As it turns out, Jungkook was wrong.

It is less than a week later that he sees Hoseok again.

What he was not wrong about was his assessment that Taehyung was incorrect about Hoseok forgetting Jungkook's introduction due to his lack of caring.

Hoseok did not forget.

Jungkook was also not wrong about Hoseok being affected by the news.

Now the distaste is crystal clear on his face this time, him not even trying to smile or be polite, when he sits in the empty seat next to Jungkook just after Jungkook had taken his textbook out of his bag to get ready for the lecture.

The class is Economics; a course Jungkook hates.

His eyes widened when Hoseok placed a book identical to his onto the table in front of them.

He didn't even realize Hoseok was in his class! He surely didn't recognize him as someone he'd seen before at the diner let alone someone he spends multiple times per week cooped up in a classroom with.

(He and Jungkook are two of about fifty students, but still. His face did not ring the faintest bell to Jungkook previously.)

"So. You and Jimin, huh." He makes the comment straight away, no attempt to be casual or lead up to it gradually.

Jungkook blinks, throwing a brief, pointed stare at his unexpected table-mate before averting his attention away.

In this moment, Jungkook has a choice to make.

He can come clean and out that Jimin was lying; or he could go along with the ruse Jimin had started, answering that yes, they are a couple.

He purses his lips, leering at his book as he contemplates what to do, silently compiling a pros and cons list for each option in his head.

"Look," Hoseok sighs from beside him, cutting short Jungkook's overthinking.

"It's none of my business. Jimin can date whoever he wants. Just..." Hoseok's voice softens, sounding much more gentle than before. "Treat him well, alright? Make sure he's happy and taken care of. He deserves that..."

Jungkook raises his eyes to look at Hoseok.

He observes his expression closely, wanting to gauge how genuine his words are.

From what Taehyung had told him, Jungkook understood that Hoseok is the one who had brought up breaking up with Jimin.

He was the one who wanted time apart.

Taehyung made it seem like Hoseok was suddenly completely cold towards Jimin.

That Hoseok started acting like he didn't care about Jimin anymore and that's why he'd broken things off, but... the eyes Jungkook's are looking into aren't the eyes of someone asking for an old flame they don't care about to be treated well.

Hell, no one would care to make such a request for anyone they didn't care about.

No, the emotion in Hoseok's eyes tell Jungkook that there is much more conviction– more sincerity– in his words than someone who no longer has feelings for another person.

Jungkook can see that Hoseok cares. He cares a lot.

When the Professor is heard clearing her throat to get the students attention, the staring match is abruptly ended.

They don't speak for the rest of the class nor do they say any sort of goodbye at the close of the lesson before parting ways.

They pack their bags wordlessly and Hoseok stays behind to talk to the Professor while Jungkook heads to the canteen where he meets Taehyung, Jimin and a few of their other friends everyday after their morning classes.

He doesn't plan on sharing anything that happened with Hoseok with them, especially not Jimin, but it gives him a few things to think about.

Enough things for him to be distracted and detached from most of the conversations going on around him.

(Not that he cared to listen to Taehyung tell one more story about how his cutie hyungie broke another pair of glasses or got kicked out of another lecture for correcting the Professor.)

Hoseok had looked so sincere and Jungkook really wants to know why he really broke up with Jimin because it wasn't because his feelings changed. That much was obvious.

.......

"We're going to a party tonight."

"You and Jimin?" Jungkook grunts, not taking his eyes off of the TV where his character is currently perched on a rooftop, hiding from an assassin stalking the streets below, Jungkook waiting for the perfect moment to take his shot.

"Cool. You two have fun," he follows up halfheartedly, not really caring whether the two do or do not enjoy some greasy party.

"Jiminie, me and you." Taehyung answers casually, cracking open a can of Coke before taking a seat on the arm chair next to their couch.

It takes Jungkook a few seconds to register Taehyung's words but once he does he's quick to protest.

He has been so looking forward to staying in all weekend with no plans.

Attending a party is the very last thing he wants to do tonight.

He wants to sit in this very spot on the couch, not moving unless it is to use the bathroom or get a snack from his stash in the back of the spice cupboard, not go to a party.

He pauses his game to explain all of that to his friend– leaving out the hiding place for his favorite chips and candy to keep them from being stolen by his roommate– but Taehyung argues with everything Jungkook says, just like he usually does.

He and Jimin don't understand how Jungkook is perfectly fine to go days and days without any sort of contact with the outside world and be basically unaffected.

The two social butterflies feel cooped up and stir crazy if they don't go out at least once on the weekends.

(School fills their social appetites during the week but the weekends are too "boring and empty" with no plans.

Jungkook can't relate. No plans are the best way to spend a weekend if you ask him.)

Unfortunately for Jungkook, Taehyung is relentless.

He knows just what expressions to put on, what inflections to use in his begging and coercing, as well as what promises to make in order to bribe his younger friend into saying yes when he wants something.

And Jungkook does end up saying yes in the end. Of course he does.

He makes it a point not to keep how not excited he is for the event they're going to in the least though.

He complains the entire time he's doing his hair and getting dressed in the outfit Taehyung picked for him.

Frowns, deep and obviously unhappy, as he opens the door when Jimin arrives to pick he and Taehyung up so they can all ride together and keeps the sour expression in place the whole forty-five minute drive to the house the party is being held at.

Jimin and Taehyung leave him alone all the way up until they have climbed out of the car, having to park down the street because of all the cars in front of the house.

"Will you please lighten up a little," Jimin whines.

"Not that you don't look hot when you're all moody and mysterious looking, but no one's gonna want to flirt with you if you look like you're ready to pick a fight," Taehyung chimes in, throwing an arm around Jungkook's shoulders.

"And it would be such a shame for you to leave this party alone. You could use a good lay," Taehyung speaks up again with a chuckle and a suggestive wiggle of his brows.

Jungkook exhales through his nose, annoyed that they're right to an extent.

Even though Taehyung had worded it terribly, terrible enough to make Jungkook cringe, it had been a while since he'd slept with anyone. Or was even interested in someone for that matter.

To say he was interested in Yoongi from the second he'd laid eyes on the gorgeous man would be an understatement, but before him no one had really caught his eye.

So yeah, he would like to find someone.

He would hope it to be Yoongi, the only someone who comes to mind really, but he was told that he likely won't be in attendance tonight.

Jimin assured him earlier that they shouldn't be running into anyone, mainly meaning Yoongi or Hoseok, tonight so Jungkook wouldn't need to worry about staying by Jimin's side all night to keep up the boyfriend thing.

Something about how Hoseok isn't close with the host of this party so Jimin didn't think Hoseok knew it was happening.

"No Hoseok means no Yoongi." Taehyung and Jimin both had stated showing nothing but confidence in their expressions.

Jungkook would be lying if he said that news didn't initially make him frown but he came to realize before true disappointment could hit him that it would probably be better to not see Yoongi so soon after their introduction.

(Their next meeting will preferably be at a time when Jungkook can confidently state that he is no doubt, one hundred and ten percent single with no boyfriend, real or fake, to speak of.)

For now, he's been dragged out of their apartment by his friends– dressed in a silky black button down with the top couple of buttons undone, the sleeves rolled up his forearms and tucked into the waist of his pants. His "fuck me pants" as Taehyung has so eloquently dubbed these particular jeans as– and they are basically his only reliable and safe way to get home.

He's going to have to stay at this party anyway. He may as well indulge.

Let a cute boy or two call him pretty– even though he'll be thinking of someone else...

"Fine. I'll try to lighten up," he relents, squaring his shoulders as he tries to get himself into a better, more positive mindset.

"Alcohol will help," Jimin comments as they walk up the pathway to the door.

From the moment they'd stepped out of Jimin's car they could hear the loud music.

Now as they walk into the house, the noise is deafening.

Noise, not music, because it is some sort of dance mix with no singing that's playing, strobe and neon lights flashing in sync with the baseline throughout the dimly lit home.

They swoop and glide around the entryway as well as the large, open living area beyond.

The room itself is big and would probably feel even bigger if it weren't crawling with people.

There's a strong mix of weed and alcohol that assaults Jungkook's sensitive nose as they walk further into the crowd.

They're looking for multiple things as they progress forward.

Jimin's friend– the host of this party– alcohol, and a place to sit down, preferably away from the horrendous smells.

At least, Jungkook is looking for the third one. He doubts Taehyung and Jimin have even thought for a second of finding somewhere away from the loud, funky smelling chaos that's been labeled as a party to sit.

"Hyung!" Jimin squeals, launching himself forward.

He's considerate enough to grab Jungkook's right wrist and Taehyung's left, pulling the two men towards someone they recognize as Jimin's friend, Lee Taemin.

"Mini, you made it!" Taemin exclaims, looking even more excited to see Jimin than Jimin was to see him, if that's possible.

The two friends hug as if they hadn't seen each other just the day before at school before huddling close together, mumbling and giggling as they fall into a private conversation instantly.

The way the older of the two leans into Jimin, hanging on his every word with a blinding smile and glittering eyes is quite the endearing sight, although not surprisingly so.

Jimin has this sort of effect on most people as far as Jungkook has seen. He and Taehyung both do actually.

Extroverts he internally grimaces. Exhausting.

It isn't until thirty or so seconds later when Jungkook clears his throat and Taehyung taps on Jimin's shoulder that he seems to remember they are there.

"Where's the booze, hyung?" Jimin asks, pouting his lips childishly as he side eyes Jungkook. "Our little maknae here isn't going to be any fun until he gets a few shots in his system."

Taemin laughs– a melodic sound, bubbly and contagious– as he nods.

(He's a lot like Jimin Jungkook decides. Strikingly handsome with soft edges, kind eyes and a bright smile. Obviously very social as well. Likable.

Jungkook can see why they're friends.)

"Ah, of course," Taemin smiles as he looks from Jimin to the man next to him. "Jungkook, right?"

Jungkook nods, forcing a happy-ish looking smile, trying to keep from wrinkling his nose in disgust as a gust of the stench of weed hits him full force.

Taemin accepts the smile, giving him a warm "I'm so happy you could make it!" before he turns his attention to Taehyung, offering the same welcome.

To their relief he points them in the direction of the kitchen shortly after the brief welcome.

Jimin tells Jungkook and Taehyung he needs to talk to Taemin and a few other people but will catch up with them later before he hooks his arms with the older man's and leads him further off somewhere.

Who these "other people" are the two friends have no idea.

They also have no idea why Jimin is leading Taemin away into the sea of college students when Jimin has spent just as much time as Jungkook and Taehyung has in the home.

How could he know exactly where the people are he wants to talk to?

Jungkook wonders all these things in quick succession, spending several seconds thinking before he decides he really doesn't care.

Whatever he shrugs.

Taehyung and Jungkook don't wait around any longer, weaving their way to the kitchen as swiftly as they can to get to the drinks.

Once there, Taehyung makes quick work of grabbing a bottle of peach vodka– a random choice amongst a dozen or so other bottles that have been set out– along with two red solo cups.

"Three shots, Kookie. That aught to get you loosened up," Taehyung drawls with a sly grin, raising his voice just enough to be heard over the music and the few people talking around them as he pours the first bit into their cups.

Jungkook doesn't argue, just takes the cup and swallows the liquid down.

It burns. Of course it does, and Jungkook is quickly reminded that Taehyung's shots are more like one and a half when it comes to the measurements.

But hey, just means they'll get tipsy faster which is the ultimate goal anyway, right?

To get on the right side of tipsy so he can be a little more care-free and more inclined to enjoy being there?

After the third shot, the red cup in Jungkook's hand is replaced with a chilled bottle of beer.

When he turns away from the cooler he'd gotten the bottle from to where he'd left Taehyung he sees him talking to Kim Namjoon; one of the older's other friends.

Jungkook observes them for a moment, amused smile on his lips as he watches the way Taehyung hangs on every word out of the older man's mouth.

Jungkook knew about Namjoon even before he'd transferred to the University with the intent to live with Taehyung and go to the same school as him.

Taehyung can't go more than an hour without talking about his "Joonie-hyung."

He is one of Taehyung's very favorite topics of conversation.

When Taehyung places his hand on Namjoon's forearm, laughing loudly at something Jungkook highly doubts was worthy of such an overreaction, he slides his phone out of his pocket, shooting Taehyung a quick text that he'd gone outside to get some air– not wanting to ruin his moment with his crush– before he pushes his way through a loud group of giggly drunk girls.

It only takes one scan over the heads of the crowd, him stretching up onto his tip toes in order to see, to locate a set of windowed double doors that look to lead out of the house.

He weaves his way through a few more clusters of people before pushing outside with a huff.

It's mid August currently and the air outside is cool compared to the heat the sun brings but still warm enough for Jungkook to feel the need to press his cold beer to the side of his neck.

He stands on the large porch, taking deep breaths as he savors the clean smelling air, gazing at his surroundings in awe.

This is a large home. Jungkook assumes it must be Taemin's parents' home as it is practically a mansion that no college student could afford on their own and is far from campus– just outside the city.

The houses in this neighborhood– at least from what Jungkook observed while they were driving– are spread a good distance apart, each one having large lots they've been built in the middle of.

He sweeps his eyes around him appreciatively as he walks leisurely down the porch steps.

The yard is immaculately landscaped with trees, flowerbeds, shrubs, and grass.

The greenery is primarily around the perimeter of the lot while a good sized pool is situated in the middle, lounge chairs and canopies lining both sides.

(A perfect place for Jungkook to sit he decides. That is where his feet begin taking him to.)

The whole space is illuminated by lights from underneath the water's surface as well as the strings of lights strung up above and across the yard.

Don't get him wrong, they're captivating, truly, but they pale in comparison to what can be seen of the night sky past the lights.

The view isn't this clear in the city. He hasn't realized that until now as he gazes at the sky.

He gets lost in its beauty before a break in the noisy dubstep surprises him enough to pull him back to the reality of him being at a party, before a more familiar song drifts over the crowd noise, reaching his ears.

It's the first song he's heard during the thirty or so minutes– it feels like thirty hours honestly– and the familiar melody makes Jungkook smile.

It's one of his favorites.

A bubblegum pop song made mostly to appeal to teen girls but he, a twenty-one year old man, can't help but smile and sway, humming along as it plays.

(Not before glancing around to be sure no one's within sight, of course.)

Bad Boy by Red Velvet.

It's one of those songs he'd never openly admit to liking which means he's glad no one's here so he can sing along to himself.

Just as the song progresses he senses he may not be by himself, but his mind is slow to react.

Slowed by the alcohol, making it difficult to care enough to look around him again to make sure the coast is clear.

As the chorus starts he sings quietly still but his voice is louder than a whisper now.

"Every time I come around, another bad boy down."

Raising both hands above his head, he lowers his chin, moving his hips in a figure eight pattern.

"Just one look from me, lights out. Watch them hit the ground," he smiles, singing along, half empty bottle of beer still raised into the air as he dances alone in the warm night air.

He opens his mouth, ready to continue, when he hears a low chuckle from over his shoulder.

He turns towards the sound so fast he nearly drops his bottle, locking his stare with sharp eyes sparkling with amusement.

Yoongi.

Yoongi's there...

How long has he been there?!