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Jimin let it slip over dinner one night that Jungkook had a crush. All the members immediately started cooing at their little maknae. The teased and poked and prodded. All except one. Namjoon sat there silently. He frowned at first but quickly re-arranged his facial expression to a fond smile at the members and their antics. He was happy for the younger boy but he was still going to struggle with this revelation. He had grown ‘very fond’ of the younger, as he liked to put it. Jungkook always seemed to be by his side right from the beginning, helping with this and that. Always smiling that toothy grin. So it was really only a matter of time before he started getting feelings for the ever talented maknae.
Although he would probably never act on his feelings as there was just too much to risk in his mind. That and the fact that he wanted the boy to experience all kinds of things instead of being trapped in the small kpop world he had been since he was a young teenager. So then and there, with the news of a crush, he decided that he would do everything he could to be the most supportive hyung and help Jungkook get his crush to like him back. Which they should already anyway, look at him! But still. He would help.
Once dinner had finally calmed down and everyone was helping clean up and putting things away, Namjoon slid onto the chair beside the younger. He steeled his face and offered up the best thing he could. His advice.
“Hey Kook. I know the others teased you but we all mean well. They’re just happy for you. I might not be the best expert in the area but I would love to help you in anyway I can. Mostly giving you advice if you need it so just keep in mind. That I’m here for that… If you want.. Yeah.” He had started out strong but quickly lost his confidence as he went on and Jungkook started to look confused. Jungkook shook his head as if to clear it and finally after a very awkward minute replied.
“Ah. Thanks hyung. I’ll keep it in mind.” With that he stood up rather quickly and scurried off in the direction of their rooms. Namjoon laughed fondly and chalked it up to the younger still being embarrassed about all the teasing.
~~~
“JIMIN!” Jungkook whisper yelled, practically seething. He had stormed into Jimin’s room full force. “How could you?!? I told you in confidence and you just went and blurted it out like that?”Jimin glanced up from his phone at the very red looking Jungkook and giggled. Actually giggled . This wasn’t funny to Jungkook at all.
“Kookie. It’s all good. Everyone teased but no one forced you to tell, right? No harm done.”
“That’s not that point!! They won’t let me live it down now! Namjoon even offered to ‘give me advice.’ You are so going to pay for this!” Jimin’s eyes snapped up from his phone again and stayed focused on the younger this time.
“Did you say Namjoon offered to give you dating advice?”
“Yes! And it was super embarrassing!” Jungkook groaned and dragged his hands over his face harshly, flopping down on Jimin’s bed in frustration.
“No Guk. This is good. You can use this to your advantage! He is practically giving you the ‘How to Date Namjoon’ Handbook. You got this!” Jungkook glared over at Jimin.
“I hadn’t actually planned on doing anything about my crush, Jimin. It wouldn’t ever work anyway.” he grumbled, wiggling around on the blankets trying to get comfy.
“Kook. You have been practically drooling over Joon since you met him. What’s the harm in taking him up on his advice? Get his answers, do them and if he still doesn’t get the hint than no harm done and now you have some advice for when you decide to go after someone else.” Jungkook eyed the smaller man warrily.
“I dunno Chim…” Jimin rolled his eyes and smacked Jungkook’s arm playfully.
“ Come oooooon. You will be fine. I know you want to, you're just being shy. I’ll be there every step of the way if you need it.” Jungkook was silent for a few moments as Jimin watched him with a spark in his eye. He was pretty sure Jimin wouldn’t let him off easy and maybe he was right. No harm done if Namjoon doesn’t realize what’s happening. He had finally come to terms with the fact that his meer admiration had grown to so much more, he just needed a little bit more of a push to actually do something about it.
“Okay…”
“Yes!” hollered Jimin.
“Be quiet!” Jungkook screeched, flopping on top of the smaller boy. “Or I’ll never tell you anything again!”
“Yeah right Kook. We all know that’s not true. Now. Let’s plan! ”
~~~
A few days passed and Namjoon hesitantly asked Jungkook if he had made any progress with his crush yet. He had decided that he needed to be the bigger man and be the best role model he could be so seeing as Jungkook hadn’t come to him, he would be blunt with the other. Jungkook shook his head shyly and took a deep breath. Gearing up to talk to Namjoon about this. He had been trying to work up the confidence to actually ask for the advice he needed but just couldn’t quite make himself do it.
“I would like to..” he mumbled, unable to look the taller man in the eye. “ Just don’t quite know how to start. I’m pretty good friends with them after all and I don’t think they see me in any kind of romantic fashion.” Namjoon scoffed at the youngers words.
“Jungkook, If they don’t see you like that yet then you should make them!” He patted Jungkook harshley on his shoulder. Squeezing his muscles a bit. “You don’t work out for nothing. You should flaunt it! Use everything you can to your advantage.” Jungkook cringed at the thought of Namjoon giving him that piece of advice when he would be using it on Namjoon himself, but he wouldn’t suggest something that he thought was stupid so it is worth a try.
“Okay Hyung.” He nodded resolutely. “I will try that. Make them see me as more than a kid!”
~~~
Jungkook decided that on their next day off, he would wear his tightest skinny jeans and a form fitting shirt to show off all his muscles and go out with Namjoon. He was rather embarrassed about it. He almost chickened out, but Jimin was right at his side giving him all the encouragement he needed. He really hoped that Namjoon would take his own hint because if all the advice turned out to be as embarrassing as this, Jungkook didn't know how much of it he could actually endure. He asked Namjoon the night before if he was busy. Jungkook offered for the two of them to go out for ‘food’ , dinner seemed to formal, under the guise of not having really spent much time together as of late. Namjoon happily agreed, teasing Jungkook about him wanting to spend time with his hyung instead of his friends his age on their day off.
Namjoon knocked on Jungkook’s door and peeked his head in when Jungkook didn’t reply. He spots Jimin lounged on the youngers bed with a sly smile on his face as Jungkook flipped around towards the door, abandoning the mirror. He had been staring at himself for the past few minutes trying to calm himself down.
“You ready?” Namjoon questioned. Jungkook let out a soft sigh and nodded.
“Yup. Let’s go. Jimin is being annoying anyway.”
“Hey, you brat!” Jimin hollered as Jungkook flew past Namjoon who was still standing in the door. Joon glanced at Jimin questioningly once more before following the younger boy. Jungkook had no idea that Namjoon definitely noticed the muscle defining clothes as soon as he had opened the door, but Jimin saw the look on his face. Namjoon might not be as blind as Jungook thinks.
The two successfully made their way through their not dinner date. Jungkook was a little disappointed by the end that Namjoon hadn’t even commented on his outfit at all. Not even a ‘What are you so dressed up for?’ Little did he know that Namjoon had been very pointedly trying to ignore the younger’s outfit all night. It should be illegal for someone to look that effortless good just eating food!
They start walking home quietly, each lost in their own thoughts. Namjoon didn’t notice the small raised bump in the sidewalk and almost gets a dessert made of pavement, but Jungkook quickly snapped out of his sour thoughts and managed to grab Namjoon’s arm and stabilize him before he did. Namjoon immediately blushed as he came face to face with Jungkook's bulging biceps. He quietly mumbled a thank you while mindlessly adjusting his shirt so he didn’t have to look the younger in the eyes just yet. Jungkook laughed whole-heartedly and Namjoon practically melted at the melodic sound of it.
“It’s just like you said hyung, I don’t work out for nothing.” Jungkook laughed a little sarcastically at the bluntness of repeating Joon’s exact words back at him. Namjoon chuckled back and made what he thought was a friendly comment about how Jungkook really has grown up into his body and leaves it at that, pointedly not thinking about all the implications of it. Jungkook wasn’t quite sure if tonight counted as getting Namjoon’s attention romantically, but he still added a check mark to his list.
The two arrive home and Jungkook bids Namjoon a good night and slipped off to go find Jimin. Joon was left with a shy smile on his lips the rest of the night. He missed spending so much time with the younger. Jungkook didn’t even knock on Jimin’s door and rushed in, thankfully Hoseok was nowhere to be seen. He hastily tells Jimin what happened and Namjoon’s exact words. Jimin couldn't stop laughing. Jungkook glared at his supposed to be helpful hyung until he finally stopped laughing. Jimin just rolled his eyes and slung his arm over his shoulders.
“You, my friend, need to step up your game. Don’t wait long before your next move. I think you’ve got this. You should have seen the look on his face when he first opened the door. He was clearly affected, he is just good at hiding it.” Jungkook was hesitant to listen to Jimin but he knew the other was good at reading people. He figured one more shot at least won’t hurt and declared that within the next few days he would ask Namjoon for more advice.
~~~
Feeling a little bit more brave after hearing Jimin’s words, Jungkook quickly decided what he wanted to say to Namjoon. He still decided to wait 3 days before going to him afraid if he went too soon after their ‘not date’, that Namjoon would put two and two together easily. He knows he is being silly as he wants Namjoon to get the hint, but the shy introverted boy he had grown out of is still hanging on just a little bit and so he is still hesitant about actually having to come face to face with his crush. So with that, he finds Namjoon in his studio 3 days later, no sooner and no later.
“Hyung?” Namjoon had his headphones on and didn’t hear Jungkook knocking. He walked into the room quietly and positioned himself behind the unsuspecting man in his chair. He grabbed his shoulders abruptly managing to make Namjoon jump badly.
“Sheesh Kook!” Namjoon pouted at the younger, having now removed the headphones and turned towards the fiend who invaded his studio. “That was a very mean thing to do to your old hyung.” Jungkook chuckled and rolled his eyes at the other.
“You’re not that much older than me hyung.” Joon ignored the comment and asked what the younger wanted that warranted so rudely barging into his studio. Jungkook planned to milk his annoyance with his crush for his next piece of advice. He moved over to the small couch in the room and dramatically flopped onto it, covering his face with his hands and sighing deeply. Joon raised his brows at the younger’s antics but decided to indulge him.
“...Got something on your mind their, Kook?”
“I think I got my crush,“ he cringed at the term, “to realize that I have grown up but now I don’t know where to go. This is my first real crush after all.” Namjoon raised his hand as if to interrupt but Jungkook stopped him. “IU doesn’t count that was just a famous person crush.” Namjoon’s heart shattered a little for the poor boy and he wished he could have it easy. Crushes are hard enough in the ‘real world’ but are even harder in the idol world. He hummed and hawed and decided on what he should tell the eager boy.
“Why don’t you try and do something with them that they like? Take interest in their hobbies?” Jungkook nodded agreeingly to Namjoon’s idea. He could do that! Now he just had to wait a few days and decide what he wanted to do with Namjoon. He thanked Joon for the advice and flew up from his spot on the couch, practically rushed out the door. Namjoon smiled fondly at the hopeful expression on the younger’s face and wished him luck.
~~~
They were just finishing up their last schedule of the day when Jungkook looked over and realized he was alone in the room with Joon. Taking his chance he slid up beside him.
“Hey hyung. I’ve got no plans for this evening...Uh..” he paused, trying to figure out how he wanted to word his question without spitting Joon’s words back at him again. “Is there anything you want to do?” Namjoon finished his drink and looked over to the questioning gaze..
“Hmm.. I hadn’t really had any plans. But now that you mention it, I haven’t been able to go for a bike ride in a long time. It’s a little chilly out but it’s a perfect fall night.” Jungkook hummed in agreement.
“Want to go then? Once we get home?” Namjoon smiled those large dimples at the younger.
“Yeah. I’d like that Kook.” Jungkook had to look away from the blinding happiness radiating from Namjoon’s expression and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“O-okay then. Namjooning will commence once we get home!” Jungkook quickly texted Jimin who had left ahead of him and asked for an idea on how to ‘spice up ’ their bike ride. Jimin told him that he will distract Joon and delved into his plan for Jungkook.
Namjoon found Jungkook sitting in the living room on his phone about 30 minute after they had arrived home. Jimin had corned him and was asking all kinds of questions about some English phrase he had heard and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t pry himself away. He apologized to Kook for taking so long but he just waved him off with a mumbled no biggie. With that, they headed out towards the Han River area.
They rented their bikes and rode around admiring the shining lights for almost an hour. It was starting to get a little cold, their fingers slightly pink from the wind, so Jungkook declared it was break time. They pulled over and leaned their bikes on the ground, taking a seat on the small bench facing the water. Namjoon adjusted the collar of his jacket to cover his checks a little better as he watched the younger patiently. Jungkook took off his backpack and pulled out a thermos with some hot chocolate. Namjoon thanked the younger for being so thoughtful with a big dimpled smile and Jungkook just about melted on the inside. He ignored the fact that it was Jimin’s idea and took full credit for it. No one will ever know.
They finished their drinks and decided to head back before they became permanent icicles. They had talked for almost an hour about anything and everything. Jungkook couldn’t stop smiling as he watched his crush in his natural habitat. He could listen to Namjoon ramble on forever and never tire of it. With the sun gone, it had turned out to be a little colder than they had realized. They huddle into the apartment escaping the cold and Namjoon thanked Jungkook for coming along with him. Jungkook beamed his big puppy dog smile up at the taller man.
“No problem hyung. I love spending time with you.” Kook immediately started to flush but Namjoon just smiled back and ruffled his hair.
“Good. Cause I do too.” With that he bid Jungkook a goodnight and set off to change into warmer clothes and curl into bed. As Namjoon layed there trying to fall asleep, a thought crossed his mind. Something had been ticking the back of his mind about the recent time he had been spending with Jungkook but he just couldn’t quite place what it was so he rolled over and pushed the thought away, drifting off into dreamland deciding to worry about it another time.
~~~
Jungkook felt like he had tried just about everything apart from just straight up saying Namjoon was his crush. He was getting frustrated so he decided to ask for one more piece of advice and if it didn’t work than he was done trying and will admit defeat. He found Namjoon in his room a few days later just lounging around, they had a few hours before their next schedule so everyone was using it as some time to relax.
“Hyung?” Namjoon looked up and smiled at the younger. He sat up on his bed and patted the spot beside him.
“What’s up Kook?” Jungkook quickly took the offered seat and turned his gaze to the older.
“I don’t know what to do. I’ve done everything you’ve said but I just don’t think I’m getting through. I’ve decided I will do one more thing and if it doesn’t work I’m done so, hyung, what should I do?” Namjoon placed his chin on his fist and tried hard to think of a good piece of advice to give the younger. He could clearly see that Jungkook seemed to really like this mystery crush so he pushed away his hurt and focused on doing everything he could to keep his promise to himself about being the best Hyung he could be. A few minutes passed in silence, Jungkook started to fidget as he was getting impatient. Joon finally gets an idea!
“What about getting them a gift? Or making them something?” Jungkook leaned forward interested in the idea. “Don’t get them any old thing though. Do something that has meaning to them or something that you know they want but won’t do for themselves. Show them that you’ve been listening.”
“That’s actually... a really good idea, Namjoon.” Jungkook said a little dumbfounded. Namjoon scoffed.
“Hey! You saying all my other advice has been crap?!”
“I mean nothing as worked so far…” Jungkook said teasingly. Namjoon shoved at the younger and crossed his arms.
“Fine. I’m done then. I take back my idea you can’t use it now you ungrateful brat.” Jungkook giggled and flopped his upper half over Joon’s long legs.
“I’m just kidding hyung. Really, thanks for the idea.” He sat up and added quietly. “I really hope this works.” Namjoon patted the younger on the back gently.
“You’ve got this, Guk.” Jungkook nodded and with that he headed to his own room to plan.
~~~
His ‘present’ had taken him a little longer than he had hope but a week and a half later it was finally done. He had considered just getting Namjoon one of his beloved KAWS figures but decided against it as he does get them for himself a lot. He hummed and hawed over it for a good day but finally decided on something they both had in common. A way for Jungkook to tell Namjoon exactly how he felt without actually telling him. He knew that Namjoon will understand. He waited until Namjoon was in his studio alone again. He gently knocked on the door and watched as the other turned his head to see who it is. He watched as his inquisitive look turned into a big bright grin as he saw it was Jungkook. He waved the younger in. Jungkook took a deep breath and steeled himself. It’s now or never.
“Hey Joon.” Jungkook greeted shyly, already flushing a little bit.
“What brings you by today?” Namjoon turned, giving the younger his full attention.
“Well... I have something that I made that I’d like you to listen to.” There he said it. It’s out there. Namjoon nodded happily.
“Of course Kook! Do you have it on a drive?” Jungkook nodded and passed him the flash drive. He watched as time slowed. It seemed like it took forever for Namjoon to plug in the device and open the file. He puts his headphones back on and closed his eyes to listen fully.
~Only fools fall for you, only fools fall.
Only fools do what I do, only fools fall.~
Jungkook knew exactly what Namjoon was hearing but he couldn’t gauge his reaction. He had always loved the song Fools by Troye Sivan so when he was faced with the gift idea, what better way to say ‘Hey it's you!’ than a song. He might not be quite at the level to make his own song but a cover can have just as much meaning. A language that they both speak. Jungkook watched as the little bar moved across the screen and finally came to a stop at the end of the track. Namjoon slowly opened his eyes and silently removed his headphones.
“...Is this for your crush?” Namjoon asked. Jungkook almost died. He got it. Namjoon had finally realized. Jungkook nodded shyly and felt himself blush. Namjoon smiled gently at the younger.
“They’re really going to like it, Kookie. It’s a great song.”
Jungkook couldn't breath.
He dropped to the floor exactly where he had been standing. That was it. He had admitted defeat. Namjoon jumped up and reached out immediately at the younger’s reaction.
“What? Did I say something wrong Jungkook? It’s a really good idea!” Jungkook just blinked up at him. His role model. His crush . Namjoon watched back confused as to what was happening in Jungkook’s mind. He inhaled deeply. It’s now or never he decided. He had done so much to get to this point. He couldn’t let it all go to waste. He had been so sure this would work but he realized he really did fall in love with a fool.
“It’s you .”
“Huh?” Namjoon tilted his head to the side, looking at Jungkook from above very confused now. Jungkook groaned exasperatedly and breathed out a small fuck it. He reached up and grabbed onto Namjoon and pulled him down and attached their lips. Namjoon was frozen for a second before it finally all seemed to set in. He smiled so big that they had to stop kissing. Jungkook started to pull away but Joon stopped him.
“Me, huh?” Jungkook averted his gaze.
“Yes, you fool.” Namjoon hummed happily in agreement.
“You were using my advice on me and I didn’t even notice… I think we need to make a few adjustments to your cover.” Jungkook furrowed his brows in confusion.
“I fell for a fool too.”