#peppusae

And there are no truer words… not when you get a phone call from your parents and you pick up the call to hear the very worried voice of your Mum, telling you and Namjoon to come visit your sick grandfather as soon as you can.

And so, you find yourself in Namjoon's car, to head to Ilsan. Your fingers are trembling while you type out and tell Taehyung you have to cancel the plan for the weekend.

“Your Grandpa is sick, I don't know why you're apologizing that you can't accompany me. You don't have to apologize for that, [Name]-ah.” He has to express, when he calls your number as soon as you send him the text.

You can only give a nod, one he wouldn't even see, and mayhaps he noticed something off about your response (or lack thereof), because he hums in acknowledgement at you.

“I'd really like it if you can… keep me updated.”

“Okay.” You agree, a little touched at his words. Another call is approaching your phone so you say bye to Taehyung, before picking up the call from your Mum.

“Mom says to hurry.”

Namjoon accelerates the car in response.

---

There's something new you learn everyday.

Sometimes, what you learn is very little. But on the other days, you learn a lot over a short time.

That's what life is.

Today, you understand the value of family.

Namjoon holds your hand tightly while you watch the ECG system, the heartbeat rate of your only living grandparent dangerously dropping with every passing second. He lies still, and you try your hardest to watch and tell apart the rise and fall of his chest, but…

It doesn’t happen anymore.

Beside your grandpa's ear, you can see your uncle reciting soothing prayers, and the tears forming in Namjoon's eyes are unbearable for you.

So you give your grandpa's hand a squeeze and step outside, feeling your lips trembling when you feel your phone vibrating in your pocket.

Jungkook..?

“Noonim?” He asks, voice soft when you don't respond.

“Hello.”

“Noonim. Where are you?”

What's the best answer for that? Was there a way you could cut the call and text him instead? Because saying the single hi had taken everything ounce of energy that you had.

“... Ilsan.”

“Noonim… I…”

“My grandpa is sick. Can I text you back, Jungkookie?”

It’s almost like you can hear his nod, as he stutters out a ‘Y-Yes, okay!’ before you hang the call.

It's right after this call when Namjoon steps outside and takes a seat next to you. It's rare, to see him like this as he holds his hand towards you while he takes his phone out as well. So you let him, watching as he makes his call, and it reminds you that despite the bantering and slight distance you two had after you two had started growing up, this was still the same Namjoon who would build sand castles with you when you go to the beach, even though he would have preferred to swim, instead.

The growing up had put some distance between you two, but you realize that you two needed each other as much as you did when you were little and needed a partner to play hopscotch with.

So it's difficult to watch as he squeezes your hand,  to hear him say ‘Yes, Professor Yeon? I'm afraid I can't assist you over this weekend. My grandfather passed away so I'm out of the city.’

And this pains you as you watch the slightly scrunched up face of his as he listens to probable condolences that his professor sends him.

“Joon… Did they confirm it..? Grandpa really… passed away?”

“Just minutes ago.”

You feel your heart crumbling, wishing you didn't step outside and had stayed with him to the end. So you let Namjoon wrap his arm around your shoulder and hold you tight while you hear and feel his sniffs reverberate through his chest.

The funeral is to be held on the same day, 6 hours after your grandpa left the world. You worry about Namjoon, because he has spent a big chunk of his childhood with Grandpa and joined him when he tried to disassemble and reassemble machines.

You don't have any such memories with Grandpa and maybe that's why you aren't able to shed tears, even though they prickle at the corner of your eyes.

And you aren't sure if the tears were actually because you were grieving, or if it was caused by seeing Namjoon so vulnerable and shedding tears.

… It's quite cruel of you, isn't it?

You had messaged both Taehyung and Jungkook, and the two of them had sent you their condolences. The elder had made a call which you refused to take, and you had seen Namjoon rejecting a call from Taehyung as well.

There are many people coming to see grandpa one last time before they put him in his coffin. A lot of people give you their condolences as well, and family members you hadn't met in years also give your shoulders pats, while Namjoon not leaving your side makes you able to control your trembling lips.

It's a few minutes to 5pm, the time when the funeral begins. A man comes up to where you and your family are huddled by Grandpa's still form, and you're confused when you see a lot of your aunts - and even your mom - starting to sob, when this man brings a big piece of white cloth with him.

“Namjoon, what's going on-”

And you slowly understand. You slowly understand, when you watch the man placing the cloth over Grandpa's face, and you realize that everyone was crying harder than before because this was the final time, that they will never ever see grandpa’s face again.

You will never see Grandpa again.

You had felt Namjoon's grip on your hands tighten, and this is the moment you break down.

All the tears that hadn't wanted to come down.. All the sadness that had been building up ever since the phone call from your Mom… And everything in between comes down into big baby sobs, and the tears are endless, even when Namjoon turns to you and gives you a little chuckle, through his own tears.

“You're gonna cry now, baby sis?” He asks, and it makes you cry as hard, thankful when he wraps his arms around you.

“Hyung!”

The deep, familiar voice makes you lift your face off from Namjoon and glance at the doorway, where Kim Taehyung stands, hair disheveled and bow tie undone - he had clearly ran a significant distance - and seeing him making his way to you two makes the tears stream down from your face even more. So you find the safety of Namjoon's chest once again while you bawl your eyes out.

“Ah, Taehyung-ah?”

“Hyung. I'm sorry, I wanted to make it in time to see Grandpa’s face as well, but I got late.”

Your sniffles get louder when Taehyung refers to your Grandpa as his as well, then places a hand on your shoulder, the other one on Namjoon's.

“I came to join the funeral, if you'll let me.”

“Thank you, Taehyung-ah. Sincerely. You can.” You hear Namjon respond, and he moves away a little, and you refuse to face Taehyung so you turn away while the two probably exchange embraces.

“[Name]-ah, let's not cry too much.” Namjoon pats your back softly, still patting your hair.

“Hyung, if you will let me…”

You start to walk away, maybe go to see your Mom instead and just wanting to hold onto someone and cry. But turning around was a bad idea, because you see your uncles carrying the coffin out towards the entrance of the cemetery lands.

And you’re about to walk off before your crying gets loud, when you feel a strong hold on your wrist - one that was definitely not Namjoon.

It baffles you. His grip is so tight but it feels so careful, so delicate that it makes you glance to face Taehyung, who looks at you with doleful eyes. And his eyes are so sad that it makes you turn away again, his grip tightening before he pulls you towards him.

“My heart sinks each time I see you try to hide your face from me.” Taehyung admits, both his arms wrapping around your back and pulling your face to his chest. “If you want to cry… Then, I want you to cry in front of me.”

It's hard not to let it all out when someone says something like that. It's hard no to bawl your eyes out and cry, not holding in your voice which you'd been trying to even while Namjoon was around.

And Taehyung is so careful with you, hands patting your head and pressing soft pecks on your head, humming to you and allowing you to soak the entire front of his shirt and half of his undone bow tie as well.

It must have taken a long time. Taehyung holds tight to you and waits for you like that, and when you move away from him, you’re slightly alarmed to see that most of the guests also have left from the waiting room to join the ceremony.

“God, I look terrible.” You say, wiping your face after you calm down a little. Taehyung watches as you reach for the pack of tissues and reaches a hand to card his fingers through his hair.

“I look worse, I ran all the way here.” He says, finally tying the bowtie which had been loose. “When I found out, I just…. I really wanted to come and attend the funeral with you. Uh, and Namjoon-hyung, too. So I took a train and came here, and I forgot that I didn't have cash on me so.” Your thankful smile turns into sigh at how stupid Taehyung can be, under pressure. He's silent as he watches you while you pat your hair and neaten it a little.

“I've been wiping my face nonstop but the tears just keep coming. That's funny, isn't it?”

He doesn't respond, instead reaching his hand out for you. And you can hear Namjoon calling to you, asking you to join the ceremony and Taehyung isn't family but he feels even closer than that, so you make him sit beside you.

And maybe you're selfish like that.

You'd argue and mock him every chance you get, but now, as he had traveled cities for you and Namjoon's sake… And wouldn't let go of your hand to console you while you cried as the funeral progressed...

You're thankful for him, and your tears have dried out by the end of the ceremony where Namjoon asks Taehyung to stay over.

“Mom. This is our friend from college, Taehyung. He came to visit us and join the funeral.” Namjoon turns to face the male who looks a little flustered at the way your parents watch him. And you don't realize just why he looks red in the face, until he waves his hand a little, and-

Oh.

You still had his hand in your grip, after all.

So you let go, and Taehyung turns to you, a little baffled, but turns to look at your parents when you nod at him.

“Yes, thank you for coming to join us even though this would have taken away your entire weekend, especially if you stay over.”

“I don't mind.” He hurries to respond, looking from you to Namjoon, then back at your parents, who are smiling at the male. “I just. Really like these two siblings, that's why. I hope you can find some healing by spending time with your family and understand that Grandpa is at a better place than he was, earlier.”

Your Dad gives Taehyung a nod as he says ‘Yes, it'll take some time for things to fall back to its place, but we will try our best’, and your Mom pats his hair. You think she likes how fluffy his hair is. You definitely thought his hair was adorably fluffy. But that's a whole other story.

“Would you mind?” He asks, when your parents leave to greet the other attendees.

“When was the last time you cared about what I think?” You ask back.

Namjoon sighs, but he has a smile on his face. “I guess she's cheering up after you came. Thanks for visiting, Taehyung-ah. Stay over so we can drive together tomorrow evening, yeah?”

“Anything for you two, Hyung.”

---

Your house in Ilsan is huge.

Your family isn’t exactly royal, but their wealth is considerably above the average well-off standard.

Your favorite is the balcony. It extends out as a narrow hallway, widening afterwards and forming a big circle.

You missed this place.

So you stand at the center, and it’s almost half past one in the morning when the wind blows cooly against your skin. It’s so familiar, and feels refreshing against the two lines of tears on your face that have dried down.

The door to the balcony slides and you turn to see Kim Taehyung, wearing one of Namjoon’s pajamas - they have Ryan on it, and is probably three sizes too big on him - and he gives you a wave before he walks to you.

“Hi.”

“Hello, Taehyungie.”

“I honestly can’t remember a time when you’d called me that name.” He says, joining you and resting his arms on the cement railing. “This you is so new to me.”

“You talk as if I’m a horrible person unless I get vulnerable.”

Taehyung smiles, waving his hand to dismiss your statement.

“So you messaged Jungkook too?”

“Yes.”

There’s a moment of silence before he says ‘I see’, and you really wished you knew why. Was he feeling lonely? If you think about it, everyone really was pairing up, in your squad. There’s definitely something going on with Jimin and Yoongi, and Seokjin and Namjoon were showing some progress too. Hani has a boyfriend from senior year, and you like how well Hoseok gets along with Hyojin…

And now that you’re going out with Jungkook, you realise that Taehyung might feel a little lonely. Was that why he has such a distant look on his face whenever he talks about the younger male? Because you were dating his game buddy and he realises the weight of being the only one not paired up with someone?

“Taehyungie…”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you ever think about dating? Is there someone you like?”

“The fuck is that out of the blue question?” He raises an eyebrow, and - jeez, he has very attractive eyebrows, they’re just so thick.

“I’m too busy reaching high notes to acknowledge your bullshit.”

“What does my question have anything to do with you reaching high notes? Your comebacks are starting to get sloppy.”

“You clearly haven’t heard me reaching a perfect high note.”

You smile, knowing that, even under a sad situation where you’re here at Ilsan for family issues, he can make you smile. It’s nice like this, because it feels like Taehyung feels that way as well, if the beam on his face as he looks down from the fifth floor of your house is any indication.

“Then, let me hear it once.”

“Maybe I’ll do a collaboration with Jungkook. He has a nice voice, you know?”

“Ah, he does?” You ask. You think back, how did he and and Jungkook become friends in the first place, despite the grade difference?

More importantly, how did you and Taehyung become friends, even though you two had different majors?

And most important of all, when did you two become such close friends that Taehyung would spend his money and travel all the way to console you?

“How do you not know this, I thought you two were dating..?”

“We haven’t…. Made things official, yet.”

“Hmm.”

“He asked me out for the weekend but I cancelled because I had to go with you for the library book collection.”

This makes Taehyung’s jaw drop open, as if he couldn’t believe he was hearing right.

“What? I mean. Why? I told you, right… If you didn’t have to go, only…”

“It doesn’t matter, Jungkook and I could go out any other day, too.” You wave your hand, and Taehyung hums in response.

“Didn’t take you for someone who has a Noona kink.”

“Shut up.” It’s not a Noona kink, it’s actually a Noonim kink, get your facts right, Kim Taehyung.

“You’re weird.”

“Did I.. say that out loud too..?” “Yes you did, you applebot.” You scrunch your face in response to Taehyung flicking your forehead. “Now go get some sleep. You had a long day.”

You nod, following him back inside, and he pauses on his way to the guest room, glancing at you one more time when you make your way to yours.

“Hey, [Name]?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable by hugging you today. I know I’m not Jungkook, but it just felt like the right thing to do, so I had to hold you as tightly as I could.”

Now, why did your heart sting, at those words?

Why is it paining you, to see the lorn look in his eyes, as he looks straight into your eyes?

It kinda hurts, and you actually ball your hands into fists, shaking your head.

“You don’t need to be Jungkook. I needed it. Thank you, Taehyungie.”

The expressionless nod he gives before he heads into his room before you could say anything back to him makes you unclench your fists.

Because, really, you wondered if you would have felt calm easier if Jungkook was the one who came instead, if he was the one who held your hand during the funeral, if he was the one your Mom looked at with swooning eyes.

It’s hard to picture Jungkook in a position like that, but it seems natural for Taehyung.

Was it because he and Namjoon are good friends, or if he’s just naturally good at socialising, which isn’t Jungkook’s best feat?

Taehyung’s words repeat in your head over and over until you fall asleep in the comfortable and warm comforter of yours, in your bedroom.

‘My heart sinks each time I see you try to hide your face from me.’

‘I know I’m not Jungkook, but it just felt like the right thing to do, so I had to hold you as tightly as I could.’

Jungkook has such a sheep grin on his face while he scratches the nape of his neck, and you want to yodel like Tarzan at how freaking adorable he could get. Was Jungkook always this cute or was this exclusive to people he likes?

“Uh. Yes, Noona.” He confesses, and you find yourself pouting while you punch his arm lightly.

“Sweetie, you didn't have to.”

Your form of endearment makes Jungkook's eyes widen, face exploding into a bright red while he raises both his hands to his ears and you could have sworn you saw them twitching.

What in heckles, how much cuter could he get?!

“L-Let's… Go, then, Noonim?”

So, Jungkook can be adorable when he wants to, and also be a sexy beast during the other times.

What a catch .

So you nod, the two of you dressed in your matching clothes and walking so close to each other that you can feel every time his arm lightly brushes against yours. And there's your subconscious friend Minji who is silently screeching each time, because you've never had a date who made you feel so soft like a marshmallow as Jungkook did… And the actual date has barely even started.

Minji is up for some good shit.

“Where do you plan to take me, Jungoo?”

This new nickname makes him freeze in his tracks, looking at you with baffled, wide eyes while you innocently stare back at him.

“T-That name…”

“Why?”

“Why… I mean, the name is c-cute and everything but… Why ?”

“Because you're so adorable and I feel like a pile of goo when I'm with you.”

“ Noonim .” You hear him mumble under his breath, and you can hear Minji letting out a big gasp, which she has been doing each time Jungkook called you the extremely formal version of Noona.

Jeez, who knew you had a Noona kink…

That too, for the formal version.

Bajeez, Jungkook was really good at unleashing out inner beasts of you that you never knew existed.

Next thing you know, you'll find that you have a daddy kink for J-

You shake your head to get rid of the unnecessary thoughts flooding through your head. What a hoe, you're supposed to be on a soft and innocent date with the baby Jungoo, not on a smash fest with Mr. Jeon.

Oh shit, that sounds hot-

“Noona, we could take the bus out to the city if you like, or we can, uh,” Jungkook interrupts your thoughts, “Maybe. Um. If you're okay with it…”

“Yes?”

“I think you know that I own a bicycle, right?”

“... Oh.”

“If you're more comfortable with taking the bus, we can-”

You raise both your hands and shake your head. Getting rid of an opportunity to ride on Jeon Jungkook's bicycle? With the boy himself?

No way are you missing this golden chance. You may be dumb but not that dumb.

“No, I think it'll be romantic, so…” Your voice trails off, when you see the amused expression on Jungkook's face as he breaks from his nervous expression into a big smile.

“I thought exactly the same, Noona. I'm glad we think alike.”

And that's how you find yourself holding onto Jungkook’s torso for dear life as he races across the bumpy streets of Seoul as if he's having the time of his life back at his hometown, Busan.

“[Name]-noona, I used to have a lot of races with my Hyung and I still have a winning streak ongoing with him.”

You don't say.

“Ah… Noonim, do you get scared when I drive fast?”

Oh shit, did you say that out loud…

… Yes you did.

“Don't worry, Noona. I may drive fast but I do drive safe. Besides, this is an excuse for you to hold on to me tighter, isn't it?”

What a brat. You pinch his waist for good measure, and he lets out a sound that feels like a combination of a chuckle and a yelp.

But despite saying that, he bikes noticeably slower after that, and you're able to smile and enjoy the feeling of cool air gushing on your face while you hold on to the younger boy tightly. And it baffles you sometimes, that you're actually out on a date with this 18-year-old boy who, if you really think about it, is just so young. Jungkook's smiles are so innocent and full of childish curiosity that it really makes your heart soft, and question what on Earth he found attractive about you enough to ask you out on a date, like this.

“Jungoo, how do feel about the fact that I’m older than you?” You ask, as you watch him park his bike and put the keys in his jeans pocket.

“Actually, Noona, my - Oh.” He pauses, reaching his hand out for you when a car passes by in front of you two. You feel a little giddy when you place your hand over his, and his grip tightens a little as you two watch both sides of the road and hurry to cross. “Ah. Before that. Noona, you like animation movies, right?”

“You bet I do!”

“There’s a movie I’d like to see, with you. Should I get the tickets for it?” He asks, as he stands in line for the ticketing queue, both your fingers still intertwined. You’re pretty sure your hands were sweating like crazy, but Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind, instead beaming when you give him a big nod.

So mayhaps, Jungkook likes that kinda thing, you know… The sweaty-

Minji’s voice gets torn apart when the younger boy lets go of your hand, a sheepish smile on his face as he digs in to take out his wallet and say hello to the lady at the ticketing counter.

And it’s somewhat amusing, to see the boy taking the lead and purchasing the tickets, handing you one before he stuffs his one messily into his pocket… And then his face reddening when he realises you’ve been watching the entire time.

“Noona… Don’t stare at me that much…”

“Yah, you say that, but you keep staring at me when I eat at lunch!”

“That’s because I… I just!” He sighs, shaking his head before he stuffs his wallet back into his pocket. “It seems like we have some time to kill before the movie starts… Are you hungry? We can have some drinks!”

“We can, but I’m not letting you pay for everything.” You squint your eyes at him, marching towards the cafe inside the building.

“B-But! Noonim, I have to!” Jungkook protests, jogging to meet up with your pace. “I’m the one who asked you for this date!”

“And I’m the one who agreed!”

“That barely makes any sense, Noona…”

“All the more reason why you should listen to your Noonim .” You exaggerate on the last word, and you can see Jungkook purse his lips, blinking at your actions in wonder. You give him a pat on his shoulder and say ‘It’s fine, why don’t you give me a treat on our next date?’

This has Jungkook’s eyes going wider and a silent moment passes (with Minji screeching in the background though) before he raises an eyebrow at you.

“... Noonim, so you do want another date with me, don’t you?”

So this is why Minji was yodeling and putting even Tarzan to shame…

“Don’t be too cocky.” You warn with a smile, tugging onto Jungkook’s ear, and he lets you, a smile dancing on his lips.

And you know it’s exclusive for you, because you’d seen Hoseok getting  karate kick to his neck when he had made the mistake of grabbing Jungkook’s ear just a week ago.

So maybe, having this authority over Jeon Jungkook isn’t such a bad thing after all…

You shake your head to stop Minji’s voice from laughing like an evil scientist, and the two of you head to the food court. You give the boy a pleased smile when he listens and goes to find a seat while you order some pudding milk tea for the two of you.

“Ah, is this your preference for outings like this, Noona?” He asks, when you bring the cup to you. You nod in response, looking at him with expectant eyes as he sticks the straw inside and takes a big sip.

“Oh.”

“Do you like it?” You ask, taking a sip from your own cup and sighing to hold down your foodgasm at how good the pieces of pudding taste combined with the milk tea tasted like.

“Noonim.”

“Yes..?”

“This tastes like you.”

W h a t.

It takes a moment for Jungkook to realize how wrong his words sound like, and he gets up on his feet with his doe eyes wider than you’ve ever seen them before. He begins to flail his hands around, shaking his head as he says ‘What! I didn’t mean it like that oh my God, I’m so stupid, I meant that it just tastes so light and easy, just like you are for my heart and I just!’

Jungkook stops creating a fuss when you giggle at his antics, and you motion for him to sit down. The boy looks very flustered, bowing down to apologize to the other customers for being a bother, and then he sinks down on his seat.

“It's fine, you cutie. I know. Now,” you watch as he visibly relaxes, taking a sip from the milk tea, and his ears are still a little red, reacting to your out of the blue nicknames, “You still haven't answered my question about what you think of me being older than you.”

“I think it's… It’s very attractive.” Jungkook confesses, placing his drink on the table, a sheepish smile on his face. “It's very attractive for me.”

“Oh-”

Minji is currently rolling on the floor and screeching as if her ass is on fire.

“Actually, Noona, my Mum is also two years older than my Dad.” He begins to explain. “I think that made me be very open to the age difference thing, so I don't feel weird at all… In fact, I think I like that you're someone I can learn from, so… In the end, I found myself always finding older women attractive, and then I… met you.”

“Jeez,” you sigh when you see the beam on his face. “You're too cute it hurts me.”

“Ah, Noonim, you give me way too much credit.”

And it's soft like this. Minji is really calm now, actually, she's probably living in Bali and dancing soft hula because Jungkook is just that good, talking about his adventures in Busan while you talk about the fun you had with Namjoon during your childhood. And it’s so endearing, the way his eyes widen and he stands up with a jolt, exclaiming that you two would be late for the movie and then hurries to drag you to the theater.

The movie is called ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ and it's one of your favorites. Jungkook had been so excited while he holds your hand and shares the popcorn with you, that you didn't have the heart to tell him that you'd watched the movie years ago with Namjoon and some of his school friends.

The movie is beautiful, just as you vividly remember with the tear-jerking events and Gin being your handsome, first crush just as it had been when you were younger. When you turn to glance at Jungkook near the end, you'd seen his teary eyes which he made sure to wipe properly when the movie ends.

And really, just like he had asked and you were looking forward to, he is up for overanalyzing the movie with you.

“I love sad endings so much.” He confesses, as soon as he exits the theater. “They’re much more realistic than those sappy and cliche happy endings.”

“That’s true! A movie isn’t a good movie if it doesn’t make me cry.”

“I agree with you, Noonim! The ending of the movie was very abstract, though, what do you think was the message when Hotarou said ‘Let’s go?’”

“I think she was referring to the happy parts. Like, the ending is bittersweet and she admits she’ll be sad for a long time, but because of the memories that will refresh even more, now that Gin is gone, she can think about him and be happy that she has such memories with him.”

“That’s what I thought, too. I don’t think she said it in a moving on sense, either, but she meant she was going to take what she received thanks to Gin and that she’ll go on with her life.” Jungkook shares, the two of you so engrossed in your discussion that he’d gotten on his bike and you’d climbed behind, and he only pauses when you wrap your arms around his torso. “Ah. You’re… You’re holding on to me again…”

“That I am, Kookie.” You give his back a little pat, and you hear the soft exhale of his and you can also almost hear his big grin, even though he wasn’t even facing you.

The ride home feels so fast, just like how quickly the popcorn disappeared at the theatre. Jungkook parks by your gate, walking you to your porch where you turn to glance at him, feeling a little sad that the day has come to an end like this, so fast.

“Noonim. I had the best date ever today, thank you so much for coming along with me.” He says, his hand in your grip now as you feel slightly shy at some of your neighbors shooting you glances. “Can I interest you in another date this weekend, if you like?”

And Jeon Jungkook is so sweet. He still looks a little nervous, but he has contrastingly become much more relaxed than he had been when you two first saw each other earlier this morning on the porch.

And you badly want to say yes, but you had to go out of the city with Taehyung for the book collection, you'd hate cancelling on him. Not when he had even spared you from library duty and allowed you to go out with Jungkook early today.

And besides, time with Taehyung is never boring and a chance to visit many cities at once is rare, after all. So, you give a little pout to Jungkook in response, and he watches you as you let go of his hand and take a step on the porch before turning to face him again.

“For library duty, Taehyung and I have to go to visit some other cities during this weekend. I’d go with you if I didn't have to.”

“Ah… Yes, you and Taetae-hyung work together, right?” He asks, face dropping a little. There's something about his expression that you can't understand, because he doesn't look upset or angry that you had to turn down his date offer, but Jungkook looks more… sad, if anything.

Okay, but why would he be sad tho, Jungkook seems like the tough guy who would get jealous and try to watch out to see who tried to flirt with his girl.

That sounds kinda hot.

Oh shit, did you just call yourself his girl?

For cripes sake, Minji needs to quit laughing at what a loser you are.

There's a running doleful look in his eyes when you respond with a nod. You're not sure if it makes you feel better that he doesn't pry further, simply giving a nod and a salute which dismisses his straying pensive glance and replaces it with a beam instead.

“Then, we can go some other time, Noonim. So, enjoy your weekend!” He says, reaching a hand out towards you, which you accept instantly. And his hands feel so soft that you can't help but look at him with a goofy grin on your face; one he replicates with his cheeks red from the contact of your intertwined hands.

“I don't want to leave you just yet.” He admits, glancing at the front door of your house which you're standing in front of.

“Me too… Why don't you come in, then?”

This makes Jungkook's eyes widen and you can see how flustered he is from the way his ears go red while his lips part open like a very shook goldfish.

“S-Some other t-time! This is our first date, Noona!” He whispers, as if he was hyper-aware that someone would be around to hear him.

“Well, I don't see that problem with-”

“Ah, Noonim, seriously.” He shakes his head, giving your hands a light squeeze. You look back as he continues to smile at you, and then he leans in, softly giving your cheek a soft peck and his nose lingering on your skin for a bit and it's such a soft gesture that has both you and Minji lowkey screeching together.

“Please invite me in after another one of our dates.”

And you take a moment before you nod, cheeks flushing when you wave at the male who walks back to the gate and gets on his bike. And it's so endearing to watch him wave at you with both hands as he turns around to look at you and you have to yell, ‘Yah, Jeon Jungkook, watch the road while you bike!’ really loud before he would listen to you and then holds onto the handles like should have from the start.

So you sigh in contentment, getting inside your house and taking off your shoes.

And you're about to climb upstairs to your room when you hear a loud ‘Well, well well. Look who's home after her cute wittle dwate!’ from the living room.

“Hi, Joon.” You respond, getting inside the room, and you're baffled to see Namjoon sitting on the floor, playing cards with Taehyung.

“Hello. How was your date?” He asks, watching you take off your socks and stretch a little.

“It went very good.”

“Is that seriously all you'll tell me?” Namjoon wants to know, and you shrug, taking a bottle of water from the cooler. “Did Jungkook treat you like a man, like he should-”

“Hyung, why are you pretending like you didn't have your face stuck on the glass window ever since you heard Jungkookie's bike rails outside the porch?”

This makes both you and Namjoon gasp, and you squint your eyes at your brother, who gulps in response.

“You can't blame me, okay? It's the first time you've gone on a date with someone who I actually can trust on, but the world is a cruel place and if I don't look out for you when we live away from our parents, then I don't know who else will.”

“It's a sugarcoated way of hiding the fact that he's been stalking you.”

You agree with Taehyung this time, which is a very rare case, if you think about it. You and Jungkook had a lot of things and ideas, and opinions in common, so they wasn't much room for discussing one thing for a long time.

And when you take a seat on the sofa near where the two are and tell Namjoon about your date, Taehyung listens as well, butting in only when you gush about how you and Jungkook share so much opinions in common that it scares you.

Because Taehyung has opposing views with you, unlike Jungkook.

Taehyung has things to argue and point out, unlike Jungkook.

Taehyung does not overanalyze the movie and related things with you, unlike Jungkook.

Instead, he just shares his opinions… Which are very different from Jungkook's.

“It sucks. It was cute when Gin instinctively grabbed that kid’s hand to stop him from falling but it seems very unrealistic because….Hotarou freaking grew up and spent her childhood with him. He reacts as if it's his first time to see a human fall and he breaks the fall, but I'm sure it wasn't.”

“You…” You find yourself at a loss for words. You aren't sure if what Taehyung mentions makes your heart feel something, but it definitely causes you to think far into how much in common you have with Jungkook… and how little you have that, with Taehyung.

And sometimes, you hate when he points out something logical in between his arguments, and you understand it. And even now, you know what he's saying makes sense, but you decide not to acknowledge it, watching in bafflement as he goes on.

“Think about it. She had been an adventurous child. I'm sure she would have gone exploring and climbed trees and stuff. Do you really think she would not have experienced at least one fall? And Gin wouldn't have reacted like that at the end of the movie if he had been used to not reacting at all when she was younger.”

“I must say, Taehyungie does have a good point.” Namjoon offers.

“Shut up! How would Gin know that the kid was a human! Even some goblins look like humans!”

“Are you seriously going to bring that up? Gin is a ghost, he’s lived with the other spirits for God knows how long. He can differentiate human kids and non-humans well, and if he can’t after all those years in the forest, that’s a big fat hole in the plot of the movie, then.” Taehyung has to express.

“When I asked about overanalyzing movies with me, this is not what I meant. God, I'm so glad I went with Jungkook instead, who at least appreciated the movie like I do, and did not go around ruining my childhood along with it.” You stick your tongue out at the male before you retire for the night and head upstairs to your room.

… You come back downstairs after five minutes though, get the DVD of the movie you’d watched today, from the TV rack, and both Namjoon and Taehyung eye you in bafflement while you take the DVD and storm up to your room again.

You were going to find something about the movie which will show how invalid Taehyung’s point is, even if it means rewatching the movie five more times.

Which… Might be dramatic, if you think about it, but oh well. Drama is your middle name, after all

So you stretch yourself a little, after which you unzip your bag and take out your makeup purse.

“Joon. Drive carefully, okay? I didn’t have enough time to put on makeup.”

“Anything my baby sister wants, she will get!” He sings, and you find yourself rolling your eyes once again while you take out your chapstick.

“Namjoon-hyung, are girls always like this, when they have dates?” Taehyung has the audacity to ask.

“I think so. I thought that my little sister wouldn’t be that type, but she has proved me wrong. So I have zero faith in humanity now.” You hear Namjoon respond while you curl your lashes. You want to butt in and tell him that this was just a one-time thing, that this was just because it’s a date, but you stop yourself because…

Is this really a one-time thing?

‘Definitely not a platonic going-out’, was what Jungkook had said. Could it be that he was interested in you, like you were, with him? At least, a little?

But his interest in you was definitely the bigger one between the two of you, that’s why you had never even considered the idea of a date with him, right? That’s why Jungkook had considered, planned, and actually asked you out, like a real man would.

Damn, he’s such a hot kid.

The word hot and kid shouldn’t come together, but Jeon Jungkook definitely tests you in different, nasty ways.

Oh shit, you shouldn’t be sweating this hard, calm down, hormones-ah.

You don’t realise that you’re staring right ahead with your lips parted while you think about the sexy child that Jungkook is, until Namjoon begins to snap his fingers to get your attention.

“I was saying, [Name]-ah, was the shirt good, even after the wash? You know how sometimes the chemicals in the washing powder can cause changes in the composition of the fabric and make it shrin-”

“It was fine. It’s fine. Thanks, Oppa.” You wave him off, and you find Taehyung’s jaw dropping open as he turns to glance from you, to Namjoon, then back at you.

“Did she just call you Oppa before she returned back to slathering artificial colours on her otherwise pretty face?”

You raise an eyebrow while you put on some colour on your lips - that felt more like an insult than a compliment, and if you were going to argue, then you were very minimal with your make-up.

I only put some light lip-colour and some mascara and curled my lashes, how is that any different from what I  usually do? You find yourself wanting to say really badly, at the two.

You don’t usually shave your legs and hands first thing in the morning, a voice in your head yells, and use a face mask the night before and wake earlier than usual so any puffiness in your face or under your eyes can wear off by the time you had to head out!

Okay, fine, that’s understandable , you reason with the voice in your head. This voice needs a name for further reference. You decide to call the voice Minji, because Minji is Jimin spelt backwards (In Korean tho, not English) and Jimin is secretly a thot.

And you hoped Minji would keep the voice minimal and in your head, because Namjoon and Taehyung didn’t even know the excessive part.

“This isn’t too much, right?” You ask, and Namjoon waits until he stops at a red light before he turns around and glances at you.

“I think it’s fine, you really don’t need to worry too much. If this person who asked you out for a date is only impressed by your looks, and not the bantering and caring and cooking and overall wonderful person that you are, then I’m not even going to allow you to go out with him.”

Aigoo.

This makes your heart swell a little, and you put your compact case back into your bag and zip it closed. “Thanks, Joon. Really.”

“Are you seriously not going to tell me who you’re going with, even though I even bought you the shirt for this very occasion?”

“I don’t think you need to ask, Hyung. Look over there, we have our gentleman waiting for the lady right there.” Taehyung interrupts, while Namjoon pulls into the parking lot at the campus.

Wait, what gentleman..?

Both you and Namjoon turn to where Taehyung is pointing at, and he’s right, because...

… Jeon Jungkook stands at the porch, dressed in a plain white shirt - similar to but a few sizes larger than yours - paired with a pair of blue skinny jeans that has it’s knees ripped a little. This makes all three of you turn to look at your own clothes: a complete match to what Jungkook has on.

So this was his plan, huh?

Two can play at this game.

“Joon. Do you have a pair of scissors?”

“It baffles me that you think a philosophy major like me would have a scissor-”

“Give me your scissors!” You pull at the little hair at his nape, which makes Namjoon yelp, digging into his backpack before he pulls out the piece of stationery.

“I knew it.” Taehyung says, while he watches in utter shock while you cut rips on your knees. If you two were gonna match, you two were gonna match completely , that’s what Minji said just a while ago.

Namjoon and Taehyung don’t need to hear that, though.

“Ah, seriously. It’s their first date, but they’re already wearing couple clothes!” Namjoon cackles, and you hiss, slapping his head from back in your seat. You can feel your cheeks turning a little red while Taehyung looks at you with a knowing expression, and there is no smile on his face now.

And you’re lost in the expression once again, because seriously. It’s not fair how his skin can look so smooth, so healthy and his bangs falling over his forehead in a way you want to mess it, just to elicit a different reaction from him.

Now you really want to throw your backpack at his face, just to see if his expressionless look will change.

You shake your head, returning the scissor and glancing at Namjoon, who gives you a nod. You knew he would have no opposition with you going on a date with Jungkook, so you give him your best smile, getting off the car.

The walk to the porch is nerve-wracking. Jungkook spots you halfway, lips parting a little as he looks at you walking up to him with your hands clutching onto the straps of your backpack tightly.

“Noona… You actually wore it!” He gushes, and you can see all of his teeth as he beams, clearly very pleased even though you both are wearing exactly the same white shirt tucked into blue skinny jeans of the same shade.

Honestly, destiny is chill and everything, but how is it earthly possible that you two picked out the same exact shade of blue?

Either destiny has some secret ties with the FBI or Jeon Jungkook was a very good stalker.

You decide to not think further on the latter.

“Hi, Kookie. And of course, I did. You asked me to!”

“I really like you dressed in white.” He has to say, shyly as his gaze goes to your shoes instead; which is different from the Puma shoes that he dons on.

RIP matching couple looks and ripping your otherwise chill jeans.

Dammit, Jeon Jungkook.

“I really like us dressed the same.” You respond anyways, and this makes the pink on Jungkook’s face to blossom into a bright red, eyes blinking multiple times before he lets out a small cough.

“Um. Thank you! Can I walk you to class?”

You give him a nod, and when he turns around to head inside the campus, you take a glance back; and your gut feeling was right.

Both Namjoon and Taehyung had been watching you and Jungkook’s exchange this entire time, leaning against the car which is parked now. You sigh, rolling your eyes once again before you follow Jungkook inside.

There’s a camera hung around Jungkook’s neck and it makes you recall the Animation textbook that he had once come to borrow while you were at library duty.

“Being a Video Graphics major is hard, isn’t it?”

“It’s not necessarily hard…” Jungkook responds, eyes on you with a soft smile, “It’s just difficult to get something that makes me feel unique.”

“Like, how when I write, I would rewrite the same scene ten times, or even a hundred times, because it feels the same as every other time someone had written the scene?”

“Exactly!” Jungkook’s eyes become a little bigger, as he nods, mouth open a little. “I think it’s a struggle for anyone of us as Art majors, you know? I can shoot a video well, but so can a million others. It’s just hard for me to find a way I can be one-of-a-kind.”

“And even so… The struggles are worth it when we reach the end, because we enjoyed the ride there.”

“Noona… We think so alike, it’s scaring me a bit.” Jungkook jokes, and you laugh, watching how cute he looks as he smiles at you, now standing outside your lecture hall.

“Kookie, where is your class at?” You ask, knowing there are only a few minutes for your class to begin.

“Oh. It’s on the fourth floor of Wing B.”

Your jaw drops open. Wing B is an entirely different building and a lot of staircases away from Wing F where you were currently at. Is this kid for real?

“What?! Jungkook-ah, you’re gonna be late for class, why would you walk me to class when your class it at a whole other wing?!”

Jungkook laughs, taking two steps back to dodge the punch you send his way.

“It’s fine, I’ll go off now! I just wanted to walk you to class, heheh.”

You feel like a pile of goo when he takes your leave, waving to you before he dashes off.

“Yah, don’t run in the hallways!” You call out, making him stop right in his tracks for a moment to look at you with an even bigger smile on his face.

“I’ll be careful!” He yells back, before he dashes yet again.

Seokjin was right, this kid was a literal brat.

You find yourself smiling despite the sigh you let out, not able to sport any other expression on your face until Taehyung steps inside the lecture hall and walks straight past your seat - something he has never done in the entirety of the semester, not even once.

He always sits with you. Always. Without fail.

He’d even come early on so one of your friends can’t take a spot beside you.

What’s up with him now?

Seriously, you need to send a request to Seokjin already and find out about what kind of a species Taehyung is.

>

Ever since lunch when Namjoon came and sat down beside you with his tray piled with junk food, you’d been worried about how to save a white shirt from stains, till your date.

Apparently, when you voice this out, Taehyung offers you his jacket, which he says is the answer.

“Seriously. This is what happens to Language majors,” he starts, as he spoons in a mouthful of noodle soup, “A dead literist could have written some art with no underlying meaning, but you guys. You guys will go to the ends of the earth to dissect it as if it was some kind of Biology frog.”

You ignore Seokjin who has to point out that frogs weren’t the only thing he dissects.

“The appropriate term is analysis.” You say, squinting your eyes at Taehyung, who sits in front of you. “And like I said before, the world literist doesn’t really..”

“Do I look like I care?”

“Whatever. And I know that we can’t be sure of whether a piece of art has a deep underlying meaning, but-”

You pause, mid-sentence, when you spot Jungkook stepping into the cafeteria. Taehyung, who had been stuffing lettuce into his mouth like a starved man, turns to where your gaze is at the freshman.

“Jungkook-ah, over here!” He yells, making you and Namjoon both almost drop your chopsticks.

Taehyung can be quite loud. He has a very deep voice, and when the deep voice gets loud, it can be quite startling; you could have sworn you saw even Jungkook, who heard his name being called out, move his head back a little in shock, before he turns and spots Taehyung… and then you.

A smile forms on the younger boy’s face before he nods, taking a tray to get his food.

“Ten bucks for us having to see Jungkook sucking [Name]’s face by the end of this month.”

All eyes go to Seokjin, who is nonchalantly scooping a big fat glop of chocolate mousse with an equally large spoon. Seriously, did he ask the ladies at the jetline for a really big spoon, because they usually give small spoons with the desserts, don’t they?

“Hyung,” Namjoon is the first to speak, because you’re too busy looking at the eldest with a horrified expression on your face, “[Name] is my sister.”

“I am awa- Oh … What!?!?!?”

The table gets really loud while Seokjin makes a big fuss, all while you sigh and shake your head. Yoongi looks startled as well, but you feel that it is uncharacteristic, the way Jimin doesn’t pay that much attention to Namjoon’s sudden revelation. Instead, Jimin seems busy with his eyebrows knotted together, while he whispers something to a blank-faced Taehyung.

You beg the group to please be minimal about this fact, and they listen to you. In fact, Hani actually gets up from her place on your other side and moves to sit next to Taehyung instead as she says, ‘Kookie, sit with [Name]!’ all innocently.

These people will never grow up, seriously….

“Noona. Hello.”

“There’s at least ten people at this table, but [Name] is the person you’ll greet?” Hyojin asks with a smile on her face. This makes you sigh while Jungkook waves his hand to dismiss it, the tips of his ears turning a little red.

“I can’t greet everyone at once, after all!”

“He even has excuses! Smooth excuses, at that!”

“What does he mean he can’t greet everyone at once, what the heck is ‘guys’ used for, in that case?”

“Yeah, [Name]-ah, what’s the point if you can’t even educate him on some useful vocab?”

The teasing is endless, and you can tell that Jungkook, despite not being angry, feels a little uncomfortable.

Minji is knocking on your head and asking you to tell everyone to give him some slack, but Jimin is faster than Minji.

“Yoongi-hyung and I have a project to do, so we’ll go off first.”

So apparently, Jimin is a bigger thot that Minji.

You give Jimin a thankful smile which he replies with a small nod. The two get up, and you watch as Jimin taps Taehyung’s shoulder, before he gets dismissed by the latter.

You turn to glance at Jungkook, and he looks up from his bowl of chicken, smiling at you with his familiar, soft beam.

You like making analogies and if you were to make an analogy about Jungkook’s smiles... It’s as if a couple of pretty stars had been made into stardust, and a lot of love had been added along with everything heartwarming, all of it combining together and giving such a warming smile that is specific, just for Jeon Jungkook.

In short, you're a pile of goo all over again.

“You’re so cute, gosh.” You find yourself whispering to him before you turn to your bowl of lettuce.

“Thank you, Noonim.” He whispers back, earning a wider smile from you. “I would also enjoy it very much if you thought I was manly, as well.”

“That you are, Kookie.” You respond back. When you look up from your bowl, you see that Taehyung has his lips parted, no longer staring at you, but at Jungkook, with a baffled expression on his face.

Well, you could understand. Maybe he heard what the kid said? And Jungkook wasn’t the most outgoing child around here, so mayhaps it amazes him, that he would so casually respond like that, to you?

But the look on his face disappears, replaced with a frown as he stands up, eyes still on Jungkook as he says, ‘I’ll head off, too’.

And you find it very weird that Jungkook has an equally upsetting frown on his face as he returns the glance with Taehyung.

The atmosphere seems odd, so you only give Taehyung a nod, asking Namjoon about what he’s studying in class, now.

And that’s all it takes for Taehyung to leave and the normalcy of the smiling, shy Jungkook to return.

Before lunch is over, he walks you to class yet again, even though you even threatened that you wouldn’t go out with him after the session.

“You wouldn’t really do that, will you, Noona?”

“You little brat. Please, head off for class, now.” You give him a playful slap on his shoulder, which he lets you unlike earlier.

The way Jungkook waves and dashes off for his class yet again has you giggling, already looking forward to the date.

It’s while you’re gushing by yourself in your seat in class, when you get a text from Taehyung.

‘I got a text from Juyun-ssi from library duty and she asked if we can go to collect some books over this weekend?’

And another one arrives even before you can start to type out a reply.

‘If you don’t have plans already with Jungkook…’

The next one comes almost instantaneously, too.

‘I can drive there myself. I just thought I’d let you know, because…. Yeah, it’ll be fun to have your company, heh.’