Tied Together

Park Jimin had always been known for his charm, his sunshine-like personality, and his ability to get along with everyone. He was the type of person who could walk into a room and immediately brighten it up. However, there was one person in the entire college who had made it his life’s mission to tease him relentlessly—Jeon Jungkook.

Jungkook, the campus heartthrob, was tall, strong, and unfairly attractive. He was the kind of guy who excelled at everything, from academics to sports to making girls (and some boys) swoon at his very presence. And for some reason, he had decided that Jimin was his personal target for playful bullying.

"Hey, shortie, did you forget to drink your milk again?" Jungkook smirked as he leaned against Jimin’s locker, towering over him.

Jimin rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile. "I don’t need milk to be perfect. Unlike you, who needs protein shakes just to keep up with me."

Jungkook placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt. "Ouch, Jiminie, that was cold. You wound me."

Jimin scoffed. "Good. Maybe now you’ll stop calling me shortie."

Jungkook chuckled. "Not happening, my little mochi."

This was their daily routine—Jungkook teasing Jimin, and Jimin firing back with witty comebacks. At first, Jimin had been flustered by Jungkook’s constant teasing, but over time, he had learned how to play the game. And now, they had reached a point where they were constantly trying to outdo each other in their playful bullying.

Jimin had his own ways of getting back at Jungkook. Like last week, when he switched Jungkook’s protein shake with strawberry milk just to see his reaction.

Or the time he wrote "Bunny Boy" on Jungkook’s gym bag, making the entire basketball team burst into laughter.

Jungkook, of course, always retaliated. Like when he replaced Jimin’s carefully written notes with doodles of stick figures labeled "Tiny Jimin vs. Buff Bun Jungkook."

Their friends were used to it by now. Taehyung and Yoongi often just shook their heads, watching their antics like parents witnessing their kids fight over a toy.

But no one could deny that their constant teasing was filled with something… different. Something that wasn’t just playful bullying.

Something neither of them was ready to admit.

It was the night of the college’s annual function—a grand event where students showcased their talents, and awards were distributed. Jimin, being one of the most charismatic students, had been chosen as the main host of the evening.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his hair styled to perfection, Jimin looked nothing short of stunning. He was confident, energetic, and ready to own the stage.

Jungkook, sitting in the audience with Taehyung and Yoongi, couldn’t take his eyes off him. Not that he would ever admit it.

"Staring too much, aren’t we?" Taehyung teased.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. "Shut up."

Yoongi smirked. "At this rate, we’ll see a confession by the end of the night."

Jungkook ignored them.

As Jimin walked across the stage, microphone in hand, something unexpected happened. His shoelace came undone.

He noticed it immediately. And at that moment, a mischievous idea formed in his head.

Grinning, he raised the mic to his lips.

"Jeon Jungkook," he called out, his voice loud and clear.

The entire auditorium fell silent.

Jungkook blinked in confusion before smirking. "Yes, my dear Park Jimin?"

Jimin smirked. "Come here and tie my shoelaces, peasant."

The audience gasped, whispering among themselves.

Jimin expected Jungkook to tease him back, maybe make a sarcastic remark or even refuse.

But to his utter shock, Jungkook stood up, walked towards the stage without hesitation, and—without breaking eye contact—knelt in front of him.

The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps.

Jimin’s heart skipped a beat.

"What… what are you doing?" Jimin whispered, feeling his cheeks heat up.

Jungkook smirked up at him, his fingers casually brushing against Jimin’s ankle as he reached for the laces. "You asked me to tie them, didn’t you?"

Jimin swallowed. "I… I thought you’d tease me back."

Jungkook chuckled. "Too late now, baby."

Jimin was about to lift his foot, but Jungkook suddenly grabbed his wrist, pulling him forward.

Before Jimin could react, he found himself sitting in Jungkook’s lap.

The crowd went wild.

Jimin’s entire face turned red as Jungkook casually looped the laces, tying them neatly.

"You should be careful," Jungkook murmured, his voice low enough for only Jimin to hear. "Wouldn’t want you to trip and fall… unless you’d like falling into my arms instead."

Jimin let out a dramatic gasp. "Yah! Jeon Jungkook!"

Jungkook grinned, pressing a teasing kiss to Jimin’s knuckles before finally letting him go.

The crowd was still screaming as Jimin got up, flustered beyond belief.

Jungkook winked before walking back to his seat like nothing happened.

Jimin took a deep breath, gripping the mic. "Ahem. That was totally unplanned. Ignore that!"

The audience only laughed, knowing full well that this was just another chapter in the endless teasing war between Park Jimin and Jeon Jungkook.

Only this time…

Jimin wasn’t sure if he had lost or won.

Maybe both.

And maybe…

Just maybe…

He didn’t mind either way.

The next day, Jimin was still receiving messages from people who had witnessed the scene. Some thought it was a joke, some thought it was the cutest thing ever, and some were convinced that Jungkook and Jimin were secretly dating.

Jimin, however, had bigger concerns.

Like the fact that Jungkook was now smirking at him like he had won some kind of grand prize.

"So, what did we learn?" Jungkook teased, leaning in close as they stood by Jimin’s locker.

Jimin crossed his arms, pretending to think. "That I should never challenge you in public again?"

Jungkook grinned. "That, and you look really good sitting in my lap."

Jimin choked. "Jeon Jungkook, I swear—"

But before he could finish, Jungkook leaned in, whispering in his ear, "Next time, just ask, and I’ll hold you longer."

Jimin covered his face, unable to hide his shy smile.

Maybe this game of playful bullying had turned into something more.

Something sweeter.

Something they didn’t need to tease each other about anymore.

Because deep down, they both already knew.

And neither of them wanted it to stop.

Jimin didn’t know when it happened.

When their playful teasing turned into something softer, something more tender.

Maybe it was the way Jungkook started carrying his books without being asked.

Maybe it was the way Jimin found himself waiting for Jungkook after classes, just because he liked walking home together.

Maybe it was the way Jungkook looked at him now—not with mischief, but with something deeper, something warmer.

It started with small things.

Jungkook would randomly take Jimin’s hand and swing it playfully as they walked, acting like it was nothing.

Jimin would steal Jungkook’s hoodies, only for Jungkook to pull him closer and whisper, “Just keep it, you look better in it anyway.”

Jungkook, the once proud and merciless teaser, had turned into someone who held Jimin’s hand when he was nervous before a presentation.

Someone who brought Jimin’s favorite strawberry milk without being asked.

Someone who—when Jimin tripped over his own feet—didn’t just laugh, but caught him, held him, and whispered, “Careful, baby. I can’t let you get hurt.”

Their friends noticed.

"You're disgusting," Taehyung gagged as Jungkook wiped a crumb off Jimin’s lips during lunch.

Yoongi snorted. "Can you guys stop acting like a couple and just make it official?"

Jimin choked on his food. "W-We are not acting like a couple!"

Jungkook, however, just smirked, leaning in. "Not yet, at least."

Jimin smacked his arm, but his heart fluttered.

And then came the moment that changed everything.

The annual college festival had arrived, and this time, Jungkook was performing on stage.

Jimin sat in the front row, watching with a proud smile as Jungkook sang a beautiful love song, his voice filling the entire auditorium.

Jimin didn’t expect anything unusual—until the song ended, and Jungkook put down his mic… but didn’t leave the stage.

Instead, he looked straight at Jimin.

"Park Jimin," Jungkook said, his voice clear, steady.

Jimin’s breath hitched.

The audience murmured in confusion, their eyes shifting between the two.

Jungkook took a deep breath.

"You’ve been my best friend, my rival, my headache, and my happiness," he began, his usual teasing tone replaced by something raw, something real.

Jimin’s heart pounded.

"You drive me crazy, but you also make my days brighter. I love the way you scrunch your nose when you’re annoyed. I love how you steal my hoodies and pretend it was an accident. I love how you always pretend to be tough, but secretly love being taken care of."

Jimin’s eyes widened.

Jungkook smiled softly. "And I love you."

The crowd gasped.

Jimin’s hands flew to his mouth.

Jungkook took a step forward. "I’ve spent so long teasing you, messing with you, just so I could have your attention. But now, I don’t want to play around anymore."

He took a deep breath, then—right there, in front of everyone—he knelt down on one knee.

The entire auditorium exploded into screams and cheers.

Jimin felt his world spin. His eyes filled with tears.

"Park Jimin," Jungkook said, looking up at him with the softest eyes, "will you be mine? Forever?"

Jimin let out a choked laugh, tears spilling down his cheeks. "You idiot," he whispered.

Jungkook chuckled. "That’s not an answer, love."

Jimin laughed through his tears, then ran forward—throwing himself into Jungkook’s arms.

Jungkook caught him effortlessly, holding him tight as the crowd erupted into cheers.

"Yes, you idiot," Jimin sobbed against his shoulder. "Of course, yes!"

Jungkook grinned, pulling back just enough to cup Jimin’s face.

"You’re mine now, shortie," he whispered.

Jimin sniffled. "I was always yours, muscle bunny."

Jungkook laughed, then—without hesitation—tilted Jimin’s chin up and kissed him.

Right there, in front of everyone.

And Jimin kissed him back, knowing that from this moment on…

They weren’t just teasing each other anymore.

They were in love.

And they always would be.