Thread by @serendipityswan

#ymfest22_d15 where...

Jm is always perceived as a nerd and Yg is always perceived as a jock. They think that of each other until they are paired up for a semester-long project and get to learn more than just the subject they're studying.

#yoonminfest

📚 Yg is secretly nerdy
📚 Jm is secretly athletic
📚 strangers to friends to lovers
📚 semi slow burn, fluff, maybe smut?

I'll start this later tonight! And I'll add some polls so you can help develop some character traits and relationships soon 😊

Starting with relationships.

Do yg and jm have any mutual friend(s)?

If yes, who is/are they?

(If a couple wins, the top 2 will be mutuals)

Any side ships?

Do the side ships exist before or after yoonmin meet?

Alright, now lets makes some Yg choices.

What sport is he in?

What is his major?

(Kinesiology is the study of the mechanics of body movements. Physical therapy derives from it)

When people first meet Yg, he comes across as...

Now for Jm!

What is Jm's major?

When people first meet Jm, he comes across as...

That is the end of the pre-fic polls! I'll start writing once these polls are done. I already have some ideas forming 😁

📚📚📚

"Thirty-five percent of your grade will come from your final project," the professor explains, pushing his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose. "This project will be completed in pairs that I have pre-assigned."

Yoongi quietly exhaled a breath of relief. Even though he knew a couple of people in this class, he didn't necessarily want to have to choose a partner. Moreso though, he didn't want to have a bunch of people asking to work with him which he knew was inevitable.

Unbeknownst to him, another a student quietly huffed in annoyance at the prospect of not getting to choose his partner. That student was Jimin who, even though not knowing really anyone in yhis class, would still rather choose his own partner.

He has a keen sense on whether or not someone is going to be a slacker and expect Jimin to do all of the work. He would prefer to avoid that but unfortunately he is at the mercy of the professor who doesn't know anything about them since it is the first day.

"Before I announce the pairings, let me explain this project," the professor continues. "We will be covering numerous music genres during the course of the semester. For this project, I want you to explore one of these genres and how another genre impacted it."

"As you will learn, music intertwines and evolves. New genres are often derived from previous ones. Some cultures adapt other cultures' music into something for themselves, for better or worse. And that is what I want you to explore."

"Does that make sense?"

The class murmurs that they do and with that, the professor begins listing the pairings.

Jimin waits impatiently as he sees the pairs being made, some he is relieved to not be in and others he can tell would have been great to work with.

"Park Jimin," the professor calls, and Jimin raises his hand to acknowledge. "You will be paired with Min Yoongi."

Jimin looks around until he finds the other raised hand and upon seeing who it is, he freezes.

When he heard "Min Yoongi" he wasn't thinking it was going to be *that* Min Yoongi.

*That* Min Yoongi being the basketball team captain that the whole campus knows, specifically for his athletic prowess. Or really only for his athletic prowess, since the man seems like a complete mystery otherwise.

And even as Jimin tries to size up what kind of partner he

will be, Yoongi is just a mystery. He could be a great partner, but he could not be.

Guess Jimin will find out.

"Now that you know your partner, please use the rest of the class to coordinate with them and discuss potential topics."

The class starts to bustle and Jimin is quick to tuck his notebook into his bag, prepared to get up and approach Yoongi.

"Hey."

Jimin startles and looks up, finding the captain standing beside his desk with his backpack hung from one shoulder.

"Jimin, right?" Yoongi asks.

"Yes," Jimin answers, watching Yoongi take the seat beside him.

"Cool. I'm-"

"Min Yoongi," Jimin interjects. "Basketball team captain."

"Uh yes. How-"

"Everyone knows who you are," Jimin explains. He watches as Yoongi's confusion falls into an expressionJimin can't quite decipher.

"Right," Yoongi mutters, averting his eyes from Jimin.

It wasn't the kind of reaction Jimin was expecting. He was honestly anticipating Yoongi being proud, maybe even smug, about Jimin knowing that. That was the case with the handful of other athletes he had met since he started studying at this college.

But Yoongi visibly closed off, seeming to not want to discuss it further, and Jimin isn't exactly sure what to do.

"So um," Jimin continues, feeling it best to just move on. "We should maybe exchange numbers. So we can talk and meet up."

"Yeah," Yoongi says. He digs his phone out of his pocket and unlocks it, handing it over to Jimin. Jimin takes it and quickly enters his contact details, handing it back to Yoongi who types something quickly before putting the device in his pocket.

"I just texted you," Yoongi explains.

"Okay," Jimin says. There is an awkward silence and then their classmates start to get up and leave, some going with their partners while others leave alone or with friends.

"I'll talk to you later," Yoongi announces, getting up to leave.

"Oh okay," Jimin replies. Yoongi stiffle nods and then leaves while Jimin stays sat in his seat, mildly stunned and mostly confused by that whole interaction.

📚📚📚

"It was just really odd," Jimin summarizes, slumped on his couch.

"That man is notoriously a mystery," Taehyung, raking his fingers through Jimin's hair.

It was routine for the roommates to talk about their days like this ever since they became rommates their first year.

They were complete strangers but instantly bonded. Taehyung liked to say it was fate and Jimin honestly thought that that sounded nice. Regardless of whether fate had any involvement, he was happy to have made such a fast and close friend in Taehyung.

"Don't you know someone else on the team?" Taehyung asked, taking a break from playing with Jimin's hair to run his hand through his cherry red locks, a fresh color for the new semester.

"There's Jungkook. But we really aren't close anymore."

"Right. Your bunny neighbor from Busan," Taehyung remembers, making Jimin chuckle at the description. "He's a first year, yeah?"

"Yup."

"But he knows Yoongi. The man is his captain after all."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You can ask him why his captain is so mysterious," Taehyung theorizes.

"I'm not doing that," Jimin says, sitting up and turning to face his roommate. "It doesn't really matter if I know or not. As long as we can qork together and get our project done, it's whatever."

"Ah yes, always about the assignments first," Taehyung teases. "As studious as ever."

"Don't make fun of me."

"I'm not. Just teasing you a little," Taehyung clarifies with a smile. Jimin just rolls his eyes. "Also this is just a general class, right? So even if your grade isn't

top of the class, you'll be fine."

"Try telling that to med schools," Jimin remarks. "Every class, no matter the subject, needs to be as high as possible."

"If I didn't know why you wanted to go into the medical field, I would call you crazy."

"So instead, you just think it," Jimin says, making his roommate laugh. "Listen I know it is crazy, but it is what I want so I will do my damndest to get there."

"No one can ever say you are an underachiever, Park Jimin," Taehyung jokes, but he also looks rather fond.

Jimin has to admit that that, even with the teasing, Taehyung helps him keep down to Earth. Especially when things get hectic and Jimin might forget to eat or when his pride when being successful veers too close to snobbery. Everyone has their faults, and Jimin is glad to have

someone to balance him out when he hits his extremes.

"Hyung is coming over later," Taehyung tells him, referencing his boyfriend. "Bringing chicken for a little at-home chimaek. Wanna join?"

"And crash your date night?" Jimin asks, lifting a questioning eyebrow.

"More like getting quality Jimin time before succumb to your books and notes."

"And what do you call right now?"

"You're such a smartass," Taehyung laughs and Jimin joins him. "Don't yiu want to see hyung?"

"I see him all of the time."

"On the TV doesn't count."

"Technicalities," Jimin dismisses and Taehyung gives him a playful smack on the arm. "Okay but seriously yes I want to see him but I was thinking of going to HYBE."

"Getting stress relief in already? It's only the first day of the semester!" Taehyung joked.

"Oh hush. I just miss it. I didn't get to practice at all while at home so I've been antsy to go."

"Alright, alright. Just don't over work youself," Taehyung reminds him. "Do you want to save you some chicken?"

"You don't have to but if thefe are leftovers I wouldn't mind."

"So that is a yes," Taehyung says.

"You think you know me that well, huh?"

"Please, I know you better than anyone else."

Jimin can't argue with that, but it isn't like Taehyung had much competition. Jimin wasn't opposed to letting people get to know him.

But most of the time no one really tried to. People had a preconceived notion of who he was, that being a nerd who only ever studies. And frankly, Jimin didn't want to waste his energy trying to prove to them otherwise when they weren't really that far off.

If they weren't going to put in the effort to get to know him, Jimin wasn't going to put effort into correcting them.

"Can you do me one favor?" Jimin asks when he emerges from his bedroom, changed into gym clothes with a bag slung over hia shoulder.

"What would it be?"

"If you and Jin are going to be busy, can you please not do it on the couch?"

"Oh my god you will never get over that!"

"We were just making out," Taehyung defends.

"Are you trying to pass it off as just making out when your now-boyfriend was sucking your nipple and grinding into you? Do you know how traumatizing it is to see an actor from your favorite show trying to get your best friend off?"

"He didn't try. He succeeded. More than once."

"Just please spare me and keep it in your room with the door shut."

"I'll consider it," Taehyung decides but Jimin knows that he is courteous. That mentioned moment only occured because he wasn't expecting Jimin to come home early.

"I appreciate it," Jimin jokes, turning then to fill up a water bottle and grab a snack just in case.

"Say hi to hyung for me!" Jimin hollers from the door before leaving.

📚📚📚

"Jimin."

Jimin looks up from his textbook to see the basketball captain standing beside his table.

"Oh hey Yoongi-ssi," Jimin replies, giving the man a polite smile. "Is it already two?"

"Yeah," Yoongi says, taking the seat across from Jimin. "Been studying for a while?"

"Yeah," Jimin says, closing his chemistry textbook.

"Chemistry?"

"Huh?" Jimin asks, halfway to putting the book in his bag.

"You're taking chemistry? Also known as the most difficult course on campus."

"It's not that hard," Jimin says with a shrug.

Yoongi seems to observe Jimin carefully and Jimin can't quite tell what he is thinking. No wonder everyone thinks he is mysterious; he is impossible to read.

"What's your major?" Yoongi asks.

"Premed," Jimin answers calmly, flipping his notebook to a blank section.

"Well no wonder you would think chemistry isn't hard," Yoongi remarks. Jimin just rolls his eyes. This isn't the first time someone has made assumptions based on stereotypes, and it won't be the last.

"And what are you majoring in?" Jimin asks.

"Kinesiology."

"Doesn't that mean you have to take chemistry?"

"Eventually," Yoongi answers and something about his tone tells Jimin that that is the extent the man will speak on it.

"So the project," Jimin says, finding the syllabus for their music appreciation class.

"Have you thought about what genres we could cover?"

"Not really," Yoongi admits.

"Okay well..." Jimin continues, already worried by that. "What kind of music do you listen to?"

"Rap and hip hop mostly." Jimin writes that down. "What about you?"

"I like a little bit of everything. But I prefer K-pop most days."

Jimin was prepared to get a snarky remark about it. But Yoongi just nods, eyes squinting slightly as he seems to be in thought.

"We could do something about how western hip hop has influenced K-pop."

"We could," Jimin says slowly, a little surprised that he didn't get teased for his music tastes. "Yeah that could be really interesting."

Jimin makes notes on the idea and misses the small smile that appears on Yoongi's face for a second.

"So should we divide this or-"

"We could just meet up and work together on it," Yoongi suggests, surprising Jimin yet again.

"But don't you have a busy schedule?"

"Depends on your definition of busy."

"Well you probably have practice and games. And you're captain so you probably have other responsibilities," Jimin theorizes, stopping himself when he sees Yoongi staring at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You aren't wrong, but that doesn't mean I'll let schoolwork slip," Yoongi tells him.

"I didn't think you would," Jimin defends himself. And it is true. But he's seen how busy the basketball team is in particular and maybe they won't be able to find time to meet.

"I'll make time," Yoongi ensures.

"Okay then," Jimin replies, pausing for a moment to regard the captain for a moment. Yoongi seems to be doing the same and Jimin is left wondering what thr man is thinking.

"What year are you?" Yoongi asks then, startling Jimin.

"Second," Jimin answers, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

Yoongi hums and doesn't elaborate further, much to Jimin's confusion. At this point Yoongi is not mysterious, just confusing.

They come to an agreement for a time and place to meet each week, surprisingly

finding it easy to do so between Jimin's classes and before Yoongi's practice.

"Well with that settled, I have to head to class," Jimin says, packing away his stuff. "I'll see you later Yoongi-ssi."

"Hyung."

"Huh?"

"Just call me hyung," Yoongi says, shouldering his backpack as he stands.

"Okay," Jimin says skeptically. "I'll see you later then, hyung."

"Later," Yoongi repeats and then he leaves a thoroughly perplexed Jimin behind.

📚📚📚

Yoongi is fascinated by Jimin.

That might actually be an exaggeration but Yoongi doesn't know what else to describe it as.

He has seen the younger on campus, most commonly sitting at a table outside the campus coffee shop with the top covered in books, notes, and his laptop sometimes. It seems like all he ever does is study, which shouldn't be interesting to Yoongi at all.

But for some reason, Yoongi will feel the urge to go up to him and say hi or maybe sit with him and talk, which is so abnormal for the basketball captain. The last thing he usually wants to do is have a conversation with a stranger.

But Jimin isn't really a stranger, is he?

Actually, he is. Yoongi doesn't really know him. But he has the urge to get to know him for some reason. He even wants the younger to get to know him, which is a terrifying thought he shoves to the back of his mind.

"Yo Yoongi."

"What?" Yoongi asks, turning back around to face his teammates. They're sitting outside the student union which is across from the coffee shop. Jimin is studying per usual and hadn't looked his way once, not like Yoongi really expected him to.

"Mimhyuk is hosting a party this weekend," Shownu, a teammate, tells him.

"So?"

"You're coming right?"

"When is it?"

"Saturday at 10."

"Ah, I have plans," Yoongi replies.

"Plans at 10?" Kihyun, another teammate, questions.

"Yeah." The answer is actually no, but Yoongi doesn't feel like trying to keep up his facade while surrounded by drunks.

"But you're captain," Shownu tries.

"And captain has plans."

"Does it have anything to do with those girls you were staring at?" Wonho asks.

"Girls?" Yoongi questions, brows furrowed in confusion.

"The ones at the table behind the nerd," he explains, which makes Yoongi turn around.

Sure enough, there is a table behind Jimin's with three girls giggling and glancing their way. But all Yoongi really gets from it though is his teammate just called Jimin a nerd.

"I have no idea who they are," Yoongi replies a bit sourly.

"Well they clearly know who you are," Wonho teases, making Yoongi roll his eyes. "Come on Captain you need to move on from Hyejin."

"I have. I don't want anything to do with her."

"Good. Keep it that way," Shownu says. "She was a real bitch."

"Trust me, I'm all too aware," Yoongi mutters. "My plans for Saturday are with my roommate so you all can chill."

His teammates try and convince Yoongi to just bring his roommate, but he stays adamant on his stance. They eventually give up and have to disperse for classes, leaving Yoongi alone at the table.

When he looks over to the coffee shop again, he sees that Jimin is gone. He probably has class, he reasons with himself. But he still has an odd feeling in his chest about it.

He shakes his head and grabs his things, deciding to get a workout in at the campus gym and hopefully clear his mind for a while.

📚📚📚

"So what is the occasion?"

"We need an occasion to go out and eat?" Yoongi asks, turning the meat on the grill between him and his roommate.

"Yes because you don't like to go out," Namjoon states, seeming amused by the change in routine.

"That's not true."

"Fine, you don't like to go out and pretend you're just the hot, mysterious jock everyone sees you as," Namjoon explains, earning a scowl from Yoongi but no rebuttal.

"You were my scapegoat to get out of a party," Yoongi admits. "Plus I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Interesting. I'm all ears."

Yoongi sighs as he serves Namjoon and himself some meat followed by a long swig of soju.

"Is it weird to be fascinated by someone you don't know?"

"Define fascinated," Namjoon states before scooping some kimchi and rice into his mouth. "And who is it?"

"My project partner for my music class," Yoongi says. "And I don't know how to explain it but... I keep feeling like I want to talk to him."

"How does that equate to fascinated to you?"

"Because I never feel like that, and you know that. You've been through it yourself," Yoongi states.

When they first met, Yoongi was prepared to constantly have to be the stereotypical jock towards Namjoon, who was randomly assigned to be his roommate their first year. But Namjoon saw right through him, even called Yoongi out for it.

But the elder of the two kept denying it, which seemed to just motivate Namjoon to break through Yoongi's personal walls.

It took the man almost a full school year, but the psychology student just wouldn't let it go.

Even with all of that though, there are still some things Yoongi keeps hidden for fear of judgment even though Namjoon has proven time and time again that he'll never judge him.

But twenty years of hiding is a hard habit to break.

"So what you're saying is that you want to perhaps open up to your partner?" Namjoon questions.

"No," Yoongi answers firmly but quickly, thus causing Namjoon to give him a skeptical look.

"Hyung, aren't you tired of doing this?" Namjoon asks.

"Doing what?"

"Pretending to be someone you're not."

"I'm not pretending." Just hiding part of himself from the world.

Namjoon sighs and for a brief second Yoongi feels bad for frustrating him. But his fears outweigh the guilt.

"Well to answer your question, I don't know if it is weird. If you just want to talk to him, then that isn't weird. If there is more to it than that, you'd have to explain it to me more."

Yoongi takes a second to think about that. Is there more to it than friendly conversation?

He's reminded of the thoughts he has shoved away every time they come to mind: wanting to open up to Jimin. He is in no way ready to admit that to himself, let alone Namjoon. It is unprecedented and terrifying. Why on Earth would he want to open up to a nerd?

Probably because he knows there has to be more to Jimon than just being studious.

"No there isn't more to it," Yoongi says, focusing his gaze on his food instead of his dinner partner. He can feel Namjoon observing him carefully but he continues to ignore it.

"Well, there is nothing wrong with wanting to talk to someone. I just wouldn't call it being 'fascinated'," Namjoon decides and Yoongi just nods. He can agree with that, but he also can't get rid of the thought of finding Jimin interesting out of his head.

📚📚📚

Jimin takes some of the most difficult courses in the college. He has had numerous all-nighters to study for exams. He half survived his first year on nothing but coffee.

But he never expected the most difficult studying experience to be while trying to work with Yoongi.

"Hey Captain!" yet another one of Yoongi's teammates calls. Three of them approach and pat him on the back before engaging in chit-chat.

"Uh guys I'm kind of busy," Yoongi tells them, gesturing to the table where they have some books and notes from class. The teammates glance at it, briefly look at Jimin, and then promptly ignore the fact he is there.

Usually, Jimin wouldn't care if he was ignored, but he's getting annoyed that his project partner is a distraction magnet.

"Okay seriously guys we're trying to work," Yoongi says firmly, giving his teammates a firm expression. They finally take the hint and say goodbye only to Yoongi. Not like Jimin cares.

"I'm sorry."

Jimin looks up from his notebook in surprise, growing more surprised when he sees the elder with a small frown and apologetic gaze.

"What for?"

"We can't get anything done all because of me," Yoongi explains, looking defeated.

"Well... it's not like you asked them to keep interrupting," Jimin reasons. Sure it has been annoying, but it isn't Yoongi's fault.

Yoongi doesn't say anything, looking lost in thought which Jimin has noticed he tends to do quite often. When the elder doesn't respond Jimim just gets back to work, looking up interviews from K-Pop producers to see if they have said any influences.

"Let me buy you a drink," Yoongi decides, already pushing his chair back to stand.

"What? Hyung you don't-"

"Please Jimin," Yoongi says. His eyes are intense with determination and Jimin doesn't understand why he's being like this.

"O-okay then."

"Iced coffee okay?" Yoongi asks, walking inside the coffee shop after Jimin nods.

"What the hell is up with him?" Jimin mutters to himself, rubbing his palms into his eyes before adjusting his glasses and beanie.

Five or so minutes later, Jimin can hear a vaguely familiar voice that seems to be getting closer. So he looks over his shoulder and finds the familiar voice to be attached to his old neighbor.

Jungkook hasn't changed much since the last time Jimin saw him. He is more muscular & his hair is now long and bright purple, but he still has a youthful face with doe eyes and a bunny-like smile.

The actual surprise is the fact that Jungkook is walking and talking with Yoongi.

"As nice as talking to you is Jungkook, I have a project to work on," Yoongi says. Jimin raises a curious eyebrow because the elder has a different tone with Jungkook than he did with his other teammates.

"Ah yeah okay I won't- Jimin-hyung?"

Jimin blinks over from Yoongi to Jungkook, eyes widening a little at suddenly being addressed. Both of the basketball players are staring at him, with Jungkook looking happily surprised and Yoongi looking confused.

"You know each other?" Yoongi asks.

"I feel like I should ask that," Jungkook remarks, seeming amused. "I've never seen you around someone that wasn't the team, Captain."

"We're just project partners," Jimin explains. Yoongi hands him his coffee and returns to his seat, eyeing the younger two carefully. "We were trying to work on it."

"Okay I'll take the hint," Jungkook says. "We need to catch up hyung. And I'll see you at practice Captain."

Jungkook waves as he walks away but neither of the others does. Instead, they awkwardly linger in silence.

"Uh so I found some stuff," Jimin says, gesturing to his laptop screen. "Some interviews where producers mentioned the same rappers that I don't recognize."

"Let me see," Yoongi says, and they manage to work uninterrupted for a while. Some people try to get Yoongi's attention but the elder just ignores them in favor of talking to Jimin.

Most of them get the hint that he is busy and just go on their way. Until one woman with tan skin and long blonde hair strides over, grabs a chair, and sits right next to Yoongi.

"Hi oppa," she says, the flirtatiousness blatantly obvious. Jimin can't believe her audacity.

"Oh are you really going to ignore me Yoonie," she says, leaning towards Yoongi who leans away. "After everything we've been through?"

"I'm busy Hyejin," Yoongi says, jaw clenched and voice low.

Normally Jimin can't figure out what Yoongi is thinking or feeling. It is obvious he is guarded, or maybe he is just a one-dimensional mystery. But right now it is obvious that the elder wants nothing to do with this Hyejin.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on being named captain," Hyejin says, placing a hand on Yoongi's arm. The elder looks down at it and then at her with an unimpressed expression.

"I was hoping we could celebrate," Hyejin adds and Yoongi promptly yanks his arm away. "Oh don't be like that Yoonie."

“Can’t you see he doesn’t want to interact with you?” Jimin interrupts. “Or has the fumes from frying your hair also fried your brain?”

Hyejin looks at Jimin for the first time and something sparks in her gaze. “Oooooh, the nerd has a bite."

“Enough,” Yoongi declares, quickly shoving his notebook into his backpack and abruptly standing. He grabs Hyejin by the elbow and pulls her up, intense glare locked on her as he pulls her away from the table, leaving a stunned Jimin to watch them go.

He thought he was helping, but maybe Yoongi didn't want him to. Maybe he misread that entire interaction. He should have known he couldn't just assume what Yoongi felt or thought since in no other instance has Jimin been able to.

"Goddammit," Jimin mutters and he starts to pack up his things. He doesn't feel like studying anymore, which might be the first time he's felt that way in a long time.

📚📚📚

"Hey Kook."

"Yeah?" Jungkook asks, looking up from tying his shoes to see Yoongi standing beside him. "Oh hey hyung."

"Hey. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Jungkook says, scooting over on the bench. Yoongi takes a seat beside him, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

"How do you know Jimin?" Yoongi asks, staring out into the basketball court as his teammates chat and warm up.

"He's my neighbor. Or well he was back in Busan. So we basically grew up together," Jungkook explains.

"So you would know where I could find him after practice?"

"Uh maybe? Why?"

Yoongi drops his gaze to the floor for a moment before turning his head to look at the younger. "I need to talk to him about something and it's better if I do it in person."

"Then why don't you just text him and ask? Unless you don't have his number."

"I do but..." Yoongi says, drifting off when he can't think of a reasonable excuse. And even though Jungkook has some sort of special dongsaeng power that softens Yoongi's walls, he still doesn't want him too close.

"Okay well," Jungkook goes on much to Yoongi's relief. "I have no idea where he lives. But he is probably at the dance studio."

“Dance studio?” Yoongi questions, brows furrowing with confusion.

“What? Has he not mentioned he likes to dance to you?” Jungkook asks, genuine curiosity painting his features. “Hell ‘like’ isn’t even a strong enough word.”

“Well we’re just project partners,” Yoongi mutters.

Something in his tone makes Jungkook raise a questioning eyebrow, but the younger doesn’t say anything. Instead, he pulls out his phone and loads Instagram, pulling up Jimin’s profile and then his story.

The image shows a dance studio that is empty with the words “I really needed this today”. The location is tagged as HYBE Studios.

“Where is it?” Yoongi asks as the story disappears, showing Jimin’s profile. Yoongi takes a mental note of his username, parkchimin95.

“I don’t know. Look it up,” Jungkook shrugs and shoves his phone into his bag. “Hey, some of the guys were gonna go out to eat but I assume you’re gonna be busy after practice now.”

“Yeah,” Yoongi says. He looks up at the younger who has a shit-eating grin on his face, but before Yoongi can do more than glare at him their coach calls for them to start practice.

📚📚📚

Yoongi has no idea what he is doing.

Well, he knows what, but has no idea why. Why he feels the need to apologize to Jimin is a mystery even to home. But it seems like the best thing to do given how their study session went.

As if he didn't already feel so out of place with his decision, he also feels out of place with where he literally stands.

According to his maps app, he is standing outside of HYBE. But he is looking at a tea shop that looks very eccentric. Most of the places around him seem to be artsy and off the wall.

It makes him feel like a complete outsider in his post-practice attire, hair still slightly damp from the shower, and very clearly a student-athlete at least in Yoongi's opinion.

And he doesn't know what feels worse: being the outsider or wishing he fit in but knowing he's too afraid to try.

A group of laughter reminds Yoongi that he's still awkwardly standing on the sidewalk. He drops his gaze to his phone to avoid eye contact but the conversation the people passing him have captures his attention.

"That class was insane," a girl says, tightening her ponytail. "I don't know if I've ever done a dance that detailed before."

Yoongi didn't listen to the rest, instead looking to a side door as it opens and more people dressed in dance attire come out. Just after they pass, Yoongi beelines for it.

He takes a narrow staircase up a floor and comes to a landing with a glass door. "HYBE DANCE STUDIO" is etched on it. Without a second thought, Yoongi pushes it and enters.

The lights are off already in the front lobby, but there are some still on down a hall that Yoongi immediately gravitates towards. He starts hearing music as well and that is how he finds Jimin.

And he freezes in absolute awe.

He sees Jimin all alone in the studio, dancing to a piano piece, and Yoongi barely recognizes him. This isn't the nerdy med student who he shares a class with.

He knew there was more to Jimin than that, but this isn't what he anticipated.

“Excuse me.”

Yoongi startles and whips his head to find a man looking at him warily. He’s platinum blonde and dressed eccentrically.

“Can I help you?”

“Oh um no. I was just-I’m friends with Jimin. Well, we’re project partners-”

“Hyung?”

Both men turn to look into the studio, finding Jimin looking wide-eyed at Yoongi.

“Uh, Jimin. Do you know him?” the man asks, pointing his thumb towards the athlete.

“Yeah. We’re doing an assignment together,” Jimin explains, approaching the pair in the doorway. “Not exactly sure why he is here though.”

“I wanted to talk to you about earlier,” Yoongi explains.

“Oh,” Jimin mumbles.

The other man clears his throat, causing the partners to look his way again.

“Oh! Where are my manners? Hyung, this is Hoseok. He’s a professional dancer. Hobi, this is Yoongi.”

“Your project partner,” Hoseok adds with a small smirk before laughing. “Nice to meet you and moreso glad you aren’t a stalker or serial killer or something.”

“Hyung!” Jimin squeals which makes Hoseok burst out laughing.

Even Yoongi chuckles at the strong reaction the younger made.

“Hey don’t judge me! A random dude coming in here after closing and just watching you is creepy as fuck. No offense Yoongi-ssi.”

Jimin’s eyes widen and snap to Yoongi, which makes the elder blush madly and avert his own eyes.

“Anyway, I was coming to tell you to finish up and head home,” Hoseok adds casually. “Hurry up so I can lock up.”

“Okay hyung,” Jimin says, seeming to snap out of his shock to respond.

“Nice meeting you,” Hoseok tells Yoongi before walking towards the entrance.

“So,” Jimin starts, turning to go back into the studio to grab his things. Yoongi follows him in, feeling a little bit like a lost puppy. “You wanted to talk about earlier.”

“Ah yeah. I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize?” Jimin turns quickly, eyebrows pinched and looking confused which honestly confuses Yoongi.

“Um yeah? Hyejin was being a bitch and all the other interruptions-”

“You don’t have to apologize for that,” Jimin interrupts. “In fact, I should apologize.”

“You?!”

“Yes. Because I was rude to Hyejin and probably shouldn’t have even said anything since it is none of my business,” Jimin explains, nervously fiddling with his tank top before letting it go and turning to grab his things.

“What? No, Jimin, you didn’t do anything worth apologizing for,” Yoongi says.

“But-”

“No buts. Honestly, Hyejin deserved it. Plus I don’t think I would have done anything about it if you hadn’t said anything.”

“Wait,” Jimin says, bag strap across his chest and water bottle in hand. “So why did you leave with her?”

"Come on guys!" Hoseok hollers, startling both of them before they silently make their way out of the studio.

All three head downstairs and Hoseok says a final good night before heading up the street, leaving them alone again.

"Do you live nearby?" Yoongi asks just to break the awkward air between them.

"Ah no. I live closer to campus. I take the bus here," Jimin explains, gesturing towards the nearby bus stop. "How did you find me here anyway?"

"Jungkook," Yoongi says, feeling his face warm with nervousness. Jimin simply hums, looking off into the distance in thought. Yoongi wishes he could read his mind so he would have a clue on what to say now.

"Wait for the bus with me?" Jimin asks, turning his head to look at the elder with a mostly blank expression. Yoongi just nods and follows the younger, feeling anxious suddenly.

"You're very talented by the way," he says suddenly. "From what I've seen anyway."

Jimin blinks up at him from where he is sitting on the bus stop bench. "Oh. Thanks."

Yoongi nods and sits beside him, a safe gap between them. He gazes out at the street and the little but vibrant nightlife starting amongst the patrons and residents of the block.

And Yoongi can't help but notice that Jimin fits in somehow. Even though he isn't openly eccentric, he just has a vibe about him that makes him blend in while the basketball captain stands out.

"Hyung, can I be blunt?" Jimin asks and Yoongi turns his head to find the younger already staring.

"Uh yeah?"

"You confuse the hell out of me."

"What?" Yoongi asks, eyes widening at the definitely blunt statement.

"I'm not saying in a bad way," Jimin clarifies.

"It's just...you never do what I anticipate. And maybe it is callous of me to put you into a stereotypical box of the mysterious jock before actually interacting with you. You've never been that stereotype really. But I also don't know what you are."

"A-Am I supposed to be something?" Yoongi asks, a bit panicked.

"Well no, I guess not," Jimin says with a small pout. "People aren't meant to be only one thing. But..."

"But?"

"But I can't figure you out at all," Jimin states. "That's why you're confusing."

Yoongi's shoulders slump and he frowns, turning his gaze back to other pedestrians. Back to the people who seem to know who they are and flaunt it proudly. People unlike him.

The sound of a bus approaching captures their attention and their college name is lit on the front. Jimin stands and makes sure he has everything before looking to Yoongi.

"You coming?" the younger asks.

"Ah no. Different bus," Yoongi lies. Jimin gives him a skeptical look as the doors open, letting off some passengers.

"Hyung, I hope I didn't say anything to offend you."

"You didn't offend me," Yoongi answers. "Just gave me a lot to think about."

"Um okay," Jimin says, heading up the steps into the bus. Yoongi sees the younger hesitate but the bus has already shut its doors and is starting to pull away. It goes down for a block before turning and officially leaving Yoongi's line of sight.

With a long sigh, Yoongi decides to trek the few blocks to the subway. Just as he is stepping off to do so, his phone buzzes in his pants pocket. He fishes it out and is surprised to see a text from Jimin.

Jimin:
If you ever want to talk through what you're thinking, I'll listen

📚📚📚

And you haven't heard back from him?"

"Nope," Jimin sighs, stirring spicy sauce into his ramen alongside Taehyung doing the same. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything."

"It's not like you said anything wrong."

"Yeah, but what if I did offend him and now he is mad at me? We can't effectively work on a project together like that."
"Please don't tell me all you care about is your project," Taehyung pleads, returning to their living room and plopping down beside his boyfriend.

Jimin doesn't answer because he really doesn't have one. The project is important, but Jimin's curiosity goes beyond that. Jimin knows that there has to be more to the basketball captain that his sport since people are multifaceted.

But can he really call Yoongi multifaceted if he can't define all the faces?

"Want my old person advice?" Seokjin asks.

"You're twenty-six not eighty," Taehyung murmurs.

'Still older than you," Seokjin teased, flicking her boyfriend's forehead teasingly.

Seokjin is a well-established actor in the k-drama scene and has been since his teens, thus never letting the man go to college post-high school like his peers.

But he wanted to start pursuing writing and directing, which lead him to their university in his mid-twenties and their highly reputable theatre program. And that led him to Taehyung.

"Tell me hyung," Jimin says after slurping some noodles into his mouth.

"Now that the dust has settled a bit, ask him the next time you see him just to make sure all is okay," Seokjin advises. "Communication is important in all types of relationships."

"Can't argue with that," Taehyung chimes in, letting the eldest take his noodles for a bite.

Jimin can't argue with that either, so when they meet to work on their project tomorrow he will bring it up.

The trio's conversation drifts off into other topics until Jimin notices the subtle glances the couple share, meaning they'd like some alone time together. Jimin is fairly certain they have no idea that they do it, but Jimin easily reads them.

Unlike someone else he knows.

"I've got an anatomy paper to finish so I'll head to my room," Jimin decides. "Thanks for your advice, hyung."

"Anything for the president of my fan club," Seokjin teases, something he has always said when he found out Jimin is a big fan.

"That's Tae now," Jimin declares before scurrying away, leaving a laughing Seokjin behind.

Jimin closes the door behind him and then flops on the bed. He could work on that paper, but his mind is preoccupied.

His phone rattles on the nightstand so Jimin fumbles for it before checking his notifications. He swipes most of them away until he sees a text from Yoongi.

Yoongi:
So I was thinking that maybe we need a different spot to work on our project
Since I bring distractions

Jimin:
Oh
Okay
Any ideas?

Yoongi:
I was thinking my place. After practice on Thursdays if that's okay

Jimin perks up at that idea. Maybe he'll actually be able to learn more about who Yoongi is.

And also get work down for their assignment.

Jimin:
Sure

Yoongi:
I do have a roommate
But he's the type to read Carl Jung for fun so he'll leave us alone.

Jimin:
How do those correlate?

Yoongi:
You'll see when you meet him
I have practice now. See you thursday

Jimin:
Okay. See you thursday

📚📚📚

Thursday arrives and Jimin is at his usual study spot, writing a paper and sipping in the remnants of his ice coffee while he waits for Yoongi to get out of practice. They agreed to meet there before going to Yoongi's, so here he is.

A tap on his shoulder startles him.

And when he looks up to see who it is, he really wishes he could just go back to his music and research.

"Hi," Hyejin says, tone dripping in saccharine sweetness.

"Can I help you?" Jimin sighs, not feigning any enjoyment to have Hyejin in his presence.

"You actually can," she says, her tone now more devious. She takes a seat across from him and relaxes as if she owns everything around them. Too bad Jimin doesn't care.

"You spend time with Yoongi, yes?"

"To study and only study," Jimin declares.

"Whatever," she dismisses. "I simply want to know when and where that occurs."

"That is none of your business," Jimin answers, packing his stuff up to leave.

"If it involves Yoongi, it is my business," she says.

"Last I checked, you're his ex," Jimin says, pushing back his chair to stand. "And it is going to stay that way no matter what you do, so stop pretending like you own him and find something better to do with your life."

"You seem to know a lot for simply "studying" with him," Hyejin says with air quotes.

"And you seem to know nothing," Jimin finalizes, turning to trash ia empty coffee and walk away. He can feel her sharp gaze following him until he turns a corner and breaks line of sight.

Once free of her stare, Jimin sighs. Are jealous exes par for the course with jocks? Or is Yoongi just that unlucky?

"Jimin?"

The younger startles hearing Yoongi call him, cross from the main path to where Jimin had gone.

"I thought we were meeting-"

"Hyejin was there," Jimin interrupts. He sees Yoongi go from surprised to irritated, looking toward the coffeeshop.

"Sorry," Yoongi mutters with a defeated sigh.

"Not your fault she's psycho," Jimin tries to ease. But Yoongi still seems defeated while deep in thought.

"Let's go," Yoongi decides and walks off with Jimin following, feeling awkward with the downtrodden tension the elder seems to have.

They are silent as they wait for the bus and as they board, but once they both sit Jimin can't take it anymore.

"Why did you two break up? Besides her being..."

"A massive pain in the ass?" Yoongi questions, turning his head to look at the younger instead of out the window.

"I was gonna say borderline evil, but pain in the ass works."

Yoongi lowly chuckles and Jimin feels a little relieved to alleviate the tension.

"She broke up with me," Yoongi answers and Jimin fails to hide his shock. "What's with that reaction?"

"She broke up with you buts wants you back now?"

"She wants the captain, not me," Yoongi explains with a sigh. "Much like how she wanted the 'star player', not me."

"Is there a big difference?" Jimin asks, head tilting with his curiosity. "Between the team captain and you."

Yoongi stares back, seeming to contemplate his answer. Jimin's brows furrow in confusion as to why the elder can't answer yes or no.

There is a ping sound indicating that someone requested the next stop, and that makes Yoongi snap his head away as if he was in some sort of trance before.

"This is our stop," Yoongi says, grabbing his backpack from between his feet. Jimin hesitates but gathers his things.

He guesses it isn't really his place to question further, and maybe Yoongi is just priortizing heading to his apartment. But even after they get off and start walking the elder doesn't answer.

At least the awkward tension has subsided, so they walk in comfortable silence.

Jimin notes how peaceful it is around them. This doesn't seem like an area for students like where he lives. But it feels fitting for Yoongi somehow.

"I apologize in advance if my roommate tries to psychoanalyze you," Yoongi says, holding the door open to an apartment building.

"That is very specific," Jimin replies.

"Yeah well it ia his nature," Yoongi explains vaguely. "He's a psychology student so maybe it is a habit of theirs."

"Is he a teammate of yours?"

"Nah. I spend enough time with them as is," Yoongi says, leading the way up the stairs.

"We were randomly assigned as roommates in the dorms during first year."

"So was I and my roommate now," Jimin adds. "He's also my best friend but that was after the random assignment."

"That's lucky," Yoongi says, fishing for his keys as they reach the third floor.

"Are you and your roommate not friends?" Jimin asks.

"We are I guess," Yoongi answers. Jimin's brows furrow at the fact Yoongi isn't certain of that but stays silent as Yoongi opens the door.

"Joon-ah!" Yoongi calls when he steps into his apartment, holding the door open as Jimin enters behind him.

"Kitchen," an oddly familiar voice calls.

"I'm with my project partner!" Yoongi returns, setting his bag down at a small dining table. Jimin follows suit.

"Right you mentioned- Jimin?"

Jimin snaps his head up and than grins. "Hyung!"

"What a damn small world," Namjoon comments.

"Uh what?" Yoongi asks, glancing between the two.

"Jimin and I shared a course last semester," Namjoon explains. "We'd study together for exams."

"And now he is your project partner," Namjoon adds, a small smirk lifting his lips. Jimin looks suspiciously between the roommates who seem to be stuck in a mind conversation of some kind. Yoongi has a glare and Namjoon looks calm and a but smug even, which leaves Jimin confused.

"Uh hello?" Jimin finally questions, causing the roommates to look his way.

"Sorry," Namjoon answers. "Would you like anything to drink Jimin?"

"Water would be okay," Jimin answers carefully, still suspicious of them. Namjoon nods with a smile and leaves them.

"Ignore him," Yoongi says then, pulling a chair out to sit. Jimin raises a curious eyebrow at that but decides to say nothing. Roommates have a special relationshipsince they live together so maybe it is just that.

Namjoon returns with a glass of water for Jimin and a bottled coffee for Yoongi, leaving them to work then and presumably going to his bedroom. Jimin doesn't miss his knowing look when he goes though.

Once they get to work on their project, Yoongi seems to relax. And they soon start making good progress.

Two hours later they decide to end for the day, both feeling accomplished.

"This worked better," Yoongi declares.

"It did," Jimin agrees, resisting the urge to giggle.

The lack of distractions goes unsaid, but it is clear that that is what Yoongi meant.

Once Jimin is packed up and ready to leave, Yoongi escorts him to the door where they agree to meet up the following week just like today.

As Jimin steps out into the hall, ready to head to the stairs, Yoongi speaks up.

"Uh about your earlier question," Yoongi says, causing Jimin to turn around with a questioning look. "The one about if there is a big difference between the captain and me."

"Yeah?" Jimin asks, watching the elder avert his eyes and nervously fiddle with his hands.

"The answer is yes," Yoongi admits, making eye contact with Jimin then.

The younger isn't sure if he is surprised by the answer or surprised that Yoongi actually answered.

And the elder seems nervous, maybe even a little afraid. It makes Jimin wonder why.

"Well," Jimin starts. "Hyejin doesn't deserve any version of you."

"You don't even know me," Yoongi states.

"You can change that," Jimin points out. "If you want to."

Yoongi drops his gaze and bites his lip, looking nervous while in thought as if he is debating that option.

As much as Jimin would like to understand the other man better, he knows that it is up to Yoongi to want to be open up.

"Think about, hyung," Jimin says when the elder's pause is growing long. "Good night."

"Yeah," Yoongi sighs, finally looking up at Jimin and giving him a small smile. "Good night Jimin."

The younger gives him a soft smile and turns to leave again, feeling the elder's gaze follow him as he goes.

📚📚📚

"Do my ears deceive me?"

"Shut it," Yoongi snarls with no actual bite, slumping against the door after closing it.

"Did you actually admit that you are nothing like the jock stereotype you hide behind?" Namjoon questions, looking amused and mildly amazed.

"Can you seriously not?" Yoongi complains, pushing off the door to start cleaning up the table."Also I'm not nothing like the stereotype. I'm still a jock."

"But you're more than that," Namjoon adds, moving to help the elder.

"Yeah well," Yoongi sighs, having no rebuttal.

They are silent as they take glasses to the kitchen and Yoongi starts doing the dishes while Namjoon watches. The latter has been banned from handling breakables after one too many mugs fell victim to Namjoon's destructive tendencies.

"Just say it," Yoongi decides, not even sparing Namjoon a glance. He can feel the man thinking.

"Just thinking how you said you were fascinated by Jimin," Namjoon says.

"What about it?"

"What exactly is fascinating about him to you?"

Yoongi's hands freeze mid-cleaning, glancing through his peripherals at the man who is questioning him.

"I don't know," he mutters, focusing on the dish pan he's been continously scrubbing since Namjoon started questioning him.

"I think... he seems so sure of who he is."

"And you're jealous of that."

"Not jealous," Yoongi corrects, giving in to the conversation and ceasing the washing for now. "More like I admire it I guess? I don't know I try not to think about it too much."

"Why not?" Namjoon asks calmly.

"Because," Yoongi answers as if that is the whole answer. He has a stare off with Namjoon until the younger raises a challenging eyebrow to show he won't back down until Yoongi elaborates.

"I want it on record that I hate when you do that," Yoongi says with a glare. Namjoon just smiles, dimples showing and making him look innocent. "I don't like to think about it cause it reminds me how insecure I am with myself."

"So maybe a part of me wants to be like him. And maybe it feels the most natural to be like him to him."

"You shouldn't be like him hyung. You should be like yourself."

"I don't even know who I am though," Yoongi mutters quietly, eyes averted and shoulders dropped.

"You say that, but I don't think that is entirely true," Namjoon says. "Maybe think about who you are in private, when you feel no obligation to be seen a certain way. Think about the things you love but don't share with others. And maybe, if Jimin is who you feel the most

comfortable with, try sharing those things with him."

Yoongi nods along as he thinks it over. It sounds easy enough and he was already being more honest with Jimin than with anyone else. But a small bit of fear still lodged itself in his chest.

"You better not back pay gor the therapy in the future Joon," Yoongi says, choosing to further contemplate this on his own.

"You pay me with food, that's good enough for now," Namjoon answers casually. Yoongi snorts in response and turns back to the neglected dishes then.

He hears Namjoon turning to leave so he speaks up and says, "Thanks for the insight."

Namjoon pauses and turns to him, smile growing on his face. "Anytime hyung."

📚📚📚

"And here are some producers that have shared their inspirations and how that has influenced the music they make."

"Wow hyung," Jimin says, genuinely amazed at the plethora of information Yoongi has acquired. "How did you find all of this?"

"Well," Yoongi starts, seeming a bit bashful. "I like researching stuff. Learn a little bit about everything."

"Really?" Jimin asks, slightly surprised by that answer. Yoongi nods and adds, "And I like music."

"Is that why you decided to take music appreciation?"

Yoongi hums in agreement, scrolling through the shared document they have for notes and resources.

Jimin just watches him, analyzing his side profile while lost in thought.

Yoongi has been opening up more it seems, and each little bit of new information Jimin gets feels like a victory. But he doesn't want to bring it up in case that would make the elder stop.

They haven't talked about their hallway conversation from a few weeks ago. Either they had too much to work on or someone, usually Yoongi, would have to cancel.

The cancellations seemed justified though based on how apologetic the elder is when explaining his coach needed to meet with him or the team had an obligation to fulfill.

So Jimin didn't think the captain was canceling out of fear of that conversation, but just in case Jimin wasn't going to bring it up.

As Jimin was packing up to leave, Yoongi asks, "Do you still want to meet next week?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't we?"

"It's midterms," Yoongi reminds. "And I don't know how hard your exams are or if you have any Friday."

"Ah," Jimin says with realization. "How nerdy of me is it to say that my midterms will be a breeze?"

"Only a little nerdy," Yoongi answers.

"Damn I'll have to try harder next time."

Yoongi rolls his eyes which makes Jimin chuckle, putting his laptop in his bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Well if shit ends up being more tiring than expected, we could always just hang out," Yoongi suggests, walking the younger to the door.

"You want to spend your post-midterms with me, the nerd, instead of your teammates?" Jimin asks, raising a questioning eyebrow at the elder.

"You and I both know you are more than just a nerd," Yoongi counters.

"What else am I, hyung?," Jimin asks, curious about the elder's assessment. Yoongi raises a questioning eyebrow. Before he can answer, the door starts to open, causing them both to have to step away.

"Um hi?" Namjoon asks, looking amused as he glances between the other two. "This is an odd welcome home."

"I was just leaving," Jimin explains with a smile, trying to not feel disappointed that their moment was interrupted.

He glances at Yoongi who seems on the surface to be unbothered, but Jimin notes how the elder's jaw seems tight as if he is clenching and restraining himself. Or maybe Jimin is reading too much into it. Yoongi still confuses him, despite the new thing she learns.

"I'll see you in class hyung," Jimin says to him, capturing the captain's attention after Namjoon has passed to enter his apartment.

"Yeah, see you," Yoongi adds, his tension seeming to relax.

Jimin takes a mental note of that, for what reason he doesn't know, and he gives the elder a small wave as he leaves.

Once safely in the stairwell, Jimin sighs deeply and leans against the wall. He really has been feeling more and more confused lately, especially

after he leaves Yoongi's apartment after their project meetings. And he doesn't even know why he feels so confused, because figuring out who Yoongi is has been getting easier. But this confusion goes beyond that.

"Quit overthinking," Jimin mutters to himself, shaking his head slightly before straightening up and heading down the stairs. Maybe midterms have been getting to him more than he thought.

Thread broke grrr

https://twitter.com/serendipityswan/status/1556391089937846272?s=20&t=bQ9mVskCW-jW7x6ZW1LXSQ