lovestrippedbare | 𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕠

Yoongi lets out a spluttering laugh, nudging his elbow into Jungkook's side. "Ah, poor you," he says. "That must be really hard." It's an exaggeration, he knows, but there are times when it doesn't really feel that way. There are times he looks at Jungkook and just wants to jump him then and there. It stands to reason the same is true in reverse.

"But you're wrong." He glances over, faintly smug. "My taste is impeccable. Otherwise how could I have picked out my soulmate? Most people can't do that on their first try." He really is so lucky, both to have found Jungkook in general, but also to have someone who supports him so thoroughly, who loves him so much, who wants him to see his best self instead of his worst.

"Uh, if I recall correctly, I was the one who first developed a crush on you. Which means that it's more like you totally fell for my seduction techniques," Jungkook grins, the wrinkle of his nose giving him away slightly. He's not really sure any of what he did around Yoongi in those early days can really be qualified as seduction — they spent time together at the piano, sometimes they gravitated to the same corner during group parties, but Jungkook never did any of those things with the real intent of trying to draw Yoongi in. It'd seemed impossible, back then, that Yoongi would ever take a romantic liking to him.

Now it seems impossible that they'd ever lose these feelings for one another.

"But putting that aside, you can't be telling me that you've never had a crush on anyone before me. That's impossible and I won't believe it," Jungkook muses, watching Yoongi's expression closely. "C'mon, tell me. What kind of people were you attracted to before me? Promise I won't get jealous."

"Okay, I didn't say I'd never had a crush before," Yoongi counters. "Of course I've had crushes." The world is too full of interesting people for him to make it this far in life without a little infatuation here and there. Granted, he's not sure that he would actually make a good match for any of his previous crushes, but maybe that's the point. He never acted on those, or, at least, never did much with them or put in much of an effort to win anyone's attention. "I just haven't had a boyfriend since kindergarten."

On the other hand, he also hasn't had many crushes lately. Once he fell for Jungkook, everyone else seemed to fall by the wayside.

He wrinkles his nose, pouting unconsciously, trying to figure out if there were any similar traits between his crushes. "Hmm, I guess I like people who are tall, dark, handsome... completely ridiculous..." He's joking, but, as much as the description fits Jungkook, it makes him think of what might be a suitable answer. "Ong Seong-wu. I hope you're prepared to become an idol to keep my love."

"One Seong-wu?" Jungkook asks, immediately whipping out his phone to figure out who exactly that is. The name sounds familiar, and the mention of him being an idol seems to ring a bell — Produce 101? Or something? — but Jungkook isn't able to summon a face to mind until the image search loads, and he immediately dissolves into laughter. (And, okay, his eyes immediately dart to a few of Seong-wu's features that Jungkook wouldn't mind inheriting for himself.)

"Wow, what a pretty boy," Jungkook exclaims, shaking his head. "What, he's taller than me? Better jawline. Nah, there's no way I can hold a candle to him, are you kidding me? Not to mention I'm pretty sure I'd be considered fairly old for a trainee with no previous singing or dancing background. Not pretty enough to be a visual, either."

He grins, nodding to himself and sliding the phone away. "Okay, okay. I guess I can't judge your taste too much. Considering my top crushes were idols, too. Well, kind of." Jungkook wrinkles his nose. "Does G-Dragon really count as an idol?"

"Close enough," Yoongi decides, amused by the choice, even as he flushes slightly over revealing his own. Idols feel safer to be infatuated with than letting himself be distracted by any of the people at school. They're so distant and unreachable that it doesn't matter. With other students, there's always the faint hope, however absurd, of feelings being reciprocated. Even when he thought it was impossible, some part of him hoped that Jungkook could like him.

"So talented, handsome — check and check. I can't rap, though. Is that going to be a problem?" Something occurs to him and he grins, nudging Jungkook in the side. "And what happened to IU? Do I no longer have to fight her for your love? Because I think I could take her."

"I guess they're both my type, so you might have to fight both of them," Jungkook snickers, unable to quite imagine how a meeting like that might look. It's hard to picture either IU or G-Dragon bothering with any small squabble — they're too aloof. Even Yoongi himself, Jungkook has a hard time picturing visibly getting worked up in a fight for Jungkook's affections — not when Jungkook's made it clear that he only has eyes for Yoongi anyway.

But maybe he's wrong. It's an interesting thought, how Yoongi might look if his jealousy came to the surface.

"Ah, it'd be so cool if you tried to rap. You've got a good look for it," Jungkook points out, reaching out to briefly twist a few strands of Yonogi's hair between his fingers. "But don't worry. Even if you never sing, dance, or rap, you're already way in the lead over those two. They're just fun to watch on stage."

"I think I'd better stick to piano," Yoongi says wryly. "I can barely even write regular lyrics, let alone raps. But I could play on a stage someday."

He doubts he ever will, though. Practicality has to come first. Maybe, if he's diligent enough about his other classes, he could take some music courses at university and end up on the campus stage, but beyond that, it seems unlikely he'll ever get to be a real musician. Still, he's resigned himself to the fact of that. As long as they have a piano at home, he'll be happy with whatever boring job lets them make a life together.

"I bet we could get you on a stage," Jungkook muses quietly, humming at the thought. He's not naive enough to think that either of them can necessarily make a living wage off of their artistic ventures — the competition among visual artists is high, and the pay that musicians get varies a great deal by demand. When times are tough economically, it always feels like art and music are the first things to go; it's too easy to get by with the free content available online, no need to book expensive tickets or take up valuable time.

Still, Jungkook imagines that there must be a way to get onto stage once or twice. Someone with Yoongi's talent should be able to find a way.

"I mean, there are so many bars that look for live music, so if nothing else, that's definitely a place that you can start looking. Even if I can't really follow you in there yet."

It's not exactly a concert hall, but Yoongi doesn't think he minds that. The important thing is playing. He's rarely had an audience of more than a few people, but it would be nice to try. Even if he can't make a career of it, he thinks, he's still good. That's one of the few things he can say with real confidence.

"I hadn't even considered that," he says. "I'd have to learn some new songs. I doubt they're looking for classical music. But it sounds fun." He's tried to play contemporary pop before; it's just a matter of learning some newer material and some old standards. He could be good at that. "More fun if we could sneak you in, though."

"Maybe. Or maybe they have classical nights sometimes? Like how there are jazz bars and things like that," Jungkook muses, narrowing his eyes at the thought. It is, admittedly, hard to imagine that most people would seek out classical music for their backdrop while getting drunk. Except for maybe the sort of people who are more into wine than they are liquor and beer.

"Ah, or maybe there are fancy restaurants that'd go for that kind of thing," he points out, grinning as he turns to face Yoongi, grabbing his elbow to navigate them both down a turn. "Though it's not half as fun for me to sneak into those. Could be pretty romantic, though! I'd be the obnoxious boyfriend, telling everyone that it's my man up there."

While expanding his repertoire to include more commercial song choices probably isn't a bad idea, Yoongi likes the idea of performing in a restaurant even more. It's an audience held hostage, admittedly, even so, and most people probably don't pay the pianist any attention. Still, it would be nice to play and to get paid for doing something he loves.

He grins. "That might get us both kicked out," he says wryly, but he likes the idea of it — Jungkook noisily, proudly proclaiming their relationship to anyone who'll listen and probably more than a few people who have no interest in listening. "But it could be. Romantic. And fun maybe. I'll look into it this summer."

"...okay, maybe I'd have to keep my voice down. To make sure that you don't get fired," Jungkook muses, tilting his head back and forth as they venture down the street. As much as he likes the idea of showing Yoongi off, it would definitely defeat the purpose if doing so ended up getting Yoongi fired, especially from a job that he'd actually enjoy. One that makes real use of his talent.

Jungkook sighs, nuzzling his face briefly against Yoongi's neck before looking around for a trash can to deposit his empty cup.

"I hope we can find something. I really think it'd be great, and maybe someone would discover you that way, maybe it's something you can like... take up as a minor at school," Jungkook suggests with a small shrug. "Though any money you earn might get lost to all the meals I'd end up having at the restaurant while watching you play."

"I'm still not even sure what I'll major in," Yoongi says wryly. "But, yeah, I think about that sometimes. Minoring in music." It would be entirely self-indulgent and he doubts his father will be happy about it, but as long as he focuses most of his attention on something practical, maybe that would be okay. There's little money in music — at least, for most people that's the case — so he doesn't dare pursue it as a career in earnest, but playing at some nice restaurant doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility.

"I mean, I'd want to take those classes anyway, so I might as well."

"It sucks that they don't really give us a chance to like, try things out before we commit, right? I mean, it's not like what we learn in high school is really going to help us pick between all the different things we can study in university. We never really dive deep into anything, it's just us desperately trying to pick up on all the things we might have to know for exams," Jungkook grouses, swiping his shoe at a small pebble on the ground, kicking it down the road. Bad enough that so much of what gets pushed onto them for university sounds like it'd be incredibly boring, but Jungkook also hates the idea that it practically straps one in for life. It's not easy to adjust course later on.

Yet another aspect of life that feels stifling.

"But you should totally take those classes anyway. University's for learning, right? Might as well spend some time learning what you really want to know," Jungkook reasons.

Yoongi nods his agreement, hugging Jungkook's arm a little closer for a moment. Since he's only ever had lessons from his mother, he expects that there are things he won't quite know how to do the way the teachers would like him to, but he doesn't mind that. He'd like to learn properly, to see if they have anything worth teaching him.

"And the surface level stuff is just boring," he sighs. "Never enough to really be interesting. How am I supposed to pick a major when they don't teach us anything real?" In the end, though, he knows he'll make his choice carefully and practically, based on what kind of work he ends up thinking himself best suited for, or, at least, the work he's least likely to be annoyed by.

When Yoongi pulls Jungkook a little nearer, Jungkook does his part to close the distance as well, pressing a quick kiss to Yoongi's cheek while it doesn't seem like there are many passersby in the street anyway. The hour is a slow one, slightly after the rush of lunch but well before dinnertime and sunset, and Jungkook finds that he likes the seeming sleepiness at this hour of day.

"I'm even further away from any of the stuff that feels remotely real in school, so I couldn't say," Jungkook sighs, narrowing his eyes and vaguely processing the sights in front of them on the street. "Isn't that why everyone just tries to go for the majors that are likely to land jobs with the highest salaries? Unless you're brave enough to go for the stuff you really love, at the cost of potentially finding a job later." His voice quiets, then. On the one hand, pursuing one's true passions sounds admirable, almost romantic.

On the other, Jungkook knows there are other things he'd rather take risks on. A job seems less important in the face of needing to set up a stable future for himself and Yoongi.

"I'm not that brave," Yoongi says, quiet, though it's not like this is news. It would be incredible to be able to spend all his time playing, getting better with help and time, with the hope of one day earning a living through his music. He just doesn't have the courage for it. He's good, he knows he's good, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Plenty of people are just as talented as he is. At university, he might not even stand apart from the crowd.

What he needs is a degree that helps him get a good job, something steady that pays well enough to help support them — not just the pair of them, for that matter, but, eventually, a child or two. That may be a long time off, but knowing it's something they both want someday, Yoongi thinks it's worth planning ahead.

"But I'm sure there has to be something I can do well and enjoy," he adds, shrugging. "I just haven't figured it out yet. But there's time. And even more time for you still."

"Neither am I," Jungkook admits with a slight shrug. Belatedly, hearing Yoongi putting himself down, Jungkook wonders if calling it bravery was a mistake. There's something that doesn't sit quite right about interpreting their choices as being any less difficult, or any less brave. It takes its own leap of faith, Jungkook thinks, to pick up a job that doesn't bring one an immediate sense of joy. To have enough confidence in the rest of one's life making up for what may always lack in occupation.

Isn't it its own kind of bravery that the two of them have decided to put their all in one another?

"I just want to figure out what kind of job won't make me want to hide under my covers every morning, but also helps me earn enough for us to be comfortable," Jungkook muses, tilting his head. "Not that I think we have to be — I don't know, super comfortable or meet all of the expectations our parents have. I'd be happy no matter what, as long as I get to be with you. But it might be kind of nice if we didn't have to worry as much about the future. That's all I really want."

Jungkook grins, finally tossing his empty cup in the trash before lacing his fingers with Yoongi once more. "And I believe in us. We'll make it work, even if we don't have it all figured out right now."

Yoongi lets go of Jungkook's arm to slip his own around Jungkook's waist instead, tugging him close in a sideways hug. He likes to imagine a world in which he feels secure enough to pursue his music, knowing how much his mother wanted that for him. But it's comforting to think that, maybe, that isn't the most important thing. As long as he's happy, he knows, that would have been enough for her. And he can't imagine not being happy with Jungkook alongside him. Maybe there will be dark days, still, or times where nothing feels easy, and that's fine. They'll get through them together.

"We will," he says, quietly firm. "And we have time. It's not like we need to know right this minute." They have time before declaring majors and picking jobs becomes a necessity. In the meanwhile, they can make their plans together. "As long as we have enough to support ourselves, that's what counts. And to get a piano, of course."

"Yeah. And if you figure out that there's a kind of job that's totally soul-sucking, at least I'll have enough warning to avoid it," Jungkook laughs, a slight blush on his cheeks as Yoongi pulls him closer, smile reflecting his satisfaction with the close contact. He hooks his own arm behind Yoongi's back, fingers holding tight by his hip; his expression brightens as he spots the ocean horizon in the distance.

"We really don't need much to be happy," he muses quietly, eyes bright as the both of them continue making their way down the road. "I've never cared about having a big house or anything fancy. Having my soulmate with me is already more than I thought I might get. Just a little place, with a tiny kitchen where we can cook, and a piano, definitely. We can build up to the piano though. Like if we need to get a keyboard first, or if we need to look out for old pianos that schools aren't using anymore. Like the one in our classroom."

Eventually, they'll want more room, if they really do decide to have kids. For now, though, the future Jungkook imagines sounds ideal to Yoongi. They don't need much. As long as they can live without too much struggle, as long as they're together and there's music, that will be enough for him.

"Sounds perfect," he says, glancing from the ocean ahead of them to Jungkook, taking him in. What else could they possibly need? "I'll try to find something a little less awful than soul-sucking. But at least I'll have you to come home to."

"If it's soul-sucking, we'll just have to buy you a really sharp suit so that you can take some pleasure in being the best-looking employee. Or so that I can take that pleasure," Jungkook murmurs happily, picturing Yoongi in a suit and tie, wondering vaguely if they should raid Yoongi's father's closet once they're back in Seoul. It'll probably take a lot more than superficial satisfaction to outweigh the pressures of a draining job, but Jungkook likes musing on the ways they'll keep spirits high regardless.

On his part, Jungkook's sure that getting to come home to Yoongi will help him weather through a lot.

"Coming home to each other every single day... it's going to be so nice," he murmurs. "Even simple stuff like that sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it?"

Most days, when Yoongi comes home, the house is empty. At best, his father might be around, might even ask a couple of questions about his day, but, more often than not, unless he stays for yaja, Yoongi is home first and everything is silence. The idea of stepping into a home — a home — he shares with Jungkook sends a thrill of longing through him.

Someday. They'll have that someday.

"It does," he agrees. "It sounds wonderful. But I'll still get that suit if it makes you happy." Besides, he can cheerfully imagine Jungkook taking it off of him at the end of a long, hard day. Whether he's the best-looking in his company or not, there's no knowing now, but Jungkook's opinion is the one that matters anyway.

There are times when Jungkook wonders if he spends too much time thinking of the future, and not enough time in the present, where Yoongi is whole and beautiful and smiling right next to him. To spend too much time thinking about their home and of the beautiful suits Yoongi might don would take attention away from their surroundings now, so Jungkook simply wraps up the thought by leaning in and pressing a kiss to Yoongi's cheek.

"Everything about you makes me happy," Jungkook remarks brightly, holding back a quip about how enthusiasm is practically inevitable when it involves taking off Yoongi's clothes. Not now. They'll have time for such jokes later, when they're back in the hotel room.

For now, Jungkook's gaze turns to fix itself on the end of the street, where a few pillars block off access for motorized vehicles, and the dirt suggests a path that many pedestrians have taken down to the water.

"Think the water's cold?" he asks, picking up the pace.

Months together haven't dimmed the way Yoongi's heart lights up at those words, knowing he makes Jungkook happy. When he's had so many days where it seemed to him that there was hardly any good in him, the idea that he could bring joy to the person he loves best forces him to change his thinking. If Jungkook loves him, if he makes Jungkook happy, then he can't be all that bad.

Might even be pretty good.

"Probably," he says, hurrying up to match Jungkook's pace. They're so close now, and it's been a while since they all went to the beach together, and this is so different from that, but it's a different kind of exciting, too. Looking out at the great blue-grey stretch of water, it's possible to imagine a life full of possibility. The world is big and endless, and so are the opportunities before them. "Should we go in anyway?"

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