Jungkook stares at the elevator for a moment before shaking his head. Even with his luck, there is no way you are Namjoon's wedding planner. The cosmos would not be so cruel, as to have him unknowingly flirt with the singular off-limits woman this weekend. If he ever sees you again, he will be sure to clarify.
Turning around, Jungkook hikes his bag higher. The doors on the left are all even-numbers; the left is odd, and Jungkook comes to a stop outside room 3201. Through the door he can hear yelling and laughter. Somewhere over this raucousness is the unmistakable sound of Kim Seokjin's cackle.
Jungkook grins. Lifting a hand, he knocks as loud as he can. "LET ME IN!" Jungkook yells, banging harder. "HEY, GUYS. LET ME –"
The door abruptly swings open. Jungkook halts his hand before he hits Taehyung in the face.
Beaming, Taehyung lifts the beer he holds. "Jungkook!" he calls, throwing an arm around his neck.
Allowing himself to be pulled into a hug, Jungkook tries to avoid spilling Taehyung's beer in the process. The promotion Taehyung recently got was due to a lot of long hours – it has been a while since Jungkook last saw him.
Pulling back, Jungkook's bag accidentally knocks Taehyung's drink. "Whoops," he mumbles, looking down at the carpet. "Hope that rug wasn't expensive."
"It was," Namjoon sighs, appearing in the doorway. "Don't worry, though. I have cleaners coming on Sunday."
"Aces," Taehyung grins.
The rest of the room looks at him quizzically.
"Aces?" Seokjin cracks up on the sofa.
"Taehyung has been trying out different slang," Yoongi explains, seated before the window. In one hand, he holds a glass of red wine. "This week it's the 1940's."
Shaking his head, Jungkook scans the room. Yoongi has returned to black hair, which is a nice surprise. It falls lazily across his forehead and his cheeks are a little fuller than the last time Jungkook saw him. He looks happy – Jungkook assumes this has something to do with the woman Yoongi is currently seeing. It is not surprising she did not come this weekend, though. Yoongi tends to compartmentalize until he is sure things are serious.
Speaking of which. Pivoting to Seokjin, Jungkook's eyes widen. "Your hair!" he blurts. "It's pink."
Seokjin shrugs. "Lilac."
"No, pink."
Not seeming to care, Seokjin lifts his glass of champagne. "Whatever. More importantly – where are the croquettes?"
"Here." Pulling them from his bag, Jungkook tosses them in his direction. "But seriously, you brought a girl?" he continues, not to be deterred.
It is not as if Seokjin does not date – he is no Jungkook, Jungkook thinks glumly. He is notoriously picky though, falling in love every other month. For someone to stick around long enough to attend a wedding is novel.
Seokjin glares at Namjoon. "Who told him?"
"Me." Jimin appears on the threshold. Stepping inside, he closes the door to the hall. "I'm here!" he grins, tossing his bag on the floor. "The party can officially begin."
"Good," Taehyung says, nodding towards the window. "Catch up to Yoongi, then. He's been drinking since three."
Taehyung's dark hair is messy, artfully styled in a way which probably took a long time. Likely the work of Ava, Taehyung's fiancée. Ava adores hair and make-up – she does something in the field in New York, although Jungkook is unsure of the details.
Jimin surveys the room. "Where's Hoseok?"
"Hoseok took a nap," Hoseok mumbles, appearing in the doorway behind him. The master bedroom must be through there. Rubbing his eyes, he squints at them all. "Hey, Jungkook. Jimin."
"He was drinking with Yoongi at the bar," Namjoon says by way of explanation. Closing the door to the closet, he crosses the room to Jimin.
A moment of rare quiet descends upon them, everyone gathered in the same place at the same time. Jungkook cannot help but beam, glancing around at them all.
Yoongi narrows his eyes. "What're you grinning at, Jeon?"
"Nothing." Jungkook continues to smile. "Just happy we're all here, that's all."
Wrinkling his nose, Hoseok settles onto the sofa. "Gross," he complains, reaching out for the champagne.
"You most of all, Hobi," Jungkook coos, plopping down to give Hoseok a hug. "Come on, tell us about the new job."
"Not much to tell," Hoseok says, swatting Jungkook away. Popping the top of his champagne, he pours some into a glass. "It's fun."
"Bullshit," Jimin laughs, settling onto the floor. "Hoseok has the coolest job ever. He does project management for Soldier Field. Last month, he was asked to lead the redesign of the VIP suites."
Unable to hide his grin, Hoseok leans back. "Yeah, it's actually pretty cool."
"Damn." Namjoon whistles, holding out a glass for champagne. "And here I was, thinking I'm a big deal because I landed a pilot."
The room pauses, stunned into silence before chaos breaks out.
"You WHAT?"
"NAMJOON!"
"Holy, SHIT! That's amaz–"
Namjoon laughs, running a hand through his ashy-blonde hair. "I got the call last week," he says happily, settling down in a chair. "Haven't told anyone but ______ yet."
Seokjin stares at him, betrayed. "Not even me? I'm your roommate!"
"Only for another month, Seokjin."
"Still!"
Namjoon laughs. "I wanted to tell all of you here! Together."
Yoongi wipes away a fake tear. "That's beautiful, man."
"Fuck off, Yoongi."
The room breaks into laughter as Jungkook sinks deeper into the sofa. Leaning his head against the wall, he lifts his drink to his lips. God, he missed this – being with people who understand him. People with whom he does not have to try.
"Yoongi, where's Sofie?" Taehyung cranes his neck from the floor beside Jimin. Sofie is the girl Yoongi is seeing. "Ava was looking forward to having someone she knows here. Now she's going to have to sit with whoever Seokjin brought."
"Hey." Seokjin levels a finger at Taehyung. "If you say one rude thing to Heidi, I will personally kick your ass. I will frog-march you outside the hotel and dunk your head in the lake."
Taehyung pauses. "Her name is Heidi?"
Seokjin sighs, glancing up at the ceiling. "We can't all be dating a romance novel character name, like Olivia." Immediately realizing his mistake, Seokjin flinches and glances at Jimin. "Shit – sorry, man. I'm just used to..."
"It's okay." Jimin gives him a terse smile. "Really."
After a long moment, Jungkook clears his throat. "So, uh," he says, fiddling with the rip in his jeans. "How'd you meet Heidi, Jin? Was it in LA?"
Seokjin nods, looking gratefully sideways. Since they graduated, Seokjin has become a rather famous agent on the west coast. Aside from Namjoon, he also represents a few actors and actresses. About two years prior, one of his actors landed a coveted Netflix series. Things took off after that – likely, his newfound notoriety fed into the decision to dye his hair purple.
"We met through Namjoon," Seokjin says. "She's a writer."
"The worst person to date!" Namjoon raises his glass. "Cheers, man."
Seokjin stares at him a moment before reluctantly clinking. "And you?" he asks, turning to Taehyung. "Ava excited for this weekend?"
"Yeah." Taehyung tries to hide his smile, but everyone sees.
Honestly, if anyone could make Jungkook believe in love, it would be them. Taehyung first met Ava freshman year of college and never looked back.
"I mean, we're still saving up for the wedding," Taehyung exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. "Last year was tough, what with Ava's dad getting sick and all."
He trails off, not wanting to elaborate and the room nods in commiseration. They all know about Ava's dad and the postponed wedding – Taehyung does not need their solutions. It will be a while before he and Ava are able to get married, that is all. Money is tight. Hopefully his promotion eases some of that pressure.
"What about you?" Yoongi looks at Jungkook. "How's the I-Banking life? Partying with Flo Rida every weekend?"
"Only on Tuesdays." Jungkook arranges his features into what he hopes seems nonchalant. "It's fine. Nothing like you, Mr. Works-at-a-production-company-and-won't-tell-us-shit."
Yoongi shrugs, draining the rest of his class. "NDAs, man."
Seokjin boos loudly, joined in by Jimin.
"He won't even tell me," protests Taehyung, one hand held over his heart. "As his only friend in New York, I'm offended."
"You're not my only friend in New York."
"Sure seems like it."
Yoongi rolls his eyes. "Aside from my work, though," he says, returning to Jungkook. Sinking into the couch, Jungkook realizes the attention is on him. "Noticed you didn't bring anyone to the wedding, Jeon."
"Uh, nope." Jungkook sips his drink. "Neither did you."
"Sofie had to work." Yoongi's eyes narrow. "When was the last time you were even in a relationship?"
"Yoongi," Namjoon says in warning.
"What?"
"He's right." Tilting his head, Seokjin looks at Jungkook. "Have you dated anyone in Miami, JK?"
Suddenly, Jungkook wishes the couch would swallow him whole. "I – well. Define date."
When a chorus of groans reaches his ears, Jungkook flinches. The room falls slowly silent, everyone thinking the same thing. Taehyung finally caves and asks the question.
"Jungkook," he says, curious. "Have you ever been in a serious relationship?"
Jungkook pauses, staring down at his hands. "I... define serious?"
"Lasting longer than three months," Jimin says from the floor.
"Well, I – Hoseok isn't dating anyone, either!" he blurts out, defensive.
Hoseok shrugs. "Sure, but I have dated people," he points out. "Unlike you."
"Yeah." Jimin snaps his fingers. "That girl when we first got to Chicago – Lisa, or something? She lasted about a year."
"Lisa," Hoseok says, staring wistfully at the wall. "Wonder what happened to her."
"She picked a fight with Olivia on New Year's Eve and nearly got everyone arrested."
Hoseok winces. "Oh, right. She was crazy. But still, some of the best fucking sex I've ever ha –"
"Anyways," Seokjin interrupts, leaning forward. "Back to Jungkook."
"Why back to Jungkook?" Jungkook says weakly. "What's the problem?"
Namjoon's brows knit together. "Answer us this, Jeon. Because," he adds, glaring at Yoongi, "I don't necessarily subscribe to the idea you need a relationship to be happy. But – do you want to date someone?"
Jungkook hesitates.
Truthfully, it is a question he has not asked himself in some time. It is not something Jungkook has wanted to ask himself in some time.
Before college, Jungkook considered himself a romantic. Bright-eyed and hopeful, he stepped foot onto campus and decided not to have sex until he came across the right one. But then, the right one came and he lost his virginity to her – only to discover he was not the right one for her.
The aftermath of that break-up was devastating. Jungkook nearly snorts at the memory – here he is, six years later and still referring to her as a break-up, even though they never dated. Jungkook thought they were together for three, glorious days and then she went back to her ex.
Jungkook wallowed for nearly a semester, studying late in the library and staying at Jimin's apartment to ensure he did not run into her in his dorm. Oh, right – he should mention. The guy she went back to lived across the hall from Jungkook. That entire semester, it felt as though Jungkook's heart had been carved from his chest. The dull ache within was a constant reminder he was not good enough.
Determined never to feel that way again, he cultivated a new image. As it turned out, having a broken heart gave him an edge. Having nothing to lose meant Jungkook did not care what people thought about him – and as it turned out, people thought about him. A lot.
The next time he had sex, Jungkook simply wanted to prove that he could. His first time was over so fast, he was determined to rid the stain from his memory. He wanted to bury the memory of the first girl in another but came to find it was not that easy. Still, Jungkook kept going. At the very least, he knew the rumors his anger fueled around campus. He was an incorrigible fuckboy, he had slept his way through half the campus – honestly, Jungkook reveled in the image.
He knew how women looked at him and it made him feel better, even if the one girl he wanted to look at him would not.
Even after his heart had fully healed, Jungkook did not break from the pattern. One-night stands were simple and uncomplicated. There was no risk of heartache for either person involved. Jungkook could have fun, enjoy himself and leave, none the worst for the wear.
Namjoon is right – Jungkook never really saw this as a bad thing. It was what Jungkook wanted and truthfully, he was not ready to fall in love again.
Now, though.
Jungkook pauses, considering. "I don't know. Maybe."
Hoseok sucks in a loud breath. Seokjin's jaw drops. With impeccable comedic timing, Namjoon nearly falls off the couch.
"I – what?" Namjoon stares. "Did you say maybe?"
Jungkook's eyes widen. "What? You were the one who asked!"
"Well, sure," Taehyung breathes, also staring at him. "But we all just assumed you'd say no."
"Wait – we?" Jungkook realizes then they discussed him outside the chat. The rest are already moving on though, brushing past this offense.
"So, you want a girlfriend?" Jimin asks from the floor.
"Whoa – hey." Jungkook blanches. "Let's not get carried away. I'm not saying I want a house in the suburbs, but maybe a dinner date wouldn't hurt."
Usually, Jungkook keeps as much distance between him and dating as possible. People can say what they will, but Jungkook is not a duplicitous person. He never lies to girls about what he wants from them. Always, he is upfront about it being a one-night stand. Maybe two or three, if the girl is equally unromantic. Jungkook goes to great pains to ensure they understand.
The last time he went on a dinner date was – well, Jungkook does not think he ever has. Not in the way they all mean.
Namjoon whistles lowly. "Well, I'll be damned. I never thought I'd live to see the day."
"What day?" Jungkook asks.
"The day Jeon Jungkook wanted to be monogamous."
Jungkook makes a face. "Yuck," he mutters – albeit with slightly less vehemence than usual. Perhaps the rest of them sense this, since Yoongi sits up straighter.
"What we need," he says, looking around the room. "Is a piece of paper – and markers."
"On it!" Namjoon declares, leaping up to his feet.
"No." Jungkook blanches. "Just no, to whatever you're thinking."
"Just yes," Yoongi says, grin wicked.
Jimin rummages through his open duffle bag on the floor. "Will these work?" he asks, holding up a bunch of colored pens.
"Perfect." Yoongi reaches out, snagging the bunch. "Hey, Joon! You find some paper?"
"Got it," says Namjoon, walking in from the next room. "The printer messed up a few of our signs. We can use the backs."
Yoongi nods, sticking a pen between teeth as he grabs the board. Flipping this around, he begins scribbling on the back. "Alright," he says. "Given the shocking events of this evening, I hereby motion the club be re-instated."
Hoseok frowns. "Uh. Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of us are virgins anymore. Is anyone planning on losing theirs again? Taehyung – you and Ava saving up for your wedding night?"
Without looking his way, Taehyung holds up his middle finger. "Yep, that's right. We're saving it right up your ass."
"That makes no sense."
"Your mom makes no sense."
"Gentlemen," Yoongi says, clearing his throat. In dramatic fashion, he flips around the board. Now, they are no longer looking at BALLROOM C – DRINKS and instead, a phrase scrawled in bright red pen.
Jungkook squints. "Jeon Jungkook's Monogamy Mission."
Jimin wrinkles his nose. "Mission sounds weird. Like he's trying to cross something off a list – this is about a relationship, you know?"
Yoongi frowns, re-reading. "You're right," he concedes, crossing out a word. Flipping the board around, he waits. "What about this?"
"Jeon Jungkook's Monogamy Mindset," Seokjin says.
"Sounds like the sequel to the Crochet Club book my mom read," Taehyung comments.
Hoseok laughs. "I think Lisa read that to me one night when NyQuil wasn't working. Worked like a charm. Put me right out."
"Okay," Yoongi huffs, handing the board off to Namjoon. "You try."
Namjoon pauses for a moment before writing something down. When he finally turns the board around, the room falls silent.
Worried, Namjoon frowns. "Monogamy Monologues," he says, glancing down at the board. "You know –a play on the Vagina Monologues. Because Jungkook's about to embark on a journey of self-exploration... relationships..."
"I like it," nods Taehyung.
Jungkook sighs. "Can I ask something?"
"I guess," Yoongi shrugs.
"As the titular character, can I ask what the monogamy monologues is?"
"Great question." Seokjin speaks up. "Before, our mission was the help Namjoon with his confidence. Jungkook doesn't really have that problem. If anything, he's too confident."
"So, what?" Jungkook frowns. "Are you going to... decrease my confidence?"
"We could try insulting him," Yoongi says.
"Your hair looks stupid," Hoseok calls from the couch. "It's too long."
Jungkook casually pushes a hand through his hair. Long strands fall about his face, framing his cheekbones. "Liar," he says. "Anyone else wanna try?"
With a shrug, Hoseok falls back on the couch. Seokjin squints in Jungkook's direction. "No, insults won't work," he determines. "Maybe this weekend is about unwinding some of that bravado. Jungkook, when was the last time you went on a real date?"
Jungkook uncomfortably shifts. "I go on dates all the time."
"Without the possibility of sex?"
"People still do that?"
"They do," Taehyung pipes in from the floor.
"That's how people get to know one another," Jimin adds. "They talk. Just talk."
"Huh. That doesn't sound fun."
Seokjin snorts. "Be that as it may, it's what people do. Look," he says, reaching out for the pen. "Maybe that's what we do this weekend. Just get you comfortable with the idea of dating. It's been a long time, right?"
"If... at all," Jungkook admits.
From the floor, Jimin reaches up to pat his leg. "How would we do that, though?" he asks.
"We can set him up on dates," Namjoon suggests, eyes growing wide. "I'm sure Jimin and Hoseok know a few girls in Chicago. Maybe I can ask ______ about any of her friends."
"Whoa, wait," Jungkook says before they can get too excited. "Need I remind you I live in Miami? Setting me up with anyone this weekend is pointless."
"Oh, sure." Seokjin uncaps the pen with his teeth. "We wouldn't throw you into the deep end without learning to swim first, though. We're logical, Jungkook," he adds, around the pen in his mouth. "Some of us even have diplomas from the same University."
"We all went to the same University," Hoseok says, baffled.
"Yeah, that's the joke." Seokjin rolls his eyes. "Anyways, we can test the waters this weekend. Set you up with some nice girls. Send you on some nice dates and have you get to know them. As people," he clarifies, pointing the pen in Jungkook's direction. "Not naked."
"Huh." Jungkook leans back. "Sounds dull."
"Hang on! ______ texted me back!" Namjoon sits up in his seat. "One of her bridesmaids is coming alone to the wedding. I haven't actually met her – she's one of ______'s friends from home – but I'm sure she'd be down for lunch."
"Hang on," Jungkook points out. "I haven't actually agreed to this yet."
Seokjin taps the pen to his chin. "Well, that's kind of rude. You made Namjoon ruin a perfectly good poster board."
"Namjoon is exactly the reason we shouldn't do this!" Jungkook protests. "It's his wedding weekend! I thought he didn't need any more stress."
"Jungkook has a point," Jimin says.
Namjoon frowns, fingers steepled beneath his chin. "I've changed my mind," he declares, narrowing his eyes. "Yeah, I'm stressed and want everything to be perfect – but this will be a great distraction. This wedding stuff is insane, man."
"See?" Seokjin crows, turning to Jungkook. "Consider this Namjoon's wedding present!"
"I already got him an egg cooker!"
Namjoon pauses. "Consider this a better wedding present."
Having run out of criticism, Jungkook slumps in his seat.
Jimin turns, patting Jungkook's leg again. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to, JK. It might be fun, though. Who knows?"
Jungkook slowly closes his eyes. They are all awaiting an answer and, before he can second guess himself any longer, he sighs.
"Who would be selecting the dates?"
Hoseok whoops from the couch, as Taehyung cheers from the floor.
"I've got one!" Namjoon declares, grabbing the board. "_______ loves this girl, Jungkook. She's a bridesmaid, right? I'm sure this will be fun."
When the board is turned around, Jungkook sees Namjoon has made a calendar. The weekend itinerary is etched into small boxes. Tonight, the RMCC reunites. Tomorrow at noon, Namjoon has scrawled Gina in tiny, black letters.
Reaching out, Jimin plucks the board from his grasp. "I can do Friday," he says, writing a name in. "Before the rehearsal dinner, obviously. There's someone at my work I think you might like."
"What about the rest of you?" Namjoon looks around the room. "Got anyone to set Jungkook up with?"
"Do you think I'd still be single if I did?" Hoseok says, shrugging apologetically.
Taehyung frowns. "Who else from college is coming to the wedding, Joon?"
Jungkook lowers his face to his hands. "Please, no college set-ups," he mumbles. "This is already reminiscent enough of the old days as it is."
"Well, maybe that's the Jungkook you need to get in touch with," Seokjin says. "Remember when Jungkook was innocent and cute?"
"No." Hoseok narrows his eyes. "I remember the Jungkook who got banned from my frat for having sex in too many people's rooms."
Jungkook looks up, unable to hide his grin. "Oh, yeah. That was a good weekend."
"Focus," Hoseok huffs, smacking him upside the head.
Jungkook's smile disappears. "But seriously. I don't know what you all expect out of this. Even if I wanted to be in a... relationship," he says, uttering the word for the very first time. "I have no idea where to start."
Jimin moves to sit beside him on the sofa. "I don't think anyone's expecting anything from you, Jungkook," he says gently.
"Yeah." Yoongi's gaze softens. "Just the fact that you said the word relationship is huge."
"Exactly," Namjoon adds. "Like you said, you're leaving at the end of the weekend. No one expects you to become a boyfriend overnight, but this might be a fun way to ease back into the d-word."
Jimin stares. "Namjoon. You watch Brooklyn 99, right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"You know how Boyle is always saying super sexual things while remaining completely oblivious?"
"Yeah, but I – oh."
Jungkook frowns. "I don't really feel like easing back into the dick, man."
Yoongi cracks up in his chair. "Anyways," he says, grabbing the board. "I think we've got a good start here. Seokjin and I will scan the wedding list and see if we can't scrounge up someone else."
"Ah," Jungkook says wistfully. "Just what everyone wants to hear before they meet the supposed love of their life – 'we'll scrounge someone up.'"
Taehyung pouts from the floor. "What about me?"
"What about you?" Yoongi folds the board. "Do you know anyone for Jungkook to date?"
"Yes!"
"Someone here."
"... No."
"Case closed." Yoongi looks at Jungkook. "Let's forget about all that for tonight, though. Starting tomorrow, you are Jeon Jungkook, monogamist. Tonight, though..."
Finishing pouring a shot, Seokjin slams soju down on the table. "For tonight," he says, dramatically pushing purple-pink hair from his eyes. "You are Jeon Jungkook, god of pussy, feared by fathers across the nation and beloved by condom manufacturers."
Jungkook pulls a face. "Gross."
"Exactly." Downing his shot, Seokjin pushes the glass forward. "So, drink up, youngest – and then pour me another."
Even though Jungkook sticks up his middle finger, he does as he is told.