Chapter Text
Sitting on the passenger seat, humming to a known tune, Jimin often enjoyed the comfortable silence when in the company of the man sitting next to him. Jeon Jungkook. He watches the cars passing them by, thinks back to how they met months ago, not by choice but through luck. And in spite of all the odds saying otherwise, Jimin finds it funny how they're still here. Are they dating? Are they together? Jimin knows not. All he knows is that the person on the driving seat, the man of a few words, is now the man of his dreams. And he hopes, he prays that somehow the doe eyed man next to him, feels the same.
7 months ago when Jimin's colleague and friend, Taehyung had dragged him to a restaurant to meet this guy he had been drooling over for a while, Jimin had expected to be third-wheeling. But upon arrival at the restaurant he realises that third-wheeling would have been a preferable option. Unbeknownst to him and his friend, Taehyung's date had also brought a friend, someone even Taehyung knew. Jeon Jungkook. While Jimin had heard about the guy a few times from Taehyung, he'd never met him. And so he prepared himself for what soon was to become one of the most awkward experiences of his life.
Jungkook didn't talk much, Jimin realized soon. In spite of trying to initiate a conversation, the man kept answering in one or two words. But the man wasn't rude or cold. In fact, Jungkook listened to Jimin quite attentively, no matter how bizarre Jimin's stories got. And when a waiter accidentally spilled coffee on Jungkook's highly expensive coat, Jimin had expected Jungkook to fuss about it but he was in for a surprise. Jungkook had kindly excused the waiter and told them it wasn't a big deal. Jimin valued kindness, and at that point, Jimin had realised that he liked Jungkook, as a person, if not a romantic interest.
The dinner remained awkward but Jimin kept talking. He was pretty sure he would never be crossing paths with Jungkook again, he was quite sure of it. So when Taehyung left with Yoongi, the former's date, Jimin decided that they should head home too. But instead of having to book a cab, Jungkook offered to drop him home. A kind gesture, Jimin couldn't deny. He wouldn't be meeting the handsome man again, anyway.
From then till now, Jimin's been on this passenger seat countless number of times. Turns out, contrary to his belief, they did meet again.. And again.. And now he finds it hard to imagine a day when he doesn't meet the doe eyed quiet man. Jungkook still doesn't talk much, but Jimin's learned to read him better. He's found that the tiny smiles, the sparkling of his eyes and the little gestures such as scrunching his nose, and fisting of his hands, express far more than Jungkook's words ever could. And somehow in between, Jimin fell. It was hard not to.
And he prays and hopes Jungkook does too. For why would he keep up with Jimin otherwise? Jimin almost snorts, getting a raised eyebrow as a reaction from the man next to him.
"What?"
"It's nothing.. Just remembered something.."
"Okay"
Jimin goes back to humming the tune to the song on the radio. Maybe Jungkook did love me too, does love me..
Jimin soon finds out that for all the beauty and comfort love carries, it also brings you pain.
****
6.5 months ago...
Jimin didn't think he would ever cross paths with Jungkook after the weird dinner they'd shared but he soon finds himself in the company of the doe eyed man, this time at Tae's apartment. It was supposed to be their movie night, something they'd had been partaking in for the past two years, every second Saturday of the month. And although he knew Yoongi would be there to join them, he hadn't expected Jungkook to be there.
So now he was sitting on the couch, away from the couple who were currently huddled together on the loveseat. Jungkook sat beside him, keeping considerable amount of space between them. The movie was a romantic flick, not Jimin's cup of tea, and from the expression on Jungkook's face, it wasn't his cup of tea either.
"So.. Hmmm.."
Jimin turns to find Jungkook, staring at the screen but turning towards him.
"I guess our friends are a couple now"
"I guess so"
"That would mean that we would be meeting frequently"
Jimin nods.
"I think it's better if we become amicable too then"
"You mean friends?"
"Yeah.."
"Okay"
"Okay"
And then there was silence.
***
A little over 6 months ago..
A week after the movie night, Jimin is surprised to find Jungkook outside his office. He's leaning against his car, probably waiting for someone. For some weird reason, Jimin debates if he should meet him or just head to the bus stop. Jungkook did mention their being friends was for the sake of their friends. Not that he wanted to be his friend. Jimin thinks. But then as he's about to turn towards the bus stop, he finds Jungkook calling for him.
"Jimin!"
Jimin is flabbergasted, but his feet move automatically, taking him to Jungkook.
"H-hi" Jimin stammers.
"I was in the next building meeting a client, but then I remembered you worked here."
"Oh.. Yeah.. In the Finance department."
"Hmm.."
"So... I should get going then.. Thank you for thinking of me" Jimin mumbles the reply.
"How will you be getting home?"
"Umm.. The bus"
"I.. I can drop you.. If you want"
Jimin is appalled again, for the second time this evening.
"O.. Okay.. But won't it be a hassle?"
"No."
Just no.. No explanation on why it wouldn't be a hassle. Jimin's learning Jungkook isn't the type to explain or justify. He just states. Like it's the most common thing to do. So yes, he takes his seat beside Jungkook and for the second time that month, he is dropped home by the handsome and kind Jungkook.
****
5 months ago...
"You're exaggerating, Tae"
"I am not and you know it"
The pair have been conversing over the phone for the past hour.
"I know him, Min. Since we were kids, we have belonged to the same town. I think he likes you."
"He does not. Why would you think that?"
"Why? Because for the past 2 months he's been driving you to and from the office, on his own accord.."
"He's just kind.."
"No.. He smiles sometimes when he's with you.."
"That's a normal human emotion"
"Not when you're the constipated Jeon Jungkook, he always makes sure you're feeling okay"
"Again.. He's just kind"
"Why won't you accept it?" Tae questions.
"Because it doesn't make sense."
"Okay, what about you? Do you miss him? He's been gone for a week"
Did Jimin miss him? Yes he did. Jungkook had been out of town, to Japan actually for business. And he did miss the man. But just because he liked Jungkook, it didn't mean Jungkook liked him too, right?
"Do you think he'll get you a souvenir?"
"I don't know.."
"You like him, don't you?" Tae asks, tone suddenly soft.
"Hmm.."
"Well.. You're being difficult now but you'll find out soon.. He likes you too.. Maybe he will get you a souvenir."
Turns out, there was no gift or souvenir for Jimin, when Jungkook returned the following day. But Jimin didn't care, he was just happy to have the man back. Jungkook had driven to Jimin's home, upon arrival, demanding the shorter male to cook him dinner. A bizarre demand, which Jimin couldn't decline. So he cooked their favourite dishes, and they had dinner. Jungkook showed him some of the pictures he'd captured on his phone, and while there were a few times Jimin felt that Jungkook wanted to say something, in the end the man didn't. But that was okay too.
Jiminieee... He came to see you.. Took pictures of the cherry blossoms, you'd mentioned once. Maybe Tae isn't wrong. He does treat you differently. He does. And maybe it's okay to fall. It's okay to take a leap of faith.
By the time Jungkook leaves his apartment, Jimin's left with a hundred thoughts in his head and a thousand butterflies in his stomach.
*****
Over the months, Jimin began to feel that maybe Tae wasn't wrong. Jungkook didn't really turn into a sap for him, no. He remained the aloof and silent person he'd met on that first night, but there'd be subtle actions which made Jimin feel special. It was in the way Jungkook always replied to his texts, never really complaining when Jimin went on and on about his day during their ride to their offices. That's another thing, they commuted together and while Jungkook usually complains of having to drive anyone else, he always volunteers to drop Jimin home.
No, they never held hands, Jungkook never got him any gifts from his business trips abroad, he never outright told Jimin that he liked him, but these actions made Jimin feel special, cherished. But there were times when he'd feel insecure, and after the incident which took place at Jungkook's home a couple of months ago, Jimin would be lying if he said he didn't feel insecure.
2 months ago..
Jungkook had invited him to his home in Busan. It was his parent's marriage anniversary and his older brother, Jin, had planned a big party. Jimin and Tae had both traveled to Busan together, Yoongi having to dip since he had other prior commitments. The event was lovely. He was introduced to Jin, who was kind, outspoken and funny, a complete opposite to Jungkook's personality. He also met Jungkook's parents, who seemed lovely too. All in all it was turning out to be a lovely evening until Tae and him decided to head to the garden and breathe in some fresh air. They were standing behind a tree observing the greenery around the banquet that had been booked for this event, when he heard footsteps.
They were two women, older and probably close to the Jeons. They seemed to be so engrossed in gossiping that they'd missed Jimin and Tae, standing by.
"Lovely event, isn't it, Sooyah?" One of them said.
"Oh yes.. It really is.. Have you seen the younger Jeon, he turned out so good too"
"Yes, of course. Would probably have men and women falling at his feet. Heard he isn't interested in anyone though."
"What about the guy he was talking to? The shorter one, with blonde hair?"
"Oh yes.. I don't know.. But it's all completely unnecessary when we know he'll probably end up with Jinwoo"
"Aaahh.. Yes Jinwoo.. He's here too isn't he? I've heard he's gonna be moving to Seoul soon"
"Looks like the blonde man's days as the substitute are about to come to an end." One of them, Sooyah, probably, supplies.
They leave soon. But they leave behind a very confused and upset Jimin. Jimin is startled when Tae places his hand on his shoulder.
"Min.. Don't pay heed to them" He reassures.
"Who.. Who's Jinwoo?"
"He was.. He is Jungkook's childhood friend.."
"Did.. Were they in a relationship?" Jimin droops.
"He.. No they weren't. But they were always together. Joined at the hip."
"Oh.."
"Jimin.."
"What happened then?"
"Nothing happened, Jimin.. You're overthinking. Jinwoo went abroad, Jungkook moved to Seoul. They haven't even been in contact for years!"
"Oh.."
"Stop staying Ohhh.. Jimin.. He likes you.. And don't let these thoughts ever get to you!"
Jimin nods. He knows. He shouldn't be believing the words of random people he's never even met before. He's smarter than that. But then when he goes inside with Tae and finds Jungkook smiling at whom Jimin could assume to be Jinwoo, his confidence levels drop. The man was beautiful. Tall, dark and handsome. Jungkook did introduce him to the man, addressing Jimin as his friend, and Jungkook did stay close to him, but Jimin's thoughts went back to the words he'd heard in the garden.
It's been months now. Jimin and Jungkook are in Seoul and he's over the incident. At least he thought was. That was until he received a text message the following day, at 8AM from Jungkook.
* Won't be able to drop you to the office. Picking up Jinwoo from the airport .*
*******