polite like you are to me."

"I'm really sick of being kind to you Jungkook." Jimin huffed shortly.

"Then don't be kind. If I don't like something I'll tell you." Jungkook smiled and kissed him, pushing him against the wall and raising his knee to Jimin's crotch.

Jimin kissed back roughly, pushing into him so that Jungkook would push back. Jungkook met him halfway, forcing him against the door. Jimin slowly implemented tongue, only making Jungkook move closer, shivering once Jimin's tongue slid over his own. He couldn't help but roll his hips against Jimin, earning a shudder and mmm! from him.

Jungkook pulled away. "Oh."

Jimin panted. "Alright." He tried to catch his breath. "Okay there's too many clothes now, get them off and let me touch you."

"Why?" Jungkook turned the tables on him, teasing him with a smiling. "Give me a good reason."

"Cause I've waited this long already you brat." Jimin glared, pulling against Jungkook's hands.

Jungkook only tightened his grip, pushing him rougher against the wall to make him stay. "Convince me."

"Fuck me."

Jungkook faltered as stuttered. "W-wait what-"

Jimin got his hands free, grabbing Jungkook's shirt. "Were you not thinking about that?"

"I- I mean- I- I was, but I wasn't- I mean-" Jungkook stuttered as his hands went to Jimin's yet again.

"Then kiss me and let's do it." Jimin started to push him back, wanting to get him on the bed. "Unless- unless you don't want to." He stopped, blushing pink. "S-sorry!" He let go of his shirt, but Jungkook grabbed his waist.

"No no, I do." Jungkook tightened his grip. "I- I do. I just...if...I'm afraid that if we have sex...I'll...I think that'll be it for me. You'll- I- this is it." Jungkook looked at him seriously before slowly putting their foreheads together. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Oh." Jimin whispered, before he smiled. "Do you mean it?"

Jungkook nodded a little. "You understand?"

"I understand, I just wasn't expecting it." Jimin laughed a little. "...but...I mean, yes. Yes, I- yes."

"Really?" Jungkook laughed a little too.

"Really. Yes." Jimin put his hands on Jungkook's cheeks. "So. Can we?"

"If your answer is yes, then yes." Jungkook smiled at him. He tightened his grip on Jimin's waist.

"Then yes." Jimin brought him into a kiss, pushing him backwards to get to them to the bed. "Yes, of course yes, of course." Jimin laughed as he pushed Jungkook onto the bed.

Jungkook held Jimin's waist, blushing as he straddled him. "Really?"

"Jungkook I've loved you for longer than you think." Jimin took the ends of his shirt, but Jungkook stopped him.

"Can I?..." Jungkook laughed a little. "I want to...take your shirt off."

"Ah...yes. You can." Jimin let go of his shirt, staring down at Jungkook. "You're so handsome." Jimin ran his hands through Jungkook's hair, making him giggle.

"You're not so bad yourself." Jungkook teased, Jimin ruffling his hair more. "Alright alright." Jungkook slowly raised Jimin's shirt, Jimin helping him with it. "...not bad at all."

"I shaped up."

"You were always cute." Jungkook frowned a little.

"So were you."

"Why'd you bulk up?"

"I wanted to."

"Well, I wanted to slim down. Though...I have gained some arm muscles." Jimin smiled proudly. "Let's arm wrestle some day."

Jungkook laughed. "Sure. I'll win."

"If you win you have to kiss me."

"And if you win?"

"You have to touch me." Jimin giggled.

"Jimin..." Jungkook laughed. "You're shameless."

"Why should I have shame? We're finally right here." Jimin sighed happily, pushing the rest of Jungkook's shirt off. "Can I kiss you? Like...like all of you?"

"Mmm~ let me lay down." Jungkook smiled happily.

"Perfect." Jungkook moved closer to the middle, holding Jimin on top of him as he did so. Jimin laughed as they moved. "Oh I just can't wait."

"Then start. I'm not- I'm not gunna stop you anymore. Cause if we're serious then I'm giving myself to you." Jungkook hummed happily. "Okay?"

"Okay!" Jimin happily smiled before kissing his lips, pressing Jungkook into the bed before he kissed his jaw, then his neck in multiple spots, then went lower.

"Ah..." Jungkook gave him more room. "What does every part mean to you?"

"Means I wanna kiss you till you're a mess. Bites all over. I should've worn lip tint." Jimin hummed as he continued, kissing Jungkook's chest softly before going back to his neck. "Can I make marks?"

"Mm~ yeah." Jungkook smiled. "You know, I have lip tint in the bathroom. And I told you...I'm not saying no anymore."

"Don't promise me that." Jimin stared at him. "You have a lip tint?"

"I have a couple." Jungkook laughed a little as Jimin gave him a bewildered look. "What? I play around with makeup sometimes."

"You're a perfect man." Jimin laughed but kissed him passionately before getting up. "Anything else in there I should get?" He called out as he went to the bathroom.

Jungkook sat up on his elbows to watch him. "Mmmm~ yeah. You'll see it."

"Taehyung let you have sex with Hyunwoo here?" Jimin leaned closer to the mirror to put on the lip tint.

"Nope, only if he was out." Jungkook smiled a little as Jimin hummed in disapproval. "We were only allowed too cause he's out you know."

"I know. I sent him away." Jimin came back with a box and a bottle. "He's staying the night at Hoseok and Yoongi's for the night and you're keeping me in bed for a while."

Jungkook laughed, throwing his head back. "You're so cute. Whatever you want...you can do it."

"Mmm~" Jimin hummed giddily before getting back on top of him, kissing his neck, then grabbing his chin and pulling him so they were looking at one another. "I love you."

"I love you too." Jungkook smiled shyly before Jimin kissed him, licking into his mouth, their tongues sliding over one another, Jungkook putting his hands on Jimin's waist, his thumbs slowly moving Jimin's pants down.

Jimin laughed a little as he moved away. "Cute." Jimin kissed the corner of his mouth, then his jaw, then his neck again, sucking in a mark. "So fucking cute."

Jungkook gave him more room again, his hands moving to Jimin's pants buttons, undoing them. "You're so beautiful. You're so fucking hot."

"Mmm~ good." Jimin kept marking his neck before moving to his chest. He ran his hands up and down Jungkook's sides. "Wow. I want...I want to know your body."

"Take your time." Jungkook smiled at him. "I don't mind. I'm not in a rush."

Jimin looked up at him before looking over him. "Mmm~" he made another mark. "That's nice to hear."

"I don't mind at all." Jungkook blushed a little as Jimin touched him carefully, tracing his muscles. "...you don't have to be kind..."

"Oh." Jimin blushed pink. "...okay. How...how unkind?"

"Mmm...however unkind you want to be." Jungkook nodded. "Why'd um- why'd you want to have lipstick on?"

"So...so that you can see it afterwards." Jimin smiled before kissing his chest slowly. "...so you could see every place I wanted to kiss you." Jimin continued to kiss him. "...every place I was jealous of seeing marks...every place I wanted to see my own." Jimin moved down. "...I want to see you look disheveled, it makes you look good. So good."

Jimin kissed his stomach and started to go down. "Ah- Jimin-"

"You said I could do what I want." Jimin pushed Jungkook's clothes down.

"I- I did-"

"So let me." Jimin smiled at him.

"Okay." Jungkook immediately gave in. He'd let Jimin do anything.

"Mmm~" Jimin nodded in approval before continuing. "Can I ruin your boxers?"

"W-what are you planning on do-"

Jimin kept kissing downwards, getting Jungkook's pants off.

"Y-yeah. You can." He blushed as Jimin kept going, his hands trailing his thighs now.

"Good." Jimin whispered before kissing Jungkook's bulge, then moved past it to his thighs. Jungkook shuddered.

"Ah."

"So strong." Jimin bit his thighs, eyeing his crotch. Jungkook blushed more. "I love them...your thighs are so strong."

"I- I mean, yes, of course." Jungkook mumbled as Jimin marked them and bit them. "I-I'm glad you like it."

"Mmmm~" Jimin bit him again. "Love it."

"G-glad you love it." Jungkook corrected himself before blushing. Jimin went back to his crotch, kissing, then licking. Jungkook shuddered. "Ah- fuck Jimin..."

"Mhm?" Jimin looked up at him through his eyelashes, licking over his now growing bulge. "Problem?"

"N-no." Jungkook squeaked out an answer.

"Tell me if there is." Jimin laughed a little and continued. He mouthed over him.

"Ah-" Jungkook shuddered again, but didn't protest. "Jimin- fuck, please, goddamn it just take it off."

"Naw." Jimin teased him more, smiling as Jungkook hardened. "Kinda like how hard you're getting without me doing much." His hands continued to trail Jungkook's thighs, squeezing and rubbing them.

"Jimin..." Jungkook mumbled. "I- I want to kiss you."

"Mmm~" Jimin grabbed his thighs a little tighter. "You sure you don't want anything else?"

"I- I mean- whatever- whatever you want." Jungkook couldn't look at him anymore. He was too fucking attractive, too tempting, too pretty, too fucking hot. He wanted him. He really wanted him.

Jimin hummed, batting his eyelashes. "Look at me. I don't want your eyes off of me for a second, not after you've made me wait this long."

Jungkook immediately looked at him again. "O-okay." He blushed red, his want growing. "I'm looking."

"Good." Jimin smiled at him. "Keep looking, don't stop looking. I want you to see me how I see you."

"H-how do you see me?" Jungkook shuddered again and put a hand over his mouth as Jimin mouthed over his cock slowly. He shook slightly as he tried to muffle himself.

"Mmm~ I see the love of my life. I see a hard working, strong willed man who has so much love in his heart...and I see the most attractive person who kept me waiting for years on end." Jimin continued to mouth over him.

Jungkook let out one pathetic whine before shutting his mouth hard. He closed his eyes as he took in the feeling and words, shuddering harder.

"Ah. How cute." Jimin laughed before sitting up. "You won't make a sound? Not even for me?"

Jungkook shook his head, unable to speak as he kept his hand over his mouth.

"Mmmm~" Jimin slowly pushed Jungkook's boxers down before whispering. "...then I'm going to force it out of you."

Jungkook shook his head quickly. "J-Jimin if you do anything I'm going to cum."

"Perfect. So you're weak?" Jimin laughed before squeezing Jungkook's thigh, getting him to shiver. "So weak. Oh it's beautiful really." He took Jungkook's boxers completely off. "Mm."

Jungkook could only blush.

"...still gunna let me do what I want?"

Jungkook nodded, covering his mouth.

"...why won't you moan?" Jimin whispered.

"C-cause I'm too embarrassed..."

"Mmm. Get over it." Jimin huffed before going down on him, Jungkook gasping and biting down on his hand, his lower body raising from the contact.

Jimin kept his grip on Jungkook's thighs tight, rubbing them as he licked and sucked. Jungkook continued to shudder and hold his voice back, panting unevenly. "J-Jimin-" Jungkook muffled a moan before continuing. "C-close Jimin, s-stop-"

Jimin kept going, mouthing at his tip now, his hands still tightly squeezing and rubbing his thighs. Jungkook shook, trying hard not to cum in Jimin's mouth.

"Jimin- Jimin pl-" Jungkook scrunched his nose as he shut his eyes tight. "Fuck. Jimin!"

Jimin kept lapping over his tip, looking up at Jungkook. "...make a sound."

Jungkook shook his head, bitting down on his hand harder.

"You'll hurt yourself like that, stop it." Jimin waited for Jungkook to stop, before baring his teeth when Jungkook didn't.

Jungkook immediately let go of his hand, not wanting Jimin to bite his dick. He would've.

"Good." Jimin took him whole, Jungkook gasping out a moan.

"Jimin!" Jungkook made sure his hips didn't back up. "Ah~ oh god-" he blushed at the sounds coming out of his mouth.

Jimin hummed in approval, Jungkook shuddering.

"Close-" Jungkook shut his mouth as he came, too embarrassed for anything else. "Mmm!~"

Jimin slowly eased his grip on Jungkook's thighs as he slowly popped off his cock. "Mmm."

"God I'm so sorry-"

Jimin crawled over him and took his hand, kissing it. "You okay?"

Jungkook sputtered. "Y- you're- you just- we're going to- I-" he exhaled shakily. "Sorry."

Jimin kept kissing the bite marks on Jungkook's hand. "Are you okay? Is this too much?"

Jungkook panted, trying to catch his breath. "I'm...I'm overwhelmed."

Jimin smiled at him. "Then we can stop-"

"No!" Jungkook spoke before his brain thought. He blushed red but continued with the little amount of courage he had. "No. I don't want to stop."

"I'm not going to force you to have sex with me. If you're not confident-" Jimin sat up a little to stop but Jungkook quickly sat up to meet him, kissing him roughly.

Jungkook shoved his tongue inside, this time exploring Jimin's mouth, licking over his tongue, letting them play, before pulling away. "I'm not confident. But I want you." Jungkook looked at him seriously, his eyebrows furrowing a little. "I'm afraid of what will happen if we sleep together...but I want it to happen. I want...you to be the only one."

"The only one?"

"Yeah. To kiss me. See me like this. Mark me, love me, I only want you. I want you to be the only one." Jungkook exhaled shakily. "Cause if we do this...that's it."

Jimin nodded. "I want that too Jungkook."

"Then...I...can I prep you?" Jungkook smiled at him, nervous but excited but embarrassed.

Jimin nodded. "And you're sure?"

"Yes. You're sure?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah." Jimin smiled at him. "For a long time."

"Okay." Jungkook fumbled about to find the lube on the bed, not wanting to look away from Jimin. "Um- um how long?"

Jimin raised his hips, getting the rest of his clothes off. "...as soon as we were old enough."

"Oh." Jungkook stared at him, his mouth open a little in awe of Jimin's thighs. "T-that long?"

"Yeah...I've always been interested in you." Jimin sighed happily as he looked at Jungkook. "And I'm happy to know that you've always been interested in me too."

Jungkook nodded, his hands shakily going to Jimin's waist. "I- I have been. I- I-"

"You can be a little rougher. Don't hold me like I'm glass, I'm sturdy." Jimin put his hands over Jungkook's. "Why would you be scared now?"

"C-cause what if- I- Jimin I haven't topped in a long time-" Jungkook embarrassedly looked to the side, red on his cheeks.

"I can lead." Jimin blushed pink, but stared at Jungkook confidently. "I can ride you."

"Oh- I-" Jungkook tried to get his hands to stop shaking. He knew Jimin could feel it. "I- I-"

Jimin smiled as he laughed. "You alright?"

Jungkook shook his head. "No. I'm...really overwhelmed. In a good way! Really!" Jungkook reassured him, but shook his head again. "But...this is real."

"It is real." Jimin nodded. "Aren't you- I mean- do you really want to? We can- we can wait-"

Jungkook tightened his grip on Jimin's waist. "No. No I want to. I do. I..." Jungkook sighed. "I want to."

"Do you?" Jimin questioned him.

"Yeah. I do." Jungkook exhaled shakily. "I'm really- I'm just losing my mind."

Jimin held Jungkook's hands tighter. "You're cute. Why are you shaking?"

"I'm scared." Jungkook looked at him with wide eyes.

Jimin laughed a little. "So...you do want to prep me?"

"I do." Jungkook nodded. "Yeah. I'm really just..."

"Nervous? Scared? Don't worry. I can do it." Jimin tried to reassure him, feeling Jungkook's hands continue to shake anxiously. "I want you. If you're scared about us not continuing to be together...then you have nothing to be scared about. This is- you're it for me." Jimin laughed. "You kinda always have been."

Jungkook exhaled slowly. "Okay. You're right. I've always been scared about being with you, but I don't want to be anymore." He looked at Jimin with wide eyes. "So this is okay? It's okay to be with you?"

"Yes." Jimin smiled at him fondly. "Yes, I've been telling you this for years and years! It's okay! I love you!"

Jungkook slowly put his head on Jimin's shoulder. "I love you too. Okay. I'm- okay. This is gunna be a lot for me."

"Me too. But I'm more than happy. I'm happier than happy." Jimin rubbed Jungkook's back.

"Can I start?"

"Yes. Yes, you can." Jimin spread his legs as he sat up on his knees to give Jungkook more room.

"Ah..." Jungkook exhaled shakily as he poured lube on his fingers, his other hand moving from Jimin's waist to his thigh. "...can I touch?..."

"Yes. Anywhere." Jimin smiled at him. "Tell me what you need."

"A new heart, mines beating too fast." Jungkook pursed his lips as he stared at Jimin's face, unable to look down.

"No no, I like your heart. It's full of love." Jimin grinned. "Need anything else? More room? I can spread my legs more."

"Shit, fuck, how flexible?..."

"Very." Jimin smiled as Jungkook blushed, widening his legs a little more.

"I see." Jungkook spoke in a squeak before clearing his throat. "Okay. Okay. You ready?"

"I'm ready." Jimin nodded.

Jungkook shakily moved his hand to Jimin's ass, exhaling slowly. "Alright." He slowly pushed his middle finger in, watching Jimin's face for reactions. His hand on his ass was shaking.

"You're fine." Jimin laughed softly, his hands going to Jungkook's shoulders. "Don't be afraid."

"Sorry." Jungkook whispered, his heart beating loudly in his throat.

"Shh, don't apologize." Jimin laughed. "Don't feel anxious...it's just me."

"There's nothing just about you." Jungkook circled his finger inside of Jimin, nearly groaning at the feeling.

Jimin seemed to noticed. "Mmm~ please, indulge me. I want to hear your every noise."

"N-no." Jungkook shook his head, embarrassed. "Please, spare me the shame, I- I'm just- this is- wow." Jungkook laughed a little.

"You can add a second." Jimin hummed.

"Jimin..."

"I mean it." Jimin smiled a little. "Do you doubt me? I know my own body."

"God fuck me, oh god-"

"...and then one day you'll know my body as well as I do." Jimin looked at him more lust filled now, Jungkook gulping at the sight.

"C-can I add another?"

"Mmmm, mhm." Jimin nodded.

Jungkook added more lube before pushing in a second finger, shuddering at the feeling. Jimin clenched around him on purpose, making him shut his mouth in an attempt to feign innocence.

Jimin laughed. "Make a goddamn sound Jungkook or I'm going to force it out of you."

"D-don't, don't- don't force it, please." Jungkook begged him, looking at him with a pout. "I can't- I'm too embarrassed."

"I don't care." Jimin laughed again. "I'll make you moan. I don't care what it takes, but I'm going to hear it."

"N-no." Jungkook exhaled shakily as he moved his fingers inside Jimin, in, and out, before scissoring.

Jimin rolled his eyes and grabbed the back of Jungkook's head, pushing their lips together. At the same time, his other hand went to Jungkook's, making him hold his ass tighter.

"Mm!" Jungkook inhaled sharply, trying to pull away but Jimin kept their kiss going. He kept his grip tight on Jungkook's hair, making sure he couldn't get away as he took his upper lip in between his own, kissing him passionately.

Jungkook immediately blushed, his grip weakening in an attempt to ease his embarrassment but Jimin didn't allow it. He tightened his hand over Jungkook's again, biting Jungkook's lip.

"Ow!"

"Don't." Jimin glared at him. "I'm not glass, don't be afraid to touch me."

"B-but-"

"No. Don't be kind, fucking touch me. Grab me." Jimin hummed, moving his hips down on Jungkook's fingers a little. "Okay? Touch me."

Jungkook nodded. "It's okay?"

"Try it." Jimin smiled.

Jungkook grabbed his ass tighter, groping him. He blushed at the feeling. "G-good?"

Jimin blushed pink. "Y-yeah."

Jungkook nodded. He liked how Jimin looked when he blushed. "Okay. I'll...keep doing it." He nodded again. "Yeah. You look pretty." What would he do if he did more?

Jimin blushed a little more. "Pretty?"

"Yeah." Jungkook smiled. "Really pretty."

"Mmm." Jimin looked down with a little smile.

Jungkook smiled. "Oh. That's something." Jungkook looked him up and down for the first time, working his fingers a little deeper. "Tell me how you feel."

"F-feel good."

"Why?"

"Cause I can feel you..."

"And that feels good?"

"Yeah." Jimin nodded, his pink turning red.

"Mmm~ good. Can you take another or do you need more time?" Jungkook felt himself become more confident at the thought of Jimin feeling good. Would he feel better if he did use his voice?

"Y-you can add another."

"Good." Jungkook added more lube before his third finger, pushing and curling further than before, trying to work him open. "How used to this are you?"

"Used to it."

"Okay." Jungkook tested him, pushing and curling in just a way, making Jimin gasp. Jungkook chuckled. "Oh, your fingers aren't long enough...are they?"

"N-no." Jimin stuttered, slightly embarrassed. "D-do it again."

"Mmm~ yes, okay." Jungkook felt better. Jimin was so cute! He did it again, curling just right, making Jimin gasp again and put his hands on Jungkook's chest. He blushed red at the feeling.

"Oh."

"Oh you're cute." Jungkook laughed. "Kiss me."

Jimin kissed him immediately, Jungkook battling for dominance as the both of them tried to lick into the others mouth. At the same time, Jungkook worked him open, curling his fingers just right, and rubbing and grabbing his ass.

Jimin groaned, letting Jungkook win the battle at his weakness. Jungkook couldn't help but smile as he pulled away, Jimin following his lips. "No no, keep kissing me." Jimin whispered softly, trying to lean closer.

Jungkook held him tighter. "Ah- don't." He smiled more.

"Jungkook, please, let me kiss you." Jimin whined, moving down on Jungkook's fingers.

"Mmmm~" Jungkook hummed, smiling at Jimin happily. "You sound pretty. Like, so pretty." He kept widening his hole, pushing deep to get him excited.

Jimin shuddered. "Jungkook."

"Hm?"

"Please."

"Please what?" Jungkook titled his head. "What do you want?"

"Get inside." Jimin pouted, Jungkook blushing at the sight.

"Oh. You're cute." Jungkook kept moving his fingers. "You want me inside? I'm already inside."

"Your dick, Jungkook. I want your dick." Jimin pouted more. "Please, I- I've waited for so long."

"Mmm~" Jungkook smiled. "Okay. Will you put the condom on for me?"

Jimin blushed but nodded. He got the box of condoms, getting one and ripping it open. "...you've become confident." Jimin put the condom on Jungkook before lubing him up.

"Yeah. I feel better." Jungkook grinned. "Something...something about seeing you like this...well, there's no one else who will get to see you like this." He pulled his fingers out and held Jimin's waist. "Position yourself Jimin, I'll help."

"O-okay." Jimin was red but he took a deep breath and positioned himself.

"Good?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." Jungkook helped him lower down, his hands tightening on Jimin's waist to slow him down. "Ah- take it easy, it'll be too much if you go fast."

Jimin nodded. "Okay. Slow, slow is better." Jimin laughed a little before shuddering. "God."

"You good?"

"You're inside me." Jimin whispered, looking down and laughing. "Sorry this is- I- I understand you feeling overwhelmed now." He laughed again before moving down a little more.

"Ah- slow Jimin, let's- let's go slow." Jungkook blushed at the feeling. Jimin was tight, and it felt good.

"Right." Jimin nodded, stopping before moaning. "Ah~ god, sorry, you feel good already."

Jungkook laughed in disbelief. "Why would you apologize? You sound...you sound amazing." He looked Jimin up and down. "...look at me."

"Give me a minute." Jimin spoke quietly. "I need a minute."

"Look at me Jimin." Jungkook wanted to kiss him. He wanted to see his blush, his embarrassment, kiss him and make him take it.

"N-no, give me a second." Jimin shuddered again when Jungkook's slid his hands from Jimin's waist to his thighs. "W-wait no- keep- keep holding me-"

"You're strong. You can hold yourself up." Jungkook smiled as he rubbed his thighs, grabbing them, teasing him just like Jimin had done before. "Can't you?"

"Y-you said you'd help." Jimin pouted.

"I did help." Jungkook kept his smile and grabbed his thighs tighter. "Am I not helping?"

Jimin whined, his hands quickly covering Jungkook's. "Please. That's enough." Jimin looked up at him, red to his ears.

"Awww, what am I doing wrong?" Jungkook squeezed his thighs again, Jimin shuddering. "I'm trying to get you comfortable."

"No you're not." Jimin glared at him. "You're trying to make me embarrassed."

"Maybe." Jungkook grinned, moving his hands closer to Jimin's inner thighs.

"Jungkook." Jimin growled.

"Mmm~" Jungkook hummed happily, releasing his grip. "Fine. I can help you again. Ease you into it."

"Please." Jimin's bottom lip wobbled for a moment. "I want to move down."

"Okay. Let's go slow, you're doing so well Jimin." Jungkook reassured him, kissing his nose and cheeks. "Ready?"

Jimin nodded.

"Alright." Jungkook exhaled, helping Jimin move down slowly. "Fuck." He shuddered. "Oh god you're so tight, you should've let me finger you more." Jungkook held back a groan, trying to put Jimin first.

Jimin kept moving down slowly.

"W-we can pause if you need to." Jungkook spoke weakly, as Jimin kept sinking down on him.

"No, I want to bottom out, I want to." Jimin whined, still going down.

"Fuck, okay." Jungkook looked up, trying to calm down.

Jungkook guided him down, groaning loudly when Jimin bottomed out. Jimin moaned, his hands going to Jungkook's shoulders. "Ah." He shuddered before trying to calm his breathing. "Oh god."

"Fuck." Jungkook could feel the heat, the tight heat that enveloped him, fuck he was going to lose it.

Jimin tightened his grip on Jungkook's shoulders. "Jungkook- oh- god- I'm-" he laughed again. "I'm- you're inside me." He smiled at him. "You're inside me."

"Y-yeah." Jungkook met his gaze. "Yeah, I am."

"Good." Jimin pulled him a little closer. "Good. You're right where you're supposed to be."

"Can I kiss you?" Jungkook whispered, looking at his lips. "Can I touch you? I want- I want to make you happy. No- no I want to touch you." Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows, staring at Jimin's lips. "I want to."

Jimin smiled and nodded. "Good. Actually, don't take your hands off of me. Give in to everything."

Jungkook nodded and kissed him, his hands going to Jimin's hips, thighs, and ass. He squeezed his ass tighter, moaning into Jimin's mouth as he felt Jimin tighten around his cock. "Oh~"

Jimin kissed him even more passionately, moving against him with their rhythm before breaking away from the kiss. "Ah! Oh god you- you feel so good- you sound- you sound- you sound so good-" Jimin sputtered, moaning as Jungkook kept holding and groping his ass. "God- Jungkook- Jungkook let me move-"

"You're still so tight, you sure?" Jungkook tried not to groan again, loosening his grip slightly. "Fuck." He cursed, the feeling still turning him on immensely.

"Fuck Jungkook...let me move." Jimin begged. "Please, let me move, I want to move, I want to feel you, let me feel you."

"Please, please, I'll- I'll support, hold your waist, please move." Jungkook nodded, his hands sliding to his waist, never leaving his skin.

Jimin took a shaky breath before widening his legs a little before slowly rising up. Jungkook supported him, holding his waist and holding his weight for him. "Mmm!~ Jungkook, I'm good, I can do it."

"Let me help you." Jungkook smiled a little. "I don't mind helping."

"I- okay." Jimin nodded and slowly moved down. "Oh god."

"Jimin." Jungkook exhaled shakily. "Fuck, goddamn it Jimin, fuck."

"Yes, yes, I want to- I- I want to move faster." Jimin whimpered a little. "Please?"

"Of course!" Jungkook nodded happily. "Yes."

Jimin nodded too, picking up his pace a little. "Mmm, okay okay, you- you good?"

"So good." Jungkook smiled, watching him with love and lust. "So fucking good, you- are you good?"

"Mmm." Jimin nodded, exhaling shakily. "Ah- Jungkook, t-tight-"

Jungkook nodded, his grip tightening. "Yes, yes, do you n-need more time?"

"No! No I- you can- you can move- meet me-" Jimin moaned, Jungkook staring at him intently. He wanted to remember this forever.

"Meet you halfway?" Jungkook laughed in excitement. "Really? Can I? It might be too much, we can-"

"Do it." Jimin growled, his breathing becoming faster. "Please."

"Okay, okay, if you're sure." Jungkook exhaled shakily, making his grip steadier before bucking his hips upwards to meet Jimin halfway when he went down. "Ah! Fuck!" Jungkook groaned as Jimin moaned.

"Ahh!~ oh god, Jungkook." Jimin panted. "Jungkook, again, again." He pleaded, his grip tightening on Jungkook's shoulders. "Please please please, again."

Jungkook nodded, staring at him. "Move."

Jimin blushed but moved, embarrassed but turned on by a command from Jungkook. He wasn't used to Jungkook being dominant.

Jungkook continued to meet him halfway, both of them moaning and moving harder, trying to finish. "Jungkook, Jungkook I'm close, please, please." Jimin whined, moving as much as he could.

Jungkook nodded, still in awe of Jimin and all that he was. "Yes yes yes, please, please." Jungkook wanted him to cum, he wanted to see it and hear him, he wanted to experience it. Jimin stuttered in his movement, Jungkook holding his waist tighter to keep him moving. "D-dont stop."

Jimin whined in response before he shook, closed his eyes tightly, and moaned out, coming hard. Jungkook grinned before coming as well, shuddering as he tried to calm down.

They both panted, Jungkook immediately bringing him into a kiss, his hands holding his waist, then his thighs and ass. Jimin pulled him closer, his hands raking into Jungkook's hair.

They both pulled away, panting. "Jungkook." Jimin tried to catch his breath.

"Jimin." Jungkook laughed a little before giving him a quick kiss. "I love you." He rubbed his back. "I love you so much. I'm sorry it took so long."

"Don't say that." Jimin spoke softly, biting Jungkook's lip a little. "Don't apologize."

"...shouldn't I?"

"No." Jimin kissed his nose. "Nope. No apologizing." He kissed his cheeks, then his forehead.

"Why...I should though." Jungkook smiled a little at Jimin's kisses. "I should've been honest with myself."

"You needed time. Why should I be mad about that?" Jimin kissed his jaw, then his neck.

"Because I- we could've been together as soon as you came back."

"It's alright. I would've waited forever." Jimin smiled at him. "I would've."

"But- but what- what if-"

"...there wasn't a word you can say that could convince me that you didn't love me. I meant it then and I mean it now. I think I've kinda just always...knew." Jimin sighed happily. He finally felt complete. "I was always meant to share my life with you, one way or another."

"Oh." Jungkook blushed. "...I...that's very sweet of you to say."

Jimin bit his neck. "But don't run away anymore. Just talk to me instead, I'm not running."

Jungkook laughed. "Okay. I will." He hugged him before letting go. "Imma get too soft if you don't get off."

Jimin whined but got off, Jungkook helping him. They both winced, not exactly wanting to get hard again. "Shower?"

"Yeah."

"Sheets."

"Got it. Start the water, I'll get new bedsheets and we can make the bed after our shower." Jungkook sat up, Jimin nodding.

They puttered around, almost as if they'd done it before, second nature, comfortable with one another. Jungkook remembered feeling embarrassed and slightly self conscious, but with Jimin...he felt that warmth in his heart.

Jimin started the shower, feeling light and happy, knowing his ass would hurt in the morning. Jungkook joined him soon after.

"Hey." Jungkook smiled.

"Hey." Jimin sighed softly.

"You sort of marked all of me. I look like a mess." Jungkook looked Jimin up and down slowly, dragging his eyes.

Jimin did the same to Jungkook. "How's it feel?"

"Didn't know you wanted to suck me off that bad, there's so much lip stick there." Jungkook started to corner him.

Jimin smiled. "Wait till I get to mark your back. Then it'll be obvious just how much I want every part of your body."

Jungkook's eyes became more serious.

It didn't take long for them to be on one another, kissing and touching, Jungkook getting a leg in between Jimin's, pinning his wrists to the wall.

"Let me touch you-" Jimin protested, Jungkook licking his neck.

"Let me have you." Jungkook growled.

"I want you!" Jimin laughed before his knees weakened, Jungkook pressing his knee up against Jimin's crotch harder. "Ah, fuck, Jungkook let me touch you." Jimin shuddered before moaning again.

Jungkook hummed happily, kissing his skin, not wanting his lips to leave his body. "Where will you touch?"

"Anywhere."

Jungkook let go of his wrists, touching Jimin's chest and rubbing up and down his sides, pressing closer to him. Jimin rubbed his back and shoulders, using him as support. Jungkook continued to kiss and lick, biting here and there just to leave marks on him. He'd never wanted Jimin so badly before, never wanted him so close before. It was intoxicating.

Jimin gasped as Jungkook slide a hand down his side, then to his cock. He let a finger slide up to his tip, making Jimin blush and moan. "J-Jungkook, Jungkook goddamn it, I'm weak."

"Good." Jungkook laughed, still attacking his neck. "Good, be weak, I want you to be weak, I want you to be mine." Jungkook kept touching him, rubbing his thumb in slow circles around Jimin's tip.

"I- Jungkook- mmm~" Jimin threw his head back, shuddering. "I'm close, don't- don't-"

"Don't?"

"Don't let me. I want- want you to cum with me." Jimin blushed, giving Jungkook more room on his neck.

"Shit." Jungkook groaned, holding Jimin's waist and rolling his hips against Jimin's thigh. "Fuck off, that's so fucking hot. Just cum again, I don't care, I want you to get off, I want to see it and hear it and feel it-" Jungkook rolled his eyes back before blushing. He felt embarrassed by what he said.

Jimin blushed crimson. "I- I-"

Jungkook laughed a little. "S-sorry, I-"

"I'm so close Jungkook." Jimin whispered, holding onto Jungkook as he shook.

"Mmm~" Jungkook nodded. "God I should've brought the lube, I'm an idiot. Let me get you off." Jungkook started to kneel, but Jimin quickly grabbed him.

Jimin grabbed Jungkook's bicep. "B-but what about you?"

"Doesn't matter, I want to hear you-"

"No no, I want you too." Jimin was still red, his chest heaving. "I want us to."

Jungkook laughed a little before putting a leg outside of Jimin's legs. "Okay. Hopefully this doesn't burn." He took their cocks in his hand, pumping them together slowly.

They both hissed and groaned at the contact, sensitive. "Fuck."

"Yeah. Yeah that's- that okay?" Jungkook panted.

"Yes, god fucking- I'm so close-" Jimin whined, losing his strength to stand. "Finish finish, I'm- I can't-"

Jungkook nodded, kissing Jimin as he moved his hand.

It did not take long for them to finish, Jimin moaning and his knees giving out, Jungkook helping hold him up and laughing before Jimin touched him, making him cum quicker than expected.

They both panted, Jungkook finally taking in the sound and feeling of the water from the shower. "Hey."

"Hi." Jimin panted, pressing himself against the wall to keep his standing.

Jungkook looked over him. "Can I kiss you all night?"

Jimin laughed lightly. "Of course. I want to mark more of you."

"Can I make hickeys on your ass?" Jungkook started to wash them, helping Jimin a little bit as he was still shaking from his orgasm.

"Jungkook!" Jimin looked at him in shock.

Jungkook blushed in response. "W-well, I- I...want to see them on you..."

"Well..." Jimin sighed. "I think I'd get turned on."

"I mean..." Jungkook laughed in embarrassment. "I wouldn't mind going another round."

"Jungkook." Jimin gave him a short glare.

"What! Do you- do you not?"

"I didn't say that. I'm just- I want to spend more time knowing your body...you know what I mean?"

"Yeah. I do." Jungkook smiled. "But I still want to mark you up."

"Let's trade."

"Sure. You get tonight I get the morning."

"Sounds good to me."

____

"What the fuck?!" Taehyung yelled at them. "Did you eat each other alive?! We have company today- you- you have a game!" Taehyung groaned as he came home to Jungkook and Jimin making breakfast.

"Well..." Jungkook looked at Jimin.

"I..." Jimin looked back at him. "I might've started it."

"Jimin's your legs are fucking purple." Taehyung sighed heavily before going to the living room and laying on the couch dramatically. "I knew you two would be fucking but not till morning!"

"That I started." Jungkook apologized, ruffling his hair.

Jungkook was wearing pajama pants while Jimin was wearing the matching pajama shirt. Jimin had absolutely covered Jungkook's chest and back.

"I can't believe you two. We have like, two hours to eat and get ready to leave. Jungkook your neck..." Taehyung sighed.

"If it makes you feel any better, it was a better idea to cover my legs than my chest." Jungkook defended himself before continuing to make food. "Jimin-"

"Don't." Jimin blushed.

Taehyung sighed. "Alright. That's it, I'm done. Do you want tonight as well?"

Jungkook and Jimin looked at each other. "Yeah."

"Yeah, I think so." They nodded.

"Alright, I'm leaving for the rest of the week." Taehyung shook his head. "I don't want to hear a thing."

"Fine by me." Jungkook laughed. "We'll just have to sleep in the same bed if you're gone."

"Oh no, If Taehyung's gone, we'll have to make meals together and watch movies on the couch all alone!" Jimin lamented playfully.

"Don't you dare ruin my couch!" Taehyung sat up to yell at them.

They both laughed. "You'll be gone, you'll never know."

"If that's a threat..." Taehyung sighed and laid back down. "You two give me stress."

"Always have."

"Always will."

This one's really long, I know, but hopefully you enjoyed it! Remember to stay safe, wear a mask, and take care of yourself.