Be My Escape - a NamKook fanfiction

it's just a date, right?

Jungkook is in Total Game Mode on Saturday at two o'clock. They are playing their rival school, and the stands are packed. Jungkook doesn't bother looking for his parents or his friends. He's focused.

After a slow start, Jungkook's team ends up winning 2-1, with Jungkook scoring the first goal. After a team meeting and a quick shower, Jungkook goes out to meet his friends. His parents texted him earlier to congratulate him and tell him they were leaving.

Jungkook finds Taehyung and Jimin easily and is surprised to find Namjoon with them as well. He hugs Jimin, then turns to Namjoon. "Hi! I didn't know you were coming!"

Namjoon pulled Jungkook into a hug. Jungkook can hear Taehyung laughing next to him. "Of course I would be here! Congrats on the win!"

Jungkook steps back and gives Namjoon a wide smile. Jimin clears his throat. "Let's go celebrate with ice cream!"

The four guys cheer then pile into Jimin's old minivan. Namjoon sits in the front because he has the longest legs, but Jungkook and Taehyung still complain about the lack of legroom. Jimin threatens to throw them both in the trunk so he wouldn't have to hear their whining.

They pull up to a local ice cream shop called Joker's Dairy Bar. Jungkook doesn't think their ice cream is all that great, but it's only a dollar for a cone so he isn't complaining.

They're waiting in line to order when Namjoon turns to Jungkook. "I've never been here before. What's good?"

Jungkook shrugged. "It's all okay, I guess. It's just cheap."

Namjoon nods. "Can you order for me? I'll go find us a table." He hands Jungkook a dollar. "Thanks!"

Namjoon found a table in the corner of the parlor. Taehyung throws his arms around Jungkook. "How are you guys already so whipped?"

Jungkook shoves his friend off of him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You guys are practically in love already," Jimin smirks, then turns around to order his ice cream.

"But I can't date him, you guys know that!" Jungkook protests.

"Are you still going on about the clergy thing?" Taehyung says. "Just live your life, bro. Becoming a priest won't make you any less gay."

Jungkook hides his face in his hands. "My parents can't know I like guys. I have no idea how they'll react."

Jimin rubs Jungkook's back. "If they love you they won't care. Now order your ice cream so we can sit down."

Jungkook groans but listens to Jimin anyway. He orders a chocolate cone and a vanilla cone and decides to let Namjoon pick which one he wants.

He offers the cones to Namjoon, who picks the vanilla. "Thank you," he says. "So Jungkook, how did you get into soccer?"

Jungkook shrugs. "I started playing when I was six and I never wanted to give it up. I've tried other sports, but I didn't like them as much."

Jimin pipes in. "Did you know Taehyung used to play soccer? He and Jungkookie were on the same team back in middle school."

"I was a great goalie," Taehyung says. "But I wasn't allowed to play soccer and do marching band so I quit."

"I was in marching band, too," Namjoon says. "Those band kids sure know how to have fun."

Taehyung laughs. "You can say that again."

"Jungkook," Jimin says, changing the subject. "Your team is pretty good this year. How's tournament season looking?"

Junkook shrugs. "We think we can win districts, maybe make state if we're lucky. I don't know."

"We'll have to come to watch your tournament games," Namjoon says. "We'll make posters if you guys go to state!"

Taehyung and Jimin cheer. Jungkook blushes. "You guys don't have to do that."

"Oh come on! It'll be fun!" Taehyung says and shoves the rest of his ice cream in his mouth. "We'll make it happen."

Jimin finishes off his ice cream too. "Okay, we should probably get going, Tae. Namjoon, do you think you can walk Jungkook home? He doesn't live far."

"I can get home by myself," Jungkook interrupts. "I'm not a little kid."

"I'd love to." Namjoon completely ignores Jungkook's protests. "You guys get going. I'll see you later."

Jimin and Taehyung throw more goodbyes their way before disappearing, leaving Jungkook and his fat gay crush.

"We should get going, too," Namjoon says. Jungkook finishes off his ice cream, then the two guys leave.

"You really didn't have to walk me home," Jungkook starts. "I can get back by myself. Those two idiots are overprotective."

Namjoon shoves his hands in his pockets and glances at Jungkook. "I know, but I want to hang out with you a little more."

Jungkook shivers, but probably because of the cold night air. He smiles. "Oh, okay. I guess you can walk me home, then."

Namjoon smiles too. "Okay good."

They talk about everything and nothing on the way there. Small talk never came easily to Jungkook, but he finds that talking to Namjoon was as easy as tying his shoes. The walk is only fifteen minutes from the ice cream shop. Jungkook stops in front of his house.

"This is me. I guess I'll see you later?"

"Wait." Namjoon stops him. "I know I said I wanted to be friends, but I really want to take you on a date. Like, a real one. If you want to, of course."

Jungkook pauses. He likes Namjoon a lot, but he doesn't want to risk his parents finding out that he's gay. "Um. I'll be honest with you," he says. "I want to go on a date with you too, but I'm not out to my parents. I don't know if I'll ever come out to them. I need you to know that."

Namjoon thinks for a minute, then nods. "I don't love the idea, but it's just a date, right? We can go at whatever pace you want and if you want to stay friends, that's okay too. We don't have to think about future problems right now."

Jungkook doesn't necessarily agree with that, but he shrugs and says, "Okay, let's go on a date then." He's weak, he'll admit it.

Namjoon nearly jumps for joy. "Really? I can't wait! I'll plan something then text you the details. Is that okay?"

Jungkook smiles and nods. Namjoon waves goodbye to Jungkook then practically skips to the nearest bus stop. Jungkook turns to his front door then hides his face in his hands. He's going on a date. The first date he'll ever go on is with Namjoon. He can't wait to see what Namjoon plans.