Quack! @asillyduck15 - Tumblr Blog

Apr 26

(you're) always on my mind (Ill/finale)

— pairing: bird hybrid jimin x (f) reader — word count: 5.9k — summary: When your workplace announces that they've decided to promote collaboration between departments, you suddenly find yourself face to face with your sworn nemesis Park Jimin. Your plans to avoid him are quickly foiled as his presence turns the floor into a madhouse, your coworkers all vying for his attention. With so many people at his beck and call, why is it that Jimin is always so insistent on getting in your way?

01 - 02 - 03 / Masterlist

You let out a small huff, staring at the same empty document that's been taunting you all morning. It's the last thing you need to complete in order for your project with Jimin to be officially over.

Perhaps it was fate that you had long since planned for the final week of the project to be completed individually, to give you both ample time to nitpick the project for any mistakes. It sure made your mission to avoid Jimin all that easier.

Truth is, you have been keeping your distance from Jimin for a week, crafting excuses to miss lunch and dodging every opportunity to engage in conversation with him. It's not like he hasn't tried, but each time you've found a way to brush him off with stilted responses and averted eyes.

You could tell every rejection was getting to him more than the previous - his once blinding smile dimmed each time you turned away, and a small part of you ached whenever a flicker of confusion and disappointment passed over his expression.

Yesterday, just as the days before, you had turned him away with a poor excuse as to why you couldn't accept the coffee he had bought you. As Jimin had walked back to his desk, you could see his wings droop, his precious tail-end feathers dragging across the dirty floor.

You had felt a sense of guilt then – you were only doing this to protect yourself, but somehow, it felt like you were tearing him down in the process. The guilt was fleeting however, gone just as quickly as it arrived when you remembered the conversation you had overheard.

You simply couldn't shake the hurt of what you heard him say. It replayed on your mind constantly, twisting the knife in your gut deeper with each time. You missed the sound of his laughter and the playful banter that once flowed so easily between you. Everything that was left now was just awkward silence that made you feel vulnerable and exposed. You hated how much it affected you, how exhausting it was to ignore him. One night, you had even found yourself wishing that maybe you had just heard wrong, that you had simply misinterpreted what you thought you heard and that Jimin actually felt the same way. But you were too scared to find out, too scared to reopen a wound that hadn't even had time to close in the first place. It was just easier to keep him at a distance, to push him away before he could do more damage.

Sighing, you rub the sides of your head, irked by the headache you can feel building up.

Despite your better judgement, you find yourself casting wry glances toward the small meeting room you had shared with the bird hybrid. Jimin has been working there all morning, only stepping outside to refill his coffee. It's funny how welcoming that room felt only a few days ago, but now you never want to step foot in it ever again - especially not if he's in it.

"Hey, are you okay? You've been really quiet lately," Jungkook pushes his chair closer to your desk, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, just tired," You wave him off, averting your eyes back to your screen.

"Tired my ass," Jungkook huffs. "Is it because of–"

"Jungkook," You interrupt, your voice sharper than intended. "Just drop it, okay? I don't want to talk about it right now."

You can feel Jungkook's gaze boring into the side of your face, scrutinizing you. After a few seconds pass, you can hear the pout in his voice as he says, "Alright, but you know I'm here if you need to talk."

"I know. Thank you."

You sigh inwardly, the feeling of guilt that's been rooted in your stomach for the past week only growing heavier as you glance to the side and see Jungkook frowning at his screen. It wasn't his fault; he was just trying to help. But you're not ready to talk about Jimin – not yet.

Jimin lasts exactly eight days before he approaches your desk, frustration etched across his handsome features as he taps the wood to get your attention.

"Y/n," He says, a tinge of vulnerability underneath the firmness in his voice, "Can we talk?"

Glancing up, you meet his piercing violet gaze, and feel a familiar pang of guilt. But your instincts tell you to stand your ground and you cross your arms defensively as you reply, "What's there to talk about?"

Jimin's eyes flicker across the room, no doubt seeing the curious eyes of your coworkers staring right back at him. The bird hybrid's voice is just a touch softer as he says, "Please, just give me five minutes. Out in the hall."

You're sure nothing good will come of this, but the morbidly curious part of you just needs to know what Jimin wants to tell you.

"Fine. Lead the way."

You follow Jimin out of the office, all the way down the hall to the fire escape. It's far enough that no one will be able to overhear you.

Jimin's wings shift as he turns around, feathers ruffling with frustration as he drags a hand through his hair. "Can you please tell me why you've been avoiding me? I don't understand what happened." His voice trembles slightly, betraying the confidence he normally exudes.

The question hangs in the air like a challenge, one that you're entirely unprepared to face.

"You know why," You snap.

Jimin's expression shifts as he processes your response, his eyes screwing shut momentarily, as if to block out the anger and hurt laced in your tone.

An embarrassed pink flush eventually spreads up his neck. "You figured out that I like you and you don't feel the same way. I get it now, I'm sorry."

"What?" You whisper, your mind blank, struggling to comprehend the confession that just slipped from his lips. "What did you say?"

"I like you, Y/n." Jimin repeats, his eyes timid as he dares to meet yours, the sincerity in his gaze making your heart ache. In that moment, you couldn't help but think back on all the sweet gestures Jimin had done for you, how attentive and kind he had been as you worked on your project. But–

Your breath catches in your throat, a mixture of surprise and disbelief washing over you. "Oh, you like me now? Just a few days ago, you were saying I wasn't right for you." The accusation drips from your lips, heavy with the hurt you've been trying to suppress.

"What, how did you–" He stammers, clearly taken aback by your reaction, his confusion only making your heart ache more.

"Does it matter?"

He takes a step forward, the hand that was reaching out for yours freezing midair as you pull back.

"Of course it does! You didn't hear everything, Y/n, you misunderstood–" Jimin tries to explain, desperation creeping into his voice.

"What's there to misunderstand? I heard you Jimin. Not to mention that you've been flirting with every other employee while I've had to watch. How.." You swallow thickly, "How can I take your feelings seriously?"

Jimin's expression crumbles, the bitter truth hanging heavy in the air between you. His voice trembles, "You think I'm just a flirt? That's all you see me as?"

No.

You know Jimin is way more than that, so why can't you seem to find the words to deny it?

Before you can muster up an apology, Jimin turns on his heel and storms off, leaving you alone to stew in your hurt. The empty, cold silence left behind feels suffocating, the unsaid words on your tongue heavy and bitter. Regret settles in as the echo of Jimin's footsteps die out. In your attempt to shield yourself from more pain, you had inflicted it on someone else.

You lean against the wall behind you, blinking away the stinging sensation in your eyes. You don't know what's wrong with you. He said it himself that you had gotten it all wrong, that he likes you – so why can't you take his word for it? Jimin has never proved himself to be untrustworthy before. A flirt yes, but never one to intentionally go out his way to hurt you.

"Fuck," You mutter, rubbing your eyes.

You can't shake the feeling that you just made the biggest mistake of your life.

The weekend gave you ample time to ponder, to mull over your harsh words. The feeling of regret grew heavier as you replayed the conversation over and over in your mind. You wished you could take it all back, that you would have handled it differently. You know you blew it out of proportion. You were right to feel hurt about what you thought you heard, but you really should've tried to listen to what he was trying to tell you. But you let the moment pass, and all you were left with was a weekend filled with a gnawing sense of guilt.

Come Monday, you had resolved to apologize. Maybe you didn't fully understand your feelings, but pushing Jimin away like that felt like a mistake. With that in mind, you decided to take a few hours off work in the morning, determined to find a proper gift you could use to apologize to Jimin.

As you walked slowly down main street, peering into the shops you passed, it didn't take too long before something caught your eye. A bracelet. A simple silver bracelet faceted with a gemstone. You would have considered it plain if it wasn't for how the sunlight caught the stone, a kaleidoscope of deep blues sparkling across the display. The same deep hue as Jimin's wings and hair.

"Perfect," You breathed.

A little while later – with a hole in your bank account and the bracelet safely tucked inside your pocket – you take a deep breath, steeling yourself for what's to come. Your heart is racing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation as you approach Jimin's desk. Your palm grows clammy as you rehearse the words you wanted to say to him one final time. You really didn't want to mess this up again.

"Hey, Jimin," You softly say. The bird hybrid looks up from his computer screen, the surprise that flickers across his face quickly dampened by worry.

You shakily pull out the box from your pocket, presenting it to him shyly. "I wanted to give you something. I had some time to think over the weekend and I'm really sorry for how I acted before. I shouldn't have pushed you away like that. And I didn't mean the things I said. I'm just.. really sorry."

You keep your voice low as you ramble, clasping your hands awkwardly together as you watch Jimin unbox your gift. The bird hybrid's violet eyes grow large as he sees the bracelet, his cheeks turning flaming red. He gently caresses the blue gemstone as his feathers rustle behind his back.

"I... I'll have to think about it," Jimin stammers, flustered.

You don't let the dejection show on your face. You did expect that Jimin would need some time to think too - to decide if he wants to accept your apology or not.

"Of course," You give him a weak smile, "Take all the time you need."

You feel like you're ready to burst by the time lunch rolls around, jittery energy coursing through your veins as you hurry down to the cafeteria. You know there's one person you can count on to give it to you straight, one that has a bit more special insight than most. Luckily he's not hard to locate, not with his antlers being visible from the other side of the room.

"Hey, Hoseok, mind if I join you?" You try to keep your voice light as you approach his table, but you know he doesn't buy it.

The deer hybrid simply gives you a once over, his kind eyes narrowing immediately as he says, "Sit. What's wrong?"

You slump down onto the seat across from him, taking a moment to gather your thoughts. "I need your advice on something, or well, someone. Jimin."

Hoseok's expression shifts, his curiosity piqued. You're aware that he knows something went down between you and the bird hybrid, that the reason you suddenly stopped coming down for lunch was to avoid him.

Hoseok gently clears his throat, placing his fork down on this plate as he tries to act nonchalant, "What about him? Is everything okay?"

You place your head in your hands with a groan, hesitating as you weigh your words. "I guess it's complicated? There was a misunderstanding, and I reacted badly. I didn't want to get hurt, but I ended up hurting him instead."

"Let me guess, he confessed that he likes you?"

Your gaze snaps up, bewildered at how quickly Hoseok has caught on. "Did he tell you?"

The deer hybrid shakes his head, "He didn't have to. It was obvious to every hybrid in this building that he was trying to court you."

"What do you mean?" You ask, a flush creeping up your cheeks as embarrassment mingles with surprise. How could you not have noticed?

Hoseok leans forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Y/n, hybrids have their own ways of expressing interest. Jimin has been showing off–" Hoseok rolls his eyes, "– quite desperately, might I add, trying to impress you with his charm and desirability. It's part of his nature. He was trying to court you, even if you didn't see it."

You feel your heart race at the confirmation. "But I didn't know.. Why didn't he just tell me?"

"He didn't say it straight out because that's not how it works for us. I get that it's confusing, you wouldn't naturally pick up on his courting like other hybrids would, but he has tried really, really hard to show you that he was interested."

Hoseok gives you a wry smile. "Obviously it hasn't worked that well, so maybe if you talk to him about it, you know, clear the air? Maybe that will set things straight and let you know where you both stand in this."

"Well, I did apologize?"

"You did?" Hoseok blinks. "When?"

"Earlier today. I felt like a simple apology wouldn't be enough, so I sort of .. got him a gift."

Hoseok stills for a moment, staring at you with such big eyes that he looks like the true definition of a deer in headlights. "You got him a courting gift?"

"No!" You hiss. "It was an apology gift, that's all–"

You suddenly freeze as you remember how shocked Jimin had looked, how flustered he had been to accept your gift. "Oh my god, did I give him a courting gift?"

"Y/n!" Hoseok groans, shaking his head in disbelief. The ears on his head twitch in every direction, reflecting the myriad of thoughts he's trying to sort through at once.

The deer hybrid eventually drags a hand down his face, his gaze more serious than you've ever seen before as he says, "You need to talk to him. If you really do want to accept his courting then I guess you've done yourself a favor, but if not– then you need to speak with him right away. Don't... don't get his hopes up, Y/n. He can be a brat but he doesn't deserve that kind of heartbreak."

"I will, I mean, I won't! I–" You fumble over your words, too flustered to properly function.

"Courting is just like dating, alright?" Hoseok cracks a smile at your antsy state. "You got this. Just go talk to him."

"Okay!" You shoot up from the table, almost tripping over your own feet. You grimace at Hoseok's snort, "I mean.. Yeah, I can do that."

You don't hear the deer hybrid's reply, your feet already carrying you across the cafeteria. You have no idea where Jimin might be right now, but starting with his desk is probably the right idea. And if he's not there, well, it'll give you some time to definitely not hyperventilate in the bathroom.

You let out a shuddering breath as the elevator door opens with a soft chime, your heart racing as you step out. Your feet carry you with such urgency that you end up cutting the corner a little too much, the sharp turn sending you stumbling right into someone. You feel warm hands wrap around your arms, steadying your balance so that you don't go crashing to the ground.

"Sorry, I–" The words die on the tip of your tongue as you glance up and find Jimin staring back at you. There's a concerned furrow between his brows, his eyes sweeping you up and down to make sure you're okay.

"I'm alright," You blurt, finding yourself growing a little squirmish under Jimin's attentive gaze. "I actually wanted to, well, um, you see.."

"I accept."

"Accept?" You ask, blinded by the brilliant smile that Jimin gives you.

"Yes. I didn't expect you to be so straightforward considering you've turned down all of my attempts at wooing you the human way so far, but I could really feel your sincerity with your courting gift."

You blink. "How? I mean, when, did you attempt to woo me?"

Jimin's smile grows a little sheepish. "I did try to ask you out for lunch. Many times."

"Wait-" You shake your head, "those were supposed to be dates?"

"Of course! Why did you think I was so persistent in asking you out to eat if I didn't like you?" He replies, a hint of hurt creeping into his voice.

Your racing heart comes to a near stop, your mouth suddenly dry as dust as it hits you just how wrong you have been about him. The words taste like chalk as you force them out, "I figured you wanted to gloat, maybe rub it in my face a little that I only got into the project because of you."

You feel sick as Jimin's face visibly falls at your explanation. You honestly think the guilt might eat you alive as he weakly says,

"You've had a very low opinion of me this entire time, haven't you?"

"I'm sorry," You whisper.

There's no point in denying it. You've spent the past months believing that Jimin had some kind of vendetta against you – that he could just charm his way to anything he wanted. That he was just toying with you.

Jimin gently releases your arms as he uses one hand to run through his hair, leaving it a dark blue mess. "I just–" The confusion is palpable in his voice as he asks, "I know we didn't get off on the right foot last year, I was trying too hard to prove myself and it just came off as me being an asshole. But there has to be something else, right? Or did I leave that bad of a first impression?"

"Ah," You trail off, biting your lip. It all sounds stupid now that you know, but then again, it's not like courting rituals is something you're involved with often (or ever, in fact).

As you actively try to avoid Jimin's eyes, you find that you seem to have drawn a small crowd. You recognize a few of your coworkers lingering just by the door to the office floor, and you think there might be some from Jimin's old department too. They don't even try to hide their staring as they converse with fervent whispers.

Jimin, sensing your discomfort, suddenly extends his wings with a swoosh. The movement is so abrupt that the nearest onlooker actually stumbles backwards, sending the papers in their hands flying. Jimin clicks his tongue, displeased, before shifting them to wrap around you, cocooning you both off from the rest of the corridor.

You let out a small gasp as you're engulfed by midnight blue feathers, the sounds outside slightly dampened by his wings. You find that you can't look at anything else but Jimin, his violet eyes taking on an inhuman shine in the low light.

"Y/n?" Jimin prompts gently.

"It wasn't just the emails," You admit. "It always felt like.. whenever I tried to do something, you were already one step ahead. Like you were always one-upping me. And then you were constantly flirting with everyone, and I just figured–" You cut yourself off with a laugh, small and self-deprecating. "I thought you were messing with me. Or trying to make me look stupid. Even when you said you liked me, I felt like I couldn't trust it."

Jimin shakes his head, embarrassment palpable in his voice as he desperately tries to explain, "Bird hybrids have these.. instincts? Everything I did was my way of trying to prove myself as an attractive and capable mate."

Jimin's wings twitch slightly as he rubs the back of his neck. "When I brought you coffee, I was trying to show that I could provide. When I was showing off and attempting to seem desirable–" Your lips quirk at how hard Jimin tries to avoid the F word, "–I wanted you to know that I was the best well, uh, specimen around. And when I complimented your friends, I thought it would reflect well on me."

There's something sad and vulnerable in his voice as he says, "I was never trying to compete with you. I only wanted you to notice me."

"I'm sorry," You say, and you mean it. "I didn't know."

In the near darkness, you let your hand seek out Jimin's, your fingers tentatively brushing over his knuckles. He lets out a soft breath at the touch, unfurling his fingers to let them tangle with yours.

His violet eyes soften as he hesitates, then adds, "And maybe I couldn't help but annoy you just a little bit. You look really cute when you pull that irritated pout."

"I do not do that!" You blurt, but it's too late – your lips already betraying you and curling defensively into the exact expression he mentioned.

"See?" Jimin lets out a small, fond laugh. A moment passes, the tension melting away into something softer and more sincere. "I really am sorry. I know I messed up. I should have just told you instead of hoping that you would understand."

Having it all laid out in front of you like this, you can't help but feel utterly foolish for the resentment you harboured for so long. You wasted so much time and energy on a rivalry that didn't even exist. But, even though you both fucked up in the past, it doesn't mean that it has to stay that way.

"I did too. I was too harsh," You say softly. "Maybe we could... start over?"

Jimin squeezes your hand, his expression turning hopeful. "I'd like that." There's a silence, comfortable this time, and then: "So, lunch tomorrow?"

You shake your head with a smile. "I don't think we would be able to find a place to eat in peace with the stunt we just pulled here in the hallway. Instead, how about dinner?"

Jimin’s wings seem to flutter involuntarily based on the blush that dusts his cheeks, as if the prospect of a real date is enough to send him airborne. He swallows, and in the hush you swear you feel his heartbeat echo yours.

“Yeah," He grins, "Dinner sounds good.”

When you return to your desk, Jungkook is spinning in your chair, a pout on his lips. “So, should I congratulate you now, or wait until you’re mated?”

“Shut up,” You whine, scanning for eavesdroppers. “We just… talked.”

“Sure looked like more than talking to me,” He replies, narrowing his eyes.

"Nothing happened!" You lightly smack his arm, "We agreed to go out for dinner, that's all."

Jungkook stills, his eyes growing wide as he dramatically whispers, "Should I tell Jimin to watch out for poison in his food?"

"No, it's not like that.. anymore."

"I swear I picked the worst possible time to take a few days off!" Jungkook whines. "You wanted to bite his head off when I left on Wednesday. What happened between then and now to change your mind this much?"

You rub your face, shrugging your shoulders as you say, "It's complicated."

"But!" You add, seeing Jungkook opening his mouth to complain, "I promise I'll tell you everything. I just need to talk some things out with Jimin first, I think there's been a lot of misunderstandings between us."

"Fine," Jungkook concedes, "You have twenty-four hours."

"Oh, how generous of you," You roll your eyes.

"If you need any advice, let me know," Jungkook chirps as he jumps out of your chair. “I’m an excellent wingman.”

You groan, but under the embarrassment there’s a fizz of something lighter, almost thrilled.

You make it through the day by sheer force of will. The incident that occurred between you and Jimin is definitely the talk of the office, and you can feel your coworkers' amused and envious stares. It certainly doesn't lessen your anxiety ahead of your little date. The entire walk home, you replay the conversation in your head, dissecting every word, every gesture. You’re so distracted that you nearly miss your own apartment building, and have to double back, face burning.

You feel so out of sorts while you're getting ready that it's not until you're standing outside the restaurant, nerves tangling in your stomach, that you realize you've put on a deep blue satin dress – one that matches the hue of Jimin's wings perfectly.

It's too late to turn back now and standing Jimin up just because you made an embarrassing choice of dress is not an option. So you square your shoulders, take a deep breath and hope that the colour will read more black than blue in the dimly lit restaurant.

It’s a small place—cozy, with twinkle lights in the window and the smell of fresh bread waftes out as you open the door. You spot Jimin immediately as you step in.

He’s wearing a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up, collar open, wings folded tight and gleaming in the soft light. He’s fidgeting with the edge of the menu, scanning the room every few seconds, and you realize with a tiny jolt that he’s nervous too.

The moment he sees you, he stands up so fast he nearly knocks over his chair. “Hey,” he says, then stops abruptly, blinking at your dress. So much for hoping he wouldn't notice.

His eyes widen, then soften, mouth quirking into a crooked smile. “You look stunning.”

You want to say something suave in response, but what comes out is, “You too. Good. You look good.”

You wince inwardly, but Jimin just beams, and you think maybe this won't be so bad after all.

Dinner is a blur of laughter and awkward stories. You tell him about the time you accidentally sent your boss a meme instead of a quarterly report; he counters with a story about getting his feathers dyed neon pink in a charity event gone wrong. The conversation is easy—easier than you’d expected, the tension from before melting away.

But when it’s time for the waiter to clear your plates, you feel the weight of the moment. There's still one conversation to be had that you've been dreading all night. “Jimin.. about before,” You begin, voice steady. “I’m sorry I pushed you away. I was scared of how I felt, and I handled it badly. You didn’t deserve that.”

He stared at you for a moment, his eyes searching yours, as if he were weighing the sincerity of your words. “You really mean that?” He asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nod, and your whole face feels hot. “I do. I was stupid. And I’m not even sure why it freaked me out so much except—” You sigh. “I don’t know. I guess sometimes it’s easier to expect the worst than to hope for something good.”

Jimin draws in a breath, then lets it out slowly. “I get it,” He says. “I do. I mean, I pretend I don’t, but I know what it’s like to be scared of wanting something too much.” He shrugs, his wings shifting minutely behind him, like they’re echoing his discomfort.

You open your mouth, then close it, trying to find the right words. The sentences tangle on your tongue, but you force yourself to be honest. “Jimin, I have to tell you something,” You say, voice barely above a whisper. “This whole thing—I didn’t even know I was asking to court you.”

You press on, even as your heart hammers in your chest, “The gift was just an apology for how I acted before. I didn’t mean to send you mixed signals, but I get why you thought it was more. Especially with what you, um, confessed to me last week.”

He blinks, his wings drawing in tight against his back. Something flickers across his face, a quick, vulnerable flinch before he composes himself.

"You didn't know?" The question comes out soft, almost wounded.

“No,” You admit, nothing short of mortified. "You’re the first hybrid I’ve ever – well, you know. I didn’t want to hurt you again, but I keep doing exactly that.”

"No, it's–" He starts, then stops, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his napkin. “It seems we keep misunderstanding each other."

"I'm really sorry. I didn't realize it then but I do know better now and... well, if you still want me, I promise I'll come up with something much better – a proper courting gift."

For a moment, Jimin just blinks at you, slow and deliberate. His lips twitch at the corners, not quite a smile but something close. His left hand, the one closest to you, creeps forward until it’s resting just at the edge of the table, so close to yours that it would be easy, almost accidental, to reach out and brush his fingers.

Still, he waits—giving you the choice to respond.

“You’d do that?” He asks, voice hushed. “You’d try again? Even knowing what that means now?”

You let your fingers brush, gently grasping his hand as you say, “I would, if you let me.”

He finally, properly smiles. It’s small but devastating, the kind of smile that makes a home in your ribcage. "I'd really like that. A lot."

You settle the bill soon after and step out into the night together, the city lights painting everything gold and blue. When your apartment building comes into view, you feel a knot of anticipation tighten in your stomach. Jimin hesitates at the entrance, then follows you to the front steps, his wings folding and unfolding in restless, jittery arcs.

For a moment, neither of you say anything. You can feel the pleasant breeze drag across your skin, ushering a promise of warmer days ahead. But before you can drag your feet up the stairs, Jimin steps close— close enough that you can feel the heat rising from his skin, can see the blue-black feathers at his nape twitch when he swallows.

“I had a really nice time tonight,” You murmur.

“Me too,” He replies, and then his expression goes unreadable for a fraction of a second. “I’m glad you gave me another chance.”

I am too, you think. But saying it doesn't feel like enough. So you step toward him, hands reaching for the lapels of his shirt, and pull him in.

He tastes like cinnamon and something sharp, maybe the wine he was drinking earlier. His lips are tentative, at first, as if he’s afraid you’ll vanish if he’s too forward. You giggle against his mouth, and he responds with this breathless, incredulous little exhale that makes you want to kiss him harder. So you do. The world tilts, just a little. In the press of his body against yours, you feel the tremor of his nerves, the careful shift of his wings so as not to crush you.

When you finally break apart, you’re both out of breath and a little dazed. Jimin’s hair is messed up from where you’d run your hands through it, and he’s looking at you as if you’re the last star in the sky.

“Wow,” You say, because it’s all you can manage.

He laughs — a real, unguarded laugh, and it’s so dazzling you almost want to shield your eyes.

“I know,” He says. There's a pause, as if he's weighing the words in his mouth before he speaks them, “I really do like you.”

It’s simple and raw, and you don’t know what to do with that kind of honesty except accept it. Because you feel the same way.

You reach for his hand, the one that’s been hovering at your side since you left the restaurant. His palm is warm and soft. “I really like you, too.”

He looks down at your joined hands, then back up, lips parted as if he’s working through a dozen possible things to say and discarding them all. He settles for, “Can I see you again?”

“I don’t know,” You tease, “I’m actually very busy with my extremely important spreadsheets and projects.”

Jimin snorts. “I can respect the hustle.” His thumb traces lazy circles on the back of your hand. “But if there’s ever a vacancy in your schedule, let me know.”

"I might be able to fit you in somewhere," You hum.

Jimin lets out a short, endeared laugh, and gently tugs you closer.

The second kiss is bolder, less hesitant, his arms wrapping around your waist to pull you flush against him. You feel the heat of his body through your dress, the firm pressure of his hands at the small of your back. You match his energy, fingers tangling in his hair, drawing him in as his tongue slides against yours. A soft moan escapes you when he nips at your bottom lip, the sensation sending electricity down your spine. His wings unfurl slightly behind him, feathers trembling with barely restrained desire as Jimin responds in kind, lips moving with urgent confidence, his touch almost reverent even as it borders on desperate. The world fades to black and blue and the sound of your heart, loud and insistent in your ears. You could get used to this, you think, to the weight and warmth and wildness of kissing Park Jimin under the stars.

When you finally part, you’re dizzy and laughing and giddy, and you can’t remember the last time you felt this light.

“Would you, um, like to come up?” You ask, suddenly shy.

There is a beat of silence – just enough for you to panic and wish you could take the words back – before Jimin’s lips curl in a slow, devastatingly sly smile.

“Depends,” He says, voice dipping into something honeyed and dangerous. “Will you be wearing that dress?”

You feel heat rush to your cheeks and you can't help but stammer as you say, “Maybe. Maybe not.”

His wings flutter slightly — a tell you’re learning to read. He's nervous. Excited.

Jimin’s eyes search your face, lingering at the corners of your lips, the slope of your jaw. He reaches up and, impossibly gentle, tucks a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

“Either way,” He murmurs, voice barely a whisper, “I’d follow you anywhere."

a/n: it took almost a year but i'm finally back with the final chapter!! this road sure hasn't been easy for the MC and Jimin – it's hard to look past your own bias when you've made up your mind about a person – but the MC pulled through in the end! they're going to end up being the company's power couple for sure 🤧

ps. jimin is a blue bowerbird hybrid!

i would love to hear your thoughts on the story and reblogs are very much appreciated!! 💖

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