serendipity ∙ jjk

fourteen - change of heart.

"So, how's the interview been going?" Professor Jung asks, watching Jungkook settle into his seat before the desk with the ever-present "organized mess."

The two of them haven't met up in quite some time, only exchanging a few emails for simple formatting questions and the like over the past month, so it's strangely comforting to see the older man after so long of not seeing him. Even that shit-eating grin at the mention of the collaboration actually makes Jungkook's chest swell with happiness.

"Well," he answers nonchalantly. Of course, no matter how much he hopes to downplay the time spent with you, this only piques the professor's interest further.

"Oh? How well?"

The question conjures up a number of memories, from the first real interview at the Mediterranean place where you tricked him into answering a bunch of questions to when you helped him get the B-rolls for his documentary and the interview that came from the delicious brunch place. He's flooded with so many moments with you and he can't help but smile as they flash across his mind.

"So, I see it's going extremely well then." Yonghwa wriggles his eyebrows, causing a squeak of laughter from Jungkook.

"When you do that, you look about thirty years older, so please cease and desist."

"Rude! But I am glad that it's going well. You haven't been giving her a hard time, have you?"

Jungkook shakes his head, hoping that isn't the case anymore. After all, that night seems to have brought you and Jungkook closer than ever before. Ever so subtly the dynamics have changed, where this relationship has crossed a boundary that could set back plenty of others if the timing isn't right, this isn't one of those instances. In fact, that night has given him many things to consider, especially from the heart to heart.

Between considering his true answer for the film festival to what he really wants to do with this documentary, many things have changed since his initial answers to Yonghwa. He knows it's partially your influence, but they're still answers that he has known all along. He wants to do the film festival. He wants to change his film topic. And it's because you've be able to show him the upsides to what the film festival would mean for him as a filmmaker and remind him of what his main goal has been in making films.

It's funny how his resolve came to be. Next to all those moments you shared together, something happened in the final step to Jungkook's process— while he has in fact compiled every scene that he needs for this documentary, he must also look over the B-rolls for scene transitions and potential blooper reels. He boots it all up onto his computer, a painstaking task that has him praying that no mishap comes to him and erases his files or something unfortunate of that nature, and watches as dozens of clips load into the file where he must view every single one to ensure he misses nothing.

In this search for the best clips, he finds those recordings of you that he had not realized you had taken and the way you smile at the camera when you're sure he isn't looking to the commentary you would make under your breath. He knows you were a little frustrated that day and that regardless of how much you needed to interview him, you grew to appreciate that time you spent together. He must've forgotten to shut off the recording—or maybe it was you?—during that conversation about the creative process, because it's there, and listening to it again reminds him of an idea that instead of filming himself, he should film you to give respect to all writers and their hard work.

That's why he's here to change his decisions on the things that have plagued for longer than he can admit.

He looks at Yonghwa sheepishly and tells him, "I'm gonna do the film festival. And I think I want to change my topic from myself to something—well, more like someone—else."

"Am I hearing you right?" Yonghwa looks bewildered and leans over to peer into Jungkook's face. "Are you sure you're Jungkook? The biggest little shit mentee I've had in almost all my years of teaching?"

Jungkook's features contort with embarrassment. "Shut up, shut up, shut up please."

"Nuh-uh, this is way too good to pass up. Who are you and what have you done with the real Jungkook?"

"It's me. I've just had... a change of heart."

"Some change of heart. Are you sure about all of this?"

Jungkook looks him square in the eyes and says, "Absolutely positive. It's high time I give it a try."

"Well... I'm glad. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Yonghwa. For everything."

"Have you told her yet?"

"Told her what?"

"About the documentary change? About your feelings? I know you don't want to see her go yet. Is that part of the reason why you want to do the documentary on her?"

"I mean, it's a factor but I'm doing it because I really want to. What she told me about writers and the lack of recognition that they get, I knew I wanted to change my topic. I just didn't have enough nerve until recently."

"So, I'm guessing you haven't told her yet then?"

"No, not yet. But I plan to when I see her."

"Whe—"

Ding! Jungkook's phone announces. Your name appears, still with the heart but with a different photo. On the lockscreen, your message reads: meet me at the coffee shop in 20?

Looking at Yonghwa, Jungkook smiles. "Speak of the devil huh?"

"Go. And submit a new proposal by the end of this week."

"Alright. I'll see you, Yonghwa."

"Good luck!"