Fake Love 《Jikook》

2

“I don’t care if your grandmother convinced you that this looks good on you,” Jeongguk huffs. He’s impatient, Jimin has learned. “This is fucking terrible and it needs to go.”

He throws the beanie in the trash and Jimin feels relief. He did hate the hat, he just kept it since his grandmother is a bit too sensitive and Jimin aims to please everyone. Now all he needs is a proper excuse to tell his grandmother. Perhaps he had burnt it!

It’s a few days after their agreement and Jeongguk stayed true to his promise. After they are both free from morning classes and practices, they abscond to Jimin’s dorm – one that he shares with Taehyung – to discuss their plan of action.

They have upgraded Jimin’s wardrobe, though there was nothing to add. Only to throw. And arrange. And clean. Jimin is not a slob but he’s very unorganized.

They have also managed to boost Jimin’s genre collection— horror films aren’t shit. Well, they stillare but psychological thrillers are the way to go in times of dire need.

They have decided on Sundays for business dates if required. Jeongguk prays that’s not the case.

They have also improved in familiarity; exchanging numbers and hobbies. Now they can probably pass as a couple for the rest of their friends.

Jeongguk finds Jimin awkwardly charming. He has inherently good traits and a great personality.

Jimin, however, finds Jeongguk very irritating. He teases him constantly about being short and is always ready to do a little competition to determine the better dancer. Despite all that, they get along quite well and Jimin wonders why he hadn’t given the other a chance before when he waltzed into the dance studio.

If Jimin didn’t like Taehyung and Jeongguk didn’t have someone of his own, maybe Jimin could have fallen for him. That spikes fear in him.

“We need to lay down rules though. This feels like an incomplete arrangement,” Jimin decides to speak up, gazed fixed to the trash bin. What a waste of money.

“Oh? Shoot then.”

Easier said than done. What were Jimin’s biggest fears going into a pretend relationship with heartthrob Jeon Jeongguk who was notoriously single? Oh right-

“No kissing.” He establishes in a breath.

“How the fuck-”

“No kissing! No hand holding after university hours. No intimacy during business dates and especially no gifts. I’d hate to buy you anything.” Jimin finishes satisfied. He sees Jeongguk gape at him in shock which is rather entertaining.

“I get the kissing part, but how the fuck are people going to believe us if we don’t hold hands?”

“We’ll be fine,” Jimin dismisses quickly. He isn’t as bad an actor as people think he is. Sure, it’s easier to laugh at bad performance than smile and go with the flow. Currently, however, there is no need for bad acting, he has a purpose. And that is to make Taehyung realize just how much he’s missing out on.

“What about the gifts?”

“Exceptions being birthdays and well if you’re feeling generous enough you can buy me anything. I’m not one to turn down free stuff.” Jimin replies childishly as he sits down on the couch and Jeongguk joins him.

“Yeah right. Me? Spend money on you,” Is what he says as he pulls out his phone and goes to surfing the web. “In your dreams.”

“No need to get snooty, this isn’t forever anyway.”