It's been about two weeks since the night at the bar, and though Jungkook's blue hair has mostly faded, Jimin's uncomfortable, squirmy feelings have not. In ten years, Jimin has never once felt an attraction to Jungkook. And that's not to say he's blind to what Jungkook looks like - he knows he's beautiful - but Jungkook has always been his best friend, Tyler's next door neighbour, Just...Jungkook.
That is, until that damned night playing pool.
It sneaks up on him when he's least expecting it. Brushing his teeth before bed, walking Link in the afternoon, watching the Phillies game...Suddenly, all he can think about is Jungkook pressed up against him, his muscles taught, his breathing deep and hot. And Christ, if it doesn't make his palms a little sweaty.
He chalks it up to lack of sexual chemistry with anyone in a while. A long while. He hasn't slept with anybody in over a year, and he hasn't had an actual romantic connection with anyone since Tyler. Jimin's comfortable with Jungkook. He loves Jungkook. And, to be honest, he misses the feel of someone touching him, kissing him...
Jimin shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. Link is asleep on the floor, a puddle of drool forming on the hardwood. Jimin whistles and Link opens one eye, clearly only semi-interested.
" It's not Jungkook, right, Link? It's just the idea of someone in general?"
Link blinks slowly, then shuts his eyes closed again.
" Excuse me. I am talking to you."
Link rolls over with a huff, and then grows still once more.
" Okay, yeah, I need to get my shot together. I'll go out with him again, just the two of us, and if I still feel like this, maybe that's a sign? Or maybe this was just a one time thing. Yeah, that's it. I was a little drunk and weak and Jungkook was accessible and this was just a one time thing and that's all there is to it." Jimin pulls his knees up to his chest and like up at the TV, it's a commercial for dog food. That reminds him, he's almost out. He sighs. " I'll call him in the morning. Damn it."
Link snores loudly in response.
He goes to bed after that, unsuccessfully ignoring the pit in his stomach.
It has nothing to do with Jungkook.
Really.
He calls Jungkook the next morning while he's stirring his second cup of coffee, the spoon clanking, coffee spilling over the side of the mug.
" The band goes on at eight, I think." Jimin says, reaching for a paper towel across the counter.
" Do I know anything by them?"
" Mhm, probably not. They're new. I don't know much either. I just thought it would be fun. We haven't been to a show together in years. Probably not since Tyler got sick."
" That's true." Jungkook yawns through the phone. " Sure. Let's go. Do you want me call Tae and Hobi up, too?"
Jimin pauses and clears his throat.
" Actually, uh, I was thinking it could maybe be just us two?"
" Oh?"
" No, Min, that's fine. Want me to meet you at your place?"
Jimin lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. " That works. I'll be the cute one waiting by the door."
Jungkook snorts. " Link, I had no idea you'd mastered how to use the phone."
" Bye."
Jungkook rolls up in his black Jeep around 7 o'clock and beeps the horn. Link immediately runs to the front door, almost knocking Jimin down completely in the process.
It wouldn't be the first time he'd nearly crushed Jimin in an attempt to meet Jungkook at the front door.
He managed to hold Link back while he squeezes out the door, locking up, and letting the screen door slam behind him. It's beautiful out; April in Pennsylvania is always gorgeous, and tonight is no exception. The breeze is light, it's not yet dark, and the ground is finally thawed from the winter.
Jimin climbs into the Jeep and looks over at Jungkook. He looks the same as he always does. His black jeans are ripped at the knee, his suede boots are a little scuffled at the toe, his grey Harley Davidson t-shirt is rolled a bit at the sleeves. He's dressed like he normally is: casual, comfortable, sloppy and happy. Nothing out of the norm. Completely regular and Jungkook.
And Jimin feels and looks exact same as he always does, too.
He sighs and puts his hands in his lap. Maybe it was just a one time thing.
Well. Good. That's a relief.
Jungkook fiddles with the radio before he pulls out of Jimin's driveway. He's satisfied when the first few beats to an old Britney Spears song comes on. Jimin rolls his eyes.
" Really, Jungkook?"
Jungkook pulls out into the main road and taps his thumbs on the steering wheel to the beat of the song. " What have you got against Britney, Min? Are you jealous that you're not lucky, not a star? Are you gonna cry, cry, cry..."
" Oh my God, enough," Jimin laughs, putting his hand over Jungkook's mouth. Jungkook nips at his palm and then licks it. " You're disgusting!" he cries. " Worse than Link?"
Jungkook smirks and then his eyes go wide. " Oh, spea of the beast." He points behind him. " I picked up a bag of dog food earlier today. I noticed a few nights ago that you were running low."
Jimin goes silent at that. He puts his hands back on his lap and looks over at Jungkook. " You didn't have to get that. It's expensive."
He shrugs. " You didn't ask for brontosaurus. We're a team."
Jimin nods, fighting back a grin and losing. " We are. Thank you."
" No problem, babe. Okay, now be quiet. My solo is coming up."
Jungkook belts out the final chorus to " Lucky." and Jimin can't stop smiling.
They make it to the show just as the opening act is wrapping up. It's a small venue - capacity probably maxed out at about 1,000 people - and it's all general admission. The floor is packed with teens and adults alike, and Jimin tries to find a spot for both he and Jungkook to stand.
" I'll go grab a couple of drinks if you want to save a space for us on the floor," Jungkook calls over his shoulder as he makes his way to the bar.
" How. Where the fuck am I supposed to go?" Jimin asks out loud to no one in particular. He manages to find a tight squeeze near the sound booth, and even though no one else tries to crowd into his space, there still isn't enough room for them to stand side by side.
Jungkook hands Jimin his beer and asks, " So, do you want me to stand in front or do you want me to?"
" Honestly, Jungkook, don't be a dick."
Jungkook laughs. " I'll stand in back. Got it."