GENRE: bestfriends to lovers!au | slice of life | fluff
SUMMARY: He made a list of everything he ever wanted to do but the most important thing was to be with you. One check at a time, you made his dreams come true.
Senior year meant college applications and long nights of stress about the future: whether or not working was a better option over attending a four year university. This kind of process was never for pleasure, although some may feel some sort of hype in waiting for a response, you were not among these people. You applied to some of the best schools, ones that favored your transcript and experience outside of high school. Most students decided their last year would be stress free, spending as much time showing off their careless antics while others focused on studies and to excel. You read whatever you possibly could that benefited your education, occupying majority of your time. Today was one of those days. The library was silent, only the quiet flutters of pages turning filled the space, allowing you no distractions.
What felt like hours was only thirty minutes. To say you were exhausted was an understatement, the amount of hours you have studied in the past week exceeded the number of fingers and toes you have. The desire to sleep was strong, and yet here you were, refusing to give yourself a break.
In that moment of battling tiredness, your best friend of three years occupied the seat across from you, breathing heavily from practice. “Control your lungs, Jungkook. People are trying to find some peace and quiet here.” You whispered while not looking at him, turning to the next page. Your eyes scanned across each word quickly, attempting to retain all information, you didn’t notice Jungkook place his hands on the corners of your textbook, yanking it out of your grip.
“Okay, miss ‘crack my joints every five seconds.’” He smiled at the anger that instantly flooded to your eyes, bringing your lips to a pout. “You’re not so silent yourself. Besides, I just ran five miles, my lungs are trying to readjust to the normal life you like to live.”
“Listen here, punk,” you reached to grab your book, only to be rejected by a swipe of his hand. “I’m stressed out because I haven’t received any acceptance letters yet and it’s been four weeks.”
“Hey,” his playful look softened. “You are the smartest human being that I know, you will get in.” As much as you wanted to argue with him, his big puppy-like eyes in that very moment made you believe everything was going to be okay - he had that effect on you. You sighed, slouching your shoulders, lowering your forehead upon the surface of the table.
“I guess you’re right.” You admitted, groaning quietly at the discomfort in your poor posture as well as the fact that you were overwhelmed by the future.
He smiled at your figure, extending his arm until his palm rested against your shoulder. “I’m always right.”
You scoffed, automatically slapping his hand away. “In your dreams, bun bun.” Bringing yourself back into a seated position you looked around the nearly empty room. “Let’s go eat, I’m hungry.” Jungkook agreed, helping you carry your bag, walking beside you with his free arm draped across your shoulders.
He often displayed his affection for you, which you easily dismissed as his way of showing others your friendship, when he actually did the exact opposite. The feelings were there, that he couldn’t deny. His relationship with you began when he was insecure about his abilities as an athlete, and you being the photographer for the school’s paper, interviewed him and several others for a story. When it came to him he was reserved, smiling occasionally, easily giving off that ‘I don’t want to be here’ feeling. You were quick to build that comfortable atmosphere, sharing how you felt talking to all these talented students while you thought of yourself as a nobody. You cheered him on during their practice that day, filling him with confidence. From that moment on you two were together: studying, eating food, modeling in photo shoots, and sometimes just simply lying on one another’s beds talking about life. Jungkook valued your advice and your presence - you were his safe haven.
“Are you nervous for your applications?” You asked quietly while braiding sections of his hair with his body spread across your carpet and his head resting on your thigh. He hummed in response, opening his eyes, looking up at you. “No, I feel good about it. And if it doesn’t work out then I can do something else.”
You pouted, dropping your hands from his hair, letting your head fall back on your bed. “I’m jealous of how calm you can be sometimes.” You confessed, feeling the tightness in your chest, as well as slight envy towards your best friend.
“We balance each other out,” he extended his arms outward, pressing his palms against your cheeks. “There have been plenty of times where I needed you to keep me calm.” You nodded in agreement, poking the mole below his lip, bringing him to smile. You loved his smile, especially when he would scrunch his nose, that is when you knew he was truly happy. Just one look from him and you were reassured that what was before you was going to be worth it, no matter what comes along the way.
Jungkook left your home an hour later, walking along the sidewalk with music blasting in his ears. He would observe life around him collecting memories that brought him some sense of comfort, although most of them revolved around you. From roller skating the first time on this very street to chucking snowballs at each other early in the morning - everything felt perfect. In his pocket was a crumpled sheet of paper, something he carried with him at all times, prompting him to bring it out. Jungkook had numerous things he wanted to try and experience, which he wrote down in a list. Some points were simple, like learning to roller skate, or something major, like wanting to travel the world. Several of them were already crossed out, but what remained was more difficult.
- confess my feelings to Y/N
The more he studied those words the more foolish he felt - did you see him beyond your friendship? He knew he had a very small window since senior year was coming to an end in four months, and soon after you would leave to college, wherever it may be. But if you did not reciprocate his feelings he feared you would distance yourself. He never want to lose you.
After another long day of wrinkled papers and far too many cups of coffee, you dragged your bag through the doorway of your home, defeated. The pounding against your skull didn’t help the situation, although you knew you put that on yourself with poor eating habits. Without much energy you plummeted into the sofa groaning into the cushion, stretching your limbs till you heard the satisfying crackle.
Two weeks passed and finals were approaching, more quickly than you would have liked. You suddenly wished you were a careless almost-adult that would waste time going to party, but then the thought of it made you cringe. The taste of alcohol was poison and it smelt like disinfectant spray. You already experienced plenty of headaches as it was, you didn’t need to be hungover at the same time. Alas, you remained as the most caring human that couldn’t pretend to not have feelings when, in fact, you were solely emotion. At times you hated it, but other times you were thankful for the motivation to continue to do better, even though there were limits.
“Y/N-“ you heard the voice of your parents call out for you, a muffled gasp following. You instantly rose from the sofa, rushing to the kitchen, finding your parents huddled together with a letter in hand. Upon your entrance they looked up at you, grinning from ear-to-ear, clinging to one another. “You got accepted!” They flashed the document before you, wiggling in excitement. You suddenly didn’t understand, having waited for so long you couldn’t believe it to be true, and sensing this confusion your parents rushed over to you. You scanned over the very words, “We congratulate you on being accepted to University of the Arts London.”
“What,” you breathed, clenching the paper with your fingers. You felt your heart quicken, pounding against your chest, filling you with short breath. Excitement would not suffice - overwhelmed is better suited. You had doubted that you would even be considered, and yet with hesitation, you mailed the application. Weeks later here you stood beside your parents, tears swelling above your lower eyelids, threatening to break down with shock. They held you on both sides, sharing their words of encouragement. “I made it,” you whispered. Joy was etched across their features, bringing pride towards their daughter.
“I made it.” You said again, this time even louder. Realization finally hit you like a ton of bricks, and for once you allowed yourself to celebrate this accomplishment. You made it.
Not long after did you call Jungkook, tapping your fingernails against the counter, impatiently waiting to hear his voice. On the sixth ring he answered, breathing heavily, greeting you with his usual cheerful tone. Even in the midst of practice he would always answer you, no matter the situation. You sucked in your breath, “I got accepted to the London arts university!” The volume of your voice hurt his ears, causing him to pull away the phone, only for him to suddenly hear what you said. He was silent.
“Aren’t you excited for me?” You questioned, slightly concerned for his lack of response.
“Oh gosh, Y/N, yes I am.” He rushed his words, clearly distracted. “I’m really proud of you. I’m just exhausted is all.”
“Come over after practice and let’s celebrate with stale chips and not-so-carbonated soda.” You were smiling, even if he couldn’t see it, he knew you were by the sound of your voice.
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.” He stood outside of the lockers, leaning against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. You were going to be halfway across the world. There was no way that your relationship would remain as close as it was, and there for sure was no way that he could confess his feelings if you were not face-to-face. Jungkook wanted you to follow your dreams, but he wanted to be a part of them.
Driving to your house in silence, his grip was tight on the steering wheel and his palms were sweaty. Not once did he stop thinking about you leaving ever since your phone call, which had been three hours prior to this moment. Granted, it was not a great length of time, even though it felt like a grueling three days compacted in just a matter of seconds. He wasn’t there to force you to stay, in fact, he was just hoping you cared for him beyond friendship - the rest would fall into place, at least that was the assumption. He eventually stood on your lawn, calling you, feeling his throat become dry.
“Can you come outside for a moment?” He whispered into his phone, suddenly feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Why? Just come inside, you dork.” You giggled softly, rolling your eyes.
“Y/N, please.” The seriousness in his tone ceased all happiness. You were worried, automatically listening to his request.
In the cold of the night, Jungkook paced back and forth, mumbling words that he wanted to say to you. As soon as you exited your front door, it all vanished from his mind. You came toward him, wearing a sweater that he gave you, pouting at the fact that it was much colder than expected.
“Okay, bun bun.” You were now inches from him. “What’s the matter?” Your voice was soft as you studied his eyes, knowing he had something on his mind.
“Y/N-” he cut off, biting on his lower lip. He became frustrated with himself, this you noticed. “I don’t know how to say this.” He tugged on his hair, moving away from you, groaning at his inability to speak.
“Jungkook,” you tried to touch his shoulder, but he kept walking in circles. “Look at me.” He stopped at your words, bringing his eyes towards upward, looking into your own that sparkled even in the darkness. “It’s me, okay? Just tell me. Don’t be afraid.” You cupped his cheeks, smiling. You then poked his mole, bringing warmth to his chest.
“I don’t want you to go to London.” He confessed quietly. Your eyes widen slightly, dropping your hands to your sides, you tilted your head. “Why?”
“No,” he stopped himself, shaking his head. “I want you to go, I want you to succeed. But I want to be a part of it all, Y/N.”
“But you will, Jungkook. You’re my best friend now and will be forever.” His eyebrows knit together. Suddenly, he held you by the shoulders, looking deeply into your eyes. “I’m in love you, Y/N.”
Silence. Jungkook was searching your stare, searching for something that confirmed you felt the same. All movement ceased, your heart dropping to your stomach, and your ability to show emotion was hidden by the evident shock displayed across your features. Jungkook grew anxious, feeling the fear creep up to his chest, quickening the pace of his heart. “Y/N, please say something.”
You snapped back into reality, meeting his concerned eyes - they were wide, full of innocence. You always admired the warmth his eyes carried, especially whenever they observed you and your movements. Since the start of your friendship did you fall in love with him piece by piece. The first thing that stood out to you was his laugh. My goodness, just the sound of his laughter filling your ears flooded your world with happiness. You didn’t realize it then, but he was going to be the most important person in your life. And here you were, standing on your front lawn, hearing the love of your life confirm these feelings you didn’t quite know were there until that very moment.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Your voice broke the silence, only above a whisper. “I wouldn’t have applied to schools so far away.”
“I wanted you to choose freely without feeling forced, and I, wait-” he stopped, knitting his eyebrows together. “Does that mean you?”
“Of course I do, you dork.” You slapped his chest, giggling softly as his expression broke into pure joy. His nose scrunched with his smile, bringing him to scoop you up in his arms, twirling you circles until the both of you felt dizzy. Placing your feet back into the ground, holding you close to his chest, his right palm pressed to the cool of your cheek. “Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.” His lips pressed against yours, a kind of sensation you never experienced before. It felt as if this was the answer to everything, whatever that entailed. There was no need to face the future with uncertainty because you were confident that it was going to be okay with Jungkook by your side.
It was four years down the road and you made it to graduation with a bachelor’s degree. You decided against going to London, instead attending a school closer to home; it was not out of requirement, rather, it was a choice to be with the person you loved. You were content and happy with your choices in life. Your student loan debts were less than what they could have been if you went to London, but they were still there nonetheless. It was four years of experiencing and understanding the ups and downs, although majority of it felt like a constant downhill. In the midst of it all, you married Jungkook a year before you finished your degree. The wedding was small, between immediate family and close friends, it was amongst the trees that you shared your vows.
Living in an apartment filled with potted plants in nearly every corner and photographs taken by Jungkook on every wall, it was all that you ever wanted. He finished a degree in business, running his own photography lab with film and digital at his fingertips. His talent in this medium was always a favorite of yours, something you admired about him. Even in high school as the ‘star athlete’, he preferred to be traveling. But that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy a good ball game here and there with his good friends, running around a field with mud on his shins and a smile on his face.
You were digging through the laundry, emptying all the pockets, collecting any necessary goods so that they wouldn’t be ruined by the wash. Among some pens and dollar bills, you found a crumpled piece of paper that had been folded far too many times. You peeled it open, discovering it to be a list of some sort. Scanning over the words you smiled at the first few that read “learn how to roller skate”, instantly bringing you to smile at that memory of slipping down the street with Jungkook gripping onto you for dear life. It wasn’t until the end when you read ones that pertained to you. You couldn’t help but smile, feeling tears swell up in your eyes.
“Babe, have you seen my black hoodie?” Jungkook’s voice traveled down the hall as he approached you, see you staring at the paper he carried with himself for all these years. Upon his entrance you met his eyes, “What is this?”
He didn’t feel embarrassed in the slightest, in fact, he was sort of relieved that you found it. “It’s a bucket list. And I’ve done everything I’ve ever wanted.” His arms slid around your waist as his lips pressed to your forehead.
“How long ago did you write this?” You tilted your head back to meet his eyes.
“Junior year of high school.” He responded proudly, scrunching his nose out of happiness. Your face lit up, like it would whenever Jungkook came home after a long day. You reached onto your tippy toes, kissing his lips lightly.
“You know, if you showed this to me junior year, I probably would have said yes.”
“I’m going to pretend that’s not true and say I swept you off your feet on your front lawn.” You laughed quietly, resting your head on his chest, humming as you embraced one another.
“How about we add to it? Things we can do as husband and wife?”
You sat beside each other at the table scribbling down things you wanted to experience together. Some were small, like take a painting class together, and some were traveling the world together, specifically Paris. The two of you adored art, especially seeing it in person. But it wasn’t only for the art, also the fact that it was the city of love. To be able to walk hand-in-hand beside the Eiffel Tower sounded like a dream. It wasn’t a list you wanted to complete all at once, but one by one when there was time. One thing you tended to forget was that nothing ever went to plan.
Finances became scarce with time, and the two of you were trying to save wherever possible. You worked more shifts and Jungkook opened the shop for more hours. You saw each other less. It was mostly at night when you were far too drained to make dinner and he was far too exhausted to do anything besides lay down. One night, when all the lights except for one were off, and you were both on the sofa, you brought out the bucket list. “Maybe we were a little too ambitious?” You asked sadly, leaning your head on Jungkook’s shoulder. His fingers intertwined with yours, his thumbs tracing circles on the back of your hand.
“No,” he spoke softly. “Life just had different plans for us. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be able to do it in the future.”
“Yeah, I guess.” You sighed, feeling defeated.
Once you both were in bed you fell asleep as soon as your head hit the pillow. Jungkook was awake, staring at the ceiling. He would look over at your figure from time to time, smiling softly at you. It was in that moment he decided to surprise you the next day. He had the day off while you were supposed to work in the morning, so in that time he was going to put things together. Mentally he made notes of what was needed, and for the rest of the night he didn’t sleep a wink.
Once the sun rose you were on your feet getting ready for the day. You dragged your feet throughout the apartment, slumped shoulders and a pout on your lips. Jungkook came behind you in the bathroom, resting his chin on your shoulder. “You look beautiful.”
You scoffed in response, focusing on the products scattered over the counter. “I look like I’ve aged ten years.”
“I’ve always wanted to marry an older woman.” He teased, earning a slap on the shoulder. Even though you pretended to be upset, he could see the smile on your lips.
“It’s a good thing I love you.” You reasoned, applying moisturizer to your skin. Jungkook then nuzzled his nose into the crook of your neck, leaving a trail of kisses. “And I love you.”
As soon as you left, Jungkook began to work on his project. When the coast was clear he drove to the store to buy some things he needed, quickly bringing them home knowing you worked a short shift. He hung up lights across the apartment from wall to wall, rearranged the furniture, and put out some food on the table. In no time were you coming up the stairs, digging for your keys. Jungkook rushed to the door, waiting for you to appear. As you entered, you saw the lights displayed throughout the room with candles on the counters. You looked at Jungkook in confusion, dropping your bag onto the floor, taking off your shoes. “What is this?”
He intertwined his fingers with yours, smiling. “Welcome to Paris.” You were led down the trail of rose petals to the corner of the apartment where a large poster of the Eiffel Tower was pinned up. Music quietly played in the background, a sweet melody that only added to the tears that escaped to your cheeks. “I know this isn’t the real thing, but I want you to know that it doesn’t matter what happens in life, as long as we have each other everything will be okay. One check at a time.”
“I love you so much.” You hurried into his arms, leaving kisses across his entire face, smiling. He was all you ever wanted and needed.
A/N: yesss, i was really excited to write this. i hope you all liked it, and it would mean a whole bunch if you told me what you liked about it? (also, i was wondering if i posted a blurb list, would you guys be interested in participating in it? like choosing which ones for me to write and for what members?) let me know what you think!
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