"Wow. Not only was it huge but it was so finely decorated and neat that..."

•••

Jimin opened the door to his house to be encountered with silence. It was a pretty small and humble apartment, but the neighbourhood was really nice, so he didn't really care. Jimin's mother worked from home, so he hadn't been sure if she was going to be in the living room when he came back from school. Noticing that she was probably in her room, Jimin sighed and made his way to his room in the quietest way possible. He really didn't want his mother to know he was home. Jimin loved his mother, don't get him wrong, he just didn't want to have to deal with: Hun! You are home! How did it go at school? Did you make any friends? Did Taehyung help you out?

Aish! Jimin thought. Parents can sometimes be really annoying.

In all honesty, he just didn't want to talk about school, but it hadn't gone as bad as he had expected. The rest of the day, after Filmmaking, had gone pretty average. He had been able to go through his classes smoothly, had eaten in peace at the canteen and had been able to come back home without having any kind of trouble. But making friends? That was being way too hopeful. Of course he wasn't going to make friends on the first day! He hadn't been able to make more than one or two in his previous school in years. And still they weren't real friends, just people he would eat lunch with but would never really talk about personal things with.

Jimin sighed and slumped on his bed, laying his back on the mattress and spreading his arms to his sides. He was looking at the ceiling thinking about how uselessly his time in life was being wasted when his phone, which had fallen from his pocket some minutes ago and was now lying some inches from him on the bed, started to vibrate. He scowled before grabbing it, not being able to think who could be messaging him at that moment.

————————————————————

Today

Unknown:
5:46 pm.
Hi! I'm Jungkook! I was
wondering if you wanted to
meet up to work on the
project today?

Jimin:
H-how did you get my
number???

————————————————————

Jimin held the phone in the palm of his hand, frowning. He couldn't believe he was actually receiving a message from one of his classmates, let alone... Jungkook. But still, Jimin thought he shouldn't get his hopes up, he was clearly messaging him because he wanted to get the project done, nothing more. He immediately saved Jungkook's number and hoped he didn't sound too cold by asking him how he got his number instead of greeting him. In his defence, Jungkook had totally caught him off guard.

————————————————————

Today

Jungkook:
5:48 pm.
Sorry! Taehyungie-hyung
gave it to me (:

I hope that's okay...

Jimin:
Yes! That's totally fine!

Sorry for not greeting you!

You just caught me by surprise...

Jungkook:
Oh, that's okay...

Jimin:
So... um... you wanna
meet up?...Today?

Jungkook:
Well, I thought, yes...

Jimin:
Um... where?

Jungkook:
Well, I really don't mind
going anywhere, but I was
actually thinking about my
place?

Jimin:
Um... well...

My mother doesn't really
like me walking out on my
own at night.

Jungkook:
Oh, that's okay.

You can stay the night
or I could walk you home
when we finish?...

Jimin:
Ah... Well...

Let me ask her...

Jungkook:
'Course!

————————————————————

Jimin threw his phone on his bed before he hurriedly walked out of his room.

"Eomma!!" Jimin shouted as soon as he got out of his bedroom.

He saw the door that led to his mum's room open and his mother made her appearance in the hall.

"Honey! I didn't know you were home!"

"Yeah, I just got here some minutes ago." He talked fast, eager to ask the question.

"Oh, how was school?"

"It was good... Uh... Eomma?"

"Hm?"

"Could I maybe go to my classmate's house to work on this project?" He asked fidgeting with the hem of his t-shirt.

"Oh? Uh... Right now?" She asked, astonished.

"Um... Yes... Well...Yeah."

"And at what time would you be coming back?" She asked, suspiciously.

"Well, I don't think we'll work for more than two or three hours, so... um... maybe at eight? Eight thirty?"

"Jimin," She sighed as if she was tired of repeating herself over and over again. "you know I don't like you walking on your own at night."

"Yes! I know! But he actually said that I could stay the night there, or he could walk me home if I want!" Jimin was breathing hard, trying with all his might to convince his mother. In all honesty, he wasn't really sure why he wanted to go so much, he just knew he couldn't lose the opportunity of having, at least, one friend. He just wants to work on the project though, who said anything about becoming friends? A voice at the back of his brain said, but he brushed it off without giving it too much importance.

"Hm..." his mother seemed in deep thought, making Jimin hold his breath in hope. "Is it really necessary for you to work on the project today?"

"Well, it is due for next week, but honestly, it's kind of long and I won't know how much it will take us until I start working on it." He wasn't lying.

His mother sighed. "Well then, you can go, but I'd rather you slept here tonight, so if he can walk you home, it would be better. Plus, Taehyung is picking you up again tomorrow morning so it's better if you just sleep here."

"Okay eomma!" Jimin hugged her, rolling his eyes when he knew his mother wouldn't see him. Taehyung was definitely not going to pick him up tomorrow morning. That boy didn't forget his head because he had it stuck on his neck.

"Be safe sweety!" She called after Jimin rushed through his room.

"I will!" Jimin screamed from his room, voice muffled due to the door that separated them.

Once Jimin was alone again in his room he grabbed his phone excitedly to text Jungkook the good news, well... at least good for him.

————————————————————

Today

Jimin:
6:03 pm.
She said yes!!!

Jungkook:
Great!!!!

I'll see you in a couple
of minutes, then?

Jimin:
Yes!!!

Oh! Wait! I don't know
where you live!!!

Jungkook:
Oh! Right! Sorry!

Jungkook has sent his location

Can't wait to see you
Jimin-hyung! :D

————————————————————

"Can't wait to see you either Jungkookie..." Jimin murmured, but didn't write it. Instead, he typed Jungkook's address on his phone to look up for directions. As soon as the results popped up on his screen, he exclaimed in surprise: "Wow! We live so close!"

He put everything he thought he would be needing inside his backpack in a fraction of seconds and was out of his room faster than a bullet. He couldn't help the smile on his face. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up, but... But he has a girlfriend. The cunning little voice in his head said. Jimin's smile faltered but he pushed his thoughts away before reaching the front door and stepping out. Once outside he started walking following the directions on his phone. The sun was already setting and the amount of trees made the streets dark, but Jimin wasn't worried. The neighbourhood was really nice and he knew how to get around on his own.

After a fifteen minute walk Jimin found himself ringing on the doorbell of a huge white house. Wow. He thought. How rich is this kid? He stepped back to fully admire the mansion. It was all white with black railings on the hundred balconies that seemed to protrude from every room of the house. They had a big front garden which was beautifully kept and many different coloured flowers all across the borders of the path that led to the house. Jimin wasn't able to admire the house any longer because the sight in front of him made his heart stop. Jungkook was running through the path to open up the gates for him. He wasn't wearing any shoes and his hair was all wet. He seemed to have just got out of the shower because he wasn't wearing the same clothes that he had worn at school that day. Instead, he was just wearing some baggy black sweats and an oversized hoodie. He looked soooo freaking gorgeous. Jimin groaned internally, cursing at his weakness for men in oversized clothing.

"Hi!" Jungkook breathlessly spoke as soon as he opened the gates for Jimin to walk into the front garden. "You were fast! I only got to shower." He chuckled. "I couldn't even tidy the house up a bit."

Jimin smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry for the mess." Jungkook said while opening the front door for Jimin to finally step inside his place.

"It's o... Wow!" Jimin was about to say it was okay when he took in the whole place. Wow. Not only was it huge but it was so finely decorated and neat that Jimin doubted Jungkook knew the actual meaning of "messy". "It's beautiful."

Jugkook chuckled shyly. "Ah, thank you."

"No really, it's gorgeous." Jimin stopped going around the house to finally drop his eyes on Jungkook.

Jungkook just smiled without saying anything back, which made them stare into each other for some seconds before Jimin awkwardly spoke.

"Um... so..."

"Right!" Jungkook got out of his daze. "Are you going to be staying the night?"

"Ah... No! Actually... Could you walk me home?" Jimin looked down when he said the last words, finally realising how stupid he sounded. After all he was the hyung! How could he ask his dongsaeng to walk him home? Aish eomma! He spoke in his mind. Why do you have to be sooo overprotective?!

"Of course Hyung!" Jungkook exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing, as if he walked all his hyungs home. Jimin facepalmed internally. He was already making a fool of himself, although Jungkook was making him feel less uncomfortable by the second. "So, would you like anything to drink or eat?" Jungkook led them to the kitchen.

"Um, maybe water?"

Jungkook grabbed a glass and poured some water on it, before handing it to Jimin. "You sure you don't want anything to eat?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you." Jimin sipped from his glass, noticing the younger's stare on him. "So... uh... shall we start then?"

"Ah, yes!" Jungkook shook his head as if he wanted to clear his mind and led them to the living room. He sat on one of the comfortable looking sofas and motioned for Jimin to do the same.

Jimin sat down a little bit wary, he didn't want Jungkook's parents to barge in unexpectedly and catch him all spread on their sofa. He actually thought they would work in Jungkook's room, since that's what he would have done if they had gone to his house instead. Jungkook must have caught his uneasiness because he asked.

"Is there something wrong, Hyung?"

"Well, um... won't your parents mind us working in the middle of their living room?" Jimin said, fiddling with his fingers, to which Jungkook chuckled.

"My parents are on a trip."

"Oh, for work?" He couldn't help his nosy ass from speaking.

"No, they just like to travel." Jungkook shrugged.

"Ah..." Jimin was still looking everywhere as if he feared that someone would suddenly appear out of nowhere. He was clearly thinking about siblings, maybe a relative that lived with them and Jungkook seemed to have read his mind because he uttered.

"And my sister is at my granny's so it's just us for the evening, Hyung." He chuckled again.

"Oh, you didn't stay at your granny's too?"

"Well, when I was younger I used to, but now that I kind of manage well on my own, I prefer to just stay here, plus me and my sister... we don't get on very well..."

"Oh? You don't?" Jimin was sincerely interested, it wasn't his nosy ass talking anymore. He was an only child and always wanted to have siblings, so he really didn't understand when siblings didn't get along.

"Not really, we were kind of close when we were younger but, um... growing up we kind of started having different opinions, so..." Jungkook looked away, it clearly wasn't a topic he liked to regularly talk about.

Jimin wanted to know more about the matter but he didn't want to push it further, not if he didn't want to get kicked out before even starting working on the damned project.

"So, before we start!" Jungkook seemed lively again, bringing Jimin back from his world of thoughts. "What would you like to have for dinner?"

"Huh?"

"You know, because if we are going to order, then we should do it now because they take their time to deliver." Jungkook rolled his eyes.

"I-I..." Jimin was taken aback. He thought he had come to work on a project, not eat dinner.

"Yes?"

"Um, don't worry about me, I'll just eat when I get back."

"What? No! You'll be getting back at around eight! I'll starve if I don't eat before that!"

"Okay, just order for yourself, then." Jimin said, giggling.

"But I don't want you to starve, either." He pouted dramatically, displaying his best puppy eyes.

"Aish! Okay fine!" Jimin rolled his eyes. "But can't we just eat some leftovers? I really don't want to spend a lot of money today."

"First of all, I've been only living on leftovers for the past week, so no, there are no more leftovers." He chuckled. "And second, I don't mind paying for both of us." Jungkook shrugged.

"Um..." Jimin didn't want to accept the money, but wasn't really sure how to say it in order not to sound like an ungrateful brat. "Can't we just think about this once we've done some work? At this pace we won't be able to get anything done by the end of the week!" He exclaimed instead, to just push the matter aside and leave it for the "future Jimin" to deal with.

"Fine!" Jungkook groaned and they both prepared themselves to finally start working on the layout for the short film.

They hadn't been working for long, when Jungkook suddenly slumped on the sofa backrest, spreading his arms to his sides. He seemed exhausted, but Jimin wasn't paying him any mind.

"I think we should scratch the crime story, since we don't have guns and stuff to make it realistic..." Jimin murmured while looking at the sheet of paper they had been brainstorming ideas for the plot on. When he didn't hear any answer he looked up. "Jungkook?"

"Hyung..." Jungkook whined.

"Don't. Jungkook..." Jimin threatened with his index finger raised in the air, but the younger wasn't having it.

"I'm hungry!" He groaned.

"Aish! Jungkook!" Jimin finally dropped his hands to his sides in defeat. "We've only been working for thirty minutes!"

"I know, but it's almost seven and I'm really starving." Jungkook pouted, puppy eyes on show.

"That's because you wouldn't stop talking when I got here!" Jimin exclaimed.

"Hyung... Please..." Jungkook deepened his pout and Jimin sighed.

"Fine." He said slumping on the backrest too. "What would you like to eat?"

"Nah-ah," Jungkook shook his head. "you are the guest, Hyung, you choose."

"Um... I don't know... I can honestly eat anything..." He sighed. "Okay, maybe we could order pizza since it's not too expensive."

Jungkook seemed in deep thought before he suddenly exclaimed. "Wait! I know what we can do." He said while rushing to the kitchen and coming back in a millisecond. "Yes! There are some pasta boxes that I could cook for us." Jungkook smiled, apparently too content for having found a solution for dinner.

"You can cook?" Jimin's eyes were wide.

"Well, it's not like I'm actually going to make the pasta, I mean, I only need to wait till the water boils, pour it in and wait the amount of minutes the instructions on the box say I should wait." He shrugged. "But to answer your question, yes," He said pridefully. "I can cook and I do it pretty well, actually." He grinned, bunny teeth on display.

"Oh... Um... Are you going to start cooking now?"

"Yes Hyung! I told you I was hungry." He frowned.

"Right. So maybe I could keep on working while you cook?"

"Ah... Uh... Okay? If that's what you want..." Jungkook trailed off looking down at his feet. His animated spirits seemed to have diminished in a matter of seconds.

"I-is that okay?" Jimin stuttered, not wanting to upset the younger in any way.

"Yeah... I mean," Jungkook was still not looking at Jimin. "I thought you would keep me company while I cooked." He finally looked up to meet the older's eyes.

"A-ah, I-I could if you want to..." Jimin wasn't really sure why he kept on stuttering, but he couldn't help it.

"Okay." Jungkook beamed, looking all happy again. He walked towards the kitchen slowly to allow the older to follow him.

"So... Uh... Do you usually have people keep you company while you cook?" Jimin facepalmed internally as soon as the words left his lips. Why the hell was he asking such a stupid question?! Aish Jiminie! Get a hold of yourself.

"Um... Well..." Jungkook thought before answering the question, while pouring some water on a pot. "I don't really like being alone. Whenever my parents are traveling I usually spend most of my time with Taehyungie-hyung or my girlfriend." He shrugged, putting the pot on the stove.

"I see..." For some reason Jimin was feeling a little down, all of a sudden. But why? Maybe you were expecting some other answer... The cunning voice spoke once more.

"Hyung?" Jungkook was waving a hand in front of Jimin's face who seemed to have gone to sleep with his eyes open.

"Oh sorry, what did you say?" Jimin went out of his daze, shaking his head.

"What type of pasta do you want? Penne rigate or farfalle?" Jungkook asked, showing Jimin both of the pasta boxes.

"U-um... P-penne is fine?"

"Okay!" Jungkook cheered and poured the pasta on the boiling water. "What do you usually eat your pasta with?"

"Uh... Tomato sauce?"

"Good. Me too. My family, they all like creamy and oily sauces, I just don't get it."

"Me neither..." Jimin whispered under his breath, still shaken by the whole "penne" situation. Why would anyone in their right mind name a pasta "penne"? Didn't "pene" mean "dick" in spanish?

"So, now we wait." Jungkook said, resting his back on the counter and giving his undivided attention to Jimin.

Jimin just nodded, not knowing what to say. He was never able to make small talk to fill silences, maybe that's why he was never able to make too many friends.

"So... Uh... Any reason why you moved from Busan?"

"I..." Wow. Thought Jimin. He actually remembers I moved from Busan? "Well... Um... it was due to my mum's job." He hesitated a moment, before answering. Jimin prayed for Jungkook not to push the matter further and the latter didn't, which Jimin was very thankful for.

"So, have you known Taehyungie-hyung for a long time?" Jungkook was clearly trying to make conversation so as for the moment not to become awkward.

"A bit, yeah, my mum's friends with his mum, actually." Could his answer be conciser? Probably not.

Jungkook nodded.

"H-have you and your girlfriend been together for long?" Jimin asked not really knowing if he wanted to know the answer. He just felt like he had to ask something and that was the first thing that came to his mind.

"Ah," Jungkook smiled shyly. "yeah, we've been together for three years now, but we've known each other since forever." He chuckled lightly.

Jimin felt his eyes water and hoped the younger wouldn't notice. For some reason his heart ached. Jungkook was so nice and warm towards him, almost like he cared about him... but he also seemed so loyal and in love with his girlfriend that Jimin almost wished Jungkook were mean towards him, so that Jimin's feelings at the moment would be less complicated.

"How about you? Do you have a partner?" Jungkook asked animatedly with the sudden turn in the conversation.

A partner. He didn't ask Jimin if he had a girlfriend, no, he asked if he had a partner. Jimin gulped. Is it that obvious that I'm gay? "Nope." Jimin shook his head.

"Oh, you single then? Did anyone catch your eye at school today?" Jungkook smirked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Yes you. Jimin thought, but of course he didn't say it outloud, instead he tried to brush it off naturally. "Ha, no." He tried to chuckle casually but it turned out to be more like a cough.

Jungkook just smiled at him for a moment, before he grabbed two bowls and put a serving in each one of them saying: "It's ready." He then handed one of the bowls to Jimin and asked him:

"What would you like to drink?"

"Um... Water's fine, or I can drink whatever you drink."

Jungkook opened the fridge and giggled while closing it again. "Yeah, water's fine, I think I finished my last can of coke yesterday." He giggled again earning another giggle from the older. Who could blame Jimin? Jungkook had the most contagious laugh ever!

They walked back to the living room, regaining their original seats on the couches. They ate in silence until Jimin could no longer contain his moans.

"Mmm... it's really good!" He emphasised on the word "really".

"Oh, is it?" Jungkook was surprised.

"Mhm." Jimin hummed while savouring a particularly big amount of pasta.

"Wow, and you still haven't even tried my real cooking. One of these days you need to come for dinner and I'll actually cook for you."

Jimin choked on his pasta, which led to him coughing for a full minute. Was Jungkook implying that there would be a next time? And not only that, but that he would invite him over as friends and not just to work on the project? Wow. Jimin's ears were ringing.

After they finished eating, they went back to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Jimin offered and insisted upon washing them, but Jungkook didn't let him, telling him to just keep him company while he did it. Which Jimin gladly did.

Once they had finally finished all things related to dinner it was around eight and Jimin was already feeling his eyelids heavy. He didn't know if the younger would want to continue working, but even though they hadn't done much, Jimin thought he wouldn't be able to concentrate after being this full.

"I should get going..." Jimin trailed off, once they had returned to the living room. "It's getting pretty late."

"Sure, let's go."

They both walked to the door putting on their shoes to get outside. They walked across the long path that led to the gates, before Jungkook opened them and Jimin halted.

"So, uh, thanks for the dinner. Um... See you at school?" Jimin said as a matter of salutation.

Jungkook furrowed his brows. "Why do I feel like you're saying goodbye to me?"

"Well... because that's what you do when you leave someone's house?" Jimin answered cheekily.

"Yes, but that's not what you do when the owner of the house will walk you home." Jungkook retorted matter-of-factly.

"Ah, Jungkook, there's no need." Jimin mumbled, brushing a hand off as if it had no importance at all. "I can walk back on my own."

"What? No. Didn't you say your mother didn't want you walking alone at night."

"Yeah... but, you shouldn't walk on your own at night either."

"Ah, Hyung, don't worry about me, I've been living in this neighbourhood since I was born, it really isn't dangerous."

"Yeah, that's right! There's nothing to worry about, I can walk back by myself, then."

"But Hyung! What will you tell your mother?"

"That you came with me?"

"No! Not even a possibility! C'mon, let's get going." Jungkook stated not leaving anything open to discussion. He closed the gates behind him and pushed Jimin gently towards the street.

"Lead the way Hyung." Jungkook grinned. "I would drive you but it only took you fifteen minutes to get here, so I assume you live pretty close?"

"Yeah, I do." Jimin hung his head in shame, knowing how stupid he looked by needing his dongsaeng's help to get back home.

Noticing the uneasiness on the other, Jungkook tried to make conversation. "So, is Taehyungie-hyung supposed to pick you up tomorrow too?"

"He is supposed to, yeah, key word: supposed." Jimin rolled his eyes.

Jungkook chuckled. "Don't be mad at him, he really doesn't do it on purpose."

Jimin made a face.

"Oh, I have an idea!" Jungkook suddenly snapped his head to look at Jimin, walking on his side. "Why don't I pick you up instead of Taehyungie-hyung?"

"What? No! Why would you want to do that?"

"Well, it makes sense, doesn't it?" Jungkook shrugged his shoulders.

"How does that make any sense?"

"Well, I live a lot closer to you than Taehyungie-hyung and I won't forget to pick you up like he does." Jungkook was looking at Jimin with his big doe-eyes.

"Jungkook, no. I really don't mind taking the bus."

"But..." Jungkook pouted. "The bus is really packed in the mornings."

Jimin shrugged.

"And doesn't your mum prefer you to be driven to school?" Jungkook insisted.

"Yes, but she doesn't need to know that Taehyung forgets to come every time." Jimin rolled his eyes.

"No, Hyung! That's not good. You shouldn't lie to your mother." He scowled.

"Jungkook..." Jimin groaned.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop being annoying."

Jimin giggled. "You are not annoying." He slapped Jungkook's arm playfully, which earned another giggle from the younger.

The rest of the walk was spent by them talking nonsense and enjoying each other's company. Jimin had become so at ease with the younger that he hadn't even noticed when they got to his house. Jimin climbed the doorsteps, turning around on the entrance before opening his door.

"Thank you so much for everything Jungkook. Really." He smiled sweetly.

Jungkook who had respectfully stayed a little bit apart from the doorsteps, finally climbed two of them, standing right one step under Jimin, so they were almost the same height.

"No problem, I'll be here tomorrow morning, okay?"

"What? No! Jungkook." Jimin groaned. "We've already been through this."

"Hyung." Jungkook looked at him with a serious expression. "I'm not accepting a "no" for an answer."

"Jungkook, you really don't need to. Don't you have to pick your girlfriend up too?" Jimin asked, feeling his stomach churn.

"Well, I don't really pick her up 'cause she kinda lives on the other side of town and I would literally have to pass school to get to her, which doesn't really make sense, plus her dad drives her every morning, so..." He shrugged. There was a mini pause, before Jungkook spoke again. "Just think of this as me doing a favour to my friend, you know, because he has a really bad short term memory and I live a lot closer to you. It's literally a win win."

"I honestly don't see your win in this." Jimin chuckled.

"I get to have a good company on my ride to school every morning." Jungkook smiled charmingly, which made Jimin's heart flutter.

"Aish! Jungkook..."

"It's settled." Jungkook clapped, interrupting the older, before he could utter another excuse. "Have a good night! See you tomorrow!"

And just like that, Jungkook was gone. Jimin sighed, not being able to erase the stupid smile on his face and entered his house quietly.