Gravity Falls || BTS Version

Chapter 2: Rock Paper Scissors

The last echoes of their laughter dissolved into the deepening twilight as they reached the porch of Jungkook's uncle's house. The easy camaraderie of their walk began to fray, replaced by a subtle awkwardness that hung between them like the cool evening mist. Jungkook shifted his weight, rocking back and forth on his heels, his gaze flicking nervously towards the shadowed windows of the house.

"So..." he began, the word feeling a little too loud in the sudden quiet. "It was really nice meeting you, Jimin. Thanks for showing me around and everything." A small, hesitant smile touched his lips, a genuine warmth for Jimin battling the apprehension of going back inside.

"It was great meeting you too, Jungkook," Jimin replied, his smile radiating a genuine warmth that eased some of Jungkook's tension. "You're welcome."Another beat of silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken possibilities and the reluctance of goodbye. The air seemed to hum with a quiet energy, a silent acknowledgment of the unexpected connection they'd found.

Finally, Jungkook broke the stillness. "Well... um... good night?"
"Good night," Jimin echoed, turning as if to leave. But just as Jungkook reached for the worn doorknob, a gentle tap on his shoulder made him pause. "Hey, Jungkook?" Jimin's voice was softer now, a hint of something more beneath the casual tone. Jungkook turned back, his eyebrows raised in question. "Yeah?"

Jimin scratched the back of his neck, a nervous habit that belied his earlier confidence. "Um... would you maybe want to hang out again tomorrow?" he asked, a hopeful note creeping into his voice. "And... maybe meet my friends? I think they'd really like you."

Jungkook bit his lip, a flicker of genuine interest battling with a fresh wave of unease about this strange town and his even stranger circumstances. "Sure," he said, nodding slowly, a small smile returning. "Do you want my... Snap or something? Because there's no service out here, so I can't really text or call with my data."

"Definitely," Jimin said, a grin spreading across his face as he pulled out his phone. Jungkook did the same, and the bright flash of Jimin's camera captured his Snapcode before the notification popped up: Jimin added you! Jungkook returned the favor, a small knot of relief loosening in his chest at the thought of staying connected. "Okay... well, good night... for real this time," Jimin said, taking a step backward, his smile widening into a playful grin.

A genuine chuckle bubbled up from Jungkook's throat. "Good night," he replied, watching Jimin's silver hair disappear into the deepening shadows of the trees.

The lingering warmth of Jimin's smile evaporated the moment Jungkook pushed open the door. His uncle, Chaeyun, sat on the worn couch, his gaze fixed on Jungkook with an unnerving intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. The pleasant afterglow of his time with Jimin dissolved, replaced by the familiar cold knot of resentment in his stomach. Jungkook's smile vanished as if wiped away, his lips tightening into a frown. He closed the door with a soft, almost defiant click and walked past his uncle without a word, his shoulders stiff and his fists clenched at his sides.

"Jungkook," Chaeyun's voice was low, a subtle edge of authority beneath the surface.
Jungkook froze mid-step, his back to his uncle, his jaw tight. Ugh, just leave me alone, he thought, the pleasant memories of the evening already tainted. "Good night," he muttered, the words grudgingly given, before turning and practically running up the stairs, the sound of his heavy footsteps echoing through the oppressive silence of the house.

The last echoes of their laughter dissolved into the deepening twilight as they reached the porch of Jungkook's uncle's house. The easy camaraderie of their walk began to fray, replaced by a subtle awkwardness that hung between them like the cool evening mist. Jungkook shifted his weight, rocking back and forth on his heels, his gaze flicking nervously towards the shadowed windows of the house.
"So..." he began, the word feeling a little too loud in the sudden quiet. "It was really nice meeting you, Jimin. Thanks for showing me around and everything." A small, hesitant smile touched his lips, a genuine warmth for Jimin battling the apprehension of going back inside.