Chapter Text
Jungkook had always been the jealous type.
He never really figured out if it was pure ego driving him—the refusal to let anyone or anything chip away at his worth—or if it was true jealousy. The blinding kind. The kind that twists your guts, spreads like poison through your veins, and clamps down on your heart so hard it feels like you’re on the verge of a literal cardiac arrest.
Bottom line: he was territorial, possessive, and he hated when anyone laid a hand on what he considered his.
So when he caught sight of his (very drunk) girlfriend being groped by some random, nameless guy from their high school, fury was all Jungkook could feel.
He bolted out of the living room, the blasting music suddenly deafening, crawling under his skin, and headed into the kitchen to pour himself another drink.
His brother, Yoongi, was already there, leaning casually against the counter, beer in hand, surrounded by his friends Seokjin and Namjoon. Jungkook’s best friend, Taehyung, was with them too. Jungkook made a beeline for the group, slumped down next to Yoongi, snatched his beer, and took a long swig before handing it back with a grunt, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Ew, what the fuck, it’s warm.”
“Get your own beer, then,” Yoongi shot back before taking a sip. He’d clearly been nursing the same bottle for a while, and Jungkook realized it was because he was the designated driver, stuck with the responsibility of getting him and Taehyung home later that night. Jungkook felt a stab of guilt for dragging his older brother to high school parties over and over again just so he could have some fun.
Yoongi was a junior in college, always flanked by his best friend since middle school, Namjoon, and Namjoon’s boyfriend, Seokjin, both juniors at the same university. They were inseparable, much like Jungkook and Taehyung.
Growing up, Namjoon had always been around, and despite Jungkook’s initial crush on him—something he quickly rebranded as admiration—Namjoon became like a second brother. With their father out of the picture after the divorce, Jungkook had been desperate for another male figure to look up to. Yoongi and Namjoon, together, filled that role as best they could.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Taehyung nudged him, passing him a cold can of beer. Jungkook grabbed it, fingers tightening around the metal as he cracked it open and nearly downed half in one gulp.
“Fucking Cassie flirting with a nobody,” Jungkook grunted. All three of them instinctively glanced toward the living room, trying to spot her, but Cassie was already upstairs with said nobody.
“She’s an idiot,” Taehyung muttered. “I don’t even know why you’re so desperate to make it work with her. She’s notorious for being a slut.”
Taehyung wasn’t wrong. The rumors about Cassie were endless. Jungkook had chased after her mostly because she was pretty and popular, the kind of girl everyone else wanted. They’d been dating casually over the summer, but she was demanding, complicated—the perfect image of a trophy girlfriend.
Before Jungkook could even think of defending her, Taehyung cut in again. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s gorgeous and all, but you’re the baseball team’s best batter. You could do way better than her.”
Namjoon’s warm, heavy hand landed on Jungkook’s shoulder and squeezed. “He’s right, Jungkook-ah. There are plenty of girls who’d kill to be with you.”
Jungkook snorted, took another sip of his beer, and shrugged.
It wasn’t that he doubted his ability to find someone else. He didn’t even care much about having a girlfriend—he only kept one because it made him more popular, more normal, and earned him the admiration and respect of his teammates.
What he hated was the humiliation.
The rejection.
And right now, he was seething with both.
That’s when he noticed them.
A pair of soft brown eyes staring at him.
He’d been so lost in his anger, so absorbed in his problems, that he failed to notice the presence of another student in the kitchen with them.
Jungkook’s gaze swept over the smaller frame: a large, baggy T-shirt slipping off one shoulder and swallowing most of his torso, the distorted collar exposing delicate collarbones, fabric draping partly over dark jeans stretched across muscular legs. His eyes trailed back up to plump lips, dark hazel eyes, and ash-blond hair streaked with gold.
“What the fuck are you staring at?” he snapped, still raw with anger, his whole body coiled tight, humiliation burning hotter at the thought of someone from school overhearing his drama.
The boy flinched, eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.
“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi said firmly, grabbing his brother’s arm, but Jungkook was already striding toward the boy.
“I said, what the fuck are you looking at?” he repeated, voice low and menacing, shoving the boy.
Choosing to ignore him, the boy pushed off the counter and made for the doorway that led back to the living room, but Jungkook blocked his path, crowding him until he was forced to step back.
“Is it fun? Eavesdropping on people’s private conversations?”
“I wasn’t listening.”
“Yeah, you were. I fucking saw you.”
“Get off your high horse. No one cares about your boring love life.”
Jungkook frowned, then a smirk tugged at his lips. He stepped closer, and the boy recoiled, now pinned against the fridge, but still held his chin high, eyes locked with Jungkook’s. He cast a fleeting glance at Jungkook’s friends, silently hoping someone would step in, but they stayed quiet.
Suddenly, Jungkook’s hand closed around his throat and slammed his head back against the cold metal. The boy’s breath caught, but he refused to flinch, staring Jungkook down with defiance.
“Do you have any idea who the fuck you’re talking to?”
“No,” he answered flatly. “And I don’t care.”
“You little fucking piece of—”
“Okay, enough,” Yoongi cut in sharply. He and Namjoon pulled Jungkook back, though Jungkook’s eyes stayed locked on his target. “You’ve got an audience. Get your shit together.”
That was when Jungkook noticed the cluster of students who had drifted into the kitchen, drawn by the raised voices and eager for the next fight.
Jungkook shook off Yoongi’s grip, glaring one last time at the boy before storming out.
Taehyung trailed close behind, following Jungkook up the stairs as he took them two at a time. Jungkook charged down the hallway, slamming open doors until he found the one where Cassie was hiding.
She was on her knees in front of the bed, between a guy’s legs. He leaned back on his elbows, Cassie’s head bobbing over his length.
They startled apart instantly, Cassie wiping her mouth while the boy scrambled off the mattress.
Jungkook pointed at him, voice cold. “Put your fucking dick away and get out.”
The guy didn’t need to be told twice, he bolted past them and fled downstairs. Cassie sighed, irritation plain on her face, before plopping down on the bed.
“Kook—”
Jungkook turned to Taehyung, jerking his chin toward the door. “I’ll be right down. You go ahead.”
Taehyung hesitated, then nodded and left, shutting the door behind him. Jungkook waited until his footsteps faded before shifting his attention back to Cassie.
“Having fun?” he sneered. Cassie rolled her eyes.
“Don’t act all surprised and jealous. You’ve been ignoring me all night.”
“That doesn’t justify you sucking some other guy’s dick. You’re my girlfriend.”
“Am I?” she shot back. “Because you’ve made it abundantly clear you’d rather spend time with your friends than with me.”
“I’m not—”
“Oh, please. Don’t waste your breath with fucking excuses,” she cut him off. Jungkook clenched his jaw. “You never took me out on a date. Not once. We only hang out at school, where you parade me around for everyone to see, but you barely even touch me.”
Jungkook’s fists curled at his sides. Slowly, it sank in: watching his girlfriend with another guy hadn’t stirred any jealousy. No rage, no possessive burn. Just… nothing. Why didn’t he care? He thought he liked her.
“You’ve kissed me, what, like three times?” Cassie continued, but Jungkook wasn’t listening anymore. He didn’t want to touch her. He didn’t want to kiss her. He didn’t even want to apologize.
The only thing he wanted was for her to stop making him look like a fool.
Apparently, Cassie had been craving the attention Jungkook wouldn’t give her—and went looking for it in someone else’s arms.
“You still cheated on me,” he managed to say, his voice flat, stripped of bite or emotion.
“Is it cheating when we can barely even call this a relationship?”
Jungkook drew in a deep breath, the alcohol clouding his mind, muddling his thoughts until it was almost impossible to make sense of them. Cassie let out a heavy sigh and stood, smoothing down her skirt over her long legs.
“Why do you even want to be with me, Jungkook?” she asked, her tone serious, sober in a way that caught him off guard.
It was a good question. Why was he with her? He had no fucking idea.
Because she was pretty? Sure. But like she said, he never really did anything with that. He didn’t kiss her, didn’t touch her—not because he didn’t find her attractive, but because he never felt the urge, never wanted to.
Because she was fun? Yeah. But even then, he preferred hanging out with his friends. He barely spent time with her at all.
Because she was popular? Again, yes. But so was he. He didn’t need her to boost his own status.
So what, then, was the point?
“Jungkook?” Cassie’s voice cut through his haze, snapping him back. He stared at her blankly, speechless. All he wanted was to leave this room, head back downstairs, and lose himself in the noise of his friends. The thought of having a conversation—or worse, a fight—with her right now was exhausting.
Cassie scoffed at his silence, then stomped out of the room.
Jungkook knew he’d probably have to grovel on Monday, apologize, win her back.
But that was a problem for another day.
Jimin watched as the guy—Jungkook—was escorted out of the kitchen by his friend, followed quickly by the others, leaving the room suddenly empty except for him and one other guy. He glanced at the one who remained: tall with a buzz cut, his hair dyed ash blond.
“Ignore him,” the stranger said.
Jimin shook his head. “Your friend is a fucking bully.” He reached into the fridge, grabbed a cooler, and cracked it open.
“Jungkook’s a good guy,” the guy continued. “He’s just… dealing with some things.”
“Oh please, we’re in high school. Everybody has problems.”
The guy chuckled and took a sip of his drink. “I’m Namjoon.”
“Jimin.”
Namjoon offered him a warm smile. “Nice to meet you, Jimin.”
They drank in silence for a minute or two. Jimin considered leaving, but he had nowhere to go. He didn’t know anyone at this party—Namjoon was the only person he could actually talk to.
“Do you also go to Greenwood High?” Jimin asked.
“No, I’m in college. I used to, though.”
“What are you doing at a high school party if you’re in college?” Jimin asked, baffled, his tone edged with judgment. He couldn’t wait to be done with high school himself, to finally move on from the misery of it, study something that mattered, and thrive.
Namjoon chuckled again, shaking his head. Jimin eyed him curiously.
“It’s a long story,” Namjoon said at last, then smiled faintly. “I’m babysitting.”
“That prick?” Jimin spat, not bothering to hide his growing dislike for Jungkook. He took another long swig of his cooler.
“He’s not a prick.”
Jimin rolled his eyes. “If you say so.”
Namjoon smirked but let it go. “I’ve never seen you before. Are you new?”
“I just transferred.”
“Where from?”
“I was born here, actually, but moved away with my parents when I was five. We came back with my mom because they got divorced.”
Namjoon’s shoulders sagged slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that. Divorce is no joke.”
Jimin shrugged. He’d trained himself to sound indifferent, to smother the familiar ache and shame that rose in his chest whenever he mentioned his father. “It’s fine. It happens.”
A heavy silence stretched between them. Jimin felt it pressing in on him, making him restless, though Namjoon seemed perfectly comfortable, sipping his drink and watching people drift in and out of the kitchen.
“I think I’m gonna head home,” Jimin finally said, setting his empty can on the island.
“Not having fun?”
Jimin drew in a sharp breath. “I just came to get a sense of the crowd before school starts,” he said mischievously. “Now I know who to avoid.”
He flashed a quick smile and walked out of the room.
Jimin slammed his locker shut, shoving his Physics book into his backpack. When he turned around, his eyes landed on a familiar silhouette.
Jungkook—walking down the hallway with one arm draped over that girlfriend of his, looking smug as hell.
Jimin wished he didn’t stare. But despite being the most obnoxious, self-important dumbass on the planet, Jungkook was also a fucking walking wet dream, and Jimin couldn’t help but drink it in.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with a lean waist and impossibly long, muscular legs. Dark bangs hung over his eyes. His arms looked strong enough to throw you into a headlock—and yes, Jimin had absolutely fantasized about that. Cherry-red lips, a strong nose with a rounded tip that softened his face and gave him a boyish look.
If only that asshole wasn’t his ideal type.
Jungkook caught him staring and tossed him a once-over, eyes flashing with disdain as he sauntered past. Jimin forced himself not to look away. No way he was going to let some cocky baseball player bully him into fear. This was his last year of high school. One more year. He could do it. He could totally ignore Jungkook for the next ten months.
Adjusting the strap of his bag, Jimin pushed through the crowded hallway toward his next class. The room was already filling up. He spotted a lone desk at the back by the window and made a beeline for it.
As he slid into his seat, someone pulled out the chair beside him.
“Is that seat taken?”
Jimin looked up, meeting a pair of warm brown eyes and a boxy grin. Recognition clicked—he’d seen this guy at the party last Friday. One of Jungkook’s friends.
Jimin gave a half-shrug. The guy took that as permission and plopped down eagerly.
“I’m Taehyung,” he said brightly.
Jimin shot him a wary look. “Jimin.”
“I know,” Taehyung replied with a smirk. “You’re the guy from the party. I remember you.”
Jimin arched his brows mockingly, snorted, and opened his book.
“I’m on the baseball team with Jungkook. I’m the pitcher.”
“Good for you.”
“No, I mean—” Taehyung cut himself off with a laugh. “Okay, I get why you don’t like me,” he said, watching Jimin from the corner of his eye as more students filtered in. “I’m friends with Jungkook, and… yeah, he didn’t make the best first impression.”
“You think?” Jimin deadpanned.
“But I’m a nice guy,” Taehyung insisted. “Honest to God.” He placed one hand solemnly on his chest and raised the other like he was swearing an oath.
Jimin stared at him. Honestly, Taehyung looked a little too harmless to be a threat. Maybe everyone was nice—except for Jungkook.
The professor walked in, and both boys turned toward the front. Taehyung shot Jimin a quick wink, earning nothing more than a snort. Still, Jimin could feel himself warming to him, just a little.
When class ended, Taehyung hurried to pack up, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.
“Okay, I’ve got practice. See you around!”
He bolted out the door, leaving Jimin alone. Jimin pulled out his phone, groaning when he saw a sixth text from his mother asking about his day. He fired off a short, evasive reply, shoved his phone back into his pocket, and got up to leave. But before he could move, someone blocked his path.
“Hey.”
Jimin glanced up. The guy was tall, all lanky limbs, with soft dark eyes and honey-colored hair parted in the middle.
“Hey?” Jimin answered cautiously, unsure what was coming.
“Do you know Taehyung?”
“Not really, no.” Jimin brushed past him, heading for the door.
“But you sat next to him the entire class,” the boy pressed, keeping pace. His voice carried a hopeful edge.
“We’re not friends, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“But you seemed friendly—”
That stopped Jimin in his tracks. He turned, studying the boy. The look in his eyes was almost painful—full of hope and expectations—and Jimin recognized it and sighed.
Jimin figured if he wanted to make friends, he might as well make an effort and be nice.
“I just met him, so I can’t say we’re friends,” he said more gently.
“Oh…” The boy frowned.
“Why?”
He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Well… he’s like really cute, and I… you know.”
“You’re into him.”
“Yeah.”
“And you thought I could introduce you two.”
“Kinda, yeah.”
Jimin inhaled deeply. He knew he was going to regret his next words. “Sure, I can introduce you to him, I guess.”
The guy giggled like a schoolgirl, sauntering excitedly toward him and wrapping long arms around his neck in a crushing hug.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Jimin couldn’t help but smile, endeared.
“I’m Jimin, by the way.”
“Hoseok.”
And just like that, he made his first friend.
The thing is, Hoseok was obsessed with Taehyung.
Which meant that, as his new friend, Jimin was obligated to sit with him on uncomfortable bleachers for hours on end, through every single baseball practice.
And he hated it.
Because Jungkook was part of the team, which meant he was there every fucking time.
And sure, he was good—incredibly so. He caught every ball thrown his way, bat held firmly in his hands and swung with practiced ease, whipping the air before sending the ball flying across the field.
And yes, if you must know, he looked breathtaking in his uniform. Jersey hugging his shoulders, riding up just enough to reveal abs every time he swung the bat, pants leaving absolutely no room for imagination, and a cap pulled low over his eyes, revealing messy dark curls whenever he removed it.
But he was still an asshole.
Every time they crossed paths in the hallway or cafeteria, Jungkook would snicker at him, shove him out of the way, or bump shoulders just to prove he was stronger.
Jimin hated it, of course—but he hated keeping quiet even more.
Still, he’d rather pass for weak than put up a fight and have Jungkook on his case for the rest of the year.
He knew Jungkook had noticed him on the bleachers, but he made a point of ignoring him.
Cassie would sometimes show up and, to Jimin’s utter annoyance, she befriended Hoseok and would now join them to watch practice.
The autumn chill in the air seeped through his layers of clothes, no matter how tightly he pulled his jacket around him. But Hoseok was inflexible—rain or shine, he was always on those bleachers, watching Taehyung with stars in his eyes.
It was so sweet it was almost sickening.
And Jimin was nothing if not a good friend, so he couldn’t refuse him.
They would just sit there, doing homework, pulling snacks and drinks out of their backpacks, and chatting. They agreed to pick seats far enough back that it didn’t look like they had come just to watch the team, but still close enough that Hoseok could openly swoon over how cute Taehyung was.
He and Cassie would giggle in hushed tones about their crushes while Jimin tried not to roll his eyes and stayed focused on his work. If he was going to make it into a good college, he couldn’t afford to lose sight of his goal.
Jimin had never met anyone who pined so hard after someone as Hoseok did. He couldn’t decide if it was cute or sad.
Sometimes, after practice, Taehyung would jog over, and Hoseok would sit up straight as a rod, body tense, staring mesmerized. Taehyung always wore his widest smile and engaged them in small talk. Jimin suspected Taehyung might, in fact, be interested in Hoseok.
Cassie was Jungkook’s girlfriend, and, given Jungkook’s temper, Jimin ruled out Taehyung hitting on her.
And Jimin himself had shown no particular interest in being friends with Taehyung, keeping to one-word answers and feigned indifference, always aware of Jungkook’s dark gaze lingering on them from across the field.
He wasn’t about to give him more reasons to bully him.
That left Hoseok. And although Taehyung had shown no obvious signs of being into guys, he was strangely friendly with him.
“Hey guys.” Taehyung waved as he strolled over. Jimin felt Hoseok shift beside him and had to hide a smile.
“Hi—hey—huh… hi,” Hoseok stumbled. Either Taehyung was oblivious or he was painfully polite, but his smile didn’t falter as he removed his cap and raked a lazy hand through his sweaty curls.
“Aren’t you cold out here?” he asked, his eyes flicking to Jimin briefly before settling on Hoseok.
“N-no, we’re good. It’s fine, I mean,” Hoseok fumbled. “What about you?”
Taehyung shrugged. “It’s not so bad when you’re running around the field.”
Hoseok laughed, a little too loud and a little too hard given the lack of humor in Taehyung’s reply. Jimin smirked, gathering his books and stuffing everything into his backpack as he rose to his feet.
“Okay, I’m gonna go,” he announced—only for Hoseok to whip his head toward him, eyes wide with panic as he grabbed his wrist.
“Don’t go,” he begged. “Stay with us, until the end of practice.”
“Huh, I think practice is over,” Jimin countered, glancing at Taehyung.
“Yeah, it’s over,” Taehyung confirmed, and Hoseok slumped on the bench, crestfallen.
“But you guys are coming to the game on Saturday, right?” Taehyung asked, sounding less confident than usual, his eyes flicking between Hoseok, Jimin, and Cassie.
“Yes!” Hoseok blurted enthusiastically, then turned to his friends for backup.
“Sure,” Cassie announced, standing and joining Jungkook, who was striding toward them. Jimin watched as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Jungkook placed both hands on her hips, and Jimin was surprised by how tame the embrace was. He had expected Jungkook to be raunchy, all passion and PDA.
But he was surprisingly restrained, smiling faintly at Cassie as he pushed her away and draped a lazy arm over her shoulders.
Maybe he’s just shy, Jimin mused—only to immediately dismiss the thought.
Bullies were never shy.
“Jimin?” Hoseok called, snapping him back to the conversation.
“What?”
“Are you coming Saturday?”
The gleam of hope in Hoseok’s eyes was undeniable, and it broke Jimin’s heart to say no. But he had barely opened his mouth when Hoseok seized his hand.
“Don’t tell me you have other plans, I know you don’t have any—I’m your only friend.”
“I have homework,” he protested weakly, earning a glare from Hoseok.
“You have Sunday for that. Come with me.”
“Come on, Jimin-ah,” Taehyung encouraged, and Jimin felt his resistance cracking.
“We’ll get milkshakes after,” Hoseok bargained. “On me.”
Jimin rolled his eyes.
“Fine.”
That night, as Jimin was lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling, he realized he was bored.
Sure, he had a lot on his mind and plenty to do between homework, group projects, readings, and college applications.
But he was bored.
And horny.
A bad mix.
A dangerous mix.
Back at his previous school, it had been no secret that Jimin was into men, and it had been easy for him to meet other students who shared the same inclination.
Here, in his hometown, no one knew, and he felt that being too open about it might not be the best move.
Starting with Jungkook.
He couldn’t risk giving that prick more reasons to hate him. He was convinced Jungkook would be the kind of guy to shame others for their homosexuality.
Because, let’s be honest, Jungkook was the archetype of the heterosexual male.
Best batter of the baseball team. Handsome. Popular. Dating an equally attractive and popular girl.
And Jimin was not about to mess with him.
He eyed his phone on the nightstand and weighed his options.
Eventually, he reached for it, thumbed through the app store, and downloaded Grindr.
Just out of curiosity.
Just to see what was on the market in this town.
As he completed his profile, Hoseok texted him.
Hobi
what u up 2?
Me
nothing
downloading a dating app
Hobi
whaaaat? 😱😱
you didn’t tell me u were looking for a gf
or a bf
sorry didn’t mean to assume
Me
not looking for 1
just bored
Hobi
sure
next thing u know ur meeting the g/b of ur life
and I’ll still be w8ting for T like an idiot
😭😭😭
Me
I don’t get why u don’t just talk 2 him
Hobi
I AM TRYING
he’s 2 handsome
Me
and?
Hobi
n that’s intimidating
don’t wanna look like an idiot
Me
u won’t
Hobi
anyway
how’s the app?
anything good? 😏😏
While texting, Jimin had been swiping through different profiles. It was, as expected, not the best selection. A lot of old married dudes looking for a good time, some guys experimenting, barely anyone his age. Except—
Me
there’s 1
Hobi
oh?
Me
[share profile]
After sending the profile of the guy, Jimin went through it again, waiting for Hoseok’s reply and first impressions.
Hobi
no picture of his face
🚩🚩🚩
Me
maybe he’s just a private person
Hobi
a private pers on Grindr?
that’s bs
he’s closeted
or taken
or ugly
btw I knew u were playing for my team 😏😉
ur 2 pretty to be str8
Me
lol
Jimin snorted, scrolling through the profile’s pictures once more.
Hobi
hell of a body tho
💦💦
That Jimin could agree on. There weren’t a lot of pictures, just three. But hell, those were three amazing pictures.
One at the gym—loose tank top and grey baggy sweatpants, pecs pressed together to show off flexed arms and a strong chest.
One in the bathroom—standing in front of a mirror, towel hanging low around the hips, an impressive display of golden skin, a narrow waist, and perfectly defined abs. Jimin immediately noticed the tattoo on the right hip: a snake twisted into an S shape, its head hanging down into the hollow of his hip.
And the last one (Jimin’s personal favorite), another bathroom shot—but this time from behind, and without the towel.
Hobi
but still a 🚩
goldenboy109?
lmao
lame
Me
i don’t show my face in my pictures either
Hobi
why not?
ur gorgeous 💅🏻
Me
cause that’s not how it works
Hobi
what’s ur pseudo?
Me
not telling u
Hobi
why not?
Me
so u can find me and make fun of my pictures?
Hobi
yes
Me
😑
Hobi
fine
wonder if his dick is as pretty
Me
want me to ask?
Hobi
seriously?
did u match?
Me
yep
While texting Hoseok, Jimin swiped right, just to see.
His heart raced a little faster when he got an instant match. He knew the algorithm most likely pushed his profile because it was new on the app, but still, he hadn’t expected a match so soon.
Truth was, Jimin didn’t want this to go anywhere. He never intended to meet that guy, but he wasn’t bored anymore, and that had been the whole point.
So it couldn’t hurt to keep himself entertained.
calicocat13
hey
goldenboy109
hey
calicocat13
how’s ur nyt
goldenboy109
getting interesting
urs?
calicocat13
boring
goldenboy109
can i help?
calicocat13
D pic?
goldenboy109
[sent attachment]
Jimin clicked the icon and stared at the picture, jaw slack.
He stood corrected. This was his favorite picture.
He switched to his conversation with Hoseok.
Me
[sent attachment]
Hobi
fuuuuuuck
Jimin's thoughts exactly.
He couldn’t take his eyes off the picture. His mouth began to water at the sight of the long length—slightly curved upward, traced by the prettiest and thickest vein, crowned with a flushed, flared cockhead—and he wasn’t ashamed of it.
goldenboy109
still there?
calicocat13
yeah
sorry
goldenboy109
u didn’t like it?
sorry, i can do better
Jimin was baffled. Didn’t like it? Do better? How could a guy so fucking hot doubt his own attractiveness?
In all his modest experience with dating apps, this had to be the most beautiful dick he’d ever seen.
But for some reason, the guy’s shyness made him sound almost cute, almost innocent, and it made Jimin smile.
calicocat13
no, it’s a really good 1
goldenboy109
can i ask…
calicocat13
?
goldenboy109
can i get a pic 2?
Jimin smirked. He knew exactly which picture to send.
calicocat13
[sent attachment]
The second he pressed ‘send,’ he felt nervous and didn’t know why. He’d done this before. It was harmless. And he knew he looked good.
He went back to the picture goldenboy109 had sent him and stared some more before opening his conversation with Hoseok.
Hobi
looks fucking huge
?
hey
hello???
wanking already?
Me
no
Hobi
are u talking to him?
did u send a pic?
Me
yes
Hobi
yes to…?
Me
both
Hobi
naughty 😏
can i see?
Me
no
Hobi
boo boring
Me
gotta go
Hobi
don’t polish it 2 hard 😜
Me
ha ha
Jimin closed his conversation with Hoseok and returned to his chat with goldenboy109.
goldenboy109
wow
i mean
fuck
Jimin grinned and blushed, feeling brazen and coy at the same time, a little too proud of himself.
calicocat13
like it?
goldenboy109
fuck yeah
ur… pretty
very pretty
calicocat13
lol
this is grindr
u can be honest
goldenboy109
fine
it’s the best piece of ass i’ve ever seen
Jimin was playing coy, but he knew the effect of that picture. Him lying on his bed, on all fours, back arched, ass cheeks round and firm, sheets and covers askew beneath him—there was no way someone could remain indifferent.
calicocat13
thx
goldenboy109
i’m new here
u?
calicocat13
same
goldenboy109
and ur real, ryt?
not a bot?
calicocat13
haha
yeah
i’m real
goldenboy109
n ur not a creepy old dude pretending ur a cute student
calicocat13
u think i’m cute?
goldenboy109
very
calicocat13
u haven’t even seen my face
goldenboy109
fine, ur ass is cute
calicotcat13
lololol
goldenboy109
love ur profile, it’s sweet
u have a cat?
calicocat13
yeah
duchess
she’s an old lady
goldenboy109
how old?
calicocat13
14 this year
u? pets?
goldenboy109
no
want a dog but my mother’s against it
one day maybe
when I have my own place
calicocat13
[liked golbenboy109 message “when I have my own place”]
so… ur an athlete?
goldenboy109
yeah
calicocat13
r u part of the school baseball team?
For a second, Jimin felt like he might have been too rash, gone too far.
He assumed they were going to the same school—after all, they had matched within a 10k radius, and there was only one high school in that area. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t flirting or sharing nudes with someone from Jungkook’s team.
The last thing he needed was for goldenboy109 to share Jimin’s picture of his ass with his teammates.
goldenboy109
nah
just going to the gym n stuff
calicocat13
cool
The conversation went on.
Surprisingly, goldenboy109 could actually carry a conversation, and after the awkward, basic questions at the beginning, they moved on to better topics.
Music. Travels. Plans for the future. Family.
They texted until way past midnight, and Jimin barely minded that he needed sleep since it was still a school night.
He couldn’t put his phone down.
“Damn, you look like shit,” Hoseok commented when he sat next to Jimin in class.
“Did you—” he made an obscene gesture that made Jimin roll his eyes, “all night?”
“No,” he said. “I was texting, and it got late.”
“With goldenboy109?”
Jimin nodded, trying to hold back a smile, but Hoseok picked up on it immediately and nudged his shoulder.
“OMG, you like him!”
Jimin slapped his shoulder to hush him and glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
“He’s nice,” he deflected, and Hoseok raised his eyebrows.
“Nice?” he repeated.
“Yeah.”
“The guy sent you the most gorgeous dick pic in the history of dick pics, and you talked all night, but he’s ‘nice’?”
Jimin glanced sideways at Hoseok and bit his lower lip before his face split into the widest grin.
“Okay, I might be a little bit in love,” he admitted in one breath, his voice going higher in pitch, and Hoseok grabbed his hands, giggling and bouncing excitedly on his chair.
“I knew it!!” he squeaked. “Come on, tell me everything.”
Jimin shifted in his chair to face Hoseok. He checked the clock above the door to see if he had enough time before class started—their teacher wasn’t there yet.
“He’s just…” Jimin started, feeling at a loss for words. He hadn’t had a crush in what felt like forever. “So kind and funny. And smart too. And I just… it feels like a dream. I mean, you’ve seen his pics, what guy is both hot and sweet?”
“Right,” Hoseok agreed, looking hella serious.
“And we couldn’t stop talking. It was like he got me, you know?”
Hoseok nodded, enthusiastic but still composed.
“He told me his parents are divorced, just like mine, and it was just so easy to talk to him about it. He understood how I felt and what I’ve been through, and it was so… liberating to be understood.”
Hoseok gave him an encouraging nod. Jimin couldn’t stop rambling anymore.
“He’s into music, plays the guitar, and is learning the drums. Isn’t that so cool?”
“So cool,” Hoseok agreed.
“And we like the same bands, and he sent me a list of songs he loves, and that’s just so fucking romantic—”
“But you still don’t know what he looks like.” Hoseok interrupted as he saw the teacher walking in and settling at the desk.
“No, but that doesn’t really matter.”
“Huh, duh,” Hoseok mocked. “Of fucking course it matters.”
Jimin turned a little pale. It wasn’t like he hadn’t thought about this all night. He was dying to see what goldenboy109 looked like, but he was riding such a high he didn’t want his little happy bubble to burst if he got curious and asked for a pic—only to find out the guy wasn’t his type.
So he averted his eyes and lied. “Looks aren’t everything. Personality matters too.”
“Sure, until the guy looks like a fucking dying breed, and there’s no way you can let him fuck you—” Hoseok stopped and narrowed his eyes at Jimin. “Or let you fuck him…?”
Jimin made a face and deadpanned, “Have you seen his dick?”
“Yeah, right. Let him fuck you then.”
“It’s just…” Jimin grunted and face-planted on his desk. “We only just started talking, and it’s going so well. I don’t wanna ruin everything just because I was curious.”
Hoseok opened his mouth to protest, but Jimin cut in. “Curiosity killed the cat, you know that.”
“Well, curiosity could save you a great deal of disappointment.”
Jimin sighed heavily. “I know, you’re right.”
The teacher clapped her hands to get the class’s attention, and both Hoseok and Jimin sat straighter in their chairs to face the board.
“So you’ll ask him to meet?” Hoseok whispered, and Jimin frowned.
“Meet? I can just ask for a pic.”
“A pic can be fake,” Hoseok whispered back, and Jimin elbowed him.
“Then his dick might be fake,” Jimin shot back before the teacher called their names and asked them to pay attention.
Hoseok waited a minute before whispering, “Point taken.”
Jimin spent the day on cloud nine.
He couldn’t stop texting goldenboy109 and went through the morning in a haze.
Even at lunch in the cafeteria, he couldn’t focus on a word Hoseok was saying, too busy watching the three dots bounce on his screen as he waited for goldenboy109’s reply.
“Could you wipe that silly smile off your face and pay attention for one minute?” Hoseok berated him, and Jimin locked his screen and placed his phone face down on the table.
“I’m sorry, I’m listening,” he apologized, his smile widening when his phone vibrated. Hoseok glared, and Jimin raised his hands in surrender.
“I won’t look,” he defended. “I’m all yours.”
“So, as I was saying, I need an outfit for the game on Saturday,” Hoseok started, sounding way too serious for the topic at hand. “Now, I know it’s a sports event, so I can’t show up all cute and pretty because everybody will think I don’t take it seriously—but no way I’m wearing sweatpants or a fucking jersey. So I need your help.”
“Need my help for what?”
“Are you fucking serious right now?” Hoseok whined. Jimin tried to listen, but his mind kept wandering back to goldenboy109, and he was dying to check his messages.
“Help me find an outfit.”
“Yes, yes, absolutely. I’ll help you,” Jimin rushed to say, legs bouncing impatiently under the table.
“Come to my place before the game?” Hoseok suggested. Jimin nodded.
“Sure.”
“Great,” Hoseok concluded, standing and picking up his tray. “Let’s go, class starts in five minutes.”
Jimin followed him, but as he stood and pushed his chair back, he bumped into a solid body and stumbled, catching himself on the table. His tray fell, cutlery clattering. He looked up to see none other than Jeon Jungkook staring at him.
“Watch where you’re fucking going.”
“You should watch where you’re going. How could I see you? You’re literally behind me.” Jimin snapped before thinking better of it. Hoseok froze. Jungkook smirked, and the sight was infuriating.
“You’re going to fucking regret talking to me this way. Apologize.”
“No,” Jimin fought back. It was too late now; he refused to back down.
Jungkook stepped closer, crowding Jimin, who clenched his jaw but didn’t move. The whole cafeteria had gone quiet, students staring.
“Apologize,” Jungkook repeated through gritted teeth.
Jimin inhaled sharply, trying to ignore the pounding of his heart. “No.”
“Ya, Jungkook-ah!”
Jimin slumped against the table as Taehyung joined them with a smile, throwing a friendly arm around Jungkook’s shoulders to pull him away.
“Practice will start soon—let’s go,” he told him before looking at Jimin and Hoseok. “Hey, guys,” he beamed, and Jimin did his best to smile back.
Taehyung all but dragged Jungkook away. Jimin refused to move or look away, holding Jungkook’s stare as long as he could before he disappeared from sight.
“Fuck,” Hoseok commented.
Yeah. He was fucked.
Jimin spent the rest of the week texting goldenboy109, but he couldn’t summon the courage to ask for a picture of his face.
He figured he deserved a few more days of peaceful, comfortable denial.
The rush he felt every time his phone buzzed was addictive. Day and night, it consumed him. Every morning, he woke up to a “good morning” text, and every night, he went to sleep with his phone in hand, goldenboy109 wishing him sweet dreams.
He felt like an addict in need of his fix. And he refused to mess it up.
It was Friday night. He was bundled up in a blanket, curled on his bed, phone in hand, staring at the screen as goldenboy109 typed.
goldenboy109
can i ask u something?
calicocat13
ofc
goldenboy109
how did u know?
calicocat13
know what?
goldenboy109
that u were gay
calicocat13
idk
i never really thought about it
i guess when i kissed a girl for the first time n felt nothing?
but then had the most embarrassing boner in the locker room looking at Trevor
goldenboy109
Trevor?
what a dumb name
calicocat13
lmao
jealous?
goldenboy109
extremely
did u kiss him?
Jimin blushed and giggled under the blanket.
calicocat13
i did
goldenboy109
how was it?
calicocat13
life changing
goldenboy109
that’s fucking great
how do i compare to that
calicocat13
u didn’t let me finish
in the sense it was eye-opening
other than that, none of us knew what he was doing
goldenboy109
so i still got a chance to swoon u over
calicocat13
a 100%
goldenboy109
good
calicocat13
what about u
when did u know
goldenboy109
it’s complicated
calicocat13
u don’t have to talk about it
if that’s uncomfortable
goldenboy109
no it’s…
my dad is gay
that’s why my parents divorced
and i’ve always hated him for it
calicocat13
oh
i get it
that can’t have been easy
i’m sorry
goldenboy109
what about ur parents?
anyone gay? lesbian? trans?
please tell me i’m not the only 1 with a dysfunctional family haha
calicocat13
no gay, lesbian or trans as far as i know
but ur not the only 1 with a dysfunctional family
Jimin stopped typing, unsure if he should keep going. He hadn’t talked much about what happened with his parents.
goldenboy109
?
calicocat13
my dad was a drunk
n not the kind 1
goldenboy109
m sorry
was he like… hitting u?
or ur mom? siblings?
calicocat13
not me no
my mom
n no siblings
u?
goldenboy109
an older brother
i'm glad he didn't hit u
but it sucks for ur mom
i'm sorry
calicocat13
it's fine, he's gone now
a brother?
let me guess
not gay?
goldenboy109
haha no
very str8
calicocat13
does he know?
goldenboy109
no
no one does
Jimin paused. So goldenboy109 was closeted—just like Hoseok had predicted—and probably recently “on the market,” having only just figured out his sexual orientation. Or maybe he was still experimenting?
The thought twisted his stomach in uncomfortable ways.
calicocat13
have u ever dated a guy?
He couldn’t help but ask, but he dreaded the answer, waiting for it with a pounding heart.
goldenboy109
no
Fuck, Jimin thought. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
calicocat13
kissed one?
goldenboy109
😓 no…
Double, triple, fucking fuck. Jimin took a deep breath and kicked off the blanket—he was getting too hot.
calicocat13
how do u know then
goldenboy109
i had a girlfriend
well
girlfriends
but the last one really helped me see what was in front of me
calicocat13
?
goldenboy109
i’m not attracted to girls
no matter what i do
no matter how pretty
calicocat13
u could just be asexual
or pan
need a real connection to feel something
goldenboy109
i can tell u i’m not any of those things
calicocat13
how do u know?
goldenboy109
ur picture
calicocat13
what?
goldenboy109
the one u sent me
i keep staring at it
This could go two ways: either sweet and innocent—taking the compliment and moving on—or diving in headfirst and spicing things up.
Jimin was never really reasonable when it came to sexting.
calicocat13
is staring all u do?
goldenboy109
u know it’s not
calicocat13
maybe it’s time u get another 1…
goldenboy109
please
Jimin fumbled with the blanket, kicking it aside before tossing off his t-shirt and rearranging the bed. Slightly out of breath from excitement, he knelt on the mattress and raised his phone to take a picture of his naked chest, careful to keep his face out of the frame. He arched slightly backward to show off his abs beneath the thin layer of fat on his soft belly. Satisfied with the result, he turned onto his stomach and snapped another picture over his shoulder, highlighting the arch of his back and the curve of his ass.
calicocat13
[sent attachment]
goldenboy109
u sure u aren’t an athlete
?
because fuck
Jimin giggled.
calicocat13
ur turn
Jimin waited with bated breath, impatience and arousal bubbling in his stomach.
goldenboy109
[sent attachment]
Jimin stared, mesmerized, at the expanse of golden skin, the long torso, the dips of the hips with the tattoo standing out against flawless skin, and the evident bulge in black Calvin Klein boxers.
calicocat13
i sent 2
goldenboy109
haha
[sent attachment]
Jimin didn’t know if he regretted asking for a second one—or if it was the best thing he had ever done. He didn’t think he could ever move on from how perfect goldenboy109’s cock looked. The picture was taken from the same angle as the previous one, lying on the bed, but the boxers had been pushed down to reveal a rigid cock, head flared and a dark shade of pink, while a hand held it up. Fantasies swarmed his mind.
calicocat13
i swear you have the most gorgeous cock i’ve ever seen
goldenboy109
wanna c urs
Jimin knelt on the bed again. He knew better than to send a frontal dick pic and understood the power of teasing. Lowering his waistband just enough to let the flushed, slick cockhead peek out, he snapped the picture.
calicocat13
[sent attachment]
goldenboy109
just as pretty as everything else
wanna touch u so bad
calicocat13
touch me where
Jimin had already removed his boxers and was lying naked on his bed, cock throbbing with a burning arousal he hadn’t felt in months. He wrapped his hand around it, squeezing gently—teasing, holding back.
goldenboy109
ur legs n thighs
they’re so thick
i wanna shove my cock between them and fuck them
calicocat13
what else
goldenboy109
ur stomach
looks so soft
wanna lick ur nipples
Typing was a struggle with one hand wrapped around his cock. He wanted to make it last, but he wasn’t sure he could.
calicocat13
wanna bounce on that fat cock of urs
goldenboy109
god fuck
okay, yeah
fuck
calicocat13
split me in half
Jimin wasn’t new to the sexting game. He’d mastered the art over the years and never shied away from speaking crudely. But it had been a while since he went down this road—and never had he done it with the most beautiful cock’s picture in hand.
goldenboy109
i bet ur so fuckin tyt
calicocat13
so wet for u
goldenboy109
love it messy
r u touching urself?
calicocat13
yes
goldenboy109
fuck
wish i could c u
He half-considered pressing the video chat button, but then realized it wasn’t how he wanted goldenboy109 to see him for the first time. He wanted a proper first date—fully clothed, prepared, presentable.
calicocat13
m close
Jimin dropped his phone. He couldn’t focus anymore. Images of goldenboy109’s abs, tattoo, massive cock, and perfect hand flooded his mind, and all he could imagine was that hand on him, his tongue on those abs, that cock shoved deep inside him.
With that image, Jimin spilled over his hand with a muffled cry.
He came down from his high slowly, amazed by its intensity, wishing he could do it all over again. He reached for the tissue box on the floor, grabbed a couple to clean his hand, and then picked up his phone.
goldenboy109
wanna c the mess u made
calicocat13
[sent attachment]
goldenboy109
beautiful
[sent attachment]
Too caught up in his own pleasure, Jimin realized he’d forgotten to ask if goldenboy109 was touching himself too.
The answer was yes.
The sight of his soft cock, spent and lying along the crease of his hip, covered in white cum, was enough to make Jimin’s cock twitch with renewed interest.
calicocat13
what a waste
wish u had cummed all over me
goldenboy109
i thought about cumming inside u
calicocat13
would love that even more
after we get tested
goldenboy109
ofc
calicocat13
that was so good
m tired now
goldenboy109
go to bed then
we’ll talk tomorrow
calicocat13
good nyt
goldenboy109
sweet dreams
Jimin smiled before he pulled the blanket over him and closed his eyes.
Saturday.
Jimin had spent a few hours at Hoseok’s, helping him pick an outfit and guiding him through the highs and lows of wanting to look good for his crush.
They were making their way through the crowd, sodas in hand, ready to find a good spot on the bleachers when someone called their names. They turned around and spotted Taehyung jogging toward them.
Hoseok stiffened immediately, gripping Jimin’s hand.
“Hey,” Taehyung smiled. Jimin waved, while Hoseok just stared at Taehyung in his outfit.
“Huh,” Taehyung started, “I got you jerseys for the game.” He handed them a pair of jerseys, and Hoseok practically snatched one from his hand, throwing it over his shoulders.
“You look really good,” Taehyung said, and Hoseok turned crimson while Jimin tried—and failed—not to burst into laughter.
“Wish us luck!” Taehyung said as he walked away. Hoseok yelled, “Good luck!”
Jimin turned to him with an accusatory look.
“What?” Hoseok asked innocently.
“‘I’m not wearing a fucking jersey,’” Jimin quoted him, referencing their earlier conversation, and his friend pouted.
“It’s different, he gave it to me.”
“Sure.”
“Anyway, put yours on and let’s go.”
They found good seats on the bleachers, with an unobstructed view of the field. The players were stretching and practicing. Hoseok waved back when Taehyung gestured at them.
Cassie joined them and sat next to Jimin. She spotted Jungkook and smiled.
“He’s so handsome, I die.”
“Yeah,” Jimin grunted. “Too bad he’s a jerk.”
“He’s not so bad,” she defended with a shrug, reaching for Hoseok’s soda and taking a sip.
“Why are you even dating him?” Jimin asked, out of sheer curiosity.
“Oh, it’s complicated,” she said. “I guess we both find something in the relationship that satisfies us.”
“Like what?”
Cassie shrugged again. “Well, I can’t speak for him, but he’s popular, and being his girlfriend boosted me up the charts of most attractive girl in the school,” she finished with a grin, and Jimin rolled his eyes.
Two girls joined her, chatting and squealing excitedly next to him. Jimin checked his phone—no new messages from goldenboy109.
Hoseok leaned closer and whispered, “How are things going with Mister Cock?”
“Don’t call him that,” Jimin whispered-shouted, earning a chuckle from Hoseok. He glanced at him sideways.
“We sexted last night.”
“Oh, it’s getting juicy. Got any new pics?”
Jimin shrugged. “A bunch.”
“Show me.”
“No fucking way.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” Jimin defended.
“Because it’s getting serious?” Hoseok supplied with a smirk. “Does that mean you’re finally gonna meet him?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not? It’s been a week already.”
“I’m not ready yet.”
Jimin had been thinking about asking goldenboy109 on a date. He was growing more convinced he couldn’t be ugly—not with that kind of body. And he had the sweetest personality, no problem being vulnerable around Jimin, talking about his dad, his parents’ divorce, his brother, who seemed to be everything their mother wanted, while he struggled to meet her expectations.
They sexted, yes, but they also talked about a million other things—it felt like they could never run out of subjects.
Just now, not receiving a text from goldenboy109 left Jimin pining for him.
The thing was, he had begun doubting he was good enough. The fact that he was goldenboy109’s first gay experience was both exhilarating and terrifying. He didn’t know if he could date someone who needed to hide.
“You were right by the way. He’s closeted,” he finally admitted to Hoseok.
“Well, fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“Has he ever had a relationship with a guy before?”
Jimin shook his head.
“That could be a good thing,” Hoseok mused.
“How could that be a good thing?”
“I mean, no exes, that's always a plus. And you could teach him everything. Plus, it’s kinda flattering he chose you to be the first one.”
“Or totally pressuring,” Jimin objected. “What if we start dating and he realizes he’s not into men? What if I disgust him?”
Hoseok made a face, hiding a smile. “Come on,” he chastised. “Have you seen yourself? If it wasn’t for Taehyung, I’d totally be going after you.”
Jimin snorted. The horn announcing the start of the game blared across the field, startling everyone. Jimin checked his phone one more time. Still no text. He pocketed it and decided to enjoy the game as best he could.
He didn’t know much about baseball, but he knew each inning would take forever. Thankfully, with Jungkook as batter and Taehyung as pitcher, there was always someone to watch. And when Jungkook wasn’t on home plate but in the ballpark, he was still fascinating to watch.
Jimin would never admit it to a living soul, but damn, Jungkook was good. No wonder he was so popular. Each swing of the bat was swift, precise, and rarely missed the ball. The clanging sound every time it hit echoed across the field as Jungkook dropped the bat and ran to first base.
He was mesmerizing. Focused. Unshakable, despite the cheers and shouts.
Their team made a home run during the fourth inning, and Jimin found himself jumping and screaming in joy with Hoseok and the crowd, celebrating their team’s victory.
After the game, Hoseok refused to leave before seeing Taehyung and congratulating him. So they waited in the hallway by the locker room door.
The hopeful look on Hoseok’s face every time it swung open was truly endearing, and Jimin kept rolling his eyes and smiling. He checked his phone once more—still no text.
“Oh, hey guys,” Taehyung finally chirped as he exited the locker room. Hoseok clasped his hands in his.
“You were so good!”
Taehyung blushed. He blushed. And Jimin knew for a fact this was a done deal.
“There’s a party at Jake’s place, wanna come?” Taehyung offered, and Hoseok beamed as he turned to Jimin, who winced. Going to another party on a Saturday night was not what he needed—especially one thrown by a player of the baseball team—but Hoseok was already gripping his arm.
“Come on, let’s go,” he all but begged, and Jimin sighed.
“Fine, let’s go.”
Taehyung smiled and led them outside the stadium. It was a short walk to Jake’s house, so Jimin trailed behind while Taehyung and Hoseok happily chatted and openly flirted. He still had no text from goldenboy109 and started doubting himself. Was that it? Had he grown tired of their conversations? Or was he just busy?
Jimin exhaled heavily as he stepped inside the house and followed his friend to the kitchen to get drinks.
Coolers in hand, they made their way to the living room and squeezed together on the couch. Jimin scanned the room and noticed Jungkook standing in the doorway, talking to teammates. He grunted—praying Jungkook would keep his distance—and took a long swig from his can.
A guy from the baseball team plopped down next to him while Hoseok and Taehyung remained engrossed in their own little world, talking and laughing.
“Hey,” the guy smiled.
“Hey,” Jimin replied warily.
“I’m Roy, third baseman.”
Jimin nodded, “Jimin.” He fought the urge to roll his eyes. What was it with baseball players always introducing themselves with their position?
There was an awkward beat of silence, and Jimin watched as Jungkook moved closer, sitting down on a large leather chair. Cassie appeared out of nowhere and settled comfortably on his lap. They were now within earshot, and Jimin felt the urge to leave.
But then something caught his eye.
A small ball of fur scurried past them and disappeared under the couch, and Jimin squeaked.
“Is that a cat?” he exclaimed, excitement bubbling as he immediately wanted to pet it.
“Yeah, that’s Jake’s cat,” Roy replied nonchalantly. “You like cats?” he asked when Jimin started twisting around to peek behind the couch, trying to get a glimpse of the animal.
“I do, I have one,” he answered.
“Oh yeah? Do you have pictures?” Roy asked, and Jimin eagerly pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Yeah, of course.” He showed him a picture. “Her name’s Duchess,” he said, smiling down at the photo.
What he didn’t see was Jungkook snapping his head around, his body coiling in the chair, eyes widening, attention locking on him.
“She’s turning fourteen this year,” Jimin went on, while Roy nodded beside him.
“What kind of breed is that?”
“A calico,” Jimin said, and Jungkook nearly choked on his beer. “They’re mostly females and always have three colors. See?” He pointed at his screen.
“That’s cool,” Roy replied, taking a sip of his drink.
“Right?”
Jimin smiled, completely oblivious to Jungkook’s eyes trained on him. Jungkook pulled his phone from his pocket, quickly typed out a message, and hit send.
He watched as Jimin’s phone pinged. Jimin immediately pulled away from Roy, shielding his screen as he checked the notification. His smile spread ear to ear as he read the message.
goldenboy109
hey
what r u up 2
calicocat13
i’m at a party
Jungkook typed another text, just to be sure.
goldenboy109
having fun?
calicocat13
not really
i’m glad u texted me :)
how’s ur day?
Jungkook bounced out of his chair and bolted from the room. Cassie followed him into the hallway.
“Jungkook?”
Panic was rising fast—nausea tightening his throat, heart racing, palms slick with sweat. This couldn’t be happening.
His mind reeled with thoughts too terrifying to admit, too real to accept. Jungkook realized how unprepared he was for this. Talking to someone online was easy, harmless. Deniable. It wasn’t real.
But calicocat13 was real. And he now had a face.
And it was Jimin’s.
Jungkook had no idea what to do with that information, what to think, what to feel. He wasn’t ready to face that part of himself.
He thought of his father—of how he had left them, his mother, his brother, him. How he had moved on, found happiness with another man. He didn’t deserve happiness. Not after shattering their family. Jungkook hated him. He resented him. His whole life, his world, his foundation had collapsed when his father walked away.
And it sickened him to realize he was just the same.
That the one thing he shared with his father was his suppressed attraction to other men.
It had been easier to hate his father when they had nothing in common. When Jungkook was nothing like him.
But now? He was turning into him.
A man who loved men.
And that thought was unacceptable.
Suddenly, he whirled around, grabbing Cassie, who had been calling his name. He shoved her against the wall. She squealed in surprise, and he kissed her.
Hard.
Cassie recovered quickly, fisting his t-shirt and dragging him closer, eager to return the kiss.
He did it to prove something. To prove he was attracted to women. That he wasn’t twisted. That he wasn’t broken. That nothing was wrong with him.
But his mind was elsewhere.
He thought about calicocat13.
He thought about Jimin.
Jimin was calicocat13, the boy he’d been flirting with for a week.
The boy to whom he had confessed his darkest secrets, his dreams for the future, his doubts about life. Jimin knew everything.
And above all, Jimin knew he liked men.
Jimin had seen his pictures—naked, hard, covered in cum.
Fuck.
Jimin was the boy in those pictures.
The one Jungkook had masturbated to every night this past week.
His cock hardened in his jeans. He couldn’t believe it.
No. No. No. No.
He tried to focus on Cassie—the feel of her body, her curves pressed against him. She shoved her tongue into his mouth, and he let her. His hands flew to her waist. But all he could see was Jimin: ash-blond hair, creamy-white skin, plump lips, his body, his ass, his cock.
Jungkook moaned.
Cassie palmed his erection through his jeans, and that was when he pushed her away. He couldn’t take it. Her perfume made him sick, her hands on his body, her lips, her tongue, the sounds she made—everything was wrong.
Cassie stumbled but steadied herself.
“What are you doing?” she asked, dumbfounded. She was tipsy, grinning as she tried to step closer, but Jungkook stopped her.
“I’m not feeling well,” he muttered, before slipping away into the bathroom.
He stared at himself in the mirror, breath coming fast. His reflection looked back at him with wide, panicked eyes.
“Fuck,” he groaned.
He rushed to the toilet, flipped the lid open, and heaved.
Retches gave way to a coughing fit. He slumped against the bathtub, eyes watering, throat raw, chest tight.
No one could know. If Jimin talked, it would destroy him.
And then he realized: Jimin didn’t know he was goldenboy109. Jimin hated him. And he had been nothing but cruel to Jimin. So he was fine, for now.
Jungkook splashed water over his face, rinsed his mouth, heart hammering against his ribs. He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself, then left the bathroom.
The party had moved outside to the backyard. The house was nearly empty now, only a couple making out on the living room couch. Through the window, he spotted Taehyung and Hoseok sitting close on the back porch, talking.
But no Jimin.
He searched the kitchen—and found him.
Jimin was leaning against the counter, phone in hand, staring at the screen.
Slowly, Jungkook stepped inside and opened the fridge for a beer. Jimin looked up and froze at the sight of him.
Without a word, Jimin moved for the door, but Jungkook rushed to block him.
“Hey,” he said, arm braced across the doorway, his other hand clamping around Jimin’s wrist.
“Let go of me.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here with a friend.”
Jimin tried to push past him, but Jungkook forced him deeper into the kitchen. The look in Jimin’s eyes was unbearable—defiance and fear tangled in those dark hazel irises.
Jimin’s back hit the counter. He looked up, heart pounding, nausea creeping in with the alcohol that burned in his veins.
“Is that your thing?” Jimin snapped. “Cornering people in kitchens to threaten them?”
“And you?” Jungkook shot back. “Is it your thing to show up where you’re not wanted?”
“Taehyung invited me.”
“Taehyung’s my friend.”
“He’s not your property,” Jimin snarled. “Take it up with him if you’ve got a problem.”
“Why are you always hanging out at the baseball field?” Jungkook deflected, catching him off guard.
Jimin stayed silent. He wouldn’t betray Hoseok’s crush on Taehyung—not to Jungkook, who could ruin everything with one word.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Are you hot for Taehyung? Is that why you’re here?”
“I’m not. But if I were, it wouldn’t be any of your damn business.”
Jungkook stared into his eyes, leaning closer, and Jimin held his ground, refusing to show any sign of fear. Jungkook’s voice dropped.
“Who then? Me?”
Jimin snorted. “No fucking way in hell.”
Jungkook’s fists clenched. He forced himself to step back, dizzy with the urge to touch him. His palms tingled with the need to feel Jimin’s waist, the skin of his stomach, the softness of his lips. He wanted to know what it was like to kiss a boy.
To kiss Jimin.
But he couldn’t risk it. Not here. Not now. Not drunk.
He stepped back again, jabbing a finger toward him.
“You stay the fuck away from me.”
Jimin swallowed hard, holding back tears. He refused to cry in front of Jungkook, but God, it was so hard not to break.
He watched Jungkook leave, then gasped for air when he was finally alone.
Jimin went back home.
He told Hoseok he wasn’t feeling well, and since Hoseok was having such a great time with Taehyung, he graciously let him go.
Jimin stripped out of his clothes and took a scalding hot shower before changing into a comfortable pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He curled up on his bed, slipped under the blanket, and checked Grindr.
No messages.
So he settled instead for scrolling through social media until he fell asleep.
Jimin spent the whole Sunday studying and watching TV with his mom.
He also kept opening his chat with goldenboy109, wondering why he was so quiet, why he never answered his messages.
Eventually, he grew too curious, nervous, and impatient and decided to text him.
calicocat13
hey
u stopped replying
everything ok?
He waited with a pounding heart. He tried to distract himself with a book, then social media, then started pacing his room until his phone finally—finally—pinged.
goldenboy109
sorry
i got busy
how was the party?
Jimin bit his bottom lip. He felt so stupid. Obviously, he was no one in goldenboy109’s life—just a guy he talked to online—so he shouldn’t be surprised if he had better things to do than text him.
But still, it stung.
calicocat13
a little boring
it wasn’t really my crowd
i was just there for a friend
goldenboy109
not ur crowd?
wdym?
calicocat13
we celebrated the win of the baseball team
goldenboy109
what’s wrong with that?
calicocat13
nothing
except i hate one of the players
goldenboy109
which one?
calicocat13
Jungkook
There was a long pause, and Jimin wondered if he had said something wrong. Sure, he knew goldenboy109 was going to the same school, but he had told him he wasn’t on the baseball team, so it felt safe to admit he hated Jungkook.
goldenboy109
why do u h8 him?
calicocat13
he’s a bully
and yeah, sure, he’s popular n handsome
but he’s an asshole
n i hate ppl like him
goldenboy109
u think he’s handsome?
Jimin hesitated. He started typing several answers but deleted all of them. Should he be honest? Should he lie? He could find someone he hated attractive, right? It wasn’t like anything would ever happen with Jungkook anyway. He was straight, had a girlfriend, and hated Jimin’s guts.
calicocat13
i mean looks aren’t everything
but objectively
yeah he’s handsome
goldenboy109
like
is he ur type?
Again, Jimin hesitated. He didn’t know what goldenboy109 looked like. What if he looked nothing like Jungkook and felt rejected because Jimin admitted Jungkook was his type? But then again, most people had a type yet ended up dating very different-looking people. It was fine.
goldenboy109
u can be honest
promise i won’t be jealous
calicocat13
haha
well
yes
he’s my type
but he’s got nothing on u
goldenboy109
u’ve never met me
calicocat13
i know but
ur nice n kind n funny n smart
he’s just a baseball player
n a bully
goldenboy109
maybe u just got off on the wrong foot
calicocat13
nah
that’s just how it is
idc
goldenboy109
bullies r often hurt ppl
calicocat13
sure
but that doesn’t excuse hurting others
There was another long pause, and Jimin wondered if he had said something wrong. After all, he didn’t know goldenboy109, for all Jimin knew, he could be a bully too. But no, goldenboy109 had been nothing but kind and sweet.
He was nothing like Jungkook.
goldenboy109
i’m not defending him
but
sometimes ppl suffer alone
n the only way to xpress all this pain is in sharing it
Jimin stared at his phone, reading the message over and over again.
And then the impossible happened.
For just a second, no more than the span of a breath, he felt bad for Jungkook and wondered what hurt him so deeply that he would take it out on others.
calicocat13
ur sayin it’s a cry 4 help
?
goldenboy109
could be
Jimin thought about it.
Jungkook—the handsome, successful, popular player of the baseball team. The guy who seemed to have it all. A bright future was waiting for him, and yet… he was hurting. And Jimin wondered what could possibly break someone like Jungkook.
Jimin was a lot of things, but heartless wasn’t one of them. He had always felt other people’s emotions—deeply, whether good or bad.
And although nothing could ever justify bullying, he also knew that sometimes, someone had to be the bigger person.
calicocat13
congratulations
now i’m feelin bad 4 him
goldenboy109
haha
u don’t hav 2
he was still an ass to u
They kept talking for most of the evening, the conversation drifting to lighter topics—music, mostly, and their favorite hobbies.
But when Jimin turned off the light to go to sleep that night, his thoughts were filled with Jungkook.