#2 - “Sometimes it just gets too hard to keep pretending.”

SugaKookie

Word Count: 3067

 

It wasn’t a secret that at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that Gryffindors and Slytherins were rivals. This had been in place for eons and probably would never truly end. Did some students get beyond this silly rivalry? Yes, of course. Jungkook’s friends however, had not. Their rivalry for the most part was healthy, it didn’t consume the three other boys that Jungkook spent the majority of his time with. When they met Slytherins in the halls, they just continued on. If they bumped into one, physically bumped into one they said their apology and moved on. However, not a single one of his friends had ever actually befriended a Slytherin, nor did they really want to. It wasn’t like all Slytherins were stuck up and thought they were better than others, acted pretentious but well… they did. On the other end of the spectrum, Slytherins felt just about the same towards the Gryffindors except their words varied to the side of calling those students self-righteous with a giant stick up their arse. Neither house had many warm and fuzzy feelings for the other.

 

Jungkook had always learned from his hyungs and friends that it was best to just ignore Slytherins as best as one could and that was exactly what he had done. Until one day. There was always that one day right? There really was. Gryffindor, Jeon Jungkook 5th year and Slytherin, Min Yoongi 7th year had crossed paths the two years ago. There wasn’t much one could do when you really had to study for the Care of Magical Creatures exam that you had the next day when it had totally slipped your mind for the past two weeks and you really needed to get a decent grade on it this quarter and there was only one seat left in the library. The library was dim in the evening but the soft glow of the floating candles above them lit up the area enough that Jungkook could still see a rather pale boy with raven hair that contrasted so well with his skin tone that he was, well beautiful. Jungkook didn’t really know what else to call the older boy. The Slytherin’s features were strong and sharp but at the same time they looked soft and almost feminine. His gaze was just as sharp as the jawline the Gryffindor had just been admiring, the butterflies in Jungkook’s stomach was pure nervousness. He had stuttered out the question about if the seat was available, not receiving much more than a small shrug of the boy's shoulders.

 

Oddly enough, the two boys were the last to leave and that was mainly due to the fact that at some point, the Slytherin had glanced over and told him one of his answers were wrong on the study guide they had received. A mini tutor lesson had proceeded and it wasn’t until the Mrs. Killian the librarian stared down at them, wand tapping into her open palm that they realized they needed to get to their common rooms. Jungkook didn’t even get the other boys name but reached out grabbing his bicep only to quickly drop it, ears tinting red in the dim lights of the hallway.

 

“Um, I wanted to thank you… but hyung?”

 

He was questioning being able to call the older student hyung as well as if the Slytherin was Korean.

 

“What do I call you?”

 

“Hyung is fine.”

 

Jungkook stared after the elder who had already turned away,

 

“Oh.. I’m Jeon Jungkook by the way.” He called after the retreating back.

 

“G’Night Jeon Jungkook.”

 

It was the first time that the Gryffindor had a pleasant encounter with a Slytherin, all others had been neutral at best. For days after he had wondered if he’d see his hyung again. They did. Numerous times in fact. The library became his next home and it wasn’t long before the two had advanced in their relationship. Jungkook now knew a lot about the Slytherin, he knew his name was Min Yoongi. He knew that he was born in Daegu, that his mother was a muggle and father a wizard, that Yoongi loved music both from the wizarding world and from the muggle world. He knew that Potions was the class the elder excelled in. He knew that the Slytherin preferred the colors white and black and that his wardrobe was almost entirely monochrome. The library turned into a place for them to learn more about each other, to become more than just students of Hogwarts but friends. It also became the place that fingers were brush against the others fingers on the desk as the two studied their own subjects. It became the time that fingers didn’t just brush but intertwined with one another, that Jungkook would lean his head along the others shoulder and just inhale the woodsy and mint scent that was Min Yoongi.

 

Jungkook would see the elder around the castle and would greet him with a polite bow of his head and the other would sometimes return it sometimes not give him any response at all. The Gryffindor didn’t mind though, he knew that his hyung had seen him and that was enough. Every now and then his friends would catch him and ask him who he was bowing to, they were so scatterbrained that it was easy to redirect their attention elsewhere. The Slytherin was his secret and it seemed that the Gryffindor was Yoongi’s secret as well.

 

Over the two year span that the two had known each other, their meetings grew more and more bold. Eventually, those wandering fingers turned into wandering lips. It had become common place for Jungkook to grab Yoongi’s hand in passing and pull him behind a statue, smashing his lips to the elders. A resounding yet muffled chuckle could be heard and felt from Yoongi but he always kissed the younger back. Sometimes it was a quick peck, other times it was a pretty heady make-out session, depending on the time of day and location.

 

The House Elves often had to shoo the two away from the kitchens because that self-righteous Gryffindor and Pretentious Slytherin were in their kitchens lingering for midnight snacks. It was a feat at first to gain their trust but eventually the two were pretty well fed as long as they managed not to get caught by Mrs. Norris who never seemed to die. Detention did happen, both boys had managed to be caught on more than one occasion but seeing as how their only real time together was in the library or after hours.

 

They had grown close, if their swollen lips and red tipped ears didn’t indicate every time they parted but neither had reached out to define what their relationship was. Whatever it was Jungkook and Yoongi were comfortable with the way it was. Stolen kisses, wandering fingers and lingering eyes through the corridors.

 

Jungkook had never expected to find comfort in anyone within the Slytherin House but the more the days passed more he realized that there really wasn’t anyone else like Min Yoongi in his life. The elder made him feel warm like the green flames of floo powder at your skin before you left for your destination but he also made him fill a thrill of exhilaration and roaring heat of the flames from a wild bonfire. The elders deep voice soothed him whenever he was upset and his hands… Oh his hands, they made him feel things he never had before. Jungkook loved the Slytherin’s hands and honestly he never wanted to let go of them.

 

So, after two years of moments like these that the two students were sitting along the Great Lake under the twinkling stars of the night’s sky that their fingers were caressing each other as they sat next to each other at the edge of the lapping water along the shore. It was no surprise that Jungkook’s heart was heavy. He felt so much, Yoongi made him feel so much. Another secret rendezvous that Jungkook couldn’t escape. They shouldn’t be there for a multiple number of reasons but not even an infinite number of house points being removed from Gryffindor would get Jungkook to not be here. His pinky finger curled around Yoongi’s as Jungkook turned his gaze towards the elder. He took in all of the intricate features of the Slytherin he had come to know so well. He could draw Yoongi blind in his sketch, each angle of his jaw and curve of his button nose was imprinted in Jungkook’s mind but he still preferred to gaze at the real thing right in front of him.

 

Yoongi began to chuckle,

 

“What? Is there something on my face?”

 

Jungkook shook his head only to remember that the elder still wasn’t looking at him. He cleared his throat and spoke softly,

 

“No.”

“Mmm…” Yoongi hummed in response, he understood now. This wasn’t the first time he had been under Jungkook’s scrutiny for no reason at all. The younger may not know but Yoongi also liked to gaze at him as well. Reaching up he fidgeted with the blue knit scarf that Jungkook had given to him as a Christmas present last year. He always wore it, no matter how often his friends nagged at him for not showing his school spirit. This scarf was… special.

 

“Sometimes it just gets too hard to keep pretending.”

 

A whisper was carried by the soft breeze that blew by. Yoongi didn’t need further clarification of what Jungkook was saying. He knew. Neither of them had ever told their friends, they still didn’t openly greet each other in the corridors.

 

“We can stop at any time.” the elder says with a small shrug.

 

Words are powerful, they always have been. The wand sitting next to him was a big red sign of that. Yoongi’s simple sentence knocked the breath out of Jungkook. It seemed that his lungs had stopped working and he couldn’t catch a breath. He was pretty sure that he was above water, he was pretty sure that a grindylow didn’t have him by the ankle and was pulling him under but that was what it felt like.

 

After a few moments Jungkook managed to pull himself back to the surface,

 

“Yeah, we can stop.”

 

The quiet that stretched between them, wasn’t unusual. Yoongi had always been more quiet but he wasn’t dumb. He was sharp and he could see it in Jungkook’s moonlit chocolate eyes that he has the wrong idea. It gripped his heart like a vice but he knew this had been his fault. He had never clarified their relationship and a part of him for a long time had truly thought the other didn’t want him to. Had wanted to keep things on the downlow. It was easier… Except it wasn’t.

 

Pulling his hand away, Yoongi turned towards the younger who refused to stare at anything but the water in front of them.

 

“Jungkook-ah,”

 

This wasn’t a name that his hyung used often. It was used for special moments, private moments and it made a shiver run all the way down his spine every time. Still the boy kept his gaze steadfast ahead of him. Yoongi reached over and gripped his chin, forcing Jungkook to turn his head towards the elder. Once he did, his hand, the hand that Jungkook loved so much slid up to cup his cheek.

 

“I never wanted to pretend. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. Just wanted to make you happy.”

 

His thumb caressed the younger's cheek before he removed his hand. Jungkook was staring at Yoongi of his own free will now and he wouldn’t stop. The Gryffindor just stares and stares and stares at the elder like he always does when they’re at the Great Hall for dinner because he can’t help himself. He’s always making up dumb lies when his friends ask him what world he’s flown off to.

 

So much so, that it makes Yoongi shift uncomfortably but his own stubbornness refuses to disappear and he stares right back. Until finally Jungkook lets out the smallest of smiles, that just shows the tips of his teeth poking out in such a way that always had Yoongi melting… because who doesn’t adore bunnies, especially ones named Jungkook.

 

The Slytherin dives in for a quick peck on those sparkling pink lips he never seems to get enough of. Yoongi gazes out at the calm quiet lake, his fingers gently brushing against the boy’s next to him. Jungkook slides his hand over Yoongi’s and he speaks softly,

 

“How should we tell them hyung?”

 

Yoongi doesn’t look at the other but just smirks.

 

“Don’t worry, you’ll see tomorrow at breakfast.”

 

So, Jungkook doesn’t worry. He scoots a little closer and leans his head on Yoongi’s strong shoulder, enjoying their time together while the comfort of just each other is sacred and soon to be short-lived.

 

The next morning Jungkook takes extra care in the bathroom. Yoongi’s words from last night resounding in his mind, making an excitement thrum through his veins. As he makes his way down to the Great Hall he can’t help but ignore Douglas who is chattering about some potion he made explode in his cauldron last night, ruining his Transfiguration homework in the process. They sit down at the table and honestly, Jungkook doesn’t notice anything different. His eyes search for Yoongi’s and it takes him a moment to locate him, sitting further down his table than he normally does, wand in his hand.

 

With a flick of his wand, a loud popping noise erupts directly above his head. It’s the cheesiest thing he’s ever seen but the ear splitting grin he’s wearing as he stared at the red heart above his head. There were words being written through the air and the more he read the more red his ears and even his cheeks became. It was a question,

 

“Jeon Jungkook will you go out with me?”

 

There was a green arrow pointing down at Yoongi from above his head. At first Jungkook thought that was all there was but upon the girls twittering next to him he realized there was more.

 

“Oh my gosh, this is so cute.”

 

“He’s so lucky.”

 

“Isn’t he a Slytherin though? Hmm…”

 

“But look the note changed.”

 

Jungkook got bits and pieces but he stared down at their goblet then picked up his own. Immediately a note was written.

 

Jungkook has the voice of an angel.

 

It was terribly embarrassing. Raising his eyes again he found Yoongi sitting at his spot at the Slytherin table and Jungkook couldn’t help but laugh. His expression was a mixture of embarrassment, nervousness and a bit of happiness. The happiness was certainly due to a certain Gryffindor enjoying the surprise that Yoongi had prepared for him.

 

Jimin and Taehyung two 6th year Gryffindors that he was friends were rushed over and shoved people away to lean on the table and gawk at Jungkook.

 

“Dude! What the hell is all of this?”

 

“Are you going to say yes?”

 

“You guys knew each other?”

 

The questions just wouldn’t stop coming. He ignored his friends though and raised his wand, muttering an incantation that allowed him to write his answer back to Yoongi.

 

“I thought we were already, hyung.”

 

The Gryffindor watched from his seat as his two best friends gawked and the Slytherin under rapid eye fire by almost the entire Great Hall scowled and stood up. He walked all the way over to the Gryffindors table standing across from Jungkook, next to Jimin picking up his goblet and looking down into the changing water.

 

His smile resembles a bunny.

 

The phrase made him chuckle and smile softly before taking a sip and turning his gaze to the boy who made his heart do flip flops since the moment he walked into the Great Hall.

 

“Cheeky brat. Answer the question.”

 

Tinkling laughter broke out across the table, it was the kind that made Jungkook’s eyes crinkle and his smile showed those pearly whites with the two bunny teeth that Yoongi loved so much. He might not have noticed but Jimin and Taehyung’s eyes were bulging out of their sockets as they glanced between the two boys who seemed to be lost in their own world. The warmth, fondness and adoration that filled Yoongi’s eyes looked a lot like love or so the two exchanged a knowing glance.

 

“The answers always been yes, hyung.”

 

Shyness blossomed in Jungkook’s eyes, to the twitch of his fingers as they ran around the rim of his goblet. Taehyung was off to the side scrunching his face up in disgust. That didn’t deter the Gryffindor and Slytherin though.

“Good. I’ll meet you after breakfast.”

 

Tilting his head, eyes clouding in confusion, Jungkook stared at Yoongi. The elder looked at the new message in the goblet he was holding and took another sip after smiling at it. Raising his eyes to his boyfriend he nodded his head.

 

“Yeah, unless you don’t want me to walk you to class. So, don’t take forever and be careful you always spill your pumpkin juice on your robes.”

 

Jungkook began to scoff and raised a hand up almost knocking over his goblet in the process as he was trying to protest but only got cut off by the Slytherin. He used his wand to stop the goblet from spilling over.

 

“You do. I notice everything. Don’t be late.” he said before chuckling and walking back over to his House’s table not nearly ready enough to be bombarded by all the questions he knew he was going to get.

 

The younger took a seat and began to eat his breakfast with a goofy grin on his face. Jimin and Taehyung were whispering to each other hurriedly before finally pinning their best friend with a hard stare.

 

“Spill.”

 

They both ground out at the same time, while the Gryffindor just kept picking up his goblet to see all the small compliments that appeared each time he did so. His hyung never failed to make his heart burst with warmth and love. Yes, love. He was able to admit that now. It was safe.

 

Jungkook finally felt at home, his home, Min Yoongi.