Can't Be Without You | Jungkook

Part 6

**

A few weeks later, you find yourself in probably the most comfortable and casual wear you'd ever worn around Jin.

You heard that a traveling carnival was setting up in Seoul for a few weeks and you'd been so excited to go because you and Jungkook used to enjoy those small ones you used to have back home. You'd both done some menial jobs at his parents' restaurant like organizing ingredients or wiping the utensils so you could get some money to spend on the rides and food.

You used to go to every dessert stall and try each thing on the menu. You'd go on the rides you're allowed to, and Jungkook would win you stuffed toys and stickers and keychains playing those carnival games; that's where he spent most of his money on because he knew how much you loved them.

He was the first person you asked to go with you, not thinking Jin would be game for it. You just never really thought it was his thing. Plus, he usually spent his Saturdays at a golf course or a spa resort; it was his lifestyle after all. Not that you minded. Jin is one of the most thoughtful people you've ever met, always so courteous and accommodating, kind and patient, like you can never do anything wrong.

However, Jungkook had begged off because of some side gig he picked up. Although you wish he could go with you, you're glad that he at least stuck to his word about finding other jobs, no matter how small, that are much safer than getting beaten up, which is back to happening just every other week, and jobs that could somehow compensate for what he should be getting if he were fighting more.

It's something he couldn't completely let go of yet, that much he admits, not until he thinks he's saved enough to cover at least a year of his tuition fee. It's a welcome compromise, considering that he's taking his return to college seriously.

Surprisingly, Jin invites you to the carnival. It's set up on land owned by his family, you learn, that's why he knew about it in the first place. You were excited to go and wouldn't stop talking about the different desserts and pastries you were going to try, already warning Jin that you were gonna do exactly that. He was amused with your excitement and said he'd do whatever you wanted.

Which is why you're standing in line at the bingsu stall, one of the last dessert concessionaires you have yet to buy from. Summer had gone but you don't know why there's a long line, which you noticed had been the case for a while, given that you kept passing up this stall because of it.

You wait patiently with Jin, engaging in conversation. That's what you enjoy the most about him - he's very intelligent, but not intimidating. Your talks always flow easily, and he's very relatable, even if your jobs are worlds apart. He asks a lot about your work and he talks about his in a non-boring manner.

You like it, spending time with him like this. You can't say you're dating, but you've been doing a lot of getting-to-know-you stuff the past couple of weeks. You don't want to immediately jump into a relationship just because he's a good catch; you don't want to just go into things for fun and get laid either. It's been a while since your last relationship, but you're still not in a rush. Neither is Jin, you figure.

You're both so engaged in conversation that you don't realize you're next in line. That's when you learn why the line had been long. There, preparing the shaved ice dessert, is none other than your best friend.

You laugh to yourself, thinking that his charms truly work regardless of the setting. You look at the customers down the line and realize they're mostly women, too.

"Jungkook!" You couldn't help but scream out loud. "You're here!"

"Hi, yeah," he says shyly, proceeding to prepare your bingsu that you didn't even order yet. You don't mind though, especially when he knows exactly the kind you want. "Sorry I couldn't make it with you here."