A few days later, the first opportunity to put the fake relationship to the test arose. Taehyung's art gallery was having an open house, so he invited all his friends to come and partake in free food, drinks, and conversation. Jungkook would be there already, but he didn't need to work the event.

Yoongi arrived with Hoseok, startled at how packed the venue was already. Taehyung spotted them easily, however, and ventured over to say hello.

"You two are the first to arrive," the curator said with a wide smile, directing them to a small bar. "Take a lap around, socialize, and I'll see you a bit later."

Yoongi gratefully ordered a drink, needing something to buffer his nerves. He knew without a doubt that he'd be seeing Jimin tonight. If he managed to get through the event gracefully and without too much embarrassment, he'd classify it a success.

If he could get a reaction - a jealous reaction - out of Jimin, then the night would be a win.

He had just taken his first sip of his drink as he felt arms wrap around him from behind.

"Hey, baby," a voice whispered in his ear.

Yoongi resisted the urge to roll his eyes, less Hoseok see though the facade immediately. His roommate was a mood maker; if he doubted the relationship, others undeniably would as well.

"Did you miss me?"

"So much," Yoongi replied dryly, idly patting the boy's hands around his waist.

Hoseok's face lit up. "You're the guy who left with Yoongi last weekend."

Jungkook released Yoongi, moving to his side so he could shake Hoseok's hand. "I'm Jungkook, Yoongi's boyfriend."

"I'm sorry. You're his what?" Hoseok nearly dropped his drink as he stepped closer to the pair.

"It's all very new," Yoongi rushed to say, fully aware that Hoseok would be suspicious.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Hoseok muttered under his breath. "A couple days ago he was no one and now I'm supposed to believe you two are dating?"

Jungkook brought a shocked hand to his chest. "You told him I was no one? Wow. Does our relationship mean anything to you?"

Yoongi grabbed Hoseok's wrist and dragged him off to the side. He signaled Jungkook to join them.

"What's going on, Yoongi?" His roommate asked, eyes narrowed as he looked between the two boys.

"Okay, fine. He's not my boyfriend. But he's pretending to be so I can get back at Jimin and so he can get closer to Tae."

"Keep it down, man," Jungkook shushed Yoongi, craning his neck to search for Taehyung. "I don't want the whole gallery to know I have the hots for my boss."

Yoongi quickly - and more quietly - filled in Hoseok on the situation. He also described how Jimin may have been jealous and how this could work to his advantage.

"These things never work out well, Yoongi," Hoseok advised after getting all caught up. "Someone's bound to get hurt and I don't want it to be you."

"It's not like it's going to go on for a while," Yoongi placated him. "We'll continue long enough for Jungkook to spend time with Tae and for me to see if Jimin is affected."

Hoseok shook his head in disagreement. "I won't tell you what to do, because I know you won't listen. But be smart. Both of you."

He strutted away from the pair, welcoming Namjoon as he walked into the gallery. The two easily fell into conversation as they started roaming around the space.

"Hey," Jungkook said lowly, "your guy is over there."

Yoongi turned his head to where Jungkook indicated, seeing Jimin loading up a plate of food.

"Showtime," Jungkook smirked, intertwining Yoongi's fingers with his own. He pulled him out onto the main floor and guided them to the nearest piece of art.

It felt odd to Yoongi to hold hands with someone who wasn't Jimin. The fit was different. Before, his grasp would swallow up Jimin's delicate hand. But now, Jungkook's long fingers tightly held his own with a strong and unrelenting grip.

"You're lost in thought," Jungkook said to him, eyes turning down to study his face. "Debating the symbolic use of the cypress tree in Van Gogh's Starry Night?"

Yoongi didn't realize he'd been spacing out while staring at the famous painting. "Wow. You sounded smart."

"Have a little faith," Jungkook nudged his shoulder with his own. "It's my job, after all."

"I don't know the symbolism of this painting," Yoongi said as he turned to truly look at it, "but it feels hopeful."

"I don't know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream," the younger spoke in an airy tone. "That's what Van Gogh once said."

"For all I know, you could be pulling my leg right now," the elder said wryly, tracing the swirls of paint on the canvas.

Jungkook scoffed and tightened his clutch on Yoongi's hand. "Don't forget I have a degree in this, man. And I've been working with Taehyung for a while now. He spouts art quotes like it's his second job."

Yoongi chuckled and shook his head, the sound drawing the younger's attention. "Well, then. Color me impressed."

Jungkook moved towards him suddenly, his gaze oddly dark and concentrated. Yoongi was about to question him on it, or at least take two large steps back, when the younger's face filled up his vision.

He was all big eyes and dark lashes as they came closer and closer, until soft lips pressed against his own.

Yoongi froze as Jungkook kissed him, the gesture chaste and gentle. The hand that wasn't holding Yoongi's came to rest on his hip.

Thoughts emptied from his mind while he just stood there, letting the younger remain with his lips on his mouth. Jungkook seemed to sense his hesitation and pulled back.

"Why'd you do that?" Yoongi whisper-shouted at him, moving to put some space between them.

But Jungkook was faster. He wrapped his hand around the elder's waist and pressed him to his chest. "Your guy is behind you. As your fake boyfriend, it's my duty to claim my territory."

So this time, when Jungkook connected their mouths, Yoongi closed his eyes and tentatively kissed him back. He placed his hands on the younger's forearms, squeezing the muscles he found there. That seemed to trigger something within Jungkook and he lifted his mouth marginally from Yoongi's.

"Let's play, baby," he said against the elder's lips.

Jungkook kissed him roughly, tracing his tongue along the seam of Yoongi's lips. The elder didn't relent though, he kept his mouth clamped shut and denied Jungkook entrance. But the younger wasn't deterred; he simply bit down on Yoongi's lower lip until he gasped at the slight pain. Jungkook thrust his tongue into his mouth but that didn't last for long.

Yoongi ripped his mouth away, clawing at the younger's hands on his hips. "That's enough. We're in a public space for fuck's sake."

Jungkook pouted, his red lips pursed together. "Don't be offended, but that left something to be desired."

"I'm not trying to please you, Jungkook. Intimacy is kind of a big deal to me. When I'm into it, I'm into it. When I'm not -"

"You're not, I get it," Jungkook responded, turning to look back at the painting. "I was just trying to do my job well."

Yoongi detected a note of disappointment in the younger's voice, which strangely made him feel guilty. He stepped in front of Jungkook and waited until he looked down at him.

"You did do your job well, Jungkook. I just . . . I just can't kiss someone unless it means something."

A moment passed while the younger thought that over. Then, like a light switch flipping, he smiled his cocky grin. "It's all cool, man. And that's pretty respectable."

Yoongi regarded him, making sure Jungkook truly seemed okay. "Alright, then."

"If it makes you feel any better, that kiss wasn't for nothing. Jimin saw," Jungkook informed him with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Yeah?" Yoongi turned to scan the gallery.

But Jimin was no where to be found.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

What are you guys thinking/hoping for? Are we rooting for Yoonkook in this story, or hoping for a Yoonmin and Taekook finale? I'm curious (won't change anything 🤷‍♂️) so let me know!