you're all i want || jinkook ✔️

//35 - "Hey"//

A Week Later

     Jin lounges about his apartment, bored out of his mind. He usually doesn't know what to do with himself on his days off and he's tired of consuming mindless television. He can't hang out with Taeyong even if he wanted to since he's working today. With a sigh, he gets up out of bed and decides to just clean up the place.

     Lately, they have been spending a lot more time together, Taeyong taking him out to eat, to karaoke bars, and other hotspots, gaining him the social life he never had. He appreciates his effort because otherwise, he would just continue to be a homebody, not that there is anything wrong with that.

     He's noticed the attention Taeyong gets when they go out and plenty of times there have been people slipping him their phone numbers. Taeyong accepts them out of courtesy but he never ends up contacting them anyway, showing little interest in them in that kind of way. Jin has even received a couple of envious glares here and there and he doesn't understand why. They're just hanging out, why are they quick to assume that they might be romantically involved. Hence why they're so aggressive with giving Taeyong their contact information.

Speaking of, just as he's sweeping up the kitchen, he finds the crumbled napkin with Jungkook's number sitting in the corner where he threw it. He picks it up and opens it back up again, re-reading the message. Earlier this week in therapy, he managed to open up more and bring up his encounter with Jungkook these last couple of days, explaining the role he has in his life. His therapist suggested he give him a chance to talk, even if it's just for some closure—they don't have to become friends. Jin said he would think about it but it slipped his mind after he had left the office. Perhaps his therapist is right and is not just talking out of his ass. He needs to set his boundaries with him, he can't just have Jungkook show up at his work out of nowhere again.

Since he has nothing else to do, he types in Jungkook's number and sends him a short message. He hopes he doesn't answer and that he's too busy so he doesn't have to see him today but instantly, as if he was waiting by his phone, Jungkook replies back. Shutting his eyes, he takes a deep breath in through his nose and slowly blows it out through his mouth. He can do this.

Jungkook's heart almost bursts out of his chest when he receives a text from Jin first. He's ecstatic that he gets to see him again and quickly, he leaps out of bed and changes his clothes, having already showered in the morning. He's so glad he stayed in town, not that he wouldn't make the trip if Jin asked him to.

He made it clear that he wanted to meet up in public so Jungkook suggested going out for lunch. Happy that he agreed, he lets him know what restaurant to go to right as he's heading out the door. He arrives sooner than expected and unsurprisingly, he's makes it there before Jin. Jungkook gets them a table and gives him a heads up, ordering waters for the both of them while he waits.

     He plays it cool by being on his phone, but on the inside, he's as happy as can be. His heart is doing flips and he's afraid he'll get a heart attack if this continues on. He does find his own state amusing however since he never thought he'd be this excited to see someone. He never saw himself being the type to pine over just one person or to even think of settling. It goes to show that the right person can help you change in a positive way. He just wishes it didn't happen so late.

Jungkook keeps glancing over at the door every time someone comes in, each time disappointed until finally, he walks in, looking around the restaurant and he locks eyes with him. Jungkook watches the whole time he walks up to his table, clumsily standing up when he gets there.

Jungkook gulps, his heart continuing to beat rapidly but for a whole different reason now that he's actually here in front of him.

"Hey," he says and Jin gives him a dry smile.

"Hi."

Jungkook stumbles to go pull his chair out for him and Jin stops him with a stutter.

"I-I got it, thanks."

Jungkook nods and goes back to his own seat, clasping his hands together and fiddling his thumbs. Jin looks at him strangely, so confused to see this once smooth playboy acting so awkwardly.

"You look great um... I didn't know what you'd want to drink so I got you some water. Did you want to look at the menu or—"

"I'm fine with just water. I wasn't planning on staying too long. I'm just here to say my piece and leave," Jin says bluntly and Jungkook's face drops.

"How did you find out exactly where I am?" Jin starts, not giving Jungkook a chance to respond. "Actually, I don't think I want to know. It's creepy even without a reason."

Jungkook looks away in embarrassment, clearing his throat.

     "I thought I made it clear last time we spoke and yet here you are, making yourself present where you're not welcome. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

     "I did, I was going to and I know you don't want to hear this from me after all this time but... I missed you," he rambles, huffing softly at Jin's eye roll. "You don't have to believe me."

     "Good because I'm having a hard time doing so," Jin crosses his arms, sitting back in his seat. Jungkook sighs sadly.

     "So I've been trying to dig more into Professor Cho and—"

     Jin's exasperated groan interrupts him. "You want to redeem yourself now? Jungkook, I just want to leave that all behind me as much as I can. I don't ever want to think about that man ever again. It's already hard enough living with... those memories," he murmurs. Jungkook's sympathetic expression irritates him.

     "Don't look at me like that, all pitiful like. Despite everything, I'm doing alright for myself."

     "I know," he replies quietly. "You seemed really happy when I saw you at the café. I'm glad you are."

     "As much as I can be," Jin sighs, staring at him. "I don't know what you want from me, Jungkook. You want forgiveness? Fine, I forgive you."

     Jungkook shakes his head, clearly frustrated at Jin's relentlessness. "No Jin, don't say it like that," he looks around to see a couple of people glancing over in their direction at his sudden raise of voice. "I don't want it to be that easy, I want to show you how serious I am. I want to show you how much I care about you and how hard I'm willing to try just for you. I just need a chance," he ends softly.

     Jin furrows his eyebrows, pursing his lips. Is he really considering this? He doesn't want to give in like it's nothing, not when he promised himself he wouldn't. But he can't help it because even he can tell just by Jungkook's expression how desperate he is to make things right.

     "I need to think about it and I won't guarantee anything to you. Just don't show up at my place of work all of a sudden. Give me space and I'll contact you when I'm ready. Only if I'm ready, understand?"

     Jungkook's face lightens up and this sends a pang to Jin's heart, not realizing fully how much his words mean to Jungkook until now.

     "Yes, I understand. I promise."

     Jin nods, swallowing the lump in his throat. He pushes back from the table and Jungkook looks up at him surprised, although he shouldn't be.

     "I have to go. Someone is waiting for me," he lies and he leaves the restaurant, not once looking back.

     The waiter cautiously comes to the table and Jungkook retains the urge to scoff at his immaculate timing.

     "Um—"

     "We won't be ordering anything. I'm sorry to waste your time."