103. Me Under You Pt. 3

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By: @vera_ba

Jungkook is nervous.

And pretty late, he concludes as he glances at the clock on the wall.

Ugh, only if he had anything to wear–––

"Why are you still here?"

Jungkook whips his head up, just so his brother can see the dramatic eye roll. "Wow, way to make a guest feel welcome, Hyung," he murmurs under his nose, eyes focused on the three shirts laid out on the bed.  Maybe he really should go with the basic black one, you can never go wrong with black, right?–––

"If I'd wanted you out, you would already know about it," Jin snorts amusedly, putting his coffee mug down on the nightstand before sitting down on the bed, eyeing his brother curiously. "Is it about Hot Bartender?" he teases, earning a death glare, which probably isn't as effective while Jungkook is blushing, "you know if you want to seduce him, you should've just brought those really tight black skinny jeans, you know, the one that makes your ass look good–––"

"I'm not trying to seduce him," Jungkook quips, ducking his head down in a desperate attempt to hide his pink cheeks. He really isn't, okay? Is it a crime to want to make a good first impression ––– well, at least as a boss?

"Whatever you say, Jungkook-ah," Jin chuckles, "you can take something from my wardrobe, if you want, though," he says nonchalantly, the younger immediately whipping his head up, looking at him like an eager puppy, "if you admit it's because of a certain someone," the older adds, grinning.

What a little shit. Jungkook should've known it sounds too good to be true. Whatever, he will just stick to that black shirt–––

"I'm just kidding, just kidding," Jin bursts out laughing, "take whatever you want," he says, "except that Versace shirt," the older adds, "don't touch my Versace shirt."

"I brought you that shirt for Christmas, you ass," Jungkook huffs, turning on his heels to look around his brother's wardrobe anyway.

"I know," Jin singongs, "and I appreciate it so much I don't even let Joonie borrow it," he explains, "and we're at the stage where we don't mind sharing underwear, so you had no chance, buddy."

Jungkook pretends to gag on his way to the main bedroom. "You two are nasty," he grumbles, pushing another hanger to the side after examining the button-up hanging on it for a quick moment.

"I'm planning on sharing my life with him, you know," Jin says from the guest room, "not just my underwear."

"Still," Jungkook murmurs absent-mindedly, too busy contemplating whether a white button-up would be considered too much, "gross."

"You're gross," Jin bites back good-naturedly.

"I thought you were supposed to hype me up and shit," Jungkook huffs as he pulls a sweater over his head, "you know, since you're the one about to get married, while I've just been cheated on," he says, taking the soft material off after a glance at the mirror.

"Is that why you've been camping in our guest room the whole weekend?" the older replies with a chuckle, "because, let me tell you, you've come to the wrong person, Jungkook-ah," he muses.

No, he isn't here for a confidence boost. Jungkook is here because he can't fucking sleep in their––– no, his damn bed for some reason, and as comfortable as the sofa is, it has started to kill his back after a few days, which isn't exactly ideal, considering he a nine-to-five office job–––

Ugh, this is taking too long. He'll just wear what he has on, it's fine––––

"You know what I can give you?" Jin says walking into the room leisurely, "some advice," he says, "if you want to dress to impress anyone, burn that shirt," the older points at his brother's plaid button-up, the latter rolling his eyes, about to answer, but –– "and if you say mom likes it, that just proves my point."

Jungkook gapes, turning to his reflection with a huff. Okay, the plaid button-up and glasses combo might not be his hottest look, but it's comfortable, something safe to reach back to –––– truth to be told, he didn't really bother with his looks lately. He has been too busy and it's not like he had to impress anyone, his fiancé was supposed to love him no matter what he was wearing, right? Not to mention, that he enjoys the comfort of blending into the crowd, of being invisible, and wearing flashy clothes equals the exact opposite.

Well, looks like the first statement wasn't fucking true at all, so maybe––––

Maybe he doesn't have to be invisible.

"Here," Jin pulls out a simple white button-up and a pair of black jeans, "simple yet elegant," he says, "tuck the shirt into the pants, do your hair and voilà," he exclaims dramatically, making the younger crack a fond smile.

Maybe he really is here for a confidence boost ––– or a wakeup call, at least.

"See?" Jin turns him to the side, "it accentuates your waist and makes you look, dare I say, snatched," he jokes, smiling brightly as the younger snorts amusedly.

Maybe he's overthinking it again. It's just clothes, right? He didn't fucking forget how to dress properly, he's just ––– a little out of practice and needs some reassurance. It doesn't have to be flashy to look nice. It's almost in his comfort zone, almost, not counting the really tight pants –– they do make his thighs look nice though ––– fuck, this is so stupid, why is he doing this? Is he really this desperate for attention? He doesn't even know whose attention he's trying to get. Jae's? Is he subconsciously trying to show off what he's lost or something? God, that sounds lame, Jungkook thinks as he tries his best to make his hair look presentable with much more vehemence than needed–––

He isn't sure if trying to –– seduce? is it the right word after specifically telling that there can't be anything between them? whatever – Jimin is any less lame, to be honest.

Jungkook glances at his reflection, swallowing dryly. Nope. He should change back–––

"You realize it's almost half-past nine, right?" he hears his brother's voice from somewhere around the condo.

"What?!" Jungkook screeches, striding back to the guest room to get his car keys and phone, and out to the kitchen with the same momentum. "Gotta go, bye, Hyung," he says, opening the door after slipping into his coat and boots.

"Where's everybody?" Jungkook glances around the empty corridor confusedly, stepping through his friend's open office door for some answers.

"In the kitchen," Tae says, munching on something contently as he keeps typing, "Jimin brought dasik for everyone," he chirps happily. Oh, Tae is on first name basis already, not the usual lazy nickname he can associate the new employees with, – like 'intern guy' for instance – meaning, Taehyung must actually really like or absolutely despise Jimin, considering how horrible he is with names. If Jungkook had to guess, it's probably the previous, though.

Jungkook can't blame him. Jimin is ––– extremely easy to like. In fact, Jungkook would be surprised if anyone has managed to dislike him at all.

"They were demolished in five minutes tops," Tae turns his head to him with a pout on his lips, "can you believe those animals? I had to beg Kayla from HR ––– fucking Kayla, to share one with me," he huffs.

"Oh, I see," Jungkook chuckles amusedly, "so, cookies – that's one hell of a way to make you remember his name," the younger teases, grinning as his friend sticks his tongue out.

"It's not just cookies, it's dasik, Jungkook-ah," Tae says, "probably the best one – well, half one – I had in a while," he sighs dreamily, way too dramatic for some sweets in the younger's opinion, but that's Taehyung for you. "I would've saved you some, but you know, law of the jungle," the brunet grimaces.

"It's okay, Hyung," Jungkook smiles softly, "alright –– umm," he continues, drumming on the doorframe as he pounders, "could you please get everyone into the conference room in ten?" he asks, "just to, you know, go through the formalities," he explains, the brunet nodding.

Jungkook taps on his iPad, shifting on his feet nervously. It usually isn't him who does these Monday morning briefings, it's supposed to be Jae's job, but honestly, speaking in front of so many people sounds way better now than going through this week's tasks and goals with his ex-fiancé, face to face. Yeah, he isn't sure he could do that without punching said face–––

It might be a petty move, but to be fair, Jungkook has every right to be petty –– at least for a little while. He's already nervous to speak in front of fifteen people, because thank god, these short briefings only include the core of the company who work with him side by side, and well, it would be ridiculous of him to assume he could do it in front of a bigger crowd, never mind a press conference–––

Jungkook shivers at the thought.

Yeah, Jae can do those.

Suddenly, the conference room is filled with people and Jungkook tries, he really tries not to feel even more uncomfortable from the confused glances he's getting from his employees, or the death glare he gets from Jae–––

You know what? Jungkook glares back. How dare he act like he has any right to be offended?–––

He tears his gaze away from his ex-fiancé, jaw clenched, until–––

Jimin enters the room, focusing on Taehyung, who's explaining something languidly. He's wearing a simple oversized black sweater tucked into his dark wash jeans neatly. He must've sensed the younger's stares because he turns his head, lips curling into a warm smile as he catches the other's gaze––– fuck, it's not fair how pretty Jimin is. It's really fucking unfair, and that's exactly what Jungkook blames his stomach being all –– fluttery. He gulps, forcing himself to reciprocate the smile as he gestures the older to come closer. Jimin does, and fuck, maybe it was a bad idea, because Jungkook can feel his hand get clammier as Jimin leans into his space, giving him a chance to get a whiff of that familiar cologne, not too heady, just a trace of –– whatever it is, that makes him smell like spring.

"Hi," Jimin says quietly, the younger greeting him back with a tight smile. Jimin observes him for a moment, contemplating, before –– "are you okay?" he asks, although hesitantly.

Fuck, if Jimin can see he's anxious, then others sure as hell can do, too.

"Y–yeah," he replies hastily, clearing his throat to catch everyone's attention after he tears his gaze away. "Hello, everyone," he starts, trying his best to keep a steady tone, "I hope you all had a good weekend ––– umm, so before we go through this week's schedule, I'd like to officially introduce Jimin, although, I've heard he's already made a good impression," he says, sighing in relief as he hears some soft agreements and small laughs –– see? he can do this, easy breezy lemon squeezy –– "so, umm –– as you all may have known, he will be my assistant, and –––" he swallows dryly, glancing at Jae, then Jimin ––– "yeah," he adds awkwardly, taking the iPad into his clammy hands to check his notes, rambling through the bullet points he's made.

He takes it back. He can't do this. It was awkward and horrible, and–––

Ugh.

Jungkook closes his office door behind himself, exhaling in relief as he slumps down against it, only to jump away as a trail of loud, urgent knocks echo through the room. It must be Jimin, he thinks, adjusting his shirt nervously before opening the door with a small smile on his face but ––– oh boy, he was mistaken.  His lips curl down immediately as he locks eyes with Jae, who doesn't seem much happier to see him.

"What the hell, Jungkook?" Jae hisses, stomping into the office as if he fucking owns the place, "is this some kind of childish retribution?" he says with a deep frown on his face, "are you trying to humiliate me in front of everyone? Is this what it's about? Or ––" he huffs, "what's next? You're going to push me out of every single part of my actual fucking job?"

"It's not part of your job," Jungkook mutters, arms crossed over his chest. It really isn't. It's Jungkook's, actually. It was just so much easier to leave it to Jae–––

"What?" the older frowns, "Jesus Christ, Kook, you can't just mumble under your nose when you're talking to people––– see?" he says, sighing dramatically, "this is exactly what I'm talking about. You were doing this throughout the whole briefing and now, probably half of the staff don't even know what the hell they were supposed to do all because of your pettiness," and there is that condescending tone again, the one that always makes Jungkook feel so fucking weak ––– only if Jae wasn't right.

"Look, Jungkookie," Jae sighs, tone softer now as he leans on the table, as if the conversation itself was so damn tiring ––– "I've been thinking and ––– I understand if you don't want to talk about us, but ––" he stops, observing the younger for a moment, "don't throw everything away we've built over a –– stupid mistake," the older continues, glancing down at the floor and then ––– "don't do what I did," Jae lifts his gaze to meet the other's, "trust me, it's not worth it," he says solemnly.

Jungkook swallows or at least tries to, but it's getting more and more difficult with the lump growing in his throat–––

No.

He isn't ready for this conversation. He isn't ––– he can't –––

Fuck, he can't cry now, he thinks, trying to blink back the tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. Why is he so weak? Why can't he hold his ground for just this once –––

A soft knock on the door, the younger wincing.

They both still for a moment, a moment too long, it seems, because the door opens slowly before Jungkook could say anything.

"Hey, sorry it took me so long, you just disappeared, and I don't really know the floorplan yet––– oh," Jimin blinks, eyes flickering between the two of them, "I'm just gonna ––– I'll come back later, sorry," he says, already half-way through the door –––

This is his chance to get out of this conversation, Jungkook thinks.

"Wait, you don't have to–––" he tries, Jae interrupting.

"Thank you," the older says. It doesn't sound polite at all.

"I'll just ––– I'll make some coffee, yeah?" Jimin rubs his neck awkwardly, "see you in a few," he says with a weak smile before he slips through the door.

"I don't like him."

Jungkook snaps his head to the man still in the room, and suddenly, his blood boils.

"Oh, you don't like my assistant?" he snaps, "well, I'm sorry, it isn't someone up to your taste," he says bitterly, all the anger coursing back into his veins. "I'm so fucking sorry you'll have to find someone out of this company to fuck," he continues, probably a little too loud, but honestly, he can't be bothered to care right now.

"Fucking hell, Jungkook, can you just stop–––"

"Get out," Jungkook cuts in, opening the door with much more force than needed.

"Are you serious?" Jae says, baffled, "I'm just trying to have a conversation with you for once, like a fucking adult–––"

"Well, I can't even look at you right now," the younger disrupts him again, "so get out," he repeats firmly.

Jae stares at him for a moment in disbelief, before storming out of the office. Jungkook slumps down on his chair, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes as he tries to calm his breathing, groaning as there's another knock on the door again.

"Come in," he croaks out, lifting his head, "oh, hi," he says, a little softer now, his shoulders relaxing, because it's just Jimin–––

"Hi," Jimin says with a soft smile, padding to the younger and putting one steaming mug down in front of him.

Jungkook blinks, looking at the older confusedly.

"Told you I'm going to get coffee," the blue-haired cracks a playful smile, which, the younger couldn't help but reciprocate. It's insane, how contagious this man's smile is, it really is.

"Thank you," Jungkook replies, quiet, earnest. He hums happily as the sweet smell of vanilla hits his nose ––– wait. He takes a sip, smacking his lips. Vanilla oat milk and honey?

Jungkook frowns confusedly, glancing at the older.

"Taehyung gave me a hint," Jimin shrugs playfully, "didn't want to make your day shittier than it is with ruining your coffee," he makes a face, making the younger's expression to soften.

Jimin is so, so ––– thoughtful.

Kind.

"Although I had a guess you wouldn't be the black coffee kind of person, believe it or not," Jimin adds, smiling brightly as the other giggles.

"What gave me away?" Jungkook muses, sipping from his mug.

"Well––" Jimin starts, his lips curling up into a lop-sided smile again, something the younger hasn't seen since that night ––– it doesn't last long, though. Jimin contemplates for a moment, his expression morphing into a more –– polite, small smile, "nothing, really," he shrugs, "just the perks of being a bartender."

Jungkook blinks, glancing down at his mug, trying to push down the disappointment creeping up his spine ––– wait, why is he disappointed in the first place? Okay, he might have expected that sentence to have a much flirtier tone, judging by that smile, but why did he want it to be? He was the one who said there couldn't be anything between them ––– right?

"Oh, I almost forgot," Jimin disrupts his train of thought, pulling something out of his bag, "I saved one for you," he says, putting something neatly wrapped in a paper towel.

Jungkook's eyes flicker between the little package and the older man, confused, picking it up after an encouraging smile from the other. He opens it up carefully, staring at the cookie – it's not just a cookie, it's a dasik, his friend's voice scolds him in his head – his heart turning all frenzy again –––

"Y-you really didn't have to," he says quietly, trying to keep his voice steady –– why is he so emotional over some damn sweets?––

Jimin smiles at him warmly, opening his mouth to answer but is rudely disrupted by the door bursting open.

"You're officially my favorite person now," Tae points at the blue-haired with a dasik in his hand, smiling ear to ear, the latter bursting out in a sweet laughter, it kind of sounds like little bells–––

God, snap out of it, Jungkook.

"Damn, you're cheap," Jimin teases, chuckling.

"Do you know how hard it is to find good dasik in the Middle of Brooklyn?" Tae huffs, "it's priceless and I could kiss you right now," the brunet says in his usual dramatic style. Jimin chuckles at his antics, but the youngest ––– he feels his heart sinking in his chest. Of course, Jimin would save one for Tae, too. He isn't getting special treatment from the older, it's just general kindness –––

And it's okay. It really is okay, because he didn't ask for special treatment from Jimin, he wanted to keep it professional, to not let their little ––– encounter affect their work relationship, right?

"At least take me out for dinner first, or something," Jimin answers in a playful tone, Tae grinning. Damn, Jimin has really passed his friend's vibe check, hasn't

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