"Jungkook… please… We'll talk about this another time. I have things to do now. I need to make lunch." I stood up from the table and started looking around for something edible to cook. "Weren't you going to look around the area?"
"No, I changed my mind. I'll help you." He shrugged.
"You're not worried I can't cook properly, are you?" I chuckled. "Believe me, after nearly four years of living alone, I've learned how to take care of myself."
"I believe that, but I'm just not in the mood to wander around alone right now." He shrugged again.
"Well, your choice. Then put on some music on that player." I pointed toward the record player in the living room.
"Alright." He walked out of the kitchen, and I pulled a bag of pasta from one of the cupboards.
A moment later, I heard an old, iconic Christmas song start to play, fitting the atmosphere perfectly.
"This one good?" Jungkook called.
"Perfect."
"So, what's on today's menu?" He stepped back into the kitchen.
"I found pasta." I held it up.
"Phenomenal."
"Jesus, what is that word…?" I shivered playfully.
"I think it sounds nice."
"Very… Anyway, so we have pasta. What should go on it?"
"Hmm… Let's say… a tomato-based sauce with spices, garlic, and vegetables, and a bit of cheese on top if we have any." He started pulling out ingredients one by one, and I just raised an eyebrow at him.
"What?" he asked, catching my look.
"Nothing. Good idea." I snapped out of it.
"Okay, first you boil the pasta nicely, and I'll chop up the vegetables." He assigned the tasks.
"This is my kitchen, I'm the head chef here." I pointed to myself.
"Oh, I didn't know you bought this house, that it's your kitchen." He stressed the word your.
"Jungkook… just stay quiet." I waved him off with my hands, then took a deep breath and got started on the pasta.
"You're not mad now, are you?" he asked more softly.
"Of course not. Why, should I be?" I laughed.
"No!" he blurted. "I just thought maybe." He kept chopping tomatoes.
"I'm not like that, Kook. I consider myself a reasonable person. I don't sulk over stupid little things."
"I've noticed, and honestly, I'm glad. My wife's not like that." He let out a deep sigh.
"Speaking of… what's your wife's name?" I turned toward him for a moment before going back to the pot of boiling pasta.
"Loren. She's not that tall, has long dark brown hair, very slim, beautiful woman. Just… extremely sensitive, and that's the one thing that sometimes gets on my nerves."
"For example?"
"For example, the other day we were talking about what cake to bake for Christmas, and I had the nerve to say I was tired of the one she always makes for the holidays. I meant nothing by it—just told her honestly, like a husband to a wife—and she got offended and didn't talk to me for exactly five days. Which wouldn't be such a big deal, but she also moved out to the couch. Again, wouldn't be a problem… if our poor little boy hadn't had to watch it all. I hate fighting with Loren in front of him. Sure, we only argue rarely, but for a child, it can have a much bigger impact."
"That's understandable. But why not try to talk to her about it, nicely?"
"Believe me, I've tried to gently make her realize she doesn't need to get upset over everything, but guess what happened…" He rolled his eyes.
"She got offended? Over that too?"
"Exactly. Hah… never mind. Overall, she's a wonderful woman and, above all, a great mother. That's what matters, right?" He smiled sadly, which I found a little strange.
"That too. And that your relationship is healthy."
"Then there's no problem." He sighed deeply. "By the way… you've really never had anyone?" he changed the topic.
"Jungkook… can you please get off my love life?" I turned to him.
"I can, it's just strange that you don't want to talk about it."
"Because I'm embarrassed that at 26 I've never had a serious relationship. In high school, I had plenty of platonic crushes and was a one-night fling for more than a few flamboyant guys. After that, I lost interest in the whole thing. I figure if fate wants to throw someone in my path, I'm open to it, but I'm not initiating anything ever again, that's for sure." I rattled it out quickly.
"Oh, well, for someone with no experience, you sure know a lot about love and relationships."
"Everyone knows about those things, not just me. That's basic. The only difference is, I've loved many people, but I've never been loved back in love. Still, I believe I'll experience that someday too." I smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry, Jimin… Come here." He opened his arms with a smile, and I slowly walked over and hugged him. He hugged me back.
"I'm here with you for now. I don't know for how long, but you can't feel alone right now. I know what loneliness is like, being an only child. And I know it can be hard sometimes." He stroked my back, which felt incredibly comforting.
"I'm an only child too. And thank you. Just… don't let me fall for you." I pulled away with a chuckle.
"That would be funny." He shook his head with a smile.
"More like painful…" I muttered as I turned back to the stove.
"Why?"
"Drop it, Kook." I shrugged.
"But I'm curious." He insisted.
"Because you're a married father, you're neither gay nor bi, and you live on the other side of the world. What do you think would happen if I liked you? I'd just end up suffering through another platonic crush…" I explained.
"Well… you said I'm not your type anyway."
"I only said that because I didn't know how you'd react to learning my sexual orientation." I admitted.
"So I am your type?" He looked surprised.
"No, I don't like you. You look good and all, but the fact that you have a family puts me off, so you don't have to worry. There's no risk I'll fall in love with you." I reassured him.
"Alright. And sorry for asking such dumb questions, but I've honestly never talked to a gay person before, and I swear I'm interested in how they see things."
"That's fine. Now that we've dissected my nonexistent love life, I'm ready to tell you about anything. But first, let's get lunch done. Juno will probably be starving when he gets back."
Yeah… If he gets back…