The school bell rang out loud and clear through the speakers, within mere seconds everyone had left their desks and all pushed towards the door, Jimin who was normally the first one out waited behind avoiding the crowd as they pushed through the thin door frame.  He slowly packed his things, dread filled him as he thought about the conversation that would happen when he got home so he was in no rush, despite desperately wanting answers he was beginning to get cold feet if he didn’t know the truth than he could pretend that this was still a fantasy.

 

“Minnie, aren’t you coming?” Jimin’s head snapped up finding Nayeon and their friends waiting expectantly, Jeongyeon had her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face, like waiting two minutes would completely ruin her plans. Jimin shook his head in reply causing Nayeon to pout, “But we are going to the arcade, I know you would never miss a chance to see Jaebum’s handsome face,” she giggled replicating the smitten look Jimin usually has when he talks about Jaebum.

 

“Can’t,” Jimin said simply, “I’m grounded and as hot as Jaebum hyung is I happen to like being alive so I am not pushing it,” he said, his face scrunching up, even without Baekhyun waiting for him if he didn’t go home his mother would be livid. “If you can take a few sneaky pictures for me so I won’t have to miss out on my daily dose of Jaebum that would be great,” he said, standing up and slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Have fun guys,” he smiled.

 

“Oh what a shame,” Jeongyeon huffed sounding anything but disappointed, “Let’s get going,” she said wrapping an arm around Nayeon’s shoulders and leading her girlfriend out the door, the rest of their friends followed except for Hoseok he loitered around Jimin’s desk. Jimin raised an eyebrow wondering why his friend wasn’t going with the others, he never misses a chance to play DDR, he was a bit of legend at the arcade, every young dancer wanted to beat the dance god that was Jung Hoseok. It seemed Jimin wasn’t the only one to notice because Jeongyeon called out asking if Hoseok was coming.

 

“Nah I better make sure this one gets home safely,” Hoseok calls out ruffling Jimin’s hair as he does so. Jimin pouted swiping Hoseok’s hands away, that was unnecessary Hobi only did it because he was short. Jimin briefly fantasied what the world would be like if he was just a couple of inches taller, his hair wouldn’t be messed up all the time that’s for sure. Jimin was snapped out of his thoughts when their friends called out bye to Hoseok.

 

“Hobi you really didn’t need to stay,” Jimin said softly, “I’ll be fine – the worst thing that would happen to me is I’ll run into middle schoolers who think they are tough,” he said his nose wrinkling up at the thought of 12-year-olds – why were all the twelvies so rude these days. “That or I don’t get home in time and my mum decides to send me to a Swedish boarding school which might not be that bad actually,” Jimin joked.

 

“If I didn’t know better I’d say you were trying to get rid of your bestest best friend,” Hoseok said eyes narrowing in fake suspicion, “Maybe you aren’t even grounded, maybe you just want to meet up with some guy,” Hoseok laughed, Jimin rolled his eyes as Hoseok continued on dramatically, “ I can’t believe my baby Chim Chim has finally got himself a boyfriend or –“ Hoseok stopped eyes widening, “Or maybe… he got a girlfriend?” he gasped with all the dramatics of the worlds greatest actor would have.

 

“Hyung stop it, I am not meeting anyone and you know I prefer to the D,” Jimin tsked, Hoseok was the first person Jimin came out to even if it was by accident “I just don’t want you missing out on having fun because of me, you didn’t fail your test or get grounded so why should you miss out,” he pointed out.

 

 “We go to the arcade all the time, I am not missing out on much,” Hoseok shrugged, “And plus I need to plead my case to your parents, I need you for our dance performance,” he nodded as he spoke. Jimin had completely forgotten all about their performance, it was a month away and he had barely practised at all. “Now come on let's get going before your mum sends you to Australia or whatever,” Hoseok laughed, “Bet you can’t beat me to the front gate,” he grinned challenging Jimin. Jimin knew realistically he couldn’t beat Hobi, his legs were longer and he actually enjoyed running but he wanted a brief moment of normalcy and what was more normal than having a bet with your best friend.

 

“You're on old man,” Jimin giggled, “On the count of three,”

 

“One,” 
Hoseok and Jimin both got into running positions one either side of Jimin’s desk, Jimin on the right and Hoseok on the left.

 

“Two,”

 

“Three,”

They both raced towards the door, they were neck and neck until they reached the door frame, they both got stuck both pushing the other until Hoseok tumbled forward getting the lead. He raced down the hallway crashing into an unsuspecting student.

 

“Oh my god,” Jimin raced over to see Hoseok awkwardly lying on top of a very confused Kim Namjoon. They were lying face to face and Jimin would have laughed at the whole scene if he wasn’t worried about Namjoon living up to his given persona. “Are you okay?” Jimin asked them both, leaning down to lend them a hand up.

 

Hoseok instantly took Jimin’s hand letting Jimin pull him up. Jimin despite been a little grossed out by how sweaty his friend’s hands were couldn’t help but smirk because those sweaty palms paired with his now bright red ears meant Hoseok was a little flustered. “I’m so sorry,” Hoseok quickly apologised bowing frantically.

 

“Maybe you should help him up or you know let me help him up,” Jimin laughed, watching as Hoseok blushed stuttering as he tried to defend himself. Jimin shook his head turning to Namjoon who was now sitting up dusting the surely non-existent dirt off himself. “Are you okay Namjoon  Ssi?” Jimin asked the older boy, holding his hand out to him. Namjoon looked up at him, lips turned down and eyes trained solely on Jimin’s hands. A look of confusion graced his features as he took Jimin’s hand tentatively. Jimin couldn’t help but frown at Namjoon’s reaction, Jimin was considered one of the nicer kids at school so he doubted Namjoon heard anything bad about him.

 

For the first time Jimin got a proper look at Namjoon, he was tall, certainly taller than Jimin but really who wasn’t but Namjoon seemed to tower above Hoseok as well. His skin had a nice colour to it, a natural tan that most ‘book nerds’ didn’t usually have, he wore thick-rimmed glasses which Jimin thought was a shame since his eyes were a nice shade of brown, not Jimin’ boring brown. “Uhm thanks,” Namjoon trailed not knowing who Jimin was, even though it wasn’t a shock Jimin did feel kinda offended that he didn’t know him but really why would the genius who skipped a grade and apparently takes college classes for fun know the school’s resident dumb blonde.

 

“Jimin, I’m Park Jimin,” Jimin smiled at the older boy, “And this idiot,” he said gesturing to Hoseok, “is Hoseok, he usually isn’t this clumsy, in fact I’m usually the clumsy one,” Jimin giggled, missing the blush on his best friend's face instead his focus was on the dimples that were in front of me. Who knew Kim Namjoon genius extraordinaire was so cute.

 

“Shut up Jimin,” Hoseok mumbled behind him, “and we need to get going,” Hoseok whispered. Jimin rolled his eyes but knew deep down he was right, his mum probably thought he ‘forgot’ he was grounded and was getting ready to send him to live with his great uncle who lives in the countryside and Baekhyun would probably claw his eyes out if he was any later.

 

“Well it’s been nice to meet you Namjoon,” Jimin said smiling, even though Namjoon had only said about three words to Jimin he couldn’t help but feel like he wanted to get to know Namjoon, there was something about the older boy that drew Jimin to him. For whatever reason Jimin felt like him and Namjoon would be great friends, it kind of felt like they already were.

 

Namjoon nodded a small smile on his face, he didn’t say anything back to the pair but at least Jimin got a smile. Jimin winced as Hoseok grabbed his arm a little too tightly, dragging him away from the older boy. Hoseok muttered under his breath, Jimin couldn’t really make out what he was saying but it was obvious Namjoon had some sort of effect on Hobi. Hobi didn’t stop until they were at least halfway down the street.

 

“So- “ Hoseok said slowly as he finally let go of Jimin and slowed down, “How much begging do you think it will take for your parents to exclude dance practice from the grounding,” he asked. Jimin shrugged, honestly as long as he followed the rules dance probably would be fine, at most his parents would force him to take Jihoon with him, while that was a very cruel punishment it was manageable, he’d probably try and ‘flirt’ with some of the younger girls in their dance crew but apart from that annoyance it would be fine.

“Wow,” Hoseok said sarcastically, “that was so helpful Jiminie,” he added with an eye roll. Jimin giggled poking his tongue out his friend narrowly missing the shove that Hoseok had tried to land. “You are just in a helpful mood today aren’t you?” Hobi said clicking his tongue.

 

“Ah huh, I helped you up but then again you looked pretty comfortable on top of Kim Namjoon,” Jimin grinned, he winked cheekily for extra effect. He broke into a fit of giggles when he saw the offended look on his friends face. “Mayhaps it would have been more helpful if I left you two to it,” Jimin spoke his voice getting progressively higher as Hoseok got over his embarrassment and tried to grab him, he’d been locked in one of Hoseok’s famous arm locks before and didn’t want to repeat it. “I can see it now Jung Namjoon or would it be Kim Hoseok? I hope I’m your best man,” he giggled as he ran away from his friend.

 

The walk to Jimin’s house continued on with Jimin teasing Hoseok, Hoseok teasing Jimin and both of them trying to get the other (Hobi landed a particularly painful slap on the but Jimin got a few good kicks on Hoseok, thank you very much.) by the time the boys got to Jimin’s house, 10 minutes later, they were covered in sweat, dirt and , Jimin’s hair was once again a ruffled mess.

As soon as Jimin opened the door his mother fell forward to him, only stopping herself from falling flat on her face by holding onto the doorknob. Jimin and Hoseok watched her with equally confused looks on their faces “Uh mum are you okay?” Jimin said as his mother fixed herself up, patting down her dress and tucking her hair back behind her ears.

 

“Oh Jimin,” his mum said blinking rapidly surprised to see him, “ I was just going to go look for you,” his mother said scratching the back of her neck, “I thought you were at the arcade,” she added, “You were meant to be home… two minutes ago,” she finished, picking at a piece of lint on her dress as she spoke. Clearly a little embarrassed about what had just happened.

 

“Sorry for being late, Hoseok and I –“ Jimin started, looking over at his best friend who was behind him, possibly trying to hide ineffectively, “ran into a little trouble – and by ran into trouble  I mean Hobi literally ran into someone,” Jimin giggled not missing a chance to tease his friend, “But I know that is no excuse,” he said seriously. His mother looked at him gobsmacked, she seemed to be short-circuiting.

 

“Right –“ she said slowly, “Well you know you can’t have friends over when you are grounded so no Hoseok,” she said sternly, hands going directly to her hip. Hoseok let out an affronted snort at that, Jimin rolled his eyes at the pair of them.

 

“I know, Hoseok just wanted to check if I would still be able to go to dance?” Jimin asked, doing his best attempt at puppy dog eyes, elbowing Hoseok and gesturing for him to do the same. “It technically is an extracurricular activity so it counts towards my education right?” he added.

 

Jimin’s mother looked at Jimin, raising a perfectly waxed eyebrow at him, Jimin smiled sheepishly as she rolled her eyes, “Dance should be fine but I’ll be driving you to and from your practices so there is no chance of anything else happening,” she said her eyes narrowing looking at Jimin and Hoseok meaningly, it was a silent warning to Jimin that she was serious about this grounding.

 

“Okay,” Jimin said in agreement.

 

“Okay?” Both Jimin’s mother and Hoseok questioned equally shocked. Jimin’s nose scrunched up in annoyance, he didn’t fully understand why they were both so shocked sure he normally whined, just a little bit, but the way they were acting made it look he was some crybaby, that or a brat and he was not either one of those things. At least not in his opinion.

 

“Yes,” Jimin answered shortly, “It’s fine,” he added rolling his eyes at their faces, “Anyway, mum could you give Hoseok a ride home? I feel bad that he came all this way to make sure I could go to dance, seriously he was ready to plead a very convincing case on my behalf,” he pointed out, “I think if being a dancer fails he has a career as a lawyer,” he added as Hoseok kicked the back of his leg. Jimin turned to him to see Hoseok giving him a warning look, Jimin didn’t really know why he was upset, that was a compliment, his mother would love it if someone said Jimin could be a lawyer one day.

 

“So you will be home on your own?” Jimin’s mother questioned. Her eyes narrowed at him suspiciously “Where you can do anything you want?” she mused, her chin as she spoke. Jimin rolled his eyes, honestly, he had the best of intentions right now, he wanted to make sure his friend got back home safely. He knew that their suburb wasn't considered a dangerous one, especially not during this time in the afternoon but after last night there was no guarantee that there wasn’t some monster from the dark kingdom lurking around the corner. They had almost killed Hoseok once and he didn’t want to see his friend hurt again.

 

“Mum I am not going to do anything,” Jimin sighed. He wanted to say that he wouldn’t sneak out or spend the 15 minutes max on his bed reading comics or watching tv but he had a feeling if he did then he would only raise even more suspicions, even he knew that would be out of character for him. “Please,” he pleaded, “You won’t even be gone long enough for me to do anything but get changed and maybe eat something,” he whined.

 

Jimins mother’s resolve seemed to waver as she looked over at Hoseok, a small frown on her face, “Does Hoseok even want a lift Jimin?” she asked Jimin, hands going to the pockets of her dress searching for her keys.

 

“Hoseok?” Jimin questioned, looking at his friend who seemed to be weltering under the attention and looked like he was ready to leg it at any given moment.

 

“I uh uhm- “ he stuttered, “I don’t mind, either way, I mean it would be nice since I did come all this way but it really was no hassle, and I don’t really mind walking back, or I could get a bus I suppose, I would need money though not that I expect you pay, but if you want to give me a lift that is okay,” Hoseok rambled. Jimin was honestly worried about how red he was, should he remind him that he needed to breathe between words.

 

“Hoseok,” Jimin’s mother cut in, much to Jimin’s relief stopping Hoseok from speaking and giving him a chance to take a much needed breath. “It’s fine, I can give you a lift. Mind if I drop you off at your mother’s shop?” she questioned. Jimin and Hoseok both tensed up unnoticed by his mother who kept talking, “I heard there were these crazy sales, which is really so unlike Seohyun but who knows maybe I can talk my husband into buying me a new ring,” she continued. Jimin eyed Hoseok with a frown, he had taken a step back, his arms wrapping around himself.

 

“Maybe you could drop him off at the arcade instead?” Jimin spoke up. He moved in front of Hoseok, shielding him from his mum’s gaze, if she saw Hoseok’s current demeanour she would be full of questions though she’d never guess it was about an evil monster from The Dark Kingdom, no she’d just bring up his parents divorce and Jimin wasn’t sure which one was worse for Hoseok. “It’s just all our friends are there,” Jimin explained, “And uh The Galleria isn’t open,” he added causing Hoseok to look up with a questioning gaze, “Mrs Jung has the flu and the sale ended yesterday anyway.” Jimin nodded as if everything he was saying was the absolute truth. 

 

“Oh that is a shame, “ Jimin’s mother said, “I guess I can drop you off at the arcade instead. Is that okay with your mother though? Maybe you should go home and keep an eye on her, Jimin’s father had