this late already

Namjoon picks up Jungkook from his house at five p.m. on Saturday afternoon. He told Jungkook to wear whatever he wanted, so he decides on a white t-shirt and jeans with holes at the knees. They walk to the bus with some light conversation.

"So, what are we doing today?" Jungkook asks.

"I'm going to cook for you," Namjoon says. "Yoongi's out of the apartment for a bit so I thought we could just hang out at my place."

"You can cook?" Jungkook asks with an eyebrow raised. Somehow, he doesn't believe him.

As predicted, Namjoon grimaces. "Not really, but Jin gave me an easy recipe to try. I thought it would be sweet."

A smile graces Jungkook's face as he grabs Namjoon's hand. "You are sweet. I can't wait."

Turns out, Jungkook was going to have to wait for Namjoon's cooking. Namjoon opens all the windows in his two-bedroom apartment to let out all the smoke and chemicals from the fire extinguisher Jungkook had to use. They both look at the ruined pan then to each other and laugh.

"Okay, let's never do this again," Jungkook says between giggles.

"Yoongi's going to be pissed," Namjoon says. "I can see it now: 'Namjoon, you're banned from the kitchen for the rest of your life! You owe me a new pan and a new spatula!'"

"That recipe looked so difficult! Why did Jin think you could do it?"

Namjoon collapses on the couch. Jungkook sits down next to him. "I think he was trying to fuck with me. Maybe warn you of what a menace I am."

Jungkook shrugs. "I'm sure there are other things you're good at. Cooking isn't the only thing that matters."

Namjoon snorts. "Try telling that to Jin, he'll make you chop onions for three hours."

Jungkook grimaces. "That sounds painful." He pulls out his phone. "Do you want to just order a pizza?"

Namjoon throws his head back and groans. "That sounds like a good idea. There's a nice local pizza place a block away." He takes Jungkook's phone. "And no, I'm not letting you pay,"

Jungkook pouts. "What are you, my sugar daddy?"

"I'm allowed to spend ten dollars on my date. It's not like I'm paying your tuition or buying you name-brand underwear," he says. "And I'm eating pizza too. What toppings do you want?"

"Meat lovers," Jungkook replies instantly.

Namjoon clutches his chest. "A man after my heart." He dials the number and orders the pizza.

Jungkook relaxes against Namjoon's side as he talks to the pizza person. He rests his head on Namjoon's shoulder and sighs. He feels so comfortable around the older man, even though they've only met in person a few times. If Jungkook spaces out enough, he can imagine a life with Namjoon. A house with a picket fence, two beautiful children, attending Mass every Sunday, the works. He knows that a lot of his thoughts are just a fantasy, but he can't help but think about a perfect world where his parents still love him if he's married to a man.

Namjoon hangs up the phone and hands it back to Jungkook, who shoves it into his pocket. "The pizza will be here in twenty minutes. What do you want to do until then?"

Jungkook snuggles into Namjoon. "This is fine."

Namjoon chuckles. "You're awfully cuddly. Not that I'm complaining, of course." He wraps his arm around Jungkook.

"Hey," Jungkook says. He looks up to meet Namjoon's eyes. "My parents want to meet you."

"You told them about me?" Namjoon asks, surprised. "I thought you weren't out?"

"They saw you when you walked me home from the ice cream shop. My mom thinks you're responsible, but I know she's never seen you cook."

"That was a low blow," Namjoon counters. "At least I'm feeding you." Then Namjoon nods and hugs Jungkook closer. "But of course I'll meet them."

"Thank you," Jungkook says. The doorbell rings, so Jungkook stands up. "I'll get it. Just stay there."

Namjoon hands Jungkook the five-dollar bill he pulled from his wallet. "For the tip." Jungkook takes the money and nods.

Jungkook opens the door to a very familiar pizza delivery guy. "Hobi?"

Hoseok's eyes bug out of his head. "Jungkookie? What are you doing at Namjoonie's apartment? I didn't know you guys knew each other."

Namjoon gets off of the couch to join the two at the door. "Hoseok, hey! I didn't know you worked at Angelinos!"

Hoseok grins. "I got hired last week. How do you guys know each other?"

"Jimin and Taehyung," Jungkook says.

Hoseok nods. "That makes a lot of sense actually. Jimin's been meaning to set you up with someone, Namjoonie."

Namjoon blushes. "Okay, well, thanks for the pizza," Namjoon says while taking the pizza box. Jungkook hands Hoseok the money.

"I'll see you guys later," Hoseok says. "Don't have too much fun." He winks at the two then walks toward the stairwell.

Namjoon closes the door behind Hoseok and laughs. "Gotta love Hobi."

"That guy is like a walking ball of sunshine," Jungkook agrees. "I haven't seen him in a while though."

Namjoon nods and places the box of pizza on the coffee table. Jungkook follows and sits on the couch. "I haven't either. It was nice to see him."

Namjoon escapes into the less-smokey kitchen to grab soda and paper plates. Jungkook opens the pizza box to find the most delicious pizza he's ever seen. Once Namjoon returns, Jungkook says, "This looks amazing!"

"It's the best in town," Namjoon says. "You'll only find better pizza in Italy."

"I don't know about that. This pizza is probably better than some Italian pizzas."

Namjoon laughs and grabs a slice. Jungkook follows his lead. "You're probably right."

Jungkook takes a bite of the meaty pizza. It's greasy and cheesy and delicious, just how pizza should be. He can feel the grease dripping down his fingers and the sauce sticking to his lips. He devours his first slice then turns to Namjoon, who is still working on his. Namjoon had sauce on his face too, and Jungkook can't help but chuckle.

"Are you laughing at me?" Namjoon gapes.

"Yeah! You have sauce on your face!"

Namjoon flushes. "You do too! And you ate that so fast! Should I have gotten two pizzas?"

Jungkook licks around his lips to get the sauce off, and Namjoon's eyes nearly bug out of his head. "No, I just eat fast. One is enough."

Namjoon hides his head in his hands. "You're actually trying to kill me right? Good lord..."

Jungkook grabs another slice of pizza. "I will neither confirm nor deny that statement."

They chat some more as they eat. Jungkook eats three slices, and Namjoon eats two. Namjoon says he'll eat the rest for breakfast the next day since Yoongi will no doubt ban him from the kitchen tomorrow. Jungkook loses track of time and before he knew it, it was nearly midnight. The only thing reminding him that he needs to go home is the buzz of his phone when his mom texts him. Jungkook frowns.

"My mom wants me to come home," Jungkook reads. "Wow, I didn't know it was this late already."

"You can spend the night if you want. It is a Saturday." Namjoon suggests. When he notices the color spreading to Jungkook's cheeks, he stutters out, "But not in a sexy way, of course. I'm not ready for that yet, and I'm pretty sure you aren't either."

Jungkook thinks for a minute. "I mean, I could, but I'd have to leave early tomorrow. Like, six a.m. early."

"That's okay," Namjoon says. "We can wake up and eat the pizza then I'll walk you home if you want."

"You don't have to walk me home tomorrow," Jungkook says. "It's enough that you're letting me stay. Seriously, I can take the bus by myself."

Namjoon doesn't argue with him. Jungkook tells his mom that he's staying at a friend's house and that he'll be back early enough to go to church with them. He throws his phone to the other side of the couch and snuggles into Namjoon again.

"We should get to bed soon, especially if you have to be up early," Namjoon says. "I'll sleep on the couch. Do you want to borrow some pajamas?"

"I'll sleep on the couch," Jungkook says, glaring at Namjoon. "I don't mind. I'll probably sleep better here anyway. But I could use a pair of sweatpants."

Namjoon rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say. My clothes might be a little big on you."

"You aren't that much taller than me," Jungkook complains. "Three inches, maybe. I'm still growing, too."

Namjoon snorts. "I could tell, with the amount of pizza you ate.'

"That's kinda rude," Jungkook says with a huff. "I bet I'll be taller than you when I'm done growing."

"I'm almost six feet tall so I'm not sure how realistic that is."

"My dad is six-foot-two and my brother is taller than him, so it's pretty realistic," Jungkook counters.

Namjoon stretches then pats Jungkook's head. "Okay, I believe you. Let's find you some sweatpants and a spare toothbrush."

Namjoon gets up and Jungkook follows him. Namjoon grabs Jungkook a pair of black sweatpants, which are only a little too long, and an orange toothbrush. They make silly faces at each other in the mirror, then Jungkook kicks Namjoon out of his own bathroom to change his clothes.

Namjoon is pulling out a couple of blankets from a basket when Jungkook goes back into the living room. There's already a fluffy pillow that wasn't on the couch earlier set up for him near the arm.

"Yoongi said he'll be back in the morning, so you'll probably be gone when he comes home," Namjoon starts. "Do you need anything else? Some water or another blanket?"

"I could use some water," Jungkook says. "But I can get it. Do you want me to wake you up when I leave tomorrow?"

Namjoon shrugs then pulls Jungkook in for a hug. He sighs. "I mean... yeah, that would be nice. Just so I can say goodbye."

Jungkook wraps his arms around Namjoon's torso. "Okay, I will." Neither man says anything until Jungkook squeezes Namjoon a little tighter. "I'm sorry I have to leave so early. It's just that Mass starts at seven-thirty and I've never missed it." He confesses. He doesn't know Namjoon's views on religion, but he wants to share a big part of his life with him. "It's been hard on my parents since Junghyun went to college out of state, and it's kind of a family thing? I like going, too."

Namjoon pulls back to look at Jungkook. "Wait, you're Catholic?"

Jungkook narrows his eyes. "That's not an issue is it?"

Namjoon chuckles and pulls Jungkook back in. "No, it actually explains a lot of things. Like you being close to your parents. I promise that it's not an issue as long as you don't have an issue with me being an atheist."

"Of course not," Jungkook mumbles. "Religious views don't change anything."

"Exactly." Namjoon kisses the side of Jungkook's head then pulls away. "Now we should get some sleep. I'll see you bright and early, right?"

Jungkook nods and sits on the couch. Namjoon turns off all the lights then disappears into his bedroom.