WARMTH γEP1
Older Jungkook as a psychologist x reader as a student (Mei) - also, neighbor trope β‘
There she was: nineteen, lost, young, and desperate.
It was a new city, after all. Her stuff was still scattered around the apartment, which smelled of fresh paint. Some things were left in boxes, while other items lay unpacked, looking forlorn.
Everything felt impersonal yet - but that was to be expected, wasn't it? No pictures or frames, no posters or decorations. Just dull.
But still, it was like a blessing. Her wish of finally living alone, hours away from her family, had come true. She was finally about to take that breath of new freedom.
At least, that's what she told herself every morning; that she should be doing better, that she had made the right decision to leave her toxic household.
In the midst of sorting clothes on a warm Sunday afternoon in September, her doorbell rings once, making her jump in surprise, causing the dress she just unpacked to fall to the floor, the sequins on it clattering softly as it hit the ground.
She walks over and opens it carefully.
Mei wasn't sure what she had expected when she turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Especially not...
"Oh, hello."
She mumbled, quite lost in his face. Her mouth stayed parted as she stared, too busy admiring him to notice anything else. He was gorgeous in a way she couldn't describe.
Dark, alluring brown eyes shone with an intensity that forced her to keep looking into them. Strands of hair that fell softly across his forehead; annoyingly attractive without trying.
He smiled politely at her before speaking. He looked so well-put together, so neat, that it was almost impossible for Mei to focus. It was as if her brain had stopped working, leaving her genuinely speechless.
His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked down at the letter in his hands. She gazed down curiously.
A big mistake.
Now, instead of looking into the eyes that had drawn her in just a second ago, she was admiring his hands. The way they held the envelope so surely, so calmly.
Not gripping. Holding. Carefully. Those big, veiny hands were just existing, its thumbs running along the edges of the envelope.
His equally captivating voice brought her back to reality, snapping her right out of it. "Good afternoon." His voice was deep, calm and melodic. Unlike that of any other person she had heard speaking before.
"Are you Miss Mei Amara? It seems like your letter got delivered to me."
The man was busy trying to clear up the confusion. He handed her the letter, their fingertips brushing lightly. His hands felt soft, comforting.
"Yeah, thank you. I've been trying to get into contact with the post office for a few days now without luck." Mei looked down, glancing at the letter, then looked up again. Her head tilted slightly to meet his gaze as she mumbled a few shy words of gratitude, about to wish him a good afternoon.
He remained standing in her doorway, crossing his arms. That action only highlighted the sharp definition of his muscles. The movement strained the fabric of his tight shirt against his biceps and forearms.
Everything he did screamed composure and deliberation, a trait Mei felt entirely incapable of matching. She was his complete opposite, standing restlessly by her door, her foot twitching against the floor while her fingers tapped an anxious beat against the envelope.
She assumed he hadnβt noticed. Little did she know.
"Are you new here? I don't think I've seen you around. My name is Jungkook Jeon. I live right next to you."
He nudged his head toward the neighboring door, prompting Mei to lean out to see it. His eyes glanced down at her fidgeting fingers.
A gentle expression crossed his face as he extended his hand, offering the handshake she was subconsciously asking for.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Amara."
Mei felt her face heat up. Quickly setting the letter down on the counter behind her, she took his hand. Once again, the warmth of his grip felt incredibly grounding. She laughed nervously.
"Please, just Mei. And it's nice to meet you as well. I just recently moved to the city."
He nodded once and let go of her hand, his gaze peeking past her into the visible living room.
"How do you like it here so far? Have you settled in yet? I know moving is a nightmare."
She relaxed slightly, nodding in quick agreement. He offered an understanding look, stepping back.
"Well, if you ever need a hand moving heavy furniture or are looking for the local stores, just knock on my door. And I don't mind taking your letters for you until the mail issue is fixed." He pointed back to his apartment with a reassuring blink.
"Don't be a stranger, Mei."
Relieved, she watched him step to his door. She waved briefly, thanking him once more before closing her door with a soft click. She turned back to the letter, her mind racing.
A few days passed without seeing him. But that didn't stop Mei from searching for him on social media. Finding nothing there, she turned to Google, where she uncovered several articles. He ran his own practice with a team of psychologists working under him.
When she found his doctoral dissertations online, her jaw dropped as she skimmed the text. He held a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and had completed specialized, advanced training at a psychoanalytic institute after graduating. This man was incredibly educated. Fuck.
With every word she read, her curiosity grew. He was a successful, well-off professional who had studied intensely and experienced the world. He was years ahead of her. She felt so small, so completely out of her depth compared to what he had achieved. He was an established doctor, while she was a struggling student with unresolved issues.
But that was exactly what drew her in.
Because of that, she couldn't contain her excitement when that familiar knock echoed through her apartment a second time. It was a stroke of luck that she had received another piece of mail, giving her the perfect excuse to see him. She opened the door, a bright smile automatically forming on her face.
"Jungkook!"
He matched her warmth, handing the letter over. "Hello, dear. I might start to think you have fans sending you mail every few days."
Dear. The word echoed through her, sending a sharp wave of electricity straight down her spine. Standing there in her doorway, she felt small beneath his shadow even though she was in no way petite. It was his persona; and she didnβt mind.
Not at all. In fact, a quiet, dangerous curiosity bloomed inside her, making her wonder just how easily he could unarm her. That was the day Mei found out something entirely new about herself.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out the words before she could stop them. "I apologize. But I also don't. It's nice to see you again."
His expression turned smug, the faint lines around his eyes and mouth making him look ten times more attractive. "Oh, really?"
She instantly closed her mouth, pursing her lips in embarrassment.
He chuckled softly, leaning his hand against her doorframe. The posture subtly trapped her in her own space. Not that she minded. He looked down at her, thoroughly amused, but never intrusive. Jungkook's absolute certainty and quiet confidence were intoxicating. She felt entirely drunk on his presence, even more under the influence as he asked her,
"Do you want to come over for a coffee?"
β that was ep1 of warmth, please let me know what you think, criticism and suggestions are highly welcome! β