somebody

Nevertheless, you found yourself sitting next to Jungkook, having a swell time (ish) with Namjoon and his almost-girlfriend. While you guys were nibbling on sardines and beef carpaccio, Nana went on and on about her current organizing efforts alongside her potential city council campaign. Namjoon's eyes beamed and clearly in love. He was always struck you as someone who easily falls in love with people, particularly people who think the same as him politically. 

“So, are you guys seeing anybody?” Nana munched on a beef carpaccio slice before taking a swig of wine. 

“Nah,” Jungkook sighed, rubbing his temples. “Dating’s been hard. ____ knows too well.” 

“Yup,” you nodded, sipping more of your cocktail. It seems like every day, someone has to ask one of you how you feel about the current dating world. “Honestly, it has to do with the fact that there aren't enough guys out there who don't hold the most misogynistic values. Like…” 

You pat Jungkook’s shoulder in acknowledgment.

“Look at Jungkook. Handsome kid, a leftist. Can't secure a girl for shit because he's an avoidant.”

Jungkook started laughing immediately, like a knee-jerk reaction, eliciting giggles from you. The fact that he didn't protest made it funnier, and you found yourself enjoying his laughs a bit too much. 

Was it the alcohol? Perhaps. But you couldn't help but to realize how incredibly cute he actually was. He was a special one, a well-built body with a baby face that gave people like you severe cuteness aggression. He was genuinely your type, but you never looked at him once since you started working at Arirang. You weren't sure why. Maybe you were too preoccupied with your past entanglement. Who knows.

Now, you two were cozying up, and you feel hot. Surely, it had to be the alcohol because a sudden onset of Crush Syndrome in Jungkook would be insane for you.

And so you two continued talking throughout the night. You learned he has an older brother and sister, the latter of whom he detests greatly. She took care of him when the parents were workaholics, which can trigger some serious mommy issues. 

“That makes sense,” Nana nodded as Namjoon smiled, patting the guy’s back and squeezing his shoulder.

“Is that why you're so bad with girls?” Namjoon teased while Jungkook opened his mouth and scoffed, shrugging.

“Maybe…I have mommy issues, what can you say?” 

You laughed.

“Oh, so you agree,” you chimed in. “You agree you have mommy issues.” 

Jungkook took a moment to lock eyes with his tongue digging into his cheek. With a smirk, he replied softly, 

“Yeah, maybe that's why I'm really into older women.”

You found yourself blushing furiously again. While you two were the same age, you were older than him by several months. Jungkook noticed and laughed again before calling the server for the check.

“So where to?” Namjoon asked as Jungkook paid for the meal (“It's fine!” he drunkenly insisted before starting to clean up the table). 

“Let's go to Fling,” Nana suggested immediately, wrapping her arms around Namjoon. “Get Jungkook a sugar mama.”

You laughed awkwardly as Jungkook flushed a bit, shaking his hand. 

“I don't need that,” he emphasized, chuckling.

“Come on, Jungkook!” Namjoon egged on, rubbing Jungkook’s shoulders with his big hands. “Sugar mamas can fund your life, like you getting a new bike. You don't have to fuck her, you know.”

“Hmm….” Jungkook’s eyes looked at the night sky, deep in thought. You stayed quiet, your stomach suddenly bubbling. Maybe it was the food, maybe it was a bit of jealousy. 

____, get yourself together! This is your ovulation side talking. You don't actually like Jungkook.

But he looks so cute right now, not gonna lie.

You kept staring at him as Namjoon and Jungkook kept going back and forth as you all went to the cars, ready to go. Was this truly happening, you seeing Jungkook in a different light? You wondered why you didn't find him attractive before, as you were a huge fan of little gestures. Most women would swoon if their man opened the door for them every time or noticed little details about them by simply observing. Jungkook surely wasn't an eyesore, and his physique was something you found yourself checking out more than a few times. 

You seemed a bit dazed and found yourself stumbling a bit, which Jungkook noticed, slowing down to your pace.

“You good, ____?” Jungkook inquired, arms instinctively out to catch you if you completely fall over. You shook your head, face still flushed from what you hoped was alcohol. 

“Let's go to Fling,” you diverted the attention away from you, slipping into Namjoon’s coupe with not much grace. Both Nana and Jungkook had a grand laugh before your disheveled self squinted your eyes, seatbelting yourself. “You coming, Jungkook?”

“I'll take my own car,” Jungkook chuckled, leaning toward you. You held your breath as he grinned like a drunken idiot he was. “Don’t worry, I'll be safe. See you guys there.”

You frowned as he left to go to his car, with Namjoon and Nana sliding in and giggling.

“Jungkook is too cute to be single,” Nana pointed out, watching him get into his car. Namjoon looked at her with judgment before switching gears. 

“That kid…” Namjoon began. “I've known him for about a year, and I still feel like it's his first week here. Dude doesn't tell anybody anything.”

“Oh?” you chimed in, sitting up. It was funny: Jungkook and you knew a lot about each other at this point. In fact, he came to your cubicle often for all kinds of things. After work, you two would hang out (in a group setting, of course), and it felt rather natural with him.

“‘Oh?’” Namjoon imitated you, lips pursed together. Nana hit him playfully. 

“Stop,” she urged. 

“What?” Namjoon replied curiously, his eyebrows furrowing in the rear view mirror. “Clearly ____ knows something about Jungkook that we don't know about.”

Your stomach flipped. There was no way you were closer to Jungkook. Could it be that he was into you, too? Because why else would he be interested in telling you his business more than his male cohorts?

Fuck, why do I care so much about whether or not he likes me?

Because you like him, you idiot.

You swallowed, making sure Namjoon or Nana didn’t catch on by your change in demeanor. They didn't, and as you slip deeper into your seat, the realization starts settling in. 

Oh shit. Oh fucking shit. I have a crush on Jungkook. 

Before you knew it, you were in front of Fling, and of course, you were waiting for Jungkook to show up. Tonight, he decided to ride his bike, which riled you up a bit more than usual. You always found it cool that he was a motorcycle rider, but now? You found it kind of hot.

Jungkook tapped on your shoulder, and you immediately turned around to see him grinning. That kid was always grinning, Jesus. He was wearing a black bomber jacket, which made his shoulders broad as hell. He looked too good, like snackable.

He opened the door for you (swoon) and proceeded to sit next to you at the big booth in the back. The vibe was lowkey, but there weren't the supposed sugar mommies that Nana claimed to appear at this particular bar. 

“Damn, I think Hoseok is coming with us!” Nana exclaimed, gripping her phone tightly as Namjoon put his head on hers. 

“The more the merrier,” Namjoon replied, holding hands with her. “I finally get to meet your political friends.”

“Uh? Who’s Hoseok?” Jungkook chimed in. You two were close together, knees touching and all. It was time for you to make your move, hoping that he'd reciprocate.

“Jung Hoseok? Ah, how would I describe Jung Hoseok…” Nana trailed off, eyes pointing up as she attempted to recall the nicest thing she could say about him.

“He’s very gay.” 

“Joon baby…” Nana laughed, covering her mouth. Namjoon’s eyes became crescents as he rested his head on top of Nana’s. “That’s not the only thing about him that you know.”

“Well, beyond him being the best campaign manager in Korea, he’s well connected with the LGBT community out in Itaewon,” Namjoon laughed. “Oh! I think that’s him!” 

The infamous Hoseok arrived soon enough, his arms stretching wide as Nana gave him a big hug. He wooed and waved at Namjoon before setting eyes on you and Jungkook, finger wagging and all.

“Now, who are you two cuties?” Hoseok grinned before sticking out his hand to say hello. “I’m Hoseok, you can call me Hobi though.” 

“Jungkook,” Jungkook responded, shaking his hand firmly. Hoseok ooh’ed, lips pursed. 

“You’re adorable,” he replied, leaving Jungkook’s cheeks a bit pink. “And you…” he looked a look at you, clapping with his fingers. “You’re giving Miss Jennie Kim tonight with the fit.”

You giggled, waving at him as a hello. Hoseok sat himself down after (arguably) making a scene. Spreading his arms out on the booth, he and Nana began to talk up a storm, leaving you, Namjoon and Jungkook on the other side looking at each other awkwardly. 

“Looks like there aren’t any sugar mommies tonight, huh,” Jungkook pointed out, chuckling. He glanced over at you, seemingly trying to check up on you. Your heart was beating fast, and you did a small gulp before he continued. “You see anybody?” 

You forgot you mentioned you were bisexual, and after quickly looking around, you shook your head. You were focused on him only and how fucking cute he was. His big eyes were sparkling underneath the disco lights, and they were so warm and inviting. He was clearly having a good time and you kept tapping his shoulder and squeezing his arm throughout the night, leaning against him enough to show interest, but not enough to scare him off. You three started talking about work again, dreading the next day (because you guys decided to hang out on a weekday out all days). 

After a while, he bid his goodbyes, stating he had to drive back home (he lived the second furthest away from work, with you and Jimin being the furthest. Your eyes got glassy when he gave everyone a hug and left you last.

“Bye, ____,” he whispered, pulling his arm around your upper back and tapping his head on yours. You wrapped him as tightly as you could around his waist. You didn’t want this moment to leave, but you felt like it was enough flirtation for now. 

“Byeeeee Jungkookie,” you replied back in a saccarchine tone, eyes closing a bit before he pulled away, grabbing his helmet.

“Be safe, ____. Text me when you get home, okay?”

Of course, I will. I don’t want you to worry about lil ol’ me. 

All you mustered as a nice hum of affirmation, followed by a thumbs up. Jungkook laughed, waving goodbye once more. 

And so he left, but boy, did he make an entrance into your heart that night.