Chapter Text
Loud pop music is blasting through the bar’s speakers, bouncing against the high, brick walls. The rhythm of the lyrics seems almost in sync with the warm hubbub of the crowd drinking and laughing around glasses, shots, booths and foosball tables.
It’s fun, full of life, but also quite different from their friend group’s kind of scenes.
“I’m surprised ‘Seok would think of a bar like this for Joon’s birthday,” Yoongi throws with a quick look above his shoulder. Seokjin is right behind him, both of them making their way through the mass of people separating their booth from the bar. Their Friday nights are usually spent in calmer places, where music has lower basses and conversations are almost ushered. It’s nice, although it’s quite different.
They come to a stop as they get closer to the counter, people standing and waiting to get their drink before leaving their spot for the next one to order.
“Jungkook just started working here.” Seokjin leans closer, his mouth right next to Yoongi’s ear so he can be heard above the music. “And even if it’s Namjoon’s birthday, it’s Jungkook’s first day as well. And you know Jungkook is basically their child.”
Yoongi snorts, slowly making his way to the bar as more people scatter away with their drinks in hand. He can’t say much though, it’s true that Jungkook, despite being taller and broader than most of them, is everyone’s child in their group.
“Let’s go Yoongi-yah!” Seokjin beckons him with a slight tap on his shoulder. He’s throwing a quick glance toward the other hand of the bar, where a vacant spot seems to be just waiting for them. “Shots and beers?”
*
Maybe it’s the change of ambiance; or maybe it’s because of the crappy week he just had because of work, but Yoongi isn’t really in the mood for anything too strong nor bitter to start his night. That’s how he finds himself browsing through the bar’s cocktail menu, in search of something sweet enough to make him forget his life as a corporate slave.
“Finding anything you like?” Seokjin asks as they wait for a bartender to arrive. So far they haven't managed to get a glimpse of Jungkook anywhere yet, but Yoongi can easily imagine how busy his first day can be, especially on a Friday night.
Yoongi hums, still jumping from one section of the menu to another, until he finds the bar’s specialities. He’s immediately drown upon a cherry flavoured cocktail, although the name makes him cringe a bit—
“Kiss on the lips?” Seokjin laughs, “is that the prude version of the Sex on the Beach?”
Yoongi can’t help the twitch of his lips, despite how bad Seokjin’s pun is, and only looks at the ingredients list once more. Campari, gin, cherry bourbon, overall it looks exactly like what he might need to unwind from the stress of his week.
“Hey, what can I get you guys?” A chiming voice breaks him out of his contemplation and when Yoongi raises his eyes, he meets what can only be an adonis from above. Sharp jawline, soft brown eyes, lips as full as a blossoming rose, and hair style with taste and coloured with the most insane shade of pink while looking so unfairly gorgeous.
Yoongi is only vaguely aware that Seokjin has finished placing his own order and is now waiting for him to say something, but he can’t bring himself to speak because what are even words at this point of his life? The god-sent beauty throws a patient, albeit amused smile at him, and Yoongi thinks he might have forgotten his very own name from now-on.
The thing is: Yoongi is not used to being awestruck. He’s confident, he knows he’s attractive and good at flirting. He knows how to charm people and present himself well. So it’s even with a deeper shock that he’s forcefully pushed out of his torpor from Seokjin’s elbow painfully poking at his ribs. He stumbles, ordering his ridiculous cocktail with a ridiculous name, all while thinking he wouldn’t mind a kiss from those lips, and feeling even more mortified from his own thoughts.
As their drinks are made, Yoongi makes a deliberate effort to ignore Seokjin’s insistent side eye, focusing instead on the bartender’s skillful hands moving fast and with ease.
“Here we go!” He looks like the most sinful and delicious cotton-candy Yoongi has ever seen in his life. “4 tequila shots, 3 half-pints and a Kiss on the lips.” He puts the bright cherry-red cocktail in front of Yoongi before leaning over the bar’s counter.
Yoongi assumed the man was leaning over to say something to him, maybe in an attempt to make himself heard above the music. So his brain simply short-circuits when he feels the plushiest, softest lips against his cheek. It lasts less than a second, the quickest peck one could give in such a context, but it’s enough to ignite every nerve in Yoongi’s body. Like a sudden epiphany, Yoongi comes back to the present with a smile, and the delightful realisation that he might not be the only one interested in the other.
His smile turns smug, and he knows his eyes are teasing as he meets the bartender’s gaze. “5 stars service here, I see?” He takes a sip of his sweet cocktail, deep down he knows those cherry lips are sweeter.
The man laughs, throwing his head back, exposing the column of his neck. He’s gorgeous, and the light catching on the sweat of his skin only makes him shine even brighter. “Don’t forget to say you were served by the one with the pink hair on Naver.” He winks, his smile playful, one tooth crooked but cute. “I’m Jimin, by the way.” He adds before walking away to get another order.
Yoongi follows Jimin’s retracting figure with a lingering, satisfied smile, testing the sound of his name in his mind.
“Can you not flirt in front of me like that?” Seokjin suddenly bemoans next to him with an overly dramatic eyeroll, “that’s fucking disgusting.”
***
“I’m heading to the bar for a refill,” Hoseok says as he slides out of their booth. “Yoongis wanna come say hi to your boyfriend?”
Snickers rise from the table but Yoongi ignores them with a grunt. “Shut it.” He glares at Hoseok but gets up anyway.
“Yah! Ask us what we want at least before going to that weird mating ritual of yours!” Seokjin complains with his arms folded but his lips stretched into a friendly, teasing smile.
Hoseok chuckles but waves a hand between them, “don’t worry hyung I’ll get your drinks so Yoongi-hyung can focus on getting his man.”
“... and his kiss!” Namjoon adds with a laugh.
Yoongi doesn’t even bother to comment and just goes straight up to the bar. He’s used to his friends teasing, and he can’t really blame them either as he would do exactly the same if their roles were reversed. It has been going on for a bit more than 3 months now; all since Namjoon’s birthday party at this very same bar. Ever since, their friend group has officially ditched their previous gathering spot in favour of the tall bricks, loud music, and pink-haired bartender in here. Jungkook was one of the most excited about this change as now he doesn't feel that much excluded from their outings. Even if Yoongi always makes sure that Jimin is the one taking his order whenever he goes to the bar.
Since Namjoon’s birthday they’ve come back to this bar every Friday, and every Friday Yoongi and Jimin engage in the most glorious and disgustingly obvious flirting known to mankind. Yoongi would order the Kiss on the cheek to start his evening, not really because he has developed a particular taste of sirupy cherries, but more to make sure he starts his night with a kiss from Jimin. Nothing has ever gone further between them, nothing more than their flirting. It’s nice, playful, enjoyable in that typical way when you know the other is just as interested as you are. Because Yoongi knows Jimin is interested: the kiss is quite an obvious hint. And he’s interested too. How can he not be? Jimin’s not only beautiful, he’s also witty, sweet and funny.
The question here isn’t “are his feelings reciprocated” but rather—
“When will you finally ask him out?” Hoseok asks on their way to the bar. It’s less crowded than usual, especially for a Friday night, but Yoongi welcomes the relative calm with open arms.
“To be honest, I don’t know.”
“What do you mean ‘you don’t know’?” Hoseok frowns, “I thought you liked him.”
Yoongi nods without hesitation. “I do. But it’s nice and fun as well like this, you know? This flirting stage is usually full of stress. Because you freak out about him liking you back or not, but here everything’s just so obvious, we can just enjoy the whole thing.”
“Do you think it’s obvious for Jimin too?”
“Of course,” Yoongi says with certainty, “I mean, I’m not trying to be subtle here…”
Hoseok sighs, he has already slowed down their path as they get closer to the bar. “So, when are you planning on asking him out?”
Yoongi smiles when he catches Jimin’s eyes from the other side of the bar, and nods once to Hoseok. “Soon. I just want to enjoy the flirt a little longer.”
***
“Isn’t this my favourite customer?” Jimin’s voice is as bright and loud as chiming bells, and Yoongi lets himself enjoy the funny somersault happening inside his belly as he looks at Jimin’s flirty smile and mischievous eyes.
“That must be me,” Yoongi nods with a satisfied grin. He’s still rubbing his hands to chase the cold away. It hasn’t snowed yet, but December has fully settled into winter, coming with shorter days and bone freezing wind.
“Same as usual or would you like something else to warm you up?”
“And miss out on my kiss?!” Yoongi fakes offense, eyes wide, voice dramatic. “Never!” His smiles widen when he’s rewarded with Jimin’s laugh, and he’s about to actually order a whiskey for once, thinking it will warm him up. But Jimin is already moving, preparing his usually sweet cherry cocktail.
“Here we go!” Jimin comes back with his drink, puts it on the counter and leans over to peck Yoongi’s cheek. He lingers a bit longer, just half a second more, not enough for anyone but Yoongi to notice, but it makes him smile nonetheless. “You’re alone tonight, pretty boy?”
“Kook’s supposed to join me soon. But I’ve figured I could keep you company in the meanwhile.”
Jimin puts a hand above his heart, throwing his head back with just enough drama. “And they say chivalry is dead!” His smile turns sweeter as Yoongi laughs. He’s about to add something when another customer walks up to the counter. He throws an apologetic smile toward Yoongi before taking his order.
As Jimin walks away, Taehyung is quick to take his place, an empty glass in one hand and a rag on the other. He nods, “hi Min.”
“Kim.” Yoongi nods back. He’s not on unfriendly terms with Jimin’s best friend, but he’s not friendly either. If Yoongi needs to be frank, he might admit he’s mostly intimidated by Taehyung’s never impressed eyes on him.
“Odd to see you by the bar,” Taehyung doesn’t even lift his gaze from the glass he’s cleaning, “by yourself.”
“I’m waiting for Jungkook.”
Taehyung hums, until a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “By yourself. With Jimin nearby.”
Yoongi takes a sip from his drink, silently relieved to have his glass as a meager barrier between him and Taehyung’s scrutinising gaze. “I’m just enjoying my drink, Kim.”
Despite his bashful attitude around his own friends, Yoongi can’t help but be a little shy amongst Jimin’s; especially regarding the flirtatious back and forth going on between them. “Any plans for Christmas?” Yoongi asks in an attempt to divert subjects.
“Work.” Taehyung shrugs, “And then probably dinner with friends.”
Yoongi wonders if one of those friends happens to be Jimin.
As if summoned by Yoongi’s mind, Jimin comes back, a devastating pout on display and a small frown on his face. He playfully slaps Taehyung’s chest with his own rag before chastising him. “Are you bullying my pretty boy?!”
Yoongi lifts an eyebrow at Jimin’s words, his chest fluttering with something warm. My pretty boy.
Taehyung only scoffs, turning his unimpressed gaze toward Jimin, although the warmth in his eyes is obvious now. “I wasn’t bullying! We were just talking about Christmas plans.”
Jimin eyes him for a moment, “sure. We’re short on limes and dry oranges.”
“Fine.” Taehyung groans, “I’ll get going.” He walks a few steps before turning back with a teasing grin, “I’ll leave you to your pretty boy.”
Jimin scowls, his eyes wide and throwing daggers; it shouldn’t be this endearing. Yoongi, on the other side of the bar, brings his glass back up to his mouth, trying to hide the blush on his face behind the red hue of his drink. He thinks he must be doing a decent job as Jimin doesn’t comment on it when he turns back to Yoongi with a sigh.
“Don’t mind him.” Jimin leans over the counter, resting on his elbows, and Yoongi thinks he might give him another kiss on the cheek, but Jimin just continues to talk, this time with a lower voice. “You should buy me some skincare for Christmas, hyung.”
Yoongi scoffs. “Are we buying each other gifts for Christmas now?!” He’s genuinely amused by Jimin’s antics, but he also doesn’t tame down that voice in his mind reminded him how romantic buying Chritsmas gift is.
Jimin only shrugs, before leaning even closer. Yoongi vaguely wonders if he’s standing on his toes to be able to be this close. “I want the same moisturizer as yours. Your cheeks are always the smoothest, hyung.”
Yoongi tongues his cheek, mulling Jimin’s words. “Are you kissing a lot of cheeks to be able to tell the difference, Jimin-ah?”
Jimin only smiles, smug, and says with a tease: “wouldn’t you like to know, pretty boy.”