Archive of Our Own

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Question 1: Does the concept of meeting new people scare you? Would you prefer to be matched with or date someone you know?

Prof. JJK: I am a pretty reserved and asocial guy. Full disclosure, I am not a fan of any of my coworkers. Except one. So I think falling in love with someone you already know is the PERFECT situation. What more could you ask for when you date your best friend AND best coworker? It’s pointless to pine. GO GET YOUR MAN / WOMAN.

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“What is this?” Jungkook demands as he slams a slightly crumpled piece of paper on the grand mahogany desk. “Some sort of prank?”

Seokjin pushes aside his keyboard to be able to reach for the paper. His eyes scan the paper, quickly reading what’s written, before bursting out into boisterous laughter. “Oh man, Jungkook, I didn’t know you were ever the poet! ‘Pointless to pine’—”

“Shut up!” Jungkook yells, face bright red, as he plops down into one of the two chairs situated on the other side of Seokjin’s desk. “I did not fill that out.”

Seokjin gives the paper a brief glance again before giving Jungkook his full attention. “The Halloween Dance Committee released this thing a few weeks ago. It’s for students to find a date or make a friend to bring to the dance.”

“The what now?” Jungkook says dumbly.

“The Halloween Dance Committee,” Seokjin repeats slowly, like Jungkook is a child. Jungkook makes a noise of protest but before he can get a word in, the dean is continuing, “they like to abbreviate it to the ‘HDC’ or something. It’s very serious for them.”

“We have a Halloween dance?” Is Jungkook’s next question.

“Yes, it’s annual. And more importantly, it's tomorrow.” Seokjin gives Jungkook a judgemental look, “though I guess I’m not surprised that you don’t know of it. Considering you’re a recluse hermit who despises the art faculty and fun.”

“I don’t hate fun.”

“Trick question, so you do hate the art faculty!”

“Jin!” Jungkook throws his arms up in exasperation, though he doesn’t confirm or deny. “So the HDC let people fill out a matchmaking questionnaire. I demand to know who filled this out for me."

“I don’t know, Jungkook,” Seokjin says. “Maybe it is a prank on you. But I can verify that the questionnaire is very real. I think it’s sweet of the students. Put yourself in their sad, hormonal, little shoes. You can relate to them, right? You were once pining for a seemingly unrequited love! In fact, you still are!”

Jungkook scoffs, “just leave me out of it. I found this thing in my submission box! Who knows what other copies have been released?”

“I can’t help but notice you didn’t deny the mention of your seemingly unrequited, still ongoing, if I may say, tiresome love affair with a certain modern and contemporary dance professor? Are you finally admitting to it, Mr. Jeon?” Seokjin begins to laugh again when Jungkook leans over the table to punch him in the arm. The dean yelps in pain and glares at the brunette.

“You may not say! Take this seriously!”

Seokjin sighs. “Then what can I say? Young adults are so mischievous.” He picks up the paper again. “Perhaps they’re trying to play matchmaker for you? Are you planning on going to the dance this year?”

“I didn’t even know it was happening until you just told me.”

“Maybe you should go then,” Seokjin suggests. “Do you have a costume?”

“No,” Jungkook answers and thinks about what his plans were for Halloween. Usually he plays the featured horror movie on a random streaming service in the background while he either grades papers or plays video games. “I’m busy.”

“You aren’t,” Seokjin muses, “I know for a fact that you usually watch a random scary movie and play games with Taehyung. Who, by the way, is coming this year. So no gaming partner for you.”

“Ugh,” Jungkook groans as he slumps in the chair and throws an arm over his eyes. “I’d rather not spend an evening in a cramped gymnasium with drunk teenagers.”

“Young adults,” Seokjin corrects. “All of the art department will be there. Namjoon, Hoseok, Jihyo, Seonghwa, Sakura, Wheein, Sunmi, Hongjoong, and even Yoongi’s going! Also, Jimin...”

Jungkook groans louder. “Why did you say Jimin’s name differently?”

“I didn't!” He totally did.

“I don't want to go,” Jungkook says simply.

“Fine,” Seokjin shrugs, pushes the paper back to Jungkook, and turns back to his computer. “I heard Jimin is bringing a date.”

“What?!” Jungkook shouts and immediately sits upright. In his startle, he accidentally brings his knee up and bangs it on the underside of Seokjin’s desk. “Motherfu—”

“I was kidding,” Seokjin says amusedly as Jungkook nurses his knee. He starts typing again as he continues to converse with the photography professor. “But judging by that reaction, it would bother you. I'll indulge you with a little secret, so I hope you’re able to ask Jimin to be your date to the dance.”

Jungkook glares at the dean. 

“Jimin filled one of these out,” the older man taps the paper now in front of the brunette, eyes still on his computer screen. “A few of his students are on the HDC. To support them and in good fun, which you know nothing about, he filled one out. Hoseok has it.”

Jungkook stays silent as he stares down at the questionnaire.

Seokjin hums. “I know you're curious.”

Jungkook doesn't answer.

“Anyways, Mr. Jeon, if that's all, I need to get back to work.”

“Hypothetically,” Jungkook says, “if Hoseok were to have it…”

Seokjin immediately answers without sparing Jungkook a glance. “He and Jimin each did one together in his office.”

“And why should I trust you?”

Seokjin’s fingers pause on his keyboard and he finally looks at the brunette. “Hello? Maybe because I’m your dearest and long-time friend?” Jungkook gives him a blank stare and Seokjin laughs it off, though his laugh is not as hearty. “You don’t have to believe me. But you could know what Jimin’s looking for in a perfect partner, and then ask him to the dance…”

“Then where is Hobi keeping it?”

Seokjin grins, “what’s in it for me if I tell you?”

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “What do you want?”

“I’m a relaxed guy, Jungkook. I want you to join the rest of your amazing art faculty and attend the Halloween dance tomorrow.”

Jungkook presses his lips together and contemplates it. “I don’t have a costume.”

“Quick fix! You will be a bunny. I have the costume waiting for you already in the fashion department’s old catalog closet. You can ask Seonghwa why they even have a bunny costume, but you probably don’t want to ask.”

Jungkook is a little bit curious about why the fashion department has a bunny costume, but he won’t tell Seokjin that. Instead, he huffs. “Fine, whatever. Now tell me where it is.”

Seokjin puts the tips of his fingers together like he’s some sort of evil mastermind. “Excellent. Jimin’s questionnaire is in the cabinet behind Hobi’s desk. You’ll have to ask him to unlock it for you.”

“What? Nuh uh, I’m not asking Hoseok for it. That was a redundant trade, I’m not going to the dance.”

“Hey!” Seokjin swats at Jungkook when the brunette stands to leave. “The deal was that I would tell you where it was and you would come to the dance. And I told you where it was, so you’re coming to the dance. If I don’t see you there, I’ll… I’ll— I’ll suspend you.”

Jungkook makes a choked sound, “you can’t do that.”

“Oh yeah? I once sent Namjoon home for eating a peanut butter bar during the break of his lecture. I taught the rest of his class,” Seokjin says threateningly.

“That was so uncalled for, Namjoon didn’t even do anything wrong. But fine, I’ll go to your dumb dance.” Jungkook says as he snatches ‘his’ questionnaire off of Seokjin’s desk and goes to the door. “Goodbye, Dean Kim.”

“He ate a peanut butter bar, Jungkook! We are a nut free zone! I take that very seriously! I have signs everywhere!” Seokjin yells after the photography professor as Jungkook slams the door on his way out.

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Question 2: Do you have a height preference? If so, please provide a range.

Prof. JJK: Definitely shorter than me. But not too short. 5’6 - 5’9 would be great. If you want specifics, I think 5’7, almost 5’8 is PERFECT. That’s 174 cm, or 1.74 m. 68.5 in. I don’t want to be too specific though.

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Jungkook walks by Hoseok’s closed office door for the nth time. The glass of the door is frosted to provide privacy, but still allows enough visibility for an outsider to see the shadows of people within. 

The photography professor can see the outline of Hoseok’s head sitting behind his desk. But the reason he hasn’t entered yet is because he can see another head sitting across from Hoseok - it could be a student or the dance department head could be in a meeting with another faculty member.

The brunette contemplates leaving and coming back later. Or maybe he could text Hoseok? He hasn’t even thought about how he would ask for Jimin’s questionnaire.

This is so stupid. Am I in high school? Jungkook mentally scoffs and physically pats his cheeks as if that’ll snap him out of it.

He’s about to turn on his heel and leave when Hoseok’s door swings inwards, revealing plush lips and ash blonde hair.

“Jungkookie!” Jimin says happily when he realizes it’s the photography professor standing on the other side. “We saw an ominous shadow lurking outside for a few minutes so we decided to see who it was.”

The modern and contemporary dance professor is wearing an oversized crew neck sweater with the college’s logo on it, as well as lululemon joggers. His ash blonde hair is swept up and off his forehead, perfectly parted in the middle, and there’s sweat beading at his temples.

He must have just finished teaching a class.

“Yes,” Jungkook says, face heating up at being caught. Was he too obvious? Did he linger too long? There’s less than six inches of space between him and Jimin, and the dance professor, despite perspiring, smells so good.  

Now that he sees Jimin, he’s reminded of the dance tomorrow and potentially asking the ash blonde to accompany him to said dance. So high school! Jungkook mentally screams. “I’m here to see Mr. Jung,” Jungkook says instead.

“Why did you call me ‘Mr. Jung’. Are you a student?” Hoseok teases from where he’s still sitting behind his desk. The dance department head is wearing a dress shirt and pants, so he’s likely not teaching any practical classes today. “Get in here, Kook.”

Before Jungkook can step inside, Jimin grabs his hand and tugs him into the office. 

The brunette feels the older man’s warm fingers enclose around his own hand and he gulps at the prolonged contact when Jimin moves to close the door behind him, hand still holding his.

“Hobi and I were just discussing the upcoming midterm exams,” Jimin explains as he finally lets go of Jungkook’s hand to be able to wrap his arm around the younger man’s elbow instead. “We can tell our students are losing focus - I think it’s because Halloween is coming up.”

“Which isn’t an excuse,” Hoseok sighs, “they get a break afterwards with reading week. They should be hyper focused! Super concentrated! Maximum attention—”

“Being the dance department head doesn’t also make you the No Fun Police,” Jimin scolds and leans into Jungkook, who’s sure his face might explode with how it’s overheating. “It’s better to be encouraging than to be reprimanding. It’s a fact that children respond better to positive reinforcement than negative, and it helps in their development of—”

“No need to get statistical, Mr. Park,” Hoseok rubs his temples in annoyance. “And these are full grown adults we’re talking about, not babbling children—”

“They are not fully grown,” Jimin argues.

“With the way they snap and snark about cardio warm-ups, yes they are fully grown—”

“Majority of them have a one in front of their age, they are teenagers—”

“Not all of them—”

“Young adults,” Jungkook interjects and is silently basking in the fact that Jimin also views their students at the college as teenagers, something he said to Seokjin earlier. “Er, you could just call them youths. Or maturing young adults. I don’t know.”

“Maturing young adults!” Jimin looks at him like he’s a genius, and Jungkook gets a bit lost in those twinkling eyes. “Yes, I like that.”

“You literally like anything that comes out of Jungkook’s mouth,” Hoseok grumbles and Jungkook breaks eye contact with Jimin to raise an eyebrow at Hoseok. “You could tell Jimin that the sky is orange and he’d believe you.”

Jimin sticks his tongue out at the department head. “Well if Jungkook says the sky is orange, he must be right. And if you knew anything about dawn and dusk, you’d know that the sky can be orange.”

“Sunsets project the ideal lighting for that perfect, warm orange hue,” Jungkook says, his photography brain kicking into gear.

Jimin squeezes his bicep and gives him a bright smile. Jungkook honestly thinks Jimin’s smile is more beautiful than any sunset. “What a beautiful mind you have, Jungkookie!”

Jungkook rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “You are— your brain… Mind. Your mind… It’s a real beauty! Too. I mean, as well.” And he does not know why stupidity possesses him around Jimin, but Jungkook raises his hands to give Jimin the finger guns.

Hoseok dramatically groans. “Ugh! Why?” The dance department head stands from his chair and points a finger menacingly at the two men on the other side of the room. “Why are you even here, Kook? I didn’t ask to be subjected to your weird, century-long love affair.”

“The fuck! Century?” Jungkook exclaims, “how old do you think I am?”

“Not old enough to own up to your feelings,” Hoseok murmurs.

Jimin detaches himself from Jungkook’s side to place his hands on his hips in disapproval. “Hey, don’t make fun of Jungkook.”

“Oh my Goooood,” Hoseok shakes his head. “Stop, I beg of you…” The man glances at the analog clock hanging on the wall by the window and flaps a hand at Jimin. “Don’t you have a class to teach? Go, before I report you to the dean for lack of punctuation!”

“That would be a vile thing to do,” Jimin says, “I’ll just tell Jin you’re lying anyway. Jungkookie will back me up, right Kookie?”

Jungkook nods as Hoseok wails loudly again.

“Scram, Park!” Hoseok barks out and Jimin rolls his eyes but does walk over to the door.

The dance professor twists the knob and yanks the door open, but before he leaves, he gives Jungkook a sweet smile. “Kook, let’s grab coffee later! I want to try the new cafe that opened up across the street. I heard the owners are just starting up! After my class?”

“Ditto,” Jungkook says lamely as Jimin waves and exits, the door closing behind him with a soft ‘click’.

“Ditto? Did you really just respond to a coffee date with ‘ditto’? And I saw those finger guns.” 

“I’m not here to be judged!” Jungkook shouts and walks over to the chair in front of Hoseok’s desk. He doesn’t sit and instead looks down at it before looking up at the cabinet behind the older man. “I have to ask you something.”

Hoseok follows Jungkook’s shifty eyes to the cabinet and then smirks. “You want Jimin’s questionnaire that he filled out for the HDC?”

“There is no fucking way you know that,” Jungkook accuses, “did Jin text you?”

“Of course he did,” Hoseok says and opens the drawer underneath his desk. He takes out his keys and turns around to unlock the cabinet behind. “Does that mean you’re going to ask Jimin to be your plus one?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer and watches as the older man rummages around the cabinet before he finally pulls out a piece of paper and whoops in satisfaction. He whips around to wave it in front of Jungkook’s face mockingly.

The brunette tries to grab it, but the older man is faster as he hides it behind his back.

“Oh, Jungkook. Jungkook. Jungkook…” Hoseok tuts, “you’ve played all your cards, baby boy.”

Jungkook crosses his arms over his chest. “Disgusting, do not call me baby boy—”

“But little did you know, I have the upper hand now. How do they say it?”

“You just said it, it’s called the ‘upper hand’—”

“A straight, three of a kind, royal flush!” Hoseok says triumphantly.

“That’s not how poker works, you can’t combine hands.” Jungkook mumbles and briefly pushes his hair up and off of his face before giving Hoseok a stern look. “Alright, what do you want?”

“You’re coming to the dance, right?” Jungkook opens his mouth to retaliate but Hoseok waves him off, “don’t bother lying, Jin told me you are and I know you don’t want to be suspended.”

“We are all way too close of friends to be working in the same professional work environment,” Jungkook mutters to himself as Hoseok dangles the paper in front of Jungkook.

The brunette can see the distinct logo of the HDC at the top and Jimin’s neat handwriting at the top right corner of the page, his name written in blocky lettering. It really is his filled out questionnaire. 

Before he can read the answer to the first question, Hoseok is snatching it back again. “I want you to take pictures at the dance. It doesn’t have to be for the whole night cause I want you to enjoy yourself too, but I think a couple of candid photos of the students in their costumes and having a great time would be nice.”

Jungkook sighs, “okay, you got me. I’ll do it. Now give me that stupid questionnaire.”

Hoseok hands it over easily.

When it’s in Jungkook’s hands, he can’t help but notice only the second question is filled out. He looks up at Hoseok in bewilderment, “where’s the rest?”

Hoseok grins at him playfully, “oops! I forgot to mention that Jiminie and I only got to do the second question before we had to go teach. I told him I lost the questionnaire so he filled another one out with Yoongi. You’re gonna have to ask him for it.”

“Holy fuck, I hate it here,” Jungkook hastily folds the paper and shoves it into his back pocket before he’s stomping out of Hoseok’s office.

“Pleasure doing business with you! See you at the dance tomorrow, Jungkook!”

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Question 3: Do you have a ‘best feature’ or something you would find particularly attractive about your potential partner?

Prof. JJK: Someone who has an amazing smile. I think a smile that’s a little bit imperfect is the PERFECT smile. Something like a crooked front tooth. Eyes that crinkle from the smile. With full, plump lips. Super kissable. Super cute. Just my opinion. Totally my opinion.

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For the second question about height, Jimin had written: “I’m okay with anything! But I think someone who is either the same height or taller than me would be ideal. 🙂”

Jungkook had tried very hard to ignore the fact that the first question was blank. It’s probably the question he’s most curious about, but there isn’t much he can do but give his focus to the second question that’s actually filled out. 

The brunette feels his heart skip a beat upon reading Jimin’s answer to the height question. He’s taller than Jimin! But could he be taller? 

The brunette thinks about his platform converse shoes in his closet that he hasn’t worn in over a decade, since he was a teenager and he was a little bit insecure about his height. He ended up going through a growth spurt in his senior year of high school and shot up drastically.

It was a surprise to all friends as he became taller than Jimin, who at the time, was the second shortest person within their group of seven. He became the shortest once Jungkook surpassed him and since, Jungkook hasn’t let the older man live it down.

Jungkook folds the one-question-filled-questionnaire and tucks it safely under a pile of books in one of his desk drawers. He then opens up his laptop and turns it on. 

The moment it boots up and he punches in his passkey, he opens up the internet browser on incognito mode and searches for platform shoes.

Sneakers, combat boots, and even sandals. Jungkook even clicks on some Chelsea style boots with a subtle heel. He thinks about the logistics of what height he should get; he’s already around 5’10 give or take and if he were to order four inch platforms, he’d be 6’2. But wouldn’t four inches be too obvious of a lift?

Something like one-and-a-half to two inches seems more reasonable and less evident that he’s trying too hard to be taller.

He’s totally not trying too hard. 

Right?

Jungkook clicks on the heeled Chelsea boots and scrolls to find his size. He glances at the time in the corner of his screen before adding the boots to his cart.

After he’s inputted his credit card information into the site to complete his checkout, he gets ready to head over to Yoongi’s office, already feeling confident in asking the other professor for Jimin’s questionnaire.

On his way to the Music & Production Building, he bumps into a group of his photography students on their way off campus.

“Mr. Jeon!” One of the girls, Eunchae, greets. “How are you?”

“Hey guys,” Jungkook bows his head in greeting to Eunchae and the other two students, Beomgyu and Yoona. “Heading out for lunch?”

“Yeah! We’re also gonna shop around for a Halloween costume for the dance,” Yoona gushes. “We heard you’re coming too, Mr. Jeon.”

“The fu— Uh, yes. I am,” Jungkook never knows how Seokjin manages to spread the most random information around the art campus at such an alarmingly fast rate. The devil, that man is. “I guess I’ll see you all there?”

“Yes!” Eunchae answers as Beomgyu opens up his satchel bag to pull something out.

The student takes out a piece of paper and holds it out for Jungkook. The brunette recognizes it as the HDC questionnaire.

“You should fill one of these out, Mr. Jeon,” Beomgyu says. “I think all of the art faculty and professors have filled one out.”

“He already did, remember? Dean Kim said— Um, nevermind,” Eunchae whispers to Beomgyu as she reaches out to lower the boy’s hand. “Don’t mind him, Mr. Jeon. I’m sure you’ll get matched with your perfect partner!”

“Interesting,” Jungkook narrows his eyes at his students, but doesn’t want to overstep. He’s easy going and understanding with them, always taking the opportunity to converse and help with any concerns they may have, but would never cross the professional line to call any of them his ‘friends’. “That’s very interesting, Eunchae. Beomgyu. Yoona. I have to go now, good luck with your costume shopping.”

“Um, thanks, Mr. Jeon!” The three students awkwardly hobble away as Jungkook speed walks the rest of the way to the Music & Production Building, arms pumping and head held high with a purpose.

He only briefly peers into the window of Yoongi’s office door to make sure no one else is in there before he nearly breaks the door down when he unceremoniously kicks it open. He ignores the ‘crack!’ he may or may not have heard when his foot connected with the wood. “Knock fucking knock!”

The music professor stands from behind his desk in alarm as he takes his glasses off to squint at the brunette standing at the entrance of his office. “Fuck! I swear to fuck, Jungkook Jeon, if you broke my door again, I’m going to—”

“To what? Report me to the dean? Go ahead!” Jungkook booms and slams the door shut. He hears another ‘crack!’ but doesn’t spare the poor door a glance. “I’m already set to don some rabbit drab to the extremely juvenile event that is the Halloween dance. Jin can’t possibly punish me further!”

“Why are you talking like you’re in a Shakespeare play?” Yoongi gives the younger man a weird look as he slides a piece of paper over to Jungkook, like he was already expecting him. “Just take this and leave me alone. I have midterms to grade.”

Jungkook deflates at the ease of Yoongi handing over the questionnaire and stares at the paper blankly. “Did Seokjin text you?”

“Hobi did,” Yoongi says and plops back down in his chair. “Normally, I’d tease you more, but I’m kind of drowning in paperwork.”

“Okay then.” Jungkook counts it as a win. He walks up to Yoongi’s desk and reaches for the paper when the pianist guides it away.

“There is one thing—”

“No! You said, and I quote, ‘Just take this and leave me alone’. You literally said it ten seconds ago.”

“All I want is for you to pay for my door. We both heard it crack, you muscle pig. I accept cash and e-transfers.”

“Fine,” Jungkook says and quickly grabs the paper when Yoongi holds it back out for him. “I’ll e-transfer you. No one carries cash anymore.”

“Jimin does,” Yoongi points out. “He uses it to give to buskers. Or slips it in random charity outboxes.”

“Then I think carrying cash is of the utmost brilliance of our generation. God bless Park Jimin, God bless his pure heart and ethereal soul.” Jungkook salutes Yoongi, who raises an eyebrow at him.

“You’re whipped, you know that? Like, you’re seriously whipped.”

“You’re one to talk, Min,” Jungkook counters. “Don’t think we all don’t know about your crush on Namjoon. You’re just as emotionally constipated as me.”

Yoongi actually laughs at that, “a fair observation, Jeon. Yet the difference between me and you is that Namjoon and I are aware of and have acknowledged the mutual attraction, thanks to Jimin. We’re working on figuring out the actual ‘relationship’ part. You on the other hand…”

Yoongi gestures to Jungkook with the pen in his hands, using it to trace up and down the younger man’s body.

Jungkook self consciously crosses his legs and his arms over his chest. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“We’ve been friends for over twenty years now. We’re all in our thirties. You can tell Jimin that you like him.”

“But that’s the thing,” Jungkook says and he moves to sit down in the chair in front of Yoongi’s desk. “Twenty years of friendship down the drain if it doesn’t work out. Does Jimin even like like me?”

Yoongi’s mouth drops, “are you kidding? I know you have a thick skull but I truly don’t believe it’s that thick. You have to notice how he always gives you special treatment. He puts you first.”

Jungkook slowly nods. He’s had an inkling, how could he not? He and Jimin, along with Seokjin, Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi, and Taehyung, have all been friends since they were teenagers. They grew up together and Jungkook’s been in love with Jimin for as long as he can remember.

But his insecurities have always held him back. He’s plagued with the thought of how Jimin is way out of his league: He’s kind, intelligent, personable, caring, talented, older, wiser, extroverted, more mature—

“Stop over thinking!” Yoongi snaps and flicks at Jungkook’s forehead with his pen. “Over thinking is what’s gotten you into this twenty year mess.”

“I can’t help it! Jimin is so— And I’m so—” Jungkook, like Yoongi did earlier, gestures to his whole body. “Yoongi. Don’t you think I’m too short? I could be taller, right?”

“Huh? Kook, you’re fine. And I know you know this, or I think you know this, but Jimin thinks you’re fine. You know?” 

Jungkook clicks his tongue, “I may or may not be following. You said ‘know’ and ‘think’ way too many times.”

Yoongi glances at the questionnaire now gripped tightly in Jungkook’s hand. “Jimin like likes you. So yes, you can ask him to the dance, and yes, he will say yes . Got it? You don’t need that piece of paper to validate yourself,” he says instead.

“You’re right.” Jungkook gives the pianist a small smile as he folds and tucks the paper into his pocket.

Yoongi sighs as he watches him do that, “you’re totally going to read the questionnaire anyway. And hang onto every word of it.”

“You betcha, thanks Yoongi!” Jungkook leaps up from his seat and moves to make his exit

“By the way,” Yoongi calls after him. “Jiminie only filled out the third question on that. Taehyung has the next one.”

“Oh fuck off!” Jungkook actually does rip Yoongi’s door off its hinges. “I know! I’m paying for it!”

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Question 4: What core values or principles of life would you like your partner to have?

Prof. JJK: Kind, intelligent, personable, caring, talented, older, wise, extroverted, mature. I’m just listing this off the top of my head, and it’s absolutely not something I’ve repeated to my friends over and over AND OVER again. Anyone who donates to buskers and charities are literally PERFECT. Heart of gold. Hair of gold… Is that too obvious? I digress!

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For the third question about a physical attribute, Jimin had written: “Not picky! As long as the person is beautiful on the inside. But I guess having a nice body is a bonus, being strong and healthy is always attractive. 😅”

Jungkook shamefully admits he went back to his office to check himself out in his floor length mirror after reading this when exiting Yoongi’s office.

He’s a regular gym goer with a three to four times a week schedule, but he has to admit that while his arms and shoulders still show his progress in bulk, his abdomen isn’t quite as defined as it used to be.

He blames it on midterm exams as well as the weather getting colder. Since his birthday in September, he’s been consuming a lot more calories and hasn’t been balancing it out with cardio. He could maybe eat more vegetables too…

It could also be because Jimin has been taking him out to try new restaurants, but he could and would never blame Jimin.

So Jungkook does the most reasonable thing he can think of the moment after checking out his less-than-desirable abs.

He drops to the floor and starts doing timed plank holds and sit ups.

It’s a steady rotation of forty five second standard and side plank holds with twenty or so sit ups in between. He’s actually breaking a sweat when there’s a firm knock on his door.

And that’s how Jimin finds him when the dance professor enters before waiting for the answer.

The office door swings inwards and Jimin pokes his head in. “Hey, Jungkook, are you ready to—” The blonde blinks at the younger man lying down on the floor behind his desk as Jungkook’s head disappears and reappears from where he’s still doing crunches. “Uh, what are you doing?”

Jungkook flops backwards so he’s able to peer up at Jimin from where the other man stands at his door. “Oh! Jimin, I was just…” The photography professor rolls onto his stomach and scrambles to his feet. He claps his hands of any dirt from the floor and straightens out his shirt, “doing PDA.”

“PDA?” Jimin says quizzically, “like public display of affection?”

“Is that what PDA stands for?” Jungkook says in genuine disbelief, “I meant physical daily activity.”

“In your office?” Jimin glances around said office and gives Jungkook a smile.

“Yeah, it’s casual. Trying to stay fit and strong and healthy and whatnot,” Jungkook says coolly and leans a hand on his desk. He only gets the corner and it slips right off the surface, so he stumbles a bit to prevent himself from slamming his face into the desk, “anyways. Coffee?”

“Yes, coffee,” Jimin laughs. The dance professor has since changed from that oversized sweater and joggers into a cable knit cardigan with slacks. Those slacks do wonders in hugging the dancer in all the right places. “I have a few lectures later so we’ll have to be quick!”

“Sure,” Jungkook grabs his jacket off of the coat rack wedged into the corner of the room and follows the blonde out of his office. After he locks up, the two venture towards the exit of the Fine Arts & Film Building.

Just as they push through the double doors, Jungkook nearly collides into Taehyung, who’s carrying a stack of loose papers and is on his way into the building.

“Mr. Jeon,” Taehyung nods his head in greeting as he raises his arm to prevent his papers from flying everywhere. The visual arts professor turns and his eyes light up when they see the blonde emerging from the other door. “And Jiminie— Uh, Mr. Park!”

“Hello, Mr. Kim,” Jimin says formally and then grins. “We don’t have to address each other so stiffly. Our students know we’re friends.”

“Do they? Jungkook here hates the art faculty.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “Who said I hate the art faculty?”

“Jin,” both Jimin and Taehyung say at the same time.

“Again, we are all way too close of friends to be working in the same professional work environment.” Jungkook mumbles.

The two don’t catch Jungkook’s mumbles as Jimin smiles at Taehyung. “We’re getting coffee, do you want to come?” Jimin asks and Jungkook internally screams in protest. 

“You look super busy,” Jungkook cuts in as Taehyung opens his mouth to reply. “That’s a lot of paper. You’re probably marking and reviewing and doing other things that don’t involve getting coffee with us.”

The brunette gives Taehyung a hard glare. He’s standing behind Jimin, so the older man doesn’t notice it as Taehyung’s expression remains neutral in reaction to Jungkook’s warning look. 

“Hmm, I do have to mark and review some things…” Taehyung ponders. “But I can also make time to grab coffee with my besties!”

Jungkook lets out a strangled noise as Jimin offers to carry some papers for the visual arts professor.

“Buuuuuuuuuuut,” Taehyung sings as Jimin reaches for the top half of his stack. He swerves at the last moment so the blonde isn’t able to grab any papers. They teeter dangerously, but the light haired man smacks a hand on top of the stack to steady it. “I could be unavailable. Depending on if our beloved photography professor will jungle for me in our upcoming League of Legends ranked games?”

“I hate playing jungle and you know it,” Jungkook responds flatly.

“Well then. I love coffee and Jimin, and so I’ve decided to come. Give me a second, I just have to throw this away.” Taehyung takes the topmost paper on his giant stack and swipes it in front of Jungkook’s line of vision. 

Jungkook can see the familiar orange logo of the HDC on the paper and the same block handwriting of Jimin’s name in the top right corner.

The fourth question. 

It’s only a brief moment, and only Jungkook seems to have noticed the questionnaire as Jimin keeps on insisting to hold Taehyung’s paper stack while the other man throws out said questionnaire.

Jimin grabs a hold of the stack and tries to adjust his hand position to prevent it from toppling over.

While the blonde is distracted, Jungkook blurts out, “I will jungle for you,” and Taehyung’s hand pauses above the opening of the garbage can.

“For five games!” The light haired man whispers as he changes course and shoves the paper into Jungkook’s chest. He maneuvers the paper stack out of Jimin’s hands as quickly as he took it. “And you should ask Jiminie to the dance!”

“Shut up, you’re the worst,” Jungkook hisses and crams the questionnaire into his coat pocket just as Taehyung transfers the paper stack back over to himself.

Jimin looks between the two, confused and unaware of the quick exchange that just transpired. “Uh? What’s going on?”

“I’ve decided this is too much paper, and so I have to do a lot of marking and reviewing and other things that don’t involve getting coffee,” Taehyung says cheekily and begins to push open the doors again with his back.

“Are you sure?” Jimin asks and tilts his head in bewilderment. One moment Taehyung was agreeing and the next, he’s trying to leave.

“Yes, he’s sure,” Jungkook reaches for Jimin’s hand and tugs on it. “And he doesn’t recycle, Jimin. He almost tossed that paper out in the garbage! We don’t associate ourselves with those that aren’t mindful and protective about our planet Earth.”

“Tae!” Jimin gasps, scandalized. “Paper is literally the easiest thing to recycle.”

“Yeah, Tae,” Jungkook sneers.

“Hey!” Taehyung splutters, “I was only holding it over the garbage can for dramatic effect because Jungkook—”

“Don’t know, don’t care, bye!” Jungkook moves away with Jimin in tow.

“Fine! Good luck trying to get the next question out of Namjoon, you loser!” Taehyung yells as Jungkook scurries away with the puzzled dance professor.

🎃🎃🎃

Question 5: What does your ideal date night / spot look like?

Prof. JJK: I’m open to different cuisines, you know? I’m like a food connoisseur. I’m always down to try new things, so having a romantic dinner and trying dishes from a new, locally owned restaurant sounds PERFECT. Remember to support your small businesses and recycle! I think it’s also appropriate to mention here that I’m totally healthy (20/20 vision, regular cholesterol levels, all organs intact) and I love our Mother Earth!

🎃🎃🎃

The cafe is a cozy little corner shop a few blocks away from the college. It’s owned by a middle aged couple who both seem to be made for each other and the business; the husband is a pastry chef and the wife is a coffee fanatic.

Although the space isn’t big, it’s intimately decorated with live plants, artwork of still life, and gold and wooden accent pieces. There’s a grand window to allow for pedestrians to peer in as well as allow for the cafe to display their featured pastries and coffee beans. 

The cafe only fits six tables with a comfortable distance in between and all six tables are occupied with patrons.

“It’s alright, we can walk and talk!” Jimin suggests as they approach the counter to read the menu.

“Welcome!” A woman greets warmly from behind the counter. Her name tag reads ‘Mrs. Lee’. “Would you like to try our vanilla bean Danishes? Fresh out of the oven!”

“Do you have anything with lemon?” Jungkook asks and flushes when Jimin immediately looks at him. “Er, I mean, I don’t want to speak for you, Jimin—”

“No! I love lemons,” Jimin says enthusiastically. “Yes! Do you have anything lemon-y?” He directs this question to Mrs. Lee.

Mrs. Lee lights up and gestures to the display case of pastries beside the register. “Of course! There’s our lemon custard tart, lemon chiffon cake, frosted lemon loaf, this citrus and yuzu flavoured cupcake, though that’s not lemon is it…”

“They all sound good! I’ll take the chiffon cake. Do you have any banana flavoured pastries? Or sweet corn?” Jimin inquires.

Jungkook feels his heart pound against his ribcage as he stares at the older man’s side profile while Jimin inspects the display case and continues to talk to Mrs. Lee.

He loves bananas. And sweet corn. 

He thinks about what Yoongi said not even thirty minutes ago. About how he over thinks. About how Jimin does like like him.

Maybe he should confess and get it over with. Put an end to his twenty year misery. But Jimin deserves a sweet and romantic confession. He deserves the prettiest of flowers and an amazing meal, with intricately planned date activities and sentimental, handmade gifts—

“What would you like, Jungkook?” Jimin’s voice brings him out of his jumble of thoughts.

“Your banana,” Jungkook blurts and then quickly turns his attention to Mrs. Lee when Jimin furrows his eyebrows, “your banana thing. The pastry with the banana. Sorry, what do you have again?”

Mrs. Lee laughs kindly and points to a whole pie in the display case. It’s lovingly decorated with whipped cream, heart shaped banana slices, and yellow sprinkles. “Banana cream pie!”

Jungkook chokes on his spit and nods, “that. Give me the cream pie.” He purposely avoids eye contact with both Jimin and Mrs. Lee. “And an iced americano, please.”

“I would like an iced americano too, please!” Jimin chirps and pulls out his wallet.

“I can get it,” Jungkook offers and reaches into his pocket. His fingers come in contact with the crumpled questionnaire Taehyung had given him and the brunette freezes momentarily.

“It’s okay, you paid for dinner last time.” Jimin taps his card on the machine when Mrs. Lee presents it to him. “We’ll take it to go, Mrs. Lee. You’re already so busy! How long have you been open?”

As Jimin and Mrs. Lee happily converse, Jungkook excuses himself to the bathroom.

There’s only one bathroom unit in the cafe and the photography professor is relieved when he finds it unoccupied. He scurries in and makes sure the door is locked before pulling out the HDC questionnaire.

For the fourth question about values and principles, Jimin had written: “What a loaded question! I don’t really know how to answer this without going on a tangent but… Maybe family and friend oriented. Caring and kind. The obvious. An animal lover! I’ll be happy if my partner is comfortable in their own skin. Confidence is sexy. They don’t have to be outgoing or social, but since I am… It would be great if they could indulge me from time to time. 🥰”

Jungkook feels frustration bubble up in his gut. He is not outgoing or social. Seokjin’s words about him hating the art faculty float around in his brain. He wasn’t even aware of the annual Halloween dance until today!

That doubt and insecurity creeps up on him again. 

This moment would perfectly encapsulate his twenty year pining over Jimin. One moment he’s assured in his and Jimin’s feelings and he thinks he’s ready to confess, and then a moment later a sliver of uncertainty drives a wedge of despair in his plans.

Up until this question, he’s felt that he could mold himself to be Jimin’s ideal man. 

Problem: Height? Platform shoes.

Problem: Body? Cut a diet and work out more.

Problem: Asocial and awkward? How do you fix awkwardness?

Jungkook sighs heavily and bangs a fist against the wall of the bathroom.

The shelf behind the toilet wobbles and one side completely falls off, in which the screw comes loose and everything on the shelf begins to slide towards the tilting side.

Jungkook is quick in catching the plant pot and decorative Matryoshka figurine that drops.

RE: Awkward. 

“Ah, fuck,” the brunette mutters and takes that as his cue to leave the bathroom. He stuffs the questionnaire back into his coat pocket and sheepishly exits the bathroom with the pot and the figurine in each hand. 

Jimin is now standing off to the side of the counter waiting for their order while Mrs. Lee busies herself with making their drinks and packaging their pastries.

Jungkook discreetly sets the plant pot and figurine by the register before walking up to Jimin.

The blonde is inspecting one of the bags of coffee beans by the grand window situated at the store front. His lips are pursed in thought and one of his hands is cradled underneath his chin.

He looks alluring with his flawless skin and silky ash blonde hair. The late afternoon sun bathes the dance professor in a warm, marigold light and highlights his adorable expression of concentration as he reads the description of taste on the back of the coffee bean bag.

“Jimin,” Jungkook says and the older man perks up at the sound of his voice.

“Hey! Should I buy this? Mrs. Lee said it was their most popular blend. The beans are harvested from Indonesia,” Jimin holds the bag out to Jungkook and the brunette squints to read the description on the side.

“But you don’t have a coffee grinder,” Jungkook points out.

“Shoot,” Jimin snaps his fingers, “I forgot for a second. Well… Do you think I should get a coffee grinder?”

“Do you want a coffee grinder? And are you trying to make coffee grounds for a coffee maker or an espresso machine? It’s different for both,” Jungkook explains.

“Which do you prefer?” Jimin asks.

Jungkook chuckles. “Me?”

“Yes,” Jimin affirms and places the coffee beans carefully back on the display and looks to Jungkook as he turns his body around so he can fully face the taller man.

He always does this; even if he and Jungkook are with other people, Jimin will always ask Jungkook for his opinion or go to great lengths to include Jungkook into the conversation. And when Jungkook does speak, the older man will turn his body and focus his gaze on him, giving Jungkook his full attention, as if whatever Jungkook has to say is that important.

It drives Jungkook crazy. The good kind of crazy. It makes Jungkook feel seen as an otherwise shy and introverted person.

It’s also one of the many reasons Jungkook is so in love with this man.

“Espressos are more concentrated and flavourful. Especially since you like americanos, I think an espresso machine would serve you better,” is Jungkook’s response. 

“Mmm,” Jimin hums and reaches up to loop an arm through Jungkook’s elbow. “Thank you, Jungkookie.”

The brunette hadn’t even noticed that they were standing so close.

“My kitchen isn’t big enough for a coffee grinder and an espresso machine,” Jimin says sadly as Mrs. Lee calls his name for their order.

“That’s okay,” Jungkook says absentmindedly and opens the door to the cafe for Jimin, who’s holding the bag with their pastries in one hand and the tray of iced americanos in the other. “I’ll just take you out for coffee. Support your local businesses, right?”

Jimin pauses at the base of the steps. Jungkook nearly bumps into his back but manages to side step in time.

The blonde turns around and beams at the younger man, “okay.”

“Okay,” Jungkook feels his ears heat up at the expression of pure bliss on Jimin’s face as the dance professor giddily hands him his iced americano.

As the two walk back to campus, they chat and catch each other up on where they’re at with their students regarding midterms. Jimin dives into some art faculty drama between a few professors and Jungkook rants about some troublemakers in one of his classes.

Then, just as they reach the Performing Arts Building, Jimin brings up the Halloween dance. “Jin texted the group chat that you’re going.”

“Ugh,” Jungkook grunts. He has that group chat muted. To be frank, he has a majority of his chats muted, save for Jimin’s. For obvious reasons. “Yeah.”

“It’ll be so much fun!” Jimin grins, “I can’t wait to see your costume—”

“I’m going as—”

“No! Don’t tell me!” Jimin yells and the photography professor snaps his mouth shut. “I want it to be a surprise.”

“Does that mean you won’t tell me what your costume is?”

“Nope!”

There’s a moment of silence as the two stand in front of the entrance into the building. 

“Are you bringing someone?” Jimin asks. It sounds hesitant, like he didn’t want to ask.

“What? No!” Jungkook exclaims in surprise. 

“I heard Jimin is bringing a date,” Seokjin’s voice from earlier echoes in his mind. The dean had stated he was just kidding, but what if he wasn’t? 

Jungkook gulps, “are… Are you? Bringing someone.”

Jimin giggles nervously as he shakes his head, “nope…”

Another moment of silence, though this one has an uncomfortable air to it, like something unresolved is hanging in between them.

Jungkook knows it’s his pathetic self that can’t do something as simple as ask Jimin to a college Halloween dance. They’re not even the ones in college! They’re professors, damnit!

Jungkook can do this. He can say, “will you go to the dance with me?” He can do it. He can! He—

“Shoot, I have to go,” Jimin says as he checks the watch on his wrist. He hands the plastic bag of pastries over to Jungkook, “I’ll text you later. Don’t eat the pastries without me. Promise?”

“Y-Yeah, sure,” Jungkook replies as he automatically brings his hand up to hook his pinky finger with Jimin’s awaiting one. 

The dance professor gives him a bright smile and a final wave goodbye before pushing through the double doors.

Jungkook gazes longingly at the door before shuffling off towards the Music & Production Building, a slight skip to his step.

🎃🎃🎃

It turns out, Taehyung was right to wish Jungkook luck with getting Jimin’s fifth question from Namjoon.

It’s not that the music department head was difficult to talk to, he was actually the one who Jungkook was first friends with before being introduced to the rest by Namjoon.

It’s the fact that Namjoon is, well, the music department head. He is a workaholic and for some otherworldly reason, always seems to be occupied with a lecture or a student inquiry.

Jungkook first walks by Namjoon’s office, only to be informed by one of his colleagues that Namjoon hasn’t been in his office all day. 

After lingering around the music department offices for a few more minutes, Jungkook thinks about texting Yoongi if he knows their loveable blue haired professor’s schedule. He decides against it as he doesn’t want Yoongi to accidentally answer in their group chat. 

It wouldn’t be the first time the pianist has done it.

The photography professor continues to walk around the building and pass by the lecture halls, hoping to see if Namjoon is teaching in one.

He circles around for the nth time when he spots a flash of blue shuffle past in the intersecting hallway.

“Namjoon!” Jungkook calls out and bolts after the music department head.

The blue haired man halts for a moment and gives Jungkook a tight lipped smile when he sees the brunette sprinting towards him. He turns and continues speed walking in the direction he was originally going towards.

“What’s up, Kook? I don’t have a lot of time, I’m in the middle of a lecture right now. I just forgot one of my reference textbooks in my office—”

Jungkook keeps up with the older man’s pace. “Great! We’re going to your office. That’s already half my question.”

“Okay? And what’s the other half? Jungkook, I’m really busy—”

“Wait, you don’t know what I’m about to ask? You haven’t read our group chat?”

Namjoon shoves a hand into his pocket and pulls out his key ring to get the one to his office ready. “You know I mute it during work hours, I can’t afford—”

“To get distracted! Yes I know, I mute the group chat too,” Jungkook huffs out happily. Namjoon has always been one of Jungkook’s longest and closest friends, and the younger man appreciates Namjoon’s way of reading him and agreeing with him on a lot of unspoken things.

“Jungkook,” Namjoon says warningly as he unlocks his office. He begins to open the drawers in his desk and yanks open the cabinets. “Once I find my book I am not talking to you. I need to get back to the lecture hall—”

“It’s a small thing!” Jungkook talks fast, the words tumbling out. Time is of the essence, and the hasty situation only benefits Jungkook as it saves him the embarrassment. “You have the fifth question of Jimin’s questionnaire that he filled out for the Halloween Dance Committee and I need to see it.”

Jungkook gets the last word out just as Namjoon pulls out the textbook he was looking for out of one of the cabinets. 

“Aha!” The music department head shrieks victoriously. He gives Jungkook a relieved smile and then speed walks towards the door. 

“Ah, Namjoon—” Jungkook knows the music department head is in a hurry, but he really wants to see that fifth question.

“Yes, yes, Jimin’s questionnaire for the CHD… DCH. I can’t be bothered. Here you go!” Namjoon nearly tears the paper in half with how fast he’s whipping it out from under the cover of the textbook. “I really have to go, Jungkook, but you go get your man! It's pointless to pine! See you tomorrow!”

The music department head leaves his keys in the lock of the door but he’s dashing away so fast that Jungkook has to lock up his office for him. The brunette takes the keys to give to him later as he mulls over what Namjoon just said.

He already knew from when he spoke to Eunchae, Beomgyu, and Yoona, but his quick exchange with Namjoon only cements the fact.

Jungkook pockets Namjoon’s key ring and reads Jimin’s answer to the fifth question.

For the fifth question about the ideal date night / spot, Jimin had written: “I’m going to list two, and they’re on the complete opposite sides of the spectrum… I think a romantic date alone, like taking a nice walk with some drinks would be very lovely… But I also think that a cheesy date with good vibes and bad dancing would also be fun. 🤭”

Jungkook exhales deeply. He's not quite sure what to do with that information right now, but he folds the paper up and stashes it in his pocket anyway.

With all the questions collected, the brunette decides to go retrieve his bunny costume from the fashion department since he's within the vicinity and he’s confirmed to be going to the dance tomorrow.

As he makes his way to the Fashion & Design Building, hands in his pockets, he fiddles with the paper of the fifth question.

It's as he's entering the building that he suddenly remembers something about the HDC questionnaire.

The first question.

When he received the second question from Hoseok he noticed the first one was blank and thought it odd that Jimin would start by filling out the second question.

Which means…

Who has the first one?

And what did Jimin write?

By the time Jungkook makes it to Seonghwa’s office, he's gripping his hair in exasperation. Seonghwa’s door opens right when Jungkook raises his fist to knock.

The fashion professor is holding a giant black garment bag in one hand and a few large sketchbooks are cradled in his other arm.

“Mr. Jeon,” Seonghwa greets politely, unaware of Jungkook’s inner emotional turmoil. “Dean Kim requested that I drop this off for you since you haven’t been by yet.” The raven haired man gestures to the garment bag.

It’s huge and bulky and the entire bottom of the bag bulges out like there’s a massive ball stuffed in there. Due to the matte black material of the bag, Jungkook can’t see what’s inside.

“Thank you, Mr. Park. Did Dean Kim text you?” Jungkook asks as he accepts the garment bag from the fashion professor. “I thought this was a bunny costume?”

“Yes, and it is a bunny costume,” Seonghwa giggles and with his hand now free of the garment bag, he closes his office door. “I have to get going. See you at the dance tomorrow!”

And with that the man is strutting away.

Jungkook unzips the bag and curses when he sees what’s inside. He immediately takes out his phone and dials Seokjin’s personal landline.

“Good afternoon, this is Dean Seokjin Kim of—”

“I’m not wearing this! What the fuck?”

“You must and you will! I better see you there tomorrow night, Jungkook Jeon, as a fluffy bunny or that’s a two week suspension with no pay—”

“The devil! You’re the fucking devil!” Jungkook barks into his phone and presses the end call button.

A few students in the fashion building innocently passing by give him some weird looks but they ultimately mind their business and continue walking.

Jungkook quickly makes his way out of the Fashion & Design Building and back to the comfort of his own office.

🎃🎃🎃

On the night of the dance, Jungkook is already sweating in the absurd bunny costume and arrives at the campus gym with no date and one of his Canon cameras in hand (mittened paw).

The camera has a neck strap attached as Jungkook’s hands are covered in the fuzz of the costume and he’s a little bit scared of dropping it.

He stares at the double doors leading into the gym and sighs heavily.

Through the windows of the doors Jungkook can see that the dance is in full swing with loud Halloween themed pop music blasting on the speakers. The gym is dark save for some LED and strobe lights flashing, and the entirety of the room is decorated with balloons, spooky ornaments, and moving animatronics. The Halloween Dance Committee put a lot of effort into this, and that Jungkook can appreciate.

Except not when he’s in a fucking full-body, borderline mascot-esque, grey bunny costume.

He feels as silly as he looks.

“Jungkook!” A voice shouts distantly behind him.

The brunette has to turn his entire body around (re: stupid bunny costume) to see who’s calling him.

It’s Jimin. The dance professor is adorably dressed from head to toe in a leek costume . His face is flushed pink and his little green hat is slightly askew as he jogs towards Jungkook.

“You’re a leek,” Jungkook blurts out as Jimin says, “I’m a cabbage.”

The two scan each other up and down before bursting out into laughter.

“Wait, how did you know it was me? I didn’t tell you what my costume was.”

Jimin adjusts the little green hat on his head, “the mastermind behind every shenanigan that happens in the art faculty: Jin. He outed your costume in the group chat, you didn’t see?”

Jungkook shakes his head. Or tries to. The massive bunny head doesn’t move much as it’s, well, massive. “No.” He doesn’t want to admit to Jimin that he has the chat muted for that very reason: shenanigans.

“Well… This is kind of like a couple's costume, isn’t it?” Jimin says boldly though his cheeks are still tinged pink. 

“O-Oh? Is it?” Jungkook chuckles nervously. “How so?”

“Bunnies eat cabbage. Or is it lettuce? They’re similar,” Jimin ponders.

Jungkook nods. This is it. This is the perfect opening, Jimin is basically spoon feeding it to him by calling their costumes a couple costume.

They haven’t entered the gymnasium yet. Jungkook could still ask Jimin to be his ‘date’ to the dance… The cabbage to his bunny.

For the rest of their lives.

Shit, one step at a time, Jeon.

Ask Jimin to the dance that’s less than three feet away…

Would Jimin even want that? Or does he want to enjoy his spooky evening by himself? Maybe in the short time from yesterday evening to now he acquired a date? Perhaps a colleague from the art faculty? What if it’s someone Jungkook really doesn’t like—

He’s spiraling. His thoughts are spiraling! 

Aside from the costume, Jungkook feels his palms begin to sweat and his heart is hammering so much that he can practically feel it in his ears.

“I should go home,” Jungkook semi-yells out as Jimin says, “I have something for you.”

Jimin laughs, “we seem to be talking over each other tonight.” And then, a little more seriously, “you want to go home?”

“Uh, I don’t know. I feel a bit ridiculous in this costume,” Jungkook admits honestly. “You have something for me?”

“Yes,” Jimin says abashedly. The older man pats the poofy body of his costume and hums in frustration when he seems to realize something. “It’s in my pants pocket. But I can’t reach it. Can you get it?” The dance professor waves his hands around as if to prove his point: the bodice of the cabbage / leek / lettuce costume doesn’t allow for much upper body movement and so Jimin’s arms are shortened at the elbow.

The ash blonde turns and hikes the body of his costume up so Jungkook can access his pants pocket.

He’s so aggravatingly cute with the costume hitched up as his head disappears into it, leaving only the top of his little hat visible.

Jungkook, with great difficulty, reaches a fuzzy mittened hand into Jimin’s pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. 

“This is…?”

Jimin smiles, “read it.”

Jungkook, again with great difficulty, unfolds the paper and immediately recognizes the HDC logo and Jimin’s name on the top right corner. 

The very first question.

Jungkook feels the panic rise and before he can even read what’s written, he’s trying to give the paper back to the older man. “Jimin, I can explain. In fact, I have a very good explanation. So good that you’ll still want to be friends with me. I do have an explanation. Um, yes, so my explanation is that—”

Jimin takes a hold of Jungkook’s flapping arm and laughs, “Jungkook. Just read it.”

Jungkook inhales and focuses on the paper. 

For the first question about dating someone new or someone you know, Jimin had written: “The perfect partner is someone you trust and can be yourself with. And there is someone I’m thinking of that I wholeheartedly trust with all my heart. He’s had my heart for over twenty years now. ❤️”

Jungkook looks at Jimin in alarm, a tidal wave of emotion washing over him.

And then, “who? Who the fuck is this man? Twenty years?!”

Jimin looks at Jungkook in disbelief. “What? Are you kidding right now?”

“Oh my God, he’s over six feet, isn’t he? Does he have an eight-pack? Oh fuck,” Jungkook throws his hands up in indignation. “He’s totally not awkward and loves the art faculty, doesn’t he?!”

Jimin stares at him with his mouth parted in incredulity. 

Jungkook doesn’t stop rambling, “I’ll have you know, I’m three percent less introverted when I re-took that MBTI personality test, and despite what Seokjin fucking Kim says, I don’t hate the art faculty. I just prefer my own space and realm of creativity, and sometimes being with other creative minds can hinder my own process and inflict imposter syndrome—”

Jungkook is interrupted when a pair of lips press against his. 

The angle isn’t ideal and due to both of their costumes being so bulky, the kiss is faint and fleeting.

Jimin lowers himself from tippy toeing and gazes at Jungkook warmly. His shortened arms grip Jungkook’s fuzzy shoulders and he looks directly into the brunette’s eyes when he says, “Jungkook. It’s you.” 

And then the ash blonde gives Jungkook the finger guns, winking while he does it.

Jungkook sniffs a little, touched and endeared. “But I’m not six feet tall and I don’t have an eight-pack,” is Jungkook’s reply, entire face beet red.

Jimin rolls his eyes in annoyance, “Jungkook! I don’t need you to be six feet tall or have an eight-pack! Which is very hard to achieve, who do you know that has an eight-pack?”

“Probably some guy,” Jungkook answers airily.

“Anyways, I’ve been dropping hints forever. It’s been a very painful twenty years.”

Jungkook smiles sheepishly, “why didn’t you say something?”

“Because you’re so skittish!” Jimin pokes at the younger man’s forehead. “Sometimes I have no idea what’s going on in your mind. But I know you over think and I would never want to make you uncomfortable… So I thought the best approach would be for you to confess first.”

“I think you’re perfect,” Jungkook declares. “You’ve always been perfect to me.”

"Ditto," Jimin says and leans into him again when someone, or, some people, cheer loudly beside them.

“I’m amazing!” Seokjin exclaims and leaps out from behind a tree. He’s dressed in a full cowboy and horse ensemble and he raises his arms in excitement. “I got the idiots to confess!”

“No you didn’t,” Hoseok says from where he emerges from a bush in a skeleton printed black suit. “We all did. And finger guns? 'Ditto'? Really, Jimin?”

“What the fuck?” Jungkook deadpans as all their friends reveal themselves from various hiding spots. “How long were you all there?”

“From the time you arrived,” Yoongi responds. “Seokjin made us do it. And we wanted to see if you'd finally ask Jimin to the dance.”

“Congratulations!” Namjoon says supportively.

“Technically he still hasn't asked Jiminie to the dance, so he's still a loser,” Taehyung teases.

Jungkook frowns at the light haired man but Jimin grabs his bicep to hold him back.

“They’re the ones behind your HDC questionnaire,” Jimin explains. “They each filled out a question on your behalf. I caught Taehyung slipping it into your submission box, but he made me swear not to tell you.”

“So it was you! ” Jungkook shouts and points at Seokjin accusingly. His hand is mittened in the fuzzy paw of the bunny costume so it doesn’t come off as threatening as he’d like. “You blatantly lied to my face yesterday morning!”

“Why are you only blaming me? Jimin said we all contributed,” Seokjin pouts. “You should be thanking me!”

“No thank you,” Jungkook says snootily and whirls around. “Jimin, this has been a long time coming. I promise I’ll take you out on a real first date, but… Will you accompany me to this dance?”

Jimin grins, eyes crinkling as he places his own gloved hand into Jungkook’s mittened one. “Yes.”

The two push through the doors of the gymnasium.

🎃🎃🎃

Feedback Survey for the Halloween Dance Committee: 

• How was your overall experience with this questionnaire? 

• Are you still talking to your match? (Romantic or as friends)?

• How can we better your experience at the Halloween Dance next year?

Prof. JJK: This is the real Mr. Jungkook Jeon, photography professor of the Fine Arts & Film Building, a member of our dear art faculty. 

I will say, though it was ultimately useless since I wasn’t actually matched with anyone through this, I’m thankful for this questionnaire. 

Things are amazing with my ‘match’. We’re different people, but I like that about us. We compliment each other and are able to bring the other up when one may be lacking in any area. We’re the best of friends, have been for over twenty years, and I wouldn’t change anything about how this happened. I’m kind of glad we got together at this dance - it’s our special little story. And I’m excited for more stories to come.

Congratulations to the Halloween Dance Committee on another successful dance. It was truly an amazing and one-of-a-kind experience. The music was a bit loud… Anyway.

As for how you can make it better for next year? I would like to propose the possibility of a change in our head office. I believe this change is much needed to allow for our many art departments to continue to grow and flourish to the best of its abilities. 

The change will start with the dean’s replacement… 

Sincerely, 

Prof. JJK

🎃🎃🎃