breathin' | jikook

Roses

Fisrt glance, and you wouldn't take Jeon Jungkook to be a flowers kinda guy. Well, a flower boy, sure. But never would you imagine the nearly six feet tall, muscle baby kook (who mind you had his own rebellious tragedic phase) inside a flower shop, let alone trimming the stem of a dew sticken yellow rose sporting a very pastel pink apron.

Ten years or not, it's pretty hard to forget those few troublesome kids at high school, specially one as fucking dumb as Jeon Jungkook. Leather jackets and daisies don't exactly go together. Unless you're one of those edgy peeps, seeking validation and popularity in being different, going against the fucking norms and convincing yourself that it's lame, even when it isn't.

Basing his shameless staring on those mere facts, Jimin can't seem to unhinge his jaw, courtsey of momma gravity. Or shock. Maybe both. Because fuck being creepy and embarrassing, Jeon Jungkook is wearing pink. And holding a flower. A motherfucking rose.

As Jimin slowly treks his way towards the 'florist', teasing remark at the tip of his tongue, he remembers why he actually stormed out of his parlor, previous annoyance seemingly forgotten. Acquaintance or not, he has had enough and he's gonna show 'em who's boss. So what if this dude was the 'bad kid', Jimin excuses his avoidance at the time to being an introvert.

Hah. Twenty-six, but the wuss in him never left.

He won't lie though. Jeon looks cute. He's got the 'I'm cute but I like older girls' kinda face. Y'know those idol fics where authors give the maknae a noona kink? Yeah. He's fitting the youngest image quite well, and Jimin hates himself for wanting to be his noona. Or hyung. Yeah, hyung sounds better.

What the fuck?!

Shaking his head to clear his delirious thoughts (he's always been a dramatic little bitch), he enters the cozy looking shop, fragrances almost immediately making his nose hairs itch. Too much pollen for his sensitive nose. He sneezes.

The boy (man, really) jumps, startled. If his nose didn't feel like it was gonna spasm forever, Jimin would've found his reaction funny. Posture resembling a defensive ostrich, hand above his heart and eyes so wide he fears they're gonna water, Jungkook looks adorable.

"Oh my god, what the actual-", he gasps.

"I-Im sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that. These scents are just, too much haha."

Haha?! This is worse than those fakeass lol's omg.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jimin is flushing. He apologizes once again, bowing so deep he's surprised he didn't topple over. God, he's so awkward. Jungkook has regained himself, setting the flower and scissors down. "It's alright. My fault really, for not noticing a customer coming in.", Jungkook laughs it off. His voice, shit. It's not gruffy and rough like it used to be, Jimin notices. The lilt is soothing, a velvety tone that gets him begging for his name to be called.

For what seems like a whole minute, they just stare. Jimin's gaze is curious whereas Jungkook looks like he's trying to remember that last answer he mugged up for his biology test, mentally seventeen again. Jimin's sharpened jawlines paired with toddler-like chubby cheeks hits him with a sense of Deja Vu. Do I know this man? Now Jungkook wasn't an ignorant kid per se, so he swears he would've recognized a familiar face. He's still staring, eyes now fixated towards the very impressive ink on the customers forearms. And then, like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle, it clicks. The recollection in his face is almost immediate.

"J-Jimin? Park Jimin?!".

It's Jimin's turn to be surprised, eyes going just a little wide. So he does remember me, huh. Not that he was an outcast or anything, but several years of re-introducing himself to the same kids who lived next door had taught Jimin to not expect much from anyone. He's used to being overlooked. Or at least he was. Because people change, no matter who tells you otherwise. It's simple, it's life. You grow up, and you change.

He remembers that one time he bumped into Jungkook, just before calculus, knocking all his stuff down on the floor. He had expected the boy to punch him, knowing the dude had anger issues; if the weekly fights he got into were any indication, but was astonished when Jungkook simply picked up his stuff, apologized profusely for apparently not looking ahead while walking, and scurried off. He had left Jimin behind, who was too busy thawing himself from shock-ice. That was the one and only time he interacted with the boy, if you could even call it that.

He remembers you.

"Yeah. You remember me?", the words come out in a hushed tone.

It's the way Jimin whispers the question that takes Jungkook off guard. Off course he remembers him. Park Jimin. His senior from high school. He didn't know much about him, except that his sunbae was shy and usually kept to himself. He's always had a good memory for names so he guesses that's the reason he could name his senior after all these years, when they didn't even speak. Except that one time Jimin had stupidly crashed into him. For some reason, he distinctly remembers that too.

"Jesus, yes! It's been awhile, hasn't it? God, look at you, you're like a whole new person!", Jungkook says in an animated tone.

And he's telling the truth. Because clad in a plain black T-shirt and ripped jeans, tats peeking through anywhere and everywhere, his dark hair tousled in that stylish way, Jimin looks the perfect embodiment of bad. Hot. Jokes on you for ever thinking that this guy was gonna remain a reserved idiot for the rest of his life. Holy moly, just look at him. He's so cool! Jungkook would think bumping into an acquaintance to be awkward, maybe it is for Jimin. Oh god, am I staring too much?! Not that he cares, Jimin almost killed him with his jump-scare-engendering-sneeze. Lucky for him, good genes from his family has got him pretty much safe from cardiovascular diseases. A good kid, he was (still is). He keeps himself fit. Healthy. Never was a smoker. Although, people from school would argue, but he doesn't have the heart to remember the presumptuous shit they talked about.

He almost feels under dressed, which is ridiculous because Jimin is wearing casual clothes. Still, his cheeks can't help but redden. He feels stupid, looks stupid. Why did I have to try out an apron today?! And it is pink, fuck. Not that he hates it. He likes the color. But Jungkook would rather die than admit to anyone that he's into pastel asthethics. You'd think the kid would feel burdened from carrying out his rep. But like every sane adult, he's come to terms with the fact that the more you put up a front, the more fake you seem, and the more unlikable you get.

Jimin chuckles.

"Thank you, you look great too. Never pegged you to be the flower trimming type of guy.", it's obvious that Jimin is trying to hide his smile.

Jungkook is full out flushing under his seniors gaze. And Jimin just wants to pinch his cheeks. He seems to have forgotten that he had to berate a certain florist for hagging all the parking space limited only to his clients. Has forgotten all the annoyance he felt when he left his tattoo parlor. Five minutes into a conversation, and he's already enarmoured with Jeon Jungkook. Well, at least he never doubted himself. Since the kid has always been a charmer. Those who never thought so are blind. Or perhaps Jimin is biased. You hopeless piece of shit.

"This is my cousin's place. She hired me last summer. Took pity on my unemployed self, really. It's not too bad. Unlike some people, I'm fond of the fragrances. It's peaceful in here. I like it."

Jimin visibly softens. He agrees. The ambience of this place is soothing. He's glad Jungkook is doing something he likes. He seems happy.

"Uhm.. So.. Would you like some tea?"

"Sure. And stop with your gawking, if you want, I'll show you my tattoos."

Jungkook just scoffs, turning to leave to get the kettle, stride bashful, matching his flushed neck.

Jimin just... stares.

*

Special thanks to tasneemvali12 for the prompt. This one's for you babe ♡

Who do you think tops in jikook? B)

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