Him || JiKook

Chapter O9

It was a windy Wednesday afternoon that got Jungkook sipping some coffee, flipping through a camera's catalog he had gotten on the mail. The first colors of Fall were staining the campus in shades of orange and brown and it reminded Jungkook of Jimin's hair so - given that he had a free period - he zipped his jacket and stepped outside.

He took the path leading to the library and started playing with the camera, capturing pictures of the trees and the few people braving the cold. There was a tiny mushroom growing at the foot of one of the trees so he moved closer to get a better view. He was so immersed into getting the right angle and settings for the close-up that he didn't notice Jimin looking at him, the hint of a smile on his lips.

"Is that mushroom the kind of 'stuff' you like?" he asked. Jungkook looked at him through the lens of the camera, his finger almost pressing the shutter. He lowered the camera smiling.

"Sometimes," Jungkook said. Jimin crouched besides him, studying the mushroom.

"Well... it's a very fine specimen," he said. His hair was wet, sticking to his temples so Jungkook assumed he had just finished dance practice. "For a mushroom that is."

Jungkook chuckled, going back to adjusting the camera and snapping a couple of pictures. He stood up, motioning for Jimin to follow. They walked in silence, the only noise the click of the camera every time Jungkook took a picture. They had made it all the way to the library when Jungkook considered that it was enough for the day. He put the camera back on his bag, facing Jimin.

"Where's Jaebum?" he asked, for some reason the name always left him with an unpleasant aftertaste.

"Class," said Jimin, shivering a little. Jungkook took in his rosy cheeks, the way his lips were slowly turning the softest shade of blue. "He's doing a minor in economy so-"

Jimin trailed off noticing Jungkook's intense stare. He swallowed, cheeks darkening while murmuring 'you are staring'. Jungkook blinked. He hadn't noticed, too focused on Jimin's face. He cleared his throat.

"Sorry... I," he started, looking behind Jimin. He could see his apartment from there. "Do you wanna come to my place?" he asked, hand going to his neck. Jimin let out a small 'oh' so Jungkook hurried to explain. "You look cold, that's why. I live close... like 5 minutes? You can have some hot chocolate, you know.... to warm up?"

Jimin blinked at him. It was something he did a lot, when he wasn't sure of what to say. Jungkook didn't know if he should feel proud or ashamed of noticing that. So much staring was paying off.

"Yeah... yeah, thank you," he replied. "Sounds great."

Jimin gave him a bashful smile, crossing his arms in front of him. Something jolted inside Jungkook at the sight, he wasn't sure if it was his stomach or his heart or some other random organ. It wasn't unpleasant but it made him feel a little uncomfortable, on edge.

It took Jungkook almost ten minutes to convince Jimin to take a warm shower while he made hot chocolate for both of them. He finally relented, accepting the change of clothes Jungkook offered him as well. Jungkook busied himself in the kitchen, heating up some leftover pastries Taehyung had left as well. He was sitting on the couch, idly switching channels on the TV when Jimin came out of the washroom. Jungkook's sweatshirt was too big for him, coming down to his fingers and brushing the top of his thighs but he looked warm and soft and maybe it would be a good idea not to look at him now.

"Here," Jungkook said, giving him a cup. For some reason, this situation, this taking care of Jimin, made him feel content. Like the feeling he got when his professor were gushing over one of his shots. Like he accomplished something.