serendipity ∙ jjk

three - why bother?

Jungkook arrives exactly ten minutes later than planned.

He enters the office with a grimace, a look far too well-known to be a surprise to his professor, earning a greeting of laughter from the older man as soon as he is spotted from the doorway. Even the deepening frown elicits an increase of amusement as he takes a seat in front of the "organized mess" of a desk.

Seeing the clutter naturally makes Jungkook's face contort with a brief memory of the major clean-up he had been subjected to the two days beforehand. Unfortunately, the signs of a hangover are riddled all over his face as a clear reminder of the weekend that had served as both a stress-reliever and -inducer all in one. Being able to drink away the anxiety and stress that goes hand-in-hand with midterms and class projects is a plus. Like having a moment to finally breathe before reality comes with a head-splitting ache, clean-up duty, and the very gross aftertaste of his punch bowl concoction that he thought would go well together.

He already feels spent and realizes that the trek to the office must've been quick, because it is only now that he is seated inside the well-ventilated office that he registers the thin layer of sweat on his forehead. It feels like it hasn't been long enough since he has seen you and the very thought leaves him feeling complicated.

Perhaps he was somewhat in the wrong for what transpired down at the coffee shop. Today is an off day, after all. It's Monday morning for fuck's sake. To imagine himself as simply as sunshine and rainbows on a day this dreary is like seeing Yonghwa act his age—possible but highly unlikely. He just knows that his mind should be focused on his nerves about this proposal. It's sort of silly considering this is a matter he is taking up with the one man that has understood him as well as his frat brothers, but while a part of him already knows how well it will go over, another part—his only worry—almost always frets over the conversation that follows any sort of meeting with this man. Especially, from these last three months.

"Well, good morning to you, Mr. Sourpuss." The term of endearment barely elicits a small smile on Jungkook's visage, still riddled with lingering irritation regardless of how light Yonghwa can make him feel even in the worst of his moods. Perhaps it's due in part of the hammering at the back of his brain (or the repeating image of your glare).

He manages a response just to avoid any further discussion on the useless matter. Mostly to avoid the inevitable inquiry about who pestered him this badly. It's better he doesn't relive the event a second time. "You know that nickname doesn't sound very classroom appropriate, Jung."

Yonghwa snorts, rolling his eyes at the younger boy. "As if you cared about what I say being classroom appropriate or not. Shouldn't you be telling me to get with the times already? Isn't Sourpuss something out of your century?"

Jungkook raises an eyebrow as if this banter might lead to a digression than an actual analysis. He's certainly hoping it goes to plan. "Don't I?"

"You do," Yonghwa deadpans, mirroring his student to the best of his ability. It's a miracle he isn't laughing, though the expression almost looks serious if not for the twitching corners of his lips. "But obviously not that well if you're letting me call you Sourpuss."

"But did I say I was letting you call me Sourpuss?"

"You certainly didn't deny it, and you're still not stopping me... Sourpuss."

The last part earns laughter from the older man, yet nothing from Jungkook for once. He actually blanks out on a retort, shaking his head and muttering 'whatever' to conclude the small banter. He's exhausted from the party and clean up that he neither asked for or volunteered to do. Yet another fuel to the fire of his irritation.