By: @wonce_km
Fuck planes. Is the first thought to cross Jungkook's mind as he struggles to retrieve his luggage from the baggage claim. He pushes past a couple who's too wrapped up in their argument to step aside. He gives the blonde woman a death glare and resists the urge to flip the man off.

So, maybe he's in a bit of a bad mood because his flight from Boston was delayed twice and he's just now arriving in Seoul. It's a little past 8 p.m. and Jungkook just wants to go to Taehyung's place, shower and shut down for the day. He watches the carousel go 'round and 'round until he finally sees the familiar green of his suitcase. He darts towards it, snatches it up and is on his way.

It's been two, maybe three years since Jungkook left Korea for The States to pursue a musical career at Berklee. He studied guitar and was extremely popular in the underground scene. Many took to his sweet voice and flawless playing; his good looks also played a part in his popularity. He was often described as the "thoughtful-soft-boy type" who might've had a relationship or five.

Jungkook would've made a killing out there, but Boston was missing the one thing he couldn't forget. The one thing he couldn't move on from. The one thing that caused him to return. That one thing just so happens to be staring back at him from a large LED screen.

Dazzling and charming. Mesmerizing and unforgettable. Park Jimin.

Jungkook stops in his tracks to stare at the screen. His grip on his suitcase loosens and his eyes double in size. Jimin appears to be advertising a lipstick product; the camera zooms in on his lips before zooming out to his face. He flashes a smile and sparkles suddenly appear around him. The Jimin Effect has never been portrayed so well. Whenever Jimin smiled at him, Jungkook pictured the same sparkles, bright like Jimin's personality.

"Are you a fan too?" a young woman suddenly asks, coming up beside Jungkook.

Jungkook has half a mind to walk away like he didn't hear her, but decides to entertain her for a moment, "Yeah,"

"Our Jimin is amazing, huh? So gorgeous, my gosh!"

Our Jimin has a ring to it that gives Jungkook pause. After a moment, he dumbly replies, "Yeah, he's stunning."

The girl idles beside him until the ad finishes, then she dismisses herself with a bow. Jungkook waits a moment, secretly hoping another ad will play. He stares at the screen and when an ad flashing a roundtrip flight to Europe plays, Jungkook clutches his bags and hurries to the exit.

Seoul is a place full of failed attempts, mild successes and late nights spent brooding over sheets of music. Jungkook recalls all these memories as he hails a taxi to Taehyung's place. Taehyung is part of what they used to call themselves: The Rock Bison Bros.

Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung. Three inseparable kids who grew up together.

Prior to landing, Taehyung texted Jungkook his address and was more than happy to accommodate Jungkook for a week or two as he settled back into the city.

"I'm here for you, but ignore the middle of the night noises, my boyfriend's a screamer."

Jungkook decided not to think about Taehyung's late night shenanigans with his boyfriend who Jungkook knows almost everything about. Taehyung's boyfriend, Jung Hoseok is a well-known movie director. The two met when Taehyung was just kicking off his acting career. A movie director and his muse. A perfect match, really. Jungkook can only hope that he matches that well with someone.

While riding in the taxi, he passes several big ass billboards of Jimin, each a close-up of his unforgettable face. What the fuck is he so beautiful for? Jungkook's head thuds against the window and he sighs.

He feels like he's in the beginning of one of those sappy fanfics he secretly read in high school. The type of fanfic with the annoyingly romantic protagonist who can't get their shit together. All he needs now is a melodramatic BGM. Luckily for him, his phone rings and the mood is gone.

Jungkook answers with a low, "Hello."

"You sound like shit." Taehyung's voice crackles into his ear. "The flight must've kicked your ass."

"Plowed into it raw."

Taehyung snorts, "Anyways, where are you now?"

"Ten minutes from your place." Jungkook yawns. "I'm tired but I could go for a drink right now."

"Seeing Jimin's face everywhere must be getting to you." Taehyung knowingly replies.

Jungkook does a double take, "So, you're telling me you have telepathy now?"

"Nah, I just know your dumbass."

"This dumbass went to Berklee."

Taehyung laughs, "I'll give you that." After a pause he says. "He asked about you."

Suddenly Jungkook feels like he's just been stripped and is sitting naked in the backseat of this taxi. A shaky smile tugs at his lips and his hand holding the phone slightly trembles.

"I told him you were back."

Jungkook's tongue darts out to wet his lips.

"We can talk about it more over drinks."

"Yeah," Jungkook exhales shakily. "that's a good idea."

Prior to leaving for Boston, Jungkook royally fucked up his relationship with Jimin. It was stupid—what they fought about—arguing over their dreams and what they meant to each other. Jungkook couldn't get his words right and misunderstandings unfolded between them like a damp blanket. It was so cliché.

"Don't stress, man. Jimin's not going to react like you think." Taehyung soothes.

"I kinda want him to," Jungkook mutters. "I deserve a punch or two."

"Let's talk about it some more over drinks, m'kay? I'm hanging up now."

"Alright,"

The line clicks and Jungkook's once again left with the many thoughts racing through his mind. Moments later, when he arrives at Taehyung's place, Taehyung greets him with a hug and helps him settle inside before they hurry off to a nearby bar.

"Dude," Taehyung exclaims once they take a seat. "you're fucking built now, what happened in Boston?"

Jungkook shrugs, "I started working out more, nothing really."

Taehyung whistles, reaching over to give his bicep a squeeze. "Damn."

They make light conversation, discussing Jungkook's life in Boston and Taehyung's success with his latest acting role. After talking for an hour, Taehyung plucks up Jungkook's phone.

"Input your passcode for me." Taehyung requests.

Jungkook blinks, but does so anyway, he doesn't have anything to hide.

Taehyung types away on Jungkook's phone before handing it back to him. "There," he smiles. "I added Jimin to your contacts."

Jungkook's eyes widen and his phone slips from his fingers, clattering to the table. He rushes to snatch it back up, gaze bearing into Taehyung's smug one.

"Text him."

Jungkook makes a garbled noise as he clutches his phone.

"I'll give you some privacy," Taehyung rises from his seat and heads to the bathroom. "good luck."

Taehyung walks away and Jungkook's left with his phone and the bomb that is Jimin's number. He gapes down at his phone, contemplating if he should act like Jimin's number doesn't exist. After what feels like forever, Jungkook swipes open his phone and clicks on Jimin's name.

He stares and his fingers begin to type on their own: Hey, how are you? Jungkook erases that because it's too formal. He tries again: Hyung...

"Fuck," Jungkook bites his bottom lip. "is that too personal?" He goes back to type again, but accidentally presses send and sends nothing but 'H.' His heart falls out of his ass and embarrassment washes over him. So much for trying to be suave and casual.

When his phone suddenly dings, he nearly falls out of his seat. The message on his screen reads:

Jimin

H? Did they teach you this in Boston?

Jimin

Kidding, kidding. I'm gonna assume you meant hey or hi or hello

Jungkook begins to type out a response, but is cut off when his screen lights up with Jimin's caller ID. He's calling!? Panic begins to set in and Jungkook's eyes get as big as golf balls. Maybe if he stares hard enough, his phone will explode or something, but none of that happens and his phone continues to ring.

He takes in a lungful of air before answering, "H-hello?"

There's static and then Jimin's excited voice. "Hey!" he shouts.

Jungkook picks up on music in the background and excited chatter seeping through Jimin's line.

"I didn't think you'd answer," Jimin laughs all sweet like cotton candy and Jungkook swoons.

"Yeah, I uhm—are you busy?" Jungkook fumbles over his words because it's been forever since they last spoke.

"Nah, not really. A couple of friends invited me out to some lame-ass party." Jimin explains. "Anyways, when are you free?"

Jungkook does a double-take, "Why?"

"Mm, figured we could catch up? Talk." Jimin adds a heartbeat later. "Also, I could give you a tour of my place. You won't believe it till you see it."

He's rambling. Jungkook understands what Jimin's rambling means—he's anxious. It's the type of anxiousness Jungkook's familiar with when it comes from Jimin. It reminds him of that science project they failed together in middle school and Jungkook smiles to himself.

"Yeah, that'd be cool." Jungkook replies.

Jimin lights up, "Really?! Then great." There's a loud thud in the background and then Jimin's yelling at someone in the distance before saying softly to Jungkook. "Sorry, uhm does Thursday work?"

"Yeah, yeah...I'm pretty flexible right now."

"Oh, are you?"

There's a teasing lilt to Jimin's voice that flusters Jungkook and he doesn't know how to respond to that, so he doesn't.

Jimin laughs again, louder this time and says, "I'll see you Thursday afternoon."

And it's over. Just like that the line clicks and silence rings.

Jungkook remains frozen and remains that way until Taehyung hits the back of his head. Jungkook dazedly touches his nape and blinks once.

"You texted him?" Taehyung asks, but once he gets a good look at Jungkook's face, he states. "You texted him."

It's safe to say that the days leading up to Jungkook's reunion with Jimin, pass in a blur. One day he's introduced to Taehyung's boyfriend and the next he's shopping for a new guitar. But as he goes about his business, the only person on his mind is Jimin. They've texted frequently, simple messages to check in with each other, but Jungkook always has some simpleton response. Yet Jimin has a way of making him feel relaxed and not like a love-struck fool.

When Thursday finally rolls around, Jungkook idles in front of Taehyung & Co's apartment door. The Co—Hoseok—slaps him hard on the shoulder.

"Whatcha doing?" Hoseok asks, his bubbly tone calming Jungkook's nerves.

"Hyping myself up."

Hoseok snorts, "You don't need to do that, Jimin won't eat you." His eyes shift to questioning slits as he gazes at Jungkook. "Or are you going to eat him?"

"No," Jungkook exclaims. "I mean...I've thought about it, but I'm not stupid."

"Pretty sure Jimin wouldn't mind that." Hoseok singsongs as he backtracks to the kitchen. "You're exactly his type."

"His type?"

Hoseok nods, "I wouldn't say he's dated, but he's had a couple of hookups and if I'm being honest," he tugs open the fridge. "they were similar to you."

"What do you expect me to do with this information?" Jungkook deadpans.

Hoseok shrugs with a broad grin, "Run with it."

<3

Jimin

I'm having someone pick u up, see u soon

Jungkook stands on the sidewalk with his bag slung over his shoulder and his heart racing like crazy. Soon he'll be seeing Jimin. His first love. After all this time, they'll finally be seeing each other again. It's a lot to process. He keeps his eyes peeled for the car Jimin sent and loses his breath when a black Mercedes pulls up in front of him.

The window rolls down and a handsome driver calls out to him, "Mr. Jeon Jungkook?"

Jungkook nods dazedly.

The driver smiles, putting the car in park before climbing out to open the backdoor for Jungkook. "After you."

"T-thanks," he hurries into the car and sits in the backseat in awe.

The driver settles into the driver's seat and they're off. Jungkook briefly wonders what kind of lifestyle Jimin is living now. What if he wants to meet to end the friendship between them? Cut ties and never see Jungkook again? The thought makes Jungkook shudder and shrink in his seat.

It's been two years...people change...people regret.

A few minutes later, Jungkook's jaw drops when they roll to a stop in front of a lavish studio apartment. Maybe this is the wrong place? There's no way in he—

"You've arrived at your destination." The driver states sounding a lot like Alexa (which Jungkook had way too much fun with back in Boston).

Jungkook blinks in a daze before fumbling for the car handle.

The driver looks at him from the rearview mirror and chuckles, "Don't worry, Mr. Park must like you a lot. He doesn't send a car out just for anyone."

Jungkook flashes a lopsided smile, feeling awkward and out of place. He stumbles out of the car and follows the winding sidewalk up to what he assumes to be Jimin's place. When he reaches the door, he takes a deep breath before knocking. On the other side of the door, he hears the faint sound of approaching footsteps. He shakes the nerves out of his hands and straightens up.

He's been waiting for this moment.

The door finally swings open only to unveil a young woman. Jungkook blinks.

"Oh, you must be Jungkook!" she exclaims.

Jungkook nods.

As if reading his train of thought, she replies, "Jimin's upstairs, he'll be down in a moment." She beams. "I'm Sooyoung, Jimin's housekeeper."

"H-housekeeper?"

Sooyoung laughs loudly, her red hair bouncing as she shakes her head. "Kidding! I'm his stylist."

Jungkook forces himself to laugh, taken aback by Sooyoung's bubbly nature.

Suddenly, she grabs Jungkook's arm, tugging him inside. "I have to go, but you can just wait here."

"Okay..."

"Relaaaax," she hums. "you're so tense right now."

"Am I?"

She nods, heading for the door. "Completely stiff."

"I've been hearing that a lot lately." Jungkook grumbles.

"Well, good luck." Sooyoung clenches her fists, thrusting them encouragingly before slipping away and closing the door behind her. The door slams shut and silence engulfs the room.

Jungkook stands there, tightly clenching his bag as he waits for Jimin. He still hasn't processed the car ride.

"Sooyoung?" A voice calls from atop the stairs.

Jungkook looks up, eyes landing on Jimin and his breath catches.

"Maybe she left alrea..." Jimin trails off, stopping at the top of the stairs.

"H-hyung?"

Jimin's eyes light up and he bounds quickly down the stairs.

Walking towards Jungkook is indeed Park Jimin, but he looks to be floating towards Jungkook; inches above the ground like an angel. Jimin's dressed in all white and his silver bangs hang in wet curls over his eyes. There's some sort of shimmering eyeshadow on his lids and his lips. God. His lips. Jungkook's heart does this weird backflip in his chest and his throat's so dry now.

"Jungkook!" Jimin exclaims and his voice twinkles in the way it always does. Except it's a little huskier, like he's preparing to divulge a secret. "I'm so happy to see you. Fuck. It's been forever."

Jungkook swallows as Jimin stands before him. He slowly takes him in and momentarily forgets how to breathe when he peeps the tattoo peeking from beneath Jimin's shirt. It clicks then, just what Jimin's wearing and Jungkook malfunctions.

"You're wearing a crop top?" he questions, voice uncharacteristically high as he tries to compute Jimin in a crop top.

Jimin doesn't seem fazed by the question, he laughs instead and ruffles Jungkook's hair with his manicured fingers. "That's what you're curious about after all these years?"

"S-sorry," Jungkook flusters. "I didn't mean it that way. I just—"

"Ssh," Jimin smiles sweetly. "I get you."

Jungkook looks away, face hot and he murmurs, "Of course, you do."

"Rock Bison Bros forever, right?" Jimin cracks.

Jungkook makes a face, turning to look back at Jimin and reflected in his eyes are all those years they spent together. "So, you're Mr. Park now?" Jungkook decides to ask, steering the conversation in a different direction.

Jimin's nose scrunches, "I told people to stop calling me that."

"They're just being polite."

"Polite? It's like me calling you hyung or something."

Jungkook chokes.

"Feels weird, huh?" Jimin steps back to study Jungkook's reaction. "Jungkook-hyung."

Jungkook chooses to ignore the fire burning low in his gut and nods weakly. "Totally weird."

"Or maybe you're into that." Jimin teases with an eyebrow wiggle. "Are you, hyung?" he adds for good measure, covering his grin with a hand as he takes in Jungkook's slightly hooded gaze. Bingo.

Jungkook clears his throat, "Still can't resist the urge to tease me, I see."

"You know it's all love."

Love. Jungkook brushes aside the fuzziness that word makes him feel and asks Jimin for a tour of his place.

"Give me a second to change." Jimin begins to unhook his hoop earrings. "If I ruin these clothes, Sooyoung will have my ass." He flashes Jungkook a soft smile before disappearing down a narrow hallway.

Jungkook stands awkwardly, looking around and soaking in Jimin's new lifestyle. He can't help but feel small as he studies the many paintings hanging from Jimin's walls, and the luxurious furniture placed throughout. Jimin's place is classy, stylish with a tinge of seduction to match its owner. The walls speak to Jungkook and he wonders what memories they hold. What they've seen and heard.

He takes a step forward, closing in on a painting of a silhouette. He can tell it's Jimin from the way the silhouette is gracefully posed. The silhouette has its head tilted back and hips slightly jutted out. Sensual and alluring. Jungkook wonders what Jimin was wearing that day. A crop top? Perhaps a suit? He'd look good in a fitted suit or nothing. He'd look good in nothing too—nope—get a fucking grip, Jeon.

"Sorry," Jimin calls from down the hall.

Jungkook glances over his shoulder and time stills again. When Jimin approaches, Jungkook sees his Jimin. The one that nearly won every round of rock-paper-scissors, the Jimin that rigorously collected Beyblades, the one Jungkook couldn't move on from. He's wearing a pink crop top that's two sizes too big and black sweats. His face is rid of all make-up—bare and beautiful. Everything he does is so effortless and Jungkook's beginning to make sense of Jimin's sudden popularity.

Everyone's finally seeing what Jungkook's seen for years.

"Ya like?" Jimin asks as he stands beside Jungkook, joining him in gazing at the painting.

Jungkook recovers with a question, "That's you, right?"

Jimin nods, "It was the cover of my debut single." He sighs wistfully. "Feels like forever ago."

"A lot happened in two years...."

Jimin turns to peer at him, echoing, "A lot did happen."

The air around Jungkook seems different compared to before. He seems surer of himself and it's hard not to notice the definition in his arms and jawline. He's matured and Jimin wants so badly to do what he knows he shouldn't. They didn't exactly leave off on the best note.

"So," Jungkook claps his hands together, smiling awkwardly back at Jimin. "mind