Chapter 12- Cute Carrot

Don't worry, my shippers, hot stuff is coming soon again...

Jungkook POV

Jimin's Birthday was in three days. After the shoot for the latest run episode- their new reality show that would hopefully last for a long time (*veeery long, not that we would complain!), he immediately locked himself in his room, trying to figure out what he would get him.

It had been fun today. They got to play paintball and they had a blast. Weirdly enough, what happened with Jimin didn't change anything. They were still messing around, only that maybe their smiles were a little brighter, their interaction a little closer than usual and when they touched, it send weird tickles through his entire body.

He's never been good at getting his members presents. He can't even remember actually buying one for them.

But he wanted to give Jimin something this year.

It should be easy. He knew Jimin well- knew what he liked and what he was into these days- but none of those things seemed right.

He wanted to give him something special. Then suddenly it dawned on him.

Taking a pen and a pencil, he began writing.

***He didn't have time to talk to Jimin alone for the next days. They were busy with schedules, from practice to interviews to photoshoots and every second he could make time, he spend writing and practicing in his room, trying to finish Jimin's birthday present.

When they were around the others, they behaved just like they usually did and it made Jungkook optimistic that this could work. He could be in BTS and with Jimin.

Unfortunately, their work could not be put off even on their respectable birthdays, so they started Jimin's special day with a large breakfast all the members helped prepare and exchanged gifts.

Jungkook had also bought something. Money was no longer a problem for them, and yet all their eyes widened when Jimin unpacked the Chanel necklace he got for him.

"Wow, Jungkook, since when do you buy presents?" Yoongi wondered aloud and Jungkook tried his best to hide the blush rsising to his cheeks.

Jimin was still looking at the necklace like he couldn't believe his eyes.

"So," Jungkook started, rubbing his neck, "You like it?"

Jimin looked up at Jungkook. For a moment it was like they were the only ones in the room.

Jimin was the first to break away, smiling. "I love it Jungkookie." he announced and hugged him.

He almost sighed in relive at feeling Jimin so close. Only three days and he missed him. Missed him so much he couldn't find the power to pull away.

But Jimin did. Too fast. Like he didn't feel as Jungkook did. He turned away from his members so they wouldn't see the disappointment in his eyes.

After breakfast they had a cover shoot, then followed by a briefing with their manger and then a fitting for the shoot of the run music video.

One of the make up artists was just trying out some eyes shade on him, when he heard Jimin's agitated voice from the other side of the room.

"No. I really think that is a terrible idea!" he was saying as Jungkook excused the girl and walked over to see what this was about.

Jimin had his hands crossed and was glowering at the stylist in front of him. The others had heard Jimin too and joined his side.

"What's going on Chim?" Taeyhung asked, looking at him with his confusion-face. Jimin pouted: "They want to color my hair orange! Can you imagine? I'm gonna look like a carrot."

A freaking cute carrot, he thought.

Everyone turned their heads and looked at Jungkook in surprise. That's when, to his great shock, he realized he had spoken aloud.Jimin was starring at him with an open mouth.

His cheeks heated and he quickly spoke. " That's what Army's gonna think, right? They love us no matter what!"

Namjoon laughed, but it sounded a little forced, then he turned back to Jimin and clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, Jimin. You know our stylist job is to make us look good. If they think it suits you and the concept, you should trust them."

"They want to do my hair green and I'm not complaining." Yoongi threw in. "For real?" Hoseok asked, looking down at Yoongi with a smile. "I think that would look awesome on you."

"But orange?" Jimin asked, sounding less averse to the idea. The stylist saw this as a sign to convince him a bit more.

The went back to their own teams, but Jungkook was stopped by a hand from Jin. "Hey, do you know what's wrong with Jimin?"

Jungkook's eyes widened. Was he talking about locking his door the other day?

"Ah, no, why? Is something wrong with him?"

Jin scratched his chin, looking back at where Jimin was heatedly talking with his stylist team. "It's just- well, a couple of days he had his door locked. And last night I wanted to check if he did it again..."

"And?" Jungkook fished as Jin made a face. "It wasn't locked. But I think Jimin was crying. I asked him if there was something wrong, but he threw me out of his room. I wanted Tae to ask him, but he's still a little mad at you two for not telling about the argument you had. So, since you two have obviously made up, can you talk to him?"

Jimin had been crying? He hadn't noticed anything different about him. Was it because of what happened between them? Did he regret it? Was he worried about the band? How could he not have noticed that Jimin had been sad?

But then again, he also didn't know Jimin had been in love with him for three years.

"JK? You look like you're about to cry yourself. Look, maybe he was just missing his parents. Can you talk to him?"

He nodded to Jin. He definitely had to talk to him. For real this time.

"Oh, and don't forget, we're going to surprise him with a cake after practice and do a little live."

He nodded again, already back to ponder over Jimin's reasons to cry.

****

They kept the v-live short. Jungkook tried his best to be his natural self, but he felt nervous instead, keeping to the back and being fidgety the whole time. He was bursting with energy all of a sudden, thinking about the real present he had prepared for Jimin.

They were being their usual ridiculous selves. Then Jimin went around and asked everyone to tell him wishes for the last year. A mischievous thought rose in his head.

He was the last one. "Jungkook. Say something for your Hyung." Jimin demanded, holding the camera. Looking straight into the lens he yelled: Jimin-ah and wished him a happy birthday in a Busan-accent.

(* for those who don't know, Jungkook calls Jimin without the respectful affix, basically making himself the hyung)

Jimin laughed and playfully hit him which made Jungkook chuckle. He really loved teasing him. For Army it might only mean he was being jokingly disrespectful. But between them, it meant more.

Jimin ended the live with a kiss and then they all sat and fell over the cake.

"So, are we going out for drinks later?" Hoseok asked through a full mouth and Jungkook's attention was caught. No. He wanted to give Jimin his present later.

But his Hyung obviously didn't know that, so of course he nodded and the others hooted. He desperately searched for a way to tell him, but not with the members around.

"How about we play a little game?" Namjoon suddenly threw out, and all of them looked at him."Sure, which one?" Hoseok beamed at the same time Yoongi groaned a " I'm terrible at games."

"The whisper game. We can do it without headphones, you only have one try and you have to whisper it so quietly the others don't hear it."

Namjoon must have been sent from heaven! This was it! The others agreed, even Yoongi. Thank God, Jungkook had sat next to Jimin.

Tae started, turning to Yoongi, Yoongi turned to Hoseok and then it was Jungkook's turn. He didn't even try to remember what Hoseok was whispering to him in between some laughs.

He turned to Jimin, leaning close to his ear. An ear he just recently nibbled at and wanted to do again. He also smelled Jimin's light smell, filling his nose and he had to hold himself back in order not to breath in deeply. He made sure his voice was quiet enough to not be heard but clear enough for Jimin to understand.

" Tell them you don't want to go drinking tonight. I want to talk to you. Tonight!"

He drew away and caught Jimin's flash of surprise before he carefully schooled his features and turned to Tae next to him. Jungkook saw him hesitate for a moment, and then grin wide as he whispered something to Tae.

His reaction was immediate as he threw his head back and laughed.

Namjoon was the last and therefore had to say it out loud. He laughed to himself before he spoke, his eyes alight with humor.

"Jungkook hides his old toys under his bed and hugs them at night."

"Hey!" Jungkook shouted and turned to a smiling Jimin, then laughed himself.

Fine, this was his own fault. And they all knew about the toys under his bed anyway.

They played another round and at some more cake. Then Jimin loudly announce. "Oh, today was exhausting. Maybe we should go drinking tomorrow. I know it's my birthday and all, but I really need to get some sleep."

The other's looked a little bumped out at that but again it was Namjoon who helped him, almost like he knew exactly what was going on.

"Sure, Jimin. I'm exhausted too. And we barely have anything scheduled for tomorrow."

Jungkook felt relieved and nervous at once. It was finally time to tell Jimin how he felt.

++++

For references:

Jimin B-Day V-Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R36rJMxwEQ&t=211s

Run Episode 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOYnwzEzR3c&t=626s