Hate With Benefits | Jikook

Chapter Eleven • Pushing Limits

Jimin's heart pangs. The muscles in his body scream with firing tension, nerves coursing through his blood in anticipation. 

By the time they got home the sky was painted a dark blue, nearly black, white spots splattered in uneven patterns. Jimin feels his chest hammering when he steps through the door.

He turns to Taehyung, voice lowered to a soft whisper, "You can go home if you want, you know? I wouldn't want you to sit through me suffering as I lose my shit over a brat that won't leave me the fuck alone."

A small chuckle leaves the younger's lips as he shakes his head. "You kidding me? I'd much rather watch you try to tutor your nemesis than have to go back to an empty home with nothing to do."

Playful surprise flashes through Jimin's eyes, staring at his best friend with feigned disbelief. "Oh, is that so?" His lips form a smirk as his fingers charge at Taehyung's most ticklish spots. The younger flinches, wheezing out a laugh. "You just love to see me suffer, don't you? Ungrateful little brat."

"You're no better." Taehyung retaliates, fingers engulfing Jimin's wrists to defend himself from his attacks. He freezes suddenly, his attention shifting to a soft scent that lingers in the air. "Smells good," he muses.

Curious, Taehyung follows the scent to the kitchen, Jimin giggling behind him as he goes along, caught by the aroma as well. He recognizes it almost instantly; a pleasant smell that takes him back to special occasions spent with his family, precious moments he keeps in his heart. The mixture of vegetables, diced pork and jajang sauce leaves no mystery to the dish being prepared – Jajangmyeon, one of his personal favorites.

A cheshire grin greets him at the kitchen. And suddenly, everything around him disappears. Jimin stands rooted to the tile floor, breathing shallowing as he locks gazes with the younger.

"Ah, Jimin-ah, Taehyung-ah. Good to see you're back." His mother says, but Jimin can't tear his eyes away from Jungkook. "Jungkookie here has been helping me with dinner."

A frown settles on his face. Jungkookie?

"Oh, how nice." Taehyung says, though from his tone, Jimin can tell the younger feels just as taken aback by Jungkook's presence in the kitchen as he does.

"Hello, hyung." Jungkook greets politely, an angelic smile pulling at his lips.

hyung? HYUNG?!

"Hm, y-yeah. Hi," Jimin stumbles out, voice weak. He clears his throat. "Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time." 

The younger turns his attention back to the counter where he fiddles with the mess of diced pork under his knife. "No worries. It's been fun helping out Ms. Park with dinner, she's a great cook."

Jimin looks to his mom, hoping she would catch the indignation written over his expression, but she simply smiles at Jungkook and ruffles his hair sweetly, a gesture usually meant for her children. "Aww, isn't he just the sweetest thing?"

The brunet feels a sudden urge to throw up. "Yeah... The sweetest."

Taehyung must sense the sarcasm behind his voice because his hand gently settles on the small of his back, his thumb drawing soft circles over his shirt, comforting enough that some tension dissipates from his shoulders.

"Okay, well," Jimin says then, "Jungkook isn't here to play masterchef with you, mom. He's here because I'm helping him study, remember?"

"Oh, right, right. I should leave you guys to your own business, then." She says rather playfully, though she seems to understand Jimin's point. She takes the knife from Jungkook's hand and gives him a small smile before he's sent off with the other two.