in love like crazy

Jungkook had always been known for his cold and tough demeanor. The golden boy of the group, the all-rounder, the strongest among them-he was the one who never let his emotions slip. Whether on stage, in the gym, or in the dorms, he carried himself with a kind of invincible aura.

But when it came to Jimin... everything changed.

Everyone noticed it. The way Jungkook's usually sharp gaze softened when Jimin spoke. The way he never hesitated to get up and grab something for Jimin before Jimin could even ask. The way his usual smirks melted into fond smiles whenever Jimin was around.

It was in the little things-the way he instinctively shielded Jimin from the crowd, how he automatically reached out to steady Jimin whenever he stumbled, or the way his entire face lit up whenever Jimin laughed.

And yet, despite all the obvious signs, no one had ever dared to outright ask Jungkook about it. Not until one fateful evening.

It was a rare free evening, and all seven of them were lounging around in their dorm's living room. The air was light, filled with laughter and playful teasing. Jin had just finished making dinner, and they were all sprawled around, full and satisfied, engaged in one of their usual late-night conversations.

Jimin, as always, was at the center of it-his laughter infectious, his bright energy filling the room. Jungkook, as always, was right next to him, subtly watching him with that unreadable but undeniably fond look in his eyes.

Taehyung, ever the troublemaker, had been the first to notice it again. "Jungkookie," he drawled, stretching out on the couch. "You're always so cold and scary to everyone else, but when it comes to Jiminie, you turn into this soft, protective puppy. It's hilarious."

Jimin laughed, throwing a cushion at Jungkook. "Yeah, Kook, you really do. You spoil me way too much."

"Not true," Jungkook muttered, though the pink dusting his ears said otherwise.

Yoongi, who had been sipping his tea quietly, smirked. "No, Jimin's right. You're whipped for him."

Jin and Hoseok snickered in agreement, while Namjoon merely observed, his dimples appearing as he tried to hide his amusement.

Jimin, ever the playful one, decided to take it a step further. He tilted his head, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he teasingly asked, "Wait... Jungkook, are you in love with me?"

It was meant as a joke. Just a lighthearted jab to tease Jungkook like they always did.

The room burst into laughter at the ridiculousness of the question.

But what none of them expected... was for Jungkook to seize that moment.

The laughter hadn't even fully died down when Jungkook, with zero hesitation, straightened up, met Jimin's eyes head-on, and said-

"Yes. I'm in love like crazy with you."

Silence.

Complete, absolute silence.

The laughter froze in everyone's throats, their eyes widening as if they had all collectively misheard him.

Jimin blinked, his heart stuttering in his chest. "W-what?"

Jungkook didn't waver. His gaze was steady, his voice unwavering. "I said, I'm in love like crazy with you, Jimin."

The air in the room shifted. It was no longer filled with playful teasing but with something heavier-something raw and real.

Taehyung's jaw was practically on the floor. Jin had his hand covering his mouth in pure shock. Yoongi and Namjoon exchanged looks of disbelief, while Hoseok simply stared with wide eyes.

Jimin, on the other hand, felt like his entire brain had short-circuited.

This wasn't how the joke was supposed to go.

Jungkook was supposed to roll his eyes, push his shoulder, and maybe call him annoying.

He wasn't supposed to look him dead in the eyes and confess.

He wasn't supposed to say it with such sincerity that it made Jimin's heart pound so hard he could hear it in his ears.

Jimin gulped, his voice uncharacteristically small. "You... You're joking, right?"

Jungkook tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into a soft, almost knowing smile. "Am I?"

Jimin's breath caught.

He couldn't look away.

His heart knew the answer before his mind could process it.

No. Jungkook wasn't joking.

The others were still staring, still processing what had just happened. It was the first time any of them had seen Jungkook be so straightforward about his feelings.

Taehyung, ever the drama king, was the first to break the silence. "WAIT. WHAT?! SO YOU REALLY-?!"

"Jungkook," Jin gasped, pointing at him as if he had just uncovered the biggest secret of the century. "Are you seriously telling us you've been in love with Jimin all this time, and you just-just said it like that?!"

Jungkook shrugged. "Why not? It's the truth."

Yoongi snorted. "Well, damn. That's one way to drop a confession."

Jimin, still in shock, let out a breathy laugh. "I-I don't even know what to say..."

Jungkook leaned in slightly, his voice dropping into something gentler, something just for Jimin. "Then don't say anything yet. Just... think about it."

Jimin's cheeks burned, his heart doing flips in his chest.

The others continued to lose their minds in the background, but for Jimin, all he could focus on was Jungkook-the way he was looking at him, the way he had said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And maybe... just maybe... a part of Jimin already knew his answer.

Days passed, and things were different.

Jungkook didn't take his confession back. If anything, he doubled down on it.

He still did all the things he always did-still shielded Jimin from crowds, still grabbed things for him before he could ask, still looked at him with that quiet adoration.

But now... Jimin saw it for what it was.

Now, every lingering touch, every soft smile, every whispered "be careful" carried a deeper meaning.

And the more Jimin thought about it, the more he realized-he didn't mind it.

He liked it.

Maybe, just maybe... he had always been in love with Jungkook too.

One evening, as they sat together on the rooftop, watching the city lights below, Jimin took a deep breath and finally turned to Jungkook.

"You said you're in love like crazy with me," Jimin murmured, his voice soft.

Jungkook nodded, watching him intently. "I meant it."

Jimin hesitated for only a second before reaching out, intertwining their fingers. "Then... what do you say we see where this crazy love takes us?"

Jungkook's breath hitched, his eyes widening slightly before a breathtaking smile spread across his face.

"I'd love that," he whispered.

And just like that, the teasing joke that had started it all... became the beginning of something real.

Something beautiful.

Something crazy.

Something called love.