Accidentally, Coincidentally
Title: Accidentally, Coincidentally
Pairing: Jimin/Jungkook, side! V/Jhope
Rating: PG-13
Genre: fluff, humor
Word Count: 5812
Summary: It’s obvious that Hoseok is pulling up strings to get Jungkook and Jimin together, but Jungkook doesn’t really need any help.
originally written for elfscouts 2015
“I’m doomed,” Jungkook announces even before lunch break has even completely started. Hoseok looks over him, mildly concerned at the forlorn expression on his face. Taehyung continues to munch happily on his sandwich, oblivious to the intense waves of gloom surrounding Jungkook. “He’s going to hate me forever. Please end my existence now.”
“C’mon, it can’t be that bad,” Hoseok pats the back of his head to try and comfort him. Jungkook feels reassurance in Hoseok’s touch, but judging by Hoseok’s character, Jungkook knows he’s just saying that to get him to cheer up a bit even if he doesn’t know the whole story yet. “Park Jimin is a really nice guy. He seems fond of you already, even.”
“Yeah, remember that one time you got too excited during that ‘Battle of the Bands’ event and you accidentally elbowed him in the face? But he said it was okay because you’re a cute kid,” Taehyung reminds him. Jungkook groans, planting his face on the table in front of him. He pushes his face down the wood further, hoping that it could dispel all the memories conjuring up in his head. “It’s pretty obvious that he’s too fond of you. Even if you did technically almost step on his balls and render him infertile and, quite possibly, left him with a dismembered genitalia, he’d forgive you.”
“Wait, you almost crushed his balls?” Hoseok wolf-whistles. “Damn. And I thought Seokjin-hyung was the clumsy one.” Now even the most optimistic person he’s ever known is not saying anything helpful at all, throwing even more gasoline into the flame. Jungkook doesn’t know if he should feel betrayed or if he should just start crying, since those are the closest things to the best solution he could come up with so far. “What the hell was that play you guys were trying to re-enact that you got to that point?”
“Hamlet,” Taehyung helpfully provides before Jungkook could have a say in it. “He was supposed to rush by Jimin’s side, but I think he panicked, and he ended up rushing forward.”
“Kill me. Just kill me now.” Jungkook’s reply comes out muffled by the table where he’s resting his head on. Hoseok at least has the conscience to try to cheer him up. “At least he’ll never forget your name?” Even to himself, Hoseok knows that he sounds unsure, and he looks at Taehyung for help.
“If you think about it though, Jimin might have been a bit at fault. I mean, who pretends to fall over and die from a stab wound with his legs wide open?” Jungkook might have felt a bit better if Taehyung would just have stopped at that, but then he chooses to add, “Anyway, at least now you have something new to add to your name. Hear this: Jeon Jungkook, freshman, special technique: ball-crushing.” Jungkook groans into the table, feeling even more like he’s never going to be forgiven by Jimin because of the dick-related jokes Taehyung suddenly starts throwing.
Hoseok looks down at the back of Jungkook’s head resting on top of the table, pity befalling him. He’s always wanted for all of his friends to be happy, and what more could make Jungkook happier than not needing to worry about embarrassing himself in front of Jimin?
“I really think we should get them together,” Taehyung whispers to him after he’s ran out of dick jokes, breath smelling a lot like tuna and mayonnaise, and Hoseok finally gets the idea.
Jungkook needs divine intervention in order to solve at least half of his problems, and Hoseok knows he’s no god, but he does have a plan of action already forming in his mind.
It isn’t really difficult to ask for Namjoon’s help especially since he and Hoseok share a few classes together. Hoseok had believed the plan to be completely flawless when he’s able to slip a few of the notes they’ve written into Jimin’s bag.
But what he forgets to think of, however, are the possible faults to his idea.
He doesn’t get to realize this, however, until sometime later, because at the moment, there’s just one thing left to do in his mind: check on Jimin’s reaction about the note himself.
The opportunity opens up in his face during dance practice, with their dance team going through the final parts of a choreography. It’s a routine they’re supposed to do for an intermission number in another university’s college festival, and Hoseok’s not entirely worried about the performance anymore, excitement replacing the nerves in his system.
He first met Jimin through the dance club they’re both part of, and it hasn’t been long after that when Jungkook met Jimin and everything started spiraling downward for the younger. Jungkook had been so adamant back then, insisting that no, he definitely does not have a crush on Park Jimin because that would be weird, but Hoseok sees right through him, and he’s relented in the end.
But even after a year, nothing has progressed between them despite Hoseok’s efforts in trying to coax Jungkook into sending hints. You couldn’t exactly put the blame on just one of them though: Jimin is too dense to get the idea out of the whole picture, and Jungkook is too embarrassed to give anything out.
“Jimin, I didn’t know you had a secret admirer.” He tells Jimin with a huge grin on his face during one of their breaks. His smile’s supposed to be teasing, but it looks pretty obvious that he’s trying to hide something he did from Jimin and is trying really hard to contain his laughter because of it.
“What?” Jimin’s hand stops from wiping the sweat off of his face and looks up at Hoseok. “What do you mean?”
Hoseok’s smile falters a bit, but he fixes it back quickly before Jimn could even notice. He’s doomed if Jimin never actually saw those notes, but he doesn’t want to think that way. “You know… those notes in your bag?”
“What notes?” Jimin still looks as confused as ever, and Hoseok likes to think that he’s just playing dumb about the entire thing, probably because he’s embarrassed of all the things that’s been written there.
“I saw someone put some papers inside your bag’s pocket earlier.” Hoseok insists. “I was going to stop them because I thought they were going to steal from your bag, but they just left some notes.”
“Oh my god,” Jimin’s eyes widen as the information sinks in, and Hoseok almost congratulates himself, if not for the next things that come tumbling out of Jimin’s mouth. “Do you mean those brightly-colored papers?”
“Uhm… Why?” Hoseok hesitantly asks, not sure if he wants to hear the answer behind Jimin’s tight-lipped smile, looking embarrassed at something he’s done.
“I threw those in the trash can. I thought those were the doodles I forgot to throw away after class.” Hoseok wants to scratch his face off at the very moment, but he shouldn’t let Jimin see-he might end up getting a clue from all the questions Hoseok’s been asking.
So he just pretends like he’s just a genuine bystander, sad to know the waste of an opportunity and optimistic that maybe next time, Jimin would find out who that person was.
At least now he knows how much of a struggle Jungkook has to go through whenever he tries to say something to Jimin. Maybe that’s something he should give credit to Jungkook for not giving up.
Hoseok’s so sure that it’s going to work the second time around, especially since he’s gotten Jungkook to go along with him, having no clue as to what’s happening.
Jimin greets them the moment they enter the dance club’s practice room and starts talking about something that Hoseok is just starting to get the gist of, but then he stops talking altogether when he notices the brightly-colored sheet of paper Jungkook is clutching in his hands that looks a lot like the ones he’s holding. His eyes widen comically, as if he’s being filmed for a CF. “Oh my god, you too?”
Hoseok could feel Jungkook tense up beside him, and he mentally gives Jungkook a pat on the back to encourage the younger.
“Why, what do you mean?” Jungkook asks. Hoseok hasn’t exactly told him anything about the plan, but when he steals a glance at the pieces of paper that Jimin is clutching in both of his hands, he knows Jungkook is starting to get an idea of what’s happening. It’s not exactly like he’s lying when he asked or feigning innocence since he doesn’t completely know everything, but Hoseok could see his stare shaking, unable to look at Jimin directly for a long time. He almost sighs at the two, remembering his own days as a love-struck college freshman.
“Someone’s been leaving me notes with cheesy pick-up lines. Here, look at this one,” he unfolds one of the papers and almost shoves it right into Jungkook’s face. “If I’m a free-falling body, then you’re the earth because I keep falling for you.” He recites as Jungkook reads on, and Hoseok couldn’t help but contort his face. They didn’t sound that bad when I read it.
He wants to correct Jimin and tell him to just fucking look at the notes on Jungkook’s hands they’re supposed to be for you don’t you get it? But then that would greatly ruin the entire plan, and he isn’t sure if he’s ready for that entirely.
“This one went really badly,” Jimin comments, handing Jungkook another piece of unfolded paper. “They say that light is faster than sound, but I know that the sound of my heart beating travels faster than the light whenever I see you.”
Hoseok curses at Namjoon internally. Why did he even consult a Physics major for a pick-up line? He should’ve grabbed Seokjin instead-film-related pick-up lines could have been way better than geeky science talk.
“The ‘I think you’re the center of gravity because my world revolves around you’ is probably the best for me,” Jungkook notes, and both of them laugh. Hoseok mostly just stands there while they throw in a bunch of the pick-up lines that they’ve gotten back at each other, and he thinks that maybe he hasn’t completely failed.
The perks of having Seokjin as a friend is that he’s friends with an instructor. The perks of that instructor being Jin Hyosang is that he’s nice enough to let Hoseok ask a favor from him. It’s perfect-- his plan wouldn’t be too obvious because they could involve the whole class.
So when Taehyung casually mentions something about a seminar that he’s going to attend for extra credit to Hoseok, he pretends not to notice the glint in Jungkook’s eyes. He’s planned it so that the seminar would be for a subject that both he and Jimin takes, because he knows that no matter what, Jungkook would attend that seminar for the extra credit; he’s that competitive.
It’s quite obvious that Jungkook isn’t expecting Jimin to attend the seminar, eyes going wide and looking like a deer trapped in the headlights when Jimin waves over them to take a seat beside him. He glances at Taehyung for help, but he’s already on his way over, offering Jimin a wide grin.
Jungkook curses internally. It really does seem like fate has been doing something to have the two of them get together these past few days, but still, he feels cautious. He walks over to the two with careful steps, as if he’s walking on land filled with landmines.
He really can’t help it-whenever he’s around Jimin, he’s scared that he might do something wrong and he’ll end up setting Jimin off. So he just closes his mouth, laughing a bit here and there whenever Jimin makes a joke or adding in some comments whenever Taehyung makes a remark about this and that from the slides being projected.
Still, as all seminars go, Jungkook is bored out of his wits but he does his best to try and stay sane. “For the sake of getting extra credit,” he tells himself, even though Jimin’s voice echoes in his head, calling out his name, smile in the ready for a joke he’s just about to relay to Jungkook. It’s been keeping him from remembering how much he’s wanted to leave since the beginning of the seminar, but he isn’t exactly prepared to tell anyone that yet.
“If you’re scared to do it, maybe it’s a sign that you should really do it,” the lecturer says after telling them an experience she’s had with trying out for a contest she’s never had any background with for the first time, and Taehyung gasps dramatically beside Jungkook, clasping his hands firmly together.
“Oh my god, she knows,” he says, glancing at his two companions with a worried expression on his face. Jungkook isn’t sure with what he’s playing at, but he asks anyway. “What?”
“What? She knows what?” Jimin asks at the same time, his voice just a few pitches higher even though he’s trying to mask his confusion behind his whisper. He’s too absorbed in wanting to know what happened that he doesn’t see Jungkook’s lips twitch into amusement, or how his lips move to form the word “cute”.
He doesn’t exactly get why Taehyung looks like he’s unearthed all of the secrets in the universe when all the speaker had to say were things that could possibly motivate someone into thriving for further knowledge, and his eyebrows involuntarily knit together in confusion.
“This is the sign that I’ve been waiting for,” Taehyung stands up with every ounce of dignity he has, looking like he’s going to barrel ahead and confront the speaker. Jungkook knows better than to pry so much, so he waits a moment to see what’s going to happen, Taehyung’s unpredictability sometimes going off and ending up with Jungkook having to pull him out of trouble.
Taehyung’s already halfway out of his seat, but when he doesn’t make a move and just kept standing there, Jungkook’s grown suspicious.
“What? What do you mean?” Jimin hisses, genuine worry coloring his voice. He’s still clueless, but it’s quite obvious that he’s not just about to let Taehyung do something stupid that might cause his own misery. “Don’t do something stupid, go sit down!”
Taehyung looks him straight in the eyes, and, without missing a beat, he says, “Time to fuck a blender” before making his way out of the nearest exit, not waiting for any of the reactions his companions have.
Jimin stares at his retreating back, dumbfounded by what he’s heard. Jungkook’s already used to Taehyung’s weird antics that by now that he’s not even the least bit fazed with the things that Taehyung says, but still, he understands the trauma one must first go through before getting to know the enigmatic presence that is Kim Taehyung.
Jimin looks outright shell-shocked when he looks back at Jungkook. “He’s not really going to go and fuck a blender, isn’t he?”
Jungkook shrugs. “Maybe yes, maybe no.” At the look of sheer horror in Jimin’s face, he chooses to add, “I worry a lot for him too, but when you get to know him long enough, you’ll find out that he just has a weird way of expressing things. I don’t think he really means it that way this time.”
Jimin glances back again at the door, but he looks calmer now, the worry in his face from earlier beginning to smoothen out. “Sometimes I worry for the sanity of the people around him.” Jimin says, and Jungkook nods sagely in agreement, knowing from experience that Jimin does have the right to worry.
“What do you want,” Yoongi deadpans even before Hoseok could open his mouth. Yoongi must be psychic, because Hoseok has only just entered his room and hasn’t even greeted him yet and he’s already known that Hoseok needs his help.
He doesn’t look pissed, but he doesn’t look too happy either. Hoseok thinks this is character development, since he’s only ever seen Yoongi show three emotions: nonchalance, for when he knows he has something he’s supposed to do or when he’s just walking to someplace; annoyance, reserved for when he goes to classes or when people are asking him questions repeatedly; and happiness in the form of gleeful cackles that is kind of mostly based on the annoyance of other people for the pranks that he pulls on them, or when he finds out embarrassing details about his friends.
“Hyung, do you really think I’m that type of person?” Hoseok puts a hand to his chest, faking an offended look. “Can’t I just be a dongsaeng who misses his dearest hyung?”
“Bitch, did I stutter?” Yoongi scoffs, but Hoseok is too used to the older cursing out that he doesn’t flinch. “Now what do you want? Tell me or I’ll fucking cut your nose hair and put them in that cup you always drink from.”
“Hyung, you need to chill, I just need some help with this kid, is all.” Hoseok says quickly, knowing that Yoongi isn’t one to offer empty threats. It takes Yoongi a few moments to process what he’s actually said before he’s scoffing, crossing his arms over his chest. “I knew it.”
“Hey! It just so happens that when we get to see each other, I am in deep need of your help.” Hosoek says defensively. “And your room is right in front of mine. Why would I let the opportunity of getting the best hyung to help me with my problems pass?” he adds as an afterthought, thinking how it’s best to stroke Yoongi’s ego first before striking in for the favor.
Yoongi frowns at him, but doesn’t kick him out. Hoseok is almost unable to hide his grin-Yoongi might always act grumpy, but he’s always reliable when you ask him for help. The thing though, is that you need to ask for it the right way.
“I’m not going to do anything that requires any physical effort.” Yoongi says, and Hoseok doesn’t need a translator to know that this is his way of letting up. He almost claps loudly in joy, grateful for his hyung.
“Don’t worry hyung, I don’t think playing by your expertise would be a difficult thing for you to do.”
There’s a crackle and a moment of students complaining when the microphone feedback sends an ear-splitting sound through the university’s speakers. Hoseok isn’t the only one who almost ends up throwing his chopsticks in a sudden moment of panic, only belatedly realizing that it’s the usual noon-time radio broadcast and not a large group of aliens jumping in and trying to abduct them.
“Welcome to Kkul FM! This is your DJ, genius Min Yoongi. ” Yoongi’s voice is blaringly clear in Hoseok’s ears, and he is unable to hide his grin, excited with what’s about to happen. “Now, there hasn’t been that many song requests filling up the broadcasting room’s request box anymore, but today, someone just had the guts to drop in this request. And with a message too!”
“I thought nobody did that anymore,” Jungkook comments, stealing a slice of beef from Hoseok’s plate when he notices the older male staring at the speakers instead of paying attention to his food. “Isn’t going to the broadcasting department and trying to leave a note there more difficult than trying to enter the library without encountering Mrs. Lee?” Jungkook’s words spark a memory in Hoseok’s mind, one that involves him smiling cheerfully at the university’s librarian, book to be returned in hand when Mrs. Lee, with her usual foul mood, glares at him and asks him what was so funny. But he saves that flashback for another time.
“Yeah, especially if you consider those props that they just leave outside the broadcasting room and always forget to clean up.” Taehyung agrees. Hoseok agrees too-he almost tripped over one of their boxes filled with feather boas, after all. It wasn’t that much of a bad fall, but his nose bleeding wasn’t something he would want to happen again.
“Yes, ladies and gentleman, it couldn’t be anything other than a song request for a confession! Isn’t this exciting?” Yoongi’s made it clear since day one with the usual monotonous drone of his voice that he doesn’t care about the messages that he needs to read out loud from the request box, but this time, the mirth in his voice is definitely there. “Are you all excited to know who this message is for? Are you?” Hoseok could see it, Yoongi getting carried away and pretending like he’s actually asking for the crowd’s reaction, hands gesturing for them to raise their voices.
“Everyone, it’s none other than Park Jimin!” he announces, voice getting louder. “Yes, Park Jimin, that squirt from the dance department, that one!” Yoongi whistles. “Well apparently, he’s got someone crushing on him for quite a while now.” Hoseok could imagine Yoongi grinning widely, gums showing as he waggles his eyebrows.
Jungkook almost spits out his food, pounding his hand on his chest as he coughs up, his surprise causing him to swallow his food immediately. Taehyung quickly grabs a bottle of water for him, and Hoseok pats his back. “What,” he deadpans, voice still partly rough. “Why.”
Jungkook is still trying to recover thirty seconds into the song, clearly bothered by the fact that he has competition now. Of course Hoseok hasn’t gone through all of this just so Jungkook could chicken out the last minute, so he lets him in on the plan. “Do you want to know who it’s from?”
“Tch, no,” he replies, looking away. But it’s obvious with the way that his nose is twitching that he wants to know. Taehyung elbows him, prompting him to glance over at them both. “It’s actually from you.”
“What.” Jungkook looks at them back and forth like he’s confused which person to ask.“Why. How.”
Hoseok chuckles, finding the complete confusion on Jungkook’s face cute. “Let’s just say that someone saw that note you were supposed to leave for him months ago but never got to because you chickened out at the last moment and gave it to Yoongi.”
The sound of metal scraping against the wooden floor reaches Hoseok’s ears before he realizes that Jungkook is about to stand up, only held back in his seat by a warning hand from a laughing Taehyung. “HYUNG HOW COULD YOU.”
“I’m doing this for your own good, kid.” He says, patting Jungkook’s back. “Now go and meet your prince charming.”
“Do you guys seriously have to come with me here?” Jungkook asks, hand hovering on the doorknob.
“Lower your voice down, he might hear you!” Taehyung warns with an even louder voice, and Hoseok is quick to cover his mouth before he could say anything more. “Of course we need to come. You might chicken out the last minute and not say anything. Again.”
Taehyung removes Hoseok’s hand off of his mouth and hisses, the volume of his voice lower this time. “We’ll serve as your backup!”
Jungkook turns his back to them, but not before Hoseok sees his lips twitch to form a small smile.
Jimin is already in the vacant classroom from across the broadcasting room when Jungkook enters, and Hoseok gets the chance to see Jimin’s eyes widen in surprise upon Jungkook’s entrance, lips curving into a smile.
Of course Hoseok doesn’t let it rest at that, pushing the door open a little and peeking from the gap. Taehyung crawls up beside him and takes a peek too, his hands on Hoseok’s shoulders shaking with nervous excitement.
Jungkook fiddles with his hands, a nervous habit that Hoseok usually sees when the younger is thinking about a presentation that he’s about to do in class. Beside him, Taehyung makes a noise that sounds a lot like he’s trying to stop himself from giggling, but Hoseok doesn’t feel like he’s one to judge.
“So you’re the one who sent that song request?” Jimin asks, the huge grin on his face betraying the way he’s coolly standing by the window, trying to look nonchalant.
“Not exactly, but I-“ Jungkook begins, but he falls short on his words, suddenly starting out a string of I’s. Hoseok isn’t exactly sure what’s even happening anymore, but when he sees the concerned look on Jimin’s face, his internal bout of panicking begins.
“Jungkook? Is there something wrong?” Jimin says as Jungkook begins to bend over, clutching his stomach tightly. “Do you need me to go with you to the infirmary?” Jungkook raises a hand, probably to refuse Jimin’s offer, but he doubles up in pain, about to fall face-first on the floor if Jimin hadn’t grabbed on to him first.
Hoseok feels worry creeping up in his veins before it even shows up in his face, but then he sees Jimin running to the direction of the door with Jungkook’s arm slung over his shoulder, and he knows he shouldn’t worry much. He grabs Taehyung and they sidestep just in time before Jimin slams the door open, not even noticing them in his haste.
Hoseok hasn’t seen someone run so fast in his life.
“It’s acid,” the nurse declares, checking off something in her clipboard. She jots a few things down before proceeding to explain the details, Jimin’s worried eyes flitting over to Jungkook before going back to her to listen. “You’ve been drinking too much caffeine and sleeping less, haven’t you?”
Jungkook hangs his head guiltily. “You’re overworking yourself. I know that it’s almost midterms, but you need to take care of your health first. What would have happened if Jimin wasn’t there?”
Jimin nods away as if he needed to agree with her claims to prove her point, and Jungkook feels embarrassment color his face. He’s amazed Jimin has managed to bring him to the infirmary despite his small stature, but mostly he’s just embarrassed to face Jimin right now.
“You’re going to have to stay here until you’re feeling better,” the nurse insists, laying a firm hand on Jungkook’s shoulder when he tries to stand up.
“But miss, I’m feeling better,” Jungkook protests. He doesn’t drop the act of looking like nothing’s happened even when he almost flinches when his voice comes out hoarse. “I can walk on my own perfectly fine.”
“Stop lying,” Jimin tells him with a pout. His fringe is plastered to his forehead, wet from his sweat, having had to half-carry, half-drag Jungkook to the infirmary. Jungkook feels guilty that Jimin had to drag him all the way from the broadcast area when he’s supposed to be confessing. The nurse excuses herself, saying something about restocking the medicine on the infirmary’s shelves. but the small smile on her lips seem to tell Jungkook that she’s just saying that to be polite and to give them time to talk alone.
Jimin pulls on a grateful smile and thanks the nurse for her help, but his expression morphs quickly into that of concern when he turns to look back at Jungkook. “You’re not well yet, you need to rest more. Just listen to what she says, okay?”
“But I’m going to miss classes,” Jungkook reasons out, even if the only reason he wants to leave is because he doesn’t want Jimin to see him at this state. “And you have classes too, right?”
Jimin just waves him off and chooses to sit down on the edge of the bed. “Cutting class once in a while wouldn’t hurt. Besides, I don’t get to talk to you much.”
Jungkook lets himself smile this time, letting his self-control slide for the moment. After all, this is Park Jimin that he’s with.
They don’t notice a pair of eyes peeking at them from the infirmary’s door, glancing away quickly and pretending to be walking away when the nurse moves to go back to her desk.
Hoseok forgets to breathe, excitement and adrenaline rushing through him. “Min Yoongi, you are a fucking god.”
“Move it, I need to see!” Seokjin says, pushing Hoseok aside and craning his neck. Hoseok makes a face at the elder even though he knows that Seokjin won’t see it.
Hiding behind a wall in Everland wasn’t really part of his plan, but Seokjin and Namjoon suddenly coming into the scene required some place where they could hide and still keep an eye on what’s happening. Following the two around isn’t much of a choice, given Namjoon and Seokjin’s heights, so they’re just left with this alternative.
“Hyung, I just told you that Jungkook and Jimin’s first date is going to happen today because you asked me for an update, that didn’t mean that you had to to come with us!” Hoseok says, trying to get a better view. “Besides, they’re not even here yet!”
“Well technically Jungkook’s brother is my classmate, so I am allowed to come here since matters like this also concern me.” Seokjin says, not budging from his spot. Hoseok frowns, not understanding the connection behind Seokjin’s logic. He knows that Seokjin and Jungkook also regard each other as friends, but they don’t get to talk to each other that much anymore, given that Seokjin’s busy with finishing his requirements for graduation. “And didn’t I help you get that favor from Hyosang?”
“Okay,” Hoseok relents, though he still sounds unsure. “But Namjoon, why are you here too?”
“It’s for my social experiment,” Namjoon insists, not looking away. Hoseok isn’t even sure what Namjoon’s looking at anymore, with his head flicking over to different directions at once. “The beautiful and the dark sides of youth. We all need hands-on research to be educated!”
“I’m surprised Yoongi didn’t tag along,” Seokjin says, glancing at Hoseok for the first time. “He sounded too invested in this development when he broadcasted that announcement last time.”
“He just finished his paper for finals so he’s dead asleep right now.” Hoseok shrugs. “And he’s definitely not the type to forgive someone for waking him up in the middle of sleeping.” Seokjin could hear the underlying “I had to learn that fact the hard way” in his reply.
“Look, look!” Taehyung, who’s been way too involved in waiting for Jungkook and Jimin’s arrival flails his arm behind him, motioning for them to come closer. “They’re on their way!”
It takes a minute of them scrambling to get the best position before any of them actually sees anything, and by then, the two are already standing in line for the roller coaster. They aren’t holding hands or doing anything that couples do to show their affection for each other, but Hoseok already feels giddy, the smiles reflected on their faces and the animated way they talk enough of an indication to show that they’re enjoying their time with each other.
“Well, what do you know,” Hoseok smiles smugly, standing straighter and crossing his arms over his chest. Taehyung is already staring confusedly at the two figures waiting in line, trying to decipher what they’re saying. Both Namjoon and Seokjin stand back to their normal heights too, fixing the wrinkles on their clothes from the struggle they’ve had. “The kid had it in him, after all.”
“Ah, look at them. So young, and so in love.” Namjoon pretends to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes. “Youth is too wonderful.”
“Namjoon, you’re only a year older than Jimin.” Seokjin says, glancing at Namjoon with a quietly judging look on his face.
“A year? Only a year?” Namjoon looks surprised at this, and Seokjin frowns at him, knowing well that Namjoon has always known this fact from the start. Out of all of them, he’s the one who’s known Jimin the longest, after all, since they’ve been to the same high school. “Ah, look at how time passes. I guess that’s just how life goes.”
Seokjin isn’t able to stop himself from laughing at the serious look on Namjoon’s face, like he’s an ahjussi overlooking a pair of childhood friends finally admitting their feelings for each other and getting together. With the theatrics Namjoon keeps pulling, Seokjin thinks he should have been a drama major instead of going for a degree in Physics.
“What do you guys say to getting back to my place and playing Mario Kart? We can order pizza.” Seokjin offers.
Namjoon gives him an incredulous look. “Nobody wants to play Mario Kart with you, you get too violent.”
“Hey Mario Kart is a serious game,” Seokjin protests. “At least I didn’t get someone almost killed by playing dance revolution.”
“In my defense, I have long arms and a greatly energetic passion that I channel into my dance.” Namjoon adds, face solemn, and even though Seokjin looks like he has something else to add in retort, but he keeps his mouth shut and throws Namjoon a dirty look instead.
“I think we’re gonna need to pass,” Hoseok says, and Seokjin and Namjoon share a look, their eyebrows raised. Hoseok never passes out for an opportunity to go play some video games at Seokjin’s place, and the food is always free since Seokjin always ends up paying for his dongsaengs, even though he keeps reminding them that they have to split the pay the next time. “I want to go try some of the rides here.”
“But you hate rollercoasters,” Seokjin voices out, eyebrows still raised.
“Yeah, you’re too scared of heights. You even told us you won’t do it again even if we had to pay you to do the dare.” Namjoon supplies.
“Well then, there are other games I can deal with, anyway,” Hoseok brushes their complaints aside, and Seokjin immediately grabs Namjoon by the sleeve of his shirt as understanding dawns upon him.
“Don’t stay up too late! And be careful on your way home!” he says, waving his hand goodbye with one hand and dragging Namjoon away with another. Namjoon turns around, looking like he wants to say something to Hoseok, but struggle is futile, and he gives up and follows Seokjin.
“Hey Taehyung, wanna go to the arcade?”
Taehyung looks back at him with a confused expression on his face. “But I thought you said that making sure that Jimin and Jungkook have the best first date is of utmost importance? They’re just about to start!”
“Nah, I think they can take care of themselves,” Hoseok says, pointing at the two people talking animatedly while lined up for the roller coaster. Understanding dawns on Taehyung’s face, and he grins widely at Hoseok, grabbing his hand.
“To the bumper cars!” he says, marching onwards. Hoseok laughs, going along with it anyway, the thought of reminding him that bumper cars aren’t part of the arcade section disappearing at the end of his tongue.
Pairing: Jimin/Jungkook, side! V/Jhope
Rating: PG-13
Genre: fluff, humor
Word Count: 5812
Summary: It’s obvious that Hoseok is pulling up strings to get Jungkook and Jimin together, but Jungkook doesn’t really need any help.
originally written for elfscouts 2015
“I’m doomed,” Jungkook announces even before lunch break has even completely started. Hoseok looks over him, mildly concerned at the forlorn expression on his face. Taehyung continues to munch happily on his sandwich, oblivious to the intense waves of gloom surrounding Jungkook. “He’s going to hate me forever. Please end my existence now.”
“C’mon, it can’t be that bad,” Hoseok pats the back of his head to try and comfort him. Jungkook feels reassurance in Hoseok’s touch, but judging by Hoseok’s character, Jungkook knows he’s just saying that to get him to cheer up a bit even if he doesn’t know the whole story yet. “Park Jimin is a really nice guy. He seems fond of you already, even.”
“Yeah, remember that one time you got too excited during that ‘Battle of the Bands’ event and you accidentally elbowed him in the face? But he said it was okay because you’re a cute kid,” Taehyung reminds him. Jungkook groans, planting his face on the table in front of him. He pushes his face down the wood further, hoping that it could dispel all the memories conjuring up in his head. “It’s pretty obvious that he’s too fond of you. Even if you did technically almost step on his balls and render him infertile and, quite possibly, left him with a dismembered genitalia, he’d forgive you.”
“Wait, you almost crushed his balls?” Hoseok wolf-whistles. “Damn. And I thought Seokjin-hyung was the clumsy one.” Now even the most optimistic person he’s ever known is not saying anything helpful at all, throwing even more gasoline into the flame. Jungkook doesn’t know if he should feel betrayed or if he should just start crying, since those are the closest things to the best solution he could come up with so far. “What the hell was that play you guys were trying to re-enact that you got to that point?”
“Hamlet,” Taehyung helpfully provides before Jungkook could have a say in it. “He was supposed to rush by Jimin’s side, but I think he panicked, and he ended up rushing forward.”
“Kill me. Just kill me now.” Jungkook’s reply comes out muffled by the table where he’s resting his head on. Hoseok at least has the conscience to try to cheer him up. “At least he’ll never forget your name?” Even to himself, Hoseok knows that he sounds unsure, and he looks at Taehyung for help.
“If you think about it though, Jimin might have been a bit at fault. I mean, who pretends to fall over and die from a stab wound with his legs wide open?” Jungkook might have felt a bit better if Taehyung would just have stopped at that, but then he chooses to add, “Anyway, at least now you have something new to add to your name. Hear this: Jeon Jungkook, freshman, special technique: ball-crushing.” Jungkook groans into the table, feeling even more like he’s never going to be forgiven by Jimin because of the dick-related jokes Taehyung suddenly starts throwing.
Hoseok looks down at the back of Jungkook’s head resting on top of the table, pity befalling him. He’s always wanted for all of his friends to be happy, and what more could make Jungkook happier than not needing to worry about embarrassing himself in front of Jimin?
“I really think we should get them together,” Taehyung whispers to him after he’s ran out of dick jokes, breath smelling a lot like tuna and mayonnaise, and Hoseok finally gets the idea.
Jungkook needs divine intervention in order to solve at least half of his problems, and Hoseok knows he’s no god, but he does have a plan of action already forming in his mind.
It isn’t really difficult to ask for Namjoon’s help especially since he and Hoseok share a few classes together. Hoseok had believed the plan to be completely flawless when he’s able to slip a few of the notes they’ve written into Jimin’s bag.
But what he forgets to think of, however, are the possible faults to his idea.
He doesn’t get to realize this, however, until sometime later, because at the moment, there’s just one thing left to do in his mind: check on Jimin’s reaction about the note himself.
The opportunity opens up in his face during dance practice, with their dance team going through the final parts of a choreography. It’s a routine they’re supposed to do for an intermission number in another university’s college festival, and Hoseok’s not entirely worried about the performance anymore, excitement replacing the nerves in his system.
He first met Jimin through the dance club they’re both part of, and it hasn’t been long after that when Jungkook met Jimin and everything started spiraling downward for the younger. Jungkook had been so adamant back then, insisting that no, he definitely does not have a crush on Park Jimin because that would be weird, but Hoseok sees right through him, and he’s relented in the end.
But even after a year, nothing has progressed between them despite Hoseok’s efforts in trying to coax Jungkook into sending hints. You couldn’t exactly put the blame on just one of them though: Jimin is too dense to get the idea out of the whole picture, and Jungkook is too embarrassed to give anything out.
“Jimin, I didn’t know you had a secret admirer.” He tells Jimin with a huge grin on his face during one of their breaks. His smile’s supposed to be teasing, but it looks pretty obvious that he’s trying to hide something he did from Jimin and is trying really hard to contain his laughter because of it.
“What?” Jimin’s hand stops from wiping the sweat off of his face and looks up at Hoseok. “What do you mean?”
Hoseok’s smile falters a bit, but he fixes it back quickly before Jimn could even notice. He’s doomed if Jimin never actually saw those notes, but he doesn’t want to think that way. “You know… those notes in your bag?”
“What notes?” Jimin still looks as confused as ever, and Hoseok likes to think that he’s just playing dumb about the entire thing, probably because he’s embarrassed of all the things that’s been written there.
“I saw someone put some papers inside your bag’s pocket earlier.” Hoseok insists. “I was going to stop them because I thought they were going to steal from your bag, but they just left some notes.”
“Oh my god,” Jimin’s eyes widen as the information sinks in, and Hoseok almost congratulates himself, if not for the next things that come tumbling out of Jimin’s mouth. “Do you mean those brightly-colored papers?”
“Uhm… Why?” Hoseok hesitantly asks, not sure if he wants to hear the answer behind Jimin’s tight-lipped smile, looking embarrassed at something he’s done.
“I threw those in the trash can. I thought those were the doodles I forgot to throw away after class.” Hoseok wants to scratch his face off at the very moment, but he shouldn’t let Jimin see-he might end up getting a clue from all the questions Hoseok’s been asking.
So he just pretends like he’s just a genuine bystander, sad to know the waste of an opportunity and optimistic that maybe next time, Jimin would find out who that person was.
At least now he knows how much of a struggle Jungkook has to go through whenever he tries to say something to Jimin. Maybe that’s something he should give credit to Jungkook for not giving up.
Hoseok’s so sure that it’s going to work the second time around, especially since he’s gotten Jungkook to go along with him, having no clue as to what’s happening.
Jimin greets them the moment they enter the dance club’s practice room and starts talking about something that Hoseok is just starting to get the gist of, but then he stops talking altogether when he notices the brightly-colored sheet of paper Jungkook is clutching in his hands that looks a lot like the ones he’s holding. His eyes widen comically, as if he’s being filmed for a CF. “Oh my god, you too?”
Hoseok could feel Jungkook tense up beside him, and he mentally gives Jungkook a pat on the back to encourage the younger.
“Why, what do you mean?” Jungkook asks. Hoseok hasn’t exactly told him anything about the plan, but when he steals a glance at the pieces of paper that Jimin is clutching in both of his hands, he knows Jungkook is starting to get an idea of what’s happening. It’s not exactly like he’s lying when he asked or feigning innocence since he doesn’t completely know everything, but Hoseok could see his stare shaking, unable to look at Jimin directly for a long time. He almost sighs at the two, remembering his own days as a love-struck college freshman.
“Someone’s been leaving me notes with cheesy pick-up lines. Here, look at this one,” he unfolds one of the papers and almost shoves it right into Jungkook’s face. “If I’m a free-falling body, then you’re the earth because I keep falling for you.” He recites as Jungkook reads on, and Hoseok couldn’t help but contort his face. They didn’t sound that bad when I read it.
He wants to correct Jimin and tell him to just fucking look at the notes on Jungkook’s hands they’re supposed to be for you don’t you get it? But then that would greatly ruin the entire plan, and he isn’t sure if he’s ready for that entirely.
“This one went really badly,” Jimin comments, handing Jungkook another piece of unfolded paper. “They say that light is faster than sound, but I know that the sound of my heart beating travels faster than the light whenever I see you.”
Hoseok curses at Namjoon internally. Why did he even consult a Physics major for a pick-up line? He should’ve grabbed Seokjin instead-film-related pick-up lines could have been way better than geeky science talk.
“The ‘I think you’re the center of gravity because my world revolves around you’ is probably the best for me,” Jungkook notes, and both of them laugh. Hoseok mostly just stands there while they throw in a bunch of the pick-up lines that they’ve gotten back at each other, and he thinks that maybe he hasn’t completely failed.
The perks of having Seokjin as a friend is that he’s friends with an instructor. The perks of that instructor being Jin Hyosang is that he’s nice enough to let Hoseok ask a favor from him. It’s perfect-- his plan wouldn’t be too obvious because they could involve the whole class.
So when Taehyung casually mentions something about a seminar that he’s going to attend for extra credit to Hoseok, he pretends not to notice the glint in Jungkook’s eyes. He’s planned it so that the seminar would be for a subject that both he and Jimin takes, because he knows that no matter what, Jungkook would attend that seminar for the extra credit; he’s that competitive.
It’s quite obvious that Jungkook isn’t expecting Jimin to attend the seminar, eyes going wide and looking like a deer trapped in the headlights when Jimin waves over them to take a seat beside him. He glances at Taehyung for help, but he’s already on his way over, offering Jimin a wide grin.
Jungkook curses internally. It really does seem like fate has been doing something to have the two of them get together these past few days, but still, he feels cautious. He walks over to the two with careful steps, as if he’s walking on land filled with landmines.
He really can’t help it-whenever he’s around Jimin, he’s scared that he might do something wrong and he’ll end up setting Jimin off. So he just closes his mouth, laughing a bit here and there whenever Jimin makes a joke or adding in some comments whenever Taehyung makes a remark about this and that from the slides being projected.
Still, as all seminars go, Jungkook is bored out of his wits but he does his best to try and stay sane. “For the sake of getting extra credit,” he tells himself, even though Jimin’s voice echoes in his head, calling out his name, smile in the ready for a joke he’s just about to relay to Jungkook. It’s been keeping him from remembering how much he’s wanted to leave since the beginning of the seminar, but he isn’t exactly prepared to tell anyone that yet.
“If you’re scared to do it, maybe it’s a sign that you should really do it,” the lecturer says after telling them an experience she’s had with trying out for a contest she’s never had any background with for the first time, and Taehyung gasps dramatically beside Jungkook, clasping his hands firmly together.
“Oh my god, she knows,” he says, glancing at his two companions with a worried expression on his face. Jungkook isn’t sure with what he’s playing at, but he asks anyway. “What?”
“What? She knows what?” Jimin asks at the same time, his voice just a few pitches higher even though he’s trying to mask his confusion behind his whisper. He’s too absorbed in wanting to know what happened that he doesn’t see Jungkook’s lips twitch into amusement, or how his lips move to form the word “cute”.
He doesn’t exactly get why Taehyung looks like he’s unearthed all of the secrets in the universe when all the speaker had to say were things that could possibly motivate someone into thriving for further knowledge, and his eyebrows involuntarily knit together in confusion.
“This is the sign that I’ve been waiting for,” Taehyung stands up with every ounce of dignity he has, looking like he’s going to barrel ahead and confront the speaker. Jungkook knows better than to pry so much, so he waits a moment to see what’s going to happen, Taehyung’s unpredictability sometimes going off and ending up with Jungkook having to pull him out of trouble.
Taehyung’s already halfway out of his seat, but when he doesn’t make a move and just kept standing there, Jungkook’s grown suspicious.
“What? What do you mean?” Jimin hisses, genuine worry coloring his voice. He’s still clueless, but it’s quite obvious that he’s not just about to let Taehyung do something stupid that might cause his own misery. “Don’t do something stupid, go sit down!”
Taehyung looks him straight in the eyes, and, without missing a beat, he says, “Time to fuck a blender” before making his way out of the nearest exit, not waiting for any of the reactions his companions have.
Jimin stares at his retreating back, dumbfounded by what he’s heard. Jungkook’s already used to Taehyung’s weird antics that by now that he’s not even the least bit fazed with the things that Taehyung says, but still, he understands the trauma one must first go through before getting to know the enigmatic presence that is Kim Taehyung.
Jimin looks outright shell-shocked when he looks back at Jungkook. “He’s not really going to go and fuck a blender, isn’t he?”
Jungkook shrugs. “Maybe yes, maybe no.” At the look of sheer horror in Jimin’s face, he chooses to add, “I worry a lot for him too, but when you get to know him long enough, you’ll find out that he just has a weird way of expressing things. I don’t think he really means it that way this time.”
Jimin glances back again at the door, but he looks calmer now, the worry in his face from earlier beginning to smoothen out. “Sometimes I worry for the sanity of the people around him.” Jimin says, and Jungkook nods sagely in agreement, knowing from experience that Jimin does have the right to worry.
“What do you want,” Yoongi deadpans even before Hoseok could open his mouth. Yoongi must be psychic, because Hoseok has only just entered his room and hasn’t even greeted him yet and he’s already known that Hoseok needs his help.
He doesn’t look pissed, but he doesn’t look too happy either. Hoseok thinks this is character development, since he’s only ever seen Yoongi show three emotions: nonchalance, for when he knows he has something he’s supposed to do or when he’s just walking to someplace; annoyance, reserved for when he goes to classes or when people are asking him questions repeatedly; and happiness in the form of gleeful cackles that is kind of mostly based on the annoyance of other people for the pranks that he pulls on them, or when he finds out embarrassing details about his friends.
“Hyung, do you really think I’m that type of person?” Hoseok puts a hand to his chest, faking an offended look. “Can’t I just be a dongsaeng who misses his dearest hyung?”
“Bitch, did I stutter?” Yoongi scoffs, but Hoseok is too used to the older cursing out that he doesn’t flinch. “Now what do you want? Tell me or I’ll fucking cut your nose hair and put them in that cup you always drink from.”
“Hyung, you need to chill, I just need some help with this kid, is all.” Hoseok says quickly, knowing that Yoongi isn’t one to offer empty threats. It takes Yoongi a few moments to process what he’s actually said before he’s scoffing, crossing his arms over his chest. “I knew it.”
“Hey! It just so happens that when we get to see each other, I am in deep need of your help.” Hosoek says defensively. “And your room is right in front of mine. Why would I let the opportunity of getting the best hyung to help me with my problems pass?” he adds as an afterthought, thinking how it’s best to stroke Yoongi’s ego first before striking in for the favor.
Yoongi frowns at him, but doesn’t kick him out. Hoseok is almost unable to hide his grin-Yoongi might always act grumpy, but he’s always reliable when you ask him for help. The thing though, is that you need to ask for it the right way.
“I’m not going to do anything that requires any physical effort.” Yoongi says, and Hoseok doesn’t need a translator to know that this is his way of letting up. He almost claps loudly in joy, grateful for his hyung.
“Don’t worry hyung, I don’t think playing by your expertise would be a difficult thing for you to do.”
There’s a crackle and a moment of students complaining when the microphone feedback sends an ear-splitting sound through the university’s speakers. Hoseok isn’t the only one who almost ends up throwing his chopsticks in a sudden moment of panic, only belatedly realizing that it’s the usual noon-time radio broadcast and not a large group of aliens jumping in and trying to abduct them.
“Welcome to Kkul FM! This is your DJ, genius Min Yoongi. ” Yoongi’s voice is blaringly clear in Hoseok’s ears, and he is unable to hide his grin, excited with what’s about to happen. “Now, there hasn’t been that many song requests filling up the broadcasting room’s request box anymore, but today, someone just had the guts to drop in this request. And with a message too!”
“I thought nobody did that anymore,” Jungkook comments, stealing a slice of beef from Hoseok’s plate when he notices the older male staring at the speakers instead of paying attention to his food. “Isn’t going to the broadcasting department and trying to leave a note there more difficult than trying to enter the library without encountering Mrs. Lee?” Jungkook’s words spark a memory in Hoseok’s mind, one that involves him smiling cheerfully at the university’s librarian, book to be returned in hand when Mrs. Lee, with her usual foul mood, glares at him and asks him what was so funny. But he saves that flashback for another time.
“Yeah, especially if you consider those props that they just leave outside the broadcasting room and always forget to clean up.” Taehyung agrees. Hoseok agrees too-he almost tripped over one of their boxes filled with feather boas, after all. It wasn’t that much of a bad fall, but his nose bleeding wasn’t something he would want to happen again.
“Yes, ladies and gentleman, it couldn’t be anything other than a song request for a confession! Isn’t this exciting?” Yoongi’s made it clear since day one with the usual monotonous drone of his voice that he doesn’t care about the messages that he needs to read out loud from the request box, but this time, the mirth in his voice is definitely there. “Are you all excited to know who this message is for? Are you?” Hoseok could see it, Yoongi getting carried away and pretending like he’s actually asking for the crowd’s reaction, hands gesturing for them to raise their voices.
“Everyone, it’s none other than Park Jimin!” he announces, voice getting louder. “Yes, Park Jimin, that squirt from the dance department, that one!” Yoongi whistles. “Well apparently, he’s got someone crushing on him for quite a while now.” Hoseok could imagine Yoongi grinning widely, gums showing as he waggles his eyebrows.
Jungkook almost spits out his food, pounding his hand on his chest as he coughs up, his surprise causing him to swallow his food immediately. Taehyung quickly grabs a bottle of water for him, and Hoseok pats his back. “What,” he deadpans, voice still partly rough. “Why.”
Jungkook is still trying to recover thirty seconds into the song, clearly bothered by the fact that he has competition now. Of course Hoseok hasn’t gone through all of this just so Jungkook could chicken out the last minute, so he lets him in on the plan. “Do you want to know who it’s from?”
“Tch, no,” he replies, looking away. But it’s obvious with the way that his nose is twitching that he wants to know. Taehyung elbows him, prompting him to glance over at them both. “It’s actually from you.”
“What.” Jungkook looks at them back and forth like he’s confused which person to ask.“Why. How.”
Hoseok chuckles, finding the complete confusion on Jungkook’s face cute. “Let’s just say that someone saw that note you were supposed to leave for him months ago but never got to because you chickened out at the last moment and gave it to Yoongi.”
The sound of metal scraping against the wooden floor reaches Hoseok’s ears before he realizes that Jungkook is about to stand up, only held back in his seat by a warning hand from a laughing Taehyung. “HYUNG HOW COULD YOU.”
“I’m doing this for your own good, kid.” He says, patting Jungkook’s back. “Now go and meet your prince charming.”
“Do you guys seriously have to come with me here?” Jungkook asks, hand hovering on the doorknob.
“Lower your voice down, he might hear you!” Taehyung warns with an even louder voice, and Hoseok is quick to cover his mouth before he could say anything more. “Of course we need to come. You might chicken out the last minute and not say anything. Again.”
Taehyung removes Hoseok’s hand off of his mouth and hisses, the volume of his voice lower this time. “We’ll serve as your backup!”
Jungkook turns his back to them, but not before Hoseok sees his lips twitch to form a small smile.
Jimin is already in the vacant classroom from across the broadcasting room when Jungkook enters, and Hoseok gets the chance to see Jimin’s eyes widen in surprise upon Jungkook’s entrance, lips curving into a smile.
Of course Hoseok doesn’t let it rest at that, pushing the door open a little and peeking from the gap. Taehyung crawls up beside him and takes a peek too, his hands on Hoseok’s shoulders shaking with nervous excitement.
Jungkook fiddles with his hands, a nervous habit that Hoseok usually sees when the younger is thinking about a presentation that he’s about to do in class. Beside him, Taehyung makes a noise that sounds a lot like he’s trying to stop himself from giggling, but Hoseok doesn’t feel like he’s one to judge.
“So you’re the one who sent that song request?” Jimin asks, the huge grin on his face betraying the way he’s coolly standing by the window, trying to look nonchalant.
“Not exactly, but I-“ Jungkook begins, but he falls short on his words, suddenly starting out a string of I’s. Hoseok isn’t exactly sure what’s even happening anymore, but when he sees the concerned look on Jimin’s face, his internal bout of panicking begins.
“Jungkook? Is there something wrong?” Jimin says as Jungkook begins to bend over, clutching his stomach tightly. “Do you need me to go with you to the infirmary?” Jungkook raises a hand, probably to refuse Jimin’s offer, but he doubles up in pain, about to fall face-first on the floor if Jimin hadn’t grabbed on to him first.
Hoseok feels worry creeping up in his veins before it even shows up in his face, but then he sees Jimin running to the direction of the door with Jungkook’s arm slung over his shoulder, and he knows he shouldn’t worry much. He grabs Taehyung and they sidestep just in time before Jimin slams the door open, not even noticing them in his haste.
Hoseok hasn’t seen someone run so fast in his life.
“It’s acid,” the nurse declares, checking off something in her clipboard. She jots a few things down before proceeding to explain the details, Jimin’s worried eyes flitting over to Jungkook before going back to her to listen. “You’ve been drinking too much caffeine and sleeping less, haven’t you?”
Jungkook hangs his head guiltily. “You’re overworking yourself. I know that it’s almost midterms, but you need to take care of your health first. What would have happened if Jimin wasn’t there?”
Jimin nods away as if he needed to agree with her claims to prove her point, and Jungkook feels embarrassment color his face. He’s amazed Jimin has managed to bring him to the infirmary despite his small stature, but mostly he’s just embarrassed to face Jimin right now.
“You’re going to have to stay here until you’re feeling better,” the nurse insists, laying a firm hand on Jungkook’s shoulder when he tries to stand up.
“But miss, I’m feeling better,” Jungkook protests. He doesn’t drop the act of looking like nothing’s happened even when he almost flinches when his voice comes out hoarse. “I can walk on my own perfectly fine.”
“Stop lying,” Jimin tells him with a pout. His fringe is plastered to his forehead, wet from his sweat, having had to half-carry, half-drag Jungkook to the infirmary. Jungkook feels guilty that Jimin had to drag him all the way from the broadcast area when he’s supposed to be confessing. The nurse excuses herself, saying something about restocking the medicine on the infirmary’s shelves. but the small smile on her lips seem to tell Jungkook that she’s just saying that to be polite and to give them time to talk alone.
Jimin pulls on a grateful smile and thanks the nurse for her help, but his expression morphs quickly into that of concern when he turns to look back at Jungkook. “You’re not well yet, you need to rest more. Just listen to what she says, okay?”
“But I’m going to miss classes,” Jungkook reasons out, even if the only reason he wants to leave is because he doesn’t want Jimin to see him at this state. “And you have classes too, right?”
Jimin just waves him off and chooses to sit down on the edge of the bed. “Cutting class once in a while wouldn’t hurt. Besides, I don’t get to talk to you much.”
Jungkook lets himself smile this time, letting his self-control slide for the moment. After all, this is Park Jimin that he’s with.
They don’t notice a pair of eyes peeking at them from the infirmary’s door, glancing away quickly and pretending to be walking away when the nurse moves to go back to her desk.
Hoseok forgets to breathe, excitement and adrenaline rushing through him. “Min Yoongi, you are a fucking god.”
“Move it, I need to see!” Seokjin says, pushing Hoseok aside and craning his neck. Hoseok makes a face at the elder even though he knows that Seokjin won’t see it.
Hiding behind a wall in Everland wasn’t really part of his plan, but Seokjin and Namjoon suddenly coming into the scene required some place where they could hide and still keep an eye on what’s happening. Following the two around isn’t much of a choice, given Namjoon and Seokjin’s heights, so they’re just left with this alternative.
“Hyung, I just told you that Jungkook and Jimin’s first date is going to happen today because you asked me for an update, that didn’t mean that you had to to come with us!” Hoseok says, trying to get a better view. “Besides, they’re not even here yet!”
“Well technically Jungkook’s brother is my classmate, so I am allowed to come here since matters like this also concern me.” Seokjin says, not budging from his spot. Hoseok frowns, not understanding the connection behind Seokjin’s logic. He knows that Seokjin and Jungkook also regard each other as friends, but they don’t get to talk to each other that much anymore, given that Seokjin’s busy with finishing his requirements for graduation. “And didn’t I help you get that favor from Hyosang?”
“Okay,” Hoseok relents, though he still sounds unsure. “But Namjoon, why are you here too?”
“It’s for my social experiment,” Namjoon insists, not looking away. Hoseok isn’t even sure what Namjoon’s looking at anymore, with his head flicking over to different directions at once. “The beautiful and the dark sides of youth. We all need hands-on research to be educated!”
“I’m surprised Yoongi didn’t tag along,” Seokjin says, glancing at Hoseok for the first time. “He sounded too invested in this development when he broadcasted that announcement last time.”
“He just finished his paper for finals so he’s dead asleep right now.” Hoseok shrugs. “And he’s definitely not the type to forgive someone for waking him up in the middle of sleeping.” Seokjin could hear the underlying “I had to learn that fact the hard way” in his reply.
“Look, look!” Taehyung, who’s been way too involved in waiting for Jungkook and Jimin’s arrival flails his arm behind him, motioning for them to come closer. “They’re on their way!”
It takes a minute of them scrambling to get the best position before any of them actually sees anything, and by then, the two are already standing in line for the roller coaster. They aren’t holding hands or doing anything that couples do to show their affection for each other, but Hoseok already feels giddy, the smiles reflected on their faces and the animated way they talk enough of an indication to show that they’re enjoying their time with each other.
“Well, what do you know,” Hoseok smiles smugly, standing straighter and crossing his arms over his chest. Taehyung is already staring confusedly at the two figures waiting in line, trying to decipher what they’re saying. Both Namjoon and Seokjin stand back to their normal heights too, fixing the wrinkles on their clothes from the struggle they’ve had. “The kid had it in him, after all.”
“Ah, look at them. So young, and so in love.” Namjoon pretends to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes. “Youth is too wonderful.”
“Namjoon, you’re only a year older than Jimin.” Seokjin says, glancing at Namjoon with a quietly judging look on his face.
“A year? Only a year?” Namjoon looks surprised at this, and Seokjin frowns at him, knowing well that Namjoon has always known this fact from the start. Out of all of them, he’s the one who’s known Jimin the longest, after all, since they’ve been to the same high school. “Ah, look at how time passes. I guess that’s just how life goes.”
Seokjin isn’t able to stop himself from laughing at the serious look on Namjoon’s face, like he’s an ahjussi overlooking a pair of childhood friends finally admitting their feelings for each other and getting together. With the theatrics Namjoon keeps pulling, Seokjin thinks he should have been a drama major instead of going for a degree in Physics.
“What do you guys say to getting back to my place and playing Mario Kart? We can order pizza.” Seokjin offers.
Namjoon gives him an incredulous look. “Nobody wants to play Mario Kart with you, you get too violent.”
“Hey Mario Kart is a serious game,” Seokjin protests. “At least I didn’t get someone almost killed by playing dance revolution.”
“In my defense, I have long arms and a greatly energetic passion that I channel into my dance.” Namjoon adds, face solemn, and even though Seokjin looks like he has something else to add in retort, but he keeps his mouth shut and throws Namjoon a dirty look instead.
“I think we’re gonna need to pass,” Hoseok says, and Seokjin and Namjoon share a look, their eyebrows raised. Hoseok never passes out for an opportunity to go play some video games at Seokjin’s place, and the food is always free since Seokjin always ends up paying for his dongsaengs, even though he keeps reminding them that they have to split the pay the next time. “I want to go try some of the rides here.”
“But you hate rollercoasters,” Seokjin voices out, eyebrows still raised.
“Yeah, you’re too scared of heights. You even told us you won’t do it again even if we had to pay you to do the dare.” Namjoon supplies.
“Well then, there are other games I can deal with, anyway,” Hoseok brushes their complaints aside, and Seokjin immediately grabs Namjoon by the sleeve of his shirt as understanding dawns upon him.
“Don’t stay up too late! And be careful on your way home!” he says, waving his hand goodbye with one hand and dragging Namjoon away with another. Namjoon turns around, looking like he wants to say something to Hoseok, but struggle is futile, and he gives up and follows Seokjin.
“Hey Taehyung, wanna go to the arcade?”
Taehyung looks back at him with a confused expression on his face. “But I thought you said that making sure that Jimin and Jungkook have the best first date is of utmost importance? They’re just about to start!”
“Nah, I think they can take care of themselves,” Hoseok says, pointing at the two people talking animatedly while lined up for the roller coaster. Understanding dawns on Taehyung’s face, and he grins widely at Hoseok, grabbing his hand.
“To the bumper cars!” he says, marching onwards. Hoseok laughs, going along with it anyway, the thought of reminding him that bumper cars aren’t part of the arcade section disappearing at the end of his tongue.