▶ idfc ~ Blackbear
"You're smiling at your phone again!" Jimin said, whacking his towel on Jungkook's head.
"Ow, what was that for?" Jungkook pouted.
"I called you here to help me perfect that lift, not be on your phone all the time! Honestly, who is that chick and why are you fawning over her?"
Jimin wiped his sweaty hair and neck, drinking water. He sat beside Jungkook on the wooden floor of the dance studio. Jungkook had come directly from his clinic. It was very late. Jimin tended to overwork sometimes when he was perfecting a routine.
"I'm not fawning! She's just sweet!" Jungkook pouted indignantly.
"Who is she?"
"Kiara."
"Kiara who?"
"Kiara Chang. She used to be Taehyung's stylist."
Jungkook was supposed to see Tae off at the airport but he called saying he had some errands and left early. He was a bit upset he didn't get to see him off.
Kiara sent him a meme and he giggled. Jimin rolled his eyes.
"JEON JUNGKOOK! It's only a week left for the showcase. THAT lift is the only part of the dance I haven't managed to perfect yet and you're not helping either."
"I'm sorry Chim, I'm sorry! But I'm not your partner, why haven't you called him?"
"He's not feeling too well so I told him to rest."
"Is he gonna be able to perform? If he's sick?"
"Well he better recover or else I'm disqualified."
"What?! Do you not have a backup?"
Jimin sighed, looking close to tears. He pinched his brows, exhausted. Jungkook hugged him immediately, patting his hair.
"There's no one who can learn the dance in a week Kook," Jimin sighed in his embrace.
"How about Yoongi?" Jungkook suddenly asked.
"What?"
"Talk to him."
Jimin pulled away from the hug, looking like Jungkook had grown an extra head.
"Shut up. I don't even know if he dances! Besides, what if my partner gets back to normal and I make Yoongi waste a week for me?"
"Jiminie, if Yoshi doesn't recover, you won't even get to perform. At least teach Yoongi the basics. That way you have a backup. If I didn't have my exams, I'd do it for you too."
Jimin nodded, biting his lip in contemplation.
"Okay fine. For now, help me."
Jungkook watched mesmerized as his best friend moved around the dance floor like he was made of water. It was sensual without being provocative and Jimin's siren gaze was sure to keep everyone spellbound.
He was beautiful.
Jimin pirouetted towards him and leapt in the air. He managed to grab his waist and lift him higher, turning around slowly before placing him down.
He finished the finale and did a clean full split as the ending pose. He stood up and turned the music off.
"Yes! That was fucking amazing!" Jimin cheered, sliding down against the mirror, panting.
"Perfect! Perfect! Thank you Kook!"
"Anytime Chim," Jungkook smiled, enjoying the adorable happy face.
"Ugh, I hope Yoshi gets well soon, I cannot imagine replacing the routine. The whole reason we registered as a pair so just one of us can't work."
"I hope so too for your sake. Have you eaten?"
"Nah, I'm going home for dinner. Shouldn't you be at Joon's?"
"I should but I'm trying to not intrude too much on their privacy, you know?"
Jimin nodded. He put on his jacket and packed his duffle. They left the studio, Jimin making sure to lock it. He handed the keys to the watchman on their way out.
"Tell me about this Kiara chick. You said she is Tae's stylist?"
"Used to be. She's half Indian and she makes amazing pancakes."
"Oh damn! Since when are you into brown chicks?"
"Since her I think. Well, I was just horny and she was just there at the club. It's my luck that she's smart and incredible in bed."
"Tae knows?"
Jungkook blushed.
"He did walk in on us making out heavily so I think he has an idea."
"Interesting. He didn't say anything?"
"Well, this was last night and I was at work all day today. Tae left for Japan today so we haven't really had time to discuss my latest sexcapade."
"Tone down the sarcasm."
"You asked Tae knows? like I have to run my personal life and decisions of one night stands through him!" Jungkook muttered, annoyed.
"That's not what I meant. I'm just surprised. And you've agreed to continue this situation with Kiara?"
"Yeah?"
"Okay."
"Jimin."
"What?"
"I know that look!"
"What look?" Jimin raised a brow innocently.
"That look. I know you better than you know yourself but I'll act all high and mighty till you figure shit out yourself - look!"
"Jungkook, go home. It's late and you're overthinking. Use the week without Tae to actually focus on your work and not some random chick."
"Are you serious right now?"
Jimin nodded, opening the gate to his house. He bade Jungkook goodnight and went in, leaving him gaping behind.
Jungkook groaned and kicked a rock.
What did Jimin know that he didn't?
****
Kiara was a lovely person and Jungkook hit it off with her. He almost - almost - didn't notice Taehyung's absence. She texted him a lot and he was having a hard time working.
At first it was fun. She sent him hilarious memes but dang, she didn't seem to ever go offline. In the end, Jungkook switched his phone off and threw it on the white couch of the Kim's.
"Why do I get the feeling you're running away from something?" Jin asked, opening the fridge to take out a water bottle. He sat in the chair on the dining beside Jungkook.
Jungkook stopped his frantic journal writing. The submission was due tomorrow and he had been procrastinating but was almost done.
"Why- why would you think that, Jin Hyung?"
"You've never stayed with us for so many days at a stretch, even when we asked you to. Why now?"
"That's because I used to live in the dorms and always had company in exam time. I didn't feel the need to come here. Now I'm alone and don't feel like being so. Besides, I get food here without the labour part of it, which means I can focus more time on my studies. Simple Hyung!"
"Really? So you're here just for the free food? Jungkook you really hurt my feelings," Jin sighed, dramatically placing a hand on his chest.
Jungkook laughed, resuming writing.
"How's Taehyung doing? Jimin said you were talking a lot recently."
Fucking shorty. I set him up with his crush and he repays me by tattling on me to my cousins?
"He's doing okay. He actually left for Japan today."
"Nice. And how are you doing at work?"
"Good I guess?" Jungkook sighed. "I don't know Hyung. It's hard for me to not get emotionally attached to people I treat, you know? It makes me feel incredibly lucky I have a stable life."
Jin smiled and ruffled Jungkook's hair.
"You're still starting out baby. You'll learn eventually. Just, make sure you don't let other's issues take a toll on your well being alright?"
"I know Hyung, I shan't. Anyway, Jimin has his showcase tomorrow so I'll be going. Yoongi ended up as his dance partner you know?"
"What?" Jin asked, interested. Jungkook narrated the story.
"Damn Chim, get it!" Jin laughed. "Joon was wrong when he said Jimin has no jams."
Jungkook laughed.
"It took him two years to own up to his feelings and now they're kinda unstoppable. Did you know they went to Jeju just two weeks after they confessed?"
"Oh wow, I did not!"
"Yeah, it was the weekend you and Joon Hyung were at your parents' place. Yoongi spoils Jimin like anything. I'm glad to see them together."
Jin nodded, smiling. He yawned and stretched.
"Well, I'm pooped. Goodnight Kook. You should sleep soon too, it's very late."
"Yeah, I will. This is due tomorrow so I'll finish it and then sleep."
"Who was blowing up your phone by the way? You seemed very much into the conversation."
"Just a new friend I made."
Jin nodded and went to his room, not asking many questions.
Jungkook liked that about his Hyungs a lot, they weren't nosy unless they absolutely had to be. He always tried to not give them both a reason to worry, which is why he dealt with a lot of things on his own. He was independent and he liked it that way.
Jungkook finished his work and went to the bedroom, flopping on his belly. He switched on his phone again, replying to some of Kiara's messages.
Jiminshii
Asdfghjkl KOOK!
Why did you make me ask
Yoongi for this dance...
I wanna slam him against the
mirrors and watch us fuck.
Jungkookah
Lmao you're welcome
Don't ruin Hoseok's innocence
Jiminshii
I can't wait to be rid of
Mr. Sunshine.
I am not gonna last much
longer...
Jungkookah
Save some stamina
for tomorrow. You
have an actual showcase.
Don't want you to lose.
Jiminshii
You can fuck off :))
Jungkook snickered. He was glad his suggestion had worked out. He just hoped Hoseok got out of there quickly.
His fingers hovered over the familiar name, wondering if he should text him again. He already had texted him twice but they were unread.
Fuck it.
Kookie
How's Japan?
You're okay, yes?
It's been three days.
There was no reply yet again. Jungkook sighed, putting his phone on charge. The model was probably busy.
He wondered if Taehyung felt something seeing Kiara with him. Then he scoffed at himself. The whole reason he is with her is to get over Tae, not make him jealous.
Kiara isn't really serving her purpose, other than satisfying my sexual desires.
He groaned and fell asleep, hoping Taehyung was safe.
*****
The next day, there were still no texts.
It made Jungkook frown but his sour mood didn't last long because it was Namjoon's birthday. Jin was in the midst of preparing a lavish dinner, with all of his husband's favourites.
"Hyung, relax. You're fucking married for more than a year! He's gonna love you no matter what you do. Personally I think you'd be better off giving him a strip tease than cooking for him, you know?"
Jin choked on the broth he was tasting.
"Aish, you nasty kid! Did you forget I'm your Hyung and you shouldn't say such things to me!"
Jungkook snickered, turning on the oven, helping the flustered purple haired man.
"I'm just saying..."
Jungkook was going back to his flat to give the older couple their privacy, after the cake cutting and everything. Hoseok, Jisoo, Jimin, Yoongi were here and decorating the living room of the Kims, causing more chaos than working.
"Hurry up guys, he's gonna be home any minute now!" Jimin yelled, getting tangled in the balloons. Yoongi rolled his eyes and rescued his boyfriend from them.
Soon, the table was set with nice tea lights and a pretty centerpiece courtesy of Jungkook. They turned off the lights and waited for Namjoon's arrival.
The lock clicked not long after and Hoseok turned the lights on, all of them yelling surprise!
They stopped short because it wasn't Namjoon. Kiara laughed, seeing everyone's shocked faces.
"The door was unlocked so I let myself in."
Jungkook walked to her and she pecked his cheek.
Jimin rolled his eyes. He was so annoyed at Jungkook for not acting on his feelings towards Taehyung but he couldn't even say anything.
"Um, Jungkook? Who is this?" Jin asked curiously.
Introductions were made.
"I hope you don't mind me inviting her. We're going out afterwards so I thought it would be nice if she were to join in on the birthday too. I mean, Joon Hyung would like seeing her, they both really like art."
Jin smiled at the brunette girl, a little wary. He was so sure his Jungkookie had feelings for Taehyung and it was so new seeing him all coddled up with a female. She was beautiful no doubt and she wasn't Korean either...
Hoseok turned the lights turned off again. This time they waited a beat and made sure it was Namjoon.
"Surprise!"
Namjoon stumbled and in his confusion, his hand brushed against a vase and it fell, breaking into pieces. It didn't shatter thankfully.
"Happy Birthday!" Hoseok yelled, laughing while Seokjin facepalmed.
"Literally only you can break shit on your birthday!" he grumbled playfully, walking to his clumsy but adorable husband who was sputtering apologies.
"Thank you guys!"
Namjoon chuckled awkwardly, grinning at the cute decoration and a giant balloon of his own face held by Jimin.
He then hugged Jin, planting a quick kiss on his lips, leaving the older guy flustered.
"Thank you baby," he said softly.
Soon, everyone was singing for him and Yoongi recorded everything as usual. Jimin wanted to raid his gallery. Yoongi was used to capturing random ass moments of everyone, secretly.
"Kook, you're not going to introduce me to your friend?" Namjoon asked, smiling cutely, his dimples caving.
Kiara introduced herself, immediately liking the dimpled blonde male. Jungkook found out she was an art major before she took to styling. That was enough for Namjoon to launch into a very detailed, very wholesome discussion with her, almost forgetting everyone else there.
Jungkook was quite surprised by how easily Kiara made everyone warm up to her, including Jisoo, Hoseok and Yoongi.
Jimin was cold but he wasn't rude.
Dinner was nice, with conversation flowing.
"This is delicious! Really Seokjin, your food is amazing!" Kiara gushed. "I can't believe that I haven't been to your restaurant yet! Consider me your loyal customer from now on!"
Jin smiled, a light blush coating his cheeks. He just nodded and served her some more kalguksu as a thank you. Jungkook was really proud of how nice Kiara was. He genuinely did find a good friend.
Jimin flat out refused to acknowledge her existence. Jungkook nudged him with his foot. Jimin rolled his eyes and dug into the food.
"Namjoon-ssi, have you been to Amsterdam?" Kiara asked.
The blonde lawyer shook his head.
"It's my big wish to go to the Van Gogh museum and experience it, you know?!"
Namjoon's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously.
"Oh, you don't know how much I've thought of that too. Someday soon hopefully! Ah, imagine sitting there and staring at the starry night!" he sighed dreamily.
"Why'd you need to go to freaking Amsterdam to stare at the night sky?" Jin chuckled.
The whole table burst into laughter.
"Okayyy Jinnie, you know -" Namjoon started.
"Yes yes I know what you're talking about, my handsome husband. Six years of a relationship has taught me enough," Jin smirked, placing a delicate kiss on Namjoon's lips.
"Happy Birthday my love," Jin whispered.
"I love you," Namjoon smiled.
Everyone cooed at the cute moment. Jimin stole a kiss from Yoongi too and then Jisoo followed with Hobi. Kiara winked at Jungkook but didn't initiate anything. He was glad she didn't.
They resumed eating, Jisoo asking Kiara about her change in career.
Jungkook's phone pinged and he nearly passed out from the text, a surge of excitement coursing through his whole body.
TaeBear
I miss you.
Take care.
Kookie
I miss you too.
See you soon?
There was no reply again but those few words were enough to reignite everything he was trying to bury. In a happy daze, he helped clean up while the others had wine and Yoongi played Namjoon's guitar.
I miss you.
God how could a simple text affect me this much?!
He was brought out of his reverie by Hoseok's happy voice.
"Okay, now that everyone is stuffed and happy - I'm gonna share some of Namjoon's most embarrassing moments!"
Jungkook cheered the loudest.
"Ahaha payback Joonie hyung. Karma is a bitch!"