"now You Need A New Door Too". More Like: You Owe Me A New Door Sir

"now you need a new door too". more like: you owe me a new door sir 😑

that ending tho 😀 like sir- you don't have to put me down. i mean if you want to... but really you don't HAVE to

side note: she's better than me cause i'd be following yoongi like a puppy in a second, without hesitation, i'd be right behind him, take me wherever you want sir.

Safely Yours || Chapter 02

when a bodyguard enters your life by your father's orders, you have no choice but to learn to live with him

↠ 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 - yoongi x reader ↠ 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 - bodyguard au, fluff, angst, smut, slow burn ↠ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - explicit language, suggestive content ↠ 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - every tuesday

Realization hits you and you gasp, lowering the cup, coughing from the unexpected heat in your throat.

"Whiskey? It's 10 in the morning!"

"It'll loosen you up," Yoongi comments offhandedly, not bothering to look at you as he casually takes a seat on a bench next to a vending machine brimming with snacks and drinks.

After a moment of silence, his voice, louder than necessary for just the two of you, breaks the quiet. "We should get going." The rest of the people, scattered around on their breaks, are too far away to eavesdrop on your exchange.

"Go where?" The question slips out before you can contemplate his intentions.

All you know is that you need to be back at your office, enveloped in the solitude that allows you to think and work without interruption.

"I need to pick up new alarms for your office," Yoongi explains, rising to his feet. His gaze finally meets yours, carrying a weight of determination. "And since I have to be with you all the time..." He lets the words hang in the air for a moment. "You're coming with me." He strides off, leaving you in a moment of stunned silence.

Almost involuntarily, your feet begin to move, quickening to match his pace. It strikes you how this must look to an onlooker – as if you're willingly following his lead, a notion that grates on your independence.

What are you doing, y/n?

A sense of self-assertion washes over you. You're the one in command here, not Yoongi. You've never been one to meekly trail behind anyone.

You halt, taking a moment to smooth out your pants and regain your composure. Your stance becomes more assertive, a physical manifestation of your inner resolve.

As Yoongi waits by the elevator, you deliberately bypass him, your strides confident and purposeful. He clearly doesn't grasp your aversion to enclosed spaces, but you're not about to explain.

With each step towards the stairs, you feel a growing sense of empowerment. This is your domain, your rules. The sound of Yoongi's footsteps following on the stairs is unexpected but doesn't falter your determination.

You give Jungkook, stationed at his desk, a brief nod as you pass by, feeling a surge of appreciation for his presence. Then, with a renewed sense of purpose, you enter your office.

Settling into your chair, you press the power button on your PC, a familiar and comforting ritual. The hum of the machine booting up fills the room, a signal that you're finally ready to start your day, on your terms.

Just when you thought you could finally focus on your work, Yoongi bursts into your office without so much as a knock. The sudden intrusion startles you, but you try not to show it.

"What are you doing?" His voice sounds more puzzled than upset.

"Working?" Your response is tinged with a hint of sarcasm. It seems obvious to you, sitting there with your computer on and documents spread out.

"We have to go," Yoongi states, planting himself firmly by the door, his tall frame almost filling the space.

"We? I never agreed to that," you push back. The last thing you want is to be bossed around by the very person who's supposed to be guarding you. The very idea feels ridiculous.

It's where you draw the line.

"You didn't understand me," Yoongi clarifies, shutting the door with a decisive click. He strides towards your desk with big, confident steps, stopping just a few feet away. His towering presence is intimidating, but you refuse to be cowed.

"You are coming with me," he announces, gesturing towards the door. "It's not a question."

Despite his imposing stance, you find his overconfidence almost amusing. You lean back in your chair, arms folded across your chest, and raise an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Says who?" you challenge, your tone laced with skepticism. Yoongi lets out a scoff, but you notice a flicker of annoyance cross his face as he takes a seat across from you.

"Look, we'll either do this" he begins, pointing back and forth between the two of you, "the right way. Or I have no problem dragging you down four floors if I have to."

Not puzzled, you speak again. "And what's the right way?"

"My way."

"I don't think that's valid since I'm the one paying you."

Yoongi clicks his tongue and slightly shakes his head, a small gesture that speaks volumes of his mocking and self-assured attitude.

"That's where you're mistaken. Your father pays me, not you."

"Why don't you go protect him then?" you suggest with a wide smile, batting your eyelashes and resting your chin on your hands.

Yoongi doesn't take the bait, maintaining his serious demeanor. "Come on," he urges, his voice softer, showing a hint of emotion for the first time.

But you're not that easy to break.

"You can go. I'm safe right here," you assert confidently.

It's a bizarre situation, and for a moment, you wonder how your life has taken such a strange turn. Here you are, at 33, debating with a bodyguard in the middle of your office. It's almost comical, and yet, there's an undeniable thrill in the unexpectedness of it all. Yoongi's presence, while frustrating, has injected a dose of unpredictability into your otherwise routine life.

You now have a bodyguard – an idea so surreal it almost makes you laugh.

With a mental note to share this wild story with Hobi later, you refocus on Yoongi. He's an enigma, a challenge you hadn't anticipated, but one you're now facing head-on.

His growing frustration is clear from the frown on his face, but you're finding amusement in the situation. In your dictionary, fun often means making others miserably. In this case, Yoongi.

"I'm giving you one final warning, I won't repeat myself," Yoongi says, his voice losing any friendliness. "Walk to the car on your own, or I'll carry you there."

Back to his serious self already?

He walks towards the door, his parting words firm. "You have five minutes, y/n. If you're not down by then, I'll come back."

You doubt he means it. Surely, he can't just override your authority here, can he? Even your father wouldn't let him get away with something like that.

You quickly text Hobi.

You won't believe what's happening today

And set your phone aside.

Ignoring the voice in your head urging you to follow Yoongi, you pretend to work. But then, a notification startles you. It's an unknown number, but the message's context is clear. It's him.

2 minutes y/n.

He's dropped the last name formality fast, faster than you'd expected. Him using your first name feels even more commanding than before.

Have a good time

You reply teasingly, but then, just to be sure, hurry to lock your office door. "If anyone asks, I went home," you tell Jungkook, quickly rolling down the blinds.

Hiding in your office feels weird, but here you are, pretending the space is empty.

"Where's y/n?" Yoongi's voice reaches you through the door. Part of you wants to laugh, part of you wants to hide even more.

You're confident he can't enter, but something tells you he might find a way if he really wants to.

Maybe he'll give up? You hope so.

A fleeting thought crosses your mind – perhaps escaping to your home and working from there would have been a better strategy. Yoongi wouldn't be able to find you as quickly there. Sure, he might know the address, but he doesn't know the hidden corners and secret spaces like you do. The idea of outmaneuvering him in your own territory brings a slight smirk to your lips.

"She left for home," Jungkook's voice breaks through your thoughts. Ke's your guardian angel in this chaos, and you make a mental note to reward his loyalty.

The sound of Yoongi wrestling with the door handle echoes through your office. His persistent questioning about the lock sends a ripple of annoyance through you.

But then, a sudden, thunderous crash reverberates against the walls, jolting you from your thoughts. The entire glass wall trembles, a testament to the force behind the impact.

What in the world is he doing?

Another push, louder and more forceful, follows. Your heart pounds against your ribcage. Is he actually trying to break down the door? The audacity of the man!

On his third attempt, the inevitable happens. Your once lavish and undoubtedly expensive door succumbs to his brute strength, crashing to the ground with a deafening thud. Yoongi stands amidst the wreckage, nonchalantly adjusting his arm as if he's just brushed off a minor inconvenience.

How is it possible for him to show no signs of pain? What is he made of?

"You need a new door now too," Yoongi states, his voice laced with an unmistakable note of satisfaction. The smugness in his tone sends a surge of frustration through you.

✦•······················•✦

"No...no, not that one... Not that either..." Yoongi's dismissive comments echo through the aisles of yet another security store in the mall. For the last 40 minutes, you've trailed behind him like a shadow, watching him criticize every alarm system in sight.

Too quiet, too slow, or just not right – nothing pleases him.

To your surprise, there seems to be no end to stores selling security gadgets. By the time you enter the fifth store, you're fighting the urge to throw yourself on the floor in a childish tantrum, overwhelmed by boredom and frustration.

But Yoongi left you no choice. You had to leave your office in a hurry, without any explanation for the repair crew fixing your door. How could you explain that your father's hired bodyguard decided to make a statement by demolishing it?

You were utterly embarrassed.

"Can you please just pick one?" The whine in your voice grows with each syllable, mirroring your escalating irritation.

"Keep quiet. I need to find a good one," Yoongi retorts sharply, oblivious or indifferent to your annoyance.

You throw him a defiant look. "I'll leave," you declare, though the warning in his eyes suggests he won't let you off that easily.

As the store owner, looking equally weary, presents another model of alarm, you can't help but wonder when the world of security technology became this complicated. Each new gadget seems more complex than the last, and Yoongi's meticulous scrutiny of each one only adds to the tedium.

You'll find a way to even the score with Yoongi for dragging you through this seemingly endless ordeal. Whatever payback plan you'll manage, it will be proportionate to the endless minutes you've endured in these stores. Your revenge is well deserved...

Feeling utterly drained, you let out a heavy sigh and let your shoulders droop. "I'll wait outside," you announce, half-expecting Yoongi to object. With slow, dragging steps, you head towards the entrance of the store, the weight of the day's events bearing down on you.

After ten minutes, Yoongi approaches you, his hands still empty. Your heart sinks as you realize this means yet another store visit. "Are you doing this on purpose?" you ask, your voice pitching higher with incredulity.

"There's only one store left her-"

"Thank God," you interject, relieved, but he gives you a look that suggests you should be more appreciative of his thoroughness.

"If I don't find one there, there's another mall nearby," he adds.

Your face contorts in horror. Another mall? No, you can't endure this any longer.

Seizing the moment, you make a stealthy move to slip away, your mind already picturing the comfort of your home, a quiet evening far from this chaos. As you tiptoe toward the escalator, your stomach reminds you of its emptiness, growling in protest. The day's whirlwind of events, from the morning's rush to this absurd mall adventure, has left you starving and running on coffee.

Just as you're about to step onto the escalator, feeling a sense of victory, your world suddenly turns upside down. Yoongi's arm, strong and unyielding, encircles your waist, and in one fluid motion, he lifts you off your feet. You find yourself suspended in the air, your body draped over his shoulder in a disorienting and undignified position.

Panic and surprise mingle as you instinctively kick and squirm, your protests loud and clear. "Put me down!" you yell, your voice echoing through the mall. Yoongi, however, remains as stoic as a statue, unaffected by your struggles.

"Stop yelling," he commands, his tone even and unbothered.

You try to get a look at his face, but your hair falls forward, obscuring your vision. "Then let me go!" you demand, feeling a mix of indignation and helplessness.

He doesn't respond but continues walking, his stride confident and unbroken. You feel the gaze of passersby on you, their curiosity piqued by the unusual scene. Then, unexpectedly, Yoongi's hand lightly smacks your thigh, a startling action that silences you momentarily.

Did you just... like that?

The thought crosses your mind, but you quickly dismiss it, trying to refocus. As he exhales, the warm breath brushes against the sensitive skin of your hip, sending an involuntary shiver down your spine.

"I warned you y/n. I won't repeat myself."

↞ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 || 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 || 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ↠

oh so we're going with a pet name right away...

sign me tf up

Thin Divide || Chapter 01

when your crush—who's also your brother's best friend—returns and confesses his love for you, you try your best to avoid him only problem is; you both live in the same condo

↠ 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 - jungkook x reader ↠ 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 - brother's best friend au, fluff, angst, smut, slow burn ↠ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - explicit language, suggestive content ↠ 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - every thursday

"Are we having gimbap today?" you ask Hoseok, sliding into the passenger seat of his car. You've just wrapped up your shift at Jimin's tattoo shop, and true to tradition, Hoseok is here for the pickup.

"I bought pizza too," your best friend announces proudly. He briefly lifts one hand from the wheel, gesturing towards a tower of boxes in the back seat. Clapping your hands, you let out a string of enthusiastic, yet incomprehensible noises.

You can see Hoseok glaring at you with the corner of his eye, his head still dutifully monitoring the road. You sense every inch of his existence judging you, which only improves your mood.

"Yay!" Your voice bubbles over with happiness, accompanied by a wide grin.

"I hate it when you act like a child," he grumbles and shakes his head in mock despair, but you love it.

Teasing him and his social boundaries feels just too enjoyable.

"Bitch, you just hate happiness around you," you retort, to which he cheekily responds with a raised middle finger and you burst out laughing.

"Is Tae coming too?" Hoseok asks, and you shake your head, even though his attention isn't on you.

"Nope. He's out for drinks with Jiminie." As you speak, you shift in your seat for a better view of him, pulling one leg up onto the seat – careful to keep your shoes from touching the upholstery and drive Hoseok nuts. Leaning your back against the car door, you rest your head on the soft leather.

"Joon's already at the house, though," you add as an afterthought, and Hoseok simply nods in acknowledgment.

Jin and the rest of the guys, they're more than just friends - they're practically brothers. Your families lived in the same neighborhood, and this made their bond so strong, it blurred the lines between friendship and family. Wherever one went, the others followed. It was just how things were growing up.

They even went to the same university and shared an apartment. And when it was time, they all served in the military together.

So, four years ago, when they decided to build a condominium where the seven of them could live together, nobody was surprised. They went all out and constructed a huge building with eight floors. Each person has his own floor, a personal domain, but it is the eighth one that truly symbolizes their bond. It is a communal sanctuary, a mosaic of rooms designed for all of them to hang out together.

Being Jin's little sister, you always felt like you had seven brothers, not just one. To you, they weren't just his friends; they were your own best friends, and you didn't really need anyone else. Maria was the only exception – your partner in crime.

You never felt lonely with so much love and fun around.

So when you turned 18, two years ago, you asked Jin if you could also move into the condo. He was initially hesitant, concerned that you would get tired of the noise from seven men, but he agreed when he realized you really wanted the move.

In any case, it's better to live with them than your parents. Not that you don't love your parents, but the boys are so cool and fun, and they are always there to help you with anything. Why would you ask for anything else?

The apartment on the eighth floor has an attic too, so technically it feels like two levels. Up in the attic, the guys have put together what you call a playhouse.

It's like a mini-arcade, with everything from a basketball machine and table tennis to karaoke, board games, and cards. They've thought of it all. Puffs are scattered around for lounging, and there's even a mini-fridge, so no one has to trek downstairs for a snack or a drink.

Sometimes you wonder, if you just left them up there, how long would it take before they'd get bored and come down?

The level below is more like a regular apartment. It's got a cozy living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Plus, there are four rooms. The guys have turned one into a gym and another into a gaming room with eight PCs, all set up and ready to go.

Since the other two rooms were still empty, and the guys had been already living almost two years here, you decided not to live with Jin on the sixth floor. Instead, you claimed one room for yourself and convinced Maria to take the other. That way, you don't mess up with your brother's routine too.

You love hanging out with the guys, but sometimes it's nice to have another girl around. So, technically, you're just living with Maria, but the guys are just as close. The fact that there is an internal elevator, in addition to the normal one, helps too.

Over the years, it became a habit for all of you to use the internal elevator that connects all your living rooms. Starting from the basement, which serves as a garage, the elevator goes up from Yoongi's on the first floor all the way to the first level of the eighth floor where you live.

The external elevator, next to the stairs, remains for visitors. When the occasion arises, it is used by them and leads them basically to the hall, just a few steps from each apartment. Since every apartment is essentially one entire floor.

"Has he eaten yet? We can stop to buy more food," Hoseok suggests, glancing at you with a thoughtful expression.

You raise an eyebrow in surprise, "You've already got four pizzas and five plates of gimbap in the back. How much more do we need to feed Joon as well?" Your tone is genuinely curious.

How does he think the food isn't enough?

"I'm sure there's also kimchi back at the house," you add with a slight smile, trying to reassure Hoseok, though you're not entirely sure why you feel the need to.

Hoseok nods sagely, "It's always better to have extra than to stay hungry," he says, his voice low as if he's said something wise, coupled with a nonchalant smile and a confident tilt of his chin.

You can't help but chuckle, "True. And there's always someone who magically appears when there's talk of food." You give a nod to Hoseok's point, acknowledging its validity.

Usually, Taehyung is the culprit of such food-related appearances, but since he's out with Jimin, you're pretty sure the current stash of food will suffice until they return.

Just then, the muffled sound of a message notification buzzes from your purse. You lean over and you grab the bag, sitting next to your feet, to get your phone.

Are you down for a movie?

You read Yoongi's message aloud, essentially asking the question to Hoseok.

"Sure," Hoseok agrees, but then he adds with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "Let Yoongi handle the projector this time..." He glances at you, a knowing look in his eyes, and you can't help but roll your own.

"It was just that one time!" you protest, a bit exasperated that he's still holding that incident over your head.

"You should've known better than to trust Joon with devices, y/n," Hoseok chides lightly.

And deep down, you know he's right...

Living with Namjoon was a new experience for you. How were you to know he was that clumsy? When he broke the projector and the guys made you pay 5k for the damaged equipment, even though it was his fault, it was more than a lesson for you not to leave him close to devices ever again. Needless to say, you didn't talk to him for a whole month after that.

Honestly, how does someone manage to be that clumsy?

It had only been a month since you moved in, but the memory still makes your blood boil – and yet, somehow, also makes you laugh. Namjoon, trying to plug in the cord, pulled too hard, thinking it was longer. The projector went flying across the living room, right off the table.

In complete silence, he turned to see all of you staring back at him from the couch. You still remember the sheepish look on his face, flabbergasted at how this damage happened. Without a word, he dumped the broken projector in the trash, then calmly brought out his laptop and hooked it up to the TV.

When Jin opened his mouth, probably to complain, Namjoon simply put a hand over it. 'Not a word hyung' he said, then started the movie as if the whole fiasco had never happened, leaving all of you dumbfounded.

Set it up pls :)

We'll be there in 5

You quickly message Yoongi back and throw your phone into your bag again.

After a short drive, Hoseok smoothly steers the car into the parking area in the basement of the building. You both get out, and you lend a hand with the load of food, prepping to head up.

"I'll stop to drop off my bag and come up," Hoseok calls out, pausing at the second floor.

"Okay, I'll go ahead," you reply and grab the bags with the food from his hand and wait for him to hop into his living room to get whatever he needs before coming back.

Continuing your way to your apartment, you adjust all the bags in your hands because they feel too heavy to carry by yourself.

Once you reach your floor, you try to push the door open with your foot but fail, as you are not strong enough.

"Hello! Anyone here?" you yell, hoping someone heard you.

The sound of approaching footsteps brings a small victory smile to your face. The door swings open, and there's Jin, his expression full of annoyance. You roll your eyes at his reaction seeing you; you bet he was in the middle of a game to look so irritated.

"Where's Hobi?" Jin asks, but you don't give him an answer. Instead, you shove all the bags in his direction and free yourself to step into the house.

"Hello to you too," you greet him sarcastically, and he smiles mockingly, sticking his tongue out.

"How charming," you quip back, holding the door for him now burdened with the food.

"He'll be right up," you mention, referring to Hoseok as you slip off your shoes.

Jin, now balancing the food carefully, asks, "So, where's everyone else?" And you follow him towards the kitchen.

"You're the one who's here, how am I supposed to know?" you tease Jin, who shoots back a glare with a dead serious face because you both know you're in everyone's business.

"Fine," you chuckle, settling onto a stool. "Tae and Jimin are out for drinks, Yoongi's probably looking for the projector in the attic so we can watch a movie, Hobi was just with me, he'll join soon. I think Joon mentioned a meeting this afternoon and planned to head home after. And Maria... Maria's clocking out at ten, so she'll be here then."

Jin looks at you as he arranges the food on plates, but his expression puzzles you. He's wearing this odd, almost goofy smile that doesn't quite fit the ordinary Friday evening vibe. You run through the usual reasons and try to understand what is going on. His favorite team didn't win a championship, he didn't get a promotion since he's the CEO, so unless he's fallen in love, which you highly doubt, he's just starting to go crazy.

"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Jin suddenly asks and, you swear, he almost chuckles.

Your brother's unusual demeanor throws you off, prompting a confused smile. "You're literally right here," you respond, puzzled by his cryptic hint. You are not sure what he's expecting you to say.

"Not me, pabo," he says, rolling his eyes, and you're officially clueless.

Sensing your oblivious state he adds, "What about JK?"

It clicks then, yet somehow, you're more worried about your brother's state.

"How can I possibly know what Kookie is doing now in Busan, Jin?"

Jungkook's departure two years ago, for reasons unknown to you, marked a painful chapter. Of all the guys, your bond with him had been the deepest. Yet, without warning, when he left, he decided to stop all communication with you, and you haven't talked to him for two years.

You know he and the guys talk regularly and are still close, but you never understood if you did something that bothered him and caused him to treat you like that. A week before you moved in, he left and hasn't been back since. The boys visit him every weekend they get a chance, but since Jungkook doesn't speak to you, you figured it'd be awkward to tag along, so you never did.

Only Maria knows that growing up you had the biggest crush on him. You didn't act on it, though, considering he is one of your brother's best friends, which complicates everything. And you love your brother very much; you wouldn't risk jeopardizing his relationship with one of the people he cares about the most.

You cried for days on Maria's lap because he left the condo when you came. Because he stopped caring about your existence. Because you never understood what went wrong...

"Right," Jin responds, and you rise from your seat, crossing the kitchen to where he stands.

With a hint of concern, you reach out to feel his forehead. He jerks back slightly.

"What are you doing?" he asks, a whine in his voice.

"Checking if you have a fever," you reply naturally. It's what you assume is the reason behind his attitude.

He shakes his head and laughs, "I'm not sick."

"I doubt that, but whatever."

Not giving any more thought to your weird brother, you grab some plates and head to the living room, arranging them neatly on the dining table. "Dinner's ready!" Your voice echoes, calling everyone to the meal. Then, you quickly return to the kitchen to help Jin with the remaining dishes.

Gradually, the room fills up as everyone gathers to eat. After dinner, you all find spots around the living room, sprawled on the couch, the floor, and cushy puffs.

"What a great movie," Maria comments from her spot beside you.

You nod, feeling tears well up in your eyes. There's something about the dance scene in Awakenings that always makes you emotional and cry instantly. You find it so poetically sad, capturing in such a romantic way the vulnerability of all people. It's a gentle reminder that no human is superior to nature, and in fact, its power is limited. It gives you comfort that today, while you're young, you can take advantage at least of that.

As the credits roll, Namjoon, seated near the light switch, stands and flicks the lights on. The sudden brightness causes a momentary squint among everyone before your eyes adjust to the change.

"You're still crying over Awakenings," someone comments in the background, but with everyone around you mumbling about the movie, it is hard to pinpoint who spoke.

Needing a moment, you stand to refill your glass with water. That's when you spot him.

You've had these hallucinations of Jungkook before, so you try to dismiss the figure as another figment of your imagination, walking past it to the kitchen. On your return, the puzzled stares from everyone, including Maria, catch you off guard. Their expressions are filled with confusion and concern.

You have to admit, though, you're getting a bit worried about your crush on Jungkook because, back from the kitchen, you still see him there, sitting on the couch next to your brother.

Your eyes fall on Yoongi, who is staring at you, his mouth agape in shock.

"What?" you ask him.

Why is everyone acting so weird today?

Your gaze follows Yoongi's, pointing to where he is, but the spot must be empty in Yoongi's vision.

Stubbornly, Jungkook is still there, looking as real as ever.

Gosh, you have to see a therapist. Because, this can't be right.

You've been seeing this man in front of you in various situations for the past two years, sometimes purposely searching for him in crowds, but with a shake of your head, his figure would get blurred, eventually lost.

Standing there, glass in hand, the impossible happens. "Won't you say hello?" the vision of Jungkook speaks, sitting calmly on the couch, and your heart skips a beat.

Is your mind playing tricks again?

When he stands up, your eyes follow, puzzled, every movement. As he steps forward, he stands in front of you and gently tucks a strand of hair behind your ear.

This is when you freeze. The glass slipping from your grasp and shattering on the floor, water splashing over your feet. But the shock of the broken glass pales in comparison to what's unfolding before you.

"Kookie..." Your voice is a whisper, disbelief lacing every syllable.

He is ...real?

Impossible!

"Hello baby," Jungkook greets you with a smile filled with affection and pulls you into the tightest hug.

𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 || 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ↠

i would simply ✨️melt✨️ if tae held my hand

Illusion of Us || Chapter 01

a misunderstanding sparks a rumor that you and taehyung are in a relationship what you didn't expect was him asking you to keep the rumor alive

↠ 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 - taehyung x reader ↠ 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 - fake dating au, fluff, angst, smut, slow burn ↠ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - explicit language, suggestive content ↠ 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - every friday

"Hey baby," you greet Namjoon with a smile as soon as you approach him. He's been waiting for you at the bus station, like every other morning. His eyes light up at your arrival, ready to accompany you to your department.

He's a year older than you, but this semester, luckily, your schedules align. At last, you have a companion for your breaks.

If it weren't for him, you'd still be shielding yourself with your phone and earphones, a fortress against any unwanted human contact. There's nothing in this world that makes you more uncomfortable than small talk. Especially with people you have no similar interest with, and with whom you will never speak again once you graduate.

The path to an Art University was an unexpected turn in your journey. Choosing university life itself was a leap, yet when your mother pushed for Maths, you opted for the less daunting world of art and history, rather than the perplexities of mathematical equations.

Maths was manageable during school - up to a point, at least. The introduction of Xs and Fs marked a clear boundary for your interests; you were stable enough to never choose this career path.

"How many times must I tell you not to call me that?" Namjoon whines, to which you respond with a soft chuckle, savoring the hot chocolate he kindly bought you. Countless times didn't you tell him to keep his money and not spend it on you, but he insists it is the least he can do for you since you help him pass his classes, providing him with all your notes and flash cards.

Your friendship with Namjoon evolved effortlessly over the years. It began in your second year when he approached you for directions. Being the first person you'd spoken to in weeks, you felt a compelling urge to step out of your bubble and actually communicate.

It only happened occasionally, and only if the presence of the other person didn't trigger all your bad feelings and second thoughts in an instant. Namjoon was one of these people. Then there's Hoseok, another kindred spirit, whose effortless charm could thaw the coldest of hearts. Even the thickest iceberg would melt with just a smile of his.

He has that kind of charm, don't blame him.

You, however, have always been more guarded, trusting mainly in your intuition to guide you through social landscapes.

"And how many times have I told you I won't stop?" you tease him, playfully sticking out your tongue.

"Y/n, you're making it really difficult for me to find a girlfriend!" Namjoon exclaims as you both walk down the small road leading to your building.

"I certainly do not," you retort, not the least bit offended by his statement. You know it's far from true. People never confuse you for a couple; instead, they often ask if you're siblings, curious about how you stay so close.

Truth is, Namjoon feels like the brother you never had. Which is why you often give in and do whatever he asks just so he can be happy. Even if that means go clubbing, something you utterly despise and under any other circumstance you would avoid wholeheartly. But when he asks so earnestly, hoping you'll meet new people, you can't bring yourself to say no.

"And why don't I have a girlfriend, then?" he asks, oblivious to how he acts around girls he likes. You smile and meet his eyes before responding.

"Could it be because you stammer and turn as red as a radish around girls you like?" you suggest, trying to suppress your amusement at his glare and pursed lips. His reaction is so comical you almost choke on your drink.

In response to his glare, you blow him a flying kiss and start walking down the hallway to your auditorium, leaving him at the door of his class.

Enjoying the comfort of your solitude, you take a seat in the second row and begin unpacking your supplies for today's lecture. The hassle of moving canvases and palettes daily isn't convenient, but it gives you a sense of uniqueness, like the female lead in a movie. Because, clearly, in the most unexpected situation your destined half will see you struggling and offer to help you, head over heels for you from the moment he saw you.

Well, the reality...

The reality is far from cinematic. More often than not, you find yourself tripping over, splattering paint on your clothes, embracing the daily chaos. The way you'd rather tie your hair in messy buns and ponytails instead of taking the time to tame this mass of accumulated attitude doesn't help either, but you don't mind.

You occasionally feel self-conscious about your appearance, but it's never been a significant concern. You make an effort when necessary, but you are not one of those girls who wake up two hours before class to get their make up done without a flaw and style their hair to perfection. You admire and envy them, but it's not something you could add to your routine even if you tried.

You love sleep too much to sacrifice it for something like that.

"Hey y/n," comes a man's voice, not unfamiliar yet not immediately recognizable. It couldn't be one of your close friends; after all, Namjoon is on the first floor, and Hoseok studies in a completely different department, majoring in confectionery.

His forte might not extend beyond smoothies, but, hey, at least he has progressed to measuring ingredients, a small victory in its own right.

Lifting your gaze, you're greeted by Yoongi's familiar smile.

"Hey Yoongi," you respond, setting your phone aside on the desk. You may be awkward around people, but you've never been rude enough to ignore them. That would be embarrassing, and you'd ruminate on it for days, especially before falling asleep.

"Will you come to the movie tomorrow?" he asks, taking a sip from his extra-large iced americano.

While you wouldn't label your relationship with Yoongi as close, your mutual connection with Namjoon and Hoseok often finds you in the same social circle. Your gatherings, typically involving clubbing or movie nights eating burgers, form the extent of your social life.

This is your only time for socialization, to be honest, and handling seven men is quite draining. You're perfectly fine with just that.

You nod at Yoongi's question before replying, "Yes, Namjoon told me yesterday. At 7, right?"

"Right, and feel free to bring someone along," he suggests, and you just smile because you both know it's never going to happen. Every time someone offers, and every time you only tag along with Namjoon and Hoseok, who are also Yoongi's best friends, essentially nullifying the concept of bringing a friend.

With that, Yoongi walks over to one of his best friends, Taehyung, and sits next to him. Yoongi's not even enrolled here, yet he tags along from time to time and attends lectures. These times seem to be the hardest for Taehyung, between being the most popular here and Yoongi asking him to introduce him to every girl, Taehyung often looks tired and ready to leave and never come back.

Out of all Namjoon's best friends, Taehyung is definitely the most introverted. Yet, it still amazes you how he manages to be so popular without even trying. You've spoken a few times during your get-togethers, but other than that, even in class, you stick to greeting each other.

It is really hard approaching someone when both of you are shy...

Discovering you were in the same department as Taehyung was a surprise, a detail that never surfaced during those laid-back summer days spent together two years ago. The day you found him waiting outside your house with Namjoon, ready to carpool to uni, was quite a shock.

Apparently, drawing is Taehyung's passion, so there was no other option for him than applying to art school.

It was the only time you came to class together. Mainly because your house was nowhere near his, so you felt bad having him drive you around. And partly because every girl saw you coming together and openly asked you to hook them up.

Being single yourself, it would be a shame to meddle in others' love lives too. Playing wingman was never one of your strong suits anyway. Once, you tried to set Namjoon up with one of your project partners, and the girl ended up thinking he was gay.

Namjoon's silent treatment lasted a week following that incident. He had been genuinely interested in the girl, and your misguided matchmaking only compounded his frustrations. Eventually, he moved on after a while and found someone else, thankfully not from your year.

A smile tugs at your lips as these memories flicker through your mind. You open your notebook, getting ready for the lecture as the professor steps in.

➽──────────────❥

"... so let's begin with the outline. You have ten m-"

A sudden alarm slices through your professor's words, halting time itself. You find yourself frozen, a statue amidst chaos, struggling to process the unfolding events. Around you, a spectrum of reactions: some scream in panic, while others, like you, are eerily still, unblinking.

All those years of fire drills, the routine marches out of school buildings, had never prepared you for the real thing. Now, that it's happening in real life, every rule you thought you remembered has suddenly flown away, leaving your mind blank.

You are not an adrenaline seeker in any way, and under stress, it's more likely you'll go numb or start crying than get a grip on the situation.

Like a distant echo, you heard your professor urging everyone to stay calm and exit the building in groups through the back door, which is near the classroom you are in.

If it weren't for the person sitting next to you nudging you worriedly, you would probably have remained seated, not moving an inch. But prompted by their nudge, you hastily grabbed your belongings and started walking toward the corridor.

Walking almost mechanically, clutching your bag to your side, you didn't hear someone shouting in time, "Y/n, watch out."

In a blur, you're pressed against the wall, an arm securely around your waist preventing a near collision. Inches away from a potential injury, saved by swift intervention from someone who reacted quicker than you.

"I'm sorry," you hear him say, and as you look up, you're met with Taehyung's worried gaze. His eyes scan you anxiously for any sign of harm.

"Are you okay?" Taehyung asks, not letting you go. His voice is steadying, yet his proximity is disorienting. The sudden closeness, having him this near, feels overwhelming. Words elude you, leaving your thoughts in disarray, so you simply nod in response to his question.

Even then, he doesn't seem convinced, his hold still firm. In reality, if he let you go, there's a high chance your legs would give out, leaving you on the floor.

"Y/n," he repeats, concern evident in his voice. As your eyes meet his, the realization hits that you haven't yet spoken, unintentionally fueling his worry and giving him every reason to believe you might be hurt.

"I'm fine," you manage to say. The moment your voice breaks the silence, his grip around your waist involuntarily tightens. Unexpectedly, you feel his thumb caressing your cheek, his body moving even closer to you, into a space you thought nonexistent.

He is very close now. Too close.

Holding your breath, you're caught off guard by his soft smile, the warmth spreading to your cheeks. They're probably cherry red by now.

Confused and slightly flustered by his move you ask him, almost in a whisper, "What are you doing?"

He seems to snap out of his own daze, pulling his hand back abruptly. You almost whine at the sudden loss of warmth, surprised by how his touch felt.

"Uh... I'm sorry," Taehyung stammers, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his features. "I just wanted to make sure you are okay," he adds, managing a faint smile.

Unsure how to respond or act, you turn your gaze away, and like a thunderstrike, you realize that you are in fact in the middle of an evacuation. Rather than gazing at Taehyung like the eye candy he is, it would be wiser to make a swift exit.

"I think we should get going," you voice your thoughts, and Taehyung follows your gaze, watching all your colleagues rushing.

"Right," he replies and without warning, he takes your hand again, guiding you through the throng of people. His grip is reassuring, a constant presence amidst the disorder.

Throughout the entire route, he never let go of your hand, squeezing your palm occasionally, especially when the crowd thickened, as if afraid to lose you.

Once you reach a quieter area, the relief is palpable. Close enough to catch any announcements but far from the pandemonium, you both pause to catch your breath.

"Are you alright?" Taehyung asks as he takes the seat next to you.

"Yes," you reply, turning to look at him. His gaze is already on you. "You?"

"Yeah, I'm good," he reassures you, digging through his bag before offering you a water bottle. "Here, you might need this."

The abrupt ring of your phone shatters the calm, displaying Namjoon's name on the screen.

"Where are you?" Namjoon's voice, tense and laced with worry, crackles through the phone. The underlying stress, possibly from fears of a fire in the building, is palpable in his tone.

"I'm by the parking lot, come h-" Before you can finish your sentence, the call goes dead, and a hurried Namjoon is seen running toward you.

He immediately begins a thorough, almost frantic check of your wellbeing, his hands moving over your face, head, and limbs, as if that could tell him if you're okay.

"I'm fine," you assure him, meeting his eyes. He exhales a heavy sigh, visibly trying to compose himself.

"You had me worried," he admits, his hands pausing to massage his temples.

"I can walk, you know," you reply. Thankfully, everyone is fine; there's no point in exaggerating the situation more than necessary.

"Situations like these require quick thinking. I'm sure you're more likely to freeze in place than to walk," Namjoon states, confident in his assumption, and you hate that he's right. That's exactly what you did a few minutes ago.

Next to you, Taehyung's chuckle breaks through, and as you turn to him, his laughter grows, hands raised in a gesture of playful surrender.

"Let's get out of here," Taehyung suggests, rising to his feet. Mimicking his action, you stand, slinging your hands over your shoulder.

With him leading the way, the three of you head toward his car. It's wise to leave now, before the parking lot becomes congested and you're stuck here for another fifteen minutes.

Reaching his Genesis GV80 SUV, you wait for him to unlock it, when Namjoon suddenly grabs your arm to get your attention.

"Y/n?" Namjoon's confusion is evident in his furrowed brow.

"Hm?" you murmur, more a sound than a sentence.

"What's happening?" he asks.

You frown at his question, puzzled. "What do you mean?" you ask.

"You were holding hands with Taehyung." He points out, and you look at him in astonishment.

Your surprise is not at the question itself; after all, you and Namjoon share everything. It's the realization that Taehyung's hand in yours had felt so natural, you hadn't even noticed.

For the second time today...

𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 || 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ↠

OKAY JIMINIE LET'S GO

No Limit || Chapter 01

it all started with a dare; beyond that, there was no limit

↠ 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 - jimin x reader ↠ 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 - best friends to lovers au, fluff, angst, smut, slow burn ↠ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - explicit language, suggestive content ↠ 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - every wednesday

"Please... plea," you gasp, laughter bubbling uncontrollably as you try to shield your sides. "Stop!" It comes out half-laugh, half-whine, but he's relentless.

"Will you do it again?" he asks, a tease in his tone, while you're still caught in a storm of giggles, tears streaming down your cheeks.

"Yes," you admit, truth coloring your words. Because you, in fact, would do it again without a second thought.

"Yes?" he echoes, his fingers now a whirlwind of tickles that send you into another round of hysterical laughter. You wriggle and kick in the air, trying to escape, but you don't succeed. He has you trapped between his bed and body, with barely any space for you to move.

You've always known the consequences, but making memes out of Jimin's post-sleeping face has been your favorite hobby for a ridiculously long time now. It is worth the risk. Every. Time.

He attacks again, and you're sure all of his neighbors can hear you, probably on the verge of calling the police on you for being this loud this late.

It's well past 3 AM, and you're here for the night. Jimin had dozed off earlier, and when he was least expecting it, you captured that perfect, goofy post-nap face from your spot in the kitchen.

Jimin was never supposed to see it. Proud of your editing skills, you sent it to Jin, and that snitch sent it to the group chat, with a following text, of course...

𝐘/𝐧'𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧🥵

𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠...

The moment he sent that message, Jimin sprang up from his couch so fast, you barely had time to think about hiding or even getting out of his apartment.

You tried running around his house to escape, but he caught up with you pretty quickly. It was way easier for him to move around, while you kept getting lost and bumping into things. Even with your glasses, you couldn't tell a door from a wall, so you'd either try opening a wall or lean on a door, ending up on Jimin's floor.

When you sneaked into his bedroom, thinking he wouldn't find you there, he was already waiting. It seemed like getting caught was just meant to be.

He began a war of tickling, with you the constant loser, as usual.

"Are you sorry?" he asks, trying to sound serious but you can barely answer between your laughs and attempts to catch your breath. You just managed to scream out a plea.

"Please," you say again, but he is having none of it.

"Chimchim..." you try one last time, hoping his nickname will soften him, break him even.

He pauses for a moment, his hands still on your hips, but you know he isn't done yet.

"Don't play dirty," he warns, and you feel another round of tickles coming. Quickly, you try to wiggle your feet, looking for some space to escape.

"Wait," you blurt out, desperate for a way out of this tickle attack.

"What?" he asks, curious about what you might say next.

"Let's talk," you suggest, your voice steady but your heart racing. Jimin arches an eyebrow, suspicion etched across his face. He's on to you; he always has been. It's like he has a sixth sense when it comes to you, perhaps from knowing you since you were kids or just understanding you more deeply than anyone else.

Because Jimin sees you... for you.

"Y/n... if you even think about leaving—" he starts, but you interrupt him, sitting up on his bed, trying to steady your breathing.

"I'm sorry," you say, and the sincerity in your voice surprises even you. You reach for a half-empty glass of water on his nightstand, taking a sip to calm your nerves.

"Are you, though?" Jimin's skepticism is clear. He crosses his arms and sits across from you, his gaze piercing as if trying to read your mind.

"I am," you respond quickly, meeting his gaze.

You were never meant to see it anyway, you mutter to yourself under your breath, but, of course, he doesn't miss a thing.

"Y/n!" he warns, and you instinctively shift, raising your hands defensively, half-joking, half-serious.

"Back off," you challenge, and Jimin squints, a mock-serious warning in his eyes.

"You are seriously something else," he sighs.

"Well, try staying awake next time!" you shoot back. "What did you expect me to do?"

"Not take my pictures?" he counters, his tone filled with mock disbelief.

"Not happening," you reply with a grin, noticing the resignation in his eyes.

"Go to sleep, y/n," he says, changing the subject. Despite his feigned annoyance, there's a hint of a smile on his lips. You chuckle, ignoring his warning look and flash him your brightest smile.

Growing up, you slept countless times on the same bed. But things slightly changed when he moved for studies. With him getting his own apartment during that time, and you beginning to notice how his figure changed with every year, you started opting for the couch. It was an unspoken agreement, a boundary to keep your friendship as it is. Just a friendship.

With your teen hormones raging at 18 and him leading a very intense life during his university years at 23, it was better to maintain this distance. For the past six years, it has worked just fine, him and now, you, with your own apartment as well, go back and forth, sleeping on each other's sofa.

Being family friends complicates everything. If something more than friendship ever sparked between you and Jimin and then fizzled out, things could get very messy. Christmas dinners, vacations, those shared moments in the apartment with both your families – it would just be too weird. And deep down, you both know it.

Your parents have been friends for ages. So close, in fact, that they bought a shared mansion on Jeju Island a few years ago. A getaway spot for both families to unwind.

The thought of going there after something like... kissing Jimin? Ew.

That idea alone makes you cringe. How could you face him or his parents after that?

"What are you thinking?" Jimin's voice cuts through your thoughts, pulling you back to reality.

"Hm?" You blink, refocusing on him. "Nothing," you reply, a bit too quickly. You've never broached this topic with Jimin, but you're pretty sure he feels the same way.

Sure, he's handsome. You're not blind.

And when he started working out, getting more toned each time you saw him, it was hard not to notice. Especially when you saw him shirtless that one time. That's when you knew the couch was the safer option. It wasn't worth the risk, not when you were so young and unsure.

Luckily, finding a boyfriend at that time helped bury any curious thoughts you might have had about Jimin.

Also, not seeing him shirtless again played its part too.

"You seem... terrified?" Jimin notes, an eyebrow raised in question.

"What? No, I'm fine," you say, brushing off his observation. You're not ready to dive into that conversation.

"Alright..." he replies, sounding somewhat unconvinced but doesn't press on.

"Goodnight," you say, hopping out of bed. As usual, you leave a quick kiss on his cheek and head to the living room.

Settling onto the sofa, you pull the blanket over yourself, a strange feeling washing over you. For the first time, that simple kiss on Jimin's cheek made you feel shy, an unfamiliar sensation that you decide to ignore for now...

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

"I'm telling you, he got lip fillers!" you insist with a mix of amusement and conviction, grabbing a bowl of chips and placing it on your lap, claiming it as your own.

"I KNOW RIGHT? I've been saying the same thing to Hobi, but he just won't believe me," Namjoon chimes in, his eyes twinkling with the familiar gleam of someone who loves a good piece of gossip.

Chatting with Namjoon and Jin about such trivial matters always feels liberating. Unlike the stiff and politically correct attitudes you often find yourself in, with them you can let your guard down and just be yourself.

With people you don't know, you tend to be less talkative. Always expressing your opinion and beliefs, but in a more... polished version.

"What are you two talking about?" Yoongi interrupts, settling next to Namjoon with a beer in hand. You and Namjoon exchange a knowing look. "Nothing, hyung," Namjoon quickly deflects, and you nod in agreement. It's not that you're keeping secrets from Yoongi, but he has a way of making you feel guilty about indulging in harmless gossip.

Yoongi is the kind of person everyone trusts implicitly. He's the vault of secrets, impervious to any form of persuasion to spill them. You and Namjoon often joke that he must hold the most tantalizing tales, yet his lips are forever sealed.

Realizing the topic isn't his favorite, Yoongi shakes his head. "I don't wanna know," he dismisses, taking a sip of his beer.

Suddenly, Namjoon declares, "I'm hungry," giving you a pointed look that clearly says you're his go-to solution. When you don't immediately respond, he gives you a dramatic once-over, his expression exaggeratedly judgmental.

"What?" you ask, playing dumb.

"I said I'm hungry," he repeats, the hint unmistakable this time.

"Okay," you draw out, not budging from your comfortable spot.

"Please make me a sandwich," Namjoon pleads.

"Joon!" you protest, but it's half-hearted. Despite yourself, you can't help but give in to his puppy-dog eyes. Sighing, you get up, leaving your prized chips behind.

So what if you are at his house? It's possible you've been in his kitchen more than him. The fact that he lives across from you doesn't help either. Because there are evenings when he just rings your bell and comes back to his place just so you can follow him and cook to eat together.

Well, it's either that, or he'll starve. The man can't even boil noodles.

"Where are you going?" Jimin's voice comes from behind, startling you. You hadn't noticed him following.

"God, Chimchim, ever heard of walking quietly?" you half-scold, half-laugh, and he chuckles, an infectious sound that eases your surprise.

"Sorry," he grins, still chuckling, as you try to calm your racing heart.

"Kitchen," you respond to his earlier question, walking down the corridor with a purpose.

"What are you making?" Jimin inquires, falling into step beside you.

"A sandwich..." you answer, a hint of hesitation in your voice, already guessing his next move.

"You mean two, right?" His grin widens, eyes crinkling in that familiar way that always makes you soften.

"One. For Joon," you clarify, trying to sound firm.

He gives you the 'pretty please' look, and you pause, knowing resistance is futile. "Fine," you concede, and he claps his hands in victory.

As you head to the kitchen, Jimin plants a quick kiss on your cheek and turns back to the living room, leaving you calling out a sarcastic 'You're welcome!' down the hallway.

Moments later, returning with the sandwiches, you offer one plate to Namjoon, who looks at you with puppy eyes. It's his way of expressing gratitude. He was never good with words anyway. Your seat is now taken by a new face, a woman you see for the first time.

Shrugging it off, you sit next to Jimin, handing him his plate. The room has filled up in your brief absence – Namjoon's friends and colleagues mingling around. You decide not to bother with names; there are too many faces to remember anyway.

Leaning towards Jimin, you whisper, "What did I miss?"

"Truth or dare. We're all about mature games here as you can see," he replies nonchalantly, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

You roll your eyes. "Seriously? What are we, in high school?" Your voice is low, tinged with amusement. You rest your head on his shoulder, the only support available on the crowded couch.

Jimin casually drapes an arm around your waist, continuing to eat with his free hand. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice a girl with blonde hair glancing at you both, a questioning look on her face.

"Are they together?" she whispers to a man next to her, not realizing you can hear.

You sigh internally. It's the same old story – a guy and a girl can't just be friends, can they? In your head, you scoff at the notion.

If Jimin was your boyfriend, why would you sit next to him?

You have his lap to do so.

You roll your eyes and subtly shift away from Jimin's embrace, giving a slight cough to catch the attention of the curious woman. Jimin turns towards you, his eyes filled with a silent question about your sudden movement. You offer him a reassuring smile, straightening up to clear any lingering doubts about your relationship. It's exhausting, constantly having to clarify that you're just friends, and no, you're not hooking up from time to time, nor have you thought of each other sexually.

"Y/n?" a man calls out from across the room. You don't recognize him, but his face rings a bell from a past gathering.

"Yes?" you respond, turning towards him.

"Truth or dare?" he asks, a tipsy grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, I'm not playing," you reply firmly, surprised as a wave of murmurs sweeps through the room.

"What?" Your confusion is evident as you scan the room, taken aback by their collective reaction.

"Everyone's playing," someone chimes in, encouraging you to join.

"Nah, I'll pass. Ask someone else," you say, hoping to divert the attention away.

"She doesn't seem like much fun anyway," the blonde beside you mutters under her breath, attempting to start a confrontation that wasn't even there.

"Excuse me?" Your tone sharpens as you turn to face her fully, ready to confront her comment.

"Nothing," she dismisses with a giggle, as if she's made her point.

Feeling your irritation rise, Jimin's hand finds your thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze, a silent message to stay calm.

Ignoring both the blonde's provocation and Jimin's comforting gesture, you fix your gaze on the man who first called out to you.

"Dare," you declare confidently, a sense of defiance in your voice as you wait for his challenge.

Before he can respond, the man next to the blonde speaks up. "I've got one for her," he says, seizing the opportunity.

You nod, indifferent to who poses the dare.

"Kiss Jimin," he announces, and the room, previously buzzing with murmurs, falls silent.

Feeling Jimin's hand drop away from your thigh, you're left frozen, your eyes locked on the empty spot where his hand was.

𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 || 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ↠

Hiii how are you?? I hope you're well...were you on spring break?

I was! I had fun. The weather was nice except on Thursday 😭 but it's all good now! I feel so much better taking a break from writing too. I feel refreshed!

hii!! so so sorry for seeing this just now i didn't get the notification 😭😭 i'm okay! how are you? sadly i don't have spring breaks 🥲 didn't even have a winter break because of exams.

i'm so happy to hear that you're doing good!! the weather is really getting nice now, im so glad it's getting warmer. love the winter but i don't like the cold 🥶

please remember to drink enough water and eat in time 😊 take short breaks from time to time when it feels like it's getting overwhelming, you're your own first priority

Rumor Has It | pjm - Chapter 6

💬 Pairing: Jimin x OC (Reader)

💬 Genre/Tags: enemies(?) to lovers, fake-dating au; angst, fluff, smut

💬 Chapter warnings: sex-talk but nothing too spicy, foul language, mentions of divorce, mentions of incompetent father figure (not important for the story or heavy in general but just so you know)

💬 Word count: 7.5k

💬 Recap:

Rumor has it, Park Jimin is single again after his latest girlfriend cheated on him with his best friend.

Rumor has it, he's willing to get back at them.

Rumor has it, you're the perfect means to an end.

A/N please consider reblogging and commenting if you enjoyed 💚

Previous Chapter - Index - Next Chapter

Chapter 6: Not that different.

It's been several weeks since you met Jimin's parents, and neither you nor he talked about what happened at the bonfire after the two of you were left alone. You prefer it that way, and you don't see any benefit to it anyway, since it will never happen again - that much is clear. 

It was a drunken mistake from both of your ends. A mishap resulting from the fact that both of you were under pressure all day and let loose in the evening. A bit too loose, yes - and yet, it doesn't have to mean anything. 

Talking about it would only give it more meaning than it has. Nothing has changed. You still have a goal to achieve and you haven’t changed your opinion on Jimin either. He’s still the annoying prick that gives you a headache on a daily and nothing will change that.

Yes, casual sex wouldn’t necessarily mean that would have to change - you’re perfectly aware of that yourself. Many people have a non-strings-attached relationship with a person they don’t necessarily like outside the bedroom, and there is nothing wrong with that, of course. However, you cannot help but think about the talk you had with Jungkook a while ago. The one where he specifically told you to be aware and not get in too deep, and you feel like sleeping with Jimin would definitely count as getting in too deep - no pun intended. 

And why the hell does it feel like you're trying to convince yourself? All of this should go without question. You seriously feel like the biggest idiot for even considering this could ever be a possibility. Ew. 

Sure, it’s been such a long time since you had the company of other people, especially guys, but that's no excuse to have these thoughts about Jimin.

He’s handsome, and he kisses well. You’re too damn sexually frustrated to resist this temptation when you’re not master of your senses which means, you will have to stay sober from now on. 

No more alcohol in the presence of Park Jimin. That sounds doable. You can surely manage. You just hope it is also in his interest not to complicate your agreement and keep it as non-physical as possible.

“You’re unusually quiet today, is something wrong?” 

Your silent stare into space is interrupted by Jimin's voice, and you have to blink a few times until your eyes manage to focus on him. 

“Do you sometimes miss having sex?” you blurt out, immediately taking him off guard with it. It surprises you as well, but you blame it on the fact that he interrupted your intense flow of thoughts so abruptly.

You watch as his eyes widen for just a split second before they’re back to normal, weirdly mustering you while a grin slowly forms on his lips. 

“If there is one thing I'll never get used to, it's your loose mouth and your ability to say the most random shit at the most unfitting times,” he chuckles scratching the nape of his neck. If you didn't know any better, you'd almost say your question made him shy. “Uhm, may I know why you are suddenly asking me this?”

Pretty unbothered, you shrug your shoulders while picking a grape out of his fruit salad, gradually ignoring the glare he sends you right after since you now know he doesn’t actually mind you stealing them. 

“I’m just wondering. Hookups aren’t an option for you these days without revealing our secret, so… I figured you must be sexually frustrated at times, no?”

He devolves into a burst of throaty laughter, pushing the bowl with the fruit salad a little closer to you so you don't have to reach so far while keeping his eyes locked with yours. “I’m aright. I am not a caveman, nor am I a teenager, so I do have some self-control, you know?” He explains, leaning his face a bit closer before whispering, “and I still have a well-functioning hand.”

You automatically lean back into your seat with your face showing nothing but pure revulsion. “Disgusting, Park.”

“Hey, you were the one interested in my sex life,” he chuckles, holding his hands up in feigned surrender. 

“I just wanted to know if you sometimes feel frustrated. Not how you take care of it,” you declare, rolling your eyes while you try to hide a grin of your own.

“Same difference,” he shrugs, offering you a wink. “But going back to my original question - Why?” Resting his arms on his elbows, he rests his head on his clenched fist and smiles at you as if waiting for a bedtime story. 

The reason why you have avoided this question until now should be obvious, but you should have expected it. And it's not uncomfortable for you either - quite the opposite actually, since you’re only human, and stuff like that is nothing out of the ordinary. You just don't know exactly how to explain your curiosity to Jimin without giving him the wrong idea.

Munching on a couple more grapes, you muster him while pursing your lips. “I just had a guess,” you shrug, seeing Jimin furrow his eyebrows at you immediately as if offended, and you laugh. “I know what sexual frustration looks like, Park. I built this city. And I’ve been living here for a while now.” 

A deep laugh escapes Jimin’s lips while he shakes his head, but he halts for a quick moment as if to think about his next words before he clears his throat, making it clear that he’s gonna say it anyway.

“Wanna know what I like about you?” he asks in a serious tone, looking like he’s not only surprising you, but him as well with his bold words. 

You take a moment before you nod your head in an unsure manner. “Depends. Am I going to regret it?” 

“No, I’m being genuine, I promise,” he says, sending a small but honest smile your way as you nod again, silently telling him to continue. 

“You’re not afraid or embarrassed to be honest with me. That’s pretty cool,” he admits, becoming sheepish right after while he clears his throat. 

To be completely honest, you didn’t expect that but smile, shrugging your shoulders a little to shake the awkwardness off. “I mean, yea. I don’t know why it never feels awkward with you,” you agree, chuckling quietly. 

“Must be because I’m so amazing,” he winks, biting his lip. A couple weeks ago you would have gagged at this scene, but you know he doesn't really mean it.

“Or maybe I just don’t care what you think of me,” you return the wink, and grin brightly, feeling that you got the upper hand again.

He scoffs, shaking his head with a grin of his own. “So predictable.”

“Mhm… and does that tell you more about you or me?” You fire back, biting your lip to suppress your own smile. 

Jimin smiles at you for a while and you do the same. And it's just about to get awkward again when he shakes his head as if to try and remember what this conversation was actually about before you drifted off to… whatever this was. 

“So what exactly is the point of this conversation, ___? Would you like to offer me something?” He gradually bites his lip while grinning and wiggles his eyebrows, thinking exactly about what you did not want him to think, but it’s not a surprise. He's still Jimin.

“Not at all. As I said, I was just wondering,” you say, breaking eye contact with him and shaking your head slightly.

“Are you sure? I like to help where I can,” he smirks, seeing you scoff at his lame attempt at flirting.

“I’m not that desperate yet,” you chuckle, shaking your head immediately. 

“Funny you say that now because I have a feeling that’s not always true,” he mutters, while he lowers his gaze and concentrates on eating again. It seems like you shouldn't have heard that, and you almost wouldn't have if you weren't still waiting for an answer anyway. 

Whether there is a hidden meaning behind his words or not, you don’t find out because he soon after changes the topic when he starts asking you about an assignment he didn’t understand. 

Jimin left just a few minutes ago because he had to go to the bathroom but your concentration, which you actually wanted to direct to your paper, is already interrupted when you suddenly feel the presence of a person next to you.

“Back so soon? Don’t tell me you missed me already,” you grin as you finish the sentence you were already typing out. 

Your words get stuck in your throat, however, as you look up, and it's not Jimin who is looking down at you. Instead, it's Yeji, as in Jimin’s ex-girlfriend, who never even acknowledged your existence before this whole fiasco. 

But now she’s here, and she obviously wants something from you, considering there isn’t really anyone else close enough to be her person of interest right now. 

“Uhm, can I help you?” you look at her, unsure of what’s about to come. Seeing how you never exchanged a word with Lee Yeji before you have no idea what she could want from you. Well, you actually do have an idea because if there is anything connecting the two of you it has to be Jimin, no?

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to cause any trouble,” she quickly says probably sensing you’re in defense mode just from seeing her about to talk to you. “I just have one question for you.”

Furrowing your brows, you make a motion for her to continue, not expecting much in the first place but still interested enough to not just walk off. You don't offer her a seat, though. We do not wanna rush into anything now, do we?

“I know the opinions of the people here are very different, but I just can’t form one for myself. Are you really dating Jimin?”

You raise your brows, closing your laptop while you try to understand what's going on. She did not actually take it upon herself to come to you and ask you that question after everything that happened, did she?

 “You know what’s funny?” you ask her, looking her straight in the eyes. “You guys have no problem spreading and believing the most absurd lies about me. But the moment I actually am involved with someone, you refuse to believe it? Make it make sense, please,” you scoff, already grabbing your laptop and standing up from your seating position. 

“It wasn’t me who said you were the one in the picture,” she says, eyes firmly kept on yours. “Taehyung said that, not me.” She rushes the words as if to try and keep you longer. For what reason? You have no idea. Probably to get some well-needed information.

“Oh? So what did you do to try and tell everyone the truth?” You ask, raising a brow even though you already know the answer. 

It's almost comical how quickly she throws her lover under the bus just to appease you and get some information. But what can you expect from people like them?

Yeji doesn’t say anything to that, and for the first time, her gaze leaves yours, even if it’s just for a split second until her eyes are back on yours. 

“Well, if it really is true, then just look out for yourself. I’m not saying he has an ulterior motive, but… he moved on pretty fast.” She has the guts to almost look offended when she says that. As if him moving on is what went wrong between them. 

“Thank you for trying to look out for me, but I’ll be fine,” you sarcastically say although you feel as if it didn’t quite reach her as such. 

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m not trying to be a bitch, ___. I’m here because I felt sorry about what happened and wanted to make sure there’s no bad blood between us. I’m not a bad person. I’m really not. I’m sure there are lots of people who wouldn’t agree with me and you’re probably one of them, but just know that I do feel bad about what went down. I would have liked things to happen differently, but… honestly, I can’t change the past. I just hope we can move on from this someday.” 

You glance up at Yeji with your mouth agape, trying to suppress a genuine laugh. That must have been the most half-hearted apology you've ever received, and the bored look on her face almost does the rest.

Fortunately for her, you learned a long time ago to see the humor in almost everything, so you don't even hold it against her. Rolling your lips inwardly, you nod your head, making her sigh out in what you interpret as relief. 

It's not like you're going to forgive her for what she did, nor will you forget about it. But you don’t see the sense in starting an argument either, and if you’re honest, all you want is for this awkward encounter to end as soon as possible. 

To your luck, Yeji leaves soon after, obviously not very keen on talking to you either. And to your amusement, she’s quickly replaced by Jimin, who suddenly pops up next to you, panting heavily as he looks in the direction Yeji just left in. 

“Wow, did you run here?”

“What did she want?” He asks, deciding to ignore your question while still glaring at the table where his ex-girlfriend went to. 

“Who, Yeji? I’m not too sure. It was an experience I could have gladly missed out on,” you shrug, not really wanting to go into detail since you have no idea what that was either. “But you can relax, she was asking about us, so maybe your plan is finally bearing fruit, and she’s starting to get jealous.” 

Jimin groans quietly, rolling his eyes before looking at you. “How many more times, ___. I’m not trying to win her back.” 

You’re just about to argue, when your phone starts beeping, signaling you got a new message. Briefly distracted from the actual topic, you take a look at who messaged you and curse under your breath as you hurriedly pack your things together. 

Jimin, who was originally just waiting for you to give him attention again, quickly starts to help you put your things in your bag, sensing that whoever just texted you must be more important to you now. 

“What’s up?”

“Ugh, it’s my mom. I completely forgot she was coming over today,” you hurriedly answer with a deep scowl while not even looking at him as you walk away with fast steps, knowing he’ll follow you anyway. 

“Are you not happy to see her?” 

“I am. It’s just that every time she comes over, she’s asking to meet ‘my friends’ and it usually ends with me making up some big ass lie that makes me feel awful as soon as she’s on her way back home.”

“So she doesn’t know about… you know?”

“My situation?” you ask, briefly looking at him before you turn your gaze forward again in fear you might run into something or someone. “Of course not. And I’m not planning on ever letting her know. She has enough on her plate. I don’t need her to worry about me. I’m an adult, after all. I’ll be alright.”

Jimin only nods, completely understanding your decision not to confide in her, even if it makes him uneasy to know that you probably never had anyone to confide in and talk to about your problems. He remembers too well how uncomfortable it was to tell his family about Yeji and Taehyung, especially when he saw how much it upset them out of concern for him, but it still helped him a lot to talk about it. Knowing that you didn't and couldn't do that for years really makes his insides churn for some reason. 

You should not have to go through something like this. Especially not alone.

“So, what are your plans for today then?” He would like to disagree and tell you that your mother would understand, but Jimin knows you well enough to know when to keep his mouth shut. Not to forget that it is none of his business anyway.

“I’ll just take her to the café near my apartment. We usually go there when she comes to visit me,” you explain, finally letting a small smile appear on your lips. “And then, I’ll just hope she doesn’t try to dig too deep today and accepts my lame excuse about my friends being busy one more time.”

An idea of how he can help you suddenly comes to Jimin's mind, but he decides to not let you in on it for now. Instead, he only accompanies you to your apartment door as usual and immediately disappears on your demand. 

And while you try to fix up your apartment as best you can until your mother finally arrives, Jimin is on his way to save your day.

You must look like an idiot. 

You really must look like an idiot right now with your mouth hanging wide open, your mother happily chattering about whatever the hell you were talking about before you caught sight of a familiar blond mop of hair, neatly gelled back.

Not that you did it on purpose, but the moment you thought you saw Jimin outside the window of the café where you're currently sitting with your mother, you completely blanked her out.

But despite the rain, there are so many people out and about today that the blond mop, which seemed to be familiar, has disappeared somewhere in the mass of people and can no longer be located by you.

With a frown, you shake your head in an attempt to direct your thoughts back to what is actually important. Jimin would tease you for weeks if he knew he had taken over your thoughts enough that you would confuse him with some rando on the streets. Without a doubt, making it sound like you cannot stop thinking about him or some shit like that.

As if. 

“—Lately we have hardly been in touch. I've almost forgotten what you look like, honey.” The condemning, yet partly joking tone in your mother's voice draws your attention back to her for a brief moment as you sigh. 

“I told you, mom. There’s just a lot going on these days. I hardly find the time to do anything.” 

“It’s fine,” she says, sending you a warm smile. “I just worry about you. Please don’t overwork yourself too much. You are too old now for me to remind you to eat regularly and healthily.”

Apathetic, you poke around in your cheesecake while you hum a response. “Been doing stuff with friends for the most part. We’re going out to eat a lot, don’t worry.” 

Technically that’s not a lie. Since you've been spending time with Jimin, you have been eating healthier and more balanced meals than ever before. And you would say that's probably one of the reasons you've kept up this charade for so long. 

The instant noodle days are not yet missed by you. 

And even if you don't like to admit it, lunch with Jimin and Hyunjin often involves a lot of laughter and fun. Sometimes there are a few other friends of Jimin's, often it's just the three of you, and lately, Jimin and you have managed to persuade even Nayeon to join your little group. 

In those moments it sometimes even feels like you really belong, and it almost makes you dread the doom day when your fake relationship with Jimin is over, and you're going to be back to being alone. 

Being alone never was that big of a deal for you. Yeah, it did get lonely at times, but with time you got used to it. Getting used to the company of others again, however, went a lot faster. It certainly won't be easy to master the art of being on your own again after all this time.

She literally beams all over her face at your words and it makes the guilt almost unbearable. “I’m glad to hear that! It’s such a shame your friends couldn’t make it.”

You swallow thickly, lowering your gaze back onto your half-eaten cheesecake. Your appetite is completely gone now. Literally, all this woman wants is for you to be happy and live a normal life, and you can’t even do that? A woman in her twenties, making up friends to tell her mother about. How fucking pathetic. 

“Nevertheless, I would be very happy if you would call or send a message at least once in a while. Let's say once a week, so I know that you are still alive,” your mom grins, making a smile crack on your lips as well. 

“Mom, please. It’s not like I never—”

“I’m afraid that might be my fault.” A voice suddenly cuts through yours, making your words stuck in your throat. Turning your head, you see Jimin standing in front of your table, kindly smiling down at your mother. “I just take up all of her time these days,” he chuckles, smiling brightly as his gaze drifts from your mother to you. “I tried to come as soon as possible. I’m really sorry I couldn’t make it sooner.”

You feel yourself shrink in your seat as you sense your mother’s eyes burn through your skull, but you’re unable to take your eyes off of him. You’re too stunned to say or do anything at the moment. What is he doing?!

He cleans up nicely, looking as smug and expensive as always, even if he undoubtedly walked through the rain to get here. In his left hand, he’s holding a big, bright-colored bouquet while his right hand is already shaking your mother’s. 

You see how their mouths move, and they talk to each other. Your mother laughs, Jimin grins, he hands her the flowers, she gestures with her arm while saying something to him, and the next moment you see him sit down next to you. You see all of this happening but don't really hear a word they're saying. 

You are much too busy to realize that this is really happening. Jimin is really here. 

His gaze travels over you in a way that makes you gulp and causes you to shiver involuntarily so you take a deep breath, finally getting out of your trance as you sense they’re both waiting for you to say something. 

No doubt you immediately recognize this excited glimmer in your mom's eyes and watch as she expectingly raises her eyebrows, wordlessly telling you to introduce him too. 

You clear your throat and slide a few centimeters further to the window to try and put some distance between you and Jimin because as usual he doesn't understand the concept of personal space.

Honestly, he might as well have sat on your lap…

“Uhm Mom, this is Jimin. My friend—”

“Boyfriend.” 

In a fraction of a second, you turn your head to him, not believing what he just said. He doesn’t react, doesn’t even look at you. Instead, he puts his arm around your shoulders and pushes you closer against him while rubbing your arm.

You clench your fists under the table, hoping that your mother doesn’t notice, and suck your bottom lip into your mouth before you turn your gaze to at her again to see her reaction.

It is no surprise that she almost bursts with joy from the unexpected news seeing how she inconspicuously has been trying to find out something about your love life for ages — without any success, of course. So it was probably to be expected that she would react like this.

“A boyfriend, ___? Why didn't I know about this?” 

She doesn’t sound disappointed in the slightest. If anything, she uses more of a teasing tone with you, making it even more awkward. 

“This has not been going on for long, mom. I just didn't get to tell you about it yet,” you lie, once again poking around in your cheesecake. “It’s not like it’s that important.”

Your mom gasps, frowning at you with a displeased, judgmental look in her eyes, and you know if you were alone with her right now, you would meet the slipper. “You little— How can you say that. Of course your boyfriend is important!”

You can hear Jimin snicker beside you, and you would love to shut him up, but you don't want to make it even worse with your mother.

The two of them happily engage in a conversation, completely ignoring your presence while your mother asks him question after question, wanting to know everything about him and seemingly being more than smitten with him already.

It’s understandable, really. You can’t blame her. Jimin really is charismatic. He answers every question with ease, not once stuttering or stumbling over his words like you found yourself doing while conversing with his family. 

He is friendly, polite, extremely handsome, and well-spoken, and it worries you how comfortable and familiar your mother already seems with him. The little shit even brought her flowers! 

This is exactly what you feared and what was the reason that you didn’t want her to find out about this. You know your mother and you know that she will not let this go which only means you have to lie to her again and again.

As if your conscience was not already burdened enough.

The moment your mother excuses herself and leaves to use the restroom, you finally crumble, ready to yell at him but before you can muster a word, he beats you to it.  

“This is going pretty well, don’t you think?” With a bright, content grin on his face, he leans back in his seat. 

The moment he lifts his arm and wraps it around your shoulders again, you snap. Grabbing his arm, you immediately push him off with force before you bark at him. 

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!”

Jimin is visibly surprised by your sudden outburst, and he takes a couple of moments before he clears his throat and runs his fingers through his hair, a slight frown now visible between his eyes. 

“I’m… having a nice little chat with your mother,” he states in a calm voice, obviously not seeing anything wrong with what he’s doing. “She’s nice. I think she likes me too,” he adds, raising his brows in question when your only response is a loud, annoyed groan before you lean your elbows on the table and slap your hands over your face.

“No no no no no…” you silently chant to yourself, your voice coming out muffled. “This is bad. This is so bad.”

“What is?“ Jimin asks, sounding unbothered as if to silently tell you that you're overreacting. 

You face him again, and for a split moment, you seriously consider smacking the back of his head. “My mom likes you, Jimin! She really likes you,” you sigh. 

“So?” He scoffs. “Of course she does. I’m amazing. I thought you’d be happy about that. I mean… isn’t that what normal people want? For their parents to like their boyfriend?”

“But that’s the thing, Jimin!” you groan, gaping at him with your eyes opened wide. “You are not my boyfriend. And when we ‘break up‘, she’ll be sad about that now,” you explain, annoyed that you even have to do that. “Even worse, she'll want me to pour my heart out to her or something!”

Jimin stays silent, pressing his lips together while he draws his eyebrows together in a slight frown. “Why do you always have to do that?”

“Do what?” 

“Worry about things, that haven’t even happened yet. You always do that. Why can’t you just enjoy things as they are from time to time?”

“What do you even mean? There isn’t anything to enjoy. This is an act, you remember? And it will end soon, and then—”

“See? You’re doing it again. You’re so uptight. Just let loose for once and live a little.”

“Excuse me?” you scoff, feeling offended.

“What? It’s true. I can offer you a jacket when you forgot yours and you’d be like ‘don’t do that Jimin, we aren’t actually dating’, or I could pay for food when we’re alone and you’d say ‘stop it Jimin, you’re not actually my boyfriend’, and now I can’t even be liked by your mom without you complaining about her being sad when we eventually break up. It’s annoying. Your mantra is making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“Well, what else do you want me to say? I’m just trying to do the job and stay focused. Stay rational. As we both agreed from the start. I didn’t want my mom to find out about us. That was not part of the deal. Not to forget that it was not necessary for her to ever find out about this in the first place!” Even though you are already boiling with rage, you try to be as discreet as possible and not raise your voice. But it’s hard. It’s so hard right now. 

“I even told you that I did not want my mother to know about it. Several times,” you hiss, shaking your head in disbelief. 

“I know,” he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But I just wanted to help. You were complaining about her asking about your friends and stuff earlier, and I thought—”

“You thought just showing up here and pretending to be my boyfriend would magically make it better?” You scoff. “All you have achieved is that you have only made things worse. For you it seems to be the easiest thing in the world to lie to your family, you don't even bat an eye when you do it, but I'm not like that. This fucking sucks, Jimin.”

You cross your arms in front of your chest and stubbornly look out the window without exchanging another word with him. 

It may be childish behavior, but you don't feel like talking to him anymore. Fortunately, he seems to feel the same way, because he also doesn't say a word to you. And so it comes that you both keep silent until your mother comes back from the restroom and directly joyfully continues her previous conversation with Jimin in which he immediately engages without letting on anything.  

And even if your mother doesn’t seem to notice anything, you sure do. Because it is obvious that your words have not left him untouched. 

Hours passed, your Mom has left, and you’re seriously happy you somehow survived the day without any major problems occurring. She bought your little lie and was more than happy to spend the day with not just you, but Jimin as well and it’s eating at you.

It makes you shoot daggers from your eyes into the bathroom door behind which Jimin is just now, a shallow beam of light shooting out from under the door, the only recognizable sign that there is anyone else in the apartment besides you.

To be honest, you’re quite surprised he’s still here. Your mother left fairly late, seeing how she was too engrossed in getting to know your boyfriend and swooning over him. You internally cringe just thinking about it. 

It’s going to be so embarrassing having to explain to her why she won’t ever meet him again. Even if you were able to push it to the back of your mind for the past couple of hours for your Mom's sake, you’re still mad at Jimin for pulling that stunt out of the blue earlier. 

This boy just never stops complicating things for you, and you don’t get why he does the things that he does. 

“So, it’s just you and your mom?” Jimin asks, which is the first thing he does as soon as he comes out of the bathroom and joins you in the kitchen.

You nod, not turning your attention from washing the dishes. Jimin wordlessly grabs a towel to dry up and help you finish sooner. 

“My parents divorced when I was still very young. Haven’t really seen my Dad ever since, but we were never that close anyway, so it’s whatever. I always had a much stronger bond with my mother.”

Jimin hums, thinking for a moment before he speaks again. “Do you miss him sometimes?”

You shrug, taking a brief moment to answer, and Jimin studies the way your brows draw together while you seem deep in thought. He’s afraid he asked too much, scared of being too nosey, but to his relief, you shake your head soon after with your lips forming a small pout. 

“Can’t say that I do,” you say, once again looking at him for just a blink of an eye before turning back to work. “As I said, we were never that close. I barely have any memories of him doing... well, anything with me really. It was always my mom who did the most work which is also why they ended up getting a divorce. He was never much of a father figure anyway.”

“Sounds like you aren’t upset about it,” he wonders, a little surprised by your nonchalant tone. 

You laugh shortly, but to Jimin, it seems genuine, which confuses him even more. Shouldn’t you be hurt or angry? Last time he checked, most people didn’t like their fathers leaving them without a trace. 

“What do you want me to do? Cry about it? Should I curse and insult him?” You joke.

“No, but… don’t you care?”

“I was nine when they split, Jimin,” you explain in a calm, very collected voice with a face showing no trace of any foul emotion. “I had plenty of time to be angry about it when I was younger, but now? I think I can understand him. He wasn’t happy with his life, so he left. Stuff like that happens all the time, and there’s nothing we can do about it. My mom and I managed just fine on our own. Trust me, It’s easier to live your life without someone who doesn’t really want to be in it in the first place. I barely ever saw him after he left, but he made sure to support us financially and he still sends me a card every year on my birthday. Was he a good dad? Hell no, but he did what he could, I guess. Not everyone’s cut out to be a parent.”

Jimin doesn’t say anything after that for a long time. It makes you wonder if you said something wrong.

You didn’t. Jimin just doesn’t really know what to say. You clearly have made your peace with the situation so there isn’t really anything for him to say against it. 

“I guess it probably drew you and your mom even closer,” he suddenly speaks up again. “It’s obvious you guys share a tight bond.”

“We do, and I’m very happy it’s like that,” you smile, not really looking at him as you put away the cups and plates, Jimin has already dried. 

“I’m sorry I made you lie to her,” his voice suddenly appears behind you, sounding a lot smaller and quieter than it usually does. 

You turn around to face him, mustering the look on his face. “Yea, I’m not gonna lie, that really bugs me. Although I’ve kinda been lying to her for the past couple of years now when it comes to me and any social contacts so… I guess it’s not that big of a deal.”

Jimin knows you’re not happy with him right now. Not that you ever are, but this time he really feels bad about it, knowing how uncomfortable you must have felt the whole day. He knows how bad it feels to lie to your family about this kind of thing, but at least he made the decision himself. You didn’t have that luxury, and it’s his fault. It’s not that he meant for you to feel this way, he just didn’t think things through - again. 

“That wasn’t my intention. I honestly just wanted to help but ended up making it worse for you. I’m sorry. Didn’t really think about the consequences,” he apologizes, looking a little embarrassed.

You loudly exhale through your nose, jokingly rolling your eyes at him. “How about you stop trying to help or do things for me?” You suggest, grinning at him slightly. “’Cause honestly, you’re pretty shit at it.”

Jimin purses his lips while slightly nodding his head in agreement. “I might consider it. Can’t really disagree with you here.”

You snort out a laugh and smack him with the towel which makes him laugh as well while he tries to avoid getting hit a second time - without much success. 

“Why did you lie to me that time at my parents’?” Jimin asks, making your head shoot up as soon as he finishes, making it clear you immediately know what he’s talking about even without him having to go into detail. 

You gulp, lowering your head again because looking at him would add another layer of awkwardness right now, and you don’t need that. 

“Yes, I noticed. No, it was not hard to tell you were lying. Not at all,” he adds after a while of you not giving him an answer. 

“It’s not like it would have changed anything,” you scoff. “I was just drunk. Saying and doing things I didn’t mean. And so were you. It didn’t mean anything, so why talk about it?”

Jimin doesn’t instantly say anything to that but he’s watching you intently before shaking his head as he sends an arrogant smirk your way. “You sure about that? Because it didn’t really seem that way when you were—”

“Alright, we get it!“ You interrupt him, knowing exactly what he’s going to say. Turning your back on him, you ignore his mocking laughter. 

“No, but seriously, why are you always so keen on not crossing any boundaries? I understand that our situation is a bit… unusual, and it’s not like I’m asking you to have sex with me, but we can be friends. There is nothing to say against getting along well with each other.” 

Jimin halts for a moment to see if you’re going to contradict, but when he sees no reaction whatsoever on your face, he continues with a sigh. 

“I like teasing you because it’s fun, and you look like a puffer fish when you’re about to snap at me which is a bit cute— however, that doesn’t mean that I don’t like you or that you constantly have to be on edge with me. I’m really trying here. Why can’t I be friendly without you immediately going for my neck?”

Having your arms crossed over your chest, you roll your eyes when he finishes his little speech. “Want to send a little prayer, or are you done?” 

Jimin scoffs at your incapability of being serious, but you think you can see him trying to hide a little smile as he leans against your kitchen counter and sends a defeated look your way. 

“You’re a bit much sometimes, Jimin.” You tell him, being as honest as you can. “Ever since we got into this fake relationship thing, you've been around me constantly. And that can be pretty overwhelming at times.”

“Why? Are you scared you could catch feelings for me?” He smirks, wiggling his brows, obviously back in joking mode, whereas you gulp and shrug your shoulders as your eyes drift from him to the floor.

“Maybe.” It comes out in a small voice, but Jimin still hears you clearly, and it wipes the grin off his face almost instantly.

“Oh.”

“It’s not what you think, Park,” you quickly add, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. “Please don’t get ahead of yourself,” you then scoff, rolling your eyes when his expression tells you he already did have the wrong idea. “At this point, even if I tried to deny it, I just have to accept that I obviously am very desperate, okay?” 

Jimin is frowning now, eyebrows knitted together as he inspects your face.

“Yesterday while shopping, a stranger held the door open for me, and I got flustered and giggled while thanking him. I giggled, Park! I got flustered because a stranger did not slam the door in my face! What is happening to me?”

Jimin doesn’t answer as he bursts into laughter, very visibly amused by your distress, whereas you start to pout, seeing how he doesn’t take you seriously at all. 

“I’m not joking,” you mutter, feeling your ears getting hot. Granted, it does sound pathetic and a little dramatic, you can admit that. But it doesn't change the fact that it is a true story after all. 

“In any case, it's important to me that we maintain a certain distance. When all this is over, we’ll just go back to being strangers anyway,” you shrug, getting back to work and putting some of the dishes back into the cupboards.

Jimin’s laughter has died down. Your words were pretty harsh and Jimin knows you didn't mean it sarcastically either. Even though your way of being straightforward and always honest with him is something he really admires and likes about you since it’s refreshing, it can be just as hurtful sometimes. 

He knows that you don't do it on purpose because you want to hurt him but because it's your way. It honestly took some getting used to on his part, but he thinks he can manage by now. 

And still, when you say stuff like that and then act as if nothing happened, it pisses him off. 

“You were wrong by the way,” his voice suddenly interrupts the silence you were about to enjoy, and you turn back around to face him again, not quite knowing what he means.

“I don’t enjoy lying to my family. And it’s not easy for me either.”

His voice is calm and collected, and his eyes do not stray from you which allows you to see the disenchantment in them again, just like you did earlier. You’re struck with a pang of guilt when you notice it, feeling bad about never being able to shut your damn mouth, especially in the heat of a moment.

You didn’t mean it like that when you accused him of that. It was just the frustration and anger getting the best of you, and you regretted your words as soon as they left your lips. There is no doubt that he loves and respects his family very much, and you should not have said something like that. Especially since you aren't any better. You have been lying to your mother for years, inventing friends and stories that don't exist only because you’re ashamed to tell her who you actually are.

“I know. I didn’t have the right to say that to you. Not in my position,” you scoff at your own stupidity and shake your head as you feel a headache coming up. 

“Well, you have every right to be mad at me. We did talk about our families before, and you told me more than once that you wouldn’t want her to find out, so yea… that’s completely on me again. I can see how that would make you mad.”

You purse your lips and muster him slightly. “See? This is literal proof that you are in fact, able to have clear thoughts so why don’t you ever decide to think before you act?” You then ask, smirking a little. 

After that, the atmosphere between you starts to be a little lighter again, and it is very much appreciated by both of you. 

Without any more words, he quickly helps you put away the rest of the washed dishes and then announces that he is slowly making his way home.

“Your mom is very nice by the way, and she cares about you a lot,” he says while putting his jacket on while on his way to your door. “She would understand. I’m about 99% sure she wouldn’t judge or blame you.”

You of course know what he’s digging at, but there is one thing you don’t quite understand. 

“Who said anything about her judging me?”

Jimin offers you a kind smile while his hand already goes for the knob on your front door to open it. 

“We’re not that different, you know, babygirl?” 

And with a last obnoxious wink, he walks out, wishing you a good night without actually turning around to look at you again. 

You keep standing there a little dumbfounded for a while, looking after him until he’s gone around a corner and you can’t see him anymore before you frown and scoff, closing your door. 

“We are very much different, Park Jimin.”

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