Jungkook scans the place as he waits for Jimin, unable to sit down as he tries to think of ways to start the conversation. He wanted to remain cool, but his heart didn’t allow him as it pounded loudly in his ears, disturbing his train of thoughts. He hears the door open, and makes his way towards Jimin, meeting him halfway. Jimin smiles, as he adjusts glasses and runs his hand through his hair like he usually does.

“I didn’t think you wore glasses,” says Jungkook, easing the tension that was in the air.

“I was studying,” says Jimin, “My vision is not good, I normally wear contacts.”

Does he wear contacts? Who would’ve thought, he still looks cute either way.

“Do I look dorky with them?” says Jimin, puckering his lips to the side, Jungkook chuckles, 

“A little bit,” he teases. Jimin playfully glares at him, “Still cute.”

“Cute?” says Jimin breaking into a shy smile, “I’m older than you, cute is for teddy bears.” Jungkook chuckles, taking a step towards him, they were now standing a few inches apart, “You’re almost the same height as the teddy bear, I have at home,” he teases. Jimin was a few inches, actually only 2-3 inches shorter than him but Jungkook couldn’t help but tease, their built was different, he had board shoulder and Jimin was leaner, both muscular but it was obvious who was more muscular, standing beside Jungkook, many would think he was shorter than he actually is.

Jimin burst out laughing, “Wait, you still have a teddy bear at home? Adorable.”

 Jungkook bites the corner of his lower lip, embarrassed, he didn’t have a teddy bear at home, he just said it to tease Jimin, but it looked like he became the punch line instead. He clears his throat, taking a step back.

“Who studies on weekends?” he says, changing the topic.

“Someone who has nothing to do,” replies Jimin.

“Go out with your friends.”

“I am, later, Yoongi is taking us to a gay club later?”

“Really? How you’re not old enough- “

“Fake ID’s duh,” says Jimin, laughing, “ he has a friend who works there or something.”

Jungkook slightly nods his head, noticing the excitement on Jimin’s face, he lowers his head, pressing his tongue against his cheek. The thought of Jimin going out and having fun in a gay club, made his stomach burn with jealousy, there is no doubt someone as good looking as him will be hit on.

“Are you okay?” asks Jimin, gazing at him with concern.

“I-I’m fine,” he says, “Why?”

“You got quiet all of a sudden,” says Jimin, “Anyway, what’s up?”

“Nothing, I just came to ask for your number,” blurts Jungkook.

“My number? You came all the way here for my number?”

“Yes. Why is that strange?”

Jimin smiles, shaking his head no, “Let me see your phone.” Jungkook takes out his phone and hands it to him,

“No password?”

“They are a hassle,” says Jungkook.

“No secrets worth keeping then,” mumbles Jimin but clear enough for Jungkook to hear him, it wasn’t a question, it sounded like he was just talking to himself. Jimin holds the phone up, in a selfie mode, puckering his lips, laughing he hands the phone back to him. Jungkook stares at the number and that picture he just took as a contact profile picture, it was cute, and the first picture of Jimin in his phone. Its something small but Jungkook couldn’t help but grin, exposing his wide bunny smile,

“Look at me,” says Jimin, Jungkook glances up and hears a click, “So cute.” 

“Did you take a picture?”

“Yap, for my contacts,” says Jimin, proudly.

Jungkook’s phone vibrates and it was a message from Lisa, asking for what time they should meet for lunch. He gasps, he completely forgot about their plans and the reason that he came over is to talk to Jimin about it.

“Who is it?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s Lisa,” says Jungkook, “We're supposed to meet up for lunch, actually that’s also why I came over.”

“Hmm?”

“She saw us asking and asked if we’re dating, I know you said you wanted to take things slow, so I was wondering if it was okay if my friends know.”

“It’s fine,” says Jimin, “I wouldn’t kiss you in public if I wanted it to be a secret.”

“Oh, so you don’t care.”

“I don’t care if your friends know about us, I just don’t want Jennie to know yet.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” says Jungkook.

Jimin smiles, gazing at him, taking a step forward, he gently cupping his face with his hands, his hands were a little bit cold but seep the warmth from Jungkook’s cheeks. Jimin gazed into his eyes with such softness, it made Jungkook’s heart skip a beat, wanting to draw him closer,

“You’re so serious,” says Jimin, softly, caressing his cheeks his fingers, “You need to relax, hmm, why don’t you come with us tonight?”

“Isn’t Jennie going?”

“No, don’t you know your sister hates clubs,” says Jimin, “It’ll just be you and me.” Jungkook stares, he knew his parents would never let him go to a nightclub but gazing into Jimin’s eyes, he brushed off any worries and nodded his head.

“Okay.”

Jimin leans in as Jungkook automatically closes his eyes, he could feel Jimin’s warm breath on his face, then his lips on his cheek. His lips spread warmth through his limbs sending his mind into a pleasant buzz. They both their eyes, Jungkook chuckles, as they both blushed, interrupted by his phone, vibrating in his pocket.

***

Jungkook arrives at their usual pizza place, Pizzanista, known for its New York-style thin-crust pizza. They have been coming to this pizza joint since they were a freshman, taking a deep breath as he opens the door, walking in. He scans the place for Lisa and spots her sitting at the corner in the back, but she was not alone, Taehyung sat beside her. Jungkook sighs, of course, she was not alone, she would never keep anything from Taehyung. Making eye contact with his friends, they wave at him, he smiles and makes his way towards them.

“Hey,” he says, taking a seat.

“We already ordered,” says Taehyung.

“Cool,” says Jungkook.

“It’s been a while since we came here,” says Lisa.

“Yeah,” says Jungkook.

After their order arrived, they started eating, unsettled eyes glanced around, each person begging the other to say something to relieve the strange awkwardness,

“Okay so what’s going on with you and Jimin?” asks Taehyung.

“You told him?”

“Was it a secret?” says Lisa.

“No, it wasn’t a secret,” says Jungkook chuckling, “Jimin-hyung and I are seeing each other.”

Lisa and Taehyung exchange glances, eyes and mouth wide, shocked, “There is no secret.”

“I knew it,” says Taehyung, “Didn’t I say he was flirting with you?”

“Since when did like Jimin?”

“I’ve had a crush on him since I can remember,” he says.

“That’s cool,” says Taehyung, “You guys will make a cute couple.” Jungkook glances at Lisa who was taking a huge bite of her pizza slice, avoiding his eyes, “You don’t seem happy about it, Lisa.”

“I just think going out with a senior is nothing but trouble,” she says, taking a sip of her lemonade.

“Trouble how?”

“Jimin is popular and I see him at lunch, he always flirting with people, I never thought he was even gay.”

“He’s not a flirt,” says Jungkook, feeling annoyed at Lisa, “It sounds like you have an issue with him?”

“I don’t have an issue with him, I have a problem with any of us dating seniors. Just be careful.”

“Be careful of what?”

“Not getting your heart broken,” says Lisa, “Seniors date juniors, sophomores and freshman for fun, what if you fall in love with him and he goes off to college, what’re you going to do?”

Jungkook chuckles, “Thanks but I haven’t thought that far, all I know is that I like him a lot and he like me.”

“Jungko - “

“Lisa, Jungkook is not a child,” says Taehyung, “He knows what he is doing.”

“Fine, don’t say I didn’t tell you,” she says, “I know those senior guys, gay or straight, would never take a relationship with someone younger serious.”

Jungkook glares at Lisa, wondering what her problem is? Why was she so against him going out with Jimin?

Since lunch with his friends did not go as intended, Jungkook was sulking, Lisa’s words ringing in his ears. What if she was right? He sighs, frustrated, aside from that, he also hasn’t asked his parents if he can go out without giving them many details. His parents would never let him go if they knew he was going to a club.

He glances at his mom across the table, Jennie was going on and on about something, Jungkook was oblivious to everything as he thinks of a way to bring up the topic. The only way to seek permission is to lie to his parents that he was going out with his friends, at least they won’t question him too much. He hated lying to them, but he didn’t want to miss the chance to hang out with Jimin.

He clears his throat, glancing at his mother, “Mom, can I go out later?”

“Where to?”

“Just out,” he says, “Probably to the movies or something.”

“Don’t stay out too late,” she says.

“I can go?”

“Yes, but you know your curfew,” she says.

“Thanks.”

Jungkook was dressed casually in a white collared shirt, with black jeans. He takes a deep breath, staring into the mirror, this was his first time going to a gay club, or any club in general, he never had an interest in it and the fact that they were going to sneak in, didn’t help his nerves. His heart pounded so hard against his ribcage, he felt like he was going to pass out, fearing meeting Jimin’s friends. Aside from Jennie, he has never seen Jimin with any other people let alone other gay guys, the whole thing made him so nervous, he felt like he was going to throw up.

He sits on the bed, to relax, inhaling and exhaling, he takes out his phone, looking at the time, Jimin told him he is going to pick him up at nine o’clock, and just wait for his text. Despite having permission to go out, he still felt like he was sneaking out since he knows his parents probably think he is going out with Taehyung and Lisa to the movies. His mom would lose her if she knew he was going to a club. 

As soon as he received Jimin’s text telling him that he is waiting outside, Jungkook takes one deep breath and heads downstairs. He peaks into the living room where his parents were watching television.

“I’m leaving,” he says.

“Okay, stay out of trouble,” replies his mom.

“I will,” he says.

Jungkook makes his sure Namjoon and Jennie were nowhere in sight, he sighs relieved as they both were in their rooms. He closes the door behind him. He smiles as soon as he sees Jimin in the car with the window down, waving at him. Jungkook quickly makes his way towards the car, opening the door.

He settles down at the passenger’s seat, gazing at Jimin, this was the first time he has seen him in a car, and all of sudden he realized that Jimin was two years older than him.

“Hey,” says Jimin.

“Hi.”

“Everything cool?”

“Yap,” says Jungkook, nervous, “Let’s go.”

“Are you sure you want to go?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“If clubbing is not your scene, you don’t have to go, you know,” says Jimin, “I don’t want you doing anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“I actually wouldn’t know if it is or is not,” says Jungkook, chuckling, “I’ve never been to the club.”

“I’ll make sure to protect you then,” says Jimin.

“I can protect myself,” says Jungkook, “Let’s go.”

“Yap,” says Jimin, starting the engine, “Oh, you look really hot by the way.”

Jungkook blushes at the compliment, “Thanks, you look hot too.”

Jimin laughs, backing up and pulling out of the driveway. ​​​​​​​