A/n I didn't expect this to take me so long, sorry 🥲
I've been really unhappy with my writing lately so I was putting it off. I hope you read/like it anyway :)

"I'm Jin,"

Jungkook responded with a timid hello, fleetingly glancing towards Jimin. The man's strong presence matched itself in the firm grip on his palm before letting go, flashing him a warm charming smile.

This was not how he expected to spend his evening. He was perfectly content sulking in his room and allowing each interaction he'd had with Taehyung to ricochet against each corner of his mind. With each thought it occurred to him he'd barely spent any time with the man at all.

In that brief space of knowing him he had offered such new experiences they clouded his judgement. The new perspective altered each of his thoughts and made him shudder at his own behaviour, those familiar doubts swarming his thoughts in their place.

Yet here he was, in this dressing room, breathing in the dusty scent of make up that lingered in the air and mingled with an array of perfumes. He sat on a chair that competed against those in his classroom as the most back ache inducing.

Bright lights circled his pale face, blasting out the imperfections carved into his skin and stealing his attention from himself to his appearance.

A hand on his shoulder startled him and brought him back to the room; he looked over to Jimin who smiled down at him. "He's not feeling great today so I thought coming here might cheer him up," Jimin spoke, looking back up to Jin who nodded in understanding.

"Doesn't look like you're feeling it," Jin added, twisting towards the counter from his own equally as uncomfortable looking seat and shuffling through a bag of make up brushes. He pulled one out at a time, sitting them on the desk haphazardly around the other small bags and palletes that occupied the space.

How many of those things could he possibly be using? His lack of comprehension of the process stunned him, the realisation of how little he knew settling uncomfortably in his chest.

Did his father know of these things? Of course he didn't. But he condemned its use so strongly.

Jungkook watched curiously as he took a large puffy brush and dipped it into a creamy looking powder, raising it to dust a blast of colour to his otherwise blank face.

He could vaguely identify the items this set had in common with Jimin's but could easily see it was more extensive than the limited bag Jimin had brought to his dorm room. He wondered how long it took him to get his face to how it was now, colourless and smooth with a thick layer of what he assumed to be concealer.

He pressed the brush, heavy with product to his face with no hesitation, obscuring the beige base with flashes of bronze on his cheeks.

Jimin sat by his side, helping him by handing him items and carefully applying product to his lips, parting half way to pour them each a drink.

Jungkook watched in awe as his face was transformed, the threat of his father's disapproving tone distancing in his mind at the sight.

Jin caught his eyes in the mirror. "Do you want to borrow some, Kook?" He asked, turning his attention back to himself as he continued applying the dramatic make up.

"He doesn't wear make up," Jimin answered for him. "I've tried to convince him but it's not his thing,"

"I want to," Jungkook interrupted, curling into himself as they both turned to face him.

Jimin scoffed. "You always change your mind whenever I say it!" He whined, grinning as Jin slapped his thigh. "Come sit," He giggled, moving away from the counter.

He hesitantly shuffled over, slumping in the seat. The lights around the mirror danced in his pupils, mesmerising as he stared back again at his well lit face framed in the glass.

Doubt crept into his thoughts, that commanding voice becoming deeper and louder.

Jimin pressed two firm hands on his shoulders. "So what are we thinking? Light? Heavy?"

He gave a small nod, shying away from his reflection and grateful as Jimin lunged into the space before him to steal supplies from Jins collection, receiving an eye roll in response.

Jimin sat on the counter, brushing his hair back out of his face briefly before pulling out a thin plastic hair band that looked as though it belonged to a child. It scraped against his forehead as he pushed it into place, pinning his hair back out of the way.

He struggled to keep track of what was put on his face and why, his friend speaking too quickly from the excitement of his make over for him to distinguish the majority of his words.

The voice began to dim again as he heard his sound speak, the more legible encouragements from the man beside him and those warm smiles making him feel whole. It was a contagious atmosphere with singing and laughing, lifting him up to join them despite his awkward quietness in comparison.

Between sips of his drink that left a sweet tang on his tongue to the muffled chatter and music, he found himself at ease in their company, giving them free reign to do as they pleased.

"Thank you for letting me borrow these Jinnie!" Jimin cheered, pushing the items back towards him.

He shuffled away from the mirror to give his friend a clear view, pulling away the hair band that snapped back to it's small size.

He wasn't sure how to feel when he saw his appearance. Mostly, he was grateful Jimin didn't go all out. As impressive as Jins make up was, he didn't want it on his own face. He needed baby steps.

No, Jimin had gone for a more subtle look, pale pinks on his cheeks looked more of a natural blush than a bright artificial colour, his eyes dark and smoky in a way that somehow didn't make him look like a panda and those dark circles under his eyes disguised to a small shadow. His eyes were mostly drawn to his lips, a warm coral colour coated the usually bare skin and he found himself lifting his hand to poke at the coloured flesh.

He definitely looked different but he didn't feel like he wasn't himself. Just a more extravagant version, a more confident version.

"Well...? Do you like it? I can wash it off if you like," Jimin offered, already reaching back to an abandoned packet of wipes in anticipation.

Jungkook shook his head, shielding his face incase Jimin moved too quickly with the remover. "No! I- I like it... I think,"

Jimin pulled him into a tight hug from behind, pouting beside his head where he could see his dramatic expressions in the mirror. "My baby is all grown up," He feigned crying, tucking his head into his neck.

Jungkook shrugged him off with a huff, quaffing the remainder of his drink. "We can go back out now... I feel a bit better,"

Jimin smiled softly. "Are you sure? We really can go home if you like, there's no pressure. I mean, dragging you here was probably one of my bad ideas anyway..."

"I wouldn't lie to you Jiminie, I want to be here. You're still paying though,"

His friend chuckled and nodded, turning to say goodbye to Jin who was busy adjusting a wig, lifting his hand to offer a small wave at their reflection.

Jungkook tried not to stare on the way out, amazed at the confidence it must take to perform in such an outfit.

The door slammed behind them and he found himself encompassed by the chaotic noise and lights again.

He looked back at Jimin for reassurance who offered a smile and urged him forward.

Jungkook grabbed his arm before he could find him a table, pulling him close into the space where clusters of people where dancing.

Jimin looked back at him questioningly but took his lead.

The music was hypnoticic, pulsing through his body and flaring the sudden confidence. He wore the mild product clinging to his skin like a mask, empowered by the small step he had taken and erupting in a fit of giggles as he pulled his friend closer to the speakers to dance.

Jimin let him lead, biting back smiles at the sight of his relaxed friend but after some time dragged him over to the tables, aware he would recieve a hefty lecture if he allowed the man to make himself sore the next day.

In a fit of laughter they sat at a table, taking large gulps of drinks they acquired on the way.

Jungkook gave it no thought as someone approached the edge of their table, barely aware of anyone else in the proximity. All he was aware of was himself and the few likeminded men he'd had the opportunity to dance with just moments ago.

He offered a shy grin when he finally caught the mans eyes, allowed his drunken gaze to dart downwards to his toned bare torso.

The saliva in his mouth turned to ash prompting him to think of how long he had needed water before taking a swig of his drink in a futile attempt to hydrate himself, unsure how to react to the attractive man leaning over him.

A few notes were curled into his palm from Jimin and he looked down at them in wonder before slowly rolling his head back to the half dressed man. He thrusted his arm out towards his chest, permitting him to take the money with a hazy smile.

He groaned when a teasing finger trailed down his chest, his skin sparking in response to the touch. The silky material of his shirt dimpled gently, the soft touch rippled through the thin fabric and made him shiver.

When he looked back up to the mans face he was met with a sly grin.

"Hello..." Jungkook mumbled, somewhat aware his voice wasn't audible over the music but assuming he did something right as his body pressed closer.

He gulped, eyes raking desperately over the exposed skin, hands itching to peel away the remaining tight fabric that twisted around his hips.

Pinned down by the dancers hard stare he sat in place, thoughts running wild from the occasional modest touches and watching intently each shift of his hips to the music.

An excited gasp escaped his lips as more cash was pressed into his hand and he rushed to push the paper notes into the waistband of his pants, relishing in the sensation of his knuckles grazing the hot skin.

It ended just as quickly and he found himself eager to give him more, mind racing with curiosity on how much he could get if he just gave more money.

His brain had long since become absent, hazy with lust and alcohol, his clumsy movements instead controlled by the growing length between his legs.

The dancer stopped, his chest rising and falling as he stood in place, leaning against the hard wood of the table.

He tilted his head to see Jimin upon realising the dancers stilled movements were due to his friend shouting over the music towards him.

Within moments he left, leaving Jungkook to whine until a hiccup disrupted him. "Minie I liked him!" He called out instead.

His friend snickered fron across from him, grabbing the jacket from the back of his chair. "I know! But if you drink anymore you'll start throwing up,"

Jungkook stumbled after him, gripping tightly onto his bicep for support.

The cold outdoor weather hit him roughly, the crisp air burning in his lungs for a moment while he adjusted to the eery quietness that made his head spin.

He slumped against a wall and took a deep breath, smiling at the sight of his friend beside him, visible only from the dim street lights in the late night.

"You sure cheered up," Jimin cooed, lingering by his side to make sure he didn't fall before crouching on the grubby pavement beneath them.

Jungkook mimicked his actions, sliding down the wall and cringing as the fabric of his shirt snagged on the coarse brick. "Alcohol has that affect," He mumbled, tilting his head back against the wall to look up at the black sky that crept between the spaces through buildings.

The change sudden in atmosphere came part way to sober him, forcing an acute awareness of his limp body that refused to behave.

"Are you happy you came?" Jimin questioned, wrapping a heavy arm across his shoulders. "It was nice coming here with you," He slurred, his head falling to rest against him. "Maybe once you and Tae make up we can come together,"

Jungkook snickered. "Doubt it, he's bad Minie," He hummed. "You don't need him now, you shouldn't hang around assholes,"

Jimin gasped and pulled away, body swaying slightly. "He is not! Well, maybe to you he was... But he's not... Not usually,"

Jungkook giggled and nudged his friends shoulder, stirring in his spot on the pavement. "Yeh- yeah he is! I don't care... It- It's whatever. I can find someone better,"

His friend hummed passively, leaning forward to hold his face in his hands. "I dunno Kookie, want you to be friends but... If you don't wanna that's okay I guess," He twisted to look back at him. "I care about you both, whatever makes you two happy is okay,"

Jungkook nodded lazily. "Yeah... It's mutual... We're happy, I'm happy,"