By: @serendipityswan

"Wow."

Jungkook's eyes grow in size as he takes in the sight. He still can't believe he's finally here. He slowly heads to the center of the large marble lobby. Above him was a dome made of glass to flood the space with natural light. Other students were milling about, some carrying instrument cases or portfolio bags and others dressed for dance classes. Two wings split off the lobby leading to different classrooms and had their own staircases to the higher floors.

Jungkook froze as he assessed the two wings, his anxiety percolating inside him. He gripped the straps of his backpack tightly and tried to think back to his orientation tour. It wasn't much use though as he couldn't quite remember that far back and now he was panicking. He had his first class in five minutes and didn't know where to go.

"Hi," a voice said from behind him, making Jungkook jump. "Oh sorry didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine," Jungkook mutters, turning and eyeing the person. It was a student, or at least he assumed based on him looking college-aged and likely just a couple years older than him. The student was shorter than him though, making him look slightly up at him with his warm brown eyes. His plump lips are pulled into a smile and Jungkook is certain this is the most beautiful boy he's ever seen.

"You look lost," the student says, snapping Jungkook out of his reverie and making him flush with embarrassment. "Are you a freshman?"

Jungkook nods, averting his eyes because he can't believe he is embarrassing himself in front of this man on his first day.

"Where are you headed?" the student asks kindly.

"Um room 266," Jungkook mutters awkwardly, rubbing the nape of his neck as he usually does when feeling nervous.

"Oh that's on the applied side," the student says. "Come on."

The boy starts walking to the left hall's stairs and Jungkook stands frozen for a moment until he forces himself to follow awkwardly.

"Art major?" the student asks once Jungkook has caught up and they ascend the stairs.

"Yeah."

"Cool. I'm a dance major," the boy explains with a smile that makes Jungkook flush. "I'm Jimin by the way."

Jimin. A pretty name for a pretty person.

"Jungkook," Jungkook introduces simply. Jimin nods once in acknowledgement, a few strands of his dark hair falling into his face only for him to push it back by raking his fingers through his hair.

They reach the second floor and room 266 is right next to the stairs, which just makes Jungkook feel even more like an awkward failure of a student for not being able to remember where to go.

"Have a good class," Jimin says with a bright smile, equally as radiant as the rest of him.

"Thanks," Jungkook replies, also smiling because Jimin just has that effect. Jimin turns to head back down the stairs and Jungkook has the urge to call after him. He opens his mouth to speak and...

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Jungkook startles awake, his alarm successfully spooking him out of his dream. With a groan he silences the alarm and flops back against the pillows with a sigh. He was reliving the moment he met Jimin, but this time he was going to call after him and do something about it unlike what happened in real life. Junkook can't help but wonder how things would have gone if he didn't just watch the beautiful boy walk away.

"You better be conscious!" Taehyung yells through the door, interrupting Jungkook's thoughts. "You have to leave for the airport in an hour!"

"Thanks mom!" Jungkook shouts back sarcastically, although still appreciative of Taehyung's caring. He forces himself out of bed and into the bathroom to get ready for a long day and the start of a long year.

--

"Wow."

As Jungkook steps into the Incheon airport he can't help but be taken aback by the grandeur. Large windows fill the space with natural light and the metal ceiling curves elegantly. He'd never been in an airport before but he wasn't expecting it to be so architecturally stunning.

"Hi," a voice said beside him, making him startle and a weird sense of deja vu wash over him.

"Jimin," Jungkook replies, his anxiety spiking. He wasn't expecting to see him until they were on the plane at the earliest so he wasn't prepared for this.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you," Jimin says with an apologetic smile.

"It's fine," Jungkook mutters, eyeing the elder. Jimin looks so cozy with a black beanie, black t-shirt, and gray hoodie. Jungkook would dare say he looks cuddly which the thought of that makes his heart race.

"I'm guessing you haven't checked in yet," Jimin says, eyeing Jungkook's luggage.

"Uh yeah I just got here," Jungkook explains.

"Come on," Jimin says with a smile before turning and walking away.

"Fucking deja vu," Jungkook murmurs to himself before following the elder. Jimin guides him to the airline desk to check his bags and acquire his boarding pass, and Jungkook is honestly grateful he ran into Jimin so he didn't have to figure this out on his own. But he is still undeniably nervous and he has a feeling this feeling won't be going away any time soon.

"Have you flown before?" Jimin asks as they walk to the security line to get to their gate.

"No," Jungkook answers simply, standing behind the elder as they weave through the line.

"Are you nervous?"

Yes. But not of the flight.

"A little," Jungkook chooses to say, avoiding eye contact with Jimin. They get through security painlessly, even with all the different devices Jungkook has stored in his backpack, and the pair make their way to their gate.

"Why do you have so much in your backpack?" Jimin questions as they walk side by side.

"Oh um it's all my art stuff," Jungkook asks, fiddling with the straps of said bag.

"Oh, are you an art student?" Jimin asks enthusiastically which Jungkook nods to. "I'm in dance myself."

"I know," Jungkook replies sheepishly.

"You seem to know a lot about me," Jimin points out, seeming amused as he looks curiously at the younger whose cheeks redden slightly. "How come?"

"Everyone knows you," Jungkook answers, worrying his bottom lip briefly after. "And we've reached the end of what I do know about you."

"So Jimin the dance major is all you know?" Jimin questions, an eyebrow raising with it.

"Yeah. And that you're a senior but that's it," Jungkook replies nervously. It's not necessarily wrong, since those are the only clear facts he has. But he has observed him enough to make some educated guesses on other traits and facts.

"I see," Jimin muses. "And what about you?"

"What about me?"

"What year are you?"

"Oh uh sophomore," Jungkook answers, eyes trained on the sign for their gate as they approach.

"So I'm older."

"Correct."

"Let me guess, you knew that already," Jimin teases. They find seats at the gate to wait for their boarding which isn't for another hour. Jungkook hopes to just aimlessly scroll through his phone to distract himself but he isn't that lucky.

"Can I see your art?" Jimin asks, sitting cross legged on the bench and tilting his head towards Jungkook.

"R-Really?" Jungkook stammers, not expecting that although he probably should have.

"Yeah," Jimin says with a smile. Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat and ignores how his heart pounds.

"Okay," he mutters, reaching into his bag to pull out his iPad. He can feel Jimin's gentle eyes observing him which does nothing to aid his anxiousness as he pulls up some old drawings, eventually handing the device to Jimin.

"Whoa," Jimin says immediately, eyes growing wide as he looks at the first drawing. "This is gorgeous."

"It's okay," Jungkook mumbles, never one to take compliments.

"I'd question your vision if I didn't know you were the artist," Jimin retorts. "Seriously Jungkook, this is beautiful."

Jimin scrolls through more drawings, complimenting each one and refusing to let Jungkook disagree. Jungkook notices how he lingers on one in particular and leans over to see which one it is.

"That's my roommate," Jungkook is quick to clarify even though Jimin hadn't said anything. "Was a birthday gift for him."

"I know I said all of your art is beautiful but this," Jimin starts, in awe of the colorful image. "I don't even know what to say."

"Is that a good thing?" Jungkook questions nervously. Jimin just nods, still focused on the iPad.

"You're really talented," Jimin says softly, finally handing the device back to the younger who quickly locks it and returns it to his bag.

"Thanks," Jungkook mutters.

"What would it take to get you to draw me?"

Jungkook whips his head over to look at the elder, dumbfounded by that. "You're joking."

"Not at all," Jimin says simply with a smile. "Hell, I'd take any Jungkook original."

"Seriously? You barely know me."

"Do I have to know the artist personally to enjoy his work?" Jimin counters, tilting his head with curiosity.

"No..."

"Then that doesn't matter," Jimin finalizes simply. "Plus we have a year together so I'm sure we'll get to know each other better."

"Right," Jungkook stammers, anxiety flooding his veins.

"Attention all passengers at Gate 11 for Flight 613 to New York," the intercom pings on, capturing their attention much to Jungkook's relief. "We will begin boarding in ten minutes. Please check your boarding pass for your boarding group and we're happy to welcome you to Korean Air."

The people around them begin shifting and organizing their belongings, so Jungkook pulls his board pass from his back pocket to double check everything.

"What seat are you?" Jimin asks.

"Um 17C."

"We're seat buddies," Jimin says with a smile. "I'm 17B."

Of course.

They don't get to discuss further as the boarding process begins, eventually having their group called and getting onto the plane. Jungkook has the window seat and Jimin is in the middle with an elderly man on the other side. Jimin is already conversing with the other man and Jungkook can't help but watch with fondness at the sweet interaction.

Suddenly Jimin turns to look at him which startles Jungkook into looking out the window instead, cheeks burning with embarrassment of being caught staring. Thankfully the flight attendants begin the safety speech, sparing Jungkook from a surely awkward interaction.

The plane backs out of the gate and begins to taxi, with Jungkook focusing out the window. He watches in awe as the plane speeds on the runway and they lift off, ascending into the skies.

"Enjoying the view?" Jimin asks, leaning over to look out the window as well. Jungkook becomes very aware of Jimin's proximity, nervousness buzzing back to life.

"Mhmm," Jungkook hums, likely not loud enough to be heard over the roaring engines. He stays still until he senses Jimin has sat back in his seat and then does the same, peeking over to see the elder on his phone with headphones in.

Just fourteen hours and one year to go.

--

The plane suddenly dips which startles Jungkook awake, followed by the ping of the intercom announcing the beginnings of their descent into New York. Jungkook blinks a few times to gain some consciousness and then becomes aware of a weight against his shoulder. He turns to look and immediately tenses when he sees Jimin asleep with his head resting on his shoulder.

Jimin is so beautiful normally, and sleeping is no different. He looks so peaceful with his eyelashes laying gently on his cheeks and his plump lips parted slightly. His blonde hair falls into his face and Jungkook has the urge to gently move the strands from his eyes that he vehemently resists internally.

"Jimin-hyung," Jungkook mutters nervously. The position is too awkward to shake him awake and he doesn't want to shoulder him in the face, so he resorts to leaning closer to hopefully wake him up with words. "Hyung wake up."

"Don't wanna," Jimin mumbles, eyes still closed but shifting slightly. "You're comfy."

Jungkook blushes furiously, mouth opening up and closely like a goldfish.

"Hyung we're landing soon," Jungkook manages to say, faces undeniably warm and likely tomato red.

Jimin grumbles and lifts his head off Jungkook's shoulder much to the younger's relief. Jungkook whips his head to look out the window and tries to compose himself, willing to return to his normal shade.

Once calmed, Jungkook can't resist the desire to look over at the elder. As he does so he finds Jimin's head turned toward him, blinking slowly with sleepy eyes and a small smile pulling his plush lips.

"What?" Jungkook asks, nervousness spiking at the warm, brown eyes softly looking at him.

Jimin just hums, clearly still hazy with sleep and likely not aware he was staring. Or at least that is what Jungkook assumes.

The flight completes it's descent, bouncing on the tarmac as the wheels touch down. They quickly disembark and migrate to baggage claim with Jimin taking the lead, now much more awake and aware of things.

"Look Kookie!" Jimin says brightly, making Jungkook's heart skip with the nickname use. He follows where Jimin is pointing to see a man holding a sign with their last names on it. Jimin eagerly pulls Jungkook towards the sign-bearer who smiles brightly seeing the two approach.

"Jungkook and Jimin?" the man asks once they are close enough.

"Yep!" Jimin answers with a bright smile. "I'm Jimin. He's Jungkook."

"Hi," Jungkook mumbles awkwardly.

"I'm Hoseok. I'll be your guide for lack of a better title," the man introduces in Korean with a big smile. "I assume you have checked bags."

The trio migrate to the conveyor belt designated for their flight, grabbing their bags when they arrive and heading out to a NYU labeled shuttle parked just outside in the pick up zone.

The drive is spent with Jimin and Hoseok talking animatedly while Jungkook simply listens and tries to quell his nervous energy.

"And what about you Jungkook?" Hoseok asks suddenly, startling the younger.

"W-what?"

"What are you studying?"

"Oh um art," Jungkook answers, fiddling with his hoodie sleeves as he does.

"He's a little shy," Jimin says then, making Jungkook go wide eyed but stay silent. He looks to the elder who gives him a small smile that does funny things to his heart.

"You'll like Yoongi-hyung then. He's super chill and easy to be around," Hoseok says. "He's not an exchange student but he is Korean."

Jungkook just nods in response, not really sure how to feel about all of that so he says nothing while the other two talk about their mutual major again.

They arrive at the university then and Jungkook is quick to turn his attention towards the window to see the campus pass by. It's even nicer in person and excitement starts to brew in Jungkook alongside his nerves.

"So I'll show you the dorms and where you're staying and then we can do the more official tour and stuff," Hoseok explains, using a fob to unlock the building doors and holding it open for the two to drag their luggage inside. They take the elevator to the fourth floor and head down the hall.

"So this one is yours," Hoseok points out. "Hyung and I are a few doors down. This floor is mostly international students, so lots of different people."

"Cool," Jimin says with a smile and Jungkook bites back his nervousness.

"Speaking of hyung," Hoseok says with a wide grin, waving for someone to come to them. Jungkook turns to find a man with mint hair and a feline-like stare approaching them.

"Yes babe?" the man asks, when close enough, maneuvering to stand beside Hoseok and kisses him on the cheek quickly before looking at the other two.

"This is Jimin and Jungkook. The students from SNU I told you about," Hoseok introduces. "This is Yoongi."

"Hey," Yoongi replies with a curt nod, eyeing Jimin before doing the same to Jungkook and making the youngest want to curl into a ball from the attention. If this was supposed to be the same Yoongi that Hoseok mentioned earlier, Jungkook was finding it hard to believe he was easy to be around. "I'd chat longer but I was just gonna get drinks for tonight."

"Oh right!" Hoseok perks up. "There is a party tonight for our floor. Celebrate the school year starting and whatnot. You should both come!"

"Sure!" Jimin replies enthusiastically, turning to Jungkook with bright eyes. "That will be fun, yeah?"

Jungkook weakly hums in agreement, keenly aware of the trio watching his reaction. Yoongi departs then to run his errand and the other three drop off the luggage before going on the formal tour Hoseok mentioned. But Jungkook couldn't focus on anything with his mind being consumed with anxious thoughts about the evening.

--

I'm going to die.

Jungkook knew that was a dramatic thought, even for him, but it was the best way his mind could define how he felt in that moment.

After a leisurely tour of the campus, Hoseok gave them the details for the party before leaving them at their dorm. The duo went their own ways to unpack and get settled, with Jungkook being extremely thankful for separate bedrooms.

But his relief lasted an hour at most because when he exited his room, he found Jimin dressed in tight skinny jeans and a silky shirt that dipped enough to show his collarbones. Jungkook isn't exactly sure he knows what a heart attack feels like, but he thinks that the way his pulse races and heart pounds seeing Jimin dressed so sultry is at least close.

"Oh Jungkook!" Jimin startles, not having noticed Jungkook frozen in the entryway to their common area. Jimin's voice snapped him from his daze, but also caused a furious blush to spread across his features.

"Sorry," Jungkook stammers, forcing himself to make eye contact with the elder."Y-you look nice."

"Oh. Thanks," Jimin beamed, preening slightly at the compliment which didn't aid Jungkook's heart. "Figured I'd make a good first impression."

"You could wear sweats and make a good first impression," Jungkook says without thinking, immediately going wide eyed after having said it.

"Stop," Jimin laughs airily, a sweet and light sound that makes Jungkook's heart flutter. "You're coming to the party right? I know you're shy but I don't want to go alone."

Jungkook isn't sure he could ever say no to Jimin, even with his own anxieties in social situations. "Yeah I'll go."

Jimin smiles brightly, a reward in itself if you ask Jungkook, and then the elder wanders away mentioning finishing getting ready. Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat and wanders back to his bedroom to promptly collapse face first into the bed with a groan.

That is how he spent about half of his get-ready time, with the other half agonizing over something to wear, quickly realizing he had nothing that could hold a candle to being