(Ship and concept requested by ShawithGguk )

(Concept: Jungkook experiences an unrequited love with Sana. Not because she doesn't like him, but because she's simply unaware of his true feelings)

(Jungkook POV)

"You look very nice today, Sana."

"Oh, thank you." She smiles.

"Do you need help with that?"

The two of us were walking down the hall, transferring some boxes to another part of the office. We have the same position, so we're always working together.

"I think I got it. Thank you, though."

I couldn't take my eyes off of her, but somehow, she still didn't notice. What do I have to do for her to notice me?

I mean, I'd consider us friends, but when is she going to take the hint that I like her?

She's a naturally bright person so maybe she just doesn't see it. Maybe she just thinks I have a bright personality like her. I tried to make a move again this afternoon.

"Sana-ssi, I'm gonna go out for lunch, do you want to come?"

"Sure. Where are you going?"

This was a great opportunity for me to try to show her my feelings. I wanted her to see that I liked her. I didn't want to just tell her straight out. I've had these feelings for a while, but I guess I'm not doing a good enough job of expressing them. Before, I didn't want her to know I liked her, but then I realized if I wanted something to happen, I'd have to be bold and do something.

I took her to my favorite samgyeopsal restaurant; it wasn't too far from our office. We sat across from each other.

"Do you come here a lot?" She asks me.

I shrug, "I like the food, but I don't really like eating out by myself."

She nods, "Well, you can invite me whenever we're at work. I don't like eating alone either."

I smile. This is good, we're making progress. I think.

Our lunch break isn't that long, so we had to mind the time. While we were eating, I was busy contemplating in my head whether or not I should tell her right now. I want her to know, but is right now a good time? If I keep waiting for her to notice me, will she ever notice?

She's a bit older than me, maybe that's why she makes me so nervous. But we've been friends and co-workers for a while now. I shouldn't feel like this.

We were both almost finished with our meals, so I felt pressured to make my move. It's now or never.

"This place is really good." She says, "I've surprisingly never tried it before."

I nod, "Yeah. This place is one of my favorites, but a lot of people just walk past it all of the time. It's a hidden gem." I chuckle, "Well, hidden in plain sight."

She laughs, and then her expression changes like she just recalled something, "Oh, there's this really good noodle place by my house. I think I'm gonna go there for dinner after work. You get off at the same time, right? Do you wanna come with me?"

Caught off guard, I stumble on my words a little bit, "S-Sure. That'd be...I'd love to."

She smiles and just like that, I forgot all about my original plan and it was time for us to head back to work. At least I have another chance later. Who am I kidding? I don't even have to do it today. Maybe I should just wait.

I don't know anymore.

What if I get friend-zoned? Is it really worth it to take the risk of ruining our friendship?

I won't ever know unless I do something.

I just love everything about her. How do I tell her that without sounding like a creep? I've had my feelings hidden for so long because she used to have a boyfriend, but they broke up not too long ago. I was there for her when she was down because I care about her. I didn't want to admit it, but I was waiting for her to recover from her last relationship so I could tell her how I feel.

I guess I had my head in the clouds because Sana noticed I was acting strange at work.

"Jungkook?"

I snap back to reality and she was staring right at me. She must have been trying to get my attention for a while.

"Oh, sorry." I say.

"Are you okay?" She asks.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just...daydreaming."

Somehow, I made it the whole work day and through dinner without saying anything about my feelings to her. After dinner, we stepped out of the restaurant and I couldn't take it anymore.

She was walking with me to the bus stop since she already lived nearby. When we were almost there, I stopped walking.

She stops and looks back at me, "What's wrong?"

"Sana..." I let out a quick breath, "I can't do this anymore."

She looks at me, confused, "Do what..?"

"You really have no idea?" I didn't mean to make her feel bad, I was just so hung up on the fact that she didn't see it.

"What are you talking about?"

"Do you know why I'm here right now? Why I invited you to lunch? Why I went to dinner with you?"

She still didn't get it.

"I love you, Sana." I sigh, "I have for so long, I just wanted you to see it."

She was at a loss for words, "Jungkook..."

"I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you, I've just been holding this in for a long time." I explain.

A brief second of silence goes by before she walks up to me.

"Jungkook...you're a really great friend," She starts.

Friend. There it is. I knew it.

"But I don't think I can do a relationship right now. I'm just not ready. I'm sorry."

I nod, feeling my heart sink to my stomach.

"I don't want to lose someone like you, though." She says, "I'm still here for you."

I nod again, trying to hold back the tears, "I understand."

I did it.

I did it and I ruined everything. I'm never gonna look at her the same anymore now that she knows.

I should have waited longer.

Maybe I just never should have said anything.

But I still want you.