Hate With Benefits | Jikook

Chapter Twenty Four • More

Sorry for the late update!! I didn't mean to take so long but got sidetracked by other stuff (also I'm having major separation anxiety from BTS and I bet I'm not the only one)😭
Anyways, hope you enjoy <3

When Jimin got to the Silver Spoon late that afternoon, he found Jungkook burying his nose on the screen of his phone, feverishly munching on his lower lip, tongue flicking out to probe at the piercing there as though he was getting used to it still.

Jimin's face broke into a warm smile. He came close to the younger and quietly slipped into the booth opposite of his.

"If you managed this level of concentration with trigonometry," Jimin murmured, "I'd have a much easier time tutoring you."

Jungkook started. There was a look of surprise in his eyes, one such as people have when they are caught in a moment of unawareness. Jimin giggled at his expression, deeply endeared.

"Sorry, I didn't see you approach," Jungkook apologized, setting his phone down with a bashful smile as he switched his focus to the boy sitting across the table. "How are you, hyung?"

Jimin leaned back on his seat, treating him to a coy smile. "I'm glad you asked, Kookie, because I've actually been feeling so strangely sore since this morning. I have no clue what it could be."

Seemingly missing the underlying meaning of his words, Jungkook only stared, open-eyed and concerned. "Really? Ah, could it be from practice?" He sighed, crossing his arms, "our coach's been pretty demanding lately, too. I get it. If your muscles are sore, maybe you haven't been warming up properly?"

Jimin couldn't keep his amusement to himself, grinning widely. "Oh, I did plenty of warmups yesterday. Maybe that's the issue. I can still feel all the... exercise even now. Could barely get out of bed this morning." He whispered the last part, hoping to get his point across.

"Oh, is that so? Must've been quite a hard exercise to get you all sore so easily, hyung." Jungkook's eyes traveled the length of his body as he spoke, much the same way he'd looked at Jimin just the previous night before he ravished him whole on his lavish sheets. Jimin felt himself shudder. "Makes me wonder what kind of workouts your body can take."

They looked at each other and Jungkook's lips slowly curved to a grin; a grin twisted in devilry as was the glint in his eyes. Jimin's face took on a red shade as he flushed, realizing Jungkook had been pulling his leg.

"You're a menace, Jeon Jungkook," he mumbled through his teeth, throwing the younger boy a playful glare as he fought a laugh.

A look of joy came into Jimin's eyes at the pretty smile that adorned Jungkook's features. He felt his own muscles twitch to match his moment of delight and stared lovingly into Jungkook's soft gaze.

I love you, he found himself thinking impulsively. He froze. The weight of the words shocked even his own heart.

He almost feared how easily the word had been driven from his subconscious. And how it hadn't even been the first time it had crossed his mind, as though it had lain dormant. It sounded nearly like despair, waiting patiently for the day he'd speak it aloud with his chest open and bare for Jungkook to see it all.

Jimin's uncomprehending gaze swept over Jungkook's unperturbed expression. He collected himself, cursing wordlessly as he shifted his attention to what the boy was saying; he'd been speaking to him for a while, it seemed, yet Jimin had failed to catch the meaning of any of his words as he'd drowned himself in his own daunting realization.

I love him. Another spine-chilling sensation.

"–It'll probably feel a bit weird but there's not much we can do if that were to happen. Either way, no hard feelings, right?" Jungkook asked.