Him || JiKook

Chapter 13

Jungkook was working on an essay for his elective psychology class when Hoseok appeared out of thin air, plopping himself on the chair right across from him.

"Library on a Saturday?" he said amused. "That's new."

Jungkook grimaced. He had rolled out of bed and into his shoes, going straight to the library, the amount of work he had neglected was catching up with him and so, he didn't have many options but to spend the weekend with his nose buried on his books.

"I'm so late on this class, hyung. Not even kidding."

Hoseok hummed but didn't say much so Jungkook went back to work. Or tried to do that, because Hoseok kept shuffling around. Restless. Like something was bothering him.

"Is everything-" he started to ask.

"Taehyung told me about Jimin," Hoseok blurted out biting his lips afterwards. Jungkook gaped at him. What a traitor he had for a best friend. "Don't get mad, he was just worried."

"Because I like someone?" he asked incredulous.

"Because you never like people," said Hoseok, continuing a little softer. "Not like that."

Jungkook grimaced. Yes, he had been a little overwhelmed a few days ago. And yes, maybe he had had to sleep with Taehyung for like a week to get away of the stupid amount of Jimin flooding his room, but he was better. So much better... at least he liked to tell himself that he was.

His mentor had been delighted with the pictures he took for their last meeting. They were mainly the ones he took of Jimin dancing but he had included some of his friends to balance it out. He even went as far as to include a self-portrait with half of his face visible behind a door frame.

"I can see you have tried this time Jeon," she had said smiling. "I would even venture and say that maybe your theme will be friendship or maybe dance oriented?"

He had just mumbled a 'something like that' before gathering his stuff and leaving the room. A cold sweat already in place.

So yeah, all in all, things were pretty good.

"It's not as bad as Taehyung described it hyung," Jungkook said, leaning back on his chair. "It's just a crush."

Hoseok gave him a smile, the one that meant 'I get it', before reaching for his hand.

"Listen Kook," he started. "I'm glad is not more than just a crush... but even if it is, it's fine. You are allowed to feel that. Just... keep in mind that Jaebum is there, ok? They might not be officially dating but they've been dancing and fooling around together for long and that creates bonds. Strong ones."

"I know, hyung." Jungkook mumbled, lowering his eyes.

"And Jimin is adorable but Jaebum is a prick and he's very possessive," continued Hoseok. "What I'm getting at is... I don't want to see you get hurt, alright."

Jungkook released a shaky breath. He knew all that. He did. "Don't worry hyung. It's just a stupid crush. I just really like to take pictures of him, nothing else. Just art."

Hoseok squinted at him, pursing his lips before nodding. "If you say so."

It wasn't that he was lying to his friends. Not at all. It was art, even Jimin had said so.

The day after their impromptu photo shoot at the dance studio, he had texted Jungkook asking to see the photos. He had loved them, face glowing like a child with a new toy. Jimin had praised Jungkook so much that he had turned red like a tomato, making the other giggle.

Of course, Jimin hadn't stopped there, immediately asking why Jungkook wanted to take pictures of him, not only curiosity but mischief on his eyes. So Jungkook had pulled on his best poker face, lying through his teeth and telling him that it was for a project about dance.

And that was it for Jimin. He wanted in. He had prattled on and on for an hour about how terrible some of their photographers were and how excited he was that Jungkook was interested in capturing movement. Jungkook had only nodded, almost choking on his fake smile.

That was how - now - Jungkook was usually found at the dance studio more often than not. Using every single opportunity he had to be present for Jimin's dance practice, snapping away for hours on end. Of course Jaebum had been there too, scowling ninety percent of the time but not saying a word. He had tried to complain the first day but Jimin had brushed him off with a 'it's for art' (Jungkook had smiled like an idiot the whole week after that).

Jungkook tried to keep himself from taking pictures of Jimin outside the studio. Tried but failed because after he started photographing him, he couldn't seem to stop.

Up to date, Jungkook was the proud owner of thousands of photos of Jimin in several scenarios. Dancing was the most common one, but also walking, studying, taking notes in class (which ended up with Jungkook banned from bringing his camera to the lecture again) and struggling to get a book from a top bookshelf (when Taehyung asked, he shrugged saying that it was adorable). He even had some of Jimin eating, he had been fascinated by the way his lips pursed while he was chewing so he had taken his camera and snapped a couple pictures. When Jimin asked, of course, he told him it was because he looked ridiculous and he needed something to laugh at on bad days.

"It's like you don't even look at me anymore," commented Jimin one day, while stretching on the dance floor - they were at the studio, waiting for Jaebum. "Not without the camera in between."

"Does it bother you?" Jungkook asked, lowering the camera.

"No," Jimin said, a blush creeping on his cheeks. "But I kinda miss your staring."

Jungkook opened his mouth to reply but Jaebum decided to come into the studio at the exact same moment, so he just smiled opting for checking his pictures instead. Jaebum seemed to be on a bad mood, growling and cursing when he couldn't get the steps right. Jungkook was taking pictures of Jimin, also sneaking one or two of Jaebum so it wouldn't be so suspicious, when the guy asked Jimin to refill the water bottles. Jimin stared at him for a second before grabbing them, leaving the studio without saying a word.

Jungkook was in the process of changing his memory card when he was being pushed to the wall, hands on his sweater.

"I know what you are doing," Jaebum said menacingly. "You don't fool me."

Jungkook was startled by the sudden action, but managed to put a smirk on his face. "And what is that if I may ask?"

"I know this is some lame excuse to get close to Jimin but you're a fool if you think you can do that," he continued, he was all teeth and blazing eyes. "Jimin is mine. He belongs to me. I made him what he is right now. You have no chance."

The words made Jungkook's blood boil, so he pushed him away with his free hand, voice low.

"First of all, Jimin is not a thing so you can't own him. Second, you. It's his talent that has brought him this far not you. And third," Jungkook grabbed a handful of Jaebum's tank top yanking him closer. "Do not touch me again or I swear I'll beat the crap out of you. I would now, but Jimin is coming back and I value my camera, so -" he trailed off letting the other go. Jaebum opened his mouth to say something but Jimin was opening the door already, eyeing them suspiciously, sensing the tense atmosphere.

"Everything ok?" he asked. Jaebum went to him, grabbing his water bottle and moving towards the stereo without saying a word. Jimin shifted his gaze to Jungkook and he nodded.

"Gotta go Jimin," said Jungkook. Jimin lifted his eyebrows at that surprised.

"We're just starting..."

"I have to finish some assignments and stuff so... see you around, ok?"

"Yeah..." replied Jimin following him with his eyes. "Around."

The very next day, Jaebum took Jimin on an impromptu trip to China and Jeongguk received a text message from an unknown number.

"This is just a taste. Stay away from him."