17. Bon Appétit

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By: @flitter

They have this thing-an unspoken agreement.

Jimin knows that part of it is due to their long history, growing up together from potty training days when cooties were a Real Deal and the worst thing that could happen was a having toys taken away for a week as punishment. As far back as Jimin can remember, Jungkook has always been a presence in his life, hovering just a stone's throw away, expressive eyes seeking him out in a crowd. Jimin trusts him more than anyone else. And that's saying something, all things considered.

Which is why after they manage through the lanky, awkward years of prepubescent and teen angst, and start university life with more eagerness than a dog off a leash, Jimin doesn't question it when Jungkook begins to never let him go.

Which is not an understatement, or a metaphor for something deeper. He really just doesn't let Jimin go.

"Sure, I'll be down for a study group," Jimin replies, chatting with the smiley girl who usually sits two tables ahead of him. He shuffles, twisting around to swing his backpack off his arm in accommodation for Jungkook, who has latched onto him from behind. Jimin tries to ignore the knobby fingers tickling his waist, hot breaths puffing against his ear.

"Great!" The girl replies, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I cant wait! Maybe we can grab dinner before or something?" She blinks slowly, looking up at Jimin through her eyelashes.

He forces a smile. He hopes she isn't trying to flirt with him, but by the looks of it, the way she begins to nibble on her lower lip, that's probably wishful thinking.

Over hi shoulder, Jungkook snorts. "He's having dinner with me, sorry Soljin."

The pure disappointment across her face is so sad, Jimin is almost ready to just say yes, but Jungkook is having none of that, dipping his large nose under Jimin's jaw - another habit he's developed over the last year that Jimin doesn't dare question. "Maybe next time?" Jungkook adds, probably to dampen the blow.

Soljin nods glumly. "That's cool. See you at study group, then."

Jungkook doesn't wait for Soljin to leave, tugging Jimin with him to exit the lecture hall. The presence of Jungkook's palm on his lower back stays put as they manoeuvre through the bustling halls. Its warmth has become so constant, Jimin is apt to forget that its there until its not.

"That wasnt nice, Kook-ah. Soljin just wanted to hang out."

Jungkook frowns, squinting as he holds open the main door. "No, she wanted to hook up with you."

Jimin steps into the autumn daylight of the open campus quarter, a welcome warmth after the frigid hours in classes. "You dont know that. She's really nice!"

"You cant be that blind to not know she was flirting with you."

Jimin huffs, pulling down the collar of his sweater, rolling up the sleeves. "Don't be silly. Being friendly shouldn't be automatically assumed as flirting."

Jungkook's gaze sweeps down, watching Jimin's movements like he always does. "She totally checks you out all the time; even I feel offended with how much ogling she does. Plus, if I came up to you and asked to get dinner before a study group, you wouldn't think I'm flirting?" He tightens his arm around Jimin's waist, pulling them side to side.

It makes walking difficult, jutting into Jungkook's hips with each step, but Jimin doesn't mind. Another one of their unspoken things - the lack of personal space. "No one should trust you," He jokes, poking Jungkook's cheek.

Jungkook grins. The freckles down his cheeks look so pretty in the setting sunlight; Jimin resists cooing.

"You're right. Only you would trust me, hyung."



The first time things start to take a turn for something more, it happens out of left field, completely unexpected.

Jimin makes a face, staring at the cafeteria menu screen with extreme focus. He's so, so hungry, famished, after locking himself in his shared dorm with Jungkook for god knows how long, to focus on studying for his Microbiology exam.

He even made Jungkook promise not to bother him, citing their Friendship Pact as insurance so that Jungkook wouldn't start an impromptu cuddling session just because he felt like it.

So with a brain functioning on less than zombie levels of intellect, and a stomach that's making angry sounds, Jimin doesn't know what to order. And the lunch lady is looking at him with an odd, judgemental stare.

"Son, do you gave any idea what you want to eat?"

Jimin gulps. "Oh, um. I'm sorry - I -"

"Hyung!" Warmth bounds into him, slinging himself onto his back, trusty arms interlocking around his waist. The familiarity seeps into Jimin's bones like a comforting blanket and he's suddenly so thankful that Jungkook has come to his rescue, even if unknowingly.

"What are you going to get? My treat after all that intense studying," Jungkook whispers, a bit out of breath and hoarse into Jimin's ear.

A shiver shoots down Jimin's spine. He leans further into Jungkook's chest, fingers finding Jungkook's to interlock. "I dont know, Kookie. I'm so tired. But hungry, I'm hungry."

"Hungry, huh? Yeah, you need something to eat, ASAP."

Whether it be the lack of glucose in his brain or the humming chatter from the busy cafeteria that sounds like calming white noise, Jimin sinks into a comfortable lull, rolling his head back onto Jungkook's shoulder and wiggling closer.

As perfect as Jungkook is, his body is largely made up of pure, lean muscle (Jimin can appreciate the hours that Jungkook spends at the gym), which doesn't make the best pillow. Jimin has to arch his ass back a certain way so that its most comfortable.

Which is when he feels it.

It hardening right between his butt.

At first, Jimin thinks its a figment of his food-deprived mind, and maybe the suppressed years of crushing hard on his best friend, that make him believe Jungkook's sporting a stiff one right in the middle of the cafeteria. So he blinks the thought away, shifting again.

Around him, jungkook freezes, arms cocooning him tightly. The warm bulge presses harder and Jimin hears a soft moan, as if Jungkook is trying to stifle himself.

Jimin has no energy to freak out, squirming, unsure how to react, but not entirely put-off. He knows how boners work. How they come and go, with no rhyme or reason. They dont have to be elicited by any sort of attraction.

"Hyung," Jungkook whispers throatily. The hardness kicks forward a centimetre, rubbing up as Jungkook slides his hips forward.

The prospect of food is nearly overwhelming and Jimin would probably be nosediving into an existential crisis if not for the primal need to eat. So he lifts away from Jungkook's hold and the nice boner nestled between his cheeks.

"Think I'm gonna get a hamburger," He says. Distantly, he thinks his voice sounds kind of high, dopey and slurring.

Jungkook nods quickly, walking them up to the register in jerky movements, one hand pulling down the front pocket of his jacket. He pays for Jimin's burger, despite his half-hearted protests. Jimin wonders why Jungkook suddenly looks so red; is he wearing blush today?

He gets the burger to-go, ready to devour it in the confines of his comfortable blanket. Clean eating habits be damned. The entire walk back to their dorm is silent, but Jimin doesn't mind. Jungkook tends to think a lot, and Jimin is happy to wait until he feels at ease to share, when the time comes.

When they arrive, Jungkook is back to his cheesy self, tossing off his t-shirt and curling up next to Jimin to beg for a piece of his burger. They fight over who gets the last bite.

"You should've just bought two burgers if you were gonna eat more than half of mine," Jimin says with a pout.

Jungkook thumbs away a fleck of mustard from Jimin's lower lip. "Well, then there's no fun in pestering you."

Bickering aside, Jimin is content, belly full enough to be satisfied, and ready for a nap. As Jungkook tugs the blanket around them, settling into the crook of Jimin's neck as he usually does, Jimin promptly forgets all about the way Jungkook had sounded, voice breathy and high, almost as if he wanted him.




Over the next few days, Jimin barely catches a glance of Jungkook. When he wakes up, Jungkook is already out for classes, and by the time he gets home, Jungkook is either still at a lab, at the gym, or knocked out asleep.

Jimin doesn't think anything of it - finals are ramping up anyway, and he takes the opportunity to be thankful for any quiet time he can get. Even if its at the expense of not spending time with him best friend.

One morning, he manages to beat his alarm clock, awake and out of bed for no reason. Shuffling into the small kitchenette, coffee is the first thing Jimin makes in order to be fully functional.

He's staring at the black fuel dripping into the coffee pot when he hears Jungkook's yawn across the way.

"Oh, hyung." Jungkook sounds timid and he's not making eye contact. "You're up early."

Jimin doesn't like the sound of that. "Yeah," he replies, trying for an extra chirpy tone. "Got really nice sleep lately, I guess. Since someone hasn't been pestering me the past week." He throws in an extra obnoxious laugh for good measure.

Jungkook ducks his head. He stands stock-still in the middle of their cramped, pseudo-living room, looking ultra-soft with messy bed-head and puffy eyes.

Why is he so far away? Any other day, and Jungkook would be bounding over to steal Jimin's coffee. So Jimin asks, "why are you so far away?"

Jungkook snaps up to look at him, eyes wide. "Oh, um. I dunno. I forgot I had something - erm, in my room. See ya, hyung."

The door to Jungkook's small single bedroom slams shut, leaving Jimin very, very confused. Did he do something wrong? He tries to recall if he'd ticked Jungkook off unknowingly. Even though he knows Jungkook through and through, with all of his cute quirks such as covering his nose when he yawns, or nibbling on inedible objects for fun, Jimin hits a mental wall with this case.

He shrugs, pouring his coffee. Maybe Jungkook's just having an off day. Everyone's allowed to have them.



But when one day turns into another week of off days, Jimin has had enough.

"Jungkook!" He shouts, barging into his best friend's room. They've always maintained an open-door policy and Jimin is thankful that still remains, despite the bizarre, cold shoulder treatment he's been on the receiving end of lately.

Jungkook is startled, phone flying off his lap, earbuds shucked away. "Hyung?"

"Okay, what the fuck is going on?"

Jungkook stands, blinking owlishly. He looks so genuinely confused, eyebrows raised and worry driven deep into his features, that Jimin is almost convinced to call off the mad act.

"Um, what?" Jungkook repeats.

Jimin squints. It may be an effect of the dim light from the calico cat lamp Jungkook insisted on buying from the thrift store years ago, but are Jungkook's cheeks pinker than usual? He shakes his head, ready to reprimand.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook cuts in, standing up slowly. "I'm sorry, hyung. I know youre upset with me."

Jimin halts, a little baffled. "Well, yeah. I am. Upset."

"Ive been avoiding you."

Jimin lowers his extended pointer finger. "Yes. Yes, you have. Jeon Jungkook, in all the years we've known each other, you've never avoided me!! We talk about everything!"

Jungkook approaches him with those extra-large eyes that grip Jimin by his bare soul every time. "I'm really, really sorry. I just couldn't bring myself to talk to you. But I think I'm better, hyung." He lets out a heavy exhale. "Its just been a weird week."

"I dont believe you."

"Hyung, please." Jungkook reaches out, hands tentatively finding their usual place on Jimin's hips. "Can we just forget this week ever happened? I miss us."

"I miss us too," Jimin says, sighing at the comforting touch. "And I'm not really that upset. Just confused. I still want us to talk about it. I dont feel comfortable just sweeping this under the table."

"We'll talk about it someday, I promise."

Jimin takes a second to study Jungkook, his closest companion. The tuffs of light brown hair from a failed attempt at going blonde three months ago. The mustard stain on the bottom of his favourite set of sweatpants that he refuses to toss out. Same old Jungkookie, his favourite person in the world. Whatever Jungkook lost his shit over, well, at the end of the day, Jimin would need to respect his wishes no matter how much he wanted to address it. And Jungkook has never broken a promise before; Jimin has to trust that he wont break this one.

"Okay," He finally says.

Jungkook leans back apprehensively. "Really? You're not going to force me to tell you?"

The offence shoots up Jimin's heart into his throat. "Of course not! What kind of shitty best friend would I be if I did that? I'm hurt, Kook." He pouts, crossing his arms.

Jungkook immediately melts, tugging Jimin forward to meet him. The solidarity of Jungkook's embrace is like a breath of spring air after hibernation in a cold, lifeless winter - welcome and invigorating. Jimin relaxes, nuzzling closer, intent on making sure they hug it out properly.

"I'm sorry, hyung. Really." Jungkook starts pulling away, but Jimin isn't having any of it.

He squeezes Jungkook tighter. "Shut up and cuddle me."

The rumble of Jungkook's laugh fills Jimin with something very satisfying. Even though he has no idea what plagued their connection the past week, what matters is that at least they're better now.

Park Jimin is not an oblivious man. Park Jimin knows how to read his best friend like a book.
So even though his friendship with Jeongguk seems to be soaring back to an all-time high, Jimin does notice a subtle change – which he aims to address.
The realization comes after he's finished a few classes, right before the last one of the day.
His back is cold.
"It's so cold, Jeonggukie," he hisses, pulling the jacket tighter around his neck. "Is it colder than usual? Or is it just me?"
Jeongguk shrugs, raising an eyebrow. The professor drones on, one of those A-for-effort folks who never checks attendance. But still, they try to be exemplary students, respectful and quiet during class.
Jimin returns to his note-taking, wishing he could pinpoint exactly what feels so incredibly wrong.
After class is dismissed, Jimin hurries to gather his laptop. The room is freezing even though he's wearing long-sleeves, a jacket, and long pants. Maybe he's coming down with the flu? Jeongguk trails along, typing something on his phone.
As they finally exit the building, Jimin wants to drop everything and run around in the sunshine, defrost his fingers and rejoice. But he's a sane person and doesn't enjoy large public venues of people staring at him, so he settles for celebrating internally. Halfway through the courtyard – it hits him.
"You're not backhugging me anymore!"
Jeongguk screeches to a stop, mainly because Jimin had halted in the middle of the sidewalk. Two girls bump into them and Jimin apologizes quickly.
"Hyung, let's move out of the way."
Jimin shoots him a glare but follows as he maneuvers through the flow of traffic onto a bench on the side of a green stretch of lawn.
"How come you haven't been backhugging me?"
Jeongguk grimaces, squaring his shoulders. "Seriously hyung, are you really asking this?"
"Of course I am! You never go more than a few hours without crowding into me like a shell on the back of a turtle. It's a big change.
"Of all the things you could've compared it to," Jeongguk mutters, runnning a hand through his hair, effortlessly handsome. Jimin loves playing with Jeongguk's fluffy hair, scratching down his scalp when Jeongguk feels especially soft to rest his head in Jimin's lap.
"Honestly it could be worse. I could've compared you hugging me to the foreskin on the tip of a –"
"Hyung!"
Jimin cackles, especially proud of his joke, throwing the force of his body into Jeongguk's side. The instinctual reflex has Jeongguk curling an arm around his waist and quite suddenly, Jimin doesn't feel so cold anymore.
"Don't be afraid to hug me, Guk-ah," he whispers.
"I... don't want to make you uncomfortable." Jeongguk's ears are tinted a light pink sheen.
Jimin tilts up to stare into Jeongguk's deep auburn eyes. "By any chance, is this because of that day in the cafeteria?"
Jeongguk's silence is loud enough.
"If you think that would change things between us for the worse, then you clearly don't know the Jimin and Jeongguk that I know." Jimin nudges him. "The Jimin and Jeongguk I know would laugh about it, make dick jokes and move on. And my Jeonggukie would definitely not stop backhugging me."
Jeongguk eventually stops avoiding eye contact, swallowing thickly with a nod. "You're right. I don't know why, but I was sure you'd be freaked out about it."
"Personally, I'm offended."
Jeongguk laughs, a soft chuckle that rises in volume and confidence. "And that's not acceptable."
"Nope."
Jeongguk heaves a weary sigh. "I keep messing up, hyung. I'm sorry."
Jimin scrunches his nose, wishing Jeongguk would stop being so hard on himself, and acknowledge the incredible amount of effort that he puts into everything he does. It's admirable. Jimin admires him a whole lot. "No more apologies. All I expect are for the backhugs to resume right away."
Jeongguk snorts, laughing with a quick nod. "Sure, my demanding little hyung."
"This demanding, not-so-little hyung has far too much blackmail material on you," Jimin says, waggling a finger. Once he senses Jeongguk's apprehension, he figures he might as well have some fun. "But don't worry, Jeongguk-ah, I can't let the secret get out about Jeongguk Junior. It felt like a very nice, very big boner. Hyung approves."
Jeongguk gapes. "Hyung!"

The conflict-resolution appears to be exactly what Jeongguk needs to slide back into his former role of being attached to Jimin's back. Only now that Jimin is aware of Jeongguk's partiality to such bodily contact, Jimin becomes quite the shameless harlot, if he does say so himself.
Take, for example, the night Jeongguk drags Jimin to the opening premiere of Avengers: Infinity War.
"I love these seats," Jimin says, moaning as he leans back into the plush red velvet. The smaller theatre is known for its loveseats, small couches big enough for two people, with tall backings that curl around on the sides for privacy. Employees can be summoned by the touch of a button to order food and drinks, delivered right to their seats. Jimin thinks he's in cinematic heaven.
"So much better than regular theatres," Jeongguk agrees. "I hate getting squished between strangers and having to hold my pee because everyone grumbles if you stand up for the bathroom." He shrugs off his jacket and plops down, throwing an arm over Jimin's shoulders.
"I honestly don't care. If I need to go, I'm going."
"Classy, hyung."
Jimin fiddles with taking selcas, most of which Jeongguk makes some form of meme face, until the previews begin. Jeongguk orders a big bowl of popcorn and all is well.
Halfway through the thundering pace of the opening scene, Jimin finds himself somehow halfway on Jeongguk's lap, sidled between his thighs. Upon first thought, Jimin isn't surprised – he ends up sitting on Jeongguk at lunch tables, on benches, squished in their friends' cars, far too often for it to be weird.
Jeongguk's

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