flipped

seventy-six.

일흔여섯

     "he's sleeping," taehyung says, steps aside and let's the boy in.

     jungkook nods and proceeds to sit on the couch, beside yoongi. he relaxes a little, sliding down the soft material and breathes contently.

     "how did the talk go?" yoongi asks, his eyes following taehyung's movement as he sits in front of them.

     "good," jungkook says, ruffles his hair, voice extremely relaxed. "the company and i decided that i'm going to post some pictures of our trip on twitter about how much i enjoyed a little vacation with my best friend," he smiles, then laughs a little. "isn't it funny how that still makes him my bf?" he dumbly laughs at his own joke. taehyung and yoongi look at each other, questioning the extremely good mood of the younger man.

     "so you guys think that'll be enough? rumours are still out there," taehyung says, frowning because the situation wasn't still over.

     "maybe, maybe not. nothing will help the rumours but me running away, ignoring them would surely be suspicious. so it's better that i clarify something that is kind of accepting." he shrugs, takes the tv remote and surfs through the channels.

     "okay. i can't not ask now," yoongi says, leaning forward. "why are you so happy?"

     jungkook furrows but then again a smile spreads across his face. "i told the company the actual truth."

     "what?" they yell in unison.

     jungkook chuckles, "yeah, and they were accepting. didn't tell me to breakup even though i'm still on that dating ban shit." he air quotes his fingers. "they told me to be careful and that's all. they're on my side. i was so shocked but i'm glad. the manager also said that i can come out once they think it's alright to do so."

     taehyung looks at jungkook, yoongi and then back at jungkook, flabbergasted. "that's really cool," he says, happy but shocked. the industry is known to be toxic, it's contradicting how nice they are with jungkook.

     "i'm sorry kid but i kind of feel skeptical about their acceptance," yoongi speaks taehyung mind out. "are you sure everything is okay?"

     "my company isn't one of the best one's out there. they don't have a lot of popular artists. i'm not boasting but they saw potential success in me and once i debuted, they themselves were shocked by the response. it was more than what we expected," he smiles a little, pressing his lips together. "they believe that people like me for my songs and voice more than my face or dance skills. so, they can't take the risk with me, i'm an asset right now."

     they nod, understanding the situation. but for this to continue, jungkook has to be popular until the end, until he comes out. or otherwise, maybe his company won't support him as they are right now.

     jungkook sighs, continues, "i need to work hard to keep that up or else―"

     there's a loud crashing noise from upstairs, startling everyone. jungkook is rushing up hastily, worried. the door is unlocked and he enters to see jimin sitting on the floor, rubbing his head.

     "what happened?" jungkook asks, crouching beside the boy.

     "i think i fell," jimin murmurs, voice low and sleepy. his eyes wander to the door when taehyung and yoongi enter.

     "you dumbass," taehyung mutters, walks forward. "did you get hurt?"

     "no, i'm fine," jimin smiles as jungkook helps him on the bed. he stares at jungkook as the boy covers him with the comforter and realizes. "is everything okay with.. y'know?"

     "everything's okay, we're okay. don't worry," jungkook smiles, caressing older's face. "i promised, didn't i?"

     yoongi and taehyung quietly leave the scene, closing the door behind. jimin looks past jungkook to the door and smiles. his friends have started to trust jungkook more and more as days go by and he can't be happier.

     "you did," he nods and leans to kiss the younger. jungkook smiles, holds jimin's face as they kiss, soft and comfortable.

     "i am joining hoseok's team," jimin admits, eyes searching for acceptance in jungkook's.

     "oh," jungkook pauses, thinks, digests the information. "you sure? you don't have to oblige to anyone you know that right?"

     "i know. maybe it's finally time to do what i love." jimin smiles, wraps his arms around younger's neck. "you'll help me through it, won't you?"

     "i'll help you through everything. you don't even have to say," jungkook promises yet another thing and jimin has no doubts.

     "i will too."