when you don't stand up for yourself, i'll do it for you.

Jungkook had been in a foul mood since morning. He had been called to the Dean's office regarding a fight that he wasn't a part of, his art teacher had lost one of his most favourite paintings after grading it for the project work, and then his stepbrother had snogged the fuck out of the student council president Kim Namjoon right in front of him. Jungkook loved his brother; he really did, but the sight of Seokjin shoving his tongue down his boyfriend's throat was irksome early in the morning. Jungkook desperately needed a smoke. But just as he was about to light his cigarette and take a drag Hoseok had pulled him by his arm and dragged him to K-Arts for practice. The worst of it all was that almost an hour had passed and Jimin still hadn't turned up. Thus it was self-explanatory when the other students steered as far away as possible from Jungkook during practice. The look in his eyes could kill.

"I'm sorry," a high-pitched voice caught his attention and Jungkook swiveled around. Jimin was standing at the door, holding onto the handle with one hand while the other was clasped firmly around the strap of his bag. He was panting for breath, as if he had run all the way here from miles away. "Something came up at work and I-I had to stay back for a b-bit."

"Come on in," the dance coach of Hongik muttered indifferently, as if it weren't a big deal. But Jungkook hadn't missed the terrifying anger cloud over the eyes of K-Arts' dance teacher as she stared Jimin down.

Jimin wasn't looking at anyone in the eyes. He put down his bag, changed his shoes and took a deep breath before taking his spot beside Jungkook. Throughout practice Jimin had been tense and for some particular reason his arms weren't as graceful today as they usually were. When practice got over and everyone went over to their bags to pack up and leave, Jimin's teacher walked up to him and slapped his arm lightly.

"I cannot excuse you being late today," she clicked her tongue and shook her head disappointedly. "Stay for another hour and practice, for the time that you missed."

Jimin sighed and gave a meek nod, not bothering to try explaining what exactly went wrong at work.

"The first time I saw you dance Jimin," she continued her lecture, "I was really mesmerized. But as time goes on you just keep proving to me that your interest in dance is dwindling. And such students don't deserve a full scholarship at K-Arts. Either get your act together and focus more, or I'll have to take some action and reduce your scholarship to half."

Jimin gulped and swallowed down the lump in his throat. The back of his eyes burned. If not for the scholarship he wouldn't be able to pay to study in K-Arts. Even if he were to be on half scholarship he wouldn't be able to afford the other half.

"I'm really sorry. I'll take care hereaft-"

An arm slung across his shoulder and pulled him into the side of a warm body. Jimin yelped and looked up in surprise at the taller boy who was now glaring at his dance teacher. His heart sped up when the intense gaze shifted to his for a second, burning with things Jimin couldn't pinpoint.

"He already apologized for being late, and he had a reason. I don't mean to disrespect you, ma'am," Jungkook tightened his hold on Jimin, "but stop treating him like shit smeared on the bottom of your shoe. I will not watch it and keep quiet."

The teacher stared at Jungkook, taking note of his burning eyes and left the room without shooting another murderous glance at Jimin. Jungkook watched her walk out and waited until everyone but Hoseok left, then he turned to Jimin.

"Thank you," the blonde muttered softly, eyes darting to Jungkook's face but not meeting his eyes.

"Why?"

Jimin locked his eyes with Jungkook, not quite understanding the latter's question.

"Why do you let her treat you like that? Why do you keep quiet?"

Jimin smiled softly as his eyes drifted to the creases on Jungkook's forehead. "I don't know. Maybe she was stressed and that's why she yelled at me. It's fine."

Jungkook sighed and stared at Jimin incredulously. "I don't know whether you're just this nice in general or you're naïve but either way it's stupid. Don't let people treat you like shit. Stand up for yourself, or I'll do it for you. And I'm not exactly the kind of person who does so nicely."

Jimin's heart fluttered at the words being shot at him and he unconsciously rubbed his chest, confused at the sudden strange feelings rising through him. Jungkook was merely being a good friend, yet his words had such an effect on Jimin and the blonde didn't know what to do.

"I- I- okay."

Jungkook snorted as he pulled Jimin to the corner and made him sit down.

"Something wrong at work?"

Jimin shook his head, opting not to tell Jungkook what had happened at work. Instead he smiled and subtly tried to talk about something else.

"Just extra work since Jinsoo hyung didn't turn up. What did you guys do before I came? Did you learn any new moves today? Ah, if you did I'll have to catch up on so much."

Jungkook narrowed his eyes as Jimin whined. He had a feeling Jimin wasn't entirely telling the truth but he let it slide and decided not to push further for information. Jimin would tell him when the time comes, if he really wanted to. He would wait until then.

"Not much, just a few new moves. The rest of the time was mostly perfecting those. Don't worry you'll catch up easily."

Hoseok walked over to them in between and plopped down next to Jimin, placing a hand on his shoulder and speaking gently as he inquired from Jimin whether everything was okay.

"Everything's okay hyung." Jimin smiled, Jungkook turned away when he realized the smile was his attempt at hiding his true emotions. "I had to cover someone else's shift that's all. That delayed me."

Hoseok nodded and gave a strong pat on Jimin's shoulder, muttering something about how part time jobs were a pain in the ass and that he knew too well about how it felt to stay longer just to cover someone else's shift. Jungkook watched his hyung's back as Hoseok walked away. Then he turned his gaze to Jimin through the corner of his eyes. Jimin didn't look exhausted physically, as one normally would after work. Instead he seemed to be mentally drained.