The classroom was warm that afternoon—sun hitting the old wooden desks, dust floating lazily through the light. It was quiet, that peaceful after-lunch silence where only a few students whispered, most of them half-asleep. Jungkook sat sideways in his chair, elbow propped on the backrest, eyes drifting toward Niko more than the board.

He always looked like he wasn’t paying attention, but whenever Niko shifted in his seat or brushed hair away from his face, Jungkook’s gaze softened—subtle, but unmistakable.

He didn’t understand why his chest tightened like that.

He really didn’t.

They were only fifteen… sixteen? First crush territory where nothing made sense, and everything felt too big for their tiny teenage hearts. And most of all. Jungkook loved a guy. They both loved eachother, guys. It was a huge discovery. And what of their parents found out? How will they come out? What will happen?..

The teacher stepped out for a moment, and the room erupted into low chatter. Jungkook leaned over his desk until he was slightly closer to Niko—close enough that he could hear the soft scratch of Niko’s pencil, close enough that the scent of Niko’s shampoo reached him for some reason today. Or maybe he was just noticing it more.

His cheeks warmed immediately.

"Hey…" Jungkook whispered, voice embarrassingly soft. He coughed lightly and tried again with a slightly deeper tone, "Niko."

He didn’t continue right away. He just watched Niko turn his head, those bright eyes coming up to meet his. It was ridiculous how that single look sent a shiver right down his spine. He smiled—small, shy, the kind of smile that only Niko ever got from him.

"I, uh… I brought you something." Jungkook dug into his bag, avoiding eye contact for a moment because if he looked straight at Niko he knew he’d lose the ability to talk properly. Finally he pulled out a small wrapped snack, the cheap kind they both loved from the corner shop.

He held it out, fingers hesitating for a second before offering it fully.

"You said yesterday that you were craving it… so I got it on the way."

He didn’t need to say for you. It was obvious. Jungkook didn’t buy these for anyone else. Ever.

His heart thumped loudly—too loudly—like it wanted to escape his chest. And when Niko’s fingers brushed his while taking the snack, Jungkook’s ears went bright red. He pulled his hand back too fast, staring at the desk like it was suddenly fascinating.

Why did it feel like that? Why did one small touch set his whole body on fire?

He swallowed, trying to calm himself, but the warmth lingered in his cheeks.

"Niko…" he said again, quieter this time, more careful. "Do you… wanna walk home together later? I mean… if you want. I just… thought it’d be nice."

He looked up, eyes full of that unspoken something—soft, gentle, entirely clueless about the fact that this was love blooming for the very first time.

Young, confused, beautiful love.