neighbor blunder | jjk.

13 | dazed

Chapter Thirteen: Dazed

Can you somehow make yourself disappear at the speed of light? Did Einstein ever figure that out and the US government just fabricated a lie that he implied that very act was contrary to the law of Physics so people don't attempt it?

Because as of now, you could have used that trick.

Jungkook looks stricken in his seat for a solid beat until Jimin comes crashing into him, greeting the man enthusiastically.

"Jeon Jungkook, the man himself!" Jimin says, spreading open his arms, grinning widely. You can see Namjoon smiling at both of them, and you watch as Jungkook stands up from the couch to meet Jimin's half-hug. Jimin pulls back a little. "I thought you wouldn't make it tonight."

Jungkook chuckles, giving Jimin a light pat on the back. "Nah," he says with a grin. "I wanted to make time to see you." You try not to linger on the way his biceps subtly flex under the slim long-sleeve tee he's wearing, its sleeves pushed up to his elbows, revealing a hint of the veins tracing his forearms. It draws your attention to your ensemble – a sparkly cropped halter top that leaves much of your midriff exposed, paired with a mini skirt. You've seen each other in towels before, sure, but somehow, being around each other like this feels different... no?

"This is __," Jimin says, gesturing to you and looping an arm through yours to pull you closer. "You know her."

Your eyebrow shoots up, and you instantly look at Jimin in quiet surprise. Before you can say anything, Jungkook lets out a deep chuckle. The sound drawls your gaze back to him, and for a second, your eyes meet.

"I'm Jungkook, by the way," he extends a hand towards you. His voice is... quite charming when he adds, "I heard a lot about you."

You hesitate for a moment before taking his hand, unsure if it's just the alcohol coursing through your system or something else entirely, but the second his sizable hand engulfs yours; a warmth shoots straight to your cheeks. His grip is firm yet gentle.

You swear the handshake lingers a beat too long.

"Good things, I hope?" you quip, managing a small smile despite the odd flutter in your chest.

"Lots of good things." Jungkook replies with a nod, his gaze steady.

"Yeah?"

His eyes don't waver, and somehow, you find yourself holding his stare longer than you intended until he arches a brow slightly, the subtle expression earning a small, involuntary tug on your lips. Jungkook doesn't miss that and mirrors the gesture just as indiscreetly, head dipping in a barely-there nod to respond to you.

"Yeah."

"I'm glad, then," You turn to look at Jimin to avoid letting the moment stretch further, unintentionally picking your voice up an octave higher – a small nervous habit because there was something that flashed on Jimin's face witnessing both your and Jungkook's interaction. "Anyway, I'm so glad we finally met! Jimin's always mentioned you to me and all that stuff. Hey, Jimin, this is great! Joon, you guys know each other?" You say, desperate to divert the attention and glancing at Namjoon.

He nods with an easy-going smile. "Yeah, we went to the same post-grad uni together in Cali."

Jimin perks up and slides over beside Namjoon, who immediately drapes an arm around him in a half-hug, letting him lean against his shoulder. "Jungkook's actually the one who introduced us." Jimin says, glancing fondly at Namjoon.

You blink in surprise. "Really?" Awkward as you may feel about the whole thing, you're also genuinely surprised about the new information. You think you remember Jimin saying somebody introduced someone to him when he and Namjoon started, but you didn't think it was his cousin.