Precious Gems | JiKook

三十三

—

"So, you learn how to use it yet?"

Kim Namjoon was like a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of Jungkook's shoe. A nuisance that seemed to stick to him wherever he went, and was extremely hard to shake off. At this point in his life he couldn't even say that he truly hated Namjoon though, just found him incredibly annoying.

Why was it though, that he just kept running into him so often?

"Nice to see you too, Namjoon." Jungkook laughed softly, pushing himself off of the wall that he was leaning up against. "Also, I don't think you've learned what kind of conversations are appropriate for public spaces." This time, they were met in a gas station. It wasn't too far from Jungkook's house, but he was only here to accompany Jimin when the older male asked Yoongi to stop the car for the bathroom.

The absolute last thing he had expected was to run into Namjoon of all people in the short time he was planning on being there. What made the whole situation even worse, was that there was now a silent countdown ticking down to when Jimin would walk back out of the bathroom, and he would have to meet Namjoon.

Jungkook did not want Jimin to meet Namjoon.

He didn't want Namjoon to know anything about what he was doing now, knowing that the older male would just try to wiggle his way back into his life again to offer connections. Jungkook didn't want that. He knew that whatever he was working towards, he could do it without Namjoon's help.

"I was just wondering, we haven't spoken since I gave it to you, after all." Namjoon shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's almost like you don't want to talk to me."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow and laughed softly.

"I've told you multiple times that I don't." He answered, the smirk on his face only growing when Namjoon rolled his eyes in response. "But you're like, following me around or something, so I just keep being forced to." His eyes darted to the hallway of the bathroom, silently panicking as he visualized Jimin opening the door.

What would he even say? Jimin already knew who Namjoon was to him, for the most part, but how was he going to introduce Jimin? Namjoon could pick out a lie with ears covered, Jungkook knew that he was going to fold.

He was really relying on Jimin to hold his own, for this one.

"We live in the same neighborhood, I think you forget that." Namjoon laughed, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Besides, if you really didn't want to talk to me, you could just turn around and walk away."

Jungkook scoffed, looking back to Namjoon and scowling at the cocky expression that had taken over the older male's face so well. Out of all emotions, he wore this one the most often.

"As if you would let that happen." He countered, before his attention was immediately averted to the sound of the bathroom door opening. Normally, seeing Jimin walk into a room would bring him nothing but warm feelings in his chest, but this time it brought him dread.

He watched Jimin carefully as the other male brushed his hands off on his black jeans, before looking up to meet Jungkook's gaze. The older male's eyes flitted between Jungkook and Jimin for a moment, confusion flashing across his features for a split second.

Quickly though, Jimin composed himself and stuck his hands in his pockets before approaching the two of them.

"Sorry I took so long, Kook." Jimin smiled warmly at the younger male, gently snaking his arm around his waist. "Who's this?"

Jungkook gulped, but he couldn't help but lean into the older male's touch, appreciative at the comfort it brought.

"My old friend, Namjoon." Jungkook introduced, watching as Namjoon stared Jimin up and down. "I've told you about him, haven't it?"