Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The new year has just begun and people feel motivated all over again.Because just like any other year they say this is going to be the best one.Do you make the same promises to yourself?That you're going to change,you're going to be a better person.Even if you didn't keep those promises and you feel bad about it, don't.Trust me.Trust him.He knows that all of those empty words, repeated year after year, are much better than to be stuck.Some are stuck in the past, some are dreaming of the future.But he.He is always stuck at the moment.Being so aware of the present and his existence.Like the clock's arrows have stopped.As if he has become one of them and he's moving at the very same time, not being able to recognize what has been and what will be.Observing and analyzing every detail surrounding him.

Now, late at night, in the middle of January, Jungkook was lying in his bed, which was right next to a huge window.The room was quiet and a little bit cold, just how he liked it to be.The sheets smelled like lilac.It was intentionally of him to wash them in this scent, so maybe he could actually relax and take some rest.However, he couldn't sleep, like most nights.He was watching the rooftops of the opposite building, a little bit shorter than the one he was living in.They were covered with beautiful, glowing snow.It always mesmerized him how the snow reflected the light coming from above and the night wasn't as dark as usual.

It was peaceful out there.No wind, no crazy city traffic, no people.Just empty streets and calm weather.Just from there, his comfortable bed, he could see the sky as well.It was stunning.Almost no clouds and green and blue were merging together, as light rays were cutting through the colors.As if he was watching The Northern Lights.

The boy desperately wanted to close his eyes, but how could he possibly do that.He couldn't offend the Universe like that.She was giving him a gift of beauty and inspiration, even though he wasn't giving anything in return.He had to be grateful.

That's how Jungkook had once again, another sleepless night.And despite walking like a zombie to work, he didn't regret it. Because he would do anything just to go back to that time, in his room.At work everything was different.People chatting too loud, bossing around, yelling.And he had so much stuff to do.An upcoming project for the photography department that he worked for, has been draining his energy for weeks.The boy gave up counting his daily dose of coffees, cause simply, he couldn't even think of controlling it anymore.

"How are we today?", his boss, but not really, Kim Namjoon tapped him on his shoulder.Namjoon was a tall, young and handsome man with adorable dimples.His skin tone was slightly darker than the younger's and his hair was very short and dyed in purple-blondish color.Weird to explain it, but it suited him.

"Good.", Jungkook kept his answers short and simple.

"Usually, this would really mean you're good, but not today.What's with you?Have you seen how tired your eyes look?"

"Just my eyes?",they both chuckled at the small joke.

"Fix this gorgeous, brown hair of yours, because I have bad news and I want you to die looking handsome."
Oh shit, was what Jungkook had in mind right now.Bad news, meant more work in Namjoon's dictionary.

"Remeber that we send around ten of your photographs to Mr.Yang. for the exhibition in February?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well...", Namjoon settled down, getting serious and suddenly he had that apologetic face, which was obvious to Jungkook why.He knew.He needn't be told.He already knew."He said he needs more.The ones we sent...how do I say this.Mr. Yang thinks that you're capable to take a picture of something meaningful, of emotion.For him, those photos you took are plain and, I quote:"Don't reach out to the audience." Jungkook couldn't care any less what other people think about his work, but of course, this was his job and the only thing that made him, even in tiny bits, happy.So he had to fight to keep it. "Sorry, Kook.",Joon really looked sympathetic and that's because he was a good, compassionate person.And Jungkook appreciated him.Perhaps, they didn't feel like boss and employee, thanks to their close friendship outside their workplace.

"It's fine.Maybe I will find some inspiration on the streets tonight."

"Good luck with that and one advice.I know you've never, ever done this before and I know why, but...I think pictures are more touching when you capture another human being, experiencing the emotions, that you want to show to the public.Why don't you try?" A lump got stuck in his throat when he heard the advice.

"Yeah..I'll think about it.",then Jungkook just took another sip of his coffee and tried to act cool. Unfortunately, you can't ignore such feeling of sadness and anger, and flashbacks.He took a notebook from his bag and placed it on the table.He opened it and wrote down four words that saved his life.

"Back to the present."

A little later, Jungkook was working on editing some of his pictures.He noticed how many folders he had.Of every single day from three years ago, until now.Every day he took about thirty photographs which were basically useless.Jungkook wasn't sure why he kept them.But every time he saw the number of pictures, his chest tightened.Some truth deep down was trying to awaken.To awaken him.For some reason, he wouldn't let it out.Jungkook was keeping this dark reality at the bottom of his heart, where nobody could ever reach.

Three years ago New York; 10:10 AM

"I can't believe we are here.It's so beautiful.It's perfect for some retro photoshoots." Namjoon was extremely excited about his vacation with Jungkook.Of course, the reasons why they were here was a magazine that chose them as manager and photograph.Together they were a perfect match.Both giving all of their energy into the work.However, ever since they landed in America, Jungkook's been acting weird and Namjoon was more than concerned."Yah, what's with you?You couldn't wait to come here and now you are so distracted."

"Sorry, what were you saying?",the younger suddenly snapped his head, looking towards his hyung. "Take your camera and start doing magic."

"Yeah..right." Namjoon had no idea why the younger was acting a bit off.Neither did Jungkook.He was confused himself where are all of those feelings coming from.Deep sadness had stuck in his heart and it was frustrating because there was nothing to be sad about.No.His dreams were all becoming true.Nevertheless, those emotions were there, disturbing him.

As if they don't even belong to me.This thought of his made him cringe.Like he just realized something that weirded him out.So Jungkook shrugged it off before his mind consumed him.

When they were already in their hotel room, Namjoon was sleeping peacefully in his bed, while Jungkook couldn't catch himself falling asleep.Wide awake, staring at the ceiling, his heart clenching from time to time. Is there some problem?Is it stress?Maybe I should take medicines.Maybe I'm getting old.I'm fucking twenty.It's so uncomfortable.Why do I feel this way? His life was amazing: He had his dream job at such a young age, his girlfriend was the best he could ever wish for, he and his family were healthy and on perfect terms.It didn't make sense.
And then, out of nowhere, tears started streaming down his face.He was crying, but silently.Like tears were coming out of his eyes and this sadness was killing him, but at the same time, HE wasn't sad or depressed at all.The boy started chewing on his lip, wondering what could it be.He got out of bed and went to the balcony where he lit up a cigarette to calm down his nerves.Jungkook was trembling, especially his hands, almost dropping the lighter.

Dad. Suddenly the thought of his father being in trouble scared him, as an image of his face popped out.Lol, he didn't expect this. He took his phone and called home.It was probably daytime in Korea now.Not long after the number started dialing, his mom picked up. "Jungkook-ah, baby!"

"Hey, mom.How are you doing?"

"Good.Why?Is there something wrong.You don't usually call just to ask how I'm doing."

"Actually, I wanted to ask how's dad?"

"Oh..he is fine.Your old man doesn't give up on watching this stupid show.I will miss my drama because of him!",Jungkook laughed when he heard his dad's voice defending himself from the other side.They were fine.It was such a relief to know his family was alright.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"We are, honey.Don't worry at all!",his mom sounded so gentle and loving, just like always.

"Okay.Bye, mom.Love you two."

"We love you, sweetie." And the conversation ended, leaving Jungkook smiling, knowing that everything was alright with his parents.But still, the sadness remained. I'm overthinking again.That's it.

Three days later they were riding the subway.Namjoon was listening to some music and working on his computer and Jungkook was doing pretty much the same.Editing his new photos was harder than it seemed to be. Shit.A wave of huge fear hit him.His heartbeat raised rapidly and the boy couldn't breathe properly.What the fuck?He clung his hands close to his tights and the vision in front of him distorted.He wasn't on the subway anymore, but on...a plane.He could hear people screaming, scared for their lives because the plane was unsteady as hell.They were falling down too fast.He was aware that he will die.Jungkook didn't even pay attention to the fact that he was supposed to be with Namjoon right now.He also didn't question how he appeared on the plane.All he knew was that death was close.Everyone was in terror, the turbulence was so strong.Maybe one minute passed like this, when out of the blue everything stopped.The plane found balance.

"Oh my God!" "Thank God!" random sentences went straight to his mind and he felt that sense of reality transforming into something else.The subway.He was once again in front of his laptop, with different people occupied with their own stuff.Jungkook turned his head to see his friend, Namjoon.Then the other boy noticed him and took out his earphone.

"Are you okay?"

"Hm.Yes.Totally."
He wasn't okay.He was scared and couldn't realize what happened.One moment he was on that plane and now he is back here.It wasn't possible.Did he fell asleep for awhile?No.This wasn't a dream.
I'm alive.This statement made him sigh, happily, almost smiling.Perhaps, he was going crazy.That was the only way to explain the bizarre experience.

"Did you feel this?"

"Oh, yep.We arrived.C'mon.The subway is kinda shakey sometimes.That's normal.",Namjoon laughed with his dimples showing and he quickly pushed his laptop in his backpack."Hurry up, Jungkook!"

But does the subway turn into an airplane and makes you feel like you'll all get killed.Because if that's what happened, yeah, then Jungkook was totally not insane. 

Chapter Text

Jimin was tapping on the wooden table with his pen, eyes shut, fingers tangled in his blond hair.He was stuck in his own mind with some idea, that he just forgot.And trying to remember something you've just forgotten is much harder than it sounds.
Suddenly he felt arms wrapping around him and long black hair fell on his shoulders.A perfume with sweet, candy-like scent lingered on his collar and he smiled.

"Come to bed.It's late.", his girlfriend's voice was so sleepy, that he even yawned.

"Not yet.I need to start writing this chapter or it's not gonna be done on schedule." Jimin sighed.

"Who cares about schedules.Best authors have never written when they are told to.And they don't listen to what others tell them to write about.First, find your true inspiration." she let go of him and leaned on the wall, facing him."I don't think forcing yourself to come up with a story is a good idea." He sat there for a moment to give it a thought and decided to finally have some sleep.The book could wait one night.

"Maybe you're right."

"Of course I am.",she rolled her eyes and chuckled.

"Yah..are you that confident?",he raised his voice jokingly.

"Yes.",she pretended to puff her chest.

"Come here you little girl!",he got up and grabbed her by the waist, throwing her over his shoulder.Yuri screamed at the sudden action.Jimin wasn't tall or very muscular, but she had a petite figure.Just perfect for Jimin to carry her like this.The girl giggle, hitting his back playfully.

"Let me down!"

"As you wish!",he let her fall onto the mattress and climbed over her.

"What are you doing..?", her cheeks flushed red, as she slammed a hand against his chest, not able to hold her cute, high-pitched laugh.

"I'm getting my pillow.",he took the pillow that was behind her and at first acted innocently, but then smirked."What are you thinking, huh?" "

N-nothing!", she covered her face with her hands.He laughed at his girlfriend and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep, baby.Dream about me.",they both settled and Jimin unconsciously always slept with his back turned at her.Maybe he just preferred this side or maybe something at the back of his head was telling him how this love he had towards Yuri was more platonic than romantic.Sure, he wouldn't admit this, because it was too scary. They already had a perfect life.Almost.But this one word didn't change anything, right.Almost.Almost perfect, almost in love, almost happy, almost real, almost fulfilling, almost alive.

 When he was a kid some family issues occurred.His father was absent most of the time to work and provide his family which led to Jimin finding out about being a man on his own.There wasn't a figure to take after.Everything he was now, was thanks to him.

Every time Jimin lied in bed and tried to sleep, the boy couldn't help it but think.How bad he feels that he had so much and still wasn't enough.He felt ungrateful and mentally nagged himself. He had a loving, beautiful girlfriend that he's been with for several years already and their relationship was really smooth.She was amazing.They barely fought, maybe because they shared so many things as their beliefs, hobbies, characteristics.He really thought they were soulmates or something when they first met.They could literally finish each others' sentences.He couldn't believe he had so much luck to actually be in a relationship with such girl.They were the exact same people on the inside.Even their passion for dancing was something common between the two.Yuri was a ballerina and Jimin loved dancing, as he had taken lessons when he's been younger.However, somehow writing became his job.And despite all the traits they shared, he didn't understand.Why was he falling out of love with her?Was it possible?Exactly when he thought he's met his soulmate.

Obviously, he wasn't going to get much sleep tonight.Jimin opened his eyes and watched how the moonlight was coming in through the curtains, falling on the carpet and reaching to his hand, that he had stretched out to the edge of their bed. I wish I was somewhere else. Jimin was happy.Totally.Just..it's just that..something was always missing.Like a puzzle that is missing its last piece.Almost finished.

And it's not like the feeling was new.It's always been there.Ever since he was in high-school.But this early state of depression heightened a lot three years ago, after his father's death.Not only that but also the accident that became such a big trauma for him.Two very dramatic things in his life happened in the shortest period of time and ever since then, Jimin wasn't the same and he knew it.And as much as he was sad and felt empty, the urge to travel and to explore was getting bigger too.Because in the airplane, when he truly believed he will die, something weird happened.Something he couldn't explain and didn't entirely understand. Now it's like he's searching for answers but never finds them.

Then he heard noises that Yuri made with the sheets and after that she was scooped close to him, clinging to his t-shirt.

I'm so sorry, Yuri.You deserve so much better.

☽ ☯ ☾

"Smile!",a person behind a camera said.And he sounded really sad and tired, but Jimin just listened to him.The flash blinded him for few seconds."Okay.We're done."

Am I dreaming right now, he thought but his voice echoed around the place.Everything around him and the other person was blurred.

"I missed you so much.",Jimin looked at the man behind the camera, guessing he's the one who said it.

I missed you, too.This time he heard his own voice again.That's weird.Am I dreaming!Jimin shouted loudly.And the next thing he saw was a subway with many foreigners.He turned around and spotted one Korean boy, listening to music.The place next to him was empty, but somehow glowing.

What the hell? Quickly he was pulled by some invisible force to sit there and when he did, he literally fell through the seat and started falling deeper and deeper into this black hole, that swallowed him. Catch me! He pleaded but didn't know who.And then an abrupt sound coming from his alarm woke him up.He rose in his bed, feeling terrified and out of breath.He hears was beating fast and his whole body was sweating.

"It was a dream.Just a bad dream.",he whispered to himself, rubbing his face with his palm to calm down.He rubbed his eyes and noticed that Yuri wasn't there.Then he saw a note on the nightstand.

"Went to work earlier.Have a happy day.I love you so much!

PS: Don't pressure yourself!"

Jimin scratched his neck and got up from the bed, heading to the kitchen.He was never hungry in the morning, but he was for sure craving a long coffee with a dash of almond milk.The taste was his favorite thing to start the day with. He was still affected by the nightmare, but by the time he had his cup filled with brown liquid on the table, the dream was forgotten.He opened his social media, scrolling through Instagram and checking updates from some YouTubers he followed.And just when he took his first sip, instead of sweet and delicious, the coffee tasted bitter.

"Ew!What is this?",he spat it back in the cup and wiped his chin."What the fuck?Is this black coffee?No way?I put milk in it.",he looked at the kitchen's bar and saw the milk carton, which only reassured him he poured some in his coffee."Shit.I'll eats something." he went to the shelf, reached for a piece of chocolate and ate it.But for some unexplainable reason, it tasted bitter as well. "Ugh!",then he tried drinking some water but the same awful taste came in waves from time to time and it was so irritating.Is it possible he's imagining it?

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook was having his long, black coffee right next to his computer.The second cup, actually, otherwise he would fall asleep right on his desk.Last night he took a few great pictures of the street lights in Seoul, but somehow they didn't appeal to him.He could already hear Mr.Yang saying that they weren't good enough.

I think pictures are more touching when you capture another human being, experiencing the emotions, that you want to show to the public.

He remembered Namjoon's words.Why was he so stubborn and refused to photograph people, it didn't make sense even to him. Why are you like this, Jeon Jungkook?He took a sip of his coffee. "Hm?Did hyung order the one with chocolate in it?He knows I hate it.It was fine before.",it surprised him a little, but Jungkook didn't really bother about such details when he was so stressed out with work.That's why he called Namjoon who, he knew, would understand him. "

Hi, Jungkook.What is it?I'm really busy?",the other really sounded to be in a hurry.

"Ah, sorry for disturbing you, but I wanted to tell you I will spend today outside and take more pictures.I just don't like the ones from yesterday."

"Okay.Do your thing, Kookie.Fighting!I believe in you!"

"Thanks,hyung.Bye."

"Bye." The office was too full of too many people.Yes, most of them were busy but this place one of these companies where everyone were rushing to do something or to go somewhere.There were graphic designers, other photographers, editors, and managers.Jungkook had competition.That was also one of the reasons why he was so eager to have his photos make it to the exhibition.At least one and he could be recognized by someone important.Not that he'd leave his current job.He loved it.It gave him freedom and enough sail to live a comfortable life.Anyway, he wanted to progress and become important himself.

"Hey, Jeon.Heard you're struggling to convince Mr.Yang to use your work." one of his arrogant colleagues, Bo Gum came to annoy him. "Not really.He already approved two or three photos.He just mentioned that if I had something better we could exchange them.",Jungkook was a very patient person and he could put up with people's shit.Sometimes.

"I'm so happy to hear this.I was afraid I won't be able to see your work."

"Don't worry and mind your business.",the taller and younger one forced smiled and took his camera.

"In a bad mood, are we Jeon?"

"I'm in a great mood.Please leave my office.I'm going out, so you're not supposed to stay here.",Jungkook glared at him.

"Of course.",Bo Gum turned on his heels and left before Jungkook left too and locked the glass door of his separated from others, so-called office.

Chapter Text

Jungkook was leaving footprints in the snow, as he wandered around the streets.He always thought of Seoul as prettiest when it's night.Even now, in the winter, it was so alive.People were having fun and this post-Christmas spirit was still present.There was decoration all over the city. Despite that and how hard he tried, the photos were still lifeless.He was becoming frustrated and angry with himself, checking picture after picture.After all of them seemed stupid and with low-quality, which wasn't true but Jeon was a perfectionist, he threw the camera in the fountain that he was standing close by.The brown-haired boy, as usual, didn't even think before doing something.
"Damn it!",he hissed under his breath and realized that he had no choice, but to get the camera out of the water.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin was taking a walk because the whole day was too weird for him and he couldn't find inspiration to write.His head was clouded with too many things.The park was the best place to clear it out, though obviously, it wasn't working for him.He kept his hands inside the pockets of his jacket, because the moment his little, chubby fingers met with the wind, shivers spread all over his small body.
Jimin tried to think of a good plot, struggling to come up with an interesting idea.Everything sounded dull in his mind.Maybe he was too harsh on himself, or he was just a very bad writer.As he continued walking and getting lost in his thoughts, the short boy tripped over something, or slipped, Jimin wasn't really sure.But one thing he was aware of was how bad he fell right on his butt.

"Ouch.Fuck.I hate snow!",he declared to himself and before trying to get up, he noticed something.Someone, actually.In the fountain located at the center of the park.A tall boy, dressed in baggy clothes and holding a camera that apparently wasn't working.His hair was dark brown color and extremely messy and he had a baby-face.Somehow it suited him, Jimin thought.There was something really appealing about this guy and the blonde couldn't figure it out.

I hope he doesn't see me like that.Jimin was very insecure when it came to his looks and right now he was in such a bad state.Then realized he stared for too long, cause the boy looked back at him as if he just read his mind.They locked gazes.Then time just stood still.Jimin sensed something warm glowing inside his heart.He felt like there was no gravity anymore and he might float away.Sparkles started to shine around him, gold beautiful lights appeared, surrounding him and the stranger.His whole world bent in impossible angles and only they stayed the same.

I know you, a small voice said in his head, while Jimin tried to reach out to the boy.A moment later, he finally came to his senses and blinked a few times and pulled his hand to himself.Before he carefully got back on his feet.Jimin was very flustered and hurried up to get away from there.
What was that?Was he imagining stuff?This is surrealistic!

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook sighed as he stepped forward the fountain and then, suddenly he felt the cold water sweeping in his shoes and wetting his jeans."Shit, shit, shit!",he kept cursing because it was fucking freezing.Jungkook reached and took his camera.He was soaked in water right to his knees, but he pushed this awful feeling away.Now the most important was to make sure his camera was okay.When he was finally able to turn it on, something told him to look up.He wasn't sure why.Maybe to see if people were looking at him like he was some creep, but the first person he saw was a blonde boy.He had fallen to the ground and stared at Jungkook.
Of course, he will, not everyone are getting in the fountain when it's fucking Siberia out there.
Lol, the stranger was too beautiful for a man.Possibly, it's a girl with very short hair, Jungkook started to make assumptions.The person stretched his hand out.Then widened his eyes, perhaps realizing what he was doing and clumsily got up, literally running away.

"Careful!",Jungkook almost shouted but he remembered it's impropriated to talk to someone you don't know.Let alone yelling at them."You will fall again..." he whispered this time and his arms moved by instinct.He focused on the boy's back and took the photograph, as he couldn't tear his eyes away.There was this glowing light around the stranger.Something Jung has never seen.

"Young man, what are you doing there?You will get sick!",some random lady scolded him, pulling him out of his inner world.

"Ah-yes,adjuma.I'm going, I'm going.",he bowed to her, showing politeness and rushed to the first taxicab.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook was smoking in the kitchen, only wearing his boxers and unbuttoned shirt.The boy had no idea what a boyfriend material he was right now.Well, there were lots of different stuff on his mind.He checked out the time by habit."Eleven, eleven.Lucky numbers, huh.",he chuckled, recalling how someone from work told him this once."If I was lucky I would've had quality pictures by now."He was desperately trying to get the water out of his camera, placing it on a plate with raw rice.
Fortunately, Jungkook had his memory card safe and now every picture he took was on his computer.He scrolled down the gallery when he spotted the last photo.
Stranger.
Jungkook unconsciously smiled.As he rested on the chair, still holding a cigarette, the smoke started to turn into shapes and letters.

    I miss you.

He saw it in the air, or it looked so.I'm hallucinating now, ain't I.
"Enough for today.If I don't get some sleep, I might start seeing much more disturbing things.Like the president in a pink dress..or worse!Namjoon in a pink dress!" He shook his head, laughing at his own joke and just stood up, leading to the bed when the doorbell rang."At this time?Really...?", annoyed, Jungkook headed towards the door and opened it."Oh?Seun Bi!",his girlfriend was standing there and after a moment, which he used to proceed the situation, she jumped on him, hugging Jungkook so tight, he could choke.She wrapped her legs around his waist and looked at him.She had short-cut, black hair, and cute face.Those big eyes always melted Jungkook.Or at least they did, when they first met.Now, their relationship wasn't the same for Jungkook.

"BABE!",the girl screamed, excited."I missed you so much!I thought that if you're too tired to come to my place, I will visit you.",Seun Bi was speaking too fast and the thing she did next caught him off guard.She kissed him hard and sloppy and didn't let him take a single breath.

"H-hey.._'' he gently pushed her away."Wait, wait.",Jungkook let Seun Bi down and forced a smile."First, hi!I missed you, too.Second, I'm really happy that you're here,but.."

"I'm happy too!",she cut him off and started to suck on his neck.

"What's with you?You're not like that usually?",he asked, laughing nervously because he wasn't in the mood tonight.

"I don't know.I just feel like it.C'mon!",she insisted, and left purple marks on his neck, going down to his exposed collarbones."Oh, look.You're already half-naked.",Seun Bi smirked, biting Jungkook's ear, that made him gasp.

Okay.Whatever.

He grabbed her by the tights placing her legs around his waist again and took them to his bedroom.Seun Bi was so impatient, like never before.She acted so out of character, but Jungkook didn't mind some good sex, right.Maybe it 's actually a good idea, after all.She made those sounds that really turned him on.He threw her on the bed and fully took his shirt off, then crawled on top of her. He loved to be on top.He wasn't sure why, but never ever in his sex experiences, he has let anyone ride him.Seun Bi's fingertips traced the firm muscles of his stomach, then reached behind his back and nails left scratches on his skin.Jungkook kissed her shoulder, then under her jawline, sucking on the sensitive skin and his hand traveled down to her right hip.He already had a boner and she could feel it against her inner tight.She pulled him in for a kiss.A very passionate kiss.Their tongues danced together, exploring every inch of each other's mouth and of course, Jungkook was dominating.

"Take it off.",he said in a low,husky voice, holding onto the hem of her blouse and after five minutes of making out and grinding, Seun Bi was only in her bra and panties.Jungkook had a strong grip on her.And just when he was about to take off his boxers an image popped out in his head.
The boy in the park.WHUT?!He tried to make it go away, but the more he was trying to forget it, the more vivid the image was getting.

He stopped.Seun Bi started to panic if she did something wrong.

"Are you okay?Jungkook?",he didn't even hear her."Ya!Kookie.",she shook his arm and he finally noticed his girlfriend, almost naked under him.

"Yeah?",he gave a confusing expression.

"Is everything okay?",Seun Bi asked, worried about him.His eyes were looking right through her.

"Yes.I just need to use the bathroom."

"O-okay.."

It was very weird how he stumbled back on his feet and went to the bathroom, leaving Seun Bi alone.Jungkook closed the door behind him and inhaled deeply.The blood in his veins was boiling.The boy looked at himself in the mirror to witness his blushing face.His pupils were terribly dilated.
"Oh my God, what's going on with me, seriously!",he splashed some cold water, but it didn't slow his heartbeat down.Meanwhile, the erection was getting painful.
Why would I come here, when I have a hot girlfriend, ready to fix my problem?What is wrong with me?! He was mentally mocking himself.

"Babe, you okay?"Seun Bi asked him from outside.

"I think I'm getting sick.You can go and sleep.I will take a shower."

He let the water run into the sink, so it would mute whatever sound he made.Of course, Jungkook tried to be as silent as possible.He pulled down his boxers and took his member in his hand, stroking slowly."Shit!",he said making circles with his thumb around the shaft and he jaw dropped, feeling of pleasure taking over his body.
Leaving your girlfriend who you could have sex with, to jerk off in the bathroom, like some teenager was the stupidest thing ever, but it wasn't his fault.Actually, it was the stranger's face that weirded him out and made him uncomfortable in the middle of his make-out session!
"Fuck you, Jungkook.You're so perverted sometimes.Ew.",he knew it's weird and disgusting to think of this guy while flapping off, however his body thought otherwise.
And suddenly, something warm exploded in his abdomen and he came in his hand.It felt like one of the best orgasms he has ever had.His legs trembled and the sensation spread throughout his whole body.
"What the fuck...Fuck!" he cursed again, cleaned himself, took a shower and got into bed where Seun Bi was already asleep.He wanted to hug her, but he felt so dirty for what he did that couldn't even let himself touch her.Just no.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin was thinking over the situation in the park.The boy looked so familiar.And so young.Were they classmates before?Or maybe they have met somewhere?He has seen him somewhere.There's no way he hasn't.He remembered how they shared glances and everything stopped.Is it possible?To feel like this about a stranger?A person you can bet you've never met, but you can still recognize them.And, not just that, but also the warmness that blossomed inside of his heart back then and the bright light and just everything.Like a door to another world that opened.

He was in his bed, trying to type something on his laptop, but of course, Jimin was that kind of person, who always spaced out and overthought.So when he wanted to get occupied with one task, unconsciously something always pulled him in another direction.

"What time is it?",the feminine voice brought him back to reality.

"It's..eleven, eleven."

"So, what are you thinking about at eleven, eleven.",Yuri asked him, still keeping an eye on the book she was reading.

"Nothing important.",he smiled and decided to stop torturing himself, analyzing every single thing that happens to him.Just random person, random and weird situation.That's it.

He shifted in his place and then snuggled closer to Yuri breathing in her sweet scent and closed his eyes.Jimin felt a hand, gently playing with his hair.But just when he believed it's gonna be a peaceful night-think again, Park Unlucky Jimin!Little Jimin thought of playing. NOT NOW!NO WAY!A HARD ON?!NOW?! He opened his eyes in a brief moment and in the next one, he was locked in the bathroom.

Not now.Please, calm down, you there!Listen to me!No sex tonight! Jimin started to imagine disgusting things like blood scenes from horror movies, or sad things like a killed animal.Anything to get rid of his boner.Where did that come from?I wasn't even horny. After a while, he came back to bed and Yuri gave him a questioning look.

"What's up?",the girl questioned him.

"I drank too much water today.I had to pee.",Jimin tried to keep it cool.

"For twenty minutes?",she raised her eyebrow, suspicious of him and Jimin had to come up with an excuse.

"I took a shower.",he faked a smiled.

"Your hair is dry.",Yuri once again got him in the corner.

"Are you a detective or something.Why do you care if I had to pee for twenty minutes!"

"Didn't you say you took a shower?",she continued, slightly smirking.

"Yah!Stop teasing me!" Then she giggled and took his hand, pulling him closer to her.

"I'm sorry.I was joking.I love you."

"I love you, too." Did he?Did he really love her?
They kissed slowly and gently and Jimin didn't get a problem then.But of course, his cock was unpredictable.Also his mind, that was creating so weird scenarios, he didn't even want to admit it.

Chapter Text

"Pretty, pretty please!", a tall, handsome boy, with dark blonde hair and puppy eyes, has been holding onto Jimin's sleeve for twenty minutes now.

"Taehyung-ah, I told you NO!I'm not coming to this stupid party or whatever.",Jimin jumped on the sofa, closing his eyes in annoyance. Taehyung was Jimin's best friend from childhood.The two have grown together and loved each other dearly, despite being two opposites. Sometimes people would tell them that they are very similar because they were the same age too, but on a deeper level, this wasn't true.Taehyung was more immature.He always acted childishly, not the caring type.At the same time, he was someone who never avoided inner problems and openly talked about them, so you couldn't really tell whether he is light-headed or a very wise, young man.While Jimin was the other way around.He preferred to go through life, fighting everything by himself.That's why most of the time, Jimin was cold towards people, even his close ones.And most of them seized him as the actual wise one from the duo.Little did they know, that Jimin felt more like a lost kid when it came to feelings.He was often afraid to face them.

"Look, I didn't want to tell you this, but Hoseok hyung is gonna be there.I know you haven't seen each other for like decades.He was really excited to have you there.",suddenly Tae got Jimin's attention.He opened his eyes and wandered to his best friend, with a huge smug on his face."I knew it.Now you wanna come, right."

"Fine!" , Jimin yelled at him and hid his face behind a pillow, but threw it at Taehyung when he heard him laughing in victory."Shut the fuck up!"

Jimin didn't know why every part of his skin was itching on the way to the house, they were invited in.Perhaps, he was nervous to meet Jung Hoseok after so many years.He, Taehyung and Jimin used to hang out together a lot. And his hyung was the one always promising to stick together. He was the one who saved him from bullies and introduced him to a happy life when they were in high school. He was the one who took care of Jimin and maybe the younger became codependent.That's why, when Hoseok left without saying a thing to him, the poor seventeen years old boy developed his trust issues. That's why he couldn't commit either. Always doubting himself and whatever promises others made to him.He didn't want to believe this shit anymore.Even Taehyung's loyalty seemed unreal to Jimin.Despite sharing this amazing bond and claiming to be platonic soulmates.

"Jiminie, you okay?",Taehyung just parked the car and the sudden move shook Jimin out of his trance.

"Yeah." , the shorter was obviously tense and Taehyung wanted him to relax.

"Don't worry.We're gonna have so much fun.And if you don't feel like talking to Hobi hyung you can always ignore him.Talk to me or to someone else.He told me, there will be four more people."

"Okay.Thanks, buddy."

"Love you, Chim.You know that, right."

"I do."

"Then, let's get our gay asses out of the car.",Jimin chuckled at the joke, slapping Taehyung's shoulder lightly.A bitter-sweet laugh that brought many memories from the past he tried really hard to forget.

They entered the restaurant.Inside, it wasn't anything too fancy, neither too plain.Just perfect environment, very cozy and suitable for some old friends (and new ones too) to meet and have a nice chat.

"There they are!", Taehyung pointed to a table, two meters away from them and waved at the group of four, very good-looking guys. "Hey, what's up!Sorry, we're late.This brat here's been complaining about having nothing to wear." Tae was able to easily turn an awkward situation, to the most comfortable and normal one, Jimin thought.

"Hi, I'm Jimin.",he shyly bowed a little, out of politeness.

"I'm Kim Namjoon, this is Min Yoongi.",said a seemingly tall boy (even they were all sitting, Jimin could tell).He was quite fashionable while the smaller boy, who was almost Jimin's size, gave out the swag vibe with his hoodie and mint dyed hair, which was a pretty brave choice of color.What a rebel.

"Hi!",he greeted, remaining calm with his small eyes.

"Ya, why no one introduced me!I'm probably, the most important person here!",another flower-boy, with extremely broad shoulders and plush lips, scolded them, then turned to Jimin with a bright smile. "I'm Kim Seokjin.A worldwide handsome star."

"Hyung, what the hell are you talking about!You have five hundred followers on your twitter account.",Namjoon teased him.Hyung?Apparently, Seokjin was eldest.

"You rascal, keep repeating that if it helps you sleep at night with your forty-five followers!" Jimin busted out laughing and finally had his seat.Oh no!Now was the time to talk to Hoseok.Because fucking Taehyung has switched places, so Jimin and Hobi would be sitting right next to each other.You can ignore him.Yeah, right.How supportive of you, Kim Taehyung!

"Hey, Jiminie." , the boy smiled and Jimin just noticed how much he has changed.Now he was a man.Jung Hoseok looked so, mature.Like an actual adult with his stylish clothes and not the typical, old hair-style, that he used to have.

"Hi,hyung.How are you doing?Haven't seen you in awhile."

"Quite a while, you can say.I'm very good.Running my own business now."

"Oh, so you opened the dance studio you dreamed about."

"You remember?",Hoseok's face immediately lit up.

"Yeah, I did.It's really amazing." Of course, Jimin remembered.Hoseok was always talking about how he'd become a great dancer and would teach other kids with the same passion.This is how Jimin became interested in dancing as well.His hyung was the reason behind all the sleepless nights and long practices.

"Yeah, I do.You only blabbered about it.", the younger tried to laugh it off, but he couldn't ignore the long stare Hoseok gave him.It made him uneasy, so he decided to change his strategy. "I thought there will be seven of us.",Jimin turned to all of them. "Right, I'm texting Jungkook now.He's gonna be late.",Seokjin was busy typing on his phone. "As always." Yoongi scoffed and crossed his arms."Can you just teach him to be on time, Namjoon-ah!"

"You know he's helpless."

"True."

Now Jimin was officially intrigued to meet this Jungkook.He got that feeling, you know.When you expect something big to happen and you're not sure what exactly it is.

Jungkook has never been panting this hard in his entire life.He was running like crazy from his apartment which happened to be near the restaurant where the meeting was held.After receiving a death-threat message from Jin, the poor boy was literally running to save his ass.Once opening the door, Jungkook fixed his hair, looking around, when he heard a familiar voice.From one of many tables on his left side, there was someone waving his hand in the air.
"Oh!Jungkook-ah!",Seokjin hyung.
"Hyung!",Jungkook smiled at him right away, but as he got closer, he laid his eyes on two guys, sitting with his hyungs and laughing over something and one of them appealing so much to him.He knew there will be unknown persons coming, but he was still surprised."I'm sorry I was late, I just..." Jungkook tried to form sentences, then suddenly stopped.His face got pale as if he's seen a ghost. They all turned to look at him, including the boy with blond hair that caught his attention.And when Kook was finally able to see his face, they both gasped."What the fuck." At that moment Jungkook's breathing got even heavier.

No way!Yes, they recognized each other at the very second, but all that ran through their minds was what is the possibility of meeting a stranger, you've had an embarrassing moment with before, AGAIN. They stayed frozen like this, gazing into each other's eyes, as if they were transferred to another dimension.Jungkook felt like his world was spinning.

"Um..do you know each other?",Namjoon asked weirded out by their behavior.The blond was merely going to open his mouth when Jungkook cut him off.
"No.I'm Jeon Jungkook.Hi!" his words were so rushed that he even chocked on them."Move.",he said awkwardly to Namjoon and the older male made some space for Kook to sit.His moves were stiff and he just acted like some little, scared kitty.
"I'm Park Jimin.Nice to meet you."Jimin hid his face with his sleeve, looking away and Jungkook found it kinda cute, however, he wasn't truly focusing on whether Jimin was cute or not.Just the thought of meeting him after the accident in the park was too shocking.

They didn't dare to spare a single glance for good thirty minutes, both of them staying silent.All they did was mentally screaming that whatever happened was just too big of a coincidence.
Jungkook had this sense of finally receiving something he's been waiting for for a long time.Like a new page was turned in his life.It was such a weird, indescribable and confusing feeling.Somehow, he kept catching himself staring at Jimin and one word fitted perfectly the boy.Beautiful.Not handsome, or good-looking, but beautiful.And this one word had a deeper meaning for Jungkook.Only women were beautiful.ANd not all of them.Only some women were beautiful.Jungkook wasn't judgemental.Still, he considered himself esthete.How could a man look so angelic?Was Jimin gay?WHAT THE HELL?!
Jungkook wanted to slap himself, but he wondered about it since such pretty boys were usually gay or bisexual.

As the group laughed and chattered, a loud voice eventually took presence.
"So, you dance?",out of the blue, Jungkook directed his question to Jimin.Everyone was surprised how the youngest changed the topic like that, and so was he.Before answering, Jimin could swear he saw sparkles in his eyes and a little smirk.

"Not really.Not anymore.How do you know, tho?" he didn't expect anyone to have this information about him, besides Hoseok.

"Jinnie hyung told me there will be a dancer coming, and you gave me the aura.",Jungkook locked looks with the other again, this time obviously smiling mischievously.

"Jimin is very talented.You haven't seen him.He wouldn't say it, but he is a dance machine.",Taehyung said.

"Too bad you believed that because I'm an author.Guess it's not very evident, huh." Jimin sounded a little bit sad, saying that and suddenly Jungkook regretted ever mentioning the dancer thing.

"Sorry.",he muttered and took a shot of soju. Stupid Jungkook!Did you just try to flirt with him?What is wrong with you?!
Silence remained until Seokjin decided to make a toast.

"I'm so glad we are all here tonight.Let's keep in contact!"

"Yeah!",they all agreed loudly."Cheers!"

After having ten bottles of soju for seven persons,..well you can calculate how drunk they were.Especially Jimin, Taehyung, and Namjoon.

"Taehyung-ah!",Jimin grabbed his face, squeezing his cheeks with half-lidded eyes, that disappeared when he smiled.And Tae gave him his boxy smile.

’‘Jimin-ah!’’,he shouted back at his friend, raising his hands in the air.

"Someone needs to take care of those two or they might end up kissing.",Seokjin pointed his finger at them."And this one here, also!",he pushed Namjoon away from his shoulder.

"Uhm, you can crash at my place.There is enough space for all of us and I don't think any of us can drive in this state.",Jungkook offered kinda concerned about his friends.

"Kook, are you sure? ", Yoongi asked him.

"Yes,hyung.It's totally okay with me."

"I think this is the best option.Look at him, he's already drooling over me.",Hoseok chuckled at how cute Jimin looked right now.His cheeks were very red and he has passed out, holding onto Hoseok's arm after Taehyung fell asleep in his best friend's lap.Jungkook felt uncomfortable at the sight.

"I will take him and Taehyung to my car.",Jin was about to pull Jimin when both Hoseok and Jungkook stood up.

"I'll do it.",they said together, sounding determined and then glanced at each other.There was this invisible, but sensible tension between them.Jin was even more confused, trying to figure out what to do.

"Okay.You guys bring them to the car and I will help Namjoon."
They both nodded to the eldest and silently, Hoseok placed his hand around Jimin's waist to keep him in balance.

"Jungkook-ah!You're cool, buddy!",Taehyung collapsed in Jungkook's embrace laughing half-asleep.The younger struggled to drag his larger body outside and walked stumbling from side to side."You know what...we should hang out.With Jiminie!",Tae-drunk and probably dreaming right then- mumbled as he was pulling Jungkook down because he had no strength to stand on his legs.

"Hyung!Please, we almost reached the car."

"I got him.I got him.",Yoongi came to help Jungkook and they both literally dragged him.

"Who's gonna drive?",Hoseok asked when Jungkook noticed Jimin covered with the older's jacket, sleeping peacefully.Then he looked at his hyung suspiciously.His heart clenched in a very weird way and the brown-haired boy wasn't sure what was that feeling, foreign to him until now.

"Jungkook!Get in the car already!",Jin scolded pulling the younger out of his trans."Where do you live?",Seokjin was behind the wheel, ready to drive off.

"Three crossings and then turn left." ,Kook was watching outside the window.

"Okay.Yoongi will drive behind us with Namjoon and Hoseok."

Jungkook nodded and tried to not zone out too much.Because he was once again caught up in his head analyzing stuff, that he probably shouldn't be.

They are just friends, right.Of course, they are.Taehyung even said Jimin has a girlfriend.But Hoseok hyung is a little bit...How do I know if someone is gay?Why am I even wondering?What the actual fuck, Jungkook.Stop!My mind is so fucked up.

He sighed and slumped in his seat, tired of constantly thinking.He would love to just shut his brain down.

When they arrived in front of his apartment's door, the sober ones- Yoongi, Seokjin and Jungkook helped Tae and Namjoon to walk inside.While Jimin was already asleep, Hoseok carried him on his back and obviously, Jungkook witnessed it.

"Place him in my bedroom if you want.",he muttered passing by Hoseok, pretending to rush to the bathroom.He wasn't really in need, but he had to escape the scene.His living room has been never this crowded and it felt like there wasn't enough amount of air for Jungkook.

He locked himself inside the toilet and washed his hands, then his face.For no reason, his heartbeat was fastened, so he opened the little door with a mirror on it and his eyes landed on one of his shower gel on the shelf inside.There was a logo on it saying "Devine time".Underneath it another print showing the date of manufacture - "11/11/2017".

"This stupid number again!It's fucking everywhere!",Jungkook has noticed that for the past month he's been seeing it a lot and it annoyed the shit out of him.Just some cringy vibe came with eleven, eleven,eleven.

He slammed harshly the door, heading straight towards his bedroom.There was a certain someone who took all of his anger away and brought a shy smile on his face.Jimin was sleeping in his bed, looking like an absolute little kid.He had a petite frame,like some doll.

"Hey, where is Jungkook?" Hoseok tapped Namjoon on his shoulder, but the guy was dead asleep and snoring.He made it look like the floor was so comfortable.

Jungkook slowly and carefully walked towards his bed, trying to not make noises.He felt like a thief in his own apartment.When he sat on the mattress, it shrank under his weight as he continued on fixing his position.Finally laying down, Jungkook took a good look at Jimin.He noticed a small mole on his lower lip.
I have that, too.
Jimin's bangs all scattered, his forehead stayed revealed.With blond hair, he really looked like an angel and Jungkook kept staring at him.
Why is he so..femenine?!Like..he really is beautiful.Lol, I sound so gay right now.
He shook his head and finally closed his eyes.Sleep was what he needed.As he drifted to wonderland, a beautiful dream started to unfold.

Chapter Text

Jimin opened his eyes slowly as his vision was still blurry.He yawned and rubbed his face to wake up from an amazing dreamy state.To be honest, he hasn't slept so tight in months. No one knew where he was or how he ended up there, but Jungkook's face on the other side of the bed totally freaked him out.
This is not real, right. And to make sure, Jimin extended his hand and touched Jungkook's cheek with his little index finger.

"Morning.",the younger murmured without moving a single muscle.

"Oh my God!", Jimin realized that he wasn't dreaming and Jungkook was also awake. He immediately pulled away in act of surprise, but this made him fall from the bed right on his butt along with a loud thump.

"That was very gracefully of you." , Jungkook chuckled, using his elbows to life his body a little, so he could see the other boy on the floor.

"I am sorry!I thought you were..No, I mean.I gotta go!"
He hurried up and rushed out of the room.
Why, in the entire Galaxy, was he in the same bed as Jungkook?That felt so strange to Jimin.A tingling in his heart, as it pumped blood in his veins.His face was red like a tomato and his breath was shallow.

"Yo, Jimin!",he bumped into Hoseok who was standing at the door with his hand in the air and seemed ready to knock.

"Hi.Where is Tae?",Jimin talked in his raspy, morning i-just-woke-up-in-someone's-bed voice, holding his palm against his chest.

"O-over there.In the kitchen.",his hyung shuttered, pointing at three figures - Taehyung, Jin, and Namjoon, enjoying their breakfast.
He spared one last glance with Hoseok, hoping that the older wasn't questioning why Jimim was breathing so heavily or why he was in Jungkook's room.Not that it was anyone's business, but the fact that Chim didn't have an answer either made it even more stressful for him.
He quickly walked into the kitchen and smelled delicious pancakes with honey and blueberries.

"What a cliche is that breakfast?",he didn't want to sound rude, but it wasn't his fault.Just his head wasn't in the right space at the current moment.

"Morning, Jimin-ah.Did you sleep well?",obviously worldwide handsome, Mr. Kim Seokjin, remained unoffended.He put his bangs aside like some primadonna."Do you want a bite of my cliche pancakes."

"Sorry,hyung.I just have a migraine." Jimin used the fourth chair and they were pretty tall, so the boy struggled a little bit before he adjusted.

"It's called the hangover effect." Seokjin rolled his eyes, preparing a plate for the younger.

"And 'the I-shared-a-bed-with-Mr-handsome' effect," Taehyung smirked, looking at Jimin, shamelessly teasing his best friend.Jimin clenched his jaw and raised his eyebrows as a sign that he's already preparing for Taehyung's funeral. Tae just chuckled and continued consuming his food.

"What are we talking about?" Jungkook, aka Mr. Handosme in Taehyung's vocabulary, entered the room.Suddenly Jimin wanted to run away.However, he couldn't let anyone notice his discomfort around the youngest.

"You," Taehyung said, pretending to be innocent.

"Me?What about me?" Jimin saw Jungkook walking towards his direction and the first reaction his body had over the situation was a fastened heartbeat.Why is Jungkook going to him?Why?What's going to happen?And then he realized that the last empty chair was between Jimin and Namjoon.So that was it.Jungkook just wanted to have a seat."I'm glad you didn't leave without having breakfast.",Jungkook lowered his voice drastically and it was pretty intimidating, despite the other being two years older.How did he know that?Because Tae asked him somewhere in between sips of soju and funny talks last night.Actually, Jimin remembered every single detail that he heard about Jungkook, which was very unusual for him.He was the type of person who forgot his own birthday,so...he never cared enough to pay attention, besides if it's something serious.And maybe Jungkook looked like a serious subject for Jimin's subconscious and conscious mind.

"I was going to,tho..", Jimin held his eyes on the plate in front of him, but he knew that Jungkook was staring at him.

"Sorry.Should've slept on the couch." there was obvious regret in the younger's voice.Jimin also felt bad for acting like a scared, little child.But something about Jungkook made him act differently and weird.Like he had this ability to make Jimin's deeper layers of personality come out.Which no one succeeded in before.Even Taehyung struggled with reading Jimin's emotions sometimes.

"It's fine.",Jimin whispered hiding his mouth with his hand and then cleared his throat, fixing his posture.Having Jungkook as your company could make him dive into another world-as if they were alone and nobody could hear or see them.Which was almost true.The others were occupied with some exciting conversation because the veins on Namjoon's neck were popping as he was explaining something.Jin was doing gestures with his hands and Taehyung was observing the two with wild eyes.

"Guys, I gotta go.The studio is full of casts for my new crew.",Hoseok was already dressed in his jacket and shoes, ready to leave.

"Bye,hyung!",Tae waved at him.

"Bye!",everyone shouted at him and Hoseok smiled widely.

"Annyeong!Jiminie, I am looking forward our meeting.",he winked at Jimin who was confused because he had no idea what his hyung was talking about."Bye, guys!"
When the boy was gone, Jimin turned to Taehyung.

"What meeting?"

"Oh, last night, we were both drunk and I said you really missed him and Hobi hyung suggested to go out on a date."
Jungkook's heart sank when he heard the word 'date'.And he wasn't supposed to feel this way, which annoyed him even more.
"Not that type of date, of course.",Taehyung corrected himself, still having trouble with putting a whole pancake in his mouth.

"Of course.",Jimin let out a breath, he wasn't aware of before."Fuck."

"Is there something between you and Hoseok hyung?Don't you like each other?" Jungkook asked, trying his best to hide his anger and curiosity over Jimin's and Hoseok's relationship.

"He was the one who didn't like me.I guess." Shit.I am revealing too much. "Whatever.I gotta go as well.Busy day."
Jimin tried to avoid more questions or stares when a brief grip on his arm, stopped him.

"Wait.Can I get your number." Jungkook has the biggest eyes, Jimin could swear.

"Why?" he really didn't understand those bizarre dynamics going between him and the younger.

"Um..just because.I thought we met so all of us can hang out again sometime."

"Oh, yeah.Of course.Give me your phone." Jimin entered his number in Jungkook's register. "Done.Bye guys!"

"Jiminie!Ya, wait for your soulmate, at least." Taehyung left all the food he still hadn't eaten and followed his friend, as they left the Jungkook's place together.

"What's all the fuss about?Can you just all shut up." Yoongi was pissed with his dongsaengs who didn't let him sleep in for longer.

"This brat.We shouldn't try to socialize him ever again!" Jin clicked his tongue, both hands on his waist like a parent scolding his kid.

"I heard you,hyung!" Yoongi threw the blanket over himself and drifted back off to dreamland.

"I know you heard me!That was the point!You only sleep and argue with us, rascal!Aish..." Jin threw dramatically his apron on the floor.

Jungkook truly had only one thing on his mind.Park Jimin.As if the boy's name was craved inside his brain.And that was very, very bad.

☽ ☯ ☾

"I waited for you until 4 am and nobody called!Jimin, this is so reckless.I knew you will have a meeting with your friends, but you could warn me you're sleeping somewhere else.Do you know how much I worried about you" Yuri was shouting like crazy.

"I am really sorry.I told you, we were so drunk.Taehyung, too.And no one else knew I have a girlfriend waiting for my call." poor boy tried to explain everything to his furious partner.

"That's the problem.",she finally normalized her voice and flipped her hair, exhaling.

"What exactly?"

"The fact that they didn't know!Of course.There isn't anything significant about us to actually let people know that we are together.Or that you have someone waiting for you home."

"Is this just because I didn't call you, or am I sensing something else here."

"Yes, indeed you are!"

"What are you talking about?" Jimin being confused was an understatement.

"Responsibility, Jimin!That's what I'm talking about."

"I am responsible.And it's just one night."

"No.Responsible is to have the balls and finally ask me to marry you!Do you expect me to be just your girlfriend for the rest of our lives?"

"Who said we're gonna date that long?!", he finally attacked back, but he right away regretted what he said.The words just slipped and by Yuri's expression, he knew how hurtful they were.Firstly she gasped, not believing her ears, then she scoffed, puffing her chest and sucking it back in."Hey..I'm sorry.I didn't mean to-

"Shut!",she cut him off and he only lowered his head, guilty."Just shut up!I'm speechless...How could you even...think about it?"

"I didn't mean it.." he whispered.

"Yes, you did!And I'm gonna make it easier for you- I'm moving out."
Jimin stood in the middle of the room, dumbfounded.Watching how Yuri moved like a storm around the apartment, collecting all of her stuff.Sounds of cabinets opening, zippers closing and objects clattering filled the place.He was supposed to go there and stop her.To kiss her and say how much she means to him.He was supposed to care.But he didn't, really.Body tense, rooted in place, the boy couldn't move.Move.Do something!He was screaming in his head.Except that every piece of his being knew deep down, that whatever happens now, it's meant to be that way.

Suddenly they found themselves at the front door.As if everything until then was erased from their memory.Things occured so spontaneously.
"Those are yours.",she placed the keys he gave her long ago when they decided to live together, on the stand.He only observed, without responding to her actions or sayings.They looked at each other for a little bit.Yuri laughed, bitterly and tears shined in her eyes. "You didn't even try to stop me...Jimin."

"I...", his tongue was tied to continue.

"Actually, I thought it's gonna be just a fight and you will run after me and it'll be fine.But I guess we're breaking up for real."

"It's because I don't really want to...apologize." her eyes widened, as she blinked two or three times to acknowledge what he just said.

"When did you stop loving me?" Unbreakable, unbearable, painful silence.

"I love y.."

"Be a man for once and tell me!Say it in my face!"

"I don't know.",he answered quietly.

"Great.I've been wasting my time with a boy.It's good to know, though.Now I have an idea of what person I don't want to spend my life with.",she finally opened the door.Jimin felt like he's finally gonna loosen up.Her presence was so burdensome.The girl turned around one last time, her dark hair fell on her shoulder."One advice.Please, don't play with anyone else like you did with me.",she smiled and slowly left the apartment that now seemed so empty and cold.How did they end up like this?

Chapter Text

Jungkook was restless, trying to operate on his projects, but couldn't concentrate. He was constantly checking his phone, waiting for a call or a message. But every time a little voice in his head, nagged him for being delusional.
"Can't focus, huh?" Namjoon was in the room, also helping Jungkook out with his work.
"Yeah."
"Problems with Seun Bi?" Namjoon continued to flip some magazine's pages and looking up every photo.
"Actually, it's someone else."
"Wait? What are you saying right now?" the elder finally lifted up his gaze.
"I don't know." Jungkook groaned, shutting his eyes for a second.
"You should rest. I am worried about you."
"I am worried about myself, too. Trust me." Jungkook was totally not okay. He wasn't aware of his own thoughts and feelings, being left confused, seeking answers but never getting them. One thing was for sure, he couldn't get Jimin off his mind. The boy's face-his gorgeous smile and unique eyes, there were glitters shining in them.

"You are? This is the first hearing you say something like this. Do you have a fever?" Kook rolled his eyes. He knew he was famous for being careless when it came to his own good, but Namjoon was so disrespecting him.

"No,hyung, I don't. I wouldn't catch a cold easily."

"Yes, but you can catch feelings."
The younger's body tensed. Feelings? For who, for instance. He didn't even love his girlfriend anymore. A realization that hit him this morning.
Namjoon, though, had this mischievous look on his face.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. You just said you've got troubles with a certain someone. Is that person, perhaps,you're the new object of attention."

"No!" Jungkook flinched from his chair, causing his cup of coffee to fall and spill the liquid all over the floor, which only gave him and his nervousness away.

"Uhm...that 'no' of yours, screamed 'YES' to me.",the older chuckled calmly reading the magazine. Suddenly he got up and pulled Jungkook by the sleeve. "Let's go grab you another one."

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin and Taehyung were chilling in the local coffee shop, while the shorter was telling every detail of his recent breakup.

"It's my fault.",Jimin was holding his cup with both hands, looking sad and miserable, and Taehyung has never seen him being so blue."I didn't stop her, Tae. She purposely gave me enough time to stop her, yet I didn't do it. I couldn't."

Taehyung sighed, wondering what advice to give his best friend. He had a glimpse of Jimin's and Yura's relationship and he could tell that Jimin was never truly and deeply in love with her. However, he never told Jimin about his opinion cause he was afraid to ruin their 'happiness.'

"Do you want me to be honest?" Tae lifted one eyebrow, waiting for a response.

"Yes, obviously."

"Okay. Listen. Take this as a new opportunity. You and her...I never felt the spark between the two of you and it's no surprise to me that you let her go without trying to fix the problem. I believe you wanted this break up for a long time but couldn't admit it to yourself. I know you Jimin. You didn't want to feel like a bad person for not loving your girlfriend. Even so, pretending just made it worse, right."

"But I..."

"You're miserable., yes, and not because she's gone. You're just regretting your behavior. If you loved her, you would never let her leave you."

"I cared about her."

"Past tense. She's gone. You're finally free again. Get some life. Being bound to her made you so boring. I miss having fun together. Just enjoy your time while you're single. With a face like your, it's not gonna last."

"Did you just make me a compliment."

"Hmm...you caught me." Taehyung sipped on his tea when the door open and two tall men entered the place. He immediately waved his hand, calling them out.

"Namjoon hyung, Jungkook-ssi!"

Jimin turned his head towards their direction. Both of them were dressed so well, so aesthetically. Taehyung also had a great sense of fashion while Jimin regretted wearing his glasses and beanie with a turtleneck blouse. He looked like some girl in those clothes, especially because the beanie was reddish, almost pink. Recently he had a lot of insecurities about his masculinity and being seen by his new friends dressed like that didn't make a score.
Jungkook never moved his eyes away from Jimin. His hair was a little messy, yet it suited him perfectly. Like always.Always?As if they knew each other their whole lives.

"Hi.",Jungkook greeted first.

"Hi.",Jimin forced a shy smile. He wasn't really talkative at the moment and let's not mention how intimidating Jungkook was.

"What's up, guys?" Namjoon started a conversation.

"We're just chatting. You?"

"This little bro fed the floor with his coffee and we're getting another one. Also, I'd like to drink something fresh." Namjoon wrapped his arm around Jungkook's shoulders.

"There are great smoothies in here. Especially the strawberry one." Jimin decided to say something and not let the silence make it awkward, which was impossible hen Taehyung was there, but then Jungkook glanced at him and his face turned red. Why they can't even look at each other and act normal about it? Or it was just Jimin who felt that weird vibe?

"Hyung, I'm gonna order," Jungkook said and went off to the bar.

"Okay, go."

Namjoon settled down, next to Taehyung and they started to talk passionately about different things and then Jimin's favorite topic came - the last time the squad got drunk.

"I'm never letting Jiminie drink so much again!",Tae said, pointing at Jimin with his thumb.

"You were drunker!" His friend defended himself when Jungkook came at the same moment.

"Jimin hyung is flirty when drunk," Kook said, smirking and Jimin's cheeks flushed red once again, as he turned his head around to hide his shyness. But before he did that, he noticed that Jungkook was holding a strawberry smoothie. Anyways, he chose to ignore the fact.

"How do you know?" Tae made a suspicious grimace.

"Because he slept in my bed." Jungkook clarified only to get Taehyung a little overprotective, hugging his best friend tightly, which's eyes were wide open.

"Pray that I don't find out if you did something to him!" he threatened the youngest.

"What could I do hyung?" Jungkook chuckled.

"I don't know. My small, Chimmie-beanie, mochi, is innocent and you're not by any means."

"Hyung, I'm straight. He was, safe with me."All of sudden he realized this sentence didn't sound as good as it did in his mind. And by the looks the others gave him, Jungkook thought he might have touched on a sensitive matter. "Wait,hyung are you gay?" he asked, almost looking apologetic.

"No! I have..had a girlfriend."

"Oh..okay."

The situation was getting uncomfortable and Jimin kept silent, focusing on his hand. If I asked her to marry me, now I would've had a ring here, he touched his ring finger.

On the other hand, Jungkook was trying to analyze why his heart clenched when he heard about Jimin's girlfriend. It wasn't a normal reaction. He wishes he could ask him more about her, but they weren't that close so it would be impolite.

"So Jimin, you broke up with your girlfrined.I'm sorry. But hey..you weren't meant to be. I mean, you will find someone better." Namjoon said, an attempt to cheer him up. Jungkook was listening carefully, because every detail, for some reason, was important to him. Curiosity maybe.

"It's my fault, so...I suck when it comes to relationships."

"That's not true! Jiminie, you don't suck! She was rushing it with marriage and stuff." when he heard Taehyung, the youngest choked on his smoothie and everyone turned to him.

"Sorry. Just when I heard marriage..aren't we too young for this."

"Indeed we are!" Tae tried to encourage his friend, rocking him a little, expecting a smile or something.

"How long did you dated?" Kook didn't even glance at Jimin, waiting for his answer.

"Four years." the elder mumbled.

"That's long." Jugkook gasped which sounded like disappointment or worry, Jimin could not distinguish which one was it.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" the question felt so weird to both of them.

"I do." Jungkook gulped.

"Yes, but you have your eyes on someone new, don't you Kookie." Namjoon teased him, smiling devilishly.

When he said that Jungkook and Jimin shared a glimpse for the first time today, without shying away and it was hypnotizing. They had no idea why one had such strong impact on the other, but it felt good. Jungkook strangely had that sense of home and Busan was far away, so he knew it's Jimin that brought it. Deep down, he was more than aware and it was scary.

I know you. Both of them thought. I know you.

"I know you.." Jimin whispered and Jungkook blinked in confusion and surprise. Did Jimin read his mind?
Jimin saw how the younger's huge eyes got even bigger and he only thought of how familiar those eyes were. As if he's been staring at them his whole life. It made him vulnerable in a way that frightened, but also excited him.

"Guys..you get along very well. You want us to leave ya'?" Taehyung waved his hand in front of their faces.

"Hyung, let's go. We have a lot of work and no time to waste." Suddenly Jungkook snaped as he quickly rose from his seat, took his smoothie and left the coffee shop skipping the part when he should've said goodbye. Jimin was a little startled, to be honest. What happened? Everyone was confused.

"Sorry guys, he's under a lot of pressure these days."

"I get it." Tae nodded and they waved byes to Namjoon and next thing they saw was the two's backs, walking down the street.

"What was that? Jungkook is a weirdo." the dark-blond boy whispered.

"He's not. He was just..." afraid, Jimin wanted to say, but how could he know. Those assumptions were only in his imagination. From personal experience, he knew nothing is what it seems to be."...stressed, I guess."

"Hey, you two just froze for a minute. It looked like a scene from some drama. What was that about?"

"Hmm. I don't know." Jimin shifted in his place, an indicating sign of his uneasiness. "Whatever." he looked through the window but neither Jungkook or Namjoon were anywhere to be seen anymore.

"Yeah." Tae was not oblivious to his friend's abnormal behavior, despite his acting of disinterest. However, he concluded now it's not the time to ask him about it.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook hated how his heart wouldn't stop pumping blood like crazy even now, when they were far from that coffee shop and more precisely, far from Jimin. A man doesn't feel like this around another man. It's just not...it can't be. Not Jungkook.He's never, ever thought about liking a guy. He was not homophobic, but boys weren't for him, you know. Yet, Jimin made him feel things that no one before was capable to. His breathing was getting heavier and heavier and every hair on his body was standing up. Like electricity running through his veins.

"Are you okay?" Namjoon asked, his voice gentle and careful because he saw Jungkook's troubled expression.

"Yes."

"Jungkook-ah.." the younger heard only the very beginning of his hyung's speech before getting lost in his head again. Park Jimin.The boy ignited interest, curiosity, and sense of home. Was that possible? They barely knew each other? Also, he couldn't ignore their pre-meeting in the park. Did Jimin recognize him? Does he remember what happened or it's just Jungkook?So many questions. Jungkook had to have them answered soon."Yah! Did you hear me?" he was finally distracted by Namjoon's shouting.

"Sorry hyung.What did you say?"

"That you're a very awkward person. Why did you ask Jimin is he's gay and then you asked him about his ex when they have broken up recently and he's probably still sensitive about this topic?!"

"I was just curious."

"You?The guy who doesn't care if the world is burning down. You literally don't care about anything that concerns you, let alone someone else. I can't believe it. Today is the second time you're saying such a thing. Since when do you pay attention, honestly?"

"Maybe since my love life sucks, I wanted to make sure it's not just me suffering." That was a good one. Jungkook was really proud of his excuse. Because Namjoon took it as a joke and a little later changed the subject. And perhaps, that really was the reason, but he couldn't realize it until just now. Yes, it has to be that. How stupid of him to think he was catching feelings for another male. Jungkook mentally laughed ta himself.

Chapter Text

The room was dark, pouring rain was knocking on the windows. Though it wasn't the storm outside, bothering Jimin, but a feeling that settled in him through this week and it was slowly growing. Loneliness. He turned his head to check the clock on the nightstand. Eleven eleven.
"I'm seeing this number so much lately, it scares me," he whispered as his words echoed through the whole room.
For the first time, he thought the bed was bigger than it's supposed to be. However, he wasn't missing Yuri. He just needed someone to hold him. Suddenly a memory hit him and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Man up, Jimin!" his girlfriend in high school was looking at him from above, because he was sitting on a bench, waiting for their fight to be over. He was so tired of it."That guy literally flirted with me in front of you and you just stood there."

"Sorry."

"Sorries won't fix it. You never defend me! You know many boys are after me and I chose you because I believed you're sweet and would be a good boyfriend." she brushed her hair backward, and it fell on her shoulders. Now, Jimin noticed that she had them exposed. Also, her dress was new and she wore makeup. Maybe it's too much for him.

"Let's break up," he said calmly.

"What?" she blinked three times before comprehending what's happening. Jimin just stood up, took his backpack and walked away. Dating was so boring and she kept nagging him for not being manly enough. Then go find a real man, bitch. He literally wanted to scream it in her face, but even then he had some manners.

Now looking back, Jimin realized how annoying the girl was. And how dull he felt when he kissed her..or Yuri. Did he ever love someone?

Then his phone buzzed. He wanted to neglect him, but his body moved on its own. He got a message. Probably Taehyung.

11:14
Hi, Jimin hyung.I wanted to apologize for my actions last Friday. SorryI didn't mean to offend you by asking certain questions. And I can't really explain my behavior, so I just wanted to apologize. Please, accept it.

PS: This is Jungkook if you haven't saved my number.

Jimin was confused. How was he supposed to respond to this? Jungkook texted him and his freaking heart fluttered and this wasn't right.

"What do I do? What do I text him/I don't know! Fuck!" he began to panic walking around his bedroom, thinking very hard to come up with an answer."Why am I like this? It's just some dongsaeng I've met."

He carefully started typing words on his keyboard.

11:17
Hi, Jungkook.It's fine. I am not mad at you. I didn't even think about it. But it's really nice of you to apologize.
PS: Apology accepted :)

Jungkook jumped from his bed when he got Jimin's response.

"Oh shit!" he threw his phone on the mattress, placing his hands on the back of his head."Okay..pfff." he took a deep breath, and when finally opened his messages, read it. "He put a smiley face in it. How cute!" Why was he like this? He shouldn't feel this way when texting his hyung!

11:20
Thanks,hyung.

That's it. Jimin didn't reply to this one. Well, maybe because there's nothing else to say. Jungkook hoped for a longer conversation. He couldn't leave things like that. It would be a waste.

11:25
Hyung, can I call you. What are you doing now? I am really bored and everyone is busy and refuse to talk to me.

Jimin was surprised how bold the younger was. Should he let Jungkook call him? What are they going to talk about? He kept telling himself that they didn't know each other. It'll be awkward. But those were only excuses. Because actually, Jimin was afraid. Jungkook was intimidating somehow.

11:29
I'm also bored. Okay. Call me if you want to.

Jungkook couldn't stop smiling when he dialed the number and finally, he heard a voice. Unfamiliar, yet it felt like it's not the first time he was calling Jimin.

Hi,hyung.Are you there?"

"Where else would I be?" they laughed.
Their talk wasn't weird at all. They said some jokes, then decided that Jimin is going to cook dinner and Jungkook will dictate a recipe he knew from his mother. Without realizing, four amazing hours passed. Jimin had his delicious meal and he was content, despite ruining the whole kitchen. Jungkook promised that next time he will cook and everything went smooth. As if they've always been friends.

"Are you sleepy?" Jungkook asked, yawning.

"Yeah, you?" Jimin was curled in bed, looking all cute, but Jungkook could only imagine him.

"Yep.I'm gonna wait for you to fall asleep first."

"Okay." the elder smiled, happy.

"Good night,hyung."

Jungkook stayed on the line until Jimin stopped responding to him. He hung up and tossed his legs, jerking his body on the mattress. What a wonderful night. Jimin was such a nice person.

And right then, in his sheets, he noticed that his face was unusually warm, his heart was beating really fast and he had the hugest smile. He's never felt so happy in months, if not years. It was like returning to these careless childhood days. Jimin felt like that. Like freedom, happiness, and playfulness. Pure joy expanded in his whole body, every cell and every fiber. In between thousand of thoughts, one appealed to him.

I just really like you, Park Jimin.

☽ ☯ ☾

"I really liked your new idea Jimin. How did you come up with such a cheesy plot? You're always writing heavy, psychological plots. And I see how you start off with a sad love story and afterward it becomes romantic. I love it!" commented Ji Chang Mi, the woman publishing Jimin's novels.

"let's say I was inspired?"

"Hmm.," she smirked. "So you and Yuri are finally taking the next step."

"Oh, no. We broke up, actually." Jimin laughed. Not forced laugh, a sincere one.

"Oh. Sorry, Jimin-ah!" her smile disappeared. "But if this inspired you and you are happier this way, don't regret anything. You hear me! You're such a nice boy. I know you'll find an amazing girl that would fit with you."

"I am not in such mood, I think to take some time and take care of myself."

"Good. Then shall I expect even cooler stories from you?" She asked playfully. The woman was a very bright and positive person.

"I'm working on it." they laughed again and then Jimin left her office, glad that everything went well and she approved his new work.

☽ ☯ ☾

Yoongi has invited Jungkook to his music studio. The place was small and a bit dusty cause his owner claimed to have more important things to do than cleaning. There were some CDs of his favorite artist and his own recordings. Pale orange color painted the walls and cables were connecting a set of different electronics scattered on the floor, just right there for Jungkook to trip over them.

"Hyung, I have a question." they were settled in two chairs in front of a computer, that Yoongi used to edit beats, melody and whatsoever.

"What is it?" he didn't even look at Jungkook.

"Remember when you said you're pansexual. Like you don't care about body or gender, etc. and you fall for the personality." Yoongi noticed how enthusiastic Kook was, so then he glanced at him confused.

"Yeah...?" he prolonged his answer, currently intrigued in what Jungkook was going to ask him.

"How did you realize it?" a rapid question from an excited bunny.

"I once fell for a boy and he wasn't hot or anything. I just fell for him. Everyone asked me what do I see in him and do you know what I replied." Jungkook opened his eyes wider, expecting a dramatic answer. "A soul. I just loved him beyond any physical boundaries."

"What happened to him?"

"I never told him." words rolled out of Yoongi's mouth as his face rested blank.

"WHAT?! But hyung...why?"

"Because I was a loser back then." Yoongi smiled, probably remembering his past crush.

"You still are,hyung!" Jungkook teased him and the older shoved him playfully. After silence filled the place, Kook could continue. "Are you still friends with that person? And why did you not tell him?"

"He...ahem" Yoongi cleared his throat "..passed away two years ago."Jungkook gasped and grabbed his hyung's hand.

"I'm so sorry,hyung."

"I'm over it now. I just miss him sometimes, you know. We used to be close friends. But let me tell you something. I always regretted it. Not telling him how I felt. So, although, I don't why you asked me about my sexuality and realizations if you fall in love tell the person. You never know when it's the last time."

"Sorry for bringing such painful memories."

"It's fine. I was inspired to get my shit together and come where I am right now. Succeeding with my music. Everything we experience in this life is a huge ass lesson. Trust me."

Jungkook gave it a serious thought. Yoongi was right. You never know what life has prepared for you or where you're going to find yourself at on point. Hearing such a deep, emotional story, encouraged him to ask Jimin on a date. Of course, a friendly one. He was grateful that the older accepted without hesitation.

"So, as I see, you've taken a; liking of someone," Yoongi asked him, smirking almost invisibly.

"No.Or at least I'm trying not to. I still have a girlfriend, remember." it felt more like he tried to remind himself.

"Break up with her." Yoongi raised his voice, frustrated that Jungkook wasn't acting upon his feelings.

"I can't."

"Why not?" his now impulsive hyung (because he was the overthinker before, but now they've switched roles) didn't get it.

"She is the last thing that brings me sanity."

"Love is not supposed to be sane. It's supposed to be real, Jungkook."

Jungkook knew he was right, but everything was so complicated. Did he really like Jimin? Because he's never fallen for a boy before, so he had no idea what to do. He didn't want to offend or confuse Jimin, or worse.- push Jimin away with his raging hormones. He was twenty-three. He was expected to figure life out on his own. And it was all going pretty much well until Jimin appeared like the mysterious missing piece from a puzzle Jungkook has been trying to solve for too long and now he was losing patience.

☽ ☯ ☾

Seun Bi and Jungkook were cuddled on his couch, doing nothing. He was staring at his phone, texting Jimin and she was simply staring at different object around the apartment.

"Kookie..?" her voice was quiet.

"Hm?" he didn't put the phone down yet.

"Leave this..." she gently took it away from him. He started to pay attention, despite wishing to finish his conversation with Jimin."I wanna tell you something."

"Okay." now he was intrigued, slowly turning his head towards her, even tho she couldn't really see him, as her back was leaning against his chest.

"I think you're my soulmate." Seun Bi's ton was so stern. Jungkook kept his mouth shut because he didn't know what to say, honestly."You know...you're the only one who never hurt me and never gave up on me. Thank you, Jungkookie." she shifted a little bit in his embrace, so she could smile at him. His grimace was flat, and he could only force a smile. But what do you reply when your girlfriend that you don't love anymore, state that you are soulmates. "Have you ever thought about it? That we are connected?"

"No, I don't believe in this nonsense."

"You're not romantic at all!" Seun Bi smacked his arm, lightly."I believe that there is a particular person for everyone. It's like we, humans, are born half empty until we find 'the one'."

"I hate to think that we are so dependent on someone else."

"Yeah, but look at us for example. We love each other. I can't imagine you out of my life. Can you?" she looked at him again and he shook head, holding the truth behind his teeth."See. I call this soulmates.ANd you're mine." she giggled, taking his hand in her own and started to play with his fingers.

Jungkook frowned, as he dived deep into his thoughts. Soulmate? This must be someone who feels like home, was the first thing that came to his mind. Someone, that understands you and just clicks with you. Soulmate must be that person who shows you all of your flaws and helps you overcome each one of them, as they accept them at the same time. The person who enlightens your path out of the darkness, when you're sinking into it.

With Seun Bi, that wasn't the case. They only dated because it was easy. Easy love. Did Jungkook want this? Maybe he wanted more. Maybe he desired a soulmate. However, Jeon Jungkook didn't believe such existed.

Chapter Text

"Why are you dressed up like that?" Namjoon asked him after he noticed the younger checking himself out in the mirror.

"I have a date. I mean, I'm seeing a friend." he continued on fixing his clothes.

"Okay..and who is that friend, because it looks like they are getting special attention."

"It's actually Jimin hyung.From our meeting with the other hyungs."

"Ha." Namjoon scoffed a little surprised and immediately smiled."Now, that explains a lot."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing..it's jsut..you were kind of...so talkative with him. And it wasn't your typical self."

"Hyung, I have so many sides you're not aware of yet." Jungkook teased, winking at Namjoon and they both laughed it off."Bye,hyung."

"Good luck with your date, Kook-ah."

"It's not a date!"

"I meant a friendly date. What are you thinking about, lol?" Joon gave him the 'bro ?' look, one eyebrow lifted up and a small smirk placed on his face.

"Nothing, lol!" Kook almost blushed, hoping his friend didn't notice. The boy was nervous enough. Extra teasing was needn't. He brushed his dark brown hair on the way out, trying to regain his confidence. It was their first time meeting alone. He hoped Jimin would like him.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook was anxious but in a good way. He waited for Jimin, sitting on a bench in West Seoul Lake Park. Today, unlikely most days, it wasn't very crowded, which he was thankful for. People would've only made him even more restless. The weather was rainy and a little cold, however, he liked it.

Kook played with the ring on his index finger, repeating what to say first and different jokes to use if the atmosphere gets weird. Which sounded impossible after they started to text each other so often and even call sometimes. Like they always had something else to say. As if time was never enough but their obligations were calling, so eventually they had to hang up and toss their phones aside. He hated it. He wished they had more time to spend together. Almost like he was deprived when Jimin didn't text him back on the same day or had something else to do. And Jungkook has never been like that - craving another person's attention.

"Hey!" someone waved in his direction and when he recognized the small figure, he rose up from the bench and jogged happily, with a flashed bunny smile to Jimin.

"Hi,hyung!" his teeth were on display with his eyes almost closed. He literally struggled to see Jimin at first, because of his eyelashes, but just the knowledge that his hyung was right in front of him was compensating. Anyways, when he was finally able to see properly, this time his eyes grew bigger than his mouth.
Why is so damn beautiful? No! Stop, Jungkook. Although he tried to talk himself into seeing Jimin just as another hyung, he failed spectacularly.

"Jungkookie,you're staring." Jimin joked, but Kook knew that was the truth, so he looked away.

"Sorry. I am a little bit introverted, so bear with me.I'm not used to meeting someone by myself."

"Why? Do you usually hang out in groups." they slowly started to walk with no destination specified.

"Mostly yeah.." he scratched the back of his head, nervous. Did I look stupid? Oh, shit. I'm screwing this up from the very start!

"Well, I prefer to be with only one friend, so you better be prepared. I don't like groups."

"Okay. Guess suffering is on my way." there he is. Jungkook that only a few people knew. The bold, always teasing, jokester- Jeon.

"Yah! Are you sure you're introverted!" Jimin pocked his arm for being disrespecting dongsaeng.

"Maybe. Find out yourself."

"Lol.Smooth, Jungkook-shi."

"Always, Jimin-shi!"

"Disrespectful brat! Where did you leave the honorifics?" Jimin smacked his shoulder playfully as they both laughed.

"Right where you left your heigh,hyungie~" Despite being shy as fuck, and obviously checking Jimin out by instinct, Jungkook noticed how comfortable they got with each other in just ten minutes. And after they walked and talked for hours, sitting at this edgy cafe with lights down low, everything was perfect.

☽ ☯ ☾

"It was so good. Do you have other ideas? Cause I always end up with noodles. I can't think of something better." they were discussing Jungkook's recipe that Jimin tried when they were on the phone three weeks ago.

"I can show you many of the things my mom cooked for me when I was younger. Our house always smelled of something delicious. Maybe that's why one of my scented candles smells like cookies and it's my favorite one."

"Then, next time I will call you for help again." Jimin flirted, of course in a joking manner, leaning closer to Jungkook, while holding his cup and smiling mischievously.

"Next time,.." Jungkook also leaned in very slowly " I will call you over and cook for you." They shared an intense look, being just inches apart. Like some outside force was pushing them closer and closer, with an alluring sensation they could not ignore. Then Jimin panicked. This wasn't supposed to happen. It was so wrong.

"Smoothest dongsaeng.Did you just invited me on another date?" Jimin flinched away, throwing his head back as he laughed, covering his mouth. He thought that's the best way to mask his anxiety, triggered by the other.

"I don't know. Did I?" Jungkook played it innocent, lifting his shoulders.
What a cheerful person he was-Jimin, Jungkook noted.. And also how quick his heartbeat was right then. It would be so inappropriate to get a heart attack there, he mocked himself.

"Yeah, Mr. Jeon ...you did it." Jimin chuckled. The younger smiled and small wrinkles appeared right under the corners of his eyes. He was happy,...truly, genuinely happy at this moment.
Jimin was like fresh air. Once you breathe in, you get addicted and life feels so good. Yes, shame on him, Jungkook was intoxicated by Park Jimin.

☽ ☯ ☾

It was already late night and they were walking down the alley, which was bright, as lights were coming from every lamp and every showcase. There they were, having a nice conversation because ever since they met today, nothing could stop them from talking. Jimin found it amazing how, as an author, words were flowing out of Jungkook's mouth so easily and he didn't stutter for once. He used such a rich vocabulary. Also, there was a huge variety of topics that they were discussing. Jungkook had a very unique opinion about things. Jimin listened to him, all ears, big eyes looking at him, while he was absorbing every syllable, because, let's be honest, the boy wasn't just handsome. He was smart, too.

"I'm sorry. Do I talk too much?" the younger realized how Jimin hasn't spoken for awhile.

"No, no, no! I love it. I mean..." awkward " I love how you perceive things. Cause even if I have a different thought on a subject, your perception resonates so much with, it's crazy."

"That's because- first, I'm amazing." they both giggled "Second, I think we are like..heading towards the same direction but coming out from different points."

"Yeah,...you're a cheeky, smart and good-looking kid, Jungkook-ah."

"Did you just call me good-looking?"

"I also said smart and cheeky, but of course you only care when I compliment your looks."

"Well, when one handsome guy tells another guy that he is handsome, it means that they already have a nice bond."

"Lol. You just said that I'm handsome and we're becoming good friends without actually saying it. Jungkook, much respect to you. You really are something."

Just like that, from being serious to teasing each other, another hour passed until Jimin's phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Sorry.." he excused himself and picked up before even seeing who was calling him."Hello?"

"Jimin-ah" the voice coming from the other line was easily recognized by Jimin and it made him freeze in place.

Jungkook wondered who it might be, calling Jimin, cause the shorter boy has never had that look on his face. Something between angry, confused and worried.

"What?Where?Where the hell are you?"..." Okay, .I..I'm coming." "No, stay there. I will find you!"
He finally finished his talk and rushed to Jungkook, obviously upset.

"Sorry, Jungkook-ah, but I really have to go."

"Has something happened?"

"My girlfriend..ex one. She is drunk and currently on the toilet floor at some bar called "Kim-M's". Where the hell is that place?" Jimin opened google maps, totally ignorant that Jungkook was still there.

"Hyung, I'll come with you." Yes, Jungkook wanted to help. However, he didn't like in bits the idea of Jimin saving his EX-girlfriend.

They broke up.
Can't she stay in her lane?
Can't Jungkook stay in his?

"No, I don't want to bother you with personal bullshit." That hurt a little. The younger was aware, they weren't that close, but he still desired to be there for Jimin.

"It's not bullshit. She is in trouble and I know that place. Let me help." Jimin's face light up with hope when he heard that Kook knew the location. A strange feeling, maybe pride, bloomed inside Jungkook, cause he proved that his hyung could actually rely on him. And more strange was why he wanted to do it anyway? This question reminded unanswered in his head.

Jimin sighed and finally agreed.

"Okay. Let's go."

☽ ☯ ☾

When they reached the bar, Jimin was disgusted by the people in there. Kissing, drunk and sweaty.Some doing drugs even and stripping out of their clothes. What is this place? Why would Yuri be here?

"Where is she?" Jungkook's voice was somehow muted by loud music and other voices. And his figure almost invisible because of the low red lights with lilac and blue hints.

"Restrooms!" they couldn't get anywhere through the thick crowd without losing each other, so Jimin grabbed Jungkook's hand and headed forward. Jungkook's mind shifted into another dimension because he felt nothing but electricity as they touched. Does he feel it too?

Jimin did. But things with no logical explanation for him stayed just unexplained. He didn't dig deep into it and shrugged it off. Why would I feel tingles and butterflies when I touch another guy? Maybe I'm getting dizzy because of the atmosphere. So he held onto Jungkook even tighter until they found themselves in the women's restrooms and then he let go. Jungkook was literally going to whine after the loss of touch.

"Yuri?!" Jimin started to push every door with his foot until he found Yuri throwing up in one of the toilets."Oh god.." he kneeled down and held her hair, checking if she is hurt anywhere.

"Jimin.." she chocked, not being able to make eye contact. "You came for me." Yuri threw her weak body in Jimin's embrace and he had nothing to do but stroke her shoulders and curls, comforting her.

"I'm here. It's fine."

Suddenly Jungkook felt unwanted. Like he wasn't supposed to see this intimate moment. So he quietly walked out and decided to wait outside the restrooms in case Jimin needed any help. His heart clenched because seconds ago they were holding hands and now Jimin was playing the role of a superhero and lovingly was hugging his ex-girlfriend. Is it bad that Jungkook wished Jimin didn't care? That he just ditched Yuri and now they were hanging out somewhere else.
Then he remembered how broken the boy looked when they met at the cafe with Tae hyung and Joon.

He still loves her. It's so obvious.

Jungkook shut his eyes taking in a deep breath when some random girl took a hold of his collar.

"Hey, cutie. Wanna have fun?"

"No. He's busy."A deep, raspy voice said behind them. Jimin just came out of the restrooms, hand wrapped around Yuri's waist because her legs were shaking. The girl backed off immediately and left Jungkook, giving him a disappointed look.

"Hyung.." the younger didn't know what he should do. Shaw, he helps Jimin or maybe just escort them? Should he thank him for saving him?

"Did she bother you a lot?" Jimin asked and for the first time, he appealed surprisingly manly. Jungkook shook his head, confused with his big doe eyes.

 ☽ ☯ ☾

"Thank you so much, Kookie. I promise to treat you to a meal next time." Jimin looked so apologetic that Jungkook just could not be mad at him.

"Hyung, did you forget we already set a date at my place. So I can teach you how to cook and not be a lazy ass, eating noodles all the time."

"Right." Jimin smiled so pretty.

How did he do that? One moment he looked so soft, all Jungkook wanted to do was to protect him and hold his hand and make him laugh and smile even more. Another time, Jimin was bold, powerful and dominant, being the one actually protecting Jungkook. How? His hyung had so many sides and the maknae was not really sure which one he was falling for.

"Kookie, you're spacing out a lot, you know?" Jimin waved his hand in front of his face.

"Ah, yeah..people tend to tell about that."

"Well, okay, then. Thank you again and I'll see you.Bye.Be safe!" he finally got in the taxi and left Jungkook feeling...empty.

☽ ☯ ☾

When he came home, Kook tossed his keys on the table, kicked off his shoes and threw himself on the bed, face buried in his pillow. The room, as always, was cold and nice and it helped him relax...not this time, tho.

"Aghhh!" he had to let it out. So many emotions clouded his head.
Did he like Jimin for real? Like romantic attraction.Because that was impossible and still, there he is- questioning his sexuality.

The situation at the bar was replaying over and over. He is not all girly, Jungkook. He is a guy! What was I thinking?! I am not even gay. Neither bisexual. This is so weird.I'm weird.Fuck...

He turned around lying on his back and his eyes fell on a vase, he recently put in his bedroom. Could something last forever, Jungkook wondered. Those beautiful flowers he put in the vase, are now withered and dead.
And whatever he and Jimin had now, the boy was very well aware, is going to vanish and die like everything else.

I don't want us to die. So, this... please don't take it away from me.

Chapter Text

Yuri was sound asleep on Jimin's bed, while he stayed on the terrace and stargazed. It was weird to have her in his bedroom again after they broke up and haven't talked for a month. He knew he shouldn't let her in his life. It would be a huge mistake. He was finally getting a grip on his life and it felt so good so far.
Did I ever love her?
They dated for so long, that Jimin was afraid to admit he might've wasted all his time with someone he didn't truly love. It was sad.
Do I care about her?
Of course. But it's the same thing with Taehyung, his parents and all of his friends and close ones. Of course, he would care.
And while he was standing there, enjoying a cold and tender breeze, his head started to hurt really bad out of the blue. He squeezed his eyes when his started to ring. Finally, those awful sensations faded and he could see properly again. Well, a proper sight would be an enormous falsehood, because Jimin could swear those were not his hands. They looked different and veinier than usual and he was wearing a black, leather bracelet on his right wrist. 'What the hell?' , he thought before taking a better look at his clothes and body parts he could actually observe without a mirror. The boy was currently holding his phone in his right hand and a cigarette in his left one, which surprised him because he wasn't a smoker. Jimin decided to lift the cell phone it next to his ear. Then a voice spoke.

"Jungkook-ah, baby!" a woman said.

WHAT?! he screamed mentally.

"Hey, mom. How are you doing?" then Jimin realized he was talking, but that was not his own voice. Immediately he felt his soul separating from the body and now he had a bigger perspective.
Jimin didn't have much control over the situation, but he gasped when he looked at Jungkook, standing and chatting on his phone. He observed his surroundings and recognized this wasn't Seoul or Korea. First, they or he, not sure anymore, were in a hotel. Down on the street, there were signboards with inscriptions in English which made him wonder where the hell he was.

"Okay.Bye, mom. Love you, tоo." Then he snapped his head towards Jungkook who quit his conversation, apparently with his mom.

"Jungkook!Ya!" Jimin screamed his lungs out, however, the younger didn't even notice him. The blond was afraid. Terrified. He knew this could be just a dream, but it felt so real. Everything was so realistic. And just like that, his soul traveled rapidly towards another destination, as if something pulled him like a magnet. Jimin found himself in his parent's house and witnessed a boy crying and a girl comforting him. "That's me!" He pointed at them, and just as previously, nobody noticed him... "Appa.." it was the day of his father's funeral. One of the most painful memories in his entire life. He watched the situation with watered eyes questioning how the universe could be so cruel and remind him of these memories. "I don't want to recall." The poor boy started to cry, feeling like he's going to dissolve into thin air. He wanted that. To disappear and never feel this way. Then someone hugged him from behind and stopped his constant hiccups.

"Don't cry. I'm always here. I've always been here." a soft whispers came out.

He didn't see a face, because his eyes were closed, yet Jimin knew that warmth. It was so familiar. However, that type of knowledge was more like a really strong inner intuition. He had no name or a face popping in his head. But he recognized this warm, caring being. It was someone he also held only love for.

Suddenly just as he went to that mysterious place where he could go back and visit the past, Jimin came back to presence. He was on his balcony. Right away, the blond checked out his hands, clothes, and shoes to make sure he wasn't a soul anymore and he wasn't Jungkook. That sounds weird even just to think about it.

I'm real. It's real. I'm alive. He literally wrapped his hands around his now tiny body, happiness filling his chest.

Jimin sighed in relief when he noticed traits of Seoul and his house. Yuri was still sleeping. There was a small table on the terrace and the cat that was passing down the road was still there as if time has stopped for a while and she's again free to continue walking.

That was the most peculiar experience and he still couldn't decide whether it actually happened or not. Maybe one person would help him.

"Ya? It's 4 am. AM-in the morning, bro! Are you crazy?" Taehyung wasn't having any of Jimin's shit, whatever it was- he didn't care. Not when he had this amazing dream about two really hot girls and a huge mansion he was living in. How could his own best friend and soulmate betray him like that?

"I need to talk to you. It's emergency. And yes, maybe I'm crazy."

"Okay. Start talking then before I fall back into deep, sweet sleep which by the way, you interrupted."

"Sorry, Tae. But it's really important."
Jimin explained every detail of what happened and before Taehyung replied there was a prolonged pause. He didn't believe him. Of course, who would? Jimin started to panic, seeing how his family and friends send him to a Bedlam.

"You there?" he asked, with all hope noticeable in his voice. Please believe me. I wouldn't lie to you.

"Yeah. I was just thinking...well..you're psychic." his friend blurred out.

"Wha--I..No, I'm not." Jimin protested, rolling his eyes. "I'm serious,Tae. Stop joking."

"I'm serious, too. The weirdest shit is that you saw Jungkook. The fuck, bro. You hang out too much with that kid." Taehyung laughed, but it wasn't funny for Jimin. Not at all.

"He's not a kid."

"And now you're defending him. Chim, you okay. Last time I checked you were straight and didn't have supernatural powers."

"I'm still both- straight and not a superhero. But what does have my sexuality to do with me seeing Jungkook? If I saw you what...you'd think I had a crush on you."

"Exactly! If you told me you magically possessed my body, yeah..!"

"NO!Tae!This is not a joke!"

"I'm not joking, Jimin. I believe in that stuff. You know I like to read about the paranormal. I've heard really weird and unexplainable stories. And I'm serious when I say you might be psychic. What if you two met so you can predict his future and warn him about something? What if he gets murdered in that hotel."

"Stop! Nobody's getting killed. And also I think what I saw was in the past because I saw myself too."

"First, I'm glad you agree you're psychic" Jimin tried to say something, but Taehyung didn't let him. "Shut up and listen. If it's the past, there must be some type of connection with Jungkook and the day your dad passed away."

"I'm not psychic! But if we even dare to consider this possibility..even slightly...how is Jungkook connected with the worst day of my life."

"Lol. Sounds too deep when you say it like that. Not sure. I can do a little research cause you're my bestest friend."

"Thanks for believing me when I'm not sure if I believe myself." Jimin exhaled sharply.

"Always for my soulmate. Listen, don't stress about it."

"Yeah.."

"Ya, look. It's freaking 4 in the morning. I have so much work to do (sleep). Bye, Chim!"

"I hate him.." Jimin mumbled, shaking his head and hung up. How could he sleep after that? How do I know it was a real vision? Impossible. I'm not psychic or anything.

Do I tell Jungkook about it?

☽ ☯ ☾

Only one day later, both of them organized a date at Jungkook's so the younger could cook a meal for Jimin, as he promised.

"So you two are back together?" Jungkook asked, trying to sound casual while mixing vegetables in the pan and Jimin was half-sitting,half-laying on a surprisingly comfortable sofa.

"Not really. We just decided to be friends, you know...she also asked if we still have a chance." he shook his glass of wine and took a sip, staring at Jungkook by habit.

"And what did you answer?" The tall, brunette was walking on shells, trying to get more information out of Jimin without being obvious.

"Does it matter?" Jimin chuckled. "You look good when cooking. Your girlfriend is lucky." he brushed his hair backward.

"Yeah, but I cook for you, right," Jungkook didn't mean to say it, so to mask an insecurity that tried to come to the surface, he smirked slightly.

"Aish..you little disrespectful dongsaeng.Stop flirting with me, lol." Jimin made a sound, something between giggle, which indicated shyness, and chuckle - indicating a joking vibe going on. Jungkook was conflicted which one he preferred. He tried to hide whatever he was feeling for his hyung, at the same time he was desperate to be acknowledged in a different light. And especially he hated that his ex-girlfriend got back in the picture.

Wait. What about my girlfriend?

"How is your love life going. We always talk about me." Jimin went to the other and leaned onto the fridge, facing Kook.

Are you reading my thoughts?

"Because I like to listen to your voice,hyung." Jungkook didn't lie, tho.

"Don't avoid the questing, Jeon Jungkook. I know what you're doing here."

"Trust me you have no idea." that's suspicious, Jimin thought but shrugged it off quickly and continued to demand the younger speak.

"C'mon. How long have you dated..."

"Seun Bi. A year...I think. Not sure, honestly." Jimin scoffed at how reckless Jungkook was.

"Lol, the worst boyfriend. You really don't remember?"

"I'm not good with dates."

Jimin noticed how young Jungkook looked when he smiled. Just like a kid-innocent and cute. He admitted to himself that since they became friends, Jimin is much happier and his heart is lighter than before.

Jimin's eyes trailed down on Jungkook's hands when something captured his attention. No fucking way. You must be kidding me. A leather bracelet.

"Hyung, you okay? Are you hungry already?" Jungkook asked cause he noticed his hyung spacing out while staring at the food.

"Since when do you have this bracelet?"

"Random,but...I've had it for a long time. I think it's a gift. Why? You like it..?"

"Yeah. It's cool." Jimin couldn't cover his troubled facial expression.

"Hyung, what's up? You can tell me anything."

"Nothing's up."

"You cannot lie to me." Jungkook turned off the hob plate and turned his whole body in Jimin's direction."Tell me."

"It's crazy.." Jmin scratched his neck, feeling uncomfortable cause he didn't want to sound absurd.

"Tell me." subconsciously, Jungkook stepped a little closer, keeping his head lowered, acting shy and something in Jimin flattered. His heart? The butterflies in his stomach, he was trying to deny? Or he was being ridiculous and everything was in his sick imagination.

All of a sudden, Jungkook shot a look at Jimin, concerned with his own actions and quickly backed away. They both couldn't maintain the eye-contact and it was pretty awkward, so Jimin decided to fix things.

"Do you believe in psychic abilities or something like that."

"Well...I believe the human's mind has a huge potential of skills that mankind hasn't yet unlocked because we're suppressing them with the environment we've created for ourselves."

"Where did that come from?"

"Heh. I told you I'm smart."

"I know that you're smart..."

"So? What's your point?"

"You're not gonna believe me"

"Try me."

Then Jimin slowly started to explain about his experience, a little bit hesitant, although Jungkook was continually nodding, to reassure Jimin that he's interested and to make him keep going with his story.

While talking and searching for a glimpse of faith in Jungkook's face, the blond was surprised to see how the younger's eyes were growing bigger and bigger, as if every single word that came out of Jimin's mouth was pure truth.

"Hyung!OH, MY GOD!" Jungkook grabbed his shoulder and shook his body, like a little kid messing around. Jimin didn't know why he was blushing. "You just described my vacation to New York. Jimin, I really was there, on the balcony, talking to my mom, wearing that stupid bracelet because Namjoon hyung bought it for me."

"You..believe me..?"

"Yes! Namjoon was sleeping like a pig and there's no way someone told you this so you can prank me. It really happened.Lol.I remember this store with weird souvenirs and hyung grabbed this bracelet, bought it and gave it to me because he never got to give me a birthday present. " Jimin wasn't sure why the other was smiling while describing the conformation Jimin needed. He even forgot to get excited about the fact that he really had a vision.

"Why are you so happy. That I am a weirdo who...I don't even know what I did."

"I'm just so happy you shared this with me. It means you trust me. And I'm happy that your first psychic...thing...was having a vision of me." Jungkook grinned, smugly and puffed out his chest a little.

"Yah!" Jimin threw a playful fist, hitting his arm. "Honestly, though. You're not lying to me to make me feel better, right. "

"Of course, I'm not! I'm just as amazed as you."
They were just sitting, quietly, both thinking probably about the same thing, only different thoughts.

"You're smoking," Jimin said.

"How did you--I yeah. You saw that, too." the elder nodded."I do, when I'm stressed out."

"It's bad for your health." Jimin was speaking so softly Jungkook melted. Noone has ever told him to quit. Noone has ever cared about his health. But of course, Jimin proved once again he's different. No matter how bad Jungkook wished that was not the case, he was special.

Fuck, I want to do something that I shouldn't be doing!No!Don't!

Kook tried so hard to restrain himself, but he couldn't. He slowly closed the space between them. Jimin didn't flinch away or asked him to stop. No. They both stayed still, looking at each other's eyes. As if every secret was revealing itself and a moment so intimate was not meant for words.

I want to hold him. I want to kiss him, damn it.

PARK Jimin, leave! Jungkook is dangerous! Just get out of here.

But his legs didn't listen to his brain. Now his heart was in control. And it was pumping blood like crazy.

One step closer. It was Jungkook again. He didn't care that Jimin was frozen. At least he wasn't pushing him away.

And then, at this very precise second, when Jungkook was ready to do something he's never imagined himself doing, the doorbell screamed. He closed his eyes, mentally yelling "FUCK YOU, WHOEVER YOU ARE!"

"Jungkook-ah.." Jimin pointed at the door.

"I know." Jungkook turned on his heels and walked to open it. And then an unpleasant figure smiled at him.

"Hey, babe. You look so grumpy. " Seun Bi, without even waiting for his permission went inside. "Thank god, that I'm here to cheer you up a lii--ttlllee..Who is that?" she was dumbfounded when she saw Jimin, awkwardly standing in the middle of the room.

"My friend. We were having dinner. Seun Bi, that's Jimin hyung. Hyung, my annoying girlfriend."

"Ya, how can you introduce me like that." she scolded him and turned to Jimin with a big, bright, fake, beautiful smile. "I'm Seun Bi. His lovely girlfriend that he mistreats most of the time but I know how to handle this big baby." she clung onto Jungkook was look at Jimin with annoyed and apologetic expression.

"Why are you here?"

"Wae..You're so rude. I came to see you."

"You should've called."

"Usually, even with your friends, you don't make a fuss about it. Why now?" she knew something's fishy. And she didn't admire this Jimin hyung anyhow. "Oppa, do you want me to go? I will if you wanna spend, you know, bro time together." Seun Bi emphasized the word bro way too much for Jungkook's liking. Or Jimin's liking, even.

Cause both of them knew whatever they were building up as a relationship, wasn't between two bros. It was something way more intimate than friendship, yet not romantic. Or at least they didn't want to admit the many possibilities.

"I think I will leave you, guys. Thanks for the dinner, Jungkook." Jimin headed towards the chair to get his jacket and wallet.

Jungkook?Not Jungkook-ah or Kookie. The younger got really angry this time, however, he shouldn't show it.

"Hyung, don't." he tried to ignore the girl that wrapped around him like a snake. "We didn't even eat. I really wanted you to taste the food. And it's early."

Seun Bi furrowed her eyebrows. Why is Jungkook trying so hard to keep his friend with them, when they could be making out already.

Jimin wasn't listening to a word Jungkook was saying. He just wanted leave as fast as he could, cause the situation was getting too awkward to handle.

"Babe, let him go. Maybe he's busy. Right,oppa. My Jungkookie is so silly sometimes."

If Jimin could shoot bullets with his eyes, Seun Be would be probably dead by now. How could she call him silly? Jungkook was one of the smartest people Jimin has met. If not the smartest.
Jungkook noticed how Jimin was glaring at his girlfriend as if to kill her and nobody's ever resonated with him on a soul level like now.

"No!" he pushed her away, trying to be as gently as possible but his blood was boiling. "Jimin,you're staying!" Jungkook grabbed Jimin's things from his hands and put them back on the chair. "You come with me. Now!" then pulled Seun Bi by her arm and they went into his bedroom.

"Ya!WHy are acting like this? I don't deserve to be treated like this!"

"Right. You derve to throw you out of my apartment."

"Why are you getting rilled up because of one of your stupid friends. You never complain when I pay a visit. You always ignore me until they leave."

"Just because I don't say anything, doesn't mean I want you here. If I did I would've asked you to move in with me or at least give you a key. This is my personal and private space and you're not allowed whenever you feel like coming."

"I can't believe you're saying this because of this Jimin."

"This Jimin is much more educated and understanding than you. He wouldn't do what you did just now. You literally told him "Ah, yeah, you can go!" Like...what?!He is my guest. You're not the one who decided when to kick him out."

"Yes, he is smarter and knew that when your girlfriend is here, he's not supposed to be. You didn't let him go when he wanted."

"He felt awkward because of YOU!"

"I feel like he's your girlfriend and I'm the random dude."

"Don't insult Jimin. He's not a random dude, neither you are my girlfriend. Fucking leave!"

"Fuck you, Jungkook!" she slapped his face and was on her way out when she saw that Jimin wasn't there."Your precious friend is gone."

When he heard that Jungkook quickly recovered from the slap, not caring if half of his face was red. He rushed back to the evening room and Jimin really was gone.

Jimin was hugging himself in his warm coat. His breath turned into smoke because it was really cold outside. He felt terrible for being the reason why Jungkook and his girlfriend fought. And obviously, when you hear a couple yelling at each other, you just gotta leave. It was the right thing to do.
"Jimin,you're staying!"
He wondered why Jungkook protected him and wanted him to stay. Maybe he was just kind and didn't want to kick him out. Or maybe (hopefully) he didn't want his girlfriend with them.

His phone rang. It was Jungkook.

I shouldn't pick up.

But Jungkook didn't stop dialing Jimin's number until the other answered.

"Yes?"

"Where are you? I told you to stay." he sounded offended.

"It's fine. Have fun with your girl." the elder tried to force a laugh.

"No. I told her to go. Where are you? I will come and get you."

"Why did you tell her that? Call her and apologize, Jungkook!"

"I don't want to!" he sounded like a little, angry kid and Jimin thought it's too cute for his heart to handle.

"Hyung,I can see you." Jimin panicked. He wanted to go home and sleep, so his brain would stop overanalyzing everything that happened till now."Jiminie hyung!" Jungkook waved from the other end of the street and ran towards Jimin.

"Why did you.."

"It's so cold. Let's go home."

Jimin tried really hard to ignore how Jungkook said 'home' as if they shared his apartment. Or how his eyes were glistering, random lights reflected in them. And how his cheeks were rosy and his lips were so red and puffy.And how his hair was a little messy as always, but beautifully fell down just right. And mostly, he tried to ignore how cozy Jungkook looked in his jacket, he wanted to hug him. The taller boy looked genuinely happy in Jimin's presence, nevertheless, he would deny what he saw not with his eyes, but with his heart, and he would just say it's his imagination.

They were sitting on a big table, placed where the kitchen space was and ate silently. Even in those moments, they were not self-conscious. Both felt weirdly too comfortable for it to be normal.

"I'm sorry," Jimin whispered, looking down at his plate.

"Don't be. She was a bothersome bitch anyway."

"How can you talk about her like that?" he finally was able to look at Jungkook and nowhere else.

"She legitly told you to leave. And she can't just come and go whenever she wants. So I broke up with her." the younger was playing with food, separating peas from carrots and rice from shrimps.

"Why?!" Jimin asked, curious and a little angry. Why would Jungkook do this? Because of him?

"She insulted you!" they were now yelling at each other. And yes, Jimin was right. Jungkook did break up with Seun Bi because of him.

"She didn't" Jimin didn't remember direct insult, although he agreed that she was really arrogant.

"When we were alone she called you a random dude and you're definitely not that to me. You're much more!" Jungkook shouted and slammed his fork on the table.

"What exactly? We know each other only for less than three months. How can you say I mean something 'much more' to you and break up with your girlfriend." Jimin laughed bitterly. Wrong decision. The taller left the table walking around a bit, before continuing their fight.

"Because it's like I've known you forever.My whole life. And if past lives existed, I bet I knew you then, too. "

"There are many things you don't know about me, Jungkook." now Jimin was also standing up with both hands on the table.

"Yes, I don't know-I can feel it." Jungkook gestured against his chest."I feel how you feel and it's weird and it sounds crazy, but I do!" he kept doing things with his hands. A habit of his since a young age. When he was passionate about a subject he was telling, he would always do that. "And it's crazy how you trigger me to act the way I've always wanted but never dared to. It's crazy that for that small period of time you became too fucking special."

"What..?" Jimin couldn't believe his ears.

"I guess I'm the only one who wants this."

"And what do you want? You can't say a bunch of sentimental things and expect me to act okay about it. It's not okay."

"Which part?That you're special to me, or that you're afraid to admit I'm special too.Afraid to get attached to something or someone that makes you happy, because you might lose it. It's just stupid!" no one named the reason why they were fighting, though both of them knew- their feelings for each other.

"It's not stupid. Yes, you make me happy. Too happy. How is this normal? I barely know you. And you're a guy!" Jimin finally said it. Finally, let it out. Jungkook was a boy. That's why whatever he felt for him was wrong. That's why he was afraid. That's why he was so furious with himself.

"So that's it. Just because we're the same gender. Well, I didn't choose to be born with a dick, I'm sorry!"

"I'm not gay Jungkook, the hell!" to Jimin it was more like he said to himself and not Jungkook.

"Neither I am! But I still feel the way I feel. There's nothing I can do about it. I would understand if you hate me now and don't want to be friends anymore. I still wouldn't change."

"I also feel things." the shorter whispered.

"Well, great. Just keep feeling them, then." Jungkook wanted to walk away. Maybe go and lock himself in his bedroom.

"No!" Jimin rushed to him and grabbed his wrist with both hands, eyes sparkling with tears. "I can't deal with this alone."

"You're not..alone.I am here. I'm going through the same thing." Jungkook's voice became soft again and he pulled Jimin into a hug. They stayed like this for awhile. Confused about how to approach the situation, now when they confessed in the most ridiculous way, Jungkook just wanted to hold his hyung forever. And Jimin remembered the warmth he felt when he had that vision.

I knew it's familiar. Maybe we've really known each other for eternity.

"Stay. You can sleep on my bed, I will use the couch."

"No. I will use the couch."

Two things the younger noticed. Jimin didn't refuse to stay the night. And also, he is not a girl. Jungkook better stops acting like he's one.

"Okay."

Chapter Text

After a long night of pretending to watch movies, while stealing glances at each other, and having their shoulders pressed together, pretending their skin wasn't catching fire, Jimin and Jungkook went to sleep.

Jimin didn't want to overstay his welcome so he set up his alarm for 6 am and up with the birds he was. Fortunately, Jungkook was a heavy sleeper and didn't even notice how Jimin slipped out of his apartment. 

The blond probably looked like he fucked or got fucked, because his hair was everywhere and he didn't have a hat or a hood. He had to try and tame only with his hand, for using jUngkook's com was too intimate despite feeling this strong, intense connection. They were...strangers, after all. Could they even call each other friends after they hung out a couple of times? They pretended they were close because it felt like it, but were they truly? Was Jimin actually worth breaking up with a girlfriend over? Because it seemed like Jungkook did not give a flying fuck about Seun Bi-, Seul Gi- or whatever her damn name was. He could tell his cheeks were probably flushed red by simply thinking about her and how she held onto Jungkook as if she owned him. Even if they dated, you don't own your partner. Or maybe Jimin was simply jealous and it was normal for her to feel entitled to her boyfriend's attention.

Dated? Past tense. 

It dawned on Jimin that ever since he and the younger met, they both became miraculously single. It seemed that everything was working out in their favour like obstacles were removed for them to explore this bond.

Jimin gripped his hair in frustration, trying to distract himself with pain. What if Jungkook was using him? What if he was bi-curious and Jimin was...well, available and an experiment? What if he just needed an excuse to break up with the girl?

Jimin hated himself for assuming the worst of Jungkook who had been nothing but kind, funny, and one quite frankly of the coolest people he has ever met. Of course, Kim Taehyung would never, ever allow any other guy to snatch the title "coolest person" away from him when it came to Jimin's ranking. Best friends came before girls. Or guys at this point, Jimin wasn't sure.

His phone vibrated and something told him who it would be from.

6:33
Kook: hyung, you left without having breakfast or coffee?!
Kook: you make me feel like a bad host...you owe me a breakfast date hyung!

Jimin caressed the word on the screen. Date...But they weren't dating, were they? Just because they admitted they felt something for each other, they never specified what they wanted out of the relationship. It was open and flexible and Jimin was absolutely and completely out of control of it. He hated this. He was smart. He knew how to tilt the axis of any relationship, platonic, romantic or business in whichever direction he wished. However, Jungkook came out of nowhere and shattered everything he believed himself. 

6:35
Sorry, I have a lot of things to do today
was in a hurry.

6:37
Kook: u are forgiven if you hang out with me tonight
i will help you relieve the stress from work

Jimin blushed immensely at the text, because maybe he was imagining, maybe he was still sleepy, but Jungkook always made things sound too flirty for the older to ignore. The sexual connotation was something that didn't evade Jimin. 

6:38
Actually, I'll be busy till late. Some other time, 'kay

6:38
Kook: :(
Kook: Okay, but that's a deal, hyung!

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin had been ignoring Jungkook the whole week after their sleepover. That didn't sit well with the younger. Not one bit. Jungkook had been taking photos left and right, looking for inspiration. "The heartbeat of Seoul" was the title of the exhibition in the States he was preparing material for. But Jungkook's heartbeat whispered only one name and said name hadn't messaged him first for 7 days. Not a business week. The entire seven days. 

"Jungkook-ah, I know you don't need to hear this, but it doesn't matter how much you edit a photograph that is just lacking. I am saying this as your biggest fan. We are not sending those to Mr. Yang." With a hand clasped on his shoulder, Namjoon was hovering above Jungkook's computer screen, watching his trying to create something out of the miserable shots he had taken.

"I know, hyung." Jungkook rubbed his face with his palms, but his brain was not functioning right. He needed to hear from Jimin, to see him. But he felt like he was only pushing for a connection where it was not mutual. Jungkook had never been like this. He had never been rejected since high school, and he never cared enough to chase someone, let alone be ignored. Did Jimin ghost him? No. Jimin was not like that. He was...good. Right? JUngkook was so sure of Jimin's inherent goodness despite just having met the guy.

"Listen. You can decline the job. Your portfolio for the year is good enough, I know your projects, and you've made enough money. If it's not about the money, just drop it. You've been so out of it lately, I think you've burned yourself out. Creatively, especially." 

"No!" Jungkook had money. Thanks to Namjoon he always got the best offers, often working for international and local magazines which paid pretty good. He just loved his craft. And he hated losing or giving up.

Namjoon crossed his arms, his checkered vest outlining his biceps. The older was clearly sticking to his workout. Maybe Jungkook needed to go to the gym, too. Was Jimin into bulkier, taller guys? Never ever had Jungkook thought he'd consider if his appearance was good enough for a guy. Women fell at his feet effortlessly. Because he was an introvert they thought he was mysterious, and since he was an artist, they idealized him and fantasized about becoming his muses. He had no problems getting pretty girls. But guys? He's never tried so how could he know?

"Hyung, do you think I'm attractive?" Namjoon choked on air at the abrupt question.

"Sure, you are. But it's a bit weird you're asking."

"I mean...Hypothetically-"

"Hypothetically?"

"Hypothetically, if you were into guys...would you be interested in me? Just by looks?"

Namjoon looked at him intensely, up and down, from head to toe and back, and burst in loud, uncontrollable laughter.

"Jungkook-ah! You need a vacation, man."

"Aish, hyung!" Jungkook turned in his spinning chair and slapped Namjoon's hip a couple of times, with child-like frustrated groans. The other who was standing and leaning against the wall just folded in two, still laughing at his dongsaeng. "I am serious!"

"Aren't you greedy, Jungkook-ah? You want to snatch all the girls and the guys for yourself. Leave some for the rest of us. I can't bring you anywhere if I intend on finding a girlfriend, but now if you're playing on both fronts."

"I am not playing on both fronts, hyung! Just on one. Jimin's." Namjoon went still, his mouth hanging.

"I can't believe it. You and Park Jimin."

"You say it like I've murdered someone."

"But he had a girl-...You have a girlfr-...Wait! What?!"

"Didn't see it coming, huh?" Jungkook felt smug for some reason.

"I am sorry if this offends you but you are the straightest guy I know."

"I don't care about my sexuality, actually. Or what it looks like to you or people. I just know that I like Jimin. As more than a friend. The rest of what I feel for him, I am still figuring out. I am sure he is too."

"Wait, he knows?" Jungkook nodded. "And you wonder if he finds you attractive? Because you don't think you are objectively super attractive?" Now Namjoon was getting sarcastic and Jungkook knew they were earning the end of this conversation. For a guy like Namjoon answers were so obvious he didn't even bother explaining or answering.

"He's been ignoring my messages and calls after we had a sleepover at mine...and I broke up with Seul Bi the same night."

"He knows you like him and he still stayed over? But now he's ignoring you?" Jungkook nodded once again, biting nervously at his lower lip, eyes wide open, waiting for some clarity from someone he respected. "He needs space to process this. Not everyone handles a sexuality 180 so gracefully as you, Jungkook. You may not care, but what if he does? What if he's scared shitless. This is not the States, Kook. It's fucking Seoul, with fucking homophobia still prevalent."

Jungkook hadn't thought about it this way. Because in his mind he just liked Jimin. Just him. And nothing else mattered.

Namjoon was right. Jungkook had to chill and let things happen naturally. Jimin would come to him when he is ready.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin knew it was petty to do it, but he'd been out of his mind lately anyway. Which is why he had been ignoring Jungkook for two weeks now. Perhaps his brain was playing tricks on him, as it liked to do when it came to the younger brunette, but Jimin would regularly smell cigarettes in his apartment. He'd open all the windows and ventilate thoroughly the place, but the smell was up in his nose, he could taste it on his tongue. And then he'd taste them when he was outside, too. 

So Jimin had to do it. He had to trick himself into liking someone else, or something else exciting to occupy his mind. Thus why he was in front of Hoseok's dance studio with a cardboard box with iced americano and a cappuccino for himself.

It's not like he didn't want to see him after so many years and the reunion recently. Where he met Jungkook... NO! Focus on other things. Jimin might have tried to hide it from himself, but looking back now, years ago he totally had a crush on Hoseok. Maybe that was enough to distract himself.

With shaking hands, he rang the bell and a cheerful voice, awaiting him opened the door. Jimin climbed one set of stairs and entered a brightly lit place, where every wall was covered in mirrors. The blond had forgotten what it was like to get a clear idea of what you look like from multiple angles.

"Jiminie! I am so glad you came."

"Where is everyone, hyung? "

"I told them they could skip classes today because I needed the studio for myself. I didn't want to scare you with a bunch of teenagers probably flirting with you and asking for your number. Our charming Jiminie."

"That's not true, hyung." Jimin denied the sheer possibility, offering Hoseok his ice americano in a silent gesture.

"Is true! I've shown them one of our choreographies and they said you looked like a graceful swan. Some wanted your number. But at the time, I didn't have it either."

"Now you do." Jimin smiled. "The place is beautiful, I love what you've done here."

"Just a normal studio. It's the teacher who matters." Hoseok patted his chest playfully. "Listen, I wanted you to see the studio. But we can go for a walk. Let's not stay inside when it's so sunny today."

"It's still freaking cold."

"I'll keep you warm, Jiminiee~" The older had that glint in his eye, playful and somehow intentional. Once, Jimin had blushed at such words coming from Hoseok. Or he'd even dare to tease back. Now, the hairs on his neck rose. He wasn't sure if that was the same reaction.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook was totally not losing it. Jungkook was totally fine. He was for sure not depressed and not drowning in smoke and the ends of his cigarettes spilling out of the ashtray on his kitchen table. Two weeks. For two weeks he's been having dreams of scribbles on paper, laptop's keyboard and words being deleted and written again and again. He must miss Jimin so much he is dreaming of being a writer like him.

Two weeks were apparently his limit because he was dialling Jimin's number.

☽ ☯ ☾

The two boys were taking a stroll by Han River, Hoseok wore a cute, fluffy bucket hat, and Jimin wore a barette. Their styles used to be similar before Jimin focused on his academic life and turned out as a writer. Their conversation was focused on reminiscing the past, returning to old inside jokes, but also asking each other about their current lifestyles.

Suddenly, Jimin's stomach grumbled annoyingly, to the point where he couldn't focus on what his hyung was even saying.

"Hyung I will go get a snack. You can sit here if you-" Jimin's phone rang and he picked up without even thinking, cause he kind of expected his publishing agent to call him with updates on the book cover artist. "Yes!"

"Jimin..." Jungkook's voice was like a bucket of cold water splashed on his face. The one person he was literally on a mission to forget right fucking now.

"Jungkook?" Jimin let the name slip his tongue. Hoseok smiled, hearing his dongsaeng's name.

"Oh! Jungkook-ah!" The older greeted loudly afar from the phone's mic but the silence on the other side of the line made Jimin understand Jungkook had heard him. And now Jimin panicked because.. what would the younger assume?! Well, if he assumed the worst, he wouldn't be wrong, that's for sure.

"Jungkook, what is it?"

"Nothing important enough. Sorry." And just like that he hung up.

Chapter Text

Tossing and turning in his bed, sweat drenching his face and body, was something that used to happen a long time ago, when Jungkook was in high school and he woke up from panic attacks. But he liked to believe he healed from this mental condition, too ashamed to admit he ever suffered from it. He did all the guided meditations in the world and tons of breathing exercises. 

But it fully healed when he graduated and became a freelance photographer. The path gave him a purpose for his otherwise meaningless life. Then he met Namjoon and introduced him to Yoongi. The three of them started hanging out and Jungkook grew more confident, and happier. He started to feel like he was finding himself. Found some cool friends in the art fields, thanks to his two hyungs. Had girls at his feet, had fun with some and eventually decided to get into a relationship with Seul Bi. He finally felt normal. Except he wasn't. A gaping hole lived inside him and Jungkook did everything to fill it up. Traveled with Namjoon, travelled alone, tried to be an extrovert and struggled, but he did everything a normal person in his early 20s would do.

 Yet, he never realized how empty he was until he met Jimin and his life gained such contrast. The black and the white, the empty heart and the swelling with emotions one become so distinct now.

Jimin brought light, colour and saturation to his grayscale image of life. For less than a month, a week or maybe two, Jungkook had lost count, of having Jimin in his life, the settings and the colour palette were fine-tuned and fixed. Every moment when he focused on the blond - that day at the fountain, when he saw him sitting next to his friends at the bar, the morning he woke up next to him, that night on the couch when he was about to kiss him - all were crystal clear images. HD quality like no camera lens could ever reproduce.

Jimin was the unattainable image that Jungkook's heart had captured but it's like his eyes had seen the true beauty, yet the camera he was holding could do no justice. Which was why the empty whole inside him was now a ravenous black monster, making Jungkook's body and soul burn.

"Oh! Jungkook-ah!"

Hoseok's voice...Jimin and Hoseok. He had to notice, he had to trust his gut that there was something between them. But he was so intrigued by Jimin that he had no time to scan the competition. He didn't even know how wanted to compete for Jimin's attention. He thought he found a new interesting friend. But, Gods, was he wrong? 

Jungkook got up and went to the balcony, gasping for air, as his hands clutched his neck, grabbed onto his chest, trying to open his airways.

Maybe he was catching an actual cold and his irrational stupid heart made him believe he was lovesick. Maybe he was burning because of that.

Why do I have to be alone in this? Why am I alone again..? 

His warm tears spilt and fell into his mouth, making him choke, as his nose too got stuffed. Great. If you're suffocating, cry! It will definitely make breathing easier.

Jungkook went and took the coldest shower he had ever taken. In the mids of his body calming and the burning heat subsiding, he could swear he heard a humming voice. Jungkook was almost certain his apartment was not haunted and there were no creepy girls with slick black hair crawling from his bathroom at night. But the humming was a voice he recognized. And soon a gentle touch as if brushed through his brown locks, massaging his scalp ever so subtly.

He imagined Jimin was singing him an unknown lullaby somewhere far in his mind.

You're gonna be okay. Jimin whispered to him, or Jungkook liked to believe.

☽ ☯ ☾

"Mr. Jeon, I am really glad you scheduled your appointment but it seems you didn't want to share much, and now you're rushing me to prescribe you pills that I only do when I evaluate the patient needs them. In your situation, I don't think it's the right thing to do."

"But, it worked before. My life improved and you know my story. I just think I am relapsing into a depressive episode. Maybe it's the winter, maybe my career is suffering a bit, but I think the pills can help me."

"We have to work at the core issue, not just treat the symptom." His old therapist said and Jungkook's shoulder slouched in surrender. He grabbed his jacket and his camera bag and with a dismissive bow, left before the woman could say anything.

Okay, then. Let me choke to death. Stupid therapy. Stupid mental health.

As he was passing by shops, food stands and strangers in the streets, Jungkook was stopped in his tracks when he saw...Jimin. And he wasn't alone. Jimin and Hoseok happily walked into a coffee shop. Jungkook was about to turn in the opposite direction, despite intending to go to one of his favourite art supply shops and get himself some charcoal and a sketchbook. But he did none of these things. Suddenly Jungkook was thirsty for coffee, or maybe one of the strawberry smoothies JImin had recommended once.

Jungkook was not running away from his fear. The core of the issue. He clicked his tongue in disbelief, walking determinately toward the cafe. Jimin was the core of the issue and Jungkook was working on it. Starting today. Right now.

The moment he pushed the door and went in, his eyes locked on Jimin who was already at a table, while Hoseok was waiting in line.

Jungkook was not that type of guy. He might have played around with girls' hearts at some point, but they were playing, too. On top of that, he was never rude, or rough. But Jimin wasn't a girl and Jungkook had to drill this inside his head. Because why did he have to be the gentleman? Jimin was a guy and Jungkook was out of his mind pissed. Suddenly, all the sadness and depression, all the emptiness, it's like all that turned on its head and transformed into anger.

He went straight to Jimin and placed both hands on the table, to which the other only shifted his eye up to face Jungkook.

"We need to talk." A simple sentence that now sounded more like a command from the younger's mouth.

"What are you doing here? How did you-" Jimin was speechless, hands hidden under the table and on his lap. Jungkook was willing to grab his arm or wrist if he had to drag him out of this gods-damned cafe.

People were starring and Jungkook couldn't care less.

"Come with me outside, please. Or I will drag you if that's what you want."

"Jungkook, what are you saying? This is not like you?"

"You don't know me well enough to say." Well, that probably hurt, Jungkook hoped it did. Because it'd mean Jimin cared.

"You come out of nowhere and threaten me? I think I have reasons to refuse you, don't you think."

"You've been doing just that. Refusing to talk to me. Ghosted me for 2 weeks!" Jungkok gestured the number with his fingers. Girls sitting at a table nearby started to whisper, as well some other customers. Jimin was feeling suffocated already, but Jungkook continued. "I waited, I thought you needed space but I don't believe it anymore. We need to talk. I need answers." Jungkook's head dropped, desperate. "Please," he begged without looking at the older boy in front of him. He was ashamed and angry and needed answers or he was going to go crazy.

"What's going on here?" Hoseok's voice was lower than usual, with a stern expression. Jimin just got up, realizing they were making a scene and everyone was staring. He wanted to hide. He hated Jungkook for drawing so much attention to them, to him. They sure seemed like a couple fighting. And this was just wrong. For an introvert, Jungkook was doing a great job at putting himself in the spotlight, while dragging Jimin along.

"It's nothing, hyung. Me and Jugnkook have something to discuss. We'll talk outside. Please wait here for me."

"You sure?"

"He's a grown-up man. He doesn't need you to protect him." Jungkook was weirdly pissing Jimin off and at the same time making him feel confident and proud. Jimin shook his head slightly.

"It's okay Hobi hyung. I'll be back in a minute."

Jungkook had let go of the table's edges and was now walking out, leading Jimin.

"It may take longer." He threw behind his shoulder to either Jimin or Hoseok. Or both.

Jimin felt his body tense under the younger's gaze, and this tone that he'd never heard before. A jolt shot through Jimin's spine when Jungkook reached behind him and found Jimin's wrist pulling him out of sight through the cafe's windows.

Jimin snatched his wrist back, rubbing it with his other hand. not because it hurt, but because it felt like Jungkook imprinted on his skin with a touch that set his skin aflame. If bodies could be conduits for electricity, was it possible Jungkook carried his own charge? Because Jimin for sure felt it.

"What do you want?!" Jimin hissed through his teeth. 

"Why?"Jungkook looked genuinely confused. "Did I do anything? Did I say anything? Why after you told me you feel this bond, too, you decided to stop talking to me?"

Jimin looked away. How could he even be honest when he couldn't find the answers for his own miserable self? He didn't know. But that for sure was not going to satisfy the brunette.

"I just needed space to figure myself out."

"Well...Did you? Because it sure seems like you did, after you're hanging out with him."

"Hobi is a good friend of mine, Jungkook. I've known him for much longer than I've known you." Jungkook laughed mockingly looking at the sidewalk, before lifting an eyebrow, returning his dark gaze to Jimin. If looks could burn...

"Are you kidding?! I know exactly what is going on here. When we got drunk, when you got drunk, I thought it was just him after you. But now I see you're suddenly interested, too. Are you going to ghost him, too, once he confesses? Is that it? You want guys to profess their love to you?"

Jimin finally had enough. He slammed his hands into Jungkook's chest, pushing him, the younger losing balance and stumbling backwards. But he didn't fall. Jimin wished he did. He wanted - no - needed to hurt Jungkook, to push him away. Because what right did Jungkook have to investigate Jimin's heart, his soul? What right did he have to try to unravel him?!

"Hit me, hyung! Punch me! Be a man and do it!"

"You know absolutely nothing about me. I was a fool to think you did."

"Me, too. I was a fool to think you were simply afraid and this was difficult for you. I was a fool to assume you had good intentions but you were just confused. I was a fool to think you were...different from anyone I've ever met." The last part Jungkook whispered, as if only for himself to hear. But it reached Jimin nevertheless.

"We just met less than a month ago and you're acting so entitled, like you own me or something. You were so fucking pushy, texting and calling. I have a life and I need my space. And you invaded it. You crossed the line, Jungkook." Jimin knew he was lying, but he needed an excuse. He needed to turn this argument around and put the blame on Jungkook. Otherwise, the monsters in his head were going to swallow him whole.

"The line was non-existent and you know it. From the day you saw me sunken in that stupid fountain, and you with your stupid ass on the ground, there was no line between us. But you've worked so hard to create one, hyung. Congratulations! It's not just a line now. It's a whole fucking dam. "

Jungkook wasn't sure what he expected. Of course, Jimin would get angry when he had this attitude. But secretly he hoped that Jimin would feel sorry, and guilty, and would apologize. Would face his fears, like Jungkook was willing to do. It appeared that Jimin wasn't afraid of being with a man, after all. He just didn't want to be with Jungkook. It was the harsh reality that Jungkook just didn't want to accept. 

He gritted his teeth, shoved his hands in his pockets and went straight to the art supply store. He needed an outlet, and even though he didn't want to admit it, even cigarettes weren't doing it for him anymore.

Chapter Text

Lately, Jimin hung out with Tae more than usual. A lot more. He couldn't bear being alone. He even started hanging out with Hoseok regularly, and his passion for dancing was revived. He was willing to do anything to escape the thought of Jungkook and the engraved image of his dark eyes piercing through him that day on the street.

One night, Jiming woke up from the strangest dream he had ever had.

He was sitting by a river when his shoe dropped into the water, and the flow took it away. He was about to chase it when someone held him back. A figure he couldn't recognize smiled and asked him where he was going.
"My red thread is lost. I have to catch it." Jimin replied, although remembering his dream he had no idea what he meant by that. 
"You can't lose it. Look." The figure pointed to his hand and around his pinky figure a red string that was probably meters long was wrapped. It lay on the ground behind Jimin and when he turned he traced it with his eyes, the thread disappearing in the forest's darkness.

When he told Taehyung, his best friend was determined Jimin was having a psychic awakening. So Taehyung did the only rational thing one could do and scheduled an appointment with a fortune teller. He had found her number from a friend, who knew a friend, who knew a friend that had gone to her and was amazed by her skills. Apparently, she left the person with a sense of having come in contact with some magic energy.

Jimin got the shivers at the last comment, but he trusted Taehyung and couldn't refuse him.

So at 3:30 pm, he was dragged to the mysterious lady's building. She let them in the front door and told them to wait for her outside her apartment before she invited them in.

Taehyung was pacing back and forth, while JImin leaned against the wall, narrowing his eyes at his friend.

"Why are you so nervous? You make me nervous, too." Jimin whisper-scholded the taller boy who smiled awkwardly.

"I don't know. I am just excited. Do you remember what you need to ask her?"

"Of course I do," Jimin scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You're really not asking anything?"

"Nope. I don't want to know my future or anything like that. Also, we're here for you. What if my energy confuses her? Or she taps into channels about me...however, that works."

"I don't this -"

Suddenly the deep burgundy-red apartment's door swung open as a supposed client was leaving with a smile on his face. A short guy, around Jimin's height, but definitely older, somewhere in his early 30s. He bowed to the two friends and then the lady, who waved in return.

"Till next time, Jungkook-shi!" 

Jimin and Taehyung looked at each other with wild expressions as she said the name. If that wasn't uncanny enough, the lady's striking eyes that landed don't hem were. One eye was blue, the other pitch-black. Jimin wondered if she wore lenses to enhance her reputation and to make herself more believable.

"I was born like this. Unlike your dyed hair, boy. Now get in."

Jimin was about to open his mouth when Tae gave him a confused look but pulled him from where he was frozen in his spot. Jimin didn't feel safe in his head because apparently, the woman could read his thoughts.

The apartment was something else. With unique decorations, and books in all sorts of languages - English, French - Jimin recognized those. Some spines looked like the Greek alphabet and of course Japanese. The lady was not only gifted but smart. He noticed black shelves with different oriental objects - hand figurines with drawn symbols on them, an actual crystal ball, which Jimin thought she wouldn't have. But she did. So it wasn't a myth. He didn't get to roam his eyes around for too long, as she led them into her kitchen and poured tea.

"Sit. You can drink it or not. I won't be offended. Just saying, no one left my apartment poisoned - " she looked at Tae as she said that and he froze, grabbing Jimin's hand under the table, " - if that's what worries you, Taehyung-shi."

"You know my name?!" Taehyung blurted.

"Of course. You told me both of your names." The lady said cooly, her slick dark hair, put in a bun. She took a seat and sipped her tea. "Jimin, do you dance?"

"Aren't you supposed to know?" Jimin unwittingly lifted his chin a little higher, as he was sceptical despite all the weird coincidences so far.

"I know you are a dancer. I just wanted to see if you trust me. You clearly don't. I am not here to create a spectacle but to help. So let me tell you what I see around you." She closed her eyes for a moment and Jimin gulped, his palms sweating despite willing his body and mind to stay calm and collected. "I see a lot of things. But one by one. There is a bright glowing image of a fountain behind you. I see a lot of light, golden light surrounding it."

"Yes.." Jimin almost whispered, leaning in closer. The lady smiled, but it wasn't a smug smile. No, it was gentle and genuine.

"Give me your hand, Jimin-ah." He did and her hands were cold, as if even her body knew he needed to cool down. "That fountain was a cross of fates. I see you crossed paths with someone. The fountain could symbolize someone creative. You inspired each other after you met. It could also be a literal spot where you met."

Jimin's heart was beating so loud he was sure everyone could hear it. 

"It was a literal place," he confirmed.

"Jimin, you've been running away from this fate of yours. I see you dropping your shoes," the blonde sucked his breath at another accurate vision of hers. This lady was truly something else. "You're not running in the right direction. Which is why you're drowning in our own misery. You create this for yourself. I see a spirit trying to guide you, but you're not listening. It's a man. Tall, strong."

Taehyung gasped.

"Oh, he's saying he's your father. Is he really, because spirits can lie sometimes."

Jimin nodded, overwhelmed with emotions and worried if some demon that he didn't even believe existed minutes ago, was trying to deceive him. But his dad had been indeed tall and strong. A perfect example of a man. Something Jimin had admired as a teenager, struggling with his own body developing too slowly for his liking. It wasn't like his father held it against him. But Jimin did. He held himself against standards he was bound to fail no matter how hard he tried. Before he stopped trying altogether. 

"How would you recognize that it's really him?"

"Ask him what he gifted me for my graduation from high school."

After a while, the lady continued to keep her eyes closed. "Nothing. He says it was a trick question. "

"Mhm."

"He is also pointing at the fountain. He says he is connected to it and you will know how."

At first, Jimin was confused, but Taehyung squeezed his arm and suddenly Jimin started to connect dots, but it was happening almost somewhere in a far and distant corner of his mind. While at the front stood only raw emotions, confusion and clarity all entangled with each other.

"He mentions the fountain is where you should go and that he wants you to be happy no matter what people think. He comes in your dreams, but he can't talk directly from the other side. So he will speak in riddles." Now Jimin was crying because he did dream of a figure, tall, but indistinguishable. 

The lady tightened her grip on his hand, eyes still shut. "He is adamant on the fact that he loves you even if you can't love all parts of yourself. "

Taehyung's hand found itself at Jimin's back, going in soothing circles.

"Can I ask you something specific?" Jimin had to. He just had to know.

The lady finally opened her bi-coloured eyes, but this time they were teary and soft. Jimin melted in his seat. She nodded.

"This person I crossed paths with...Are they like my soulmate? Do soulmates even exist?"

"This one right here is your soulmate." She pointed her chin toward Taehyung who smiled brightly. "Anyone can be a soulmate. This other someone is something else. Imagine one soul that splits into two different bodies, searching for its' other half for eternity."

"Eternity?"

"Many lives. You think we live just once, boy?"

Jimin wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't a believer, per se. Reincarnation, and soulmates, were foreign concepts from the novels he used to read, avoided writing and finally started exploring through his craft. Jimin hated romance with a passion and devoured the genre in literature with just as much ferocity. He was most afraid of depending on someone else his entire life. To be someone's something...someone's anything. That was the most terrifying thing.

"Do I have to be with this person to be happy? Can't I choose? Am I not enough on my own?"

"In your case, I see that whatever you chose, there is this red thread that goes in circles, but always goes back to the fountain. In my vision, you always return to the fountain. I see you laying your shoes there. Settling down there. It feels like home there. Why run away from your happiness?"

That's right. Why run away?

☽ ☯ ☾

After the lady gave him a couple of messages about his career, too, which were also uncannily on point and specific, Jimin left his money on the table and they exited the apartment. 

He was in a heated conversation with Taehyung who was now certain he wanted to get a reading, too. Especially after Jimin confirmed everything she said was accurate.

"Maybe you should open up a tent and start reading people, too." Taehyung joked which made them both crack laughing.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook was at the gym with Namjoon who had convinced him that working out improved mental health and sparked up creativity. Exactly what he needed, because completely unlike himself, he was almost ready to give up on the project. He felt depleted on so many levels. He felt a buzzing sensation like he was about to float outside of his body at any moment. He's had that for a couple of days now. He thought that grounding himself back into his skin and bones would be helpful. Especially since he was losing track of time and the only thing he knew for sure was that he hadn't seen or talked to Jimin in more than a month.

The thing about gyms was that some people came to work themselves into different pant sizes, while others tried to get into yours. Jungkook did not appreciate some outrageously obvious looks from two girls and one guy. Jungkook just wanted to mind his own business pushing, lifting, and pulling the damn weights.

"Are you new?" One of the two girls came up to him after he finished his second set.

"Yeah."

"I know I would've noticed you. You have an amazing squatting position. Mind if you show me?"

"Actually, I have no idea what I'm doing. This guy over there taught me everything I know. It's best to get information straight from the source." He pointed to some random dude he didn't even know. The girl scrunched his nose almost unnoticeable but still stayed in Jungkook's space. He wondered if it was against the moral code to push her away. He was going to be gentle, promise. Just the sugary scent she was wearing was making him want to throw up.

"But you're already doing the exercise. We can switch. It's more convinient." She kept insisting and Jungkook was quite frankly running out of patience. He knew not all girls were like that. There were plenty who smiled kindly at him but passed him by, those who didn't even notice him. Those who were a lot stronger than him and he admired from afar without making himself look like a creep. And even those who went to people to ask for genuine advice.

But this one here was none of them.

"Listen, I am gay. So flirting won't get you anywhere with me." Jungkook tried to speak with a higher pitch, or whatever he assumed would make her believe him. It wasn't like he was lying either when all he could think of was a certain blond boy right now.

"Oh." 

"It's totally fine, girl~" Jungkook even dared to playfully hit her shoulder with a loose hand gesture, completely emerced in character. In a split second, he could see the cringe creep upon her face, as she excused herself. He wanted to roar out of happiness. It really worked. 

He was laughing the loudest laughter in his head, before Namjoon came up to him, with an arm around his shoulders.

"Hi, baby, how many sets did you do?" Namjoon teased him with a huge, goofy smile on his face, his dimple on display. Jungkook shoved him, unable to hold back his own grin.

"Aish, hyung. Did I lie, tho? I recently fell for a guy, didn't I?"

"Don't remind me of him. I want to punch his face when I see him."

Jungkook grabbed the barbell packed with discs of weight on both sides and stood in position, before lifting it off the ground with a grunt.

"Don't! I am done with being miserable. I like him. And I will move on eventually. But at least I was honest with myself and with him." Jungkook panted through performing his set.

"Still wanna make him eat dirt. If he was afraid of dating a guy, I'd understand why he ghosted you. Told you, this is South Korea. We run the country on homophobia and sexism. But he went out with another dude so soon after you two..had...something going on already."

"I am not sure anymore. Maybe I imagined it. Anyway, I hope we both find the right people eventually."

"So, do you think you'd fall for another guy after Jimin opened you to the idea?"

"Why not? I think I realized I don't care about what's in a person's pants anymore."

"Wisely said."

"Oh, Jimin might have been the catalyst, but Yoongi hyung taught me to think wisely."

"At least this heartbreak made you pick up some weights, Kook. Jimin will regret missing out on you."

"Yah!" Jungkook dropped the barbell along with honorifics. "I thought you said I was attractive!"

"You are~! But now it will surpass what's humanly possible."

They both laughed at Namjoon's quick wit. Jungkook thought his humour was unmatched until he met an equal in Namjoon.

"Yah, Park Jimin!" Suddenly a female voice called out and Jungkook's and Namjoon's heads whipped up in the direction, shock written all over their faces. "How could put more weight on my barbell, aish, I thought I was going to die lifting it." 

They both quickly realized that Park Jimin was just another girl at the other end of the gym.

Jungkook's heart had leapt in his chest at the mere suggestion Jimin might be here, that he might see him. Who am I lying to? I am not moving on any time soon, am I?

Chapter Text

Cigarettes were up in his nose once again, as he was typing and deleting the message on his notes app. A message he planned to send Jungkook. And it seems like the other wouldn't leave him alone. Although they didn't talk, Jungkook's very essence followed him everywhere. The scent, his name, the damn repeating numbers and sequences. Jimin had lost count of how many times he 2222 on the clock or the microwave. Or on car plates, and graphite around the city. But he was even more tired of the songs that described Jimin's heart and their situation to a T. They would play on his Spotify mix playlist or random recommendations on social media.

Now, here he was. Spilling his heart out like any author should be able to was the most difficult thing Jimin had ever tried to write. What if Jungkook didn't even read the message? Was it better to call? No, of course not. Jungkook would no doubt hang up.

I am sorry. If you agree, I want to talk to you.

Simple. Jimin copied the text as his finger opened up his conversation with Jungkook, where he saw the ignored texts of the younger panicking if JImin was okay and if Jungkook did something that hurt him. No, no, no. You were great, Jungkook. But I wasn't.

His fingers pasted the text, but as destiny would have, only the I appeared in the text space. Jimin tried to delete it, but no keyboard showed. He clicked at random places, confused and of course he sent a single 'I ' to Jungkook. 

"Fuck, fuck. "

He decided to delete it but Jungkook had just seen the single letter. Okay, maybe he'd send a question mark. Jimin waited and waited. But no reply came.

"Fuck it. I am calling you, Jeon Jungkook." And so Jimin did. After a moment of choking dread, Jungkook picked up with a simple.

"Hello." Not a question mark was found in that flat tone, but annoyance.

"Hi. It's Jimin. In case you deleted my number." Jimin was clutching his phone, getting the most uncomfortable deja vu, back to when Jungkook texted him out of nowhere. When they had that first call and everything started. He felt nervous, like a teenager who was about to confess to his crush. But wasn't it where he was headed anyway?

"I didn't." Cold, unamused, Jungkook was making Jimin's heart clench.

"I-I..."

"You already wrote that hyung. Say something else or I am hanging up."

"Wait! I want to see you, " he blurted. "If you want that as well." The silence was killing Jimin, slowly twisting an invisible knife in his guts.

"Okay. When?"

"I am free anytime. If today is okay with you."

"Sure. 4 pm. I will send you a location."

"O-okay."

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin put on what he considered his nicest outfit, with his grey coat, a white scarf, and leather gloves. No hat. He styled his hair and he wasn't ruining the masterpiece. Despite the wind having a different plan in store. He was in front of the cafe Jungkook had sent him earlier, jumpy on his heels, looking for the younger in all directions. 

After ten minutes he saw the silhouette that took his breath away just like the first time he had seen Jungkook, all wet in the stupid fountain, with his camera in one hand and an embarrassed, but devilishly handsome face.

Jungkook wore a black leather jacket and a cap, the same material and colour. Tight black jeans hugged tightly his long legs and Jimin realized that Jungkook had quite muscular legs. Were they always this muscular? Suddenly a wave of insecurity about his own untrained, squishy body washed over him. Thankfully, he could blame the wind for his red cheeks.

The very air around Jungkook screamed "cool guy is passing by" and the heads he turned didn't go unnoticed by Jimin. But he was going to crumble if he let another insecurity roar in his ears. So he rolled his shoulder backwards and smiled at Jungkook who kept his expression too stoic for Jimin's anxiety to subside whatsoever.

The blond spoke first.

"Hi. Shall we go inside to warm up?"

"Is it going to take more than a minute?" Ah...Jimin understood, the younger still held a grudge over their last conversation. And he couldn't blame him.

"Rest assured that it will."

"Okay then." Jungkook gestured for Jimin to go inside first.

This Jungkook was intimidating, and Jimin didn't like him. But he was also hot in a way Jimin couldn't explain and honestly, he shouldn't be thinking about this now.

They found a quiet table. Jungkook had chosen a cafe with a pretty low-key atmosphere. Quite music and shushed conversations surrounded them. Typical for the younger. Jimin ordered for both of them. Jungkook's black Americano he knew he had tasted at some point when their soul connection was acting up, and a cappuccino for himself.

"So? Talk."

Jimin shuffled in his seat. He noticed Jungkook was trying to look away from his hair and clothes. Was he analysing him? How he had dressed up as if they had a date? Well, they technically did, but not like that. Or was Jungkook also having a hard time concentrating because he found Jimin just as attractive?

"I probably have a lot of things to explain, but one thing summarizes everything I wanted to tell you. I am sorry, Jungkook." Jimin felt so small under the younger's demanding gaze. The brunette was silent. "You were right. I was scared. Everything was new. This - " he waved a hand between them, "- felt intense as it is. And on top of that, you were a guy. Yes, that freaked me out. But I was more freaked by the strange dreams I have connected to you." Now Jungkook's eyebrows knitted together in concentration, eyes finally looking directly at Jimin. "I was freaked by my out-of-body experience that I told you about. But that wasn't the only thing. I could smell and taste the things you smelled and tasted. I am certain it's you because I don't know anyone else who smokes and I smell smoke all the time." Jungkook cleared his throat, recalling how bad his habits had actually gotten recently. He did smoke a lot lately. "I was freaked to hear your name at random places and called out to people who were not you. I was freaked out by feeling like I was losing my mind ever since you showed up in my life. "

Jungkook kept staring at him.

"At the fountain, I could swear time stood still when our gazes locked. And then there was this golden light surrounding you like you were a living angel fallen on Earth. I thought you looked so handsome, but I didn't allow myself to admit it. Not like that. I wasn't into guys, impossible. Or at least so I told myself. You are something that has never happened to me. You're a whole event, okay?! Your presence in my life turned my perception around so quickly. And you were so good to me while I was so bad...to Yuri. I didn't deserve to be loved so soon."

"Then what about Hoseok hyung? If you didn't deserve to be loved, why did you go out with him?" Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest. He still didn't believe Jimin.

"We were - are still friends. I didn't lie about that. I had a crush on him a long time ago that I didn't let myself indulge in. I never told him. Still haven't because I no longer have those feelings. And maybe I wanted to forget about you because I couldn't handle it on my own. The intensity. I know it sounds exaggerated, but I felt like you could read my mind and that was scary. You were so real with everyone. You boldly asked for my number, asked me questions and told me your opinions directly. You told Seul Bi off for getting out of line, where I had to lie to Yuri for so long. And lie to myself I still loved her. When we broke up, I still let her back into my life. And I dragged you into it as well. That shit messed up with me. I realized you inspired me to write about something I was avoiding, but the moment you were gone...nothing. I had nothing. No inspiration, no drive. The power this connection had over me scared me even more. Nothing had come between me and my goals before. I used to hate writing love stories. But the first I wrote, my publisher loved it more than any other. And it was because of you. It felt like...I didn't even belong to myself anymore."

Jimin put all of his cards on the table. He took a deep breath because it felt like he said everything all at once, one whole sentence. Jungkook grabbed his cup and took a sip. Jimin could only play with his fingers and pray  Jungkook would accept his apology, would believe his words. Because he meant them. Every single thing was true. He had never been so raw and honest with anyone. But of course, Jungkook was a first for him when it came to a lot of things.

☽ ☯ ☾

Jungkook felt like crying because he was sad, angry and happy all at the same time. But he couldn't cry, not now, not like this.

"You wrote a love story because of me?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. I accept your apology hyung." Another long pause. Jimin couldn't take it. His heart was hanging by a thread. "But sincerely, you are so fucking stupid for not being honest from the beginning!" Jungkook couldn't help but laugh at his own remark and Jimin's shocked eyes at his blunt word. But then they softened with something warm swimming in them and a bright smile cracked on the blond's face, too.

"I know."

Jungkook couldn't contain his impulse and desire to just hold Jimin close. But they were in public. So he did the closest thing to what he wanted and grabbed Jimin's trembling hands with his own. The older gasped quietly at the sudden contact.

"Jimin, do you want to figure things out with me? Yes or no? This is a last chance, hyung." This question felt most fitting to the situation. They didn't have to label it now, or tomorrow. But as long as they knew they were in this together, Jungkook was willing to try this with Jimin.

"Yes, I do."

Suddenly Jungkook stood up and gestured for Jimin to do the same.

"Great, then get up!"

"Now? But-"

"We have things to do. You're not the only one who struggles with inspiration."

"I don't understand."

"You'll see." Jungkook placed some money on the table, enough to cover the check and pulled Jimin with him.

☽ ☯ ☾

They found themselves in a familiar place - Jungkook's apartment. Jimin felt uncomfortable not because he was alone with Jungkook, but because so much tension happened here with Seul Bi and then the other morning when they last texted. He tried not to think about it and focused on the other boy who was moving like a furry gathering things from different corners around the place.

"What are you doing?"

"Putting together my equipment. We're going shooting."

"We are?"

"Just like you," Jungkook started explaining with his back turned toward Jimin, while he was putting a camera together, "I too suffer creatively without you. Have been failing to create some good material for a project called 'The heartbeat of Seoul'. I need you as a model, and I need you to stand by my side while I take shots. It's as simple as that."

"Your model?"

Jungkook finally turned around, facing him with the biggest and proudest smirk Jimin had ever seen.

"You won't be naked, hyung. This time at least."

"Aish, this brat.." Jimin went to shove him, but Jungkook's grip was immediately on his sides. And they were back to that moment on the couch, when Jungkook was staring at his lips, right into his soul and JImin was sure he was going to kiss him. The younger tightened his grip a little, testing the territory.

"I know we just made up...but I should be considered forsaken by all the gods if I don't get to kiss you right now."

Jimin was tongue-tied. He was in Jungkook's embrace, in a guy's embrace, but this wasn't one of Taehyung's innocent hugs, or a friend teasing him. Jimin could only stare and stare and get lost in the perfect features Jungkook's face made up of. Individually, they were far from perfect. But put together they created the most handsome face Jimin had ever seen. Maybe the two of them were similar.

"Beautiful..." The blond wasn't sure when he whispered that or when his fingers went up to trace Jungkook's lips.

"Oh, Jimin-" And without a second warning, Jungkook pulled him closer and smashed his lips into Jimin's. And there it was again. Jungkook's charge. Electricity sparked between them and Jimin wasn't sure if the other felt it too. But it was incomparable. Jungkook kept feverishly kissing him, asking for entrance into Jimin's mouth. The younger didn't even wait a second for them to just feel. No. He was chasing after Jimin's mouth like a hound, every time Jimin took a small step backwards or when he pulled away for air. Until his back hit a wall and he was caged between it and Jungkook's firm body, his breathe escaping his lungs swiftly.

Jimin had never been cornered before. His mouth never possessed like this. He was always the one doing the cornering with Yuri. Of course, it was how it should be between a man and a woman. But sometimes he wished...secretly he hoped she dominated, she let out such a side of herself show. But she never did. Perhaps she didn't have one.

It seemed that Jungkook had sensed Jimin's thoughts were far, far away from where they were right now,  so he pulled away.

"I am so sorry!" Jungkook pushed himself off of Jimin and the older immediately missed being pressed by the other's body and his scent of lemon grass and leather seeping into his being. "I think I wanted to do that since....since ever. Since the fountain, since the bar, since you slept at mine and woke up in my bed. I am so sorry, I just couldn't hold back and I -"

"Jungkook." Jimin interrupted his monologue. "If you don't kiss me again, I might as well suffocate from want."

It took Jimin a moment to realize that this kiss was everything he had ever needed.

Jungkook didn't need to be told twice. He quickly closed the distance again, with one hand on Jimin's neck, cupping his jaw, the other clutching his coat, as he pressed his sensual lips on top of Jimin's plump ones for a second time. Jimin released a sound of relief, or maybe he just moaned, opening up his mouth, and letting the tip of Jungkook's tongue explore. And the younger devoured whatever sounds Jimin made, didn't hesitate to lightly nip at his bottom lip, to grab his hips more aggressively and push the blond into the wall. Jungkook was rough and Jimin was blushing at the mere thought of enjoying it as much as he did. 

Suddenly Jungkook's mouth left his own and traced a line of kisses down the side of his neck, with his now free hand unbuttoning the blonde's annoying coat. Jungkook needed access to Jimin, desperately so. He wanted to make him feel good. 

Jimin's thoughts were still scattered all over the place, but his ears, cheeks and neck were flushed with rosy colour and heat. He just wanted to feel and take whatever Jungkook was doing to him. He gasped when a knee parted his own two, in order for a thigh to come up between his legs and put light pressure on his crotch.

Jimin moaned again, this time louder, as he threw his head back and exposed more of his neck for Jungkook to kiss.  Suddenly, the younger was only panting near the burning skin, but he wasn't going at it anymore. No, keep going, Jimin wanted to say.

"Hyung, I don't think we can keep going at this rate, and even if we did, I am not fully knowledgeable on how to do what we want to do. Yet..." There was a kind of a promise in that 'yet'.

Jimin caught his breath and looked at Jungkook, who seemed a little ruffled at the edges by the short but passionate first kiss. Jungkook was obviously talking about sex. Was Jimin ready to do that with a guy? Were they moving too fast?

Jungkook felt like such a novice at these things all over again. He wanted to show Jimin how good of a choice he was, and how skilled he was. But all he did to Jimin was what he would've loved to be done to him and hoped it'd be pleasurable for the older. Not realizing how turned on it got Jungkook himself and how lost he became in his own pleasure. He hoped Jimin hasn't realized Jungkook was basically ready to hump his thigh. 

Now he was rocking a boner and by the looks of it, Jimin was too. They were a mess. In seconds they became a mess. Jungkook didn't want to imagine what they'd look like if they had a full-blown make-out session or when they had sex. He tried to block the images because it only made his situation worse.

"Let's relax and then go out, okay? I will finish putting my camera together. You can sit on the couch. I'll get some water."

"Okay," was all Jimin could say as he stiffly made it to the couch. Yup, he was also having a little problem down there. Selfishly, Jungkook was glad he wasn't the only one.

Chapter Text

Jimin did not expect that Jungkook would forgive him so quickly. That he would trust him after acting like some fuckboy idiot. He did not see the younger using him as a model either, but here they were at the Namsan Seoul Tower, the night had tumbled over the city by now. Jungkook was taking numerous shots, asking Jimin to turn slightly to the right, then to the left, to move this way or that way. The younger had already photographed Jimin a considerable amount of times. And while Jimin wasn't complaining, he wondered if he truly inspired Jungkook, as the younger said. Was there any beauty to be captured, to begin with?

"Whatever you're thinking, hyung, it's all showing through the pictures. Just saying." The brunette said behind the lens, looking at Jimin for just a moment. Those piercing eyes made Jimin dizzy.

"I am thinking how hungry I am." Was lying to Jungkook ever going to be a success? It's like the younger had access to all his thoughts, so why bother?

"Okay. I know a place." Jungkook adjusted the settings, doing a couple more shots, before he rose from his position and looked at the city landscape. Jimin also turned to gaze, leaning on the parapet when Jungkook snuggled closer to him. "Sometimes I just want to leave this shithole. I've never felt like I can be myself here. But something kept me here. And then there are those moments when I realize that Seoul is...quite beautiful." And with that, the younger faced Jimin, with a genuine, open expression that conveyed so much emotion. Jimin was grateful he got to be standing right here with Jungkook. His heart swelled with so much admiration and....love. It couldn't be love, not that soon. But Jimin felt it regardless, that emotion that told him he appreciated Jungkook for simply existing, with no expectations, no conditions.

The younger's arms were folded in front of his chest, and only his fingers gently held onto Jimin's sleeve. Then his smile warmed Jimin so much, that he was sure it was impossible to be so warm in the middle of March. He'd always felt cold. Maybe even on a melting summer day, Jimin used to be cold. And a flicker of hope whispered to him that long gone were those icy days.

"Why can't you be yourself here? It seems like you fit just right."

"Too many expectations of how I have to live my life. Even my parents, bless them, they love me so much, but they are the same. The same limited thinking, the same ideals and plans for the right future. The right career, the right-"

"Partner." Jimin intended to say it as a question, but his tone was rather stating a fact.

"This, too. "

"Yeah, I know."

Yuri would've been perfect. His mother loved her. His father, too. Jimin thought that he was somehow betraying him because his father had passed away with the belief Jimin would marry the beautiful ballerina. And now the psychic's words lingered on his mind. "He is adamant on the fact that he loves you even if you can't love all parts of yourself. "

"Let's go eat." He smiled happily at Jungkook pulling him, subtly holding the younger's sleeve in return, his eyes full of hope for something lovely.

☽ ☯ ☾

The restaurant where Jungkook took Jimin was his favourite and he hoped to impress the older. By the looks of it, Jimin enjoyed the interior very much, looking around and nodding to himself in appreciation.

"You like this low-key atmosphere, don't you," Jimin smirked at him and Jungkook found himself malfunctioning for a second, blood rushing to his cheeks. There was a subtle teasing in Jimin's remark.

It was a sushi bar Jungkook had picked, that had secluded rooms, separated by beautifully illustrated panels, with traditional Japanese stylized artworks. The lamps were dimmed, giving an orange, redish tint around the entire place. There were other lamps above the floor-leveled tables, so one could see their food. Comfortable cushions were used to sit, instead of chairs.

"Yeah. I do."

"The cafe today had a similar vibe. So I naturally noticed." For some reason, Jimin was avoiding looking at him, but he was playfully smiling to himself. As if he had decoded some huge secret about Jungkook. And who knows to what conclusions the older had come learning this tiny fact about the younger and his love for a dimmed room.

"I just thought you'd love some really good sushi. The chef is Japanese and this place has amazing reviews, but it's never crowded. It makes you feel like it's just you here."

"Are you telling me you're trying to get me alone with you?" This time Jimin faced him, smirking.

Alright, then. Jungkook knew how to play those games.

"There are other places where I'd like to be alone with you." He lowered his voice because it was a public space after all.

They sat carefully opposite each other, never taking their eyes off of one another. Jungkook prayed he wasn't the only one who felt like they were suffocating in the thickness of this tension between them. 

After a while, a waitress came and took their order, when Jungkook whipped out his camera and started showing Jimin the gorgeous picture he had taken. Jimin had sat next to him, abandoning his original seat, to take a better look. Jungkook was now mindlessly clicking the "next" button, going through the photographs, which had Jimin hypnotized. Little did the blond know Jungkook was staring at him under his bangs, holding his breath, as if even breathing was going to ruin this moment. Blow it like a candle.

"You're so talented, Jungkook-ah. I'd love it if you teach me sometime."

"You want me to teach you?" Jungkook was trying to remember the last time someone, anyone who was romantically interested in him, had asked to be part of his craft. And no name came up in his head. Only Jimin.

Jimin looked at him so innocently oblivious. His mouth holding a gentle smile, eyes sparkly like a puppy. But all Jimin could think about was their passionate exchange earlier today. And in a second his body was on fire again.

"Your lips are so kissable, hyung." Jungkook sighed, licking over his own upper lip, as his mouth dried up once he spilt out the words. Careless...he couldn't care about where they were, or who could see them or hear them.

"Jungkook-ah..."

Jimin was so close his hot breath warmed Jungkook's face. Jungkook had one arm behind Jimin's back and the other still holding the camera. Jimin looked somehow small like this and somehow fragile. Somehow beautiful like no one Jungkook was ever interested in had been. The type of beauty that caught you by surprise and struck you unexpectedly. The type of beauty that is hidden to the naked eye and it bared itself only to a few chosen lucky bastards. Jungkook was one extremely lucky bastard ever since he met Jimin.

Right then and there, Jungkook's head spun uncontrollably. He squeezed his eyes, lifting his hand to his temples. When his ears started ringing, Jungkook decided he might as well pass out because of how beautiful Jimin was. It was either this or him overdosing on caffeine lately.

"Hyung..I-", he began speaking but to his surprise, he heard his voice somehow outside of himself. When he opened his eyes he was experiencing the craziest optical illusion ever. He could see Jimin, worriedly looking at him, hands outstretched yet fearful to touch him. What shocked him though was that simultaneously Jungkook could swear he was seeing his own damn self. The dark circles under his eyes because of all the sleep he was losing these days, the sunken cheeks due to the lack of appetite and of course, his flushed face because Jimin was intoxicating and oh, so close. The two images of both of them were overlapping in Jungkook's eyes...or mind. He wasn't sure if he was hallucinating. "Hold on...I don't understand." His heartbeat accelerated and the thump now rose to his ears. His breathing became sharp and shallow.

"Jungkook-ah, breathe," Jimin said and suddenly something clicked. Because the moment Jimin spoke, Jungkook felt a reverberation in his own throat, as if he was the one saying those words. He could hear every sound of each syllable echo in his head. 

Despite this moment feeling like an eternity, Jungkook knew mere seconds had passed. And just as quickly Jungkook's vision returned to normal, like he returned to his body and belonged to himself again.

"Hyung..I felt like." He murmured, staring at Jimin confused and flustered, because how does one explain such a thing?

"I know. I felt it, too. Like I was seeing through your eyes."

"Exactly!" Jungkook's brain wasn't fully processing what just happened.

"Hyung...," the younger's hand found Jimin's on the floor and gripped it gently with just the tips of his fingers, " isn't this similar to that time you told me about? When you saw me in New-"

The waitress suddenly appeared with their sushi sets and bowls of soup, so Jimin cleared up his throat, pulling away.

"I love the photographs. You should use them for your project." And just like that the older pretended like they were best of buddies, talking about totally normal things like photography and work.

"Yeah, right. I hope these don't get turned down too." Jungkook was unsure where to look, so he stared at his hands, the plates of food, and the walls, but not at Jimin. Not even a glance before the waitress left, exchanging pleasantries with them to enjoy their meal.

"Sorry. I couldn't help myself." Jungkook laughed nervously, picking up his chopsticks.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Jimin winked at him and the younger calmed, knowing that his hyung wasn't mad at him. "I find a little bit of carelessness can be exciting don't you think."

Jungkook's jaw was about to drop because he didn't expect Jimin to switch from shy to mischievous so rapidly. But there he goes again, taking him by surprise.

"What am I going to do with you, hyung?" Jungkook shook his head in disbelief, yet smiled broadly.

They ate their food and talked about everything and nothing. Jungkook couldn't remember the last time he had enjoyed someone's company so much. His heart felt at home with Jimin and he didn't want to lose this feeling. But between silly jokes and philosophical conversations, Jungkook couldn't stop thinking about the "body swap" he did with Jimin and how this was something out of a romance anime or one of the novels Namjoon loved to read. And he couldn't stop thinking how Jimin had experienced this, too. 

Was this normal? Was this one of the many effects of lo-....love? Did he love Jimin? He knew he was falling. He knew he wanted him and it was consuming him. But Jungkook realized something scary. He had never loved before. Not really. Not when Jimin made him feel things no one else has. 

The brunette just rested his head on his palm, tilting it to the side, while listening to Jimin talking about his latest work. 

Chapter Text

It burns.
When you kiss me like this
and leave traces, your lips
turn my skin into moulting lava.
I want you so bad I can barely breathe,
but you burn me and I have to walk away.
Kiss me, one last time and then you can leave.
Only then you can leave me.

The song was playing in his headphones, while Jungkook was editing the photographs from last week he had taken with Jimin. Whenever he switched between the different programs, in the split second when the screen went completely black he could see the stupid smile plastered on his face. Oh, he was long gone. He was like a love-sick puppy, and it was taking him every bit of energy not to text or call Jimin every 20 minutes. Just to talk to him. Because he enjoyed their conversations so much, it was embarrassing to admit it.

Someone forced themselves into his office and Jungkook was ready to fight, had it not been Namjoon. 

"Yah, don't give that stare, Jeon Jungkook! I knocked ten fucking times and waited for like three minutes. I thought you were watching porn or something."

"Ew, hyung! You're gross." Jungkook grimaced and quickly changed his expression into a smirk. "I wouldn't do that at work."

"Ha!" Joon pointed a finger at him, wiggling his brows as if saying 'Gotcha! I knew you were a weirdo.' "What you're working on?" The older came up behind him, putting his hand on the back of the chair.

"This and that."

"Pff...Cryptic again, are we? Show me! I have to know what I am trying to sell."

"Fine." Jungook rolled his eyes and turned on the monitor. Jimin's face looks up at the sky, framed nicely by a strategically used background of street lights shown on the screen. Jungkook couldn't even try to keep his smile at bay.

"WHAT?! You..you and him?" Namjoon was now pointing between Jungkook and the boy in the photo, confusion written all over him. "And you actually used people in your photographs? Who are you and what have you done to Jungkook?!"

"Yeah...I don't know. I only wanted to do it with Jimin." Jungkook scratched the back of his head nervously. He still hasn't told Jimin what a huge step these pictures were for the younger. But he didn't intend on scarring the blond away. Again.

"You should've told me you made up! What if I saw him on the street and punched his face because I still assumed he ghosted you."

"He did ghost me, tho. But he apologized."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes. I am not a fool, hyung. He wasn't lying."

"Alright, alright. I get it. He's remarkably beautiful, but-" The older stopped talking when he realized he had complimented Jimin and Jungkook was staring him down, despite sitting in his chair. The younger was shooting bullets through those eyes of his. "Jungkook-ah, I like women. I won't steal him from you, don't worry. I was stating obvious facts."

"Then stop ogling at his picture, hyung!" Jungkook was already closing the programs, sulking, wanting to keep what was his to himself. 

"You do realize that if you submit this for Mr. Yang, Jimin would be part of an exhibition, right? Where everyone would be ogling at him. Maybe even try to hire him as a model." 

Jungkook wanted to slap himself for not thinking of this earlier. But Jimin was truly a muse and he never photographed people. Until that day. But everyone making eyes at Jimin's pictures? Realizing that he looked like a fallen angel? Creepy photographers wanting him to be their model? Or even to be a nude model! Jungkook shook his head violently to get rid of the worrying thoughts.

"I will think about that when the time arrives. Mr. Yang wanted to see the heartbeat of Seoul. Well, I will show him mine. And fingers crossed he approves these photographs. I will be one of five participants in the exhibition after all. So Jimin will be only a small fraction of it."

"First of all - that was deep. I didn't realize you're such a romantic. Second, you are correct. But still, I am warning you, jealous guy."

"I am not jealous. I am just protective. There is a difference."

"If that helps you sleep at night, Jungkook-ah. I am leaving you to work."

☽ ☯ ☾

That night the two lovebirds were taking a strall by the Han River and Jungkook's hand itched to hold Jimin's. But he knew he couldn't. So to anyone who passed them by, they'd look like two good friend goofing around and talking to each other. Maybe only a few people had the eyes to see the deeper truth. Jungkook was almost certain two girls who were in the same position as them gave them "the look" and small smile, the shorter girl entertaining arms with he "friend."

Jungkook was just explaining how Jimin didn't have to agree to his photos being used. Jungkook was going to think of something else. But the older just laughed genuinely finding the situation funny, before facing the brunette.

"Kook-ah, you can use my pictures. I don't mind. You can pay me if that makes you feel better."

"Deal, hyung! I will take you to dinner."

"No!" Jimin declined that offer way too quickly which for some reason made Jungkook's heart ache slightly. "I mean, you can buy the products and we can cook at mine."

Jungkook stopped in his tracks and it took a moment before Jimin realized he was walking alone, so he stopped as well turning toward his dongsaeng.

"I've never been to your house," the brunette blurted out with a serious tone and a frozen expression. Jimin smiled at Jungkook's honest reaction. He was like a kid and wore everything on his sleeve.

"I know. That's why I'm inviting you. I want to show it to you. I also have a collection of vinyls that I think you'll love. I am not sure if you will, tho."

"Sure, I'll love them!" The younger sounded enthusiastic but remained serious with his brows knit together. He wanted Jimin to take him seriously.

"Ahaha. Jungkook, you don't even know the type of music I like." Jimin was almost folded in two, now looking like a ball of giggles, wrapped in a warm scarf and fluffy jacket.

"I am sure I will like it, hyung~" Jimin had never heard Jungkook sulk before, but he had to admit it was the cutest thing ever. He went up to the younger pinching his cheeks.

"What if I told you I listen to death metal?"

"Then I will buy tea and honey to salvage our throats later."

Jimin burst out laughing, slapping the younger across the chest.

"Okay then. Friday night, at mine. I will send you a location then."

"Cool. I will choose the recipe, though. You already warned me your culinary skills are not that great."

"When I followed your recipe that night you called me for the first time, it turned out pretty good," Jimin argued.

"Of course! Cause I was the instructor."

"Oh, okay Mr. Modesty."

"More like Mr. Honesty!"

"Oh my god! You~, you're truly something special." Jimin was out of breath laughing in disbelief.

☽ ☯ ☾

Later that night Jungkook woke up from an extremely lucid dream. 

He was floating in space. That was one of his regular dreams. He would float, or fly, it didn't matter where he was. In his dream, unlike usual, he wasn't alone. There was someone with him, although he couldn't tell. A warm embrace, that felt like silk on his skin. If he even had skin. He couldn't see if he had a body or not. He tried to stare at his hand and nothing. Then the presence detangled just a little bit and spoke to him.

"Time to split. Promise you'll find me." For whatever reason panic filled his whole being at the simple thought of being separated with the warm presence wrapped around him.

"Wait! No!" With his non-existent hands, Jungkook tried to grasp onto it. "Don't leave me."

"You will find me. Find the twin flame."

As he was floating something sparked in front of him before the spec of light fell download toward a foggy bluish spot, that looked like Earth.

"How will I find you?" Jungkook asked himself before he began falling uncontrollably too. Everything around him started to burn and he braced for the inevitable crash. 

That's when he woke up, gasping for air. But the words still lingered in his head. Twin Flame. 

The brunette looked at the clock by his bed, instinctively wanting to know what time it was and he saw a sequence of repeated numbers. 3:33. Nothing new, Jungkook thought as he's grown used to the annoying 'lucky numbers'. Should he play the lotto or something?

Annoyed he was woken in the middle of the night, Jungkook did what anyone in the 21st century would. He opened his Google browser and started research, beginning with lucid dreaming and out-of-body experiences. Some things resonated with him. He had experienced lucid dreams many times - had visited strange places and spoken to some of his favourite game characters. But no one spoke about leaving their bodies while alike. Except in near-death accidents. And Jungkook hasn't had one. If he didn't count the near heart attack Jimin's beauty gave him.

Then he typed what he heard in his dream because he had to admit he was curious if it was something there was information about out there. Suddenly, tons of pages and websites appeared explaining what Twin Flame is. Apparently, it was some far-stretched soulmate concept. Some bullshit Jungkook didn't believe in, for one; plus, he wasn't interested in people's marketing strategies to sell their relationship courses or worse - their fake psychic readings. Because it had to be that, right? But the fact that he heard something in his dream that actually existed... it still spooked it. Not only did it exist, but according to multiple sources, it was very similar to the other words he heard the presence tell him. "Time to split. Promise you'll find me."

One soul split into two bodies, cited one article.

What kind of bs is this?! The younger brushed a hand through his hair. Reading about soulmates was not worth losing sleep over. He could be at least playing overwatch. But he couldn't help himself when one article picked his interest.

Finding your Twin Flame can be the most exciting and scariest experience all at once. Meeting them is like looking at the worst and the best parts of yourself in a mirror. They often arrive in your life miraculously. Like some pre-ordained meeting.

His eyes were scanning through the text and with every word something at the back of his mind replied yes, yes, yes. Memories flooded his head. Memories of a beautiful boy surrounded by golden light, while he - Jungkook - was ass deep into a freezing, not yet drained fountain. Memories of thinking he'd never see the blond stranger again before indeed meeting him at the bar among most of his friends.

Twin Flames experience instant recognition. Because this is a moment of your soul meeting the other half of itself. Essentially, you recognize yourself in another. That moment can be intense and it will imprint on your memory forever.

Many Twin Flames report that after meeting, magical things begin to happen. Their Twin's name follows them everywhere, numbers like 11 11, or 222 keep appearing in their everyday life. They would dream of their Twin telling them true things, but they couldn't have known otherwise.

Jungkook scratched his chin lost in thought, remembering all those moments he's had. Especially when he stopped talking to Jimin. Like the irony of the Universe didn't want to let him forget.

Is this even possible? These people must be crazy. I must be crazy.

He closed the laptop with a bang and went to his balcony, lighting up a cigarette. He couldn't believe himself - smoking, when this was one of the happiest times of his life. He was so happy he could scream at the top of his lungs. He was in love, he was inspired, he was happy. Truly happy. Then why was this anxiety creeping up? Why were his hands shaking while holding the death bringer between his fingers? Why was he trying to suffocate his racing thoughts with smoke? Why did he have a bad dream? Not really a nightmare, but it felt like it. It felt unnerving.

In those moments he was overwhelmed with the desire, no, the need to dial Jimin's number. But he didn't want to be selfish and distress the other when there was no adequate reason to do so. Jungkook swallowed his anxiety. At least for now, he could.

☽ ☯ ☾

"I am so happy for you Jimin-ah," Taehyung was squeezing his hands, both comfortably sitting on Tae's queen-sized bed. His apartment was colourful and warm. It felt much more like home than Jimin's stylish, but otherwise empty and soulless place. He had renovated with Yuri and she loved classically beautiful decors, minimalistic but timeless touches could be found in every piece of furniture. And Jimin hated it. He wanted to replace everything with modern, bold pieces that said something. He wanted his apartment to make a statement, to voice out an opinion. Because Jimin had so many that remained unspoken. "I can't believe you have a boyfriend."

"It's not like we're officially dating, you know. We haven't put a label on it at least."

"Uhm, excuse me but do you think Jungkook meant by 'Do you wanna do this with me?', huh? " Taehyung was right. But Jimin didn't want to be too cocky assuming something that maybe Jungkook didn't agree with. He didn't even want to imagine the embarrassment if they hung out all three someday and Taehyung called them boyfriends, and Jungkook disagreed. Or worse. He didn't say anything but gave Jimin a weird look. Despite things going great, Jimin was still a bit unsure of what Jungkook saw in him. Or how serious he was.

"I am not sure, Tae. I just know we're doing great. And I think we are exclusive. I mean, I am not seeing anyone else."

"You think? Wait, do you mean Jungkook is probably seeing other people, too?"

"No! I mean, I haven't asked him. But I don't think he is."

"Then ask him! Don't build something based on your assumptions and beliefs. You have to know for sure you are on the same page. Otherwise, I don't approve of him to be your boyfriend." Tae crossed not only his arms but his legs too and threw himself on the pillows. Jimin laughed wholeheartedly at his best friend pouting.

"I understand." The blond reached under his bestie's chin and squeezed the soft skin there lightly.

Chapter Text

Their long-awaited date arrived and Jungkook was finally at Jimin's home. The blond wished he didn't have such high hopes to impress the younger, but Jungkook was 'wow'-ing at pretty much everything around the place. At some point, Jimin was simply uncomfortable, because he couldn't tell him he was in truth appreciating Yuri's taste in interior design and not Jimin's. Jimin was much more into a cosy, vintage aesthetic. But the only thing remotely close to his preferred furniture here was an old bookshelf he found online. It had some decorations engraved around the edges and it kept safe all of Jimin's favorite books.

"Hyung, I know you must be into literature as a writer, but I didn't think you read that much. You're rivalling with Namjoon hyung." Jungkook was tracing a finger on his book's spines, mumbling their titles under his nose.

"Don't you like worship the guy?"

"Yeah, he is one of the coolest people I kno-" Jungkook suddenly paused, perhaps realizing that this wasn't something you say about another person, to the one you're dating. But Namjoon was straight and it should be okay, right? Although...Jungkook was also straight two or three months ago and now he didn't even want to put a label on himself. It was too suffocating. He liked to just love who he loved. And was certainly falling deeply in love with Jimin.

"Then this is one of the greatest compliments I've received. I love being compared to really cool people, you know."

"Actually, hyung, I take that back. You know you are the coolest, right?" Jungkook was now basically holding onto Jimin's sleeve, like a lost child, turning his whole body towards the shorter boy. Who was smirking, because he knew what he was doing to Jungkook with his fake nonchalantness.

"Of course, of course. I don't doubt your words, Kook-ah. Now let's whip up some food, I am starving."

Jungkook rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt with white graffiti on it and headed straight to Jimin's kitchen counter in the other room. They had his groceries laid out. With a pleasant conversation to carry them through the process of cooking and then consuming the good food, Jimin and Jungkook had lots of laughter and lots of teasing each other. Both looked like love-sick puppies but who was to blame them?

With full bellies, they were relaxing on the couch planning to watch a movie, when Jimin noticed that Jungkook was looking at him, then looking away. Then look at him again, while nibbling at his lower lip. Finally, Jimin turned the sound off and put the remote controller aside.

"Okay, spill the beans. What is it?"

"What?"

"You look like you mean to tell me something, but you hesitate. Just say it, Jungkook." Jimin was getting nervous, too, because he had already allowed himself to be way too vulnerable with this boy he felt he knew for ages, but actually had barely met. So every time Jungkook acted weird Jimin would put up his defences and brace himself for hurtful words, excuses and Jungkook wanting to have nothing to do with him anymore. And Jimin hated that this scenario would make so much. Because nothing right now did.

"Aish, hyung.." The younger's head hung low, his fingers playing with the hem of his shirt. "If I tell you this, you might think I've officially gone mad." Jungkook looked at the corner of the room as he let out a sigh, incapable of facing Jimin.

"Just say it. And we'll see if I renounce your friendship card." At that, Jungkook's head whipped in his direction, almost instinctively. Jimin tried not to flinch.

"Friendship?" His voice was teasing, yet hurt and Jimin was unsure if Jungkook was joking or not.

"More than friendship, I mean. But I don't know what to call it."

"What do you think?"

"Don't answer with a question, you brat. I don't know what to think. Do you even want to call this anything or shall we just keep going as we are?"

"I thought we both knew what this is." Jimin only blinked at him, because no, Jimin didn't know. And Jungkook was never explicitly clear. Another sigh from Jungkook, before he looked Jimin straight in the eyes, full torso turning towards him. "Jimin, this thing between us is official and exclusive as any other stereotypical romantic relationship. I want you and only you. I am not interested in meeting other people, and I sure don't want you to do that either. If people ask me if I am single I would tell them no without a second of hesitation. Would you?"

"I wasn't sure what I should tell them until now. I don't want to see anyone else, either, Kook-ah. But I didn't know if we were on the same page."

"How could we not be? Wasn't I crystal clear what I wanted from you? Would I act the way I did if I didn't care? You don't have to say you have a boyfriend if it makes you uncomfortable. I will keep it a secret, too, if that's what you want." There was evident sadness in Jungkook's voice.

"I...It's not going to be easy but I don't want you to hide. But I am still not ready to tell everyone. Although...Taehyung knows."

"Okay. That's great, because Namjoon knows, too. And I will tell people I have a boyfriend, but won't tell them who he is. Is that okay?"

"That's more than okay."

"I can wait for you, hyung. I don't mind. I don't care, as long as I know you're mine."

I'm yours.

Jimin wanted to say those words, despite it feeling so intimate. But... we are intimate! He and Jungkook were getting closer and closer each day. And as if his body wanted to demonstrate, he shifted closer to the younger. 

"I am yours, Jungkook." It was barely a whisper. The fondness in Jungkook's eyes was quickly replaced by a hazy, unfocused stare that shifted from Jimin's eyes, lower and lower, to his trembling lips.

"Me too." The younger said back and his hot breath danced on the sensitive skin of Jimin's mouth, as he had parted it ever so slightly, in invitation. Tempting the younger to take what he wanted.

Jimin's hand over the headboard of the couch was playing with a loose thread on Jungkook's shirt, as the younger was unconsciously or very much intentionally closing the distance between them. Until their knees brushed and their thigh rubbed against each other.

"You wanted to tell me something?" Jimin asked, totally uninterested in whatever the other had to share. Not right now.

"It can wait." 

Jungkook was hesitant. He was the one who kissed Jimin last time. He didn't want to force himself upon the older again. But Jimin could push him away or stop him and it didn't look like any of these thoughts crossed his mind. As everything in the blond's stance was open and alluring. As if he was whispering to be grabbed by the hips, begging Jungkook to claim his sinful mouth. Jungkook wanted to know what else that mouth was good at, he wanted to hear what sounds Jimin made when he was at the tip of his pleasure.

And the brunette couldn't hold back anymore, fingers gripping Jimin's waist, pulling him into a fiery kiss, that was desperate and rough at first. Teeth clashed and tongues fought for dominance. Jimin loved to be ravished it seems, but he still didn't let Jungkook overtake him that easily. No, he was going to make the younger fight for it. 

As the younger's hands explored the tiny but hard waist and core, he was slowly but surely pulling Jimin on top of him. He wanted the blond to straddle him so badly. Because this right here was Jungkook's personal fantasy coming to life and Jimin was exactly how he imagined. He was soft to the touch, but he played rough. He bit Jungkook's lips and sucked on his tongue. The shyness from their first kiss and the surrender Jimin had demonstrated was long gone. Maybe it was because back then he was taken aback by Jungkook's aggressive approach, he let the younger do whatever he wanted to him. Now, however, Jimin was showing who was the boss.

Jungkook loved it perhaps more than he should. Perhaps more than any make-out session he's ever had. Jimin really did sit on top of him, his thighs flexing around Jungkook's as if to demonstrate the power his smaller body had. The blond's hand were playing with the hair at the younger's nape, as he was forcing him to deepen the kiss, pulling his head backwards. Jungkook tried to control his gasps, but Jimin gave him no time to breathe. And in the short moments when his mouth left Jungkook's, the younger greedily sucked in air to prepare for another duel. A battle of tongues. 

It made Jungkook moan shamelessly, like a teenage boy, making out for the first time in his life. Through the kiss, he could feel Jimin smirking, as he rocked his hips ever so slightly against his crotch.

Jungkook was not losing this game. His hands traced Jimin's back which was much more muscles than he had anticipated. He traces his shoulders, then his chest, before pushing his hands under Jimin's sweater and the older hissed at the cold touch.

"Getting excited, are we?" Jungkook teased.

"Speak for yourself." Another pressing of his hips against him and Jungkook was sure Jimin could feel he was getting hard, and quick at that.

"You're playing dirty."

"Who said this was ever a fair game?" Jimin had a way with words that drove Jungkook crazy. Every time he would say something so flirtatious, Jungkook wanted to pin him against a surface, any surface, and fuck him senseless. But everything at a time. Jungkook had to calm down and reel his energy back, because as usual with Jimin, he was getting ahead of himself. It is just that the older one was too exciting.

"I like no rules. But you sure you don't have any?" Jungkook asked with a raspy voice that screamed 'I wanna rail you right now', while his mouth left a path of licks over the side of Jimin's throat before finding his ear and biting gently on it.

"No. I am up for anything."

"Anything?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow and now, while he was actually at Jimin he could see the other was flustered, yet he sounded and acted so confident. It was Jimin's duality that was going to be the death of him.

"What? Do you want to piss on me or something? Should I be warned about any weird kinks?"

Jungkook chuckled, burying his nose in Jimin's collarbone, breathing in his scent. He felt so comfortable, so right being here, with him.

"Weird is very subjective. But no, I won't piss on you."

"Do you want to, tho? That's the question."

"No, Jimin. " He pulled away to once more look at the blond sitting on his lap like he belonged there. Like they've done this so many times before. "I just want to make you feel so good. And I know I will feel so so good, too."

"What if..." Jimin began, kissing him, then going over to his jaw, "I am selfish and only want to take?" He pushed Jungkook to lean even further into the cushions at the back of the couch as if he was making a point that he was the one who had Jungkook exactly where he wanted him. He was the one who had pinned him down.

Jungkook's hands found his thighs, and then slowly moved to the curve of his ass. Jungkook wanted to roll his eyes into the very back of his head, because of how soft, yet plump Jimin's curves were there. How had he never noticed? And he considered himself an ass-guy. What a shame.

"You found something you like?" Jimin demonstrated his point by wiggling his butt a little as if trying to fit better into Jungkook's palms. As if he was helping him feel him out better.

"Jimin, I can be very generous. I assure you." Jungkook closed his eyes and brushed his hair back with one hand, instantly missing it being placed on top of Jimin's left cheek. Then he opened his eyes which for some reason appeared darker than usual and Jimin visibly shivered. "But you are tempting me to be selfish, too. I don't know how you like to play this little game. And I am afraid to be rough with you."

"I can handle it. What do you want Jungkook?"

Jimin was willing to comply with Jungkook's desires, yet somehow it felt like the blond was the one in control. By handling it to Jungkook on a silver platter, with his sweet sweet words, he still had the upper hand.

"No!" Jungkook pushed him off, and with one swift movement, a hand at Jimin's lower back, the other under the arc of his ass, the younger flipped them and laid Jimin down, climbing on top of him like a predatory animal ready to pounce on his prey. "Your moans are too sweet, I want to hear them, hyung." 

The younger tugged Jimin's sweater and lifted it to get better access to the skin where he wanted to leave his marks.

"Not fair. I want a view, too." Jimin pulled at Jungkook's shirt and the younger eagerly removed it.

For a moment they both stared at each other. They both had been with women only. This was different now. It was a different kind of appreciation and attraction they felt. Jungkook was honestly surprised how he'd never thought of sleeping with a guy. It wasn't too different, it wasn't weird at all. He was more turned on than he'd ever remembered. But now he realized how much the attraction was based on liking the individual, too. Except for the casual sex he has had over the years, which was purely physical. And even then, sometimes not even that chemistry was there. Sometimes he just needed to shove his dick somewhere and forget about his raging thoughts and problems.

However, now he couldn't care less if he gets to do that or not. He would be so satisfied to just suck Jimin off and call it a night. Jungkook didn't mind giving pleasure to his partners, but he'd be a liar if he said he didn't expect something in return. And now he truly didn't. He might as well get off by listening to Jimin moan his name once he gets his mouth to work.

He wondered if he'd be good at it. Was it more difficult than going down on a girl? Jungkook was a man who never gave up so he was up for the challenge.

"Jungkook, when you stare at me like that, I just want to get dressed again." The younger blinked, realizing he was getting lost in thoughts, but his eyes were still on the other boy. Jimin chuckled, but Jungkook could hear the nervousness in his timber.

"I was just admiring you. Don't pretend like you aren't drooling over me, as well, hyung," he tried to ease the tension hovering closer.

"Brat!" The blond slapped him over the chest.

Jimin had to admit, that Jungkook was right. He's never had the chance to openly admire a male torso for the reasons he was doing it now. Jungkook had broad shoulders but his waist was pretty tiny, maybe even smaller than Jimin's. Which already made him self-conscious enough. The younger wasn't ripped like he was working out six days a week, but his muscles were clearly defined. His abs showed when he flexed his stomach and his veins popped from holding himself up, balancing himself atop Jimin.

And Jimin wanted to slap himself for ever thinking his body would be good enough when they got to this part, because....was it?  Yuri never complained. She even admired his physique and he had believed her. But maybe she just didn't want to push the same pressure on him that she was experiencing as a ballerina. 

Jimin was attracted to Jungkook. More than he wanted to admit. He wanted to touch everywhere, but he couldn't. Not yet. So he'd take whatever Jungkook was willing to give him. Every crumb would be as filling as a full-course meal because Jimin was too shy to ask for more.

"Jimin..." Jungkook leaned lower and closer, whispering his name. No honorifics, no hyung. Something about that sent shivers down Jimin's spine. "You can touch me. I want you to touch me." The younger grabbed the blond's hand as if he had read his thoughts like it often felt that he did, and placed it gently on the firm chest. Then gradually moved it lower and lower, until Jimin's breath caught up in his throat. Jungkook shivered and his abdominal muscles flexed in pure reaction to Jimin's touch. The younger glanced at Jimin and their eyes met in an intense gaze. Without taking his eyes off of him, Jungkook kept moving Jimin's hand until it hovered over his belt. "Unbuckle it." The brunette was barely murmuring under his breath now, but Jimin knew exactly what he was told to do. 

Jimin was sure his heart had never beaten so quickly. And it was because of how Jungkook affected him. He put his other hand to work, too and swiftly removed the belt, throwing it to the floor. He was about to unbutton Jungkook's blue jeans, wanting to give Jungkook the best blow job ever. Or at least he was willing to try. And while Jimin was absolutely certain that was where they were headed, that was what Jungkook wanted, the younger shifted away, keeping his pants on.

"Later."

He then started kissing all over Jimin's torso, taking a nipple between his lips, placing his thumb and forefinger over the other, and playing with it. Jimin didn't want to but hold back from arching his body into Jungkook's touch. Jimin had a big mouth and teased a lot, but he was afraid of being greedy and enjoying things too much. He never wanted to put that pressure on his partner to keep doing something for longer than they wanted to. Jungkook however was taking his sweet time, ravishing Jimin's upper body, while his hand traveled to the buldge in his jeans and gripped it, then massaged it.

"Ah," was the only sound Jimin could make for his brain was not functioning anymore. He could think with only one head now and Jungkook seemed to be paying special attention to it.

The younger pushed himself back and got closer to Jimin's private area before trembling fingers started to unbutton his loose black pants.

"Lift your butt."

Jimin was so lost he didn't even hear the younger. So Jungkook took the matter into his own hands, quite literally, by first slapping the other's hip gently for not listening and then grabbing the back of his knees. 

"What...?" Jimin seemed confused, as he sucked in a breath. Jungkook put both of his legs atop his shoulders, lifting his lower body along with his own as he rose just to create enough space to take off Jimin's pants. Jungkook wasn't patient anymore as he took off the boxers, too. He then scooted backwards and laid on his stomach, Jimin's heels now digging into his back.

"Just relax, please." The younger muttered and Jimin decided to trust him, closing his eyes for a second. Be he had to watch. He wanted to see what he had denied himself all his life.

Jungkook's lips were thin, but sensual when he kissed him. He thought he knew the younger had a skilled mouth, but it was nothing compared to this. When the younger took him into his mouth, sweeping his tongue over his shaft, and then digging with it into the sensitive slit.

"Jungkook!" Jimin's hand automatically flew to the brunette's hair before he realized what he'd done and pulled his hand away.

"Uh-huh!" Jungkook made a muffled sound, in protest, that reverberated on Jimin's length when the younger hand grabbed his wrist and placed his palm in his hair again. For a second Jungkook came to take a breath and with a devilish smirk said: "Pull at it if you want to. Because I like it."

"Oh, gods.."

"Let's see how many times I'll make you scream to those gods of yours, Jimin." As he said that he got back sucking Jimin off.

Jimin was embarrassed but also didn't want this to end. He did as he was told and tugged gently at the dark brown hair, earning happy hmms. But after a couple of minutes of pleasurable licks, sucking and licking again, Jimin's heart was about to explode from the stimulation. He wasn't going to last long. So he pushed Jungkook away.

"Stop..stop." He hissed at the last lick before the younger looked at him confused.

"Why? I thought it was good."

"It's too good, Jungkook. I'll come if you keep doing this."

"And so?"

"And so...I thought...We- How far are we taking this tonight?" They both knew what Jimin meant. If he came now, he could do the same for the younger, but was that all they were going to do? It's not like Jimin wanted to insist they go all the way, but he wasn't sure what Jungkook expected or wanted out of tonight.

"You mean.. are we having sex?" Jungkook was so blunt sometimes, that it took Jimin off guard. But the blond only nodded. " We don't have to if you don't want to..."

"I am not a virgin, you know. You act like you don't want to steal my virtue."

"Oh, that's exactly what I want, hyung." Jungkook chuckled and then kissed Jimin's length before crowing back on top of him. "I want to." His eyes darkened with desire if that was even possible at this point.

"Good. Me too. But how do we...? Shall I be on the receiving end or?"

"Are you asking who's top and bottom?" Jungkook blatantly laughed. It was the funniest thing to talk about, but Jimin was serious. They had to talk about it and decide. It's not like there was only one obvious option when they were both...well, men. Jimin couldn't believe he was getting a little frustrated with the younger when moments ago he was mentally crying his name to the 'deities'.

"If you're so nonchalant, then how do you propose we do it?" Jungkook could sense the tension and the good kind build-up within Jimin. Suddenly, he was scared that he slighted him or hurt him. Did he say something offensive? And that was the last thing he wanted right now. He didn't know what to do.

"Is it that big of a deal?" Jungkook tried to make himself sound small and unthreatening because he was at Jimin's mercy, not the other way around. And he needed to make that clear.

"If you're the one getting fuck, trust me, it will be to you." Jimin frowned, assuming Jungkook meant Jimin would be the one to stick up his ass and get torn in two. But he wasn't some cute obedient girl Jungkook bumped into in the club. 

"Hyung, I don't care. I just want to be with you. But I'd like to switch and get the best of both worlds. Tonight, I will be on the receiving end." Jungkook kissed his lips, trying to turn back the heat on, because he could feel a cold atmosphere started to surround them.

Relief washed over Jimin, because as much as he was ready and willing to do anything he was scared how bad it would hurt. He knew how much pain Yuri endured when they did for the first time and he felt so guilty afterwards, despite her reassuring him it was pleasurable at the end. 

"It's time you take your pants off, big guy." Jimin was back to his teasing, smug self. And Jungkook did. He was obviously and painfully hard and Jimin decided it was time he did something about it. Once Jungkook was stripped naked and was about to return to his position on the couch, Jimin pushed him into the other room. His bedroom. Until the younger's calves hit the bed and Jimin pushed him to sit on it.

He climbed on top of Jungkook who happily pulled him closer with his hands on his waist. Jimin's lips found the other's while his hand searched for the throbbing, erected cock between their bodies. Jimin was too hot and heavy and probably leaking, but he could wait. He wrapped his hand around Jungkook's length and gave it a couple of pumps. First gentle strokes that earned almost meowing sounds from Jungkook's mouth.

"Hyung...," he was breathing heavily in Jimin's ear, but the blond quickly shut him up with a hungry kiss, moaning into him. He wanted to make it known how much he enjoyed pleasuring the younger. And something about moans seeming turned Jungkook on even more. His one arm holding his waist, tightened. And then he realized that the younger was moving them, as he leaned against Jimin's pillows and let the older do whatever he wanted with his cock, his mouth, his body. His soul, too.

"Do you like hard and fast," Jimin then demonstrated, speeding up his hands, making Jungkook scream in ways he hadn't expected. Oh, he was vocal, too.

"Yes," was the only incoherent answer Jungkook could give.

"Or maybe slow and gentle."

"Yes, yes. All of it."

"Good, because you're going to get both." He kept pumping the younger, leaving hickeys all over his shoulders and chest, when he decided to grab both of their lengths together and keep his pace. 

"Fuck-" Jungkook looked so fucked and Jimin was living for this sight. The younger looked at where their cocks were rubbing against each other. "This is so hot, Jimin." Jungkook brought his bigger hand and wrapped it around them both because Jimin's was too small. They both hissed at the additional pressure.

"I am close, Jungkook. Stop." He swatted the younger's hand away, removing his own and pulling away altogether to breathe. He saw Jungkook's frustration all over his face as he lifted his hips, thrusting once in the air.

"Aishh..Are you edging us both? Because I can't handle it." Jungkook complained, his hands digging into the flesh of Jimin's ass. "You better fuck me right fucking now, hyung."

"So impatient." Jimin chuckled but he reached out to his nightstand drawer and pulled a lubricant out of it. "I can't just tear your ass, Jungkook. You need.." Suddenly it dawned on him what they were going to do and Jimin blushed. As if they weren't very naked and very fucked already.

"Prepping? You know how to do it."

"I watched some things to be ready in case...." Jimin was confessing his little dirty secrets so he avoided the younger's stare. 

With a breathy laugh, Jungkook squeezed his ass again. "So you wanted to have sex with me already, huh."

"Yes, you idiot, I did. I do. Happy?"

"Mhmm. Very much so."

"Aishh.." The younger had to admit he deserved the playful slap. But he wouldn't mind a slap across the face right now either. Everything Jimin did was so hot, driving him into a frenzy of desire and lust. "Now you relax. This will feel weird."

Jungkook had never in a million years thought he would take a dick up his butt. Even in the very rare moments when his curiosity got the best of him and he turned on some gay porn, he was sure he would be the top. He was sure of it. As a comfortably straight guy, he couldn't even fathom wanting that type of sexual experience. But Jimin was always the exception.

So he leaned into the soft pillows and closed his eyes, breathing in and out slowly. He heard it helped relax your muscles and down there..well, it was a muscle, wasn't it?

He could feel Jimin's hand stroking his length when something cold and wet parted his cheeks. Oh, Lord, there we go. Relax, Jungkook, relax. 

The cold wet thing was Jimin's index finger which started to massage circles right above his rim without actually pushing in. He was lightly nudging in, but never really going for it. Unexpectedly, the pressure felt so good, Jungkook was almost sure he was about to cum right then and there. When just the tip of the finger pushed through the tight muscle and entered. It still wasn't too much, too bad. It actually felt good.

"Slowly, but you can keep going." He instructed Jimin who was obviously hesitant.

And then no matter how slow he did it, when Jimin's whole finger entered him Jungkook gasped. It stung, but the rhythmic jerks his cock was receiving made pain and pleasure blend into the sweetest mixture. He even thought to himself we wanted more of this. To never make it end.

Jimin pulled out his finger and when it returned it was cold again. More lube.

"Hyung...I like it." He was shy to admit, but he was getting greedy for the intoxicating sensations. " You can do more."

"Okay."

"And slow down here," he buckled his hips for emphasis, "because I am close again."

Jimin followed every instruction. the second finger no matter how lubricated hurt like hell. But Jungkook shut his eyes and blinked the tears pooling there away. Because after a minute it was good again. Still painful, but the good kind. The kind that left you squirming with hunger.

"Ah, fuck...Jimin, I can't hold out anymore."

Jungkook was never edged before. He's done it to girls, but not even to that extent. He realized that perhaps Jimin was the crueller between the two. He felt like he was about to tip over into blissful oblivion more than four times when Jimin just stopped whatever he was doing.

"Three fingers are enough, I think."

"Wait, you put three fingers in me?" The seriously concerned and simultaneously shocked expression Jungkook had on his face was priceless, making Jimin suppress his laughter.

"Yeah."

"I didn't realize."

"Jungkookie, aren't you enjoying this too much? You sure it's your first time with a guy."

"Just fuck me already, dammit!" The younger had been too close too many times to even pretend to be patient.

Jimin chuckled, as he pulled out a condom from the drawer and put it on.

"Turn around," Jimin commanded and Jungkook understood exactly what he wanted. He stood on all fours, laughing at himself, thinking 'never say never' because there he was. In the most compromising position. But what could he do when it felt so good? He looked behind, where Jimin was just massaging his backside, his ass, his thighs.

"This may hurt."

"Please...I can't wait anymore."

Jimin pushed himself ever so slowly, and boy did it hurt. But it didn't last as long as he expected. Once he bottomed out completely, and Jimin pulled out a little, never fully, a couple of times, Jungkook felt fine. More than fine. The sting was soon sending all the blood to his length again that had been leaking for the past 15 minutes. He didn't even know he could last so long.

Park Jimin, you're so lucky to have me, the younger was thinking to himself.

"Fuck, Jungkook-ah. You feel so good."

"I am sure of it."

"Smug even when I have you spread out like this." Jimin trusted a little bit rougher, but Jungkook took it with delight.

"I will be the best you've ever had, hyung."

"You already are."

Jimin was working up his pace, panting. Park Jimin was a goner. He felt squeezed so tight and so perfectly. Every rub against Jungkook's walls was heaven-sent. He had never done anal before. He didn't have to and didn't have the guts to ask Yuri. She never offered either so he thought this was off-limits. But now...it's like his imagination had come to life. And Jungkook was hot beyond words. Even like this, he looked so manly. Even like this Jimin wanted to be manhandled by the younger and fucked on every surface in the apartment. Maybe next time.

He was sure Jungkook was whimpering, taking every thrust with a loud moan. So he grabbed his length and started pumping it, quickening the pace. He knew they were both close. Only five minutes in, or maybe an eternity, he had lost the concept for the time, Jimin was ready to come inside the younger.

"Hyung, please.." He didn't know what Jungkook was pleading for, but he was going to give it to him. His strokes became rougher, his grip tighter. "Don't stop!"

To say Jungkook was overstimulated would be the understatement of the century. He wasn't sure what and how he was doing it, but Jimin's cock kept hitting a holy spot somewhere deep into Jungkook's butthole over and over again. Every time he massaged it with his tip, Jungkook was seeing stars. 

"Don't stop...Ah!" Then with a scream, the younger came all over Jimin's hand. "Yes, yes!" He rode out his orgasm thrusting into Jimin's hand, his body convulsing with pleasure, head hanging low like all of his energy was squeezed out of him with this.

This sight of Jungkook trembling underneath him did for Jimin and he was coming right after, spilling into the condom. He too thrust until the last spurt of cum was out of his system before he pulled out.

Jungkook's asshole was pink, and so was his ass. Jimin realized he had been gripping the skin with his free hand.

The younger collapsed on the bed, breathing heavily, sweat making his hair stick to his forehead. He wiped it with a hand and let it rest there, staring at the ceiling.

"Wow," was all Jungkook could say. "I could die happy like this."

Jimin removed the condom and threw it on the floor, chuckling before he snuggled close to Jungkook and kissed his lips.

"Thank you, Jungkook-ah."

"Are you kidding? As if I didn't love every second of it." There it was. The boyish smile plastered on Jungkook's face.

"I'm glad you did."

"Hyung...this is amazing. You know we have to do it again, right."

"Sure. But let's sleep first and I'll think about it." Jimin teased, closing his eyes, pretending to sleep.

"Think about it?!" Jungkook raised his voice, scoffing in disbelief, when suddenly he started tickling Jimin, who was now giggling uncontrollably. "There is nothing to think about, hyung. This dick of yours belongs to me now." The younger kept shoving his fingers in all the sensitive, ticklish places before Jimin could grab his hands and push him away.

"Fine, fine. I will fuck you in the ass as many times as you want to, Kook." Jimin pinched the younger's nose, turning his back to him.

"Now I can go to sleep peacefully." Jungkook pulled Jimin into a hug, spooning him from behind and pulled a cover on top of their naked, sweaty bodies. Showers be damned, they were so so tired.

The two soon fell asleep with a conversation still to be held. Jungkook still had something to share. And now even more than initially.

Chapter Text

The sun was peaking through the curtain of Jimin's bedroom windows. Jungkook stretched his arms reaching to hug the older, but to his surprise, he was not in bed. His side of the bed was already cold, meaning Jungkook had severely overslept. The brunette decided to lay there for five more minutes before he went to help Jimin in the kitchen since he could smell coffee and something fried the older was cooking. It was the smell of sweet bread in the air. French toast perhaps.

The boy covered his head, and memories of last night instantly flooded his mind. He could still vividly see every moment like a movie frame: frames of him and Jimin exploring each other's bodies, frames of what in Jungkook's humble opinion reassembled closely some spiritual experience. Everything with Jimin felt like that. But last night. It was different. And if he had any doubts that what he read on the internet was even remotely true, he was starting to become a believer. Because he couldn't explain many of the things that had happened the previous night, and he couldn't just tell Jimin right then and there and ruin the moment. So he acted like nothing happened. Like he wasn't having hallucinations while Jimin was kissing his lips numb or fucking him into the bed.

"Ugh.." Jungkook groaned, stretching again, trying to stop the memories from rushing into his brain, but it was too late.

Those visions would haunt him for a while, he was sure of it.

He was running. Chasing someone on the beach. The cold wind was blowing in his face, but a woman's laughter was good enough of a distraction. He was willing to do anything to keep hearing the melody of her voice. He saw the beautiful figure, dressed in a pastel blue dress that looked very old European fashioned, turn and her red hair almost hid her freckled face.

"Are you going to catch me, Loius, or shall I do everything myself?" She was obviously teasing him, still walking away from him, but this time backwards, as her body was turned toward him.

Louis? For a moment he questioned it, but quickly he was filled with this understanding that it was his name. His.

"Rose, darling, you'll catch a cold. So let me chase you back to the house." He shouted, jogging towards her. And just when he was about to catch her, she escaped him. Again.

"No way! I am having the best day of my life!" Rose, he somehow knew her name, spread her arms toward the sky and kept running. He stared at the love of his life and knew that she was the one for the rest of time and even after that.

This was the first vision and Jungkook was so taken aback, but he had kept his hands firmly planted at Jimin's hips, rocking him against him. Wanting to feel more pressure, more, more. Somewhere deep down within him, he recognized that voice. Although it was different, he recognized the sparkle behind the woman's eyes. Because JImin's sparkled just the same when he laughed.

Jungkook wondered how he was going to tell Jimin this. He knew the other would believe him, but what if he was losing his mind? What if they both were? What if it was some sick coincidence that they met right when both of their minds started deteriorating?

"Jungkook-ah?" Jimin called from the bedroom's door and the younger quickly removed the cover from his face. The blond smiled fondly. "I see you finally woke up. Tired much?"

"Uhm, I'm fine." He didn't know why he was so shy all of a sudden. Is this how the girl felt after their first time? Jungkook scolded himself for always going into this comparison, but he couldn't help it. He knew that being with Jimin did not take away from his masculinity. But then again, he never cared about it too much until now.

"Good. I made breakfast."

"Yeah. It smells like it. I am coming in a minute." Jimin nodded and left him alone again. Jungkook got up and realized that despite all his conflicting thoughts, he felt better than ever. Definitely his best sexual experience. He was energized, happy and all giddy inside. He wanted to jump and scream how in love he was. Maybe that was it. The secret ingredient to great sex - love.

He went to wash his face. The cold water splashed across his skin and pulled him into another daydream. Or a reality from a different time.

"Here's your check, Ms." A dark-skinned tall and slender brunette girl was serving the tables in the cantine Jungkook was eating at. He felt his tummy was full, but something made it flip upside down and buzz with butterflies.

Ms? He looked at his pale hands and they indeed looked feminine. He breathed in and suddenly became aware of the extra weight on his chest.

"By the way...that's my number." The waitress winked at him...her.

"Ayanna, the coffee won't serve itself." A much older man yelled from the counter and the girl - Ayanna smiled at Jungkook, or whatever his name was, and kept doing her work.

He finally flipped the receipt and on the back of it, there was indeed a number with the waitress' name. For whatever reason he felt like his heart would combust. For whatever reason every bone in his body ached to get to know Ayanna.

Jungkook finally came to the kitchen and took a seat at the table, while Jimin poured some coffee in a mug and handed it to him. The younger blinked, eyes wide open, taking in the deja vu playing before him.

"You're welcome?" Jimin chuckled, sitting on his chair.

"Uh...thanks, hyung. Sorry, I am still half-asleep."

Jimin shuffled in his place, looking somewhat guilty, but Jungkook decided to dig into his French toast - it really was a French toast after all. Jungkook had the nose of a hound.

"Do you hurt?" Jimin asked softly and quietly. As if Jungkook's answer was crucial for him to keep breathing.

"Not really." Jungkook shifted from one cheek to the other. "Perhaps a tiny bit. But I don't even notice it," he reassured the older with a full mouth. "Hyung, this is so delicious. I shouldn't have doubted your culinary skills."

"Breakfasts are actually the only things I can cook. Omelettes, toasts, oatmeal."

"Simple but delicious."

After a long pause of silence when they both enjoyed their food and coffee, Jimin spoke.

"I know it may be a bad idea to bring this up...but I had a dream last night." If Jungkook was a dog his ears would've perked up at those words. But he tried to pretend he wasn't quite as curious.

"Really? What kind of dream?"

"I don't know why I had it. But in my dream, there was this boy...And he looked foreign."

The younger didn't want to admit that he felt a pang of jealousy, hearing that Jimin had a dream of some other guy, right after Jungkook had offered himself on a silver platter. He crossed his arms on his chest and nodded. He was all ears now.

"It's weird because he looked nothing like you.." Duh, obviously, he didn't. He was some foreign hot dude, a figment of Jimin's sexual fantasies. Jungkook wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't. He prided himself on being a good listener, so he listened. "But I knew it was you. I mean, in dreams, sometimes you just know things despite how they appear. Well that boy was you and you were drowning. And I was trying to reach for you. I swam as fast as I could. But I couldn't reach you."

Well, that wasn't what Jungkook expected, but now he was genuinely interested. Because Jimin's eyes glistened with the tears pooling there. Jungkook hesitated for a second. Should I go to him?

"I really tried, but then I was out of air, too. And I-" A tear rolled down Jimin's cheek and Jungkook was up on his feet, kneeling down to where Jimin was sitting, hugging the older around the waist.

"Hyung, it's okay. It was just a dream."

"I couldn't save you. So I swam back up...I was so selfish." 

"It was a dream, hyung. You're far from a selfish person."

"But it felt so real, Jungkook, you have no idea. If you could only be there...you would've understood. It was more than a dream. It was like..."

"A memory?" Jungkook finished his sentence.

"Yeah."

Then the younger decided to share his own visions. Although he certainly wasn't asleep when he had them.

"What does it all mean?" Jimin asked quietly, his thumb scratching the back of Jungkook's hand.

"I don't know, hyung. But I read something on the internet recently." So Jungkook told him all about his dream and all about the Twin Flame articles he had read.

"But this sounds like a fairytale. Things like that don't exist."

"I know."

"Although..." Jimin started hesitantly.

"Although what?"

"Please don't get freaked out. Taehyung convinced me to do it." Jungkook bit his lower lip waiting for what Jimin was going to say next. "We went to a psychic."

"Like a fortune teller?"

"Something like that. But she knew things about me that she couldn't possibly know. And she knew about you, too. What you meant to me. When we weren't talking."

"When you weren't talking to me." Jungkook corrected him with a slight bite in his words.

"Yes. And she told me you and I were fated to always come back to each other, no matter how far we ran away from each other."

"So you think we are soulmates? Or Twin Flames, or whatever people call it nowadays."

"I don't know. But I can't explain it otherwise."

"Are you scared of it?"

"I just want to have a saying in this. I don't want it to be fate, but a choice."

"It is, hyung. I know I chose you. Surely, I was lucky we met. But I know I chose you despite the obstacles. Fate brought us together. You could say this about any relationship. But we don't love each other because it's convenient. We chose to do it. I know this, hyung."

☽ ☯ ☾

Jimin and Hoseok were hanging out at his studio. Jimin finally found time to squeeze in his schedule for some dance practice and the older boy was generous enough to offer his help. Jimin wasn't going to turn down help from one of the best dancers in Seoul.

However, when the mind and body are in two different places, following through with the routine is trickier than expected. So naturally Jimin kept messing up, as his thoughts drifted to his recent conversation with Jungkook. Twin Flames? Jimin had not allowed himself to read about it online, because he didn't want this outside force to impact his relationship with the younger.

"Ah, Jimin-ah, what's with you? You're not usually like this." Hoseok handed him a bottle of water, stopping the music after the hundredth time

"Sorry, hyung. Work has been distracting me."

"You need a break. And I don't mean from practice. But from life, Jimin."

Jimin sat on the floor and Hoseok took the spot right next to him, their knees brushing against each other. This skin-to-skin contact didn't sit well with Jimin. For some reason, he felt very protective of himself after being intimate with Jungkook. Something deep within him wanted only the younger to touch him and no one else. So he pulled away almost unnoticeable.

"I have a great idea. I am invited to a party next Saturday night. You're welcome to come, too."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Jimin wasn't in the mood for a loud, crowded place, where all you could do was get drunk and get fucked. No, thank you.

"C'mon!" Hoseok slapped Jimin's thigh keeping his hand resting on his bare knee and Jimin wanted to pull away, but he couldn't do it without making it obvious and rude. "A sunbae of mine is celebrating before moving to America. He landed a great job as a choreographer for a famous artist. But he can't tell us who. He told me I can bring friends."

"Hyung-"

"Don't 'hyung' me, Jimin-ah. Your puppy eyes won't work on me. You can take Taehyung, as well. " Hoseok's hand was now on his shoulders and Jimin wondered if Hobi had always been so touchy with him.

"Okay, okay." Jimin decided that he couldn't turn this offer down. Hoseok was persistent when he wanted to be. He was the type of person who worked hard and partied harder. Then an idea hit Jimin. "By the way, can I take someone else, too?"

"Hm..who?"

"Remember Jungkook? I am not sure if he'll be able to come, but can I invite him too?" Maybe Jimin was imagining things, but Hoseok pulled away and for a split second his smile fell, before he forced a grin, nodding his head a little too enthusiastically.

"Sure. The more the merrier. I have invited Jin hyung, too. So it's gonna be another reunion like the gathering at the bar last time."

"Yeah. Maybe we should hang out together again soon." And perhaps that's what Jimin needed. Some socializing to truly distract him because dancing wasn't doing it.

"Maybe."

Jimin's phone buzzed with a text message so he went to his bag and opened the notification. It was Jungkook. Some photo apparently...Let's see what he had to show me-

Jimin almost threw his phone away because he didn't expect to see a picture of Jungkook's naked torso and a towel around his hips. One hand was tucked behind his head and his flexed abdominal muscles were on display. Jimin was profusely getting redder by the second. And if the picture was not enough, the caption was what undid Jimin. 

14:55
Kook: Wish you were here to rail me again, Jimin-shi.

14:58
Chim: I opened your picture in public and people saw it *😏*

If Jungkook was going to be a tease, Jimin was going to match the energy.

14:58
Kook: Then let them stare. They can't touch.

14:59
Chim: Only me?

15:00
Kook: Is that even a question?

15:03
Chim: I am done with practice. Should I come over to yours?

15:03
Kook: Hmm...
Kook: Affected by a little picture, are we, hyung?
Kook: Come if you think you can handle me ;)

15:04
Chim: I can manage :*

"Something about work? Do you have to go?" Hoseok startled Jimin who was not only red in the face, but also getting harder. Was it so hot in the studio earlier?

"Ugh, yeah. I have to go and send some drafts right now for revision." He was an awful liar, he knew that. But how could he resist Jeon fucking Jungkook, sending him nudes while Jimin was already in the mids of twisting and turning his body, rolling his hips to the beat, and just dancing to some sensual RnB song?

"Oh, okay. " Hoseok was seemingly sad. Jimin was quickly picking up his stuff, more excited than he should be. "I loved dancing like the old times. Let's do this again sometime soon, okay?"

"Sure, hyung!" Hobi came to give him a half-hug and a pat on the back before Jimin fled from the studio with the speed of light.

☽ ☯ ☾

The doorbell rang and Jungkook was satisfied, knowing exactly who it was. When he opened the door he didn't spare Jimin from the potential heart attack, for the younger was still in his black shirt and boxers.

"You're very quick." Jungkook let the older come in, taking his gym bag from his hands.

"I heard there was an emergency."

"Oh yeah?"

"I heard the house was burning down because of your hotness."

They both stared at each other before bursting laughing. Then, while Jimin was still unpacking the layers of clothes, which kept him warm in late March, Jungkook closed the distance between them. But he was shoved away.

"I am sweaty. I have to take a shower first."

"Why? You'll sweat again, soon. " Jungkook was stubborn, as he cradled Jimin against the wall of his corridor with a huge smirk on his face. "Then we can shower together. " The younger started to kiss his neck, breathing him in, trying to reassure himself that Jimin was real. He needed to feel him pressed to his body again. But not with all these damn clothes. So he shoved his hands under the blond's white shirt, pushing the fabric up and trying to explore as much territory as possible.

"I am seriously disgusting, Jungkook." Another weak effort to push Jungkook away, but it was completely useless against the younger. Turns out Namjoon's workout regime was good for something. Jimin was getting riled up pretty quickly. And Jungkook loved how he affected the other.

"No, I like it."

"You're lying." He wasn't lying. Jungkook loved the raw, sweaty body, that grounded him. He loved natural smells. Something feral was awakening within him whenever he had his hands on Jimin. Maybe something about the pheromones and their DNA being compatible. Yeah, that must be it. Otherwise, why would Jungkook want to like Jimin at this moment?

 The brunette could feel Jimin giving in, slowly surrendering to his propositions. He was panting as Jungkook was pressing into him.

"Hyung, I waited long enough already. I can't wait for you to shower, too. And you don't smell bad."

"That's because Hoseok hyung is taking it easy on me."

Just before he was about to bite Jimin's ear, Jungkook froze hovering there, before pulling enough to face the older.

"You're dancing together?" The frown Jungkook had right this moment was deep enough to leave a wrinkle. That was a piece of information Jimin had conveniently left out when he told Jungkook was taking dancing classes.

"I told you we're still friends. But just that, friends."

"Pff, yeah, sure." The younger pulled away just as quickly as he had jumped Jimin, walking into the living room.

"Jungkook! Don't act like this. I told you I am friends with Hobi hyung. Why is it a big deal?"

"Because he likes you! And not as a dongsaeng or a fellow dancer, or whatever other label you think he places on you. He likes you, hyung! The way I like you."

"You can't know that, Jungkook."

"I can. I do. I saw it when he looked at you that night when we first met. And in the morning, too. I can't forget it." Jungkook pinched his nose, shutting his eyes because even thinking about it made his head hurt.

"Okay, then perhaps I shouldn't tell you this but...he invited us to a party."

"What?"

"Yeah. I kinda feel like going. I want you to come. Otherwise, I won't go."

"I am not trying to control you, Jimin. I just don't like you two being close. But you can go if you want to. It's not my place to-"

"No. I want you to come because it's not gonna be fun without you. Taehyung will come too. And he knows about us. So I thought it'd be cool if my best friend and boyfriend got to know each other a little."

"Will you tell Hoseok about us, too?"

"I am not sure. Maybe. Soon. "

"You think he'd judge you?"

"No. He won't. I will tell him, of course. I want to tell everyone. Just not right away."

Jungkook was still trying to suffocate the jealous demons rising inside his chest. But he couldn't be like this. He had to be better for Jimin. He wasn't planning to be one of those controlling boyfriends who told you how to dress and who to talk to. He's never been like this before, either. That was a new unknown side of his.

"Okay. I'll come. When?" Jimin's face lit up at the answer.

"Next Saturday. Around 7 or 8 pm."

"That's good with me." Jungkook kept staring daggers at Jimin before he pulled the older into his arms. "Come here!" He crouched down, placing his hands under Jimin's butt, lifting him from the ground like a feather. The older squeaked.

"What are you doing?"

"I am marking my territory." Call him an animal, Jungkook couldn't care less. He was going to paint Jimin's neck in blue and yellow hickeys so everyone at that damn party knew he was taken. By who? They didn't have to know. But he was taken.