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It’s 8am on a Sunday and while the rest of the city is still sleeping, Jimin is lying on his bed wide awake. He had been extremely exhausted last night so he went to sleep early.
He could attempt to go back to sleep but he knows it’s futile, it won’t work specially after sleeping for 12 hours. His stomach grumbles and he’s reminded of the fact that the last time he ate was yesterday at 6pm.
Jimin gets up and makes his way to the kitchen to prepare himself some breakfast when a piece of paper by the door calls his attention. He hopes it’s not a note from the building manager because he’s sure he paid this month’s rent.
He picks it up and notices that it’s a letter envelope. No stamps or anything of the sort, just his name on the middle.
He walks to the kitchen to prepare some coffee. Once it’s ready, he serves himself a mug and proceeds to open the envelope and read the letter.
From the hand of Jeon Jungkook- Well, not really since that kid’s a coward so it’s more like, from the hand of your best friend Kim Taehyung, speaking in the name of Jeon Jungkook.
Jimin stops his reading and stares at the wall in front of him. He has so many questions about this. It’s way too early to be getting pranked by his friends.
You might be asking yourself, why am I writing this letter? Why in the name of Jungkook? Why is he a coward? Fear not for all your questions will be answered in this letter.
He takes a sip of his coffee. This definitely has to be some kind of joke.
Where was Taehyung anyway? Right, he said something last night about having to run some errands in the early morning. Now, who runs errands on a Sunday before 8am? More so since Taehyung is not a morning person. He should have questioned him last night but he was too sleep deprived for it.
Well, he has the day off today and nothing else to do so he might as well continue reading.
The reason I’m writing this instead of our golden maknae is because there’s something he wants to tell you but he doesn’t have the guts to do it.
-Golden maknae my ass.
-Jin-hyung, don’t interrupt my writing and you’re just salty because he won the bet and now you have to clean his room for a month.
-He cheated! And why are you writing everything I say?
-Won’t it be funnier this way? Jimin can read this letter in a few years with a fond smile, don’t you think?
-Jungkook will have your head if he finds out.
-Nah, he’ll thank me in the end. Plus, Jiminie won’t let him kill me. Right Jiminie?
Memories of the several times Taehyung has messed with Jungkook resulting in the later chasing him around campus while Taehyung is looking for one of his friends (most of the times Jimin) to help him against the maknae’s wrath come to his mind and he has to set his mug down because he doesn’t want to drop it due to how much he’s laughing.
Ah, Hoseok-hyung just got to the apartment. Oh, I’m in Jin-hyung and Jungkook’s apartment because if I write it at ours, you’ll probably find this letter and I can’t have that, nope. Anyway, he walked to us and asked us what are we doing. I told him I’m writing a letter to you and that I’ll write everything he says as well.
-Really? Why the letter though? Oh, you really are writing everything I say.
-Because, when Jungkookie came back from hanging out with Jimin two hours ago, he flopped on bed and kept saying how he missed so many chances so I decided to speed things up. Of course, I waited until Jungkook left or he’ll find out.
-Okay, but, why a letter?
-Because it’s cheesy and I know Jiminie will love it. Plus, I’ll talk to Jungkook and write down what he says too.
Hobi-hyung takes a moment to think and gives me the same comment Jin-hyung did: Jungkook’s gonna kill you when he finds out.
I just sigh at him. Nobody appreciates my hard work but I hope you do Jimin.
Jimin’s curiosity rises more with each word. Just what is that Jungkook wants to say but doesn’t at the same time? He has the relief that is nothing wrong as Taehyung wrote that he’ll look back on this with a smile.
Hopefully.
Anyway, all this interruption made me lose focus of what I wanted to write. I ask hyungs for some input. Since they’re here, they might as well help.
-Why not go straight to the point, is what Jin-hyung asks.
-If I wanted to go straight, I would’ve gone to Jimin and just tell him but where’s the fun in that? Plus I don’t do straight.
They sigh and shake their heads at my answer, I wonder why. I only said the truth~
-Alright Taehyung, what’s your approach on this then?
-Thanks Jin-hyung. Well, I was thinking of writing how each of us sees them or stuff like that and at the end I’ll write what Jungkook thinks and tells us except Jimin.
-So, we give our thoughts on this too?
I nod at his question and give them both some time to think while I eat the cookies you made yesterday.
I knew it was him who took them! That brat, really… Hm, so this was written three days ago…
He continues reading but first he makes a mental note to scold his friend for eating his cookies.
-Can I talk about the first time they met?
-Go ahead.
-It was a sunny afternoon-
-Jin-hyung, I want to write a letter, not a book.
He grumbles something about me not appreciating his efforts on making the letter more poetic or something like that. I just don’t want to write much…
-Fine… But it was a sunny afternoon.
-Hyung…
-We were just walking around, I was showing Jungkook the campus, since he was going to study there in a month. As we walked by the practice rooms of the Dance Department, we stopped by one of them from where music was coming and Kookie was en- ent-
-How do you write that word?
Hyung takes my pen and writes it himself.
He was enthralled by the sight. He thought the boy’s dance style was breathtaking to say the least. He was really captivated by it and excited at the prospect that he got to study in the same university and would see him often.
-Wow, didn’t know Jungkookie thought that.
Quite frankly, neither did Jimin. This was the first time he was hearing about this (well, reading about this). Jungkook did say he likes his dancing, yes but, to be described with such awe… He doesn’t know if the sudden heat rising to his cheeks is either because of the letter or the hot coffee.
That’s a lie, he knows perfectly well it’s because of Jungkook. Damn that brat and the effect he has on him.
-I know for sure Jiminie must be blushing right now, right Jiminie?
And damn his friend as well.
-Oh, I can talk about the first time the two of them interacted since I was there.
I give my pen to Hobi-hyung so he can write it.
I mentioned Jimin that there was a new student that looked promising and he was joining us for today’s practice. When Jungkook walked in, I could tell that the first thing Jimin thought was how cute he was despite how much he denied it afterwards saying that the blush was only because they had been dancing for hours. I had to agree though. Jungkook was really adorable back then, a bundle of nerves, tugging at his shirt. And even more around Jiminie, not knowing how to act around him.
I take the pen from Hyung to write: I remember those days, when he was so shy. Now… He’s more reserved than shy since he’s more comfortable around us but he’s also
-Evil, is what the three of us say at the same time.
We nod in agreement and I get up. I tell them thanks for helping me with this. They ask where I’m going and I tell them that my next target is grumpy-hyung or destruction-hyung, whoever is available.
-If you go to the university’s studio, you’ll probably find them both there. And tell Joonie to get food, don’t feel like making dinner.
Why do I have to be the messenger, I wonder as I walk out of the building.
This is making him feel nostalgic, bringing back memories that are a bit bittersweet. He remembers the first time he met Jungkook and, just like Hobi-hyung said, he was a bundle of nerves back then, his doe eyes making him look even younger but that’s one of the things that made Jimin fall for him.
But, he also remembers the hardships they went through at first. He remembers how Jungkook seemed to avoid him, most of the time rejecting his affection like hugs, something the rest of his friends were used to because that’s just the way he is, he likes to hug. Of course, it was more often directed towards Jungkook because… Well… For obvious reasons.
With time, he distanced himself from Jungkook because between staying only as friends and the risk of losing him completely, he prefered bottling up his feelings which led to the wonderful friendship they have now so Jimin doesn’t regret it.
The pang on his chest tells him otherwise.
He sighs and continues reading the letter.
I’m at the university, walking down the hallways towards the hyung’s second home also known as studio and I almost bump into the history professor. Would’ve given me an hour lecture if I did…
I walk inside and luckily they’re taking a break so they can’t refuse to helping me. Grumpy-hyung complains anyway but that’s the usual. I gave them the letter so they can read and catch up.-So basically, tell something or describe how we view them, correct?
-I’m not grumpy-hyung, I have a name.
I ignore grumpy-hyung and nod at destruction-hyung who asks for the letter so he can write.I stare at Taehyung as I read that I’m still referred to as “destruction-hyung”. I sigh and proceed to write about the first time Jungkook came to ask for advice (around 8 months after he met you and the other two) saying we would be able to give a more objective opinion. Plus, Jinnie was doing a semester abroad and he wasn’t going to ask Hoseok or Taehyung since they were your friends and he wasn’t that comfortable with them yet.
Anyway, what he came to ask advice for was about you and your affection.As you remember, he was a really shy boy when he met you all and he always had trouble fully expressing himself except with me, Jinnie and Yoongi-hyung. Therefore, he didn’t know what to do when you were being affectionate.
Jimin, this is Yoongi. Before you start blaming yourself about your actions back then, be reminded that he just wasn’t used to it so his instincts were those of shying away. I say this because I know you so stop those thoughts now or I won’t finish the track for you and Taehyung’s next performance.
Jimin stops his reading once again as a small chuckle escaped his lips. He won’t tell Yoongi that he had those thoughts a few paragraphs before but it’s nice seeing the caring part of him (and also because they really need that track and he really likes Yoongi’s work).
He resumes his reading.
Anyway, Taehyung says not to give too much details so I’ll just give a summary. He wanted to know how to properly react, how to have a proper talk with you, he was trying to get close to you but the kid had no idea how. Unfortunately, that was around the time you started to get distant from him, most likely thinking he was awkward with your advances. In short words, you’re both idiots.
And he wonders why I call him grumpy-hyung but I have to say, he’s right. You’re both idiots. When one wants to get close, the other backs away because he doesn’t know what to do then when he has an idea of how, it’s the other one’s turn to back away. That’s why I’m making this letter.
I thank them and leave the studio so they can keep working on their (and ours) project.
I’m sure that by now you have an idea of where this is going or what this is about even if you don’t want to believe it. I know you Jiminie. What you’re thinking right now, what you think I’m hinting at, don’t discard it. It’s true.That’s why I changed my mind! I’m not writing what Jungkook thinks here, I’ll let him tell you himself! Taking the time you would wake up and how fast you read, I’ll tell Jungkook when to go to the apartment.
When he gets there, don’t lie, don’t hold back.I expect good news when I get back to our apartment.
PS: be happy Jiminie, you deserve it.
Jimin reads the last paragraphs again. Taehyung is joking, right? He’s right when he said that Jimin has an idea of what this was about but he thought it was a stupid thought, that there was no way…
A sudden knocking at the door startles him and sets his nerves en edge. That can’t be Jungkook. This can’t be true.
“Hyung! Please open up!”
That was definitely someone that had exactly the same voice as Jungkook, there was no way it was the real one. The Jungkook-like voice kept calling for him and as he got closer to the door he noticed the nervous edge on his voice.
Jimin slowly opens the door and gulps as he sees that the one on the other side of the door is actually Jungkook and the sight reminds him of the first time they met: shifting on his feet, biting on his lower lip as he opens his mouth to say something but closes it immediately.
Jungkook eyes the papers on his hand. “So it’s true,” he breathes out.
Jimin blinks and it’s brought back to reality. “Eh?” He follows Jungkook’s line of sight to his right hand in which he’s holding the letter. A soft oh escapes his lips as he focuses his attention back on Jungkook who seems… scared?
“What… What does it say?”
Did he not want Jimin to read it? Was he scared of what Jimin might think or… because it’s not truth? Jimin takes a deep breath and mentally apologizes to his friend. “Jungkookie, it’s okay. It’s just another one of Taehyung’s pranks so you don’t need to worry,” he says with a smile but it’s a forced smile and Jungkook sees right through it.
“Hyung…” Jungkook realizes that he’s still in the hallway so he walks inside and closes the door behind him. “Hyung,” he tries again but he doesn’t know what to say nor how to approach this.
“Aish, why that face? Told you it’s okay!”
Jimin thinks that Taehyung might be wrong. The letters was talking about the past after all. Specially Namjoon and Yoongi’s part, it talked about something that happened 8 months after they met and it’s been two years since that so how can they be sure Jungkook still feels the same? If he ever did in the first place…
In the meantime, Jungkook was observing Jimin. It was obvious to him that he was most definitely not okay but why was he trying to deny it? Is it because he didn’t like what was on the letter?
Taehyung’s second message he sent earlier morning comes to his mind:
If Jimin finished reading the letter then don’t hesitate and just confess.
Jimin was about to walk back to the kitchen, he hadn’t finish making breakfast after all, when Jungkook grabbed his wrist and blurted out “I like you.” Jungkook was biting his lower lip, forcing himself to not look away despite how embarrassed he feels but he needs Jimin to see how honest he is.
Now it was Jimin’s turn to open and close his mouth with no words coming out.
“I… I know you thought I hated you at some point but I didn’t! I never did! I just…” the younger’s gaze fell to the floor and he slightly released his hyung’s wrist in order to hold his hand, action that made both of the boys blush. “I just didn’t know how to deal with this… The things I was feeling when I was close to you… I didn’t know so I pushed you away…”
“Jungkook-”
“Let me finish hyung,” he lifts his head to look at him straight in the eyes. “By the time I figured I wasn’t just confused and that what I felt was real… you stopped treating me like you used to and I thought that… that you got tired of my rejection and that you… you’ve moved on. You treated me like normal friends and I thought that if you were happy with that, then me too but…” his free hand slowly raises to cup Jimin’s face, thumb gently grazing his cheek. “I hated it… I wanted to be special to you. Wanted to hold you, take you on dates while holding hands, stay up late watching movies or stargazing… Hyungs said to just confess but I thought that if you had move on, then I would ruin what we have so I decided to simply hint you... Though looks like I didn’t do a good job,” he finishes as he eyes the letter firmly grasped by Jimin’s hand.
“God… You’re so…” Jungkook returns his gaze to Jimin who flops on the younger’s chest and lets out a muffled “Such a brat.”
The maknae giggles and hugs him. “I like you,” he repeats it because he knows Jimin, knows that he’ll think it’s not real and because it feels good saying after so much time of keeping it in. It feels nice to be able to hold the one he holds dear like this.
“I like you too...” Jimin whispers as he hugs him back and the bliss the youngest feels is so immense that he kisses the top of Jimin’s head and repeats his confession.
They simply stay like that, enjoying each others comfort until Jimin’s stomach growls.
Right, the breakfast he never got to make.
Jungkook chuckles and Jimin's retaliation is a smack to his arm before walking to the kitchen to prepare food.
The youngest stands by his side to help him. “By the way, hyung,” he says and Jimin hums to make him know he has his attention. “Just so you know, I will get back at Taehyung-hyung for this so don’t try to stop me this time.”
“But he’s my best friend Jungkook-ah!”
He loves it when Jimin says his name like that but right now it’s not time for that. “Yeah but, the text he sent me made me panic!”
“What did he send?”
Jungkook shows him the last two text he got from him:
» I snitched about your undying love towards my best friend in a letter which he must be reading right now so get your ass up from bed and go!
» If Jimin finished reading the letter then don’t hesitate and just confess.
His hyung starts to laugh and he pouts. “Hyung, it’s not funny! I was so scared and I tripped so many times trying to get dressed!”
“That would explain the socks.”
They were covered by the jeans but still a small part could be seen: one black and one red.
Well, in his defense, he was still half asleep and running solely on adrenaline so he didn’t get much time to ponder on what to wear. He blushes slightly and jabs a finger at Jimin’s ribs making him squirm and try to avoid his tickling.
“Fine, fine! I won’t stop you! Only because he ate my cookies.” Jungkook is about to celebrate when Jimin raises his index finger. “But, it has to be something small. He got us to confess after all.”
Jungkook groans but complies as he gets back to helping with making breakfast, all while giving revenge suggestions which are shut down because “That won’t bother him” or “Jungkook-ah, that’s too mean!”
Frankly, he doesn’t care much about revenge right now. He’s only focused on Jimin’s laugh and how beautiful it sounds.
Maybe it took them a bit more than two years to confess, maybe they went through many unnecessary heartaches because each thought their feelings weren’t reciprocated and maybe they are idiots like their friends say but it’s all worth it when it’s past 9am on a Sunday and while the rest of the city is still sleeping, these two fools in love are sitting next to each other in the balcony in a sweet embrace as the sun warms them up on this winter morning.