freckles

* chapter twenty four *

"Thank you." Jungkook smiled, accepting the smoothies from the guy. "Here Claudia." Jungkook handed her her drink, keeping his eyes on her as she took a sip.

"Man I really have been missing out." Claudette's eyes lit up, not noticing Jungkook's eyes on her. "You drink these often?"

"All the time." Jungkook nodded, taking a sip of his, Claudette meeting his eyes. "You like that strawberry one?" Claudette nodded, Jungkook memorizing and storing the information away. "I'll buy you one every time I get a smoothie then."

Eliot barked, Jungkook and Claudette both looking down at him. Claudette gasped and Jungkook's eyebrows wavered, Eliot wagging his tail happily.

Eliot had just peed all over Jungkook's boot.

Claudette screamed through her teeth, running away to go get napkins as Jungkook laughed, picking up Eliot and the forgotten leash. "You're going to be a handful aren't you little man?" Eliot stared at Jungkook, his tail no longer wagging.

And then he started to cry.

Jungkook's eyes widened, shushing the puppy, trying to get him to stop making a scene. It got worse once Eliot caught sight of Claudette and started to bark, a high pitched squeaky bark.

"Here Claudia," Jungkook handed her Eliot, taking the napkins from her, "I've got it."

Claudette refused to just stand and watch Jungkook wipe away the pee, so she crouched beside him, helping the clean up process. "I'm so sorry Jungkook I really need to potty train him or train him to not pee on shoes shit these look really expensive I'm-"

Jungkook tilted her chin up, smiling softly as she closed her mouth, meeting his eyes. "Everything is just fine Bubs, don't worry about it."

"But-"

"But?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow slightly, putting a finger over her mouth, Claudette really keeping her mouth shut now. "Come on, the night is waiting for us."

---

"Why are we in a candy store?" Taehyung looked around, following his hyungs inside.

"Claudette never had a steak before, yes?" Hoseok explained his conspiracy theory. "I highly doubt she'd have candy either. And plus this is Seoul candy, which I know she's never had before."

"Ooo I'm buying candy for me-" Taehyung tried to walk off, but Yoongi pulled him back by his hood.

"You're helping us buy candy for her." Yoongi corrected, Taehyung sighing but not arguing. "We need to make sure there's enough for some of us to eat too. She'll probably feel bad if she's the only one eating."

"Can I make her a going away goodie bag?" Jimin raised his hand, tucking his phone away for Jungkook still hasn't responded to his texts.

"Oh that's a good idea." Jin nodded, glancing at Namjoon. "Joon, go help him."

Namjoon nodded, Jimin thankful it was him. "So which ones are we buying?" Namjoon asked, following Jimin to wear you could grab a bag.

"All of them."

---

"Hey," Claudette quickly swallowed the small handful of popcorn and pointed to Jungkook's finger. "You're wearing the ring."

"Of course I am." Jungkook nodded, glancing down at Eliot, making sure he wasn't peeing again. "Why wouldn't I?" Jungkook tilted this head, looking back up at Claudette.

"I didn't know if you really liked it that much." Claudette shrugged. "I thought you were just being nice."

"No no Claudia." Jungkook sat down his drink beside Eliot so he could cup Claudette's face. "It's my favorite thing." Jungkook squished her cheeks, smiling softly at her lips. "After you and Taehyungie of course."

"Oh my God Taehyung." Claudette stood up quickly. "I-I can't be your girlfriend he's your boyfriend-"

"Shh shh." Jungkook pulled her down again. "Don't be screaming I'm dating that dumbass. Dispatch can't find out." Claudette held her hands over her lips, eyes wide. "Taehyungie and I have an open relationship. He doesn't mind, not one bit. So this won't affect our relationship at all, I promise you."

Claudette blinked, feeling at ease with his words of reassurance. Admiration for the two of them flowed through her, until it was burned away by Eliot's movements.

"Eliot!" Claudette hissed, lunging for Jungkook's drink, but it spilled all over his boot, the same one as the one Eliot peed on. "Eliot no!"

---

"Do you think they're doing alright?" Yoongi asked, taking the chocolate from Hoseok's hands and eating it.

"Who?" Hoseok asked, taking the sucker from Yoongi's bag and eating that as payback.

"Cam and Kook." Yoongi frowned softly. "I should call Jungkook."

"Leave them alone Yoongi." Hoseok chuckled, taking Yoongi's phone from him. "Let them be kids."

"I'm just worried about Cam." Yoongi sighed, holding out his hand for his phone, Hoseok returning it. "She gets freaked out kinda easily."

"Jungkook is good." Hoseok picked out a few bars of candy. "He's normally a really calm and easy going person."

"But-"

"He's a good boy Yoon." Hoseok put his hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, hoping his words could ease his mind that tortures him so much. "If he needs help or anything, he knows-"

"I think I like Cam."

---

"Soooo," Jungkook walked beside Claudette, his hands in his coat pocket. "Who's your bias?"

"M-my bias?" Claudette repeated, Jungkook smiling at her flustered self.

"Yes, your bias. You're an ARMY aren't you?" Jungkook nudged her arm, Claudette smiling now as well.

"I'm an ot7." Claudette replied shyly, Eliot licking her chin.

'Perfect.' Jungkook thought to himself, looking forward. But that didn't stop him from noticing Claudette's shivering figure beside him. 'Ah this dork didn't bring a jacket with her.'

"Claudia~" Jungkook sang, slowing their walk, Claudette slowing as well, still walking forward.

"Yes Kook?"

"You didn't bring a jacket." He held his own behind her, helping her slide her arms through. "You're such a dork."

"I-I have a cardigan." Claudette tried to defend herself, but felt her body wrap the jacket around her tightly. "But you don't have one now either!" She whined softly, looking at his long sleeved shirt.

"I don't get cold that easily, unlike someone." He teased, Claudette still not satisfied.

Claudette looked down, nibbling on her bottom lip as she slipped Eliot's leash onto her wrist. "Well I care about you." She opened up the jacket and tried her best to wrap it around him as well. But the jacket was only so big.

"What are you doing?" Jungkook laughed, looking down at Claudette, their chests pushed against each other.

"I'm keeping you warm, what does it look like?" She rested her head on his chest, the jacket only just stretching to around his waist.

Jungkook didn't say anything, just hugging her, keeping her warm hug close to him. "You're doing great my Dear."