I'm Not The Person That You Think

Chapter 1

Jungkook lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, a mental tug-of-war raging within him. Should he opt for a roommate in the new apartment, or revel in the solitary bliss of a room all to himself? Namjoon, in an act of unexpected generosity, had offered him a private room, citing some vague need for Jungkook to have "his own space." The allure of a roommate, however, was strong, despite the inherent risks.

Sharing a room would mean risking his carefully guarded secret, the gender identity he kept hidden beneath a carefully constructed facade. In their previous, more spacious apartment, everyone had enjoyed the luxury of their own rooms. But now, after Jin and Jimin's unsettling discovery of a six-year-old insect infestation, they were all relocating.

Lost in this internal debate, Jungkook failed to notice Taehyung's arrival until the other boy plopped down on the edge of the bed. Jungkook sat up, his gaze questioning.

"Why are you just lying there like a beached whale?" Taehyung asked, his voice laced with playful sarcasm.
"Just thinking," Jungkook replied, rolling his eyes at the dramatic comparison.

"About what?"

"I'm trying to decide whether or not to have a roommate in the new apartment," Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Taehyung's brow furrowed, his expression morphing into a comical imitation of wounded innocence.
"I thought we agreed we'd be roommates," he said, his voice dripping with mock hurt.

"I know, I know," Jungkook said, "But maybe I need some space, just for a while, without a roommate..."
"But you've had your own room for the past six years!" Taehyung interrupted, his voice rising in a dramatic crescendo.

"Actually," Jungkook corrected, his tone dry, "only three years. You slept in my room for the last three because of the construction noise, and then you just moved back to your own room two weeks ago. So, technically, it's only been three years."

Taehyung fell silent, his expression shifting from mock hurt to mock annoyance. "You know what?" he said, throwing his hands up in the air. "I just wanted to come in here and keep you company, have a little conversation. But since you're being a... well, never mind. I'll just go." He stood up abruptly, his eyes flashing with a theatrical display of anger.
Jungkook rolled his eyes again, but a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. "Oh, please," he said, "You're not fooling anyone."

Taehyung paused, his expression wavering between mock anger and a suppressed grin. "I'm not?"
"No," Jungkook said, "You're about as convincing as a cat pretending to be a dog." Taehyung's facade crumbled, and he burst out laughing.

"Fine, you got me," he admitted, sitting back down on the bed. "But seriously, I want to be your roommate."
Jungkook sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"I know, I know. It's just... complicated."
"Complicated how?" Taehyung asked, his expression softening. "It's just... maybe I need some space. Without a roommate." Jungkook said.

Taehyung looked at him, his expression shifting from playful to earnest. "Kook, I really don't want to be roommates with any of the other members. I've experienced it, and trust me, it's a chaotic mess - even though I love them all, they're my brothers, you included. But still... and also, Jimin already chose Hoseok as his roommate." Taehyung paused, a flicker of exasperation in his eyes.

"You know how Jin and Namjoon are always bickering about cleaning schedules, and Yoongi... well, Yoongi's Yoongi. He'd probably just sleep all day and communicate in grunts." He shuddered dramatically. "I need someone... stable. Someone I can actually have a conversation with. Someone who doesn't suddenly turn into a hermit." He gave Jungkook a pointed look.

"Besides," he continued, leaning forward,
"we've always been close. We know each other's quirks, our late-night snack habits, the exact volume we need the TV at. We're a well-oiled machine, Kook.
Think of the convenience! We can share clothes, complain about the others together, have movie nights... it'll be like a permanent sleepover!"

Jungkook hesitated, his gaze softening slightly.
"But what if I need space? What if I get overwhelmed?"

"We'll figure it out," Taehyung said, his voice reassuring. "We're good at figuring things out."
"We can set up boundaries, have designated 'me time' zones. We can even put up a line of tape down the middle of the room if you want! We'll make it work, I promise." He reached out and gently nudged Jungkook's arm. "Just say yes, Kook. It won't be the same without you."

Jungkook looked at Taehyung, his eyes searching for any sign of deception. He saw only sincerity, a genuine desire for companionship. "Fine," he sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "But if you start snoring, l'm kicking you out."

Taehyung grinned, a wide, infectious smile that lit up his face. "Deal! And if you start leaving your dirty socks everywhere, I'm throwing them out the window."

"Hey!" Jungkook protested, but he couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright, truce." He paused, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. "But... what about my stuff? I'll need to move everything in."

"Don't worry about that," Taehyung said, waving a dismissive hand. "We'll do it together. It'll be a bonding experience!"