By: @serendipityswan

MOMA = Museum of Modern Art

ABT = American Ballet Theatre

"Can I ask you something?" Jungkook questions suddenly, eyes on a spot on the table between himself and Jimin.

"Of course you can," Jimin answers easily, looking up from his laptop.

"Are...are we friends?"

Ever since he spoke with Yoongi, the question has been bothering Jungkook. He'd like to say they are, but his uncertainty was too strong. And Yoongi was right that the only way to really know is to ask.

Jungkook furrows his brows slightly and tilts his head, looking confused at the younger in the most adorable way. "What?"

"Are we...do you consider us friends?"

"Yeah. Do you not?"

"No. I mean I don't. Wait, that's coming out wrong," Jungkook rambles nervously, looking up to lock eyes with Jimin.

"Relax Kookie," Jimin chuckles lightly, and the nickname doesn't help Jungkook achieve relaxation even though it has become a norm.

"Sorry. Just...I didn't know if we were or not. Like if we were just roommates who hang out sometimes or you were just spending time with me out of pity or something."

"Do you want to be friends?" Jimin asks simply.

"Y-yeah," Jungkook replies quietly

"Then we are friends," Jimin replies with a smile. "I promise I've never spent time with you out of pity. I enjoy hanging out with you."

"I like hanging out with you too," Jungkook replies sheepishly, dropping his gaze and feeling his ears heat with blush.

"Speaking of hanging out. This is actually the perfect segue," Jimin starts, grabbing his bag and sifting through it. He pulls out an envelope and hands it to Jungkook with a grin and a sparkle in his eyes.

"What is it?" Jungkook asks tentatively, taking the envelope and eyeing it curiously.

"Open it and find out," Jimin prompts, seeming very excited for whatever this is, and that enthusiasm comforts Jungkook a little bit. He flips open the envelope and pulls out the contents, eyes growing wide as he registers what it is.

"MOMA tickets?" Jungkook questions in disbelief.

"Yeah! Since you love art I figured you'd enjoy it," Jimin reasons gleefully, pleased with the younger's reaction.

"Are you serious? Hyung this is..." Jungkook replies, examining the tickets carefully.

"Do you like it?" Jimin asks hopefully.

"Like it? That's an understatement," Jungkook admits, looking over at the elder. "You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to," Jimin assures. "It seems fun and I wanted to go with you."

Jungkook's heart is doing a gymnastics routine and if he wasn't already smitten with Jimin, he definitely would be now.

"You really want to go to an art museum with me?" Jungkook asks, still gobsmacked at the gift. Jimin nods eagerly.

"The tickets are for Saturday if that is okay."

"Yeah that's...thanks hyung," Jungkook responds, gaze returning to the tickets in his hands.

"You're welcome Kook-ah," Jimin replies softly before turning back to his homework.

--

"Hyung come on!"

"I'm coming," Jimin chuckles, confirming he has his wallet and keys as he heads towards the door where Jungkook is waiting. "You're very excited."

"Of course I am. This is the Museum of Modern Art hyung!" Jungkook replies. "They have Paul Cézanne's drawings right now!"

"I'll assume that is exciting," Jimin says as he slips his shoes on.

"It is!"

"Okay let's go," Jimin chuckles. Jungkook is quick to leave the dorm with Jimin following. They head to the subway, just barely making it in time for their train which is full or tourists making their way to Manhattan. They have to hold onto the same pole and are generally smushed together. But Jungkook's excitement outweighs the gay panic at being so physically close to Jimin.

Thankfully it is a short trip on the subway and they are soon off and completing their walk to the museum.

"So who is Paul Cézanne and why should I be excited?" Jimin asks after they hand over their tickets and take maps of their exhibits.

"He is a painter mostly. But this exhibit is Cézanne Drawing, focusing on watercolor and pencil," Jungkook explains, leading the way. "He would depict the same subjects continuously, usually things close to him like family or kitchen items and such."

"Wouldn't that be hard? To re-depict the same things over and over?"

"It could be. I probably couldn't do it myself honestly. But sometimes the best subjects are what is right in front of you."

"Is that so?"

Jungkook turns to look at Jimin and feels himself start to smile as he sees the elder look around the museum in awe. He can't help but start to blush knowing that the man in front of him has been his drawing subject of late.

"Yeah," he replies sheepishly, turning to look ahead as they enter the first exhibit.

They started with the Cézanne Drawing exhibit, slowly making their way through the 250 works ranging from landscape sketches to portraits to watercolor still lifes. Jungkook eagerly would point things out to Jimin, so far gone in his own amusement to feel self-conscious. And Jimin listened attentively, even asking questions which made Jungkook giddy.

They proceeded to walk through the other exhibits as well, admiring more artists and mediums, until they had easily spent their whole afternoon at the museum.

"That was fascinating," Jimin says as they leave.

"Yeah?" Jungkook asks, feeling giddy.

"Yeah. I don't tend to see art outside of the performance side. Plus it is cool to see the different artists' styles. Takes a lot of talent to draw or paint like that."

"Drawing is merely the configuration of what you see," Jungkook says thoughtfully.

"That was quite poetic," Jimin replies, cocking an eyebrow at the younger with a smile.

"Thank Paul Cézanne. He said it first."

"We've come full circle," Jimin laughs. Jungkook laughs in return, feeling very at ease with the elder as they make their way back to the subway. He never imagined he'd ever feel at ease with Jimin, but here they were casually chatting about their favorite parts of the museum as if it was common for them.

--

"And it wasn't a date?"

"It was not a date," Jungkook reaffirms. He'd just finished updating Taehyung about everything, including the museum trip from the weekend.

"Sure sounds like a date," Taehyung teases.

"It definitely wasn't. Literally before he gave me the tickets we agreed we were friends."

"Okay but did you want it to be a date?"

"Tae," Jungkook sighs. "I am honestly just happy we're friends at this point. I never thought I'd get this far."

"And imagine what could happen if you confessed your feelings!"

"No Tae."

"Kook, come on," Taehyung sighs. "If you have made it this far, why not keep going?"

"Because that could lead to rejection and ruin the friendship. And I'd still have to live with him."

"I feel like you're just looking for excuses."

"Those are valid concerns," Jungkook replies resolutely. He hears the front door slam shut suddenly, indicating that Jimin has returned from class. "Okay enough on that. He's home."

"Awww you don't want your crush hearing you gush about him," Taehyung coos teasingly.

"I don't gush!"

"Sure you don't."

"Why do I tell you anything?"

"Because you'd drive yourself insane if you didn't talk about some of this shit with someone. And luckily you have me."

"Define lucky."

"Brat." Jungkook laughs in response and hears Taehyung do so as well. Even with all the teasing, Taehyung is right that Jungkook needed a confidant and was lucky to have Taehyung.

"Okay it's nearly two a.m. I'll text you later Kookie."

"Okay Tae. Good night."

They end the call and Jungkook rolls off his bed and heads out to the living room. He sees Jimin sitting on the couch quietly scrolling through his phone. Something about him feels off to Jungkook and he isn't sure why.

"Hey hyung."

"Hi Kookie," Jimin answers, sounding deflated which is highly unlike his usual demeanor.

"Is something wrong?" Jungkook asks tentatively, moving to sit beside the elder.

"It's nothing," Jimin sighs, leaning back against the couch.

"You sure? You seem really down."

Jimin worries his bottom lip in thought, not turning to look at the younger, which starts to make Jungkook nervous.

"It's just..." Jimin starts, searching for the right words. "Dance is very competitive. Jealousy is rampant and that leads to less than polite situations."

"Someone was being an asshole to you?" Jungkook asks. Jimin snorts a small laugh at that, turning his head to look at him.

"Not directly. But I haven't made any friends in the dance department here. I think they view me as a threat."

"A threat?" Jungkook questions, quirking an eyebrow at that.

"Yeah. Like they are a tight knit group and see me as an outsider. And I know it is super cocky to say I'm a good dancer so they dislike me for that."

"Well that is stupid," Jungkook remarks.

"Yeah it is," Jimin agrees, dropping his gaze and fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

"Hey," Jungkook saya softly, his heart aching from seeing the elder upset. "It is their loss. They are missing out on a great friend and learning from a great dancer by being stubborn assholes."

"I guess."

"And don't you have Hoseok? He's in dance too, right?"

"Yeah but his focus is choreography and hip hop. We don't share any classes and only cross paths sometimes. All of my classes are with the other contemporary students and they are...yeah."

"I'm sorry hyung."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Jimin replies, smiling weakly at the younger. "It's fine. Just wish I could share my love of dance with someone and not get judged for it."

With that, Jimin pushes off the couch and goes to his room, leaving Jungkook alone and wanting Jimin to smile brightly again.

--

"Hyung, I need your help."

"Ooooookay," Yoongi replies, taking the seat across from Jungkook that Jimin was previously using.

"Jimin has been really down recently and I want to make him feel better," Jungkook explains.

"And you aren't sure what to do," Yoongi theorizes, leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms over his aproned chest.

"Exactly."

"Have you finished that drawing? You could give him that."

"No, it isn't done yet. And I want that to be a happy gift, not a pick me up."

"Okay. What exactly has him feeling down?"

"His classmates are assholes and treat him like an outsider."

"That's bullshit."

"It is. He just wanted people to share his passion for dance with."

"Then do that," Yoongi says nonchalantly.

"Do what?"

"Be the person he can share his passion for dance with."

"Uh but I don't know anything about dance," Jungkook replies tentatively.

"So? He didn't know anything about art and took you to MOMA. Take him to a performance or something. Let him ramble about it all to you. I'm sure he'd greatly appreciate that."

Jungkook worries his bottom lip in thought, mulling over the idea. It's not a bad idea but what if he messes it up? Or what if it isn't what Jimin would want? Or maybe he wouldn't want to do it with him.

"Don't overthink it," Yoongi adds knowingly. "Get tickets to one of the dance companies here. I'm sure you can find a student discount easily enough."

"Right. Thanks hyung."

"No problem," Yoongi says, pushing the chair back to get back to work. "And if you're feeling bold you could call it a date."

He leaves before Jungkook can respond, the latter staring mouth agape and wide-eyed at the elder as he goes behind the counter.

--

Jungkook was trying his best to pay attention, but his mind was undoubtedly elsewhere. Linear perspective wasn't nearly as interesting when compared to his plan for later.

"Hey. You good?" Daniel whispers to him, eyeing him with concern. Jungkook nods with a small smile and forces himself to focus on his professor's words and not the envelope in his hoodie pocket.

As soon as class was dismissed, Jungkook snatched his belongings and headed out, not sparing Daniel a second glance despite the man looking at him in bewilderment. He steps into the bustling hallway, looking for a familiar blonde.

"Kook-ah," Jimin calls from up the hall, a look of relief on his face that makes Jungkook frown.

"Tough class?" Jungkook asks when Jimin is close enough.

"Don't worry about it," Jimin says with a forced smile. "Lunch yeah?"

"Yeah but uh..." Jungkook starts awkwardly, causing Jimin to furrow his brows in confusion.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Just...here," Jungkook stammers, taking the envelope from his pocket and handing it over to the elder. He's too anxious to wait and he wants to see Jimin happy again.

Jimin takes it, curiously eyeing the younger before opening the envelope and sliding the contents out.

"Jeon Jungkook," Jimin says in shock. "Are you kidding me?"

"No?" Jungkook replies, his voice lilting into a question as he doesn't know how to respond quite yet.

"These are ABT tickets."

"Yeah?" Jungkook replies in continued confusion. "I couldn't find any contemporary shows happening soon but you mentioned it having some ballet in it so I figured this would be okay."

"Okay? Okay?! Jungkook, this is amazing!" Jimin replies, looking up at the younger with the sparkle returned to his eyes. "I can't believe you got ABT tickets."

"You got MOMA tickets," Jungkook points out, blushing and biting back a smile.

"Yeah but still. Thank you Jungkook," Jimin says sincerely. He then wraps his arms around Jungkook's neck in a hug, startling the younger who immediately gets flustered by it. Jungkook tenses and his face goes bright red, tentatively hugging back.

Someone clears their throat behind them, startling Jungkook out of the hug to see Daniel standing there with an odd look on his face that he can't quite identify.

"Sorry to interrupt," Daniel says, leaning slightly to eye Jimin for a moment. "You left this inside."

"Oh," Jungkook says, taking his sketchbook from him. "Thanks."

Daniel gives him a forced smile, eyes Jimin one more time and turns to leave. Jungkook finds his behavior odd, but he doesn't get to dwell on it as Jimin grabs on to his arm excitedly and tugs him towards the stairs as he gushes about the show they'll be going to see.

--

"You're dressed up," Yoongi says, eyeing Jungkook's attire.

"That's because we're going to the ballet!" Jimin explains brightly, holding on to Jungkook's arm for a moment in his eagerness.

"Oh?" Yoongi questions, biting back a smirk as he gives the youngest a knowing glance who quickly averts his eyes to avoid blushing.

Jungkook is very aware that this looks like a date, especially since they are both dressed up nicely and decided to get something to eat at the coffee shop beforehand. That was all Jimin's idea though, and Jungkook is going along with it because he really can't say no to Jimin.

"Why don't you get a table," Jungkook offers to Jimin who nods with a smile and wanders off, leaving Jungkook to face the smirking eldest alone.

"So-"

"It's not a date."

"You sure?" Yoongi asks. "Cause it definitely looks like a date."

"It's not. I'm sure," Jungkook reaffirms. "I just did like you said and got tickets to a show to cheer him up."

"Well it succeeded," Yoongi remarks, peering over Jungkook's shoulder to spy on Jimin. "He definitely seems more like himself."

"Yeah," Jungkook says, failing to contain his smile. He collects their meals and goes to join Jimin, keenly aware of the hyung watching from afar. His attention was quickly diverted to Jimin's enthusiastic explanation of the synopsis of the ballet they were seeing, but all Jungkook managed to retain is it's about a girl named Giselle who dies and becomes a ghost-fairy creature.

"Did you know the two leads are both Korean?" Jimin asks as they leave the shop to head to the subway.

"Really?"

"Yes! Ahn Joowon is Albrecht and Seo Hee is Giselle," Jimin explains, as if Jungkook knows who those people are. "I was excited so I looked it up. It's cool to see fellow Koreans as principals."

There is something wistful in how Jimin speaks, a touch of hopefulness in his tone likely for his own success in the field.

Once at the theater, everything is a bit of a whirlwind. Jimin is buzzing with excitement as they head to their seats, eyes sparkling as he takes in the space. Once the show is underway, Jungkook steals glances at him, getting more enamored with the elder with each glance as Jimin watches the dancers in complete awe.

After the final bows and the curtain is drawn, the pair head out of the theater which is when Jungkook finally hears Jimin's sniffling.

"Hyung are you crying?" Jungkook asks worriedly, turning to face the elder who has a few stray tears but a smile on his face still.

"Yeah but it's fine," Jimin answers, wiping the tear trails off his cheeks. "Just... thanks for this Kookie. It means a lot to me."

"I know," Jungkook says before thinking, scrambling to clarify. "What I mean is you were really down about your shitty classmates and wanting to share your passions with someone."

"I'm glad that someone ended up being you," Jimin remarks softly, smiling sweetly at the younger in a way that makes Jungkook's pulse spike nervously. "Did you enjoy it?"

And just like that, the moment is gone, leaving Jungkook bewildered with a racing heart at the almost intimacy it felt like they were having. He's likely reading too far into it, projecting his own feelings when in reality Jimin is just glad to have a friend. So as they leave to head back to their dorm and Jimin talks nonstop about his favorite parts, Jungkook will his heart and mind to calm before he does anything stupid.