Origin

Chapter 6

Jungkook calls Jimin the moment he crosses the Illinois border a week later. He's embarrassingly giddy to meet up with him, excited to test their chemistry in a sober light, eager to stare at his face some more until Jimin is telling him to cut it out, which he most likely would. And Jungkook is ready for it. He's been counting down the days - the hours, even - since they parted ways in Kalamazoo. He knows he sounds like an absolute madman, but the last time he was this excited about a potential date was...

Never.

He tried not to read too much into the fact that Jimin was extremely hesitant to get together when Jungkook asked if they could meet up at Jimin's apartment, not understanding Jimin's uneasy tone, and had to force himself not to ask.

Jimin had suggested they get coffee down the block, or drinks in the center, obviously trying to steer clear of staying in his home.

"Jimin, it's too cold to go out walking around," Jungkook argued. "It's, like, 18 degrees this weekend. I don't have a problem ordering food and just watching a movie. In fact, I want to do that.

These past few weeks have been crazy busy. It's nice to just relax."

He paused, trying to figure out how candid he wanted to be. "And honestly, I just want to see you."

Jimin sighed, stalling. "Alright, fine, but I get to pick the movie."

Now, as he heads to Jimin's neighbourhood, he's glad he convinced Jimin to stay put. It's below freezing out, the windchill agonizing, and the idea of walking around in this is actually laughable.

The heavy winter jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves are doing next to nothing to protect him from the chill, and his eyes won't stop watering from the cold. The exposed parts of his face are bright red and raw, and he can't get inside the lobby of Jimin's building quick enough. It's in a surprisingly quiet part of the city, the street lined with small shops and stores, a well manicured dog park on the corner. It's quaint and simple; Jungkook nearly laughs at the juxtaposition between the location and the noisy boy who lives inside.

He finds Jimin's name on the intercom - Park, followed by Jung and Fritz - and presses the buzzer. Jimin comes through a moment later, staticky and loud.

"Who is it?"

Jungkook cracks his knuckles through his gloves, stomach twisting at the sound of Jimin's voice. "Jungkook."

"Jungkook who?" he sings through the speaker.

He rolls his eyes, butterflies still kicking up inside him. "

" Jungkook the wizard."

"Jimin, c'mon! I'm freezing!"

Jimin laughs. "Do wizards even get cold?"

"Have you ever actually seen Harry Potter?"

"I'm an American. Obviously."

"It's... None of the people in the film are American."

"So?"

Jungkook wants to bash his head against the wall. "Can you just let me up, please? It's fucking cold."

"Pushy, Jesus." His tone is teasing, though, and Jungkook listens as the door in front of him unlocks. "Two flights up, first door on your right."

"Got it." Jungkook pushes through the door and heads up the stairs, surprised at the twinkling Christmas lights lining the stairwell. It's inviting and cozy, leading him directly to Jimin's door, which is adorned by a holiday wreath that nearly takes over the entire entrance. He looks down and realizes he's standing on a door mat with a snowman on it.