Jungkook couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so nervous over something so simple. Standing outside the library, he bounced on the balls of his feet, waiting for Jimin. Today was their third “not-date,” as Jimin called it, and Jungkook couldn’t help but notice how his stomach fluttered every time he thought about spending time with him.
“Relax, Jeon,” he muttered to himself, shoving his hands into his pockets. “It’s just coffee. Just another hangout.”
He didn’t even believe his own words. He knew it wasn’t just coffee, and it wasn’t just another hangout. Not anymore.
When Jimin finally arrived, he was wearing an oversized hoodie and black jeans. He looked cozy, his hair slightly tousled as if he hadn’t bothered to fix it that morning. To Jungkook, he looked effortlessly perfect.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Jimin said, a little out of breath. “I got caught up with a project meeting.”
“No worries,” Jungkook replied, flashing a smile. “I’d wait all day if I had to.”
Jimin gave him a side-eye, but Jungkook caught the small smile playing on his lips. “Save the cheesy lines, Jungkook. We’re just getting coffee.”
“Right, right,” Jungkook said, chuckling. “Just coffee.”
But as they walked together, Jungkook felt the pull of something more—something deeper. He was getting used to these moments with Jimin, these little snippets of normalcy that felt oddly comforting. The more time they spent together, the more he realized how much he liked it.
They made their way to a different café this time, a quieter one near the art building. It had large windows that let in the afternoon sun, casting warm, golden light across the tables. Jungkook chose a spot near the window, wanting to soak in the atmosphere.
Jimin took a seat across from him, his fingers tapping lightly against his coffee cup. “So, any new strategies you’re planning to use on me today?” he asked, his tone teasing.
Jungkook leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “No strategies, promise. Just… trying to get to know you better.”
Jimin’s gaze softened, and Jungkook could see the skepticism that had lingered in his eyes slowly fading away. “Alright, then. Tell me something real. Something you haven’t told anyone else.”
Jungkook wasn’t sure what to say at first. He’d never been one to talk about himself beyond the surface level. But with Jimin looking at him like that—like he was genuinely interested in what he had to say—it made him want to open up.
“Okay,” Jungkook began, his voice a little hesitant. “I guess… I’ve always felt like I had to be the best at everything. Like if I wasn’t, I’d just be another face in the crowd. So I started pushing myself, putting on this… act, I guess. To make sure people noticed me.”
Jimin listened carefully, his eyes never leaving Jungkook’s. “And do you think anyone has seen the real you?”
“Not really,” Jungkook admitted. “Until you came along. You didn’t buy into any of it. You called me out on my bullshit right away. And I guess that made me want to be more honest.”
Jimin nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I get it. It’s hard to let people in when you’re used to hiding behind a mask. But I’m glad you’re trying.”
They fell into a comfortable silence after that, the tension between them softening into something more tender. Jungkook felt a weight lift off his shoulders, like he was finally being understood.
***
Later, as they left the café, Jimin suggested taking a walk through the park nearby. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt right, where the world seemed to slow down just for them. They wandered along the path, the leaves crunching under their feet, their breaths visible in the crisp air.
Jimin suddenly stopped, looking up at the sky. “You know, I wasn’t sure about you at first,” he said quietly, his voice almost lost in the wind. “I thought you were just another guy who wanted to play around, someone who’d get bored and move on.”
Jungkook’s chest tightened, but he waited, letting Jimin speak.
“But now… I see you,” Jimin continued, turning to face him. “I see you trying. And that means something to me.”
Jungkook felt his heart pounding in his chest. He took a step closer, his eyes locking with Jimin’s. “I’m not going to give up on you, Jimin. Not now, not ever.”
Jimin’s lips parted slightly, his breath hitching. “You’re really serious, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” Jungkook said softly, his voice steady. “I am.”
There was a moment of silence, heavy with unspoken words. And then, slowly, Jimin closed the distance between them, reaching out to touch Jungkook’s arm. It was a small gesture, but it sent a shockwave through Jungkook’s entire being.
“Okay,” Jimin said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m willing to give this a chance. But let’s take it slow. One step at a time.”
Jungkook nodded, his heart racing. “One step at a time.”
They continued walking, the distance between them smaller than before, the silence comfortable. For the first time, Jungkook felt like he was on solid ground, like he was moving toward something real.
***
The next day, Jungkook found himself seeking out Jimin more and more, craving the moments they shared. But with that closeness came a new challenge—rumors began to swirl. People were noticing the time they were spending together, and not everyone was pleased.
At lunch, Jungkook overheard a group of students talking. “Did you hear? Jimin’s got Jungkook wrapped around his finger. I heard he’s just trying to make Jungkook his personal project.”
Jungkook’s jaw clenched. He wanted to shut them down, but he knew that wouldn’t help anything. Instead, he found himself thinking about what Jimin would do—how he’d stay calm, how he’d take the high road. So, Jungkook took a deep breath and walked away, deciding not to give them the satisfaction.
But later, when he met up with Jimin, he couldn’t help but bring it up. “People are talking, you know,” he said, trying to sound casual. “About us.”
Jimin raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“And… it doesn’t bother you?” Jungkook asked.
Jimin shrugged. “Let them talk. They don’t know us. They don’t know what we’re trying to build.”
Jungkook felt a rush of admiration for Jimin. He was steady, grounded—everything Jungkook was still trying to be. “You’re something else, you know that?”
Jimin smiled. “I could say the same about you.”
They shared a quiet moment, standing in the middle of campus, and for once, Jungkook didn’t care who was watching or what they were saying. All that mattered was the person standing in front of him and the journey they were on together.
**And as they stood there, side by side, Jungkook realized that maybe, just maybe, he was starting to change. For the better.**
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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...
