Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gwishin are easy enough to handle. Suga, as he’s professionally known in the Manyeo world, has exercised plenty of them in Daegu. But this weird V kid has got one gloomy Mool-gwishin attached to him. It floats nearby V transparent to Suga, dripping water that never hits the concrete. The blonde ghost just sadly looks into V’s big eyes as though hoping he could see him, occasionally circling the tall brunette. The ghosts eye bags are gucci status compared to Yoongi’s.

Min Yoongi never gives his real name to clients, but at least Suga sounds convincing enough to not give it away. V didn’t even sound like his real name when he stuttered it out and his satoori ensures he’s a native so he’s not a foreigner.

Yoongi doesn’t bat an eye at most clients and the pissed off gwishin or spirits following them. In this day and age it’s rare that someone has a sad ghost with a normal appearance. They’re usually just body parts, black shadows, or clouds. Maybe dressed in a Hanbok or with twisted faces.

Sadness is usually not a strong enough emotion that spirits refuse being reborn. The promise of starting another life usually convinces most to pass on quickly, and those don’t look so… Normal. This is the strangest case he’s ever encountered and this V kid makes him suspicious.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you hyung ! You know how to help! You can see Mark right?” At this the ghost side-eyes him in jaded alarm, seemingly aware of Yoongi’s prying eyes, but too lifeless to actually panic. Although prying would infer he’s interested, he’s not. V talks to him as though they’re old friends even though they literally just bumped into each other.

Even before finally understanding he was a manyeo in the 3rd grade, Yoongi volunteered to be the class president. It would look good for his future and his parents would be proud. It made Yoongi force smiles like he enforced rules leaving him by himself as that too pale tryhard. After 13 years he could give a rats ass, Yoongi’s a grown ass 23 year old, but some things stick with us. Shaking off V’s friendliness he goes back into business mode.

“The average fee is 22,000 Won every hour I spend to get rid of him. He might take two.”

V snickers ominously and hands him a piece of paper. No a check. HOLY SHIT can not even begin to describe it. 10,560,000 Won! Yoongi’s never seen so much money at once! Was this brat a chaebol or something?! He’s like 12!

“It’s for the month, I already know how many hours it takes you. I might owe you more though i’m not too sure yet. Oh yeah you’re gonna want the one in Itaewon before Tuesday Yoongi hyung, Annyeong !”

A wink and he’s gone. That little punk knew his name, the check even had everything filled out. What the hell! Who was this kid? He didn’t even leave a number that cheeky bastard.

Yoongi can only shake his head and continue on his way home, the small paper burning a hole in his pocket.

      Home’s a tiny apartment that’s pretty shitty except for his “office” which is totally not his living room. Even though Yoongi is at the age to be going to college, he never got around to it. What would he do without his powers? At some point Yoongi spent so long honing them he never thought about what he would do without them. His grandma always told him he had a destiny in it. Plus seeing corpses reaching out to you or moving your shit makes you wanna know how to get rid of them.

So he diligently uses his sight for ghosts to force spirits to leave. Not the nicest way to put it but they’re dead, and haunting the living is only an inconvenience on Yoongi’s customers. Although most of them did have a hand in pissing off said inconvenience.

Point is it’s not Yoongi’s job to care. It’s his job to light candles and use the old magic in objects around him, from the trees to the rocks, and nudge the spirit on. That’s what makes Yoongi’s blood run, feeling the energy flow from fingertip to fingertip and swirl around his heart. Like the earth and every living thing is affirming, yes you’re alive.

There are only so many witches in Korea and most of them are in Seoul , so it works out for Yoongi to be in Daegu . Most of his clients come to him more out of location than experience. His meetings are private and done in his living room or surrounded by nature if it’s an especially angry gwishin . Unless he’s cleansing a house, he’s generally home. His advertising is done completely online, no one knows what he looks like until their appointment. Even then he’s hiding under a facemask or large hoodie. As far as the Korean government is concerned he’s a legitimate business.

It’s on his way past the front desk that he’s stopped by his landlord. He’s one of the few people Yoongi is polite to. He’s a nice older man who gives Yoongi extensions when it’s slow in the spirit world.

“Ah Yoongi. How are you? Listen, you’re my favorite dongsaeng in the complex so I thought i’d tell you first, but i’m selling the building.”

Yoongi stills, “Eh? But ahjussi , haven’t you owned this building for years?”

He sighs and places his hands on Yoongi’s shoulders in a fatherly manner. “I have. I’m sad to see it go but i’m too old to be running such a large building on my own and i’m at the age of retirement. Me and my wife are planning to visit abroad for the first time. Maybe come back and settle down, play some Yut .”

Yoongi nods his head in understanding and bids him farewell, he hears the rest directed at his back, “You have until next week Yoongi, i’m sorry!” V’s check burns hotter in his pocket and echoes in his head, the one in Itaewon . It’s so ominous there’s no fucking way he’s going to listen to V…

Yoongi shakes his head and unlocks his apartment. Inside he sets jasmine tea to boil and opens his laptop. It’s nothing fancy, just enough for him to run a business and occasionally watch videos. Sometimes he listens to rappers and feels his heart race like there’s some special meaning there and his hand twitches like when he starts an exorcism. He always shrugs it off and dedicates himself to the spirit world. One day, in another world, at another time he might.

His apartment is set up with wards, shrines, and ppalgan jong-i to keep spirits at bay. He’s mostly made peace with their existence, but being grabbed by the ankles at 3am is a bit excessive. Also being pulled into his closet by force then being locked in it for hours is too. Gwishin are drama queens and he needs a safe space in the world.

He’s not very attractive to them either, only a chunk can tell he sees them and decide to fuck with him. If you were locked in place full of people who couldn’t see you, you’d wanna harass the ones that make eye contact with you too. His grandma said something about it being that way because he could see them since birth. She also said there’s rumors about how to see the dead but nothing he could ever prove.

Anyway, there’s nothing saying V is right. It’s actually mighty suspicious a young chaebol told him to move to Itaewon before the owner told anyone else about the building. More suspicious than the hand the reaches out for him from the wall everyday out in the hallway. Or the gurgled mumbles of the girl on the 3rd floor stairway, bloody, with her body stuck at odd angles.

His parent’s might be disappointed in his career choice but they didn’t raise an idiot. Something isn’t right with that V kid that he can’t see. The only thing keeping Yoongi from completely ignoring the kid is the check now sitting on the coffee table next to his tea. He stares at it agitatedly, like he can hear V laughing in the distance. The rich fight dirty.

He searches for open spaces and apartments. Everything is so pricey even with V’s check. Either that or too close to competition.There’s no way he can afford to have both. The smart answer would be to just get an apartment, but the closer to the city you get the more visibility you need. Yoongi may not like it but the internet by itself won’t cut it. He’s going to need something…

Getting up to refill the burning tea in his mug does nothing to stop V’s words from looping. Itaewon , Itaewon, Itaewon. Just one search and when he’s wrong V’s voice will leave Yoongi’s thoughts. That’s it, the only reason.

He searches Naver for a living and business space in Itaewon . The screen loads for a few seconds and finds only one match, an old ice cream shop with a private space on the second floor. Not only was the price in Yoongi’s range but it’s location as well, close enough to Seoul for more customers but far away enough to stand alone. Fuck.

He’s actually listening to V, why does he feel like he’s taking this lighter than he should. He should tremble like when he notices a ghostly skinwalker in broad daylight. He tells ghosts to fuck off for a living he shouldn’t be so reckless. Maybe it’s because something about this excites him somewhere his heart used to be. How convenient a chaebol knows he needs a new place and gives him money in advance.

Yoongi remembers his tea and tries to inhale the earthy tones and think. Beggars can’t be choosers. If the idiot overpaid him then that’s his fault. This is something he wouldn’t have done on his own without such an open opportunity. He should probably be grateful.

Then again if the check bounces all of Yoongi’s plans are fucked. Just when he’s getting over that thought his phone vibrates. Who the fuck? His parents only call on weekends and the only client he’s had recently is that V kid. Yoongi did NOT give him his number. The ppalgan jong-i are probably fading. That or it’s a sales rep, nothing scarier than being sold cable. Sitting and setting down his mug he pulls out his phone. His eyes widen as he reads the text.

Unknown Number:

The check won’t bounce ;p V

Seriously what the fuck? He takes back what he said earlier. Who is this little asshole? How dare he drop into Yoongi’s life and direct him like a puppet. His parents already did that until enough was enough and now he’s gotta take it from some stranger? The only person who ever cared what he wanted was his grandmother and she’s not here anymore.

No, Yoongi belongs to no one. He doesn't keep ties so that he can't be pulled on a string. This fucking sucks, the dead try to kill him, the living piss him off. Honestly what the fuck.

You:

Fck off

Eloquent? No, but at least he had the manners to reply. How could Yoongi sell himself out for higher stakes when he’s fine as he is? His routine is set and life was a bit shaky, if not stable. But a gray area, Yoongi wasn't living, really living . Even though this was his chance to change, he of all people should know change comes with a price.

Chapter Text

He’s owned the store for a little over a year and even though he’s crawling in debt and eating half his merchandise, he’s doing pretty good. Kim Seokjin estimates 4 years of repaying loans if he’s frugal but he’s still young. Jin, as his friends call him, is only just 23 and not an ahjussi like that damn red headed punk Jimin keeps telling him he is.

He’s also not the block’s resident eomma . That would just fuel Taehyung’s delusions that Jin and Namjoon are the old married couple of the block. They aren’t even dating, and the smug look Taehyung sends him anytime they’re near each other only serves to make Jin count to ten and hope that boy is running.

There’s no way Namjoon would be into Jin, that’d be like a cute, deep voiced angel falling for a human that’s a 6 on a good day. No wait Jin is a solid 8 but the point stands, Kim Namjoon is too perfect. Jin’s just reading into every sweet dimpled smile and light chuckle he manages to get out of him. Joon likes him as person, a trusted friend more than anything else. Taehyung keeps giving him hope and Jin’s always torn between thanking or strangling him for the resulting conflicted feelings.

Anyways the real mom of the block has to be the happy vitamin he hired to help run the shop part time, Hoseok. He works the morning shift until he goes to uni but he’s such a saint. Jin almost cried tears of relief when Hoseok noticed him struggling and said he could lend him a hand. He was a Psychology major too so he didn’t even know plants at the time, like? Such a sweetheart. Jin always feels indebted to him.

Together they finished up all the paperwork and Hoseok even gave him the idea to name the shop “Rose of Jin” since he is technically a florist. In the end Jin kept him and makes sure he always has whatever he needs for his classes.

The main reason Hoseok is his favorite dongsaeng is because sometimes elderly folk who need fresh tea leaves phone in and he speeds off in his moped to deliver and help them around the house before returning back to the shop. He’s honestly too precious. He once told Jin that if Namjoon didn’t like him he would have hexed him a long time ago. If Jin ever had kids he wishes they’d grow up like Hobbie did.

On official papers Jin runs a flower shop. Most other customers just purchase flowers and bouquets for normal reasons, it’s genuine. Unofficially he supplies Manyeo’s with herbs and makes healing tea. It’s an old tradition passed down to him and even though he could be anything, raising plants and sipping tea when he isn’t running around like a headless chicken is pretty worth it.

He also gets to talk to Joonnie, the cute tattoo artist across the street who hexes anyone on his list for the right price like some delinquent. If Jin didn’t know any better he’d say he was intimidating but he’s seen the man almost cry over breaking his Ryan phone case (Jin bought him a new one). Or lecturing wisdom to the local kids like some kind of grandpa. It’s even cuter when the kids pretend they’re listening and Joon just lights up.

Namjoon breaks things easily on top of being a cute dork. If people knew him personally before learning what he did for a living they might laugh or think he’s lying. You can’t understand until you see him steady his hands and hold the needle like it weighs nothing. Even though Jin nearly dropped it the first time he held it and didn’t expect it to be so goddamn heavy. Joon made it look so easy as his face showed concentration wrinkles, and a tough leader persona peeked out.

On his longer works Jin knows he’s tired because he can see Joon’s tongue sticking out from across the street to showcase his dimples. If he’s not too busy Jin brews Rose tea and sends Hoseok over to remind him to take breaks more often. It’s not the first time Taehyung’s walked into Jin’s store to find him hiding behind a plant to see Namjoon’s reaction.

He can’t help it okay? He’s deprived of his usual chance to meet him outside of work since the ice cream shop next door closed recently. He can’t just walk over without a reason either, that’s too much. Jin just wants to pretend he has a chance. Taehyung pointedly shakes his head at Jin with enough force to mess up his chocolate hair.

“You could just talk to him hyung . It won’t kill you, trust me i’d warn you if it would.”

Once he’s sure Namjoon is sipping at the tea Jin can sit behind the counter in peace. Hoseok is probably talking to Joonnie, he doesn’t need psychic powers to know that. His brooding accidentally makes some nearby Acacia flowers droop and Taehyung to chuckle.

“Why don’t you go bother Jimin or something. Be a good son and let eomma suffer in silence.” He throws over his shoulder while trying to magick life back into the flowers.

“So you admit to-”

“I’ve admitted nothing! Please not today Tae.”

Normally Jin just brushes everything off but Namjoon not coming to talk to him in any voluntary way makes him anxious. How can he stop feeling on edge when the guy he likes is so out of his league and unaware of him? Ugh, and he yells at Jiminnie for his low self esteem. Mom of the year award goes to Seokjin for best example! He’s a 23 year old male, he should be a hyung or oppa not mom.

Jin is still internally monologuing when Taehyung freezes at the window and runs up Jin’s stairs to his private space, “Going bathroom hyung!”

“Ya! My shop is not a public restroom Kim Taehyung!”

But he’s gone and now Jin has to go see what scared him off. He steps away from the flowers (he’ll fix those later) and heads over to the window. There’s a mint haired man about Jin’s age unlocking the closed up ice cream shop. He’d be concerned over it if he didn't see the set of keys. If he turns out to own some kind of food shop then Jin can see Joon around again!

Everyone in the block eats from Kim-Kimchi’s but at some point it’s tiring. Taehyung’s parents run the Daegu inspired restaurant and chains, so he runs off anytime he gets the chance. Tae is probably just avoiding a rush hour. Jins gonna yell at him after meeting the new neighbour.

Casting back one last look at where Taehyung ran off to, Jin grabs some yellow roses. He’d have to welcome him to the neighborhood anyways, now is as good as ever. Jin checks for any incoming customers before stepping out, Tae’s just going to have to look after the shop for treating it like an outhouse.

The man? Young man? Now he just sounds old. He’s still unaware of Jin quietly approaching. His face is twisted in annoyance trying to figure out which key opens what. He looks as unapproachable as Joonie when he’s working.

“Annyeonghaseyo ! I’m Seokjin, 23, and I live next door but you can call me Jin. Here, these are from my shop to welcome you, are you the new owner?”

Jin hands over the flowers to the honestly surprised man. He looks so pale but that might have just been Jin scaring him. He nods.

“Please take care of me, i’m Suga.”

Suga bows and awkwardly holds the bouquet to his chest. There’s a moment of silence where Jin’s waiting for him to say his age just to know how respectful to speak but is offered nothing.

“I just got the shop on a recommendation yesterday and I wanted to see what I had to work with today, you didn’t have to bring flowers.”

He’s awkwardly shifting foot to foot and avoiding eye contact. Oh Jin’s keeping him too. He’s like a little kid who was told to play nice.

“I don’t mind, I have more than I know what to do with. So what kind of shop are you setting up?”

Jin is lightly laughing but shit he should have kept his mouth shut! Too straightforward! God, he really is Jimin’s mother. It’s too late to take it back oh dear. Suga looks hesitant for a second before shrugging and turning back to unlock the store.

“A Manyeo shop, mostly just exorcisms.”

He says it quietly enough for Jin to understand he’s waiting for a bad response from him. Oh this poor kid, he probably spent everything to try to do something he knew people wouldn’t like. And now he’s here waiting for his fears to come true. Jin realises he’s been quiet a beat too long. Shit.

“Do you need any Mulberry leaves or Chrysanthemums? I have a lot of different tea leaves for different ceremonies so you can stop by anytime if you need them. Or daisy’s, they’re overrunning the place.”

Suga finally unlocks the door and turns to smile, really smile at Jin.

“Thanks Seokjin-ssi , I’ll see you around and let you know.”

If Jin wasn’t already in so deep with Namjoon, Suga would have swooped him off his feet.

Chapter Text

It’s day 2 with the shop and Yoongi’s already met one of his neighbors. The meeting went so much better than he thought, he got flowers from the tall, pretty blonde and an open invitation for tea. He expected to be called a shaman or crazy, both are bad. It occurred to him mid conversation that he’d have to explain what he would be doing for a living right next door. He couldn’t hide behind anonymity and indifferent parties like he used to, which sucks ass. But it went well so maybe this wasn’t a mistake.

The inside of the building has abandoned chairs strewn about, stains where the removed ice cream counter was, and empty boxes in the storage room. There’s a sweet and sugary smell he knows isn’t gonna go away anytime soon. It’d take a bit of cleaning but Yoongi can already see where he can set up a shrine and an exorcism table. Hell, he could even get a desk to be professional and shit.

That reminds him he has to get decals for the front window. The four walled room means he has to bring talismans and hang new ppalgan jong-i around too. Fuck this is a lot of work. Ugh, he can’t just nap the day away, he’s got to work hours out. This sucks.

He shouldn’t be complaining about the opportunity he’s been given. Plenty of manyeo have a hard time out in the countryside and the heart of Seoul . This has to work. He should check the rest of the place out. Why does he have to have the ambition of his mother but motivation of his father?

It’s passing by the restroom on the first floor he notices it. There’s a door that leads to a backyard? He’s pretty sure there wasn’t enough room for one but he opens the white door anyway. A cherry wood deck extends a few feet to turn into a zen garden with pure white sand and a lazuli pond. When Yoongi walks over to to peer inside it’s more like a well with no end.

The hairs on the back of his neck raise and he shudders. Something was watching him. He checks over his shoulders and even catches a glimpse of Jin’s backyard overgrown with plant life. Just because he couldn’t see whatever it was didn’t mean it wasn’t there. There have been plenty of gwishin that caught him off guard. Specifically female gwishin , they have a habit of being heard more than seen. He’s gonna have to put those ppalgan jong-i up quicker than he thought.

He takes one last look at the garden before closing the door. Yoongi is turning around when he see’s a face pressed against the glass front door.

His heart stops for a second before he realises they’re human therefore alive, at least he thinks so. A maybe human with a long face and black hair making faces pressed up on his glass door. The guy’s making the most stupid faces Yoongi’s ever seen in his entire life.

He walks over and opens the door to the guy almost falling face first on the floor. Just like that he’s back up and shaking Yoongi’s hand. His smile is so bright Yoongi almost squints against it. He is super cute though, like a puppy or something. Shit, pay attention to what he’s saying.

“-Jung Hoseok! Jin sent me to say hi and help you~! He came back pretty pink so I wasn’t sure but you’re not too bad. You’re kinda on the red side but that could be good, just smile more~!”

Yoongi doesn’t even know how to describe him, he’s too much, please chill. He definitely reminds him of a dog, he’s only missing the floppy ears to match his smile and parted hair. Focus!

“Suga, uh, you don’t have to. Jin’s done enough for me already.” He says this but he’d rather not be honor-bound so early on.

Hoseok just smiles wider, “I came here cause I wanted to~, you’re new and need help. You’ll get done faster if you have help right? You can repay us by buying us Kim-Kimchi’s later~.”

He winks at Yoongi and laughs with his whole body. This neighborhood is full life and people who aren’t dead inside, not many of those in Daegu . Ah! That’s why he keeps wanting to laugh, Hoseok’s satoor i is from Gwangju .

He can’t help the giggle that comes out when Hoseok extends his vowels pleading to Suga that he’ll be good just let him help! Yoongi nods and closes the door. He’s so extra. Suga’s telling him how he wants things and where they’re going to move everything in when the moving truck comes by. Despite how hyped and sunshiney Hoseok is he’s a pretty diligent worker. Don’t get him wrong he was still fucking around, but the place looks less abandoned and it was actually fun.

They’re moving the last piece of furniture in 4 hours later in the sunset and watching the moving truck speed off. The warm light filtering through Hoseok’s hair is angelic and the sweat droplets refracting light in the dingy shop make him ethereal. Suga’s not in a liminal space is he? Hoseok catches him staring and smiles.

“Oh~ you’re not falling for me are you? Oh nevermind, you’re back, shoot! Your colors flicker more than you show, you should work on that.”

“I’m wearing black where do you keep getting these colors from?”

His face turns onto the most accurate representation of the 0o0 emoji before settling back to his regular happy expression. “I can see what people feel through colors.”

He’s smiling and looking at Yoongi gently. How could he say it so pleasantly, like he’s talking about a stroll? It took everything in Yoongi just to tell Jin he was a manyeo without changing his tone or face. There was too much history behind being who he was compared to Hoseok, as far as he could tell anyway.

Yoongi walks over to his couch off in the corner and settles for watching the sunset away from the shop’s window. He pats the empty space beside him and Hoseok does a running jump onto the old couch further nudging it into the wall.

“I don’t want your whole life story, but I kinda want to know about the color thing.”

Hoseok hums and spreads his legs across Yoongi’s lap cuddling into the couch. His face twists into contemplation and he cups his chin until he finds what he’s looking for and looks back at Yoongi.

“It was when I was about 13. My friends, different ones from now, thought it’d be a great idea to check out this abandoned shrine. There were a lot popping up in Gwangju so it wasn’t really a big deal.

Anyway, we went during sunset and it was pretty fun! But then when we went in this room… I still don’t know what it was used for but everyone else was behind, following me. When I turned around, the door was closed and my friends couldn’t reach me.”

Hoseok had a glassy look in his eyes as he shivered. Yoongi pat his thigh with one hand and rubbed circles in his ankles with the other. Comfort through words was meaningless and he didn’t really know how to do it. Hoseok seems like a touchy person anyway.

He breathes in deeply and continues on, “I guess I passed out. About 3 hours later I woke up in the dark and my friends finally broke through the door. I couldn’t “see” out of my left eye anymore and it really hurt. Sometimes it still randomly hurts.”

Yoongi’s grandma never said much on auras, he’s pretty sure it’s something you’re born with. Everyone he’s encountered since meeting V have been really different. He should write in her journal about this.

“How do you… uh see? Like what would you compare it to?”

Hoseok snuggles closer to Yoongi, to where he can feel the vibrations of him humming thoughtfully.

“Like when you switch the colors on the screen to show the opposite.”

“You mean invert?”

“Yeah! That! If the person is normal then the colors look like smoke. Bad auras are cloudy. People are normally a rainbow with the main color they’re feeling showing more. My right eye is fine though, perfect vision and everything.”

His story sound familiar, definitely something his grandmother’s written. Shit, what box did he put it in? Probably one of the ones in his room. He gently moves Hoseok’s legs off and motions for him to wait.

He’s rummaging around trying to find the old worn out journal in the fading sunlight when he feels it again. The same staring sensation from earlier. He tries to catch a glimpse of it hiding among the boxes in his room quickly before it got any ideas. Fuck! He should’ve put the wards up before sunset, now he’s gonna have to deal with that nerve wracking feeling all night.

Gwishin are least likely to attack if there’s more people and light. Hoseok! He’s about to call out when a box tips over and spills out everything inside. He should’ve been able to see whatever it was! What spirit is powerful enough to conceal itself? A Kumiho  probably, he bitterly thinks. This is probably how he's gonna die.

He actually looks at what spilled out onto the ground and spots the soft red leather of his grandma’s journal. That's convenient. Don’t be a wuss Yoongi! Just take it and get back to Hoseok. Why does he have to deal with this shit all the time? Take the journal and give power to whatever’s hanging around, or return to Hoseok without any answers.

Hoseok didn’t ask for answers, but if Yoongi wanted to know how to get rid of his sight he knew he’d want answers too. Ah fuck it! This is why he doesn’t make friends!

J-Hope

Downstairs Hoseok hears Suga moving around and looking around for something as he waits on the couch. He’s nervous he’s scared someone off again, like his old friends shortly after they found him. They were just scared, he knows that now, he can't blame them. He can tell by Suga’s aura that he’s a good person but shades were tricky and his face was so passive. He shouldn’t have started off with that story! His face was just so cute he wanted to share a piece of himself. His smile's, as brief as they were, were addictive.

A loud thump passes overhead and Hoseok is kinda concerned. Nothing happened to Suga right? There’s a few seconds of silence before he hears Suga scream.

Hoseok’s off the couch and sprinting up the stairs in a heartbeat. He’s narrowly avoiding ramming the walls at every turn before he finds Suga in the dark, in a room of boxes on the floor. There’s a mess from a fallen box and Sugacurled up in it. He was twitching and thrashing against something invisible. What should he do?!

“Suga!!”

“Light! The Light Hoseok!!”

He runs to the switch and Suga immediately stops squirming. In the light Hoseok can see the book he was holding and something pink on his right arm. What the?

Chapter Text

Something flies out from behind the box straight at Yoongi and he thought he was gonna die for a second. He screamed and fell back, honestly not his proudest moment. Twenty-Three years of actual jumpscares and this one truly froze his heart and chilled his veins. He couldn’t see what it was exactly in the dark but it wrapped around his arm cold and slimy. The more he tried to get it off the more it tightened its grip.

He was so lucky Hoseok showed up. In his panic he was totally useless. He’s glad his grandma passed on, otherwise she’d scold his carelessness until he joined her.

The light revealed a tiny, thin and long snake. Yoongi doesn’t know anything about snakes but the pale pink scales and their pattern… This wasn’t just any snake. Oh how his grandma would cry if she saw it.

“Wh-what iS THAT?!”

Oh yeah Hoseok. Well shit, how was he gonna explain this? They were both so scared they were both yelling in full satoori at each other.

“IT’S NOT A SNAKE I CAN TELL YOU THAT!.”

It unwinds and rubs itself against Yoongi’s cheek. What the fuck weren’t these things supposed to be powerful and huge as fuck. Yoongi realizes he’s still sitting in the middle of a mess in his room as a very powerful creature nuzzles him. Yoongi continues, “Its an Imugi .”

Hoseok hides behind the doorway and tries to keep from jumping around in fear and  excitement.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN IMUGI ?! THERE’S A SNAKE GIVING YOU KISSES!!”

Yoongi stands up and the Imugi slithers from his arm to hang like a scarf around his neck. It’s tongue occasionally flicking at his neck and somewhat startling Yoongi the first few times. He opens the book his grandmother gave to him before she passed away. Two birds with one stone.

“He’s basically a pre-dragon according to my grandma, but he should be huge and very lucky.” The well in the back was most likely his home. That water was probably connected to some river since Imugi are water creatures by nature. Ancient water creatures don’t just live in any water.

His grandma’s tall, neat writing talked about the steps they go through to become dragons: 1000 years alive, aiding others, swimming, leap of faith. Standard fairy tale quests.

“They’re pretty benevolent, actually they usually avoid people.”

As if to prove him wrong it blinks its black eyes and tilts it head at Yoongi before tightening around his biceps. Why do these things have happen to him?

“Ya! Stop it! What are you doing you little weirdo?”

Hoseok hesitantly re-enters the room and starts laughing at Yoongi.

“It’s hugging you~ That’s so cute!”

Yoongi can only glare at Hoseok and try to wiggle free. He’s already lost enough pride screaming earlier. What did he do to deserve this? If this thing wasn’t avoiding humans it’s safe to say it wasn’t lucky. Wow, he find’s one of the rare wonders of the world and it’s useless. Of course.

“The reason I came in here was to find this notebook.”

Hoseok finally stops laughing at Yoongi and looks at him.

“What are you gonna name it anyway?”

“Are you just gonna ignore that I potentially risked my life to get this notebook for you?”

“Are you gonna ignore the thing kissing you?”

Yoongi sighs and tries to look for where his grandma mentioned it. He realizes he doesn’t want to be standing now that the leftover adrenaline is leaving his limbs shakey. Goddamn thing scared the shit out of him. Yoongi goes to move the boxes off his bed and throws himself into the sheets. The Imugi went to hog the pillow from him. He probably should wash the sheets more often now.

“I’ll name it whatever name I randomly flip to, happy?”

Rolling over, he gives Hoseok space to flop next to him and wedges his thumb somewhere in the book. Why does he have to name the thing? He doesn’t even know if it has a gender or anything.

The page is one of the bedtime stories his grandma used to read to him. As he rereads it he can hear her like he’s a child again. It’s the tragic tale of Princess Barl , who did everything in her power to save her parents with the Hwansaengkkot (flowers of life). She became the Ogushin (reaper) that guides spirits in the underworld in exchange for the flowers.

It’s a sad story full of pain and sacrifice. He didn’t understand why his grandmother would tell him such a morbid story in retrospect. This explains a lot of things actually.

“Her name is Ogushin, do you want to know why you’re half blind now?”

“Did you just name this cotton candy snake reaper~? Hahaha! This is great!”

He’s laughing so hard and slapping his knee they both end up laughing at the absurdity of it all. This was so fucking ridiculous.

A while later they settle into a comfortable silence in the dark and Yoongi is drifting off slowly.

“Could you.. Could you fix my eye?”

Hoseok who is so expressive and bright, turneded soft and fragile. How much had Hoseok gone through because of his eye? This event that changed his life in a way he had no control over, much like Yoongi. The only difference is Yoongi will always be able to see them.

Yoongi blindly reaches for Hoseok’s sleeve and rests on his arm. He didn't mean to give him false hope. How assholish of him to have forced the idea onto Hoseok.

Another reason he hates people, they make him a liar. He has nothing solid to help Hoseok out, but his heart wants to tell him he can without hesitation.

“My grandma was a wise halmoni. If anyone knew anything, it was her.”

Why is he like this?

“Hey”

“Yea?”

“Can I spend the night?”

They’re in a fit of giggles again but much more tired than before. Yoongi would shove him off the bed if he weren’t currently his pillow. This really wasn't that bad.

Chapter Text

They’re following him again. Jungkook is so surprised he’s made it this far. He’d been outrunning them for 2 weeks so far, moving from one temple to the next. He doesn’t even know where he’s at, he started off in Busan but he’s somewhere near Seoul now.

Jongkook doesn’t know why but he’s like a magnet to them. There’s at least 5 gwishin tailing him, two without legs and crawling at alarmingly fast speeds, and one in a white Hanbok stumbling behind them. The other two keep talking and whispering nonstop in his periphery.

This far into the city there’s more ghosts than there are temples. That’s the only place they hesitate at, waiting around until something happens and suddenly they can close in and rush Jungkook. The temples give him solace but he always ends up running.

He’s been a temple boy for most of his whole life, living and maintaining the same temple and shrines as a monk in training.  Never leaving the monastery without reason and supervision. He should've had his coming of age ceremony and truly lived like a monk that morning.

But something happened. He woke up and he couldn’t breathe, faces swarmed him and he felt cold like never before. His heart hurt every beat, why couldn’t he move?!

Somehow he got away, leaving his home and life behind to a world that wasn't the same the last time he saw it all those years ago.

What was he supposed to do? He’ll hit the North Korean border unless he can get them to stop chasing him. Even when he shakes some off, they're quickly replaced by different ones.

He doesn't want to hear what they say. Their wishes and emotions weren't as important as Jungkook’s sanity. How was he supposed to get rid of them?

Jungkook didn’t need money at the temple just like he didn't need to leave its walls. It's hit him now more than ever how childish his thinking was.

The temple took him in as an orphan and had always taken care of him. To be so dependant on them was a mistake. He's grateful they loved him, but all those years of happiness and routine had been pulled out from underneath him like a rug.

He's left with this world he doesn’t understand and crippling fear constantly at his heels. Jungkook would cry but he already cried every tear he could when his parents died in that accident.

His running starts to slow when he hears the voices start to fade. That means a temple’s nearby! He can't wait to pray he’s made it another day.

The gwishin completely stop following him when he reaches a shop. There’s no lettering on the glass but there’s someone in baggy clothes sitting behind a desk writing.

Just catch your breathe and ask for directions. Society couldn't have changed that much. People have been polite so far.

He opens the door and instantly feels better. The air is sugary sweet and clean. What kind of shop has the power of a temple?

The man at the desk raises his head at the sound of it but Jungkook's looking at the ppalgan jong-i his old temple used to have on the walls. And facing the appropriate direction is a shrine.

Jungkook makes for it and kneels to pray. He closes his eyes and feels so relieved. He can't summon as many thankful sutra’s as he feels he needs.

He’s mid prayer when someone settles next to him. Fear shoots through him until he see’s it's the man. His hair is a light green and he has what the head monk would call a blessed face.

The man doesn't open his eyes and continues silently praying. Jungkook rejoins until his heart isn't racing anymore.

When he's done the man stands and moves to a couch farther away from the entrance. He pulls out what Jungkook thinks is a phone. He’s barely paid attention to such trivialities with the gwishin swarming him.

“Annyeong. Hyung are you busy? Araso, could you make Gukhwa Cha tea please? Aniyo, you bring it, Hoseok is too energetic this time of day. Komawoyo.”

He speaks in a way Jungkook could vaguely understand, not like what he’s been hearing on the streets. When the call is done Jungkook hesitantly walks over and bows at the man. His eyes widen but his face returns to passive.

It's silent, and tense. Jungkook doesn’t know what to say, conversations didn't happen casually at the temple. The man hasn't told Jungkook anything either. The silence is going on forever. Jungkook is still standing and holding his hands like he’s back at the temple. The silence is broken when the man stands and passes him to walk towards the door.

The gwishin are still nearby but they don’t dare cross into the store. A blonde man joins the green haired one and they exchange a bit of hushed conversation before the blonde one hands over the tea tray and waves hello.

Jungkook bows and plays with a loose string on his sleeve. The blonde smiles fondly and takes his leave.

Neither of them acknowledge the gwishin . Compared to the blonde one the green haired man makes Jungkook nervous with his silence. He's also pretty short. Although, the man hasn't done anything overly suspicious. In fact Jungkook is the suspicious one. The man takes the tray and motions for Jungkook to follow him.

He leads him through a white door to a garden out back that makes him feel a pang of sadness. It reminds him of the monastery, of home.

The man sits at the edge of the wood deck and starts pouring tea for two. Jungkook sits on the other side of the tray and looks at the well. He thinks of water, and the Busan sea he sometimes visited and misses home again.

“Do you have a name or is silence golden?”

He carefully stirs and swirls the white chrysanthemum floating in the center. Other than that he doesn’t pressure Jungkook to speak.

The fragrance is lightly sweet with a hint of honey. This was the tea they had during important holidays. It was a special tea for the celebration of life.

Jungkook picks up the spoon and sees his reflection for the first time today. It’s distorted by the bend of the metal, but he can tell he’s sweaty and the dust of the abandoned temples marked his face worse than he thought. His robes were in worse shape.

After 10 years the dam he built broke. It crumbled so fast and there were so many reasons he couldn't even pinpoint where to start. This stranger being quiet and lending an ear, feeling home again after being forced to leave the only one he thought he had left, the thought of his parents seeing him in this mess.

It was all too much. He pulled his knees to his chest to try and stop breathing in air like he was dying. The more he tried to stop it the worse it got. He was probably being a burden to the man since the moment Jungkook entered the shop.

He shouldn't have lived! He should have died with his parents! He would've rather died than have been the only one to make it out alone. Being alive only made him a dependant, a child who couldn't even take care of himself. What was he supposed to do?!

He's trying so hard to stop but his tears keep falling one after the other. The man stands and Jungkook feels a million times worse than before. He drove the only person helping him away. His crying gets louder but he can't help it. Why?!

He doesn't even know who he's asking he just wants to know why. The steps move to his right and the man is hugging Jungkook. He pats his back and rubs his arm and Jungkook cries more. He leans into the man and clings with his life.

The touch doesn't remind him of his mother and that makes it all the worse. It's been so long since he's been held like this he can't remember if he really ever was. The man is shushing Jungkook and trying to establish some kind of rhythm.

Jungkook tries to breathe with it until he’s not leaking like an old faucet. At some point he stops trembling and uses whatever clean part he has left on his sleeves to clear his face.

He slightly pulls away from the man and sees the gross wet patches he left on the other man's clothes and almost starts crying again.

“Mianhaeyo.”

Telltale tears try to start again but the man hastily wipes them away.

“No, no, no. It's fine, this is an old hoodie, just drink some tea. Gwenchana .”

His panicked tone makes Jungkook laugh and he’s lighter than he’s ever felt in his life. He feels all over the place but it's good. It's a good feeling that feels like it was supposed to happen.

Jungkook sips at the tea and even hands the man his. It's sweet and cleansing like he remembers.

It's a good thing he's mostly done with his tea when there's a slithering feeling on his wrist. He almost drops the cup before the man catches it and peels off the pink thing coiling around his arm.

“What did I say about personal space? We talked about this this morning.”

A pink snake lowers its head in shame before placing himself around the man. The man sees his face and apologizes.

“Sorry that's Ogushin, she has no boundaries, it's really annoying. She doesn't do anything though. Except-”

On cue she wraps around him and licks at his face in a distracting manner. His face scrunches at every lick as he halfheartedly struggles.

“Yeah that.”

It's actually kinda cute. He shows disdain for her but he doesn't actively try to fight being kissed by her.

“I've only seen pictures of snakes, I didn't know they could be this color.”

Ogushin finally stops and hides in the man's sleeves.

“They don't, she's not a snake, she’s an imugi . Maybe a kkangcheoli, not sure yet.”

Jungkook doesn’t know what either of those words mean. Before he can ask she slides out of his jacket, through the sand and into the well. The man looks at Jungkook and he knows what the stranger is going to ask.

“Any reason why you’ve got so many friends outside? You must have pissed someone off.”

That's not what he was supposed to ask. Jungkook snaps his head up. What? He could see them? But they didn't bother him, he didn't react to them either.

“You?”

He had so many questions that he just stopped. The man waves him off and drinks his tea.

“Yeah, always have, they only sometimes bother me. I only get involved with them if I'm hired to. I can’t interact with them anyway, just see em and get rid of em.”

“You can get rid of them! You can make them go away?!”

“How do you think it's been so calm? I make sure they can't get in. Even back here.”

As he says this Jungkook realized how long he cried for and how uninterrupted that time was. He should ask him to help, just to get to another temple at least. But he doesn't have money…

“What kind of shop is this?” Jungkook clasps his hands again and chews his lip in bad habit.

“It's a manyeo shop, I'm the owner Suga.”

Oh. This wasn't what he thought witchery would look like at all. Jungkook is hesitant and he’s already taken so much from Suga, but he’s desperate.

“Can you take me to a shrine? One where they can't get to me. I was at one since I was little, until I woke up and They were everywhere. They all kept trying to talk and touch me and  wouldn't leave me alone. They got mad the more I ignored them.”

Suga looks at the well Ogushin went into and thinks.

“Tell you what, I’ll give you a talisman instead. I've been moving things for days and I'm too old for long walks.”

Jungkook can't tell if he's joking or not.

He follows Suga back inside into a small room with storage bins and pulls out different items: a paper, chain, some cylinder thing and ink set. He then shrugged and brought more miscellaneous things. Jungkook wasn’t sure what he was planning.

Manyeo’s were a forbidden topic at the temple, especially when he was a child. He only knew about them from sneaking around after lights out and listening to the older monks gossip.

They were dangerous people. Some monks even called them shamen . Once the word was uttered both monks immediately started praying. Jungkook can only hope he can trust Suga.

Suga heads back to his desk and places the items in some invisible order. Jungkook sits across from him.

“Before I begin i’d like to ask some questions. If you don't answer truthfully this talisman can't help okay?”

Jungkook nods and attempts to relax.

“I'm gonna guess you haven’t always seen them right?” he hums when Jungkook nods.

“How long have you been running from them?”

He doesn’t want to start crying again so he tries to hold back, “Two. ”

Suga clicks his tongue but continues, “Days? Weeks?”

He nods. It sounds much worse out in the open and he can't look him in the eye.

“Alright this is the most important one, have you ever been near death?”

Jungkook stiffens. He reminds himself he doesn't have to say anything about it, just nod. Don't panic again, suga’s helping.

Suga seemed satisfied and grinds the black ink that was a dark red in liquid form. He didn’t want look at it for too long. Jungkook focuses on suga’s hands and how they make the brush dance on the paper.

Jungkook can't read what it says but he can tell it's a Sanskrit before being translated. Suga cleans up the ink and brush and let's the paper sit to dry.

This time Suga gets a call. It's probably the blonde one again since he starts off with hyung. Unless he has more than one. Jungkook doesn't know how old he is, but he must be older than him if he owns a shop right?

“Yeah everything's fine. Do you?… Have any spare clothes?… Please don't laugh at me... Sure, sure, tell him to fuck off with his long legs. Komawo .”

He wants to ask about phones and what else has changed but he won't be there long enough to find out. He's getting sad again.

A different person walks in this time with what's probably the clothes Suga asked for. Jungkook didn't ask why Suga needed clothes but he thought it was unrelated. Once again Jungkook is left out of the loop as they talk quietly. He can’t be upset at them, they are strangers.

When he’s drifting off and looking around the newcomer with black hair tries to sneak a look at him. Jungkook doesn’t need to pay attention to know what he was thinking. He pitied Jungkook. Caught in the act he quickly looks back to suga and waves happily before leaving.

Suga walks over and shoves the clothes into his arms on his way to his desk. Jungkook tries not to fumble them and tilts his head to look at him.

“I have to do preparations for the talisman that’s gonna take a while, so go shower. First door on the right. Don’t bother me until you squeak when you walk.”

Suga sits and continues on as though he never got up. Jungkook should be insulted but he’d rather be treated like an annoying little brother then have Suga look at him like the other men did. At least this way he can pretend his life didn’t bring him to this point. Strangely it feels like this is his chance to begin.

Chapter Text

Suga shooed the boy to shower and once he had scampered up the stairs then proceeded to slam his face onto his desk. He didn’t even care he was this close to splattering red ink everywhere. He’s so totally fucked. Deeply boned by the ways of life.

Not like that poor kid but still pretty fucked. Ugh, what was he gonna do? That’s a dumbass question considering Jin already knew even though Yoongi didn’t want to admit it.

There’s only two reasons someone grows up in a monastery. A is they chose to later in life. Or B, in this poor kids case, is it’s either that or a foster home. Why else would he have come to his shop still dressed like that after 2 weeks. Yoongi knew he couldn’t just leave the kid at a random temple, he’d have to house him.

He thinks back to Jin’s surprised voice and prying questions when he called for tea. Then Jin saw the kid and knew. He teased Yoongi and proved that Jin knew that Yoongi knew he knew. His head was starting to hurt.

Uggggh poor kid, he already looked close to tears when he burst through the door but Yoongi attempting Jin’s whole healing personality caused him to break down. Yoongi acts like himself and people get pissed, he acts like he cares and they get sad and spill their woes. He needs a middle line or he’s gonna go crazy.

Oh god then Jin called him like he had some weirdly accurate maternal instinct.

“Is everything okay over there?” He did sound concerned at first Yoongi will gave him that. He needed to watch what he said even more than he had been. Living in a monastery in all likelihood made the kid antisocial and old-fashioned. He already looked like he was ready to have a heart attack, Yoongi didn’t want to be responsible if he caused anything.

“Do you?” Yoongi didn’t want to say it in front of him but Jin knew where he was going and laughed.

“Do I what? Want to take him in? We both know the answer to this one Suga.”

Yoongi was internally screaming already and all Jin did was increase the volume. Jin left him in a whoever smelled it dealt it deal. God help him. Yoongi swallowed what little pride he had left and asked an even worse question.

“Have any spare clothes?” The kid opened his mouth a bit and scrunched his eyebrows like he wanted to ask a question but Yoongi was too busy listening to Jin lose his shit. Yoongi could tell his clothes wouldn’t fit the kid. He can’t believe he was doing this.

“Please don’t laugh at me.” Why was he always put in these situations? Yoongi can hear Jin talk to someone off the side and Hoseok start laughing in the distance too. Jin tells him  the generous J-hope would donate to the cause and bring it over.

They were both barely centimeters taller than him. Tall assholes.

“Sure, sure, tell him to fuck off with his long legs. Komawo .”

Which is how Yoongi ends up wishing his desk could swallow him whole. Thinking about it he’s kinda hungry. Fuck, he never put the kitchen together. Gwishin tend to shift your priorities. He can only blame himself for this one.

He snaps his head up and listens to the shop. It’s quiet. Shit he’s so stupid, of course the kid doesn’t know how to use the bathroom. Monks bathe the old fashion way with buckets and all that traditional crap. Yoongi sighs and heads up the stairs.

Like he thought there wasn’t any water running. He knocks on the door and waits for a response.

“Ye-yes!”

“If you don’t know how to use it just say so.”

It’s a couple of seconds before the door opens and he’s facing the kid hanging his head in shame. Yoongi goes past him and turns the water heater on.

“Twist the lever in a few minutes, left is cold. Don’t use the conditioner, it’s expensive. Can you cook?”

The dark haired teen stops fiddling with his sleeves and shakes his head no. Yoongi shows him where the towels are then gives him his privacy. He hopes it's fine to leave him alone, but he made it 2 weeks against angry spirits. Somehow Yoongi doubts a loofa is his worst nightmare.

Once he’s downstairs he can’t help but wonder how he ate if he didn’t know how to cook and was on the run. This kid made him depressed and stressed, all he needed was anxious to complete the holy trinity.

It seemed like it's a long time before he would open up to Yoongi. Hell Yoongi didn’t even know the kids name yet. How do you establish good will or whatever? What was he gonna do?

Yoongi really didn’t want to go into the kitchen and clean. Yes, he was that lazy. At least he unpacked his room okay. Anyways, he already asked for too much from Jin and Hoseok on the 3rd day. Kim-Kimchi’s it was.

The Daegu restaurant was on the right side of Taboo Tattoo. The green and white shop was still somewhat busy even after the lunch rush. He could pick up something for Hoseok and Jin while getting himself and the kid something. Maximum efficiency with minimal effort. The motionless Min saga continued.

The gwishin that were following the boy had dispersed. Now if only he could ward off people. Bad Yoongi, you need clients and their problems. Ghost problems only though.

The interior was traditional and vintage but with a well loved feel to it. He waits at the end of the line with a few people in front of him.

The smell of spicy tripe and fried kimchi spark a pang of nostalgia. It smells like his mother's cooking, at least when she used to cook. He could never get his dishes to taste like hers.

To be honest Yoongi didn't think about what he’d get for everyone. He assumed the kid would eat anything but Hoseok and Jin might have had preferences. He should’ve texted them beforehand.

The line moves forward and suddenly it's Yoongi’s turn to order and he's faced with a certain little shit dressed in the Kim-kimchi’s uniform. Said little shit was waving at the previous customer all goofy and loose smiles turning fearful at the sight of Yoongi.

V quickly tries to hide behind the counter but Yoongi grabs him by the collar. V scrunches his shoulders and curls in on himself like he could hide in some invisible shell.

“Ya! Get back here!”

This just makes him squeak and regress further behind the counter.

“He can't see me like this!!”

He? There’s a lot Yoongi realizes a lot in a 3 second span. The first was that V wasn't freaking out about him. He would have said you . Yoongi’s the last person to care he's a cashier either.

The second was he was the last person in line, so unless someone walked in, the person was connected to Yoongi in some way. It’s sad to say but Yoongi is really only friends with his neighbors.

The third was that it wasn’t said neighbors V was skittish about. They were regulars who recommended the restaurant to him and probably met V before.

“Who? The only other person with me is-”

Wait, wait, wait. Hold on one fucking second. Don't tell him. Yoongi gets a shop from V’s check. Then this cute, tragic, lost, little boy around V’s age shows up a few days later in desperate need of a home. The only person who would believe V was a Chaebal was currently taking a shower.

V wasn't on the lookout for Yoongi. He was looking out for that kid!

“Take my order and answer my questions or I bring him over right now.”

You gotta hit where it hurts, he doesn't have time to be nice. He could also be very wrong but whatever. Yoongi drops V violently on the floor and waits. Carefully checking over the counter V started to stand.

His green name tag said Taehyung in bold black. So, Yoongi was right to think he was using an alias. Taehyung was also hyper vigilant and fidgety. Yoongi slaps his hands down on the counter forcing him to focus. At this point he didn't care about the scene they were making.

“Spicy tripes, bulgogi and a side of fried kimchi . Who's the kid?”

Taehyung writes down his order and licks his lips nervously.

“Your drink?”

Yoongi can feel his veins pulse faster in anger by the second.

“Cola, add what Hoseok and Jin like. How did you get your hands on 10k?”

Taehyung was mumbling under his breath about “The asshole route” and breaking out into a sweat. He looks around for someone to save him. The customers were comfortably eating, seemingly used to his unusual behavior and staff were busy. He also didn't ask who Jin and Hoseok were. He knew more than he let on. I already know how long it takes you.

“Anything else?”

His voice cracked like he’s going through puberty. Why does Yoongi have to go in circles? It's not that fucking hard to answer questions.

“Alright, you know things before they happen so clearly you see the future. Get whatever the kid likes, in exchange tell me where I can find Mark's grave, a last name or something. He is haunting you .”

The ghost wasn’t present at the moment which just made Yoongi run into more walls. Mark was only slightly attached to Taehyung. Finding his grave could at least let him track down any family and follow his life until his death. Someone other than Taehyung knew something and would be more useful. Mul-gwishin were handled differently than the average ghost.

“I can't, he doesn't have one.”

That's it.

“For fucks sake! Can you tell me anything?! Because if not I'm going to let the kid live on the streets.”

Taehyung gasped and shouted, “You can't! You wouldn't!”

“Why not? I have no obligation to take care of him. You gave me that check for Mark’s exorcism.”

“Because he's my future husband!”

Yoongi’s mouth hung open and Taehyung let out a sigh. He pouted at Yoongi like he canceled nap time. What the fuck.

“Alright. I gave you the check so he’d have a place to live, but there's a bigger picture here.”

He lowers his voice and leans across the counter, “I can't tell you anything but it wasn't just for my benefit. You need to investigate Mark and your past for answers. If I break the rules and tell we all lose. Game over.”

Taehyung ran his thumb across his throat and leaned back behind the counter. He was all smiles again and told Yoongi the total. Yoongi wanted to tell him off, really he did. But how could he after that bombshell? Just what the fuck was going on around here?

Yoongi handed over the cash and found somewhere to sit and wait. What kind of ghost didn't have a grave? A murdered one. That’s great. Maybe Jin knew Mark, he was headed there anyway. Besides he doesn’t have anyone else to talk to about it. Except his grandma but she never replied.

Chapter Text

It wasn't long before before Taehyung cheerfully hollered out that his food was done. Yoongi looked at the 4 takeout containers, drinks and sides galore, and immediately regretted ordering so much. It's definitely a two tripper.

As Taehyung bagged the food he looked Yoongi in the eyes and sobered the happy mood he created earlier.

“Hyung, please take care of him for now. You're really the only one that can.”

Yoongi wasn't really sure how serious he was about the whole future husband thing, but it took a lot of faith to entrust the love of your life to someone else. He couldn't really argue about that.

In the end Yoongi only took Jin and Hoseok’s meals. He nodded at Taehyung that he’d be back and walked over to the Rose of Jin. He couldn't make promises but he most likely would take care of the runt until he could take care of himself.

Since Yoongi's hands were full he shoved himself at Jin's front door sideways. It opened and he didn't ram into any other customers. It was the only thing to have gone his way all day.

Jin was behind his counter reading some magazine, not really paying attention to anything. He looked up at the sound of plastic bags rustling and the door opening to see Yoongi struggling.

At the same time Hoseok was moving potted plants aside and rearranging the display to better show in season flowers. He quickly put down what was in his hands and skipped over to help Yoongi.

“Suga! You already bought us Kim-kimchi’s, I'm impressed~ is this mostly for me or lovesick Jin over there?"

Yoongi sighed in relief as Hoseok took the bags from his hands and placed them next to Jin on the counter. Jin smacked Hoseok's arm as he settled down across from him. Hoseok simply snickered and spun himself on the barstool completely content with himself.

They took out the sides and started offering some to Yoongi. He shook his head no and used a mulch crate as a seat. He wasn’t really picky about where he could sit as long as it wasn't standing.

“Your loss” Hoseok shrugged. The sounds of slurping and crunching filled the silence. Jin looked sternly at Yoongi until he opened his mouth for Jin to shove hot tteokbokki in. He remembered if he didn't hurry his own food would get cold. After chewing Yoongi cleared his throat, catching Jin and Hoseok's attention.

“You guys know Taehyung right?”

Jin smiled affectionately, “Unfortunately.”

Hoseok nods vigorously and wolfs down his kogi. Yoongi pauses and pats him on the back. Chill.

“Of course! He's the reason you bought us food, huh? Huh? Well good luck, he won't date anyone but he does do that tongue thing and-”

Yoongi put his hand up and stopped Hoseok before he heard more than he wanted to.

“Where’s Mark?”

Both of his neighbors froze and exchanged a look, carrying a silent conversation with one another. The tension was immediate and thick, easy enough to cut even with the dullest butter knife.

Finally Jin turned to Yoongi and put down his kimchi.

“Why do you want to find him Suga?”

Ah, he's not really allowed to say anything about it. They didn't really need to know though did they? Then again if he didn't give them anything they could trust then he wouldn't get anywhere. He already went through hoops with Taehyung and look where that got him.

“I was contracted to find him.”

It was partially true at least. Hoseok and Jin paled. Jin’s voice came out unstable, “We don't know, we don't really talk to him or his friends, but Joonie does.”

Jin pointed at the Taboo Tattoo across the street. It's windows were tinted black, probably opening later at night. They acted like they could see him or something.

“Who?”

Hoseok rolled his eyes at Jin's stiff form and tried to loosen the tension.

“Namjoon is Jin’s unrequited love. He owns the store across the street, see? He’s sketching right now.”

No. No he couldn’t. Yoongi looked at the store then back at Hoseok trying to see if he was fucking with him. Hoseok looked back completely open. He wasn’t fucking with him.

“You mean you can see him right now.”

Hoseok tilted his head and Jin furrowed his brows. Yoongi looked back at the shop that was still pitch black. His heart lurched as he realized the implication of this.

Yoongi hopped off the crate and scrambled out of the shop. He was an old man that couldn't move that fast, but he pushed himself to burst through Taboo Tattoo.

He instantly broke into a coughing fit and felt the nauseous need to throw up reverberate through his body. A black fog obscured his view and filled his lungs, thick and poisonous.

It was a manifestation of negative emotions and curses left uncleansed. Yoongi couldn't see Namjoom but he yelled in his general direction, “Stay here!”

Then he ran to his own shop. He was too old for all this running. Jungkook was still showering but Yoongi wasn't paying attention to that.

He was in the storage room grabbing candles and any spirit traps in his reach. The traps looked like several chopsticks shaped into hexagonal cubes and held together with vibrant colored string.

He almost ran out without grabbing a pocket full of premade ppalgan jong-i. Who knows how many times they saved his ass.

Namjoon, Seokjin, and Hoseok probably thought he looked crazy. Maybe he was but whatever Namjoon was doing in his tattoo shop obviously outweighed his sanity.

Yoongi opened the door and threw in the traps like grenades. The smoke slowly started to vacuum into them and slowly Yoongi could see again.

Namjoon was staring at him wide eyed, mouth half open, ready to say something but frozen. He was somewhat stocky with cropped pink hair and had multiple ear and lip piercings. His sleeves were rolled up covering most of his various tattoos. Yoongi would have been disappointed if he didn't have any.

“Lighter.”

Broken out of his shock Namjoon nodded his head and went off to find one, while Yoongi caught his breath.

When Namjoon returned they lit the candles and placed them around. Then Yoongi placed the ppalgan jong-i just to be sure.

“Are you stupid or are you trying to die?”

Namjoon looked offended at Yoongi before crossing his arms.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Yoongi threw himself in a tattoo chair and sighed in relief.

“Suga, your resident exorcist. You're welcome by the way.”

Namjoon squinted his eyes and begrudgingly offered Yoongi his hand. Same man, same. Yoongi shook it and Namjoon partially smiled. His dimples eased Yoongi’s racing heart.

“Komawo, I do feel better. I've been wondering why it felt so heavy.  What brings you to my shop? Do you know how many middle school girls would maul me if I inked your skin?”

Yoongi laughed and shook his head. His grandma would skin him if he did, she told him as a kid all the time.

“Another time, I need information.”

Namjoon switched from sketching to what looked like cleaning a tattoo machine.

“I don't know much but I do owe you for whatever you did.”

“What do you do here to attract that much negative energy?”

It was almost like that kid with ghosts. Definitely not just a tattoo shop.

Namjoon wiped down needles and dipped them in liquids Yoongi didn't know the name of. Everything smelled antiseptic and leathery. His abundant art was in black frames to contrast the red walls. The furniture and counter tops were a gothic black as well.

“I have a list that I go through, the higher the price the higher on the list it is. People on that list end up with tattoos and live a cursed life. They don't know about the tattoo part, even if they did the damage is done.”

Yoongi narrowed his eyes at Namjoons back. A Hexer who didn't have a shrine set up, the obvious signs of neglect towards the aftercare of the job. There can't be Yin without Yang, it's the first thing you learn about magick. 

“Do you ever bother to cleanse yourself afterword?”

He stilled and turned toward Yoongi.

“Yes I shower.”

Yoongi looked at the ceiling and felt himself lose 10 years of his life. Fucking amateur, unbelieveable. How was he alive in all that mess of twisted emotions? He probably couldn't see ghosts but still!

“Next time, please stop by my shop so this doesn't happen again. Suga’s Exorcism, I'm next to Jin.”

Namjoon perked up at the mention of Jin and arranged his needles more delicately.

“You met Jin already?”

“And Hoseok, good kid. Speaking of kids there's a runaway monk staying with me so if you see him approach carefully.”

Namjoon nodded like he understood but even Yoongi didn't really understand. Now for the topic everyone's avoids.

“Do you know Mark?”

Namjoon whistled, but kept fiddling with his machine.

“I know he's a good hyung , him and his best friend moved here from different countries to open a martial arts studio. He’s American, tall, quiet, and chill. And missing, at least as far as I know, he's a sensitive topic I wouldn't bring up in front of his crew.”

Yoongi drinks all this in and closed his eyes. Mark's crew and best friend were the best lead he’s had so far. If Yoongi could find one of them, he could find the rest.

“His crew?”

Yoongi tried to be innocent about it but it wasn't a good look for him. Namjoon didn't really care and answered him anyway.

“Yeah, I talk to his best friend Jackson a lot. Not lately since Mark’s been missing but before we were cool. JJ Project is the salon across Park Dance Studio. The hairstylist and makeup artist are close to them. Like really close, like ‘hey I’d suck your-’”

Yoongi waves him off. Why does everyone tell him about others sex lives?

“Aish, why are you guys like this? Thanks though, this is leagues more information then Jin and Taehyung.”

Again Namjoon paid attention and deliberately slowed down when Yoongi mentioned Jin. This whole neighborhood was fucking gay. Literally.

“Hey… would you rather live your life in fear of the future or uphold the past?”

He was talking to Yoongi but Namjoon wasn't really there, he spoke distantly. He wasn't really with him or asking a philosophical question, it was related to something Yoongi didn't know about. This was one of those times when an outside answer was better than an inside one. Yoongi got up to leave and grabbing the spirit traps carefully. He stopped at the door.

“I deal with ghosts for a living, at some point the fear becomes nothing. It's your past that holds you down the most.”

At that Yoongi really did leave Namjoon. Then he remembered his food and silently mourned it's freshness. When he walked into Kim-Kimchi’s, Taehyung winked at him and handed over his and the kid's food, still steaming.

Yoongi hated to but he actually thanked Taehyung and headed home. He made sure to ignore the giant heart Tae sent his way though. Attention would just encourage him like with Hoseok. 

Chapter Text

This time when Yoongi walked through the door the shower was off. Without a proper dining table he set the food down on his desk. He almost opened his container to dig in when he heard his grandmother's voice in his head.

Meals are a time for bonding and it disrupts the house order to eat alone in the presence of others.

It's a weirdly specific memory to have conjured but Yoongi trusts his grandma even in the afterlife. He’s just used to eating alone. Fine, he’d wait for him.

He worked on the talisman until he was 3/4ths done with the detail work. He felt like he was 5 again and writing sutra after sutra until his grandma smiled at him, satisfied. Yoongi's writing might be perfect but his drawings were shit.

Yoongi had a lot of respect for Namjoon to easily draw permanently on others, he couldn't even draw trees correctly. His grandmother was the only reason his writing came out so legible.

Everything in his life came back to her. She was both the good and the bad. She encouraged something his parents hid in shame while turning it into something he had to do. He hated being a witch for many years of his life. Maybe Namjoon felt the same about being a tattoo artist. Why else would he have asked that question earlier?

It had been a while and still nothing from upstairs. Sighing Yoongi got his lazy ass up to go check on him. There was steam coming from under the bathroom door. Yoongi was actually kinda worried.

He knocked on the door and waited. There was shuffling until the kid opened the door looking much better than before. He had a towel around his waist and water dripped from the ends of his overgrown black hair.

Yoongi actually felt personally attacked when he saw the kid was fucking ripped. What the fuck did monks do all day? Yoongi didn’t know any monks so muscular! Priorities!

“Are you okay?”

His already big eyes were wide and concerned. He shook his head no and Yoongi’s blood turned cold for a second. The kid hugged himself and turned around.

Holy shit that was bad. On his back, directly behind his heart was a cracked and faded tattoo of a rabbit. Underneath the skin was severely scarred. An accident? Yoongi would have been more confused if it didn't have the Sanskrit circle, but it did. Instead Yoongi gasped and understood why the kid could see ghosts.

The Sanskrit circle, as long as it remained intact, could ward off ghosts. It was a method meant for shrines not bodies. The kid hit a growth spurt and his skin stretched the already fading tattoo and scarred skin more.

This discovery raised a lot of questions, one's only the kid and those monks had an answer to.

“Finish changing and we’ll talk downstairs.”

Yoongi wasn’t one to pace but he did roll himself back and forth in his desk chair. The kid did remind him of a bunny like the tattoo. Skittish, lured by security and food, wide eyed with rabbit teeth. It was entirely possible he was like that even before he showed up at Yoongi’s though.

Honestly Yoongi should read his grandma's journal like a bible for answers for the kid and Hoseok as well. His grandma thought she would be the last witch to know and use the old traditions. Her only daughter didn't have any power and even rebelled against her until Yoongi had been born.

She wrote everything down in an attempt to preserve what generations of witches verbally passed down the family line. Min was a powerful name in the old world. If Yoongi used his name alone he could have coasted through the traditional witch life in ease.

Riding on coattails made Yoongi feel sick. It was something popular Seoul witches did to live. Most of them were frauds, liars, thieves. Before his grandmother died she was losing customers to younger witches with less unusual methods. They were more modern.

Yoongi had to watch his grandma lose to “ manyeo ” whose talismans couldn't even protect the dead. How nice it must have been to say anything and be unquestioningly listened to based on appearance alone.

“It’s like the blind leading the blind. Do not let what happened to me happen to you, you're my little Min-genius.”

Upholding the past huh. It finally felt like Yoongi was embracing his witch life and doing what he wanted. Maybe he was just accepting his fate and his grandmother's lifelong influence as his only choice.

Whatever. Existential crises could wait for actual crises. Like the kid’s tattoo or Hoseok's sight. Yoongi opened one of the desk drawers and pulled the red book out. A journal older and wiser than him by lightyears.

His best bet for the kid was in her personal accounts and notes. The lore and stories were of no use at the moment.

Before Yoongi went to systematically read through his grandma's life he paused. Instead of looking for it he could call to it and make it come to him.

It was like finding lost personal items except a thousand times easier. The journal was something tied to his very being, it would work. He wasn't just trying to avoid speed reading. Legit.

He held the book on its spine and closed his eyes. Yoongi evened his breathing until he felt that pulsing life flow through him. He pictured the kid’s scared face and the tattoo then back to the kid. He switched the images until they started to flicker and change faster than Yoongi could make them. His blood was supercharging lightning speeds when he instinctively knew now !

He let's the book fall open and it revealed one of his grandmother's journal entries near the 200 pages.

Kumiho haunting:

The neighbors were experiencing time skips and unusual jokes from other members of the family. They claim to have no knowledge of doing so and their sleepless nights were accompanied by the youngest son’s hound constantly barking. It was surely a kumiho.

Not long after the youngest lost his sight. Before the exorcism could be completed all traces of the spirit disappeared.

Mother says it ate his sight for power. How cruel, to leave a being helpless for personal gain. Since it ate it whole there was no chance to return it. Mother cursed the moon and back at one of the neighbors death causing her such an inconvenience.

It was the one that always smiled and walked with an invisible grace. She wouldn't say why he was useful for the boys sight, in the end we moved on to the next.

There it was! Even in death his grandmother was still teaching him. It wasn't exactly what he needed, “lost his sight” sounded like it was for Hoseok more than the kid.

Yoongi needed to know his name! Obviously it wasn’t going to work if Yoongi didn’t know his name. Yoongi used an alias because there was power in a name. At least he knew how to navigate the book easier.

Finally the kid’s footsteps descended the stairs. He hovered near the last few steps as Yoongi stared at him and they silently locked eyes. It was a brief staredown brought on by a weird combination of Yoongi’s blunt personality, the kid having abs, and the reality that they were pretty evenly matched lone alphas weary of the other.

Yoongi was being generous to himself by saying pretty even considering his height and twig limbs. His only advantage was age. Yoongi didn’t have time for this, he gave up and looked at the empty seat in front of his desk then back at the kid.

The kid looked uncertain but moved to sit. Yoongi pulled the take out containers from the bags and smelled the Daegu spices he missed. The boy moved to grab his food before Yoongi smacked his hand away.

His eyes widened briefly then flashed in anger and disbelief. Yoongi pulled the containers toward himself.

“Name or I eat it.”

The kid continued to sit there debating what he could and couldn’t tell Yoongi. He started chewing his nails so Yoongi opened his fried kimchi and inhaled the mouth watering scent. The monk didn’t flinch so Yoongi opened his container and blew the meaty smell in his direction.

“Is that pork soup rice?!”

Yoongi proceeded to eat a piece of pork and shrugged. He didn't bother to ask Taehyung what the kid liked or got.

“Jeon Jungkook!”

That didn’t take long. Yoongi pushed the food and chopsticks toward the ki- Jungkook and returned to his own food. Jungkook crammed as much as he could at a heartbreakingly fast pace.

“Slow down before you throw it all back up. I didn’t pay for it to come out that way.”

Jungkook had the good grace to blush before slowing down. Yoongi was right to slow him down but it felt like yelling at a puppy. Even Yoongi had his limits of assholery.

In the end Yoongi forfeited one of his containers to Jungkook and finished the Sanskrit. He needed the food more than him anyway. At least he had manners when he wasn’t in a rush.

Yoongi rolled the talisman up and put it inside the metal cylinder he pulled out earlier along with chrysanthemum petals. He sealed it and thread the chain through a little hoop to make it a necklace. It was the best Yoongi could do for now.

“Wear this whenever you leave the house, it's temporary so it'll only buy you a few weeks until I figure out how to redo your tattoo.”

Jungkook finished slurping the last of his soup and put his hands in his lap.

“The temple! I could just go back and they can do what they did again.” Yoongi shook his head and hung the necklace on Jungkook.

“You barely survived on your own, you're coming into a world that's drastically changed in your lifetime. Unless you find an escort, or your GED I can't let you go on your own.”

Jungkook scrunched his nose at the word GED proving Yoongi’s point. Taehyung somehow pulled 10k out of his ass, it's in Yoongi's best interest not to let anything happen to his pre-husband. Who knows what that boy did to get the money.

“Come on, you need a crash course on what's been happening outside of your temple.”

Chapter Text

Suga

There’s a reason Professor Min doesn’t exist. It’s because Yoongi is shit at talking with people, he’s spent the last 4 hours teaching Jungkook the basics of technology. The boy thought phones were wired when they first started! Strength Yoongi, you were already paid to do this. You were paid to do this.

“Okay, from the top.”

Jungkook sighed for the millionth time and picked up Yoongi’s phone, “This is an iPhone 6.” He turned on the screen and unlocked it.

“It’s a ‘touch’ screen and let’s me make important calls, go on the internet, and play games.” He opened each app and showed Yoongi.

“If I break Hyungs phone, he will take away the talisman and not let me go outside. I should ask siri if I can’t find him and have a question.”

Yoongi nodded and took his phone back. This was light years better than when he was holding it upside-down and talking into it like a toddler. He didn’t know what god to pray to, honestly.

The street was washed in a soft twilight of purples and blues. Another day without customers… He really needed to put up his sign, the metaphorical money well would dry up soon. Yoongi looked for his wallet and motioned for Jungkook to follow him. Together they put on their shoes.

“Where are we going?”

Ogushin slithered into Yoongi’s sleeve. She’d been doing it enough that it only slightly bothered him. Yoongi’s positive if he got a bag for her to be in she’d still cling to him.

“To get you clothes. What are you gonna wear tomorrow?”

Jungkook nodded and Yoongi locked the store after them. There are a few places still open around 8pm. Notably H&M but listen, budget.

Against his better judgement they end up going, he could always go bully Taehyung into getting more money for his husband later and use the money he has now. H&M here we come!

Meanwhile:

Kim Taehyung is in the middle of a food rush brought on by people’s work day ending. He’s shouting orders to his father and handing out food through the madness with a practiced ease. He’s used to random visions interrupting his life but he feels a chill run down his spine and can't help but feel like he’s in for some deep shit later.

Suga

Suga and Jungkook are walking through the neon lit streets Itaewon offers at night. Jungkook gaps at the high fashion and noisy noraebangs they pass in intense interest. Suga’s very used to ignoring the noise and the light, he forgets how marvelous it must all seem.

Inside H&M the sales lady’s took one look at Jungkook and whisked him off to try on half the store. Half the store is more than Suga can afford right now. Jungkook looks a bit uncomfortable under all the hungry stares the sales ladies crowd him with. He pleads for Suga’s help through fearful eyes and somehow, Suga feels pity for him.

“We’ll take the first 3 button up shirts and the skinny jeans, Miss.” Suga tells the nearest one who scampers off to ring them up.

Half the girls pout and whine to Jungkook, “ Oppa , please stay and try on more!” Suga watches him awkwardly tell them his age and apologize about needing to go home.

Amazing! He didn’t just have ghosts on his ass, but a psychic and humans too. One of the younger girls is brazen and asks Jungkook about him going home to his girlfriend. She’s batting her eyes and lilting her voice to fish information out of him, even oblivious guys worse than Jungkook fall for it.

“Uh, I live with him.”

Suddenly every girl in the immediate vicinity looks ready to fight or scandalized. God, you really test me, don’t you? Yoongi sighs and walks past the commotion to pay for the clothes. Jungkook finally figures out the safety in numbers and sticks close to Yoongi.

“Is that all we’re getting? I thought we were getting more.”

Yoongi slides his debit card annoyed and retorts as he enters his pin.

“Listen, your sugar daddy didn’t exactly give us enough to buy everything from here.”

The shirts alone were 50,000 won each and the pants 80,000. It catches up with Yoongi that Jungkook doesn’t know about Taehyung or how Yoongi’s currently paying for everything.

“Sugar daddy? Hyung , what’s that?”

Cold sweat forms at the base of his neck and he hopes Jungkook won’t remember this well. Yoongi is only bending the truth, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. He trusts him enough right now anyways. The cashier’s eyes widen as she bags their purchase and blushes.

“It’s a bad nickname I gave to a friend, he knew you’d need stuff and gave me money to help out.”

Jungkook nods his head and hums. Holy shit that worked! Fucking shit filter. Yoongi shoves the bags into Jungkook’s unsuspecting arms and rushes out. The sales ladies are scarier than gwishin . When Jungkook cuts his hair and dresses better it’ll be a nightmare.

“Where’re we going now?” Jungkook trails behind Yoongi, fleeing from the ladies downright evil eyes.

“I didn’t want to do this but follow my lead and be more…” Yoongi gestures at Jungkook in general and heads towards a wholesale market. This would be the only time Yoongi would do this. He feels worse than when Ogushin does that arm constricting thing every time he resorts to it.

“Just pretend you know what i’m talking about. When I say i’m going to get you something, call me hyung and politely refuse like you don’t want to upset me, got it?”

He scans every stall they pass to find the sweetest ajumma selling clothes he can. He spots a good candidate near the middle of the market. She’s barely greying and has a good accessory section and jeans. God he hates doing this.

“ Teabal Noona! These necklaces look like real gold, how much are they?” He puts it on and models it for Jungkook. He amped up his satoori and smiled making sure his gums showed. Jungkook blinks at Yoongi acting so unfamiliar. Yoongi steps on his foot where the lady can’t see and Jungkook's eyes widen before he understands.

“This looks like a lot hyung , you don’t have to get it for me, it’s okay.”

Yoongi ruffles his hair, “Only the best for my dongsaeng , how much noona ?”

She gapes at them for a second, probably caught off guard by Jungkook’s Busan satoori and pretty face. She snaps back and waves off Yoongi, “it’s 3,621 won sweetheart, it’s not real gold.”

Yoongi widens his eyes and grabs the chain.

“It’s 3 dollars!”

Jungkook looks like he wants to laugh so Yoongi lifts his leg up slightly and stops him. Yoongi already saw it was at least 5, without even bargaining they got the price down. He feels like shit hustlin an old lady. Ogushin slithers into a more comfortable spot at his waist, he’s so grateful his jacket is halfway zipped up.

Taking off the necklace and walking over to the jeans Yoongi pulls out baby blue skinny’s that might fit Jungkook. He measures the waist and makes sure it’s not too short for the tall motherfucker.

“Do you have a sale for these? He’s a lost cause for fashion and needs a date, he’s too handsome to be second in his class and studying his youth away.”

“ Omo ! He’s second! Sweet and smart, i wish my son were more like you.”

Suga starts calculating how much of a discount he can get for the least amount. She also has some knock off Timberland boots for half price. He could get them lower, he just needs to amp it up.

“I know, right? My grandmother says the same thing, and i’m her grandson!”

Her eyes widen and she gasps, “He’s not your brother?”

It’s more like loud disbelief than a question. Jungkook looks unsure of what Suga is doing but he’s putting some faith in Yoongi and rolling with it. For his part, Yoongi can tell this ajumma watches cheesy Sunday drama’s all week. The juicier Yoongi lies the better he sells it.

“He has no parents so my grandmother took him in. She could barely afford paying school for me so he studied until he got a scholarship. I couldn’t let him waste his youth so I got a job, this is my first paycheck. I want to get him some clothes he won’t have to say are secondhand.”

Her eyes sparkle like she wants to cry and tell them it’ll be alright. Yoongi adds what feels like 10 or so plain white shirts to the pile, Jungkook looks uncomfortable.

“I think we’re set Noona . He’ll be the talk of the school, don’t worry, i’ll make sure he tells everyone where he got his chic outfit from.”

Yoongi’s smiling and nodding his head. She looks at them like someone who found a box of stray puppies. Jungkook spots the Timberlands and Yoongi makes a show of grabbing a pair and checking the size. He dots on Jungkook like he would if they were really brothers. At his waist he can feel Ogushin getting jealous. Yoongi needs to finish this before she ruins his sale.

“Seven pants and shirts should be enough, right Kookie? I’ll get you the shoes next time, grandma needs her medication refilled this week.”

He can feel the lady’s heart breaking for them and he feels worse about swindling her. Jungkook keeps following his lead and Yoongi’s gotta say he’s a natural at looking pretty and not doing much. More than Yoongi anyway.

The lady bags the clothes and adds a few colored shirts along with a single pair of Timberlands. Yoongi starts protesting and uses his foot to nudge Jungkook into helping before the lady cuts them off.

“Yah, yah, it’s on the house got it! As long as you buy the shirts and pants i’ll give you the rest. You’re both so sweet and shouldn’t be out this late at night. Go help your grandmother and stay out of trouble.”

When Yoongi swipes his debit card he can tell she didn’t charge for a few of the pants. They bow profusely until she shoos them away smiling. As they leave Yoongi puts a few ppalgan jong-I at the shop's entrance.

Jungkook is silent as he carries half of the clothes beside Yoongi, face scrunched in thought.

“ Did we just steal?”

Yoongi Isn't sure how to explain it to Jungkook. Was it shitty of them to lie? Yes. Did Yoongi need to drag Jungkook into it? No, but here they were. And it was Yoongi’s fault.

“No, not unless you took it without permission.”

They continue walking in silence. Yoongi doesn’t know what Jungkook is thinking. To go from a comfortable and set routine to questioning everything you’ve ever known. It must be hard. Suddenly Jungkook stops and Yoongi turns questioningly at him. Jungkook’s hair is covering his face as he stares at his borrowed shoes.

“Was what we did wrong?”

There’s no question in his tone. It was accusatory, and aimed at Yoongi. He’s already thought about it a thousand times, how Jungkook can’t be guarded from the world.

“ Hyung that felt wrong. Why did we do that? I don't want to do that again… She was so nice. Do you even have a grandmother?”

Yoongi sighs and continues without him. Jungkook followed if only because it was late and he couldn’t find his way home.

“I used to, she was a great woman. Let’s go home Kookie.”

All the bright wonder the city had to offer earlier is forgotten with the sunset.

Chapter Text

Jimin

He’s having the dream again. Jimin used to have it sporadically and spaced out, but now it’s becoming more frequent. To the point where he doesn’t even need to be fully unconscious for it to loop behind his eyelids.

It’s the same scene. Pale skin like sugar, feathery and full eyelashes, gorgeous dark brown eyes being hit by sunlight, cute pert lips, beauty marks, perfect legs. Jimin sees everything in jumbled patches and never in order. Who ever it is is very important. There’s no one around with any of those features. The neighborhood might shift and change but Jimin never forgets a face.

Worst of all there’s a feeling of deep unconditional love between them unlike anything Jimin’s felt in real life. This person he’s never met before made him feel pride, admiration, safety, respect, openness. Countless things he never thought were the foundation for this incredibly moving emotion called love. He can’t help but wake up feeling empty when it’s suddenly yanked from his grip.

At first Jimin could convince himself Dream Boy wasn’t real, he was just lonely and needed a date. Several catastrophic blind dates and empty hook ups had Jimin admit defeat. He thought he knew what love felt like from previous boyfriends but now that he knew, he couldn’t go back. Dream boy was out there and for some reason Jimin knew him in his dreams.

Something else strikes him as odd. The hair always changes colors, but Hoseok tells him there’s no significance in the hues. Hoseok is the dream and aura expert, how couldn’t there be? Why did everything stay the same but not the hair? Everything has significance! Who is it and where were they?!

It’s been months and still no sign of dream boy. Jimin was so frustrated he knew exactly who he loved but hadn’t met him yet. He scanned every passing face hoping just maybe to find him, kept the same routine just in case he could miss him by deviating. Underneath all that anger, the core of Jimin was stuck on anguish. What if he dreamed of him because he missed his chance and that was his hearts way of coping?

Jimin hears footsteps approaching and remembers what he was doing. The footsteps stop nearby, they’re light and gangly, Bambam. His graceful steps have been heavier since the incident with Mark. No one from their circle has said anything about what really happened and if Mark hyung died, the funeral would have been held in the states. Jimin’s best friend, Taehyung, was uncharacteristically silent on the matter not even bending at his aegyo . No-one’s been the same. Even the regulars at the dance studio noticed.

The steps stop somewhere above his head and Jimin opens his eyes to see Bambam’s face staring him upside down.

“Hey hoe! You wanna go eat with me and Yugyeom? We’re going to Kim-Kimchi’s and then up the hill for a night out. You should join us, you both look like shit lately.”

Jimin pushes himself up and takes Bambams offered hand to stand upright. It’s been awhile since he’s gone out and had fun, he’s just been so busy teaching dance. Teaching and for fun are two different things. Fuck it, he should have fun!

He should enjoy he only has to go up the street to reach Homo Hill. Yes, the infamous gay club central full of cute boys and foreigners. Yeah! He’ll put on his tightest jeans and dance with Bambam and Yugyeom before they got too wasted. Jaebum could even do his makeup!

He throws Bambam his best shit eating grin, “Only if you’re buying.”

“ Hyung that’s bullshit, you make more than me! I don’t even have my wallet.”

“You don’t carry your wallet so that your hyungs have to buy you everything.”

Bambam puts his hand over his heart.

“ Hyung … I’m hurt.”

Jimin lightly shoves him and rolls his eyes. He’s going to have to buy drinks.

“Hurt, my ass! The only thing that’s gonna hurt is my wallet when you both drink yourselves stupid. I’m still your boss!”

They shove each other playfully around the dance room not really meaning any of the vulgar words casually being thrown around. Bambam knew too many to really be a foreigner, they were the only thing his Thai accent didn’t jumble.

Come to think of it Bambam was never apart from Yugyeom for too long, they were always together. Sometimes it made Jimin feel lonelier than if they had left him out of their dates. Especially now that he knew what his soulmate aka dream boy looked like but could never find him. This was the night he was going to give up on dream boy! For both their sakes.

The music blasting throughout the club is the most upbeat electro k-pop had to offer. This club was more about being able to dance and letting the alcohol guide you. Jimin is at the center of the crowd eating his heart out. He pulls all the stops, crotch grabs and all. The alcohol makes his eyes heavy and anyone brave enough to hold eye contact gets a show where Jimin feels smoldering like the cinnamon whiskey he drank earlier.

It’s been a few shots and songs into the night. His dancing is still coordinated and intimidating enough no one approaches except Yugyeom and Bambam. Even then they only have eyes for the other dancing hip to hip, grinding to the beat. The end of the song is nearing, Jimin times his footwork into a split drop for the finale and the crowd goes crazy. Jimin laughs sheepishly and heads to the bar.

After a few Peach Sojus he feels like he’s quenched his thirst. Jimin remembers he promised to buy a round for his roommates, he searches the club slowly with a slightly not quite drunk mind. He spots them making out on the wall by the bathrooms. Jimin feels the loneliness that weighs his heart down, like every time he looks at them so in love, with a drunken clarity. He pays his tab, sends a text he’s going home, and leaves.

Jimin hugs the leather jacket he put over his muscle shirt and Bambam’s black skinny jeans. It was a great outfit when he picked it out, he just didn’t think about Seoul being 18 degrees celsius. His hands start to numb and Jimin tries to stumble back home quicker.

All the alcohol of the night violently catches up with him. He’s dizzy and needs to lean against a wall to ease the vertigo. He shouldn’t have drank so much, he hopes he doesn’t throw up before he gets home. It’d be a shame to throw up the black bean noodles Taehyung’s father made. Soon it passes enough for Jimin to try and beeline home.

The club was only four blocks from his dance studio home but it feels like he’s been walking for so long. As he walks Jimin is having a harder and harder time walking straight. He can see where he needs to go but each step goes just a little more left or right than he wants. Jimin tries to rely on muscle memory to get back home, he’s crawled home from clubs plenty of times.

The street starts to get more and more familiar, he’s sure he’s almost home. He knows this street better than anyone his home is somewhere here, Jimin just can’t remember so well. Jimin thinks he’s more likely to run into Namjoon having a night smoke than finding his house. His hyung would help him home!

Namjoon, Joon, Joonie! Wait! he shouldn’t call him that, Jin would chew him out. It’s so dark out. Where’s his hyung ? He’s east so heading west would make his home on his right?

“No, no that’s not right. Gotta find Namjoon, right.”

Jimin recognizes a familiar figure walking on the opposite side of the street. At first Jimin is delighted! His Namjoon hyung! The disastrous appa of the block with… Eomma ? No Jin is taller and they have shopping bags? Actually it’s not Namjoon either, they have shorter legs and the prettiest shape he’s ever seen. Mint is a good hair color too, or was it silver? The lighting this late is no good, it could be pale pink. Jimin’s too drunk for this, he has to get home. Focus!

“Need Namjoon, he’ll know.”

Determined to get home, Jimin keeps going forward and passes the couple. He has to stop and rest again from the alcohol in his system. That nonjoon sure had nice legs though. Hmmm… Nice legs, funny, that kind of reminds him of someone he’s trying to forget. Someone with a cute face and stupid changing hair.

It’s then that drunk Jimin has an epiphany. It hits him so profoundly in that moment no amount of common sense could stop the alcohol fueling his recklessness. Jimin immediately spins around and sprints across the street towards the couple.

They stop at his approaching steps and turn around. Jimin didn’t think this through. Or rather, he had several distinct thoughts that happened all at once and like any other non-sober person, tried to do all of them. Which ended up as well as those situations do.

“Dream boy!” Jimin shouted right before jumping towards his soul mate, only to find the cold pavement and empty dreams.

Jimin hasn’t opened his eyes yet but he can feel the sunlight hitting him causing a warm glow behind his lids. He feels a comfortable polyester blanket sandwiched beneath him that probably happened sometime in the night. Slowly, he opens his eyes to take in his surroundings. He’s laying on his back making the first thing he sees a ceiling. Looking around the couch isn’t his, or the window display but he gathers he’s in some shop. There are white papers with red writing strung up on the walls, he’s definitely not home.

The last thing Jimin remembers is looking for Namjoon and finding someone. Who did he find? Did he go home with someone? Weird, he’s still wearing last night's sweaty clothes. The inside of Jimin’s mouth tastes like death, it’s a miracle he doesn’t have a hangover. Water would be perfect, too bad Jimin doesn’t know where he is or anything else for that matter. His memories of the night are there but hazy.

He tries his best to sit up slowly and piece where he is. On the floor beside the couch is a glass of water, Jimin silently thanks whoever took him home and finishes it. The glass was half full with multiple lip marks of Jimin’s distinct lip tint, did he drink from it last night too? That explains why his head wasn’t banging pots and pans.

Putting back the water, Jimin tries to think of his next move. He should leave a thank you note and try to walk home. Drunk Jimin didn’t have the mental capacity to just text or call someone to pick him up, but sober Jimin knows his phone is in his jacket pocket. Where did he leave it the night before? He should get up to look for it.

As Jimin gets up he feels a tug at his waist. His belt loop is stuck on something so he reaches behind him to unhook it and feels a warm hand. It falls lifelessly from his waist trailing underneath the blanket. Jimin scrambles backwards and swallows the yelp in his throat. Jimin did go home with someone, he really let go of dream boy.

Jimin is torn between going home or talking to Mr. Nightstand. As nice as it was to have him over for the night and keeping Jimin off the streets Jimin doesn’t have to return the favor in any way if he doesn’t want to. Does he? It would mean giving up dream boy. Jimin was very determined to forget him yesterday just because the dreams were relentless and emotionally exhausted him.

Come to think of it Jimin didn’t dream about him last night. He closes his eyes and tries to remember dream boy, to his surprise he can’t. Mr. Nightstand did the impossible, he made Jimin forget dream boy! Maybe Jimin shouldn’t have been waiting for dream boy to stumble into his life. Hooray for copious amounts of alcohol!

Jin wouldn’t approve but Jin is still in the crush denial phase so what does he know? Jimin gathers his courage and pulls off the blanket from his mystery man.  The afternoon light makes the mystery man’s pale skin almost glisten. This mystery man is none other than dream boy, Jimin’s dream boy. It's exactly like his dreams down to a T. He’s just as beautiful as he remembers.

The light that's making dream boy even more ethereal makes him scrunch his nose in distaste. There’s a swear when he tries opening his eyes before rolling over and hiding from the light.

“E-excuse me?” Jimin tries to call out. Dream boy grunts and buries his face into his arms before returning to sleep.

“Hey, where am I?” He reaches out and shakes the sleeping man's shoulder.

Jimin yelps when his hand is suddenly yanked. He’s even more flustered when his face is inches from a very pissed off dream boy.

“Listen carefully incubus. I’m very tired because SOMEONE decided to stumble into my house drunk and I had to take care of him. If i'm awake before noon one more time someone’s gonna pay.” His hand lets go of Jimin’s and he instantly went back to sleep.

Incubus??? Oh no! Jimin found him completely hammered last night, shit! He let his inner slut out didn’t he? Crap, Jimin wanted to be slightly buzzed at worst when he found dream boy. Who knows what his hoe side said when he was drunk.

At any rate waking him up seems like a bad idea. With no other plan Jimin finally takes in just where he’s ended up. It’s all types of weird and he feels vaguely threatened by all the oddities. He doesn’t know what kind of shop it is and he doesn’t want to risk waking him up to find out.  Jimin picks up his cup and as quiet as possible moves to the kitchen. There are boxes of pots and pans, dishes and cups still unpacked, he passes before dropping his cup in the sink. He inhales and the sweet air reminds him of something. Jimin’s never been good with memory in the first place.

He probably lost his phone and Bambam’s jacket. Jimin was never going to hear the end of it once he came home empty handed. He’d have to buy him a new one. It was Gucci too. Not to mention his poor phone.

A thank you note and quick exit was the best thing Jimin could do. He feels bad he kept dream boy up late and probably ruined any chance he had running his drunk mouth off. Jin might have had a good point about waiting. In any case he should leave.

Jimin wanders around tiptoeing and finds a work desk with paper stationery and fountain pens. Not exactly post it notes and pens but dream boy is a lot different than Jimin thought.   Aggressive is more accurate. Then Jimin looks over at him and he looks so peaceful. Dream boy was going to take more work to be Jimin’s wasn’t he? Hoseok told him the best surviving couples make it work and Tae said to trust his heart. Jimin was always quick to fall but with his dream boy, it felt promising.

Jimin writes his name and where to find his shop if he needed to contact him. He was going to write about his jacket and if dream boy knew where it was just as a sudden movement in the corner of his eye stopped him.

There’s nothing but a plant in the corner of the room. Another rustling noise a few feet farther along the wall makes Jimin stiffen. Could it be a ghost? He’s never had an encounter with one.

With not many other choices Jimin desperately shakes dream boy awake. He’s met with angry growls and a weak attempt at shoving Jimin away.

“I’m sorry but this is important!” Jimin whisper yells. Another thump heading in their direction forces Jimin the shake him harder.

“What the fuck Jimin?! What do you-”

Something falls over stopping him mid-sentence. His bleary red eyes move from Jimin to the source. He sighs and lays back down ignoring the impending danger. Another noise passes and Jimin accidentally grips him too hard.

“This place isn’t haunted, right? Right?”

Muffled from under the sheets Jimin hears something about some damn sleep and impossible. Jimin stays gripping dream boy’s hand crazy scared. He was going to die after meeting his soulmate. No, the dream was a bad omen, he was gonna die right here right now.

“If I make it stop will you go home and let me sleep?” Jimin nods his head. He doesn't know where home is but he’d get over it once the danger was gone. His dream boy sits up and raises his eyebrow at Jimin. He sees their hands and realizes he's been death gripping the entire time. He quickly pulls away, embarrassed. He watches dream boy get up and head towards the noise. Jimin blinks and there’s a door he doesn’t remember seeing before. Dream boy has his arms crossed looking annoyed at someone fallen on the ground.

“Quit scaring guests, you know damn well i’m tired Jungkook.”

Jungkook mumbles something to dream boy and stands up. “Sorry hyung.”

The source of the noise, this Jungkook, gives a last look at Jimin before heading upstairs. If Jimin didn’t know better he’d say Jungkook didn’t like him. He didn’t get to think too much about it before dream boy starts walking towards him.

His heart beats a bit faster with his soulmates full undivided attention. Their proximities were enclosing leaving Jimin breathless for reasons he can’t explain. Dream boy grabs his arm and there’s this underlying current of electricity that passes between them.

Jimin happily follows without question. Dream boy leads them outside and Jimin is confused when they stop a few feet from the door.

“I’m going to sleep, Goodnight.”

He goes back inside and locks the door leaving Jimin flabbergasted. He disappears upstairs and Jimin watches in shock.

“Hey, you can’t just leave me out here! Hey!” Jimin bangs on the door angrily before realizing it was futile. He’s red in the face and steaming at the absurdity. After all those months this was what was waiting for him?!

“Jimin?” Seokjin approaches with a few flower orders bundled in his arms. “What did you need Suga for?”

“I’m gonna kill him that’s what! Wait, hyung ?”

Chapter Text

Suga

It was still awkward between Yoongi and Jungkook on the walk home, although it had mostly dissipated. Now it was just quiet. Or at least it was talking wise, there were the bags rustling between them and random city sounds.

They were quickly approaching home. Jungkook was probably going to take a long time to break out of his shell. Yoongi shakes his head just thinking about it. They pass someone across the street crawling back from a bar muttering to themselves. Yoongi was going to have to teach his dongsaeng about adult things at some point.

They continue home in relative peace. In front of the store Yoongi shuffles the bags around trying to find his keys. He finds them buried deep in his pockets and sighs in relief, he’d be in trouble if he lost them.

He’s in the process of unlocking the door to finally put that heavy shit down. So he doesn’t hear the footsteps until Jungkook says something to bring it to his attention. It’s an extremely drunk pretty boy sprinting towards Yoongi.

Well, trying to. Running drunk he jumped for Yoongi and epically misjudged the distance between them landing on the floor. He yells about a dream boy on his way down.

“Namjoon isn’t gonna let me live this one down.”

Yoongi hands his bags to jungkook and tries to wake up the drunk mess in front of his store.

“Ya! You alive? You better wake up or i’m gonna leave you here.”

He stays down but mumbles a jumbled Seokjin eomma . Did he mean tattoo shop Namjoon and flower shop Jin? Well, he almost made it. He was likely so drunk he got lost. That didn’t really answer the dream boy thing. An inside joke?

“ Hyung , is he okay? Do you know him?”

Yoongi checks his pulse and if he’s breathing. Overall he was fine, just a few too many fruity soju he can smell.

“Yeah he’s fine, here open the door. I’m gonna call Jin to pick him up.” He hands over the keys and Jungkook puts down the bags. Yoongi isn't strong at all but he tries to help the drunk mess to his feet.

It’s 90% Yoongi holding his weight. They stumble a bit at first, luckily they’re around the same height. He slings pretty boy’s arm around his neck to get to the couch as quickly as possible.

He dumps him like the dead weight he is and brings in the rest of the bags. Jungkook comes back from upstairs and looks at the uninvited guest on the couch.

“Why is he like this?” Jungkook says in the middle of poking the chubby on pretty boy’s cheeks.

“He drank himself stupid, learn something from this.”

Yoongi searches his contacts and calls Jin’s number. It rings a few time before a sleepy Seokjin answers, “ Yoboseyo ?”

“I have something of yours and it’s drunk.”

There’s a pause and a deep inhale of breath. “Which one is it?”

“He called you Eomma .”

“Fucking Jimin, please don’t tell me he had peach soju.”

“You could smell it a mile away.” Jin sighs and groans.

“Suga you’re gonna have to take care of him, i’m in Busan for a flower conference.”

Yoongi looks at Jimin’s flaming hair and gets unnerved. He’s not sure why but he thinks if Jimin stays over he’s in for trouble. It’s something instinctual warning him.

“Is Namjoon home? I’m just gonna drop him off.”

“You can’t. Namjoon is visiting his brother, he’s not home. Can you just let him stay at yours?”

Yoongi still doesn’t like the idea of it and shakes his head, “I dunno hyung …”

“Just please, i’ll make it up to you when I come back. There’s plum wine here, mae hwa su , the good kind.”

“Fine. Don’t forget it.” He growls.

“You’ll be fine. Jimin is harmless, mostly.”

“What?” Beep-

Jungkook was staring at Jimin intensely. Jin was joking right? This was just great. Why did Yoongi always end up playing babysitter? Did he look like an outstanding citizen?? Jimin stirred a bit scrunching his face while pouting. He curled in on himself a bit and the leather jacket squeaked with the movement. He should have stayed in Daegu.

“Jungkook bring me a blanket, you can sleep in my room tonight.”

Jungkook makes for the stairs and stops.

“What about you?”

Yoongi sits at his desk and tries to get comfortable. He looks Jungkook in the eyes, “I’m going to suffer.”

Originally Yoongi was just going to drop the blanket on Jimin. Just a simple gesture before he tried to get some sleep.  So how did he end up with Jimin trying to strip on his couch?

From Jimin’s point of view it makes sense, the jacket is uncomfortable and he feels warm. It’s the soju talking. While taking off the jacket he thinks he might as well take everything off.

When Yoongi notices, he immediately stops Jimin. Who whines and looks like he wants to cry on Yoongi. He does the only thing he can think of. He shoves Jimin into laying down and wraps him in the blanket like a burrito.

While Jimin wriggles around like a giant caterpillar Yoongi hangs his jacket in the storage closet. He didn’t need Jimin drunk texting or calling trouble. Yoongi turns off the lights and let's Jimin tire himself out.

He was really cute when he wasn't being a pain. Almost a sweet cherub or another baby faced angel. He knew Jin and Namjoon so he probably had powers of some kind. Because if he knew them he knew Taehyung and Hoseok by association. Truly this whole neighborhood was gay and dangerous with magic.

It was probably around 1am when Jimin stopped moving around and Yoongi thought he went to sleep. A slight whimper escapes from under the blankets and Yoongi comes out of his semi-conscious state. He thought is was a ghost at first and went into exorcism mode prepared to expel it. Until he remembered the new seals and calmed down.

The quiet trickle of sniffles leads to the couch and Jimin. Yoongi isn’t sure what to do. He didn’t know him and he definitely has less experience with drunk crying. Regular crying was rational and easier to calm down. He could only imagine the landmines he’d have to avoid trying to comfort Jimin.

He hiccups and Yoongi sighs resigned. He sits in front of Jimin and peeks under the blanket. Jimin buries himself deeper hiding from him.

“Go away!”

Yoongi blinks at him, “No problem, i’ll just leave my house, don’t mind me.”

Jimin shakes the blanket at him. There’s shuffling and he pops out like a gopher with teary eyes and red cheeks. He slaps Yoongi's arm and rubs his eyes.

“Stop being an ass, i’m crying.”

“On my couch- don’t hit me!”

Jimin makes to hit Yoongi and they end up in an honest to god slap fight. Yoongi was too sleep deprived to be having a cheesy romcom moment at 1am. He let’s Jimin win who whoops in delight.

“Shh! Other people are sleeping.” Jimin nods his head and giggles.

“Like your brother? Tell him to fight me!”

“My brother’s in Daegu, that’s Jungkook. He’s a random kid I picked up. I seem to be getting those a lot lately.”

Jimin pouts at him and fidgets with his fingers. The conversation wasn’t going how he thought it would for being a half drunk one. Jimin was surprisingly chipper, he was hot then cold, serious and silly. It was maybe the soju but knowing this block Yoongi was in for one hell of a morning.

Yoongi gets up and fills a glass with water. There’s a voice in his head saying he should let him wake up with a hangover to learn his lesson. It would be quiet as they both avoid noise and light. Then again he wants Jimin to find his way home and avoid another unexpected roommate. He doesn’t know when Jin comes back.

When he returns Jimin is sitting up with the blanket half falling off his shoulders. He makes grabby hands at the water and sips it gratefully. The moonlight streams in dyeing Jimin in varying shades of blue. His disorderly appearance and baby mannerisms are something that should be completely annoying to Yoongi. Yet somehow they were charming.

“I’m not a kid y’know?”

Yoongi raises an eyebrow at him and hums. Even Jungkook looked older than him. Jimin sits straighter and nods his head.

“It’s true, i'm 20. I turn 21 next month.”

“Oh good, I was worried about underage drinking.”

“Shorty!”

“Fucking footstool!”

A thump passes overhead and Jungkook’s voice rings through, “ Hyung !”

“Sorry Jungkook!”

Yoongi stands up ready to spend the night in his chair. He bought a nice one for good reason. That’s how he expects to spend the night. Jimin waves his empty cup at Yoongi.

“You can’t do it yourself?”

Jimin pouts then shrugs. “Guess i’ll just stumble in the dark, lost. No home in sight.”

Yoongi snatches the cup from him.

“It’s alright, I know your height is disadvantageous.” Before Jimin can yell at him he shushes him and points upstairs. He should know better than to pick a battle when drunk. It’s because Yoongi let him win earlier. Jimin and confidence was dangerous.

He returns and Jimin waves him over to join him on the couch. He sits a good distance away from Jimin and tries to stay awake.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Pretending I didn’t know you. I just… might not remember in the morning. I’ve been looking for you for months. It’s weird but I know I won’t know you in the morning.”

Yoongi’s mind springs to Jimin yelling dream boy when he found him. Yoongi was Jimin’s “dream boy”. He doesn’t know how to take that. What was the dream about?

It’s not just for my benefit.

Ahh. Taehyung warned him earlier. If this is what he meant then there was something much worse up ahead. Game over .

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same. I won’t remember, remember?”

“You keep saying that, how do you know?” Jimin shrugs.

“Just a feeling, i’ve known you for months. Everything but your name.”

“Min Yoongi, if you tell anyone you're dead.” He threatens.

“Park Jimin. I want you to know that even if I don’t remember you i’ll still stick around.”

“Dang, and I thought I got rid of you.”

“Nope,” He pops the P. “you’re gonna have to try harder than that to get rid of me.”

“Go to sleep pretty boy.”

“He thinks i’m pretty! Good then join me.”

He pulls Yoongi to lay down with him and clings full force. Yoongi thinks Jimin feels warmer than he should when their skin connects. Jimin places his head in the crook of Yoongi’s shoulder and falls asleep soundly. He forgot Jimin was drunk in the first place.

And really Yoongi should’ve fallen asleep as uncomfortable as he felt. Or he should have moved Jimin to not be so squished. His red hair was fluffy and tickled his cheek while his leg wedged itself in between Yoongi’s crotch. But there was Jimin, perfectly asleep, his plump mouth open in a little o. Breathing lightly his little puffs of air hitting Yoongi in the crook of his neck. He was unaware of the discomfort and light boner he was giving Yoongi.

“I’m so lucky you’re not gonna remember this. Sober you would never let me live this down, I know it Park Jimin.”

Jimin cuddles closer to Yoongi and wraps his arms around him. So against his better judgement Yoongi returns the hug and tries to settle down for the night.

Then at around 3am Jimin turns around. Yoongi’s left arm is dead and it’s sweaty between them. The little sleep he got was ruined by Jimin unconsciously seducing him. It wasn’t even anything major just a hip thrust here, a squeeze there, random moans and mumbles of sleep. He was gonna pay in the morning.

Out of everyone in the block, he can tell it's Park Jimin who’s got him wrapped around his finger. It's not like Yoongi was going to go down without a fight though.