"He was average tall and broad-shouldered, his legs were long and he had an aura about him that inspired mystery and elegance."

•••

"Sorry I'm late..." The man said, interrupting Jimin mid-sentence. He was average tall and broad-shouldered, his legs were long and he had an aura about him that inspired mystery and elegance. It reminded Jungkook a little bit of Jimin. He had his raven hair perfectly cut and parted revealing his forehead.

Jungkook was bewildered but noticed the change in Jimin's attitude. He looked like he had just seen a ghost. Jungkook kept on turning from the newcomer to Jimin at the front of the class, when finally Hoseok came out of the crowd of people with his brow scrunched and an expression in between anger and worry. He was approaching the man, who was now standing at the back of the room near the door.

Before Hoseok got to where this man was standing, Jimin ran towards the back of the room and left, closing the door loudly behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Hoseok asked in a firm and cold manner.

Most of the people in the room had started to gather in a big crowd a little bit away from the heated conversation that was about to take place. Taehyung and Yoongi had already reached the two boys who seemed about to argue. Namjoon, Jin and Jungkook looked at each other before nodding and joining his friends.

It was clear that Yoongi and Taehyung knew the guy too, because they had knowing expressions in contrast to the confusion evident in Namjoon's, Jin's and Jungkook's eyes.

"Hoseokie, don't be like that." The raven haired man pleaded. "I just heard about the opening and wanted to support you."

Jungkook thought the guy was being honest, he couldn't quite understand why everyone looked at him as if he had done something wrong. But then again, Jimin wouldn't have stormed out like that if he hadn't had a good enough reason.

"Taemin-hyung, you knew he'd be here." Hoseok stated. His tone, a little bit softer than before.

The man who seemed to be called Taemin looked down.  "I just... it's been so long Hobi." He looked up. His eyes were glassy.

In that moment something exploded inside of Jungkook's mind and he went out of his slumber of only following the conversation to think clearly.

"Hyungs!" Jungkook suddenly exclaimed. "Jimin-hyung just left, shouldn't someone go check on him?"

"Yes Jungkook, go and see how he's doing." Taehyung murmured fast, while pushing him towards the door.

"What? Me? No!" Jungkook uttered while being pushed.

"Yes, just go." Taehyung was still pushing him.

"Hyung! Come with me!" Jungkook almost shouted at Jin, but the latter didn't respond and he was already at the door, so there was nothing else to be done.

Once outside the room Jungkook facepalmed. He was really the unluckiest person on the planet. Now the real question was: how the hell was he going to find Jimin? But the answer came right away because as soon as he reached the stairs, he saw a mop of pink hair at the foot of them.

Jungkook descended the flight of stairs carefully so as not to make a lot of noise and sat next to his former boss. Who would have thought he would end up being the one looking for him and not the other way around?

They stayed there in silence for some minutes, Jimin hugging his knees and resting his chin on them, before Jungkook talked.

"You okay?" He was really worried by now. He thought Jimin would talk as soon as he saw who it was that was sitting next to him.

"I-I don't know..." Jimin's shaky voice made Jungkook's heart sink.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Suddenly Jimin's head fell and he hid his face between his arms and legs. At that sight Jungkook didn't know what to do, he thought about leaving, maybe the older just wanted to be alone, but as he was going to get up, Jimin talked from under his arms.

"Tae said Hyung wouldn't invite him." His voice was muffled, which made it difficult for Jungkook to know whether he was crying or not.

"Hobi-hyung didn't invite him, he seemed actually pretty mad at his appearance. The man said that he just heard about the event and came." Jungkook tried to talk in the softest tone possible.

Jimin raised his head at the sound of those words and Jungkook let out a long breath. His eyes were glassy, but at least he was not crying. "Why did you ask to be reassigned?"

Okay, what?! Jungkook's brain was malfunctioning. First of all, where the fuck did that just come from? They had been talking about a completely different subject and he suddenly came up with that? And how the hell was he supposed to respond to that? Jungkook was dumbfounded, couldn't form a single coherent sentence and the fact that Jimin was looking at him with puppy crescent eyes was not helping.

"I-I..." Of course he was going to stutter. Jungkook gave himself a mental eye-roll. "W-who told you I asked to be reassigned?"

"I know you did Jungkook..." Jimin looked away.

"I-I just..." Jungkook was lost for words.

"It's fine, I get it, I was too much work, wasn't I?" He paused. "I'm just useless."

"What?! No!" Jungkook was not going to let him put himself down like that. "You are definitely not useless Hyung!" At the sound of the last word Jimin looked a little bit less sad. "I just... Well, to be honest I was asked by your dad if it wasn't better for you to have another assistant instead of me and..."

"You said yes?" Jimin's face had fallen again.

"I mean, I actually thought you would make better progress with Sandara-noona." Jungkook wasn't strictly lying, everything he was telling the older was true... to some extent and a complete lie to another. But he couldn't bear that look on his hyung's face anymore.

Jimin nodded, he seemed as if he didn't truly believe everything Jungkook had told him but at the same time he hadn't expected the younger to say anything different.

"Anyway, I guess that if you aren't willing to work with me, you are not going to want to pair up with me for the organisation of the party either. We should talk with the hyungs and..."

"Wait! Actually..." Jungkook interrupted. He wasn't sure why he was denying this, since all he wanted was to be the farthest as possible from the older in what was left of his life. But nevertheless, he was interrupting him. "I don't mind working on the decor for the party with you." Jungkook looked down when he finished, not daring to meet the older's gaze.

Jimin nodded.

They stayed silent for what it seemed like hours, neither of them daring to talk in fear they would ruin the moment. For the first time Jungkook thought he could actually build some kind of friendship with the other, since they would be doing tasks that wouldn't include having to awkwardly stand behind each other or act like they were professionals when, for Jungkook's part at least, the only thing he kept on thinking for the whole time he was Jimin's assistant was how to act natural. And for the first time he didn't regret his decision of resigning to being Jimin's assistant, because in all honesty, it was true, Jimin would work a lot better without him and this way they could try to build a friendship outside of the company boundaries. For the first time Jungkook felt at peace in the presence of Park Jimin.

The silence was broken when Taehyung appeared in front of them.

"I'm sorry Jiminie, I know I said Hyung wouldn't invite him, but he came on his own, I swear." Taehyung talked fast. He seemed out of breath.

"I know Tae, Jungkook's told me."

"Oh," Taehyung turned to look at Jungkook, a little bit surprised. "you two came to terms with each other?"

"Well, we'll have to work together for Hobi-hyung's party, so I guess we had to." Jungkook shrugged.

"You are? Wow. I thought one of you was either going to throw a tantrum or do all the work by themselves in order not to meet up with the other." Taehyung chuckled.

"Ha, ha," Jimin fake-laughed. "says the one who kept on complaining because he didn't want to be paired up with Yoongi-hyung." Jimin finished with an eye-roll.

"You know how he is!" Taehyung whined pouting, making the three of them laugh.

Not long after, Hoseok and Yoongi, followed by Namjoon and Jin reached them. Hoseok seemed agitated and talked as soon as he saw them.

"I'm so sorry Jimin-ah, I really didn't know he would come, I was as surprised as all of you." Hoseok took a long breath after he finished.

"It's fine Hyung, I know you didn't invite him." Jimin spoke in a small voice. "Honestly, it's me who should be apologising. Sorry for bursting out like that and ruining your opening. I know how much it meant to you." Jimin looked down with his last words.

"No Jimin-ah, it wasn't your fault." Hoseok stated.

"Why don't we all go for dinner to celebrate Hope-ah's great beginning and we forget about this last part?" Namjoon suddenly said, trying to lift everyone's spirits up a bit.

"Yeah!" Jin said supporting his best friend. "I think that would be great."

Taehyung and Yoongi nodded at the same time that Hoseok put a hand on Namjoon's shoulder.

"Thanks Namjoon." He smiled.

"Anytime bro." Namjoon responded.

Jimin and Jungkook got up from where they were sitting at the foot of the stairs and the seven of them descended the flights of stairs that they had left to finally exit the building. Jungkook found his way between Namjoon and Jin while they were walking to avoid any unnecessary awkward moments with Jimin.

The seven boys walked to the nearest restaurant and made their way into it. It was small and cozy. They were greeted by a nice short woman who led them to the back of the restaurant where a long table was settled. They followed her, not before leaving their shoes on the entrance and kneeled on the cushions that were settled on the floor, instead of chairs.

They all enjoyed their dinner, laughing and reminiscing every moment from the dance class. They all bust their lungs at the memory of Namjoon and Jin dancing and they also made fun of Tae and Yoongi for trying really hard. In a few words, they had the best time in a very long time. All of them were able to get a little bit away from their everyday troubles. At first Jungkook tried to sit as far away from Jimin as possible and also tried not to engage in conversation with him unless it was inevitable. Nevertheless, by the end of the evening he was laughing and chatting with all of them without a care in the world. It almost seemed as if Jimin had been part of their group all along.

When they had finished eating they paid and started giving each other their farewells. Jungkook caught Jimin's eyes after he hugged Hoseok. The older was motoning for Jungkook to follow him outside, which the younger did. Wow. Jungkook thought. I don't feel nervous. This is new.

Jungkook went out of the door with a huge smile on his face at his new confidence. Once outside he came across a confused Jimin who was trying too hard not to smile at the younger's beam.

"Why are you smiling?" Jimin asked, finally giving up and showing a toothy grin that matched the younger's.

Jungkook shook his head. "It's nothing."

Jimin seemed to want to push it further, but then decided against it. "I motioned you to come, so we could arrange how to take care of the decor for Hobi-hyung's party." Jimin cautiously stated.

Jungkook nodded. "It's next Sunday, so we don't have much time."

"Right."

"Maybe we can meet after work, although I don't think many shops will be open at those hours." Jungkook suggested.

"I think we should plan what to buy before going to the stores." Jimin said and lowered his head.

Jungkook felt a pang on his chest. The older one really seemed to be trying too hard not to upset him and it was a very painful thing to watch. To think that Jungkook himself had made Jimin feel like he had to be extra careful in order to prevent Jungkook from escaping made Jungkook's heart ache.

"Um... Yeah... So, what do you suggest?" Jungkook was trying with all his might to make Jimin feel at ease in his presence again.

"Well... maybe, tomorrow we could meet up after work to plan what to buy? I mean, if you want, of course..." He paused for a second and when he saw Jungkook wasn't going to say anything, he continued. "Actually, you know what? Just forget it, I-I..." He stuttered in the end, before Jungkook interrupted him.

"No! It's fine, I was just thinking whether tomorrow was a good day, but it is! I probably won't end too late tomorrow, so we can meet up, sure." Jungkook talked really fast, all the while cursing himself for having such a slow reaction.

"Okay... um... maybe we could go for... uh... dinner?" Jimin stammered with a small smile on his lips.

"Yes! Sure!" Jungkook was really trying.

Without realising they had already walked for at least seven blocks and were too far away from the diner to know how or where the rest of their friends were.

"Um, so shall we meet tomorrow at the entrance after work, then?" Jimin asked.

"Yeah, actually, let's meet in the parking lot, I'll drive us to the restaurant."

Jimin nodded with a slight blush that luckily the younger didn't notice. They kept on walking in silence until Jimin stopped at an intersection.

"My house is that way." Jimin pointed to the right, as a way of explaining why he had suddenly stopped.

Jungkook nodded and turned his body towards the street Jimin was pointing at. "I'll walk you there then." Jungkook wasn't really sure where those words came from. Or why was he having a sudden burst of confidence. All he knew was that he wanted to walk his hyung home and that's what he was going to do.

Jimin looked confused at first but then talked in a small voice. "You really don't have to."

"It's fine, I usually walk my hyungs home."

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"Nope! I like taking care of my hyungs." Jungkook smiled proudly.

"Jungkook..."

"Hyung!" Jungkook said sternly. "I know we started off with the wrong foot, but please let me make it up to you."

"I-I don't know Jungkook."

At those last words Jungkook's confidence deflated like a balloon. Jimin really seemed uncomfortable and he probably didn't want Jungkook to walk him home. What was he thinking?! That Jimin would feel... what?! Flattered that he wanted to walk him home?! Ugh! Jungkook! How stupid can you be?! He shouted at himself in his head. 

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I'll see you tomorrow then." Jungkook monotonously spoke while turning on his heels, ready to walk back to his own place.

"Yah! Was that really all you insisted?" Jimin exclaimed, catching Jungkook by surprise.

"I-I..." Jungkook turned around with a shocked expression.

"Just come here and walk me home, you big baby man-child." Jimin chuckled.

"I'm not a child!" Jungkook whined like a baby.

"Says the one who was sulking because I wouldn't let him walk me home." Jimin teased with the biggest grin Jungkook had ever seen in him.

It was a very beautiful smile, Jungkook thought. His eyes were crescent shaped and they almost disappeared behind his chubby cheekbones.

They walked until they reached Jimin's house. Jungkook stood a little bit behind when Jimin climbed his doorsteps and opened his door. Before he entered his house, Jimin turned one last time to look at this new Jungkook.

"Thanks."

Jungkook nodded. And that was all. Jimin disappeared behind his door and Jungkook walked back home. But something had changed, Jungkook couldn't stop thinking about Jimin, well there was actually nothing new in that. But what had changed was the way he thought about the older now. It didn't cause him anxiety and heart race, instead, he was feeling a lot more at peace with his own thoughts and with the 25 year old as well.

Once he reached his apartment, Jungkook checked his phone one last time before turning in. He had some unread messages from his group chat with Jin and Namjoon so he opened them.

————————————————————
Today

Jin-hyung:
8:43 pm.
Yah!!!!!! You brat!!!

Where are you????

Namjoonie-hyung:
Jungkook? Is everything okay?
you and Jimin disappeared
from the restaurant.

Jin-hyung:
What Namjoon's trying to say is:

WHERE THE  HELL ARE YOU??!!!

Jungkook:
9:13 pm.
Hyungs! I'm fine! I'm home!
I just walked Jimin-hyung home.
That's all.

Jin-hyung:
YOU DID WHAT??!!

Jungkook:
Hyung... I'm tired,
please don't scream at me
through text.

Jin-hyung:
I want details! NOW!

Jungkook:
Good night hyung...

Jin-hyung:
9:15 pm.
Jungkook! Don't you dare
leave me hanging!

Jungkook?

9:20 pm.
Jungkook I swear...

9:30 pm.
JUNGKOOK!
Aish! This brat!

Namjoonie-hyung:
9:32 pm.
🤷🏻‍♀️

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