Chapter Text
There are three things Jimin hates the most; university, melon-flavored lip gloss, and Kim Taehyung.
Well, okay, he doesn't hate Kim Taehyung. In fact, he doesn't hate him at all. He just hates the fact that he's so popular!
"Stop being a coward and do it already."
Jimin frowns cutely, lightly punching Hoseok on his shoulder in retaliation. "I'm not a coward! Just…"
"Just a coward," Yoongi finishes the sentence for him, making Jimin whine in protest.
"You both are big meanies. Why am I even friends with you?"
"Because you love us!" Hoseok exclaims, throwing his hands around the younger's neck, receiving a half-hearted push in return.
"I really don't," Jimin complains, lips naturally curving into a pout. "And anyway, Taehyung would never turn to look at me. I mean, look at all these girls surrounding him." His honey eyes drop to the table a few meters away from them in the school's cafeteria.
It's the table he wanted to sit at his whole life—well okay, not his whole life, but these past four years he's been at university. It's Kim Taehyung's table. And it's currently occupied by him, his friends, his annoying best friend Jeongguk, and even more annoying cheerleader girls.
Jimin huffs and averts his gaze. He's only halfway through his day today and he already feels like sulking. "It's never going to happen. Taehyung is so amazing, and popular, and pretty, while I'm just… me."
"Excuse you!" Hoseok gasps, offended on Jimin's behalf. "What's wrong with you? You're also amazing and pretty and… okay, you're not popular, but that doesn't mean you couldn't be! You have everything it takes, and more!"
Jimin laughs at his best friend's efforts to cheer him up, though it doesn't make the knot in his stomach any less tighter.
"Thanks, Hobi…"
"I don't understand why you don't just go for it?" Yoongi asks, not even paying attention to the other two and typing away on his phone. "You don't have anything to lose."
"Except my dignity."
"Now you're just being dramatic."
Jimin sighs and pushes back his glasses on his nose. "And you're being a pain in my butt."
"Life goal; achieved."
Jimin groans and hides his face in his arms while Yoongi chuckles at his reaction.
"Hoseokie hyung, Yoongi is bullying me again!"
"Oh yeah, snitch on me so mom can scold me," Yoongi mocks, earning a pinch on his thigh from Jimin. "Ow! You little—"
Jimin shrieks when Yoongi tries to pinch him back, bringing his legs to his chest and covering them with his oversized hoodie, using it as an armor.
Hoseok sighs and shakes his head. "Children. I'm dealing with children."
"He started it!" Jimin proclaims, glaring at Yoongi.
"I didn't, you're just a baby."
"Like you're any better."
"Excuse me, I don't cry because I don't have the guts to confess to my crush."
"You take that back!"
"And what if I don't?"
Jimin is about to pinch Yoongi again to teach him a lesson, when two heavy books suddenly drop in front of him and he startles, almost falling off his seat.
When he looks up he's greeted by none other than Jeon Jeongguk, who's staring down at him with a smirk. And if he's being honest, Jeongguk was the last person Jimin expected to see, and also the last person Jimin wanted to see.
The blond rolls his eyes, irritation taking over his initial surprise. "Yah, are you crazy? You scared me to death!"
"Sorry, princess. Though I must admit, your reaction was priceless," Jeongguk says with a grin, stuffing his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. "Oh come on now, don't give me that look. You look more like an angry kitten, if anything else."
Jimin huffs an annoyed sigh and tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. He's not going to give Jeongguk, of all people, the satisfaction of getting under his skin. "What do you want, Jeon?"
"You, on all fours preferably."
Now, Jimin isn't as innocent minded as he appears to be, but it does take him a couple of seconds to understand what Jeongguk suggested.
And when he does, he feels the tips of his ears burn hot with embarrassment. The blond doesn't know why his heart suddenly picks up its pace, it's not like the image of him on his hands and knees for Jeongguk is turning him on! He hates the guy! He's a playboy and he's not even the one Jimin wants to get fucked by!
"Yah, you pervert!" Jimin squeals, and throws his phone at Jeongguk in a desperate attempt to hide his blush from the younger.
Jeongguk, of course, catches it effortlessly with a chuckle and opens it, tapping on some app. Jimin is about to protest and fight for his phone back, but then he hears the click sound and understands what Jeongguk wanted to do.
"Here, so you can drool over me whenever you want," he says cockily as he hands the phone back to Jimin, winking at him.
The smaller one only rolls his eyes and immediately deletes Jeongguk's selca from his gallery before carefully placing his device on the table. It's a waste of storage anyway.
"Stop being gross and tell me what you want," Jimin demands and places his elbow on the table, supporting his face with his palm. The action squishes Jimin's left cheek, making a slight pout form on his lips.
Jeongguk's gaze drops on Jimin's lips, and he doesn't say anything for a couple of seconds, seemingly stuck. It makes Jimin feel so weird, he has to physically restrain himself from squirming on his seat.
He's about to yell at Jeongguk again to stop staring, when the latter snaps his eyes back up to Jimin's honey ones, his smirk a little less arrogant than before.
"You missed class yesterday."
"Yeah, so?" The blond asks, already tired from interacting with Jeongguk.
"So, Professor Cha gave us a group project, which counts for forty percent of our grade."
Jimin's eyes go wide at that and he slams his hands on the table, shooting up from his seat to be at the same eye level with Jeongguk. Well, almost the same. Jeongguk is just really tall!
"What? You're kidding right?"
Jeongguk shrugs. "It's fun messing with you, but no, I'm not."
Jimin gasps and looks down at the books the taller boy dropped, realizing just now that they're the books from Professor Cha's class, running a hand through his hair desperately.
The one day he decided to skip classes so he can have a self-care day and this happens! Now what is he going to do? Everyone must have already chose partners for the project and he—
"Don't worry, nerd, I told Cha that you'll be in my team," Jeongguk says, interrupting Jimin's panicked train of thoughts.
Jimin glances at him through his lashes, a sudden wave of relief washing over him. And then annoyance overshadows that relief and prickles at his skin.
"And who told you to do that?" Jimin arches an eyebrow, crossing his hands over his chest. "I don't want to be in the same team as you!"
He really doesn't. Unlike his best friend, and the subject of Jimin's daydreams (well, not only daydreams), Jeongguk is as annoying as a cockroach. Throughout the whole university, Jimin somehow always ended up sharing a class with Jeongguk, and the latter always found a way to tease him about literally anything. Either calling him a nerd or flicking his forehead, Jeongguk has always been nothing but a pain in Jimin's ass.
Not to mention, he's a big fuckboy. Not that Jimin cares, everyone has the right to do whatever they want, but Jeongguk managing to be with another guy or girl every two business days just makes him more cocky and unbearable.
The dark-haired has a shit-eating grin on his face as he places his hands on the table and leans toward Jimin. "Well, it's not like you have much of a choice now, do you?"
Jeongguk is just an inch away from the blond's face, his hot breath fanning over Jimin's anger-red face, smirking down at him with that arrogant way that has Jimin want to strangle him.
"You—"
"Me, what?" Jeongguk taunts.
Jimin narrows his eyes, refuses to back down from the silent eye contact contest they have going on.
Jeongguk only grins, knowing fully well that Jimin doesn't have another choice but to join his team, but all the blond wants to do is slap his stupid grin away.
"I'll find another way," Jimin says, still not caving in.
Jeongguk scoffs and sits right up, straightening his shoulders and folding his arms over his chest. Jimin oddly feels like he can breathe again.
"Yeah, I'd like to see you try. Prof. Cha already formed the teams, and unless you're planning to suck his dick to make him change you with someone else, I don't think he's going to comply to your request."
The smaller boy blushes profusely, why does Jeongguk have to be so crude with his words?
"I'm not planning to suck his dick." Jimin rolls his eyes, burning even more crimson. "But I'll muster my best puppy eyes and also bring my model-student status as a point in my argument. Professor Cha will have no choice but to accept."
Jeongguk snorts out a laugh, clearly amused with Jimin's antics. "Of course you'd do that, but it seems like a lost battle already. Why don't you just give up? Me and Tae aren't that bad of a company, even for you, princess."
Jimin blinks, the word Tae repeating in his mind as if he's trying to process it. He blinks again, Jeongguk's words now settling in more loud and clear.
Of course. He's been so oblivious, of course Jeongguk's team would also consist of Taehyung. They're best friends after all, and honestly, Jimin is stupid for not thinking about that before. It's as if he forgot for a second that Taehyung was also in the same class as them.
He perks up, his initial frustration melting into excitement, though he tries not to let it show.
He's going to be in the same team for the project as Taehyung. He's going to see the boxy-smiled boy for more than one hour, he's going to be in the same space as him, closer than he'd ever been before. Maybe they'd get to talk more, and meet outside of the project for a coffee, and Taehyung will like Jimin, and he'll invite him to his table, and make the most romantic, public confession ever, and—
Jimin bites his bottom lip, trying to control his thoughts. He curses himself for being such a hopeless romantic. He truly can't help it! Just the idea of him being able to admire Taehyung from up close…
It's also his opportunity to finally seduce him.
Well, okay, if Jimin wants to be realistic, he most probably won't do that, because he's still shy and a stuttering mess whenever the taller is around, but still! He's going to be in the same team as Taehyung! At least that's something!
He absentmindedly lifts his gaze, a silly smile already starting to spread on his lips, only to meet Jeongguk's dark eyes, which are observing him curiously.
The giddy feeling immediately comes to a halt, and the corners of his mouth turn downward.
Right. He forgot about Jeongguk.
Jimin mentally slaps himself for being such a brat before and not accepting Jeongguk's proposal—well, it was more of an announcement than a proposal—right away. Now he has to find a way to accept without making it clear that he only does it because Taehyung is involved.
So he rolls his eyes and huffs, crossing his arms once again, jutting a hip out. "Fine, I guess. But I'm only doing this because Professor has already assigned the teams!"
Nice way to go, Jimin. Being subtle really is your strong suit.
Jeongguk smirks and nods, once. "Whatever you say, princess. I'll text you the details later. See you, nerd!"
Just as the dark-haired is about to turn around and walk away, Jimin, despite his very strong urge for the hundredth time to smack him on the head, realizes quickly that Jeongguk doesn't actually have his number.
"Wait!" he calls after him, and the latter almost instantly swirls on his feet, shooting Jimin a questionable look.
The smaller rolls his eyes again. "You don't have my number, you dumbass."
Jeongguk chuckles, a deep and low sound that has Jimin's skin break into goosebumps. He clutches the ends of his sweater's sleeves and hugs himself, trying to get rid of the feeling.
The taller one leans down again and grabs Jimin's mobile from the table, opening it and tapping away like it's his own device and not a stranger's. Jimin thinks he should really put a password on his phone.
"Done," Jeongguk says, handing it back to him.
On the screen appears the messages app, where Jeongguk has texted himself a single white heart. The blond resists the urge to roll his eyes for the umpteenth time.
Jeongguk winks at him before waving with his hand and disappearing from Jimin's line of sight.
The latter sighs heavily, plopping down on his seat again.
"Can you imagine the nerve?" he asks his two best friends, referring to Jeongguk.
"Yeah." Yoongi nods. "Especially since the little shit didn't even acknowledge our existence."
"For real, his eyes were only on you, Jiminie," Hoseok adds with a nudge of his elbow.
Jimin scoffs and takes his glasses off so he can clean them with the edge of his sweater.
"Yeah, because he always like to mess with me. I don't understand how a person as sweet as Taehyung hangs out with someone as self-absorbed as Jeongguk."
"Well, I guess he's not that bad." Hoseok shrugs.
Jimin glares at him, and the older lifts his hands up defensively. "I'm just saying!"
"Well don't," Jimin says begrudgingly. "He's as bad as he seems, and maybe even more!"
"At least you'll be in the same team as Taehyung!" Hoseok tries to change the subject. "That's good, right?"
Jimin beams, the thought of him being with Taehyung, even for something as boring as a university project, lightens up his mood immediately.
"Yes, very good. I can't believe I'm in the same team as him!" He sighs dreamily, already imagining what his marriage with the taller would be like. "We're even 95 liners! We were meant to be together!"
Hoseok offers an enthusiastic smile. "And who knows, maybe something will happen between you two…" He winks, and Jimin goes red in the face, his ears burning up.
It's a very rare possibility, but the prospect brings warmth in his belly, and makes him wonder what if—
"Yeah, that's if Jimin stops being a coward."
"Yoongi!"
𓂋
The next day, when Jimin is walking down the hall for his next class, Jeongguk jogs up to him with that same annoying smile he always has on his face.
Jimin sighs, not trying to hide his displeasure in the least. "What do you want, Jeon?"
"I thought you nerds were always on your phones, you know, to search stuff and all that geek shit nerds do." Jeongguk clicks his tongue, an amused expression on his features.
The blond already feels like he wants to smack Jeongguk's head on the wall, but he takes a calming breath, not wanting to let the taller ruin his good mood.
"Surprisingly, we aren't." Jimin's words are dripping with sarcasm, but it only makes Jeongguk's grin bigger. "What do you want anyway?"
"I texted you the details for our little meet-up yesterday night, but you never replied. You didn't even see the message. I'm hurt, Jiminie, after the loving heart you sent me." Jeongguk sighs, clutching his heart dramatically, and Jimin rolls his eyes.
"You sent that to yourself," he points out. "And I was busy with—" Jimin stops, realizing that he doesn't have to inform Jeongguk on his personal life. "None of your business actually." Then, he takes out his phone from his back pocket and checks the message Jeongguk sent him.
All the while, the other is walking alongside him. He's not talking, thankfully, though Jimin can feel his burning gaze on him, and that irritating smirk still in place.
He suddenly halts, reading over Jeongguk's message again. The latter doesn't realize he's stopped until he's two steps ahead, turning around and looking at Jimin with confusion.
"What?"
"Why are we doing the project in your house?" Jimin blurts out, still not lifting his eyes to meet Jeongguk's gaze.
"Because we need a place to do it?"
"Why can't we just do it at the library?"
Jeongguk snorts and puts his hands on the front pockets of his gray sweatpants.
"Because it's too quiet, nerd." His tone is so mocking, it makes Jimin's skin crawl with anger.
"It's still better than your house."
"And why is that?"
Yeah, why is that? Jimin doesn't really care where they're going to do the project as long as they get it done with, and he can subtly ogle at Taehyung as much as he can, yet the thought that Jeongguk believes he can do whatever he wants and also make others do whatever he wants, makes Jimin's blood boil. He doesn't want to give Jeongguk the satisfaction.
"I don't wanna come to your house!" Jimin almost squeals, pushing back his glasses angrily. "You're already insufferable, I can't imagine how you'll be if you're in your natural habitat.”
The laugh that barks out of Jeongguk sends a shiver up Jimin's spine, the younger throwing his head back and closing his eyes in clear amusement. Jimin thinks that like this, Jeongguk looks less evil than he really is. He almost looks cute.
"Come on, Jiminie, I know you have the hots for me, but you can restrain for a couple of hours, hm?" That shit-eating grin is on his face again, his dark eyes staring Jimin up and down.
And just like that again, every faint hint of cuteness dissappears.
Jimin's nose scrunches up in disgust. "The fact that you believe I actually like you is disturbingly worrying."
Jeongguk chuckles again, though this time it doesn't seem as genuine as before, his eyes darkening a bit.
"For a quiet nerd, you have a big mouth." Jimin is about to bite back, when Jeongguk beats him to it. "Anyway, stop being a spoilt little princess and just accept the fact that we're doing the project at my house. Or don't." He shrugs. "I can just tell the professor that you refused to cooperate with me and Tae."
Jimin narrows his eyes, the mocking smirk on Jeongguk's face making him want to curse him. He really is such a big pain in the ass.
Jimin takes a deep breath and rearranges the strap of his backpack on his shoulder. "Fine. I'll be there."
He doesn't give Jeongguk the chance to reply, walking past him with hurried steps.
𓂋
“He's just so annoying, you know,” Jimin scoffs, balancing his phone between his ear and shoulder while he sets up his tripod. “He was all like, ‘I know you have the hots for me’, in that cocky way of his, and—he just pisses me off so bad!”
Hoseok laughs from the other side. “Jeonggukie can be like that, but trust me, deep down he's a softie.”
Jimin resists the urge to snort. “How can you say that, hyung? He's so arrogant that he even ignores you, and you've known each other since childhood!”
“We do, but we never really hung out that much. And he doesn't necessarily ignore me,” Hoseok adds reluctantly. “He's just shy.”
Jimin pauses his actions, and if he were to look himself in the mirror, he's sure he'd find a scandalous expression painting his features.
“Jeongguk? Shy? Are you sure we’re talking about the same guy, hyung?”
Hoseok chuckles. “I'm telling you, he wasn't like that before. He was actually a pretty sweet kid!”
Jimin lets the snort fall from his lips this time, checking if the camera is in the right position. “Right. Jeon Jeongguk, the person with the biggest ego I know, was a sweet kid. Now you totally convinced me, hyung.”
“Yah, brat, I'm telling the truth!”
Jimin chuckles and shakes his head. He's rant enough about Jeongguk today, and he doesn't want the other to occupy his thoughts for even a second longer. He's not worth thinking anyway, unlike his best friend, Taehyung, whom Jimin can think about all day and never get tired.
“The only good thing about this fiasco is that I'm in the same team as Taehyung.” Jimin sighs. “Anyway, I'm going to go now, hyung. I have, uh…” He trails off, cheeks automatically heating up.
Hoseok chuckles. “Oh yes, I know. I forgot you're a famous camboy, Jiminie. Go give them a show they'll never forget!”
Jimin bites his lower lip, feeling more shy by the second. His best friends are the only people Jimin has told about his… other persona, yet the clench of shame and embarrassment in his stomach whenever they mention it never wavers.
“Hyung!” Jimin whines. “Stop it!”
“Okay, okay, I'm sorry,” Hoseok coos. “I'll let you get back to your work then.”
Jimin whines some more about Hoseok teasing him, and the older just laughs and coos at him further, until Jimin is so embarrassed, he abruptly hangs up the phone.
He doesn't even feel bad about it, his hyung can be so annoying when it comes to playfully tormenting him about his camboy channel.
His camboy channel…
Even Yoongi and Hoseok seemed dumbfounded when Jimin told them about this… hobby of his. Of course, they didn't believe him at first. They told him he's far too shy to really be a camboy.
But that's the thing. When Jimin switches to his camboy persona, when he's kittymin, he's not shy. At all. He's far from shy, actually.
He may be seen as an introverted nerd on campus, but in front of his camera his whole demeanor changes. He's not the innocent angel everyone thinks him to be, he's hot and sexy and bold. Kittymin started as a way for Jimin to blow off some steam, to finally let his horny virgin self come out, but when his popularity started rising on that famous camboy app, so did his self-confidence, and so he continued camboying, until he became a pretty big name to those who knew about the app.
It's really not Jimin's fault, when all he does except studying is reading BL yaoi webtoons and crushing over the main characters for weeks. They make Jimin blush all over and fantasize about scenarios where he and his lover have the biggest love story on earth, but also have passionate, nasty sex.
Really, it isn't his fault, it's those webtoons’ fault for raising his standards so high and making him partially carry out his fantasies on his camboy channel!
Of course, his confidence is restrained behind his pretty, pink camera. Once the show is off, Jimin is back to being Jimin—a nerd, an inexperienced boy with wild fantasies, a shy and socially awkward virgin. Because as much as he hates to admit it, he could never bring this confidence to his everyday life. It's not that he doesn't want to, he just—can't. He only feels sexy when he's kittymin, and kittymin is definitely nothing like his ordinary self.
Jimin is okay with that though. At least he tries to be. Sometimes he really wishes he could be as daring as his camboy persona is. It would solve at least ninety percent of his problems, including his love life.
Well, at least he gets paid for what he does. That's also something. As a broke college student, the pocket money he gets from the camboy app is a big help.
Jimin wears his signature pink collar, adorned with a small, golden heart dangling from it, and looks at himself in his full-body mirror, positioned beside his wardrobe. For today's video, he chose a pink lingerie, its lace hugging his curves just right, paired with kitty ears on top of his head.
He takes his phone and snaps a quick picture—he'll post it later, after he finishes editing the video.
With a last glance at himself, he smirks and moves in front of the camera in the middle of the room, pressing the button to start a video. The red light appears and Jimin gets lost in his second persona.
𓂋
Jimin is running late. He hates running late, especially for anything school related.
He fixes his glasses amidst his fast pacing down the road, glancing at the GPS on his phone to make sure he's going the right way. The blond curses Jeongguk under his breath, why does his house have to be on the other side of campus?
Though when he arrives outside of the younger’s apartment, he understands why.
Jimin's mouth falls open at the sight of the expensive apartment complex, and he looks down at his phone again to make sure he's got the right address.
Wow. Jeongguk must be rich rich.
Jimin still looks around the big building with wide eyes as he texts Jeongguk that he's outside, and he spends the whole way to Jeongguk's apartment on the top floor taking in the beautiful (and certainly expensive) architecture in stunned silence.
He snaps out of his haze when, before he even gets to knock on the door, it opens abruptly and he comes face to face with Jeongguk's usual smirk.
“You're late, nerd,” the dark-haired says, not sparing Jimin another glance as he turns around and walks inside the apartment.
Jimin rolls his eyes and scoffs as he closes the door behind him and takes off his shoes, his glasses slipping a little in the process.
“It's not my fault your rich ass lives on the other side of the city!”
Jeongguk cocks an eyebrow, clearly amused. He motions with his hand toward where the blond assumes is the living room, and Jimin follows him silently. He briefly looks around the room—despite what he expected from Jeongguk, his place is neat and simple, with the colors of white and gray dominating his walls and furniture.
Jimin averts his eyes from a pretty painting hanging on one of the walls, and his stare falls on Jeongguk's back in front of him and the way his back muscles shift, even under his oversized black shirt. The blond looks away immediately, his skin suddenly hot under his clothes.
“Aren't you being a little bit of a drama queen right now? My apartment is only twenty minutes away from campus. Just admit it's your fault that you're late,” the taller mocks.
Whatever snarky comeback Jimin was about to say, dies on his tongue as soon as they enter the living room. He momentarily freezes, eyes going a little wide and his throat feeling dehydrated.
On Jeongguk's comfortable looking couch, sits Kim Taehyung in all his glory. One of his hands is draped on the back of the couch, while with the other he scrolls through his phone. His permed, fluffy hair falls gracefully on the tanned skin of his forehead, and the brown tones of his outfit suit him so much, Jimin thinks he's falling in love all over again.
And then, Jimin's brain short-circuits, because Taehyung is manspreading. He's sitting there, and he looks as attractive as ever, and he's manspreading. If Jimin's throat wasn't so dry, he's sure he would be drooling by now.
He blinks once, twice, but he's unable to tear his eyes away from the sinful sight.
He blinks again, and this time his mind supplies him with a lot of images, unholy images, images of him crawling toward Taehyung, images of Taehyung smirking down on him while playing with himself, images of Taehyung grabbing Jimin by his hair and pushing him—
Taehyung suddenly looks up at him and Jimin flinches visibly, all horny thoughts dissipating from his head and instead embarrassment running through his veins at being caught staring.
“Hey.” Taehyung grins at him, lifting his chin in a wave.
Jimin's knees suddenly feel like jelly—Kim Taehyung just smiled at him. And he has the prettiest smile ever, oh God.
Jimin averts his eyes toward the carpet under his legs, too overwhelmed to look at Taehyung. He can already feel his cheeks turning a deep crimson color and it hasn't even been a minute, he really is hopeless.
“H-hi,” the blond stutters, slapping himself mentally for the way his voice breaks.
“You're Jimin, right?”
At the sound of Taehyung's deep voice, Jimin raises his head in astonishment. Taehyung knows his name. Of course he knows his name, they share a class and are in the same group project, but still—Taehyung knows his name.
Jimin nods his head a little more eagerly than he would've liked. “Uh, y-yeah. And you're Taehyung.” Jimin realizes how that sounded and scrambles to explain. “I mean—You already know that of course. I just meant—I know it because we share a class and—”
Taehyung chuckles and Jimin shuts his mouth. He would be even more embarrassed by his babbling, if he wasn't melting from the melodic sound of the taller's laugh.
“Don't worry, I get what you mean.” He smiles again and the butterflies in Jimin's belly go wild.
He blushes more and returns the smile tentatively.
Despite having made a fool of himself already, Jimin actually made an effort to dress better today, and he's glad he did. He got rid of his comfortable, oversized sweaters and baggy pants in favor for a pair of tight jeans and a baby pink cardigan. He even adorned his hands with some silver rings and wore his favorite daisy earrings. The blond is actually pretty satisfied with his choice of clothing, he thinks he even looks cute. He hopes at least he made a good first impression on Taehyung, even though they've seen each other plenty of times at university.
This is different though. This time, they're not in a big space with hundreds of students surrounding them. They're in a much smaller room, and they're alone. It feels more… intimate, somehow.
A cough resonates through the living room and cuts the lingering silence like a knife, and Jimin turns to look at Jeongguk, who's standing across him with his hands folded in front of his chest, staring between them with an unreadable expression.
Right. They're not totally alone.
Jimin raises an eyebrow in response, but Jeongguk doesn't say anything. That's a first.
“Should we get started then? I'm already bored out of my mind.” He sighs exaggeratedly.
Jimin narrows his eyes at him, but he bites down on his tongue to not say anything that will harm the image he wants Taehyung to have of him. After all, Jeongguk is his best friend. Unfortunately.
Taehyung laughs. “Man, can you not be so grumpy for once?”
“It's not like you're any better than me,” Jeongguk teases back. “You don't want to do this project either.”
The older shrugs. “At least I'm not whining about it.”
Jeongguk makes a move that he's going to punch Taehyung, but the latter blocks his hand and reaches up to smack him on the back of his head. Jeongguk feigns a pained sound and then wraps his arm around Taehyung's neck in a headlock, a chuckle falling from his lips at his win.
As they continue to play fight, Jimin stares at them with a small smile playing on his lips. Maybe he doesn't particularly like Jeongguk, but he can see why he and Taehyung are best friends. They both have this boyish charm and they seem to be at ease when they're with each other. It's exactly the same thing Jimin has with Yoongi and Hoseok.
“Alright, alright, stop now!” Taehyung laughs, pushing Jeongguk off of him. He turns to glance at Jimin, flashing him a half playful half apologetic smile. Jimin thinks that if he was a cartoon, he would've melted on the spot. “We have to begin in order to finish this goddamn project, and I don't intend on staying with you,” he whirls his head to point at Jeongguk, “for longer than necessary.”
Jeongguk dramatically gasps and places his hand on top of his chest. “And I thought we had something special, Taehyungie. Don't you love me anymore?”
The man in question rolls his eyes, though he smiles as he brings himself closer to the coffee table in front of the couch and opens the laptop that's placed on top of it.
Jeongguk breaks into a grin of his own and moves to take a pillow from the sofa and throw it on the ground, sitting on it a second later.
Jimin still stands there, playing with his fingers to calm his sudden nerves, and awkwardly stares between the two boys, unsure of what he should do.
Should he sit on the couch beside Taehyung, or should he take a seat on the floor like Jeongguk did? He really wants to sit with Taehyung, but he doesn't know if he can handle his presence from so up close, and also, he doesn't want to come off like those innumerable admirers of the taller who would do anything to be close to him. He wants to be bold, but his shyness just won't let him…
Jeongguk lifts his head up and their eyes meet, startling Jimin out of his thoughts.
The dark-haired arches a brow. “Well, what are you waiting for? Aren't you going to take a seat?”
Jimin feels heat flooding his cheeks at being called out, so he just nods wordlessly and quickly plops down on the floor across from Jeongguk. He opens his backpack with clammy hands and takes out his own laptop, placing it on the table.
“Don't you want a pillow? The floor can be hard, even for your peachy ass, nerd,” Jeongguk teases, a smirk growing on his lips.
Jimin sports a bewildered expression, before his eyes squint at him and he lets out a huff.
“Jealous of my ass, Jeon? Not all of us are cursed with a flat ass like you,” Jimin hisses.
He knows he's lying, Jeongguk definitely doesn't have a flat ass, but the way the other always picks on him brings out Jimin's sassy self more than necessary.
However, when a deep laugh emits from Taehyung, Jimin quickly shuts his mouth and shrinks back to himself a little, cheeks now ablaze. So much for not wanting to make a bad impression on his crush…
“Wow, Gguk, he really put you in your place with that one.” He snorts. “Didn't know you were so sassy, Jimin-ah. You seem more like the quiet type.”
Jimin would have been more embarrassed, if it wasn't for the playful smile on Taehyung's face and the mischievous glint in his eyes. He cracks a small, proud smile—he made Taehyung laugh. That’s a good thing, isn't it?
Realization dawns on Jimin while Taehyung is once more teasing his best friend, and he feels goosebumps break on his skin. Taehyung called him Jimin-ah. In an endeared type of way, like they were friends. Jimin doesn't want to be friends with him of course, but this is a good start!
“Yah, okay, shut up now,” Jeongguk complains and kicks Taehyung's leg. “Let's just get started.”
Jimin feels giddy as he opens his laptop, still thinking of the way Taehyung laughed at his comeback, and he raises his hand to fix his glasses—
He freezes.
Fuck.
He forgot to put his contact lenses on.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
He didn't want Taehyung to see him with his big, ugly glasses! He's supposed to think Jimin is sexy and cute, not geeky and a nerd!
Jimin chokes down a groan and ducks his head, taking off his glasses with quick motions. He looks up to see if Taehyung saw him—thankfully, the other seems to be focused on reading the instructions the professor gave them for the project.
Jimin sighs, relieved. The damage has already been done, but Taehyung doesn't have to see him wearing his glasses for the whole time they're here. Maybe, if Jimin's lucky, the taller one won't even notice that Jimin has taken them off.
He suddenly feels his skin burning and he averts his eyes, only to find Jeongguk already staring at him with a hint of a frown etched on his features.
Jimin knits his eyebrows together, not breaking eye contact. Why is Jeongguk acting so weird today? Not so weird, he's as annoying as ever, but still… something is off about him. He's been staring at Jimin a lot since the blond came to his house.
The dark-haired is quick to focus his stare on the screen of his laptop, and Jimin doesn't think of his odd behavior any further.
“So,” Jimin says shyly. “I already have some ideas that should help us with our research.”
𓂋
“He did what?” Hoseok gasps, covering his mouth with his hand.
Jimin nods, reminiscent of what happened two nights ago making him blush and smile cheekily as they walk toward their next class.
“I was so dizzy, hyung, I swear, his hand is so veiny and big and I bet it fits perfectly with mine… I almost went to heaven when he ruffled my hair!” Jimin sighs happily, placing his palms on his cheeks in an attempt to make his smile cease.
“Wow, Jiminie, you're living the life,” Hoseok jokes, yet Jimin pays him no mind. He's too happy to let his hyung's innocent teasing get under his skin.
“He even called me cute! Can you believe?”
Yoongi snorts. “I bet you jerked off to it later at one of your livestreams or something.”
That's all it takes for Jimin's pink bubble to pop abruptly, and he gasps incredulously, swatting Yoongi on his arm.
“Yah, hyung! I didn't!” he says, though the way his neck and ears burn crimson give him away.
Yoongi snickers upon seeing right through his lie. “I knew it. You're trying to play innocent, but you're really just a horny virgin.”
“Hyung!” Jimin cries out. “I don't try to play innocent! And it's not my fault he has really nice hands, okay?!”
Yoongi's snicker turns into full-blown laughter, and he continues mocking Jimin, promptly avoiding the following punches that are thrown his way.
“And to think Namjoon called you an angel today. If only he knew.”
“Stop!” Jimin huffs. “You really are so annoying. Why am I friends with you?”
Yoongi shrugs. “Hoseok wanted to befriend you. I still don't know why.”
The blond makes an exasperated sound, ready to deliver another hit to Yoongi's arm, when Hoseok speaks up.
"Wait, Namjoon? The university body president?”
Yoongi nods while trying to pinch Jimin in retaliation. The blond takes a hold of his hand and brings it up to his face, looking at Yoongi mischievously before licking the back of his palm.
Yoongi's expression twists with shock and disgust, and he pulls his hand back, hissing at Jimin. The latter only giggles.
“Why did Namjoon call Jimin an angel?” Hoseok inquires.
“I don't remember how the conversation went there, but he said he's shared classes with Jimin and he's his favorite among the students because he's always quiet and studious.” Yoongi shrugs again. “And also because he knows Jimin's in a group with Taehyung and Jeongguk and well… Taehyung may not be as wild as Jeongguk, but we all know their reputation.”
Jimin shakes his head. “Taehyung is an angel! Unlike Jeongguk.” He scowls. “He kept teasing me all throughout our meeting! He was so freaking annoying, it was really hard not to lash out in front of Taehyung. What would he think of me if he saw me screaming at his annoying best friend?”
Hoseok chuckles. “I can just imagine you. You probably pouted and glared at Jeongguk, though you mostly look like a kitten when you do that.”
“Hyung!” Jimin whines. “Not you too!”
But Hoseok ignores him, laughing even harder.
“You should show Taehyung your camboy channel. Trust me, he will definitely confess to you after that,” Yoongi joins in on the teasing, making Jimin throw daggers between the two boys with his eyes.
“So much for calling you my friends! Why don't you just go hang out with Jeongguk instead?” he mutters, lips curving into a pout.
Hoseok drapes his hand on his shoulders and brings him closer to a half-hug. “Aw, we're just teasing, Jimin-ah,” he coos, poking Jimin's cheek.
Jimin grumbles, though he doesn't push his hyung away. He's a sucker for affectionate touches, and he could never push Hoseok away, no matter how angry he is.
“I'm not,” Yoongi exclaims. Jimin turns to glare at him, though the older only smirks. “No, but seriously now, Jimin-ah. Why don't you do it?”
Jimin almost chokes on his own saliva. “Hyung, are you crazy? I can't just give Taehyung my—” He stops and glances around, then lowers his voice to a whisper. “I can't give him the link to my camboy channel! I want him to look at Jimin and fall in love with him, not lust over kittymin!”
“No, that's not what I meant—” Yoongi shakes his head. “You have his phone number, don't you? He must have given it to you, since you're working on the same project.”
Jimin nods slowly. “Yeah, so?”
“So,” Yoongi huffs, like he can't believe Jimin hasn't already thought of whatever he's thinking now. “Why don't you send him a picture? You know… A cute, but suggestive one. With an also cute but suggestive caption underneath. You want him to look your way, right? Well, he won't do that if you just sit in the shadows and admire him from afar. Take action, Jimin-ah!”
Jimin opens his mouth to argue, however he quickly closes it again. For one thing, Yoongi isn't wrong, by doing nothing Jimin will never catch Taehyung's attention.
As for his idea… Maybe it's not that bad.
“That's not a bad idea at all!” Hoseok chimes in, voicing Jimin's thoughts. “Jiminie, you should totally do it!”
Jimin looks at the ground for a few seconds, before fervently shaking his head. “No, I can't possibly do that! I'm way too shy for that…”
“Why not? It'll be a good chance to show Taehyung that sexy body of yours while being a cutiepie at the same time,” Hoseok offers.
Jimin thinks about it, entertaining the idea of showing Taehyung that he's more than his appearance at school displays—a virgin nerd who only wears oversized sweaters. Only a part of this sentence is actually true, yet it still makes Jimin blush.
“I don't know…”
Yoongi rolls his eyes. “You're cockblocking your own self at this point then.”
He earns another punch to his arm.
𓂋
Jimin pants softly, coming down from the aftershocks of his orgasm.
He hums, closing his eyes and enjoying the slight buzz that's still fogging his thoughts.
Once his limbs don't feel like jelly, he gets up from the floor and closes the camera that's been filming him this whole time. He picks up the lube and dildo and puts them inside his drawer again, but not before he cleans the silicone dick.
He passes by the mirror while he places the tripod and camera away, and stops in his tracks. He stands in front of the mirror and stares at his reflection. His eyes travel from his face, to his naked chest and milky thighs. He looks at his face again, staring at the blond locks that fall gracefully on his forehead, his flushed cheeks and pink, swollen lips from deepthroating the dildo earlier.
Something warm rushes through his veins. He feels pretty. He's always liked that afterglow he had after every video he filmed for his channel. It makes his skin shine and makes him feel more self-assured than ever.
Yoongi's words pop up in his mind.
You want him to look your way, right? Well, he won't do that if you just sit in the shadows and admire him from afar.
Jimin licks his lips, and before he can think more about it, he grabs his red babydoll nightwear from the bed and wears it hastily. When he looks back in the mirror, his eyes sparkle with confidence.
He knows it won't last for long so he takes his phone and sits down, laying sideways on the floor and placing one leg on top of the other, a little bent. His stare drops to the curve between his waist and ass, and then on his signature collar that he didn't mind taking off, and he smirks. His elbow touches the wooden floor, and he places his chin atop his palm, glistening lips forming a slight pout.
Cute but suggestive.
He brings the hand that holds the phone close and beside his face, the camera app already opened, and then he just—clicks. And then he clicks again.
He takes three or four pictures for good measure and then he sits up, eagerly going through them in his gallery to select the best one.
When he finds one he's satisfied with, he opens the message app, his freshly colored nails glowing under the bright light of his phone in the dimly lit room.
The blond opens his conversation with Taehyung, still feeling a little lightheaded from his previous filming, and selects the photo, writing his caption.
“Could be yours.”
Doubts and second thoughts have already slipped their way through his brain, so he quickly hits send and instantly locks his phone.
A beat passes, and then another. Jimin is alone, but suddenly the silence is too heavy around him, his breath coming out ragged and shaky.
Realization of what he just did slowly starts creeping in, making a lump form in his throat, his heart pounding in his ribcage and palms sweating uncontrollably.
He's on the verge of breaking down and starting to cry and regret all his life choices, when his phone screen lights up.
A message.
Despite himself, Jimin has never clicked on a notification so fast, not even checking if it's Taehyung who texted him, because who else would text him at 2 a.m. in the morning?
He braces himself, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before he reads the messages.
“Fuck, Jimin.”
“Definitely didn't expect that from you, princess.”
“Not that I'm complaining.”
Jimin's shoulders slouch and he breathes a sigh of relief. He didn't expect that to go so well—
His relief is short-lived however, when fear grips at his chest, a certain dread feeling coiling at the pit of his stomach. That petname is a little too familiar to ignore it. And Taehyung has only called him Jimin-ah so far.
Jimin closes his eyes and prays to everything holy that this isn't who he thinks it is and that he didn't fuck up this bad.
Maybe if he doesn't look, it won't be real. Maybe he didn't make a mistake and he's just overreacting. But something deep inside him tells him that he's not. And that scares him more.
He doesn't want to look. He really doesn't. Yet he opens his eyes, and stares at the contact he sent his picture to.
Jeon Jeongguk.
Jimin would have passed out if it wasn't for the scream that escaped his throat and vibrated through his whole body.
He desperately wants this to be an illusion, but he continues staring at the texts and they're staring back at him, Jeongguk's contact picture almost mocking him. He stares and stares, though the texts don't disappear, and he doesn't wake up in his bed, safe and sound from this nightmare.
Because this isn't a nightmare. He sent Jeon Jeongguk quite literally almost a nude of himself wearing a babydoll and a collar on his neck.
And it's as if a bucket of cold water is thrown over his head.
Shit.