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Chapter Text

Jimin thinks that he might have an addiction. The symptoms fit, too; the way he can't seem to get enough, no matter how he indulges; the way he fidgets uncomfortably if it's been a long time between the hits; the way he swears each time is the last time.

His poison of choice isn't alcohol or drugs, no – Park Jimin's biggest weakness is a tall, muscular, foul-mouthed rapper, Jeon Jungkook. Jungkook is everything Jimin was never supposed to need in his life, and yet, somehow, he is exactly what Jimin wants. 

It's yet another morning after, that vicious moment of realization; a bridge between yesterday and today connecting all that has commenced the night before. Jimin wakes up mercifully slowly, dull ache from the champagne last night tapping at his temples, making him slightly dizzy. Every other part of him feels guilty but oh, so satisfied.

This was not supposed to happen again. 

Their legs are tangled; Jimin's head is resting against Jungkook's collarbone, his forehead grazing the juncture between the rapper's shoulder and neck. When Jimin finally opens his eyes, he meets Jungkook's gaze. For a moment, Jimin feels exhausted despite having just woken up. 

"This is the last time," Jimin swears. "We can't meet up again." 

Instead of shock or even the slightest sign of surprise, Jungkook smirks. "Of course," he agrees, because they both know that he'll have Jimin back in his bed within a week. 

"I mean it," Jimin insists as he stands up, looking for his clothes. They always end up all over Jungkook's apartment, no matter how hard Jimin tries to remind himself to leave them in a pile somewhere, so he could just sneak out in the morning without having to do a scavenger hunt for his underwear. Lately, his sneaking out plans have been vehemently interrupted, though. Jungkook traps him under his body in his sleep, and no matter how hard Jimin pushes at him, he doesn't budge. 

Jungkook lies back on the bed, his gaze heavy on Jimin who moves swiftly around the spacious bedroom, picking up his discarded clothes. Jimin frowns when he finally finds his shirt – most of the buttons have been ripped off. He glares at Jungkook whom offers no apologies, just another smirk. Jimin abandons the shirt in favor of putting his boxers on and ignores the sound of disappointment from Jungkook. 

"I was enjoying the view," the rapper comments then. Jimin picks up one of his socks and throws it at him. Infuriatingly enough, Jungkook catches it – his boisterous laughter almost makes Jimin forget his own crankiness. 

Almost. 

God, how does he keep ending up in Jungkook's bed? When he has sworn to himself not to? Why does he keep falling for the same tricks, same trap of filthy promises and wicked hands? Jungkook seems to have a fool-proof way of breaking through every wall Jimin tries to build between them to keep them apart. 

A mistake, a mistake, a mistake. That's all that this, whatever it should be called, is. It was a mistake to kiss Jungkook in the dark corner of the nightclub, a mistake to let Jungkook escort him out of the club with a hand on the small of his back, a mistake to go home with him, a mistake to let the rapper fuck him, slow and deep, into the silk sheets. 

And a mistake to stay over when he knows damn well he shouldn't have, because it's always harder to leave in the morning, groggy and sore, than it would be in the dark of the night. 

There is the tiniest shadow of a smile tugging at the corners of Jungkook's mouth.

"You always say you won't come back," he reminds then. And yet here we are, is what he doesn't say, but they both think it. 

Jimin's eyes narrow at his flippant attitude. "I'm not coming back," he enunciates very carefully.

Jungkook shrugs. "Suit yourself. I'll go take a shower."

The rapper stands up in all of his naked glory, and Jimin pretends that the artwork on the opposite wall suddenly requires all of his attention. He doesn't look up, not even when Jungkook shoots him a wink and makes some dirty joke about saving water by showering together. 

Then the door closes behind him, and Jimin hears the shower being turned on. Confident that Jungkook won't be back for a while to distract him, Jimin rummages through the giant wardrobe in the corner of the room. Being one of the richest rappers in all of Korea, Jungkook of course has a whole another room for his designer clothes but in his bedroom, there is a closet for the ones he just uses at home. 

Jimin could just hold off on getting dressed altogether until he has done his hair and make-up, but he needs to get his head straight before meeting his manager for lunch. Staying focused on getting ready definitely won't happen if he is prancing around Jungkook's apartment in his birthday suit. And if he has to choose between ruining his otherwise immaculate Gucci shirt or one of those ratty white T-shirts Jungkook seems to have an endless supply of, he knows what his choice will be.  

Besides, Jungkook will freak if Jimin ruins his precious shirt with concealer which is always fun. 

He frowns at the thought as he pulls the shirt on. Damn it. He is not supposed to rile Jungkook up anymore. This is the last time they sleep together. They were never supposed to last this long, even: Jungkook doesn't do relationships and Jimin needs to keep up the sweetheart image all of South Korea has stuck him with. Getting involved with someone like Jungkook is definitely not what Jimin should be doing, and he knows as much – but maybe Jimin is growing tired of playing the angel everyone else wants him to be.  

Jungkook disapproves of the entertainment industry's 'dress-up game', as he calls it, and refuses to put much effort into his appearance on his days-off, but Jimin still manages to locate a straightener – one of Jungkook's ever-so-hopeful stylist noonas must have left behind. Jimin uses the straightener to style his bangs away from his eyes in the classy way the public has grown accustomed to seeing him with. Once his hair is done, he starts hiding the bags under his eyes as well as the many hickeys that now adorn his skin with the concealer he is always carrying. 

"Damn it, Jeon," he grumbles as he tries to hide one particularly dark bruise right above his collarbone. It won't really be visible once Jimin puts on his dress shirt, but after nine years in the modeling industry and being constantly scrutinized by the public, he has grown near paranoid to keep his private life just that – private. 

Especially now that he is sporadically fucking the most popular rapper of the moment. 

Somewhat satisfied with his makeup and his efforts of concealing last night's activities, Jimin startles when he hears a faint rattling noise. Chalking it up to Jungkook trying to mess with Jimin's admittedly scaredy-cat nerves, Jimin opens his mouth to yell at him to quit it.

That's when he realizes that the noise is coming from the apartment's door. He freezes in his steps when he hears the lock on the door rattle.

Someone is coming. 

Jimin gasps in horror and wildly gazes around the room for a place to hide, but he is coming up empty. 

"Jungkookie? Time to get up, you have a radio interview and practice," a man calls out as the door opens. Jimin recognizes the deep voice, but instead of the notion calming him down, the familiar voice just makes him more anxious. It's Jungkook's manager. 

Jimin sneaks out of the bedroom that he knows will be in the manager's route next, but unlike he thought, the door leads to Jungkook's gigantic bathroom. Jungkook recently moved into a new and even more lavish apartment in Gangnam, and Jimin doesn't know his way around it yet since this is his first time staying over. 

Jimin narrows his eyes at that. No, not yet. He is never going to learn his way around the apartment because he is not coming back, right? This is the last time, he said so himself. So what if he has said that before. This time it will stick. It has to. 

The bathroom is twice the size of Jimin's bathroom, which is already saying a lot since Korea's favorite model isn't living under a jacket pinned up between two sticks, either. The room is decorated with sophisticated black and pearly white. There is a bathtub that is more of a small pool, really; a toilet seat made of marble; two sinks with a lot of space despite the vase of white roses between them; two big mirrors with just the right amount of lighting. 

The focus point of the room is the giant shower cubicle in the corner. Two of the cubicles walls are windows, entirely made of reflective glass that allows the person inside the shower see outside but not for any curious eyes to peek inside. The other two walls of the cubicle are made of different kind of glass that only silhouettes can be seen through. 

The manager must have heard the door close after Jimin because next he calls out, "Is someone here?"

Jimin notices the unlocked door on the other side of the bathroom and curses silently when he realizes that it's too far away for him to reach in time. Running out of hiding spots, Jimin jumps into the shower with Jungkook. 

Jungkook turns when he hears the shower door slide open and close. Drops of water are running down his toned body, creating tiny rivers between the planes of hard muscle. Jimin's throat feels dry all of a sudden – he wants to run his tongue along Jungkook's drenched skin, drinking in each water pearl sliding down his jaw and neck. 

Jungkook's lips form around Jimin's name, so Jimin slaps a hand over his mouth. Jungkook shoots him a confused look, but Jimin puts a finger in front of his own mouth, signaling at the rapper to keep quiet. Since moving further away from Jungkook would create two silhouettes in the shower glass, Jimin needs to stay close to him and try not to move. But staying still is a trick all on its own since his thoughts keep getting side-tracked by Jungkook's... everything. 

The water falls off of Jimin's right shoulder, soaking his (well, Jungkook's) shirt. The endless stream of water smears his makeup and ruins the hair he spent the past twenty minutes schooling into something that wouldn't scream I've been fucking all night. 

The door to the bathroom swings open, and Jungkook gets his answer as to what the hell Jimin is doing. 

"Jungkook?" his manager calls out. Jungkook is still looking at Jimin whom removes the hand from his mouth once Jungkook bites it. 

"Am I allowed to answer?" Jungkook taunts in a low voice only they can hear over the rush of water. Jimin flicks water at his face. Jungkook grins and replies to his manager more audibly, "Yeah?"

"I'm here to make sure you woke up."

"I'm up," Jungkook responds to his manager and gazes teasingly at Jimin who rolls his eyes. 

"Is someone with you?"

Jimin stares down Jungkook who offers a smirk in return. Jimin mouths at him, I'm not here. The last thing he needs is to explain the messy and complicated relationship he and Jungkook have to anyone else. 

He really, really doesn't like the way Jungkook's eyes light up. 

Jungkook does answer, but he deliberately makes the reply sound like a lie. "No, definitely not."

Jimin glares at the rapper the best he can with the water falling into his eyes. You're so dead, he mouths, and in turn, Jungkook pretends to shake in fear. 

The manager sighs. "Goddammit, Jeon. Well, for your and your most recent flame's information you have 45 minutes to shower, dry off and get dressed before I come help you, and trust me, you don't want my help."

"Make that an hour." 

The manager lets out a heavy sigh, but he is going to give in, they always do. Jungkook's employees always leave plenty of time in their routine for waking Jungkook up. Jimin has witnessed them come by to wake up Jungkook at 8 AM, even if his schedule began at 1 PM. 

"Fine. But you need to stop bringing people over when you know you have schedule the next day, okay? Just because I've somehow gotten stuck with the job of waking you up doesn't mean I want to clean up the vestiges of your one-night stands," the manager states. Jimin shifts uncomfortably at his words. 

"No promises," Jungkook replies. The manager curses him out before slamming the bathroom door close with one last warning that Jungkook better be camera-ready in 57 minutes and 23 seconds, or else. 

A few seconds later, the front door slams closed as well. 

Jimin sighs in relief. "Finally," he breathes out and steps back from the stream of water to properly look Jungkook in the eyes and tell him goodbye, but the rapper has different plans. He pulls Jimin back under the falling water and swallows the sound of protest Jimin makes as the rest of him gets soaked. 

Jungkook's hands wander down Jimin's torso, straightening the crooks of the wet shirt clinging onto Jimin's chest like a second skin. Jimin shakes at the sensation of the rapper's thumbs brushing against his nipples. 

"You're a jerk. I told you that I'm meeting with my agent and later with a client today," Jimin pants when they break apart to catch their breaths. 

There is laughter in Jungkook's voice. "Guess you'll have to borrow my clothes," he taunts. Jimin bites down on his bottom lip a little too hard on purpose, making Jungkook wince. 

"Is this mine?" Jungkook asks then, playing with the hem of Jimin's shirt, but he already knows it is. Much to Jimin's surprise, he isn't freaking out like Jimin had half-expected him to. Instead, he is staring down at Jimin's body with eyes half-lidded, his tongue swiping over to wet his bottom lip. 

"Yes." 

"That's hot," he says, backing Jimin against the shower wall. Jimin's fingers find a home in Jungkook's wet hair, tugging lightly. 

"Asshole." 

"Come on. Be bad for me," Jungkook whispers to the shell of Jimin's ear, making him shudder. His hands push the hem of Jimin's wet t-shirt up the model's thigh, his touch scalding despite the cool water. "Let's be late."

"I'm already bad for you. Can't you be good for me for a change?"  

"But where's the fun in being good?" Jungkook whispers against Jimin's neck, sucking a hickey right over a pulse point. Jimin closes his eyes, leaning his head back against the sturdy glass. He gives in so easily, it's almost embarrassing how much he wants Jungkook. 

Jungkook is the kind of guy to burn a house down, the kind of guy to make a date's father blush, the kind to give other's a headrush. His devil-may-care attitude is definitely a part of what keeps Jimin coming back, trapping him in this eternal limbo that he doesn't even want to get out of, no matter what he says. He knows he should, but he is so fucking sick of doing things he should – instead of doing things he wants. 

"We'll be late," Jimin protests weakly, but they both know he has already given in. 

"An hour is plenty of time," Jungkook retorts while adding to the hickey collection he has on Jimin's chest.

"I don't have an hour, I need to meet my agent," Jimin says, but enthusiastically responds to the kisses pressed to his lips. "And I'll have to do my make-up again because of a certain someone." 

"You look good like this," Jungkook hums to his ears, drawing him in, inviting him to a familiar trap. "You'd look even better in my bed, gasping for a breath, fingers grasping at the sheets when I make you come..." 

Jimin groans and kisses him hard. "Stop talking." 

Jungkook stops talking. 

"I said I was sorry," Jimin says sheepishly, twirling the straw of his smoothie between his fingers, giving his agent a pleading look. He discreetly pulls his collar to better cover his neck, feeling self-conscious in clothes that aren't his.

Yoongi hadn't questioned Jimin's story about accidentally sleeping in nor had he said anything about the hoodie that is clearly too big on him, but Jimin's not sure whether that means that his agent believes him or that he just doesn't want to know. 

Yoongi isn't having it. "You were an hour late!" he snaps. "The waitress kept giving me pitying looks, probably thought I got stood up, or something. She even gave me free dessert!" 

"But I'm here now."

"Not good enough." 

Jimin looks up through his lashes, regret in his eyes. "I'm so, so sorry, hyung-nim. It won't happen again," he says in a cute voice that Yoongi hates because he hasn't found an antidote for it.  

"Oh no, you don't. Don't try to charm your way out of this," Yoongi tells him sternly, but Jimin can tell that he is already out of the doghouse. Yoongi talks a good game, but there is a big soft spot in his heart just for Jimin. 

Knowing that he is forgiven, Jimin asks: "What did you want to talk about, anyway?" 

Yoongi scowls at him for a while longer, but then relents at Jimin's puppy dog eyes. "I was meeting with Kim Seokjin's people at a mixer yesterday, and we got to talking about the project you've got coming up with him."  

"Ooh, I bet you got all wine aunt on them," Jimin teases. "Was Hobi hyung there, by any chance?" 

"Shut your mouth," Yoongi tells him, but his cheeks are definitely a shade rosier than they were before. "Of course he was there, he works with Seokjin."

"Tell me you finally asked him out." 

Yoongi scoffs. "I've only known him for eight months, and no. I'm not going to ask out someone I have to keep working with. I don't even know if he is into dudes," he states and decidedly ignores the way Jimin rolls his eyes. 

"Well, what did you and Hoseokie hyung talk about while you were too chicken to ask him out?" he teases. He knows he is toeing the line of being majorly told off, but pushing Yoongi's buttons is Jimin's favorite part of the day. 

Yoongi shoots him a look, but doesn't comment. Instead, he says, "We were talking about how to get more publicity for the project. There was a scandal with one of the designers, so we need some good press." 

Jimin nods and bites into a strawberry, waiting for Yoongi to cut to the chase.  

"How would feel about dating Seokjin-ssi?" 

Jimin raises a brow. "Dating as in...?" 

"Go out with him a few times, let cameras catch you with him. That's all you'd have to do, he knows it'd be just a publicity thing," Yoongi promises. 

"He already agreed?" 

Yoongi shoots him a wry smile. "Who says no to dating Park Jimin?" 

Jimin smiles back. "Fine, I'll do it," he promises because that's what is expected of him. Korea's sweetheart never causes trouble. Korea's angel only smiles and waves. 

Only smiles and waves. 

Jungkook is so fucking good with words. He doesn't need to use a lot of them, he just has a talent for choosing exactly the right ones. It's what makes him such a good rapper, Jimin supposes. If Jungkook wasn't so good with words, he couldn't have talked Jimin into not only seeing him again but also into waiting at the company until Jungkook finishes practicing. Jungkook will be going on tour soon, so in the face of their impending separation, Jimin agreed to Jungkook's terms for time and place which he is now regretting. 

Jungkook and his dancers were supposed to have finished already an hour ago when Jimin arrived, but Jungkook is nothing if not a perfectionist. Jungkook is serious about one thing in the world: his music and all that comes along with it. 

Like dancing. 

"I did not plan on hanging at the company on my one day-off," Jimin complains, when Jungkook and his dancers take a break, and Jungkook comes by to check on him. Jimin knows he sounds like a brat, but he has noticed that if wielded with caution and in moderation, a little brattitude has a positive effect on Jungkook. 

Jungkook pulls a chair to sit in front of him and chugs down water. Jimin gets momentarily side-tracked following the movement of Jungkook's throat. His cheeks burn when he recalls other times he has seen the same movement. 

"I'm almost ready," Jungkook defends himself, nudging Jimin's knee with his own as he sets the water bottle down. 

Jimin shoots him an intentionally annoyed look. "If you are too busy for me, I'm sure I can find someone else to keep me company," he challenges, making a meaningful sweep of the room with his eyes. 

Jungkook looks at him, silent and eyes unreadable. Then he leans back slightly, just enough that his knees slot between Jimin's thighs. Jimin raises a brow, and just to be a brat, he starts clamping his thighs closed, even if it makes him think of other times he has been wrapped around Jungkook. Heat pools in his stomach all of a sudden; was it always so hot in this room? 

Jungkook's clearly in the mood for winning their little tug of war since he keeps at it until he has successfully spread Jimin's legs and slotted his knees between Jimin's thighs.

"I said I'm almost done," he states once he has Jimin's full attention. His hands settle on Jimin's thighs, thumbs drawing patterns on the skin left bare by Jimin's ripped jeans which makes the model blush. 

"You texted me, remember?" Jimin scowls, trying to regain his anger, even though lust licks up the bottom of his stomach, something inside of him purring just for being touched. Jungkook doesn't reply, he just pushes Jimin's thighs farther apart.

Jimin pulls his chair away from Jungkook's reach and furrows a brow. "You want me? Then make time – or someone else will." 

"Jungkook, let's wrap this up!" the head of the dancers calls out.

Jungkook doesn't look up, his whole focus is on Jimin who smirks slightly and leans back on the chair. "Tick tock," the model demands.  

"I'll make it worth your while," Jungkook negotiates which he never does. Jimin has to admit that he is intrigued – what will happen if he pushes Jungkook just a little bit further? 

Jimin shoots him a fiery glare, shaking his head. "Next time you want to waste my time, don't," he says coldly and makes a move to stand, but Jungkook grabs his wrist. 

"Wait." 

Jimin pulls his hand away, and Jungkook doesn't stop him this time which should be what Jimin wants, but his wrist feels colder instead. "No, I have waited long enough. I've been here for so long that I could probably dance your choreo already. That's how many times I've seen it," he snaps.  

Jungkook raises a brow. "Okay," he says, "Do it." 

Jimin frowns. "Do what?"

"Dance for me."

Jimin scoffs. "No."

"Dance for me, and I'll leave with you right now," Jungkook promises. Jimin stares at him, trying to detect signs that Jungkook is only joking. Jungkook stares back, face as unreadable as ever. 

"No."

Jungkook nods once, standing up. "Okay. Well, I think we are going to rehearse a few more hours–"

"Okay," Jimin snaps. Jungkook smirks at him and offers Jimin a hand. Despite his scowling, Jimin takes it and allows Jungkook to pull him to his feet. 

"I hate you," he mutters. 

Jungkook grins. "You too, babe."

Most of the dancers have dispersed to get a breather or just to enjoy their ten minute water break without the nervous atmosphere of the room, but some have stayed back, quietly chatting together. They glance curiously at Jimin who is standing in the middle of the room with a frown on his face.

"Whenever you are ready," Jungkook taunts, taking his place next to the sound equipment. 

Jimin shoots him a glare. "Just play the damn song," he retorts coldly. Jungkook smirks and presses play. The dramatic interlude to his song begins. Jimin breathes in, preparing himself. 

Jimin is confident in his dancing – that's not the problem. The choreography isn't easy, but it's not impossible, either. He knows he is not as good as the professional dancers Jungkook's people have hired for the upcoming tour, but almost twenty years of dance lessons do help him pick up choreographies faster than an average person. Besides, he really has been watching them rehearse the same part of the choreography for over an hour now. Some of it clearly has stuck to his mind – Jimin finds his body bending rather naturally to the first few moves, which gives him a nice ego boost. 

The problem begins and ends in the way Jungkook is looking at him. 

Jimin feels hot all over whenever he meets Jungkook's unrelenting gaze. He loses his footing for a split second but quickly corrects his pose. He avoids looking at Jungkook after that, focusing only on his dancing. That plan, however, gets thrown out of the window when Jungkook picks up a mic and starts rapping along to the instrumental track. Suddenly he is everywhere, his voice burning under Jimin's skin like a wildfire, and Jimin can't pretend to just be dancing for the hell of it anymore. 

you think you can teach me?

you pitiful ahjussi

call me a  pariah

  you are nothing but a liar 

Hearing Jungkook growling in a low voice has Jimin's head spinning. His body moves at its own accord, answering the call of a pied piper. He has messed up most of the choreography by now, more focused on dancing his heart out than following the moves he has trouble remembering anymore. Jungkook doesn't seem to notice, his voice just gets lower as his hooded eyes follow Jimin's movements. 

Then the song ends, leaving behind a deafening silence. Jimin stops dancing, turning to look at Jungkook. He waits for a comment, but Jungkook just stares at him, lost in his thoughts and still holding the mic in his hand. 

Wanting to cut the tension somehow, Jimin shoots him a finger heart. This makes some of the dancers laugh, which breaks Jungkook out of his stupor. He blinks, doing a sweep of the room, as if only then remembering that there are other people present. 

"So?" Jimin asks. Jungkook only raises a brow in response, and Jimin clarifies, "Are we leaving?" 

The rapper nods slowly. "Yeah."

"Wow, Jimin-ssi," one of Jungkook's backup dancers comments then in a slightly too eager voice, "I never knew you could dance like that."

"Yes, is there anything you can't do?" another dancer giggles shyly. His face flushes beet red when Jimin turns to look at him. 

Jimin laughs, waving away the compliments the dancers are showing him with. It's a familiar routine: all part of the angel persona he has had to create to make it in Korea's cruel modeling world that was designed to rip people's hearts out. 

"Korea's angel!" 

"Ah, he is so good-looking." 

Jungkook glances at the dancers. "I'll go change clothes, so we can go," he says then to Jimin. 

Jimin stops him with a hand grazing Jungkook's sweaty chest. "Don't," he says so quietly only Jungkook hears him, and winks playfully when Jungkook glances at him, eyebrows raised. "You look hot like this." 

"Yeah?" 

Jimin hums in approval. "Why'd you think I was so eager to leave?" he teases and gets to briefly enjoy one of the few instances of Jeon Jungkook being too flustered to respond. 

Fifteen minutes later Jimin is already sitting on Jungkook's lap on his bed, his fingers tangled in Jungkook's dark locks that have grown long and curly over the summer. His lips glide over Jungkook's, tasting the cherry lip balm Jungkook always grows obsessed with at the first sign of cold weather. Jungkook slides his hand up Jimin's thigh, the other hand playing with his zipper.  

"Off, off–" Jimin mumbles against Jungkook's lips, tugging at the hem of his over-sized T-shirt with impatient hands. 

"Thought you wanted me to wear this," Jungkook taunts, and Jimin feels the other's lips curve up to a smirk, so he slips his tongue inside Jungkook's mouth, effectively shutting him up. 

"It looks good on you, yes, but right now I'm more interested in what's under it," he replies after a minute, sliding his hands under Jungkook's shirt, feeling the hard planes of muscle.

"This feels a little objectifying. I'm not some toy you can just use for your pleasure whenever you feel like it," Jungkook claims, but the downright hungry way he is kissing up Jimin's neck doesn't make it feel like he minds.

At all. 

"Can't you be? I promise I'll make it fun for you," Jimin giggles. He rolls his hips experimentally, pressing his ass against the growing bulge in Jungkook's pants. Jungkook makes a sound of approval, capturing Jimin's waist with his hands. Jimin kisses him again, keeping up the slow pace, rocking against Jungkook. 

Jungkook leans back, allowing Jimin closer. Jimin takes advantage of the change of position and sucks a dark hickey into his neck. 

"Korea's angel, sucking hickeys," Jungkook taunts. Jimin nips at his neck in protest, warningly dragging his teeth over Jungkook's throat.  

"Shut the fuck up," he hisses, but Jungkook isn't done teasing yet.

"I don't think angels are supposed to curse, Jimin-ssi." 

"You of all people should know that I'm no angel," Jimin whispers, lips grazing the shell of Jungkook's ear. Jungkook shudders involuntarily, blood pumping faster in his veins. The light ambiance makes way for something ferocious and exciting. 

"But if you've forgotten, I'll happily remind you," Jimin whispers. He crawls down on the bed, one hand on Jungkook's chest pushing him to lie down on his back. The rapper complies and settles down on the soft sheets, eyes trained on Jimin whom takes out Jungkook's cock, jerking it twice before letting go again. Jungkook's heart beats hard against his rib cage when he feels Jimin capture Jungkook's wrists with his hands. His fingers don't go all the way around Jungkook's wrists, but the sentiment is clear: don't move.  

Jimin licks his lips as he makes eye contact with Jungkook. Keeping Jungkook's gaze he lowers his mouth down onto Jungkook's cock, taking in all of it at once. Jungkook swears, his hands involuntarily struggling against Jimin's restraints as the model starts bobbing his head up and down, picking up speed.

Jimin takes pride in how little his eyes tear up anymore. Pulling back, he swirls his tongue around the tip, reveling in the way Jungkook's breathing gets more labored. 

Jungkook can feel it already, orgasm building in the pit of his stomach, so he opens his mouth to warn Jimin, but just then Jimin does another plunge down on his cock, and all that comes out is, fuck. He sees the devil in Jimin's angel eyes when the model smirks at him, pretty lips stretched around Jungkook's cock. He swallows around the shaft and enjoys the way Jungkook's entire body jerks.

Jimin sits up, putting more of his weight onto the hands pinning Jungkook's wrists to the mattress. He ignores Jungkook's squirming and bobs down again. Jungkook thrusts up, sliding deeper into Jimin's throat. Jimin gags slightly, pulling back a little. He lets go off of Jungkook's wrist to smack him as a punishment, and Jungkook immediately takes that as an opportunity to capture Jimin's hand in his, squeezing twice. 

"Ji-Jimin... come on, I'm gonna come," he says breathlessly. 

"So what? I'm not in any hurry," Jimin sing-songs suggestively, but then he frowns. "Oh, right, I kind of am. Shit. Okay, let's get this show on the road." 

Jungkook kind of wants to ask what Jimin is doing afterwards, but opts out of it because it's not his business and because once naked Jimin sits down on his cock and starts bouncing, everything else slips out of his mind. All that matters are the breathy whines leaving Jimin's lips and the way his thighs tense each time he rises up. 

Neither one of them last long because of the lengthy foreplay. Jimin insists on keeping their lips glued, sucking on Jungkook's bottom lip until it's sure to swell. Jungkook holds his waist tight enough to bruise as he speeds up, slamming Jimin up and down on his cock. The model is breathing heavily as Jungkook steals the moans right from his lips, using one hand to quickly jerk Jimin off. He likes it when Jimin finishes before him because the fucked out look on Jimin's face always has him soon spilling too. 

It takes only a handful of flicks of Jungkook's wrist before he has Jimin gasping hotly against his mouth, ropes of cum spraying his stomach. Jungkook follows him to euphoria only a few thrusts later. 

Jimin leans his forehead against Jungkook's sweaty bangs, both of them breathing hard. Then Jungkook falls back on the bed, Jimin falling down on top of him. Their labored breaths slowly even out, and then it's quiet again. The moment is pleasant enough to be spent in silence: they don't need to speak to understand.  

"Gonna pull out," Jungkook mumbles, "Ready?"

Jimin makes an affirmative sound and only slightly winces when Jungkook pulls out. Neither one of them makes an attempt to move away or get cleaned up, although Jimin really should. Jimin allows himself to rest his head on Jungkook's chest although he is sure that he is crushing the other. Jungkook's not complaining, though. His eyes are barely open anymore, fingers absent-mindedly drawing little circles to Jimin's hips. Jimin's eyelashes are drooping as well, his consciousness losing the fight against sleep.

With maximum effort, Jimin pulls himself upright again, steadying himself with hands on Jungkook's chest. 

"Okay, I should get going. Gotta meet the boyfriend," Jimin says then. By the look of numb disbelief in Jungkook's eyes, Jimin is belatedly reminded that he forgot to mention that in the eyes of the public, he is about to be dating someone else.

"What boyfriend? Did you get back with...?" Jungkook wonders, a picture of Jimin's ex-boyfriend's smug face flashing before his eyes. Would Jimin seriously go back to that loser? 

Jimin flicks him, knowing where Jungkook's thoughts took him. "Of course not, what the hell. No, my agent wants me dating some idol I'll be filming with soon. The project needs visibility, so we'll go on a few dates," he explains as he slides off of Jungkook, sitting on the side of the bed to wipe the cum off of him with the tissues on the nightstand. 

"Oh," Jungkook says casually, but the frown marring his handsome face doesn't fade away. "So you'll be meeting him now? Right after rolling around in my sheets?" 

"Well, he doesn't need to know what I've been doing. As far as I'm concerned, we start dating only after we meet."

Jungkook sits up, pressing little kisses to Jimin's shoulder. Jimin sighs, leaning back to give Jungkook better access as the kisses rise up to his neck. 

"Babe, I have to be on time," he whines, but makes no move to get up from the familiar bed. 

"Then go," Jungkook taunts. His lips move right up to under Jimin's chin, sucking on his pulse point. A hot flash of want shoots through Jimin, making his heart beat faster.  

Jimin powerlessly pushes at Jungkook's chest. "Let me go," he says, but responds enthusiastically to the next kiss pressed to his lips. "I can't be late, or my agent will really throw me out of the window this time." 

"Okay," Jungkook agrees right as he captures Jimin's bottom lip between his teeth, sucking. Jimin moans, bringing his hand to Jungkook's neck to pull him closer. He breathes in Jungkook's familiar scent, allowing himself to get lost in him for just a little while longer before he has to leave. 

Begrudgingly, Jimin finally pulls back. "Seriously, I need to leave now if I want to make it there on time," he says, escaping Jungkook's hands reaching out to pull him back, and quickly puts on his shirt. 

"You're never on time. What does it matter with him if you are just pretending?" Jungkook asks petulantly, lips almost turning into a pout. 

Jimin shrugs, squeezing back into his pants. "I just want to make a good first impression. He will be my boyfriend, after all," he jokes, and Jungkook scoffs at that.

"Fake boyfriend," he is quick to correct. 

"Whatever." 

"You always make a good first impression," Jungkook points out next.  

Jimin laughs. "Not with you I didn't," he reminds, nose scrunching slightly in embarrassment at the memory. 

"Yes, you did," Jungkook mutters while Jimin calls his bodyguard to meet him at the secret exit of the apartment building. He stares after Jimin and doesn't react when Jimin waves at him before walking out of the apartment.

Chapter Text

"I must say, even if we are meeting now under rather strange circumstances, it's been a pleasure to spend time with you, Jimin."

Jimin looks up from his food and smiles. Kim Seokjin turned out to be every bit of the gentleman he always plays in dramas. Jimin is usually a bit shy around strangers, but it's hard to resist Seokjin's good-natured teasing, dad jokes and over-the-top dramatic antics. 

It's nearing midnight, dark shadows chasing out last rays of light. Jimin and Seokjin have spent the day together doing cutesy activities that both of their agencies had pre-approved. They went to an art museum that neither of them really cared for at first, but they made it fun by whispering made up stories about the paintings into each other's ears, always careful not to let any possible art critics around them hear what they were giggling about.

After the museum, they tried their hand at some games at a cutesy arcade before ending up at this romantic restaurant where they have been sitting for the better part of two hours already. 

There's still a bit of awkwardness lingering in the air between them for being basically forced to become friends, but they are actually connecting quite well. Seokjin is really friendly and funny – he is easily the nicest boyfriend Jimin has ever had, even if their relationship isn't real. 

He hopes that Seokjin will want to remain friends after their project is over. 

"With you as well. I've been a fan of your work since I first saw you on Forbidden Love," Jimin reveals. "I forced my best friend and my agent to watch it like ten times with me." 

Seokjin raises his brow and chuckles, ears growing slightly pink at the praise. It's really cute. "Really?" 

Jimin smiles. "Of course." He is about to continue when his phone beeps. He casts an apologetic glance Seokjin's way. "Sorry, my agent is supposed to text me about a job today. Usually I keep my phone on silent on dates." 

Seokjin signals at him to pick the phone up. "Go ahead, check it out. Let's be comfortable with each other. The sasaengs or any paparazzis can't see inside, so there is no need for theatrics. Let's just be two new friends, enjoying a good meal together," he proposes. 

"Two new friends. I like that," Jimin agrees as he digs out his phone and opens the notification. The text is not from his agent, it's from Jungkook. 

And it's not a text, it's a photo. 

With a caption that has Jimin choking on his Dom Pérignon. 

Jungkook is breathing hard, sweat running down his forehead as he pauses to decipher the exercise plan his personal trainer wrote for him. The trainer had to leave early to pick up his son from a karate lesson after his wife got stuck in traffic, so Jungkook has to finish the workout on his own. Usually, that wouldn't be a problem since Jungkook often works out alone on tour, and actually prefers it – but this time they were supposed to try out a new regimen, and now Jungkook is left with an incoherrent note and a routine he doesn't know how to finish. 

Usually, Jungkook's thoughts also wouldn't be so scattered. Exercising is one of the few times during the day that he doesn't have to think about anything else, he can just focus on the addictive burning sensation in his muscles and the way his breathing gets more labored the longer he keeps at it. 

But today there is something else hiding in his thoughts, something that has been growing roots ever since the apartment door closed after Jimin. It sneaks up on him, whispering maliciously into his ear until he is ready to throw the dumbbell he is holding at the window. 

Realizing that he will never be able to make sense of the trainer's note, Jungkook abandons the new regime and just switches to his usual routine, planning to do squats until this shit stops bothering him, or his feet fall off, whichever comes first. He knows he isn't doing the move as effectively as he usually would, but today he can't be bothered with checking his form, or starting over again whenever he makes a mistake. He feels agitated and restless, itching to leave the apartment, but with no real destination in mind. 

Now that he is left alone with his thoughts, even exercising fails him: it's unable to keep his mind focused. The pain in his muscles doesn't distract him well enough, the workout is too familiar to him. He could stumble through it half-dead which was why they were supposed to change it. Jungkook gets bored easily and loses interest in most things when they stop surprising him. 

Of course, some surprises he absolutely hates with an unrivaled passion. 

Jungkook glances at his phone again. He is in a need of break after working out for so long. What's the harm? He'll just scroll through Twitter for five minutes. If he happens to see what Jimin has been up to that day, then Twitter's algorithm is to blame, not him. 

He has only opened the app when he already sees the first picture. He huffs to himself. The guy took Jimin to an art museum. Pretentious, much? There are a lot of pictures of them standing in front famous paintings, pictures of them looking at each other and smiling.

There is even one of them briefly holding hands while crossing a street which makes Jungkook scoff and then laugh at his own nonsensical reaction, putting his phone away. What does he care, anyway? 

Shaking his head, Jungkook picks up his gloves and attacks the punching bag hanging in the corner of the room next. He engages in a fast pace, keeping the hits light, but his movements quick.

Tap. tap. tap. tap. Gotta meet the boyfriend. Tap. tap. tap. tap. I just want to make a good first impression. Tap. tap. tap. tap. The project needs visibility, so we'll go on a few dates. A few dates. Tap. tap. tap. tap. A few dates. Tap. tap. tap. tap. A few dates. Tap. tap. tap. tap. 

It's infuriating how nothing works; the thoughts he tried his best to ignore seeping through the wall set up in his mind with alarming ease, and then he has no other choice than to face the evil growing roots in his mind. 

That this thing with Jimin and his fake boyfriend is bothering him more than he thought it would. 

The thought sounds laughable even to him. He doesn't care what Jimin does with other people, he never has, and that's what makes their arrangement work – neither one of them tries to control the other. They meet up when they want to and stay apart when their careers call for it. That's the one thing they both agreed on: nothing comes before their careers.  

But this is not a situation they've ever been in before.

He continues his set, now practicing dodging punches to really make his thighs weep tomorrow. As he dives down to block an imaginary punch, he briefly wonders if Jimin calls his new man hyung. The guy looked older than him, but since Jimin is so small, that might just be an optical illusion. Jungkook snickers when he thinks about how adamantly Jimin would object to being called small. But he is small, and cute – and hates being reminded of either unless it's for work. 

Jungkook picks up his phone again. 

From the comments on the photos, he learns that "Park Jimin's new beau?!?!" is Kim Seokjin, a popular actor born in 1992 (so Jimin does have to call him hyung, Jungkook remarks to himself. He's not sure why that matters to him). Kim Seokjin is tall and handsome and has shoulders the size of small mountains. Even Jungkook has to admit that the guy is kind of attractive – he looks good next to Jimin which is saying a lot since Jimin has a way of outshining most everyone.

His fingers drum against his thigh, deep in thought. This whole thing is just so fucking stupid. In the harsh world of idols where image is everything, people take any and all chances to give their project a chance at success. A lot of the glamour is just smoke and mirrors, covering up for the miserable and often unfair reality, and Jimin's company is one of the worst con artists. All they want is a perfect doll who will say and do exactly what it is told. But that's not Jimin, and never will be, even if that's what he has been pretending to be for years.  

Jungkook's eyes stay on the way laughing Jimin's eyes are crinkled in the picture. 

Jungkook and Jimin will never go on a date – that's not what their arrangement is about. In addition, Jimin's company promptly prohibitted him from dating without permission after all that went down with his asshole of an ex-boyfriend last year, so his trysts with Jungkook are limited to places they know they won't get caught at. That suited Jungkook well – he kind of thinks that dates are something lame people do on Valentine's.

But Jimin loves dates. Jimin loves cheesy, romantic stuff, like art museum dates, couple rings, holding hands. To him, all that is cute, not lame. To be fair, Jimin thinks that most anything is cute; from his friends to animal videos he watches before sleep to a damn sunflower posing against a cloudy sky. Jungkook huffs. Jimin also loves tall, hot guys, and in the past few months, Jungkook has kind of grown used to being the only one.

Jungkook swipes to another photo, biting his lip. Even with Jimin's explanation, he kind of feels uncomfortable at the googly eyes the tall guy is shooting at Jimin. They look like a couple, out and about in the city. And this was only the first date of who knows how many. His stomach feels funny; maybe he should have eaten something. 

"PARK JIMIN ONLY HAS EYES FOR KIM SEOKJIN?!" the caption in one of the photos screams. A lone snicker escapes his lips, with only a touch of malice.

Maybe he should steal Jimin's attention back. 

Jimin's jaw drops at the text Jungkook has just sent him. 

Jungkook

[image.jpg]

come back

The thing is that Jungkook did not just send a text. He sent a photo captioned 'come back', a photo of his hard bulge springing against the soft fabric of well-fitted gray sweatpants, begging to be freed.

Jimin's sharp intake of breath catches Seokjin's attention. "Is it bad news?" he asks, forehead creasing with worry. 

"No, no, my... friend just sent me one of those stupid links where a monster suddenly jumps out," Jimin quickly covers up, closing the message. His cheeks feel warmer than before, like he had stuck his head inside an oven for a second.

Seokjin chuckles. "Oh, I love those. I keep sending them to my manager, Hoseokie. He gets so scared, it's really funny."

"I really like Hoseok hyung. How is he doing? I heard that his daughter just started pre-school," Jimin says, carefully shifting the topic onto Hoseok's personal life. Sure, it's a date between him and Seokjin, but Jimin is proud of his multi-tasking abilities. This is as good as any lead to get Yoongi laid. 

"Hoseokie is doing great, constantly complains about working for me, though," Seokjin replies and rolls his eyes.

The familiarity of the situation makes Jimin laugh. 

"Hoseok-ssi and my Yoongi hyung should form a club to whine about their clients," he suggests. "Hyung likes to refer to me as 'the bane of my being'."

"Ah, Hoseokie very lovingly calls me 'Pain In The Ass'. When I offered to show him what real pain in the ass was like – you know, just for comparison – he refused to speak to me for a week. My own manager!" Seokjin complains very dramatically. "If not for Hoseok's cute baby, I would not put up with his mood swings. But Eunjae is the most adorable child I have ever seen, I love her."

"She must take after her mother, then," Jimin jokes, and Seokjin bursts out laughing. His laugh is funny on its own, it sounds a bit like windshield wipers rubbing against the glass. It has Jimin in a fit of laughter, too. 

"Hobi is actually a single parent," Seokjin then explains, and Jimin files that information away in his mind under 'Things Min Yoongi Should Know About'. Right next to that folder is a massive safe that Jimin likes to call 'Things Min Yoongi Should Never Ever Ever Find Out About Even Under The Threat Of A Nuclear War', and that is where Jimin keeps all of his thoughts regarding Jungkook. 

Jimin's phone beeps again. The sound feels louder than usual, demanding and bordering on shrill. 

"Somebody misses you," Seokjin sing-songs. He seems to think that it really is just a friend pranking Jimin, or maybe a group chat blowing up. 

If only. 

"Somebody knows I'm on a date," Jimin mutters under his breath. His hand involuntarily reaches for the device on the table, but he forces himself to grab the glass of champagne instead.  

Just as Jimin has gotten his urge to check his phone back under control, Seokjin speaks up. "I actually should call my mom, if you don't mind? She tried me earlier, but I was filming, so I couldn't reply."

Jimin should not be left alone with his phone in that moment, but what can he say? If he disagrees, he will just come off as an asshole and a hypocrite. 

"Of course not, go ahead," he agrees and smiles at Seokjin whom excuses himself to make the call. Jimin waits all of three seconds until he picks up his own phone. Sure enough, there are five more messages, all of them from Jungkook. All of them are also the type of photos that make Jimin want to dip his head into the bucket of ice their Dom Pérignon is lying in. 

Jungkook doesn't play fair. 

Jimin

what kind of a guy sends nudes to someone they know is on a date 

Jungkook

i'm the bad guy 

duh

Jimin

and i'm busy

In lieu of a reply, Jungkook sends another photo. Jimin's finger has already tapped on the notification before his sense has a chance to intervene, or even protest. In the picture, Jungkook is lounging on top of an exercise ball, shirtless and abs pulled so taut that someone could grate cheese on them. His sweatpants are also pulled strategically low, so that Jimin catches the V of his hipbones, right above that distracting bulge. 

Jimin bites his lip and curses out loud. 

Jimin

stop texting me!!

Jungkook

make me 

Jimin

don't you have anything better to do 

go practice

Jungkook

make me

When Seokjin comes back, Jimin makes up some excuse about a friend in trouble that he has to go help. Seokjin, ever the gentleman, offers to drive Jimin to his 'friend', but Jimin feels guilty enough for bailing and claims that he is fine walking. That's how he finds himself taking a cab to three blocks away from Jungkook's building. Always on the lookout for sasaengs, Jimin decides to walk the remaining distance, only to end up regretting his choice thirty seconds later when he notices how cold the night is. 

The security in the lobby of Jungkook's building doesn't stop him to ask for a proof of his identity which alone would be concerning, but they also smile and wave at him. 

"Mr. Jeon has been waiting for you," one of them says cheerfully and presses the penthouse's elevator button for Jimin. Jimin briefly wonders how much Jungkook's team pays the security guards to keep his guest logs secret from the public. 

"Thank you," Jimin says politely because if Jungkook's bribery turns out not to have been enough for the often greedy security guards, at least the first headline in the papers won't be 'DISTRAUGHT PARK JIMIN STORMS OVER TO JEON JUNGKOOK'S APARTMENT AT MIDNIGHT'.

Jimin refuses to look upset; it's a skill he has nearly mastered, regardless of the situation. He shoots the guards a warm smile and tells them to have a good night before the elevator doors close, leaving him alone with his whirling, angry thoughts. Jungkook is unbelievable, the most fucking pompous man in the entire goddamn world. 'Come back'? How dare he play with Jimin's career like that? 

Jimin texts Jungkook during the ride up, figuring that he would notice a text sooner than the doorbell. He makes a face at that. Jungkook has been unusually active on his phone, so he'll definitely notice Jimin's text.   

Jimin 

i'm coming up

Jungkook doesn't reply, but he reads the message –he knows that Jimin is coming. Something wild and unruly gallops out of Jimin's chest. Time seems to slow down; the floors pass by with the speed of a land slug on a Sunday stroll. 

After possibly ten years have passed, the elevator doors slide open and let out – right into Jungkook's lobby that opens up to a gigantic living room if one were to wander further inside. 

"Jungkook," Jimin calls out. There is no answer, but Jimin doesn't let that slow him down. Jungkook is in the apartment, of course he is. His fucking plan worked just the way he wanted it to – he now has Jimin exactly where he wants him, fuming and frustrated, at his apartment.

Jimin figures that he'll find the idiot at the scene of the last photo, so he wanders around until he finds a built-in gym. As expected, Jungkook is there, two weights in his hands. Jimin kind of wants to pick up the exercise ball from the ground and throw it repeatedly at Jungkook's head. 

"What the fuck, Jeon?" he asks, or snaps, really. "What the fuck."

Jungkook smiles at him, the epitome of innocence. "Hi, Jiminie. Back so soon?" 

Jimin struggles to stay focused with how frustrated he feels and how his eyes keep flickering to Jungkook's bare chest; the way it's already mostly void of marks when only hours have passed just looks wrong to Jimin.

Jungkook smirks as if he can hear every word of Jimin's inner thirstologue. With how hard Jimin is ogling at him, it probably doesn't take very refined guesswork, though. With a lot of effort, Jimin drags his eyes back up to meet Jungkook's, unfocused gaze turning into a fiery glare. 

"I told you I was busy tonight," he snaps then. Jungkook just smirks back, lifting the dumbbells in turns. Jimin makes sure to keep his eyes firmly at Jungkook's face. Maybe, just maybe seeking Jungkook out was a bad plan. 

"I know. I was just offering you something slightly more entertaining than the PG-13 date your company picked out for you." 

"I had a lot of fun on my date. Jin hyung is really nice, funny and so handsome," Jimin says, making sure to highlight Seokjin's positive qualities. It doesn't go unnoticed by him how Jungkook's eyes narrow, his mouth pressing into a line. He puts the dumbbells down, taking a step toward Jimin. 

"And yet you are here with me."

"Because you kept sexting me and I didn't want hyung to see!"

"Could have blocked me. Could have turned off your phone," Jungkook insinuates, and yeah, Jimin definitely could have done both of those things. He kind of just... wasn't thinking. 

"Shut up." 

"Make me," Jungkook challenges in the husky voice that always has Jimin light-headed within minutes. Jimin glares up at him, eyes bright and cheeks flushed with anger, wind-ruffled hair sticking to his forehead. 

God, does he want to make Jungkook shut up. His heart is beating hard like a jungle drum, pulse going off in his ears so loudly that he fears he might actually be going deaf. The tips of his fingers tingle; aching to touch, wanting to reach out and pull Jungkook over to him. But if he does, then Jungkook wins, and Jimin wants to avoid admitting defeat at all cost.

He could just walk out. Walk out of this spacious apartment, into the private elevator only the person living in the penthouse has access to. Ride the elevator down, cross the lobby again, tell the guys at the reception to have a good night, call his security guy to drive him home. 

He could. 

But he won't. Jungkook is the only person in his life that he doesn't have to play nice with. He is the only one who lets Jimin do whatever he wants; only one who isn't trying to control him. Sure, they fight, and sure, they were supposed to end so many times before, but somehow never did. But even with all of that he is trouble, Jungkook is also fun, and Jimin isn't ready to let go of what they have. 

So how does he get what he wants without giving in? 

He smirks as a strategy starts forming in his mind. "I think I'll make you apologize instead," he states.

Jungkook lifts a brow at that. "Oh yeah?" 

"Mhm." 

"For?"

"Ruining my date."

Jungkook hums pensively. "I don't think I'm going to apologize, though." 

"No? Want me to convince you?" Jimin murmurs. In one smooth step, he is standing right in front of Jungkook. He doesn't waste time before pulling him down to meet his lips; cursing his stylist who told him not to wear insoles to his date because the height difference between him and Seokjin would apparently make the masses squeal. Sure, the pictures must look cute, but having to stand on his tippy toes works against him now.

Jungkook cackles at his 'hashtag short man problems' and just scoops him up, so Jimin can wrap his legs around him. Jimin glares at him, but doesn't comment. 

They end up on the living room couch because Jimin refused to fuck in the gym. Any other day that would have been fine, exciting even, but today it doesn't fit his plans. Jungkook is down to his boxers, with Jimin's tongue halfway down his throat. The model strokes Jungkook through the thin fabric, earlier bulge fresh in mind. It doesn't take long until it reappears which makes Jimin smirk. 

Out of the blue, he slips out of Jungkook's hold, standing up and smoothing down his tousled hair. "Well, this has been fun, but I should go. Jin hyung is waiting for me," he claims. 

Jungkook looks a state sitting there, leaning back against the headrest, lips swollen, marks that will fade in a few hours all over his tan skin, his wavy hair a mess. "Don't you dare," he hisses, and maybe that does a little something to Jimin's respiratory system.

"Well, I think maybe I could be convinced to stay..." Jimin implies, casting his eyes down before glancing up at Jungkook through his lashes. 

Jungkook lets out a long sigh. "What do you want, Jiminie?" he then asks, recognizing too little, too late that he has been lured right into a trap.  

Jimin just looks at him. Jungkook groans. "Seriously?"

Jimin takes a step toward the elevator. Then another. And another when Jungkook won't speak up. Jungkook goes through every curse word in his head, but his dick wins out in the end.

"Sorry," he grunts right at the same time as Jimin reaches the elevator and presses the call button.  

Jimin turns around. "For?" he presses. The elevator arrives, the doors opening with a ding.

"Sending nudes while you were out with your fake boyfriend, and yeah, it was definitely my bad that you had to come home to me and make me stop," Jungkook lists, but he doesn't sound sorry at all. 

"Try again, this time with words that don't stink of 'sorry not sorry, bro'."

"What do you want me to say? I missed you," Jungkook claims, but a wolfish grin pulls at his lips.  

Jimin scoffs. "Yeah, right. No, I want you to say that you are sorry you messed with my career, and that you will never do it again because that's what we agreed on from the start."

Jungkook glares at him, eyebrows pulled into a dark frown. Jimin stares back, not giving in one inch. 

Surprisingly, Jungkook waves the white flag after a minute. 

"Jiminie... I'm really sorry I interrupted your date. I hate sharing your attention, and it felt weird that you went out with another dude right after we fucked. Please, just come back here," Jungkook asks in a low, deep voice that reverberates through Jimin. 

If only it were sincere. 

"You really think you'll be off the hook just by spitting out a few empty phrases we both know you don't even mean?" Jimin huffs. Damn, the man could lie. He's so convincing that Jimin is almost inclined to believe him. Well, if it weren't for the fact that Jungkook never says such things in his life, but now, in the middle of a fight, he suddenly gives a damn about whether Jimin is with another guy? 

Jungkook is motionless for a second, staring silently at Jimin, with his eyebrows drawing closer to one another to a stern frown. Then he laughs, the sound strange and loud in a room filled to the ceiling with tension. "No, of course not. But if you stay, I'll make up for my bad behavior," he says, easily switching back to seduction. 

"How?"

"Come here and I'll show you."

Jimin bites his lip, glancing at the elevator. If he knew what was good for him, he'd walk out. He'd call Jungkook out on his bullshit and make him think twice before messing with Jimin's career again. But it has gotten clear that Jimin doesn't know nor care what's good for him. 

"Come here, Mini," Jungkook sing-songs. 

Jimin frowns at him. "I'm not some dog you can whistle at, expecting me to come running," he scolds, taking a few steps towards Jungkook. 

"I know." 

Jimin stops in front of him, their knees almost touching. "I'm going to go out with Jin hyung again," he asserts. 

"I know," Jungkook agrees, his hands coming to rest behind Jimin's thighs, pulling the model over to him. 

"You can't interfere again," Jimin states as he allows himself to be steered into Jungkook's lap. 

"I won't." 

"Promise me," Jimin demands, but Jungkook has had enough of groveling. He leans in, and Jimin reflexively captures his lips with his own. Jungkook starts unbuttoning Jimin's shirt, careful with the buttons this time. After four buttons, he pauses, sucking lightly on Jimin's neck.  

"No marks," Jimin reminds him, like he so often does because Korea's sweetheart can't be caught with hickeys on his perfect neck. Jungkook forces down the equally familiar frustration that bubbles to the surface every time he hears those words, and moves to kiss Jimin's lips instead. One day he would just fucking love to take Jimin apart with his mouth alone. He tells Jimin as much, enjoying the way his eyes fly open in response to the filthy words whispered into his ear. Jimin is so susceptible to dirty talk, Jungkook sometimes wonders if he could come from that alone. 

Jungkook finishes taking off Jimin's shirt, discarding it on the floor. His hands return to Jimin's hips, pulling Jimin closer. He kisses Jimin's chest, all the way down to his nipples. Ducking his head, he flicks his tongue over the bud. Jimin moans, tilting his head back, but Jungkook chases after his lips. Jimin responds enthusiastically, running his fingers up Jungkook's muscular chest. 

"Lube," he mutters against Jungkook's lips.

"I love it when you talk dirty to me," Jungkook teases, making Jimin groan. Jimin sheds the rest of his clothes, while Jungkook reaches over to the shelf next to the couch and picks up a bottle of lube. He squirts some onto his hand, warming the cold liquid between his fingers before inching one digit inside of Jimin. Jimin chooses not to comment on the fact that a lube bottle just happened to be waiting on the nearby shelf of all places. He just makes an appreciative noise when Jungkook starts working him open. 

"Touch me," Jimin whispers. Jungkook indulges him for once, and his hand closes around Jimin's dick, pumping slowly. The slide is already wet with pre-cum; Jimin has been hot and bothered since he left his date with Seokjin. 

"Stop fucking around. I thought you promised to make up for--" The rest of Jimin's sentence gets lost in his throat as Jungkook starts easing in the second finger, scissoring them, searching for that one spot that always has Jimin needy and pliant. 

"Say you're sorry," Jimin pants. "I want to hear you say you're sorry." 

"I'm sorry," Jungkook replies in familiar Busan satoori, his voice rough, low, and too fucking hot, "so fucking sorry."

His voice alone has Jimin shaking, but he then enunciates the words by adding a third finger, plunging them inside Jimin and massaging his prostate until Jimin is whining.

"I'm ready, come on," Jimin rushes, "Where's the condom?" Without looking, Jungkook produces a condom from that same damn shelf, putting it on and kicking off his boxers.

Jimin looks at him, unimpressed. "Really? You have lube and condoms on every goddamn surface of your apartment?"

"Not every surface... just the fun ones," Jungkook replies and wags his eyebrows. 

"A couch? You like fucking on a couch?" 

Jungkook smirks. "Wherever I can fuck you is a fun surface." 

Rolling his eyes, Jimin gets on his hands and knees, ready to be fucked six ways to Sunday while holding onto the headrest for dear life, but Jungkook flips him onto his back, so they are facing each other. Jimin grumbles something about not needing to be manhandled, but it's hardly convincing with how wide he is grinning. 

Jungkook starts pushing in, slow enough to hear Jimin huffing and whining in anticipation. He is playing with fire; after being teased so much, Jimin usually just wants to get to it, and if Jungkook misbehaves too much, he really might walk out of the door. Granted, he'd be back soon after, but still. 

"Please," Jimin begs, pleasantly unprompted. The sound goes straight to Jungkook's dick, making him dizzy for a second. He obeys, burying himself to the hilt inside of Jimin. A loud moan escapes Jimin's lips, making the model blush. The color looks unfairly good on him. 

"You can start moving," Jimin says, and Jungkook nods, pulling back only to push back inside. He starts thrusting inside in a steady if slow pace, dragging his cock against Jimin's prostate which prompts another fit of moans. 

Jimin pulls him down to him for a kiss, and then whispers, "Faster."

Usually Jungkook would tease him longer, but he is supposed to be making up for his bad behaviour. So he obeys, fucking in harder and building up his rhythm. It doesn't take long until he has Jimin folded in half, begging for more. 

That's when he slows down again, setting Jimin back down and focusing on fucking as deep as he can because that's how Jimin likes it. After a couple of fast snaps of his hips, he pulls back before thrusting all the way back in. 

"Ohmygod," Jungkook more feels than hears Jimin breathe into the crook of his neck. He does it again, and Jimin screams, his nails digging into Jungkook's skin. 

"Cl-close," Jimin mumbles. 

Jungkook kisses his swollen lips and says, "Yeah, me too." 

He picks up his pace again, drilling into Jimin's hole. The room is filled with skin slapping against skin, wanton moans and heavy breathing. Jimin looks up at him, pinching his nipples and helping him let go. Jungkook stills, spilling into the condom while Jimin cants his hips to fuck him through his orgasm, planting languid kisses onto Jungkook's lips. 

Out of breath but determined Jungkook takes a hold of Jimin's dick, batting Jimin's hand away. Jimin makes a sound of protest until Jungkook starts jerking him off with fast, dirty strokes. He bites Jimin's neck and watches the model come undone under him. It remains captivating to him, to see Park Jimin, Korea's favorite son with an impeccable image, lose himself because of Jungkook. 

Teetering on the edge to pleasure, Jimin gasps, closing his eyes.

"Look at me," Jungkook commands in a low voice that he isn't sure Jimin can hear. But Jimin opens his bleary eyes again, looking up at Jungkook as he spills into Jungkook's hand. Jungkook makes sure to keep their eyes locked when he sucks the cum off his fingers. Jimin swears, eyes wide. He looks completely sated and fucked out, but Jungkook's not quite done with him yet. 

He lets Jimin catch his breath for a moment before grabbing the back of Jimin's knees, pulling them up again. "Hold your legs up for me, baby," Jungkook says, and cedes them to Jimin, who is in that lovely post-orgasm haze where he follows instructions without question. 

Jimin glances at Jungkook through half-lidded eyes, clearly wondering what he is up to, but too spent to vocalize his thoughts. Jungkook winks at him and sucks a hickey to Jimin's left thigh. A rush of warmth courses through Jimin, making him shiver. Jungkook keeps at it; he sucks and kisses Jimin's thighs until he is shaking, staring down at him. 

"What are you doing?" 

"One more, Jiminie," Jungkook says, his breath ghosting over Jimin's hole. Jimin's cock twitches in interest, but the rational part of him wonders if he can really take any more after such an intense fucking.

He nods, and Jungkook eases his thumbs inside of Jimin, spreading him open. His tongue circles the tight ring of muscle, licking and sucking. Jimin lets go of his right thigh to rush a hand over his mouth, biting it to keep his moans at bay, but they keep spilling out. Jungkook fucks his tongue in faster, not hard like cock or fingers, no – all smooth as velvet, and Jimin loses every last bit of his composure. 

"Ju-Ju-Jungk–" he stutters, his vocal chords refusing to cooperate. His entire body feels like it's on fire; his thighs are shaking so hard, that if he wasn't already lying down, they definitely wouldn't hold him up anymore. 

It's hot and wet, and Jimin feels like the wine from dinner is getting into his head. He feels drunk, his cheeks flushed and eyes glazed. Heat licks up his stomach, blood pounding in his ears. Jungkook speeds up again, and Jimin is a goner. 

When he comes again, so soon after his first orgasm, he comes so hard that it's almost painful. He is close to tears, blinking them away. Jungkook keeps at it until he is squirming with oversensitivity. 

Jimin rolls away onto his side. "Jesus," he breathes out, heart banging so hard against his ribs that it must be close to breaking through skin. 

"Just Jungkook is fine, thanks," Jungkook says smugly, popping a mint into his mouth from that damn shelf. Blearily, Jimin wonders who really played whom that night. 

After briefly wiping them both free of cum with a washcloth (another magical gift from the shelf that just keeps on giving), Jungkook plops down, partially on top of Jimin, making the model groan. But Jungkook is also very warm, so Jimin just makes space for him, coiling around him. 

"God, you are insufferable," he still mutters. 

"You suffered me just fine 20 seconds ago," Jungkook teases. 

"That was then." 

"The good old days." 

They just lie there, breathing evening out. Jungkook is quickly lulled asleep by the steady rise and fall of Jimin's chest. 

Then Jimin shoves at his shoulder. "Hey."

"What?" Jungkook mumbles. He had been halfway to a meeting with Mr. Sandman and doesn't take being shoved awake too kindly. As revenge, he bites Jimin's shoulder. 

Jimin hesitates, but then soldiers on. "This thing with Jin hyung... it's just for the project. Nothing is going to change between you and me. You know that, right?" he says. Jungkook can feel his eyes on him, searching for a reaction that Jungkook is careful not to give him. 

"Yeah, whatever," Jungkook replies, and when he kisses him, he tells himself that it's just to shut Jimin up, so he can sleep. "I don't care what you do with him."

"Clearly," Jimin snorts. Jungkook is too tired to fight him on the subject, so he lets it go, drifting off. 

Chapter Text

The doorbell rings, loud and demanding. Jimin lets out a long groan. The drama he is watching was just getting good, and he doesn't want to move from his place on the comfy bed. It's at times like these, when he thinks about how convenient it would be, if Jungkook had a key to his place. It's such a shame that people have put so much meaning into giving a key to someone, especially if you are involved in some way. In their situation, a key would definitely give the wrong vibe since they aren't even dating. 

But fuck, Jimin really wishes that giving a key wasn't as weird as it is. 

He groans again when he finally gets up and trudges toward his door. After making sure through the peephole that it's really Jungkook and not one of the sasaengs that kept following him around all afternoon during work, Jimin swings the door open, barely sparing the rapper a glance. 

"You're late," he says in lieu of a greeting, fixing the position of the black-rimmed glasses on his nose before walking back into his bedroom. "I started another episode while I waited, so now it's your turn to exercise your patience."

Jungkook sheds his coat, raising his eyebrows at the curt tone used. He briefly wonders if he has done something to piss Jimin off, but that seems unlikely, given that they have barely spoken in the past week. 

He kicks off his shoes and follows Jimin inside, finding the model plopped down on his stomach on a big fluffy bed, eyes fixed on the laptop in front of him. Jungkook takes a look of the screen to see which drama's got Jimin so captivated, and bites his lip in annoyance when he recognizes one of the actors. Kim Seokjin is playing a pirate. Oh. 

"How much do you have left?"

"28 minutes," Jimin replies without taking his eyes off of the screen. Sneaking a peak at the drama, Jungkook can understand why – Seokjin is currently shirtless while a pretty girl dabs at his wounds. Figures. 

Jungkook feels a little awkward to just be standing there on the doorstep of Jimin's bedroom. What is he supposed to do while Jimin watches the show? They never hang out unless it's to have sex, and that has only lasted a few months, too. They are also usually at Jungkook's place, because Jimin lives pretty far away from the center of the city. He can count on one hand the times he has been at Jimin's apartment. 

Jungkook lets out a long, withering, dramatic sigh, so Jimin will pause the stupid drama and indulge him, but when Jimin pays him no attention, he decides to snoop around a bit.

Jimin's place is beautifully decorated, probably by the model himself – they may argue about a lot of things, but even Jungkook admits that Jimin has good taste. The apartment overlooks a park, which brings a feel of living in the middle of a forest, enforced by the myriad of plants sitting on most every surface. 

It's weird how little he actually knows about Jimin, he realizes as he walks around the apartment, taking in all the little knick-knacks scattered around the apartment. Jungkook can make Jimin come in two minutes and 43 seconds (they once timed it to settle some petty argument) and could probably write a fucking book on what turns Jimin on, but he knows next to nothing about his life. That's not information he is privy to, they are just fuck buddies. That's not what they are for, and Jimin won't talk to him, anyway.

Jungkook's not the pillow talk type of guy, either, but compared to how private Jimin is, he might as well be the town gossip. Some things still seep through, small flashes of what Jimin is really like outside of his angel persona, or how he acts when he isn't trying to seduce. Those flashes kind of make him crave to know more, but he pushes it down, telling himself that it doesn't matter, anyway.  

He has gone around the apartment, returning to Jimin's bedroom where Jimin's eyes are still on the laptop perched up on in front of him, as if Jungkook isn't even there. It's obvious that Jungkook is being punished for being late, but it wasn't really even his fault! He had a meeting at the company that took longer than expected. Sure, he probably could have texted to let Jimin know that he'd be late – but thinking about Jimin waiting for him, all hot and bothered, really turned him on, and made the long meeting more bearable.   

There is a lot of pictures on the walls that he never got the chance to look more closely. In the tottering frame placed on Jimin's nightstand, a proudly smiling class of little dancers grin at the camera. Jungkook picks it up, smiling when his eyes pick out the one who has the same small nose and wide smile as the Jimin he knows. Jimin has clearly always been pretty. 

"Where'd you go to school?" he asks absent-mindedly as he tries and fails to make out the school crest on teenage Jimin's school uniform in another photo. Teenager Jimin is the most adorable one of them all; the boy in the photo looks awkward in his own skin, a little chubby and nerdy with his bowl-cut hair, ugly thick glasses and a crooked grimace which Jimin would probably never admit to. He is as far away from the perfect, sexy adult Jimin as possible, which makes him that much more precious to Jungkook. Like Jimin is just a human, too, and not some mix of an angel and a fairy. 

Jimin doesn't reply, he just cranks up the volume of his laptop. 

Jungkook grins fondly at the photos. "God, you were such a cute kid. What happened?" he teases.

"Shh," Jimin shushes him. Jungkook lifts his eyebrow at being shushed, putting the photo down and skulking closer to make Jimin think twice about shushing him again. He runs a hand through Jimin's hair, lightly tugging at the strands, tilting his head back, but that doesn't even make Jimin huff at him; he is too engrossed with the drama. 

Jungkook glances at Seokjin's face on the screen again, disdain in his eyes. How the fuck is that guy everywhere these days? Everywhere he turns, there he is. It's bad enough that due to 'dating' Seokjin, Jimin has even less free time than before. The internet is also filled to its capacity with pictures of the two cute 'dates' Seokjin has already taken Jimin on. And now Jungkook has to compete for Jimin's attention even when they are alone? 

No. fucking. way. 

He sits down on the bed, ready to try again, even if it ends with another time being shot down by Jimin. "Jimin..." he coaxes, leaning over his body.  

"I will literally hurt you," Jimin threatens, pushing him away. Jungkook grins. Nothing like a little threat on his life to chase the weirdness away. 

He crawls over to lie on top of Jimin, hooking his chin on Jimin's shoulder. Jimin makes a huffing sound, but Jungkook can feel him relax under him. 

"I'm bored," he whispers into the model's ear, lightly biting the shell to get Jimin's attention. His fingers wrap around the hem of Jimin's sweater, slowly pushing it up his back. Jimin makes no move to help him, still playing hard to get. Jungkook squeezes his side impatiently, and nibbles at Jimin's ear again.

He swears he can see Jimin suppressing a mischievous smile which convinces Jungkook that Jimin is just playing with him. It's like a puzzle; Jungkook just has to figure out the right way to appease this indignant god. 

"23 minutes to go, suck it up. I waited an hour for you," Jimin states, but the way his breath hitches at Jungkook's clothed cock rubbing against his ass reveals that he is just as excited. He's just pretending to be unaffected because Jungkook made him wait.  

"That was for work. This is just you thirsting after your fake boyfriend," Jungkook pouts because Jimin can't see him and thus he can't be caught acting childishly. He sits up, putting more energy into removing Jimin's shirt and eventually succeeds, pressing incessant kisses to the bare skin. 

"He's really pretty, right?" Jimin giggles.

Jungkook scoffs, halting the kisses. "He's not that pretty." 

"Yes, he is. While we were out on our date, I saw two girls actually faint just for meeting eyes with him." 

Sick of talking about Seokjin, Jungkook grabs Jimin's ass and squeezes hard. Jimin tenses weirdly, which makes Jungkook frown. He traces his fingers down Jimin's back, and his ears don't miss the heavy breath Jimin takes. Curious, Jungkook thinks and slowly pulls down his pants just to find a goddamn buttplug in his ass. 

"... are you fucking kidding me," he breathes out in one huff. His throat closes up, fever rising, as he takes in the sight in front of him. The plug is pretty, which makes sense since it's Jimin's, pretty and fucking pink. 

"I got bored waiting for you," Jimin replies, straining hard to fit his tone into a box that could labeled as 'nonchalant', but it's obvious that he is pleased with Jungkook's reaction. 

Jungkook usually likes that part a lot, likes listening to Jimin's breathy moans as he is being spread open, but just the thought of Jimin doing that to himself has him hardening in his pants. Breathing much heavier than he was before, Jungkook takes a hold of the plug. He gives it an experimental tug, watching Jimin's hole quiver in response. 

"Hot," he mutters out loud without meaning to. He starts easing out the plug, marveling at its apparent length, but a breathy moan stops him. He glances at Jimin whose attention is still on the screen. He quirks a brow at that, pushing the buttplug back in. 

Another quiet moan follows. 

He starts to move the plug in and out of Jimin, shallow thrusts that are only enough to tease him. 

Jungkook is so mesmerized by the way the plug looks like when Jimin's ass consumes it, that it takes a while for him to notice the effect his experiments have on Jimin. His breathing grows short and labored, thighs tensing as his cock presses against the bed sheets. He is stubborn, though; refusing to acknowledge Jungkook's efforts, even if he is biting his own arm to stifle the moans. 

Determined to make Jimin lose focus on the stupid drama, Jungkook fucks the plug in faster, and Jimin squirms, untouched cock leaking and sensitive from the unfocused friction against the mattress. Then Jungkook unceremoniously pulls the plug out, and Jimin whines in disappointment. His hole clenches at the empty feeling, so Jungkook dips two fingers inside of him to soothe him. Even with the excessive amount of lube, it still shocks him how easily they slide in.

Jimin makes a small sound of approval, fucking back against Jungkook's fingers. The image of ramming himself inside Jimin just as easily makes Jungkook's pants feel uncomfortably tight on him. Retrieving his fingers, he quickly pops his button open, itching to be inside of Jimin already, and quickly disposes of the clothes separating him from Jimin's bare skin. 

He pulls Jimin's leggings all the way off of his body, and sucks in a breath at the sight before him. This image never gets old for him, Jimin's perfect ass that is just waiting to be played with. He settles back down on the bed, spreading Jimin's cheeks, so he can suck at the rim. Jimin shudders at the feeling, crumpling up the bed sheets to have something to hold onto. Jungkook keeps going until he has the model panting, laptop and Seokjin long forgotten.

He pulls back, smiling smugly as he gropes Jimin's ass, admiring how perfectly his palms fit against its curves. Caught in the moment, he bites at the soft flesh of Jimin's ass.

"Ow," Jimin snaps, but there is no real malice in his voice. He reaches his arm back and flicks at Jungkook's forehead. "Didn't you eat at home?" 

"Why would I when I knew what was waiting at me here?" Jungkook replies, and he is only half-joking. 

"I am, like, two seconds away from kicking your ass," Jimin threatens and tries to flick him again, but this time Jungkook takes a hold of his wrist, pinning it against his back. His ears pick up the excited gasp that Jimin tries his best to stifle.

His eyebrows raise at that, lust pooling in his stomach. "Like that?" 

"No," Jimin claims, but they both know it's a lie. Jungkook smiles to himself, kissing up Jimin's spine, making him shudder. 

"Liar," he teases in a low voice that has Jimin's cock twitching. "I think you like it a lot." 

He leans over Jimin's body, trapping him in place by putting more of his weight on him, and licks up the side of Jimin's neck. Jimin shivers at the feeling of Jungkook's warm tongue on his skin. Jungkook then drags his hard cock over Jimin's plump ass, slicking his skin with the drops of pre-cum pearling at the tip of Jungkook's cock.

Jimin is like a vision, a false god, and sometimes it's still hard to believe that a mere mortal like Jungkook gets to take him apart and put him back together again. 

"I think you want me to fuck you with your wrists pinned against your back, so you'll have no other choice than to take it," Jungkook says, and Jimin lets out an embarrassingly high whine at that. That's exactly what he wants. He wants Jungkook to fuck the stress out of him, pound him until he forgets even his own name.

"Am I right? Would you like that, baby?" Jungkook asks, and Jimin nearly mewls, nodding his head. Jungkook runs his fingers down Jimin's back. "I'm going to need vocal confirmation, Jiminie. Consent is key." 

Jimin kind of wants to kick him, but that would definitely decrease his chances of getting dicked down good and hard, so instead he swallows his pride and breathes out, "Yes." 

"Yes what?" Jungkook demands, and Jimin rolls his eyes at his insistence, but decides to play nice for once. 

"Yes, I want that. I want you to pin my hands behind my back, I want you to use me any way you want, and I want you to fuck me until I cry." 

He hears Jungkook suck in a breath. "Jesus," he mutters. "You weren't kidding when you said you were horny." 

"I told you. It's been a long day." A long week is more accurate, but like hell is Jimin going to tell Jungkook that he kind of missed him. All week he has been getting restless, itching under his skin, craving the way Jungkook sucks on his lips and holds his waist as he fucks him into the mattress. When he finally got a few hours off, the first thing he did was text Jungkook. 

"Clearly," Jungkook murmurs, his voice still a bit dazed. 

"Jungkook..." Jimin whines, not wanting to wait any longer, or render himself a target for more teasing. 

"What, baby?" 

"Give it to me." 

He hears Jungkook laugh softly. "Okay, baby. Anything you want since you've been so good."  

He smacks Jimin's ass. "Hands and knees," he commands. Jimin groans. The bed is so comfy; Jungkook could just fuck him like that, lying on the bed and watching the drama.  

"16 minutes left," Jimin replies despite actually having no idea what has happened in the drama pretty much since he opened the door for Jungkook. Jungkook isn't fooled, either; the way Jimin can barely breathe takes away the credibility of his reluctance to sit up. 

Without another word, Jungkook takes a hold of his waist, fingers dipping into Jimin's sides so roughly that it will leave behind bruises, lifting Jimin to his knees.

The pressure has Jimin shivering, anticipation making his blood pump faster. These are the kind of easily hidden bruises he likes; he likes feeling Jungkook on his skin the next day and he'd love nothing better than to be all marked up. But he has an image to hold up – he doesn't want to give his already too hawk-eyed fans any clues about the less angelic things he gets up to on his rare free time. 

"I said," Jungkook breathes into Jimin's sensitive neck, "hands and knees, Jiminie." Jimin scrambles into a better position, head down and ass up, suddenly very docile. Jungkook spreads his thighs slightly further apart, admiring the way Jimin's cock is standing up between his legs, nice and hard. 

"Ah, that's a nice visual," he mutters. He takes a hold of Jimin's wrists, pinning them behind his back. "Keep these here." 

Jimin breathes in, almost giddy to finally get what he has wanted all week. Hell, pretty much ever since he left Jungkook's apartment last time. He hears the condom packet rip, and then there's the filthy sound of Jungkook slathering his cock up with lube before pressing against Jimin's entrance again. 

Jimin's hole is already so wet and stretched out that it only takes a few thrusts until Jungkook is buried to the hilt inside of him. He grabs a hold of Jimin's ass, spreading the cheeks wider, so he can look at his cock being sucked in. Jungkook pushes inside, and the slide is just as easy as he imagined. His mind is going haywire, all that he can think about is yes, yes, yes... 

The heavy atmosphere is then cut off with a shrill buzz.

Jimin's eyes fly open. "Shit," he mutters. "Fuck. I forgot that I ordered food." He wiggles his wrists that are still in Jungkook's hold. "Let me go, I have to get that," he commands. Jungkook pulls out, freeing his wrists, and they both let out a groan at the feeling of his dick sliding against Jimin's tight walls. 

"I'll get it," Jungkook offers and gets up, looking for his pants, but Jimin jumps off the bed to take a hold of his arm, keeping the rapper in place. 

"Are you crazy?" Jimin hisses. "Delivery people talk. You cannot open my door with sex hair." 

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "Come on, Mini, even if the delivery dude said something, who's going to believe him?" he argues, but Jimin is adamant. 

"If we give people bread crumbs, they will start looking for more, and they will never stop once they have caught onto a scent."

It's clear to Jungkook that Jimin is thinking about his ex and the way their relationship fell like a house of cards after they were suspected of being a couple. Jimin's ex-boyfriend, a beloved idol, vehemently denied all reports of a relationship and had his PR team spread horrible rumors about Jimin to divert the attention away from himself. 

Only Yoongi's impeccable damage control and tireless lobbying kept most of the malicious comments from being printed. Everyone in the industry still knew that something had happened between the two, and Jimin's face was in every gossip magazine's cover for weeks, but since there was nothing better than a few 'insider posts' floating around trashy websites, people forgot and moved on to the next scandal.

Everyone but Jimin.

Jungkook kind of hates that anything about him makes Jimin think about his ex. 

Hopping across the apartment to the door, Jimin pulls on the first clothes he finds which happen to be his own sweats and Jungkook's oversized T-shirt that's just baggy enough on him that it covers up his boner. He smooths down his hair, shoots a warning glance at Jungkook to behave, and goes to open the door. 

A small woman in a large orange jumper greets him, and hands over two bags of food. "Here you go." 

Jimin smiles at her, praying that she can't tell what kind of wanton activities he has been up to. "Thank you. Remember to drink a lot of water, you are working so hard," he reminds. 

"Thank you, sir!" the delivery person chirps back before rushing off again. Jimin walks back inside, struggling slightly with the heavy bags, ignoring Jungkook's hand reaching out to help.

Getting groceries is one of his least favorite things to do, so he usually gets a few days worth at once. Then again, if he needs to feed Jungkook, the food he had planned to last the entire weekend will probably only be enough for the night because the man eats like he has been starving for years. 

"Have you eaten?" Jimin asks Jungkook who has gotten dressed again after taking the hint that nothing is going to happen, at least until after dinner. Jimin took his T-shirt, so now Jungkook is only wearing a halfway buttoned denim shirt and black jeans. Messy hair and enticing lips, Jungkook looks good enough to eat, and Jimin berates himself for forgetting to change his dinner order for later. He could be unbuttoning that shirt and sucking hickeys into Jungkook's tan skin right now if he had. 

"Depends, what did you order?" Jungkook asks, moving closer. 

Jimin places the bags on the floor, piling take-away containers on the coffee table. "I don't know, food?" 

Jungkook opens one of the containers, and scrunches up his nose. "Ugh, this food is so bland. Are you seriously on a diet again? You are already so tiny. What is your agency trying to do?" he huffs. 

"I am not tiny," Jimin protests. "And the diet is my own decision." 

"I could pick you up with one arm, Tinker Bell," Jungkook claims, and maybe Jimin's heart jumps a little at that. 

"No, you couldn't," he still argues, opening another container. "And if you still want to get laid tonight – or ever again, for that matter – do not call me Tinker Bell." 

Jungkook moves closer, determination in his eyes. "Come here," he calls, wanting to prove Jimin wrong. 

Jimin jumps to his feet, batting away Jungkook's hand reaching for him. "No," he refuses. 

Jungkook keeps advancing on him. "I'll show you," he coaxes. An involuntary giggle spills from Jimin's lips when Jungkook's hands charge forward like he is a child playing a shark. Jimin dodges again, but ends up right in Jungkook's arms. 

"No, come on– let's just eat," he tries to reason, his voice slightly pitchier than usual. Taking a better hold on him, Jungkook picks Jimin up with one hand, securing him tightly between his side and his arm. Jimin's feet are a few inches above the ground, and he screeches at the feeling because he really doesn't trust Jungkook to hold his entire weight with one hand. He pulls away only to be picked up again, with two hands this time, his legs guided around Jungkook's torso. 

Jimin can feel Jungkook's warm breath on his face, and if he were to look at him, he'd catch the smug smile on his lips. "Told you," the rapper brags.  

"Muscle pig," Jimin huffs, but there is no bite to his words. "Put me down." 

"Don't want to." 

Jimin pouts at him, and maybe Jungkook's heartbeat picks up a little at that since it looks really cute on him. "But I'm hungry." 

Jungkook grins. "Me too," he announces in the most perverted tone he could muster up, and just laughs when Jimin groans.

Jimin then looks up at him, about to say something, and it's what Jungkook had been looking for since he immediately presses his lips onto Jimin's. A different kind of hunger shoots through Jimin, and he wants nothing more than for Jungkook to carry him back to the bed and pick up where they left off. 

But just as quickly as the kisses began, Jungkook pulls away and gently sets Jimin back down. "Okay, let's eat!" he announces happily, reaching out for the takeaway cups.

Jimin is in agony.

How the hell is it that Jungkook – who was over an hour late, didn't bother texting to let Jimin know, interrupted his favorite show – can just sit there happily on Jimin's floor, munching on Jimin's food, making Jimin wait while he eats, so they can finish what they started? Jungkook, provably the horniest man alive, is more interested in food than sex? 

He stares at Jungkook, following closely how he stuffs his face with gimbap. There is absolutely nothing sexy about eating, nothing cute about how Jungkook is devouring a lion's share of Jimin's apparently 'bland' food, but Jimin is horny. So, so horny. He has been working almost nonstop since he last saw Jungkook, and waiting all through dinner is proving to be a challenge since suddenly all he can think about is how much he wants to suck the sauce from Jungkook's lips. 

"Fuck me," Jimin suddenly demands, the words just tumbling out of his mouth. 

Jungkook just quirks a brow at that. "We are in the middle of dinner, Park Jimin. Keep your vulgar thoughts to yourself," he taunts, amusement all over his face, even if he is playing it cool. 

Jimin groans loudly. "I don't give a–" he starts to say, but doesn't get any further because Jungkook shoves food into his mouth. Jimin glares at him, but doesn't fight him on it. Mama Park taught him not to waste food, and that still stands – even if the person feeding him food is his insufferable fuck buddy.

In order to express his ire without disappointing his mother, Jimin settles for chewing very aggressively – only to be made fun of by Jungkook, again, this time for apparently looking like a chipmunk when he chews. Jimin glares at him, and wonders what the hell kind of deity he must have pissed off to be cursed with being attracted to someone as infuriating as Jungkook.  

"Eat up, Tinker Bell," Jungkook teases, "You'll need your strength for what I've got planned for you." 

Jimin ignores the Tinker Bell comment just because he is curious. "What are you planning then?"

"After dinner, I'm going to tie you up and fuck you so good that the only name you'll remember is mine," Jungkook announces nonchalantly, feeding Jimin a giant spoonful of rice. Jimin accepts the food, even if he is rolling his eyes so hard they might get stuck that way. He was already worked up before Jungkook showed up; it seems unfair that he has to also put up with Jungkook's teasing.

He kind of likes being fed, though. 

"Let's do it now," Jimin insists, about to stand up, but a hand on his thigh keeps him down. 

"After dinner," Jungkook repeats, smirking at Jimin's frown. When Jungkook shows no signs of letting up, Jimin acquiesces (with a stormy scowl), and puts a little more kimchi on his plate, reaching for the low-fat tteokbokki. 

Jimin eats quickly, but Jungkook drags the dinner on and on, enjoying his squirming and making sure that Jimin eats twice as much as he usually would. Jimin waits while he eats, staring unabashedly while Jungkook pretends not to notice how Jimin is growing more and more restless; how he is tapping his fingers against the floor, bouncing his feet. 

When Jungkook reaches for his nth bowl of kimchi, Jimin decides that he has had enough. He moves closer, rounding the coffee table between them, and when Jungkook doesn't say anything, he crawls right into Jungkook's lap.

Jungkook ignores him, putting all of his focus into picking up a piece of meat wrapped up in the kimchi. Jimin isn't so easily discouraged because Jungkook's not pushing him away, either. As indifferent as he is trying to come off as, Jungkook is also slightly leaning back, so Jimin can fit more easily into his lap.

Jimin smiles to himself as he leans in, nuzzling into Jungkook's neck; breathing in Jungkook's familiar scent. He can feel Jungkook strong heartbeat under his lips. 

"Jungkook, come on," he breathes into the rapper's neck. Jungkook controls his facial expression masterfully, but even he can't hide how his pulse picks up. 

"I'm eating," he still protests, but Jimin has had enough of teasing.  

"I want you, so fucking badly, baby. Are you really going to ignore me? Do I really have to get off on my own? But I don't think that my pretty fingers can reach as far as yours." He whispers into Jungkook's ear, "Hyung." 

Jungkook's breath hitches, and the hand that was about to scoop up more food into his mouth freezes mid-air.

Jimin stifles the smirk tickling the corners of his mouth. Jungkook is so fucking easy. As if Jimin wouldn't have noticed the major hyung kink he has got going on. 

"Come on, please, I need you.... hyung," Jimin continues, taking the chopsticks from Jungkook's hands and setting them on the table behind them. He then slides his fingers into Jungkook's curls, tugging lightly. Jungkook lets out an almost involuntary sigh as he leans into the touch. Jimin plants gentle kisses onto his lips, waiting for Jungkook to give in. 

Jimin's superpower is that he knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. His power gets an extra boost from the past week of all work and no play. He doesn't want to wait any longer, especially after being interrupted earlier. Their time together is always limited; any minute now, one of them could be called into work, or have some other place they need to get to. Jimin has three interviews in a row first thing in the morning, and he is sure that Jungkook is busy, too. 

"You need me, huh?" Jungkook mumbles when he finally, finally kisses Jimin back, slow and gentle. 

Jimin nods. "So, so badly, hyung. I've been waiting for you all day," he says between kisses, adding a pout for good measure.  

"Have you?"

Jimin kisses him again. "Stop teasing, hyung. You know I want you." 

"And here I thought all you wanted was more alone time with Kim Seokjin," Jungkook quips. Jimin pauses and looks up at him. Jungkook stares back, eyes dark and unreadable. 

"Don't be jealous," Jimin scolds. That's what it sounds like, at least – jealousy. Even if Jimin can't figure out why the most popular and lusted after rapper would be jealous of a tiny character on the screen of Jimin's laptop. 

"I'm not jealous," Jungkook corrects slightly harsher than he meant to sound like. 

Jimin raises a brow. "Just like you weren't jealous when you pulled me away from a dinner with him?" he points out slowly. He can't believe that they are really having this conversation. Jungkook has never given a flying fuck about what his conquests do when they are not with him. He has said so, his songs say so, he acts so. Besides, Jimin and Jungkook agreed from the start that the only reason they kept fucking after their one night stand was because the sex was so good. There were no feelings involved, can't be. 

"I didn't pull you away. I made a suggestion. You chose to come over," Jungkook says, and fine, maybe that's true, but Jungkook is still acting weird. Granted, Jimin doesn't actually know him that well, but he is pretty good at reading people, and Jungkook is like a lighthouse of annoyance whenever Jimin mentions Seokjin.  

Jimin leans his head back, huffing in annoyance. "What do you want from me, Jungkook? Am I supposed to say sorry? My company got me a boyfriend, not me." 

"Are you fucking him?"

Jimin chokes on air. "What?"

"You heard me," Jungkook states, looking at the wall behind Jimin, carefully keeping his face void of emotions. 

Jimin frowns, and takes a hold of Jungkook's chin, redirecting his attention back to him. "How is that any of your business?"

"That would put Kim Seokjin and myself in the same business, so as a considerate co-worker, I don't want to step on any toes." 

Jimin glares at him, letting go of his chin. "Oh, please. You are such a hypocrite, Jungkook. I don't comment on the people throwing themselves at you. Have I ever asked about the people I know you are fucking?" 

"What makes you think I'm fucking anyone else?" Jungkook questions, but Jimin isn't so easily fooled. Before they even met, Jimin had heard all about Jeon Jungkook, Korea's heartbreaker, everyone's wet dream and favorite fantasy. He also knows from experience how guys like Jungkook operate; there's never just one person in their life.

"Ha, ha," Jimin mutters, "You're so funny." 

"I know I am," Jungkook agrees. 

"I think the problem is that you are forgetting what we are," Jimin barks, pulling back, but he doesn't get very far, with the hands on his hips suddenly tightening their hold on him. 

Jungkook smirks at his clipped tone. "And what are we?" he can't help but press. Jimin confidently opens his mouth to answer, but nothing comes out when he starts to think about the question. What do you call someone like Jungkook? 

"We... we... shut up," he commands when Jungkook laughs in his face, rejoicing in the way Jimin is suddenly at a loss for words. 

"Shut up," Jimin commands again, cheeks reddening with embarrassment and annoyance when Jungkook won't stop laughing at him. 

"Okay," Jungkook agrees, too easily. "Do you want to fuck here or the bedroom?" 

Jimin pauses for a second, glancing at Jungkook, who as per usual offers nothing but smirks and silence. Jimin doesn't want to keep arguing, so he chooses not to comment on the sudden change of the topic. 

"I have a shoot tomorrow morning, so no carpet burns allowed. Bedroom, please," Jimin decides. Jungkook stands up, subsequently pulling Jimin up with him and leading him to the bedroom. 

"Where are your condoms? I already used the one I brought with me," Jungkook asks. He usually always brings one with him because it's important for both partners to be prepared and also because the last and only time he was at Jimin's house, they both found themselves out of condoms. There was no time to get new ones, so Jungkook had to leave, his balls the shade of agonizing blue. He is not about to let that happen again. 

"In the bathroom, second drawer," Jimin replies as he sits down on the bed. 

Jungkook groans. "Seriously? I know we hardly ever fuck at your house, but could you please consider having condoms somewhere closer, like maybe, possibly, in your nightstand drawer like normal people?" he complains as he walks into Jimin's bathroom, which isn't far down the corridor, but it's a little unpleasant to walk with a boner pressing against his jeans. 

"Sorry, not all of us hide condoms and lube around our fucking apartments," he hears Jimin sass from his room which makes him laugh. 

"If you did, we could have fucked in the living room. Or the kitchen. Or on the balcony," Jungkook mentions as he rummages through the drawer before finding a brand new packet of condoms but a half-empty bottle of lube. Interesting.

He returns to the bedroom, shedding his clothes before hurriedly unwrapping the condom and putting it on. It would appear that Jimin isn't the only one feeling impatient. 

Jimin grimaces in disgust. "We are never going to fuck in my kitchen. Gross. I eat at that kitchen. I bake cookies in that kitchen. No fucking in my kitchen." 

"Next time, we can fuck in my kitchen. I hardly use it anyway," Jungkook offers, his mind immediately filled with wild fantasies of bending Jimin over the counter, or maybe propping him over the dining room table. He also takes notice how Jimin didn't object to a living room or a balcony bang. Another interesting observation. 

"Thankfully, I'm going out of the country for a week. Fuck someone else in your kitchen while I'm gone, get it out of your system," Jimin says without thinking, but the words don't sound as funny out loud as they did in his head. Actually, the thought of Jungkook fucking someone else in his kitchen while Jimin is in Japan? Not funny at all. 

He hates the relief that leaps out of his chest, when Jungkook shakes his head and argues, "The point is fucking you in my kitchen."

Jimin rolls his eyes, but he is holding back a smile. "Not going to happen," he states, kicking off his pants.  

"We'll see about that," Jungkook claims, taking off Jimin's shirt. 

"We won't."

"Mhm." 

Jimin's eyes narrow at Jungkook's casual tone. "Keep talking, and you are going home in two seconds."

"You are too mean, Mini," Jungkook protests playfully. "Hands and knees, babe."  

"I can be meaner, if you don't get a move on," Jimin threatens, even as he is moving onto his knees. "I'm still stretched, let's do this already." 

"I can be mean, too, you know. Do you want me to be mean?" Jungkook whispers into Jimin's ear, his hot breath making goosebumps run down Jimin's spine. He takes a hold of Jimin's wrists, pinning them behind his back. Jimin loses his breath, unable to answer, when he feels his wrists being bound together with a scarf. "How mean do you want me to be?"

Jungkook's earlier words echo in Jimin's mind. I'm going to tie you up and fuck you so good that the only name you'll remember is mine. Excitement bubbles in his chest, but he is obligated to remind Jungkook of one more thing. "No—" Jimin starts to say out of a habit, but he gets cut off. 

"No marks, yeah, yeah. Trust me, I remember. I promise I won't tie it too tightly." Jungkook huffs. "Just... one day." 

"One day," Jimin agrees breathlessly, even though he knows that it will never happen. Jungkook is the most popular rapper in Korea; Jimin is a beloved model who is getting ready to debut as a singer. For the next few years or so, Jimin will most likely not even sleep, let alone have enough time off to heal the bruises of rough sex. He still revels in the fantasy at times, torturing himself with the what ifs. What if they were just two office workers whose only worry would be their coworkers noticing the marks in their skin? What if they were two strangers who met at a night club and started a relationship from that? What if all eyes weren't on them, every day, every hour? 

But he'd be lying if he didn't admit that a part of the thrill were the dire consequences of someone figuring out the truth about him and Jungkook. 

"Hyung, please," he pleas, wiggling his butt. He gasps in surprise when a smack lands on the sensitive skin. 

"Wait for your turn." 

But Jungkook is just as eager to get to it after being interrupted, so he doesn't waste time before pushing back inside Jimin. The slide is almost as easy as it was before, and it doesn't take long for Jungkook to build a steady rhythm of slowing pulling out and then roughly pushing back in, just the way Jimin likes it.

The sinful moans slipping from Jimin's lips guide him, making him pound harder. Jimin rewards his efforts by moaning louder, hands wringing in their soft chains, desperate to touch.

Jungkook takes a hold of Jimin's hands, squeezing once. "Okay?" he confirms, slowing down his thrusts. "Do you want me to let you go?" 

Jimin hasn't used their safeword, but he is moving so much that Jungkook just wants to make sure that he still wants to be on the ride to Pound Town. 

"Please, just keep going. Fuck, Jungkook. You're doing so good, it's exactly what I wanted. Just fuck me, please baby," Jimin babbles, trying to fuck back against Jungkook.

Jungkook lets go of his hands in favor of grabbing Jimin's waist again, slamming the model back on his cock. The slight change in the position has Jungkook hitting Jimin's prostate on every thrust. Jimin feels so much at once, pleasure thrumming in his veins so intense that he is about lose his fucking mind. All that matters is the firm hold Jungkook has on him and the hard thrusts of his hips. 

Jungkook is a man of his word. The only name Jimin can remember anymore is his; he cries it out in earnest each time Jungkook's hips speed up, fucking in harder. Jimin is panting, begging to come, lost in the feelings, but unable to give himself the release he can feel at the pit of his stomach. 

"Hyung, you are too mean," he breathes out, voice rough from being so loud, "Please, please let me come, Jungkookie hyung, I'm so close, please. " 

Finally, Jimin feels Jungkook lean over him, his long fingers wrapping around Jimin's red, hard cock. "Please, hyung," Jimin pleas again, shaking in anticipation. Jungkook kisses down his neck, slowly stroking Jimin's cock. 

Jimin would normally feel embarrassed for how sensitive he has been to the slightest touch, how loud he is being, but he is past the point of caring about keeping up appearances. Jungkook's grip on his cock feels too good, Jimin doesn't care about the eager noises escaping from his mouth. He knows that Jungkook likes hearing him, likes it when Jimin is so far gone that all he can breathe out is Jungkook's name.

When he comes, he comes so hard that he really does cry. Warm, wet tears spill from the corners of his eyes. His hands drop back down onto the small of his back, all energy sucked out of him. Jungkook fucks Jimin through the aftershocks, chasing his own orgasm. Half a dozen thrusts later, he feels Jungkook still, spilling into the condom. 

Jungkook unties him, rubbing his wrists briefly before letting go. Jimin quickly cleans himself with a strategically placed towel while Jungkook throws out the condom. Jimin shivers at the loss of skin on skin contact, pulling the warm covers over his body. Now that Jungkook, the human furnace, isn't holding him, the room air feels kind of cold on his bare skin.  

"You good?" Jungkook asks, sitting down on the bed, glancing at Jimin's wrists. "It wasn't on too tight?" 

Jimin smiles. "No, there's only a little redness, and it will go down before my interviews in the morning." 

"Cool," Jungkook nods. Then he taps at the glasses still perched up on Jimin's nose. "Your glasses are cute."

"Shut up," Jimin groans, taking the glasses off and burying his face in a pillow. 

"Kinda felt like I was fucking my math tutor." 

Jimin scoffs, but he can't hide the smile on his lips. "Is that a good or a bad vibe?" he questions, looking up from the pillow. Jungkook uses that chance to steal the pillow, propping it under his head instead. Jimin kicks his thigh and as revenge, hogs the giant duvet all to himself. 

"Oh, definitely good. You are a cute nerd," Jungkook can't resist teasing.

Jimin makes a face at that. "I am not a nerd." 

Jungkook maneuvers closer, whispering conspiratorially, "I saw the photos, Jiminie. I saw the nerd Jimin. I know." 

Jimin hides under the duvet, yelling in agony. "You are never coming over here again."

Jungkook laughs as he dives under the duvet after him and digs him out of hiding. He places a kiss on Jimin's lips once he finds him. Jimin deepens the kiss, calculating somewhere in the back of his mind if they have time or the energy for a round two. He should be getting to sleep shortly, or his make-up artist will throw a fit over the bags under his eyes, but he feels wide awake. 

Suddenly Jimin's phone comes alive on the table, dinging not once, not twice, but three times; startling them both. Jimin frowns, wondering if there has been a change in his schedule. He doesn't want to check it, afraid of wrecking the mood, but even that would be better than getting caught sucking face with Jeon Jungkook by his own staff. He sighs, defeated, and reaches over for his phone. 

Jungkook moves faster, picking the phone up and taking it away from Jimin's reach. Jimin arches a brow — what are they, children in the schoolyard? 

"Give it back," he commands. Jungkook flashes him that smug smile Jimin hates (and loves) so much. He already knows what Jungkook will say before he says it. 

"Earn it." 

"Ah, really," Jimin complains, even if his cheeks feel warmer, "It's probably from work. Come on." 

Jungkook isn't fazed by his reasoning. In fact, he slumps further down into the fluffy pillows and winks. "All the more reason."

"It could be important." 

"Guess you'd better hurry then." 

Jimin stares at Jungkook, but in the next second, he charges forward, reaching for his phone. Only Jungkook's quick reflexes alert him in time to move the phone. He pulls away, holding the phone right out of Jimin's reach. 

"Give it back." 

"Come and get it," Jungkook taunts. Jimin furrows his brows and keeps reaching for the phone, sitting up on his knees. But Jungkook is too fast in his movements; it's like they are playing dibidibidip, and Jimin always chooses wrong. 

"Jungkook," he eventually snaps in his most terrifying tone, but that only makes Jungkook laugh harder. Jimin is honest to God starting to break in a sweat from chasing his own damn phone around and decides that, enough is fucking enough. He climbs on top of Jungkook, pinning both of the rapper's hands down on the bed. Jungkook smirks at him and cants his hips up — making Jimin lose his balance and faceplant onto Jungkook's chest.  

This newest turn makes Jungkook guffaw so hard that his entire body shakes, making Jimin's head slightly bounce, too. Jimin really doesn't get where Jungkook has gotten his dark and mysterious reputation from. Whenever they are together, Jungkook is always cackling like a damn chicken, teasing Jimin, or otherwise driving him crazy by acting like a total dork. 

Jimin sits up again and leans in, as if he is about kiss him and then steals his phone back, rolling off of Jungkook. He smiles at the screen when he sees who the message is from and starts typing a response. 

"Who is it from?" Jungkook asks. 

"Why?" 

"I'm curious. Tell hyung who is texting you so late at night."

Jimin gags at that, very much over their role-play, no matter how hot. "Definitely not going to tell you now," he says, bringing his phone protectively closer to his chest. 

"What if I make you tell me?" Jungkook suggests, squeezing Jimin's butt. 

Jimin's eyebrows raise. "And how do you suppose you'd do that?"

"I have my ways," Jungkook grins, and Jimin suppresses a shiver because yes, Jungkook really does have his ways to make Jimin do whatever he wants. Not that Jimin would ever admit that, though. 

"What do you care who is texting me?" Jimin challenges, their earlier argument fresh in mind. It never got resolved, just like most anything with Jungkook. Whenever they fight, they never talk about what the issue is. They just fuck and get over it. 

"It could be a dick pic. I don't want my dongsaeng's innocent eyes to see such things," Jungkook says, reaching for the phone again. Jimin shoves at his shoulder, pushing him away. Jungkook allows himself to be pushed back — only to sneak in closer again.

"It's Jin hyung. He wants to take me out again," Jimin mutters, typing a reply. 

Jungkook frowns. "Shouldn't he arrange your 'dates' through Yoongi?" 

Jimin shrugs. "Why? I know my schedule, too. And it'd be weird, if he asked me out via my agent."

"But he's work."

"No, he is not," Jimin giggles, "He's a friend." He picks up his phone, opening the message. Then he gasps in excitement. "Holy shit. Jin hyung is offering for me to come check out to the set, see him work. Oh my god, that means I'd get to see Li Taehyun up close, in real life." 

Jungkook looks over Jimin's shoulder at his phone. His brows rise just at Seokjin's contact name, but the more he reads, the more his eyes narrow.  

Jin hyung <33

hi baby

i've got a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you 

before our little honeymoon trip to japan, would you like to come by the set? see me in action, stroke my ego despite the fact that I forget my lines like every other take? 

Jiminie ♡

babe!! ♡♡♡

i'll have to check with yoongi hyung

but i'll bully him until he lets me go ;) 

Jungkook frowns. "Why does he call you baby?"

"What?" Jimin asks distractedly, busy typing. Jungkook grits his teeth, trying to control the annoyance prickling in his chest. 

"Kim Seokjin gets to call you baby. Why?" he asks. He kind of wants to take Jimin's phone away and throw it out of the window. 

Jimin shrugs. "It's just a joke. We are pretending to be boyfriends, so I call him babe and he calls me baby." 

"I don't like it," Jungkook mutters. Why does Seokjin need to call Jimin any pet names? The media is never going to see those texts, so why bother? 

Jimin is amused by his frown. "I could start calling you 'honeycakes'," he offers. 

Jungkook scoffs. "Never in a million years."

"Darling? Sugar? Kitten?" 

"Stop," Jungkook commands, reaching for Jimin to end the horrible suggestions by force if necessary — but Jimin just cackles and rolls away. Fucking king size beds. 

"Maybe something manlier? Spike? Mr. Pointy?" 

"Why don't you just call me 'hyung'?" Jungkook interrupts, wanting to regain control of the situation.

A shade of red races across Jimin's cheeks. "Shut up."

Jungkook smirks."That's not how you are supposed to talk to your elders. Did you forget already? Should I teach you again?" he suggests. 

"You're really milking this thing for all it's worth," Jimin complains.  

"Of course. You started this, it's on you to finish it, too. Tell hyung what you want, baby," Jungkook taunts, crawling deliberatedly slowly over to Jimin.

Jimin's pulse picks up; he knows what will happen next. Screw going to bed at a reasonable hour. The makeup noonas already call him a problem child, so what about some bags under his eyes? 

"Ugh, you are such a pain," Jimin claims, but he intertwines their fingers. 

"I can be," Jungkook smirks, pulling Jimin in for a kiss, "but you like it."

Chapter Text

There is a place where one can experience hell on earth.

A place where everyone is walking with a purpose, often pushing and knocking others into the ground. No one stops to apologize, everyone is too focused on themselves. People run into him on purpose, push him, grab him, yell at him; anything to get his attention. A place where air tastes like ash and despair, sticking to his dry throat, making it difficult to breathe.

He really, really hates airports. 

"What's the hold-up?" Jungkook mutters when he checks the Rolex on his wrist and notices they haven't moved in 15 minutes. 

Hyunseok sighs. "The twats at airport security are attempting to create a safe passage at the last minute. There is this actor on the same flight as us, and apparently he chose to take his model boyfriend with him which was really fucking smart because now the entire airport is clogged up, much like Woobin's toilet after Chuseok dinner."

Woobin glares at him. "Fuck you."

"Just keeping it real, brother," Hyunseok teases.

Jungkook looks around in interest. There aren't many publicly dating actor/model combos currently in Korea who could draw such a crowd. It takes a few minutes due to the myriad of people pushing him around before he locates the petite figure surrounded by security clad in dark clothes.  

Jimin. 

"They are in my flight?" Jungkook's eyes never leave Jimin; he follows curiously as Jimin waves at his fans with his adorable small hands, smiling calmly despite the ear-splitting screams he gets in return. 

Maybe this time the airport won’t be so bad after all. 

Jiyoon, Jungkook's head manager, looks up from her phone. "Who?"

"The model and the actor."

"Yeah, what a nightmare," Woobin complains." The actor's company reached out to us and we agreed to rent out the first class with them, but they never mentioned that Jimin-ssi would be with them. I was under the impression he was already in Japan." 

"They are in the same hotel, too," Jiyoon reminds. 

Jungkook's ears perk up. 

Woobin lets out an exasperated huff. "Why does God almighty hate me so?" he complains. "Triple amount of sasaengs! As if Jungkook's psycho stalkers weren't bad enough! Park Jimin is so pretty he probably has a different stalker for each day of the year! God, why?!" 

"God has nothing to do with this, that's what we agreed with their company!" Jiyoon glares at Woobin's baffled face. "In that meeting you organized, they explained they were having trouble getting enough security for the trip because some other talent of theirs needed more after a stalker scare? This isn't news, you idiot. We agreed to work with them."

Jungkook hides a smile. He likes all of his managers and would trust them with his life, but Jiyoon has been with him since the start. Jiyoon takes no bullshit from anyone, and she is ready and willing to eat everyone who doesn’t do their job right. They've had to pull her away from Woobin multiple times. Woobin is not bad at his job, he is great at handling music videos for Jungkook, but he has trouble focusing on trivial things when he is really excited about a project. He's also atrocious at remembering things he doesn’t write down. 

"You don't have to be mean, noona," Woobin pouts. 

Jiyoon isn't fazed. "And you could not sleep during important meetings. We all have our crosses to bear." She runs an irritated hand through her shiny, straightened hair and turns to Jungkook. 

"Jungkook, you have your passport, right?" Jiyoon makes sure and sighs in relief when Jungkook nods. "You are a pain, but at least traveling with you is easy. My friend works with Kim Namjoon, and he is close to tears each time he can't stay over at Namjoon's the night before traveling. He says Namjoon-ssi will forget his own head at home if he's not there. His girlfriend is getting jealous because he is over at Namjoon's place so often." 

"Okay, kids, let's meet up with Kim Seokjin’s crew. The airport has got the safe passage ready for us, but they can't hold it for long, the fans are getting restless. They say everything is fine and that we shouldn't worry, but they always say that right before they massively fuck up," Hyunseok says, and Jungkook wholeheartedly agrees. 

Airport security is a fucking joke. 

There is always a big crowd at the airport, but now that three famous people are traveling together, the halls are filled to the brim with screaming fans, annoyed regular passengers, and tired airport personnel. It's very unusual for that many celebrities to be on the same flight. Jimin, Jungkook, and Seokjin are all solo artists who have business in Japan at the same time, which was why a different agreement was reached this time.  

The man chain the airport personnel had tried to form around them for protection very unsurprisingly breaks. The fans jump at the chance of being closer to their oppas, and so, chaos begins.

People pack up closer, pushing past the airport personnel, reaching for Jimin who tries to quicken his steps, but suddenly there are bodies blocking his escape in every direction. Jimin breathes in, breathes out, trying to remind himself that this is nothing out of the ordinary. It's okay that they are pushing him, it's okay that they are ripping at his shirt. He's used to this, it's fine. He can handle it, his team will help him if he really gets into trouble. 

The crowd is pushing them in different directions, and Jimin loses sight of Yoongi. That's when he really starts to panic. Yoongi is the same size as him which doesn't make him very effective in crowd-control, but he has a way of making Jimin feel safe, wherever they go.  

He tries to tell himself he's okay even as nausea hits him, his stomach clenching at the uneasy feeling. It's normal, he chants. I've had it worse. It's okay. 

But actually it's not okay at all, and he can't breathe. There are too many people crushing him, too little air. Someone grabs his face, momentarily catching Jimin's dangling earring he now curses himself for wearing. He howls in pain when another hand takes a hold of his hair, pulling and pulling. 

He wraps his arms around himself, curling up to protect his head from any more damage. It's the wrong move: the crowd squeezes ever closer to him, myriad of phones pointed right at his face, watching and capturing every second of his agony. His lungs are running out of air, forcing him to take painful gasps that scrape his throat. 

"Please let me through," he begs. He keeps saying it, over and over, but no one listens. The airport's high glass ceiling seems to be falling down, about to crush him under its weight, shards of glass aiming for him. He hears his breathing turn into wheezing, squeezing his eyes closed. 

They are screaming his name, many voices joining in, asking for his attention in different languages, but with the same urgency. Jimin-ah? Park Jimin-ssi! Jimin-oppa! Jiminie? Jimin-san! Please look at us, smile at us, notice us! 

He has never hated his own name so much.

His voice drowns in the cacophony. People push closer to him, closer and closer, until they are right next to him, only centimeters away. He feels himself growing smaller as the mass surrounds him. He can’t move, can’t leave, can’t be saved. They will trample him if he falls down, but how can he keep going? His head feels like it's about to explode from the lack of air, his vision littered with black spots. 

His eyes blur; where was it that he was supposed to go? All he can see are eager hands, excited faces and big terrifying camera lenses, all pointed right at him, ready to record each hellish minute of his anguish. The world is spinning, spinning and twirling, the sea of staring faces only growing more and more vicious in his eyes. 

“Please,” he whispers, “I can’t breathe.” He feels his legs start to give out and covers his head in a hopeless attempt to survive, knowing that the crowd will crush him. Once he hits the ground, it's all over. 

No one seems to realize how bad it is. They think he is just being shy, covering his face in embarrassment. Somewhere far away, he hears someone laugh when he starts to fall.  

Just as he is about to go down, an arm wraps around him, pulling him close to their body. Jimin starts to struggle in panic, but then he breathes in the familiar scent and leans against the person instead. 

"Jungkook," he breathes out, relief crashing over him. It's like he was trapped underwater, ankle caught in algae until a hand reached out and pulled him up. With Jungkook's help, he is able to hold his head above water and breathe again. 

He clings to the comforting body next to him, greedily gulping air. Jungkook is warm and steady, everything Jimin needs in that moment. 

“You’re safe. I got you, hyung.” He more feels than hears Jungkook speak the words to his neck. 

He follows mindlessly, trusts blindly. Jungkook will get him out of there. The arm around him grounds him, brings him comfort as they push through the crowd. Hands are still reaching for him, voices calling his name, but they can’t get to him anymore, can't hurt him anymore. It’s strange, strange how safe he feels with someone like Jungkook, but that's a thought for a three am obsessing session. 

They cross the VIP-lounge where only other passengers can come. As soon as the crowd stay back, Jimin takes the first unburdened breath. His hands shake when he cards through his hair, the familiar gesture oddly comforting. He can feel Jungkook’s eyes on him, and tinge of embarrassment sends a tired blush to his cheeks. He should have been able to handle that by himself. 

Jungkook is the first to break the silence. "You okay?" he asks softly, and Jimin is beyond grateful that he doesn’t try to make light of things.  

Jimin lets out a long breath. "Yeah, I just… Thank you."

"No problem." Jungkook stares at the floor, awkwardly chewing on his bottom lip. Jimin traces his lips with his eyes, lost in thought. 

Then Jimin's people separate them by flocking to the model like birds of a feather, loudly berating the airport security and asking Jimin repeatedly if he is okay. They surround him until they are at the plane, reminding Jimin to call out for them if there is any more trouble. 

Jimin takes a deep breath before walking to his seat where Seokjin already is. He politely bows his head and greets Seokjin. 

"Hey, I heard you got a pretty bad start to the trip," Seokjin says sympathetically, patting Jimin's arm. "Are you okay?"

Jimin forces a small smile. "It was really scary for a while, but I'm okay, thank you."

"My staff says Jungkook-ssi helped you. It was really cool."

"Yeah, it was pretty amazing." Hot is another word for it, but it's not like he can say that with Jungkook less than three meters away, probably listening to their conversation. No one needs to know about the itty bitty muscle kink Jimin may or may not have. 

"I didn't realize you two were friends." 

"We're not," Jimin says just as their eyes meet across the hallway. Jungkook smirks at him. He types something on his phone, and Jimin is suddenly grateful when the flight attendant says that all devices must be set to airplane mode next. 

It's a two-hour flight from Seoul to Osaka where they are filming. Jimin uses the moment of silence to get some much needed rest and falls asleep fifteen minutes into the flight while Seokjin reads the script for his drama's next episode. Usually, Jimin would fight to death to get a glimpse of what will happen in Seokjin's drama next, but after all the chaos, he just needs to rest his eyes for a moment.  

The next thing he knows, the flight attendant is announcing their landing. He opens his eyes and flushes when he realizes that his head is resting on Seokjin's shoulder. 

"Oh, sorry, hyung," he mumbles, rearranging himself into a better position. 

"Don't worry about it," Seokjin says cheerfully. "You look very cute when you sleep. Also, I think my manager got a pretty picture if we want to use it."

Someone from Seokjin’s team walks over, and after the bows, they speak up, "Jimin-ssi, come walk with Seokjinnie, please. Let's take some pictures. Let's have Jungkook and his crew leave first, so we can touch up your makeup before walking over to the cameras." 

"Okay." 

Jimin stands up, so his makeup noona won’t have to crouch down for him, but just then Jungkook’s crew passes them by. The hallways in the airplane aren't very wide, so they have to move sideways. Jungkook squeezes past Jimin, not looking at him. Jimin knows why not, but it still feels strange to be ignored. 

“Ready?” Seokjin asks quietly, and Jimin fakes a smile. 

“Of course,” he says, stifling the fleeting sense of panic that pinches his stomach as he regards the crowded airport in front of him. He knows that after the scare in Seoul, their security will be better on the lookout, but it’s a cold comfort. 

Flashing lights blind him from the first step he takes inside the airport. Everyone is dying to get a glimpse of him, and he can only imagine that the photos of him getting crowded must have hit the internet by now. Some people will be sympathetic, he knows, some people will start hashtags to demand better behavior from other fans. It won’t do much, but it’s one of those things where the thought counts for more. 

But then there are the others, and as much as Jimin would like to believe otherwise, they are the majority or at least talk loud enough to appear as one. They will ridicule him, revel in the without a doubt ugly expressions he made while almost being trampled. They will call him names, comment on his evident helplessness, unsuitable for a man, post after post after post.

They are like whispers in the dark; Jimin can hear every word they say, but not locate where they come from. He can’t confront the people who hide behind the internet’s anonymity; can’t ask why they hate him so much; can only wonder what he has done to those people he has never met nor probably ever will. All he can do is let it go, accept the hate pouring his way each day. 

Yoongi used to say that a part of being a celebrity is accepting that not everyone will like you. People have the right to hate you and never have a better reason for it than that your face annoys them. Yoongi used to say Jimin shouldn’t pay any mind to some internet trolls and that the best way to prove his doubters wrong was to excel at his work. 

Yoongi doesn’t say that anymore. As Jimin gains more and more fame, the hate he receives has snowballed in turn. After the first death threat, Jimin had to physically hold Yoongi back from strangling their company’s CEO whom just shrugged and said Jimin should get used to them because it meant they were doing something right. That in a way, the hate was a compliment; who would bother to harass a person they didn’t give a damn about? 

Years later, they still don’t get enough security, especially for international trips. Jimin brings his company millions of wons with each photoshoot, CF, and promotion he does, but that’s not enough to keep him safe. In some weird way, Jimin thinks their CEO enjoys making him struggle. 

"This way, please," an airport personnel says and guides them through a narrow hallway into a behemoth of a hall, filled to the brim with people.

Earlier bad experience fresh in mind, Jimin has to put a lot more energy into smiling this time as he strolls through the airport. Usually, Jimin likes Japan, it's one of his favorite countries to visit. The food is good, the nature more than gorgeous. Japanese fans are also much more respectful, keeping their distance. They record his every move, but they stay back more than many people back home, and really, that’s the best Jimin could ask for. 

One of them has a banner that catches Jimin’s eyes. It has Japanese writing in it: ジミンとグク! and a picture of Jimin and Jungkook. Jimin doesn’t speak Japanese, he only knows a few phrases he has memorized with the help of his best friend, but he gets a bad feeling from the banner. He tells himself he is wrong. The girl is probably just a fan of both him and Jungkook. He and Jungkook have been photographed together once. No one is going to start shipping them from one picture. That’d be ridiculous. 

Right?

“Titties out, best smiles on,” Seokjin mutters, and Jimin laughs nervously. His eyes scan the crowd of people while he smiles at the cameras. There is another girl with a picture of both him and Jungkook, but those pictures are in separate signs. He breathes in, breathes out. He's just being paranoid.

Just to be on the safe side, he still leans closer to Seokjin who puts an arm around him. He can play it off as being tired from the earlier scary experience, but more than that, it might erase any hopes someone could have about him and Jungkook being a couple. 

Now it's Jimin who avoids Jungkook's eyes as he and Seokjin walk past him, sliding into a taxi. He doesn't trust his face not to reveal what is he really thinking if he looks right at Jungkook.  

He pretends not to notice how Jungkook's gaze lingers on his skin like the last rays of sun. 

There is something Jimin and his team do at every hotel, as soon as they check in: they search all of the rooms for cameras, starting with the one Jimin will be staying at. 

"Okay, friends, you know what to do. Jiminie, once we are done, you have a Skype meeting with the PR people that we've set up in my room,” Yoongi reminds. Jimin nods, and then they all begin checking the furniture for cameras. 

Sasaengs come in all shapes, sizes and occupations — they can't be too careful. Even if Jimin's team always book their rooms, flights, and such under different names, their reservations seem to always leak. Unfortunately, some take advantage of that, and Jimin has previously found cameras in the ceiling of a hotel room, in a shower head — even on a breakfast tray delivered to his room. 

It takes a while, but Jimin is relieved to not find any cameras in the hotel room. He knows he will probably check again that night, but for the time being, he feels secure enough in the room. 

"Thank you for your help, everyone,” Yoongi says, and the other staff members nod, bowing before leaving. Then Yoongi calls out, “Jimin-ah! Let's go." 

"Yes, Mommy," Jimin replies as he re-emerges from the bathroom, having checked the shower again. Last time was too close, he had already unzipped his jeans when he noticed the showerhead looking a bit strange. Cameras can be made so small, it makes him anxious. He might be standing right on top of one and never notice. 

Yoongi glares at him. "Shut up."

"Okay, Mommy," Jimin replies in his best angelic voice.

Yoongi's eyes narrow. "Just for that, Mr. Supermodel is going to drag my suitcase to my room. A little manual work will do good for your attitude."

“Oh noooo, Mommy," Jimin wails and expertly dodges Yoongi's kick. 

When Jimin finally makes it to Yoongi’s room, there are three big screens set out, one for each member of Jimin’s team that handle his public relations. Yoongi is already talking with them, having cowardly abandoned Jimin to drag the heavy suitcase to his hotel room. 

"His PR team is probably farting rainbows right now," Dahyun mutters just then, and the others nod solemnly. 

"Whose team?" Yoongi asks. They must have only just begun since Yoongi is still just catching up.

"Jeon Jungkook's," the team answers unenthusiastically. 

"And why isn't mine?" Jimin questions as he finally drops the suitcase next to the closet. 

Dahyun puts on a smile that takes a little too long to form to be real. "Oh, hi Jimin." 

"Hi, everyone. Why are we not happy today?" 

The team exchange a look across the screens which looks a bit strange, but then Dahyun nods and sends a photo into the conversation. "This." 

Jimin and Yoongi stare at the photo for a while, but all that it shows is someone's arm.

"Uh," Yoongi starts. 

"I don't get it," Jimin admits, squinting to get a better look of what only appears to be a tattooed arm, "Is that G-Dragon?"

"Whoops, that's the zoomed in version. Here you go," Dahyun says and sends another picture. 

Oh. 

It's a photo of Jimin and Jungkook — of course it is. In the photo, Jungkook's tattooed arm is protectively curled around Jimin's shoulders, making their size difference even more noticeable, as he attempts to bring them through the airport safely. 

Jimin stares at his own panicked face in the photo, thankfully mostly hidden by his cap. He feels out of breath, almost dizzy for a moment when his brain very unhelpfully brings back the feeling of being crushed by the sea of people. 

His PR team, understandably, have their focus elsewhere. 

"It's the perfect photo. It's so delicate it couldn't have been better even if they had planned that. Their talent just seems to have an eye for stuff like this. Now, they have everyone fawning over his chivalrous act. The bad boy has a heart after all, he has the same weakness for Korea's angel as we all do. Isn't he such a nation's son?" Dahyun explains bitterly, and the others exchange looks. 

Jimin frowns; the words rub him the wrong way. It's not like Jungkook planned any of it, he was just trying to help. Jimin probably would have gotten really injured if Jungkook hadn't intervened when he did. 

"The photos are bad, but I think we should be equally worried about this video someone just posted," Minhyuk points out and sends a link. It buffers for a while, Jimin's heart thumping with anxiety. He doesn't want to relive the afternoon's horror so soon, but it doesn't seem like he will get a say. 

Then the video starts playing, showcasing how Jungkook notices Jimin being crowded and makes his way over, determined look in his dark eyes. Jimin looks at the Jungkook on the screen wrap his arm around him, holding him so tightly.

Instead of anxiety, his heart flutters without him ever giving it permission to do so. 

"From now on, make sure you only get photographed like this with Seokjin-ssi. We don't want to start any ridiculous rumors about you and Jungkook-ssi, right?" Naeun mentions, and for a fleeting moment, Jimin imagines what her face would look like if she knew about the true nature of Jimin and Jungkook's relationship. 

Knowing he can never say that, Jimin nods. "Of course not, that'd be just awful," he replies perfectly pleasantly, but he's annoyed. Yoongi shoots him a look. Jimin just smiles back. 

"Couldn't you have gotten squashed next to Seokjin-ssi, so it would be him in these photos with you?" Minhyuk complains playfully, and on any other day, Jimin could appreciate the joke, but not today. Not after he has been scared, pulled, pushed, harassed and mobbed. 

"Sorry, the mob crowding me didn't exactly stop to ask me who I'd like to get trampled next to," he replies perfectly politely, but there is a chill in his voice that they can all feel frosting down their spines. 

Minhyuk waves his hand dismissively. "I didn't mean–"

"Yeah, I'm sure you didn't. Just like you didn't mean for the security protocol to fail like it always does, but it still did," Jimin says.

It's not a hiss, he's too professional for that, but Minhyuks still pales. "Jimin–"

"We should probably end the meeting here, Jimin has to get to the set. Thank you all for your hard work. Let's regroup tomorrow with better time," Yoongi interrupts and waves before slamming the keyboard to end the call. 

"I don't have to leave yet," Jimin points out, breaking the silence. 

Yoongi shrugs. "I know. I just thought it'd be better to end it there, before you ripped him into shreds with one more of your damned pleasant smiles."

"I wasn't ripping anyone into—"

"Yes, you were, but today you are allowed to, and Minhyuk gets it, too. What happened today was inexcusable, and I wish I could tell you that it will never happen again. But airport security is a joke, and unfortunately, the company refuses to give us more resources for your security. So, what I will say is I'm sorry our company sucks." 

"Thanks," Jimin says, "Hearing you agree actually means a lot."

Yoongi nods. "Of course. I'm your manager, Jiminie. We are in this together."

"We are all in this together…" Jimin starts singing, clapping his hands together for a beat.

Yoongi rolls his eyes, thoroughly unimpressed by Jimin's High School Musical nostalgia. "Go to your room. I'll come and get you in twenty minutes. Prepare to do a couple of writing interviews during the drive to the shoot. Do you remember your room number?" 

"Yes, Mommy," Jimin replies, batting his eyelashes. 

Yoongi groans. "You're the bane of my being."

"Love you too, Mommy." 

The drive to the shoot doesn't take too long, but Jimin manages to finish answering two sets of questionnaires different media outlets have sent him. He's very busy and can't spare the time to do interviews in-person, so as a compromise, he answers them via email. He prefers it; writing down answers gives him more time to think and consider how his words could be interpreted. He has fans all around the world and making sure he doesn't offend anyone sometimes gets tricky. 

They arrive at a gigantic studio warehouse right on time despite morning traffic. From there, Jimin meets up with Seokjin. They are lucky enough to get make-up chairs near each other, so they can talk while getting ready. 

Half an hour later, a very enthusiastic assistant tracks them down and starts going through their assignment, blissfully unaware that both Seokjin and Jimin have already been briefed by their respective teams. They still listen politely, nodding along since the assistant seems very excited and they don't want to rain on her parade.

"So, the shoot is pretty straight-forward but time-consuming," she explains. "The designer's theme is duality which is why the shoot will have something called the day version and the night version. The day version's style is very innocent, pastel colors, hand-holding and candy cotton, that kind of stuff. The night version has darker colors and edgier feeling. Bold actions, wild expressions, a bit of a dangerous vibe." 

Behind the assistant, Seokjin makes a hilarious wild expression that has Jimin stifling giggles behind his hand. 

"First, we will take the couple shots for the day version and then your solo shots, Jimin-ssi." 

Jimin forces down the laughter still bubbling in his throat and nods. "Yes, noona."

"And at night we are filming part of the night version. There's a need to change location for the second part, so it will be filmed tomorrow, as well as Seokjin's solo shots." She stares at Jimin again which allows Seokjin to make another dumb expression behind her. 

"Yes, noona." Once the assistant leaves, Jimin reaches over to smack Seokjin. 

"Hyung!" 

"Careful, I'm old!" Seokjin wails, and Jimin laughs so hard he can't go through with the smack. Being around Seokjin is so effortless, like they've been friends for years. 

A booming PA calls them to the set next. Jimin used to feel a spark of hesitation in the seconds leading up to a shoot, but now posing for the day version is easy as breathing. Holding hands, hugging, staring at Seokjin like he hung the moon, it's all familiar from Jimin's earlier projects. He has been playing Korea's darling since he was only fifteen; the routine is practically muscle memory to him by now. 

His solo shots are just as effortless: this is what he excels at. 

The night version, however, has him worried. It's a lot darker than he anticipated. He feels a little lost in the black leather jacket covered in intimidating metal spikes and the English curse words painted on the flimsy tee he's wearing underneath. 

He is currently straddling Seokjin, the actor's hands on Jimin's hips, their lips a few centimeters apart. The photographer is yelling at him to "look intense, look intense", but Jimin is not really sure what he is looking for, and it's making him feel insecure. 

Breathe, he tells himself. Act like a professional. 

He leans closer to Seokjin, trying to look dangerous and debauched like the designer intended, but all he feels is stupid. He just needs to relax, get out of his head. Like he's with Jungkook. 

Bad idea, bad idea, his mind immediately screams in protest when he unwillingly conjures up images upon images about what they'd do if Jungkook was the one under him. Bad, bad, bad idea. 

"Just like that, Jimin-ssi! Big emotions, wild expressions!" the photographer exclaims enthusiastically. 

Jimin balks, panic twisting in his stomach. What did his face look like just now? This is not something he has practiced. The clicks of the camera, the flash going off feels overwhelming all of a sudden. Showing real emotion isn't safe, they told him that from the start. Every move has to be practiced, every expression controlled. His stomach drops. The pictures must look awful, he wasn't even focused on the angles. 

"Stop frowning," Seokjin murmurs. "You're kind of bruising my ego, looking like you'd rather be anywhere else." 

Jimin fakes a smile, heart thundering in his chest. He needs to get a grip. Don't think about Jungkook, he tells himself. 

You just thought about him by telling yourself not to think about Jungkook, some very unhelpful, evil goblin hiding in the back of his mind points out. 

Pipe down, know-it-all. 

"Jimin-ssi, is everything okay?" his favorite makeup noona whispers when she comes by to re-touch his makeup. "You look distracted." 

"I'm fine. Thank you, noona," Jimin says and bows his head. He just needs to get through these last few rounds of photos. Maybe he should just go with it. If Jimin daydreaming about Jungkook is what the photographer wants, who is Jimin to deny them? 

So, WWJJKD: What Would Jeon Jungkook Do?

If Jungkook were here, his hands would be on Jimin's thighs, drawing circles. He'd tease Jimin about him acting shy all of a sudden after everything they've done together. Jimin would protest, claim that he's not nervous at all, lean in to kiss Jungkook just to shut him up. 

Following that instinct Jimin leans in, dropping his face into the crook of Seokjin's neck. He both hears and feels Seokjin's breath stutter which makes him smirk. 

"Perfect, Jimin-ssi, you are marvelous! Stay just like that! I love it! You are carrying this entire project on those narrow shoulders! Absolutely sublime!" the photographer babbles enhusiastically as he snaps more pictures. 

Seokjin huffs, his breath moving some of Jimin's bangs. "I'm here too, damn," he complains dramatically.

Jimin suppresses a chuckle. "Shush, let the talent concentrate," he teases, and Seokjin pinches his side as revenge. 

It's well past midnight when Jimin drags himself back to the hotel. He's aching everywhere, having to stay still in difficult poses while looking sexy always takes a bigger toll than people would guess. Jimin yawns, walking through the hotel's double doors. All he is looking to do is lying down on his bed and sleeping.  

His steps speed up when he notices the elevator's doors closing. 

"Hold the elevator, please!" he calls out, sprinting to the metal doors with his tired muscles screeching in protest. Jimin manages to get in at the last second and breathes a sigh of relief as he slumps against the elevator railing. 

Then he looks to his side, meeting eyes with Jungkook. 

"Hey." Jungkook's voice is rough and low from his gig. Something wild ignites in Jimin, the thought of going to his room and sleeping slipping right out of his mind. 

"Hi," he replies, praying that his arousal isn't audible in his voice because there are other people in the elevator with them, an old man and a middle-aged woman. 

Another woman walks in, pressing the button, and the elevator takes off. Jimin breathes in, trying to ignore how hyper aware he is of everything Jungkook does. Each breath he takes, Jimin feels in his own lungs, every move he makes has Jimin's skin tingling. 

More people come in at the next floor, and Jimin backs up, hiding behind Jungkook on a whim. Mindful of the elevator camera's angles, Jimin traces his finger across Jungkook's back, all the way down to his ass. Jungkook tenses up. It seems that Jimin isn't the only one feeling restless. 

He does it again, but now his hands venture lower, covertly squeezing Jungkook's ass, feeling the firm muscles underneath. Hidden behind the rapper, Jimin rests his head between Jungkook's shoulder blades, trying to control the giggles forcing their way out of him. 

Jimin's phone vibrates. He picks it up, already guessing who the message is from. 

Jungkook

stop it

Jimin

stop what hyung

Jungkook

jimin

Jimin

yes hyung?

The elevator empties, the higher up they go, and suddenly they are alone again. Jimin moves away from behind Jungkook, nonchalantly strolling to the other side, leaning against the rail on the wall. He glances up at the camera. Hotel elevators are allowed to record picture, but not audio which is why Jimin speaks up, carefully angling himself in the camera's blindspot.  

"You look hot." 

Jungkook sighs, but Jimin sees the corner of his mouth quirk up at that. "We're in public. Stop playing around." 

"Why don't you play with me instead? You can't fuck my throat, because tomorrow I can't sound like I've been smoking since birth, but I could suck you off at my own pace," Jimin offers, eyes glinting with malice. 

Jungkook looks away, exerting his patience. "You're fucking evil, you know that?" 

"That's not a no." 

"Of course it's not a no." Jungkook pushes his dark hair away from his eyes. In his hand, there is a hotel key for a room 3311. Jimin does his best not to commit that to memory.  

Then the elevator finally reaches the top floor. The doors ding open, but neither Jimin nor Jungkook are leaving. Jimin is staring at Jungkook, daring him to make the first move. 

Jungkook swallows. "Jimin—" 

"There you are, Jungkook!" Some beefy guy Jimin has never seen before walks up to them. He bows his head at Jimin, muttering a hello, but quickly returns his focus to Jungkook. "Dude, I just had like the dopest idea for your next MV! How do you feel about sharks? I know, I know, expensive and kinda risky, yadda yadda yadda, but just think about the symbolism!" 

Jimin slips out of the elevator first while Jungkook stays back to talk to his staff. It's probably better this way, Jimin has to wake up early tomorrow and work all morning without a break. He cannot show up at the filming location like he has died three weeks ago and then risen again as a cursed corpse. No, he's just going to his room, sleep for a few hours and then leave for the shoot. 

He has just finished organizing the clothes he left scattered around his hotel room when that damn number comes back to haunt him. 

3311. 

That's only eight doors down from your room. He is staying right behind that corner, that same goblin from earlier points out.

3311.

Jimin shakes his head, trying to get rid of the thought. He has to be up at 4:30 am, and it's already past midnight. All he is going to do is shower and sleep. 

3311. 

You could just go by quickly and still make it back to your room early enough to get a few hours of sleep. 

Jimin frowns. Okay, I've heard enough out of you, goblin. 

Their respective companies rented out the entire floor, expecting triple amount of trouble. So far it's been very calm, but Jimin knows not to get used to it. Sooner or later, some psycho will invade their privacy, that's how it always goes. He walks towards his bed, determined to get a few hours of sleep before the shoot — only to promptly stroll past his bed and out of the hotel room and all the way to eight doors down, around the corner.

Damn goblins taking over. 

Jimin knocks on the door, but it suddenly occurs to him that he has no idea what time it is. Jungkook might want to sleep already, probably exhausted from his gig. He picks up his phone, checking the time. 00:38. 

As it turns out, that's not what Jimin should have worried about.

There is a notification in his phone from a channel he is subscribed to. Or rather, a channel one really annoying(ly hot) rapper had subscribed Jimin's account to back when Jimin claimed he was tired of said rapper's face already and that they would never hook up again. Jimin didn't notice the prank until Jungkook's next VLive, and by then, he just let it be because he had already hooked up with Jungkook again. Besides, he thought Jungkook's VLives were cute. 

Now, he stares at the notification in terror. 

A Surprise VLive: 안녕! 😘

Fuck. 

"Let's see who's that at the door," Jimin hears Jungkook say just then, and he's not sure whether it came through the door or from his phone where the vlive is now open, but he knows he cannot be filmed waiting at Jungkook's doorstep at almost one in the morning. 

There is only one option left. 

Jimin takes off running, the soles of his feet hitting the carpet floor, loud and silent at the same time. He hears the door open just as he rounds the corner. He doesn't stop running until he is safely inside his hotel room.

Out of breath, he stops, leaning against the door and laughs out loud in disbelief. That was close. He squashes the twinge of worry that squeaks too close, and throws himself on the soft bed instead. Looks like his original plan of lying on his bed and scrolling on his phone will come to pass after all. 

His phone beeps. Too lazy to properly sit up, he just feels around for his phone and opens the notification. 

Jungkook

what the hell was that park jimin

i saw you running away from my door

Jimin

i have no idea what you are talking about jeon jungkook

Out of curiosity, Jimin opens VApp again. Jungkook is still live, frowning at his phone for a second until he turns back to the camera, continuing some story about his gig, but he is slightly stumbling over his words. The frown marring his face reveals that he is still thinking about something else — someone else. 

Jimin recognizes the look in his eyes, it's the same one Jimin wore that day on his date with Seokjin when Jungkook kept blowing up his phone. In fact, this scenario is all too familiar, only the roles are reversed.

A petty idea strikes him, making him smirk. Who says only Jungkook gets to be a brat? 

Lying back down on the bed, Jimin wraps a hand around his cock, hissing at the dry slide before his eyes capture the complimentary lube packet on the nightstand. Could he take it? What if someone figures out which one was his room? What if they post on the internet that Park Jimin used the complimentary lube? 

Making a mental note to steal Yoongi's packet, Jimin grabs the lube and squirts it onto his fingers. He strokes himself slowly, imagining Jungkook's long, rough fingers on him instead. His body reacts immediately, pleasure thrumming through him. Once he has stroked himself hard, he pulls his shirt up, tensing his muscles, so they are extra taut — and then he takes a picture of the tantalizing view. 

Jimin

hey quick question what do you think about this picture

[image34.jpg] 

It takes Jungkook a long time to reply. Jimin follows his reaction live through the VLive, laughing so boisterously he is worried someone from his team will come check on him.

Jungkook just stares at his phone for a minute, spacing out. Finally he types something, and soon Jimin's phone dings. 

Jungkook

what the fuck

Jimin

friends help friends send good nudes 

Jungkook

thought we weren’t friends 

Jimin

mean :(

you are no help, i'll just ask someone else

Jungkook

no 

Jimin smirks at the message. He's definitely getting under Jungkook's skin. Watching Jungkook lose his train of thought while doing a live is funny, but Jimin's not satisfied yet. Roles reversed, Jungkook interrupted Jimin's date and made Jimin chase after him across the city which he has not forgotten. Sure, Jungkook did apologize, but it was probably just to get laid. 

The final kill has to be defeaning. 

Jungkook is an ass man, that much is clear. Jimin squeezes his butt, trying to figure what the hell kind of angle he should use before deciding to just take a picture via the mirror. Stripping out of his clothes, Jimin turns his back to the mirror, sitting up on his knees in a way that makes his ass look extra round. 

The picture comes out hot, the chiaroscuro of the dim-lit hotel room on his skin surprisingly seductive. After cropping out his face and making sure that there are no traits he could be recognized from if Jungkook's phone gets hacked, Jimin presses send.  

Jimin

one more chance baby 

[image42.jpg]

do you think i should send this one? 

When Jimin checks the VLive again, Jungkook is violently choking on water, wheezing out something about a cold he is getting better from. Jimin has never seen him so rattled, it's kind of endearing. 

And hilarious. 

He is laughing so hard that he's about to cry when a very flustered, red in the face Jungkook announces that he has to go and promptly signs off. 

Jungkook

happy now? 

come to my room 

Jimin

no thanks hyung :))))))

Jungkook

jimin either you walk here or i'll carry you

your call

Jimin

then come carry me

3303

Thirty seconds later, there's a knock on the door. When Jimin doesn't react, there's another knock, more urgent this time. Figuring that poor, sexually frustrated Jungkook will come through the door if it's not unlocked soon, Jimin stands up, putting his clothes back on, but he takes his sweet time answering the door. 

When he finally swings the door open, Jungkook immediately slips inside, cupping Jimin's face and kissing him hard, kicking the door shut behind him. Caught off guard, Jimin lets out an embarrassing squeak, stumbling back until his back meets a wall. 

Jungkook's hand slips into Jimin's neck, angling his mouth better, so he can deepen the kiss. Jimin loses his breath, moaning into Jungkook's mouth as the rapper continues to devour him. His fingers curl around the front of Jungkook's shirt, keeping him close but still needing him closer. 

Jungkook groans as he pulls back to breathe, dropping his head into the crook of Jimin's neck as he presses kisses there. 

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he mutters into Jimin's neck. His teeth graze warningly over Jimin's throat, making Jimin shiver in anticipation. 

Jimin smirks, catching his breath. "No, tell me." 

Jungkook doesn't answer in words. Instead, he starts pulling off Jimin's shirt, nudging until Jimin holds his arms up in the air. The shirt comes flying off, Jungkook's lips immediately returning to Jimin's as he guides him to the bed. 

Jimin's hands envelope Jungkook's when he tries to open the top button of his jeans, stopping him. "We can't do anything. I can't have any marks tomorrow." He doesn't try to hide the disappointment in his voice. Acting like he isn't turned on would be pointless anyway, with his erection poking Jungkook's thigh. 

"That doesn't mean we can't do anything. I promise, there won't be any visible marks on you in the morning." He guides Jimin to lie back on the bed, pulling off his pants and boxers. 

Jimin stares up at him, a little dazed and oxygen-deprieved from the kissing. "What are you doing…" he murmurs. 

"Just lay back. Trust me." He leans over Jimin, pushing the model's legs slightly up before lowering his mouth to Jimin's hole. Jimin bites his lip, trying to keep quiet, but then Jungkook's tongue starts playing around with his rim, licking and sucking, hands squeezing Jimin's ass.

Jimin lets out a loud moan, receiving a light spank in return. 

"Shh, we gotta be quiet, baby. Okay? You don't want anyone to know about the dirty things we do in the dark." 

"Okay," Jimin whispers back. He places his hands on Jungkook's head, carding his fingers through his hair. Jungkook's hair is always so soft, it never fails to surprise him. Jimin keeps asking what product he uses, but Jungkook refuses to tell him, joking that if Jimin finds out, he will never see the model again. 

When Jungkook starts fucking his tongue in, Jimin's grip on his hair tightens. Jungkook makes a sound of approval, but Jimin still loosens his grip a bit, focusing on lightly tugging the curls. 

"Jungkook," he moans. "More. Please."

Jungkook obliges, his tongue speeding up as his hands settle on the back of Jimin's thighs, spreading him wider. Jimin's back arches, chest heaving as he feels his orgasm building in the pit of his stomach. 

"Fuck me," he breathes out, lost in the sensations. He wants Jungkook so badly, it feels like every nerve in his body is screaming for the same thing. So what if he will have to cover up a limp tomorrow, it's not like he has never done that before. 

"No." 

Jimin frowns, not used to hearing that from Jungkook. Or most anyone, really. "Please."

"No, you said not to. If you won't behave, I'll stop."

"No, no, don't stop, I'll be good, I promise!" Jimin whines, but Jungkook still pulls away, making Jimin grumble at the loss of contact. He is about to sit up, but Jungkook's hands on his hips keep him down.

"I think it's your turn to squirm after all you've pulled tonight," Jungkook says, languidly caressing Jimin's hips with his thumbs. "The things you said in the elevator, those pictures you sent… Not very nice, baby." 

"I'm sorry," Jimin offers immediately. "Please, just don't stop."

Jungkook chuckles, low and taunting. "I could get used to this side of you." 

Jimin narrows his eyes, frustrated and horny. "Fuck off," he mutters before thinking. 

Jungkook's eyebrows rise. "What was that?" 

Jimin is quick to correct, "Sorry, hyung." 

"I don't think that's going to cut it this time." He twists Jimin's nipple, enjoying the choked up sound Jimin makes. "How about you call me oppa? Would you like that, baby?" 

"Yes, hyu— Oppa," Jimin murmurs, and now Jungkook is the one gasping for a breath. His head is empty, every single thought chased out with just that word moaned in Jimin's hoarse voice. 

Noticing how Jungkook froze at that, Jimin wiggles his hips tantalizingly and rasps out, "Please, oppa." 

Mesmerized, Jungkook tries to regain his bravado, dipping a finger inside of Jimin and carefully spreading him open. Jimin's cock twitches, precum pearling at the tip. Jungkook smirks at him, licking the precum away which has Jimin trembling, eyes blown wide. 

When the first finger moves in and out of Jimin without resistance, Jungkook starts fitting in another. This time, the stretch burns a little. Jimin purses his lips, telling himself to relax.

"Go slow."

Jungkook slows down, playing with Jimin's cock to distract him while carefully stretching him open with another hand, gradually moving his fingers in and out of him. Jimin breathes in, breathes out, gasping when pleasure wins over the slight discomfort. He moans out Jungkook's name, low and wrecked, unshamed about how needy he sounds.  

"Good boy," Jungkook praises, and Jimin whines, squirming in his hold. "Oh? You like that?" 

Jimin's ears are burning pink. "No."

"If you keep lying to me, I'm going to stop." 

"No," Jimin mumbles. "I li-like it."

"That's a good boy," Jungkook murmurs, leaving a trail of openmouthed kisses on Jimin's thighs. Jimin's breathing stutters, every part of him enjoying the way Jungkook brings him back to life after a long, long day. 

Jungkook fucks his tongue in, fast and wet, fisting Jimin's cock which has Jimin losing every last bit of his cool. He is panting hard, unable to hold the moans back anymore. His orgasm hits him just as hard, white hot and pulsating, cum landing on his own stomach. For a moment, he is only focused on the euphoria running in his veins, so much so that he doesn't even notice how tightly his thighs are squeezing Jungkook's head. 

As soon as Jimin realizes what he's doing, he releases his hold and backs away, sitting up. "Fuck, sorry, I'm so sorry," he babbles. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" 

Jungkook is still looking down. Jimin's heart squeezes in worry. He leans in closer, hesitantly reaching out a hand. "Jungkook? Hey, are you okay?"

That's when he notices that Jungkook really is choking — on laughter. He is laughing so hard that at first no sound comes out, his entire body just shakes. 

Then he looks up, eyes scrunching and giggles spilling from his lips. "God, you're cute," he guffaws. Jimin frowns, sending a kick that Jungkook easily blocks by grabbing his ankle. 

Jimin glares at him. "You're such an asshole. I really thought—"

That only makes Jungkook laugh harder. "Thought what? That your glorious ass actually managed to kill someone?"

"I fucking hate you," Jimin groans and rolls away. Jungkook is still laughing when he follows him on the bed. Jimin tries to stay annoyed, but Jungkook has the kind of laugh that always makes Jimin want to laugh, too, even if the joke is at his expense. 

Something is nagging at him, though. "It's not just me," he blurts out. Fucking hell, Park Jimin, he curses. Hello?? Don't make this awkward, please? Just keep your mouth shut. 

"What?"

Jimin bites his lip, but decides to soldier on. "You said... you know, but it's not just me who doesn't want people to know about us. Before we fucked the second time, you said—"

Jungkook doesn't let him finish. "Yeah, I remember what I said." He runs a hand through his long dark locks, frowning. He looks like he's about to say something serious that will irrevocably wreck the mood, so Jimin doesn't give him the chance. 

He pulls at Jungkook's shirt, not surprised at how easily it comes off because Jungkook loves wearing shirts three times his actual size. Those same shirts show off his delicious collarbones, so Jimin's definitely not complaining, though.  

"What—" Jungkook starts when Jimin's hands make quick work out of his zipper and pull out his cock. 

"I promised you a blowjob, didn't I?" 

"But your voice—" 

Jimin lays his head on Jungkook's thigh, wrapping his fingers around Jungkook's cock. "Just stay still and let me worry about it." 

Before Jungkook can reply, Jimin licks at the head, teasingly tongueing the slit. Jungkook closes his eyes, muttering something incoherrent as he pets Jimin's hair. Jimin melts into his touch, letting out soft moans as he sucks him off. He makes sure to keep a slow pace to protect his voice, focusing on sucking the head of Jungkook's cock and using his hands to pump the shaft. 

Jungkook groans when Jimin's hands speed up. He is already hard, heavy in Jimin's hands. Jungkook involuntarily makes a move as if he is about to take a hold of Jimin's head, but quickly stops himself, grabbing a fistful of sheets instead.  

"This no marking thing fucking sucks. I wanna spank you for being so bad, make you scream by fucking you so hard your hips bruise. I wanna bite your shoulders and kiss your lips until they swell, suck hickeys everywhere on your pretty skin," he mumbles. Sucking Jungkook off always increases his dirty talk which is another reason why Jimin loves to do it. 

Jimin mewls at that, wishing they could do just that. He wants it all, wants to let Jungkook control him just like that, maybe misbehave a little to get a reaction just like this. 

Feeling how close Jungkook is, Jimin slows down, pulling away until his mouth is only around the head, sucking lightly. 

"Don't tease," Jungkook scolds, and Jimin fights a smile at his wrecked voice. He jerks Jungkook off faster, the slide wet with his saliva. 

"Come for me, oppa," he entices, licking his lips tantalizingly. "I want it."

Jungkook's eyes zero in on Jimin, soft curse spilling from his lips when the model smirks at him. A moment later, Jungkook stills, coming into Jimin's hand.

"Good boy," Jimin praises and pecks Jungkook's lips. It doesn't escape his notice how Jungkook groans at being called a good boy, too. Ain't that funny. 

"So... oppa?" Jimin questions after Jungkook's breathing settles again. "Is that a thing now?"

Jungkook shrugs. "Sounded hot."

Jimin nods. "Agreed."

They lie on the bed for a moment before Jimin checks the time and hurries off to wash up, getting ready for bed. He's in the middle of doing his skincare routine when Jungkook walks in, sneaking a quick kiss to Jimin's neck. 

Jimin flushes to the shade of a ripe tomato at the cute gesture. "What do you want?" he asks. His surprise at Jungkook's actions makes it sound a little more brusque than he meant to. 

"There's cum on my shirt."

Jimin rolls his eyes. "I've got some clothes in my luggage, take what you want."

Jungkook nods. "Thanks." He kisses Jimin's neck again, making Jimin flick water at him, blush again tinting his cheeks. 

"Out!" 

Jungkook just laughs at him while walking out. Jimin finishes the skincare routine, patting moisturizer to his face as the final touch. He's just checking his pores when he hears Jungkook say: "I hope you know, I don't take kidnapping my progeny to another country kindly."

Jimin walks out of the bathroom. "What?"

Jungkook shakes the white T-shirt he is holding. "This is mine," he says. "My precious. And you flew it to Japan without my consent." 

"That's not yours, why would I have your—" Jimin stops speaking. Right. Jungkook did lend him a T-shirt and a hoodie after Jimin hid from that staff in the shower. "Oh. Well, now the universe has reunited you two. Slow clap for the powers that be."

Settling back on the bed, Jimin picks up his phone, intending to go through the photos taken at the shoot. He had taken a picture of the giant screens where the photos were visible, so he could prepare better and practice for filming the rest of the stills for the night version. 

“Let me see,” Jungkook asks when he notices what Jimin is looking at. He moves closer, catching the sight of the few photos Jimin managed to take on when they were open on the photographer's screen.

His eyes stop at the photos where Jimin is straddling Seokjin, narrowing. "Isn't this project kind of killing your whole sweetheart image?" 

"Oh, not at all. Lucky for me, hypocrisy is rooted deep into this land. Besides, Yoongi hyung and I are kind of trying to push it, I guess? If I'm going to debut—" Jimin suddenly bites his lip and looks away. 

Jungkook raises a brow. "Debut? Like, as an actor?"

Jimin shakes his head, biting his lip in anticipation. "Please. You've seen my acting abilities. No, it's... as a singer. I'm an atrocious actor." 

"Could have fooled me," Jungkook points out, glancing at the photos. In the photo, Jimin is looking at the actor like he is going to pounce on him right after the picture is taken.  

Jimin blushes. "Whenever I do other projects than photoshoots, I have to come up with these elaborate plots for the character to be able to act."

"Oh yeah?" Jungkook turns to look at him, tracing the outline of his lips with his eyes. "What were you acting like in this one?" 

Jimin reaches for the phone, but Jungkook pulls away. "Give me that," Jimin commands. Jungkook just shakes his head, smirking. 

"What were you thinking about in this photo?" Jungkook taunts, carefully keeping the phone away from Jimin's awaiting fingers. 

"Nothing." 

"You're blushing," Jungkook teases. 

Jimin blushes even harder. "Am not."

"Are too." Jungkook leans in closer. "Were you thinking about me, hyung?"

Jimin's pulse picks up, the earlier fantasy rushing back into his head with the strength of the sun. He scrambles for words, anything to hide what he is thinking.

"Why would I think about you when I'm on top of the hottest actor of the moment?"

"Because I know how to turn you on and he doesn't. If you were filming with me…" Jungkook crawls closer, pushing Jimin down on the bed, "Let's just say there'd be a very different set of photos." 

Jimin runs his fingers through Jungkook's dark hair, marveling at the long curly strands. "Look at your hair. How do they let you keep it this long?" he wonders out loud. It's not a rule, not really, but most idols — even rappers who like to push boundaries — keep their hair relatively short. 

Jungkook shrugs, nonplussed. "My fans like it. Besides, it's my hair. I decide."

Jimin scoffs. "No, you don't. Nobody does, not in this line of work. Last year, my stylist cut my hair super short. I looked like a child, and I hated every minute of it," he complains. 

"You looked cute. It was for the Gucci Christmas Collection, right?" 

Jimin quirks a brow. "Yeah..." he says, confused. "How do you know that?" His hair had been short and black in the Christmas Collection, but the pictures for the campaign were already taken in August. It had grown back by the time they had met. The night they met, at the after-party for MAMA, Jimin's hair was back to its usual length, in addition to having been dyed silver. 

"Namjoon hyung showed me your picture before the party because I didn't believe that he really knew you." Jungkook's eyes flick to mischief. "You know, that party where I came over to hit on you and you thought I only wanted to hit that because you were Namjoon's date and you believed all that shit about us being rivals?" 

Jimin goes beet red. "Shut up," he whines, covering his ears. 

Jungkook takes a hold of his hands, pulling them away from his ears. "And when I told you, that you could check my pulse if you didn't believe me, you told me to go fuck myself because apparently that was the only action I was going to get that night."

Jimin avoids his eyes, cringing hard. "I'm a very loyal friend." 

"Clearly." 

"What was I supposed to think?" Jimin whines. "Some baby-faced rapper comes up to me at a party he knows I came to with another guy, his alleged enemy, no less, and launches some god-awful pick-up line at me."

Jungkook smiles. "You were supposed to think that you looked hotter than hell, and every guy there wanted to take you home. I was just the one who got around to asking you first." He kisses Jimin. "And then miserably shot down."

Jimin laughs. "I did go home with you, though," he reminds the rapper.  

"At the next party."

"Still." Jimin smiles. "What did you tell me? How did it go? The pick-up line you fed me?" he wonders, frowning in thought. 

Jungkook looks away. "We don't need to talk about that," he quickly says, rosy blush tinting his cheeks.  

"It was something about the sky. Stars, maybe?" 

"Was not."

There's a small fond smile playing on Jimin's lips. "I kept laughing about it in the cab to Namjoon hyung's place. Hyung thought I had lost it." 

"You also made fun of my stage pout for like five whole minutes," Jungkook complains. "I can't even pout around you anymore without thinking about it. You're so mean to me." 

Jimin bursts out laughing. “That’s right, I did," he giggles. "When you rap Einsteinium, you get this cute little pout."  

He reaches over to grab Jungkook's cheeks, but the rapper retreats just in time. "Come here, Pouty," Jimin coaxes. "Look here, little baby." 

"That's what you said then, too. You called me a baby and said you wanted a man. Am I man enough now, Jiminie?" Jungkook taunts, leaning over Jimin who giggles. He wraps his legs around Jungkook, locking him in place to plant a kiss to his lips.  

"Nope, you're still my baby." Jimin feels Jungkook seize at that. Fuck, don't say it like that. Retreat, retreat. He is quick to correct, "A baby. You're still a baby to me."

Jungkook's eyebrows rise. "Between the two of us, aren't you the real baby here?" 

"How so?"

"Small. Whines a lot. Cute soft cheeks." Jungkook pats Jimin's cheeks. "And then there are these cheeks on your face. They're all right, too, I guess." 

Jimin groans at the clumsy innuendo and flicks Jungkook's forehead. "Maybe you shouldn't talk." 

Jungkook smirks back. "Make me stop." 

Chapter Text

Soft puffs of air on his nose wake Jimin up at 4:30, accompanied by the blare of an alarm he barely remembered to set with the giant distraction sleeping next to him.

The aforementioned distraction groans, stuffing a pillow over his head as he grunts out, "Turn it off, baby, off."  

"Yeah," Jimin mumbles, reaching over Jungkook to silence the alarm. The annoying sound stops when Jimin taps at the screen, glancing at the time through bleary eyes. 4:30. Ugh. He reluctantly sits up, unwrapping his arm from around Jungkook's torso. Every cell in his body screams in protest of leaving the warmth of Jungkook and the comfortable bed, but he braces himself, padding his way to the shower. 

It's not until the first drops of water hit his back does he realize what has happened. 

Jungkook slept over in Jimin's hotel room. Damn it. Jimin shouldn't have let him stay. How could he have been so careless? Any one of his staff could have gotten the room key from Yoongi and walked in. Someone from Jungkook's people could have found the rapper's room empty and alerted Jimin's people with their search for him. What the hell had he been thinking?

Jimin huffs, annoyed with himself. That was just it, he hadn't been thinking. Sometimes being with Jungkook could be easy as breathing, just a night of watching a movie on Jimin's tablet, occasionally talking and telling bad jokes. It's been a rocky road for them lately, but last night everything felt simple, like he had just been hanging out with a friend. A friend who tells a lot of dirty jokes and flirts with him like there is no tomorrow. A friend who kisses him and teases him, only to turn around and tell him how pretty he is, all in the same breath. 

If only there was a name for that kind of a friend. 

Next thing Jimin knew, Jungkook was already fast asleep. He could have just woken him up, could have told him to go to his own room. He should have. But he didn't. Sleeping Jungkook was surprisingly adorable, and Jimin couldn't bring himself to disturb his sleep. 

Head swarming with thoughts, Jimin drags himself out of the hot shower, dries himself off and gets dressed. Having learned from previous times, he also does his hair and makeup before going back into the room to wake up Jungkook. The rapper has a bad habit of making Jimin late. 

Stifling the side of him that hates to disturb Jungkook's sleep, he shakes Jungkook awake which the rapper does not take too kindly.

"Fuck off," he growls, turning away from Jimin. Jimin laughs out of surprise; Jungkook's somehow even more adorable when he is grumpy and sleepy. Eyebrows drawn into a frown, lips pulling into a cute pout that Jimin wants to steal away with a kiss.

"Come on, Jungkookie. Wake up. You need to leave before Yoongi hyung comes to get me." Jimin shakes him again. Jungkook groans and rolls away. Jimin crawls after him, draping himself over the figure under the duvet.

"Baaaaaabe," he whines and pretends like he doesn't notice Jungkook's mouth curves up, stifling a smile. "You need to go. I'm busy today. I have to meet up with Jin hyung before the shoot, we are filming something. Then I have the shoot with him, and afterwards Jin hyung will take his solo shots and I get to do interviews until I die." 

"Jimin, shut up and let me sleep before I make you." Jungkook's voice is rough and low, like he has eaten a bag of gravel (and maybe a few souls of the innocent) for breakfast. 

"I think I want you to make me." Jimin presses a kiss to Jungkook's neck. Jungkook lets out a sleepy grunt, making a haphazard move with his hand as if swatting away a fly. Jimin grins, setting his knees on each side of Jungkook's hips, sneaking closer. He runs his tongue up the side of Jungkook's neck, carefully nipping and sucking each place he knows is sensitive. 

Jungkook shivers, giving up on trying to keep sleeping. He turns around onto his back, and Jimin pulls out some rather interesting surfing skills as he manages to stay on top of Jungkook. 

Jungkook finally opens his eyes, scowling. Jimin smiles at him. "Morning, sunshine." 

Jungkook rests his hands on Jimin's thighs, eyes about to close again before his fingertips meet rough denim instead of smooth skin. He blinks. "You're dressed."

"You're quite the detective, lover." Jungkook pinches Jimin's thigh, grumbling something under his breath in protest. Jimin boops his nose, adding, "I told you. I have work and you need to leave before my staff gets here. Neither one of us wants to hear that lecture."

Jungkook's eyes droop closed. "Mhmm," is his only response. Jimin clenches his thighs together in an attempt to keep Jungkook awake.

"Hyunggggg." 

Jungkook doesn't reply, but he can't hold his smile back anymore. Encouraged, Jimin runs his fingers down Jungkook's skin, pausing at his bare chest. He flicks the rapper's nipples once, twice, thrice. When Jungkook doesn't react, Jimin twists both of his nipples at the same time.

Now that gets a reaction out of Jungkook whom growls something through his lips, begrudgingly opening his eyes. "Go away," he grunts out. Jimin takes no heed of him. He flicks Jungkook's nipples again, smirking when Jungkook takes a hold of the model's wrists to keep him from bothering his sleep again. 

"You know, maybe you've got it right. Maybe you are the bad guy," Jimin jokes, pretending to struggle against his restraints. 

"Your company definitely thinks so," Jungkook mutters. 

Jimin frowns. "What does that mean?" When Jungkook doesn't reply, Jimin turns his wrist in Jungkook's hold and pokes at the rapper's flat tummy. "What does that mean?" he demands again. 

Jungkook gives up on pretending to sleep and reluctantly explains, "Yesterday, we had one photo taken of us together at that airport, and suddenly your company has you glued to Kim Seokjin." 

"It's just because the project needs positive visibility. And, of course, it helps that Jin hyung is an angel. Even my agent likes him, and he doesn't like anyone," Jimin says, rolling his eyes. Yoongi is like three overprotective brothers combined, all roped into one small, grumpy dude. 

"Not even me?" Jungkook asks coyly, batting his eyelashes. 

Jimin smiles. "Especially not you. If Yoongi hyung knew what I did with my free time last night, you'd never see me again. Trust me. No one at my company knows about us. It's just a coincidence." 

Jungkook hums at that. "I think I could win him over," he claims. Jimin bursts out laughing, imagining for a moment how a meeting between Yoongi and Jungkook would go. He can almost see Yoongi's cat eyes sizing Jungkook up, boring into his tattoos, his long hair. Not to mention what Yoongi would think about Jungkook's music, the explicit lyrics and the wild reputation that precedes him. 

"Hyung would eat you alive," he giggles. Yoongi doesn't look too threatening: he's Jimin's height and built like a slender willow with delicate porcelain skin. But Yoongi has an aura of quiet authority, an air to him that commands respect. Jimin has often wished he'd have the same gift. 

Jungkook winks. "Which one of your people is he again? Is he good looking? I mean, I might let him."

Jimin gags. "Eww. Never knew you were into vore." He makes a move to get off of Jungkook, but the rapper pulls him down instead, planting a kiss on his lips. Jimin hums in satisfaction when Jungkook moves to kiss up his neck. 

"Mhm. Is that a deal breaker?" Jungkook asks, sucking Jimin's earlobe between his lips. It tickles a little, eliciting a giggle out of Jimin. Jungkook smiles at the sound, whispering into Jimin's ear, "I could just eat you up."  

His hands release Jimin's wrists, only to drag down to Jimin's waist, slowly turning them around until Jungkook's the one pinning Jimin to the bed. Jimin's thumbs trace the V of Jungkook's hip bones before slipping into his boxers, fingers wrapping around Jungkook's cock. Jungkook lets out a breathy moan, bucking slightly into Jimin's hand.

The morning is looking brighter already. 

The rest of the world falls away until it's just them two. It's nice and quiet, their quickening breaths and lazy kisses the only sounds in the room. Jimin's fingers move up and down Jungkook's shaft, slow and teasing. He nips at Jungkook's bottom lip, enjoying the sound of the rapper's breathing growing heavier.

Then Jimin hears the tell-tale sign of the code being punched into the hotel room door. His eyes fly open, heart banging against his throat, hard and loud like a kettledrum of doom. 

"Hyung!" Jimin wheezes. There’s only one other person who knows his room code, and that’s Yoongi. Incidentally, he is also the last person Jimin would ever want to catch them making out. 

"Yeah?" Jungkook mumbles, kissing down Jimin’s neck, cursing once more the 'no marks' rule in his mind. 

"No, I mean—that's—Yoongi hyung. You need—to—go," Jimin breathes out through the dizzying kisses pressed to his lips, but neither of them have enough time to make another move until they hear the door approve the code and the lock unlocking. Jimin panics, and with one powerful thrust of his hips, he throws Jungkook off of him — onto the floor between the window and the bed. Jungkook makes an indignant sound as he hits the ground, but Jimin is too busy scrambling to his feet to care about that in that moment, praying that Jungkook will stay hidden. 

His manager startles a bit at Jimin's sudden appearance right behind the door, but quickly recovers and states, "Oh good, you're up. Grab your things, we need to get going."

Jimin frowns. "Why? The shoot is in three hours. Aren't we filming the VLive thing at the hotel first?"

"The shoot's location has changed. Apparently that rapper's gig flooded the streets. People are lining up outside this hotel, the stadium, some bar he apparently hung out at last night. The company changed the venue, so traffic or possible creeps won't bother the filming. We now only have an hour to film the VLive and then we leave for your shoot right after." Yoongi clears his throat, looking awkward all of a sudden. "I have other news. You're getting a roommate." 

Jimin laughs, thinking it's a joke, but when Yoongi's gummy smile doesn't make an appearance, Jimin frowns. "Absolutely not."

"It's just for one night. He'll leave tomorrow," Yoongi offers helplessly. He thinks it's a bad idea, too, but he can't very well go against the company's decision. 

Jimin shakes his head, stepping slightly to the side to better hide the double bed from Yoongi's view. "No, hyung. I have... I don't want anyone else here."

"It'd be a big favor for the management. I don't think I need to remind you that your contract is up at the end of this year. If ever, now would be a really good time to keep those fuckers happy. We can start divaing again next year, I promise."

Jimin glares at Yoongi, but when Yoongi doesn't relent, he huffs out, "Fine." 

"Also, I need you to give me your phone."

Now this demand brings out a bigger reaction. "What?!"

Yoongi rolls his eyes. "Jimin. I don't care about the nudes I know you have taken despite me repeatedly telling you not to." He waves off Jimin's protests, continuing, "My hands are tied, this order comes straight from the company. Your new roomie Jisoo played with his phone for so long in Tokyo that he fell asleep at the backstage of a fashion show and stumbled on the runway. The company's just going a little overboard in making sure it doesn't happen again here. You'll get your phone back soon enough." 

Jimin bites his lip, frowning. "Why do they always have to take everyone's phones away when one person fucks up?" he complains. Sometimes it feels like he is still just a trainee, with how much oversight he has. 

"It's simple. Divide et impera. If artists are busy guarding each other from making stupid mistakes to keep their phones, the company doesn't have to." Yoongi huffs. "Which is where you come along. If Min Jisoo stays with you, the company's pride and joy, there can't possibly be another screw-up." 

Jimin knows when he has lost the game. "Ugh, fine," he replies, sulking. Yoongi hides a smile. Jimin looks cute when he sulks, although Yoongi would never tell him that. He'd just use it to his advantage, the little brat. "Let's get going. I'll use the bathroom and meet you in the lobby." 

"I'll just wait here."

Jimin gasps dramatically. "Hyung, ew." 

Yoongi sighs, loudly. "Oh my god. Fine, I'll wait in the hallway. But you better not take longer than five minutes, Jiminie, I fucking mean it,” he warns before walking out. 

"Of course, Mommy." Jimin waits until the door slams closed after Yoongi before tiptoeing around the bed. He peers at the figure lying on the floor. "You good?" 

Jungkook turns his head slowly to better glare at him. "Park Jimin, you are so fucking dead."

"I'm sorry! I panicked," Jimin claims, but he's laughing. Jungkook scrambles to his feet, pointedly ignoring Jimin's hand reaching over to help him up.

"You literally kicked me off the bed. How could you?" he scolds, running a hand through his messy bedhead. He's still half-hard; frazzled from being brought so close to the edge, only to be sorely disappointed in the end. 

"I'll make it up to you, I promise," Jimin says, shooting him a finger heart. 

Jungkook lifts a brow at that. "So you keep saying."

"You don't believe me."  

"Give me a reason to."

"I will. When I get back from the shoot."

"I'll be around," Jungkook promises. "My soundcheck ends at noon and I have nothing to do until nine." 

"So, do me." Jimin blows a kiss that Jungkook swats away because of the lame joke. Accepting the challenge, Jimin stands on his tippy-toes to press a real kiss to Jungkook's cheek and reminds, "Wait a couple of minutes before you leave after me."

"Yes, sir." 

"Today Jimin and I will be playing a friendly game to show you our bond." Seokjin smiles briefly at the blinking red light of a camera before turning his attention to Jimin who is sitting next to him. "How do you feel about filming with me, Jimin-ssi?" 

"I'm always happy to be with you," Jimin replies sweetly, and Seokjin responds in kind by blowing him a kiss. Then Seokjin introduces the games they will play during the live. They only have an hour to film, so their staff has picked out a cute but simple game for them to play: reenacting romantic scenes from dramas. 

"Before we begin, let's have a staring competition. But I must warn you, my smoldering gaze will have you falling deeply in love with me in only seconds," Seokjin declares dramatically. 

Jimin bursts out laughing. "Hyung..." he protests. 

"Jiminie, we haven't even started yet and you are already losing," Seokjin teases. "Shall we hold hands?" 

Jimin takes his hand, giggling behind his palm. They stare at each other intensely, but then Seokjin leans in closer, eyes blown wide like an alien's orbs and Jimin can't hold it in anymore. He's still stifling giggles while Seokjin explains the rules of the game, occasionally sending Jimin fond glances. 

"Today, we will be recreating some of your favorite drama scenes! We have to get at least three scenes completely right before time runs out in order to pass the challenge. We will also be taking some questions about our project together towards the end of this VLive." 

In the first drama scene, Seokjin is bridal style carrying Jimin. Their mission is to manage 20 seconds of lovingly gazing into each other's eyes without laughing.

"Jimin-ah!" Seokjin scolds when Jimin loses it for the third time in a row as Seokjin looks at him with exaggerated googly eyes. 

"I'm sorry, hyung. You're just so good-looking," Jimin offers as an olive branch. Seokjin gracefully accepts, sending Jimin a finger heart before they do a few simple dialogue scenes, a drunken karaoke scene and one piggyback scene where Jimin carries Seokjin.

In the last scene, they are supposed to dance together. As soon as he hears the staff announce which scene they'll be doing, Seokjin stands up and says, "Let me show you the dance."

"Oh no." Jimin signs for the staff to get back which they immediately do, exchanging worried glances and dragging expensive equipment away from Seokjin's reach. "Save yourselves."

Seokjin cups Jimin's cheeks. "What was that, baby?" he asks, looming threateningly over Jimin. 

Jimin's eyes crinkle. "I'm sorry, hyung. You're a great dancer. Please continue." 

"That's what I thought. Music, please!" 

"We were actually thinking that Jimin-ssi might like to do this part alone," one staff member squeaks. Seokjin turns to look at them with raised eyebrows, and the staff hurriedly continues, "But please show us your talent, Seokjin-ssi! We'll anticipate it a lot!" 

"Thank you. Okay. One, two, a-one, two, three, go!" Seokjin starts to dance like a deranged crossing guard, limbs flying everywhere. Jimin can't hold it in; he's on the floor, laughing so hard he's about to cry. 

"Stop laughing, Jimin-ssi! You're supposed to be falling madly in love with my special talents!" Seokjin calls out. Jimin smacks him, shaking his head. 

"Hyung, that's not how you're supposed to do it! Now we have to start all over. Ah, really..." 

"I'm sorry."

"Just let me do it." 

"Love you," Seokjin says and sends Jimin a finger heart. Jimin laughs, ducking his head before he starts dancing. Even if they are just friends, hearing an 'I love you' from an attractive actor still makes him feel giddy. Especially since that same actor has played the gentleman lead in each drama Jimin has ever binge-watched with his agent and his best friend. Yoongi always pretends not to be interested in the dramas Jimin supposedly forces him to watch, but Jimin has caught onto Yoongi deliberately leaving free time in both of their schedules each week to watch the newest episode together. 

Next up, they play the Of Course game where one person has to reply 'Of course!' to whichever incredulous bullshit the other player is spewing out.

Jimin and Seokjin place their hands in the air, palms against each other, and the game begins. They drew cards earlier and Seokjin won, so he goes first.

He winks at Jimin. "Ready, baby?"

Jimin smiles back. "Yes, hyung." 

"Do you think you are prettier than me?"

Jimin's mouth falls open. "Hyung!" he wheezes. Out of all the things he expected Seokjin to say to catch him off guard, nothing had prepared him for that question. 

"Three, two..." Seokjin starts counting.

Jimin quickly collects himself and manages to say while blushing furiously, "Of course!"

Then it's his turn. "Hyung, do you think you could be a professional dancer?"

"Of course," Seokjin replies, brimming with confidence. Jimin bites down on his lip to not laugh. He notices even some of the staff cracking up despite trying their hardest not to laugh, so they won't disturb the filming. Seokjin just has that effect on people: he can put anyone at ease, make them relax. 

Seokjin wins by a landslide. He keeps asking Jimin if he thinks he's more beautiful than Seokjin and if he loves Seokjin. Jimin is giggling so hard at his absurdity that he barely manages to reply. After Seokjin asks him whether Jimin wants to marry him, Jimin finally loses because he can't give a reply fast enough.  

"Ewwwww, a bug, a bug, a bug!!! Jiminnie, please demolish it!" Seokjin suddenly screeches and hides behind Jimin's considerably narrower shoulders, pointing at something that nearly flew into his eye. "Jiminnie!!" 

"It's a butterfly, hyung, I'm not going to demolish anything. Come here, little buddy, I'll guide you outside," Jimin coos. The butterfly lands on Jimin's awaiting fingers, and he very carefully guides the butterfly out of the window a staff runs up to open for him.   

"We're kind of perfect together, Jimin. You have a gentle soul and I have an upset stomach over seeing that hideous bug. Harmony," Seokjin says to Jimin when the filming finishes. 

Jimin smacks his arm. "You're a hideous bug," he teases. 

"Be nice to me, Jimin, or you won't get your present." 

Jimin's eyebrows quirk up. "Present?"  

"I hope this doesn't make me sound too sugar-daddish, but I was out shopping last night after the fitting and I found this cute place that sold jewelry. I bought an awesome watch, and then my eyes caught these tacky babies." Seokjin opens the small package, revealing two rings with diamond hearts on them. "Might help us sell this thing better. What do you think?" 

Jimin smirks, slipping the dazzling ring on. "Thanks, Daddy," he teases, walking away. "See you later." 

"You're killing me," he hears Seokjin groan behind him. Jimin laughs and blows a kiss over his shoulder. Seokjin catches it and plants it to his cheek, grinning mischievously. 

"Are you going to eat that? Seriously?" 

Count to ten, count to ten. 

"I'm just saying, I wouldn't risk my job for that. It's not good for you. I recently got on this new diet where you only eat broccoli..." 

One. Two. Three. 

Jimin forces himself to tune Jisoo out. It's just for one day. He can manage, he has to. It's been years since he has last had to endure the mind games of a rival model, but he lived then and he'll live now. He just has to remind himself to harden his heart again. Before he gained enough fame to get solo shoots, Jimin had to learn to survive in the competitive and often cruel modeling industry where people are willing to do anything to secure new projects, even sabotage others. But Jimin made it through, and now most of his projects are solo shoots, aimed for women, where he acts like a boyfriend for the camera. 

Jisoo is clearly even less pleased about the situation than Jimin is and has very maturely decided to take his frustrations out on Jimin. When Yoongi said Jimin was getting a roommate, it actually meant that he was getting a loudmouthed shadow who would follow him everywhere he went. They have been doing interviews together all morning, followed by a joint gym session. Jisoo even came along to a meeting Jimin had with the project's designer and drove everyone crazy by chewing gum obnoxiously loudly the entire time. 

It's barely noon, and Jimin is already contemplating murder. Yoongi said that Jimin would only have to babysit for a day, but Jimin swears that it's been decades since Yoongi left the brat in Jimin's custody. He's fretting that he might also be required to spend his free time with Jisoo. Not only was he planning on hanging out with Jungkook, but the witnesses in the form of makeup noonas might be the only ones keeping Jimin from strangling Jisoo. 

Only thing that keeps Jimin in good spirits is how well the morning's shoot went. Today, the designer first had them take dreamy pictures in a humid flower field for the day version, aesthetic completed with flower crowns on their heads and a pastel-colored umbrella in Seokjin's hand. The photos looked amazing, even Jimin had to admit it. Usually he feels unsure about his projects prior to the release, but this time he already knows how well the pictures turned out. 

Even filming the night version proceeded effortlessly. This time both Jimin and Seokjin's hairs were given a stylishly messy, slightly wet do and then they had to a few sexy poses on a set built inside a barn. It was much easier to act like a rebel in love now. After sitting on top of Seokjin for over an hour yesterday, Jimin feels a lot more comfortable with the actor, and didn't hold back from leaning into Seokjin's space or hesitate to touch him. Seokjin noticed it, too: he wagged his eyebrows and whispered silly jokes into Jimin's ear when he was supposed to be pinning Jimin to the wall with a dangerous look in his eyes. 

Jimin checks the time on the clock hanging on the wall, urging for the hands of time to move faster. He misses his phone; he wonders if Jungkook's schedule for the day is still free. Granted, Jimin should just wait until he doesn't have act as a babysitter anymore, but Jungkook is leaving Osaka the next morning. If they don't hang out during the day, who knows how long it'll be until Jimin sees him again? What's more, his PR team is going to make sure Jimin won't get photographed anywhere near Jungkook again which means that sneaking into Jungkook's apartment will become a lot harder. 

That's why Jimin takes the first chance to bail. Jisoo's manager and agent come by to talk to him about his behavior, leading him to the hotel room he shares with Jimin. Jimin slips away and hurries over to Jungkook's door. He knocks once and anxiously waits for an answer. It takes a minute, but then the door is opening and he is face to face with Jungkook. 

Jimin smiles at him. "Hi."

"Hey, hyung." Jungkook moves slightly to the left to show Jimin that he's not alone in the room and that he needs to speak with caution. A man with dark, curly hair and round glasses is sitting in an armchair, a laptop balanced on his thighs. 

Jimin catches on quick. "Oh, you're in a meeting. Sorry." 

"Yeah, he's just—"

"Don't be rude, Jungkook. Let him in," the man calls out. 

Jungkook steps aside to let Jimin pass. Jimin arranges his expression to only reflect serenity and walks inside. "Hello," he greets and bows his head to the other man in Jungkook's room. 

The man stands up, gesturing for Jimin to sit down in his place. "Hello. Please sit down, Jimin-ssi. You must be tired, it's my understanding that you've been working since dawn," he says and smiles. 

Jimin motions for him to sit back down, slightly shaking his bowed head. "No, thank you, that's not necessary. I was just hoping to see if anyone in your crew had found a black iPhone? My friend lost one."

It's an easy excuse, people are always losing their phones. Besides, technically Jisoo did lose his iPhone, only it was taken from him on purpose. 

The other man shakes his head. "No, no one has reported finding a phone. But I can ask around again. If something comes up, we'll let you know."

Jimin bows his head. "Ah, thank you. Sorry for inconveniencing you. Have a nice night." 

"Hey," Jungkook calls out. Jimin turns around. "If you come by again in twenty minutes, I'll help you look for it, hyung."

Jimin bows his head, a slight smile curling his lips. "Thank you, Jungkook-ssi." 

Hyunseok bites his lip, following Jimin's walk out of the room with his eyes. Once the door shuts behind him, he turns to look at Jungkook. "I guess that's my cue to leave." 

"We're not done."

"Yeah, but I'd hate to be in the way of you helping Jimin-ssi find his 'phone'." Hyunseok grins. "You can just email me your suggestions later. Remember that you have to be at the venue at nine and whatever you do in-between that and now, don't let Jiyoon noona catch you doing it. Woobin pissed her off again, and now noona's on a war path." 

With one last teasing smirk, Hyunseok is gone. Jungkook checks the time again; it's only been five minutes since Jimin came by. He looks around the room, picking up things he left lying around before rushing off to the stadium. Jimin's not really a neat freak, but Jungkook himself feels better when his room doesn't look like a wasteland. 

A whole twenty-one minutes later, there's a knock on the door. Jungkook rushes to the door, but then decides to wait a few seconds to not appear too eager. 

"Real smooth, Jiminie," he teases as he opens the door, admiring the pink tint creeping up Jimin's neck.

"Oh yeah? Mr. I'll-Help-You-Look-For-It-In-Twenty-Minutes. I've seen more subtlety in freight trains," Jimin counters as he walks in. 

Jungkook waves his teasing away. "Yeah, yeah. What's up?" 

Jimin bites his lip. "Say yes?"

Jungkook, for once, obliges. "Yes." 

"Can I hang out here for a second?"

Jungkook smiles. "You can even hang out here for two seconds." Jimin smiles back, but it's slightly strained. "What's up, Mini?" Jungkook asks again, softer this time. He can tell that there's something on Jimin's mind. 

"Nothing, really." Jimin walks around a bit before gracefully settling on the bed. "Got a roommate."

"Thought you were a solo act."

Jimin shrugs. "He pissed off the company, and now I have to babysit him to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid again."

"Hate to break it to you, but you're not doing a very good job babysitting. Your kid's not here." 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "Ha, ha. He had to talk to his managers, so I'm free for a second."

"I see." Jungkook pauses, sitting down on the bed next to Jimin. "What's your new roomie like?"

"Well, you know, he's." Jimin sighs, biting his lip again. Jungkook really wishes he wouldn't do that. "Honestly? I fucking hate him with all my heart." 

"What has he done to you to make you hate him so much?" Jungkook asks, amused. Jimin usually doesn't hate anyone, not even Jungkook despite saying so, a lot. Anyone who actually manages to rattle him has Jungkook's interest. 

"He... lurks. The company took his phone away, so now his only source of entertainment is me. He keeps watch of what I do, how much I eat, who I talk to and what I say. And then he runs to our staff and narcs on me, like some annoying little brother. I had to give him my other phone to blackmail him into silence for just an hour, but then he almost got caught with it and now I'm just trying to be anywhere he isn't to avoid his begging to get my phone back for 'just five more minutes'," Jimin says, rolling his eyes. It's been a rough morning. 

Jungkook nods. "Sounds like a charmer." Then he frowns, processing Jimin's words. "Your other phone?"

"Yeah." Jimin glances at Jungkook, equally surprised by his reaction. "One for business, other for personal stuff. Don't you have another one?" 

"I don't need another one. I have phones that fans have bought me, but I haven't used them yet."

"But what if your phone gets stolen?" Jimin asks, worried. All this time he has been guarding his phone and meticulously deleting pictures, call logs, and texts each night, thinking that Jungkook's been doing the same. 

Jungkook shrugs, much too casual for Jimin's liking. "Then I get a new one."

"But what about all the data in the phone? In the wrong hands, the stuff we've sent to each other is kind of incriminating." Jimin's heart is already beating faster at the thought of some tabloid getting a hold of the stuff Jimin has texted to Jungkook while supposedly in a loving relationship with the nation's favorite drama actor. 

"My phone is pretty secure. But if need be, I can access my cloud from another device and encrypt the data on the stolen phone."

Jimin shakes his head. "You're too careless," he scolds. 

Jungkook cocks a brow at that. "How is my way any less secure than having two phones? Your personal phone can still get stolen." 

"Because my company only knows of one phone."

"Ever notice how all this paranoia keeps tracing back to your company?" Jungkook points out. 

Jimin stands up. "I'm paranoid because I know what people are capable of. Did you even check your room for cameras today?" he asks. Maybe it was a bad idea to seek out Jungkook when he's already stressed out, exhausted and all in all, done with everything.  

Jungkook groans. "Jimin."

"Don't Jimin me. In the last 'trusted' hotel I stayed in, my team found three cameras, all in the shower, after the hotel's cleaners had been there. People are nut jobs," Jimin states and then sighs. "Look, I'm in a bad mood and terrible company today, so I'm just going to go. Talk to you later." 

"Don't go." Jungkook reaches for Jimin's hand, but the model pulls away, shaking his head. 

"No. You just... you don't get it. These people... if they get even an inkling of us, they will not stop. They will ruin everything. I know it sounds ridiculous, it is ridiculous. I know, okay? I just... I can't go through what happened last year again. I won't. So if you think I'm too nutty to deal with, that's okay, but just tell me now because I'm not going to ease off." 

Last time his heart was pierced with glass, torn apart and shattered; it took long to build it back up. Last time he had been a fool in love, trusted without any guarantees or contingency plans in motion. He's never going to leave himself so vulnerable again.  

Jungkook is silent for a moment, then he nods and stands up as well. "So, the shower? Where else?" he asks, picking something up from the desk in the corner of the room. 

"What's that?" Jimin asks, glancing at the strange gadget. 

"A camera detector. Not sure if they actually work since we only just got them, but it beats going through every inch of this hotel room." 

"Wow, your company genuinely cares about you. What's that like." Jimin huffs. It's the first time Jungkook has heard Jimin admit that he can't trust his company to take care of him. 

Jungkook starts sweeping the room with the camera detector as he explains, "Well, they kind of have to. I'm a part owner and I care about me, so I make the rest of them care, too." 

Jimin glances at him, surprised. "You what?" 

"I own a percentage of Lost Star Records. Not as big of a part as Lee Minseok, but pretty good," Jungkook explains. He's finished searching the bedroom and heads to the bathroom, Jimin on his heel. 

Jimin whistles. "Wow. Looks like my search for a loaded sugar daddy might be over," he jokes.  

Jungkook raises a brow. "Oh yeah?" he asks, smug. 

Jimin smiles sweetly. "Yeah. Is Minseok-ssi seeing anyone?" he asks. 

Jungkook slaps a dramatic hand over his heart. "That's cold, baby."

"I'm sorry, but 'minor shareholder' doesn't exactly do it for me," Jimin teases. He holds his hand out, wanting to try the detector for himself, and Jungkook wordlessly passes it to him, gently moving Jimin's fingers to where they need to be. The detector just hums in Jimin's hand as he goes through the walls and the shower, he even grazes at the low-hanging ceiling, distractedly wondering if he could ever convince his company to invest in them.

"No? Then what does it for you?" Jungkook challenges, trailing after Jimin who puts the detector down on the desk in the bedroom. 

He turns around, mischief in his eyes. "Hot boys." 

"Really?" Jungkook smirks. "Seen any you like?" 

"Hmm, I don't know. My boyfriend?" 

Jungkook scoffs at that. "You don't have a boyfriend," he says, stepping closer to Jimin who stops his advances with a hand on Jungkook's chest. 

"Kim Seokjin might disagree with you there." 

"What's this?" Jungkook asks, toying with the shiny ring on Jimin's hand. The ring clashes with Jimin's outfit, so he probably didn't choose it himself since Jimin's nothing if not fashion-oriented. So much so that he frequently threatens to throw out Jungkook's bucket hats if he wears them at Jimin's apartment. 

Jimin glances at his hand and laughs when he remembers where he got the ring. "A couple ring. Jin hyung has one just like this that has some cheesy engraving. He thought it'd be a nice touch."

Jungkook hums. "I bet he did." 

"He said he saw them in a shop somewhere and thought of me." Jimin turns his hand a bit, admiring the way the diamonds catch the sunlight swimming in from the window. 

"He saw two expensive, engraved rings, made out of pure silver and with diamond hearts, just sitting in a shop somewhere?" Jungkook scoffs. "Happened to feel frivolous enough to randomly purchase them?" 

Jimin makes a face. "Don't say it like that. It's not a big deal. You should see the accessories he has. You'd think he was a rapper from all the bling," he jokes. 

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "Trust me, no one is going to mistake your fake boyfriend for a rapper."

"Why not? He's gorgeous. He could definitely pass for a rapper in an idol group." 

"Yeah, I meant a real rapper," Jungkook snorts. He has seen his fair share of idols whose companies didn't like their singing voices, but they were pretty enough to be made 'rappers' instead. Then of course there's the other half, idols who think they are tough shit despite having their raps written for them by fifty-year-olds who have done studies on repetitive melodies that stick to people's heads enough to make them buy more songs. 

Jimin shoots him a stern look. "Don't be a brat. Are you really saying that Hoseok-ssi wasn't a real rapper when he was in that idol group? Or that Namjoonie hyung isn't a real rapper because he got started as an idol?" 

"Whatever." 

"Whatever," Jimin imitates. "Sometimes talking to you is like dealing with a sour teenager. I'm not sure if we're hanging out or if I'm babysitting." 

"Is that right?" Jungkook asks, taking a hold of Jimin’s arm, pulling him closer. "We've done some pretty grown-up stuff, though." 

"Have we? It's been too long, I don't remember." 

"No?" Jungkook pecks his lips, just enough to tease. Jimin chases after his lips, craving the taste of him as if it has been years instead of mere hours since they last saw each other. "Should I remind you?" 

"Yes, please." 

"Do you have a shoot tomorrow?"

Jimin shakes his head. "Free real estate, babe. But I only have an about hour left of free time. Jin hyung asked me to dinner."

Jungkook pauses. "Why?"

"We're celebrating the successful end of shoots in Japan. There are only a couple runway shows left before the project wraps up." Jimin frowns. "I thought hyung invited your people, too. He said the companies are buying, so everyone is going. He said he had texted everyone."

Jungkook hums in thought. "Must have forgotten," he just says, but there's something in his voice that has Jimin narrowing his eyes. 

"Check your phone," he urges. When Jungkook doesn't move, Jimin grumbles something under his breath and goes to pick Jungkook's phone up for him from the nightstand. "Check it."  

He hands the phone over to Jungkook who's still looking a bit skeptical, but punches in his passcode and checks his messages while Jimin walks over to the full-length mirror to see if his freckles are surfacing from spending so much time in the sun at the shoot. 

Jungkook checks his phone and finds a message from his manager inviting him to the dinner. "Looks like we're both going to that dinner after all. Wanna go together?" he asks, following Jimin over to the mirror, setting his phone down on the dresser next to it.  

"Thanks, but Jin hyung's driving me."

Jungkook takes a decisive step closer, hand on Jimin's waist turning him around to face the rapper. "What does he have that I don't?" he challenges in a low voice. 

Jimin wraps his arms around his neck. "Hmmm..." he says, pretending to think. "He has a Porsche," he taunts, as if that mattered at all, but he knows it will strike a chord with the rapper. 

"I have a Lamborghini." 

"He is nice and polite. He asks about my family when we meet. My agent loooves him. He takes me on cute dates, to nice places. He treats me well." 

"I fuck you better," Jungkook states before smashing their lips together in a passionate kiss. 

"No marks," is all Jimin has time to say until he gets pinned against the wall. His breaths are caught in his throat, slipping out as little gasps as Jungkook strips him bare with rushed hands. 

"What else?" Jungkook asks, his warm breath grazing Jimin's ear. "What else does he have?"

Jimin's mind is sent into overdrive, reeling from the words Jungkook speaks, the way his touch makes Jimin's skin tingle in anticipation. Words escape him, he struggles to form sentences. "He, uh, he..." 

"Use your words, Jiminie." His tone is taunting, daring. Just listening to him speak does things to Jimin's sanity; he's ready to do whatever that voice asks of him.

"He holds my hand when we cross a street." 

"This hand?" Jungkook asks and kisses each one of Jimin's knuckles while staring deeply into his eyes, making something flutter in the model's stomach.

"Or this hand?" he says, taking hold of Jimin's left hand. He scoffs at the ring Seokjin gave to Jimin, sliding it off his finger, and before Jimin can even protest, Jungkook has already thrown the ring away. It lands somewhere on the floor with a loud CLING!, rolling out of sight. 

"Jungkook—" Jimin starts, but Jungkook doesn't want to hear his lectures. He pulls Jimin closer, closer, until only his clothes separate them. 

"Does he kiss you better than I do?" he demands, spanking Jimin's bare ass, making him moan. "Fuck you better than I do?" Now, he devours Jimin's lips in a searing kiss. "Answer me." 

"N-no," Jimin manages to gasp against his lips.

Jungkook seems satisfied with having rendered Jimin speechless. "Your precious Jin hyung is so, so pretty, right Jiminie? Isn't that what you said? Said people faint just from meeting eyes with him. Bet you wish he was fucking you." 

Jimin pulls Jungkook's shirt off, desperately trying to slide his pants off, too. "I never said that." 

"But that's what you want, right?" 

Jimin shakes his head, staring into Jungkook's eyes, so he can't escape the words he's about to speak. "No. I want you," he says, determined. Jungkook stares back, eyes unreadable. "Don't you want me, hyung?" 

"I want every part of you." His hand wraps around himself, letting out a moan, low and guttural. He guides Jimin back in front of the mirror, and Jimin's breath gets caught in his throat. His pulse is going off in his ears. Is Jungkook planning what Jimin is praying he is? 

"Watch." 

"Hyung," Jimin breathes out, watching hypnotized as Jungkook's hands slide down Jimin's body, teasing his nipples before disappearing behind him. Next, he feels Jungkook's long fingers rubbing at his entrance.

He kneels behind Jimin, lowering his mouth to Jimin's hole. Jimin realizes with a haze that Jungkook's planning to eat him out while making Jimin stand up and watch via the mirror. Hot beam of lust hits Jimin like a curve ball, and he wonders blearily if he can really do this while standing up. Jungkook's too good with his mouth: he usually has Jimin squirming, legs shaking in seconds.  

"Babe, I don't know if I can stand." 

"Hold onto the dresser. I got you. We'll stop if you want," Jungkook reminds him, taking a hold of Jimin's waist, squeezing his hip bones reassuringly. 

"Okay. Don't let go," Jimin warns, making Jungkook chuckle fondly. 

"I won't," he assures. He keeps his promise: even when Jimin's squirming from pleasure, he doesn't let go, carefully keeping Jimin upright. His mouth turns Jimin's gasps into loud moans that the model can't hide into his arm like usual because of their position. 

Exactly like Jungkook intended. 

"God, you sound so good," he praises as he finally pulls back to breathe. Jimin moans louder at the praise, loving the attention. "Fuck, where's the lube? I wanna fuck you so bad."

"I have some." Noticing how Jungkook's expression shifts in the mirror, cocking a brow, Jimin's cheeks flush. "I took the complimentary lube packet from Yoongi hyung's room to replace the one I used."

"That's rude. What if your hyung wanted to get lucky?"

Jimin snorts. "No way, hyung only has eyes for—" He bites his lip, reminding himself that it's not his secret to tell. "For someone else."

"Your hyung's pining is our lucky day, then." Jungkook takes the lube from the back pocket of Jimin's slacks, quickly slathering up his fingers before starting to fit them inside Jimin.

Jimin stares at his own flushed reflection in the mirror, noting how his face contorts slightly at the initial discomfort when Jungkook pushes in another finger; how he bites his lip to keep from begging Jungkook to fuck him harder; how his eyes glisten when Jungkook plays with him rougher, plunging his fingers deeper. Jimin's already relaxed, so it doesn't take long until Jungkook's four knuckles deep inside his ass. 

"Babe, get on your knees."

Unable to stay up on his own, Jimin slowly slides down to his knees. Jungkook kisses his neck before pushing him further down, so Jimin's palms are flat against the carpeted hotel room floor.

Jungkook sheds the rest of his clothes and puts on a condom, enjoying the sinful view in front of him. He groans when Jimin arches his back and slightly wiggles his hips in anticipation. "You don't play fair, baby," he mutters, sitting up on his knees behind Jimin. 

"Hyungie," Jimin calls out cutely. "Please, hyungie, I want you deep inside me." 

"Keep talking like that and I'll come before I even get to fuck you," Jungkook warns, smacking Jimin's ass twice on both cheeks before starting to push inside him.

Jimin's extremely ready to go already; he grinds his ass against Jungkook's cock, crooning out: "Do you like listening to me that much, hyung? You like it when I moan so pretty? Like it when I tell you how good you make me feel, filling me up with that big cock?"  

"Jimin." Jungkook breathes out, shivering at Jimin's taunts, trying to hold back the urge to finish. He's so close already just from looking at Jimin, listening to his teasing words as he slowly dives deeper into him. "Do I have to gag you?" 

Jimin moans at the thought. "Yes." He wants it so much, but obviously he couldn't bring a fucking ball gag through customs, afraid his bag might be opened for every sasaeng to see.

Jungkook seems disappointed, too, since he whispers into Jimin's neck, "Next time." There's no saying how long until that happens, but just the promise has Jimin excited.

Taking a deep breath, Jungkook starts moving; he thrusts inside slow at first, but Jimin's so eager, fucking back against him that he quickly speeds up. Jimin coaxes him to go harder, moaning out all the dirty things he wishes the rapper would do to him. Jungkook's hips stutter, too lost in Jimin. 

"Wish I could record you like this, to remember how fucking sexy you look on your knees, with my cock stretching you open," he tells Jimin whose breathing catches at the words. Just the idea of Jungkook getting off on a video of him has Jimin's cock hardening, his head a mess of tantalizing images. In a different world, in a different situation Jimin would fucking love to perform for Jungkook, would love to tease him on camera for hours before finally pulling him properly into the frame with him, fucking him senseless. 

He tilts his head back, blindly searching for Jungkook. His wish is granted: Jungkook licks up the column of his neck, teeth grazing the sweet spot right under his ear. The weekend they've spent together, constantly in each other's space but unable to really get down and dirty, has them both needier than usual, craving the familiar scorching heat.

Jimin's head drops, his hot breaths shortening when Jungkook hits his prostate. Suddenly, there's a hand in his hair, tugging him back up until Jimin's back is glued to Jungkook's front. Jimin stares at their reflection, meeting Jungkook's hungry eyes via the mirror.

"Watch," Jungkook repeats. The hold he has on Jimin's hips tightens as he speed up, slamming into Jimin faster and deeper. "Look at how pretty you are, listen how lovely you sound when I fuck you." 

Jimin watches on as his eyes turn bleary, chasing his orgasm. His mouth is slightly open, moans flying out, free as butterflies. Jungkook's eyes are heavy on him, thrusting in and out of Jimin as he nears his climax. Jimin looks so fucking good, feels better and sounds best out of everyone he has ever fucked.

Jungkook moans, white hot pulsating pleasure rippling through him as his orgasm hits him hard. His hand wraps around Jimin's cock, muttering dirty nothings into the model's flawless skin as he pulls Jimin over the edge with him. Jimin gasps, spilling into Jungkook's hand. All energy leaves him: the only thing still holding him up is Jungkook's arm around his stomach. 

For a moment, neither one of them speak, focused only on evening out their breathing. 

Then, Jungkook turns his hand around, murmuring: "Look at the mess you made, baby."

His hoarse voice fucks with Jimin's head even more than his seductive voice did. He takes a hold Jungkook's wrist, shooting him a smirk in the mirror before licking the rapper's cum-covered fingers clean. 

"Jesus," Jungkook groans, staring at him, unable to process anything else than the way Jimin's tongue licks up the last of his cum. His cock twitches at the sight, almost ready to go again just from watching Jimin. "Babe, you are like ten slutty people in one, and I mean that with the utmost respect. You're just... just fucking... unreal." 

Jimin perks up at the compliment. "Thank you, baby. Right back at you," he replies, slightly wincing at the empty feeling when Jungkook pulls out. "And now I need a shower." 

"To wash away our sins?" Jungkook jokes and just smiles when Jimin smacks his arm, standing up by steadying himself with a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. 

"Come on, you need to wash up, too," he urges, picking up a clean towel for himself and throwing another one at Jungkook before making his way over to the bathroom. 

Jungkook bites his lip. "Like, together?" he says, fiddling with the towel. 

"Yeah. Why?" Jimin stops in his tracks, shooting a wink over his shoulder. "Feeling shy, are we? Modest, maybe?"

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "I was literally still balls deep in your ass a minute ago," he says, sitting up on his knees. Nothing modest about that. 

"Oh, I totally get it. You're all fucked out and worried that I want another round in the shower. Well, fear not, young grasshopper. I can take care of myself in the shower while you wait here and rest. Toodles." Jimin shuts the door behind him, in the middle of Jungkook's protests, and then Jungkook hears the shower turn on. 

It's awfully domestic, getting into a shower with someone. It's not like they haven't already showered together before once, but as Jimin tells it, that was a life or death situation. Jimin's always laying down rules and boundaries, but Jungkook understands why that is, which is why he obeys them. Well, the important ones, at least. 

Checking the time, Jungkook picks up the towel Jimin threw at him and follows the model into the shower. 

Jimin turns around when he hears the door open, wet hair swept back. "Took you long enough," he teases. "I was just about to call out to you. Where's all your stuff?" 

"What stuff?" Jungkook asks, getting under the hot water. He groans, satisfied; the water pressure is just right, even if the temperature is a bit too hot for his liking.  

"You know, shampoos and conditioner? Stuff?" Jimin explains and gestures wildly at his wet hair with his hand. 

"There's a bottle right next to you. Do you need new glasses, Jimin-ssi?" Jungkook teases, having noticed that Jimin took his contacts off before the shower. 

Jimin checks the rack again, but there's only one bottle there. He shakes his head. "That's just the crappy shampoo the hotel provides, no one uses it—" Then he notices the slight change in Jungkook's expression and gasps, horrified, "Oh my god, you use it! How do you have such a good skin if you don't take care of it?"

"Easy. I don't have a good skin." Jungkook feels self-conscious all of a sudden, avoiding Jimin's eyes. He wishes they weren't having this conversation, especially in the shower where they are both exposed. Every inch of Jimin is pretty, always has been. Most people aren't as lucky. 

"Yes, you do. Pretty baby," Jimin coos and caresses Jungkook's cheeks, pecking the small acne scars on his face like he knows exactly what Jungkook is insecure about. Jungkook is grateful for the hot water streaming down his body; it's a convenient excuse for the blush rising up his neck, spreading onto his cheeks.

"You wouldn't have thought I was so pretty just a few years ago," he mutters. It's still crazy to him how things have changed, how he went from an awkward outsider to a sex symbol. 

"Hmm. Hard to believe. What was the infamous bad boy rapper Jeon Jungkook like as a teen?" Jimin wonders out loud. 

"Not telling you."

"Come on! You already saw my photos! Nothing can be more awkward than that... creature," Jimin claims and shudders. He had really hated his body as a teen. He started professionally modeling at fifteen to earn enough money to pay rent. The pressure of the industry combined with everyone telling him what he should look like, definitely didn't help with the usual teenage insecurities he had already been dealing with. 

Jungkook scoffs. "You'd be surprised. Besides, you were cute." 

"No, I wasn't." 

"Was too."

"Was not."

"Was too."

"Tell me about teenage Jungkook or I will tease you all through dinner," Jimin threatens. He heard someone say once that their means of parenting were blackmail, bribery and threats. He has come to notice that they work with Jungkook, too.  

Lifting a brow, Jungkook picks up the hotel's shampoo bottle, squirting some of it onto his hands. Before Jimin has had time to realize it, Jungkook has already cupped his head, rubbing the shampoo into his hair. 

"Jungkook!!" Jimin splutters, but he's laughing, not stopping him. "This is like washing your hair with hand soap! God, I knew I should have showered in my room. Who uses hotel shampoos?!"

"You're such a diva. It's just shampoo," Jungkook says and sneaks another dose of the sticky shampoo into Jimin's locks, making the model scream. 

"My hair is going to look awful. Maybe I could still go to my room to shower—" Jungkook kisses him in the middle of the rant, backing him up against the tiles. Jimin continues talking through the kisses, so Jungkook keeps going, coaxing Jimin to forget about the stupid shampoo.

Jimin gives in, leaning against the cool wall, fingertips resting on Jungkook's forearms. He drinks the water from Jungkook's lips, chasing the little water drops on the tip of his nose. 

Covertly, his fingers reach for the shampoo bottle sitting on the rack behind Jungkook. Just as he is about to reach it and avenge his hair, Jungkook notices his attempt and picks the bottle up before Jimin has the chance. "Looking for something?" he taunts.

"Give it to me, I'll wash your hair if it's such good shampoo." He flicks water at Jungkook's face and manages to procure the shampoo bottle when Jungkook wipes his eyes. "Come closer." 

Jungkook's eyes flick with interest. "Oh?" 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "It's just because—" he starts to explain before suddenly swallowing the rest of the sentence. No way is he admitting that. 

But Jungkook has already caught on. "Because of what?" he insists. 

"Because of nothing." 

"Say it." 

"Because... I'm too short," Jimin finally grumbles and smacks cackling Jungkook's butt. "Shut up and crouch, giant." 

"Yes, sir," Jungkook says and crouches down, so Jimin can reach the top of his head better. Jimin slots his fingers in Jungkook's wet locks and starts massaging in the shampoo. Jungkook lets out a little moan, crouching down further until his head is almost resting on Jimin's shoulder. The water thrums on his back, relaxing and peaceful.

It was supposed to be a joke, a prank, but Jimin finds himself really concentrating on making Jungkook feel good. The little satisfied noises Jungkook makes in return have Jimin thinking he's succeeded. 

"This shampoo is still garbage and we will both look horrible," he says once he's done and Jungkook's rinsing the shampoo out of his hair. 

"I'll just go with wet hair. Sexy and smooth," Jungkook jokes, pushing his dripping wet fringe out of his eyes. 

Jimin shakes his head. "Trust me, wet hair starts to majorly suck after a while. Seokjin hyung and I had a shoot today where we had to do sexy poses with wet hair and wet clothes and I've been freezing ever since. They also kept adding more water and then blow drying my hair before putting more water on. It was a nightmare." 

Jungkook raises a brow. "That's what you did today?" 

"Mhm." 

"Got wet with Kim Seokjin?" 

Jimin winks at him. "Wet and wild." He dives back under the shower, closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of the warm water caressing his shoulders. 

His escape from the evil dry world is rudely interrupted when Jungkook pokes at his chest. "My turn. I'm freezing," he complains. 

"Suffer," Jimin deadpans, refusing to move. 

"Jimin-ah." Jungkook asserts himself, taking a hold of Jimin's arm. He enchants Jimin with sweet but sinful touches, fingers sliding down Jimin's glistening skin. He leans in, lips capturing Jimin's, stealing all the oxygen from his lungs — only to unceremoniously dump Jimin out of the way, claiming his place under the shower. 

Jimin gasps. "You're such a jerk." 

Jungkook doesn't even open his eyes, enjoying the warmth. "Suffer."

"You know I will!" Jimin whines in pretend annoyance. He leans against the opposite wall from Jungkook, crossing his arms and pouting. "I'm so cold..." 

Jungkook's eyes slowly open, and he smiles at Jimin's pouting. "I'm sorry, okay? Come back here. We can both fit under the shower." 

He reaches his hand out for Jimin to take. Jimin cautiously gives him his hand, but Jungkook takes his wrist instead. Confusion spreads onto Jimin's face until Jungkook starts spraying Jimin with water, making him splutter and scream. He holds onto Jimin's wrist, so Jimin has to strike back one-handed. 

Jungkook's laugh echoes in the room, bouncing off the wall tiles. "Mm babe, you're so wet," he teases, taking a hold of Jimin's other wrist, too, when the model looks up at him, eyes gleaming with revenge plans. Jimin takes him by surprise by covering his lips in a wet kiss, snagging Jungkook's bottom lip between his own. They stay like that for a while, Jungkook holding Jimin's wrists and pulling him under the shower, their lips moving lazily against each other. 

"We're gonna be late," Jimin murmurs into Jungkook's mouth, bringing their short escape from reality to an end. He lets go of Jungkook, turning around to look for a body wash. But there's only that heinous bottle of shampoo that can supposedly be used as a body wash. 

"What's going on with you and Kim Seokjin? Why'd he buy those rings?" Jungkook suddenly asks like he couldn't hold it in any longer. 

Jimin shrugs. "Because we are friends." 

"The kind of friends you and I are or...?" 

"We're not friends," Jimin snorts. He could call them many things, but 'friendship' isn't exactly how he'd describe their relationship.  

"Right." Jungkook grows quiet, not looking Jimin into eyes again, even when Jimin washes his body which usually would be like catnip to someone like Jungkook.

Jimin's about to frown, but he then realizes the perfect way to make Jungkook smile again. "You've said it yourself," he reminds. When Jungkook lifts his gaze from the floor, Jimin starts rapping at him with an overly dramatic dark expression, holding an invisible microphone: 

"All these girls here, they wanna kid in my name.

Get a clue, if I've had my dick in you

different game, that's a whole different game

as much as we like to pretend 

friends don't fuck friends." 

Jungkook's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. Jimin has never said so, would never say so, but Jungkook has always kind of figured that Jimin doesn't care much for his career. His songs are not Jimin's style, the curses and harsh words so different from his angel persona.

"What." Jungkook mutters, stunned. He stares at Jimin who throws himself against him, hiding his giggles into Jungkook's tattooed shoulder. "Since when can you quote my songs, let alone verbatim?" 

There is a mischievous smile playing on Jimin's lips. "I lied," he says, straightening up, so he can meet Jungkook's eyes. 

"About what?"

"When I met you at that party, I knew who you were when you came over to talk to me. Namjoon hyung and I were listening to your song while we drove there." 

Jungkook huffs, pinching Jimin's butt. Approaching someone he had seen on ten meters tall billboards around the country had been hard enough and now he gets to hear that Jimin gave him a hard time on purpose? "And what did you really think of me?"

"That you were really talented. Until I met you and you opened your mouth," Jimin teases. 

"Ouch, baby. I thought you liked my mouth," Jungkook murmurs, crouching down with only one plan in mind. 

"You have a gig tonight," Jimin reminds sternly, pushing Jungkook back up with his index finger under Jungkook's jaw. "No funny business."

Jungkook pouts. "You're such a goody two-shoes." 

"It's your voice I'm trying to protect," Jimin points out, getting out of the shower and drying himself off. 

"Why? What would you do to me?" Jungkook asks, interested. Even before Jimin replies, a thousand images have already flashed before his eyes. Jimin fucking his mouth, Jimin choking him, deep-throating Jimin's cock until his eyes tear up... 

"You're not ready for what I want to do to you," Jimin teases. He looks around, wrapping the towel better around himself. "Do you at least have some hair product?" 

Jungkook gestures halfheartedly at a small black bag. "Jiyoon noona gave me some stuff, you can look through it. What do you want to do to me?" he then insists, getting out of the shower as well. 

"Help me find my contact lens case first."

"And what do I get if I find it?" Jungkook's tone is one Jimin is (unfortunately) very familiar with. 

Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, Jimin asks, "You know where it is, don't you?" 

Jungkook smirks. "Maaaaybe." 

"Come on, this isn't funny. If you don't give it back, I'm gonna have to wear my glasses to dinner and I hate them. They make my face look rounder," Jimin complains as he goes to check the room. He knows he put the case down somewhere before hopping into the shower, but without his glasses or his contacts it's harder to find it again. 

"You're not convincing me like that. I think Nerd Jimin is adorable," Jungkook argues, and when Jimin finds the contact lens case under Jungkook's shirt, the rapper just grins. Jimin rolls his eyes, putting his contacts back on. 

"He really isn't." Jimin picks up a shiny new leather jacket from Jungkook's bag. "Borrow me this? I can't go to a company dinner in a hoodie." 

"It's mine," Jungkook replies, but it's not an answer. 

Jimin checks the time. "Sorry, I just don't have enough time to go by my room and do my makeup before hyung comes to get me."

Jungkook shrugs. "It's cool. Pick what you want." He doesn't seem to mind that Jimin is going through his bag: he just takes out jeans and a simple blue sweater. He retreats to the bed, putting his clothes on and leaving Jimin to consider which one of Jungkook's jackets he wants to borrow.

"If you go with me, we can leave when we want." Jungkook looks at him through his dark lashes, the trap hidden in his voice so terribly tempting. 

"No, I have to be on time. You're just going to have to learn to share, baby," Jimin murmurs, trying Jungkook's jacket on. It's a little loose on him, but not too much. He winks at Jungkook when he catches him looking at him.

"I don't mind. It looks better on you, anyway," Jungkook says. Then he winks. "I just think it would look the best on the floor, after I have taken it off of you." 

Jimin throws a sock at him. "Quiet, you."  

Encouraged by the compliment, Jimin settles on the leather jacket, and starts working on his face. The makeup Jiyoon gave to Jungkook isn't as refined as the ones Jimin usually uses, but they will have to do. Jimin's hoping that they start drinking early enough that the others don't notice if his smokey eye shadow starts smearing. 

He sighs as he looks back into the mirror and touches his messy hair. "I hate you," he informs Jungkook whom looks up at him from the bed and smiles. 

"I know."

Jimin brushes his hair, carefully parting the fringe with a comb. Then he digs out a hair mousse to make sure his masterpiece stays in place. There's even a small bottle of hairspray in the bag that makes Jimin smile. "Jiyoon-ssi dreams big, doesn't she?" 

From what Jimin knows, Jungkook's never really bothered with his looks, letting the stylist noonas do their thing. That's why he finds it surprising that Jungkook's manager is still trying. 

"Her motto is 'go big or go home'." 

Jimin hums. "Come here, please," he asks next. Jungkook raises a brow, but gets up nonetheless. The light energy in the room shifts as soon as they are standing face to face. Pretending not to notice the wanton look in Jungkook's eyes, Jimin puts a little bit of mousse into his hands and styles the rapper's long hair away from his eyes. 

Jungkook glances at his reflection, whistling. "You're hired, noona."

"You couldn't afford my stylist compensation," Jimin scoffs. As a final touch, he puts a hoop earring on Jungkook's ear. "There. Now you look like everyone's teenage dream."

Jungkook's gaze is heavy on Jimin's face, as if trying to memorize his features. "You look good," he says when Jimin pulls away, wiping the mousse's remains from his fingers with a napkin.  

"I know. It's my job."

Jungkook reaches out a hand to touch him, but Jimin pulls away. 

"No." He shakes his finger at him. "Don't touch me, I need to keep looking good. It's a work dinner, they are going to want to take pictures and I can't look like I crawled there from a dumpster." 

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "When have you ever looked like you've been dumpster-diving?" 

"You know what I mean." Jimin's phone buzzes. He puts down his lip balm and picks up his phone, remarking, "It's hyung. Do you see the ring hyung gave me anywhere?"

Jungkook's eyes spot something glimmering on the floor next to the bed. He decisively nudges that something further under the bed. "No."

Jimin sighs, glancing one last time at his outfit in the mirror. "Damn it. Well, I'll just have to keep hyung occupied, so he won't notice that I'm not wearing it. See you at dinner." 

"See you." 

The dinner goes as expected. Jimin smiles and laughs at the terrible jokes rich men tell him, in the hopes that the connections he makes will help him later in his career.

Seokjin had really invited everyone; their party has taken over the restaurant. Because of this, Jimin and Jungkook sit nowhere near each other. Only time Jimin even sees him is when the big man sitting next to him throws his head back, laughing at some sassy yet polite answer Jimin gave to one of his greasy compliments.

His eyes catch the back of Jungkook's head, the long dark locks Jimin only an hour ago ran his fingers through. It seems crazy that no one else in the crowded restaurant knows about them; that they can't feel the tension between them. To Jimin, it's as if there is some invisible string tying them together, strands of the dirty secret they both carry. 

One of the times the billionaire next to Jimin moves his head, Jimin notices that Jungkook is heading towards the restroom. He immediately excuses himself from the table, following in the rapper's footsteps. 

Jungkook's washing his hands, looking a bit worn out. Jimin walks over to him, pretending that he needs to wash his hands, too. "Hey."

Jungkook meets his eyes via the mirror. Unlike usual, he doesn't smile. "Hey, hyung." 

There's a third person present, so they don't say anything more until he leaves. Then Jimin turns to him, smiling. "How's it going?" he asks, drying his hands. 

Jungkook shrugs. "It's okay. Boring. Company dinners usually suck the soul out of me."

Jimin winks at him, remarking, "You know who else could suck the soul—" 

Someone walks in, and Jimin immediately pipes down. The person heads straight to the stalls. Jungkook moves closer to Jimin, whispering into his ear: "Who?" 

Jimin's about to answer when the door on the other end opens. Two men are walking in, chatting animatedly. Jimin thinks he recognizes one of them, and pushes stumbling Jungkook into one of the stalls in a fit of panic. Right after they get inside, Jimin's foggy brain clears up, and he feels like an idiot. He and Jungkook are allowed to be in the bathroom at the same time. No one's going to guess what they were talking about just from walking into the same room with them.

Jungkook, albeit confused by Jimin's antics, wastes little time before taking advantage from their closeness. His hands find Jimin's hips and slide from there to his ass. "Nice," he mutters, squeezing the firm muscle confined in tight jeans. 

Jimin's ears perk up, trying to listen whether the coast is clear yet. He hears another group of men walk in and sighs. "This is ridiculous. We're literally hiding in the bathroom," he complains. 

"Hey, these are your rules. I'm just following them." 

"Which one of my rules says we have to make out in a fucking bathroom stall?" Jimin questions. 

Jungkook's eyebrows nearly jump to his hairline. "Oh? We're gonna make out?" 

Jimin's about to answer when he hears Seokjin's voice call out, "Jimin-ah? Sorry, but the designer is insisting on a group photo." 

Jimin gestures at Jungkook to stand on the toilet, so Seokjin won't see two sets of legs in one stall if he comes closer, but Jungkook furiously shakes his head, mouthing You do it. 

"Jiminnie?" 

Seokjin's voice is closer than he expected, startling Jimin who jumps into unsuspecting Jungkook's arms. Luckily, Jungkook catches him, whispering a curse at him. 

"Yes, thank you, hyung. I'll be right there, just give me a second," Jimin calls out, slightly out of breath as he tries to find a better position, so Jungkook won't have to hold his entire weight with his arms. Jungkook doesn't appear to be struggling, but that could change at any minute. 

"Of course. Sorry again." 

When the door closes again after Seokjin, Jimin lets out a sigh of relief. "That was too close," he mutters as he slides back down. 

Jungkook huffs. "I could have dropped you, lunatic."

"But you didn't. A big win for team Jimin."

Jungkook doesn't look amused. He stares Jimin down. "So you want him in public and me behind closed doors? Is that it?" he asks, voice cold. 

"What I want is for you stop talking." Jimin kisses him, aching to feel their lips meet despite only having been apart for an hour. Jungkook responds, but he kisses slower than usual, slightly slipping his tongue into Jimin's mouth. 

Breathless, Jimin whispers, "I want you everywhere, but you know why I can't." 

"Maybe I'm tired of waiting." Jungkook pulls away, exiting the stall. Jimin stays behind, head spinning from the sudden whiplash of changed atmosphere. 

What just happened? 

The rest of dinner goes by in a blur. He smiles and laughs, but he's not really listening. Jungkook's words echo in his mind like a symphony, over and over. Maybe I'm tired of waiting. Waiting for what? 

Finally, the dinner wraps up, and the companies order a bunch of taxis to get them back to the hotel safely. Jungkook's about to get in a taxi with his manager, but a light touch on his forearm convinces him to wait a while longer until him and Jimin are the last ones at the sidewalk. They get into the last taxi and pay the driver extra to drive around a little, so they won't arrive at the hotel at the same time as everyone else. 

Jimin is the first to break the silence. "Waiting for what?" The words just escape him, right from his brain and out of his mouth; he needs to know what Jungkook means by them. 

"What?" 

"What are you tired of waiting for?" Jimin clarifies.

He can almost see Jungkook build a wall around himself to hide his thoughts from Jimin. The rapper shrugs. "Nothing."

"Tell me." 

Jungkook looks out of the window, avoiding his eyes. "Don't worry about it, Mini." 

Jimin frowns. "You can't just say something like that and then act surprised that I want to know what it means." 

"Did you have fun at dinner?"  

Jimin takes his hand. "Jungkook. Give me an answer."

"Why should I? You never give me real answers, either." The bitterness in Jungkook's voice surprises him, although maybe it shouldn't. It's not the first relationship in his life that has dwindled because of his many secrets. 

"What are you talking about?" 

Jungkook shakes his head, choosing that the fight isn't worth it. "Nothing. Let's just go back to the hotel, I need to leave soon." 

They fall silent, both looking out of opposite windows. Deep in thought, Jimin moves his shoulder a bit and hisses in pain. Jungkook turns to look at him. "What's wrong?" 

"My shoulder is killing me."

"What happened?" Jungkook asks, eyes taking in Jimin's form, searching for injuries. Jimin was fine before dinner; when did he hurt his shoulder? "Did you fake laugh at so many gross jokes at dinner that you actually pulled a muscle?"

Jimin huffs. "It's nothing, really, just an old injury from a few years ago. One time I was b-boying and took a pretty bad fall on my fucking head. It still acts up from time to time when I'm stressed and sleep in crooked positions." 

Jungkook snorts. "You? B-boying?" 

Jimin reaches over to flick him and says, "I told you. You don't know even half of my story." 

"Maybe if you didn't try so hard to keep me out." Jungkook's voice still has an echo of impatience. 

"It's not personal," Jimin reminds him. "I just have to protect myself."

"From me?"

"From everyone." 

"Because of your ex?"

Jimin rarely talks about his ex, but from the headlines of trashy magazines and what little Jimin has shared in off-hand remarks Jungkook's gathered that the breakup was a bad one.  

Jimin hums. "Him, too, but I've been swimming with sharks since I was fifteen. If I draw even a drop of blood, they'll smell it and rip me apart. Keeping shit to myself is how I survive." 

Jungkook nods. "I get that. I'm not asking for your hand in marriage, I don't need to know all of your secrets. I just—" I'm tired of feeling like an outsider in your life. But he can't say that, so he opts for a safer option. "I just don't see you and b-boying happening. Figured you were more of a ballet kinda guy." 

Jimin chuckles quietly. "My strength is modern dance, actually. But I can also pop and lock and snap your neck." 

"Is that a promise?" 

Jimin smiles at him. "I'll show you some time."

They arrive at the hotel, sneaking inside through the service entrance because the many taxis have alerted the paparazzi and sasaengs whom have the hotel's front door surrounded. 

"I left my shirt in your room, do you mind if I grab it?" Jimin asks once they have made it onto their floor. 

"I never mind when you grab it." 

Jimin rolls his eyes, but still follows Jungkook to his room. He's not sure how it happens, but suddenly he's sitting down next to Jungkook on his bed, staying over. They talk about the dinner, making fun of the industry's fat cats who think that financing art is the same thing as being an artist. Jungkook laughs out loud at Jimin's impressions of the terrible pick-up lines the billionaire CEOs told him. 

Jimin moves his shoulder again and hisses. Jungkook runs a hand down his shoulder before taking a better hold of it. "Don't, you'll hurt me. When my necks gets like this, nothing helps and everything hurts," Jimin warns. 

"Let me try something. Just give it thirty seconds, babe." When Jimin still looks hesitant, Jungkook pecks his cheek. "Trust me. I'll stop if it hurts too much."

"Okay." Jimin settles back down, tense as a bowstring, ready to jump up if it hurts too much. 

"You need to relax a little more." Jungkook's hands are gentle on Jimin's skin, carefully massaging his upper back and neck. Jimin forces himself to take a breath, trying to relax. 

Suddenly, the pain starts to subside, and even if it still feels a bit weird, Jimin can feel the crick in his neck starting to loosen up. It's a miracle: usually nothing else than a licensed massage therapist's educated treatment works, at times not even that. "Oh God," he breathes out in a bliss. 

"Did you just moan?" Jungkook teases, daring to press a little harder from the positive response. 

Jimin's cheeks feel warmer. "Shut up," he commands, burying his face into his arms. 

"Aw." 

"You have a gift," Jimin admits reluctantly. 

There's a pervy grin on Jungkook's face. Jimin can't see it, but he can hear it in Jungkook's smug voice. "Oh, I know."

"Not like that, I was talking about your hands... No, wait, fuck—" Jimin sighs when Jungkook's smirk grows wider. 

"Oh, I know." 

Jimin lets it go, he feels too good to focus on anything else right now. He almost whines out loud when Jungkook stops massaging him and gets up from the bed.  

"I gotta go, the gig starts in exactly 43 minutes, and my manager is ripping her panties because I'm not there yet. But you can stay here if you want," he suggests, perhaps sensing how the tension whooshed right back into Jimin's neck at the thought of leaving the solace of Jungkook's room. 

"Really?" Jimin asks, and Jungkook nods. "Thanks. Promise I won't stay long. I just need to gather my thoughts, so I won't strangle Jisoo."

"Good plan. You're too pretty and way too mouthy for prison," Jungkook remarks. Jimin flips him off and Jungkook chuckles as he walks around, gathering his things.

Heading out, Jungkook picks up one of those god-awful bucket hats from the hat rack. Despite them staying at a five star hotel, a cloud of dust puffs up. The dust irritates his nose, and Jungkook sneezes, shaking his head for some goddamn reason. Curiously, his sneeze sounds more like a little girl's faint sneeze than a grown man's. 

Jimin looks like Christmas just came early. "That's how you sneeze?!" he exclaims, standing up from the bed and rushing over to Jungkook. 

"Shut up."

"Aww," Jimin coos, pinching his cheeks. "So, so, so cute. Adowable wittwe Kookie sneezes like a baby." 

Jungkook pushes his hands away. "Next time I will sneeze on you," he threatens, but that only makes Jimin laugh. 

"Oh no, pwease don't be mad at Diminie," Jimin coos, jutting out his lower lip.  

"That's my cue to leave," Jungkook grumbles. 

"I want a kiss."

Jungkook shakes his head. "No kisses for brats."

Jimin pouts. "A kiss," he demands again. He stares relentlessly at Jungkook with big, pleading eyes until Jungkook finally (read: almost immediately) gives in and kisses his lips, soft and sweet. 

"Do well on stage. Fighting!" Jimin cheers. Jungkook mumbles something back before rushing out. The door locks behind him, and then Jimin is alone in the room. 

For a split second, he lets himself wonder if this is what living with Jungkook would be like. If they would be the kind of couple to exchange kisses before one of them jetted off to work. Then he snaps out of it, telling himself to stop being ridiculous. 

It's a laughable thought. They're not even dating. They never will. Why does he always have to do this? Why does he let his imagination run free? He doesn't even want to date Jungkook! They would be the worst couple in the world, with how little either of them have free time. It has worked so far because they are not dating. If they were, the relationship would have died already with how often they have to cancel and how long the gaps between their meetings usually are. 

Not to mention neither one of them is looking for anything more serious. Jungkook loves being single, that he has said proudly many times. And Jimin's company just might take his head off if his love life again interferes with his work.

He sits down, trying to decide what kind of prank he could pull before he leaves. Even if Jungkook said that it was okay for him to stay, Jimin doesn't want to overstay his welcome. Jungkook would most likely break things off if he thought Jimin was actually catching feelings. Jimin would hate for that to happen; it's very possible that he is currently getting the best dick of his life.

He sprawls out on the bed, pulling out his phone. It's a little cold in the room, so he pulls the duvet over his shoulder, planning to scroll social media for a few minutes and then returning to his own room.

Next thing he knows, the room is pitch black dark, and Jungkook's coming back from his gig. Jimin's only half-awake, just enough to recognize the faint whiff of Jungkook's cologne when the rapper nears the bed. 

"Jiminie?" Jungkook calls out in a hushed tone, surprised when he notices the small human form in his bed. Jimin just shushes at him, rolling away which makes Jungkook chuckle. 

"Cold…" Jimin mumbles when the bed covers are lifted. Frowning, he curls up into a little ball, trying to regain the warmth. 

Jungkook laughs. "I'll keep you warm, don't worry." 

"Okay," Jimin mutters. He waits until the bed slightly dips under Jungkook's weight and then wraps an arm around Jungkook's waist, snuggling closer, eyes already closed again. Jungkook's big and warm and he feels so sleepy... 

Jungkook knows exactly when Jimin wakes up. He hears a soft fuck whispered into his neck, the sheets rustling as Jimin lifts his head up and notices the gradually growing light in the room. Then Jimin is getting up, untangling himself from Jungkook and frantically searching for his phone to check the time. 

Jungkook is careful not to make a sound, focusing on keeping his breathing even and eyes closed. He wishes he could have slept through this. 

Vision blurry from not wearing his glasses or contacts, Jimin stumbles through the room, cursing when his ankle gets caught in the bed cover on the floor. He hops on one foot until he is released, cursing some more. He quickly puts his clothes on, silk shirt swishing in the quiet hotel room. It's all too familiar — Jungkook knows the melody of Jimin sneaking out in the morning by heart already. 

Jungkook doesn't open his eyes, even when the door closes behind Jimin. He pulls the duvet on him better, suddenly shivering in the cold bed. But sleep evades him now; it runs away twice as fast each time he tries to chase it. Frustrated, he gets out of bed, heading to the hotel gym to release the tension before they leave for the airport. 

He's returning from the gym when he notices the happy couple. Jimin and Seokjin are playing around in the hotel lobby, clearly waiting for someone or something. He pauses, observing them from the top of the stairs. His fists squeeze the railing when they start taking selcas and Jimin teases Seokjin by leaning in so close that their lips are almost touching. Seokjin laughs, staring at Jimin with hearts in his eyes. 

He turns away, not wanting to witness the sweet moment any longer. His throat burns, hands itching for a smoke. Why did he ever quit smoking? It used to calm him down so well, ease any anxiety and stress. Puffs of nicotine, an excuse to stand outside and clear his head. 

Oh, right. Jimin.

Fuck.

Jimin's the reason he quit. Jimin hates his smoking and flat out refuses to have anything to do with him if he smokes. Jungkook told himself he had been meaning to cut down on cigarettes anyway, but if he's really honest with himself, it was because of Jimin's nagging. Thinking about it now makes him grit his teeth, annoyed. He never lets anyone else change him, but Jimin did it so well he didn't even really notice. Besides, the reward for quitting was a hefty one. 

He feels like he's just waiting for the inevitable announcement: Jimin has fallen in love with Seokjin. Isn't that how it always goes in the cheesy rom-coms? Odd couple's fake dating turns into reality; cue cheerful pop song and roll credits. Jimin and Seokjin aren't even an odd couple, a model and an actor. They fit together like puzzle pieces; carved from the same tree. 

Jungkook's been a fool to play along with this game for this long, and Jeon Jungkook is not a man who enjoys feeling like a fool. If he'd see someone else in this exact same situation, he'd laugh his lungs out. He'd call them an idiot for agreeing to be dragged into this ridiculous game of musical chairs; there are one too few seats for the people playing, and it's starting to look like he's the one out of the game next. 

Being cast aside after play time is over shouldn't even bother him so much; he's used to it. He has been with people who were clearly still hung up on someone else, people who wanted him for his name, his fame. People who only thought of him as a stress reliever, and none of it ever bothered him because that was what he wanted, too. That's how Jimin and him were supposed to be instead of this mess they have been lost in for too long. 

Jimin's so fucking complicated, and he should have walked away ages ago. He just... hasn't.

He gets into the elevator, so deep in his thoughts that he doesn't notice Hyunseok standing next to him before the man waves a hand in front of his eyes. 

"Jungkook-ah?"

"What?" Jungkook replies, picking at his nail. 

Hyunseok hesitates, glancing at the dark scowl on Jungkook's face. "Are you okay?" he still asks, even though he knows what the answer will be. Sometimes offering to listen is just as meaningful as hearing someone's worries, and Hyunseok hopes that if he keeps offering, one day Jungkook might take him up on it.

He's still a new member of Jungkook's staff, and he likes his job a lot, as well as his co-workers. But he hasn't made it to the inner circle just yet — Jungkook is very careful about who he entrusts his secrets with. So far, Hyunseok has only seen him act close with Jiyoon. 

And Park Jimin, for whatever reason. 

Jungkook stares straight ahead. "Why wouldn't I be?" 

Hyunseok knows he should let it go, Jungkook's clearly not in the mood to talk, but he can't help it. "You seem a little distracted. Is this about Ji— Uh, is this about work? Are you worried about the flight?" he quickly corrects himself, ears burning at how forward he almost was. Even if he thinks he knows something, that doesn't mean that he is allowed to show that he knows it. 

Jungkook's expression doesn't change, he didn't notice the slip-up. "No. Everything's fine." 

"If you say so. Did you have a good workout?" 

"Yeah," Jungkook replies although he's not even sure which muscles he trained, more focused on keeping himself from thinking about anything at all. "It was great." 

Chapter Text

Jimin has a problem. He can't shake the feeling that he has unintentionally hurt Jungkook. The uneasy feeling sleeps in the back of his mind, only waking to growl at him like a guard dog whenever he slips up and thinks about Jungkook. He needs to make amends, even if Jungkook probably won't care. 

Making amends is going to be tricky, though. Usually Jimin would just apologize for not having taken into account the other person's feelings and talk things through with them, but he doubts that Jungkook wants an apology. That would require him to talk about his feelings, admit that Jimin had managed to hurt him which is quite probably the last thing Jungkook wants. 

Jimin just needs to do something. Something that will turn their relationship back to fun, flirting and fucking. Something that will return his peace of mind. 

He sighs, tugging at his own hair. It was supposed to be simple. Date Seokjin for the public, fuck Jungkook in private. He didn't think Jungkook would care one way or the other as long as he knew that Jimin wasn't cheating on his boyfriend with him. Jungkook's a pretty chill guy, but he loathes cheating with passion. Despite other breaks in communication, Jimin and Jungkook have both been surprisingly upfront about what they want from their arrangement. 

Until now. 

Until that something started. That something that bubbles in Jimin's chest every time he sees Jungkook; that something that swims into his thoughts at random times during the day and makes him smile; that something that has him feeling giddy and warm when they have finished and Jungkook doesn't seem to be in any hurry to send Jimin packing, but instead talks and jokes around with him, kisses him without expecting another round. 

Jimin's been thinking about Jungkook a lot lately. It's not unusual: it has dawned on him that he actually uses a great deal of his time thinking about the rapper. But whereas he usually thinks about the hot sex and how much fun they had or plans when he could see him again; this time different thoughts plague his mind. Things that Jungkook said in Japan echo in Jimin's ears. He's tired of waiting, tired of Jimin and tired of all the drama that comes along with him. Who could blame him? Jimin knows that the million boundaries and rules he has don't exactly make it easy for anyone to stay.  

And yet, that's what he is desperate for Jungkook to do.

Just hold on. Please bear with me a little longer. This thing will pass. Just stay with me. 

But he can't ask him for that. It's cruel enough that he's dragged Jungkook through so many of these fake dating shenanigans in the first place. It's only natural if Jungkook has grown tired of jumping through hoops just to get laid. He could have anyone he wants and anyone would be lucky to have him. 

It's understandable, really. Jungkook told him from the start that he doesn't want anything serious or complicated. And lately, all Jimin has brought to the table has been serious and complicated.

People always tell Jimin that anyone would be crazy to leave him. He always just giggles like he's supposed to, but it tastes like rust on his tongue. Because the real question isn't who could ever leave him, it's how could anyone stay. Everyone grows tired of the rules he has created to protect himself. And now, after the hell Jimin's ex put him through, the rules are stricter than ever. Jungkook has played along better than anyone else, respecting every limit Jimin has. But he has his limits, too, and Jimin can't blame him for wanting out of the golden coffin Jimin carves for his relationships; sometimes it feels like they are all designed to die.

Jungkook will be just another name to add to the list of people who grew tired of Jimin, along with friends, lovers, even family members who couldn't accept his complicated life. Jimin knows the signs, he has been here before.

Jungkook's going to break it off. 

The first time Jungkook ignores his message proves it. He just sends a 'sorry didn't see this' the next morning, but Jimin knows it's not true. Jungkook has always responded at least during the same night, and even if he can't make it, he tries to schedule another time. Jimin doesn't text anything back, swallowing his disappointment as a cold weight drops into his stomach at the confirmation.

Jungkook's done with him. 

He tries to tell himself he's reading it wrong, hissing as he accidentally scratches the burn mark on his neck. Maybe Jungkook really was busy. Maybe he really didn't see Jimin's message until the morning. Maybe he felt just as disappointed that he had missed an opportunity to see Jimin. Maybe he misses Jimin, just as much as Jimin misses him. He knows he's grasping at straws, but he can't help it: he doesn't want to let go of Jungkook. 

It's harder to be apart now, somehow. They once went three months without seeing each other and Jimin barely even noticed. Okay, fine, he did notice. But he didn't miss Jungkook, not like this. Back then he thought about what dirty things he wanted to do to Jungkook, and that's what he thinks now, too, but he also wonders how Jungkook's day is going, what he's doing right at that moment and if he has remembered to eat with his busy tour preparations. 

He'll try one more time. If Jungkook says no again, then he won't bother the rapper again. 

Jungkook throws a small golden item in the air. Catches it once, throws it again. Watches it fly up, admiring the sunlight from the big windows around his bedroom catching onto the gold, briefly making the room shine. There's a bitter smile twisting his lips, poison in his heart.

The silk sheets underneath him that he used to love now feel hot and uncomfortable, sticking to his skin like seaweed, twisting around his ankles. Jimin says that silk sheets look cool, but are actually kind of hard to fuck in because they are slippery and that Jungkook should really look into buying more practical sheets that had a little more traction. Then of course Jungkook had to buy another set of silk sheets just to prove that he could fuck Jimin just as hard and fast and good, no matter the sheets.

A particularly enjoyable memory makes Jungkook smirk to himself. Based on how hard Jimin came that day, Jungkook had succeeded despite the sheets. 

And Jungkook's not supposed to think about Jimin anymore. 

Fuck. 

It's so frustrating, so fucking annoying how everything makes him think about Jimin. He's a fucking idiot for thinking like this, Jimin's made it clear what Jungkook is to him. It doesn't matter that Jungkook can feel Jimin's touch on him days afterwards, it doesn't matter that he's supposed to be writing rap songs and all he comes up with are stupid ballads. It doesn't even matter that they haven't really spoken since Japan. None of it matters because Jimin doesn't feel the same.

Jungkook huffs to himself, throwing the ring up so hard it hits the ceiling. Jimin's perfect self-control has never cracked at the thought of him, his work never disturbed because of Jungkook, and yet, here Jungkook is, unable to do his fucking job because his thoughts are plagued by a pretty blonde. It's pathetic, really. When did he become like this?

And then there's the ring.

For the past hour, he's been lying on his bed, throwing the ring in the air and catching it, but eventually he's going to have to make a decision on what he should do with it. He's been in the middle of an intense debate with himself on whether to give it back to Jimin or not. It's Jimin's ring, so logically, he needs to give it back. But there's a part of him that would rather cut one of his own fingers off than give the stupid ring back. Another part of him is livid. How is this even his problem? What is he, a fucking courier for Park Jimin and the gifts of his boyfriend? 

I mean, you did already drag it across the sea, a small annoying voice at the back of his head whispers, making him frown. It was a fucking pain to get the ring back, but what else could he do? It had been his fault it was ever discovered. If he hadn't let his annoyance get the better of him, this wouldn't even be an issue.

It's not jealousy, this feeling that he is feeling. He has felt plenty jealous because of Jimin already, he knows what it feels like. When they attend the same events and he catches idols drooling after Jimin or when Jimin smiles at other guys flirting with him, or when they go over to speak to him, and Jungkook knows he can't do the same. No, Jungkook has felt the mild irritation already, and this is nothing like that. This feeling in his chest is like some kind of a horrible, all-consuming beast, ready to rip the world and everyone in it apart for a reason Jungkook can't capture.

Jimin was wrong when he said nothing was going to change between them. Whether they like it or not; whether they want to admit it, a lot has changed. It wasn't tangible at first, only small things, but after a while Jungkook has begun to notice subtle changes. Pictures of Jimin and Seokjin flood his timeline. Jimin mentions Seokjin more. Jimin doesn't come around as often anymore. 

And here Jungkook had thought that the worst part about all of this had already been reached one Tuesday before the Japan trip when Jimin answered his phone while gyrating his ass on Jungkook's cock and fucking left to meet up with Seokjin. In that moment, staring idly at the ceiling, deterred, horny, and confused Jungkook had come to the conclusion that Jimin was messing with him. That maybe, it was all some weird game Jimin was taking unnecessarily far. So Jungkook stayed quiet, playing along. 

Now he's left to wonder if he made a mistake not letting go the second Jimin brought up dating someone else. What's wrong with him? Does he really hate himself so much that he's willing to wait to be buried alive? Is he really smiling so fucking fondly while Jimin carves out his heart?  

The same unrest he felt on the day of Jimin and Seokjin's first date seems to have taken a permanent residence in his chest. It molded a home for itself into the flesh of his chest, contracting painfully, and he doesn't know what the fuck he's supposed to do about it.

To abolish any doubt about their relationship, Seokjin piggybacked Jimin through the airport when they returned to Korea. Now everyone is fawning over Seokjin, calling him a gentleman and gushing over how cute they are together, wearing matching sweaters and big smiles. 

It's a smart move, sends a message without the company having to actually make a statement. Jungkook knows that they planned it; he has been listening to Jimin's rants about his company long enough to recognize their handiwork. They are trying to make everyone forget about the last time by creating another cute airport moment.

Companies like Jimin and Seokjin's love to allude things without directly stating anything, so they can keep all of their options open and never squash any business opportunities. They get to capitalize on Jimin and Seokjin's "cuteness", but once it stops being profitable, they can just move onto the next thing, no strings attached.

The irritating part is that it works. There's hardly anything about Jimin in Jungkook's Twitter mentions anymore, even though only a few days ago he was all they had tweeted to him about. Now, there are only people begging him to post a selca after apparently 84 years of drought (that one makes him snort) and people asking when he will release the next mixtape. 

And then there is of course an abundance of pictures from a certain project that seems to be taking South Korea by storm. Annoyed, Jungkook locks his phone and glances at the TV. He put it on for background noise, but after 'Jinmin's' commercial comes on for the third time in half an hour, he closes it again, to protect the flat screen from being thrown something heavy at.  

Then it's silent again. He lives in one of the busiest cities in the world, and yet, maddening silence lives in his penthouse, haunting him. 

He's supposed to be working on a new song for his next album, but he can't find any motivation to do so. It's a post-Japan world, and he hates it with passion. Jimin and Seokjin's project has been released, and now there's no escaping the happy couple. There are couple-y pictures of Seokjin and Jimin everywhere in the city, posters hung up on trail stations and airports, their short (yet excruciatingly long to some) ads plaguing televisions. Every piece of media is fawning over their cute relationship, marveling at how two such beautiful souls managed to find one another in this cruel world. 

Jungkook has been seething in silence all week, ignoring Jimin's texts. His chest is set alight with that nonsensical ire again every time he has to look at the stupid ad campaign. His hands are aching to do something about the burning in his chest, but he's not sure what would be a safe outlet for such a volatile energy. Usually, he'd just pour his anger into a song, but that's probably against Jimin's many rules. Lately, there seems to be so fucking many rules, even though meeting up with Jimin used to mean no rules, aside from the obvious one. 

Japan, he thinks, Japan is what fucked them up. Staying in such close quarters, fingertips constantly on each other's skin. He's just not used to it. Not used to seeing the same person for this long. Not used to memorizing every bump and nook of someone else's body, not used to craving someone's lips and the way they touch him. He's just not used it.

Japan was a home to a lot of firsts. That's why it kind of feels like there is something missing whenever he comes home, and there is no one sleeping in his bed, no one curling around him in their sleep like a koala, no one waking him up at ass o'clock in the morning with soft kisses, no one giggling in his shower.  

After returning to Korea, he had been waiting for Jimin's next text, eager like a dog whose owner left it behind, obsessively checking his phone every time it made a sound. Sometimes he just thought it was vibrating and checked again. Other people had noticed, too: Woobin kept laughing about a date he thought Jungkook was going on later. Jiyoon made him promise it wasn't one of the trainees. Hyunseok stayed silent, smiling into his noodles, choosing not to comment.  

But then came the ring drama, followed by the launch of the stupid project, and now Jimin feels so far away. 

His phone lights up, a text popping up to the surface.

Jimin

 busy? 

For a moment, Jungkook considers not replying again. He wants to see Jimin, but the stupid commercials, lovey-dovey posters and billboards of enamored Jimin and Seokjin everywhere kind of make him feel like he has seen plenty of Jimin already. Besides, he still hasn't decided what to do about the ring or about the burning annoyance in his chest every time he thinks about Jimin wearing that stupid ring. 

Who is he even kidding?

It was jealousy that caused him to kick the ring out of his sight and under the bed. He's so jealous he could burst; it eats him up, making him choke every time he has to look at Jimin's enamored smile or Seokjin's plump lips, inches away from Jimin's, on every goddamn surface you could hang a poster on. 

How is he supposed to tell Jimin that? Even if he hates it, he understands; this is an aspect of Jimin's job, and it means everything to him, just like Jungkook's career means everything to him. That's one of the things Jungkook admires about Jimin, his ambition. Jimin works hard, harder than anyone else Jungkook knows. 

The annoying voice at the back of his head pipes up again, sounding worryingly much like his best friend Yugyeom from back home. You miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

But if he gives the ring back, he'll have to explain where he got it from and he doesn't want to hurt Jimin. 

He stares at Jimin's icon that the model has set to be only a close-up of his plump lips, covered in delicious lip gloss that Jungkook always wants to lick off of his lips. 

The thirst wins out in the end. Cursing his body for getting excited from the sheer possibility of sex, Jungkook types back. 

kkyu 🐰

practice until six, then a meeting. 11? 

His phone beeps right away.

Jimin

 yes! 🤗

To his credit, Jimin arrives at eleven on the dot. Jungkook hears the ping! of the elevator, alerting him that Jimin is in the apartment. Of course he already knew Jimin was in the elevator, having gotten a call from reception, but it takes a while to rise to the penthouse. 

After hearing the bling, Jungkook goes to meet Jimin halfway, standing in the lobby, watching Jimin emerge from the elevator. 

Jimin walks in, flashing a smile at Jungkook. "Hey," he greets, tugging the slight trepidation in his heart under wraps. In addition to whatever weirdness lies between Jimin and Jungkook, Jimin's PR team made it very clear that he was not to contact Jungkook again. And Jimin obeyed. Jungkook has been out of Korea for weeks on his tour, so it wasn't exactly difficult. But now that Jungkook has returned home... well, it's a different story. 

"Hi, Jimin." Jungkook suddenly doesn't know what to do with his hands. Where does he usually keep them? In his pockets? Hanging freely on each side? That can't be right. But where else would they be? 

"How was your trip?" Jimin asks, fiddling with the handle of his bag. Briefly, Jungkook wonders if maybe he's not the only one feeling nervous. It's jarring, how they can be so shameless in bed, but small talk feels foreign. 

"Good."

Jimin smiles. "Yeah, I saw some clips people posted to Twitter from your Tokyo show, your gigs look insane." 

Jungkook feels a little warmer knowing that Jimin's been checking up on him. "Yeah, it was fun. You should come some time," he says without thinking and almost bites off his own tongue. It sounds too much like asking Jimin out. He switches to teasing. "You know, if your company lets their angel stay out that late. Or go to scandalous rap concerts."

Jimin winks. "My company doesn't need to know everything I do. I think we have quite proven that." He takes off his bomber jacket, kicks off his shoes and places his bag on the floor. 

Then he tippytoes over to Jungkook and kisses him, ignoring that annoying voice in the back of his head that keeps whispering he doesn't want you anymore, he doesn't want you anymore...Why else would he have not texted you back to reschedule? He doesn't want you anymore. Are you stupid? He's tired of you and all your drama. The only reason he agreed to see you today was because his other hookups are busy.

The voice is promptly silenced by the very much interested kiss Jungkook presses to Jimin's lips. "Hi, baby," he says, and that sounds a lot more like Jimin's Jungkook. Well, not Jimin's, but he sounds more like the side of Jungkook Jimin usually sees. 

Jimin smiles into the kiss, lovely warmth radiating through him, chasing away the last remnants of doubt. "Hi."

He keeps kissing Jungkook, herding him to the bedroom, only pausing to pick up his bag. Jungkook lets himself be nudged backwards until the back of his knees hit the bed and he falls down on it. Not wasting a second, Jimin climbs into his lap, devouring his lips with wet, hot kisses. 

"Missed you," he breathes into Jungkook's neck, making the rapper shiver. 

"Missed me? I didn't think you'd have the time to think about anyone else but 'cutie pie Seokjinnie'," Jungkook says, imitating the way the person on Jimin and Seokjin's ad talks about them. 

Jimin blushes and flicks Jungkook's forehead. "Don't be like that. I'm here to make peace. The road's been kind of rocky lately, I wanna get us back on track. Which is why I was thinking tonight we could do whatever you want."

Jungkook's brow quirks up. "Anything I want?"

Jimin doesn't back down. He smiles, keeping their eyes locked, hint of challenge in his gaze. "Anything." 

Jungkook stares at him, an idea after an idea bombarding his thoughts. He wants Jimin in so many different ways, it's difficult to decide. "Dangerous."

"Not really. I trust you." Jimin shuffles away from Jungkook's lap, picking up the bag he brought with him. "I brought presents with me to inspire you."

Jungkook hums at that. "Is that so?"

Jimin nods. "I wanna make things right. Everything has felt kind of strained ever since this marketing thing happened," he says, fixing his hair just to have something to do.  

Jungkook studies Jimin's face, tries to read his mind even though that's a quest he has long ago deemed hopeless.

"You don't have to do this for me. We're good," he points out cautiously. He doesn't want Jimin to feel like he's obligated to do what Jungkook wants. He knows how Jimin likes to please, wants to be praised; he'll put on any filter he thinks might attract his target best. It's understandable, given his occupation, but Jungkook only wants Jimin to do things he actually wants, not what he thinks the other person wants him to do. 

Jimin winks at him. "If you want me to beg, just say so." Jungkook watches in silence as Jimin picks up a small box from his designer bag onto Jungkook's bed. There are not that many of them, maybe six toys in total, but they are enough to get Jungkook's imagination running. 

He whistles at the variety of the toys. "Freaky."

"My ex was really into all that kinky shit." Jimin scoffs, the sound a little bitter, as he settles back on the bed. "Guess that's what being a closeted religious hypocrite does to you."

"You used these with him?" Jungkook asks, curiously touching the toys. 

Jimin shrugs. "No, these are just for me. I threw out most of that stuff when he... Anyway, last year when I was really sad for a while, Yoongi hyung would have done anything to cheer me up. He kept hovering around me, so as a joke, I sent him to a sex shop." Jimin smiles at the memory of pink-faced Yoongi, crumbling up a non-descriptive paper bag in his hands before handing it over to Jimin. "Hyung blushed so much, it was too freaking cute. But he went anyway and brought home every item on the list I gave him."

Even though Jimin's story makes Jungkook smile, something sticks to his throat. Last year when I was really sad for a while. Last year was when Jimin broke up with his ex. Jungkook bites his lip at the implication. He had known that the relationship ended badly, but not that it made Jimin so sad. 

"You're so mean," he scolds instead, following Jimin's lead in keeping the mood light and fun. "Making your hyung do all that just to entertain yourself."

Jimin shrugs at that, shameless. "If you knew how seldom I get to enjoy Yoongi hyung blushing, you wouldn't say that." 

"You're such a brat," Jungkook says, hiding a smile. 

"I am," Jimin admits easily, leaning in to taunt, "Do you wanna punish me, hyung?" 

Jungkook's too distracted by Jimin's presents to respond. Jimin glances at him, smile breaking out when he notices how intensely Jungkook is staring at them. "Tell me what you want and we'll do it," he repeats, his voice switching to seduction with ease. 

"Which ones do you like?" Jungkook asks. 

"Which ones do you?" Jimin immediately counters. When Jungkook looks hesitant, Jimin crawls up in his lap, whispering into his ear: "I meant what I said. I'll do whatever you want, hyung. Please let me. Pick three things to use on me or on you. Anything you want." 

Jungkook can't possibly decide what he wants the most, head swarming with ideas, each dirtier than the last, so he tries to imagine what Jimin would like the best. His fingers wrap around the ball gag, glancing at Jimin who smiles encouragingly. "I bought that after Japan," he mentions and winks. 

The corners of Jungkook's mouth turn up. "I like it," he says and lays the gag onto his left side, in the 'Yes' pile. "That's one."

His eyes roam the fascinating objects on the bed, fingers fiddling with them before picking up an elastic cock ring. He's never used one before, but just thinking about how fucking gorgeous Jimin would look riding him with his cock red and hard, pleading to come, makes him want to try.

Jimin smiles. "Two?"

"Two," Jungkook agrees. "Can you come while wearing it?"

Jimin nods. "Yeah because it's elastic. I haven't tested it out yet, but I read the instructions. I can safely have it on for 30 minutes before I need to take it off to keep blood circulating."  

Jungkook nods. "That works. Safety first, safety second, coolness third."

His serious face makes Jimin laugh. "Big nerd energy," he teases and yelps when Jungkook pinches his side. 

"Shut up." 

Next, Jungkook glances again at a glass dildo and nipple clamps, but he picks up a purple vibrating dildo instead. "Three." 

Jimin smiles. "That one's my favorite," he reveals, eyes twinkling shamelessly. "Good choice, baby." 

Jungkook's eyes linger on the soft rope Jimin brought. "Three and a half?" Jungkook asks. 

Jimin nods, smiling. "Deal." 

"Do we have to be careful with marks? Your project is done, right?" Fucking finally. 

Jimin shakes his head happily. "Just not on my chest or neck, I don't want Jin hyung to see them." 

Jungkook frowns. He debates with himself whether to even ask because he knows that the answer will only piss him off, but morbid curiosity wins in the end. "When exactly are you planning on being shirtless in front of Kim Seokjin?"

Jimin quirks up a brow. "Tomorrow? He's walking the runway with me and we change in the same space."

Right. 

"He's not your boyfriend," Jungkook says for what feels like the hundredth time. "What does he care if you have a couple of hickeys on you?"

Jimin scoffs. "Okay, one) you never leave behind just one or two hickeys. Two) I'd rather not disclose to Jin hyung what I do on my free time."  

Jungkook's been doing a pretty good job not asking about the red mark on Jimin's neck, but it's too good of an opportunity to waste. "Then where'd you get this?" he asks, grazing the reddened skin on Jimin's neck. 

"Other lovers," Jimin jokes, but Jungkook doesn't find it funny. 

His eyes darken. "So they can leave marks, but I can't?"

Jimin frowns. "Babe, I was kidding. One of my stylists accidentally burned my neck when they straightened my hair, that's where the mark is from," he explains.

The brief relief blooming next to Jungkook's lungs is quickly squashed by what Jimin says next. 

"No one can leave marks on me during cover shoots season," Jimin reminds airily, but somehow his words don't soothe Jungkook like he meant them to. He doesn't deny it. He doesn't say that there's no one else. 

Jungkook doesn't voice his disappointment, just hums. "Is that so?"

"I literally just told you that I have the final showcase tomorrow, do you even listen?" Jimin leans in closer, but when Jungkook looks at him, he flicks his forehead instead of the kiss Jungkook may have been expecting. 

"Ow."

"I should make you listen," Jimin threatens cutely, and Jungkook's about to respond accordingly when his phone makes a noise. 

He's about to pick up the phone when Jimin moves closer again, whispering: "Put your phone down, don't even think of turning your head away." 

Then Jimin's own phone makes a sound, and he eagerly moves away, checking the message. 

"You have a new phone," Jungkook notes, glancing at the brand new white phone case. 

Jimin nods without looking up, fingers busy typing. "Yeah, there was an issue with my old phone. Did you hear about that girl group idol who got hacked? She had the same phone as I do. It's apparently really easy to hack, so I had to get a more secure one. I changed all of my contacts into emojis or nicknames." 

"Really? What's mine? Eggplant emoji?" Jungkook teases. He moves closer to Jimin, and when the model turns to talk to him, Jungkook sweeps the phone from distracted Jimin's grip. 

Jimin huffs at the loss, but doesn't bother fighting Jungkook on it. "I've got so much security on that thing you will never see your name without my help," he brags. 

"I'll give it back if you tell me my contact name on your phone. Is it just Jeon Jungkook?" Jungkook asks, trying easy pass codes to unlock Jimin's phone. 

"Thirsty Guy #34."

Jungkook gasps indignantly. "It's not."

Jimin giggles. "Okay, fine, it's not. It's Dork," he says, aiming for solemn but landing somewhere like amusing. 

Jungkook shakes his head. "You're such a liar. Just admit that it's 'Hyung'," he taunts.

Jimin swallows, pretending like that didn't sound like a great idea. "What's my name on your phone?" he challenges instead. 

"Shorty," Jungkook teases and dodges Jimin's finger flicking his forehead. 

"I hate you. I'm going to change yours into 'Kookoo'," Jimin says and punches in his pass code. 

"No, you won't. Kookoo sounds like a nickname for a baby. No, listen to me, don't," Jungkook says when he notices Jimin doing as he promised, taking his phone from Jungkook and opening his contacts log. 

Jimin looks up in victory. "But you are a baby," he sing-songs. 

Jungkook leans in, putting Jimin's phone away onto the nightstand, speaking in a low voice, "Try telling me I'm a baby after you're bouncing on my cock, begging to come." 

Jimin smiles. "Ruin me, hyung," he coaxes, fluttering his eyelashes. "I'll do whatever you want." 

"Whatever I want?" Jungkook repeats, moan slipping out when Jimin kisses up his chest, leaving a hickey in his wake. Jimin's trust in him is heartwarming but also really fucking hot, Jungkook finds as he tilts his head back, his thoughts swarming with how he wants to do this. 

"I'm all yours for the night, hyung." Jimin has noticed how turned on Jungkook gets when Jimin tells him that he's the only one allowed to do such things to Jimin, only one allowed to hold him down and fuck him until he screams. He finds it curious: being possessive during sex doesn't seem to fit Jungkook's playboy attitude, Jimin kind of always figured he'd be a 'the more, the merrier' kind of guy. But it's another intriguing detail that make up Jeon Jungkook, the biggest mystery in Jimin's life. 

His words do the trick: lust flicks on like a light bulb in Jungkook's eyes. "All mine?" the rapper echoes, squeezing Jimin's ass, the gesture pleasantly playful. 

Jimin nods. "Which me do you want?" he teases, standing up on his knees. Jungkook's eyes follow Jimin, appreciating the way the muscles on his thick thighs tense. "Let me know your type. Want me to be submissive? Dominant? Switch?"

Jungkook's head is spinning. "Just... be you," he manages to say. Jimin's everywhere, on his lap, speaking in his ear, leaving kisses on his neck, on his mind. In that moment, his thoughts consist of little else than Jimin, Jimin, Jimin...

"Boring. It's not fun to stay the same all the time, nerd."

Jungkook quirks up a brow. "How am I a nerd when you're the one who were part of the Busan Mathletes?" he teases. The kisses on his neck halt and Jimin pulls back to stare at very amused Jungkook. 

"Who told you that?!" Jimin screeches which sends Jungkook into fits of laughter. 

"You just did," Jungkook wheezes through his laughter, "I was just guessing. In your school uniform, there was a tiny M on your badge. In my school, people who were a part of the math team, had a similar M on their uniforms." 

"Goddamn it," Jimin curses to himself and dodges Jungkook's kiss. "Well, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to kill you now. That knowledge needs to stay buried." 

Jungkook scoffs. "I'd like to see you try... Shorty." 

Jimin gasps, offended. "Just tell me you want to roleplay innocent schoolgirl fucking a teacher for a better grade." He turns his voice higher and squeaks, "Teacher Park, I'll do anything..." 

"Please. If one of us were squealing for better grades, that'd be you, Mathlete," Jungkook scoffs. 

Jimin pretends not to hear him. "Do you want to be a good boy for me, Jungkookie? I'll take such a good care of you, I promise," he purrs, giving Jungkook a kiss. 

It sounds fun, too, but Jungkook really wants to focus on making Jimin feel good. He smiles. "I know you would, but I think I want something different tonight. Strip down for me, baby." 

Standing up, Jimin makes a show out of it, loving the way Jungkook's eyes follow his each move. He smirks at Jungkook as he slowly unbuttons the Ralph Lauren shirt that cost more than his mother's old apartment's rent did. 

He loves the audible breath Jungkook takes when Jimin palms himself through his pants, rubbing his cock over the fabric. Jungkook doesn't tell him to stop or to hurry up, no; he just stares at him, mesmerized, and Jimin feels so wanted. He kicks off his pants and socks, taking his sweet time sliding down his boxers. Jungkook doesn't say a word, he just looks at him, but his gaze is so heavy, so wanton Jimin almost blushes. He was like that the first time they fucked too, staring at Jimin's body until Jimin asked if something was wrong and Jungkook just breathed out, you're so fucking pretty. 

It was the first time Jimin ever got flustered during sex.  

"Hyungie?" Jimin teases, eyes wide and voice higher than usual, the epitome of innocence, despite the peep show he just put on. 

Jungkook startles, breaking out of his stupor. He blinks, gaze rising up to meet Jimin's eyes (where was it before?), and he realizes that Jimin's waiting for him to give him more instructions. Jungkook swallows, hard, and says, "Come here."

Jimin walks over to him, stopping right in front of the rapper. "On your knees, Jiminie," Jungkook says as he stands up, nodding his head at the bed. 

"Yes, hyung," Jimin replies obediently. He goes down onto his knees, the white sheets pooling around him, and reaches for Jungkook's zipper. 

He's confused when Jungkook pushes his hands away. The rapper smiles at him, carding his long fingers through Jimin's blonde strands. "Later. Face down on the bed." Jimin's puzzled by the change of pace, but he obeys and lays his head down on the soft bed. 

"Open your mouth," Jungkook orders, and when Jimin obeys, he slips the ball gag into his mouth and ties it behind Jimin's head, smiling at how eagerly Jimin takes the gag into his mouth. Jimin's breath hitches, anticipation sending sizzling electricity into his veins. Jungkook kisses him, gentle, tongue lapping over the gag. 

"You want my cock, don't you?"

Jimin whines, wiggling his hips. 

"Pleasure is earned, Jiminie. Be a good boy and you'll be rewarded, okay?" Jungkook says in a low voice that makes Jimin feel hot all over. He mumbles in agreement, and Jungkook smiles at the sound. "Give me your hands, baby." He ties Jimin's hands behind his back and stays back a bit to admire his work, slowly running his fingers down Jimin's back onto his ass, giving the left cheek a light spank. 

"Hyung..." Jimin mutters through the gag, hypnotized. Jungkook spanks him again, making him lose his breath for a moment. 

"You look like a present ready to be opened, baby. So pretty," Jungkook praises, and Jimin keens at his gentle tone that still manages to make his cock leak. 

Excitement tickles his insides at the sound of the lube bottle cap being opened. Jungkook takes his time massaging Jimin's rim, adding more lube as he begins fitting one finger inside. Jimin moans when Jungkook's long fingers reach further inside, the sinful sound muffled by the ball gag. Jungkook smiles, slowly fucking his finger in and out of Jimin. 

Three more fingers join the first before Jungkook picks up speed, fervently fucking his fingers in, wet and messy. Jimin's moaning in captured pleasure, breathing hard against the ball gag. His moans only turn louder when Jungkook picks up the purple dildo and flicks it on, teasing Jimin's hole. Jimin responds to the combination of vibration and fingers with a hot moan that makes Jungkook's mouth water. He can't wait to pull more noises like that out of Jimin. Taking his fingers out, Jungkook starts slowly fitting the much bigger dildo inside of Jimin, biting his lip at how easily Jimin's ass consumes it after the careful preparation.

Jimin's panting quietly, writhing when Jungkook flicks the vibration on higher. The ball gag in Jimin's mouth is already slick with saliva, slobbering down his jaw. The soft rope around his wrists keeps him in place, unable to escape the orgasm he can feel building. His hands constrict on instinct, aching to touching himself. 

Jungkook is still fully clothed, only undoing the zipper of his pants, so he can stroke himself while fucking Jimin with one hand. Jimin finds it ridiculously hot that Jungkook made him strip everything, but doesn't return the favor. Like he's just there to watch. 

"Do you want me to touch you, baby?" he asks. Jimin whines in response. "But I wanna see if you can come untouched. Can you do it for me, Jiminie?" 

Jimin eagerly nods his head. 

"I know you can. You're so good for me, baby. So obedient." 

He groans when Jimin fucks back into the toy, fisting his cock with one hand, pre-come slipping through his fingers. "Fuck, baby," he breathes out. 

Jimin's entire body trembles when Jungkook guides the toy right against Jimin's prostate. The pleasure just keeps building inside him, looking for a release he's not allowed to have yet. 

"Should I let you come?" 

Jimin responds with a fit of desperate moans. 

Jungkook chuckles to himself. "I don't know about that... You look so pretty when you cry, Jiminie..." 

Jimin moans, muttering something incoherently. His cock is so hard it's almost painful. Jungkook comes on Jimin's ass, stroking his cock through the aftershocks. Jimin mewls, staring up at him. His eyes are hazy, blurry with the tears the intense sensations have brought out. 

Hence the ball gag and the restraints, Jimin can't use their safeword or tap the bed three times to communicate that he needs a break or wants to stop altogether, so Jungkook needs to stay alert and be extra careful in reading Jimin's behavior to catch any discomfort. So far, he has shown none, but Jungkook needs to make sure. 

Jungkook takes out the ball gag, brushing the pads of his thumb on Jimin's wet cheeks. "Okay? Can you take more?" 

Jimin nods, impatient. "Yes, yes, but hyung..." 

"What do you need, baby?" 

"Your hands, I need—" Jimin says, desperately trying to reach for Jungkook with his tied hands. 

Jungkook smirks. "The toy's not enough for you?" he asks, turning Jimin onto his back, so he can still enjoy the pleasure evident on Jimin's face. He takes a hold of Jimin's right thigh, leaving wet, hot kisses all the way up to Jimin's hip bone, nosing the skin right next to Jimin's cock but never actually touching. 

"Please," Jimin cries out, "Hyung, I need you."  

"You want my fingers instead of your pretty toys, Jiminie?" Jungkook taunts, but he feels hot all over at the thought of Jimin wanting him so much. 

Jimin squirms, breathing out, "Yes, hyung, please." 

"Is it because you can't come without hyung? You need my cock or my fingers to come, right? Only me, right? Is it because I'm the best you've ever had?" Jungkook asks almost menacingly. He's just talking dirty, helping Jimin orgasm. 

Which is why he's surprised that Jimin responds. 

"Yes, hyung," Jimin moans. "You are." 

Jungkook's eyes widen, heart suddenly banging against his throat like he's running a race.

Jimin blushes. "Put the ball gag back on me, please hyung," he then asks, and Jungkook nods, thoughts blank. He puts the gag back on for Jimin and pulls the vibrating toy out of him, not bothering to turn it off before reaching inside of Jimin, fucking in his fingers with a speed that his wrist will surely hate him for tomorrow. He tells Jimin how fucking sexy he looks, how he likes hearing him moan. Jimin's shaking from the intensity, he's never come untouched. He didn't even think he could, but the way pleasure is now radiating into each cell of his body has him thinking differently. 

"Come for me, baby. I know you can do it." 

Jungkook's hand speeds up, and the pleasure builds, almost spilling over, but Jimin can't quite let go, stuck in a limbo. He feels like he's about explode but just never quite does, warm tears of frustration and arousal running down his cheeks. Pleasure and pain race through each vein of his body, making him sob audibly.

"Hyung...." he cries out incoherently, but Jungkook hears it and takes a hold of Jimin's cock, fingers wrapping around the red, hard shaft, stroking him until Jimin releases all over himself, some of the come landing on the silk sheets around him. 

And then Jungkook stops, admiring the mess he has made of Korea's sweetheart. 

"I couldn't do it," Jimin says with a frown, disappointed in himself when Jungkook unties him and takes out the ball gag, setting them aside. 

Jungkook kisses the top of his head. "The night's not over. And you did perfect." 

Jimin blushes. "Dork," he scolds. "Could have had me riding you senseless, begging and pleading. Instead you just—" 

Jungkook's eyes widen. "Wait, really?" 

"Yes, really, you loser. I said anything," Jimin tells him softly, looking away because he feels shy. 

Jungkook swallows audibly. "So, like... has that offer passed though?" 

"No, I want it," Jimin replies immediately, cock already twitching at the thought. 

"Eager. Nice." 

Jimin pouts. "Jungkook! Stop teasing me and tell me what you want me to do." 

Jungkook laughs, stepping out of his ruined pants and boxers, taking a seat at the armchair at the wall. "Yes, baby. Come here."

The rapper sits down with his thighs apart, smirking when he catches Jimin staring. It's like someone flipped a switch in Jungkook the moment he sat down, unleashing the demon under his skin. 

His eyes are black with desire, gaze intense as he takes in Jimin's naked body. "Beautiful," he whispers, and Jimin has never been so turned on in his life. 

Wanting to impress Jungkook more, Jimin gets down to his knees and starts crawling over to him, keeping his eyes on Jungkook. Jungkook's facade breaks for a second, surprise in his eyes. Jimin hears him curse softly and fist his cock as he follows Jimin's every movement. Jimin likes it: Jungkook's unabashed reactions always make him feel wanted. He sticks his ass out a bit more, crawling until he's kneeling right in front of Jungkook. 

"May I suck your cock, hyung?" he asks, talking in a pout to further rattle Jungkook. 

"Uh, yeah, sure," Jungkook stutters, eyes blown wide. He follows Jimin's every movement, taking a deep breath when Jimin nears his cock. 

"Cute," Jimin hums, taking a hold of Jungkook's cock. 

Jungkook quirks up a brow. That's not something he hears often in the bedroom. People call him hot, sexy and they call out for their gods when he fucks them, but so far no one has called him cute while fucking. "Did you just fucking call my dick cute?"

Jimin giggles. "Maybe?" He was talking about Jungkook as a whole, but... Jungkook's cock is kind of cute. 

"I wonder if you'll think my cock is so cute once you're choking on it."

Jimin smirks. "Why don't we find out?"

Jungkook lifts a brow, feigning nonchalance, but his pupils are blown wide with lust. "No hands," he orders. Jimin makes a show about crossing his arms behind his back before lowering his mouth onto Jungkook's cock. He licks the shaft, tonguing Jungkook's slit until he feels the rapper's fingers tangling in his hair.

"You're so pretty, baby," Jungkook murmurs. "Can't believe I get to see you like this." 

"Only you, hyung," Jimin purrs, and Jungkook's stomach drops. 

"You don't play fair." His voice is rough, barely holding onto a shred of control. 

Jimin responds by suckling the head, relishing in the sounds of pleasure Jungkook makes. It's been too long since he was last able to suck Jungkook off without having to worry about his voice, and he plans on taking full advantage of that. Even if the project with Seokjin is nearing its end, another one is about to begin. Jimin doesn't even remember when he's last had a proper day-off. His idea of luxury is getting a full night's sleep. 

Jungkook brushes Jimin's hair away from his eyes, taking a deep breath as the model starts fitting more of him in his mouth. Jimin's eyes tear up, his lips are a mess of drool and pre-cum, dripping down his chin, but he feels worth every bit of the praise Jungkook keeps murmuring to him. Jimin never explicitly told him how much he likes being praised and complimented during sex (other times, too), Jungkook just figured it out on his own. That happened a lot with Jungkook. He could be really perceptive, and it never stops surprising Jimin. 

Jimin plunges down, until Jungkook's cock hits the back off his throat. Jungkook moans, taking a slightly tighter hold of Jimin's hair. Jimin moans appreciatively around Jungkook's cock, tilting his head, so he can enjoy the sensation. Jungkook never grips his hair too tightly, always somehow knowing the right amount of pressure Jimin wants despite himself liking his hair pulled much rougher. It's yet another thing he has just learned on his own by following Jimin's reactions, and Jimin finds it ridiculously hot that he notices what turns Jimin on. 

Jimin sets up a fast pace, determined to make Jungkook feel good. Judging by Jungkook's rough moans, he's succeeding.

"Babe, come here, I wanna fuck you," the rapper breathes out. Jimin wants to be scolded a bit, wants to rile Jungkook up, so he disobeys, lodging Jungkook's cock to the back of his throat again, flattening his tongue around the shaft and swallows. 

Jungkook takes a hold of Jimin's jaw, pulling him off of his cock. "I said come here," he repeats, this time in that dominant tone that always makes Jimin flustered.  

"I was just getting started," Jimin claims, shamelessly licking his lips clean from Jungkook's pre-come. "It's rude to interrupt, you know."

Jungkook's slightly panting, trying to keep his voice even as he looks at Jimin. "You need to be taught a lesson in listening to hyung, baby. Don't you think?" 

"Yes, hyungie," Jimin replies cheekily, and Jungkook fights a smile. He holds out a hand, and Jimin takes it, allowing the rapper to carefully guide him into his lap and onto his cock. 

Jimin takes a deep breath as if preparing himself once Jungkook's buried to the hilt inside him. "Okay, put it in," he declares and laughs when Jungkook pinches his nipple. 

Jungkook groans. "Not funny." 

Jimin giggles. "It was a little funny. No?" 

Jungkook rolls his eyes at him, picking up the cock ring from next to him and twirling it with his fingers. "Do you still want it?"

"Yes, hyung."

Jungkook kisses him. "You'll look so pretty, baby." He wraps his hand around Jimin's cock, fitting the ring around it. Jimin stares at him, pupils blown wide, willing himself not to get hard, so the ring will be easy to put on. He groans when he feels Jungkook slowly sliding the cock ring up Jimin's shaft, right to the base of his cock. It feels strangely restricting, but not uncomfortable. 

"Too tight?" Jungkook asks, scanning Jimin's face. "Do you need a break?"

Jimin shakes his head. "No, keep going. You're doing so well." It's probably the wrong place to think so, but Jungkook is kind of adorable.

"Good. Earn your keep, baby," Jungkook smirks and spanks Jimin's ass. Eager to please, Jimin starts riding, steadying himself on Jungkook's shoulders, his quickly hardening cock bouncing along every time he rises. His ass hits Jungkook's thick thighs every time he comes down, skin hitting skin. Jungkook leans back, enjoying the show Jimin puts on. 

The cock ring is a shade of pretty blue against Jimin's reddening cock. Jungkook keeps staring at it, licking his lips as if his mouth is dry, fingers grazing Jimin's cock. The light touch feels more intense now, making Jimin whimper. He bounces up faster, fucking himself on Jungkook's cock, thighs shaking from the effort. 

Jungkook is merciless, keeping him moving. "Keep going," he commands. But the way he's tightly holding onto Jimin's waist and lifting him with each bounce, muscles straining, contradicts his impassive voice. 

Jimin throws his head back, moaning out: "Hyunggg..." 

"You're taking me so well, baby. And the ring looks so fucking hot on you," Jungkook murmurs. Jimin's cheeks flush at the praise, he hopes Jungkook thinks it's just from exertion. 

Jungkook checks the time, making sure that there's enough time left before Jimin needs to take off the cock ring. Jimin likes to make fun of him, but he knows that they both agree: safety first. 

"Faster, Jiminie, I know you can take it," he says, smacking Jimin's ass cheek, fascinated with how it jiggles after each slap. 

"Yes, sir." 

Caressing the model's face, Jungkook brushes his thumb across Jimin's plump lips. Jimin opens his mouth, eagerly sucking on his fingers, enjoying the pleasant surprise in Jungkook's eyes. 

Jungkook's hand travels lower, landing on Jimin's neck, the dark tattoos on his hand a beautiful contrast against Jimin's skin. "Is this okay?" he breathes out against Jimin's lips. Jimin loses his rhythm, dazed. He stares back, almost hesitant at how much he wants it.

Jimin breathes back, "Fuck, yes. Hyung, please." 

Carefully monitoring Jimin's expressions, Jungkook adds a little bit of pressure to Jimin's throat. Jimin's reaction is instant: he feels heat rising up, making his throat dry and his cheeks hot. 

Jungkook clearly notices since he asks, "Good?" 

"Hyung.." Jimin pants. The whole situation is so hot, he feels like he's going to burst any second. The cock ring, Jungkook's hand on his neck, the way Jungkook's looking at him, dangerous but safe. He's in a daze, so close to coming, yet not quite there, the feeling maddening yet so fucking arousing. Their speed has slowed down a little, but with the way Jungkook is looking at him, like he's the hottest thing the rapper has ever seen, makes Jimin feel like he could come just from being looked at like that. "Good."

Never breaking their eye contact, Jungkook starts fucking up into him, keeping his hand around Jimin's neck. Jimin's eyes are blown wide, mouth slightly open as his breathing grows more erratic. The pleasure roaming in the pit of his stomach makes his blood pump faster, he can barely think with how good he feels. 

"Wanna come, Jiminie?" Jungkook whispers, other hand grazing the skin next to Jimin's hard cock. "Wanna come with my hand around your pretty neck?" 

"Hyung, please let me come, please, please," Jimin begs, moaning loudly as Jungkook's cock hits him just right. He's breathless, unable to think about anything but how good he feels, how full. 

"How much do you want it?" Jungkook taunts. Jimin moans out, please, please, please, hyung, and Jungkook rams into him harder, hitting his prostate dead on with each thrust. Pleasure runs up Jimin's spine, setting him alight. He feels himself lose control, burning brighter and brighter, flying higher and higher. It feels too good, he can't seem to think about anything else than the overwhelming pleasure crashing over him, over and over. He can feel himself let go, the orgasm shaking him to his core. He's never come untouched before and kind of thought it was a legend, but once again, Jungkook's making him rethink his beliefs. 

Jungkook stands up, holding Jimin up with him, fucking him through his orgasm. The display of strength further drives Jimin over the edge, he fucking loves that Jungkook can lift him up like this and make it seem so easy and effortless. Jimin's head is a mess of euphoria, satisfaction and delirium as he releases all over Jungkook's shirt. 

Without a warning, Jungkook pulls out of him, some lube trickling out of Jimin's hole, and carefully yet swiftly places him on the floor. Jimin's knees burn slightly against the carpet from the sudden movement, but he couldn't care less. Easily following Jungkook's line of thinking, he eagerly opens his mouth, sticking out his tongue, inviting Jungkook to release down his throat. 

Jungkook wastes no time pulling off the condom and guiding his cock in Jimin's mouth next. Jimin likes the weight of Jungkook's cock in his mouth, cherishes the broken moan Jungkook lets out when Jimin's lips wrap around him and start sucking.  

Jungkook grunts when Jimin speeds up, choking on his cock. 

"Fuck, baby..." Jungkook murmurs, stroking Jimin's hair. He's a goner already, Jimin knows exactly what he can do with his thick lips, quick tongue, and hardly existent gag reflex. Seconds later, Jungkook's warm come slides down Jimin's throat and Jimin swallows it all, even smirks cheekily at Jungkook who just stares at him for a while.  

"You did so good, baby," the rapper says once his breathing evens out a bit more, kneeling down in front of Jimin to kiss him. "You're so good."

"God, Jungkook..." Jimin breathes out, almost chuckling if he had enough energy for that. 

Jungkook smiles. "Good?" 

"Yeah. You were fucking incredible, baby. Made me feel so good. But tonight was supposed to be about you," Jimin scolds gently. 

"You said anything I want, right?" When Jimin nods, Jungkook grins. "I wanted to see if you could come untouched." His grin doesn't falter even when Jimin rolls his eyes at him. "Rest on the bed, I'll get you water." 

Jimin shakes his head. "I don't think I can move." 

"I'll lift you." 

Jimin pushes his hands away. "It's okay, I can rest on the floor, too."

Jungkook's eyes turns stern. "Jimin." 

"Jungkook," Jimin responds, eyes twinkling with mischief. Without a word, Jungkook lifts Jimin on the bed with ease that makes Jimin consider fucking him again because that's hot, and leaves to get Jimin water after handing him a box of tissues to wipe himself clean with. 

When he comes back, Jimin's on his phone, lounging on Jungkook's bed like he belongs there. 

"Hyung texted. They are really struggling to find a new person for our media liaisons. Minhyuk-ssi quit out of nowhere right after we got home from Japan, probably got a better job offer while we were there," Jimin says, sipping his water while Jungkook strips out of his cum-covered clothes and plops down on the bed next to him.  

Jungkook looks away. "Yeah, that's probably what happened." 

"Why he did that, who knows, but we're really screwed without him." Jimin stretches his arms. "Ugh, I'm so tired. Why don't we hook up at my place more? I hate dragging myself home after we fuck," he complains, setting the now empty glass on Jungkook's night stand.

"Your apartment is too small," Jungkook teases and laughs boisterously when Jimin smacks his head with a pillow. 

"It's not small!" 

"It suits you, shorty." He kisses Jimin. "A hobbit house for a—"

Jimin glares at him. "Finish that sentence, Jeon Jungkook, I fucking dare you."

Jungkook thinks better of it, and smoothly transitions to another topic. "You know, there's an apartment opening at this building, though. 32nd floor, with a view of the city. Dawon noona is moving out," he explains as though that was the reason why Jimin is staring at him. 

Jimin makes sure not to let his voice show anything more than mild interest. "Oh."

"I don't understand why you insist on living in the middle of nowhere."

Jimin shrugs. "I like the privacy. And I like that my apartment has character. All these new skyscrapers just seem so soulless to me, I don't think I'd ever feel at home there."

"Home is where the heart is, Mini," Jungkook reminds with a smile, and Jimin's heart skips a beat. 

Jimin hesitates, but asks anyway, voice low and eyes fixed only at his phone, "And you think my heart would be home here?"

He dares a glance at Jungkook who shrugs. "It might," Jungkook replies without actually answering. "Just think how much easier it would be to go home after we fuck." 

Jimin can't figure Jungkook out at all anymore. One minute, he feels distant and Jimin's sure that he's losing him. Then the next minute, he's kissing him and telling him about an apartment opening in his building, so it'd be easier for them to hook up. What does he want? 

"I'll think about it," Jimin says in pretend nonchalance. He looks for his shirt, suddenly feeling exposed. Buttoning the shirt back up, his gaze falls on his body, lingering on a purple bruise right under his hip bone and two more on the inside of his thigh.

"Jungkook. I said no marks," Jimin complains even as blood is rushing to his cheeks at the surprisingly possessive gesture. It's needless, of course. Jimin's already crushing so fucking hard on Korea's most infamous 'no strings attached' heartbreaker slash daydream that he couldn't think about anyone else even if he wanted to. 

Jungkook glances at him and shrugs. "You said no marks on your chest or neck," he reminds with the innocent smile of a devil playing on his lips. "The only way he'll see these is if you'll take your underwear off, so what's the problem?"

Jimin narrows his eyes at Jungkook's nonchalant tone. "Look how that worked out," he remarks. "Are you seriously still jealous of Jin hyung? I told you, we're just friends." 

Jungkook laughs, the sound sharp. "Why would I be jealous when I've already got you?" 

Jungkook seems to think that he's in some dick measuring contest with Seokjin, only Seokjin is blissfully unaware of any competition taking place. In a way, Jimin shouldn't be surprised: Jungkook is really competitive and loves challenges. The best way to make Jungkook work his ass off is to tell him there was something that he couldn't do. That was probably what made him chase after Jimin, too. The ice prince of Korea's exclusive modeling world whose smile belonged to everyone but his heart to no one. Maybe fucking Jimin was a fun little challenge. 

Stop, Jimin tells himself sternly, trying to whack the ugly insecurity back into whichever hole it crawled out of. He's not like that, he's not Yoonho. Stop.

"That's just it, pumpkin. I'm not yours and never will be," Jimin reminds harshly, but he's not sure which one of them the reminder is really meant for. 

"Should I make you mine, then?" Jungkook asks, pulling Jimin back to bed. 

"Seriously– Jungk– I'll be– late–" Jimin tries to resist, but he is giggling too hard to be able to make out whole sentences. Jungkook holds Jimin's hips, pulling him on top of him and stealing kisses. 

Jimin shakes his head. "You can't touch me anymore," he orders. 

Jungkook raises a brow. "Why not?" 

"You'll make me late."

"You're always late. And don't they all wait for Korea's sweetheart anyway?"

"I'm not going to a photo shoot. I'm meeting the boyfriend," Jimin reveals reluctantly, and then feels like biting his tongue off. "I mean... I'm meeting Jin hyung." 

Jungkook lets him go as if Jimin's skin suddenly burns his fingers. The atmosphere plummets, diving into silence. Jimin bites the inside of his cheek, cursing himself. He's not sure why sorry lingers on his lips. This whole 'thing' between them has become a huge mess. It's a maze of blurred lines and misunderstandings, and there seems to be no way out. 

He told Jungkook once that the rapper was forgetting who they were to each other, but maybe it's the other way around. Jimin's the one slipping, not Jungkook. He should have told Jungkook goodbye right after Yoongi brought up the idea of dating Seokjin. He has been playing with fire, enjoying the warmth radiating from the flames. He's the one making things complicated and difficult by insisting on still seeing Jungkook.

Getting caught with Jungkook would not only be disastrous for Jimin's career; there's something else, nagging in the back of Jimin's mind. He knows himself: if he stays too close for too long, he'll fall for Jungkook, and he doesn't want the heartache. Doesn't want to force Jungkook to tell him again that he doesn't want anything serious. He already knows; has known all this time that their relationship has an expiration date. 

"Oh." Jungkook glances outside, taking in the darkness. "It's kind of late for a date."

"It's not a date. I'm sleeping over at hyung's place."

"You're sleeping over at Kim Seokjin's place?" He's so fucking tired of hearing Kim Seokjin's name fall from Jimin's lips. He's tired of wondering what Jimin sounds like moaning out Kim Seokjin's name, if he says it the same way he breathes out Jungkook's name, out of his mind, breathless. If Seokjin knows how to touch him the way Jungkook does. 

"Yeah." Jimin stands up, suddenly unsure of his feet. "So I should get going." 

"Then go." He wants to scream out loud, tear off his hair in frustration. Instead, he stays silent and pulls out a cigarette and a lighter from the drawer.

"Put that away," Jimin commands as expected when he notices what Jungkook is doing and wrinkles his nose in disgust. Jimin hates his smoking. Once Jungkook had smoked before coming to meet him, so Jimin told him to go home. Jungkook would never admit it, but after that he made damn sure not to smoke before (or after, even) meeting up with Jimin – unless he wanted to pick a fight.

Jungkook's only response is inhaling and then blowing a smoke-filled kiss at him. Jimin frowns and attempts to take the cigarette from Jungkook's hand. Jungkook tricks Jimin to lean closer, pulling back until Jimin is close enough to be given a kiss.

Jimin huffs at the taste of smoke and pushes Jungkook away by his chest. "Gross," he whines.

"What? Your precious boyfriend doesn't like the smell of cigarettes on you?" Jungkook taunts. It's like he needs to hear Jimin say the words, wants to pour acid into the open wound to make sure that it's all destroyed, that there truly is nothing left for him to miss when Jimin leaves.  

"I don't like smoking which you very well know," Jimin replies in a cold voice. 

"You don't? Wow, how come you've never said anything," Jungkook mutters to himself while Jimin pulls out his phone and texts someone. The boyfriend, probably. It's always the boyfriend.

It doesn't even surprise him anymore, how bitter the thought tastes like. 

"Second round with your boyfriend? You lucky dog." Jungkook whistles, forcing out a smirk. There's something really fucking ugly burning deep in his chest, and as hard as he tries to detach himself from Jimin, it just won't stop hurting. 

Jimin frowns. "It's not like that. I just— you know, it doesn't even matter." He stares at Jungkook, tries to see past the impassive expression, but no matter how hard he looks, he can't seem to push through Jungkook's walls. 

Jungkook brings the cigarette to his lips again, breathing in. Jimin has enough, takes the cigarette from Jungkook's hand and puts it out on the white shirt Jungkook was wearing while he fucked him. It's petty and stupid, but Jimin's too irked to care. 

"What's your problem?" he challenges even though everything in him is screaming don't rock the boat, don't make him leave you. 

"Don't have one. Hope you have a great time at your boyfriend's house," Jungkook says, reaching for the packet to light up another, but then Jimin throws the entire box on the floor. 

Jungkook glances at him. "What's your problem, babe?" he asks, but the petname almost sounds like a curse. 

Jimin just stares at him for a moment. Jungkook's definitely mad, and Jimin doesn't know what do about that. He can't escape it anymore, the terrible decisions he has made and their effect on others. 

"Maybe... maybe we should stop for a while. You know, cool things off," Jimin starts, forcing himself through great effort to articulate clearly. The words taste like metal; he's giving up the only fun thing in his life. The only person who doesn't expect him to be an angel. 

He glances at Jungkook who doesn't say a word. He can't: can't form one fucking word because there it is. Jungkook's been expecting for Jimin to call things off ever since he started dating Seokjin, and here they are. Japan felt different, but apparently only to him. 

Jimin glances cautiously at the rapper who rolls his eyes, regaining his ability to speak. "Don't you get tired of this?" Jungkook asks. 

"Of what?" Jimin asks in a voice that is only slightly more than a whisper. 

"Of always saying you're leaving. Is it fun? Would you like me to beg you not to leave me?" Jungkook all but hisses. There is something jamming its way through his chest like a dull speer, creating a bleeding hole where his heart used to be.

Jimin sighs. "Jungkook, I'm not trying to—"

"What are you trying to do?" Jungkook interrupts, not wanting to hear it. The hole in his chest seems to grow bigger with each word Jimin speaks; soon there'll be nothing left of him. 

"You just seem to be struggling a lot with this thing I have with Seokjin hyung," Jimin points out, finally acknowledging what has been nagging at him for weeks. "Maybe a break would—"

He thinks he knows why Jungkook's acting like this, he's been wondering for a while already. It would have been difficult to miss Jungkook's flaming dislike for Seokjin. He's not an idiot, he just doesn't know how to address the issue. Jungkook should just come outright and tell him. But at the same time, he's terrified Jungkook will do just that because then what? He can't leave Seokjin and he doesn't want to cut Jungkook loose. What will it help to talk about it?

Jungkook scoffs, the sound bitter as it lands in the otherwise quiet room. "Just say you want me out of the way, so you can date him." He wants to say that it's fine and that he doesn't care what Jimin will do, even if he starts dating Kim fucking Seokjin, but the words just won't come out. 

"That's not what I want," Jimin argues. Can't you see that this is the last thing I want?

"Then what the fuck do you want? I can't figure you out anymore," Jungkook says, keeping his voice even and calm because he's not going to fight about this. If Jimin wants him out of the way, he's gone. 

Jimin stares at him, gnawing on his bottom lip unknowingly. "I want..."

You.

But if he says it, will Jungkook take it the wrong way? He already seems fed up with Jimin. What if Jimin admits that he wants more? Jungkook would think Jimin is one of those clingy, annoying types who don't know to leave before they are asked to leave. But Japan... Japan felt different. Japan felt like they could be kind of good together. But if he is reading this wrong, if he says the wrong thing and asks for too much, he could lose Jungkook altogether.

Having some part of Jungkook is better than having none of him.

Jimin goes for the safer option. "I want us to be like we were before." 

Jungkook huffs. "And what were we like before?" 

Jimin shrugs, avoiding his eyes. "I don't know."

Not this.

"Just rip off the band-aid, Jimin. It's fine, I'm a big boy," Jungkook says, voice tight like a bowstring. 

"It's not like this is a big deal for you," Jimin remarks bitterly. Jungkook will just move on to the next pretty thing that catches his eyes. Someone else will get his gentle kisses, his cute laughter, his kind eyes, his goofy jokes. It's fine, really. It was always going to come down to this. "Just call the next person on your hookups list."

If he says it first, then it won't hurt as badly when Jungkook does move on. 

Jungkook glares at him. "Are you fucking kidding me?" he snaps, standing up. The facade of calm and collected melts away, making way for the pulsing hurt and heartbreak exploding in his chest. 

Jimin looks at him, startled. "Why are you getting angry?" 

Jungkook makes a show about checking the time of the clock on his wrist. "Shouldn't you get going, baby? Your boyfriend's waiting. I'd hate to keep you past your curfew," he says, and Jimin expected venom, but it still hurts. 

"Jungkook—" he starts, hesitant. He wants to tell Jungkook how he really feels, but that's dangerous. Hearts break so easily, shattering like glass at small words and actions; he already knows how badly rejection fucking hurts, how it tastes like blood in his mouth.   

"You've got a good thing going, baby. You fuck me and go home to him. Gotta respect the hustle," Jungkook says with a scowl, picking up Jimin's discarded pants and handing them over to Jimin who reluctantly puts them on. While Jungkook's at it, he picks up the lighter and the pack of cigarettes Jimin threw on the floor. 

"No, it's not like that—" Jimin tries to explain, but he doubts Jungkook would like it better to hear that the reason Jimin is sleeping over at Seokjin's is because there's a camera crew coming by first thing in the morning to interview them at 'their' apartment.

"No, no, I get it. He looks good with you. He's the right kind. You're the 'Cutie Couple', right?" Jungkook says, imitating the ad again. He can only imagine how happy Jimin's company was about the timing for the project's launch; it erased every last shred of doubt about Korea's angel dating that dirty tattooed rapper who helped him once. Everyone else must have been relieved, too, to hear that it wasn't true.  

Jimin frowns. "That's not true, Jungkook, come on—" 

Jungkook scoffs. "Perfect Park Jimin and his perfect boyfriend. God, you two make me sick. Your project is a fucking joke." Something ugly and horrible roars in his chest when he thinks about Jimin with Seokjin. It's ridiculous that to promote something two people have to pretend to be together in order to make it sell better. And he hates that it hurts, hates that it scorns him, hates that he can't stop thinking about Jimin with someone else. 

Jimin glares at him. "I get that you don't care about my career or me, but it's all I have, okay? I can't lose it. And I realize that it may seem pretty ridiculous to you, but I love my job. It's everything to me." 

Jungkook stares at him. He doesn't care? Hasn't he jumped through every hoop? Hasn't he followed every goddamn rule Jimin sets? He thinks he has been a pretty fucking good sport about all of this so far. But this? Sleepovers at Jimin's fucking crush's house? No fucking way.

He put up with the fake dates, the blatant flirting, he even let it go when another guy bought his Jimin some fucking couple rings, but this?! What the fuck has Jungkook been so careful for? He gets scolded if he doesn't wait exactly two minutes before leaving after Jimin, so no one will think they were together? He can't talk to Jimin in public? He can't tell anyone about Jimin, not even his friends? He just has to sit and listen to their jaded jokes about how he can't commit to anyone? He jumps through every fucking hoop Jimin wants just to get twenty minutes of Jimin's attention? 

He doesn't care?!

"Yeah, you're right. That's exactly what I think. You got it, baby," Jungkook replies, sarcasm dripping from his voice as he lights up another cigarette, wishing Jimin would just leave already since that's what he wants to do. 

Jimin glares at him and makes another attempt to take the cigarette from him, but this time Jungkook dodges him. "Jungkook, listen to me." 

"Boyfriend doesn't like the smell of cigarettes on you, right? Get going."

Jimin's eyes are shooting daggers at him. "You know what, Jeon Jungkook? Do whatever the fuck you want, I don't care," he snaps, picking up his bag. 

Jungkook watches him go, sense of burning righteousness in his chest. He knew Jimin would leave. It's better to tell him to go than beg him to stay. 

"You know, you can be really fucking heartless sometimes," Jimin hisses before he leaves, door slamming closed after him. 

Jungkook vehemently disagrees. He wishes he were heartless. This would all be a million times easier if he didn't have a heart. His eyes land on the ring still lying forgotten on his nightstand, hardening his heart. 

Fuck rules. He never liked them.

Chapter Text

They don't see each other for a while after that. Long breaks between meetings are not unusual for them; they are both busy people with careers that take up most of their time. Besides, the key to keeping their fuck buddies status a secret is to not be predictable enough for the paparazzi or the sasaengs to catch wind of them.

But this time they are keeping quiet out of a different reason. 

Jimin sulks for days and throws himself into work. It works for a while, but soon nothing keeps his thoughts away from Jungkook. He's like a man possessed, obsessing and mulling over every detail of their last meeting. 

He gets why Jungkook is mad, he saw it coming after all. This is how it always goes: people get angry, people leave. Jimin lives in a glass diamond that shines so beautifully but one that isn't as radiant up close. And sometimes, people cut their fingers on the diamond's sharp edges, despite Jimin telling them not to try their luck. Jungkook is just another person lost, another relationship smothered to death by Jimin's ever present paranoia; another golden coffin buried in the garden that looks so blooming, so beautiful to the untrained eye. 

Mostly, Jimin's just mad at himself. This is a problem he's created. He shouldn't have been dating anyone in the first place, let alone have a secret hookup and a fake boyfriend. When did this become his life? When did modeling turn from a way to pay for studies into a survival strategy?

He likes his job, yes. He gets to do a lot of things other people don't, travel all over the world, meet the most fascinating people. But what happened to the person he used to be? The person who wasn't scared to hold someone's hand in public? The person who thought he'd go to a university, graduate and start some steady job? The person who could leave his house without needing an armed guard? Models are not usually as famous as he is without being idols, but Jimin spent years building himself a social media presence that made him the sweetheart he is now known for. His company likes to tell him that they made him: that their product placements led Jimin into bigger and bigger deals, and maybe it did, but Yoongi insists that it's Jimin's personality that made him so popular. Korea is full of beautiful people, just looks aren't enough anymore. 

The suits at the company never want to hear it, but Yoongi doesn't let that bother him. It's the reason why Jimin trusts him so much: he has seen, time and time again, how Yoongi fights for him, always choosing the best option for Jimin. 

After hitting 35 minutes of angry jogging on his Nordic Track, Jimin realizes that the only way he will feel better is by resolving things with Jungkook. It's what they're supposed to do: they stop talking and then start all up again, ending the separation with a nice and rough fucking. That's how simple it used to be, but Jimin doesn't know how to be around Jungkook at the moment.

He keeps his distance, traveling out of Korea for two different photo shoots. Sometimes, he checks his phone, waiting for a text or a call to appear, but it never does, and he pretends not to notice the disappointment swirling in his stomach at yet another notificationless screen he stares at.

With his international tour right around the corner, Jimin knows that Jungkook must be practicing around the clock, so it's not that surprising. They agreed from the start that their careers would always come first, so the break isn't out of the ordinary; in the beginning of the year they had stopped meeting up for a few months, too, while Jungkook was on tour. 

But the silence never lasts, and Jimin hears about Jungkook soon enough. Just not in the way he was hoping to. 

Jimin is out shopping with his friends, standing in the fitting room of his favorite luxury brand. He's admiring the way the thin white shirt hugs his torso when his ears perk up at a familiar name. The host of the radio channel blasting 'newest, sassiest hits' playing at the store mentions something about Jungkook's new song breaking records and attracting attention.

Jimin frowns. Jungkook's album isn't due yet, what song is the host talking about? Has Jungkook released a cover like he sometimes does?  

Feeling curious, he picks up his phone and opens Twitter. The app is on the verge of crashing: it appears that everyone and their mother have something to say at the exact same time. It takes forever to load Jungkook's page, but before it glitches again, Jimin manages to catch the name of the song from the link. 

king_of_hearts.mp3

Jimin belatedly notices that he has a notification for Jungkook's Soundcloud. After desperately searching for his headphones and finally locating them in the pit of his front pocket, he taps on the notification and presses play on the song.

Soft piano intro starts playing, enchanting the listener before an intricate beat picks up and the first verse begins. From the first words spoken Jimin feels his body shut down. Ice builds in his heart, coursing through his veins until all he feels is cold rage.

said you'd heard of me 

good

then you know whose name to scream

draw the cards, draw the cards

let's hear what the future's got for us

draw the cards, you're the King of Hearts

Korea's sweetheart isn't that sweet after all

can't let anyone see who you really are 

Jimin has to pause the song for a second to breathe. His heart is beating like crazy, like he's being chased. 

He presses play again.

hate that you're awake because you think of me

only me, only me, you hate how I live even in your dreams 

I rule a kingdom but you rule over me

baby, I'll build you an altar, bow at your feet

God, you're the prettiest devil I've ever seen

drag me to hell, I'll never leave

you're mine to lose but never to keep

Jimin's fingers grip the phone in his hand so hard he's sure it will be crumple. 

draw the cards, draw the cards

look at you, baby, you're the King of Hearts

you leave my back scratched up

then claim you got caught up

just admit it; you like me marked up

kiss my throat, bob your head

moan so loud, hold onto the bedspread

I'll bruise your hips, claim your lips

fuck you so hard, make you hiss

you can have me any way you want

all of me, maybe nothing at all

I love it when you beg, I have no shame 

I bet all your neighbors know my name

I was the Emperor, at the height of my fame 

now I've fucking lost at my own game

Let's play again, best out of three?

King of Hearts made a Fool of me

Each lyric like a slap to his face, detailing their relationship and everything wrong with it. Jimin sits down on the bench in the fitting room, playing the song again. The sweet venom in Jungkook's words, the soft piano in the background that is somehow so painstakingly Jimin, it all strikes him just as hard as the first time. The beat pounds harder and harder, consuming the listener with each word. 

This time, the second verse catches his ears. 

draw the cards, draw the cards

smile at the crowd, you're the King of Hearts 

wear their hearts like victory marks

I like it better when you wear nothing at all

I'm the Fool, I'll play by your rules

you're the King, tell me what to do

I ask for too much, then beg for more 

a fucking Fool, this is all I'm good for

it's okay it's okay

isn't that what I'm supposed to say

that it's okay it's okay

fuck

what does he have that I don't

what does he have that I don't

what does he have that I don't

fucking tell me why he's the one you chose

I promise I only care too fucking much

baby, just riddle me that, riddle me this

does my name taste the same as his? 

Jimin has to pause the song again, glaring at himself in the full length mirrors, resisting the urge to shatter the mirrored glass with his phone. Blood pumps in his veins, marching up his body like an army preparing for battle. He almost feels delirious, this isn't really happening. 

draw the cards draw the cards

smile at the crowd, you're the King of Hearts

look at me, baby, I'm your Knave

ready to serve, let me ease your pain

give me an order, make me behave

dig me a grave, I'll lie down and wait

put me in chains, I'll never escape

wave for the crowd, steal my breath

make me crave for your kiss of death

don't look now if you're afraid

with one last smile, the King of Hearts has won again

I'm a fucking Fool for you baby

The song started out cocky, taunting, but as the beat picked up, it grows more and more vicious until the last word is but a bitter breath. I'm a fucking Fool for you, baby. 

Jimin's hands shake when he pauses the song and texts Jungkook. 

Mini 🐥

fuck you

He doesn't have to wait long for a reply.

Koo 🐰

name time and place

Figuring he won't get a real answer via text, Jimin dials Jungkook's number next. Jungkook answers after a few rings, clearly after letting the phone ring for a while and marinating Jimin in his anger.

"Hey, baby," Jungkook greets in that cocky voice that Jimin hates so much when he finally has the decency to answer. Just that one word is enough to pour gasoline into the wildfire roaming in Jimin's chest. 

"What part of 'let's not tell anyone' do you not fucking understand?" Jimin hisses, frantically looking around and praying that no fans or reporters happen to be eavesdropping outside the fitting booth. 

"I haven't said a word about you to anyone," Jungkook points out cheekily, but Jimin's not in the mood for jokes. 

"Really fucking funny."

"Come over." 

Jimin's jaw actually drops at Jungkook's audacity. "No. I'm not going to meet up with you after what you just pulled," he hisses.  

"What can I say, my king? You inspire me," Jungkook taunts, and Jimin grits his teeth. Then he hears someone in the background ask Jungkook who he's talking to, and Jungkook replies, "No one." 

Jimin's blood runs a little hotter at that. No one? He's no one? Just another one of Jungkook's many conquests that Jimin always has to hear about from his friends in the industry or read about every time he opens any social media app? He's no one, yet Jungkook wrote an entire fucking song about him? Is that why Jungkook's kept him around? For song material? 

"I couldn't meet you tonight even if I wanted to which for the record, I don't. I'm going on a date with Jin hyung," Jimin fires back more viciously than he maybe meant to. 

"So? Blow it off. It's not real anyway, he's not going to care," Jungkook says arrogantly, and Jimin really wishes they weren't doing this over the phone just so he could throttle him. 

"I'm not going to blow hyung off to come blow you. I actually like him,"  he hisses.   

"I could blow you instead if that's what you want," Jungkook suggests in a low voice that promises dark, exciting things. Things that Jimin knows from experience Jungkook can and will deliver. Getting lost in the good memories of Jungkook's wicked tongue and hands on him, Jimin almost agrees to meet him.

But then someone Jungkook is with puts on the song Jungkook wrote about Jimin. With everybody hooting and singing along, Jimin's heart quickly freezes over again. 

Jimin glares at the ceiling in Jungkook's stead. "All you can do is blow me off. What you want is to be set free, right? I'm some sort of a cruel king who holds you back?" 

Jungkook scoffs. "Of course you'd hear it like that."

"Well, don't worry. You won't hear from me again. Consider yourself freed. If I want my dick sucked, I'll just ask my boyfriend," Jimin snaps and presses to end the call. To escape the temptation of finding Jungkook, he even turns his phone off. It should feel like they are even now, and yet he still doesn't feel satisfied. Jungkook is under his skin, burning like a fever.

Jimin stops seething after a day of frantic Naver searches proves that no one has figured out the song is about him. He still won't reach out, though: Jungkook needs to learn a lesson. 

Jungkook's quiet, too; according to social media Jimin begrudgingly checked after not hearing from him again, Jungkook was already out of the country when the song was released, so there's zero chance of them running into each other. It's not that Jimin expected Jungkook to chase after him, but the silence feels deafening. 

The most annoying part is that the song is good, really good. Jimin finds himself humming it while in the shower, at the gym, at his singing lessons when he is supposed to be warming up his voice. The slow trance beat is almost hypnotic, making Jungkook's voice and the lyrics he spits inescapable. 

draw the cards, draw the cards

look at you, baby, you're the King of Hearts

you leave my back scratched up

then claim you got caught up

just admit it; you like me marked up

The song makes him so fucking angry; each lyric tantalizing and burning under his skin. To his credit, Jungkook never says anything so specific that Jimin could be identified by anyone else but them two. To Jimin, however, he might as well be screaming Jimin's name over the intricate beat. The song is riddled with references and implications only Jimin would understand. 

"Jungkook's song is really good, huh?" his vocal coach Mrs. Kim chuckles when she notices Jimin's obsession. 

Jimin blushes. "Yes, seonsaeng-nim," he admits because at least that much is true. Even if he hates the subject of the song, it's still a great song. Annoying, irritating, maddeningly great song. "He's really talented, right?" 

His teacher nods. "I really enjoy his voice, too. I think that if he hadn't become a rapper, he could have been the most beloved singer in Korea," she says pensively. "His vocal techniques are flawless, and in some songs, where he sings his own backup vocals, you can really hear the talent and his years of hard work." 

Jimin nods because even as annoyed as he's with Jungkook, he agrees. Jungkook's ridiculously talented. "One has to practice hard to get to his level, right?"

She smiles. "That's right." 

"I thought you were my vocal teacher, though," Jimin teases. "Do I have to fight for the number one position in your heart, seonsaeng-nim?"

Mrs. Kim shakes her head, smiling. "You're always my number one. I just really admire Jungkookie. Your voices are very different, but I think they would complement one another rather nicely. Maybe one day once you've debuted as a singer, we'll get to hear your voices in one song."

Jimin lets out a joyless laugh. Sure, as soon as Hell freezes over. 

"Probably not, seonsaeng-nim. Jungkook's not... He's not really what my company wants for me. If I ever do get to debut as a singer, it's probably just going to be endlessly boring ballads for me, and that's really not Jungkook's style. Him and I, we are like oil and water. Incompatible," Jimin adds in a lower voice. 

His teacher looks at him and then very carefully states, "Jimin... I think you're forgetting who you are to this company. They were about to go bankrupt when they recruited you. You are their miracle, their savior. Don't want to sing ballads? Then don't. Speak your mind. Demand respect the way you would from anyone else. You have a lot more power over this company than you realize. Why do you think your agent has gotten you every project you've ever expressed interest in?" 

Jimin grins. "Because Yoongi hyung is one of the undead and people are terrified of him?"

She laughs. "That, too," she agrees, eyes twinkling. But her face grows more serious as she regards Jimin. "But mainly because you are this company's most valuable asset. You could probably have the most freedom out of all the idols in Korea. Stop underestimating yourself, Jimin. You are too damn talented to sit back and let other people dictate your career." 

Jimin nods, baffled. "Thank you, seonsaeng-nim." 

Jimin can't seem to escape the song. It's all over the news: Jungkook is breaking all kinds of records, and everyone is even more in love with him than before, demanding a music video despite the song having been released unofficially on SoundCloud.

Jimin watches in silent wrath how people everywhere wonder who the song is about, who Jungkook is dating in secret; throwing around the names of idols, businessmen, even politicians alike. He even reads threads Jungkook's fans made about the song. 

@hungkook: theory time bros!! who do you think jjk's newest masterpiece is about????

   @memeseven *12 days until cb*: this dick

   @lisakook: lisa

      @marnie86: big sigh

      @stan L • O • O • N • A: it's now been three years since that one photo of them standing in each other's vicinity. yes it was fun and giggles to think merely breathing the same air made them a couple, but it's time to let go and get a real job, hunny. 

   @starcrossedjjk: you're all so childish. he's obviously talking about himself and how he's conflicted between being himself and being a rapper loved by millions

      @jisoo [hiatus]: uh oh i smell a party-pooper

      @haneul☆: so... he wants to fuck himself so hard it makes him hiss? 

      @kimseokjinfucks: oh my god you don't have to take everything so literally. he's an artist, art has a lot of meanings

      @hungkook: hey if jjk wants to fuck himself, i'm rooting for him 

      @haneul☆: tbh he needs to get in line 😤 we all wanna fuck jjk he's not special

      @hungkook: skksksks they'd make a beautiful couple. jjk + jjk = tru luv

      @haneul☆: omg their shipname could be jung+jung = 2jung! how cute ♡♡ 

      @hungguk: more like hungjung ayyy

      @starcrossedjjk: i hate this fucking fandom

The guesses get on Jimin's nerves for reasons he doesn't want to get into, but at least some of them make him laugh, albeit a bit reluctantly. Jungkook's hyungs and closest mentors, the most anti-capitalist and fuck-the-system people Jimin has ever met, would jump off a cliff if their baby dated a damn politician. It amuses him that despite claiming to be Jungkook's biggest fans, some of the people online making the guesses seem to know next to nothing about their 'oppa'. 

The next few nights at dance practice their choreographer plays Jungkook's song while they warm up. Jimin's company insists on him participating in dance lessons although he doesn't even have a debut song let alone a choreography yet. Jimin doesn't mind, though; he used to dance as a child, and it feels good to return to his roots. 

The way the song starts makes Jimin think of the time Jungkook and he first met. God, Jungkook had been insufferable already back then and only got worse with time. 

said you'd heard of me 

good

then you know whose name to scream

The lyric is so direct, so suggestive that it has his cheeks feeling warmer. Cocky lyrics are nothing new in Jungkook's musical repertoire, but he has never written anything about Jimin before. It's like he has been holding back for a while and then just let every dam break, every barrier fall and wrangled all that raw energy into the cage of one song that has everyone losing their minds. It's part a call-out song, part a love letter – the seamless switch between the two is what makes the song so captivating. 

If only people knew that the feelings behind the song aren't real. 

Being a model sucks at times like these; there is no one Jimin can confide in without the fear of a blow back. His old friends who aren't in the industry wouldn't understand, and his celebrity friends are too busy and he doesn't want to bother them with his problems; his model friends might use the information to their advantage, maybe even release it if it helped their own career. Model industry is cold and cruel, a dagger made out of jewels, ready to cut the throat of the person admiring its shine. Sometimes Jimin thinks that he should have fought his company to be an idol instead of a model. If he were an idol in a group, he could at least talk to the other members because outing Jimin's dirty laundry would hurt the group as a collective which they wouldn't risk. 

The only person Jimin could really talk to is the same person who wrote the song. He hadn't even noticed how much he had relied on Jungkook to calm him down. But it's true: he had grown used to seeking out Jungkook when he's stressed. Now, he's left craving the way Jungkook can make him feel at ease, the way he can make him forget. 

The realization hits him hard. Jungkook was supposed to be just some fun behind closed doors, a forbidden fruit that Jimin just had to have. Nothing serious, nothing permanent. 

Nothing that could break his heart like the last guy did. 

Jimin's heart eases up a bit when he gets out of the country for a small shoot. While there, he's also expected to give interviews to the local media about a new deal he just signed which he quite honestly hates doing. Mainly because it feels like many of them are expecting him to be on his knees, beyond grateful to be the new face of their local beauty company. They often completely disregard all the success he has had beforehand in other countries, continents even, only focusing on him 'breaking through' in their corner of a huge, multinational industry. 

Due to bad experiences before, Jimin goes in with low expectations, but the interviews are surprisingly nice: he even gets to play with puppies in one of them. 

Then comes the interview he had been waiting for the most because the interviewer speaks Korean. He thought he'd be more comfortable with someone from a similar ethnicity, but as the interview goes on, Jimin begins to realize that their shared language is the only thing they have in common.

The interviewer is brazen and rude and only looking to break through Jimin's sweet image. Only a year ago, Jimin might have cracked under the pressure, might have shown discomfort, but he's stronger now. 

That doesn't mean she's not trying her hardest, though. 

"Jimin-ssi, you have a lot of admirers. And your fans seem to have loud opinions when it comes to your dating life," the interviewer says just then, and it's such a loaded question, a hallway with a carpet of landmines. One wrong step, and Jimin will alienate his fans and lose his career because he's nothing without his fans's support; that he has been taught since the beginning. 

So, he chooses his next words very carefully. The interviewer's on the more aggressive side, and she seems annoyed that she isn't getting under Jimin's skin like she clearly was hoping to.  

"I think my fans care a lot about me and want me to be happy, both with my career and in personal life. Their dedication and love is what drives me. I'm only able to do my dream job because of my fans," Jimin replies with a sweet smile. It's not even textbook, it's straight up Park Jimin level of a fucking amazing answer. This is what he excels at, this is what he's—

"How about Jungkook whom saved you only last month? Do your fans approve of him? Is he boyfriend material?" the interviewer pries. 

The blood in Jimin's veins turns to ice, his stomach dropping to his fucking knees, he's a sparrow in a bruising blizzard, no hope of making it through. 

What? What kind of question is that? Does she know? Has something been leaked? Does everyone know that Jungkook wrote the song about Jimin? Does everyone know that Jimin used to get fucked by Jeon Jungkook on the regular? 

Pull yourself together and squash whatever she thinks she knows. 

Jimin forces out a hearty laugh that by some miracle doesn't sound as fake as what he feels like. "Jeon Jungkook? Wow, these guesses never fail to entertain me. I think my favorite was the crown prince I was supposedly dating last year," he says with a warm smile that took half of his heart to form. 

When you don't know what to say, smile. 

"We were all very moved when he defended you during that airport incident," the interviewer insists. She's really trying to dig out a scandal, but Jimin has practiced too hard for too long to let his secrets be revealed so easily.  

He laughs again. "Ah, yes. Jungkook-ssi seems like a lovely person. It was kind of him to guide me for a bit." 

"So there isn't any truth to it? You aren't dating him?" the interviewer presses on. Anger flashes across Jimin, but he doesn't let it show. She's just doing her job, he tries to remind himself. Just as you are. 

"Miss Song, he's all yours," Jimin teases and pretends like the words don't taste like dirt. The interviewer laughs so wholeheartedly that it's obviously fake. She's a good performer, just not as good as Jimin. 

The rest of the interview goes on without any problems, but Jimin still feels restless. 

The restlessness won't go away, even as he returns to Korea.

It almost feels like he's going through a breakup, the radiating pain digging into his chest familiar. But this is not a breakup, Jimin decides. For him and Jungkook to qualify as a failed relationship, there should have been a relationship in the first place. They were just fuck buddies, end of story. This is not a breakup, so Jimin doesn't get to feel sad that their arrangement is over. It was bound to end soon, anyway, they only kept fucking out of convenience. Why find someone else when the person you actually want is available? 

It's best this way. He needs to focus on his career. His contract renewal still hasn't happened, and Jimin is starting to think that their CEO is delaying it on purpose to make Jimin dance any way he wants. Every time Jimin moves, he can feel the strings attached to his limbs. 

Besides, he's furious with Jungkook. He has picked up the phone so many times, about to send angry messages to Jungkook. Then he puts it down, figuring that silence is a worse response than anything else he could come up with. 

And then he picks his phone up again, this time to glare at Jungkook's stupid face via social media. God, why does Jungkook have to be so... so... infuriating? Even when he's not saying anything, he's annoying. Jimin hates himself for thinking like this, but he's even more annoyed that Jungkook isn’t even trying to reach out and apologize. Even if Jimin told him not to. 

To kill time, he scrolls through Jungkook's profile and scoffs as he notices how seldom Jungkook posts anything on his account. It doesn't mean that his account isn't active; just that someone else clearly often posts for him. It's rather obvious from how different Jungkook's captions are to the ones his team writes. 

Clearly, Jungkook's post. 

Probably not Jungkook's post. 

Just then, a blue notification pops up. Jungkook has just posted something. Jimin has already tapped on the notification before he has registered what it said. 

Jimin's jaw drops. Is Jungkook fucking serious? Since when does the Busan Playboy want a boyfriend?? What is Jungkook even playing at? And that jab about commitment issues. Is he talking about Jimin? Or just someone random other dude he's fucking? Or is it just some inside joke between him and his friends?

The urge to contact Jungkook comes back, stronger than ever. What the hell does this mean? Jimin wonders, staring at Jungkook's selca. What do you want? Then he frowns as a surprising thought swims into his mind. Is it possible? Has Jungkook seen that part of Jimin's interview? Is he getting back at Jimin for laughing at the question about dating Jungkook? 

Oh, he so doesn't get to play that card.

It was Jungkook who first told Jimin that anything even in the same zip code as commitment was out of the question because that's not what he was looking for. Jimin had eagerly agreed; his legs still wobbly from the hurricane his ex put him through. Something without any expectations had sounded perfect. But now Jungkook's changing the rules of a game that used to be so simple. 

Jimin looks at the post again, sneering at the hot photo. Fucking Jeon Jungkook. Why does he have to be like this? Jimin can't figure him out at all. He wishes he could get under Jungkook's skin the way Jungkook does his, wishes he could make the rapper feel as irritated as his post has just made Jimin. 

It's right before boarding the plane when the answer flies to him in the form of some funny animal video Seokjin sent him.

Huh. 

Following his instinct, Jimin posts a picture he took of Seokjin earlier, one that he was supposed to post already. 

At first, there's nothing, no response, and Jimin feels like an idiot. But then he checks his phone again after customs. 

There's a new post on Jungkook's page. 

He almost gasps out loud. Is Jungkook really doing this? Is he crazy? Doesn't he understand someone could somehow put two and two together? Then again, just posts don't prove anything, Jimin realizes, his heart beating a little faster. It's stupid and dangerous and definitely not what Jimin should be doing but.... he kind of wants to see if Jungkook will take it further.

Pulse going off in his ears, he posts another picture of him and Seokjin. 

There's no response anymore (if it even was a response to Jimin), and Jimin puts his phone away, back to sulking. Of course it wasn't about him. Jungkook's moved on, his post made that clear. Jimin needs to let it go, too. It was only foolish of him to think otherwise. 

He boards the plane and sleeps on Yoongi's shoulder despite the man's complaints. When he wakes up, Yoongi's head is resting against Jimin's, snoring softly. Jimin smiles to himself and cleanses his karma a bit by not pointing it out when he feels Yoongi startle awake and untangle himself off of Jimin. He waits the appropriate amount of seconds before he 'wakes' up, nodding sleepily when Yoongi mutters, cheeks flaming, that Jimin shouldn't sleep like that because it's bad for his posture. 

Once they are in Korea again, in a cab home, Jimin checks his phone again. 

There's another photo. 

Jimin can't breathe. 

"... and I just don't understand why she'd bring up Jungkook?" Dahyun wonders. Jimin glances at her, panicked at hearing the forbidden name fall from her lips, but then he realizes that she's just wondering out loud, not blaming Jimin. 

"Because she has a crush, and Jimin got a drama-worthy picture taken with him. Cheer up, Dahyun, it's really not that deep," Yoongi asserts. 

Jimin's grateful to get out of the taxi when they pull up to his apartment building. He rides the elevator to his floor, ready to launch himself on the couch and maybe scream into a throw pillow. But when he flicks the light on in the apartment's corridor, he gets the most unnerving feeling that he's not alone in there. 

Heartbeat pounding against his throat, Jimin picks up an umbrella from the shelf to defend himself and picks up his phone to dial the building's security guard's number. Then he notices the black luggage with painted dog paws on it. The luggage's owner's dog customized it by walking all over it with paint in his little feet, it's one of a kind. 

Jimin was wrong. There's one more person in the world he can rely on. 

"Taetae!" Jimin exclaims and runs up to his best friend, engulfing Kim Taehyung in a bear hug as soon as the actor emerges from the shadows, munching on an apple. "You're here!" 

Taehyung smiles into Jimin's hair. "Hi, Chim." Then he frowns, sniffing the air between like a damn tracker dog. Jimin tenses when Taehyung says, "You've got a secret, Jimin. And it's a good one."

@rosechampagne:

      lol my tl did a thing 

@jmnlov ok bros i've connected the dots

   @jungkookstoy you didn't connect shit

      @jmnlov i've connected them. they? gay

      @monitson hotel? trivago

      @petaljm: hahah it's honestly like they are talking about each other

@sarahh: delete this

@sarahh: seriously delete this

@sarahh: you are so fucking delulu it's pathetic

   @rosechampagne: ummm it's a joke?? maybe get off my dick? pls and thank u

@thighsenthusiast_97: ok calm down my daughter have jimi and koo even met????

   @hungguk: uh hunny are we forgetting what happened at the incheon airport???? twitter.com/darkest_jeon/status/867492098332700672/photo/1 my baby jjk literally saved mr. jimin from psycho fans??? 

      @thighsenthusiast_97: hmmm

Jungkook is constantly on his mind.

Feeling frustrated and so fucking horny, Jimin paces around his luxurious apartment like a tiger in its cage. It's been weeks since he last saw Jungkook, and Jimin is climbing up the walls, aching for a release that only Jungkook can bring him. He knew that Jungkook was due for an international tour, but he still feels annoyed that Jungkook would drop that fucking song and then just fly out of Korea, out of Jimin's reach, without a word.

Although Jimin did kind of tell him not to talk to him. Ever again.

Fuck.

Jimin pulls out his phone, looking to kill time. He scrolls down the feed, liking some posts by his friends and colleagues. Then he runs into a clip from an interview Jungkook did while he was in Paris. The interviewer keeps blushing as she looks at Jungkook which is kind of funny since Jungkook isn't even doing anything special, just looking at her when she speaks and smiling encouragingly when she slightly stumbles over the questions.

Then she asks if Jungkook is single.

"Yes," Jungkook replies confidently – only to proceed to shake his head and smirk at the camera. The room erupts in laughter, and the clip ends.

Jimin bites his lip so hard it might bleed and scrolls down onto the comments.

   @jkluvr: omg is he seriously dating someone??

   @haneul: WHAT JUNGKOOK WANTS, JUNGKOOK GETS! WHO'S THE BODACIOUS BABE WITHOUT COMMITMENT ISSUES, KING???

   @jungkookstoy: when was this filmed????? whos the lucky girl??

      @starcrossedjjk: he's bi, sweaty. could be a dude, too. 

   @lisakook: FUCKING CALLED IT, HE'S BACK TOGETHER WITH LISA

      @babe666: yeah i think he never got over their breakup

      @hhh98799: lmaooo they were never even together. p sure it was a fake rumor

         @busanboy: srsly hets are so fucking funny. neither one of them ever confirmed anything and there was. like. only ever TWO pictures of them together

   @femmebanana: definitely dating someone in secret. have u been listening to his music lately? the dude's in love, it's so obvious

Jimin scoffs. If Jungkook was in love with anyone, it'd be himself. Despite what the fan was trying to convey, Jimin is fairly certain that Jungkook's music has stayed the same, save for the song that he wrote about Jimin, but even that most definitely was not a love song. It was something like a fusion of a booty call and a fucking Howler.

His finger hovers over the clip. He presses replay and frowns at the smirk Jungkook gives the camera. Jimin figures that he does it for his fans, but it feels like he is taunting Jimin via the video.

It's not true, of course: Jimin had randomly clicked on a follower whom had just retweeted the video, so Jungkook couldn't have possibly known that Jimin would see it. He wonders briefly if Jungkook could mean him, or if Jungkook is dating someone new already, and this was his way of letting Jimin know.

User @jungkookstoy was asking the right questions, when was the interview filmed?

He checks the date. It was filmed a day after Jungkook left Japan. 

Jimin swears out loud and promptly scrolls down the feed for something else to take his mind off of the interview and off that goddamn smirk clouding his thoughts. He likes a photo of his friend Namjoon announcing that he is on his way back to Korea and makes a mental note to ask the rapper out for drinks.

Kim Namjoon is probably the only rapper Jimin's agency actually approves of because he is a very well-liked and respected idol. He had even given a speech at the UN, which Jimin's PR team never failed to remind him about. 

Looking over Namjoon's page, Jimin notices an ad for an underground rap battle event. The names on the top catch his eyes and not just because they are written on such a big font. JUNGKOOK VS RM, reads there in big bold letters.

Namjoon has just gotten home from a tour around the world, so Jimin is a bit surprised to see his name on the list. Usually Namjoon feels exhausted after touring and takes a few days to revel in the silence of his home or the studio, but clearly not this time. 

On further investigation, Jimin runs into a series of tweets where Jungkook challenged Namjoon to join him at the battle.

Namjoon and Jungkook are actually good friends, but while Jungkook has always cited Namjoon as a musical influence, in the eyes of the general public, the two were very competitive rivals. They revel in the hype around their alleged fight, using it for publicity. 

When Jimin had teased Jungkook about it, the rapper just pointed out that the rivalry was something that Namjoon and Jungkook had joked about and decided to hype up for laughs. Jimin's publicity stunts were always decided by his company.

The internet is losing their minds over the upcoming battle, and Jimin has to admit that he's a little taken a back, too. Jungkook and Namjoon meeting on stage will be legendary. Aside from being one of the most talented rappers of the moment, Namjoon is also a great friend and one Jimin would love to see live again. 

And... he's never been to any of Jungkook's concerts. The thought makes his heartbeat pick up, boomboomboom. Could he? 

Only problem is that his team has already scheduled one last 'date' with Seokjin on the night of the battle. Jimin could ask him to come with, but Seokjin doesn't really seem like the type to go out to rap battles in dingy clubs, grinding against strangers while listening to angry words being spit over a loud beat. Jimin really wants to go, though, so he has to at least try. Seokjin is a really sweet guy, so he'd probably go along with it if Jimin told him that he wanted to go see a friend perform.

He just doesn't need to know which friend Jimin wants to see the most or why.

Jiminie ☆

hey hyung what do you think about rap

Jin hyung ♡

i think it's a bit early to be wrapping Christmas presents already

Jiminie ☆

hyunggg 😪🥴😵🥵

i was hoping you'd be my date to a rap battle where my friend rm is performing.

protect my virtue and carry me out in your big strong arms, bodyguard style, that kind of stuff?

Jin hyung ♡

hmmmmm... sounds tempting. will my face be altered to violence of any kind

Jiminie ☆

very possibly

Jin hyung ♡

okay then i wanna change roles. you carry me out with your strong arms while i belt out i will always love you

Jiminie ☆

you've got yourself a deal hyung

"Why are you smiling so sneakily?" Taehyung asks as he plops down next to Jimin on the couch, cuddling into him. He's been a big reason for why Jimin hasn't completely lost it yet, keeping Jimin busy with late night talks, baking, jogging, and telling Jimin scandalous celebrity gossip that will make it impossible for either of them to look some people in the eyes again. 

"I'm not smiling sneakily," Jimin denies, quickly putting his phone away.  

"You're up to something. Don't think I can't tell when you scheme, you've got your Slytherin face on. Spill it," Taehyung says, suspicious. Sometimes having a soulmate for a best friend was a bit difficult since Jimin's not used to hiding anything from Taehyung. 

"It's nothing! I just have one last date with Jin hyung. Hey, do you wanna come with us? We're going to see Namjoon hyung live!" Jimin says, surprising giddiness spreading in his veins. He has missed Namjoon. They're not super close, not like Namjoon and Jungkook are, but Jimin respects Namjoon a lot and wishes they could spend more time together.  

Taehyung's face brightens. "Hell yeah!" he hoots and high-fives amused Jimin. Then he frowns. "Wait, you're going to that underground battle thing? How is Yoongi hyung ever gonna let you?"

Jimin smirks. "I have a plan for that."

"Uh, oh," Taehyung sighs. "What did you do, Mini?" 

"Nothing."

"Jimin," Taehyung presses, and Jimin cracks. He kind of wants to tell Taehyung anyway. 

"Okay!! So I may have made sure that Yoongi hyung is busy with his crush on the night of the date, so he might be less inclined to stop me," he confesses. It had been all too easy, just mentioning to Seokjin that maybe their staff should meet up while they are on the date and then all that was needed was a quick mention to Yoongi that the date's location was changed while Yoongi was freaking out about seeing Hoseok and didn't have the capacity to overthink it. 

Taehyung huffs. "So that's what the smirk was for. You sneaky Slytherin." 

"There was no smirk, Hufflepuff. And I like to think of it as a win-win. Hyung needs to get wined and dined, anyway," Jimin adds.  

"And sixty-nined," Taehyung agrees. "I'd do it myself, but hyung's heart is unfortunately already taken. I'm not about that friends with benefits life, someone's heart always gets broken." 

Jimin's heart clenches painfully at that. 

"But there's something more to this..." Taehyung says pensively, scanning Jimin's face as if his piercing gaze can see into his soul. Maybe it can, it wouldn't even surprise Jimin anymore after so many years of being friends and telling each other most everything. 

He still does his best to look innocent and chuckles. "I just wanna see Namjoon hyung," he says. "It's been so long."

Taehyung hums. "Denial is a hell of a drug." 

Jimin stands up, cruelly dumping Taehyung from his prime cuddling position, making him groan in protest like a cat being shooed away. "Are you hungry? I could order something." 

"I'd like some tea, please. Possibly popcorn, too," Taehyung insinuates, but Jimin pretends not to understand what he means. 

"That's a disgusting combo, Taetae," he scolds, but goes to make some tea anyway.

When he comes back to the living room with two mugs, Taehyung says, "Just tell me. You know I won't judge."

"Fine! I do have a secret. Your bloodhound nose for secrets is correct." Jimin looks at Taehyung who smiles encouragingly.

"You can tell me anything you want," he says. "I won't press anymore, but I can sense that it's something you've been wrestling with for a while. Your texts have been off, too. I wanted to see you and ask you what was up. When the shoot ended, I flew straight to you."

Jimin smiles, touched. "You're my favorite soulmate," he still has to tease. 

Taehyung rolls his eyes. "That's funny, you're my least favorite." Then he squeezes Jimin's hand. "I won't judge, you know I won't. Just think about all the shit I've told you." 

Jimin laughs. It's true, they've had some wild years since they first became friends at the tender age of sixteen. "Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise," Taehyung swears and crosses his long pinky around Jimin's short one. He smiles at the size difference. "God, I missed your stubby fingers." 

"Shut up," Jimin groans. His small hands along with his general small physique are an endless source of annoyance to himself. Sure, he was able to turn it around and build an image with being manly in nontraditional way, but it still scorns him that he couldn't grow at least to be 180 centimetres tall. 

"Remember when you used to try to pull on your fingers to make them longer? And same with your height?" Taehyung laughs, thinking about Jimin from the sun and himself from the moon, meeting at the school they had switched to when they both moved to Seoul. 

"I said shut up! If you tease me, I'm not gonna tell you!" Jimin threatens.

"You shut up and stop teasing. Spill if you're gonna spill. What is it? Are you pregnant?" Taehyung asks and pats Jimin's flat tummy. "Is it a boy? Have you made us an heir for our fortune?"  

Jimin swats his hand away. "I hate you," he says, but then Taehyung tickles him, making him giggle. 

"I'm just joking. I support you and your dumb ass. Now tell Uncle Taetae what fucked up shit you've done this time. I promise nothing will surprise me anymore." 

Jimin bites his lip and then releases in one breath: "I fucked Jeon Jungkook."

Taehyung's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. "Wait, what? When was this?" he wheezes. 

Jimin shrugs, looking at the beautiful forest view opening from his window. "We met on New Years and kind of... hit it off." Understatement of the year. 

Taehyung tries his best to keep his expressions in check to not freak Jimin out. "Okay. So you and Jungkook fucked. That's... kinda hot, not gonna lie. A model and a rapper. Like a bad rom-com about opposites attracting."  

"There's more," Jimin rushes out before he loses his nerve. He takes a deep breath and confesses, "It's about me. That... the song. Jungkook, he, uh. I—" 

"KING OF HEARTS IS ABOUT YOU?!" Taehyung screeches, spilling a little of his tea on Jimin's new couch which makes Jimin yelp and take the mug away from Taehyung, setting it on the coffee table. Taehyung is too preoccupied to even notice. "You're the 'king of hearts'?" 

Jimin makes a face at that. "I guess." 

"Are you kidding me?! I've read every thread where people discuss who the song is about, but your name never came up," Taehyung marvels. He really has: he stayed up nights, he checked every lead. But Jimin was never one of the options. In a way, Taehyung wouldn't expect him to be. Jimin guards himself and his secrets better than anyone else Taehyung knows. What he wants hidden, will stay buried. 

That's music to Jimin's ears. He can't afford to be the face of Jungkook's new song. "It's only been a few months, and we've been really careful—" he starts, but gets cut off again. 

"Months?!" Taehyung exclaims. "But this is Jeon Jungkook we are talking about, the king of one-night-stands. He keeps coming back to you?"

"It sounds weird when you put it like that," Jimin complains, running his fingers through his hair.  

"It is weird," Taehyung remarks. "Wonderful, but weird." 

"It's just sex. We fuck because it's convenient," Jimin claims, an insistent match lighting up in his chest at Taehyung's reaction. He doesn't want to let himself think like Taehyung does because it's dangerous, but the match keeps burning, threatening a fire.  

Taehyung lets out a loud scoff. "Two idols in Korea do not fuck because it's convenient. It's hard enough to fuck around with a celebrity, but if you're both celebrities, forget it. Whatever you are doing together, it's not because it's convenient." 

"Whatever," Jimin brushes him off. "It's not like it's happening anymore." 

Taehyung's smile drops. "It's not?"

"It ended a couple of weeks ago," Jimin says with a shrug, hoping that his voice sounds as nonchalant as he meant it as. Deciding from Taehyung's frown, he wasn't convincing enough.

Taehyung nods to himself. "That's when your texts turned weird. Are you sad that it's not happening anymore?" he asks. 

"No! It was my decision, anyway. I mean, I told him that maybe we should take a break and he got upset," Jimin says, gnawing at his bottom lip. The whole thing had gone awry so quickly, it was hard to fathom. He had sensed Jungkook wasn't particularly fond of Jimin's dates with Seokjin, but he thought Jungkook was just annoyed because of all the rules that came along with Jimin dating someone else. 

Taehyung hums. "It's okay to miss him even if it was your decision," he reminds gently. Jimin doesn't reply, but he leans against Taehyung again, wrapping his arms around him. Despite being smaller, Jimin is always the big spoon. 

They are quiet for a moment. 

"He's just so frustrating!" Jimin suddenly snaps. Taehyung turns to look at him, curious, and Jimin adds, "Jungkook. He wrote and released an entire song just to fuck with my head." 

"Jimin, in Tarot cards, the King of Hearts represents a kind person with a good heart who can be a bit hasty with his feelings," Taehyung points out carefully. "I think the song's message isn't about hate or about messing with your head." 

Jimin shrugs, playing with the rings on his fingers. "That whole song is just a gigantic fuck-you for me. I called him and told him what I thought, and all he had to say was 'of course you'd hear it like that'. What is that supposed to mean?" he rants, the venom from that phone call still scorching his chest. 

"Well, aren't you kind of missing the song's point? Like, big time?" Taehyung says, making Jimin frown.  

"What point? His only point was how I'm some sort of a devil who hates him and puts him through hell," Jimin grumbles and shoots a glare at his best friend. "Is that what you think too?" 

He's being a martyr and he knows it, but damn it, as his best friend, Taehyung is supposed to be on his side. Jimin's not ready to hear the big picture lecture just yet, even if best friends are meant to both provide support but make you think about the other side, too. 

Taehyung flicks his nose. "Yeah, you suck," he jokes bluntly, making Jimin grumble. "And yeah, the song is really angry. But he wrote some pretty sweet things, too." 

Jimin scoffs. "Sweet? Jeon Jungkook? Are we talking about the same guy? Or even the same song?" He has listened to the song obsessively enough to know it by heart, and there for sure was nothing sweet about the lyrics. "He said I 'wear their hearts like victory marks'. Not very nice." 

"Well, he did also say 'I rule a kingdom but you rule over me'. Isn't that kind of... sweet? Him acknowledging how much influence he thinks you have on him when he's famous for letting no one change him?" Taehyung attempts. 

Jimin shakes his head. "That's him telling me that I have too many fucking rules and that he's used to running the show with everyone but me." 

"'Look at me baby, I'm your Knave. Ready to serve, let me ease your pain'?" Taehyung tries next, but with little hope that he will be able to break through the thick walls around Jimin's heart and make him understand how the song sounds like to everyone else.

"He feels like I've taken him for granted." Jimin bites his lip and reluctantly adds, "And possibly alluding to when he massaged my shoulders to stop them from hurting." 

Taehyung gawks at him. "You let him massage you? Does he have a licence I don't know about? Last time I tried that you nearly cut off my arm," he complains. "How come Jeon Jungkook gets to, but your soulmate doesn't?" 

"Yeah, well, you tried to massage me at a public shoot and I was napping." Jimin smirks. "Besides, Jungkook got to do a whole bunch of things to me that you don't." 

"You said no one, other than an actual massage therapist, is allowed to massage you," Taehyung insists. Then his face crumples like a paper cup when he processes what Jimin just said. "And eww."  

Jimin laughs, looking away because he feels a bit shy. "Yeah, well, he... he's good at talking," he mumbles. 

Taehyung wags his eyebrows. "Mhm, I bet he is." 

"Not like—" Jimin sighs, but Taehyung doesn't let him get stuck on it.  

"But about the song... I think you're too focused on the other stuff he wrote because he's mad at you, instead of noticing what the lyrics are really saying," he says, more seriously this time. 

"Jungkook's mad at me? If anything, I'm mad at him," Jimin huffs. He had felt terrible about their fight, wondered if he should reach out to Jungkook all the while the rapper had been writing that stupid song. Stupid, annoying, fucking amazing song that Jimin would listen to all the time if it wasn't about him. 

Stupid, annoying, fucking amazing song that Jimin still listens to all the time even if it's about him. 

"That's a whole lot of madness." Taehyung smiles, but when Jimin just shoots him a tired look, he folds. "Okay, so, I understand why you're mad. But would you please, just for a moment, entertain the thought that maybe Jungkook kind of... likes you?"

Jimin scoffs, even if his heart jumps at the thought. "If he liked me even a little bit, like even a pixie's breath, a raindrop's tear, a baby's whisper bit, he wouldn't have released that song," he insists. 

Taehyung nods, and then counters in a soft voice: "Or maybe he likes you so much that seeing you with someone else hurt and he reacted the only way he knows how?" 

Jimin shakes his head, refusing the idea without even daring to consider it. "If he cared about me, he wouldn't have released it. He risked people realizing we are a thing. Were a thing. Like, not really a thing. Something."

"But he never says anything about you specifically. I'm your best friend and a long-time fan of Jungkook's, and I had no idea until you told me. To anyone else, it just sounds like a call-out song to a lover," Taehyung remarks. 

Jimin shoots him a look. "Don't—" 

Taehyung puts his hands in the air as a sign of peace. "I'm just saying what it sounds like to me. I think he wanted your attention and I think he wanted you to know how he feels."  

Jimin's cheek heat up. "You don't even know him. Stop defending him and hop on back to my side. Remember me? Your best friend?" he snaps, harsher than he meant to. 

Taehyung smiles. "I'm always on your side, Mini. I just hope you'll try to look at this from his side, too."

"He released that song even though he knew how important my career is to me. Even though he knows that I can't have any scandals or my agency might drop me. He still did it, just to spite me," Jimin insists. 

"He's pissed about Jin hyung. He hates that everyone thinks you're dating him and he's probably worried you'll fall for Seokjin-ssi and dump him. Which you kinda did." 

"No, I didn't!" Jimin refuses, frowning. "Jungkook's just trying to get a reaction. It's what we do. We fight and fuck, that's all. If anything, he was just annoyed I never had time to see him anymore."

"And why don't you have time to see him anymore?" Taehyung smiles at Jimin's icy glare. "Come on, Jimin, is it really that impossible for you to believe that the guy you've been boning since New Years might have feelings for you?" 

Jimin looks disgusted. "Don't say 'bone'." 

"Okay, my bad." Taehyung is quiet for a moment before he launches, "Is it really that impossible to think Jungkook might be jealous of the great Kim Seokjin, certified Good Guy™ who everyone ships Park Jimin, Korea's sweetheart with? That he might think he doesn't have a chance in hell with you because he's everything you're supposed to avoid?" 

Jimin's breath gets caught in his throat as he thinks over Taehyung's words. Even after being friends for years, Taehyung still surprises him. At times, Jimin feels like Taehyung speaks too abruptly and forgets to take into account other people's emotions. But then Taehyung says something like this, proving that he sees things other people don't pick up on, even if it might seem like he's not paying attention.

Taehyung used to drive Jimin crazy because he thought Taehyung wasn't listening. Often he did something else while Jimin spoke which made Jimin think he didn't care about what was being said. They fought a lot about it, too, harsh words bouncing off the walls of the studio apartment they lived in before Taehyung moved to Japan for his career.

Jimin has learned to understand his best friend much better since then; Taehyung does listen, he just has trouble staying still. He might be playing with his phone and then suddenly reveal that he's been thinking about the shortest wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum or the probability of the end of human condition. Jimin's grown to love and understand him better, often not needing to speak to know what the other means. Taehyung is Jimin's oldest friend and the only person in the world Jimin would trust any secret with. 

Despite all that, despite how Taehyung's words make Jimin's heart beat faster, he still shakes his head. "You watch way too many dramas, man." 

Taehyung shrugs, not the type to argue about something like that. "Maybe. But how good was The Lost Warrior? I can't believe you got to meet Li Taehyun in real life!" he sighs, envious. 

"Amazing! And like, everyone was so freaking pretty? Even in person?" Jimin gushes back. They launch into a discussion about their newest obsession, and their day continues without another word about Jungkook or his song. But that night, as he listens to Taehyung's snoring, Jimin can only think of one thing. 

Maybe he likes you so much that seeing you with someone else hurt. 

The club where the rap battle takes place looks exactly what Jimin pictured it to look like. It's an underground club, located right outside of the immediate center of the city. Dark stairs lead to a cage-like entrance, over the narrow door reads in neon lights LOVE SHOT, with one of the letters crooked like it's about to fall off and crush some unlucky by-passer. 

The sky is dark, threatening, looming over their heads. The weather forecast promised heavy thunder all through the night, but the club-goers don't seem worried. 

Seokjin looks around in amusement. "I feel like such a bad-ass," he chuckles as they walk into the club. "We should have worn only black leather."

"Well, hyung did wear a leather jacket," Jimin points out and giggles as he runs his fingers down Seokjin's broad chest. "Even if it's pink, not black."

"Black is not a creative color," Seokjin remarks. "It's not even a color, really." 

Jimin smiles. "Looks great on you, hyung."

"Thank you. You look hot," Seokjin compliments and lightly pats Jimin's butt, appreciating the view of him wearing tight jeans and a dark shirt with a generous V-neck. 

Jimin smirks. "That was my intention," he replies honestly. It took him all of three hours to come up with the perfect outfit that made him look hotter than hell but in an I-don't-care way. Jungkook can't think that Jimin spent more than usual time on trying to look good. It's the first time they are meeting after their fight, and even if Jimin has no intention of acknowledging Jungkook's existence at all that night, he still wants Jungkook to notice him and regret being such an asshole.

Taehyung gags. "I should have never agreed to third-wheel on your date," he says, looking around the bar. "Now where is my loving lass slash lad?" 

Jimin giggles. "Do you think they are serving yet? We could go get drinks," he asks, looking around the quickly filling club. He wants to mingle a bit before the crowd gets too big. 

They get their drinks and sit down at the bar for a moment. There's only one stool left, so Seokjin plays a gentleman and lets Jimin have it. It's actually better since that way Jimin and Seokjin are almost at the same face-level which Seokjin of course immediately takes notice of, laughing at Jimin how they were finally seeing eye to eye on a lot of things. Jimin pinches him, and as payback, drinks Seokjin's rum and coke.

Seokjin and Taehyung get acquainted while Jimin updates his social media about the beauty product campaign he has been made the face for. 

"Oof, my ex is here," Taehyung mutters suddenly, looking across the floor. 

Jimin glances in the same direction. "Want me to keep him away from you?" he asks, protective. Taehyung can take care of himself, but at the same time, he hates being too upfront which leads to people getting a bit too overbearing with him. Jimin's played the bouncer more often than not with Taehyung's exes. 

"It's cool, we need to talk anyway. I have some of his stuff that I was supposed to return before I left, but I forgot." Taehyung shrugs. "Might as well get that talk out of the way." 

"Very mature, Taetae," Jimin compliments, proud of his friend, but just then Taehyung says to the bartender, "Three vodka shots, please."

Jimin gawks at him since Taehyung rarely drinks much and doesn't hold his liquor down well. "Tae—" he starts, but falls silent as Taehyung downs all three shots in under a minute. Jimin's eyes widen. "Taehyung—"

"He's here with someone else," Taehyung explains before sauntering off in the direction of a man who Jimin already knows by heart even though he never got to meet him. Taehyung has a type. His men are serious, romantic souls that often work at a creative profession —  and unfortunately fall too deeply too quickly in love with Taehyung and turn clingy, jealous and greedy which leads to an ugly breakup when Taehyung starts missing his freedom. 

"So, how long have you known RM-ssi for?" Seokjin asks, reading through the set list, trying in vain to recognize other artists than the two big names. He doesn't really listen to rap, but Namjoon's music speaks to him. As for Jungkook's, well... everyone in Korea knows who Jeon Jungkook is. 

Jimin smiles at the thought of Namjoon many years ago; he can still see it now, how skinny and awkward the future superstar had been. "I met Namjoon hyung while we were both just trainees. He's a great guy. If he has time before or after his set, I'd love to introduce you guys. I'm sure you'd hit it off. He's a dork, too."

Seokjin gasps. "Park Jimin, how dare you. I am not dorky."

"Hyung, you are a full-fledged dork, but that's all good because Namjoon hyung's into that stuff. Not to mention he's a massive dork too," Jimin teases.

Namjoon's last girlfriend was a shopkeeper at a Ryan plushie store, and Jimin's half convinced that it was a big factor in Namjoon dating her, especially since their relationship only lasted three weeks. Namjoon said that it was because dating someone who wasn't in the industry became too hard when he didn't have time to text her for days, but Jimin thinks Namjoon's crush faded the minute he and the girl weren't at the Ryan store anymore, surrounded by Namjoon's favorite plushies. 

"Park Jimin, are you seriously trying to get me a date during our date?" Seokjin scolds, shaking his head. 

Jimin shrugs, acting humble. "I'm all about multi-tasking, hyung. Our date, this concert, your next date after me... we can achieve all of those in one night," he says, finishing his drink and standing up. 

The show is yet to start: most of the stage lights are off, and a lot of the people are just sitting around and talking to one another at the booths. Jimin's agent arranged for them to have a VIP booth to themselves that has a great view of the stage, and Jimin has never loved Yoongi more. 

"Hey, let's take an encouraging selca to cheer up Namjoon hyung," Jimin suggests once they sit down on the dark leather sofa at the VIP booth. Jimin brings up his phone, and Seokjin leans his cheek against Jimin, holding up a peace sign. Jimin sends Namjoon the selca with a caption: good luck today hyung, we'll be cheering for you xx

Namjoon replies immediately. 

Joonie hyung

why would you send a picture of him right before i'm going on stage

Jimin

whats the matter hyung :)))

we are but ur humble fans

Joonie hyung

stop playing

you KNOW i have a crush on him

Jimin

on my boyfriend? kinky

were you hoping for a threesome hyung?

Joonie hyung 

jesus christ jimin

just promise me you guys will stick around after the show

Jimin

we'll see

depends on how well you do on stage

Joonie hyung

that's cold mini

Jimin

;)

"Namjoon hyung is really excited to meet with you," Jimin relays to Seokjin.

The lights go out, indicating the beginning of the show. The MC gets up to the stage, the spotlight focusing on him. He greets the audience, asks a little about how everyone is doing and introduces everyone who'll be taking the stage that night. Jimin is barely listening, except for Namjoon and Jungkook's introductions.

"Busan-born babe of a rapper, the wizard of dick analogies is here tonight. It's Korea's favorite bad boy, Mister Jeon Jungkook," the MC shouts, and Jimin throws up a little in his mouth at the cheesy introduction. 

Some people scream, some chant Jungkook's name only to be drowned out by the people screeching for Namjoon. Namjoon and Jungkook's performances are clearly the big ticket items of the night, their battle royale hot on everyone's lips.

The MC picks up on the tension in the air and smiles. "Ooh, do we have some Jungkook fans in the house?"

A girl near Jimin lets out a long pterodactylian scream, as if defending Jungkook's honor in the cheering match rested on her shoulders alone. Jimin glances at her, barely suppressing the need to shoot her a glare. His ears are ringing, and he almost misses Namjoon's introduction. 

"As for our other headliner, we have KIM NAMJOOOOOOOOONNN! A critical poet of modern society, everyone's favorite good boy rapping about bad things. Any RM fans? Are there any monsters in the house tonight?"

Jimin cheers along with Seokjin and smiles widely at every camera he knows is pointed at him in that moment. People have noticed him, probably since he walked in and not the least because he is with Kim Seokjin, the most popular Korean drama actor of the year.

The MC smirks, pleased with the crowd's energy. "Then, should we begin already?"

The crowd screams in favor, and the first duo marches up onto the stage. They are good; not mind-blowing but enough to get Jimin off his feet and dancing. He joins the myriad of people on the dance floor and giggles when Seokjin follows him.

Seokjin is clearly not a dancer in the artistic sense of the word, but he enjoys dancing. He has Jimin cracking up so hard he completely misses the second performer. Seokjin dances so wildly he is constantly a danger to the people near them. The people around them are sort of altering their dancing to Seokjin's, jumping out of the way of his limbs and diving down when Seokjin begins the traffic lights dance that has Jimin in tears.

Wheezing, Jimin checks the time on his phone: Jungkook's stage is still thirty minutes away, Namjoon's 45 minutes. It'd be a perfect time for a visit. He leans in to talk to Seokjin whom immediately crouches down to hear him better. "Do you wanna go meet Namjoon hyung?"

Seokjin nods. "Of course," he agrees. 

"Let's go find hyung," Jimin says and takes Seokjin's hand in his, guiding him backstage. "I know he really wants to meet you."

The dressing room is bustling with people: more than one star is getting ready in the same space because Love Shot's policy is not to coddle anyone. If an artist couldn't handle going on stage without extra luxuries, they were unceremoniously shown to the door. That was why the club was widely hated by companies but adored to the level of worship by customers. 

The dressing room is surprisingly traditional in design despite the club's otherwise wild appearance. The walls are white and void of posters or graffiti unlike every other surface of the club.

Then Namjoon walks in, talking to one of his managers with a frown on his face. The frown is quickly replaced with a smile as Namjoon spots them and walks up. 

"Hyung!" Jimin calls out enthusiastically and stands on his tippy-toes to give Namjoon a proper hug. Over Namjoon's shoulder Jimin notices Jungkook arriving, watching them. Hiding a smirk, Jimin pretends not to notice him and just squeezes Namjoon a bit longer than he usually would have to make it clear whom he's here for. 

Namjoon is not much for hugging, so he kind of just stands there and awkwardly pats Jimin's back. "Hey, Mini."

"I wanted you to meet a friend of mine," Jimin says once he finally lets go and winks at blushing Namjoon before turning around and motioning at Seokjin. "This is Kim Seokjin-ssi, I'm not sure if you've met before."

"Hi, Seokjin-ssi," Namjoon says, suddenly nervous as his gaze lands on Seokjin who smiles at him. "Nice to meet you. I've seen some of your work."

"Really? Wouldn't have pegged the infamous RM for an avid drama watcher," Seokjin teases, making Jimin giggle. Seokjin would be perfect for Namjoon if they hit it off, and Jimin really hopes they do. 

"Yeah, I mean, no, uh. I just... sometimes," Namjoon mumbles. Jimin takes pity on him and decides that a little more incentive might do the two well.

"Hyung's been working out. Seokjin-ssi, isn't Namjoon hyung gorgeous? I keep telling him that he could be a model, work with me," Jimin flatters and squeezes Namjoon's bicep before running his hand slowly down Namjoon's solid chest.

In his peripheral vision, Jimin notices Jungkook standing up, eyes following closely on Jimin's hands wandering over Namjoon's body. The model hides a smirk, and this time runs his fingers across Namjoon's stomach.

He pretends not to notice how Jungkook's steps get faster as he strides over to them. "Isn't he good looking?" Jimin adds. 

"Mhm," Seokjin agrees enthusiastically, also following Jimin's fingers with keen eyes.

Namjoon raises a brow. "Think that's enough, Mini?" he asks in a low voice. 

Jimin winks at him. "You need to show off the goods, hyung. Someone's been working out lately," he says right before Jungkook reaches them. 

Jungkook smiles at Namjoon. "Hey, hyung, worried yet?" he teases, and Jimin hates that he has kind of missed hearing Jungkook's voice. 

Namjoon laughs. "Not even a little, brat." He hugs Jungkook and then cringes at himself for being cheesy, but Jungkook just laughs at his awkwardness and holds him tighter, resting his head on Namjoon's chest. 

"Hyung," he calls out cutely, and it's fucking endearing to watch him act like a dongsaeng. Jimin liked the way Jungkook was with him, too, but this cute side makes his heart clench in a different way. He had forgotten that most of Jungkook's friends are older than him, he probably acts very different with them than he does with Jimin, even if Jimin's technically his senior, too. They just never really acknowledged that, other than that one time Jimin made Jungkook talk to him super formally and fucked himself on Jungkook's cock, pinning him down, with the lovely echo of Jungkook's breathy hyung bouncing off the walls. 

He realizes that he's been staring when Jungkook looks up, clearly having felt Jimin's eyes on him. Embarrassed, Jimin looks away, pretending that he's very interested in the argument a manager and some rapper are having about the glass of Pinot Noir in the rapper's hand.

It's just hard not to stare. 

"Nice try acting cute, so I won't go too hard on you," Namjoon teases Jungkook whom moves his focus from Jimin back to Namjoon and playfully scoffs at the accusation.

"I don't need to. I'm just worried hyung will forget his lyrics or break a hip from trying too hard in vain to beat me," he says, and Namjoon laughs, about to reply when he gets cut off. 

"Namjoon hyung will do perfect," Jimin cuts in. Jungkook turns to look at him again, his eyes lighting Jimin up like there's suddenly a spotlight on him, capturing every inch of him. Jimin still doesn't look away, adamant on not letting Jungkook win. Interest flickers in Jungkook's eyes; he seems to take Jimin's words as some sort of a challenge. 

Jungkook's face turns into another god-awful smirk. "Hyung, I didn't realize that you brought a fan club with you," he says, and fucking bites his lip as he gives Jimin a very appreciative once-over. Judging by his reaction, Jimin nailed his no-effort-but-actually-a-lot-of-fucking-effort style. 

Something exciting sparks in Jimin's respiratory system. He's really trying to be fucking annoyed with Jungkook, but the electricity suddenly coursing through him seems to have very different ideas. 

Namjoon laughs, patting Jimin's shoulder. "You've met Mini, right?" he asks, not realizing how loaded the question is. Jimin imagines replying honestly for a split second, imagines what Namjoon's expression would be if he knew that Jungkook's been sporadically fucking Jimin since New Years. 

Jungkook nods, staring intently. "Yeah, I think I've met 'Mini' before," he says, and the taunt is only an echo in his voice, but Jimin hears it as loud as a cannon going off. Hidden in the layers of that goddamn voice, he hears the things they've done together, can almost taste Jungkook on his lips, feel those hands wrapped around himself, that voice moaning out his name.

Determined, Jimin refuses to look away from Jungkook's hooded eyes, even when the intense stare makes his toes curl. 

"Yeah, we've... met. Nice to see you again, Jungkook-ssi. I hope you are well," Jimin says, very formally on purpose to feel distant to Jungkook but seem polite to everyone else. He hopes Jungkook can feel the chill in his words, the biting frost hidden inside a bouquet of daisies. 

"My pleasure, Jimin-ssi." Jungkook holds his hand out for a handshake, flexing his muscles on purpose because he knows it fucks Jimin up, all the while smiling innocently. Jimin thinks about those hands, fucking him open, holding his waist tightly enough to bruise, slamming him onto his cock, choking him, only a few weeks ago. His throat tightens, mouth dry and hot as the wind after a sandstorm as he takes the offered hand, shaking it. 

The feel of Jungkook's hand in his takes him back to that night months ago, sees all the people in dorky New Years merchandise around him, meets eyes with the cocky rapper who tried to hit on him at the MAMA after-party, smirks in invitation to get him to approach him again, to tell him another ridiculous pick-up line he hadn't stopped thinking since then, decides to go home with that same rapper despite all of the rules he has created to protect himself, fucking catches feelings for the rapper when he knows he shouldn't, lets go of that same man with dirty jokes and kind eyes, misses the hell out of him and ends up right here, staring into the same beautiful eyes that started this fucking mess.

Namjoon clears his throat, and Jimin wakes from the spell Jungkook's presence always seems to put him under, pulling his hand away. His cheeks feel hotter, and he anxiously glances at Seokjin who luckily doesn't seem to think there's anything strange going on. 

"The other battles seem really interesting," Namjoon remarks flatly, suddenly awkward. Jimin glances at him, but Namjoon is staring at the wall behind Seokjin. Figuring that Namjoon's just feeling shy from being so close to someone he has admired from afar for so long, Jimin decides not to bring attention to his awkwardness by asking. 

It doesn't even cross his mind that Namjoon might have noticed the thick tension between his friends. 

Jimin turns to Seokjin. He needs to get the hell away from here. "Will you be okay here with Namjoon hyung if I go look for a bathroom?" he asks, faking a sweet smile despite the war going on inside his mind. Without looking at Jungkook, he taps his temple twice. "I need to freshen up." 

Seokjin nods. "Yeah, of course. Go ahead. Meet you at the VIP booth," he adds. Jungkook scoffs under his breath, but Jimin hears it and shoots him a glare when Seokjin's not looking. Jungkook seems to have already decided what kind of person Seokjin is, only he couldn't be more wrong. Jungkook catches Jimin's eyes on him, and matches his glare with a look of his own, filled with amusement at Jimin's frustration. He's enjoying making Jimin seethe in silence. 

"There's an old manager's bathroom in the back that no one uses. The manager spread a rumor it was haunted, so he wouldn't have to share," Namjoon says, rolling his eyes. People are surprisingly superstitious in the music industry, many of them have lucky charms or little rituals they do each time before a concert. 

Perfect. 

"Okay, I'll go check it out. Good luck, hyung, I'll come back in time to cheer for you," Jimin tells Namjoon, not even glancing at the man standing next to him.

He knows Jungkook will follow.

Jimin walks all the way to the other end of the hallway where the abandoned bathroom is and slips inside. He glances at the lock on the door; if he wanted to, he could keep anyone from following him. 

He doesn't lock it.

The bathroom is as deserted as Namjoon promised it would be. It's also surprisingly clean for a bathroom at a nightclub; it doesn't look like many people even know of its existence. Apparently, the ghost story has spread well. 

Jimin pauses in front of a big mirror, staring at himself in the mirror. His eyes move up and down on his form, looking for faults he knows are always there; loyal like the friends you wish never stayed. His cheeks are slightly rosier than he would prefer them to be and his hair a mess, sticking up everywhere, slightly curly with sweat.  

He frowns at his reflection and starts fixing his hair, carefully moving the loose hairs back to their places. Image is everything, Park Jimin, the CEO of their company had screamed at him after the very public fall of Jimin's relationship with his asshole of an ex-boyfriend. Your job doesn't end when a shoot wraps up, or when you exit the runway after a show. You represent this company with every single choice you make, from what you say to who you date, even all the way to the way you are dressed. 

Make us proud. 

Lost in his thoughts, Jimin almost doesn't notice Jungkook sneaking in. The door cracks open, and a lean, tall shadow walks in. He comes to stand right behind Jimin, placing his hands on the edge of the sink on each side of Jimin's hips, effectively caging him in.

Jimin considers turning around and picking a fight with Jungkook, but he doesn't, so he ignores Jungkook's advances, focused instead on styling his hair back to presentable.

Jungkook follows his movements for a moment before pressing his lips against the top of Jimin's spine, drawing out an involuntarily sigh that borders on a moan from Jimin's lips. He knows what Jungkook is doing. It's like a game of chicken. Whoever speaks up first, loses. 

He wants to stay angry, that song and the harsh words they spat at each other last time still ringing in his ears, but at the same he fucking missed Jungkook and doesn't want to fight anymore. 

Encouraged by Jimin's reaction, Jungkook starts leaving a trail of sloppy, open-mouthed kisses on Jimin's neck. Over the months that they've been hooking up, Jungkook has clearly taken notes on every one of Jimin's weak spots and is now unabashedly using what he discovered to his advantage. Jimin shudders, feeling hot all over, but he refuses to give in and speak up first. 

Then Jungkook's hand take a hold of Jimin's chin, squishing his cheeks slightly together to push his lips into a pout. "Cute," he mutters.

Then his tattooed hand slowly moves up, long fingers tangling in Jimin's hair the model just finished styling into looking like he actually is a poised supermodel and not a wild animal. 

Jimin shoots him a look, the spell finally breaking. "Don–" he starts before Jungkook cards his fingers through Jimin's blonde hair, effectively messing it all up again. Jimin smacks his hand away and turns around in Jungkook's hold to better glare at him.

"What do you put in your hair, wax? It's so stiff," Jungkook complains casually as if he couldn't feel the burning beams of laser originating from Jimin's eyes. 

"Well, I don't want it to be out of place."

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "Oh yeah, God forbid one hair is in the wrong place."

"Looking good is my job, Jungkook," Jimin says bitingly and crosses his arms in the hopes of creating more distance between their bodies. It does the exact opposite: the moment Jimin feels his arms touch Jungkook's rock hard abs, barely covered by a thin shirt, makes him realize what a mistake he just made. 

"Wanna know when I think you look good?" Jungkook whispers into Jimin's ear, earning a shiver in response. He laughs quietly, his hot breaths tickling Jimin's sensitive neck.

The void is pulling Jimin in again, tempting him to take a leap and lose himself in Jungkook. Just one last hit. Jungkook always makes him feel better, if he just gives in one more time, no one needs to know...

It's easy, too easy, he knows he should resist. Jungkook was such a dick the last time they spoke, and that fucking song is still on a loop in Jimin's brain. But God, if he doesn't want to give in and enjoy the pleasure Jungkook always brings with him, avoid the honest conversation he knows they should have. 

Jimin looks up, about to start ranting — only to lean in and kiss Jungkook instead. 

Jungkook tastes as intoxicating as always, making Jimin's head spin, responding to the kiss after a second of surprise. It's like they were never apart; for a moment, it's easy to give in to the temptation of Jungkook, easy to give in like he has done so many times before. The argument still rests at the back of his mind, but he doesn't want to start with all that right now, no; he just wants to drown in Jungkook, forget everything else.  

He doesn't want to pull away, heartbeat going crazy, warmth spreading all over him. He knows making out with Jungkook at a fucking club doesn't solve any of his problems; if anything, that's how the whole mess started. But God, if it doesn't feel so fucking good. So he doesn't pull away, instead just kisses Jungkook harder, hungrier, like he knows that time is running out before the daydream ends and the nightmare begins. 

Jungkook picks him up with ease, placing Jimin on the sink, settling between Jimin's thick thighs. Impatient, Jimin tugs him closer, fingers wrapping around the loose shirt Jungkook's wearing, sucking on Jungkook's bottom lip, wanting him, needing him. 

"Baby," Jungkook murmurs, sliding his tongue over Jimin's plump lips, making them glisten. 

I'm a fucking Fool for you, baby. 

Jimin freezes. "Don't call me baby," he snaps, pulling away. Well, as far as he can, with his hand still holding onto the front of Jungkook's shirt and Jungkook's hands on his hips. 

Jungkook already knows, but he still challenges, "Why not?"

"Because! Because that's what you said in that stupid fucking song, too!" Jimin explodes. He needs to get to the issue, needs to address the elephant in the room before he completely loses focus. He can't believe he just kissed Jungkook like that. They were supposed to talk. That's the only reason why Jimin signaled Jungkook to follow him to the abandoned restroom. 

The one and only reason.  

"Why did you fucking come here, Jungkook? If you're not going to talk to me, why are you here?" he snaps. 

Jungkook smirks. "I wanted to see the ghost." He looks at the friendship bracelet on Jimin's wrist, turns it around with a quiet huff. "Well, aren't you and your boyfriend adorable." 

Jimin pulls his hand away. "It's a gift from Taetae," he mutters. "My best friend." Then he narrows his eyes, "Speaking of adorable, your selcas were really fucking cute." 

"Why thank you. I grew them myself."

Jimin sighs. "Jungkook, what the hell were you thinking?" 

Jungkook tuts. "Didn't you hear? I want a boyfriend." 

"Stop joking around. First the song, then the selcas and now this? What is going on with you? You're fucking reckless lately," Jimin scolds. 

"Reckless?" Jungkook repeats, mulling the word over. "How come?" 

Jimin glares at him. "Why do you think? That fucking song, you wrote it about me."

Jungkook shrugs. "I never said it was about you, though," he points out, and Jimin's hands clench in annoyance, crumpling up Jungkook's shirt.

Noticing what he's doing, Jimin quickly lets go, but not fast enough to not notice the amusement glinting in Jungkook's eyes.

"Yeah, right. Look, I don't care who else you fuck as long as we are using condoms, but that song is about me and we both know it," Jimin says. It's a big fat lie, his heart fucking screeches at the thought of Jungkook with someone else, but he tells it to pipe down. Him and Jungkook are over, end of story. This was just a relapse. 

"So what if it is?" Jungkook asks, calculatingly collected. 

"It shouldn't be! This, us, was supposed to be a secret. Neither one of us wants this to go public, so would you just play the game like a good boy and stop writing songs about me," Jimin hisses. 

"Can't. I've got an album coming up," Jungkook says in that devil-may-care attitude that remains as both Jimin's biggest peeve and turn-on. 

"And?" Jimin challenges in a voice that says he couldn't care less. 

"I haven't fucked anyone else in ages. I'm running out of material if I don't write about you," Jungkook responds matter-of-factly, but his heart is beating so fucking hard he's sure it will soon jump out of his chest and tell Jimin all by itself how nervous Jungkook feels saying that.  

Jimin ignores the way his heart jumps at Jungkook's words, working hard to stay focused on the subject at hand. 

"That sounds like a you problem," he says coldly, desperately pushing down the emotions that are trying to surface at the revelation. He could be lying, that eternal doubt in Jimin's head squeaks. But that's not Jungkook, he knows it's not. Jungkook might piss him off a lot, drive him crazy like no one else can, but he doesn't lie to Jimin, not ever. 

"Yeah, it really is a goddamn problem," Jungkook mutters. And even a bigger problem one is that he hasn't even wanted to fuck anyone else in ages; if he's really honest with himself, he has been hooked since day one. He already knew about Park Jimin, the supermodel, when they met, but it's Jimin, the person, that has his heart bleeding. 

Jimin stares at him. His gaze changes, slowly going up and down, taking in Jungkook's appearance, the way his hands are still on Jimin's hips. 

Jungkook quirks up a brow. "Like what you see?" he taunts. 

"Hate it. Hate you," Jimin claims childishly, forcing down the flustered butterflies in his chest.  

"Why?" 

"Because you posted that fucking song! You just threw out the entire rule book we supposedly had!" Jimin snaps, trying to force down Taehyung's voice saying 'maybe he likes you so much that seeing you with someone else hurt and he reacted the only way he knows how'.

That's not what happened. It's not possible. Jungkook is the one who wants to keep the strings untied; Jimin's been trying to keep his heart unattached for so long, only to have Jungkook change the game entirely. 

"Show me which one of your many rules I broke."

Jimin counts with his fingers, "No one knows about it and it doesn't affect our careers. That's what we agreed." 

"And it still stands. No one knows about your dirty secret and it hasn't affected our careers," Jungkook points out. 

Jimin frowns. "Don't say that. You're not a dirty secret."  

"Right," Jungkook huffs, pushing Jimin's hair back from his face, and this time Jimin doesn't stop him. "Does your company even know you are here? How you did you end up on a date at a rap battle of all places?"

"One of my friends is performing. Of course I came," Jimin deadpans, attempting to silence any thought Jungkook might have about Jimin being there because of him. "Seokjin-ssi likes Namjoon hyung's music too, so I invited him along."

"Kim Seokjin likes Namjoon hyung's music?" Jungkook repeats, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Right. If I were a betting kind of guy, I'd say you heard about the battle, knew I'd be here and came up with an excuse to come by."

Jimin shoots him an icy glare. "And why would I do all that?" he asks in the coldest tone he can muster. 

"Oh, I don't know," Jungkook replies and very pointedly glances at Jimin's legs that have wrapped themselves around the rapper's torso without Jimin himself noticing it. Jimin follows his gaze and immediately releases Jungkook, ignoring the way it makes Jungkook laugh. 

"I'm here for Namjoon. That is all," he insists, avoiding Jungkook's eyes. 

"Besides, like you said, I came here with someone else," Jimin says, noting how Jungkook's chiseled jawline tenses at his words. "And I don't think he'd like the idea of me hooking up with other guys in the bathroom while we are on a date."

"Don't remind me. Your boyfriend looks like a tool. 'Meet you at the VIP area'," Jungkook mutters, bitter. 

"Twenty-two million people watching his drama every week would vehemently disagree with you. And the VIP area was my company's term, not his," Jimin explains. "Besides, Jin hyung is a sweetheart."

"Bummer you don't want sweet, huh?"

Jimin scoffs. "What do you know about what I want?"

In lieu of a reply, Jimin feels the grip Jungkook has on his hips tighten. "I have some ideas," Jungkook finally murmurs. 

"You're going on stage in like ten minutes. Your managers are probably freaking the fuck out that they can't find you," Jimin scolds. 

"Probably," Jungkook admits, pressing closer against Jimin, caring very little about anything else but the feeling of Jimin's thighs circling him again, locking him in place. 

Jimin's hands rise up to push Jungkook away, but somehow they only pull him closer. "I'm not going to fuck you in some dingy club bathroom."

"Is that what you think?" Jungkook taunts, running his hand down from Jimin's waist to his ass and squeezes. "Did you think I followed you here to fuck you while your dumbass boyfriend sits on the other side of the door? Did you think I wanted to claim my territory, or something?"

"When you say it like that... yes. But I'm not gonna let you."

"Not even if I ask nicely?"

Jimin huffs. "You never ask nicely." He turns his head away and glances at the mirror. "Do I look messy?" 

Jungkook looks very pleased with himself when he replies, "Yes."

"Shut up." 

"Come watch me perform?"

Jimin scoffs. "Not a chance. You're not good for me." 

"Why not? Do I distract you? Do I make it hard to concentrate on your boyfriend?" Jungkook taunts, but he needs the answer. 

Jimin frowns. "Stop calling Jin hyung my boyfriend. You know he's not that." 

"No? It's not official yet?" 

"The pictures were just good press."

"You didn't tag the project, though." 

"You're one to talk. You never use tags, even for the people you take photos with," Jimin says, annoyed. He had spent sleepless nights after Jungkook posted some cute photos with some hot guy, only to be revealed days later, from a picture of that same guy getting married, that it was Jungkook's brother. 

"Why? Does it make stalking my account harder every night you can't sleep without me?" Jungkook asks, and it hits a little too close to home. 

Jimin's ears ring. Hate that you're awake because you think of me. Only me, only me, you hate how I live even in your dreams. 

He shoots a burning glare at Jungkook. "I don't care what you fucking do with your life."

"Words hurt, baby." Jungkook lets his smirk fade as he looks at Jimin, up and down. "Are you going to cheer for me?"

"Why should I? I'm here for Namjoon hyung."

Jungkook scoffs. "Don't lie, Jiminie. You came to fuck with my head."

Jimin raises his brows. "Oh really? Am I succeeding, then?" he says, voice dropping, so soft yet so dangerous. 

"You know you fucking are." Jungkook huffs, and suddenly Jimin can't think clearly snymore. "It's a bold move, I have to admit. Showing up at my gig with fucking Kim Seokjin when you know how I feel about him. Is he everything you ever dreamed of, Mini? Does he give you everything you want?" 

Breath leaves Jimin's lungs with a whoosh. "Jungkook—" he starts to say, but he gets lost in the blatant jealousy and anger dancing in Jungkook's eyes. Jimin leans in, closer, desperate, wanton, he needs—

There's a knock on the door. "Jungkook?"

Jungkook groans. "Hyung, you are such a fucking cock-block," he scolds.

Jimin smacks his chest. "Don't say that," he hisses. 

"Yeah, yeah. Some fuckwad made it a part of my job description to have the talent on stage in time. I bet God laughed the day I signed the papers to tie my fate in with yours. In any case, you're going on stage next. Also, Mr. Park's boyfriend is looking for him, so if you just happen to run into him, please do relay the message to him," the person on the other side of the bathroom door calls out in a very tired voice. 

"Will do," Jungkook promises. 

"He knows about us?!" Jimin hisses accusingly. 

Jungkook shrugs. "Apparently."

"Why are you so calm? He knows about us. If one person in the industry knows, soon everyone knows. Are you fucking insane? The whole fucking point was that no one finds out. This is exactly what I thought would happen," Jimin hisses. "God, why did you have to post that song?" 

"No one knows anything. It's just a song, Jimin," Jungkook points out, suddenly tired. He's never gonna win, what's the fucking point of playing the game? 

"It's not just about the song!" Jimin finally explodes. 

"What is it then?" Jungkook asks; so, so carefully. 

The million things Jimin has been thinking about, the million things he wants to say but can't, they all race across his lips. He has missed Jungkook ridiculously much, despite being so angry with him that he could burst; he has felt anxious, jealous, hopeless, infuriated, lonely. It's a cocktail of despair, and there's no safe place to launch it to. Jungkook's right there, but he feels so far away, Jimin hates it. He can't tell Jungkook how he really feels, not now that everything is so screwed up between them. This is what flying too close to the sun feels like, if he keeps going, his wings will melt. He can't afford to be vulnerable now, can't let Jungkook in and risk him not liking what he finds. 

Now I've fucking lost at my own game.  

Jimin pushes Jungkook away by his chest. "Why don't you just draw the cards and figure it out yourself," he spits out, dodging Jungkook's question and leaves. Jungkook watches him go, lost, frustrated and heart fucking clenching again like it's in a torture rack, pulled, pulled, pulled, until it will surely break. 

You're mine to lose but never to keep. 

Chapter Text

Head spinning, Jimin walks through the hallway. The closer to the stage he gets, the busier the bustle around him becomes. There are assistants, managers, artists, stylists, technicians, all flying around the vast hallway like a deranged swarm of seagulls Jimin has to dodge. 

Despite the chaos, Jimin keeps going, all the way to behind the stage after finding no trace of Seokjin or Namjoon in the dressing rooms. The reason why follows next, he hears the MC yelling another cheesy introduction for Namjoon.

Peaking into the audience from the corner of the stage, Jimin notices Seokjin at their VIP section along with Taehyung. He considers joining them, but he's still so wrapped up in the fight with Jungkook that he deems best to stay back. 

It's too late to slip into the crowd, so he watches Namjoon's show from backstage. Namjoon's performance is good, fantastic even, but Jimin can't get into it, head swarming with thoughts. He thinks about Jungkook, the fight they had, except was it even really a fight? The way Jimin can still taste Jungkook's lips would beg to differ, but the cold words he spat at the rapper makes him think it was. 

For him, Jungkook's always been hard to read. 

He startles when he hears Jungkook's name being called, and he realizes it must be Jungkook's turn. 

Unprepared to move, Jimin stands to the side of the stage, arms crossed, lips pursed in disapproval. Jungkook walks past him, frowning in concentration, but his eyes light up at Jimin's presence. He's excited that Jimin's watching him perform, and maybe that makes something flutter in Jimin's stomach.

"Enjoying the show?" the rapper asks, halting his steps. "Planning what to wear to my victory party?" 

Jimin huffs. "You can't seriously think you'll win against Kim Namjoon. The Kim Namjoon."

Namjoon is an industry legend. He has been performing since he was a teen, paving the way for every rapper who came after him. Sometimes as Jimin listens to Namjoon's achievements, he can barely believe that they are only a year apart in age. Namjoon has already done so much, changed the world for the better, and it's not even an exaggeration to say so.

"Cheer for me, and I might," Jungkook flirts, and Jimin has trouble breathing. Jungkook always does this. He never admits being hurt, he keeps it all inside and pretends like everything's okay. 

Jimin's still reeling as Jungkook walks onto the stage without another glance back.  

Jungkook's now wearing a bomber jacket, hair mussed up just the way Jimin's fingers running through left it. The thought makes Jimin's pulse pick up; the people in the crowd have no idea what their favorite artist has just been up to. Then again, they probably wouldn't be too surprised to hear it. Not like Jimin's fans who frequently forget that he's a real person and not just a pretty picture in a magazine. 

Jungkook takes the stage with the confidence and familiarity of someone who knows that he's good at what he does. The crowd agrees, if the deafening screams are anything to go by. 

Jimin holds his breath as Jungkook picks up the mic, and the infuriatingly familiar piano interlude starts playing. 

said you'd heard of me 

good

then you know whose name to scream

And they do. People jump and scream along to the lyrics Jungkook wrote about Jimin, unaware of the drama unfolding right in front of their eyes. 

Every single person in the crowd has their attention on Jungkook, the words he spits out, bitter yet gentle, captivating everyone, and Jimin's no different. He wants to be angry, he wants to hate the song, but Jungkook's making it very difficult for him. 

draw the cards, you're the King of Hearts

Korea's sweetheart isn't that sweet after all

can't let anyone see who you really are 

Jungkook's a professional through and through — it's obvious from the way he moves, from the way he has the entire crowd under his control.

It's crazy how far he has come in such a little time, Jimin realizes. Jungkook first made a splash a few years ago when he put out a mixtape as an underground rapper. Since then, he has skyrocketed to the very top of both Korean and international music world. 

The first time Jimin had heard of him was after Taehyung returned from Japan after living there for a year. Excitement shooting out of him like lasers, holding on to a CD he had just bought. Jimin remembers making fun of him — who even bought CDs anymore?

He had stopped laughing at the first track — Jungkook was very talented already back then. It hasn't been that long since that sunny afternoon, but Jungkook's gone far, and it's a little bit of a miracle since he's not an idol with a big company boosting and promoting him. 

Jungkook glances at where he knows Jimin is standing. His voice drops lower. 

I rule a kingdom but you rule over me

baby, I'll build you an altar, bow at your feet

God, you're the prettiest devil I've ever seen

drag me to hell, I'll never leave

you're mine to lose but never to keep

There's a thunder storm inside Jimin's mind, paroxysms of rain drowning out every thought he tries to form. He's gasping for air, the lyrics cutting him like the sword of a mercenary, each sting precise and deadly. 

you can have me any way you want

all of me, maybe nothing at all

Jungkook's voice is taunting, dark; his pace growing faster, and yet Jimin's the one gasping for air, the beats of his heart banging in sync with the unforgiving bass. Listening to Jungkook pour his feelings into the song, makes Jimin feel like he's only hearing it for the first time. 

I ask for too much, then beg for more 

a fucking Fool, this is all I'm good for

Jimin's heart fucking clenches at that. The lyrics are raw and honest, painful even, and Jimin can't believe he didn't hear it before despite the furious repeat he had put the song on. Taehyung was right; his fear of losing his career made him understand the song all wrong. 

Jungkook moves effortlessly, every gesture and expression fits the song perfectly. It's not not practiced to the ground like Jimin's would be, no: Jungkook's work thrives from his passion, and every person in the audience can feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

give me an order, make me behave

dig me a grave, I'll lie down and wait

put me in chains, I'll never escape

wave for the crowd, steal my breath

make me crave for your kiss of death

don't look now if you're afraid

with one last smile, the King of Hearts has won again

The lyrics always felt harsh, but now he hears the underlying hurt, too. Jimin's been so focused on trying to keep his career on track, trying to protect his heart, trying not to fall for Jungkook that he's become shortsighted. His contract, still unsigned and unnegotiated, looms over him like a storm cloud, about to scoop him up, spin him out of his mind and spit him out with irreversible damage. 

Of course you'd hear it like that. 

That's what Jungkook said, and in a way, Jimin's reaction was extremely expected. He's always worried, always telling Jungkook to be more careful. The ever present fear of making a mistake instilled in him since his trainee days and the worry of losing everything he built in the last nine years have made him too cautious.

"I'm a fucking Fool for you, baby," Jungkook finishes, kissing two of his fingers and pointing at the sky, sending a kiss to the stars.  

Jimin stands rooted in his spot, unable to move as the audience roars with applause and praise, screaming for more. Jimin can't bring himself to even clap; his entire body feels numb and stiff, painful realizations coursing through him too little, too late. It's cruel, much too cruel to learn to read the writing on the wall after the test. 

The show culminates on a fierce battle between Namjoon and Jungkook. 

The crowd is brimming with tangible excitement, people chanting Namjoon and Jungkook's names. Jimin briefly wonders if he should try to slip back in to the crowd, but just the thought of trying to push his way through sea of bodies brings up a nasty flashback to an overcrowded airport. So he stays, watching the show behind the stage. 

Jungkook seems to gain energy from Jimin watching him. He flashes a smile at Jimin before launching onto a long freestyle verse that has Namjoon clapping even if it was supposed to be a diss at him. 

Namjoon's just as excited, vibrating as he waits for his turn. Their cover of being rivals is crumbling right before Jimin's eyes with how wide both of them are smiling, clapping at each other's performances. 

Their face-off ends without a winner, but no one seems to mind. 

Feet feeling wobbly, Jimin rushes over to Jungkook once the rapper gets off stage. The performance made Jimin realize that he has to talk to Jungkook again. He needs to tell him that he hears it now, that he understands. He can't explain the urgency, his feet just move on their own accord. His heart beats like he's running, squeezing and clenching at the thought of talking to Jungkook. 

His eyes quickly pick out Jungkook despite him being surrounded with people. Someone is handing him a towel to wipe his sweat with, someone else asks him to sign something. And then there are the fans, drooling all over him, competing for his attention. It's exactly what Jungkook deserves, every word of adoration, every praise sung at him. 

But now, Jimin feels so out of place with him. Jungkook is a huge star, it finally really hits him. Of course, Jimin has been listening to Jungkook's music since the beginning thanks to his music-savvy best friend, but him and Jungkook have always been worlds apart, he has never before seen the way Jungkook bends masses to his will with one talented flick of his wrist. 

Cement pours down Jimin's legs, locking him in place, leaving him to observe Jungkook from afar. Despite the image Jungkook's often given in the press, he's nothing but polite, smiling for every picture, making his fans giggle and blush with his wit. 

Jimin stays back, unsure of his feet, growing more and more self-conscious by every anxious minute ticking by. He should just go, stop making a fool out of himself. This is not his scene, this is not who he is. He must have looked so strange in the audience earlier, South Korea's sweetheart trying to act tough by attending an underground rap concert. He's an idiot and a fraud. 

Suddenly, Jungkook looks up, meeting eyes with Jimin. 

Their gazes lock for a second, but then Jimin backs out, turning away to clear his head. This was stupid of him. He should have just gone to Namjoon who came down from the other side of stage. Jungkook doesn't need his former fuck buddy souring his mood after such an amazing performance. 

Jimin has only managed a few steps when Namjoon already makes an appearance, walking toward him with Taehyung and Seokjin. 

Taehyung waves at him. "Hey, Mini. I just talked these two into going to the club with us. You're still coming, right?" he makes sure. Jimin vaguely remembers Taehyung whispering something about going out after the gig while Jimin was rolling out of bed, dazed and still half-asleep. That sneaky Hufflepuff. 

"Yeah, sure." 

"Cool. Let's go ask if Jungkook wants to join us," Taehyung says next, much to Jimin's horror. 

"Tae—" he starts, shooting him a look, but Taehyung just winks at him and starts walking, leaving them no other choice than to follow. 

Jimin wants to hide, wants to run away, but he can't; he's stuck following his friends right to the source of his hesitation. 

Namjoon calls out to Jungkook. "Hey, Jungkook, come meet my friends, I'll properly introduce you. You briefly met Seokjin hyung and Jiminie, but here's Kim Taehyung." 

Taehyung looks at Jungkook up and down, as if evaluating him. "So, you're Jeon Jungkook," he says, letting his gaze very obviously trail over Jungkook's narrow hips, thick thighs and toned arms. 

Jungkook responds to his staring with an easy smile. "And you're Taetae," he teases. Jimin's cheeks flush, but Taehyung takes the nickname Jimin calls him into stride. 

"That's me. I see who you've been hanging out with," Taehyung remarks, but Jimin flees his knowing eyes. 

Jungkook and Taehyung immediately hit it off which in a way was to be expected since Taehyung could make friends with most anyone and Jungkook's relatively easy-going, too. Taehyung does remark that he likes some underground rapper Agust D better than Jungkook who just laughs and admits that he likes Agust D's work as well. Jimin honestly feels a bit jealous, but then he remembers how instant his connection to Taehyung was. That's just how Kim Taehyung works: he feels at home pretty much anywhere, with anyone he wants. 

It's just a little irritating how easy it seems to be for them when everything is so complicated with Jungkook and Jimin.

"Hey, Jungkook," Taehyung says. Jungkook looks up, answering the call, eyes glancing once at Jimin before returning to Taehyung. Taehyung smiles, the tiny action having not gone unnoticed. "Jimin and I were just wondering if you'd like to come with us to a club, keep the party going." 

Jimin kind of wants to take the mic from Jungkook's hand just so he could beat Taehyung with it. He suddenly feels like a child who has asked his friend to confess for him because he didn't have the courage to do it himself. 

He can feel Jungkook's eyes on him, but he stubbornly looks away. Embarrassment flushes into his stomach, cheeks aflame. He barely hears Jungkook answering Taehyung, agreeing to go out, asking if his "friends" could tag along, too. 

Great. 

The club they go to is a secret one, members only. With the impossible standards their fans and the media place on them, idols have had to get creative to party without consequences. The club is one of the only places idols can let loose without fear of losing everything. Security is tight as hell, there are four secret exits, and the main entry point is at the reception of a renown hotel, so paparazzi won't wonder why someone might stay there overnight. The club only allows a relatively small crowd of people inside at the same time, so they can guarantee that no one will be filmed in secret or followed home from there.  

It's the same club where Jimin and Jungkook hooked up once before, at the beginning of summer. 

Squeezing into a car together, Jimin hisses at Taehyung: "What the hell was that? Why did you ask Jungkook to come with us?"  

Taehyung shrugs. "I want to see you two together. Also, I've worshiped every album Jungkook's ever put out, so like hell I'm going to pass up on the chance of having a drink with my second favorite rapper." 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "That's not even a thing. You either like his music or you don't," he snaps. He's so anxious he could burst; why is he going along with this madness?

"Calm down, Mama Bear," Taehyung huffs and dodges Jimin's finger trying to flick his forehead. "Jungkook's stuff is good, too, but Agust D reigns superior. He was my first and the last, my baby shaman." 

Jimin decides not to ask what the hell that means. Years and years of friendship with Taehyung have taught him that sometimes it's best to just go with what Taehyung says, no matter how weird.

His thoughts are focusing more on another thing, anyway. 

"He brought all of his friends with him," Jimin mutters. Taehyung chuckles at that which Jimin finds to be the completely wrong response to his admittance of insecurity. He glares at Taehyung, opening his mouth to give his best friend a piece of his mind, but Taehyung beats him to the punch. 

"Aw, are you jealous? Chimmy, hate to burst this very amusing bubble, but that man can't keep his eyes away from you long enough to be interested in someone else," Taehyung says, eyes sparkling in amusement. 

Jimin glares at him, even if Taehyung's words make his heart jump. "I kind of hate you." 

"Sure you do. Come on, I couldn't just leave him like that, he kept looking at you. I think he wants to kiss and make up." Taehyung puckers his lips, only to suffer the cruel fate of Jimin finally landing a loud flick on his forehead. Taehyung rubs his head, pouting at Jimin. "Ouch."

Jimin huffs. "He can do that all by himself if he does," he says coldly, but it's just a front. He misses Jungkook, and as mad as he wants to be, he wishes they could work things out. He hates it that he only now understands, only now sees the corner he had unknowingly pushed Jungkook into. Only now, when he fears it might be too late. 

"Are you still mad at him?" Taehyung asks. 

"No. I'm mad at myself." Jimin sighs. "I think... I think you were right. I think I misunderstood what he meant with the song." 

Taehyung hums. "What do you think he means then?" 

Jimin shrugs. "Other... stuff. Not what I thought he meant."

"Such as?" Taehyung presses, barely containing his amusement. 

Jimin sulks, frowning. "The stuff you said, okay? You were right, happy now?" he huffs.

"I'm happy when you're happy," Taehyung replies very diplomatically, but Jimin can tell he's pleased to be right. He has often wondered if maybe Taehyung was switched at birth with a fairy child, with how handsome he is, but most especially because of his mischievous personality and his uncanny ability to predict things. 

Jimin lets out a joyless laugh. "Looks like a decade of misery is upon us both, then."

They are quiet for a minute, both lost in thought. Jimin bites his lip and starts, hesitant, "Hey, Tae... about all that stuff with your ex?"

The thing with Taehyung is, he's a good friend to everyone but himself. He's much like Jimin in that sense; they both have a bad habit of bottling worries within themselves in the fear of burdening someone else, even a friend, with them. Jimin's learned to read Taehyung pretty well, sometimes even guessing his thoughts so quickly it resembles telepathy or downright sorcery. 

Right now, Jimin's Taetae Radar is blinking, implying something rippling under the calm surface. 

"It was kind of exhausting. He's still pretty broken up about it all, he accused me of holding his shit hostage at my apartment to keep him from moving on." Taehyung rolls his eyes. "The way a grown man can be dependent on some boxers, a T-shirt and a tie, it's amazing." 

Jimin hums in understanding. It truly was amazing, the bones of a monster that could break through the skin of the person you once loved after a breakup. "What did you agree then?"

"I'll have to go by my house in Ilsan and leave a box of his stuff with my doorman." Taehyung fixes his hair just to have something to do, pensive. 

Jimin strokes his friend's arm, his voice soft as he asks, "Are you okay?" 

"I'm okay. Kind of wondering what I saw in him, but I'm okay." 

Jimin offers a hesitant smile. "As I recall, it was the poems."

"The poems!" Taehyung sighs. "He never wrote me one, though," he says, mischief dancing in his warm brown eyes, shooting Jimin a meaningful look. 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "Don't start." 

"Fine. We're here anyway," Taehyung remarks, familiar excited glint lighting in his eyes. They meet up with Namjoon and Seokjin whom explain that the others already went inside, not wanting to overcrowd the entrance. With Taehyung as their leader, the four of them sneak in through a sketchy doorway Jimin would never approach if he didn't know what was behind it.

A different world reveals itself to them as soon as they walk in, a world of booming bass, expensive drinks left carelessly at tables, a world of the most innocent of idols doing the most scandalous things in plain view. 

"Let's get a table," Jimin suggests, looking forward to drinking his weight in whiskey. 

"Grandma," Taehyung teases, but still leads them into the direction of the tables in the corner. 

"Are there any left?" Seokjin wonders glancing around the spacious yet busy club. 

"Jungkook's got a table, let's go there," Namjoon suggests and leads them to the last table Jimin wants to go to. 

After exchanging a round of hello agains, Taehyung makes sure to get Jimin seated next to Jungkook. Jimin shoots him a glare; what are they, kids in a middle school disco? But it's too late to turn back, so Jimin slides to sit next to Jungkook, mumbling a hello, avoiding the rapper's often too perceptive eyes.

But Jungkook's not looking his way, he replies to the hello and switches back to the conversation he was having with a guy on his right side. 

Jimin swallows his discomfort, trying his best not to worry about the guy. But then the guy places with his fingers on Jungkook's forearm, poking at the rapper's many tattoos, asking what they mean.

Jimin clenches his fists, forcing himself to face away. It's not Jimin's business what Jungkook does or with who. But even if, logically he thinks that, his stupid heart doesn't agree, beating unhappily. His insides turn to ice; frozen spikes piercing his heart each time Jungkook laughs at whatever the guy next to him says.

Jimin vehemently ignores them both, looking around the club instead, taking in the familiar dark design, the ceiling with tiny lights all over it, built to resemble a starry night. 

Taehyung pretends not to notice Jimin's side eye as he easily chats with Jungkook's entourage. It's such a useful superpower, Jimin thinks, to feel at home with anyone. He's never learned it, he takes his time to feel comfortable with people. He's gotten better at hiding his apprehension, though, slowly learning to open up a bit more. 

Jimin lets himself be pulled into the conversation Taehyung leads, but in reality, he's barely listening. He's focused on the arm Jungkook is resting on the booth's arm rest, right behind the guy he's chatting with, the same muscular arm he could wrap around the guy, could pull the guy to a kiss with, could use to hold him down in bed... 

Jimin hates it, hates it so fucking much, hates the thought of Jungkook with anyone else. And then he hates that he feels so possessive over someone who was never his to begin with; over someone who has every right to find happiness and solace, far away from all the drama he has been put through lately. 

And more than anything, Jimin hates that he wants to pull Jungkook to himself, kiss him right then and there, take him home and fuck him like no one else can, make him breathe out only Jimin's name. 

Jimin suddenly realizes that he has been spoken to when everyone at the table turns to look at him. He blinks. "Uh, what?" he says, entirely out of it. 

"How do you not know what a dilf is? God, you're such a Muggle," Taehyung sighs. Jimin's cheeks burn bright, he quickly checks if other tables heard what Taehyung said, but luckily everyone seems too invested in their own conversations to listen in on theirs.

Jungkook's still focused on the guy on his right side, too. 

(Not that anyone cares what Jungkook is doing.)  

Their drinks are delivered promptly to the table, greeted with excited hoots and hollers. Sparkling champagne flows, tall crystals glasses filled to the brim. Someone ordered a round of shots and is now passing the tray around. There's even a glass of whiskey the waitress sets down in front of Jungkook even though Jungkook hates whiskey. She has to lean right over Jimin to deliver it to Jungkook, but judging by her wide smile she doesn't seem to mind the extra effort too much.  

Jungkook smiles back, thanking her for the drink even though Jimin is 99% sure the waitress got his order wrong. Why would Jungkook order it? The only time he drank it was when he was trying to impress Jimin who could drink whiskey like soda. It almost makes him smile now, the memory of the grimace Jungkook's face had contorted to as he took his first sip of whiskey. 

Jimin, however, likes drinking. The numbness that came with downing a drink used to scare him, the feeling of not being 100% in control foreign. But he's learned to let go, to follow the flow of alcohol. He can't worry so much when he drinks, and for someone like him, it's a relief to stop thinking for a while. He still doesn't usually drink a lot, but he can hold his liquor.

Jungkook is so focused on replying to the guy on his right, he hasn't even touched the mysterious glass of whiskey. It's just sitting in front of him, untouched, the ice cubes melting.

Jimin frowns. What are they talking about that's so interesting? He could listen in, but he doesn't want Jungkook to think he cares one way or another. He doesn't, it's just annoying. He's wasting good whiskey. 

Jungkook laughs again. Another wave of annoyance crosses Jimin like tidal wave. Look at me, he thinks. Laugh with me. Touch me. He resents the feeling of craving Jungkook's attention, but he's just used to being the center of Jungkook's world when they're hanging out. 

The whiskey is still untouched. 

A stupid, petty plan forms in his mind. If Jungkook's not going to drink it... Jimin thinks and smirks in secret. The next time Jungkook starts talking to the guy, Jimin inconspicuously slides the glass of whiskey closer to himself. When Jungkook doesn't react, Jimin picks the glass up and takes a sip.

Still no reaction.

It only bothers Jimin more. Why isn't Jungkook saying anything? He saw Jimin do it, he knows he did. Is he that annoyed with Jimin? But then why did he talk to Jimin, business as usual, before he went on stage? Why was he staring at Jimin when he accepted Taehyung's invitation to party together? Why did he come along in the first place? Doesn't he want to mend things? 

Jimin stops playing cautious, leans into Jungkook's space and steals the drink all to himself. Jungkook still doesn't tell him off, but Jimin thinks he catches the corners of Jungkook's mouth curv up. 

"Mini, let's go dance," Taehyung suggests, probably upon noticing Jimin's sour mood. Jimin gratefully accepts and stands up. He stumbles a bit and feels Jungkook's hand on his lower back, supporting him. When he glances back, though, Jungkook's not looking his way, too focused on cracking up at something the guy next to him said.  

Frowning, Jimin follows Taehyung to the crowded dance floor, tired already even though the night's only begun. Loud pop song is bouncing off the walls, jumping around like a deranged spirit, haunting the grinding bodies moving to the furious beat. 

Taehyung leans in. "What's with the frown, Jims?" 

"I'm not frowning." 

"Don't lie." 

Jimin shrugs, giving in. What's the point of hiding his thoughts when Taehyung reads him like a book anyway? "It's nothing, really. You just seem to get along with Jungkook so easily. Makes me wonder where I went wrong." 

"You both make this harder than it has to be. You like him, he likes you, stop playing and start dating," Taehyung shouts into Jimin's ear as the song switches to something with heavier bass. 

"It's not that simple. My company—"

Taehyung rolls his eyes. "Oh my god, your company. You dated in secret before and you lived." 

Jimin huffs. "Yeah, barely. They said that if I get another scandal, they'll drop me. My contract still hasn't been renegotiated, and it ends in December. I think they're intimidating me into playing nice." 

"But you're Park Jimin. They can't pull your contract," Taehyung insists, somehow still naive despite the years he has spent in the industry. 

Jimin shakes his head. "Taetae, you know just as well as I do that it doesn't work like that. If I screw up, they cut me and build another one in my place. It's how the industry works." 

"Not with a legend like you." 

"Remember Lee Yuna? They didn't hesitate to cut her after they found out that she had a girlfriend, and she was ten times bigger than I ever will be," Jimin reminds him. Judging by Taehyung's grimace, his message delivered. "I'm not going to give them a reason to pull my contract. I've been building my career since I was fifteen, I'm not going to let it all go just on the off chance that maybe Jeon Jungkook kind of likes me — for the time being." 

"What they did to Yuna was fucking sick, but she was from a big company with a lot of successful idols, you're not. Half of your company's net worth is brought in by you, they can't cut you without serious financial repercussions," Taehyung claims. 

Jimin breathes in, breathes out. There's another reason. "There's... there's Yoonho, too," he starts hesitantly.  

A knowing look crosses Taehyung's eyes. He was there to help Jimin pick up the pieces of his heart, he knows just how badly the last time hurt. "Do you think Jungkook's like Yoonho?"

Jimin doesn't have to think about his answer. "No," he says immediately.  

"Then stop giving that bastard the satisfaction of ruining your relationships post him. Can't you see that by holding onto all that you're still giving him control over your life?" Taehyung reminds, gentle yet firm. 

Jimin looks away. "It's not that easy." 

"I know it's not, but you gotta start somewhere. It doesn't need to be with Jungkook or anyone if that's not what you want, but you need to leave the past in the past." Taehyung pauses, shaking his head. "Both you and Jungkook are so damn stubborn." 

"No, we're not," Jimin denies, and Taehyung sighs, his point having just been proven.

"Just talk to him, Mini. We both know you're dying to." 

After a while, Jimin and Taehyung return to the booth, sweaty but happy. Much to Jimin's chagrin, most of the others followed them to the dance floor, leaving only some girl on her phone, Jungkook and the guy hitting on him at the table. 

Just then, the guy leans in to talk to Jungkook, his lips almost grazing at Jungkook's ear. Jimin's hands start to shake, he bats them into fists. He hates the wave of jealousy that crosses over him, hates that he wants to go between them. They're just talking, for crying out loud, he tries to tell himself. Calm down. And even if they weren't, even if they were fucking in the corner of the damn dance floor, it's not Jimin's business. Jungkook is free to do as he pleases. 

His stupid heart doesn't seem to listen to reason, though. There's an inexplicable hurt and anger hiding underneath his skin, demanding him to act impulsively. 

Jungkook laughs. 

The guy leans in again, and this time Jimin is fucking sure he made some sort of a dirty suggestion since Jungkook's eyes widen slightly, smirk twisting his lips. Jimin knows that smirk, he's usually the cause for it. Jungkook's expressions are pretty easy to read once you get to know him, even if his thoughts aren't. 

Someone comes by to hit on Jimin, but he's barely listening, focusing only on Jungkook and the guy with him, his fingers squeezing the glass in his hand like his life depended on it. 

Jungkook looks up, meeting eyes with Jimin. He raises his brows as if to ask What are you looking at, and Jimin responds with a simple glare. He shouldn't show it, Jungkook shouldn't think about Jimin at all. They ended their agreement, Jungkook can (and should!) do whatever he wants. But at the same time, he can't look away, can't let it go. 

Jimin doesn't want to make a scene by storming out so obviously, so he waves at Taehyung and walks out in a carefully calm pace to the tiny yard in the heart of the club, desperate for a breath of fresh air.

The door slams closed after him, and for the first time that night Jimin takes an unburdened breath, trying to shoo away the unpleasant jealousy from his system. 

"Could I interest you in a nice platitude in these trying times?" a familiar voice says. "The sun also rises."

Jimin forces a smile and turns to greet the actor. "Jin hyung." 

Seokjin stands there in his pink leather jacket, smiling despite how Jimin has neglected him all night. He's been a terrible date. He keeps leaving Seokjin alone because of his own petty dramas. Luckily, Seokjin's a lot like Taehyung in the sense that he easily becomes a part of a group and has been enjoying Namjoon's company and dancing with Jungkook's friends. 

Jimin has noticed to his excitement that Namjoon and Seokjin really seem to come along nicely. They have the same sense of humor which of course doesn't bode well for their friends who already need to listen to terrible puns that have now been pumped up to double the usual amount. But it's nice; they seem to click well. 

"How's your night going?" Jimin asks, forcing another smile that feels even less genuine than the first one. 

Seokjin's response make Jimin's stomach drop, despite the gentle tone. "So... you and Jeon Jungkook, huh?" he asks, toeing at a small rock in the yard, kicking it around. 

Jimin pales. His voice is but a shadow. "What?"

Seokjin gives him a small smile. "It's okay, I'm not going to tell anyone. You're really cute together. Did you know that every time you look at him, he looks away, but every time you look away, he looks at you?"

Jimin can't breathe.

Seokjin hums to himself. "I first wondered about you two when you came with me to that dinner in Japan, with swollen lips and a bashful smile. But seeing you tonight... It's obvious that there's something going on with you two. I just hope you don't wait too long to tell him how you feel. Sometimes when I like someone, I wait too long and lose my chance to a handsome guy in a bomber jacket. Anyway, I'll see you inside." Seokjin abruptly turns around, waving a goodbye, heading inside.

Jimin should stop him, convince him he's got it wrong, but he just can't bear the weight of another lie. Jungkook's not no one, and Jimin's idiotic heart was already taken before him and Seokjin ever met. He's been making a home inside a tornado for a while already.  

"Hyung..." Jimin starts, but Seokjin just smiles at him over his shoulder and disappears back inside the club. Exhausted, Jimin slumps down on the large rock bench. For the first time in his life, he wishes he smoked. Just to have something to do, just to have a reason to sit there, staring at nothing. 

"Trouble in paradise?"

Jimin closes his eyes for a second before asking, "What do you want, Jungkook?"

Jungkook comes fully into his view, sitting down at the opposing end of the bench. "Funny, that's my question for you too." 

"I can't possibly know what you want, Jungkook."

Jungkook hums. "Cute." 

"Shouldn't you get back already? Bet your boyfriend misses you," Jimin snaps, and it's infuriating hearing himself say it, like he's some obsessive ex. He's nothing, no one. 

Jungkook arches a brow. "My boyfriend?" he repeats slowly. 

There's something akin to a growl building up in Jimin's throat; he hasn't been this angry in years. "The guy with his hands all over you," he seethes. He bites his lip, trying to keep the overwhelming jealousy down. 

"Why do you care?" 

Jimin scoffs. "I don't care."

"Sure you don't. Too bad I don't have any more drinks you could steal," Jungkook points out. 

Jimin raises his brows. "Didn't think you noticed with how busy you were getting busy."

Jungkook scoffs. "Who do you think I ordered whiskey for? You know I don't drink it. I was waiting for you to to talk to me."

"You didn't look particularly lonely." 

"Whatever you say, babe." Jungkook huffs, looking around. They are alone in the yard, just the night wind keeping them company. Jungkook frowns, looking around the yard. "I hate clubs."

Jimin scoffs. "Yeah, right." Definitely didn't seem like Jungkook hated clubbing at all only ten minutes ago. Jimin looks at him, challenge in his eyes. "If you hate clubs so much, why'd you agree to come here with us?"

"Why do you think?" Jungkook says bitterly, like Jimin should know the answer already. 

"I honestly don't know anymore." 

"Sounds about right." Jungkook scoffs, standing up.

Jimin glances at Jungkook's friends that he can see on the dance floor through the glass doors. "Won't your friend mind you staying away so long?" he can't help but ask. 

"Which one of us has a boyfriend again?" Jungkook points out in a rough voice, and he's standing so close, looking at him, Jimin feels his eyes automatically search for Jungkook's. 

"A fake boyfriend," Jimin corrects. 

"Same difference." Jungkook stays quiet for a long time before launching, "If I were your boyfriend, I'd kiss you right here. I'd hold your waist when we danced and make you blush by whispering you all the dirty things I wanted to do to you."

Jimin's eyes widen. "That's what you want?" 

Jungkook doesn't answer, he just looks at Jimin, and there's something intense in his eyes Jimin has never seen before. Jimin can't decode it, can't tell what Jungkook is thinking or feeling.

Air abandons both of their lungs, sprinting to the smoky night sky, hiding behind the storm clouds still sitting on top of the club. Yet, no raindrop falls, no rumble of thunder sounds. Jimin wonders what it's waiting for, why won't it let nature's fury spring free?

"Go home with me," Jimin suddenly suggests, impulsively, recklessly.  

Jungkook arches a brow, pausing. Then he flashes a smile. "I thought you'd never ask."

Jimin keeps mostly quiet on the way to his apartment, aside from telling the driver good night. The car slips past the gates and goes around the building, preparing to leave them at the hidden exit. 

Jimin doesn't speak up even as he pays the driver, tells him to drive safe and walks out of the cab. Jungkook still follows, feeling the command in the air. 

Rain is pouring, thunder roaring. Someone from Jimin's building rushes out with an umbrella. Their level of professionalism can be assessed from how they don't let any surprise show on their face at the sight of Jungkook. 

The second the apartment door closes behind them, Jimin's hands are in Jungkook's nape, pulling him down to him, impatient. Their lips find each other in the dark, as they fumble through the living room to Jimin's bedroom, peeling each other's clothes off. 

Jimin's fingers makes quick work of Jungkook's belt and zipper, needing him closer. Jungkook is even faster in stripping Jimin who's only wearing his socks anymore and then they are gone, too. 

He can't stop staring at Jungkook's shirt, the way it is fitting against Jungkook's muscular arms and flat stomach, hugging his small waist. "Get on the bed," he mutters into Jungkook's neck, pulling the offending shirt over Jungkook's head.  

Jungkook smirks. "Why? Are you going to punish me, Jiminie?" 

Jimin pushes Jungkook who easily falls back on the bed. "You think you are so bad," Jimin taunts, straddling him. "But I've got you now, and I plan to ruin you." He leans in, his hands reaching for Jungkook who wants nothing more than to be captured, interlocking their fingers.

Jungkook breathes in deep. "Baby... watch your mouth. Don't make promises you can't keep," he says, the taunt masking his desperation. 

Jimin stares at him, eyes bright and cheeks flushed with jealousy, his wet hair sticking to his forehead. He wants to punish Jungkook for how he always fucking gets what he wants. It's infuriating. Jimin is used to being the one who gets whatever he wants. He doesn't know how to react to someone who is using his tricks against him.

His skin tingles, throat burning. There's a curse building in his lungs, but he knows it'll only come out as a moan. He wants to burn his name into Jungkook's mind, stop him from thinking about anyone else for days. He wants to write his touch into Jungkook's skin, so no one else can place their hand there without breathing out Jimin's name. 

Letting go of Jungkook's hands, Jimin drags his nails down Jungkook's bare chest, enjoying the sound Jungkook makes in response. "This is what you wanted, right?"

"Yes," Jungkook breathes out.

His eyes stay glued to Jimin who smirks at him, licking his lips. "I'm going to wreck you, baby," the demon disguised as an angel singsongs. 

"Do it," Jungkook sics him on. "Show me your worst."

"I want your fingers," Jimin says, and Jungkook nods, yes, anything, but when he reaches around Jimin, Jimin shakes his head. "No, I will fuck myself onto your fingers." 

"Come on, Mini, pl—" Jungkook bites his lip, stubbornly holding back. Jimin smirks at him, squirting lube onto Jungkook's fingers, massaging his hand until the liquid warms up a bit. Then he guides Jungkook's hand to his entrance, enjoying himself. 

Jungkook takes a deep breath when he feels his finger prodding at Jimin's tight ring of muscle. Jimin uses him to tease himself, shamelessly rubbing himself with Jungkook's fingers before he starts fitting in the first finger. 

It's a surreal experience, to finger-fuck Jimin but have none of the control. Jimin's calling all the shots, and even though he does that a lot, Jungkook finds it especially hot tonight. His breathing turns short and irregular, bordering on panting even though Jimin's barely begun.

The way Jimin bites his lip, closing his eyes as Jungkook's finger reaches further inside, Jungkook's ready to beg already, and the game's only just started. 

If Jungkook thought he was having a hard time before, it only gets worse when Jimin inserts another one of Jungkook's fingers inside of himself. Now he can properly fuck himself onto Jungkook's fingers, and he doesn't waste time to do so. Jimin lets out a loud moan once he has both of Jungkook's fingers buried to the hilt inside of him. Jungkook forces himself to stay in place, even if he wants nothing more than to give Jimin more reasons to moan for. 

This is already hell. 

Jimin sets up a slow, teasing pace. He slides down Jungkook's slicked up fingers, then back up, all the while letting out soft little moans that fuck with Jungkook's head worse than the loud ones did. Because the loud ones, Jungkook knows, the loud ones are for show. These quiet pleas are involuntary, needy and fucking sexy.

Jungkook's head is empty, all he can think about is Jimin, Jimin fucking himself onto Jungkook's fingers, Jimin moaning and whining when he wants more but doesn't want to ask for it, Jimin whom he swears keeps almost whispering his name, almost begging Jungkook to fuck him harder. 

Needing more, Jimin blindly looks for a third finger. Jungkook moves quickly, guiding it inside on his own. Jimin raises a brow at the disobedience, but not for long. He pushes back onto Jungkook's fingers and doesn't say a word when Jungkook misbehaves and fucks his fingers into Jimin. He feels too good, it's exactly what he has been craving for. 

Jungkook stops pretending to play by Jimin's rules and takes a better hold of Jimin's hips, keeping him in place as his hand speeds up, fourth finger joining in. 

Jimin throws his head back, gasping as he feels the pleasure building inside of him.

"Jungkook," he whispers, and Jungkook has never heard anyone say his name like that, not like Jimin does, so fucking soft and needy and goddamn addictive. He knows it'll ring through his head the next time he's jacking off. 

Jungkook's hands move up, as if to take a better hold of Jimin's waist, but Jimin swats them away. "Nice try," he breathes out, slipping off of Jungkook's fingers despite his cock throbbing in protest, "but I'm not done with you yet."

Jimin takes a breath, willing the haze in his brain from being so close to an orgasm to go down. His eyes raking over Jungkook's naked form, lingering on Jungkook's hard cock curving up against the rapper's stomach.

He smirks down at him. "Should we see how long I'll have to keep going until you beg for me?" he taunts. He takes a hold of Jungkook's cock and snickers when Jungkook stops smiling. "Worried?"

He spits into his hand and starts jerking the shaft slowly, keeping his eyes on Jungkook. Jungkook swallows, following the excruciatingly slow movement of Jimin's hands. He doesn't say anything, however, he knows Jimin would take it as begging.

"You wanted my attention?" Jimin hums, thumbing at Jungkook's slit until the man under him shudders. "Is that why you posted that song?"

Jungkook grins, lazy and nonchalant. "It worked, didn't it?"

Jimin shoots him a look. "Someone should seriously teach you some fucking manners. I can't believe you just dropped that song and fled the country." 

"Why do you think I did it?" Jungkook challenges, but Jimin doesn't take the bait. Wanting to wipe that smirk off his face, Jimin picks up his pace, settling into a rhythm that his wrist will surely hate him for tomorrow, but the way Jungkook squirms is reward enough. Jungkook's breathing hard, moving up, chasing his orgasm—

And then Jimin lets go. 

Jungkook opens his mouth, about to protest, but he quickly closes it again, forcing down the whine building up in his throat.

"Good boy," Jimin murmurs.

The only sound in the room is Jungkook's heavy breathing. He'd feel embarrassed about how needy he sounds if it weren't for the addictive gleam of lust in Jimin's eyes. 

Another moment later, Jimin's fingers again wrap around Jungkook's hard cock, stroking. "Won't you tell me?" Jimin hums, edging Jungkook who already knows he'll lose this game, too. "Won't you tell me what that was about?" 

Jungkook's so, so close again. "Don't you fucking do it—" he begs. 

"Oopsies," Jimin taunts and stifles yet another orgasm. Jungkook is so frustrated that he could cry. Something is already stinging in the corners of his eyes.

"This must be so frustrating for you. So annoying, huh?" Jimin taunts as he leans closer, kissing up Jungkook's neck. Jungkook hates his body for immediately responding to Jimin's touch; every muscle under Jimin's touch goes rigid. "You really hate it when people disobey you, right?" 

The words sting, but Jungkook still won't speak, he knows he'd only be digging his own grave. Jungkook just glares at him, trying to make Jimin finish him off already by the sheer power of telepathy.

Jimin takes his silence as affirmative. "Now we're getting somewhere. Does it bother you that I brought Jin hyung as my date? Did it piss you off?"

Jungkook glares at him, not answering, but the look on his face speaks volumes. 

"My turn," he demands, and Jimin immediately obeys, eager. Jungkook pushed to his breaking point is really fucking hot. Jimin presses his buttons daily, but he rarely manages to actually piss Jungkook off. Usually Jungkook is just playing the part. 

Jungkook takes a hold of Jimin who gladly lets himself be manhandled onto his stomach, shivering in anticipation as he feels Jungkook's hands travel down his body. 

"Of fucking course I was pissed off," he growls into Jimin's neck. "You just drop a bomb out of nowhere that you have a boyfriend and I'm just supposed to be okay with that? What the hell was that, Jimin?"

Jimin opens his mouth to answer, but Jungkook uses that to slip two fingers past the model's lips, pressing against his tongue. Jimin has to focus on controlling his gag reflex, but his eyes still slightly tear up. 

"Suck," Jungkook commands. Jimin shivers, both in response to the words as well as to Jungkook's fingers intruding his mouth. Jimin wraps his tongue around the fingers, coating them with his saliva. Next, the same fingers are pressing against his entrance.

Jimin moans when he feels himself being carefully spread apart, the spit mixing with lube. Jungkook bites his cheeks and then directs his mouth lower. His tongue travels around the stretched ring of muscle, making Jimin moan. He's never been more turned on in his life, his cock leaking all over the sheets already. 

Jungkook pauses only to dip his fingers into the bottle of lube. Then he dives back in, fucking his tongue inside of Jimin all the while scissoring his fingers in, showing Jimin how it's done. Jimin smiles into his arm, enjoying himself. Jungkook is too easy to rile up. 

Jungkook has the model shaking and panting in only a few minutes. Jimin's cock rubs uselessly against the mattress, painfully hard. Jungkook leans over him, pinning him down. 

"Was that fair?" he asks, spanking Jimin's ass and making the model yelp. He spanks him again, harder this time when Jimin begs for more. 

He turns Jimin onto his back, meeting eyes with the model whose gaze is already glazing over, and starts carefully pushing inside him. Jungkook feels so good inside him, the tight grip Jungkook has on the V of Jimin's hip bones comfortingly familiar. Jungkook doesn't mind letting Jimin run things, but Jimin loves it when he takes over, too. 

The lights go out just then — the storm is wreaking havoc outside. Darkness makes everything look different somehow, the atmosphere growing more and more intense until words feel needless. Something feels different from other times that they have fucked, but Jimin chalks it up to the angry weather. 

Jungkook corrects his posture, so his back won't kill him tomorrow and pushes the rest of the way inside. Jimin makes a sound of surprise, followed by a hungry moan. His eyes are locked to Jungkook's, unyielding even when a bright lightning bolt illuminates the room, dancing across the dark sky. 

Jimin used to think missionary was the most boring position. Right now though, he can't remember why he thought that. His cock feels like it's never been as hard, a pit of despair and all-consuming lust swirling in his stomach. He stares up, hypnotized by Jungkook, who stares back, swiping his tongue across his lips.  

Jungkook's hips speed up, slamming against Jimin, dragging out hoarse moans. Jimin's hands are in Jungkook's nape, pulling him down for breathless kisses. Jungkook's barely responding, more focused on making Jimin feel good with his deep thrusts, aiming for Jimin's sweet spot. 

"Please..." Jimin begs, and it's such a small sound yet it breaks Jungkook out from his stupor. He kisses back, sucking on Jimin's lips until the model whines, satisfied. 

Spasming, Jimin feels himself come undone, lost in the riptide of pleasure. Jungkook releases just before Jimin does, with a cry of Jimin's name that pushes Jimin over the edge. He stills, come landing on his stomach. 

Jungkook carefully pulls out, crashing next to Jimin. Silence stretches between them as they both listen to hard rain tapping against the windows.

Jimin sighs. "God, it's really pouring outside," he says, and Jungkook hums in response. "Do you wanna stay the night?" Jimin cringes at himself, specifying, "Just... the storm." 

Jungkook nods. "Yeah," he agrees, smiling softly, "because of the storm." 

"Cool. So you know, you, uh, know where everything is right?" 

"Everything?" Jungkook teases, eyes big and innocent. "What do you mean?"

"Don't tease me," Jimin whines. He stands up, heading to the bathroom, and Jungkook hesitantly follows after Jimin calls out to him. Jimin's already cleaned up, doing his skincare routine, but he hands Jungkook a toothbrush and babbles something about another bathroom next to the study. Jungkook, however, is only focused on the green moisturizing mask on Jimin's face. 

"Shrek is love. Shrek is life," he chants, enthralled. 

The skin under the green turns red. "I will murder you," Jimin threatens, reaching for Jungkook, splashing some of the mask still in his fingers onto Jungkook's cheek.

Jungkook howls as if burned, only egging on Jimin who squirts more of the stuff onto his fingers and cups Jungkook's face, rubbing it into Jungkook's skin, claiming: "If I'm Shrek, you can be Fiona." 

Jungkook struggles, but Jimin's stronger than he looks, locking him in place. The green spreads everywhere: Jungkook's forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, lips, eyebrows, even his hair when Jungkook struggles.

"Jimin," Jungkook threatens, "Get this shit off of me, or else." 

Jimin is laughing so hard he has trouble standing, very much unbothered by Jungkook's words. He holds onto Jungkook's shoulder for support, which only makes him laugh harder as he's constantly next to Jungkook's green face. 

Jungkook takes a hold of Jimin's waist and walks him back, all the way to shower, cruelly turning it on right after pushing Jimin under it. Jimin screeches at the cold water, the face mask peeling off like green tears, streaking his entire body. Jungkook's eyes follow the green trails, so much so that he doesn't notice Jimin turning the faucet at him before it's too late. 

He lets out the highest pitched scream Jimin has heard in his life which immediately has the model cracking up again, still laughing as Jungkook takes the showerhead from him, still laughing as he sprays him with the cold water, still laughing as their eyes meet. 

Then the giggles get stuck in his throat. 

"Do you want to—" Jimin starts before Jungkook cuts him off with a hurried Yes, consuming Jimin's lips. Hair damp, they stumble back to bed and pick up right where they left off. 

Jimin drags his teeth across Jungkook's neck and chest, biting and sucking. "Fucking vampire," Jungkook curses, fisting Jimin's hair.  

"Incubus. I feed on sexual energy," Jimin says, stealing a moan right from Jungkook's mouth. 

Jungkook hums, growing harder with each stroke of Jimin's talented tongue. "That explains it." 

"Explains why you can barely stand after I leave—" Jungkook shuts him up with kisses, rough hands feeling up the slender curves of Jimin's body. 

"You can go again, can't you, baby?" Jimin sing-songs once Jungkook lets him breathe again, but it hardly sounds like a question. "Or did I wear you out already?"

Jungkook scoffs. "I could go all night. I was just taking pity on your old aching bones, ahjussi." 

"I'm only two years older than you!"

"You call me a brat," Jungkook reminds, face souring as he adds, "And a baby." 

"You are a baby." Jimin huffs. "And most definitely a brat."  

"I'll show you who's the baby here." 

"Big talk for someone at my mercy." Jungkook reaches over to flick Jimin's nipple, but Jimin pushes his hands down. "Keep these here. If you can't, I will. Ooh, can I bind your wrists?"

"Y-yeah." Jungkook clears his throat, cursing the slight break in his voice. "Yes."

Jimin smiles and pushes himself off of Jungkook, searching for the straps they've used before. Jungkook gets up without a word, helping him look and finds them for him, making Jimin smile. He pecks Jungkook's cheek as a thank-you and guides him back on the bed, sitting with his back against the headboard, both wrists bound above his head. 

Lightnings paint their bare skin silver with every crack of the sky. Jimin draws power from the flashes; the electricity is in his blood, coursing through his veins. He teases Jungkook's semi-hard cock back to full hardness, humming dirty nothings to him while he does, pausing only to take him into his mouth. 

Jungkook breathes hard, cursing when Jimin plays with his balls, licks at the head of his cock. "Stop teasing," he commands. 

Jimin shakes his head, smirking. "You've been bad, Jungkookie, you should squirm a little."

Jungkook closes his eyes as Jimin sucks him off again. "Fine. I'm sorry for calling you Shrek."

Jimin can't keep his cool and bursts into laughter. "You totally killed the mood," he complains in between the giggles. "Bring the sexy back, please. Tell me something hot." 

"Would it help if I told you I thought about you last time I jerked off?" Jungkook offers, and Jimin's eyes immediately turn back to interest. 

"What about me did you think about?"

"I thought about Japan, about fucking you in front of that mirror. God, you looked so sexy," Jungkook murmurs, and his words trail down Jimin's skin, lighting a fire underneath. 

"I bet I'm all you ever think about." Jimin's breath catches in his throat when Jungkook hums in agreement. He starts guiding himself onto Jungkook's cock. "King of your heart, right?" 

Jungkook responds with a low, guttered moan. "Yes."

Jimin smirks, pleased with Jungkook's reaction, hazy from the admission, blood pumping in his ears. He slowly sinks down onto Jungkook's cock, filling himself up. The stretch barely feels like much, he's still well-stretched from before. 

Leaning in, he whispers into Jungkook's ear, "Maybe you really should bow at my feet." His teeth graze Jungkook's neck, his lips mouthing along the column of his neck. He starts up slow, excruciatingly slow, enjoying the way the muscles in Jungkook's arms ripple, trying to reach for Jimin, grunting in frustration when the straps hold him back. 

Mine, Jimin's lips demand as they suck bruises into Jungkook's neck. Mine, his fingertips growl, digging into Jungkook's hair until his scalp tingles. It's stupid and crazy, but taking over Jungkook, capturing his attention has been all that Jimin thought since he saw Jungkook that night. Mine. 

That's not what Jungkook is, of course, but for one night, he can pretend like it's true. Like he could have this, them. 

Jungkook's hands are useless, so he digs his heels into the mattress, meeting Jimin's bounces with his thrusts. Jimin smacks his chest, the slap tingling on his skin. "No. My pace." 

Jungkook lets out another frustrated grunt, his hands clenching on air, pleas already sitting on his tongue. Jimin smirks at him, letting out another sinfully loud moan, torturing Jungkook. 

Jungkook groans. Jimin never plays fair, he's not sure why he's still surprised. "Jimin. Please," he grunts out. 

"Please what?" Jimin asks, as if he doesn't know. 

"Please let me touch you." Jungkook hisses as Jimin's nails rake down the muscular planes of his chest. 

He loses the game when Jimin starts working on his nipples, licking, twisting and sucking. Hot flash of desire spreads in his lower body, burning inside him like a volcano, threatening to burst.

Jimin moves up and down, slow and steady, ignoring Jungkook's moans that turn more and more desperate. 

The atmosphere is maddening, the roars of thunder matching the deafening rush of blood in Jungkook's veins, the pounding of his pulse. Jimin lets him go from the straps as he slows down, but traps Jungkook's hands in his. 

Jimin's breathing hard and fast, chest glistening with sweat. His nipples point up, hard as pebbles. Jungkook wants to suck on them, drink the drops of water from Jimin's skin. 

The sky is crying, the walls of the apartment flashing with blinding lightnings. Nature is erupting around them, just as desperate for a release. "Say my name," Jimin demands, on the brink of coming. 

Jungkook's voice is thick with lust. "Jimin," he moans. "Come for me, baby." 

"Fuck me," Jimin begs, and Jungkook doesn't need to be asked twice, his hands letting go of Jimin's in order to hold his waist, his hips immediately canting up, meeting Jimin's bounces, skin slapping against skin in the most obscene symphony. 

Jimin comes hard with a hot moan, his come landing all over on Jungkook's chest, some of it even catching Jungkook's face. Spent, Jimin leans in, kissing his come off Jungkook's face while rocking his hips, fucking Jungkook into euphoria. Jungkook releases into the condom, eyes locked with Jimin. 

They stare at each other in the dark, breathless, as storm rages on, but there's finally a calm between them two. 

"I don't want you to fuck Seokjin," Jungkook admits, thankful for the cover of the night. 

"I don't want you to fuck anyone else but me," Jimin replies, feeling bold as he releases Jungkook. 

Jungkook looks at him, and for once, Jimin stands his ground, staring back. "Okay," the rapper says, as if it's just that easy. 

"Okay?"

"Yeah. Just us." 

"Cool," Jimin replies, playing nonchalant when he's everything but. 

"I want the same. No one else but me," Jungkook says. Jimin wants to tell him that it's pointless to ask, he's not sure if he even could fuck anyone else when his head is fucking filled with only Jungkook. But he doesn't think Jungkook needs to know just how deep he has already fallen. 

He nods. "Just you." 

"Good." 

"Yeah." They are quiet for long enough for Jimin to get a towel and wipe them both clean of come and the last remains of the face mask. 

Jimin pecks Jungkook's lips after he finishes cleaning his face. "You okay? Was I too rough?" he worries, stroking Jungkook's hair. They have their contingency plans in place as always, but Jungkook's being so abnormally quiet, Jimin needs to make sure. 

Jungkook's face splits into a warm smile. "You did perfect. Maybe we should fight and fuck more," he jokes. 

"No," Jimin barks immediately, making Jungkook chuckle tiredly.

They settle under the covers, facing each other, lulled quickly asleep by the warmth and the inexplicable feeling of safety. "You were amazing tonight," Jimin says in a low voice. 

Jungkook smiles. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Then they grow quiet, eyes slipping closed, and Jimin's sure that Jungkook's fallen asleep already when suddenly he hears him speak up again. "You heard it wrong," Jungkook mumbles. 

"What?"

"The song. The... your song. The one I wrote about you."

Jimin hums. He already figured as much, but he's curious as to what Jungkook has to say. "Wrong how?"

"It's not a call-out." 

"What is it then?

"I don't know, just... Yours," Jungkook mutters right before drifting off. His breathing evens out after that, but Jimin stays awake, thinking and wondering before finally drifting off to a dream filled with dark-haired man and his wicked hands and fast tongue. 

Jimin wakes up first. He lies still for a moment, enjoying Jungkook's steady breathing. It's early, the golden sun is just knocking on the windows, cautiously peeking in, no sign of the storm from the previous night. It's that time of the day Jimin would usually freak out, worriedly check his phone for the time, cursing himself for falling asleep, terrified of overstaying his welcome. 

Jungkook luckily never noticed him sneaking out in the morning, he always slept right through it. But now they are in Jimin's space. He has the home field advantage.

Jimin likes waking up next to Jungkook, feeling his warmth, he likes wrapping his arm around Jungkook's surprisingly narrow hips, likes cuddling into him, likes that Jungkook has become just as clingy in his sleep as Jimin is. It used to embarrass him, sometimes still does, how he seeks Jungkook out in his sleep. They never fall asleep cuddling, and Jungkook's never commented on Jimin's cuddling, so hopefully he doesn't hate it either. 

"Morning." Jungkook yawns, eyelids fluttering. 

"Do you hate cuddling?" Jimin blurts out and immediately cringes at himself. Subtle. 

"What?" Jungkook mumbles, rolling over, squinting as he slowly opens his eyes to look at Jimin. 

"Do you hate that I'm all over you when we sleep together?" 

Jungkook's eyes close again, his voice even rougher now. "Mini, it's like five am. Come here and shush," he mutters, inviting Jimin closer with open arms. 

"But does it like bother you?"

Jungkook wraps his arms around him, pulling Jimin to his chest as he presses a kiss into Jimin's hair. "Happy now? Go back to sleep." 

Jimin smiles to himself, quickly coaxed back to sleep by Jungkook's warmth. 

The next time Jimin wakes up, the soft ambiance has fled the room, replaced by a sense of urgency. The day has gone on without them, buses running, people working, sun rising. 

He pinches Jungkook's arm that's still wrapped around him. "Jungkook."

"No," sounds the grumpy response. 

"We need to get up."

Jungkook groans, tucking Jimin better under his chin. "Shush." 

"Do you have time to eat breakfast with me?" Jimin asks, slipping away from Jungkook's hold, laughing softly at the disgruntled sound Jungkook makes in response.

The rapper blinks, rubbing his groggy eyes. "Depends. Are you going to make me eat bird food again?" he challenges, voice still rough with sleep. 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "Okay, so, eating seeds mixed in with yogurt is not bird food, you uncultured swine."

"Bird. Food." 

"Fine. No food for you, dork." 

"No?" Jungkook leans closer. "And here I thought I already had a full course meal last night."

Jimin gasps and smacks him, growing redder than Jungkook's seen him in too long. "Never ever say that again," the model all but screeches. 

Jungkook cackles, enjoying how flustered he has rendered Jimin. He's about to say something, maybe continue the joke, when his phone starts to vibrate. Jungkook picks it up with great disdain. "Ugh, it's Woobin, I gotta reply. He's going over the set list."

"Go ahead."

Jungkook answers his phone, immediately switching to professional mode and starts talking rapidly while Jimin leisures on the bed. During the call, Jungkook mentions song names that Jimin starts humming under his breath as he scrolls on his phone.

Jungkook smiles at him, fond somehow. Jimin blows him a kiss and goes back to updating his social media. He has a PR team, but they only post about upcoming projects or such. Jimin manages most of his accounts by himself, but he's not that active on all of them. 

"No, it's on the 16th, Jiyoon noona left a huge note on the company fridge door about it. Go check it." Jungkook stands up, walking out of the room. He has habit of pacing when he's trying to work out a problem, Jimin's come to notice. 

Jimin sprawls out on his bed, stretching his back and neck. He's been diligent about his stretching, so the moves comes easily. He sings to himself, one of Jungkook's song still on a loop in his brain. 

He hears steps indicating Jungkook's return and stops singing. Jungkook appears, the call having ended. "Keep going," he asks as he walks over to Jimin, towering over him. "Sing it for me."

Jimin looks up and shakes his head, smiling. "No."

"Please?" 

Jimin giggles. "No. You use too much English in your songs, I'd sound like an idiot trying to pronounce all that."

Jimin's shy about using other languages, not because he hasn't studied hard, but because he's terrified of making a mistake and offending someone. Interviews in English are his worst nightmare. He's worried even with his favorite translator, Claudia, who has been taught the subtle nuances in Jimin's polite yet sweet speech pattern that the English translations must follow as closely as possible. 

"You've been studying a lot," Jungkook points out, having taken notice of the number of English study guides Jimin has at his apartment or the times Jungkook's noticed Jimin using an app to study the language over the summer. "You might be surprised at how much you've improved." 

Jimin shakes his head again. "You'll laugh at me." 

"I won't," Jungkook promises, sincere, as he quickly puts his clothes on and sits down on the bed next to Jimin

"Then sing with me," Jimin challenges, curious to hear Jungkook's singing voice live, without any backing tracks. The words of his vocal coach echo in his mind. His vocal techniques are flawless, and in some songs, where he sings his own backup vocals, you can really hear the talent and his years of hard work.

Jungkook nods. "Okay."

"Okay." Jimin takes a deep breath before laughing out loud. "Why am I suddenly nervous?" he wonders. Jungkook smiles at him, encouraging him. Looking into Jungkook's eyes, Jimin starts out slowly, humming in a low voice. 

Jimin stops humming when he notices that Jungkook's not joining in. "You were supposed to do this with me," he accuses, betrayed, and Jungkook bursts out laughing. 

"Sorry babe, I got lost in your eyes," he replies. 

Jimin huffs. "Shut up."

Poison, wine, our lies intertwined

let me take you home tonight

Closer, closer, all I want is closer

kiss the place across your shoulder 

Despite the song being a loud, sexy party song with a fast tempo, they sing it slow and seductive, staring into each other's eyes, smiling at first but growing more serious as they go on. Their voices mix well, tangling together like lovers afraid of a goodbye, complementing each other perfectly. Jimin's vocal teacher was right, they would sound good in a song together.

But that's too far, Jimin reminds himself. He should stop planning so much and just enjoy the moment. 

"I like your voice," Jungkook says simply as they finish, but it still pinches at Jimin's stomach. 

"Thank you." Jimin looks down, shy. "I like yours, too."

Jungkook laughs. "Not as pretty as yours." 

"That's not true. You're the prettiest," Jimin murmurs, enjoying the blush rising on Jungkook's cheeks. He loves catching Jungkook off-guard like this, loves making the infamous rapper slash heartbreaker blush with little sincere, cute compliments.  

The rapper clears his throat. "Have they set a date for your debut yet?" 

"No, they're kind of dragging their feet. We got a new CEO at one point, and he seems to have a bone to pick with me." Jimin shrugs. "I don't know, it's irritating. They've been promising a debut date for years now, but something more important always seems to come up." 

Jungkook shakes his head. "Fools," he mutters, making Jimin smile. "You could just come to my company." 

"He owns a teensy percentage and already calls it 'my company'," Jimin jokes, dodging the sincerity in Jungkook's voice. 

"I'm serious. They're looking for new blood at the Music Department, Hobi hyung was just telling me about it."

Jimin shakes his head. "Breaking my contract would be expensive as hell. And my company would never let me leave that easily even if I just waited my contract out." 

Jungkook shrugs, not wanting to push. "Think about it. The perks are good. As a bonus, you could fuck your boss," he jokes with his best fuckboy voice. 

Jimin looks puzzled. "I thought you said Minseok-ssi was seeing someone?" he says, feigning innocence. 

Jungkook places a hand over his heart. "You wound me," he whines.

Jimin laughs, looking away. "I need to call Yoongi hyung." 

"Just text him like a normal person."

"It's not the type of thing you tell someone over the phone."

"Muggle," Jungkook teases. 

Jimin gasps indignantly. "Sorry for having manners," he grumbles. "And I am officially forbidding you from becoming friends with Kim Taehyung, he's a bad influence."

Jungkook laughs. "Too late, he's awesome. Besides, even your own fans call you a Muggle because you don't understand internet slang."

Jimin shoots him a look. "My fans do not call me a Muggle. It's just Tae." 

"Yes, they do. I see it all the time, especially since you used 'XD' in one of your captions." Jungkook lets out a long, dreadful sigh at the memory. 

"What's weird about that?!" Jimin asks, affronted. 

"If you need me to explain that, you really are a Muggle."

Jimin considers his words and then winks at him. "Just admit you wanna roleplay Harry Potter and go." 

Jungkook groans loudly, ears red. "Shut up," he wails. "I actually do have to get going, though, Woobin is freaking out about the set list."

Jimin feels a tinge of disappointment, but he understands. Their jobs come first, and Jimin already got to keep Jungkook for the entire night.

Jimin stands up and walks with Jungkook to the hallway. His eyes light up when he notices the shoes Jungkook puts on. 

"Aha!" Jimin snaps his fingers, nodding to himself. Finally, his long hours of scrolling through social media apps are bearing fruit. "Them's the homophobe stomping boots."

Jungkook's jaw drops. "The what now?" he wheezes. 

"I saw a post where someone had compiled the shoes you've worn to the airport in the last month. They called these your homophobe stomping boots," Jimin explains, very pleased with himself and his vast social media knowledge. No Muggle could know all that. 

Jungkook can only stare. 

Jimin stands on his tippy toes to be on Jungkook's eye level. With the rapper wearing boots that may or may not be used for stomping on homophobes, it's a bit difficult. "Who's a Muggle now, huh? Not well-versed in the intricacies of social media, WHO?!" Jimin jokes. 

Jungkook pulls back, his hand resting on Jimin's shoulder. "Jesus Christ." He laughs. "You're such a nerd."

Jimin smirks. "That's not what you called me last night."

"That was then," Jungkook points out. 

"The good old days," Jimin replies accordingly, and they both smile at the echo from months ago. 

There's something heavy in the silence that follows, something hanging over their heads. They've done a good job avoiding it, but there's no dancing around it anymore. A decision has to be made, and it needs to be said out loud. Was last night just a relapse, a mistake? Or do they keep going?

"Jungkookie—"  

"Mini—"

They both quiet down for the other and then exchange awkward looks. "You first," Jungkook manages to offer, and Jimin nods, bracing himself. 

"Jungkook, the song..." he starts. 

Jungkook's eyes are unreadable. "I figured that would get your attention." 

"It did. Felt like a slap in the face," Jimin admits. 

Jungkook looks away. "I was just mad. Wrote it in fifteen minutes and recorded in one take. I didn't think it would blow up the way it did, that's why I only released it unofficially."

"Damn it, Tae," Jimin mutters under his breath. Does the guy have to be right so freaking often?

Jungkook shrugs. "It's just a song. I was at the studio, so I decided to put my thoughts into a song." 

"Because?"

Jungkook shifts his weight from one foot to the other. "You know why."

Jimin nods, gnawing on his lip. He does know why. "Look, Jungkook, I... I really like hanging out with you, but my life's not going to stop being complicated."

Jungkook nods. "I know."

"It was unfair of me to drag you through all of this stuff with Jin hyung. You deserved better and I'm sorry I didn't talk to you beforehand." Jimin raises his hand, silencing Jungkook who looks like he's going to protest. "Just let me get this out. You don't have to reply, I just need to tell you once. I'm sorry." 

Jungkook's clearly not used to apologies, he keeps staring at his feet instead of meeting Jimin's eyes.

"It's all good," he mumbles. "I was just..."Jungkook bites his lip, looking for the right word, something that isn't hurt but carries a similar meaning without the same weight. "...affronted." 

"Affronted?" Jimin repeats incredulously. "Jungkook—"

"Okay, fine." Jungkook's quiet for a breath before admitting, "It hurt. When you said you didn't want to see me again." 

Jimin vehemently shakes his head. "I said we should take a break." 

Jungkook scoffs. "Come on. Everyone knows that taking a break is just code for I'm too chicken to actually dump you, I'll just string you along until I find someone better." 

Jimin shakes his head again. "I only suggested taking a break instead of ending things altogether because I didn't want to lose you." 

"That's exactly what I— Wait, what did you say?" Jungkook pauses, breath catching in his throat as he processes what Jimin just said.

"I said, I didn't want to lose you," Jimin says, anxious. "It was stupid and cowardly, but I didn't want to let go yet, so I asked for a break because of the whole fake dating thing was turning into a fiasco and I could tell it was hurting you and I just—"  

Jungkook sighs. "Look Mini, I get it. No hard feelings." 

"Jungkook!" Jimin snaps, making the rapper's head rise up and turn to look at him. "Stop. I don't want Jin hyung or anyone else. I want you." 

"You want me?" Jungkook repeats, confusion written on his face. Sure, last night Jimin said he didn't want Jungkook to fuck anyone else, but that sounded different somehow, less intimate. 

Jimin nods. "Yes," he repeats, "I want you."

"You want me for what?" Jungkook asks, and there's caution in his eyes that wasn't there before. It's caution Jimin planted, watered and grew there. "You want me behind closed doors? You want me on one of the few nights of the year we both have time off? You want to fuck me in bathroom stalls, then go back to your friends and pretend like you've never heard of me? You want me until you find someone better?"

Jimin's face falls. Is that what Jungkook really thinks? "No, Jungk—" he starts. 

Jungkook avoids his eyes. "I don't care if you do, I just wanna know in advance."

"No, listen to me." Jimin stops to take a deep breath. "I want you. Only you."

Jungkook's face splits into a grin. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Jimin kisses him. "Dork." He has to stand on his tippy toes again to kiss him because of Jungkook's justice boots which has the rapper cracking up. 

"Stop laughing!" Jimin scolds him, but to no effect. Jungkook just laughs harder, attempting to pinch Jimin's cheeks, stealing a kiss from pouting Jimin's lips. 

That day when Jungkook leaves, for the first time he's carrying a tentative promise of a future with him. 

Chapter Text

"Three, two, one..." Jimin counts down. "Congratulations, Kim Taehyung, you've now been on your phone for at least thirty minutes of our Nothing Matters But You, My Soulmate Movie Night, ignoring said soulmate and leaving him to bawl on his own while the main couple tragically dies. What do you have to say for yourself?" 

Taehyung finally looks up from his phone, just in time to witness the leading man take his last withering breath while caressing his lover's cheek. He frowns. "That's who she ended up with?" 

Jimin throws a pillow at him. "No Yeri hate on my watch. You now owe it to both me and my girl Yeri to tell us what is more important than witnessing her untimely demise in her rightful lover's embrace."

"That is such bull, she should have totally gone with that mermaid dude. He was hot." 

"He killed his own dad to become the king of the sea."  

Taehyung shrugs. "Priorities." His phone dings again, and he sighs.  "Okay, but I'm only telling you and poor Yeri, okay?"

Jimin takes the offered pinkie and intertwines it with his own. "Deal." 

"My friend over at the Skyline Network contacted me. She's freaking out about losing her job. Apparently they had a last minute cancellation, and now there's no one to do the show with the celebrity they've been trying to book." 

"Oh, really? Who's the celebrity?" Jimin asks, pausing the movie to focus better. 

"Jeon Jungkook."

Jimin nods. "Ah, I imagine he must be hard to come by, with how busy he is." Jimin hasn't seen Jungkook in a while, either; they've both been too busy for that. This time, however, they've been texting, tentatively at first, but more and more freely as time went on. 

Taehyung huffs. "Yeah, it's a nightmare. His agency is really strict about his schedule, especially his days-off, which is kind of unusual in this business. Someone must have negotiated a hell of a deal for him."

Benefits of being a part owner of the company, Jimin thinks a little smugly, but doesn't say. He's really proud of Jungkook, for the way he knows how to demand respect, for the way he stands up for himself. Taehyung is right: someone did negotiate a great contract for Jungkook. That someone just wasn't an agent, but Jungkook himself. Prior to being signed by a company, he was already releasing music, hailed as the next big thing; his contract was carefully crafted, so Jungkook wouldn't be tied down to his company's decisions. 

"When's the shoot?" Jimin asks, wondering if Jungkook would be bored enough with some random celebrity that the filming would end early, and he'd still have time to see Jimin after.

Dipping into a daydream, Jimin thinks about what they might do if they get the chance, longing for the way Jungkook's body feels on top of him, safe and warm. The low hum of Jungkook's voice when he's praising Jimin, running his hands through Jimin's hair while Jimin bobs his head up and down on his cock. 

Just the thought has Jimin's cheeks heating up.  

"They are already shooting tomorrow. It's my friend's first year as a producer, and she's ready to jump off a building, if it doesn't work out. No one is available anymore, not so close to the day. She's even reached out to trot seniors who have retired so long ago they barely know their own names, let alone Jungkook's, but even they had plans," Taehyung laments, glancing at the stressed messages rapidly popping up on his screen.

Jimin laughs at that, thinking about infamous Jeon Jungkook chilling with senile trot singers for a day. He'd actually really want to see that episode. 

"I'm sorry she's having a hard time," he then says, and Taehyung sighs. 

"It's honestly pretty heartbreaking to listening to her stress over this, and not being able to help," he admits, and Jimin nods. They both know a little something about work pressure. "I'd do it, but I'm filming a CF. And your company won't let you, right?" 

Jimin shrugs. "Probably not. And I don't really know Jungkook that well, so it'd be kind of an odd mix." It's not really a lie. He doesn't know Jeon Jungkook, the person behind the sex god, that well; the times they are together aren't really spent talking. 

Taehyung shoots him a look. "You don't know him that well?" he repeats. "Seriously?"

"Believe it or not, when we hang out, we don't exactly talk a lot," Jimin points out, enjoying the grossed out look spreading over Taehyung's face.  

"Ew." Taehyung bites his lip. "Well, could you still ask your manager?"

Jimin lifts his brows. "This is really important to you, isn't it?" he asks gently. "Who is she, Tae?"

Taehyung smiles. "She's a friend. But I love her a lot, and I hate seeing her go through such a hard time."

Jimin nods. "I'll call Yoongi hyung," he promises, picking up his phone. It's late, but Yoongi, the local vampire fledgling, never sleeps until the first break of dawn. 

Taehyung lets out a breath of early relief. "Thank you."

"He's going to say no, though," Jimin warns as he taps Yoongi's speed dial, putting him on speaker phone once the calls connects. 

Yoongi picks up after one ring. "No," is the first and only word he utters. Jimin gives Taehyung a knowing glance, but the actor gestures at him to keep talking. 

"You don't even know what I was going to ask," Jimin protests dutifully. 

"It's past midnight on a Friday. Anything you want right now gets a 'no'," Yoongi grumbles. 

"Even if I wanted you, covered in whipped cream, on my kitchen table?" Jimin teases. 

There isn't even a slight change in Yoongi's tone. "Especially if you wanted me, covered in whipped cream, on your kitchen table."

Taehyung reaches for the phone. "Let me talk to him."

"Taehyungie is here, hyung. He wants to talk to you."

"No, not him," Jimin hears Yoongi protest, but he gleefully ignores it and passes his phone to Taehyung's awaiting hands. 

"Hi, Yoonie hyung," Taehyung croons, and that's how Jimin knows Yoongi will give in. 

"I just don't understand why you'd waste your one night-off for this," Yoongi grumbles the next night as they are waiting at the company lobby for Jungkook's arrival. According to the producers, Jungkook had insisted on driving himself, and then it was decided that he'd pick Jimin up, to sell the viewers on their friendship. "You don't know the guy and you don't watch the show, so what are you hoping to get out of this?" 

A chance to hang out with Jungkook because I've missed him and want to see him again, Jimin thinks, but doesn't say. He too is starting to wonder whether signing up for the show was a good idea.

There's something prickling in the bottom of his stomach. He doesn't dwell on it, knowing full well that opening the gates will release the nervous breakdown hiding in there. Is it too late to cancel? This was a horrible idea. What if he does something he's not supposed to? He doesn't even know where Jungkook's taking him. There is no script, what if he says something wrong? What if people see right through him? What was he thinking, agreeing to this? 

Jungkook probably thinks it's weird, too, how Jimin's just barging in on his schedule. Everything happened so quickly, they didn't get a chance to talk about being on the same show. Maybe Jungkook hates the idea. Jungkook doesn't really like to mix his personal life and his work, and Jimin knows which one of the two categories he belongs to. He's crossing over to the other one and Jungkook might not want that. After all, Jimin's made it clear that his career always comes first for him; shouldn't he allow the same for Jungkook? 

He tries to calm himself down with reason. If Jungkook really didn't want to be in the same episode with him, wouldn't he have cancelled? But maybe Jungkook's just being polite, agreeing to appear just for his company's sake. But then again Jungkook is famous for being a music industry 'rebel' in the sense of having the final say over his career. If he doesn't want to do something, he doesn't do it. 

Jimin's head spins, threatening an ache. What was he thinking, agreeing to this? 

"Taehyungie has the best puppy dog eyes out of everyone I know," Jimin finally remarks because that much he can admit at least. He has done a lot of stupid things because he couldn't resist Taehyung's warm brown eyes. It's starting to feel like tonight will be another addition to the list. 

"That's true, the kid's a warlock," Yoongi mutters. Taehyung had even talked to Jimin's PR team, convincing them that it was smarter to make Jimin and Jungkook look friendly after the whole airport incident. That it would gain a ton of positive exposure for Jimin to be seen being grateful and nice to the person who helped him at such a dire time, instead of shutting Jungkook out in the fear of having a scandal. 

Jimin knows, for sure, that the same arguments would never have been believed or even listened to coming from his mouth. But Taehyung's different, always has been. 

Yoongi pats Jimin's shoulder, a little awkwardly but a lot lovingly. After all, Jimin is Yoongi's baby and his ultimate (read: only) favorite, no matter what he claims. 

"You'll be fine, Jimin. Jungkook-ssi is a little rough around the edges, but Hoseokie did some project with him last year, and he says that unlike a lot of rappers he has come across with, Jungkook is polite, respectful of his seniors, and a professional through and through."

Jimin smiles. He knows all of that already. "I'm not worried about Jungkook, hyung. I think we'll have fun." That, at least, was true. Jimin's not worried about Jungkook, per se; he's just stressing about everything else. Jungkook must be at least a little okay with Jimin coming along or otherwise he would have outright refused to do the show or told Jimin not to come on the show. 

Jimin's seen him do it before, once. A foreign talk show Jungkook was supposed to appear in next had treated some girl group terribly, making fun of their already dangerously low weights as well as their eyes. In solidarity, Jungkook had refused to go on. Jimin hadn't even known he had the power to do that, but Jungkook was never afraid of ruffling some feathers. It's a trait Jimin envies. 

Yoongi checks his phone. "They're gonna film Jungkook outside for a bit and then they'll send us a signal when you go out," he informs Jimin whom nods, cold anticipation dropping into his stomach, but it's too late to cancel anymore. He has to see this through, even if his nerves are going off the rails. 

Jimin's inner panic is cut off by Yoongi's phone after a tense minute or two. "He's outside. Let me turn on your mic," Yoongi says, helping Jimin set the mic on himself better before turning it on. 

"Thanks, hyung. See you." Jimin waves as he walks out of the brightly lit lobby, hoping he looks more confident than he feels. A ball of nervous energy swirls around his belly, clenching and flitting despite his many efforts to calm down. He can feel a slight blush on his face, praying that it's too dark outside for the viewers to pick up on it. 

A black car is parked on the side of the road, headlights illuminating the dark night and the busy street. Jungkook is standing next to the car, leaning against the shiny surface. His eyes are trained on Jimin, taking him in. Neither one of them takes heed of the camera crew around them. 

Jimin takes a deep breath, preparing himself. 

"Hi," Jimin says in a low voice, stopping farther away than he usually would when it's just them two. 

"Hi." 

Jungkook moves out of the way, opening the door for Jimin. Their eyes briefly meet as Jimin slips inside the car, and Jimin shivers, not knowing what to expect from the night. 

"Your car is cool, I really like it," Jimin says, mainly for the sake of breaking the silence after Jungkook has rounded the car to the driver seat. He doesn't really care about cars, but he knows that Jungkook does; he's listened to him geek out over bunch of them before buying the one he's now picking Jimin up in. 

"Thank you, Jimin-ssi." Jungkook checks the mirrors, backing out of the parking space with a hand behind Jimin's seat. 

Jimin tries not to think about it too much. 

He tries. 

The vibe is weird, tension swirling around them like fog, clogging up Jimin's thoughts. His leg starts to bounce, but he forces it to stop. Be professional, he reminds himself. He's done variety shows with other celebrities tons of times, this is nothing special. 

Except that it is. 

Trying to act normal, Jimin leans further into the comfortable seat, looking outside of the window and wracking his brain for something to say, anything. His attempts fall short despite his years of training. It shouldn't be possible: he's practiced making witty small talk since he started breaking into the industry. He had to: entertainment industry was nothing if not a popularity game. Being liked meant more jobs and more jobs meant survival. 

Ask him about his day, his brain supplies eagerly, but Jimin stifles it quickly. That's way too personal for a variety show, he needs to ask something light, funny even. Maybe crack a joke, wield a terrible pun as a key to the lock between them. 

But nothing comes out. 

Finally, he settles for an easy one. "Where are you taking me, Jungkook-ssi?" he asks lamely. It's a boring question, they're supposed to keep the viewers guessing. Jimin should have asked for a hint instead, or maybe tried to make educated guesses based on the road they're on or maybe on the clothes Jungkook's wearing. 

Jungkook is uncharacteristically quiet, and Jimin wonders if he's even slightly as nervous as Jimin is. Doubtful. Jungkook's never scared or worried, he seems strangely optimistic and unafraid about most things.

"Somewhere relaxing, Jimin-ssi," the rapper assures in a low voice.

"Don't speak so formally to me," Jimin giggles, trying to lighten up the mood, bring Jungkook out of his shell. "You're making me feel like I'm thousand years old. Please just call me hyung."

"Yes, hyung." The word sounds strange coming from Jungkook's lips, and Jimin's tummy feels a little funky, so he looks to his right at the city speeding past, trying to calm down.  

The air is heavy with implications, dead giveaways of the relationship they actually have with each other. They are supposed to be making light conversation, easy banter like in every other variety show. Instead, Jungkook stares at the road, and Jimin is clenching and unclenching his fists, the rings of his fingers catching light every now and then as they race across the city.  

Yoongi is going to kill him. 

"So, how have you been?" Jimin attempts. He's the older one here, it's on him to keep the conversation going, even if Jungkook technically outranks him. Jimin has yet to debut in the music world and is in that sense Jungkook's hoobae. 

Jungkook manages the wheel with quiet confidence, checking his mirrors. "I'm good, hyung. How are you?"

Jimin stares at the bridge of his nose, at his chiseled jaw, his pretty lips. The vibrant city is but a blur in the background; it never held Jimin's attention the way Jungkook does. 

Then Jimin realizes that he's expected to reply. "Great," he mutters, reluctantly turning away. He's wearing his heart on his sleeve, and that's dangerous, especially around cameras. 

Silence falls again. 

"You don't talk a lot," Jimin notes, chuckling even if it feels like the car is running out of air. Being around Jungkook has never felt so restricted and stiff — he's usually one of the only people Jimin can be himself around. But now Jimin's terrified of every second that ticks by, wondering if people can see on his face how much Jimin wants him. 

Jungkook shrugs. "I'm actually pretty introverted. I only talk a lot when I'm around family, or friends." 

"Then why won't you talk a lot around me? I'm your friend," Jimin whines comically, but 'friend' tastes so wrong, he's tempted to spit the word out, rewind time to before he spoke it.

Jungkook doesn't seem to dwell on it, though. Instead, there's a slight smile on his lips. "Sorry, hyung. I'm just trying to remember the way." 

"You don't seem like an introvert on stage," Jimin teases, and Jungkook barks out a laugh.

"Nice shirt, hyung. Looks good on you," he mentions, glancing appreciatively at Jimin who only barely manages to stifle the insistent pink flushing to his cheeks. He's wearing Jungkook's shirt, and Jungkook's clearly noticed. 

"Thank you. It was a gift." 

"From a fan?"

Jimin glances at him coyly through his lashes. "I'd like to think so," he says, and the side of Jungkook's mouth curves up. 

"How long ago did you get your licence?" Jimin asks, impressed at the ease Jungkook steers the car with, landing each mark and nailing each turn. That's hot, some caveman part of Jimin's brain very unhelpfully supplies. 

"Are you worried that I'm going to make us crash?" Jungkook teases. 

Jimin laughs. "No, just making conversation." He knows that Jungkook's a good driver, even if he's never been in Jungkook's car before. Jungkook's careful and skilled in everything he does, Jimin's not worried at all. 

"Two years ago." 

"Tell me where we're going," Jimin asks again, softer this time. 

"No, hyung," Jungkook replies equally softly. 

Jimin can practically hear Yoongi tearing out his own hair at their flirting. 

Yoongi's scalp is in danger once again when they pull up to the shopping street. Jungkook parks, and while Jimin fixes his hair, the rapper has rounded the car and opened the door for him.  

"Thank you," Jimin says, surprised but pleased. Jungkook offers him a smile, guiding him inside the restaurant with a hesitant hand on the small of his back. It's a little funny, endearing almost: Jungkook's never been hesitant to touch Jimin before. Then again, the situation must be a little weird for him, too.

Their table is in the back of the restaurant, mostly hidden from curious eyes. The camera crew sits at the table adjacent to theirs, capturing their every move like they are but insects pinned to the table, ready to be studied under a microscope. 

Jimin's heart is banging so loudly that the waitress has to ask him twice what he'd like to drink. He can't focus, terrified of looking at Jungkook and getting lost in him, terrified he'll say something wrong, reveal something he shouldn't. There's an attempt at small talk, but Jimin can't bare it: it feels like they are just two actors, forced to play characters they aren't too familiar with. 

Jimin's the first to flee, hiding in the bathroom, washing his hands for the third time just to have a reason to stay in the bathroom. Jungkook soon follows, smiling as their eyes meet in the mirror. "You okay?"

Jimin nods, smiling back as he dries his hands and turns to face Jungkook. "Yeah. I just feel a little lost, I guess. Wasn't expecting to be here."

"I was really happy when they told me you'd come," Jungkook admits, stepping closer to him. 

Jimin's heart jumps at that, maybe. "Really?" he asks, visibly cheering up. 

Jungkook laughs, but there is something terribly fond hiding in his eyes when he looks at Jimin. "Really."

It's the first time he's really looked at Jungkook since he got into the rapper's car. Now he wonders if he'll be able to look away anymore. Jimin's mesmerized, but that's nothing new; he's pretty sure he's been lost in Jungkook since they met. 

"I should get back. I've washed my hands so many times they'll dry up like prunes," Jimin says, reluctant to leave the moment of safety, but knowing that once again, they're out of time. 

Jungkook nods, making a move to follow him out, but Jimin stops him. "Don't you have to go?" 

"Nah, I just came to hang out with you. I figured you were having a meltdown because there's no script and we haven't practiced for this," Jungkook teases, expertly dodging the smack headed for his arm.  

"I'm not having a meltdown," Jimin complains. 

"Right." Jungkook steps closer, and Jimin steps back, avoiding him. 

"Don't kiss me," he panics, looking around like there's a camera attached to the mirror or the walls. 

Jungkook raises his hands. "Wasn't going to."

"Good. Then also promise me that you won't let me kiss you."

"I only make promises I intend to keep," Jungkook replies, and it doesn't escape his notice how Jimin's gaze slips down to Jungkook's lips. Jimin licks his own lips, then realizes what he's doing and abruptly stops. 

He fixes his hair, eyes downcast. "Let's just go, they must be wondering where I am."

"Yeah, they probably think you pooped a massive log with how long you've been in here."

Jimin gasps in horror. "Shut up, ew."

They have just made it into the short hallway adorned with coat racks when an argument draws their attention. There are two people in front of them, arguing in what they probably think are hushed tones. Hearing his own name mentioned,  Jimin stops in his tracks, listening in. He grabs Jungkook's arm, keeping him back, too. 

The people arguing are their camera director and one of the producers.

"They have no chemistry together," the director grumbles. "Have they even met before? Who had the bright idea of asking Park Jimin to be Jeon Jungkook's celebrity friend? They have nothing in common! This episode will have the lowest ratings of all time!" 

He walks off, refusing to listen even when the producer runs after him, explaining something that Jimin can't make out. 

Jungkook and Jimin look at each other, bursting into laughter. 

"He's kind of right, though," Jimin admits, daringly pushing Jungkook's dark hair out of his eyes. "We're acting like strangers."

"I don't really know how to be around you on camera," Jungkook says. "I'm worried I'll do something stupid like try to kiss you. I feel so awkward." Hearing Jungkook admit feeling insecure makes Jimin relax a little, like maybe he's not alone in all of this.

There's still something ebbing at him, though. 

"You feel awkward? Try being a substitute on your super cute date with someone else," Jimin chuckles, covering hurt and insecurity with humor. It does kind of bother him, the way the schedule is a dead ringer for a date. When Jimin's friends were in college, this is exactly what they'd do on dates: eat and go to a noraebang, walk around the Han River and admire the vibrant city. 

Jungkook raises his brows, sensing the underlying distress. "You know we switched up the plan, right? When they told me you'd be here with me, I told them I wanted to do something different." He grins. "Jiyoon noona almost cut off my head when we had to make new reservations so close to the date."

Jimin smiles. "Why'd you do it then?"

"Because I didn't want to go bowling with you. You'd think I was dorky."

Jimin's heart is so full it almost hurts. "Baby, that ship has sailed and sunk long ago. You're the biggest dork I know," Jimin teases and yelps when Jungkook pinches his butt. He thinks he wouldn't have minded going bowling with Jungkook. He has a feeling Jungkook would have made even bowling look sexy. "Who were you supposed to do this program with, anyway?" 

"My friend Yugyeom, but his mother got sick, so he had to drop out and fly to see her."

"That sucks, I'm sorry." 

Jungkook nods. "Yeah, it does. I talked to him before driving here, though, he says she'll be fine in a few days as long as they readjust her meds."

"That's good, then."

He makes the mistake of meeting Jungkook's eyes, and it goes just as he feared, the rest of the world fades away until it's just them two. "Hey," he whispers. 

Jungkook raises a brow at the change in atmosphere, but he replies accordingly, "Hey." 

Jimin's eyes move away, only to get stuck on Jungkook's lips again, fixating on how plump, inviting, kissable his mouth looks, how badly he wants to just lean in and close the distance between them. It's an ache, really, like his body misses touching Jungkook's, begging to connect again. 

Someone else comes out of the bathroom, and the sound of the bathroom door slamming closed cuts the tension in the air. Jungkook makes a move to leave, but he stops walking when he notices Jimin not following. 

Jungkook glances at him, curious. 

"Can't go yet," Jimin forces out, biting his teeth together. 

Jungkook's eyes flick to mischief when he realizes what's going on, glancing down at Jimin's hands intertwined in front of his jeans. "That's hot."

He comes back, reaching a hand over to touch Jimin's skin, but Jimin stops him. "You can't touch me right now."

"Oh, why not?" Jungkook sing-songs, and Jimin wants to dunk his head in the fur coat hanging behind them. 

"Talk about anything else but sex, please."

"Oh, sure, of course... you mean, like, taxes or port folios or about you wrapped around me, me holding your wrists, fucking you hard and deep, making you come again and again..." Jungkook taunts, leaning in so close that his lips graze Jimin's ear. 

Jimin lets out a tortured groan. "I fucking hate you," he whines, shoving Jungkook away from him. "Go away." 

"Love you, too," Jungkook teases, but the words scrape the palate of his mouth, punching air out of his lungs. 

Jimin's throat burns. "You should go first, distract them a little. I'll be, uh, right there," he mutters, avoiding Jungkook's eyes. 

"Yeah, okay," Jungkook mumbles, hightailing it out of there.

Way to make things awkward again. 

Jimin returns to the table after a while, turning his microphone back on as he sits back down at their booth. There's no sign on his face that anything out of the ordinary happened less than a few minutes ago. Jimin is a professional, through and through, it never fails to impress Jungkook.

Even if his controlled expressions now make him feel a bit hollow, too. 

Jimin starts a funny story about something that happened to him during a shoot, but Jungkook barely hears it, too focused on the three little words running through his head. Did he really say that? Just as he thought the night might actually turn out kind of okay, he goes and says that? What is the matter with him? 

The waiter places the meat they ordered in the grilling tablet and turns it on. The entire time he works, his eyes are glued to Jungkook, admiring him like he's seeing the sun for the first time. Jimin's actually a little worried he'll burn his hand if he doesn't pay attention. But it's cute, too, cute how enthralled he is. 

Jungkook looks up, starting to thank him, but the waiter just squeals and runs off, blinded by meeting eyes with his sun. 

Jimin tries his hardest not to laugh because he doesn't want to be mean, but a smile still spreads across his lips. "Cute." 

Jungkook is looking after the waiter, too. "What happened? Did he burn his hand?" he worries, apparently unaware of his effect on the poor waiter. 

"Dummy, he's your fan," Jimin scolds, smiling. "You can't just look at people like that."

Something flickers in Jungkook's eyes. "Like what, hyung?" he asks, and his tone is so innocent Jimin expects to see a damn halo around his head. But there's definitely a demon hiding in his eyes. 

Jimin shakes his head, trying to regain his focus. "Let's just eat." 

Jimin reaches over to grill the meat, but Jungkook beats him to it. "Let me, hyung," he offers, and Jimin doesn't know what to do with the intense first date vibes the situation is giving him. Did Jungkook read a fucking book on how to exude boyfriend material? 

Because Jimin is definitely falling under his spell, yet again, although this time it feels different, more permanent, diving deep down with no way back to the surface. 

"I picked out pork belly, is that okay?" 

Jimin nods. "That's my favorite."

"I know," Jungkook says in a voice lost to the microphone. Jimin feels his cheeks flush, keeping his eyes downcast. There's that tension again, that similar pinching feeling in his stomach that reappears whenever Jungkook looks at him or says something in that same soft voice. 

He's brought out of his thoughts by Jungkook's grumbling. He's struggling adorably, the meat refusing to cook right.

Jimin smiles, endeared, but doesn't point out his hardships. Instead, he starts giving him advice barely audibly, guiding him through it. "Turn it around now, please. Let it grill that side for about two more minutes, and it should be good." 

"Ouch!" Jungkook exclaims suddenly, cradling his hand. 

Jimin leans in, concerned. "Let me see," he asks, frowning. His fingers wrap around Jungkook's wrist, turning it around to look for the burn mark and assess the damages. 

Just then, however, Jungkook flashes him a finger heart, making Jimin groan and swat at his arm for being fooled so easily. 

"Dork. I thought you got hurt," Jimin scolds, but his words get stuck in his throat when he looks up to meet Jungkook's eyes, and the most intense need to kiss the rapper surges through his body. Jimin bites down on his own lower lip, hard, to snap himself out of the fantasy. 

"I'm invincible," Jungkook brags, thankfully none the wiser of Jimin's thoughts, expertly flicking a piece of meat into his mouth. Jimin grumbles something under his breath that Jungkook chooses to ignore. Instead, he wraps meat in lettuce, and feeds it to Jimin. Jimin accepts the offered food, looking up at Jungkook as his lips wrap around the roll. The intense look in Jungkook's eyes surprises him; maybe Jimin's not the only one tasting the tension. 

"Hand me the soy bean paste, please," Jimin asks, making sure not to look into Jungkook's eyes again. 

Trying (and failing) to think about something else, Jimin adds a bit of soy bean paste into his food, savoring the taste. He's trying to think of something to say, any safe subject that they could talk about for longer than two sentences. Jungkook's different from Jimin in many ways, but still they've never had to strive to keep the conversation going. Then again, that was back when they could just jump from conversation to hot sex within minutes. What does he even really know about Jungkook? 

There's one sentence that keeps coming back, echoing in his mind. Love you too. Jimin puts some kimchi in the grill, quickly flipping it as it turns slightly yellow, determined not to think about how hearing that sentence made his stomach flip, caught his breath. Nope, he's not going to think about any of that. Definitely not. 

Once the kimchi finishes cooking, Jimin feeds it to Jungkook. He regrets it soon enough: Jungkook looks unbearably cute with his cheeks stuffed with food. Jimin hates it, he's always made fun of people who say that because no one looks cute when they eat. Just like feeding someone food was never sexy, mostly just messy. 

Until Jungkook. 

It makes him realize, then, that he's never fed Jungkook before. They don't usually eat together, and the one time they did, Jungkook was the one who fed him. Smirking, teasing Jungkook who fed him food and told him how he'd need his strength for later. After dinner, I'm going to tie you up and fuck you so good that the only name you'll remember is mine.  

Jimin forcefully stifles a groan when his cock twitches at the sheer memory. You have a goddamn problem, Park Jimin. 

"Are you finished eating?" Jungkook asks when neither one of them has eaten anything in the past half an hour. 

"Yes."

"Anything else you want?"

Jimin glances at him curiously. "No."

"Good," Jungkook states, suddenly standing up. "Let's go."

Jimin frowns. "But the bill..." 

"I took care of it. Let's go."

"Ooh," Jimin exclaims, making a very practiced and yet natural looking, cutely surprised expression, carefully crafted for variety. He sees the camera man zooming in on him, capturing the perfect O face. "What a cool man." 

"Where are we going now?" Jimin asks, catching up to Jungkook who's guiding them out of the restaurant with as little interruption as possible. 

"This way, hyung," Jungkook says in a low voice, subtly steering Jimin away from the traffic once they reach the street. As they cross a street, Jimin slips on the uneven pavement, letting out a little gasp as he flails to find something to grab a hold of. Hearing him yelp, Jungkook turns his head so quickly he almost snaps his own neck. Noticing Jimin's struggle, Jungkook takes a hold of Jimin's waist, steadying him. 

Embarrassed, Jimin waves away his worry. "I'm fine. Fine. Don't worry. You know me, I'm just clumsy."

"Hold onto me, hyung, I got you." Jimin takes Jungkook's offered hand, letting him lead. He refuses to think of the implications, refuses to fear the consequences right now. He has the perfect cover, tonight's for TV and what's more, for a TV show about celebrity friendship, he's supposed to show a little skinship. 

Still, he makes sure to underline how uneven the narrow alley is, just to have a reason to be holding onto Jungkook's warm hand. Jungkook only hums in response, hiding the beginning of a smile. 

It's getting late, dark shadows walk beside them. The only light comes from the neon signs of mostly closed shops, lighting up their path through the small district. 

"Wanna have coffee? My treat," Jimin offers once he notices a coffee shop still open. 

"Sure," Jungkook agrees, and they make their way inside. Jungkook's reading the list of beverages displayed on the wall when he notices that Jimin's not looking at the list at all, having decided already what to get. "Which one are you getting?" 

"Ice Americano. You?" 

Jungkook nods. "The same." 

Jimin moves closer to the stand, talking about how much he loves coffee, how often he drinks it and how he has a brand new coffee machine at home. It's an act for the cameras, Jungkook knows all that already. Jimin's shown up so many times at his apartment either still sipping on his ice coffee or tasting like it that Jungkook's come to think of coffee as a Jimin staple. 

"Who pays?" the cashier asks as soon as they've ordered, clearly uncomfortable with the cameras. Jimin feels bad for him, trying to speed the situation along by quickly taking out his wallet. 

"Me," Jungkook says at the same time as Jimin brings out his credit card.

He lightly elbows Jungkook, pushing him out of the way. "I've got it," he reminds and swipes his card at the machine before Jungkook can interject again. Jungkook picks up their coffees, waiting until they're outside to hand Jimin his drink. 

Jimin makes the cutest little happy noise, now telling a story about the time he first drank coffee. Jungkook's having trouble listening, he's lost in the cute way Jimin's speaking, the bright expression on his pretty face.  

Sensing that he's the center of unlimited attention, Jimin glances at Jungkook. He frowns. "Hey, you haven't even touched your coffee. What's the matter? Is there a problem with your order?" he worries. 

Jungkook shakes his head. He looks a little awkward, but Jimin can't quite figure out why. "No, it's fine, I was just... waiting for the perfect time." His voice sounds strange, sheepish even. 

Jimin hums, a plan forming in his mind. "And what could be more perfect than this moment here?" he entices, the sweetest lilt to his voice. 

Jungkook glances at him, seemingly recognizing the angelic expression on Jimin's face. Cocking his brow, Jungkook raises the drink to his lips, refusing to back down.

Jimin bursts out laughing at the disgusted face Jungkook makes as he bravely sips at his coffee as per Jimin's request. "Jungkookie, do you not like coffee?" he asks. 

"I can drink it," Jungkook claims, stubborn. 

"But you don't like the taste." 

Jungkook's silence is admission enough. 

Jimin's eyes turn into crescents, sparkling. "If you don't like coffee, why would you agree to get coffee?" 

"Because hyung wanted coffee," Jungkook begrudgingly admits. 

Jimin's about to have a heart attack with how cute Jungkook's being. "You're such a dork," he says, but his tone says something very different, something very fond and warm. 

"You always say that. Say something nice about me, right now," Jungkook demands, dark eyes twinkling with mischief. 

"Your eyes are really pretty," Jimin replies without thinking. Once his better judgment catches up, he almost bites his tongue off. The words sound too romantic, too flirty, so he attempts a joke to wave off the sudden tension between them. "And your breath mostly doesn't smell like flaming garbage, good for you." 

Jungkook casts a suffering look at the dark sky. "Hyung, you are walking home." 

"What? I was complimenting you!" Jimin claims, acting innocent, but his giggles take away his credibility. 

"Somehow it doesn't feel like that."

"Then what would you like me to say, pray tell? Hyung's going to say it if you want," Jimin teases. Jungkook looks at him for a long time before turning away, and Jimin guesses his response would be very different if they were alone. If they were alone, Jimin would probably get his ass spanked and thoroughly fucked. 

If only....

Instead, Jungkook just says, "Let's go, hyung." 

Walking further, they come across a game set-up on the street where people could win prizes by playing the video game. In the middle of the machine sits the main prize, a cute little bunny. The game's idea is to capture the bunny despite the obstacles the game throws at the player. 

"Bet I could kick your butt in that," Jimin challenges, nodding at the game. Jungkook raises a brow, but follows Jimin over to the game. Jimin puts in a bill and waits until the old machine coughs into action. He grabs the controller and starts the game to capture the bunny in the middle of the chaos. 

He's just about to reach the bunny when a giant squid suddenly lashes at him. Jimin fires his gun, but he's too little, too late. GAME OVER flashes across the screen, and Jimin groans in disappointment. "So close." 

Jungkook holds his hand out for the controller. "My turn."

Jimin hands him the controller, but being a Slytherin and all, he doesn't take losing well. He gets impossibly close to Jungkook and tickles his chin to distract him while Jungkook starts a new game. 

"Stop it, hyung," Jungkook mutters, using his shoulders to keep Jimin at bay, but Jimin doesn't give up so easily. He tries again, this time pinching Jungkook's bicep, poking his sides.  

Jungkook glances down at him. "Enjoying yourself, are you?" he murmurs just as the game makes a loud sound, covering his voice. Jimin lets go, backing away.

"Scaredy-cat," he hears Jungkook sing-song under his breath. Jimin looks at him, incredulous at the challenge in his voice, but Jungkook's focus is back in the game. Indignant, Jimin tries his best to distract him, going as far as piggybacking the rapper, but in the end Jungkook prevails. 

Jungkook has just captured the last of the squids with a huge net when the screen fills with balloons, along with a text WINNER and a small dancing bunny. The machine lets out a screech and then a robotic handle retrieves the bunny for Jungkook. 

Jimin pouts for the cameras for losing the game he himself proposed. Smiling, Jungkook picks up the bunny and hands it over to Jimin who significantly cheers up. He hugs the bunny tightly to his chest, cooing. 

"It looks like you." Jimin laughs, pressing the bunny against Jungkook's cheek. "Do the face." 

"No," Jungkook immediately refuses, shaking his head. Jimin got into his head once that Jungkook looks like a bunny sometimes when he smiles, and he has never let it go. Jungkook's not about to encourage him. 

"Jungkookie, come on. Please do the face?" Jimin asks. 

Jungkook decidedly avoids his pleading gaze. "No." 

"Pwease? For hyung?" Jimin coaxes, and he can tell that Jungkook's resistance is crumbling. Kicking up a notch, he leans in closer, putting on his best puppy dog eyes that have worked many a times before. When he adds a pout, Jungkook knows he's lost. 

Jungkook lets out a loud sigh, and scrunches up his nose like a little bunny. Jimin squeals in delight, immediately digging out his phone to capture the moment. Jungkook tries to protest, but Jimin's so excited that he just gives in and humors him, posing for several cutesy photos. 

Then he takes Jimin's phone from his hand, pocketing it. Jimin is about to scold him, but Jungkook doesn't give him a chance, he puts his arm around Jimin and pulls him along. 

The noraebang is located on the second floor of a building overlooking the Han River. Two people from the camera crew go up first, filming Jimin's delighted expression as he walks in and finds out what the next activity is. Rest of the camera crew stays behind while Jungkook explains that he's gone to the same noraebang since he was a teenager. 

"I wonder if they still have my picture on the wall," he says to Jimin as they make their way through the hallway. 

Jimin stops in his tracks. "There's a picture of teenage Jungkook on these walls?" he repeats, and Jungkook can almost see the light bulb turn on in his mind. 

"No, don't—" Jungkook starts, but Jimin has already sneaked his way past the rapper, back to the small lobby. There are rows and rows upon pictures of people who've come to the noraebang, dating all the way back to 1999 when the place was first opened. There seems to be no particular order for the pictures, they've just been placed wherever there is space, making it difficult for Jimin to find Jungkook's picture. 

Jimin pokes Jungkook's side. "Help me."

Jungkook is adamant, crossing his arms over his well-defined chest as he leans against the wall, vehemently looking away from the pictures as if to not give anything away. "No." 

"You're no fun," Jimin says as he searches through the pictures. Jungkook had once implied that he had gone through a fundamental change appearance-wise crossing over to adulthood, so Jimin wonders if he'd even recognize him. He'd like to think so, but recognizing faces has never been his strongest suit. 

"Ba—Buddy, help me." 

"Not going to happen... buddy." Jimin can almost taste the teasing lilt of his voice. Jimin turns to look at him, and Jungkook's just standing there in that same exact spot, not lifting a finger to help Jimin. It's unusual, Jimin realizes. Jungkook usually helps Jimin without him even needing to ask. 

A thought crosses his mind. "You seem quite rooted to that spot," he observes. 

Jungkook's lips part in a lopsided smirk. "It has a nice view." Ignoring the way his stomach dropped at the flirtatious comment, Jimin moves closer, following a hunch. 

"Move, please." 

Jungkook stays in place. 

"Jungkook," Jimin starts. 

"Hyung," Jungkook replies, but lets himself be moved out of the way by gentle hands. There, behind Jungkook, is a picture of three friends grinning to the camera. The fourth person in the picture is smiling more reservedly, his eyes mostly hidden by his long black hair falling over his eyes. 

"Oh my god," Jimin breathes out, his hand caressing the frame as if he could pet teenage Jungkook through it. "You were so small. How old are you here?" 

"Fifteen, I think. Come on, hyung, let's go sing." 

Jimin doesn't move. It feels like he's found a rare creature, a unicorn in a forest. "You look so cute." 

"Stop joking, hyung. Let's just go." There's a slight edge to his voice that catches Jimin's ears. He glances at the rapper. Jungkook's looking away, staring at the ground as if hoping for the gaudy carpet floor to swallow him. 

"Hey," Jimin says quietly, guilt sinking in. He should have left it alone. Jungkook told him once, told him he wasn't confident about who he had been before he became famous. It's hard to understand because Jimin's pretty sure that had they met at seventeen, he would have been just as lost in Jungkook's pretty eyes as he was at twenty-three. But if anyone, Jimin should know that insecurities don't listen to reason. "I'm sorry." 

Jungkook shakes his head, faking a smile. "It's fine. Really, hyung. I look funny, right?" 

"No," Jimin replies immediately, and he wants to say so much more. 

Jimin wants to tell him that he looks good, that he always look good. 

Jimin wants to kiss him, to steal away the insecurity that Jimin himself is too familiar with. 

But the bounds of fame shackle him, silencing him. He can't do any of it, he's forced to just sigh and let Jungkook lead him away from the pictures. 

Every song is a bad song when you're trying not to offend anybody but also sound like you're with the current times, Jimin finds as he peruses the noraebang catalogue for a long time. Finding a song that would best show off his vocals without feeling boastful is starting to look like a mission impossible. Jimin wishes (not for the first time that day) that he had been able to plan this appearance better. Jungkook likes to make fun of him for being a control freak, but his career is always one mistake away from a free fall. 

Staff members have just finished setting up the room to look as cozy as possible (the production team brought some props with them to give the room the right kind of vibe) when the noraebang machine coughs into life and starts playing some intro of a cheery girl group song. 

It's time to sing.

Jimin doesn't look nervous, but the way he's suddenly squeezing Jungkook's hand instead of playing with his fingers under the table kind of gives him the memo that Jimin's not as calm as he wants to seem. 

"Hyung," he murmurs, leaning closer, so only Jimin can hear him. "You don't have to sing if you don't want to. I can tell them we want to do something else."

Jimin shakes his head. "The main reason Yoongi hyung was able to get me a permission to do an unplanned appearance was that the noraebang section would give me a chance to show off singing skills which in turn should garner interest for my musical debut." He takes a deep breath. "But you see, suddenly... suddenly I don't think I remember how to sing." 

His throat is closing up, his windpipe shrinking until it feels very unlikely any air could pass through. 

"I'll sing with you, okay? If you get nervous, I'll start yodeling really loudly to cover your voice up," Jungkook promises. It has the desired effect: Jimin giggles at his silliness. Even if it's funny, Jimin doesn't doubt that Jungkook would really do it if Jimin asked him to. Jungkook smiles at the sound, moving a bit closer like he's about to kiss him, but then remembers where they are and jerks away. There's an awkward silence, another one for the ever growing collection.

Jimin slips on a controlled smile and says, "I didn't know you could yodel." 

"I'm a man of many talents," Jungkook replies, still a little bit dazed from having staggered so close to the edge. 

"That you are," Jimin agrees, but he flushes when he realizes that he said it out loud. Jungkook just laughs, happy and relaxed. Jimin wishes they were alone, so he could kiss his smile, maybe bite his cheeks a little. 

"You're so cute," Jimin sighs. "It's a bit unfair, don't you think?" 

"How so?" Jungkook asks, as if he doesn't already know. Jimin just looks at him, refusing to answer, but his silence says enough, it seems, with how widely it makes Jungkook smile. 

"Why don't we warm up first? Sing something funny, get this party started up?" he suggests. 

Jimin nods, relieved. "Yeah, that sounds great."

They settle on an anime soundtrack they both recognize from childhood, singing it far too passionately. Jimin is crying laughing on the floor while Jungkook belts out the chorus in the most intense Busan accent, banging his head along. The over-the-top song has the desired effect: Jimin feels the paralyzing fear constricting in his chest ease up, air flowing freely through his lungs again. Reinvigorated, he gulps water while Jungkook picks up a guitar that one of the staff members left behind him, starting to tune it. 

"You brought a guitar?" Jimin questions. 

Jungkook winks at him. "You're not the only one who's supposed to show off a new talent." 

It makes sense; of course Jimin wouldn't be the only one with a hidden agenda. The reason people did variety shows was to gain new fans and positive press. "Play me something, I can't wait to hear it."

"Tell me a song. Let's see if I can play it." 

"Play me the song you play best," Jimin suggests. He shakes his hand in a cheer. "Fighting!" 

Jungkook looks at Jimin, lost in thought, searching for a song. He starts playing, and Jimin hoots when he recognizes the melody, admiring Jungkook's talent. 

I've been tryna call
I've been on my own for long enough
Maybe you can show me how to love, maybe

Jimin likes his voice, the strong yet delicate vocals that make no sense but somehow mix perfectly. Hearing Jungkook sing makes him think about what his vocal teacher had said about Jungkook's vocals, about the high praise he had gotten from her. Jimin's teacher is strict: this he knows from experience, so to have her admiration means a lot. 

"I'm going through withdrawals
You don't even have to do too much
You can turn me on with just a touch, baby"

Jungkook's fingers leap from one guitar string to another in a fascinating display of talent. Jimin's so focused on his performance that he almost misses the way Jungkook's looking at him. 

"Your turn," he suggests, making Jimin balk. 

"What?" 

"Sing." 

"Uh. I, I don't remember the lyrics."

Jungkook shakes his head in disappointment. "I thought you were serious about your street cred," he teases.  

"I'm absolutely serious about my street cred," Jimin replies in a very not serious way. He nudges Jungkook with his elbow. "Just sing the first verse with me, I'll remember it from there." 

"Whatever you say, hyung."

"I look around and
Sin City's cold and empty

Jungkook smiles at him, encouraging him to keep going. 

No one's around to judge me
I can't see clearly when you're gone" 

The song is perfect for Jimin's range, especially how Jungkook plays it, slowed down and the pitch slightly altered to suit his voice more. It's better than what Jimin's team had planned, perfect for highlighting Jimin's voice. It makes Jimin feel kind of warm and fuzzy inside to wonder if Jungkook did it on purpose to help him out. 

"I said, ooh, I'm blinded by the lights
No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch
I said, ooh, I'm drowning in the night
Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I trust." 

Jungkook stops playing, leaving behind a breathless silence. Jimin recovers first, giggling and clapping his hands. "You're so good," he praises, flustered. "I didn't know you could play, that was amazing."

"Thank you, hyung." 

Another silence falls. Jimin resists the urge to scream. 

"Let's order drinks," Jungkook suggests, and Jimin nods vigorously. There's no way he's getting through the night sober. 

"Some snacks too, maybe? I'd love some dried squid." 

"Sounds good. I'll order some fruit and nuts too."

The waiter quickly returns with a plate of snacks. Jungkook makes up a dumb pun about nuts which nearly has Jimin spitting out his drink. "You shouldn't make me laugh so much," Jimin scolds him playfully. "I look ugly when I laugh too hard."

Jungkook's face falls. "Jimin—" he starts, frowning. 

Jimin hurries to correct himself. "Well, not like ugly ugly, but just not meant for television. I'm supposed to be gentle and calm. Cackling at your jokes probably won't carry that sentiment to the folks at home," he explains. 

"You're beautiful," Jungkook argues. 

"Stop it," Jimin whines, pleased.

The longer they spend time together, the more Jimin catches himself slipping. He stares at Jungkook too long, laughs at his jokes too much, touches him too often. 

After they've sang their voices hoarse at the noraebang, Jimin and Jungkook head out to the streets again. 

"You told the owner not to take my card, right?" Jimin mentions after the owner, a friendly old grandma who had spent twenty minutes pinching Jungkook's cheeks and bragging about his achievements like he was really her grandson, had declined his offer to pay, claiming that the their meal was on the house. However, Jimin had seen someone hand Jungkook his card back when they thought Jimin wasn't looking. 

"Maybe." Jungkook smiles as he feels Jimin looking at him. He's supposed to have his arm on his shoulder, but Jungkook's slipping, pulling Jimin close to himself, arm curling around Jimin's waist instead. Jimin's no better: he keeps leaning against the rapper, laughing and looking up at him with stars in his eyes. 

Yoongi is very probably planning early retirement.   

"We should take a selca," Jimin suggests before he chickens out. He has no pictures of them together, it's been too dangerous to keep any, even if they have tempted fate before by sending some in apps that delete the pictures after they are opened. There are no photos of just them two, smiling at the camera, and somehow, in that moment, Jimin desperately wants one.

Jungkook nods, and moves closer to him. Jimin giggles softly, motioning for Jungkook to crouch down a bit. "Your hair is a mess, ba—uh, you bagel head," he struggles, very narrowly (and awkwardly) stopping himself from calling Jungkook baby. 

Jungkook clearly noticed the slip-up, hiding a smirk as he tilts his head down, allowing Jimin to arrange his hair any way he wants. Jimin is careful not to meet Jungkook's gaze, cheeks heating up. Instead, he immerses himself in doing Jungkook's hair, giving the task much more attention than it requires. He can feel the rapper's eyes on him, watching his every move. 

"There," Jimin says, and when did his voice get so low? "That's better."

"Thank you." Jungkook's voice meets his, equally soft, hidden meanings and secrets coloring his words. 

"Uh, come a bit closer," Jimin says, holding his phone up in the perfect selfie angle that he was taught so long ago. He prays that his voice doesn't betray him, that it doesn't show how hard his heart is beating. His breath hitches as Jungkook moves closer, their cheeks almost touching. Jimin can feel the familiar heat radiating off of Jungkook's skin. 

Jimin starts laughing to hide how flustered he feels, backing away as soon as the picture is taken. "We make a pretty picture." 

"Do you want to walk for a bit?" Jungkook suggests. 

"Where?" 

"Han River." 

"That sounds like a date," Jimin teases gently. All the couples he knows have ended their dates by eating ice cream and walking around Han River. "Are you going to buy me ice cream, too?" 

Jungkook grins. "No. Hyung's going to buy me ice cream." 

Jimin raises a brow. "Oh am I?" he asks, and he doesn't mean for it to sound so flirty, he really doesn't. 

"Yes, hyung. And it just happens that I know a nice place that's still open." 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "What a coincidence," he huffs, but lets himself be led to an ice cream stand a few block over. They exchange hellos with the cashier, reading the menu hanging on the side of the small stand. 

"What do you recommend?" Jimin asks. 

"We have mango ice cream on sale. Buy two, get one for free." 

"I don't really like mangoes," Jimin says at the same time as Jungkook mentions, "Jimin hyung doesn't like mangoes." 

Amused, Jimin turns to look at Jungkook. He offers his finger for him, singing, "You are me..." 

Jungkook laughs and presses his finger against Jimin's. "I am you." 

Yoongi is waiting for Jimin at a parking lot by the river when the filming wraps up. His eyes zero in on Jungkook who's walking next to Jimin. 

Jimin smiles, unbothered by the solemn expression on his face, and says, "Hey, hyung. This is Jeon Jungkook. Jungkook, this is my manager, Min Yoongi hyung."  

Jungkook bows. "Yoongi-ssi. I've heard a lot about you." Yoongi just stares at him, sizing up every inch of him with his cat eyes, getting ready to pounce. Jungkook is honestly intimidated, wondering if he's about to be jumped by a guy who looks like a doll but also gives the vibe that he could squash Jungkook like a bug if he so decided. 

Jungkook glances at Jimin for guidance on what to do next when Yoongi's still just staring at him. The model rolls his eyes. "Knock it off, hyung," he complains. "Say hi to Jungkook like a normal person."

Jimin and Yoongi stare at each other. Surprisingly, Yoongi is the one to wave a white flag. "Hi, Jungkook," he says reluctantly. Then he looks at Jimin. "We should get going, Jiminie. It's late." 

"Right." Jimin turns to look at Jungkook. "I had a lot of fun today."

Jungkook smiles. "Me too, hyung. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Jimin replies. They smile at each other, and then Jungkook walks up to his own people, his manager smiling at him and saying something Jimin can't hear. Jungkook says something back, and Jimin likes how unguarded Jungkook looks with her, like they've known each other forever. 

Jimin tears his eyes away from Jungkook to meet Yoongi's suspicious gaze. 

"So, how long have you been dating Jeon Jungkook?" Yoongi asks, knocking air out of Jimin's lungs.

"Jungkookie," Jiyoon croons, and that's how Jungkook knows that she's up to something. Jiyoon may be his favorite manager and overall favorite person at the company, but she's also smart and crafty and she doesn't coddle Jungkook nearly as often as he'd like. 

"What's up, noona?" Jungkook asks. 

"My lovely girlfriend wants to have dinner," Jiyoon says. 

"Okay? I'd love to," Jungkook replies, waiting for the 'but...' he can sense coming a mile away. 

"She said that she wants to meet the person who's been keeping you from our monthly Skype calls," Jiyoon adds, and there it is, the reason for the crafty look on Jiyoon's face. Jungkook sighs, mentally preparing for the incoming interrogation. 

Jiyoon motions for someone behind Jungkook's back. "Babe, come here."

A pretty girl with long, black hair walks over to them with two sticks of tornado potatoes. "Unnie, I got you one, too." Then she notices Jungkook and flashes a grin. "Hey, loser. Long time no see." 

"Hani," Jungkook greets, reaching down to pull Hani into a hug. "How's tricks?" Using their proximity to his advantage, he steals a chunk of Hani's food, making her colorfully curse Jungkook off. 

"I was just telling Jungoo you want to have dinner," Jiyoon mentions, taking a bite out of the tornado potato, carefully keeping it out of Jungkook's range. She knows him too well.  

Hani nods. "Yup, just you guys and dolls now that I'm home again." Her eyes light up with wicked mirth. "Although I was wondering, should I just go ahead and invite Park Jimin, too?"

Jungkook shrugs, nonchalant. "Don't know what you mean. I'll come to dinner, as long as you promise not to cook it yourself." 

Hani attempts to kick him, but Jungkook's too fast for her, side-stepping her small foot with ease. "Fucking brat. You should be so lucky to eat my food. Halmeoni's recipes, wasted on your dumb ass," she complains. Hani is a prolific cook. Unfortunately for everyone around her, she's not a very good one. The only person who can eat her creations is her girlfriend, but Jungkook's not sure if Jiyoon has an iron stomach or if she's so dead set on supporting Hani's interest that she bent the laws of physics. 

Hani's eyes flick to something in Jungkook's hands. "Oh my god, who's this?" she coos, petting the pink prize bunny Jungkook hadn't noticed he was still holding after the selca. 

"Aw, he looks like you," Jiyoon giggles, booping the bunny's cute button nose. 

Jungkook pulls the bunny protectively closer to his chest. "It's Jimin's," he dismisses, ducking his head. "I was just carrying it for hyung." 

Jiyoon and Hani exchange a look. "Sure you were," Hani says, flicking her hair. Then she waves her finger at Jungkook. "Dinner tomorrow, Jeon Jungkook, or I'll tell precious 'Jiminie hyung' that in our hagwon, you grew such an ugly mustache the teacher thought you had a bug on your face." 

Jungkook groans. "I liked you better in Hong Kong." He shoots Hani a look. "Do not tell Jimin hyung anything." 

Hani blows him a kiss. "Be punctual, Googie, and I might not." 

Jiyoon laughs. "Tell him, babe." Upon Jungkook's betrayed glare, Jiyoon shrugs and says, "Don't even try, Kook. You're late every damn time I set up a schedule for you, I'm not going to save you from Hani's wrath. In fact, I think I'll get popcorn and sit back to enjoy the show." 

Yoongi's hard stare seems to go through Jimin. "So, how long have you been dating Jeon Jungkook?"

"What?" Jimin laughs awkwardly. "Have you been drinking, hyung?" 

Yoongi doesn't look amused at the least. "How long has it been going on?" he demands. 

Jimin swallows, hard. "I'm not dating him."

"Oh, please." 

"I'm not!" Jimin insists. His tongue is suddenly made of cotton, the fluffy material choking him. 

"Then what was all that?" Yoongi asks, his tone accusatory, gesturing at Jimin. 

Jimin avoids his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"The soft tones, the touching, the stares... I know what you look like when you're harboring a crush the size of Russia." 

"I don't have a crush on him," Jimin insists, but it's a lie, of course. Jungkook is funny, hotter than hell, smart, interesting, and amazing in bed. How could Jimin not have a crush on him? "And I wouldn't date anybody right now, not after all that went down." 

Yoongi just shoots him a look. "I recall us having this exact same conversation about Yoonho, and remind me... how did that go again?" he says, harsh on purpose to snap Jimin out of it. 

Jimin's eyes flash. "Not funny, hyung." 

"No, I don't think it's funny, either. Your heart breaking has never been funny to me." Yoongi's words are hard, but there's underlying concern that Jimin can't ignore. His ire subsides, dying out on its own. Yoongi's worried for him. Jimin hates it when Yoongi's worried, Jimin's caused enough of that already. He likes to joke around that Yoongi is overprotective, but the thing is, he didn't start out that way.  

"I'm not dating Jungkook, hyung. I barely know him." As soon as the words tumble out, Jimin wants to bite his own tongue off. It's too much of a stretch, no longer just a dodge but pretty much a lie at this point. He does know Jeon Jungkook—maybe not as well as Jungkook's closest friends do—but he does know him. 

Yoongi regards him with sharp eyes, but eventually nods. "Okay."

Tense silence falls between them, but it's soon broken by a familiar voice. "Sorry to interrupt, but hyung, you left this," Jungkook says, handing over the bunny he won for Jimin. Jimin smiles, reaching for the bunny, about to thank Jungkook when he gets cut off. Yoongi's phone rings, and it's a familiar sound: the manager of South Korea's sweetheart works hard.

Yoongi glances at the screen and curses before shooting a quick text to the person calling. "Jiminie, I need to go," he explains. "I'm really sorry, but I need the company car. I'll call you another one and arrange someone to wait with you."

"I could give you a lift home, hyung," Jungkook offers. 

Yoongi looks at him, eyes hard. "That's okay, thank you. Our company car will be right here."

"Thanks Jungkook, I'd love to." Rolling his eyes at Yoongi, Jimin mouths relax, Mommy. 

Yoongi glares at him, opening his mouth to protest, but Jimin beats him to it. "Come on, hyungie, it'd be more dangerous to stay and wait for a new car. Jungkook's a nice boy, hyung, I promise," he coaxes. 

"Fine," Yoongi agrees, still eyeing Jungkook suspiciously. Then his eyes sweep over to Jungkook's sports car. "Nice car. Goes pretty fast, right?"

Jungkook's mouth almost curves up to a smile, but he bites his lip, suppressing it. "I will abide each traffic law, sir. And I'll have Jimin hyung home safely," he promises, clearly having noticed the strange aura of a nervous parent letting his child go on a date with the neighborhood bad boy. 

Yoongi doesn't say anything more, he just stares at him until their company car rolls over. Then he turns his terrifying gaze onto Jimin, and says, "Be careful." With those fateful words, he slips into the car and drives off. 

Jungkook lets out a long breath of relief, and Jimin turns to look at him, amused. "Still wanna let my Yoongi hyung vore you?" he teases. 

Jungkook shakes his head. "I think your Yoongi hyung can do whatever he wants, I'm not going to stand in his way. Ever." 

That makes Jimin chuckle softly. "He's just protective," he's quick to defend. "Hyung's the kindest, gentlest soul I know. He's never as much as raised his voice at me, and God knows sometimes I would have deserved to be yelled at. Tae and I haven't exactly always made his job easy." 

"I like your Yoongi hyung," Jungkook admits. Then he sighs, running a distressed hand through his dark hair. "I'm just pretty sure he doesn't like me at all." 

"Hyung must like you a little," Jimin reassures him. "Otherwise he'd never let you drive me home."

That seems to slightly cheer Jungkook up. "Come on," he says, opening the car door for Jimin. Jimin scans the perimeters as usual, but there doesn't seem to be any curious eyes lingering around. He has learned, however, that the most dangerous eyes are the ones he can't see. 

But for once, he doesn't want to care about all that. 

He slides into the front seat of Jungkook's car, half expecting the suffocating atmosphere from before. Instead, the car feels a little bit like a safe haven: he finally feels hidden from curious eyes. Then his eyes bulge, turning around in his seat, searching for the cameras from before. 

"They're all gone," Jungkook says quietly. "I checked already, twice." 

Jimin nods, focusing on his breathing to calm himself down. He hates that he gets like this sometimes, paranoid and mistrustful. "Sorry," he murmurs. 

"I get it, it's fine." Jungkook pauses, seemingly trying to decide whether to speak out or not. "You're not the person who should be sorry." 

Jimin breathes in, breathes out, shaking his head. "It was my fault, before. When... when people noticed. I wasn't careful enough and I trusted the wrong people." 

"Wrong people like your ex?" Jungkook looks away. "I've heard people say he threw you under the bus when you got caught." 

Jimin shrugs. "Something like that, I guess. But in the end, it's my fault. I set myself up for failure by not being careful." 

"He should have protected you." 

"I should have protected myself. I'm never going to mess up like that again." He chuckles tiredly. "Maybe in ten years, I can look back and be thankful for the lesson he taught me." 

Jungkook shakes his head. "Losing trust in people is not something anyone should have to learn." Silence falls in the car, but it's different from before, they are both deep in thought. Jimin wishes he knew what Jungkook's thinking. 

Jimin's phone lights up. That's not unusual, so at first Jimin doesn't react, but message after message ensues and then his building's security is calling him. Quick search shows that they've tried to call him three times already, all within the last five minutes. 

"What the hell?" Jimin mutters, feeling Jungkook's eyes on him before he picks up the call. 

"Good evening, Mr. Park. Sorry to bother you so late, but we've caught a suspicious personnel near the building twice tonight. We sent a photo of the persons to your company, and they seem to think at least one of them is someone who's harassed you before," the head of security at Jimin's building, Mr. Lee starts. 

Jimin pales. This is the last thing he needs tonight, after such a tense evening. He just wants to go home and sleep for a few days. Sure, the "date" got better towards the end and he even had fun, but that doesn't change the fact that he had to be careful of everything he said or did. He's exhausted, desperate to feel like he's no longer under a microscope, studied while his wings are torn off. 

"Sir?" 

Jimin rubs his eyes, tired to his very bones. "Yes, I'm sorry. Is my apartment secure right now?" 

"Of course, sir. Gangnam Real Estate Apartments are always safe and secure. I've also spoken to your company and they are convinced that it's safe for you to return to your house." Mr. Lee, pauses, as if contemplating whether or not to speak his mind, outside of the script their company has drilled into every employee's brain. 

"What is it, Mr. Lee?" Jimin asks. "Please speak freely." 

Mr. Lee sighs. "Mr. Park, if I were on your security team, I'd advice you to sleep somewhere else than at home until we find all of them," he admits, and Jimin's prone to listen—Mr. Lee has helped him out a lot during the two years he's lived in his current building. 

"All of them?" Jimin repeats, nausea hitting him hard. 

"The police have found evidence that there's a third member in this deranged fan club that hasn't been brought in yet. Manager Min and myself are very concerned that the third member will try their hardest to get to you before they are caught. They know they're running out of time. I think one of the stalkers might still be circling the entrance of the house, but they're so quick that we keep missing them. I've dealt with this person before in the past, he already made it to your floor once before tackled down by security. Last time he was subsequently let go by police because according to them, no harm was done. Personally, I think they had no resources and swept it under the rug because there's so much fame-induced crime that they don't take it seriously anymore." 

"What? How come I wasn't notified that some creep was found on my floor?" Jimin asks. Jungkook turns to look at him, frowning. 

"We called your company who said they'd speak to you on their own once you returned from your business in another country." 

Of course.

Only years of training to control his temper keep Jimin from screaming out profanities. "I see. Thank you, Mr. Lee. I will heed your advice. Please contact me directly once my apartment is secure again." 

"As you wish, Mr. Park. Good night." 

"Good night, Mr. Lee." 

"Jimin, what's going on?" Jungkook asks as soon as Jimin ends the call. 

Jimin's staring straight ahead at the road, trying to control his temper. "Some fan club freaks tried to break into my apartment tonight. And get this, it's not the first time they've done it. Apparently someone was already on my floor while I was in Japan, but no one thought to inform me about it." 

Jungkook's fingers grip the steering wheel tighter, knuckles turning white. "What?" 

"Yeah, well, it's not exactly the first time they've ignored safety concerns," Jimin reminds him, and they both think back to an overcrowded airport with flashing lights and loud screams. Then Jimin shakes his head, as if to repel the memory. "It's okay. Yoongi hyung's going to rip them apart for this, he always does." 

"He always does," Jungkook repeats, his voice terrifyingly flat. 

On cue, Yoongi's name flashes on his phone's screen. Jimin sighs, knowing that Yoongi's going to be very worried. "Hyung—" he starts, but that's as far as he gets. 

"Jimin, where are you?" Yoongi's voice sounds even and controlled, but Jimin can still pick out the hidden panic.  

"I'm safe, hyung, I'm still with Jungkook," Jimin assures him. "We're just passing through Hongdae." 

He hears Yoongi breathe out, relieved. "Good. Listen, Jimin, there's something going on at your apartment, some disturbed individuals are trying to get in. Don't go home." 

"Hyung, did you know? Did you know about what happened while we were in Japan?" Jimin asks. He knows the answer, he's always known it, but he just needs to be reassured that the one person in the company he trusts, sometimes in the world, still has his back. 

"No, I just heard it from Mr. Lee," Yoongi replies immediately, and an empty relief flashes across Jimin. Yoongi's still his rock, still the one person he can trust. "He said he told you, too. I'm going down to the company and then I will rip their heads off. You should come with me. You won't have to talk to anyone, but you can stay with me until we figure this out. I'll pay for a bodyguard my-fucking-self if I have to."   

Jimin is nodding along until he remembers that Yoongi can't see him, and speaks up, "Yes, hyung. We're going to pass by the company soon enough, I'll get off and find you." 

"You could stay with me," Jungkook offers in a low voice. 

Jimin turns to stare at him. Jungkook shrugs. "Just an idea." His lips curve up to a half-hearted smirk. "No one would think to look for Korea's sweetheart at my house." 

Jimin is still staring at him. A tense moment passes between them as Jimin searches his eyes to find any reluctance that would reveal he's only offering out of sense of duty. Finding none, Jimin says to Yoongi, "Hyung, actually, I have a place to stay for tonight." 

Yoongi lets out a long, withering sigh. "Please tell me it's not—" he starts, but Jimin cuts him off. 

"Jungkook's very gracefully offered his guest bedroom for me." 

Jungkook scoffs at that, dodging Jimin's hand reaching over to shut him up. 

"We can't put him out like that. After all, you barely know him, right?" Yoongi says, and there's something in his voice that makes Jimin think Yoongi didn't believe him one bit when Jimin claimed not to know Jungkook. 

He doesn't have the luxury to obsess over that right now, though. There's something more pressing requiring his attention at the moment. "Hyung. Please don't worry. Jungkook says it's fine. We're not putting him out." 

"I'll be the one putting out," Jungkook jokes, and this time Jimin really does put a hand over his mouth, shushing him despite trying not to laugh at the dumb wordplay. 

"Let me talk to him." 

"Hyung—" Jimin whines, knowing full well that Yoongi talking to Jungkook would not include just talking. 

"I just wanna know about his building's security protocol." 

Jimin holds the phone out for Jungkook. "Hyung wants to instill the fear of God in you," he says, and pretends not to notice how Jungkook gulps at that. Still, he reaches out and takes the phone from Jimin, bravely heeding the call. 

"Hello?" 

For the next few minutes, Jungkook mostly just says, "Yes, Yoongi-ssi."  Jimin can only guess what Yoongi is telling him, but he's rather confident that Yoongi's not just checking the security protocol. 

Finally, Jungkook hands the phone back to Jimin. Jimin can't read him, can't tell what he's thinking. That's nothing new, Jungkook's thoughts are too often hidden from Jimin, but it still bothers him. Jimin picks up the phone, "Hyung?"

"Jiminie, I'll see you tomorrow at the fan sign thing in Banpo. I will send a car to make sure no one sees you leave Jungkook's house, okay? Don't go anywhere alone. If you want to leave for any reason during the night or the morning, I'll come get you myself. Okay?" 

"Yes, hyung," Jimin agrees. 

Yoongi's voice drops even lower. "Goodnight, Jimin. I... I'm sorry you can't go home," he says, and Jimin knows Yoongi means it. 

Jimin's voice is soft when he replies, "It's okay, hyung. This is not your fault. Give them hell." The call ends, but Jimin doesn't put down his phone. He's gripping it tightly, staring out of the window. 

"Are you okay?" 

Jimin starts to say Yes, but the word won't come out. "I don't know," he finally admits. "I can't really process what I just learned." 

Jungkook hums, and Jimin can tell that there's a lot of things he'd like to say, most definitely about Jimin's company and their poor response to crises. But he doesn't, and for that, Jimin's eternally grateful. He knows, he knows that his company isn't good, that they're not doing enough to protect him. But for them to actively hide things that could jeopardize Jimin's safety? That's a whole different thing that Jimin isn't quite ready to handle yet. 

Jungkook exits the car while Jimin takes a moment longer to breathe. He's about to open his door when it's done for him. 

Jimin looks at him curiously. "What is that?" he asks as he gets out of the car, and Jungkook closes his door for him. For a fraction of a second, Jungkook looked like he was going to offer his hand to support Jimin, but decided against it at the last moment. 

"What is what?" Jungkook asks, but he's taking long strides as if walking fast enough would leave Jimin's curiosity behind. 

"Why are you opening my door for me? There are no cameras here," Jimin insists, catching up to Jungkook who's just tapping a security code into the lock pad attached to the elevator that ensures only the person in the penthouse can use that particular elevator. 

"Hyung's just too slow, I'm trying to move things along by opening your door for you," Jungkook claims as the elevator doors open with a soft ding! and they walk in. There's only two buttons instead of the usual rows and rows, one for going up and one for going down. Jimin presses the UP button and wonders briefly how many times he's done this already despite for so long swearing that each time they hooked up was the last time. He doesn't bother claiming so anymore. Sometimes it feels like he couldn't stay away from Jungkook even if he wanted to. "Seriously, you walk like a grandma, I don't understand how you have such long legs and still walk so slow." 

"Shut up," Jimin huffs, poking Jungkook in ribs. Jungkook screeches and dramatically slumps against the elevator wall. "Besides, I see right through you and your bad boy facade. You're such a softy."

Jungkook turns around, backing Jimin against the elevator wall. "Oh yeah? I'm soft?" he asks, voice low, filled with dark promises. 

Jimin giggles, pushing at Jungkook's chest without any effort to actually make him move. "Okay, maybe not always," he admits. 

"That's what I thought," Jungkook says, smug. Jimin reaches out a hand to pinch him, but Jungkook takes his hand, sensing his intentions.

Jimin sighs. "You're making me miss that boy on the phone with my tiny hyung." Jungkook groans, looking away, but Jimin just leans in, closer. "How come you never act that obedient with me?" Jimin teases, before dropping his voice lower for a poor impression of Jungkook, "Yes, sir. Of course, sir. No, sir. Please, sir. Harder, sir." 

Jungkook pinches his nipple, making Jimin yelp. "Shut up. I was trying to be nice to your daddy or he wouldn't let you come out and play." 

"Just admit my tiny hyung scares you." 

"Of course he does. The way he grilled me about those security things..." Jungkook shakes his head before adding, "I'm glad you've got someone like him in your corner, though." 

"Yoongi hyung is a bodyguard, manager, friend, all in one package." Jimin scoffs, the sound bitter. "I guess he had no choice but to be everything for me because they wouldn't give us anyone else. Did you know I first had a security detail as late as last year?" 

"It doesn't have to be like that," Jungkook points out, unusually serious. They arrive at Jungkook's apartment, and Jimin's grateful for the privilege of the private elevator, he has no energy left to deal with anyone else. 

"It does, at least for as long as I have a contract with them," Jimin replies. "Thankfully, Tae wasn't home today, I don't know what I would have done if I had placed him in danger like that. Speaking of which, I should probably call him. He's staying overnight at his friend's place, and he'll freak out if he hears about this from someone other than me." 

"It wouldn't have been you who placed him in danger," Jungkook mutters while Jimin dials Taehyung's number, walking out of the living room. While Jimin waits for Taehyung to pick up, he hears Jungkook call the building security, checking in and telling them to be extra careful that night. Warmth tingles up his spine, like finally someone is looking out for him. 

Taehyung answers after a while. His voice is strained, like Jimin caught him mid-exercise. "This better be good, soulmate," he grumbles, and Jimin quickly realizes what he's up to. So that kind of a sleepover, then. 

"Taetae?" Jimin says, and he hates how his voice suddenly breaks, all air abandoning his lungs without a warning. Jimin hears Taehyung curse, and then there's a whisper before Jimin hears a door close like Taehyung went to a different room to talk to him. 

"Jimin, what's wrong?" Taehyung asks, and it takes everything in Jimin's power not to burst into tears when he hears the worry in Taehyung's voice. The danger finally gets to him, the situation becoming real now that he has to explain it to his best friend. He tells Taehyung everything he knows, trying to underline how he's fine and nothing really happened, he's just tired. Taehyung doesn't buy it, he's furious at Jimin's company for their carelessness that could have led to a really serious situation. 

"Where are you?" Taehyung wants to know next. 

"At... at Jungkook's. I'm going to stay the night here, hopefully they'll have the people responsible for this in holding by morning. Can you stay at your friend's until tomorrow? We'll figure something out by then, but right now I just want to sleep." 

"Yeah, of course. I'm leaving for Milan tomorrow anyway." 

Jimin closes his eyes. "Fuck, I forgot that's tomorrow already. Meet me before you go?" 

"Yeah, of course. I'll book a table, meet you at our place for dinner." 

"Deal. Stay safe, soulmate." 

"You too, soulmate." Jimin ends the call, patting his way back to Jungkook who's standing in the living room, staring out of the tall windows as if he could find Jimin's stalker just with his laser eyes. 

Jimin walks up him, and on impulse, wraps his arms around Jungkook's narrow hips, pressing the side of his face against Jungkook's back. There, curled up in Jungkook's calming presence, Jimin finally feels like he can breathe again, like maybe he'll be okay after all. 

Jungkook doesn't move, doesn't say anything, and that's a bad sign. Jimin presses a kiss between his shoulder blades, trying to defuse the tension there. It works somewhat; Jungkook relaxes under his lips, but Jimin can tell that there's still a lot going on in his mind. 

Jimin's trying to think about how to bring Jungkook out of his thoughts when the perfect joke comes to him. "Hey Jungkook, would you rather eat the sugar baby or the matter baby?"

"What's the matter baby—ah shit," Jungkook sighs, realizing too little, too late the trap he stepped into. 

Jimin is glowing with mirth. "Nothing much, sugar, what's going on with you?" he croons. 

Jungkook shakes his head, disappointed in himself. "I can't fucking believe I fell for that. Your jokes are the worst."

"Not true, I'm hilarious." 

"Debatable."

Jimin pokes Jungkook's side, side-stepping him, so they are facing each other. "Is not. Tell me you love my jokes," he insists. 

"Never." 

Jimin laughs, looking away. His eyes wander around the room, taking in the familiar book shelf, the guitars, the art he helped Jungkook pick out when he moved in. But there's an item that doesn't belong in the room, a spot of grease on the canvas of a masterpiece. 

A golden ring.  

He'd know the ring anywhere, but he picks it up either way, confirming his suspicions as he reads the engraving. "Why do you have this?"

Jungkook looks guilty. He's quiet for a moment, but then he replies, "Because I bought it."

"Bought it? From who?" Jimin questions. He doesn't recall putting Seokjin's ring up for sale. There's a nagging feeling at the back of his head—a part of him already knows what Jungkook's answer will be—but Jimin doesn't pay it any mind. He feels motionless, lost in a thought.

"Someone from your crew."

The pieces finally fall into place. "Minhyuk-ssi," Jimin guesses. Even if their industry moved fast and people quit and started new jobs more often than not, the abrupt disappearance of Minhyuk had still bothered him, the way no one as much as mentioned his name after he left, spoke of something sinister. 

Jungkook nods. "He got it from some cleaning lady, figured out you had been in my room and decided to sell the scoop to the press."

Jimin's sinus rhythm flat-lines. "What?" he wheezes. 

Jungkook nods solemnly. "Don't worry, we got to him before he got to them," he promises. 

"We?" Jimin repeats weakly, blood pounding in his ears. "Who else knows?" 

"Your Yoongi hyung played tactical support. I bought the ring back and he dealt with that Minhyuk guy, made sure he kept his mouth shut. I don't know what he said to him, but I got the impression Minhyuk isn't going to be an issue anymore." Jungkook bites his lip. "Your Yoongi hyung is kind of terrifying when he's in protective hyung mode," he adds. 

Jimin offers a small smile at that, but it quickly fades away. "Were you ever going to tell me?"

Jungkook shrugs. "We kind of broke things off before I could." 

"Right." Jimin's quiet. "Thank you for protecting me."

Jungkook avoids his eyes. "I know how important it's to you." 

Time stands still, holding its breath as Jimin cups Jungkook's face, his lips pausing just an inch away from Jungkook's. "Thank you," he whispers. The distance between their lips closes, and Jungkook doubts he'll ever grow tired of the way Jimin kisses him, of how soft his plush lips feel pressing into his. 

Jungkook's still the first to pull away, something jabbing at him like a thorn in his side. "Don't thank me. It was the least I could do after I took it off you and then forgot it was there," he says, bitter. 

Jimin shakes his head. "And I didn't really bother searching, remember? I just left it there. Trust me, this is not on you. Minhyuk-ssi, however... I hope he steps on a Lego every day for the rest of his life." 

"That's not enough," Jungkook mutters darkly, but lets Jimin take his hand, intertwining their fingers. 

When he looks up, Jimin's smiling at him. "Now, I was promised a sleepover. I want hair-braiding and gossip and bonding over hot chocolate." 

"Best I can offer is bottle water and a bed with me in it." 

"Sold. Come on, I'm exhausted. Pretending to be your friend whilst wanting to jump your bones has been really tiring. I need my beauty sleep." Jimin walks with confident strides to Jungkook's bedroom, pulling him along by their joined hands.

"Tell me more about this wanting to jump my bones part," Jungkook teases, and when Jimin shoots him a look, he just laughs. 

"Absolutely not, you're big-headed enough as it is." Jimin chooses to ignore the satisfied smirk he receives in return and instead strips out of his clothes, save for his boxers before diving under the duvet. "Goodbye." 

Jungkook smiles at him before trekking into his kitchen, getting water for the both of them.  He drinks his share before setting the glass down and coaxing Jimin back to the surface from the depths of duvet.  

"This is new," Jimin points out, drinking the offered water. "Never got into this bed with the sole intention of sleeping. Should we set up like a perimeter of pillows or something? Since this is just platonic sleeping together and I'm a repeat offender of cuddling people in my sleep?"

"Yes, please. By all means, protect my virtue," Jungkook jokes. Jimin chuckles, and then simply drags Jungkook into the bed. Jungkook intentionally flops down on top of him, making Jimin laugh and push him over to his side. 

"You got new art in here," Jimin observes, looking around more carefully this time. There's a huge painting on the wall across from the bed, strong strokes of blue on a white canvas. It reminds Jimin of the sea, of the cool serenity that feeling of dipping into the water and having waves crash onto his body. 

"Yeah, found this really awesome independent creator in Nagoya and bought like all of the pieces he had available." 

"It's gorgeous. Wow, it's really been a while since I last slept over." 

Jungkook scoffs. "You never slept over." 

Jimin turns to look at him, incredulous. "I did, too." 

"Not really. You took a power nap and left." 

"That's not—" Jimin starts to argue before pausing. Okay, maybe he kind of did. The whole fuck buddies thing gave him a lot of anxiety in the beginning, seeing as he had never had an arrangement like that before. At first, he had no idea if he was even allowed to sleep over, if he was supposed to sneak out in the morning, if his presence in the apartment was annoying. There seemed to be a lot of unwritten rules that he couldn't figure out, and he's still not entirely sure he knows all of them. Then again, one could argue that his relationship with Jungkook has never exactly followed the usual path for friends with benefits. 

"Hey." 

Jungkook glances at him. "Hm?" 

Jimin gnaws on his lower lip, nervous. "I'm really sorry. About... about what happened at that noraebang. The picture. I should have left it alone, I'm sorry." 

Jungkook shakes his head. "No," he says. "It's fine, really. It was kind of nice to see that again." He laughs softly. "I even took a picture of it and sent it to my old friends. They laughed their asses off." It used to hurt him, seeing himself at his lowest, at his most insecure, but that's not how he thinks of it anymore. The boy in the picture is a part of him, and it's kind of precious that he was able to have a normal childhood with all of its ups and downs. Most of his friends weren't. At fifteen, they were all already signed to companies, training away instead of being normal kids at a noraebang with terrible emo hair, entangled with paralyzing shyness that would later grow into simply being introverted.

Jimin smiles. "You were cute at fifteen. That emo hair had no business looking good on anybody," he teases, moving Jungkook's hair over his eyes in an attempt to mimic the hairstyle. "I wish I had known you back then. Actually, no. I would have had a hopeless crush on you, it would have been terrible for both of us."

Jungkook scoffs, the sharp exhale bouncing the hair resting on his face. "You've never had a hopeless crush in your life." 

"Trust me, I would have pined for you for years, and you probably wouldn't have noticed a thing. Or you would have thought I was the loudest, most annoying person in the world, always begging for your attention. There was no in-between, pretty much every crush I ever had was hopeless." Jimin chuckles to himself, finally able to laugh off things that used to make him cry. "I'm a handful." 

"That's okay. I've got two hands." Jimin's eyes widen, and Jungkook coughs awkwardly. "As a lot of people do. We should really sleep, you've got something important going on tomorrow morning I'm sure." 

"Okay. Nighty night, celebrity friend," Jimin says, squeezing Jungkook's hand under the duvet and closing his eyes. 

"Nighty night, hyung," Jungkook replies, placing a soft kiss on Jimin's forehead. 

Jimin's sleepy smile is the last thing Jungkook sees before exhaustion takes him. 

Chapter Text

Fan meets have always been a bit strange for Jimin. They're an essential part of the industry he's in, and as his company reminded him just that morning, he's contractually obligated to attend them. For Jimin, though, fan meets are a great way to connect with his fans that he still sometimes can’t fathom having. He enjoys meeting them, likes hearing their stories and jokes, holding their hands, trying to remember each one of them.

Still — sitting there, in front of an adoring audience who coos at every breath he takes, will never make sense to him. 

It's chaos: strange, loud voices covering one another, merging in a symphony of nonsense. One thing is clear, however: they all want Jimin to notice them. He sends out a heart, smiling when it's received with loud screams. It’s kind of endearing, really: he’s been through a lot with his fans, and as much as they sometimes cause him grey hairs, they’re also insane motivators for him; they’re kind and thoughtful and they never bail on defending Jimin against the hate he gets, no matter how bizarre. Just the past week, Jimin has been mocked for being fake kind, for holding a Starbucks cup wrong somehow, for smiling too much. His fans shut them down each time. 

Jimin can feel Yoongi standing on his left, more on guard than usual. The tension in the air is almost palpable. Yoongi freezes at anything out of the ordinary, ready to shut the event down at the smallest implication of trouble. Jimin feels awful that Yoongi's so worried, even if he claims he's not.

Jungkook was worried, too, lowkey not wanting to let Jimin leave the familiar comfort of his apartment that morning. He had been frowning, dark eyes hard and every muscle of his body tense when Jimin confirmed that the fan meet was still on despite the events of the previous night. He was quiet even after Jimin explained that all the stalkers had been caught and Yoongi had bashed heads against walls until he got enough security to cover the meet. Only his eyes spoke; the usually gentle and playful look in them replaced with quiet fury. 

Cancelling wasn't an option. Cancelling is never an option, not even when someone had posted a long, excruciatingly detailed sexual threat against Jimin or when someone had tweeted a picture of a gun and a ticket to one of Jimin's fan events. No, the company never even considered disappointing the fans.

Money never stops, Taehyung once bitterly muttered after being made to him sign a contract with a start-up he didn't like. Money never stops because it can't stop, it's not allowed to stop. As soon as someone stopped bringing in money, they were replaced. Even Jimin, arguably the most profitable artist at his company, is constantly under the threat of being fazed out by a newer, younger version of his own brand — the brand he himself created. 

On Jimin's right side, stands a beefy bodyguard the company sent over, glaring at each poor fan that dares to approach Jimin at his own fan meet. The bodyguard gets on Jimin's nerves: he's rude to the fans, giving them harsh orders and yanking them away from Jimin as soon as their turn is over. 

Jimin bites his tongue to not cause a scene. Instead he tries to make up for the rough guard by being extra sweet and thoughtful towards his fans. He's been in the industry for over a decade, and it takes a lot to shake him, but the bodyguard is under his skin like a beg bug. Just as he thinks he might survive the meet without a murder charge, the bodyguard starts counting out loud how many seconds there are left until the next fan's turn.

Jimin's blood boils.

Yoongi glances at him, anticipating Jimin's anger despite the serene exterior. Jimin purses his lips together, forcing himself to ignore the idiot guard with great effort. The fan meet is for the fans, and Jimin can only show them his bubbly, sunny side. If he's moody, the company loses money. And if the company loses money, all hell breaks loose. 

So Jimin smiles. So, so brightly, despite how insulting getting a babysitter at twenty-five is.

The worst part is that sending the bodyguard is the company's way of trying to buy back Jimin's trust, a white flag of sorts. They really seem to think that Jimin will be appeased with their half-assed attempt at protecting him. At this point, Jimin can’t tell if it’s willful ignorance or if the suits at the company really are that clueless.

The bodyguard huffs at some scared high school girl, crossing his tattooed arms over his chest, underlying how it makes his biceps bulge. The sight of him takes Jimin back to that morning, to the far more gentle embrace of muscular arms. 

The first thing Jimin sees are the curious tattoos on Jungkook's hands. Jungkook's hands engulf Jimin's, the same way the rest of his body does. The extra weight and warmth make Jimin a little sweaty, but he wouldn't trade the feeling of security for anything. 

Jungkook's sound asleep, soft puffs of his steady breathing tickling Jimin's neck. Every part of him feels warm and safe — something Jimin didn't think he could feel again so soon. It's almost impossible to move, Jimin wants to stay forever in that moment. His bladder, however, has a different plan in mind. 

Reluctantly, Jimin makes a move to leave — only to feel Jungkook arm tighten around him, keeping him down. 

"Jungkook," Jimin murmurs, voice rough from sleep, "Let me go." 

Jungkook doesn't reply, he's still asleep. But his grip on Jimin is tight, and Jimin wonders if he could get out of it without waking Jungkook up. After a minute or two of careful attempts to gently break free without waking Jungkook up, he gives up. 

Jimin squeezes his hand. "Hey. I need to go."  

"No," Jungkook finally mumbles back. 

Jimin briefly wonders if Jungkook in his sleepy state realizes that Jimin's not trying to sneak out like usual, just go to the bathroom. His heart squeezes at the thought, memories of other times he's woken up in Jungkook's arms just to leave before he woke up rushing to the surface. 

"Babe, I gotta pee. Let me go." 

"I'll go with you," Jungkook says, but it sounds more like ailgowiyuu with how sleepy he still is. Jimin wonders if he even realizes what he's saying. 

Jimin laughs, soft and fond. "I think I can find my way to your bathroom on my own by now, thanks." 

"Don't leave."

Jimin's heart drops to his stomach. "I... I'm coming right back," he finally manages to reply, but even still, his voice sounds unsteady to his ears. 

"You always leave," Jungkook mutters. "I hate waking up alone." 

"I thought I was supposed to leave before you woke up. You always said you liked being alone," Jimin reminds quietly. Sleeping over would have felt too domestic, and Jimin didn't want Jungkook to think that he didn't realize the boundaries that came with being only fuck buddies and nothing more. Jungkook's never explicitly told him to go, but Jimin just figured that was what was expected of him.

Because he also never asked Jimin to stay.  

"Yeah, well.... Not when it's you," Jungkook admits a little sheepishly after a small pause. 

Jimin starts cooing at the cute confession, and Jungkook groans out a loud, burying his face in Jimin’s neck. Jimin tries to turn his head back to meet his eyes, but Jungkook's arm around him decidedly pins him back down, carefully keeping Jimin from seeing how flushed his face is.

"Just... I said a lot of stupid shit when we first started out because I was trying to act cool around you. You shouldn't take heed of most of what I said back then," Jungkook says to Jimin's neck, too shy to meet his eyes. It's a weird feeling; he's not usually shy about anything. He's the kind of guy who knows what he wants and goes after it fearlessly. 

Except with Park Jimin. 

"Back then," Jimin muses, playing with Jungkook's fingers. "You make it sound like it's been a century and not just a few silly months." 

Jungkook's adamant. "A lot has changed. I've changed, you've changed." 

Jimin nods. It was true; he had noticed the change in them both, too. "You definitely don't try to act cool around me anymore," he points out, wanting to lift the tension prickling down his spine a bit.

Jungkook groans. "Shut it, Mathlete. Weren't you leaving?" 

“You're gonna miss me by my hair,” Jimin sings as he walks out, twirling a lock of his hair for effect. Jungkook stares after him, fond, corners of his mouth threatening a smile. "You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh."

He hears Jimin sing all the way to the bathroom, his voice trailing after him. 

"You're gonna miss me when I'm gone."

The loud click of a camera, followed by the bright flash brings Jimin out of his thoughts. He smiles at the fan in front of him, asking how she is and chuckling gently as she freezes just from meeting eyes with him. It's still a little funny to him how some people just completely lose their ability to speak when they come face to face with him. 

Jimin keeps the conversation going on his own, chatting with a sweet voice, being extra attentive. The poor girl just stands there, listening to Jimin speak. At the last second, she almost screams: "I love you!" until she's guided off the stage. Jimin just giggles, endeared. 

Next up is a male fan who has clearly tried to disguise himself, perhaps embarrassed to be seen at a fan meet with mostly female fans. He’s dressed in a hanbok several sizes too large for him, white cap pulled over his eyes and Jimin thinks he even spots a fake beard under which the fan is sweating profusely.

"Hi," Jimin says, smiling brightly. He's careful not to indicate in any way that he's noticed the ridiculous disguise. "Thank you for coming."

"I'm just here for my little sister!" the man claims in a strange, high-pitched like he's trying to alter his voice. Jimin's bodyguard gives the man a side-eye, getting ready to bounce. 

Jimin's smile doesn't waver. "That's so nice of you," he simply comments. "What a good oppa you must be for her."

The man seems to stop breathing when Jimin indirectly calls him a good oppa, and Jimin bites down a laugh. He picks up the banner the man has placed on the table in front of him and asks: "What's your little sister's name?"

"My what?"

"For the banner?" Jimin reminds him, biting his lip harder. He's seen the same plots from embarrassed fans before. It's a little insulting to know that they're ashamed of being his fans, but it is what it is. "Whom should I address it to?" 

The man is one shade of red away from turning into a giant tomato. "Uh, well, you know, coincidentally, it's... Sehun."

"Her name is Sehun?"

"Yeah. Uh, we have, like, really liberal parents," the man mumbles.  

"I see." Jimin's marker glides across the banner with ease, he barely even has to look at what he's writing anymore. "There you go." 

The man corrects his beard that keeps coming off of his face due to his profuse sweating and bows at Jimin. "Goodbye, marry me, I meant, uh, have a good day." 

Jimin giggles behind his hand. "Thank you... Sehun hyung," he adds for good measure, just to see the man's eyes nearly pop off their sockets. Mumbling something, he trips on his own feet on his way out, sweaty skin even redder under his fake beard. 

The fan’s thorough if slightly ridiculous disguise reminds Jimin of what Yoongi had suggested that morning. 

Jimin's on the phone with Yoongi, fresh off the shower, smelling like Jungkook's favorite shampoo. “Hyung, no,” Jimin says, rolling his eyes. “That’s insane.”

Jungkook glances at him, curious. "What's he saying?" he asks, drying off his hair with a towel so quickly it sticks up in every direction. There are fading marks on his puffy skin that Jimin left, and Jimin kind of wishes they'd have stayed longer. 

Throwing the thought away, Jimin chuckles at him, patting down Jungkook's wild hair. "He wants me to wear a disguise."

"I could draw you a mustache," Jungkook offers, picking up one of Jimin's brushes, but he's quickly shut down. 

"Don't you dare."

Jimin and Yoongi argue for a minute or two more, but eventually Yoongi is satisfied without a disguise as long as Jimin follows every other precaution they're taking to keep him safe. 

While Jimin's on the phone, Jungkook gets dressed. Jimin's trying hard not to laugh out loud when Jungkook emerges from the bedroom wearing a huge black hoodie, black pants, black face mask and a black cap. 

"Hello, Dementor," Jimin murmurs, tickling Jungkook's chin. His skin feels a bit rough against Jimin's fingers, not having shaved yet. 

As a funny contrast, Jimin's wearing all white.

"Hello, angel," Jungkook replies accordingly, but Jimin still blushes, power-walking to the elevator, ignoring the quiet snicker behind him. 

Just as they're about to head down, Jimin’s phone vibrates. He checks it and relays to Jungkook, "Press lobby for me, please." 

Jungkook frowns. "Why? I gave the code to my parking garage to your hyung, he can just drive in. I'll wait with you until he gets here." 

Jimin smiles. "I know, and that was really cool of you. But hyung's stuck in traffic, apparently there's some movie filming in the city. They got stuck right behind the filming van, and they won't be here for at least a half an hour. I'll just wait in the lobby, hyung was very clear about me not going anywhere alone." In fact, Yoongi had made him swear on the imaginary life of his and Taehyung's first born (Yuri Naruto) that he would not walk out of the building without Yoongi.

"I'll wait with you." 

Jimin shakes his head, smiling. "No, it's fine. You have things to do. I'll be fine at the lobby." 

Jungkook shrugs. "I don't mind.” Then he smirks. “This kind of gives me the perfect opportunity to bully you into going to check out the apartment I told you about. It's just starting viewings today. If you bat your lashes at the realtor a little, I think we could check it out before anyone else shows up." 

"Be honest, are you the one selling that place?" Jimin teases. "You keep advertising it like you're getting paid."

"I just want to help a friend out, Dawon noona has always been nice to me." Jimin raises a brow, and Jungkook acquiesces, "And it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have you as a neighbor. If you play music too loud or have gentlemen callers after curfew, I'll just have to come over and fuck you silent myself." 

"Oh, really?" 

"I'm all about the good of the community." 

Jimin rolls his eyes, but he still follows Jungkook to the 32nd floor, easily letting himself be pulled over to one of the two doors on the floor. "Come on," Jungkook ushers him, "just go look at it, at least."

He drags Jimin over to the door with the real estate company's sign next to it. A beautiful woman in a black pantsuit is just hanging a sign for the apartment showing. "Excuse me."

The woman turns around and flashes a professional smile. "Yes?" 

"Are you the realtor selling this apartment?" Jungkook asks.

"I am. Are you interested in the apartment?"

"Yes. Could we take a look around?"

Her lips are forming around no, it's an unorthodox request, and she must be tired from having to stand around all day, showing houses in her high heels. But then she seems to recognize Jimin, and she nods, beaming. "Of course. Do come in." 

The apartment is lovely, as expected in a building of that scale. Its tall windows look over the vibrant city, standing guard over the nearby parks and private schools. The view alone screams money: there's no sign of the factories, malls, busy markets that Jimin's mother's tiny apartment hailed as its neighbors. Apartments like this remind Jimin that he's done well for himself, that he really made it out of poverty. 

The apartment is even bigger than his current home, pristine and new and untouched in a way like it hasn't been anyone's home just yet. The realtor confirms Jimin's thoughts: she mentions that the owner only used the condo when he had business in Seoul.

The realtor shows them around the spacious rooms, making sure to mention the real hardwood floors whenever she can, the high ceilings and large windows that bring forth a lot of natural light. Jimin can feel his resolve cracking; the apartment is gorgeous. What's more, it doesn't have the cold aura that newer apartment buildings seem to always possess. The apartment isn't impersonal or soulless, just vacant. The emptiness still doesn't feel hostile, more like a longing. 

The realtor flashes him another excited smile, and Jimin's certain his real identity has been made. It doesn't bother him too much, though: the realtor is very respectful and doesn't seem to have recognized Jungkook under his parade of black clothes. Jimin's not sure if being seen with Jungkook would even be a bad thing anymore. After all, soon all of Korea will be able to see the episode where Jimin and Jungkook announced themselves to be close friends, so does it matter anymore if they're spotted together sometimes? 

"I'll let you look around freely now. Please do ask anything, I'm here to help." 

"Thank you," Jimin says, smiling politely. He goes back to the room with an east side window where the realtor said the previous owner had set up an office. He's not surprised when Jungkook follows him. 

Jungkook looks around the room, appreciating the space. "This could be your in-home studio or gym. It'd be easy to soundproof to not disturb your neighbors with loud music... or other things," he insinuates, laughing when Jimin shushes him, blushing and glancing around them to make sure the realtor didn't hear that. "Come on, say it. You love this place." 

"It's not... as bad as I thought," Jimin admits. Jungkook gives him a look, and Jimin sighs, giving in. "Fine, I love it. But I don't need a new place, last night was just bad luck." 

Jungkook clearly disagrees, but doesn't argue. Instead, he just says, "Then keep them both. Who says you have to sell your old one to buy this one? We both know Korea's sweetheart's got the dough, so why not?" 

"I don't need two apartments. I'm barely home as it is." 

"Imagine how many plants you could have in this big, pretty apartment," Jungkook coaxes, knowing exactly which strings to pull. 

Jimin laughs, shaking his head. He is kind of running out of room at home. And maybe he had thought about that, too. "You're strangely excited about this."  

"I'm excited you might be moving here because I hate having to drive to the middle of nowhere if I want to see you."

Jimin wheezes. Jungkook did not just say that. "Middle of nowhere? Middle of nowhere? Jeon Jungkook—"

"If I want to get laid on your days-off, I always have to drag myself over to your place because you refuse to leave the house in sweats, Princess." 

"Drag yourself... all the way... to your car... or even get your driver to transport you to my place," Jimin mocks. "Woe is you."

Jungkook steps closer to him, lifting Jimin's chin up, so their eyes meet. "Think about, Jimin... if you lived here, we'd never have to worry about running into sasaengs on our way home. We'd never have to worry about being followed home or getting caught at each other's buildings without a reason to be there," he coaxes. 

It's tempting, there's no denying that. Being who they are, it's always a struggle to try and stay ahead of the sasaengs whom think that knowing everything about both idol's business and personal lives is their prerogative. Luckily, many of Jimin's friends live in the same neighborhood as Jungkook, some of them even in the same apartment complex, so it hasn't been too hard to move around the area without being bothered. But it's just a temporary relief, Jimin knows that they're running out of time.  

"Besides, after last night... having another apartment might not be the worst idea," Jungkook points out quietly. 

Jimin's throat constricts, but he forces a smile instead. "Are you saying that you won't let me sleep over again if psychos are on the prowl outside my house?" 

Jungkook doesn't return his smile. "I'm saying you should also consider other options to keep yourself safe."

Warmth spreads in Jimin's chest. "Are you worried about me, Jungkookie?"

"And if I am?" Jungkook replies, unexpectedly honest. 

"Thank you," Jimin whispers, squeezing Jungkook's hand. Instead of letting go, Jungkook takes his hand and slowly spins him around. It's stupidly romantic, making Jimin's entire body tingle. When Jimin turns around for the last time, Jungkook's closer than he expected. Their eyes meet, closing in on each other. 

"See?" Jungkook says, a little breathless. "This would be perfect for a studio." 

Jimin's heart is beating hard, the skin under Jungkook's touch aflame. Blood rushes to his cheeks, painting them the color of a rose. "You're really working hard to make me buy this," he murmurs. "Do you do this with all of your customers, Realtor Jeon?" 

Jungkook winks. "Just the hot ones." 

Just as Jungkook spins him around again, the realtor returns. "Sir—Oh," she pauses, taking in what she's just walked into. To her credit, she recovers quickly, quicker than Jimin who snatches his hand away from Jungkook's, cheeks burning.  He prays that the realtor really hasn't recognized Jungkook under his Dementor cosplay. So far, she seems to have taken Jungkook as Jimin's security personnel, with how he's looming protectively behind him, but seeing them slow dance might have just made her change her mind. 

"This is a very popular apartment choice. There are also some lovely bigger apartments for couples and families available in this area," the realtor mentions, smiling politely. There's no sign on her face that anything's amiss, but Jimin's terrified. This is why hanging out with Jungkook in public is a bad idea, he keeps forgetting who they're supposed to be. "If you'd like, we could arrange for you to see more spacious apartments." 

Jimin glances at Jungkook who's just checking out the kitchen before replying, "Uh, I'm only looking for myself." 

"Of course, sir. Please know, we are very discreet. If you buy an apartment from us, no one will ever know. Everyone in our staff will sign an NDA. We have a lot of clients who prefer their addresses to stay secret, we're very familiar with privacy matters." 

Jimin nods, heartbeat slowing down a little. "My people will be in touch. I'm very interested in the apartment. Can you hold it until tomorrow, please?" 

The realtor nods her head so quickly her bun almost rolls off her head. "Yes, of course. I will be expecting your office's call." 

Jimin bows to her. "Thank you. Have a good night." 

"You, too."  

They walk out of the apartment, Jungkook leading the way. Once they're back at the elevator, Jimin checks his messages. "Yoongi hyung's here."

Jungkook nods, pressing the call button. 

"Hey," Jimin starts. 

Jungkook glances at him. “Yeah?”

“I think you might have to suffer me as your neighbor.”

Jungkook’s face splits in a grin. “Awesome.”

“Awesome,” Jimin imitates poorly as they get in the elevator. "Ugh, I can't wait to go home, I'm still so sleepy. If I didn’t have this fan meet, I’d just sleep all day."

"If you lived in this building, it would take you all of thirty seconds to get home," Jungkook makes sure to advertise. 

Jimin pinches him, deep in his thoughts. It's a good offer. The apartment is beautiful, the location is perfect for a busy life like his, the security is tighter than at his apartment's. Jungkook's right: after the night before, having another apartment might not be the worst idea. Besides, there would definitely be an upside to living next door to Jungkook. 

“Stop it, you’ve made the sale already, okay buddy? I love the apartment, just like you knew I would. You win.”

Jungkook looks a little smug. “I always do.”

Jimin makes a gagging noise, but still pulls Jungkook in for a kiss.

“Have a good day at the studio,” Jimin says without thinking. In the next second, his stomach drops at how couple-y the scene is, him kissing Jungkook and telling him to have a good day before they both jet off to work.

“Have a good day at the fan meet,” Jungkook replies, easy and nonchalant. He’s clearly not making a big deal out of the exchange, which makes Jimin relax. Most of the time, Jungkook’s really easygoing, he doesn’t get caught up in small details like Jimin does. Ever since they first started hanging out, he never made Jimin feel uncomfortable in any way despite their relationship being very far from Jimin’s usual comfort zone. If anything, he's gone out of his way to make Jimin feel safe and secure. 

Jimin kind of adores that about him. 

Unfamiliar voice brings Jimin back to reality. “Oppa, please write something sweet to me!" 

Jimin smiles widely at the woman who's clearly older than him but still calling him oppa, and signs her photos, easily hiding that his thoughts had been nowhere near her only seconds ago. The fan changes, and he smiles again, making easy conversation with them, flirting a little, being thankful a lot. 

"Move it along," the beefcake Jimin's company sent over for security commands harshly when the fan before Jimin is in the middle of a teary confession about how Jimin has brought her light during her dark days. 

Jimin makes sure to smile extra brightly as he hands her the banner back. "Thank you for coming to see me," he says, "Fighting, Minji!" 

As time goes on, Jimin grows more and more agitated by the harsh words his fans receive from the so-called bodyguard. He looks at Yoongi for help, but his eyes are focused on scanning the crowd for trouble, keeping Jimin safe. 

He's on his own. 

Jimin knows he's not allowed to chide a company employee in front of his fans, lest them starting to worry about Jimin and contacting the company on his behalf. Instead, he tries to subtly control the situation more, holding the fans's hands, so they can't be shoved away from him, ignoring the security guard's calls for the next person. He tries his hardest to make each person feel seen and cared for, even for a short moment.

The masses are enthralled, Jimin knows very well how to make them happy. His career has always revolved around being whatever they wanted him to be; being loved was always priority number one in his line of work. By now, he's a professional player, qualified for Hall of Fame for his people skills. 

There is a chorus of protests when the meet ends, a song composed of only Jimin's name when he's lead off the stage. He waves at all of them for as long as he can, only now he's been dragged by the same hands that bruised his fans. 

As soon as they’re out of sight, Jimin swiftly pulls his arm from the bodyguard's tight hold. 

"We gotta go," the man protests. "We have a schedule." 

Jimin’s eyes are cold as ice. "No, I have a schedule. Do not touch me," he hisses. 

The man lets out a long, aggravated sigh. "Look, whatever diva shit you're trying to pull right now, just call the company—"

“You know, that’s a great idea. Hyung,” Jimin calls out to Yoongi.

The security guy backpedals quickly. “Chill, all right? I’m just doing my job.”

Jimin's glare is cold, frostbites climbing up the inconsiderate bodyguard's rough skin. “Security guard’s job is to intervene only if necessary. You harassed my fans and treated me with zero respect for no reason. As far as I’m concerned, you do not have a job with me anymore.”

Yoongi walks over to them. “You’re fired,” is the first and only thing he says to the guy. He looks at Jimin. “We should get going.”

“You can’t fire me, you’re not my boss!” the man complains. “I was hired to protect Park Jimin until further notice from Mr. Im.”

“Consider this your notice. You will never work at any event I organize again,” Yoongi replies. He must have noticed the same thing as Jimin, but neither of them knew how to best deal with the bully of a bodyguard under the watchful eyes of Jimin’s fans.

“The car’s not even here yet,” the security guard protests. “Are you really going against company orders, Manager Min? Park Jimin’s not supposed to go anywhere without an armed guard.” As proof, he flashes the gun he’s carrying.

Yoongi completely ignores him. “Let’s take my car. I’ll drive you to meet Tae afterwards,” he says to Jimin whom breaks out in a wide grin.

“Aww, hyung, are you going soft?” Jimin teases. “I thought you said you’d never drive me to meet Tae again after last time when we took you clubbing with us, and you ended up dancing on the table to Shania Twain and singing—”

Yoongi walks off, vehemently ignoring what Jimin is saying. Jimin sprints after him, taunting him the whole way to his car, ignoring the security guard’s mumbling about them not being allowed to leave alone. It's almost funny how his confidence has been popped like a balloon, he's but a shadow of the man whom only twenty minutes ago thought pushing middle schoolers around meant he was the king of the world. 

“Unbelievable,” Yoongi grumbles as they get inside the car. He glares at the bodyguard via the car’s mirrors, watching the man talk on the phone and gesturing wildly at the car door which Jimin had merrily shut in his face. “One of the managers I know just fired him under the suspicion of peeping girl group members in the shower.”

Jimin wrinkles his nose. “Ew,” he complains. “Why the hell did our company hire him then?”

“He was already working for us. Jimin,” Yoongi starts and bites his lip, hesitating. Jimin glances at him, waiting for him to continue, but the silence stretches on.

“Hyung?” Jimin prompts.

Yoongi sighs. “Look, Jimin, I… I’ve worked at this company for years. I have never seen any other artist encounter this much bad luck.”

“You think it’s not a coincidence.”

“I’m not saying anything. I’m just thinking out loud.”

“I’ve been thinking about the same thing. All my ‘bad luck’ seems to center around the decisions of one person.” Jimin pauses. “Chairman Im doesn’t seem too fond of me.”

“He does seem to make… rather strange decisions when it comes to you.” Yoongi huffs, drumming the steering wheel with his fingers. “Look, I don’t want you to worry about this. Im Kihyun might be a lot of things, but he’s not stupid. He understands money. He’s never going to drop you, no matter what he says. You’re too valuable, and he knows that. All this shit he’s pulling, I think he’s looking for a reason.”

“A reason?”

“Something to control you with. I think he wants you to make a mistake, to throw a hissy fit, have a scandal, anything. If I'm right, he's looking for leverage, something to hold over us, so he can force us into taking a worse deal for you. He knows your value, and he wants to extort more of your money for the company, and ultimately, to himself.” Yoongi glances at Jimin. “So. Don’t give him a reason.”

“Hyung…” Jimin starts, but he’s not sure how to continue, so he shuts his mouth, looking out of the windows instead.

It isn’t until the last bridge before the restaurant that Jimin has gathered enough courage to speak up again. “I think I want to move.”

Yoongi doesn't seem surprised. “Okay. Do you have a place in mind?”

“I went to see a place downtown. It’s three bedrooms, a home office, huge living room, gorgeous balcony. I really like it."

Yoongi hums. “Sounds nice. Do you want to buy it?”

“Yes. I… I think the change of scenery might do me good. And the new building has a really tight security," Jimin mentions, his voice dropping slightly lower. 

Yoongi nods. “I get it. Consider it handled. Just text me the address, and I’ll have someone contact the realtor.”

“Hyung, you’re the best. Seriously.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Shut up, I need to concentrate on driving,” Yoongi claims, but Jimin can pick out the slight blush on his cheeks. He resists the urge to pinch Yoongi’s cheeks and just leans back on his seat, smiling to himself. 

Taehyung is waiting for Jimin outside their favorite restaurant. Taehyung doesn't know it yet, but Jimin's actually rented out the entire restaurant, so they can have a fun night together before Taehyung is off to work again. 

Taehyung's face brightens up when he makes out Yoongi on the driver seat. “Hyungie!” he calls out in a cute tone that Jimin absolutely loathes.

Jimin rolls his eyes. “Looks like you’re coming to dinner with us, hyung.” Taehyung has a huge and very obvious crush on Yoongi that he has never bothered to hide. He's shamelessly hitting on Yoongi every chance he gets, and as much as Yoongi complains, he listens to every pick-up line, every compliment with rosy cheeks. 

Yoongi glances at the beaming actor on the other side of the glass. “No, that’s okay. You guys should have your soulmate night by yourselves,” he says, and there’s a tremor of fear in his voice. Taehyung is the only person Jimin’s ever seen Yoongi act shy around, and it’s very endearing to witness which is why Jimin actively helps lure Yoongi out with them. Well, that and because he thinks Yoongi deserves the world. 

Taehyung taps on the glass. “Hyung!” he calls out again.

Jimin laughs. “That’s our cue. Come on, hyung, just let Taehyung wine and dine you just a little. And maybe feed you a chocolate strawberry or two, he’d die happy.”

Yoongi grumbles all the way to the parking garage, but he follows Jimin to the restaurant and even lets Taehyung kiss both of his cheeks. Taehyung is so happy he’s almost vibrating; he's chatting excitedly and holding Yoongi's hand as if to make sure he’s really there. Yoongi is pretending to be unaffected, but Jimin knows better: Yoongi loves holding hands. 

Jimin laughs, enjoying the sun on his skin. Summer is ending, first leaves already changing colors, nights growing darker, but there's still a lovely warmth in the air. He stays back a bit to shoot Jungkook a picture of the gorgeous night, knowing how much the rapper would enjoy seeing it. Jungkook can act as tough as he wants, Jimin still knows about his super-secret obsession with pretty pictures of the sky.

A minute later, he gets a picture of a sleepy Jungkook at the airport, about to fly out of the country again for another gig. He also sends over a meme that Jimin doesn’t get, but laughs at anyway. 

“Coming, Chimmy?”

Jimin looks up from his phone, noticing the knowing look in his best friend’s eyes. He puts his phone away, following his friends inside. “Be right there.”

Autumn beginning is fine. Jimin likes the pretty leaves, the comfy sweaters, the scented candles. He likes drinking coffee and fuzzy hot chocolate from huge mugs, listening to birds sing their last hurrahs before winter.

What’s not fine is that it’s a Friday night, and Jimin's having a stare-off with his phone. The embarrassing part is that he's losing. 

It's September 1st. 

First official day of fall.

And, consequently, Jeon Jungkook's birthday. 

Jimin's been thinking about sending him a happy birthday text all day, but he keeps chickening out. He was already thinking about texting Jungkook as soon as the day turned over at midnight, but he doesn't want to be weird since Jungkook's never mentioned his birthday in their daily texts. He knows he's obsessing over nothing – Jungkook will receive thousands of congratulations, Jimin's text will be but a drop in the ocean. He might not even reply, at least not right away; for Jimin, his birthday is the busiest day of the year. He can only imagine it’s the same for Korea’s favorite bad boy rapper.

In a way, that's a reassuring thought. Maybe amidst all the birthday chaos, Jungkook won't think it's weird that his fuck buddy is congratulating him on his birthday that he hasn't even mentioned. 

Just do it, you coward. 

Before he can talk himself out of it again, Jimin taps on Jungkook's contact. He must have pressed on the icon for too long because suddenly Calling Hyung... appears on the screen. 

"Nooo," Jimin screeches, fumbling over trying to end the call. He's too late: in the next second, the screen lights up as Jungkook answers. 

"Hey, baby." 

Jimin's mortified. "Fuck,” he curses when he hears Jungkook pick up. 

Jungkook laughs. "That's one way to greet a person. What's up, Mini?"

"Uh, nothing, it's just this new phone, I was only going to text you..." Jimin babbles, completely forgetting what he was supposed to say, grasping at straws. 

Jungkook seems to be enjoying his meltdown greatly, taking in the unusual of panic in South Korea's sweetheart’s voice. Jimin's always so calm and collected, it's a little funny how flustered he gets from such a simple blunder. "Okay, boomer." 

"Shut up," Jimin groans. 

"The elderly are so hostile these days." 

"I'll show you hostile, brat," Jimin grumbles. 

Jungkook only laughs harder. "Please do." Jimin gets lost in the sound of his laugh, it's already been too long since they've last seen each other. Jimin's been busy with work and the new apartment and Jungkook's been preparing for his birthday schedule, filming little skits and releasing snippets of his album to get people talking.

"Jungkook?" Jimin says, more serious this time.

"Yeah?" 

Jimin's quiet for a minute, but then he decides to just power through. "I was just going to text you... happy birthday." 

He can hear the smile in Jungkook's voice. "Thank you." 

There's a sound in the background, like a disheveled voice, and Jimin jumps, worry coiling in his stomach. "What are you doing right now?" 

"That sounds a lot like what are you wearing." 

Jimin corrects his position, leaning back into his armchair he’s hunched up in. "I meant, are you alone right now?" 

"Still sounds like a start to phone sex." 

Jimin sighs, giving in. "Fine, what are you wearing?" 

"My old cheerleader uniform," Jungkook replies nonchalantly while Jimin chokes on air. 

"Jesus Christ." 

"Admit it, I'd look good." He lets out a dramatic sigh. "If only I was as flexible as you, though. You should really teach me your secrets." 

"You should have come yoga with me this morning, then," Jimin says. He had sent Jungkook a picture before his morning yoga, with a little flirtatious caption and an innocent stretch pose. 

"No way, the picture you sent was torture enough," Jungkook refuses, letting out a longing sigh. 

Okay, a lot flirtatious caption and not that innocent pose. 

Jimin smirks. "Whatever do you mean," he teases, and Jungkook huffs, not bothering to explain. 

They've been texting a lot more lately, just small little details of their days. Jimin's not really sure how it started. At first, they had just taken pictures whenever they saw each other on TV, competing on which one of them could take a less flattering photo of the other. But then the jokes had turned into actual conversation, and suddenly Jimin finds himself smiling at his phone all the time, lighting up just like his phone screen every time Jungkook sends a message. 

Down in the deepest caves of his heart, Jimin still feels a bit nervous. He's worried he'll be annoying again, like he had been with Yoonho. Yoonho had texted him a lot at first, too, acting interested in everything Jimin did. It had faded quickly after they became 'official', almost like Yoonho couldn't be bothered to feign interest anymore after he had successfully captured Jimin. Suddenly Jimin found himself gathering dust on Yoonho's shelf, along with every other shiny prize he had collected and frivolously forgotten after the chase was over.

As much as he tries to convince himself that Jungkook's different, that he'd never do what Yoonho did, the insistent doubt lingers, like the smell of smoke after a house fire. 

"Where are you?" Jimin asks again, and this time Jungkook actually responds. 

"I'm at the studio, doing some last tweaks for the album." 

"Sounds fun."

"Not really, I've been doing it for so long that I hate every song on the album by now."

Jimin smiles to himself. "I'm sure they're all amazing.” He doesn't bother hiding the clear admiration in his voice, Jungkook has earned every bit of praise he gets. 

"Maybe. Right now, though, they just sound like garbage, and I want to burn my studio to the ground."

Jimin laughs. "Please don't do that, Taehyung's been badgering me every day with the teasers you've posted. If they disappeared, I think Tae might actually lose it." He pauses. "So, are you going to stay holed up at your studio for the whole night?" 

"Maybe. Why?" 

"I wanna see you,” Jimin admits, voice seductively dropping lower.  

Interest lathers over Jungkook’s voice like honey. "Oh really? And what will you do with me once you get me alone?" he asks coyly.

"Ask me to come over, and I'll show you," Jimin promises mischievously. 

"Mini, would you please come over? My parents aren't home."

Jimin smiles at his amused tone. "I'm on my way." 

Lost Stars company building is not much different from Jimin’s agency’s or any other building in Seoul, really. It’s just as tall, just as gray, with just as many tall windows. He's not been at Jungkook's studio before, but since he's been at Jungkook's company before, he knows where to go. Jungkook comes by to let him in, and Jimin gets the distinct feeling of sneaking into his boyfriend's house while his parents are asleep which makes him chuckle. 

The difference between their respective companies becomes clearer to Jimin once he's lead further inside. Lost Stars is home to a lot of popular Korean musical acts, mainly rappers. In the hallways they pass, Jimin catches framed pictures of the artists and the certificates they have been awarded, like the company is really proud of them. There are also pictures of staff with their artists, along with little signs that depict when the pictures were taken. It's very sweet, like the moments were important and precious to the people of the company. 

Jungkook's studio is at the very end of the hallway, on par with Jungkook's usual need to be alone when he creates. 

Jungkook opens the door for Jimin, and it doesn't escape Jimin's notice that the door has a keypad lock. Interesting.

"Where are you taking me, 007?" Jimin jokes as he moves past Jungkook into the dark room. As soon as he enters, lights turn on. There's music playing in a low volume, possibly a song from the new album. Jimin lets his eyes wander around the studio. Unlike the rest of the building, there are no pictures of Jungkook, no awards or certificates. Instead, there's a huge painting that Jimin recognizes to be the same style as the ones Jungkook bought from Nagoya. 

"Pretty," he comments, resisting the impulse to run his fingers across the bumpy blue canvas, to trace the thick lines of cerulean paint.

"Yes, I am," Jungkook jokes, but there's something else, something hiding underneath his bravado. 

"You're nervous," Jimin realizes, turning to inspect the rapper's face carefully like he could see right into his soul if he just looked long enough. "Why are you nervous?" 

"I'm not nervous." 

"Liar,” Jimin hums. “I can tell, you know. Your poker face isn’t as impressive as you think it is.”

“Is that right?” Jungkook says, taking a seat in the big gaming chair set in front of the sound equipment. His eyes follow Jimin’s gaze, like he’s worried about what Jimin might think of him. It’s strange, Jungkook's never really been nervous around him. 

Or maybe Jimin just couldn't pick up on it before. 

Jimin follows his lead, sitting down on the small couch next to the desk. His eyes wander around the room, taking it all in. "So, this is where the magic happens." 

Jungkook wiggles his eyebrows. "You've already seen where the magic happens." 

"Ew." Jimin extends his leg for a kick, but he quickly pulls it back when Jungkook attempts to take a hold of his calf. 

"Hey..." Jimin starts, but the rest of the sentence gets stuck in his throat when Jungkook looks up. The courage he had been gathering in the car on his way over suddenly seems to disappear in the wind, flying out of the studio up into the midnight blue night sky.  

The rapper waits a little to see if he'd continue, cocking his head to the side. "Hey...?" 

Stop being a wuss. "I... I got you something." Jimin stands up and picks up the brand-new bag he was carrying, setting it on the table next to Jungkook. "Happy birthday." 

He hadn't meant to buy Jungkook a birthday gift. In fact, he had talked himself out of it several times, worried that Jungkook would find think it was weird. In the end, he still couldn’t resist buying it. He blames the ease of online shopping: it’s far too effortless for him to just scroll through his favorite fashion sites and order anything he wants. So what if sometimes he accidentally also shops for other people. With Jungkook, it’s for a good cause because Jungkook sucks at shopping. He usually finds one thing he likes and buys it in bulks.

Like those goddamn bucket hats, Jimin’s sworn enemies.

Jungkook stares at the bag as if Jimin had placed a human head on the oak table. "It's a bag." 

"There are those mad detective skills again I so envy," Jimin jokes, but he's gnawing on his bottom lip. "Do you like it?" 

"Yeah, uh." Jungkook seems to be struggling for words, and Jimin’s stomach plummets.

"What’s wrong?" Jimin asks, acting like his bottom lip isn’t about to draw blood from how hard he’s biting it. God, he knew it was weird to buy his fuck buddy a birthday present. Why did I have to make things weird again?

"Nothing, I just wasn't expecting you to get me a gift. I’m kind of… touched, honestly. You’re so cute for buying me a gift." Jungkook turns to smile at him, pecking his lips. "Thank you." 

"Yeah, well, I just...  like giving gifts." Jimin's smiling, but he still feels a little awkward, the corners of his mouth tense. "Besides, your old one is literally falling apart. Not to mention, ugly." 

"Hey, hey. Don't hate the bag."

"You can finally throw it out."

Jungkook frowns. "I'm not throwing my bag out. It still mostly works, as long as I remember put another bag inside it—"

"Then I will. Jungkook, seriously, that thing is pulled apart at the seams,” Jimin says, wrinkling his nose.

"It has sentimental value."

Jimin pinches the bridge of his nose. "Fine, keep your raggedy bag, but use this one before you lose things because they fell out of the many holes of that garbage can."

Jungkook picks up his old, admittedly worn-down bag from its spot on the floor and pets it. "Shh, Bertha, he's just jealous of what we have." Jimin flicks him—well, tries to, but Jungkook knows his moves too well by now and dodges just in time.

"Do you like it?" Jimin asks again, wanting to be reassured. 

Jungkook smiles as if sensing Jimin's worry. "Of course I do." He takes Jimin's hand, squeezing his fingers as he guides Jimin to sit down on his lap. "Thank you, baby."

Jimin feels shy, looking away from Jungkook's gentle brown eyes. "You're welcome." He clears his throat. "Did you have a good birthday?"

Jungkook nods, intertwining their fingers, coaxing Jimin to meet his eyes. "It just got even better."

"How so?" Jimin hears himself ask, but his voice is muffled by the sound of his heart beating like a drum at Jungkook’s words.  

"Some random guy called me and yelled ‘Fuck!’ when I answered."

Jimin pouts. "I didn't yell."

"Calm down, did I say it was you?" Jungkook tuts at him, but Jimin hears the smile in his voice. “I’ve got a really eventful and rich life outside of your antics, you know.”

Playing along, Jimin pouts. "Meanie," he complains. His eyes wander, stopping at the keyboard. "Play something for me.”

Jungkook's reply is quick, certain. "No." 

Jimin raises a brow at the instant reply. "Why not? Are you shy? What, you can play to twenty-thousand people every month but not me?" he teases, trying to get the real reason out. 

Jungkook bites his lip, avoiding his eyes. "You won't like it." 

"Try me." 

Jungkook looks at him, doubt clear in his eyes, and Jimin wonders why that is. Sure, he freaked out the last time he heard one of Jungkook's songs, but that was different: he had been the subject and the lyrics weren't all that nice. But things are different now: he’s very interested in hearing what Jungkook’s been working on.

Jimin smiles encouragingly, pushing a lock of curly black hair away from Jungkook’s eyes. Jungkook leans into his touch, and Jimin feels so, so warm. "Come on, wuss," he teases. "I really wanna hear your songs." 

"Hm, I don't know. Maybe you only came here to record snippets of my album, so you could sell them to the press?" Jungkook jokes, but there is still something uncertain in his eyes. 

Jimin goes along with his joke, hoping it would smooth the faint frown marring Jungkook's handsome face. "I mean, I am about to buy another apartment, the cash is a bit low this month. Go on, I'll just face my bag really weirdly at your screen, don't worry about it. And if you see something blinking inside my hoodie, it's definitely not any kind of recording device, I can tell you that much." 

Judging by how the tension slowly disappears from Jungkook's shoulders, Jimin made the right choice.

Jungkook winks at him. "Think you should remove that jacket then, let me search you just to be safe."

“Oh?” Jimin hums, pecking his lips. When Jungkook goes to deepen the kiss, Jimin pulls away. "You're stalling." He squeezes their entangled fingers. "Come on, it's just me. I promise I'll listen with an open mind."

Jungkook sighs before nodding. "Fine. There's this one track I've been listening to all night that I don't know how to make better. I'll play you the instrumental, tell me if it sounds weird." He reaches around Jimin, and Jimin does his best to not be in the way.

“I can move,” Jimin offers, realizing the slightly impractical position he’s in.

“No,” is all Jungkook replies, easily maneuvering Jimin closer to his chest, so he can reach the computer. Jimin peaks at the screen over his shoulder just in time to witness Jungkook click on a track with a nonsensical name. He notices Jimin's confusion and explains, "I might be a little superstitious, but I never name my tracks until they're ready." 

"You're such a Virgo, honestly." Jimin looks around the surprisingly tidy studio, noting the neatly organized pens on the far end of the desk. "Your studio alone tells me that much." 

Jungkook arches a brow. "What do you mean?" 

"You're freakishly neat. I've been to Namjoon hyung's studio and it's filled with stuff, spilled coffee stains on the desk, and lyrics scribbled everywhere. Yours is so... you." 

"Thanks?" 

Jimin winks at him. "I think it's very sexy." 

Jungkook's gaze flicks to flirtatious in an instant. "Oh?" 

"Although I do worry what will happen if I were to make a mess in here."

Jungkook's eyes turn a little darker, hungrier. "I'd make you clean it up."

Jimin kisses him, slow and sweet. "Play me a song," he asks again. 

"Okay," Jungkook says, and he thinks he might have agreed to anything Jimin wanted in that moment. He reaches behind Jimin and taps on the space bar, making the song play. Jimin closes his eyes, giving the song his entire attention.

From the first note that plays, it becomes clear that the song is very unusual. The melody is sexy yet sensual, unlike any of the other Jungkook's songs Jimin's heard before. It's almost regal with a gorgeous symphony playing in the background, heavenly in its dream-like melody.

Jimin's kind of... blown away. "Wow," he comments as the instrumental ends. He can't wait to hear the full song when the instrumentals alone were so spectacular. 

"Does it sound off? Is there too much going on?" Jungkook asks, and Jimin can hear familiar perfectionism in his voice. Music is the one thing in his life that Jungkook is serious about. For him, music is the blood in his veins, the air he breathes. Jimin understands him, understands his need for everything he creates to be better than the last. Their similar work ethics are probably part of what makes them get along so well.

Jimin shakes his head. "No, I... I like it a lot. What are the lyrics like?" 

Jungkook shrugs. "Nothing really interesting."

Jimin raises a brow. Jungkook's trying a little too hard to act like it's not a big deal to be believable. "Tell me." 

"Fine." Jungkook takes a breath, carefully looking away from Jimin as he continues, straining hard to sound nonchalant, "I wrote it after I saw you on the runway last year with Namjoon hyung." 

Jimin's stomach drops. "Really?"

"Yeah." Encouraged by Jimin's pleased reaction, Jungkook squeezes his hips and adds, "God, you were so sexy. Confident. Wanted to beg you to let me fuck you right then and there."

The stars in Jimin's eyes dance, sparkling and spinning. "I doubt it'd have taken much begging," he replies warmly. "Pretty sure I'd have begged you."

They had sat on the third row of Jimin's fashion show. Jungkook had seen an invite to Jimin's fashion show lying around Namjoon's messy studio and shamelessly invited himself as Namjoon's date. He had played it cool, acting like he was coming just so 'hyung won't look like a loser without a date', but the way his eyes lit up at the mere glimpse of Jimin told a different story. 

Namjoon still liked to make fun of the audible gasp Jungkook had let out when Jimin stopped and blew a kiss for Namjoon in the middle of the runway.

Jungkook smiles at the memory. "Namjoon hyung was so fed up with me after that," he admits. 

"Why?" Jimin asks, surprised. He’s very rarely seen Namjoon be annoyed, so he's curious to hear what it takes to get under his skin. 

Jungkook laughs. "Well, first it was because I kept eating all the snacks." His eyes flick to Jimin's. "But mostly because I was bugging him to introduce me to the superhot model he was somehow besties with, but you were already on a plane to your next thing after the show."

"Aww, you had a crush on me. How cute." Jungkook grumbles something under his breath. Jimin smiles warmly. “Besides, had Namjoon hyung introduced us at the fashion show, I never would have gotten to hear you churn out the worst pick-up line known to man."

Jungkook groans, half-heartedly attempting to push Jimin off his lap. Jimin steadies himself with ease, clamping his thighs together tighter to keep his body upright. "Seriously, I don't understand how people think you have any game," he teases. 

Jungkook pinches Jimin's nipple. "I panicked, okay? You were even prettier in person, I wasn't prepared to meet, like, an ethereal being." He's so focused on cringing at his past self that he doesn't notice how Jimin's face turns slightly redder at the inadvertent compliment. "Or to be ruthlessly mocked by said ethereal being." 

Jimin frowns. "I wasn't ruthless." 

"'You wouldn't know what to do with me even if I came with a guide book. I want a man who knows what he's doing'," Jungkook quotes, and now it's Jimin's turn to cringe. 

He hides his face in Jungkook's shoulder, choking out a screech. "I hate your good memory," he grumbles. "Why do you have to remember every embarrassing thing I say or do?"

"You're just really memorable." 

"Shut up." Jimin pushes him away. "Play me another song, I need to heal from reliving that cringe garbage."  

"Greedy," Jungkook jokes, but he obliges anyway.

This time he plays Jimin one of the finished songs. The song is good, as expected. The lyrics are cutting, criticizing the commercialism of idol culture, calling out companies for only caring about the money their prized idols bring them instead of the content they create. 

Jimin hums along to the track, sucking in his breath at the clever word plays and creative insults.

He turns to smile at Jungkook. "You're really talented." Jungkook looks surprised at the sudden praise, tips of his ear turning pink which Jimin finds precious, cooing and pinching his cheeks. "You're too cute, baby." 

Jungkook pushes his hands away. "Stop it, I have a reputation." 

"Oh? What reputation? A reputation for being the cutest in all the lands?" Jimin teases, laughing softly when caressing Jungkook's hair makes him nearly purr. 

"Shut up, I'm sexy, not cute."

"Oh?" Slotting his fingers in Jungkook's hair, Jimin guides him closer. "Wanna know when I think you're very sexy?"

"Yeah?"

"Every minute of every day." Jungkook grins at that, pleased. Jimin makes a face as he adds, "You know, when you're not teasing me. Which is like, 80 per cent of the time. So, 20% hot as fuck, 80% biggest fucking dork." 

"And 100% reason to remember the name," Jungkook raps.

"That's two hundred per cent." 

"I'm twice the man your other man is." 

"Jesus." Jimin's quiet for a moment, leaning his forehead against Jungkook's. "Do you remember how we met?" he asks.

"It's been like a year, Mini. I know remembering stuff is hard for the elderly, but I'm a young, virile stud," Jungkook jokes, making Jimin let go off him just to throw a paperclip at him. 

It's the easy answer, chasing out the tension between them with a joke. 

But the award show after-party or even the fashion week runway is not the first time he remembers seeing Jimin around. When Jungkook thinks about meeting Jimin, he doesn't even think about the New Years party where he begged Namjoon to introduce them and how they subsequently hooked up. No, he thinks about a cold morning in December when Jungkook himself had briefly been a trainee among many others, spreading himself thin with practice and school and work and then practice again.

That morning, Jungkook and some other trainees were stretching and warming up while they waited for the choreographer to arrive. Some of the dancers were talking among themselves, bragging about whomever they had last fucked. That's when one of them brought up Jimin who at the time was taking dance lessons at the same building as them because his company didn't have a studio of their own at the time. 

The guy kept talking and talking, describing in full detail how he had fucked Jimin against the tall window of that very practice room. Then he tried to convince people the white stain on the dusty glass was Jimin's cum from that encounter, which gathered a round of applause and roaring laughter. 

Jungkook rolled his eyes, not really listening. His eyes sailed around the room without anything really holding his interest until he noticed a pretty blonde standing in the doorway, arms crossed and eyes fixed on the guy talking. Jungkook's heart skipped a beat, expecting a screaming match, but Jimin didn't say anything; he just let the guy talk, the look in his eyes turning colder, a fake smile stretching his lips. 

The guy suddenly noticed that the room had gone quiet and looked around. The way his face immediately turned sickeningly pale when he met Jimin's gaze, told Jungkook everything he needed to know about the truth behind the guy's story. 

"No, no, don't stop on my account. Carry on, I want to know what happens next," Jimin said pleasantly and took a step closer. 

The guy looked downright terrified as if it were a man-eating tiger drawing closer and not just a boy. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but nothing came out. 

Jimin nodded to himself, like he had seen it all before. 

"Should I guess, then? Did you pull my hair? God, I love it when boys pull my hair. Then I probably moaned your name, right?" His smile is vicious, stinging like a lash of a whip. "I mean, I would have... If I even knew what your name was."

The look in his eyes turned even harsher. "If we had even talked to each other before, maybe I would have. But hey, your imagination has carried you this far, right?" he said, taking slow but deliberate steps in the guy's direction. The air in the room had gone more arctic than out in the snow-ridden streets. Jungkook half-expects for their breaths to come up as small clouds.

"Now, finish your story," Jimin demanded again. "What happened next?" 

"I... I..." the dancer stuttered, refusing to meet Jimin's eyes. 

"Yes?"

"I'm... I'm sorry," the dancer finally whispered.

Jimin just looked at him. "Are you?" he wondered absent-mindedly, as if the boy's answer didn't hold much value at all. As if this was a common occurrence, and he had grown too tired to care one way or another. The boy bolted out of the practice room, ears burning red with shame. 

But Jimin did care. If one were to look close enough, they'd notice the same underlying anger, the raging fire behind his kind brown eyes that had Jungkook so enraptured. 

After the door slammed behind the dancer, Jimin glanced around the deathly silent room and remarked, "Hope it wasn't something I said." 

The fire in his eyes was why Jungkook decided he wouldn't mind getting to know the person behind them better. 

The memory still makes something light up inside him. Jungkook pokes at Jimin's cheek. "Do you remember Hwang Seho?"

"Should I?"

"Back when I was a trainee for like a month, he told everyone that he had fucked you."

Jimin scoffs. "You're going to have to give me a little more details than that. Half of those horny fucks said they had eaten my ass," he says warily. "I really think companies are only shooting themselves in the leg with that no dating policy. Makes their trainees unbearable to be around." 

"You walked in on him bragging about it at the practice room, he had like this whole story planned out where you guys had fucked against the window." 

"Classy," Jimin says in disgust. 

"I wonder, if I asked to fuck you against a window, whether I'd get the same icy glare as a reply." 

"Only one way to find out." Jimin kisses him, canting his hips, creating insufferable friction between their bodies, hardening cocks slowly grinding against each other. "Seriously, though. It's your birthday, you get to choose what we do." He leans in closer. "I'm yours to play with, hyung." 

"Yeah?" Jungkook hums. "What should I do with you then?"

“I’m waiting for you to tell me.” Jimin nips at his lower lip, teasing. “I just wanna be good for you.”

“You’re already the best.”

"Gross,” Jimin whines, acting like he’s bothered by the cheesy line, but Jungkook knows better.

"You like it," he claims boldly, flicking Jimin's nipples, gaining a yelp. "Admit it."

"Yes, I do." Jimin leans in closer, making goosebumps trail down his neck, whispering into Jungkook’s ear, “Who knows the code to your studio?”

“No one, just me.”

It’s exactly what Jimin had wanted to hear. “Good,” he says, “because I’d hate for anyone to burst in while I got you all to myself.” Jungkook sucks in a breath, leaning back while Jimin climbs out of his lap, dropping on his knees in front of him. His hand wraps around Jungkook’s cock, pleased at how heavy it feels in his grip.

“You’re half-hard,” he observes, smirking up at Jungkook. “That’s cute. You get hard just from having me in your lap? Am I that irresistible?”

Jungkook’s not embarrassed in the slightest. “You know you are.”

Jimin’s cheeks turn slightly pink, not having expected that answer in a million years, and Jungkook’s kind of obsessed, wanting to see that exact shade again and again. He opens his mouth to speak, but Jimin beats him to it. 

Jimin sticks out his tongue, relishing in the impatient little breath Jungkook takes, waiting for the model to engulf him. He opens his mouth, smirking at Jungkook as his girth stretches his lips. He takes him down slowly, making Jungkook feel every inch. Carefully, Jungkook tangles his fingers in Jimin’s hair. But he doesn’t try to control Jimin’s movement, he’s just running them through Jimin’s hair, brushing them off his eyes, away from his mouth.

Jimin wants to make it last, wants to edge him just long enough that the final drop will feel like heaven. He licks the hilt of Jungkook’s cock, catching a bead of precum with his tongue. Jungkook swears, his hips slightly bucking as if to make Jimin move faster, but he forces them motionless. 

Jimin rewards him by taking more of him in, continuing until Jungkook hits the back of his mouth. It makes them both moan, enjoying the feeling.

“You take me so well,” Jungkook whispers, carding through Jimin’s hair, smiling at the satisfied look in Jimin’s eyes. “Good boy.”

Jimin gets off on praise, pleasing the person he’s with. That much was easy to deduct from just how Jimin acts when they fuck, but figuring out the perfect balance for Jimin’s need to both be in control and submit took a bit longer. Jungkook’s pretty sure he could write a damn how to turn Park Jimin on manual at this point, though.

Jimin makes a pleased sound at the praise, gagging harder on Jungkook’s cock. He flicks his tongue, lapping at Jungkook’s slit, enjoying the way Jungkook’s breathing turns heavy.

Feeling Jungkook grow harder, Jimin pulls back until only a string of saliva connects them, and Jungkook groans. “Jimin...” he starts, warning.

Jimin shakes his head. “Not yet.” He squeezes their joined hands. “I want to make you feel so good, baby.” He kisses his thigh. “Please let me.” He stares right into Jungkook’s hooded eyes, waiting. “Please.”

All Jungkook can do is nod, and Jimin engulfs him again, swallowing around the shaft. He moves his head back and forth, creating a rhythm. Jimin likes the weight of him in his mouth, likes wrapping his lips around him, likes hearing the sharp gasps Jungkook only lets out when he’s just about to come. He picks up his pace, bobbing his head faster when he hears Jungkook moan.

“Jimin…” Jungkook breathes out, like it’s only word he has left in his brain. He's catching his breath with short little huffs, desperately trying not to come yet. He squeezes Jimin’s hand, and Jimin pulls off, crawling back into Jungkook’s lap.

"I wanna fuck you," Jimin whispers into Jungkook's ear, dirty and low. He moves his hips in slow, meaningful way, gyrating against Jungkook's hard cock.

Jungkook grips his waist, keeping him in place. “I’ll call a car.”

“No. Fuck me now.”

"I don’t have lube at the studio.”

Jimin groans. "What kind of scandalous rapper are you even? No lube at the studio?"

"This might be hard to believe, but I don't exactly bring people here to fuck." 

"You're right." He kisses him, more teeth than lips. "That is hard for me to believe." Jungkook opens his mouth to say something, but Jimin doesn’t let him get any further. "Lucky for you, your fuck buddy here had the common sense of fucking himself loose while waiting for a driver."

Jungkook honest to God almost pouts. "I like doing that."

"But I don't want to wait." Jimin pulls Jungkook’s shirt over his head with hurried hands, discarding it somewhere on the floor behind them. "Always be prepared, right?"

"Somehow, I don't think that's what the Boy Scouts meant,” Jungkook says in the middle of the needy kisses Jimin keeps planting on his lips.

"I think they would agree that being prepared for anything at all times is important,” Jimin claims, standing up to shed the rest of his clothes, grinning when Jungkook chases after his lips.

In the dim light, Jimin looks every bit like the angel Jungkook always took him for. Jimin seems to see something just as beautiful in him, with how he’s licking his lips and pulling Jungkook to stand up with him, impatiently tugging off the rest of his clothes, even placing a condom in his hand. 

“I thought about fucking you the entire drive here,” he confesses, pushing Jungkook back down on the chair.

Jungkook raises his brows. “Oh, really?” he says. “So, this was just a booty call?”

He’s only joking, but Jimin frowns. “Hey,” he protests. “That’s not true. I wanted to see you. We don’t have to fuck if you don’t want to. I really did come here just to see you.”

“Do I look like I don’t want to?” Jungkook says, vaguely waving at his very obvious hard-on, the lack of clothes, the condom in his hand.

Jimin’s still frowning. “Now you don’t. But I’d be just as fine sitting here, not touching for the whole night if that was what you wanted. I’m here for you, not your body,” he rants, and his words are followed by a stunned silence on both their parts.

Oh, fuck.

FUCK.

fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck—

As soon as Jimin's head catches up to his mouth, his heart stops. Fuck. He shouldn't have said that. He should not have said that. He’s just gone and broken the very base of their 'only physical' relationship; they're supposed to be fuck buddies with emphasis on the fuck and not the buddies. He’s not supposed to hang out with Jungkook outside of their arrangement.

“I… I mean…” Jimin starts, but he can’t seem to continue, choking on his own breath.

Jungkook's silent, listening to Jimin's attempts at digging himself out of the hole he's just fallen into.

“We’re friends, too, right? Friends celebrate birthdays together?” Jimin continues, almost pleading, and Jungkook doesn’t have the heart to laugh at him, even if they're both naked and fucking half-hard.  

But he’s not going to lie, either.  

He steps closer, cupping Jimin’s soft cheeks between his rough hands. “Jimin,” he says, voice low. “We’re not fucking friends, and it's about time you stop saying we are.”

Jimin gulps at his stern tone, but he nods. He opens his mouth to respond, but Jungkook takes over, covering his lips with his own. Jungkook guides Jimin back into the chair, pulling Jimin into his lap, never breaking the kiss. Their tongues roll over each other, slick but smooth. Jimin feels dizzy, but he’s not sure whether it’s from Jungkook fucking his tongue into his mouth – or from the intense atmosphere.

Finally giving Jimin a chance to breathe again, Jungkook kisses his way down Jimin’s chest, thumbing at his hip bones. His lips pause at Jimin’s nipples, licking over them. Pleasure jolts through Jimin’s body like an electric shock, coursing right into his cock. His little noises of approval turn into salacious moans once Jungkook starts sucking the nub into his mouth.

“Jungkook,” Jimin calls out in a hoarse voice, only a shadow of the confident vixen he’d been just minutes prior. Jungkook doesn’t necessarily have to run the show, but he finds it really sexy to see Jimin let go, to relinquish control for a little while. “Please.”

“Please what?”

“Touch me. Please.”

“Hmm.” Jungkook’s playing indifferent, squeezing Jimin’s nipples, watching how Jimin’s chest flushes.

Jimin tries again, squirming with frustration while Jungkook takes his sweet time with his nipples, alternating between sucking and flicking them. “Hyung. Please.”

“What do you want me to do, Mini?” Jungkook taunts. “Where do you want me to touch you?” He flicks at the head of Jimin’s painfully hard cock, smirking when Jimin squirms, moans spilling out of his mouth.

His hands travel lower, tracing around the rim of Jimin's hole, fingers grazing at soft silicone. He pauses, gripping the butt plug Jimin's sneaked in with him. "What's this?" 

"I told you I came prepared," Jimin replies, and Jungkook bites his lip to not smile at how impatient he sounds. Instead, he keeps quiet, taking a hold of the plug, giving it an experimental tug. Jimin purses his lips together, trying to keep down the moan he can feel hiding in the back of his throat. Jungkook’s slightly rocking his hips, accidentally on purpose grinding right against the butt plug inside Jimin, making the model whine under his breath.

“Oh? It vibrates, too?” Jungkook murmurs as his fingers accidentally turn the vibration on. Jimin’s eyes widen, realizing too little, too late what Jungkook’s planning just as the vibrator turns on, rubbing right against Jimin’s walls. He lets out a nonsensical sound of lust and exasperation, rutting against Jungkook. Jungkook loves seeing him like this, horny and frustrated, almost as much as he loves seeing him fully sated. Needy Jimin is just really fun to play with: bratty, demanding and so deliciously eager to please. 

"Hyung," Jimin starts again, but his voice is just a hot breath. "Please." 

Jungkook finally takes mercy on him and flicks the vibration off as he carefully pulls the plug out. He slips on the condom, angling Jimin better to be lifted onto his cock. Jimin’s chest is falling and rising quickly, eyes unfocused from being brought so close to the edge and then just left hanging.

Jungkook stares at him, an idea forming in his mind. “Fuck, I just got an idea for how to fix one of the songs. Hold on.” Jungkook opens one of the tracks on his computer, leaving Jimin to sit on his lap, fucking panting and cock leaking onto his own stomach. Jimin bites his shoulder in protest, trying to lift himself onto Jungkook’s cock, but the rapper keeps him down, meticulously holding onto his hips while a sexy track turns on, blasting through the speakers.

"Jungkook..." Jimin whines. 

"Just give me a second," Jungkook murmurs, but Jimin's not the type to wait around. He takes his frustration out on Jungkook's neck, turning the sensitive skin into a kaleidoscope of purple. Jungkook hisses when Jimin's teeth drag against his throat, but he continues to play the track, editing some minor detail, over and over.

The fire in Jimin’s eyes turns into a meteor shower, raining down on Jungkook. “Jeon Jungkook,” he says, snapping his hips for effect, “either you fuck me, or I’ll do it myself.”

Jungkook raises an amused brow. “Is that so?” he hums, leaning back on his chair, finally giving the song a rest. “Then, by all means, go ahead.”

Jimin glares at him, but he does lift himself up with hands on Jungkook's wide shoulders, guiding himself onto his hard cock. Jungkook doesn't stop him, smirking when Jimin starts lowering himself, groaning at the sudden fullness inside him. Jungkook holds onto his hips, helping him stay upright, keeping their eyes locked as Jimin takes in every inch of him. The air escaping his lungs at the stretch, Jimin's eyes gloss over. 

Jungkook squeezes Jimin’s hips, but Jimin bats his hands away. Amused, Jungkook leans back, watching the show that Jimin’s putting on. “Look at you,” he says, “so fucking sexy.”

Jimin’s determined pace falters slightly at the praise, but he keeps going, slowly moving himself up and down on Jungkook’s cock. 

Jungkook slides his palms up Jimin's thighs, squeezing the flesh of his ass, grunting when Jimin clenches around him. "Come on, baby, I know you can go faster." Jimin moans in response to his low, dominant tone, moving faster. 

"You sound so pretty." Jungkook listens how the beat of the song mixes with Jimin’s moans before grinning. "You're kind of in the rhythm, too." 

"Shut up." Jimin’s annoyance quickly turns into desperate moans when Jungkook fists his cock, jerking him off.  

"What? It sounds good." He leans in closer, adding with a low, hungry voice, “Wish I could record the way you sound when I fuck you, put it in a song. Let them all hear you beg for it so pretty.” The dirty suggestion drives Jimin crazy, blood rushing to his already stiff cock. It bounces against Jimin’s stomach with each rise of his thighs, tip red and leaking. 

“Hyung…” Jimin whines, high-pitched and so fucking alluring. He clenches around Jungkook’s cock, already nearing his release. Jungkook takes a hold of his hips again, and this time Jimin doesn’t push his hands away. Instead, he cants his hips to make Jungkook move faster. 

“What do you need, baby?” Jungkook asks, breathless.

“Fuck me harder, I’m so close.”

He lets out a choked out scream when Jungkook obliges and starts hitting his prostate with each thrust. Jimin’s ass slapping against Jungkook’s thick thighs creates an obscene sound of skin hitting skin, echoing in the studio. Jungkook's thumbs dig into his waist, but Jimin couldn't care less. If he's really honest, he almost hopes he leaves behind bruises. 

His entire body shakes, and he can hear himself beg for a release somewhere far away. Blood pounds in his ears, gearing up for the most intense orgasm he’s had since… well, since last time Jungkook fucked him. He keeps waiting for the novelty to wear off, for the high to stop feeling as powerful, but it never happens. If anything, Jimin’s even more hooked, left wanting more each time.

Jungkook clamps down his teeth onto Jimin’s neck, thrusting even deeper than before. His thumb presses into Jimin’s slit, and Jimin’s gone. His eyes squeeze closed, every muscle in his body taut as he releases onto Jungkook’s hand still stroking him.

The orgasm hits him hard, making him thrash in Jungkook's hold. He can’t speak, can’t think, so he just lets Jungkook continue to pound into him, chasing his own orgasm. Deep satisfaction fills every inch of Jimin's body. He bounces on Jungkook’s cock like a ragdoll, too spent to make any move. Jungkook fucks him to the edge of over-sensitivity before letting out a deep groan, filling the condom with his come.

Jimin’s forehead plops onto Jungkook’s shoulder, it’s too heavy for him to hold up any longer. Jungkook puts his arms around him, hugging him close to his chest. Jimin lets out a small whine when Jungkook pulls out, and snuggles closer to his neck.

Jungkook's first to break the silence. He whistles. “Damn.”

“Yeah.”

“So, what I’m gathering here is that you should butt dial me more often.”

“Stop!” Jimin screeches, suddenly gaining new energy. “I didn’t know it’d call you if I pressed the icon for too long! It was an honest mistake, I’m not old!”

“Of course not, ahjussi.”

Jimin waves a warning finger at Jungkook’s face. “Once I catch my breath again, I’m teaching you some goddamn manners.”

Jungkook smirks, challenging glint in his eyes. “I’d love to see you try.”

Jimin shoots him a look, but doesn’t press further. Instead, his focus shifts to the champagne bottle on the table in front of him. It’s a curious choice: Jungkook doesn’t like champagne, so it must have been a gift.

Except that Jimin happens to know that the bottle in question is from a special edition and as such, insanely expensive. “What’s this?” Jimin asks, picking up the bottle. “Expecting company, are we?”

Jungkook huffs. “This other label has been trying to their hardest to get me to sign with them, offering to buy me out from Lost Stars. They keep sending me expensive gifts, like I’m three years old and they’re trying to get custody of me.”

Jimin hums. “You’re not going to go live with daddy, then?”

Jungkook huffs out a laugh. “Nah. I have bathwater more expensive than this crap.”

Jimin shakes his head in disapproval. “This is Dom Pérignon, Jeon Jungkook. It’s definitely not crap.” He checks the label again. “This is one of my favorites, actually. You’re just too spoiled, baby.”

“It’s yours then. Happy early birthday, South Korea’s sweetheart.”

Jimin rolls his eyes. “Do you even know when my birthday is?”

Jungkook scoffs, incredulous look in his eyes. "You’re kidding, right?”

“What?”

“No one can breathe in Korea during October without speaking your name. Your fans go all out for you,” Jungkook reminds him. On Jimin’s birthday, there are campaigns and sky writing and multiple-story ads everywhere, all of them to celebrate South Korea’s sweetheart. Proud smile crosses Jimin’s lips, strangely pleased to hear that Jungkook’s made a note of Jimin’s birthday.

Before he can respond, a door slams closed in the hallway, making them both instinctively glance at the clock on Jungkook’s screen. It’s late, past two in the morning.

“We should get going,” Jungkook says. “Or Taehyung hyung might actually not get that album after all.”

“Oh? So, Taehyung’s a hyung, but I’m not?” Jimin teases, getting up and gathering his things, so they could leave. “How come?”

Jungkook smiles, and there is something terribly soft in his eyes. “Because you’re baby.”

Brrr...

"Shut it off, baby," Jimin mumbles, diving deeper into the warm bed. 

But there's no answer. 

Brr...

The alarm sounds again, and Jimin opens one eye to investigate. Faint singing and the sound of falling water suggest that Jungkook's in the shower. Jimin groans and buries himself under the covers. He wonders if Jungkook's ordered an alarm from his building's front desk or something, he's known for his gift of sleep. 

The buzzing ends, and Jimin's well on his way back to sleep, knowing that the front desk can't send anyone in without receiving an okay from Jungkook. At least something good came out of Jimin's stalkers. 

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." 

Jimin's entire body goes rigid, fear paralyzing him for a moment at the strange voice crooning out a birthday song. It's them, it's the fan club freaks, they've found him even in Jungkook's home!

His eyes startle open when he feels someone caress his hair. He shoots up from the bed, disorientated and groggy, desperately clinging to the duvet, putting space between him and a possible aggressor. 

Instead of a scary man with a duffel bag ready to kidnap him, tiny grandma stares at him with wide eyes, and Jimin stares right back, every bit as bewildered. The old lady just stares at him, a birthday cake in her hands. Silence stretches on, uncomfortable, tangible in the air between them, hanging from the ceiling like icy carcasses.

The grandma recovers first. "Park Jimin," she says, "You're Park Jimin." 

Jimin can only stare at her. 

Much to his surprise, the grandma suddenly smiles at him, beaming like the sun. "You must be the... friend. Jungkookie mentioned you were pretty." 

Jimin opens his mouth and then closes it again. Not a single thought pierces his mind, he can't think of anything to say. 

"I'm Jeon Miseon, Jungkookie's grandmother. I'm terribly sorry for barging in like this, I had planned on surprising Jungkookie and arranged for his security to let me in. Seeing that he's an adult man, that might have been a tad thoughtless of me. Please forgive me."

Jimin finally snaps out of it enough to attempt to bow at her. "It's okay, Mrs. Jeon. I'm sorry I... I'm sorry I got in the way of your surprise, I'm sure Jungkook will be happy to see you. He's in the shower now and I... I'm going to go." 

He has to look for his jeans, and he curses past Jimin and past Jungkook for being so embarrassingly horny they couldn't wait until the bedroom to get their clothes off. After very awkwardly squeezing into his jeans, Jimin just throws on a hoodie that he faintly realizes isn't even his. It's too late to retract now, though, so he just hopes Jungkook doesn't mind. 

Grandma Jeon is staring at one of the artworks on the wall, clearly avoiding Jimin's eyes while he's trying to dress himself as inconspicuously as possible. "You... you don't have to go. I'm sure my grandson wants you to stay." 

"Ah, no, no, I, please, I really do need to get going. I have a, I need a...." Jimin mumbles, but nothing comes into mind. He just knows that he has got to get the hell out of there. 

He grabs his phone and bows in haste for Mrs. Jeon. "Farewell," he hears him say, his choice of words far too formal, bordering on mocking, but he prays Mrs. Jeon understands.

All of his instincts are telling him to run, so he does.

He stumbles out of Jungkook's apartment with bed hair and a bare face, legs wobbly like they're still asleep. No one is in the building's lobby which is unusual, but it benefits him, allowing him to sneak out of the secret exit since he doesn't have a car and can't use the parking garage to leave. His eyes are puffy and barely open, cringing at the sudden brightness of sun sitting on top of a cloudless sky. 

His mother used to say there's a silence before something breaks. A calm before the storm, a breath before the fall. He never really understood what she meant, couldn't hear the bells of a disaster until it was too late to dodge the blow. He's never been able to predict chaos, he's grown up at the mercy of hurricanes blowing through his life. But this time... this time his ears perk up, picking up on the sound of silence. 

It's so fucking quiet.

Jimin pauses, turning around.

Right before a sea of flashing lights blind him.

Chapter Text

Icy rain crashes down against the tall windows of Jimin's apartment, painting the glass in its likeness. Cold spreads into his very bones, freezing him to his core. It’s far too early: Jimin never imagined early September rain could feel so arctic, the howling wind lonely in its cries. 

But he always knew one day, the sky would fall.

Vindication never felt so empty, his paranoia was never supposed to win. Now that it has, all Jimin feels is numb. The clock on his wall ticks by menacingly slowly, every minute as long as a millenium. He’s trapped inside his own head, sentenced to death by a thousand cuts. 

His phone makes a sound, and in the silence of his solitude, it sounds like a gunshot. At first, he barely reacts: his phone has been blowing up all morning. Then he notices Yoongi’s name on the screen, and quickly picks up. 

tiny hyung: 

Meeting with the suits at 12. be ready. 

“He’s mad,” Jimin explains to the extravagant plants covering every available surface of his apartment, his last loyal companions. “If he weren’t mad, he’d call me.” His stomach is tied into tight knots that pull and pull and pull at his intestines until he can barely breathe. 

The plants offer no sympathies, only green .

“I think… I’ll be fired at the meeting,” Jimin confesses in a small, small voice to his quiet companions. He thinks this stunt is finally it, the last nail in the coffin. He was able to escape fate once before, but not anymore. The golden cage he picked out for himself has never felt as restricting. He’s belligerently yanking at the bars made out of gold, but they don’t budge. If anything, the cage seems to be getting smaller and smaller. 

The pictures are awful. 

He looks nothing like the Park Jimin, South Korea’s pride and joy, their eternal sweetheart who once could do no wrong. In the pictures, he looks like someone sneaking out, someone who’s done something scandalous in the dark hours of the night. His hair is a mess, the bedhead painfully obvious. His skin is puffy, skincare regime carelessly tossed aside. There's even a couple of hickeys on his bare chest, visible through the white shirt he forgot to button up. The pictures scream of his indiscretions, vestiges of illicit affairs all over him. 

His joints cracked as he ran out of the building, groggy from being forced to move so soon after waking up. Only his heart was fully awake, banging in panic against his throat. The embarrassment of getting caught in bed by his fuck buddy’s grandmother of all people was too much for him to handle. He was so horrified about meeting Jungkook's grandma naked he forgot to call his security, too busy escaping the weirdness. 

A mistake he paid dearly for. 

It’s almost poetic, something from a folklore: the one thing he was always cautioned against, the one thing he was so afraid of, ended up being his downfall, no matter how hard he tried to outrun his fate. 

Yoongi didn’t say much when terrified Jimin called him from the lobby of Jungkook’s building. Jimin had barely escaped the flashing lights coloring him as a scandal, blood rushing up to his ears, lungs squeezing painfully until all he could muster up was a whisper. 

Yoongi heard him anyway. 

There was silence on the other end of the line, and Jimin kept his eyes closed, as if that would somehow save him from the nightmare, turning back time to when he wasn’t even born yet. 

Then Yoongi’s voice rang through, cold and emotionless. “Don’t move a muscle. Stay there. I will call you once the driver I sent you is there. Don’t talk to anyone, just stay in place until I tell you to move.”

The company car had shown up and after getting the OK from Yoongi, Jimin ran in. The flashing lights emerged once more like enemy fighter planes in the dark sky, but Jimin was faster. The drive wasn’t long in kilometres, but it felt like years until Jimin was back at his apartment where he was now waiting for Yoongi. 

Everything is in shambles, pieces of the sky falling down, burning on the cold ground. All he can do is whisper desperate prayers to the wind, with no hope of anyone actually hearing them. God’s not there, that much Jimin’s come to realize in his short life. If he wants saving, he has to save himself. 

Yoongi’s mad at him, too. It shouldn’t be so integral at a time like that, and yet it is. Yoongi’s one of his best friends, and Jimin can’t bear the thought of him being mad at him. It kills him to know he’s let Yoongi down. His mind is running wild, and a thought born out of panic and paranoia cuts his heart. Yoongi might leave him. Jimin’s so much trouble already, maybe this is the last straw? Maybe he’s had enough, maybe Yoongi’s taking so long because he’s looking for a way to get rid of Jimin before his contract ends? 

“Yoongi hyung wouldn’t do that,” Jimin says out loud to vanquish the harrowing thought once and for all, but his hesitant, trembling voice isn’t convincing even to his own ears. If anything, speaking the words, granting them a space in the world seems to have the opposite effect. Now Jimin’s more afraid than ever that Yoongi’s going to drop him. 

Jimin stands up, pacing around the apartment until his eyes start to blur from having paced around too quickly. Defeated, Jimin drops back down, picking up his phone once more. His finger hovers over Jungkook’s contact, the two rushed texts haunting his mind. 

Against all advice, Jimin checks his social media to access the damages. 

The aftermath is brutal. His fans are losing their minds over his less than poised appearance. Jimin’s always been careful not to show his fans anything but his very best, and seeing him barefaced in yesterday’s outfit with an out-of-place hoodie thrown over him is nothing short of a miracle.  #BedHeadJimin has been trending on Twitter for hours, overjoyed tweets from around the world about how he looks like he's had a shady one-night-stand plaguing the front page. 

To his surprise, a lot of people seem almost amused. He sees people joking about how ‘the robot has feelings after all’ and how surprised they are that ‘the industry plant is getting some’. At first, he doesn’t understand what they are talking about and looks up the meanings of the words and theories about himself. 

Only five minutes later, he wishes he never did. 

He never knew people thought he was fake, that his entire personality was something the label created for him, that his friends are only his friends because of his fame, that his parents must be so ashamed to have a disgusting son like him. 

His ears ring, eyes bleed. The little words on the screen prick at him like needles, breaking skin, picking at his bones. So this is how people really see him. Not as a sweetheart or even a person, but a cunning and elaborate con artist who has never earned anything he’s achieved. It really is so heartbreaking; Jimin’s work ethic is what he’s most proud of. To break a diligent heart like Jimin’s, they’ve targeted all the right spots. This is his worst nightmare realized, the worst case scenario he was always picturing in his head, the nadir of his existence. 

It hurts worse to be called lazy and talentless than if they were calling him a whore. That he’s used to (as used to as anyone can be), but he’s never seen critique like this about himself. He has done his best not to read anything people write about him, good or bad, because eventually it always makes him feel bad. Compliments twist into insults in his ears, insults carving their initials on the flesh of his heart. He’s learned to ignore it all, but today he’s not strong enough to block it out. He sees it all: every name people call him, every joke they make at his expense, every dirty suggestion about what he might have been doing. None of them realize the gravity of the situation, not the haters nor the fans; none of them realize that Jimin's career is in shambles, that he's about to be eviscerated for his crimes.

They don’t know that this is the final straw. 

They told him, the suits at the company, that if he ever pulls another scandal like the one before, he'd be out. And now, he's given them the juiciest of bones to pick on. He's fully at their mercy, and that terrifies him. He's already learned that with his company, the worst position to be was to have zero leverage. 

If he’s very honest, the CEO of their company kind of scares him. 

Yoongi's words ring in his ears . I have never seen any other artist encounter this much bad luck. He doesn't want to believe it, but hearing Yoongi agree that so many obstacles were unusual sort of cemented it for Jimin. There is something strange going on, and it seems to focus around their CEO. 

The familiar black car with tinted windows finally arrives, and Jimin is promptly rushed inside the company building. Yoongi's waiting at the front, and while usually seeing his trusty manager would make him feel more secure, all Jimin feels now is shame. Yoongi must be furious at him for ruining all they've worked for. Yoongi had warned him, he had told him not to give the company any ammo. 

Just for Jimin to hand over a grenade launcher. 

His legs weigh a thousand tons, cheeks burning with shame. He makes his way over to Yoongi, a chant of Hyung, I'm so sorry playing at full volume inside his head. "Hyung," he starts, but that's as far as he gets. 

"Come on, we can’t be late," is all Yoongi says in response, but Jimin can still taste the bitter tang of disappointment in the air. 

"Hyung, please..." he starts, but doesn't know what to say. The words hang in the air like frozen water drops, weighing heavy. 

Yoongi won't meet his eyes, and Jimin shrinks in size. 

"Your phone is clean?" 

"Ye-yeah," Jimin mutters. He doesn't keep souvenirs of his secrets to begin with, but he still went through both of his phones to make sure any suspicious comments, texts, calls and photos were erased. It kind of broke his heart to delete even the selca they took together, but survival meant more than sentimentality. Since he has always expected to get caught at some point, deleting their entire history didn’t take long: all the photos were in one folder, the call logs he deleted each night and the texts were always on an encrypted app that couldn't be traced. 

He always knew one day it'd come to this.  

After the quietest elevator ride, they walk in. The suits are already seated around a huge conference table, their CEO Im Kihyun among them. They don't respond to Jimin's bow or acknowledge him even after one of their assistants tells Jimin and Yoongi to take a seat. The silence is an intimidation technique; one that Jimin knows well. They've used it against him since he first came to the company. Almost ruefully, he still remembers how it felt, sitting here alone at fifteen, trembling and sweating, terrified of breaking any rules. 

Things are different now. Now Jimin has Yoongi; Yoongi who defends him, Yoongi who looks out for him, Yoongi who's there for him in a way that no one in the company had ever been before or since. No matter how angry Yoongi might be with him, he'll still protect him: Jimin has to believe that to keep himself sane. 

Mr. Im finally looks up, zeroing his cold gaze at Jimin. "Explain," he demands, but Jimin knows he's not really asking. That's the only reason why he doesn't flinch when suddenly the man's voice rises and turns into yelling. "Explain to me how we are back in this room less than a year later for the same fucking thing!" 

And so it continues.

Jimin doesn't argue, knowing it'd be pointless. They take his phone, scrolling through it, frustrated when they come up empty-handed. Jimin's too careful, they find nothing to string him dry for.

Mr. Im is even angrier to come up empty, and he rains down insults, calling Jimin every name under the sun, making disgusting remarks about Jimin's character and digging into how ugly he had looked in the pictures. He's also oddly focused on the sex he's convinced Jimin was having the night before. 

"Sneaking out in the morning like a cheap whore," the man berates him. "Who do you think you are? Just because you've been here for a few years, you think the rules no longer apply to you? You think you know better than us?" 

His eyes turn into slits. "Who are you fucking? Where were you coming from?" 

Jimin stays silent. There is no fucking way he's giving up Jungkook's name. Their CEO has a lot of power in the music industry, he could cause a lot of damage to Jungkook's career if he so chooses. Knowing how petty the man could be, he could easily have Jungkook banned from every radio station and award show if he ever figured out that Jungkook dared to touch Jimin. 

Yoongi speaks up. "Sir, please refrain from addressing my client like that or this meeting will end very shortly.” It’s not the rudest thing Jimin’s ever heard Yoongi say, far from it, but to say it to their CEO of all people, is bold with a capital B. He might as well have stood up and given Mr. Im the finger. 

Yoongi really didn’t come to play. 

Just then, Jimin’s knight in a black hoodie continues, “Jimin-ssi, didn't you buy an apartment recently?" 

Jimin is almost startled to be spoken politely to. "Uh, yes?" 

"Weren't you coming from the new apartment you had to purchase after those sasaengs tried to kidnap you?" Yoongi makes sure to mention, uncaring of the clenched jaws and dark glares thrown his way. "The new apartment with ten times the security your company-appointed apartment has?" 

A tall man in the black suit speaks up. "Enough," he grumbles through gritted teeth. "You've made your point, Manager Min." 

Yoongi isn't listening. "Is that apartment anywhere near Jeon Jungkook's?" 

"I think he might live in the same building as I do," Jimin replies, finally understanding what Yoongi is attempting. "Someone named Jeon was mentioned in the apartment listing at least." 

Yoongi looks at Mr. Im expectantly. "See? At the very most, you should only be scolding Jimin for looking less presentable during his free time."

Mr. Im clearly doesn't believe it, but he has no other evidence on Jimin, so he can't really argue. Still, his eyes are speaking volumes, dousing Jimin in his contempt. 

Jimin's always got the impression that their new CEO doesn't like him very much, always finding every flaw he has, pointing out things that might not even be true. He screens Jimin's budget much more closely than anyone else's, micromanages every person in Jimin's team despite Yoongi hiring only the best of the best. But the CEO has always had it out for Jimin, only Jimin himself can't understand why that is. All previous heads of the company always loved Jimin for the ridiculous flow of money he brought in.

But not Im Kihuyn. 

Jimin wants to believe that he's only trying to make sure Jimin doesn't get caught up in more scandals, but if he's really honest, Mr. Im's obsession didn't start with the unnegotiated contract. He's always been a little too curious of Jimin, a little too interested in each decision his team makes. At first Jimin tried to take it as a compliment: maybe the man was a fan of his work. But time went by, and Mr. Im became even more controlling, demanding more and more of Jimin despite his already crazy schedule. Even the fame-hungry rookies weren't as booked as Jimin, and yet it was never enough. 

He was never enough. 

"I still think we should keep a closer watch on Park Jimin. Let's not forget, this isn't the first time we've had to intervene." They all think back to the previous year, to the screaming headlines and the cruel insinuations. 

Yoongi looks at the suits in the room, addressing them in his low, gravelly voice. "I ask you to remember who Park Jimin is, and what he means to the company. It's true that Jimin was late that morning from a meeting with me which caused him to hurry out of his apartment without proper focus on his looks. We apologize for Jimin's miscalculation and assure you that it will never happen again." 

"You see, the problem is... Jimin-ssi didn't look like he was coming out of his own apartment," one of the other suits points out. Jimin’s never bothered to learn their names because each time they show up, they usually want to tell them they can’t do something.  

Yoongi is adamant. "It's his apartment. I have the paperwork to prove it," he insists, not giving in an inch. This is news to Jimin as well. Yoongi must have pushed the sale through while someone else picked Jimin up. Jimin just figured he didn’t want to see Jimin, and sent someone else out of anger. He should have known better.

"That's not how it looks . The press—" Gray Suit protests. 

"The press are just speculating. Right now, they only know what you and I know: that Jimin should have paid more attention to his appearance this morning." Yoongi looks at each suit carefully in the eyes. "It's my job to feed them another narrative and kill their curiosity. Please allow me to do my job." 

Third suit speaks up. "Min Yoongi has always done a fantastic job when it comes to protecting our artists," she reminds the others. "The blow-back for the other scandal could have been ten times worse if Yoongi-ssi hadn't stepped in." 

Man in a black suit speaks up. "The fact that this is the second scandal of the same nature Jimin-ssi has been involved in is what worries me. We don't want the public to start thinking that our company allies itself with questionable characters." Black Suit gives Jimin a hard stare. "This isn't a brothel. We do not make money out of sex scandals." 

Jimin wants to scream in frustration at the disgusting implication, but he doesn't. Instead, he bows his head. 

"Yes, sir," he replies, biting back a bitter remark about how the suit himself is known for using half of his salary to pay pretty escorts younger than his own daughter to show him a good time. But the rules are different for suits; they’re always harsher for Jimin. You chose this , they would say if he ever dared to protest, you're the one who wanted to be an idol. All fame comes with a price. Everybody knows that.  

"SIR," one of the assistants suddenly calls out, startling everyone in the room.

"Good heavens, Aecha," Black Suit reprimands, "You could wake the dead." 

 "I'm sorry, sir, but you'll want to see this." 

"What is it? We're in the middle of a meeting here."

"It's about Jimin-ssi." 

Black Suit glances at Jimin before reaching over to take the assistant's iPad. "What is it?" he mutters, putting on his glasses. Then his eyes widen, staring at the screen. He exchanges looks with the other suits whose eyes are also glued to the iPad.  

"What is it?" Yoongi asks, noticing the same shift as Jimin. 

The Lady Suit answers him. "It seems… Jimin's appearance in Celebrity Bromance came at an inopportune moment." 

Jimin closes his eyes for a second. His episode with Jungkook has been aired? Now?

"You didn't take it off circulation?" Yoongi says incredulously. "You didn't call Skyline Network?"

"Jimin-ssi is your client," Black Suit promptly reminds him.

"I am aware. However, I'm not the CEO of this company and as such, I don't have the authority to pull back footage of Jimin." Yoongi turns towards Mr. Im. “Only you do, remember? As per your insistence, sajang-nim. Just like when we got Jimin that perfume campaign you didn't allow him to do and you pulled all the footage back from that?" 

Mr. Im glares at him, poison arrows shooting out of his eyes. "You're treading on thin ice, Manager Min."

Yoongi's cold expression doesn't falter. "Oh, I haven't even started, sajang-nim." 

"This changes things," Lady Suit says, glancing at Yoongi. "It's not as easy to contest rumors if TV shows a different side. People tend to believe what they see."

Yoongi shrugs. "That's nothing," he assures, "They're just friends. Besides, it's a television show. No one takes those seriously." The last part is a direct hit at the suits whom squirm slightly at being called out.  

Mr. Im rises to his feet. "Careful, Mr. Min," he says, voice back to silk. "Pray poor Jiminie won't one day have to pay for your arrogance." 

Yoongi smiles. "Oh, I'm not worried," he says, and in a way, it's the most devastating thing he could do to respond to the thinly veiled threat. 

Mr. Im simply gives him the most crushing look before walking out of the conference room. The door slams closed after him. The other suits stand up, too. 

“Manager Min, I hope you won’t end regretting this meeting,” Black Suit says. “It’d be wise to… count your losses and decide whether you’d benefit from a new start with a new artist.” 

Jimin's stomach drops. 

But Yoongi's still calm as ever, unwavering. “Thank you for your advice,” he replies, “But Jimin’s my client and that’s that.” 

“It’s your decision,” Black Suit admits, but it sounds more like It’s your funeral. 

As soon as the door closes behind the suits, Jimin looks at Yoongi. "Hyung..." he starts softly.  

Yoongi shakes his head. "We'll talk in the car." His voice has gone back to cold, and Jimin crumbles back to his chair. 

"Please..." 

"In the car, Jimin,” Yoongi insists, and Jimin stops trying, silently following Yoongi to his car. Instead of sliding to the front seat, Jimin opens the back door. 

He’s about to get in when Yoongi’s voice stops him. “What are you doing?” he asks, confused.

Jimin’s confused, too. “Shouldn’t I sit in the back?” 

“Jimin, we’re not hiding," Yoongi says. "You did nothing wrong. As far as anyone will know, you were leaving your own apartment and that’s that.” 

The corners of Jimin’s eyes prickle. "Hyung, I'm so sorry, I didn't think, it all just... I'm so sorry," he says. His voice turns lower and lower until it's just a whisper. 

This time, Yoongi doesn’t relent. "No, Jimin. I asked you, point blank, if you were dating Jeon Jungkook. And you lied to my face," he says, and Jimin finally realizes that Yoongi’s anger was never about the boy, it was about the loss of trust. 

"Hyung, I didn't lie. We aren't dating. It's just..."

"Jeon Jungkook's birthday was yesterday,” Yoongi interrupts. “Did you know that? September 1st." 

Jimin stares at him in confusion. "What?"

"He spent his birthday with you. You stayed the night. How many people do you know who'd spend their birthday with someone they have absolutely no feelings for?"

"It's not like that," Jimin mutters, voice turning smaller and smaller. 

"Isn't it?" Yoongi asks, and really, isn’t it? Didn’t Jimin go over to Jungkook’s studio just because he wanted to see him? Didn’t he tell him he would have wanted to see him even if he didn’t want to do anything more? How is that them being just friends with benefits? Hasn’t he been dating Jeon Jungkook for a while already if he’s really, really honest with himself?  

Jimin’s face heats up at the thought, heart beating out of rhythm. "I'm sorry, hyung. I just... I didn't think you'd approve and I didn't want to get you in trouble with the company."

"And yet, here we are." 

Jimin bites his lip, trying to hold back tears, but he's not doing a very good job.

The stern look in Yoongi's eyes softens. "I don't care who you date, Jiminnie. I care that you tell me about it, so we can take necessary precautions to protect you, to make sure the story doesn't get out. After what happened the last time, I really thought I had proven myself. You're like family to me, and while your love life isn't my business, the other stuff is."

Jimin draws a breath that sounds more like a sob. "I'm so sorry, hyung."

Yoongi sighs. "Cut it out with the sorry's, Jiminnie. Just... do better. I'm your manager which means that it’s my job to help you, push you, defend you, look out for you. I can't do all that unless I know what you need protecting from. Understand?"

Jimin nods, but he’s still trembling. He hates fighting with Yoongi. "Yes, I understand." 

"Now, wipe your face and let's get the fuck out of here. I'll get you your phone back later, but right now we should lay low for a while. Your trip to Greece couldn’t have come at a better time, we need a little breathing distance from these fuckers." 

Jimin nods, leaning his pounding head against the cool glass of the car window. "Hyung, how soon can I go by the new apartment?"

"Why?" Yoongi pauses, guessing Jimin’s next idea. "You're going to go see him." They pause at the traffic lights, and Yoongi closes his eyes for a second. "Park Jimin, are you insane."

Jimin's gnawing on his bottom lip. "I know, I know. But I can't just ghost him, he'll think I don't care. I can’t do that to him. If I have to tell him goodbye, I have to tell it to his face.” 

“It's in your best interest to avoid him. And in his, too, to avoid you." Yoongi sighs when Jimin stays quiet. He shakes his head, but he seems to realize that Jimin's made up his mind. "At least tell him not to contact you right now. I’ll find a window for you, but Jungkook cannot even be in your vocabulary before that. I need a little time to defuse the big guy."

"God?" Jimin guesses, but Yoongi just makes a face. Somehow, Jimin doubts their CEO will be that easy to defuse. He'd been looking for a way to control Jimin, and now that he finally had one, he wouldn't let go so easily. Even as he was screaming at Jimin, he could see unadulterated glee in the man’s eyes, like Christmas had come early. He was angry, yes, but he also knew that he'd finally Jimin trapped like he had always wanted. 

Jimin fiddles with his silver bracelet. "Hyung, if I ever wanted to leave..."

"They'd blacklist you. You'd never debut as a singer, never even get another modelling job," Yoongi reminds him with a heavy heart. 

"But they are a pretty small company,” Jimin argues. There's only a handful of trainees and less than twenty entertainers. Jimin is by far one of the biggest acts at the company as a model, and he's expected to be the biggest by the time he debuts as a singer. 

"They were a small company that your success made big. Your best bet is a better contract which I would negotiate for you if you just gave me a chance." Yoongi sighs. "I know it's hard, but have faith. I'm really good at my job, I will either twist their arm until they either agree or it breaks and then I will twist it some more. I can get you a dream deal, but I need you to trust me." 

Jimin’s heart aches. "It's not that I don't trust you, hyung. You're the one I trust the most. I've just been wondering lately..." 

"Wondering about what?" 

"If I should... leave." Jimin whispers the last word, almost too afraid to even speak it out loud. 

"If you want to quit modeling, I can arrange that." Yoongi shakes his head. "But leaving the company for another one is not possible. You'd be labeled as difficult to work with, no one would hire you. You know they don't fight fair." 

"Junghan hyung got to leave the company for Gold Entertainment, and he's still really popular," Jimin argues even though he already knows how Yoongi will answer. 

"That happened while Oh Jisoo was still in charge." Yoongi huffs bitterly. "Not a day goes by when I don't miss that blind old bat. She might have been wildly unfit to lead a company, but she always let me manage us the way I saw best. If we had left under her rule, she probably would have given you a biscuit for the road and called you a pretty girl." 

By the time their previous CEO had retired, she had been so old and senile, she had come to call them pretty girls and pinched their cheeks whenever she passed them by in the hallways. 

Jimin smiles. "She always thought you were the prettier girl out of us two," he reminds. "Sure you didn't like her better just for that?" 

Yoongi hums. "Bless her cataract-ridden eyes. I haven't felt as pretty since she left."

"If you gave Taehyung a chance, you'd feel pretty every minute of every day," Jimin points out with a sly look in his eyes.  

Yoongi acts like he didn't even hear him. "Let's get you home, you've got an evening flight to Greece."  

Yoongi lounges around Jimin's apartment while the model packs, digging deeper and deeper into Jimin's comfortable sofa. He's scrolling on his phone, piping up only when he notices Jimin trying to sneak in an extra face moisturizer.

("The airport charges almost twice as much if you're even one gram over the limit. What do you think we are, millionaires?"

"Hyung, we both are millionaires." 

"Not the point, you brat.")

They're both careful not to mention the elephant in the room. For a moment more, Jimin's apartment is their hideaway, their safe haven. Just a little longer until they have to face the music, admit the mistakes. If they just keep acting like everything’s fine... maybe, somehow, it’d all turn out okay again. 

Jimin forces Yoongi to let him pack a bag for him, too, despite the frugal manager claiming he'd just buy what little he needed from the location. Yoongi grumbles and complains while Jimin fills his suitcase with free clothes he's gotten from designers. 

"I am never in a million years wearing that thing," Yoongi denies immediately when Jimin tries to pack a Ralph Lauren polo shirt in his suitcase. "Take it out."

Jimin pouts. "Come on, hyung, you'd look so handsome!" 

"Jimin, so help me, if you pack that, I will negotiate an adult diaper commercial for you." 

"No!" Jimin gasps, immediately throwing the polo back into his walk-in closet. 

Yoongi's eyes flicker with malice. "They've been asking for years. Apparently a young hot model advertising them could help remove the stigma." 

Jimin pales. "No, please, hyung, I'll only pack you black wizard robes, I swear!" 

Yoongi snickers, and goes back to stalking, uh, researching Hoseok's page. Jimin finishes packing and he's just dragging both of their suitcases to the living room when he hears a loud crash. 

"Woah, hyung," he comments, "Did gravity finally come to collect?" 

Yoongi glances quickly at him, and he's pale as if he'd just seen a ghost. Jimin lets his eyes wander, taking in the scene. Yoongi's on his knees on the floor next to his fallen phone, desperately trying to hide whatever is displayed on his cracked screen. 

Jimin laughs at his guilty face, walking closer. "What is it? Were you watching porn or something? Accidentally liked one of Hoseok hyung's thirst trap selcas from a million years ago? What's with that face?" 

Yoongi's still silent, and that's a bad sign. Jimin frowns. "Seriously, what's wrong, hyung?" 

"Nothing!" 

Jimin's eyes fall on the phone at the same time as Yoongi's do. They both move, Jimin reaching over for the phone whereas Yoongi chooses a more direct approach and sits on his phone. 

"Hyung, what the hell?" Jimin complains, nudging Yoongi. "Move." 

Yoongi stays in place. "Privacy and boundaries are important in every business relationship," he manages through gritted teeth. 

Jimin rolls his eyes. "Hyung, this was never a business relationship. Now, come on, spill." Yoongi still doesn't move, and Jimin sighs, crossing his arms, making his biceps bulge. "We both know I can take you." 

"Fuck," Yoongi curses, acquiescing. "I just want you to remember that I will find out who leaked these." He stands up and hands over his phone to Jimin. There's an entire feed of articles open on his screen. 

And what's worse, they're riddled with pictures. 

Park Jimin filmed leaving Jeon Jungkook's apartment barely dressed!

Jeon Jungkook spent his birthday with Park Jimin? 

Park Jimin filmed entering Jeon Jungkook’s apartment in the rain! 

Park Jimin kisses mystery man at a club? 

Park Jimin present at Jeon Jungkook’s company?

Park Jimin’s ring found at Jeon Jungkook’s hotel room? 

And just like that, the sky crumbles, boulders crushing him under their unforgiving weight. 

There's an echo in Jungkook's apartment that never was there before. Ghosts dance in the corners of the condo, whispering sweet nothings with a voice that sounds alarmingly close to Jimin’s. He keeps trying to exorcise it, to make it leave, but it’s stubborn, torturing him with unwelcome memories. In Jimin's absence, Jungkook's head fills with thoughts of him, echoes of his voice haunting the apartment that once felt so welcoming.

This time, the one playing is the time he first met Jimin. He can see it in vivid detail, the way party lights shone, the way Jimin’s eyes glimmered, the way every word he spoke stayed in Jungkook’s mind and never left. 

"Please, I've met boys like you before." Jimin batted his eyelashes, biting his lip, enjoying how Jungkook's eyes followed the movement. "You wouldn't know what to do with me even if I came with a guide book. I want a man who knows what he's doing. Nighty night, Jungmin." 

"It's Jungkook." 

"Whatever," Jimin giggled, walking away. 

But it wasn't whatever, and the first time they fucked, he made sure to pull his name from Jimin's lips, had him moaning it until all he could hear ringing through his ears was Jimin’s voice. 

He’s been too involved since day one, no matter what he’s told himself. Sure, he figured that he had a crush on Jimin, but he figured it was more of an artistic crush than anything else. But above all else he didn’t think he’d get in so deep. But it was hard not to: Jimin was everything he expected and still more. Even still, Jungkook can’t find the fault in himself for being fascinated. What chance does a needle possess against a magnet? 

Some kind of sick, masochistic need to hurt makes him open up a convo, look up the two texts that have already been burned into his brain. 

Unknown

hey it's 🐥 can't talk for a while. hope your day is going well

i'm sorry

It's all that he's heard of Jimin. He's seen the circus that Jimin's abrupt leaving brought on. It kills him to know that the press was there for him, that Jimin's worst nightmare came to life because of him. 

He knows how Jimin thinks, how he believes in suffocating the flames of a forest fire. If he doesn't give the press anything, they'll get bored. The circle has closed, they’ve returned to where they were a year ago. Just as they were starting to figure things out, they were yanked right back to square one. Further even, to square none.  

It's like he's seeing it all again, start to finish, each flash of Jimin, memories switching quickly like the flapping wings of a butterfly. His brain has gone into overdrive, trying to capture every detail, save them from the decay of time. 

(He knows what's coming.)

His thoughts wander, stopping at the foot of the bed where Jimin had been sitting one morning, putting on his shirt and making up excuses to Yoongi who was on his way to pick Jimin up from the home he wasn't in. 

"So are you going to Exact?" Jungkook had asked, just making polite conversation while he wondered if he could convince Jimin to be late, so they could go another round. 

"No, I can't go there," Jimin replied airily, putting on his ear ring. 

"Can't?" Jungkook repeated, curious despite his better knowledge. 

Jimin smiled. "Won't."

When Jungkook asked why, Jimin just dodged him and smiled again before leaving quickly. He always had his guard up, blinding smiles acting as shields, hiding his thoughts. Jungkook wonders if Jimin's need to hide arose from the scandal or if it had always been part of him, something deeply rooted in Jimin's character. 

Months later, Jungkook had finally put it together: Jimin was avoiding places where he might run into his ex. That had been the first time Jungkook noticed it, but definitely not the last time he sensed the tight grip the ghost of relationships past still had on Jimin. 

His phone buzzes. Uninterested, he glances at the screen. As soon as he sees an unknown number, he knows it's Jimin with a new phone. Jungkook takes a deep breath. "Here we go," he mutters. He hasn't contacted Jimin before Jimin told him not to.

It's not a good sign Jimin's contacting him.

(He knows what's coming.)

This is damage control, Jimin's tying up loose ends to regain control of the situation. Still, he responds and tells Jimin that he’s home and free to meet up. Jimin just sends a thumbs up which he never does. 

Fifteen minutes later, the private elevator dings with an arrival, prompting a bitter smile to appear on Jungkook's lips. 

It's time. 

(He knows what's coming.)

Jimin's hands have been shaking since he left the apartment.

Despite what he had told Yoongi, he wishes he could just end it over text. Maybe then it wouldn’t hurt as much. He's scared, what if he's the only one affected? Maybe he's reading Jungkook all wrong? He's been wrong before, overestimating someone’s interest as love.  

And look how that ended. 

Jimin was so in love with Yoonho, he would have done anything to keep him. He wasn't allowed to date when he was younger, so his experience was mainly of secret seconds of releasing frustrations in the dark corners of a dance studio. Yoonho wanted him because Jimin was like a prize, hard to get but easy to place on a shelf and leave to dust once conquered. 

It had been agony for two years. Yoonho kept turning arguments back onto Jimin, morphing his faults into Jimin's: if Yoonho felt shady and untrustworthy, it was because Jimin was so insecure. If Yoonho felt mean, it was because Jimin was too sensitive. He'd alternate between being sweet and being cruel, bouquet of roses with blades instead of petals, crippling poison in his box of chocolates. Jimin never knew which Yoonho he'd get each day: if he'd be berated or beloved. Yoonho told lies like they were but waves in the ocean, flowing easily until Jimin couldn't tell the truth and fiction apart. 

And when it ended, it ended with shrapnel under his skin, knives twisting in the still bleeding wounds, weeks upon weeks of paralyzing pain, as Yoonho attempted to scrub his image clean of Jimin. The words he spat after their breakup sometimes still kept Jimin up, the hurtful lies and dirty accusations of his character echoing in his ears. To say it felt like being shot wouldn't be enough, the rain of bullets was locked onto Jimin for weeks. Each time Jimin made the mistake thinking that maybe that was it, maybe he had cursed him out enough; another bullet ripped apart the little safety he had managed to build, dug another hole in his flesh, bringing it all back down once again. 

It had been Jimin's fault they were almost discovered, his negligence, his insane trust in people's common decency. Maybe he had deserved what he had gotten, maybe it really was all on him. That’s what he had believed, at least some parts of him until now. 

Until Jungkook. 

His hands shake so hard he has to clasp them together, desperately trying to push down the bile rising up to his throat. 

For once, the elevator ride has never felt faster. Jimin almost wishes he had taken the stairs, delaying the inevitable just a few minutes more. 

Jungkook's waiting for him in the lobby of his apartment. He doesn't say anything, not even a hello, and he might as well not: Jimin hates every hello that brought them closer to this final goodbye. 

Silent, he gestures for Jimin to follow him to the guest room. He doesn't wait for Jimin to take off his shoes or offer to take his coat. 

(He knows what's coming.)

They both sit down, and it doesn't escape Jimin's attention how Jungkook seats himself in the armchair farthest away from Jimin, putting more distance between them. 

"So." 

Jimin waits, but Jungkook doesn’t continue. He's not even meeting Jimin's eyes. His eyes go from the table, to the windows, to his hands. 

"My company kind of freaked out about... last time," Jimin starts, struggling to find the words. He's trying to be delicate, but he knows that Jungkook hates beating around the bush. He wants bad news delivered directly, just as straight-forwardly as good news. Jimin’s different, he thinks being gentle is more important than being efficient. 

He hardens his heart and continues, "After Japan, they... Well, they told me to stay away from you. And now, with the pictures, they are threatening to pull my contract if I cause any more trouble."

His lisp is back, brought back by the ocean of emotions swirling inside him. He has worked so hard to erase his last little flaw that it's barely there anymore unless there's a word he's not sure how to pronounce... or if he gets very excited or very nervous. 

Jungkook’s not giving him an inch of help, he waits for Jimin to speak the crushing words out loud. The silence stretches on, each passing second cutting a new wound in Jimin’s heart. 

“I… can’t see you anymore,” Jimin finally forces out. "I'm sorry."

“Okay,” is all Jungkook replies, cold and distant. It hurts more than if Jungkook were to call him out for choosing his career over him. It’s now painfully obvious that their arrangement ending is a much bigger deal for Jimin than it is for Jungkook. He should have expected it; he's no one special and they were living on borrowed time as it was. Jungkook will forget about him as soon as the elevator doors close after him. He’ll have no trouble bouncing back into dating, finding someone new as soon as he wants. 

And how lucky they'd be to have him.

An iron fist grabs Jimin's chest and squeezes and squeezes and squeezes until he can't breathe. He thought he knew the color of heartbreak already, familiar with the knives of misfortune, but he knew nothing. True devastation has no colors because every light has gone out, leaving behind only soul-crushing darkness, pouring onto his eyes like black tar. 

"I'm sorry," Jimin offers again, defeated.  

"You should go." 

It sounds cold, wrong. Jungkook has never asked him to leave before. Even if he was busy, even if his manager was literally banging on the door, threatening everything Jungkook held dear. Never. 

Jimin nods. "Yeah, of course," he agrees, slowly standing up. There's no fight left in him. Jungkook must think he's so fucking weak. Just a pretty doll that his management gets to push around any way they want to. 

Worst part is that he'd be right. 

He hesitates once he gets to the door. "Jungkook, I..." he starts to say, but the rest of the sentence hides in his throat, refusing to come out. "I'm sorry."

"Stop saying that. It's not your fault, right?" Jungkook runs a hazardous hand through his long dark hair, mussing it up. His face is nothing but hard planes, unforgiving angles, no trace of the softness and warmth Jimin's come to know.

His heart aches . 

"I just wish it didn't have to go down like this. I... I had fun," Jimin says, and then wants to bite his tongue in half at his own idiocy. Fun? Fun? He makes it sound like Jungkook was just a way to kill time, release tension. That's how they started out, but that's not how they ended. He grimaces, and corrects, "No, that's not... I didn't mean that." 

Jungkook arches a brow. "So you didn't have fun?" he asks menacingly, and there’s something almost cruel in his voice. 

Jimin shakes his head. "I... I did, but that's not really—" 

"I had fun, too, Jimin. See you around." 

Jungkook reaches for the guest room door for him and holds it open. It’s clear he wants Jimin gone as soon as possible, their chapter finished and soon forgotten. It shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, he knew it'd go like this—and yet, shards of glass are digging into his sides. 

Jimin goes to leave, but turns around and pulls him in for a final kiss.

From the moment their lips touch, it's like Jungkook comes back to life. He pulls Jimin closer, closing the door and pushing him against it. His fingers tangle in Jimin’s hair before cupping his face, their lips meeting in a desperate kiss. 

The kiss is almost painful despite how soft his lips feel. It’s as if they could stay together a little longer if they simply held on, binding themselves to each other with kisses.

"I know you think I'm spineless for agreeing, but my contract is up soon and I—" Jimin pants between the kisses, a little dizzy, but refusing to pause for a breath. 

Jungkook shakes his head, pulling Jimin's shirt off. "I think you're doing what you have to."

Jimin's fingers shake as he helps Jungkook out of his clothes, his lips tremble as they cover his, over and over again. Hurry paints them blue, but at the same time, Jimin wants to take his time, carve each touch onto his skin. Time is flying away, each tick of the clock on the wall a cruel reminder. He shuts his brain off, focusing only on Jungkook who's leading him onto the guest room bed, the only surface left in his apartment they've yet to conquer. 

The way Jungkook traps him under his body, pressing him down into his sheets like he never wants him to leave, makes his heart ache. He can taste the hurt in each touch, and his heart breaks all over again. 

They don’t speak: this time there are no sexy words to be said, no flirty banter to be exchanged.  Silence covers them like the soft blanket of first snow, white and cold. Their skin turns pink and then blue, ice rising, reaching for their hearts with its greedy clutches. There are no words that could make the situation better, so they speak through touch, pouring their hearts out, writing their true feelings on each other’s bodies. 

Jimin’s lips almost feel numb, but each kiss Jungkook presses to them brings him back. Kissing him feels like drinking down a shot of liquor, putting it under his tongue, warming him up one last time. He only feels warm in the places Jungkook’s holding him, every other inch of him wails with frostbites. 

Their bodies entwine, bringing them as close as two people can be. When Jungkook first pushes inside him, Jimin almost hopes it'd hurt: anything to take his mind off the far worse pain in his chest. 

For a while, they just stay in place, leaning their foreheads against each other. Jimin's never felt so connected to someone; if he pressed a little closer, maybe he could read Jungkook's mind. Their breaths mix, warm and even, everything Jimin feels like he isn't in that moment. Jungkook closes the gap between them, kissing him, and Jimin breaks.  

"Never let me go," he wants to beg, but it's too late, too late. The pain returns by a tenfold, punishing him for trying to leave it behind. Jimin gasps, and the sound scratches at his throat.    

Jungkook starts moving, slow and deep. Moan slips from Jimin's lips and it sounds sacrilegious in the silence of the room. He can almost believe that time has stopped for them, letting them hide in its shadow for just a little while. 

Jimin tries not to look into Jungkook’s eyes because he's on the verge of tears. Some of them are already spilling, but as long as he's not outright sobbing, he can play them off as tears of passion. It all feels so final, like he'll never see Jungkook again. This is it, thrums inside Jimin's head. This is the end. 

Jungkook’s noticed, too. "Don't cry, baby,” he hushes softly, but that only makes Jimin cry harder, the tears he barely held back now spilling down his cheeks like waterfalls. “It’s okay.” 

“It’s not,” Jimin sobs with a thick voice. “I don’t want to go.” 

Jungkook kisses him harder, his eyes teary, too. “So, don’t,” he murmurs in an unsteady voice, “So, don’t.”  

“I have to. But I…” 

Jungkook shakes his head, burying his face in Jimin's neck. “Don’t go, Jimin.” 

“I’m sorry,” Jimin cries, and there's no stopping the tears anymore. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” 

“It’s not your fault. I'm the one who should be sorry,” Jungkook whispers, wiping away the tears glimmering on Jimin’s cheekbones. Their tears mix together like watercolors in a painting someone’s spilled water on, staining each other’s skin. "The press was here for me." 

Jimin just shakes his head, exhausted. "No," he murmurs. "You did nothing wrong." 

People have called him an ice prince, cold-hearted, a liar, and he’s been all of those, but not with Jungkook, never with Jungkook. To Jimin, Jungkook’s always been the rays of sun, the flickering flames of a camp fire, the warm waves of summer sea. From the beginning, he should have known that Jungkook was different. He always thought he was doing such a good job protecting his heart when in reality, he had already fallen. 

It’s terribly cruel to only know a good thing once it’s gone; to only recognize love as love once it hurts so much to let go that you can barely breathe.  

They stay like that, holding each other, barely speaking, exchanging soft touches until the sun rises. That night, Jimin doesn’t sleep a wink. He stays there, wrapped up in Jungkook’s embrace, terrified of the moment those familiar arms will let go of him for good. 

He doesn’t think Jungkook’s really sleeping, either, with how he keeps whispering reassurances and placing soft kisses into Jimin’s hair, onto his neck, to both of his cheeks, between his shoulder blades. Jimin just holds him tighter, returning the kisses, but unable to speak. 

Right before the sun begins to rise, Jimin turns to face Jungkook. 

They stare at each other in silence, both wide awake. 

Jimin takes a breath, but it sounds like a sob. If possible, Jungkook’s eyes turn even softer. “Don’t cry, baby,” he hums, brushing Jimin’s tears away with his thumb. Each time a new tear appears, he wipes it away as if that way he could take away Jimin’s sadness, too. “Breaks my heart when you do.” 

“I can’t seem to stop.” He lets out a mixed sound that could be a snivel or a faint chuckle. “Because I know… when I leave, I can’t come back.” 

“You can stay for as long as you’d like.” It’s a lie, he can’t stay and they both know it, but the words sound so sweet coming from Jungkook’s lips that for a second, Jimin lets himself believe him, lets himself believe he could have this life, be the person who gets to fall asleep next to Jungkook. Be the person he sees last before closing his eyes and the person he sees first when he opens his eyes. 

“You should sleep,” Jungkook whispers, brushing his knuckles against Jimin’s temple, wishing he could bring Jimin peace with his touch.  

Jimin shakes his head. He couldn't sleep even if he wanted to, mind running wild. “I can’t, I just— There’s too much going on, I don’t—” 

“Yes, you can. Come here,” Jungkook coaxes, and how could Jimin say no? “I’ll sing you a lullaby.” 

He lets Jungkook tuck him to his chest, his cheek against his chest. “A lullaby?”

Jungkook nods. “Yeah. It’s just this melody that’s been on my mind a lot lately. There are no lyrics yet, it’s too… It’s just pretty slow, not fit for the album.” He starts humming in a low voice, and Jimin finally closes his eyes. Right there, in the crook of Jungkook's neck, exists his last safe haven. The soft vibrations of the song, the lips almost singing lyrics, the fingers caressing him are what finally allow him to drift off to sleep. 

He doesn’t sleep for long, waking up as soon as Jungkook lets go of him, despite how diligently Jungkook tries not to jostle him. He keeps his eyes closed, not ready to face the day yet. 

Jungkook places one last kiss on Jimin's forehead. "Bye, baby," he hears Jungkook say, gently pushing hair away from Jimin's eyes. Jimin doesn't open his eyes, afraid of letting tears fall. It feels like he has cried enough to flood Seoul, and it's still not enough. 

Jungkook’s phone buzzes with urgency, and he groans before walking out. His manager must be hurrying him up. The scene is painfully familiar: they’ve made a home in the in-betweens, found shelter in the middle of storms, but the roof’s finally collapsed, freezing rain pouring inside.  

Jimin stays for as long as he can, reveling in the feeling of sanctuary, knowing that once he leaves, he can't come back. Selfishly, he wants his scent to linger in the apartment, making Jungkook think of him before he eventually moves on and forgets about Jimin. 

Just like they all do. 

Chapter Text

When Jimin first joined Seoulite Solutions, he heard the strangest rumor. 

“Stay clear of that guy, he’s a vampire,” one of the assistants had whispered to him on his first day when a pale man dressed in all-black walked past them. “No one really knows him, even though he’s been here for a month already. He’s really quiet and scary. Even the executives never fight with him because they’re scared of him.”

Another assistant nodded. “There’s a saying around here,” she said, glancing around as if in fear of being overheard, “Don't piss off Min Yoongi or he’ll drink your blood.”

It wasn’t hard to believe: to an outsider, Yoongi appeared cold and aloof, showing himself only after sundown, his skin pale as snow, dark eyes hard as ice. At first, Jimin was scared to even speak near Yoongi, let alone to him. He was absolutely horrified when it was announced that The Vampire of Daegu was going to be his manager. 

Yoongi quickly proved himself, though, protecting and encouraging Jimin every step of the way in his quiet voice. And as Jimin came to find, Yoongi wasn't cruel or scary: he just wasn’t afraid to shed blood for things that mattered. If needed, he’d paint his sword crimson to keep them safe. 

It had been an odd match at first, their former CEO’s strange whim, to pair up their newest hires, an aspiring model with his heart on his sleeve and an inexperienced manager with big dreams of being a producer. Against all odds, as time went on, their match proved to be formidable. Jimin's come to think of Yoongi as the foundation of everything: steady, unwavering, dependable. Yoongi’s been cold, but he’s never been cruel. 

And he’s never let Jimin down.

This time is no different.

The long white hallways of their company splatter in crimson as Yoongi works tirelessly, only trusting himself, throwing out years of service, years of friendship just as coldly as the employees who sold Jimin out. It's not just one person or a couple of leaks, it's groups of people, a culture of malice, so Yoongi feels no pity. It's time to clean house. He goes after everyone who's even thought about Jimin's private life outside the office; uncovering every picture taken without Jimin's knowledge, each email spilling Jimin's secrets to the press, every poorly thought out tweet. If anyone protested, cradling the bloody stump Yoongi cut off, he simply waved the contract they'd signed upon hiring that included a non-disclosure agreement. 

And it’d be so beautiful, so efficient — if only it weren’t too little, too late. Jimin's already poisoned, toxins coursing into his bloodstream, and all Yoongi can do is try to slow down the spread of the venom. 

After a week, Jimin speaks up. "Hyung, you can't save me this time." 

Yoongi shakes his head, stubborn as ever. "I can and I will."  

Fronted by Yoongi, Jimin's company dutifully shoots the rumors down, but that only works on the big media coverage, not on personal accounts or small gossip websites that bite into the new scandal with fervor. Jimin's pristine reputation has been set alight, and it burns as bright as a forest fire after a long drought, destroying everything in its path.

In some jaded bitterness, Jimin finds irony in how the company suddenly found the resources to protect Jimin once their own finances were threatened. When Yoongi requested protection for Jimin's work trips abroad, there was never enough money to hire more security. Jimin can still picture their finance manager denying them, time after time, all the while sweeping the keys of his brand new Porsche into his pocket, the silver Rolex watch on his wrist shining in competition with the rings on each of his fingers; all of his riches paid for by Jimin’s blood, sweat, and tears. 

Now, Jimin watches them spend thousands upon thousands scrubbing his image back to immaculate, painting over Jimin’s attempts at stepping away from the innocent angel role he had played to the ground. 

There's even talk about Jimin fake dating someone again, someone to clean up his image, but Jimin is vehemently against it. He doesn't want to darken anyone else's reputation with the storm cloud hanging over his head. And he doesn't want to do that to Jungkook ever again, but he of course keeps that part to himself. They haven't spoken since Jimin ran out of Jungkook’s apartment, and it feels like they're not going to, either. Jimin's been too focused on salvaging his career to allow himself to think about anything else. 

And yet, the rumors about Jimin dating Jungkook persist. 

It's that strange silence of new autumn: there are no comebacks or official schedules for anyone other than small new groups. And this scandal is especially tasty, given how angelic and pure Jimin's image is, keeping the masses entertained.  

The stream of malicious articles calling him every name under the sun make Jimin feel tainted and dirty, a modern day harlot. Talk show hosts scrape every dirty joke they can; gossip sites gloatingly announce yet another brand dropping Jimin as their ambassador; people in the streets call Jimin every name possible, laughing at how he’s not so high and mighty anymore.

And yet, all they have are a few shaky pictures, most of which he can’t positively be identified from. 

But it doesn’t matter. People have been waiting for a scandal like this, waiting for him to fall and break his legs. Their words and curses paint him scarlet; suddenly, he’s some sort of a slut who sleeps around to get more fame.

So what if I was? he wants to scream. So what if I was? That'd be no one else's business but mine. 

The anger is new. Last time when he went through the rumor mill, he had just wanted to bury himself in the sand, to stop existing, to disappear. Now he's digging his heels in, questioning why he should kneel at the altar of someone else's god. The icon they built him up to be, it was never him. Why should he have to maintain their idea of who he’s supposed to be? What does he owe to any of them?

Who are they to decide who he is or whom he's allowed to love?

While Yoongi works, Jimin paces around the apartment like a tiger in a cage, clawing at the bars keeping him at home, roaring in frustration. He’s not allowed to leave — unless it’s for work. The company, in their infinite wisdom, decided that Jimin ‘would feel safest at home’, and ordered him not to leave the house without a company employee. The ‘suggestion’ came from Jimin's PR team, but Mr. Im’s handwriting is all over the isolation order. He's always wanted Jimin isolated from others, overjoyed to finally have a reason to keep him from the boyfriend he’s convinced Jimin has. 

Jimin yields to his fate, not having the energy to protest. He hasn't cried since he left Jungkook's apartment. The anger, the hurt, the heartbreak, it's all just welling inside of him, waiting for one final tap that will make him burst. He’s not sure if he'll be able to stop again. 

He thought it’d hurt, being crucified for his selfishness. He thought it’d kill him. Blood should be gushing out from his chest, the skies should rain acid.  

But all he feels is regret. 

The apartment feels emptier now without Jungkook in it. Jimin has exorcized every last whiff of him from his life. The past year is starting to feel like a dream, a flower that never bloomed despite all hope. He kind of wants to bang his head against the wall tiles, and he'd do it, gladly, if it turned back time. How could he be so stupid? He knows the flight patterns of vultures, he's seen them circle around his head often enough to know better.

His move has been put on hold without notice, but Jimin has a feeling that their CEO is involved. There’s always another excuse, another lie for why Jimin can’t move that week. Mr. Im must be doing everything he could to keep Jimin from moving into the same building as Jungkook. 

And so, there he stays, in the ruins of his old life, in the haunted halls of his empty apartment that has turned from a safe house into a prison. He’s been so blind, it's hard to carry the weight of his mistakes. The ax is sharper this time, ripping open old scars, but his body is already numb to the strikes after being butchered for years. The pain is there, he knows, but he can’t find it in himself to care. The walls are caving in, the forced isolation crueler than having to bear the brunt of the public mockery. 

Jimin’s old injury from years ago flares up from the stress, causing pain to radiate through his muscles, adding yet another dot onto the canvas of misery. He attempts to treat the wound the way he used to, ordering a massage to help with his nerves, but despite the masseuse’s best efforts, her touch doesn't relax Jimin like Jungkook did, it doesn't feel like he did. Nothing works, nothing helps. He tries to come to terms with the thought that maybe the pain he feels has very little to do with the old injury. 

Exhausted, Jimin lies down on the couch, flipping through channels, refusing to do anything productive. His hand freezes over the controller when he sees Jungkook on one of the channels. 

It’s a rerun of the Celebrity Bromance episode they filmed together. Against his better judgment, Jimin keeps the TV on, curling up inside his blanket, staring at Jungkook's achingly familiar features. It feels like it’s been years since they last saw each other. 

The episode has just begun. 

Jungkook’s talking, explaining how they came to be in the same episode. Jimin’s throat constricts just seeing him again. Without noticing it, he’s sitting up, leaning forward, almost as if trying to make the distance between them slightly smaller, ever so slightly. 

“I first met Jimin hyung at an award show. He was… I thought hyung was a really cool person, and I had a feeling we might hit it off." The most endearing smile appears on Jungkook’s face. Jimin notices his own lips automatically curving up to a tiny smile, too, for the first time in weeks, despite the pain in his chest. "After that we got to know each other more. Hyung is a really nice person.” 

The scene in the episode changes: now they’re filming Jungkook driving through the busy streets of Seoul. He parks outside Jimin’s company where they had agreed to meet up. The car engine stops, but Jungkook stays seated inside the car for a moment longer. Taking calming breaths, the text on the screen says with a blushing emoji, as if Jungkook was very nervous to meet Jimin. 

The knot Jimin's intestines have tied themselves into tightens.  

Jungkook steps out of the car, leaning against it. He doesn’t even glance at the Patek Philippe on his wrist, his eyes are solely glued to the building door, waiting, watching. 

Visual: so handsome! Prince Charming appears, who is he waiting for? Jimin shifts uncomfortably, fearing what he'll see next. There’s movement on the company building’s door, and the cameras zoom in. Who's there…?

Then Jimin comes into view and the captions excitedly announce, It’s Jiminie! The show launches an introduction video about who he is and what he does on the off-chance that someone in Korea has managed not to hear about him before. 

Jimin watches himself take a deep breath, preparing himself. "Hi." He stops farther away than he usually would, and it looks a bit awkward, like he’s meant to be closer.

Jungkook’s eyes are trained on Jimin, taking him in. Neither one of them takes heed of the camera crew around them. "Hi." 

Jimin clasps his hands together, watching the Jungkook on the screen stare at himself, and his stomach flips. Jungkook watches him with such gentle eyes, so different from his usual cool persona. When Jimin speaks, Jungkook's eyes light up; he smiles every time Jimin does. 

How did Jimin never notice that before? 

The show marches on, callous of the turmoil unraveling in Jimin’s chest. The editors have really slept on the job: most of Jimin and Jungkook's gross fondness from that night has been let into the show. Jimin thinks he would probably have a similar circus on his hands even if the paparazzi hadn't caught him at Jungkook's apartment. The film material is pretty incriminating on its own: they look like a couple on a date. 

Jimin's heart squeezes at the fond smiles Jungkook keeps giving him, the big hands lingering on Jimin’s person, the quiet laughter escaping his lips at Jimin’s bad jokes. I could have really loved you, Jimin whispers in his mind. 

And the worst part is that I think I really did. 

The fire hadn’t come even close to burning out, but the episode set it aflame once more, the flames climbing higher than ever before. Heartbreak hurts worse, it cuts deeper this time. 

With Yoonho, Jimin kind of always expected to have his heart broken. As little as he wants to admit it, Jimin always had a feeling he was setting himself up for pain. Some part of him always expected Yoonho to take his roses, prick them into Jimin's skin and then just walk away. When he did, it hurt, but Jimin survived. Now with Jungkook, it hurts worse because he had thought he had his feelings under control. That he was stronger this time, sturdier, hurricane-proof. 

But all Jimin has found is a new way to feel pain. 

He wishes he could cry, scream even. Instead, he just bites his lips together and carries on, forcing himself to live through his mistakes, even if every moment feels like slicing open another old wound. After all, the fallout is his own fucking fault for being too careless. Why did he have to run out like that, letting his embarrassment get the best of him? It was such a stupid mistake, he's supposed to be smarter than that, better than that. He refuses to cry, refuses to admit the corner he’s been pushed into: the battle of wills with their company’s CEO never-ending. If he cries, Mr. Im wins. If Jimin cries, he’s admitting defeat, and Jimin’s nothing if not stubborn.

Being loved and admired by all was never supposed to be a burden, only a gift—and yet, he finds himself praying the halo above his head would dim and dim and dim until it finally disappeared. He's not Korea's angel, not a saint—he's just a person. 

Little by little, he’ll dim and dim and dim and finally disappear from Jungkook’s mind, too. 

Usually when Jungkook shows his team the songs he’s written, produced and completed, bass rips through the room. If it weren’t for the soundproofing, the entire building might shake from the sound of his beat. The raucous bass is usually only rivaled by the excited hoots, shouts and hollers of his friends. 

This time, the room is silent when the album cuts off. His friends glance at him and then at each other, as if exchanging some message that Jungkook himself can't read. 

“Jungkook,” Jiyoon starts, “these are all sad love songs. Even the ones with insane hooks and loud bass.” 

Jungkook’s lying down on the couch of his studio, staring at the ceiling. He takes a while to answer, and even then it’s just, “And?”

“These are all sad love songs,” Jiyoon repeats. “If you’re not trying to be the next Lana Del Rey, I suggest you tone it down a bit.” 

Jungkook shrugs. “I’d kill to be the next Lana Del Rey.” 

"Fair point," Namjoon murmurs to himself. “Her album has been killing it on the charts. People love pain, man.” 

Jiyoon throws her hands in the air. “Fine! Be Lana, do crime. See if I care. Just don’t come crying to me when your single wins Song of the Year at the next Teen Choice Awards.” 

Jungkook's eyes narrow to slits. “You wouldn’t.” 

Jiyoon smirks. “Oh, but your fans would. People will start to think both you and Namjoon have gone soft.” 

“Hey, keep me out of this. I’m not the one who tried to rhyme “Park Jimin” with “angel livin’,” Namjoon points out. Jungkook shoots him a look, but doesn’t argue. His early drafts were kind of pathetic if he’s honest. 

Knowing he won't get the sympathy he wants from Jiyoon or Namjoon, he turns to the third person in the studio, Jung Hoseok. 

Hoseok has known Jungkook since he briefly trained at the same company Hoseok once worked for as a rapper in an idol group. Even though Jungkook quickly discovered that the strict idol life wasn't for him and dropped out, he stayed friends with his Hoseok hyung.

Hoseok has always had a giant soft spot for his dongsaengs, and he very enthusiastically babies Jungkook whenever he needs it. As long as Jungkook doesn't do it back. Hoseok is very shy about compliments. 

Jungkook pouts. “Hyung, you don’t think my songs are that bad, right?” 

“Nooo, hyungie loves them very much,” Hoseok immediately screeches in the most cheerful voice that kind of maybe makes Jungkook regret asking. 

"Who are you going to believe: me, your favorite manager or him, Screechy McTooLoud?” Jiyoon scoffs. 

Hoseok snorts. “You wish you were Jungkook’s favorite, noona.” He pulls out his phone, answering with a sigh, “No, Seokjin. No.”  

Jungkook glances at him, recognizing the name. Someone else has a reaction to the name, too: Namjoon’s head shoots up, eyes wide. Jungkook had forgotten that he knew Seokjin, too, that they met that night at the club with Jimin hanging all over Namjoon to annoy Jungkook. It had been such an obvious tactic that Jungkook was actually mad at himself when it worked. He’s never been the jealous type. 

Until Jimin. 

“Woobin, are you seriously texting right now?" Jiyoon calls out suddenly. 

Woobin turns red. “It’s just I have this really important business call coming soon,” he starts to explain, hiding his phone away, but continuing to tap at it. 

Jiyoon immediately cuts him off. “We all know you’re waiting for a Mystic Messenger notification, you useless fool!” 

"Zen is calling me!! I have to answer or I'll lose progress in the story! I just got his character card, too, I can't miss it!" Woobin defends himself, hopping away from Jiyoon’s reach who's attempting to take the phone away from him. “No, please, I have to answer him! He'll be mad if I don't, noona, don't, don't!”  

"IT'S A MOBILE GAME, WOOBIN!"

Jungkook slips out of the room while Jiyoon chases after Woobin, Namjoon laughs at the chaos and Hoseok is busy arguing on the phone with Seokjin. 

"Mimi," Yoongi starts gently, and Jimin already knows it's bad news because Yoongi tends to only use nicknames when he's trying to soften the blow. 

"What is it, hyung?" Jimin asks, fatigue darkening his voice. That morning he's been getting vicious voicemails from other artists at the company who have lost their phones because of Jimin’s scandal. The artists borrow other people's phones just to leave him angry messages, and Jimin can't help but think the managers are allowing it with Mr. Im's approval. 

As a treat. 

“We need to talk about your future in this company.” 

Jimin’s stomach drops. “Did they fire me?”  

Yoongi shakes his head, quick to assuage him. “No, no. Actually, you got a job offer. It’s a pretty small magazine, but they seem invested in you. They wish you'd become their recurring model, appear in every issue.” 

There’s something in the manager’s voice, like he’s trying very hard to sound neutral. 

Jimin raises a brow. "What's the catch?" 

"It's a really small magazine, barely any exposure. And if they buy you out of your contract, they wouldn't pay you at first, you'd have to earn back the debt." Yoongi takes a deep breath before adding, voice dropping lower, "But you'd be free of this company."

Jimin hums. "I wonder if I'd just be exchanging a snake for a scorpion if I took that offer,” he wonders out loud. "What do you think, hyung?"

“It’s garbage,” Yoongi replies bluntly. “Someone with your status, earning back a debt? It’s insulting at best, especially when you could buy their entire garbage rag and their grandmas.” He pauses, searching for Jimin’s eyes. “Is modeling still what you want to do?"

Jimin picks at his nails. "I don't know." 

"Walking away is an option, too," Yoongi reminds him in a very soft voice. "You've always liked music, maybe you'd like to study it? I could reach out to my alma mater, see if they'd take you despite the late entrance." 

Jimin gives him a wry smile. "Are you that eager to rid yourself of me, hyung?" he jokes, but his voice is too tired to incite much cheer. "Min Yoongi of all people, recommending college? What's next? Get a steady office job, buy a nice house, make a couple of kids?" 

Yoongi’s face pales. "God, no. I never want you to create little Jimins, do you hear me? Not ever,” he enunciates very clearly. ”One of you is more than enough.” 

"Uncle Yoongi," Jimin teases. "My kids would have you wrapped around their little fingers in two seconds." 

He can already see it, tiny fingers holding onto Yoongi's long pale ones, chubby cheeks pressing against his, coaxing 'their favorite uncle' into buying them sweets and toys, begging him to play their favorite song on the guitar, just one more time, please, samchon . And he’d give in, time after time, with a fond smile on his face. 

Yoongi is the gentlest soul Jimin has ever met. No matter how much their company employees fear him and his vampire fangs that rip out blood, guts, and careers, Yoongi would make a good dad. Sure, he would absolutely be talked into spoiling his kids, but Jimin knows he'd also be the one they'd go to for advice, for a sympathetic ear, for comfort. Jimin knows because he does it, too.  

"In your dreams. A couple of rugrats would be nothing after you," Yoongi grumbles, rubbing his temple. 

Then his gaze turns serious. "I'm not tired, Jimin. I told you I'd dig you out of this, and I will. I only suggested considering other options because I can see how hurt you are. And I know you've been hurt for a while. Before we negotiate a new contract, you need to ask yourself what it is that you truly want. Once you know, I'll find a way to make it happen, whatever it is."  

Jimin bites his lip, nodding. Yoongi's right. He's been working since he was fifteen, barely having had time to rest, let alone think about his future. What is it that he wants?

Night falls, covering the streets of Seoul like a dark canvas, everlasting, evermore. The sky is a black drop against the magnificent city lights. Stars are hidden, driven away by the lights and the smog blanketing the tall buildings. 

Jungkook’s sitting on his giant balcony, overlooking the city. The cigarette between his fingers forgotten, almost burning his skin, but he couldn’t care less. The pain only serves as a welcome diversion from the pain in his chest.

The city of millions opens under him, inviting him to join in, but he stays planted on the balcony. For a brief moment, he considers calling one of his friends, asking them to go out with him, needing something to block out his thoughts, but he can’t be bothered to move. He scrolls mindlessly on his phone, needing something, anything, to fill the screaming void in his chest where his heart used to be. 

He comes across an old conversation he had completely forgotten about, between him and Namjoon’s old number. Weeks later, some stalker got a hold of it and forced him to change again. Apparently Jungkook’s phone had still saved it. 

Jungkooky

HYUNG

Rap Mon hyung

Jungkook it's 3 am in London shut up

Jungkooky

YOU KNOW PARK JIMIN??

Rap Mon hyung

posted 21s ago? do you have his notifs on or something lol

Jungkooky

HYUNG 

ARE YOU GONNA GO TO HIS SHOW

Rap Mon hyung

back off horny i’m not taking you with me

Jungkooky

NO PLS

introduce me 

Rap Mon hyung

in your dreams. jimin's a good friend, i don't wanna scare him off. besides, he's kinda in a bad place rn. 

Jungkooky

i'll be a good boy, i promise. 

Rap Mon hyung

you're never a good boy, jungkook. 

Jungkooky

i could be 

for him 😇

Rap Mon hyung

he'll sense your thirst from afar and send you packing

Jungkooky

then that's his call and i'll respect it. 

Rap Mon hyung

he'll only break your heart, jungkook. i told you, he's in a bad place. 

Jungkooky

getting my heart broken by park jimin would be a privilege. 

The conversation elicits only a tired huff from him now, the dramatic words spoken without a thought now echoing in his ears. 

Even if he still thinks it was worth the heartbreak. 

“Jungkook.” 

Jungkook doesn’t sit up, doesn’t make a sound, not even when Jiyoon walks over and sits down next to him. Jiyoon takes the pack of cigarettes from him, lighting one up for herself. In some bitter way, Jungkook finds it funny how different her approach to his vice is from Jimin. The two people he loves, yet so very different from one another. 

“It’s one of those nights when I wish we could see stars in Seoul.” 

Jiyoon waits for a while, but Jungkook doesn’t say anything. She glances at the sky, noticing how intensely Jungkook’s staring at the starless darkness above. 

“I’ve never seen you so heartbroken before. Guess you really liked Jimin, huh?” she starts, a little hesitant. Jiyoon hates talking about feelings and Jungkook’s kind of surprised she’s even trying. 

Jungkook breathes in, breathes out, the words swirling inside his mind. Liked Jimin? It’s an understatement, an oversimplification. He’s grown fond of every mole on Jimin’s body, he smiles just saying his name, he goes to bed and wakes up the next morning still thinking about him. 

But sure, he really liked Jimin, too. 

"Guess so."

Jiyoon takes another hit, breathing in deep. “Have you heard from him since?”

“Since he told me not to contact him again?”

“Right.” The silence feels like a living thing, sitting there with them, breathing heavily down their necks. 

Jiyoon sighs and starts again, “Look, Jungkook, I'm not really good with this touchy-feely crap. I don’t know how to console people and I don’t want to do it, either." 

Jungkook snorts. “You’re off to a great start, noona.”

Jiyoon shoots him a glare. “Shut up and let me baby you because it’s never happening again.”

Jungkook salutes her lazily, feigning obedience. “Yes, ma’am. Console the hell out of me, please.” 

“You’re hurt,” Jiyoon says simply. “You go through the motions and you make the same jokes as before, but your heart’s not in it.” She blows out smoke, creating a little cloud in the darkness. "Hani's worried about you. She says that you need to talk to someone before you drown. I told her that we have managed not to talk about our feelings at any point during the fifteen years we’ve known each other, why start now? So she called us both sociopaths and said that I’m not allowed to come home before I talk to you, so here I am.” 

“Thank you, that means a lot,” Jungkook remarks dryly.

Jiyoon turns to look at him. “And you’re my best friend,” she says quietly, “I hate seeing you so sad.” 

Jungkook’s silent for so long that Jiyoon is starting to think he won’t answer at all. She startles when he does reply. “I’m not sad, Yoon. I’m angry.”

Jiyoon nods. "I get it," she swears. "If people treated Hani like that, I don't know what I'd do."

“I do. You’d pick up a blowtorch and go to town,” Jungkook remarks, and they both laugh a little. 

“I hate talking about this, but… when Hani and I broke things off for a while, when she moved to Hong Kong, it nearly killed me. So, I just… I get it. Heartbreak just sucks.” 

Jiyoon has never been the type to hold Jungkook’s hand through anything, she’s always been the type to say: Fuck it. Whatever they’ve got, we can handle it. It’s not the gentlest approach, but often it’s been just what Jungkook needed. He gets stuck in his head sometimes, too wrapped up in his own thoughts and needs someone to pull himself out. 

“He had just started to believe me,” Jungkook says, speaking out of turn, surprising even himself. 

Jiyoon hums, even though she doesn't have any idea of what he’s talking about. “Believe what?” 

“He's… Jimin's really private and he was always worried we’d get caught. He had just started to believe me when I told him I wouldn’t let that happen.” Jungkook breathes out smoke, watching it dissolve in the air. “And then I let it happen. I let him down.” 

“You didn’t let him down. I don’t think Jimin thinks that, either. You did everything you could.”

Jungkook smiles bitterly. "How convenient for me that it was just shy of enough."

“It’s my birthday,” Jimin says. The words are sudden, they have been walking in silence for the better part of fifteen minutes. 

Yoongi looks at him, then he looks at the posters of Jimin on the billboards around them, then at the the small plane flying above their heads with a flag of birthday wishes attached to it, then at the group of people following them around screaming Jimin’s name, then at the birthday cake Yoongi himself is carrying. 

“Is it?” he remarks dryly. 

Jimin doesn’t seem to notice the sarcasm in his voice. “Hyung, what are we doing?” 

His feet are suddenly unsteady on the pavement, his steps unsure. Why is he doing all of this? Who is he doing it for? The company is holding his contract over his head, making him jump through hoops while dodging Yoongi’s insistent tries at a renegotiation. Does he even want to play along anymore? 

Yoongi stops, too, turning to look at him. “We’re getting you a birthday cake and then we will film your birthday special at the company. Did you hit your head?” 

“No—”

“Would you like to? This cake is kind of heavy,” Yoongi implies, and Jimin snorts, reaching out to take the cake from him.  

“Give it to me, I’ll carry it.”

Yoongi does a strangely defensive head tilt. “No! Remember last year when you dropped Namjoon’s birthday cake? We’re not going through that again.” 

“You’re so dramatic, hyung.” Jimin’s quiet for a little while as they make their way inside the company building. “Hyung, what did we do for my birthday last year?” 

Yoongi shrugs. “You had work. Like every year. Last year… I think it was that shoot in Los Angeles, remember?” 

“No,” Jimin murmurs. He couldn’t remember it at all. He’s sure he had done it, he’s sure he smiled brightly for each photo. But he can’t remember being there, the days blended together.  

“You worked and I worked and then we went to get a drink after. You drank, like, five mojitos and smiled while that other model with us threw up and got thrown out.” 

Jimin laughs. “Oh, right.” 

“I still think you did that on purpose. You knew he wasn’t good at drinking and still brought him out with us after he insulted me," Yoongi says, shooting Jimin a look that the model pretends not to notice. 

Jimin shrugs. “Maybe it was just karma.”

“Sure. If karma is a short blonde model from South Korea.” 

Jimin groans loudly. “Hyung, we’re literally the same height." They've had the same argument before, going as far as getting a measuring tape to find out once and for all who’s taller, but Yoongi cheats every time and as such, the results have been inconclusive so far.  

“I’m taller than you," Yoongi still claims. 

“You literally are not.”

“You say ‘literally’ too much.” 

A billboard that's playing one of Jimin’s modeling projects on a loop, courtesy of his fan club, catches Jimin's eye. It's still early: birthdays are often the busiest days for a lot of idols. There are fans to meet, donations to make, livestreams to hold, fan projects to visit. His birthday hasn't really been his own since he became a celebrity. 

As a celebrity, he has an obligation to share himself even on the one day that most people would spend with their loved ones, doing whatever they wanted. Signing up as an idol at fifteen, he had known he was giving up some things as he gained others, but as he grew older, the extent of his sacrifice became more and more apparent. 

Sometimes he just wants to escape the city, spend his birthday under the peaceful pines of a lonely mountain or the playful palm trees of a hidden paradise island. He craves the normalcy of birthday parties he sees his old high school friends posting about on social media, but they were never an option for him. The company was always too worried about something staining his impeccable image. 

A lot of good that did, Jimin thinks bitterly. The sky fell either way, the hands holding it up damned. If anything, forbidding every normal thing from Jimin only made him chase after them that much harder. 

He’s tired of feeling like a passenger in the drive of his life. 

“Hyung… I don’t want to work on my birthdays anymore.” 

Yoongi nods. “Me neither.” 

Jimin offers his pinkie for Yoongi whom begrudgingly accepts. “It’s a promise.”

Shin Jiyoon has a lovely laugh. Most people wouldn’t know it because she’s very guarded and only lets herself relax in the company of people she loves. So far, that has included only two people: her girlfriend Hani and her client slash best friend Jungkook. This time, however, she can’t help but giggle as she opens her email, startling every person in the room, aside from Jungkook. 

“Hey,” she calls out, throwing a crumpled up post-it at Jungkook who looks up to hear her out. “You’ve ruffled some feathers, babe. Somebody put you on a blacklist.” 

Jungkook snorts and goes back to memorizing the steps of the choreography.

Hyunseok, the newest addition to their team, looks at them both, alarmed. “Uh, guys? Blacklisting isn’t a laughing matter. Jungkook-ssi could get seriously hit by that.” 

Jungkook and Jiyoon exchange a look like they have a secret of their own. 

“I’m not worried,” Jungkook replies, as if a blacklist didn’t mean that much at all to him. 

Being blacklisted meant that people wouldn’t book his shows or interviews or participate in anything he was involved in. Usually, blacklisting was an effective weapon: it had ended more careers than anything else since industry support kept a lot of artists afloat. 

“Maybe you should be. Who issued the blacklist?” Woobin asks. 

“One of the big three, I think. They wouldn’t say. But my guess is Seoulite Solutions,” Jiyoon replies, looking at Jungkook meaningfully. No one dares to say it out loud, but they’re all thinking the same thing. Seoulite Solutions is the same company Park Jimin works for. 

“Is it…. Is he…?” Hyunseok starts, struggling and stumbling over his words before giving up halfway through. 

To his surprise, Jungkook replies. He shakes his head. “It’s not coming from Jimin. It’s the CEO. Jimin said he’s got a problem with me.”

“What do you want to do? Should we fight it? I know some people over there, maybe I could reach out and see what the issue is,” Woobin offers.  

Jungkook laughs, for the first time in weeks. “Don’t. Let him blacklist me, see how he likes it.”

“You will lose a lot of exposure if you’re still blacklisted when the album drops,” Hyunseok warns.  

Jiyoon scoffs. “Jungkook doesn’t need exposure. Companies need him, not the other way around. It might actually be better not to perform at their shitty award shows, their venues suck. Their main stage floor is always either wet, uneven, or simply breaking down. If you don’t perform there, it’s actually better for us.” She smirks. “I say we subtly put out a word that you’re not performing and enjoy the chaos as they lose huge chunks of ticket revenue.”

“They did conveniently forget to mention that you won’t be at their awards show even though they’ve been teasing a surprise performance by the ‘biggest rapper in the scene’,” Hyunseok mentions. 

Jiyoon snorts. “How disappointing will it be when it’s just Seo Yoonho trying to act tough.” 

Jungkook joins in on the howling laughter that follows Jiyoon’s words. Jimin’s ex has spent the better part of the year trying to build a reputation as some badass rapper, but without any sort of conviction to it. He’s very much a former member of an idol group who’s trying to act hip hop despite being mellow pop at the most. 

“Maybe we should buy tickets,” Jungkook says. “I’d love to see the show Yoonho’s going to put up.” 

“I’m not buying you tickets to the show that blacklisted you,” Jiyoon scoffs. “If you want to laugh at him, the best I can do is find an illegal pirated site to watch it from.” 

Jungkook smiles at her. “Deal.” 

"It's kind of weird, though, how Yoonho is the main performer at Park Jimin's birthday event?" Woobin says. “After everything…” 

Smile drops from Jungkook’s face, the muscles of his face contorting. "What was that?"

They put on a show in honor of Jimin’s birthday… and asked his scumbag ex to perform? There was no way they didn’t know about Jimin’s sordid history with him, no way for it to be just a coincidence. Everyone saw the downfall of Jimin’s non-relationship: it was plastered over every piece of media for weeks and weeks. Hiring Yoonho for this birthday event is tactless and unnecessarily cruel. 

Jungkook’s grip on the microphone tightens, his knuckles turning white. 

“Yo. Jungkook. Stop.” One of his backup dancers is bumping his head onto his shoulders to get his attention while holding his ears. The microphone feedback is causing everyone to cringe, trying their hardest to escape the awful sound. 

“What? Oh.” Jungkook releases his death grip. “Sorry, everyone.” 

People shake their heads, backing away from him, and someone calls for a break. Jungkook would apologize again, but he’s glad to be given space. He bites his teeth together, setting down the microphone to not create another disturbance. 

Jimin’s company is a fucking nightmare. They think that their new-found fame makes them untouchable, but the ivory tower they’ve barricaded themselves in was built by the bones of the very same people it excluded. 

Someone ought to knock it down. 

Birthdays are busy days for idols, yes. Jimin’s been up since two in the morning, filming thank yous and daytime TV appearances. He doesn’t understand how he’s had so much time to go through Jungkook’s social media, wondering about him. Jungkook’s posts have continued business as usual, and it’s nothing short of what Jimin expected. 

Well, maybe… 

Maybe, just maybe… he had hoped Jungkook would post something only the two of them would understand. 

The minute on his phone changes. 

JIMIN O’CLOCK!!!! explodes over his timeline, people rushing to post exactly at 10:13 which the fans have deemed as ‘Jimin time’ since the timestamp is his birthday, 13th of October. Every year, like clockwork, Jimin’s Twitter shuts down at the sheer volume of birthday wishes. 

Later, once his Twitter has recovered and allows him to see his notifications again, Jimin notices that there’s an announcement on his private account that Jungkook has posted something. Did he post on purpose at 10:13? Heart pounding in his chest, he clicks on the notification. Could it be…?

Jungkook’s page finally loads. 

It’s a picture of a baby chick. 

“What the fuck?” Jimin grumbles. 

Baby chicks were once their private joke. Jungkook sent him videos and pictures of tiny angry baby chicks with a caption this u? to annoy him when they were bickering. And now Jungkook’s just posting baby chicks onto his social media, on Jimin’s birthday , no less, like it’s any other fucking day. For him, it probably is, but Jimin still spends the rest of the afternoon lamenting his cruel fate of being forgotten already while Jungkook plans to become a chicken farmer. 

Or maybe Jungkook’s back in Busan, Jimin realizes, sitting up. He knows that Jungkook’s grandparents used to have chickens at their farm and that Jungkook loved them, petting them until they fell asleep in his arms. Maybe Jungkook’s visiting his grandparents, posting pictures like that without a caption to not give his location away which would be wise of him. 

It’s strange how he could have thought that he'd stayed unattached from Jungkook. Only after their breakup did Jimin notice how much he had memorized about Jungkook’s life without ever noticing it. 

Then, just as he's about to lose hope that he'll hear from Jungkook, right before the clock strikes midnight: 

Unknown 

Happy birthday. Hope you had a good one.

There’s no signature, the number is from a burner phone, but Jimin knows it’s from Jungkook. He stares at the message, unsure of what he should respond. The problem is that he doesn’t know what Jungkook is thinking or where Jimin stands with him. Is the text friendly? Does Jungkook want to stay in touch even if their arrangement is over? Does he miss Jimin? Does he want to see Jimin as badly as Jimin wants to see him? What if he’s already dating someone else? 

He pulls up his phone to text Jungkook. He deleted his number when they broke up to keep Jungkook out of the mess Jimin was swept in, but he had memorized it long before that. 

i miss you

Delete, delete. 

can we talk

Delete, delete. 

i wish you all the best in life 

He puts his phone back down. There are days when Jimin thinks to himself, maybe, maybe, but each time his own insecurities crush him down, leaving him paralyzed. 

The text stays unanswered in his inbox. 

Looking very tired of Jungkook’s shit, Jiyoon barges into Jungkook’s studio. She’s even more annoyed that Jungkook has already poured out a glass of Jiyoon’s favorite red wine, having expected her to storm over. 

“Jungkookie, your financial advisor just confirmed that you bought 22 '000 tickets on different proxy accounts a while back. What’s up?” 

Jungkook shrugs. “I want all my friends to hear Yoonho’s new tunes.” 

Jiyoon pinches the bridge of her nose. “More like you want to buy out most of the tickets, bide your time and then get them refunded right before the concert, so they won’t be able to resell them.” 

Jungkook just shrugs again. 

Jiyoon rolls her eyes and then turns to Hani whom had followed her in. “Pay up,” she demands, reaching out a hand. 

“Maybe he really does like Yoonho’s music that much,” Hani attempts, but Jiyoon shoots her a look and she begrudgingly digs out a bill and places it in Jiyoon’s hand. 

“What’s that?” Jungkook asks. 

“We had a bet going to see how long until you fucked up that concert for Jimin. Make note that I know you the best. And that Hani still thinks you're not as whipped as I know you are.” 

"Cool that my life brings you entertainment."

Jiyoon flips her hair, not in the least apologetic. "Oh, don't even try that. Last time Hani and I fought, you took bets on how long it would take me and I quote, 'go crawling back'."

Jungkook snorts. “42 minutes and 3 shots of vodka.” 

Jiyoon smacks his head and sits down next to him. “So, you want to do the honors yourself?” she asks, pulling up the website of the ticketing company. All three of them watch in wonder as the attendees for the show drop from 20’000 to 20 company employees once Jungkook releases the tickets he reserved. 

Hani whistles. “Petty. I like it.” 

Jungkook shrugs. “They shouldn’t have fucked with Jimin’s head.” 

Jiyoon looks at him carefully. “You should reach out to him.” 

“No. He needs space,” Jungkook immediately refuses, the words springing out like a rain of bullets. Like it was something he had been telling himself, over and over. 

“I can guarantee you smooches if he knew what you did,” Hani comments, and Jiyoon nods. “That’s some hero shit you just pulled.” 

Jungkook shakes his head. “I hope he never finds out about that. That event was fucking vicious.” 

Jiyoon nods. “They’ll lose at least three-hundred million won. And that’s just from the tickets and the venue. I don’t even want to know how much the ad campaign cost them. And when they find out that you’re also the one who tanked their awards show… their CEO will go ballistic.” 

Jungkook laughs bitterly at the thought of Jimin’s CEO screaming so hard the veins in his head burst. "Good." 

The receptionist’s smile is as artificial as the long nails on each of her fingers. “The event is canceled. We’ll try to reschedule in the near future,” she announces robotically.  

Jimin stares at her. “But… It's my birthday. We can’t reschedule that.” 

“Mini. Let them," Yoongi quietly urges him. When Jimin gives him a look of confusion, he just shakes his head. "Trust me, it's better this way. Hobi wants to have dinner. We could…go.” 

Jimin shakes his head. “Hyung, I think I just want to go home...” he starts, not in the mood to see anyone. 

“Jimin, it’s not a birthday thing. We’ll just go to Hoseok’s house, eat his food and leave. No effort needed. I’m not even going to give you a present, that’s how lowkey it will be,” Yoongi swears as they walk out of the company building. 

“No present?” Jimin repeats, a little disheartened. He loves presents, both giving them and receiving. 

Yoongi cracks a smile at that. “I’m just fucking with you,” he says, pulling a small present from his pocket and throwing it at Jimin. “Happy birthday.” 

Jimin catches the present easily. It’s a special issue of his favorite manga, one that Jimin has been trying to find for months. “Hyung… thank you.”

Yoongi avoids his eyes. “Don’t mention it,” he mumbles. “Let’s get going, we’ll miss it.” 

As they walk down the long, vast hallways of Seoulite Solutions, a familiar voice catches both of their attention. 

“How is he doing this? Who does he think he is?” Mr. Im shrieks at his poor employees. “He’s a fucking boy , a little brat who needs to shown his place. Does he think he runs this shit? I own the most influential goddamn company in Korea. He should be on his knees, thanking me for not crushing him like a shitty bug ever since he first appeared. But he has the nerve to mess with my business? To send these condescending emails via their fucking excuse of a company? Like we’re the ones that should be lucky he’s attending our shows? What fucking indecency.” 

Jimin and Yoongi exchange looks, but think it best not to speak before they are out of the building. Mr. Im never mentioned a name, but Jimin’s sure that he’s referring to Jungkook. Tiniest sliver of hope flickers in his chest. Maybe Jungkook hasn’t forgotten about him as quickly as Jimin feared. 

As soon as the glass doors close behind them, Jimin turns to Yoongi. “Why did they cancel the concert, do you know? Are they that mad at me?” 

Yoongi huffs out a laugh. “Nah. From what I hear, someone screwed them over with the tickets. It was better to cancel by claiming there were issues with the venue than admit that they got scammed and humiliated.” He seems to have had the same idea about the origin of Mr. Im’s grievances as Jimin. 

"That explains the screaming," Jimin mutters, ears still ringing from the wailing they had witnessed inside. 

"Your boy loves trouble," Yoongi mumbles. 

Jimin smiles to himself. It seems that Jungkook’s really intent on causing gray hairs for their CEO, laughing at his attempts at blocking Jungkook from performing. Maybe once upon a time, Mr. Im could have done it, could have bent the general public to his will, but Jungkook’s grown too big, too popular to be knocked over with bursts of wild wind; he’s grown roots to keep him upright. 

“We better stay out of his sight for a few days,” Yoongi mutters, taking the first exit on the highway. “That psychopath seems to take each of his personal failures out on us.” 

Jimin doesn’t disagree. 

The drive to Hoseok’s is shorter than he remembered. His anxiety builds up again at the thought of spending time with other people in the industry for the first time since his scandal. He almost asks Yoongi to drop him off several times, but each time he talks himself out of it. 

Because Yoongi has started smiling, probably without even himself noticing, the closer they get to Hoseok’s house. 

The knot in Jimin’s stomach tightens when they turn to Hoseok’s street. "Hyung, I could just wait in the car,” Jimin starts, gnawing on his lower lip. Rows and rows of expensive apartment buildings pass by, each with their private driveways and beautiful lawns. 

"Be grateful someone wants to feed you for free and shut your trap." 

"Hyung..." Jimin whines. "There's going to be industry people there, and they'll just gossip about me the entire night. You could just go by yourself, we both know it's you Hoseok hyung really wants to see. He was just being polite by extending the invitation to me. I’m a social pariah now, remember?"

It was almost funny how quickly all those fair weather friends blowing up his phone had dispersed when Jimin’s scandal broke. No one wanted to get contaminated from Jimin’s disease, scurrying off back to the sewers.  

Yoongi flicks the turn signal on. "It’s not really industry people, it's just going to be us and Hoseok. Maybe some of his friends. He figured you wouldn't be up for a full-blown rager, so it's just a small get-together. We'll eat, talk to people as little as possible, and get home well before nine." 

Jimin smiles to himself. "Hyung, what time is My Love Prince scheduled for again?" he can't resist teasing, knowing full well that Yoongi's current favorite drama starts at nine. 

Yoongi just shoots him a withering glare. He kills the engine and shoves a gift basket into Jimin’s hands. "Give this to Hobi." 

Jimin's a little touched, honestly. "Hyung, did you put this together yourself?" he asks. His eyes pick out expensive wine, cheese, grapefruit—even handmade chocolate truffles. 

Yoongi doesn't meet his fond eyes. "Like it's hard," he mutters, but the pink tips of his ears give him away. “A few unoriginal snacks thrown into an ugly basket, what’s the big deal?” 

Jimin’s cooing at Yoongi’s tsundere antics. "You're the sweetest, hyung." 

"Don't babble so much, Park Jimin. Okay, here we go,” Yoongi mutters and presses the button on Hoseok's door. 

In mere seconds, Hoseok’s already opened the door, as if he had been waiting to hear the doorbell ring. His face splits into a blinding grin. “Bro!” he exclaims, and Jimin can almost hear Yoongi’s hopeful heart shatter into stardust. 

On the outside, Yoongi’s expression doesn’t even slightly change. “Hoseok,” he says softly. “Good to see you again.” 

Hoseok’s just beaming at him, the sun personified. Yoongi’s the moon, coming alive under the attention of the sun. He matches the smile with one of his own, shining just as brightly for a moment. Jimin’s starting to regret tagging along: their budding love story is a bit too thick to bear. 

“Thank you for the invitation,” Yoongi finally manages to say after the silence has stretched into awkward proportions and he’s jolted awake from his stupor by Jimin’s sharp elbow.   

Finally, Hoseok drags his eyes away and notices Jimin standing behind Yoongi. “Jiminie! You came!” 

It’s clear he hadn’t noticed Jimin before Yoongi pointed him out, but Jimin holds no grudges, he just smiles and bows his head slightly. “Hyung,” he greets. “Is the party here in your doorway or are you going to let us in?” 

Yoongi discreetly steps on Jimin’s toes, retribution for teasing Hoseok, but the other manager doesn’t even notice and nods. “Of course, of course! Please do come in, keep Namjoon company, so he’ll stay out of the kitchen. Seokjin hyung should be here in a minute. He’ll be so happy to see you, Jimin, he’s been worried about you.” 

The smile freezes on Jimin’s face. 

Hoseok seems to realize he misspoke and quickly backpedals. “Just… just because he hasn’t seen you for so long! Is that the food, yup, I definitely hear something burning! Excuse me, please!” 

He dashes away, and suddenly the kitchen grows very loud, pans banging and glasses clinking, as if someone was trying very hard to make noise to have themselves appear busy. 

Jimin can feel Yoongi watching him and assures quietly, “It’s fine, hyung, I’m okay. Please don’t worry.” Yoongi doesn’t respond, but he sticks close to Jimin as they take off their shoes and coats, washing their hands before joining Namjoon in Hoseok’s spacious living room. 

The living room is a curious thing, it’s shaped like a circle and in the center of the room, there’s a huge round couch area where Namjoon is currently sitting in the heart of. He’s bopping his head to the hip hop song playing on low volume, scrolling on his phone. 

Once he notices them, he quickly stands up and bows, putting his phone away. “Yoongi hyung, Jimin. Hello.” 

“Hello,” Jimin says, bowing back. “It’s so nice to see you again, hyung. I feel like I didn’t really get to catch up with you last time.” 

“Yeah, we were both… preoccupied,” Namjoon says before quickly adding, “With the gig, of course.” He seems to have realized that even alluding Jimin had met up with Jungkook might bring the model trouble. 

Based on how hard Yoongi’s rolling his eyes, Jimin would guess that Namjoon’s cover-up didn’t work out too well. Then again, Yoongi had probably already figured out why Jimin had wanted to go on a ‘date’ with Seokjin to an underground rap battle of all places. 

Awkward silence falls, but Jimin refuses to let it fester, so he makes his way to the patio, taking a seat at Namjoon’s left, tugging Yoongi along with him. “So, how’s work?” he asks casually. “When’s your new album coming out?” 

Namjoon’s eyes light up. Unlike most people, he loves talking about his work. It’s a sure-fire way to get him talking since Namjoon’s so excited about the work he does. He has had his struggles with being in the limelight, just like everyone else in their industry, but it never deterred him from genuinely loving hip hop and rap. He effortlessly dives into discussing the scene that has become his second home with Yoongi. 

They chat for a while, and Jimin can’t help but notice how Namjoon’s constantly checking the time on his watch, as if waiting for something. Jimin has a pretty good idea of what that ‘something’ is, too. 

“When’s Seokjin hyung coming?” Jimin asks, sly as a fox. 

Namjoon turns entirely red in the face. “Uh, how would I know…” he mutters, but with how easy his expressions are to read, he might as well have admitted to marrying Seokjin and living in a comfortable house with their three kids. 

Jimin, however, doesn’t reveal his thoughts and only smiles to himself. “My apologies,” he says, “What was I thinking?” 

Just then Hoseok comes back and announces very proudly that dinner is set, and that they should come eat already. 

As expected, Namjoon is the first to protest. “Uh, but what about…” he starts, but he feels too awkward to continue. 

Jimin takes pity on him and continues for him, “But what about Jin hyung? Shouldn't we wait for him?” 

Namjoon shoots him a grateful glance. 

Hoseok doesn’t share their qualms. “I told Mr. Worldwide Handsome that food would be served at six o’clock sharp, it’s his worry if he’s not here on time.” 

“But…” 

Hoseok shakes his head, a determined look in his eyes. “You guys should be grateful. Once Jin hyung gets here and starts cracking his tasteless jokes, you’ll lose your appetite for sure. Revel in the silence, people, enjoy the food.”

“Hobi,” Yoongi starts gently, but that’s as far as he gets. Hoseok closes his eyes for only a moment and then he immediately acquiesces. 

“Fine, fine. We’ll give him five more minutes. But if he’s not here by then, I’ll start serving food, no matter what you say.” The last line is directed at Yoongi whom nods in approval.

Seokjin ends up arriving exactly four minutes later, one hand holding a bottle of Hoseok’s favorite wine, ridiculously priced chocolates in the other. Just like that, Hoseok is appeased and back to smiling so brightly he could light up the city. 

As soon as he walks in, Seokjin gives Jimin a warm hug, swearing that he's been shooting down everyone who's tried to call Jimin a cheater for supposedly hooking up with Jungkook while in a relationship with Seokjin. Jimin waves away his worries, making some half-hearted joke about just being honored that people thought he could bag a worldwide handsome man like Seokjin. In reality, the rumors about breaking Seokjin's trust have been cruelest ones, but Jimin doesn't want to worry Seokjin, so he hides behind jokes and laughter. Seokjin seems to sense that everything isn't as peachy keen as Jimin claims, but he doesn't press on the issue which Jimin is grateful for. For once, he wants to forget the entire situation and pretend like it's just another dinner party with friends. 

Seokjin enjoys bullying Yoongi almost as much as Jimin does, and the two concoct a plan to have Yoongi seated between them at the dinner table for maximum entertainment. Much to their chagrin, Hoseok notices their evil plan and saves Yoongi, pulling the oblivious manager to sit next to him. Namjoon takes a seat next to Seokjin and Jimin sits on his other side, suddenly realizing the situation he’s placed himself in.

What irony is it, to be surrounded by budding couples, while your own heart has been shattered yet again? To have love and optimism filter through your nose each time you breathe in, especially when your own mind is filled with doubt and pessimism? If he were any stronger, maybe he’d laugh. In that moment, however, he settles for a tired huff. 

Is the entire world allowed to be in love but not him? 

Candlelight brings forth its own warmth, illuminating the laughing face of Seokjin, Hoseok's twinkling eyes, Yoongi’s wine-flushed cheeks, and Namjoon’s long fingers that are attempting to hide how hard he’s cracking up at Seokjin’s dry jokes. Jimin looks at all of them, and it almost feels like he’s seeing them for the first time. 

For a brief moment, he wonders if he could be happy just like this. Would dinner parties with friends, filled with laughter and wine, be enough? If he walked away from modeling, from fame, from all of it, would he be happy? Would he find something else worthwhile? 

Modeling was never supposed to be his entire world, it started out as just a way to pay for school and his family's rent, but his mother got remarried to a rich man and he’s not even going to school anymore. Now, he could afford to go to any college he wanted, buy as many houses as he’d like. So what is it that’s still holding him back? Why hasn’t he left yet? 

Maybe he should. 

His problems wouldn’t go anywhere, he’d still be the talk of the town. But rumors are born in excess, they wither away without constant feeding. If there’s nothing new to talk about, no one bothers to dig into the same old bones of a scandal. Even scavengers move to another carcass once a body has been dug through. 

Entertainment industry is no different.

Jimin has died this death before: he’s been to the funeral, knows which eulogies they’ll read, which hymns they’ll play. In the end, one by one, everyone will leave the burial ground, finally letting the bones rest in peace. 

Yoongi’s proposal to move on isn’t the worst. Maybe… maybe Jimin should give it some thought. The freedom it would grant… he could finally be himself. 

“Are there any more lamb skewers?” Yoongi asks. 

“I’ll go check,” Hoseok immediately offers, but Jimin stands up before he can and motions for him to stay seated. He’s the youngest, he should watch out for his hyungs. Besides, he could use a break from all the love in the air. 

“I’ll do it, hyung, you just enjoy the meal.”

Hoseok looks surprised. “Thank you, Jimin.” He then turns over to Yoongi and playfully complains, “I thought you said you had a horrible client, too, hyung. All I’ve seen is someone unfailingly kind, polite, and respectful. You’re about to be booted off of our Pain In The Ass Clients support group.” 

Jimin doesn’t hear what Yoongi replies, but he can imagine it to be along the lines of: He’s just playing the part of a doting dongsaeng. I'm about to go gray at 29 because of his antics. 

Jimin reaches the kitchen and fills the dish with food. Suddenly his feet won't move, refusing to walk him back to the love bubble waiting in the other room. He hears Hoseok laugh, recognizes Yoongi's curt response, and it hurts . Why can't it be this simple for him, too? Why can't he belong in this scene? 

Trying to force out the sorrow that suddenly invades his mind, Jimin piles on more food into the dish. “Ouch,” he mutters, having accidentally grazed his thumb against the sizzling side of a pan. 

“Are you okay?” a voice behind him asks. 

Jimin puts on a smile and turns around. “I’m fine, hyung, thank you. Just clumsy.” 

“That’s good, good,” Hoseok mumbles. It’s easy to see that there’s something on his mind, so Jimin waits, summoning the words.

Hoseok beats around the bush a little longer, but then he says, "I, uh, watched, uh, your Celebrity Brothers episode. The one with... Jungkookie." 

Jimin’s cheeks heat up. "O-oh," he mumbles, unsure of what to say next. 

Hoseok seems equally out of place. "I barely recognized him, to be honest. That guy on the TV, he looked a lot like my friend Jeon Jungkook, but I've never seen him be so… like... open with someone? He's really... gentle with you. I don't know, it's hard to explain. But everyone who knows him personally must have noticed the difference. All of my coworkers were really taken aback. They kept joking about how Jungkookie must have been switched with some lookalike android.” 

Jimin shakes his head. "He’s always like that, it has nothing to do with me,” he corrects. Jungkook has a heart of gold as Jimin has come to know, the trick was letting him show that part of himself. “He's just a little guarded. But he's a good person." 

"You don't need to convince me. I really like Jungkook, and I hope he gets everything he wants in this life. Though," Hoseok adds with a cough, "Jungkookie usually gets what he wants, so I don't worry too much." 

Jimin chuckles softly. “I suppose he does.” 

“Look, I promised Yoongi hyung not to say anything, but seeing you today, I just want to say, I’m sorry for all that you’ve been put through.” 

Jimin can't meet his kind eyes. His throat burns. “Uh, thank you, hyung. It’s okay, though.” 

“It’s not. People are too cruel.”

Jimin shrugs, forcing a blinding smile. “This is the job. I knew that from the start.” 

Hoseok shakes his head, arguing softly, “You knew and accepted at fifteen that ten years later, people would crucify you for having a private life? No, I’m sorry, Jimin, but that’s too much. No idol should have to go through this horseshit.” 

“Thank you.” There’s a silence. Maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s something else, but Jimin suddenly hears himself admit, “Tonight I’ve just been thinking… Maybe I should quit. Leave it all behind, start anew somewhere where no one knows me.”

Hoseok hums. “You could do that. You could start over, get a normal job. Though I’m afraid there isn’t a place on this earth where no one would know you. You’re very beloved around the world.”

“Beloved,” Jimin scoffs. The word has turned sour after watching people riot and call him names, the same people whom once swore their eternal affection to him. “I don’t even know what that means anymore.” 

“People always tear down idols they worship the most. This is what I’ve seen. There’s no godhood on this earth, no person without flaws, and yet celebrities are supposed to be all-knowing, infallible and perfect.” 

Jimin nods, finally feeling heard. He’s just a person, he’s not built for perfection.  

Hoseok continues after a moment. "Jimin, with all due respect, you've been looking at this all wrong. Now is not the time to fucking play nice. Now is the time to remind your company that they can't replace you with someone new. You have to show them that they need you. You are a fucking miracle, you built their sorry company. This is your career. Make them obey your rules.” 

Hoseok’s words are still ringing in Jimin’s ears after they leave the party and get into Yoongi’s car. 

Yoongi’s in a good mood, humming along to the radio and smiling to himself when he thinks Jimin’s not looking. He drives home with one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on his knee, his thoughts stuck on red hair and heart-shaped lips. 

He drives past the exit to Jimin’s house, too lost in his thoughts. When he notices what he’s done, he murmurs some excuse about wanting to take the scenic route. Jimin just nods, not in the mood to tease. His heart is heavy, a ball of iron bludgeoning a space for itself between his ribs. 

Yoongi makes it to Jimin’s apartment building, parking in the underground garage. He takes the keys off of the ignition, but Jimin doesn’t make a move to get out of the car. 

Yoongi turns to look at him. “Jimin?” 

Jimin takes a deep breath. “Hyung,” he starts. “I was talking to Hobi hyung and… I don’t think I’m ready to leave the industry just yet. I want to debut as a singer, I want to show people that they can’t break me with their stupid rumors. They don’t get to win this time.” 

The thing is, Jimin never expected to fall in love with the entertainment industry the way he did. Modeling has opened doors for him that never would have otherwise. And not just for him: his prominence has eased the road for others who came after him. For all that it’s trouble, being called South Korea’s sweetheart also gives him a huge wave of pride. It makes him feel as though he has represented them well. 

Jimin’s told himself time and time again that he’s simply holding on until he debuts, until his contract runs out, until something better comes along. But the thing is, nothing better will come along because he isn’t ready to let go of his dream just yet.

Yoongi grunts. "I can’t believe you needed my hoobae to tell you the exact same thing before you took the fucking advice."

Jimin coos and throws his arms around Yoongi’s middle, cuddling into him. "Don't be mad, hyung. You’re still my emotional support kpop boy."

“I am dropping you as a client.” 

“No, you’re not. Hyung loves Diminie too much.” Yoongi pushes him away, but he doesn’t deny it, and he might as well not: Jimin knows it’s true. 

“Jimin, there’s also a third option. We could fight it.” 

Jimin turns to stare at him, breath caught in his throat. “Fight the company? But hyung, you said—” 

Yoongi sighs. “I know. I didn’t think we could, I… I let myself get caught in their lies, I started believing they’re invincible and that’s how I lost the game. We’re not going to stick around to wait for them to threaten us with firing or anything like that. I’m starting to think we should fire them. ” 

Jimin’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets. Yoongi's never said something like that. They’ve both just accepted that they were stuck until their contracts finished, and probably even after that. The way to leave a company like theirs was by getting the company to fire them, not the other way around. “Hyung? What… But the contract.” 

“I've been thinking about this for a while, but I didn't want to say anything until I had a plan. But I need to know where your head’s at. What you want to do and how far are you willing to go. If we decide to do this, it has to be our decision that we both made, fully understanding what it could mean for our careers.”  

Jimin’s silent for a moment. “Hyung, what are you saying?” 

“I’m saying that we’re going to have to get our hands dirty to free ourselves from this company. My contract ends one month before yours, remember? We both have to be out before that or they’ll find a way to force us into staying. And if we stay, they will definitely separate us.” 

“No,” Jimin says automatically. He can’t be separated from Yoongi. Yoongi’s the only person in the industry he trusts. 

“We’re not going to let that happen, don’t worry. But we are going to have to crush CEO Dearest first.” 

“How?” 

Yoongi’s quiet for a moment. “Have you noticed how he’s always sticking his nose into our business, trying to control things that don’t affect the company or even your career?” he starts tentatively. 

“Well, yeah. He hates me.” 

"I don't think he hates you, Jimin," Yoongi says slowly. "I think... he's got a thing for you."

"What?" Jimin blanches. "Hyung, that's insane."

But as he says it, he starts to think about their CEO’s erratic behavior, especially towards him. At first, the man was so interested in Jimin, staring at him all the time, demanding to see every single piece of work Jimin did, showing up at every rehearsal. Back then, Jimin just thought the man wanted to know the artists he'd be expected to lead. But as time went on, the man became more and more hostile, nitpicking every single performance Jimin gave. 

He still tries to protest. "Hyung, that's too..."

"I've seen it happen before,” Yoongi insists. “I had a friend in a girl group and she had this manager that wouldn't let her out of his sight. He was always a lot harsher with her than with anyone else, tried to control everything she did, even counted the amount of rice on her plate. It went on for a while until it was revealed that the manager was jealous of all the attention the girl was getting, imagining a relationship with her, growing irrationally angry every time she did something he didn't approve of. Even if it was something the agency told her to do. Just like Mr. Im does to you."

Jimin shakes his head. "It can't be. He's married. To a woman."

Yoongi shrugs. "All the more reason for his infatuation to turn into an obsession that he masks with hatred." 

"You must be mistaken." 

"I could be. But we still have to watch our backs, people like that don't forgive and forget. We humiliated him last time, he was sure he had caught you red-handed. He'll find another way, and we have to be ready when he does." Yoongi pauses. “I’m just saying… we could use it. We could use his obsession for you against him."

Jimin nods. “What do you need me to do?” 

Yoongi smirks. “Cry.”

November rolls around, wrapping itself into a dark funeral garment as nature dies along with the freezing weather. Pitch black skies seem to reflect the very essence of Jimin’s soul; there’s no light, no light. 

His thoughts are broken by the words he has been dreading. 

“It’s time,” Yoongi announces as he enters Jimin’s living room. The company couldn’t drag their feet any longer: they had to set a date for the contract renegotiation. 

That date was now. 

Jimin looks up. “My hands are shaking,” he confesses as he stands up, putting his phone away.  

Yoongi nods. “Mine, too. This is the biggest thing we’ve done so far and if we pull this off, I’m buying you a new lamp. I have my eye on this beautiful Louis Poulsen, it would go great with the decor in your new apartment’s study.” 

“Wow, you must be serious about this then,” Jimin remarks dryly. Yoongi loves lamps and he loves building lighting fixtures. Whenever he runs out of space at home, he starts filling up Jimin’s home. Jimin doesn’t mind: as much as he loves to design the decor of his home, he cares very little about the kind of lamps there. Yoongi knows Jimin’s style, and all the lamps he’s brought have been nothing short of beautiful.  

They walk inside the well-lit company building, bowing to the woman in reception who calls out for them, “Min Yoongi, Park Jimin. You may go in now.” 

Yoongi turns to look at Jimin, squeezing the hand he’s still holding. “This is it,” he says, “ready to put those acting skills to good use?” 

It’s a joke, meant for cracking the tension, but Jimin’s expression stays serious. “I don’t have to act. Every word I am about to speak, I mean. Mr. Im is the one who should be worried.” They’re big words, but seeing Yoongi’s face light up makes it all worth it. He offers his pinkie to Yoongi. “Together.”

Yoongi nods solemnly, taking a hold of Jimin’s pinkie with his own. “Together.” The receptionist doesn’t comment on their strange ritual, but then again she must have seen a lot of contract negotiations; there probably wasn’t a lot that surprised her anymore. 

They’re early to the meeting, but Mr. Im is already in the room. He’s the only one staying in place in the busy room, letting interns and lower level employees fret over him. Picking out the highest ranking people in conference rooms is easy: they’re the ones moving the least, having someone else do the running and scrambling for them. 

Then the room quiets down, and even Yoongi leaves the room. For a moment, it’s just Jimin and Mr. Im at the huge table, staring each other down. 

Mr. Im seems very happy with himself, pleased that he was able to overrule Jimin. He seems to get some sick pleasure from controlling Jimin’s life, rattling the bars of the golden cage he has locked Jimin into.

Jimin seethes in secret, careful not to show his anger. It’s time for the most crucial part of their plan. 

“Oh, Jiminie,” Mr Im. starts. “You’ve really done it this time. Somehow I doubt you’ll have as many privileges left in the next contract.” 

“Sure I will. I’m the biggest asset this company has,” Jimin states confidently. He then makes a fake concerned face. “As soon as that contract is done, I’ll do whatever I want. That must be killing you, huh? Losing your control over me.” 

Mr. Im’s eyes narrow, and he seems to see Jimin for the first time, noticing the glee in his voice. “What are you planning?” he asks, distrust coloring his voice. 

“No matter which way this goes, I win,” Jimin taunts him. “If I want a new contract, I’ll get one. If I want to walk away and play house with Jeon Jungkook, I can do just that.” 

Mr Im bats his fists, the skin above the knuckles whitening from how hard he’s clenching them together. 

Jimin smiles, enjoying the annoyance radiating from him.“It must kill you to know that you can’t touch me the way he can. He always fucks me so good, too. I’m always begging for more, even though he satisfies me so fully with that big cock,” he says, digging deeper into the wound. 

Mr Im. stands up abruptly, cracking his knuckles like he’d very much like to put his hands around Jimin’s neck. “Park Jimin, get a hold of yourself. You’re being a—” 

“A what, sir? A slut?” Jimin smirks. “Wonder how I got that way.” 

The man’s hands shake until he forces himself to calm down. The next smile is a cruel one. “It won’t matter what you want, Jiminie,” he says, sitting back down. “You fucked up. You broke your contract. It is only due to my imminent benevolence that you even have a job anymore. When we sign this contract today, you will have no more doubts about who you belong to.” 

So, it seemed Yoongi had been right once again: Mr. Im does have some sort of a fixation on Jimin after all. Jimin refuses to acknowledge the implications of getting the confirmation, and continues their plan of riling Mr. Im up. “You lost control before, sir. You let him take me from you so easily. Do you know how hard he laughed the first time he fucked me?” he brags. 

Mr. Im shoots up from his chair, as if to grab Jimin, but just then the other bosses walk in. He sits back down, seething, but the murderous intent is still heavy in the air. Jimin smirks to himself and makes sure Mr. Im sees it, too. Mr. Im  is enraged, still shaking with wrath as the meeting starts.

Suddenly, the door to the conference room is yanked open. 

Mr. Im looks up, irritated to be interrupted from devouring Jimin’s heart. “Are you blind or stupid? This conference room is clearly occupied,” he snaps.  

“Kihyunnie, is that any way to speak to your boss?” a voice asks. Everyone turns to stare as an old woman walks in, glaring at Mr. Im. 

All the color is drained from Mr. Im’s face. It takes a full minute before he manages a response. “Miss… Miss Jisoo.” 

Miss Jisoo’s voice is cold as the grave. “It’s ‘sajang-nim’ to you, Kihyun. I still own this company, you little weasel.” 

Mr. Im shrinks in size, like someone pulled the plug on him, making his inflated ego ooze out. Now that it’s been discovered that ego was all he is—without it, there was nothing left. 

Miss Jisoo throws her fur coat at one of the interns to hang up. She loves role-play, and Jimin has seen on her Facebook page that she just finished watching the Devil Wears Prada. Their timing couldn’t have been better. 

“I thought you were enjoying the sun at Barbados. You know, for… for  your health,” Mr. Im stutters. 

Miss Jisoo huffs. “I bet you thought that. I bet you would have loved to keep me in the dark about this company’s affairs for long enough to trap this beautiful butterfly in your web of lies, you overgrown spider.” She looks around the room, meeting everyone’s eyes, one by one. “I am here for one reason and one reason only! My favorite idol, Nark Kimin!” 

Silence follows her words. Yoongi nudges her side. “Park Jimin, ahjumma, he whispers. 

“Ah, yes. I’ve come to free my favorite, Park Jaemin!” Miss Jisoo corrects. 

“Close enough,” Yoongi mutters. 

One of the company high-ups, Gray Suit, scrunches up his bushy eyebrows and asks, “Free Park Jimin? Sajang-nim, he’s our artist. What does he need freeing from?” 

“Treachery! Treason! Traps!" 

“Tone it down, ahjumma, they’re going to think you’re mental rather than melodramatic,” Yoongi mutters under his breath. 

“All great art comes with a little bit of risk,” Miss Jisoo grumbles, but she switches to a more level-headed approach. “I have come to supervise Park Jinyoung’s contract negotiation as I’ve heard some strange things about the way my company does business. So by all means, continue the meeting. You have my full attention.”  

She finally sits down, crossing her feet and placing them on the table. 

“As… as you wish, sajang-nim,” Mr. Im says, trying to regain his confidence, but it’s clear that it’s taken a dire hit. “Our lawyers have prepared a standard 12-year contract—” 

“Twelve years? Standard?” Ms. Jisoo interrupts, incredulous. “Since when is twelve years our standard contract? How old are you, kid?” 

“Twenty-five,” Jimin replies, much more timidly than usual. “Guess I’ll be playing house until forty after this contract.” 

“What did you say?” Mr. Im booms at the carefully chosen words, startling everyone else in the room except for Jimin and Yoongi whom had counted on this explosion all along. 

Taking the bait, Mr. Im jumps to his feet, banging his fist at the table as he screams, “It doesn’t matter if you want to spend the rest of your days getting fucked like a cheap whore by that wannabe tough guy rapper! This company built you, we own every part of you. You’ll do what we want and you won’t have a choice to say no! I’ll cut off your tongue if you say that again, slit your throat before I’ll let that dirty rapper taint you with his filthy hands ever again!” 

Silence falls in the conference room, and every eye turns to stare at Mr. Im whom seems to be calming down and becoming scared of his outburst’s consequences.

He looks at Jimin, realizing that he has stepped right into a trap, leaned too close and cut his own throat with the jewels on Jimin’s crown. 

Jimin refuses to sneer back in victory. Instead, he widens his eyes to appear confused and a little scared. “But… but Mr. Im, it’s just an expression, I didn’t mean—” Jimin lets his voice fall, turning into a sob, forcing tears out. 

A gasp is heard around the room, and then every eye turns to glare at Mr. Im. Even the company suits seem outraged that Jimin’s crying in fear, rallying up for his support. 

Being South Korea’s sweetheart may be a tough job, but by God, does it sometimes pay off. 

Mr. Im’s eyes dim. “Wh-what?” he stammers, his own words seemingly catching up to his jealous brain. 

“Did you just threaten my artist?” Yoongi asks in a serious, even voice. Even if their performance is practiced and planned down to the very last line, Yoongi’s reaction is genuine. He turns to look at Miss Jisoo. “Sajang-nim, I’m sorry, but I don’t think we can continue under such hateful circumstances.” 

Miss Jisoo is staring at Mr. Im whom seems to turn smaller and smaller each second. “Yes, I can understand how you’d feel that way.” 

Mr. Im points at Jimin, stuttering, “He’s manipulating things, he—he’s, he tricked me, I don’t—” 

Miss Jisoo stares him down. “How did he trick you? All I heard was you threatening an artist’s life because you believe the gossip sites claiming that he might have feelings for another artist?”

Mr. Im spits, incapable of staying silent. “Jeon Jungkook is not a fucking artist, he’s a criminal.”

“Oh, really?” Ms. Jisoo asks, perching up like a cat in the sun. “Which crimes has he committed? Has he ever been convicted?”

“He’s a disgusting thug, and all the magazines think Jimin’s sleeping with him. Well, he wouldn’t dare. Jiminie knows the rules, he knows he’d be punished if we found out he were ever sleeping with Jeon Jungkook.”

Silence follows his words, and Mr. Im seems to realize that he’s said the quiet part out loud. 

“Uh. We’re not really… in the business of looking too closely into any artist’s personal life,” Lady Suit speaks up, visibly uncomfortable at Mr. Im’s words. “The scandal is unfortunate and will need to be handled professionally. But… we don’t… punish our artists for scandals... or threaten them.”

“Too little, too late, tuts,” Miss Jisoo exclaims while Yoongi facepalms and repeats tuts? under his breath. “You’ve made mockery of the company I spent my life building. I founded this company to be a safe haven for idols because of all the horrible things I saw and heard my many friends in the industry go through.”

Her face hardens. “My friend Sana from the legendary girl group We The Girls had to sleep on the freezing floor of a butcher shop while her records were making their company billions. My friend Hyun's fiance from the legendary boy group Flower Boys had to give up a baby because his company didn’t think fatherhood suited his image. My friend Ima took her own life when her company made her life hell and then refused to let her seek mental help, no matter how hard she begged and cried.” 

Ms. Jisoo pauses, and Jimin catches a pearl of tears in her eyes before she forces them down.

“These are all real things that happened to my friends. They were real people, with real lives and they didn’t deserve to be treated like that. A lot of them died young, a lot of them have permanent injuries that will never heal because of things that their companies put them through. When I started this agency, I swore things would be different, that my artists would always be safe with us.” 

Her glare goes around the room. “And you’ve failed me, every last one of you.” 

No one dares to argue, the suits stare at the table. Mr. Im looks like his battered tiny wither of a soul has finally left his body, flying away. 

Miss Jisoo nails all of them into their seats with her cold eyes, stating, “This is still my company. These are still my rules. As long as this heart beats, as long as my lungs breathe, this is still my company. I don’t care what I have to pay. Every single one of you have just lost your jobs and I will personally see to it that you won’t find work in Seoul again.”

Her eyes find Mr. Im’s immobile form. “I will also be opening up a criminal investigation on you, Kihyunnie. It’s safe to say that… it’s not looking too good for you, with the mountain of evidence I’ve both received and witnessed here. You can kiss your career goodbye and I’m guessing that beautiful family, too, once I talk to your wife about how you’ve conducted yourself with our young trainees.”  

Her words are met with silence. Mr. Im looks like he’s died of shock, nothing left but an empty shell. All his bravado has died down, all of his anger and smugness washed away with the freezing rain of reality. 

“Sajang-nim, with all due respect… you can’t fire all of us,” Gray Suit finally speaks up, eyes wide with horror. 

“I’m crazy, remember?” Ms. Jisoo cackles. “That’s what you lot have gone around telling everyone who’d listen, trying to discredit me.” She looks around the room. “Try and bully my artists now, you cockroaches.”  

The storm finally breaks, the suits erupting in loud protests, screaming and arguing. It’s chaos, a flood of angry words and slamming doors, but Miss Jisoo endures it all, outlasting each argument until the only people left in the conference room of chaos are her, Jimin and Yoongi. 

There’s a breath of quiet, and then she turns her eyes at Jimin. She smiles, thorns disappearing, expression soft as a blooming rose as she says, “Jiminie, now I will listen to what you want to do.” 

And it’s the first time at the company anyone apart from Yoongi has ever asked him what he wants to do. 

Jimin takes a deep breath and looks at Yoongi who seems equally shocked that their ruse succeeded. Contacting the retired CEO of the company was their last effort: they knew she had mostly given the reins of the company away. It was a long shot, but they knew that she had prided herself as a friend to her artists, an ally for them in the cold world of entertainment, often referring to herself as a guardian. Jimin and Yoongi had hoped there’d be at least a drop of that pride left, but Miss Jisoo had brought an ocean of loyalty. 

But even with all her heart, she had been pushed out of her company, forced to give up control. There was a saving grace, though: as a major shareholder, Miss Jisoo still reserved the right to veto decisions as well as vote in the company elections. She had the final word, and Jimin knew people tried their best to stay out of her radar before elections to keep her in the dark of the decisions made in her name. 

Never had anyone attempted to fly right at her—until them. It had been a desperate act, their hail Mary, that worked out by some divine intervention.  

“Thank you, sajang-nim. For everything,” Yoongi says, and Jimin joins the choir, passing along his gratitude. 

“I want to keep working with you two,” Miss Jisoo states. “I know you must have heard a lot of bullshit about how I’m unfit to lead a company and blind as a bat. While it’s true that cataracts have mostly taken my eyesight, I’m otherwise in perfect health.”

She smiles bitterly. “But I’m a woman in a mostly men’s industry and that warrants rumors to be spread about me. When I was younger, they whispered that I was a lesbian who ate men’s hearts and when I was an idol, they said I had had three abortions and traded sexual favors to move forward in my career. Now that they no longer find me sexually desirable, I am mentally ill hysteric who’s incapable of making business decisions despite the fact that under my rule, the company saw its best finances.” 

“It’s true,” Yoongi admits, “Sajang-nim’s reign is still talked about.” 

“If you chose to join me, I would help you break out of this company, shield you from any malice people might try to throw at you and sign you as my only artist in a new label created specifically for handling your career. Yoongi, if you accept, you’d be promoted to the head of the label.” She stands up, looking at them for the last time. “I’ll give you a minute to discuss things. If you need more time, let me know.” 

Jimin waits until she has left the room before turning to Yoongi. “Hyung, no.” 

Yoongi stares at him. “Jimin, what are you saying? This contract is even better than we’ve ever imagined. I think we should take it. An independent label is better than we ever dared to dream, we could control every part of your career ourselves , no longer tied to anyone else’s whims.” 

“I’m not rejecting it for me, but for you. Hyung, if you do this, if you accept the position of being head of the label, you’ll kill your career as a producer. Don’t you dare act like you don’t know what I mean, Agust D,” Jimin adds a little dryly as Yoongi’s eyes slightly widen, his heart skipping a beat at the name. 

“Seriously, hyung, you’re nowhere near as sly as you think you are. Even with all your pseudonyms and secrecy, I knew it was you as soon as Taehyung started playing me your music. I recognized your voice and the word plays and expressions you’d use. Besides, I’ve seen the files on your laptop, listened to you talk about music, sometimes rap a beat or two when you’re drunk. You put your career on hold for me because you felt like you needed to have my back and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. Please let me take care of you as well, and make sure all of your dreams are realized, too.” 

Yoongi shakes his head. “Jimin, you don’t know what you’re saying. My dreams have passed me by already. I didn’t stop music just because I had to protect you, I stopped music because I wasn’t good enough, it was a waste of time. I let people get inside my head, they expected each song to be better than the last and I felt like I couldn’t deliver. I’m not cut out for music, it’s better to just keep making songs for myself. It could never work.” 

Jimin shakes his head. “Hyung, I believe you’re meant for so much more. I think your songs will be played at Gocheok Sky Dome with 100 '000 people screaming your lyrics at the top of their lungs, and I think you will win so many awards you won’t know where to put them all. I think music is in your veins, engraved into your spinal chord. I think music is what you were born to do.” His eyes glisten. “So, say no. For you.” 

Yoongi’s tearing up, too, and it’s such a rare sight, it makes Jimin cry harder. He reaches out his hand and Yoongi immediately takes it, squeezing hard. They must look ridiculous, bawling and holding hands in the middle of a conference room, but they don’t care. Something is ending even as another begins, and it’s not wrong to mourn yesterday even if there will be a better tomorrow. 

When they call Miss Jisoo back in, Jimin and Yoongi have both made their peace with things. 

Yoongi starts, “Sajang-nim, we’re honored by your offer. We’re inclined to accept, but with a few significant changes.” 

Miss Jisoo nods, clearly having expected as such. “Let’s hear them.” 

“If we join your company, the new contract needs to give Jimin full artistic freedom and total reign over his own schedule. Jimin would also no longer be tied to any of the agency’s decisions and he’d exist as an independent artist. Jimin’s private life is his to control and the company will have absolutely no say in it. We want to hire our own team for every aspect of Jimin’s career and we want a definite date for Jimin’s musical debut that can not and will not be moved for any other reason than by the artist’s request," Yoongi lists. 

“Lastly,” Jimin pipes up, “We wish to renegotiate Min Yoongi’s position in the company. Yoongi hyung wishes to join your company but as a producer instead of a head of the label. Hyung would continue to serve as a consultant for the managing team and he wants to oversee every hiring decision, but he would no longer work full-time as a manager.” 

They turn to look at Ms. Jisoo whom smiles widely. “You two are very cute, finishing each other’s sentences. When I picked Yoongi to work with you, this level of teamwork was what I was hoping to see. I had a feeling you would be able to bring out the best of each other, and I’m very pleased to see it has happened. Very well. I accept your terms. Please email my office the draft, my lawyers will look over it and we’ll invite you over for an official signing.”

She looks at them both, unexpectedly reaching out her hands. Jimin and Yoongi take her hands with the ones not already holding onto one another, forming a strange circle. 

“Good things will come, girls,” she says, a playful twinkle in her eyes, “You just have to have faith."  

With that, she’s gone.  

“What the fuck just happened?” Yoongi murmurs, staring after her. 

Jimin’s staring, too. “I think our Fairy Godmother just paid us a visit.”

That night, it snows in Seoul for the first time that winter. 

First snow is always a thing of wonder: the glistening snowflakes land on kissing couples, the hands of children playing, the shoulders of workers on their way home. Somehow, such a simple thing manages to light up the entire city where often only cynicism and ire reside. 

Jimin watches the snow dancing down the skyscrapers, settling on the rooftops of the neighboring buildings of his home. His heart aches, his hand clasping around air in the hopes of feeling another hand taking a hold of his. 

But no one’s there. 

The cold Jimin dreaded for so long is kind and quiet, nothing like the thunderous avalanche he expected. The grip of fear has finally released him, the thought of a future bright for the first time in months, maybe years. He’s free—free to be himself, free to keep reaching for his goals and dreams, unshackled by a company that only wanted the benefits and none of the responsibility of managing an artist. 

Jimin had always been told that the life of an idol meant loss and sacrifice: you had to lose to win. That to bloom meant having to be broken down first; that success craved scars. His new mission has been to break out of that mindset, relinquish its hold on him. He’s proud of all that he’s achieved: his ambition and strive for more has been both a friend as well as an enemy, but his own health and well-being need to come first from there on out. 

The edge of winter no longer feels cold nor cruel: falling snow is an old friend, coming to greet the world once again. Hush of frost lands over Seoul like tiny twinkling stars, finally finding a safe place to land. 

After their negotiation with Miss Jisoo, Jimin and Yoongi signed the new contract with a team of lawyers whose only job was to ensure their benefit. The hiring process picked up and Jimin has spent most of his days in a studio or in a practice room, easing into his new life as a singer. Everything is better than before, his new life more his own than his old life ever was. 

There’s one last problem to solve, one final obstacle on Jimin's bridge to happiness.

He needs to make things right with Jungkook. 

He thought he’d just sprint into Jungkook’s arms as soon as things with his company got figured out, glomping him like a damn anime character. Yet, Jimin finds himself hesitating. He can’t just text Jungkook sup wanna hook up again after all that’s happened, not after all the hurt and heartbreak he caused. Jungkook always made it clear that he didn’t want anything complicated, and all Jimin ever brought with him was a sky filled with storm clouds. 

How dare he reach out just as soon as spring has begun to bloom, uncaring of the ripples of the hurricane that ripped through Jungkook’s life? 

He prays for a big event they’d both be at, but nothing comes up. End of the year shows are still far away, most album release parties are over. There’s nothing to bring them together in a seemingly happy accident, so Jimin tortures himself staring at Jungkook's social media feed, trying to decipher whether or not he’d be welcome back into Jungkook’s life, but the rapper’s entire page is about his upcoming album, probably posted by his PR team. The lyric teasers and promotional selcas tell him nothing, no matter how he digs or obsesses. 

He’s haunted by a kaleidoscope of memories, all things that they've been through. Today, the words of Jungkook’s grandmother ring in his ears. You must be the... friend. Jungkookie mentioned you were pretty.

The words refuse to leave, echoing louder and louder the more Jimin tries to ignore them. Jungkook had talked to his grandmother about Jimin, telling her that he thought Jimin was pretty. The implication burns, carving at his chest. What a lovely thing it was, that Jungkook had talked about him to his family. 

The precious thought is only ruined by the aftermath of his kindness, the circus that was released only minutes after Jimin learned of his sweet words. Jungkook’s grandmother probably didn’t like Jimin too much anymore. After all, Jimin’s not the only one to suffer from the fall: Jungkook’s name has been dragged through the mud right along with him, being called a homewrecker for supposedly coming between Seokjin and Jimin, ridiculed and cursed at despite having done nothing wrong.  

Jimin just wants to make things right, but he wonders if staying away would be better. Besides, Jungkook’s thriving. He hasn’t stayed still since they ended, flying all over the world, working around the clock, never staying in one place long enough for Jimin to suggest a meet-up. He’s booked and busy, basking in the fruit of his success, everything Jimin ever wanted for him. 

As days passed, Jimin could feel him drifting away. 

Then, at midnight, in the middle of the first snow falling, Jungkook releases his album.

Jimin’s phone suddenly starts blowing up with notifications. Thinking it’s the fallout of yet another horrible article, he doesn’t react at first. The beeping and buzzing turns into the song of the pied piper, calling him to dance, one last time. 

Sighing, Jimin picks up his phone. 

His heart drops. 

tracklist. 

• lover: you should know

• nagoya

• 23 

• king of hearts 

• 0901

• muse

• pandora ft. RM 

• the fool 

• hate it when you cry ft. Sunmi

• symphony 

Jimin has tapped on the notification before his brain catches up. He throws caution into the wind and lets his heart break all over again as he presses play on Jungkook's fourth full-length album. 

The first song on the album isn’t really a song. lover: you should know is an interlude, with soft strings and a distant piano playing in the background, accompanied by Jungkook’s voice. It sounds like he’s just talking to himself, setting the mood for the album. Jimin leans back in his seat, closing his eyes to better focus on what he's listening to. 

One sentence breaks through the hymns in the background, repeating over and over again. 

I want all of you, all of your heart. 

But then Jungkook’s voice grows stronger, and it feels like he’s in the room, speaking directly to Jimin. 

“Lover, I’m sorry for the pain I caused you. I’m sorry for the never-beens, for the in-betweens. If we meet again, I’ll beg for your forgiveness, I’ll take on your weariness. As I am now, I’ll never be what you deserve, what you need. But you were wrong. I’m never freed when you leave. You’re the king of my heart, the last light in the dark.”

The next song, nagoya, that talks about their time in Japan, starts, and a gasp leaves Jimin’s lips. 

Without ever speaking Jimin’s name, Jungkook has made sure Jimin’s everywhere on the record. Jimin can hear himself in the romantic lyrics, in the soft melodies played over raucous bass, in the heartbroken songs, in the consistent theme of longing and loss. king of hearts, 0901, hate it when you cry, the fool, symphony, they are all about him, detailing their relationship together, the highs and the lows, celebrating each milestone, as if they meant so much to Jungkook that he had to capture them as songs, holding on to their memories.

Even symphony, the instrumental Jungkook played for him that night at the studio is on the album, the one with the lyrics the rapper wanted to keep to himself. Jimin squeezes his eyes shut, letting the tears fall as every single insecurity or doubt he’s ever had about how Jungkook felt about him is washed away. His heart fills with warmth—with love. You loved me, too. 

He listens to the entire album in one sitting, and he’s not sure he breathes again until the very last note plays out. 

He stays in the silence, staring at the wall, trying to process all that he’s heard. He thinks there might be more tears on his cheeks now, eyes stinging slightly, but he can’t focus on anything but the album. Robotically, he picks up his phone and dials a number for a taxi. Without a moment of hesitation, he gives Jungkook’s address.

Walking into the sleek black car is a blur, the trip already halfway through when Jimin wakes up from his stupor. The lights of the city blind him, and he almost wants to tell the driver to hurry up, step on the gas, other cars or the snow covering the road be damned. His heart beats hard, singing a harrowing song of worry, fear, heartbreak, loneliness, cruelty and finally, absolution. 

The snowflakes around him feel like small friends, cheering him on, urging him to move faster. Buildings pass by, the ticking of a clock now a part of his body, the haste beating in his chest almost a living thing tugging him along, telling him to hurry. 

And then he’s there, standing in the familiar atrium that he thought he’d never see again, even if he owned one of the condos. 

His hands shake, he clasps them together and wills his feet to move faster until he’s almost flying.  

For the first time, he walks up to the reception desk of Jungkook’s building. He’s passed through here before, but he’s never done this, never explicitly asked for Jungkook. It’s a new day, the golden hues spreading over the sky, clearing way for the break of dawn. 

This time, the only rules are the ones they’ve written themselves. 

“Hello,” Jimin greets, bowing his head. “I was wondering if the penthouse resident is still awake.”

His heart is beating loudly, hammering in his chest, punishing him for his audacity. The familiar path of anxiety beckons him, inviting him to take a stroll, but Jimin resists, planting his feet firmly to the ground. 

“Yes, sir. He just got home, let me check if he’s still available.” The man picks up the phone and dials the number for Jungkook’s intercom. “Sir, Park Jimin is here to see you.” 

Jimin’s stomach drops before he reminds himself that he’s allowed to be here now, allowed to be recognized without worry, allowed to speak Jungkook’s name without the fear of having his tongue cut off. The paranoia is difficult to overcome: he’s been walking on eggshells ever since he joined his old company. But he doesn’t have to hide anymore: he’s allowed to exist without permission, making his own decisions. 

The door man smiles at Jimin as he hangs up. “He says to send you up.” 

“Thank you, Jooheon-ssi,” Jimin says, reading the name from the receptionist’s name tag. 

The man looks like he could die happy just from hearing Jimin speak his name. “Please let me know if you need anything. Have a good night, Jimin-ssi!” 

Jimin smiles at him, bowing his head again. “Yes, thank you. Please remember to eat!” 

The doorman returns the polite greeting, but Jimin can’t hear him anymore, his feet guiding him straight into the familiar private elevator. After months of silence, his entire body is screaming at him to move faster, to not lose another second. 

The elevator doors close, but nothing happens. Panic immediately whooshes up Jimin’s spine, painting more and more horrible scenarios of elevator malfunctions in his mind, he can’t get stuck in this stupid metal cage, not now, not when he’s so close—

That’s when he realizes that he hasn’t pressed any buttons. 

“Oh. Right.” Jimin lets out an awkward laugh, pressing the button for the top floor, flushing red at his own impatience. 

The elevator springs to life, speeding across the floors. The floor numbers blink in Jimin’s eyes, his fingers tapping at his thighs. All the previous times he’s been inside this elevator race in his thoughts, and he smiles slightly at the faint hand print in the wall he recognizes as his own, followed by another, larger hand print next to it, a little memento from where Jungkook had him up against the wall. 

The red numbers are turning higher and higher. Jimin’s hands shake, nerves getting the best of him, snowflakes melting in his hair.  

Please wait for me. 

Jungkook walks over to the elevator that opens into his private lobby, drumming inconsistent melodies onto his thigh. His heart’s beating fast, his hand still clutching his phone that the front desk just called, letting him know Jimin was in the lobby. It’s bold, careless, showing up at his apartment in the middle of the night and specifically asking for him when before, they weren’t even allowed to breathe in each other’s direction. 

He loves it. 

Jungkook’s standing right outside the elevator, staring at the floor numbers until the steely cage brings Jimin up. His lips move, silently counting along. 

97, 98, 99…

Jimin takes a deep breath and then another, lightheaded all of a sudden. The steel surfaces bring no comfort, nothing else to focus on than the ever-tightening knot in his stomach. 

4, 3, 2….

1. 

The doors slide open, and a paradise of light bursts into life behind Jimin’s eyes as soon as he meets Jungkook’s eyes. 

The world that was gray for so long, is finally painted over with an explosion of colors. His eyes pick out the dark warmth in Jungkook’s eyes, the silver phone he’s still holding, the green army bomber jacket he’s wearing, the light blush on his cheeks from the cold he’d just come home through. He sees it all, drinking in the man that has plagued his dreams and hopes for so long. 

Happiness is the color of Jungkook’s eyes as they light up at the sight of Jimin.

There are so many things Jimin meant to start with, apologies, explanations, declarations of love and affection, but they all disappear from his mind. Instead, he forgoes words altogether and jumps into Jungkook’s arms.

Jungkook doesn’t stumble at the sudden weight flung at him like any normal human would; his arms wrap around Jimin like he’s never going to let him go again. Jimin squeezes him harder, afraid of being woken up from this daydream, afraid to wake up alone once again. 

“Jimin,” Jungkook says, the frown and crevices on his face disappearing as the most precious smile spreads onto his face, ear to ear. “You’re here.” 

Much to his embarrassment, Jimin feels his eyes water. 

“Hi,” he hears himself sniffle. 

Jungkook’s chuckle is low, fond. “Hi.” He walks them into the apartment, never letting go of Jimin, and it feels like coming home.

The elevator doors close behind him with a familiar ding!

Chapter Text

There is so much to be said that Jimin finds himself mute. He’s clutching onto Jungkook, scared to let go, afraid that he’ll wake up in his apartment alone, the entire drive there nothing but a cruel dream. The only thing grounding him is Jungkook’s tight grip, the familiar arms holding him in their warm embrace. 

"Jimin," Jungkook murmurs into his neck a little breathlessly, and Jimin has never heard a voice more beautiful. "You're here."

It's the way he says it, the quiet wonder like he can't quite believe it. Jimin feels just as amazed: they have made it through despite every obstacle thrown in their way. Despite all the bumps in the road, all the twists and turns, they have persevered and he can't help but feel that it's something akin to a miracle. 

Their eyes meet, starlight shimmering, and Jimin swears he can see an entire galaxy in Jungkook’s dark eyes. Jungkook stares back at him, something equally wondrous in his sight. 

Jimin smiles softly at him. "I'm here," he assures. "And I'm staying if you'll let me." 

"If I let you?" Jungkook repeats in a slightly hoarse voice. "Are you kidding me?" 

When their lips meet in the middle, they don’t meet in a lazy wave of summer; they crash together like winds of a hurricane, clinging desperately like their last safe haven was each other. Their lips were molded to kiss each other, their fingers meant for holding the other. At the same time, Jungkook's skin feels so delicate under Jimin's lips; he fears that a kiss with too much force might make it crumble. He wants to drown himself in Jungkook, paint each touch onto his skin and worship every part of his body. 

There are a thousand things he wants to ask Jungkook, a thousand things he wants to tell Jungkook about everything that happened while they were apart. But it all fades in favor of feeling Jungkook really there, to be able to hold him and touch him like they were never separated. 

Wanting to be even closer, Jimin starts unbuttoning Jungkook’s jacket. His hands wander under his shirt, tracing the muscles of Jungkook’s chest. His fingers flick his nipples once, twice, thrice, enjoying the throaty low moan spilling from Jungkook’s lips. 

Jungkook unbuttons his pants, sliding a hand into Jimin’s briefs and taking him into his hand. His hands move with haste, they are both impatient to be as close as possible. Jimin follows his lead, shedding every last piece of clothing separating them. Jungkook carries him to his bed, never letting go of him, kissing him like the world might force them into a goodbye again. 

Their clothes end up on the floor in haphazard piles until Jungkook lays him down with utmost care. He sets his body on top of Jimin's before parting his legs by gripping the backs of his thighs. Heat runs down Jimin's body: he likes this, likes it when Jungkook manhandles him like that. 

His lips cover Jungkook’s, pleasant thrum of arousal running through him as he wraps his thighs around the rapper, bringing them even closer together. 

“I missed you… so… fucking… much,” Jimin breathes out in-between the kisses. He can’t seem to stop kissing him, breathing be damned. If kissing Jungkook is the way he goes, so be it.

“I missed you, too. Having you here, it’s like a dream come true.”

A swarm of butterflies is released in Jimin’s stomach at Jungkook’s words. From anyone else, he’d doubt the sincerity behind the words and question if he really means what he’s saying, but with Jungkook he knows he does; he can feel it in the way the rapper is holding him, like he never wants to let go again. 

To his surprise, Jimin finds that there are tears in the corner of his eyes, threatening to fall. The scene feels painfully familiar: the last time they laid here still fresh in Jimin's mind like an open wound. But he can feel his heart mending with each kiss Jungkook presses to his skin. This time the tragedy will bloom into a romance, the sorrow replaced with hope for a happy ending. 

Jungkook caresses his hair, wiping away the tears. "Please don't cry, baby. I've seen you cry enough to last a lifetime."

"Then don't say things like that," Jimin sniffles. In lieu of a reply, Jungkook leans in closer, pressing their foreheads together. For a moment, they just breathe together, enjoying the moment. Jimin wishes he could capture the feeling in a bottle and keep it close to him always, hide it away from the sharp teeth of time. 

Then, the most wonderful thought enters his mind: time is no longer the enemy. He won't need to save every moment in his mind anymore because he might never get another one. He doesn't need to fear dawn before dusk has even settled, the goodbye before the hello. The sky will not fall again: Jimin's arms have grown strong enough to hold up the clouds, his body sturdy enough to weather the storms. 

Finally, it's safe to trust in tomorrows.

Jungkook’s hands are warm on Jimin’s body, familiar and safe in how they touch him. He reads Jimin's body like a book written in a language only them two know how to read. Jimin’s everywhere on Jungkook’s body, reclaiming what he thought he had lost forever. His hands slip across Jungkook’s abdominal muscles, caressing his hips, teasing his nipples, enjoying the sounds his touches evoke. With each touch, Jimin can feel himself being brought back to life.

Their touches become more urgent, the time they spent apart ringing in each second passing by, their reunion turning more heated. 

"I- I need," Jimin pants, pulling Jungkook closer. 

Jungkook kisses him until they are both breathless, mumbling against his lips, "Anything. Anything you want, it's yours."

"You," Jimin breathes out, "I need you." 

Jungkook doesn't respond in words, but Jimin can feel the answer in the kisses he presses everywhere in Jimin's body, worshiping every inch of him. 

"Please," Jimin whines. He still gasps when he feels himself being spread open, the lube cold against his rim. 

“Sorry,” Jungkook murmurs, placing a sweet kiss on his cheek. Normally Jimin might have teased him for being eager, but not today. Today he’s just as eager, just as desperate to feel the familiar heat of Jungkook’s bare skin against his. Nothing else matters at that moment, nothing but being back with Jungkook where he belongs. 

“Let me,” he offers, but Jungkook shakes his head. He guides his finger inside, and Jimin welcomes the slight stretch. One turning into three, his fingers massage Jimin’s walls, making him grind his hips up against Jungkook’s cock. Jimin's impatient: after being apart for so long, he wants to be as close as possible. He cants his hips up, pressing their cocks against each other. Jungkook pins him down with ease, continuing his sweet torture. 

Jimin's beyond ready, but Jungkook keeps going, enjoying the sweet moans echoing from the walls that turn more and more desperate until "ah, hyung" drops from Jimin's lips.

Grinning, Jungkook interlaces their fingers as he slots himself between Jimin’s thighs. Their lips find each other again, and Jungkook swallows each gasp Jimin lets out as he pushes inside. Jimin smiles despite the tight fit, enjoying feeling so full. Jungkook rests his forehead against Jimin's, waiting for the ok to move. 

Jimin moves his hips slowly, getting used to the stretch. Their eyes meet, and Jimin smiles, precious spring after harsh winter blooming in his eyes. Jungkook smiles back, every flower that Jimin had to bury coming back to life with the warm glow of his brown eyes. There’s so much to say that Jimin can’t find it in himself to speak a word. The icy wall of longing, loneliness, and pain between them starts to thaw, melting from a winter that Jimin once feared would be evermore. 

They fit together like puzzle pieces, moving in sync to bring each other pleasure. Changing position, Jungkook’s big hands encircle Jimin's narrow hips, picking him up only to bring him right back down onto his cock, making Jimin see stars. He reaches blindly for Jungkook, connecting their lips again. Jungkook kisses him back, slow and sloppy, like they have all the time in the world, and the craziest part is that they do. 

Jungkook's lips stray from Jimin's mouth to his neck, kissing down to his throat and chest, sucking marks into the soft skin. The possessive gesture makes butterflies release in the pit of Jimin's stomach, pleasure thrumming throughout his body. 

His fingers tangle in Jungkook's dark hair, pulling him closer; always, always. He's breathing hard and fast, chest glistening with sweat. Jungkook's skin feels hot under his fingertips, almost feverish. Sweat pearls on his chest, running teasingly right past his left nipple as his hips move faster. Jimin's pale skin, carefully protected from the sun and once his most important selling point, creates a strange contrast against the dark bed frame and Jungkook's tan skin. 

They’re so close Jimin can feel Jungkook’s heart beating. He feels it speed up when Jimin looks into his eyes and leans in to kiss him. Jimin’s close to climax, walking on a tightrope over the abyss of pleasure, but he’s holding back, waiting for Jungkook. Jungkook picks up his pace, hand wrapping around Jimin’s cock, clearly intent on coming together. 

Half a dozen thrusts later, Jungkook’s coming and bringing Jimin down with him, finishing him off with the flicker of his fist. White bursts in front of Jimin’s eyes and he can see nothing but Jungkook, think about nothing but Jungkook as he stammers his name into the crook of his neck as they fall back down into the sheets. 

For a long while, neither one of them does anything but breathe, too lost in the feeling to move. Jimin rests his head against Jungkook’s chest, cheek squished against his pectoral muscle, but he couldn't care less. All that matters in that moment is Jungkook’s breath against the top of his head and his hand caressing Jimin’s back, drawing small circles on his skin. 

Finally, Jimin gathers enough energy to slightly lift his head, meeting Jungkook’s eyes, only to find the rapper already looking at him with a dazed expression, like he still can’t quite believe that he’s there. 

“I thought about you every day," Jimin admits, voice subdued. Jungkook gazes at him, a deep look in his beautiful brown eyes. "I felt so alone without you.”

Jungkook tucks a strand of Jimin's hair behind his ear, smiling softly as he assures, “You’re not alone. You never were. I’m… I’ll always be here for you.”  

“I know,” Jimin murmurs, heart thumping out of rhythm. “I know that now.”

They lie there in silence, never moving away from each other. 

“How…” Jungkook starts, but doesn’t finish. Jimin turns to look at him, and he tries again, “How are you here?” 

Jimin smiles bashfully, hiding in the crook of Jungkook's neck. “I heard your album and I just had to find you, see you. It was… Jungkook, it was insane. You wrote… everything.” 

Jungkook's ears turn pink, but he doesn't shy away from Jimin's gaze. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I was running out of material if I don’t write about you." The air around them shifts as he adds, "Jimin, you’re… you’re everywhere in my thoughts. Everything I do, you’re there in my head.” 

“You too,” Jimin whispers into his ear, unable to meet his eyes because he’s afraid he might cry again and he wants this to be a happy memory. “Everything reminded me of you. I saw your face everywhere I went. I was… so lost without you.” 

"I'm here," Jungkook whispers, and something about how he says it, low and sincere, makes Jimin spill over despite his best efforts, and this time Jungkook doesn’t stop his tears, he just kisses them away. His lips are soft on Jimin's cheeks, gentle like none before him were. 

“Hey," Jimin starts carefully, waiting until Jungkook turns to look at him. His heart sings in his chest and his head has finally learned the lyrics, too, recognizing the three words that are spoken every day around the world but somehow still remain novel and new. Those words are made of gold that never rusts; they are old magic that never lost its believers. 

“Hey.” 

Jimin breathes in, preparing to speak the words he’s hidden in his chest for so long. He’s carried them for too long; they’ve been restless in the hollow of his chest, begging to be freed, to be finally heard. It took long to recognize the flaming emotion, even longer to admit it, but now that he knows, he never wants to only keep them to himself again. His mouth opens, lips forming around the words—

“I love you.” 

The anxiety over the words left unspoken deflates like a balloon, breath caught in his throat, Jimin manages to squeak out, “You what?!” 

“I love you,” Jungkook repeats, earnest and sure, meaning each word from the bottom of his heart of gold. 

He’s perfect, it’s perfect, it’s everything Jimin’s ever wanted, and so of course he replies with: “No!" 

Jungkook’s brow raises. “No?” he repeats, clearly bewildered by the response.

The rest of Jimin’s slow-as-snail brain finally catches up and helps him realize that he’s just told “No!” to the confession of the man he loves.

“No, fuck,” he hurries to explain without managing to explain anything. “I mean, yes, Oh God, thank you, I too, me too, we—I love, I love you so much.” 

Jungkook shakes his head at Jimin's tomfoolery. “Dork,” he says, but his voice sounds so, so fond. 

“I’m not!” Jimin defends himself, trying to make sense of his jumbled thoughts. “I was just going to be the first one to say it. You caught me off guard, that's all.” 

Mischief sparkles in Jungkook’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll take it back.” 

“NO!” Jimin shrieks, surging forward. He kisses every inch of Jungkook's skin, humming under his breath I love you, I love you, I love you… 

Jungkook laughs, but his cheeks are rosy and he’s scrunching up his nose like the stuffed bunny Jimin forgot at his house the day they ended. The reminder is fucking adorable and Jimin can’t believe this is all real, that they are really there, saying the words he buried for so long. 

“Say it again, please," he asks. 

“I love you.”

“Again.” 

“I love you.” 

Jimin smiles; a precious, happy smile. “How many times are you going to say it if I ask?”

“As many times as you want.” 

“And if I need to hear it every day?” 

Jungkook smiles. “Then I’ll tell you every day. Twice. Thrice. Every hour, every minute, it does not matter because…” He leans in closer, speaking into Jimin’s ear. “Because I love you, Park Jimin.”

“I love you, Jeon Jungkook,” Jimin whispers back. “Always have, always will.”

The next morning finds them in Jungkook's bed. Jimin’s playing with Jungkook’s fingers, laughing when pinching at the skin of his arm makes the tattooed head of a snake look funny. Jungkook's eyes are closed, but he's smiling, letting Jimin do what he wants. 

They are safe under the covers, tucked away from the world. Soft light filters through the curtains, illuminating the white walls. The skies are finally clear after days upon days of snowstorms, leaving behind nothing but layers of pristine white. 

“It feels weird to be here again. It’s been so long," Jimin murmurs, looking around the room and thinking about how differently things ended this time. He sighs, adding, "That morning before…"

Jungkook hums. “You should have stuck around. Grams would have loved it. She's a big fan of yours.” 

You must be the... friend. Jungkookie mentioned you were pretty.

“You told your Grams that I was pretty,” Jimin can’t resist teasing.  

Jungkook nearly swallows his own tongue, coughing violently as his eyes fly open. “Where did you hear that?” he gargles out. 

“Where do you think? Grams was feeling awfully chatty while I got dressed. Just how often do you talk to your precious granny about your fuck buddies?" Jimin asks, enjoying the shade of red rising to Jungkook’s cheeks. 

Jungkook avoids his eyes. "Grams must be losing it," he mumbles, vehemently ignoring Jimin’s fond eyes on him.  

Jimin pouts. "So, you don't think I'm pretty?" 

Jungkook looks hilariously caught off guard, too embarrassed to notice the mischievous twinkle in Jimin's eyes. "Uh, I, you, you're always pretty," he mumbles. 

"Mhm." Jimin nods to himself, fanning his face as if he were holding back tears. "Sure. That sounded super sincere." 

Jungkook groans, taking a hold of his wrist. "Mini. Stop it," he says and it almost sounds like a plea, but Jimin’s too invested in his little theater to stop now.  

"It's fine. You just don't think I'm pretty." 

"Stop," Jungkook whines. "You already know I think you're the prettiest in the world."

Jimin's eyes immediately switch from watering to smoldering. "I didn't know that, but thank you,” he says smugly. 

“Is that what you wanted to hear? Hm?” Jungkook moves closer, kissing his lips. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever met," he whispers, punctuating each word with a kiss; eyes, nose, lips. 

"You’re more beautiful," Jimin says earnestly, running his fingers through Jungkook’s dark hair, admiring every detail of him. He kisses him again, relishing in the fact that he can. “So, what else did you tell Grams?” 

Jungkook’s playing coy. “About what?” 

Jimin flicks his forehead. “About me!” 

“That your legal name was Park Thumbelina." 

Jimin shakes his head. “I’m leaving,” he announces. 

“No, you’re not,” Jungkook declines. 

“No, I’m not," Jimin agrees easily. 

It's quiet for a moment, Jimin playing with Jungkook's tattoos once more and Jungkook's eyes slipping back to closed, enjoying Jimin's fingers on his skin. Then—

"Hey, Jungkook," Jimin whispers.

"Yeah?"

Jimin waits just until Jungkook opens his eyes and looks at him before launching, "Wanna go steady with me?"

Jungkook closes his eyes and groans loudly. "Oh my god."

Of all the ways he had hoped that they'd make their relationship official, those were not the words he had hoped to be asked with.

"Is that a no? Why? Was it something I said?" Jimin teases, following after Jungkook when the rapper attempts to roll away. 

"I'm not going steady with you." 

“Why not??” Jimin demands, whiny on purpose. “I thought you like-liked me.” 

Jungkook turns to face him again, arching a brow. “Where’d you get that idea?” 

“You kiss me like you like me," Jimin says, a sly look crossing his face. 

“Just like?” Jungkook asks, voice low, and Jimin forgets how to breathe. They stare at each other, the sweet words spoken for the first time the previous night between them shining like shooting stars, not knowing where to land. 

“Seriously, though.” Jungkook breathes in, breathes out. The words suddenly sound really stupid, so lame and ridiculous, like they are two teenagers in the school yard. He clears his throat, pushing through his own embarrassment. “Are we… like, I don’t know, together now?” 

Jimin’s face splits into a grin, and it’s worth all the awkwardness. “Is that what you want?” 

“I asked you first.” 

“I asked you second.” 

Jungkook lets out a heavy sigh. “I take it back.” 

“No!” Jimin interlaces their fingers, kissing Jungkook's knuckles. “Yes, that’s what I want. I want to be with you, introduce you as mine and shout it from every rooftop that we’re together. I’ll change my social media status to say ‘in a relationship’ and post the most obnoxious photos with captions like ‘a valentine for my valentine’ or ‘boyfriend goals’.” 

Jungkook's smile is a breath of spring, ever hopeful and luminous. “Am I your boyfriend?” 

“I’m afraid so, baby.” 

Jungkook pretends to weigh the thought, but the blinding smile on his face gives him away. “Guess I could live with that.” 

Jimin bursts into laughter, a surge of insurmountable happiness floating inside of him like fluffy clouds on a summer day. “My paramour.” 

“Lover,” Jungkook replies, and the giggles get stuck in Jimin’s throat because the word sounds so sweet coming from his lips. “I’m sorry for all that I put you through.” 

Jimin smiles at him, fond beyond belief. “Darling,” he hums. “It wasn’t true, you know. What you said on the album. You didn’t put me through anything. It was more a case of Series of Unfortunate Events snowballed by my own insecurities and fears.” 

“Fears that ended up being 100% justified.” 

Jimin shakes his head. “No,” he disagrees gently. “That was just bad luck and even worse timing. I look back at us and I hate how blind I was, so focused on my career and terrified of everyone and everything. I’m so sorry, Jungkook, I was—”

Jungkook cuts him off with a kiss. “I wouldn’t take any of it back,” he promises. “We ended up where we needed to. You’re here with me and you got away from your company. We’re okay now.” 

Jimin likes how he says that. He likes hearing him say ‘we’, he likes it a lot. Still, something sticks out to him. “But all the heartache, the misunderstandings,” he starts, frowning.

Jungkook hums, kissing his fingers. “We were learning, growing. Nobody ever said this relationship stuff was easy.”

“It took some time, but I think I see things clearly now. My old company… It’s going to take some time to unlearn all the stuff they taught me.”

“I’ll be here,” Jungkook swears, and it’s the first time Jimin believes anyone who says that. 

Jimin studies his face, adoring every feature. “When did you get to be so wise?” 

“I had a lot of time to think about things while I was recording. It kept getting clearer and clearer that I’m only sorry for all the unnecessary pain. Still, every step of the road, even the mistakes, they led us here.” 

"So much for that no drama rule, huh?" Jimin jokes, an echo from long ago ringing in his ears. 

Jungkook snorts, shaking his head. "I knew what I was getting into, baby. Getting involved with you was never going to be drama-free, no matter what I told myself. I think I was just trying not to get attached, fumbling because somehow I got insanely lucky and the smoking hot model wanted me out of the millions that wanted him."  

Jimin blushes, precious pink shading his cheeks. "I was the lucky one," he says quietly. "Meeting you… I'm not sure how I got this lucky. You… you are something so special, Jeon Jungkook."

Jungkook doesn't reply, he can't. There's something stuck in his throat, making his eyes water. Jimin's face brightens, delighted, and he opens his mouth to continue when Jungkook kisses him, mostly because he wants to, but also to keep him from making him so flustered. 

Jimin responds enthusiastically, slipping his fingers into Jungkook's hair, tugging lightly. He coaxes Jungkook to open his mouth and once he does, their tongues roll against each other gently. Jimin loses himself in a daydream that has turned into his reality, all too happy to fall under love's spell. 

Jungkook falls back to sleep, his arm still around Jimin's waist. Jimin caresses his hair, smiling to himself when he hears the rapper's breathing even out. He checks the time on the alarm clock, wondering if they should get something to eat soon. He tries to move Jungkook's arm away very carefully to go get a drink, but he's still caught. 

Through the haze of sleep, Jungkook's arm tightens around him. "Don't go," he mumbles. 

Jimin plays dumb. "Why not?" 

"Because I'll miss you."

He pretends to hesitate. "Well, I don't know…" 

“Please," sleepy Jungkook asks, and how could Jimin ever tell him no?

"Okay," Jimin promises as he falls back to bed right next to him. 

An hour later he wakes up again, the drought in his throat worsened. He pulls off some impressive ninja moves, but this time Jungkook doesn't stir. He gets up, padding to the kitchen. He has no idea what time it is, all he knows is that he's thirsty and hungry. He gulps down water and picks up an apple from the fruit bowl. He's in the middle of thinking of places to order food from when a familiar pair of arms circle his waist.  

"Morning," Jungkook rasps out, leaning his forehead against the back of Jimin's head. He moves his hands from Jimin's hips to take a hold of the hand with the apple. "Put that down, I got this." 

"You wanna make me breakfast? Since when?" Jimin feels weirdly moved. None of his boyfriends ever cooked for him before.

Jungkook hums, pressing a kiss into Jimin’s neck. "Sleeping with me comes with a complimentary breakfast. There's a lot you don't know about me, baby. If you didn't always run out on me, you would have found out about this ages ago already."

"You're the one who made that rule. You said to leave when we are done," Jimin points out.  

Jungkook scoffs loudly. "That rule kind of got tossed out already the second you stayed over, don't you think?" 

"Because I made you do that."

There had been paparazzi swarming the building because Jungkook had just put out a duet with a well-known female idol which to the public meant that they must have been fucking.Jimin didn’t want to get caught in the riptide and told Jungkook that he was sorry, but he might need to stay over and that he could stay in a guestroom if Jungkook wanted privacy. 

Jungkook had rolled his eyes, told him to stop being ridiculous and pulled him back to bed. Jimin had snuck out in the early morning, but he remembers wanting desperately to stay. He was too worried about overstaying his welcome to try his luck further. Jimin back then couldn't have imagined that one day, he'd be staying over for days, not even slightly worried that he was bothering Jungkook because now he knows that he's not.

"If I hadn't wanted for you to stay over, you wouldn't have. My apartment building has a private exit, remember?" Jungkook reminds him, and Jimin smiles. With Jungkook, he’s always smiling and laughing, and he can’t understand how long it took for him to get over his anxiety and fears to see that everything is better with Jungkook in his life. 

"You did not mention that back then, though." He kisses Jungkook. "Sneaky."

Jungkook does not look apologetic in the least despite having been caught. "Well, I had to get creative to win you over." 

"I was already yours," Jimin whispers into his neck, giggling when the words make Jungkook drop the pan with a loud clang! 

"Jesus," Jungkook swears under his breath. 

"What? You can't take it if I flirt with you?" Jimin teases.

Jungkook very carefully looks only at the pan he places on the stove. "Of course I can. There was just… something on the pan. I was trying to clean it," he claims valiantly. 

"Sure there was, I totally—Don't do that, you'll break the eggs," Jimin interferes, reaching out a hand that Jungkook pushes away. 

"Let the culinary genius do his work in peace."

Jimin raises his hands in surrender, but only a minute later he's again about to meddle when there's smoke rising from the omelet. "Jungkook—" he starts, reaching out for the pan to turn the stove off, but Jungkook bites his outstretched hand, sending Jimin into a fit of giggles. "Shouldn't you—" 

"No questions from the audience, please," Jungkook orders, making Jimin burst out in laughter. 

"You can't cook, can you?" he guesses. 

"Not in the traditional, literal, actual sense of the word, no," Jungkook begrudgingly admits. Jimin's chest is set alight with something warm and light. 

"Dork," Jimin comments and grazes Jungkook's temple with his lips before pushing him out of the way. He pours out the extra water from the vegetables Jungkook was cooking and turns down the heat on the omelet. "There's a lot you don't know about me, either. I lived with 13 boys during my training period. I was the only one who could cook."

He takes over the cooking, starting with throwing away Jungkook's burned eggs and washing the pan. "It's almost a relief that even you aren't good at everything," he mentions as he adds the tomatoes to the pan. 

"I will be," Jungkook swears with a determined look in his eyes that makes Jimin burst into laughter. He reaches over to press a kiss to Jungkook's lips, shaking his head. Happy to learn, Jungkook hops to sit on the countertop next to the stove, munching on the rest of the tomatoes and tries to sneak in pieces of ham when Jimin's not looking. 

Soon, the delicious smell of food cooking perfectly wafts into their noses. Wanting to add one last touch to the meal, Jimin struggles with the lid of a pesto jar. Jungkook takes it from him, easily popping it open before handing it back. Meeting Jimin's eyes, he grins and exaggeratingly flexes his arm muscles. 

Jimin lets out a wolf whistle. "Did you know that you're unbelievably hot?"

"I've been told that, yes. By you, in fact." 

"Good." Jimin checks his phone, dreading the long list of messages. “I should call Yoongi hyung. I didn’t tell him I’m here and we’re supposed to meet for coffee in an hour. I'm not sure I can make it in time.” The situation feels oddly familiar, but Jimin can't quite place it. 

Jungkook hums, adding a little more seasoning behind Jimin's back. A little more spice never killed anyone. "I'll drive you." 

“Aren’t you busy?” Jimin worries. He doesn’t want Jungkook to feel pressured to bend to Jimin’s will, he has a feeling Jungkook’s been blowing off work for him already, and as much as he loves being made a priority, he knows that they can't hide forever in their cozy love bubble. 

“I just dropped the album of the year, baby," Jungkook states confidently. "I don’t have a set schedule now that the promotions are done and the tour hasn't started yet.” 

“Cocky," Jimin murmurs, but he's smiling fondly. "I'm working on my album, too, you know. Have you considered that one day we might be fighting for the same awards?"

He's joking, but Jungkook nods with a serious look on his face. "Yes."

"And?"

“I look forward to it.”

Jimin's face splits into an even brighter smile. "You're cute." 

"You're cuter." Jimin laughs at that, pulling Jungkook in for a kiss that turns into several. Before he knows it, he's completely wrapped up in Jungkook's embrace, their lips glued together. 

Jungkook slips down from the countertop, taking a better hold of Jimin’s hips. "Wanna fuck you here," he murmurs into Jimin’s neck, hot breath tantalizing on the sensitive skin. Wild fantasies of bending Jimin over the counter consume his mind.  

"This is the kitchen, we can't just—" Jimin lets out a breathy moan, unconsciously leaning into his touch when Jungkook's fingers travel lower.

"No cleaning will be enough to make me ever want to eat here again if—" he still tries even though he knows he's losing the battle. In a last ditch effort, he turns off the pan because he knows when he's defeated.  

"I'll buy you a new kitchen to eat in." 

Jungkook lifts him up by his hips, placing him on the dining table. His pants fall away with practiced ease, and Jimin closes his eyes when he feels Jungkook's mouth close around his cock, taking him in. He’s embarrassed for how sensitive he is, how loud he is. But he knows that Jungkook likes hearing him, that he likes it when Jimin is so far gone that all he can breathe out is Jungkook's name. 

In what feels like both seconds and an hour, Jimin comes down hard, releasing into Jungkook's mouth. Some of it trickles down Jungkook's chin, but he scoops it up with his thumb, smirking at Jimin before licking his fingers clean. 

Jimin's perfect omelet is still lying forgotten on the cold pan of Jungkook's kitchen while Yoongi waits for him in vain at the restaurant Jimin chose. He's only appeased when Hoseok just happens to show up at the same restaurant, having gotten a recommendation 'from a friend', but curiously having no one to eat with since Seokjin coincidentally bailed on him and would Yoongi mind if they ate together?

"You are a sly one, Park Jimin," Yoongi grumbles under his breath as he smiles at Yoongi and motions for him to take a seat across from him. 

"Did you say something?" Hoseok asks. Beautiful, wonderful Hoseok whom doesn't even suspect that he's been played like a fiddle. 

"Just that it's nice to see you," Yoongi quickly covers up. Hoseok's face splits into a blinding grin and much to his chagrin, Yoongi notices that his ire at being stood up is fading all too quickly. 

In the haze of blinding smiles and heart-shaped lips, poor Yoongi doesn't even notice that Hoseok pays for their meal with Jimin's credit card. Beautiful, wonderful Yoongi whom doesn't even suspect that Hoseok was all too happy to keep Yoongi company in Jimin's absence. 

yoongi hyung <3: i still hate you park jimin 

jimin 💛: shut up and enjoy ur date with hobi hyung 

yoongi hyung <3: i'm getting you that adult diaper commercial gig

just you wait

jimin 💛: no you're not <:( 

jimin 💛: now put ur phone away, forget that i didn't show up and focus on the man of ur dreams, pls and thank you 

And if the next time they see each other and Yoongi's pale hand is clasped around Hoseok's, he makes sure to tell Jimin that it's thanks to no help from Jimin at all. Jimin just smiles, nodding along, waiting an appropriate time (30 seconds, give or take) before cooing out loud and pinching Yoongi's blushing cheeks. 

The next week becomes just flashes, flashes of Jungkook, of their bodies entangled together, of tan skin and rough hands, his own voice panting and moaning in pleasure or nearly purring in content, just enjoying the quiet comfort of being near someone he can be himself around.

For the first time ever, Jimin's taking time off and learning to enjoy doing nothing for the first time since he was a teenager. He’s dreamed of freedom for so long and it tastes even better than he could have ever imagined. 

Today, Jimin’s lazing around in Jungkook’s lap, cuddling into him while reading through some spicy social media drama about cake recipes. 

"Hey," Jungkook suddenly speaks up, startling him. 

Jimin looks up from his phone. "Hey?"

Jungkook looks kind of awkward. "Listen," he starts, but then doesn't continue. 

Jimin waits for a minute. "I'm listening."

Jungkook grumbles something under his breath, but he gently slides Jimin out of his lap, gets up and walks out of the room. He's gone for a minute and only returns just as Jimin was about to go after him. He takes a deep breath and places a key in Jimin's hand. 

Jimin takes the offered key with raised eyebrows. "What's this?" 

"It's a key."

"Yes, thank you, Captain Obvious. What does this key open?"

"My apartment."

Jimin's eyes widen. "You're giving me a key to your home?"

Jungkook nods, scratching the back of his neck. "Try not to throw too many huge parties while I'm on tour."

"No promises." Jimin stands up and pulls his boyfriend into a hug, squeezing him tightly. "You know, any more of this domestic bliss and I'll start to think that you like having me around or something." 

"I do, though," Jungkook admits sincerely. "I do like having you around."

Jimin's eyes crinkle, as he gets up. He goes to go pick up his bag and adding Jungkook’s key to his keyring. Then, he turns around. "Aww—" he hums, inching closer back again to steal a kiss…

"Your clumsiness brings me eternal entertainment."

Jimin makes a face, throwing a pillow at Jungkook that misses by a large margin. "Shut up."

"This morning you fell on your ass while just trying to sit down on the couch and subsequently spilled boba tea on yourself and knocked over the ficus." Jungkook sighs happily. "You are like a one man comedy show that streams new episodes all day everyday."

"You're sleeping alone tonight," Jimin warns. He digs out an extra key from his designer bag and hands it over. "Here's the key to mine. You can water my plants while I'm out of town." 

"As fun as that sounds, I think you'd need a park ranger or a few to manage all of your plants." 

Jimin smacks his chest, but he's smiling. "Thank you for giving me your key, baby."

He pushes his hair out of his eyes, sighing as he thinks about the to-do list he has been ignoring for days now. They are not big or difficult tasks, there are just many of them. For example, his hair has never been longer or messier. He should really cut it, but that would require leaving the apartment— and Jungkook.

"I really should go by my own place, though. The dust bunnies are about to vote me out of the apartment owner duties." 

Jungkook shakes his head, pulling him closer. "Go tomorrow," he coaxes. "I have an idea on something much more fun we could do right here…"

"Oh? What's that?"

Jimin doesn't make it to his apartment that night or even the next day. 

After exchanging the keys, they start settling into a new routine of hanging out at each other's apartments. Now they just text each other which place they will be at after work. Jimin's starting to work on his debut album and Jungkook's tour that runs from December to June in nine countries has just started. 

Today, they are at Jimin’s apartment. Jimin’s typing up an email while Jungkook’s laying on his bed, scrolling on his phone. He’s exhausted: the beginning of the tour has stretched him thin. Luckily, the first few gigs are in Seoul, so he can still live at home before embarking on a long international tour across the continents. They have made a habit of not mentioning the looming separation: they both like to pretend that they won’t be insanely busy for the next year or so. 

Jungkook lets out a sigh, and Jimin looks over to him, frowning. Jungkook refuses to sleep before Jimin does, no matter how hard Jimin tries to convince him. Jimin has a lot to do, but he doesn’t want to keep Jungkook awake which is why he retreated into the study. But Jungkook followed him in, acting cute and sleepy which Jimin couldn’t resist. 

And so now they are in a stalemate of sorts, waiting each other out. 

Jungkook lets out another sigh. 

Jimin presses send on the email and stalks over to where Jungkook lounges, hunched up in one of Jimin’s white armchairs. “Ah, my baby. What is troubling you today?" He kisses his hair, sliding his arms down Jungkook's chest. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”

Jungkook makes a sound of approval, turning his head, so Jimin’s kisses reach his lips too. “Talk to me." 

Jungkook sighs again. Jimin frowns. “Seriously, what’s wrong?” 

“My feed is filled with people tagging my account onto their posts about translated reviews to my album. I could read people all over the world critiquing my album if I so chose."  

Jimin's eyes widen, and he scrambles to take out his phone, searching up Jungkook's album reviews. “This is so exciting, reviews of your album!” he squeals, tapping Jungkook’s chest with his hand. "I'll look at them for you.” 

Jungkook shrugs, opening up a mobile game, but Jimin can tell how anxious he's to know what people are saying. “I bet they hated it.”

Jimin snorts, making a space for himself next to Jungkook. “Please. You’re a critic’s choice and you know it.” 

Only a few minutes worth of research proves his bold claim. The reviews are glowing, just as he suspected. No one is doing it quite like Jungkook: he has both music critics and the general public in a chokehold. The reviews especially highlight emotional maturity in Jungkook’s lyrics, the suave shift from the party scene into something more emotional. 

As one critic puts it, In his fourth full-length album, Jungkook explores his romantic side, moving on from previous topics of fast life and the price of fame into something more personal. The album feels like the first steps on a journey for the rapper to find peace, even love while still maintaining his staple mark of honesty, punch, and sex appeal.

A proud smile blooms on Jimin's face as he reads, word after word praising Jungkook to high heavens.

Jungkook’s looking at him, taking note of the strange look on his face. "What?" he asks, on edge. “What do they say?”  

"These reviews… they're insane. You've got them all eating out of your hand. I guess it’s true what they say: everyone’s a Jungkook fan,” Jimin relays to him as he takes a screenshot of his favorite articles.

"Why are you screenshotting them?" 

"I'm making a collage for your milestones. Could you send me that picture of your set list in your handwriting? I want it in the middle." 

"Stalker," Jungkook teases, but he sends it anyway. Jimin's phone lights up with the text, and too little too late, Jimin remembers that he's changed Jungkook's contact name. 

Hyung: link.

Jungkook looks like Christmas came early. "What's this?" he asks, snatching Jimin's phone right before Jimin manages to hide the screen. His eyes light up as he first looks at his contact name on Jimin's phone and then at the squirming model. "'Hyung', did it say?" 

Jimin avoids his eyes. "Give it back."

The mirth in Jungkook's eyes sparkles and crackles, inviting as a fireplace after a long day out in the cold. "Ask nicely." 

Jimin gives in. "Give it back… hyung."

Jungkook hands over the phone, smirking while Jimin keeps his eyes strictly on his screen. "I'm pleased that you took my suggestion to heart,” he remarks smugly, but Jimin ignores him, immersing himself back in the review, phone suddenly very close to his face. 

"Be quiet, I'm reading,” he mumbles, sending Jungkook a link to one of the reviews. “You should read at least one review, too. They are glowing, and you deserve all the praise.”

Jungkook raises a brow, trying to not look too interested. “Oh?” 

“Yeah. You’re kind of a prodigy, baby.” Jimin blows him a kiss, pouting until Jungkook opens up one of the reviews and starts reading. 

They’re quiet for a while until an uproar interrupts them. Jungkook's nostrils flare, his voice rises. "Pleasant tunes," he spits out, offended. "PLEASANT TUNES. What am I, a fucking Beach Boy?"

Jimin rolls to his side and reads over his shoulder: Jungkook’s new album is a consistent and lovely package of pleasant tunes. 

He bursts out laughing; a pastor from the 1850s seems to have broken out of their coffin to write the review. "Well, the Beach Boys did make some really damn pleasant tunes,” he teases.

Jungkook shakes him off his shoulder. "Comfort me, damn it," he demands. “Can you not see that I’m in the middle of an identity crisis?”  

"You knock the Beach Boys for no reason. Wouldn't It Be Nice is pretty fire,” Jimin reminds him, hiding a smile into Jungkook’s shoulder. 

“I’m a rapper,” Jungkook broods, ire falling over his face like a dark hood. “I don’t do fucking pop. Especially not the kind those dudes did.” 

Jimin snakes his arms around his waist and hugs him close. "They were described as rock stars in their day, actually,” he mentions, and Jungkook groans, something aching to 'that’s even worse' under his breath. “Would you rather be seen as some tough guy gangster, then?" 

Jungkook’s reply shocks him. "That's already how people see me," he mutters, a bitter edge to his voice. He notices the concern in Jimin’s eyes, and the raw expression on his face flicks to controlled amusement. “Don’t worry, baby. I was just playing. I don’t care what people think.” 

The words sound hollow, echoing like whispers in an underground tunnel. 

“Jungkook,” Jimin starts. “What’s this really about?” 

Jungkook doesn’t have the heart to tell him about the latest onslaught of articles that surfaced when Jungkook was photographed leaving Jimin’s apartment building in the middle of the night to catch a flight. The rumor mill is gearing up again and Jungkook wishes he could keep Jimin from learning about what they say. 

They have both agreed to stay off social media since they decided not to hide their relationship anymore. Jungkook’s mostly stuck to his word, but he saw the headlines while he was waiting for the flight to take off, scrolling on his phone. 

EXCLUSIVE: Which celebrity is hooking up with bad boy rapper Jeon Jungkook in the night? 

Defiling yet another paramour? Jeon Jungkook sweeps off into the night from unidentified flame’s house 

Uh-oh! JJK is on the move again, lock your doors and your daughters! 

It was disgusting, and frankly, Jungkook is sick of it. In the beginning of his career, he embraced the mystery, allowing people to think whatever they wanted, to paint him whichever color they wanted. It was even kind of fun; the first few years of fame went by fast and he partied hard as expected. But he’s older now, more mature—it’s getting very tiring to be seen as bad news.  

Especially when it comes to Jimin. Jungkook hasn’t forgotten how relieved people were that there didn’t seem to be anything between him and Jimin after the airport incident. He’d seen how people had laughed at the thought of him in a committed relationship, especially with someone as angelic as Jimin, and the distant echo of their vicious words still hurt. Like he was incapable of love, like all he could ever be was just his rapper persona who sleeps around and ends other people’s music careers for fun. 

Like he’s not a real person with thoughts and feelings and fears, just like everyone else on the sorry planet. 

“Jungkook?” Jimin presses, concern bleeding into his pretty eyes. “What’s going on?” 

Jungkook takes a breath, pondering whether to tell Jimin about the articles. It's the healthy thing to do, but Jimin's been so happy, Jungkook's not going to be the one to turn off the glimmer of sun in his eyes. 

So, he says, “I’m not a goddamn Teen Choice award. My music… is my everything. To be seen like this, it feels like people aren’t really hearing what I’m putting out. And this album especially… It's really personal. As little as I want to care about what other people think, it kills me that they’re twisting my words.” 

Jimin nods. “That’s understandable. I think I’d be frustrated, too.” 

“Not if you’d let me work on your album. Even if they can’t understand me, I’ll be damned if I let the same thing happen to you," Jungkook points out, swiftly changing the subject. He notices the worry lingering in Jimin's eyes and forces a smile. "It's fine, baby. I'm used to it." 

He seems to want to move past the issue quickly, to bury it under a rug, but Jimin hates seeing him so down. He knows Jungkook, he can feel that he doesn't want to talk about whatever is bothering him. It was already progress that he admitted feeling hurt. 

“If you want to talk—” Jimin starts, but Jungkook immediately shoots him down, embarrassed to have brought it up at all. Things are finally good with them. He’s not going to ruin it by telling Jimin what some low-life nobodies think. Jimin would feel bad for him and that’s the last thing Jungkook wants. If he needs to, he’ll bury the daggers under his feet and carry Jimin over them with a smile on his face. 

The moment drags on, a weird undercurrent in their sea of happiness breaking the usual course of waves. Trying to ease the tension, Jimin sneakily connects his phone to their home speakers. Hearing the connecting noise, Jungkook glances at him, confusion in his eyes, but Jimin just smiles back innocently. 

In the next moment, Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys starts playing on full volume. Jungkook turns to look at giggling Jimin and then Jimin's rewarded with the best sound in the world: Jungkook's laughing, low and earnest and so beautifully happy. 

"See?" Jimin manages to get out through his giggles. "This is right up your alley, it sounds like most of your songs!" 

Jungkook exclaims something Jimin can't make out, but in the next minute, they are running around the apartment, Jungkook chasing Jimin who's choking on laughter and dodging Jungkook’s grabby hands aimed at his waist. He’s singing along while dodging the pillows Jungkook throws at him, escaping his clutches with impressive agility. 

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?

Then we wouldn't have to wait so long

And wouldn't it be nice to live together

In the kind of world where we belong?

You know it's gonna make it that much better

When we can say goodnight and stay together 

Once Jungkook finally catches him, he traps him under his body, but the chase is gone from his face. 

Jimin's laughing, singing along, 

Happy times together we've been spending

I wish that every kiss was never ending

Oh, wouldn't it be nice?

Jungkook stares at Jimin with something warm in his eyes and tells him with a serious voice, "You make me really happy, baby."

The laughter on Jimin's face settles into a glow, lighting up his skin like the morning sun. “So do you,” he whispers.

Their fingers interlock, the gap between their lips disappearing. Jimin hesitates, worried about ruining the moment, but ultimately deciding to steel his heart and says, “I wish you’d let me help you. Whatever it is that bothers you, I want to know. I’m on your side, always.” 

Jungkook smiles. “I know,” he assures, tucking a strand of Jimin’s hair behind his ear, “I know you do. But it’s nothing to worry about. I let it get to me for a second, but I’m over it now. You can retract the claws reaching for my enemies' throats, baby. I'm okay." 

“Claws, what claws,” Jimin asks in pretend innocence. He pushes Jungkook's hair away from his eyes, adding, “You always defend and protect me. I wish you’d let me do the same.” 

"I would, but as long as we're okay, I don't really care about anything else," Jungkook promises, but it's not true. He gives Jimin a smile that's so close to convincing before standing up. 

"Liar," Jimin calls out softly after him because he knows that Jungkook does care. 

The only answer he gets is the sound of rushing water filling the bathtub Jungkook filled for the both of them. 

“Hoseok hyung told me something," Jimin says one day while he's getting ready to go to the gym and Jungkook's studying Mandarin phrases for a concert he's holding in Shanghai in a week.

“Hm?” 

“He said he doesn’t worry about you because you tend to get what you want.” 

Jungkook smirks. “Looks that way, yeah,” he brags, letting his eyes roam Jimin's body up and down. 

Jimin sticks his tongue out, rolling his eyes at him. Suddenly, a memory from a long ago prods at his brain, reminding him of its existence. 

Your boy loves trouble.

“I heard that someone torpedoed Yoonho’s big break at my birthday party concert,” Jimin says, carefully charting Jungkook’s reaction.  

Jungkook's hand switching pages on the book pauses, but that's the only reaction he shows. “Huh. That’s weird.”  

"Weird," Jimin agrees. He looks at Jungkook, waiting for him to add something, but the rapper is vehemently looking away, adjusting his watch with far too much interest. So Jimin doesn’t say anything else on the matter either, he just leans in and kisses Jungkook on the cheek. 

He swears Jungkook’s cheeks turn to a shade of pink. 

“Thank you,” he whispers. 

"Obviously Jimin needs to root his fandom in Korea first," Mr. Lee says confidently. "Koreans like Korean songs, I think that's perfectly normal and acceptable."

"That's so old-fashioned. English words in songs is really popular right now! And besides, Jimin's beloved already around the world," Ms. Seo argues. "We shouldn't limit ourselves only to Korea."

"He's popular, yes, but not like he's in Korea. Besides, interest in his modeling career doesn't necessarily transfer into interest in his music career," Mr. Lee points out, and then Ms. Seo goes off on another tangent on Mr. Lee and his boring, old-fashioned beliefs. At that point, Jimin tunes them both out in favor of looking around the studio. 

His studio. 

Well, it's not really his, simply a rental provided by Miss Jisoo's label, but Jimin can come and go and record as he likes. The album is coming along slowly, but Jimin's not in any hurry. He wants it to be perfect: he refuses to release anything half-assed. Yoongi's hired all the best people for Jimin's debut album, using his old music contacts to find newer, fresh talent as well as veterans in the music industry. It's… unfamiliar, absurd and oh, so wonderful. 

They were expecting to start the work in late December at the earliest, but one of Jimin’s friends is directing the first episode of a drama and she asked if Jimin could provide a soundtrack song. Jimin’s really excited about it: the storyline sounds interesting and Jimin’s friend is a genius when it comes to working on dramas, so he already knows it will be a huge success. 

Besides, it’d be a lot less pressure to debut with a single for a soundtrack than to bare his soul on an album and let the vultures possibly break it apart. It’d be kinder, he thinks, to dip a toe in before dunking his entire being into the shark-infested waters of the entertainment industry. 

As it turns out, however, it's a lot more pressure to place onto only one song rather than a full album. 

Jimin startles when both Ms. Seo and Mr. Lee turn to look at him at the same time. 

“What do you think, Jimin?” they ask in unison, clearly expecting for Jimin to be the final judge on the matter. It's strange to be considered part of the team, someone whose opinion matters. That was never the case at his old company: he was merely a product they were trying to sell, wrapping him up with new layers and bows with every concept and project. Before Jimin knew it, his personality had become a part of his brand, a marketing point. 

Things are different now. Now what he thinks holds value, now he has the power to say no. The newly found power is exciting, but a little frightening, too. He keeps worrying that he’ll make the wrong choice and no one dares to tell him until it’s too late and he’s ruined his musical career before it even began. 

Before Jimin can answer, they hear strange ruckus from the hallway, exclamations and giggling. 

Ms. Seo frowns. “What is going on?” 

“Whatever it is, maybe it's a sign to take a break. I need coffee,” Mr. Lee suggests. Ms. Seo and Mr. Lee step outside the studio to investigate, finally letting Jimin breathe in peace.  

The cause of the commotion is found three minutes later when Jungkook walks in, followed by adoring staff. He ignores the crowd around him, unaware that it only makes them want him more. A chorus of disappointed sighs is heard when the studio door closes behind him, keeping them out. 

"Sorry for interrupting,” Jungkook says. He looks good, silver cross earrings in his ears a curious contrast against his dark hair. “I just wanted to see you one more time before I go.” 

Jimin beams at him. "No, don't be sorry, I'm always happy to see you." He leans up, expecting the kiss Jungkook presses to his lips. "I needed saving, anyway. My music marketing team, Mr. Lee and Ms. Seo, were fighting about the strategies again."

"What strategies?" Jungkook asks, sitting down in Jimin’s lap, making the model giggle and wrap his arms around Jungkook’s middle, pressing a kiss between Jungkook’s shoulder blades, too. 

"Ms. Seo thinks my single should be mostly in English, hopefully a collaboration with an artist who's already established in the west."

"Mr. Lee doesn't agree?" 

Jimin hums, resting his forehead against Jungkook's back. "No, he thinks we need to win over the Korean market first. At most, only a few words in English, hidden in the lyrics. He says I already appear too international which alienates some people and that I need more Korean in my image. Apparently, studying English has made some people think that I want to change home countries."

"That's ridiculous." 

"That's show biz, baby." Jimin shrugs, already used to the strange beliefs people hold. "They think I'm turning my back on my roots. I don't know. What do you think I should do?" 

Jungkook turns around, straddling Jimin this time, meeting his eyes.

"I think you shouldn't listen to either of them. Their advice might be good but not for you. There's a huge interest in Korean music right now. It would be stupid to ignore that. Use mostly Korean in the song, but throw them a bone with the chorus, make a hook they can kind of sing along to." 

"Perfect." Jimin pecks his lips. "Thank you, superstar."

"My bill is in the mail already." At that, Jimin snorts, and Jungkook pinches his side. “How is everything else going?”

Jimin shrugs. “It’s… kind of hard. Everyone keeps asking for my opinion on everything which is great, but I don’t really know what I want my album to say.” 

What is the message, his team keeps asking. If you release an album, it needs to have something to say. Otherwise, what’s the point of saying anything? 

Jungkook’s albums are always thought out to the last detail, Jimin’s discovered. He likes to do thematically and often sonically cohesive albums. Every song is a story and they are all linked together. Jimin asks Jungkook how he does it, but the rapper doesn’t seem to take his concepts too seriously. 

“I always have something to say,” he replies with a shrug. “Maybe I should try to shut up for a change, that would really shock the masses. Guess I was never validated as a child since I have to constantly seek attention as an adult.” 

“Babe,” Jimin complains. “Your family adores you and so does everyone else. Seriously, help your idiot boyfriend.” 

“You’re not an idiot. I think you’re going about this a bit backwards." Jungkook looks away, thinking. "For me, first comes the songs, then comes the message. Kind of like titling your book after it’s finished, not before, because creative works can take a lot of turns and change during the writing process. And that’s not a bad thing. It just means that you’ve evolved as a creator.” 

He pokes Jimin’s cheek. “Don’t fret it, baby. It’ll come. Write a couple of songs, see if there’s a common denominator and make that the theme.” 

“Write a couple of songs,” Jimin poorly imitates Jungkook's voice. “Like it’s that easy.” 

“How are you, the prided prodigy of one Min Yoongi, saying that?” 

Jimin frowns, grumbling, “Okay, just a quick poll: is there anyone who didn’t know that my cute and tiny Yoongi hyung is also the feared, respected, beloved rapper Agust D?"

Jungkook grins. “I met him in passing through Namjoon hyung before he went on an indefinite hiatus and became your manager. It just took me a while to make the connection.” He pauses, adding, “Seriously though, Jimin. If you need help, I’ll help you. I told you I could produce for your album.” 

Jimin shakes his head. “No, baby. That's so sweet of you, but you’re killing yourself with work already. I don't want you worrying about this as well. I’ll figure it out.” 

“It's not a big deal. I wrote and produced most of my albums, too. I’ve got experience. Even if our music styles are a little different, I can help you. Besides, I wanna write with you. Please make your biggest fan's life-long dream come true?” Jungkook asks, batting his eyelashes. 

Jimin laughs. “You’re the cutest. I’d love to, but you’re so busy as it is. I’m not going to add on to your workload. The company’s given me a producer catalog, I just need to reach out to them, but I’m a little scared," he admits, gnawing on his lip. "What if they think I’m totally lame because I’m a model? Maybe they think I’m a talentless loser, fooling everyone?” 

Jungkook shakes his head, assuring, “Not possible. Your voice is beautiful.” 

“Stop,” Jimin whines, but he’s pleased.  

“Babe, I can handle it. It’s not work when it’s you," Jungkook insists.

Jimin shakes his head. “You’re too damn charming for your own good, you know that?" 

“Namjoon's writing for you, and he’s going on tour soon, too,” Jungkook points out, lips pulling together into an unconscious pout. "Why don't you worry about him? You don't care about his general health and happiness?"

Jimin smiles, squeezing Jungkook's cheeks, and explains, “Ha, ha. Namjoon hyung and I made a promise years ago that we’d feature on each other’s albums if I ever got there. Even my old company agreed. Well, Yoongi hyung twisted their arm until we got our way.” Jimin scoffs to himself before reassuring, “It's okay, babe. I know you're busy."

"I'm never too busy for you," Jungkook claims, but just then his phone starts ringing. Jimin giggles and kisses his forehead as he picks Jungkook's phone up and hands it over. 

“‘Jeon Jungkook, the business bitch’,” he jokes and just laughs at the middle finger thrown his way. “I’ll see you at home.” 

Their conversation haunts Jungkook’s mind for the rest of the day. As hard as he tries to mute that small voice always at the back of his mind, it refuses to leave. 

He doesn’t want your advice, it sing-songs, gleeful at his misery. Why would he? You have no idea what you’re doing. You’re still just making shit up as you go along. Who would want your advice? Who do you think you are? He’s the most prolific and beloved model in all of Korea. Who are you to give him advice? 

His thoughts spiral, knocking into another one, bleeding into one big mess of insecurity. It’s always been there, ever since they first met. Jungkook played it cool, but he had been admiring Jimin from afar for so long. He could barely breathe, let alone think when the supermodel first showed any sort of interest in him. 

It's just always been a little too good to be true. 

But it's fine, it's all fine. He's not going to do anything to ruin things with Jimin. It doesn't matter that people are never going to think he's good enough for Jimin. He's used to it, people writing his story without even a drop of ink from him. They think they know him, vehement in their righteousness. 

It's all fine.