#bts slow burn

[interesting-interludes]

the comforts of creatures (5)

creature comforts:

↳ material/bodily comforts, such as food, warmth, or special accommodations, that contribute to physical ease and well-being

→ pairing: ot7 x fem.reader

→ genre: supernatural!au, soulmate!au, hurt + comfort + recovery, angst with a happy ending, fluff, eventual smut

→ word count: 4.8k

→ summary: you learn what you are, and your reaction is far from what they expected. as they try to help you feel safe, the boys learn about your triggers, and they try their hardest to help in any way they can.

→ trigger/content warnings: PTSD (self-loathing, mistrust, flashbacks/nightmares) effects of brainwashing, lil’ bit of lore, overt and internalized racism/species-ism (?), vomiting, anxiety, mentions of starvation/food poisoning, mentions of physical abuse, dissociation, mentions of torture, aversion to touch, mc pushes jimin but he’s okay, jimin is an angel, facial/body scars, body dysmorphia/repulsion

→ a/n: thank y’all for your patience :) here’s some more hurt before the comfort lol

past part ← series masterlist → next part

part 5: scars and soothers

“This is you.”

The man is pointing at a detailed image drawn in faded ink. The rest of the page is filled with scripted text and anatomical diagrams.

You can’t look at first, scared of what you’ll find.

When you finally do, you don’t know what to think. There’s the thought that he’s kidding, he’s lying. He can’t be serious.

The drawing is of a creature with tawny-feathered wings extending magnificently in the air. It has the body of a powerful big cat, muscular yet elegant. Its four legs end in sharp-taloned feet. Its neck is framed by a golden mane, looking like a big frilly collar. The mane’s trail travels down the creature’s chest and back, ending in a flowing tail. It has the face of a lion, with white whiskers and deep yellow eyes, yet the regal posture of an eagle.

A diagram off to the left shows the inside of its mouth, lined with row upon row of sharp teeth and protruding fangs.

Looking back up, you search the faces of the men around you. None of them appear to be joking.

You can’t speak.

You’re one of them, one of the creatures they all despised. The creatures that roam the wild lands for easy prey, spreading carnage wherever they go.

No wonder they hated you so much. You’re not even human.

A few silent, involuntary tears fall from your eyes, which are locked back on the page. You wipe them away hastily.

The boys don’t know how to react, all looking at each other with concern.

“What...” you squeak out, voice choked. “What is it?”

“A gryffin,” Yoongi replies. “You’re a shifter.”

Something gurgles in your stomach. You clench your teeth, nails digging deep into the meat of your thighs.

You believe him. You don’t want to, but you believe him. You’ve always felt less than human, like something wasn’t right about you. Like something was just beneath the surface, clawing its way up.

Now you know why.

Jungkook, who’s sitting closest to you, slowly, cautiously puts his hand on your shoulder in an effort to comfort you.

But you flinch at his touch, jerking away.

You don’t catch the look of hurt that flits across his face. He knows you can’t help it, but it still stings to think that his touch physically repels you.

“What did they tell you about atypicals?” Namjoon presses, trying to shift your attention so you won’t look so disheartened by the reality of what you are.

From the way you look at him, he knows that you’ve never heard that word before. Or at least you don’t remember it.

“Atypicals are anything that falls out of the humanic species,” he explains patiently.

Your face scrunches in confusion.

“Humanic as in human,” he elaborates.

You don’t understand why he’s talking like that. You’ve never heard these terms before. In the place you came from, the “facility,” anything that wasn’t human was an abomination, a mistake in the eyes of nature.

Simple as that.

But here, things seem to be a bit more complicated.

Nausea is starting to bubble in your gut. You breathe carefully through your nose as you consider Namjoon’s question.

“They said...” you begin hesitantly.

They’re all on the edge of their seats, desperately wondering what those bastards brainwashed you to believe about their kind, your own kind.

“They said that they were monsters.”

Another pang of hurt thrums through their hearts.

“That...that they deserved to be hunted down like dogs.”

They can hear the pain in your own voice, either from witnessing their cruel behavior, or from realizing that you’ve been the target of it this whole time.

Your stomach churns.

“They said I wasn’t even worthy to lick the ground they walked on.”

They can all hear you choking on your tears, despite your attempts to hide it.

Jimin and Jungkook feel like their chests are going to burst from holding it in, both the sorrow they feel for you and the urge to rush forward and drown you in affection.

Jin and Namjoon have storms raging inside their heads. Namjoon is calculating, trying to decode what exactly their motive was and how to use it to track down the ones in charge of it all. Jin’s mind is reeling with ways to undo the damage they’ve done, mentally and physically.

Yoongi is swimming waist-deep in despair. He can’t help but think of what’s to come. You’ll have to relearn everything. How to shift, how to fight, how to cast. That is, if you even want to.

You feel the newly strung tension in the air, looking like you just realized you said all of those things out loud.

One look around the room, and your newly found voice retreats deep into your throat.

The man called Namjoon, his eyes have darkened, jaw clenched and ticking like he’s grinding his teeth.

The one who tended to your wounds is sitting stiffly in his chair, staring ahead with a new sharpness in his face.

The small dark-haired man has his hands clenched, prominent veins crawling up his arms.

You duck your head down, body stiff with nerves.

“You have to know,” Yoongi begins, voice calm as ever despite the rage just below the surface. “That’s not how most people think. Especially not here.”

Here in the North Regions, atypicals make up the majority of the population. Law enforcement, government, and public works are largely run by them, and prejudice is rarely an issue.

But how could you know that now?

They can all see the change. It’s almost instantaneous, the way your face shifts and loses all semblance of emotion. Just like that, the mask is back up.

Then there’s something else. A slight twitch from your nose, a well-hidden shudder. They can see your throat bobbing.

For a few seconds, it looks like you’re about to say something. Your tongue is moving inside your mouth, and you’re blinking rapidly.

Namjoon is about to utter some gentle encouragement, but a jolt racks through your body, making you hunch over.

All of a sudden you’re vomiting up everything you just ate.

Hoseok, Jungkook and Jimin can’t help but jump to their feet, panicked noises filling the air.

Taehyung’s eyes widen. All his limbs go rigid, paralyzing him in his seat. He feels sick himself.

Jin, Namjoon, and Yoongi all look at each other.

Yoongi thrusts into action, heading to the kitchen with Jungkook in tow since he isn’t good around pungent-smelling things.

Namjoon starts giving instructions. Jimin, paper towels. Hobi, get the mop. Said men jolt into action, scrambling to do whatever they can to help.

Jin’s eyes have been fixed on you for some time now, catching your every move, including all the suppressed flinches and tremors.

He’s at your side in an instant, on his knees to try to catch your eyes. But it’s no use, you’re squeezing your eyes shut like you’re expecting to be hit.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he mutters in his gentlest voice. “It’s no big deal. No one is upset with you.”

As much as he wants to, he refrains from touching you right away.

Eyes still tightly shut, you flinch away from the sound of his voice, twitching with anxiety.

Jin can see you start to spiral, so he does the only thing he knows will work.

“Hey,” he begins, voice firmer than it was before. “Look at me.”

Your eyes snap open, shining with moisture.

“That’s my girl,” Jin says before he can help it. “You’re going to calm down for me, yeah?”

Your eyes desperately search his face, looking for any sign of anger or deception. You find none, not even a hint of disgust, and your breathing starts to slow.

All that’s there is the man who tended to your wounds, watching you with those patient eyes. His handsome face is calm, attentively anticipating whatever you need right now.

Sweat gathers on your skin. That same sensation crawls up your throat, saliva pooling in your mouth.

Jin notices the signs immediately.

“Come with me,” he orders softly, putting a light hand on your back and leading you to the nearest bathroom.

You don’t know what to do with yourself.

You remember vomiting a few times at the facility. Once from eating a rotten vegetable, the mold making it impossible to identify. And once when a handful of keepers had held you down, repeatedly punching you in the stomach, until you gave in and called yourself a mutt.

Both times you were severely punished for making a mess. You learned to hold it in your mouth and swallow it down after that.

Jin guides you to kneel over the toilet. He keeps talking to you, but you only process half of what he’s saying.

“Go ahead, let it out,”

You can feel it creeping up, burning and sour. But something deeper, something almost instinctual, tells you to keep it down.

“Stop holding it in, sweetheart,” he says, rubbing soothing circles on your back. “It’s not good for you. It’s okay to let go.”

Before you can think to suppress it, another wave of nausea surges through your body. The crescendo of it makes you wretch, emptying the last of your stomach’s contents.

“Good, good, just get it all out,” he encourages instead of beating you until you can’t breathe.

The bile is bitter in your mouth, but not more bitter than the dread clinging to your entire being.

He’s not going to punish me, you finally realize. It’s almost an impossible thought.

For a moment, you stay hunched over, frozen. Not sure what to do next.

“Here, come wash your mouth out,” Jin says, helping you stand up on shaky legs.

The sound of running water rings in your ears. You feel the coolness against your tongue, but barely register that you’re the one cupping it to your lips. Numb. You feel like you’re controlling your body from the outside rather than the inside.

“Now, let’s get you cleaned up, okay?”

You look up at him for the first time in a while. His face is as kind as it was before, with the same full-lipped smile and warm brown eyes.

The man starts to lead you out of the room, that same gentle hand resting on your back.

It isn’t until then that you realize you’re still in the grimy clothes they found you in. And now the entire front of your shirt is stained with even more filth.

You glance into the living room as you pass through the hallway.

The other men are diligently cleaning the area you just soiled. The small dark-haired man and the muscular man are missing, though you can hear rustling from the kitchen.

The one with the jet black hair and bright face catches your eye, flashing a reassuring smile. It makes you rip your eyes away.

Jin guides you into the living room, and everyone immediately looks your way.

Shrinking, you’re shrinking into yourself as much as your body will allow.

“Someone run a bath,” Jin announces. “I think it’s time our little guest got some sleep in clean clothes.”

The fair-haired one steps forward and exchanges a subtle look with Jin, who’s standing slightly behind you.

“Would you follow me?” the shorter man says, holding out his hand.

It’s the one with the silver-gray hair and warm eyes. You think his name is Jimin. His face is soft and friendly. It asks a silent question: will you trust me?

You don’t take his hand, but you do take a step up the stairs in the direction he’s leading you.

You don’t catch it, but Jimin and Jin exchange a heartfelt glance, nearly ecstatic at the fact that you’re beginning to trust them.

Jimin leads you up the stairs as the rest of them settle things downstairs.

When you reach the top, he guides you down a spacious hallway that’s filled with potted plants and window light.

Every single door, down to the very end of the hall, is open. Whether it’s open wide or just a crack, not one of them is closed or locked. You’re not used to it.

The man, Jimin, stops at a door halfway down the hall and looks back to check if you’re still following him.

You stop a few feet away from him, still keeping your distance, but your expression is open and neutral, waiting on his next move.

He gives you a calm smile, and continues into the room with you behind him.

This room is just as bright and inviting as the rest of the house. White walls and clean tile floors, but this time with a large porcelain tub and a sink with marble countertops.

The man turns to look at you with a question in his eyes.

“Shower or bath?” he asks.

It’s a harmless question, a considerate question. But your mind is yanked back to that place.

Shower. A torrent of fire raining down on you, vision blinded by steam. It comes from every angle, unrelenting no matter how much you scream.

They would strip you down and lock you in a metal stall the size of a coffin. Then the dotted ceiling would unleash a downpour of near-boiling water.

You would bang on the walls, but the water made the metal surface just as hot, the floor burning the bottom of your feet. Minutes or hours they kept you in there, not letting you out until your body was covered in burn marks.

Bath. The most intense cold you’ve ever felt. It’s everywhere, submerging you up to the neck, seeping down to your very bones.

They would chain you down in a tub full of ice, nothing but your head poking out of the frigid water. The cold chains cut into your skin the more you struggled. Your lungs would heave from the shock of it, your whole body shivering violently.

Then they would hold your head underwater until you were bucking like a stuck pig. This went on until you were utterly exhausted, falling limp against the freezing porcelain with nothing but the tight chains holding you up.

You’re snapped back to reality when the man takes a step closer. He’s watching you closely, trying to read your face.

Finally remembering that he asked you a question, you shrug your shoulders and shake your head.

You don’t want either. You don’t want to be anywhere near that tub. You want him to leave you alone.

Jimin guesses that the gesture means you don’t care which one. He figures you’re most likely still weak from malnourishment, and he doesn’t want you fainting and hitting your head.

So he opts for a bath, turning on the faucet. He sits on the edge of the tub, hand under the spout to monitor the temperature.

The sound of running water makes every muscle in your body tense up. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

It’s going to hurt, it’s going to hurt. The fire, the ice, it’s going to burn and sting and cut into your flesh. You won’t be able to escape it.

Jimin doesn’t notice it at first, too focused on adjusting the knobs to get the water not too hot and not too cold, but your breathing has picked up again.

You can already feel it filling your ears, your mouth, rushing down your throat as your head is held down. Your skin prickles from the heat, it quivers from the cold.

The water in the tub continues to rise, and you can’t move. Your body is frozen, feet rooted to the floor as the sound of sloshing roars louder and louder in your ears.

Halfway full, now. It’s coming any second. He’s going to turn on you, throw you down and hold you under.

Burning, freezing. It’ll hurt and hurt and hurt.

Jimin turns his head, and his stomach drops.

Your eyes are squeezed shut, lips pursed like you’re trying to bite back a scream. Fists clenched at your sides, shoulders trembling, as your chest heaves up and down.

Immediately, he jumps to his feet and rushes over to you.

“What is it, babe? What’s wrong?” 

Then he makes a big mistake. He puts his hands on you.

His touch is gentle, nonthreatening, nothing but two hands on your shoulders. But you don’t want it, you’re repulsed by it. Because touch always comes before the pain.

On instinct, your body jerks away, arms moving to push the unwelcome touch away, just get it away. Your hands collide against something, hard.

When you open your eyes, the man is on the floor. Sprawled on his back, looking up at you with wide, slightly watery eyes.

There’s shock plastered on both of your faces.

Jimin’s soft heart hurts a little, he can’t help it. In all the years he’s known you, loved you, you’ve never ever been repelled by him. But that hurt is soon drowned by guilt.

He scared you, he made you feel unsafe. You felt the need to protect yourself and it’s his fault.

You’re staring at your hands in horror, completely floored by what you’ve done. You’re in for it now. He tried to help you and you hurt him. Now they’re going to hurt you even more.

Several sets of pounding footsteps draw near. The others must have heard the thud from downstairs and rushed up to see what was wrong.

What they don’t expect to find is Jimin crumpled on the floor and you standing over him in a braced position, but that’s exactly what they see when they peer through the doorway.

They’re all a little astonished, Jin and Namjoon are thinking deeply, and something in Taehyung’s eyes shifts.

He isn’t proud of it, but a surge of protectiveness washes over him, for his Jimin. He knows it’s unreasonable, unfair even. But it’s still there. And he can’t snuff it out.

A new fear consumes you. You were insubordinate, you resisted. You know what comes next.

A sob gets trapped in your throat as you sink down to the floor, burying your head in-between your knees and using your arms to shield yourself.

Immediately, the same way Jimin did, they all rush forward to comfort you.

“No!” Jimin blurts out, making you flinch and shake violently. “Don’t touch, give her some space.”

They all obey, keeping their distance with concern flooding their features.

Jimin shifts onto his knees, scooting a little closer but still keeping enough away.

“I’m sorry,” he nearly whispers, like he’s talking to a wild, cornered animal. “It was my fault entirely. I shouldn’t have touched you. I’m truly sorry.”

Jimin’s voice has always been soothing, even in the darkest times, and your breathing slows a little.

Jimin realizes that the faucet is still running, and he reaches over to switch it off. Then it comes to him.

He turns back to your trembling form, still waiting for the pain to come.

“You’re scared of the water, aren’t you?” he asks gently.

He doesn’t expect you to reply, he just wants to let you know that he’s trying to understand you, to help you.

You nod slightly.

It shocks them all again. You’re becoming more responsive.

“I’m so, so sorry,” Jimin says with all the sincerity he can muster. “It’s not your fault. I promise I won’t do that again.”

Your shoulders gradually stop trembling, breath coming evenly now.

Jimin looks at his mates and gestures for them to give you some more space so you can calm down.

They all do as he says, except Tae. He lingers in the doorway, his piercing eyes flickering between you and Jimin, thinking.

The two men exchange a meaningful glance. Jimin gives him a reassuring smile and nods his head as if to say “There’s nothing to worry about. I got this.”

Tae gives a slight nod back and turns to leave, throwing one last look at you.

Jimin sees the hint of distrust hidden in that look. He files it away for later.

Turning his attention back to you, Jimin looks at the tub and thinks of a solution.

“You don’t have to get in the tub, okay? We can just...” Jimin opens the cupboard under the sink and takes out a handful of washcloths.

“Like this, see?” He dips one of the cloths in the water, using it to wipe down his face.

“Is that okay?” he asks.

You scan his face. Those big brown eyes are full to the brim with kindness, as if you didn’t just hurt him moments ago.

You nod.

Jimin smiles so big it almost hurts his cheeks, heart swelling as you hesitantly hold your hand open. He puts another cloth in your waiting palm.

“Okay, here’s the soap, shampoo, conditioner. You can wash your face with this. Use whatever you want, okay?”

You look at him, trying to convey with your eyes what your mouth can’t say. He stays there for a moment, sitting with you on the tile, answering your every question with just his expression.

It’s okay. You’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you. You can trust me. I understand you.

Breaking from his reverie, Jimin gets up and moves to leave.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” he says, swinging the door closed.

You shoot forward and grab the knob just before it shuts.

Jimin jumps a little, whipping back around. There’s confusion on his face, then understanding.

“Okay, we’ll leave it open just like this. I’ll be just outside if you need anything, okay?”

You feel the tension release from your chest, and nod back.

Another warm smile, and then he disappears into the next room.

He’s not going to lock you in. Another impossible realization.

Turning around, you stare at the full tub. Your heartbeat skitters a little, but you take a step towards it anyways.

When you dip your fingertips in the clear water, you expect it to be scalding, or cold enough to numb, but it’s neither. The water is warm and calm, it doesn’t burn, it doesn’t sting.

Another breath releases from your lungs.

You use the cloth and soap to wipe down your whole body, shedding your dirty clothes and tossing them aside. Soon the tub is cloudy from the dirt on the washcloth. You even dip your hair into the water and use a little shampoo to get some of the grime out.

You sit there and wash yourself until the water turns cold. Using the counter to steady yourself, you slowly come to a stand, even though your legs are aching.

The sight in front of you is enough to shock you into silence again.

You can’t remember the last time you saw your reflection. You wish you weren’t seeing it now.

The person in the mirror is ugly and pathetic. Her short hair is a mangled mess. Haphazardly cut with a pair of dull scissors, it sticks out in all different angles. Her eyes are blank and lifeless, red-rimmed and surrounded by dark circles. There’s a large, hideous scar across her left cheek, deep and forked like a flash of lightning.

Her body is weak and repulsive. Slouching forward, she’s barely able to hold herself up. She’s covered in scars and marks, all over her legs, her arms, her torso.

You know there are worse scars behind you.

Horrifically entranced, you slowly reach up to touch the scar across her face, your face. Your fingertips meet the textured tissue, and then there’s the pain.

It’s not a physical pain, it doesn’t originate from the scar itself. It’s a pain deep in your chest, spreading and infecting the rest of your body. It maims you, twists your insides, disfigures your soul.

You muffle the silent scream with a hand over your mouth. Knees buckling, you barely have any strength left to keep yourself upright.

You’re barely you. You don’t remember who you were before, but you know it wasn’t this.

A gentle knock on the door. 

You immediately stifle any signs of discomfort, snapping the mask back on with frightening accuracy.

Jimin’s arms poke through the gap in the door. He sets a bundle of clothes on the counter.

“Here you go," his pleasant voice says. “Please let me know if they’re comfortable enough.”

You wait a good twenty seconds before you reach for them. A warm green sweater and soft cotton pants.

You hurriedly slip them on to hide your disgusting body.

Leaning closer to the door, you try to hear beyond the wood. Hushed voices, muted footsteps.

“Ready, love?” a smooth voice sounds from just behind the door.

You flinch away, trying your best to make your hair look less unkempt.

It’s Jin who cautiously swings the door open, greeting you with an affectionate smile.

“Much better, hmm?” he says.

You manage a curt nod, following him with your head down to another room. 

It’s the room from earlier, the one with the massive bed. The rest of them are here waiting, muttering quiet words until you arrive. Then they go silent and set their eyes on you, asking a question you can’t understand.

Why are they all looking at you? You don’t like it, not at all. People who look like them shouldn’t look at someone like you. You’re wrong, inside and out.

They all notice the change. Now your eyes are trained on the ground, head bent and shoulders folding in on yourself like you wish you would disappear.

Jin ushers you towards the humongous bed, encouraging you to settle in under the covers. He tucks the comforter around your body, fluffing the pillows behind your head.

“There, nice and cozy,” he says, sounding satisfied for the time being. “Rest up, okay love? You’ve been through a lot.”

Why are they talking to you like that? You’re disgusting. They should be throwing you out on the streets to fend for yourself like a common rat.

The small dark-haired man kneels down next to you. He hands you a mug of steaming amber liquid, using the bed sheets to shield your hands from the hot surface.

“This should settle your stomach,” he says.

While Jimin was getting you cleaned up, Yoongi and Jungkook were hard at work cooking up a tincture for your nausea. Essence of lavender to help you sleep, peppermint to refresh your throat, a little ginger to ease your stomach, and some of Yoongi’s highest-quality potions to replenish your nutrients. And, of course, Jin stirred in a copious amount of honey to sweeten it up.

You hold the cup in your hands like it’s a ticking time bomb.

Yoongi looks at his mates in confusion and concern, not sure what to do. Jimin catches his gaze, and gestures wildly with his hands. He exaggeratedly mimics holding the cup and taking a sip, and then Yoongi understands.

He gently takes the mug from your hands and holds it up to his nose.

“Let me check if it’s too hot for you,” he says, blowing off some of the steam and taking a long sip. He makes sure to swallow with audible emphasis.

“Okay, it should be good,” he says, handing it back to you.

This time you hold it close to your chest like it’s a precious gem, slowly sipping away at the frothy liquid. 

They all look at each other with a relieved, triumphant expression.

Namjoon steps forward and leans down to level his face with yours.

“There’s water for you over there,” he gestures to a table in the corner, complete with a pitcher and cup. “And the bathroom is the next door over.”

You nod to show your appreciation, still avoiding eye contact.

Jin enters your field of vision again.

“Do you think you can hold down some meds?” he asks. It’s sincere, no seeming deception behind it.

But you still shake your head vehemently. You don’t want anymore pills. In fact, you don’t want to see another pill ever in your life.

“Okay, love,” he says, smiling again. “Just rest up for me. For us.”

You have no idea what he means by that, but you sink into the pillows anyway.

One by one they filter out of the room, casting a last look at you before they leave.

You wish they wouldn’t. Their eyes seem to leave even more marks on your skin.

The door starts to swing shut. Then someone mutters something, and it stops just before it closes completely. 

Footsteps recede, silence settles upon the room.

You manage a few more sips from the steaming mug, eventually setting it aside. The bed is soft and comfortable, but you can’t bring yourself to lie down. 

You sit there, watching shadows dart across the wall, for hours.

a/n: thanks so much for reading!! if you enjoyed it please leave a comment on what you thought of the story/any questions it would mean the world to me!! and if you’re feeling extra generous, please reblog with tags it helps to spread the story around, thank you!! 💖

#bts ot7 #bts x reader #bts ot7 x reader #bts hurt/comfort #bts angst #bts fluff #bts fanfic #bts soulmate au #bts slow burn #bts supernatural au #kim seokjin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #kim namjoon #park jimin #kim taehyung #jeon jeongkook #Bangtan ot7 #bts x female reader #ot7 x reader

[yoongsisbae]

Run Run Run - Seoul Close (Part 5)

A zombie apocalypse breaks out and you’re stuck on a plane with none other than…BTS! Oh, you thought because you were an Army that would help you survive? Girl think again. OT7 BTS Zombie Apocalypse AU / BTS member x reader slow burn

WELL I'M NOT DEAD. MY CHARACTERS ON THE OTHER HAND...JUST KIDDING. LET ME COPE WITH HUMOR.

Warnings: death, monsters, blood, fighting, killing, gory details, some toxic nationalism, mention of SA-nothing graphic, angst, smut, handjob, fingering, bathtime shenanigans

Word Count: 21.5k (I actually got block limited for the first time on this chapter. I hope the long chapter makes up for the wait!)

---

Run.

Run.

Run.

Keep your back straight, your shoulders relaxed, move your arms, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, and most importantly, don’t trip!

AND RUN!!!

You look back. You expected to see a lot of them, but not this much...

‘It’s gonna okay it’s gonna okay it’s gonna okay,’ you repeat desperately, as long as you keep running!

No time to scream or even cry, you need that energy…

To run!

You hear the labored breaths of the men around you, such a stark contrast from the horrifying growls of the undead behind you, a group of zombies you all had accidently awakened from their mindless ambling.

But there is quite a distance, fortunately. And if you just keep ru-

“Ow,” you grunt. You collided into a back, knocking the wind out of you.

“Wh-” You are silenced at the sight in front of you. There is a hoard of zombies and fresh corpses, the monsters are crouched over the bodies, pulling apart and devouring what remains.

You all stare at the gruesome sight. No words are needed and you are too winded to form proper sentences anyways, so you push the closest person to your left into the grass, which so happened to be BTS leader, Kim Namjoon. 

You keep pushing him until he takes the hint. He yanks on who he can reach too, giving silent orders. ‘RUN THIS WAY!’

If you’re lucky, you can create enough distance between you and the monsters behind you that have already caught a scent of your blood before the preoccupied ones begin to notice you. And if you were really lucky, the former might just give up once they smelled the scraps of someone else’s meal.

Too bad luck is rarely on your side.

The feasting zombies smell a new meal instantly.

Dammit! 

Keep running! 

Run for cover, run into the woods, run as far as you can away from them.

Hongcheon is a fraction of the size of Seoul and yet there are already so many more of them than you had expected. 

So many lives gone. So many families torn apart, hearts broken, young lives cut short…

A city destroyed. 

You don’t have time to cry over it now. Maybe later, when you’re safe, you can think of the children you saw, thirsty for blood, eyes sunken in, tiny bodies brutalized into monstrosities. Later you can agonize over their stolen youth, wonder where their parents are, if they remained a family, feasting together even in death.

Right now, you have to…

Run.

-

“Run over there!”

It hurts to move, to breathe. Your head hurts, your chest hurts, you’re terrified, worried sick, barely able to think, running on adrenaline. Hoseok grabs your hand and pulls you along. It makes you grateful, yet it makes you worry more. He should run ahead of you, you feel like a burden, you feel your heart clench when he squeezes your hand. 

You can’t help but think about the others, even now, you should have cherished those moments more, the smiles and laughter and banter and good times. Taehyung’s jokes, Jungkook’s bored singing, an infectious melody that had the others and even you humming along. Hoseok’s animated retelling of the events at Sutasa temple that the leader and eldest two had missed, making you and the others laugh along, the leader’s slightly impressed and very dismayed expressions and Seokjin whining over his sore feet.  

How wonderful it was when sore feet were the only thing to complain about.

You should have enjoyed those days leading up to reaching Hongcheon city more. When killing zombies felt like a team building exercise. Remember that? Tallying up your kills. Like it was a game, like it wasn’t the worst thing imaginable you had to do to another person, because they were people at one point... 

You look at the scared tired faces of the men around you and think how easy it could be to lose them to the same fate, a tally in a game strangers play not knowing how much love that growling decaying body once held… the jokes they told, the songs they sung, the stories they experienced, the sacrifices they endured…

You should have taken life more seriously, maybe now it wouldn’t feel so abysmal, karma for your blase us vs. them mentality. How stupid, you of all people should know better.

No, it wasn’t you and them, it was you and your future staring back with yellow clouded eyes. You stare back and feel nothing but regret.

And guilt.

And fear.

So you run faster, gulp down hot air, let it burn your lungs and let it sting your belly, because you now know the pain of living is always better than death, always!

You follow the others into the first house you come across where you quickly barricade yourselves in.

One two three four five six…No. 

Namjoon pats you on the shoulder. You almost scream in surprise, but you were trained now to only scream into pillows or under water, places it would be hard for them to hear you, not when you actually wanted to. 

Seokjin is behind him. Seven, eight. 

You all made it. Even Dev. Fuck, you’re actually relieved.

You relax only a little. Everyone looks beyond exhausted. You all need food, you need water. You doubt this small abandoned house has enough of anything for all of you.

There’s black blood on your arms and clothes from where you had to defend yourself from the zombies who came too close. The others have blood on them, and you wished there was more light so you could properly make sure the blood wasn’t theirs. 

“Is everyone okay?” you whisper. No one is just ‘okay,’ but they knew what you meant.

They pull at their clothes, checking their bodies. They all nod. You glare at Dev, and then eye Taehyung who nods again. Now that you’re stationary you realize how sweaty you are, how tired. You fall to your knees, finally able to rest.

Namjoon walks cautiously through the house, making sure the coast is clear and there are no residents remaining, alive or otherwise.

As you rest you listen to doors sliding open, Namjoon’s footsteps as he makes his way through the house. The others are quiet, catching their breaths, holding their bodies against doors, coughing quietly, rubbing their muscles, and of course, listening intently to the sounds outside…

The scratching, clawing, growling…

“Clear. Two Beds.” Namjoon returns.

“I’ll check for food.” Yoongi stands up, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

“I’ll take first watch,” Namjoon says solemnly.

“Me too,” you add. He doesn’t argue with you, even if he does look like he wants to tell you to rest instead.

“Second.” Jimin and Taehyung say in unison.

It’s safe for now. What will it be like once the sun is high again? Better, worse? How long can you keep this up? 

Going through the city might have taken a couple of hours tops in the car, but you didn’t have that now, not even the horses…Those poor horses…

How many days will it take to get out now that you are on foot, you wonder. You can’t even bring yourself to look forward to it either, already imagining how much worse Seoul will be. 

You can’t help but think the situation you’ve put yourselves in is looking rather helpless.

You keep your eyes locked on a small divot in the flooring, trying to stay calm. Even if you had the time now, becoming emotional in this moment would be too dangerous. You have to focus and be ready for anything.

“We made it,” Namjoon whispers, placing his hand on your shoulder. You’re impressed with his optimism, you try not to feel worried, but it's for that exact reason you are so worried. You made it this time, but what about next time? What if something happens to him, what if you never hear those words again? Namjoon just might be all the optimism you have left.

You eat cold portions of canned food Yoongi prepares. 

You’re not mad at him anymore, almost dying has always had that kind of effect on relationships, but when he hands you your portion you still can’t meet his eyes, thinking of the conversation you had before entering the city.

---

“Why did you kiss me?”

“Huh?” Yoongi looks anywhere but in your direction.

Now you’re feeling even more wary. It took Herculean courage for you to even ask, now he’s going to make you ask again?

“Nevermind.”

You walk away from the rapper, back to tending to your horse while the large animals rest. You couldn’t help but notice the rapper has been rather aloof around you, more than usual, since kissing you. You tried not to take it personally, to not feel hurt every time he seemed to quickly shut down any conversation you start with him, but ugh, why did he go and kiss you then if he was just going to act like this?! 

It takes you all morning, right before the group is about to start your travels again, when you confront Yoongi one last time.

“Why did you kiss me?” You mutter, hoping he would respond this time. ‘Just say it was the heat of the moment,’ you think, so you can both move on, get over it. So you can accept it was just a one time thing, a moment of weakness, you would never hold it against Yoongi, but this, the way he’s acting now, you definitely do have a problem with!

Unfortunately, ears whom you hadn’t intended to hear perked up at the new information.

“You kissed y/n?” Hoseok crashes in between the pair of you.

“No, I didn’t!” Yoongi hisses immediately.

“You didn’t?” Hoseok tilts his head.

“He didn’t.” You repeat quietly.

“But you just said-”

“I didn't say that!” you laugh incredulously. “You misheard me. I asked why did he pick me… PICK me, is what I meant.”

“Pick you for what?” Hoseok looks between both of you in disbelief.

“Uhh…” you hesitate, trying to come up with something credible while Yoongi takes the opportunity to scurry away. “Pick me for the um next night shift-”

“He picked you? But you always volunteer,” Hoseok says accusingly.

“Okay, well, this time, I didn’t. And so uh I wanted the night off. Anyways, it doesn’t matter anymore! I don’t care! forget it!” you ramble angrily, making Hoseok back away this time. 

Yoongi waits by the car while you glare at him. He’s definitely ignoring you now, like you’re some deranged saesang, and it’s annoying as hell! He kissed you, didn’t he? Yes, you might have kissed him back, and…

You remember the way you melted into him, Yoongi’s body pressed against yours, the way you chased his lips, how you wanted more. You shouldn’t have done that. You shouldn’t have…liked it so much…dammit! Why did he kiss you?!

Yoongi answers you the next day. “It was a mistake. I’m sorry,” Yoongi whispers to you, bumping into your shoulder. 

You wince. “So you kissed me, by accident?” you ask.

“I shouldn’t have done it. I thought you had died, and, I…I don’t know…” Yoongi looks around anxiously, gaze stopping on Seokjin who is animatedly giving reasons why he shouldn’t have to sit in the back of the car this time.

You grind your teeth. This is the answer you wanted, why do you feel so crestfallen? “I understand.”

“You do?”

You look over at Yoongi. “Yes,” you smile wearily. “How do I say this? I get it, you wouldn’t normally have done that under normal circumstances with someone like me, I just wanted to make sure...” you pause. “So you want to forget it? Okay!” you say resolutely, “I’ll pretend it never happened.” You give him a more confident grin.

Your smile falls when you notice his red ears and tinged cheeks. “Yoongi?”

Yoongi looks like he’s holding his breath, holding something in for sure. “That’s not-” Yoongi cautiously lifts his arm up, knuckles touching the side of your face.

“Yoongi?” you repeat, holding your breath.

He almost looks like he might kiss you again, almost…but he turns his heel and walks back to the car, taking a seat in the back and settling an argument between Jin and Taehyung.

You frown, crossing your arms, you guess he is going to expect you to forget that just happened as well, you sigh, frown deepening. 

Maybe you are being delusional, he answered your question, you should just leave it at that, you think. You have bigger things to worry about.

-

You spent days pushing the car, hoping to find an exit to a gas station. All that energy wasted.

“You’ve been ignoring me.” Yoongi accuses under his breath.

You have not not been doing anything of the sort! You still acknowledge Yoongi’s presence, just like you do that asshole Dev, yeah.

You frown. “You have been acting weird,” you cross your arms. All day every day you can feel Yoongi’s eyes boring into the back of your head when you talk to the others, and yet he refuses to even look in your direction when you get anywhere near him! 

“I have not!”

“Well then I haven’t been ignoring you!”

Yoongi sighs. “Well it's clear to the others something is up between us and that is exactly what I was trying to avoid.”

You narrow your eyes on him. You think you finally understand him, Yoongi was ashamed of kissing you. You want to yell at him, but you can’t…not when you feel something akin to disappointment clawing at your insides, a small voice inside you confirming all your insecurities.

“Why would there be something up? Nothing is up, absolutely nothing,” you frown. 

“Stop.”

“I can’t stop because I haven’t started.”

“You are so annoying sometimes.” His hand holds your jaw, thumb rubbing the dirt away from your face tenderly.

You flinch away, “Is that why you didn’t kiss me?”

“Listen, I just don’t want to burden you-”

“Well, I’m very unburdened, can’t you tell? I mean, what could burden me? I have all the food I could want,” you say sarcastically, “I’m not running from monsters that want to eat me alive and I certainly don't care that you did not kiss me!” you hiss.

Yoongi covers your mouth. “Are you guys okay?” Jungkook says hesitantly, walking up to the pair of you.

Yoongi pulls his hands away as if he were burned. You roll your eyes at him, trying to not focus on the sharp pain in your chest, daggers embedding themselves inside you, each one confirming your worst insecurities. 

“Everything is great, Kookie,” you say, acting sweeter than your usual self, grabbing the youngest and leading him away before either man notices your watery eyes. 

---

“You can rest against me,” Namjoon murmurs, watching as you sway and try to keep your head up as the others sleep.

You laugh softly, “If I do that, I will definitely fall asleep. When I’m close to you, you make me feel safe. And I get sleepy,” you add, yawning. You rest your head on the wall, smiling back when he smiles. “Ahh, see, I can’t look at you,” you shake your head, trying to shake away your tiredness too.

“So you’re not all the way over there because I smell?” Namjoon pulls at your sleeve, trying to coax you closer.

“You smell? Damn, I must smell horrible then.” You sniff your worn and tattered clothes. 

“I saw a well outside, we can take advantage of it tomorrow, get some water to clean ourselves up.”

“A bath?” you wonder out loud, unable to hide your excitement. “Finally,” you sigh.

“Well err it’s gonna have to be a cold bath-”

“Mhm. A bath.” You ignore his warning, nothing can change your excitement. Let it be freezing cold, you will happily soak yourself until your fingers shrivel up.

After a while Namjoon speaks up again. “I think maybe we should stay here for a bit. Once the zombies disperse, we can go out for supplies, maybe scout for a better house to crash.”

“Here, in the city? For how long?”

“Maybe,” he hesitates. “A couple weeks? Or…a couple…months?”

“M-Months?!” you gasp, surprised.

“Look at them.” He gestures to the bodies sleeping on the floor around you, none of them wanted to leave the room for the beds, no one wanted to lose sight of each other. “We need to rest, we need supplies…we need to build ourselves back up.”

“Shouldn’t we, um, get out of Hongcheon first?” you ask worriedly. “I feel like…these monsters here are…different. They seem more relentless, don’t you feel?” you groan, thinking aloud. “Why are they so energetic? We’re the live ones! Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” They seem…well fed, you think, grimacing. “You think it’s a good idea to stay?”

“I don’t know.” Namjoon looks around anxiously at his friends, worried for their safety. “I don’t know.”

“Okay,” you whisper, reaching for his hand, you stroke his knuckles soothingly, deciding to follow Namjoon’s plan. “We’ll stay here for a while, and take it day by day. As long as we’re together, that’s what is most important, right?”

Namjoon lets out the breath he was holding, relaxing now that he had your support. In truth, he was too scared to move forward right now. He just needs some time, and Namjoon feels the whole group might do well with some rest too. You have all been in flight mode since first entering Hongcheon. Even you have chosen to forgo fighting, overwhelmed by the hoards of zombies and responsibilities to your friends.

-

Namjoon shakes Taehyung awake as second shift starts. Jimin rubs his tired eyes, sitting next to you, ready to take your place. “Hey.”

“Hey,” you whisper.

He nods his head to the group cuddled together like sardines, “Go rest, I got it from here.”

You hesitate. It’s becoming harder and harder to sleep. You dreaded the moments where you weren’t awake and alert for danger. Jimin sees your hesitation, he opens up his arms, “Do you want to stay with me until you’re ready to fall asleep?” You nod, relaxing slightly. 

Jimin is too good to you, it just makes you worry more, it just adds another dagger full of guilt sticking out from your chest. It all feels so heavy. You sink into Jimin, sorry to him for everything you’ve put him through. He hugs you back so tenderly you want to cry.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

Jimin smiles, enjoying your warmth against him. You cling onto him, cuddled to his side, keeping your head buried into your chest, scared if you look at Jimin you’ll do something you regret, already so desperate to make him happy. But you can’t give into your feelings. You cannot bear to think how frightened you would become then.

---

“Is it true? Is it true? You…you…YOU’RE SO BEAUTIFUL THAT I’M SCARED.”

The road was abandoned, everything around you was at a standstill since that fateful day, only the trees danced with you, swaying in the wind. You let your bike zig and zag as you hummed one of your favorite songs happily. 

There were cars still on the road but the engines had long ago stalled out, the drivers ran away. 

It was so quiet. It was calm…peaceful even, serene…

And if there was a noise, it would likely be a member of the undead gurgling for brains. Noise now only served as a warning. 

You bike slowly, looking around at the bright landscape in awe. It had been too long since you saw green, trees, grass, flowers... 

Stuck in the airport for months you had become used to dirt and tarmac, withered plants in pots and only weeds surviving. But now you realized, lots of things survived. It was so beautiful, mesmerizing.

And you were about to be even more mesmerized.

“Oh my god, oh my god!” you laugh, biking fast before coming to a complete stop. “Y-You’re alive!”

The stranger looks at you, mouth agape. 

You kick your bike stand out, running up to him. “Oh! You don’t understand me!” you quickly switch to Korean. “Sorry! Hi, good afternoon! I didn’t mean to frighten you! I’m just– wow– I’m surprised! I haven’t seen another person in...I just...hi!” You resist the urge to hug him, noticing how skittish he already seems, instead bowing ninety degrees. “My name is y/n. Are you okay?”

“You…you speak Korean.”

“You do too, lucky us,” you laugh awkwardly. 

He looks around, shuffling from side to side. “Where did you come from, foreigner? Are you alone? Do you have any food?”

Your smile slowly falls. You had gotten too excited, you hadn’t paid attention, hadn’t noticed his dirty clothes hanging off his very thin frame, the shiftiness in his attitude, the strange look in his eyes, he didn’t seem…well. 

“N-No, I, uh…I came from the airport.” You look behind you, back in the direction you came from.

It only took a second for you to take your eyes off him, and in that second the man decided to attack.

“Hey!” You stumble backward as he tries to pull off your backpack. “Get off! Stop!”

You were used to zombies attacking you, trying to bite you. If it had been a zombie, you would have yanked out your knife before even thinking, stopped the monster immediately and been on your way. 

But a human attacking you? Someone living? 

It caught you so off guard you couldn’t react. You fall on the ground trying to get away.

The stranger lunges at your bike instead, still standing abandoned by you. You scramble to your feet, grabbing on to the handle bars as he tries to mount your bike. 

You start hitting him with your fist, yanking on the bike in between punches to get it away from him. 

‘Is this really happening?!’ you think. You just met and he’s trying to steal your bike?!’

He starts hitting you back, yelling in his weakened efforts. That noise was too similar, and you were bitterly reminded of the airport. You grunt, getting winded from your fighting. Yanking hard on your bike, you maneuver it out of his grasp, only for him to attack you again. 

Even in his weakened state, his adrenaline had managed to make him strong and combative. If you’re not careful, you could get seriously injured, probably left for dead, without your bike, without anyone, dying alone and abandoned…

Again?! Fuck this, fuck him!

You put your knife against his throat and he finally stops trying to attack you. You tried to sound threatening when you told him to stop. But the truth was you were terrified, more terrified than you had ever been at the airport. What if he decided to not listen to you? You didn’t think you could go through with it, you couldn’t kill this man.

“Stop! Get away!” you plead, screaming.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m so hungry, I’m sorry! I won’t hurt you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He bows his head, wailing.

You try to steady your hand, but the knife shakes in your grasp. You’ve stopped fighting each other but you can’t seem to catch your breath.

You roll the bike further away from him, arm still outstretched, pointing the knife at him in warning. Your eyes sting with unshed tears, wanting to cry.

You’re sorry too. 

---

You startle, even when Namjoon whispers your name, squeezing your shivering body. “Huh?” You’re lying next to him, you cannot remember when you’ve moved here.

“You were crying in your sleep,” Namjoon says in a concerned hushed voice.

You rub your eyes in your tiredness. It was true, your eyes felt puffy, your cheeks sticky with tears.

You turn your head to look at him, and he looks back at you, concern etched across his brows. Twilight has begun and soon the sun will be up. You sigh, you felt safer in the dark and safest next to Namjoon and the others.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just had a bad dream.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I was dreaming about my bike,” you laugh half-heartedly.

But Namjoon doesn’t laugh. “We all…have them, the nightmares-”

“I know.”

“So you can talk to me..us about it. You don’t have to always keep everything in. It’s not healthy.”

“Okay Doctor Kim.”

Namjoon sighs. He’s too cute when his brows furrow, his hair sticking up from sleeping, you can’t help but giggle. “The monsters I dream about aren’t the dead kind,” you whisper. “Sometimes, I just-” you sigh, “-feel like running away.”

“Run away from us? I would track you down,” Namjoon says.

You can’t help but smile, closing your eyes. “I won’t, I’d be too worried you’ll get yourselves killed without me.” 

He reaches for your cheek, lying his tired arm against you. “I’m scared,” you mumble.

“Why?”

“We’re going to run into more people eventually, what if next time…something horrible happens? Sometimes I feel like I made a mistake. I should have stayed away.” You think back to the first time you encountered him again. “At the time I wanted to hurt you, I wanted revenge, and then…” you mumble, reaching for him in the darkness. “People..are dangerous. You were safer with Kanhgo on the farm.” ‘Maybe everything about this was a mistake, not just Yoongi kissing you,’ you want to tell him.

“I think we met at the right time. You don’t know how it was before, we were all...too close to death, too friendly to the idea, to dying. It was in that house, sitting with us, all the time. Do you understand? You saved m– us.”

You don’t hear what he says next, already falling under sleep, too content next to Namjoon despite the looming danger outside. 

Namjoon stares at your closed eyelids and relaxes, scooting closer to your sleeping frame.

---

You wake up out of breath, body shaking. You couldn’t remember your dream, but from your pounding heart rate, your sweat drenched clothes, and the dread you feel lifting away, you suspect it was awful. You jump when arms grab you, pull you in and hug you tightly. 

“You’re okay.” You hear Jimin mumble against your shoulder, soft and soothing.

You see Namjoon still asleep next to you. The day is out. It’s only the four of you left asleep, the others already awake and going through the house.

“Go back to sleep,” Jimin murmurs. But you can’t, not with all that adrenaline coursing through you now, so you watch Namjoon’s peaceful sleeping face, so close to you. You start memorizing his frown lines and birthmarks and cuts still healing, calming yourself down. 

You make a promise to yourself that when you reach Seoul, when Namjoon finds his family, when you eventually go your separate ways, you’re never going to forget him just like this, your friend and your idol trusting you enough to sleep peacefully while death now stands outside.

---

You raid the town’s fire department in the morning. 

No firetruck anymore to your disappointment. 

But there was an axe left behind in haste, some canned food, bandages and antiseptic; incredibly valuable finds. You grab as many helmets as you can carry, intent on sticking them on a few members’ heads. 

“Hobi!” you call out, “Come here!” Hoseok finds you and lets you dress him up in your newly acquired gear. 

It is just as you suspected, you sigh, head in your palms as you watch Hoseok clog around in heavy boots, rolling up the jacket sleeves.

Hoseok would make the. hottest. firefighter.

 Man, you wish selfies were still a thing.

“What are you guys doing?

You drop a helmet onto Taehyung’s head. “Nothing,” you smile. 

“Alright, enough playing around.” Namjoon says, coming back with a full backpack. You pout, pulling off the huge firefighter jacket you found and offering it to Namjoon, hopeful. He eyes the jacket. “C’mon, it’s definitely your size!” 

“Firefighters your thing, eh?” Seokjin rounds a corner. He looks so dashing decked out in uniform. 

“...Maybe.” you tease. 

“Help!” That’s Jungkook’s voice.

He’s stuck in a corner, fighting off two of the largest zombies you’ve ever seen.

These particular zombies, not only look massive and strong, they are also wearing helmets, protecting their most vulnerable spot, and the exact area you need to access to stop their attack.

How the hell are you going to kill them?!

The axe! Namjoon swings it into one of the zombie’s shoulders, completely dislocating the entire arm, while Jungkook keeps his bat lodged in the zombies’ mouths. 

Namjoon brings the axe down again and again, as if he were hacking at a tree. You grimace, you definitely could not use what came off as firewood. “This is so gross.” You look down at what remains, two heads still animatedly trying to bite your shins.

“Sorry,” you wince, stabbing the heads through the eye quickly.

As you sneak your way back to the house, Taehyung decides to ask you, “Why do you always do that?”

You massage your neck, “Do what?”

“Say you’re sorry. You always do it.”

You smile sadly. “Because I am sorry. It’s not their fault, you know. I am sure a man like that always wanted to help people, not eat them.”

‘Man,’ Taehyung certainly did not consider what that firefighter was reduced to, to be anything close to man. “Well I don’t think they understand you.” 

“Hey! My Korean is not that bad!”

Taehyung bumps your shoulder, “You know what I mean!” he laughs.

“Maybe, maybe not,” you sigh. “Their ears are still there, why wouldn’t they understand? Do you think they aren’t in there anymore?”

“I hope not.” Taehyung shudders.

“I guess we’ll never know until we become one…” you hum.

“Kill me before then.” Taehyung mutters.

You offer him your hand, “Deal.”

“If I become a zombie, put a muzzle on me and keep me as a pet.” Seokjin drapes his arms over you and Taehyung.

“Deal!”

“No way!”

“What about you, y/n?”

“If I become a zombie?” You catch Namjoon staring at you. “I don’t know,” you think back to the airport. “I like to think I would be able to you know, but when it comes down to it, I don’t think I could kill myself…” you shrug. “But if I try to eat you, you do have my permission to-” you swing your arm back and forth, aiming for Seokjin’s head, laughing when he yells at you.

---

“What if we go this way? Closer to the river? That might be safer?”

“What about the school?”

“No, that’s usually where the town would find shelter. If just one of them was bitten…I think we should avoid this whole area.”

“What’s this word?” you point to the character on the small map. You, Namjoon, and Yoongi are looking over the withered piece of paper, trying to find the best place to find shelter before night.

“That’s like a, ‘Government Building.’” Namjoon answers in English. “A town hall.”

“What about that church?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea either.”

“What about this street, with all the stores? We could find a place to stay there. Close to supplies? And close to water!”

“Look! Military base.” Yoongi points to the map.

“That’s so far.”

“Tire shop? We could find a running car?”

“Y/n, can we talk?”

“Jimin, just wait,” Namjoon answers for you, stepping closer to you as you study the map.

You rub your temples. Your head hurts trying to decipher the map, speaking Korean rather than reading it has always been easier for you. “Wherever you want to go, I’ll go.” you massage Namjoon’s shoulder, stepping away. You switch positions with Jin as you make your way to Jimin.

-

“Where’s Jungkook and Tae?”

“Working on the well.”

“Should we go watch them? Stand guard?”

Jimin pulls you back, “They got it, we already made sure it’s safe.”

“Oh, alright,” you tilt your head at him, he’s acting a bit impatient. “Are you okay?”

“I just…you’re always– it’s hard to get your attention,” Jimin swallows.

“What? Well, I’m here now,” you say softly, running your hand down Jimin’s arm until you reach his hand, squeezing it with your own.

Jimin squeezes your hand back. “Come with me,” he says more confidently. Jimin leads you back into the house, inside a bedroom, and then inside…the closet? You stumble into boxes full of someone else’s treasured memories.

“Well the closet wouldn’t have been my first choice.”

“I just wanted uninterrupted time with you.” In this small house, hiding away might be the only way Jimin could be with you alone. “I just want to make sure we definitely won’t be bothered,” Jimin sighs, leaning into clothes.

Clothes! You lean against him, picking a shirt off the hanger. You’re so excited by your find, you don’t notice how tense Jimin gets when your body presses up against him. “This would look good on you!” you hold up the shirt you chose.

Jimin takes a deep breath. “Y/n…”

You freeze when you catch his eyes. “Jimin…”

Oh god, why did you say his name like that? All breathy and high pitched and…needy…oh no, why does he have to look at you like that?!

“Don’t look at me like that,” Jimin murmurs, smirking.

Wait, how are you looking at him? You didn’t have very much of a poker face, despite what you thought. “Huh?”

Why does his lips have to be so soft when he kisses you? How does his tongue do that thing-

“Jimin, we can’t,” you step back.

You definitely did not mean to pull him back with you.

He chuckles against your lips, kissing you deeper.

“Wait.” You are suddenly very aware of how hot and cramped you were. You find the door knob, grateful for the new space to clear your head. “W-We really can’t. We should– We shouldn’t! We shouldn’t-” Why can’t you catch your breath?!

“We definitely shouldn’t,” he jokes, resting his hand on the bed’s post.

You exhale, looking at the empty bed. Not doing things with Jimin sounds very appealing. But you can’t! Why “can’t” you again? Oh yeah-

You sit on the bed, looking up at Jimin.

Jimin who is looking down at you with that tiny pleased smirk he can’t stop showing.

You stand up abruptly. No, a relationship was too risky, even if the threat of being eaten didn’t loom over your heads. And what if...

What if Jimin got tired of you, came to his senses once he reached Seoul and had more options? 

“I thought we agreed to wait until Seoul-”

Waiting looks like the very last thing Jimin wants to do. “What if I don't make it to Seoul?!”

“Don’t say that!” you hiss. Why did he have to say that? Now you feel like crying. You must have looked upset, because Jimin is now looking at you with a mixture of confusion and worry. 

Jimin hugs you close, arms wrapped around you tightly, like he knows you will fall apart if he doesn’t. His lips are trembling against your neck, you can feel your own body trembling against his. 

You are not strong enough to resist him. 

“Please Jimin, all I’m saying is you might feel differently once we get to Seoul-”

“I won’t-”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

It’s easier to speak when you are looking away from Jimin. “Everything that’s happened…that is happening, it’s easy to, you know, want to feel something other than fear or loneliness,” you swallow. “And I’m convenient to do that with,” you let your hands drop away from his embrace. “I feel like we’re just using each other, and once it’s not convenient, you won’t want me anymore. That’s why I wanted to wait.” 

“I’m not using you, y/n!”

You look up at the ceiling to keep from crying. You weren’t from a rich family, or famous, you weren’t gifted, you weren’t special. You would have never been more than a fan to them had the world not gone to shit…

They left you alone.

You don't forget that, that nagging feeling always in the pit of your stomach, always tight around your chest when you notice one of them giving you that look, the one Jimin is giving you right now. The look Yoongi gave you after he said what a “mistake” it was kissing you.

And if you let Jimin kiss you again, have you on this bed, could you handle it if he tells you someday later, those exact words? You’re overcome with a weird feeling. Are you okay with that? 

He’s looking at your lips.

Maybe you should. Fuck it. Yolo. Or whatever.

Can you push away those feelings?

Is...that what Yoongi did to you?

“Is everything okay?”

“Go away Namjoon!” Jimin yells as you pull away from one another as the bedroom door opens.

“What? Excuse me, Park Jimin?” Namjoon is staring at your distressed anxious expression. “What the hell is going on?”

“It’s fine. I-I’m fine. I…I need some air.”

Jimin grabbed your arm. He didn’t want to let you go, he knew you had a penchant for being reckless, and especially if you were about to go outside, he was definitely going to put a stop to it. 

It probably sounded like a whimper, the sound you made when Jimin held you again, the way Namjoon was right by your side in an instant. “Let her go, Jimin!” He warns, holding both yours and Jimin’s arms.

“Kim Namjoon, why do you let her put herself in danger all the time?!”

“WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME, PARK JIMIN?”

You wince at Namjoon’s booming voice so close to your ear. You hear footsteps rushing towards the room, so you rip yourself away from both men’s grasp.

Well, you just locked yourself in the closet. You just did that.

The men stare at the closed door for a while. They hear your muffled voice yell back, “I’m fine! I just need some time alone…in here. I won't go outside, I promise!”

---

You finally leave the closet when Seokjin knocks softly on the door telling you dinner is ready. You carry a box full of clothes, shirts and pants for each man to try on, and a new outlook on things after shifting through old keepsakes, a collection of items that told a story of a couple who must have been together for decades. You want that. But that kind of life, like old movie tickets, developed film, and festival prizes, that kind of blissful happiness was not possible for anyone anymore.

“Do we have water?” you ask Jungkook. He looks exhausted.

“Drinking water, yes.”

“What about…cleaning water?” you ask, hopeful. 

“What about soap?” Jungkook asks.

You smile wide, clapping your hands together, pulling out everything you found and setting it up in a neatly filed line in front of Jungkook. “You have first pick, of course, if you get me that water,” you smile deviously.

Jungkook grabs the shampoo and conditioner combo. “You will have it all set up for you tomorrow when you get back from scouting.”

“Yay!” You give the youngest the tightest biggest hug you could muster up. “Oh! Maybe I should wait until after I bathe to give you a hug-”

“No! Hug now, and hug tomorrow!” Jungkook squeezes the air out of you. You giggle, despite not being able to inhale.

---

“Are you still mad at me?” Yoongi asks wearily, finally speaking up. “I’m sorry-”

“You don’t have to apologize, Yoongi.” You dig through the neighboring house’s kitchen, handing Yoongi the cans of food you found. “I’ll just try not to act so irresistible next time,” you joke, in brighter spirits, winking at the idol.

Yoongi places the items in his pack, relieved you weren’t giving him the cold shoulder.

“Oh, thanks,” he says sarcastically. “You’ve been doing a pretty good job though with that smell.”

“Okay, mister! Oh look, I found some food for you!” You throw him some cat food, laughing.

“I expect a two course meal tonight,” you tease, after finding spam and more canned veggies.

“I’ll make sure to prepare a second course all for you with the cat food you found.”

“Ew!” You shove him playfully. “I guess I won’t share my dessert with you then.”

“What dessert?”

“You think these are still good?” You pull out a full box of chocopie from your pack. You smile in satisfaction at Yoongi’s stunned face. 

“I guess I will have to make you a three course meal then,” Yoongi says, making you smile wider.

A noise makes you jump, and Yoongi instinctively covers your body with his. You force your head under his arm, unwilling to let him sacrifice himself for you.

“Stay behind me!” Yoongi hisses.

“No, you stay behind me!”

Yoongi shoves you with all his strength away from the noise closing in. It catches you off guard as you stumble backward, you hadn’t expected Yoongi to use so much force.

So you jump on his back, sending him stumbling and crashing into a very nice looking cabinet...full of glass wear.

Two of the biggest racoons you’ve ever seen in your life scurry out of the shadows and past you and Yoongi, making you squeal and tighten your grip around the rapper.

Yoongi sighs, freezing against you when he realizes his hands are holding your thighs.

“Next time just get behind me,” you mumble.

“No fucking way.”

You should be mad at him, but you can’t help but smile.

Yoongi should be mad at you, but all his anger dissipates seeing your smile.

You pass by a record player on your way out. “Yoongi! Do you think we could make it work?”

Yoongi shakes his head. “It needs electricity.”

“You can’t just turn the record with your finger?” You sound so desperate to hear music.

“The speakers won’t work without electricity. Sorry, y/n.”

You nod, crestfallen. Yoongi hides his disappointment too, the rapper wishes most of all to hear music again. You grab a pile of records, “just in case,” you say, hoping one day to find a way to play them. It makes Yoongi sad and happy all at once. He wouldn’t have done that, had any hope like that to begin with. 

You both walk back to your new found home quietly, but now shoulder to shoulder.

You gasp, making Yoongi pause. “Oh! Look at that. The wall-”

Vine had grown all over the concrete fence. Between the two panels, vegetation had come in between them and on the sides, and now the gray that could still be seen resembled-

“It looks like the Army logo!” you laugh happily.

Yoongi looks at you. His eyes seem lost and far away and so reverent, and at the same time, he looks at you with that same reverence.

And Yoongi knows he shouldn’t. Not after Seokjin had confessed to him his growing feelings for you, or when Jimin looks at you so longingly during those moments you’re not looking.

Not after Yoongi had noticed the way his leader always gravitates to your side, and Jungkook’s red ears and wide smile when you give him your undivided attention. Yoongi knows there was already enough discontent in the group. He shouldn’t feel the same way.

But you’ve wound yourself around him like those branches. 

You’ve grown on the rapper, your attitude and your kindness and your strength and your smile. He feels it, that excitement when he looks at the hidden symbol, only for a second, only because of you, and he’s grateful to you. 

Your eyes follow his gaze, looking at him in excitement over such a small thing, a small sign that meant…still means so much to him…so much it hurts to remember. It hurts to think about what he had and what he lost. You mean so much to him. And he can’t lose you too.

Your eyes sparkle before they turn questioning, and before you can ask, Yoongi is already kissing you.

Your eyes widen, and your hand presses against his chest. Yoongi’s muscles are hard against your palm and makes you gasp how solid and warm he feels. He kisses you deeper, quickly, indulgently before he makes himself pull away.

You're both breathing hard, you look at him surprised, mouth agape, your lips still tingling from his contact.

He did it right in front of the house.

And right in front of his bandmates, waiting for both of you to return. 

Shit, he thinks. Where did all his control go?! He wishes he could blame you, after all the things you do to make his heart burst so much he bursts to feel you.

He makes a quick apology before turning away from you. He knows he’s fucked up again when he feels your grip on his shoulder as you try to pull him back unsuccessfully and your silence following.

Maybe somewhere deep down he wanted you to chase him, and somewhere deeper he was disappointed you didn’t.

---

“Someone kissed you, someone here kissed you?! One of my brothers kissed you?!”

“No! No, no.” You say rather unconvincingly in Jimin’s opinion. 

“...”

“Yes?”

“So? Who was it? I know it wasn’t Jungkook or Taehyung because they were the ones whispering about it.”

You groan inwardly. “Well it doesn’t really matter, because he didn’t mean to, but um, it was– and he regrets it! I think. Well he definitely regretted the first time-” you mumble, annoyed.

“First?! As in, this was the second time?!”

“Uhhhh…”

“Did you kiss him back?”

“...”

Jimin sighs, rubbing his eyes. “So that’s why you didn’t want to be with me,” he laughs bitterly.

“What! No! Well yes…but not for that reason! Ugh! Jimin please,” you inhale deeply, “Yoongi regretted it as soon as it happened. I just didn’t want you…if we had done more, I didn’t want you to feel stuck with me once we reached Seoul,” you sigh.

“YOONGI KISSED YOU? TWICE?!”

“Eh? No? Yes?”

“You do know zombies are attracted to noise, right?!”

“Shut up, Dev!”

Taehyung and Jungkook, the cause of this commotion (because it was definitely not you and Yoongi) pull Jimin away. 

“Maybe you should go check the bathroom, y/n,” Jungkook pleads.

You don’t have to be told twice. You nod, at a loss for words.

-

You stare at the half filled plastic tub situated in the middle of the bathroom, contemplating on drowning yourself. 

It would certainly make things easier for the group. You decide probably not the best thing to do at the moment and pull off your shirt.

The door opens mid undress, and you decide to just pull off the dirtied material anyways.

“Oh shit, sorry! I thought you might have been done already.”

“Oh, I was…preoccupied.” Interrogated, more like it, you sigh. You cover your chest with the dirtied shirt, staring at BTS leader, Kim Namjoon, who looks sheepishly at his feet. “You wanted to use the water?” you ask hesitantly.

“No,” he lies, “We already washed up.”

“You did a shit job.” You notice his hair is still a little bit greasy.

Namjoon laughs. “Well Jungkook is rationing water like a maniac, we were only allowed a bowl full each.”

You suddenly feel horrible looking at the tub full of water you were about to use. “I’m sorry, that’s not fair, you can use the water first.”

“No, no! You deserve it out of all of us.”

“What?! No I don’t!” you exclaim, pulling Namjoon to the tub and heading for the door.

“Hold up, Jungkook will murder me if you don’t use this water,” Namjoon laughs.

You pause. Grabbing a towel and soaking it, you squirt soap across it. “Well…you need it more,” you smile half heartedly, holding the towel out for him to take. “Please.”

Namjoon sighs, pausing at the door. 

He shuts it.

-

You sit on the closed toilet, suddenly realizing the situation you’ve put yourself in as Namjoon pulls off his shirt. He takes the towel from you, holding it to his face and sighing.

Where did your shirt go?! Should you go put a shirt back on? Should you leave and give him privacy? Or maybe you should stay very very still in hopes he forgets you’re still here. You glance over at Namjoon, trying not to stare as he wipes his chest.

Namjoon bends over your lap, wetting the towel again.

“Do you want help with your err back?” you ask.

Namjoon looks over at you. He hasn’t said a word since he’s closed the door. He simply nods, turning his back to you.

You notice all the scars littered across his torso and arms. It's sad what this new world does to you, you can’t escape it no matter who you are.

You wipe down his spine and across, over a particularly deep looking scar. It’s so close to his spleen, it must have been a scary situation. “How did you get that one?” 

“I think it was when we were running through the woods after our first lake run. We hadn’t anticipated so many of them. I fell down and got jabbed by a branch, went in pretty deep,” he grunts, remembering the pain and having to get back up and keep running even as blood seeped out of his gash.

“Clumsy,” you tsk. Namjoon chuckles, back to being silent. So you tell him to lean over the tub. You cup water in your palms to wet his hair and you grab some of your shampoo.

He sighs as your nails massage the soap into his scalp, his arm absentmindedly holding your leg. You tell yourself it's so his clumsy self stays steady.

You pick up a cup and let the water run through his hair. “Don’t tell the others I did that for you, they might get mad at me.” You wonder just how mad Jimin currently is.

He shakes his head, flinging water at you, nodding happily. You laugh, looking away. His pants are soaking. 

“Thank you.”

“I can leave, so you can finish cleaning your body,” you mumble.

“Or,” Namjoon says softly, “you could stay.”

That makes you look up. Namjoon stands upright, he looks so tense and wound up. You are faring no better, and this was supposed to be a relaxing experience! 

“Do you want me to stay?” you ask slowly.

“Yes.” Namjoon says without missing a beat.

“Okay. So, I’ll stay,” you swallow.

“I can help you too, wash your back.” 

You scoff. But he’s serious.

You have gotten very close to them, spending every waking minute with them, falling asleep in their arms, you’ve lost count how many times it’s happened. You try to always tell yourself it’s what you must do to survive, that’s all there is to it. That sort of familiarity was a kind of preservation.

This is probably the closest thing you’ve done with the leader. And the way he looks at you, with such a soft look in his eyes, making you second guess yourself, that mantra just doesn’t seem to fit this time. 

You decidedly turn around, reaching for your bra clasp. Namjoon undoes it quickly, easily, surprising you.

Now it's Namjoon’s turn to look over the scars littering your body. They look deep and painful.

He touches one in particular. It’s a miracle you lived. 

He holds his hand there, over the scar, palm resting on your side. Your heart feels like it’s pumping a thousand beats per minute.

He delicately runs the towel across your shoulder blades as you cross your arms over your chest.

You shiver when the cold cloth touches your skin. “I told you it was going to be cold,” Namjoon laughs. “You wanted to soak in that.”

“I’ll still do it,” you say stubbornly, getting used to the cool sensation.

You turn around once he seems to have gone over your back three times over. You were both topless, however you kept yourself covered with your arms. You didn’t protest when he wiped your neck and collar bone. You were concentrating on not making any noise at all actually, worried for the sounds that might come out.

Namjoon was taking deeper breaths, through and out his nose.

You wondered what kind of reaction he would have if you dropped your hands.

You also wondered how long it’s been since Namjoon has seen a woman’s body up close like this. You had already noticed how his eyes kept glancing down at your cleavage every other second. It’s been a long time since someone has seen you naked.

It would be like a thank you. 

Were you really thinking about flashing the idol?!

But Namjoon…has become more. Felt like more…he was more to you. He’s more special to you than you could have possibly imagined.

Also you just kind of want to see his reaction. You chuckle.

Namjoon quirks his head, a small smile surfacing. “What?”

Oh god, what’s wrong with you?! Was the thought of showing him your boobs that amusing to you?

“I just realized you’re the only person that can really see me like this.”

“Is that why you’re avoiding Jimin?” He asks.

“Part of the reason,” you mumble.

“The others will-”

“No.” You shut down whatever his suggestion might be. “You’re the only person I trust completely, Namjoon.”

He nods. “I trust you completely too.”

You shy away, turning back around. Hearing your words repeated back to you, you didn’t realize how…intimate it sounded.

You hear Namjoon unbuckling his belt. You didn’t know what to do, so you started unbuttoning your pants as well. For some reason, your brain thought if you were both naked, that would make it less awkward. The mind is a funny thing.

You let your pants drop. Your heart rate is now ringing inside your ears.

You stumble over to the small tub, standing in the middle, waiting, glancing over your shoulder to a very naked Namjoon, hands over his manhood.

“You’re not really gonna-”

“Oh, I definitely am.” You try to sound as confident as possible with your heart fully jumping outside your chest and your eyes staring directly at your toes. “You too?”

-

“How is it?”

“Freezing.”

You can’t help but laugh. “Whatever!” You cup some water and let it trickle down your front.

It’s cramped as hell, you’re trying very hard to ignore Namjoon’s naked member pressed up against your bum. The water is cold, but every place Namjoon's skin comes into contact with yours, warmth is radiating.

Namjoon smiles. You're spooned against his front, knees pulled to your chest. He has to reach down your legs to wet his towel again, running the damp cloth across his neck and shoulder. He relaxes against you, resting his head against the tub’s rim as you meticulously lather soap over your body and through your hair. He tries to remember what compelled him to do this with you. 

He wanted to be closer with you, and well now, he thinks there is no way he could possibly get any closer unless he jumped into your skin.

He didn’t want to leave you. Even though he knew he should have gone the moment he saw your shirt over your arms and your cleavage on display. He knew you were just being nice offering him your bath, but you looked at him eyes so pleadingly, half naked too, Namjoon wanted to stay with you, so he did.

He didn’t want you to leave him either. So he asked you to stay. He told himself, if you said no, then he wouldn’t push, he would accept that was going to be as close as he would be able to get for now. But then you stayed. He got what he wanted.

And now you were naked in his lap, happily splashing around while his balls froze, and Namjoon was exactly where he wanted to be. He probably shouldn’t feel so satisfied about it, but he’s been having to quietly deal with not being able to do what he truly wanted for so long…

“Well I’m having fun,” you laugh.

“Me too.”

“Y/n is that you?”

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. 

“Yeah, yeah it’s me. I’ll be out in a bit. I'm, um, busy!” You try to stand, but you have no footing.

“Oh okay!” Taehyung yells back. You listen for any sounds of movement. 

“I can’t find Hobi or Joon, do you know where they went?”

“No um no, I don’t know where Hobi OR JOON is! I don’t know, I’ll uhh help you look after I’m done…go away now– Close the bedroom door when you leave! I need to grab my clothes.”

Taehyung sees two large shirts on the bed. He likes the color of one. “You want them now?”

“NO! No no, I’m busy, you should leave. I can’t um concentrate with you there.”

“Okay okay.” Jeez. Taehyung pouts. It’s not like he hasn’t heard it all before. But women are touchy with things like that so he lets you have your privacy.

You had floundered like a fish, leaning over to make sure Taehyung could hear you, arm outstretched in case you needed to throw the door closed. You had completely forgotten your, very naked, predicament.

Two of those predicaments pressed right against Namjoon’s cheeks. 

Now you are very much understanding what you’ve done, and how rigid Namjoon is, trying not to think about you pressed up against him. And you notice how rigid something else is…..

You freeze in shock.

That doesn’t help Namjoon’s current situation.

“I can’t leave now. It will be too obvious,” Joon says, fighting every mortal urge inside him at this point.

You peel your breasts off him, falling out of the tub and onto slippery tile.

“I’ll leave!” Shit. Your own self restraint is hanging on by threads. You need alone time. How are you gonna get it here?

Fuck, it’s cold now, you’re missing Namjoon’s body against yours, you’re really missing it.

“Stay.”

“Namjoon, listen– oh,” you had intended to tell him the same thing you told Jimin, you hadn’t expected him to see him so...exposed.

Namjoo stood one foot out of the tub, skin wet and glistening, hand not so much covering much of anything as he gripped his very very erect cock.

Your mind goes blank. This was the first time you’ve seen him…that. Not in quick shy glances at the lake, not in unfocused looks, eyes downcast or upcast or anywhere but his fucking sexy body cast. You were shamelessly staring at the man in front of you, eyes wide open.

Namjoon looks so goddamn hot, so big. And you made him that hard, you can’t even bother to cover yourself, noticing his eyes looking hungrily at your bare chest as he runs his hand down his cock, gripping it tight. 

You look up at him, panting. Goddammit, he’s so goddamn hot, touching himself to your body. You might just hyperventilate right in front of him, but that would be super unsexy of you.

Namjoon runs his tongue across his bottom lip, grunting. Or was that a moan?!

You feel so wet, so burning up, you’re surprised the water hasn’t evaporated off your skin.

“If we…if we…we’re just helping each other. Like friends. We’re just…”

Namjoon nods, too horny to think straight anyways he’d agree to anything you said.

Namjoon doesn’t say anything, just bends down, laying his body over yours so you can feel his warmth against you again.

It was your first kiss with Namjoon. Previously, there were moments at night when his lips grazed your shoulder, a couple times against the crook of your neck, that you chose to believe was something sort of a reflex he would do half asleep, probably remembering someone who was not you, an action he never mentioned once morning came. But this kiss was so desperate, full of passion and want. His lips were strong and rough, his mouth was devouring you.

You reach between your legs, gripping his length finally. “Fuck, you’re so hard,” you moan, impressed. “I am so wet right now.”

“Oh fuck,” Namjoon whimpers.

Fuck! He whimpered! 

Yep. You’re gonna do it. There is no fucking way you’re gonna leave here without cuming. 

You arch your back into him, hand now moving furiously up and down his cock. He kisses you, tongue licking into your open mouth. His fingers meet yours as he reaches for your center. You bite back moans, closing your eyes as his digits dig into your thigh, hiking up one leg to open you up for his skilled fingers.

You gasp, catching his eyes, the way his brows furrow and his intense gaze, so very different from when he’s half asleep. His fingers reach in deep inside you, a sensation you haven’t felt in so long. You try to focus on his pleasure, running your hand up and down his length, finding a speed he responds to the most and trying your best to keep it up as you fall apart under his own ministrations.

You finally lose your very intense very sexy staring match when he curls his fingers into you, your eyes rolling back. “Fuck…yes…yes,” you groan.

Namjoon is close, kissing you when he finally reaches his high, silencing himself against your lips as you shudder against him.

He breathes heavily against you. He wanted to do more with you, it was too quick, he was too quick, he thinks cursing himself, even though he should have anticipated that kind of reaction to finally being touched by another person in so long. But time, like everything now, is scarce.

You stare up at the ceiling, post orgasm clarity hitting you like a ton of bricks. Did you just really do that?! It just all happened so fast, and now Namjoon is laying over you so heavy you can't move. Namjoon lifts himself up after catching his breath and you stare at each other.

You wonder what he’s thinking. You’re too embarrassed to ask. At least you’re in the perfect place to clean yourselves up.

---

You’ve all decided to move tonight, closer to the river, closer to Seoul. Everything is packed! You’re all ready, well fed, prepared. You should all be feeling pretty confident at this point. But everyone’s in a bad mood, tense, well almost everyone.

Taehyung is staring at Namjoon’s new shirt suspiciously and the way he seems way too relaxed about things, the way he stands right behind you, extremely close, bodies touching like...no way...

‘No, definitely not.’ Taehyung thinks...he hopes not. Damn, he should have taken that shirt when he had the chance! You catch Taehyung’s narrowed stare and immediately look away like you are hiding something. “How did you like it?” Jungkook walks up to you, staring at your freshly cleaned face, you are glowing.

“It was perfect, thank you so so much,” you whisper.

“Do you still have some of the soap you used? You smell good.” You giggle when his nose tickles the crook of your neck as he sniffs you, knocking him away playfully.

“Mhmm it’s not soap,” you say happily, “It’s lotion!”

Jungkook holds his hand out expectantly. “Boy, your skin is perfect, you do not need it, I do!”

“Noona, share!” Jungkook whines.

“Finders keepers! Fine, I’ll let you borrow some later, remind me,” you laugh.

Taehyung stares at Namjoon, who is cracking his knuckles, his jaw tensing as he watches Jungkook touch you playfully. Taehyung notices the way his leader’s eyes immediately soften when you look over your shoulder and call his name asking if he was ready, smiling. He smiles too.

‘Oh my god,’ Taehyung thinks.

-

The group decides to break up into pairs and one trio. Normally you would have said, hell no, that’s being-chased-by-monsters rule number one, never split up the group! 

But it was easier to move around this way, to hide quickly.

The first pair would make sure they had the second always in their sights and it would go down the line like that, so it was easy to alert the closest pair to any signs of danger and the message could get to the whole group no matter how far spread out.

And it was strategic, one pair could lure monsters away while the others slipped through. Another pair could help you escape. And if it came to the worst, at least it would only be a few, and not all of you…

Taehyung decides to step in when you and Namjoon want to be paired together, so that’s why you are currently holding hands with the baritone singer, crab walking behind a fence.

You pass by shops with Taehyung, looking through the store windows. You want to explore, you would have if you were alone. But now you were part of a group, with a group objective, and group members who were counting on you, so you move steadily forward. That would have been a cute outfit though.

Every once in a while the pair in front of you stops, sends you and Taehyung a series of hand gestures to translate. This time, you learn there are nine zombies at your ten o’clock. 

Taehyung lets Jin and Yoongi know, telling them to follow you and him to the right while Namjoon and Hoseok throw rocks, leading the monsters away.

Taehyung has been unusually quiet. You suspect he’s probably mad at you on behalf of Jimin, so you don’t push him to make small talk. Grudges become trivial in these kinds of situations anyways. 

You turn a corner and notice three zombies hunched near the remains of a food stall. 

You wonder, were they customers at some point in their lives? They don’t notice you and they are pretty far away, but could definitely become a problem later. You and Taehyung exchange looks. “I’ll handle it,” you say.

“I got your back,” he whispers, signaling for the others to wait and hide.

One, down, a middle aged woman missing a huge chunk of her calf, her eyes so clouded she couldn’t see anymore, just smelled you too late.

Two, down, a business man still wearing his work suit, a hole in his jacket and his intestines falling out, his jaw crooked, a limp in his walk, he was already falling apart before you destroyed him completely.

The third one, he only had one bite mark on his neck. His clothes were grimy, like everything else in this new world, but his skin still had a lively color. He looks like he was turned not even a day ago, and he’s fast. 

You fall down. Taehyung sinks his knife into the undead’s neck when he jumps on you, but the angle doesn’t hit where it needs to and the zombie turns his body to attack the idol. You grab the zombie at his ankles, giving Taehyung enough time to strike where it counts. Taehyung is shaken but okay. You are winded but okay.

You see the two eldest running towards your location and you hold up your hand to tell them not to worry. But they don’t stop, instead signaling you to hide. Taehyung pulls you up by the elbow and you run towards the empty stall.

“Grab that guy!”

“What?!”

“Hurry!” you hiss, yanking the now fully dead woman across the pavement.

One, Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, you count. Did you hear that right? Ten different pairs of feet dragging across pavement, ten different tones, growling, passing by you and Taehyung, currently lying under a broken stall table, with two corpses covering you. They drag around you, bodies shadowed on the red plastic table cloth covering you and Taehyung.

You both stay hidden, taking short breaths, listening intently, fingers numb from holding each other. The plastic tablecloth keeps you hidden but also traps the heat in and doesn't give you any field of vision. God, it smells horrible, the smell of death. You squeeze Taehyung’s hand tighter, letting the pain take your mind off the stench. You notice sweat roll down his forehead as Taehyung scrunches up his nose, trying not to inhale the smell.

Taehyung looks at you, telling you to wait, because he already knows that you’re itching to leave, to run, to fight. He tightens his already crushing grip. 

“You remember what you promised me?” You promised Taehyung something? You look at him questioningly. “Before I become like them, kill me, so I don’t hurt my brothers.”

“We’re going to get out of here, okay?” Taehyung nods, very unconvinced. “Hobi and Joon, did you see where they ran?” Taehyung nods again, very not ready to leave. “I know you’re mad at me, but do you trust me?” Taehyung’s eyes go wide.

“I’m not mad at you.” 

The growls can no longer be heard. You pull a corner of the table cloth up, looking around, seeing the undead group dispersed and in the distance, only moving shadows in the night now. “So you got my back, right?” Taehyung nods, eyes focused. “We’re gonna go really slow, clear the area as much as possible. If we see one, and they’re a slow one too, we’re gonna let them come to us.”

“And if it’s like him?” Taehyung gestures to the corpse next to him. 

You smile, “We’re gonna let them come to me. You take them down. We just have to last until the others get to us. I trust you, Tae.”

You’re breaking your second rule on being-chased-by-monsters. Always run from newly turned zombies. But you’re doing it for Taehyung, for the group. 

Also, you can’t deny that you and Taehyung have both gotten very good at defending yourselves. Of course every zombie encounter is life or death, of course it’s a terrifying experience to fight one, one Taehyung would rather avoid, but he hasn’t lost yet! The odds are in your favor.

This so happens to be just another night out in post apocalyptic times. And as you hold Taehyung’s hand, now standing in the middle of the unlit street, watching a few ambling monsters start ambling your way, you and Taehyung start to walk as if you were just out on a stroll, and you think, this is not the most horrible night out you’ve had post apocalypse, and you might even go far as to say pre-apocalypse either, thinking about that night you ended up in the ER. 

Twelve more, down, you and Taehyung have stopped. You stand back to back, looking around for any signs of life. 

“Should we just call out for help?” Taehyung suggests, looking around for any signals to where his brother’s have gone.

It’s so quiet now, you can only hear Taehyung, maybe the others are being quiet on purpose. “Not yet. Which way did you see Hobi and Joon go?”

“I think we should go back and find Jin and Yoongi.”

“Oh? Okay...” you let Taehyung lead you away. “W-Wait! Do you hear that?”

It sounds like a ticking, no, more like a pounding. Something heavy bumping into glass. You situate yourself against Taehyng’s back again. “What is that?”

“I don’t know, do you see where it’s coming from?” you whisper, looking at the buildings around you. Could it be the others? Are they in trouble?

Taehyung holds your hand, bracing himself, “Yeah.” He sees a young woman, banging on the glass in an abandoned store. It is fairly far, at first Taehyung thought she was signaling for help…

…but she’s banging on the door with her head.

There’s so much blood, but Taehyung can clearly see the way she bares her teeth. And in the shadows, Taehyung can just make out some movement, something else, coming closer. “We need to hide. Now!”

You look over your shoulder, to see what Taehyung sees, just in time to witness the glass break. Taehyung is leading you away before you can respond, running faster than you can keep up in the opposite direction. You stumble into an alleyway, looking for a place to hide. “WHY IS IT BLOCKED?!” 

You have found yourselves at a dead end, a car jammed in the narrowest alleyway, turned over on its side, probably trying to escape the exact kind of monsters chasing after you now. 

The monsters find you as you and Taehyung are desperately trying to climb over the car. “Wait wait wait!” Taehyung holds his hands up, knife ready to stab.

The zombie actually stops.

“Did you just speak zombie to her?” you ask incredulously.

It was probably a coincidence as the monster starts running towards you and Taehyung again. “Stop!”

“It’s not stopping, Taehyung! Just run!”

“It was worth another try.”

The zombie is catching up, not caring how badly damaged its body becomes as it catapults itself over the car. Taehyung trips, pulling you down with him. You’re sure to have cuts across your palms and elbows as you crawl away on the hard pavement.

Now the distance is closed, and there’s two more crawling over the top of the car like ants over a hill looking for something sweet to devour.

But before you can defend yourself, her head is already gone. “Get up!” An older man yells at you. Taehyung pulls you up as a strange group takes down the remaining zombies.

The stranger runs to the backdoor of a store, opening it with a key, ushering everyone inside until the last man joins you, and the old man locks the door again. “Thank you,” Taehyung says, winded.

The man introduces himself and the group. “We saw you outside, on the street,” he says. “It was impressive,” he adds. The pair of you seemed fearless taking on so many zombies, so he thought…

You stay quiet as Taehyung and the man talk. You look around, counting four other men and two women. You notice each woman clinging onto a man, presumably their boyfriend, and you glance down at your own hand, fingers still interlaced with Taehyung.

“Is it just you two?”

“Yes.” Taehyung says. There was another reason you broke off into groups, so if you ran into anyone living, depending on your situation, you could make sure they wouldn’t know about the others. “We’re trying to get to Seoul.” You hear soft laughter. Why is it always so funny?!

You haven’t spoken up, only stared at the group, trying to gauge their level of hostility. They seem curious about you and they don’t seem to have recognized Taehyung. “I don’t think there will be much left when you get there,” one of the men speaks up. “I escaped Seoul.”

They always say that too…

“What happened in Seoul?” Taehyung asks. “What do you remember?”

“What I remember? I think I blocked most of it out now,” he laughs bitterly. “The first day, it must have been half…half of everyone changed into biters by that night..” A few others nod their head in agreement. “We were told to stay in our homes, shelter in place, so we thought, ‘that’s good news,’ right? Someone would come and save us, bring us food and supplies at least, but there was...nothing. We had internet, we could contact our friends and family for a while. But power stopped eventually, and then we were really fucked to hell. No one came to help us, only to try to break down our doors to get inside. Once we finally left, it was completely changed, I’ve never seen anything like it. Seoul wasn’t Seoul anymore.”

“What about the military?”

“They tried their damndest from what I heard, but they were all overrun by those things, even the American base,” he eyes you up and down, wondering where you came from and if you understood him, your impassive face not giving anything away, He also questioned…bitterly…why a foreigner managed to survive all this time when his friends, his family, hadn’t. 

“It can’t all be destroyed,” Taehyung says, choking on his words.

The man clears his throat, “There were rumors of certain communities in Gangnam and in Itaewon that created a good enough fortification, what’s left of the military now fends off the biters for them. But we also heard they would shoot anyone who came close to their buildings, living or not really.”

Taehyung seems to light up at that new information regardless. If rumors and half truths were anything to go by, that meant there still might be some hope someone he knew survived. Taehyung turns to you, “That’s good news, right?” You nod. Well, if you were to ignore the shooting on sight part.

“T-That’s not– Did you listen to me? If you go to Seoul you will die.” The man interrupts. 

“You said there were survivors-”

“Yeah, they got the important people up in there, in their damn billion won penthouses, ready to kill off anyone who even tries to get close. It was rumored even the president ended up there. Or escaped to North Korea, some say. But it doesn’t matter, because they killed everyone else! They’re not going to let you in, even if you manage to get there. And the rest of the city is hell on earth. Trust me, you don’t want to take her there.”

Oh shit. You study the two women, do they recognize Taehyung? What will they do once they find out? Take out their anger on one of those billion won penthouse owners? Thank god it’s dark in here, only a few rays of light from the moon shine through the windows and everything else is in the shadows, you and Taehyung included.

“And you have a place here, if you want it.” The old man interjects. “It was impressive, what you did, both of you,” he repeats. He needs more people like you here, he needs more fighters. There’s already so many factions in Hongcheon, it’s a miracle his tiny group has survived up until now.

“Can we…think about it? We still need to get supplies, that’s why we came out in the first place. We’ll go out and come back here, now that we know this place is safe.” Taehyung says.

“Okay, go and help him.” The older man asks another.

“I can show you where we sleep,” one of the women walks up to you, putting her head on her hands in case you didn’t understand her.

“No, she’s coming with me,” Taehyung interjects. He hasn’t let go of your hand this entire time.

“I know you want to protect her.” The older man adds, noticing the way you stayed glued to each other, even when you fought the monsters you always held onto each other's hands unless you absolutely had to let go, only for moments at a time. “It would be safer for her to stay here.”

You look at Taehyung with wide eyes, trying to convey to him all the things you want to say. Like, hell fucking no! There is no fucking way you are letting him out of your sight! Who the fuck cares whatever place they have to sleep looks like?! They’ve got to be kidding-

“Uh, let me talk to her, to explain!” Taehyung pulls you away, deeper into the store.

“Taehyung, you can’t be seriously thin-”

“I noticed the front door is barricaded, there might be a window in the bathroom, no, that’s not gonna work-”

“Oh-”

“We need to leave, y/n. Right now.”

You nod. “Do you think they recognize who you are? We need to be careful.”

“Yeah.” Even if it’s been awhile, Taehyung knows better than anyone, he still can spot a fan just by the way they look at him, the way they act, or pretend to act.

“How are we going to leave without them noticing?” You glance over to the strangers, trying to see if they are talking amongst themselves, if they are being told about Taehyung.

He pulls you further away, eyeing the shelves, glancing over his shoulder at the group. Taehyung sighs. “I think we’re gonna have to break one of our rules-”

Oh great, there goes rule number three on being-chased-by-monsters, out the window.

-

“We know all the places that have been already cleared of biters, there might be a few stranglers, but nothing like what you just went through.”

“Okay,” Taehyung eyes the way you visibly frown as one of the women tries talking to you about the roles the men and women accomplish day by day, and he tries not to laugh. 

The more of these “chores” she goes through, the more it’s sounding like they want to turn you into a 1950s housewife. And she might be all too content to sweep the post apocalyptic dust around the store so it can settle into another corner for the next day, but you certainly are not!

And why is Taehyung smiling at you?! “Okay, I’ll be right back.” Taehyung gives you a hug, and touches your cheek softly, looking into your eyes like he’s about to kiss you.

And then he kisses you. 

What. You close your eyes and just go with it, trying not to look too surprised or too awkward.

And then he bends down and kisses your stomach, smiling, before giving you one last kiss on your forehead. “Just wait and remember to let them come to you,” he whispers against your temple.

Eh? Did Taehyung just Peeta you? You get he’s trying to protect you, but you think you might actually murder him after this. You look around, grinning as wide as you can pretend to, seeing everyone’s surprised faces.

“Wait,” you tug on Taehyung’s sleeve. Actually, you really hate this, you don’t want him to leave you here! So much has changed since you last broke rule number three: never go out at night on your own. You hold his head in your hands. Somehow holding him like this, with your foreheads and noses touching, feels more intimate than when your lips touched.

“Please, be careful…for the baby,” you add. Taehyung nods, smiling. He hugs you tight and you’re both reluctant to let each other go.

If they had any doubts you and Taehyung were together, they didn’t anymore.

-

“So, you’re pregnant?” The woman makes an arch over her stomach with her arm, “Baby?”

“Yep,” you fake smile, holding your belly and inwardly groaning. 

You walk aimlessly around the store, most of the shelves are empty now, apart from things like a row of pastel phone cases, this plastic thing that you can’t figure out what its supposed to be, hmm, it seems collapsible, but even the smaller size doesn’t make sense to you! And, ironically, you find a row of baby powder. Damn, even in the apocalypse people don’t forget how bad it is for you.

There’s the older gentleman, two women, and one of their boyfriend’s who stays behind in the store. Just wait, y/n. Wait. Did Taehyung forget how impatient you are?

“Bathroom?” you ask.

“Oh, it’s outside but we can’t go now. Wait. Later. Outside,” the woman, whom you learn is named Jinyoung, says, hoping you understand.

You sigh, you could make a fuss, you know pregnant women and their bladders, but you really don’t want to pee in a bucket somewhere inside here to prove a point. You flick the crumpled remains of some food packaging, sifting through the junk. Everything is empty apart from what you found, which Jinyoung promptly grabs from your grasp. “Oh, no, no good,” Jinyoung speaks up, “baby powder causes cancer.” You smile at her, laughing awkwardly.

The couple seems preoccupied at least, you think, they are all looking at you, however. You catch their eyes peering at you every so often. You feel like a caged animal putting on a show. This is an act in a way. 

The store is pretty clean despite having been ransacked. You could try and run upstairs to the living quarters, but you had no idea what was waiting up there for you. The front door is indeed blocked. The glass windows look thick, probably won’t break unless you throw something really heavy at it, and even if you want to escape, you won’t destroy their home to do it. The old man is standing guard by the back door, blocking your only exit. Ugh. 

It’s been awhile, at least a couple of hours now. You listen to the women whisper to one another while you try not to run head first into the glass like that zombie woman just so you can escape this place and search for Taehyung and the others.

“I knew there had to be a reason why he was with her.”

“He’s a good man, watching over her. They really care about each other.”

“Because she’s carrying his child, obviously.”

“That’s exciting though. A small Taehyungie, She’s so lucky.”

“Yeah, that’s going to be more people to feed.”

“It’s going to be the most beautiful baby, oh! You know, if she survives.”

“She definitely won’t.”

Mmm don’t think murderous thoughts, y/n. It’s bad for “the baby.” ‘It’s been too long, they should be here by now,’ you think. ‘Ok, screw this plan,’ you think, finding something you thought you’d never see again: a jar of gochujang paste.

“Hey old man, please will you move and open the door, I need to leave.”

“It’s not safe to go out alone, young lady. Your boyfriend should be back soon, don’t worry.”

“Are you holding me prisoner?”

“Of course not,” he says, flabbergasted not only by your accusation but your ability to speak fluently, “but I also will not allow you to put yourself in danger under my watch. I know we are strangers to you, for now, but we should still look out for one another-”

“Let her go if she wants to go!” one of the women says.

“I appreciate you saved my life, I really do. So this is a courtesy to you, I’m protecting you, from me.”

“What is she saying? She doesn’t make any sense.”

Ugh. “I’m bitten. I got bitten, and I’m going to turn, so let me out!”

“What?!” 

You lift up your shirt, “I didn’t want to say anything before, not in front of my…partner. But see, I have to go! You’re in danger the longer I’m in here!” You show him a scar on your side, where you have strategically placed the dark red paste to look like a bleeding bite mark.

“Kill her!”

“Or just let me leave?!”

“Oh my god, can we save the baby?”

“She’s not even showing! What are we gonna save?”

The younger man runs up to you, chasing you through the aisles. “Just let me go outside, damn.”

“Your Korean is so good!” Jinyoung exclaims.

“Thank you,” you say, barely dodging the man’s fist.

Suddenly, there is a pounding on the door, scaring everyone into silence. “Open the door!” Jinyoung exclaims.

“There’s a code,” the man waits. The pounding gets louder and quicker, rattling the door.

“What if they are in trouble! Open it!” you yell.

“What if it’s those biters?! We can’t let them in!”

“Hello, did you forget about me?!” you whine.

“OPEN IT!”

“Please, hurry!”

The older man relents, unlocking the door. And in bursts-

“Jin!” you cry out.

“OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD.” Namjoon, Hoseok, and Yoongi are right behind him. Someone, you can’t tell if it’s Jinyoung or the other woman, screams. 

Namjoon holds out his knife, pointing it at the old man. “We’re not going to hurt you, we just came to get our friend.” You run towards the singers as fast as your legs can take you.

There is another reason why you broke into pairs, so you could save each other. Namjoon grabs you first, pulling you into a hug. 

“She’s bitten, stay away from her!”

You pull out the gochujang from your pack, “Oh, I lied, sorry, I just really wanted to leave.”

“But t-the bite-”

“Fooled you, didn’t I? It does look like blood if you dilute it enough.”

“Oh my god, you found this?!” Seokjin asks excitedly.

“Let’s go!” Yoongi grunts.

-

“Where’s Taehyung?!” You jog up to the leader. 

“We’re getting there,” he says. You haven’t stopped running since leaving the store. 

Finally you see that moppy headed menace, running towards your group. “Next time YOU wait!”

“But my plan worked, didn’t it?”

“You really just had to tell them I’m pregnant?”

“Hey, I was doing it to protect you! I didn’t know if they might hurt you because of who you were.” Taehyung says, and the irony is not lost on you.

“How did you get away from those men?”

“It was pretty easy, I just said I was bit-”

“No way, me too!”

“How much longer do we have to run? My legs hurt!” Seokjin yells.

“Pace yourselves because it’s gonna be a while,” Hoseok says.

“Next thing we look for are some better shoes,” you whine.

A zombie runs towards your group, and you use the opportunity to take out your frustrations of the night, piercing through the monster’s jaw and up. The blood goes all over your clothes. Now you look just as dirty as the day before. “I just took a bath. UGH.”

“Don’t upset the baby!” Taehyung laughs, running away from you.

“Oh, you’re gonna get it!” you run. You turn the corner and find Jungkook, Jimin and Dev waiting for you. The group is now all together again, running into the night.

“So, anything new happen? How's the weather?” you ask Dev.

“Those zombies that were following us are taken care of,” Hoseok speaks up.

“We might have more than zombies following us now,” Taehyung adds. “Like living zombies, what are those called again?” he jokes.

“We ran into people too!” Jungkook says, running past you with ease. 

“Yeah?”

“They’re trying to get to Jeju!”

“Jeju, why?” Namjoon asks

“They said that’s the place with no zombies.”

“How do they know?” you ask, intrigued.

“Well they don’t, but that’s what others have told them and they sound pretty convinced.”

“Any news that’s not a rumor?”

“Y/n is pregnant with my child!”

“Yeah, that’s just a lie.”

Taehyung then goes into all the details you’ve learned about Seoul.

“So, we just have to figure out how to not get shot, convince them to let us in, and hope our families are somewhere inside?”

“I don’t think they would shoot BTS.” you say, confident.

“And we have no idea if any other place, if Big Hit, is a safe area or not.” Jin asks.

“I mean, it could be?”

“The odds are not great, but it’s not horrible odds, aye!”

“We’re gonna die.”

“Ugh shut up, Dev. We’re in Hongcheon and we’re doing…okay. I even found gochujang!”

“I can’t have spicy food.”

“UGH DEV PLEASE. It’s not even that spicy!”

“Damn, if only we had meat,” Jungkook sighs.

“Shhh Shh don’t do this to me now, I am running on fumes, literally.” Jin says.

“I want K-BBQ. Please god don’t let me die until I can have K-BBQ again,” Jungkook wails.

“Why are you laughing, y/n?”

“Nothing, it’s a bad joke. You don’t wanna know…also what are the odds a zombie has eaten a person that has been recently caught on fire?”

“Y/n!”

“BAHAHA.”

---

You wake up crying again.

Even in the bright daylight, your tired bodies were fast asleep. You ran all night, finally finding a suitable house that didn’t smell like death, and hid yourselves inside. You look over at the sleeping bodies around you, reflexively counting each head. Wait, what? Someone is missing!

You see the final head, leaning against the open door frame, looking outside. You move quietly and make your way over to him. “Yoongi?”

“Go back to sleep.”

“You should go back to sleep, you look exhausted,” you whisper.

“It was hard to sleep.”

“If you’re worried about someone standing guard, I can stay here.”

“It’s too sunny to sleep now.”

You sigh, giving up arguing with the rapper, sitting in silence with him.

“Why were you crying?” he asks, curious.

“I don’t know,” you laugh. “Sometimes I can remember the dreams, but most of the time I can’t, I just know it was probably something horrible.”

Yoongi has noticed the way you cry in your sleep, shake and whimper until someone holds you, only then will you calm down a bit, so the members take turns making sure you always have someone next to you when you’re resting. “I was thinking, once we get you guys to Seoul, I might try to go to Jeju,” you say wistfully.

“What about the Embassy?” he asks.

“What are they gonna do if they are still even there? How would they get me out of the country? I’m…not as confident that my family is still around.” You give Yoongi a sad smile.

“What about your family here?” You tilt your head, surprised by his words. “You’re gonna leave us?” he asks.

You bite your lip in thought. “I don’t know.” With the way everything changes so quickly, you had no idea what to anticipate. There are so many things that could happen before you reach Seoul and then after, you can’t even begin to figure out your future. “Do you want me to stay?”

Yoongi stays quiet. With you forever, is the implication. “Jeju is nice, I might go to Jeju too,” he says, not looking at you.

You smile at the thought. It’s nice to imagine what a trip there would have been like before the world turned upside down. You hold out your palm to him. “I promise to forget,” you tease.

He puts his fingers in between yours, holding your hand. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he says, thumb making circles into your skin when you rest your head on his shoulder. It’s pretty outside, in its own special way, how the trees and vines have covered everything now, how everything that’s abandoned sits still and serene. There’s even flowers, sprouting in the most unlikely places.

“Jimin’s mad at me.”

“He’s mad at me too.”

“He’s not mad at you,” Yoongi sighs. “I think he’s in love with you.” You freeze. “And I think you should give him a chance-” he continues. 

“Yoongi. It’s not that I don’t want to give Jimin a chance– Do you really think he’s in love with me?”

“Yea-”

“And if I wasn’t the only woman here do you think he would still be ‘in love’ with me?” you frown.

“Is that why-”

“I just don’t know, Yoongi, I don’t know if I can believe that. I don’t know if he really believes it, or just wants it to be true because I…I am-”

“The only woman here?” Yoongi finishes for you. You hum.

“That’s why you kissed me, right? And Namjoon, nevermind.”

Yoongi stays quiet, until finally asking, “And what do you feel?”

“I can’t, I can’t, I’m scared,” you start to laugh despite your welling eyes. “We almost died, again, last night, how can I let myself fall in love, if something happens, how can I survive that? I can’t.”

“And here I thought you were fearless,” Yoongi smirks, wiping away a stray tear.

You snort. “I’ve never been more scared.”

“You are my family,” you say, answering his previous question. “You are everything I have left. That’s how I feel.”

“Even Dev?”

You laugh, “Yes, even him…maybe.”

Yoongi watches you smile. He understands your fear, he’s felt it, let it consume him, weigh him down until he’s stuck inside himself, frozen by that fear. But this kind of new world forces you to face your demons. You can try to hide, alone, too scared to go outside and too scared to move, but he’s learned hiding in bed under the covers won’t keep you safe, won’t keep the people you love safe either. 

“It’s scary to put yourself out there. It was scary even before the world went to shit.”

“So did you have someone, before?”

Yoongi shakes his head. “No, not really. I was always so damn busy, it was hard to have anything serious. I would go into the studio, work all day, losing track of everything else, I told myself I had plenty of time to settle down. Funny now that I think about it.”

“After?” Yoongi sighs. He looks like he’s in pain, in thought. You hold his hand a little tighter out of reflex. “I’m sorry.” You assume, like most everyone else, the person he cared about is gone.

“To be honest, I can’t believe we made it this far,” you laugh, changing the subject. “You’ve got to have some new songs about all of this. Some, survivor-you-can’t-stop-me type song you’ve got.”

“Writing lyrics is not on the top of my to-do list right now.”

“Mhmm, you’re just collecting pens because you like them, right?”

“I have a few raps,” Yoongi confesses. “No music, no way to make a beat even if I want to.” You make a silent note to try to find Yoongi some kind of an instrument. “Music is gone.” 

“That’s a good song title. But I have to disagree, it’s not gone. I think there are songs everywhere just waiting to be written. This moment? There’s a song,” you look out at the landscape. “Hear it?” You hum a tune you feel.

Yoongi laughs. “You sound like Namjoon.” Namjoon. You can’t think about him without thinking about what happened. How did that even happen?! It was like some horny demon possessed both of you. 

You thought it would be awkward afterwards, but it wasn’t. You put on the clothes you laid out, handed him one of the shirts you found and you laughed when he tripped over his pants leg. Namjoon shoved you playfully, knocking you onto the bed. He looked at you without shying away and told you to put on some pants in a way that sounded like, “I like seeing you without any pants,” and then you both walked outside and acted like nothing ever happened.

But for some reason you can’t act like that with Yoongi, his kisses are haunting you still, his touch is still burning across your lips when you remember (even though you promised him you wouldn’t). You never really got a real answer from him.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

You sit in comfortable silence. The others haven’t stirred awake yet, and you’re content to sit here with Yoongi until they do. You wonder about him, though. Is he happy you’re keeping him company or feeling burdened? Yet he hasn’t let go of your hand.

“You guys are close to one another, you and Joon,” Yoongi says in sort of a questioning way.

“Yeah, I guess. He takes on everyone’s burdens, even my own,” you sigh.

Yoongi nods. He should let go of you. You hum that tune again, looking outside, holding Yoongi’s hand tightly. Instead he clicks his tongue to the beat, making you laugh loudly. “Sorry, sorry.” You look back at the others who thankfully haven’t woken up from your outburst. “That’s good! So you can hear it too then, the song out there,” you joke.

He feels stuck, knowing his brothers want you, and knowing how it feels to kiss you, knowing how soft your lips are, and knowing he can’t kiss you again, he just can’t.

“You’re beautiful.”

You stop laughing.

Yoongi said it in English. 

When you know two languages, it’s hard to explain the differences in the words and how they make you feel. You’ve been called yeppeun. You’ve seen the word in textbooks, heard it in lyrics and Korean shows. 

But beautiful is what your first boyfriend called you right before he kissed you, what your childhood best friend called the butterfly that landed on your knee when you were playing together, what your mom said when she looked at you before you left the house on your first date, what your grandmother called you as a kid so many times when she consoled you and held you in her arms as you cried. “My beautiful girl.”

You’ve been speaking Korean for so long now. It just feels different being called beautiful. Beautiful is what you haven’t felt like in a long time...

“I’m sorry!” you pull away from Yoongi after surprising him with a kiss. 

Yoongi nods. He had wanted to kiss you in that moment so badly he hadn’t expected you would kiss him. It was too quick, it was barely a kiss. Is that really going to be his last kiss with you? “I can’t kiss you anymore.”

“I know, fuck, I’m sorry.” You pull away further, but can’t go far with Yoongi’s vice grip around your fingers.

“I can’t-”

“I’m sorr-”

“I’m sorry.” And he takes the opportunity to kiss you one last time, letting all his unspoken emotions flow through his lips, his tight embrace. He feels your soft lips one last time, he lets his fingertips run across your cheek, your neck, rolls his tongue inside his mouth just once more. He finally breaks away and lets his thumb run across your lip, just to feel one last time.

That should have been the end, yet your eyes start shining, glassy as tears start forming, and you close the gap between you again.

Until you hear something off in the distance. “Did you see that?”

Yoongi looks in the direction you’re studying. “No?” He looks for any sign of life or, well, animated death.

“I swear I saw something,” You both stand up, searching for any movement for a while until you give up. And now kissing Yoongi seems to be left in the past, another thing you can’t get back.

---

One last supply run in the city before you move again.

Everything is empty, this run is not looking very fruitful. You’ve gone to three restaurant already and have managed to find only one tiny can of edible food. You’ve just entered the fourth restaurant and it doesn’t look like this place has anything to offer either.

So far you haven’t encountered any undead, which is the only good thing about this run, until you hear a noise coming from the kitchen of a restaurant you, Jimin, Jungkook and Namjoon are currently searching through.

“Yo RM, come here.”

“What’s up? 

“I thought I heard something over there.”

You make your way through the kitchen. Everything is either gone or moldy. You sigh, “I don’t know if we’re gonna find anything here either.”

“This part of town seems completely empty.”

“What are we gonna do? We need to eat.” You go through another cabinet, finding nothing.

“We still have some food leftover. We can keep trying, stay here for a few more days and check the other streets.”

You nod. This restaurant looks like it specialized in fried chicken, the oil smells putrid now. What’s left in the freezer would probably kill you if you tried to eat it.

“Man, this sucks,” you wipe the sweat accumulating off your forehead.

“Can we do anything with this?”

“Flour? Mmm we could make the blandest pancakes you’ll ever eat,” you laugh.

Namjoon pouts. He pulls off his jacket. It’s safer to wear layers when out, but the days are getting hotter, and no aircon inside makes certain spaces really unbearable.

“You should keep that on,” you eye the way his muscles flex.

“I’m burning up.” You cover his forehead with your palm, checking his temperature. “Not like that-” and Namjoon uses a word you don’t understand.

“What does that mean?”

“Genius.” By the way Namjoon is smiling at you, you just know it means the opposite. “Ow!” he winces when you hit him, looking so accosted you start to giggle. Namjoon hugs you from behind, and the big towering giant he is decides to lift you off your feet, making you squeal.

“N-Namjoon, Y/n!” Jimin sounds scared.

The kitchen door opens. “Sorry to break up whatever this is, but it’s time to come out now and join the others. Oh, you know she was kissing Yoongi the other day, looks like I was right. You’ve got your own groupie whore.”

You knew you felt eyes on you. “Hey Minho.”

“Hey bitch.” He points a gun at you and Namjoon. 

Who the fuck gave this man a gun?

Minho ushers you both out into the eating area, where they are several men with various weapons all aimed at your friends. Minho is the only one with a gun, though.

“I told you I would make you regret choosing her,” he says to Namjoon, sneering at you.

Minho looks possibly even more buff than you remember.  “I made new friends,” he smirks. His new friends look very unfriendly. They lounge around, overly confident, looking amused by the situation. 

“Of course you did,” you grunt. He pushes Namjoon towards Jungkook and Jimin and separates you from the others. 

“I just needed to have been an idol, then you would have given it up, yeah?” he whispers in your ear, grabbing the knives from your pockets and throwing them on the ground.

You roll your eyes. “You’re following us? That’s not creepy at all.”

“Where are the others?” Minho asks Namjoon. He grabs the back of your neck and holds the gun to your temple when Namjoon doesn’t speak. “Where are they?”

“Searching the restaurant next door. We’re only staying a couple more days, then we’ll leave this city.”

“Still believe you can make it to Seoul, huh?”

“Just let us go.”

“We will, after you give us your backpacks. Hurry up now.” The three men glare at him but relent, handing the thieves their packs.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?” you ask him.

“Nope,” Minho smirks. “Okay, you can leave now,” he points his gun at the leader.

“Wait, him too.” One of the men speaks up, pointing at Jimin.

“No. The deal was her.”

“Well the deal has changed, I want him too,” he eyes Jimin up and down. Namjoon and Jungkook instantly hide Jimin with their bodies.

You struggle in Minho’s hold. “Minho, what are you doing? What deal did you make with them?!”

Minho stares at Jimin. “Anyone else but him.”

The man looks between the singers. “He’s the prettiest, I want him.”

Minho pauses. Even if he wanted to hurt Namjoon, he still felt a sense to protect Jimin. It had been his job for so many years, and then it had been his decision to keep protecting the singers even after his position wasn’t official any longer. You, he didn’t care about you. But Jimin, deep down, he still cared about him. He couldn’t let something horrible happen to him, not when Minho could stop it.

Minho exhales exasperatedly. “Not him,” he says, pointing the gun at the thief.

“Minho, come on now, you and I both know there’s no bullets in that gun.” What? You elbow Minho in the stomach, running towards the kitchen when he doubles over in pain.

“Grab her!” one of the thieves yells.

Namjoon punches one of the men too distracted by you. Jungkook lunges for your knives on the ground and unleashes all the pent up fury he’s felt on the unlucky few who had tried to hold down the singer. Namjoon and Jimin exchange looks with Minho.

They charge the thieves.

---

“Leave me alone!” You swing a pan in the thief’s face as he swings his knife and both metal pieces clang together. You fall hard on the kitchen tile as he lunges at you. There’s more men, all armed, all coming for you, and the only weapon you have is a stupid pan!

-

You feel like you’re hyperventilating, trapped in such a small space. You bang on the door, crying. It finally opens and someone is shoved inside with you. He’s cut, bruised, thoroughly beat up.

“Piss off your new friends?”

“Not really, we’re going to finish what we started, yeah?”

“Touch me and I'll kill you.”

“I would like to see you try.”

“What happened? They didn’t take Jimin, did they?!” you ask, horrified.

“No, they escaped,” Minho grunts, thumb running over his cut lip.

“Oh. Good,” you say, relieved.

Minho laughs. “And you? Did you forget you’re their prisoner? They are going to do whatever they want to you?”

“If the others escaped, they’ll come for me.”

“You’ve got them whipped for you, must be really good pussy.”

“Ugh, maybe I’m more to them than just a hole, you fuck?”

“You really think they would give you a second glance under normal circumstances?”

“No! I don’t!” you scream. God, he pisses you off. “I thought you would have, that’s why I kissed you! Big mistake that fucking was.”

“So what, you kissed me because you thought I would lower my standards for you?” he jabs. 

Oh, this fucker! He says that like he wasn’t flirting with you for months on end before you kissed him. “You know what?” you cross your arms, “Yeah, I did, Minho. I thought maybe, just maybe, it would be nice to try and have something more with you so we wouldn’t have to, you know, die alone in an apocalypse. But then you ended up being the most vile despicable jackass-”

Minho throws your body against the door, arm pressed against your throat. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! This is all your fault! You ruined everything!”

The door opens just in time for you to catch in oxygen before you pass out. “Will you two shut the hell up! Take her to my room,” he says to one of his men, “Minho, you had your turn, now it’s mine.” It’s that thief, the one who wanted Jimin, the one who seems to be in charge. You scream until the wind is kicked out of you. “Don’t hit her face.”

You crumble inward, trying to cover your body from their kicks until one lifts you up, carrying you over his shoulder while you scream and cry.

-

Shit, the windows are boarded up. The bed, like everything in this building, looks disgusting. Everything else, you notice grimacing, is barren, like this room only had one purpose.

The door slides open.

“Okay girl, we can do this the hard way or the easy way.”

“I’m not easy.” You move to the furthest corner, pressing yourself up against the filing cabinet. You just had to wait, you are an expert at waiting, you tell yourself. You can do this, whatever happens, you can move past this, you tell yourself. Horrible things happen to you all the time, you’re just gonna have to add this to the tally.

“Good, I prefer the hard way.”

Please, god, let them find you soon.

You’ve met men like this before, men that think you owe them something just because you’re a woman. “Smile more,” men who think your body is for their eyes, created for their hands and their mouths and their-

You bite down on his hand, digging your nails into his face. He hits you, hard, but not hard enough to knock you out thankfully. He’s not that kind of man, at least, you think bitterly. He is the kind of man who has no qualms making you know how much stronger he is than you, making it hurt, wants you pretty but also will give you a black eye for daring to go against him. There’s so many men like that now. You feel lucky knowing you have men around you that don’t act like that.

You scream again.

---

Jungkook leaps up the stairs, taking two at a time. He’s in the lead. He’s always been fast, but this time, after months of running from monsters, and an insane amount of stamina, he’s like lightning.

This office building is small, but there are so many floors, and they’ve already cleared the first two without finding you. But Jungkook has a suspicion the men he’s searching for are on the top floor, so he trusts his gut and he races to find you.

Jungkook is the first to open the door to a group full of men surprised to have a visitor. He stays in the stair well, he’s not crazy enough to run in there alone yet, since the others haven’t caught up to him. He still has to keep a level head, let them come to him, let him knock each one of those bastards out. He grabs another and throws him over his back and down the stairs where his brothers are about to arrive.

Maybe Jungkook is a little crazy at this point, he throws someone over the railing into the open space between stairwells and the man screams as he falls five flights down, body clanging onto metal as his bones break. Jungkook uses his arms to defend from knives and gets his jacket and skin sliced in the process, yet he keeps on swinging while blood drips down his fists. Yeah, Jungkook is a bit crazed, but he has good reason to be as he hears you scream again for help.

He runs inside once he has his brothers behind him. He runs towards the sound of your screaming, knocking away anyone who gets in his way. He feels his restraint slipping, he feels like he might enjoy killing whoever is hurting you. It’s already been too long, your voice sounds small and broken. He throws his full weight into the locked door, knocking into the wood with his shoulder until the lock busts.

“Don’t even think about it.” You have a knife to your neck, your body shielding the man who has you captive, just another way he’s found to use your body. “Let me go and I won’t kill her.”

“Let her go or I will kill you.” The fighting has stopped. It’s clear to both men who won as Namjoon and Seokjin arrive to help Jungkook. The man holds onto you a bit tighter, he realizes he might be the only one left and by the look in his eyes he’s planning on surviving until the very end. He shuffles your bodies closer to the door, closer to his escape.

It’s an achingly slow pace as he makes sure no one can attack him from behind. He looks at the bodies of his men on the ground, realizing just how dangerous this group of yours is, he should have never made a deal with that damn Minho, he should have let him fight his own battles, now he’s standing in a graveyard of his own men.

You pass by each member and you can’t make eye contact, you let your tears silently fall, let your body be pulled in hopes it will all be over soon. He finally makes it to the stairwell, relieved. “Give me your word you won’t follow me and I’ll let you have her.”

“Fine,” Namjoon speaks for the group.

He presses his knife into your neck. “That doesn’t sound too convincing.”

Suddenly, his grip lessens. He drops his knife and, finally, you can get away. You turn around and see his surprised wide eyes. You feel just as shocked as he looks when he makes a gurgling noise instead of speaking.

And suddenly Dev’s equally shocked face pops up from behind the man’s shoulder.

He had been too scared to enter the office room, but looks like he hadn’t been too scared to stab the man holding you in the back of the neck. “I did it. I killed him,” he says, equally excited and petrified as the man falls onto the ground.

You look at him in shock. “Yeah.”

---

“He’s bleeding!”

“Taehyung, no…”

“Shit, I’ve never been stabbed before, this hurts.” Taehyung winces.

“Oh god, how do we stop the bleeding,” Jimin asks, panic rising in hiss voice.

Namjoon answers, “There’s one way, we have to burn it with something hot. Find a small knife-” 

“I’m going to be stabbed twice?!”

“Wouldn’t it be better to, like, stitch it, with a needle or something?” Taehyung grimaces, the thought of being sewn together without any pain medicine is making him feel sick.

“What about the internal bleeding?”

“Oh god.”

“You’re going to be fine, your body just needs to heal...someone start a fire!”

“OH GOD.”

“Jungkook, I’m fine, go help them,” you tell him. Jungkook doesn’t believe you are fine at all. Your eye is swollen, your shirt is missing buttons, your neck is bruised and who knows what else he can’t see is bruised. 

“You’re bleeding too?!”

“Oh,” Hoseok winces, clutching his side. “Yeah, it’s not as bad as Taehyung.” Except it does look as bad as Taehyung’s wound. Hoseok's whole left side is covered in blood. You start to cry again, feeling responsible. 

Jin is the one who cauterizes the wounds. Namjoon and Jungkook holds the members down. Hoseoks passes out but Taehyung somehow stays conscious, screaming bloody murder the entire time. It’s going to be another memory that will have you up at night, crying and shaking when you remember his shrieking. This safe house you’re in has a fair amount of supplies and an excessive amount of alcohol. They use it to sanitize the wounds as best they can. 

“You helped us escape. I’m not going to kill you,” Namjoon tells Minho, who sits on the floor, hands duct taped.

“I’m going to kill him!” Jungkook yells.

“No, you won’t,” Namjoon says, calming the youngest down. He turns to Minho. “What do you know about this place? Is there a pharmacy around.” He stays defiantly silent. “Minho!” The leader looks ready to kill, even after his promise not to.

“They won’t be anything left.”

“We have to try, let’s go. Get up!” He yanks the former bodyguard up.

“I’ll be right back, okay?” Jungkook says to you. “I’ll look for something for you too,” he says, so softly. You just nod, worried if you were to open your mouth you might start wailing.

Jin is left with Jimin and Yoongi to take care of the two wounded members and you. “I’m so sorry,” you cry, holding onto Taehyung’s hand. 

“This isn’t your fault, don’t blame yourself. You’ve saved me more times than I can remember, I’m sorry we didn’t find you sooner,” he winces.

Jimin holds Taehyung’s other hand. “You’re going to get better, don’t worry, and then you’ll have a cool scar.” Jin and Yoongi are tending to Hoseok who thankfully hasn’t woken up from the pain yet. Yoongi brushes the hair out of Hoseok’s face, cleaning up the blood he finds on his skin. He’s meticulous and careful about it. Jin asks you if you want help cleaning the blood off you too. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Let him help you,” Jimin says.

“We can do it later, I don’t want to be…touched right now.” You mumble. 

“Were you-”

“Don’t push her right now, Jin.” Jimin speaks up for you. 

Jimin holds out his free hand to you, letting you take it if you want. You do. He makes you feel grounded and safe. And you feel small and weak and tired at the same time. You lie down next to Taehyung, bringing your knees into your body, you hug yourself into his side, crying.

Jimin mirrors your actions, resting for now. As long as he holds both your hands, and he can keep an eye on both of you, he can allow himself to relax and recover just for the moment.

Seokjin rubs his face, exhausted. Yet his body still feels wound up and anxious, he can’t relax just yet. He works to clean the space of death. He drags the bodies left inside and heaves them over the railing, creating a pile of corpses at the bottom, hoping it will become a deterrent for any other hostile strangers and then works to make food for when you all wake up, doing what he can to help. He tries to remain positive, he tells himself it could have been so much worse. 

“There was no penicillin. Nothing, not even Tylenol.”

You wake up hearing Namjoon’s voice but keep your eyes closed as the men talk. “And Hoseok has a fever,” Yoongi says.

“I’ve searched this place from top to bottom, they have enough liquor to drown a regiment and no damn medicine,” Jin says.

You stand up on shaky legs. “ I know where we might find medicine.”

---

“Maybe they’re not there.”

“No, there’s a code for knocking, I don’t know it.”

“Hey, we know you’re in there. Please open the door. We need your help, please! We’ll give you anything.”

You hear the door click, and you see the weary faces of the group you left. You explain to them the situation, hoping they have some medicine to trade you or at least know where you might find some medicine. “I have something that could help.” The woman who isn’t Jinyoung holds up half a bottle of pills. “This is amoxicillin I found a while ago.”

“We’ll trade you anything for it.”

The woman thinks for a bit and finally decides. “Seokjin.”

“WHAT?!”

“Just for the night.”

“WHAT?!”

“Fine. yeah, I’ll do it.”

“Wait a fucking a minute, no!” Her boyfriend speaks up. “Honey, are you crazy?!” He turns to your group. “You have food, don’t you? Give us that instead.”

“And Seokjin!”

“Have you lost your mind?!”

“Honey, stay out of this?”

“You’re really going to cheat on me?”

“Oh please, don’t act like you have been soo faithful to me! Before our city was attacked you would come home past midnight almost every night!”

“I was with my coworkers!!”

“Yeah, with Eunji, right? That slut you worked with!!”

You turn to Namjoon, Yoongi and Seokjin while the couple continues to argue, saying “That’s not enough medicine for both of them…”

“It’s better than nothing.”

“There is a house four blocks from here. A pharmacist used to live there. There might the medicine you’re looking for there,” Jinyoung speaks up. “I c-can take you!” She says, her face turning red.

“Okay, Namjoon, you and Yoongi go with her, and I’ll stay here with y/n and…get the other medicine.”

“Seokjin, y-you don’t have to do this,” you say incredulously. Namjoon and Yoongi agree.

“Stop. Yes I do! If this can save them, I will.” Seokjin glares at the three of you, already making up his mind.

Seokjin looks so serious. He looks angry, yet determined. He is putting on a brave face, you want to cry for him. “Jin…” 

“It’s okay, y/n.” He turns to the group. “Yeah, okay, deal. Food and me.” 

“I’ll help you look for the medicine too,” Jinyoung’s boyfriend says, looking over at the idols wearily.

“Hey young lady, I have something for your eye.” The old man says. You sit waiting, once more, in this store, waiting for Namjoon and Yoongi to return, for Jin and that horrible women to be done with whatever she is doing to him upstairs, waiting and hoping Taehyung and Hoseok are okay.

“It’s alright.” You sit with your knees pulled in, much less in the mood to talk than before, sick to your stomach, body aching. The four of you were so beaten and bruised, it’s taken you a couple days to find this place again, what if you get back and it’s already too late?

“I don’t expect anything in return for it, it’s in good faith, I promise you.”

You start to cry, your head buried in your knees.

He sighs, puts his hands on his knees to stand up and moves towards you hesitantly. “Look up for me.” He puts on some antiseptic gel from a tube that looks almost empty, carefully applying the gel to the cuts and bruises around your eye.

“Thank you,” you mumble.

“I’m happy to help.”

Waiting for Seokjin to come downstairs feels like an eternity. The boyfriend sits in the corner away from you, completely dejected. You wish you had some kind words to give him, but you have nothing nice left to say, after everything you’ve went through.

Jin enters first, walking silently over to you and sitting down. The distance between you feels so far away. He’s clutching the bottle of pills so tightly the tips of his fingers are red.

You glare at the women when she finally comes downstairs. What the hell is wrong with her? How could she take advantage of the situation like that? How could she use Seokjin like that, what kind of fan is she?!

You move your body slightly so from where she’s sitting, now next to her miserable boyfriend, she can’t see Seokjin. You want to protect him from her. Just thinking about what she could have done to him makes you want to rip out her eyes, makes you think about what was done to you. She deserves the same fate as that man. 

You haven’t looked at Jin. You know if you do, and see his expression, see your own self in his eyes, you might really try to kill her. 

Namjoon and Yoongi come back looking accomplished and put you in hopeful spirits. You say goodbye one last time to the group. You hug Jinyoung, thanking her. Yoongi and Namjoon hug her goodbye too and she turns an even brighter shade of red, smiling happily and clutching a book to her chest, a medicinal plant book she found in the pharmacist's house that she shyly asked the rappers to sign when they were waking back to the store. They happily obliged, grateful because they found just what they were looking for thanks to her.

-

“Have you ever given someone a shot before?” you ask wearily.

“There’s a first time for everything,” Jin mumbles. The penicillin bottle has a few doses, so they decide to split it evenly amongst both members. The pills are being saved if they need more medicine.

Jungkook pulls you aside. “They found Tylenol for you and I found this if you need it.” He hands you a few Tylenol and another box of pills. You’ve never seen those Korean characters together. You ask him, “what is it?”

“It’s a pill to take if you, um, if you need it, if so, so they won’t be any pregnancies if you take it,” he stutters.

You nod, taking the Tylenol and pocketing the pills and glancing over to Jin who seems to be diligently looking over Taehyung and Hoseok, a hard frown etched across his face.

“I’m ready for help, if you want to help me. I can ask Namjoon, if you’re not feeling up to it anymore,” you ask Jin. Jin stands up, happy to do something to take his mind off things.

You didn’t want to go into any of the rooms on the top floor, so you and Seokjin walk quietly one flight down.

This office space looks like it used to be full of computers, there’s electrical pieces littered around the floor like someone came and used each one for target practice. You both sit in two beaten up office chairs. “I’ve never bathed myself with alcohol before,” you mutter, bemused. Pulling off your jacket. You notice there’s already bruises forming on your arms. 

Seokjin works to clean off the dried blood from your neck where the knife was pressed. “I’m sorry,” Seokjin says, looking over the bruises.

“I’m sorry too,” you say, trying to catch his eyes, but he won’t look up. “I wish I could take a shower, wash everything away.”

“Yeah,” Seokjin agrees. His eyes start to water, worrying you.

“Do you want a hug?” You ask. He nods. The plastic pieces crunch under your shoes as you move closer, hugging him gently, letting him decide if he wants more. He wraps his arms around you, hugging you tightly and you bite your tongue to keep yourself from yelping when he touches a bruise on your back. He pulls you into his lap. You feel safe and held together in his embrace. And Seokjin feels the chaos inside him finally settling. 

You were both taken advantage of differently, but in that moment it didn’t matter, you both felt the same kind of anger and injustice, for yourselves, and for one another. And in that moment you both just wanted to be held by someone you loved, hoping to erase the touches left by those before. 

You watch Jin break down the door to the break room inside this office. It only takes him three hits with his shoulder. You rush forward, your knife raised, worried you’ll find a monster inside. No monsters, only-“No way.”

“That’s a lot of ramen.”

You and Jin look at each other smiling. There’s enough snacks for days! This discovery might not equal all the pain you’ve both endured, but it was a nice shift, it only takes the slightest push to turn things around. Jin is smiling again now and that is worth celebrating. You make a silent promise to yourself that you’ll bring some to Jinyoung and the old man before leaving Hongcheon. Goodness still needs to be rewarded. Happiness still needs to be celebrated.

---

Looks like Taehyung and Hoseok are in the bottom of the poll. I decided readers will have more input into the story this way. Yoongi seems like a fan favorite (for now) so I hope you enjoyed his relationship progression with y/n, and poor Taehyung and Hoseok, well, I’ll let readers decide, what might happen next chapter? Go vote!

#bts fanfic #bts smut #bts zombie au #ot7 x reader #bts x reader #namjoon smut #bts apocalypse au #bts fantasy au #bts crack au #bts slow burn

[clumsy-jiminie]

ɪɴᴇᴠɪᴛᴀʙʟʏ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱ | ᴘᴊᴍ | ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴ

❝ ᴀ ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ❞

↣ summary :: Kiara Smith had dreamed of true love for as long as she could remember. from being obsessed with the Disney princesses who found affection in the strangest situations to dressing up as a bride from kindergarten to fourth grade. it was the only thing she ever truly desired, so much so that a pleasant smile and kind eyes could have her smitten in seconds. right when she thought she found the one, a chance encounter with Park Jimin—the city’s famously perfect fuck boy with a smile so warm and a heart of ice—has her feeling quite the opposite. he knocks her off her axis and derails her life as she knows it, yet the universe seems to have another plan for the two.

↣ rating :: 18+

↣ genre :: fluff, angst, smut, e2l, slow burn

↣ pairing :: business owner!jimin x fem!artist!oc ft. taehyung

↣ word count :: 6.9k

↣ chapter warnings :: mature language, smut - unprotected sex, creampie, on the phone while being intimate, ⚠️ verbal abuse, manipulating tactics ⚠️, angst without resolve, heavy alcohol consumption, public intoxication, BIKER!JK ( a warning in itself bc 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 )

↣ notes :: she's a little late because I may have forgotten to schedule her 😅 but this chapter is a doozy and the seeds are GROWING

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if you have any questions, comments, or concerns PLEASE don't hesitate to message me or send me an ask! my inbox is always open. 💖

"you're perfectly wrong for me, and that's why it's is so hard to leave."

- perfectly wrong, shawn mendez -

"Babe!?" Kiara called out as she put a sparkly earring through her lobe. She had heard the door open and shut, but there was no answer. The dark-haired woman stepped out of her bedroom and into the living room, seeing as Taehyung pulled off his coat with a heavy sigh. She pouted her burgundy-painted lips. "What's wrong?"

"Work was just more tiring than usual today," he quietly said as he removed his coat. He loosened the black tie around his neck, not even glancing at Kiara as he walked past her to the kitchen.

Kiara's shoulders dropped as she followed after him. A weird feeling overtook her as she watched him lazily push through the items in the fridge. "Too tired for date night?" She asked quietly, hiding some of her body behind the archway.

Taehyung's head perked up, shutting the fridge before turning to face the shy girl. He gestured for her to move from the shadows so he could see her fully. Kiara always had a pretty face and knew exactly how to do her makeup to accentuate her features without doing too much. But Taehyung's favorite part of her was her body. As she stepped into his view—adorned in a glittering baby pink dress that clung to her curves and silver accessories that popped against golden skin in the dim lighting—he could feel the blood rushing to her lower regions. She was thick in all the right areas—a busty top with wide hips and thighs that not even air could escape between to support her ass. He was in love. She looked like something out of a wet dream.

Taehyung curled his finger, beckoning her to come closer. She obeyed silently, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze. Once Kiara was close enough, he took her hand and spun her around to see the whole picture. Her straightened midnight locks flowed with her. He loved it when her hair was straight. "Fuck, darling," he smirked as he bit down on his lower lip. Her cheeks flushed with color as she playfully hit his chest with her free hand. He placed a hand on her waist, holding her close. "You look absolutely stunning."

The girl blushed as if Taehyung didn't compliment her all the time. She knew he would love this dress. He wasn't like most boyfriends who would tell their girlfriends to cover up if they wore something too tight or too short. It seemed as if Taehyung couldn't keep his hands off her whenever it was time to dress up. Kiara adored the attention, even if it consisted of inappropriately timed ass grabs.

"Thank you, babe," she smiled as her hands ran up his chest until they reached his shoulders, where they wrapped around his neck. 

He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers and filling any gap that they had. Taehyung wasted no time exploring her body with his large hands. He squeezed her ass, using the grip to press Kiara further into him. She let out a soft moan, feeling his erection pressing into her stomach. The kiss grew deeper and needier as they continued. The warmth from between her legs began to spread throughout her body. Kiara was close to telling him to take her on one of the counters.

"Taehyung," she mumbled while trying to break the kiss, but he kept leaning in to reattach his lips to hers. She couldn't help but smile against his lips. The need for affection made her feel warm inside. She tried to pull away again, leaning further back before he could attack. "We're gonna be late for our reservation if we keep going," she giggled. Someone had to be the sensible one; more times than not, it was Kiara.

Taehyung groaned softly, leaning in to press kisses against her neck. She inhaled softly, gripping his shirt tightly enough that the fabric wrinkled between her fingers. "We can be a little late, can't we?"

Kiara bit down on her lower lip to hold back her moans while allowing her to focus on her thoughts. Her brain was growing hazy with arousal. Logic was on the brink of fleeting—too many feelings combined with too many thoughts all at once. "I mean," she drawled out. Before she could finish her sentence, Taehyung bent down a little to pick her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. She squealed softly from the sudden surprise. "Taehyung!"

A mischievous grin formed on his lips as he locked eyes with the girl. "What?" He asked innocently.

Kiara's eyes narrowed at him momentarily before a smile cracked on her lips. "What do you think you're doing?"

Taehyung began to walk, following the familiar path to their bedroom. "I don't know what you're talking about, darling."

"I think you're a liar."

Taehyung smirked, throwing Kiara onto the bed after they entered the room. She landed on the plush mattress with a giggle. Her short dress slid up her thick thighs, giving him the slightest peek of the lacy black panties she wore. She gazed at the man, watching him take off his belt and toss it. "Me? A liar?" He parted her thighs with his knee before fitting himself between her legs. Her hovered over her, eyes filled with desire. "Never," he said lowly before kissing her again.

Kiara hummed with delight, accepting defeat as her body overtook her mind. Damn, that man for knowing how to kiss so well, his lips convincing her with every movement to skip another date night and just stay in bed all day. He pulled away, leaving a trail of affection down to the sweetheart neckline of her dress, where her breast spilled out of the tight fabric. She arched into his mouth, physically begging for more as he reached down to inch her dress up more.

Her once-shut eyes shot open, "Wait!" His fingers froze at the sound of her voice as he peered up at her from the valley between her breasts. "I don't wanna mess up my hair," she said quietly with a slight pout.

"Then I guess you better get on top."

In one swift motion, Taehyung flipped their positions. Kiara landed on his abdomen briefly before sliding back. She undid his pants and pulled his clothing down enough for his cock to spring out. The girl inhaled deeply, never getting tired of looking at the sight. Though she was in a rush, she couldn't resist to slide her tongue against the underside of his length. He sucked in harshly through his teeth. Satisfied, she repositioned herself, hovering over the man's abdomen once again. She leaned back and wrapped her fingers around his erection, causing him to inhale sharply as she stroked him slowly.

He placed his hands on her thighs, letting out a low groan as he stared up at her. "Don't tease me."

She smirked as she released him. She pushed up the material of her dress to rest over her hips, exposing the lingerie that was supposed to be for tonight. Taehyung reached out and pulled the material to the side, exposing her heat to the air. She glided his tip against her wet slits before guiding the man into her, lowering herself down as they both let out a slow sigh.

Taehyung hissed with pleasure as he became encased in her walls. After he gave her a moment to adjust, he began to roll his hips back and forth. Kiara placed her hand on him, pushing his button-down shirt up just enough to rest her palm against his tanned abdomen. He penetrated every delicious inch of himself into her as she leaned forward, meeting his thrusts with a pleasant smacking sound. 

Taehyung watched Kiara's face as she lost herself in the pleasure. His eyes quickly darted to her chest, watching as her breast bounced in the constricted material. It took everything in him not to lean forward and free them of their limitations, but he'll make a mental note for later. Instead, he reached around to her ass, gripping at the flesh as he guided her up and down his member. She loved how he felt inside of her, making her increase speed.

The brunette suddenly got an idea, reaching around for his phone.

"What's the name of that restaurant?" He groaned, his thrusts lessening in power as he tried to focus.

"W-What?" Kiara stammered. She opened her eyes as she looked down at the man below her. Her hips started to slow as she tried to de-fog the sex-crazed haze over her mind.

Taehyung suddenly raised his hand and promptly slapped the girl's ass, causing her to moan as she resumed some of the pace from before. He used one hand to guide her while the other tapped away on his screen. "Give me the name of the restaurant."

She bit down on her lower lip while her eyes shut again. Focusing was incredibly hard when someone was currently massaging your walls. "N-Nomiya."

He guided her down his length, taking him fully inside her velvety walls, causing his tip to press into her cervix. She let out a soft squeak while a shiver of delight splashed over her. She opened her eyes as his hips finally seized. Taehyung was such a sight to see. Sweat beaded along his forehead, causing his dark waves to stick to his skin. His once prim and proper button-down shirt somehow opened in the heat of the moment, exposing his tan skin flushed with red in the low light of their room. His lips were structured and plump with desire. He looked like a model while tapping against his phone screen several times. She bit down on her lower lip, swirling her hips in a circle and grinding against him absentmindedly.

Was it possible to come from only someone's face?

He suddenly handed the device, ripping her from her thoughts. "Push back the reservation."

"Right now?!"

"Right now. It's ringing."

Panic overtook her system for a second, causing her walls to tighten around him involuntarily. He moaned right before she heard a faint hello from the phone. She quickly grabbed the device from Taehyung and put it to her ear.

"Um, hi. My name is Kiara, and I have a reservation for—" A soft moan slipped past her lips as Taehyung decided to resume his thrusts. A mischievous smirk played on his lips, mouthing a petty 'sorry' as he grabbed her hips with both hands. Kiara narrowed her eyes at him, desperately trying to swallow her sounds of pleasure.

"Ma'am? Hello?"

She cleared her throat, acting as if nothing was happening. As if Taehyung wasn't ramming into her. "Yes, sorry about that. I have a reservation for 6, and I was wondering if I could push it back to—" Taehyung's large hand made contact with her ass again, causing the woman to inhale through her teeth. She used his abdomen as support, hanging her head a little as she tried to collect herself. "Push it back to 7," she breathed. She felt an incredible and familiar pressure growing between her legs. 

Taehyung watched as the woman on top of him tried to keep it together, driving him wild from the sight alone. Her flushed face, her slipping dress, how her nails dug into his skin as some sort of anchor. He wondered if the person on the opposite end could listen to the sounds of their love. He wondered if they could hear the sticky, slapping sounds of their bodies hitting against each other. As he bit down on his lip, his hand trailed to the front of her abdomen. 

"I'm sorry, ma'am, our next table won't be available until 8:30. Is that alright with you?"

"8:30? Yes, that perf—" A gasp stole the last syllable of her sentence as Taehyung's thumb circled her swollen clitoris. Her eyes rolled back as she tilted her head back. She covered her mouth with her free hand, trying to muffle the breathy moans that were escaping. He increased the pace of his digit, causing the pressure between her legs to grow as well. He briefly felt her walls constrict around him, knowing what would come soon.

"Alright, thank you!" Kiara quickly hung up the phone right as her body soared over the edge. She came hard, throbbing around Taehyung's member. His hips slowed for a moment, letting her ride out her orgasm. His hands slid up her body, stopping at her breast, where he squeezed them.

"Reservations for 8:30, right?" Taehyung asked, and she nodded in response. He rested his hands on Kiara's waist, pulling her down to lay on his chest. He flipped them over as she steadied her breathing so Kiara was lying underneath him. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "You'll have enough time to fix your hair then."

Her eyes grew wide as he started drilling into her again. Their lips met once again, sharing needy kisses and muffling moans as he pushed her thighs back towards the bed, giving himself maximum access to her heat. When he pulled away, he leaned back so he could watch as her body bounced.

Kiara shut her eyes as if to lessen the immense pleasure she was receiving. "T-Taehyung," she whimpered. The pleasure built up in her body again as shivers of delight danced against her skin. "Fuck!" His thrusts were hard and deep, hitting her spot repeatedly. Her face twisted with pleasure. Her amber eyes looking up at him helplessly filled her. Her legs began to tremble, causing him to raise an eyebrow while a smirk played on his lips. 

"You gonna cum for me again?"

The woman couldn't even form words, only being able to nod her head quickly as another wave of pleasure crashed over her. Taehyung leaned over her once again as his hips remained in the same rhythm. His face hid in her neck as she wrapped her arms around him, fingers entangling in his damp hair. The pulsing of her walls around him neared him to his orgasm. His rhythm grew sloppy. He pushed his length fully into her one last time as he succumbed to his climax.

After a minute of heavy breathing between the two, Taehyung slowly pulled himself out of her. Kiara felt the mixture of their fluids leak out of her and onto their comforter. She tried to regulate her breathing, watching him stand up and walk towards the bathroom. The dopamine coursing through her veins left her glued to the covers. He returned from the bathroom with a towel, tossing it to the girl before lying beside her. 

"You fucked up my hair," she murmured.

Taehyung looked at the girl, leaning in to kiss her cheek, "I think you look great."

Surprisingly, Taehyung and Kiara made it to the restaurant on time. After a few showers and touch-ups, they were walking hand in hand into the discreet entrance of Nomiya. The two were practically glowing, giggling, and holding each other tightly as the maitre'd led them to their table. Taehyung pulled out the chair for Kiara, and she slid into her seat gracefully. He sat across from her in a booth connected to the wall.

The restaurant was modern, with wooden accents sprinkled throughout. Large industrial half windows let light in while keeping the dining area private. They chose a dark color scheme with warm lighting to make the room feel spacious. It was pretty classy for an establishment attached to a shopping mall and, from the menu, right up the couple's alley.

The two engaged in conversation and flirty banter until Taehyung became engrossed in his phone. Kiara was used to it. Even though the man was a king at small talk, long-term and deep conversations drained him. And those types of conversations were Kiara's strong point. She didn't care much about the how are you or how's the weather; she wanted to know the nitty gritty about someone. The ins and outs, what made them tick, what made them smile. Things that were worthwhile. 

Kiara glanced over the menu in the comfortable silence, wondering why the waiter hadn't yet swung around to take their order. The reviews she read online showed that the wait staff here was top-tier and super friendly. Taehyung didn't seem to care about the woman's growling stomach, happily tapping away and laughing at the lit screen in his hands. So, she took it upon herself to get the waitress' attention. She walked over with a tired smile on her face.

"Hi, how may I help you?" She asked.

Kiara offered the woman a smile. "Yes, I believe we're ready to order."

The waitress's eyes widen briefly. "Oh, um," she took a little tablet from her apron, "you didn't want to wait until the rest of your party was here?"

Kiara's brows squished together, glancing at Taehyung briefly as she let out an awkward chuckle. "Um, no? The whole party is already here?"

Maybe it's been a long night for her. After all, the restaurant had been decently packed, parties of two or more surrounding them with smiles and laughs. Maybe she confused their table with another's.

Taehyung suddenly lifted his head, standing to his feet. He began to wave his hand in the air with a broad, boxy grin on his face. Kiara watched the man, blinking rapidly before turning to see what excited him. 

Her heart dropped.

Blonde hair styled to expose his forehead, dressed in an all-black outfit—from his blazer to the t-shirt underneath and his slacks to his shiny oxfords—and strutting over to their table like a model on a runway was none other than Park Jimin. The walking sin. He was smiling, beaming at the man she called boyfriend. Kiara quickly turned around and stared up at Taehyung. Once their eyes connected, his smile shrunk to a shy one.

Soon, Jimin was at their table, giving Taehyung a long hug before looking at Kiara. Their eyes met briefly, her jaw clenching when he very obviously gazed at her exposed cleavage.

"I'm so happy you made it!" Taehyung grinned as he sat down, finally rejoining Kiara at the table. "Did you bring someone?"

Jimin nodded, gesturing to the woman who suddenly appeared next to him. Kiara must not have noticed the person following behind him until now. "Everyone, this is Izzy. Izzy, this is my good friend Taehyung and his girlfriend Kiara."

Kiara awkwardly waved at the woman as she sat next to her. She was drop-dead gorgeous—slim, tall with legs that went on for days, a natural blonde. The woman looked like she just hopped off a Sports Illustrated magazine cover. She wore a simple, long-sleeved, black mini dress and heels, matching her date.

Cute, the dark-haired woman thought.

Kiara and Taehyung could never, no matter how much she yearned to.

"So what are we eating?" Jimin asked after sitting down. He picked up the menu and started to look over it.

"I'll give you a few minutes," the waitress said before leaving. Taehyung leaned towards Jimin, suggesting various options.

"Taehyung," Kiara said sharply despite the forced smile on her lips. Taehyung slowly peered at her through narrowed lids, like she was interrupting something important. "Can I talk to you outside for a second?" She stood up and walked towards the exit, not checking if the man was following her. She opened the sizeable black-tinted glass door and took a few steps from the entrance. 

"What's up?" Taehyung asked once he joined her. He tried to ignore how the winter breeze nipped at his skin through his dress shirt. 

"What's up?" Kiara repeated, brows drawn together as she looked up at the man. Her blood boiled, heat spreading outward to the very ends of her fingertips. Who needed a coat when you could run off the heat of pure anger? "Why the fuck is he here?" She paid close attention to her volume and tone. It was a Saturday night at peak time, and people surrounded them. The last thing she wanted was a scene.

Taehyung tilted his head slightly as his lips pulled down into a frown. "I invited him?"

"On date night?!"

The man shrugged his shoulders. "I don't see the problem with having a double date."

Kiara blinked at him, staring for a few seconds before letting out a scoff. She folded her arms over her chest as she glanced away from him. "You've got to be fucking kidding me, Taehyung. You know damn well this wasn't supposed to be a double date!"

Taehyung's jaw clenched as he looked down at the girl. "Watch your fucking tone." His voice had grown severe, chilling Kiara to her core. She hated it when he used her favorite thing as a weapon. "Jimin wanted to hang out tonight. I said I had plans, and he asked to come. It's as simple as that."

"But why would you agree?" Her voice had softened slowly, like a flame losing its source of oxygen. "Like, aren't we supposed to have one-on-one time?" She could feel herself shrinking like she always does. She looked up at him, amber eyes meeting dark, cold ones.

"Oh my god," he drawled out. He rolled his eyes, folding his arms over his chest. "We have one on one time all the fucking time, Kiara. We go grocery shopping. We watch movies. We even fucking read together. You're gonna tell me I'm a bad fucking person because I wanna hang out with my friend?" As he started getting louder, Kiara's arms lowered from her chest to wrap around her midsection. She couldn't look at him; she didn't want to see that face with pinched features or eyes that resembled the dead. She opted to stare down at the ground instead. It was always the safest option. She felt the sadness creep up her throat, silencing her because tears would flow like waterfalls if she even made a croak. 

"Get over yourself, Kiara, honestly." Her heart dropped again, feeling like it should be a permanent residence there. Tears stung her eyes, threatening her with further embarrassment. She knew people were definitely staring now, looking at her like she was a zoo animal—locked in a cage with eyes full of pity tracking her every move. "The world doesn't revolve around you, and I sure as hell am not gonna act like it does."

He turned around swiftly, not caring for the reactions surrounding him. Once he reached the door, he paused for a second. "Maybe Jimin was right." She looked at him out of curiosity, almost instantly regretting it once she met his eyes. She had hoped, for once, he looked remorseful, like he pitied her. But instead, he looked over his shoulder with that look. The one that made her feel smaller than a field mouse. The one that made her question if his I love you's were genuine. The one that ripped every ounce of confidence she had from her soul. 

"You are selfish."

She cracked and desperately tried to keep herself from spilling onto the pavement.

As he walked back inside, leaving her to battle the cold, she felt like someone had just stabbed the 24-year-old woman in the chest. She looked around, watching as people narrowly avoided her gaze. Her bottom lip quivered. Kiara inhaled deeply before exhaling shakily. She refused to cry in public, surrounded by sympathetic eyes but no brave souls to spring into action. That was typical for New York, though. Everyone had their own story with little time to read others. 

Am I really just overreacting?

She wondered when and where she went wrong. Was it how she said it? Should she have waited until after dinner? She hoped the cold would give her some clarity, but all it left her with was red-stained skin and a runny nose.

All Kiara wanted was a sweet night with her boyfriend, and she did everything in her power to ensure so. From the makeup to the restaurant, everything that she had picked was to make sure he had a good night. They had a good night. They only went out to eat occasionally, and Kiara did all the planning every time they did. She was meticulous, and it always took a lot of energy. The woman just wanted him to see that, to appreciate it. Was she wrong?

She used her thumb knuckles to pat the area under her eye dry gently. Kiara sighed softly, picking up the pieces of her Taehyung left sprawled over the ground before walking back inside. She rejoined the table, not that anyone noticed.

For the rest of the night, she sat at the table, silent as the two men across from her caught up as if they hadn't seen each other in weeks. They laughed as if they'd been together for years. They even shared each other's entrees to see if the other would like it. She was surprised Taehyung didn't just feed the man with his own utensils. It felt like she was third-wheeling a double date and paired up with a friend she didn't get along with. This wasn't to say Izzy was bad; she was an sweetheart and embodied the word entirely. She politely offered small talk, even telling a boys will be boys joke when Taehyung and Jimin got too loud, hoping to lighten the sour expression on Kiara's face.

But boys will not be boys.

Boys don't act like Park Jimin and try to infiltrate every aspect of Kiara's life as she knew it.

None of these feelings would've happened if that blonde hadn't arrived. Taehyung and her would have their regular date if he had never approached her. Because Park Jimin wouldn't have existed to him. Just a thing of the past. A memory ever so slowly fading.

Kiara had to order a bottle of wine to keep herself from wanting to slam her head against the table repeatedly. Since no one else decided to have a glass, she managed to drink at least 3/4ths of the bottle herself. It wasn't her best choice of the night, but the 24-year-old needed alcohol if she was going to be around Jimin for prolonged periods. At this rate, she'll have an alcohol use disorder in no time.

The red wine made her numb and quiet like it usually did. The world around her dulled and melted together until there were just blobs of color floating around space. Nothing around her existed, and she liked it like that. She was in her own little bubble where people became brushstrokes, and noises became low hums. At some point, the tan splotch with a dark top emerged and walked away from the table. A pinkish line with pale yellow strokes around it also left. And then there were just two.

Kiara played around with the piece of paper that once covered a straw, folding it as many times as possible.

"This is a nice restaurant, don't you think?"

She hated how his voice could cut through her little world like a steak knife through softened butter—words wrapped within a smooth velvet, purposefully seductive and laced with poison.

"I know," she spat, harsh tones slitting through the fabric of his voice. "I was the one who picked it."

"Woah there," she didn't have to look at him to see the grin on his plump lips. She knew it was there. Why wouldn't it be? His smugness was becoming predictable. "Someone's being a little hostile, hm?"

She looked at him, amber eyes set ablaze through narrowed lids. "Shut the fuck up, Jimin. You shouldn't even fucking be here."

The grin on his face dropped as his eyes went wide. He placed a hand on his chest while he gasped. "For your information, I was invited."

"You intruded," she said slowly, ensuring he heard every syllable. "You knew he had plans, and you invited yourself like a fucking loser."

"He wanted me to come!" Jimin's brows pinched together.

"Yeah, aight," Kiara scoffed. Jimin would never tire of hearing that abrasive accent trapped in that honeyed tone. It was pleasant on the ears. "At least you're having a good time with your fucking date."

"Oh, Izzy is a doll. Love the girl to pieces."

Her gaze remained unchanged. "No, dipshit, I fucking meant Taehyung."

He tilted his head to the side to match his playful smile. "Do you know any word besides fucking?"

"Do you know how to mind your fucking business?" She quipped, mirroring his actions.

"Guess that's a no," Jimin chuckled lightly. Kiara sighed deeply, chugging the rest of the crimson liquid in her glass. He raised an eyebrow slightly. "You're becoming a bit of an alcoholic, aren't you?"

Kiara almost slammed the glass on the table, hands like cinderblocks, as she forced herself to grab the bottle. "And you're to blame." She stared directly into Jimin's eyes, noticing the grey-colored contacts that hid his natural color. If eyes were the window to the soul, he had the curtains closed right now. Maybe she would've held back more if she saw the concern swirling in his dark irises. "Ever since you waltzed into my life, it seems like alcohol is the only thing that makes you tolerable." She poured the remainder of the bottle into her glass, sucking her teeth at the empty container. A full bottle of wine, and she still wasn't drunk enough to deal with Park Jimin.

Her words sunk deeply into Jimin, causing him to chew on his lower lip. This Kiara wasn't fun. When she drank herself into nothing but a shell, he couldn't help but feel bad. He never wanted to be the cause of someone's addiction. He leaned back, remaining quiet until Taehyung returned to the table. The man resumed conversation with Jimin as if he couldn't see how out of it Kiara was. It seemed to be all the blonde could notice. She finished the rest of her wine rather quickly, parting her lips enough for a sigh to pass through. Her eyes danced around the room, looking at anything and anyone that wasn't Taehyung. Water lined her golden irises, constantly threatening to spill but never doing so.

Guilt. Was that the feeling that was weighing down Jimin's chest? Did he take things too far? But she deserved it, right? She deserved the troubles and hardships for choosing the easy life. Right? Kiara sniffled as she reached for her eye, gently tugging at the sensitive skin and blinking her tears away.

Taehyung didn't notice.

Jimin did.

"Hey," Jimin interrupted whatever rant Taehyung was going on about, glancing at his dark-haired friend. He gave the man a small smile; that's all he could offer without seeming too fake. "This was fun, but Izzy is getting pretty tired. Right, Iz?"

The blonde woman stared at her phone, tapping away at the screen. "Yeah, I'm exhausted," she said without an ounce of sincerity.

Jimin had to stop himself from glaring at the woman. He loved the girl, but she was an ass at times. "We're gonna call it a night. Thank you again for inviting us."

Kiara let out a loud scoff, uncharacteristically unfazed by the glare she received from Taehyung. The wooden pattern on the table seemed more interesting than his anger. 

"It was no problem, honestly." Taehyung grinned at Jimin as the blonde and his date stood up. "I'll see you around?"

Jimin nodded with a faint smile. "Yeah, definitely." He turned his gaze to Kiara, biting down on his lip briefly. "Bye, Kiara."

"Fuck off."

Izzy tried but failed horribly to hide her laughter. Jimin sighed, knowing she would say something sassy, but it was worth a shot anyway. Taehyung narrowed his eyes once again at the foul-mouthed girl. It was a dramatic flip from how he looked at her during game night. He looked like he couldn't stand the sight of her, and it was frightening. Deciding it was best not to stay any longer, the couple left. He'll send Taehyung some money later tonight to cover his half of the tab.

After the couple left, Taehyung didn't waste a second expressing his disdain towards the girl. "You're such a fucking embarrassment, you know that right?"

Kiara let out a deep sigh as she leaned back into her chair. She knew this was coming based on their fight from earlier. Taehyung had barely paid attention to her for a reason. She expected to get an earful on the way home or once they were in the comfort of their living room. Taehyung lashing out at the girl in public was a first for her, especially with people surrounding them.

"All fucking night, you've been acting like a spoiled brat who didn't get her way."

She looked away from him, catching the waitress' attention as she raised her hand. "Check, please!" 

Kiara blowing him off with ease made Taehyung's blood boil further. He slammed his large hands down on the wooden surface, causing all the utensils and dishes to shake. As he intended, it caught her attention. Her eyes lazily looked up at him, still unbothered by the manchild's actions. But her eyes weren't the only ones peering at him. Neighboring couples and families glanced out of the corner of their eyes. They paused conversations to observe the drama that was unexpectedly unraveling quietly.

"You will not make a fool of me, Kiara Smith." His jaw clenched, and she could practically see the vein on his forehead throbbing. Tan skin turned to a deep red, and all she could do was raise a brow in challenge.

"Looks like you've already done so, Kim Taehyung."

Taehyung shot up from his seat, shifting the table as he did so. The last thing she saw were his eyes, filled with hatred she didn't know he could possess—not while looking at her. He left the restaurant, leaving a trail of silence behind him. Kiara sighed deeply, sitting up in her seat. She knew she should've stopped. The woman knew she shouldn't have poked the bear since he had attacked for less. But she couldn't find the energy to care. She couldn't find the energy to worry about the concerned eyes that stared at her as she gave the waitress her card. It was all for show anyway, knowing as soon as she left, they would go back to loving each other as if none of this had happened.

She left the waitress a hefty tip, around $150. The woman was technically dipping into her future home funds, but that was an argument for another day. Every damn thing was an argument.

She gathered her things and slowly stood up, trying to ensure she didn't stumble in her heels, but she did so anyway. Kiara used the table to balance herself before taking a deep breath. There was no need to embarrass herself further by falling in this establishment. She was sure people already saw her as a trainwreck. She and Taehyung fought as much as any average couple did, and in a few days, this would all be water under the bridge, and they would be back to their usual loving selves.

When she reached outside, the cold winter air did nothing to cool down her warm body as she wobbled around to her car. Or where her car should be. She stood in an empty parking spot, brows furrowed with her hands on her hips as she glanced around. Her vehicle was highly noticeable, so even if she was in the wrong spot, she should've been able to see it in the parking lot. She huffed quietly, pulling her phone out of her purse as she returned to the pavement. She called her significant other, and it went straight to voicemail, as usual. She sighed deeply, swaying her weight from one heel to the other as she placed her phone to her ear.

“Sup loser,” said Jeongguk. He answered after the first ring like he always did. He wasn't munching on food this time, but she could faintly hear the sounds of power-ups going off and catchphrases.

"Heeeeey," she drawled out, making Jeongguk chuckle.

"Someone's fucked up."

"Just a little," the girl grinned, her eyes catching a bench nearby. She wouldn't stand in five-inch heels if she didn't have to. "Do you happen to be anywhere on or near Long Island right now?" Her words slurred, causing Jeongguk to pause the game he was playing.

"Um, no, I'm not." He answered, concern slowing growing in his deep tone. "Why?"

"OK, so, hilarious story. Hear me out," Kiara plopped down on the cold metal bench. "Taehyung kinda sorta took my car and left me at the restaurant with no way home."

There was silence on the other end of her phone. Her face scrunched a little as she pulled the device away from her ear to make sure she didn't accidentally hang up. She returned the phone to her ear, hearing intense rustling and shuffling.

"Helloooooo?"

"Stay right fucking there, Ki." His deep voice managed to lower an octave, making her heart race. "Don't move a god-damned inch."

"OK!" She sounded awfully chipper, not realizing the weight of the situation as she swung her legs like a child.

"I swear to god, I don't understand how you're still with this dipshit."

Kiara pouted her lips as if the other could see. "Stoooop, we're gonna get married Kookie!"

Jeongguk released a deep sigh, hoping to calm himself down a little. "Stop saying that. No husband would leave their wife outside, with no way home," there was a short pause, "at fucking midnight!?" So much for calming himself down. "Ki, you better pray I don't catch this asshole on the street."

"Kookie," she whined, the pout still fully formed on her lips. "I love him. Please be nice. We're just fighting right now."

"No fucking excuse, drop your location right now."

Kiara huffed as she did what she was told. The GPS said the ETA was about 45 minutes, and Jeongguk made it there in half the time. The risk of getting tickets for speeding and lane splitting was all worth it when he arrived. He found Kiara sitting on a bench, shivering slightly but smiling widely at him as if she wasn't in the proper clothing to be outside.

They were in what New York would call the 'Third Winter', where the air is just as harsh as the middle of January, despite being the first week of April. He sighed deeply, pulling his leather coat off of her body. He walked over to her, "C'mere," he said as he helped her into the jacket. It wasn't much, but she wore a flimsy, practically see-through cardigan over her dress.

"Kookieeee!" She looked up at the man with a never-ending smile on her lips. "You came!"

"You called," he sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips afterward. Whether close or far, day or night, if Kiara called for him, he would be there for her in a heartbeat. "Now come on." He helped the grinning girl stand up, catching her when she stumbled into him. He should've brought a pair of pants as well. How could Taehyung let her walk out of the house in a dress this short, then leave her in the cold? "We're gonna stop by your house and pick up some clothes, OK?"

Kiara was the only other person he'd let ride on his bike, so he had gotten her a helmet, which she customized herself. He preferred to keep his minimal, allowing the shiny black paint to speak for itself. On the other hand, Kiara painted wavy lines of her favorite colors with cute stickers. It was her in a nutshell, and she could do whatever she wanted to it as long as it was going on her head. With that said, he put her helmet on while she giggled, glazed eyes meeting his sober ones. He was too annoyed to find this moment adorable. He helped onto the bike before getting on himself. She felt his arms lazily wrap around his waist as he started the vehicle.

"You're gonna stay at my place for a few."

"Yay! Sleepover!"

Jeongguk couldn't help but smile. Whenever she got drunk, she would always become the baby of the group—eyes big and filled with amazement at the world around her, wondering body, and absolute lack of coordination. She was the cutest, especially when she smiled. Taehyung was going to ruin her. He was going to destroy every ounce of life she had by the end of this relationship.

They stopped at her house, and luckily enough, Taehyung wasn't there. He must've been sucking the universe's dick because if Jeongguk had seen him, he would've made sure his face made contact with the pavement. After years of having to deal with this man and this shit excuse of a relationship, he would've beaten him to a pulp. He grabbed their hideaway key and went inside to pack her a quick bag and some clothing to throw on over her dress. 

Afterward, Jeongguk drove them back to his apartment in the city. He made sure to drive extra carefully as he felt Kiara's grip loosened when they were about halfway there. He parked his bike on the side of the street before glancing back at the woman behind him, confirming his suspicions as Kiara barely had enough energy to open her eyes. She used most of her energy to stay up on the ride there.

He didn't even bother asking if she could walk. He crouched down to the ground, encouraging Kiara to hop on. She did so happily, allowing him to carry her upstairs to his apartment. He put her in his bed, tucking her in before taking the space on the couch.

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[bts-hyperfixation]

Outside of the Fox

Chapter 24 of 30

1023words

Y/N longs for a new life when the one she'd been living comes to an abrupt stop. Without much thought to those she is leaving behind, the little fox packs a backpack and disappears. She stumbles across the shelter and makes an interim home for herself while she works out exactly what she wants from her second chance.

Last

Jin seems relieved when Namjoon finally contacts him. Apparently, the guy had been calling twice a day and texting even more just for the chance to apologise. Namjoon locked himself away for over an hour talking to the doctor. From the snippets you could overhear from passing by the door, it seems they had long since moved on from talking about Jungkook and had moved on to what they should bring on vacation.

You were set to go to the beach in just over a week and you couldn't wait. 

You had been bouncing around work filled with anxious energy all week. It was difficult to focus on the work when all you really wanted was to be in the cottage preparing to leave. You had never been on a proper vacation before and the anticipation was making your skin crawl. 

Taehyung kept laughing every time he saw you glance at a clock, willing it to move faster. Your coworkers just shook their heads at you, having already given up on you getting any actual work done. 

Jungkook is struggling to keep his excitement at bay just as much as you. Taehyung had handed him a black credit card and told the bunny to go nuts on new wardrobes for each of you. Over the past three days, more than 20 packages have arrived, with more on the way apparently.

Each night when you all return home, Jungkook holds you each hostage for a fashion show, he even summons Jin to join you.

He hands each of you a selection of outfit choices and runs to wait in the living room. You run through the first few outfits with ease. A selection of playsuits and dresses that you may not have picked for yourself, but you can't deny look cute. The entire experience is reminiscent of when your husband would hire people to come in and fit you for banquet dressed. 

Back then you would try to show your husband the options you had been presented with and he would barely look up from his phone to appraise each one. Jungkook on the other hand delighted in each outfit displayed for him. The bunny had cleared the coffee table out of the way and turned on someone's premade montage playlist. He was having far too much fun watching each of you as you emerged from different rooms in different outfits.

Occasionally you would each catch sight of one another as your try-on sessions synced up and you couldn't deny that Jungkook had great taste for all of you. From basic board shorts to sheer button-ups, he had chosen some excellent pieces, even if he had gone overboard with the amount ordered. 

You eventually come across a dress that you are incapable of doing up without help, beautiful crisscrossing laces too intricate for you to even attempt alone. You hold the top up so it can't fall away from your chest and make your way into the living room with the hope that Jungkook knows how to do the garment up. What you weren't expecting was to find all of the boys standing in the living room in matching shirts. 

They all look up at you simultaneously, and you find yourself getting very shy. You can't help but feel very aware of the fact your top could fall down at any moment. 

"A little help?" You ask sheepishly, turning around to show them the back.

"Only if that help is to take it off." Taehyung quips.

Jimin slaps him on the arm but the younger man makes no moves to take the statement back. 

"That's a very brave statement for a man that hasn't even managed to kiss her yet." Yoongi chuckles. 

"Don't remind me," Taehyung grumbles. 

The squabbling continues between the three of them and Jin takes that as his opportunity to help you out. His nimble fingers make quick work of the bows and the dress is finally secured. You spin to show off the full effect of the garment. The skirt swishes around your thighs, riding up a little too high as you spin too fast. 

The playful argument calms down as all of their attentions return to you, or more accurately return to your bare legs. 

"You really have great taste there Kookie." Namjoon compliments the youngest, without taking his attention from you

His eyes rake down your curves. You can't tell if he is appreciating the dress, or imagining you without it. The thought makes your stomach flip. 

"Right, well if we are in agreement that I should keep this then I am going to go and get changed. Could you give me a hand?" You signal to the ties and Jin graciously complies.

He unties each string much slower than he had done them up and you could've sworn his fingers lingered on your bare skin more than necessary. When he is finished you disappear quickly back into the bathroom you had been using to change and slide on your pyjamas instead. You fold the items Jungkook had provided into separate keep and return piles.

By the time you emerge, everyone is sitting in comfortable clothes in the living room.

You smile when you see Jin sitting in Namjoon's lap, all remnants of their argument forgiven for now. 

"We ordered Chinese, is that okay?" Jimin asks as you slide onto the sofa between him and Jungkook.

"Sounds delicious." You say, leaning across to peck him on the cheek.

He turns his head just in time to capture your lips with his instead, giggling as your eyes widen. A pillow hits your head as you pull away.

"Sorry, I meant to hit him," Taehyung says, aiming at Jimin with a second pillow.

Before he gets the chance to launch, Yoongi plucks it from his hands and hits him round the head instead. 

"Jealousy isn't a pretty colour on you Taehyung." The jackal says, dropping the pillow back on the chair where it belongs. 

"Everything is a pretty colour on me." Taehyung counters.

No one else gets a chance to reply before the doorbell rings, announcing the arrival of dinner.

Next

Masterlist

Send me asks - doesn't have to be fic related. Can be smutty, thirsty, fluffy, angsty, whatever you're feeling regarding BTS. Can be literally anything doesn't have to be BTS

#bts fic #bts smut #kpop fic #kpop smut #namjoon smut #bts imagines #jungkook smut #seokjin smut #hoseok smut #jimin smut #yoongi smut #taehyung smut #bts slow burn #bts hybrids

[leewriting]

Things that matter more

Roommate au Mafia au

Roommates to lovers

Jungkook x reader

At first, getting a new roommate after your friend had moved out appalled you. Just thinking about sharing your space with a stranger put you on edge, but as the weeks went by and the rent went up you had no other choice but to post that stupid ad. In many ways living with Jungkook is perfect for an introverted med student like yourself. He pays rent on time and is seldom home leaving the apartment quiet and clean. On the other hand, there is the small problem of him stumbling in at three in the morning, hurt and letting blood stain your new carpet.

Wordcount:32k

Warnings: Mentions of death, abuse and dead bodies, blood and injuries, angst

A/N, okay so I have become so attached to this story. I hope you all love it as much as I do. Please let me know what you think by commenting. I love you all and I hope you enjoy the story. 

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I hate you.” You glare. You can feel the absolute rage build up inside you until you finally explode and hit the stupid printer.  It still doesn’t want to print your assignment. 

“Okay, I’m sorry I promise I won’t do that again.” you plead, close to tears. “But it is kind of your own fault.” You bite your lip, are you really trying to gaslight your printer? 

“Okay you win, see” you start backing up, hands held in front of you. “I’m going to leave, and we can try and work this out when I get back.” You turn and retreat from your room. 

You sigh. Okay, maybe you’ve finally gone crazy, but you are at your wit's end. You need to have this printed before tomorrow because your professor apparently still lives in the dark ages and wants everything to be submitted in hard copy. 

It’s 3 am and the apartment is dark and silent. You feel a tingle travel down your spine and you race down the hallway for the light switch next to the front door. 

Breathing a sigh of relief with the lights officially on, you turn to the kitchen ready for a cup of coffee. But you freeze when you see the figure standing behind the island. The scream leaves your throat before you have a chance to think. 

The man in your kitchen swirls around and your scream dies down immediately. It’s just Jungkook. 

Jungkook your roommate for the past 6 months is home earlier than you expected. He must have gotten off early from work.  You’re not sure what his job is, hell you’re not even sure what his middle name is or if he even has one for that matter. He showed up at your doorstep after you posted the ad. At first, you were apprehensive of course about him being a man and all, but you didn’t really have another choice unless you wanted to live with Becky a girl you can’t stand, so you agreed. 

Living with him is much better than you expected, he cleans up after himself, and as mentioned he is almost never home meaning you get the rent paid without having to deal with petty roommate drama. It’s a win-win situation. 

“You okay?” Jungkook asks his eyebrow raised and surveying you after your little freak out.

You blush, feeling foolish. “Yes, sorry I didn’t know you were here.” You look away trying to come off nonchalant even though your heart is still racing from the fright you had. 

“Well, I do live here you know.” He smirks, pouring milk into a glass. 

“Yeah, I never see you so I forget.” You blurt out. You didn’t mean to say that. You guess your mouth is just running away on its own now. Maybe there is a medical condition for it. You should look it up, you bet it’s called being stupid and unable to function late at night without coffee. 

He just hums and nods, taking a sip of his milk, not bothered by your statement. 

“Why were you in the dark anyway?” You ask, realising how weird it is that he didn’t turn on a light. 

“Working on my night vision.” He smirks and struts to his door. “Goodnight.” He gives a little wave before closing his room door behind him. 

You stand there confused for a moment but you brush it off. It’s not unusual, this is how most of your conversations with him go. He always dodges questions with strange remarks. However, you still have a good relationship, maybe it’s more like a common understanding that just because you live together means you can be acquaintances without being friends.

Making friends with people isn’t really your strong suit. Mostly you feel too uncomfortable in social situations to really talk to others, and when you do start talking most people tend to stare at you as if you grew a second head. Someone once told you your sense of humour is apparently off-putting, whatever that means. Mostly you say the wrong things at the wrong time when meeting someone so you shy away from situations with strangers. 

That’s why you don’t really try too hard to get to know Jungkook. You feel it’ll only make things more awkward if he knew that his roommate is an awkward human who thinks talking about true crime is the epitome of conversation.

You head to the kitchen still in thought, and magically you’re able to make yourself coffee without burning your hand off with boiling water. It’s a real accomplishment at this time of night.

You sit on the couch for a bit, rejoicing in the silence around you before you hear the printer you were abusing finally coming to its senses and doing its job. With a sigh you place your cup in the sink and head back to your room, only to find your papers scattered across the floor as the printer keeps spitting out more. 

“Fuck” You groan out in irritation and you swear you hear a giggle coming from the room next door. 

.

.

.

“He chopped up his victims and buried them in the woods near his house.” The true-crime podcast is playing in the background while you make notes. You’re up later than usual, much later, but you need to get these notes done before class tomorrow. 

You hear the front door creak open. You immediately stop what you’re doing, pausing the podcast in the process. You sit in silence waiting for the tell-tale sign of Jungkook walking to his room. The shoes he wears always make enough noise to be able to track every step. You once told him he can probably kick someone unconscious with his shoes. He only responded with a smirk. 

You don’t hear him at all and you’re getting paranoid now. Maybe listening to a true crime podcast this time of night isn’t such a good idea as you thought it would be. You take a deep breath in, deciding what to do. You reach for your phone and dial Jungkook’s number. 

He once told you that if there was ever an emergency you should call him. You scoffed at the time but now you hope that he counts a possible murderer as one of those emergencies. You press the phone to your ear but frown when you hear his ringtone blast through the apartment. You swear he is the only person you know who doesn't have his phone on silent all the time.

You get up hesitantly when he doesn't pick up. You follow his ringtone to the living room and freeze. 

There on the floor laying face down on the new rug is your roommate. You frown as the weird red tye-dye on his shirt seems to be spreading onto said rug. Your eyes grow wide as the realisation hits you. It’s not tye-dye it’s fucking blood!

You rush to his side. 

“Jungkook!” He groans, at least he is still awake, “Hey can you hear me?” 

“No.” He groans out and you would have laughed if he wasn’t currently possibly bleeding out. 

“What happened? Is there someone in the apartment?” Your frenzied mind immediately goes back to your suspicions of a murderer.

“No.” He says again and you feel a bit relieved even if he isn’t answering your first question. 

“Okay, I need you to turn around.” You try to roll him over but it’s only with his help that you manage. You never guessed all that muscle would make him this heavy. 

“Uhm okay…” Your hands hover over his torso. His entire shirt in the front is soaked with blood and he is too pale for your liking. “Okay, this is fine.” 

You pull up his shirt and gasp at the cut on his side. “Okay, maybe this is not fine.” Your breath is haggard as panic sets in, but just as it does the med-student in you take over. This is just another emergency patient right? You can treat this, you’ve done it before. Just not alone without a supervisor to step in if you mess up, and not without the proper supplies. Still, you know what to do at least.

You pull your shirt over your head and press it onto the wound, making him wince. You press down hard but realise all your supplies are in your room. 

“Okay Jungkook here.” You try to say it as calmly as possible, while you move his hand over yours. “Press hard okay.” You instruct and hope that he heard you because you’re up and running immediately. 

You fly into your room and snatch up your first aid kit before you sprint back, sliding on your knees to him in your panic. Your skin burns from the friction, but you don’t have time to look. 

You rip open your med kit and replace Jungkook’s hand on the cloth that was once your favourite baggy shirt. You cautiously lift it up and breathe out a sigh of relief when you see the bleeding has stopped. 

“You’re okay, I’m okay we are all going to be okay,” you ramble while you pack out your supplies. 

“That is very reassuring.” Jungkook jokes and you stare. 

“How can you joke right now?” You almost scream out.

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “It’s not that bad.” 

“Not that bad…are you looking at it?” Your eyes are wide while you survey his much too calm face. Why does he almost look used to this? “ Nevermind don’t look.” You’re afraid he’ll start panicking if he does.

You wet gauze with disinfectant. “ This is going to sting.” You warn him before pressing the gauze to the cut. He immediately groans and grabs your arm trying to stop you, before he realises what he’s doing and lets it go again. 

Once clean, you can get a good look at the wound. If you had to guess he tried to dodge whatever it was by turning out of the way. Clearly, it didn’t work and now you have no choice.

“It’s going to need stitches.” You bite your lip.

“Great then get on with it please.” 

“Get on with… Jungkook stitches.” You repeat yourself sure he didn’t hear. “ As in threading a needle through your skin and I don’t have any numbing agent.” 

“Is your bedside manner always this calming?” He hisses through his teeth in pain.  Your eyes are wide, and he sighs when he looks at your face. “Just do it okay, I can take it.” 

You nod and bite your lip before threading the needle. 

Throughout the procedure, he lies as still as possible but his constant wincing and the few whimpers that escape his clenched jaw give away that he is in pain. Overall you just try to work as fast as possible. For the first time, you’re glad for all the times your professor made you redo your stitches because now you at least know that you’re doing it right.

“Alright all done, let me just wrap you up.” You state after a few moments, snipping the thread. You place all your now blood soaked tools on the coffee table, you’ll clean it up later,  and come back with gauze and bandages. 

Jungkook is still breathing heavily from the stitches sitting up a bit now. As soon as you start wrapping the bandages you can’t stop your eyes from wandering. Yes, he has a nice body but the thing that makes you almost gasp is all the healed scars. The faint white lines contrast with his skin. Your curiosity about the situation is spiked.

“Ouch.” Jungkook let’s slip when you finish tying the bandage. 

“Sorry.” You apologise. For the first time, you survey him further. His torso is bruised badly, and for a moment you wonder if his ribs are damaged. His cheekbone is blossoming with purple hues and his lip is split, dried with blood. You sigh and pick up a gauze pad wetting it with the disinfectant.

“What are you doing?” Jungkook asks, leaning back until his back meets the wall while you lean forward, the gauze held up in your hand. 

“Will you please just hold still.” He hesitates long enough for you to press the gauze against his lip. 

“Ouch.” 

“Sorry.” You scoot closer to him so that you have more control and he looks at you. 

“Thank you.” He says it softy and you nod, trying not to look at his intense staring eyes, you rather concentrate on his lip, dabbing it lightly with the gauze.

“Y/n” He encases your wrist with his hand making you stop and look at him in surprise. He is frowning slightly.

“Really thank you.” His face softens as he says the words, truly meaning them. Your brain struggles to come up with a reply but your mouth is clearly not affected.

“It’s a pleasure, I’m just really glad you didn’t die. I don't know how I would have gotten rid of your body.”  You immediately mentally cringe. You always make stupid jokes like this in awkward situations. You had to learn to stop yourself for hospital practicals, but clearly, your training isn’t helping now.

Jungkook stares at you in shock and you’re just about to apologise when he starts laughing, wincing a bit but continuing. 

“Yeah, I doubt you would have been able to drag me to the woods to bury me.” His reply surprises you, most people rarely appreciate your sense of humour.

“No, I would have probably had to chop you up.” You wait for his response, you’re sure he will change the topic but he just laughs again.

“O yeah, serial killer style okay.” He nods as if in thought and you frown, laughing at the twist the conversation has taken. “I don’t think that would be the best way though.” 

“O and why not?” You have no idea why you feel defensive about the way you would dispose of a dead body.

“Because the mess would be way too much,” He says it so calmly, “Imagine the cleaning. You would definitely not get your deposit back on this place.” He grimaces at the idea and you laugh.

“You’re probably right,” You cave. “I’ll be sure to ask your advice if I ever need to hide a body.” 

“I am nothing if not helpful.” He jokes. 

You’ve never seen him smile this much, come to think of it you’ve barely seen him smile at all. It suits him, especially when his eyes crinkle up and his front teeth show the way it is doing now. 

“Jungkook?” His name calls his attention to you immediately. You know it’s probably overstepping a boundary but you just feel like you need to know. “What happened?” 

His face goes blank for a moment. He clears his throat. “ I was mugged.” 

You don’t believe him, it sounds almost practised. He also doesn’t meet your eyes completely, but overall you can’t be sure he is lying. You don't know his tells, hell you don’t even really know him. 

“I’m sorry that happened. I’m glad you’re safe.” You don’t push and you can see he appreciates it. If he was really mugged he probably doesn’t want to talk about it.

A lull falls over you two. You play with the gauze stretching it apart. You mentally chastise yourself. You just had to go and ruin the moment with your curiosity. 

“I’m sorry.” He breaks the silence.

“Huh?” You frown at him and you stare even harder when you see his cheeks becoming a pinkish shade. At least you know he has enough blood to blush. 

“I’m sorry about the rug.” He motions with his head to the big red stain on your once pretty rug. You can’t make him feel bad about it though.

“It’s okay, I like modern art anyway.” You awkwardly chuckle trying to reassure him, but when you see he is biting his lip still staring at the stain you sigh. 

“You can make it up to me okay?” You say patting his shoulder. The movement feels very weird, out of place for some reason. 

You watch his face morph into one of exhaustion very quickly. The adrenaline finally wearing off. 

“I think you should go rest.” You say in your best doctor voice. Jungkook shows no resistance and just nods before slowly getting up, wincing with every movement and holding onto his injured side but he refuses your help. 

You follow him to his room door. You worry that he’ll tear the stitches or what if you did it wrong and he bleeds out during the night? He turns around to face your anxious form. 

“I’ll be fine Y/n don’t worry.” He says as if reading your mind. 

“Call me if anything happens okay.” You get a nod in return heading to your own room, hearing his door close behind you. 

Once in the comfort of your room, you take a second to process what happened, leaning against your door and counting the events on your fingers. 

One, you had treated your first patient by yourself.

Two, unfortunately, it happened to be your mysteriously bleeding roommate at 3 in the morning, 

Three, afterwards, you had the longest and weirdest conversation you’ve ever had with him.

And four, apparently, as you move further into your room and catch sight of yourself in the mirror, you did all this in your bra.

.

.

.

The morning light creeps into your room much faster than you feel necessary. Your head feels groggy as if every thought has to trek through mud to make an appearance. You rub your eyes and slowly open them, only to groan at the onslaught of the sunlight on your eyes. 

You sit on the bed for another second, before the desire for coffee drags you out of it. You swing your body to the side standing up only to stumble. Why do your knees hurt so much? 

You rack your brain for the possible reason for the bruises on them. You try to recall what happened last night before you .

You were making your notes when… o shit Jungkook.

You hurriedly walk out of your room, stopping at his door. You listen intently for any sign of him being in there, but you're only met with silence. Maybe you should go in, but you feel like that would be crossing a line, and you’re sure that if something was wrong he would have called for you. Or well you hope he would. So instead you continue to the kitchen.

Your sight is set on the coffee maker, it shines like a glowing beckon for your tired brain. You reach for it turning it on when you suddenly stop and backtrack. There on the black counter is one of your favourite cups filled with now lukewarm coffee. The coffee however isn’t what makes you smile. It’s the sticky note stuck to it. The letters were clearly written carefully, forming two words. Thank you.

You remove the neon pink note and stick it on the wall where it contrasts nicely with the white tile.

You wonder where your roommate is, it feels too quiet in the apartment for him to be home. Usually, there would be noise coming from his room. Games or something, but now there is absolute silence, which means he’s probably not home. You know he didn’t die through the night though because the coffee isn’t cold, so there is that to at least calm your anxious mind. You just hope that wherever he is, he is not tearing his stitches.

You take a sip of the coffee and wrinkle your nose at the bitter liquid. You can’t blame him that he doesn’t know to put sugar in your coffee. You drink it nonetheless, you can’t have the gesture go to waste. 

You smile as you catch sight of the note again, picking up a sticky note, from the pile you usually use for grocery lists you write a quick “my pleasure” on it. Something feels missing though, so without thinking about it twice you add a small “Don’t die” at the bottom, hoping he would appreciate it. You stick it on his bedroom door to make sure he sees it as you head past to get dressed because you just realised that you are late, very late. 

You don’t think you’ve ever gotten ready so fast. Your exciting 3 am seemed to have impacted your sleep a little bit too much and now you’re going to be late for class if you don’t leave. You barely remember to lock the door. Your last thought before you rush to the elevator is that Jungkook better not bleed out through the day.

.

.

.

“No mom I’m fine, I just had a bad day.” You have your phone pressed between your ear and your shoulder as you talk to your mom while walking through the aisles of the convenience store. 

“No, there is nothing you can do mom, I’m just getting chocolate, and then heading home.” You bend down finally finding what you were looking for. 

You had a very bad day, classes have been killing you inside, and today of all days your professor just had to call on you with a question you didn’t know the answer to. The embarrassment and your group’s decision to work on an assignment till late have mixed together to make you feel drained and just completely over today. 

“Yeah, I’ll be safe,” You pack your things on the counter for the cashier to ring up. “Okay love you too.” You finally hang up. You don’t know how your mom just knew to call you but hearing her voice made you feel better. 

“Bad day?” The man asks you while packing everything into a bag for you.

“That obvious huh?” You ask handing over the money. 

“The amount of chocolate might have given it away.” He smiles and you blush and nod taking the bag that he hands over. 

“Hey if you’re not busy later,” He continues before you can leave. “Maybe I can try to make your day better.” 

You stare at him shocked, did he just ask you out on a date? 

“O, uhm…” You’re not sure what to say, obviously you don’t want to go out with him but you don’t know how to turn him down. 

“It’s alright I think the uhm… chocolate will do the job.” You say awkwardly, “Besides I can’t tell if you're an axe murderer.” He stares at you and you cringe inwardly, that might not have been the best way to turn him down. You guess after all the joking with Jungkook you forgot how people react when you say things like that. 

So leaving the situation you turn and walk out the door without waiting to see if he’ll reply. 

Blushing hard you walk down the street. How do some people react so well to your humour and others just don’t? Or well you guess only one person reacts well. But you mean you do have a point, he could be a serial killer or something, maybe it just wasn’t the best thing to say it out loud, to his face.

It’s already dark, but your apartment is only a block away so you decide to just walk instead of waiting for a bus. It’s a nice night out, not too hot or cold and the fresh air isn’t something you get enough of, so you continue down the street. 

There aren’t many people out and soon a strange feeling of being watched takes over you. You turn around to look behind you but there is only a couple following you down the sidewalk. You breathe out, nothing to worry about. That is until they cross the street and the sound of footsteps behind you makes you aware of someone else following you. 

Just relax Y/n it’s probably just another person like you walking home, you’re just being paranoid, that’s all, you try to convince yourself. But the feeling of being watched doesn’t disappear and you start walking faster. Your heart rate speeds up when the footsteps start becoming faster as well. You refuse to look back and let the person know you’re aware of them so you keep your head down and walk even faster. The footsteps are closer now and you can see an alley coming up. You’re just about to make a run for it across the street not caring if you’re jaywalking or looking foolish when a figure comes out of nowhere from the side. 

You freeze in fear but when the light falls over the stranger's face you relax. It’s Jungkook. 

“Hey what are you doing here?” You ask breathing out a sigh of relief and look back over your shoulder only to see the man that was walking behind you cross the street.

“I uh… got off of work early and saw you walking so I thought I’d join you,” Jungkook replies following the man with his eyes before he smiles and takes the bag out of your hand and carries it for you. 

“O, well thank you.” You say falling into step beside him.

“Did you do grocery shopping?” He peeks into the bag and immediately starts laughing. “I guess not.” He chuckles.

“I had a bad day okay,” You go to rip the bag from his hand but he moves it out of your grasp, swatting away your hand. 

“So your reaction is to buy half of the store’s chocolate?” He teases, smiling at you. 

You cross your arms over your chest defensively. “Yes, it is a coping mechanism.”

He just giggles and the sound makes you stare at him, you’ve never heard him giggle before and it almost makes you want to laugh. You survey the way he’s limping a bit to the side of his injury making a mental note to check on it.

“I’m glad to see you’re still alive.” You state without thinking and he frowns for a second before realisation seems to dawn on him and he nods. 

“I was planning on dying but then I saw your note and decided against it.” He smiles referring to the sticky note you left him. “I didn’t want to disobey my doctor’s orders.”

“Good, because that would really have tainted my reputation,” You state straight-faced, “ letting someone die before even graduating imagine.”

“Yeah, that would have been bad for you.” He agrees nodding profusely causing you to chuckle. 

You fall into silence, and you breathe in the fresh air deeply, glad that he showed up so you don’t have to be so paranoid. 

“Y/n.” He breaks the silence with a serious tone of voice. You look at him, his face is just as serious as his voice. “You shouldn’t be walking alone.” 

You sigh. “I know I just really wanted chocolate.” You try to justify your actions even if the excuse sounds lame to your own ears.

“Next time, call me okay,” You frown at him unsure of what he’s saying. “I’ll bring you chocolate.” 

You’re taken aback by his words. He’s offering to bring you chocolate so that you don’t have to walk at night? 

“I’ll keep that in mind.” You mumble not knowing what else to say. You didn’t expect him to say something like that, you guess maybe the fact that you two seemed to be able to have a whole conversation made it easier for him to talk to you or maybe it made it easier for you. He does seem much more approachable than he use to. He always came across as cold, but now you guess you’re seeing his true personality coming out to you and you like it, or maybe he hit his head last night as well.

“I’m sorry you had a bad day.” He tries to keep the conversation going and you look at him in surprise. Jip, he definitely hit his head. But you don’t want to be rude so you answer.

“It’s okay.” 

You reach your apartment door without saying another word, but the silence wasn’t awkward like you expected it was more like a comfortable one. 

“Careful,” he muses when walking into the apartment, “The rug is wet.” He says it almost sheepishly but plays it off as nonchalantly as he can.

You look down to find the rug wet and the bloodstain now a mere trace of pink. 

“You cleaned it?” You say in wonder, stepping over it so as not to get your socks wet. 

“Yeah I know you said you like modern art but I assumed you were joking.” He puts the bag down on the counter. “Unless you weren’t in which case I can bleed on it again.” 

You laugh at his serious face and it morphs into a smile. 

“That’s okay.” You giggle, before saying very seriously, “Please don’t do that.” He nods. 

You survey the way he is standing gripping onto his side.

“How are you doing? With the injury and all?” You ask trying to tread lightly in case he becomes defensive like some people do when asked.

To your surprise, he grimaces, “I was hoping you could maybe take a look at it?” 

“Yeah of course.” You nod a bit flattered that he asked. 

You lead him to the bathroom and instruct him to stand by the sink, that way you can easily throw the dirty gauze somewhere other than the coffee table. 

“Uhm you have to take off your shirt.” You say awkwardly, fidgeting in your med kit even though you already have the supplies you need in hand.

You see movement in your peripheral vision and you turn around, blushing a bit at the sight of him without a shirt. Of course, you’ve always known he’s handsome. When you first met him you thought he must be some kind of demigod, with his sharp jawline and pretty eyes, so seeing him now you gulp. You saw him without a shirt last night but that was while you were panicking. Now it takes a moment for your brain to stop going haywire. 

“Right uhm…” You clear your throat and the ghost of a smirk crosses his face. 

“Aren’t you going to take yours off again?” He teases and your blush deepens, burning your cheeks.

“O uhm…” You stammer over your words. 

 “I’m joking, I know it was because you needed to stop the bleeding,” he reassures you, poking you on the nose and bending down a bit to look you in the eye. “Stop blushing.” He adds when he sees how flustered you look.

“It’s not really something I can control.” You mumble and unwrap his bandages. You’re very close to him, you can feel his body heat radiating off of him and you can’t help but wonder if he has a fever.

“You’re really hot.” You say without thinking and he stares at you in surprise lifting an eyebrow at your statement before you realise what you said. “I didn’t mean…uhm you feel warm, I’m scared you may have a fever.” You stammer to try and explain yourself.

“No don’t worry I usually run warm.” He says to calm you down and you just nod, sticking a thermometer in his mouth anyway even if it just to keep him from teasing you any further. 

You can feel his eyes on you as you check his stitches. They are still intact so you can stop worrying about that at least. You disinfect the wound again before putting on the fresh dressing. 

The beeping of the thermometer comes and a moment later he’s handing it to you. 

“See no fever.” He triumphantly states and you look at the normal temperature flashing on the device. 

“Well, then I guess…” You’re cut off by his phone ringing and he immediately picks it up.

“Yeah Hyung.” He answers and you turn away to put everything back into your medkit. 

“I know I’m sorry but it was an emergency.” You frown. You don’t mean to eavesdrop but it’s kind of hard not to when he’s standing right next to you. 

“I’ll be right there,” He nods while the person on the phone continues to speak. He moves to the side to give you access to the sink and you remove the gauze from it, to throw it away. “Yeah okay bye.” He hangs up. 

“I have to go.” He states and you frown. 

“I thought you were off tonight?” You remember he said that when he joined you on the street. 

“Yeah but uhm… something came up, they need my help.” He pulls his shirt over his head again, letting a hiss through his teeth at the movement. 

“O okay.” You don’t know what you were expecting. Him to be home tonight and what? You two sitting on the couch watching a movie or something? That is absurd. Just because you’re talking doesn’t mean you’re suddenly friends. 

“Thank you for this.” He gestures to the medkit and you nod before he hastily leaves the bathroom. A few seconds later you hear the front door close, the “my pleasure” still on your tongue.

.

.

.

The heart is enclosed in the pericardium, which’s main function is to protect it and prevent it from over-expanding. The pericardium is 

“Take that Jungkook!“

The pericardium is attached to the diaphragm and inner surface 

“I will end you Jimin!” 

The inner surface of the 

“Listen you little fuckers I am the king you will tremble before me.” 

Of the 

“Taehyung that’s cheating.” 

The 

“Ha, you losers I win again!” 

“The sternum!” You finally snap. You’re trying to study but you’ve been on the same paragraph for the last 20 minutes. You push your chair back from the desk, the wheels scrapping on the floor due to the speed. 

You can still hear them shouting at each other as you stomp down the hallway. 

You know they’re playing a video game. Jungkook moved his gaming system out of his room a few weeks ago because according to him the wifi is better in the living room. 

You round the corner only to find the three on the carpet. On the screen Taehyung’s name is on top of the board, the other two’s names following. Jimin is on Jungkook’s back, who is trying to strangle Taehyung. The scene may look scary but you roll your eyes. They do this all the time. 

The first time you walked out of your room to find two strangers on your couch you almost had a heart attack, but Jimin and Taehyung made a big fuss about how they finally get to meet Jungkook’s roommate. Apparently according to them Jungkook has been talking about you a lot. Jungkook obviously denied it, to his hyungs amusement.

Since then Jungkook’s friends seem to be here every day. Jimin and Taehyung could basically be living here but Hoseok sometimes drops by too. You know there are others you haven’t met yet because you picked up on the same names mentioned often. You would ask why you haven’t met them if you didn’t already have your hands full with the two currently trying to beat up your roommate. 

“Hey, guys?” Your voice makes them freeze, all three heads snapping to you. With their eyes on you now, you lose a bit of your fire. Surprisingly you’re more comfortable with them than most people, probably due to the close proximity, but sometimes when all three very handsome men look at you, you end up flustered. Unfortunately for you that seems to happen quite often seeing as you have been spending more time with Jungkook, which also means spending time with his friends.

“If you want to kill each other, do it somewhere else, please.” You roll your eyes, playing off your shyness by walking past them, feigning disinterest. 

“Sorry Y/n” Jimin laughs, getting up from the carpet, and joining you in the kitchen before Taehyung or Jungkook can even move. 

“Were you studying?” He asks, sitting on the counter and watching you make coffee for yourself. 

“Yeah, I was.” You rub your eyes until you see stars, your eyes burning from looking at your laptop for so long.

“What were you studying?” Taehyung leans next to Jimin making sure you pay attention to both of them. 

“The heart.” You don’t know why they both look at Jungkook who is leaning on the back of the couch watching you three before answering. 

“O well I can’t help you with matters of the heart.” Jimin states and you frown, you didn’t think he would be able to help you. 

“I can however help you with something else that doesn’t require the heart.” He smirks at you and your eyes widen at his suggestive sentence, you still can’t get used to Jimin’s casual flirty personality. 

“Hyung.” Jungkook’s voice is deep and the way he says it sounds like a warning. 

“I’m only joking Kookie,” Jimin and Taehyung smirk at the younger boy and Jungkook glares at them before rolling his eyes.

You look away from whatever is happening there and instead look at the now dubbed sticky note wall. 

It started with Jungkook’s thank you note and evolved from there. Now, whenever you leave, you leave the other a note, usually including a ridiculous reminder like don’t die, watch out for cannibals, don’t step into fairy rings. Stupid stuff like that. You both get teased by Jimin and Taehyung about it, but neither of you have stopped. Maybe the smile that adorns your lips every time you find a note stuck to the door or a coffee cup, if it’s in the morning, makes you ignore the teasing. In your defence, Jungkook doesn’t seem deterred by it either.

“Well, I’m going back to studying, try and keep it down okay.” You declare to the three, who were unbeknownst to you having a whole non-verbal conversation. You take your coffee cup and walk back down the hallway. 

“Y/n” You backtrack at your name being called. 

“Yes, Jungkook.” You wait for him to say something, staring at him, and he just stares back at you for a moment before looking away and clearing his throat.

“Uhm…” He looks to his hyungs standing in the kitchen observing him. “Enjoy your studying.” He looks like he wants to kick himself, but you do not have time to dwell on it now. 

“Thanks?” You tilt your head in confusion, getting a nod in return and walking to your room to finally finish the stupid heart, having to ignore the way yours is pounding from Jungkook’s eyes on you. 

.

.

.

“That test was so easy. If anyone does badly they really shouldn’t be studying medicine.” Becky boasts walking next to you. 

You wish she would disappear and go bother someone else but she clearly can’t take a hint. The test she is referring to was actually hard for you and now her words are starting to make you feel worse than you did when you were struggling through it. You shrink into yourself chewing on your lip. 

She’s the type of person who does well in everything and likes gloating about it. She somehow decided that you were her friend and now you have to suffer through her long rants about how perfect she is and how everyone else isn’t, including you. 

“O my god.” She suddenly interrupts herself and you look up wanting to see what caused it. “Who is he?” she asks and you frown in confusion following her gaze only to land on Jungkook. 

He’s leaning on the wall next to the gate of the university talking on his phone. He’s dressed in all black as usual and his hair is falling into his face a bit. You understand why she reacted the way she did because he looks extremely hot, and not in the having-a-fever kind of way. 

“He looks like he was sculpted by the gods wow.” Becky continues gushing. “Do you think I should ask for his number?” 

“No.” The word escapes your mouth before you can stop it. For some reason, the thought of her asking out your roommate and him agreeing irks you a lot more than you thought it would. You’re sure it’s just because it’s Becky but the more you think about it the more it bothers you. 

Becky however didn’t seem to hear you or maybe she is just ignoring you. 

“I think I should.” She continues and you can feel yourself getting angry. “See he’s walking this way.” She sounds giddy about it, sure that he must have noticed her.

Jungkook, who hung up his call when he noticed you, is walking towards you two his smile fading when he sees the look on your face.

“Hi?” He phrases it like a question not sure why you’re looking like you want to murder someone. 

“H…” You respond before getting cut off.

“Hey, my name is Becky.” She flips her hair over her shoulder and smiles at him.

“Yeah, uhm… hi.” He frowns and her smile falters.  “I came to walk you home since it’s almost dark.” He explains himself to you turning away from the now seething girl. 

“O, thank you.” You smile, feeling a little smug when you see the shocked expression on Becky’s face. He’s just about to reply when Becky worms her way in between you two again.

“O do you know her?” Her voice is high and she giggles, you roll your eyes. “We’re like best friends, I’m sure she must have mentioned me.” 

“Not really.” Jungkook raises an eyebrow at her and for the first time, you see him getting irritated. His eyes go narrow and he sucks in his cheeks a bit staring at her. She shrinks under the stare. 

You’ve never understood why Jimin and Tae said that people are intimidated by Jungkook but now you do. You feel bad for Becky because you know under that stare you would be running for the hills. So you step in.

“Becky I’ll see you on Monday okay.” You step around her and take Jungkook by the arm pulling him away, leaving Becky speechless probably for the first time in her life. 

You walk fast to get away from the awkward situation. 

“Sorry about her, she’s just uhm…” You try to make an excuse for her, not really sure why you are trying to do so. 

“Spoilt?” Jungkook offers and you laugh and nod.

“Basically yeah.” That’s definitely one way to describe her.

 “Thank you for coming to pick me up.” You steer the conversation away from talking about her. 

“No problem, I didn’t want you walking in the dark.” His calm and smiley demeanor is back and you breath a sigh of relief.

You walk beside him in silence for a moment. You just can’t seem to shake Becky’s words, she makes you feel so inadequate most of the time. 

“So how was the test?” He asks pushing you to the side so that he can walk closest to the road. 

You groan and he looks at you, worried. 

“It was awful and she said it was so easy, you know which just makes me think well, that I’m not good enough.” You don’t know why you’re pouring your heart out but right now you just need someone to listen and recently that someone has become Jungkook.

“Wow wait.” Jungkook stops walking causing you to do the same. He places his hands on your shoulders forcing you to face him. “Y/n, you saved my life, stayed calm and stitched me up, not to mention all the times you’ve had to treat me since.” He’s right, he’s probably the clumsiest person you’ve ever met. Always coming home with bruises or cuts. 

“I’m sure she’s never done that.” He continues, pushing your head up to look at him with a finger underneath your chin. “You are going to be a great doctor.” His face is serious but he gives you a light smile when you nod.

“Thank you Jungkook.” You smile at him, feeling better after the pep talk. 

“What are friends for right.” He smiles again, using his one hand still on your shoulder to take your bag off of it. He flings it over his shoulder instead and starts walking again, and you follow. 

It’s the first time you’ve heard him actually say that you two are friends, it makes you glad to know he feels as close to you as you do to him. The space that was there for the first six months of him living with you is now completely gone, erased by the weeks you’ve been spending time together. 

“Does she do that often?” He wonders out loud and you know what he’s referring to.

“Yeah sometimes.” You admit looking to the side ashamed to admit how you let her get to you. 

“Do you want me to kill her?” He says it with such a serious tone that you laugh at him. 

“No, I think I’ll do it if it gets too much.” You joke and after a moment he laughs. 

“And how would you dispose of her body hm?” He keeps the joke going and you pretend to think, placing your finger to your chin and tilting your head up. 

“I’ll get you to do it for me.” You declare pointing to him. He laughs shaking his head. 

“No, your kill, your responsibility.” He says and you pout. 

“That’s not fair.” The running joke of you finding a way to hide a body has been going on since the night of him almost bleeding out. You’ve been bringing up ways randomly but he shoots them down every time. 

“How about a woodchipper?” You ask, already expecting his head to shake. 

“Wouldn’t work, you know how strong a human body is, it’ll only cause a mess, and leave too much evidence.” He explains and you groan. 

“How do you know all this?” You ask, glaring at him in feigned suspicion. 

“Call it an educated guess.” He smiles and nudges you only to pull you out of the way of a pole a second later because you were still staring at him. 

“I think you spend too much time thinking about this.” You huff, crossing your arms across your chest. 

“Like you don’t.” He retorts and you gasp.

“Only because of you.” You exclaim, throwing your hands up.

“Besides,” he continues, “It’s fun to see your reaction when you're wrong, you don’t like being wrong.” he elaborates.

You pout again. “Does anyone?” You glare at him but he laughs at you. 

“I guess not no.” He relents and you smile. 

You look at him waiting for him to say something. You marvel in the way the last rays of sunshine bounces off his dark hair, painting his facial features in a soft glow.

He looks at you suddenly, you gasp and look away embarrassed at being caught staring at him. He chuckles and you cringe, looking down as you walk.

“Y/n?” He asks and you look at him only to find him not next to you but behind you standing still. “Where are you going?” he chuckles and you blush when you realise you just walked past your apartment building too busy chastising yourself for staring at him.

“O right.” you chuckle, trying to hide your blush from him. 

He opens the building door for you and you enter. 

“I was thinking we could watch…” You trail off when you realise he isn’t following you in.

“You’re not coming up?” You guess and he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I have to go, sorry.” He apologises but you nod taking your bag from him. 

He always has to leave, you’d think you’d be used to it by now but you always find yourself feeling disappointed because you can’t spend more time together. It’s a new feeling for you, being upset because you can’t spend time with someone. Usually, you’re upset when you have to. 

“Okay, be safe.” You say sheepishly. 

“Thanks, we can watch whatever you were going to say next time okay?” You nod and he walks off.

You stand there a minute looking at his retreating back before you turn to the elevator. 

The elevator takes forever and when it finally does arrive you are horrified at what you find inside. 

A stranger. 

Shyly you walk in. 

“What floor?” The man asks and you press your floor button instead of answering. 

“Hi, I’m Damion.” You sigh, he’s the type to talk in elevators then. 

“I’m Y/n.” You mumble, but he caught it. 

“Hello Y/n, I’m new to the building, maybe you can show me around some time?” He says and his straightforwardness catches you off guard. 

“O uhm…” You rack your brain for an excuse, wishing for the elevator to speed up. “I would but I’m very busy maybe you should ask someone else.” 

“It’s alright I’ll wait for when you have time, Y/n.” He says confidently. You know he is just being persistent but for some reason the way he says your name gives you a bad feeling. 

You’re saved from answering by the doors opening on your floor. 

“Goodnight.” You say and try to rush out of the elevator away from him, but he grabs your arm stopping you. Your eyes grow wide and you look down at the hand encasing your wrist.

“See you around.” He says and lets you go, with a smile. 

You immediately run out and only let out a sigh of relief when you lock your apartment door behind you. You shudder when you remember his gaze on you but it’s quickly pushed from your mind when your eyes land on the sticky note stuck to the door. 

“Enjoy your evening, try not to get kidnapped by elves.” You laugh and stick it to the sticky note wall. 

By the time you get into bed, the only memories playing in your head are of Jungkook’s face as he laughs. Your creepy neighbour is pushed from your mind. 

.

.

.

Your back is killing you. You woke up seconds ago and found yourself not on your comfy bed but rather on your desk chair. You feel something sticking to your face and you wipe at it lazy. One of your pages of notes floats down onto the desk and you sigh. You haven’t slept more than five hours in the past three days and you can feel your head pounding from the lack of sleep. The past few weeks have been a blur of tests and classes so you haven’t had a day off. You look at your phone to find a few missed calls from your mom. You’ll have to call her back later after you’ve had coffee.

You slowly get up, stumbling a bit and having to support yourself on the wall. That’s how you walk to the kitchen leaning on the wall the entire time. You miss the three heads that turn to you, too focused on trying to keep yourself upright. 

“Morning.” Jungkook’s voice breaks through the muddled thoughts in your brain. You groan in response, leaning against the counter to try and catch your breath. Was the walk to the kitchen always this tiring?

“Are you making coffee? ” Taehyung asks getting up from his spot on the couch, eager for a cup of his own. 

“Yeah just give me a second.” You reply working up the courage to walk to the coffee maker a few steps away. You feel very dizzy. 

“Hey, are you okay?” Taehyung asks, stepping closer to get a look at your very pale face. 

“I’m fine.” No, you’re not but non the less you still have some studying to do and you have class in an hour. So you push away from the counter but as soon as you do you stumble and everything goes a bit hazy for a second. 

“Wow okay.” Taehyung rights you with a very worried look on his face, the other two have stopped their game and are now staring at you in worry. 

Jungkook jumps over the back of the couch and makes his way to you, replacing Tae’s arm around you. He is frowning at you and places his hand on your forehead. 

“Holly shit Y/n you have a fever.” He exclaims, but you groan at the information. 

“No I can’t have a fever,” You push away from him but immediately almost fall over, being caught again by Jungkook. 

“Y/n I think you’re sick,” Jungkook says softly and you shake your head.

“I can’t be sick,” You feel like crying, “I have a class to get to.” You’re in denial, you know you’re sick but being sick right now is a big inconvenience. Becky has been boasting about how much she is studying and how prepared she is for the tests, you’ve been trying to keep up.

“Hey come on,” Taehyung says. “ Jungkook why don’t you help her sit down and I’ll make her some tea.” You still shake your head but gasp in surprise when you’re lifted off the floor by Jungkook. He carries you bridal style to the couch and gently puts you down where Jimin has made room for you. 

“I can’t guys I have to go to class.” You protest making to get up again but you’re held down by Jungkook’s hands. 

“Y/n your sick, you’re not going to class.” Jungkook orders. Why is his doctor’s voice better than yours? 

“I’m fine okay, let me go.” You remove his hands from your shoulder. 

“Clearly.” Jimin pipes up and you glare at him. “All I’m saying is, that if you go to class you’ll probably pass out along the way, and what then?” 

“Then Jungkook will have to put his body hiding skills to work.” You state. The other two frown in confusion at Jungkook but he just shakes his head. 

“I can’t do that, it’ll be too noticeable if I’m seen carrying you off of the street,” He smiles at you, leans in and tilts his head to the side a bit, “Too risky you know?” He whispers, and you look up at him, he’s frowning slightly at you in worry. You’ve gotten closer to Jungkook than you would have ever thought possible. He’s become a constant in your life like you never thought you’d experience and definitely not with your once elusive roommate. He’s the one you run to after a bad day and he always listens intently to your rants 

“Besides what is going to happen if you miss one class?” Taehyung asks, making you tear your gaze away from Jungkook as Tae hands you a cup of tea that you wrinkle your nose at.

“I don’t know I’ve never missed a class.” You say frowning at the shocked expression on their faces. 

“You’ve never missed a class?” Jimin asks in disbelief and you nod. 

“Wow, just wow.” Taehyung shakes his head. 

“Then I feel like this is a good excuse to miss one,” Jungkook states and pushes the cup of tea closer to your face, prompting you to drink but you grimace and shake your head. 

“I have to go Jungkook.” You fight back. “I won’t be able to stand her if I miss a class and get a bad mark.”

“Who?” Taehyung frowns but Jungkook nods already knowing who you’re talking about.

“Is that why you’ve been overworking yourself?” He asks in concern and you nod your head slowly, looking away from him. 

“Y/n,” Jungkook kneels in front of you so you're at eye level. “ You can’t let her get to you, you know she’s just trying to tear you down.” 

“I know but still…” You trail off unsure how to voice your thoughts. 

“Tell you what if you promise to stay home and rest,” Jungkook empathizes the last word, “ Then I’ll help you study okay?” 

“We’ll help you study.” Jimin corrects him, already disliking whoever it is that is making you feel inferior.

“Sounds like a bad bargain.” You reply and cross your arms, but you know there is no getting out of it. 

You know Jungkook well enough by now to know that when he puts his mind to something there is no turning back. You once saw him try to fit a whole orange in his mouth because Hobi dared him to. And if you’re honest with yourself even though you know that they won’t be able to help you study the fact that they offered to makes you feel all warm inside.

They all hold their breath ready to fight more but you sigh, leaning back onto the couch. 

“Fine.” Is all you say and they relax. 

“Keep an eye on her in case she makes a run for it.” Jungkook jokes poking your nose, before getting up. 

“Yeah like she’ll be able to run in her condition,” Taehyung replies sitting down on the couch next to you.

You look around the room. Your apartment has become if you had to describe it, lively. Before the “shared” space in the apartment was clean and cold but since you and Jungkook have become closer the space shows that two people live here. Your textbooks and cups are on the coffee table where you were making notes while he played games, and two of his hoodies are thrown into the blanket basket because he was too lazy to put them away. The blanket that Jimin throws over your shoulders also belongs to Jungkook. It’s a thick fluffy blanket that you’ve been stealing from his room to lay on the couch with since you found out it existed. After a while, he just stopped taking it back to his room. 

“Here you go.” Jungkook kneels in front of you with freshly made coffee, that you eagerly exchange the cup of tea for. He chuckles and place the cup of tea on the coffee table. You wonder how he knew to make you coffee. 

“Thank you.” You clutch onto the warm cup and sink further into the couch. Jungkook sits down beside you and Taehyung takes a spot on the floor picking up the controllers they abandoned, and handing it back to them.  

They continue playing their game, on a much lower volume, while you slowly drink your coffee. It’s black coffee. You used to drink it with milk and sugar but every time Jungkook made you coffee he made it black. At first, you didn’t want to say anything feeling too awkward but now you actually prefer it the way he makes it.

You never thought you would be this comfortable with people around in your apartment but their presence is soothing. You guess you’ve never realised how lonely you were before, now you recognise when they’re not here and especially at night when Jungkook is gone you can feel his absence. You still don’t like being around people but maybe the man sitting next to you checking every few minutes if you’re okay, putting his hand on your forehead to check your fever, is the exception. 

The warm drink and background noise of the game and their voices are lulling you to sleep. You feel one of them remove the coffee cup from your hand as you fall to the side, onto Jungkook, your tired body finally finding the time to rest, and recover.

You wake up a few hours later. Your head feels foggy, your entire body hurts and you feel all hot and cold at the same time. You hear a voice coming from somewhere but they’re not talking to you so you keep your eyes closed and try to make out what is being said. 

Jungkook is speaking in a hushed voice probably to try and not wake you. “I know hyung but I can’t just leave her.” You frown, is he talking about you? 

“Jimin and Tae said they’ll take over for me today.” You can hear him pacing while he hums in acknowledgement at whatever the other person is saying.  “Thank you hyung, will you ask Jin-hyung about the food?” You are getting very hot now, it’s like a hot tingle traveling through your body and you kick the blanket off you, sighing at the rush op cold air that envelops you. 

“Hey,” Jungkook’s voice is right beside you, “you awake?” You must have not heard him hang up the call.  

You slowly open your eyes, and you're met with his worried face. His hair is disheveled as if he has been tugging at it and in your fever hazed mind you reach out a hand to flatten it. He doesn’t acknowledge it and instead puts his hand on your forehead. 

“You’re still very hot.” He frowns and bites his lip in worry but you laugh. 

“Good to know I still got it.” You joke, but the words hurt your dry throat. 

He picks up a glass of water on the coffee table that he must have put there earlier and hands it to you. “You have to drink all of this okay?” He gives you a stern look. 

“Okay doctor.” You sass but take the glass anyway and start sipping. As soon as the water touches your lips however you can’t stop drinking, realising how thirsty you actually are, you gulp down the whole glass. 

Jungkook stares at you in surprise. “Wow do you want some more?” 

“No thank you, I think I’ll be okay.” You smile and readjust yourself to sit up. 

Jungkook sticks his hand out stopping you. “Wait I don’t think you should get up just yet.” 

You shake his hand off. “I’m fine Jungkook.” You roll your eyes at him and sit up. “see I’m completely fine I can even,” You stand up, but as soon as you’re up you see stars, your vision goes black and you fall into Jungkook’s arms. 

“Maybe you shouldn’t do that yeah?” He laughs and you hit him playfully in the chest. “Don’t laugh.” 

“How can I not when you’re being so stubborn.” He puts you back onto the couch and you pout.

“Don’t pout.” He smiles but you only pout more causing him to laugh. “You’re cute when you’re  sick,” he teases and you look away from him crossing your arms. 

“I’m not that sick.” You retort but you know you’re lying. Your head is pounding and everything hurts. 

“Well in that case I’ll just return all this medicine that I got,” you nod and he gets up walking away but then he turns back, “ and I guess all the chocolates too.” 

You swing around to look at him. He’s already smirking at you, getting the reaction he clearly wanted from you. 

“You got chocolate?” You glare at him in suspicion. 

“Yes and you can have some,” You smile wide but he holds up a finger, “after you eat some food.” 

“Chocolate is food.” You retrot. Even though the thought of chocolate is alluring, the thought of food makes you feel nauseous. 

Jungkook shakes his head crossing his arms over his chest, but just as he wants to reply there is a knock at the door. 

You frown in confusion but Jungkook opens it with a smile. 

“Hyung you're here faster than I expected.” Jungkook says to whoever is at the door and you lean over to see, expecting Jimin or Taehyung but the man that is standing in the doorway makes you gasp. He is so handsome it almost hurts.  “I was already on the way when Namjoon called you.”

“This must be Y/n?” The stranger says noticing you before smiling. You openly stare at him and Jungkook clears his throat raising his eyebrows at you. You start at being caught and a blush rises in your face. 

“Yes this is Y/n.” Jungkook says amused at your reaction. “Y/n this is Jin, he’s my oldest Hyung.” 

You nod, “hi,” you cringe. You sound so stupid. 

“Well here is the food Kookie.” Jin hands Jungkook a bag, “I need to get going, but it was nice meeting you Y/n.” He waves and you wave back awkwardly. He laughs and ruffles Jungkook’s hair before walking away.  

“So that was Jin.” Jungkook smiles taking the food to the counter. 

“He’s uhm very…”

“Handsome?” Jungkook offers and you groan. 

“I didn’t mean to stare I promise.” You bite your lip but Jungkook laughs.

“It’s okay everyone has the same reaction, I promise he’s more flattered than anything else.” He chuckles and you cringe. 

You really need to get a grip on yourself but you just don’t understand why all these handsome men are suddenly popping up in your life. It’s like someone is playing a stupid joke on you. 

“Here you go.” Jungkook hands you a bowl of food that you wrinkle your nose at. “You have to eat.” Jungkook press but you shake your head. 

“I really don’t want to.” You pout and he sighs. 

He bites his lip. “Just a few bites.” You don’t budge. 

“Please?” He pouts and holds up a spoon full of rice. You frown before rolling your eyes and taking a deliberate bite. 

He smiles in victory. You have no idea why you gave in to him. You would blame it on your fever but you’re pretty sure you would have given in even if you weren’t as sick as you are. You take another bite that he holds for you.

“I can eat by myself you know.” You say after you swallow.

He chuckles. “I’m not taking a chance.” He lifts up another spoon full and you look him in the eye as you let him feed you. 

He gets happier after every bite until finally you hold up your hand. 

“I can’t eat anymore,” and he nods understanding, putting the bowl down on the table. You pull your knees closer to you and wrap the blanket around yourself getting cold again. 

“How do you feel?” Jungkook asks putting his hand on your forehead. “You’re still very warm, if your fever hasn’t broke in a few hours I’m gonna take you to the hospital okay?” 

You nod, feeling yourself falling asleep again. “Okay.” You lay down on your side. “Will you stay?” 

Jungkook smiles softly and nods, “Yeah of course.” He strokes some hair form your face. “I’ll stay.” 

You hum contently and fall into unconsciousness. 

.

.

.

A ruckus in the kitchen wakes you up. You immediately shoot upright in bed, your body on high alert. You listen again but it’s quiet now. You pick up your phone looking at the time. It’s just past three in the morning, you should still be alone.

You debate calling Jungkook for a second but push the thought aside, you’d only feel stupid doing it,  besides you don’t want to disturb him. He went out with his friends for the night, it’s the weekend after all so he is off work but he told you he’d be crashing at Jimin’s place. So instead you get out of bed and tiptoe to your door. You press your ear to it trying to listen for any movement but there is nothing. 

You chew on your lip and decide to investigate. If this was a horror movie the whole audience would be yelling at you now. 

You creep down the hallway and peek around the corner to look at the kitchen. The lights are on and you see Jungkook digging around in the fridge. You laugh at yourself for being paranoid. 

The sound startles Jungkook and he spins around to face you. His face relaxes when he sees you and it morphs into a lopsided grin. 

“Hey, did I wake you? Sorry.” He pouts and your eyes widen in surprise at him but you just shake your head walking to the kitchen island.

“What are you doing back?” You ask leaning over the counter to see what he was doing. “I thought you were sleeping at Jimin’s?” 

“No, I wanted to come home because…” He is cut off by a hiccup. You look at him, he is leaning a bit to one side as if he is off balance and his eyes look glassy. 

“Jungkook are you drunk?” You giggle when he shakes his head profusely, the movement causing him to grimace and fall a bit to one side, only to catch himself in time. 

“No, I am not.” His words are a bit slurred and you laugh again. 

“Then why are you rummaging through our fridge at three in the morning?” You ask lifting an eyebrow. 

He opens his mouth as if to say something but he closes it again with a frown, unable to come up with an excuse.

“I wanted ramyun.” He says after an embarrassingly long time, through which you were giggling.

“Well, you’re not going to find it in the fridge.” You state and watch in amusement when he frowns and points to the cupboard, looking at you for approval. 

“Sit down I’ll make you some.” You chuckle and move to the cupboard getting out the packet.

“Thank you.” He drawls out and sits down on the bar stool.

“I just don’t want to have to treat burn wounds tonight.” You explain and smile at him, which he returns with a grin. 

You boil the water and look behind you to find him spinning on the stool. He stops when he feels you looking at him and he grins lopsidedly.

“I missed you.” He says and you frown. “I didn’t see you at all this week.” He pouts and you giggle at the expression. He looks so cute. 

He’s right this week you’ve been missing each other the entire time. You had another group assignment and had to work in the library with them the entire day. When you finally got home he was already gone. His words do surprise you but you brush it off as nothing more than drunk rambling. 

“I missed you too.” You say and he gasps in surprise. 

“You did?” He sounds like a child that was just told something unbelievable, and it makes you laugh.

“Yeah, we’re friends right?” That word has been starting to leave a bitter taste in your mouth recently, and you have an idea why, but you keep pushing it down. There is no reason to be thinking like that part of you wants to think. “Friends miss friends.” You finish, turning back to the food you’re making. 

“You’re right, I miss my hyungs when I don’t see them for a long time.” He rambles on behind you. “I think it’s because we all used to live together, but now I live here of course with you, right?” He sounds unsure and you chuckle. 

“Yes, you do.” You confirm it for him.

“Okay great.” He sounds pleased about it. 

He babbles on about stupid things while you cook, telling you about his night. He mentions a few girls that came up to him and you prickle a bit every time but he always rambles on not mentioning them again. 

Finally, you turn around and hand him the bowl of food that he takes with a smile. You lean on the other side of the counter watching him eat. 

“This is amazing,” he exclaims in between bites. “If this doctor thing doesn’t work out, you should become a chef.”

“You only say that because you’re drunk.” You explain with a laugh but he shakes his head, cheeks full of food. 

The conversation dies down while he eats. You move around cleaning up and filling up a bottle with water for him to drink. You place it down beside his now-empty bowl.

“You have to drink all of this now okay?” You say in your doctor's voice and he groans.

“All of it?” He says in disbelief and you smile.

“Yes or else you’ll have a nasty hangover tomorrow.” He nods and picks up the bottle, you laugh at his dramatic show of drinking the whole thing.

“I like it when I make you laugh,” he says when he’s finished and you blush. He stares at you.

“I like it when you blush too.” He adds and you blush even more. 

“I blush too easily when I’m with you.” You admit and he gets up to put the water bottle in the sink. He comes back without a word and stands next to you. 

“Here.” He places his cold hands on your cheeks. “To cool them down.” He smiles and you gasp at the contact. 

Another thing you’ve come to notice since becoming friends with him, other than that you felt lonely before is just how  incredibly touch-starved you are. He is so casual with his touches, always hugging you or sitting close to you and you realised how much you’ve been missing human contact. You can admit to yourself the fact that it is coming from him does also impact the effect it has. 

“There see all better.” He removes his hands and you cringe at how quickly you miss the contact. 

He is standing very close to you, your chests almost touching and the realisation makes you blush again. 

“O no, Y/n.” He moans and places his hands back onto your cheeks, stepping even closer. “You’re ruining my handy work.” He whispers. 

You stare at him. He is so beautiful and you’ve never been so close to him before. His eyes are shining and his lips are pink and look so soft. You pull your eyes away from his lips only to find him staring at yours. 

You bite your lip at the attention and he frowns moving his finger down to pull your bottom lip out from under your teeth. 

“You shouldn’t do that.” His voice sounds huskier now and it makes your heart race. 

“Why not?” You ask him softly.

“Because it makes me want to do this.” He says before leaning in slowly. 

You stop breathing, your heart racing and you close your eyes in anticipation of his lips falling onto yours. 

Just when you can feel his breath breezing over your lips, a door slams shut somewhere, breaking you out of the trance you were in. 

You back away from Jungkook. You were just about to kiss him! You were about to kiss him and he is drunk! You chastise yourself, missing the hurt that crosses his face. 

“I uhm… I think I should go back to bed.” You stammer out and rush out of the kitchen to your room. 

You close the door behind you and sink to the floor with your back to it. You can’t believe you were about to take advantage of his drunkenness and why? Because you have a bit of a crush on him? It’s disgusting. You rake your fingers through your hair and focus on calming your racing heart. The blush is burning through your cheeks and you place your own hands-on them to cool it down. 

You can only hope he won’t remember tonight.

.

.

.

“And that is the last time I’m asking your dad to make Lasagna.” You laugh and take a sip of your coffee. The café is buzzing with activity and your mom just finished filling you in on the antics your family have been up to since you last saw them. 

Your mom came to the city for work but her last meeting was canceled so you had time to get coffee with her. You watch her add more sugar to her coffee and laugh. She’s always had a sweet tooth. You got yours from her. 

“Do you want some?” She holds out the sugar pot to you after seeing you eye her coffee, but you shake your head. 

“No thanks, I drink my coffee black now.” You watch her surprised face and giggle. 

“Who are you and what have you done to my daughter?” She clutches her hand to her chest and you shake your head at her dramatics, smiling widely. 

You’ve really missed her. You’ve always been close to your family, even if they drive you crazy. Even your little sister, who couldn’t be more different from you, always on the sports field, but despite your differences you’ve always loved her terribly. 

“I just like it like this now.” You explain and she narrows her eyes at you in suspicion but eventually shrugs.

“How have you been honey?” she asks leaning forward with a caring look on her face. 

“I’m doing good,” you smile and when your mom doesn’t seem convinced you place your hand on hers. “I really am mom.”

“Are you sure? You look like there is something bothering you, not to mention you look like you haven’t slept in a month.” Her voice becomes stern at the last part and you roll your eyes.

“You sound like Jungkook.” The words just slip out and her eyes widen in surprise.

“Your roommate?” She asks and you nod your head.

“He’s always telling me I should sleep more.” Your mom nods.

“Well maybe you should listen to him he sounds like an intelligent young man.” She muses and you smile but at the thought of your roommate, your mood drops slightly.

After you almost kissed him a week ago there has been a small shift. Mostly things are the same but it’s like something is off. When you’re with his friends he’s his normal self but as soon as you are alone it’s like he becomes tense and soon finds an excuse to leave the room. He doesn’t seem to remember that night but you’re not so sure, why else would he behave like he is? Maybe he regrets almost kissing you and he is just pretending to not remember anything. You guess you should be glad he hasn’t brought up that night, it is what you hoped for after all. But it has left you more confused than anything else, why would he try to kiss you and then just not say anything after that?

“Earth to Y/n.” Your mom waves her hand in front of your face to get your attention. 

“Sorry, mom, what were you saying?” You apologise. Pushing the thoughts bothering you away. You should be enjoying your time with your mom, not worrying about your relationship with Jungkook, whatever that may be.

“I was asking if Lilly told you she got first line for field hockey?” She surveys you worried while she repeats herself. 

“O no she didn’t,” You smile trying to show your mom you’re okay. “You have to tell her I said I’m very proud of her.” 

“I’ll tell her.” Your mom smiles. “She is very excited, she said she’s going to ask you to come to some of her games, you should try to come.” 

“I will I promise.” You know it will be hard but for her, you will make a plan, maybe you can even invite Jungkook and his friends, she would love that. But as soon as the thought crosses your mind you dismiss it, you doubt Jungkook would want to come to anything with you right now. 

The rest of the time you and your mom just talk about your studies and plans for after next year when you graduate and have to start your internship. You bask in the conversation until your mom’s phone rings, signally she has to head out. 

“I love you, honey.” She hugs you tightly, “Make sure you eat well and try to get more sleep okay?” 

“I promise mom.” You giggle in your mom’s embrace. She pulls away holding you at arm's length.

“We are so very proud of you, your dad loves boasting about you on a daily basis.” You both laugh. Your dad has always been the type to tell everyone about every small accomplishment that his daughters achieve. 

“Thank you mom.” she pulls you into another hug just as her taxi stops outside. “Mom you have to go.” You giggle her hold not lessening on you. 

“Just another second, I miss you.” She says and you hug her tighter.

“I miss you too mom.” She finally pulls away and with one last kiss on your cheek she gets into her taxi, waving at you as it drives off. 

You sigh and sniff back the tears that threaten to fall. You shake your head and walk home. 

You can already hear the sound of the movie from outside the door when you get home. You open the door to see Jimin and Taehyung spread out on the couch. Their heads turn to the door when you come in and they smile. 

“Hey, Y/n.” They say in sync, you smile back, removing your boots.

“Hey guys, what are you watching?” You query closing the door. 

“Some movie Taehyung chose.” Jimin sounds bored and Taehyung pouts.

“You told me I have to choose.” Taehyung defends himself. 

“I expected you to choose something good,” Jimin says and is met with a pillow to the face in response. 

You move to the kitchen filling up a glass of water. 

“Where is Jungkook?” You ask when you notice that there isn’t a third person in front of the TV.

“O he went out,” Tae says not looking away from the TV. 

“O” You feel disappointed before something dawns on you. “Wait if he isn’t here how did you get in?” You narrow your eyes in suspicion.

“O well…” Jimin and Tae look at each other. 

“He let us in before he left,” Jimin says after a moment and you nod at the explanation. 

“Do you want to join us?” Tae asks turning around on the couch to see you. 

“No thanks guys, I have to study.” You shake your head and they groan. 

“You always have to study. Come and hang out with us.” Jimin pleads and you have to giggle at his pout. You think about it for a moment, you don’t really want to study anyway. 

“Fine.” You give in and they both smile making space for you on the couch in between them. 

You walk over and sit down in the space. You lean back and make yourself comfortable. 

“Here you can choose a new movie.” Jimin declares stealing the remote from Tae. 

“Hey!” Tae exclaims before clearing his throat. “I mean sure Y/n you can choose a new movie.” He relents and you laugh but don’t take the remote from Jimin’s outstretched hand.

“I’m okay, making choices right now is only going to melt my brain.” You confess and Jimin nods. 

“Okay, I’ll pick.” He says, exiting the movie and starts scrolling for a new one. 

“So don’t you want to know where Jungkook is?” Jimin asks, a mischievous look in his eyes as he looks at you. 

“Jimin.” Taehyung’s voice is stern but Jimin ignores him turning in his seat to face you. 

“So do you want to know?” He asks again and you stare at him. 

“Uhm… okay?” You look between Taehyung and Jimin, unsure about what’s going on. 

“He’s on a date.” Jimin gossips surveying your face for a reaction and you stare at him in surprise. 

“O…” You have to control your face to not show the disappointment that floods through you. “That’s good for him.” You say. 

Jimin and Taehyung exchange a look.

“Does it bother you?” Taehyung asks and you look at him.

“Of course not why would it?” You ask surprised, your voice a little to high and Taehyung smirks.

“Just asking.” He turns back in his seat as Jimin’s movie choice starts playing. 

You sink deeper into the couch and try to focus on the movie playing but your mind keeps going back to the information you just heard. 

He’s on a date. It shouldn’t bother you, you’re friends you should be happy for him but you’re not. It hurts. If he’s on a date it means any feelings you deluded yourself into thinking he has for you aren’t real. You keep thinking about it throughout the movie and soon it morphs into anger. How dare he almost kiss you, not talk to you about it, borderline avoid you and then go on a date with someone else. The anger builds and by the time Jimin and Taehyung leave you are ready to scream. 

You go to your room and try to cool down by focusing on studying, but you can’t. Every time your head goes back to imagining him with someone else and it makes you angry all over again. You finally give up on studying and just when you turn off your laptop you hear the front door open. You sit still for a minute weighing your options. 

You can finally confront him about this and demand to know what is going on, why he tried to kiss you and smooth things over and go back to being friends. Or you can take the easy route out and just ignore him and things can back to how they were in the beginning. You frown, you know you don’t want that. You don’t think you’d be able to handle it if you never speak again, so instead, you get up. 

He’s in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal when you enter. He stops with the spoon halfway to his mouth when he spots you. 

“Hi.” He says and uncomfortably looks around.

“Hi,” you say back, walking into the kitchen. His eyes follow you as you walk, chewing slowly.

“Well, I’m gonna uhm…” He trails off clearly looking for an excuse to leave but you interrupt him.

“Jungkook can we talk.” You ask and he looks at you in surprise. 

“Uhm, sure.” He puts the bowl done. “About what?” He isn’t looking at you. 

You mentally prepare yourself for what you’re about to say. You hate confrontation but you know you need to do this. 

“About what happened when you were drunk.” You start and he looks at you.

“What do you mean?” He sounds confused but you know him well enough now to know when he is faking. “I can’t remember anything from that night.” 

“Are you sure?” You ask, crossing your arms. “Because you say that but you’ve been borderline avoiding me for the past few weeks and I need to know why.” 

“O well..” He rubs the back of his neck.

“I think you remember and I get if you regret almost kissing me, but you could have at least told me.” You continue not giving him time to try and explain himself. “Then I hear you went on a date, and I mean I get it you can do what you want, but you could at least have talked to me and set things straight and said you were just drunk and not just leave me confused as fuck.” You’re getting angry again and he stares at you in surprise. 

“Wait a date?” Is that really all he got from that? You narrow your eyes at him, why is he playing stupid. 

“Who said I went on a date?” He asks confused and you roll your eyes.

“Jimin told me.” You answer him, getting irritated now.

“Fucking Jimin,” he mumbles before looking at you. “Y/n I didn’t go on a date.” 

“What?” You frown in confusion, caught off guard. 

“Yeah, Jimin,” He moves closer so that he’s in front of you. “He must have told you to get you to confront me because he knows how I feel about you.” 

Your mind reels, and you uncross your arms in surprise. “Wait what do you mean how you feel about me?”

He groans. 

“This wasn’t supposed to happen like this.” He says, running his hands through his hair. “I was supposed to come to you like we practiced.” He says without thinking and you frown.

“Practiced?” You’re so confused. 

“I also wasn’t supposed to say that.” He blushes, and sighs. “I practiced with them how to do this but I guess that isn’t going to happen.” He bites his lip. 

“Jungkook what are you talking about.” You don’t understand what is going on. 

He sighs again. 

“Y/n I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you but I didn’t know how to say this, and after you pulled away that night I thought you didn’t feel the same and honestly I was scared of being rejected, I know I was being stupid, I’m sorry if it hurt your feelings.” He steps forward, explaining. 

“I just like you a lot, I mean since I got to know you, you’ve been on my mind the entire time, and I thought being friends would be enough but then I got drunk and came home and you were here, I knew I shouldn’t have tried to kiss you but I just couldn’t stop myself you were right there and I couldn’t muster up the courage to do it sober, and then you pulled away and I felt awful for putting you in that situation and…” He rambles and you cut him off.

“Wow Jungkook, calm down.” You don’t even have time to process what he’s saying. 

“How can I calm down?” He says, his face red from blushing and working himself up. “Fuck Y/n I’ve been wanting to tell you for so long.”

His words finally start to sink in and you can feel yourself getting hopeful but you have to make sure what he’s saying.

“Jungkook are you saying you like me?” You ask stupidly and he steps closer taking your face into his hands.

“God Y/n I like you so fucking much, you drive me crazy.” He breathes out leaning in closer and your heart soars, beating unhealthily fast. “Please tell me if you don’t feel the same because then I will stop right now.”

“Jungkook.” He rips his eyes away from your lips and looks you in the eye. “Kiss me.” 

He doesn’t need to be asked twice. 

Finally, his lips find yours, and your heart and mind go haywire. You’re sure if you were hooked up to a heart monitor it would be going crazy. His lips move against yours and his hands move from your face to your waist pulling you closer. You wind your arms around his neck, and push your hand into his hair, pulling slightly and you smile when you hear the small moan escape his throat. You relish in his soft lips on yours and you melt into his chest. 

Finally, you pull away a few inches. You both breathe heavily, chests bumping into each other as they expand. He smiles joyously, before pecking you softly again. 

“Fuck,” he breathes out, “I’ve been wanting to do that for so long.”

“And I’ve wanted you to do that so long,” you confess and he smiles. 

“Well in that case.” He leans in again and you gladly meet his lips halfway. 

If the first kiss was sweet this one is intense. He moves his hands to the back of your thighs and picks you up. You gasp but wrap your legs around him before attaching your lips again. He carries you to the couch and lays you down on it softly without breaking the kiss. You make out until you feel like your lungs may implode from the lack of air, but even then you don’t pull away, his lips more of a necessity than oxygen. Your head spins, and you push him lightly making him pull away, but he catches your hand on his chest pinning it above your head. 

“I’m not done with you just yet, princess.” His voice is husky and you groan. 

“Holy shit finally.” 

Both of your heads snap to the front door where Jimin and Tae are standing with bags of take-out in their hands.

You both scramble to sit up, Jungkook falling off of the couch in surprise. 

Taehyung gapes at you and Jimin looks at you smugly. 

You blush but the only thing that crosses your muddled brain is where the fuck did they get a key. 

.

.

.

“A sewer?” 

“Wrong”

“A lake?” 

“Nope.” 

“Ugh… just tell me.” You’ve been trying to guess the answer to this ongoing dispute and Jungkook has not given you even one hint. 

“Where’s the fun in me telling you hmm?” He replies, where he is sitting behind you, his legs on either side of you.

You’re both on the couch, the TV casting a glow over the living room as you sit in the dark. It started with you watching a movie but when he finally came home it didn’t take 5 minutes until he pulled you into him, and started playing with your hair. 

Ever since you two kissed and confessed, he’s been finding every excuse possible to have you as close as possible, it’s like he wants to be touching you  at all times. One would think you’d mind but you definitely don’t.

 “There I finished.” He proclaims happily, taking a picture and showing it to you. 

On the screen is a very messy-looking french braid and you grimace in your mind at the untangling that is waiting for you later tonight, or is it later this morning? 

“It looks great hey?” Jungkook asks for reassurance when you haven’t said anything. He looks so proud how can you not smile widely at him. 

“It looks amazing Kookie.” You laugh, turning around fully and kissing him on the cheek.

You’ve both been making an effort to spend as much time together as possible. A very hard feat as he is away most of the day and night and you are studying most of the time. But you finally found the sweet spot just past 3 am. He tries to be home and you set an alarm to wake up in time. 

It was one of the nights when he was late that you were sitting on the couch braiding your hair for lack of something else to do. He came walking in with a limp, he tripped and fell while chasing Jimin, you swear this boy is one of the clumsiest people you have ever met. When he saw you braiding your hair he immediately asked you to teach him. He’s still perfecting it, so he likes to practice as much as possible. 

“I think I should grow my hair out,” He says, pulling on his hair as if it will become longer. “ Then I can braid my own hair.” The strands he was pulling fall into his face and he blows them away unsuccessfully. 

“I think it’ll look cute if you did,” You push the hair out of his face, “ Then you can wear it in a lot of styles.”

“Yeah, I’ll think about it.” He smiles and takes your hand that was playing with his hair, turning it around and starts to pepper kisses on your palm. 

“That tickles.” You try to pull away giggling but he just pulls you closer, until you are finally face level with him. 

He cups your face softly and smiles, leaning in to kiss you. Your lips meet in a sweet soft kiss and you pull away after a few seconds. He follows with his lips and you giggle at him. 

“That’s just mean.” He pouts and you smile, giving him a peck to make up for it. 

Jungkook smiles widely, wrapping his arms around you and hugging you tightly. He sighs in content. 

“I never thought when I met you that I would be lucky enough to be able to do this.” You look at him only to see him smiling softly, as he leans his head on top of yours. 

“ I also never thought you would be lucky enough.” You joke. 

“Is that so huh?” He laughs wrapping his legs around you as he starts to tickle you. His finger dancing over your sides.  

“Never be this lucky huh?” He laughs while you squeal from his tickling fingers, squirming to try and get away. But his legs and arms are locking you in. 

“Okay, okay.” You exclaim trying to breathe through the laughter. He stops his fingers poised to attack again mere centimeters away from your sides.

“ What?” He leans closer so that his ear is right beside your mouth, “ i don’t think I heard you.”

“I said, okay, you were always going to be so lucky.” You lay it on thick and he seems pleased, laughing at you. 

He hums wrapping his arms tightly around you and pulling you into his chest.

“ Of course you wouldn’t be bale to resist my charms.” He kisses the top of your head when you scoff. “But truth is I would never have been able to resist yours.” You can feel his lips stretch into a smile on top of your head and it causes you to smile. 

Your phone vibrates and you frown. Who would be texting you at this time? Jungkook hands you your phone and you check it. 

“Why is she awake?” You mumble, and frown.

“Who?” Jungkook inquiries. Tilting his head to see your screen. 

“My sister,” You turn the phone so he can read the message. “She is inviting me to her first game this weekend.”

“O, that’s nice are you going to go?” Jungkook asks seeing that you haven’t replied to her yet.

“I don’t know,” you groan. “I mean I haven’t seen her in so long and i miss her terribly, but I don’t know, I have class on Friday afternoon and getting there and back again at night is going to be a pain.” You wish you had a car but with everything so close to your apartment you never saw the need, until now. 

“Hmm…” Jungkook hums. “You can think about it tomorrow.” he states and pulls the phone from your hand and tucks your head underneath his chin again. You decide he is right, there is no use in worrying yourself about it now.

You relish in the moment. In the feel of his arms around you, his skin on yours and his cheek pressed on top of your head. You close your eyes and breath in. You smile softly as his scent invades your nose. Jungkook smells just so Jungkook, his laundry detergent mixed with something else you can never place your finger on. All you know is that it smells amazing, and you nuzzle closer into his chest. 

The warmth radiates off of him, keeping you warm and his sweater underneath you cheek is soft. Your eyes are starting to get heavy, the time catching up to you, you peak at the clock. Just past 4 am, you guess it’s okay for you to sleep now. You wiggle until you're comfortable. Jungkook’s chest is rising and falling rhythmically, giving away the fact that he is also sleeping. You lightly close your eyes, ready to wake up cuddling later today. 

That thought is wrenched from your head just like your comfortable pillow, when Jungkook slips off the couch in surprise at his phone’s ringing, breaking the soft silence that occupied the space mere moments ago. You follow Jungkook to the floor, but quickly get up to help him search for his phone, that he finds a minute later holding it above his head triumphantly, before realising he has to answer the still ringing phone. 

His expression changes from sleepy and smiling to cold and serious as he listens to the person talking on the other side. You frown in confusion but he shakes his head getting up from the floor all while talking low and in short sentences that give nothing away about what they are speaking about. 

You know this routine, Jungkook’s work calls him at all hours of the day and night. You tried to convince him that he should quit but he refused, saying that finding a new job now is only going to stress him out. You don’t understand at all but you decided not to push, however the bunch of job ads on your laptop is ready when he is. 

“Sorry baby, I have to leave, apparently someone disappeared while on duty.” He explains pulling on his jacket and racing forward to give you a kiss on the cheek. 

“Okay, be safe.” You call after him. He gives you one last smile and disappears through the door. 

You sit in the quiet apartment for a while, thinking everything over. The past months have really thrown everything around,  but you couldn’t be happier about it. You can’t believe there was a time that you didn’t even speak to Jungkook. 

Everyone always calls him intimidating but you so easily got the sweet side to him you can’t understand what Jimin and Taehyung means when they say Jungkook can be scary and people are afraid of him. Sure you’ve seen him irritated but what they’re describing sounds more like people are really afraid of him.  He always denies it though and argues with them. They usually give up very easily, especially when they are reminded of your presence. You guess he doesn’t want you to think badly of him. 

You don’t think it would be possible to think badly of Jungkook, he is so sweet, so compassionate and so understanding. He goes out of his way to help you study and supports you before tests by always making you coffee. 

You get up, getting the sticky notes you now have an abundance of at all times. You write him a message for when he gets home, you know you’ll probably be asleep when he gets back. 

The notes have morphed from just telling each other when you’re going out to becoming a full conversation tool. Since you both struggle to see each other, missing each other some days completely you started leaving notes as a way of saying good morning, reminding the other of something or just give them a nice message for the day. The warning to not die or to avoid something horrible during the other’s absence is still a necessity. 

You smile and stick the note to his bedroom door. Taehyung has on multiple occasions double checked on both of your phones that you do actually understand the concept of texting. He gagged evey time at what he calls the “sickly sweet” messages between you two. Reminded of that, you do send him a text to be safe, before your get into bed. 

In bed, cozy and warm you finally fall asleep after two true crime videos.

.

.

.

Becky is rambling again. This time about how her parents won’t buy her a new car after she crashed hers. You roll your eyes when she isn’t looking and nod your head when she is. 

“I mean the crash wasn’t even my fault the other car wasn’t suppose to be there. Who parks in designated parking anyway?” She continues, even though you've long been blocking out her words.

You realise she is waiting for a response. 

“Yeah definitely.” you say to please her and she’s off again. 

Your mind wanders to your sister. You had to tell you couldn’t come to her game tonight and the sadness in her voice still hurts you every time you think about it. Maybe you should just go. You can take a taxi, but you already cringe at the amount of money that would be. You could ask your parents but you feel guilty. They are already paying your rent, and your studies prevent you from getting a job, so you can’t contribute to anything. At least you have a scholarship, you guess. 

“O my god.” Becky exclaims and it takes you a moment to realise she’s stopped walking. You frown at her, wondering what made her stop. “He has friends!” She pulls you closer and you frown finally looking up to see what she is looking at. 

Your eyes land on Jungkook, Taehyung and Jimin, who are all stood at the road, leaning against a car. When Jungkook sees you he smiles but the smile drops when he sees who you’re with. He whispers something to his friends who immediately look up from their phones. 

“Come on.” Becky’s nails are digging into your arm as she pulls you forward to the three waiting men. 

“I know you know that one but you have to introduce me to his friends okay?” She hisses into your ear, before throwing her brightest smile at the men. 

You grimace a bit at the thought of introducing them, your worst fear suddenly becoming her dating Taehyung or Jimin. She pulls you along until you’re standing in front of them. 

“Hey ba…” Jungkook can’t even greet you before Becky is chipping in. 

“Hey I’m sure you remember me, we met a few weeks ago.” She smiles at Jungkook. “But I haven’t had the pleasure to meet your friends. Right Y/n?” She squeezes your arm painfully and you wince, smiling awkwardly. 

“Right uhm..this is Jimin and this is Taehyung.” You gesture to the two men hoping she’ll release her hold on you now. You’re not that lucky. 

“Jimin, Taehyung.” She smiles dazzlingly. “ it’s so nice to meet you I’m…” 

“Becky.” Jimin finishes her sentence for her, glaring at her. 

“We know.” Taehyung adds mimicking his friend’s expression. 

Becky tilts her head to the side at their hostility, the smile still on her face as if cemented there. 

“Baby why don’t we get going?” Jungkook asks you, placing his hand on the arm that Becky is still clinging to, forcing her to remove her hands from you. Jungkook pulls you to his side, wrapping an arm around you as soon as you're next to him. 

“Baby?” Becky gasps in surprise. “Wow, are you guys dating?” Becky exclaims, her voice sickly sweet. 

“Yes we are.” Jungkook answers with an eyebrow raised, irritation seeping out of him. 

“You sure do have an interesting taste in girls.” Becky comments and looks you up and down her eyes judging you but as soon as she turns back to the men she’s all smiles again. 

Jungkook must have noticed because his hold on you tightens. 

“We should go on a double date sometime.” She winks at Jimin.

“Yeah you’re definitely not my type,” Jimin responds scoffing walking away from her to get in the car without a second glance. 

Becky gasps, bawling her hands into fists. Her smile is gone and instead her face is screwed up like a toddler’s who is about to throw a tantrum. She gasps for words but in the time it takes her to arrange her thoughts Jungkook is dragging you into the car before driving off. 

“Can you imagine the audacity of her.” Jimin rants.

“And the way she insulted you in front of us.” Taehyung adds. 

“It’s okay guys don’t worry.” You try to calm them down. The whole situation makes you laugh. “Thanks for teaching her a lesson.” You look to the backseat with a smile and both men seem to be placated for now. 

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks, glancing at you before returning his gaze back onto the road. 

You sigh, “yeah I’m okay,” you stroke your arm where she was holding you. “ who knew fake nails could hurt so much.” You chuckle looking at Jungkook only to see his jaw clenching. 

“She hurt you?” He asks and you shrug. 

“Do you want us to kill her?” Taehyung pipes up and you laugh at the suggestion. 

“Thanks but Jungkook already offered.” You laugh and it makes Jungkook smile at the memory. 

“Wait,” you frown suddenly realising you’re in a car driving somewhere. “Where are we going? And whose car is this?” 

“We’re kidnapping you.” Jimin jokes and you frown in confusion. 

“No really where are we going?” You chuckle but they shake their heads. 

“Just trust us okay?” Jungkook says squeezing your thigh, leaving his one hand there while he drives, causing you to blush.

The rest of the drive is filled with you begging them to tell you where you’re going but they never budge. 

When you finally arrive you frown. What are you doing at a school? 

You hesitantly follow the boys’ lead and get out of the car. There are people everywhere, teenagers walking in little groups laughing, adults chasing after smaller children as they run to the food stands. There is excitement in the air you can feel it and it isn’t until a certain pair of faces catch your eye that you realise where you are. How could you not have figured it out sooner. 

Your mom and dad come rushing towards you, smiles plastered onto their faces and you feel your face mimicking theirs immediately. 

“Hi…” You barely get the word out before your dad pulls you into a bearhug. His arms tightening around your body and you let out a squeak signaling that you can’t breath. 

“O sorry honey,” He chuckles and release you, giving your mom the chance to pull you into a less squishy hug. 

“I can’t believe you came,” Your mother grins, brushing some of your hair back into place, “ Lilly is going to be so happy, what changed your mind?” 

You blush. “ It’s less of my doing and more of theirs.” You point to the three boys behind your parents who have been watching the scene with pleased smiles. “Mom, dad,” You walk to Jungkook when your parents turn at your pointing finger, “ This is Jungkook, my… roommate.” You glance at him afraid he’ll be angry at you for not introducing him as your boyfriend or something but he just smiles brightly, his nose scrunching up and you almost melt. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He sticks out his hand for your parents to shake, your dad smile at him shaking his hand and your mom throws you a look. You groan inwardly you already know that look, it’s basically saying “ why didn’t you tell me he is so good looking?”.  You give her a look back trying to prevent her from asking all her questions out loud. 

“Well Jungkook it’s so nice to finally put a face to the name,” your dad says happily 

“And who came with you?” Your mom asks looking past you at Jimin and Taehyung who has now taken a bunch of signs out of the back of the car. 

“O this is my friends,” Jungkook gestures, “ This is Jimin and Taehyung, they wanted to come support Y/n’s little sister with us.” 

“O isn’t that lovely,” Your mom says clutching her heart, clearly moved by the sweetness. 

“Don’t get it wrong Ma’m this was all Jungkook’s idea, we just made the signs.” Jimin smiles and turns the sign in his hand around to show your sister's name in glitter. You look at them in surprise, they probably made all of this last night, and you can feel your chest getting warm from the emotions bubbling up in you. You turn to Jungkook and he awkwardly rubs the back of his neck. 

He leans down to whisper to you while your parents fret over the Jimin and Taehyung’s effort. “They went a bit overboard.” He blushes slightly and you just shake your head. “I love it, thank you.” You want to kiss him but your dad is already there stuffing one of the signs in your hands.

“Come on you two the game is about to start.” Your dad proclaims, nodding to your mom who is  already walking to the bleachers with Jimin and Taehyung in tow. You and Jungkook follow quickly and as soon as you find your seats, the teams come rushing onto the field. 

“Which one is your sister?” Jungkook asks over the screams of the crowd and you point to Lilly.

Her hair is dyed blonde at the moment making her easy to find as the light bounces off it. She turns to the bleachers searching and you wave holding up the sign in your hands. You can see the exact moment she finds you because her eyes light up and a huge grin forms on her face, she follows the signs with her name on it and frown for a second at the three boys holding the others, lifting an eyebrow at you before her teammates drag her into huddle. 

“She looks like you.” Taehyung leans over Jungkook to tell you and you roll your eyes. Everyone says it but you and your sister have never seen the resemblance. Maybe it’s because you’re both so different in personality that it makes you unable to see the physical similarities. 

“Did you play sports in school Y/n?” Jungkook asks. 

At his question your mom dad laughs. “ No, Y/n-bear has always been the studying type.” He ruffles your hair and you groan. “She fell asleep in the library so often the librarian had our number.” Your dad jokes and you cringe. 

“Dad…” You whine and the three boys next to you burst out laughing. 

“Y/n-bear huh.” Jungkook giggles and you cringe and stick out your tongue at him. 

“As if your parents don’t have a embarrassing nickname for you.” You counter but his smile drops for a second, before coming back. 

“We just call him Kookie.” Jimin pipes up causing Jungkook to blush. 

“Or Bambi because when we met him he had these huge eyes.” Taehyung joins in smirking as Jungkook groans, clearly enjoying teasing the younger boy. Jungkook playfully smack him in retaliation and Taehyung is just about to fight back when the whistle blows, signaling the start of the game. 

The game is a stressful one, the two teams keeping the score even. You cheer with every goal you’re sister’s team scores and you have to physically calm your dad down from yelling at the referee when he makes a bad call, only to find the other three men yelling along with him. At some point in the game, Jungkook’s hand finds yours and you intertwine your fingers together. You’re jumping up and down in celebration of another goal when you turn to him smiling wide to find him staring at you. The intense look on his face makes you blush. 

“What ?” You ask a little out of breath but he just shakes his head. 

“ I think I might be in trouble,” He whispers in your ear and you frown in confusion. 

“Why?” You cock your head to the side, staring into his eyes. 

“Because,” he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, “ I can’t help but think every time I see you, how much I love you.” 

The bleachers burst out in an eruption of cheers as the end whistle blows signaling your sister’s win. But all you can hear is Jungkook’s confession ringing in your ears. You’re both staring into each other’s eyes and you’re about to reply when your dad pulls you into a hug, cheering for your sister, and starts to drag you down to the field to go congratulate her in person. You look back to see Jungkook softly smiling at you as Jimin and Taehyung jump onto him for a group hug. 

As soon as your sister sees you she is running to you at full speed, crashing into you and making you stumble back. 

“Did you see I scored the winning goal!” she exclaims and her teammates burst into cheers again around her. 

“I saw Lils I saw.” you lie, it’s not like you’re going to tell her you missed it because you just heard Jungkook say he loves you for the first time. 

“O my god, I can’t believe you’re here, I’m so glad you came.” she gushes, shaking you and jumping up and down. In moments like these she reminds you a lot of a hyperactive puppy. She suddenly stops, looking over your shoulder and you turn to see what she’s looking at. “Who are they?” she asks and you smile when your eyes land on Jungkook and his friends.

“That’s…” 

“Hi, I’m Jimin, wow I’m a huge fan the way you just scored that goal amazing, just amazing!” Jimin interrupts you before you can even introduce him. 

“Right, that was awesome who knew Y/n’s little sister is such a badass.” Taehyung joins Jimin. “Im Taehyung by the way we’re Y/n’s friends.” 

“I didn’t know my sister had such gorgeous friends wow,” Your sister blurts out without a bit of shame. “Did you make the signs? I loved them by the way.” 

They both nod enthusiastically and she hugs them both. Your sister has never been the shy type, she shows how she’s feeling without a care, which is very nice when she’s happy but can be a pain in the ass when she’s mad. Jimin and Taehyung don’t seem to mind though and they happily accept the physical contact. 

“Lilly this is Jungkook.” You finally get her attention back to you. Her eyes widen at the mention of his name.

“So you’re my sister’s roommate?” She asks and when he nods she jumps up an down clapping her hands. “She told me a lot about you, it’s so nice to meet you.”

Jungkook chuckles, glancing at you at the new information. “It’s nice to meet you too, I’d love to hear all about the things your sister has been telling you.” He smirks and she laughs. 

“O yeah, I’ll tell you but come meet my teammates first they’ve all been distracted by the three hot guys on the bleachers.” Jungkook barely has a moment to react before Lilly is dragging him, Tae and Jimin to her friends. You just stand and laugh, ignoring their pleading stares for help as they are bombarded by teenage girls.

“Fancy meeting you here Y/n.” A voice next to you makes you jump and you look to the side, only to find a man who looks strangely familiar. You rack your brain and when you finally figure out how you know him, you freeze. It’s that creepy guy from the elevator. 

“I haven’t seen you around the building, have you been avoiding me?” Damion asks his voice making it sound like he’s hurt but his eyes are as cold as ever. 

“What are you doing here?” You blurt out, confused and you’ll admit a little bit scared.

“O my niece is in the other team, she asked me to come watch her game,” He waves his hand as if to brush off the accusatory tone in your voice. His eyes fall onto the scene behind you, “Is that your sister?” He asks innocently and you only nod. “She looks just like you.” He smiles but it sends a chill down your spine, he leans closer and you cringe back but his hand is holding you in place. “I’d love to meet her one day, “ he whispers.

“Y/n!” Lilly’s voice makes you look towards where she is beckoning you closer, you sigh out in relief to have an excuse to get away from Damion but when you turn to say something he’s gone. 

You shake your head a little to clear it and plaster on a smile. You walk to where Lilly and your parents are standing. 

“Hey you okay?” Jungkook asks when you’re close enough and you just nod. 

“Yeah I’m fine, just a bit cold.” You lie, although the night has turned chilly and without missing a beat Jungkook takes off his jacket and drapes it around you.  

“Y/n are you and the boys going to join us for post game celebrations?” Your mom asks, and you sigh.

“I’m sorry guys but I have a test coming up.” You bite your lip feeling bad. 

“You can miss one night of studying right?” Lilly interjects, “ I still want to hang out with you.” She pouts and it breaks your heart to have to say no. 

“Come now Lilly you know how hard your sister has to study, we don’t want to keep her out too late.” Your dad scolds her but your sister’s face doesn’t change. 

“We’ll come visit again,” Jungkook says trying to soothe her and she looks at him surprised. 

“Yeah and then we can go out to get ice cream or something.” You pipe up gratefully. “I promise.” You hold out your pinky finger and after a second she takes it in her own. 

“Okay, fine but you all have to come again.” She looks to Jimin and Tae too and they smile promising her. 

You all walk back to the together. Lilly who now seems much more satisfied is leading the way talking animatedly to Jungkook and Jimin while Taehyung is taking up your father’s attention , talking about god knows what. 

“He’s a very nice young man.” Your mom says looping her arm through yours while she stares at Jungkook laughing at something Lilly said. 

“Yeah he is.” You agree happy to know your mom likes him. If you were to tell her of your relationship with Jungkook you’re at least sure she’ll approve.

“You two make a good couple.” You look at her in surprise. “Mom…” 

“ O please save it,  do you think I’m blind?” She asks amused and you shake your head on impulse.  “ the way you two look at each other  is enough to make anyone see that you’re absolutely crazy for each other.” 

You blush and she coos, “O my sweet Y/n has her first boyfriend.” She squishes your face in her hands and you shake loose of her hold. “Mom stop it.” you whine but she just giggles. 

“I’m glad you’re happy sweety.” 

“Me too Mom,” you smile, “and I am really happy.” She nods and you say goodbye quickly, the others already waiting at the car. 

You hug your dad and with one last squishy hug from Lilly you get in the car. Although you love your family you can’t wait to get back to the apartment, because you have something very important to do. 

Jimin and Taehyung say goodbye to you in the street because they have to return the car that they apparently borrowed from Hobi, though you don’t know how loosely they used the term borrowed. So it’s just you and Jungkook who goes up to the apartment. 

“Jungkook…” The front door closes behind you. He turns around and you throw yourself into his arms. “Thank you so much for tonight.” You mumble into his chest, holding him tighter. 

You feel his chuckle reverberate through his chest. “ It’s a pleasure, I’m just glad your parents seem to like me,” he pulls away so that he can see your face, “they do like me right?”

You laugh. Is that what he was worrying about tonight? “Are you kidding my mom loves you.” 

Jungkook breathes out dramatically. “O thank god, otherwise we would have to be star-crossed lovers.” He smirks and you roll your eyes, earning a kiss on the forehead from him. 

“I did want to talk to you actually.” You bite your lip, looking away feeling shy all of a sudden. 

Jungkook lifts his eyebrows. “That doesn’t sound good.” He leads you to the couch to sit down, his hands holding yours.

“It’s nothing bad I promise it’s just after what you said on the bleachers well…” 

Jungkook interrupts you. “Y/n it’s okay, you don’t have to say it back if you don’t want to.” 

“No that’s not it I…”

“I didn’t say it for an answer I said it that you know how I feel.” He rambles.

“No Jungkook…” 

He isn’t looking at you but he continues to talk. “I mean I know it’s probably too soon to say it, we haven’t been dating that long but…”

 “Jungkook!” his gaze snap to you in surprise and you smile. “I’m trying to say that I love you too.” You watch in amusement as his face morphs from shocked to blushing and then it lands on something else.

“Say it again.” His eyes are hooded and he is leaning towards you.

“What?” You’re confused, your eyebrows furrowing. 

He raises your hands over your head causing you to fall back onto the couch. He leans over you now, smirking and his stare intense. 

“Say,” he kisses your cheek, “it”, he kisses your jaw, “again.” His lips find your neck and you squirm a bit.

“I love you.” You say breathlessly, he removes his lips from your neck to look at you. 

“Good girl.” Is all he says before his lips captures yours. You can feel yourself melt and butterflies erupt in your stomach at his words. He bites your bottom lip lightly and you moan, causing him to smile. His lips are hot against yours, impatient in its movements as if he can’t get enough of you. 

You tug at his hand that is still holding your wrists and he lets go, only for you to thread them into his hair pulling lightly. He groans and wraps his arms around your back pulling you onto his lap. 

You’ve made out before of course but something was different tonight it’s as if you’re both starving for each other. You tug at his shirt’s hem and he gets the message because he rips it off before pulling you closer again. You place your hand on his chest and gasp at the warmth of his skin underneath your palms. You lightly drag your nails down his chest and he moans into your mouth when it rests at the waistband of his pants.

He pulls away slightly giving you both a moment to breathe. “ Baby wait.” He takes your hand on his pants in his own, holding it against his chest. 

“Why?” You pout and he chuckles. 

“I really want to do this, really want to, but we can’t on the couch.” He explains and your mind immediately goes to the many times Taehyung and Jimin have burst into the apartment and found you both on the couch in compromising positions like this. 

“Fine,” You say and get up from his lap, holding out your hand for him, “Your bed or mine?” 

He smirks and picks you up. You gasp and wrap your legs around his waist as he carries you into his room, making sure to lock the door behind him.

.

.

.

You impatiently tap your fingers on the counter waiting for the coffee machine. You were too lazy to put on any real clothes not seeing the point so you’re dressed in one of Jungkook’s hoodies and socks. A podcast is playing over your headphones and you already have a cup ready in your hand. You’re taking a break from studying but you know you’ll probably finish the coffee in your room  in what is now essentially just your study, seeing as you don’t sleep in there anymore. You smile lightly at the memory of this morning, a relaxed sunny morning filled with soft kisses and cuddles. That is until you finally had to tear yourself away to go to class and Jungkook had to go to work. You got back from class a few hours ago but your boyfriend still hasn’t returned. His note had said he’ll probably be home late, so you’re not worried, but you wish you knew what he was busy with. 

Even after all this time you still didn’t know what exactly his job is. He would always tip-toe around the question claiming that he does a lot of things, odd jobs really, but you feel like he isn’t telling you the full truth. You don’t see a reason to confront him about it though, because what job could possibly be a bad one right?

You’re so lost in thought you don’t even feel the presence behind you until arms wrap around you. 

You scream, hurling around only to find a giggling Jungkook behind you. 

Jungkook takes out the headphones in your ears. “ You should be careful, I could have been a murderer.” He jokes.

You roll your eyes. “I knew you were there the entire time.” Which of course is a lie, you had no idea that someone was in the apartment. 

“Yeah?” You nod profusely.

 Jungkook pulls you closer. “Then why did you scream?” He smirks knowing that you’re lying. 

You open your mouth to reply but you can’t really think of anything to say so you close it again to his amusement. 

“Yeah I thought so.” He smiles at you. You stare at his smile. It always makes you smile too, the way his whole face lights up and you’re sure you can stare at him forever when he looks at you the way he is now.

“That doesn’t matter anyway,” you pull him closer, “because now that you’re home, we can spend the rest of the night together.” 

He raises his eyebrows, “Yeah? what did you have in mind hmm?” He is smirking again, backing you up until your back meets the counter, caging you in. His eyes are hooded, gone is the bunny smiling man and instead he looks like a predator, waiting for you to make the first move.

You smirk, and pull him closer until your lips meet. You kiss him sweetly but after a moment you rack your fingers into his hair pulling him even closer and deepening the kiss. He moans lightly into your mouth and you smirk pulling away. 

“Maybe we should watch a movie?” You say innocently trying to escape his hold but he doesn’t relent.

“O no you’re not getting away that easily. I come home and you’re only in my hoodie,” He tugs at the fabric lightly. “I’m definitely not watching a movie with you like this.” 

You shrug. “ Fine by me.” You giggle, leaning in for another kiss but he suddenly grimaces in pain. 

“Jungkook?” You question as he grips onto his leg. 

“Just give me a moment okay?” He says, his eyes a bit panicked, you nod and he backs away. You catch sight of his hand when it leaves his black covered leg and you’ve been patching him up so much you can easily see the red liquid that coats it. 

Your eyes go wide. “Jungkook is that blood?” You move closer to him but he moves back. 

“It’s fine, don’t worry.” He replies, but you’re not so easily convinced. 

“Let me see.” You command but he shakes his head. “Jungkook let me see.” You use your doctor voice and he sighs. 

“We better go to the bathroom then.” He looks worried which makes you worry, but you help him to the bathroom where he sits down on the closed toilet. You kneel in front of him.

Now that you’re closer you can see the wet stain that is growing by the second. And you gasp when he removes his pants and you get a good look at the wound. The skin is peeled away on his thigh leaving a long deep gash and a bunch of bruising around it. It isn’t something you’ve seen before in person.

“Jungkook what happened?” You sound a bit hysteric even to your own ears. 

Jungkook curses when he sees it. “I thought he missed.” He mumbles.

“Missed what?” You ask stupidly, staring up at Jungkook. 

“I got mugged again.” He tries to explain but you see the way he looks away not meeting your eyes. 

“Okay either you’re the most unlucky person ever that gets mugged a lot or you’re lying to me.” You know it’s the latter. Unlike the first time that he came home bleeding you now know him well enough to know when he is lying. 

“Y/n…” He pleads for you to not press but you’ve had enough. 

“Jungkook, I’ve been quiet every time you come home injured, I patch you up and let it go but this looks like a bullet grazed you.” There is no other injury you can think of that will look like this. You look at him waiting for him to deny it but he just sighs. 

“Y/n can’t you just patch me up and forget about it?” He sounds angry but you can see that it’s just clouding panic. 

“No, tell me what happened.” You demand. “I’m your girlfriend don’t you think I’m at least entitled to the truth?” 

He shakes his head. “You shouldn’t know the truth.” He says it through clenched teeth and you frown. 

“You really don’t think I deserve to know the truth?” You raise your voice, getting angry now. Why can’t he just tell you? 

“That’s not what I’m saying, it’s just better that you don’t know the truth.” He is getting angry now too. 

“That makes no sense, did this happen because of your job?” You can’t think of another explanation as to why he keeps getting hurt like this. 

He glares at you and for the first time ever you see his scary gaze directed at you. “That has nothing to do with you.” He growls and you flinch. He looks like he regrets it immediately but you don’t look at him. Instead you start disinfecting the wound. 

You don’t react when he tries to get your attention throughout the process, you just wrap up his injury and when you’re done you stand up without a word. 

Jungkook grabs your wrist and you stare at him. “ Wait, I’m sorry. Can we just talk about this?” 

“I don’t want to hear anymore lies Jungkook.” You retort but he doesn’t let you go. 

He gulps and bites his lip, clearly struggling. “If I tell you what happen you’ll run away from me.” He says it with such certainty that you hesitate for a second. He sounds so sad. 

“You won’t know that unless you tell me, besides you should know me better than to think I’d just leave you because you told me the truth,” you try to wrench your hand away from him, but he stands up winching a bit. 

“Okay, I’ll tell you but all I’m asking is that you remember what you just said.” You nod, now a bit scared because Jungkook looks so anxious. 

You wait for him on the couch while he changes into some pants. He comes out without a shirt on and you frown at all the bruises on his torso. There are some cuts too but they’re not very deep. Once again you see the white scars, you noticed that first time.

Jungkook stands sheepishly at the entrance to the hallway as if unsure whether to sit or run away. 

“Do you want coffee?” He asks hesitantly.

“ Jungkook stop stalling please,” You sigh, “Just come sit down.” You just want to know what is happening.

He sighs and walks slowly to sit on the couch, keeping the distance between you two, which you’re thankful for.

You sit in silence waiting for Jungkook to say something but he sits hunched over scratching at his cuticles and avoids looking at you. 

“Jungkook the longer you take the more my head is jumping to conclusions,” You break the silence trying to spur him on to speak.

“Yeah?” He still doesn't look at you. “Like what?” 

You stare at him. “I don’t know,” You throw up your hands, “ like that you’re a serial killer or something.” 

Jungkook chuckles humorlessly. “I’m not a serial killer Y/n.” 

“Then what can be so bad?” You question, leaning in closer to him, not seeing a way that something can be worse. 

Jungkook takes a deep breath in. “I’m in the mafia Y/n.” He glances at you waiting for your reaction. 

To his surprise you laugh. “Okay, sure Kook you’re in the mafia.” You watch him, waiting for him to laugh too and give up the joke but he just stares at you seriously. 

“O my god,” It takes a minute to sink in, “ that's how you know how to hide a body isn’t it?.” 

“ Well I don’t actually do the hiding bit.” He chuckles again still glancing at you nervously picking at his fingers. 

You just stare at him. Everything feels cold all of a sudden. “Then what bit do you do?”

But you don’t give him a chance to respond something dawning on you. “O my god, you’ve killed people before haven’t you?” 

Jungkook just looks away, his reaction all answer you need. 

You pull your legs further away from him, into your chest, moving as far away from him on the couch as possible.

 Jungkook, your Jungkook is in the mafia, is a murderer. You can’t wrap your head around how the sweet, bunny-smiling man you love is capable of any of that. The man who showers you with kisses in the morning to wake you up. The man that makes you pancakes and coffee before a test, that braids your hair after you shower.  You don’t know what to think or do. Should you run? Should you call the police? You just don’t know. All you do know is that you suddenly feel the need to be as far away from him as possible. For the first time ever you feel scared being in his presence. 

“Please don’t run away,” he asks you, his hand twitching as if to hold onto you but he retracts it, “Remember you promised.”

“Yeah I promised because I thought you were going to tell me you're a stripper or something, not that you're in the mafia.” You sound a bit hysterical, unsure of what to think or do, your head running a thousand miles an hour. 

Finally you decide. You stand up from the couch, and you can see the hurt written all over his face. 

You sigh. “I’m not running away, I just… I need a moment to think okay?” 

He just nods. “Do you want me to leave?” 

You shake your head  “No, I don’t know, maybe? I just don’t know anything right now okay.”  

You turn on your heels and walk to your room, leaving him on the couch. 

You close the door to your room and you sink to the floor. You have to process what you just heard. You finally found out the truth and now you wonder if your should have just been kept in the dark. Maybe it would have been easier. No, you decide it’s better that you know.

In some ways you feel stupid. All the late nights calls, him coming home with various injuries and vague explanations. Even the tip-toeing around what his actual job is. You feel like a fool for not at least expecting it to be a possibility. But how could you have it feels so unreal and yet it is the reality, no changing that.

 You just have to decide what to do now, so you go sit down at your desk, throwing all your notes on the floor and pulling out a clean piece of paper. You draw a line down the middle. A pros and cons list. 

You laugh humorlessly at yourself. You used to do this when you had to decide whether to join the debate team or decathlon team, not whether you should stay with your mafia boyfriend or not. Is he even your boyfriend anymore? Do you want him to be? 

You sit with the pen tip pushed on the page but you can’t write. Of course the cons are obvious. You stay with him and know that he is doing illegal things every day. You stay with him knowing you could be putting yourself in danger as well. But you can’t come to a conclusion even though the cons outweigh the pros. The only pro is that you love him.

You’re a logical person, you always have been, so it should be easy when you look at the list, but you just can’t get the sad look on his face out of your head. The way he didn’t want to tell you because he was so sure you would leave him. 

It’s happened before you realise. He wasn’t keeping this from you just because he didn’t want to tell you but because he didn’t want you to leave. You think of all the things he’s done for you, walking you home after class because it was getting dark. Taking you to see your sister’s game just because he knew you were sad to miss it. Taking care of you while you were sick. That man wasn’t someone malicious. So who is the real Jungkook then?  

You start to look at it differently. From a different angle the way your dad always told you to do when you were struggling with something. You don’t know the full story, you don’t know how he got sucked into this life. 

Finally you get up. If you’re going to make a decision you need to know everything. 

.

.

.

You knock on his door a few hours later. You can hear shuffling inside and finally it opens. Jungkook’s hair is disheveled as if he’s been tugging at it and his eyes are red like he’s been crying. Behind him you can see bags half packed. 

“What are you doing?” You ask, suddenly panicking that he is packing.

“You said you needed space so I thought I’d make everything easier for you and leave.” He says sniveling a little bit. 

“Jungkook I didn’t mean you have to move out I just needed some time that’s all.” Even now you have the urge to hug him to make him feel better. 

“Does that mean you want me to stay?” He asks hopefully. 

“It means I want to know everything.” He frowns in confusion. “I want to know what happened how this all happened.” 

He nods and step aside inviting you in. “Well then you better sit down it’s kind of a long story.” 

You enter his room, that just a few hours ago was the room you shared with him. How ironic that just his morning you were tangled up in his bed with him and now you’re sitting on it waiting to hear him tell you how he got into the mafia. 

He sits down next to you, still keeping space between you two as if too scared to sit near you. 

He sighs and racks his fingers through his hair. “I haven't told anybody this, the only people who knows are my Hyungs.” 

You frown. “ Wait so Jimin and Taehyung are also in this?” You can’t believe it. But he holds up his hand, stopping you from asking anymore questions, and even though your head is full of them, you keep quiet.

“I’ll get to that part but I guess I have to start at the beginning.” He sighs before looking at you. 

“My childhood wasn’t like yours, there were no picnics and movie nights or family dinners. My dad wasn’t a good person. He would beat me up daily. I remember him locking me in a closet because I was afraid of the dark when I was 5, saying that it will teach me a lesson.” You gasp not even being able to imagine what that must have been like. 

“He would punish me for the most basic things, and as I got older it only got worse.” He grimaces at the memories. 

“My mom on the other hand was the best. She tried to intervene even if it meant getting hurt herself. She would sneak me food when my dad refused to give me any, and every year on my birthday she would make me a small cake, just enough for me and her.”

 He smiles softly. “ She tried her best, always telling me stories of how we’ll escape and get a house near a river with wildflowers, and how she would bake me cookies and I can catch fireflies in the summer.” He sighs. “Of course that couldn’t happen, my dad kept her locked in the house and she had no money of her own but yet she tried so hard to find a way out.” He swallows hard. “ One night she came into my room and told me to pack a bag, that we were finally escaping.” His voice is almost a whisper at this point “We were so close, almost out through the small window in the basement when he caught us.” His voice breaks and you can’t help but put a hand over his. You asked for the whole story but now you wish you hadn’t, just so that he didn’t have to relive the memories. 

“He killed her.” He looks at you with teary eyes. “Right in front of me.” 

“O Jungkook.” But he just shakes his head wiping away the tears. 

“So it was just me and my dad and well you’ve seen the scars.” You immediately understand where those white scars you were wondering about came from and you have to stop yourself from hugging him. 

“I’m not telling you this to try and manipulate you into letting me stay, I just want to give you background information.” He says softly and you can't imagine why he would even think that you were considering him trusting you with this as manipulation. 

“So anyway,” he continues. “ My dad at some point got involved with some pretty bad people and one night they burst into the house, demanding him to pay what he owed them but of course he couldn't. He gambled it all away.” He takes a breath. “So they shot him. They didn’t know I was in the house so I climbed through a window to get away,” 

He chuckles lightly looking at you and it surprises you. “Let me tell you running away with a broken ankle isn’t easy.” You don’t know what to say startled by the way he laughs at this, so you just wait for him to continue, which he does. 

“ I lived on the street for a while, trying to get scraps from dumpsters behind restaurants you know that kind of thing.” He looks to you as if you know what he means but you don't. You’ve never had to live like that before and knowing that it was what he was used to for who knows how long makes your heart break. 

“That’s where Namjoon-hyung found me, I was 10 at the time, some guys were beating me up because I had wandered into their territory. He and the others intervened and after that he took me in.” He looks at you again. “I didn’t know what they were doing in the beginning, I was so skittish barely anyone could get near me, but eventually Jimin got through to me and  slowly I learned to trust them all. When I was 13, Namjoon-hyung  told me what they did. I was disgusted at first, but they had become my family. A real family, so how could I ever leave them.” 

“Did they force you into it then?” You ask when he pauses.

But Jungkook shakes his head. “No, they never forced me to do anything, but I wanted to train with them and one night I asked Jimin if I could tag along on a mission.” He looks to the side as if imagining it. 

“The mission was routine, just getting a shipment nothing serious, but on the way back we came across a man trying to pull a girl into an alley.” His face goes hard. “Jimin made everyone stop and we saved her. He told me after that we have a code.” He looks at you. “ We protect the people in our territory, that we may live in a world full of violence but we don’t have to let innocent people live in it too.” 

You nod your head trying to understand what he means and you think you do. 

He risks taking your hands into his. “Y/n I may be a bad person and I have done bad things but you have to know that I never acted with you, everything I did or said it was real, is real. Hell, I wasn’t even supposed to be living here anymore.” 

You frown. “What do you mean?” 

“When I came to live with you I just needed a place to hide for a few weeks, but this place became like a sanctuary to me away from all the violence, where I can just be myself, and after a while, I realised it wasn’t just the apartment it was you too.” He takes a deep breath and his eyes fill with tears. 

“I understand if you want me to leave and never want anything to do with me again, I can’t ask you to still love me but I can only make sure that you know that I truly love you.” He waits for you to speak and you know he is waiting for you to kick him out. 

“Jungkook, a rational person would kick you out right now,” A tear makes it way down his cheek, “Luckily I have never been a rationale person.” You pull him into a hug. 

“If we met differently yes maybe I would be running for the hills but Jungkook,” You pull away a bit, wiping the tears from his face, “I love you for the person you showed me you are and I believe that, that is the real you, and that the only thing you ever wanted was a family, and now that you found one you will fight for them no matter what.” 

Jungkook pushes his face into your neck and let’s out a sob. You place your hand on his back rubbing circles on it trying to soothe him as he lets it all out. You sit like that for what feels like hours, hugging and him just nuzzling into your neck even after he stopped crying.

“So I’m basically a mafia doctor then?” You joke trying to lighten the mood.  

He chuckles. “Yeah, everyone is jealous that I can just get patched up by you without doing it myself.” 

You frown. “Do you guys just, what ,patch yourselves up?” 

“We’ve learned how to do the basics so we help each other.” He sighs and plays with your fingers. “I was suppose to go to headquarters that night you helped me for the first time but I guess my brain just wanted safety.” 

You sigh. “ Well I mean I could help the others too if they want me…”

“No.” Jungkook interrupts you, and you look taken aback. “Not because I want to keep you to myself but I don’t want you anywhere near that part of my life, it’s too dangerous, that’s why I didn’t want to tell you in the first place even if some of the others said I should.” 

You frown. “ Who said you should?”

“Jimin and Hobi hyung.” He mumbles looking away.

“Not Tae?” You raise an eyebrow at the information.

Jungkook shakes his head. “No, he said it would be too unsafe, Jimin didn’t want to keep you in the dark and Hobi said you deserved to know the truth.”

You look down at your intertwined hands as a thought dawns on you. “Are you going to get in trouble for telling me?” 

Jungkook shakes his head . “No, the others were more indifferent than against it, so I should be fine.” He smiles lightly at you, placing his finger underneath your chin making you look at him. 

“I’m glad you didn’t run away, I don’t know how I would have broken it to the other two. They like you too much.” He jokes.

“Well I mean I guess I knew too much anyway so you would have had to drag me back.” You play along as he leans in closer.

“Yeah probably would have had to tie you up too.” He smiles and you roll your eyes.

The moment is broken however by Jungkook’s phone ringing. He looks at you solemnly as he answers. For the first time, your heart skips a beat when you see him seriously listening to what is said on the other side, now knowing what is happening. 

“You have to go?” You guess and he nods sadly. 

“I’m sorry, but it’s just a meeting okay no danger.” He tries to ease your worried look. You just nod and walk him to the front door. 

But before he leaves you pull him into a tight hug. “Just promise to come home okay?” You almost feel like crying, is this how women feel sending their husbands off to war? 

He pulls away and leans down so that you’re at eye level. “I may come home hurt,” He smiles lightly, “ but I will always come home, I promise.”  He kisses your forehead before leaving. His words not reassuring you at all. 

.

.

.

“Why can’t you guys just tell me?” You plead with Jimin and Tae who are sprawled out on the couch, barely glancing at you standing in front of them with crossed arms. 

“Because Jungkook told us not to.” Jimin says lazily, not looking up from his phone. 

You’ve been trying to get them to tell you the best way to hide a body for the past 15 minutes. The joke with Jungkook turning into a real competition after you found out he actually does know the right answer. 

It’s been a few weeks since he confessed to you he’s in the mafia and you’ve gotten used to the idea now. You still worry about him but you’re more relaxed when he lets things slip about his other life. He still looks at you anxiously whenever he does slip up as if you are going to change your mind and run away at any moment, but you never do. You have to say after he told you a lot of things fell into place that you never really gave too much thought to, like the way he would smirk or smile at remarks you would make from time to time. Everything finally at least makes sense now.

Jimin and Taehyung acted like polar opposites to the news that you know the truth. Jimin seemed relieved before he started almost spilling everything about what they do before Jungkook had to drag him away by the back of the neck to make it very clear to him that he doesn’t want you to know any details about it. 

Taehyung on the other hand seemed angry and didn’t talk to you at first, glaring at Jimin whenever he would make a joke about their real lives. After a particular joke about who is best with a sniper, he stood up and dragged you to the hallway.

“Taehyung I know you’re angry that I know but…” You were cut off by his arms wrapping around you. 

“I’m not angry, I just didn’t want anything to change.” He admitted still hugging you. “I didn’t want to lose you as a friend.”

You pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. “Tae, I already made my choice, I’m not going to run away from you guys.” 

After that, he warmed up again, happy to know his fears weren’t going to become a reality. 

You did however have a small falling out with them when you learned how they kept getting into your apartment. 

You had found them playing video games when you got back from class one day and knowing that Jungkook wasn’t home at all that day you had stepped in front of them making them pause their game and demanded to know how they got in.

Jimin had blushed profusely as Tae admitted embarrassed that they have been picking the lock. You had blown up at that, scolding them about privacy and personal space and yes, how illegal it is. 

They had stared up at you like two naughty children the whole time. They tried to kiss-ass the entire day after that but you ignored them, and the chocolate and coffee they brought to you as an apology.

It wasn’t until later when Jungkook asked you what was wrong and you told him everything that he made you understand. To them, like Jungkook, the apartment is a place they don’t have to even think about their lives. In the mansion where they all live, apart from Jungkook, they always have to be reminded in some way or the other of the reality of their lives, but here they could just truly and fully relax. 

You felt bad so to make up for it you had something made for them. 

“A key?” Tae had asked confused holding it up and turning it around. 

“Yes a key,” You had sassed, “I’m sure you’re not very familiar with the concept but now you don’t have to pick my locks every time you want to hang out here.” You had explained and were immediately pulled into a group hug, sandwiched between the two of them.

Of course, you had laid down some ground rules eventually like texting you before coming over so that they didn’t catch you in your underwear… again. But for the most part, they came and went as they pleased, happy to be trusted by you. 

Which brings you back to the present, of them completely ignoring your wishes. 

“I thought we were friends.” You pout making them at least look at you. 

“No, don’t give us that face,” Taehyung physically puts his hand over his eyes. “We can’t tell you, we promised.” 

“But what’s a promise really Taetae?” You know you’re playing dirty but you’re willing to if it means you can best Jungkook in your little game. 

“Y/n what are you doing?” Jungkook’s voice comes from the front door, you didn’t even notice that it had opened. 

“Kookie she is trying to get us to tell her how to hide a body.” Jimin spills the beans immediately and you glare at him earning only a smirk in return. 

Jungkook gasps and walks to you. “Y/n that is cheating.” 

You sigh dramatically. “You never said that I couldn’t get any help.” 

“It is an obvious rule, besides they won’t tell you.” He glances at his friends lifting an eyebrow at them “Right guys?”  

They both just nod, their attention back to their phones. 

“Ughh that’s just unfair,” You whine and stomp your foot but smile none the less when Jungkook pulls you into his chest.

“No, that's the game and you should play fair.” he chuckles kissing the pout off your face. 

“Ewww guys.” Jimin complains, at the show of affection. 

“Hey, you're in my house.” You glare at him, kicking a pillow laying on the floor at him. 

He just shrugs, “fair point.” 

“That being said Y/n,” Taehyung pipes up, “What are we gonna eat?” He smiles a boxy smile at you. 

You turn to him, Jungkook hugging you from behind tucking his chin in the crook of your neck. 

“What am I your mother? Damn” You question rolling your eyes, “You can make your own food.”

“Baby we haven’t gone grocery shopping.” Jungkook whispers in your ear and you cringe as the other two laugh. 

“Well, then you can order your own takeout.” You say instead, earning more laughter. 

“Or better yet you can go get takeout for all of us.” Jungkook adds.

Jimin and Taehyung groan but gets up from the couch nonetheless. Grumbling about stupid friends, and third-wheeling they head out the door. 

“We’ll be back in like 20 minutes so just keep that in mind.” Jimin yells as Taehyung pulls him out the door. 

“20 minutes huh?” Jungkook whispers into your neck, “ we can do a lot in 20 minutes.” He lightly kisses your neck and you moan softly. 

“Are you trying to seduce me?” You giggle and you feel him smile against your skin. 

“That depends are you seducable?” He asks.

“No,” You lie,  stepping out of his hold, his arms still in the shape they were when you were in them. He looks shocked. “You’re just trying to get out of doing the dishes by using your …” You wave your hands randomly trying to come up with the right word, “charms.” 

“My charms?” He questions stepping forward holding you by your hips. “Well then do I charm you a lot?” He leans down to kiss you. 

“Yes, but not tonight,” You lean back away from his lips even though they are hard to resist. “I have no coffee cups left.”

He laughs loudly throwing his head back. “Okay, okay,” he relents and lets you go, moving past you but not before whispering in your ear. “But I’m having you all to myself tonight.” 

You feel a tingle travel down your spine and for a moment you regret your decision to make him do the dishes now, that is until you see the pile stacked in the sink and agree that you can wait until later tonight even if you have to kick Tae and Jimin out to be alone with him. 

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.

You wake up in Jungkook’s arms. His bare chest pressed against your back, his leg hooked over your hip. You smile softly as you feel his breath breeze over your neck, your gaze travelling from his arm that you’re using as a pillow to his hand. You place yours in his, playing with his fingers and running your fingertips over the callouses on his palm. 

You giggle as you're pulled closer into him by his other arm his lips now right by your ear. 

“What are you doing pretty girl?” He asks in his husky morning voice and you melt at the sound of it. You’re sure if you could you’d record it and put it as your ringtone. You’re also quite sure he wouldn’t mind. 

“I’m just thinking.” You reply, intertwining your fingers with his. 

“O yeah?” He asks, moving his lips down to your neck, not kissing just resting his lips against the skin. “What about?” 

You smile wide and turn around in his hold to face him. His eyes are hidden a bit by his hair falling into his face. He wraps both of his arms around you at the change in position. 

“I was thinking about how happy I am.” You tell him pushing his hair out of his face and revealing his relaxed eyes, the deep brown of them sparkling in the morning light. 

He smiles widely at your answer, “ And what makes you so happy?” He asks scrunching his nose.

You place your finger to your chin to show you’re thinking.  “Probably the thought of coffee.” You chuckle and he groans burrowing his face into the crook of your neck, knowing that this means he’ll have to let go of you. 

“No,” He tightens his grip on you. “I refuse, I think you should just stay right here.” His words whisper over your skin and feel goosebumps popping up in their wake. 

You pout. “That’s a bit selfish don’t you think?” You ask, pulling back so he has to look at you. 

He shrugs. “Then I’m selfish.” He says before nuzzling back into your neck. 

“Being selfish isn’t a good thing Kookie.” You giggle at him, running your fingers lovingly through his hair.

“I’m in the mafia I’m not supposed to be nice.” He mumbles into your neck and you laugh.

“But you’re suppose to be nice to me, because you love me.” You sing-song, making him laugh. His laugh reverberates through his chest and you can feel it vibrating against yours. 

“You’ve got me there.” He admits, and sighs. But he doesn’t release you like you thought he would. He grips you tighter and sits up with you still in his hold. 

“What are you doing?” You ask in surprise, before you let out a squeal as he stands up making you wrap your legs around him. 

“I’m getting you coffee in a selfish way.” He smiles down at you and moves you up higher by holding you by the back of your thighs. 

“You are such an idiot.” You laugh as he walks to the kitchen and without putting you down he turns on the brand new coffeemaker he got you. 

“Yeah but you love me anyway.” He replies, walking over to the cupboard and waits for you to pick out a cup. He smiles at your choice. It’s one of those cups that has a printed photo on it. The photo is of you two when you went to the arcade, in it Jungkook is pouting while you hug a huge plushie he won for you instead of him.  Jimin had taken the photo laughing his ass off at Jungkook’s expression. You had it printed on the mug as an accessory to the new coffeemaker much to Jungkook’s amusement. 

He finally puts you down on the counter as the coffeemaker pours the coffee into your mug. He stands in between your legs playing with his shirt that you’re wearing. 

“What’s the plans for today?” He asks you.

You tilt your head a bit. “ Well I have class,” You see his expression drop, “but, I think I’ll skip today.” You finish chuckling as his face lights up. 

“Really?” He asks grinning widely.

“Yeah,” You nod, “I think I like how this morning is going too much to tear myself away from it.” You shrug as you admit it.

He smirks and leans in. “I think I’m a bad influence on you.” 

“O you don’t have to think, you’re definitely a bad influence.” You laugh before meeting his lips half-way and pulling him closer with your legs to kiss him properly. His lips are soft against yours and you relish in the feeling of this domestic moment. Something you two don’t get to do enough. 

You pull away. “But I do have plans.” You tell him.

“And what are these plans hm?” He smiles softly, tilting his head to the side in curiosity. 

You smirk. “I’m going to kidnap you for the day.” 

He holds up his hands as if your going to put handcuffs on him, pressing his wrists together. “Then I’m your prisoner for the day.” You both laugh happily. 

You weren’t lying though you do have a surprise for him today so your excited to get going after your cuddle session on the couch while you drink your coffee. 

“I didn’t think you meant we would have to go outside.” Jungkook whines as you drag him into the shower. 

“You’re going to like it I promise,” you say while you wash his hair. 

“If I don’t then you have to make dinner tonight,” he bargains and you only shake your head laughing.

You're both finally ready, after getting side tracked many times with kisses and hugs as you got dressed. 

You hold hands as you walk down to the bus stop, making puns out of the different signs you see as you walk past. You finally get on the bus and you make up stories for the other people on it. 

“I promise he is going to dispose of a body look at the size of that bag.” You whisper, gesturing to the man in front who has a bag so big it takes up a whole seat next to him. 

Jungkook laughs and shakes his head. “ The girl behind him probably helped him kill the person.” He gestures to the person sitting behind the man.

You snort, “You mean the old woman who has a basket filled with flowers?” 

“Hey, you should have seen the look she gave me when we got on.” He justifies himself, staring at you while you laugh. 

“Why are you staring at me?” You ask, your laugh now only a chuckle.

“How can I not,” He wraps his arm around you and pulls you into him. “You’re just so god damn beautiful.” 

You blush and turn your face away from him , but he already saw your blush and when you glance at him he smiles at you satisfied at making you blush. 

You finally arrive at your stop and you pull Jungkook along down the street to your destination. 

He gasps when he sees where you brought him. 

You turn back to him smiling. “See I knew you’d love it.” You gloat.

The park is situated right by a river and the wildflowers are blooming in patches swaying softly in the breeze. The big trees cast shade over the green lush grass. You had remembered how he described what his mom told him so you had Google searched for hours to find the right place to bring him to.

You walk to a big tree close to the river and then demand the bag he has been carrying. You pull out a blanket and spread it onto the grass while Jungkook discovers the snacks you packed.  

You spend the day laying on the blanket, eating the snacks and ice cream from a stall nearby. You try to find shapes in the clouds, and every now and again have to tilt the other’s head to make them see it the way you are. 

“That is definitely not a rabbit Kook, that is obviously a duck.” You giggle from your spot on his lap as he keeps on insisting the cloud is a bunny. 

“Just tilt your head more to the left and close your eyes and then it is definitely a bunny.” Jungkook says and you laugh hard. 

You get an idea. “Here let me show you something.” You get up holding out your hand for him to take, he smiles and takes it happily. 

You pull him over to the patch of wildflowers closest to you, and bend down starting to pick some. “What are you doing?” He asks but follows your example all the same. 

“Just wait.” You say as you bring the bouquets back to your blanket. You sit down and pick out a few from different colours and start weaving them together. Jungkook just sits and watches you and when you finally hold up the finished flower crown he grins. 

“Here,” you lean over placing it onto his head. “Now you’re my prince.” You laugh and he giggles when you take a photo of him.

You spend a few minutes showing him how to make one of his own and soon you’re sporting his creation too. You grin into the camera as he takes photo after photo of you. It turns into a mini photoshoot as he smiles and directs you how to pose. 

Finally you sit leaning your head on his chest as you watch the sunset over the river. 

“Y/n?” He says softly and you hum letting him know that you’re listening. “Thank you.” 

His voice makes you remove your head from his shoulder looking at him. “It’s a pleasure Kook.” 

He shakes his head bringing his hand up to cup your cheek. “No, not just for today for everything,” he lightly kisses your forehead leaving his lips against your skin as he whispers, “I love you so much.” 

You grin at him. “I love you too. ”You whisper back. You sit like that for a moment until you hear him gasp.

You open your eyes and see the green flickers rising up from the ground. 

“Fireflies.” Jungkook whispers and you smile softly at him. 

You watch his eyes light up as they follow the little bugs. He turns to you with slighty glossy eyes. “You remembered?” He asks softly.

“I thought since she couldn’t take you some place like this I thought I would.” You say placing your hand over his. 

He stays quiet and for a second looking out at the river as the fireflies light op the night and you start to wonder if you overstepped. But then he looks at you with a huge smile. 

“She would have loved you.” He says a small tear escaping his eye and running down his cheek. You wipe it away with your thumb. You smile sadly at him, and he wraps his arm around you pulling you close to him as you both watch the little flickers dance across the water. The scent of the wildflowers entangling itself in the moment. 

You sit like that speaking softly, as if you were to speak normally it would break the moment, until it starts getting cold. So you pack up and with Jungkook’s jacket over your shoulders you make your way back onto the bus. 

The drive back is peaceful as you watch the scenery pass by the windows. He holds you close to him the entire time, talking about plans to go back to the park in a few weeks.

When you finally cross the threshold of your apartment, he pulls you into a soft hug and drag you to the couch for a movie. The movie plays softly while you two talk, talks about plans for the holidays that he wants to spend with your family, and if you’d like to meet his hyungs and spend new year with them. You talk about the future together like you never had before, long past the end of this year or even the years after that.

You lay with your head on his chest as you listen to his voice, and when you close your eyes you can see your whole life with Jungkook. Walking to him down an isle in a white dress, sitting and drinking coffee at little shops up and down the coast, travelling to different countries with him, and one day looking over a river on a porch somewhere with him by your side, grey haired and wrinkled faced. The thoughts of his job or the implications it may have on your future pushed away by the softness of the moment.

You smile as the last things you hear before you fall asleep is his whispered words. “I can see my  forever in your eyes Y/n.”

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.

.

You know you shouldn’t be walking home in the dark, but you didn’t want to trouble Jungkook. He’s on an important mission with Jimin and Yoongi apparently. The details you of course know nothing about, he never tells you anything of what they are doing. On some level, you guess it you’re glad you don’t have to hear it but on another, it makes you anxious to not know what is happening, and if he is in danger. 

You scoff, of course, he’s in danger. Every time he leaves for missions or meetings he’s in danger and it makes you lay awake unable to sleep until you feel him crawl into bed next to you. Only then when he pulls you closer can you finally fall asleep. 

Your phone vibrates and you pull it out of your pocket to check. You smile softly at your lockscreen the picture of him with his flower crown from that day at the park. You look at the text, it’s your mother reminding you of the games night tomorrow that you and Jungkook said you’ll attend. He confessed to you that he loves spending time with your family and although he doesn’t say it and you’ll never ask if it’s true, you know it’s because he never really had a family dynamic like yours.

 So even if Lilly goes overboard and bombards him with questions and your mother fusses over  him and makes him eat all the experimental food she made, or your father having long boring talks with him, he always smiles and when you look closely you see a sadness in his eyes when you have to leave. 

He’s told you multiple times that the members are his family and that they can all be themselves at home, and you believe him fully. You just think that he finds some normality in spending time with your family that he can’t always find with them. 

You reply your mom and put your phone away, you know you shouldn’t walk with it out, and it’s almost dead anyway. 

With your focus back on the streets you can’t help but feel the forever paranoia sinking in. You’ve gotten used to walking at night with Jungkook by your side, swinging your intertwined hands back and forth and talking to you about his hyungs and what they have been up to. He only tells you the domestic things of course, but you sometimes wonder about what their roles actually are in the mafia. You know they are all part of the inner circle and that Namjoon is the leader but other than that he keeps the information about that side of their lives secret.

You sigh. Your life really is strange, but to be honest as long as Jungkook is in it you don’t mind too much. Which is probably a stupid thing, him being a criminal should be the biggest red flag you have ever seen in a person but you know what lies beneath it all so you don’t mind too much being a stupid bull and running into it head on. 

You hear footsteps behind you and you sneakily look over your shoulder to see someone following you. No, they are just walking Y/n, not following, it’s okay not everyone is out to get you. 

You turn back to the front continuing on your journey home. Your apartment only a block away and you know a sticky note will be waiting for you with a sweet message probably adding to not get kidnapped or something. 

You smile, only to let it drop when you see a man lingering on the wall next to an alley. You still hear footsteps behind you too. You bite your lip and take a deep breath in deciding to cross the street instead just to be safe. 

Just as you step off the curb the man in front of you starts walking towards you. You look back and see the man behind you walking faster now. You throw caution into the wind and quickly walk to the other side of the street, your heart racing when you realise both men are following you. 

You decide fuck it and start running scared out of your wits now, you pull out your phone to call Jungkook, but just as you press the call button a van almost hits you as you cross the street. You stare into the headlights frozen and say sorry walking past quickly only for it to stop behind you. 

Before you can react the door opens and hands grab you, pulling you inside. You scream but a hand over your mouth stops the sound. The door sliding closed.

“Hey baby, I’m on my way home.” You hear Jungkook answer your call. You thrash and kick at the man holding you, the van is moving now and you’re forced to sit down. 

“Y/n?” Jungkook questions worry in his tone. 

You bite down hard at the hand over your mouth. The man gasps and lets go of your mouth, startled by your bite. 

“Jungkook help!” You scream before someone picks up the phone. 

“Y/n ?!” You hear Jungkook scream over the phone before the person holding it hangs up. 

You stare up as the phone’s light illuminates the person’s face and you feel a cold wave travel through your body. 

“Well hello Y/n” he smirks, “Fancy meeting you here.” 

You just stare at his face, Damion looking down at you. Before you feel a hard pain in your head and everything fades to black.

.

.

.

You're woken up by a fist hitting your face. You groan in pain, trying to move away, but you feel your hands tied behind the chair you’re sitting on. The rope cuts into your wrists as you try to move.

You open your eyes, your blurry vision taking in your surroundings. You’re tied to a chair in the middle of an open space what you assume is a warehouse. The brick walls and concrete floor give it away. You see it’s staring to become light outside now, the sun almost rising. That means you’ve been missing for about 10 hours now.

“Welcome back Y/n.” You look up at Damion leaning on the wall in front of you. He slowly make his way over to you and kneels in front of you. 

“What do you want?”  You glare at him but you can see that he is aware of the panic sinking into your bones. You have no idea how you’re going to get out of this.

“I just want to have a chat,” he grips your bruised face and you flinch as he turns it to the side, inspecting the bruises and digging his fingers into them. “Just like the one I had with your little boyfriend when he called back. He was so worried.” Damion pouts and wipes at something on your forehead, his thumb coming back red from blood that must still be there from when they knocked you out. 

Judging by the pounding in your head you’re sure you have a concussion, if not you’re definitely on your way to one if they keep hitting you. 

“Jungkook will find me.” You say, certain of your words as you rip your face out of his grasp. 

“O no don’t fret, I’m counting on it.” Damion stands up walking a few feet back. “And what will he do when he sees you in this condition I wonder.” 

“What?” You question before someone hits you again. You taste blood in your mouth and you spit it out to the side. Damion comes back kneeling before you again but this time with a knife, he presses it against your cheek.

“You see Y/n, we, as in my organisation, have been looking for a way to get to Bangtan for a while now.” He trails the knife down to your collarbone. “And imagine my surprise when I found you, the little weakness to the most feared maknae.” he presses down on the knife cutting into your flesh and you scream as he drags it down. 

“You won’t be able to fight him off.” You say through the pain and he widen his eyes at you. 

“O we’re not planning to fight him off Y/n.” You frown at his words, but scream again as he cuts into your arm deeply, dragging the knife from your upper arm to your elbow. You can almost count the number of stitches you’ll need as the knife tears through your flesh.

“You see,” he smiles at you as if he didn’t just cut you, “we want to do something much worse.” 

He steps away wiping the blood off the knife with a cloth that one of the other men bring him. 

“And you little dove,” He bends down to be on your eye level, “are going to help us break him.” 

“I will never help you.” You spit out. 

He chuckles as one of the men brings something over. “I think you’ll change your mind about that.”

.

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Jungkook’s POV

His breathing is ragged as he slips past another guard. He feels the adrenaline pumping through his veins, his phone vibrating continuously as the others try to reach him. 

He can still hear your scream for help ringing in his ears, and the taunting words of Damion after that. 

How had he been so stupid? To let you out of his sight, no, how could he not have known one of their enemies were so close? 

Yoongi had raced home faster than ever after Jungkook told them what happened. Jimin’s face was hard as he spoke on the phone to Namjoon. Everyone met in the library. Jungkook knows he had screamed a lot especially when they weren’t working as fast as he wanted them to. All he could think about was the fact that you were alone with those men doing who knows what to you. You could be dead for all he knows. The thought still making tears bubble in his sinuses. No, you’re not he will find you and take you, wrap you up and make you some coffee and hope with everything in him that you won’t leave him after this. 

He runs past another hallway, flattening himself against a pillar as two men walk past going the other way. 

He came alone. He knows the others are following but he couldn’t wait so when Yoongi had finally found your location from your phone Jungkook had rushed out without thinking twice. He ignored the others or the rational part of him that kept whispering that this was too easy. It was too easy to find you, but he doesn’t give a shit as long as he can just find you and have you in his arms again. 

Even before you two were actually friends he had vowed to himself to keep you safe. His little roommate with her forever playing true crime videos and pens sticking out of her hair as she studies so hard. He always had a lower member follow you at night to make sure you got home safe. After you became closer he took over that role happily. You were so precious, so sweet how could he not have tried to keep you away from the bad things in the world, the girl who had patched him up when he came home half-dead, the girl that took him to see the fireflies, the girl that he loves. Even when he told you the truth he promised himself he will try to keep you as far away from everything bad surrounding him daily to, ironically,  avoid a situation like this.

He peeks around a corner to see two men guarding a door. He assumes that’s where you are. 

“She stopped screaming huh?” One of the men comments and Jungkook can feel anger like he’s never felt before rise up inside him. 

He sneaks closer using pillars and shadows as cover until he is close enough. He jumps out catching them by surprise because they both drop to the floor a few moments later, knocked out or dead he’s not sure and he doesn’t care right now.

He slowly opens the door, scanning all around before realising it is empty except for you tied to a chair, your head hanging forward. 

He rushes forward, you barely acknowledge his presence, only groaning lightly. He cuts the ropes holding your hands. The bruises are a deep purple around your wrists. He also takes note of the cuts on your arm and collarbone and it makes him sick. How could he have let this happen to you? 

“Hey baby,” Jungkook kneels before you, lifting your head up to look at you, he bares his teeth at the bruises covering your face, you flinch away from his touch before opening your eyes. Recognition swim in them as you fall forward into his shoulder. 

“O Jungkook.” You whisper into his neck.

“I know baby, but we have to get out of here okay, the others are on their way.” He says in a hushed voice, knowing that the sooner he gets you away the less violence you’ll have to see. And there will be violence, nobody touches you and gets away with it.

 He tries to get you to move but you don’t budge. 

“You have to leave.” You say softly, lifting your head up from his neck.

“What?” He frowns in confusion. “Y/n I’m not leaving you here.” 

“Please,” You beg, “You have to go.” You shove at him to try and make him move.

“Y/n…” Jungkook stares at the state you're in, trying to shove him away from you before you still. He sees your pleading eyes move from his, to look over his shoulder. He follows your gazeand is met with Damion and about a dozen men standing with him. 

“Welcome Jungkook.” Damion’s opens his arms wide, smiling. Jungkook moves infront of you to shield you. 

“You have me now, so let her go.” He growls out to the narcissistic man in front of him. He knows he can take them all, he’s done it before. There is a reason people are scared of him. He just wants to make sure you’re safe first.

“She can go,” Damion waves his hand and smiles. “But you want to do something first don’t you Y/n?” 

Jungkook frowns as you stand up behind him, you don’t look at him as you walk past him into Damion’s outstretched arms . 

Jungkook is frozen as he watch you walk away from him. He doesn’t even realise the two men that are grabbing onto him before they force him to his knees. His eyes don't leave your figure in the arms of the enemy. Why would you go to him so easily?

Damion hands you something and it takes him a second to realise it’s a gun. “Now just like I told you to do okay?” Damion says into your ear, his arm turning you around and Jungkook struggles at the sight of his hands on you. Damion smiles sinisterly at him from behind you.

You slowly walk to Jungkook, tears stream down your face and Jungkook frowns. What are you doing? He struggles to get to his feet, now that you have a gun he can use it to help him fight these men off. 

“Y/n?” He asks trying to have you explain to him what the fuck is happening, because he feels like he is going insane. 

“I’m sorry Jungkook.” You whimper, and Jungkook stops struggling as you slowly, as if in slow motion, raise the gun pointing it at his head. 

He stares at the barrel of the gun pointed at him and then at your face. You’re crying but there is a certain determination in them that he doesn’t understand. He can feel his heart breaking as he realise what is happening. 

You are betraying him. 

“Y/n why?” He asks his voice cracking, staring up at you. He is shocked, frozen in place. He knows he can fight back but it’s like all the fight has left him.  “ Please I love you.” He begs.

You bite your lip, wiping your tears away with your cut arm streaking your face with blood. You cock the gun, it trembles as it points at his head, but your face is void of emotion now.

“I love you too Jungkook.” You stare directly into his eyes, “ but sometimes, somethings matter more.” 

A/N Okay don’t kill me! I am planning a sequel so you can all stop screaming. I hope you did enjoy their little awkward strange love story. 

Please let me know your thoughts!

taglist: @scuzmunkie​

#bts #bts fic #bts jungkook mafia #BTS jungkook #bts jung jungkook #BTS jimin #bts taehyung #BTS v #bts mafia au #bts mafia fic #bts x reader #bts x female reader #bts x y/n #bts roommate au #bts college au #bts one shot #bts slow burn #bts angst #bts fluff

[azucarmorena97]

Money Ties (Jungkook Love Story || Pt.3)

Pt.2 || Pt.4

Your parents have worked hard to get to the top and have made sure to teach you everything you need to know to be successful in this business: from tough but lucrative financial decisions, down to the right ball gown for any given banquet. A promising and extravagant future awaits you- that is, if you agree to one teensy detail...

Son of Mr.Jeon Sr. and heir to June Company, Jeon Jungkook is an immature playboy with nothing to offer a woman but good looks and a crap ton of money, and he stands to inherit much MUCH more, so long as you both enter into the arranged marriage contract that was drawn up before the pair of you were even born.

You're more than willing to try, but you're not sure you'll be able to stand each other long enough to inherit a single penny...

Series Warnings: There will be smut in the near future and I will label those chapters as such. As I say before most of my pieces- I do not endorse any themes, ideas, or behaviors in this series. This is all purely fiction/fantasy! Feel free to inbox me suggestions/ideas/what you'd like to see in this series and I'll see what I can do! Enjoy <3

Recap: "I hope you know you didn't ruin anything. My husband and I feel very strongly, even more so now, that you're the perfect fit fr our family." Your heartbeat picks up in your chest; you were sure you blew your chance to bits, but here she is, offering it all on a silver platter for you.

On your way back to your suite, you try calling your dad three different times, and each time the calls go straight to voicemail. For the most part, you've gotten used to getting his voicemail and can even recite it word for word- but right now, him being here for you is crucial. Even though your mom couldn't make the time to actually be here, at least she shows she cares, even if it is through blowing up your phone every hour; at least it's something. She even helped pick out the gifts for the Jeons: gold cuff links for Mr.Jeon, a lovely pair of jade earrings for Mrs.Jeon, and a silver chain with a medallion fo Jungkook. All your life, your dad said he couldn't wait to be there for when you would finally sign the agreement that they'd spent years tailoring and planning, only to cancel last minute because of work. Well, if he wants to leave you out in the cold to figure this out by yourself, then you're gonna do it your way.

Once inside the suite, you peel off the pretty little outfit you'd carefully put together for tea and toss it onto the bed, switching into a pair of baggy sweats and an oversized sweater, and the warmest socks you packed. You're finally going to dive into the manila envelope. You plop yourself into bed and take out everything, ignoring the initial feeling of being overwhelmed at the sight of the busy papers, looking past the legal jargon to find the bare bones of it all. In a matter of twenty minutes, you're completely locked in; you highlight, circle, annotate, even cross out some parts. You slowly realize how little your parents are settling for in this "partnership", as your dad likes to call it. According to this contract, their precious daughter is only worth 15% of the 'Jeon Empire', while Jeon Jungkook will be the majority owner of June Company, including hotels, restaurants, as well as owning shares in your parents' company and other smaller endeavors. Well, that just won't do. If you're going to be committing yourself to a marriage, it's for the long haul. All of your adolescent and teenage years were spent avoiding boys like the plague for fear of getting too attached and ruining your parents' dream for your life. Even your college years have been all about work and climbing up the ladder to get to this point- 15% is horse shit.

After three agonizingly long hours, the contract looks like a Frankensteined version of itself; torn apart and put back together. You hold it up in triumph- you almost want to take a picture just for the memories. "Proud of you," B/f/n says through a loud yawn. You had to call her about an hour in for moral support. "No, don't be tired. You can't be tired. It's still early!" "Hun, it's 3AM here." "Oh right..." You sigh, stuffing the contract back in the envelope, "I forgot about the time difference... ugh, I'm just so bored here. I have nothing to do." "Girl, you're at a whole luxurious hotel, all expenses paid- if I were you, I'd be doing a spa day, visiting the restaurants, drinking up all their liquor- you just don't like being alone." You roll your eyes. She's right, of course, but you're not gonna give her any validation. "I guess I'll just try to get some sleep...I have a big day tomorrow." "What time are you meeting them?" "We're meeting for brunch at 11." "First it was 'high tea' and now Brunch," She echoes with a sleepy smile, "How classy." You roll your eyes, "Good night, B/f/n," You laugh. She waves lazily and then you hang up the phone. "Well, since this is an all expenses paid hotel..." You bite your lip and look over at the door, "...I'm gonna go use their copier."

AT 6AM, your alarm goes off scaring you violently awake. It had taken you hours to finally fall asleep in the first place. You'd tried to close your eyes after your face time, but ended up tossing and turning until 2AM. This jet lag is something else. Or maybe it was stress for today; I mean, you are preparing to sign a contract to marry a man you hardly know (and also kinda hate), which was essentially created when you weren't even a thought in your parents' mind yet, which will, in turn, lead to lifelong stability for you and your family as well as further growth for your family's businesses so everything is kind of on your shoulders and will all fall apart if you don't do your respective part- oh God, you might have a panic attack and you haven't even gotten out of bed yet.

You speed through your morning routine so that you can look over your edits again, though as soon as you sit down, your phone begins to buzz with all your incoming notifications. You scroll through, ignoring some texts, answering a few emails- and then you come across one from your dad from an hour ago. You take a sip of your coffee as you open up the message and, when you do, you almost spit the coffee out against the pretty clean white hotel wall. Staring at you is the "finalized contract" (or so it's entitled) that your dad made 'edits' on for you to print out and sign. You look over the entire thing and with every sentence you read, you feel the anger rising in you. The "edits" he made didn't even make the deal that much better for you, not to mention, how can your dad flake on you in regards to coming on this trip, ignore your calls and texts, but still have the nerve to send me this shitty contract at the asscrack of dawn on the DAY OF the supposed signing? Fuck that. You're gonna send them your draft and your parents can cry about it. You're done doing things their way. You open up your laptop and quickly go to your saved files, opening up YOUR finalized version that you'd scanned and re-typed. You cue it up in a message and type in Mr. and Mrs.Jeon's email addresses, along with their lawyer's email. For a moment, you hesitate, letting the mouse hover over the 'send' button, but then you count how many times your parents have made you feel completely alone in just the duration of this trip, plus every time you've had to make yourself small for others to be big- "Fuck it." You hit send and then close your laptop to put your outfit together for brunch.

Brunch is held on the balcony at their hotel restaurant, Juniper. The vibe is definitely upper class, and you see it's bustling with guests. "Hello, Miss; will you be dining alone?" The hostess asks. You shake your head, "No, actually- I'm with the Jeon party." Her eyes widen for a second before she bows, "Oh yes, Ms.L/n, allow me to show you to your table. You smile and bow in return, feeling slightly embarrassed that she clearly felt the urge to kiss your ass a little extra just for being associated with the Jeons. She leads you around the corner to a wall of windows, much like the ones on the roof top when you'd gone for tea. As she opens the double doors, you see Mr. and Mrs.Jeon sat at a table straight ahead, Jungkook's back facing you. Your heart starts beating rapidly in your chest; it's happening. This is it. The entire ride here, you were psyching yourself up saying you'd be confident and strong and that if they didn't like the changes you'd made to the contract, they could kiss your ass- but right now, you feel your legs might turn to Jello. "Y/n!" Mrs.Jeon calls out excitedly, getting out of her seat and running over to you. Mr.Jeon and Jungkook look over in your direction; one giving you a big smile and the other...with a rather unreadable expression on his face. You smile and bow, "Good morning everyone." She politely dismisses the hostess and guides you to the table, where Mr.Jeon and Jungkook are standing to greet you. "Annyeonghasimnikka," You bow again. "So polite, isn't she Jungkook?" Mr.Jeon says, lightly hitting Jungkook's shoulder. You bow slightly, "Hello, Jungkook." He nods, "Hey." "Please, sit," Mrs.Jeon says. You immediately notice that Mr.Jeon is wearing the cuff links you'd gotten him, and Mrs.Jeon is wearing the earrings; Jungkook seemed to be the only one not wearing his gift. Figures. "We haven't ordered just yet so you have some time to think about what you want." "Oh that's okay, I'll take whatever you recommend." "Oh, I love that. I'm getting you my favorite- the praline french toast is so good paired with the fritata and...the eggs benedict with salmong." "Sounds good," You laugh, finding it endearing how excited she is. You wonder if she ever chews Jungkook out like your mom does to you You spend most of the time talking to Mr. and Mrs.Jeon; basic chit chat about life, how the food was, and other pleasantries- until Mr.Jeon receives a call and excuses himself from the table for a moment. Then, Mrs.Jeon says she wants to check in with the chef about something really quickly, leaving you and Jungkook at the table alone. You take a sip on your mimosa and then turn to him, "How are you, Jungkook?" He straightens up a bit and clears his throat, "I'm fine. How about yourself?" "I'm good...I- I'm hopeful that today's meeting goes well." He nods slowly, seeming deeply pensive about what you've said, "Well, it should be quite lucrative for you if it does." His tone is almost bitter-sounding. You furrow your brows, not liking how he's making it seem that you'd be the only one benefiting. "Well, according to the contract, it should be quite beneficial for the both of us, wouldn't you say?" "Oh, please. What are pennies to bills," He scoffs. "I mean, considering you can't even get a penny of mommy and daddy's money unless you get married, I'd say we're in the same boat," You lean back, deciding you're done with the niceties. He wants to be a jerk? Two can play. He glares at you, knowing you're right but, of course, refusing to admit it. "Don't you ever get tired?" "Of what?" He asks, face scrunching in annoyance. "Of the stick up your ass?" You smirk, crossing one leg over the other as your swirl your glass from the stem. "This whole thing is fucked and you know it," He says, throwing himself against the backrest of the chair in defeat. You nod slowly and thoughtfully, "Maybe, but as I always says, 'Anything worth having is worth fighting for.'" He rolls his eyes, "Whatever."

"Sorry, Kids. I just had to get that done before I forgot. Is your father still not back yet?" Mrs.Jeon asks, sitting back down at the table and looking around. "No, I guess he's still on the call," You say, "He sounds like my dad." Mrs.Jeon laughs, "Well, birds of a feather flock together." "I'm sorry everyone- Y/n, I just got off the phone with your father. Goodness, it's such a shame he couldn't come," Mr.Jeon says, a big smile on his face as he sits down. "You- you spoke to my dad?" "I sure did. I'd called him this morning about the finalized contract he'd sent me last night but he didn't get back to me until now since he was on the golf course." It takes everything in you to keep your eye from twitching. The golf course. Priorities. You plaster a fake smile on your face and clear your throat, "Actually, Mr.Jeon, the one he sent you is not the finalized version." He looks up confused, "No?" You shake your head and reach into your purse for the crisp new manila envelope, "I had to make some edits of my own." They all look at each other and then back at you, "Oh- alright," Mr.Jeon takes the envelope and he and Mrs.Jeon look over it together. You can practically see the gears in their heads turning, meanwhile, Jungkook is looking at you with his eyes narrowed wondering what it is you're up to. "Y/n," Mr.Jeon laughs nervously, "This is...substantially more than what your father and I had previously discussed." You nod, "Oh yes. 40% more, to be exact." "Mhm..." Mr.Jeon hands the paper to Mrs.Jeon who continues reading. "I believe the 15% we'd originally agreed upon was quite generous as even a fraction of the money we receive from the various businesses would be quite a profit for you." You purse your lips as you listen, trying your best to be as respectful as possible, "Yes, that's true. It would be quite a lot, however, I think it's reasonable to divide assets 50/50 between spouses, seeing as how I'll not only be a part of June Company itself but also be behind the scenes as a wife. Not to mention, when I have kids, there is no longer incentive for Jungkook to stay married to me, is there?" Mr.Jeon looks at his wife, who is looking back at him with the same concerned expression. "Y/n, our motivation for having you marry our son isn't to...produce an heir," Mr.Jeon says, "It's to help him mature and give him something to work for." "Dad, I don't need to get married to mature. I'm capable and I'm ready to run the company. Please, just let me show-" "You shut your mouth. With all the debt you've gotten me in with your incessant partying, the charges in property damage-" Mr.Jeon's face is turning more and more red, while Jungkook just looks away. He's completely quiet as he his father continues hurling criticisms and but Mrs.Jeon puts her hand on his chest to keep him from saying any more. "Mr.Jeon, I want to be able to help all of you- but I think both I and Jungkook are sacrificing a lot, and a large portion of that sacrifice is on yours and my parents' behalf. He and I will both be turning our lives around for the sake of our families. I just want to make sure we're both getting what we need from this." Jungkook turns slowly to look at you, his expression softening, along with his father's. Mr.Jeon is silent for a little while. "I understand if this is something you and your family cannot get behind and if that's the case, we can rip up this contract and put it all behind us, no harm done- but if you all want this as much as we do, these are my conditions," You say as gently as possible. You glance at Jungkook, whose eyes are fixed on you- causing for you to quickly look back at Mr. and Mrs.Jeon. "Well...I think we'll need some time to think this over. I'll have my lawyer look this over and we'll let you know what we've decided by tonight. How's that sound?" Mr.Jeon asks, giving you a tired smile. You nod, "That sounds just fine, Mr.Jeon. Take all the time you need."

You grab your bag and stand up and everyone else follows suit, "I had a lovely brunch. Thank you so much for putting it together for us to have this meeting." You turn to Jungkook, "I hope we're able to move forward together," You say with a bow and, for the first time, he bows in return. "Please have a good rest of your day," Mrs.Jeon says, stepping forward and hugging you goodbye. "And as always, please let us know if you need anything," Mr.Jeon says with a genuine expression. You nod, "I will."

Of course, not two hours since your brunch with the Jeons, and your dad was already blowing up your phone. How interesting the way that works, isn't it? Your dad only calls when you don't do things exactly as he asks. You sent every single call to voicemail until they stopped coming in altogether- though he'll most likely call right before bed. You'd spent the rest of the day out and about near the hotel; something you thought you wouldn't get a chance to do this time around. It helped to get your mind off things for a minute. You'd even gone to a cute little cafe and answered some of your work emails (you can't ever completely disconnect, though it doesn't hurt to at least have a change of scenery).

By the time you come back to your suite, it's already 8PM, though of course you're not even a bit tired, so you decide to bother B/f/n for a bit. "Mm...hello?" "Hello," You practically sing into the phone, "did I wake you?" "Mhm..." "Well, wake up- I gotta tell you what happened today." "Y/n, look, I promise I'm interested but I do not have the mental capacity to receive any new information right now..." "You're no fun." "Hey, I already told you, you have other options for entertainment." "The spa's closed right now, I've already gone to the eateries inside this hotel, I've used the free wifi and even the copier. I've done everything, there's nothing left, B/f/n," You whine. "Not everything..." She says, sleepily eyeing you. You instantly know whatb she means and you violently shake your head. "Nope. Uh-uh. I am NOT getting a drink by myself." "Oh come on, if you wear one of those skimpy little dresses you packed, I promise you won't be alone for long." You narrow your eyes at her, "How do you know I packed skimpy dresses?" "You just told me," She smirks. How does she do that? "And what am I supposed to do if a man walks up to me and offers me a drink thinking he's gonna get some?" "Oh come on, you're not even engaged yet. Live a little." You roll your eyes, "Clearly, you're very sleep deprived and that's why you're talking crazy. Call me when you're rested." "Sounds like a plan," She says before abruptly hanging up the call.

You sit and look over at your suitcase, contemplating your next move... "I guess a drink won't hurt."

The hotel bar is nicely tucked away on the first floor, a small ways away from the lobby. It's decorated with gold trim and pretty golden flowers along the cherry-wood walls. The vibe is definitely dark and sultry- you suppose you dressed appropriately: off the shoulder a-line mini dress and some simple strappy heels. You put a lot of effort into looking effortless tonight. It's not as packed as you expected, though it's definitely not empty; people are sat at various tables, holding conversations, the occasional stray laugh reaching your ears over the soft music. You'd hyped yourself up before coming down, saying you weren't gonna worry about who was or wasn't looking at you; you were just going down to have a drink and then go right back up- but when you realize the room is full of mostly men, you hesitate to take a seat. "Welcome in- can I get you anything, Miss?" The bartender, a kind-looking older gentleman, asks when he sees the lost puppy look on your face. "I-uhm, yes. I'll take an espresso martini, please?" "Of course." You set your clutch down on the bar and then take a seat. "Meeting anyone?" The bartender asks. You laugh sheepishly, "No, just...wanted to get out of my room." "I suppose that's a good thing," He says. You furrow your brows, wondering if he's gonna take the opportunity to be creepy, "And why is that?" "Because that young man over there has been watching you since you walked in," He says, nodding behind you. Your heart flutters a bit, and you feel flattered by the possibility of someone actually checking you out.

You turn slowly to where he'd nodded and scan for a moment before finally seeing him. How did I not notice him before? "That's the hotel owner's son, you know," The bartender adds. Jungkook's expression is a bit unreadable, but he's definitely looking at you. His eyes are completely fixed. You turn around quickly and bite your lip. You can't leave now, he'll know it was because of him and you can't stand the idea of him feeling like he drove you out of that bar. No way. You straighten out your back, forcing your body to relax as much as possible- or at least have the appearance of relaxation. The man puts your drink in front of you, and you gingerly take your first sip. "How can you drink those things?" Jungkook's unmistakeable voice says from right behind you, causing you to choke and spit some of your drink back into the glass. Your eyes widen in horror. "Bless you," He smirks. He looks over at the bar tender and signals holding up two fingers, to which the man nods. "Jungkook," His name feels so strange on your tongue; up until this trip, you've just refered to him as 'the Jeon's son', and using his name still feels so...intimate, somehow. He leans back in his seat, looking at you as though he's sizing you up, "And who, might I ask, did you dress up for tonight?" "Myself." You say, side-eyeing him. He's very brazen for someone you've only just met again after so many years. "Hm." "Hm, what?"

"Oh nothing...it's just, well, humans are performative beings, you know? Everything we do, whether consciously or not, is to attract." "Oh? And you're saying this to imply that I'm trying to attract someone?" You take another sip of your drink, trying to hide your unexpected nervousness. He shrugs, a cocky smile spreading across his face. "And who do you think I'm trying to attract, Jungkook? You?" You scoff. "Hey, you said it." You blush slightly and look down at your drink, your fingertip running up and down the stem of the glass. He definitely smells like he's been drinking- a lot- but you also catch hints of musk and wood- even burnt cinnamon. Shitty men shouldn't smell this damn good. You glance down at his neck and squint your eyes; is that-? "You're wearing the necklace?" He furrows his brows for a second in confusion before the realization sets in, "Oh- yeah. I look good, don't I?" His lips turn up into a coy smile. You clear your throat and shrug, "I think I'm just good at picking out jewelry." He chuckles and shakes his head, "Your disdain for me is quite amusing." "Almost as amusing as your insistence on flirting with me." "Well, don't get too flattered, you might fall in love." "Ha," You scoff. The bartender sets two shots down in front of Jungkook, who then slides one over to you. "What's this for?" You ask, immediately suspicious. "To celebrate." "Celebrate what?" "Us, of course." "Oh please," You roll your eyes, "Just the other day you were yelling at me and accusing me of attacking you, then you implied that I was some sort of gold digger and was just trying to mooch off of you." He nods thoughtfully, "Yes, that's true, I said some pretty...crass things. I suppose I should apologize for that. As far as the shot, well- I've decided to accept it." "Accept...what?" "The fact that this train is leaving with or without our 'yes', so we may as well enjoy the ride along the way, right?" As he says this, his eyes fall slightly, and only for a moment. You almost wonder if you'd seen it at all. "And what's caused this change of heart?" "Truthfully...this entire arrangement has been hanging over my head all my life. It felt like a noose slowly getting tighter and tighter. But seeing my father so stunned by your demands...it felt like my first deep breath in a while." You're surprised at how genuine Jungkook is being right now, though before you're able to respond to what he's just said, your phone buzzes in your clutch. "Excuse me," You say. It's a text message from Mr.Jeon. You quickly swipe it open and your mouth drops in shock. 𝙼𝚛.𝙹𝚎𝚘𝚗: 𝙷𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚘, 𝚈/𝚗- 𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝚆𝚎'𝚟𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝. 𝚆𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚝 𝟷𝟸𝙿𝙼 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚗 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚊𝚠𝚢𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝.

You look up back up at Jungkook, who simply picks up the shot and holds it up in the air, "To the ride." Your shocked expression turns into a smile, and all you can think to do is pick your shot up as well. "To the ride."

#bts #jungkook #suga #jin #namjoon #jhope #jimin #bts imagine #bangtan sonyeondan #angst #jungkook x reader #bts slow burn #bts enemies to lovers #bts arranged marriage #jungkook arranged marriage

[reikives]

July BTS Fic Recommendations

note from sunie:

For my first few lists I will be posting, it wont really be just for the current month but a few are also some of my favorites from a few years back that I really want to share!

I also want to say thank you, to all the authors who have put in hard work to create these pieces of literature for us to enjoy!

I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I did! You can also send in recommendations in my asks which will always be open! I will try my hardest to keep up!

🌸- fluff 🥀-angst 🌹-mature/suggestive

📖-drabbles/oneshots

📚- series 📝- ongoing ✔️-completed

Yoongi

📖>Kale’in Me Softly (@jimlingss)

Farmer!Yoongi, strangers to lovers 🌸, 🥀(has a little sting), 🌹(mature scene) Word count: 17.1k Summary: After your grandfather's passing, you decide to take over his farm and plant the trendiest vegetable: kale. It's a struggle to be in the countryside when you've always been a city girl. But there's someone less than sympathetic — a grumpy farmer across the acres who's constantly trying to pick a fight with you. Warning/s: Strongly implied smut

—I love their style of writing! I think this fic was v cute and the heat in that one scene was a great sprinkle🤭 Its a great read and I highly recommend!

📖>Bloom (@guksthighs)

hanahaki au, best friends to lovers 🥀,🌸 Word count: 1.7k Summary: When you fall in love with your best friend, flowers begin to bloom. Hanahaki disease - an illness born from one-sided love, where the patient throws up and coughs of flower petals when they suffer from one-sided love. The infection can be removed through surgery, but the feelings disappear along with the petals. Warning/s: its kind of a tear-jerker but not to worry, its ONLY a tear-jerker there will be knowing flowing of tears (hopefully) &lt;3

—This is actually a read from a few years back that I still come back to once in awhile. I have kept in my notes to remember! I absolutely love guksthigh's works and I think they're beautifully written!

📖>VALUABLES (@drowsymochi)

Established relationship 🌸 Word Count: 306 Summary: “they don’t mean anything to me.” Warning/s: teeth-rotting fluff, Yoongi is so sweet I might consider it an angst from how he makes me cry bc he.

—super cute quick read omg, I abs loved it, makes me want to have an s/o..

Namjoon:

📖>Who are you? (@ausblack)

Hybrid!Namjoon x Hybrid!reader 🌸, 🥀 Word count: 3.4k Summary: A mysterious hybrid that reeks of suppressants catches Namjoon, the wolf hybrid. He's determined to find out what you are. Warning/s: mentions of drinking and smoking, insecurities

—I love this so much! Made me feel a bit fuzzy from how cute this is. Ausblack has been one of my favorite readers when I first got into tumblr a few years back! I recommend their works!

📖>Cut (@chimchimsauce)

Soulmate au, College au 🌸, 🥀 Word count: 1.1k Summary: Namjoon always hated soulmates Warning/s: implied sex and of drinking/smoking (?)

—I love soulmate aus and I absolutely love quick angst reads! Its so good and I come back to it from time to time! I recommend it to all esp if you love quick reads!

Jimin:

📖>Adonis (@xjoonchildx)

Paramedic!Jimin x reader 🌸, a little comedy Word count: 3.4k Summary: your crackpot of a neighbor will not rest until you throw yourself at the gorgeous paramedic in town. she’s nuts, y'all. Warning/s: smoking, sexual innuendo, implied smut

—Very cute and funny fic to read, it was written nicely! I recommend to those who would enjoy a little comedy when they read.

Taehyung:

📚✔️>Camellia (@kinktae)

Prince!Taehyung x Herbalist!reader 🌸, 🥀(if you squint), 🌹(mature) 2/2 Summary: Prince Taehyung comes to find out that the castle has got a new tea girl, and man is she cute. Warning/s: insecurities, smut in 2nd chapter

—I read this a few years back and I still come back to it once in awhile because its well written and I just love the story. This actually got me to love royalty / prince/princess aus and its so cute it hurts.. Super great read! I very much recommend 🥰

📖>Playful (@chimyoung)

Owner!Taehyung x Hybrid!reader 🌸, 🥀 Word count: 3.6k Summary: A mischievous and energetic fox hybird causes an accident in the living room that sets off her boyfriend. Warning/s: lil bit of angst, swearing, couples arguing, Taehyung is a meanie, mentions of blood/injuries, nothing too graphic, there’s a mean guy in a park, that’s about it.

—Ahh its a cute readdd. It has some angst that stings but the fluff balances it out in the end. I've also read a few other of their works that I think that's worth checking out!

Jungkook:

📖>in which you always come home to Jungkook. (@onlyswan)

Established relationship 🌸, lowkey 🥀, 🌹(suggestive) Word count: 3.7k Warning/s: mention of the word whore, boner, showering together

—Its a perfect mix of everything! I've always loved her works and this never disappoints. Its a sweet read if you just want something chill (in my opinion). Highly recommend their work 🥰

📖>Still With Me? (@magicalmarauder)

Boxer!Jungkook, established relationship 🌸, 🥀 (it stings a bit..) Word count: 4k+ Summary: Dating the world’s fastest growing boxer meant several things – kissing his wounds at the end of every fight, watching countless boxing matches to study new techniques with him, and worrying like crazy as different men every night tried to bash his face in. But what happens when tensions run high after a match and Jungkook throws your support back in your face? Warning/s: definitely violence bc boxing, mentions of bruises/wounds, koo was an ass for like 5 seconds

—I am a sucker for anything boxer Jungkook so 😝😝 It stings in a few parts of the story but there is some fluff that act as a band aid do not panic 🙅‍♀️ Nicely written, I love it so much I've actually read it a few time hehe ❤️❤️

📚📝>Quarters (@justoneday-namjoonii)

Boxer!Jungkook x IceSkater!reader 🌸, 🥀 9/? Summary: A look into the dysfunctional relationship of Jungkook, an aspiring boxer, and an aspiring Ice Skater. Warning/s: mentions of abuse, dysfunctional relationship, angst might be triggering to some

—Another boxer!jungkook because I am abs inlove with boxer koo. This is a nice read if you're in angst w just a sprinkle of fluff or like fics w a rollercoaster of emotions!

📖>The Habits of a Broken Heart. (@softykooky)

Soulmate au, subtle enemies to lovers, slow burn, art student!Jungkook x english student!reader 🌸, 🥀 Word count: 26.3k Summary: Jungkook and you are soulmates. so says the matching crescent moons on both your wrists. however, things are never as easy as they seem, and you are quick to learn that falling in love with someone who does not believe in love is a one-way ticket to heartbreak.

alternatively,

“You still are, you know. Worth it.” You release a shaky breath. “But I was stupid to think that I am too.” Warning/s: jealousy, unrequited love, shouting (?(please bear with me i dont really knw what to put in warnings yet 💀))

—I think I've read this about 5 times already ahhh.. Its so goooooddd, the angst really hits you.. it made me cry every time but the ending makes up for it. I love how well written this is, its a lovely fic to read 💗💗💗

📖>How Long Will We Fall (@jiminrings)

Soulmate au, painful f2l, unrequited love (at first) 🌸, 🥀 Word count: 14k Summary: If it’s fate, it should already be set onto your skin — that’s why Jungkook’s initials are already on your finger. he’s always there for you, but not only for you. if you’re his fate, he’d rather not have it. alternatively,

Jungkook’s your soulmate, but he doesn’t want to be.

—Another angst soulmate au bc I love hurting myself hehe, I love how this was written, I love the character development, I love the angst, I love this..

Poly/OT7

📚✔️>Hybrid House (@hollyhomburg)

Hybrid!BTS x Hybrid!reader 🌸, 🥀, 🌹 (mature) 3/3 + Epilogue Summary: to Seokjin, Home consists of his human partners Namjoon and Hoseok as well as their Hybrids; the pups- named Taehyung and Jimin, their black cat- called Yoongi, and their foxboy- called Jungkook. Together they have the happiest family possible, everyone loves everyone equally. 

So what happens when Namjoon finds you? a cat hybrid, beaten close to death left alone in an alleyway on the coldest night of the year? He takes you home, shows you his family, and together they teach you what love can be like. Warning/s: mentions of blood/injuries, abuse, heavy smut scenes, Jungkook being mean for a bit

—I have been a fan of their work for a long time already and I think this is among one of my favorite works of theirs. Its's very well written and I recommend this to those who have hybrid aus up their allies. Great author, great work ❤️

📖>Sugary Sweet (@hollyhomburg)

Hybrid! Reader x Hybrid! Taehyung x Hybrid! Yoongi x Owner! Namjoon 🌸, 🥀 Word Count: 10k Summary: Namjoon has a perfect life once he moves out of the city to a cabin alongside his two rescue hybrids, Yoongi and Taehyung. But then one night in the middle of the rainstorm they find you, a bunny hybrid, hiding in their chicken coop.   Warning/s: Anxiety attacks, Anxious! Namjoon, mentions of hybrid abandonment, hybrid mistreatment, Half of this is Domestic fluff, possessive behavior. 

—Another great hybrid read from hollyhomburg!! Very cute and has some angst to spice it up, it pulls on the heartstrings just right❤️❤️ I actually have read this a few times, I'm one to come back to something if I really enjoy it. So again, amazing work, this is actually my favorite from them ❤️

📚📝>Cry Me A River (@minniepetals)

Mafia!au, arrange marriage!au 🌸, 🥀 13/? Summary: Forever is just an illusion, nothing lasts forever. Don't make me a promise that you cannot keep. Please... it'll break my heart. Warning/s: (triggering topics! please read at your own discretion) childhood trauma, mental abuse, physical abuse, child neglect, manipulation, gaslighting, violence, mentions of assault, implied sexual assault, hurt and comfort, divorce, emotional neglect, minor character deaths, kidnapping, some emotionally unstable scenes.

—AN ALL TIME FAVORITE OF MINE. First, I abs love mafia aus and I love angst. CMAR was written beautifully,,, perfectly. It has me crying and screaming all over the place. You can feel the emotions as you read this series, that why I love it so much. It's so angsty I love it. Minnie does a great job in writing this that I always earn for more every other chapter, IM COMPLETELY HOOKED. The attention to detail is just amazing and she also listens to the readers, I love her sm.. Great read, I absolutely recommend cmar.

—If anyone has noticed, there are no Jin and Hobi fics on my recs as of the moment, its because I have yet to find jin and hobi fics that suit taste! Please do recommend some fics and authors in my asks if you have any recommendations! I will be reading them when I have time!

I will try to post recs weekly if I am not busy. Maybe I'll just post when I can and then have my monthly recs!

#bts fluff #bts angst #bts smut #bts imagine #bts series #bts mafia au #bts college au #bts established relationship au #bts slow burn #bts comfort #bts arranged marriage au #bts f2l #bts soulmate au #bts e2l #bts unrequited love #bts fic #bts royalty au #bts hanahaki au

[jananakookie]

Rumor Has It | pjm - Chapter 5

💬 Pairing: Jimin x OC (Reader)

💬 Genre/Tags: enemies(?) to lovers, fake-dating au; angst, fluff, smut

💬 Chapter warnings: contains slurs, angst, alcohol consumption, mentions of bullying

💬 Word count: 15.5k

💬 Recap:

Rumor has it, Park Jimin is single again after his latest girlfriend cheated on him with his best friend.

Rumor has it, he's willing to get back at them.

Rumor has it, you're the perfect means to an end.

Previous Chapter - Index - Next Chapter

Chapter 5: On a mission.

Today is the day to meet Jimin's family. You have been stressing about it for the past week ever since Jimin told you about it, and you can’t even proclaim why. 

For some reason, you cannot help but be afraid of them, considering the Parks are supposed to be the most influential family in the city. No matter what kind of people they are, at the end of the day, this sure is an intimidating title that is enough to make your nerves go crazy.

So you went all in and made yourself at least look as presentable as possible because as everybody knows, it’s always the first impression that counts. And you feel like you have to take everything you can get, plus looking good and feeling good about yourself will increase your confidence.

You might be a broke college student with a shit ton of untrue rumors surrounding you, but you can at least look good. 

“Woah… Damn.” 

You raise a brow, giving Jimin a testing look. You're not in the mood for another one of his criticisms about your appearance again. “What is it this time?” you sigh, trying not to let the frustration show too much since he arrived no more than a minute ago. 

“Let me guess, my dress is too shabby? Is my makeup cakey? Does my hair look dry?” 

“No.” Jimin shakes his head, eyes still scrutinizing you from head to toe. “I’m just shocked to see how hot you can be when you try hard enough.” 

Startled by his unexpected compliment - even if backhanded - you raise a brow. “I—,” you start, just to halt for a moment, “was that a compliment?” you ask, as his eyes finally travel up to yours. 

Jimin scoffs at that, taking a couple steps toward you. “As if that’s so unbelievable. I compliment you all the time.”

“Yeah... I don't know about that. The only times you ever actually compliment me, it's just to mock me, and your insincere flattery barely counts anyway,” you grin, not needing him to admit it since you know you're right anyway.

It's not that you're ever upset by his comments because you know he's just being annoying and doesn't mean to actually offend you. He knows you can take it, and he knows that you know that too, which is why he does it. Over time, it has become your thing. Admittedly, you're much more comfortable with him making his stupid jokes than you are when you're having to get serious with each other. You seem to have found common ground in bickering with each other.

He just briefly looks at you before texting someone on his phone while still thinking about your comment. “That might be your interpretation, but I’m always serious about these things and things in general, ___. I’m an open book. I have never told a lie my whole life,” he proudly says, looking like he’s waiting for a reward for being a good boy while you can’t help but grin at this act. 

“You do realize you’re saying that while we are literally on our way to meet your family, just to lie to them about the relationship we don't have?” you smirk, seeing his face fall for a second before he clears his throat. 

“That’s different.” Jimin takes a moment to put your heavy bags in his trunk before coming to your side.

“How exactly?” you ask while waiting for him to open the passenger door of his car for you like he always does. Fairly enough, he soon after opens the door for you and waits for you to settle in before he goes to the driver's side and seats himself. 

A smirk makes its way onto your face when he doesn't give you an answer, even after settling in, making it obvious he doesn’t have one.

“Got you, Park,” you smirk.

Jimin rolls his eyes at your consistency, knowing fully well that you won't let it go. “Whatever. They will be happy, so it’s a lie with good intentions. It basically makes it okay,” he mumbles while starting the engine of his car and making it roar loudly.

“Wow, your logic is unmatched. If your parents come to ask me what made me fall for you, I'll tell them it was your moral character which I had never seen in another man before,” you lovingly sigh, trying to dreamily look out the window as you feel Jimin's eyes on you.

He laughs but doesn't comment on it and only tells you to put your seatbelt on so he can drive off. Giggling, you follow his request so as not to delay your arrival and fasten your seatbelt.

“Aren’t you nervous?” You ask, tilting your way sideways to look at him after a couple minutes of driving in silence. 

It's just another one of the thousand questions floating around in your head lately. You know that you would be if you were in his shoes. It's not easy to lie to your loved ones, especially since they are the ones who know you best. Not to forget the moral aspect of it all. Jimin must have thick skin if he doesn't worry about anything. 

“Are you?” He asks instead, rolling the ball back to you. Seeing how he shifts his gaze for a moment from the street to smirk at you, he seems to already know the answer, though.

“Obviously,” you sigh. “I didn’t sign up for this. What if I break something and they sue me?”

Not to be dramatic, but that is one of your concerns. One of many actually. 

Jimin snorts, his eyes forming little half-moons. “___, I don’t know why you think my parents are a pair of bad movie villains, but I can assure you that this will not be happening,” he chuckles, making you pout for not taking your concerns seriously. “My parents are nice people, okay? There really isn’t anything I could think of that you would have to worry about.”

“Well, there is one thing actually,” you say, seeing him looking at you from the corner of his eyes while he still mainly focuses on the street, showing you that he’s listening. “You have to help me keep this dress absolutely immaculate, so I can return it to the store tomorrow,” you explain, making him laugh. “What? It costs a fortune, Jimin, and I would still like to… you know… live somehow for the rest of the month.”

“First of all, why are you wearing a dress you can’t afford? There is no way you will not stain it.” 

“Because I wanted to fit in today. I’ll feel out of place either way, but I can’t show up to some CEO get-together in a twenty-dollar dress,” you explain, rolling your eyes in annoyance. 

“It's a business party to celebrate the company's tenth birthday in its current state, ___. Not a CEO get-together,” he explains, rolling his eyes at you not even knowing that. He tried to explain it to you yesterday, but it seems like you didn't listen, and it's annoying. You're both doing this for a reason, and if he can put some work in, he feels like you should be able to do that too.

“Also, stop making yourself go crazy. One would think that you, of all people, would not be so judgmental of someone you don’t even know,” Jimin says, casually looking at you. “But I guess that’s just being human, huh?”

You let out a big sigh, realizing he does have a point. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful. I’m really just a little nervous. Your parents are probably nice people. It's just that this is unusual for me.”

Sensing your distress, Jimin does something the both of you wouldn't have expected from him. He takes one hand off the steering wheel and pats your thigh a couple of times before he takes your hand, that's resting on it, and gives it a tight squeeze. “Relax. It’s all going to be fine.” 

“It’s easy for you to say that… I can only hope they haven’t done any research about me,” you mumble as you look out of the window absentmindedly still holding his hand.  

He lied. It’s not fine at all. In fact, this is probably the most uncomfortable you’ve ever been. 

To be fair, Jimin's parents aren't the reason. Mr. and Mrs. Park are very nice people, and you feel terrible for thinking so badly of them, when in fact they are the sweetest people you've talked to in what feels like years.

You didn't get to actually talk to them because the time was only enough for a quick, superficial introduction before they had to leave again and talk to a couple business partners which means the actual getting to know each other will have to wait for a few more hours. Nevertheless, their open and friendly demeanor immediately calmed your nerves. 

You even teased Jimin about him probably being adopted since his parents are so much more likable than he is, to which he then threatened to tell his parents you insisted on holding a speech to introduce yourself and claim your undying love for him which was enough to make you shut up real quick.

You are certain it was an empty threat because nobody would even allow you to do that here, but you really didn't want to risk it. 

So moving on, you, unfortunately, haven't been as lucky with his sister so far. 

If looks could kill, you would have been grilled multiple times by now. 

Jimin hasn't said anything about it yet, and you don't know if he's even noticed, so you decided to keep your mouth shut and not mention it. 

It's fine that she doesn't like you. After all, you’re only here to do Jimin a favor, and it’s not like you’re actually dating, which means you don't have to care what she thinks about you. Very soon, this will all be over, and you won't see any of them ever again, including Jimin.

The actual problem, however, is that Jimin has not told you who will also be at this business meeting. 

You must have looked pretty stupid when your eyes suddenly fell on Nayeon, who was standing a few meters away from you and had already seen you. 

She averted her eyes as soon as your eyes met hers but it was pretty obvious that she had seen you, considering how uncomfortable and nervous she looked right after.

You immediately confronted Jimin for not telling you she would be here, to which he just grinned sheepishly at you and said he must have forgotten.

Yea sure…

He knows very well that you would not have come if you had known about Nayeon's presence, and this is the only reason why he hid it from you.

Fortunately for you, you have managed to avoid her very well so far, and you hope it will stay that way for the rest of your stay. 

Since Jimin will one day take over his parents' company, it was clear that he would also be the center of attention today. What you didn't count on, though, is that this would affect you as well. 

You were hoping you could get away with just standing next to him silently while looking pretty but Jimin's parents had apparently publicly announced that he's bringing his girlfriend which now contributes to the fact that many also talk to you out of politeness. 

 It probably wouldn't be so awkward if you had at least the slightest idea what Jimin's family business even is. Unfortunately, you've never really talked about it and you've never asked because it never mattered. Why do you need to know these things if it's nothing but a fake relationship that should never have left campus? 

Fortunately, you have Jimin by your side, who always steps in at the right moment and speaks for you to avoid further inconveniences and this might be the only time you're thankful for Park Jimin's existence. Although it is his fault that you are in this situation in the first place so he is also the one who has to take care that your lie will not be exposed.

So far, you seem to be doing well with it. No one suspects anything. They probably think you're just a pretty enough girl who doesn't know anything about anything, and in a way, they're not wrong. Except, that your intentions are not what one would think.

“I can’t believe you don’t know anything about me,” Jimin sighs, as soon as you’re alone for the first time in hours. “I mean, come on… You didn’t have the slightest idea about the company. That’s almost insulting.”

Staying unbothered, you nibble on a grape you found on one of the champagne trays, wondering if they’re even for you to eat or if they’re just for show, considering no one else seems to be eating anything. 

“Why would I know that?” you shrug, finding yourself interested in the deep frown between his brows. “I've never cared much for you before, Park. You didn’t seem to believe me when I told you that. Sorry if that’s hard to swallow.” 

Jimin scoffs at that, and you see him wanting to answer, but he stops as he looks at something behind you with big eyes. 

“Hey.”

Her voice startles you, making you freeze right on the spot. You can feel her eyes burn through your skull from behind. At the same time, Jimin’s eyes nervously tremble from you to her and back to you. 

“Hi, Nayeon,” he welcomes her, offering her a comforting smile while you freeze and keep standing there, not daring to turn around. You would like to leave now, not in the mood for this encounter, especially today when you’re full of nerves anyway. Jimin, however, seems determined to keep you here with him. 

He takes a few steps closer and wraps his arm around your waist, slowly turning you around to face her. 

“I wasn’t sure you’d be here today,” he speaks, probably trying to convince you that he really didn't plan for this encounter to happen.

Nayeon sucks in a breath, gracefully avoiding your ice-cold gaze as she only concentrates on Jimin for the time being, nodding her head lightly. “I wasn’t either,” she admits, clearing her throat after. 

You have yet to say something to her, but you cannot encourage yourself to do so. Yes, you’re probably rude by not greeting her properly, but why would you care about that. You're sure that politeness is obsolete anyway when it comes to Nayeon and you. 

“My father said that I have to come today. He said he will disown me otherwise,” she lightly chuckles, even though it doesn’t come off as a joke, plus the frown on Jimin’s face and the fact that he doesn’t even smile at that tells you it probably isn’t. 

“It’s whatever, though. I did my part, and as soon as I can I will leave,” she quickly adds. “I just didn’t want to leave before greeting you, so… here I am.” A nervous breath escapes her lips as her eyes finally land on you. “Hi, ___.”

You nod, acknowledging her as narrowly as possible, as you mutter a halfhearted “hello” back to her.  

As soon as she hears your response, it seems as if her face lights up just a little bit. She probably didn’t expect you to acknowledge her at all. You may be mad, and you have every right to be, but you’re not a child. If she can muster the courage to address you directly, you can give her an answer. But she should by no means assume that she can expect anything from you.

She looks so stunning today, though. You can't help but notice. The mere sight of her is enough to lower your self-esteem. You have put so much effort (and money you don't even have) into looking somewhat good today while she looks like she's barely given it a second thought and still beats you by miles. So unfair, but nothing new either.

Nevertheless, it is noticeable how tired and unhappy she looks. You can see the dark bags under her eyes even through the makeup she’s wearing and that has to mean something. 

You remember what Jimin told you about her the night of the first party you attended together. He mentioned how bad she was doing and that she’s in a 'bad place' right now. Looking at her now shows you he wasn’t exaggerating. 

“It’s so nice to see you here, really.” 

You watch how her lips perk up a little as she tries to smile, though it looks more like a grimace as she’s obviously trying to blink back tears. 

You just nod, not trusting yourself to not say something inappropriate while she already looks like she’s trying hard not to crumble. 

It probably wouldn't go over too well with the rest of the guests if you made Nayeon cry. Apart from the fact that it would come across as rude in general, you know that her parents are particularly close with Jimin's parents - and you surely don't want to start something now.

Noticing how you probably won’t react anymore than that, Jimin takes matters into his own hands as he tightens his grip around your waist, clearing his throat. 

“How are you doing?” Jimin then asks her with a sigh. You can hear in his voice that he isn’t sure if he can ask, but it’s obvious he isn’t all too happy about her disappearance either. “You barely show up anymore, and you’re missing out on a lot of our courses too. I tried to call you about a dozen times this week. I can try to keep you updated, but I can only do as much when you never pick up your phone,” he notes, sounding annoyed with her while also trying to not be too harsh. 

Nayeon gulps, looking regretful, but she doesn’t seem to have an answer. Instead, you can feel her burning gaze on you again while you continue to hope to escape from this situation.

Why is no one talking? 

But while you’re too busy with your own thoughts, Jimin and Nayeon seem to have a silent conversation of their own because a loud gasp comes from Jimin, making you look at him in question.

“Oh my God, do you see that thing over there?” Jimin suddenly exclaims, pointing at something in the distance. “That’s amazing! I have to take a closer look,” he mumbles, withdrawing his arms from you.

You try to look but don’t see anything, and it’s only then that you realize what he’s trying to do. 

Before leaving, he gradually leans down to whisper in your ear. “Please be nice, but don’t make it too easy for her either.” And then, with a rushed kiss to your cheek, he quickly lets go of you and takes a couple steps backward.

You try to catch his hand before he can leave but unfortunately, he’s already gone before you can do anything, leaving you and Nayeon to just stand there next to each other. Alone. 

Man, you’re so going to kill him later. 

A few moments of silence that feel like literal hours pass before Nayeon breaks the silence by uncomfortably clearing her throat.

You don’t look at her, still trying to summon Jimin to come back immediately with the dirty looks you’re sending him from here, but it has no use. 

So you shift on your feet a little before stealing a couple more from those garnish grapes, that definitely aren’t for eating, hoping it will tell her to leave you alone. 

“___, do you perhaps think we could talk?”

Well, your wish did not get granted this time, it seems. 

Your voice sounds breathless and nervous as you quickly mumble something about having to use the bathroom in a weak attempt to flee from her. But Nayeon suddenly grabs your arm, preventing you from leaving as she calls your name again in a hurry.

You turn around and reluctantly face her, seeing how bad she really looks for the first time since you’re now standing much closer than before. 

Bags under her eyes, dry lips, pale. That’s not the Nayeon you know. She did a good job of covering it up, but now that you’re standing so close to each other, you can clearly see it.

“What?” The harsh tone in your voice obviously takes her by surprise, but she doesn’t back down. 

Instead, she swallows hard before gathering herself. “Do you think… Do you think we could talk? Please?” She asks again, looking at you with large, pleading eyes.

“I don't know what the two of us should talk about. Everything has been said between us,” you state, keeping your gaze cold even though you feel bad when you see her face fall right after. 

Nayeon shakes her head in disagreement. “No, I don’t think so,” she denies. “There are many things left unsaid. And I really need to get them off my chest.”

“I don’t know,” you sigh while weighing the pros and cons in your head. “If I’m honest, I really don’t want to.”

“Look, I can’t blame you for not wanting to talk to me, okay? Trust me, I wouldn’t wanna talk to me either,” she says, blinking back tears as she looks at you. “You don’t have to say anything, and you don’t have to forgive me. I don’t expect that from you anyway…”

“What is the purpose for all of this then?” You ask, not understanding what she’s aiming for.

You watch as Nayeon balls her fists for a second while biting her lip as she looks at you. “I want to apologize. I think that is the least you deserve,” she then explains. “What you do with it is up to you. But I need to apologize,” she breathes stressing the word. 

You take a moment to contemplate your next move, letting your eyes roam around the area, attempting to find something that could prevent you from going along with her request. But in the end, you sigh, making a gesture with your hand to show her she can start taking. 

Now looking at her panicking face, you almost have to laugh. For someone so determined to apologize to you, she now sure looks like she has no idea what to say. She probably didn't expect you to agree.

Waiting patiently, you watch as an uncomfortable laugh escapes her lips, her eyes moving around without looking at you directly. “Gosh, now I don’t know what to say…”

“Well, that’s unfortunate,” you say, rolling your eyes while you’re already turning around, fed up with her wasting your time like this.

Nayeon once again stops you, and she quickly shoots forward to grab your hand tightly again. “I’m sorry!” It comes out a little rushed since she desperately tries to make you stay.

You stand your ground, crossing your arms over your chest while raising a brow. “Anything else?”

She flinches at your sour tone but nods her head. “Yes, actually. What I did to you… I don’t even know what came over me,” she starts. “There’s so much I want to tell you, and so much I need to apologize for. And I could give you that typical bullshit answer on how I was hurt and acting impulsively, but that wouldn’t be enough. It wouldn’t be a lie, but that’s not an excuse.” 

You don’t say anything. For now, it feels right to let her talk and finish what she wants to tell you first. You share her opinion on that matter, you do deserve an apology, but she also deserves to explain herself. 

“I should have talked to you first. I have no explanation as to why I let him feed me all these lies and confronted you about it without hearing your take on things first. I knew about the lies surrounding you. I knew none of them were true because you told me that yourself, and I always believed you. And yet, this time... I believed him. And I have no excuse for that, ___. I’m just so very sorry.”

Lowering your gaze, you nod, taking in her words. 

“I guess it was easier and less hurtful to believe you came on to him than him willingly cheating. And it's embarrassing to admit, but yes… Looks like that’s the person I am, after all.”

You see her struggling to keep the tears from falling but it's obviously hard for her to do that when it looks like she can barely see due to her eyes being full of unshed tears. You guess she doesn’t want you to pity her which is understandable. You can relate to that. But you’re not going to pity her for feeling bad about what she did because she should. It’s not her fault she got involved with the wrong guy, and it’s not her fault that he did what he did and said what he said. None of that was her doing. But she has to own up to her own mistakes. To what she said and did, and there is no way you will pity her for that. 

But that’s not what she expects nor is it what she wants, and you know that. She's not out to get you to see her as a victim.

“I know I said you don’t have to forgive me, and I stand by that. But maybe you can at least accept my apology. I feel so bad that I ruined our friendship for this.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say we were friends before,” you disagree, probably sounding a bit more irritated than you originally intended to. The way her face drops even more is an indicator of that, but you’re just telling the truth. It’s not like you ever hung out or anything like that. What you had was never a friendship. At least not in your book.

“Oh. Right. I see…” 

Feeling bad about your choice of wording, you sigh. You don't want to dwell on things that happened in the past, things that can't be made undone. What would you gain from that? 

Forgiveness is a virtue they say, but it's not easy. You wouldn't have thought about forgiving Nayeon had she decided to not speak about it with you, but she didn't. 

She owned up to her mistakes and apologized.  

“However,” lifting your gaze to look at her, you think about your next move for a second before shaking your head at yourself. “I don’t like to hold grudges.”

A look of hope washes over Nayeon’s face as a slight gasp leaves her lips at your words. “Wait, does— does that mean-”

“I won’t forgive you this quickly,” you clarify before she can even ask the question. “But you had the guts to come to me and apologize. I respect and thank you for that.”

“It’s the least you deserved.”

“Yes, it is,” you agree, nodding your head. “And yet, you’re the only one who has done that until now.” It’s a weird thing to admit, but you’re grateful for her apology. 

You’ve said it before, and you still stand by that; Nayeon is not a bad person per se. She’s someone who did something bad, but it’s obvious that she regrets it. And even if you’re not going to completely forgive her right now, you know that you will be able to in the future. 

Why be resentful if it won’t do you good anyway? 

Sure, you can get through the rest of your college years on your own, but it's easier when you don't have to.

“Can I ask you something?“ She carefully asks, testing the waters with you. 

You curtly nod, not expecting anything harmful. The more surprised you are when you hear what’s bothering her. 

“Why didn’t you say anything the day I confronted you? Why didn’t you defend yourself?” 

You scoff at that, raising a brow to show her how stupid her question is to you. “You think that was my obligation?” you ask. “Making a fool of myself even more while trying to convince you of something you would have never believed me anyway?” 

And that’s all it takes for her to immediately fall silent.

“You had already formed an opinion. I would have only dragged out the humiliation you subjected me to and gained absolutely nothing in the process,” you add with a scoff, watching how she bites her lip and breaks your gaze.  

Nayeon is quiet, but she nods, blinking away a few tears once again. “I can never express how sorry I am, ___. I always thought I wasn't one of those girls. The ones who are gullible enough to believe any bullshit their boyfriend plants into their brain. I just… I really wanted to trust him.” She looks devastated when she tells you that, and you must admit that it almost makes you feel for her. Almost.

But after swallowing hard and regaining her composure she takes the courage to hold your gaze again. “Did you mean it?”

You again raise your brow questioningly, trying to follow. “Mean what?”

“You know…,” she starts. “The thing about us not having been friends. Because to me, you really were one. Probably one of very few because it looks like apart from Jimin, there’s no one left now. They all decided to stuck by Yeji and Taehyung.”

“I never actually saw us as friends,” you say, deciding to go with the whole truth, even if that’s probably not what she wanted to hear. You can clearly see on her face that she was expecting a different answer. “However, I would have liked us to be,” you then add, immediately seeing her eyes light up at your confession. “But then it never seemed like anything real to me. I thought you were just trying to be nice because you felt bad.”

A barely noticeable smile tugs on Nayeon’s lips when you finish. “Befriending you is hard, ___. You’re very closed off, you know?” And for the first time, Nayeon actually laughs lightly.

It’s just a chuckle, nothing major but from the corner of your eyes, you can see Jimin, who’s very obviously keeping an eye on the two of you, watching your interaction intently. 

“I have my reasons,” you shrug, making her laugh stuck in her throat as soon as it started. “It's hard to put up trust. I have been through all of this several times, and no offense, but I’m glad I didn’t get my hopes up with you. We’ve seen what happens when it counts.”

“I can't tell you how ashamed I am of my behavior toward you, ___. Please, if there is anything I can do… I’ll do anything for you to forgive me,” she begs, making you roll your eyes. 

Looking at her, you groan, waving your hand in a manner to tell her to shut up. “You can start by stopping to be so damn dramatic,” you say. “I already told you I don’t like to hold grudges. Don’t make me regret it.”

You don’t have to say anything else for her to understand. She gets it. After all, Nayeon knows you don't like to be emotional, so it’s like a silent agreement between you two. 

Just don’t expect too much too soon, and we will be alright;

She almost looks like a child on Christmas morning when she bites back a grin, nodding her head understandingly. “Can I hug you?”  

“Ugh, Nayeon—” Your protesting groan is interrupted when she comes at you, taking you in a bone-crushing hug without warning. 

You keep your arms limp by your side, feeling uncomfortable when the hug lasts longer than you thought it would. Letting your eyes roam around, while you wait for her to stop crushing you. And as fate would have it, your gaze lands directly on Jimin, who is already looking at you with a soft, content smile on his face, sending a wink your way. 

You can’t believe this little fucker tricked you into making amends with Nayeon - and it worked! 

As a result, you send him a glare instead of silently telling him he’s getting it later but you only see him laugh before someone takes him away again. 

Fortunately for you, Nayeon finally decides to let you breathe again but she takes your hands in hers instead while looking at you with a creepy smile, already making you nervous about what’s about to come next. Even if you think you have an idea already. 

“So…,” she starts, dragging it out even though it’s not hard to guess what she’s about to ask. 

You can feel the panic already starting to build up inside you. 

“Jimin, huh?” She finally grins, teasingly wiggling her brows in the process. 

Now, this is exactly what you feared. You don’t want to discuss anything that has to do with Jimin, precisely Jimin and you with Nayeon. 

Not only would it be unpleasant for you to make her believe you are experiencing love when you have always loudly claimed that Jimin's infamous charm has no effect on you, but you're also not sure if she would even buy your lies. 

She knows your true opinion about Jimin, she knows your true opinion about relationships, and most importantly, she is the only one who knows both you and Jimin. 

This could go wrong pretty fast. So you must play your cards wisely. Don’t say too much, don't over-act, and keep a low profile, but tell her just enough to not make her suspicious. Easy. You got this. 

Nayeon laughs, probably sensing your discomfort while she studies your face. “I— sorry, I just… it’s hard to believe. When Jimin told me about you two, I almost choked,” she tells you, giggling with excitement. Why these news would excite her this much, you don’t quite know. But you have to admit it’s nice to see her happy like this for a change. “You need to tell me everything, okay? This is so cool, oh my God!”

You cannot help but let out a laugh as well, feeling how her hand squeezes yours so tightly. “It’s… a confusing story.”

“Oh, I bet! And you need to tell me all of it. I mean— one second you tell me you couldn’t care less about Jimin, then I disappear for a while, and next, you’re in love?!”

“We’re not 'in love',” you laugh, explicitly stressing the words while rolling your eyes in feigned annoyance. “Please do not exaggerate right away. This is… very new and very, uhm... uncertain so-”

She is quick to interrupt, having caught on to your weird choice of words while talking about the guy you're supposed to be in a relationship with.“Uncertain?” 

You cringe, already regretting your dumb choice of words. Uncertain? Really?

Clearing your throat, you shyly smile at her while you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “I mean… not uncertain. But we’re just at the beginning, so I don’t want you to jinx it.” 

“Ah!” Nayeon grins brightly, sending you a wink. “Don’t worry about that. He’s brought you along today which tells me you must be important to him,” she winks.

Your eyes get wide just as you chuckle uncomfortably. “Yea… I bet I am,” you lie, trying to sound as promising as possible. 

“He doesn’t let just anyone meet his family, trust me. Don’t tell him I said that, but Jimin is a little momma's boy,” Nayeon falls into a fit of giggles, making you join in as well. 

“Somehow, this is not surprising at all,” you laugh along. 

You already knew how close Jimin is with his family from how he spoke about them in the past. He’s told you some basics to not completely throw you into the deep end, and you’re very thankful for that. You hope it can come in handy later at dinner when you’re finally going to be introduced formally.

“How did you two even meet?” Nayeon suddenly asks, completely throwing you off with the first question already. You never agreed on a specific story with Jimin on how you even got to this stage. 

“Oh, uhm... he came by my apartment one day. It was very random actually, but he wanted to apologize for what happened,” you say, deciding to stick with the... well, half-truth at least. It's better to give her some crumbs of what actually happened than to make some cliche romance story up in your head in a matter of a couple of seconds. This has to be the safest plan. 

Luckily, Nayeon doesn't even seem to see the slightest thing weird about this as she just nods with a stupid smile on her face. “He's always been a very conscientious guy. He felt bad about the whole thing, you know?”

This, you didn't know yet, and you gotta admit it's surprising to hear since he didn't seem that concerned when he came to you. Yes, he did apologize for his friend and he did look troubled after learning you still try to avoid people as best as you can - but he's never given you the impression of actually caring about your feelings. At least not like that. Maybe you're similar in that way, and he doesn't like to show too much emotion either. 

“Anyway, he was the last person I expected an apology from since, you know, he didn't really do anything. He was a victim too,” you explain further. “So we kinda talked for a while and started meeting up a little more, and the rest is history,” you shrug, trying to keep it as short as that, hoping she won't dig deeper. 

You feel like that should be enough. If she wants to know more, she should go and ask Jimin, to let you see if he can come up with something better. 

Thinking about that, you have no idea what story he told his parents or if he even did tell them anything, but you hope it's not something completely different. You make a mental note to ask him later, deciding not to stress too much. 

Thankfully, Nayeon seems to be happy with your answer. Either that, or she noticed how uncomfortable you are already and doesn't want to push her luck too soon, but no matter what it is, she doesn't ask further. 

Deciding to make use of the situation and take the conversation in a slightly different direction, you take the initiative to speak up again. “Any tips on how not to make a fool of myself later?” You ask, hoping maybe Nayeon can help you come off as… well, someone who's worthy of their time. 

Nayeon gives you a warm smile. “Just be yourself, ___,” she says. Noticing you’re already about to complain, she takes both of your hands in hers again and makes you look at her. “Just be the way you always are, and they’re going to love you, trust me.”

“Yeah, I kinda doubt it, actually,” you sigh. It’s not that you’re particularly worried about Jimin’s family not liking you or not wanting you to be with Jimin - that isn’t your goal anyway - you’re just nervous about getting looked down on again. It’s just not a nice feeling, and even if you won’t have to face them ever again after tomorrow, it’s still something you’d like to avoid. 

“Don’t stress too much. They’re lovely people,” she then reassures you, trying to ease your nerves. 

“I know, it’s just—” you stop yourself, biting your lip as you take a quick look around, contemplating if you really want to say it. 

Turns out you don’t need to since Nayeon gives your hands a squeeze to make you look at her. You’re surprised to see the compassionate look in her eyes as she gives you a small smile. “You’re worried they’ve heard?”

Sighing, you nod, feeling a little dumb for being so see-through, but you’re glad, Nayeon seems to understand your problem.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that if I were you,” she says, smiling when she sees the way you frown at that.

“Jimin’s sister obviously knows. She’s giving me death stares ever since we arrived,” you explain, trying to make her see your fear is valid.

“Ah, right, don’t take it to heart. She’s a teenager,” Nayeon chuckles. “She gives everyone that look and she automatically bitches at everyone too. It’s the hormones,” she shrugs. “Mijoo will probably just need to warm up to you first before she stops behaving like that, but as I said, don’t take it too personally.”

“But she obviously knows about the rumors. Jimin said she’s friends with some siblings of our classmates, so it’s a given,” you sigh. “So embarrassing.”

“It’s not embarrassing because it's not true. None of it is.” For the first time, Nayeon’s voice is stern as she’s sporting a deep frown on her otherwise perfectly smooth face. “These rumors don’t define you, ___. You’re more than that. Don’t let them hold you back from anything. You’re funny, you’re beautiful and smart, and they will see that. It doesn’t matter what some people who have never even had the pleasure to speak to you have to say about you.”

Nayeon’s little outburst makes you smile, although it makes your heart clench when you remember that she’s trying to make you feel better while you’re lying straight to her face. You're not nervous for the reason she thinks you are. It doesn’t feel right, but you try to calm your conscience by telling yourself that you’re not actually hurting anybody by doing this. It will be over in a while, and then you can laugh about it with her. At least you hope. 

Someone getting closer to you attracts your attention from the corner of your eyes, so you turn your head just a little to see Jimin coming toward you with a bright smile on his face. 

“Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but I need to steal ___ again. There are some people left who want me to introduce her.”

“Oh, so now you’re coming back from looking at that invisible thing? To introduce me to more people,” you frown, crossing your arms in despair. “What am I to you, Park - just someone to show off?” You’re just joking and Jimin catches on, immediately playing along. 

 “Of course, you are, babe. Can’t let Nayeon be the only one lucky enough to have your attention.”

Nayeon squeals again, getting your and Jimin’s attention as you look at her questioningly. “You guys are too cute! I’ll leave you to it then, but see you later, yeah?” 

“Sure, see you at dinner,” Jimin smiles, gradually throwing his arm around your shoulders. 

You exchange a look with Nayeon, seeing how she sends you one last wink combined with a look that probably means to tell you not to stress and that everything will be fine before she walks off.

“Nayeon will be at the dinner too?” You ask Jimin, kinda hoping you didn’t misunderstand. You would feel less nervous, knowing she’ll be there too. 

“Her father is our most important business partner and long-time family friend. Our families are almost always together at every gathering there is,” Jimin explains. “Will that be a problem?” He asks, looking at you with a look in his eyes you think could be interpreted as worry. “I thought you guys looked like you talked things out. Did I misinterpret?”

“It wouldn’t be a problem,” you shake your head. “And we did get to talk, yes.” 

Jimin stares at you intently as if he’s waiting for you to spill the beans, but you’re keeping him in suspense for now. “You planned that pretty well, huh? I would like to smack you, but that huge knife in my back hinders me from moving too much,” you grunt, pursing your lips to a pout. 

He has the audacity to laugh while tightening his grip around you. “Ah, I was only trying to help. Don’t be mad, please.” 

Honestly, you expected him to throw a witty remark your way, complain about you being extra, or even deny having planned all that, but he looks a little remorseful as he admits it. 

“I knew Nayeon wanted to talk to you badly, but she didn’t know how to approach you and even if you would never admit it, I knew you were aching for her to make amends too,” he confesses, raking his hand through his hair to get some loose strands out of his face in the process. “Wasn’t sure if I’d be going too far but guessed it’d be worth a try. And hey… you didn’t kill her, so please don’t kill me either, alright?” He offers you a wide grin, but his eyes are pleading for forgiveness. 

You must admit, seeing him in this position does something to you. It brings you inner peace to see him so restless and insecure while he waits for you to say something. So you drag it out just a little longer for your own pleasure before you redeem him. 

“Thank you,” you finally mutter, letting your eyes wander as you fight against this inner urge to gag due to having to thank him for going behind your back. “She apologized, and we got to talk things out, thanks to you. I’m still mad at you for doing this without my permission, but I guess you did the right thing this time.”

And again, Jimin doesn’t ruin the moment with a stupid comment or joke, teasing you about being right. He just accepts what you said with a nod and a kind smile. 

“Just happy I could help,” he says in a soft voice. “You both deserve better than that. Can’t help to have allies, right?”

You don’t get to say anything else to that because Jimin finally drags you along to meet the other people he wanted to introduce you to. 

Another half hour passes by, filled with business talk you don’t understand until you finally get a break again. 

“I know this is boring for you, and it is for me too, but I would be very grateful to you if you wouldn’t make it that obvious when we’re talking to someone,” Jimin grunts holding your hand a little too tight. 

“Okay, I get your irritation, but I swear that yawn came out of nowhere. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful,” you explain, trying to swallow the little laugh that’s waiting to come out. “It is boring, though, I’m not gonna lie. How did Yeji do this?” you suddenly ask, not thinking about your words and freezing when you hear her name leave your lips. 

You still don’t know if it’s okay to talk about her in front of Jimin, or not. He usually reacts irritated whenever he crosses her path and therefore you’re walking on eggshells around him when she is mentioned. This time, your mouth was just a little faster than your brain. 

“Well, according to recent events and accumulation of information, I guess she probably compensated by fucking my best friend whenever she got the time to.”

He sounds careless, but you easily notice his clenched jaw. 

You clear your throat and look to the floor in shame, quickly apologizing.

“It's okay,” he grins, easing your nerves. “You don’t have to tiptoe around me, you know?.”

“It’s just that I don’t know what’s going on with you at all,” you try to explain. “You don’t talk much about her.”

To this day you still don’t know much about Yeji and Jimin as a couple; how he feels about the situation, how he found out, and so on. 

Yes, he seems to be mad at her, of course, but when he came to you, asking you to be his girlfriend, you kinda figured it was to win her back. He never gave you another reason for him to want to do this, so you’re just really confused. But he never wants to talk about it either, so it’s no wonder you don’t know how to act in front of him when it comes o his ex-girlfriend. 

“It doesn’t really matter, that’s why.” 

You’re just about to contradict and tell him that it actually does matter - especially since you happen to be a part of this, but Jimin is quick to interrupt. “While we’re at it, I would also really appreciate it if you could stop flirting with my cousin the next time he talks to you,” he says, as always, changing the topic before he has to say more. 

“But he’s so cute!” you huff, dramatically kicking your head back as you whine. “And he was the one who started flirting, just so you know.”

“I do know. I was standing right beside you if you forgot,” he glares, looking at you with irritation clear on his face. “Doesn’t mean you can just shamelessly flirt back.”

“Do you know if he is single?” you ask, obviously not having listened to anything he just said, which makes Jimin’s frown even more prominent. 

“Would you stop that?” he grumbles, looking straight at you. “Why would you care if he’s single when you aren’t even single yourself?”

Pursing your lips you hide a grin, happy you found a new way to tease him. “Well, technically, I am—”

“Well, technically, you’re not. Now stop this nonsense. We’re on a mission,” he snaps, clearly done with your conversation. 

Figuring you’ve annoyed him enough, for now, you quietly laugh to yourself as you let him drag you with him to your next destination.

The dinner finally came after endless hours of meeting and talking to people. Even though you were nervous about it, you couldn’t wait for it to happen since you were dying of boredom and hunger. 

Just as Nayeon had predicted, you sure were stressing without reason because Jimin’s parents are exceptionally kind. Almost too kind to be successful business people, but then again, all your knowledge comes from movies and some would say that’s not a reliable source.

Anyway, you’re having fun, and Jimin seems to be happy too - at least he hasn’t kicked you under the table or squeezed your hand too tight for a while now, which tells you you’re not performing too bad. 

Nayeon is sitting on the other end of this abnormally large table with her family so there’s no chance for you to communicate, or even properly hear her, but she sends you comforting smiles from time to time which you appreciate a lot.

But your nervousness has long gone, thanks to Jimin’s mom and dad, who made sure to give you a warm welcome and include you in every conversation from the very beginning to avoid making you uncomfortable.

Of course, both of them ask you questions from time to time, which you already knew would happen because they wanted to get to know you for a reason. But none of the questions asked were inappropriate, embarrassed you, or had anything to do with any rumors. 

On top of that, the food was simply fantastic. You are sure that you have never eaten better in your life, nor that you will ever eat so well again. You even have to stop yourself from longingly looking after the empty plates that the staff clears before serving the dessert almost immediately afterward. 

It’s a fancy little cake, glazed with what looks like chocolate and garnished with strawberries and blueberries. It’s almost too pretty to eat, but you don’t even get the chance to look at it for more than a few seconds before Jimin calls for one of the waitresses and makes you, and everybody else, look at him instead. 

“Hey, I'm sorry to bother you, but would it be possible to ask for one that has grapes instead of strawberries? I know you offer several variants, but only if it’s not too much of a hassle,” Jimin politely asks, giving the waitress his brightest, most charming smile.

The poor girl looks like she’s about to faint, not even being able to hold Jimin’s gaze for more than a millisecond and still blushing like crazy. She doesn’t even get one word out, just nods shyly before walking off as soon as she can.

You cannot help but laugh internally because it was cute, even if you feel a little sorry for her.

“Since when do you not like strawberries anymore?” Mijoo, Jimin’s sister, asks loudly, looking a little irritated. 

“I do,” Jimin shrugs, not really paying further attention to Mijoo’s bothered look. “But ___ doesn’t.”

And suddenly, all eyes are on you, and you look at Jimin in disbelief, wondering if you heard right. He’s just briefly smiling at you but doesn’t elaborate any further. 

“What?” You ask, trying to cover your confusion with an uneasy laugh. 

“Hm? Is that not the truth?” 

“Yes, it is. I’m allergic to strawberries, so I don’t eat them,” you confirm, still feeling everyone’s eyes on you, making you uncomfortable. You’re almost sure this is your punishment for laughing at the waitress earlier. “I didn’t know I’d told you about that.”

You weren't going to say anything, not wanting to be a bother, and if it had been up to you, it wouldn't have been necessary to send the dessert back either. You could have just left out the strawberries like you always do. 

Jimin softly chuckles. “You didn’t, but one doesn’t have to be a genius to notice that about you,” he says. “Whenever we're out, and you're eating anything with strawberries, you always leave them, but you keep stealing the grapes out of my fruit salad. Don't think I haven't noticed.”

You’re baffled, to say the least. Everything he said is the truth but… not in a million years would you have thought he was paying enough attention to you to notice that about you. Him noticing you're stealing the grapes from his ritual Monday morning fruit salad might not be hard to believe, but the strawberry thing? You don’t even know what to say. 

Feeling the embarrassment creeping up and your ears getting hot already, you tear your eyes from Jimin as you clear your throat. You quickly look at Nayeon, who is already giving you a knowing smile. 

Luckily for you, the waitress comes back soon after to bring you your dessert, so you (and everybody else) are now occupied with eating instead.

“Thank you,” you quietly mutter, only for him to hear, seeing how Jimin sends a wink your way.

You mostly eat in silence, letting everybody carry on different conversations while you’re too much in your head. 

To most people, the strawberry incident probably wouldn’t be such a big deal, but it is to you. It makes you think how little you actually know about Jimin. You never made an effort to learn anything about him, which hasn't bothered you before. Hell, you didn't even know! But now that you have talked a bit with the people in his life, it has become very noticeable. You can only hope nobody else noticed. 

You never thought much of it either, since what you're having isn't a real relationship, so why get to know each other. Well, apparently, that hasn’t stopped Jimin from noticing subtle things about you, which now just makes you feel bad that you didn’t know what kind of business his family has and it occurs to you just now, that you don’t even know when his birthday is. 

You know he eats a fruit salad every Monday morning, likes his family, and despises Jungkook, but that's it.

Maybe you should work on that.

You’re alone, just strolling around after dinner since everyone had something else to do. The first person you meet is Mijoo, who is currently sitting at the huge pool and letting her feet dangle in the water.

That she's not exactly keen on getting to know you, you’ve already noticed, and that’s okay, you guess. But for some reason, you don't want to leave without giving her the chance to see that you are not the person people make you out to be. 

Maybe it really only has something to do with your honor, but you don't want to leave things between you like this.

After thinking about it for a short while, you slowly walk over to her and sit down next to her. 

“Is it okay with you if I keep you company for a while?” you ask, giving her a small smile when she turns her head to look at you. “Everybody else is busy, and I was a little bored.”

She shrugs before averting her gaze back into the water. “Pretty pointless to ask when you're already sitting down anyway.”

You cannot help but snort at her sly remark, nodding your head in the process. “Fair point. But I can leave if you don’t want me here. No hard feelings, I promise,” you grin. 

Yes, admittedly, Mijoo is hard to approach and not the least bit as open and friendly as her parents, but Nayeon is right - she is just a teenager, driven by hormones. You would be lying if you said you couldn't remember that time. 

That's why you don't resent her behavior. 

How could you if you were a nightmare during your angsty teenage years as well?

Mijoo lets out an annoyed sigh but shakes her head anyway, showing you you’re allowed to stay. 

For a while, you’re just sitting in comfortable silence. You enjoy the warm water around your feet while letting your eyes roam the area. The Park property is truly beautiful. You knew they were rich, but this is just amazing. A tiny smile forms on your lips when you take it all in. And then your eyes fall on someone standing a little farther away talking to some guys. 

“That’s your boyfriend, right?”

You watch how Mijoo rolls her eyes, obviously annoyed by you trying to make conversation. 

You already know that it’s him. Not to be mean, but Jimin's description of his appearance was.... strangely on point. You would never say it out loud, though. 

“Did Jimin send you here to talk to me?” she snaps, eyes forming to slits.

A chuckle breaks through your lips at her snarky tone. “No, I promise he didn’t,” you say truthfully, smiling at her. “I really just didn’t have anyone to talk to for a while, so I decided to come down and talk to you since we didn't really have the chance to get to know each other yet.” 

She doesn’t even look at you and doesn’t say a word, so you wait for a while before you start talking again. 

“You don’t like me very much,” you state, not even feeling the need to ask since there’s no point in asking a question you already know the answer to. 

Gladly, but unsurprisingly, Mijoo doesn’t even try to convince you otherwise. “I heard some stuff about you.”

You didn't expect her to hit you with the truth so soon, but you're pleasantly surprised, to say the least. Yes, getting the harsh truth can hurt sometimes, but you prefer it instead of being lied to.

“Yea, I bet you have,” you quietly chuckle, letting your feet dangle inside the water. “People sure have a lot to say about me.”

Mijoo clears her throat, seemingly also surprised by you not trying to deny anything either. “And is it true? The stuff they say?” 

You look into the water, eyes following the small waves the movements of your feet are causing before shrugging your shoulders. You lean your head to the side as you grin at her. “What do you think?”

She seems a little perplexed, but she clears her throat and averses her gaze from you, probably preferring to not look at you right now. “I think, I don’t know you enough to form a final opinion on you.“ 

She looks down at her feet in the water while she says it, making you smile yourself. This family really is something else. 

“Hm, Maybe we could try to get to know each other a little better, and then I’ll ask you again,” you suggest, biting your lip. 

You’re not sure, but it kind of feels like the ice is slowly about to break. Or at least it's getting warmer.

For the first time since you’ve met her, you think you see the ghost of a smile appear on her otherwise stoic face while she stares into the water, but it’s gone as soon as it came. It still makes you a little happy, letting you catch some hope that you might be making process with her. 

“Maybe,” she shrugs, trying to act careless, but you can see her relax in your presence. It makes you immensely proud of yourself. 

“I may not know you,” she then says. “But I do know my brother. And Jimin wouldn’t be with you if the things they say about you were the truth. Or at least… if you were a bad person.”

You nod, pouting your lips. “Guess you will just have to find out then. Who knows, maybe you will end up liking me,” you say with a teasing tone in your voice while Mijoo’s face stays serious. 

“I liked Yeji. Didn’t turn out too well either,” she then states, making the teasing smile on your face disappear as soon as it came. 

Feeling a little uncomfortable, you clear your throat and straighten your back. 

“Considering what I’ve heard about you, I really hope Jimin knows what he’s doing and that the things they say about you really aren’t true, or else you and I will have a big problem.”

You can’t even be mad at her for telling you this because it somehow warms your heart to see her so protective of her big brother. It’s much like the day Jimin told you about her and mentioned he didn’t want her to get hurt. You always wished for a relationship like that with someone. A sibling, a friendship… but you never had the chance to make that kind of connection with someone. 

It’s good to see something like this exist outside of movies and books. 

“You know what? That’s fair. I promise I won’t disappoint you - or him,” you grin slightly, trying to ease the tension again. 

She doesn’t say anything to that anymore but seems to accept it, and you fall back into silence. The next time it gets disrupted isn’t because of you, but surprisingly it’s Mijoo, who starts speaking first, startling you just a little since you didn’t expect it from her. 

“I know you said Jimin didn’t ask you to talk to me, but I already know he vented to you about Chanyeol. And if it should occur to you anyway, don't even try to tell me anything. I don’t want to have this conversation with you. I know what I’m doing,” she informs you, still suspicious of your true intentions in talking to her.

You can't help but laugh at that, seeing how on point she is with her guess about Jimin. She really knows him well. “Ah, no. Don’t misinterpret, please,” you start. “Jimin definitely asked me to talk to you, but I refused,” you admit, thinking it’s best to be as honest as you can with her. It’s pretty obvious she is very attentive to her surroundings and knows Jimin better than anyone else, so she wouldn’t believe you anyway. 

“Oh?” For some reason, she looks as if she did not expect this answer from you. “How come you didn't wanna do it?”

Letting out a loud, exaggerated sigh, you lean back on your hands again and enjoy the view of the sun slowly setting in front of you. “I’m really the last person to give advice to others if it’s about relationships or guys in general,” you explain. “I’m a mess in that field,” you giggle. 

Mijoo once again doesn’t reply with words and gives you a nod, silently telling you she's listening. 

“Besides, I can't take the liberty of telling you anything about your boyfriend when I don't really know either of you.”

“Good. I agree with you,” she coughs. It’s probably not what she expected to hear, but she seems to share your opinion, so you guess this was the right answer. 

You are happy you can be honest in that aspect at least. It’s a shame you already have to lie about everything else, but that’s not your concern now. Although you had a hard time getting used to lying to these people that are treating you with so much kindness, it’s Jimin’s family, so it must (or at least should) be even harder for him. Especially since he is so close with them. 

Luckily, you don’t get to spend much more thought on that since Mijoo continues to talk not soon after, and the first thing that comes to her mind is complaining to you about how annoying Jimin is which kinda makes you laugh. 

“For real. Why can’t he just shut up and keep his nose out of my business for once?” She groans. “I have never interfered in his affairs like that because unlike him, I can show some respect.”

You guess Jimin is more intrusive than you would have thought when it comes to his sister and her boyfriend, and for some reason that doesn't surprise you one bit.

“He just cares about you, Mijoo,” you try to explain without interfering too much. You don’t want her to think you’re taking Jimin’s side because as you already told him at the party, you think it would be best to just let her be. But you feel the need to show her he’s not acting out of cruelty. 

“Jimin knows how guys are at your age. Well, not that they’re any better at our age, to be honest, but he really loves you and doesn’t want you to end up being hurt,” you try to explain. “Honestly, I would kill to have someone like that in my life. I always wanted to have an older brother. Really could have used a Jimin when I was your age or even now,” you chuckle, imagining what your life would have been like if you had had someone like him at Mijoo’s age.

“Oh,” she says, probably sensing your conversation suddenly got a bit too private and you feel it too, even if that was not your intention. You got a little off track it seems.

“But… at least you have Jimin now.” She sounds confused, making your alarm bells go off because you realize you let your cover slip for just a second. “I’m sure he cares about you just as much.” 

You clear your throat, trying to keep your composure as you muster a smile back on your face. “Yea. Sure. He does, of course…” you try to smile at her, but it stopped being sincere. “I just mean… I wish I would have met him sooner.”

You both stay silent for quite some time after, but other than the times before, this time feels uncomfortable to you. Your little slip-up makes you nervous and stressed. Yes, it wasn’t anything big, but you’re not sure if that is already enough to make Mijoo suspicious.

“He thinks very highly of you, you know?” She suddenly breaks the silence. It’s almost pathetic how fast your head turns to look at her after she said that, and you can’t be sure because of the poor light source, but you think she almost smiled at that.

“Why do you think that?” You ask, almost instantly wanting to smack yourself again for sounding so doubtful. 

Would an actual girlfriend react so surprised? 

“Well, for starters, because he literally begged me to not tell our parents any of the things going around about you,” she shrugs. “Not because he’s ashamed of you - he wouldn’t have brought you here if that was the case - but because he didn't want their impression of you to be affected by that. He wanted them to get to know you as you really are because he knew they would like you. Plus, he didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” 

She’s saying all that so carelessly while you must look completely baffled with your eyes big and your mouth hanging open. 

“He really said all that?”

“All that and a couple more things, but I stopped listening because I felt uncomfortable in that lovey-dovey situation,” she says, cringing right after.

You laugh, shaking your head at her, knowing pretty damn well that she completely misinterpreted, but you’re still surprised he would do that for you. He also didn’t tell you about it, which you don’t quite understand, but he must have his reasons, and you're not going to dwell on that. 

Thankfully you don't get the chance to do that anyway because Mijoo makes sure to speak up again. “Well, hopefully, he doesn't have the time to annoy me that much anymore since he has you now to keep his mind off of my relationship,” she sighs, making her annoyance with her brother known. “Last month at one of our family get-togethers, he gave Chanyeol a pack of condoms, trying to embarrass us,” she rages.

“Jimin gave condoms to your boyfriend?” You ask, amazed because you would have never thought of that. A voucher for a visit to the hairdresser, maybe; a pair of pants that will cover his butt, perhaps, but condoms?

“He bought them in the smallest size possible just to embarrass him. Such a typical unfunny joke from Jimin, I swear. It was nothing but another excuse to annoy us both,” she explains.

Pressing your lips together, you nod your head a little. “That sounds more like him, to be honest.” You know this isn't supposed to be funny, and Mijoo's obvious annoyance is more than enough evidence. But it's hard to keep a straight face. 

Please. It is a little funny okay?

“Don't worry, they were probably just leftovers from his own stash,” you joke, forgetting who you're talking to for a moment. It only occurs to you when you hear her laugh loudly beside you, almost making you fall into the pool from the unexpected reaction.

“Why didn't I think of that come back then? Oh, what a waste,” she complains while still giggling loudly. 

Although you're happy you got this big of a reaction out of her for a change, you do regret making that joke in the first place. Joking about your supposed boyfriend's small dick in front of his underage sister. You're sure Jimin wouldn't find that funny, but oh well. He isn't here.

“Happy to help, but don't tell him I said that,” you chuckle.

It seems like most of the tension between you and Mijoo evaporated shortly after. And even if you feel a tiny bit bad it happened at Jimin's expense, you're happy for yourself. 

What they say must be true, after all; nothing brings two people closer together than a common enemy.

About an hour later, you’re sitting in front of a bonfire with Jimin, Nayeon, and Mijoo while tightly wrapped in a blanket because the fire wasn’t enough for you to get warm. 

Everybody else has already left, but the four of you decided to hang out a little longer. 

Mijoo’s boyfriend had to leave as well, much to Jimin’s joy, but you managed to make him shut up about it before the siblings could get into a fight. 

For the past half hour, you found yourselves talking about different things, laughing about stupid stories either of you told, and well… getting a little drunk it seems. 

“Okay, my turn, uhm…” Jimin thinks for a while before he starts chuckling to himself and looks at his sister. “Hey, do you remember the wedding we attended a couple years ago? The one where the bride almost had a stroke because her sister - the first bridesmaid - was nowhere to be found while she should have been there already?” Jimin asks her, seeing her nod her head. 

“Of course I do!” Mijoo laughs. “Wasn’t she locked up in the bathroom or something?” She asks while trying to get her own memory going. 

Jimin grins widely, taking a big gulp from his beer bottle before he nods briefly. “Yeah, that was the official story she told everyone,” he chuckles, looking mischievous. “The truth, however, is that she was busy sucking me off behind the chapel.”

Almost instantly the two girls start to groan and complain loudly, making gagging noises and sending deep frowns his way. 

“Jimin!“ Nayeon exclaims, rolling her eyes. “This is so disrespectful towards ___.” 

“What? Why?” he asks, seemingly confused, looking at you to see you looking just as confused.

“Because you don’t brag about past hookups in front of your girlfriend. That’s common sense,” Mijoo agrees, looking at her brother with a stern look. 

Jimin pouts at you, squeezing your sides lightly while his arm is wrapped around you ever since you sat down on his lap. You saw Mijoo doing the same with her boyfriend earlier, and since it occurred to you that Jimin is putting way more work into this whole fake dating thing than you, you decided this would be a good idea. He didn’t seem to complain.

“Is that true? Are you jealous, babe?” Jimin then asks teasingly referring to Nayeon and Mijoo’s words. 

You pinch the bridge of your nose, sighing loudly before fixing your eyes on his own. “I might not look like it, but I’m raging inside,” you say, trying to look as serious as possible before you and Jimin simultaneously burst into laughter. 

“If this isn’t a match made in heaven.” You hear Mijoo mutter quietly, but you both don’t react to it, too caught up in your drunken giggles about things you probably wouldn’t find as funny if you were completely sober. 

Wiping a tear from the corner of your eye from laughing so hard, you clear your throat before looking at the other two girls. “Alright, it’s my turn now so uhm… who wants to hear the story about how I lost my virginity?” you boldly ask, excitedly looking around. 

“Me!” Jimin immediately yells into your ear, sounding just as eager to hear your story as you are to tell it. Unfortunately, he seems to be the only one since Nayeon and Mijoo are starting to get up, muttering something about needing to leave. 

“Hey, no! Come on, guys. I swear it’s a funny story!” you whine, trying to make them stay. 

“And this is my cue to go to bed,” Nayeon says, grinning at you before her eyes turn stern when she looks at Jimin. “Take care of her tonight and get her home save tomorrow, you hear me?”

“Yes, Ma’m,” Jimin salutes, making the both of you fall into a fit of giggles again. 

Nayeon sighs but still smiles at the two of you. “Come on, Mijoo, I think it’s time we leave the two alone. Talk to you later, ___, okay?” She sends you a hopeful smile, to which you only nod and give her a thumbs up, making her chuckle at your drunken stupidity.

“So, about that story,” Jimin starts a couple of minutes after you two got abandoned by the girls and you still haven’t spilled the beans, reminding you of what you actually wanted to talk about. 

“Right!” you exclaim, smacking your forehead when you remember. “Oh God, that was so funny,” you giggle. “I mean, it wasn’t at that moment, but now, several years later and after a lot worse things happened, I can wholeheartedly laugh at this failure.”

Jimin only gives you a warm smile, absently pulling the blanket back over your suddenly exposed shoulder without you even noticing.  

“So it happened with my first-ever boyfriend,” you begin, grinning up at him with big, glistening eyes that reflect the fire just perfectly. “We just kind of… decided to do it in his room after school on a random Wednesday-”

“The classic,” Jimin nods. “Personally, I would prefer a Friday, but who am I to judge.”

He’s just teasing you, quietly laughing to himself when you get frustrated for forgetting where you were after he interrupted you and the way a frown replaces the excited look you previously had in your eyes.

It doesn’t last for that long, and you’re quickly back on track, continuing your story. Even if Jimin thought it was funny, he decides to not tease you again and just let you speak - even if it’s very tempting. 

“Okay, so we’re doing it alright?” you gulp, sipping from the wine glass in your hand. “And then, all of a sudden, his mom just… barges in!” 

“No way!” Jimin laughs, kicking his head back, accidentally squeezing you even tighter against him in the meantime. 

“Yes, way! But the disturbing part is that he... came. In those exact two seconds, his mom was watching,” you say, both in horror and amusement from remembering the sheer embarrassment you felt that day. “Just like that. No warning.”

“What!” Jimin almost falls over in laughter, shifting in his seat and slightly making you grab onto him tighter because it felt like you’re falling off his lap for a second. “You’re shitting me. There is no way it actually went down like this.”

“No! I swear that’s what happened,” you giggle, shrugging innocently as if you didn’t just tell him about your boyfriend nutting while his mother was watching the two of you.

“And then what happened? What did she do?” He asks, still interested but also kinda grossed out by the images making their way into his head. 

“She yelped and ran off,” you shrug. “And I never went back to that house ever again,” you explain while cringing. “This is so typical for me, I swear. The whole thing lasted no more than three minutes, and yet she had to barge in at that very moment,” you groan, shaking your head in disbelief. You have always been haunted by bad luck, it seems.

Jimin barely holds it together, and his laugh is just too contagious for you to be embarrassed by old memories. 

“Three minutes?” he then scoffs after his laughter has died down. “Not to brag or anything, but I could at least give you four.”

You gasp, shifting your body a little on his lap to face him better. “Four whole minutes, Park? That'd be like… my new personal record.” 

Jimin laughs again, his face coming even closer. “That’s sad, ___.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” you sigh. “It’s hard being a woman, having an interest in men.”

He grins brightly, hugging you closer. “Either that, or you just have bad taste.”

“We all know about my bad taste, Park. You don’t always have to remind me,” you roll your eyes. “I prefer to put the blame on others like any real adult would.”

You’re averting your gaze from the fire that’s slowly starting to go out, not looking at him for a mere second, but when you look back at him, something has changed. 

Your faces are suddenly so close, and you can't even remember when that happened, but he's so close that you can clearly feel his breath on your lips. You watch his tongue dart out for a mere second as it runs over his bottom lip, and you find yourself mesmerized by it. 

Jimin is suddenly so still too, not moving at all, and if you weren't so busy looking at his lips, you'd notice him staring at yours the same way.

Slowly, carefully, his free hand - the one that isn’t already holding your waist to keep you secure on his lap - slides up to your face to get rid of a strand of hair that had just fallen into your eye, and he dips his head just a bit. Then, just as slowly and carefully, he leans in, giving you plenty of time to pull away if you want to.

But you don't. You don’t move at all. You don’t even know what’s going on, have no idea when the atmosphere shifted from joking about past hookups to… this. But you’re curious. You're curious to see what he’s willing to do.

When his lips finally make contact with yours, it's gentle and soft. He kisses you delicately, almost as though you're made of glass. It feels different from your first kiss. This time there's no one watching, no one to prove anything to, and if you were completely sober, this kiss would probably confuse you a lot more than the first one did.

The hand on your side roams, finding your curves and squeezing all of them gently, making goosebumps form on your skin. Jimin pulls back to take a breath, even in the dim light, you can see his lips are swollen from the kiss, and he's staring at you with dark eyes.

“Shall we go inside?” he asks. 

You nod, silently standing up and waiting for him to put the fire out completely before he comes over to you, sporting a handsome smile on his face as he takes your hand and leads you all the way into the house. 

You don’t remember how it started, or who implied it, but you don’t even make it entirely up to his room before you’re kissing again, clumsily stumbling up the stairs and giggling whenever one of you accidentally bumps against a random piece of furniture.

Once inside his room with the door shut behind you, he carelessly throws his dress jacket over an armchair before stepping closer to you once again. You simply just watch his every move, not backing away in the slightest with your eyes fixed solely on his as one of his fingers tilts your chin up.

You can feel goosebumps rise up on your arms again as he kisses you sweetly, touching you without the blanket blocking his fingers from your skin as he backs you up until your legs bump against a small dresser. Within a second, he has you sitting on it while he settles between your legs, kissing you with more force than before.

There is no tongue this time, but it feels more intense than the kiss you shared before and it's making your head spin.

But you must seem to have misinterpreted his eagerness to kiss you because the moment you let your hands wander over his toned chest and down to his belt, he is quick to stop your movements altogether.

He pulls back to take a breath, and when your eyes flutter open in confusion, there is a soft smile adorning his face.

“Why not?” you ask, trying to make him come closer again, but he doesn’t budge. 

Jimin only smiles as he looks at you, looking into your big, glassy eyes while you look at him in question. 

“Because you’re drunk, ___.”

You groan, stubbornly shaking your head. You keep your arms around his neck while trying to reason with him. “So what? You’re drunk too, so it doesn’t matter.”

“I’m not as drunk as you. Not in the slightest,” he chuckles, smiling down at you just as you let out a big huff in annoyance. “I won’t take advantage of you like that. That wouldn’t be okay, and if you weren’t so drunk, I know you would agree.”

“Why do you always say that? I’m not that drunk,” you argue.

Jimin only grins, seemingly amused by your irritation. “You haven’t said anything mean to me in the past couple of hours, babygirl. That’s not normal.” 

There it is. That stupid pet name you hate so much. He hasn't called you that all day and him using it right now, tells you the moment passed and that he's determined to not let anything happen tonight.

“Ugh, of all the times you could have chosen to be a decent guy, you choose now? That‘s such a typical move from you. Anything to annoy me.” 

He chuckles, carefully reaching for your hands to move them away from around him. “I promise, if you still want it tomorrow morning, I will be the last person to not immediately be up for it.”

You pout, not willing to give up so easily. “I think we should allow ourselves a little reward for… being such good actors.” you propose trying to persuade him again, even if it obviously won’t have any use. He made up his mind, and as he said earlier, if you were sober, you would agree with him. 

Jimin only grins but still withdraws further from you, making your pout even bigger in the process. “I’m completely with you on that one, but still - not in this state. Please understand.”

“Ugh, whatever,” you scoff, hopping off the counter and stumbling over to his bed before landing face-first inside it and rolling over with a groan. “Why would I want sex with you if I could just spend those four minutes sleeping?”

Jimin laughs as you feel the mattress dip when he joins you. “Look at you being such a horny little brat,” he smirks, looking down at your annoyed face. 

“Stop talking to me like that if you’re not going to do anything about it,” you mutter, rolling on your side so you don’t face him any longer. 

“Alright, I’m gonna go take a quick shower. You can go to sleep if you want to but you should take off your make-up first and get out of this dress, so you feel more comfortable.” Jimin then says, just as you hear him shuffling around in his closet. “I'll lay out a few things for you for the night. As soon as I'm gone, you can change in peace.”

Even if you’re suddenly almost too tired to move, you listen to him and do what he asked you to do. You sleepily wiggle out of your dress and hang it over a chair so it won’t get too many crinkles, and lastly, find your bag and take out a few makeup wipes.

You don’t notice Jimin coming back into the room and joining you in his bed only a short while later because you’re already fast asleep. You also don’t notice him being the one to put the blanket over your shivering body because you were too sleepy to notice. 

“Sure. Not drunk at all,” Jimin chuckles to himself after he has you neatly tucked in and makes himself comfortable as well, soon falling asleep too.

You wake up from a pounding pain in your head. Profoundly confused by the unfamiliar surroundings you find yourself in, you take a moment to look around and remember you’re still in Jimin's parents' house. 

Turning around, you’re engulfed in warmth, undoubtedly coming from the man who’s still sleeping soundly beside you, but with enough space between your bodies to keep you from finding yourselves in an awkward position. 

Frankly enough, Jimin - although still asleep - looks much more rested than you feel right now. 

You groan slightly, slowly sitting up and holding your aching head, the bright sunlight shining through the window not being of any help either. Your eyes scan the room carefully, taking in every little detail. But it’s not until they land on Jimin’s dress jacket, carelessly thrown over the black armchair, barely hanging on, that flashbacks from last night come rushing back into your brain. 

Ho-ly shit. 

Quickly covering your mouth with both your hands to prevent yourself from making any sounds that might end up waking the peacefully sleeping man beside you up, you slowly let yourself sink back into your pillow, hoping for it to swallow you whole and never let you go again. 

You wanted him to sleep with you. No - even worse! You asked him to sleep with you multiple times, and he refused! Could it be any more humiliating?

Okay yes, if you really would have ended up sleeping with him, that would be even worse, but this right here - that’s the second worst scenario you can think of. 

And you made out. Again. And this time, it was not to make anyone believe you're together because there was no one there. You have absolutely no excuse for making out, but it happened. What. The. Fuck.

You can’t believe you did that. You could kick your own ass for being so stupid and letting it come this far. What the fuck is wrong with you?

And more importantly - how are you ever going to face him again? He is never going to let you forget about that, you’re sure. 

As if your inner turmoil with yourself about your inconceivable stupidity has transferred into the outside world, Jimin suddenly begins to stir next to you. You notice him slowly waking up, and it makes your heart almost explode inside your chest from anxiety. 

“Hey, good morning.”

You turn your head a little, seeing Jimin’s puffy eyes already fixed on you and a tired smile resting on his lips. 

“Morning.”

“Sleep well?” He asks, adjusting his weight a little to hold his head with his arm up to look at you better. 

You only nod, offering him a tight-lipped smile before your body reminds you of the current state you’re in. “My head is killing me, though.” 

Chuckling quietly, Jimin wordlessly gets out of bed to walk to a little mini fridge at the far end of his room - you hadn’t even noticed it being there. He takes out a small water bottle, comes back to you, and quickly rummages through the bedside table before handing you the bottle and a pill. 

“Good thing I’m prepared,” he winks, this time deciding to sit next to you and watch you while you eagerly take the pill and a sip from your water. Feeling the cool liquid going down your throat makes you feel much better, and you thank him before settling back into your pillow, waiting for the medication to kick in before you decide to get up. 

“So…” 

You raise a brow looking at Jimin, who is also looking at you expectantly.

“So?” you ask, not knowing what he’s on about.

“Do you remember anything from last night?” 

You gulp, trying to hide your embarrassment somehow by averting your gaze elsewhere and hoping he won’t notice. You should have known he won't be subtle about it - it's Jimin, after all - but you still hoped he wouldn't ask about it the second he wakes up. If there is one thing you don’t want, it’s having to discuss what happened last night. But considering you were clearly drunk, this could be used to your advantage. 

Getting back into your Hollywood-like acting skills, you furrow your brows as you shake your head. “What do you mean, did anything happen?” 

Jimin intensely looks at you, trying to read you and see whether you’re lying. You feel very uncomfortable under his intense gaze. “No. Forget I said anything.” A corner of his mouth raises up in a half-smile, implying that there's more he wants to say but decides against it.

Not that you give him the chance to anyway because you quickly waddle out of bed, getting as much distance between you two as you can. “Is it okay if I take a shower?” 

He nods, telling you where to find fresh towels and other stuff you might need before watching you leave into his bathroom and close the door behind you. 

He knows you’re lying, he doesn’t even have to waste a thought on it because you’re that obvious. Or maybe you aren’t, and he has just gotten better at reading you but he's sure that you know exactly what happened yesterday.

And it probably shouldn’t, but you not telling him the truth and making up some lie about not remembering anything, really bothers him for some reason.

However, it shows that he has done the right thing by not giving in to you because you could not have made it more clear that it was purely the alcohol talking last night.

tagged: @ggukkieland | @ttaeby | @rkvi | @cuteipat | @pjiminslove | @mawwnsterr | @aamalaaa | @spideyxxboi | @lil-sracha | @katsbqbe | @bex-92br | @natalie-rdr | @canarystwin | @wespers-jaan | @bangtanxcoffee | @bri-mal | @so-kou | @lonleycoffee | @rjsmochii | @kiwiaroha | @chimchimmarie | @scoupshawt | @xmochiloverx

#jimin au #jimin smut #jimin angst #jimin slow burn #jimin e2l #park jimin #jimin fluff #jimin x reader #jimin fanfic #jimin fake dating au #bts jimin #bts au #bts slow burn #bts au fic

[lo1k-diamonds]

To Blossom 🚀 Chapter 16

He finished tucking her in, then grinned widely and hid his face in a pillow possibly to laugh as she pursed her lips. He had placed pillows all around her and wrapped her tightly inside the blanket, making a cocoon of sorts. She raised an eyebrow as he laughed quietly, a grin wide on his face.

“What are you doing?” She asked and instantly a subtone of amusement tried to slip through. She wasn’t mad, and his laughter eased her heart so much she could swear it took wing.

Instead of answering, he bit his lip and let her wiggle a little until she was comfortable. She was really there, wrapped in his blanket and afloat on his pillows with slightly puffy hair contrasting with the fluffy fabrics. He just couldn’t get enough of it.

#Soul Palette - Soulmate AU Series #jeon jungkook #bts fanfic #bts imagines #bts smut #bangtan sonyeondan #bts #update #finished a new chapter #ao3 fanfic #kpop smut #writing wip #jungkook smut #bts angst #bts slow burn #bts soulmate au #soulmates #jungkook fic #jungkook fanfic #bts fanfiction #bts jungkook #jungkook soulmate au #bts fanfiction to blossom

[thinking-about-writing-mm]

Chapter 11

Title: Those Evil Ways

Pairing: OT7 x Y/N (female reader)

Genre: supernatural au, slow-burn, medical, fluff, angst, smut, war

Word count: ~7 000

Characters: (Demons!BTS) Namjoon/Corson, Jin/Agares, Yoongi/Baal, Hoseok/Alastor, Jimin/Aamon, Jungkook/Mammon, Taehyung/Gaap, human reader (with special abilities later in the story)

Warnings: lots of angst, mentions of physical altercation, talk about a deadly outcome, Y/N uses her powers (finally), throwbacks, loss of consciousness, mentions of blood, heart-to-heart moments, short memories of Y/N working at the hospital – if I have missed something please send a pigeon 😅❤️

Summary: Y/N is a third-year medical student going through life like others do. On one unfortunate night she gets in unexpected contact with otherworldly beings who drag her into their world of violence, war and fight for power.

Author’s notes: TAGLIST OPEN.

Hey everyone! The new school year began which means new updates will come slower because the professors are giving us hell since the first day 😅 I promise to do my best to post! ❤️

Also, more importantly - thank you everyone for the likes and reblogs and nice comments! It means a lot to me :3 ❤️

Please, enjoy! <3

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“Wait, wait.” Namjoon laughed genuinely entertained, making a stop-like gesture with his hand. “What you want to tell me is that Y/N is in the Land of the Oracles along with Baal?” He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. Noir had advised Jungkook to postpone the meeting by a few hours and tell him first what was happening. The King of the North never lied and he had no reason to do so now, but Corson was taken by surprise by this revelation and felt entertained.

Mammon had refused to share information with only one of them present because he was afraid that the King of the West was going to decide to spare some of the things and present to the others only what he thought was important. Because of that reason, Jungkook had told him only that it concerned Y/N and her going away with Yoongi. It was safe to say that the Western King got offended. “As I see, you believe that I will hide things and deceive the rest so they can follow my lead.”

With two big steps Namjoon came closer to the other man and placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. For him, it was unacceptable to try and undermine the efforts of the other three, considering all the things that had transpired over the decades, the hardships and deepening the wound, left after the dispute, that created a rift between the seven demons in his opinion was a crime. All Corson wanted was to keep the Lodge whole and eliminate threats endangering Doordale. “Trust me” he whispered and nodded curtly. “I’ve never let you down and it won’t happen now.”

King Mammon couldn’t believe those words because he knew what the spy was going to show them and he also knew that he had to come clean about Y/N and what she had told him before the feast. He was just as guilty for keeping this secret, and yes - even though the demon and the girl had formed a contract he intentionally had left a loophole in the writing. The King of the North was bound to not speak about what she had told him but it didn’t mean he couldn’t show it in his memories. The fact that the tattooed man kept it for so long defined his guilt. It was just a matter of time before everyone recognize that and Mammon was afraid of how well they would take it.

He knew it was wrong to go by Y/N’s wish to keep quiet but he wanted to have her so badly. Jungkook was sure that this young woman was special and the desire to gain her trust and love was just as important then as it was now. King Mammon knew very well that considering the laws that he created and the others accepted this was treason since it contradicted the Codex.

“The welfare of the Dark Lodge is to come first and it is to be kept that way. If a threat arises that’s endangering the unity it should be eliminated immediately after taking into account each King’s opinion.”

That’s the first and most important rule because after the seven of them fell out, for Jungkook was crucial to keep what was left together, by all means necessary. He couldn’t imagine that he would be the one to break exactly this law, that he himself insisted on putting as a “number one”. But she… for the short period that Y/N was with the demon, he felt so drawn to her that maybe, just this once, he could step out of line. Still, even after Taehyung expressed his suspicions and what Asmodeus had told him, the King of the North trusted Y/N and wanted to make the others do so too.

His only concern now was how to make it happen without being put on the spot and blamed for going against them. Now was the worst possible timing for all of this due to the fact that the bitch Queen was breathing down their necks and an attack could happen at any time.

“Damn it… I hope that Aamon will have my back and Agares won’t begin raging like the last time, after the battle.” Jungkook’s thoughts spiraled out of control and Namjoon felt the change in him. Noir was wondering what exactly had made his friend call an official meeting. Of course, Y/N being with the Oracles was strange enough but it wasn’t such a big deal, and also why Taehyung had to be present was another mystery.

A guard came to inform the two that the Kings, General Gaap and Agares were already here. Namjoon walked through the door first followed by Jungkook and the spy.

A few hours before the meeting

When Lucrious entered Jin rolled his eyes dramatically and leaned his forehead on one hand. He was getting sick of seeing the messenger because he only came when there was some shit happening. Annoyed he exhaled loudly, then asked what was the reason for him coming here.

“The Kings…”

The Master’s eyes shot up in anger. “What the hell?!” He shouted angrily but Lucrious was used to it and didn’t even flinch. “I went there a few days ago for nothing! Do I have a reason to go there except “because the Kings said so”?”

“It concerns You, master Baal and the woman you brought here not long ago.” The short demon informed Jin flatly.

Hearing those words the hairs on Agares’ neck stood up. Not again, those bastards were going to pry into his business and try to get information about Y/N out of him. He felt that something was wrong the moment Lurious came in. Maybe Asmodeus had talked… Immediately he began preparations to leave. It was a bummer that Yoongi was not in Doordale to accompany him to the palace, so he can back him up if needed. The only good thing was that Y/N wasn’t present to witness the clash between the five men and get scared like that time at the bathhouse.

As per usual, every time the Master went to the central parts he put on his best clothes and looked presentable. The habit was a habit and no matter what was the reason for going there Jin always stayed true to himself.

The maids brought for him a blue dress shirt with black cuffs, black trousers and a black cloak that hung on the demon’s broad shoulders with two massive shoulder pads made of silver. Finally, he took out the pin symbolizing the Sin of Wrath and put it on the left side of his chest.

“Time to go…” whispering to himself Agares took one final look in the mirror and walked out.

One thing that Jin did right before leaving was to send one of his shapeshifters to the Land of the Oracles in secret to bring the news to Y/N and Baal.

In reality, there was nothing to be done now. The truth was going to come one way or another. Can you imagine the damage it was going to cause? Well, no one could, up until the exact moment everything would go down. The future-seers as they liked to call them were long dead and it was not known if there was some descendant still alive in any of the worlds, so the desperate thought that crossed Jungkook’s mind vanished soon. He tried to find the best way to tell the others what he knew but the outcome was just as unclear.

The way King Mammon was sitting on the throne-like chair was domineering and proud, his legs crossed in an ankle-over-knee way, with arms on the hand rests. He believed that if you pretend about something for long enough, soon you manage to make it real. Now the King was pretending to be confident and composed as he usually was. Aamon sat next to him as always, then Noir and at the other end - Alastor.

The room that they had decided to use was in the tallest tower of the palace, with a lot of paintings hanging on the stone walls, a wooden floor and many windows. There was a circular table in the middle with seven chairs around it. Long ago the demons were using it to decide on important issues together, but after some of them took different ways Jimin suggested they lock it for good. Until now…

When the General appeared he took the seat next to Hoseok, greeting everyone in the process. Always so polite and respectful… He was surprised to be here again after so long but didn’t question the choice of place. Giving his red coat to one of the maids Taehyung sat patiently in silence. Gaap was sure the Kings were waiting for the other two.

Hearing the commotion outside five pairs of eyes turned to the door. Jin entered on the verge of exploding. He couldn’t believe they decided to use the tower and remind everyone of the past which was long gone. Looking over at the chairs he huffed in annoyance - no way to sit away from any of them.

For a few seconds, after everyone had taken their place, no one said a thing until Mammon broke the silence, clearing his throat. “I’m guessing all of you are wondering why the fuck we’re here. I have a very good reason to insist on a gathering of this sort and I have someone to back me up with facts.” He gave a sign to the man standing guard and when the valet opened the door Asmodeus walked in. The other demons were “shocked” lightly said. They didn’t utter a word but their facial expressions were more than enough - disgust, disapproval and surprise. Not Taehyung though, the General was completely indifferent, at least on the outside. A good trick that kept his inner thoughts private, it was as if he was playing poker.

“Care to explain?” Jimin hissed, narrowing his eyes. Something felt so off. The spy was not seen for years now, and his whereabouts were not known to this day.

“Look at that” Alastor bared his teeth at Christopher. “I thought you were dead. As you should be” the King’s face became a cold mask and the corners of his mouth turned downwards. “Traitor.”

The spy grinned at the six demons “Such a warm welcome, I didn’t expect it.” Old grudges had risen and were threatening to ruin the whole plan for tonight. Mammon’s mind was running laps, trying to come up with a way to stop them from arguing.

“He was on a mission I sent him” the King of the North intervened in hopes that would calm the others down. “I wanted to gain intel on the therianthropes and ordered Asmodeus to infiltrate their army. He came back on the day of the feast to bring me up to speed with what he had learned.”

The others were listening carefully still on edge. Namjoon pointed a finger in the spy’s direction, closing one eye as if he was going to shoot. “I see you’ve changed bodies. Applauses for that” it was truly impressive how the spy managed to blend in every environment and even though he was hated by most Christopher still remained the best in what he was doing.

Trying to get back to the point Jungkook cleared his throat “Can we not digress?” Everyone looked at him, becoming quiet once more. “Thank you… So we’ve all met Y/N, the supposed princess. She became important to some of us to a different extent” eyeing Agares and Aamon he saw the recognition in their faces. Jin though was ready to throw hands any moment now.

“Keep her out of this!” he growled at the tattooed demon.

“No.” Mammon cut the broad-shouldered man off and went on. “I am biased too, more than I’d like to admit.” The rest nodded, knowing far too well what he meant by that. “Because of that reason I hate to do this. This conversation might very well put a target on Y/N’s back but I’m looking for everyone’s best interest…”

Before he could continue Jin rose from his chair and hit the table with a fist. “Then don’t do it!” While shouting the demon’s eyes turned pitch-black and strands of hair in the front parted for the horns that were coming out. “Keep in mind that if you screw her up I will kill you! All of you!” Threats and swears poured out of Agares’ mouth in a fit of rage. He couldn’t let this happen. Never… The Master was willing to put himself in harm’s way and take the fall, just so Y/N could stay safe.

Sighing King Mammon shook his head in disappointment and repeated again. “I’m doing this for us. Because I, as we all do, am looking for our best interest.”

“Sit down” Namjoon whispered threateningly, which forced Agares to give up and take his seat once more. The feeling of defeat always had a sour taste.

“I can’t speak about it and that’s why Asmodeus is here. He will open his mind to you and show you what he had found out. The information concerns the oncoming war too, not only Y/N.” Mentally preparing for the next part Jungkook finished talking by saying “Another thing is that I’m going to present you with my memories too since there’s no way I can speak about what I know.”

Stepping forward the spy closed his eyes and inhaled deeply gathering all the scattered pieces of information together, ordering them chronologically so it all made sense for the others. It was an uncomfortable feeling for five people to poke and prode inside your head but what could he do? Jungkook was paying a great deal for his services and it was only fair to oblige.

Then they saw it.

Jin and Yoongi were arguing during the feast about Y/N and keeping the turth about her a secret.

Baal and the girl passing through the Wishing Well and getting to the Land of the Oracles. Then how the barriers were lifted for them in the forest surrounding one of the borders.

Later on how she was trying to memorize the runes written in a big book, writing them down countless times and reading them out loud.

The Ace helping Y/N with the physical and mental training. How she was influencing creatures around her to do what she wanted them to do.

Baal standing around while the woman was recovering after the exhausting training and use of the Spark.

Y/N meeting the spy of the Queen in the woods, close to the cliffs. They saw how she ran back to the castle with all the strength left in her, scared to death.

The scenes cut off after that and Chan staggered backward, overwhelmed by it all. He held his head as if the worst migraine had taken over him.

“Fuck… I hope that’s enough.” He whispered tiredly. Jungkook thanked him and told him that it was okay to leave now. The spy didn’t need to be told twice. Bowing to the six men he turned and left immediately.

“My turn now.”

Facing the others and seeing their faces made Jungkook nervous. They were so confused and lost. Everything was a lie… Jin was getting angrier by the second. He felt this was the biggest betrayal, to him and to Y/N. Now it seemed like Mammon was doing everything he could in order to present her, him and Baal as ticking time bombs.

Taehyung appeared calmer than Namjoon, Hoseok and Jimin. He knew from the start that she was not just a girl from Jin’s harem. It simply didn’t make sense for him to keep Y/N in such high regard and care so much, and call the General to train her if there wasn’t something more to it.

The Kings and Agares, along with Gaap concentrated once again and the moment they felt the mind-guard of Mammon’s mind had been dropped the men saw a line of memories.

It was a scene of the young woman in complete distress, shaking and crying in a bathroom. Then she was in Jungkook’s strong arms, desperately holding onto the demon, looking like a wreck, tears running down her cheeks.

What came next made Alastor gasp, taken off-guard. Y/N was explaining what she had seen in the mirror, the reflection of her with ink-like marks. Then the demons saw Y/N explaining to Mammon what had happened in a nightmare from the previous night, and in the end the deal Jungkook and she had made.

The girl insisted on the King’s promise to keep all of this a secret. Bound by blood there was no way he could speak about it but this loophole remained…

When everything ended the first thing that Jimin noticed was Jin who had bared his teeth, clenching his jaws hard and bloody tears were rolling down the demon’s face, distorted by ugly emotions.

“You…” Agares’ voice was gruff and low, his eyes burning holes into Jungkook’s face “If she dies or is harmed in any way, you will pay for it dearly. Mark my word.”

Alastor hummed entirely out of it all, into his own world. “Interesting… it looks like Y/N’s turning into a demon, but those powers of persuasion…”

Namjoon nodded silently. “Like the Spark.”

“It all makes perfect sense now” the King of the South mused. He had mixed feelings about this situation. All the lies and cover-ups made it all the more suspicious right from the start, Jin hiding the girl for weeks from them, then spontaneously agreeing for an audience.

“It does,” the General said finally. “I knew there was something fishy but I couldn’t be sure. Thank you for being honest with us” Taehyung looked appreciatively at King Mammon. This was his greatest feature, the desire to be brutally honest till the end. Jungkook felt like a wreck at this moment, a feeling that was not normal for a demon.

I’m sorry Y/N. Forgive me…

…

“We’re so screwed” Yoongi was almost trembling while reading the letter that Jin had sent him. “They know must know about you and Agares’ plan by now. The Kings won’t be kind. We might be killed once we return.” Y/N was staring into the space before her with an empty expression. The words were reaching the girl’s ears but not getting through to her. Things had gotten a nasty turn and fear was consuming her too fast for her liking. With sweaty palms, the young woman reached for Yoongi and immediately the demon kneeled down to hold them. “I won’t let them hurt you, even if it means dying. I promise you that.”

Those words weighed heavy on Y/N’s mind and her eyes became teary. “I don’t want you to die” she sobbed quietly. “I don’t want to die…”

“I won’t let that happen” Baal continued speaking while stroking the woman’s arms soothingly. “Trust me.”

“We have to go get Jin” was the next thing she said. The demon’s blood ran cold. “We can’t let him die, w-we can’t!”

Considering what he might have already said it could be too late for the black-haired demon. There were too many unknowns, for example: did Agares slip and revealed the initial plan he came up with, did he tell the Kings about the Spark and Y/N, what had Jungkook said about her time in the North… The main question that remained was if there was someone to stand by the Master’s side and vouch for him somehow. It was a huge risk to go by assumption.

Baal was sure after all those centuries that Namjoon was a reasonable demon, the voice of rationality, Jimin as well, but everyone had their limits. If Jin’s temper had taken the best of him everything might have been over by now for the man. “I don’t know what to do” Yoongi admitted with a troubled expression. It was so rare for him to say that and feel it so strongly, it was not a figure of speech anymore.

Trying to stay afloat Y/N was struggling to come up with a solution, just something they could do. This reminded her of all those times when she was at the ER and had to think fast and decide what was the best course of action in a matter of seconds so a patient could live. The young woman was trained to act in all kinds of unexpected situations but this time… “I can’t think of anything to go around it too. We have to come clean, you and I. Maybe they will be merciful.” There existed no other way.

“Maybe you’re right.”

…

The Leader of the Oracles was not happy at all when he heard what Y/N and Yoongi had planned to do but couldn’t stop them. Actually, Trophonius was more than happy for the demon to go but he wanted to keep the Spark safe. The two informed him that it wasn’t an option, which made the man very upset. After all kinds of warnings and instructions for the girl on what to do and what not he finally decided let them go. His worst fear was for Y/N’s powers to get out of control. “You could die if things go south,” the Oracle said holding her hands. “Mind your stamina and the usage of the Spark. Don’t let your anger and negative emotions run wild because they might trigger an unforeseen transformation. If that happens the two sides will clash and I have no idea what the consequences will be.”

“Thank you for everything, I will never forget what all of you did for me and Yoongi” Y/N smiled weakly. Then the Ace came running into the main hall.

“Don’t go to them, Y/N!” He begged, taking her face into his huge hands. He appeared to be in more distress than the girl even. She managed to grow on him for such a short period of time. “We can teach you so much more, and have fun and…”

A tear rolled down Y/N’s face while she looked at the Ace. Placing her hands over his the young woman forced a bigger smile. “Don’t worry. I will come back for another round when all of this is over” an empty promise that they all knew might never come true.

After saying final goodbyes Yoongi walked out of the palace with her in tow.

Baal was leaning against a tree, far away from roads and houses in a small clearing. Both of them were trying to find a way to get into the palace without being noticed by the guards and the staff. For sure at some point, someone was going to feel unknown energy emitting from somewhere but it could give the two enough time to come up with a contingency plan if things turned sour.

“I can get us there through the Wishing Well, just like before but in order to do that I will have to mask our energy. It’s going to take a lot out of me, so don’t fret if I seem out of it for a while.”

“Let’s do that but I want to help you.”

He nodded. Baal needed all the help she could provide because they didn’t know what was going to happen in Doordale. “Try to suppress the energy flow of the Spark and clear your mind.”

Sometime later a portal appeared that led the two to one hall in the palace. Carefully, not to get noticed, Y/N and Yoongi navigated swiftly through the place checking all of the potential locations for the others. “What the hell?” The demon hissed looking around for a place to hide. Running into a room full of tablecloths and napkins Y/N closed the door behind them. “Where did they go to?! We checked literally every possible place they could hold this type of meeting.”

“Some dungeon? Or in another building? Or one of the other castles?”

“No, no. Jin said they’re going to be here in the letter…” Thinking hard the demon’s eyes widened suddenly and his breath hitched. “The tower…” he whispered and grabbed Y/N’s hand dragging her out of the small storage room. The woman stumbled, almost falling over on their way out.

“Hey, slow down!” 

“We don’t have time. Hurry up.”

Once they reached the tower Y/N and Baal could hear muffled voices coming from the only room at the top of the stairs. There were no guards in front of the door, which was a sign that the meeting was very secretive and important.

Yoongi began hearing every word clearly on the last few stairs, while the girl only got some separate sentences, but it was enough to get the idea of the conversation. It was not going well…

…

“Do you remember this legend about the demon and the Spark getting together” Hoseok spoke up again. His father had told him all kinds of stories but this was the one he remembered the best. “Maybe it’s true. There was even a painting somewhere in Leviatan’s old treasury.”

“My question is why did you lie to us?” Noir directed his attention to Agares. “Why when all of us asked where did she come from, you came up with those ridiculous stories to tell? Are you planning to overthrow us with Yoongi?”

The classic Corson with his questions. This managed to get on the Master’s nerves each time. “Because if you knew what she was then I bet my life that someone would come to take Y/N away from me.” So much pain could be heard in Jin’s voice now.

“Have we ever-” Noir began asking but Agares raised his hand in the air to stop him.

“We are all demons. Let’s be honest - we usually take what we want, from whoever we want.”

“That doesn’t answer my question - why did you lie?”

The situation was getting more and more heated, Jin felt under fire and his first reaction was to get enraged like most times, but he was outnumbered now. If things got even more out of hand the demon was risking losing what was left of the General’s friendship too. Thinking back Agares remembered how Y/N gave him hell for not thinking before speaking first. Maybe he couldn’t make it right by her at the moment but could start to make difference in the future. The Master took a deep breath trying to suppress the poisonous anger still burning within him and then once he was ready looked up at the others, who were still waiting for a response.

“Look, I stand behind my every action. The things I’m going to say don’t mean I regret something but for the sake of the past I’ve decided to come clean.” With a flat expression Namjoon nodded, ready to listen. “So… In the beginning I got Y/N here so she can help me. I’ve been bottling up so much anger towards all of you during the years, and the cause for that is very well-known.”

In Jungkook’s mind appeared the same image of the woman who ruined everything for the seven men. Hoseok saw it and his expression turned grim. Why now of all times he had to bring it up? Wasn’t the tension between them and the war hanging over their heads enough? Alastor knew he was to blame for the initial cause of the demon falling out but later the Kings and Taehyung managed to overcome it. Why couldn’t Agares and Baal let go of this too?

“So… it took me years to find this woman, the Spark. Since the beginning I knew who and what she was, so the best course of action in my opinion was to send Yoongi in the human world and bring Y/N here.” Here comes the bomb Jin was hiding for so long. “The reason for all this…” meeting Noir’s eyes he straightened up ready to say it “was to take you down.”

Jimin’s body turned rigid in a split second, ready to pounce. “What?!” he said through clenched teeth, balling his fists on the table.

“Wow, that’s bold” Taehyung barked a laughter and his eyes widened in disbelief.

“No, just listen to me. I was so consumed by rage and haterd” hurrying to explain, Jin’s words were barely discernable. “Baal was never quite okay with it but he is my subordinate, so he did what I asked him to.”

“You used him” Namjoon concluded, shifting ever so slightly in the chair.

Agares nodded curtly. “Now I see how I abused the fact that he is dedicated to making things work no matter the cost. He followed me. Later on when Y/N came to us I was trying to force her to master the Spark fast so I could continue with my plan but also fuck around with her. That’s when I called Gaap.”

He looked at the General with guilt. “It’s true that I put him in a difficult position because he had to keep a secret too. Then later I don’t know how but you…” Agares waved a hand in front of him “found out about the Y/N being here. I came up with so many lies and had to bring Yoongi and the girl up to speed so they don’t falter. She kept telling me this is ridiculous, she was afraid of you all and me too and I think that somehow her abilities began working subconsciously. My vision began changing, at some point I started questioning myself and the choices I’ve made.”

Jungkook’s doe eyes were wide open, surprised by the turn of events. The King could feel that the Master was honest, the body language, the tone, his way of pronounciation and aura showed it. Truly impressive…

“So then and there I set a new goal - to prove myself to you by winning the war. Y/N changed my perspective somehow, maybe she didn’t even know it but it happened. I’m still pretty pissed that Alastor chose a whore over us and that all of you took his side. That’s why I did what I did and if there was a second go I would still choose the same path.”

“Typical” King Aamon muttered with a smirk.

“My best bet to win the war is for Y/N to master her abilities and use them. Another thing that occured to me during that time was if it was possible for her to fix us,” Agares said finally and leaned back, feeling like a heavy load has been lifted off of his shoulders.

The others were quiet for a while, buried in their own thoughts trying to process everything and come up with something to say. King Corson stood up and walked to the windows, his back turned to the other demons. “This is a capital offense, Jin, according to the Codex of the Dark Lodge and the Law of Doordale.”

“I know.”

“But I see that Y/N did the unimaginable and has changed you.”

Alastor rolled his eyes and snorted, adopting an expression of displeasure and suspicion. He was astounded by how fast Namjoon took Jin’s word at face worth. It was absolutely ridiculous after the confession the Master had just made. “You’re seriously ready to look the other way?” He asked disappointed and extended an open palm towards King Corson. Everyone knew that the frivolous and light behavior of Hoseok could vanish at any given moment and then all hell would break loose. Namjoon didn’t give much thought to this snappy comment though because if there was a way to talk and sort out the issue quietly Alastor was usually ready to listen. At least most of the time…

“Can’t you feel him? It’s a different sensation - Agares’ energy I mean.” Corson was still talking with his back turned towards the others.

Raising his voice, Alastor looked at the rest for support “Are you ready to forgive him for the coup plot? Jin can turn on us anytime now once Y/N’s influence disappears!”

Jimin looked at the table feeling guilty for not being ready to take the other one’s side immediately. Maybe this time Jin was right, maybe Y/N could bring them back together somehow.

“We forgave you then, without putting up a fight” the General reminded him calmly. There was absolutely no need for aggression. “I know very well what he just admitted is treason but listen to what is his goal now.” He was giving his best to reason with the King of the East.

“I’m just as guilty for not following the Codex and hiding things about Y/N too. Are you going to crucify me now too?” Jungkook asked and crossed his arms.

Everyone had something to be blamed for, and answer for some kind of fault. If they were going to look at it that way, then Alastor, Mammon, Agares, Baal and Gaap had to be stripped of their titles, banished or killed all.

Frustrated, Hoseok buried his face in his hands, breathing heavily. Everyone had decided to give Jin the benefit of the doubt and trust him this time. He had no way to turn it around… “I’m so sick of this girl, seriously” the King hissed “and you. You are to blame for Yoongi turning on us before, and now for this shit-show too! The worst part is that she might turn into some mostrousity and enslave us considering the extend of the Spark’s powers. There was a good reason why this nation was wiped. They were just too powerful!” Thank heavens that Agares wasn’t someone to be easily guilt-tripped. He just smiled proudly at Alastor and didn’t say a word.

At that moment the door flew open.

The six demons flipped their heads in that direction, all tensing up. Y/N stood at the doorway, her face dark, like a storm cloud. Yoongi was right behind her, looking at Hoseok with fury.

“You have some nerve” Baal grinned at the King. Corson was well-known for being close to uncontrollable at certain times, and given everything they’ve overheard up until now, this situation was one of those instances.

The look of shock on Jungkook and Jimin’s faces persisted for a while.

“What are you doing here?” Jin raised a brow at his subordinate and the girl. It was better for just one of them to go down, so the other can protect Y/N since they were not out of the woods quite yet.

“Came to help you” Y/N clicked her tongue with a look of offense. “Be thankful” she snapped at him. Namjoon chuckled at this attitude and sent a knowing look at Jungkook. This was a pure play but unfortunately, King Alastor didn’t see it that way.

“This is what I’m talking about! She’s gonna turn on us in time and force the seven of us to kneel and crawl at her feet!” Standing up, he got closer to Y/N, with a menacing expression. The others got quiet. The room felt stuffy and began buzzing with all kinds of energy. It was going to get ugly.

“I suggest you step back, King Alastor” the woman warned, feeling the power bubbling at the pit of her stomach. The demon just laughed and moved even closer to the girl’s face with a bold look in his eyes.

“Don’t try to give me orders. You’re a half-blood mutt, who thinks that everything revolves around her. You’re very mistaken” his perfect white teeth clicked.

Even though everyone was paying close attention to the two no one could be prepared for what Hoseok did next. With the speed of light, he grabbed Y/N by the neck and lifted her in the air. The skin on Alastor’s face, neck and shoulders was quickly replaced by the shiny scales Y/N had seen on the night of the feast. King Corson appeared behind Hoseok placing a hand on the other one’s arm. “Don’t. She’s innocent.”

“No! She’s not” he hissed and the snake-like tongue flashed between the demon’s teeth. Squeezing harder and harder Y/N struggled to breathe. It wouldn’t take much for him to break her neck with a strength like that. All of the others were firmly planted in their spot ready to act if Namjoon gave them a sign. “You want to let Baal, Agares and Y/N go! The things they did - it’s treason! They’re guilty!” Hoseok raged.

“Yes, there will be consequences,” Noir tried to reassure him but this too didn’t have any effect.

“Ah, yes! You will give their asses a slap for being naughty?”

“No” the King of the West sighed heavily. “Let Y/N go and we will talk.”

Slowly her consciousness was slipping and the girl’s vision became blurry. Trophonius’ words of advice rang in her head “Mind your stamina and the usage of the Spark. Don’t let your anger and negative emotions run wild because they can trigger an unforeseen transformation.” But this… was this an exception? None of them was ready to do anything so Y/N had to save herself.

The sole reason for their inaction was the fear of Alastor doing something irredeemable to her. Neither Yoongi nor Jin, Junkook or Jimin would be able to forgive themselves if she died because of them.

With trembling hands, Y/N grabbed Hoseok’s strong arm and closed her eyes. Putting all the strength left in her to good use she began imagining how he was letting go of her neck. Once… twice… three times… The demon’s mind began breaking open for the Spark.

“She’s doing it! She’s trying to mess with my head!” Alastor shouted. It took a few more seconds but his strong grip was getting loose. The General observed carefully, his jaw tight while seeing how the King of the South was trying to fight the influence. His beautiful facial features contorted with pain and anger.

Y/N was at the end of her vital power and felt the Spark becoming weaker. Jimin couldn’t stand this anymore but before any of them could do anything Hoseok opened his hand suddenly and Y/N fell to the ground with a loud thud. With one swift motion, Aamon was at Y/N’s side lifting the girl up. Coughing and struggling to calm herself down she felt the energy running through her body forcefully.

Chaos erupted seconds after - Jungkook appeared behind Alastor grabbing his hands in a tight grip, Yoongi leaped forward like a lion, transforming in the process. A gash formed on Hoseok’s face. The three of them struggled for a few moments before the others could do a thing. Namjoon got to Mammon first, dragging him back, while Jin and Taehyung tried to do the same. The attempt to break them apart was a complete and utter failure - the three were back at their throats just as fast.

Y/N buried her face in Jimin’s chest who was hugging her tightly, using his body as a shield. Centering herself the girl tried to stand up and when the King saw that, immediately wrapped one arm around her waist for support. It took a while but like cogwheels, the Spark began doing its’ thing obeying Y/N’s will. What happened next forced everyone to turn around.

The young woman’s eyes began shining and her voice sounded like an extremely loud echo “Stop it!” If only she could see herself from the side… “Sit” pointing at the table and the fallen chairs the demons became silent and did what was ordered. 

Their minds were completely empty, under the influence of the Spark and no one could fight it anymore. Y/N’s body was straining but it didn’t matter. “If I wanted to take you down… I could do it just as easily as that” she turned to Alastor, whose face was still bleeding. “I’m a doctor, I took an oath to not do harm… I will never do the opposite…” it was so hard to breathe now while speaking. “As you all see… somehow I managed to change Agares… he is different and so is Baal.”

Jimin was still providing support but got genuinely scared when he saw a black handprint appearing over the woman’s mouth. “Y/N, calm down, please” he begged while staring at her expressionless face. She didn’t pay any attention to the King, as if he wasn’t even there.

The other six were powerless, they were seeing everything but couldn’t lift a finger.

“I’m not a monster King Alastor… from what I’ve heard it was you who… delivered the first blow long ago and… the others are not to blame.” Taking a few deep breaths the Spark then continued speaking “Don’t turn me into… the villain I’m not. I might be a half-blood but that… doesn’t make me any less deserving of life.” with those words Y/N’s body became limp in the hands of Aamon. The influence disappeared momentarily and Yoongi along with Jungkook rushed to the girl. She had blacked out after running out of energy.

Those things that the Oracle warned about happened just as he said. Mammon was watching her with deep regret not knowing how to proceed. Baal was quick to check if she was still alive, finding the carotid artery and pressing onto it. There was a pulse and even though it was weak he breathed out a sigh of relief, glad Y/N was alive.

No one dared to say a word after that but something has changed.

Chapter 10 / Chapter 12

Masterlist

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TAGLIST

@princess-sunshyn / @thedarkwinterrose

#those evil ways #bts angst #bts demon au #bts fanfic #jimin #bts fluff #jung hoseok #jungkook #taehyung #bts smut #min yoongi #bts suga #bts jin #kim namjoon #bts rm #chapter 11 #bts slow burn

[nightscapepersona]

Fly V to the Moon - Ch. 26

“The one where her heart flutters straight into the pond”

Hello! This chapter was long in the planning and such a joy to write. Listen to the playlist in the recommended songs for more fun. Leave a like if you enjoy this chapter... it genuinely, truthfully, sincerely means a lot! :)

Pairing: Taehyung x OFC

Genre: Fluff, Idol AU, Coffee Shop AU, Café Singer OFC, Slow Burn

Warnings: Light swearing, but it’s all for banter. Again, this is fluff.

Word count: 2.9k (Usually short chapters!)

Recommended Songs: The Astronaut — Jin; Sunflower — Harry Styles; Sunflower  — Post Malone & Swae Lee; you’re inside Monet paintings (playlist) — compiled by nobody

Summary: She’s a foreign elementary school teacher by day, a charming singer by night. Taehyung and company discover her at a small garden jazz café where she had a gig one night, only to find out from Jin that she was an arts teacher at a local school in Seoul — Jin's nephew and niece’s teacher, in fact. Taehyung finds himself on a surprise adventure to the moon.

Masterlist

Note about the Art: Did you know Monet painted 250 water lily paintaings as part of his series? They are also called Nymphéas. Real life Taehyung has expressed love for Monet’s paintings before, and some of his paintings are personal favorites of mine. As you may know, our OFC owns one particular art shirt based on one of his works that caught his attention all the way back in Chapter 2 and comes back in Chapter 20. I won’t give spoilers, but this is connected to Chapter 24. If you’re also an art lover, this virtual tour of Monet’s water lily murals might interest you. As another note, impasto is the painting technique used by Van Gogh, where brushstrokes are visible because paint is laid thickly on the canvas.

✻  ✻  ✻

Fly V to the Moon — by Nightscape Persona

Chapter 26: The one where her heart flutters straight into the pond

“Sunflower.”

A stroke.

“Sunflower.”

Another stroke.

“My eyes...”

One more stroke of ochre, just for good measure.

“Want you more than a melody.”

She continued to hum the song that she woke up singing and which refused to leave her mind as she layered strokes and strokes of ochre paint on her canvas.

À la impasto.

Impasto like her inspiration, which had turned up that morning in variegated brushfuls of thick and layered waves.

Yes, that morning Lia woke up and felt like painting.

Sunflowers.

It was mid-March. Snow was thawing. Green grass growing. Winter farewell show was coming.

And she had woken up with an insurmountable craving to paint and paint and paint until the ochre rays of sunlight had long faded into the blue of night.

As of lately, there had not been many mornings like this, where she awoke feeling inspired rather than absolutely hammered by the week.

As of lately, meaning as of long. With work and with the café and with life happening in between, painting had been relayed to the background. Ever since last September, perhaps, when the band convinced her to start guest-singing in their gigs.

“I've got your face.”

She dabbed more strokes of ochre on the canvas, shifting from humming to singing once more.

“Hung up high in the gallery.”

Life happening in between.

“I love this shade.”

Funny how “life happening” now included Taehyung.

“Sunflower.”

His brown eyes and his smile and his eye smiles and his brown hair turned ochre with the sunlight.

His irremediable charm.

Memories of their little dates that frequently intruded into her brain as little love letters throughout her day.

The proximity of his face.

The coldness of his hands.

The sound of his laughter, warm and deep and euphonious.

Him speaking sweet nothings in the little voice notes he started to send her everyday for the past two weeks.

Wait for me, sunflower.

The ghost of a kiss brushing past her lips.

Electricity and hummingbirds.

Maybe if I liked you less it wouldn’t be so hard to tell you this.

Recollections of words he’d said rotating around her mind every second of every hour like a merry-go-round.

I think I’ve fallen already.

A kiss or two burning on her lips.

Lia caught herself staring like stupid at the strokes on the canvas, brush mid air, paint beginning to dry.

She shook her head, giggling and blushing even when he was not there.

Perhaps she now had a muse.

Which was good.

He had already pretty much been her singing muse, a.k.a. source of nerves, since she had become aware of him attending the little gigs.

Stroke.

And he was not to blame, anyways, for not painting a thing for months. He had not yet broken into her life and made it swirl and capsize and ignite like so.

Stroke.

The most painting she had done was a few brushes and traces here and there when she helped the kiddos in class.

Funny.

As an arts teacher Lia barely painted at all.

So much for someone not wanting to become a monolith.

Out of the corner of her eye, she peeped the leaflet open flat on the console table across the room. A leftover from many months ago when she was checking out Art programs. Perhaps in France.

She dashed another stroke of ochre before any bit of regret or disappointment or whatever had time to kick in. She was happy, and she was painting now, and that’s what mattered.

Her phone buzzed.

Again.

It had been buzzing all morning.

She was deliberately ignoring it to paint.

She knew Taehyung would be busy that day, so she didn’t even bother to take a glance. Though perhaps the session could be paused to text Taehyung. A quick check in to ask how the trip was treating him that day. To let him know she was thinking of him.

She unlocked the phone.

The latest notification was a post. From Taehyung. She clicked it, immediately giddy.

It was—It was Water Lilies.

One of the many, at least.

A picture of one of the many Water Lilies paintings scattered around the world. He had tagged the location as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York. The caption was simply “Monet”.

She swept to the next pictures. More water lilies. And one bridge over the water lily pond. A collection of all the water lilies in that museum. A smile inevitably painted on her face. Oh, she adored him.

She gave the little post a like.

Her mind went back to their little moment in the garden when they’d discussed Monet. How the little scene seemed like a moment from a painting. Had he been thinking of her?

Her chest scrunched in fondness.

He had told her he’d visit some museums with Namjoon while they were in New York. He had told her he would send her all the pictures when he did. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he wanted to post them first. Not that she was resented or anything. Nope. She was definitely not pouting. 

Hold on.

Water lilies.

The gift.

The gift.

Her heart started to beat faster.

Her phone buzzed again.

He posted something else.

Another series of water lilies. And a bridge. This time at the Museum of Modern Art. New York.

A part of her brain was itching over the thought of whether this could be the sign. The other part was short-cutting over the fact that it was in fact the sign.

The caption read:

               Nymphéas, this is your sign.

Nymphéas. The water lilies.

It was indeed the sign.

Wait—Did he just call her water lily? Did he—he called her nymphéas—did he—okay, okay, okay. Her chest puffed up in rapture, nervous hummingbirds fluttering all over inside.

She jumped out of her little stool and ran to her room, where she kept it.

The gift.

She rushed back and placed it on the dining table. There it sat, mirroring her hesitation to open it in spite of the terrible itching to rip it open at once.

She started to unwrap the top like an envelope. Slowly, taking every precaution to not spoil the paper in any way. She could not and would not deface the water lilies, no. 

Top safely removed, she turned the precious package upside down.

Soft cotton fell on her hands.

A folded shirt.

White.

A design hinting below the border of the fold.

An image. A painting.

Lia almost wanted to squeal. She was almost certainly positive of what it was.

She let it unfurl to see its front, and a small paper fell from within.

The little note was handwritten by Taehyung.

               For my favorite art teacher with

               never enough art shirts to wear.

Her heart fluttered straight into the pond.

Of course.

It was water lilies.

Of course it was the water lilies.

One of the many water lilies.

A water lily shirts.

She let herself give out a little squeal. Why not. The little shit had done it again.

One day she’d have to sue him. For health deterioration due to his grand gestures. For making her heart flutter and capsize and swirl.

It was not just the shirt. It was the gesture, the planning. That knowing he’d be away, he’d prepared a moment. The name—nymphéas—the phrase that he’d written for the whole world to see, but only she would know it was meant for her.

Their little esoteric thing.

She plunged herself into the pond again. The pond being the table, she pounded her head against the wooden table in a fit of giggles.

She should—should she? Yes. She should call him.

Lia dialed him up. 

He didn’t even let it ring.

“Did you like it?”

A mix of giddiness, nerves, and a bunch of other feelings that shall not be named, Lia couldn’t help but laugh immediately upon his blunt answer.

“I loved it!,” she gushed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! How—where—how did you even get it? Never mind, I know. So you—you've been planning this since—you’re telling me you planned this ever since—ever since—before you left—but you had to have it shipped—so you—I—You!”

She heard his laughter on the other side of the line.

“So you do like it?”

“Come on, yes, I do like it!,” her voice was getting higher, “I love it!”

“Okay. Good. Okay. Okay.”

“I’ll wear it everyday. I’ll sleep in it.”

“That’s nasty.”

“Nobody can stop me.”

“The smell of rotten water lilies will.”

“Okay, yeah, no,” she tittered. “But this—this sits on the table of sweet unexpected gestures from you with a crown, right by the ramyeon stunt.”

His low laughter resounded from across the line.

“Didn’t know you had a table for sweet unexpected gestures.”

“Me neither,” she buried her face in her free hand. “But you’re making it extremely hard not to make one. When did you plan this?”

“Uhhh, that’s kind of funny.”

“How so?”

“Well. You might find it funny to learn that. . .”

“That. . . ?”

“. . . I kind of started window shopping online for art shirts in December.”

December.

“What? Wait, so you’ve had it since then?”

“No, no, no. I do have had it for weeks, buuut I was not really planning on gifting you one back then. We had just met. It’d be. . . strange.”

Okay.

“Makes sense. So, . . . when did you decide to?”

“Some day after the mini-mart incident.”

He giggled.

The ramyeon incident. Their first real face to face interaction.

Lia giggled too.

They let the call go quiet for a few seconds.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“My pleasure.”

She caressed the fabric, roaming over the painted lily pads in light hues and tints of lilac, blue, and green. Below the painting, a caption read: Claude Monet. Nymphéas, 1908. The name of a gallery was printed below.

“How come you chose this one?”

“Oh, it was hard to choose one. I seriously struggled. When the artist has over 250 water lily paintings you can choose from, how can you even choose? And I wanted to choose one that suited you. Your aura of. . . well, you.”

Lia giggled. Again.

“Good thing the number of museums that sell art shirts of the Water Lilies reduced the scope for you.”

“There were still many museums to choose from!”

She let her laughter run freely across the line. She heard him too, buoyant across the line.

“And then you visited the museums and didn’t tell me.”

“I can hear you pout, but! There’s a reason! I was itching to send you the pictures on the day we visited. Dying. But if I did, it wouldn’t have been that obvious that it was the sign! Actually! It would not have been worthy to be called the sign!”

This Taehyung. She buried her head on the dining table, giggling. Again.

“Got it, got it. It would have ruined your big moment.”

“Yes, actually, so please, do not laugh. Actually, do please continue laughing, I love that sound.”

Lia once more felt the urge to cover her face with her hand. She was certain she had grown beetroot red.

“You, sir, are an absolute hopeless romantic.”

“I’ll take that, yes. Besides, I have two more shirts for you from this trip. Because one water lily shirt is not enough when there’s 250 to choose from.”

Butterflies started to fly in her stomach. Oh, she adored him. But that was excessive.

“No! You—You didn’t have to!” 

“Yes, I did and that’s all I shall say.”

“Taehyung!”

“Lia!”

“So you can have a trifecta of water lilies! They say good things come in threes.”

“Well, I know only one of you, so. . . I doubt that.”

He laughed.

“But seriously. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“And seriously, don’t do it again. Please. I love the gifts, but you don’t have t—.”

“No can do.”

This Taehyung.

“So,” he changed the topic. “What’s new? How are things going there? How’s school? How’s the café?”

“Well, the café. . .”

Lia did have news about the café.

“Did you know there was a whole compound behind the wall at the back of the garden? It used to be a single house, but it was divided at some point.”

“Really?”

“Yes! You’d think there was only the garden and the small part that is the café.”

“So the garden was a courtyard of sorts?”

“Yes! Point is, they’re rehabilitating that other section.”

“They are?”

She hummed.

“Is the café doing that well?”

“So it seems.”

“Well. You know, it's actually no wonder that it’s prospering.”

“How come?”

“It must be because of you. You made the business flourish with your magic spell that allures customers into your enchanted lair of jazz and hazy afternoons.”

She giggled.

“Why a lair, though? If it’s enchanted it cannot be a lair!”

“If it is enchanted it is precisely a lair!”

“But it is not evil!”

“Well. True. Okay. Yes. A haven, it is.”

“Anyways,” Lia chuckled. “How is the trip treating you?”

“Good. A little tiring. But good. I want it to be over already, though.”

“So bad?”

“No! Not bad! Just… I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too.”

She heard him sigh.

“So,” she tried to divert the conversation.

“So?”

“What are you doing right now? Or were. Before I called you.”

“Besides from stressing over the sign?”

Lia tittered.

“Yes.”

“We were on set. Filming. Well, are. Currently on break. What about you?”

“I was painting. Well, I was actually on break too.”

“Wait,” he gasped across the line, “you were painting?”

“Yes! I’ve been painting all morning.”

She wouldn’t tell him she stopped painting because she was distracted by thoughts of him, though.

“I didn’t think you… painted. Which is dumb. Of course you paint. You love paint. You teach arts. How could you not.”

She was giggling. Again.

“What were you painting?”

Shit.

“Sunflowers.”

She heard him go quiet on his side. She almost could feel him smile.

“Does that have anything to do with me?”

Of course.

“Maybe.”

He let out a titter. So soft Lia almost didn’t catch it through the call.

“First water lilies and now sunflowers. If flowers only remind me of you hereon in, it shall be your own fault, sir.”

“As I said, I’ll gladly take that.”

She could hear his smugness.

“What do you think about carnations, by the way?”

“I love carnations.”

“Noted,” he spoke gravely.

Lia smiled for herself. How would she ever get used to him?

“So. . . going back to water lilies.”

“Yes?”

“If you hadn’t specified it was the sign. . . I mean, I decided to text you by chance and by chance saw the post. That was what confirmed my suspicion.”

“Well, I thought that maybe you would get it right away because it was obvious since the gift was wrapped in water lilies and maybe you remembered that,” he started speaking faster. “But when I started preparing the second post I started thinking what if it is not that obvious, because it had been ten minutes since I posted it and I was getting nervous that you hadn’t caught it and—.”

He stopped for air.

Lia was smitten. At how he’d started over explaining himself, rushedly and excitedly and agitatedly. How he was tripping over his words and how he sounded nervous somehow.

He resumed his frantic narration.

“And then I saw you liked it, which made my heart jump out of my chest, like, Jimin has been laughing at me since I squealed because you lik—yeah, anyways, you liked it, which meant you were currently on your phone, but you hadn’t told me anything, so I started to think, what if you hadn’t caught it—but anyways, that meant you were currently on your phone, which was the perfect time to make sure you saw it, so I decided to write the caption just in case, because what if you hadn’t caught that it was the sign, and apparently it did work because then you were call—.”

“If you were here, this is where I would shut you up with a kiss.”

She felt brave, okay.

He went silent.

“And since we’re at it. I was not laughing at you, I was laughing because of you. Of joy. You made my day.”

She heard a very soft little giggle on the other side of the line. Then, both remained silent. She could picture him smiling. She hoped he could picture her grinning too.

Then he broke the silence, with a whisper.

A very soft whisper, like a rustle of lily pads over the water.

“I love you.”

Her heart fluttered straight into the pond.

A sudden disturbance cut through his side of the call, taking her out of the moment. She heard the voices of her bandmates yelling and guffawing.

“Is that Lia? LIAAAAAAA.”

Was that Jimin?

“Shhhh, go away.”

“LIAAAAAAAAAAA,” someone else yelled.

“DID HE TELL YOU HOW HE’S BEEN MOPING AND HAS NOT SHUT UP ABOUT YOU ALL THIS TRI—.”

Taehyung yelped, telling them off.

She was sure he heard her name screamed out loud again, and a whole lot of teasing which only grew louder.

If she wasn’t still slightly shocked about his whispered words, perhaps she’d be more embarrassed.

“Ahhh, I’m sorry. I have to go, they—”

“LIAAAAAAAAA.”

She giggled.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Okay.”

“Take care.”

“You too.”

“And thank you.”

“Of course.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

“BYEEEEEEE,” another person yelled.

“Okay, bye.”

He cut the call.

Lia was left in a pond full of ripples, caressing the soft fabric with a dumb smile, the soft “I love you” turning around and around inside her mind like fish below the surface.

✻  ✻  ✻

Masterlist

✻  ✻  ✻

All chapters: Chapter 1 — Chapter 2 — Chapter 3 — Chapter 4 — Chapter 5  — Chapter 6  — Chapter 7 — Chapter 8 — Chapter 9  — Chapter 10 — Chapter 11 — Chapter 12 — Chapter 13 — Chapter 14 — Chapter 15 — Chapter 16 — Chapter 17 — Chapter 18 — Chapter 19  — Chapter 20 — Chapter 21 — Chapter 22 — Chapter 23 — Chapter 24 — Chapter 25 — Chapter 26 — Chapter 27 — Update on Part 2 — Part 2 Preview

#v #v fanfic #v fluff #v x ofc #v x oc #taehyung #taehyung fanfic #taehyung fluff #taehyung x ofc #taehyung x oc #bts fanfic #bts fluff #bts x ofc #bts jazz #bts slow burn #bts idol au #bts coffee shop au #idol au #coffee shop au

[purpleyoonn]

Petrichor 12 Preview

P E T R I C H O R

Petrichor /ˈpeˌtrīkôr/  (noun)

“a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.”

Summary: You had been working at Bangtan Corporation for almost two years now, and not once have you ever laid eyes on your bosses. That was, until you met them when out with some of your coworkers. Now, you almost wish you hadn’t. Almost.

Pairing: CEO BTS x Chubby MC

Genre: werewolf au, ceo au, soulmate, polyamory relationship, angst, fluff, omegaverse, a/b/o dynamics

Warnings: smut, violence, mentions of knotting, heats, ruts, workplace discrimination, fat phobia, sexism, insecurities,

Some warnings may be added to the beginning of individual chapters.

Will be updated every other Saturday at 5pm PST

Masterlist // Taglist

COMING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST: 5PM PST

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You couldn’t help but admire him, the soft shape of his jaw and the small upturn of his lip when he thinks too hard. You loved the depth to his eyes and how he always seems to stare straight through you, sometimes making you blush uncontrollably as he does so.

The noise of the keyboard catches your attention, watching as his nimble fingers press on the different keys, controlling the movement of the song. His hand is big compared to yours, and was, admittingly so, attractive. You couldn’t help but imagine what else he could do with his hands. How they would feel wrapped around you, pressing marks into your skin.

God damn, the tingle in between your legs returns, reminiscing on all of your nights alone, making you move to adjust yourself on his lap, praying he doesn’t notice. But he does. Yoongi can smell your arousal growing, the sweet honey and almond scent making him grip tighter on the mouse, almost breaking the poor tool.

Breathing in, he tried his hardest not to do anything that would make you uncomfortable, but all he wanted to do was to shove his face into your core and feast on you. Breath in your nectar and drown himself in you. His control was always one of his best qualities, but he swore, you were going to make his control obsolete the longer he was with you. It dwindled further and further into nothing as he spent more time with you.

Noticing where you were looking, he flexed his fingers, feeling your heart beat faster and how you clench your legs, trying to stifle your growing arousal. Smirking at your reaction, he moved closer, his lips brushing against your ear as he spoke.

“Darling, I promise my fingers can give you more pleasure than just watching.” Your breath hitches as he moves his hands from the keyboard, one moving down to your thighs.

His hand was covering almost the expanse of the surface of it, making you clench your thighs even tighter. The other hand, moved up your shoulder before grasping the front of your neck, barely brushing against your skin before moving back down and pressing against your stomach, holding you to him.

The hand on your thigh moves slowly, closer and closer until he was practically cupping your sex. You reacted by moving your hand to cup his own, holding it out of pure nerves. You had always thought you would just take the opportunity when you could, but you had only ever pleasured yourself, no one has touched you like this before. Well, no one has ever wanted to.

“Just say the word, darling, and I will show you just how you should be treated.” His fingers brushes against your nipple as his hand moves, thankfully your bra helped hide your now pebbled nipples from receiving his full touch.

“Say the word, and I’ll worship you like the artwork you are. I will love you and map the very expanse of your skin, noting where to love you even more. I will be your throne, bringing you into the woes of pleasure, all you have to do,” His lips brushed against your neck, tongue brushing against your vein as he moves in. His lower hand now moving to spread your legs apart, using his own to keep yours open to give him more access to your growing arousal.

“…is say yes.”

#bts #bts au #bts werewolf #bts werewolf au #bts ceo #bts ceo au #ceo bts #ceo wolf!bts #bts soulmate #bts soulmate au #bts slow burn #bts mates au #bts mates #bts polyamory #bts poly #bts poly!au #bts poly au #bts poly! #bts x reader #poly!bts x reader #bts x chubby reader #chubby mc #bts omegaverse #angst #pining #fluff #new character introduced #purpleyoonn

[clumsy-jiminie]

ɪɴᴇᴠɪᴛᴀʙʟʏ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱ | ᴘᴊᴍ | ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɴɪɴᴇ

❝ ʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇʟᴀxᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ❞

↣ summary :: Kiara Smith had dreamed of true love for as long as she could remember. from being obsessed with the Disney princesses who found affection in the strangest situations to dressing up as a bride from kindergarten to fourth grade. it was the only thing she ever truly desired, so much so that a pleasant smile and kind eyes could have her smitten in seconds. right when she thought she found the one, a chance encounter with Park Jimin—the city’s famously perfect fuck boy with a smile so warm and a heart of ice—has her feeling quite the opposite. he knocks her off her axis and derails her life as she knows it, yet the universe seems to have another plan for the two.

↣ rating :: 18+

↣ genre :: fluff, angst, smut, e2l, slow burn

↣ pairing :: business owner!jimin x fem!artist!oc ft. taehyung

↣ word count :: 5.5k

↣ chapter warnings :: mature language, implied sexual encounter

↣ notes :: a day in the life of our beloved jimin. I was really excited to write this chapter just bc I love how jimin is. there's so much I have planned for his character.

↣ next :: previous :: series m.list ↢

if you have any questions, comments, or concerns PLEASE don't hesitate to message me or send me an ask! my inbox is always open. 💖

"you know I'd be lying saying you're the one that could finally fix me, looking at my history, I'm bad at love."

- bad at love, halsey -

"You sure I can do this?" The dark-haired man asked, chewing on his plump lower lip as he stared at his white ceiling. The nervous habit often left his lips swollen and bruised, but he couldn't stop. It was better than chewing his nail beds raw.

The woman beside him scoffed obnoxiously, rustling the bed as she switched sides to face him. She looked at the man, worried etched into his beautiful features, stealing the place of his usual bubbly self.

"Are you kidding, Jimin?" She gazed at him, the same look of love swimming in her pools of chocolate as his. "Of course you can." She reached out to him, placing her delicate hand on his cheek. He turned to look at her. Her simple touch made his shoulders relax in an instant. "I have believed in you since the idea first fell from your lips."

He couldn't help but stare at her. Her words sunk into him, swelling his heart until there was no more room for worry. The gentle light of early dawn illuminated her pale pink skin, casting a soft halo around her. She was an angel—his angel—placed on earth to find him and bring warmth into his cold life. If every mistake he made led him to this point, he'd make them all over again. 

He smiled, hoping to burn this moment into his memory of how she looked, how soft she felt, how sweet her voice was. He placed his hand on top of hers; feeling the stark difference between her soft hands and the diamond ring occupying her left finger. "I love you."

"I know," she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was quick and sweet but made his heart soar nonetheless.

"So what should I name it?"

She rolled onto her back as they both stared up at the ceiling. "Hm, well," she paused, pursing her lips in thought. "Whenever you dance, it's captivating. It's a topic, a discussion. Art, but moving."

Jimin's brows furrowed as he pondered on her words. "Like in motion?"

"Yes!" She squealed. "That's it!"

"So, Art in Motion…." The name sounded foreign on his tongue, scrunching his nose as he said the last vowel.

"Mhm, Art in Motion." She grinned.

But for some reason, it sounded exquisite when it left her lips. It sounded expensive, like a delicacy—like success. They glanced at each other, a giggle escaping her lips as Jimin reached over and pulled her into him, her small frame against his own. He covered her in kisses. Her laughs were the sweetest sound he's heard.

"What would I do without you?"

Jimin's eyes fluttered open, meeting with blonde hair covering the pillow beside him. It almost startled him; part of him expected to see those same chocolate waves from his dream. Dreaming was the only way he could remember the past, considering he would have willed those memories into a box during his waking hours. All they did was provide a source of pain, a fuel for depression, and he couldn't afford to waste time.

Like right now.

He wasn't a morning person and would strictly work at night if he had it his way. But nighttime was only for getting drunk and sleeping in terms of the business world, so he had to adjust. He pushed himself to sit up, running a hand through his messy bedhead to push the wild strands out of his eyes. His partner groaned softly from all the sudden movement, causing him to look at the girl through squinty eyes.

"Hey," he croaked with his brows furrowed. He glazed over the blonde's tousled waves that cascaded over her bare spine. He reached out and touched her, cold hands against warm skin, but to his surprise, there was no response. His brows squished together further; that trick usually caused them to spring to life.

The muscles in his jaw feathered with annoyance as he grabbed his phone off the nightstand, checking the time. He got out of bed and gathered his boxer briefs from the clothes that were scattered amongst the floor, haphazardly thrown about in last night's act of passion. This girl slept like a rock and would put a significant dent in his schedule if she didn't get up soon. And as stated earlier, he didn't have time to waste. He responded to a few text messages he deemed urgent before grabbing the comforter and tugging off of her body. She groaned in protest, reaching out to grasp at the sheets.

"Yo, get up." The blonde began to walk around his bedroom while picking up bits and pieces of her clothes. It may have been cold the past few nights, but dressing with this many layers was extreme. After confirming he grabbed everything, he tossed the bundle of fabrics at her. The sound of a text notification rang from his phone, prompting him to respond quickly. "You gotta go," he said over the clicks of his keyboard.

The woman finally sat herself up, furrowing her brows as she looked back at the man. He was barely paying any attention to her. She got up and started to get dressed again. "Good morning to you, too," she said, catching a glance from him for a second. She huffed quietly, sliding her shirt on. "You know, guys I normally hook up with, treat me to breakfast in the morning."

"That's nice for them," Jimin deadpanned.

The blonde gasped dramatically, her green eyes widening. "You know, I deserve better!"

He nodded his head, "Mhm definitely. You do deserve better." He walked over to his door and opened it, eyes still glued to his phone screen. "And you are welcome to go find it! Outside my apartment."

The woman pouted at the man now. She walked over, standing directly in front of him. She had hoped to get his attention one last time, but her efforts failed. "I didn't want to believe the rumors about you. I was hoping they weren't true, but I guess Park Jimin does have a heart of ice."

Jimin genuinely snickered, looking at the girl. "I guess you'll learn not to be so naive," he grinned at her, and her heart could've melted. Someone so cold shouldn't possess a smile so warm. Mixing fire with ice should've been physically impossible, but here he was, the walking enigma. "Izzy will let you out. Ensure you don't forget anything; I'm not fond of flings." The blonde girl left his bedroom as he looked down at the phone again. "Get home safe, Jamie!"

"It's Jessica!" He heard just as he shut the door. 

It didn't matter what her name was since he would never see her again. Like she said, the rumors were true. Park Jimin will treat you as if you were the only girl in the world, to forget your existence when morning arises. Warm to the touch with words like icicles. He walked to his bathroom, losing the box briefs as he hooked up some music for his shower.

After completing his morning routine, he walked out of the bathroom with a towel barely hanging around his hips. He tossed his phone onto his bed as he walked over to the wall-length windows occupying one side of the room. As Jimin pulled back the curtains, allowing sunlight to finally crash through his windows, he sighed deeply. He looked up at the crisp blue sky with a slight frown pulling on his lips. He rubbed at his chest, hand over his heart as if to soothe a never-ending ache.

She liked days like this, days without a cloud in sight. It reminded her of perfect summer days, with ice cream dripping down her chin and children's laughter. 

"Mr. Park," said a woman as she barged into Jimin's room. The woman was genuinely heaven-sent when he needed her to be. Her heels clicked against his polished, white birch flooring, the sound ripping him from intrusive memories that would’ve left him bedridden for a week. She stared down at the binder in one hand while the used pushed blonde hair out of her face. She adjusted her glasses as she waited for her response.

Jimin inhaled deeply, letting his eyes shut as his head tilted back. His hand rested over his heart. While being heaven-sent, he knew exactly what would come out of her mouth in the next 15 seconds just by how she entered his room. "Yes?" He sighed.

"Alright, you have a 9:30 with Mr. Salvatore; he said he wanted to double-check the lot for the next studio. The graphics team for AIMIt also would like to meet with you when you have the time. I said you were available at 11, hoping the studio check would be brief, so it'll be just before your lunch. And….” Izzy continued to ramble on about various meetings on the itinerary today, emails that needed to be sent, and checks that needed to be signed, causing Jimin's head to spin.

"Iz…." He called out as he shut his eyes tight, trying to separate his thoughts from her voice. She continued, prompting him to turn around and face the woman. "Izzy," he repeated a bit louder this time. She stared down at the binder in her hand, her free one waving about as she spoke and pushing back her black-rimmed glasses when needed. He walked towards her, and with her total lack of attention to her surroundings, Jimin could snatch the binder from her hand, her wide blue eyes finally meeting his brown ones. He looked down at his jam-packed schedule, seeing tiny color-coded notes that made him squint. Even with his contacts in, he still couldn't read any of it. "Did you manage to schedule in when I get to take a shit?" He smirked playfully at her.

Izzy rolled her eyes, reclaiming the binder from the man. "Oh ha ha, Mr. Park, you're so hilarious!" Sarcasm laced her words while Jimin sent her a wink. He walked towards his walk-in closet, and she intuitively followed while she flipped through the pages of the schedule she meticulously put together. "But these are the consequences of going to dinner the other night! You have a tightly packed schedule down to the second, thanks to yours truly. You're welcome." He dropped the towel, but this didn't phase Izzy at all. She was dedicated to her job, and dedication meant walking in on the blonde more often than not.

She was organized, precise, and reliable but needed to gain awareness of boundaries. You win some and lose some. 

"You don't have time to waste!" She reiterated as if Jimin didn't already know. He continued to get dressed, sliding on a pair of boxer briefs before putting on a pair of black sweatpants. "Between being the owner AND an instructor, I'm surprised you have time to shit! By the way, I have you down for 2:30 PM and 6 PM for bathroom times, figuring things could digest after lunch and a snack."

"Well, it won't be needed," he said before asking Siri about the weather. "Cancel everything."

"W-What?!" She stammered, looking at the shirtless man as if he had four heads.

Jimin thumbed through his athletic shirts, flipping between a long-sleeved compression shirt and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. They were both black, and he ended up going with the former. "Cancel it all." He took the shirt off the hanger, slid the stretchy material over his torso, and turned to face the woman again. "I want a day to myself."

"Are you crazy?! Mr. Salvatore doesn't like it when people cancel at the last minute, which is fair! You need—"

"Isabelle," his stern tone cut her off and promptly shut her up. She knew which battles she could win, and this wasn't one of them. "Mr. Salvatore can wait. The graphics team can wait. However, I will drop by the office to get payroll done. Other than that, I know everything, and everyone else will wait. You know this business doesn't move without me."

He was right, and of course he was. Even though he constantly reminds Hoseok that the man is just as important as he is, the brand will crumble without Jimin. They needed his business expertise, as it was his major in college. He walked out of his closet after slipping on some sneakers, knowing Izzy would trail behind like his shadow. After grabbing his phone and keys from his room, he went downstairs.

"Do you think I should get breakfast at Little Latte or Starbucks?" He asked as he skimmed through the various food items in his fridge—nothing but odd ends and snacks. He was rarely home anymore, and when he was, it was after dinner or to commit someone to his sheets.

"Mr. Park…," she said softly, voice slightly quivering as she held the binder close to her chest.

"Izzy," he sighed again, closing his fridge and looking at the small girl before him. She was trembling despite her serious tone. He couldn't help but frown a little. He knew how much this job meant to her, primarily because he found her. He technically saved her, and she showed her gratitude by being so dedicated. Little did she know, she was the one who saved him, and Jimin would never be able to repay her. "After you reschedule everything, because I know you will, please take the day off as well."

He walked over to her, lifting her chin with his finger to look into her blue eyes. She glared at him, making him smile. Her brows furrowed, her body rejecting the idea of a day off. 

"Come on, Iz," he pleaded once he realized she wouldn't budge. "It's beautiful outside! Take a walk, get some sun! We both deserve some rest and relaxation. If not, you leave me no choice but to fire you." The woman looked up at him with wide eyes as his brows raised. He cracked a smile, "Don't worry, you know I'd rehire you."

Izzy let out a heavy sigh. She couldn't help but roll her eyes, falling victim to Park Jimin's irresistible tactics. "Starbucks is overpriced, and you know Little Latte makes the best coffee on the Lower East Side," she offered the man a small smile. 

"Thank you," he reached out to ruffle her hair, causing her to swat at his hand. "Now go on! And I expect to hear all about your magical day off tomorrow morning!" He urged her towards the door while she let out a loud scoff. They knew she would stay inside and rework Jimin's schedule, maybe curl up with a book afterward. She loathed the outdoors.

After Isabelle left, he scrambled around one of his spare closets where he threw random objects in. Like how every household had a junk drawer, he had a junk closet. There, Jimin found his old yoga mat, dusting off the plush rug. He didn't realize how long it's been since he used it. Either way, he had plans to change that today. He headed towards the door and left. 

Jimin opted to walk to the quaint coffee shop, seeing as it was just a short distance from his penthouse. It indeed was a beautiful day outside—not a cloud in sight. The sun offered a comforting warmth instead of beating down on the man like he owed it rent money. There was a light breeze just for the people who got hot no matter what, keeping everyone comfortable. With over-ear headphones on, blasting Justin Bieber as he walked down the sidewalk like he owed it.

"When I'm in my thoughts sometimes, it's hard to believe I'm the person you think I am, the person you tell me you love…"

Skip.

So much for that. The blonde continued to hit the arrow button on his phone screen. He needed a little more upbeat and a little less let's-remind-you-of-your-past.

"Got a boy back home in Michigan, and it tastes like Jack when I'm kissing him…"

Settling for Halsey, he continued his trek until he reached his destination. He pushed the door open, and as expected, the quaint coffee shop was busy despite being a Wednesday at 11 AM. He quietly joined the queue, bopping his head to the music blasting in his ears. He noted which songs made his body subconsciously move, hoping to prepare something for a later class. As the line grew closer to the registers, he lowered his music just enough to hear the quiet hum of a busy establishment. Once at the counter, he pulled off his headphones and rested them around his neck.

"Hi, welcome in, what can I—Oh shit," Jimin heard as he reached for his wallet. He furrowed his brows while looking up at the person behind the counter. Eyes of flames met his own, making his go round. In front of him stood a tall man with dark hair pulled up into a bun resting on his head. A silver hoop glimmered against his lips while various black ink and color tattoos traveled down his arm and spilled onto his hand. He held a black Sharpie with a tight grip, frozen in place as it hovered over a plastic cup. 

Jimin was slightly stunned and a bit confused. He didn't know this man for him to be on the opposing end of a glare. "Did I—"

"What do you want?" The other man growled, causing Jimin's eyes to narrow. Little Latte has been his favorite spot for years, and he's never once had such a rude interaction with any of the staff.

"A medium dalgona, please."

"Of course, you'd pick the most annoying drink to make."

"Couldn't possibly be as annoying as you right now."

The man scoffed. "Aren't you too old to be using comebacks from grade school?"

"Aren't you too poor to be talking to me like this?" Jimin snapped, earning a quiet gasp from the woman behind him. The man's patience was thin, and he only wanted a cup of coffee. The taller man's gaze hardened at Jimin, almost challenging him. Jimin was never one to back down, so he stared back as he placed a hand on his hip and looked the man up and down.

An older man walked out from a side door wearing a soft blue button-down and a black apron covered in flour and food stains around his hips. He stood with perfect posture and didn't look a day over 30. His midnight hair and beard had peppered strands of silver throughout. His skin was pale with rosy undertones, lips perfectly structured, and a jawline sharp enough to cut through granite. Jimin could only wish he'd look that good in his older age. He did a double take at Jimin as he stood by the barista's side. Any evidence of concern in the older man's face dissipated while Jimin's tense shoulders dropped a little from the familiar face.

"Ah! Jimin! It's so wonderful to see you." He nodded at the man briefly, pearly teeth peeking behind rose-shaded lips, before looking at the barista. "Why don't you take your break, Jeongguk? I got it from here." Jeongguk sighed softly, dropping the cup before entering the room where the older man once came. 

"Sorry about that, Jimin; he must be a little tired. He normally doesn't work Wednesdays," the man said as he finished Jimin's order.

Jimin finally managed to relax, though his brows remained furrowed. "It's no problem, Mr. Choi. How much do I owe you?" He looked down at his wallet and began to sort through the bills. 

"Nothing," Mr. Choi's brows furrowed as he flinched slightly.

Jimin's warm brown eyes met the others', hand frozen in place with a 20 dollar bill between his fingertips. "Mr. Choi," he deadpanned. 

"Jimin," he said in the same tone, prompting a groan from the blonde as he rolled his eyes. Mr. Choi couldn't help but chuckle as he turned his back to the man to start preparing his beverage. He stepped to the side with a playful pout on his puffy pink lips.

He forgot when Mr. Choi started to refuse his payments, but he fought him every time the elder insisted it was on the house. Good coffee deserves compensation. Good food deserves payment, especially if everything is made in-house. Mr. Choi was an insane baker. While away in Spain, he missed Little Latte dearly. This was his safe space for years during college—from studying to heartbreak, Mr. Choi has seen him through it all.

After sneakily paying for the lady behind him, he waited for his coffee, glancing around the shop. The shop mainly had stayed the same since Jimin first started to come here until something caught his attention. Across the room, by the stage, placed against the wall, was a piece of artwork. A Luna piece, to be specific. He felt a chill spread from his face to his fingertips, suddenly feeling flushed with heat.

"You really did mean it when you said you were a big fan.”

Her voice rang through his ears as if she were right next to him. Jimin's cheeks burned as he swallowed hard, folding his arms over his chest. He tried to pull his eyes away from the seamlessly blended pale and mid-green tones that spread horizontally from one end of the canvas to the other. Flecks of emerald green and metallic silver danced freely amongst the ombré. The piece was a statement, the colors popping against the taupe wall. Knowing he could spot her work anywhere, he hated that Kiara was right.

"Is that new?" He asked as he glanced at the owner.

Mr. Choi looked at Jimin and then at the painting, "Oh yeah. A customer gifted it to me as a birthday present." The man smiled as he reminisced. There were very few people who held a space in his heart, but since moving here, it seemed as if he adopted a family. "Kiara," a fond smile spread on his lips while Jimin's heart started to race, "lovely girl." 

The older man handed the blonde, who seemed entranced by the painting, his beverage. "You know, she reminds me a lot of you," he chuckled. Jimin's eyes widened, almost dropping the coffee he had just received. He stared at Mr. Choi, who had a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Both of you are very hard workers, lovers of the arts, and pains in my ass."

Jimin glared at the man while Mr. Choi threw his head back, cackling. There was no way in hell he and Kiara were alike. Grouping the man with a selfish liar was ridiculous, but the blonde forced a smile to humor him. He stuck his hand in his pocket again, hearing sounds of disapproval from behind the counter.

"I said it was on the house!" Mr. Choi argued.

Jimin ignored him, seeing a jar on the counter with a white label that 'read tips :)'. The container held various dollar bills and some spare change, but the shop deserved more. Despite the elder's protests, the man grabbed a 100-dollar bill and stuck it in the jar.

"Jimin!"

"If you keep complaining, I'm gonna put another hundred in there," the blonde threatened with a grin. Mr. Choi narrowed his eyes at him but didn't make another sound. Jimin winked at the older man, causing him to roll his eyes and shake his head before returning to work.

The man sipped his coffee and walked over to a seat by the window. A seat he had known since his college days. He enjoyed watching the people walk by; it kept his mind quiet as he made up stories for those who passed. It was easy to do in a place like this, where there were so many different people on so many different routes. 

Sometimes, he wondered what it would've been like if he had gone down an alternative route. Would he be able to take days off whenever? Would he have been able to sit in a coffee shop? Or would his day have been plagued with never-ending emails from people demanding his attention?

Jimin didn't like to think about it often, feeling anger bubbling in his gut.

"Your dreams don't matter."

"You can dream once you take over this company."

The blonde shook his head, ridding the memories from his mind. Just as he took the last sip of his sweet coffee, his phone started to buzz in his pocket. Jimin quickly reached for it, glancing at the caller ID before answering.

His sweet coffee turned bitter on his tongue.

He swallowed hard, feeling his hands grow warm as he placed the empty cup on the table. He stared at the screen, breathing unsteadily as he racked his brain for reasons why she would be calling. A few seconds later, the contact named Mother disappeared from his screen, minimizing to a small missed call notification. His jaw clenched as his body tensed up.

She told him never to call her again.

He promised he wouldn't and kept it.

So why was she contacting him?

His phone buzzed again, seeing she had also left him a voicemail. He inhaled deeply, shutting his eyes briefly before unlocking his phone. He waited to check the voicemail. Just the thought of her managed to will the action of her reaching out into existence. Now, if only Jimin could use those powers in other aspects of life.

The man ran his fingers through his pale golden locks, gripping the strands briefly before releasing them. Jimin released another heavy sigh, shutting his eyes for a moment. Little Latte was a great place to sit and think until those thoughts became heavy. Next thing you know, you're bawling your eyes out while the owner consoles you with a cup of tea and a freshly baked sugar cookie.

As he debated on staying, fighting the demons and nightmares that were bound to rear their ugly heads and finally try to lay them to rest, he spotted a note stuck onto the table. It read:

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."

His lips pulled into a small smile as he read it, glancing around as if he were going to find the one who wrote it. How did this mystery person know that this was what he needed to hear right now?

And with that, the blonde got up, throwing away his trash before waving goodbye to Mr. Choi. The note was a good pick me up and gave Jimin the boost he needed. He wasn't going to go back to that place again. He wouldn't let his thoughts consume him past the point of no return again. He made a promise to a little girl, and he intended to keep it. Unlike some people, promises meant something to him. He placed his headphones over his eyes again as he looked up the nearest yoga studio on his phone. Living in New York was terrific on days like these; everything was within walking distance of each other, and you never needed to go far to find what you needed.

After following the directions from his phone, he stopped in front of a building with tinted glass windows. On one of the windows was cursive lettering that read State of Mind. The words circled a silhouette of a person sitting with their legs layered one over the other. Jimin pushed the door open and entered. The light, cream-colored walls and the golden oak-stained wood flooring gave the room a bright feel. There was a hint of lavender incense burning in the air, nothing too strong but enough to calm his nerves upon entering. Various plants were placed meticulously around the room while soothing music filled the otherwise quiet space.

He walked up to the desk, where a woman with long dark hair focused on a computer screen. The blonde waited patiently, not wanting to be rude by demanding her attention instantly. Soon enough, the girl glanced at him, doing a double take. Her brown eyes were wide with wonder, and her jaw slightly hung open with a smile tugging at her lips. She stared much longer than socially appropriate, making the blonde chuckle uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry," she sighed, placing a hand on her chest while a dusty pink spread across her tanned cheeks. "You're Jimin, right? On TikTok?"

Jimin offered the girl a slight smile as he chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, I am."

"Oh my god, I'm such a huge fan! I've been dying to go to one of your classes, but," the girl suddenly looked down and away, the pink on her cheeks deepening to a rose. "I'm not that great of a dancer."

The blonde's smile widened. "That's OK! We offer beginner classes and ensure everyone is comfortable and confident in their skin. We're really laid back." He reassured as the brunette looked at him again. She was pretty, with a sweet face, innocent eyes, and a shy smile. He felt a pain in his chest, his smile wavering for a second, but not enough for her to notice. "Let me get your contact information, and I'll try to squeeze you into my next class if you're interested."

She perked up, the smile on her face reaching her eyes. "I'd like that!" She quickly wrote down her information and handed it to him. "Now, how may I help you today?"

Jimin chuckled, slightly amused by her quick personality switch. "I was wondering if there was a glass I could join in," he said as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket. "I know it's kinda last minute."

"That's fine!" She tapped on her keyboard a few times. "There's a class starting in a few minutes with an opening, so you can walk on in."

The smile on his lips grew. They finished out the transaction as Jimin lightly flirted with the girl. He couldn't help it. She looked so much like… her. The woman from his dreams. From his nightmares.

He walked down a nearby hallway until he reached a frosted glass door. Upon entering, he noticed the chatter amongst the fellow occupants stopped. Suddenly, all eyes were on him. If it were anyone else, they would've been startled by the point of uncomfortableness, walking in with shoulders that seemed to fold in on themselves while keeping their eyes glued to the floor.

Jimin was the exact opposite. He knew he commanded the attention of any room, so he was used to the peering eyes watching his every move. There was silence beside his footsteps that led him to an empty spot next to someone who got a head start on stretching—someone who seemed not to care about who had just walked into the room at all. After he rolled out his mat, the conversation between the other people resumed. As he took a moment to warm up, his eyes glanced around the room.

The area had the same walling and flooring as the reception area. Wall-length windows aligned against the right wall gave a full view of a garden they had outside. The foliage began getting its deep green leaves back, and colorful buds were sprouting. The place must've been beautiful in full bloom. He made a mental note to visit later in the Spring.

His eyes then went from looking past to the girl beside him. She wore a black zip-up hoodie that stopped short enough to expose some of the golden brown skin of her abdomen. She raised her arms, stretching out her body. Her silhouette was absolutely sinful. A perfect hourglass shape accentuated every more so by her fuller figure. She had on a pair of thin yoga pants, and Jimin could damn near lose his mind staring at her ass, so he looked elsewhere. Her dark hair was tied into a messy bun, loose spirals sticking out here and there, trying to break out of their restraints. All he could do was imagine himself with his fingers entangled in her hair while he pulled on them, burying himself deep inside of her while she screamed out for more.

Stop. You came here to relax, the blonde thought to himself.

Jimin pulled his arm over his chest and held it with his other arm, stretching his shoulders. So far, the body was nice; now, if she just turned around, he could decide if she was worth pursuing. The blonde didn't have a type—he liked anyone in any shape, size, or skin tone. With all the beautiful people in the world, why limit himself? Love is blind, and lust is fluid; there should be no reason to be picky when you're just looking for fun.

He turned his body to the wall-length mirror in front of them, hoping to get a glance at her face. At the same time, she turned to face the mirror as well. Their eyes instantly met as if they were looking for each other.

His heart dropped into his stomach while his face grew hot. 

It couldn't be. There was no way.

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#fic: inevitably yours #jimin #park jimin #jimin fic #park jimin fic #jimin fanfic #park jimin fanfic #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts smut #jimin smut #park jimin smut #jimin series #park jimin series #jimin enemies to lovers #park jimin enemies to lovers #jimin slow burn #park jimin slow burn #bts slow burn #bts enemies to lovers

[bts-hyperfixation]

Outside of the Fox

Chapter 25 of 30

2350 words

Y/N longs for a new life when the one she’d been living comes to an abrupt stop. Without much thought to those she is leaving behind, the little fox packs a backpack and disappears. She stumbles across the shelter and makes an interim home for herself while she works out exactly what she wants from her second chance.

Last

Airports are weird places. That's the only thing you can conclude as you try to navigate your way through the crowd. They never looked this way in the films. 

You'd watched countless romcoms where people had just run freely all the way through the vast empty spaces. The reality is something much closer to one of the seven circles of hell.  There are people everywhere, some sitting in seats, others on the floor, many just walking around getting in the way. It seems like a truly lawless environment, with many of society's rules abandoned in favour of self-preservation. 

Poor Kookie looks like he is about to faint. The youngest member was hanging from Namjoon's back, having decided a piggyback would be the easiest way for him to get through this. Jimin checked in with him regularly, pulling faces and making jokes to try and keep him distracted. You can't help but feel overwhelmed by the atmosphere yourself. 

Hoseok holds tightly onto your hand as he bobs and weaves through the crowd following after Jin and Taehyung as they lead your group to your departure gate. You had been promised that the gate would be much calmer than the main areas as they dragged you through as quickly as possible. 

And they were right. With more than an hour to go until your flight, there were only a few other passengers milling around so you were all able to grab seats together in the corner. Jungkook physically decompresses as Namjoon sets him on the ground, although his eyes stay wide and vigilant as he appraises his surroundings. Yoongi pulls out his switch from his backpack and hands it across to Jungkook before cuddling into the chair next to him, looking about ready to take a nap. 

You contemplate sitting on Jungkook's other side but Taehyung pulls you to him instead. 

"Let me take you shopping in duty-free,"  He says

"I think Jungkook used your card to buy enough stuff this week." You point out.

"But I didn't buy you those things, not really." He pouts. 

You roll your eyes and he takes this as an acceptance, linking his arm through yours and taking you off back in the direction of the crowds.

You peruse through the make-up sections, taking the brightest blushes you can find and dotting them onto his cheeks leaving him a mismatched mosaic of pinks. In return, he swatches random eyeshadows and wipes them onto your forearms. The attendants give you both dirty looks when neither of you actually select any products to buy, but none of them seem brave enough to actually interject.

Eventually, Tae takes pity on them, picking up some expensive skincare and makeup wipes to purchase. He ensures he has enough face masks and steam masks for the entire group and convinces you to pick out something extra for yourself. Even though you want to protest, you settle on a cute headband to make him happy. 

He takes the bag of goodies from the saleswoman once he has paid and fishes the headband out in order to place it in your hair. His fingers brush tenderly through your hair as he places the little trinket carefully above your ear. His eyes lock with yours and he leans in like he is going to kiss you, but as his eyes close you can't help but giggle. 

"I'm trying to charm you and you are giggling at me?" He asks, mock offended.

"Sorry... I couldn't help it, that patchy blush looks even worse close up." You shrug. 

He swipes at his face with the back of his hand, succeeding only in making it much worse as the colours intermingle. 

"Well if you closed your eyes to kiss like a normal person you wouldn't have seen it." He grumbles.

"Well, if I'd known you were about to kiss me maybe I would've." You say

"Well then, close your eyes," He tries again reaching out to tuck your hair as he had before. 

Unfortunately, this time he is cut off by the tannoy system calling out for your boarding numbers. You take his hand in yours and hurry away from the store back to where you left the others. 

"I'm never going to get my kiss." He pouts.

________

The others have gathered all the hand luggage and are waiting for you when you arrive. Turns out Taehyung had taken all of the tickets with you so they couldn't board. However, it seems to be by design when Taehyung reveals that you are all sitting in first class. The eight of you fill-up the double centre isle 

Namjoon sits at the back, harrumphing to himself about how Taehyung has spent far too much money on this trip. Yoongi sits next to him to try and shut him up (He ends up just raising the centre wall to give himself some peace and quiet). 

Hoseok parks himself in front of Yoongi, often kneeling up on his seat to talk with Yoongi over the top. Taehyung sits next to him, mostly because Jimin insisted he needed to spend the flight with Jungkook but also because they wanted to watch the same movies and they could talk about them. 

And so you sat with Jin, working out nicely in your favour as both of you really just wanted to nap. You settled in quickly for the long flight, unravelling the provided blanket and draping it over your and Jin's laps. When Taehyung had suggested going to the beach you had thought he meant somewhere nearby, not a long-haul flight to the other hemisphere.

"You realise they give each of us our own blankets right?" He points out. 

"Yeah, but this thing is massive." You say shaking the fabric. "Unless you want to put up the divider?" 

"No, no this is fine. Once we've taken off the stewardesses can turn our two seats into one bed if you like, give us a more comfortable space?" He suggests.

It's clear he doesn't mean anything by it, but a blush creeps up your cheeks anyway. You don't get a chance to reply before the stewards are handing you a mimosa each and directing your attention towards a safety briefing. You watch intently as they go through the motions of showing you emergency procedures. 

The aeroplane roars to life around you as it comes to the end of the taxi, you can hear the turbines wiring and your heart speeds up at the same pace. Jungkook whimpers behind you and Jimin tries to whisper words of encouragement to the man. You want to turn around and help but the seat backs are too high and you fear your face looks too concerned to provide any comfort anyway. 

Jin glances over at you and takes in the way your knuckles are turning white from clasping onto the arms of your chair. He places his hand on top of yours, curling his fingers underneath your palm so you can hold onto him instead. He offers you a reassuring smile and you try to reciprocate. 

"First flight?" He asks.

You nod in response, unable to speak as you feel the wheels lift from the floor.

"This is the worst part, after this you can barely feel that you're moving," He assures you. "Here, take this, it'll stop your ears from popping." 

He fishes out a packet of gum and offers you a piece then takes one himself. 

Eventually, the plane levels out as he promises and it is smooth sailing for a while. The stewardesses are quick to deliver meals to each of you and even quicker to take them away when you've finished. You are lying down in a nicely sized bed within an hour of take-off ready to sleep through as much of the flight as possible. Jin has himself propped up a little to read his book as you snuggle down and close your eyes. 

"Sleep well Y/N," He says as you drift off. 

You are rudely awoken a few hours later to the violent shaking of the plane. You try to shoot up straight into a sitting position but find yourself restricted by an arm across your waist. Jin pulls you closer to him.

"Don't panic, it's just turbulence," He whispers into your ear sleepily "It'll be over in a couple of minutes."

"Are you sure?" You ask.

"Of course I'm sure."

The plane dips dramatically and you find yourself clinging to Jin. He folds both arms around you and holds you as close as he can. Your stomach flips with each judder of the plane around you but Jin's arms remain firmly in place and his lips press to your forehead as he whispers nonsense to you as a distraction. 

He is right of course, the turbulence is over as quickly as it began and the Pilots voice sounds over the P.A

"Sorry about that folks, it looks like we could be in for a few bumpy rides throughout the journey as we hit some particularly rough patches of weather. We should be over the worst of it for now though so please relax and we will let you know if we expect any further issues throughout the flight." 

You lean back and look up at Jin finding his face mere centimetres from your own.

"Are you okay?" He asks,

"I think so."

"I'm glad, but know that you can cling to me any time turbulence or not," He winks.

"Good to know." You swallow thickly. 

He holds you close for a moment longer and then releases you back to your side of the bed. You sit up and peer over the back of your chair to check on the others. Namjoon is standing up looking over everyone in the same way you are.  Yoongi is watching him carefully. Taehyung and Hobi don't seem to have even paused their movies. And most surprisingly Jungkook doesn't seem to have even stirred as he holds Jimin close in their own little bed.

Namjoon catches your eye and you reassure him you are okay. He nods and settles back into his own chair and picks his book up where he left off. You lie back down and turn onto your side looking at Jin, his eyes already reclosed as he drifts off once more. You realise as your eyes drift towards the plumpness of his lips that your mind is drifting towards how they might feel against your skin. 

It's been such a long time since you've been intimate with anyone and the kisses you'd been going a little stir-crazy with impure thoughts of late, so who could blame you for looking at any of the attractive men around you? Although some might call you greedy for staring at the only one not actively openly courting you.

"Can I help you?" He asks cracking one eye open when he feels your gaze.

"I was wondering..." He opens both eyes and waits for you to ask what's on your mind.

"I was wondering if you planned on pursuing a relationship with more than just Namjoon within the group." 

He smiles in a way that suggests he knows what you are getting at but the answer he gives doesn't reflect that.

"Well I think it's obvious I have my eye on Kookie, or should I say he has his eye on me."

"Is that all?" You ask.

You move a little bit closer to him, hoping to get a much more pleasing answer.

"Well... I suppose I quite enjoy looking at Hoseok, and Taehyung is so charming. And I guess you aren't terrible to spend time with." He teases.

A hand reaches up to cup your cheek and he leans in towards you. 

"Is this what you wanted," His breath ghosts against your lips.

 Then the minuscule gap is closed. His kisses are lazy, although that could be the lingering edge of sleep. He sucks your lower lip between his, nibbling a little before releasing it and kissing you properly again. He repeats this over again until your lips feel bruised. 

"That is exactly what I wanted." You say as he finally pulls away.

"Well, now do you want more? Because I think I want more." 

He leans across you and presses a button you hadn't seen before. It raises a barrier between you and the aisle, just high enough for those passing not to look in and lights a do not disturb sign above you. He then presses the same control on his own side. 

"Well that doesn't look at all suspicious to the outside," You comment.

"They'll just think we are sleeping,"

He doesn't give you a chance to reconsider before he starts mouthing at your neck, his body hovering over yours as bites tiny little bruises into your delicate skin. You place your hands on his shoulders feeling the way his muscles tense through his thin T-shirt. He rolls his hips against your side, his sweatpants seeming even thinner than the shirt, leaving very little to the imagination. 

His lips find their way back to yours and your mind goes completely blank. One of his hands lifts the bottom of your shirt and begins to explore the bare expanse of skin until he reaches just underneath your breast. He cups your bare chest, his thumb running gently over your nipple making you shiver. You whine against his touch. 

"If you can't be quiet we can't go any further." He chuckles.

"We probably shouldn't get any further than this anyway..." You point out.

"You're right, I haven't even gotten much further than this with Joonie yet... But this just feels so nice," He says, making a point of flicking your nipple with his thumb again. 

"Maybe we should go back to sleeping,"

"If that's what you really want," He shrugs. "But I'm not removing my hand." 

"I'm not asking you to." 

He smiles contently and settles back onto his pillow, you wriggle in close and true to his word, and his hand remains firmly under your shirt for the remainder of the sleeping portion of the flight.

Next

Masterlist

Send me asks - doesn’t have to be fic related. Can be smutty, thirsty, fluffy, angsty, whatever you’re feeling regarding BTS. Can be literally anything doesn’t have to be BTS

#bts fic #bts smut #kpop smut #kpop fic #namjoon smut #jungkook smut #seokjin smut #yoongi smut #taehyung smut #jimin smut #hoseok smut #bts slow burn #bts hybrids au #hybrid bts #poly bts #bts poly #bts ot7 #bts x reader

[xoxomoonlightxoxo]

Peaches & Cream | Masterlist

➪ Pairing: jungkook x female reader

➪ Synopsis: You're his Peaches and he is your Pretty boy. It's all very simple until the fear of commitment kicks in. How does one maintain a safe distance when it's Jungkook? The gestures might be sweet and naive but the heat between us is almost suffocating.

➪ Genre: college love, strangers to friends to lovers, undefined relationship, commitment issues, fear of abandonment, angst, slow burn, plot twist

➪ W/c: 31.5k

➪ Playlist (Spotify) *Note: There are 17 songs, one for each chapter

➪ Sequel: Somewhere Between Hello and Goodbye

Chapter 1: The Night Before I Met You - 1.9k

Chapter 2: Hey Flip Flops - 1.4k

Chapter 3: Nursing Buddies - 1.3k

Chapter 4: Let Me Make It Up To You - 1.2k

Chapter 5: Fever - 1.4k

Chapter 6: You Can Be My Baby For Tonight - 1.6k

Chapter 7: Clinging Onto Me - 1.6k

Chapter 8: Safe Escape - 1.6k

Chapter 9: Almost Had You - 1.6k

Chapter 10: Scavenger Hunt - 2.3k

Chapter 11: Tell Me To Stop - 2k

Chapter 12: Purple Marks - 1.7k

Chapter 13: Company - 1.5k

Chapter 14: Mental Picture - 1.8k

Chapter 15: You Don't Want Me? - 2.6k

Chapter 16: Peaches and Cream - 2.7k

Chapter 17: Ruin Our Friendship - 2.9k

#bts #bangtan #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook x yn #bts x yn #jungkook fanfic #fanfic #jungkook smut #romance #young love #college love #slow burn #jungkook angst #jungkook fluff #jungkook x female reader #jungkook #jeon jungkook #jungkook imagine #peaches & cream jk

[btsmosphere]

Supercharged | JJK - Masterlist

Updates every Sunday!!!

🗲summary:

It starts with a blow to the chest that changes your life. When your city’s most celebrated hero pays a visit, it turns out the noble Bolt has no trouble tossing lives aside. Lives that won't be missed. Lives like yours. Seven mysterious and powerful men give you another chance – one that starts to feel more like a curse the moment you meet golden boy Jungkook. The boy who wants you as far from his brothers as he can get you. Is it you he hates, or the blue lightning that now runs through your veins? And could it be his golden light that illuminates your heart when darkness threatens?

🗲pairing: jungkook x female reader 🗲genre: angst, action, slow burn, enemies to lovers, superheroes/villains au, found family 🗲rating: pg15 🗲warnings: violence with superpowers, weapons, swearing, arguing, injury, past trauma, mentions of death

Teaser

Character Moodboards/Bios: Jungkook | Yoongi | Hobi | V | Jimin | Jin | Namjoon | You

Supercharged Playlist

Chapter 1 - The Light Dies

Chapter 2 - Reign of Mercy

Chapter 3 - Figure it Out

Chapter 4 - We aren't Heroes, Honey

Chapter 5 - Scared of a Little Lightning

Chapter 6 - Burn Out

Chapter 7 - Spark to Life

Chapter 8 - On the Force

Chapter 9 - Thank me Later

Chapter 10 - Is This Not Control?

Chapter 11 - Right Beside You

Chapter 12 - Into the Depths

Chapter 13 - One of Us

Chapter 14 - Cover Me

Chapter 15 - Powerless

Epilogue - Sweet Taste

Updates every Sunday! To be on the taglist, send me a message, ask or comment!💜

#jungkook x reader #jungkook series #jungkook mafia #jungkook enemies to lovers #bts enemies to lovers #jungkook slow burn #jungkook angst #jungkook masterlist #supercharged #jeon jungkook x reader #jeongguk x reader #jungkook fanfic #bts mafia au #superhero bts #bts au #jungkook au #jungkook imagine #jungkook scenarios