chapter 4

*Knock knock*

“Hey Jungkook-ah! Can I come in?”

“Yeah sure.”

Taehyung entered Jungkook’s room and greeted him.

“I need to ask you something. Do you know what’s up with Jimin?”

“N-no! No, I don’t know anything! I mean.. Why are you asking?”

“Ah, it’s just that he’s been looking so down lately. I’ve tried talking to him, but he won’t budge. He keeps saying that nothing’s wrong. I’m worried about him. I was just wondering if you knew anything about it. I’ve already asked the other guys and they got nothing so…”

“Oh I see. Sorry, I don’t know.”

Taehyung sighed. “Oh well, it was worth a try. But you know what? I was also thinking that we could throw him a little party to cheer him up. But we don’t tell him that it’s for him, so he won't feel pressured. We’ll just say that it’s because we need to let loose a little. What do you think about that?”

“Uhm, I guess it’s a good idea.”

“Right? Let’s do it the day after tomorrow, we have some time in the evening then. The sooner the better right? I’ll go tell the other guys!” Taehyung declared and ran off all excited about his master plan. 

When he left, Jungkook tried to figure out what to say to Jimin, they hadn’t spoken since their confrontation at the shooting site. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t figure it out. What was he supposed to say in this situation? More importantly, what did he want to say? At this point, he didn’t know what he wanted besides for Jimin not to be unhappy. Therefore, whenever he would encounter him, he just froze up. He was too afraid to say anything, or even make eye contact. Jimin didn’t attempt to talk to him either, so up until the party, Jungkook had to go back to square one and resort to only staring from afar. Everytime, his heart ached a little while looking at him. 

When the party came around, Taehyung had arranged a feast of snacks and beverages for the gang. He had even gotten them a disco light to really set the mood. Besides Jungkook (who was trying to stay in the background), everyone was trying their very best to create a fun atmosphere for Jimin. They were singing, dancing, making Jimin join them, and pouring him drinks. They were not holding back, even if it meant doing embarrassing things like making ugly faces or silly dance moves. Whatever it took to make him smile again.

As the night went on, they all got more and more intoxicated, especially Jimin who was downing drinks left and right. He was so hammered that he was talking in a cutesy voice, with his cheeks all red, and his body balance being almost non-existent. 

“Hey hey, guys, all together now!” Namjoon said and brought the gang together in a circle, jumping to the beat, laughing and shouting. They were having a blast. But when they dispersed, Jimin lost his footing and nearly fell face first. Luckily, Jungkook, who had been facing him in the circle, could catch him in time. At first when this happened, he was just glad that Jimin didn’t get hurt. But as soon as he met his eyes, he could feel their hands on eachother, and his heart started racing. To Jungkook’s surprise, Jimin’s reaction ended up being nothing more than an adorable smile with closed eyes, and the words: “Thaaank you!” Then he wobbled away to the couch. He was so cute that it was driving Jungkook insane. 

“Oh my god! What the hell am I thinking right now?!"

He had to get away from everything for a minute. The kitchen would be a good place he thought. If someone asked, he could just say that he needed some water. Maybe the water would clear up his crazy thoughts too, he hoped. Once he got to the kitchen, he poured up a glass and took a big sip. It didn't help. He was nowhere near ready to go back and face Jimin, so he remained there, looking out the window into the night sky for a while. Then he suddenly heard a light voice.

“Oh! You’re here too! D-did you drink too much too?” 

Jungkook turned around and saw Jimin struggling to walk over to the sink, where he himself was standing. 

“What?”

“Ah they sent me here because… because I drank too much!” He giggled. “Said I nee- needed water. Is that why - why you’re here too?”

“Uh yeah, sure.”

Jimin took a long and serious look at Jungkook before saying: “Hey Junggoo, I’m sorry. I’m s-sorry I yelled at you. It’s not your fault you don’t like me. This… this is all my fault! I’m sorry! Let’s just be friends again, okay?!”

After blurting this out, he put on a big friendly smile and reached out for a hug, almost falling again in the process. Jungkook had to catch him this time too, so somehow he ended up hugging him back. There they stood, with the younger one’s hands placed around the older one's waist, who in turn had his arms around the other’s neck. Their chests were pressed against each other, and their faces so close that their cheeks almost touched. 

Jungkook felt like he was going to implode. He had never felt what he was feeling so strongly in this moment. And he didn’t know what to do about it. He couldn’t say or do a thing. He wanted to break free from this turmoil, but he couldn’t move. Something kept him locked in Jimin’s embrace. 

“Jimin-ah!” Jin shouted from the hallway and startled Jungkook. 

“Ah, there you are! I was starting to wonder if he had passed out here. I told him to get some water and come back right away."

“Eeey! Jin hyung!” Jimin said and ran off to hug him too. He then clung onto him like a koala bear, since he couldn’t stand up straight on his own anymore.  

“Oh I think someone needs to lay down! Come on, let’s go.” Jin said.

“Okay, bye Jungkookie! My friend, Jeon Jungkoooook!” 

Jungkook’s head was spinning. What was happening to him? Could it be? Did he like Jimin in that way ? 

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