It had been a week since Jungkook and Jimin’s ramen shop hangout, and Jungkook couldn’t get Jimin out of his head. Something had shifted between them that night—something small, almost imperceptible, but there. It wasn’t just the game anymore; it was something deeper, more real.
Jungkook found himself wanting to be around Jimin, not just to win him over but to truly understand him. And the more he learned, the more he realized how little he actually knew about the people around him.
He also noticed the way Jimin seemed to be relaxing more around him. The sharp edges of their early encounters had softened, replaced with a cautious curiosity. And though Jungkook knew Jimin was still wary, he could feel the walls starting to come down.
***
Friday evening arrived, bringing with it a crisp breeze that hinted at the approaching winter. The campus was alive with excitement as students prepared for the annual fall festival. The quad was lit up with strings of fairy lights, and food stalls lined the paths, offering everything from tteokbokki to hotteok. There was a buzz in the air that seemed to electrify everyone, including Jungkook.
He spotted Jimin standing near one of the food stalls, talking to one of their classmates, Minji. Jimin was smiling, a genuine, soft smile that Jungkook hadn’t seen much of. It suited him.
Taking a deep breath, Jungkook made his way over, his heart racing just a little. He knew he had to tread carefully; he didn’t want to disrupt whatever fragile connection they were building.
“Hey, Jimin,” Jungkook greeted, giving Minji a polite nod. “Mind if I steal you away for a bit?”
Minji looked between them, her eyebrows raising slightly, clearly intrigued. “I’ll catch you later, Jimin,” she said with a knowing smile before walking away.
Jimin turned to Jungkook, his expression a mix of amusement and skepticism. “Stealing me away? Should I be worried?”
Jungkook chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “Nah, nothing like that. I just thought maybe we could hang out. You know, enjoy the festival together.”
Jimin seemed to think it over for a moment before shrugging. “Alright. But I’m not holding your hand on any rides.”
Jungkook laughed. “Deal.”
They wandered through the festival together, sampling food from different stalls and playing a few games. Jungkook couldn’t help but notice how at ease Jimin seemed, how his laughter came more easily. It wasn’t forced or guarded like before. It was genuine.
As they passed a small booth filled with stuffed animals, Jungkook noticed a particularly cute bear with a little red scarf around its neck. He saw Jimin glance at it for a moment before turning away, but that brief look was enough to give Jungkook an idea.
“Wait here,” Jungkook said, and before Jimin could protest, he made his way to the booth.
The game was simple: throw three rings onto a set of bottles to win a prize. Jungkook wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, and he was determined to win that bear.
After a few tries and some teasing from the vendor about his "terrible aim," Jungkook finally managed to get all three rings on. He grinned triumphantly as he picked up the bear and walked back to Jimin.
“Here,” Jungkook said, holding out the stuffed bear.
Jimin blinked, clearly surprised. “You got that… for me?”
Jungkook shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I saw you looking at it. Thought you might like it.”
Jimin took the bear, his expression softening for a moment. “Thanks. I guess I owe you one now.”
“Maybe just a smile,” Jungkook replied, grinning.
Jimin rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at his lips. “Fine. You get one smile. Don’t get used to it.”
They continued wandering through the festival, their conversation flowing more easily now. Jungkook found himself opening up in ways he hadn’t expected. He talked about his life, his family, his passion for music, and his struggles with the expectations placed on him by others.
Jimin listened intently, his eyes never leaving Jungkook’s face. “You know,” he said after a while, “I think people see what they want to see with you. They see the confident, charming guy who always gets what he wants. But that’s not all there is, is it?”
Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat at Jimin’s words. No one had ever really tried to look past the surface with him before, to see the insecurities and doubts he kept hidden.
“Maybe not,” Jungkook admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “But it’s easier that way. If people think I’m just a carefree guy who doesn’t take anything seriously, they don’t expect much.”
Jimin nodded, his expression thoughtful. “And what do you expect of yourself?”
Jungkook was taken aback by the question. He hadn’t thought about it in a long time. “I… don’t know. I guess I just want to find something real, you know? Something that’s not just for show.”
Jimin looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “I get that.”
They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked, the sounds of the festival buzzing around them. Jungkook found himself glancing at Jimin more than once, wondering what he was thinking. He wasn’t sure if he was making progress or if he was still treading on thin ice. But he knew one thing: he wanted to keep trying.
***
Later that night, as the festival was winding down, they found themselves sitting on a bench overlooking a small pond. The reflection of the lights danced on the water’s surface, creating a calm and almost magical atmosphere.
Jungkook glanced over at Jimin, who was gazing out at the water, the soft glow of the lights highlighting his features. For a moment, Jungkook wondered if this was what he had been searching for all along—someone who made him want to be better, who saw beyond the surface.
“Jimin,” Jungkook said softly, drawing his attention. “I know I’ve said it before, but I really do want to get to know you. And not just because you’re a challenge, but because… you’re you.”
Jimin turned to look at him, his eyes searching Jungkook’s face. “You really mean that?”
“Yeah,” Jungkook replied, his voice steady. “I mean it.”
There was a long pause as Jimin seemed to consider his words. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Alright, Jungkook. I’m willing to see where this goes. But if I feel like you’re playing me, I’m out. No more games.”
Jungkook felt a surge of relief and hope. “Deal. No games.”
Jimin’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Then I guess we’ll see what happens.”
For the first time in a long time, Jungkook felt like he was on the right path. He didn’t know what the future held, but he knew one thing: he wasn’t going to let this chance slip away.
**And maybe, just maybe, he’d finally found something worth fighting for.**
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Rules Of Attraction ‡A Jikook ff‡
FanfictionJungkook has always lived by one rule: never fall in love. As the campus heartthrob, he's known for his charm, confidence, and a heart that stays untouched. Love is just a game he plays without consequence, leaving him free to keep his distance and...
