Jungkook was rushing down the stairs when he felt a hand wrap around his wrist and make him come to an abrupt stop. He turned around to see Seokjin staring at him with confused eyes.

"You seem to be in a hurry. Everything alright?"

Jungkook chuckled as he pried his wrist away from his brother's and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Yes hyung. I told Jimin I'd meet him after classes. He's off work today apparently."

Seokjin watched with a soft smile on his face as his little brother ran down the stairs excitedly. A warm touch on his lower back made him smile even more. He wheeled around where he stood, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's neck and nuzzling his face into the crook of his neck.

"His hands still have paint on them Joonie. And his shirt is so dirty. He probably splashed colours all over himself, God." Namjoon chuckled as Seokjin smiled into his shoulder. "He's still such a baby."

"You love him so much," Namjoon whispered, stroking Seokjin's head affectionately.

"Of course I love him. He's my baby brother."

Seokjin sighed, thinking about the first time his parents had brought Jungkook home. The young boy had merely been six years old. At first Seokjin had detested the idea of another kid in the house, as Jungkook seemed to somehow catch everyone's attention. The kid was cute and polite, and the neighbours adored him. But as time passed Seokjin had found himself growing to love every bit of the kid that grew up with him.

When Seokjin was in high school and was caught up in teenage angst and stress, Jungkook's presence alone had saved him. The kid had tried so hard to cheer him up in the dumbest of ways, but no matter what Seokjin had always ended up laughing by the end of the day. Jungkook hadn't ever let him drown in his own sadness even for a day.

"He's such a good kid," Seokjin looked up at Namjoon with shining eyes. "I just wish he'd stop smoking Joon-ah. I'm so scared."

Namjoon leaned down for a quick peck before rubbing soothing circles on his boyfriend's back. "Everything will be alright Jin. Maybe this boy, Jimin, maybe he will change Jungkook for the best."

Jungkook was least bothered about his appearance as he stepped into the cool air-conditioned atmosphere of the restaurant where he was supposed to meet Jimin. It was a nice little diner with a cheap menu that college students could afford easily. Jimin was so easy to find, his nose buried into a book and his brows drawn together as a pen ran across the pages in quick speed. Jungkook walked over to the table and plopped down across from the boy.

"You wear glasses?"

Jimin jumped slightly in his chair as he placed a hand on his heart and looked up at Jungkook. Jungkook wanted to take a picture and stare for the rest of his life. Oh how breathtaking Jimin looked in glasses.

"Just when I read for long," Jimin spoke breathily, his voice immediately calming down every one of Jungkook's nerves. "I'm sorry I didn't see you coming." Jimin's eyes drifted from Jungkook's eyes to the hand scratching his nose and he smiled softly at the sight of faint dried paint on the boy's hands.

"It's hot outside. How do you survive in jackets like that?" Jungkook cocked his head as he stared at Jimin and a frown broke onto his face when he noticed Jimin's cheeks were redder than usual and his eyes looked droopy. "Wait, you said you're off work didn't you? Jimin, are you sick?"

Jimin smiled, stuffing his notebook and pen into his bag. "Just a cold, don't worry."

"Eat something warm and soothing. Didn't you say you like chicken noodle soup the other day?"

Jimin watched silently as Jungkook called for a waiter and gave their orders, asking for normal water for Jimin instead of chilled water. When the food was kept on the table, Jungkook made sure to serve Jimin and pass him his chopsticks before taking his own. Jimin smiled to himself as he blew air at a spoonful of his soup before drinking it.

"It's so good," he said with his mouth full, looking over at Jungkook who had his cheeks stuffed with meat. His eyes were slightly wide; his spoonful of rice halfway up to his mouth, actions paused as he stared at Jimin. Jimin unconsciously smiled wider, his eyes disappearing into crescents and red cheeks bunching up. He giggled when Jungkook looked like a lost puppy.

"Oh Jungkookie," Jimin sighed and Jungkook choked on the meat in his mouth at the name. "You're so cute. Like a baby bunny."

Jungkook suddenly forgot how to chew. He blinked at Jimin and swallowed his meat directly, causing him to cough as he choked and hurriedly drank his glass of water. Jimin was now laughing, throwing his entire body forward and cupping a hand over his mouth, his eyes now becoming mere lines on his face.

"Holy fuck," Jungkook cursed, hitting himself in the head once and looking over at Jimin again. The boy was now trying to regain his composure by patting his own cheeks as hard as he could. Jungkook reached out and held onto Jimin's wrists to stop him from doing that. "Hey don't do that."

Jimin looked up at Jungkook and burst out laughing again as he took in the boy's messy hair, puffy cheeks and paint-covered shirt. "I-I'm sorry. Oh my God. I haven't laughed this much in so long."

Jimin finally calmed down and started telling Jungkook something about his dance classes when the latter's eyes caught sight of someone he didn't want to see at this moment. Jungkook watched with a glare as he noticed Daehoon standing in the bookstore opposite with a nasty grin on his face, eyes looking over Jimin with ill intentions.

"It's so amazing honestly. I mean, it does hurt when your feet permanently have blisters and bruised patches but the thrill of performing keeps me alive you know. It's like, when I'm doing a pirouette or flying in the air no one can harm me. It's my own world." Jimin stopped talking when he realized Jungkook looked very distracted, almost annoyed. "Jungkook-ah, am I boring you?"

Jungkook's eyes snapped to Jimin's when he heard his name and he immediately shook his head. "No, no, shit sorry. Just thinking about a few college related stuff. Lots of stress this week. Sorry."

Jimin smiled, shaking his head. "It's okay. You'll get through it don't worry. Just make sure you eat and stay healthy."

Jungkook clenched his fist under the table. Jimin was so pure and innocent. Daehoon will be damned if he lay a finger on Jimin's hair strands even.