Proceed with Caution (jikook/kookmin)

12. im in love with you

At some point, Jimin falls back asleep and Jungkook allows him, his gaze settled on the other's soft face when the sound of his parents returning drives him down the stairs.

He helps unpack groceries, his mother already starting on a fruit salad, and his dad attempting to get him to go fishing.

"C'mon son, we haven't done a sunset hunt in a while! Eomma can make what we catch for dinner tomorrow!"

Jungkook groans for about the seventh time. He hasn't told his parents about Jimin but he decides it shouldn't be a surprise, especially when his father jokes, "Got a perm and think you're too cool to go fishing with your old man?"

Jungkook whines, his mother cooing and pinching his cheek. "That's not why," he clears his throat awkwardly just as he hears the sound of the stairs creaking.

Both of his parents look over in confusion, Jungkook quickly explaining as soon as Jimin stumbles into the room. "I um... I have—" a friend? Boyfriend? No, they didn't establish what to call each other. Besides, his parents will flip, so he wouldn't say that. "Company," he settles with a sheepish smile.

Jimin meets his eyes warily, his mother throwing him a look that screams, "Why didn't you tell me?" And his father getting up from the stool.

"Oh, hello," his mother greets unsurely in English with a small bow.

"He's Korean Eomma," Jungkook laughs and she cups her mouth in surprise before bowing again.

"I thought so but I wasn't sure! It's nice to meet one of Jungkook's friends!" She exclaims in Korean now, her eyes taking Jimin in.

He's clearly just woken up, his hair a little flat on one side and a line from the pillow across his cheek. His eyes are puffy along with his pink lips, his orbs hazy.

His father goes to shake Jimin's hand and he returns it confidently, his upper body bowing politely.

"It's nice to meet you both. I kind of wish it was under better circumstances. I feel like I'm intruding," Jimin laughs awkwardly in his sweet, gravely Korean, his hand scratching his nape and gaze finding Jungkook's briefly.

Jungkook just smiles, turning to steal cut fruit while his mom insists, "Oh, nonsense! All of Jungkook's friends are welcome!"

She catches him and grabs him by the ear. He winces but continues to chew his looted watermelon and pineapple as his mother pushes him away.

He bumps shoulders with Jimin and offers him a pineapple. Jimin cringes in distaste but steals his watermelon gladly. Jungkook laughs, his eyes fluttering over to his father who's sitting once more.

He's already watching them, his expression calm enough to make Jungkook's smile falter. "So, what's your name son?"

"Jimin," the shorter answers easily. "Park Jimin."

"How old are you, Jimin?" His mother asks this time and Jungkook rolls his eyes because he already knows where this is going.

"I'm 24 ma'am."

"How'd you meet bunny?"

Jimin makes a face of pure amusement at the nickname and Jungkook whines. "Eomma."

"What!" She exclaims knowingly, her hands raised innocently and a giggle stuck in her throat.

"Well I've known bunny for a few months now," Jimin teases and Jungkook's mother laughs when Jungkook groans. "Met him through my sister."

"Oh! Is she the girl I've been begging to meet?" His mother asks nonchalantly, looking back from where she's returned to cutting fruit.

Jungkook nervously looks over at Jimin whose eyes are focused on his mother. He shakes his head and offers a small, tight smile. "Nah, I don't think so."