Park Jimin has been your buoy, your anchor and the ship of sanity that guides you to shore amid storms of self-doubt, nearly all your life; as have you been his. That is not to say nothing has ever brewed beneath the surface of platonic friendship, or that the two of you have never been victims to mistiming. Regardless, you would never risk the friendship you have with him now for anything. Even if you have to hurt him – or even yourself – in the process.
pairing: jimin x reader
rating: m (18+)
genre: angst | drama | friends to lovers!au
word count: 10.8 k
— warnings: swearing + mentions/references of sex + mentions of a past toxic relationship + mentions of therapy/therapists + allusions to emotional manipulation + commitment issues final boss + implications of unhealthy emotional attachment + stupid sad gorl reader :( + stupid sad boi jimi :(
— note: hellooo world! i have come back from the land of the dead and i come bearing gifts!!! this one is just elongation of, sad, sadder, saddest from one end to the other - so if you wanna have a good cry with some tummy twisting angst? grab some ice cream and dive in! (:
ps. the rating, genre and warnings mentioned above pertain to this chapter, only.
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𝐕𝐈 ⇢ 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓
♪ trying to find the truth, but sometimes our heart is deceiving
Life has become... strange, lately.
Not in any dramatic, earth-shattering way. The world hasn't stopped spinning, your boss hasn’t been abducted by aliens, your apartment hasn't suddenly grown haunted—everything is exactly how it has always been. And yet…it feels like nothing really is, anymore.
There's a quiet wrongness that’s been hanging over every single one of your days—a tiny shift in the axis of your routine that you can't seem to correct.
It's almost embarrassing, really. Because if anyone were to ask, you'd have to admit that you and Jimin have only become this inseparable for a few months.
Sure, you've always been close. Ridiculously close, according to literally everyone who has ever met the two of you. But this constant communication? The endless calls, the good morning texts, the updates about absolutely nothing? The random video calls while one of you folded laundry, the updates about what you were having for lunch, the late-night rants about work or existential crises... those were all relatively new additions to your friendship.
Which means you lived perfectly fine without it before.
Didn’t you?
You prop your chin on your palm, staring blankly at your boss’ email open on your work laptop, detailing the tiny elements he needs added to the advertising workshop that’s finally happening tomorrow after multiple delays. You look at the last sentence.
PSA: We have pushed it back an entire month, so there isn’t any room for mistakes now. No stone should be left unturned on perfecting the event. (Do not respond to this mail; direct all queries to the Sales Manager.)
You need to tell your boss and CC all involved parties that Jackie, your Senior Sales Exec, has taken the lead in organising everything so they should actually direct all queries to her, but you keep losing focus.
The cursor in the reply box blinks at you. You blink back.
Your fingers hover over the keyboard as your thoughts drift away—back to that morning which feels to be a lifetime ago.
Rest assured that this won’t affect our friendship. I promise.
Jimin had said it so easily…so confidently.
We are way beyond ruining our friendship.
You'd believed him. You’d hoped to God that he’d be right.
So you'd done exactly what the two of you had agreed on. You'd swallowed every embarrassing feeling that cropped up after he left your apartment. You'd gone on your date with Seokjin despite wanting to cancel. You'd convinced yourself that your stupid Jimin-related butterflies would disappear if you just ignored them long enough.
So you'd disregarded the way your stomach flipped at every text he sent you. Put distance between you two by telling him you were seeing Seokjin regularly. Actually saw Seokjin regularly so you’d have something else to occupy your head.
You told yourself that your crush-like feelings would pass—the way they have, in the past—and you’d be back to being friends with Jimin the way you both intend to be. The way you’d basically promised each other to be.
But while Jimin was on that trip, you spiraled further and further to the point where you began to almost hope that everything won’t be normal after Jimin came back. That he won’t be unbothered, either.
And when he confronted you about Seokjin—about your half-truths and made-up feelings—you wanted it to be a confrontation born out of discomfort. Out of jealousy. Not plain old well-wishing friendship that you two had always shared. You had mammoth butterflies flapping their wings against all of your insides at the very thought—you could see yourself on your way to going against what you’d both agreed upon. What the hell were you supposed to do if not employ immediate damage control the only way you saw fit?
You tried to test the waters—asked him why he was concerned about your relationship status with Seokjin. If he was just being a concerned friend or if he was dealing with his own version of visceral butterflies, too.
Even though the notion scared you to death, you hoped it would be the latter.
You are the one who went wrong. You contradicted yourself. You lied to yourself. On one hand, you were terrified of the implication of not being able to move on from the night you spent with your best friend because you really couldn’t afford to risk Jimin’s place in your life. While on the other hand, you didn’t like that he had seemingly moved on and didn’t seem bothered by it as much as you.
So when Jimin showed you that he was still the friend he had promised and reassured you that he would be—over tamagayoki and fetish jokes—you couldn’t accept that. But instead of letting him in and telling him where you stood emotionally—
You tried to turn the tables on him by asking him to forget that night and get a girlfriend so that the two of you can move on in your respective romantic lives without creating any more mess.
The whole conversation had spiralled so quickly after that. You kept wondering if it was really so wrong of you to want him to date someone? Wouldn’t that help?
You got your answer when he texted you, later that night, with some lame apology, some incorrect assumptions and a reassurance that left a bad taste in your mouth.
01:51 AM | Text Message from Min 🌟
I’m sorry I left like that
Jetlag + work stress made me act out and say things I didn’t mean
Also, dw I won’t stress u out with our pact
I thought abt it and I realise that it concerns u that you’re moving ahead romantically while I’m left behind
So I’ve decided to get back into the dating market
It’s been a while but it’s high time I did, ig
Get some sleep and text me when u feel better!
You felt hollow when you read all that. So you replied by thanking him for understanding. He responded with a wink emoji, and… that has basically been it.
It’s been nearly a month since, and you haven’t met, haven’t face-timed, haven’t talked on a call — have barely texted.
With all your fears of preventing things from changing—you’ve changed everything yourself.
And now you’re living with this weighted radio silence from the one constant buzzing noise in your life.
You think back to the years before your daily calls became a habit, trying to convince yourself that you’re overthinking this. Surely, there had been a time when you weren't expecting your phone to buzz with another one of his stupid observations every hour?
But the more you think about it, the more you realise that it’s not just about keeping in touch. Jimin has always occupied an absurd amount of space in your mind—and your life.
You remember being nineteen, crossing campus after a particularly awful lecture, wondering if Jimin had finally gathered the courage to confess to that girl he'd spent the past week agonising over. You remember seeing a crazy poster and instinctively taking a picture because Jimin would laugh at this. You remember hearing songs, watching terrible movies, finding bizarre memes and mentally filing them away for your next conversation with him.
The constant communication may be recent, but your habit of thinking about Jimin has existed long before that.
Maybe that's why everything feels so... empty.
With a sigh, you minimize the email window and instinctively reach for your phone. Your thumb finds Jimin's chat before your brain even catches up.
No new messages.
You stare at the conversation anyway. The last thing he'd sent you was from two nights ago.
Text Message from Min 🌟
Of course. See you there (:
Such a dry-ass response.
If someone had shown you that message a month ago and claimed it came from Park Jimin, you would've laughed in their face. This is the same man who could turn a simple yes into four voice notes, three emojis and an unnecessary anecdote about a kitten he'd seen on the way to work.
Now you get a smiley face.
Smiley face.
You should frame the damn thing.
You'd almost texted back: who are you and what have you done with my dramatic loser
Instead, you'd reacted with a thumbs-up like a dumbass.
You lock your phone. Then unlock it again. Then lock it again.
God. Life's so weird without Jimin. You’ve had him since you met him, nearly fifteen years ago. You don’t know how to cope with this absence.
You think back. Eighth standard. He annoyed you so relentlessly that you'd once threatened to throw his entire schoolbag into the boys' washroom. He laughed. You actually did throw it. He laughed harder.
Idiot.
Then somewhere along the way the annoyance became familiarity. Familiarity became comfort. Comfort became—
Well. A stupid little crush, for a while, that you'd carried around for months before beating it to death with common sense.
And then, finally—
Friendship. Real friendship. The kind that survives distance. The kind that survives heartbreaks. The kind that survives years. The kind you don't ever want to lose. Ever.
Which makes the current situation feel even more absurd, because why has he suddenly gone missing from your life?
Well. It’s all on you. You gave him a push and now he's keeping his distance.
Not completely, though! Just… enough. Enough that every interaction feels measured. Careful. Professional. As though somewhere between best friend and stranger, he's found a brand-new category for you, one that hurts more than either extreme ever could.
You want to blame him so bad—but you can't. You should’ve composed yourself better instead of acting out. You should’ve been honest instead of lying. Jimin kept his end of the bargain—he was okay living normally with that memory. It was you who couldn’t bear it.
You tried to pretend it never happened because that line of thoughts might lead you to be in a position of losing him—and somehow you still ended up losing him anyway.
Your phone buzzes, making your heart leap into your throat.
You grab it so quickly you nearly knock over your coffee, and—
A promotional notification.
Right. Of course.
You toss the phone back onto your desk with considerably less care.
Maybe this is karma.
Your thoughts wander somewhere they haven't in a while.
Back to your ex that left you with all the commitment issues in the world. Axolotl. That idiot would've loved this.
Or maybe not loved it. More likely he'd have called it "inevitable."
The man had never understood your friendship with Jimin, not once in the nearly two years you'd dated him. God. Sometimes you forget how exhausting that relationship had been.
Back then, you'd fought about Jimin constantly. Not because there had ever been anything romantic between you and Jimin, but because Axolotl simply couldn't understand the friendship.
"No one talks to their friend this much."
"Why does he need you at midnight?"
"Why are his problems always your problems?"
There was the time Jimin had called you at midnight because he'd been on the verge of a panic attack because the girl he thought he loved was probably cheating on him. You'd spent forty minutes talking him through the mess while half-asleep, only for your boyfriend to wake up furious beside you.
"Block him."
You remember blinking at him in genuine confusion. "What?"
"Block his number."
"He was going through something hard!"
"At midnight."
“So?”
"That's not normal. Block him, right now!"
You hadn't. Obviously. And the argument that followed had lasted longer than the phone call itself. Jimin had apologised the next day for accidentally causing trouble. You'd lied and said there wasn't any.
Then there'd been the infamous speakerphone incident. Damn. You physically cringe.
Jimin had called while you were watching a movie with Axolotl. You'd answered because, well, it was Jimin.
The conversation had lasted all of five minutes before Jimin, completely oblivious to the company you had, had gone: "Anyway, if he doesn't eat you out properly, dump him."
Silence.
You'd nearly swallowed your own tongue. Axolotl had slowly turned his head towards you. You remembered desperately trying to cut Jimin off: “HAHA OKAY GOTTA GO BYE."
Too late, though.
That argument had lasted...what? Three hours? Four? Forever? Because according to him, discussing your sex life with Jimin hadn’t been a thing friends did. It had meant that you wanted Jimin to make it better, somehow. You’d even received accusations of having phone sex with Jimin, to the point where your ex had gone through your entire chat history to find evidence in support of his claims.
Looking back now, wow. Your ex had been one gigantic toxic asshole. Although, you suppose Jimin wasn't exactly helping matters. Who tells their female best friend to demand better oral sex from her boyfriend?
Absolute menace!
A tiny smile tugs at your lips despite yourself. But it disappears just as quickly.
Because that menace hasn't called you once in weeks. Hasn't randomly FaceTimed to show you an ugly pigeon. Hasn't complained about office coffee. Hasn't demanded your opinion on a shirt he'll buy anyway. Hasn't interrupted your lunch break just to tell you he witnessed someone walk into a glass door.
Nothing.
You glance up at the brochure pinned to the board behind your office chair.
The advertising workshop is tomorrow. Jimin is still coming as the keynote. That has to count for something, right?
You’l finally see him tomorrow. Be in the same room as him. Hear his voice. Maybe even talk in person.
Your stomach performs a strange little flip.
Maybe seeing each other in person will make this strange distance disappear. Maybe things will be normal again. Maybe he'll roll his eyes at you, call you an annoying mess, steal your coffee, complain about the venue—
You stop yourself.
Hope is dangerous.
You've learnt that much over the past weeks. Still, despite yourself, your thumb opens his chat one more time, re-reading your conversation from Wednesday night:
07:22 PM | Text Message to Min 🌟
↳ hey!
↳ ready for the workshop on saturday?
↳ jackie is taking lead with emceeing and everything. she’ll mail you all the details by tomorrow
↳ we plan to keep it 10 to 2, so you’ll probably be expected to arrive around 9
↳ keep an eye out for that mail pls!
↳ see you!
10:05 PM | Text Message from Min 🌟
Of course. See you there (:
You trace the smiley face with your thumb.
"Dry-ass bitch."
The muttered insult echoes quietly through your empty office.
For the first time in your life, it doesn't earn you an equally ridiculous comeback.
It is, objectively speaking, a little funny. Subtly funny. Poetically funny?
The sort of thing you'll probably laugh about in ten years, once the humiliation has expired and enough distance exists between you and the absolute clownery of your own decisions.
Because in the entirety of the years that you've known Park Jimin, you've never once dressed for him.
Not when you were thirteen and painfully convinced your life would end if he found out about your stupid crush. Not when you were nineteen and your friends delighted in insisting the two of you were secretly in love. Not even when he gifted you a gorgeous dress for your twenty-first birthday. Never.
Yet this morning, you spent twenty whole minutes standing in front of your wardrobe, crazily switching through your office shirts and tops, before settling on the cream blouse that Jeongyeon once insisted made you look ‘offensively pretty.’ You even curled your hair. Put on purple lipstick. Wore actual earrings instead of your usual studs.
You'd told yourself it was because there would be photographs from today's workshop.
(You were full of shit.)
As if that somehow wasn't pathetic enough, when you reach the damn conference venue, you find out that—
Jimin is here with a date.
And it’s someone you know—it’s Avni. Cool, sexy, beautiful Avni that you met all that time ago, in Jimin’s birthday party.
You see them enter the venue together and they positively sparkle. Instead of welcoming them like you’re supposed to, you hide away near the catering table, munching on breakfast items as you plead with Seokjin to greet your guests in your stead.
You wish to run away from here.
"There you are!"
Blinking in surprise, you tear your gaze away from the other end of the conference hall to find Seokjin standing beside you with two paper cups of coffee, a grin already tugging at his mouth.
You accept one cup with a grimace. “Uh, yeah. Thanks for this.” You look over your shoulder, and point your chin towards the stage. “And that. You’re a lifesaver.”
Seokjin rolls his eyes. “Oh, have I heard that one before.” He shrugs with a wink, before leaning closer to you. "By the way, you really ought to show yourself off today. It’d inspire more people to attend these things.”
“Please.” You scowl at him. “I’m literally in pants and blouse.”
“You do not need to flash your legs to look beautiful, hun.” He gives you a genuine smile. “When I said you looked gorgeous in the car, I genuinely meant that I'd like to formally shake hands with whatever possessed you this morning."
You know what he’s trying to tell you, and you laugh. "You do not need to flatter me to make me feel better."
"I own restaurants. Flattery is practically a business expense."
"You are unbelievable."
"I've heard that one before, too."
You snort into your coffee, and it’s nice. For a while. It's enough of a distraction that, for a few blissful seconds, you stop looking.
And then your eyes wander right back across the room.
Right back to him.
Park Jimin stands with your CEO, one hand tucked into the pocket of his olive grey slacks that he has worn with a matching blazer, atop a deep olive green turtleneck. He looks breathtaking. As always.
Jackie speaks animatedly on his other side. He nods at all the appropriate moments. Smiles when expected. Even laughs once.
It's a perfectly convincing performance.
It would fool almost anyone.
Just—not you.
You know the difference between Jimin smiling because he's amused and Jimin smiling because politeness demands it.
The first one reaches his eyes before it reaches his mouth. The second never quite reaches either.
"Hey, you okay?"
You startle, quickly tearing your eyes off of the object of all your fascination for the night—but not quickly enough. Seokjin has already followed your line of sight. He hums quietly to himself.
"Mhm."
Immediately, you scowl. "Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking something. Stop it"
"I’m trying."
He isn’t. The bastard looks positively delighted, a grin etched across his face. "You know,” he says lightly, “I received him at the gates because you told me you skipped coffee. But seeing what I see now…hiding in the shadows to escape confrontation isn’t a good look on you.”
You glare at Seokjin with all the anger you can muster. He shrugs his shoulders, though, because that’s what you’ve earned through these past few weeks. Somehow, Seokjin has kind of become someone you’ve been talking to a lot. Not exactly like a diary that you pour your heart into to feel lighter—more like a water reminder app that ensures you stay hydrated, everyday.
He keeps checking in on texts, drops by your office during lunch break every other day, hitches a ride home with you whenever you stay late at the office, and last to last Saturday, when you were feeling especially lonely, he forced you to go drunk bowling with him and a bunch of his equally loud and unhinged friends.
“You can’t avoid him forever.”
“I’m not avoiding—”
“Especially when he is the keynote at a workshop that your department is heading.” Seokjin gives you a meaningful look. “You’re kinda the contact person who invited him, y’know?”
“I know. And I’m—”
“And you look like a loser, right now. All dressed-up, only to be sticking to a corner and staring at him across the hall.”
"I—” You break off with a scoff of annoyance. “I am literally looking at everyone!"
"And yet your eyes keep landing in the tiny corner where only three out of a hundred people are gathered together?"
You shoot a quick, sharp glare at Seokjin. "Coincidence."
"Mhm."
"You’re abhorrent. Bet you’ve never heard that one before, huh?"
Seokjin laughs with all of his teeth on display, head thrown back and a hand waving next to his face to dismiss your remark. “I am the glam guest of the night and this is how I get treated.”
“You self-invited yourself to that role and you’re annoying.”
“Mean.”
You just roll your eyes at his comment, when, mercifully, someone calls his name.
He sighs dramatically. "People require me."
"I highly doubt that."
He chuckles, tapping your shoulder. "I'll be back."
"Please don't?"
“Don’t miss me too much!” With one last teasing smile, he disappears into the growing crowd.
You exhale through your nose.
Peace, at last—
“Well, hello there, Miss Best Friend.”
—until a sarcastic announcement next to you breaks it immediately.
You turn to find a familiar woman greeting you. Long, black hair, warm olive brown skin and an easy smile—beautiful in the polished, magazine-ad sort of way, dressed in a fitted grey dress that looks like it costs more than your monthly rent.
“Avni. Hey.”
The gorgeous woman who intimidated you into hiding away, a few minutes back, tilts forward to wrap you in a hug. “So nice to see you again, hun!”
“Yeah, uh, likewise.” You tuck a curl behind your ear, suddenly self-conscious in the presence of this beauty. “So… you’re here with…”
“Jimin, yeah.” She smiles at you, guileless yet mysterious. “By the way, I'm caffeine intolerant and the only other beverage available is strawberry juice. Who the hell’s managed catering for today, girl?”
You're about to respond when Seokjin makes his way back to you—sipping at magenta liquid from a paper cup. “Good lord, the strawberry juice is heavenly. Please thank Lea for me, will you?”
Your wide eyes meet Avni’s and you have to suppress a laugh at the disgusted look she gives Seokjin. The man, though, is completely unbothered as he turns to her.
“And who might you be, dear lady?”
Avni eyes him up and down, and extends a hand for him to—oh good lord—plant a smooch on. “Avni. You’re the restaurateur cousin of the CEO, right? Seokjin?”
You are only slightly less surprised than Seokjin is. “Uh, yes. So good to meet you, Miss Avni.”
“Is it?” Avni bats her lashes dramatically and then smiles. “Could you be a dear and fetch me a beverage that’s free of caffeine and strawberry acid?”
Seokjin’s mouth opens and closes a few times before he’s tossing a confused look at you and eventually nodding. “Y-yeah, sure! Be back in — in a minute!”
“Nah, you won’t be,” Avni mutters, shaking her head with a chuckle as the guy leaves. “Damn. Your restaurant guy has shoulders.”
You snort at her statement. “Not my guy, by any means, and… sure. Guess he does.”
“Is he single? Because I'm about to make some poor decisions.”
“As far as I know,” you tell her with a chuckle, although you’re a little bit confused. “But, uh… didn’t you come here as Jimin’s date?”
“Mhm, and?”
You’re at a loss, gaze travelling back to the guy across the hall. Are they not dating? Why is she here then?
But as you look at him scanning the iPad for the presentation that Zac gave him earlier, your attention gets absorbed by the look on his face.
You know that expression. You know it because you have seen every version of Jimin there is.
The dramatic Jimin. The annoying Jimin. The ridiculous Jimin who sends you fourteen messages in a row because he saw a dog wearing tiny shoes. The Jimin who laughs so hard he snorts and then denies it happened. The Jimin who lights up when he talks about something he loves.
This isn't any of those.
This is the version of him that appears when he's trying very hard not to let anyone know something is wrong.
And suddenly, you hate how familiar that feels.
“He’s pretending really hard, isn’t he?”
You blink at the astute observation, turning to look at Avni’s sympathetic face in surprise. “I… you think so?”
She rolls her eyes. “Come on, girl. You’re the best friend. You know what I’m talking about.”
You don't answer. Because you do know what she’s talking about.
“He’s louder. Warmer. More…obvious in everything he does,” Avni continues when you’ve been quiet. “I mean I don’t work with him, but I’ve noticed as much just though the few times I’ve been in the same room as him. He’s been living his life on mute, while making crazily reckless decisions at the same time. Care to explain what happened there?”
You? “Me?”
“Come on.” She rolls her eyes. “He texted me on a Wednesday night, out of nowhere, took me out to an Italian restaurant for dinner the next day, and spent twenty minutes talking about you.”
You nearly choke on your next sip of coffee. “What?”
“And then at an Indian restaurant, the minutes went up to thirty. Hence how I got to know about your restaurant guy. Who you say is not yours? Whatever.” She rolls her eyes. “So—what’s Jimin up to? I’m pretty sure I’m a prop. This reads to me like he only took me so that there’d be a semblance of familiarity between us today.” She turns to look at your gaping face. “As if he wanted to convince somebody of something really badly…”
You’re trying to take it all in—but can’t make any sense of it.
“Be honest, babe—did you tell him to do this?”
You nearly drop your paper cup, this time. “What?”
“Nah, this mess has your fingerprints all over it.” Avni exhales, shaking her head. “I don’t know what the hell kinda challenge you gave him, but that poor sap really took it seriously. He’s really trying… checks in on me, asking me if I’ve eaten, if I slept well, if work is good… almost as if he’s following a checklist. Mechanically. Which kinda makes this worse.”
“Avni… just what on earth are you talking about?”
Just like that one time, she gives you a very knowing look as she rolls her eyes. “You know what I’m talking about, girly pop. Stop denying it and clean up this mess. He’s miserable and he doesn’t deserve to be. Besides, he’s making me miserable too, when I'd really rather be doing better things.”
Just on cue, Seokjin arrives with a cardboard box of chocolate milk in his hand. “Here you go, my lady.”
“Oh, my knight in shining armour!” Avni makes a show of putting both her hands on her chest in awe, and then extends one hand towards the carton while the other moves to caress the lapel of Seokjin’s suit jacket. “Look at you. Are you naturally this pretty or do you moisturize?”
You have to pretend to cough to cover your laughter at the gobsmacked expression on Seokjin’s face. She is unbelievable and it’s actually hilarious. Serves Seokjin right for getting onto every last one of your nerves.
While Seokjin jumps into a spiel of—believe it or not—explaining his skincare routine to Avni, you sidle slightly away from the two of them to focus better on the stage that is nearly ready.
You look at Jimin again.
At the way he stands there. At the way he smiles. At the way he looks like he is physically present but somewhere else entirely.
Your chest tightens. Jimin is smiling again. Perfectly. Professionally. Beautifully. But he looks exhausted. Not bored. Not annoyed. Just—
Empty.
A strange shame settles over you.
All this while, you've been convincing yourself that this Jimin dating someone would make things okay, even if it spelt momentary heartbreak on your end. It would ensure that nothing had changed—that neither of you were risking your friendship to shift the dynamics between you, and you could eventually go back to being the kind of friends you’ve always been.
But standing here, listening to the quiet disappointment and incredulity in Avni’s voice, you finally realize just how selfish you'd been.
You wanted certainty. Security. You wanted to put a bulletproof vest on your friendship. And he followed through for your sake.
Avni’s words echo in your head:
He’s been living his life on mute, while making crazily reckless decisions at the same time.
He’s miserable and he doesn’t deserve to be.
But before you can dwell on it any longer, applause ripples through the auditorium.
Jackie steps up on the stage, taking the mic. “Good morning, team! Thank you for joining us on this day—which is set to be greatly informative and motivational for all of us here, as we’ve been joined by a team of industry experts that will share insights into the world of sales, marketing and advertising. To set the tone of today’s seminar and guide us into the heart of the workshop, let us welcome an advertising genius to the stage — ladies and gentlemen, the Regional Director of Geisha Global — Mr Park Jimin!”
The auditorium claps in his welcome as he joins Jackie on the stage, smiling his professional smile and bowing in gratitude. He takes the mic and somehow—
“Good morning fellow advertising enthusiasts and eager learners. I hope you’re all settled on your assigned table and are ready with notepads and pens. The schedule has been pinned on each table: twenty minutes of presentation on advertising follies, then a ten minute coffee break, followed by thirty minutes of Q and A. Then we move onto the next speaker. Let us make today fruitful and informative!”
—somehow the man who looked so impossibly hollow just moments ago transforms beneath the lights. His posture straightens. His smile morphs into something effortless. His voice carries through the room with quiet confidence, warm enough to command attention without ever demanding it.
He's incredible.
Of course he is. He is Jimin. When have you ever known him to be anything less than absolutely brilliant?
He speaks without notes, without pausing or stumbling even once. He commands the stage like he was born to stand in front of an audience.
You recall his resistance at your initial proposal for attending this event, and can’t keep a fond smile from curling your lips.
Liar. The idiot had acted like you were inviting him to be executed, only to walk onto that stage looking as though he'd been born beneath spotlights. He moves constantly while he speaks—not enough to pace, just enough that his hands become part of the presentation. Every question from the audience lights something up inside him. Every answer is thoughtful without being rehearsed, funny without trying too hard.
He is drawing laughter from one side of the room before effortlessly shifting into something thoughtful enough to leave the other side hanging onto every word.
He is a phenomenal speaker.
At some point, you have stopped taking notes—or even listening, altogether.
You're just watching him. Helplessly entranced. Completely spellbound.
Watching the tiny smile that appears whenever someone asks an unexpectedly clever question.
Watching him tuck a loose strand of hair behind his ear without noticing.
Watching him gesture with the laser pointer before catching himself and sheepishly lowering it again.
The way he gestures, the way his eyes brighten, the way his whole face comes alive when he's explaining details from concepts he introduced.
And suddenly—
Your chest hurts.
Not in the panicked way it has all week. In a quieter way. A fuller way. Like your heart has quietly become too large for your ribs and you can barely breathe. You are so overwhelmed by the time he is winding, that you feel tears pricking the back of your eyelids.
A realization slowly forms in your heart and travels up to lodge into your throat in the form of an emotional lump that freezes you in your spot.
You want to be up there beside him.
You want to steal his laser pointer when he isn't looking. You want to insert sarcastic comments into his in-ears that only he can hear. You want to watch him shine from close enough that no one else gets this view.
And then—the final thought arrives with horrifying simplicity—
You want to kiss him.
And you don’t just want to do it as a result of all the turmoil you’ve been through, all the thoughts you’ve battled, and all the ways you’ve felt about that night these past two weeks—you want to do it because it’s him.
Because he's Jimin.
And because he's standing there looking impossibly brilliant and seeing him shine makes your chest ache with something far too tender to ignore.
The workshop proceeds without a hitch, with Jimin giving way to other speakers that share valuable ideas, until eventually Seokjin gets up there to wrap up the event with a vote of thanks.
The auditorium applauds as he finishes up, and you join in too, looking away from the man while he climbs down the stage, eyes involuntarily moving around to search for Jimin again—
Only to find him looking at you.
Your heart gives a huge leap. This is the first time your eyes have met. In all of the morning. In weeks.
But before you can even begin to analyse what all his gaze held, he is shaking hands with your boss and handing the iPad back to Zac.
For a few moments, you simply remain seated while everyone else begins collecting notebooks and laptops, conversations blooming all around you as people praise the presentation and crowd toward the stage where the speakers are conversing among each other and with the attendees.
You hear all of it without really listening.
Because Jimin is still standing beneath the lights, accepting compliments and exchanging contact information with the same easy smile he'd worn throughout the session.
Professional Jimin has always fascinated you. You have seen glimpses of him over the years—on calls with clients, accepting awards, speaking during company events—but never like this. Never for an hour straight.
He makes it look effortless.
You know it isn't.
You know how anxious he gets before presentations. You know he rewrites the opening sentence seventeen times because he insists the first impression matters. You know he never sleeps properly the night before important meetings.
Yet here he is. Perfect. Beautiful.
Smiling—and still somehow heartbreakingly absent.
The crowd slowly begins dispersing, eventually, allowing you to finally stand. You are clutching your notebook despite having written absolutely nothing for nearly half the seminar. Someone bumps your shoulder in passing, another apologises. You murmur that it's fine.
Everything feels strangely distant.
“Well?”
You blink and look away from Jimin. Seokjin is standing beside you with his arms folded, one eyebrow raised so high it's practically disappeared into his hairline.
"What?"
"So?"
"So...what?"
He studies your face for a beat before something in his expression softens. The smugness fades, replaced by a look that's almost fond. "You look like you survived a storm."
A reluctant laugh slips out of you. "Feels that way, too."
"You looked like the rest of us ceased to exist.” He nods toward the stage where Jimin is still trapped in conversation. “Didn’t even look at me once while I spoke. And here I was thinking I’d ask you for a review later."
Heat immediately rushes into your face. "I… That’s not true! I listened to you!" you lie.
“Nope!” He rolls his eyes. “Tell me what kind of budget I promised we’d set up for the relaunch of the failed product’s ad campaign, then?
You have absolutely no clue. “Uh… double the last time?”
Seokjin doubles over in laughter. “I didn’t even mention any budget, girl!”
"Hey, that’s not fair!” You lament. “I promise I was paying attention!"
"Oh, yes you were." He raises his eyebrows when you pause. "Just not to me."
You groan. "You’re loathsome."
"I’m honest."
Before you can think of a retort, another voice cuts neatly into the conversation:
"Well, you’re also a great speaker."
Avni announces her presence with that comment, smirking at the two of you as she chews on one of the cookies served during the coffee break, some time back. She's watching the two of you with the same amused expression she'd worn the first night you'd met her. It makes your forehead sweat, for some reason.
“If you’re still looking for a review, that is?”
Seokjin gives a hesitant chuckle, visibly nervous in front of this enchantress of a woman. “Uh, yeah. Always.”
"Your voice modulation is great. Which suits your personality. Although it doesn’t even matter all that much.” She pauses with a tilted head. “You own KBBQ, right?"
Wow, she’s somehow scoured more information during the workshop? You raise impressed eyebrows while Seokjin brushes a hand through his hair. “Yes.”
She gives him a long, completely unapologetic once-over. “That tracks.”
Seokjin, who has flirted his way through half the city's population, seems unsure how to respond to being assessed like a particularly promising bottle of wine. He opens his mouth—then shuts it. Finally, chuckling a little, he clears his throat and meekly asks: “Should I ask what that means?”
“No.” Avni smiles pleasantly as she steps closer to the two of you. “It'll ruin the mystery.”
You watch a physical shudder pass through Seokjin and have to bite down hard on the inside of your cheek to stifle a reaction. He glances sideways at you. You offer him absolutely no assistance.
"So, are you seeing anyone?" The question lands with the subtlety of a brick.
Seokjin blinks. “Excuse me?”
“I said—”
“I heard you.”
"So?"
"No, I’m not…?" He glances at you, but you’ve started to pretend you do not see or hear the two of them and whatever the hell they’re doing, right now.
"Perfect." Avni flashes another smile. "I was getting worried."
Seokjin, meanwhile, finally starts to smile. "You don't waste time."
"Life's short."
You make a face. Honestly. She'd spent the better part of the morning looking as though she'd rather lick the carpet than stand beside Jimin for another minute. And now she's positively sparkling.
It would almost be impressive if it weren't so—
Well. Annoying.
You look towards the stage once again, where people are slowly starting to thin out as well. You wonder if Jimin has noticed what just happened. If he's seen the woman he’s dating—although reluctantly, given Avni’s claims—openly interviewing another man before she's even collected her bag from reception.
Maybe he has...and simply doesn't care.
If you are to really believe what Avni said to you—which you don’t really have a reason not to—then it sure is the latter case.
"I was actually about to head out," Seokjin’s announcement brings your focus back to him.
He was your ride here!
Avni nods once. "Excellent. I haven't eaten."
Seokjin opens his mouth. Then turns to look at you, slightly panicked and slightly asking for help. You raise one eyebrow and take a very deliberate sip of your rapidly cooling coffee. “I’m gonna stay and chat with Jackie. We’ll catch a cab later.”
His shoulders sag. "I cannot believe you."
"I believe in independence." You shrug.
"You believe in watching me suffer." Then, much to your immense satisfaction, Seokjin turns to Avni with a sigh. "So you wanna get lunch with me?."
"There we go." Avni cheekily nods, stepping up closer to Seokjin.
You’ve given up on trying to escape and just slump into one of the chairs. This entire thing sure as heck is highly entertaining, if you put aside all implications for a while.
"You like to go for the kill, huh?" Seokjin asks her.
Avni smiles. "Hook, line and sinker"
He snorts. "I like you."
"I know."
"No, that wasn't—"
"I know." She waves the comment away as though she's heard it a hundred times already. "Come on."
Before Seokjin can quite process what's happening, she's already started walking toward the exit. He exhales the long, theatrical sigh of a man walking willingly toward his own downfall before catching up to her. She falls into step beside him immediately. Within seconds, Seokjin is laughing again.
You watch as they and the sound of their conversation disappear through the auditorium doors. You can't help huffing out a quiet breath through your nose.
Well, that was something.
People continue streaming out of the venue around you, chatting excitedly about the seminar, exchanging LinkedIn profiles and promises to keep in touch. The chatter swells and fades in waves until it begins to sound like white noise. You remain rooted exactly where you are, staring at the doors that people keep slipping past, feeling oddly hollow now that the distraction is gone.
The exhaustion settles over you all at once.
Not physical exhaustion—though there is certainly plenty of that after an entire day spent pretending you were perfectly fine—but the kind that burrows beneath your ribs and makes even the thought of moving feel impossibly heavy. It feels as though you've been holding your breath since the morning.
You only realize you aren't alone at the table anymore when a familiar voice quietly cuts through the silence beside you.
"Looks like your figuring-it-out just got stolen."
Your heart stumbles at the familiar rumble of the timbre that you’ve missed more than can be expressed in words.
Slowly, you turn your head.
Jimin stands beside you with his gaze fixed on the doors. His blazer hangs carelessly over one shoulder, secured beneath two fingers, while the sleeves of his turtleneck have been pulled up to his forearms. As though he's finally given himself permission to stop looking like the polished executive everyone else had applauded only an hour ago.
He still looks stunning. But he also looks tired — the kind that no amount of sleep ever seems to fix.
You wish to say something. Ask him why he doesn’t look bothered that Avni left with another man. Ask him why he even brought Avni here. Ask him if he went on dates with her for your sake.
Though none of that comes out of your mouth when you whisper: “You were phenomenal, Jimin.”
That earns you a glance.
For the first time all day, something achingly familiar flickers across Jimin's face. Not the practiced smile he'd been wearing through every networking conversation, or the carefully neutral expression he'd perfected over the last few weeks whenever the two of you occupied the same room, just—
Him.
A tiny, dry smile tugs at one corner of his mouth. Worn-out. Half-hearted. The ghost of the expression that used to appear whenever he was about to say something outrageous solely to hear you groan in response.
It's gone almost as quickly as it appears. He shrugs one shoulder and wryly says, “Couldn’t let you down.”
“You never can.”
His shoulders rise in a slow inhale before falling again.
"So..." His eyes drift back toward the parking lot. "Need a ride home?"
You stare at him at the unexpected question.
It’s not unexpected in the sense of its form—Jimin has driven you home more times than either of you could count over the last decade. Sometimes because your car was in the shop. Sometimes because he'd insisted on borrowing yours. Sometimes because one of you happened to be staying over at the other's place afterward anyway.
Sometimes simply because you wanted to spend time with each other.
It’s unexpected because of the timing. Why would he offer you that when you’ve barely been talking? When this is the first face-to-face exchange of words you’ve had in a month?
It becomes even more off-putting when he clears his throat a second later, without looking at you, and clarifies the reasoning for his offer. "Seokjin drove you, right? I heard him talking to Lea. Also…" He shrugs one shoulder beneath the weight of his blazer. "He kinda abandoned you for my date, so... seems fair."
The joke is terrible. Deliberately terrible. It earns the weakest puff of laughter from you—more breath than sound—but that seems to be enough to make the corner of his mouth twitch again.
Not into a proper smile, yet, just... something close enough.
You look at him for another long moment. He isn't looking back as if giving you an out.
If you tell him no, he'll nod, leave you to hitch a ride with one of your co-workers or just hail a cab home. He won't push. He won't ask again.
He's always been good at pretending disappointment doesn't hurt.
Your gaze travels to where Jackie, Zac and Lea are packing things up. You can go with them. You probably should.
After everything that's happened over the past few weeks, spending another thirty minutes alone with Park Jimin inside the confined space of his car sounds like the kind of decision your therapist would write several concerned notes about.
And yet—
The thought of watching him walk away again somehow feels worse.
"Okay," you hear yourself say quietly.
Jimin blinks once before nodding. "Okay."
Neither of you says anything else as you begin walking toward the parking lot together, separated by barely a foot of pavement that feels wider than the distance either of you has ever known between yourselves.
The familiar chime of Jimin's car greets the two of you as he unlocks it remotely, headlights flashing once in the dimming evening. Neither of you initiates conversation while settling inside. You quietly buckle your seatbelt, smoothing invisible wrinkles from your pants and blouse, more for something to do with your hands than because your clothes need it. Beside you, Jimin places his blazer over the backseat instead of wearing it again, sleeves still pulled up to display his muscled forearms, starts the engine, and waits for the navigation screen to wake before pulling out of the parking lot.
The radio remains off. Normally, one of you would've changed that within seconds.
Jimin couldn't stand driving in silence, and you couldn't stand his playlist looping the same fifty songs until the end of time. It had become tradition to spend every car ride fighting over the aux cable, loudly criticizing each other's taste in music before inevitably singing along anyway.
Today, neither of you reaches for it.
The only sounds inside the car are the steady hum of the engine, the rhythmic clicking of the turn signal whenever Jimin changes lanes, and the occasional sigh of tires rolling over uneven patches of asphalt. Outside, rush-hour traffic crawls sluggishly through the city, headlights bleeding into long ribbons of white and amber beneath the dusky sky.
You’ve sat in Jimin’s car after a really long while. It has never been this constricting before.
Brushing your hands over the smooth, faux leather seat, you’re bombarded with memories.
After late dinners, after movie nights, after helping Jimin assemble furniture or decorate yet another room in the absurdly large townhouse he has somehow talked himself into buying. Your drives are always loud. Conversations about work, ridiculous gossip, arguments over films, or Jimin dramatically recounting heroic stories of buying clothes all by himself because he is the epitome of indecision.
Tonight, silence stretches between you like something physical.
Not exactly uncomfortable, but so fragile that you’re terrified that one wrong word might splinter it into something neither of you knows how to fix.
Your eyes drift toward him almost against your will.
He's driving exactly the way he always does, one hand resting loosely at the top of the steering wheel, the other relaxed beside the gear shift. He looks devastatingly handsome. Jaw clenched, dark hair framing his face, lips pink and soft.
His attention, however, remains fixed on the road ahead, expression unreadable beneath the intermittent glow of passing streetlights.
Too fixed.
You know him well enough to recognize overcompensation when you see it. He's avoiding looking at you.
You wonder if he's noticed you're doing exactly the same thing.
The traffic light ahead turns red. Jimin brakes gently, fingers tapping once against the steering wheel before becoming still again.
The silence has lasted nearly seven minutes. Yes, you’ve been looking into the navigation display’s clock.
You make up your mind to initiate conversation, but you're unsure. You wish to give him a compliment for how fantastic he was today. But the two of you have never really given each other praises without playful teasing.
You don't feel like you could be playful, right now.
And so you decide to say the other thing that's been on your mind since morning.
“So…” you begin, your voice startling you with how loud it sounds inside the enclosed space.
Jimin hums in acknowledgement, eyes on the traffic light, resolutely away from your general direction.
It makes you hesitate a bit, but you bravely go on: "Avni seemed fun."
A tiny smile ghosts across his mouth. "She is."
His answer is simple—so simple, it gives nothing away. You swallow. You need to know. "You like her?"
Immediately, you regret asking. You did not wish to be this direct. All you wanted was to know how he saw things from his end, given the tales Avni told you about his disinterest in her and his possible interest…elsewhere. Besides, what right do you have asking him that when you couldn't be straightforward with him about Seokjin?
The light turns green. Jimin eases the car forward, waiting until he's completed the turn before answering.
"She's fun."
You close your eyes in brief ire. "That's not what I asked."
His fingers tighten imperceptibly around the steering wheel. The movement is so slight that anyone else would've missed it, but you don’t. After so many years, you've learned to read every language his body speaks. The silence stretches long enough that you begin convincing yourself he isn't going to answer.
Then, so quietly you almost miss it—
"No,” he breathed out.
Your heart stutters. "You don't like her?"
He shakes his head once. "No."
No elaboration. No jokes. No attempt to soften the admission. Just one small word carrying far more weight than it should. You stare at him for another moment before forcing yourself to look back out the window. "Oh."
Avni was right. He doesn't like her.
Why did he go out with her, then? Or maybe he went out because he thought he'd like her and later realised that he didn't.
God. There are so many implications to draw, so many stories to make up. An expressionless “no” literally tells you nothing about what happened.
The city continues slipping past outside. People hurry along sidewalks, a couple argues playfully while trying to fold their baby’s stroller, a group of university students laughs loud enough that you can hear them even through the closed windows.
Life continues with startling normalcy. Inside the car, yours feels suspended.
"What about Seokjin?"
You blink at the sudden question. "What… about him?"
"You're with him now?" His tone is almost identical to yours from moments earlier; gentle, careful—trying very hard not to sound like the answer matters. “Is it official yet?”
You lean your head back against the seat and decide to just stop. Stop with crazy made-up lies about Seokjin, the unnecessary secrecy, the nonsensical drama. "I… I'm not with him. I haven't been dating him. Or… sleeping with him.”
The words leave easily, simply, as if they've been waiting behind your teeth all day for the first crack in your composure.
Jimin's head turns toward you before he catches himself and looks back at the road. “What?"
"Seokjin and I…” You wet suddenly dry lips. "We're not..." Your hands lift briefly before falling back into your lap. "We're not what I made you think."
Another long stretch of silence ensues.
"So..." Jimin says slowly, as though assembling a puzzle one piece at a time. "You’re not…figuring-it-out… with him?
You huff out the smallest laugh. "No."
"But..." He trails off. "I genuinely thought..." His brows pull together. "You had been seeing him, right? All those pictures, that one caption with the heart emoji…”
"I… I’m not really seeing him. We’ve become sort of friends and we hang out, sure, but… strictly as friends."
“That day when I face-timed you and you said he was coming over…” Jimin shakes his head once. "I assumed that meant nightly activities. Maybe even routinely… nightly activities, in fact.”
"It didn't." You smile faintly despite yourself. "We've been on exactly one date."
He looks at you again, one quick glance. "One?"
You nod.
"And you weren't even sleeping together?" His eyes look cloudy.
It's strange how that is equally important to him, but you've decided to come fully clean, so you tell him, "I haven't slept with him."
The words settle quietly between the two of you.
Jimin says nothing. His expression doesn't noticeably change.
And yet something visibly shifts.
The tension you've been watching him carry loosens by the smallest fraction.
He lets out a breath through his nose. “Why did you lie to me?”
You exhale. “Not sure. I felt embarrassed, I guess? Like… I’d been thirsting after him for so long, and then when the opportunity was there—I just didn’t want him anymore.”
“Mhm. Also got something to do with wanting to make me believe you were not hung up on our night together?”
Your mouth drops open at the way Jimin is able to deduce and also put in words exactly what went on in your head. You give a defeated sigh. “Well, yeah. That too, I guess.”
Jimin’s lips twitch. “Well. It was bound to happen since he got demoted from horny daydreams material to post-sex pity package."
A startled laugh escapes you before you can stop it. “What?”
“Obviously. You found him hot, you'd been fantasizing about him—but then you went and had some mind-blowing sex which made you realise it wasn't him that attracted you, just the opportunity to blow off some steam.” There's a smirk on his face, the only sign that he's not actually serious because his tone gives nothing away. “So when you finally had the opportunity to be with him, you didn't want it. Admit it—you just went on that one date out of pity, didn’t you? Because it was pre-planned?”
“What the actual fuck? I wasn't pitying him! That's so mean!” you scoff at the accusations, rolling your eyes with a laugh because this is so utterly ridiculous. “You’re such an idiot…”
"I know." His answering smile is small, but not as painful as the others you've seen today.
For just a second, it feels familiar enough to make your throat tighten.
“Oh, and in case she herself didn’t make it absolutely clear—I’m not dating Avni."
You turn to him with an inhale. “Yeah, she mentioned how she felt like you weren't actually into it. But… you still brought her as your date."
"I did."
"So..."
"So what is the definition of dating someone?" He laughs under his breath but the sound is empty. "I figured you'd be here with Seokjin, so I wanted to bring a date. Y’know. To not make you feel pressured and make things normal. I asked Tara to hook me up with someone who'd be interested in accompanying me to this event—and she sent her sister’s number. So I asked Avni and she thought it'd be fun. She's outgoing, she likes meeting people, and she figured free food wasn't a bad deal.
You blink several times, trying to understand what he’s trying to tell you.
"I also took her out for dinner. Twice."
"Jimin." You frown in confusion. "That is the definition of dating someone.”
"No." He shakes his head, adamant. "It’s not. That’s not what I was doing."
"What were you doing, then?"
For the first time since leaving the venue, he visibly falters. His grip tightens around the steering wheel until his knuckles pale beneath the passing streetlights. When he finally answers, his voice is so quiet you almost miss it.
"Homework,” he breathes out. “Assigned by the one person I can never say no to."
You stare at his profile, aghast. Avni was right. He wasn't into it.
He really asked her out, went on dates, brought her here—because you asked him to?
You believe this hurts more than if he'd admitted he actually liked Avni.
The apartment feels unfamiliar despite being a place you've both walked into hundreds of times. Because both of you haven’t been under this same roof since that day.
It's been a month.
In the three years you've both been living in this city, this is the longest you've gone without dropping by each other's place.
Usually, Jimin would have kicked off his shoes the second he entered, complained about the temperature, stolen something from your fridge despite claiming he wasn't hungry, and made himself comfortable like your home belonged to him.
Tonight, he stands near the doorway for a few seconds longer than necessary, staring across the hall at the dining table where you two had the conversation that has led you down the path of indifference and pain.
You don't say anything, simply move aside and let him in.
Jimin makes a beeline for the couch, sitting on it with his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together. He stares at the floor for so long that you almost wonder if he is recalling all that has transpired in this very space. Given the mask of complete defeat that he wears, however, you highly doubt that.
"I tried dating apps,” he finally says, a tiny, humorless smile crossing his face. "Yoongi made my profile."
Despite yourself, you scowl at the name. “Yoongi? Are you, like, friends with him now?”
A strange look crosses Jimin’s face even as he nods.
You clear your throat, stashing that discussion away for some other time. “And? How was it?"
"Disastrous." For a second, he looks like himself again—and then the smile disappears. His fingers rub together restlessly. "For a few days, I tried to see if I could do it… Really tried.”
You believe him. You know Jimin—you know how much effort he puts into things he cares about. Which means that he must really have tried.
"I talked to a few people. Some even seemed nice," he continues. "Funny, kind, beautiful. I enjoyed some of the conversations. But…"
He pauses and looks up at you—deep pools of brown carrying desperation, sadness and…hope.
"But?” you breathlessly prompt him to continue.
“But I realised I don't want to take it anywhere with any of them. I don't want to get to know someone new, I don't want to go through the process of learning them to the point of liking them.”
Jimin's eyes are fixed somewhere past your shoulder.
“So as a last resort, I just asked Tara. Because I wanted to show you that I was following through with the promise I made, but… I really don't want to get into dating. Don't make me do this. Please.”
The words hit you square in the middle of the chest, making your knees buckle beneath you.
“Jimin…”
"You wanna know the truth? After everything we've said about our night together, after promising that it would never change a thing between us…” His eyes stare into yours, now. Full of pain and yet so empty at the same time. “I still can't help thinking about the what-ifs. I can't stop myself from picturing the possibilities. I can't let go of the hope of what it could be like if it went right, if we weren't so terrified of what could go wrong.”
His eyes slowly start to become watery, which you're hardly able to see clearly because of the tears filling your own.
“Jimin, please don't. W-we can't. It's – it's fifteen years of friendship, Min… That's—th-that’s more than half of our lives!” You're sobbing now, shaking your head to physically deny the mere prospect of things going wrong between you two. “I can't lose you…”
Jimin looks at you. “What makes you think you will?”
“You know me. I know myself.” You shake your head. “Everything changes when that line is crossed. I–I end up ruining everything, Min…”
Jimin exhales, closing his eyes as he shakes his head, too. You know that he knows what you're saying. He's seen every excuse you've made. He's been there to witness it every time you've run before someone could get close enough—every time you've convinced yourself you didn't want something because wanting it meant you could lose it.
“But this isn't like every other time, is it? This is us. We've already crossed more lines than you could even make.” His eyes are soft when they meet you again. “We can't know how it might be until we try. Why can't we just…try?”
Your heart breaks at the plea that is implicit in his words—not because you don't have an answer, but because you do have one.
You just don't know how to say it without destroying the one thing you've spent all this time trying to protect.
You look at him through blurry eyes, and you see him. The version of him you've cherished all these years. The person who has sat beside you through every heartbreak, every bad decision, every moment where you convinced yourself that leaving first hurts less than being left.
If you didn't want him, this would be easy. If this was someone else, it wouldn't matter. But this is Jimin – this is a decade and a half of memories and inside jokes and knowing exactly what the other is thinking by the look on their face.
He's the person you call when something funny happens before you even think about it. The person whose happiness you protect instinctively. The person who feels less like someone you met and more like someone you've always had.
And that is exactly why you can't do this.
Because loving him means there is something to lose.
He's your home. You can't risk losing him.
"I just can't take that risk, Jimin. I'm—I’m sorry…"
The silence afterward is devastating.
Jimin looks at the ground with a depreciating smile. "Can't… Or won't?"
The words shake you as if you've been physically struck.
"You're so scared of things getting ruined that you yourself do the ruining before anything else can.”
He says it like an observation, and he's absolutely right. Of course he is. He knows you inside out. Your fears, your issues, all of your nonsense.
You wish you could brave them this once—but you've seen the destruction happen way too many times to risk this. You and Jimin. The bond you couldn't survive without.
You're a coward and Jimin knows it better than anyone else. He has spent years watching you run from anything that could matter too much. And now he's the thing you're running from.
Your tears fall faster. "I am sorry, Jimin..."
For a moment, he looks at you. Eyes vacant and lips pursed.
Then he nods, small and resigned, like he understands even though he doesn't want to.
You almost wish he would yell—blame you, call you names. You would welcome anger. You would even welcome hatred, over.
But Jimin has always been too gentle with you. Even now. Especially now.
Very softly, he whispers: "I understand."
And those words absolutely defeat any strength you had remaining. He understands? Why? Why can't he fight over this? Why doesn't he declare you're the worst person in his life and he wishes he never met you?
Why does he…understand?
He stands to leave and you immediately stand to stop him—
But you don't.
He collects himself slowly, wiping at his face as though embarrassed by the tears that he couldn't stop. He picks up his blazer from the couch and slips it over his arm.
Your hand moves slightly, but it doesn't reach him.
Jimin walks to the door—and you notice everything he doesn't do.
He doesn't remind you to eat dinner. He doesn't tell you he'd text you when he reaches. He doesn't make some stupid joke to make the moment less painful.
He doesn't say he'll see you tomorrow.
Because maybe, this time, he doesn't know if there will be a tomorrow.
The door closes quietly behind him.
Now, Jimin has walked away from you a million times before, too—but he has always come back.
This time, standing alone in your quiet apartment, staring at the closed door, you have the terrifying feeling that maybe this time… he won't.
— note #2: idk why i kept imagining katseye's lara as avni throughout this chapter!
when an apex predator comes crawling to your doorstep with blood staining his fur, desperate enough to seek your help but far too feral to accept your touch. though perhaps wounded bears aren’t always as helpless as they appear.
⎯⎯ pairing: bear hybrid jungkook x healer (fem) reader
est. word count: 30k+
warnings: hurt/comfort, angst, feral smut, hybrid x human smut with plot, forbidden medieval fantasy erotica, jungkook as mor’du, beauty x the beast pairing, tracking, preying, dom-sub themes, healer of the woods y/n, life in the wilderness, power imbalance, shameless nudity, scarred face jungkook, hunter/warrior jungkook, hung jungkook, gentle giant jungkook, hybrid discrimination and isolation, animal aggression, power exchange, non sexual submission, shapeshifting, possessive behaviour, rutting, mate marking, scenting, nursing, biting, breeding, knotting, unprotected sex, oral sex, sex in the woods, pregnancy, child birth, den marking
note: finally pulling this one out of my drafts even though this part isn’t particularly steamy, which i’d say is more of a teaser for what’s to come in this three-part freaky series. i originally planned for it to be one massive oneshot, but then i realized it would probably cross 40k words and take me decades to finish, so three parts it is! and yes, jungkook as mor’du is very important to me. i was deeply and embarrassingly lustful over the thought of mor’du jungkook, and this fic is the result of that. enjoy!
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“Lady! Lady!”
The frantic scream belonged to a flimsy little girl who came barreling down the dirt path, nearly bashing herself into your wicker basket of gathered herbs. She caught herself on your skirts, her small hands clutching the linen as her chest heaved.
“There’s a rogue bear in the woods! I heard the hunters talking at the well—it’s massive, and it’s completely wild! It’s not safe up there! Who will protect you?” the little girl cried out.
Just a moment prior, she had been blissfully chattering away, tenderly braiding sweet grass into your long hair and tucking lilies behind your ear while you carefully cleaned and bandaged her little brother’s scraped knee from a rather dramatic bicycle accident on the cobbled hill.
Whenever the winters neared, the children of the valley practically demanded your presence. They were always frantic in the final days of autumn, trying to squeeze every last second of uninhibited playtime out of the sun before the bitter cold forced them indoors for months. Though you rarely descended from your secluded, timber hut high up in the dense woods, you made a point to walk down to the village every once in a while to trade remedies and check on the locals.
Today, however, you hadn’t been greeted with the usual simple village gossip; you were met with a barrage of terrifying stories about the rogue, monstrous beast lurking in the high woods, frighteningly close to your solitary home.
The villagers swore he haunted the tree line when the sun dipped. They spoke of an unnatural, violent hunger that drove him to stalk the woods at night. Over and over, the townspeople warned you that it was madness to live all up there alone, that no matter how skilled you were at soothing injured foxes or taming feral wolves, this beast was entirely different. It was a monster that could shatter your spine and take you down with a swipe of his massive paw.
“A rogue bear? Don’t speak of such silly nonsense to me, little one,” you reached down, gently patting her hair before tucking a loose strand behind her ear. “There is nothing in those woods I cannot handle. Now, run along home before the cold sets in.”
With a smile, you sent the children on their way, gathering your wicker basket as the sun began its descent toward the horizon.
The day was particularly grueling; your monthly flow left your body running dangerously weak. Every step up the winding forest path felt like climbing a mountain. And as you navigated the high canopy, the noisy crunch of dry autumn leaves echoed behind you.
You paused, turning your head to look back down the empty trail. Nothing. Just the rustle of the wind through the pines, yet, you weren’t spooked. For the past few days, you had felt this exact same invisible presence watching you from the thickets. You hadn’t questioned or hunted it down; experience had taught you that wild, wounded animals often stalked healer huts, desperate for relief but too terrified of men to ask for help.
If it needs my hands, you thought weary, it will come when it is ready.
Reaching your secluded timber hut, you slipped inside and bolted the door. You built up the hearth fire, the dry logs crackling into a warm blaze. Tired and shivering, you carefully unlaced your skirts to change your blood-stained linen.
You didn’t dare leave the soiled linen in a wash basin or throw it outside. Fresh blood was an open invitation to every hungry carnivore for miles. Instead, you cast the blood-soaked cloth directly into the roaring heart of the fireplace. The flames consumed it, burning away the scent before the smoke could carry it up the chimney.
Feeling somewhat refreshed, you stepped back out onto the porch to collect the fresh spring water you had left cooling in a stone jar.
The woods were dead silent. Not a bird chirped; not a breeze stirred the branches. You turned around to head back inside... and froze.
Blocking your path to the door was a shadow so massive it swallowed the entire porch.
You hadn’t even heard him approach. Towering before you was an eight-hundred-pound monster that resembled a prehistoric cave bear straight out of a nightmare. His frame was covered in matted dark fur that was caked with dried mud and black, dried gore.
The beast was horrifyingly scarred. His left eye was milky and crossed by silver claw marks, his ears were torn, and broken iron spearheads protruded from the thick hide of his broad shoulders like ghastly accoutrements of the worst battles.
The wild bear was breathing in deep gasps that rattled the wooden beams of your roof, his nostrils flaring violently as his uninjured eye locked onto your small frame.
You stood completely still, the water jar heavy in your hands. Far from freezing in terror, curiosity washed over your mind. You looked at the eight-hundred-pound mountain of muscle and matted fur.
Are you here to make me prey? you wondered, Or did the tang of my blood draw you out of the shadows?
It wouldn’t be the first time a wild beast had stalked toward you at the scent of your blood, nosing against your skirts with rumbles before bowing their heavy heads for your touch. Over the years, the creatures of the forest had grown accustomed to the healer who shared their woods. Whole packs frequented your cabin, seeking aid when their own instincts failed them. Some had tried to turn on you, to make a meal out of the hands that tended their wounds, but none had succeeded, no matter how massive or ferocious they were.
You had sensed a wrong presence in the tree line for weeks, though you’d never caught a glimpse of the bear itself. It was the stuff of the grim bedtime stories you whispered to sick children as you cooled their fevers, handing them hand-knit plush bears to tame their nightmares.
Slowly, you took a small step forward.
The beast let out a growl, his massive shoulders bunched as he began to slowly circle you on the narrow porch like a predator preparing to strike, ready to pounce and crush you beneath his weight at any second. Yet, as he circled, his scarred snout dipped low. Driven by a maddening instinct, he thrust his face forward, attempting to press his snout directly against the exposed skin of your throat as though desperate to inhale your sweet scent.
Before his ragged breath could flush over your collarbone, with a flick of your wrist, you swung the stone jar, splashing the icy spring water directly across his scarred snout and broad forehead.
The beast let out an agonizing roar, ripping his head back as if the cool water had been scalding acid. The liquid had seeped straight into the raw, infected gashes lacing his hide. Infuriated by the sudden burst of pain, his single eye flared. He reared back, his clawed paws rising, ready to completely obliterate your small frame where you stood.
“HSSSSSS!”
A tiny creature leaped onto the porch railing. It was the stray, battle scarred feral cat you had nursed back to health a few weeks prior; tiny and grey-striped, had never shown you a single drop of affection, preferring to swipe at your hands whenever you fed it. Now, it stood puffed up to twice its size, its claws unsheathed, spitting and hissing directly into the face of the monster.
The terrifying bear actually hunched backward in shock. His single eye widened, his ears pinning flat against his skull as if the tiny, spitting demon were the most terrifying thing he had ever encountered. Startled by the sudden attack, the giant beast took a clumsy, panicked step back and lost his footing on the edge of the porch.
With a loud crash, all eight hundred pounds of him fell backward, landing flat on his back right into the middle of the neatly harvested winter crops you had spent weeks gathering and drying.
“My harvest!” you gasped out, horrified as the creature crushed your root patches and rowan berries into absolute dust.
As if to deliberately punish you for the insult, the bear let out an irritated growl and aggressively rolled onto his side, squishing the rest of your organized crop baskets beneath his immense, scarred torso.
“Hey! Get off! Stop!” you frantically reached down to grab a fistful of heavy river rocks from the garden border, ready to pelt him.
But the cat gave another furious hiss, hopping off the porch to stalk toward the giant. The monstrous bear scrambled to his feet with embarrassing speed, letting out a defeated, needy huff, and bolted straight back into the dark woods with the tiny cat trotting triumphantly after him to chase him off the property.
A moment later, the little cat casually strolled back out of the tree line, trotting up to your bare feet. It rubbed its cheek against your ankles, purring loudly and demanding to be petted, before trotting off into the brush to mind its own business. You tossed the useless river rock back to the dirt.
The nerve of that creature.
Wild bears in these high mountain passes were solitary and predictable beasts. They kept to their dark caves, preparing for the long sleep and steering well clear of human settlements and especially clear of healers. Yet this massive titan had been lurking in your woods for days, reeking of rot and blatantly challenging your authority even as his infected hide clearly caused him agony.
The beast desperately needed your hands, but trampling your winter supply and trying to pin you against your own porch was an utterly terrible way to ask for a house call.
You knelt, trying to salvage what was left of the flattened root patches. He wasn’t acting like a normal animal. Normal predators didn’t get startled by a barn cat after nearly taking down a house, nor did they show such a strangely spiteful intelligence when rolling over your baskets.
Perhaps... a hybrid? you realized.
It would explain everything. You had tended to clanless hybrids before — those half-human, half-beast wanderers who were cast out and discriminated against by both human towns and wild packs alike. Maybe he was a hybrid driven out by his own kind. Or... he was simply a starving apex predator who had caught the scent of your monthly flow on the breeze and stalked you home to feast.
Either way, the bear had tested your boundaries, and now he knew where you slept.
You stood up, brushing the dirt from your skirts. If that giant, scarred fool thought he could destroy your hard work and terrorize your grove without facing your strictness, he had another thing coming. The next time he emerged from those dark pines, he was going to learn that a healer’s sanctuary comes with rules.
Day after day, the wild bear raged against his own instincts. He didn’t understand how to exist near something so gentle. He was entirely consumed by a frustrated confusion; his primitive brain couldn’t comprehend how a creature so fragile, whose skin smelled of crushed rowan berries possessed the staggering power to tame him with a single touch.
To cope with the maddening static in his head, he became a relentless menace. He would tear down your willow fences with his massive claws, rip up your rows of blooming herbs over and over again. At midnight, he would stand on the rocky ridge above your cottage and roar at the moon until the valley shook.
If a mountain fox trotted too close to your porch, or if the wild deer tried to press their soft noses into your palms, an earth shaking rumble would vibrate from his chest. The bear would charge out of the thicket, snapping his yellow teeth and flattening his ears until the other animals scattered into the deep woods in terror. He didn’t want the forest near you. He wanted to stalk you solely for himself.
The true trial of your patience, however, happened at the riverbank.
Even after your bloody cycle had come to an end, the beast lingered, entirely fascinated by you. One cool evening, you waded into the deep water of the mountain river to wash your linens and bathe, the cold water lapping against your lush skin.
The eight-hundred-pound cave bear didn’t like the water. He loathed the way the current pulled at his heavy, matted fur, but he was a petty tormentor.
He slinked along the rocky bank, pitch black eyes tracking you. When he got too close, snapping twigs under his weight, you stood waist deep in the shimmering pool and scooped a handful of water, hurling it directly at his scarred face.
“Away, now. Beast,” you commanded.
The water splashed against his wet snout. The giant bear huffed, a bubble of air escaping his jaws as he leaned forward, utterly intrigued by the defiance in your eyes.
To punish you for the splash, he lunged toward the flat boulders where your dry clothes were neatly folded. He grabbed your linen shift in his massive, saliva dripping jaws, lifting it high and shaking it brutally until the white fabric was caked in black mud, tearing the hem with his razor sharp teeth out of beastly defiance.
“No!” a horrified scream slipped from your lips, though to him, it was just a strange, beautiful sound. “Drop it. Look at what you have done to my shift, you oversized hound.”
You marched out of the river, entirely unbothered by your nudity as you strode right into his towering shadow. The bear froze, the ruined linen dangling from his teeth. He looked down at you, his massive chest heaving, his dark eyes blinking.
“You tear my fences, you ruin my garden, and now you drag my clothes through the muck,” you stepped so close that your bare belly almost brushed his thick, coarse fur. You reached up, your hand completely unbothered by his size as you firmly gripped the muddy linen, pulling it from his jaws. “You act the savage demon to the village hunters, but here, you are merely a petulant child throwing a tantrum because you do not know how to ask for what you want.”
The bear let out a pathetic whine, his ears dropping flat against his heavy skull. He lowered his massive head, his wet, black nose nudging clumsily against your collarbone, inhaling the lingering sweetness of your skin.
“You are hungry, aren’t you?” your anger melted into pity as your thumb brushed the silver scar over his blinded right eye. “You crave flesh, but your soul rejects it. Come. Let us see if we can quiet the noise in your head.”
You led the massive creature back to the porch of your cottage. He sat on his haunches, his frame making the boards creak under his weight, his eyes glued to your hands as you stepped inside and retrieved a clay jar.
You knelt before the beast, holding a carved wooden bowl filled with a golden mash of wild honeycomb and crushed berries. The bear’s jaws parted, saliva dripping onto the porch as he looked at the bowl. He reached out a massive paw to swipe at it, but you sharply tapped his snout with a wooden stirring spoon.
“No,” you said firmly, holding the bowl just out of his reach. “You do not get a single drop of sweetness until you behave. Down, beast. Lie down.”
The terrifying lord of the peaks let out a dramatic rumble, a sound that made the windowpanes of your cabin rattle. He swatted the air with his heavy leg. He was a captain, a conqueror, and he did not take orders from anyone.
“Down,” you repeated firmly. “Or I will bury this jar beneath the stone, and you will taste nothing but bitter winter bark for the rest of the season.”
The standoff lasted for a tense second. The bear stared at you, his massive muscles locking as if he might lunge and take it by force. But the intoxicating pull of your presence was too much for his heart to resist.
Petulantly, the giant cave bear collapsed his front legs onto the porch. He dropped his massive, scarred chin directly into the dirt at your feet, letting out a long sigh that blew the loose hair back from your face. He looked up at you through his thick lashes, utterly defeated, submitting entirely to your rules just for a taste of the earth from your hands.
Only when he let out one final huff of submission did you lean forward, placing the wooden bowl right beneath his nose.
His large, dark tongue swiped into the bowl, lapping up the golden mash desperately. For the first time in three winters, the screaming static in his head went completely quiet.
As he ate, his massive tail gave a clumsy thump against the timber porch.
“Good boy,” you shifted closer, sinking your knees into the damp soil beside his colossal head. While his jaws worked through the sticky gold, you reached out and buried both of your soft hands deep into the thick, coarse fur behind his ears. You massaged the heavy muscle of his neck, finding the tense, knotted spots where the hunter’s ropes had once chafed him.
The bear let out a rumble, a sound so deep it felt like a minor earthquake or, rather, the purr of utter surrender.
“See? It is much better to be good, isn’t it, my fierce one?” your fingers traced the jagged silver lines that mapped the right side of his face. “You do not need to fight. You only need to listen to me.”
He stopped lapping at the bowl, his snout covered in gold stickiness as he tilted his massive head up. He looked at you through his pitch-black puppy eyes dilated. He was completely undone by the praise.
He licked the bowl completely clean, tilting it with his heavy paw until not a single drop of the honey remained. But even after the food was gone, his addiction only mutated.
The bear didn’t just crave the honeycomb anymore; he craved the touch that came with it. He pressed his sticky, wet snout directly into the palm of your hand, licking the remnants from your fingers before sliding his massive head forward to rest heavily in your lap. The weight of his skull nearly pinned your thighs to the dirt, but you only laughed, a sound that made his ears twitch with delight.
The rogue beast had tasted the sun from your hands, and the high, frozen peaks had lost all their appeal. He belonged to your porch now.
There were mornings when you would wake to the bitter mountain chill, throw on your woolen kirtle, and try to push open the door of your cabin, only for it to budge a mere three inches before hitting something solid and unyielding.
Through the small gap, you would see a massive wall of coarse black fur. The bear had taken to sleeping directly across your threshold, his eight-hundred-pound body curled into a furry crescent that completely blocked you inside.
“Move your fat head, you hound.” you would scold, leaning your shoulder against the wood and pushing with all your might.
The only response from the other side would be a huff. A cloud of white breath would rise into the air as the beast stubbornly dug his massive paws deeper into the snow, refusing to move even an inch. He didn’t want you going out into the woods where he couldn’t watch you; he wanted you inside, where he could smell the hearth fire and the sweet rowan berries on your skin.
Only when you slipped your hand through the gap, holding a small piece of dried honeycomb and pressing your fingers against his cold, wet snout, would he relent. He would lap the sweet from your palm with sandpaper tongue, let out a dramatic, groaning sigh that shook the porch timbers, and clumsily heave his massive frame up to let his goddess out.
He was a creature fierce enough to send a pack of gray wolves fleeing with a single snap of his jaws, yet entirely pathetic whenever you ignored him. If you spent too long tending to the goats or spinning wool by the window, the giant bear would march up to the glass, press his massive nose flat against the pane, and let out a whine that completely ruined his terrifying reputation.
And as the autumn frost hardened the ground, the beast’s giant frame grew increasingly gnarly with the filth of the high ridges. His thick black coat was a disaster of dried mountain mud and burrs that tangled painfully into the dense underfur near his chest. The discomfort made him irritable; he would spend hours biting at his own flanks, letting out frustrated, rolling growls. He was stressed, trapped in a body that felt too tight, but his deep-seated hatred for the river made him entirely disobedient.
You decided he could not go into the winter freeze looking like a mangled stray.
One midday, when the sun managed to warm the deep pools of the river, you waded in. You wore only a thin, loose shift, the water lapping gently against your hips as you stood waist-deep in the shimmering current. On a large, flat boulder near the bank, you had placed a wooden tub filled with a crushed mash of wild honeycomb and a thick paste of fat and lye you had rendered to soothe a beast’s skin.
“Come,” you called out, “In the river, beast. Come to me.”
A few paces away, the cave bear stood at the water’s edge, his front paws buried in the damp pebbles. The moment a small wave lapped over his claws, his ears flattened against his heavy skull, and his jaws parted in a defiant huff. He loomed over the bank. The beast did not submerge himself for anyone.
You knew that forcing him would only break the fragile trust you were building. So, you relied entirely on the one thing that had absolute authority over his wild heart: your scent.
You dipped your hands into the wooden tub, scooping up a generous handful of the sweet honey paste. You rubbed it over your bare arms and the column of your neck, letting the sweet aroma mix with the warm scent of your skin. Then, you held your sticky palms out toward him, letting the river current swirl around your thighs.
“Look at me,” your eyes locked onto his pitch-black puppy eyes. “You trust me, don’t you? It will quiet the noise in your head. Come get your sweet.”
The beast’s wet snout twitched violently. The scent of the honey, laced with the essence of your hands, hit his senses wildly. He let out a pathetic whine.
He hated the water with every fiber of his apex predator soul, but he craved your proximity more than he feared the current.
Reluctantly, the giant bear took a step forward. The moment the river hit his belly, he panicked. The disobedience of his wild nature took over, and he began to violently thrash against the current, creating absolute distress. His massive paws slapped the surface, sending a massive tidal wave of freezing river water directly into your face, blinding you and soaking your hair. He bared his yellow fangs, letting out an echoing roar of frustration, his hindquarters swinging around and knocking your wooden tubs into the mud.
“Stop it!” you wiped the water from your eyes, your shift plastered tightly to the curves of your chest. The sound of your voice made him freeze.
He stood shivering in the chest-deep water, the current pulling at his matted fur, looking down at your drenched, panting form with an overwhelming guilt in his wide eyes. He had caused havoc. He had distressed his goddess.
You didn’t retreat. You stepped right into his space, the water swirling between you as you reached up, your soft hands firmly grabbing the thick, wet fur at the base of his neck. “You big, clumsy fool,” your voice broke into a breathless laugh that instantly deflated his aggression.
You guided him deeper into the pool, and this time, he didn’t fight. The rogue beast became entirely accustomed to your hands. As you stood in the river beside him, you used your fingers to systematically tear through the stubborn burrs, slathering the sweet honeycomb paste deep into his coarse black coat. The bear dropped his scarred jaw until it rested directly on your bare shoulder, his wet nose pressing into the dip of your neck. He inhaled you deeply, completely paralyzed by the sheer comfort of your scent while you scrubbed the winter filth from his skin. A liquid rumble began to vibrate through his massive chest, a purring submission that shook the very water around your hips.
Yet, the moment your gentle fingers tried to trace past the burrs to inspect the deep gashes hidden beneath, seeking to assess how badly the infection had rooted so you might patch him up, a growl ripped through his throat.
The violent sound made you flinch, your hands instantly pulling back.
He was still wary and guarded around his pain, refusing to let you touch the raw places where he had been broken. You understood. But whatever stubborn anger had flared up instantly dissolved the moment you dipped beneath the surface to rinse yourself and emerged with your wet hair clinging in dark, glistening curls against your waist and hips.
The bear quirked his scarred head to the side with an absurd, childlike curiosity, the gesture so surprisingly gentle on such a monstrous frame that a small smile broke across your lips.
For the rest of the bath, he allowed you your work, constantly pressing his hot snout against your collarbone and shoulders as you scrubbed every inch of fur where there were no wounds.
By the time you finally led him out onto the riverbank, his coat was gleaming and smelling heavily of wild berries and sweet honey. You managed to spear a huge salmon from the shallow rapids, which he tore into brutally, a chilling reminder that beneath his needy purrs was an apex predator capable of ending your life whenever he pleased.
Yet, as you turned back up the winding forest path, he fell in right beside you, acting like a doting, overprotective mate that refused to leave your side. He was truly an odd, magnificent bear. You ought to have a name for him.
As the winter drew near, the colossal bear turned your porch into his personal lounge, following your every step along the forest paths clumsily. Yet, so long as his stubborn pride kept him from letting your hands tend to his wounds, you knew he desperately needed another way to ease his suffering.
Your answer lay deep within a hidden ravine — a sanctuary where a natural hot spring waterfall thundered over craggy black rocks and spilled into a steaming pool. You soon discovered that your eight-hundred-pound cave bear absolutely adored the place. The pounding heat of the thermal waters cascading over his burrs seemed to be the only thing capable of melting away the ache of the silver spearheads still lodged in his flesh.
“Come, big hound,” you coaxed softly. The massive beast rumbled and rattled the loose pebbles near your boots but he stepped obediently into the steaming pool.
The black water swirled around his tree-trunk legs as he waded deeper, moving until he stood directly beneath the crashing column of the waterfall. He let out a blissful submissive huff, letting the pounding heat strike his scarred hide, his massive head tilting back as his dark puppy eyes closed in pure relief. You smiled faintly, wrapping your wool cloak tightly around your shoulders as you sat down on a mossy boulder at the edge of the pool.
Perched on a frost dusted bark of a tree overhanging the pool was the loud and arrogant raven, who gossiped openly in the physical world, his harsh voice cackling as he mocked the scene below. “Look at the great lady! Look at her!” the raven hopped eagerly, his head tilting side to side. “Playing maid to a blunt-skulled bruin! A big, hairy boulder!”
“Keep squawking and I’ll use your feathers to stuff his next pillow,” you called up, without bothering to look away from your bear.
The bird let out an outraged squawk, shuffling back a few inches on the branch before swelling his chest.
“Void! Yes, a void!” the raven continued to cackle, “Nothing upstairs! Just a big, wet dog who thinks he owns the den! Watch how he pouts because you aren’t brushing his flanks, Lady! He’s a big, touchy baby!”
The bear suddenly opened his dark eyes. As if finally snapping from the constant annoying cackling of the black bird above his head, he let out a growl. The rumble sent a warning spray of foam flying up toward the branches. The raven shrieked in alarm, fluttering his wings furiously as he hopped backward.
You slipped your boots off, letting your bare feet sink into the warm edge of the thermal pool. At the sound of your voice, the bear waded out from beneath the heavy waterfall, shaking his massive, dripping black form, sending a shower of warm droplets over your cloak before dropping his heavy chin directly into your lap.
His wet nose nudged against your stomach, begging for your touch. You sank your fingers deep into the wet fur behind his ears, scratching the exact spot he loved. The beast let out a rolling purr, closing his eyes as he anchored his massive weight against your thighs.
Leaning your back against the stone, you slowly fell asleep right there by the pass, your arms wrapped protectively around the neck of your silent, giant bear. Above you, the raven finally closed his beak from the branches, fixing his eyes back on the healer who had mended his broken wing two moons back and showed him how to take to the sky again.
Down in the citadel, the harsh winter was taking its toll. The mountain winds brought the weeping echoes of the valley to your sensitive ears; the croup coughing of newborn babes, the burning fevers of the village elders, the desperate prayers of families who needed the forest healer to survive the frost. They needed your dried elderberry syrups and your gentle touch.
But you couldn’t leave. You couldn’t take a single step past the tree line because the bear had become your literal, inescapable shadow.
Every time you slung your woven basket over your shoulder and tied your cloak, the colossal cave bear would materialize at the edge of the porch. If you tried to march past him, he would move his massive, scarred bulk directly into your path, his pitch-black eyes wide. When you tried to push past his heavy shoulder, he would let out a warning rumble, snapping his yellow teeth at the empty air. He didn’t want you going near the world of men. He didn’t want the scent of the citadel to touch your skin. He wanted you locked away in the grove, safe, and solely for himself.
On the third morning of being trapped inside your own home, you stood on the frozen porch, looking down at the giant beast who had once again collapsed his massive body across your threshold, his heavy chin pinned stubbornly to the wood.
“Move, you selfish, unyielding monster!” you snapped, losing your patience. The bear’s ears flattened instantly against his head, his eyes blinking up at you in stunned confusion.
“There are children dying in the valley, and you sit here playing the jealous warden!” you scolded, shaking a heavy wooden stirring spoon directly at his scarred face, “You are not my master, beast! You are a menace. You tear my fences, you ruin my garden, and now you keep me a prisoner in my own home. I am sick of your tantrums. I am sick of your suffocating shadow. Go back to your wild peaks and leave me be!”
The giant cave bear didn’t let out a dramatic rumble like he always did, neither did he swat the air in petulance. The terror of the mountains did something that made your heart drop. He let out a broken whine, a sound so full of agony that it echoed pitifully through the clearing.
Slowly, the massive creature pushed himself up from the timber porch, his head hanging low, tail tucked tight against his hindquarters. He turned his massive frame clumsily and slinked into the blinding white flurry of the snowstorm, heavy paws sinking deep into the drifts until the white wilderness swallowed him whole. The clearing became deathly silent.
By the next morning, the anger that had fueled your tongue had completely evaporated, replaced by immense guilt.
One day bled into three, then five, and the beast did not return. You sat by your hearth, the black goat sleeping quietly in its pen, feeling a profound emptiness in the cabin.
You didn’t have to push past a wall of fur to open your door anymore. You could walk down to the river for your daily bath, but the rocky bank sat completely bare. He wasn’t there to lay lazily in the grass to guard you, thumping his big tail whenever you hummed, waiting patiently for his treats after behaving around the swans. Now, the fawns drank freely from the water without his presence to spook them, but this new freedom felt frightening. You found yourself staring at the empty, snowy porch for hours, your eyes stinging with tears of remorse as you remembered the wounded whine he had given before he left.
“What have I done?” you buried your face in your hands, overwhelmed with guilt for scolding him so harshly. He wasn’t malicious. He was merely a hungry animal that craved a comfort he only found through your gentle hands.
Once you finished tending to the village children, you poured yourself into making amends.
You gathered raw honeycombs, prepared rich cuts of meat, and left the offerings on your porch every evening. Even if he was still cross with you, you prayed he would at least eat. But night after night, the food sat untouched. Even the local foxes and crows steered clear of the porch; the forest animals knew better than to claim a meal meant for an apex predator.
He was a hybrid—there was no doubt left in your mind. You had read about his kind, about how they were cast aside, feared, and hunted by a world that branded them as nothing more than mindless beasts. But your bear wasn’t aggressive. He was gentle and desperate for your scent and your touch.
He had likely been cast out by his pack, left to roam the bitter woods bleeding and alone, wounded by soldiers and trapped in a form he couldn’t shift out of. And you had just chased him back out into the freezing, merciless storm.
For days, you prayed to the old gods of the mountains that your bear was safe. You couldn’t stop thinking about him, your mind obsessively turning over the puzzle of his existence. Who was he beneath the fur?
As the fourth night settled over the peaks, bringing a frost so bitter your cabin walls literally groaned under the pressure, you knew one thing: you would give all the honeycomb in the world just to have your stubborn, clumsy bear back on your porch.
The answer to all your prayers came near midnight, when the wind finally died down. Inside, the hearth was nothing but a bed of dying red coals when a hollow thud rattled the front door.
It was a weak, sliding impact, the sound of something massive collapsing against the wood.
You threw off your wool blanket and hurried across the cold floorboards, bare feet nearly sticking to the frost on the wood. With trembling hands, you unlatched the iron bolt and swung the door open. The freezing mountain wind rushed into the cabin, but it carried the metallic stench of blood.
There, collapsed in a shivering mass in the freezing slush of your porch, was your beast.
He was entirely shattered. The citadel guards had finally tracked him into the high, blinding passes without your grove to shield him. His thick black fur, the very coat you had so carefully washed and scrubbed in the river was matted into stiff, crimson clumps. It was riddled with the broken wooden shafts of silver hunting spears that hissed and burned against his cursed flesh. Worse of all, a jagged iron bear-trap was clamped brutally around his hind leg, its thick teeth biting down to the bone, the heavy chains dragging through the bloody snow behind him. He had crawled for miles through the blizzard on three legs, bleeding out into the white wastes. Driven entirely by the fading, desperate memory of your rowan berries and the gentle touch he had lost, he had used the last ounces of his strength to find your doorstep. Your cottage was the only sanctuary left in his dying world.
“Oh, gods... no, no, no,” your voice broke as you knelt directly into the freezing, bloody mud beside his colossal frame.
At the touch of your skin, his primitive defensive instincts flared one last, desperate time. The giant bear let out a weak, rattling snap of his jaws, his yellow fangs baring through the froth and blood to keep you back. Even on the verge of death, the monster fought against the vulnerability of mercy, terrified of being hurt again.
You didn’t care about his teeth, stepping right into his fading shadow, your heart breaking for the poor, tormented thing. “I am so sorry,” you whispered against the howling night and his withering furr. “I am so sorry I sent you away. Shh... look at me. You are home. I have you.”
You refused to lose your composure or fail him ever again. Gathering every ounce of resolve you possessed, you forced yourself to stay calm, despite how terrifying and immense he was in his agony. The heavy bear trap was twisted deep into his flesh, but you worked tirelessly, ignoring the looming danger of his size and his frantic, pained growls until you finally pried the cold iron free.
The moment it snapped open, tears overflowed. You buried your face in his bloodied coat, sobbing silently into his side as you felt how weak he truly was. Cuping his massive, shivering snout in your hands, you kissed the tip of his nose and begged him through your tears.
“Please... shift for me,” you wept, hoping that returning to his human form would stop the massive blood loss and give his body a fighting chance to heal. “Now that I know... please, you have to shift so I can save you. I promise I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
He only whimpered, his golden eyes glazed over, too exhausted and traumatized to trigger the change.
Realizing your hound couldn’t do it, your heart broke all over again, but you didn’t waste another second, cleaning the wounds as best as you could, bandaging the heavy bleeding, and staying beside him until his breathing finally stabilized.
Once you were sure he was resting peacefully, you quietly slipped away into the nearby tree line to gather fresh water, moss, and medicinal herbs to treat the infection. The forest was eerily still, saved only by the ghostly flicker of will-o’-the-wisps drifting between the ancient trunks. Accustomed to your presence, the cold flames hovered over the damp moss and medicinal roots you needed, their glow guiding your trembling hands in the dark.
You were going to save your bear, no matter what it took. You’d clean every gruesome wound, gather his favorite sweet honeycombs, and nurse him back to health. If he wanted to claim your porch as his den and keep you inside with him forever, you would let him, as long as he never vanished again. You couldn’t bear the thought of losing him again.
As you reached for the last bundle of herbs, the wisps above you suddenly flared eratically, scattering toward your cabin as if running from a threat. A knot of dread twisted in your gut. Something in the woods had shifted.
Dropping the rest of your tools, you sprinted toward the cabin, but when you returned to the clearing, your stomach dropped.
The patch of snow where the bear had been resting was empty. He was gone.
Your hands trembled so violently that you dropped the armful of supplies, watching the herbs scatter across the frozen dirt. You had lost him again... and you hadn’t even had the chance to give your bear a proper name.
Before you could scream out into the forest, a heavy force slammed into your back, taking you down hard against the cold earth. The breath knocked out of your lungs as a massive, towering frame pinned you to the ground.
It wasn’t the bear above you anymore, but a broad, bare-chested human man — his dark eyes wild and his heavy weight trapping you entirely beneath him.
Panic seized your chest as you darted your eyes around, desperate to make sense of the sudden danger. Your bear was gone, vanished into thin air, and in his place was a naked stranger holding you down.
It didn’t make sense.
Not unless... this man was your bear.
“Who are you?” the man gripped your shoulders and flipped you over, glaring down into your eyes. That was when you saw the pale, silver scars running across his cheek and jaw, the exact same marks you had tenderly traced a hundred times in the bear’s matted fur.
It was him. This was your bear.
Overwhelmed, you reached up, your hands desperate to touch his face and trace every line of the stunning man above you. But before your fingers could graze his skin, he snatched your wrists and pinned them firmly beside your head. A deep rumble of a growl vibrated in his chest, a sound so familiar it nearly made you sob with pure relief.
As he pinned you down, searching your eyes just as intensely, your mind frantically pieced together the stunning features beneath those silver scars.
You knew these woods down to their very soil. You knew how the forest breathed and how the local hunters corrupted it with their traps.
The man pinning you down was no ordinary stranger. You could see it in the way he held himself, even in his pain. He was a hunter, one of the brutal men who killed the wild things you cared for and wore their hides as trophies. He was the legendary commander who had vanished into these woods three winters ago.
Captain Jeon Jungkook.
Your mind stalled, struggling to piece everything together. A man known for hunting beasts was a hybrid himself? How could the skilled hunter who disappeared three winters ago be the same gentle, wounded bear you had been feeding honey and nursing back to health?
A gasp hitched in your throat as you stared at the formidable man hovering over you. He caught the scent of your panic. Lowering his head, he nuzzled his face deep into the crook of your neck, nipping gently at your skin. Captain Jeon Jungkook was scenting you, all while keeping your hands firmly pinned beneath his heavy grip.
A rumbling grunt echoed from his chest, a sound that belonged entirely to your bear. But then he faltered. Dropping heavily onto his side, the captain panted, his hand flying to his naked torso as a harsh groan tore from his throat.
You knew how brutal the transition back to a human form could be for a hybrid, especially one who hadn’t shifted in years. His body was fighting itself, and the severe wounds he carried in his bear form were tearing into his human flesh just as fiercely. He needed healing, and fast.
Yet, as you stared at his bare, scarred back, an ache bloomed within your chest. He was a complete stranger, a dangerous and unpredictable presence that felt wrong in your quiet home. You missed your bear. You missed the soft pressure of his snout, the simple comfort of a creature you had grown to care for. You didn’t know this man. You just wanted your bear back.
“Where am I?”
Captain Jeon Jungkook let out a sharper grunt of pain, clutching his head as he tried to stand up too quickly.
Driven by instinct, you pushed yourself off the floor to steady him. “Captain... please. You’re going to tear your wounds open.”
The moment your fingers grazed his skin, he violently pulled away, letting out a dangerous snarl. But as your familiar scent hit his senses, the rage vanished from his eyes. He cornered you once again, forcing you back down onto the floor and pressing his heavy frame against yours.
He buried his face directly against the soft junction where your neck met your shoulder, inhaling you in deep, desperate gulps.
“Shh... I’m right here,” you ruffled your fingers through his thick, messy hair, cradling his head against you.
Your eyes involuntarily drifted down his bare torso... following the line of muscle and hair down to his manhood, which twitched awake against your hip at every soft stroke of your hands. You quickly averted your gaze, heat burning across your cheeks. There was no fur to hide behind anymore. Your bear was gone, replaced by an overwhelmingly real, handsome man.
The captain shuddered violently in your arms. He whimpered, a sound so painfully identical to the whines your bear used to make, before growling softly and pinning you flush beneath him once again. He hovered over your body with an overwhelming instinct to lock you under him so no one could ever tear you away from his den.
“Please...” he whined softly, his face dropping from your neck to drag across your collarbones, scenting your skin before burrowing his face directly into your stomach. “Make the pain go away... my lady, please...”
You tried your best to ignore the heat of his naked body rutting blindly against you, trying to press into you desperately. He was completely out of it; overwhelmed by pain and consumed by the raw instincts of a creature that knew only one source of safety.
Your bear was still in there, and he desperately needed you.
“It’s okay... I’ve got you,” you cradled his heavy head against your lap, stroking his hair, humming a gentle lullaby and shushing his low whimpering.
You had already tamed a wild beast; you weren’t about to give up on the man hidden beneath its skin.
Perhaps the wilderness would brand you a traitor come morning for keeping a hunter warm against your skin, for sheltering the very enemy of the wild. But you could still feel the gentle beast pulsing beneath his scars. Your bear was still in there, breathing softly against your lap. He was yours, and you would guard his den until the winter broke.
I'm trying so hard to be level-headed about the CB situation, because I have Korean cousins, and CB is huge there, the Korean wikipedia page doesn't outline all his decades of violence even. But that's 5/7 tannies who have expressed recent support for him (unless Jin and Jimin have also done so and I missed it) and I just feel sick. Like yes, I know his crimes are not as well-known in Korea, but the men are international artists. So on the other hand, how can they NOT know? I'm so hurt by this.
I’m going to share my thoughts on this. You can agree with me, disagree with me, support my perspective or completely reject it... that’s fine. This is simply where I stand right now.
I do think a lot of people are reacting very strongly. Been reading the tl all day and the disappointment people feel is valid and I understand why this situation has upset so many fans. But I don’t support the hate train that has developed around it. I don’t support immediately labeling them as misogynists or putting them on the same level as CB. I don’t think one poor decision or one bad judgment call is enough to define an entire person’s character.
Cause... none of us are saints. Every person has made mistakes, exercised poor judgment or chosen the wrong path at some point in their lives. Me too and I am still on a long way to learn. I think what matters is whether people are willing to reflect, take accountability and learn from those mistakes.
The members should be given the opportunity to do that as well.
For me, this situation feels more sad than anything else. I understand why people are disappointed and I think that disappointment is justified. At the same time, I hope they take the criticism seriously, educate themselves if necessary and reflect on why so many people were hurt by their actions this time.
For years many fans (and I remember myself making so so many posts about it) have defended bangtan by saying they are grown adults who understand the world, make their own decisions and know what they are doing. Whenever people tried to tell them what to do or how they should live their lives we were there and yell this. So if we truly believe that then it applies here too. They are adults and I find it hard to believe they were completely unaware of where they were going or who they were supporting by attending the concert. They traveled to Canada for the show, posed for those photos and approved those photos being shared publicly. To me, that suggests they understood how their attendance could be perceived. Personally those pictures made me uncomfortable and I won’t pretend otherwise.
What I also don’t agree with is using an entire country or culture as a shield for their actions. Every country has its own social issues and blind spots. BTS are intelligent, well-traveled people who have spent years engaging with global audiences. They have access to information, they educate themselves and they form their own opinions. Reducing this to “their country is like that” feels dismissive and takes away their agency as individuals.
I hope they pay attention to the reactions coming from their fans. While some people may choose not to let this affect them personally, others are genuinely hurt by it for reasons that can be deeply personal.
I will continue to love and support them dearly.. that won't ever change. But caring about someone also means being willing to acknowledge when they've made a mistake. Real support isn't about blindly defending every action but also wanting them learn, grow and become better. Sometimes that means holding them accountable, not because you want to tear them down but because you genuinely want the best for them.
Genre: strangers to lovers? smut, fluff, a little angst
Words: 21.4k
Summary : You are bored with all of the boys on your campus and now you want the new toy except...the new toy doesn't want you
Warnings: Jungkook hates reader at the beginning 😭😭😭, Jungkook is an asshole to her, reader and her friends are low-key mean girls, reader and her friends objectify Jungkook a lot (red flag right there), reader is kind of the s word, casual slutshaming, angst (but it's like very tolerable), SMUT [MASTURBATION (Male, ORAL REC. (Both male and female), Fingering, JUNGKOOK'S DICK NEEDS A WARNING BY ITSELF (spoiler alert: ITS BIG AND OC's OBSESSED), Protected sex (be responsible kids)], FLUFFFFFF.
A/n: OMG.... It has been a while. Honestly work was so hard this past year and on top of everything i went through a very bad break up due to which I wasn't really in the mood of writing anymore ( Also why I kinda half assed it a little, Im very sorry). But now that we are back again I really hope you enjoy it guys. It was initially going to be 30 k words but due to the above mentioned things I could only reach 21 k but I still hope I won't disappoint you guys. Anyways, happy reading.
*******
'Why did you agree to this?' you asked yourself once again as you stared at the boy sitting opposite you, nervously stumbling over his words. You looked at him with a bored expression.
Let’s make one thing clear: you have a policy of not dating. The only reason you agreed to this date was simple—who would turn down free food, right? Plus, the boy was somewhat easy on the eyes. However, after listening to him struggle to tell a story for the last half-hour, you were instantly reminded why you avoid dates altogether: they can be incredibly boring.
'Oh God, fucking and dumping is so much easier than enduring this.' You don’t even understand how they get the impression that you're looking for anything more than just sex. From the start, you’ve always been clear about your intentions—letting them know that you're only interested in a physical relationship with no strings attached. At first, they all agree, but eventually, they start pushing for more, asking for just one date, as if that would change your mind.
"Could you at least pretend to look interested?" he snaps suddenly, his irritation showing at your impolite demeanor.
"Well, I'm not."
"Then why did you say yes to this?"
"Because you were practically begging me to, and I was just feeling a bit hungry, dude," you retorted, leaning back in the chair and crossing your arms. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, it’s not you, okay? I just don’t do dates... What was your name again?"
"How could you not remember my name? We had sex this morning!" He looked hurt, but it's not your fault, you were drunk last night when you met him at the frat party.
"And did you hear me say your name once?" you asked with a raised eyebrow .
"You're a bitch." He exclaimed, getting up to rush out of the cafe.
"At least pay for the pancakes!" you called after him but he ignored you and ran away. 'What a little bitch.' You sighed throwing some bills on the table and got up to leave as well.
Let’s make one more thing clear: you loved sex. It was ironic, really, considering you were a virgin when you first started college. But after getting your heart broken by your boyfriend during the second semester, you realized the only good thing that came out of relationships with men was sex.
You have sworn off dating but that didn't mean you were going to give up on having sex too. If guys could do it without any judgment, you saw no reason why you couldn't as well. As a result, you gained a reputation as the infamous "fuckgirl" of your college.
*******
"So? I heard your recent boy toy has been telling everyone that you suck at giving head." Jimin, your best friend of 3 years said. Jimin was the only guy you have stayed friends with after having sex. Sex with Jimin was good, so good that you guys became fuck buddies for a few months in fourth sem. However you had to stop having sex when he started seeing a girl regularly and then you didn't go back even after they broke up, You both decided that you liked your dynamic better as best friends.
"As if I would let that dick anywhere near my mouth." You roll your eyes, taking a seat next to him at the far end of the classroom. It was frustrating to see guys act like this after facing rejection. "Honestly, who cares? Everyone knows that's not true." you remarked, dismissing the behavior with a hint of exasperation.
"I don't know, you were kinda awful."
"Hey, I take offence. I was the best sex you've ever had and you're a lucky bastard to even get a taste of this." You said pointing at your own body.
"I'm kidding. He's probably just salty that he wasn't the one to change you for the better and be your awakening."
After several minutes of silence, with only the voice of Mr. Aitken filling the air, you returned to the previous subject. "I don't get it, I mean what part of 'I only want to have sex' is so hard to understand?"
"I don't know, bro. You should do what I do, leave before they wake up and block them from every social media platform."
"Oh what a great person."
"Says the one that has fucked almost half the college?"
You gasped at his sudden dig and slapped his arm. "You're a bigger slut than I am, bitch. Anyways, I'm done with college boys."
"Really?"
"Yeah, they're so immature. I just want someone who would understand the depth of casual sex."
"You sure you're not only saying that because you've now slept with all the boys in our campus?"
"Shut up. My body count is still very modest. And I'm serious, I'm not sleeping with anymore college boys."
"As if on cue, Mr. Aitken's lecture was interrupted by the creaking sound of the large lecture hall door swinging open. In walked a boy with fluffy hair and clothes that seemed too big for him, drawing everyone's attention."
"I'm so sorry for interrupting you. Is this Ancient Mesopotamia with Mr. Fergus Aitken?" the boy asked in a voice so low that, if it hadn't been so silent in the class, you wouldn't have been able to hear it.
"Yes, it is. Now hurry up and take your seat; you're wasting my time," the old man grumbled, prompting the boy to rush and nervously find a place to sit. You observed him with curiosity as he settled into the only available seat, which happened to be in the third row, directly in front of you.
From the little you could see of his face, you certainly liked what you saw. He seemed younger than you, or maybe it was his clothing style and demeanor that gave off that impression. There was an aura of innocence and cuteness about him that caught your attention. If it weren't for the classroom setting, you would have already approached him.
While you had no reservations sleeping with any attractive man, Jimin always insisted that you have a type. He believed you had a soft spot for spoiling cute and innocent boys. Boys who seemed inexperienced in the field, boys you could teach, boys who looked like they've never seen pussy in their life, boys like him.
Your best friend seemed to have caught on to the expression on your face, and with a knowing smirk, he nudged you playfully.
"I thought you said you were done with college boys."
"That was before I knew someone this cute goes here. Who the hell is he?" you asked, genuinely curious about the boy who had just walked in.
"Why do you think I know everyone in this college?"
"Because you're a gossip girl."
"You don't complain when I give you the gossips."
"I'm sorry, is my lecture interrupting your conversation, Mr. Park, Ms. __?" a thickly accented voice interjected, breaking your conversation with Jimin. You glanced up and noticed that all eyes, including those of the new boy, were on you. This time, you got a full view of his face, and you were taken aback by his beauty. His big doe eyes gazed back at you, his lips set in a natural pout, and his fluffy hair, partially restrained by a black bandana, almost concealed his stunning features. To call him merely pretty would be disrespectful; he was absolutely gorgeous.
"No, sir. I was actually just clearing her doubt about King Shu-Sin." Jimin said and you nodded along.
"Well, that's unfortunate, given that topic ended last week and we're on Assyrian civilization." You fought the chuckle that almost escaped you as Jimin's face reddened in embarrassment.
"You see, I know that, but-"
"If you want to talk, just get out of my class." Mr. Aitken's stern words snapped you back to reality as he resumed his lecture. Despite the urge to leave, you knew you couldn't afford to miss any more classes, given that your attendance was already lagging behind. Moreover, there was the intrigue of the new boy who had captured your interest recently. So, you stayed put, trying to focus on the lecture, though your mind kept drifting back to the presence of the boy in front of you.
After what felt like an eternity, but was only an excruciating 40 minutes, the lecture finally came to an end. Without waiting for Jimin, you promptly stood up from your seat, excited that you finally had the opportunity to approach the boy. Your eyes scanned the room for your new object of interest. Among the sea of students, his fluffy head was not too difficult to spot as he made his way toward the exit. However, navigating through the crowd of more than 200 students, all eager to leave Mr. Aitken's apparently popular class, proved to be quite challenging and frustrating.
"Shit!" You exclaimed when you finally got out of the class but couldn't get a sight of him. 'How is he so fast?'
"You know you should start paying me for this." Came the voice of your friend from beside you as he held out your bag which you had left behind in a rush.
"Bet you've said that before."
********
"Guess who has a new crush!" Jimin exclaimed the moment both of you stepped into the café where you and your friends usually hung out. And by hung out, you meant practically lived.
"Shut up, it's not a crush," you defended yourself, settling down on the couch and playfully nudging your friend with your butt to make some space for yourself.
"Sure. It's not a crush." Jimin mocked.
"Wait, I wanna know. Who is it?" Riley exclaimed excitedly, leaving her boyfriend Hobi's lap to move closer to you, eager to hear all the details.
"It's not a crush or anything. Jimin loves to overreact. It's just this guy I noticed in class today. It was his first time with Mr. Aitken; otherwise, I think I would have noticed him before. He's just really cute, that's all."
"Wait cute as in 'charming-flirty cute' or cute as in 'you could spread him on a toast and eat' cute." Jennie chipped in on your conversation.
"Knowing her, I bet it's the latter." Said Hoseok.
"I'm not answering that." You said as the waitress, Robin, came with your usual coffee order and you thanked her with a smile.
Amidst the conversation, you couldn't help but notice that Jay, one of your friends, had been unusually quiet the whole time. Before you could ask him what happened, he got up to leave.
"I'm gonna go smoke some weed. You wanna come?" Jay asked you, and you declined with a shake of your head. As soon as he was out of earshot, your other friends burst into laughter, amused by the situation.
"Oh he wishes you'd cum."
"Guys please. He'll get over it." You defended the guy even though you were quite sure he wouldn't get over it soon.
"He better, it's getting pathetic." Said Riley.
Jay had been harboring a crush on you for over a year now. He had asked you out twice in the past month, but you turned him down, saying you don't fuck with friends.
As you engaged in another conversation, you heard the bell on the front door ring, but you didn't pay much attention to it initially—at least not until Jimin burst out with wide eyes.
"That's him, that's him. That's her new crush!" All of you turned around to see the boy standing at the café entrance, looking around with his wide doe eyes as if he were looking for someone.
You were never one to get enchanted by someone very easily. It hadn't happened even once since you got to college—at least, not until this boy. There was something about him that captivated you effortlessly.
It definitely wasn't love at first sight, though. Your experiences had taught you that you were somewhat incapable of feeling love in the traditional sense. You just couldn't. But would you admit that you were attracted to him? Yes, you were undeniably and very much attracted to him.
"Oh he's a cutie."
"Him?" You turned around at Jennie's words as she shook her head.
"You know him?" You asked.
"No I don't know him. I know of him." You felt like you've hit a jackpot. Not you'd know at least something about him when you approach him. "You can't fuck him. You know Namjoon's friend Jeon Wonwoo?"
"If by 'know' you mean 'slept with'? Then yes."
"That's Jeon Jungkook, his brother."
"No way. What?"
"Yeah, and Wonwoo hates you so much. I'm pretty sure his brother hasn't heard good things about you."
"But maybe he doesn't know her," Jimin said "Maybe Wonwoo hasn't told him about her. I mean who likes to brag about getting dumped?"
"Yeah, I'm with Jennie here," Riley said and you raised an eyebrow, "Not because he's Wonwoo's brother or something but because, look at him. He looks like you'd break him."
"No, I won't. Why do you guys always act like I'm some man-eating witch?" you retorted, feeling defensive and exasperated at your friends' judgmental reactions.
"Babe, you know that's not what she means. You know guys like him can never handle a woman who's comfortable in her sexuality." Riley nodded along at Jennie's words.
"You never know. For all we know he could be like...a freak in the sheets."
"Really? Him?" You followed Hosoek's gaze to see the boy in question sitting on a barstool and sipping on pink Boba tea. His lips made a small pout around the head of the straw.
"He's cuuute." Riley cooed.
"And you have a boyfriend." Hobi reminded her and she pecked his lips in assurance.
"You know what? Go for it," said Jennie with a smile. "Fuck Wonwoo, in fact I'll ask Namjoon some details about him." You squealed and kissed Jennie on the cheek with a big smacking sound.
******
It seemed like you were experiencing the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, because lately, Jungkook had been popping up everywhere—in your classes, at the café, and anywhere you hung out on campus. It had been over a week since you first noticed him, but you were yet to approach him. It wasn't that you were nervous or anything, no, far from it; you were just looking for a good opportunity to pounce.
He always rushed out of classes as if he had to attend to surgery or something, or he was always with his two guy friends, who looked like they'd have a seizure if they came in contact with a woman. It's not that you were nervous about asking him out in front of his friends; you just weren't sure if he wanted to be asked out in front of them.
Through Jennie (read: Namjoon), you managed to gather some information about Jungkook. He was a third-year student, majoring in chemistry, and 22 years old—he was a year younger than you and all your friends.
Right now you were fooling around with one of the boys in class at another one of your hookup spots. It was just meant to be a quick exchange of weed when Dongmin suggested you should make out since you were already in the sacred spot and you were like why not.
You and Dongmin have been hooking up for quite some time now. While you don't usually sleep with a man twice, Dongmin was quite good at what he does.
You don't realize when his hand slipped into your panties but you certainly weren't complaining.
As you were in the middle of your intense make-out sesh, a loud thud disturbed your encounter, leaving you irritated and eager to shoo away whoever had intruded. When you turned around to address the interruption, your voice caught in your throat and all the irritation left your body when you found yourself face to face with the familiar pair of wide, doe eyes.
It was none other than Jeon Jungkook, the same boy you've been trying to get alone with for the past week but had no luck. The same boy you've been lusting over just saw you with another man, his hand down your panties.
"I'm- I'm sorry... I got lost- I'll just... Leave." Jungkook hurriedly picked up his books from the ground and rushed to get out of there.
Before you knew it, you were pushing away the guy in front of you and without any explanation to him you rushed after Jungkook.
"Hey, wait," you called after him and he froze on the spot. When you finally approached him, you gave him a sweet smile.
"I-I-said I'm sorry."
"Oh no, it's ok. You just said you're lost?" Jungkook looked at you in confusion. Did you actually just leave your make out session to ask him that?
"Umm... yeah, I recently started having classes in this sector, and I was... looking for Abnormal Psych with Mr. Hastings."
"I know where that class is, come I'll walk you."
"It's not necessary," Jungkook said, looking at the ground to avoid making eye contact.
"I insist. By the way I'm," you offered him your hand which he looked at hesitantly for a few seconds but didn't shake. You were a little hurt but didn't show it in your face "And you are?"
"Jeon Jungkook." His voice was lower than expected.
"Cute name. Come on Jeon Jungkook, I'll take you to your psych class." You offered once again and started walking without waiting for his answer.
Jungkook had half a mind to escape from the situation and hide. For all he knew, you could be luring him somewhere for your friends to bully him. Here's the thing: Jungkook couldn’t be bothered enough to indulge in college drama, but he also wasn’t living under a rock to not know who you were. To say that you were infamous around the whole campus would be an understatement.
He had heard many things about you and your little group of friends—from his brother, his friends, and even strangers—and none of it was good. If so many people had the same negative opinion about you, he couldn't help but believe that there might be some truth to it.
Jungkook could never comprehend why people still engaged with you if you were such an awful person with such an unpleasant personality. Why did they give you all the attention you so clearly wanted? Why not just ignore you and go on their merry way?
When he first saw you, though, he understood why. You were drop-dead gorgeous, and you carried yourself like you knew it. With just a look at you, he could tell that you were a bad influence, and he promised himself never to associate with you or any of your friends. He believed that being drawn into your circle would only lead to trouble.
"I think I've seen you somewhere." Jungkook thought, of course you don't remember him even after crossing paths several times. He doesn't think of himself as a memorable face anyway. "Wait, do we have any classes together?"
"A couple."
"Oh, right! You're in Mr. Aitken's Mesopotamian history class, aren't you?" Jungkook simply nodded in response. You took the opportunity to prolong the conversation, purposely opting for the longer route to the psychology building.
"Yes." He mumbled, not saying a single word more than he needs to answer you.
"Hey by the way I have psych too, but its with Mrs. Fields." You said, happy to find another common ground with him. "Is psych your major?"
"No. It's Chemistry."
You attempted to lighten the atmosphere with a playful comment, saying, "You definitely look like someone who'd take chemistry." But instead of taking it lightly, Jungkook seemed a bit offended by your remark.
"What does that mean?"
"You know, you look smart," you complimented, unaware that he was misinterpreting everything. All Jungkook heard was the possible hidden meaning behind your words. You were definitely calling him a nerd. And even if you were right, you had no right to say that.
You had no idea what to make of Jungkook's expression. It was the first time you'd miserably failed at flirting with a guy. Usually, by this point in the conversation, they'd be eating out of your hand, but Jungkook looked unaffected by your charms. He was looking anywhere but at you, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
"Are you always this quiet?" You asked.
"I only talk to my friends." His answer was short and simple.
You finally reached in front of Mr. Hastings class and you suddenly felt a pang in your heart that your time was up with him.
"Here, it's your class."
Seeing the lecture hall door labeled 'GC24' and noticing the same numbers on the slip, Jungkook felt a sense of relief wash over him. He silently thanked his luck, relieved that you hadn't taken him somewhere with ill intentions to bully him, as he had initially thought.
"Thanks," Jungkook mumbled as he reached for the door handle, preparing to enter the lecture hall. Before he could step inside, your hand on his arm halted him. Your touch surprised him, and he turned to look at you with curiosity, unsure of what you might say or do next.
"Do you want to get coffee sometime?" You asked, looking up at him with a smile.
Jungkook panicked at your question. You wanted to have coffee with him? You wanted to have coffee with him? But why? Probably so that your little posse of friends can make fun of him.
"No thanks." Jungkook's rejection caught you off guard, and it was an unfamiliar feeling to be on the receiving end of such a response. Doubts crept into your mind as you wondered if he had misunderstood you or if there had been some miscommunication between you two.
"No, I'm asking you out on a date."
"I- I know," He said, "I don't want to."
Feeling beyond shock the only thing that left your mouth was "Why?"
"I don't date girls like you." And with that he quickly went inside the lecture room leaving a very shocked you outside.
*******
"Maybe he's gay," Jimin suggests passing you the rolled joint and you took it gladly. "And by 'girls like you' he meant girls in general."
"No, no, I'm pretty sure he meant girls like me. I'm sure, that idiot brother of his has said something about me." You said passing back the joint. "And now he thinks I'm a slut or something."
"I mean, where's the lie?" You could tell that Jay was pretty high right now, he only settles to throw mean comments at you when he's high. It was his own way of releasing his frustration and you never mind him.
"Shut up, Jay, before I kick you in the teeth." Jimin threatened him in your defense and you don't doubt that he would actually do it if needed.
"Babe, you have never cared what people think about you, why start now?" Jennie said as she lied down on the grass.
"I don't know, I still don't care what other people think but-"
"You know what? He was completely out of line to say that to you." Riley said and you shook your head.
"I guess if roles were reversed I wouldn't go out with me either. I don't really have the reputation of Mother Teresa on this campus."
"So what you gonna do now?"
"I say move on and fuck our TA Mark, he's like, crazy hot."
"I think I know what I'm gonna do."
*******
"The only reason I agreed to take psych was because we were taking it together. Now you want to switch to that old cranky man?" Jimin complained as you sat in the office to fill the forms to change classes.
"You are welcome to not join me."
"If you think that I can endure a lecture without you, then you're wrong."
"I know." You giggled kissing his cheek.
"Hmm 'reason', I wonder what I should write," Jimin mocked as he stared at the form and then you, "'My crazy best friend is obsessing over a nerd who clearly doesn't give two fucks about her'."
"Your crazy best friend wouldn't mind telling your hookups that you once had gonorrhea."
"I told you that in confidence." As the two of you continued to bicker you heard someone clear their throat and instantly looked up to see a woman in her late 40s, you've seen countless times but don't recall the name of.
"If you are done with the forms, you can give them to me,"
"Just a moment," you said with a smile as you proceeded to fill out the rest of the form. She shook her head as she looked you up and down, probably appalled by your scantily covered body in a lilac bralette that exposed the better part of your chest and midriff, and a white skirt so short that if you bent over, your ass could be seen. She took a few seconds to judge you and eventually returned to her desk.
"Did you sleep with her?" You asked in a hushed tone.
"What?! No, she's like... ancient."
Once you submitted the forms to Mrs.—shit, you forgot her name again—you made your way to the history building. It was almost time for Mr. Aitken's class. Although you typically wouldn't attend any class two days in a row, your newfound motivation had recently changed your mindset.
"Can we skip it today? Let's just go, smoke some weed, I got really good stuff from Taehyung."
"No, we are very behind on attendance."
"What are you talking about, we can still skip three more classes."
"No, Jimin."
"Is this about Jungkook again?" He sighed after reading your expression. "What is up with you? You've never put this much effort into fucking a guy."
"I know. He's just, interesting. And I want to put effort."
Upon entering the crowded lecture hall, almost every seat was occupied, and only a few vacant spots remained. While Jimin searched for a place to sit, your attention was captured by one person only—Jeon Jungkook—who was currently engrossed in scribbling something in his notebook. He was wearing glasses today, and it made him even more adorable than usual. All you wanted to do was drag him away from the class and kiss him.
As you heard your name being called, you turned to find a group of boys gathered around an empty seat, all of them gesturing toward it, signaling that the seat was available for you.
"Sit here, the view's perfect from here." You rolled your eyes and ignored them, walking up to the only boy you're interested in right now.
"In your dreams, Jared." You heard one of the boys say.
When you reached your destination, the entire class fell into silence, their eyes wide and curious as they watched you stand in front of Jungkook in the front row. But it seemed that Jeon Jungkook was completely absorbed in whatever he was scribbling in his notebook, paying no attention to you or the situation.
"Hey," when Jungkook lift his head to see who was talking to him his eyes widened. He was definitely not expecting to have a encounter with you two days in a row.
When you had asked Jungkook out (and he had said no), he believed that you did it merely as a joke, intending to mock him in front of your friends. What else would make someone like you ask someone like him out? You surely don't have any shortage of people falling at your feet, so that had to be the only reason why you asked him out, right?
When Jungkook rejected you, he was sure that would be the last of your encounters. He planned to make sure he never crossed your path again, which is why he deliberately sat in the front row today, knowing you and your friend always occupied the seats at the back.
Since yesterday, Jungkook couldn’t get you out of his mind. He despised you; he despised people like you—people who seemed to believe they had the authority to toy with others simply because of their popularity. On top of that, the negative things he had heard about you from his brother only added to the bad image you already had. According to everyone, you were the meanest girl in the whole college, and he just wished he could put you in your place.
He hated the way you smiled at him right now, so innocent, as if you weren’t the person people said you were. He believed your smile was fake, a mere façade to conceal your true intentions. Your ego must have been wounded by getting rejected by him of all people, and now you probably wanted revenge or something.
Undeterred by Jungkook's lack of response to your greeting, you pressed on and asked, "Is this seat taken?" You pointed to the seat beside him, even though it was clearly occupied by another girl, who looked alarmed by your question.
"Is it, sweetie?" Your next question wasn't to him but the girl, who just looked panicked and taken aback that you're even talking to her.
"N-No… You can sit here, __." The girl stammered nervously, quickly giving up her seat for you.
'Who do you think you are?' Jungkook wanted to snap at you very badly but looking at all your fans around the hall who were already glaring daggers at him, he stops himself.
"Thanks," you smiled sweetly at the girl and proceeded to sit in the seat. "Scooch," you told Jungkook, and he did so without saying anything. You then patted the seat on your other side, prompting your friend to come forward and take that seat, though not without rolling his eyes first.
As soon as you sat beside him, he caught a whiff of your scent. It was a very fruity smell, a mix of grapefruit and fresh oranges. You smelled rich, and it suited your personality very well.
Jungkook thanked the whole universe when Mr. Aitken finally walked in and started his lecture. Now he’d just have to get through this one hour somehow, by ignoring your presence. Jungkook thought you wouldn’t try to mess with him during the class, but boy, was he wrong.
"So? What happened yesterday? Why'd you run away?" You leaned closer to him and asked in a hushed tone. He tried to ignore you and moved closer to the boy next to him.
"Are you ignoring me, Jungkook?"
"Please, let me focus on the lecture." He says before noting down something in his notebook.
"Oh, look at you. You take notes, such a good boy." You giggled, and if it had been anyone else, Jungkook would admit that sound was incredibly cute. But on you, it was nothing but annoying. Once again, you were mocking him for being a nerd. "So? Did you have time to think about it? You wanna go out for coffee?" You asked, batting your eyelashes at him, but it seemed to have no effect on him.
"No. Now please let me study."
"You have pretty hands," you remarked, tracing circles on the back of his palm. But Jungkook chose to ignore your comment once again. "If you don't want to get coffee, we can go to the movies or something, or do whatever you like."
"What do you want from me?" He asked, clearly annoyed by your behavior.
"I want to get to know you." Your words made him snap his head to look at you. The way you smiled at him seemed genuine, like you actually meant what you just said. Once again, Jungkook couldn't help but notice your beauty. Your lips were a shade of pink, glossy, and looked very plump. Your eyes were big and innocent, as if you hadn't broken all of those hearts. Before he could silently compliment more of your features, he suddenly remembered what Wonwoo had said to him.
"She is the meanest girl in this college, Guk. You don't want to associate with the likes of her. She and her friends bully people to have fun."
"I don't want to do anything."
"Why?"
"I just don't."
For a second, you looked truly hurt by Jungkook, and he realized he didn’t like that look on your face for some reason.
"If you don't want to go on a date, we can just hang out here on campus," you suggested again. This time, instead of saying anything, Jungkook just sat there silently.
You didn’t look away, though. Your eyes were fixed on him with that pretty little smile on your face, and Jungkook started feeling self-conscious under your gaze.
Do you look at everyone like this? Like you're looking at him right now? Like you're scrutinizing every minute detail of his face?
"Did anyone ever tell you that you're very pretty?" Jungkook's whole body heated up as he heard your compliment, unable to control the blush that spread across his face. "Are your glasses prescribed?"
The remainder of the class passed with Jungkook doing his best to avoid your presence, while you continued shamelessly staring at him from the front row. He wondered why the professor hadn't called you out on your behavior yet. Maybe this whole college was biased toward popular kids.
As soon as the hour was up and the bell rang, Jungkook was the first to swiftly get up, eager to make his escape. The intensity of your gaze was becoming overwhelming, and he felt as though he might burst into flames if he stayed any longer. Your presence was growing more intense with every passing second.
When you saw Jungkook hastily gather his belongings and rush out of the hall without even sparing another glance at you, you grabbed your bag, which you hadn’t even bothered to open yet, and ran after him, ignoring the calls of your name behind you from Jimin. This time, thankfully, you didn’t lose him in the crowd.
When you caught up to him, Jungkook was a little surprised to see you, not expecting you to follow him even after class.
"Wha-what are you doing?"
"We're hanging out."
"I never said yes to that."
"You never said no either." You said following him. "Why are you so scared of me, Jungkook?" You sound honestly curious about the question.
"I'm-I'm not scared."
"Then do you talk to everyone like that?" Ignoring your comment, Jungkook continued walking in a familiar direction.
"Where are we going?"
"Central Library." Jungkook doesn't know why he keeps answering you, it's like the words fall out before he can stop himself.
"Why? We just had a class," you whined a little. "Let's go to that gazebo behind the literature department." Jungkook doesn't have to know that it was a popular spot for people to make out. But it seemed that your suggestion fell on deaf ears, as you found yourself following Jungkook into the library without getting any response from him.
"I want to study for the next class."
As Jungkook walked alongside you, he couldn't help but notice all the attention the two of you were receiving on your way to the library. It made him wonder if you were equally affected by the curious stares, or if you had grown so accustomed to such attention that it didn’t faze you anymore.
Not wanting to be in the spotlight any longer, Jungkook led himself—and involuntarily, you—to seats in a less conspicuous area, hidden from the prying eyes of most people. Luckily, the seats there were unoccupied, with only two girls sitting at the table across from you, seemingly oblivious to your presence.
"Do you spend all of your free time in the library?" You questioned as you settled on the seat beside him, a little too close for his liking. Your body was halfway turned toward him, and his eyes couldn't help it travel a little further south from your face. Jungkook thought that you had to know what you were doing; there was no way it was unintentional.
Deciding to ignore your presence altogether, Jungkook took out his earphones and plugged them in his mobile, resuming the playlist he was listening to the night before. And apparently you took it as an invitation to take one of the earplugs and put it in your own ear.
When you started humming to the music and singing somewhat broken lyrics to 'wasted years' along with Bruce Dickinson, it left Jungkook quiet stunned.
"You-you listen to heavy metal?" Jungkook asked with a raised eyebrow and you once again give him that smile of yours that seemed very dangerous.
"Sometimes, mostly Iron Maiden. Why? Can't I?"
"No-no, it's just, you- you don't seem like someone who'd... listen to heavy metal."
"Yeah? Then what do I seem like?" Your question caught him off guard and his eyes travelled to your lips. Still sitting too close to him, Jungkook could almost feel the warmth emitting from your body and it left him feeling a little strange, he couldn't decide if the feeling was the good or the bad kind.
You on the other hand almost did a victory dance in your head when you noticed his eyes lingering on your lips a little longer. You didn't make any further moves, knowing he might get uncomfortable and that's the last thing you want.
"I don't kn-know."
You heard the quiet sigh he let out in relief when your phone started buzzing in your hand, alerting you of text messages. Silently cussing at whoever it was, you turned on your phone to see the SMS.
Dooly 🐣 : Where the fuck did you go you rat?
Dooly 🐣 : You always do this bitch. And I always wait for you after class 🤡 🤡
You : I'm so sorry Chimmy. I'm with Jungkook.
Dooly 🐣 : You're with Jungkook 🥵?
You : Lol no. I wish tho 🤤🤤
You : we're just hangin in the Library 🙃.
Dooly 🐣: did your phone autocorrect sucking dick for 'hangin in the library' ? 🥴
You : stawppp bitch. We ain't doing anything. Just hangin.
Dooly : You ditched me to just hang in the library? Not cool 🙅🏻. Hope he never gives you dick.
You : Don't say that 🥹. I'm sorry.
Dooly 🐣: Whatever, dude. I'm smoking the good weed all by myself 😏😏
You : Don't say that 🥺🥺.... I'll make it up to you. Do you want a nude?
You didn't get a reply after that, so you reverted your attention to Jungkook who was already engrossed in his laptop. A smile automatically found its way to your lips when you saw how his brows furrow in concentration and his lips were already making a small pout.
You decided not to disturb him and settled for admiring him silently.
*******
'Baby, you want more?' Your voice was nothing but a sweet melody as you whispered in Jungkook's ear. Your hips are moving in a circular motion. Your cunt bare and wet as it rubbed against his cock.
All he could do in response was moan a loud 'yes' . Jungkook felt like he was in heaven. Your tits were bare and glistening with sweat as they bounced in his face. He could just reach out and suckle on them but he couldn't for some reason.
'Come on, baby boy. Touch me.' You demanded. Your voice was lower and you were moaning. 'Touch me, Jungkook. I'm all yours.' The way you said his name made him want to cum all over you. Paint you all white.
'I can't.' Jungkook said in frustration. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't reach out to grab those beautiful mounds of flesh. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to touch you, kiss you, please you.
'It's ok, baby boy. I can do all the work.' The second your wet pussy sank down on his hard as rock-penis was the second Jungkook lost it all. He moaned out your name like chants. Your hands tugged on his hair as you jumped up and down on his cock. Your head rolled back, revealing your beautiful neck which he just wanted to take a bite out of.
'I'm cumming, that's it, baby boy. You're about to make me cum.'
Jungkook immediately jolted awake. He was panting and his breath was irregular. What the hell did he just see in his dream?
He threw the covers off of him when he realized he was sweating excessively. His whole body was on fire and his mind couldn't comprehend the dream. He took a moment to realize that he just dreamt of you riding him. Not only were you riding him but he was making you cum as well.
Was it because you were the only thing that he had thought about the whole evening? It wasn't his fault that all he could think about was you. You were the one following him around the whole day in that little outfit that did nothing to cover your body.
Jungkook's cock was achingly hard. It was throbbing. When he looked down he could see it practically poking its way out of his sweatpants.
He has never felt this turned on before, not even when he watches his favorite genre of porn. Not even when Vivian Sue, his first girlfriend touched him down there for the first time when he was 16. But just a dream of you had him practically heaving.
He laid still for a few seconds, waiting for the boner to go down because there was no way he was going to give in to you so easily, he can't let you affect him like that. He has to fight his boner.
'Let's think of something disgusting.' Jungkook thinks to himself, 'Mingyu's feet. Yugyeom's sweaty hands. Dead dogs. Uncooked chicken. Your tits, your tits, your tits.'
Jungkook let out a groan in frustration. Fuck why was it so hard.
"Fuck it." Jungkook mumbles under his breath before taking out his throbbing cock from the restraint of his sweatpants. A soft involuntary moan left his mouth when his hands came into contact with the angry tip of his cock. He sighed in relief.
His hands slowly started rubbing his cock up and down. Thumb spreading the precum to make it easier for his fist to slide of the member.
He should think about something else, you're a person and it's unfair to masturbate to you. Specially when he has no sexual relationship with you. It was just wrong but he couldn't think of something else.
The image of your tits bouncing was still fresh in his head. The way your plump lips spread wide open to moan out his name, calling him 'baby boy'. The way you arched your back in pleasure as you rode him, your shiny pussy lips gliding up and down his cock. The images were all too clear in his head and once again you were all he could think of.
Your name left his mouth as moans and he thanked god his flat-mate was not home tonight to hear him through the thin walls. He was moaning your name pretty loudly and there was no way Caleb wouldn't hear it if he was home.
Soon enough Jungkook was pumping his cock in a rapid speed. All to the thoughts of you doing vile things in his head. He couldn't help but think if you would actually feel as good as you did in his dreams. If your pussy was actually so tight that it would suck his cock in.
When Jungkook finally came down from his high he could see white, literally and figuratively. He felt lightheaded. He had never cum so much, so fast. His seeds were all over his sheets and some on his own stomach.
He felt guilty. Disgusted in himself. Jungkook can't believe he did that to you. Specially when he promised himself and his brother that he would never let himself get attracted to you.
He hoped to god not to run in to you the next day, because there was no way he could face you now after what he just did.
*******
"How dare you not tell us, Guk?" It was Mingyu's voice behind Jungkook that stopped him from walking any further into the campus.
He turned around and looked at his best friends in confusion. They didn't look angry or upset, they just looked shocked.
He racked his brain while they walked up to him but couldn't find a reason as to why they would react like this.
"What are you guys talking about?"
"You were ASKED OUT by THE __ ___. Are you KIDDING ME?" Yugyeom partially yelled on his face and before Jungkook could answer they bombarded him with a series of questions.
"Did you fuck her? Is it true? Does she really have nipple piercings?"
"How many times did she let you hit?"
"Does she really suck at giving head?"
As Jungkook's friends questioned him, he felt an inner discomfort building up. He didn't appreciate their probing and, surprisingly moreover, he realized he didn't like the way they were talking about you. A strange urge welled up inside him, compelling him to defend you behind your back. For the first time, he felt the strong feeling of hate towards his own friends because of the way they were speaking of you.
Even though none of it was new to Jungkook, he had heard people talking about you like that before, even worse, but it never mattered to him. He never raised an eyebrow when people called you names, said crude things about you. He never called them out when they said things as if you were not a person but an object that everyone wanted to play with. But now, hearing these things made him angry at his own friends.
"Don't talk about her like that." Jungkook simply said.
"Woah... Bro you're whipped already, is her pussy that good?"
"I said don't talk about her like that. And we never did anything, I said no when she asked me out." There was a sudden pregnancy pause as both of his best friends looked at him in confusion.
"What?" Mingyu asked as if Jungkook was speaking some foreign language.
"I said I turned her down."
"I'm sorry, did you hit your head when you were a kid?" Yugyeom scoffed unbelievingly.
"What do you mean you turned her down? When she asks you out you don't say no, you bend on your knees and you ask her when and where."
"I don't have time for this, I have class." Jungkook resumed towards his path after rolling his eyes at his friends, ignoring their comments about how he has to be lying and if he really did say no to you then he's an idiot.
Jungkook doesn't understand the strange feelings swirling within him. Up until recently he was so sure that he absolutely hated you, hated everything you stand for, specially your nasty personality. Yet, the strong feeling of wanting to protect and defend you now confuses him. Why does he want to scream at his friends right now? Why does the mention of your name makes him feel jittery?
For the second time that morning Jungkook was interrupted on his way by somebody calling his name.
"Jungkook!" The voice called again but this time it was closer. He turned in just in time to see you run towards him in yet another one of your tiny outfits. Your clothes today covered more surface than the previous day, at least your denim skirt was a little longer and your breast weren't about to spill out of your little pink top with tiny strawberry prints.
"Hi." As you stood in front of him, his heart thumped against his chest. His dream from last night was still very vivid in his head. The images of you had engraved themselves in his brain and his whole body heated up with embarrassment and guilt when he remembers how he was so far gone into the lust that he shamelessly masturbated to you.
There were two similar to go cups in either of your hands, one filled with green and other with pink. Jungkook wonders what you were doing at this part of the campus when your classes were all the way over to the other side. Did you come all the way over here only to meet him? You wouldn't would you?
"Here, I got you strawberry Boba tea." You handed him the cup as you sipped on your own matcha.
"How do you-"
"I saw you order this in the café, the other day."
"What are you doing here? You don't have any classes here." He said a little shyly. The blush on his face was very evident although you might not know the reason behind it and he would like to keep it that way.
"Yeah, my classes start after 12. I thought I'll just hangout with you." You replied batting your eyelashes at him. "Won't you introduce me to your friends, Jungkook?" At your question Jungkook remembers that he was not alone right now and turned to look at the said friends, only to find them shamelessly staring at you with their mouth practically hung open as if they were meeting a celebrity or something. They both looked a little starstruck by you right now. You go to the same college as they do, what's the big deal?
"We know you." The tallest one out of the three said instantly and you raised your eyebrows at him. Jungkook wanted to scoff at their reactions.
Now you're aware that you're pretty famous (or infamous) around your college but you thought it was mostly in your department or the departments surrounding yours. You never knew you were also known all to the other side of the campus. Or perhaps Jungkook has talked about you with his friends? The thought alone made you want to giggle like a stupid teenager.
"You do?" You asked with a confused smile.
"Yeah we follow you on Instagram, I'm Yugyeom by the way."
"I'm Mingyu, we're Jungkook's friends."
"Oh, Hi. Nice to meet you guys." You said in that sweet voice of yours that Jungkook finds really obnoxious.
"Jungkook has class right now, if you want, you can hangout with us?" Mingyu suggested with a shy smile and before you could answer you felt a tug in your hand.
"It's fine guys, she has to get back to her department." With that Jungkook was dragging you out of there and you waved goodbye to his friends.
"What happened?" You asked with a little smirk as the boy gently dragged you along. You wonder if there was a chance that Jungkook was suddenly jealous of you talking to his friends.
In Jungkook's head he was doing you a favour. There was no way in hell he was going to let you alone with his friends after he just heard the way they talked about you. He was aware that you were very much capable of protecting or defending yourself. But just the thought of you spending time with his friends and them taking it as a signal sends chills down his spine.
"Jungkook, stop." He did as he was told and released your hand. "What happened? Why do you look mad?"
There's no need for you to know the actual reason behind why he's mad.
"Why did you come here?"
"I thought we could hang out."
"You don't have to. And you certainly don't have to bring me this." He said holding up the cup of pink bubble tea.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want anything to do with you."
"Are we seriously back to square one? I thought we bonded yesterday."
"I don't know what- what made you think that."
"I promise I won't bother you. Please, if I annoy you, you can tell me and I'll go away." Jungkook sighed at your proposal but didn't say anything and started walking towards his class. You happily took that as a hint to follow him.
*******
"Oh look, it's the girl who has given up all her dignity for a boy."
"Shut up, Jimin." you said as you sat down at the your usual spot, in the café beside your best friend.
"No, you don't get to be mad at me. I am mad at you. You've been ditching me all week."
"I'm sorry." Jimin rolled his eyes at your apology, mostly because it didn't seem sincere.
Thankfully the café this time of the day always seem pretty empty because crowd was the last thing you needed right now, it was only occupied by your group and some other people.
Even half of your group was missing, only Jimin and Hobi were there when you came in.
"You're still chasing that Jungkook guy?" Hosoek asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes." It was you best friend who had decided to answer on behalf of you.
"Wow, I've never seen you this desperate for dick."
"It's not just about that, Ok?" You snapped. "I mean, I don't even care if I don't get to have sex with him. I just... I don't know what it is, I guess I like him or something."
Both your friends look astound at your revelation. In fact you yourself was kind of amazed at what you said, never realizing it before the words left your mouth.
The last time you had romantic feelings for someone, he broke your heart and moved away from the city. Saying that he never intended to continue this relationship after graduating. That's why you dreaded having any sort of romantic relationship after that. The heartbreak was just too much and so not worth it.
You promised yourself that you'll only stick to sexual relationships from now on, no strings attached, that's until Jungkook came along. At first you thought it was just because he said no to you and you took it as a challenge. But that was not it. He made you feel different, he made you want to spend time with him even if you don't get any orgasms out of it.
That day when you spent time with him in the library you realized you liked looking at Jungkook's face. It gives you joy, no conversations need to take place and you would still enjoy his company.
Jimin was instantly by your side, forgetting the fact that he was supposedly mad at you. "Oh my god, you actually like him. That's the face you made when you told me about Yoongi."
"Really?"
"Wait, I thought we weren't suppose to talk about him."
"You can talk about him, Hobi. I've moved on," You assured your other friend before getting back to the previous topic. "And I guess I do, I just spent an hour with him in his chemistry lecture and I actually didn't mind because I got to be with him."
"Oh my god this is huge."
"No, its not that huge."
"It is kinda huge." You rolled your eyes before steeling Hoseok's muffin.
"Anyway, are you still mad at me?"
"NO. I thought you were ditching for dick, I didn't know you were in love with him." Jimin said with a smile.
"Shut up, I'm not in love."
The next five minutes went by you trying to convince your best friends that you're not in love and them teasing you about it.
"Hey guys, what are you talking about?"
"Joon." you instantly stood up to greet your friend with a tight hug. "Where's Jennie?"
"In class, we're supposed to meet here." he replied sitting in the empty chair beside the couch.
"We were talking about her new crush." said Hoseok making you glare at him.
"Oh right, Jennie told me about Jungkook."
"Of course she did, when has she ever been able to shut her mouth."
"In her defense, she kept her mouth shut for three whole days after she found out."
You met Namjoon through Yoongi, they were both in the swim team and as the girlfriend of the captain you became a part of their friend group by default. Namjoon was the sweetest jock you have ever seen. Even after you and Yoongi broke up Namjoon stayed friends with you, and you heard through his friends that he even scolded Yoongi for you. One day when you saw Namjoon drooling over one of your best friends you introduced them both and one year later they're still dating.
"Are you guys going to Rick Miller party this weekend?"
"I don't know. They never has the good boo-" Jimin started but a light bulb went off in your head.
"Yes we are." You replied.
"We are?" Jimin asked you'
"Yes, now Namjoon," you started turning to face your friend with glinting eyes. "I heard you're still friends with Won-woo."
"Oh no, I don't like where you're going with this." Namjoon shook his head.
"Just hear me out."
"OK fine. Yes we're still friends."
"Then you could convince him to bring Jungkook to the party?"
"I don't know, __, I don't think I should meddle, and if he finds-"
"Joonie, please?" You gave him the puppy eyes that works on almost everyone, key word- almost. "Don't forget I introduced you to your pretty girlfriend."
"Are you gonna hang that over my head forever?"
"Pretty much."
"What are you gonna do anyway? And I don't know if you can tell but Kook's not really the party type of guy."
"I don't know, I haven't figured that yet. But if he sees me outside of college then maybe he'll actually talk to me." It seemed that your words didn't convince any of your friends. "Look just please try, I'll owe you one."
"Fine. But I can't promise anything."
*******
Jungkook's eyes goes back and forth from the mobile in his hand and to the thick white liquidy substance all over his sheets.
The picture displayed on his phone was one of your recent pictures you've uploaded on Instagram. It was a picture of you laying on a beach towel, sunbathing, it was nothing scandalous, just a simple picture of you in a bathing suit.
He closes his eyes out of shame. This was the third day in a row that Jungkook had masturbated to you and he has never felt so ashamed of himself, he felt like he was objectifying you and it was very wrong.
He quickly takes a Kleenex from the nightstand and wipes himself clean. It wasn't like he hadn't tried other things, he had. He tried watching porn, hentai, anything that would keep him going but unfortunately it was only you that made him hard anymore.
Jungkook then carefully tucks his still sensitive cock back in his sweatpants and laid back down in his bed. It was 10:00 on a Saturday morning and he was just so glad that at least he wouldn't have to face you for two days. He was going to spend these two days doing anything that would get his mind off you.
Your picture was still open on the screen of his phone and it compelled him to scroll further. It seemed that you were pretty popular on Instagram, and you didn't even post anything other than photos of yourself and sometimes your friends.
His thumb stopped scrolling when it came across a particular selfie. You were making a cute face at the camera and you were clearly sitting on a guy's lap whose face could not be seen. His face was hidden in the crook of your neck, only silver hair visible. Jungkook's eyes narrowed in on the picture, taking notice of every single detail. Was it somebody you dated in the past? Or was it just one of your friends? You do seem awfully close to your friends.
He felt a weird pang in his chest looking at the picture. It wasn't an old picture at least it was uploaded recently, only 6 days ago to be exact. And if you were already seeing someone why would you approach him and ask him out on a date?
Overwhelmed by his sudden feelings, Jungkook shut his phone and threw it against his mattress. C'mon JK, you need to stop thinking about her.
To pull him out of his thoughts filled with you, the doorbell of his apartment rang twice. Jungkook waited on his bed thinking his roommate could open the door, it's not like he himself gets any visitors anyway.
The doorbell rang again and he stood up from his bed, a little annoyed because he was planning to spend a few more hours in bed.
"Hyung?" The sight of Wonwoo behind the door surprised Jungkook a little. His brother has visited his apartment only twice, once when he was looking for an apartment and once when he helped him move in, that's it. So seeing him on his doorstep all of a sudden surprised him.
"Hey, Guk. What's up?" Jungkook opens the door wide enough to welcome him in and shuts the door behind them. There was not much age difference between the two Jeons, Wonwoo was only a little more than a year older than Jungkook. But Wonwoo always treated Jungkook like a kid, and not in a good way. At first it was endearing when Jungkook was actually a kid, but now it was just annoying.
"What are you doing here, Hyung?"
"Yah, can't I visit my brother? Eomma called this morning, she said you're not picking up her calls," Oh right, there was a reason Jungkook wasn't picking up his mother's calls and he wasn't proud of it. "I was around here so I thought I'd see what you're up to."
"Yeah, I was going to call her back. I was doing... something." At the suspicious raised eyebrow given to him by his brother he came up with an better excuse. "Working out. I was working out." Wonwoo doesn't need to know that he just spent an entire morning dreaming of you and touching himself.
"Working out huh? I see you've already built some muscles, little Kookie." There it was again, the condescending tone and the 'little Kookie' like he was some damn kid learning how to ride a bike.
"Is there something else you want, Hyung?" Jungkook asked politely. Yes Jungkook hated him time to time but it was still his older brother and he respected him.
"Nah, now that I know you're not dead, I can go back."
"Ok. I'll call Eomma and let her know you stopped by."
As Wonwoo was in front of the door ready to leave he stopped in his tracks and turned around.
"Hey, Gguk,"
"Yeah?"
"There's a party tonight at one of my teammates place, umm do you wanna go with me and the boys?" Jungkook was almost shocked at his question. He was always under the impression that his brother was somewhat embarrassed of his nerd younger brother, and now he wants him to come to a party with him and 'the boys'?
"What?" He asked as if the question wasn't clear to him.
"Namjoon suggested that you could do some socializing. And this party is just perfect, everyone goes every semester, even students from your department. And it's also not THAT wild."
"I don't know, Hyung. I'm not really a party person."
"I know. That's what I said. But he's right, a little socializing never hurts anyone. And if it's too much for you, you can always come back."
"I'll think about it."
"Ok, bro. Let me know whenever you change your mind."
*******
You can't recall the last instance you felt this thrilled about a college party. Yes they were fun and you got to get high and drunk with your friends and then you'd find a hot guy and sleep with him, but it was all becoming monotonous now. The same shit all the time. But this time it was different, there was a possibility that Jungkook could be there and that made you...excited?
You also can't remember the last time you went to a party and didn't get high right away.
"So what did Wonwoo say? Will he bring Jungkook?" You asked Namjoon who was sitting across from you on a chair with his girlfriends on his lap.
"Babe, its not even 11 yet, give 'em some time." Jimin said offering you the joint which you refused with a shake of your head.
You were currently sitting on Jimin's lap because you don't trust any furniture in these frat houses. God knows who has been there and done what. It has become a regular occurrence now. Whenever you went to these parties your only seat was your friend's lap, because these dresses ain't cheap.
"Wait, did you dress up all pretty for him?" asked Jennie, sipping that fruit punch that was spiked so many times with different alcohols that you were sure it was poisonous now. Instead of going for the 'hot girl' look tonight you decided to wear something that would make you look 'beautiful'.
The anticipation of Jungkook's arrival tonight was gradually diminishing. Positioned where you were, you had a clear view of the front door, yet there was no sign of Jungkook or his brother. Just as you were about to turn to Jimin to express your disappointment once more, a familiar tuft of fluffy hair caught your attention.
Your face instantly lit up at the sight of the boy. And of course Jungkook looked as cute as always if not more. You notice how he was wearing a black dress shirt and gray pants instead of his usual oversized tees and trousers.
"Should I go over right now or should I wait?" You asked your friends and they turned to look at the boy.
"I say wait at least 20 minutes. You don't wanna look desperate."
"Hobi, I've been following the guy for days. I don't think one can look any more desperate than that."
"True."
"I should go ask him for a drink."
"I'm pretty sure there's no bubble tea here." Jimin commented making the rest of the circle laugh.
"Ha ha, very funny. Suck a dick."
Jungkook looked very out of the place when you walked up to him. He didn't notice you until you were right in front of him.
"Hi, I didn't know you'd be here."
On the other hand, Jungkook wasn't particularly surprised to find you here. In fact, while getting ready, he had imagined the possibility of encountering you at least twenty times, playing out scenarios in his head about how he would react and what he would say. His gaze subtly traced over your figure, clad in a white glittery dress with a sweetheart neckline.
"You look handsome," you complimented him, noting the slight flush that colored his cheeks. It was the first time you had really taken notice of his muscular arms. Those t-shirts he typically wore to college certainly didn't do justice to his physique at all.
'You-You look pretty, as well."
"You think so?" you asked, giggling. You've always been aware that you're quite attractive; confidence has always been your strong suit. However, hearing the words coming from Jungkook—the boy who had never even acknowledged you—gave you a whole new sense of conviction.
"Yes."
"Thanks. Are you here with someone?"
"Umm, yes, my- my brother was suppose to meet me here."
"Maybe I can wait with you until you find him?"
"No, its ok. You should get back to your friends."
"No, please. Let me?" Jungkook couldn't quite pinpoint the reason—whether it was the fact that you were meeting outside of college, the way you looked, or the guilt that Jungkook couldn't shake off—but when you asked with that look on your face, he couldn't say no. "Okay, Kook, let's go get you some drinks," you said, taking the lead.
As you held his hand and pulled him further inside the house, it sent shivers throughout his body. Jungkook still couldn't believe that someone like you would actually take the time to entertain him, especially right now when you could just be with your friends and enjoy your time.
"You're okay with alcohol, right?" you asked, turning to face Jungkook as you both stood in front of a large table filled with all kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. With so many people surrounding the table, the gap between your back and his chest was practically nonexistent.
"Yeah, but. Nothing too strong."
"The fruit punch is out of question then." Jungkook looked at the big glass jar that looked too pink to be consumable. "I'm gonna make you a __ special."
"A __ special? What's that?"
"A few months ago I accidently made this cocktail and it tastes amazing. You're gonna love it." You said already looking for the ingredients.
"What's in it?"
"Mostly Pineapple juice and tequila, but there's my secret ingredient, that I've never told anyone." You said, pouring the pineapple juice in the red cup. "Its actually red-bull, but promise me you'll never tell anyone." You handed him your invention proudly and he couldn't help but smile at the evident excitement on your face.
"Ok." He said, sniffing the liquid before taking a sip.
"How is it?" Horrible, it was horrible, Jungkook has never tasted anything this bad in his entire life. But that smile on your face, Jungkook could never let down that smile on your face.
"Its good."
"Right?" You said, making a drink for yourself, well, just pouring neat vodka in a cup.
"Do you go to college parties regularly?"
"Well, the first two years I did. But then it became boring, so we only attend sometimes, when we have nothing else to do."
"This is actually my first time." he admitted and it made you smile that he was finally talking to you without stuttering.
"Yeah? What made you come to this one."
"My hyun- my brother said it would be good for me to socialize a little."
"I hope you're not regretting your decision so far."
"I'm- I'm not."
Silence enveloped both of you for the next few seconds, neither knowing what to say next. You had been so focused all this time on getting Jungkook to talk to you that you hadn't considered what you would talk about if you actually had a conversation. You and Jungkook had almost nothing in common.
Jungkook, on the other hand, remained skeptical about the whole situation. Ok, there might be a slight chance that you weren't orchestrating all of this to make fun of him with your friends and that you genuinely wanted to get to know him. But did that mean that everything he had ever heard about you was a lie? Or were you just putting up a front?
"Its really noisy in here, would you like to go to the backyard or something?" you asked in hopes of getting some alone time with the boy in front of you.
"Umm, I'm not sure, my brother would be looking for me." The entire world knows by now that Jungkook's brother will not give two damns if he got lost in this party but he's already done enough socializing for one day.
"Oh come on, Jungkook. I promise I won't try anything funny." the younger boy almost chuckled at the look on your face.
"Okay, I guess it won't hurt anyone." you did a little victory dance in your head before holding his hand in your unoccupied one and dragging him out of the now crowded house.
*******
"No way, you watch Anime?" after a few minutes of awkwardly walking around in the garden Jungkook and you finally fell into a conversation, although his sentences still don't consist of many words you counted this as a win.
"Yes, why is it so hard for you to believe that I watch anime and listen to heavy metal?"
"I don't know...y-you just don't seem like the type."
Jungkook had constructed a specific image of you in his mind based on all the things he had heard from his brother, friends, and people in general. So far, none of the things you had revealed about yourself fit into that image at all.
From everything Jungkook had heard, you didn't seem like the type of person to enjoy heavy metal or comic books, or engage in anything even remotely described as nerdy or boring. You were supposed to be this big mean girl who burned everything that came into contact with her; you weren't supposed to be approachable or relatable.
"What type do I seem like then?" You asked with genuine curiosity in your eyes, you were not offended that he dared to assume shit about you, you just wanted to see yourself from his eyes.
"Someone who would... laugh at my face if I tell her how much I love comic books."
"What? Why would I do that?" you asked with a laugh that made your eyes go small and cheeks fluffier. Jungkook swear he has not heard a prettier laughter. "You know what, if you get to-" Before you could complete your sentence you were cut off by the loud noise of your drunk 'Friend'.
"Oh, there she is," Jay stumbled on his way to you. When he reached you two you saw Jungkook visibly cringe at how much he stank of alcohol and weed.
"What do you want, Jay?" It wasn't really new for him to get crazy drunk at parties and approach you, but what really annoyed you was him interrupting the moment between you and Jungkook.
"Oh you are with the nerd." His eyes went to Jungkook who was looking at him with his doe eyes. "So did you finally have him? Are you bored yet?"
"What the fuck are you talking about, Jay? Leave us alone."
"Us? There is an 'us'?" he asking pointing his finger at you and Jungkook.
"Its none of your business."
"You? You seriously think you can change this slut? You fucking nerd, she's just gonna use you and throw you away like a tissue, you are nothing, literally nothing." He was now talking to Jungkook and standing too close to him for his comfort. You eyes were widening at his words.
"Jay what the fuck is wrong with you, get the fuck away from him." You had successfully pulled him enough away from Jungkook to get yourself in the middle. "I swear to god, you are going to regret this tomorrow so walk away."
"Or what? Your lap dog will come after me? Tell me do you let Jimin fuck you for all the service he does?" You were now absolutely disgusted with his words.
You looked back at Jungkook and saw him backing away, his eyes were on the ground, his face mimic the disgusted look on yours, you just don't know if it was for you or Jay.
"Jungkook, please don't listen to him, he's drunk and-"
"I-I'm, I'm just, I'm gonna head back. I'll see—" Without completing his sentence, Jungkook rushed back inside the house, presumably to leave through the front door.
"You FUCKING IDIOT, I swear to god if you ever come near me I'll fuck you up, I hate you. Do you not understand that I do not want you. Can't you get that through that thick skull of yours?" after ranting you quickly rushed after Jungkook not noticing the other man looking at you as if you just ruined his night and not the other way around.
"Jungkook stop," you called out guiding yourself through the sweaty bodies dancing and grinding and what not. "Please, just listen to me."
Taking advantage of his long legs and large steps, Jungkook was almost out of the front door and out of your sight. Just as you were about to cross the threshold, somebody threw a whole glass of fruit punch all over you.
"Oh my god, I'm sooo sorry-" You looked as the girl in front of you and if you were not in such a hurry you would bring another glass just to pour it down her head.
"It's okay." When you were out on the front yard, Jungkook was no where to be seen. You sighed in frustration, Jungkook was finally opening up to you and that rat just had to ruin-
"What happened to your dress?" Came a soft voice.
"You didn't leave yet." You smiled in relief.
"I was about to, I just- thought I should check on you first. He seemed pretty drunk."
"Look Jungkook, whatever he said, I'm very sorry about it. He shouldn't said that about you-"
"And what about you?"
"Huh?"
"He said worse things about you."
"Well... I'm pretty sure you have heard that before about me."
"I did. A lot."
"Look what he said to you was way out of line and I'm just so mad at him-"
"And why are you not mad at him for what he said about you?" His question confused you a lot.
"Because I'm used to it."
"Why?"
"I-I don't know. Jungkook, I know you are mad at what he said, but I swear to god, its not like that with you, I'm not-"
"I am, I am mad at what he said but not about me, I am mad at what he said about you and I am more mad that you let him."
"It's nothing, I don't really care."
"You should," he said calmly, "you should care, if you're really not what people say then you should stand up for yourself." with that he turned around to walk away from the house.
"Wait," he turned around. "Are you really going to leave me here like this? I am drenched."
******
Jungkook's room was cute, just like him—warm and cozy. Surprisingly, it was cleaner than what you expected a guy's room to be, except for a few pieces of clothes thrown over his gaming chair.
"Here, you can change into this?" Jungkook said handing you a big black t-shirt of his and his boxer briefs.
It was safe to say that Jungkook was completely freaking out right now. He had never had a girl at his place, and now he not only had 'any' girl but you roaming around in his room with your delicate feet in that tiny pink-stained white dress of yours.
"Can I use the shower?" you asked and he pointed to the brown door behind you.
As soon as you were behind the door he let out a loud breath that he was holding in ever since you started following him to his place.
When he was going out tonight he was only supposed to stay for 10-15 minutes and comeback to finish his paused video game. He had no intention whatsoever to bring a girl back let alone you out of all people.
Its not that Jungkook hates the idea of you in his shower, naked. Its that even the idea of it makes him all hot and bothered.
Jungkook looks back to the time 20 minutes ago, he could have booked you a cab for your own place but when you looked all innocent and helpless he couldn't help but utter those four words.
"Are you really going to leave me here like this? I am drenched."
"I live near by."
And that is how you ended up naked in his bathroom. Just a wooden door away.
Looking around his room, he quickly made sure there was no embarrassing thing left on any surface. With his shaking hands, he tidied up his room a little, stuffing everything in his closet— it was now future Jungkook's problem. However, Jungkook's immediate concern was the very visible tent in his gray pants.
Dammit, when did he get a hard on? Was it the thought of you naked in his bathroom, or was it your clearly very wet dress, or was it when you asked him if you could shower, or was it when he first saw you in this evening.
Maybe if he changed into some loose sweatpants, it wouldn't be very noticeable, so he did. Without taking a shower or cleaning himself of tonight's chaos, he quickly changed into his black sweatpants and a t-shirt similar to the one he gave you.
You couldn't believe you were inside Jungkook's shower, you personally thought that showers were a little too intimate, you have never showered at any of your hookup's place. In fact the last time you used a man's shower was when you were with Yoongi.
Now here you were in Jungkook's bathroom, looking at one of the most private parts of his life. The kind of shower gel he uses, the color of his toothbrush everything was too intimate and left you feeling giddy in your stomach. Not to mention you were wearing his clothes.
His t-shirt was too loose on you, your shoulders were tiny compared to his broad once, t-shirt was almost falling below your mid thigh whereas his hips were so petite that his boxers were a little tight on you.
You took a palm full of cold water and threw it on your face in hopes that your cheeks would cool down a little. Once you opened the door and went outside you saw Jungkook in different clothes sitting on his bed with two bowls in his hands.
When the boy looked up at you, you could see his cheeks visibly flush red. If only you could read his mind you would know how much in awe he was right now.
Jungkook had always known that you were pretty, it was no secret from the whole world, people simped after you for a reason. But right now, in his clothes, with your face bare of any makeup you were absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous.
"I- ummm... I heat up some pasta from lunch... hope you don't mind leftovers." His voice was once again too small. Like he lost all the confidence you saw back there in the party.
"No, Thank you so much. I was hungry." You said taking a seat beside him and taking the bowl from his hand. You let out a tiny moan after taking the first bite. "This is delicious, did you make this." He only nod his head in answer.
The next few minutes were spent as you two ate in silence, enjoying the meal he cooked. Your mind went back to what he said to you at the party.
"Jungkook?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you really think that I should care about what people say about me?"
"Not people. I just think that you let your friends take you for granted. A lot. If they really are your friends they wouldn't talk shit about you like that."
This is the biggest sentence you heard Jungkook saying till now, that too without stuttering. You smiled at him and he got shy again. the tip of his ears along with the apple of his cheeks started flushing.
"What?"
"Nothing, just. Ever since Yoongi and I broke up, i kind of took on that whole 'it girl' role. And I don't really care about what people say or call me and maybe that's why none my friends care either, but... it feels nice to have someone get mad on your behalf."
When Jungkook looked at your eyes and the little smile on your face he could finally see you, not the girl people describe and not the girl his brother seemed to hate so much, he could see you, he couldn't understand if you were the same person who supposedly hurt so many people and broke so many hearts.
You noticed how his eyes traveled to your lips and then back to your eyes.
"I am... You can sleep here, I-I'll just take the couch in the hall."
"Its okay, i guess... we can share a bed."
You suggestion almost made him hiccup. He is almost 23 years old and he has never shared a bed with another woman, well beside his mom and cousins obviously.
"Umm, no its okay...I can just take the couch." Truth was that Jungkook wasn't sure if he will be able to breath properly if he slept beside you.
"Come on Jungkook, I won't bite." You said while putting your hand on his shoulder, as soon as you hand touched him he jumped up from the bed as if you shocked him.
"Goodnight, if you need anything just wake me up...or whatever." With that he picked up a pillow and left the room.
*******
The next day, when Jungkook walked into his Psychology class, you were already sitting there, waving your hand at him and patting the empty seat beside you. Of course, Jimin was on your other side, looking more uninterested than ever.
Jungkook wasn't aware that you were in the same class; he had never noticed you before. He began searching for another seat to avoid being distracted by you throughout the class. However, he couldn't find any available seats that weren't at the back.
"Hi Jungkook." You said once he finally settled down beside you but received no reply from the boy and it made you frown, was he seriously going to pretend that nothing happened last night, like those few minutes of bonding were nothing.
"I recently transferred classes." You informed him about the tiny detail. "You have to help me with whatever that's been going on." you said as he silently put down his stuff beside you. He sat down without doing much to acknowledge your existence but you looked around and saw there were many vacant seats in the hall and he chose to sit beside you, so he's not completely ignoring you or anything.
"I don't understand a single thing this man is saying." you exclaimed quietly but loud enough.
"Yes, and thanks to you we are stuck here." Jimin rolled his eyes beside you.
"Can you please help me catch up after lecture?" You looked at Jungkook.
"Since when do you care about academics?" Jungkook asked while writing down whatever the old man was saying.
"Since now. Pretty please?" The boy looked at you as you batted your eyelashes and sighed.
"Fine. I don't have any other class after this, I can help you study."
You almost exclaimed loudly but then recalled how rude and unfiltered Mr. Hastings was so you sat quietly for the rest of the lecture.
Once the lecture finally ended and you saw Jungkook preparing to get out of the class, you quickly got up to follow him. "I'll see you guys at the cafe ok?" you told your best friend and without waiting for a reply ran after Jungkook.
"Where are we going?"
"To the library."
"I thought you don't have any classes after this. Neither do I. Why can't we just leave?" You whined, feeling slightly irritated by his unexpected behavior. It's not like his behavior was new—he'd been like this from the beginning. But after last night, you really thought something had shifted. You didn't just imagine everything, did you? This morning he even made you a breakfast sandwich and arranged an Uber for you.
"I like studying in the library." Of course he does!
"Let's just go to your place." You said while trying and failing to drag him with you. 'Wow, he sure is pretty strong' "Come on, Jungkook. Pleaseeeee! I hate that library, Its so silent and cold."
Jungkook bit his lips while contemplating your offer. 'God you are so irresistible' Last night Jungkook almost forgot about all the promises he made to his brother. His beliefs towards you were slowly changing, he knew you were not the monster everyone made you to be, quite the opposite actually. Still, he believed hanging with you was like walking on burning coals, he was ought to get burned.
Jungkook didn't say anything. He just let you happily drag him out of this dreadful campus. He thinks he has spent the whole night alone with you at his place without letting himself lose control, he's pretty sure he can do a few more hours.
*******
Somehow this afternoon Jungkook was much less nervous than last night. Thank god he decided to clean the whole place right after you left. You were sitting on his bed with your pretty legs under your butt as your wide eyes looked up at him.
"Do you want anything to drink?"
"Just water." He nodded and left to grab a bottle from his kitchen.
'Calm down Jungkook, you are just gonna help her study and then she's gonna leave'. Wiping his sweaty palms on his sweatshirt Jungkook reentered his room only to find you out of the cardigan that was covering you, leaving you only in a beige camisole and a pair of white shorts.
"I hope you don't mind. Your room's kinda warm"
"Its okay. Water." He handed you the bottle with almost shaky hand.
"Thanks."
"We should start, if you wanna cover all the topics before Mr. Hastings gives off assignments. He's pretty brutal while checking the papers."
For the next half and hour or so Jungkook has gone through 5 pages of his notes with you, or maybe 3; you weren't really counting. You would be lying if you said that you understood everything that came out of his pretty mouth, Psychology was not really one of the hardest subjects that you chose but he was just too pretty for you to focus on any thing besides him.
"You are not focusing." Jungkook said blatantly as you sat in front of him on his bed, giving him heart eyes while he just poured his heart to you about the schools of psychology.
"I totally am, I just listened to everything you said, and I totally agree."
"Really? Then which school emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts, early childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms in the development of psychological disorders?"
"Ummm...the middle school?"
"NO the psychodynamic school." this was the first time you were seeing Jungkook speaking so loudly and passionately about something, and honestly it was a turn on. "Did you listen to anything I just said?"
"Sorry, I promise I'll focus from now on."
"Do, you want to take a break?" You were surprised that Jungkook was the first one who suggested to take a break and not you.
"Yeah sure, What should we do?" You asked suggestively knowing very well that Jungkook will not even think about the million things that you want to do to him right now but a girl can always hope right?
"Umm, I have video games, if you wanna play? Or we can watch anime." both the options were way different from what you were hinting so you took the matters in your own hand.
"Or..." You scooched closer to the boy, "We could make out." All the oxygen from Jungkook's body left him right there. His whole face was suddenly red and hot and he had no idea if you were just joking or if you were serious.
"Y-you want to do that?"
"You don't?" Of course he did, that is all he had thought about ever since you started talking to him.
"Wh-why me?" His question made you laugh lightly.
"Jungkook. Is it not painfully obvious that I am attracted to you?" As a matter of fact you have never tried hiding that you have a crush on him, not from him, not from anybody. So you were not sure why he was so surprised by your confession.
"But why me?" It broke you heart that he was not aware of how painfully gorgeous he was.
"Because-" You moved closer and removed his iPad from his hands , practically sitting on his lap. "I think you are the most gorgeous and sweetest person I've ever met in my entire life." You slowly reached for his face with your right hand removing his glasses, testing the waters. You would never do anything that would make him even slightly uncomfortable. "And you have beautiful eyes. Is this Ok?" Jungkook's voice was caught in his throat, all he could offer you was a nod which made you giggle.
"Do you want me to continue?" The conscious side of his brain was saying no, reasoning with him, what would he tell his brother? But his body was possessed, possessed by lust and the touch of your soft hands. His hands were suddenly involuntarily reaching out for you, he was craving to touch you, hold you and finally kiss you.
"Yes, please."
"As you wish, baby boy." Your lips finally met his soft ones and he felt like he has reached euphoria. He had completely lost control over his body. His hand grabbed you by the waist as hard as he could without hurting you and pulled you onto his laps.
His heart was beating so loudly that he was scared he would go into a cardiac arrest. The first few strokes of his lips were a little awkward, considering it was not a daily occurrence for him like you but after a few soft kisses his lips found the perfect rhythm with yours.
You smiled into the kiss as he slowly gained confidence and started kissing you more fiercely. His kisses were so soft and smooth that it felt like you have been kissing him daily. Soon you felt him opening his mouth a little wider so you took the opportunity and slipped in your tongue, he tasted like strawberries and mint, reminding you of his sweet taste in beverages.
"Wow!" you exclaimed as soon as he pulled away for some air. "You are a great kisser."
"T-thank you, so are you."
"Aww don't get shy now." you said pointing at the pink hue rising up his neck and to his cheeks. "So? you want to continue or you want to go back to studying?" You asked half seriously, hoping to god he wouldn't choose the second option.
"I think you've studied enough for today."
You let out a tiny giggle before crashing your lips again on his. You took his hand and dragged it up your chest, granting him permission to touch you. his hand stayed there for a second before giving your breast a tiny squeeze, pulling out a moan from you.
It wasn't much later that you started grinding your hips against his, feeling his very prominent boner through his pants. After a few circular motion of your hips, he was a moaning mess in your hands.
His shaky hands started pulling at your top with urgency, wanting to feel more of your exposed skin. You helped him take off your top and he sat still for a moment, looking at your breast like a little kid looking at a carnival.
"You wanna touch them?" You asked, guiding his hand to the hook of your bra and he nodded very eagerly. After the little piece of cloth came off his lips didn't waste a single second before coming in contact with your nipple, sucking on it as if it had the cure of all diseases. His tongue did a fantastic job making you whimper and moan on his lap.
"Oh my god, baby, you are so good at this." you cried holding the back of his head and guiding his mouth to all the right places.
Your lips wanted to taste him again so you did and this time he was the most confident. You had no idea how his kisses improved so much in a matter of few minutes, but you were not complaining. His tongue explored every corner of your mouth and his lips sucked in yours like a candy.
It was your turn now to pull at his t-shirt until it was thrown away in another corner of his room and there was no barrier between both of your upper bodies.
You sat there for a few seconds, admiring the view. He really was gorgeous, he was lean but very muscular, you knew he was hiding something delicious under all those baggy clothes.
Your fingertips ran along the smooth honey like skin until they reached the hem of his sweatpants. You looked up at his face asking for permission. He looked a little nervous.
"I want to suck your cock, Jungkook. I promise it will feel nice." He contemplated your offer for a few seconds before finally nodding his head yes and you gave him another kiss out of joy.
You didn't waste too much time before pulling his sweatpants and briefs down his thighs. His cock spring up at your touch making you almost drool. You have had sex with a lot of men A LOT, but you swear that you have never seen a prettier dick. Or maybe it looked so pretty because of the man it was attached to.
You leaned down and left tiny kisses along his thighs making his cock angrier and darker. It was so thick that you couldn't wrap your whole hand around it. You could already imagine how good it would feel inside you.
As soon as you gave a kitten lick on the tip, Jungkook let out a loud groan.
"Ple-please."
"Please what baby?"
"Please __, do something. It feels so nice."
You let out another giggle at his desperation and decided not to torture him any further. His one hand supported him up from the bed as the other one grabbed your head and pushed it further down, making you swallow his cock until it reached the back of your throat.
His precum tasted like butter, smooth and salty. You looked up at the boy while bobbing your head up and down, his eyes were closed and mouth was hung open as he moaned your name again and again like a mantra.
Your hand wrapped around the base of his cock, what you couldn't fit in your mouth as your tongue constantly licked the head. His orgasm came without any warning, hitting your chest and face and your quickly wrapped your mouth around the tip in order to not waste any more of it. It would be such a shame to waste the cum from such a pretty cock.
You swallowed all his load and giggle when you looked at his expression. He looked like he was about to ask you to marry him.
"I'm sorry, i should have warned you." He said and you followed his eyes to the droplets of cum sitting prettily between both your breasts.
"Its ok, I like surprises." You said taking his t-shirt that he handed you to wipe his cum.
His eyes couldn't seem to look away from you. You've always been beautiful, but at this moment, you looked otherworldly. With your tousled hair and nearly bare face, he had never encountered anyone more stunning. When he kissed you this time, he was entirely confident; it was brief yet filled with intense passion.
"Teach me?" You looked at him confusingly.
"I want to do something for you, please you, make you--... I want to make you cum, teach me how to." You smiled at his request.
"Maybe some other time. You look tired right now, lets take a nap."
Some other time. You said 'some other time', does that mean it was not a one time deal with him.
He nodded at your suggestion and pulled up his sweatpants and briefs. Just as you were about to get up from his bed to give him his privacy his hand pulled you to his chest and wrapped around you tightly.
"Sleep with me?" He pleaded with a soft voice and you obliged happily.
As you slipped into slumber Jungkook couldn't help but wonder, was this post orgasm bliss that he was experiencing or did something just shift inside him? He suddenly felt anger towards his brother, towards everyone who has ever spoken ill about you.
It seemed impossible that someone so mean could be so sweet to him alone. He wanted to protect you, even though he knew he wasn’t strong enough. Still, he would do everything he could to ensure that no one ever harmed you.
******
When you woke up from your nap it was pretty dark outside Jungkook's window, you don't know how many hours you slept but it was one hell of a sleep.
Jungkook was still sound asleep, his head on your chest and arms wrapped around your waist. You smiled to your self once you heard him snore. 'wow even he snores so prettily'.
You wanted to pee so bad but you were unable to even move under him. You laid there for a few more minutes not wanting to wake him up but the urge to take a leak just became unbearable.
"Jungkook..." You shook him slightly, "Baby, I need to use the restroom."
"Why?" He asked in his sleepy voice making you laugh.
"Why? Why do people use the toilet, silly?"
"Just do it on the bed."
"EW, Jungkook no."
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." He laughed before getting up and you ran to the bathroom as soon as you were free.
'Did Jungkook just make a joke.' You thought as you sat down on the toilet. It was the first time you were watching this side of Jungkook, he was always either too nervous to talk to you or too irritated. You were happy though, that he could finally be himself around you.
After you cleaned yourself and walked back inside the room Jungkook was already dressed in fresh clothes and you missed his bare chest.
"Here," he handed you a grey t-shirt. "It is clean." You were surprised as he pulled you closer to him and pecked your lips. Neither of you spoke about your departure from his place and acted like it was daily occurrence for you to spend so much time at his flat.
"So? Should we continue with our lesson?" he asked pulling you down on his lap.
"Do we have to?"
"I mean, if you want to pass his class then yes."
"Or we can think about it later and do something fun."
"How about, we study for an hour and then you could choose any game that you want to play, I have 278 games that you can choose from."
"Oh my god, 278?" You asked with wide eyes and he nodded his head. "Wow you are a nerd."
"Guilty."
You agreed with his deal and he also promised to treat you with food after the study session.
You have to admit that studying was fun with Jungkook. His concepts were so clear that he made them sound very easy to you and by the end of the hour you were proud that you finally learned something today.
"Wow that was very easy, I have no idea how that man makes all of this sound so fucking boring. You know what you should be a lecturer."
"You think so?"
"Actually no, that is a very bad idea. Nobody will listen to a single thing that you say"
"Why?"
"They will be too busy looking at that pretty face." You said in all seriousness and he started blushing again.
"Okay so you wanna play FIFA?"
*******
"Wow you are smiling, A LOT." Jimin said and gave you a side eye as you happily sipped on your matcha tea.
"I'm always smiling."
"You are, but today it looks like your face got stuck with a hanger inside."
"That's because I am happy?"
"Why? What did you smoke?"
"Nothing, can't I be happy sober."
"You can, but you are only this happy when you smoke good weed."
"Let's go its time for class." You said getting up from the couch and pulling Jimin up with you.
"Seriously what happened to you? You want to go to class again?"
"If you don't come, I'll go by myself." Your threat seemed to work on him as he rolled his eyes and started following.
"What did this Jungkook guy do to you? Did he make you join some geeks cult? Blink twice for yes." Jimin joked as both of you made your way to Mr. Aitken's hall.
"Why is it so hard to believe that I want to study and attend my classes?"
"Yeah right, you also want to bake a pie and become a housewife."
When you enter hall SF22 your eyes immediately started looking for Jungkook and they lit up as soon as they spotted him. He seemed to have noticed you as he patted at the empty seat beside him with a shy smile.
"Let's go, Chimmy."
"You want to sit in the front?"
"Yeah why not."
"Maybe its time for me to switch best friends."
"As anyone else would tolerate you beside me. Hi, Jungkook." You said as you sat down beside him at glared at Jimin when he didn't greet him.
"Hey man." Jungkook immediately nodded at him and return his greeting.
Jungkook wondered if anyone in this hall could figure out that you spent the entire night at his place and made out with him till the dawn. What if they found out though? Would they mock him? Would they say more awful things about you? He hated being the center of attention, especially if it was for negative reasons, but he would still prefer people to talk shit about him rather than you.
Jungkook also wonders if you had the same feeling of despair as he did when you left this morning. He questioned whether everything that was happening effected you the way it did him.
Although the sweet smile that you gave him was reassuring enough he couldn't help but think if you would become bored of him sooner or later.
You on the other hand could practically see the wheels in his head turning around and he once again looked shy and nervous. What happened to the Jungkook you saw last night? the Jungkook that was confident enough to ask you to teach him how to make you cum.
"You okay?" You asked and before he nodded with another smile. You took his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.
The lecture went by neither of you saying anything, But you made sure to rub his thigh every now and then.
Once the lecture was over he didn't leave like he usually did but instead waited for you to get up first, you took him by surprise when you held out your hand for him. Jimin looked at you with a questioning look, he wouldn't say that you were not a PDA person but he has never seen you hold hands with some beside him and maybe Yoongi when you guys were together.
"I'll meet you at the cafe, Jiminie." You told your best friend giving him a side hug which he gladly returned and left with your hands in Jungkook's. He was happy for you, yes a little jealous that he had to now share his time with you with some other guy but if you were happy he wanted nothing more than that.
"Where are we going?" You asked swinging your joined hands back and forth.
"The library."
You complained a bit, but you happily went along with him. It didn’t matter where he went; you’d probably follow him even to the dumpster. You couldn’t quite explain this overwhelming desire to spend all your time with him—it had never happened to you before, not even with Yoongi. You usually needed your personal space, but with Jungkook, it felt different; he was your personal space.
The library was much quieter than usual for a Friday morning. Only a few people lingered among the shelves and chairs, and they seemed indifferent to both of you, allowing Jungkook to exhale in relief.
He was about to sit on his usual spot but you dragged him farther inside the liberary.
"I know a spot," you said, noticing the questioning look on his face as you led him to the library's unexplored section. The books were coated in dust, suggesting that no one had been here in ages—perhaps because Celtic mythology was considered a forgotten topic. Jungkook had never seen this part of the library before, and you only came here to make out in peace.
"What is this section."
"Celtic Mythology and that is paleontology, nobody comes here. Ever."
"Why?"
"I don't know, probably because nobody reads them anymore."
"That's sad. These books must have been lonely for years," he said, his voice tinged with sadness as he traced his fingers along the spine of a book. He looked as pure as the first rays of morning sunlight. It was endearing how much he cared, even for the forgotten books.
"Why are we here?" he asked, his innocence making you want to tuck him away in your pocket and shield him from the world.
"I wanted to kiss you." You were blunt like always, taking his breath away from his lungs.
"You do?"
"Umhmm, don't you?"
"I do. Very much."
"Then what's stopping you? Kiss me."
"What if- what if someone walks in?"
"Nobody comes here, trust me. I'm pretty sure half of these people don't even know the existence of this section," You said pulling him closer to you. "So... You can do whatever you like, baby. Nobody would know." Your words were enough reassurance for him. He cupped your face with both of his hands and pulled you in for a sweet and short kiss.
"Can I... can I touch you here?" He questions, fingers hovering over your covered pussy and you nodded in excitement.
His hands were shaky as they slid under your skirt and caressed your wetness through your panties. His touch was so soft yet it sent a lightning inside your body making you shiver and almost lose your balance. If it wasn't for his other hand holding your waist you would have fell down.
You held his hand and guided it inside your panty. You became so wet in just a few seconds. Jungkook was eager so he did what he craved for, dipped two fingers in your arousal and pulled them out to suck on them. The site almost made you come right there.
You tasted delicious to him, just like how he imagined all those times he did the unholy while thinking of you. It was the perfect mixture of salty and sweet
You grabbed his neck and pulled him in an eager kiss. Lips clashing away at each other like it was a battle. His hand went back inside your underwear and wasted no time before pushing in two fingers. His thumb played your clit like a guitar.
You whimpered against his lips as his other hand went inside your crop top and squeezed you like a lemon. The more he tasted your cherry lip gloss the more he craved for it.
"Jung-... baby, I'm gonna cum." You warned him and he rubbed you even even faster. His two fingers buried so deep inside you that he could stroke your walls.
As you came down from your high your fingers started to immediately work on the buttons of his jeans.
Your mouth was watering at the thought of his cock. You wanted a taste again.
"__, somebody's gonna walk in." He said as you quickly pushed him against the bookshelf and pulled down his zipper.
"Shh... if you don't make any nose, nobody would know." You murmured against his lips that were now shining with your pink lip gloss. You slowly started pumping his cock that was now hard and hot against your hand. "Do you want me to make you cum?" He hesitantly nodded and you happily sunk down on your knees to take him in your mouth.
When your warm wet lips wrapped around the tip of his cock, Jungkook realized how hard it was going to be to stay silent.
*******
Spending the night in Jungkook's room has almost became a daily occurrence to you. It has been exactly three weeks since you first gave him the best orgasm of his life.
It was now like a daily schedule that you would go to his place after college and hang out with him, sometimes it would end in you on your knees, showing him the gates of heaven and sometimes it would end innocently with the two of you cuddling and talking about anything and everything.
You have not taken the next step yet, it wasn't that he never asked you to, you just wanted him to be completely sure before doing that.
There was one more thing, you were scared. Scared to take the next step with him. What if after you have sex with him you become bored. You know you like him too much but still, you were scared to break his heart. He was too innocent for that, you can never live with yourself if you ever made him sad.
Right now you were sitting on his bed with a gaming console in your hand whining at the fact that Jungkook would let you win.
It wasn't that you were bad at playing video games, it was that Jungkook was too good, you watched at the boy with a pout as he defeated your team for the third time in a row.
"Oh my god, what are you not good at?"
"I'm going easy on you."
"Such a show off." You said, playfully rolling your eyes.
"Let's play a game that you are good at."
"Ummm... Lets play Tekken."
"Ok." He obliged before putting on the game that you demanded. "What does winner gets?" He asked and you raised your eyebrow.
"Whatever they want."
"Whatever?"
"Whatever."
"I was gonna let you win but not anymore."
"Nooo, don't be mean, go easy on me."
"You ready?" He asked and you nodded, eyes squinting at focus as you looked at the TV screen. Jungkook felt a strange kind of serenity when he looked at you. Nobody ever has been so quick to tear down his walls. You not only tore down his wall but also made a home inside.
Nobody knows you, not really. They wouldn't say those things if they did. You were sweet, kind, beautiful inside out. You were mot even a single thing that people described you to be. Quite the opposite.
"Oh my god you lost!" You exclaimed all of a sudden pulling him out of the train of his thoughts. "Oh my god, I can't believe I won, I Won."
You got up from the bed and started jumping around, if an outsider looked they would think you won a lottery and not just a video game.
"Wait, did you let me win?" You stopped jumping and stood in front of him with a not-so-threatening pout.
"What? No. I would never, you are just so good at it."
"Of course, I am." You mockingly brushed of your shoulders and Jungkook decided right there that he was in love with you. Maybe it was too soon, maybe you wouldn't reciprocate it but he was utterly and madly in love with you. And he doesn't care if you don't love him back, he would love enough for the both of you.
"Ok now what do I get?" He would honestly give you both his kidneys if you asked but you didn't. "I want you to give me piggy back ride tomorrow between all my classes." Your choice of demand made him laugh.
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"Huh, i thought you would ask for my PlayStation."
"Oh my god, I could have right? I want to change my wish."
"No, no take backs."
*******
Jungkook's roommate left town for a while so you decided to take advantage of it and make dinner for the two of you. Jungkook helped you with chopping all the veggies.
"Are you sure this is how it supposed to look."
"Are you calling my shrimps ugly?"
The poor little animals have become a little black inside the frying pan but you were sure they would taste good.
"No, not ugly, they just don't look..."
"What? Edible? Fine, I'm gonna eat it all by myself, don't come begging for a piece if it tastes heavenly." You were so confident in your creation that it reminded him of that night when you made him that 'special cocktail' that tasted like piss but he didn't have the heart to tell you that.
You don't remember the last time you hung out with someone this long that too without any alcohol or weed, and yet it was the most fun you had in a while. Jungkook made you feel emotions you thought you had lost touch with. Even with Yoongi, you had never experienced this kind of pure bliss. He made you feel whole, like you didn’t need drugs or sex to fill any emptiness. With Jungkook, there’s no pressure to uphold a certain image or look flawless. You can simply be yourself, and it’s enough to make you feel truly happy.
As you served the forbidden looking dish on both of the plates he pulled out his phone to snap a picture. You couldn't help but smile, striking a playful pose for the camera. The photos turned out great—you looked flawless. The shrimp, however, was undeniably inedible. But of course, he’d never admit that.
You spat out the content of your mouth into the dustbin.
"Oh my god. EW. Stop eating it. Its so salty i feel like i gulped acid."
"I think it tastes fine." Jungkook said chewing the burnt fish.
"Spit it out."
In the end, you decided to order pizza, and despite your insistence, Jungkook insisted on paying for it. You both settled on his bed, enjoying the pizza while watching a new anime he had introduced you to.
Despite the screen in front of you flashing with gore and violence, you’d never felt as at peace as you did in that moment. With your stomach full and your head resting on his warm, bare chest, his fingers gently weaving through your hair, everything felt perfectly calm.
"Jungkook?" You asked, your voice laced with curiosity.
"Hmm?"
"Why were you so scared of me before?" Your question made him pause, now that he think of it he doesn't seem to know the answer. Sure he still remembers all those horrible things he heard and regrettably believed about you but he doesn't know why he used to be so scared of this sweetest girl he has ever met that he couldn't even form a sentence without stuttering. You have never personally been mean to Jungkook nor has he ever seen you do anything remotely as horrible as people say.
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"You were so pretty, and so far out of my league that maybe I thought it was a sin to just be in the same vicinity as you." His answer made you burst out laughing.
"What? Do you still believe that?"
"Do I believe that you are the prettiest girl I've ever seen? Yes."
"No do you still believe that I am out of your league and it is a sin to be with me?"
"Yes, if anyone in college finds out I'm cuddling with the __ __ they would sacrifice me."
"Stop joking, I'm serious. You can't think that I am out of your league or something."
"You are though."
"I am NOT."
"You could literally have any guy that you point your finger at."
"And here I am, laying in your bed, begging to suck your cock every other night." Your words made him twitch inside his boxers. "You are gorgeous, smart, funny and you make me feel so good, you can't possibly think that I am out of your league."
"You know, I used to... I used to think that you were asking me out to make fun of me." His confession made you laugh again.
"What? Really?"
"I mean... there was you and then there was me. I never thought I was your type. And I never really heard good things about you either"
"My god, people really think I'm the devil don't they?"
"Who cares what they think?"
"Hmm... What else did you hear about me?"
"Nothing that matters, what matters is who you really are. And you are the kindest and sweetest person ever and you give really good head." You burst out laughing again.
"Oh my god, you heard that as well?"
"Everyone did."
"Wow, I'm glad that we put that out of question."
The anime playing on the screen was long forgotten. The boy laying in your arms was far more interesting. You stared into each other's eyes for how long you don't really know, you know you can stare into them so much more longer.
*******
Making out with Jungkook felt like an habit now. You were currently laying under him in nothing but your underwear while the anime still plays in the background on mute.
No matter how many times you kiss him you can never not be surprised by how sweet his lips taste, just like him. His hands, gentle yet strong, groped every inch of your body like he was holding onto his life.
Jungkook pulled away from your lips, looking down at your body and a sudden fire burst through him. You were so beautiful that he couldn't get over the fact that you were under him. He must have done some really great work in his past life and he was now getting rewarded for it.
"What happed baby boy?" You ask pulling him out of his train of thougts.
"I want to please you."
"You are pleasing me."
"No... like you do it for me. I want to... I want to use my mouth." You smirked, it was always so cute when he stuttered.
"I don't understand, be more clear baby." You certainly do understand but it was so much fun teasing him.
"God, I want to eat you out, __. Can I?" Your words got lost in your throat so you nodded your head in affirmation.
Jungkook started kissing a very slow trail down your body make you almost die from anticipation. When his mouth finally came in contact with your bundle of nerves, your whole body started shivering.
"Oh god baby, that's right." His hand took yours and put it in his hair as if telling you to guide him. "Use your tongue." And like ever so obedient, he did.
His tongue was warm and even though it was his first time it felt very skillful. His tongue, licked up your juices in big and wide strokes. Pouty lips sucking in your clit every now and then.
"Now put a finger inside, baby." he followed your instruction almost immediately. Long thick finger sinking in your heat while his tongue licked you.
His other free hand went up to grab at your breast, squeezing and kneading the flesh and occasionally twisting your nipples.
With a last few rhythmic strokes of his tongue and finger you were cumming.
"I'm cumming, baby boy." Your words sounded like reward to his ears. His tongue out and mouth was open, ready to drink in everything that you were about to offer.
You have never squirted in your life and this boy who looks like, he has never even seen a pussy in his life just made you squirt in like 5 minutes. You wonder what more talents were he hiding.
"Come here, baby. I want you inside me." You said pulling him by his arms, closer to you. He was already so hard that your word made him feel like he was going to pop a vessel on his dick.
You changed your position and now he was under you while you pulled out a condom from your purse and rolled it on his cock without wasting another minute.
This scene in front of Jungkook was a little too familiar, he has dreamt of this exact moment only every other night ever since you started talking to him.
Your hands guiding his to your chest and you slowly sunk down on him, your warm pussy fitted his cock like a glove. Like they were made for each other. A loud whine left Jungkook's lips as soon as you settled on his dick.
"I've dreamt of this so many times." His arousal has turned off all his filters, his confession made you smirk.
"You did? SO naughty. And you dare to act like you are the most innocent guy on this planet."
"It was because of you, you make me think all those lewd things."
"Oh yeah? Did you touch yourself after waking up?" You asked as you slowly started jumping up and down in a perfect rhythm and his words got caught in his throat. "tell me, baby. Did you?"
"Yesss... Aghh fuckkk.. Everytime."
"Mhmm. God you feel so good. Was your hand as good as my pussy?"
"No, Noth-- Ahh.. Nothing compares to this. Your pussy is so good." He cried out in pleasure as both of your rode close to your orgasms.
"Tell me, baby. What else did you dream about?"
"I- I dreamt... About you riding my face."
"You would like that wouldn't you?"
"Please... I love your pussy so much."
"Rub my clit, Jungkook." Jungkook did as told and started rubbing your clit with his thumb.
"I'm about to cum." He cried out.
"Me too baby, just hold for a few seconds."
After a few more seconds of riding his heavenly dick you both were finally coming down from your high. Lips finding each others as soon as you were done. Your bodies seemed to have calmed down as you gave each other slow and deep kisses.
"Wow, that... That was the best sex I've ever had. And I'm not just saying it, Jungkook." Jungkook's face turned pink at the compliment. Honestly he never thought he would last this long if he ever had the chance to have sex with you. "Did you like it as well?" He was shy again all of a sudden.
"Yes. I would... I would like to do it again."
"Me too, baby me too, but lets get some sleep right now."
After you you both cleaned up and jumped into his bed, you realized how tired you became. Your eyes closed as soon as your head rested on his chest.
Once your breath turned even and you fell asleep, or Jungkook thought you fell asleep he pressed his lips against your forehead and gave you a kiss. A kiss that was a lot more meaningful then any kiss on the lips.
"I love you." He whispered, thinking you were fast asleep but you heard it. You heard as his breath became even as well and he fell deep into sleep.
For once you don't feel like you have to leave. You don't feel like you are out of place and you don't feel like you are incapable of love.
For once you don't want to get up in the morning and sneak out before he's awake, instead you want to stay over, you want to have breakfast with him. You want to sit on his counter as he cooks and you want to hear him say he loves you again.
Maybe you wouldn't say it back right now if he said it when you were awake but you like to believe that one day, very soon, you will also whisper it to him as he falls asleep.
Summary: There are three things Jungkook hates the most in the world, that includes microwaves, ducks, and you. Three things he absolutely refuses to tolerate and is determined to avoid at all costs. It gets a little hard tho when you decide to come to his college and get an apartment right next to his with your pet (guess what), a fucking duck.
Warnings: Reader is a meanie, y'all, bratty behaviour, reader is emotionally constipated, underage drinking, underage smoking (funny cigarettes), mentions of bad parenting and abandonment, SMUT (Fingering, cunnilingus, oral sex (m.), Jungkook is a switch, so are you, protected sex, the man has a HUGE dih, overstimulation).
A/n: Reader is 2 years younger than Jungkook. So when I mention ages, the younger one is the reader and the older one is Jungkook. (Sorry for the womansplaining). Also, this is not the full fic, so there might be a part two coming up in the future. Love you all for being here and happy reading.
*******
Ages 6 and 8.
You’ve always been the one in the spotlight. Being the youngest in the family, you naturally grew used to it — it became integral to who you are. By the time you were just two, you had already figured out how to turn things in your favor, how to make the moment about you without even trying. But don’t get it wrong, you’re not someone who chases attention, and you definitely don’t beg for it. You never had to. It’s always just… found its way to you. Effortlessly.
And now, you’re so accustomed to it that even a few minutes without it feel strange, almost unsettling — like something’s slightly off in the balance of things. You can imagine how your world must have tilted that day — the day you walked into your playground, your place, your little kingdom, expecting things to be just as they always were. The familiar faces, your people, your space. But this time… something was different.
The kids didn’t rush to you, didn’t crowd around asking how your day had been. Instead, all eyes were on someone else. Someone new. Someone you’d never seen before — who had shown up out of nowhere and, without permission, dared to step into your territory… maybe even steal a little of your spotlight.
The boy must have been your age, maybe even a bit older. He was new; you had never seen him in your whole life. You bet none of you have, and yet all your friends had flocked around him like a herd of cattle to its owner. You cleared your throat to make your presence known. All pairs of eyes turned to you, including the little boy's. That was the first time you saw him. He looked like that cartoon deer that your siblings loved so much, Banshi or something. You could never stand it.
His eyes were absurdly large, almost like liquid. You felt bad for him for no reason. Then, Anya, your best friend, acknowledged you. And just like that, the spell was broken. The circle shifted, and all the attention swung back to where it belonged — on you. Exactly as it should be.
That was the very first time you met Jeon Jungkook. And — much to his misfortune — the first time Jeon Jungkook met you. He decided, before the day was out, that he didn't like you very much.
Ages 10 and 12
Jungkook's friends called him Ace. He tried not to let it go to his head. He was good at most things — school, sports, and almost everything else. And he had a soft enough heart that when your brother showed up asking for a favor, he didn't immediately say no. Apparently, you had thrown a spectacular fit at home, flat-out refusing to go on the family vacation because no one could be trusted to look after your precious pet. Or, as your brother put it, you had managed to scare away five sitters in a row.
When most people talked about pets, the usual suspects came to mind — a puppy, a kitten, maybe even a calf if you were being unusual. But with you? Ordinary was never on the list.
In the few years Jungkook had known you, he’d seen you try to turn the most unpettable creatures into companions. First, there was the tarantula. Then a raccoon. A baby python. And, at one point, a mule. Each one eventually had to be relocated by your dad, either to a farm or back into the wild. So now Jungkook couldn’t help but wonder: what was it this time?
You were out on the porch when Jungkook arrived at your house with your brother and their friend Jacob. You were frantically scanning the yard, clearly searching for something.
“Kitty… KITTY… Here, kitty, come here!” you called out loudly.
Jungkook leaned closer to your brother and whispered, “Did she finally adopt a normal pet?”
“You’ll see,” was all your brother replied.
The three boys walked up to you. You were younger than all of them, yet somehow still taller. “He ran away! Again,” you announced the moment you noticed them approaching.
Your brother sighed. “Have you ever considered that maybe you’re keeping him against his will?”
“Shut up. He loves me,” you shot back defensively before returning to the urgent task of searching for your mystery pet.
“We’ll help you look,” Jungkook offered. You turned toward them immediately, a spark of hope lighting up your face.
“Yep. So… what does your cat look like?” Jacob asked casually. Your hopeful expression instantly shifted into a scoff; the very suggestion had almost offended you.
“Cat?” you repeated. “It’s not a cat.” Of course it wasn’t. Why had Jungkook even entertained the idea that you would adopt something as normal as a cat, and then name it Kitty? No, that is what sane people do. If anything, it was probably something ridiculous. A tiger cub. Maybe a hyena puppy.
"What is it then?” Jacob asked, voicing the exact question that had been circling in Jungkook’s head. As if on cue—like a dramatic entrance in a play—your beloved pet strolled out of the bushes.
"Kitty!" You crouched down immediately, voice going soft. "You had me worried."
Jungkook barely noticed the animal at first. Not until a loud, shrill scream rang out beside him. He turned just in time to see Jacob stumbling backward, nearly tripping over his own feet as he tried to get away.
“That’s a fucking lizard!”
“It’s an iguana.”
“It’s an iguana, you idiot,” Jungkook and you corrected him simultaneously.
“Whatever, bro. I am not sitting that.” With that, Jacob scrambled to his feet and bolted down the street, most likely heading straight home.
Your brother watched him disappear and sighed. “Well… I guess we can rule Jacob out as a sitter.”
“Why are you even looking for a sitter?” you asked. “I told you I’m not going.”
“Come on,” your brother groaned. “You promised you would go if we could find someone to watch him. Jungkook wouldn’t mind helping, right, Jungkook?”
Jungkook wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of a large lizard living in his house for a week. But the thought of you being away for that long? That part sounded pretty great.
“No, I wouldn’t,” he said flatly.
“Really?” you raised an eyebrow. “Then tell me, what do iguanas eat?”
“Uh… lettuce?” he guessed, blurting out the first vaguely healthy food that came to mind.
You gasped dramatically. “You’re going to starve him to death. Bro, he’d probably feed him cereal for dinner. I am not leaving Kitty with him.”
“I’m not an idiot, you know,” Jungkook shot back defensively. You looked at him for a moment.
“Could’ve fooled me.”
It took ten minutes of negotiation and four or five carefully considered hmms from Jungkook before you agreed to let him watch Kitty for the week. Let him. As though he had been desperately campaigning for the privilege of housing the wrinkly creature you insisted on calling your pet.
You led him to your room to hand over the supplies — the tank, the food, a handwritten care sheet that was frankly more detailed than most instruction manuals he'd read.
“So… why Kitty?” He finally asked the question he had been dying to know the moment he stepped on your porch.
“Um… I don’t know,” you said with a small shrug. “When I found him, he was being chased by the neighbor’s cat. When I finally saved him from Juno, he started purring at me. Just like a cat.”
Sometimes Jungkook genuinely couldn’t understand how someone like you could be so gentle with animals. The way you treated them was the complete opposite of how you behaved with people—soft, patient, caring. Jungkook almost smiled at the story. Almost. Then he remembered how mean you usually were to him.
“Iguanas don’t really make noise,” he pointed out.
“They do for me.”
Jungkook glanced down at the iguana lazily blinking in its tank.
“You’re lucky,” he muttered to the reptile. “She actually likes you.”
19 and 21
You were never a fan of the clean slate propaganda people pushed. Fresh starts were for people who had something to run from. You had spent years building something, a reputation, an aura, a particular quality of silence that fell over a room when you walked in. The kind that made people choose their words carefully. That made them want, instinctively, to impress you.
You were going to miss that. The careful eyes. The slight hesitation before someone spoke to you. Not for long, though. You'd built it once. You'll build it again.
Your mother was hugging you like you were being deployed. Your father moved quietly behind her, unloading the trunk with the efficiency of a man who had learned, over many years, not to comment on the volume of your luggage. And there was a lot of it. Enough that a passing person slowed down, looked at the pile, and then looked at you with something between respect and concern.
You wanted to cry — genuinely, unexpectedly — but decided not to because that would ruin your aesthetic. So you settled on kissing your mother on the forehead instead, looking down at the luggage as if you expected it to start walking on its own and settle in your apartment. With no particular effort, you glanced at the doorman.
That was all it took. Something in his expression shifted — the same way it always did with people — and he was already moving toward your luggage, gathering it up, carrying it into the lobby like it had been his idea all along. You didn't ask. You never really had to.
The building was nice. Expensive. You had not pitied your father's money when choosing it. It was close to campus — as close as you could get while still being adjacent to the city, still being able to hear it breathing outside your window at night. You needed that. The hum of somewhere that didn't sleep.
Room 1509— high enough for privacy, far enough from the elevator so you didn't have to listen to people moving all day.
With one last promise to your parents that you would call them every weekend, you bid them goodbye and walked up to the lift. The doors closed. For the first time in 19 years, you were alone in a space that was entirely yours. You allowed yourself exactly three seconds to feel something about that.
When you walked into your apartment, the luggage was already outside the door, scattered; you suppose the doorman had brought it, or whatever, you didn't really pay attention. You stepped around it without breaking stride, making a mental note to deal with it later — or find someone who would.
You set the beige basket on a table. It was the one thing you'd carried yourself, the entire journey, through the airport and the car ride and the lobby and the lift. You'd held it on your lap for five hours. You opened the lid. Smiling immediately.
"Hey, Albert." You cooed. He blinked up at you — eight months old, absurdly fluffy, already heavier than any duck had a reasonable right to be at his age. You reached in and lifted him out with the careful, practiced tenderness. "Was it stuffy in there?" You brought him up to your face, and he regarded you with an unimpressed look. "I'm so sorry. Five hours in that jail. Mom will never do it again."
Albert said nothing, of course. He was a duck. But he didn't pull away either, which you had long ago decided counted as forgiveness.
You had found him behind a school, near the small pond at the edge of the grounds, a tiny ball of yellow fur that had been separated from its mother by some kid who hadn't thought past the wanting of it. You'd spent three hours searching for the mother. Walked the entire perimeter of that pond twice, asked everyone nearby, and refused to leave until the sun was almost gone. Eventually, you had accepted the fact and taken him home. That was eight months ago. Your father had not yet attempted a relocation.
You settled onto the couch with Albert tucked against your chest, the apartment quiet around you, the city humming somewhere outside the window.
You fell asleep almost immediately, still in your outside clothes, Albert stepping down and waddling somewhere near your feet. The last thing you heard was the quiet, rhythmic sound of him working through his shredded lettuce. Bossing people around, apparently, took a toll on you.
*******
You woke up to a crash. For a moment, you just lay there, blinking at an unfamiliar ceiling, slightly confused. The skyline outside the large window had gone a pretty shade of orange, the sun mostly gone, the city settling into that amber hour of dusk.
Then the noise again. A thud, followed by something that sounded like a struggle. It was coming from directly outside your door. You got up, padded over, and pressed your ear against it.
"Shibal, who the fuck left their shit outside?" The voice was thick and gruff. Then the sound of a bark, wait bark? I thought pets were not allowed here. You opened the door a crack and peered out.
The first thing you saw was a naked back. Someone crouched on the floor, getting up slowly, a large brown dog orbiting him with a jubilant energy. Then he straightened. And it was a naked chest. He hadn't noticed you yet. He was looking down at your luggage — scattered exactly where you'd left it — like he was forming an opinion already, definitely not a good one. Then he looked up.
"Ma'am, do you need help with the luggage?"
You had approximately one second to process the face, and one second was not enough.
No, you thought. Absolutely not. This building has a hundred and something units. This is statistically impossible. This is not happening.
Jeon Jungkook looked at you.
You looked at Jeon Jungkook.
You almost considered slamming the door in his face, but you were not quick enough. He had recognized you, and you could tell the exact moment when realization hit him.
Within the next five seconds, you watched in real time as his expressions changed with the speed of light, 4 times. Confused. Astonished. Annoyed. And then the last one, which you didn't have a clean word for, a smile that wasn't really a smile, the expression of a person who has just lost a bet with the universe and finds it, against their will, a little bit amusing.
"Of course," he said, almost to himself. Then, louder: "Of course." Then, looking up, as if cursing the universe, "Of fucking course."
"Hi." You smirked, satisfied with the effect you still had on him.
*******
Three days. It has been three days exactly since you encountered Jungkook in your hallway after he fell face-first into your luggage and then stood half-naked in your hallway.
Three days of both of you trying to avoid each other like a plague, timing everything perfectly, just so you do not run into each other again. However, the efforts were more from his end; you did not really care that much, and honestly, you were lowkey offended that he did.
And as it turned out, the universe, apparently in a very funny mood, had decided his apartment was directly across the hall from yours. Right there. Opposite door. Of the dozens of empty units in this building, of the twenty or more he could have chosen, he was here, directly across from you. The word coincidence felt too generous.
So you had taken it upon yourself to accidentally run into him so that you could ask him why the hell he was avoiding you so determinably.
You were not someone people avoided. You were someone people adjusted themselves around, angled toward. Jeon Jungkook engineering his entire morning routine around not seeing you was something you could not let stand.
It took exactly two days of casual observation — observation, not watching, the distinction mattered — to establish exactly what time Jungkook left his apartment to go wherever the hell he went every morning.
It was ridiculous how much time you had in your hand, especially with the induction coming up on the very next day, and you having to prepare a special speech that was instructed to you in the mail. If Albert could talk and understand, he would definitely give you an earful about priorities and basic social behaviour.
Pressing your ear on the front door once again made you feel like a creep. Then you heard it, at exactly 7:45, the sound of a door clicking and then an electric beep of it locking again. You counted to 4 in your head before opening yours as well, and then giving the best performance of acting surprised before you even saw the figure.
Unfortunately tho, your Oscar-worthy performance was in vain because the person who stared at you, holding a hand to her heart as though you had scared her, was an old woman and not your childhood nemesis.
The woman gave you a very judgmental look before muttering something about manners and went along her way.
"You're into scaring old helpless women now?"
The voice came from your left. You turned around to see him leaning against his doorframe, casually biting an apple. A bag slung over his shoulder and his messy hair returned the warmth you felt that night.
"I thought it was you," you said, crossing your arms, meeting his eyes directly.
"You thought that 5 feet, 60-somethin, fragile old lady was me?"
"Umhmm. The resemblance is uncanny." Jungkook snickered at your wit.
He said nothing, just stared at you until he finished his entire apple as if establishing to you that you did not intimidate him. Then he turned and started walking toward the elevator.
“Wait,” you called before he’d even gone ten feet. “Why have you been avoiding me?”
Jungkook stopped, turned back, and took a couple of seconds before answering—settling on a lie. “I’m not avoiding you.”
“Oh, really?” you said. “So you’ve just been taking the stairs every time you see me in the elevator… for fun?”
“I’m a health freak.” You scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
“Just admit it. You were avoiding me.” You uncrossed your arms and walked toward him at an unhurried pace until you were standing barely a foot away. Jungkook swallowed but didn’t step back. “You might be the cool, gym-obsessed Jungkook to everyone else, but to me, you’re still that awkward little boy who’s scared of girls.” From the years of being aqainted to you, one way or another, Jungkook had learned that you held no malice in your words, so his expression did not falter.
“And you haven’t changed either,” he said evenly. “Still the narcissistic little girl who thinks the world revolves around her.” He paused, holding your gaze. “Well, guess what, it doesn’t. Definitely not mine. So no—I wasn’t avoiding you. You do not hold that amount of importance in my life.” It stung more than you expected. Just a little—but enough for a flicker of embarrassment to rise to your face.
Your instincts told you to say something meaner, to cut deeper, to make him cry again, just like you did all those years ago in the school playground. But something stopped you, mostly his expressions, which did not match a single word he said, eyes just as wide and soft as the day you first met him.
"I fucking hate you."
"Yeah? The feeling's mutual, Bubbles." The old nickname had done something to you, something weird in your heart and stomach, almost like someone was tickling you with a feather. For a brief moment, you caught his gaze drop, your toes curling up instinctively. His expression shifted, and if you didn’t know better, you might’ve called it concern. You followed his line of sight—down to your bare feet. "Why aren’t you wearing any shoes?” he asked, momentarily forgetting the topic of the conversation.
"None of your business."
"Fine. Suit yourself." He turned away, slipping his headphones back on as he stepped into the elevator.
“Health freak, my ass,” you muttered under your breath before heading back to your apartment. You turned the handle to your door once, then twice, and then again. It did not budge. "Fuck."
You locked yourself out of your apartment.
Four hours. It has been four whole hours since you locked yourself out of the apartment. You had tried everything—or at least, everything you were willing to try. Which mostly meant turning the handle in different directions and hoping for a miracle. It didn’t work. Honestly, it was probably a good thing it didn’t; you’d be more concerned if it had.
Your pride, and, more importantly, your embarrassment, kept you from going downstairs to ask for help. At least the building had decent temperature control; otherwise, you might’ve frozen in the minimal clothing you had on.
In those four hours, the hallway had stayed mostly deserted. The only people you saw were a couple who gave you a suspicious look, probably assuming you were either a burglar or, worse, someone’s ex who had just been dumped.
Eventually, you gave in and sat down outside your door—after carefully checking the floor for any dust or stains, of course. Your eyes drifted to the plant placed beside Jungkook’s door. A single white flower bloomed from it, tilted away from you like it was deliberately ignoring you—or mocking you. "Stupid Jungkook." You sighed angrily as it was all his fault. Which it was, if he had not been avoiding you, you would not be here.
Another fifteen minutes passed before the elevator chimed again. You stood up immediately, ready to swallow your pride and ask for help. You changed your mind just as quickly when you saw the same boy you had so aggressively declared your hatred for that morning. He stopped mid-step when he saw you—still in the same pajamas he had left you in hours ago. His expression shifted from confusion to understanding, and then to amusement as the situation clicked into place. By the time he reached you, a laugh had already escaped him.
"Did you lock yourself out, Bubbles?" he asked. The nickname that had made something flutter earlier now only irritated you—like he was talking down to you.
"Don’t call me that," you snapped. "And I did not lock myself out. I’m just… inspecting the corridor for bugs."
"Uh-huh," he said dryly. "I’ll save you the trouble—there aren’t any. Now go inside." He stood there, watching you with a raised eyebrow as you pretended to turn the handle again.
"I will."
"Yeah? Go ahead."
"Why are you still here? Go do your stuff."
He didn’t move. "Why are you so stubborn?' he said finally. "Just admit you need help."
You shot him a challenging look. He knew you well enough to understand—you’d rather sit out here all night than ask for help. You bit the inside of your cheek. He shook his head disapprovingly, then turned and unlocked his own apartment, stepping inside.
“Asshole,” you muttered under your breath, still biting your cheek to hold back the tears threatening to spill.
Not even five seconds later, the door opened again. Jungkook stepped out, a screwdriver in one hand and a pair of slippers in the other. He dropped the slippers at your feet. You looked at them stubbornly for a moment before giving in and slipping them on. Without saying anything, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over your shoulders. Then he crouched in front of your door and started working on the lock.
Of course, your body chose that exact moment to betray you. Your stomach let out a loud hungry growl.
“Go inside,” he said without looking up. “This might take a while. There are fruits on the dining table.” The thought of finally eating something overpowered your pride, and you followed his instructions without arguing.
His interior was much different than yours, everything black and gray, a complete contrast to your pastel colours. The dog you’d seen a few times in the evenings padded up to you, eyeing you curiously, trying to decide whether you were a threat. You smiled in greeting, and that was all it took; he immediately started bouncing around, clearly approving of you.
For all his intimidating appearance, he was nothing more than a big, soft puppy. You offered him a slice of apple, which he eagerly took from your hand before nudging you insistently with his head, asking for attention. You obliged, running your fingers through his head as he leaned into you. "Stupid dog," you mumbled, but not with any bitterness.
After another fifteen minutes of playing with what might be the dumbest puppy you had ever met, you heard Jungkook call your name. You stepped out and saw him standing by your door, which was now slightly open—not fully, just enough.
Relief washed over you, and you rushed inside immediately. Albert, delighted to see you, waddled over at once.
“Holy fucking Jesus—what the hell is that?” Jungkook blurted, staring at your duck with clear disgust. Albert responded with a loud quack, returning the pleasantries.
“It’s a duck,” you said simply.
Jungkook thought, 'Of course, you have a duck. How can you exist without having an unconventional pet?'
“I can see that it’s a duck,” he replied, glancing back and forth between you and Albert. For the first time in a while, you caught something new in his expression—fear.
“Wait… are you scared of ducks?” you asked, a smirk forming. He didn’t seem to think that deserved an answer.
“Keep that thing away from me,” he said, watching Albert like he was personally responsible for some ancestral tragedy. “And don’t lock yourself out again.”
"Jungkook." Your voice came out softer—softer than he had probably ever heard from you. You bit your lips, but the words still refused to come out.
"You're welcome." He closed your door after him, leaving you alone with Albert.
*******
NOW
The campus was busy today. A new semester meant an influx of new students, the place buzzing with unfamiliar faces. Summer break was over, and everyone had returned—well, everyone who had somewhere to go for the summer, unlike you.
It wasn’t that you didn’t have the option. You just didn’t feel like facing your parents and explaining why you’d changed your major three times in four semesters. Staying back had been easier. You told them you were taking summer classes to catch up, which wasn’t entirely false—you had been studying, just not enrolled in any official courses.
Apparently, you weren’t the only one who had chosen not to go home. Jungkook had stayed back, too. You didn’t know his reason, but you were certain it wasn’t out of the kindness of his heart.
At least, on the bright side, the two of you were no longer constantly plotting each other’s murder. Don’t get it wrong—you still hated him. Just not the murderable amount anymore. He had grown used to your duck loudly quacking early in the mornings, and you, in turn, had adjusted to the fact that he seemed to be half-naked at every possible opportunity.
You were on your way to the football field, changed into your cheer clothes. You were surrounded by your giggling teammates, who apparently had no better topic of discussion than how hot the football boys were. It was the first cheer practice after summer, and everyone seemed eager to show off the routines they had worked on. Everyone except you. You hadn’t worked out once in the past two months, and the thought of it worried you—mostly because you were convinced your spotter, Hoseok, might actually break a hip trying to lift you.
Leshi, your cheer captain, noticed the expression on your face before practice began, and like the sweetheart she is, she took you to the side and asked if everything was alright. You, being you (slightly constipated when it comes to expressing), had brushed it off as a slow day. Assuring her that once you are out in the field, you'll cheer up.
"Okay, five, six, five six seven eight." It took you only a few rounds before you fell back into the routine again, so smoothly, like you didn't stop practicing even for a minute.
While Tina was demonstrating a few new steps she wanted to add, the girls suddenly got distracted by something across the field. Their high-pitched giggles and laughter made you turn to see what had caught their attention. Of course—it was the varsity boys walking over. Some of them were proud of the way the girls were reacting, giving a few winks and flying kisses as if they were some pop stars or something.
"Ughh." You rolled your eyes, unimpressed.
"Girls, focus," Leshi yelled, which made them go even more mental. Across the field, your eyes met with Jungkook's. You were a little relieved that, for once, he was fully dressed. His expression was blank, as if he hadn't grown up down your street and now lived across from your apartment. Not even a nod of acknowledgement. Not that it bothered you. You wouldn't expect anything less from Jeon Jungkook. He generally does avoid you in college like you're some deadly parasite.
The boys had started their warm-up, and after a few scoldings from your captain, the girls had stopped acting like bafoons as well.
"Do you guys know each other?" someone had asked you between breaks. It was Harper, the junior, who joined the team right before the last session ended.
"Who?" you replied, mid-stretch, with Hoseok helping you.
"Jungkook," she said. "He’s been staring at you this whole time." She was clearly trying not to sound jealous. You turned in the direction, and surely Jungkook was there, eyes boring at you.
"He's probably wondering why she's so stiff," Hoseok joked, earning a playful slap to his chest from you.
"Not really. He's my stupid brother's stupid friend," you said, not breaking eye contact with Jungkook. You almost laughed when his coach flicked his forehead, probably telling him to focus. Although you gave a vague answer, it was enough for Harper and a few other girls to perk up.
"Really? OMG, that's so cool."
"What's cool about knowing that idiot?"
"I mean… maybe you could talk to him about me? I've been eyeing him since freshman year." You raised your eyebrow at her confession. Something stirred inside your stomach. You were not very familiar with the ugly feeling, but you had noticed it only took place when he was involved.
"You want me to set you up with him?" You raised an eyebrow, scoffing at the stupid suggestion. "Do I look like someone who sets people up?" You didn't mean to sound so mean, but you couldn't help it. She was getting on your nerves. What part of your attitude had given her the idea that you would giggle with her in the locker room and help her plan a date?
"Oh, come on. Help a girl out." She batted her eyelashes at you as if it would sway you. You gave her a nod.
"You want me to set you up? Fine." You straightened and called out loudly, “Yo, Jungkook!” The entire field went quiet; every single person stopped practicing to look at you. Harper's eyes widen with shock and before she could stop you, you yelled out just as loud, "Harper here wants to date you, you down?"
The boys around him immediately started hooting and whistling. Harper, completely put on the spot, gave an awkward little wave. Jungkook looked at her once and then back at you; his expression didn't change; instead, he went back to what he was doing.
"There, you got your answer." She was red with embarrassment and on the verge of crying.
"Why would you do that!?"
"What? You asked me to," you replied, feigning innocence.
"Not like that." She grabbed her things and stormed off, muttering 'such a bitch' under her breath.
"You don't have to be such a bitch all the time, you know?" Another girl said. Leaving after Harper to console her. You look around your group to see if someone was on your side, but all you got were disappointed looks. Even Hoseok and your captain, the only two people you might actually consider friends, didn’t back you up.
On the other side of the field, the boys had gathered around Jungkook, clearly curious. "Dude… I didn’t know you knew her," one of them said. Jungkook just gave him a confused look.
"The flyer," someone clarified. Jungkook didn’t bother responding, clearly not finding it worth answering.
"Yeah shes his friend's little sister," Jimin added for him.
"Man, she’s hot. Spunky too."
"Yeah, I like 'em a little mean." Jungkook shot both of them a sharp look, straightening slightly.
"Don’t ask me anything about her, okay?" he said firmly. "You’re not getting her number, you’re not getting a date." Then he turned back to practice, implying that the conversation was over.
"Guy's she's off-limits," Jimin added.
"They into each other or something?" Jimin burst out laughing at that. The mere thought was ridiculous.
"No, completely the opposite. You’d need a fire truck to pull them apart when they fight," he said. Then added, a little more thoughtfully, "But he’s oddly protective of her. Probably just sees her like a little sister."
*******
Karma hit you hard like a truck. Or more accurately, in this case, like Jung Hoseok. One second you were in the air, the next you were on the ground. One of your bases slipped, throwing Hoseok off balance, and before he could catch you, you landed on your ass—your ankle twisting painfully.
"Babe, I am so sorry, I swear to god I tried to catch you." Hoseok rushed out.
The girls were gathered around you, some of them whispering exactly what you were thinking about Karma, and some just looking with genuine concern. Hosoek was apologizing profusely, carefully holding your ankle, trying to assess the damage. Leshi had sent one of the girls to get the first-aid kit, but she was sure taking her sweet time.
"I know, Soek. It’s okay," you said.
"No, it’s not. I’m so fucking sorry—" Before he could go on, someone shoved him aside. Your eyes shifted—and surprisingly, it was Jeon Jungkook. He shot Hoseok an irritated look before turning to you.
"You Okay?" He asked you.
"I'm Fine," you replied, though a small groan slipped out anyway. Jungkook’s gaze snapped back to Hoseok.
"Dude, if you can't even catch a girl, maybe you shouldn't be on the team," He said a little more harshly than necessary.
"Jungkook, I said I’m fine—" Before you could finish, he had already picked you up and started carrying you toward the bleachers. You stared at him, horrified, then glanced back at your team, who were watching the two of you with confused expressions. "Put me down," you protested, squirming, but he didn’t budge—lifting you like you weighed nothing.
Great, now they'll think you had ulterior motives with Harper. Thankfully, Leshi stepped in, telling everyone to stop staring and dismissing practice early, making sure people started leaving.
"The fuck do you think you're doing?" you snapped as he set you down on the bleachers before crouching in front of you.
"What does it look like?” he replied. “Your teammates weren’t exactly in a hurry to help."
"Fuck, Jungkook," you said, glaring at him. "Now they'll think I did that to Harper because I'm into you."
He ignored what you said and lifted your bare foot onto his knee, carefully examining your ankle. Grabbing the first aid box beside you, he pulled out a healing spray.
"Are you done playing doctor?" you spat out as he started wrapping your ankle with a brown bandage.
"Would you just stop being a brat for once?" he shot back, loud enough to make you fall silent. For the next five minutes, you said nothing, letting him finish. When he was done, he gave your ankle a small pat.
Before he could bend down to pick you again, you stopped him. "I can walk. I'm not a child." To prove it, you stood up, putting your weight on your good foot, and began limping off the field.
"Fucking brat." was the last thing you heard Jungkook say before you were completely out of earshot.
*******
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. You noticed people whispering here and there whenever you walked into a room—most likely talking about what you did to your teammate. You were getting the looks from almost everyone, the looks you were used to. People had always looked at you like you were some cold-hearted bitch who would sell her children for breadsticks. The whispers, though—that was different.
Or maybe it was just that you weren’t used to being on the receiving end of them. Back home, in school, people had the decency to talk behind your back—at least pretend to be sweet in front of you. But here, no one was even trying to hide that their topic of current gossip was you.
By the end of the day, you were pretty sure you heard someone say, “She has a huge crush on Jungkook and got jealous of that poor cheerleader.” It had you rolling your eyes, as if you would ever have a crush on Jungkook.
When you reached your building lobby, your gaze dropped to your injured leg, still tightly wrapped in the bandage Jungkook had put on. “Stupid Jungkook,” you muttered under your breath, irritation bubbling up again. Why did he have to make such a big deal out of a frickin' ankle sprain? You hated him for making you look like the crazy one.
You quietly walked out of the elevator on your floor; it was still just as deserted as the day you moved in. Only three apartments on the whole floor were occupied, yours, Mrs. Ferris (The poor old lady you scared that one morning), and fucking Jungkook.
As you walked to your door, your eyes drifted—almost involuntarily—to the plant beside it. The same pot with white flowers that sat near Jungkook’s door once. After you had locked yourself out that day, you noticed the pot had shifted the next morning. You also noticed that the soil in the pot was noticeably reduced, like someone had scooped it out to make it lighter. You had placed your spare key under the pot since that day. Jungkook never spoke about it, and you never asked either.
The plant now grows two flowers instead of one, two flowers always facing opposite directions; the irony had made you laugh.
Your duck was waiting for you just inside, and the moment you stepped in, he started quacking loudly—like he had his own complaints about the day. You let out a tired sigh. “Me too, Albert. Me too.” You picked him up, pressing a series of kisses to his tiny head, which he tolerated with mild reluctance. “Let me tell you something,” you murmured. “We hate Jungkook. Okay?” Albert responded with a simple quack.
You spent the evening venting to your duck while preparing a snack for both of you, then eating it together. Albert responded with the occasional nod here and a quack there, like he understood every word.
That was until you heard a familiar bark right outside your door—first the bark, then laughter. You set your bowl of berries down and stood up, ready to go out and tear Jungkook apart again, because, honestly, you weren’t done yet. You didn’t even know what would satisfy you. An apology? Hah, as if that was ever going to happen, there were more possibilities of earth being flat than Jungkook apologizing to you. You were about to yank open your front door, words right on the tip of your tongue, when something stopped you.
A second laughter. One that was feminine and high-pitched. Your expression darkened immediately. It wasn’t anything new. Over the past twenty-one months, you have seen Jungkook bring countless women home. Yet for some stupid reason, you hadn’t expected tonight to be one of those nights—like, somehow you had reserved Jungkook for the whole day with one mishap in the morning.
The irritation boiled inside you, even more so than before. How dare he stand there giggling with a girl after completely ruining your day?
You yanked the door open—harder than you intended—and nearly lost your own balance from the force.
All three pairs of eyes turned to you at once—the woman, the man, and the dog. The first thing you noticed was how beautiful she was. Her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, not a single strand out of place.
The second thing was their matching outfits—or lack thereof. Jungkook was shirtless, as usual, wearing low-hanging black gym shorts. The woman stood beside him in a black sports bra and shorts. Both of them were visibly sweaty, and it was obvious they had just come back from an evening run.
The third thing you noticed was something that gave you that ugly feeling again. A brown bandage wrapped around her wrist. The same kind that was currently around your ankle. Your mind instantly painted an image of him kneeling in front of her, carefully tending to her injury—just like he had done for you. The thought left a foul taste in your mouth. The dog was the first one to acknowledge your presence, tail wagging as he trotted over, nudging your hand for attention.
“I see your bandage skills aren’t exclusive to me. And here I thought I was special,” you said, your tone dripping with sarcasm. Jungkook rolled his eyes before introducing you to the woman. She offered you a polite greeting, hand extended, which you blatantly ignored as you brushed past her, pushing her shoulder with yours ever so lightly. Jungkook shot you a sharp look at that.
“Jiah, why don’t you go inside?” he said. “Take Bam with you.” She nodded, taking the dog’s leash before stepping into his already open apartment. The moment she was out of earshot, Jungkook turned back to you, the hint of a smile gone. “What do you want?” he asked, looking down at you as you stood right in front of him.
“Well, where do I even begin?” you snapped. “I don’t want to see your face in college. I don’t want you pretending like you care about me in front of everyone. And I want you to stop making me look like some psycho freak.” He let out a short scoff.
“Trust me, doll,” he said coldly. “That’s all you.”
You looked at him, almost offended. “I act like a psycho? If you hadn’t shown up acting like some prince charming, everything would’ve been fine. But no—you had to go all protective. Do you have any idea what people are saying? That I’m some crazy bitch who did all that for attention.”
“Didn’t you, though?”
“Excuse me?” Now you were actually offended. “I don’t do anything for attention.”
“Oh really?” he shot back. “Then why did you do that to the poor girl?”
“Poor girl?” you scoffed. “What, you feel bad for her now?”
“I feel bad for anyone who has to deal with you, Bubbles.” You let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh.
“Wow,” you said, clapping once slowly. “That’s rich. Coming from you.”
Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you don’t get to stand there and act morally superior,” you snapped. “You’ve been avoiding me like I’m some disease for weeks, and suddenly today you decide to play hero in front of everyone?”
“I wasn’t playing anything,” he shot back. “You were hurt.”
“It was an ankle sprain, Jungkook,” you corrected, your voice rising. “I would have lived.”
“And yet you couldn’t even walk properly,” he said, stepping a little closer. “God forbid someone actually helps you.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.
“Yeah, you never do,” he said, a bitter edge slipping into his tone. “That’s kind of your thing, isn’t it? Push everyone away and then act surprised when no one sticks around.”
You froze for a second, the words hitting somewhere deeper than you expected. “Don’t act like you know me,” you said, quieter but colder. “You didn’t do that to help me. You did it to prove something. That you’re the ‘good one’ and I’m the villain. Congrats—you got your audience.”
“But I do,” he replied. “I’ve known you long enough to know exactly how you operate.”
"Oh yeah? How do I operate Jungkook? Please tell me?"
“You think everything is a performance,” he said. “Like everyone’s always trying to get back at you. Grow up. Not everything revolves around you.”
His words felt like a slap, just a little. You clenched your teeth so you would not let the tear slip from your eye. You stepped closer—close enough that your chests nearly brushed. You had to tilt your head up to meet his eyes, but he didn’t look away.
"Fuck. You. Jungkook." You almost whispered. "Just stay out of my life. I don't want to see your face again."
You bit down on your lip, your gaze flickering briefly toward his half-open door. The woman inside was still visible—sitting quietly, her presence soft, easy. The kind of person people naturally liked. The kind who made others feel comfortable. Something you know no one can ever say about you.
As soon as the door closed behind you, you let out a sharp breath you were holding.
*******
You and Jungkook barely crossed paths after that—at least not for the next couple of weeks. He went out of his way to avoid you in the hallways, though it’s not like you were looking forward to seeing him either. You had even started taking the stairs whenever you spotted him near the elevator. The only place you couldn’t avoid each other was practice. Your cheer team was assigned to the varsity football team, so you still saw him almost every day.
Jimin was the first to notice—and, unsurprisingly, the first to bring it up.
“What’s going on between you and the diva?” he asked, tying his laces before jogging alongside Jungkook.
Jungkook vividly remembers the night Jimin gave you that nickname. The two of them had been drunk at a club, and he had spent nearly an hour ranting about you—about how insufferable you were. Even though there was a girl practically grinding on him, all he could think about was how much you infuriate him.
“Nothing’s going on,” Jungkook replied flatly.
Jimin snorted. “She’s looking at you like she’s about this close to chopping your dick off,” he said, holding up his fingers to show just how close. Jungkook glanced over to where he knew you were stretching with your teammates, and the moment your eyes met, you quickly looked away.
“She’s all bark,” Jungkook said casually. Jimin followed his gaze and noticed the slight frown on your face, your lips pulled into a small pout. He almost commented how you were too cute—but one glance at Jungkook beside him was enough to make him keep that thought to himself.
“You know,” Jimin said casually, “if she wasn’t so headstrong and you weren’t… well, you—you two would actually make a pretty cute couple.”
Jungkook nearly choked, coughing as he shot Jimin a look of pure disgust.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked, stopping mid-track.
“What?” Jimin shrugged. “It’s just a thought. You’re hot, she’s hot.”
“Yeah, well,” Jungkook muttered, glaring at him, “keep it to yourself.”
Jimin didn’t bring it up again, but the idea lingered in Jungkook’s mind. It refused to leave. Honestly, he had never seen you that way before—never even considered it as a possibility. To him, you had always just been you—annoying, sharp-tongued, headstrong, impossible. But now that Jimin had said it out loud, the thought kept resurfacing uninvited. It was irritating.
Every time he looked in your direction, he became more aware of you—of the way you carried yourself, of how easily you slipped back into routines like nothing could shake you, of the constant expression on your face that somehow managed to be both bored and intimidating at the same time.
“You two would actually make a pretty cute couple.” Jimin’s words replayed in Jungkook’s head all day. They followed him everywhere—when he absentmindedly passed the ball during practice, when he stood under the shower afterward, when he sat in his class trying to focus on what Mr. Kim was saying, when he drove back home, even when he was at the gym. No matter what he was doing, the thought kept creeping back in, refusing to let him concentrate on anything else.
When Jungkook stepped out of the elevator onto his floor after his evening run with Bam, something made him pause. You were standing in the corridor, your back to him, hands planted on your hips as you stared down at something. You were wearing such a tiny pair of shorts and a very small t-shirt that, for a brief second, he almost felt like he was invading your privacy.
Bam immediately perked up at the sight of you, ready to run over—but then he suddenly slowed, attention shifting to something near your feet. Jungkook took a few more steps forward and followed your line of sight.
"Albert. Bad duck. Put him down." There he was, the dreadful duck.
Jungkook had never liked that creature—arguably more than he disliked you. First of all, it was a duck. A duck. An animal he knew had the potential to take over the world if given the chance. They weren’t afraid of anything, and he was convinced that thing gave him a smug, almost sinister look every time he saw it.
And then there was the other problem. The duck terrorized his dog. His big, intimidating dog—who looked like he could take down anything—was, for some reason, absolutely terrified of it.
“Albert. Put. Down. The. Lizard.” Jungkook had no idea where—or how—the duck had managed to get a lizard in its beak, and he had no intention of finding out. All he knew was that he nearly gagged when Albert finally dropped it, and you picked it up without hesitation, holding it close to your face to check if it was hurt.
“You two would actually make a pretty cute couple.” Jimin’s voice echoed in his head again. Her? Jungkook thought. Me and her? He let out a loud, disbelieving laugh at the absurdity of it. The sound made you turn. The softness on your face vanished the moment you saw him.
“Can you please get your… weird little pets inside so Bam can go in?” he said, eyeing Albert, who had now waddled right in front of his door. Bam stayed crouched behind Jungkook, clearly unwilling to move. Truthfully, Bam wasn’t the only one hesitating—Jungkook wasn’t exactly eager to walk past the devil either.
“Albert is not weird,” you snapped. “Your dog is the weird one. What kind of dog is scared of a duck?”
Jungkook scoffed. “A normal one. One that has survival instincts.”
“Please,” you rolled your eyes. “He’s being dramatic.”
“He’s dramatic?” Jungkook repeated, incredulous. “Your duck just kidnapped a lizard.”
You glanced down at Albert, who was now proudly standing between the two doors like he owned the corridor. “He was rescuing it,” you corrected.
“From what? Peace?”
You ignored that, nudging Albert lightly with your foot. “Move.” Albert didn’t. Instead, he tilted his head—then took one slow step closer to Jungkook’s door. Bam let out a small, distressed whine and pressed further behind Jungkook’s legs. You exhaled sharply. “Oh, my God.”
Jungkook didn’t move either. “Yeah. Exactly.”
The two of you stood there for a moment—completely stuck. You crossed your arms. “You can go around.”
“There is no ‘around,’” he said flatly. “It’s a hallway.”
“Then jump over him.”
Jungkook gave you a look. “I’m not jumping over your demon bird.”
“Duck.”
“Same thing.”
You sighed, crouching down to pick Albert up. He resisted for a second before finally letting you lift him, his webbed feet kicking slightly in protest. “See? Not that hard.”
“Yeah, because he likes you,” Jungkook muttered, still not moving.
You raised a brow. “Are you scared?”
“I’m being cautious.”
“Of a duck.”
“Of that duck,” he corrected.
You let out a quiet huff, stepping aside just enough. “Go.” Jungkook hesitated for half a second—then walked past quickly, like he didn’t trust you or Albert. Bam followed immediately, practically glued to his side. You almost smiled. Almost. As Jungkook reached his door, he paused, hand on the handle. He glanced back, his eyes briefly dropping to your feet.
“I see you started practice again,” he said. “Is your ankle even healed?”
You followed his gaze, then looked back up at him, unimpressed. “Jungkook, you’re not actually my doctor,” you replied. “You don’t have to keep pretending like you care.” Something in his expression shifted, almost to annoyance.
“I’m not—” he started, then stopped, exhaling sharply as he ran a hand through his hair. “You know what? Forget it.”
“Just… don’t push it too much at practice,” he said, not quite looking at you. “You’ll make it worse.”
“It was a sprain, Jungkook. People have healed from bullet wounds in two weeks.” Jungkook didn’t respond. It almost looked like he might—his jaw tightening, something unreadable flashing across his face—but then he just shook his head, like he’d already decided it wasn’t worth it. The door slammed shut. The sound echoed a little too loudly in the quiet hallway. You stood there for sometime, staring at the closed door, your grip on Albert tightening just slightly.
“Asshole,” you muttered under your breath. On the other side, Jungkook leaned back against the door the second it shut, squeezing his eyes shut for a brief second. He cannot believe how much he lets you get on his nerves.
Bam looked up at him, tilting his head. Jungkook let out a sharp breath, running a hand through his already messy hair before pushing himself off the door. “I’m gonna cook that duck one day,” he muttered, glaring at the closed door.
Bam gave a small, uncertain bark. Jungkook scoffed. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re scared of it too.”
*******
The lights were low enough to blur the edges of everything, forcing you to squint just to make out faces in the crowd. Music thumped through the walls, bass-heavy and constant, vibrating faintly under your feet. It wasn’t like you didn’t enjoy parties—you did. You knew how to move through a room, how to fall into conversations, how to make people notice you without asking for it. But tonight, you just weren’t in the mood. Still, your teammates had dragged you to this frat party anyway. One last party before midterms, they had said—though everyone knew there was no such thing as a last party.
The moment you walked in, it was like the Harper situation had never happened. Smiles greeted you from every direction, people pulling you into quick hugs like you were some long-lost friend. You didn’t recognize half of them—faces blurred together, names long forgotten—but you played along, slipping back into it like it was second nature.
One of the girls slipped a drink into your hand, and you took a casual sip. You frowned slightly—whoever made it knew exactly how you liked it. You didn’t question it. By the time you were two drinks in, the edge had softened. The noise didn’t feel as overwhelming, the lights less irritating. You finally started to fall into the rhythm of the place, letting yourself blend into the crowd.
You glanced around for your teammates, but they were nowhere to be seen. Figures. With a small exhale, you let yourself sway along with the music, moving mindlessly with the bodies around you.
Your eyes kept scanning the crowd, though you weren’t even sure what—or who—you were looking for. There was a small part of your mind, barely there, wondering if he might show up tonight. You hadn’t seen him all evening, so you told yourself it was just curiosity. Nothing more.
Your gaze stilled the moment it landed on something familiar—the glint of a lip piercing. He was already looking at you. He’d known exactly where you were the entire time. Jungkook sat sprawled on a couch in the corner, a beer in hand, completely at ease. A half-drunk girl was perched on his lap, leaning into him like she belonged there. And still—his eyes were on you. boring into your soul as if he could read your thoughts.
The view had done something to your stomach. The urge to walk straight up to him and dump your drink over both of them felt very real. Not trusting your intrusive thoughts to not do exactly that, you chugged down the rest of it.
The feeling was just settling in your guts when two hands found your waist. You turned sharply, ready to snap at whoever it was—but your expression softened the moment you recognized him. "Hosoek." You pulled him into a quick hug, relief slipping through you at the sight of someone familiar.
“Hey, babe.” He leaned back, looking down at you before letting out a low whistle. “Damn. You look hot.” Parties were Hoseok’s element. The second he stepped into one, he owned it—the most confident guy in the room, like he could conquer the world with two hip thrusts.
“Says you,” you shot back, smirking as you gave him a once-over in return.
A conversation smoothed between the two of you, and for a while, the boy with the lip piercing and tattoo sleeve slipped completely out of your mind. That was until you turned—And your eyes met his again. Same spot. Same couch. Same girl draped over him, leaning in close, whispering something into his ear. Your chest tightened, heart racing.
Without thinking twice, your hand moved to the hands resting on your waist, pulling Hoseok closer. Your bodies pressed together, grinding with the music in a way that two friends were definitely not supposed to. You somewhat felt bad for Hoseok, for giving him false hope, for using him for... You don't even know what you were doing. There was this desire to one-up Jungkook, like it was some weird competition of who could be more vulgar publicly.
Even in the dim light, you caught the shift. Jungkook’s hand slid to the girl’s waist, pulling her in closer. His eyes never left yours. Not for a second. His other hand moved up, fingers tangling into her hair as he tilted her head back just slightly. It felt intentional. Like a response. Your own hand moved in instinct, sliding up to the back of Hoseok’s neck, pulling him down. Your ass pressed against him, and you felt his hand snake under your tiny skirt, grazing the soft skin of your thigh. You knew you were going too far, to the point of no return.
Then you stopped, watching how he closed the rest of the distance and pulled her down for a kiss. A kiss so intense you could feel it from across the room. Eyes finally leave you and shift his complete focus to the girl on his lap.
You wanted to scream, definitely not because you felt something shatter inside you, but because you lost. Whatever silent standoff had been going on between you, he ended it first. The sight made you a little sick.
You dragged a hand through your hair, stepping away from Hoseok abruptly. He looked at you, confusion and guilt replacing whatever haze he’d been in. “I’m gonna go outside,” you said, forcing a small smile.
“Wait—hey, I’m sorry. Did I—did I go too far? I didn’t mean to—” he started quickly. You cut him off with a shake of your head.
“No, Hobi. You’re fine.” You leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, reassuring him, before slipping away through the crowd.
The shift hit you immediately. Outside, the air was cooler, cleaner. The music dulled into a distant thump, still pulsing faintly under your skin but no longer suffocating. A few students lingered around—some laughing, some waiting for rides, one bent over the lawn, throwing up. You wrinkled your nose in disgust, looking away.
Your eyes landed on a guy leaning against the wall, cigarette between his fingers. Even from a distance, you could tell it wasn’t just a regular one—the smell gave it away.
“Can I have one?” you asked—more of a demand than a question.
“Depends,” he said, smirking, his eyes dragging slowly over your figure. “What do I get in return?” You scoffed at the audacity. He didn’t look older than a freshman.
“In return, I won’t call the cops for underage smoking…” You said coolly, leaning in just enough to catch the scent, "and drinking.”
His smirk faltered, eyes sharpening slightly. “…Good enough.” He reached into his jacket, pulling out a crumpled pack and handing you one of the poorly rolled cigarettes. You placed it between your lips, and he leaned in to light it, the tiny purple flame flickering between you.
You glanced at the lighter in his hand. “Can I have that too?” It was pretty, and you wanted it.
He hesitated for a second. “It’s mine…” A pause. Then he shrugged, holding it out. “But yeah. You can have it.”
The first drag pulled a cough out of you immediately. You weren’t a smoker—never had been—but there was something oddly familiar about the smell, something that settled your nerves just a little. After a few smaller drags, your lungs adjusted. You leaned back against the wall, exhaling slowly, your mind replaying everything that had happened inside. It felt… stupid. The whole thing.
With every sound of the door opening behind you, your eyes flicked over instinctively. Perhaps some part of you was waiting. Hoping. That once Jungkook noticed you were gone, he’d come after you. You didn’t even know what you’d say if he did. Or what you wanted him to say. You just knew that whatever had happened in there—That wasn’t normal. That is not how people who supposedly hate each other behave.
A sudden commotion caught your attention. Glancing to your left, you saw two guys hovering over a girl. At first, you assumed they were friends, but then you saw her face clearly—it was Harpar. She was so drunk she could barely stand. Your eyes flicked to the two unfamiliar guys; you didn’t know if they were actually her friends, but you weren’t about to take the risk.
You straightened up and noticed a small rock by your feet, about the size of your fist. Without hesitation, you picked it up in your cigarette-free hand and approached the three of them. “Harpar?” you called, but she was too out of it to respond. The guys turned toward you. “Do you even know her?” you asked, keeping your tone sharp.
“Yeah… she’s our friend,” one of them replied, but you didn’t buy it.
“Where are you taking her?”
“Just driving her home,” the other said casually.
“I’ll drop her. She lives near me,” you don't really know where she lives.
One of them laughed, stepping closer. “Mind your own fucking business, alright? Unless you wanna come along?” You nearly gagged at his words, disgust flooding you. Your grip tightened around the rock that was hidden behind your back. The rough edges poking at your soft palm.
"I said. Let. Her. Go."
“Or what?” one of them sneered, stepping into your space. His index finger jabbed at your forehead. Before he could strike again, you gripped your cigarette tight and shoved it into his neck. He screamed, the burning sting making him stumble back.
“Bitch!” The second one lunged at you, but you didn't get the chance to swing the rock and bash his head, a flash of movement sent him crashing to the ground. A single punch left him gasping for air. Your fingers tightened around the rock, but you didn’t let it drop. You looked up. Jungkook was standing there, chest heaving, eyes dark with anger as he loomed over the first guy. It didn’t take long—both boys scrambled to their feet and ran, leaving a tense silence in their wake.
“I had it under control,” You said, voice low, his gaze flicking to your hand, still hidden behind your back. You took a step toward Harpar, who swayed drunkenly, ready to help her, but Jungkook’s hand shot out and gripped your forearm.
“Drop it,” he commanded. You hesitated for a second. “Drop it,” he repeated, softer this time, almost calm. With a dull thud, the rock slipped from your fingers and hit the ground. You stood there silently as Jungkook helped Harper to a bench near the fence. She swayed slightly, leaning against him, still too drunk to stand on her own. You watched him pull out his phone and dial someone.
“Hey… you live with Harper, right?” His voice was calm, clipped. “Can you take her home with you? Yeah… yeah… okay.” He hung up. You didn’t want to know how he knew where Harper lived or who she lived with—you’d had enough of that for today.
“I had it under control,” you muttered again, crossing your arms.
“How?” Jungkook asked, voice low but sharp, “By cracking his skull open? You know you could actually go to jail for that, right?”
“So?” you shot back. “I was defending myself, and that bastard had it coming.”
“He did,” Jungkook admitted, his eyes darkening. “But that doesn’t mean you throw rocks at people. You’re not a child anymore.” He stepped closer to you—closer than that guy ever got before you drove the cigarette into his neck.
“Why do you even care?” you spat, voice trembling despite your best effort to keep it steady. “Why do you even care? Why. Do you. Care. If I go to jail, or if I sprain my ankle, or if I—fuck—lock myself out of my apartment? Why do you fucking care?” Your hands were balled into fists at your sides, and for the first time tonight, you felt tears prick the corners of your eyes. Not because you were sad, but because you were angry.
Jungkook froze, his own fists clenching at his sides. The smoldering anger that usually radiated off him softened into something raw, something unguarded.
“Because…” He stopped, swallowing hard, like he was trying to find the words. He took a small step back, avoiding your gaze. “I… I don’t know, okay? I don’t fucking know.”
You and Jungkook stood in awkward silence for a few minutes until someone finally arrived—a blonde girl you immediately recognized as one of the quarterback’s girlfriends. You didn’t know her name, but a small sense of relief washed over you. So it wasn’t Jungkook sleeping with Harper's roommate, it was his friend. Not that it mattered; he could fuck whoever he wanted.
The blonde gave you a polite smile, which you returned. She said something to Jungkook that barely registered in your mind before pointing toward a black Uber waiting near the gate. Jungkook helped Harper into the car with ease, and you followed behind, keeping a careful distance. Just as you reached the car, Jungkook’s hand shot out and lightly grabbed your wrist, stopping you from getting in the car.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I can share a ride with them,” you said, nodding toward the two girls in the Uber.
“We literally live in the same building. I can drive you,” Jungkook insisted, his grip on your wrist loosening slightly.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do that,” you replied quickly, trying to pull your hand free.
“Could you stop being so stubborn for one second?” he snapped.
“Can you stop being such a jerk for one second?” you shot back. The blonde, sensing the tension between you two, stepped in to diffuse the situation. She spoke your name softly, halting any further argument.
“We really live on the other side, and it’s getting late. It’ll be a hassle—for you, and for us.” You glanced between her and Jungkook, then gave a small nod. “Thank you, though. Take care.” The car drove off, leaving you with the asshole.
You looked at Jungkook, your gaze softening for just a moment—just long enough for your emotions to slip through. But then the image hit you again—his hands on that girl, his lips on hers—and your expression hardened instantly, like a door slamming shut.
Just as he tried to open his mouth, you turned on your heel and started walking. He called your name once. Then again. But you didn’t stop. A second later, you could hear his footsteps behind you. The distance between you didn’t stay for long.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. Anywhere.” You kept moving, your pace quick, like you were determined to reach home on foot; if you slowed down even a little, your thoughts would catch up to you. The night air felt cooler now, brushing against your skin, but it did nothing to settle the storm building inside your chest.
“It’s really late,” he said, but you ignored him, your steps never faltering. Then his hand closed around your wrist. Not harsh. Not forceful. Just enough to stop you. You could’ve pulled away—you knew you could—but you didn’t.
You turned, ready to snap at him, the words already forming on your tongue—but they died the second you saw his face. He looked tired. Not the usual irritated Jungkook you were used to. Just… tired. His eyes were softer, quieter, almost like the boy you remembered from years ago—the one who stood awkwardly on that playground, unsure of what to do with himself, but still chose to stay close to you.
“Please.” The word was quiet. It didn’t match him. And somehow, that made it worse. You swallowed, the fight draining out of you. “Please,” he said again, softer this time. Your shoulders dropped before you even realized it. The tension in your body loosened. You didn’t argue this time. You just let him guide you, his hand still loosely wrapped around your wrist as he led you toward his car.
The interior of his car reflected him perfectly—black leather seats, spotless, not a trace of dust anywhere. The faint mix of his cologne and cigarette smoke lingered in the air, oddly calming you faster than you would admit. You noticed him switch on the seat warmer, but chose not to say anything.
“I can do it,” you said as he leaned in to fasten your seatbelt.
“I know,” he replied, but didn’t stop. He reached across you anyway, pulling the belt over your shoulder and clicking it into place. His breath brushed against your face for a brief second, close enough to make your thoughts stumble. Then he gave the strap a small tug—once, then again—like you were some child in a car seat.
The drive stayed quiet for a while—not tense, just heavy, both of you were too drained to keep fighting. The soft hum of the engine and the warmth from the seat settled around you, easing the edge off your nerves. Then he broke the silence.
“I thought Hoseok was gay.”
You turned your head slightly, brows knitting together. “Just because he’s on the cheer team, he’s gay? That's your logic?”
“Hey, I didn’t say he was. That’s just what people think.”
“Well, he’s not.”
“Clearly.” He let out a quiet huff, something unreadable in his tone. You noticed the way his grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles paling slightly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he said after a beat. “Just… didn’t know you two were that close.”
“He’s my friend.”
“Friend?” Jungkook scoffed, glancing at you briefly before looking back at the road. “Do you dance like that with all your friends? But hey, I’m not judging. You can fuck whoever you want.”
“I’m not fucking Hoseok,” you snapped. “Not that it’s any of your business.” You paused, then added, a little sharper, “And even if I was, what’s it to you?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly, almost too quickly. His jaw tightened as he focused on the road ahead. “Like I said, you can fuck whoever you want. Why would I care?”
You let out a small, humorless laugh, turning your head toward the window. “Such a hypocrite.”
Jungkook didn’t respond. His hands tightened around the steering wheel, leather creaking softly under the pressure. His jaw flexed, like he was forcing himself to stay quiet, to not let whatever was building spill over.
“Can we just drive home in silence?” you cut in before he could speak, your voice tired, lacking its usual sharpness. “I can’t wait for you to go back to ignoring me.” For a moment, he said nothing. The car filled with the low hum of the engine, the distant rush of passing cars, and something heavier sitting between the two of you.
“Gladly,” he replied.
Neither of you said a word—not when he parked the car, not as you walked into the lobby, not even in the elevator. The silence followed you all the way to your floor, heavy and unbroken. No goodnight, no goodbye, nothing. You reached your door, fingers moving mechanically as you unlocked it, but you paused, glancing back over your shoulder. He was still there, standing a few steps away, like he hadn’t quite decided what to do next. Like something was sitting on the tip of his tongue—something he wanted to say, or maybe something he was waiting for you to say.
But neither of you moved. Neither of you spoke. The lock clicked, louder than it should have, and you pushed the door open. And then, all he heard was the sharp slam of it closing. You were gone.
*******
You were running late—so late that every second felt like it was slipping through your fingers. You were already rehearsing excuses in your head, imagining Leshi tearing into you the second you showed up.
You grabbed your bag, shoved your feet into your shoes without properly slipping them on, and rushed out, still fixing your hair. And then you nearly walked straight into someone. You stopped short. It took you a second to recognize her—but she recognized you instantly, saying your name like no time had passed at all.
“Mrs. Jeon?”
For a moment, you just stared, caught off guard. You hadn’t seen her in years. Not since she left.
“Oh dear,” she smiled warmly. “How are you? It’s been so long. You look gorgeous.” You gave her a polite smile, a little stiff around the edges. “Wait,” she glanced around, then back at you. “You live near Kookie?” You cringed internally on Jungkook's behalf at the nickname.
“Yeah, I…” you trailed off, the words not quite coming together. Up close, she looked exactly the same. Time had skipped over her entirely; she hadn't aged a day in the past ten years.
“Do you know which one is Jungkook’s apartment?” she asked. “I know the floor, but I’m a little lost.” You nodded and pointed to the door directly across from yours.
“Oh, thank you so much, darling… I’ll see you around.” The words didn’t sit right. 'See you around?' Something in your chest tightened, a quiet defensiveness creeping in before you could stop it. After everything—after the way she left—you didn’t like how easily she said that. Like she could just… come back. Like she hasn't done enough already.
She was already moving past you toward his door. You wanted to stay, wanted to send her on her way, make up a lie that he's not home, but why do you care?
You should’ve left it alone. You knew that. It wasn’t your place. But before you could stop yourself, “He’s not home.” The words slipped out. But you knew he was; his practice started right around yours, so if he left, you would have known.
She paused, turning back to you. “Oh? Are you sure?”
“Certain,” you said, nodding, trying to sound convincing. “I think I saw him leave about ten minutes ago. Maybe try calling him?”
“I have,” she said quietly. “He’s not picking up. Not responding to my texts or voicemails either.” She said, looking a bit sad. You felt a sudden pang of anger rising, a feeling of protectiveness. You wanted to ask her where that concern had been all those years ago. Wanted to ask why she cared now. But you bit it back. Hard. Not your place, you reminded yourself again.
“I’ll just… come back, I guess,” she murmured. Please don’t, your mind whispered. But just as she turned, the door swung open. Jungkook stood there, backpack slung over one shoulder, hair a mess like always. He froze the second he saw her. And then his eyes flicked to you, searching for some explanation. Like you would know what his mother was doing here.
Mrs Jeon gave you a questioning look. "I guess I was wrong." You simply said. You forced a small smile, avoiding Jungkook’s gaze now.
And then you turned, walking down the hallway toward the elevator. You should’ve just left. You almost did. But as the elevator doors slid open, your steps slowed. Your eyes drifted back on their own. You couldn’t hear everything—just low voices, clipped, tense—but you didn’t need to. The look on Jungkook’s face was enough.
Something twisted in your chest again, heavier this time. Your feet didn’t move. Something inside you urged you to stay, to make sure he was okay before you left. You couldn't bring yourself to leave him, no matter how hard you tried. His eyes met yours across the hallway, and you wanted to shield him, protect him from the heartless woman who hurt him so much.
Your fist clenched tightly at your side as you stepped into the elevator, your eyes meeting Jungkook’s one last time before the doors slid shut. You let out a quiet sigh, a strange, twisted feeling settling in your stomach. He’ll be fine. And even if he’s not… you’re probably the last person he’d want around right now. You’d just stress him out more.
You convinced yourself the whole way to college that Jungkook is a grown man who doesn't need you to save him from his mother. Still, when practice started, your eyes kept drifting toward the boys’ side of the field. Everyone was there. Everyone except Jungkook. Your brows pulled together slightly. That wasn’t like him. He didn’t skip practice. He didn’t slack. If anything, he took it more seriously than anyone else.
You tried to focus. You really did. On the routine, on Leshi’s voice, on the rhythm your body knew so well. It didn’t last.
“Hey, Jimin,” you called during a break, making your way across the field. His eyebrows lifted in surprise, like he couldn't believe you were talking to him. “Is Jungkook not here yet?” you asked, crossing your arms over your chest.
“No.”
You hesitated. “Have you talked to him? Is he gonna be late or…?”
“I don’t know,” Jimin said, shaking his head. “He texted me before practice to start without him, but he’s not picking up now.”
That didn’t sit right. You nodded anyway, it didn’t matter, and turned back toward your team. But your mind refused to stay put. It kept circling back. What did she want from him? Was something wrong? His dad? His brother? Or was she just… back? The thought left a bitter taste in your mouth. And no matter how many times you told yourself it wasn’t your problem, your eyes kept drifting back to the empty space where Jungkook should’ve been.
You didn’t hear from him for the rest of the day. Not that you usually did. It wasn’t like the two of you texted or checked in on each other—but he was… around. Always. You’d catch glimpses of him between classes, leaning against a wall with his friends, laughing too loudly, or sitting in the south wing cafeteria. He was hard to miss. But today—nothing. Not in the corridors, not outside lecture halls, not even a passing glimpse from across the quad. It was like he had just… disappeared.
You told yourself it didn’t matter. Why would it? It’s not like you were looking for him. However, your eyes kept drifting anyway. Every time you stepped out of a class, every time you turned a corner, there was this small, automatic pause. And every time, there was just no one. Maybe he’s just skipping classes. The thought came quickly, easy, almost defensive—but even you didn’t believe it. Jungkook didn’t skip. Not practice, not lectures, not anything that mattered to him.
You caught yourself scanning the cafeteria during lunch, eyes flicking over familiar faces. Nothing. You looked away quickly, annoyed at yourself. What are you even doing? It’s not like you cared where he was. And even if you did—so what? It’s not like he’d tell you.
Your fingers tapped absently against the table, irritation creeping in for no real reason. He probably doesn’t even want to be seen right now. The image of the morning flashed in your head: his face when he saw her, the way everything in him had shut down. Your jaw tightened. Good. Let him deal with it. It had nothing to do with you. It shouldn’t have anything to do with you.
The rest of the day dragged, slow and uneventful, and still no Jungkook. You almost asked Jimin again when you passed him after your last class, the question already forming, but you swallowed it down at the last second. You weren’t going to look obsessed. You weren’t going to be that person.
Finally, the day was over—practice done, classes done. You could go home. Go home and pretend you didn’t care about him in peace. You usually walked back from campus, turning down every offer your friends made to drop you off. You liked the quiet, the space to think—or not think at all. But today, you didn’t feel like walking. You didn’t feel like being alone with your own head either.
So when Hoseok pulled up beside you, rolling the window down with that easy grin of his, you didn’t hesitate.
“Need a ride?”
You nodded almost immediately, skipping over to the passenger side and slipping in. Hoseok didn’t question it—just started talking as soon as you settled in, something about practice, about someone messing up a routine, about plans for the weekend. His voice filled the car, light and familiar. But none of it really registered. You nodded when it felt right, hummed in response when there was a pause, but your mind was somewhere else entirely, running in circles. And no matter how much you tried to focus on anything else, on Hoseok’s voice, on the road ahead, on literally anything. It kept drifting back to the same person.
“See you tomorrow?” You nodded at Hoseok’s question, already half out the door before he even finished speaking, and made your way up to your floor a little quicker than usual.
The first thing you did when you reached your floor wasn’t to unlock your own door, but to stop outside his, stand there, and listen for any sign of life inside. A shuffle, footsteps, the TV, anything. There was nothing. Pin-drop silence. Not even Bam. No barking, no claws against the floor, no curious sniffing at the door. Which meant he was sleeping, and that only happened when Jungkook was either out or asleep. You highly doubted he was sleeping at four in the afternoon.
You shifted your weight, pressing your lips together before turning around to go back to your own place. Your eyes landed on the pot beside your door. You fidgeted with your hands for a moment, debating whether you should cross that line or not. But what if he was sick? What if something actually happened after Mrs. Jeon left?
Before you could think too much about it, before you could talk yourself out of it, you crouched down, lifting the pot just enough to reach underneath. Your fingers brushed against the spare key. His spare key. You hesitated for half a second, then you grabbed it.
“Wow,” you muttered under your breath, staring at it. “Breaking and entering now? New low.” You paused, then added quietly, “Well… technically just entering.” You slid the key into the lock and pushed the door open. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet.
You stepped in slowly, glancing around. You’d only ever really seen his living room over the past two years, maybe a glimpse of his balcony from yours, but this felt… different. Being inside like this.
“Jungkook?” No response. You checked the living room. Empty. His bedroom. Empty. The spare room. Also empty. No sign of him anywhere. The only indication that someone actually lived here was Bam, curled up on his bed in the corner, completely undisturbed. Not even a twitch when you walked in.
You stared at him for a second, unimpressed. “What kind of dog are you?” you muttered. “Someone could rob this place blind, and you’d just nap through it.”
The kitchen was clean. The only thing out of place was two empty cups sitting on the dining table. You paused for a second, glancing at them, then shook it off. Giving the sleeping dog one last look, you stepped out of the apartment, locked the door behind you, and slipped the key back under the pot like nothing had ever happened.
Back in your own place, Albert noticed you instantly, waddling over like he had been waiting. Two loud quacks. You looked down at his empty feeding tray. “Oh, baby,” you muttered, crouching slightly. “Were you hungry?”
After feeding him, you settled onto your sofa, phone in hand, scrolling mindlessly. Your thumb moved, your eyes followed, but not really. Every few seconds, they drifted to the door. Listening for any indication that he has arrived. Nothing came.
You scoffed quietly, throwing your phone aside for a second and leaning back. “Whatever,” you muttered, louder this time, glaring at your front door as if he were actually standing on the other side. “I don’t give a fuck. In fact, you don’t have to come back at all for all I care.” Your voice echoed a little in the quiet apartment. Albert looked up at you, tilting his head to the side like he was judging you.
After a few more hours of nothing but silence, you did something you never thought you would do in a hundred years. You called Jungkook. Twice. And the audacity of him to not pick up either time.
By the second call, when it rang out and went straight to voicemail, your frown deepened, irritation bubbling up fast. “Unbelievable,” you muttered under your breath, throwing your phone onto the couch beside you. “Asshole.” You got up almost immediately after, running a hand through your hair. You couldn’t just sit here all night waiting for him like some… whatever this was. You had better things to do.
After cleaning up your apartment a little and half-watching a few episodes of Schitt’s Creek, your attention drifted back to your phone again. Four new messages. Your eyes lit up, and you picked it up instantly. For a split second, something like hope flickered in your chest. And just as quickly, it died.
Leshi: the girls and i are going to dinner, please join, it will be so much fun.
Hoseok: are you alright? you seemed a little worried.
Hoseok: please let me know if you need anything at all.
Unknown: Hey, I got your number from—
You didn’t even bother reading the last one. 'Where the hell are you, Jungkook? I swear, once I know you're alive, you'll be dead.' you thought.
11:21. The clock read, you stifled the yawn that almost escaped you and got up, ready to look for something to consume as dinner.
Then you heard it, a quiet shuffling of feet, then the clicking sound of the door getting unlocked, and then Bam Barking. Relief rushed through you, and you didn't waste a single second before storming out of your apartment and across the hallway.
His door was about to shut when you grabbed the handle and pushed it open again. Jungkook turned around immediately, still wearing the same clothes he was this morning. His bag was thrown carelessly on the floor. He didn't have much time to process what was happening; you were already yelling.
“Where the hell have you been!?” You snapped angrily. “You don’t pick up any calls, you don’t text, you don’t come to practice. You just fucking vanished for the whole day. At least let someone know you’re not dead in a ditch or—”
It happened too fast. One second, you were standing a few feet away from him, anger carrying you forward, and the next, his hands were on you. He pulled you in before you could react, wrapping his arms around your waist and dragging you against him in a tight, desperate hug. The words died in your throat. Your body went still, hands hanging uselessly at your sides.
His face buried itself in the crook of your neck, his breath warm and uneven against your skin. Not rushed, just heavy, like he was trying to steady himself. And you forgot how to breathe. The anger that had been boiling under your skin faltered. Because this wasn’t how this was supposed to go. He was supposed to snap back. Argue. Say something that would piss you off even more. Not this. Not… holding you like that.
Your heart started beating a little too fast, loud enough that you were sure he could hear it. Your fingers twitched at your sides, unsure whether to push him away or hold on. You could feel the tension in him. The way his grip tightened just slightly, like he didn’t want to let go.
Your breathing stuttered, uneven, your body didn’t quite know what to do with itself anymore. There was this strange, unfamiliar feeling curling low in your stomach, something you’d only ever seen described in books, in movies. Never something you thought you’d actually feel.
You were yet to make any sense of it when he moved two steps back, still holding onto you like letting go wasn’t even an option, and then he dropped into the chair behind him, pulling you down with him. You barely had time to react before you were seated on his lap, your breath catching again at the closeness.
“Jungkook…” Your voice came out quieter than you intended, your hands instinctively coming up to push at his shoulders, but he caught them. Pulled them down and held you tighter. Your chest pressed against his; you could feel your heartbeats almost combining.
“Stay like this. Please.” His voice was muffled against your neck, rough. “Go ahead,” he added quietly. “Yell at me. You can keep yelling at me… but just...just stay like this.” His hands were feeling every inch of your waist like he was making sure that you were real; he needed that to ground himself.
Your throat felt impossibly dry, the anger that had consumed you just minutes ago dissolving so completely it was hard to believe it had ever been there at all. In its place, something far more fragile and unfamiliar settled in, a quiet, surreal tenderness that wrapped around your chest. Your hands lifted again, but this time there was no intention to push him away. Instead, you allowed your arms to circle around him. The moment your arms settled around his neck, you felt the subtle shift in him. A sigh escaped his lips, brushing softly against your skin, heavy with relief. Your hold was soft, of someone who was still learning how to hug. Your hands are moving to the back of his head, soothing.
If someone had told you yesterday that you would be sitting in Jungkook's lap, in the quiet of his living room, with his arms wrapped around you as though you were his shelter, you would have personally escorted them to the nearest mental asylum.
You had never thought of yourself as a comforter, the kind of person people sought out after a long day, someone who offered warmth and reassurance; you doubted anyone had ever looked at you that way. But in that moment, when Jungkook took refuge in your arms, you realized that you could so easily become that person, if only you wanted it enough.
Your fingers continued to move absentmindedly through his hair, the soft strands slipping between them as his breathing gradually evened out against you. You wanted to ask him how he was, whether everything was alright, but the words lingered unspoken at the back of your throat. You were afraid that even the smallest sound might shatter this stillness, breaking whatever trance had settled between you. This comforting silence will once again turn chaotic, and you will start screaming at each other. You weren’t ready for that. Not yet.
You didn’t want to let go, though you would never admit it, certainly not out loud, and perhaps not even to yourself. There was something disarming about the way he leaned into you, about how naturally your body had responded to his need for comfort. It felt like stepping into a parallel universe. So you stayed there, holding him just a little longer, allowing yourself a few stolen minutes in this quiet moment before reality inevitably found its way back.
You don't know how long you stayed like that, maybe a few minutes, maybe an hour. Time was honestly lost on you. Countless seconds ticking by as you inhaled each other's scent. The smell of tobacco lingered in his breath, telling you he had smoked right before he came in, the smell that you have always associated with him, alchemised with his wooden cologne.
Jungkook was the first to pull away, though only slightly, just enough to look at your face. The loss of contact felt jarring, like a song coming abruptly to an end. His hand rose slowly, fingers gentle as they brushed a loose strand of hair away from your eyes, tucking it behind your ear. Faces still just inches apart, you could see every tiny detail, the soft curves of his lashes, every freckle, and every tiny mole. Your eyes drift from the one on his nose to the one right below his lips.
His eyes followed yours, mimicking your movement, taking in your features like he was admiring a painting. Lingering a moment too long on the soft pink plump of your lips. You wondered how he would taste; would you still be able to taste the cigarette on his lips? Would he taste like the vanilla Chapstick you have seen him use one too many times?
Your head tilted to the side, inviting him, lulling him just to close the gap. To relieve you both from the thick tension hovering in the air. His eyes looked as if he were wondering the same thing as you, eyebrows furrowing just slightly.
A loud bark had pulled you both from the hypnotic state you had been suspended in. The moment shattered like glass, reality seeping in. You stood up from his lap immediately. Your hands brushed over your pajama shorts, smoothing out imaginary creases and dust. Both of you turned to look at the culprit of the interruption. Bam. Standing there wagging his tail, looking at you, daring you to cross the line. Jungkook cleared his throat. Loud. Announcing that the moment was over.
"I.." he began, gaze darting anywhere but you. "I'm sorry. I just." His voice trailed off before finally settling on you, still standing awkwardly a few steps away. "I had a long day."
"Yeah, it’s okay… where were you anyway?" you asked, the original reason for your visit resurfacing now that the haze had lifted. “I called.”
"Yeah, I saw."
"And?"
"And what?" he replied. The response irritated you just a little. You had been waiting for some sort of explanation, something to justify his being MIA all day. Where had he been that he couldn’t even send a quick text or pick up your call? But almost immediately, you reminded yourself that he didn’t owe you anything. Not an explanation, not an excuse, nothing.
"Nothing." You waited for a while, still standing awkwardly in the living room. A part of you is still expecting him to say something, to explain something. But the explanation never came. You let out a disappointed sigh, shaking your head as frustration began to bubble to the surface. "No. You know what? It's not nothing," you said, your voice sharpening. "You don't get to do that, you don't get to fight with me whenever you like, you don't get to hug me whenever you like, and you don't get to fucking disappear for the whole day and then act like nothing happened," Jungkook remained silent, his expression unreadable for a brief second. Then, to your utter disbelief, a small smile crept onto his lips. "What!?" you snapped, thrown off by his reaction.
"Were you worried about me, Bubbles?" that fucking nickname again. The retort that had been forming on your tongue faltered as you bit down on it. Were you? Of course you were, but you're not gonna let him have the satisfaction.
“I wasn’t worried about you,” you shot back, crossing your arms defensively. “I was just worried that… if you died, who would look after your stupid dog?”
His smile widened, clearly unconvinced. “Sure. Whatever you say, bubbles.”
“Fuck you.” You lifted your middle finger in his direction before turning on your heel to leave before he could read any more into your reaction. You had barely taken a few steps toward the door when his voice stopped you.
"Have you had dinner?" His question was soft, almost gentle, as though he already knew the answer before asking. You opened your mouth, fully intending to brush it off with a casual lie, but the quiet grumble of your stomach betrayed you. The sound echoed in the stillness of the apartment, far louder than it should have been. Jungkook didn’t tease you or even acknowledge it. Instead, he simply held your gaze for a brief moment, concern passing through his expression, before turning away without a word, and silently, he made his way into the kitchen.
You watched as he opened the fridge, pulling out a few raw ingredients with ease: vegetables, bread, and a couple of containers you couldn’t quite see from where you stood. He moved around the space with quiet efficiency, retrieving utensils from the cupboard below and setting them on the counter. The soft clatter of metal against the countertop and the gentle hum of the refrigerator filled the silence between you.
You lingered near the doorway, unsure whether to leave or step further inside. This was unfamiliar territory for the two of you; you didn't even know that Jungkook apparently cooked. You take slow steps further inside, leaning against the fridge and peering over his shoulder as he mixes something in a pan.
"I am a vegetarian." You mumble.
“I know,” he replied simply, not even sparing you a glance.
A few seconds passed as you watched him continue with the same calm concentration. “I don’t eat dairy,” you added, a little more firmly this time.
"I know."
"I'm allergic to-"
“I know,” he repeated, cutting you off gently. There was a quiet certainty in his tone that made you pause, and you wondered if he really did know you as much as he implied. Then, in a fluid movement, he was in front of you. A small piece of carrot held in front of your mouth, you hesitantly leaned forward and wrapped your lips around it. "Just trust me,” he said softly, that familiar smile playing on his lips, the one that always seemed to make your toes curl most inconveniently. “I know.”
His free arm wraps once more around your waist and moves you swiftly closer to him, your breath hitching again at the proximity. You found yourself watching the side of his face, the sharp line of his jaw, and the quiet focus in his expression as he reached past you with his other arm to open the fridge and retrieve another container.
His hand lingered a little longer on your waist, even after he closed the fridge. Squeezing your waist gently as he moved back to the kitchen counter. You stood there, shocked for a minute or two before finally lifting both your hands and tucking your hair behind both ears. You moved, standing beside him by the counter.
“I can help,” you offered. Jungkook paused mid-motion, one eyebrow arching in clear disbelief before he let out a soft chuckle. It wasn’t his usual teasing scoff but a genuine laugh. Creases formed at the corners of his eyes, and his bunny teeth peeked through as he looked at you like you had just told the most amusing joke. “What? I can,” you insisted, folding your arms defensively.
“No way I’m letting you anywhere near the stove or knives,” he replied, still smiling as he resumed chopping.
“I might surprise you. I’m a great cook,” you huffed, slightly offended.
“Putting milk in cereal is not cooking.”
Your mouth fell open in indignation. “Excuse me? I’ll have you know I make excellent ramen.”
Jungkook hummed thoughtfully, pretending to consider it. “Ah, yes, culinary genius. Should I be worried you’ll outshine me?”
“You’ve never even tried my food.”
“I have not,” Jungkook replied, pausing mid-motion to air-quote the word, “cooking, because the last time I saw you do that, your brother ended up in a hospital.”
You let out an indignant gasp, but the memory surfaced almost immediately, vivid and embarrassingly clear.
You had gone into the kitchen that day with a sudden burst of inspiration to recreate a snack you had seen on some cookery show. The enthusiasm, however, had been short-lived. Halfway through the process, you had grown bored and wandered off, completely forgetting about the dish still sitting inside the oven. It hadn’t even crossed your mind that the oven needed to be turned off manually—you had simply assumed it would stop on its own.
What followed was nothing short of chaos.
Smoke had quickly filled the house, thick and suffocating. Your brother, who had been sitting at the dining table, blissfully engrossed in his Game Boy, hadn’t noticed the danger until it was too late. By the time anyone realized what was happening, he had inhaled enough smoke to warrant a trip to the hospital. Thankfully, he recovered quickly, but the incident had cemented your reputation as a catastrophic cook in the eyes of everyone who knew you.
“In my defense,” you muttered, crossing your arms as you shot Jungkook a glare, “I didn’t know ovens weren’t automatic. No one tells you these things.”
Jungkook’s lips twitched as he tried and failed to suppress a smile. “Right. Because common sense is apparently optional in your kitchen.”
You nudged him with your elbow. “He was fine. And for your information, the quiche looked pretty good before it tried to kill him.”
“Wait… It was supposed to be quiche?”
“What did you think it was?” you asked, a smile slipping free.
“I don’t know,” Jungkook replied, glancing at you with a straight face that only made it funnier. “It looked like a burnt rat. I almost thought you’d gotten into animal cruelty.” You laughed, swatting his shoulder a little too playfully for the dynamic you were supposed to have.
A brief silence followed before the memory hit you fully, and you burst out laughing again. “God, he was so dramatic.”
Jungkook immediately caught on, placing a hand over his chest and staggering back a step as he reenacted your brother’s theatrics. In a trembling, exaggerated voice, he declared, “Mom… tell sis she can have my room.”
Your laughter doubled, echoing through the kitchen as you joined in, wiping at the corners of your eyes. “Tell Jungkook he can have my skateboard,” you added, mimicking the same dramatic tone.
“He really said that?” Jungkook snorted, shaking his head. “That fucker didn't even let me touch it.”
“Yeah, he was leaving all his inheritance to you,” you teased, leaning against the counter as you tried to catch your breath. “He was acting like he was your dying wife.”
Both of you reminisced a little longer about the past, recalling more of your brother’s antics and squabbling over tiny details you each remembered differently. While Jungkook focused on cooking, you couldn’t resist sneaking a few pieces of carrot and cucumber, only for his hand to swat yours away with precision, earning a quiet laugh from both of you.
The atmosphere had softened. The heaviness that lingered when you first walked into his apartment had faded, replaced by serenity. If someone were to see the two of you from afar, they would have assumed you were old friends who cooked together on a daily basis—comfortable in each other’s presence, moving around one another with practiced ease.
When everything was finally ready, Jungkook gently guided you toward the dining area, insisting you sit down and not letting you help with setting the table despite your protests. There was something quietly endearing in the way he took charge. A moment later, he returned carrying a steaming pot of vegetable stew, its rich aroma filling the room, followed by a plate stacked high with golden-brown potato pancakes. He placed them carefully on the table before grabbing a couple of bowls and utensils.
You both ate in silence, the kind that felt natural rather than awkward. The soft clink of cutlery against ceramic and the faint hum of the refrigerator filled the space, creating a quiet rhythm. The food made you feel like a homeless man who hasn't eaten in days. Even if the food was delicious, you didn't say it out loud, you're not gonna help him double his massive ego.
He said something, but his voice was so quiet that you couldn’t quite make it out. You looked up from your plate, giving him a questioning glance, silently asking him to repeat himself.
“I went back with her today. Eomma,” he said, his gaze fixed on the bowl in front of him. “You asked where I was…”
You nodded slowly, unsure of what to say. “Okay.”
A laugh escaped him, soft and hollow. It wasn’t amused; it carried a sadness that made your chest tighten. “She wanted to talk about the house.”
“The house?” you echoed. “You’re selling it?”
“Yeah,” he replied with a small shrug. “We all moved out, so… why not?” But you could tell that the house wasn’t what weighed on him. His shoulders were tense again, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his bowl, eyes distant as if replaying the day in his mind.
“Jungkook…” you began gently.
“After all these years… I thought—” He let out that same humorless laugh, shaking his head at himself. “I thought that she wanted to see me. To talk to me. I thought she missed me.” He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “How stupid, right? She just wanted her share of the house.” The vulnerability in his voice was raw. “I was mad at her, you know,” he admitted quietly. “But I was also… happy. I was happy that she came to see me.” he quickly shook his head and swallowed the tears that formed in his eyes.
You wanted to comfort him, to get up from your chair and wrap your arms around him again, to hold him the way you had earlier. You wanted to tell him that she didn’t deserve his love, that it was her loss for not seeing the man he had become, for not realizing what she had walked away from all those years ago. But you didn’t. You couldn’t. So you remained where you were, hands folded loosely in your lap, your gaze fixed on him as he spoke. You sat there, silently, listening to him, hoping that your presence was enough to let him know he wasn’t alone.
*******
Something had shifted between you and Jungkook after that night. It wasn’t obvious at first. On the surface, everything remained the same—you still bickered over trivial things, still exchanged sarcastic remarks whenever the opportunity presented itself, and still acted as though the other’s presence was nothing but an inconvenience. But the sharp edge that once accompanied your words had dulled. The hostility was gone.
You noticed it in the mornings. Like clockwork, Jungkook would appear by the elevator just as you stepped into the hallway. He always pretended it was a coincidence, glancing at his phone, adjusting the strap of his bag, or yawning as if he had just arrived. But the timing was too perfect, too consistent to be accidental. He was waiting. You knew he was, but you just can't prove it.
It was a Sunday, and you had brunch plans with the other cheer girls. Soft music hummed in the background as you stood in front of your vanity, carefully blending the blush across your cheeks. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over your apartment. The morning felt peaceful. That peace was shattered quickly by a loud, impatient knock on your front door.
You froze, brush mid-air, brows knitting together. No one ever visits you unannounced, especially not this early. The knock came again, sharper this time; the person on the other side had little regard for patience or subtlety. You sighed, setting the brush down. “Alright, alright,” you muttered, making your way to the door.
Swinging it open, you found Jungkook standing there, hair slightly disheveled, dressed in a simple black hoodie and jeans. He looked mildly irritated, the face he makes when someone puts sugar in his coffee, something you had learned the hard way.
“What do you want?” you asked, leaning against the doorframe, your tone laced with mild annoyance.
“I need to talk to Albert,” Jungkook said firmly.
The statement caught you off guard, your brows knitting together in confusion. Nobody talks to Albert, even you don't talk to Albert. Well, you do, but you are not sure he understands very well.
“You need to talk to Albert?” you repeated, emphasizing the name.
"Yes."
"Well, Albert is busy having his morning swim. So whatever it is, you can tell me."
“Your duck,” he stated, the word dripping with vindication, “has crossed some limits.” You stared at him, silently urging him to continue. “He pooped on Bam.”
You blinked. “He pooped… that’s ridiculous. Albert hasn’t left the apartment all morning. And the door was locked.”
“I am certain your demon bird can walk through walls.”
“Excuse me?” you scoffed. “He’s a gentleman.”
“He’s a menace.”
“How do you even know it’s duck poop? Maybe some other bird did it. Hell, your dog is so stupid he wouldn’t even know if another dog pooped on him.”
“It’s duck poop, I’m pretty sure.” Jungkook shoved his phone toward your face. The screen displayed a Google Images page filled with various types of duck droppings. The search bar read: fat white duck poop.
“Albert is not fat,” you defended your pet indignantly.
“Yes, he’s not,” Jungkook agreed with a solemn nod. “He’s obese.”
“Take that back.”
“First, you ask him to apologize.”
“How do you even know Albert did it? Maybe it’s some other duck’s poop.”
Jungkook arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Do you know many ducks who live in this building? Maybe it’s Donald.” With that, he pushed the door open a little wider, revealing his dog, Bam, who was currently busy chasing his own tail. Sure enough, a large patch of dried white and green residue was stuck to his back. A laugh escaped you at the sight. “It’s not funny,” Jungkook protested. “Ask him to apologize.”
At that moment, summoned by the conversation, a soft series of webbed footsteps echoed from inside the apartment. Both of you glanced down the hallway. Albert appeared. Water droplets clung to his pristine white feathers, and he waddled forward with an air of unmistakable authority. His dark eyes fixed on Jungkook with what could only be described as suspicion.
“Look at him,” Jungkook muttered. “So smug. It’s like he’s proud of it.”
You crouched down, smiling sweetly. “Albert, honey, did you poop on the stupid dog?” Albert responded with a dignified quack. “There,” you said, standing up with satisfaction. “He denied it. Case closed.”
“Case not closed,” Jungkook insisted. “You’re taking Bam to the groomer’s. He stinks.”
“He always stinks.”
“He does not,” Jungkook shot back, clearly offended. “He smells very pleasant.”
You wrinkled your nose thoughtfully. “Oh, maybe it’s just you then.”
Jungkook stared at you for a moment before letting out an incredulous huff, though the corners of his lips. “Can you go now?” you asked, glancing back at the clock on your wall. “I’m getting late for my brunch.”
“This is not over,” he huffed as he turned on his heel and began making his way back to his apartment. “Come on, Bam. We’ll have duck soup for lunch.”
“I heard that!” you yelled after him.
“Good,” he yelled back without turning around.
You shook your head, a reluctant smile tugging at your lips as you closed the door. Albert waddled over to you, quacking softly as if seeking validation.
*******
Practice was a little more intense than usual that Thursday. The big varsity match was just around the corner, and even the most confident players carried a quiet edge of nervousness beneath their usual energy. Everyone felt this unspoken pressure hanging over the field like a storm waiting to break. And for you, the day was already off to a rough start.
You had changed your major for the third time, hoping that something would finally click, that you would stumble into a path that felt like yours. But the big, unforgiving F stamped across the paper didn’t care about your intentions. You were failing, or already had been, depending on how you looked at it. Either way, the warning was clear: one more failed class, and you’d be repeating the semester.
Ever since you had received the letter from the dean that morning, the words had been replaying in your head on a loop. “You are a bright student, that’s why I’ve called you here personally. So what is going on? You keep changing your subject, but you are not focusing on anything. We can provide extra help if you need it.” It wasn’t harsh. That was the worst part. It was gentle. Concerned, even. And somehow that made it sit heavier in your chest. You kept seeing the dean’s expression—patient, expectant, like she was waiting for an answer. You had nodded at the right places, given the right vague responses, promised to “think about it properly,” but the truth was embarrassingly simple: you didn’t know what you were doing. Not really. You kept moving, changing directions, convincing yourself the next choice would feel clearer than the last, but it never did.
You stared at the white piece of paper, thinking of ways to disclose the result to your family. You already know what your dad is going to say. Just join the family business. But you don't want to join the family business. You want to become something, something of your own, something people will only associate with you and not your family. Something that will be yours and yours only. The paper in your hands crinkled slightly as your grip tightened.
“Hey, you alright?” You turned at the sound of the voice, startled from your thoughts, just in time to see Hoseok jogging up to you. Instinctively, you crumpled the paper in your hands and shoved it deep into your bag, as if hiding it could somehow make the problem disappear.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” you said quickly. “Just wanted some water.” Hoseok’s eyebrow arched in quiet suspicion as his gaze swept over the bleachers, clearly noticing the absence of any water bottle nearby.
“Do you want me to get some for you?” he asked gently.
“No, no. It’s alright. Let’s get back to practice.” You offered him a small, practiced smile—the kind you had perfected over the years, convincing enough to pass at a glance.
Hoseok studied you for a moment longer, debating whether to push further. But true to his nature, he chose not to press. Instead, he gave a slow nod, accepting your answer even if he didn’t entirely believe it. “Alright,” he said softly. “But if you need a break, just say the word.”
You nodded in return, grateful for his understanding. As the two of you made your way back onto the field, the noise of practice gradually swallowed the silence between you. Yet, even as you rejoined your teammates, your mind kept drifting back to the crumpled piece of paper hidden in your bag.
Leshi had called in sick that day, leaving you in charge, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. With your mind already preoccupied by the dean’s warning and the result sheet, focusing on practice felt nearly impossible. Every instruction you gave sounded distant even to your own ears, like you were simply going through the motions rather than truly leading. In that moment, you found yourself incredibly grateful for your captain, who was usually the backbone of the team—always composed, always thinking a step ahead, and executing everything with effortless precision. You had never fully appreciated how much responsibility they carried until now. Right now, the field was nothing short of chaos.
“No, no, Millie, I fly first. You go after me,” you said, trying to keep your tone confident.
Millie frowned, shaking her head. “But you have the higher pyramid. You can’t be stabilized for that long.” You paused, considering her point. Normally, Leshi would have stepped in by now, making a quick, decisive call that everyone would trust without question. Instead, all eyes were on you, waiting for an answer.
“Hoseok, can you stabilize me for that long?” you asked, turning to your back spot.
Hoseok looked up at you with an easygoing shrug. “Hasn’t been an issue till now.” If Hoseok believed he could manage it, that was usually enough reassurance for the rest of the team as well.
Millie bit her lip, clearly still unsure. “It’s just risky if the timing is off,” she added softly.
"We'll try it your way if it doesn't work," she wasn't convinced.
"It's not just, Hobi. You have to think about the other bases as well," she argued, making you roll your eyes in slight irritation.
“Let’s just take five, okay?” you said, clapping your hands once to gather everyone’s attention. “The bases can discuss it among themselves, and if there are any issues, we’ll work through them.” A round of agreement rippled through the group of twenty or so teammates, grateful for the brief pause. The tension that had been building eased slightly as people broke formation, some stretching while others huddled together to talk through grips and timing.
You walked up to the bleachers again and took a seat. 'You can't even manage a cheer team for a day,' you heard a voice at the back of your head that sounded dubiously familiar to your father. You could still hear some of the girls talking, and you weren't paying any attention until you heard a familiar name from one of them. Your attention snapped into focus instantly. It was instinctive—the way a dog’s ears perk up at the mention of a favorite word. You straightened subtly, trying to appear nonchalant, though every sense was suddenly tuned to their conversation. Without turning around, you listened more carefully, your heartbeat picking up just slightly as you waited to hear what they would say next.
“OMG,” you heard one of the girls squeal from behind you, her voice brimming with excitement.
“When did that happen?” another asked, curiosity evident in her tone. When did what happen? You wondered, your fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the bleacher.
“Last Sunday,” the first girl replied. You immediately recognized the voice—Olivia, one of the dancers. Your mind began to race as the timeline clicked into place. Last Sunday? Last Sunday… as in the day Jungkook knocked on your door and flirted with you for fifteen minutes? The memory resurfaced with startling clarity: him leaning casually against the doorframe, that familiar half-smile tugging at his lips, the easy banter that had lingered just a little too long. Was he even flirting, though? Or had your mind simply twisted the moment into something it wasn’t?
“Girl, you’re so lucky. I bet he’s a great kisser.”
“I would sell my family house to kiss him, honestly.”
That was it. You couldn’t bear to listen any longer. The words echoed in your ears, each one landing like a blow to your chest. Your heart began to pound so loudly it drowned out the rest of their conversation, and a dreadful sensation started to coil in the pit of your stomach. A strange mix of nausea and disbelief settled over you as your mind raced to make sense of what you had just heard. Did something really happen between Olivia and Jungkook?
You wouldn’t have been surprised if it had. Over the past two years, you had watched him move through the cheer team like he was progressing through different levels of a game. You had seen them step awkwardly out of his apartment more than once, only to meet your eyes in the hallway. You had seen him kissing girls behind the bleachers after games, their laughter carrying into the night as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And yet, none of those moments had affected you the way this one did. Just the possibility of him being with Olivia—of him spending the night with one of your teammates—left you feeling breathless, as though the air had been knocked out of your lungs. It was irrational, you told yourself. You had no claim over him, no right to feel this way. But emotions rarely listen to reason.
Because this time was different. This time came after that night—after the way he had held you in his arms like a drowning man clinging to his only lifeline, like you were the oxygen tank keeping him alive. The memory of his warmth, the vulnerability in his touch, and the quiet intimacy you had shared now twisted painfully against the possibility that it might have meant far less to him than it had to you.
You swallowed hard, your throat suddenly dry. The anger twisting in your chest felt sharp and irrational, and you knew, deep down, that it wasn’t Olivia’s fault. She was just another girl caught in Jungkook’s orbit—another name in a long list. If anything, she would probably end up heartbroken in a few days, just like the rest of them. But knowing that didn’t soften the storm brewing inside you. Logic offered no comfort. Understanding brought no mercy.
Before you could stop yourself, you were already on your feet, the bleachers creaking beneath you as you stepped down onto the field. The girls’ laughter grated against your ears, each giggle fueling the frustration and hurt you were trying so hard to suppress.
“Can you guys focus on the routine instead of giggling about boys like a bunch of high schoolers?” Your voice rang out louder, sharp enough to slice through the air and echo across the entire practice area. The chatter ceased almost instantly. Conversations died mid-sentence as heads turned toward you, surprise and confusion flickering across familiar faces.
You stood at the front of the group, shoulders squared, arms crossed tightly over your chest in an attempt to hold yourself together. A few of the girls exchanged uncertain glances, clearly taken aback by the intensity of your reaction. Olivia’s smile faded, her expression shifting into one of embarrassment.
“You know, Olivia,” you said, your voice cutting through the silence like a blade, “this is exactly why you can’t make it to the front.” A collective gasp rippled through the team. Olivia froze, her eyes widening in shock as every head turned toward her. “If your mind could focus on anything other than how to please the jocks,” you continued, the words spilling out before you could stop them, “maybe you’d realize that the only reason you’re on this team is that your mom is a donor here.” Olivia’s face drained of color, humiliation flashing across her features before she quickly looked down, blinking rapidly as she tried to hold herself together. Around her, your teammates exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to react. The tension was palpable, thick enough to suffocate.
You looked around the team, your gaze drifting from one stunned face to another until it finally landed on Hoseok. He stood a few feet away, arms crossed loosely over his chest, his expression calm but disapproving. The disappointment in his eyes hit harder than any words could have. In that moment, your brain finally caught up with what you had just said. Regret washed over you in a sudden, suffocating wave. If someone else had said it, you would be the first one to rip them apart.
“I—” you started, the word barely escaping your lips before it faltered. The apology sat heavy on your tongue, but no matter how hard you tried, it refused to take shape. Your hands clenched into tight fists at your sides, nails digging into your palms. Before anyone could say anything—before you had to face the hurt in Olivia’s eyes or the disappointment etched across Hoseok’s face—you turned away. The decision was driven more by the overwhelming weight of shame than by any real intention to leave, but your feet were already moving.
You walked quickly toward the bleachers, grabbing your bag with trembling hands. You slung it over your shoulder, avoiding any attempt at eye contact.
As you made your way toward the exit, the faint voices of your teammates carried through the air, each word landing like a pu.
“What’s her problem?”
“Her problem is that she’s a bitch.”
“Leshi takes a leave for one day, and she suddenly thinks she’s in charge of everything.”
“What's going on with you?” Hoseok’s voice came from beside you, breath slightly uneven as he caught up, matching your quick strides. You hadn’t even heard him approach, too consumed by the storm raging inside your head.
“Nothing,” you grumbled, not bothering to slow down or look at him.
He kept pace, his concern unwavering. “No, just talk to me.”
“I said nothing,” you snapped, stopping abruptly and turning to face him. The sharpness in your voice surprised even you. “Just leave me alone, Hoseok.”
Hoseok didn’t flinch. Instead, he studied you with a quiet sadness, like he could see straight through the walls you were trying so desperately to build. “You know,” he said gently, “if you keep pushing people away, no one is going to be here when you look back.”
You wanted to argue, to deflect, to say something—anything—that would lessen the weight of what he had just said. But no words came.
Without another glance, you resumed your hurried steps, leaving Hoseok standing there as you headed straight out of the field and toward the campus gates. You didn’t even bother changing out of your practice clothes, the cool air brushing against your skin as you walked. Your pace was relentless, almost punishing. You didn’t stop until you reached home. By the time your apartment building came into view, the muscles in your legs were burning, and your breath had grown shallow, but you welcomed the physical ache—it was easier to deal with than the emotional turmoil swirling within you.
Shame twisted painfully in your chest, making it hard to breathe. Beneath it all simmered a quieter, more unsettling emotion—jealousy. You know now, you know the name of that ugly green feeling sprouting in your stomach. You hated yourself for it. You knew your outburst hadn’t truly been about Olivia or the team; it had been about Jungkook, about the fear that the moment you had shared with him meant far less to him than it did to you.
You felt exposed, vulnerable—like you were standing at the edge of something very tall, just waiting for the wind to sway you. More than anything, you wanted to retreat into the safety of your apartment, to shut the door on the world and pretend none of it had happened.
You fumbled with your keys as you reached your doorstep, hands still trembling slightly from the adrenaline. Just as you were about to unlock the door, a voice stopped you in your tracks, the last one you needed to hear right now.
“Bubbles?”
You froze. Slowly, you turned around to find Jungkook standing a few steps away, his expression concerned. Of course, it had to be him. Of course, he had to be here—right when you were at your most fragile, when the emotions you had been trying so hard to suppress were threatening to spill over.
For a brief moment, you considered ignoring him, pretending you hadn’t heard. But your body refused to cooperate, rooted to the spot as you faced the one person responsible for the storm raging inside you.
“Did you walk home?” he asked, his eyes trailing down to your maroon cheer outfit, taking in the disheveled state you were in.
“None of your business,” you spat, pushing your door open and stepping inside, ready to slam it shut in his face. But a strong hand shot out, stopping the door before it could close.
“Hey, hey. What?” he asked, stepping closer, his expression shifting into hurt. “What’s going on with you?”
You paused for a few seconds, your chest rising and falling as you fought to keep your composure. Your eyes lifted to meet his just as he gave the door a gentle push, causing you to stumble a step back into your apartment.
“Fuck. Off. Jungkook,” you spat again, your eyes glossy with all the anger you felt. Jungkook let out a humorless laugh before casually stepping further inside, shutting the door behind him as if he belonged there.
“No,” he said simply, his calm defiance making you gawk at his audacity.
“What do you mean, no?” you demanded, incredulous.
“I mean NO,” he repeated, his voice rising just a fraction. “I’m not fucking off until you tell me what’s going on.”
“I SAID IT’S NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS!” Your voice echoed through the apartment, sharp and trembling with barely restrained emotion.
Jungkook exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair, trying to keep his own frustration in check. “No, we’re not going back to that, okay? We were doing fine. I’m not letting you go back to acting like a brat.”
You let out a bitter laugh. “We? There is no we, Jungkook. We’re not friends. Just because you cooked for me while I stood in your kitchen doesn’t suddenly make us friends.” The words hung heavily between you. For a moment, he didn’t respond. The defiance in his posture faltered, and something in his expression shifted—his jaw tightening, eyes dimming as the weight of your statement settled in. He looked hurt by what you’d said, not just surprised, but genuinely wounded. You just can't stop hurting people around you, can you?
“You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?” you shot back, frustrated.
“Pushing,” Jungkook replied, his voice steady and firm. “You keep pushing and pushing until there’s no one left in your corner. The moment things slip out of your control, you shut everyone out and pretend you don’t need anyone.” You opened your mouth to argue, but he didn’t give you the chance. “I’m not letting you do that this time,” he continued, taking a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “Not to me.” The conviction in his voice made your chest tighten. “You can keep acting like a fucking brat all you want,” he added, the words harsher now, though the emotion behind them was raw, “but I’m not going anywhere. I’m not letting go.”
You were hurting, even if you refused to admit it to anyone. The ache sat heavy in your chest, and instead of confronting it, you did the only thing you knew how to do—lash out. If you were in pain, a part of you wanted Jungkook to feel it too. You wanted to hurt him. just as much as you were hurting.
“Well, that’s your problem, isn’t it?” you shot back, your voice trembling despite the venom laced within it. He frowned slightly at the sharpness of your tone, but you didn’t give him the chance to respond. “You don’t know when to let go. It has always been your problem, you just never know when to let people go,” you continued, each word deliberately cruel. “I don’t need you, Jungkook. So stop acting like my fucking friend, stop acting like you know me, and stop acting like you fucking care.”
“No,” he said. You stared at him in disbelief, your brows knitting together like you hadn’t heard him correctly. The sheer audacity of that single word left you speechless. He stood there, unwavering, and that irritated you even more,
“Get. Out.” You placed both hands on his chest and gave him a shove, but it did little damage. He barely shifted, his feet planted firmly against the floor, his gaze never leaving yours.
“No.”
Your jaw tightened, frustration bubbling over. “GET OUT,” you shouted, louder this time, the sound echoing off the walls. You pushed him again, putting more force into it, but the effort only seemed to emphasize the difference in your strength. He remained exactly where he was.
“I said no,” he replied, his voice steady, almost stubborn. “You can act like a bitch all you want, but I am not getting out.”
The words struck a nerve, igniting the anger already coursing through your veins. “Get the fuck out.” You raised your hand to shove him once more, determined to force him out if it was the last thing you did.
But before you could, his hand shot up, catching your wrist mid-air. The sudden contact stole the breath from your lungs. With a gentle tug, he pulled you toward him. The distance between you vanished in an instant—your chests nearly touching. You could feel the warmth radiating from his body, the steady rise and fall of his breathing brushing against you.
You had to bend your neck to look up at his face, your heart hammering wildly against your ribs. His grip on your wrist wasn’t painful, but it was unyielding.
“Are you done?” he asked, his voice low, searching, his gaze flickering over your face, trying to read every emotion.
“No,” you shot back immediately, though your voice wavered ever so slightly. “I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.”
“Well, I hate you too, princess,” he said, his voice rough. “But I’m not leaving. Because I know what it’s like to be left alone, and I’m not doing that to you.” The silence that followed was heavy and short-lived. Before you could fully process what was happening, your body reacted on instinct, surprising you just as much as it did him. Your hands lifted once more, but this time not to push him away.
Your fists clenched around the collar of his T-shirt, knuckles whitening as adrenaline surged through your veins. With all the strength you could muster, you pulled him down toward you in one swift motion. His lips collapsed with yours. The impact was sudden and desperate, fueled by anger, confusion, and a yearning you had been trying to suppress for far too long. For a split second, time seemed to stand still—the world narrowing to the warmth of his mouth against yours and the sharp intake of his breath at the unexpected contact.
It wasn’t a gentle kiss; it was messy and urgent. Every unspoken feeling—fear, frustration, longing—poured into that single moment, blurring the line between hatred and yearning.
When his mind finally caught up with what was happening, his arm wrapped around your waist. He tugged you closer until there wasn’t even an inch of space left between you, afraid that any distance might shatter the moment.
His free hand travelled up, fingers brushing along your jaw before settling at the back of your neck, tilting your head just enough to deepen the kiss. His lips moved against yours with urgency, slower, more deliberate. The initial shock melted into something warmer, something that made your chest clench, and your grip on his shirt falter for a second before tightening all over again.
Pulling back ever so slightly, your eyes met with his through your lashes. He studies your features, looking for even the slightest bit of skepticism or unease, for any sign that should make him stop.
"Are you sure-" His question was cut off by you.
"Shut up. Just shut up." You said before pulling him back down. This time, neither of you was surprised. Instead, he was ready. The moment your lips met again, he enveloped you completely. LIps swallowing every tiny moan escaping your lungs. Your hands have left their station on his collars and found shelter in the mess of his hair. A single lick of his tongue was enough for you to part them, to let him in and explore your mouth.
His hand travelled down your side, feeling every curve until it settled at the back of your thigh, gripping them and feeling the warm skin under your skirt. His breath was heavy through his nose, fanning the skin of your cheeks.
You pulled away again, and your eyes flickered between his. Without a word, you reached for his hand, lacing your fingers through his and pulling him with you through your apartment, straight to your bedroom. He followed you with no resistance, like a puppy. You could hear the rhythm of his heart in the quiet of your apartment; it was beating very rapidly. If there were a doctor present, they would have declared he was having a heart attack.
As soon as the door shut behind him, you turned. You didn’t move closer. You just stood there, waiting for him to take the lead.
He didn't reach for you right away. He paused, studying your face. His hand lifted slowly, cupping your jaw, thumb brushing lightly over your cheek. “What are we doing?” he asked, his voice low—so quiet it barely carried beyond the space between you.
"What does it look like?"
"I want you to be sure. I want you to say it." There was a pause, and Jungkook almost pulled away. He wouldn't hold it against you if you had any doubts all of a sudden.
"Jungkook," You started, taking a step closer, eyes not leaving his for even a second. "Fuck me." That was all the consent Jungkook needed. His lips found yours once more, and this time, he was determined to take your every single breath away. One hand settled on the bare skin between your top and your skirt, while the other gently pulled on the ribbon tying up your hair.
You had your fair share of sexual partners before—back in school, even now in college—but none of them had ever made you feel this. Not like this. Not with something as simple as a kiss. Your whole body felt alive, heat spreading under your skin, every nerve suddenly aware. The anger, the frustration twisted into lust.
Your hands moved, gripping onto him, pulling him closer, needing more of him. You were already working on the belt buckle tied tightly around his hips. His lips left yours, trailing along your jaw, slower now, more deliberate. When he reached your neck, the pulse jumped between his teeth as he bit down gently. Your fingers are tightening around the hem of his jeans. A soft moan escaped you before you could hold it back.
"So fucking soft," he groaned, face buried in your skin. You felt your core tingling wildly, needing his warm touch. Your hands were now reaching for your own skirt. "Don't," he instructed, holding your hand and keeping them from pulling down. "Keep it on." His hand travelled under your skirt, pulling down the safety shorts along with your panties. "Always wanted to fuck you in this tiny skirt." His eyes were almost black as he bit down on his lips, taking in your whole body. You felt a shiver run down your spine.
"Always, huh?" you asked with a smirk.
"You have no idea."
"I thought you hated me."
"I do. So much." He replied, but you knew the feeling wasn't genuine. His one hand bunched up your skirt around your waist, keeping it in place. You watched as his other hand went to his lips, licking a wide strip and wetting two of his fingers. His eyes were still focused on your now exposed and extremely drenched core, lips glistening with your own slick. "So pretty. Can take a picture and hang it on my wall."
"Jungkook," You moaned at his words. "Do something," you whined, almost begging him to touch you, with your eyes, with your words. His hands hovered right above where you needed him, but not touching. He was testing your patience, although he already knows you don't have any.
"What do you say?"
"Asshole." The words escaped like a routine. Your brows furrow at his cruel behaviour.
"Uh, uh, what do you say when you very desperately need something?" You stayed quiet, eyes challenging him. Jungkook had never heard you say that word, not to him, not to anyone, so when you finally did, it sent a jolt to his cock.
"Please." You whined again. "Touch me, Jungkook." His cock was already hard, but after hearing you beg like that, he was certain it was going to burst through his pants. Good for him that he didn't waste another precious second of your time. Wet fingers found their way to your core, tracing your puffy, throbbing lips in slow circular motions.
"Fuckkk." You threw your head back at the contact. His cold metal rings contrast against your hot skin. He took it as an invitation and attacked your neck in deep, desperate kisses, not leaving out a single spot.
"Such a beautiful pussy, so wet." He stopped rubbing the spot for a few seconds, pulling out a sound of protest from you before poking your entrance. Fingers slowly enter the warm, tight hole. The thumb continues to rub circles on the bundle of nerves. "I want to taste you." He didn't wait for your response. His fingers were already inside his mouth. Sucking around them and licking every single drop of your sweet nectar. "So sweet, baby. Want more." He hummed in approval after pulling out his fingers. You watched in quiet as he slowly kneeled down before you. His eyes never left yours.
You wanted to scream. The sight of your neighbour kneeling before you while holding your eye contact felt enough for you to come apart. Your hand settled on his shoulder so that you wouldn't fall down from how jiggly your legs felt.
Jungkook maintained eye contact as he pressed a gentle kiss on your thigh, slowly trailing up towards your core. He paid equal attention to both of your thighs, alternatively kissing each of them until he was finally where you needed him the most. The fucker was taking his sweet time, like he had nowhere to be and could spend the rest of his days down on his knees.
When lips finally settled between your thighs, you swore you saw the gates of heaven. Your cunt was gushing with juices, and his tongue sneaked out of his mouth to lick every drop of it. He gave your clit a few tiny kitten licks before settling into long, wide stripes. The more juices you released, the harder he licked, like his sole purpose was to keep you dry.
You grind your hips, shivering at the contact of your clit rubbing against his big nose. Your hand gripped his hair tightly, pulling at it and drawing a moan out of him. The sweet pleasure stopped, the second he knew you were about to reach your high. "What the fuck?" You yelled, looking down at him. His eyes glinted with mischief as two of his fingers drew slow, teasing circles on your clit. "Jungkook, please." You whined for the nth time.
"What, bubbles? Do you think you deserve it? To come?" You gave him a desperate nod; to your surprise, it earned you a slap. right there, on your already throbbing clit. "I don't think so. I think you deserve me to fuck you all night and pull away right when you're about to come."
"I'll chop your dick off." You threatened in vain; it was not intimidating. Not when you were like this. Uncovered and at his mercy.
"Such a foul mouth. I shouldn't let you come at all."
"I swear to god-" you were slapped again in your sensitive area.
"Careful what you say, princess." You bit your lips, finally swallowing your pride.
"Please. I'll be a good girl."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"If you say so." With that, his mouth was on you again, working wonders. Two fingers slipped in, adding to the stimulation. His hand cupped the back of your knee and pulled your leg on his shoulder. Giving him a better angle to eat your pussy like you deserved. His lips wrapped around and sucked on your clit as his fingers thrust inside you mercilessly.
"OH FUCK...fuck." You were so close that you could feel your high in your mouth.
"That's it, Baby. Come on my face." You didn't waste a second to oblige, coming around his beautiful nose and lips. He lapped at every single droplet until there wasn't any left. "You ever wonder how you taste?" He asked, but you were too flushed to answer. "So fucking sweet." He tells you before getting up and kissing you again. Tongue shoved inside, making you taste yourself. It was so salty, but mixed with his own taste, you liked it a lot.
When you finally came down from that dizzying high, a rush of energy surged back into your limbs, restless and insistent. Your fingers curled into his shirt, tugging him with you as you stepped back, guiding him toward the bed. His lips never left yours—not for a second—as you stumbled back onto the mattress, the soft dip of it catching you both. A quiet breath escaped you, swallowed instantly as he moved over you, bracing himself just enough to keep his weight from crushing you. The world outside faded, the distant hum of the city, the noise beyond your window, all of it drowned out by the steady rhythm building between you.
Your hands moved again, gripping the fabric of his shirt, pulling at it impatiently. The material bunched under your fingers as you tugged, needing to feel more of him, needing to close whatever distance still remained.
He pulled away, breath uneven, chest rising and falling as he tried to steady himself. His forehead rested against yours. “Do you have a condom?” he asked, his voice low, quieter now.
You nodded, lifting a hand to point toward the bedside table. “Bottom drawer.”
For a second, neither of you moved. Your gaze followed him without meaning to, taking in every small movement, every shift in his posture as he fished through your bottom drawer. When he stood in front of you, pulling down his pants and briefs, your eyes settled on his huge cock. It was mesmerizing, your eyes glued to it, your mouth watered. You have never seen a prettier-looking penis. You were sure there was no such thing as a pretty cock, but of course, Jungkook has it.
Like iron to a magnet, you were already on your all fours, crawling to the foot of your bed. Your hands reached out and took the foil packet from him, trembling fingers brushing against his warm hands, teeth already working on tearing the packet. Lips turning up in a smirk as he watched you take charge.
"I don't think I've ever been this hard." You chuckled at the confession. Sure enough, when you touched his cock was throbbing, solid as a rock against your palm, the thick veins on it matching the rhythm of his heartbeat. You looked him deep in his eyes as you licked your palm, and now it was his turn to let out a whimper that had to be impossible for such a big man. You watch as the man turns to putty in your hands when you give him a stroke. One. Two. Three. "Fuck, Bubbles."
"And you said I wasn't a good girl. Would a brat do this?" You asked before leaning down and giving the tip a few kitten licks.
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Where'd you learn that?"
"You think you're the only one with a list of names?" Your lips, plump from kissing him the whole evening, now wrapped around his cock, tasting the warm, salty precum. A strong, veiny hand wrapped around your hair, pulling at it and pushing your head at the same time. His head fell back, basking in the warm, cushy feeling of your mouth.
"Stop before I start fucking your throat."
"Is that a promise or a threat?"
"Don't you wanna talk for the next week?"
"I thought you hate when I talked."
"I do. But I also loved when you were screaming-" the words died, replaced by his own groans when you took him a few inches deeper. He was so big that you had him lodged in your throat and still had enough to wrap your hand around. However, you could only have him in your mouth for a short time because he yanked you by your hair and smashed your lips against his. "Your mouth is pretty and all, but I really wanna fuck that pussy, Princess." You couldn't help but giggle at his desperation. hands finally taking out the slippery rubber from the packet and rolling it on him. You both laughed when the condom didn't cover his whole cock, a sliver of skin sticking out at the bottom. "Who have you been fucking? Frodo."
"Ha Ha. I'll have you know, Frodo is better than you."
"No chance." As though to prove, he picked you up with one hand and threw you on the bed, knocking the air out of you. "Let's see if you still say that in the morning." Your top and bra were ripped from your body the next second, big Bambi eyes drinking in your chest before a warm pair of lips wrapped around one. "How are you so perfect everywhere?" You can never imagine yourself blushing for a man, but here you are, flushed as you take each of his compliments.
His hand took hold of his cock as he slowly guided it inside, examining your face for any kind of discomfort. You gave him an assuring nod, encouraging him to keep going. Once he was deep enough, you stopped him with a hand to his chest. You are not sure if it's possible, but you can feel him in every single organ inside your body. Like he had taken shelter inside you. You were not two bodies anymore, you were one. One big mess of sweat and cum. You could feel that sweet burn when his cock stretched your pussy to the maximum. You were sure that a little more, and you would tear apart, but that didn't stop you from wanting more. You wanted so much more.
"You're so huge." You cried out.
"Do you want me to stop?" His hunger from before has faded just slightly.
"No, no, no. Please don't stop."
"You sure, Princess?" All you could offer was a desperate nod, and with one swift motion, he was inside you to the hilt. A loud scream left your mouth, you don't even know at this point if you called his name or god's. The line seemed to have blurred anyway.
"Fuck, I love your pussy." You looked down where you both connected. The sight sent a shiver down your spine, the good kind. Your lips looked puffier and flushed, wrapped around him. A visible bulge had formed on your lower belly. Once he was sure that you had adjusted to his size, he started thrusting, slow at first before picking up the pace. His mouth found your tits again, sucking at the bud that was almost as hard as his cock, tongue slipping out now and then. When he pulled away, your nipple was wet and shiny from his saliva, taking the other one in his mouth to give it equal torture. "Can't get enough of these tits. Gonna fuck them one day?" If you were in the correct state of mind, you would have questioned his statement. One day? But without even talking, he seemed to have read your mind. "Bet you a million this isn't the last time we are fucking."
"Do you always talk this much during sex?" You manage to say between the fog that is in your mind.
"Surprisingly, No." He dared to pull out all the way. You gave him a warning look. "Chill, Bubbles. Just wanna look at that ass." Before you could register what he was saying, he had pulled you up like a rag doll and spun you around, tugging your ass up in the air. Face shoved into the pillow, you heard the loud sound before you felt the sharp smack on your raw skin. Then again, and surprisingly, instead of crying out in pain, you were moaning in pleasure. The pain was a catalyst.
The man didn't waste much time before he was pushing into you once again, the new angle giving him space to move more smoothly. The squelching sound that your cunt made was so loud and vulgar that it should be embarrassing, but all it did was push you closer to your high. Jungkook's one hand snaked under you and started rubbing your clit in fast circles, pace matching the one of his hips.
If you thought it felt good before, it was nothing compared to what you feel now. The way his full length glided inside you so smoothly. His hips are making slapping sounds loudly against your ass every time he comes back. "Oh, ey oo, it fee oo"
"What did you say?" Jungkook asked and locked both of your arms with one hand, pulling you up against his chest.
"It feels so good." You cried out again.
"It does, doesn't it?" His lips found the neck again, sucking and biting at the skin, his one hand rubbing away at your clit while the other kept squeezing your tits. You felt so much pleasure and stimulation at one time that you thought you were about to explode. And you did, without any warning to the man behind you, the dams inside you opened, making you come around the cock still thursting inside you.
"Oh, my god. I'm coming. I'm coming." Jungkook helped you through your orgasm, magical hands, magical lips, and magical cock all working together until you were completely drained.
"That's it, baby. That's it. Just a little more." You nodded even though you felt so spent that if Jungkook wasn't holding you against him, you would have fallen down into the mattress and slipped right into dreamland. A minute later, he pulled out, hissing at the loss of contact. "Where do you want it?"
"Inside me." You tempted him just a little, eyes looking at him, challenging.
"Don't tempt me, Baby." He said, taking off the latex wrapped around him, and started pumping himself.
"Here." You said, finding enough vigor to turn around on your knees and offering yourself to him. Hands pushing your tits together and tongue sticking out, waiting for his hot, wide liquid.
"Fuck. Such a slut." He groaned as he gave a few more pumps before spraying all over your boobs and mouth. The sight before him was mystical; he wanted to take out his phone and capture it forever. So that he can look at it every single night. It was certain that you had ruined every other girl for him. He has just fucked you one time, and he cannot imagine fucking anyone else ever. "So fucking gorgeous." His lips wrapped around your, not caring for the white residue still lingering there. The two of you smiled into the messy kiss, tongues licking away the cum and spit.
When Jungkook finally lay you down on the bed, you drifted away quickly, exhausted from the workout you'd just had. You only felt a faint kiss before the bed dipped and he got out. You thought he had left, but you were so sleepy that you didn't get the chance to ask him to stay, even if you wanted to. Then you felt him in the room again, the quietest sounds of feet shuffling, and then a wet cloth wiping you, your face and chest, and your still sensitive pussy. When he lay down beside you, and you were sure he wouldn't leave, you finally allowed sleep to take you away. Wrapped in his strong arms, so secure.
When you woke up, there was no sign of Jungkook in your bedroom. Your head was still foggy from your sleep and all the events that led to it. You looked down at your body, which wasn't naked anymore, instead covered with the big black t-shirt he was wearing not more than a few hours ago. You looked around for your phone and found it on the bedside table, plugged into your charger. You don't remember any of it, charging your phone or putting on his shirt, which only meant one thing. Jungkook did it for you. The thought put a smile on your face.
Everything came crashing down on you all at once—you had sex with Jeon Jungkook. The Jeon Jungkook. The boy you swore to your friends you hated. The boy you spent so long pretending you didn’t want. You checked your phone. A little past one in the morning. You didn’t remember when you fell asleep, but it had been deep, heavy—the kind of sleep that left your body loose and your mind quiet. What pulled you out of it was the dull, insistent urge to pee. You pushed yourself up, legs a little unsteady, a soft, lingering soreness settling between them as you made your way to the bathroom. When you were done, you padded out of your room, still half-dazed, heading toward the kitchen in search of something to calm your growling stomach.
But you stopped in your tracks. So… he didn’t leave. Jungkook stood with his back to you, bare from the waist up, a pair of grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips—low enough to reveal the dip of his ass. His shoulders shifted as he moved, focused on whatever he was making at the counter. Jungkook was standing on the kitchen counter. Cooking.
“You missed it again,” he said, tossing another tiny piece of what you assumed was carrot forward. Albert snapped his beak open, catching it this time. You blinked. He was… talking to your duck.
“He’s not a dog, you know,” you said, stepping closer, your voice still rough from sleep. Jungkook turned at the sound, and the moment his eyes landed on you, a smile spread across his face.
"You're up."
“And you seem to be getting along with my duck.”
“Yeah,” he shrugged lightly, glancing back at Albert. “We’ve come to peace. Turns out he’s not such a bad guy.” A quiet laugh slipped out of you, soft and unguarded. You were about to slip in another snarky remark, but you didn’t get the chance. He stepped closer, closing the distance in a second. His lips met yours. It wasn’t anything like last night. No urgency. No heat threatening to consume everything in its path. No desperation clawing its way to the surface. Just… a kiss. Slow. Warm. His hand brushed lightly against your waist, not pulling you closer, just holding you. And when he pulled away, it was unhurried. But it still left you standing there, breath uneven, wanting just a little more. "You know you have nothing in your pantry, how do you survive?"
"Kale smoothies," You started, but then settled for the truth, "That's a lie, actually, I eat ramen three times a week."
“Damn, what would the people say?” he asked, gasping dramatically.
“They’d never find out,” you replied, your voice dropping into threat.
"Understood." Seems like Jungkook had been cooking in your kitchen for a while now, because he was done 2 minutes later. Handing you a bowl full of egg fried rice. When he went to sit down at your dining table, you pulled on his arm, tugging him to your bedroom.
"My ass would not agree to sitting on a hard surface right now." Your statement put a smirk on his face, filled with pride. The two of you settled on your bed, eating your late dinner in peace. The first bite coaxed a moan out of you.
"Should I leave you two alone?"
"Yes, please. It's so good." It wasn't a daily occurrence for two of you to share a meal; however, it all felt so natural. The way he cooked for you, knowing you would wake up hungry; the way his hand reached out and thumb swiped at the corner of your mouth, gathering the remnant and licking it. It felt like you had been doing this for years. The silence felt so peaceful, no tension, no remarks.
Your thoughts travelled back to the day, to everything that went down. A question formed on your lips, contemplating whether you should voice it or not; after all, he doesn't owe you any explanation. Did you even want to know? If Jungkook did actually hook up with some other girl, would you want to know?
"Did you sleep with Olivia?" You asked, wanting to release your mind from this torment.
"With who?" He asked, genuinely curious.
"Olivia, one of the dancers? Last Sunday?"
"I haven't hooked up with anyone since... I don't know its been a long time." He wasn't lying, you could tell. Because you have heard people lie, hell, you lie all the time. But Jungkook wasn't lying. "Why?"
"She said something about you kissing her."
"Wait, she said I kissed her?" Did she? You don't even remember the exact conversation that went down between the girls, but now that you try to remember, no, she didn't. She didn't say Jungkook kissed her. Oh God, what a fucking fool you were.
"No. not really... wait, so nothing happened between you two?"
"I gave her Jimin's number if that's what you mean." Oh god, oh god, you were such a fool. You acted like a bitch, and for absolutely no reason.
"I'm such an idiot," you sighed.
"Wait, is that why you were so mad last night?" Embarrassment, that's. all you felt as the heat rose up to your face. "Were you jealous, Bubbles?" He asked, taking the bowl from your hand and keeping it aside on the table.
"What? No... that's ridiculous, why would I be... why would I be jealous?" You faked a laugh. "I was not jealous."
"It's okay. It's hot." The next second, you were trapped under Jungkook once again. His hips slowly ground on your core. The only thing that was separating you was his sweatpants and your panties. "So fucking hot when you're jealous." His hand was pushing at your t-shirt until it was bunched up over your breast. Two mounds exposed to him, waiting for his attention, nipples perking up instantly as his lips found them.
He started sucking on one of them, you were growing wetter with each passing second. His tongue slipped out of his mouth, playing with your hard nub. His teeth bit on it, gently pulling at it until a loud moan escaped you. He let go of the nipple with a wet blop and started sucking on the other one, giving it equal attention.
You grabbed his hand, which was squeezing and playing with your tits, pulling it down and inside your panties, guiding his finger to rub at your sensitive clit. When he started rubbing hard and fast, you left his hand, your own going inside his sweatpants and pulling out his cock, which was hard once again. The room was filled with both of your moans as you came around his fingers, his lips found yours, and he drank away your moans.
"Round two?" He asked, his eyes glinting with lust and mischief.
"Round two."
*******
The next time you woke up, you weren't alone; a muscular arm was wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer to a warm, firm chest. Reminding you of the man it was connected to. You didn't get much sleep last night, given the number of times Jungkook had made you come in such a short period of time. The thought made you blush out of character. Never in your wildest dreams had you thought you would be sleeping with Jeon Jungkook, let alone waking up next to him.
You turned around just in time to witness his eyelashes flutter open, a sleepy smile forming on his lips, pulling you closer to his warmth. "Morning." His voice was scruffy, still lingering with the traces of deep slumber.
"Morning." You replied, leaning in and planting a kiss on his mouth. It felt so intimate, even more so than the events of last night. "We should get up, gonna get late for practice."
"Let's just skip today."
"You don't skip."
"I will if you will," you laughed, dragging yourself out of the bed, pulling a loud, petulant groan from the man. You wobbled in the first two steps before you finally regained your balance. Jungkook wasn't far behind you when he pulled you back against his chest. "Jungkook," You started scolding him, but were distracted by his lips yet again. You can never get used to this man kissing you. He does it so easily, like the two of you have been doing it for years, when in reality, merely two months ago, you two were ready to kill each other over a silly argument. "You really need to go and get ready," you said, but your actions did not match your words. Neck leaning up, inviting his kisses. You were so engrossed in the way his kisses trailed all over your face that you were thrown off guard by the next question leaving his mouth.
"Date me?"
"What?" You asked, pulling away.
"Date me. Be my girlfriend. Let me be your boyfriend." You rolled your eyes at his explanation.
"I know what you mean, Jungkook. But why? Why all of a sudden?"
"Why? Is it not obvious already? It's not all of a sudden. Tell me you didn't feel this connection all along." You pulled away, unwrapping his arms from your waist.
"I did, but."
"But what?"
"I don't think it's a good idea."
"Why? We are so good together. And the sex? The sex is amazing."
"We can't just date because the sex is good, Jungkook. Look, what happened last night was amazing, but it was-"
"Don't say that."
"You don't even know what I was going to say."
"I know. And it was not on a whim." He said, pulling you closer once again, tugging a strand of hair behind your ear. "You know that, don't lie to yourself. I like you, I think I do a little more than just like you. So please, think about this."
"I just... What if it doesn't work? I don't think I can go back to hating you, not after last night."
"If it doesn't work, then it doesn't. But what if it does? Aren't you just a little curious?" You nod, teeth biting into your lower lip, and you consider his offer. "Date me. Please. If it doesn't work, I will never show you my face again; you will not have to deal with me."
"Fine. I'll think about it," You answered, letting your body be lost in his arms. "But if it doesn't work, I might actually have to kill you."
"We'll see about that." He said before pulling you in for another kiss. You two ended up skipping college for real, creating suspicion among both of your friends. The whole day was spent on your bed, snuggling, kissing. The only time he left was to feed Bam, and he was back in less than 10 minutes. Jungkook made you squirt so many times that you actually had to drink some water so you wouldn't die of dehydration.
Right now, he was on his knees, face buried between your thighs as he lapped at you. You were trying to watch a movie together, which was nothing but background noise now. Your moans are echoing louder than the dialogue. The couch was sprayed white with his own cum just a few minutes ago.
"Oh fuck, Jungkook," You moaned as his tongue put just the right amount of pressure on your clit. The muscle stroking and flicking it. Tears running all over your face, not from anything but the overstimulation you felt between your legs. You felt so sore, and you were pretty sure your pussy was swollen and red by now. But Jungkook was a starved man, he was determined to make up for all the time you two wasted fighting and not kissing. After your nth orgasm of the night, he came up to you, lips pressing against yours in a sweet kiss. He pulled away just as quickly, only to trail kisses along your cheeks, licking away the tears.
Once you were down from your high, the blur in your eyes cleared, allowing you to see the beautiful man in front of you clearly. Your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling you down to plant a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose. His eyes held the entire galaxy, so big, round, and shiny. You have always been able to find solace in his eyes, no matter how hard you're fighting, when you were a kid, when you were a teenager, when you moved here, and now. His eyes always gave you this sense of familiarity that no one and nothing could ever provide.
Before you could word out your admiration, a loud quack pulled both of your attention. Albert was standing just beside the sofa, head tilted to one side, probably wondering why this man who had never before, yesterday, stepped into this apartment was now on top of you. He quacked again, making Jungkook burst out in laughter, followed by you, not even a beat later.
"Was he staring the whole time?"
"Probably."
"That duck is very weirdly obsessed with you, you know."
*******
A/N: OMG, this is so damn long. And to think that it was even longer, but I had to cut it short because I have no one to proofread. Anyway, I'm thinking about putting it all in a part two, so let's see. ALSOOOO, although I have edited it so many times, you WILL find some mistakes in there, so please just ignore them because if I read this fic one more time, my brain will scramble.
Hiiii, I absolutely LOVED your JK neighbours AU! It's my favourite now and I'm reading it for the third time 🖤 the tension, the fighting, the jealousy was just amazing! ahhhh~ I'd love to read another Jungkook enemies to lovers one from you! How about biker and/or rockstar/guitarist Jungkook? I think that would fit him so well and I love your style of writing! 🩷🌸
Voodoo Doll
Summary: You hated Jeon Jungkook. You hated his rock music, his arrogance, and his recklessness toward anything that came close to him. Being his manager meant you were forced to be alongside him. Hopefully, you could get through this tour without quitting.
Pairing: rockstar!jungkook x manager!yn
Genre: enemies to lovers, workplace romance
Warnings: 18+, explicit sexual content, dom!jungkook, female receiving oral, panties as a gag, degradation, multiple orgasms, hair pulling, creampie
wc: 3.8k
A/N: hi angel! thank you so much for the sweet words and for requesting! i'm sorry i took so long with this req, i had writer's block while working on it and was really struggling ;( but i hope you enjoy it now! 🤍
The leather seat of the tour bus was freezing against your back, but the air inside the cabin felt thick and warm. It was 3:15 AM. Somewhere on the interstate between Chicago and Minneapolis, the tires hissed against the pavement.
Across from you, slouched so far down he was almost lying across the seat, sat Jungkook.
Right now, he didn’t look like a global superstar. There were no stadium lights reflecting off the silver rings on his fingers, no crowd of thousands screaming his name. He wore a faded black hoodie that smelled faintly of cologne, and his jaw was clenched so tightly you could tell he was trying very hard not to say something.
He was staring straight at you. His heavy-lidded eyes followed every movement of your pen across the itinerary, practically radiating annoyance.
"If you click that damn pen one more time," Jungkook muttered, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the engine, "I'm going to shove it down your throat."
You didn't look up, though your hand stopped mid-click. You weren't about to give him the satisfaction of seeing you flinch. "Try it," you shot back. "Then see how well you handle your next press conferences while eating through a straw."
"You think you're funny," he muttered. "You walk around this tour like you're some kind of military general, barking orders, checking your little clipboard, treating my schedule like a hostage situation."
"Someone has to," you snapped, finally looking up at him.
The hostility in his eyes was immediate. It was the same look he gave you every time you walked into a room.
"If I didn't treat your schedule like a hostage situation, you'd probably be playing a sold out show in Tokyo while shooting a music video in London and sleeping off a hangover in a ditch somewhere. Do you have any idea how many disasters I deal with before the sun even comes up, Jungkook?"
"I never asked you to fix anything," he shot back, pushing himself up so quickly that the bench creaked beneath him. He leaned closer, stepping into your space. "I didn't ask for a babysitter. And I definitely didn't ask for you."
"Mutual, believe me,” you held his stare without backing down. "The day the agency assigned me to manage this tour was the worst day of my career. Working with you feels like torture. You're arrogant, reckless, you treat everyone on this crew like they're an inconvenience, and your idea of professional conduct is nonexistent."
Jungkook let out a laugh, but there was nothing amused about the look in his eyes. He reached over and snatched the itinerary straight from your hands.
"Hey, give that back!"
You immediately reached for it, but he lifted it above his head, easily keeping it out of your reach. He leaned back with a smug little grin that made your blood boil.
"Look at you, so organized. So painfully uptight. You haven't slept more than four hours a night since this leg of the tour started, have you? Your shoulders are always tense, you practically live on coffee, and you look at me like you're constantly trying to figure out exactly how much poison it would take to get rid of me."
"Give me the itinerary, Jungkook."
"Make me."
You hated his voice, his face, his infuriating habit of turning every single meeting into a chess match. You hated the way he consumed every ounce of oxygen in the room without even trying.
Slowly, Jungkook lowered the itinerary and dropped it back onto your lap with a soft thud. But he didn't move away. He stayed right there, closer than necessary.
There was something restless in his expression, something you couldn't quite read. For a second, neither of you said anything. The air between you suddenly felt a lot heavier than it had a moment ago.
"We have soundcheck at ten," Jungkook muttered, his voice suddenly losing all that bite. He settled back into his seat and pulled his hood over his eyes. "Go to sleep. Wouldn’t want you to be late.”
Outside the door, thirty thousand fans were screaming his name, shaking the stadium with a roar. Inside the dressing room, the only sound was the tap of your pen.
You didn’t look up when the door clicked open, though you didn't need to. The smell of cigarettes announced his arrival before his combat boots hit the floorboards.
"You're on in four minutes, Jungkook," you said, your voice drained of any enthusiasm you might have possessed back when you first started.
Jungkook didn't answer right away. He dropped his leather jacket over the back of the couch, the studs clattering against the wood. In the mirror, he looked every bit like the tabloid monster they painted him to be. He had dark hair falling into his eyes, silver rings, tattoos crawling over his skin.
"Tell them to wait," he muttered, his voice a low rasp that usually made stadiums full of people lose their minds. On you, it just triggered a migraine.
Finally, you raised your eyes to meet his in the mirror. "The broadcast feed goes live in three minutes, and if you miss your cue again, I am going to feed your guitar to a woodchipper."
A grin spread across his face. He leaned his hips against the edge of the makeup table, invading your personal space with a brazen attitude.
"You wouldn't dare," he murmured, stepping closer until the heavy scent of his cologne wrapped around you. "That guitar has more soul than your entire staff combined."
"That guitar doesn't show up hungover to soundchecks in Berlin, and it doesn't punch photographers in Milan,” you poked a finger against his leather vest. "You are walking out that door right now, or I am cancelling the rest of the European leg and telling Rolling Stone that you quit to become a hermit."
For a second, his eyes flicked down to your hand against his vest, then slowly back up to your face. "You hate me," he said, almost fascinated by the thought.
"Every single second of the day," you replied, your voice dropping to a whisper. "Now move. Your cue is in ninety seconds."
Jungkook let out a chuckle, reaching past your shoulder to snatch his custom Fender from its stand. As he brushed past you, his shoulder slammed against yours, a parting shot of arrogance.
"Save some of that venom for later, manager," he tossed over his shoulder, kicking the stage door open to the deafening roar of the crowd. "You're going to need it."
Watching him leave, you exhaled a breath you felt like you’d been holding since soundcheck. Your fingers were trembling, just enough for you to hate yourself for it. Just two more shows in this city, you reminded yourself, staring blindly at the schedule. Then we fly to Paris. You can survive Paris.
Except you knew, with a sickening drop in your stomach, that Paris wasn’t going to change a damn thing.
The dressing room was too quiet for your liking. The scent of his cologne and cigarettes still hung in the air, clinging to your skin. You squeezed your eyes shut, running a hand down your face.
Ten months of following him across continents, cleaning up his disasters, dodging broken equipment, and pretending that the way your heart jumped every time he walked into a room was a symptom of stress.
You walked over to the mirror, the very one where you’d locked eyes with him moments ago. Your reflection stared back, but beneath the surface, you didn’t know how much longer you could keep your sanity intact.
“Save some of that venom for later, manager.”
His words echoed in the room, dripping with a promise that made your teeth clench together, your nails digging into the skin of your palm. "Asshole," you muttered to the glass.
On the other side of the door, the opening chords of Euphoria tore through the arena, a sound of electric guitar and thirty thousand screaming voices shaking the building. You picked up your tablet, checked the live broadcast cue, and forced your shoulders back into alignment.
You couldn’t wait until you could go to sleep.
You stared at the glowing monitor, your eyes burning from lack of sleep, watching the monitor replay as Jungkook hit the bridge of the final song. His vocals tore through the speakers with an energy that felt like he was trying to leave every shred of his soul on that stage.
Jungkook strode into the tour bus, not even bothering to take off his jacket, the leather gleaming with sweat under the light. His hair was plastered to his forehead in sweat-drenched strands, and his chest heaved beneath the open collar of his shirt.
"The promoter from the Tokyo leg is on line two. He’s threatening to pull the sponsorship because you injured one of the security guards while diving at the audience. Fix it."
He stalked across the bus, his boots crunching on stray guitar picks and discarded drink cans, until he reached your desk. He leaned forward, bracing his palms against the surface, invading your space like always.
"Tell the promoter he can take his sponsorship, roll it up very tightly, and shove it straight up his ass."
"I am not your messenger, and I’m not going to relay curse words to international executives," you snapped, finally whipping your head up to glare at him. "You signed a contract, Jungkook. That means you act like a professional, or I’ll start selling your guitar collection to pay for property damages."
Instead of backing away, he pushed closer. "You love threatening me, don't you? Every single day it's a new ultimatum. 'Do this, Jungkook. Don't break that, Jungkook. Stop breathing too loudly, Jungkook.' You’re obsessed with me."
A bitter laugh slipped past your lips. You stood up, even though he towered over you, your fingers curling into tight fists at your sides to keep from trembling.
"Obsessed?" You say, stepping right into his space, refusing to move away. "Working with you is a form of torture I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. You are a self-absorbed disaster, and the only reason I haven't walked out of this job and left you to manage your own life is because of my contract."
His gaze dropped momentarily to your mouth, lingering there for a second too long, before snapping back up to your eyes. "A contract," he murmured, his lips curving into a smirk that reached right down to your nerves. "I didn't realize my presence was worth quite that much to you. That’s flattering."
"It's not flattering," you hissed, your voice trembling with a mix of fury and exhaustion. "It's a prison sentence."
"Then quit," he challenged. He took a half-step closer, closing the final inch of distance between you until the leather of his jacket brushed against your shirt. "Walk out right now. Leave the schedule, throw your precious little pen away, and walk out that door. Let's see how long you last."
You stared up at him, trapped by the intensity of his gaze. You wanted to scream. You wanted to grab him by the collar of his jacket and shake some sense into his beautiful, infuriating head.
Instead, you just held your ground, your voice dropping to a cold edge.
"Pack your bags. We leave for Paris in four hours," you said, your voice steady despite the pounding of your heart. "And try to sleep. You look like hell."
Jungkook let out a chuckle, his gaze rising over your face as if he was memorizing every line of your skin, before he turned on his heel and kicked the trailer door wide open into the night.
The flight to Paris was a fourteen-hour exercise in peace. You had booked him in first class while you wedged yourself into a middle economy seat three rows back, foolishly believing distance would offer some kind of help for your sanity. It didn’t, and even from ten rows away, you could feel his presence, like a stabbing at the back of your skull.
When the private transfer finally dropped you both outside the Paris hotel at dawn, the city was wrapped in a dull gray fog. The lobby was silent, the only sound was the sharp click of your heels against the marble floor as you walked straight toward the front desk to collect the room keys.
"One suite for the talent," you told the clerk, sliding your ID across the counter, "and a standard room for management on the fourth floor."
A heavy hand suddenly slammed onto the counter right beside yours, fingers adorned with heavy silver rings curling into the wood. You didn't even have to look up to recognize the scent of expensive leather. "Change of plans," Jungkook said, bringing his face entirely too close to yours. "Management is staying on the top floor. In the suite, with me."
You turned your head sharply, glaring up at him. He looked annoyingly refreshed, dressed in an oversized black turtleneck and dark trousers, his hair falling messily over his forehead.
"I am not sharing a suite with you, Jungkook," you hissed under your breath, keeping your voice low so the receptionist wouldn't overhear. "I value my sanity and my sleep, none of which would survive under the same roof as you."
"It's a two-bedroom suite, you absolute control freak," he shot back, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "There’s a whole hallway and a solid door between our rooms. Unless, of course, you're scared you won't be able to resist me."
"I would rather staple my eyelids to my forehead.”
"That sounds messy, but if that's your thing, who am I to judge?" Jungkook turned to the desk clerk, flashing a smile that made the woman turn bright red. "Put her luggage in the suite across from mine. And send up three bottles of vintage scotch and a double espresso. Now."
Before you could argue, the clerk was already nodding quickly, sliding the heavy keys across the marble.
You grabbed the key, your fingers brushing his knuckles. The brief spark made you pull back like you’d touched something hot. Jungkook’s eyes darkened for a split second, that same unreadable look flashing through before it disappeared behind a lazy smirk. He picked up his duffel and headed for the private elevator without another word.
By midnight, the jet lag settled over the penthouse like a heavy weight, but sleep still felt out of reach. You sat at the glass desk in your room, the glow of your laptop casting a cold blue light across your face as you went over security protocols for the upcoming European festival. The place was quiet, the only sound was the dull sound of music drifting through the floor from Jungkook’s room down the hall.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
He was still awake. Of course he was, because apparently rest was a foreign concept to this man. Groaning, you slammed your laptop shut, rubbed your burning eyes, and stood up. You had warned him twice about the hotel’s noise restrictions, and if management didn't enforce the rules, who would?
You marched out into the dimly lit hallway, your bare feet making no sound against the thick rugs. You didn't bother knocking on his door; you just pushed it open. It was unlocked, which made you roll your eyes.
"Turn the music down, Jeon," you snapped into his room. "If the hotel management complains, I am going to—" The words had instantly died in your throat.
The suite was lit only by the glow of the Parisian street lamps bleeding through the windows. Jungkook wasn't blasting music anymore. He was sitting on the edge of the king-sized bed, his back to you, stripped down to a pair of dark sweatpants. His broad shoulders were tense, and the ink of his tattoos was stark against his skin. He didn't turn around, but he knew you were there.
"You walk in here like you own the place," he murmured, his voice entirely devoid of its usual mocking bite.
"Lock your door next time," you said, though you didn't move from the doorway. "Anyone could walk in here."
"Let them," Jungkook said softly. He finally turned his head, looking at you over his shoulder. In the dim light, the circles under his eyes were unmistakable, the reality of a world tour finally catching up to the rockstar. "Nobody walks in here except you anyway."
You swallowed hard, intensely aware of how alone the two of you were, completely cut off from the rest of the crew. "Do you need something?" you asked, trying to sound indifferent, though your heart was beating way too fast in your chest.
Jungkook stood up slowly, and turned to face you. He was taller than you, carrying an effortless gravity that pulled you in no matter how hard you fought against it.
He didn't yell, and he didn't mock you or call you uptight. Instead, he started walking toward you, closing the distance between you across the dark room.
"I spend every night on a stage in front of thirty thousand screaming people who think they know everything about me," Jungkook said, his voice barely above a whisper as he stopped just inches away from you. "They scream my name, they love my music, and they practically want a piece of my soul."
You held your ground, though your breath caught in your chest. "That's what you signed up for."
"Is it?" He tilted his head. Hesitantly, his hand came up, his fingers brushing against the lock of hair resting against your cheek. The warmth of his skin sent a traitorous shiver straight down your spine.
"You hate me," he whispered, his thumb ghosting over your jawline.
"I do," you breathed out, your voice trembling, though you didn't pull away. You couldn't; your body wouldn’t let you.
Jungkook let out a breath, one that sounded like a laugh. "Good," he murmured, his hand tightening slightly on your jaw, pulling you that final inch closer.
The air in your lungs almost left your body, forcing you to remember how to breathe again. His thumb lingered along your jaw, pressing just enough to keep you still, his touch burning into your skin. You expected him to close the last bit of distance, to let everything between you finally spill over. Instead, Jungkook let out a breath that fluttered against your lips, his fingers tilted your chin upward, his thumb slipping directly between your parted lips, pressing hard against your tongue.
Your eyes widened in shock, a gasp catching in your throat. The taste of him flooded your senses as he held you still, your knees basically turning into liquid as you stood there. This wasn’t what you expected to happen when you walked in here, but a part of you didn’t mind.
Slowly, he pulled his thumb back out, leaving your lips aching and parted, before grabbing your hand and pressing your palm against the center of his chest. "I couldn't sleep. I tried. I sat here staring at the ceiling until my head felt like it was going to split open. And the only thing keeping me awake, the only thing I've been thinking about for the last three hours, was you."
Your breath hitched, your fingers curling instinctively against the cotton of his sweatpants as. "Jungkook, don't."
"I was sitting on the edge of that bed a minute ago," he continued, completely ignoring your words. "My hands were shaking. I was about to touch myself, thinking about the way you look at me, the way you hate every word I say and still refuse to back down, the way I want to tear all of your clothes off."
Your cheeks burned hot, your breath catching in your throat as your mind scrambled to process what he was admitting to you.
"You're out of your mind," you whispered. "You're exhausted, you're jet-lagged—"
"I am completely sane for the first time in months," Jungkook interrupted, his voice dropping to a pleading whisper. He stepped closer, pressing your hand harder against his chest until you could feel the heat radiating off his skin. "I don't want to sit in the dark and pretend I don't care. I want you to help me."
"Help you?" You let out a disbelieving laugh, your eyes widening as his demand settled over you. "You want me to…stand here and watch?"
"No, I want you to touch me. I want to see if you hate me as much as you say you do when your hands are all over me."
You were his manager. The one person standing between his career and complete self-destruction. If you crossed this line, there was no going back, no pretending it was just stress. And yet, looking up at him now, seeing the reckless attitude stripped down to something that almost looked like need, your resolve started to crack.
Your hand didn’t pull away from his chest. Instead, slowly, like you weren’t fully in control of it, your fingers slid higher until they settled on his shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath your palm.
Jungkook’s hand slid into your hair, gripping at the nape of your neck with a quiet urgency that made it impossible for you to pull away. Then, his mouth met yours with a hard kiss. His breathing was ragged, as his other hand slid down your spine, tracing the line of your posture before pressing firmly into the small of your back, arching you entirely into his frame.
He pulled back just enough to break the kiss, his forehead resting against yours as you both tried to catch your breath. His chest rose and fell hard, and when you met his gaze, his eyes were blown wide, filled with something between disbelief and something close to satisfaction. “You’re shaking.”
"Shut up," you whispered, your fingers tightening in his hair as you pulled him back down to your mouth.
He caught your waist, lifting you, and backed you up against the glass of the windows. The contrast of the coldness against your back and the heat of his body pressing you forward sent goosebumps down your skin. He slid his thumb deep into your mouth, pressing down against your tongue while his other hand kept you situated against the glass. You sucked his thumb, heat pooling in your lower stomach. He watched you closely, sliding his thumb in and out.
"Suck it, baby," he said softly, his voice thick with arousal as he watched you take him in. "You love being a good girl for me, don't you?"
Withdrawing his thumb, he left your lips slick and swollen. He shifted his grip, carrying you away from the window and toward the bed. He laid you back against the cool sheets, his tall frame settling immediately between your thighs, trapping you. His hands moved feverishly, stripping your pyjama top aside, then immediately taking his off too.
"Jungkook, please," you choked out, your hands flying up to grip his shoulders as his mouth moved over your neck.
"Please, who?" he teased, his teeth grazing hard enough to leave a mark, his hands sliding down to grip the elastic waistband of your pyjama bottoms, tugging them down and throwing them aside. "Say my name. Tell me what you want, sweetheart."
"Jungkook—please, God," you sobbed out, your hips bucking as the rush of cool air against your warm body made you shiver.
He moved down, letting kisses linger over each part of your body until he was facing your aching cunt. His fingers ran down your soaked panties, rubbing circles over your clothed clit. A whimper escaped your mouth, your hand covering it to keep yourself quiet. Before you could prepare yourself, he moved your panties aside, lapping your wetness up entirely.
"So fucking wet," he murmured against your skin, his voice vibrating directly against you before his mouth closed over you entirely, sucking at your swollen nub.
You clawed at the sheets, your back arching off the mattress as he devoured you, his hands gripping your thighs, holding you prisoner to his mouth. Every time you tried to pull away, his tongue stroked deeper, drawing out every gasp and whimper until your vision blurred.
"Look at you, coming apart for me," he murmured, pulling back for a second, his lips completely covered in your slick. "You like that, don't you? You like knowing you belong to me right now?"
"Jungkook—I'm so close—"
“Come for me,” he said before plunging his tongue back, circling and tracing your clit to get you to finally come. With a gasp and a shiver, you rode the peak of your orgasm, grinding your hips up and down his face.
Jungkook finally lifted his head. In the glow of the street lamps, his face was flushed, and his dark hair was a messy fringe across his forehead. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, his eyes locked onto yours. “You taste amazing. God, look at you shaking. You like that, don’t you?”
Before you could catch your breath or find the voice to argue, Jungkook crawled up your trembling. He caught your face in both hands, his thumbs stroking your flushed cheekbones before crashing his mouth down onto yours in a bruising kiss.
He tasted like you, but at this point you didn’t even care. Before you could get more kisses in, he pulled away from you, sliding his hands to his sweatpants to tug them down, along with his underwear. He was big, which you never doubted even just by looking at him.
"Look at me," he commanded. He braced himself back over you, pinning your body down once again. “You think you’re done, baby? You think that you get to come and I don’t? Stupid slut.”
He wore a wicked grin as his hips rolled forward, sliding his cock between your soaked folds. A gasp hitched in your throat, your fingers gripping the sheets beneath you. "Jungkook..."
"Shh, don't talk. You've spent months barking orders at me. You don't get a say anymore, cause now you’re just going to take whatever I give you, isn’t that right?"
Before you can argue or whine, he pulls back slightly, a rough chuckle escaping him. “Stay still for a second.”
His eyes scanned the floor beside the bed where your pyjamas lay discarded. With a reach, his hand snatched up your panties, dangling them briefly in front of your face before a wicked glint in his eyes. “I want to see what you're like when you’re not talking.”
He gathered the soft fabric and shoved it firmly between your lips, pressing it back against your tongue to muffle the gasp that tried to escape. You choked around the barrier, your eyes widening as Jungkook leaned down.
"Bite down on it. Be a good girl and keep quiet for me while I ruin you."
With your noises trapped and muffled, he didn't stay on the mattress in missionary. Instead, he caught you by the waist, flipping you over so you were forced onto your hands and knees against the mattress.
With a push of his hips, he slid inside your cunt. A muffled moan pushed past your lips, desperately trying to escape past the gag.
“You’re so fucking wet,” he panted, taking a deep breath as he tried to calm himself. "Every time I had to stand on that stage and watch you look at me... this is all I wanted to do to you. I should’ve just forced you to choke on my cock this entire time.”
He reached around, one hand tangling in your hair to pull your head up, while his other hand found your nipple, squeezing and pinching the sensitive flesh as he drove into you harder, faster.
“Take it. Let everyone know how much of a good slut you are for me. Keep tasting yourself against that gag.”
"Mmm—ghh—" you sobbed out, your body trembling as his hips stuttered at a brutal pace.
“Come for me again, sweetheart," he praised, driving into you from behind. "Show me how helpless you are when you're not being a bitch.”
As it hit you again, a gush of your cum dripped down, painting his length with a creamy whiteness. Before the tremors had even begun to fade, Jungkook grabbed your waist, pulling you down flat onto your back once more, hooking your legs over his shoulders so your thighs rested flush against your chest.
"We're not done, little whore. You're going to stay on my cock until it’s the only thing you can remember in the dumb brain of yours.”
He pulled entirely out before slamming back inside you, the new position driving him deeper than before, hitting a spot that made your toes curl and a fresh whimper tear past the silk gag. His hands grabbed your jaw, squeezing your face as you shook.
"Look at me, you dirty little thing," he panted, his voice breaking as he neared his own edge. "Look at who owns you. Look at whose cock you're taking like a good toy."
The last bit of your restraint snapped, your walls convulsing as you clenched around him. If it weren’t for the gag, you were sure the entire hotel could hear you. Jungkook buried himself deeper, his eyes rolling back as he spilled himself into you.
For a long while, you could only feel his heartbeat against yours, sweat leaking down your body. Jungkook collapsed against your chest, taking a moment to rest before slowly taking the silk gag out of your mouth. He threw it onto the floor before shifting to wrap his arms around you.
Your cheek rested right over the thump of his heartbeat. All the exhaustion of the few months seemed to melt away under his arms.
"Hey," he whispered against your hair. You blinked sleepily, looking up at him. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to your forehead.
I'm sorry," he murmured again, his thumb gently brushing away hair from your cheek, tracing your skin with a soft touch. "For the shouting, for the impossible demands, for making every single day feel hard. I was just... I was losing my mind trying to get you to look at me as anything other than a job."
A tired smile touched your lips, your hand reaching up to rest against his cheek. “You certainly have a way of getting my attention. But, I forgive you.”
“Thank you. I promise I won’t act like that ever again,” he says, with the gentlest smile you had ever seen on his face.
Nodding, you rest your head back onto his chest, your eyes closing. Despite all the arrogance and fighting, you realized that he was also just a human, an idiotic human trying to get your attention.
warnings: multiple orgasms, pheromones, blood play, biting, binding, jealousy, gratuitous use of bodily fluids, use of venom that acts as an aphrodisiac
word count: 27,372
description: It’s Remembrance Day. The one day a year when the inhabitants of Earth live and party how humans of the Old World used to before the people of a distant planet came and changed their lives for the better. However, when a friend stumbles upon a game humans used to play a millennia ago called seven minutes in heaven, things get interesting—A particular alien has his eye on you, and the reasons go so much deeper than you could have ever imagined.
NOTE: This story was originally written to be one part, however, the format is too large for tumblr to allow me to post it. The second part is already written and complete. It will be posted soon after this one!
"We're already late. Hurry up!" You yelled over your shoulder, motioning for Jimin to pick up the pace.
He ignored you, instead rummaging for something inside of one of the many, many pockets on his jacket. It was a denim material that matched his pants. The style had apparently been very popular a millennia ago. You couldn't understand why, since you were also wearing the denim on denim attire. You didn’t see the stylistic appeal. But you had to remind yourself when you were getting ready earlier that personal taste wasn't what this night was about. It was about remembering the Old World—fashion aside.
"Oh, you're rushing me?" Jimin asked when he finally caught up to your hurried steps. "Guess I won't share my contraband then."
You stopped dead in the middle of the street. You turned slowly to face him. He smiled devilishly as he patted all of his pockets. Now that he was closer you could see the way the material bulged slightly.
"You're sneaking Veridian alcohol into Namjoon's Old World party?" You scoffed, but still held your hand out for a taste. "You know how serious he takes it. You'll be lucky he doesn't sniff it out the second you walk through the door."
Jimin shrugged, opening one of the flaps on his jacket and pulling out a small vial of pink-tinged liquid. "If he does I'll just butter him up about how, as a Veridian himself, I'm simply honoring his species for bringing such a delicacy to our obsolete planet a thousand years ago.
"I don't think that'll work, but I'm glad you’re willing to try." You popped the cap, downing the extraterrestrial recipe in a quick gulp. No burn, just a sweet warmth that enveloped your entire body. Not like human-made alcohol that scorched your throat as you forced it down.
The reason for the sneaking of this brew was simple—It was Remembrance Day.
It was the one time a year where people all over Earth recollected on the past. A time when technology was simpler, life more mundane, and most importantly, when the inhabitants of this planet were all… human.
It was hard to imagine a time before the Veridians were here. You, after all, were born almost a thousand years after they first arrived, so to you, this was always what life had been like. To grow up with their technology, their medical advancements, and of course, their vastly superior alcohol.
Of course, the praise everyone sang for them now wasn't always the case. Their first couple of decades when they came to Earth were rocky, to put it lightly. According to the history you and all children, Veridian and human alike, learned growing up was of all the politicking and fear. Humans of the Old World were not keen to let an new species dock onto their home so easily.
The Veridians home planet of Veridia had been compromised temporarily. While their achievements had been wondrous compared to human standards at the time, it had come at a cost. Their planet was now fighting back. The climate change from their rapid technological scaling had become too much for it to bear, resulting in it slowly becoming uninhabitable for the Veridians themselves. Once they realized what was happening, they tried to reverse course, but it was too late. Instead they were forced to find a new home within the next decade while their planet healed from scars they had left on her—and that new proposed home had been Earth.
They needed a planet with oxygen. They needed it to breathe and live just like us. So of course, when they discovered Earth during their intergalactic search, they decided it would be the perfect place. Unfortunately, it was already taken. Luckily, the Veridians were not a warring sort. A small fleet of them came at first, meeting with the leaders of the world. They wanted a place to stay for the next century or so while Veridia healed. The Earthen politicians refused profusely, of course. However, when just a sliver of Veridian technology was thrown at their feet, they folded.
Veridians had learned their lesson, however. They knew the level of technology they could safely produce without compromising yet another planet. But even that stunted knowledge had vastly dwarfed what humans had done up until that point.
And again, it was rocky as the Veridians slowly began to migrate here. Ships came in waves over the years. Humans were wary of them. They looked like humans for the most part, but there was an otherworldliness about them. They had been beautiful, infatuating, completely captivating to some of the humans of the Old World—making some people of Earth more distrustful of them.
Eventually, however, things settled. The Veridians integrated. They transformed the planet into something different, with the knowledge of how to balance advancements with the safety of the planet in mind.
A century or so passed, and Veridia was once again ready for them to come home; her climate healed. However… Not all of them wanted to go. At that point, almost every Verdian that was still alive had been born on Earth. They knew Veridia as just this distant thing that their elders spoke of, so many of them stayed, while others returned to their homeworld. Even some humans migrated to Veridia. What once had been a precarious relationship between two intergalactic planets, was now an intertwined mesh of two species who were now bound to one another by trade and a place once shared. And while the Verdian population on Earth was nowhere near what it once was as more and more of them began to migrate back to their home planet, there were still a decent amount: about one to every thousand humans. But that number fluctuated frequently as humans and Veridians alike traveled between the planets freely—the ones with a lot of money of course. You unfortunately did not have the funds for space travel as a college student. You didn’t know if you ever would have it actually, but you could dream.
But regardless of being stuck on Earth, you still made the most of it. As you were right now, attending an Old World party on Remembrance Day, even if it reminded you of how painfully dull the world must have been once.
It became a tradition many centuries ago to honor the way we were able to live now due to the Veridians, by taking a day to live life as it once was. And while most people simply took the day to turn off their Holographers or dress in clothing that was from various eras of the past… Namjoon took it a bit more seriously.
No Verdian technology or creation whatsoever. This included their alcohol, unfortunately. Which was the reason for yours and Jimin’s little heist.
Once you both finally approached Namjoon’s home—though, the mansion was more accurate—you stuffed the empty vial of Veridian spirits back into Jimin’s empty pocket. “Holographer off?” You asked, having already turned yours off when the two of you first transported into the neighborhood.
Holographers were every living being's primary communication device both in Veridia and on Earth, but it was used for a variety of things other than that. It allowed the user to project things, such as videos or texts onto a holographic screen in front of them. One could even project a live image of their body to the person that they were trying to talk to. Making it almost seem like you were in the same room while having a conversation.
“Yes, my access to the outside world is cut off,” He grumbled.
You rolled your eyes. “Oh, how will you ever survive? Everyone we know is here anyway. Unless… you’ve met someone I don’t know about?” You looked at him curiously.
He smirked slightly, downing his vial of alcohol quickly. “Maybe.”
“Why didn’t you bring them?”
He shrugged. “Still early. Plus,” He paused, throwing an arm around your shoulder as he began to walk us up the long driveway. “I didn’t want to be distracted in my mission to help my dear friend finally break her spell of celibacy.”
You rolled your eyes. “It’s only been six months. Don’t be dramatic.”
“Still, that rat that you considered your boyfriend did a number on you.”
You bit the inside of your cheek. Yes, your last relationship had not gone so swimmingly. He had been a player through and through. Though, you stupidly thought you’d tamed him. That thought was shattered when you walked in on him with a girl writhing on top of him after a class half a year ago. You still weren’t sure what she was losing her mind over exactly, he had never made you feel like that in bed.
You shook the image from your mind. “I’m not avoiding sex because of him. I just haven’t found anyone I find very interesting.”
“Well, you’re in luck. Plenty of interesting people inside.” He motioned with the hand not around your shoulder. “Plenty of Veridians inside. You know, with Namjoon being the host and all.”
You shook your head. You should've known this was where he was going with the conversation. “You know I’ve never slept with a Veridian, and I don’t plan on changing that tonight.”
“I don’t see why not. One night with a Veridian and you won’t even be able to remember what’s his face’s name.” Jimin wiggled his eyebrows at you with a smirk.
You snorted, but the words made you grow a little hot. “Like every human on Earth, I’m very aware of their reputation.”
Again, while Veridians looked like humans for the most part, they had some key differences. They had pointed ears, tongues that were a bit longer than a human’s, and their canines were slightly elongated, almost vampiric. They had an increased sense of smell as well. But one of the most interesting traits they possessed was something called their essence: markings on their skin that only showed when they were feeling particular emotions. They could show up in various colors, unique to each Veridian. Some purple, pink, blue, any color really. You remembered the first time you saw it as a child.
You were in school, and a Verdian boy cried because he had accidentally broken his toy. His face suddenly lit up with sage green lines. One thick, long line appeared across the bridge of his nose, with a shorter one below that, and two more followed along either side of his jaw. They appeared elsewhere on the body, but you didn’t know where considering you had never had the opportunity to witness a naked Veridian. You had seen it in movies, sure, but you weren't sure where exactly those lines ended beneath all the clothing.
There were also those interesting appendages they had bursting from between the center of their shoulder blades; three on either side of their spine, six in total. They were a couple of feet in length and flat, almost like tendrils of silk fabric cascading out of their backs, and they were very, very strong. They called them their fringes, and well, let’s just say that you had heard interesting stories of what they could do with said fringes.
But speaking of that, besides the physical differences between the species, they also had more intense… sexual proclivities, you could say. Though, you didn't know how accurate your ideas of it were. Your lessons on Veridian sexual practices were limited to the bare bones educational classes from when you were younger, and they weren’t exactly the most detailed. Just general anatomy and an overview of how their hormones worked. It was just supposed to be so that you didn’t have absolutely no knowledge on the other species you shared the Earth with. But other than that, it was just what you assumed were exaggerated tales from various media depictions or human gossip. The Fertility Solstice they had back in Veridia was of particular interest to humans who had never visited Veridia for the holiday. The rumors of what went on were completely unbelievable. However, you did know one thing for sure, and that was that their venom was considered utterly intoxicating.
Veridians possessed a venom of sorts that they could mix into their saliva at will. A venom that they could also produce through their fangs and flood through your body with a bite to a vein. Everyone knew the stories of the euphoria that it held, and everyone was curious… even you. Though, you had just never been given the chance to partake in it. The idea of being with a Veridian just seemed incredibly overwhelming. You know, with the venom, the fringes, oh, and who could forget about the blood drinking! Though, it wasn’t something they did to sustain themselves, it was purely sexual apparently… They liked it. There was also just their genitalia in general—no, you weren’t even going to get into that. For the men at least, just bigger—much bigger, and—no, no, no, again, you weren’t getting into it.
You cleared your throat, trying to chase the vague idea of what a naked Veridian man looked like from your head. “It’s not like you’ve ever slept with a Veridian either. Most humans haven’t.”
Like you said before, on Earth the ratio was highly skewed towards humans. Though, certain areas were more densely concentrated. Your college had a higher population than usual due to a lot of Veridians spending a few years here for schooling.
“Oh, don’t pretend like you aren't curious just like the rest of us,” Jimin replied simply, and he would have probably continued, but thankfully you were finally in front of the large double doors of Namjoon’s house. You could hear the music thumping from inside, and of course it was from the last millennium. Namjoon wanted everything on theme, always.
“You ready?” You asked.
Jimin patted the pockets of his denim jacket, making sure nothing was showing. “Let’s party like the old days, I guess.”
—————
It took all of ten minutes for Namjoon to sniff the two of you out. You were both mingling with some classmates, when a hand wrapped around both yours and Jimin’s shoulders. You both stiffened, turning to face him with fake smiles plastered on your mouths.
“Namjoon, g-great party!” You beamed, giving him a hug, trying to distract from the fact that you’d been caught smuggling Veridian alcohol into his Old World party.
He crossed his arms, giving you a disappointed look. His pointed ears even seemed to bend in annoyance. “Firstly, you’re late, and secondly you brought banned alcohol into a party where the host was definitely going to notice it.” He tapped his nose.
Jimin pursed his lips. “Well, technically, if this is an Old World party where we’re supposed to live like before Veridians arrived, then your keen senses are also off limits… Right?”
Namjoon narrowed his eyes down at him. “Touché.”
“We’re sorry. Don’t hate us.” You put your hands together in a pleading gesture.
He waved your worries away. “Ah, it’s whatever. Just getting people to turn off their Holographers for the night is hard enough. I guess I can let a little alcohol slide. Though, if you guys are feeling festive later, there is plenty of Old World alcohol in the kitchen.”
“Uh, yeah. Later. Totally.” You agreed, fakely.
Namjoon smacked his lips, indicating he didn’t believe your lie. “Well, anyway. You guys made it just in time for the game.”
“Ugh, what is it this year?” Jimin asked. “Manhunt, capture the flag? Something drunk people are not good at as always, I assume?”
You snickered, remembering last year when you and Jimin had both fallen asleep outside in your hiding spots, the sun finally waking you; dirt, branches, and bugs in your hair.
“No, though I think you’re just being a sore loser because your team never wins.” He smiled, giving Jimin a soft flick between the forehead.
“Ouch, motherfucker.” He rubbed at the spot that had barely been hit. “So what is it then?”
Namjoon tongued at the inside of his cheek, the hint of a smirk causing one of his dimples to appear. “It’s called seven minutes in heaven. I came across it in some old book a couple months back. Thought it’d be a nice change of pace for my party games.”
“What do you do in this… what was it? Seven minutes in heaven?” You asked, repeating the strange name.
“You’re about to find out.” He smiled, simply handing Jimin a scrap piece of paper before suddenly asking. “You’re not dating anyone right now, are you?”
Namjoon seemed to deflate at that. “Ugh, you can’t do the game then.” He grabbed the paper back, throwing it into one of the two bowls he was carrying around.
“Guess you’ll have all the fun this year, Y/N. Well, if you want to, that is.” He winked at you, shoving a different piece of paper into your hands and strutting away before you could ask any questions.
“What the hell? Why would dating someone stop you from being able to play the game?” You asked, utterly confused.
You watched as Namjoon made his way to the front of the living room. He brought two fingers to his lips, making a loud whistle noise ricochet throughout the house. A couple dozen heads snapped their attention to him at the sound.
“Listen up, guys. Gonna explain the game,” Namjoon yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth. “So, it’s pretty simple. Everyone has a piece of paper with a number written on it.”
You unfurled your paper and glanced down. Seven was your number. Seems fitting for the game, you thought to yourself.
“There is someone in this room that has your matching number. I’m gonna call people up here. They’ll reveal their number and the person with the same number is going to join their partner.” He paused, walking over to a door that you hadn’t noticed behind him. He opened it, motioning towards the inside. It was a tiny room. A closet from what you could tell. “And the two of you will get to spend seven uninterrupted minutes in here. Spend it however the two of you agree. Alright, who wants to go first!”
Your mouth dropped open, but several people around you were murmuring excitedly, their hands raised for Namjoon to pick them.
“He can’t be serious!” You scoffed, turning to face Jimin who was doubled over in laughter.
“I actually think it’s genius. Much prefer this to hiding behind a tree trying not to get tagged all night.”
“Says the man who doesn’t have to do it.” You pouted, hands crossed over your chest.
“I mean you really don’t have to. You can just walk away or not go up there if your number is called.” Jimin paused, biting his lip. “But for the record I think you should do it.”
“Why? What if I’m not interested in whoever I get paired with?”
Jimin shrugged. “Then have a stimulating conversation for seven minutes. He didn’t say it had to be sexual. Just implied that it could be if you both wanted to.”
You gnawed at the inside of your bottom lip, mulling it over when Namjoon was suddenly making another announcement.
“Oh, forgot to mention. If you’re Veridian and you get paired with a human, do not, and I repeat do not give them your venom. You all know why that isn’t allowed. I will kick your fucking ass before I make you leave. Got it? He paused, seeming to think of a caveat. “Unless they want to—actually no, not even if they want to. We have to keep this room clean for a while, and there’s plenty more upstairs if anyone wants to continue after the timer runs out. So yeah, no venom, not for anyone. Okay?”
You knew why he had to make the announcement. Again, you had no idea what the effects felt like, as you’d never been subjected to them, though you knew several humans who enjoyed them in a consensual setting. Namjoon simply wanted to make it clear that permission needed to be given.
“So, what’s the verdict?” Jimin asked, breaking you from your thoughts. “In or out?”
You watched as Namjoon picked a girl towards the front of the room. She was dressed in punk style clothing. She handed her paper to Namjoon.
“Number thirteen.” He waved the paper over his head and a guy right next to you perked up. He had a disco outfit on, his pants swaying at the bottoms slightly as he made his way to the front of the room. They both smiled as they entered the room, Namjoon shutting the door behind them. “Seven minutes starts now!”
Your heart raced a bit, but there was something else mixed in with the anxiety. Thrill? Intrigue? You weren’t sure, but you couldn’t lie and say you weren’t interested to see who you would get paired with. As Jimin had pointed out earlier, you had been avoiding interactions involving relationships or sex for some time now. Maybe it was time to not necessarily change that, but maybe get your feet wet. A simple kiss with someone couldn’t hurt, right?
You released a deep sigh. “Fuck it, why not.”
Jimin pumped his fist in victory before shouting across the room. “Namjoon, let Y/N go next!” Namjoon gave a thumbs up, motioning for you to come forward.
You punched Jimin’s shoulder, giving him a look that could kill. “What the fuck?! I’m not ready!”
“You’re just gonna psych yourself out. Just get it over with. If it sucks then you have the rest of the night to forget about,” He said, pushing you through the crowd of people.
You couldn’t really argue with the logic. It was kind of like going first in a presentation for school to just get it out of the way. The waiting only made the pressure more intense as time went on.
You dropped your paper in Namjoon’s hand as you and everyone else waited for the timer to run out. It had already been three minutes. See, this was nothing. It had felt like no time at all and the first couple’s turn at the game was almost over.
“What made you decide to do this type of game this year? You usually like the silly, kid stuff.” You asked him as you stood staring at the room you would enter in a short amount of time.
Namjoon shrugged. “Just liked the idea of playing matchmaker. Even if it’s just one or two pairs tonight. Knowing I got two people who maybe never would’ve talked get together seemed like a nice idea.”
“You’re a sap.” You chuckled. “But I guess that’s why I love you.”
You had met Namjoon a few years ago during your first year at school. He was one of the kindest and most genuine people you had ever met, so his reasoning behind this game fit his personality perfectly.
“I hope you’re one of those people, you know? That maybe you get someone that makes you interested beyond the game.” He nudged your shoulder.
You gave him a small smile. “I doubt it, but I appreciate it anyway.”
“Well, let’s find out.” He slammed his hand on the door to the room at the same moment that the timer he set went off. “Time’s up. Out!”
It took a couple of seconds, but the door finally opened. You had to stifle a laugh as the two emerged, looking much more wrecked than they had just minutes ago. Lipstick was smeared, eyeliner smudged, clothes askew. They had definitely made the most of their seven minutes. You would give them that.
“You said the second floor?” The guy asked, his mouth looking swollen.
“Yup, have fun.” Namjoon pointed towards the staircase.
They hurried up the stairs quickly, hands all over each other. The curl of anxiety quickly began to kick back in. You feared your exit would not be as exciting as that one.
“Okay, your turn, Y/N.” Namjoon unfurled the paper to look at the number. You scratched at the side of your temple, looking at all of the possible matches spread out before you. “Alright, who is the other lucky number seven?” Namjoon shouted across the room.
Everyone looked around at each other. Waiting to see who was going to step forward. For a moment there was no one, and you thought maybe you got lucky and your partner had left the game. But that would be too easy, because suddenly everyone started to break away, letting someone emerge from the back of the crowd.
Your breath hitched in your throat. You had to physically clamp your teeth down on the inside of your cheeks to keep your mouth from falling open, because the guy currently walking towards you, the guy that you were going to be stuck in a tight, enclosed space for seven entire minutes with, was absolutely… gorgeous.
He was wearing jeans and a tight tank top beneath a leather jacket. The fringe of his black hair was hanging over his forehead with a backwards cap on top. He wasn’t really dressed as any notable human era, which was the theme for this party, but hey, when you looked like that, who cared? Namjoon probably, but that was besides the point.
“Jungkook, once again I have to say your lack of commitment to Remembrance Day is disappointing.” Namjoon tsked, confirming your inner thoughts.
Jungkook was his name then. You said it inside of your head a couple of times for some reason. You just liked the way it sounded, you guessed.
“Sorry to disappoint you, my friend.” Jungkook chuckled before suddenly glancing at you. His eyes were almost black, and they felt trance-like the way you couldn’t stop staring at them. “Nice to meet you, by the way. Guess I should say that before Namjoon shoves us into that closet together.” He paused, a slight smirk on his lips. “Though, I’m not complaining.”
“You shameless flirt.” Namjoon rolled his eyes, pushing you both forward before you could give him a response.
Suddenly you were both in the tiny space, and he was staring down at you. You felt like you weren’t breathing, and that feeling only worsened as Namjoon began to close the door.
“Y/N’s a good friend, by the way, Jungkook.” Namjoon suddenly interjected, just as he was about to close the door all the way. “You better be respectful.”
Jungkook was still looking at you, the corners of his lips tilting upward. “I’ll only do what she asks,” He whispered, his voice so low and close to your face, that your stomach did a flip. You were so distracted by the feeling you didn’t even realize Namjoon had finally shut the door completely.
“Seven minutes starts now!” You heard him yell from the other side of the door, and there was a little cheer from the crowd that had accumulated in the living room to either participate or watch the game.
You finally broke eye contact, not being able to bear it any longer without feeling like your skin was going to catch on fire. You cleared your throat before finally speaking. “Also nice to meet you. I didn’t get a chance to say that before Namjoon pushed us in here.”
“That’s okay.” There was a pause, and it made you stare up at him again. He was seriously so good looking. It was almost unfair.
“So, Y/N,” He started again, and suddenly his hand was reaching out, pushing a strand of hair behind your ear. The sensation of his skin touching yours made a chill race up your spine. “Since we’re short on time here, I’m just gonna be blunt with you. What’re you wanting out of me for these seven measly minutes?”
“I…” You trailed off. You didn’t know why you were hesitating. You had just talked yourself up about how you wanted to do this to test the waters of being with someone again, even if it was just a kiss. He seemed to notice your dilemma, because he was taking a half a step back. He might have taken more, but the shelves that lined both sides of the closet prevented him from doing so. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make this awkward—though, this game is incredibly fucking awkward. I mean I can’t believe people actually used to play this.”
He chuckled, leaning back against the shelf. “No need to be sorry. That’s why I asked. We can talk, or I can just stand here in silence while you keep staring at me like you wanna lick my face.”
Your eyes widened. “What? I-I was not—I mean I was just looking at you normally—” You cut your words off, choosing to not humiliate yourself further with your rambling.
When you finally got the confidence to look at him again, you didn’t find the cocky smile you were expecting. Instead he held a patient expression. Like he just knew how this was obviously going to go, and he was just waiting on you to catch up.
You took a deep breath. You were overthinking this. It was just a little kissing, right? Nothing crazy. So, fuck it. You were just gonna go for it.
You stepped forward, closing the space Jungkook had created just a moment ago. “You told Namjoon just now that you’d do whatever I asked, right?”
“I did.” He nodded. “So what do you want to ask me to do for you?”
You bit at your bottom lip, his eyes tracking the movement. “I know this is gonna seem a bit juvenile… but I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately, when it comes to stuff like this. Ever since my last relationship ended. So I just want a good kiss—a really, really good kiss. You look like the type of guy that could give that to me.”
“Hm, big expectations.” He did a closed-mouth smile as his hands found the sides of your ribs. You released a slight gasp as he suddenly pulled you both down to your knees on the carpeted floor. His mouth hovered over yours as he began to whisper. “But I won’t disappoint you.”
Jungkook’s lips found yours, and it was as if your body was immediately taken over by some foreign entity. Your skin was buzzing, a sensation that sent shockwaves down the entire length of your spine in an instant. You opened your mouth, his tongue sliding along your own in such a seductive way that moans suddenly barreled up your throat. It felt different than usual too, like he was twisting his tongue around yours in ways you didn’t even know was possible. You felt his smirk against your mouth as your hands immediately found the sides of his neck, your thumbs caressing at his jaw as he coaxed you through this completely enrapturing kiss. You started feeling dizzy after a minute, like your brain was melting from his touch.
“You need to breathe.” You heard his gentle words in between each slant of his lips, making you realize that you were in fact not breathing. You pulled back with a gasp, his dark eyes glancing down to the rapid rise and fall of your chest. That was also when you noticed that you had climbed on top of his lap at some point during this entanglement.
“Yeah, breathing would be a good idea.” You nodded, glancing away in mortification that you had been so into this interaction that you had forgotten to perform a basic bodily survival skill. You didn’t know what was happening. It was like your soul was saying you just needed more of him, oxygen be damned.
Your face was suddenly being twisted so that you couldn’t hide your shamed expression. Jungkook shook his head gently from side to side, his other hand lifting to press his thumb against the skin between your furrowed brows. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
You threw your fingers over your eyes, hiding from his placation. “Ugh, I’m really out of practice with this sort of thing.”
He chuckled beneath you and then pulled your hands down. You forced yourself to keep eye contact as he cupped the side of your face. “Keep practicing with me then.”
It was like his voice had a direct line to your body, because you were immediately leaning in again. His lips brushed yours once more, and this time you reminded yourself to pull it together and breathe. You heard the hum against your mouth, as if he was praising you for remembering this time. You weren’t sure how he was so aware of the inhales and exhales that passed through you, like he was intrinsically linked to your lungs.
His tongue swept against your lip, leaving what felt like a trail of electric sparks behind. The sensation had you throwing your arms around his neck, your hips grinding down onto the fabric of his pants. You could feel him growing beneath you… And growing… Still growing. Fuck, how big was his dick? The thought swept through you just as you suddenly felt something tickle your wrist. You opened your eyes, scared that maybe a bug or something had crawled on you in this tiny closet space, but what you saw wasn’t a bug at all—It was a gold-colored fringe.
“What the—” You pulled away immediately, almost falling backwards off of Jungkook’s lap. But he caught you by both sides of your open denim jacket and pulled you back upright before you could give yourself a concussion by slamming into the shelves behind you.
Your eyes were wide with shock, and Jungkook’s mouth suddenly curved into a wide grin, exposing his elongated canines in a pleased expression. The sight of them made your heart leap. Then before you could stop yourself, you were yanking his hat off, revealing pointed ears peaking through the tufts of his hair. Each shell was adorned with a line of black jewelry.
“Y-you’re Veridian?” You stuttered, one of your fingers reaching out to push his top lip up to get a better look at what was essentially a fang, while your other hand grabbed at the tips of one of his ears.
He quirked a brow at you. “Some people might take prodding like this to be a bit rude, you know?”
You immediately snatched your hands back, slapping one over your mouth. “I’m so sorry. You’re right.” You tried to climb back off of his lap, clearly having offended him, but before you could move even an inch he had your hips pinned in place on top of him.
“I was kidding. Well, some Veridians would find it rude, so I wouldn’t go around doing that. But in my case, I like you touching me.” He paused, looking back over his shoulder. Your mouth fell open as you watched all six of his fringes snake up the back of his jacket. The golden color of them making a shiny iridescence dance across the darkened space. “Seems they like it too.”
They were like snakes dancing behind his head, curling and twisting. Some attempted to sneak down his torso to get near you again, but Jungkook smacked them before they managed to reach you. “Stop that.” He hissed, the rogue fringes quickly slithering back into his clothes, while the ones that behaved continued to levitate above his head.
You tilted your head to the side, staring at them with increased interest as they continued to comb through the air. You had seen these curious little appendages before, but most Veridians on Earth chose to keep them hidden away. You had known Namjoon for years and only seen his a handful of times. Of course, there were some Veridians that let them roam free as they walked around. They wore backless shirts or clothing with slits that allowed them to be seen. Other than that, movies and shows were the only exposure you’d had to them. You didn’t realize as you were watching them that your hand had slowly started to drift towards one of them. You snatched it back immediately. God, what the hell was going on with you tonight? It was like your self-control had completely dissipated.
“Did you want to touch them?” He asked, not seeming annoyed by the fact that you had tried to prod at him again.
You scratched your cheek awkwardly. “Sorry, I don’t mean to keep doing things like that. I’ve just never been in a… situation like this with a Veridian. I’m just… curious, I guess.”
Jungkook gave you a small smile, like he found your naïveté amusing. “Well, since we don’t have much longer in here, can I propose an idea?” Jungkook looked towards the door that would soon be opening. At this point you couldn’t have more than a minute or two left.
“What’s the idea?” You asked.
“If you’d like, we could continue your lesson on Veridian anatomy and etiquette upstairs.”
You felt yourself tense up, because going upstairs implied sex. And as much as you had enjoyed the kiss between the two of you, there was no way you were ready for that. It felt as if every nerve ending in your body had been on fire just from his mouth. You couldn’t imagine what actually having sex with him would be like. Also, you were absolutely in no shape or form ready to take whatever the hell had been growing in Jungkook’s pants a moment ago.
“As curious as I am, I wouldn’t wanna give you the wrong impression by me going up there with you.” You answered honestly.
“I wasn't implying we had to sleep together, but now that I’m thinking about it, I guess the phrase anatomy lesson can only be seen as sexual in this context.” He laughed, and you relaxed a bit at the joke.
“So, what? You just wanna go up there so I can… poke at you?” You asked, not believing he was actually agreeing to this.
Jungkook was suddenly lifting himself off of the ground, bringing you with him so you were both in a standing position. He leaned forward, and him being in your airspace once again suddenly had you feeling light-headed. “I told you, I like you touching me. Plus, my fringes are going a bit crazy right now because I stopped them from reaching you a minute ago. It would calm them down.”
Your eyes widened, and you leaned over to glance at his back, and you were surprised to see the rambunctious movement beneath Jungkook’s clothes, like they were truly fighting beneath the material.
“You can’t control them?” You asked.
You knew that a Veridian’s fringe had a connected but almost separate nervous system compared to the rest of their bodies, but you didn’t think that meant they actually had a mind of their own. You thought that was just a detail that movies and books added for a fun flare.
“I would answer that, but—” Suddenly you heard Namjoon’s voice on the other side of the door, and you felt your heart sink. “I think our time’s almost up.” He glanced from the door to you. “So, what’s it gonna be, darling? Do you want me to teach you?”
“And done!” Namjoon yelled.
Jungkook reached over and opened the door. “Come on,” He whispered against your ear, giving you a quick peck on the cheek before reaching down to pick up the hat you’d ripped off his head earlier. Then he grabbed your hand and pulled you out of the room. Namjoon was standing right in front of you of course, but it seemed Jimin had also decided to join him during the seven minute wait. And of course there was the giant crowd of people craning their heads in every direction to get a look at the two of you.
You watched Jimin’s eyes widen as he took in Jungkook’s pointed ears. His mouth transformed into the widest grin you had ever seen on your friend’s face as he turned to look at you. He shot you an expression that asked, what the hell happened in there?
“Have fun, you two?” Namjoon asked, motioning his head towards yours and Jungkook’s hands that were still intertwined.
You glanced down at your fingers, but the weird thing was you had no desire to let go. You didn’t understand why. You two had just met after all. You were lost in the strangeness of it when you suddenly felt a squeeze against your hand, making you look at Jungkook. His eyebrow was cocked, the question from before that had been left unanswered reflecting in his eyes.
Do you want me to teach you?
You had known the answer to that question the second it had passed his lips. You felt the response in your bones that were, again, refusing to let go of him. You actually wished that you were back in that tiny closet with him still chatting as you straddled him. The desire for that suddenly had you reaching up, grabbing his pointed ear and dragging his head down to where it was positioned against your lips.
“Teach me, darling,” You whispered with your eyes closed, dragging out the term sarcastically, but you felt a sudden wave of heat pass over your palm from where you were touching Jungkook’s skin. You released your hold on him and watched as he stood straight up, rubbing at his jaw and nose for some reason. You glanced over at Namjoon who looked… bewildered? Intrigued? You weren’t sure.
“What is it?” You asked Namjoon.
He shook his head. “Nothing.” He shrugged casually, but you could see the way his teeth were biting down on his bottom lip to suppress a smile.
You were about to ask again why he seemed so surprised, but before you could, Jungkook was leaning down next to your ear this time. “Ready?”
You felt a chill of goosebumps flash across your skin from where his breath had ghosted along your flesh. It made the question you were about to ask just a moment before fade away into the back of your mind. You would have to come back to it another time, because you were already answering.
You nodded. “Ready.”
—————
That walk upstairs had been awkward to say the least. Not because of anything Jungkook was doing, but because of the cheers that followed from the crowd still partaking in the game. You felt a sense of relief once you found an empty bedroom upstairs and closed the door behind the two of you.
“So… how do you know Namjoon?” You asked. The two of you should know a little bit about each other at this point. Probably should’ve happened before, but hey, seven minutes doesn’t exactly give you time for small talk.
“We’ve been friends since we were kids. Our parents both work at the same tech company, so we were constantly moving between Earth and Veridia growing up, depending on where they needed them.”
That was interesting. You knew Namjoon had spent a lot of time on Earth growing up, so he was used to humans by the time he had decided to stay here for a couple of years for his studies. You also knew his parents were higher ups in the tech sector, hence his insane living arrangements. You wondered if Jungkook lived a similarly lavish lifestyle.
“Are you just visiting then? I’ve never seen you around campus, so I assume you don’t go to our school. I definitely would’ve noticed you.” Maybe it was a bit shameless to say that, but it was the truth.
Jungkook smiled. “I haven’t been back long. I don’t start classes for a few days. I decided to hold off on schooling for a couple of years. I’d already been to Earth so much, it just wasn’t something I was interested in, but when the new year started my parents pushed me. They thought I might find some inspiration for what I want to do.” Jungkook paused, tilting his head in your direction. “And trust me, if I’d been here, I would’ve found you way before you even had the chance to notice me.”
You laughed, rolling your eyes. “Well, you probably would’ve been disappointed when you found me looking like a mess in some room on campus covered in paint or oils.”
His brows furrowed. “Paint?”
“Yes, my area of study is art. I know, not exactly as useful as tech,” You said the word with a bit of ire. It wasn’t that you didn’t appreciate it. You used it just as much as everyone else. However, you enjoyed the analog things in life just as much, and those things were dying—or already dead, honestly. Barely anyone did things by hand anymore. So you expected Jungkook to give you the spiel you had heard hundreds of times in your life, about how you were wasting your time, but instead, he surprised you.
“I love that,” He said, and for some reason you didn’t think he was saying it to placate you. He seemed genuine. “It’s a lost skill. We’ve reached the highest point of optimization on both our planets. There’s not really anything left to do technology wise. It’s why I held off on school for so long. What else is there to do at this point? So yeah, I think what you’re doing is much more interesting.”
“Thanks…” You said it almost in disbelief. That wasn’t the reaction you got most of the time.
“Maybe you could teach me some time?” Jungkook asked, a smirk curving along his lips as he started to pull his jacket off before tossing it on the floor. “Though, you did ask me to teach you first when we were downstairs, so I guess I should do that before asking any favors.”
“Hey,” You pointed at his chest, taking a step back. “We agreed no sex.”
He chuckled. “Yes, and I intend to keep that promise. But it would be harder for me to show you the Verdian things you seemed so very interested in earlier while all of my clothes are on.”
You pursed your lips. “That’s… true.”
“Okay, so now that it’s out of the way that this is strictly educational, I’m gonna take my shirt off now.” He grabbed at the bottom hem.
“Strictly educational?” You asked, because even though you had put the line at no sex, you were still tingling from the kiss downstairs. You wouldn’t be opposed to that happening again. Jungkook smirked, because you were clearly wearing your thoughts on your sleeve. “Aw, you sound disappointed by that.”
“Well, I mean if you’re educating me on all things Verdian, I figured that could also encompass other… things.” You were being vague, but that was because you were curious about something.
That kiss from earlier had felt like no other you had ever had in your life. It was otherworldly, which was fitting for the alien in front of you. But you wanted to know if the kiss had just been that good or if any of his Veridian aphrodisiac-inducing venom was involved. Namjoon had strictly forbidden it, but you couldn’t come up with another reason it had made you feel so… insatiable. Probably wasn’t the smartest decision to come up here with him not knowing whether or not he actually had used any biological trickery on you, but you figured Namjoon would’ve sensed it if he had.
“Other things?” He quirked a brow. “Such as?”
Your tongue slid along the edge of your teeth. You had to know the answer. “Can I ask you a question first?”
“Anything,” He said as he slid his shirt up his torso, revealing a body that had you suddenly clenching your jaw to prevent a mortifying reaction from slipping though. He was so muscular, veins wrapping around his large biceps and bulging beneath the skin right below his abs that then disappeared under his pants. God, he was perfect.
You closed your eyes for a moment, shaking your head as you chose to sit on the edge of the bed to try and ground yourself a little bit. But when you opened them, Jungkook was standing right in front of you, his fringes slithering in a halo around his body. Your eyes bounced around to each one. They were dancing gently behind him and seemed to have calmed down from earlier.
“You had a question?” He asked, breaking you from your wonder towards the little creatures.
You had no idea how long you had been staring. You cleared your throat to cut through your awkwardness, pulling your legs beneath you on the bed. “Uhm, I was wondering if, when we were kissing earlier, if you…” You bit your lip trailing off.
Jungkook’s eyes widened momentarily. “You think I used my venom on you?”
“So you didn’t.” You confirmed. “I’m sorry for asking. I just—It felt…” You weren’t even sure how to possibly describe how it felt.
“No, it’s fine.” He was sitting next to you on the bed now. His closeness made your stomach start to squirm incessantly. “It’s flattering that you think I did, though.” He smiled, his shoulder brushing against yours. “But I would’ve if you’d wanted me to. Fuck Namjoon’s rules. I would’ve done anything you asked me to in that room.”
Your breathing was getting heavier now, your eyes flitting down to his mouth that held a curling grin that showed off the glint of his teeth. “What does the venom feel like?”
“Everyone is different,” He answered, laying down on his side and propping his head up on his elbow. You followed him to mirror the position. “Movies and stuff make it seem like all humans react the same to any of us, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. Everyone’s genetic makeup is different. Some humans and Veridians don’t affect each other much. Maybe the kiss or bite just seems a bit more intense than compared to the usual sex between two humans. While other pairings… It feels a bit like a frenzy. Like you can’t get enough of each other. But some humans even have negative side effects with certain Veridians, like they’re rejecting that particular venom completely. It can make them very sick until it’s passed through their system. It’s all up to how your body reacts to our foreign DNA inside of you.”
You took in the information with extreme intrigue. Again, your knowledge on Verdians was lacking to put it lightly. You now wished you had maybe picked up a book that wasn’t a romance novel at some point in your life to get the actual facts instead of the dramatized version.
But now that you knew it wasn’t a one size fits all sort of scenario, you were curious. “So… how do you think your venom would affect me? Can you tell? Would I get sick?” You hoped that wasn’t the case.
Before Jungkook could answer, one of his fringes slithered between the space between the two of you. It was waving back and forth, its golden shimmer reflecting off the black of Jungkook’s eyes. You reached a hand up slowly, and when you finally touched it you couldn’t help the way your breath hitched in your throat. It was a strange texture, almost ticklish against your fingertips. You were still playing a little game of tag with it when it slowly began to slither up your arm, the edge of the ribbon-like appendage gently caressing your bottom lip.
Your eyes widened as you looked at Jungkook for what to do. However, he simply laughed before pulling it back, though it kept tugging in his grip like it wanted to keep going. And you kind of wanted it to. It was almost like an adorable little snake.
“Remember when you asked me downstairs if I could control them?” He reminded you of your question from when his fringes had been acting antsy beneath his clothing after your kiss.
“Yes.” You nodded.
“Well, I can usually control them completely without much thought. We learn to do that when we’re pretty young. But if my mind is preoccupied with something important or I simply release my control of them, they sort of act like my subconscious. They have their own nerve endings and senses, they sometimes know things before I do.” He paused, releasing the fringe he had captured, and the golden strand took the opportunity to zip forward and ensnare your wrist, wrapping itself in a bow like it would not be taken away so easily this time.
“Aw, it’s so cute.” You poked your lip out, gently petting at the little present it had turned itself into.
“They are when they want to be.” He sighed, joining you in stroking the little strand. “But this little show it’s putting on right now is one of the ways I know how you’d react to my venom.”
Your movements paused momentarily, but the fringe started wiggling like it was annoyed that you stopped, so you quickly started the petting motion once again before asking Jungkook, “How?”
“Like I said, they have their own senses. They started going crazy when they noticed you. I had to concentrate to get them to stop acting as if their world was going to end if they didn’t get to touch you. They were very upset with me when I stopped them.” He chuckled, a couple of his other fringes peeking over the side of his ribs like scolded children.
“Why would they do that?” You asked, though the idea of that made warmth spread up your neck. That these little alien creatures wanted to be near you so badly, and that by Jungkook’s explanation of them being his subconscious and all, so did he.
“They would only act like that if they sensed someone compatible with my venom nearby.”
You hummed, curious as to what that entailed. “And what did they sense from me, exactly?”
“All living creatures give pheromones off, humans just don’t feel them to the degree that we can. And well, yours…” Jungkook trailed off, his tongue sliding across one of his fangs as he inhaled a deep breath, and you watched in shock as all of his fringes shuddered in unison. “They seem to be uniquely made for me. A perfect match.”
The idea that some biological chemical was the reason behind this entire situation coming to be was strange to you. Because it wasn’t something that you personally could feel in the way that Jungkook could, so it made it hard to believe. But then again, there was that kiss. The kiss that had felt indescribable, like there had been something on a higher level going on, and maybe this was the explanation for that. Could everything feel that way with him? Like your skin was on fire in the best of ways, while your insides buzzed with electric tremors.
You wanted to find out.
“A perfect match, huh?” You pursed your lips, mulling a proposal over in your head. You let your hand drift forward, your thumb grazing along the edge of Jungkook’s collarbone. He looked down at where you were touching him, his chest rising a little faster. The reaction from him emboldened you to say your idea out loud. “Can we test that theory?”
Jungkook stilled, his eyes meeting yours. “And how would you like to test it?”
You swallowed before answering. The words seemed to get stuck in your throat. After all, this was as exciting as it was terrifying. “Well, you said that some Veridian’s venom doesn’t work that strongly on some humans. And you said your fringes wouldn’t have gone as crazy as they did unless I was a human that would react, uhm, strongly, to yours. I wanna see if that’s true.” You tried shrugging casually, but you were breathless as you said the last part. “I want you to use your venom on me.”
Jungkook stared at you for a moment, biting at his bottom lip as if he had to contemplate on something before finally answering you. “I’m not sure that's a good idea tonight.”
Immediately you glanced down at the bed, looking away from him. You were surprised by the denial. After all the talk of pheromones and such, you figured it was a safe request to make without much chance of being humiliated. You started to move back along the bed, trying to put a little bit of distance between the two of you now that things had gotten a little awkward in your end. Suddenly though, his hand darted out, grabbing your jaw and forcing you to look at him once more.
He was tsking at you with that smug grin on his face. “For someone who made me promise I wouldn’t fuck you tonight, you seem surprisingly sad about not being given a venom that would make that promise very difficult to keep.” He caressed his thumb along your mouth. “If I had it my way, I’d drown you with it.”
Oh, so that was why he was refusing. You would say that it calmed your racing heart, knowing that you hadn’t embarrassed yourself from asking, but his words had actually made it worse. Suddenly you felt hot, your breathing shallow like his hand was around your throat instead of your face.
After giving yourself a moment to collect yourself you cleared your throat, trying to sound confident as you spoke again. “You don't have the self control to not give in?” You asked.
He chuckled, letting his hand wander to gently pet at your temple. “It’s not my self control I’m worried about, darling.”
Your brows furrowed and you laughed at the insinuation. “Me? You’re worried about my self control?”
He nodded. “You’ve never experienced it. You don’t know what it feels like. It’s intense. Especially since I know you’d react strongly to mine. And I wouldn’t be able to stand having to just sit there and watch while you were in pain.”
“In pain?” You asked, confused. “I thought you said your venom was a perfect match for me? That it would feel… good?” You said the last word hesitantly.
“It would,” He said with all the confidence in the world. “And yes, you’d feel euphoric—at first. Your body would be flooded with this sense of desire that can be overwhelming, and it sometimes makes you act like you normally wouldn’t. More forward, almost a little animalistic. But once that initial high wears off, if you aren’t being satisfied by someone—if the venom has nowhere to go—it will start to hurt. Badly. And I don’t want that for you at all.”
You took in the information that he was telling you. That this thing that you thought would be amazing could possibly be painful if not done in the right way. It should’ve scared you away. It should’ve prompted you to immediately ask him to disregard your initial proposal. But something in you wanted to just have some sense of what this connection between the two of you truly was. Plus, you weren’t even sure if you’d ever see Jungkook again after tonight. So you decided to change course.
“So just to be clear. When you said I would need to be satisfied, that means an orgasm, right?” You didn’t know why your skin felt so hot asking him that. After all, you were the one that had asked to be flooded with an aphrodisiac just moments ago.
“Yes, but if enough venom is in your system, simple touching isn’t gonna cut it. Just using my hand or tongue isn’t gonna be enough for you, unfortunately.”
He gave you an apologetic frown, but now all you were thinking about was his hand or head between your legs. The visuals had you squeezing your limbs together. He definitely noticed by the flare of his nostrils and the slight dart of his eyes below your waist.
You decided to ignore that and cut to your next idea. “You said if enough venom is in my system. You can control the amount, right? What if it’s just a tiny bit.”
He smiled at you. His hand that was holding his head up, threading through his hair like he was getting tired of holding back. He leaned forward across the small gap between you, his forehead touching yours. When he started speaking, his breath danced across your mouth and it sent a tremor through your entire jaw. “You’re making it very difficult for me to say no, when you’re basically begging me to eat you out with my fingers inside your pussy. That’s what you’re asking me to do, right? When the venom is making your skin feel like it’s on fucking fire because it needs me to touch it so badly. When your cunt is dripping and won’t stop until you’re coming around me over and over again. Is that what you want?”
A moan slipped up your throat, and you had no shame in hiding it. You were far beyond that at this point. After hearing those dirty words from his mouth, there was nothing that could deter you from seeing this through.
You nodded, your forehead still pressed to his. “Yes, I want that, but are you just gonna tell me it’s still not a good idea?” Your voice sounded almost like it was in agony at the concept not getting to experience what he had just described.
But suddenly you were being pulled on top of Jungkook, straddling him. Your hands found his shoulders for balance as he sat up, his hands cupping either side of your face. “I’m done telling you no. I didn’t wanna tell you no in the first place. I was just trying to be decent, but I’ve wanted to do so much more than just fucking kiss you since the second I saw you—since the second I smelled you.”
Your breaths were coming in short pants now. “Good,” You said simply. You wouldn’t have been able to get much else out.
“Ready?” He asked. “Some humans find the call a bit scary.”
You knew what he was talking about. When Veridians summoned the venom to seep into their saliva there was a clicking noise that thrummed from the back of their throats, it was referred to as ‘the call.’ It was almost like the rattle of a snake. You had only asked Jungkook earlier if he had used his venom on you in the closet, even though you hadn’t heard the noise, because you weren’t sure if a small amount could be conjured without such a showy action. Clearly the noise was required regardless of the quantity if he was telling you it was about to happen. You had heard the sound before, but it was in movies or occasionally at a club between two people kissing on the dance floor. Never had you heard it with the intention of it being used on you.
You took a deep breath. “I’m ready. I won't be scared.”
“Good, because you have nothing to be scared of.” He pulled your head closer to his, your noses brushing lightly. “I’m gonna make it feel really nice for you, okay?”
You gave him a small smile. “Okay.”
Jungkook closed his eyes, his jaw tensing as a sudden vibration began to rattle up the base of his throat. Your heart skipped a beat. It was just such an… alien sound. Which was obvious, but still something that was tugging at your very core. Again, you had known what this was going to sound like, but having it happen right beneath you was a completely different experience entirely. You had to stop yourself from looking over your shoulder, as if there was something in the room prowling you. It was as if the clicking-rattle was coming from every direction. But it wasn’t scary per se, if anything the sound was almost… strangely arousing? However, as quickly as it started, it was over in a moment. The sound dissolved around you.
Jungkook opened his eyes, looking up at you with a glassy, hungry expression. He didn’t ask if you were ready this time. He simply used his thumbs that were still holding both sides of your face and pulled your mouth open before slanting his lips across yours.
The taste hit you in an instant. It made you suck a sharp breath in through your nose. It was sweet, like honey dripping down your tongue. You moaned as Jungkook shifted his hand to the back of your head, deepening the kiss. It had only been a couple of seconds, but you felt… something. It was like a warmth spreading along your gums and down your throat before it settled in your stomach. That warmth intensified so quickly that it had you yanking back from the embrace. You screwed your eyes shut, letting the feeling trickle throughout your body. Your limbs felt light, but also incredibly sensitive. You were suddenly very aware of the jacket covering your arms. It was like tiny prickles all over your body every time the material of your clothes grazed your skin. It was almost like a scathing burn that somehow left goosebumps in its wake. You shoved the jacket off quickly and threw it on the floor.
Your eyes snapped open, and to your surprise, Jungkook was looking at you like you were the alien in this situation. Well, technically, to him you were one. But not one that possessed powers of pheromones and aphrodisiacs.
He continued staring at you, clearly stunned by something. His fringes were poised around you like some magnetic force. You could tell he was holding them back as much as he could, maybe sensing the overwhelming sensations ricocheting through your body. But suddenly his essence began to pulse, bright and gold across his face and down his body—and what a sight it was.
Two marks appeared across his nose bridge while thick lines with tapered ends followed the sharp outline of each side of his jaw. They crawled down his neck, curving down his shoulders and wrapping around his arms in bands. There were slashes of gold covering his ribs. More appeared from behind his back, curving around his waist and dipping beneath his pants. You probably could’ve studied them for hours. Just tracing the shapes with your eyes… But you were a bit preoccupied at the moment, because something was definitely happening
“It feels…” You trailed off.
You didn’t have to look in a mirror to know your pupils had suddenly dilated, it was as if you just knew based on the way everything sharpened. Jungkook as a whole was now focused in such clarity. He truly was beautiful.
“What the fuck? I barely used any. It shouldn’t have affected you this much.” Jungkook looked as concerned as he did enamored as his hands dropped to your hips, squeezing the flesh through your pants. “You're dripping—I can fucking smell it.”
Under normal circumstances you probably would’ve glanced down at your lap to see if that evidence had soaked through your clothes already, but you were too focused on his face, or his mouth more specifically. You didn’t have a second to think before you were rushing forward, twisting your fingers into his black hair and reclaiming his kiss. He groaned as you began to grind against his lap, you could feel his dick beneath you. It was so big. You wanted to see it. You reached down between your bodies, palming at his crotch, but as quickly as you touched it, your hand was snatched away, Jungkook breaking the kiss.
“That’s not happening tonight, sweetheart. I made you a promise.” He pressed his fingertips gently at your temple. “Remember?”
Of course you remembered. You just didn’t care. It seemed like such a stupid request now. “So you’re not gonna fix this… this feeling?” You asked, almost whining, the idea making your heart race in a panic. Your shame was nonexistent in this state.
He shook his head back and forth. “No, no, no, that’s not what I’m saying at all.” He immediately pressed a palm to your chest, laying you flat on the bed. His body hovered over yours, his essence still fully lining his entire face and body. “I’m gonna fix everything that you’re feeling right now, but I’m only gonna do it the way you agreed you wanted it done.”
He was already unbuttoning your pants, and you shivered as a high-pitched noise slipped past your lips as the material of the jeans passed over your skin. You watched as his fringes helped pull your pants past your ankles and threw them to the ground with your jacket.
“Can I not change my mind on that?” You asked, breaths heavy as the cool air suddenly made contact with your soaked underwear and thighs.
Jungkook leaned over, holding your face in his hand. He was giving you a sad smile. “No, you have to decide that before, not after the venom. You’re not thinking straight.”
You huffed in annoyance, lifting yourself up on one arm as he hovered over you with one knee on each side of your hips. “I get that. Trust me, I'm clear headed enough to get why you’re refusing. But…” You trailed off, your fingertips following the lines of his essence along his jaw. His eyes closed slowly as you caressed them, like a satisfied cat. “I don’t think you understand how badly I want you to fuck me right now.” Jungkook released an almost growl-like noise. It made your stomach flip and another rush of heat ran down your panties that were already completely soaked.
Suddenly he was on top of you, grinding his cock against your center. Even through his clothing it made you gasp. He kept pressing his hips up and down against you, his length catching your clit a couple of times. You felt it building in your stomach so suddenly, and it crashed through you in an instant. You let out a scream as you came, your body twitching uncontrollably. What the hell? You just came from ten seconds of him dry-humping you. What were you? A goddamn teenager?
Once your breathing returned to normal, that rising warmth in your stomach started to return again. It looked like just once was not going to be enough. But it seemed Jungkook expected that because he was leaning down, pushing a couple of wild strands of hair from your face as he told you exactly how he felt.
“I don’t understand how badly you want me to fuck you right now?” He laughed sarcastically. “You don’t understand how badly I want to.” He grabbed your jaw, squeezing as he forced you to look him in the eyes. “You’re pussy’s so fucking wet right now. All I want right now is to stretch you out over my cock so I can watch you cry about how good it feels. I wanna watch myself fuck in and out of you because of how well I know you’d take me—Even though I know you’ve never had a dick this big inside that sweet fucking cunt of yours. I want my fringes to pin you down so I can make you come again and again and again, until you just can’t take it. Then I wanna bite that pretty neck of yours to flood you with more of my venom so that you can take more, and I know you’d be so fucking happy about it too—I want to drink your damn blood.” Jungkook was breathless as he finished. “So, trust me, I understand perfectly.”
His essence pulsed violently, like it was overloaded with the thoughts he was having. Maybe you also should’ve been overwhelmed by them, but in this moment, what he had described to you sounded like heaven. But now that you had achieved some level of relief through your orgasm, your thoughts were a bit more even, though still a bit fuzzy.
“I’m sorry,” You said, knowing that you had been selfish asking him to break the promise he had made to you. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Jungkook was suddenly blinking over and over, shaking his head, like he was coming out of a daze. He slid a palm down his face. “Fuck, I shouldn’t have said all that to you. I’m not upset with you at all. It’s just that I gave you the smallest amount of venom that I possibly could have, and you’re… You’re just reacting like I gave you a lot more than I did. So, no, I’m the one that’s sorry.”
He started to lift himself off of you, like he was guilt-ridden over his confession. You hooked an arm around his neck, pulling him back on top of you before he could get away.
“You don’t have to be sorry either. I… liked what you said to me. I really liked it, actually.” Jungkook’s features softened, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face. “And as for the mishap with the venom, well, you did say that I seem uniquely made for you. Looks like you were right.” You smiled, placing a light kiss on his lips. You felt his mouth curve upwards as he returned your affection.
It was going nicely when you suddenly pulled away because a sudden cramp in your stomach had you slamming your head back against the bed. You palmed the spot in your lower abdomen that was suddenly going haywire. “Fuck, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts,” You repeated, teeth grinding together as your heels dug into the bed.
Jungkook jumped up in a second, his fringes yanking the underwear you were still somehow wearing down your legs. You watched a string of arousal follow it. God, how wet were you? You hadn’t even felt for yourself. That thought actually made the pain in your stomach stutter for a moment, so you were immediately gliding your fingers along your center. You couldn’t help but gasp at just how much there was.
But then there was another sensation joining your own explorations. You opened your eyes to see Jungkook moving your hand away and replacing it with his own. “We talked too long. Let me help you.” He laid down on his side next to you, one hand rubbing your clit with the other wiped a bead of sweat from your forehead. “Is that better?”
You felt a build in your belly that was no longer painful. You nodded, breath hitching as the pressure rose quickly. “Yes, so much better. Don’t stop, please, please, please.” You begged, eyes screwing shut as you felt yourself about to come again from just a few seconds of his touch.
“Don’t worry, I won’t stop. You’re gonna come like this, and then again around my fingers, and then with my tongue on your pussy. You’re gonna come again and again until I’m done taking care of you. Okay?” Jungkook’s words had you free-falling over a steep edge, and you nodded with tears in your eyes in a silent ‘yes, I want that.’
“Come here, baby,” You felt your body shutter half from recovering from the orgasm, the other half from the pet name.
He pulled you onto your side so that you were both facing each other. He gently coaxed your leg over his hip before his fingers slipped further down until they were settled at your entrance. He pressed two of them inside with ease, the stretch had you grabbing onto anything, which happened to be his hair.
“Fuck, I can’t wait to slide you down my cock next time,” He said through clenched teeth.
At the mention of it, you couldn’t help but glance down, and Jungkook’s pants genuinely looked like they were actually about to burst at the seams. He was thrusting lazily, but not against anything, just out of instinct.
“Don’t worry about that,” He said, tipping your chin back up. “Just keep looking at me.”
That was probably the easiest request he could have possibly made. Your eyes darted around his face. His essence had become a permanent fixture along his skin for some time now. You traced the golden lines in your head like you were in a trance.
“They’re pretty,” You whispered, but you hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
He smiled, even as his fingers started to gently pump in and out of you. “I’m happy you think so.”
“Doesn’t everyone think so?” You started to move your hips to meet his movements, your hand still tangled in his hair as you felt your release build again. You still couldn’t get used to how quickly these were coming. It was as if you only needed a few seconds of contact for it to all come crashing down.
“Some, but not all. Sometimes when you’re in a situation like this, when a human sees it and suddenly realizes they’re naked and vulnerable with something much different than them, they can get scared. Like when they see my fringes or hear the call. It reminds them I’m not human.” He didn’t look sad about that. Just a simple fact that he had come to accept, but you yourself couldn’t understand that way of thinking. All of his Veridian traits were like little gifts to you.
“I didn’t think they were s-scary. Oh, f-fuck,” You stuttered when Jungkook’s fingers curled inside of you, making you come again so easily. You threw your head into his bare chest, shallow breaths racking your lungs as he settled a hand on the back of your head.
“Good,” He patted your hair a couple of times as your body worked through the violent shudders. “Like I told you before. You have nothing to be scared of when it comes to me.”
Once you were able to inhale properly again, you looked up at him, his eyes landing right on yours, seemingly like they were waiting for your gaze to return. “I know I don’t,” You said honestly. You had just met Jungkook but somehow you knew he was being truthful. “I mean, you already know I like your essence and your fringes.” You paused as they began to slither across his bare ribs as if you’d called them. But they stayed a distance away, and you could tell by Jungkook’s hardened, trained gaze on them that he was actively keeping them away. Probably for your benefit, since he more than likely thought you were already overstimulated from the venom being more potent than expected. “And even your call. It was…” You weren’t sure how to tell him it had made you feel. That noise was almost erotic, in a way you had not expected it to be.
“It was what?” He asked, his brow raised with a smirk, clearly curious about what you were going to say, or maybe he already knew what you thought but just wanted to hear you say it out loud.
“It was…” Your tongue licked the flat edge of your teeth. “I just liked the way it sounded.”
He tilted his head to the side, looking at you expectantly, like he was waiting for you to tell him what you actually meant.
You rolled your eyes. “I think the sound is hot, okay? Happy?”
Jungkook chuckled, leaning in to give you a peck on the lips, stifling the sliver of annoyance. And then he was rolling you onto your back, settling himself on his knees between your legs. You gulped loudly at the sight. He dipped his head down, pushing your shirt up your ribs as he began to kiss his way down your torso.
“Ahhh,” You sighed, fisting at the blankets beneath you.
“I would do the call again for you, just to hear how hard it makes your heart beat like it did before, but,” He paused, his teeth nipping at the side of your inner thighs. “I’m about to finally eat you out like I’ve wanted to since I first saw you, and unfortunately getting any venom down here would just take us right back to the start, and I can tell you’re already exhausted. It makes you tired very quickly the first time you experience it, unfortunately.”
You were in fact exhausted, it took all the energy you had to prop yourself up on your elbows so you could look down at him. The sight of his essence staining his back, and his golden fringes waving in the air above him like wings. He flashed his fangs at you when he noticed your staring, the sight of them making you bite your lip. It was like there was a devil between your legs, or an angel.
“The venom is okay down there too?” You asked through your haze of biblical comparisons to the alien about to ravage you.
“Yes,” He said simply. You got the feeling that he didn’t want the two of you talking for too long to cause another wave of pain like earlier, the way he kept glancing between you and your center. “I’ll show you next time.”
“So there will be a next time?” You asked even though he had said there would be already. You found yourself just wanting to confirm.
Jungkook’s brows furrowed, like he was confused. “Yes? Unless you don’t want there to be.”
You shook your head immediately. “No, no, I do,” You said, maybe a little too rushed.
“Good.” He smiled. “Now lay back.”
You didn’t get a chance to do that yourself because one of his fringes suddenly whipped forward and pushed you flat on the bed, while two more wrapped completely around your thighs and spread them wide open. You didn’t even have a moment to be shocked by the cool sensation of the fringes before you felt Jungkook’s lengthened tongue slide along your heat.
“Oh my g-god,” You eyes went wide as you stared at the ceiling, your entire body trembling with each glide of his mouth. “That feels s-so good.”
Jungkook groaned against you, pulling back for just a moment. “You taste so fucking good.” Then he was back on you, his lips sucking around you clit in a way that had your lungs seizing. Your teeth chattered and it was almost as if remembering how to inhale had been completely lost on you for the second time tonight. Every time his tongue started a new stroke against you, your chest flexed like it needed air but just couldn’t figure out how to get it.
You thought for a brief moment that you might die like that. With just Jungkook’s mouth on you as you suffocated. You honestly might have if suddenly there wasn’t a tiny golden fleck that snatched your attention in the corner of your eyes. Everything was hazy, but you could tell it was one of his fringes. It started to caress your cheek, while you felt another slide along your chest and neck, until it was tapping at your mouth. It repeated the motion again. That’s when you realized what it was telling you.
Breathe.
You suddenly gasped, oxygen finally filling your lungs right before you felt the gentle graze of a fang against the sensitive flesh between your legs. It was instant. You came so hard your vision went completely black. Your palms covered your face and mouth, because your ears were ringing, and you were trying to muffle whatever sounds you might’ve been making. You couldn’t even tell if you were making any noise, but if you were, you were positive they were beyond lewd.
But then suddenly… It felt like you were nowhere. Had you fallen asleep? Actually blacked out? Maybe you taking a breath had been an illusion and you actually had died. You were trapped in a place where your senses didn’t work and you couldn’t tell how much time was passing. Sometimes you felt something, like your body was moving around in the space, but you weren’t sure. You continued to be stuck there, and the only reason you remained calm is simply because you had no energy left to spend on being frantic. But eventually, you truly weren’t sure how long, you started to hear a faint whisper of something in the darkness.
Terravina. You’re okay. You’ll wake up soon.
Who was Terravina? You had no idea who was talking to you, and why they were calling you a name that you had never heard of.
More time passed, and you continued to drift.
—————
Your eyes fluttered open, eyes adjusting to the dimmed light of the room you were in. Where were you again? You stared at the ceiling. Memories came flooding back. You had been staring at this exact ceiling with Jungkook below you. That was right. Jungkook. Jungkook that you met during the game at Namjoon’s party. Jungkook, the Veridian. The one who had pleasured you so thoroughly that you had lost consciousness. Suddenly panic jolted through you. Where was he? How long had you been out? You tried sitting up, but your body felt so sore. Everything was tender. You were about to try one more time to heave yourself into a sitting position, when a hand suddenly pushed against your shoulder, keeping you in place.
You flinched away, your head snapping to whoever had just touched you. But you were immediately flooded with a sense of relief when you recognized the face in front of you. The face still streaked with gold.
“It’s okay. It’s just me,” He whispered, kneeling on the ground beside the bed.
You rolled onto your side to face him completely. “What… what happened?” You asked, groggily.
He stroked the side of your face, his eyes studying you like he was making sure you were okay. “It’s rare. But sometimes when it’s a human or Veridian’s first time ingesting venom from someone new, after all of it’s burned off, they can drift into a liminal state of sorts. They aren’t sure why it happens. It’s not dangerous, but I’ve heard it can be a bit terrifying.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to your forehead. “I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t scary,” You said, trying to remember exactly what it had been like in there. Darkness, soundlessness—no not that, you did recall hearing something, but what was it again? Someone had said something to you. Called you something. You truly couldn’t find the word. “I think I was too tired from everything to be scared.” You laughed, trying to ease the guilt on his face.
Thankfully he laughed, even if only slightly. “I’m glad,” He said, and you watched as his essence suddenly faded from his face. You wondered why it had been there in the first place. He had just been watching you sleep after all. What strong emotions had he been feeling for them to still be lingering on his skin?
“How long was I out for?” You asked, deciding to delegate the question about his essence for another time.
It could’ve been days for all you knew, but considering Jungkook was still in the same clothes from the party, you figured it hadn’t been. His shirt and jacket were back on as well now. You also noticed you had some silky sleeping pants on now. Those definitely weren’t yours since you had arrived in those denim jeans for your Old World outfit.
“About two hours,” He answered.
Your eyes went wide. “Just two hours? Wow, it felt a lot longer than that.”
“Yeah, I changed the bedding while you were out. They were a bit… soaked after everything. Couldn’t have you lost in time and space on sheets like that.” He chuckled.
You looked down, and yes these were in fact a new set of sheets and blankets. You wondered where he got them. “Ugh, did you have to go and ask Namjoon for these?” You asked, a little embarrassed by the idea of him knowing the room he’d offered the two of you had been so thoroughly degraded that a change of bedding was needed.
“Well, I was planning on just going into an empty room that wasn’t being used and just taking clean ones from there, but I ended up running into him in the hallway.” He grabbed the back of his neck with a sigh. “He was a bit mad at me at first.”
“Why would he be mad at you?” You asked. All the two of you had done was take him up on his offer.
He clicked his tongue a couple of times before responding. “Well, when I ran into him looking for a room, he could smell just how much of your scent was all over me. He thought I’d flooded you with venom on your first time. He was seriously about to punch me. Not that I’d blame him for doing it if I had. But anyways he ended up giving me some new bed stuff and some pants for you to wear.”
You smiled softly. “I’ll talk to him. Make sure he knows what actually happened.
“It’s okay. I explained it already. You don’t have to if you think it’ll be awkward.”
You shrugged. “Still I think it’d make him feel better if he heard it from me too.”
Jungkook nodded, agreeing with you. “Yeah, he’s one of my best friends, but he’d definitely still beat my ass if I’d done something fucked up like that.”
You smiled. “Good to know.”
“Here, drink some water. You’re probably really thirsty.” Jungkook stood from his kneeling position and plucked a glass off the side table and handed it to you.
You didn’t realize just how parched you were until the liquid hit your mouth. You downed the entire drink in just a couple of seconds. You were definitely going to need more. Jungkook took the glass from your hand and sat down next to you on the bed.
“Look, I really hate to do this,” Jungkook started, a serious look returning to his face from when you first woke up. “But I have to go.”
You felt your heart drop for some reason, that sickly feeling swirling in your stomach. Why did you feel like this? You and Jungkook barely knew each other, and it wasn’t like he was doing anything wrong. He was just leaving after a hook-up. That was totally fine. That was normal. It was when Jungkook’s thumb started massaging into your chest that you realized you hadn’t spoken yet, and he had also probably noticed the shift in your emotions through his Verdian senses. The same ones that could tell when you had stopped breathing or when your pulse had started racing from hearing his call.
“Trust me, I wanna stay with you tonight. I really fucking do. I need you to know that.” He paused, licking his lips, like he was hesitant to continue his explanation. You were about to tell him you didn’t need one. If he wanted to leave that was his choice, he didn’t have to give you an excuse but then he continued. “I have to go home and… take care of myself.”
You were confused at first. Take care of himself? You were about to ask what he meant when he shifted in the bed and that was when you noticed the front of pants bulging to the point that you didn’t even know how he was still wearing them. You weren’t sure how you hadn’t noticed before, but it was probably because the lights were dim and his jeans were dark. However, now that he was this close you couldn’t help the way your eyes bugged as you noticed the monstrous length of him through the constricted material. It easily went down to the middle of his thigh. It hadn’t been that big in the closet during seven minutes in heaven, and it hadn’t even been that big while he had been working you through the venom. Oh my god, was it going to get even bigger?
“Oh—oh! Okay, yeah, yeah. I totally get it,” You rushed out quickly, the idea that this wasn’t even all of him had you rattled.
Jungkook’s eyes crinkled, clearly amused by your reaction. “An unfortunate Veridian biological flaw. Once we’re hard, it’s done. It’s not going down until we come. And well, it’s been like this for a while, so it’s starting to hurt.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to not wear tight clothing if you know that’s a possibility?” You asked, genuinely curious. Your eyes still flitting down to his thigh, seeing if you noticed any more growth.
Jungkook laughed loudly at that. “Yes, but male Veridians learn intense self-control when it comes to this when we’re younger so that it doesn’t affect our daily lives. But unfortunately—no, fortunately—I met you tonight, so there was no helping it.”
That made sense. There were a lot of things young Veridians had to learn to assimilate here on Earth it seemed. You wondered how all of this worked on Veridia. Was it more free? You decided you would save those questions, because you remembered that Jungkook said he was hurting, and you didn’t want to keep him here if that was the case. You remembered all too well the pain from the venom scorching your blood after the two of you had taken a break for longer than expected earlier.
“Why’d you stay? You didn’t have to. If you’re hurting, you should’ve left,” You said, motioning at the door.
“I couldn’t,” He whispered, his hand lifting to trace the seam of your mouth. “I didn’t want you to wake up confused. I didn’t want you to think I just left you after you passed out.”
You smiled beneath his touch. “I appreciate that. But I mean, couldn’t you have used a spare room or something? There had to have been other options than waiting for me to wake up.”
Jungkook shook his head, pushing some of his hair back, and you could see a trickle of sweat beading against his skin. Oh my god, he truly was in pain. But you never would have been able to tell with how gentle he was being right now.
“It’s gonna take… a while. It’s not gonna be a quick thing now that it’s gotten to this point without any relief in between. Plus, I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate knowing you were in here alone, maybe waking up at any second.”
That sinking feeling in your heart from earlier had long been replaced with a sense of elation, even if that was selfish. It had you forgetting about the soreness in your muscles, and you were sitting up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
“Thank you for staying with me,” You whispered into his mouth.
“I don’t think I could’ve left even if I wanted to. My fringes would’ve tied me to that chair in the corner over there before leaving you.” He smiled.
You giggled at the idea of his fringes tying him up like that… Maybe an idea for another time. You shook your head, washing the image from your head. No thoughts of that right now, Jungkook needed to get out of here.
“You can go. I’m fine, I promise. Go… take care of it.” You pushed at his back, urging him to get off the bed.
“Okay, okay, I’m going.” He stood up, adjusting his pants with a grimace. “When I leave do you want me to see if I can find your friend? The one I saw you with Namjoon earlier during the game. I can send him up here.”
“Uhm, yeah. That’d be good actually. His name’s Jimin.”
He nodded. “Jimin, got it.”
Jungkook started to head for the door when you suddenly realized something. “I don’t even have your Holograph information.” You said it almost like it was a ridiculous statement. The idea that you didn’t even have the most basic way to contact him after everything that had just happened.
“I already exchanged them. Yours was still in your pants pockets. I turned yours on and connected it to mine already.” He pointed towards a desk that had your jeans and jacket folded and your Holograph on top of it. He grabbed the door handle with a smile, narrowing his eyes. “You really don’t know what you’ve done to me if you think I’d leave without that.”
You suppressed the grin that wanted to break out across your face. He was just about to open the door when one final question passed through your mind. Again, you were being very selfish right now, but you had to know. So that you could, you know, prepare.
“Wait! I’m so sorry. I know you’re hurting, but I have to ask one more thing and then you can leave.” You grimaced, hating the fact that you were delaying him.
“You can always ask me anything,” He said, with all the patience in the world.
You decided to just come out and ask bluntly. You didn’t want him to have to keep staying here longer than necessary. “Okay, I’m just gonna say it. That’s as big as your dick gets, right? It’s just I’ve noticed it’s already grown like three times, so I just wanna know for… future reference.” You bit at your lip. Would he think you were terrible for wasting his time on such a frivolous question.
Jungkook smirked. His teeth glinting at you in the darkness. “Yes, this is it. Promise.”
You sighed in relief. “Oh, thank god.”
He chuckled, twisting the handle and taking a step into the hallway. It seemed for a second that he was going to leave without saying anything else, but just as he was about to shut the door behind him, he stopped. Jungkook leaned his head against the doorframe, his eyes finding yours.
“Sweet dreams tonight… Y/N,” He whispered, and then he was gone.
You were finally alone, but Jungkook had left a strange feeling suddenly slithering through your mind in his immediate absence. When he said your name just now, for some reason, you thought that he had wanted to call you something else.
—————
You were alone for all of five minutes before a series of hurried knocks started to clamor from the other side of the door.
“Y/N? You in there?” Jimin yelled, but you didn’t get a chance to say anything before he swung the door open. And even in the darkness, you could already see his face was that of pure intrigue over what had transpired in this room.
“Fucking finally!” He was immediately raising the dimmer, filling the room with a bit more light so that you could see each other more clearly. That was when you noticed the glass of water in his hand. “Here, he asked me to give this to you,” Jimin said, walking over and offering you the drink.
“Thanks.” You gulped the entire glass down, just like you had the first time.
Jimin shoved his jacket off before laying down on the end of the bed. He was looking at you with the biggest smile you had ever seen on him. “So… how was it?”
You scoffed. “Wow, not even gonna ask if I’m okay? Just straight to the details?”
He motioned towards you. “Well, you’re clearly fine.”
You crossed your arms. “It’s the principal.”
Jimin rolled his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Fantastic. Tired, but fantastic.” You smiled as he playfully hit your foot beneath the covers.
“Seriously, I’m dying of anticipation over here, so what the hell happened?” He asked.
You figured you should get the most important part out of the way first. “Well, I’m sure this is going to be very disappointing for you, but we didn’t have sex.”
Jimin’s mouth dropped open. “What the hell? You’ve been up here for hours. So you guys have just been… talking this whole time?”
“Well, I was asleep for most of it.”
“Asleep!? Jimin exclaimed, suddenly crawling up the bed to lay next to you. “Okay, explain yourself.”
You couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction, but you also couldn’t continue this schtick of being vague. You wanted to talk about what happened just as badly as he wanted to hear it. You were still trying to wrap your head around it yourself.
“The reason I was asleep was because… He gave me his venom and made me come more times than I can even remember, and apparently sometimes it can make you pass out afterwards and go to some freaky purgatory space. So… yes, I was sleeping—sort of, I don’t know. I was conscious but not awake. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Jimin was staring at you in stunned silence, but only briefly before he was suddenly shaking your shoulders, jostling you from side to side. “Now that’s more like it!”
You grimaced, your muscles screaming beneath his touch. “Hey, I’m still sore. Be careful.”
“Shit, sorry.” Jimin dropped his hands quickly.
“It’s fine,” You said, wiggling further beneath the covers. The fatigue was starting to hit you again. It seemed your body was ready for some actual sleep.
You were about to tell Jimin that the gritty details about tonight were going to have to wait until tomorrow, when another knock rattled the door. Your mind went straight to Jungkook. Had he come back? Your heart did a little leap at the idea. That tiredness from just a second ago faded slightly. Unfortunately, it was not his voice that called out.
“Hey, Y/N. You good in there?” Namjoon asked.
“You can come in,” You yelled, though you were planning on this being a quick interaction. Your eyelids were growing heavy again now that you knew it wasn’t Jungkook coming back.
Namjoon opened the door, but the second he stepped into the room he flinched. “Fuck, it reeks in here. It’s like a damn pheromone bomb went off.”
You felt heat creep up your neck. “Well, that’s rude.”
Jimin sniffed the air next to you. “I don’t smell anything.”
Namjoon rubbed his forehead, like he was getting a headache, and then you watched him actually shove his nose beneath his shirt. Okay, now this was just getting humiliating.
“Excuse me, can you not act so repulsed by my scent when I’m literally right here.” You scowled at him.
Namjoon waved his hands in the air, dropping his shirt back down. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just… a lot.”
You bit your lip. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t supposed to be.”
Namjoon walked closer, his face thankfully neutral now. “Yeah, Jungkook told me about the venom mishap.”
“Venom mishap?” Jimin asked, his brow lifted in curiosity.
“Uhm, yeah. He gave me a small amount, but I reacted like it was a lot more than it actually was.” You remembered that feeling vividly. The sudden rush of pure desire that had invaded every inch of your body.
“Just out of curiosity, before he gave you the venom, do you remember how long his call lasted?” Namjoon asked, arms crossed over his chest.
It seemed like an odd question, but you thought back on the moment. That all encompassing noise that had felt like it was coming from within your own head. “I mean I wasn’t counting, but if I had to guess… three seconds.” You shrugged.
“Three seconds!? That’s almost nothing!” Namjoon seemed shocked.
“So?” You shrugged, not understanding what he was getting at.
“You reacted like this,” He motioned to the room, clearly still referring to whatever the room smelled like to his Veridian senses. “To a couple of drops of his venom.” Namjoon gave you a look of absolute bewilderment.
You weren’t sure how to respond to that, so you tried to play it off. “Maybe I’m just particularly sensitive to it in general. Not just his.” You knew Jungkook had said you and him were compatible in that sense, but maybe you were just more receptive than most humans.
Namjoon shook his head at your theory. “Not how it works. It’s because it was specifically you and him together. It wouldn’t have affected you even a fraction as much if it had been any other Veridian giving you that tiny amount.”
You figured as much. You hadn’t thought Jungkook was lying before, but having it confirmed by a third party made you feel an array of emotions that you weren’t quite sure how to pin down yet. “Well, he did say I seemed uniquely made for him. Though, I'm still not sure how I feel about that.”
Jimin made a disgruntled noise next to you. “That sounds like some fated lovers bullshit. Like come on, that's ridiculous.”
“Not fate,” Namjoon corrected. “It’s just biological chance. Which I know doesn’t sound as romantic to humans, but it’s different for Veridians. We crave that. We seek it out in everyone we meet. Most of us go our entire lives without finding someone that is completely compatible with us. Sure, we’ll meet other Veridians or humans that are close, but not fully… Not like whatever this seems to be.”
Namjoon’s explanation had your pulse hammering. All of this sounded very serious for someone you barely knew. Being with Jungkook tonight was amazing, but you didn’t know the first thing about him. He was still essentially a stranger… Albeit a stranger who you had just been incredibly intimate with.
“Okay, enough with all this biology, compatibility talk. I need sleep.” You pulled the covers higher, but honestly you weren’t even tired anymore. Your thoughts were speeding out of control, but you needed to be alone to try and relax after everything.
“Come on, Jimin. Let’s go.” Namjoon snapped his fingers, not hesitating for a second after your request.
“Ugh, fine.” Jimin groaned. “But we’re finishing this conversation tomorrow.” Jimin jumped off the bed and grabbed his jacket before leaving the room.
You were about to turn over to try and calm your mind to get some rest, but Namjoon’s voice had you pausing.
“I know it sounds really intense, but it’s… Ah, it’s just so hard to explain to humans without it sounding like we’re animals.” He laughed.
You snorted. “Yeah, kind of just sounds like an alien found a human toy that turns him on more than most?”
The second it came out of your mouth you regretted it, especially when Namjoon’s mouth straightened into a firm line. You hadn't meant for it to sound so harsh. It wasn’t that you were angry about it. After all, you had come up here with Jungkook having certain intentions.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—” You started, but Namjoon held a hand up, stopping you.
“You don’t have to apologize. I get it. You just don’t understand that part of us. The one that looks for someone who can draw out our instincts completely.” He started to walk towards the door, but he paused before leaving.“But it goes both ways, you know?”
“Both ways?” You asked, confused.
He looked at you over his shoulder, a small smile gracing his lips. “He was uniquely made for you too.”
He dimmed the lights and closed the door behind him, but you didn’t think sleep was going to find you anytime soon after that proclamation.
—————
Jungkook
Nothing was working. He had been at this for hours, trying everything to get enough of a release to stifle the agonizing pain currently plaguing his cock. He had managed to come a couple of times, but it wasn’t happening fast enough to offer much relief. His body only wanted the touch of one person, and it was not happy with anyone else’s—including his own apparently.
“Fuck, this is miserable.” Jungkook huffed, pushing his hair off his forehead that was beading with sweat. He squeezed the base of his dick hard, keeping the pressure as he stroked himself all the way to the tip. It had been a while since he had gotten himself to this length. Veridians didn’t usually grow to their full size, even during sex. It took an immense amount of arousal to do so, but that happened to be exactly what he had experienced tonight.
He hadn’t been entirely honest with you earlier, about the timeline of him noticing you. He had made it seem like it was when you were called up for the game together, but in truth, he had become aware of your presence the second you approached Namjoon’s house. He couldn’t see you, but he could sense you. Fuck, could he sense you. It was like you were already right in front of him, his face buried in your neck. He even knew the second you downed a vial of Verdian alcohol outside, your blood morphing with it. He regretted remembering that, because suddenly another sharp pulse flooded through his member at just the thought of your blood.
“Dammit,” He gritted through his teeth. It looked like he was going to have to take drastic measures, because any time his mind drifted to you for even a second, he was back at square one of trying to fix this problem.
He flicked his hand in the air, the screen from his Holograph appearing before him. He was putting an order in for the only thing that was going to help him at this point. It was a medication that all Veridian males had taken at least once in their lives. It could prevent any arousal from happening, which was sometimes necessary in certain important situations. Though, that was typically a problem for younger Veridians, whose self control wasn’t as good. Or it could help end the problem completely, if relief was not possible given the situation. He was of course in the latter category at the moment. It would only take a couple of minutes for it to appear in front of his door, but just as he was about to buy it, someone’s face began to flash across the projected screen in front of him.
“Seriously?” Jungkook smacked his lips, tapping his finger against Namjoon’s picture to answer the call, making sure it was audio only. “What is it?” He asked, gruffly.
Namjoon chuckled. “Someone sounds testy. Hm, wonder why you aren’t letting me project in to see what’s going on over there?”
Jungkook rolled his eyes. The Holograph had the ability to project holograms of users to the places of whoever they were trying to contact. Which was nice when you wanted to feel like you were hanging out in person with friends or family that were far away, but not so nice when you were completely naked, hard, and covered in sweat and cum. So no, Jungkook would not be letting Namjoon into his room.
“You fucking know why. Now unless you have something important to tell me, I’ve gotta go. I was in the middle of… a purchase.” Jungkook mumbled the last part.
Namjoon howled in laughter, the loud noise making Jungkook flinch. His head was pounding. “You’re still hard? Fuck, she got you good, huh?”
Jungkook tensed up at just the implication of you. “Please, don’t talk about her right now. I’m fucking dying over here.”
“Unfortunately, that’s the entire reason I called, so it’s not an option, but…” Namjoon paused, and Jungkook could hear him doing something on the other end of the line. “I just sent you something that should help.”
Jungkook immediately heard the chiming noise echo through his house that indicated something was trying to be sent through his teleporter. Jungkook sat up, grimacing with every step that caused his dick to sway.
“This better be what I think it is,” Jungkook said as he walked downstairs completely naked and approached the device that allowed things to be teleported directly into one’s home. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the image of a pack of medication that he had just been about to buy himself. He accepted the request and within seconds it was appearing on the flat silver surface.
“You’re welcome,” Namjoon said in a sing-song voice as Jungkook immediately ripped open the packaging and swallowed down the pills.
“Fuck off,” He grumbled, collapsing on the chair closest to him. The medication was fast acting thankfully. After about a minute, he could already feel his muscles loosening and his length shrinking. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why the hell did you wait so long? Or ask if I had any before you left?” Namjoon asked when he sensed that Jungkook was starting to relax.
“You know it doesn’t exactly feel good to have everything repressed by that shit. I don’t like taking it. Haven’t had to in years. So I thought I could handle it, but…” He had severely underestimated his ability to not think about you; his progress unraveling every time it happened.
“So… about Y/N.”
Oh yeah, that was why Namjoon said he called. “Right, uhm, what’s going on? Is she okay? Did something happen?” He felt his heart race at the idea of that.
It was one of the main reasons he couldn’t leave earlier. He had heard of humans and Veridians falling into half-conscious states after receiving venom for the first time from someone new, but it had never happened to him or anyone he had slept with. It was said to be harmless, but he still couldn’t bring himself to leave without making sure. And again, it was also said to be rare, only happening in very particular pairings—perfect pairings.
“No, no, she’s fine,” Namjoon said quickly, probably sensing his concern. “I did talk to her after you left though.”
Jungkook felt himself tense up again. Had you ended up hating the experience after you were finally alone and had time to reflect on it?
“What did she say?” He asked, bracing himself for the worst.
“Nothing much. It was more of her listening to me explain certain things about us that a human wouldn’t really understand,” He answered, and Jungkook felt a little relief at that.
“I explained it to her too… But that was before I realized what such a small amount of my venom was gonna do to her.” Jungkook could still vividly remember the way your body had shuddered on top of him the second he kissed you after bringing forth his call. It was barely any at all, so when he could suddenly smell your blood rippling beneath your skin as if he’d flooded you, it was a shock. A pleasant one, but a shock nonetheless.
“Oh, trust me, I know,” Namjoom said. “I thought it was bad enough when I ran into you in the hallway. I literally almost passed out when I walked into the room to check on her after you left.”
Jungkook couldn’t help but laugh. He ran a hand down his face, the images of tonight seared into his brain.
“I’ve never reacted that way to someone in my entire life. We hear stories about it our whole lives, but you really can’t describe what it feels like to meet your…” He trailed off, the idea of it still seeming so unbelievable.
“Your Terravina?” Namjoon finished for him, and Jungkook could tell that he was smiling when he said it.
Jungkook bit his lip. He had spoken the word out loud earlier when you were still in that strange half dream state. But saying it to someone that was actually listening felt oddly personal. However, if there was anyone he could talk to about this, it was Namjoon.
“Yes, she is,” He said, and it sent a pleasant stir through his chest. “I knew it the second I sensed her.
Terravina. It was a word created by Veridians after they came to Earth and began to meet particular humans. Humans that called to them. All Verdians craved that person that was a perfect match to themselves. Someone whose blood sang to them, someone who made their fringes feel as if there was now an extension outside of their own body that they wanted to protect—someone who was uniquely made for them. And if you were lucky, you found them—but most didn’t. After all, it was a gamble of chance and luck. Unfortunately, there just might never be someone born that is completely compatible with you. However, when Veridians started migrating to Earth, something interesting happened. Veridians who had not found their true matches back home were suddenly becoming enamored with certain humans who set off every biological instinct inside of them.
Eventually, they created a word for the human in these pairings. The first Veridians that came here decided to use words from an old Earthen language to come up with the new term. It came from the latin words for Earth and their galaxy that they called the Milky Way. Terra and Via Lactea. While finally ending with the shortened version of the Veridian word for match: Narina. It was an affectionate term. One that Jungkook never in his wildest dreams thought he would use—not until tonight.
“Of course you would find your Terravina just three days into being back on Earth. That’s just not fair.” Namjoon joked.
Jungkook shrugged, but he was also smiling now. Your Terravina. Jungkook liked the sound of that.
“Maybe go back to Veridia some time. The Solstice is in a couple of months. Been a couple of years since you’ve come back to participate. Your Narina might be waiting for you to show up.”
The Fertility Solstice: a day where the nearby planets aligned with Veridia, causing a spike in hormones and lust in the Veridian population. It made the senses more keen, made blood flow with more vigor. Many Veridians gathered in large cities for the celebration, allowing you to meet new people, and maybe, if you were lucky, your Narina. It was a very… passionate day for of age Veridians, to say the least. Humans typically found the concept of it quite wild, though some liked to join in the festivities.
“Yeah, maybe, but not exactly like it’s likely. Most of us aren’t so lucky.” Namjoon said, but with a wilt to his voice. “Can’t believe the luck that you’d have Y/N’s same number for the game.”
Jungkook grimaced at his observation. What he wasn’t going to tell Namjoon was that he actually hadn’t been your original partner for the game.
He sensed you immediately tonight. You hadn’t even walked in the door yet before he was searching for you, and when he finally did find you, it was like his entire axis shifted. He wanted to touch you, breathe your air, hear your voice. His fringes started yanking at his back, urging him forward, writhing under his clothes. He had to concentrate hard to stop them. He couldn’t exactly just walk up to you, a human, and start explaining biological chemistry. It just would make him look like a horny lunatic. Not that he had done a good job at making you not think that tonight. But you had asked for those things, and he would’ve done anything to please you.
Regardless, he happened to be standing next to the guy that was going to go in with you for the game. He wasn’t paying attention when Namjoon called the number, so Jungkook may or may not have used his fringe to snatch the paper from his hand. Honestly, he would’ve done it even if the guy had been paying attention. While he didn’t like doing it, a simple bare of the fangs usually sufficed in getting a human to back off.
“But anyways, this isn’t about me,” Namjoon said, cutting off the replay of Jungkook’s heist, and thankfully he no longer sounded quite as melancholy. “The reason I actually called was because I have a piece of advice.”
Jungkook raised a brow. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
There was a beat of silence before he answered. “I’d give Y/N some space.”
Jungkook’s eyes widened. Stay away from you? That was not what he had been expecting at all. “Uhm, why?”
“Ugh, she’s gonna be pissed at me if she finds out I asked you to do this, but I think it’s for the best. I could hear how fast her heart was beating when I was talking to her earlier. She just doesn’t understand what you see her as. Not fully. I said she didn’t say much when I talked to her, but she did make… a comment,” Namjoon said, hesitantly.
Jungkook narrowed his eyes. “What was the comment?”
“She may have said…” Namjoon cleared his throat, “She may have said that you were an alien who found a human toy that turns you on more than most.”
Jungkook flinched hard. He was suddenly standing up, pacing around the room. “That’s how she thinks I was looking at her tonight? Like a toy? That wasn’t what it was at all.” He hated the idea that you thought tonight was just a case of a Verdian latching on to a scent that they found enjoyable. Not that he didn’t like your scent. It was utterly intoxicating to him, but it was more than that.
“I know, I know. She said it more as a joke than anything, but she might think it’s true to some degree.” Namjoon said, cutting through Jungkook’s spiraling thoughts. “You know that they don’t understand it fully. To them, the venom, the pheromones, everything just seems so sexual, like that’s all we want from them. They don’t get the other parts of it. The desire to just be near someone whose essence brings out our own.”
Jungkook ran his hand through his hair in frustration. It wasn’t as if he could disagree. The two of you were aliens to one another, so it was easy to get wires crossed. Veridians by nature were more sexually inclined than humans, but they didn’t get that everything they saw as sexual—the venom, the pheromones, the blood—wasn’t exclusively used for sex. All of those things in combination created a Veridian’s essence.
Humans could only see the essence through markings that appeared on the skin. But Veridians considered, not just the physical manifestation of the glowing patterns, but also everything within, to be one’s essence. However, there was more to it than that. The colors seemed random, but they weren’t, and not in a genetic way. Many Veridians didn’t have the same essence as their parents, because that wasn’t what determined it. It was everything inside of them. Some say it’s the soul of the Veridian in physical form. Jungkook wasn’t sure how much he believed that, but he knew it was something deeper. Feeling that essence was the way Veridians communicated and connected with one another, even outside of intimate situations. Friends, family, strangers, they could sense who you were, what you were feeling, all through the essence. And if you were lucky enough to find someone who called to your essence like a siren, who spoke to those things inside of you without even trying, well, there was simply nothing better to a Veridian than for someone to influence them so intrinsically. So no, it wasn’t just for sex. Though, Jungkook had no idea how he was going to explain such an abstract concept to you. Especially since Namjoon’s advice was to stay away.
“So what do I do?” He whispered.
“Just give her some time. If you go to her again so soon she’s just gonna think you wanna sleep with her. And for her, maybe that is all she wants, just a good time. But for you… I know you want more than that from her. But you can’t say that to her without her finding it strange. You guys just met. So yeah, give it some time.”
Jungkook pinched the bridge of his nose and it was hot to the touch. He looked down at his arms and torso. He hadn’t even realized his essence was pulsing wildly across his skin in golden waves.
“Hello?” Namjoon asked when he didn’t get a response.
After a minute or so of silence, Jungkook finally spoke. “Fine, I’ll stay away—for now.” He bit the words out, feeling truly defeated that he had found someone that spoke to him on every level but apparently couldn’t go near.
—————
One week turned into two and then two weeks into three. That was how long it had been since Remembrance Day. That was how long it had been since you had last spoken to Jungkook.
That lying, stupid… gorgeous goddamn Veridian.
He had invaded your mind like a parasite. You thought about him everyday. His eyes, his face, his fringes, his head between your—no, no you weren’t doing that anymore. You were going to scrub that night from your mind. Forget it ever happened, though it was proving to be quite difficult.
Because sure, even though he had been the one to exchange Holograph information with you while you were passed out, apparently he didn’t have any intention of using it. And by the time you had worked up the guts to want to contact him, too long had passed and you didn’t want to seem desperate. Plus, there was the small detail of you kind of being terrified at the idea of actually having sex with him, so you had been waiting on him because you didn’t think you would have the courage to throw yourself into the lion’s den. You needed a push, and it seemed Jungkook was no longer interested in giving you one.
You huffed, wiping the back of your hand over your forehead. You felt the paint slide across your skin, making you clench your hands in frustration. You looked at the canvas in front of you, completely dejected at what was staring back at you. It wasn’t good, though you thought none of your works had been good the past few weeks. You were going to choose to blame that on Jungkook as well.
You decided not to torture yourself any longer, gathering your things to head out for the day. It was already pretty late, the burnt orange skyline shining in through the window of one of the studio rooms on campus you’d trapped yourself inside of since that night.
You walked slowly, not really in a rush to get home. It wasn’t as if you had any plans. You exited the building, thinking about what you wanted for dinner when you turned a corner and ran straight into someone.
“Shit, sorry.” You looked up, only to find Namjoon staring down at you, a look of surprise on his face. He smiled at you after collecting himself, but you didn’t return it. He had been avoiding you ever since his party. “Hey, stranger.”
His mouth dropped, looking frazzled at being called out. “Sorry, just been busy lately.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” You waved him off, continuing in the direction of the transporter that went to your apartment complex. It might have seemed like you were being rude, but you had seen Namjoon multiple times a week for three years, and suddenly after a night of hooking up with his friend, he was now silent. That wasn’t a coincidence.
Namjoon jogged to catch up to you. “Hey, I’m sorry about dodging your calls and not meeting up like usual. I was just… giving you space after the party and everything.” You knew he was lying by the twitch of his lips. Namjoon was an absolutely terrible liar. Which was probably why he was avoiding you in the first place. If you had to guess, Jungkook might have told him he was no longer interested and Namjoon wouldn’t have been able to tell you that in a nicer way without it being completely obvious that he wasn’t being honest.
You stopped, narrowing your eyes at him. “Namjoon, cut the shit.”
His shoulders sagged, dropping his head. “Look after the thing with Jungkook—”
“Nope,” You cut him off, pretending to plug your ears. “He is currently being scrubbed from my memory. No talk of him. It’ll interrupt the process.”
Namjoon gave you a confused look. “The process?”
“Of forgetting about his existence.” You shrugged simply, but Namjoon’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
“Uhm, why are you doing that exactly? Are you mad at him? You guys haven’t even been talking.”
You touched your finger to your lips before pointing at him. “Interesting that you know that, considering I haven’t told you we haven’t been talking, so you must have heard that from him.” He tugged at his bottom lip as he was caught red-handed. You rolled your eyes. “Not like he implied us hanging out again several times that night or anything. But whatever, things change, I guess.”
You started walking again, but Namjoon kept in stride right beside you. “Maybe he was just giving you space. It was a lot to take in that night. He probably didn’t want to rush you.”
“‘Space,’ would’ve been a couple days, not three weeks. That’s I’m-no-longer-interested territory. Which is totally fine, but this is the one thing I’ll say. I find it very rude to make a girl come that many times only to just never speak to her again.”
Namjoon was looking stressed for some reason. Why would he be? It was just a case of two of his friends not working out.
“Uhm, let me talk to him,” Namjoon offered.
You reared your head back in disgust. “Are you crazy? I don’t want you convincing him to give me a pity fuck.” You decided not to mention that the idea was still a bit scary.
Namjoon wiped both hands down his face, and to your surprise, the glowing lines of his lavender essence began to flare. It surprised you. In the years that you had been friends with Namjoon, it was something that you’d only seen two or three times.
“I gotta go,” He said abruptly, and you couldn’t even get a word in before he was running towards the part of campus that you knew didn’t hold the transporter to his neighborhood, so where was he going?
“What the hell has him so worked up?” You whispered to yourself.
—————
Jungkook
Music was currently blasting throughout Jungkook’s house. It was helping to distract him from the same thoughts that had been plaguing him for weeks now.
Since starting classes, things had become complicated. As if the memories of Remembrance Day weren’t bad enough, he was able to scent you across campus. He knew when you were there when he was, and he knew when you weren’t. He knew when the two of you were close to crossing paths, forcing him to change course. It had been fucking torture. Especially since he could tell by the rush of your blood every time he was close enough to you that you had been incredibly irritated as of late. He wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to be able to keep this up.
Jungkook was pondering the amount of time he thought he could reasonably wait, when he suddenly heard the chime of his doorbell cut through the music he was playing.
“What the hell?” He said, pulling up his Holograph. It showed Namjoon at the front door, looking strangely… panicked?
Jungkook went to the door and opened it. Namjoon shoved his way inside before he could even ask why he was here.
“Uhm, hello to you too,” Jungkook murmured.
“I may have fucked up.” Namjoon said as he settled on the couch. Jungkook joined him.
“Fucked up what?” He asked.
Namjoon looked at him hesitantly. “Uhm, so I ran into Y/N just now.”
Jungkook’s ears perked up at just the sound of your name. “Okay. Did she say anything about me?”
Namjoon bit on his bottom lip. “Yeah… uhm, she’s kind of pissed at you.”
Jungkook’s heart felt like it plummeted. “What the fuck? Why?”
Namjoon scratched at his chin awkwardly. “Well, I know you guys didn’t have sex, but it’s kind of like when you fuck someone and then never try to talk to them again afterwards. She kinda feels like that right now, so she may have mentioned trying to scrub your existence from her mind since you are apparently not… interested in her.” Namjoon grimaced.
Jungkook sat there, momentarily stunned, and then he was angry. “Namjoon, what the fuck? You’ve known her longer than I have so I thought you’d know best. You said giving her space was the right decision. Now she wants nothing to do with me because she thinks I had my fun that night and just ignored her.” Jungkook ran his hand through his hair, his essence flaring bright and hot. “Fuck this. I’m calling her.”
“No, you can’t do that!” Namjoon slapped Jungkook’s arms down, stopping him from pulling you up on his Holographer.
“And why not?” He asked, smacking his friends arms away.
“Because I was literally just with her. She’s gonna think I told you she was upset with you and you’re just contacting her because you feel bad. She’ll be even more mad.”
Jungkook’s jaw clenched. “Why didn’t you just tell her that you were the one that told me to stay away? That would’ve cleared everything up pretty quickly.”
“Look I really thought giving her space was the right thing to do at the time. She seemed really overwhelmed that night.” He paused. “And I don’t want her to get mad at me either.”
“Oh, great, so now she’s just mad at me.” Jungkook’s mouth straightened into a firm line.
Namjoon was quiet for a moment before speaking. “I have an idea.”
Jungkook scoffed. “Sorry to tell you, but your ideas kind of fucking suck as of late.”
Namjoon's mouth tightened. “Just be ready to go out tonight. I’ll fix this.”
Jungkook rubbed at his temples. The realization that these miserable weeks of waiting had only made you think the worst of him, and that had his blood boiling. Namjoon said he was going to fix this? Fuck that, he was.
—————
“Why are we here again?” You asked Jimin as you made your way into the bustling club. It was completely packed, barely any room to move as the two of you slid through the crowd. You kept having to pull the dress down that you were wearing. It was a dark red color, a little too short, but it looked good on you.
“Because all you’ve been doing the past three weeks is sulking in your room or being stuck in the studio on campus. You need to get out.” Jimin pointed towards a table in the far corner that looked to be the only empty one left.
“I’m not sulking,” You hissed, though it was definitely a complete lie. You didn’t want to come out tonight, but Jimin had insisted. It seemed he was over your moodiness.
“Yeah, whatever,” He said, rolling his eyes as the two of you approached the high top table.
You were about to grab the back of one of the chairs, but suddenly a fringe whipped in front of you, grabbing it before you could. The sight made your stomach flip, but it was quickly filled with disappointment as you realized the fringe was not even close to being gold. It was red, almost the same shade as your dress. Not that you should be disappointed by the fact that it wasn't his.
You turned towards the Verdian who stole your chair, the sight of him temporarily stunning you. He was hot. With full lips and dirty blonde hair on top with black underneath. His red fringes drifted behind his shoulders now.
“Excuse me?” You asked, shaking off the distraction of his good looks from the fact that he’d just taken your seat. “I was gonna sit there.”
“Of course,” He said, his voice deep even with the loud music pulsing around you. “I was pulling it out for you.” He motioned for you to sit.
“O-oh,” You stammered, a little flustered. “Thanks.” You sat down and he pushed the chair in towards the table.
“Taehyung, by the way.” He reached his hand out. You took it, giving it a shake.
“Y/N,” You replied.
“I’m gonna get us some drinks,” Jimin whispered in your ear. “Maybe second time’s the charm.”
You tried to give him a light punch but he was lost in the crowd before you could do it. When you turned your attention back to this new Veridian named Taehyung, he was already staring at you.
“So, I’ve never seen you around before? Newly back to Earth?” You asked, trying to make conversation until Jimin came back.
He leaned against the table, dipping his head towards you, probably because your human ears weren’t as equipped to hear what he was saying over all the noise. Though, now that he was this close, you couldn’t help but compare him to the first time you met Jungkook.
You remember when you first saw him that night, the way your mind and body had latched onto him like it didn’t want to let him out of your sight. How your fingers had twitched at your sides because they wanted to touch him—a complete stranger at the time. With Taehyung it was different. He was nice to look at, but you didn’t feel that otherworldly pull to him. But he was an attractive guy, so you didn’t pull away from his face inching closely to your own.
“Yeah, a couple of days ago,” He answered. “Just visiting some friends. Not staying very long.”
You noticed the way all of his fringes calmly swayed behind him, not hiding beneath his clothes like most Veridians chose to do. And you couldn’t help but notice how content they seemed. Not trying to reach for you as Jungkook’s had.
“Hm, well, hope you have a good time mingling with us humans while you’re here.” You gave him a polite smile.
He propped his elbow onto the high top table, settling his cheek into the palm of his hand as he nodded towards your exposed neck with a smirk. “Would you be interested in being a human that I mingle with?”
You let out a laugh of disbelief. These Veridians really got straight to the point. It wasn’t that the idea wasn’t interesting, but you still weren’t prepared for a night with one of them. There was also the fact that you were still feeling particularly jaded from your previous experience.
You were about to tell him as much when you felt the familiar tickle of something draping itself across your neck. Your breath hitched, your hand immediately flying up to grab at whatever it was. However, when you brought the material that was fisted between your fingers up to your face, your eyes widened.
Gold.
You turned slowly in the direction that the fringe was coming from. Your lungs inhaled a deep, shaky breath. He was standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, eyes burning into your own, his essence glowing brightly against his skin. You thought you had memorized everything about him that night, but it felt like you were seeing him for the first time all over again. You wanted to reach out and trace every feature on his face, the point of his ears, the tendrils of his black hair. You were imagining doing that when your mind suddenly remembered that you were fucking pissed at him.
You shook your head, dropping his fringe from your grip, but it stayed drifting in front of you. It wilted slightly when you refused to touch it. You felt a wave of guilt, but you weren’t going to give in. The fringes may seem like cute little animals, begging for pets and affection, but they were still him.
“Jungkook, take it back.” You motioned to his fringe that was still levitating in front of you. His jaw hardened, but you watched the fringe immediately pull back and slither away beneath his shirt. “Thank you. Now you can leave.”
You turned away from him, Taehyung still leaning on the table, though with a bit more distance from you due to Jungkook’s little show. Why the hell had he done that? He hadn’t tried to contact you for weeks, but the second he saw you talking to someone else he felt the need to step in?
Taehyung looked amused at first as his eyes darted between the two of you, because Jungkook was in fact not leaving like you’d asked. But then you watched the way Taehyung’s nostrils flared, his head rearing back at whatever scent he’d caught. He stood up, walking straight over to Jungkook.
“Down boy. You can put the essence away.” He smirked. “I know she’s yours.” And then he disappeared onto the dance floor.
You scoffed. She’s yours? Un-fucking-believable. You turned away from Jungkook. Where the hell was Jimin with your drink? You were in desperate need of one right about now after that absolutely insane interaction. You were gnawing on the inside of your cheek when you felt a whisper right against your ear, goosebumps erupting violently across your entire body.
“Y/N, can we talk?” He asked.
You closed your eyes, releasing a heavy sigh past your lips. “What’s there to talk about?”
He shifted to where Taehyung had been standing over you before, his face right in front of yours now. His essence was gone.
“You’re angry at me,” He said matter of factly. No question in his voice.
You shrugged, avoiding eye contact. “We don’t have to talk about this. You realized you weren’t interested, that's fine.”
“You have no idea how untrue that is.” Jungkook gave you a sad look, his brows furrowing. “I’m so sorry I made you think that.”
You rolled your eyes, annoyed that he was trying to turn this around. “Only becoming interested again because I was talking to someone else doesn’t count.” You scoffed, laughing. “What? You saw me just now and remembered that you like the smell of me or whatever? Didn’t like the idea of another Verdian getting a taste after you ghosted me?”
Jungkook’s mouth formed a firm line. You stilled as he leaned even closer to you, his face just an inch from your own. “Yes, I can’t fucking stand the idea of that. Seeing that motherfucker staring at your neck? Sensing just how badly he wanted to sink his teeth into you and drink your blood?” His lips curled in disgust at the idea. “And no, I’m not just suddenly interested again because I saw you tonight. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.” He glanced down at your mouth. “You don’t understand how badly I want you.”
Your eyes widened, breath halting in your chest. Why was he saying these things? He hadn’t tried to contact you for weeks. It didn’t make any sense. Was he playing you? It wouldn’t be the first time you’d been fooled, the ending of your last relationship replaying in your mind.
“You have a funny way of showing it,” You mumbled, glancing down at the table, his words still rattling you.
You heard him smack his lips together. “Fuck it. He’s just gonna have to deal with you being mad at him.”
Your brows furrowed, completely confused. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He sighed, pointing over his shoulder. “Namjoon called me after I left that night. He told me that I should give you… space.”
You whipped your head around immediately, eyes wide in disbelief. “What?”
You glanced over at the bar on the opposite side of the club. Your eyes immediately found Namjoon staring at you, Jimin right beside him. He quickly turned around, hands fisting into his hair while Jimin simply laughed at him. It seemed Namjoon had caught him up on what was going on.
“Don’t be mad at him. He thought he was doing the right thing. That you were overwhelmed. He thought you might think it was too much, too fast. But I’m done waiting.” He paused, seeming as if he was contemplating how to word something. “There’s more to all of this that I need to explain to you, but I just need you to know this first. That I didn’t leave that night thinking it was some casual thing. That I just got something out of you and forgot about it.”
You had to take a minute to organize your thoughts. Spending weeks so angry at Jungkook, only to find out that he was just following the advice of a friend. You understood that Namjoon probably thought you needed some time to process everything, but that didn’t change the fact that he should’ve talked to you about it first. Sure, everything that had been thrown at you that night was intense, but that didn’t mean you had wanted Jungkook to pull away completely. Not after what happened between the two of you.
You ran your fingers through your hair. You wanted to be frustrated. Annoyed at Namjoon. But all you felt was… relief. Your chest felt light with joy. Knowing that you hadn’t made your time together more than what it was.
You leaned in, Jungkook’s hair brushing against your forehead. “I don’t even know what to say right now. I was so mad at you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry I made you think that night was nothing. It wasn’t. Not at all.” He tilted his head, his lips just a breath away from your own. “Honestly, I’d probably terrify you if I told you how you make me feel, when you barely know me at all.”
Your heart started to race. You could feel your pulse pounding in your chest, fingers, head—everywhere. It seemed Jungkook could too, by the way his eyes danced across your body.
“Try me,” You whispered, desperate to hear his thoughts.
There was glint in Jungkook’s eyes, and then he was burying his face into your neck. You gasped at the feeling before choking as the sharp edge of his canines pressed against the sensitive flesh.
“Fuck, being this close to you again…” He inhaled deeply, running his nose up the column of your throat until he was nuzzling it beneath your jaw. “So you wanna know how you make me feel?” You could only nod in short jerks, your voice trapped. He shifted, his mouth right on top of your ear now. “It was torture leaving you that night, you know? I wanted to stay, lay next to you and wrap you in my fringes until you couldn’t move. It’s all I could think about when I got home. How you should’ve still been with me. How I’d just met you, but in my head you already belonged next to me.” He paused, moving to press his nose into your hair. “It felt so fucking wrong, touching myself with your scent all over me while you weren’t there. Did you know I couldn’t even get myself off that night? Not completely at least. All I could think about was you. Imagining you coming down my dick, just dripping from all the venom I could feed you. I needed you so badly.” He said the last part with pain infused in his voice as one hand snaked into your hair. Your eyes fluttered closed, a shaky breath rattling past your teeth. “But I wanna make sure you know that I’m not just thinking about sex when it comes to you. It’s hard to explain to humans, but everything about you is intoxicating to me. Your touch, your smell, your voice. It’s like you can reach inside of me and force my essence out without even trying. It’s drawn to you in a way that I’ve never felt in my entire life. And trust me, I know that sounds intense, but I can’t help it. It’s in our nature—to find the one that ruins us for everyone else.”
Jungkook shifted back slightly, allowing you to finally look at each other again. His essence had returned, the golden lines shining beneath the dim lights. Your breathing had become almost ragged at some point during Jungkook’s confession.
You probably should’ve been scared. Scared that he was speaking of you as if you were his, no intention of letting you go now that he’d found you. Yes, you should’ve definitely been scared… but that wasn’t what you were feeling at all as he continued to stare down at you. Patiently waiting as you processed everything he’d said. Instead, all you felt was a warmth that spread across your chest in pleasant waves. You moved without thinking. Your fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him down until his lips crashed against yours.
You felt a pleased hum vibrate against your mouth. He grabbed both sides of your face, tilting your head from side to side with each slanted kiss. His tongue was sliding against your own when you felt the skim of something along your inner thigh. You pulled away, glancing down at your lap, one of his fringes playing at the edge of your dress, trying to wiggle its way between your legs. Your stomach tingled at the idea of being touched down there by it.
Jungkook smirked, his hands suddenly grabbing your waist and pulling you to the edge of the chair. You had to grab onto his shoulders to keep your balance, but you immediately froze as his fringe began to gently brush against your underwear.
“I can’t wait to show you all the things I can do for you,” He whispered against the side of your face—and then you heard it.
His call.
The music from the club was still thumping loudly around you, but you could still somehow hear it with perfect clarity. That snake-like, alien hiss that seemed to have a direct line to your heat. You snapped your thighs together, accidentally trapping his fringe there as you felt yourself begin to pulse between your legs. And as if that steadily building ache already wasn’t bad enough, the sudden slide of his venom-covered tongue across your neck had you trembling as you buried your head in his shirt to try and muffle the cry that you couldn’t stop.
It wasn’t the same as when you had actually ingested the venom. It didn’t flood your entire body, but instead left the most spine-chilling tingle in its wake.
You were still trying to catch your breath when Jungkook was suddenly pulling away… Or being yanked away? You shook your head, the abruptness of his absence giving you a chance to clear your head. It had been as if the two of you had been in your own little world for a moment. You adjusted your dress which had ridden up quite high. You probably should’ve been embarrassed, but all you were really concerned with was what was happening in front of you. Namjoon had his lavender fringe knotted around Jungkook’s shirt from where he’d pulled him away from you.
They were talking to each other, but it was too loud for you to hear what they were saying. You would’ve tried to walk over to see what was going on but you didn’t trust that your legs wouldn’t collapse beneath you. You were about to call out to them when a voice startled you from behind.
“Someone’s being naughty.” Jimin laughed, sliding a drink in front of you.
Your entire body was shivering as you grabbed the glass, taking a quick sip. You also decided to ignore his comment. “What’s going on?” You asked, motioning to Jungkook and Namjoon.
“I think Namjoon just wanted to stop Jungkook before he bent you over that table and fucked you.” Jimin smirked at you over his drink.
You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms over your chest. “That wasn’t going to happen. We were just… kissing.”
“Yeah, well he said he could smell the two of you all the way at the bar. Decided to step in before you had every Veridian in here circling you.”
You gave him a confused look. “What’re you talking about—” You cut yourself off, suddenly very aware of all of the Veridian eyes on you. There were probably a dozen or so. They were keeping their distance, but their essences were on display as they stared at you. They were dispersed between humans who didn’t have a clue what was going on. You averted your gaze, heart pumping even faster from all the attention. A hand landed on the back of your neck, making you flinch, but you relaxed when you realized it was Jungkook.
“Hey, it’s fine,” He murmured, rubbing his thumb across your lips. “You’re with me. You’re good.”
“Why’re they looking at me with their essences out like that?” You asked.
Jungkook moved to shield you from their view. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten us both so worked up. Our pheromones are mixing, and together it’s just a very strong scent. As for the essences, they’re… turned on.”
“Oh, my god.” You slapped your palms over your face, mortified.
You heard him chuckle. “Come on, darling. Let’s get you out of here.”
He grabbed your hand, pulling you off the chair. He positioned you in front of him, all six of his fringes darting out in front of you, acting as a makeshift wall as he began to walk you towards the entrance. The crowd parted with ease. As you walked, you heard a deep, reverberating sound at your back. The Veridians that had been watching dipped their heads as you passed them.
You looked back at Jungkook whose hand was hooked around your waist. “Are you… growling?”
He shrugged with a smile. “It slips out sometimes.”
The two of you made it outside pretty quickly. Namjoon and Jimin followed right behind you. It was pretty empty outside, but Jungkook’s fringes still drifted around you.
“You can put them down now,” You said.
“They’re doing it on their own,” He replied, but they dropped and slipped underneath his shirt as he said it. Though, now that they were gone, you did feel strangely exposed.
“Well, that was exciting. I’m glad you invited us out tonight, Namjoon. Would’ve hated to miss that show.” Jimin said.
“Wait, what?” You shot him a confused look. You didn’t say we were meeting Namjoon when you asked me to come out earlier.”
“Yeah, he said to not tell you because he had a surprise or some shit. Didn’t know it was him or I would’ve told you—probably why he didn’t tell me.”
Namjoon was looking at you sheepishly, avoiding eye contact and dragging his shoe against the ground.
“Anything to say?” You asked, crossing your arms over your chest.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, I’m really, really sorry. I thought you needed time to just sort out how you felt about the situation.”
You scoffed. “Yeah, maybe a day. Not weeks.”
You were still scowling at him when you felt Jungkook press against your back. He ducked his head down next to yours, talking low. “Come on, it worked out in the end. Just forgive him. He already got enough shit from me earlier.”
Your face relaxed. It had just been an extremely annoying situation to deal with. But, like Jungkook said, it had worked itself out, so what was the point in continuing to be angry.
“Fine.” You huffed. “But don’t ever do something like that again. I know you were just trying to give me time to think because I’m human and new to this, but I’d rather just figure it out as I go.”
“Absolutely!” He clapped his hands together, a smile of relief spreading across his face. “Never again!”
You couldn’t help but smile back. It was impossible to stay mad at him.
“Well, now that we’ve cleared that up,” Jimin started. “Are you guys staying or leaving? I was gonna go back in for a bit. Though, maybe not. There might be a giant orgy going on in there by now because of the two of you.”
You felt heat rise up your face. “Shut up!”
Jungkook simply laughed behind you, pressing his nose into the crown of your head. “It’s actually a compliment to you, if that makes you feel better.”
Your face was burning. You didn’t want to talk about this with everyone around. You flicked your hand at Jimin and Namjoon. “You guys can go back inside if you want. I need to talk to Jungkook for a minute.”
“Have fun.” Jimin winked, twisting on his foot and pushing Namjoon in front of him as they walked away.
You turned around slowly once they were gone. “So, uhm, what did you want to do?” You asked, hesitantly.
“That’s up to you. We can stay or I can take you back home, if you want. Make sure you get there alright.”
You gave him a puzzled look. He phrased it like he wasn’t planning on coming inside. “All that talk a minute ago about how much you wanted me—how much you needed me—just to let me go so easily?”
Jungkook chuckled. “Trust me, I meant everything I said tonight. I would love to stay with you, but I don’t want to force all of this on you. I know that seems crazy to say after the stunt I pulled in there. Running that Veridian off because I was jealous. I didn’t give you much of a choice.” He paused, settling his hands on your waist. “So, now I’m giving you one. What do you want?”
You wanted him—desperately. That was an undeniable truth. However, going back to his place or yours implied things. Everything between the two of you had been amazing so far, but you were still hesitant about the idea of sleeping with him. That was something that you wanted to go into with a bit more time to prepare, not just on the whim of seeing him unexpectedly tonight. Maybe if you had actually been talking the last few weeks you would be ready by now, but Namjoon’s good intentions had prevented that. You bit at your lip, weighing your options.
“I want to stay with you tonight, but I-I don’t think I’m ready for…” You trailed off, dropping your eyes to the ground. God, you couldn’t believe you were having this conversation with him again. It made you feel so inexperienced, granted, you were when it came to being with a Veridian.
“Hey, Y/N, look at me.” He cupped the side of your face, and your eyes slowly met his. “Listen, I know I can be a bit forward with how I talk to you. Describing what I fantasize about when I look at you. So I know it’s my fault you’re thinking that I’m gonna expect sex from you because of that. But I want you to know, it’s not like that. We can do whatever you want. We can just talk, kiss, it’s up to you. However far you want it to go.”
You instantly felt lighter in that moment. Not so stuck in your own head about your perceived shortcomings.You looped your arms around his neck, nudging your nose against his. He inhaled, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment.
“I want us to talk for sure. I think we should get to know each other better. It’s a little overdue, honestly.” You paused, your thumb reaching up to trace his bottom lip. You wanted to leave with him so badly, but you couldn’t help but remember the last time the two of you were completely alone. You had experienced a mind-altering state of pleasure, all while Jungkook had been in pain. You didn’t want him to experience that again. “But if we went home together I’d want you to do more than just kiss me, and I don’t think that’s fair to you. I don’t want you hurting again like you were at the party just because I’m still nervous about the idea of having sex with you.”
His essence flared back to life. “I don’t give a fuck about the pain. I’d do whatever you wanted me to. Eat you out all fucking night if you asked. The pain would be worth it to get to taste you again.”
You grinded your teeth together, stopping the noises that wanted to claw their way up your throat. It was so hard to stand your ground when he said things that had arousal surging in your belly, making your legs turn weak.
“Jungkook…” You gave him a pleading look to stop chipping at your thin resolve.
His face softened immediately, his essence sinking back into his skin. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” You pressed a hand to his chest. “I know it seems stupid to take things slow after everything we’ve already done… but I want the next time we’re together like that to be something we can both enjoy.” Jungkook opened his mouth, and you already knew what he was going to counter with. “And before you say you’d enjoy it regardless, remember you just said you were giving me a choice, and my choice is to not be selfish.”
Jungkook’s lips formed a small smile, a defeated sigh slipping past them. “Oh, how I wish you were selfish.” He draped an arm around your shoulder. “But for now, can my selfless human show me the way to her transporter so I can make sure she gets home safely? Since she refuses to let me protect her from the comfort of laying next to her in bed.”
You laughed, giving him a curious look. “Protect me from what exactly?”
“Nothing in particular.” He shrugged. “It’s just in our nature to want to guard things that we care about.”
You pursed your lips. “I don’t want this to sound dismissive… but how can you care about me? You barely know me?”
Jungkook’s eyes searched your face in silence for a moment. Eventually his thumb came up, caressing a line across the bridge of your nose. “I do know you, Y/N. Maybe not in a way that humans understand, but I do know you. I know you in the way that a Veridian finds more important than anything.”
You felt your heart stutter. You wished you knew what he meant, and you felt a twinge in your chest at the fact that you probably never truly would. Two different species, with different ways of experiencing life.
“I wish I could understand,” You whispered.
He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. “You will. Just give me some time to show you.”
You smiled into his chest, the sentiment easing that unsteady feeling from just seconds ago. You glanced up at Jungkook to find him staring at you with an almost overwhelming look of affection. As if you were already so precious to him. You wanted to know how he could look at you with such unwavering certainty. At someone who was basically a stranger. But you realized he probably felt the same confusion as you. He wasn’t human. He didn’t know how you traversed life without it speaking to you through scents and blood, to just instinctively know things.
“I don’t have the same abilities as you,” You started. “To see something that isn’t physically there, but to know that there is something.” Jungkook nodded, understandingly. “But even though I can’t do that, I still want to get to know you in the ways that I know how.” You reached down and grabbed his hand. “Let’s take a walk before I go home. Get to know each other like humans do.”
a young man returns to a small town he hasn't seen in years, and a house he hasn't lived in since before the last president was born, only to find that a stray cat has given birth to kittens in his closet.
pairing: vampire!jeongguk x nerdy f veterinarian!reader (with a special interest in the science and biology aspect of the supernatural lol)
genre: sorta scifi-ish, fluff, minor angst, some smut later on
author's note: this is quite long.... i hope you like it!! <3
The moment you wake up, you're already fantasizing about Jeongguk's deep red blood in your fridge. With an appointment in the outskirts of town at 11 a.m., it leaves you… two hours, you conclude from the time displayed on your phone.
Rolling out of bed, you pick your white IKEA robe up from the floor where you dropped it last night, draping it over your silk nightgown and heading toward the bathroom to pee.
It hits you two minutes later, as you're standing in front of your open fridge, that you have vampire blood in there. The color-marked vials are staring back at you where they lie in all their glory, right next to a can of sugar-free Red Bull and the entirely empty bottle of ketchup you should've thrown out a month ago and that you evidently missed during your latest cleaning session.
Two of the three vials, you centrifuged at the clinic, meaning they're prepared for machine analysis but won't tell you much under the microscope. That's why you saved one, grabbing it—and the Red Bull—and putting them on the kitchen table, using your forearm to clear a space from the newly acquired library books.
You make a mental note to put the other two vials in the freezer since you don't know when you'll have a chance to analyze them at the clinic.
Vampire blood, how crazy. It's all you think about as you venture into your living room and pluck the microscope down from a shelf. Vampire blood. Who would've thought? When Jeongguk isn't near, it's easier to look at the situation objectively because are you entirely sure you met a vampire? You didn't just dream everything during a particularly rough fever?
But the blood staring at you from the kitchen table is different from what you usually deal with.
Preparing microscope slides is a process very familiar to you; something you could do with your eyes closed, but you don't think you've ever been as curious as you currently are, doing this one. The blood in the vial—already containing a bit of anticoagulant—is dark, and so is the drop you slowly transfer onto the thin glass slide with a plastic pipette.
Carefully, you place the coverslip on top, the smell of iron already wafting to your nose. It's not unpleasant, just… a lot stronger than what you're used to.
Leaning forward and putting your eyes to the ocular lenses, you switch the objective lens and adjust the position of the stage under it until the cells are sharp. You're not sure what you expected exactly, but you're not that surprised to see the massive amount of red blood cells; after all, they're what give the blood its red hue.
What you didn't expect was for them to be so much smaller than those of a human. You zoom in further, finding that they look a lot like ordinary red blood cells—almost like donuts—just smaller. Normally, having smaller red blood cells is a condition in itself and nothing good, but paired together with the astronomical amount of them?
There are surprisingly few goats in your town. When you do treat any, the most common reasons are difficult births, castrations, or urinary blockages, and therefore, it's been a long while since you got the chance to inspect caprine blood up close.
Taking a step back, you search for the phone you put somewhere as you prepared the microscope, finding it a little too close to the sink for your liking, before opening the browser and quickly typing 'goat erythrocytes'.
Just as you remembered: although rounder, the cells in the images that pop up are definitely smaller. There's also a shitload more of them, tightly packed like Jeongguk's. And as far as you can recall, those features are essentially what allow goats to live at higher altitudes, where the air is thinner and oxygen scarcer.
Since the exchange of oxygen happens at the membrane surface, and a bunch of smaller cells still have more surface area than fewer, larger ones, they're capable of transporting a lot more oxygen.
Satisfied with yet another plausible, logical explanation, you put the phone down and lean back in to the oculars, only to find that, despite the anticoagulant from the vial, Jeongguk's blood is already clotting.
Apparently, you lack one human emotion: shame. You know you possessed it as recently as a few days ago, but you must've lost it somewhere?
"Thank you so much."
"No problem, I'll email you the bill," you say, waving the relieved horse owner goodbye as you turn to the clinic car, vet bag firmly in hand.
A mere second after you've planted yourself into the driver's seat, you reach for the phone, pulling it out of your pocket. Your hands are dirty, fingers covered in that dark grime that comes from scratching a horse too long, but you barely notice as you inspect the screen for a reply to a text you sent an hour ago.
You: Hey, you wouldn't happen to be home, would you?
You don't even care if you just saw him yesterday. Or actually, you do care, cause it's embarrassing, but he also said to ask all the questions before he leaves town, so that's what you're doing.
You: Cause I'm driving by not far from you and I happen to have this jar I'd like you to spit in?
Yes, you're double-texting even.
But shame's claws reach and miss because just below your latest text, there's a reply.
Jeon Jeongguk: Stop by whenever. If I don't open then the door is unlocked.
Confusion grows as you start the car. Why wouldn't he simply open the door?
You try to think of a reason the entire ride there, none the wiser even as you step out of the car—hands cleaned by three antiseptic wipes—and walk up the stairs to the black-painted door.
However, five or so seconds after you knock, you hear footsteps approach on the other side, and then the door opens with a slight creak.
"Hey."
Jeongguk isn't wearing a shirt; only light blue jeans that you suspect he usually pairs with a belt because they're hanging a little too low on his hips, showcasing another white waistband stamped with the letters of Mr Klein.
Your wide eyes take him in, but his naked top half—bulging with muscle and skin even looking invitingly warm—isn't even what gathers most of your attention. No, that would be his black hair, messy and sticking out in multiple directions, and his half-closed, hooded eyes.
"Hi," you reply, your voice a tad too quiet as you admire him.
You'd try to hide it better, but it doesn't seem like he notices your slight—and almost dreamy—smile as he opens the door further and steps back. You follow, closing the door behind you and bend down to remove your shoes. While down there, you happen to notice that he's barefoot.
"Were you… sleeping?" you ask as you straighten up, seeing him look just a little more awake. Key word: a little.
He nods, turning to lead you somewhere. "Yeah, I tried to stay awake, but I ate just before you texted and that means I sleep after, like… almost involuntarily."
You follow, warmth spreading throughout your chest and not only because he's close by, his body heat radiating through your clothes.
"You sleep after eating?" you ask, endeared to hell and back. "You should've just told me you were busy today."
He stops in the kitchen, turning to you. You drop your bag on the floor.
"Yeah," he smiles lazily. "I can stay awake, but it's difficult."
"I can tell," you joke, tilting your head. God, why is he so endearing. "Do you think I could take your blood after you've eaten some time? See the difference and what makes you so sleepy?"
He nods. "Sure. Now?"
You pat your pockets, an act entirely uselessly since you don't keep your vet equipment there regardless.
"I don't have the right equipment with me, unfortunately. Maybe some other day?"
"Sure," he rubs his naked arm, yawning. "…Want me to bring blood to the clinic and drink it there?"
"I'd love that. Or…" You suddenly remember something. "When you say that you're hard to wake… Maybe it would be a bad idea to have you sleep at the clinic in case someone shows up again?"
His quick reflexes, speed, and agility were definitely the only reason Momo didn't find him at the clinic last time. You remember how heavy his limp arm was in your hands; what the hell would you even begin to do if someone came and Jeongguk wasn't waking up?
"Hm, you're right," he seemingly agrees, leaning against the counter, arms crossed lazily across his naked chest. "Come here then?"
"Sure," you agree, trying not to stare too blatantly at his chest or his arms. Or his abs and the faint little happy trail creeping up toward his belly button.
"Great. So… you wanted me to… spit in a cup?" he reminds you, and it looks like he's about to yawn again.
Suddenly reminded, you reach into your bag. "Yes, but also… I got a hold of one of these," you say, straightening up and holding the cup out to him. It's made out of a clear plastic with a soft, almost rubber-like lid up top.
"You want me to pee in it or what?" he asks, taking the cup from your hand and tilting it curiously in his.
"No," you snicker. "Although if you'd pee in a cup for me as well, I wouldn't turn it down. This is a special cup used for venomous snakes. Put their heads to the top, wiggle it a little, and they'll bite. Their fangs will sink through the lid here and the venom drips through and collects at the bottom."
He moves the cup to his mouth. "I just…?" he asks, demonstrating by sinking his teeth into the air above the cup.
"Yeah. Bite it and hold it there for as long as there's venom."
"Will you lend me your hand?"
Surprised—and with your heart skipping a quick beat—you blink but nonetheless offer him your left hand, electricity traveling through your skin when he takes it in his. He holds it so gently, feeling so warm against you, tired eyes finding some sort of focus as they lock onto yours, and he lowers his face to your wrist.
"I thought you… didn't need anything like this?" you ask quietly, heart jumping when he ghosts his nose over the sensitive skin of your wrist.
"Technically, I don't," he says, letting go of your hand and straightening up. You don't see any fangs. "Certain occasions make it easier, though. Like at the bar, when I was drunk, or now, when I'm already full and half asleep."
Nodding because his explanations are logical after all, you watch as he sinks his teeth—fangs—into the taut lid of the cup. Through the plastic, you see drops fall and liquid slowly pool at the bottom.
Then, you hear something. Something… small. You look down, seeing one of the kittens on its hind legs, clumsily reaching up toward you. "Oh, hello?"
It's so much bigger than when you last saw it and its siblings, and you crouch down, carefully picking the black little kitten up. It meows again, settling into your soft hold until it seemingly does a double take at Jeongguk, who stands motionless, watching, with his teeth still in the cup. The little kitten stares.
"What is dad doing, huh?" you coo quietly, smiling at the curious kitten.
Looking at the father in question, he lets out an amused breath before he removes his teeth from the cup, lifting it to inspect the results.
"Is this enough?"
You follow his gaze, watching the liquid at the bottom. It's much less than the blood you collected, and it's relatively translucent.
"Yeah, thank you so much," you say—way too excited—putting the kitten down and watching it dash away to pick a fight with an approaching sibling.
From your bag, you grab the other cup, a standard one meant for saliva, and you hold it out to Jeongguk, trading it for the collected venom.
"I just spit in this one?"
You nod, attention fully on the venom in the clear cup. It's just a tad thicker than water, fluidly following gravity as you tilt the small container.
"Do you happen to know the best way to store this?" you ask, peering over at Jeongguk, who's in the middle of letting his spit drip down into the other cup. "Because snake venom, for instance, is pretty sensitive and needs to be chilled rather quickly. But snakes are, you know, 'cold-blooded,' and you're like, insanely warm. I'm thinking I just go home and put it in the fridge? I'll definitely look at it tonight."
"I don't think it's that sensitive, but I know you can freeze it."
He hands you the other cup as well, and you pack them away safely in your bag.
"So… when are you free?" you ask, trying not to blush. "For the blood?"
Looking like he's soon succumbing to sleep whether he likes it or not, Jeongguk shrugs. "Tomorrow? If that works for you?"
You nod. "Sure. I'm busy later tomorrow, but sometime during the day? When do you typically… eat?"
"Noon?" he suggests.
You nod again, grabbing your bag. "I can do that."
"Yeah, but they just didn't care about it."
Nayeon tips her glass back and forth on the table, chin resting in her other hand. "That's insane. Child-free means child-free; why would they be exempt?"
"Yeah, but what did Dahyun do?" you chime in to ask. "I get that she's too nice, but she had a wedding organizer, didn't she? Couldn't that person throw them out?"
Just before a drunk dude—trying to squeeze past your table and the queue of people waiting to order at the bar—elbows her beer, Momo throws her hand out to catch it. She mutters something you don't quite hear over the music and loud voices before she gathers her thoughts.
"I asked the same, but she apparently threatened to cause a scene, so Dahyun just let her be. But the organizer… encouraged her to look after her kids so they wouldn't ruin anything else."
"Jeez," Nayeon shakes her head. "I just do not understand. Get a babysitter or don't go?"
You're about to agree when you hear someone call your name. It's a man's voice, but not the one you've come to prefer.
It's Joshua, approaching your table, his sight set on you while simultaneously scanning the area as if searching for his friends. Momo and Nayeon barely register what's happening before he's standing before you, leaning his palms on the table.
"Yo, what the fuck was up with that guy?" Joshua questions, looking confused and frustrated more than angry.
"What do you mean? What guy?" you ask, entirely comfortable with playing dumb.
"The guy you were with? Who lifted a car with one hand?"
You lean back in your seat, feeling your friends' confused gazes on your face and trying to channel something similar, your forehead creasing. "Lifted a car? That's not possible. I don't know what you're trying to do, but it's not fun, can we please just move on?"
Tight-lipped, he stares at you, and it brings you immense satisfaction to know that he and his friends must realize that somehow, you were right. You found something, but you're not sharing.
"Dude, what are you even on?" Momo questions. "Leave before we call security. Preferably the town."
Joshua looks between you, and then scans the heads around him that he can see. But luckily, his friends don't seem to be close by, and there's not much he can do but shake his head in frustration and walk away.
Keeping your eyes on him, you turn in your chair, and right before he disappears behind another group of people, he looks back over his shoulder. Without Momo and Nayeon seeing, you drop the confused and slightly hurt look on your face and give him a small smile.
Scientists, the whole bunch of you, you know Jeongguk would have them frothing at the mouth the same way he has you, but you. are. not. sharing. At least not with them; if it were up to you, you'd definitely consider letting your own friends in on the secret.
Meeting Momo and Nayeon's very puzzled looks, you do feel bad for essentially lying to them. But it isn't your secret to share, and you made a promise not to.
"I just don't understand what their problem is," Nayeon questions, clearly upset. God, you're a lucky girl, having friends like yours. "If they say one more thing, I think you should tell Joon because he'll give them a piece of his mind, and a man's scolding might—unfortunately—be what they need."
"Or Yoongi," Momo adds. "Yoongi, when angry, is not fun."
You think about the black haired man with unimpressed, cat-like features. "I've never… I don't think I've ever seen Yoongi mad."
"He doesn't raise his voice or anything, he just…" Momo grimaces. "You know the creepy guy with mals?"
You shake your head slowly. Belgian Malinois seem to be the go-to dog breed for creepy guys. Either that or toy poodles.
"The white, bald guy? I think he's on steroids. He threatened Sana like, years ago, and Yoongi made him leave the clinic, like, tail between his legs, with one sentence and a look."
"Rings a bell," you nod, thinking back to when you first started at the clinic. "I guess it's not that surprising, actually? Yoongi is… I can't even describe him, but he works by vibe? He can have the same no-expression on his face, and you know exactly what mood he's in regardless."
"Yeah. And he's sweet. You should tell him. Or Joon."
You lean back. "I don't know. If they approach me again, I'll think about it, but I don't feel like they're dangerous. Mostly annoying at this point."
"Still, they need to know it's not acceptable," Momo says, lifting the beer to her lips.
"Yeah," you breathe in agreement. "What time is it?"
"Eleven, just about," Nayeon answers, looking at her phone.
"I should get going." You slap your thighs like an old man having been out too late.
"You have the day off tomorrow, though, don't you?"
"Yeah, but I'm spent," you lie. There's one cup of spit and one of venom in your fridge, and they're both calling your name. God, aren't you a special kind.
Nayeon narrows her eyes. "Are you seeing someone we don't know about?"
Just about to stand, you freeze. "Uh, no? Why?"
"Cause Joshua mentioned a guy. And you have been a little absent lately."
Fuck.
"Okay, well…. It's not what you think, okay?" you start, deciding on a smaller white lie. "You know the guy with the stray kittens?"
Momo's eyes widen comically. "Uh… yeah?"
"I'm not seeing him as in seeing him, but I've been helping him with the kittens off-hours. He's not really an animal guy—well, he seems to like animals, he just lacks experience—and I don't really feel great charging him when he's doing a good deed, raising them."
"Oh, that's nice." Nayeon nods.
"But you like him too?" Momo asks, watching your cheeks start to burn.
Fine, seems like you have to admit defeat to your friends—just like you did your mother—at least a bit.
"You saw him," you point out, stirring the melting remains of ice in your glass with the straw. "How could I not?"
Momo chuckles. "That's why I'm wondering. Does he happen to have any friends in town?"
Before you can help it, your eyes widen. "Yeah, he does. Saw an entire friend group with him like… three weeks ago; they're all gorgeous."
"Well, let us know if you see them again," Nayeon encourages, smirking.
You laugh, partially at your friends and partially nervously at what you might've just signed up for. Jeongguk told you his friends were vampires too; would you set your friends onto vampires?
Sure, Jeongguk's nice, but you don't know his friends, and the last thing you want is direct your friends onto someone's dinner plate.
"I will."
"Alright. So, if you're really going home and not to cat guy's, let us know when you've gotten back, okay? If we don't hear from you in twenty, we're calling the cops."
You roll your eyes, but nod. Luckily, they didn't ask whether 'cat guy' actually lifted a car or not.
Walking home from the bar usually takes you around 12 minutes, the perks of living in a small town, but tonight, the…. eyes you think you feel on you as soon as you venture off the lively street have you covering the distance in 8.
Maybe it's paranoia? After all, you started feeling watched only after you conveniently found out there could be an assailant slowly but surely approaching your neighborhood. Despite trying to stay calm, the breath you let out when you're finally able to close and lock your apartment door behind you is long.
Recalling your promise, you send Nayeon a quick text, confirming your safety. She sends a heart back.
The blue numbers on your oven tell you it's nearing midnight when you finally sit down at your kitchen table, the microscope and the sample cups—fresh from the fridge—in front of you. The first drop you let fall on a slide is of Jeongguk's saliva. Clear, more viscous than water, it looks very much like something you could've spit into the container.
If you expected a groundbreaking, scientific discovery there in your kitchen, you'd be disappointed. Besides a lot… cleaner, Jeongguk's saliva looks like that of a human. And by cleaner, you mean that there's a lot less bacteria floating around. You're not entirely sure why, maybe analyzing the fluid would reveal some sort of additional antibacterial aspect?
God, the crimes you'd commit to have your own lab, capable of analyzing your collection of vampire bodily fluids.
Repeating the process but with a drop of Jeongguk's venom, you make extra sure to handle it with care. After all, you don't know a lot about it, and although Jeongguk claimed it wasn't dangerous in smaller quantities, maybe it stings like hell if you touch it and it enters a microscopic wound?
While you've never looked at pure venom under a microscope before, you've witnessed the cellular aftermath of envenomation as part of your education. You've seen cell shapes entirely mangled by one kind of venom, and you've seen blood turned to jelly by another. Death, essentially, following a snake bite.
To both the naked eye and those seeing through a magnified lens, Jeongguk's venom and saliva look quite similar. Even ordinary; not a lot happening within the clear fluids.
You stare at it, wondering…
Three seconds later, you're rising from the kitchen chair, eager steps taking you into the hallway where you rummage through the upper drawer of your small dresser. It's the designated knick knack spot, most of the contents more or less stolen from work; pens, clips, box cutters, and notes, but also things that sales representatives leave with you, hoping your clinic will become a distributor.
Digging through teeny tiny bags of cat treats—you don't even have a cat—you find a wrapped alcohol swab and the little glucose monitor kit you remember receiving last year.
Unzipping the small black bag, you grab the spring-loaded pricker and a lancet and leave the rest haphazardly in the drawer while you make your way back into the kitchen, already wiping your left index finger clean.
Realizing you should've removed the slide first, you do so with your finger clumsily held in the air, and then you're pricking your skin above the glass. To gather enough blood, you squeeze your fingertip, and with a big enough red bead on your skin, you turn your finger upside down, letting it drip.
Even before you put the coverslip back on top and lock the slide back under the lens, you watch the fluids mix, and your blood dilute. Because you're a creature of (human) habit, you put the pricked fingertip into your mouth as you lean forward to peer through the oculars. Only to stop breathing.
One by one, Jeongguk's venom drowns your red blood cells. You watch in real time as cell after cell warps, the venom aggressively mangling their cell membrane and starting to dissolve them. It's inevitable; they can't escape.
You watch the wave of death for close to a minute, and when only a few cells remain alive, fighting for their life, you lean back in your chair, and you stare at your ceiling.
Despite making another mind-blowing discovery right there in your kitchen only that morning, you can't shake that this feels… different.
Bag packed to the brim, you make the now very familiar drive out to Jeongguk's house in a better, more easy going mood than you were in the night before. It must've been the… alcohol remnants and the discomfort of walking home alone. Right?
You're smiling excitedly even before the door to the large house opens, even more so when your vampire appears, ushering you through the small gap 'before the kids escape.' While he doesn't touch you, he's certainly not scared of being close, and before you know it, you're standing there in the small hallway again.
"Hey, Mina," you greet one of the 'kids' toeing around your feet. "And… Lilith, was it?" you nod toward the mother cat that appears from God knows where, stroking herself against Jeongguk's leg. He's wearing light wash jeans similar to those he wore yesterday, but this time, he's also—unfortunately—wearing a dark green t-shirt.
"Wait," you pause, wide eyes watching him. "You did not."
Jeongguk lifts his eyes to meet yours, a knowing grin pulling on his lips.
"'Lilith' as in the mother vampire? 'Mina' as in Dracula's wife, and 'Ruby' for blood red, I assume? Don't tell me 'Angel' is after the vampire in Buffy?"
He chuckles, bending down to pick up the little kitten, who's definitely not as little anymore. She meows and closes her eyes almost instantly, cozying up on Jeongguk's arm and against his chest.
"What about… 'Nyx,' was it?"
"'Nyx' is the Goddess of the night," he informs, reaching his unoccupied hand out to take your bag the moment you set it down to take your shoes off.
"Went right over my head."
You think back to that night, when he stood beside you, holding onto that chilly metal railing outside the bar and telling you the kittens' names.
"I know you probably didn't plan on showing me like that, but were you planning to? At all?"
With your shoes neatly to the side, you straighten up and take a step toward him, intending on following him into the house. But he doesn't move, just watches you with your bag in one hand and the satisfied kitten on his other arm.
"I wanted to, but I'm not entirely sure I would've, had I not done it then. I definitely wasn't supposed to, so… naming them like that made me feel like I was at least giving you a little hint. Maybe even testing the waters a bit."
He tilts his head slightly, looking down at you before he seemingly remembers what you were supposed to do. "Anyway…"
Sight set on the kitchen, he leads. You follow, looking around even though nothing's changed since last time.
"So, about the house… Was it really passed down?"
"No," he shakes his head, putting the black kitten down on the kitchen counter and turning to you. "I bought it in… uh, sometime during the first half of the 19th century, I think. Tried to keep up with all the trends for my estates but gave up after a while. If I actually live somewhere, I'll have it up to standard, but like this, when I'm just visiting?"
"It was furnished like this already?"
"Yeah. I had the running water and electricity installed later on. Was quite the pain in the ass to be honest."
"It's a cool house, though," you compliment, once again peering around the light kitchen. "A bit like a museum. Can't believe you're so old, honestly, like you lived when this was trendy?"
Jeongguk inhales sharply, blinking dramatically in an offense you know he doesn't feel. It makes you laugh.
"Anyway," he repeats his earlier segue, putting your bag down on the floor and reaching for the fridge handle. You watch as he grabs a jug of already mixed blood, putting it on the counter with a soft thud.
"You only wanted blood from after I've eaten, right? Not before?"
Nodding, you can't believe the situation you're in. "Yeah. Thank you."
For a short while, silence settles. It's far from uncomfortable, and you're very busy, watching Jeongguk prepare the blood. First, he pours a big glass of it, plucking a spoon from a drawer to stir it. Of course, your gaze is torn between the way his big, veiny hands hold onto that fragile-looking glass and how his muscles dance discreetly under his skin as he stirs.
Putting the spoon down on the counter, he places the glass in the microwave, presses start, and then turns to you.
"Can I ask why you're visiting?" you take the opportunity to ask as the microwave hums lowly and the glass rotates inside it.
"You can ask," he smirks, leaning back against the counter. "But I can only tell you that it's for work."
"Work?" Eyebrows knitted together, you stare at him. "Like… vampire work?"
"Yeah."
But what kind of work would be deemed 'vampire work?'
"You don't like… work for the Volturi, right?"
"The what? Volturi?"
"Yeah, the vampire…. governing body—I guess—in Twilight. They keep the vampire citizens in check; make sure they don't hunt humans to extinction or expose themselves to them. Or, like, turn babies into vampires."
"Oh. No, not really."
"Good, 'cause you would've probably have broken a lot more rules than you actually did for telling me. And I would be in more shit for knowing."
…Which reminds you…
"Also, uhm…"
Jeongguk raises a dark eyebrow, curious as to what's suddenly gotten you apologetic.
"My classmates… They might approach you if they see you. Just to let you know. Sorry."
"They've been giving you any trouble after what I did?" he asks, voice turning serious.
You sigh. "No, not really. One approached me and asked about you, but he was more… frustrated and shocked than angry, I think. But I mean, what you did is not something a human just does."
A smile pulls on Jeongguk's lips. "I know. That was the point."
The microwave beeps behind him, indicating that his blood has reached his preferred temperature. The body temperature of a human. He turns, opening the door and taking the glass out.
At least relieved that he doesn't seem bothered, you let your shoulders relax a little. "Yeah, I know. I'm just warning you."
"I appreciate it," he says, retrieving the spoon from the counter to stir the red liquid again. "You don't need to worry about me, though."
Eyes again appreciating his hands and arms as he stirs, you can't let go quite yet. "I mean clearly you'd be able to defend yourself if they for some reason wanted to fight, but I'm mostly thinking whether them knowing and stirring up shit does cause you trouble."
"They didn't strike me as people who would tell. And who would believe them?"
"True." After all, you said the same thing.
"And if it comes to it, I can be pretty persuasive."
The tiny smirk he shoots your way has your skin heating, but yet another thought growing.
"You haven't seen The Vampire Diaries, either, have you?"
"No. Is that another movie?"
"A series."
He looks between you and the glass he holds up. "So, I drink this now? Just so you know, I'll get progressively sleepier in a few minutes."
You nod, the Vampire Diaries connection forgotten as a different memory resurfaces and a subsequent realization hits. "Wait, so… were you like dead asleep right after I left when I asked you to drink blood that first time?"
He smiles, putting the glass to his mouth for a first sip. "Yeah. It was pretty fitting that you left, actually. I can stay awake, but it's hard."
You don't quite notice how your smile grows until he asks you about it, wiping his mouth. "What's so funny?"
Watching him gulp down more of the contents, your eyes struggle to stray from his Adam's apple and how it moves with every swallow. "Not funny. I just find that… insanely adorable? What do you mean you eat and then you actually struggle to stay awake? How is that a good evolutionary trait when we don't have to?"
'We' as in 'you.'
Humans.
"Don't make me regret telling you about it," he says, giving you a warning eye and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand again. "Biologically, if I had… hunted for this," he lifts the mostly empty glass, coated in red, "then I wouldn't feel tired until the adrenaline wears off. Since I microwaved this, and I'm chilling in my own house, it hits sooner."
"Sorry. That's kinda cool actually."
He gives you a sweet look that tells you you're forgiven, and then he puts the empty glass down on the counter. "We can sit on the bed."
When he points to the bag you placed on the floor earlier, eyebrows raised in a silent question, you nod. "Yeah, I'll need that."
Before even giving you the chance to, he grabs the handles of your blue backpack, already heading toward the hall and the stairs. You follow closely behind, seeing two kittens play at the bottom of the stairs.
"You're so modern," you comment as you climb the stairs behind him. "Like, I would imagine it's hard to keep up with the ever-changing trends, and so I wouldn't blame you for not even trying? But you speak so normally, and you dress like that?"
"Like what?" you hear him chuckle.
"Like every other modern guy. Not that you're basic or anything, just that nothing about you screams ancient."
You hear the amusement in his voice as he turns to you at the top of the stairs. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should," you say, looking up at him as you come to stand before him. It's true, what you said, and while natural, non-altered facial structures don't change much with society, you could never tell by his face either. In a way, he's got a very classic beauty to him. At least according to you, but you don't say that, of course.
"Thank you, then. It's definitely something you learn; going with the flow of society. But it's also harder these days when trends evolve and cycle much faster than before. You used to get 20 years to adapt to big societal changes and now you barely get five. Some trends are dead and buried within six months."
You haven't been in his bedroom since it was covered in a thick layer of dust. Like the rest of the house, it's clean now. He doesn't seem to have a lot of stuff, but the bed is made with white fluffy sheets, a thick, golden bedspread over them and a big, black towel folded at the foot of it.
"Make yourself comfortable," he says, gesturing toward the bed as he puts the backpack down on the floor. "When do you want to take the blood?" he asks, grabbing the towel and unfolding it to drape over the bed.
Noticing your silence, he peers back at you.
"Uh… preferably in an hour and then an hour after that…"
"But…?" he asks, sensing your slight hesitancy.
"But there's something I'd like to do in the meantime."
You can't help it, the slightly sheepish smile that pulls on your lips. Or the heat you feel rise but desperately hope he can't see.
"You look like it's something you're afraid I won't like?"
"I don't know. I mean, I hope you'll be okay with it, and after last time, I think so?"
"Well, what is it?"
His dark eyes are curious and entertained like always, and you most definitely suspect he knows what's going on in your head.
"So when you lifted the car… using one hand, might I add, it made me curious about your back. A human would've probably herniated at least three discs and snapped their spine if they were able to even lift it like that. I figure that everything's probably just… stronger like the anatomy of your arm…"
"…But you'd like to see?"
Essentially asking to feel him up again, you bite your lip and nod once. "Yeah."
Instead of teasing you about it, Jeongguk unceremoniously grabs the shirt at the back of his neck and yanks it over his head, tossing it onto the foot of the bed. Taking the action as consent, you crouch in front of your backpack, excitedly rummaging through it for two things. Well, four things: your small notebook and a pen that you clip to the collar of your t-shirt included.
Sitting down on the edge of his bed—on its right side—Jeongguk looks back at you, his gaze falling to the thick books in your hands.
"Went to the library," you explain, placing them on the bed, next to his discarded shirt.
He cranes his neck to read the titles. One is just a huge book on human anatomy, and the other is slightly thinner and focused on sports medicine.
"Thought you knew everything?"
"I'm a veterinarian. I'd say I know a lot about humans, but far from everything."
A silence settles as you climb onto the bed, positioning yourself behind him and the books at your side for easy access. Jeongguk keeps his head sideways, calmly and quietly watching you open the thicker book on the right chapter, inspecting the sketched human back and its muscles.
Lifting your own gaze from the pages, you take in the sight of his broad, naked back in front of you.
"Okay, so I can…?" you ask, hand hovering over his skin.
He nods, turning his head forward and rolling his shoulders once. Slightly wide-eyed, you stare at the casual display of his muscles. God damn.
Shaking any non-scientific thought out of your head, you begin.
The first thing you do is let your fingers trace his spine as you search for the landmarks. Despite having a very, very low body fat percentage, Jeongguk's vertebrae are less prominent than you'd expected. You can still feel them, however, and soon enough, you have your fingertips on C7, the more prominent vertebra located at the bottom of the neck.
"I can barely feel your spine," you mumble, mostly to yourself.
Is there something other than fat almost… covering them? Can't be anything besides the connective ligaments, you think to yourself. In that case, they're a lot thicker and stronger than in a human. Unless it's muscle that's covering them? Or… maybe his vertebrae have a different design? Maybe they're smoother? Forehead creasing, you consider the shapes possible for vertebrae still able to connect and allow the spine to bend.
You grab the pen from your neckline, keeping your left hand on Jeongguk's back while your right scribble some quick notes in your notebook.
'Vertebrae non-prominent, covered by? muscle/ligaments? different structures?'
Moving on, you leave the pen on the notebook and instead put your right index finger on the drawing. Your left one copies the movement of your right as you trail it down toward the middle of Jeongguk's back.
Latissimus Dorsi. It's one of the muscles at risk of damage from a too-heavy one-handed lift like what you saw Jeongguk perform. Of course, you don't know whether the action impacted him at all; maybe he sustained micro tears? Doesn't make the feat any less impressive.
Using both hands, you trace the muscle where it connects to the spine, all the way from his mid back to the lower part of it.
"Do you usually lift heavy like that?"
As if he wasn't paying that much attention—or just not expecting to be spoken to—he takes a second or two to find his voice. And when he does, you feel your heart squeeze almost pathetically at how he already sounds a little sleepy.
"Yeah. I don't really need to work out to keep my muscles all that much, I just do stuff because it's fun."
"Oh? if my memory serves me right, a human needs to work out a muscle at least within two weeks or it'll start to atrophy to save energy. Muscles are really metabolically expensive to keep."
He straightens up a little. "I could go longer than that, I think. I usually do kinda workout more often than that though."
"Interesting," you remove your hands altogether to note down his words. "And does lifting heavy come with any kind of pain? Soreness?"
"Only if I strain myself, but that happens very rarely. Not when I lifted the car for example."
You nod, more so to yourself. "Okay. So you probably do get micro tears. How long does the soreness typically last?"
"A few hours at most."
"Really? A human will usually be sore for days."
"Yeah. Losers."
A bubbling laughter escapes you, but afterward, another bout of silence settles.
Jeongguk's breaths are slow and deep, and you feel every one of them under your hands as you move them over his back. He yawns.
"Do you need me… conscious?" he asks, repeating the same words from the clinic and glancing at you from over his shoulder. His barely-open eyes and sleepy words pull on your heartstrings. Not only because he's endearing and adorable, but because he's seemingly so comfortable with you. As established, you for sure don't pose a threat to him, but still…
"I mean, I don't mind, but… I guess if you're okay with it…?"
You move when he does, scooting back to give him enough space as he sighs deeply and lies down on his stomach. He's already closing his eyes.
"Go to town," he mumbles.
"You really trust me that much?" you ask, putting your hand on his lower back, feeling the thoracolumbar fascia that connects the latissimus dorsi to the spine. "What if I hurt you?"
"It's pretty hard to hurt me, and I never got the impression that you'd try."
That's definitely true, and you're glad he feels that. While the biggest risk of trusting you has never been bodily harm but exploitation for your scientific research—maybe even fame—you've never had any interest in that.
"I could be a vampire hunter, waiting for the chance to stake you?"
Without even opening his eyes, Jeongguk chuckles. "What a way to go, then. First massaged by a pretty woman and then staked in my sleep. Couldn't complain."
Head and heart soaring in the clouds—and cheeks warm—you can't do anything but flick his skin. He laughs, but it's even more sleepy now.
"Insane," you mumble, reaching for the books again. While you adjust, sitting cross-legged with the anatomy book open in your lap—this time your left hand on the sketch and your right on Jeongguk's skin—he falls asleep.
Once again, you have a gorgeous, huge, superhuman man unconscious under your hands, and you'd be a fool not to take advantage of the situation. Not that you're doing anything he'd object to if awake but feeling his body is easier when you don't have to worry about any kind of tension growing.
Fingers softly tracing the skin and then pressing just a tad harder, feeling the structures underneath, you note that… there's not a lot to note. Besides the vertebrae not being as easily felt, the rest of him feels as expected. His muscles are thick and well-developed, and the ligaments feel stronger and sturdier, just like the ones you managed to ultrasound in his arm. So no surprise there.
It's been roughly ten minutes since you think Jeongguk fell asleep when you feel something. You've got your right hand on his upper back, curiously inspecting his scapula and the trapezius muscle that stretches up toward his neck when there's… a grumbling? It has you pausing, wondering if maybe he said something. But a quick glance at his face confirms that he's still asleep, cheek resting heavily against a pillow.
He must've mumbled in his sleep or something, which… cute.
You resume, hand sliding down his spine and to his side, when you feel it again. But this time, it's not a quick ordeal; it's… longer. The sound is low, starting deep in his chest and reverberating up and through your hand. It's almost soundless, just a low, low sound in the otherwise silent room.
Your heart does what you can only describe as a backflip because it reminds you an awful lot of… purring.
It's been almost an hour when the purring stops. You have your hand on his lower side, toward the back, flipping pages with the other.
"Find anything fun?" a low, raspy voice asks you.
You look up to see that Jeongguk is watching you, his eyes warm but sleepy.
"Uhm, yeah," you state, abandoning the current page search and returning to another. "This," you say, moving your right hand to his upper side, where you run it back and forth, "seems to be an…"
You lift the book to read the small insert aloud. "'Axillary arch.' Which is a muscle… variation. Sometimes considered vestigial. Humans can still have it, but it seems like only around five percent of people do. And not only do you have it, but it seems to be super well developed. Turn over, please?"
No questions asked, Jeongguk rolls over slowly, looking up at you where he now lies on his back. With your eyes buried in the book, you reach for his arm that's closest to you, making it clear you want him to lift it. He does, obediently placing his hand above his head, waiting for whatever you're going to do.
"Okay, so it's a variation of the latissimus dorsi, which is this muscle on your back that reaches up here, " you explain, tracing his side. "But the axillary arch is when it branches off over here, connecting to the pectorals."
You look at your hand as it glides over his warm, taut skin, close to his armpit, feeling for the attachments. "It says here that many think it's useless, but that some suggest that it brings strength but also a more advanced shoulder proprioception."
"And what would that mean?"
"Well, if it does what they suggest, it essentially gives you almost a sixth sense when it comes to body control. Helps your body know how to move appropriately, at least your upper body and arms, and just how much force to use. My guess would be that it's actually very useful when you're so much stronger."
"Hm."
You continue. "Considering a low percentage of humans have it too, it could be another 'you' thing more than a vampire thing, though. I assume you don't know whether others like you have it too?"
"No."
"Alright," you smile at him. "It's very cool, though. Can't believe I missed it."
"When did you miss it?"
"Last time at the clinic? I was feeling your lymph nodes in your armpit."
"Oh yeah." He grins widely
You narrow your eyes as it hits you. The sound you heard when you felt for the nodes… was him letting out a little breath of laughter? "You were awake, weren't you?"
"Yeah."
You just shake your head, putting the book down. "Anyway, would it be alright to draw some blood?"
"Sure."
You get off the bed, digging through the bag for the supplies before you get back on the covers.
"Sit up, please?"
He does, leaning back against the wooden headboard and holding that veiny arm out for you. You position it how you want it, not thinking too much about how you inevitably place his warm hand to rest on your upper thigh, palm up. Drawing blood while sitting on a bed is understandably a first for you.
"You know you don't really have to do that. Or use gloves," he mentions when you wipe his skin with an antiseptic wipe.
You pause, thinking it through before deciding. "Don't wanna take any risks," you mumble.
Focused, you use the same kind of needle as last time, pushing it into his vein. It goes smoother this time around since you already know how much pressure to use. The whole process is smoother, relatively quick, and… silent.
Every glance at Jeongguk's face as he watches your hands tells you that he's dozing off again. It's such an endearing yet… surprising sight; the big, buff, half-naked vampire sitting up and his eyes getting heavier by the second. You don't tease him for it, honestly still flattered that he lets you see him like this.
"Okay, I'm done," you speak quietly. "Do you want me to leave it in or take it out and re-stick later?"
He opens his eyes half way, glancing tiredly at you. "It's up to you. I don't mind either way."
"Okay, hold on," you say, putting some gauze against his skin as you pull the needle out. Of course, it's more out of habit than need because the puncture wound doesn't bleed; it's barely a wound at all. "You can lie down."
He doesn't answer, just shifts to lie back down. Tired, he blinks heavily, and you can basically see him slowly fall asleep again.
With the anatomy book open on the muscles on the front of the human body, you trace his slow-moving chest lightly. To your delight, the… purring starts again.
Your touch is soft as usual when you trace his collarbones, making mental notes of the thickness and hardness of them, his sternum and the dip between his pectoral muscles, and the visible parts of his obliques and where they attach to his ribcage. His chest moves slowly and rhythmically under your hand, and his skin is invitingly warm. You'd write down your discoveries, but there aren't really any more.
Ten minutes later, you have indeed somewhat securely ruled out any big differences. You've even counted his ribs, and somewhere, between the slow, deep breaths of the vampire next to you, and the fact that you didn't sleep that well last night, the sleep bug bites you to.
Your tired eyes glance around the room. It's quiet and calm, and Jeongguk's bed is very spacious.
Would he mind? You don't think so.
Slowly and carefully, you lie down, leaving a good amount of space between you. The low sound coming from him—the purring—is so incredibly relaxing, even if you're too far away to feel it.
Unfortunately, you wake up to movement. Movement moving you.
Big, warm, strong arms are dragging you across the bed by your waist and torso, pulling your back flush against him. Despite waking up only half a second ago, your eyes are already open and they widen further when you feel Jeongguk's mouth in your hair. He draws a big breath, alarm bells sounding in your head as you're reminded of how he used your smell to trigger his fangs.
By pure instinct, you try to wiggle out of his grasp, but your arms are stuck, held tightly against your body, and panic starts to rise when you can't move.
He has to let you go; you can't overpower him.
Your heart beats so hard it hurts when he pulls you even closer, his mouth lowering, as if searching for something. You can barely move a muscle in his hold.
"Jeongguk?" you call desperately.
And just like that, he relaxes. Quick to sit up and carefully move toward the other end of the bed, you watch him. Eyes closed, lying on his side and breathing slowly and calmly, he's still asleep. God, you nearly shit yourself. Are you worried for your safety around him? Not necessarily, but him seemingly grabbing you in his sleep?
Smelling you and perhaps even searching for your neck?
A shiver racks your body.
Jeongguk continues to sleep soundly and unfazed for another twenty minutes, all while your racing heart slowly quiets down to normal again. Flipping through the books in your lap, you find yourself grateful that he didn't wake up because… he still let you go and maybe it would've also made it awkward? Whatever you and Jeongguk are, cuddle buddies aren't quite it.
Another reason for your gratitude is the vision the current situation grants you. Not that of Jeongguk asleep and shirtless—well, that too—but 15 minutes before he wakes up for the second time, someone enters the room. You don't hear the little paws; you only notice when the little kitten has climbed the bed and is in the process of climbing Jeongguk.
You can't tear your eyes away. You think it's… Nyx? who appears on his back, sight set on the little curve at the back of Jeongguk's neck. The kittens must be around five weeks old at this point, meaning they get around pretty efficiently but have yet to acquire the feline elegance someone like their mom possesses.
Jeongguk doesn't stir the slightest as the kitten gives off a tiny meow and curls up at the back of his neck, even tucking its paws in under itself.
And to make it worse, she's not the only one. Within a span of minutes, two more come padding, one using its claws to climb up Jeongguk's jeans, settling comfortably in the curve of his lower back. The other—Mina—finds her way to his front, squeezing in under his thick arm and curling up in the small space between his bicep and his chin.
Whatever you've claimed before, this is the cutest thing you've ever seen in your entire life. If you listen closely, you can hear at least two of the kittens purring.
Smiling to yourself, you turn the page to read about meniscus tears.
You're halfway through the section when movement catches your attention, and you lift your gaze from the text. Jeongguk is waking up, slowly opening his eyes and shifting.
"They're very comfortable with you, dad," you muse.
Jeongguk gives you a sleepy grin.
"Cats also like warm things," you continue.
"Yeah, I've noticed," he says, repeating what he told you the first time you informed him of the feline trait. You wonder if he was already referring to the kittens and their mother's desire to cuddle him? "If I don't have the fire going, they always come and find me," he says, taking a deep breath.
You can't do anything but observe, almost inclined to ask whether you can take a picture. "This is for sure the cutest thing I've ever seen."
Jeongguk lets out a lazy chuckle before reminding you of something. "Did you want more blood?"
"Oh. Yeah, if you're willing to give it?" You glance at your watch. "I'll need to leave soon."
He glances at you curiously. "Late shift at the clinic?"
"No," you shake your head. "Or, well, it depends. The Bar is having a Halloween night, and I promised Nayeon and Momo I'd come. But I'm also on call tonight, and this time of year, we see a lot of horses colicking and canine poisonings."
"Huh? Why is that?"
"Rapid temperature drops often make horses drink a lot less water, leading to blockages, essentially. And Halloween means candy everywhere and a larger risk of dogs getting into it."
"Ah. Sucks. I heard about the Halloween event. Tae wanted to go."
"Dress up and everything?" you question, wide-eyed.
You enjoy social get-togethers just as much as the next person, and you for sure like everything Halloween; it's just the overhanging anxiety regarding the mix of you, halloween themes, and the public.
"Yeah? Just because we're old doesn't mean we're boring. I can be a party guy if I want to."
"So you're going? Dressed as what?"
"You'll have to wait and see. What are you going as?"
"You think I'll tell you if you're not telling me?"
"I guess not. Do I have to sit up? For the blood?"
"Preferably, unfortunately," you smile sadly, looking at the kittens, all so comfortable.
Incredibly endeared, you watch Jeongguk reach behind him, gently grasping the black kitten sleeping deeply and satisfied on his warm skin. She wakes up, letting out a sad meow as she's being airlifted off Jeongguk by his large hand.
"Of course it was you," he mumbles when the kitten comes into view. "This one would crawl inside my skin if she could."
He puts her down on the bedspread, and she immediately bolts back to him, entirely intending on reclaiming her spot or at least one against his skin. Not like you can blame her. The other two—one under his arm and the other still on his lower back—move on their own when their heater slowly starts to sit up.
It's mostly that first one, stubbornly wanting to warm herself against him.
"No," he scolds gently, moving her away so that he can sit up without her accidentally getting in the way.
The moment he's upright and seated against the headboard, however, she uses her claws to climb up his jeans. He doesn't intervene until she's climbed her way up to the waistband of his pants and the visible band of his underwear, obviously having her sight set on warmth.
"No, you can't go in there," he chuckles, lifting her off a second before she digs her way in between his jeans and underwear.
"Do they sleep in here too?" you wonder, watching the little kitten fight for her rights.
"Yeah, most of the time. I prefer to sleep in a slightly… cooler environment, but if I don't have the fire burning, then they find me. I tried closing the door once—for their safety because what if I crush them in my sleep?—but that was a mistake because Lilith was just screaming at me to open the door."
You don't bring up that he almost accidentally murdered you in his sleep only half an hour ago. Okay, that's an over exaggeration but who knows what could've happened?
Still, it wasn't intentional, and he's clearly concerned about accidentally hurting others. Well, his kittens, but you feel like you belong in that category too; someone pathetically weak compared to him, easily injured, and who gravitates toward him. You definitely also like warm things.
Retrieving the equipment needed for yet another blood draw, you move closer to him. This time, you don't use gloves, but as he offers you his arm, you still clean his skin and your hands with antibacterial wipes.
"This doesn't hurt you?" you ask as you push the needle through his skin, out of the corner of your eye seeing him pet the kitten, who's settled on his thigh.
"No. I mean, I can feel it, and it's not nice, but it doesn't really hurt."
"That's good, makes me feel better for poking you so much."
"It's fine," he smiles, eyes on the little kitten as another approaches. "Have you… looked at it? Under microscope or whatever it was that you wanted to do?"
Fastening the needle with some tape, you reach for the first out of three vials.
"Yeah. Do you want to know what I found? Unless you already know the differences?"
"I think that we have smaller… cells? And more iron? At least that's what I remember."
"Yeah," you confirm, watching the blood start to fill the vial. It's just as dark as the samples sitting in your freezer. "Your red blood cells are smaller than mine, and so there's room for a lot more, even considering they're already packed, hence the darker color. Combined, they have a bigger surface area and can bind more oxygen, which I'm sure contributes to your strength. Your muscles get more blood due to the size of your veins, and your blood carrying loads more oxygen than a human man's would."
"Interesting."
"Yeah. Funny enough, goats have a similar… set up."
Amused, Jeongguk raises his eyebrows. "Goats?"
"Yeah. They're built to thrive at higher altitudes where oxygen is scarcer and one needs to be oxygen-efficient."
"That's cool."
"Yeah, I think so to. I haven't been able to analyze it at the lab yet, though." Removing the full vial, you attach the second. "And your saliva looks very similar to a human's, only less… bacterial. So I'm guessing there's something antibacterial in there that kills off bacteria. Which could make sense from an evolutionary standpoint if you're supposed to drink from the same human on different occasions. A dirty mouth would lead to more infections and human deaths."
"I think I heard something about that too, actually."
You blink, pretending to be offended. "You know these things but don't tell me?"
He smirks lazily. "I mean, what fun is that? Besides, I mostly remember them because you're bringing them up. I learned whatever I know so long ago, and it's knowledge I don't really need in my day-to-day life."
"I guess you're forgiven."
He chuckles. "You can't say you don't prefer getting to see and discover for yourself?"
You think about it, and sure, maybe you do. "Fine. But what if I miss things? I can't possibly go over every single part of your biology in a few weeks."
"You can try? And what about my venom?"
"You're stressing me out, Jeongguk," you admit, anxiety rising at the thought of having to explore without any help at all. "And your venom just looks a lot like your saliva, but seemingly behaves pretty similarly to some types of snake venom. I did—"
A loud meow interrupts you as the two exploring kittens seemingly get into a fight. They scream and hiss at each other in a way that's surprising for such young kittens. But before you know it, it's over.
"You're calm," Jeongguk pets the kitten on his lap. "You're a good girl."
"How do you know it's a she?" you nod toward the kitten without respect for personal boundaries.
"I can smell the difference."
"You can?"
He hums.
Seeing that also the last vial is approaching fullness, you prepare to remove it. "Since the start?"
"Yeah."
"So your names weren't based on vibes at all?"
He grins, watching you once again detach the vial and use a wad of gauze to pull the needle out. No blood this time around either.
"No. Or I mean, yeah; vampire vibes."
You roll your eyes, curiosity still spiking.
"I haven't asked that much about your senses besides your vision… But your sense of smell is good then, I take it?"
"Yeah."
"Like that of a dog? Do I need to take an extra shower before meeting you? An additional layer of deodorant?"
He laughs quietly. "I don't know if it's as advanced as a dog's. Maybe slightly less? But you don't need to worry; you always smell really nice."
Well, you definitely hope he's not lying—and he didn't seem to mind smelling you in his sleep—but also, you'll definitely make sure to always be extra clean when meeting him.
"You're much more polite than I imagined a vampire to be. I'm done now, thank you," you say, grabbing the vials and the discarded material having gathered on the bedspread.
"It's true though. You smell really pleasant. Very womanly."
You raise your eyebrows as you stand from the bed, packing everything away inside your backpack. "I guess I'll take that as a compliment?"
"You should because it is."
In the middle of feeling your cheeks heat just a tad, you're suddenly reminded of something. You straighten up, watching him where he remains sitting on his bed, stroking the kitten's back as the two others explore the bed.
"I know that I have… maybe a below average sense of smell for a human—possibly an advantage with my job—but you don't… smell much to me."
If you weren't so panicked when he grabbed you, you for sure would've jumped at the opportunity to see what he smells like.
"Can you smell another human? If they're not wearing perfume or have been out, sweating for hours?"
"…No."
"Right. Humans generally aren't able to. Up close, skin to skin, sure but not really from a distance. Vampires communicate more by scent than humans do."
"So you don't wear perfumes?"
"No. I don't like perfumes. Mildly scented soaps and stuff are alright, but not perfumes. A few vampires wear them, but they're the bane of my existence. For example, I would rather you show up here smelling of organic cow shit than… Victoria's Secret."
You chuckle. "Good to know."
<previous | next>
author's note: i considered splitting this because it's so long but i didn't! but i'd be super grateful if you left a reblog and comment/ask if you liked it! <3<3 (also i'm very curious if anyone picked up on the names cause no one's commented on them at least 🤣)
SUMMARY : Your encounter with the campus bad boy was a disaster. All you wanted was to never see him again. But when his punishing attention shifts to you, your world begins to change. When have things ever gone your way?
A/N- This will be uploaded in episodes, with a new chapter being uploaded every month. However, the fic is complete and has been posted in its entirety on my Patreon. If you can, please support my Patreon. Many thanks and enjoy!
MY PATREON
I do not own BTS ( :((( ) My intention is not to glorify toxic behavior nor do I believe BTS member would ever act like this. It’s just a figment of my imagination. Know the difference. Please.
It had been a full day since you’d been brought home from the hospital yet rest refused to settle into your bones. Your body lay heavy against the thin mattress, exhausted in that deep, aching way that came from painkillers and shock and too many emotions left unprocessed but your mind stayed stubbornly awake, circling.
The cot your parents had set up for you sat inside the storage room on the ground floor. It wasn’t really a room meant for living. Boxes were stacked along the walls, some neatly labeled, others collapsing under the weight of forgotten years. There were winter blankets sealed in plastic, a broken chair missing one leg, photo albums your mother had promised herself she’d organize someday.
But they had made space for you.
The cot had been pushed close to the large window that overlooked the front of the house, its thin curtain pulled halfway back to let in the night air. Someone, Sam, most likely, had layered extra blankets on top, tucking them in carefully around the edges like you were a child again.
Your leg lay elevated on a stack of cushions, the cast heavy and unforgiving. Every small movement reminded you of it, a dull throb that pulsed in time with your movements. You shifted carefully, biting back a hiss and stared up at the ceiling.
The house was quiet. Somewhere upstairs, your parents slept. Earlier in the evening, your mother had hovered endlessly, asking if you needed water, adjusting your blanket, smoothing your hair back from your forehead with trembling fingers. Your father had tried to act normal, making dry comments about how at least now you had an excuse to skip chores but you’d seen the tightness in his jaw when he thought you weren’t looking.
Sam had stayed late, sprawled on the floor beside your cot, scrolling through her phone and pretending not to watch your face too closely. She’d helped you to the bathroom, helped you settle back in, scolded you gently for apologizing too much.
You had never felt so cared for.
And somehow, that made everything heavier. Now, alone, the weight of the day pressed down on you. You tried to push it away, telling yourself you were safe now.
Your thoughts drifted instead to college. Exams were coming up. You could almost see the dates printed in bold on the syllabus, indifferent to fractures and accidents. You wondered how much you’d fallen behind already, how many lectures you’d missed, how long it would take to catch up once you were back. The idea of navigating campus on crutches made your chest tighten with quiet dread.
You swallowed, blinking hard.
Outside the window, the street was still. The faint glow of a streetlamp spilled across the sidewalk, painting everything in muted gold. The front of your house looked unchanged. A place that had always meant safety.
You let your head sink deeper into the pillow, listening to the rhythm of your own breathing, the distant hum of the world continuing without you. For the first time since the accident, there was no immediate crisis demanding your attention.
You were still staring out the window when something shifted in your line of sight.
At first, you thought it was nothing. Just a trick of the light, your tired eyes misfiring the way they had been all day. The antibiotics made everything feel slightly unreal like the edges of the world were softened, dulled. You blinked once. Then again.
There was someone sitting on the sidewalk.
Your spine straightened instinctively, a sharp jolt of alertness cutting through the fog in your head. You pushed your palms into the mattress and scooted up on the cot, ignoring the protest from your leg as you leaned closer to the window.
The man sat a short distance from your front gate, just beneath the streetlamp. His back was to you, his posture folded inward in a way that made him look smaller than he probably was. Broad shoulders were hunched forward, covered in what looked like a dark jacket, catching faint highlights under the yellow light. His head was bowed, chin nearly to his chest.
His shoulders were moving.
Not much. Just enough that after a few seconds of watching, you realized they were shaking.
Your stomach dropped.
A rush of half-formed thoughts collided in your mind. Recent news reports your father had muttered about at dinner, talk of break-ins a few neighborhoods over. The memory of that home invasion movie you’d watched far too young crept up uninvited: shadows outside windows, men waiting patiently in the dark. Your pulse quickened, loud in your ears.
You glanced instinctively toward the door, half-expecting to hear footsteps inside the house. Everything remained quiet.
The man didn’t move from his place on the pavement. He didn’t pace, didn’t look around. He just sat there, elbows braced on his knees, head down like he was staring at the ground, almost in a position of praying.
A strange mix of fear and confusion tightened in your chest.
Who sat on a sidewalk at midnight like that?
Your fingers curled into the blanket, knuckles whitening. You told yourself to look away, to pull the curtain closed and wake your parents if you had to. But your gaze stayed locked on him, as if breaking eye contact would make something worse happen.
There was something undeniably miserable about the way he held himself. Not threatening. Not aggressive. Just heavy. And still, unease prickled along your skin.
You leaned closer to the glass, trying to make out more- his build, the angle of his head, the length of his arms. Something about the silhouette tugged at a place in your mind you didn’t want to examine too closely.
Before your thoughts could catch up, before recognition could fully form, the latch on your window shifted.
The sound was sharp in the stillness. A dry, protesting creak split the quiet as the window latch gave way under your hand, impossibly loud in the dead of night. The noise seemed to echo, bouncing off the walls of the small room, slipping out into the open air.
You froze.
Outside, the man reacted instantly.
His head snapped up, movements abrupt, almost violent in their suddenness. For a fraction of a second, you only saw the angle of his jaw as he turned, the streetlight catching the edge of his face. Then he looked directly at the window.
At you.
Your breath caught painfully in your throat.
Recognition hit you with the force of something physical, knocking the air out of your lungs. That face sharp, familiar, unmistakable even in the low light. The way his eyes widened just slightly before softening into something unreadable.
Taehyung.
The world tilted.
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t smile, didn’t wave, didn’t look surprised in the way a normal person would when caught somewhere they shouldn’t be. He just stared up at you, as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment, as if the night had finally given him what he wanted.
The glass between you suddenly felt very thin.
Your heart slammed against your ribs, dulled panic and something far more confusing tangling together in your chest. You pulled your blanket tighter around yourself without realizing it, fingers curling into the fabric like it could anchor you in place.
What was he doing here?
Of all places. Of all nights.
His expression shifted, subtle but unmistakable. The rigid tension in his shoulders eased, just a little, like a man who had been holding his breath for too long and was finally allowed to exhale. Even from this distance, you could see it- the faint sheen in his eyes, the way they reflected the light too brightly.
Glassiness. Vulnerability. Something raw and unguarded that you had never seen on his face before.
It unsettled you more than anger ever could have.
You opened your mouth before your better judgment could stop you, your voice cutting through the night, hushed but sharp all the same.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
For a moment, he didn’t answer.
Taehyung just stood there, looking up at you as if the sight of you framed by that window had stolen whatever words he’d brought with him. The streetlight caught his face fully now, washing him in a dull amber glow that softened his sharp lines in a way you weren’t used to seeing. His eyes, dark, usually so alert, so calculating, looked glassy amd unfocused, like he hadn’t slept properly in days. Which, well, he probably hadn’t, considering he had spent a good part of the last week at your bedside like a slightly creepy and intrusive nurse.
There was something exposed about him, something almost boyish in the way his mouth parted slightly like he was unsure whether to speak or simply keep looking.
The sight of it unsettled you deeply. This wasn’t the Taehyung who hovered at the edges of your vision on campus or the one whose presence made your skin prickle with unease. This version looked disarmed. And maybe that was what made you brave.
“Are you insane?” you called out, your voice coming out sharper than you felt. “It’s the middle of the night. What are you doing sitting outside my house, you fool?”
The words left your mouth before fear could clamp down on them. They echoed faintly down the empty street.
Taehyung startled- actually startled.
He straightened abruptly, as if jolted back into his body. A strange expression flickered across his face, something between relief and disbelief and then his lips twitched. Not quite a smile. More like a reflex his body remembered before his mind caught up.
In the next second, he moved.
His hands gripped the iron fence effortlessly, fingers curling around the cold metal. There was no hesitation, no pause to judge the height. He vaulted it in one fluid motion, his body lifting and folding with an ease that made your breath hitch. For a split second, he was airborne, long limbs taut, controlled, before landing lightly on the other side, boots barely making a sound against the ground.
You stared, stunned, a ridiculous thought flashing through your mind about how he didn’t even stumble, didn’t even brush against the fence on the way down. He moved like someone who trusted his body completely, like someone who’d done reckless things often enough to know he’d survive them.
The bushes weren’t as forgiving though. There was a soft rustle, followed by a sharp intake of breath as a thorn caught skin. Taehyung barely reacted, only glancing down at his hand as he straightened again. You saw it then: a thin line of red welling against his skin, blood sliding slowly down his palm as he walked nearer to your window with quick steps. Your stomach lurched.
Any threat you’d been forming, any instinct to yell again, to tell him to leave, to threaten the police, evaporated instantly. The sight made your head spin, nausea curling unpleasantly in your gut. Your fingers tightened against the windowsill as you swallowed hard.
“Idiot” you muttered, more to yourself than him.
Before he could even lift his head to speak, you were already reaching for the medicine box on your bedside, movements rushed and clumsy.
“Give me your hand” you said sharply, the urgency in your voice cutting through the night.
He blinked, genuinely confused, as if the pain hadn’t registered until you acknowledged it. Taehyung looked down at his hand again, as if seeing the blood for the first time through your reaction rather than his own. The cut was shallow, barely more than a thin gash where an unruly branch had caught him but the blood kept seeping, bright and unmistakable against his skin. It slid along the lines of his palm, dripping once onto the stone path below.
The sound made your vision tilt. Your breath came out wrong and you had to brace your elbow against the window frame to steady yourself. The night felt suddenly too close, too thick. You hated this about yourself. Blood did this to you every time, turned your stomach traitorous and your limbs unreliable.
“Don’t just stand there” you snapped, even as your voice wavered. “Come closer.”
He obeyed instantly.
Taehyung stepped into the faint spill of light from your window, close enough now that you could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers flexed once like he was debating something. His jacket hung open, dark leather creasing where he’d bent and there was something about the way he stood, completely still as if any movement might scare you away and cause you to shut the window on his face, that made it feel like the world had narrowed to just the two of you and the thin space between your window and the ground.
“You’re bleeding” you said unnecessarily, fumbling with the latch. Your hands shook as you pushed the window open wider, the wood creaking loudly in the quiet. The sound echoed and for a brief, irrational second, you panicked about waking your parents. But Taehyung didn’t even glance toward the house. His eyes never left you. His feline eyes, so contrasting in their coy shape and the all consuming, trusting look that currently resided in those dark orbs.
“Looks worse than it is” he said lightly, though his voice sounded rough around the edges like he hadn’t used it much today.
The night air rushed in as he stepped closer, close enough now that you could reach him without leaning dangerously out. The smell of him hit you: cold air, leather, something faintly metallic. You swallowed hard and held out the medicine box.
“Hand” you repeated, firmer this time.
He hesitated, then let out a soft, surprised laugh. “Maybe take me out to dinner first, madam.”
Normally, that would’ve flustered you. Tonight, it only irritated you.
You shot him a look sharp enough to cut. “Taehyung.”
Something shifted in his expression at the way you said his name. The teasing drained away, replaced by something quieter. He lifted his hand slowly, palm open, offering it to you like a fragile thing.
Up close, the blood looked worse. Your head swam again but you forced yourself to focus, fingers moving on instinct as you pulled out cotton and antiseptic. You pressed the cotton to his palm a little too abruptly, your touch rougher than intended.
He sucked in a breath and shivered. You couldn’t believe you were treating the wound of a man who had been, just now, stalking your house like some killer in the night.
“Hey” he murmured, eyes flicking up to your face. “Easy.”
“I’m fine” you lied, concentrating fiercely on the task. “You’re the one who decided to jump fences like some-some idiot.”
Your fingers brushed his skin as you cleaned the cut and the contact sent a strange jolt through you. His hand was warm, solid, far too steady compared to yours. You wrapped the small bandage around his palm, movements brisk, almost scolding.
He watched you the entire time. Not the wound. Not the bandage. You.
There was an intensity to his gaze that made your skin prickle, even as he stood there quietly, letting you tend to him. Like this moment- your hands on his, your focus drawn tight and careful- was something he wanted to preserve.
When you finished, you tied the bandage with a little more force than necessary and finally released his hand, relief washing through you now that the blood was gone.
“There” you said, exhaling. “Don’t be dramatic about it.”
But when you looked up, the way he was looking at you made your chest tighten. Almost awed.
You wiped your fingers against the edge of the medicine box, as if the act could also scrub away the unease curling in your chest. With the bleeding dealt with, the reality of him being here settled back in, heavier now that the distraction was gone.
“So,” you said, folding your arms over the sill, trying to reclaim some distance. “What are you doing outside my house, Taehyung?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked around at the quiet street, the sleeping houses, the shadows pooling beneath trees before his gaze returned to you. There was something restless in it like he hadn’t quite decided which version of himself to present.
“I couldn’t sleep” he said finally. “So I came here.”
Your mouth twisted. “That’s not an answer.”
His shoulders lifted in a small, careless shrug but his fingers tightened around the bandage you’d just wrapped. “I was restless,” he repeated. “Being near you helps.”
You stared at him like he’d just admitted to something deeply embarrassing.
“That’s-” You cut yourself off, letting out a sharp breath. “That’s not normal. Do you hear yourself?”
His jaw flexed but he didn’t interrupt.
“You can’t just sit outside someone’s house in the middle of the night,” you continued, frustration bleeding through your words. “Do you know how that looks? It’s harassment. It’s a violation of my privacy.”
The word ‘violation’ landed between you like a slap.
For the first time since he’d looked up at your window, Taehyung went very still.
The faint smile he’d been wearing faded, his gaze dropping to the ground as if he were genuinely considering it. The night hummed around you, distant and indifferent.
Then he looked up again.
“Tell me something” he said quietly. “How far away do I need to be for you to not call it an invasion?”
You blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“How many miles?” he pressed, head tilting slightly. “A street away? A neighborhood? Another city?” His voice wasn’t mocking. It was earnest in a way that made your chest ache despite yourself. “Because if I don’t come to you, I don’t see you at all.”
You felt irritation spark, sharp and defensive. “That’s not my problem.”
He let out a short breath, almost a laugh. “Isn’t it?” His eyes searched your face. “You disappeared for a week. Wouldn’t come to college. Wouldn’t answer me. What was I supposed to do- hope you’d remember I exist?”
“That was my choice,” you shot back. “And it was justified.”
He watched you closely, something dark flickering beneath the surface. “Was it?”
“Yes,” you said immediately, heat rushing to your face. “I don’t owe you access to me just because you want it.”
The silence that followed was thick, charged.
You could see him swallowing, his throat working like he was holding something back. His posture was still deceptively relaxed but there was tension coiled through him now, a restrained edge that made your pulse quicken despite your resolve.
You tightened your grip on the window frame, suddenly very aware of how close he still was, how easily his hand could reach yours again if he wanted. Before you could close the window on his face, his hand fell on the sharp window sill, dislodging much of the bandage.
You reached for his hand again and as you did, his hand caught yours in a strong grip, fingers curling stubbornly.
“It’s fine,” he said. “It’s nothing.”
You felt irritation spike, sharp and immediate. “Don’t.”
Your grip tightened before you quite realized you were doing it, tugging his hand back toward you with more force than necessary. The movement sent a faint jolt up your arm, his skin warm against your palm, the bandage rough beneath your fingers.
“I said it’s fine” he repeated, but there was no real conviction behind it this time.
“You dislodged the bandage” you snapped, already leaning forward as much as your leg allowed. The motion pulled uncomfortably at your body but the sight of red seeping through the cotton made your stomach churn. “And I told you, I don’t like blood.”
He stilled at that. Something in your voice must have cut through him because he let you take control without another word. His hand stayed where you held it, palm open now, pliant. You worked more roughly than you meant to, fingers clumsy with urgency as you reinforced the bandage, wrapped it tighter, made sure the bleeding had stopped.
His other hand hovered near your wrist, not touching, like he was afraid that if he moved too suddenly you’d disappear. His gaze followed every motion you made- your fingers, your concentration, the small crease between your brows.
“You don’t have to” he murmured.
“I do,” you said, not looking up. “If you won’t take care of yourself, someone has to.”
The words slipped out before you could stop them. You had said them your entire childhood, whenever Sam would scrape her knee after falling down and you would run after her to put some band aid on the wound. You wondered why, at this time, this instinct had resurfaced.
When you finally glanced up, you caught him staring at you with an expression that made your chest tighten painfully. His eyes were soft, dark lashes lowered, mouth parted just slightly as if he were on the verge of saying something dangerous.
He didn’t move. Just kept looking at you like you were something fragile he’d been trusted with and had no idea how to deserve.
When you finished tying off the bandage and tried to pull your hand away, his fingers closed around yours suddenly.
“Let go” you hissed, startled.
He didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer, close enough that you could feel his body heat, the solid presence of him crowding your space. His thumb brushed lightly against your knuckles, intimate enough to make your breath hitch.
“What would it take?” he asked.
You looked up, meeting his gaze, and nearly forgot how to breathe.
“To show you that I’m serious” he continued, voice low, intense. “That I’m not lying. That I can be good to you.”
The way he said it like a vow, like a plea sent a shiver through you that had nothing to do with fear.
You searched his face, seeing past the reputation, the rumors, the menace everyone whispered about. What you found instead was raw want, barely contained, coiled tight beneath his skin. You had the strange feeling of seeing a feral stray animal, begging to be let in after being fed scraps two days in a row. Pity stirred in your chest, unwelcome and heavy.
You squeezed his hand once, gently.
The reaction was immediate. His breath stuttered, shoulders going rigid as if the simple contact had shocked him.
“It’s late” you said softly. “Go home. Sleep.”
His grip loosened, though he didn’t let go right away. “And then?”
“We’ll talk,” you promised, even as part of you screamed that you shouldn’t. “When I’m back at college.”
He studied your face, searching for something- hope, maybe, or permission. Finally, he released you.
As he backed away toward the fence, you called out, “But only if you promise not to lurk outside my house like a ghost.”
He turned, the moonlight catching his expression: boyish, adoring, dangerously pleased.
“No promises” he said lightly.
And later, when sleep finally claimed you, it came with the unsettling realization that you were smiling.
summary: kim taehyung is nothing more than a man who works in the same office as you. he’s kind, charming, and unbelievably attractive but there’s just one downside to him. something feels off about the way he acts toward you and you’re not sure what but you know it has something to do with his little obsession with you. he acts strange at times, sometimes a little too lost in his own world, and changes his mood so fast you get whiplash trying to keep up.
you should feel scared or concerned but there’s just something about him that makes you ignore all the warning bells that go off in your head.
➢ genre/au: coworker au, office au, smut, heavy plot
➢ pairing: yandere!taehyung x coworker!reader[she/her. female anatomy]
➢ 16.7k words
warnings: smüt. angst. yandere themes but not scary. tae is highkey obsessed with reader and a little delulu. he’s manipulative and very calculative. doesn’t directly harm others but he sabotages them for y/n. handjöb/oral. cunnilingus. heavy makeout. taehyung can be seen as a dom. intense mood changes. rough missionary. jealous tae. extremely possessive and controlling but he’s good at hiding it. y/n lowkey lovebombs him too (but in the loosest of terms). y/n is a little unstable too but it’s barely noticeable.
song inspo: mascara — deftones [ but I’ll keep you because there’s something about her long shady eyes ]. female robbery — the neighborhood [ I think I can tell them, tell them they were made for me ]. are you mine — arctic monkeys [ in my mind when she’s not right there beside me, I go crazy ].
You know when you can just feel that someone is bad for you and you still won’t do anything about it? Yeah, that’s how you feel about Taehyung.
Maybe you’re being dramatic but also, you know there’s something about Taehyung that makes you feel uneasy at times. It could be the dark gaze in his eyes when a male colleague approaches you, or even the way he always seems to be where you are, watching. You wanted to say you felt unbelievably creeped out by him but you’re not and that’s the problem.
He’s just so gentle and kind when he talks to you. When your eyes meet he almost looks away shyly despite the confidence that radiated off him when he steps into a room. You don’t know what it is about Kim Taehyung but he makes you feel curious yet scared.
“How was your weekend, Y/n?” Taehyung asked in his usual deep and husky voice. It was early in the morning so a little bit of sleep was still laced throughout it.
You arrived at the office at the same time as him today and you’re not sure if it was planned or not. All you knew was that you two were some of the few here this early. You looked at him as you stirred some creamer into your hot coffee, “It was alright, yours?”
“It was great, I went to this new restaurant that just opened up down the street,” Taehyung said calmly, sounding rehearsed. Your eyes narrowed as you said, “Really? I went this weekend too.”
You felt like your suspicions were being answered. You went on some group date this weekend with a good friend of yours and you tried the new restaurant. At one point you could’ve sworn you picked up the scent of Taehyung’s cologne that you’ve grown used to at the office. You figured you were being strangely delusional about a man you work with until you heard his voice. It was the same tone he usually spoke to you in but a tad harsher—like he was forcing himself to be gentle but failing. You remember hearing a woman’s voice next but you let it go.
Now you’re sure he was there too and it was all just some big coincidence.
“Hm, if we had run into each other, we could’ve said hello,” Taehyung said slowly, mixing sugar into his tea trying to stay at your pace so you could leave together.
“So, did you catch up with any friends for dinner?” You asked, trying to see if he would admit to having someone there. You’re not sure why you’re curious but he peaks your interest for reasons you don’t understand. Hell, he creeps you out and yet you indulge him in conversation more often than not.
“No, I was on a date,” Taehyung answered honestly, feeling your eyes turn to him. He was fighting back a smile at your sudden interest. He’s spent months getting you used to seeing him and talking to him at the office that he’s ready to actually get you to go out with him. He’s wanted to take it slow but he realizes he can’t anymore.
When he overheard you and another discussing your plans this weekend he felt himself become uneasy. You told the girl you would be going on a date and that really pissed him off, but he couldn’t say anything. He doesn’t want you to think he doesn’t have trust in you. A relationship starts with trust and he’s willing to show it to you first.
He’ll make you his when you’re ready for the commitment he’s willing to give and ask for too.
Taehyung trusted you this past weekend, he knew you wouldn’t do anything on the first date but every time he thought about the guy you might be seeing, he would just fill with anger. The guy was probably trash, he couldn’t be trusted around you and so Taehyung did what only a sane person would do. He hit up some previous chick he slept with and offered her dinner with the hopes of sex. He brought her along so he could make sure your date was on his best behavior then had his way with the girl before dropping her off in front of her house like she was nothing more to him.
It was really only a thank you for helping him see you tonight without being too obvious. He hopes he’ll never see her again or else she’ll think he’s into her and cry when she finds out she disgusts him. She probably wouldn’t appreciate that he tried imagining you the whole time either.
The problem is that they’re nothing compared to you and although he’s never slept with you he already knows it’ll be perfect. Something in his gut tells him you’re made for him. He knew this the moment he first met you all those months ago in the elevator.
You hadn’t even done anything special to catch his attention, it was a very normal interaction between you two but he was completely infatuated. All you had done was bump into him, dropping your papers all over the floor. He was in a really bad mood that day but the way you cursed shamelessly made him smile in amusement and he ended up helping you clean up. He’s not sure what happened but from then on he had a school boy crush on you and it hasn’t gone away. He just thinks you’re interesting and he’s been waiting for a chance to make a move, the only thing holding him back is the thought of coming off too strong.
If only he could make sure that every other man who wants your attention got it through their heads that you’re his, it would be great.
“How did your date go?” You asked curiously. You’re not sure how to explain it but something about Taehyung really gets to you. He’s never made a move on you — which you’re thankful for — but there’s no denying the fact that he’s strangely intrigued by you. You can tell in the way he talks to you compared to others, or the way he always finds something to intervene with when you’re talking to another man. It’s like he wants you to think about him even when he’s not showing any signs. It’s all confusing and leaves you to overthink every interaction, especially now that he’s admitted to going on a date.
Of course you don’t know that this is all part of a plan that Taehyung has meticulously worked on for months. He doesn’t want to scare you and if he told you you’re all he’s been thinking about for so long, surely you’d be creeped out. He’s only gone on two ‘dates’ in the past five months and both were for a specific reason. The first was at the company Christmas party where he overheard you would be bringing someone along, and the second was this past weekend. If he were to be honest and tell you that he hasn’t been sexually attracted to anyone since he met you, you would run off on him and he doesn’t want that. He has to act like a normal man at his age who goes on casual dates and doesn’t spend all his time finding out every little thing he can about you.
Now you’re curious about who he was with and he picks up on a hint of jealousy in your tone even if you can’t so he definitely thinks you feel something for him too.
“I was distracted,” Taehyung answered honestly, thinking back to when he saw the man you were with that night checking out the waitress when you weren’t looking. It had taken everything in him not to go over there and save you from that guy who couldn’t even stop his eyes wandering elsewhere when you were sitting right in front of him. Didn’t the guy know that there are others willing to do absolutely anything to be there with you?
You didn’t say anything for a long moment, both just silently staring into each other's eyes trying to decipher your minds. Taehyung isn’t actually sure how you feel about him but he knows there has to be some sort of attraction you feel for him or else you wouldn’t be so curious, right? He knows that if he asked you out for drinks right now you’ll probably say yes, but he doesn’t want to rush things.
He doesn’t want just one night of yours, he wants them all, so he has to be patient and see how long this can go before you’re equally as obsessed with him. He doesn’t want to scare you off after all.
Just before you could respond your department head came out of her office, already calling you over to discuss the plan for today. Taehyung waved you off knowing he would find an excuse to look for you later on.
You’ve never struggled much when it came to having a relationship. You’re not really ever looking for anything serious and the guys who do approach you never interest you enough to change your mind. Now, that doesn’t mean you don’t date. You’ll go on a date here and there but only if you’re interested in the guy and more often than not, you’re not interested. You especially hate it when a guy you work with tries to ask you out, just like Minho is doing right now.
Out of everyone in the office he annoys you the most. He’s still in his ‘college frat boy’ mindset that just pisses you off to the point where even looking at him has you bothered. You don’t know how you could possibly look more uninterested than you already do but this guy just doesn’t get that you don’t like talking to him. He’s had you cornered in the copy room for the past five minutes telling you all about the tickets he got to a musical theater that he doesn’t need anymore.
You’re sure this is his way of trying to invite you—well no, trying to get you to invite him. He’s giving you both because apparently he doesn’t need them anymore and doesn’t know what to do with them. You looked at him unamused as he put them down on your open hand and you forced yourself to smile, “Are you sure you don’t want them?”
“I’m sure,” Minho said with a little smirk as he looked around the room. Just as you did too, a familiar face walked in and you were far from surprised to see who it might be. Before you could offer a hello, Minho drew your attention back to him, “Plus, you might have better luck finding someone to go with you. You’re all I can ever think about, at least.”
Taehyung didn’t glance your way but his eyes focused in on Minho where it looked like he was holding your hand still and that made the guy smirk even more. Minho looked back down at you, as Taehyung came over to use the printer, making you both move to the side.
“So do you want to go tog—?” Minho asked as Taehyung slammed the paper tray in the slot loudly making you both look at him.
Minho rolled his eyes as he turned back to you to try again, “I was just thinking that you mig—“
His words were cut off by the excessive beeping of the printer as Taehyung typed in the settings he wanted. He looked over with a feigned innocent smile clearly amused with himself as he said, “Sorry, am I interrupting?”
You looked at Taehyung making his eyes meet yours and for a moment you could see mischief in them. You both knew what Minho was about to say but he beat you to it and interrupted you. You smiled as if understanding the way he was trying to understand you.
You turned to Minho,“Thanks for the tickets but I should get back to work before anyone starts looking for me. I’ll send you money for them, alright?”
“Wait Y/n—“ you left before he could finish and suddenly it was just Minho and Taehyung inside the copy room.
Taehyung couldn’t help but smile openly now as you made your exit despite knowing Minho was trying to ask you out. It had him giddy as he went to leave the room too before Minho called for him.
“I know what you’re trying to do, Taehyung,” Minho said as he walked toward him but Taehyung didn’t give a clue to what he was thinking, didn’t even bother responding to him.
“Everyone here knows you’ve got this little crush on Y/n,” Minho pointed out, “You’re so obvious with it and she doesn’t even give you the time of day so just quit cutting in and mind your business.”
Taehyung laughed dryly, “I was doing you a favor Minho, Y/n was going to reject you and then everyone in the office would know about it. Why don’t you focus more on doing your job than women out of your league?”
He made a move to leave but he turned back toward the room one last time and said, “And trust me, if I put effort into it, I wouldn’t be rejected.”
He left feeling annoyed at Minho’s audacity. Y/n would never go for a guy like him, he’s pathetic. He thinks he’s hot shit because he was popular growing up but this is the real adult world and in the adult world nobody cares about how many sports trophies he has locked in a shelf. You for sure wouldn’t care and yet Taehyung still felt himself annoyed at what he saw in the copy room.
What would have happened if he never showed up to save you? Would you have said yes to a date with him out of pity? You would be too nice to turn someone down, right?
He kept thinking about that all day, anxiously biting his nails and leg bouncing as he worked.
Would you have said yes to Minho?
Is he miscalculating? Is he assuming Minho wouldn’t be your type because he’s not him?
Is he that confident that you’ll come to him first?
Does he need to step it up?
“Taehyung?”
You stood in front of his cubicle, leaning against one side of the short wall looking down at him with soft eyes. He looked up from his computer where he had been stuck in a daze thinking about you and nearly stumbled over his single word, “Yes?”
You stepped into his space and leaned against one end of his desk making it seem like you two were the only ones around. He had to force his eyes not to trail over your exposed legs as he waited for you to say something.
It took you a second to speak up while you tried to figure out how to bring up earlier without letting him know that you think he’s got a thing for you. You smiled, “I know it probably wasn’t your intention but you really saved me earlier. I think Minho was trying to ask me out and I didn’t want to have to tell him no at the office.”
Taehyung felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders as you said that and he couldn’t help but smile too, “I thought that was the case, are you alright?”
“Me? Yeah, I mean he gave me these tickets so I feel bad not wanting to go with him but then I’d be lying to myself about wanting him there, y’know?” You asked and his leg bounced anxiously under his desk as you moved just a little closer.
“If I were to want to go with any man from work, I think I would prefer it to be you,” you finally said and his knee hit the underside of his desk as he nodded his head already agreeing before you could properly ask. This was exactly the way you imagined things to go. You knew that if you showed a little interest in him it wouldn’t take long for him to agree with whatever you propose. You spoke up again with a dragged out sigh, “But I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate and you just went on a date this last weekend so I bet you don—“
“Tell me the time and place, and I’ll be there,” he rushed out, making you smile.
“Alright, why don’t you write your number down and I’ll call you?”
Listen, you know you said there’s something off about Taehyung… and it’s not that you’ve just brushed it off as paranoia, but you really had no reason to be put off by him. He was an extremely attractive man who seemed to always be where you were and who would annoy Minho more for going on a date with you?
Taehyung would. You absolutely despised Minho and he hated Taehyung so it really worked out for you. Plus, if you want to know if he’s actually interested in you or not, asking him out was the way to go. You didn’t want to ask a friend to come with you and you for sure weren’t going to ask a guy who would just want sex so you chose Taehyung, and you’re happy you did.
Watching him meet you at the front of the theater looking like that, well it just made your night. Everyone’s eyes shifted toward him when he passed but his eyes were only on you. It was surprisingly boast worthy to know everyone can see he’s coming to you. You’re not sure how it will go but you’re bored and you want to see what would happen if you indulged in a man who seems mysterious to you and clearly attractive.
You’re not worried if the date goes bad, you’re not scared to completely ignore him at work if you needed to either. You just wanted to see if the night would be fun or not, of course you’re not aware that this has been all Taehyung has thought about since you asked him on Tuesday. If he has you now he’s not letting you go, especially not to ignore him.
“You look great,” Taehyung said softly as he placed a hand on your lower back giving you a side hug in greeting. He kept his hand at your waist as you leaned into him, “Sorry I’m late, have you been waiting long?”
Yes. “No,” he smiled, letting his hand linger on the silky fabric of your dress that hugged your pretty waist, “Shall we head in?”
Things were working in Taehyung’s favor and he didn’t even have to do much for this to happen. Sure, he’s spent months being the only man to not hit on you at the office so you could feel comfortable with him instead of another. And yes, he’s been finding every excuse possible to be around you so that you could think about him… and okay, he’s even followed you out of work before—but you asking him out was all you! He didn’t even have to say anything about your tickets, you chose him and he doesn’t care if it was for the right reasons or not.
“Is this weird for you?” You asked once you passed the ticket booth, “I know we work together and it was sudden so…”
“Not at all,” Taehyung said, taking you by surprise when he brushed a finger against your cheek to move a strand of hair behind your ear, “I’ve always said that I’d like to see you outside of work. If anything, I’m happy you asked me.”
“You make me feel the safest at work,” you said honestly as you took his hand in yours so that he wasn’t touching your face. You’re actually surprised by how touchy he’s being but you don’t know if you’re okay with it or not. You held his hand as you said, “And I don’t have many friends outside so I figured this is a perfect opportunity to get close to someone else.”
Taehyung laced his fingers with yours as he led you to the main theater, moving you to his side when a stranger passed, “I’d love to get close to you, if you let me.”
Taehyung was the perfect gentleman. He was respectful and sweet and just so gentle when he talked. Well, when he talked to you.
The musical was great honestly, you and him had light talk here and there and at one point his hand would brush over yours but you liked it. After the show you had both agreed on having Korean barbecue but you weren’t in the mood to wait in line at some fancy restaurant so you settled for one of those tent restaurants.
“Did you enjoy the show?” You asked him as you flipped your hair off your shoulders while thanking him for serving you more water.
“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t paying that much attention to it,” he smiled childishly as looked at you, “Very hard to concentrate on anything else when you’re around.”
“Really?” You asked amused and flattered, “You seem to do fine at work.”
“Things aren’t always what they seem,” he said casually as he looked over at a server who was making his way over to switch out your grilling trays. He didn’t hide the way his gaze traveled from your pretty head down to your legs then back up to your face, a stupid smirk on his lips.
Taehyung hates that you’re not just attractive to him, but to anyone who sees you. That’s why he needs to hurry up and make you his already. If it was up to him he would never let you out of his sight for this reason specifically.
“Tae?” You called for him after noticing the way he began to zone out and like it was nothing, his eyes met yours with a smile. You smiled too, “I can’t get over how handsome you are.”
He laughed softly as a blush crept into his cheeks, “I’m not used to you saying these things to him, but I like it. . I’ve been thinking about how beautiful you looked all nigh—“
“Are you going to be wanting any dessert, miss?” The guy asked suddenly as he looked only at you, “On the house, for you that is.”
“Oh?” You asked with a hint of amusement, “Why’s that?”
“Uh, well, you’re the prettiest girl to come in tonight,” the guy said nervously all of a sudden, very aware that the guy in front of you might not be a friend like he first thought.
You smiled but it didn’t reach your eyes as you said, “I’m not sure my boyfriend appreciates you saying that in front of him. Do you, Taehyung?”
It took everything in him to keep his composure as he looked at that guy with something dark in his gaze. He couldn’t even fully process that you called him your boyfriend. All he could think about right now is what would happen if he grabbed the guy by the back of his neck and bashed his head into the burning grill over and over and over—
“I don’t appreciate it all,” he said calmly, “Why don’t you let someone else help our table next time?”
You looked at Taehyung, impressed by the way he spoke so calmly yet you can see something in his eyes that wasn’t there when he looked at you. It excited you.
Once the server left, muttering something under his breath that had Taehyung staring after him like he was ready to confront him again, you had to say something.
“Sorry for calling you my boyfriend. I just figured that’s how the guy would stop,” you told him feeling a little embarrassed now that it was just you two. You can talk to someone bluntly but you don’t feel bold right now. Right now you’re a little nervous because you called him that not knowing how he would react.
Taehyung was flooding with warmth as he brought his glass of water to his lips, trying to hide his loving smile, “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t mind.”
He could be your boyfriend, he’s always known that but to hear you call him that in front of someone? Now that just makes him proud, the only thing that sucks is that he can’t fully appreciate your words.
You deserve all his attention but he’s so focused on the server not far behind him talking with another that he doesn’t know how to fill the silence that suddenly surrounded you two.
‘Aren’t you off soon?’
‘Yeah, in about thirty, what about you?’
‘I’ve got an hour to go. Do you wanna cruise around later?’
‘Yeah, I just got a new set of tires and rims that I need to show off.’
“I’ll be back, I’m going to wash my hands,” you said suddenly and Taehyung nodded telling you he’ll keep your purse safe. Ugh, he needs to pay attention to you and you alone but he just can’t stop thinking about what happened. It makes him think about how long you’ll be gone and how he’ll handle himself till then. You left to the restroom but because this was a tent restaurant you had to go inside another building for that. Taehyung acted before he could think and reached for the grilling fork that sat on the table, easily sliding it into the sleeve of his coat while coming up with something.
His mind was whirring with possibilities of how this could go while also counting how long it takes you to come back, acting like nothing was wrong. He continued to grill food till you returned and he smiled, “My turn.”
You let him go off to the restroom as you sat alone picking up your phone to see your texts. There were a few from your friends asking about how it’s going or sending you something stupid.
You’re actually very surprised that this… date[?] is going so well. It does feel a little stiff like you’re both still being friendly coworkers but you think it’s because Taehyung is holding himself back. You’ve gotten a couple blushes and smiles but he’s still very distant. He’s giving you compliments and he’s listening to everything you have to say but he’s not really talking about himself.
It’s like you still couldn’t tell what kind of guy he is.
Taehyung was moving quickly. The employee parking lot was small and dimly lit so it was hard to see anyone at first but he just kept repeating the same thing over and over again.
New tires. New rims.
New tires. New rims.
New tires. New ri—
He came to a halt as he looked at the black Nissan Altima with brand new shiny rims and tires. He didn’t even hesitate for a single moment in case the car belonged to anyone other than the server who tried hitting on you. The grilling fork slipped out of his sleeve swiftly and before he knew it, all four tires had matching puncture marks.
Still feeling a little upset he dragged the sharp end of the fork along one side of the rim, scratching it repeatedly and mumbling words of hatred.
Once Taehyung decided it was enough he stood straight, looked around and combed his hair back into place, taking a deep breath.
“That was quick,” you said as he sat down in front of you again. He smiled, “Was it?”
“Are you ready to go?” He asked as a different server brought the bill. You nodded your head reaching for your bag to get your wallet when Taehyung spoke up again, “I’ll pay.”
“No, we can split,” you offered, still trying to take your money out.
“Y/n,” his voice was calm as he made you look at him and with hazy eyes he said, “I would like to pay. Will you let me pay?”
You opened your mouth to argue but Taehyung slid the check back to the server who had returned just in time. You released a small sigh standing up as Taehyung helped you slip your coat back on your shoulders, “Next time I’ll pay.”
He couldn’t contain his smile as he said, “We’ll talk about it then, alright?”
You’re not sure if it was the alcohol or the tenderness of his voice but you shined childishly, “Taehyung, I’ll feel bad.”
“Don’t,” he said, leading you out and thanking the servers as if he didn’t destroy their tires or toss the fork in the back dumpster. Nobody should go looking for them anyway. By the time the guy notices his tires are flat he’ll already be gone, Taehyung would like it if they completely give out on the road and cause him to crash but that’s just wishful thinking. He’s just a little too happy right now.
His night was great, he felt like he couldn’t stop his heart from racing the entire time. He loved your dress, your hair, the soft perfume you wore, the way you kept eye contact with him, laughed at his words… he could go on. He’ll remember this night for the rest of your lives together. He wasn’t going to let that little hiccup ruin it for him.
It’s just that Taehyung couldn’t just sit around and let a man try and hit on you while he’s right there. It only makes his mind stray to what already happens when he’s not around and he sees red. The guy is lucky that he didn’t have time to do much else than slash his tires. He wanted to be quick so he could return to you.
Now he’s standing in front of your place debating on what to do. You were standing in front of him looking so pretty waiting like you were expecting a kiss.
“Well, the night was fun,” you said shyly. You can’t tell what it is about his gaze that intimidates you but you know that it makes you curious also. You want to know what’s behind this distant exterior because he doesn’t appear all that he seems. You wanted to kiss him but this time you really do think it’s the alcohol. Usually you’ll remind yourself that you don’t seriously date coworkers and that this should be ended cordially.
Taehyung took a hesitant step forward, closing the gap between you, his eyes kept flickering to your lips, “Is it weird that I don’t want to go home yet?”
You were standing close now and you had to look up to meet his gaze only it brought your faces closer together, and this time it was him who made the first move. A gentle hand touched the curve of your jaw tilting your face up to look at him, he whispered softly, “Can I kiss you?”
You gave him a brief nod of your head and met his efforts halfway, feeling your lips brush against each other’s before he pressed them together firmly. The hand on your face grew more firm as if you would pull away any second but you were enjoying it too much.
As your hand curled around the back of his neck keeping him from moving back, Taehyung released a low groan into your mouth taking the opportunity to bring a hand down to your lower back wishing that you wore something other than a dress. He can’t feel your skin on his fingertips, only the silky fabric that got in his way. Your tongues met in a languid movement as his standing frame almost curved over yours, using rough hands to keep you against him while deepening the kiss.
“Taehyung,” your words came out breathless as you pulled away just a little, feeling him chase after your lips to keep the kiss going. You kissed back eagerly forgetting all about how you couldn’t breathe and there was a growing itch bubbling up inside your center that needed more. You tilted your head back as Taehyung kissed down the corner of your mouth toward your jaw, licking along your neck to your collarbone making your lips part in a silent moan. You brushed your fingers through his hair, licking your lips as you said, “Let’s go inside.”
As much as you loved how hungry he seemed to be for your kisses, it was very hard to ignore the fact that you’re still outside. He’s very intimate with the way he is holding you right now and you rather have him go inside with you than stay out here. The second those words left your lips, Taehyung was pulling back shaking his head no, hands squeezing your sides, “No.”
“No?” You asked in confusion as he repeated it over and over again quietly yet clinging to you too. You moved your hands down to his shoulders for more support, “What? You don’t want to?”
“I do,” he whispered, “But not tonight?”
You took a huge step back feeling annoyed as you scoffed, “What are you ta—“
“It has to be perfect,” he said more to himself than to you, “It needs to be perfect.” It was sort of alarming how he suddenly shifted to this from how he was just seconds ago and it’s like you can’t even get through to him. He’s in his own mind and you don’t know what to do.
You reached down for his hand but he was pulling away fully, repeating himself, “Not tonight, Y/n. It’s going to be perfect, okay?”
Your brows scrunched together trying to understand what he was talking about. He took a quick step down the entrance before rushing back to you and kissing you one last time, “Can I call you?”
“Yes, bu—“ he cut you off with another kiss and you knew he didn’t want this to end either so why was he leaving? You couldn’t pull him back in time as he drew back, repeating over and over about how it needed to be perfect before leaving you for the night.
“Wait, so he kissed you Goodnight and then left? I don’t see the problem,” your friend Jimin said through the phone as you used your badge to let yourself through the entrance of the publishing company you worked for. It’s the first time you’ve been able to talk to him in days so you answered when he called even if it was before work. You just had to fill him in on how the last few days have been.
You released a sigh trying to figure out how to word your thoughts, “Ugh the problem isn’t that he just left, it’s that… I don’t know, he started talking to himself about how it needed to be perfect.”
“What?” Jimin asked with furrowed brows as he got into his car on his end of the phone, “Sex?”
“I don’t know, maybe?” You told him honestly. He’s been a very close friend of yours for a few years now and you’re very comfortable talking to him about whatever is going on in your life.
“And this is the first date?” He asked, still trying to understand what you were telling him.
You bit your lip nervously trying to figure out what happened on Saturday, “I guess, I mean, I don’t know if it counts because it was so last minute and I’m the one who asked him out of the blue but…”
“But he’s the guy you’ve been telling me about, right? The one who creeps you out a little?” Jimin asked bluntly that you felt a little embarrassed. It’s very hard to explain what you think about Taehyung. He’s attractive and a good guy but there’s just something in the back of your mind that makes you think there’s something off about him.
“Yes, but look, he doesn’t creep me out like I’m scared of him or anything… he’s just intense,” you told him with a shrug of your shoulders that he couldn’t see.
Jimin laughed, “Okay so what now? Are you just not going to see where it goes with him? How’d the weekend go?”
“Well good, we talked a lot and he was really sweet but I don’t know… I mean we work together,” you whispered the last part as you made your way toward the elevator.
“That didn’t stop you from inviting him out and you did want to sleep with him, right?” Jimin asked making you sigh once more as you reached for the button to call for the elevator.
It dinged just as Jimin started talking again, “Yeah but, I was a little drunk, I mean that doesn’t change that I was ready to sleep with him but after thinking it over I really don’t want to be one of those people who fucks around with someone they work with and ruins the environment, y’know?”
Jimin was in his car now trying to connect to his Bluetooth, “So what are you going to do? Tell him that you’re better off as friends?”
You stepped into the elevator, “Yeah, I think I should—“
“Y/n?”
“Taehyung,” your eyes opened in surprise as you watched him step into the elevator with you. He seemed so calm and neutral as he smiled at you warmly.
“Jimin, I’ve gotta go, talk to you later?” You said through the phone and hung up on your friend. Taehyung’s eyes shifted down to it as it lay limply in your hand already letting his mind conjure up who this Jimin person is. He’s spent a fair share of time stalking your socials to know which friends are who and if it’s who he thinks it is, then it’s a man and he doesn’t like the idea that you spoke to another man first thing in the morning instead of him.
Once the elevator shut you two into its privacy, Taehyung didn’t hesitate to press you into the wall with a mouth watering kiss. You immediately clung to him, hands wrapping in his hair keeping him close as he invaded your mouth with his. His hands were so gentle on your skin as he whispered, “I missed you so much.”
You went to the theater together on Saturday so really the only day you didn’t see him was yesterday and even then you talked a lot throughout the day so for him to suddenly say how much he missed you… it’s definitely setting off warning bells.
You you ignored them, smiling into the kiss as you cupped his jaw trying to move him back as you absentmindedly said, “Missed you too.”
“Did you?” He asked seriously now as if the answer would be on your face but in reality you just said it because he did. You continue to say things that will make him think more and more about how you feel and it’s all very confusing. You looked at him searching his face for answers before nodding your head, “Yeah?”
Honestly, you were a little mad at yourself. You know there’s something about Taehyung that you don’t get and you should be a little worried by his behavior. The problem is that you keep saying you’ll stop enabling him by continuing to lead him on while telling your friend you don’t want him. It hasn’t stopped you from talking to him on the phone or kissing him and you just know you should put a stop to it.
“Good,” he whispered before kissing you again and you’re completely ignoring your brain to kiss him. Anxiety grew inside you at the thought of getting caught and just before the elevator came to a stop once more, you lightly pushed him away hurriedly.
Taehyung stood at the opposite end of the elevator biting back a smirk as a group of people flooded the elevator greeting you both. You distracted yourself with your phone in hopes of not drawing attention to the way Taehyung kept his gaze on you and you alone.
jimin: come over later
jimin: i wanna hear about it
jimin: ooo and drink
jimin: movie too?
You barely had a second to react as a tall frame crowded behind you and you jumped to the side slightly startled. Taehyung stood behind you looking at you curiously, “Who’s Jimin?”
“Um,” the elevator dinged on your floor and you stepped out with him on your side, “He’s a good friend of mine, he came with me to the Christmas party, you might remember him?”
Oh. The guy from the Christmas party.
He didn’t say anything, looking at you deeply as he tried to smile and nodded his head. He turned forward and pretended like he wasn’t going absolutely fucking insane thinking about those texts he just read. Why would another guy want you to come over so late? Didn’t you tell him that you’re seeing someone? Hell, you kissed him just as eagerly a few minutes ago so why the fuck is another guy…
“Shit, I have a meeting I have to start getting ready for,” you cursed as you checked the time on your phone, already picking up your pace.
“Lunch later?” He asked, watching you leave. You nodded your head waving goodbye to him quickly as if trying to brush him to the side and he didn’t like that at all.
He’s starting to feel like you’re blowing him off. All day yesterday you were ‘busy’ with work but then he would see you around the office talking happily to everyone but him. He couldn’t understand why. Was it because of the other night? He thought it had gone perfectly. Being with you genuinely makes him happy and on Saturday who couldn’t stop smiling. He knows there’s so much that he still needs to learn about you but he didn’t expect you to be such a flirt with other men.
Today it’s Minho again.
He hogged all your attention at the meeting today and you just let him. You sat there and politely talked to him like Taehyung wasn’t in the same damn room. It pissed him off to think that you weren’t as committed as he was. Would you let any man take your attention away from him and if so what should Taehyung do about it?
Once the meeting came to an end, Taehyung rushed out so he wouldn’t have to see another second of you two together. He needed time to cool off first before he acted negatively toward you. He just doesn’t get you. What’s the point in asking him out if you were just going to ignore him?
Does he do the same? Should he treat you the way you’ve been treating him just so you could see how he’s feeling? He doesn’t want to hurt you but you’re hurting him and you don’t even care.
You’ll never learn unless you go through what he’s going through right now and that’s the only reason why he agreed on getting lunch with a colleague of his. Sora was just a girl on his team who he believes has a thing for him. She’s always finding an excuse to stop by his desk whether it be to ask something stupid or just see how his day is going. This morning she asked for his help to fix something on her web design and in turn she said she would pay him back by getting him lunch.
Now, Taehyung’s original plan was to find you so the two of you could get lunch together but considering the fact that you’ve been cozy with Minho he doesn’t want to see you right now. He won’t respond to you right if he does, and maybe if you see him with Sora you’ll open your damn eyes and see how you’re acting.
The thing is, he can’t pretend to be interested in whatever Sora was saying to him. He’s barely bothering with responses and even then they’re mostly just ‘ah’s ‘oh’s and ‘mm’s. Nothing she says interests him like you. You’ve just got this way of speaking that captivates him every single time and with Sora it’s just not the same.
If he pretends you were her then he can put more effort into it but she’s not you and you’re not with him.
“Thanks for buying lunch, I’ll have to pay you back some time,” Taehyung said with a forced smile as they headed back to the elevator from the main floor. He’s been trying to feed Sora comments here and there so she would at least think he’s fond of her. The problem is that they’re all empty words that he doesn’t plan on holding up.
“Well maybe tomorrow you can buy me lunch and we’ll call it even,” Sora said with a blushing smile that made Taehyung want to throw up. He forced himself to smile and nodded his head, “I’ll have to see my schedule.”
Just as the doors were about to shut a manicured hand stuck forward to stop it and he felt his heart race. He immediately pushed for the doors to open back up and you thanked him before noticing it was even Taehyung. He smiled sweetly, “Hi.”
“Hi,” you said back as you looked between him and Sora who had matching boxes for leftovers from a restaurant. Sora smiled too, “Hey Y/n, did you just get back from lunch?”
“No, I actually had a meeting that went over time so I haven’t eaten yet,” you told her as you tucked yourself into the back corner, “What about you?”
“Oh! Yeah, Taehyung and I just tried this café a couple blocks down. I recommend trying it, it’s really good,” Sora said and Taehyung would have hugged her with the way your eyes narrowed in confusion. He studied your expression as you looked over at him but he kept his gaze on the changing floor numbers.
He wants to kiss you and hold you and tell you that it meant absolutely nothing to him but he was still upset. He couldn’t just let you think that talking to other guys who were clearly interested in you was okay. It’s just… you haven’t eaten and he wants to be mad but he wants to make sure you’re doing alright because he knows how busy you are and now he’s thinking he’s made a mistake in trying to upset you.
No.
No.
No.
Taehyung, you need to put your foot down. Y/n is a big girl, and you can’t let her walk all over you and everything you’ve done—everything you’ll do.
“Really? Did you like it too, Taehyung?” You asked putting a territorial hand on his bicep that had him leaning into your touch more. He looked into your eyes and he couldn’t quite read your expression yet, “It was alright.”
You weren’t jealous, alright. You don’t tend to be jealous because then that means you envy someone else and there’s no one worth envying but… but you do get possessive. Very, extremely possessive that you work very hard to hide that but he’s confusing you a little. You went out this past weekend and he kisses you like you’re all he wants, he follows you around the office and calls you all the time only for him to have lunch with another woman?
It’s no secret that Taehyung is handsome, everyone in the office thinks so and they all are very obvious with their interest in him yet he’s expressed to you that he wants you. Sure, it creeps you out just a tad bit how serious he is about it but why would he go get lunch with someone else while you’ve been stuck in meetings all morning? Now that just pisses you off.
Before he could give you an answer, the elevator dinged and the doors were opening. Sora made a move to leave and looked back at him expectantly but his eyes were on you. You wouldn’t even look at him and your expression was clear as day and it showed how unhappy you were right now. When it was obvious that neither of you were getting off yet she left with a mumbled goodbye and the doors closed.
Taehyung pushed down on a button and as you looked at it you noticed it was for the lobby, “What are you doing?”
“You haven’t eaten so let’s go to the cafeteria and get you food,” he said coming over to you. He was content now, all he needed was to see that you’ll get upset too if he talks with another woman and then you’ll see that he has a right to get upset with you.
Once he gets it through your head then he’ll be able to focus on Minho and how to show him that you’re Taehyung’s.
“I can go alone, you just had lunch with Sora,” you told him, moving away from him and he did not like that at all.
“I’m worried about you,” he said honestly as he tried to close the space but you still wouldn’t even look at him. Why were you so damn annoyed that a man you just started getting close to had lunch with someone else?
“So what made you want to have lunch with Sora?” You asked, completely ignoring what he said because for some reason you were very bothered.
Isn’t he supposed to be, like, obsessed with you or something?
Taehyung scoffed as he smiled, “Is that really bothering you right now?”
You didn’t say anything making him continue, “I wanted to have lunch with you but you seemed busy all day talking to Minho and I didn’t want to wait around for you to pay attention to me.”
“What? Minho? I was in meetings and he was in them too, I had no contr—“
“I don’t like you talking to him,” Taehyung spoke firmly that you were caught off guard, and this time he wasn’t going to wait for you to look at him. He had this dark look in his eyes that had you taking a hesitant step back but it was no use because he just followed, “It really upsets me, Y/n. Do you really want to upset me?”
“Taehyung…”
The doors opened once more as the elevator got flooded with people you and Taehyung left.
“We work together, I can’t just ignore him,” you finally said calmly despite everything inside you telling you that the way he sounded right now was unreasonable. You didn’t even like Minho.
He joined you in the cafeteria where they served meals cooked by chefs, “I know that but you know that he has a thing for you so it makes me uncomfortable.”
You stopped turning to look at him, “Taehyung… nothing is ever going to happen between him and I. I don’t date coworkers.”
You both were very aware of what you just said and what it could possibly mean with Taehyung. It’s true, it’s what you’ve wanted to say since he creeped you out the first night you kissed. It’s what you should have said first, or better yet, ignored Taehyung’s obsessive behavior in the first place.
At the same time though, you know you aren’t being fully honest. If Taehyung were to ask… well, you could see yourself with him again. He worried you but the way he’s so obviously interested in you and only doing things to get a side out of you, you kind of like that. It makes you realize that he’s constantly thinking about you in some way so you really only said it to see how he’ll react.
God, you can’t even believe yourself.
“What does that mean?” Taehyung asked, trying so hard to seem calm but you can practically hear his façade cracking that it made you want to keep pushing.
You weren’t even worried about how you two looked to others and you moved closer to say to him, “I’m just thinking that maybe it’s not a good idea to get involved with someone I work with. It’ll cause problems.”
Taehyung wasn’t even thinking about Minho anymore, he was trying to understand and think quickly on what to do.
“If you want me to quit so we can be together…” he said staring at the floor deep in thought, he’s already trying to think of a plan, “I can, I just worry that you’ll leave me if someone new comes in.”
“What? Taehy—I—why would I want you to quit?” You rushed out as you tried to walk again so the two of you weren’t just standing in the middle and wasting time.
Taehyung was following you a couple steps behind.
He can work it out. He just has to get rid of Minho before he does what you want. If you want him to quit he can easily apply somewhere else… but only after he figures out what to do about Minho.
“It’s what you’re saying, Y/n. You don’t date coworkers,” Taehyung said seriously, you had to stop and try to understand what the hell was going on now. Out of habit, you looked down at your watch—you were wasting time talking about this.
You looked around cautiously before moving closer. He looked down at you with a dead set look in his eyes. You released a soft sigh, “I’ve got to go. Can we talk about this later?”
Taehyung already felt annoyed but now you’re trying to brush him off when he’s trying to have a serious conversation with you about the future of your relationship and that really pissed him off. Before he could say anything, you quickly and gently asked, “Can I call you later?”
You had a soft look in your eyes that immediately made his walls crumble and it had him asking, “Will you, actually?”
You nodded and he smiled, resisting the strong urge to give you a goodbye kiss.
When you turned your back to him and left, his smile fell. You’ll be busy and try and get back to him later so he has to think right now.
How does he fix his Minho problem?
By the time Taehyung was ready to head home, it was late. He got busy with work because he had been too focused on you to be productive and he had a lot to do before he could leave.
It sort of worked out though—and for two reasons.
Reason one, it gave him something to talk about when you called, even if he lies just a little.
“At least you’re home now, right?” You asked through your side of the phone as you tried to think of what to make yourself for dinner.
Taehyung bit his lip as he looked at reason number two.
Right there in the break room was a shiny laptop that looked very familiar to him. He honestly couldn’t believe his luck either but he also knew what a fucking idiot Minho was.
Leave it to him to leave his laptop open and unlocked. It was just too easy.
“Yes, I’m trying to think about what to make for dinner,” Taehyung said as he checked the room for anything but there wasn’t a camera in here for privacy reasons, “Any ideas?”
You smacked your lips with a dramatic sigh, “Sadly no. I’m not that good of a cook to give you ideas.”
That made him smile because he’s not surprised nor bothered by it. He’ll happily do everything for you if you let him and he can start with cooking.
Taehyung sat in front of the laptop trying to read what was pulled up on a tab. It looked like a power point of some sort and the date for it was tomorrow. His fingers began to work before he could even think about it.
“How about you come over this weekend and I’ll make us something nice?” Taehyung asked casually as he put his little scheme in motion. If this doesn’t get rid of Minho he doesn’t know what will.
You took a deep breath, “Taehyung what I said earl—…”
“I get it, Y/n, but you can’t tell me you don’t feel anything for me,” Taehyung said, his face lighting up with the laptop screen that reflected off his irises, “Let’s just… you know take it slowly and see where it goes.”
“This weekend?” You bit your lip in thought and he smiled as he finished up and tried to wipe away any evidence that he touched it. He doesn’t want to be found out after all.
“Yeah,” He said as he saved his work and closed the laptop, “I’ll give you time to think about it, you don’t have to give me an answer right now, alright?”
“Alright,” you finally said and Taehyung did feel a little annoyed. Why was this a hard decision for you?
Look at what he’s doing just so you aren’t uncomfortable at work anymore.
Look at who he’s getting rid of for you.
He brought the laptop back to Minho’s desk and put it away, knowing Minho he wouldn’t have any clue where he left it last and this would look the most inconspicuous.
“So…” Taehyung trailed off as he left like it was nothing, “I know you were telling me about the project you’re working on but I want to know something not work related.”
“Oh God, what do you want to know?” You asked as you finished up what you were doing in your kitchen.
“Everything about you,” Taehyung said, finally going home feeling very accomplished.
You didn’t usually get to have late mornings so when you did, you really treasured them. You always feel so much more refreshed than when you get to work early in the morning, still half asleep. Usually your late morning days went by so fast but today was strange since the get go.
For one, there was a single cop car outside your building today that was parked out front like it was the most normal thing ever.
Second, there were groups of people huddling and gossiping on your floor that you knew something was up.
You walked over to your closest acquaintance, Yuna, “What’s going on?”
Yuna’s eyes shifted behind you instead of to you and it didn’t take much for you to know Taehyung has found you already. Yuna looked away blushing [this was the first time he’s ever been so close], “Um… someone was in a meeting and there was something on his laptop.”
Your brows furrowed as you looked around, “And there’s a cop here because of it?”
“It’s bad,” Yuna whispered, wincing as if she can picture what was found on the laptop. You looked at Taehyung who stared off looking indifferent but you can practically see his little smile.
You pushed your suspicions to the side as you tried to get a better look but you didn’t need to put much effort into it. Minho came out of your boss’s office with a cop at his side and a box of all his office belongings. Whispers surrounded him and his eyes met yours.
You took a step forward to see if what was happening was real when a strong hand tugged at the back of your arm keeping you in place. You glared at Taehyung who continued to act completely unbothered by what was going on.
The boss sent everyone one look to have them all scrambling to get to work but you paid your attention to Taehyung only.
“Did you do this?”
“Do what?” Taehyung asked as he walked with you, “Also how’s your morning going? You just got here, right? Lucky you.”
“Taehyung if you’re not honest with me right now then I’m calling it off right here, right now,” you said seriously as he dragged you into the break room where no one was.
His jaw clenched, “What are you trying to accuse me of right now?”
“Minho.”
“What about him?” Taehyung asked, “And why are you willing to throw us away over it? When do you I would’ve even had time to do anything? You and I talked on the phone all evening.”
He can’t believe you’ll even say that to him when he’s gotten rid of your problem for you in the nicest way he could. Sure, he had to dig up some dirty stuff to get Minho out but he left [and with a police escort]! Shouldn’t you be thrilled?
You scoffed, not buying what he was saying at all. You just had this feeling in your gut that he did something, “Did you have anything to do with what happened with Minho right now. And be honest or I swear I won’t talk to you again.”
Taehyung didn’t say anything for a long moment trying to read your bluff. He wanted to keep denying it but what if you meant what you said? What if you’ll really ignore him from now on?
With a cold expression that sent shivers down your spine he honestly said, “I told you I didn’t like you talking to him.”
You gasped in confusion, “What do—How—So what? You’re getting him fired because of it?”
“I would never,” Taehyung went back to lying, “I just found some stuff in his search history that needed to be seen. I didn’t know he’d get fired over it.”
You were completely speechless and confused. God, you need to get away from this man.
But.
But…you just can’t bring yourself to speak up and you wish it was because you were scared to but it wasn’t. You just didn’t want to, so instead you just shook your head, “For me?”
“Yes,” he said quietly, making sure no one was around, “He bothered us both, Y/n. Now you don’t have to worry about him.”
You didn’t say anything making him sigh, “Don’t be mad, please?”
You should get away.
You shouldn’t be thinking about how strangely endearing and caring he was for you. This is sick… but…
“I’m not,” you said, “I’m just… I don’t know.”
Taehyung laughed softly using your confusion and did you actually Ed mind to get you to move on from it, “Let’s get back to work, alright?”
You were a little nervous to go over to Taehyung’s place the next weekend, but not for the right reasons. You should be worried about your safety and his erratic behavior but you’re not. You’re more worried on how the night will go with him and what this means for you both.
You didn’t even have to knock for Taehyung to know you were here. The door opened before you could ring the bell and he stood there looking perfect.
Taehyung’s been preparing all day for this. He’s made sure everything looked absolutely perfect for you and he looked through your Instagram food posts a million times to make your favorite things. He’s cleaned up the place and changed his bed sheets because tonight’s the night.
Everything he’s done has led up to tonight and everything he’s done for you was all worth it because look at where you are now. You’re standing pretty in his doorway looking at him with awe that had him melting inside. As he let you in, he wrapped his arms around your waist pulling you close and leaned down to kiss your cheek. He couldn’t stay still watching you look around and take his place in.
He got rid of a lot of stuff today in case you were already trying to see where your stuff could go when you move in.
“Wow,” you said looking around, “You’ve got a nice place.”
Taehyung left for the kitchen where he served you both a glass of wine and brought it over to you. You thanked him and continued to snoop while he watched you from afar.
“Dinner’s ready for whenever you’re hungry,” Taehyung said pointing to the dining table and you went to sit. He didn’t sit across from you but he sat on the side closest to you on the square table. He began to serve your plate as you set your phone facing down on the table and got yourself situated.
“Thanks for having me over,” you told him honestly as you looked at him with soft eyes, “I know it’s been a little confusing these last few days.”
“Don’t even worry about that, baby,” Taehyung said, trying his hardest to avoid talking about whatever problems happened, “I’m just happy I have you here with me.”
“So tell me,” you rested your chin in the palm of your hand as you looked at him. You realized that if you’re actually falling for Taehyung despite everything then you have to try and really understand him.
“Hm?” He waited patiently to hear what you had to say. He kept your plate at his side as he went ahead and picked up the silverware. He cut into some of the food before raising his hand toward you.
At first you just stared at it trying to get what he was doing and finally you let your lips part enough for him to feed you. He was being so gentle and just doing everything for you. That’s why he sat so close.
“What is it about me that you like?” You asked once you finished what was in your mouth. Taehyung thought for a second as he ate, a smile appearing on his face looking down at his plate.
“It’s hard to explain,” Taehyung said honestly, “I was immediately attracted to you the first time we met.”
You looked at him curiously and to be honest you don’t remember how you met. He waited to see if you would say anything but when you didn’t he kept going, “It was in the elevator. You were running late for something and we bumped into each other. All of your papers fell to the floor in front of me and I don’t know… I was in a bad mood that day but you were so cute and clumsy and made me smile which is very hard to do when I’m not in the mood.”
You laughed softly because in truth you barely remember but you do remember seeing him around and thinking about how hot he was. It wasn’t until he started making himself known to you that you started realizing how much he must like you.
“I wanted to ask you out then but I figured I had to try and be acquaintances first,” Taehyung said as he continued to feed you by hand, “But then I’d see others go to you and try to flirt and… I realized I was taking too long to speak up. It’s like suddenly you were all I could think about and it was driving me crazy because I wasn’t making a move, I was wasting time.”
“You were,” you told him, “So I had to ask you out first.”
Taehyung smiled, feeling happy beyond belief, “I know, I felt really great that whole weekend. It was like… I don’t know, it was nice to know you thought about me like that too.”
After dinner the two of you sat in Taehyung’s living room talking and drinking wine. At one point he closed the space between you until your legs were on his lap and his hand was caressing your bare thigh. Your arm was on his shoulder for support and he was telling you about how he grew up.
He seemed completely normal to you and it made you wonder if everything you were suspicious about was just in your head.
You were running your fingers through his hair lovingly as you said, “You’re not what I thought you’d be.”
“What did you think I’d be?” Taehyung asked, completely relishing the way you touched him that he leaned into you even more until your faces nearly brushed against each other.
You released a low sigh, “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t realize how serious you were about me. I always had a feeling bu—“
“Y/n,” his voice dropped as he looked at you. There was a dark look in his eyes that wasn’t there moments ago, “Don’t ever think I’m not serious about you. You’re my everything.”
You went quiet as you looked back at him trying to read the expression behind his eyes. In a flash, the darkness disappeared and he was smiling adoringly at you. He knows you don’t feel the same yet but he also knows you will soon so he’s not worried about hearing you tell him anything back.
“Where’s your bathroom?” You asked him, trying to find a little bit of space to think. He pointed to the hall and let you get off of him.
The night was going perfect and he can just tell you’re falling for him almost as hard as he’s fallen for you. He is in love with you and soon you’ll be in love with him too, he’ll make sure of it.
Taehyung stayed on the couch trying to calm his own nerves but he had a huge smile on his face. Everything has worked out so perfectly. All his preparations, all his scheming and calculations has led up to this and now you’re in his bathroom freshening. You’re in his home, his home.
If this all works the way he plans it to then it’ll be your home soon too. He doesn’t mind being the only provider, you can just stay here and he’ll be the one going to work. He can’t risk running into more men like the server and Minho. He can’t get caught and he’s already been too impulsive with the way he’s handled things.
He’ll sit you down and have a conversation with you because he doesn’t appreciate when anyone else tries to come between you two and you’re a hot topic at work. It’s no surprise of course considering you attracted Taehyung instantly and for a reason too. You’re just so beautiful to him, sure sometimes he can just tell you’re annoyed or upset but even then you make him giddy.
He’ll talk to you about the time you basically tried breaking up with him when you realized he’s the one who exposed Minho, but he won’t get mad, he swears. He’ll just tell you that he didn’t appreciate the way you attacked him for something he did for you. Thankfully you realized his intention and let the topic go but he just wants to make it clear that you won’t act that way with him again.
Taehyung checked the time on his watch one last time as he waited anxiously for your return. He was looking around his own apartment trying to find something to distract himself with when something suddenly caught his attention.
It wasn’t hard to draw him in considering the screen was lit up on your phone with a picture of a man displayed as someone tried calling you.
Jimin.
God, he couldn’t stand the guy.
He’s gotten rid of the server and Minho but he hasn’t had a chance to see Jimin other than the Christmas party.
Taehyung clicked for the call to end and right after text messages were flooding in.
jimin: how is it with the freak
jimin: lol pls tell me you’re alive
jimin: I don’t want to have to file a missing persons report
His head tilted to the side reading the three messages over and over and over again.
With a clenched jaw and bated breath he set the phone back down and sat back.
He’s a freak?
This Jimin guy thinks Taehyung will hurt you? He never will.
He. Never. Will.
So why does this man think that? He doesn’t even know him, what have you told him?
You came out with a smile on your face, you spent a lot of time just thinking and looking at yourself in the mirror. You’ve decided now that, yes, sometimes he does very questionable things but at the end of the day he hasn’t hurt you by any of it. He seems to genuinely have feelings for you and you’re developing strong ones for him too.
You really think you and Taehyung could work and he makes your heart race a little bit. Of course you don’t fully agree with what Taehyung did about Minho but surely it wasn’t entirely his fault. He said it himself, hw only brought forward Minho’s own dirt and made sure he got caught. Plus, going to the office has been so much easier without him there to sexualize you every chance he gets. Honestly, you should’ve thanked him for giving you those tickets because if he hadn’t then you would have never asked Taehyung to go with you out of spite.
When you found the living room empty you looked for Taehyung, finding him in the kitchen dumping the glasses of wine down the drain. He finally looked at you but there wasn’t that usual gentle smile on his face. He nodded toward the living room, “You got a call while you were gone.”
“Oh,” you went to get your phone which was exactly how you left it last and checked it out. Once you saw it was from Jimin you immediately felt yourself panic just slightly. You quickly texted Jimin to stop joking and put your phone back down and went to Taehyung.
“Are we done drinking for the night?” You asked because you could just feel that he wasn’t as happy as he was earlier. He didn’t give you a response as he walked around you to continue clean up the mess from your dinner.
You knew something was wrong when you saw him, he didn’t look as happy and now you know why. If he saw what Jimin sent you then you can see him being upset even if it’s just a joke. He seems to be very serious when it comes to you so he probably doesn’t appreciate you talking about him to Jimin as a joke either.
Shit.
You had to stop and think to try and figure out what to do. You don’t want him to be upset if you’re trying to see where things go with him. You’re not even sure if you can handle what kind of guy Taehyung is when he’s mad at you so you much rather not have to see that at all. You rather just make him forget whatever he saw and try to show him that you’re here for him, that’s what you need to do.
With your thoughts more organized, you stood taller and looked for him. He was once again in the kitchen with the sleeves of his button up shirt rolled up and his back to the countertop.
Taehyung saw you walking over to him but he couldn’t even bring himself to smile. He doesn’t like your friend, he wants Jimin gone. His hands were holding himself leaned up on the kitchen counter as you stood in front of him. His jaw was clenched with tension he felt in his muscles and not even your pretty, sparkly eyes could make him relax.
He was using a lot of strength to not take your phone and break it or better yet find Jimin and ask him what his problem was.
“Tae,” your hands went to the counter, almost touching his and essentially trapping him between them.
“What’s your friend talking about?” Taehyung asked suddenly and it caught you by surprise just a little. He’s usually blunt but he’s been so sweet all night and right now his voice was deeper than it had been.
“I don’t know,” you laughed nervously as you looked into his eyes, “He was just joking.”
The corner of his lips turned up in a scoff, “Don’t lie to me right now. You think I’m a freak?”
Your eyes widened just slightly, “What? N—no, Jimin’s just joking, he just says shit he thinks is fu—“
“Does he want you? Is that what’s going on?” Taehyung asked, clearly not hearing you out, “Do you want him?”
“Jimin and I are just frien—“
“I don’t want to hear his fucking name…” Taehyung dipped his head down, eyes on yours and your foreheads touching making it obvious that your attention had to be on him, “come out of your pretty mouth again.”
Taehyung wasn’t scaring you and that might be the most fucked up part of the night. For some reason you already had it in your head that he wouldn’t hurt you so you didn’t feel threatened at all. Jimin jokes around all the time but Taehyung doesn’t know him so he doesn’t get it. You’ve already grown a custom to his somewhat erratic behavior and it would be a waste to back out now, right?
If it’s going to work you need to give him signs too, right?
“Taehyung,” your voice was soft as you let a hand trail up toward the back of his neck which was dipped down to be closer to you. You tilted your head upward but still came up a little short of his lips, “I won’t say his name again.”
Right now he’s just upset, once he cools down you’re sure you can further explain your best friend’s behavior so that when the two do finally meet there’s no unresolved tension. You’re just trying to tell Taehyung what he wants to hear and how he wants it to happen. He wants you to admit what you feel without him forcing you to but the way he acts already gives you a push to open up to him.
It was all kind of a fucked up little game.
Taehyung looked encaptivated by your proximity but he still came off as unamused while looking at your soft lips that he wanted on his, “I don’t believe you.”
Your thumb softly brushes along the hair on his nape, “Will you believe it if I told you I want to be yours?”
His entire body seemed to go still, only his eyes switched back and forth trying to read the sincerity in your own. There’s a shift in the air as he realizes that what you’re saying is true and it had him acting before he could think.
You gasped in surprise as his hand tilted your jaw upward until your mouths crashed into each other with want. He was quickly forgetting about Jimin.
He dipped his head lower to deepen the kiss, his tongue swiping against your lips. You had to take a step back to keep yourself from stumbling but Taehyung just followed after you, finally pushing off the counter.
His hands were running down your sides wrinkling your dress in the process as he stopped on your ass. There was no denying the fact that you just told Taehyung what he’s wanted to hear for some time now. He was in a frenzy, feeling you up as you made out with tongue.
When it became too much for one breath you had to push away but you immediately became breathless once more when his kiss trailed down your neck to your jaw. Your hands began to claw at his shirt trying to feel more and more of him.
Taehyung pulled out of the kiss with a low groan as if doing that wasn’t in his agenda but he needed to breathe. He looked down at you with that familiar dark gaze of his and breathed heavily, “Bedroom?”
You let him drag you away, literally, his arms circled under your thighs and lifted you enough for your feet not to drag against the floor and carried you down the hall. Before you know it, Taehyung was setting you down on the silk sheets like you were the most fragile thing he’s ever come across. His body quickly pressed against yours and your hands immediately came around his face to pull him into another heated kiss.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered against your skin as his hands roamed along your sides and his kisses ran down your collarbone to what was exposed cleavage to his hungry mouth. You sigh in content as he pulls at the top of your dress to lower it under your lacy bra that had him whining in his deep voice at the sight of your covered breasts. He continued to kiss between the valley of your breasts and you had to wiggle around to bring your hands up and push him back but he didn’t like that.
He stopped his hissing as he pulled up with a glare in his eyes but you just ran your fingers through his hair, “Do you believe me yet? That I wanna be yours?”
He laughed softly as he dipped down to kiss you one more time before finally got moving to sit back between your legs on his knees and watch you sit up, “You’ve been mine from the moment I saw you, baby.”
You went silent as you sat in front of him, not bothering to argue or confirm what he said. I stead you smiled, “Then will you let me show it?”
He moved off the bed to watch you more clearly and try and see if you were serious.
“Show me then,” Taehyung said lowly even as his fingers trembled with anticipation watching you move onto your knees and pull at the bottom of your dress before it went over your head and landed on the floor as you began to crawl over to the edge of the bed. He had to bite down on his bottom lip to stop himself from groaning at the sight. You looked everything like he imagined but better.
He watched your hands reach for the buttons of his shirt and he made absolutely no move to help you undress him, he focused on your lust filled gaze as you stared back at him instead of what you were doing.
Each button you undid of his shirt had you leaning closer to kiss down the expanse of his torso going lower and lower until you were at the final button just above his jeans. Taehyung let his head fall back when you kissed along his happy trail while your fingers began to tug at the hem of his pants.
You undid the button and pulled the zipper down before bringing them down enough to expose the waistband of his briefs. Taehyung loved every second of unbreakable eye contact you gave him as your hand ran down his navel to slip under the hem of his Calvin Klein’s.
He couldn’t hold back the low grunt that escaped his lips as your hand made their way to his naked member, palming him under the constricting layers he still wore. Your fingers wrapped around his hardening length giving him a cautious stroke. You kissed down his chest making him groan when he felt teeth nip at his skin playfully while your palm covered the top of his cock and smeared it with precum.
Taehyung ran his fingers through your hair as you slowly sank down to your knees and he licked his dry lips with want. If this was what it was like to be worshiped by you then he hopes he always gets to experience it. He’ll do the same every day to you if you let him.
He felt a shiver run down his spine when you finally tugged his jeans off along with his briefs as he kicked them off only leaving him in his open button up shirt. You sat pretty in front of him, a hand on his cock that felt heavy in your hold and as he combed your hair back so he could see your face better, you took the first taste.
Your tongue began at the base of his cock then licked all the way to his tip teasingly and Taehyung wasn’t embarrassed by the way his entire body seemed to react to the first wet glide. Both of his hands sunk into your hair to keep himself from doubling over and making you take more than you could. With a small tilt of your head you finally opened your lips enough for his tip to slip in. He couldn’t control the low groan he let out when you licked over his slit collecting the clear drops of precum.
You still had a hand around his waist, squeezing a little while you stroked his length with his cock head being sucked on. Little by little you began to sink more of his dick down your throat and it was creating a wet glide with spit. The hands in your hair were getting a bit more firm, keeping you in place but still allowing you to move.
Taehyung’s lips were parted with quiet moans slipping from them as he looked down at you with awe. He had to squeeze his eyes shut from the pleasure but it only intensified when all he could focus on were the lewd sounds your throat made as you bobbed your head along his cock.
“Oh, baby,” Taehyung couldn’t stop his body from folding over you as if he wanted to draw his hips away but he held your head in place.
He was so close, he’s been dreaming about this for days. There’s a reason why he didn’t want to do more the first night you went out and it’s because he wanted the moment to be right. It wasn’t right at the time, you weren’t sure of your feelings but now you are and bows the time he makes it official with you.
“So good,” the words came out slurred as he licked his lips, “So fucking good.”
Knowing he was close, you began to twist your wrists, jerking him off with both hands and as much of his cock as could fit in your mouth.
He didn’t give much warning other than his attempt to take his dick out of your mouth only to pull on your hair and make you swallow his release as he came down your throat. Once the initial shock at the sudden roughness had worn off, you continued to suck him off trying to milk him dry, feeling his thighs tense up and shake as pretty moans fell from his lips.
You’ve had sexual partners before so you know that sometimes it takes them a while to it back up or at least time to let his high down but Taehyung was different. His hands came down under your chin, almost grabbing at your neck as he pulled you up enough for your mouths to meet in a disgusting kiss that tasted like his own release and he didn’t even seem to care.
You had to stand up from the way he tried dragging you up and once you were on your feet, he had a soft gonna hold on your neck, “I love you.”
You seemed to freeze up at his words, trying to process what he just said. It was way too soon to admit something like that even if you had a feeling he felt that way for a while now. Taehyung didn’t even seem to notice your sudden hesitation and kissed you hungrily once again. You didn’t do anything but kiss him back with equal hunger and let him walk you back until you hit the edge of the bed.
Neither one of you broke away from the kiss as he swiftly scoot you back on the bed until your head hit the pillows. Taehyung licked your tongue with his, “I can’t wait anymore.”
You could feel the tip of his cock brush against your covered folds and it was still astounding to you that his erection never went away if anything it became harder.
“Condom?” You asked between kisses, head following after Taehyung when he tried to move back. God, you were being pulled in by his sexual advances. You wanted more and more of him too and he did seem to make you hesitate when he said he loved you but… but it’s doing things to you. You wanted him bad.
As he rummaged through his drawers for a condom you slipped your bra off half distracting him from his looking when he was met with the sight of your exposed breasts. Taehyung had to shake the image of you away as he found what he was looking for and cut into the wrapper like he was being timed. He came back between your legs and helped you slide your panties off, watching a line of slick connect your folds to the fabric. He let a finger run along then and gather some of your wetness before bringing it to his mouth.
He sighed in pleasure, loving the way you tasted.
Taehyung did most of the work moving your legs up where he wanted them and kissed you reassuringly. He had a hand on his cock giving himself a few strokes while running his tip between your pussy lips and coating his member with your slick.
His other hand was happily finding your breasts and cupping one as he let his fingers pinch at your hardened nipple. You released a quiet whine from the slight pull and the way his dick seemed to be teasing you to the point where your hips were trying to meet his efforts halfway.
“Baby,” you sighed breathlessly and he felt his heart swell. It was the first time you’ve ever called him anything other than Taehyung and he needed to hear it again. He needed to feel all of you so he lowered his head to place a kiss on the roundness of your tit. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders not wanting to stop when his tongue swiped at your nipple, licking it before sucking it into his mouth.
His hips seemed to sink down as his hand lined his cock between your folds more accurately. His knees dug into the mattress as he continued his assault on your tits and let only his tip slip into your entrance. Your hands were on his shoulder but soon moving along his back as if trying to hurry along and he let himself sink down more and more.
When he circled his tongue around your nipple he made your back arch into him, tightening around his cock with the new angle that had you both moaning softly.
Taehyung was careful at first, only steady thrusts, in and out, drawn back fully before pushing in softly. His body was so close, finally being inside of you felt like it was where he belonged. The way your bodies just fit so perfectly against each other was proof that you were meant to be. He had to try and be calm so you wouldn’t get scared when in reality all he wants to do is fuck you till you’re only thinking about him.
You grip his shoulders tightly, moving your hips in rhythm with him as you matched his thrusts, showing him that you wanted more. One of the hands you had on his bare back was coming up to the nape of his neck where you pulled on his hair hard enough to make him leave your breasts and crawl back to your awaiting lips.
"Why are you so fucking pretty?" He licked the corner of your mouth as you watched his hips draw back before pushing forward harshly. He was fucking you at a slower pace but still being a little rough, “So fucking pretty it hurts, baby.”
You smiled as your body seemed to move along the sheets with his harsh thrusts as you looked into his eyes, still holding the back of his hair, “Do you love me?”
God, it scared you but you wanted to hear it over and over again as he fucked you senseless.
“Yes,” Taehyung moaned out as a hand came to your hair grabbing a handful of it for control. He didn't pull but he just needed something to hold tight the way you held him, he let his hand circle around your thigh and bring it up to his waist where you wrapped your legs around him, "Don’t care if you don’t love me yet, you will.”
Warning bells went off but you weren’t listen because his thrusts became more rough, losing his rhythm in the process but passionately and aggressively fucking you. You lean up to kiss him for a moment and he releases a deep groan as he peeled his body off yours so he could sit back on his haunches and fuck you like that.
"Taehyung," you moaned again, hands gripping the sheets when he got too far out of your reach.
"I love you so fucking much," he growled as he moved so that a leg of yours fell back down on the mattress while he stretched the other one up to rest on his shoulder.
He leaned forward not caring much for your flexibility and cupped your chin between his fingers and thumb. Just like that, he began to fuck you in this new position that had you whining in pain and pleasure.
“Say you’re mine,” he said through gritted teeth as he felt your walls clench around him making it harder for him to grind his cock into your needy cock without feeling the need to release any second.
“I’m yours,” you whispered with moans falling from your lips, “I’m yours, Taehyung.”
Fuck, he hated how quickly he could cum with your words and he had to make you cum before he did this time. He lowered the hand he had on your thigh to your clit where he began to flick the hardened bud between two fingers, fucking into you the way you deserved and your head was falling back with a loud moan.
His face was pressed against your leg and his eyes squinted shut as he felt his release building up to the point where Taehyu f was fucking you so hard and fast that the pillows were falling off the bed along with some of the sheets.
“I’m gonna cum,” you finally said and with a swift push of your leg off his shoulder; he was hugging your body to him as he brought you both to orgasm.
The room was filled with a mixture of pants and loud moans from the two of you. Taehyung pressed his face against yours as he repeated in whispers, “I love you, Y/n. I love you. I love you so much.”
You never gave him a response but he didn’t need one to express himself to you. He knew that you wanted him by the way you cling to him even as he tries to dislodge himself so he could take the uncomfortable condom off his softening dick. He looked down at the mess he’s made of you and the way your chest rose and fell with each heavy breath you took and he couldn’t take it.
He couldn’t help but want to make you feel so good and it made him realize the mistake he’s made. In his rush to be inside you, he never thanked you for taking his dick in your mouth like the perfect slut you are for him. He got a small taste of your pussy on his fingers but he hasn’t put his mouth on it directly and that’s a damn shame.
He can see that you’re still coming down from the high of orgasm but he couldn’t help himself. He was crawling down your open legs to find himself face to face with your used cunt that pushed out cum even now.
You felt the movement down there but you still hadn’t fully been paying attention until Taehyung moved.
Taehyung was sneaky like that, he’ll make himself noticed only when he wants to and of course it was only when his wet tongue met your oversensitive clit with a long lick. You nearly yelped and had your legs squeezing around his legs, “Wa—wait.”
“Tae—Baby, I jus— ” You whimpered as you heard the slick sounds of his mouth eagerly lapping up your release from the good fuck he’s just given you, “Stop, pl—“
You bit back a whine as Taehyung suddenly pulled back. He crawled up to you with open eyes as he studied your face for any idea of what you might be thinking. You wanted him to stop?
He still had a hand wrapped around your thigh and he ran small circles into the side with the pad of his thumb as he said, “You want me to stop?”
You were abusing your bottom lip with the way you bit into it and it had his eyes zoning in on the action wanting nothing more but to pull out with his own teeth until your mouths clashed once more. But no.
No, he won’t. He has to see what you really want.
“I’m still sensitive,” you whispered as you cupped his face in your hands admiring how pretty he looked covered in sweat. He kissed the palm of your hand as it slipped lower down his cheek, “I’ll be gentle baby, I just want a taste.”
“Mm,” you moaned at those soft words and he smiled, “I’m tired though.”
He watched the way you turned your bottom lip out into a pout and he felt his heart explode as he whispered, “I’ll do all the work. I’ll clean you up.”
With a pleased sigh at his proposal you nodded, “Okay.”
He’s treated you right all night even if your friend might’ve put him in a bad mood. You knew just how to make him feel better and the things he’s said the entire time you’ve been having sex was finally getting to you.
That’s why, before he could go back down to eating you out, you made sure to say, “I love you too.”
Taehyung was like a devil in disguise and you’ve probably known this since the moment you met him. He played the charming, charismatic man too well.
He played the nice guy, the respectful one, the kind one yet that’s not the version of him that you fell for believe it or not.
The part that really made you fall for him was the way he lied and played with people like it was a game. He is picture perfect and you love that but you also love the fact that nobody but you seems to understand how crazy and calculative he is.
He can smile in someone’s face only to stab them in the back if they say one thing to him or you that he doesn't like. You learned to accept that after what happened with Minho. When he finally opened up to what happened that had him so on edge on your first date it all made sense.
He couldn’t end that first night perfectly when he thought that the server ruined it. You understood him now, so you should understand why he doesn’t want you around Jimin.
You know Taehyung could act like he’s gotten over his possessiveness and has learned to accept the years long friendship you’ve had with Jimin, but you know that’ll all be a lie.
You know that in his pretty little head he’s probably going to be thinking about ways to make Jimin disappear and you found yourself not really caring either way.
Jimin is a good friend of yours and you had every intention of communicating that with Taehyung after the first night you slept together but it was pointless. He already had it in his mind that he didn’t want you to see each other you could lie and say you were mad but for some reason you didn’t care much about it anymore.
Maybe Taehyung had been the right one for you all along and you just wanted to make up all these weird suspicions about him even if he was very obvious with the way he felt for months. It took him so long to be the guy you can be comfortable around only for you to fall for his more manipulative side instead.
“Do you love me?” You asked in a quiet voice as the two of you sat side by side in a booth at a café. You were tucked away in a corner hidden from the view of others and he had a leg of yours on his lap so he could run his hand along it. His nose brushed against yours, “Yes.”
You smiled, “I love you too.”
“Do you?” He asked more seriously, like he always thought you were lying to him, like he still needed to do everything in his power to show you even though you’re already isolating yourself from others for him.
“Yes,” you said with a nod of your head.
He pressed his lips against yours, still being gentle with you as you kissed him back.
Taehyung felt more at ease than he has in a very long time and it’s because he knew everything paid off. Every single calculation he did in his head on how to get you to be his was finally done. He doesn’t have to plot anymore or sabotage something in his favor, he’s done with those little games.
He has you and there’s absolutely no way he’s letting you go.
::.
a/n ok @aris-ink I tried my best at a dark concept so you gotta tell me how I did 😭
anyways I’ve been in such a Taehyung mood for weeks now and I haven’t written for him in a while since his special secret was a rewrite
This mini series will be posted in full is an exclusive content for the YoongiOfMine Membership on Ko-fi and Patreon! But you can read part 1 in full here. Learn more.
[MAIN MASTERLIST]
Pair: Namjoon x f!reader
Summary: You’ve had a crush on Namjoon for as long as you could remember. Living with him didn’t help keep those feelings in check, but his girlfriend did. Until the day they broke up. And when your friends suggested that Namjoon finds a one night stand to get over his now-ex, what happens when he looks at you for a favor?
Genre and warnings: Mini-series (split in 4 parts, 41k total), fluff, angst, smut, non idol au, best friend au, roommate au, rebound au. Noooo hate to Soyoon! She's just a character (Joon's ex). This series will be posted in full for my membership, but here’s the first part!
WC for part One: 7k
[Membership]
Intro
Namjoon might be the best roommate you’ve ever had.
Despite his furniture-bumping tendencies, the big guy was organized, always cleaning up after himself, he couldn’t stand leaving dirty dishes in the sink, his dirty clothes never stayed inside the hamper for too long, his share of the rent was never late, and he always remembered to replace your groceries whenever he took something that was yours.
Unfortunately, nowadays he felt exactly like that. A roommate. Not your close friend of years.
You met Namjoon ages ago, when you were still a broke university student. He was the friend of a friend who needed a place to stay when you needed to fill up the vacant spot after your previous roommate failed all her classes and decided to drop out. You weren’t particularly excited to share a living space with a boy, let alone a complete stranger, but taking him in might have been one of the best decisions you ever made.
His quiet ways, humble intelligence and nerdy tendencies fit right in with your life and friend group. From Pokémon Go adventures, museum lunches, movie marathons and failed cooking attempts, Namjoon became a steady part of your life.
Now the two of you were settled enough in your careers that you could manage a place for yourselves and yet you still chose to live together for the familiarity of things. If not for the savings you were able to keep in your bank account at the end of the month, then for the fresh brewed cup of coffee in the mornings.
You knew this wouldn’t last forever and you promised yourself to be okay with that, whenever the time came for Namjoon to move in with Soyoon, his steady girlfriend of a couple of years now. You kinda liked the girl; she was nice enough and never complained about the fact that her boyfriend lived with another girl, she always tried to be social whenever you managed to convince Namjoon to stay for movie night with the rest of your friends, and she seemed to make him happy.
You didn’t exactly see how the two of them were still together, when they seemed to be so different from each other. While Namjoon was an art lover, nature enthusiast, someone who always had a new book to recommend, a soft spoken and responsible guy, Soyoon was in a punk band. She wore dark clothes and heavy makeup, always smelled like cigarettes and avoided the sun like a vampire.
Her edgy style was so different from his, but you guessed that’s what he liked most about it. Opposites attract and all that.
You were sitting on the big couch of the living room, channel surfing after giving up on picking something from one of the many streaming services you had. While you contemplated starting the new Chinese Drama Sohee couldn’t stop raving about, you heard the front door unlock.
You looked over your shoulder to watch the kitchen lights turn on for a few moments, then turn off again. A minute later, your friend appeared in your line of vision, making you smile. You hadn’t seen him before he left for date night, but Namjoon looked good; he was wearing the brown leather pants Hoseok got him for his birthday last year and a long sleeved beige shirt that complimented his tanned skin.
“You’re home early.” you greeted him, pressing the mute button on the remote control. “How was dinner? Did you try the garlic bread?”
“I did, yeah.” he nodded, sounding a little tired. “Brought some back for you, it’s in the kitchen.”
“Oh my god, yes!” you closed your eyes momentarily, excitement settling in your tummy at the thought of the snack that awaited you. When you opened them again, Namjoon was dropping to the cushion next to yours. “Is Soyoon still parking? I can go to my room if you guys are planning on watching a movie here.”
“Nah, she didn’t come with me.”
You watched as the man settled against the back of the couch, shoulders a little droopy, eyes unfocused. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out something happened during the dinner.
“What’s wrong?” you asked while turning your body to face him.
“Her band is going on tour.”
“Holy shit, for real?!” you gasped, marveled at the news. “Where?”
“America.” his court answer was void of any excitement, but you still tried.
“That’s a huge deal, oh my god, congratulations.” you reached out to squeeze his shoulder, but it felt stiff. “You must be so proud.”
“It’s small venues, but yeah, it’s a pretty big deal.” Namjoon agreed, offering you a dimple-less smile. “I’m happy for her.”
“Are you?”
You knew Namjoon didn’t exactly do well with separation for long periods of time. He wasn’t the clingy kind of boyfriend by no means, but he still lived in the same city as his parents, and the last time Jungkook went abroad for work, he called the guy every day for a week. You thought it was endearing, really, you could see some of that in your own personality.
That might as well explain why he came home like a kicked puppy instead of someone who just had celebratory sex.
And then his next words came out as a complete shock to you.
“We broke up. Well, she broke up with me.” his laugh was void of emotions, making your eyebrows pinch. “Said it was time for her to focus on her career and this tour, without having to worry about life back home.”
“I’m so sorry, Joonie.”
“The worst part is that I get it.” Namjoon continued and you let him work his thoughts that must be going miles a minute. “This could be her big break, you know? I wouldn’t want her to resent me for holding her down or stopping her from enjoying this fully.”
“Yeah… But I still feel for you.” your hand was still on his shoulder, dropping to his arm as you gave it a comforting squeeze. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I don’t think so.”
It hurt you to know that Namjoon was definitely bottling up his feelings; he wasn’t the type of person to open up easily and let people see him cry. You knew he loved Soyoon, he was excited for his date tonight, so he must’ve felt blindsided by the news. It probably stung even more to know that the breakup didn’t come because either of them did something wrong, it wasn’t even because one of them stopped having feelings for the other.
If Soyoon’s reasoning was the truth, then this breakup was the case of ‘right person at the wrong time’ and you hated that for Namjoon.
“Well, you just let me know.” you were what your friends called a fixer. Be it helping Seokjin look for a new job when he was let go of his previous one or finding a home for a cat you saw in the streets. “If you need me to take over the chores for a few days… Or go to her house and steal her guitar.”
At least that got a genuine chuckle out of him.
“I will, thanks.” Namjoon looked at you then, bloodshot eyes telling you more than he probably wanted to. “Guess I’ll head in, then.”
“Yeah, okay.” if he wanted to lock himself up in his room until he made sense of his night, you’d let him. But not before: “Hey, Joonie?”
“Hm?”
Namjoon was already off the couch when you called him, lazy steps leading him to the door of his bedroom.
“There’s ice cream in the fridge and I got the whole Fast and Furious movies rented on my Youtube account.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
You saw the shadow of a new smile on his lips, so that could be enough for you for now.
You knew how it felt to go through a bad breakup, to be the one on the short end of the stick. You knew what it was like to face it alone, so you’d do your very best to make sure the same didn’t happen with Namjoon.
Yeah, that’s what you’d do.
Maybe that would make you feel less guilty about the small, teeny tiny glimmer of hope that settled in your chest.
Giving up on finding anything good enough to watch tonight, you turned the TV off and got up from the couch. Inside the small kitchen, right on top of the spotless counter, you found the cardboard box with the takeout garlic bread Namjoon brought home for you. You wondered if he ordered it just for you, or if these were leftovers from the table.
You wouldn’t mind either of those possibilities, but one of them in particular made your heart a little happier.
You opened the box, breathing in the cheesy and garlicky smell, picking up a breadstick and taking a big bite before realizing that the food was still too warm to have sat on the table while the breakup conversation happened.
“Hey.” Namjoon’s surprise appearance made you cover your mouth with your hand, hurrying to swallow the bite as he watched you with a soft smile.
“Do you need my password?” you checked, even if you were sure he knew how to log into your movie catalogs.
“No, I got it.” he shook his head, walking past you to throw his recently worn clothes into the hamper at the back. Pajamas always looked the softest on him. “Do you think you can help me get a refund on my cut for the trip?”
“Sure. But you mean yours or hers?”
“The whole thing, I guess.”
“Joooooon. Are you pulling out?” you groaned, dropping the garlicky bread back in the box and patting your hands in the sink to clean them. “You’ve been looking forward to this trip. We all have.”
“I know, I just don’t think I’m in the mood for that now.” he reasoned, lips pulled into a frown. “I don’t want to drag anybody down and ruin this trip for everybody by being sour.”
“It’s still a few weeks away, don’t give up on it just now.” you countered, using your best pair of pleading eyes. “Besides, even if you’re still sad about the breakup by then, everyone will understand and support you. We can get drunk by the beach and shit-talk her.”
“I don’t know…”
Namjoon never used to resist your puppy eyes, even if he was putting up a great fight right now.
The trip in question had been in the making for the best part of a year by now. Your friend group was in great need of a week getaway, to escape the busy city and lounge on a beach for a few days. Because of your busy jobs and different schedules, it took a lot to get everyone on board and book this trip to Jeju.
Initially, Soyoon was supposed to come on this trip with the group, so you understood Namjoon’s reservations about still making it to the island himself. But pulling out now wouldn’t do him any better and you knew it would be something he’d regret in the future.
“Tell you what, I’ll make the calls tomorrow and get your refund for her cut.” you told him as an olive branch. “If we get closer to the trip and you still don’t want to come, I’ll pay for yours myself.”
His head cocked sideways as his eyes squinted: “I’m not gonna let you do that.”
“Then I guess you better come with us.” you grinned.
“I’ll think about it.”
DAY ONE
Seokjin was behind the wheel of the rented minivan that was taking your group from the airport to the rented house you’d be sharing for the next few days. Namjoon, the only of you that didn’t drive, was his copilot, not only following the directions on his phone, but he also got to be the one responsible for the music.
In true Namjoon fashion, the man decided that you should all listen to the sound of nature, as neither of you had the crashing waves or birds chirping while living in Seoul. No one seemed to complain too much about that, the six of you being on vacation mode since you stepped into the plane that brought you to the island.
You were sitting right behind Jin, the window next to you opened halfway to let the salty air inside. On the seat next to you, Sohee was almost falling asleep with the rocking of the car on the dirt road. Jungkook and Hoseok were sharing the row behind you, both with their phones in hand.
“Did you know they have a sex park?” Jungkook commented after having read something on whatever travel website he was browsing.
“Is that for people to go and have sex?” Hoseok snorted, making you look behind you to hear more about their nonsense.
“No, I think they just have sculptures and stuff.” the youngest of your group giggled, a sound discordant to his full tattoo sleeve and the many piercings decorating his round face. “But I like where your mind is at.”
“There are also waterfalls and hidden trails.” Namjoon pipped from the front. “Think of all the hiking we can do here.”
A chorus of groans filled the car, every single person denying the hidden invitation to wake up early and climb mountains, including yourself. Although you did laugh at the scowl in the man’s face as he turned around and chided:
“You don’t have to come with me!”
“I heard there’s a pretty cool restaurant that does game nights and karaoke not too far from our villa.” Sohee added to the conversation, sitting up straight to shoo the sleepy away. “Apparently an idol guy stayed there for a while, living a normal life and hiding from the media.”
“If he was hiding there, how do you know all that?” you wanted to know; not that you doubted your friend’s gossip skills. She did work at a magazine afterall.
“Some of his members came looking for him and attracted the attention of the fans.” she explained, quickly losing interest in the shared, lukewarm tea.
“Damn, that’s rough. I can’t imagine wanting to disappear like that and not being able to.” Jungkook lamented, but quickly found something else on his phone to read about.
You had only been in Jeju once before, and you were way too young to remember a single thing. Besides the family pictures stored in your parents’ old photo albums and the many Tiktoks and Pinterest pins you saw while planning this trip, you felt very excited about seeing all of this for the first time.
The vast ocean was to your right and green mountains to your left. A few clouds were coloring the bright blue sky and the sun was shining on that early August afternoon. It was just after the summer craze, so you could expect the island to not be bustling with tourists at every corner, but you could still very much enjoy the warm weather.
As soon as the car slowed down and made it onto a narrower street, you knew you were finally getting to the Airbnb and you couldn’t wait to see it in real life. There were no gates waiting for you, no fences. The only thing that let you know you were at the right spot was the wooden sign that read Welcome To Indigo.
“Alright, losers, we’re here.” the driver parked the car, bringing it to a full stop but not making a move to get out. “Who’s coming with me to get groceries?”
“I’m not cooking shit, so I’ll help with the bags.” Namjoon was the first one to unbuckle and hop out, walking around the car to open the sliding door on your side.
“I’m the one with the codes and everything, so I guess I have to stay too.” you told the group, excited about stretching your legs and being still for a little while. “But I don’t trust either of you three to go with Jin.”
“Oh, have a little faith in us!” Sohee complained, getting out of the car after you just for some fresh air. “I’ll get us booze.”
“Okay, so that’s Sohee and Hobi for the alcohol, Jin you got the food.” you decided while picking up your backpack from the floor of the car and throwing it over your shoulder. “Jeon, you’re with Namjoon and I.”
“Whyyy?” Jungkook was moaning from the back seat. “I wanna see the island!”
“We need more muscle right now, we can go explore later.” you offered, watching Namjoon pop the trunk open after Jin pressed a button and starting to pull your suitcases out. “Besides, don’t you want the first pick for your room?”
“Nuh uh, we’re not picking rooms before we’re all here, last time it happened, I ended up on the couch!” Hoseok complained as a very excited Jungkook got out of the vehicle.
“Don’t worry, Hobi, last time we were all broke and couldn’t splurge.” you assured him with a small wink. “There’s enough rooms for everybody.”
That seemed to settle the man for the time being as he jumped seats to take your now empty spot. Sohee moved to the front seat to ride beside Jin, already connecting her phone to the car bluetooth. You wanted to be of more help, but between Namjoon’s long legs and Jungkook’s muscles, the two of them carried all of the suitcases to the front door before you were even done locating the information to unlock the house on your notes.
The outside of the house was painted blue –hence its name–, big windows had the curtains open so you could see the entrance area. The exterior of the villa was made of green grass, flower bushes and orange trees, and based on the pictures on the app, the yard surrounded the whole house like this.
The digital panel at the front door beeped when you clicked the numbers 221202, the unlocking sound following as you pushed the door open. This time you helped the two men bring the bags inside, keeping them out of the way for whenever the other three returned with the groceries.
“I really can’t pick my room first?” Jungkook looked at you with round, sweet eyes, having you when he pouted.
“Go on, we can tell the others you won rock, papers, scissors.” you rolled your eyes and watched him fist bump the air and rush down the hall.
You looked at Namjoon in time to watch him break into a dimpled laugh before looking around. The entrance was quite simple, white walls and a few generic paintings here and there. You both took your shoes off at the same time and stepped into complimentary slippers before moving to explore the house.
The main area of the house had walls made of stone and floors with dark blue tiles. The kitchen and living room were joined and open, the back of the couch separated from the dining table by a few feet. A big TV was up on the main wall, with a few DVD options and board games in the unit beneath it. The space had big windows and a french door that led outside.
To the right of the kitchen, a long corridor directed you to seven bedrooms that made up the sleeping quarters of the house. Instead of fighting Jungkook for a room, both you and Namjoon made your way to the backyard for a bit more sun and quiet.
“So, what do you think?” you asked as you removed your house slippers and stepped onto warm grass.
“You did a good job finding this place.” Namjoon’s chest expanded as he took a long, deep breath.
“Thanks.” you agreed, looking around to see the different sitting areas spread around, listening to the ocean that was just a few feet down the path. “Although I can’t take all the credit, Jimin was the one who recommended it for us.”
“You were still the one to make the reservation.”
“I just clicked a few button on an app–”
“Will you let me praise you?” his chuckle was deep, catching you a little unprepared.
“Kinky.” you matched his laugh, pretending your heating cheeks were caused by the sun. “You’re okay, right?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Namjoon shrugged, walking ahead and you followed after him. “Just because I envisioned every second of this trip to be spent next to someone I loved?”
“Ouch.” you grimaced with a small hint of sadness to hear Namjoon’s plans most likely only included Soyoon, not the rest of you.
“I’m okay.” he told you then, but you were hardly convinced. “Don’t give me that look, I mean it. It helps that we haven’t been here before. There are no memories attached to this place.”
“Good. If you ever need to do your own thing away from the group, or if the others get too much, you can step away and have your space, okay?”
Namjoon stopped and looked at you then; really looked, in a way that had you feeling small under his gaze. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Very few do.” you raised a shoulder, liking the way his lips opened into a smirk.
“Smug.” his eyebrows twitched and one of them raised. “I like that.”
This was new, while being the most common thing between you. At least the old you. Before Taehyung, and before Soyoon. This… Harmless flirting was part of your relationship with your friend. You matched each other’s teasing energy and you could hold your ground. You knew it didn’t mean anything, but it still made your stomach flip just like before.
Maybe things could go back to how they were.
Maybe you could get your Namjoon back.
“Hyung! Noona! Come see my room!”
“Yah, if you’re not going to help, don’t stand in my way!” Seokjin swore he didn’t mind cooking for you, even if he already had to do that every day at his job, but you were starting to doubt that after all of the times he scolded your group tonight.
“You told us to come taste it!” you giggled, reaching for a piece of kimbap before the man swatted your hand away.
“No, I told you to come pick up the food to bring it outside!” the man’s ears were as red as his cheeks after spending so much time in the kitchen.
“You’re no fun, oppa.” Sohee pouted and suddenly Seokjin’s ears were burning for a whole different reason.
Annoying Seokjin was always fun, but since you pretty much depended on him for most of your meals from now on, you stopped trying to get on his bad side and picked up the plate with the perfectly made store-bought kimbap. Sohee grabbed the boiled dumplings and Seokjin had the big bowl of rabokki.
It was still nice out, the sun was just starting its descent in the sky, hiding behind the house, so you were able to grab a couple of the spare sheets and lay them down on the grass at the edge of the backyard. From there you could be close to the sand that led into the beach, feeling the breeze and partaking in people watching while still keeping your privacy.
The boys had already brought the other dishes and empty bowls, as well as extra chopsticks and bottles of soju. Jungkook and Hobi were sitting side by side, discussing which brand of the alcohol was best, while Namjoon was trying to make sure none of the cutlery touched the grass.
Sohee took the spot between Jungkook and Namjoon, while Jin settled on Namjoon’s other side and you were left to sit between the eldest and Hoseok. It didn’t take long for everyone to start eating and for the first few minutes, no one talked.
“I think that’s the restaurant I told you guys about.” Sohee pointed to a spot a few miles away, where you could see lights and hear music coming from. “Think it could be worth a visit?”
“I mean, if even an idol used to go there, it must be good.” you agreed, reaching for a slice of kimbap now that no one would scold you for it. “We can check it out tomorrow.”
After the boys and Sohee got back from the nearest market and you played the stairs game to split the remaining bedrooms, all six of you decided that you should stay in tonight. After the flight and car ride, you were all still getting used to the chill island life, there was no reason to rush.
“I wanted to be an idol.” Hoseok of all people admitted, making everyone stare at him in surprise. “What? I did!”
“You don’t sing, hyung.” Jungkook pointed out, mouth full of mandu.
“No, but I dance.” Hoseok scoffed, shrugging his shoulders as he passed around glasses of soju to everyone. “I think I could rap, too, given the proper training.”
“I don’t think I could ever do any of that.” you were shaking your head as you bowed your head in thanks for the drink. “I’m fine with doing my job behind a screen.”
“What about you, hyung?” Jungkook looked at Namjoon, who was yet to participate much in the conversation tonight.
You knew Namjoon could get into his own head sometimes, someone full of thoughts as deep as his. Living with him for several years made you used to that and you had ways to bring him back to the present a little more smoothly than Jungkook, but it got the job done.
Namjoon blinked a couple of times as if waiting for the maknae’s question to compute in his brain, before saying: “I used to write lyrics here and there, but nothing serious. Maybe in another universe I pursued that.”
“Jin could be an idol, too. He’d definitely be the visual.” Sohee brought the attention to Seokjin, who almost inhaled a chunk of rice that went down the wrong path.
“Oh, yeah! Or maybe a romantic interest in a drama.” you jumped on that, waving your chopsticks after serving a small bowl of rabokki for yourself. “Oppa’s the kind of guy I’d have a poster of on my wall growing up.”
“Hey, you still can.” the handsome man sent you a wink with finger guns, making you laugh.
Dinner was consumed just like that, with an easy conversation that led nowhere, updates of everyone’s lives that didn’t revolve around this group, catching up and gossiping about the other friends that couldn’t make it to this trip. Your belly was full and your heart was light.
As night time started to fall, the empty dishes were taken inside the house and more soju bottles were brought out, alongside coats and extra blankets in case it got too cold.
“Look at the moon.” Namjoon pointed out to the rest of you, everyone looking up to the sky to see the full satellite and its reflection in the ocean. “You definitely don’t see views like this back at home.”
“Bet you don’t regret not pulling out now, huh?” you quipped, satisfied with yourself for convincing him to come.
“Wait, Joon was pulling out?” Hobi looked as offended as he looked drunk, red face and lazy eyes showing just how much he had to drink.
Jungkook wasn’t doing much better as he missed the whole point: “That’s a perfectly reasonable form of contraceptive–”
“I thought about it once, but Yn made me change my mind.” Namjoon told Hoseok before shaking his head. “And no, Kook, it’s not.”
“I’m not sure if I should be concerned or offended.” Seokjin mumbled behind his shot glass.
“Both sound like a good way to feel.” Sohee was sending concerned looks towards Jungkook, who didn’t have a care in the world, opening another bottle.
“In my defense, I just went through a breakup.” Namjoon continued to defend himself, rubbing a hand on his short hair. “I was blindsided, too, so give me a break.”
“In my opinion, it was fucked up what she did.” Sohee started, loose lips ready to give her opinion on the subject. “It’s not like you couldn’t take more vacation time and go on tour with her.”
“I don’t think being away from hyung was the problem here.” Jungkook was nodding his agreement. “Sounds like she wanted to fuck around on the road, which I can respect.”
“Kook-ah,” you reprimanded. “Remember what we talked about? Some thoughts are for our heads only.”
Namjoon wasn’t upset, however, as he laughed it off. “It’s fine, I’ve thought about that too.”
“How have you been, Joon? Really?” Sohee pulled her hoodie a little higher on her neck as a gust of wind swept through all of you.
As far as you were aware, this was the first time Namjoon really talked about the breakup to your group, besides when he had to break the news and tell everyone what happened. And you doubted any of you could get much out of him if it wasn’t for the empty green bottles on the grass.
“I can’t say I never think about her, or that I don’t miss her sometimes.” Namjoon replied, picking up a twig that ended up on the sheet you were all sharing. “But I haven’t been eating my body weight in ice cream anymore. And I moved past the Fast and Furious phase.”
“And we’re all proud of you.” Hoseok raised his glass in a toast. “That was a lot of ice cream.”
“And I swear if you send another Vin Diesel gif to the group chat–” Jungkook’s glass was in the air a second later.
“Guess I just need to get used to the ‘being lonely’ part.” Namjoon raised his glass as well, unsure of why he was doing it.
“Hey, what are we? Chopped liver?” Jungkook knocked back the rest of his drink, pulling a face before moving to get another.
“Not that kind of lonely.” Namjoon scratched behind his ear as he let the confession hang heavy.
You distracted yourself with pouring drinks to whoever offered their glasses when you opened a new bottle of the flavored version of the drink. You were starting to sweat a little under your hoodie, blaming the slightly tipsy state you found yourself in.
A second too late, Jungkook understood what he meant, eyes round and cheeks puffy.
“Please tell me you've had sex after the break up.” Hoseok sounded genuinely concerned for his friend.
“Of course I have.” Namjoon didn’t miss a beat.
But neither did you: “He meant fucked someone else, Joon.”
“Wait, you hooked up with your ex?!” Sohee reached out to slap his arm, making Namjoon send you a glare.
“Nooooo, that's rule number one of how to get over your ex! Don't fuck with them after the breakup!” Jin’s voice was high pitched as it traveled.
“Jesus, no wonder you're still scowling.” Hoseok’s neck cracked as his eyes widened comically.
“Did you have to tell them?!” Namjoon nagged you, but you raised a hand in self defense.
“Did you have to bring her to the apartment?”
“That's your problem, then! How can you expect to get over her if you're still getting under her?” Jungkook questioned, making Seokjin laugh.
“How long did you hold onto that one?” you teased the boy, who was too far gone to care.
“No, no, Jk got a point. Why do you think someone came up with the concept of rebounds?” Hoseok said.
“I'm not like that.” the man in question squirmed a little bit, you could tell he was starting to get a little uncomfortable.
“Then maybe you should be, hyung.”
“Don't let them pressure you, Joon.” you reached out to your friend, hoping he wouldn’t let things get into his head. “Rebounds aren’t for everyone.”
You knew what was coming as soon as you heard Jin snort. “You can't say that.”
“There's no shame in it, we've all done it.” Sohee seemed to agree, too.
“I know, I'm not judging- wait, all of you?”
Namjoon could have looked at Sohee, she was the one saying it. Or at Jungkook, who had the biggest body count of all of you. Yet, it was into your soul that he stared at. It didn’t help that none of your pesky so-called friends covered for you.
“When?!”
“I've been going through some shit when Tae and I broke up!” you spilled.
“She didn't leave her room for a week, Jin and I had to come over and feed her.” Sohee had a pout on her lips and you couldn’t help the little sting at the memory.
“How come I didn't know that?” Namjoon’s voice was small and pained, eyes searching for yours.
“It's alright, Joon. You and Soyoon had just started going out, you were preoccupied with other things.” you shrugged, trying to downplay it. It’s been a long time ago.
“Doesn't mean I should be an asshole to my best friend.” he sounded gutted, but you hadn’t heard him call you that in such a long time that you didn’t care that he wasn’t there for you during your own breakup. “So you just… Went out and picked up a stranger?”
Sohee and Hoseok cackled and you sent them both daggers with your eyes. Those reactions made Namjoon sigh and tilt his head, as if bracing himself for the worse.
“Not exactly.” you were more than a little meek. “I solicited the help of a friend. You know. Someone I trusted.”
“Who?!” Namjoon’s eyes were wide as he looked around the circle. “Jungkook?!”
“Why does everyone think I fuck everybody?!” Jungkook screeched, before turning to you: “And why didn’t you ask me, noona?!”
Ignoring the doe eyed boy, you said: “I asked Yoongi.”
“Oh, damn, and he said yes?” Namjoon wanted to know.
“Stupid question, Joon.” Jin scoffed behind his glass, but that reply was oddly satisfying.
You couldn’t say you were exactly desperate when you brought the subject up to Yoongi, you would hardly say that sleeping with him was a sacrifice. But you were heartbroken after Taehyung broke up with you. Nowadays you could say you were civil with your ex, he was still a somewhat active member of your close friend group, but you still caught yourself thinking about the ‘what ifs’ of your failed relationship with him.
“So you’ve all just… Rebounded?” Namjoon, bless his soul, was still having a hard time with that concept.
“It really helps, it’s been scientifically proven.” Hoseok nodded with barely open eyes.
“I’d like to see the papers.” Namjoon wouldn’t buy that so easily.
And to that, Sohee opened her arms, almost spilling her drink and she motioned to all of you: “You have four successful study cases right here.”
“But we mean it, Joon, just because it worked for us doesn’t mean it would work for you.” you tried to be the voice of reason, even if everyone else was working against you. “If it’s not your thing, don’t stress about it.”
It was just after midnight when you made sure all of your friends were in bed, ready to sleep off the drunkenness. By being the designated-barely-sober friend, you granted yourself a pass tomorrow and you could be someone else’s problem.
Well, all of your friends but one. You still hadn’t found Namjoon, but you had an inkling to where you might find him. Your hunch was proven correct when you walked all the way to the edge of your villa, finding a man with broad shoulders sitting alone on the beach.
You found the down path easily, skipping the wooden steps that led you to the sand. You didn’t want to spook Namjoon with your sudden presence, walking slower until you stood next to him. With a gentle hand and light fingers, you scratched the back of his head, watching him shiver and look up with sleepy eyes.
“What’s got you thinking so hard over there?” you asked quietly as you made yourself comfortable sitting on the sand.
“What you guys said earlier.”
“Joonaaaaah.”
“I’m not feeling pressured, just thinking about it.” he assured you, letting you groan all you wanted as you pressed your forehead against the outside of his shoulder. “Do you think it would help?”
“I know what wouldn’t help and that’s sleeping with Soyoon again.” you told him so. And now that it was just the two of you, you felt like you could talk more openly. “So if you need someone else to fix your loneliness, I’d say it’s worth a shot.”
You had a bad taste in your mouth as you said that. Yes you thought that rebounds could work, it worked for you and it clearly worked for the others too. But the thought of Namjoon, in all his handsome glory, walking into a bar to pick up an easy fuck for the night bothered you more than you’d let yourself admit.
Especially since the probability of him bringing his conquest to your shared apart was very much real and you’d hate to run into his fuck buddies while making your breakfast in the morning. It was hard enough whenever Soyoon slipped out of his bedroom in nothing but his t-shirts and you had months to get used to her.
“Would you?” he asked so softly you barely heard it over the crashing waves.
“I’ve had a rebound, Joon–”
“No, I mean with me.” his laugh was a little shy as he stuck his toes into the sand. “Would you be my rebound?”
Namjoon was staring ahead, but you were looking at him. How much did you have to drink? How much did he have to drink? Your mouth opened and closed as no words were coming out. Never did you think he’d ever ask you anything of this nature and yet, the butterflies inside your stomach were on psychedelics right now.
“That was weird, right?” his cheeks rose as you watched his profile, but you could tell it was out of embarrassment. “You talked about asking a friend for help, and I’m closer to you than Yoongi hyung, but you didn’t ask me–”
“You were already with Soyoon, Joon, I couldn’t ask you that.” you learned how to use your words again, surprised something like that would even bother him. Why would he care if you asked Yoongi to help you out and not him?
“Right. Yeah.” his chest expanded as he took a deep breath, but it came out shaky. “Guess I’m surprised. I didn’t know you and hyung…”
“That’s what a rebound is. No strings, just sex.” as Namjoon refused to look at you, you decided to face the ocean, too. “We didn’t tell anybody.”
“And yet everyone knew about it but me.”
“That’s Park Jimin’s fault.” you pointed out with a groan, knowing Namjoon was laughing because you used Jimin’s full name. “He got Yoongi drunk out of his mind and asked who was the best head of his– Y’know what, that’s not important.”
You cut yourself off as Namjoon didn’t need to know about your skills or what kind of things you did with Yoongi, but the man sitting next to you still wheezed and froze all movement of his feet playing in the sand.
“Jimin found out about us and told Jk.” you carried on. “And you know that boy can’t keep a secret like that to save his life.”
“Yet, the secret still didn’t reach me until tonight.”
“You haven’t been hanging out with us as much anymore.”
You knew your words probably hurt Namjoon a little, but they were the truth. A truth that he’d been too blind to see before, but that he had to acknowledge if he wanted things to go back to how they were before Soyoon showed up in his life.
“You didn’t give me an answer.” he started again, pulling the sleeves of his off-white sweater to cover his hands.
“Did you even mean that?”
“Of course I meant it.” Namjoon looked almost offended as he faced you.
“No, I mean… Are you asking me because I’m the easy choice?” you clarified, no judgment behind your words. “Are you even attracted to me?”
“Of course I’m attracted to you, have you seen yourself?” your question seemed to bewilder him, which was somehow funny to you. “Are you attracted to me?”
“You’re nice to look at.” you faked nonchalance, but if the moon was any brighter tonight, he’d pick up on your blush. “But I’m nothing like Soyoon. If that’s your type, you should ask Sohee.”
“I thought I had to fuck someone different.” his arm brushed yours and you knew it was on purpose.
“That’s a good point.”
“You know, she asked me to call her ‘daddy’ once.” Namjoon told you with a pretty laugh that you hadn’t heard in what felt like ages.
“Did you?” you looked at him with high eyebrows and the fact he refused to answer was enough. “Hey, I’d call her ‘daddy’ too.”
The two of you just started laughing for no real reason. Maybe it was the beautiful scenery around you, maybe it was the familiarity between the two of you. This guy right here, who allowed himself to be honest and open and silly… This Namjoon felt like more than your roommate.
“I missed this. I missed you.” the man said as his arm knocked against yours again.
I’ve always been here.”
“I know.” he nodded, turning a little somber as he repeated. “I know.”
“It’s good to have you back.” all you could do at this point was count your wins, not cry for whatever was in the past. You brought a hand to his back, rubbing a lazy circle as you announced: “I’m going back in now, are you staying?”
“Yeah, the ocean is relaxing.” Namjoon told you, but seeing as you didn’t move, he added: “I won’t be long.”
“Okay, then.” that had you standing up and patting the sand off your ass. “Goodnight, Joon.”
As you were walking back to the path that would lead you to the backyard of your rented villa, you heard him ask:
Summary: Your bi-weekly movie nights with Taehyung had always been the safest part of your life, until the night a forgotten promise dragged you both to a housewarming party instead. What should have been just another evening between best friends slowly unravels when a single mandarin and one honest confession shift the air between you. After so many years of pretending nothing has changed, one night might be all it takes to finally peel back the layers.
Genre: Non idol au, smut with some plot, best friends to lovers.
Warnings: Taehyung has a praise kink and he’s so in love. This story came to me in a dream, so if it's a little crazy, just go with it!
WC: 13k
You were never the type of person to change plans on such short notice, especially not when it came to your hang outs with Taehyung. When both of your grown up jobs and separate social circles kept you busy and apart, your bi-weekly meet-ups were precious for the both of you.
But you just could not escape tonight.
Tae had been your best friend for longer than you could remember, starting somewhere when you were both still in high school and he made fun of your fruit-shaped erasers. Back then he hadn’t been as careful with his words and his comment about your tangerine-looking school supply had embarrassed you, and you replaced the orange thing with a regular, boring blue and red eraser that smelled of nothing but rubber.
He’d still been sensitive enough to notice the change, and the very next day you came into the classroom to find a brand new grape-scented gel pen and a notepad with strawberry prints. Not to mention the brand new deskmate in the form of a bowl-cut teenager Tae.
He’d been handsome and charming even then, but nothing compared to the thirty year old version of him which now sat next to you inside his car.
“We don't have to stay long, I swear.” you told him from the passenger’s seat, more than a little guilty for making you both miss the movie tonight. “I really forgot I promised May I'd come tonight.”
“Babe, it's fine.” Taehyung chuckled under his breath, following the GPS and taking a smooth right turn. “I didn’t complain once about this.”
“I know. You never complain.” which somehow made you feel worse.
“As long as we get to hang out, I don't care.” he shrugged, carefree and gentle as always.
“Okay.”
“Just relax.” he laughed again, placing his warm palm on your thigh, which did the opposite of relaxing you. “Is this the house?”
You pointed to the next house over through the windshield. “It's the next one, but we can park here and walk up.”
You could already see a few cars that you knew belonged to your friends and their friends, in front of May’s newly acquired home. Taehyung saw the same parking spot you had noticed and used one hand to parallel park in a way that shouldn’t be as attractive as it was.
You even had to distract yourself by checking the road, trying to keep busy and useful, with little hints of ‘a little more to the right’ and ‘now two inches ahead’, which he absolutely did not need. But you needed it, because focusing on how his biceps bulged every time he maneuvered and noticing the veins of his forearm would do very little for your mental health right now.
“Can you reach the flowers in the back?” Taehyung asked as he turned off the engine of the car.
“I think so.” you unbuckled your seatbelt.
As you reached through the space between your seat and the driver’s, carefully reaching for the pretty flowers you bought to bring tonight, Taehyung got out of the car and ran to your side to open the door for you. And you knew him long enough to know he’d planned for this.
“And they say chivalry is dead.” you mused, letting him help you hop off with a familiar hand at your waist.
“‘They’ sound dumb.” Taehyung grinned, proud of himself.
You let him take the flowers from you, just so you could fix your dress that had moved up during the ride and the hop; it was still a nice dress that didn’t uncover much of your skin if you were standing. Definitely not ‘movies appropriate’, but perfect for a housewarming party such as this one.
May had promised you that it wouldn’t be a party at all, but a get together so she could show off her new place to her closest friends. Which definitely included you, but maybe not your plus one.
Even if the man himself looked sinful in simple blue jeans, a white shirt and red jacket with fun patches you knew he’d ironed in during a moment of fashion boredom. It also didn’t help your case that he’d styled his hair tonight in messy little waves that sat away from his forehead, when you told him once this week that you liked that look on him.
The walk from the car to the right house was a short one, not enough for your feet to hurt in your heels, and much less for you to get lost, but Taehyung still stood next to you like you were about to get too far away from him.
“Do you think we need to knock?” you asked once you reached the front door, hearing laughs and music from the inside.
“It's your friend's housewarming, you tell me.” he said, handing you the flowers so you could be the one to deliver them.
“I think we're good.” you decided.
You turned the doorknob, finding it unlocked, and let yourself and Taehyung in. The small mountain of shoes at the entrance told you this was a no-shoes new house, and you were thankful for taking off your heels before your feet started to hurt too much. Taehyung was taking off his red sneakers when you heard a squeal.
“There she is!” May showed up at the entrance of the living room, looking gorgeous with a pink dress that looked like a cloud.
“Was ‘cotton candy’ the theme for tonight?” you laughed, rushing to meet her and offer her a hug.
“The theme is ‘this is my new house and I’ll wear whatever the fuck I want’.” she shrugged, taking the flowers with the biggest smile. “You brought me flowers!”
“Your real gift is being delivered later this week.” you told her, as if flowers weren’t an appropriate gift for an achievement like this.
May was about to wave you off, to tell you not to worry, but then she saw something over your shoulder, which made her jaw drop. At least she had the common sense to whisper her next question: “You brought Taehyung?”
“Is that okay?” you asked, even if you already knew the answer.
“Just don't drool on my new carpet.” she teased, pushing past you to hug your friend. “Hey, Taetae, long time, huh? Feel right at home!”
“Thanks, May-ssi.” Taehyung hugged her back, but his hands still looked for the spaces on her body that were covered by her dress. “I like what you did with the place.”
“You should see upstairs.” she winked, walking ahead and leading the two of you to where the others were hanging out.
“Seriously, the spare room is going to see me more often than my boyfriend's couch.” Jimin was sitting on the arm of a chair he was sharing with Seokjin; both men were your friends you met in college.
“If it has a bed, then it definitely should.” you snorted, wondering which ‘boyfriend’ Jimin meant this time. You hoped it was Hoseok, but the couch mentioned made you guess it was probably Jungkook. “Did we miss the tour?”
“Just the first round, I'll take you around later.” May explained, grabbing you by the wrist and waving Jimin to follow. “We're about to make margaritas in my new blender.”
“Oh, nice.”
You didn’t feel like separating from Taehyung right now, especially when you knew he’d be the odd man out; even if he’d already been introduced to everyone in the house at least once before and he was the social butterfly out of the two of you. You only let May and Jimin lead you away because Namjoon was already getting up to greet Taehyung in that little half-hug, half-pat on the back that boys do when they are pretending to be more familiar than they actually are.
The kitchen was definitely a feature area in the house, just a little ahead from the living room, but still close enough that you could see everything. It was much bigger than May’s old one, and everything looked brand new. It made you really proud of the girl, when you knew she had been saving for years after living in a shoe-box apartment so she could splurge like this.
“Wow, you even have a kitchen island!” you gushed, knowing it had been one of the deal makers for her to get this place.
“I knoooow, she’s my baby!” May caressed the island with light hands, as if a harsher touch could actually scratch the marble.
“She’s very pretty.” you entered the kitchen to help out making the drinks.
May immediately claimed the spot in front of the blender like a mother hen, peeling the plastic off one last button you hadn’t even noticed still had a corner lifting, while Jimin laughed and reached for the bag of ice on the counter.
You grabbed the limes and started cutting them in halves with the help of a cutting board, the clean citrus smell mixing with the sharp bite of tequila the second May twisted the cap open.
“So you brought Tae, huh?” Jimin didn’t take long enough to bring it up.
“He's my best friend, it's not weird.” you justified, watching Jimin steal one of the lime wedges only to wince when the juice hit his tongue straight.
“I'm your best friend.” May corrected, spreading salt on a small plate and the ice was dumped into the pitcher.
You rolled your eyes. “He's my boy best friend.”
“Press her once more and she'll use the right word.” Jimin told May with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Stop, it's not like that.” you grumbled, looking out to the living room to make sure no one outside the kitchen was listening.
“You want it to be.” May said, and you had no arguments for her when she knew too much. “I'm just saying bringing him here tonight is a couplely move.”
“There are plenty of single people here.” you wiped your fingers on a paper towel, passed May the last lime half, and stepped closer when she started adding everything in, all three of you crowding around the blender.
“Looking to hook up with other single people.” May was not only the owner of a new house, but of very good points as well, it seemed. “Just ask Alyssa.”
You wish the mention of the girl’s name didn’t hit you square in the chest like it did. It’s not like you had anything against her, not really… She had been nothing but nice to you ever since you met, the kind of girl that lights up rooms and people write songs about. But she’d also had her eyes on Taehyung every time you brought him around.
“Alyssa is here?” you asked again, because you hadn’t seen her when you first came in.
“Worried?” Jimin asked, already knowing the answer when your shoulders dropped.
You turned around before you could stop yourself, eyes crossing the open space of the living room until they found Taehyung near the wall, one shoulder tipped back against it like he had settled there for only a second and somehow gotten stuck.
Alyssa stood close enough that it made something in your stomach pull tight, her hand brushing his arm when she laughed, head tilted just a little too prettily, the whole thing carrying that soft, easy kind of flirting girls like her never had to force. Taehyung laughed too, looking down at her with that warm attention that always did dangerous things to your insides, and even from the kitchen you could see how comfortable he looked standing there with her, how natural it seemed, and the sight hit in one clean, ugly wave that sat hot and heavy under your ribs.
May slid the blender pitcher closer to the line of cups and announced that the margaritas were done, Jimin already reaching to help pass glasses around just as Seokjin and Namjoon drifted into the kitchen like they had followed the sound of people having a better time somewhere else.
There was no big call for everyone to move, no moment made out of it, just the easy shuffle of people grabbing their drinks and heading toward the patio together, talking over one another on the way out.
You turned on instinct, your own drink already in your hand, ready to ask Taehyung if he wanted to come with you, but stopped when you caught Alyssa handing Taehyung's phone back to him, as if he’d just typed something on it. The thought landed quietly, not sharp enough to make you angry, only enough to make you step back from calling to your best friend.
Because if something was happening there, if they wanted to keep talking, then you were not about to get in the middle of it.
The backyard looked just as new as the rest of the house, a clean stone patio stretched out from the back doors, stepping down into a small square of trimmed grass bordered by dark rocks and carefully placed shrubs.
Off to one side, May had already set up a couple of outdoor couches with cream cushions that still looked too untouched, like nobody had fully broken them in yet, while a few lawn chairs were scattered around in a loose circle as if people had started claiming spots before the party even properly settled. There were tall planters near the fence, soft garden lights fixed low along the edges.
You ended up dropping into the space between Jimin and Seokjin on one of the couches, tucking one leg under yourself as you brought the margarita to your mouth for another careful sip. It had way too much tequila for your taste, the kind that burned first and tasted like lime second, so you took it slow and let the cold glass rest against your thigh between sips.
“Too strong?” Jimin asked, one look at your face giving you away.
“May still makes drinks like she was trying to disinfect us from the inside out.” you swallowed and gave the drink a suspicious look.
“That means it’s a good drink.” Seokjin let out a laugh into his own cup.
“No, it meant she lost count halfway through pouring.” you corrected with a little grimace.
“Same thing.” Jin said with a shrug.
Jimin leaned forward, whispering conspiratorily: “Give it ten minutes and Namjoon is going to start talking about real estate like he personally helped build the house.”
“I heard that–” Namjoon huffed from one of the lawn chairs where he was lounging.
“I wasn’t hiding it from you.” Jimin shot back.
You smiled into your glass, shoulders loosening a little as Seokjin bumped his knee lightly against yours.
“Remember her old apartment?” Seokjin asked.
“I still have nightmares about that bathroom.” Jimin made a face immediately. “You could brush your teeth while sitting on the toilet.”
“That was an efficient design!” you said, a little defensive even despite your laughs. That bathroom had seen a lot of your hungover mornings and it never told your secrets.
“That was poverty!” May yelled from across the patio, making all three of you laugh.
“And yet,” Seokjin went on, looking around with exaggerated seriousness, “we all still came over every weekend like we were living the free life.”
“We were twenty-two and stupid.” Jimin said with a raise of his glass.
“We were twenty-two and jobless.” you raised your own glass just to feel young again.
Jimin turned to you with fake offense all over his pretty face: “I had a job.”
“You worked at your uncle’s café two afternoons a week.” Namjoon rebutted with a scoff.
“It was still employment!” Jimin whined.
Seokjin nodded. “Part-time nepo baby.”
Jimin gasped, hand to chest, and you finally laughed around the next sip, wincing right after when the tequila hit again:
“To May’s new house.”
“To May’s new house.” you echoed, touching your glass lightly to theirs as the conversation rolled on like it always had, easy and warm and worn in from years of knowing exactly how to pull laughter out of each other.
And then you noticed him almost right away, even with the patio full enough to split your attention. Through the glass doors, Taehyung paused on the other side of the porch light, eyes moving over the backyard like he was searching for someone specific, and your heart gave one small, stupid jump the second his face changed when he found you.
It was immediate, easy to read even from where you sat. Something in him lit up, softening his whole face before he even stepped outside, and you hated what that one look did to you after everything you had just told yourself in the kitchen.
Jimin noticed too, because of course he did. He cleared his throat beside you and nudged your arm with his elbow in a way that was far too knowing to be innocent, then pushed himself up with his drink and casually abandoned his spot, moving to annoy Namjoon’s personal space.
By the time you looked back up, Taehyung was already there, catching the open space like it had always been meant to be his. He sat down beside you without hesitation, pulling off his red jacket before you could ask what he was doing, and draped it over your legs in one easy movement, covering your bare thighs and the side of your dress the night air had started getting to. The gesture was so natural it almost felt practiced.
Your eyes lifted on instinct, scanning past his shoulder, almost expecting Alyssa to appear behind him or step out onto the patio a second later, but the glass doors only showed the warm blur of people still inside, moving through the kitchen and living room with drinks of their own.
“I got this for you.” Taehyung held up a small mandarin between his fingers, and it looked almost ridiculous in his hand, bright and glossy and so much smaller than his palm that it made you smile before you could keep yourself in check.
Even from that close, you could spot the tiny hot-stamped Jeju sticker pressed onto the peel, the kind that made it obvious this was not just any fruit someone grabbed from a corner store, but from somewhere expensive.
“Where did you find that?” you chuckled, already feeling the rest of the patio blur at the edges as your attention settled fully on him.
“May’s fridge.” he shrugged, like snooping through someone’s kitchen was the most normal thing in the world.
“When she said feel at home, I don’t think that’s what she meant–”
Taehyung only shrugged, like of course he had stolen fruit out of someone else’s fridge for you, like that did not need any further explanation. Then he lowered his eyes to the mandarin and started peeling it with a care that made your chest feel strangely tight. His thumb pressed into the skin just enough to break it, the peel lifting back in soft strips under his fingers, and each little squeeze released that fresh, sweet citrus scent into the cold air between you.
You watched his hands more than you meant to, the steady way he worked, unhurried and precise, and it did something unfair to your heart when it should have been the simplest thing in the world. But it was coming from him, which made it feel like more.
With was always more with Taehyung.
Once the fruit was bare in his palm, he split off one piece and started pulling away the thin white strings clinging to it, taking his time with the same quiet focus. You knew exactly why he was doing it. He had seen you pick at them before, complaining about the texture until only the clean pulp was left.
“Damn, let the girl eat some fibers.” Seokjin said from your other side, amusement easy in his voice.
Taehyung did not even look up. “I like enabling her.”
“You’re the only one.” Seokjin shot back, the kind of teasing that had always belonged to the two of you.
Taehyung’s mouth twitched, but there was something a little firmer under it when he answered:
“She only needs one, so.” he kept going, stripping the last stubborn bit of white from the piece between his fingers like Seokjin had not said a thing.
One of the girls sitting near May let out a dramatic sound.
“That’s actually sick. My boyfriend won’t even bring me water, and you’re out here peeling the strings off too?”
Another voice laughed with her, but it all blurred a little at the edges for you. You almost waited for Taehyung to correct it, to say it was not like that, that he was just being nice. He never did. He only looked at you, the peeled piece of fruit held up near your mouth, his eyes steady enough to make your pulse trip over itself.
When you leaned in and took it with your lips, his gaze stayed there the whole time, fixed on your mouth in a way that made the sweet burst of juice feel secondary to the heat climbing up your neck.
“I’m not always on board with stealing, but this is actually really good.” you said after swallowing, still tasting the burst of sweet juice on your tongue.
Taehyung smiled under his breath like that had been the point all along, already working on the next piece before the first one had barely gone down. The orange peel, the thin white strings, even two small seeds he had picked out rested carelessly on the knees of his jeans, and he did not seem bothered by any of it.
His hands kept moving with the same quiet patience, making a mess of himself so you would not have to deal with any of it.
“Alyssa brought them for May.” he said, glancing down at the fruit as he cleaned another segment for you. “As a house gift, I think. She said they came from some farmer’s market near her place that gets them from Jeju Island.”
“Oh.”
“I asked for the guy’s number. If you want more, I can get them for you.” he gave one small shrug, like this had all been obvious.
Your stomach fluttered again at the mention of Alyssa, but this time it turned on itself almost right away, the ugly little knot loosening as fast as it had formed. You looked at him for a second, then at the fruit in his hand, and the alcohol warming your chest made your mouth move before your pride could stop it: “I thought she gave you her number.”
“Why would I need her number?” Taehyung finally looked up, eyebrows pulling together like the idea had not crossed his mind once.
“Have you looked at her?” you let out a soft scoff, trying to play it off even as your face felt warmer than it should have.
He held the next piece up to your mouth before answering, waiting until you leaned in and took it from his fingers.
“She’s not my type.” he said simply.
Jimin, who had absolutely been listening from his seat this whole time, made a delighted sound like he had just been handed gossip and dessert at the same time.
“What’s your type, Taehyung-ssi?” the man wanted to know immediately.
Taehyung did not even hesitate. He kept his eyes on the mandarin in his hands as he peeled away another stubborn string, but the corner of his mouth lifted.
“Someone who still uses gel pens to write notes and refuses to eat fiber unless it comes from popcorn.”
The reactions that followed stayed soft everywhere but under your own skin. One of the girls let out an immediate, breathy ‘aw’, another groaned like she had just witnessed something unfair, and Jimin’s mouth curved into that deeply satisfied little smile of someone who had seen this coming from ten miles away.
Beside you, Seokjin lifted his hand toward Taehyung for a high five over the boldness of the words, only to be completely ignored as Taehyung kept working on the fruit like nothing had happened.
Seokjin looked at his own hand for a second, then slapped it against his other palm himself, and that was what earned the quiet burst of laughter from the group.
“Is there something you didn’t tell us?” May asked from across the patio, narrowing her eyes at the two of you with instant suspicion. “You would tell me if you’re dating, right?”
“We’re not.” Taehyung glanced up at that, then back down to the mandarin in his hands. Something in your chest dipped before he added, just as simply: “I was hoping we would be, after tonight.”
You turned to look at him so fast your shoulder brushed his. “What?”
“Our movie date got cut short.” only then did he lift his eyes to yours, and there was nothing dramatic in his face, nothing played up for the people around you. He just looked at you openly, like this was the easiest truth in the world to say. “Now all I have left is peeling mandarins and hoping you understand what I’m doing.”
For a second, you could only stare at him.
The patio did not go silent. People were still talking around you, May was still laughing somewhere to your left, a chair scraped lightly over stone, and somebody inside the house opened one of the sliding doors just enough for a swell of music to spill out before it shut again.
But all of it felt farther away now, softened at the edges, like the whole night had folded in around the small space the two of you occupied on the patio couch.
Taehyung, meanwhile, stayed exactly where he was, knee pressed lightly to yours under the weight of his jacket still draped over your legs. He picked a seed from the next segment and dropped it onto his jeans with the rest of the mess, not caring in the slightest what he looked like.
“So,” he said, quieter now, only for you. “Did it get the point across?”
You looked at the fruit in his hand, at the white strings gathered over the blue denim on his knees, at the bright peel curled near his leg, then back at his face. He was watching you with that same open steadiness, like he was not nervous at all, like saying what he meant had never once felt unnatural to him.
Your stomach fluttered so hard it almost hurt.
“Maybe a little.” you murmured.
“A little?” his eyebrows lifted.
“You might have to keep going.” your heart was fluttering like crazy in your chest.
The grin that spread over his face came slow and warm, lighting him up in a way that made your chest squeeze all over again.
“That’s fine.” he said, already lifting the next perfect piece to your mouth. “I bought myself at least another five minutes with this one.”
You were full on expecting things to become awkward between you and Taehyung, after the small and blunt, but very honest confession that passed between the two of you, in front of all of your other friends, no less. Instead, even when it was just the two of you inside his car, his fingers smelling of mandarin juice and you smelling of the perfume that clung to his jacket you were now wearing, the mood was light.
Well, as light as it could be, now that you knew tonight was supposed to be your first date with your best friend. It was all so surreal to you, that you couldn’t find the right words to say, or even any wrong ones, just to break the silence. And Taehyung clearly noticed it, too, when he started driving away from May’s new neighborhood and said:
“Was I out of line?” his tone was low and calm, so much so that you almost missed the question.
“Huh?” you looked at him, noticing how both hands on the steering wheel now. You shook your head right away. “No, you were… You. Which, for the record, is how I like you.”
“Careful with that word now, babe.” his shoulders seemed to relax, but just a smidge. “I might think you mean it.”
“You peeled me an expensive mandarin, of course I mean it.” you chuckled, taking your own leap of faith and resting your hand on his thigh, just like he had done to you so many times before.
“That’s what did it, huh?” his right hand rested on top of yours, and as much as you’d held hands before, it never felt quite like this.
“Actually, what did it was you bribing my desk-mate to exchange places with you so you could sit by my side in school.” you told him with a new laugh, feeling the small clench of his fingers around yours. “The mandarin only reminded me you’ve always been like this with me.”
Taehyung let your words sink in, the fact that you had a crush on him for decades now. You watched his small pout disappear just as fast as it appeared, like he wondered, just for a moment, how much time you lost by being young and not knowing any better. But then he took your hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing your knuckles, like he decided no time would be wasted from now on.
“So am I dropping you off?” Taehyung asked you, and there was a lot more behind those words than you might have been expecting. “Or do I get a little more time tonight?”
“Can you peel this one for breakfast tomorrow?” you pulled the second mandarin from the jacket’s pocket, making Taehyung laugh so hard it filled the car.
“I definitely can.”
The conversation kept flowing as he drove, easy and unforced, moving from one thought to the next with the kind of rhythm that only came from knowing someone for years.
It was light, familiar, full of the little things that would have sounded meaningless to anyone else, but with him it never felt like filling silence. Your hand stayed in his over the center console, his thumb brushing yours every now and then as the city passed outside in quiet stretches of yellow light.
Nothing about it felt staged or fragile, nothing about it made you nervous in the way new things usually did for you. If anything, it felt like stepping into something that had been waiting for you both for a very long time, and now that you were finally here, there was no awkwardness to it at all.
The walk from the car to the elevator of his building was quiet, your heels clicking softly beside his sneakers. His red jacket still hung over your shoulders, carrying his warmth and that faint cologne you’d known for years. Taehyung kept one hand lightly at the small of your back, guiding you without any real pressure, like he just needed the contact.
Inside the elevator, the doors slid shut and the soft hum filled the small space. You leaned against the mirrored wall, watching him press the button for his floor. When he turned back to you, the air felt thicker. He stepped closer, not quite crowding you, but close enough that you could see the tiny flecks of gold in his eyes and smell the faint citrus still clinging to his fingers.
“Hi.” he murmured, almost silly after everything tonight.
“Hi.” you whispered back, biting down on a smile.
The elevator dinged far too soon. Taehyung took your hand again as you stepped out into the quiet hallway, his thumb brushing your knuckles the whole way to his door.
He unlocked it with one hand, pushing the door open and letting you step inside first. The familiar scent of his apartment wrapped around you, clean laundry, a hint of sandalwood, and something that was just undeniably him. You kicked off your heels by the door out of habit, toes sinking into the soft rug. Taehyung followed, toeing off his red sneakers and setting them neatly beside yours like they belonged there.
The click of the door closing behind him sounded louder than it should have.
For a second you both just stood there in the entryway, the weight of the night settling around you. Then Taehyung moved.
One hand came up to rest on the door beside your head, the other gently cupped the side of your face, thumb brushing your cheekbone. He stepped in until his body was only a breath away from yours, caging you in without trapping you; tall, warm, and so close you could feel the heat radiating off his chest through his white shirt.
His eyes searched yours, dark and steady, a tiny furrow between his brows like he was holding his breath.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” he said quietly, voice barely above a whisper. “But if it feels wrong… if it’s awkward… we stop. We go back to mandarins and movie nights and I’ll still be the happiest guy in the world just being your best friend. Okay?”
Your heart was hammering so loudly you were sure he could hear it. You nodded, swallowing past the flutter in your throat.
“Okay.”
Taehyung leaned in slowly, giving you every chance to pull away. His nose brushed yours first, soft and tentative. Then his lips touched yours, gentle and warm, testing. The first press was feather-light, almost careful, like he was afraid the years between you might shatter if he pushed too hard.
For one heartbeat it felt like the world held its breath with you.
Then something clicked.
His lips moved against yours with quiet certainty, tilting his head just enough to fit better, and the kiss deepened naturally, sweetly, like breathing. There was no awkwardness, no clash of noses or hesitation in rhythm. Just warmth, the faint taste of mandarin and the way his hand slid from your cheek to the back of your neck, fingers threading gently into your hair.
A soft sound escaped you, half sigh, half relief, and Taehyung answered it with a tiny, involuntary hum against your mouth, like the tension he’d been carrying for years finally unraveled.
When he pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against yours, both of you breathing a little faster, his eyes were shining.
“Fuck.” he whispered, a soft laugh coloring the word. “That didn’t feel like breaking anything.”
“No… it felt like finally starting.” you let out a shaky laugh too, your hands having found their way to his chest at some point, fingers curled into his shirt.
His thumb brushed your bottom lip, eyes following the motion with open wonder.
“Yeah,” he murmured, voice warm and a little rough. “Yeah.”
He kissed you again, slower this time, deeper, but still unhurried, like he wanted to memorize every second of it. One hand stayed at the back of your neck, the other sliding down to your waist, pulling you gently closer until your bodies pressed together. The kiss stayed sweet, but there was a quiet thrill underneath it now, a spark that made your stomach flip and your fingers tighten in his shirt.
When you finally parted, Taehyung didn’t step back. He stayed right there, caged around you against the door, smiling that small, private smile you’d only ever seen aimed at you.
You let out a soft, breathless laugh: “We just kissed.”
“We did.” he whispered back, eyes crinkling with quiet joy. His thumb brushed your cheek again, like he couldn’t quite believe he was allowed to do that now. “And it was… good. Really good.”
“Really good.” you echoed, feeling giddy and warm all over.
Taehyung pressed one last gentle kiss to the corner of your mouth before finally stepping back just enough to let you breathe. He took your hand, lacing your fingers together, and tugged you gently away from the door.
“Come here.” he said, voice soft and a little shy as he led you down the short hallway into the living room.
The space was familiar just like the rest of the apartment, the big comfortable couch you’d both fallen asleep on during countless movie nights, the low lamp casting a warm glow that never seemed to be turned off, no matter how much you pointed out his energy bill.
You both dropped onto the couch, knees bumping, and suddenly the giggles hit. Soft, unstoppable little laughs that came from pure relief and disbelief.
“I can’t believe you’re finally my girl.” Taehyung laughed under his breath, and if it was anyone else saying those words, you would have cringed. But it was Tae, so the words landed so sweetly that your chest fluttered hard.
“Your girl?” you repeated, teasing but unable to hide how much you liked hearing it.
“Yeah.” he sounded almost shy now, the confident Taehyung from the patio giving way to the boy who once bought you a grape gel pen just to make up for embarrassing you. “If you want to be.”
The moment stretched tender and sweet between you until Taehyung’s expression shifted into something more careful, more concerned.
“Hey… you’re not drunk, right?” he asked, brows furrowing slightly. “May’s margaritas are no joke. You said they were strong.”
“I’m fine, Tae. I barely drank half of it.” you shook your head quickly, smiling at how thoughtful he was even now. “The tequila hit hard at first, but I’m perfectly sober, I promise.”
“Okay. But just in case… wait here.” he studied your face for a second longer, then nodded, still looking a little protective.
Before you could protest, he stood up and headed toward the kitchen, his socked feet quiet on the floor.
While he was gone, you shrugged off his red jacket, folding it neatly and laying it over the arm of the couch. The cool air of the apartment brushed against your skin now that you were no longer covered by the heavy fabric. Your dress suddenly felt a little shorter, a little more revealing than it had all night, the neckline sitting lower, the hem riding up just enough on your thighs as you sat with your legs tucked under you.
You were suddenly very aware of how much you were showing, and even more aware that Taehyung would notice the second he came back.
The thought sent another flutter through your stomach, nervous, but the good kind.
You heard the fridge door close, the soft clink of a glass bottle, and then his footsteps returning. When Taehyung stepped back into the living room with the cold bottle of water in hand, his eyes did exactly what you expected: they flicked down to your bare shoulders, the curve of your collarbones, the way the dress now clung a little differently without the jacket hiding you.
He paused for half a second, throat working as he swallowed. Then he cleared it softly and continued toward you, handing you the water with a small, warm smile that didn’t quite hide the new heat in his gaze.
“Here.” he said, voice a touch lower than before. “Drink some.”
You took the cold bottle from him, your fingers brushing his in a way that felt more intentional now. The first sip of water was refreshing against the lingering warmth of the margarita and the heat still blooming under your skin from his kisses. Taehyung watched you the whole time, eyes soft but noticeably darker as they traced the line of your throat and then dropped lower.
“You look really pretty like this.” he cleared his throat quietly, a small, shy smile tugging at his lips.
“Like what?” you asked, teasing even though your cheeks warmed.
“Without my jacket hiding you.” his gaze flicked down again, then back to your face, almost apologetic. “I don’t know where to put my hands now.”
The honest admission made you laugh softly, the sound light and affectionate. You set the water on the coffee table and shifted closer on the couch until your knees pressed together.
“You can put them on me, Tae.” you told him easily. “We’re not exactly strangers.”
He let out a breath that sounded half-relieved, half-nervous, and reached for you. One warm palm settled carefully on your bare thigh, just below the hem of your dress, while the other came up to cup the side of your neck. His thumb stroked your skin in slow, soothing circles. The touch was gentle, still testing, like he was giving you every chance to guide him or slow him down.
For a moment you just sat there like that, sitting close, breathing each other in, the quiet hum of the apartment wrapping around you. Then Taehyung’s eyes drifted to the side, landing on the second mandarin you’d pulled from his jacket pocket earlier and left on the coffee table.
A small, fond smile crossed his face.
“I know you said you wanted that for breakfast, but you can have it now, if you’re hungry. We didn’t eat much tonight.” he murmured, voice low and a little rough. “You want me to peel it?”
You nodded, biting your lip to hide how much the simple offer affected you. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”
He picked up the fruit with the hand that had been on your neck, but his fingers were noticeably less steady than they’d been on the patio, a faint tremble as he started working the peel. The citrus scent bloomed between you again, sharp and sweet, mixing with the warm sandalwood of his apartment.
You watched his hands, the way his long fingers pressed into the skin, peeling it back in careful strips. Juice glistened on his fingertips, and every now and then his eyes would flick up to yours, checking, wanting.
When he finally split off a clean segment and began pulling away the thin white strings with the same patient focus as before, you felt the familiar flutter low in your stomach, only stronger now, heavier with everything that had already changed tonight.
Taehyung held the piece up between you, offering it like he had on the patio. But this time, instead of simply taking it with your lips, you leaned forward and closed your mouth around it… and around the tips of his fingers.
The juice burst sweet across your tongue. You let your lips linger for a second longer than necessary, tongue brushing softly against his skin to catch the sticky citrus that clung there. Your eyes stayed locked on his the whole time, wide, warm, and a little daring.
Taehyung’s breath hitched sharply. His whole body went still except for the faint tremor that ran through the hand still resting on your thigh. His pupils blew wide, dark and stunned, as he watched you slowly pull back, lips sliding off his fingers with one last gentle swipe of your tongue.
“You can’t do this to me…” he whispered, voice hoarse and wrecked in the softest way. The words came out almost like a plea, but his eyes were shining with pure want. “Not after waiting this long. Not when you look at me like that.”
The air between you felt heavier now, thicker with the citrus scent still clinging to his fingers and the quiet sound of your breathing. You smiled, a little shy, a little bold, and licked your lips once more just to watch the way his gaze followed the motion.
Before you could say anything, Taehyung’s voice dropped even lower, warm and curious.
“Let me have a taste too.” he murmured, eyes flicking from your mouth back to the half-peeled mandarin in his hand. “See what all the fuss is about.”
He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he broke off another small segment, but this time he didn’t offer it to you. He popped it into his own mouth first, chewing slowly, juice glistening on his lower lip. Then he leaned in, one hand still resting high on your thigh.
The kiss started soft again, like you were learning he liked, just the press of his lips against yours, but the moment his tongue traced the seam of your mouth, it deepened into something far more sensual.
He tasted like sweet mandarin and warmth, and he explored you unhurriedly, like he wanted to learn every detail. Taehyung’s teeth caught your bottom lip in a gentle nibble, tugging lightly before soothing it with his tongue. You sighed into him, and he answered by sucking softly on your tongue, slow and drawing another quiet sound from your throat.
Your hands moved on instinct, sliding up into his messy waves, fingers threading through the soft strands and tugging just enough to make him hum against your mouth. The vibration sent a shiver down your spine. Taehyung’s free hand didn’t stay still either, it slipped beneath the hem of your dress, palm gliding slowly up the bare skin of your thigh, stopping just short of where the fabric ended higher up. His thumb stroked lazy circles there, teasing the edge of your underwear without pushing further, like he was still giving you every chance to set the pace.
Tae pulled back just enough to breathe, lips brushing yours with every word:
“God, you taste even better like this.” he whispered, voice rough and shaky with want. His fingers flexed gently on your thigh, the other hand still tangled in your hair. “Tell me if I’m going too fast, okay? I just… I’ve thought about kissing you for so long. Touching you.”
You answered by pulling him back in, your own hands tightening in his hair as the kiss picked up again, deeper, slower, more exploratory. His palm slid a little higher under your dress, the heat of his touch making your stomach tighten with anticipation, while your fingers scratched lightly at his scalp, earning you another low, pleased sound from deep in his chest.
Everything stayed tender, but the spark from the mandarin moment had ignited into a slow-burning flame that was quickly becoming impossible to ignore.
You pulled back just enough to catch your breath, chest rising and falling quickly. Taehyung’s eyes were dark, lips slightly swollen, hair deliciously messed up from your fingers. His hand was still warm under the hem of your dress, resting high on your thigh, but you wanted it closer.
“Stand up for me?” he asked softly, voice husky but gentle, like he was still checking if this was okay.
You nodded, heart hammering. He helped you to your feet, both of you rising from the couch in one fluid motion. Once you were standing, Taehyung stayed seated for a second longer, looking up at you with open wonder. Then he rose too, tall frame unfolding until he towered over you, broad shoulders and warm presence making the space between you feel smaller in the best way.
His hands found your waist first, steady and warm.
“Can I…?” he murmured, fingers brushing the zipper at the side of your dress.
“Yes.” you whispered.
He pulled the zipper down slowly, the soft sound loud in the quiet room. The fabric loosened, and with careful hands he eased the dress off your shoulders. It slid down your body and pooled at your feet, leaving you in nothing but your panties. No bra, the cool air kissing your skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat of his gaze.
Taehyung’s breath caught audibly. His eyes dropped to your bare breasts, dark and appreciative, lingering.
“Fuck… you’re beautiful.” he said, almost under his breath, like the words slipped out before he could stop them. One large hand came up, hesitating just a moment before his palm gently cupped the underside of one breast, thumb brushing over the soft curve. “I didn’t know… God, I didn’t know you were this perfect.”
The size difference hit you then, him standing so close, so much taller, his broad frame making you feel small and cherished all at once. You swallowed, warmth flooding your cheeks and lower belly.
Taehyung seemed to notice the effect too. A small, almost shy smile touched his lips as he looked down at you, one hand still on your breast, the other resting at your waist. “Look at you.” he murmured, voice low, like he knew exactly what to say to undo you. “So small next to me… and still driving me crazy.”
“You’re not exactly small yourself, Tae.” you couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped, even as your pulse raced.
His grin widened for a second, warm and affectionate, before he stepped back just enough to reach behind his neck and tug his white shirt off in one smooth motion. The fabric hit the floor beside your dress. Your eyes drank him in; the smooth, tanned planes of his chest, the subtle definition of his stomach, the way his shoulders looked even broader without anything covering them. You had seen him shirtless before, but never like this. Never with permission to stare. Never with the knowledge that you could touch.
For a long moment you simply stood there, staring at each other in the soft lamplight. The tension was thick, palpable, crackling in the silence. His eyes traced every inch of your bare skin; yours did the same to him, the faint trail of hair disappearing into his jeans, the way his chest rose and fell a little faster now, the obvious bulge pressing against the front of his pants.
Taehyung was the first to move. He took your hand and guided you back toward the couch, his touch gentle despite the heat in his gaze. “Come here, my girl.”
He eased you down onto your back, following you so he settled between your parted legs. The couch was wide enough that he could brace himself on one forearm without crushing you, his body covering yours in warm, delicious weight. The moment he lowered himself, you felt the hard line of his cock press against your core through the thin layers of fabric still separating you, denim against lace, hot and insistent.
A soft gasp left your lips at the contact.
Taehyung groaned quietly, forehead dropping to your collarbones.
“Sorry… you just feel so good already.” he rolled his hips once, slow and lazy, letting you feel him fully. Then he captured your mouth again in a heated, unhurried kiss.
This kiss was lazier than the ones before, deeper and more indulgent. His tongue slid against yours in slow strokes, occasionally pulling back to nibble at your bottom lip or suck gently on your tongue the way you were quickly learning he loved. Your hands roamed freely now, one threading back into his messy waves, the other sliding down the warm, bare skin of his back, feeling the muscles shift under your palms as he moved.
Tae’s own hands weren’t idle. One stayed at your breast, thumb circling your nipple until it tightened under his touch. The other slipped between your bodies, palm gliding up your inner thigh until his fingers brushed the edge of your panties, teasing without rushing. All the while he kept that slow, grinding rhythm against you, his cock pressing and rubbing right where you needed him most through the fabric.
Every roll of his hips sent sparks through you. Every sigh and quiet moan he drew from your mouth seemed to make him hungrier, yet he never hurried, like he wanted to savor every second of finally having you like this.
“Been dreaming about this… having you under me. Feeling you like this.” his voice was low and rough against your lips, every word punctuated by another slow roll of his hips that pressed his cock harder against your clothed pussy.
You whimpered softly, fingers tightening in his hair, and that seemed to be all the encouragement he needed.
Taehyung kissed you once more, deep and lingering, before he began to trail his mouth downward. He took his time, lips brushing along your jaw, then the sensitive spot just below your ear. When he reached your neck he sucked lightly, then harder, leaving a faint mark that made your breath hitch. Lower still, his mouth found your collarbone, then the swell of your breast.
He groaned the moment his lips closed around your nipple, warm and wet. He sucked gently at first, tongue swirling around the peaked bud, then with more intention in slow, rhythmic pulls that had your back arching off the couch.
A soft cry escaped you when he grazed his teeth over the sensitive flesh, followed immediately by soothing licks. He switched to the other breast, giving it the same devoted attention, sucking and biting until the skin flushed and bore faint red marks that would bloom later. His free hand kneaded the breast he wasn’t attending to, thumb flicking over the wet nipple he’d just released.
Every pull of his mouth sent sparks straight between your legs. You writhed beneath him, one hand still tangled in his messy waves, the other gripping his shoulder as your hips rolled up instinctively, seeking more friction.
Taehyung hummed in satisfaction against your skin, the vibration traveling through you. He kissed a slow, wet path down the center of your stomach, pausing to dip his tongue into your navel, making you giggle breathlessly before the sound melted into another moan. When he reached the waistband of your panties, he looked up at you through dark lashes, eyes gleaming with heat and quiet awe.
His hand slipped beneath the lace without warning, two long fingers gliding through your folds. The moment he felt how slick you were, a low, pleased sound rumbled in his chest.
“Fuck, you’re so wet already.” he murmured, voice thick with wonder. His fingers teased your entrance, circling slowly, spreading the wetness up to your clit without quite giving you the pressure you craved. “All this for me? Been thinking about me like this too?”
You nodded frantically, hips twitching under his touch. The ache between your legs was almost unbearable now.
He pressed a soft, open-mouthed kiss just above the waistband of your panties, then looked up again, lips curved in a small, teasing smile: “I wonder if you taste even better than those Jeju mandarins.”
The words sent a fresh wave of heat through you.
“Tae… please. Find out.” you whined, high and needy, fingers tightening in his hair.
That was all he needed.
You lifted your hips eagerly, helping him as he hooked his fingers into the sides of your panties and slid them down your legs. He tossed the lace aside, leaving you completely bare beneath him. For a moment he just looked, eyes dark, chest rising faster, taking in every inch of you spread out on his couch.
Then he settled lower between your thighs, broad shoulders pushing your legs wider apart. He pressed a trail of wet kisses along your inner thigh, alternating sides, getting closer and closer until you felt his warm breath against your pussy.
The first touch of his tongue was gentle, a slow, flat lick from your entrance up to your clit that had your back arching sharply off the cushions. Taehyung moaned loudly against you, the sound raw and unrestrained, like the taste of you was better than anything he’d ever had.
“God… you taste so fucking good.” he groaned, voice muffled against your folds. He dove back in with the same patient, exploratory focus he’d shown with every kiss and every peeled mandarin. His tongue circled your clit in slow, deliberate strokes, then flattened again to lap at you broadly, savoring every drop. He alternated between long, luxurious licks and gentle suction, humming and moaning like he couldn’t get enough.
When two of his long fingers slipped inside you, curling slowly to find that perfect spot, your moan broke into a shaky cry. He pumped them lazily at first, matching the rhythm of his tongue, then faster as your hips started to rock against his face. His free hand stayed on your stomach, holding you gently in place while he devoured you, wet, obscene sounds filling the living room along with your gasps and whimpers.
Taehyung was lost in it. Every time you clenched around his fingers or tugged harder at his hair, he groaned louder, hips subtly grinding against the couch for his own relief. He sucked your clit between his lips, tongue flicking rapidly, then soothed with broad licks again, completely focused on pulling more of those sounds from you.
You were trembling, thighs tightening around his head, the coil in your belly winding tighter and tighter with every stroke of his tongue and curl of his fingers.
He pulled back just enough to murmur against your slick skin, voice hoarse and dripping with need.
“That’s it, my girl… let me hear you.” he teased, and then the next words almost did you right then and there: “Want to feel you cum on my tongue.”
Taehyung’s voice was barely more than a growl against your soaked pussy before he dove back in with renewed hunger. His mouth turned starved, tongue flicking rapidly over your swollen clit, then sucking it between his lips with firm, insistent pulls that made your thighs shake.
He groaned loudly into you, the vibrations shooting straight through your cunt as two long fingers pumped deeper inside you, stretching you open with every thrust.
He was relentless now, lost in the taste of you. His tongue worked faster, alternating between quick, desperate licks and hard suction, while his fingers curled and scissored, always aiming for that spot that made your back bow off the couch. Wet, filthy sounds filled the living room, the slick slide of his fingers, the obscene noises of his mouth devouring your pussy, your own broken moans growing louder and more desperate.
Your hips rocked frantically against his face, chasing the pleasure as it built unbearably fast. One hand fisted tight in his messy waves, the other gripping the couch cushion like it was the only thing keeping you grounded.
“Tae– oh god, Tae–” you gasped, voice cracking.
He moaned in response, the sound vibrating against your clit as he sucked harder, fingers thrusting faster, stretching your tight cunt around them. The coil in your belly snapped without warning.
Your orgasm crashed over you hard, a sharp cry tearing from your throat as your pussy clenched rhythmically around his fingers. Taehyung didn’t slow down, he kept licking and sucking through every wave, groaning like he was the one coming undone, milking every last tremor from your body until you were trembling and gasping beneath him.
Only when your hips started twitching from oversensitivity did he finally ease up. He gentled his tongue into slow, soothing licks, then carefully withdrew his fingers, replacing them with one last soft kiss to your pulsing clit.
Taehyung climbed up your body slowly, kissing a wet trail up your stomach and between your breasts before burying his face into the crook of your neck. His fingers slid back between your legs, gently pumping into your soaked cunt again, slow, lazy strokes to ease you through the aftershocks. Like now that he had a feel of you, his fingers couldn’t stay away.
And despite the oversensitivity, you couldn’t get enough of it either.
You wrapped your arms around him tightly, pulling him closer to your chest, one hand stroking through his hair while the other rubbed soothing circles over his bare back. Both of you were breathing hard, skin warm and slightly damp with sweat.
“Fuck, Tae…” you whispered, voice still shaky with pleasure. “Your tongue felt so good. I didn’t know you were that good at it. I’m… honestly surprised.”
He let out a soft, muffled laugh against your neck, but you felt the way his body tensed at the praise, his hips twitching hard against your thigh through his jeans. The reaction was immediate and unmistakable; your words seemed to make him even hornier.
You smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head: “I’ve been dying to see you. I know you’re big.”
Taehyung lifted his head just enough to look at you, cheeks flushed, eyes dark but sparkling with shy amusement.
“Can you tell?” he chuckled, the sound abashed and boyish.
“I’ve seen your morning woods before.” You giggled with the admittance, the sound light despite how wrecked you still felt. His eyes widened in genuine surprise, a dramatic gasp escaping him. “Come on, how many sleepovers did we have?!”
“I still didn’t know you noticed it!” he laughed, that sweet laugh you’d loved for years in silence, the one that made his eyes crinkle at the corners even now. “At least I guess you know what to expect.”
“Am I going to be able to walk tomorrow?” you teased, sliding one hand between your bodies until your palm cupped the hard, heavy outline of his cock through his jeans.
Taehyung groaned deeply, hips rolling forward to press his bulge firmer into your hand.
“Why?” he rasped, voice thick with need. “Are you going anywhere?”
You laughed breathlessly, still cupping his hard length through the denim, giving him one slow squeeze that made his hips jerk forward again.
Taehyung groaned low in his throat, then suddenly pulled back just enough to look down at you with dark, hooded eyes.
“I need you on my bed now.” he rasped, voice rough with want.
He pushed himself up from the couch in one smooth motion, towering over you again. Strong hands slid under your arms and helped you stand on slightly shaky legs. The second you were upright, he turned you gently so your back pressed flush against his front. His arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you tight as he started walking you both toward his bedroom.
The familiar short hallway felt longer than usual when Taehyung couldn’t keep his hands or mouth off you. One palm stayed splayed possessively over your stomach while the other roamed higher, cupping and kneading your breast. His cock, still trapped in his jeans, pressed hot and insistent against the curve of your ass with every step. He leaned down repeatedly to mouth at your neck, open, wet kisses mixed with gentle sucks and the occasional scrape of teeth that made your knees weak.
“Tae… we’re never going to make it if you keep doing that.” you stumbled a little, giggling softly when his arm tightened to steady you.
“Don’t care.” he murmured against your skin, hips rolling once so you could feel exactly how hard he was. “Been waiting too long to rush now.”
By the time you reached his bedroom doorway, your skin was flushed and tingling everywhere he’d touched. The warm glow of the bedside lamp was already on, casting soft golden light over the big bed and the familiar scattered details of his room.
“Do you always keep that light on, or were you planning on seducing me like this tonight?” you glanced at the lamp, then back at him with a teasing smile as he finally loosened his hold so you could step forward.
“It’s not the first time I left that on.” he admitted quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Can you blame me for hoping?”
The honest confession made something warm bloom in your chest, like it had been happening all night. You laughed softly, the sound light and affectionate, and walked the few steps to his bed. You sat on the edge of the mattress, completely bare, and let your eyes roam over him, eating him up with your gaze.
“Let’s see it, then.” you said, voice sweet but dripping with teasing challenge. You tilted your head, smiling up at him. “Show me what I’ve been missing.”
Taehyung’s expression shifted. The shy, second-guessing boy from earlier melted away, replaced by quiet cockiness and pure confidence. He stepped closer until he stood right in front of you, close enough that you had to tilt your head back to keep looking at his face.
Without breaking eye contact, he reached down and popped the button of his jeans. The zipper came down slowly. He shoved the denim down his long legs and kicked it aside, leaving him in just the black boxers that did very little to hide how hard he was.
Then those came off too.
Your mouth went dry.
He was big alright, longer and thicker than the morning woods or the grinding against you on the couch had ever prepared you for. His cock stood flushed and heavy against his stomach, the head a deep, angry red and already leaking steadily, a glossy bead of precum sliding down the shaft. The sheer size of him made your thighs press together instinctively, a fresh wave of heat pooling low in your belly.
Taehyung watched your reaction with dark, satisfied eyes, one hand casually wrapping around the base of his cock and giving himself one slow stroke.
“Still think you’ll be able to walk tomorrow?” he asked, voice low and teasing, but the way his cock twitched in his grip told you he was just as affected.
You licked your lips, unable to look away. “I… might need to call in sick.”
He let out a soft, husky laugh and stepped even closer, his free hand coming down to gently cup your chin, tilting your face up toward him.
Taehyung’s thumb brushed gently over your bottom lip, his voice dropping into something raw and needy.
“Touch me.” he murmured, almost begging. “Please, baby…”
The plea hit you straight in the chest; and lower. Your heart fluttered hard at how desperate he sounded, and a fresh pulse of heat throbbed between your legs, your cunt clenching around nothing at the sound of his voice like that.
You felt a little shy suddenly, despite everything you’d already done tonight. You looked up at him through your lashes, biting your lip as you reached for him. Your fingers wrapped around the thick base of his cock, and the moment you felt the scorching heat and velvet-soft skin, both of you let out a quiet sound.
Your hand looked so small and delicate against him, pretty fingers barely able to close fully around his impressive girth. Taehyung’s cock twitched visibly in your grip, another bead of precum welling at the flushed tip and sliding down slowly.
“Fuck…” he breathed, eyes fixed on the sight. “Look at that. Your pretty little hand looks so tiny on me.”
The awe in his voice made you bolder. You used it against him, voice soft and sweet as you started stroking him slowly from base to tip: “You like that? Like seeing how small I am compared to you?”
“Yes– shit, yes. Love it.” Taehyung groaned, hips jerking forward into your fist.
You spread the leaking precum down his shaft with your thumb, making the slide smoother as you learned every inch of him, the thick vein running along the underside, the way he pulsed hot and heavy in your palm, how he seemed to grow even harder under your touch. Your strokes stayed slow and exploratory at first, twisting gently at the head on every upstroke.
His moans became constant now, low and broken, like he could barely hold himself together. Every sound went straight to your core, making you wetter as you watched his abs tense and his chest rise faster with each pump of your hand.
You kept your eyes locked on his the whole time, refusing to look away even when you leaned forward. Your tongue darted out first, giving the leaking tip a slow lick that tasted salty-sweet. Taehyung’s breath hitched sharply, one hand coming down to gently thread through your hair without pushing.
Then you opened your mouth wider, stretching your jaw to take him in. Your lips wrapped around the flushed head, the sheer size of him forcing your mouth open as you sank down slowly, tongue swirling around the sensitive underside.
Taehyung let out a deep, guttural moan, fingers tightening just slightly in your hair. “That’s it… fuck, your mouth feels so good already. My pretty girl…”
You sank down further, taking more of his thick cock into your mouth until the head nudged the back of your throat. Your lips stretched wide around him, saliva already beginning to coat his shaft as you bobbed your head slowly at first, then with more confidence. The sounds were messy, wet, obscene slurps mixed with your soft hums and his constant, broken moans. Drool slipped from the corners of your mouth, dripping down your chin and onto his balls as you worked him deeper, tongue pressing firmly along the thick vein underneath.
“Fuck… your mouth is so warm, so wet, shit, baby…” Taehyung’s hand stayed gentle in your hair, not forcing, just holding as his hips twitched forward involuntarily.
You hollowed your cheeks and sucked harder, taking him as deep as you could until your nose nearly brushed his pelvis. Your free hand stroked what you couldn’t fit, twisting slickly with all the spit. Then your other hand slipped between his legs to cup his heavy balls, rolling them gently in your palm.
Taehyung’s entire body jerked. A deep, guttural groan tore from his chest and his cock throbbed hard against your tongue. For a second he looked like he was about to lose it right there, hips stuttering as he fought for control.
You pulled off just enough to giggle around the head of his cock, eyes sparkling up at him with pure mischief.
“Little brat.” he cursed breathlessly, voice strained and fond at the same time. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Still smiling, you gave his balls one last gentle squeeze before releasing them. Taehyung let out a shaky exhale, then gently tugged you off his cock with a wet pop. His chest was heaving, eyes dark with lust as he looked down at your swollen, shiny lips and the mess of spit on your chin.
“On the bed.” he instructed, voice rough but gentle. “Hands and knees. I need to see that pretty ass.”
You obeyed instantly, heat flooding your body at the command. Turning around, you crawled up the mattress toward the headboard, swaying your hips with every movement. You lowered your shoulders to the sheets, arching your back deeply so your ass was high in the air, knees spread wide, presenting yourself perfectly for him.
Behind you, Taehyung let out a low, strained hum that sounded more like a growl: “You shouldn’t be so good at that.”
“Neither of us are virgins, Tae.” you pointed out softly, cheek pressed to the cool sheet as you glanced back at him. “You met all of my boyfriends–”
The sharp smack of his palm against your ass cut you off, not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to sting deliciously and make you gasp. The possessive edge in the gesture sent a fresh rush of arousal straight to your cunt.
“I’m the only boyfriend you’ll have from now on.” he said, voice low and serious, one big hand rubbing soothingly over the spot he’d just smacked. “The only one who gets to see you like this. Got it?”
“Yes… I only ever wanted you, Tae. Only you.” you moaned at the words, your pussy clenching visibly with how much his possessiveness turned you on.
“Good girl,” he praised, the words warm and rough at the same time.
He climbed onto the bed behind you, the mattress dipping under his weight. You heard the slick sound of him pumping his cock a few times, then felt the blunt, leaking head press against your dripping entrance. He nudged it up and down your folds, coating himself in your wetness, but he didn’t push inside. Just rested there, hot and heavy, teasing.
You whined impatiently, pushing back against him, but he stayed perfectly still. When you looked over your shoulder, you found him already staring at you, eyes dark, jaw tight, drinking in the sight of you presented so openly for him.
“Show me what you can do, then.” he murmured, voice thick with challenge and barely contained need.
It was your turn not to hesitate.
With a slow, deliberate roll of your hips, you pushed back onto him. The thick head of his cock parted your slick folds and began to sink inside your tight cunt, stretching you open inch by inch. You clenched around him on purpose, sucking him deeper with every backward movement, your walls fluttering and gripping as you took more of his impressive length.
“Fuck… that’s it. Taking me so well already.” Taehyung groaned low and long behind you, hands flexing on your hips.
You kept going, slow and confident, until your ass finally met his pelvis and he was buried to the hilt inside you. The stretch was intense, he felt impossibly big, filling and stuffing your pussy completely. You stayed perfectly still once he was fully seated, cockwarming him while your walls fluttered and adjusted around his throbbing girth. Both of you breathed heavily in the quiet room, savoring the moment.
Taehyung’s hands roamed patiently over your body even as his cock twitched deep inside you. He spread your cheeks wider with both palms, groaning softly at the sight of where you were connected, your pussy stretched tight around his thick shaft. His hands then slid up your sides, tracing every curve, before gliding down the length of your spine in long, soothing strokes.
“So pretty like this.” he whispered, voice rough with restraint. “So fucking tight and warm around me… Take your time, baby. I’ve got you.”
You stayed like that for a long moment, letting your body get used to the deep, full feeling of him. When your breathing finally evened out and the initial burn melted into pure pleasure, Taehyung’s hand slid up your back and gathered your hair into a loose fist. He gave it a firm, gentle pull, arching your back deeper and making you moan loudly as the new angle pushed him even further inside you.
“Gonna show me what this perfect ass can do or nah?” he teased, voice low and husky, the words laced with that cocky confidence he wore so well now.
You answered by starting to move.
You rocked your hips slowly at first, then began to really fuck him, swaying and swiveling in smooth, deliberate circles, rolling your ass back onto his cock with practiced rhythm. You cocked your hips on every downward stroke, taking him deep and grinding so your pussy clenched and fluttered around every inch of him.
Taehyung’s curses and moans spilled out under his breath, growing louder and more broken the faster you moved. “Shit– fuck, baby…”
His free hand stayed on your hip, gripping tight, while the other kept that gentle pull on your hair, guiding you as you rode him in deep, filthy strokes. He touched you everywhere he could reach, palm sliding up your spine, squeezing your ass, reaching underneath to cup and knead your breast.
“You’re so deep, Tae… God, you’re stuffing my pussy so full. I can feel every inch of you.” you moaned loudly with every thrust, voice breathy and wrecked.
The praise hit him hard. You felt his cock twitch violently inside you, his hips jerking up to meet your movements as another low groan tore from his throat.
“Yeah?” he rasped, voice strained with pleasure. “You like how I fill you up? Like being stretched around my cock?”
“Love it… You’re so big, and you feel so perfect.” you nodded frantically, pushing back harder onto him, the wet sounds of skin meeting skin filling the room. “Been waiting so long for this– for you to fuck me like this.”
Taehyung’s grip on your hair tightened just enough to make you gasp, his other hand sliding down to rub firm circles over your clit as you continued to ride him with steady, sinful rolls of your hips. His moans were constant now, raw and needy, every praise you gave him making him lose himself a little more.
Suddenly he pulled out with a wet sound, leaving you empty and clenching around nothing. Before you could whine at the loss, his strong hands grabbed your hips and flipped you onto your back in one smooth motion.
You squealed in surprise, the sound turning into a breathless laugh as you bounced lightly on the mattress. Taehyung was already moving, towering over you as he pushed your thighs wide apart. His eyes were dark and hungry, chest heaving.
He didn’t give you time to catch your breath.
With one powerful thrust he shoved his thick cock back into your soaked pussy, burying himself to the hilt in a single stroke. The stretch was sudden and overwhelming, punching a loud moan out of you as your back arched off the bed.
Taehyung caged you in immediately, forearms braced on either side of your head, his broad body covering yours completely. He started fucking you harder, faster, deeper strokes that made the bed creak beneath you. Skin slapped loudly against skin with every thrust, wet and filthy.
“Fuck– yes.” he groaned, voice rough and low. “This is what I needed. Want to see your face while I fuck you.”
He leaned down and latched onto your chest, sucking and biting at the soft skin of your breasts, leaving little marks that made you cry out. Your nails raked down his back, leaving long scratches that only seemed to spur him on. He hissed in pleasure, hips snapping harder into you.
Every thrust was deep and good, the head of his cock dragging against that perfect spot inside your cunt over and over. Your legs wrapped around his waist, heels digging into his lower back as you pulled him even deeper.
“Tae– oh my god, you’re so deep.” you moaned, voice breaking. “Feels so good… don’t stop.”
“Not stopping.” he growled against your skin, biting down on the side of your breast before soothing it with his tongue. “Gonna fuck this pretty pussy until you can’t walk tomorrow. You’re mine now, baby. Only mine.”
Dirty, open-mouthed kisses followed, messy and desperate, tongues sliding together as he kept pounding into you. The wet slap of skin on skin mixed with your shared moans and gasps, filling the warm bedroom. His hips rolled with every thrust, grinding against your clit on the downstroke and making sparks explode behind your eyes.
You were both getting lost in each other, years of quiet longing finally pouring out in every desperate movement. Your hands roamed his back, nails digging in harder whenever he hit that perfect angle. His mouth moved from your breasts to your neck, sucking marks into your skin, then back to your lips for another sloppy, heated kiss.
“Feel how deep I am?” he panted against your mouth, one hand sliding down to grip your thigh and push it higher, opening you up even more for him. “This cunt was made for me. So tight, so wet– fuck, you’re squeezing me so good.”
You whimpered, clenching around his thick cock as another wave of pleasure built fast and hot in your belly. “Tae… I’m close–”
He groaned loudly, pace turning punishing as he fucked you harder, deeper, chasing both your pleasure and his own.
“That’s it, my girl. Come on my cock. Want to feel you fall apart around me.”
The coil in your stomach tightened unbearably, every brutal thrust pushing you closer to the edge. Taehyung’s forehead pressed to yours, eyes locked as you both spiraled together, moans and gasps mingling in the small space between you.
Taehyung’s thrusts stayed deep and punishing, hips snapping against yours with every stroke. His hand slid between your bodies, two fingers finding your swollen clit and rolling it fast, tight circles in perfect sync with the rhythm of his cock driving into your cunt.
The added stimulation was too much. Pleasure coiled unbearably tight in your belly, then snapped.
You came hard with a broken cry, back arching sharply off the bed as your pussy clenched violently around him. Your orgasm hit in messy, gushing waves, warm slick flooding around his thick cock, soaking his shaft, his balls, and the sheets beneath you. Your walls fluttered and pulsed, milking him relentlessly as you trembled and gasped beneath him.
“Fuck– fuck, baby–” Taehyung cursed loudly, eyes squeezing shut at the feeling of you gushing around him. The wet, obscene sounds grew louder as he kept thrusting through your climax, chasing his own release.
He only lasted a few more strokes.
With a deep, guttural groan he buried himself to the hilt and came hard, thick ropes of cum spilling deep inside your pulsing cunt. He filled you up completely, hot and heavy, his cock twitching with every pulse as he emptied himself. His hips jerked erratically, grinding against you as he rode out the intense waves.
Both of you were left twitching and trembling in the aftermath. Taehyung’s arms gave out and he toppled forward, collapsing on top of you with his full weight, face buried in the crook of your neck. His chest heaved against yours, both of you slick with sweat and breathing hard.
After a long moment of heavy, shared breathing, he mumbled against your skin, voice hoarse and a little sheepish:
“I meant to pull out.”
You let out a soft, breathless laugh, arms wrapping tighter around his back.
“I’m safe.” you assured him gently, one hand stroking through his damp hair. “And I trust you.”
The tension melted from his shoulders instantly. He exhaled shakily, pressing a lazy kiss to your neck. “God, I love you.”
The words landed warm and certain against your skin. If this had been anyone else, you might have brushed it off as post-sex haze. But this was Taehyung, your Tae, and you knew he meant every syllable.
“I kinda knew that when you peeled that first mandarin.” you smiled, hugging him harder to your chest. He let out a tired, rumbling laugh, the sound vibrating through both of you. You continued softly: “I’ll say it back when you do it again.”
Taehyung pulled back just enough to look at you, eyes sparkling with affection and amusement even through the exhaustion. His messy hair fell over his forehead as he grinned down at you.
“No need for words or mandarins.” he murmured, voice still rough from moaning. “You don’t fuck someone like that when you don’t love them back.”
You laughed softly, reaching up to cup his face. He leaned into your palm, eyes fluttering closed for a second before he dipped down to kiss you, slow, lazy, and full of everything you’d both waited years to say out loud.
The two of you stayed tangled together like that, his softening cock still buried inside you, hearts slowing down in the warm glow of the bedside lamp. For the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly right.
Synopsis - You love Jungkook. Have been almost all your life. Being an idiot who hoped he’d see you the way you saw him one day. Only for him to crush your heart when he falls for a boy. Kim Taehyung. You think the only thing that could get worse is the pain in your heart. Unfortunately however, pain is the easy part.
Paring- Kim Taehyung × Reader ft. Jeon Jungkook
Genre - Yandere/ Dark Romance
Warnings - Some kind of grinding?
Word count - 5.6K
a/n- Hey lovelies! Finally managed to get this done. I swear I didn't want to write 5k words but since it took long I guess it's okay that it's a bit longer (My fingers slipped though I was trying so bad to keep control LOL). I hope I'll be able to finish the next part soon. Have decided the scenes already and it's not much. Anyway, hope you'll enjoy. And please let me know what you think. LY as always ♥️
Last night you had a very fitful sleep. Though you can’t remember, you’re certain you had a nightmare. You were in your room, there was someone else in there who was about to drag you away. You were screaming for help. And it was your very own mother who was the only other person there and not so surprisingly she did nothing to help you. She didn’t even look your way.
Of course. She’d fail you even in a dream. She’d failed you in reality. Over and over again. Ever since your dad left. She’s the most selfish person you’ve ever seen. From the very beginning she chased men and men only. Her own daughter was just a byproduct of the past mistake who sat there and received any kind of abuse that came her way. If it wasn’t for Jungkook, you would’ve given up on your life. Not anymore though. No. You’re strong now. At least in that aspect. Even though you still have nightmares. You hate your mother. Which is why you’re annoyed to death when someone shakes you out of your sleep and it’s your mom’s face staring at your sleepy face, you want to go to war early this morning.
“Jesus, thought you were fucking dead or something.” She hisses. She smells of cigarettes. “Do you know what time it is?”
You groan in annoyance. Since when did she start worrying about your well being? Certainly didn’t do so when you needed her to. As a kid you missed school more than you can imagine because she never bothered to wake you up and send you to school. It was Jungkook’s mom who made sure you went to school until you grew up and made it your own responsibility. You don’t think your mother would’ve even let you be in the house if it wasn’t for the fact that your father–though he was never around–paid child support which quite didn’t spend on you for anything other than the basic necessities like food. Everything else? It was up to you to figure it out.
You don’t know your father very much but he’s still paying your mother for you even though he’s no longer legally obligated to do so as you’re an adult now. And he’s paying for your tuition too. The only reason why you’re studying. Your mother would’ve never even bothered to do so. Technically, you can move out of this shit hole now. The reason you don’t is the boy next door. You don’t want to stay away. Jungkook seems to be content to live in his parents’ house until he finishes college as they’re not at home normally, and also the best parents someone could ask for. He practically lives like he’s in a frat house while still in his parents’ house. Which is good for him but not for you. Yet you’ll be living here as long as he lives there.
“Just go away!” You groan in answer to your mother’s sudden nagging. Surely, she needs something. Maybe she wants you to ask for more money from your father.
“It’s eleven in the morning you brat!” She doesn’t move an inch. “When did you sleep last night? You look like shit!”
“What the hell do you want?” You finally snap.
“I’m your fucking mother—”
“Oh for fuck’s sake!” You yell as you finally sit up. Your mother’s jaw clenches as she regards you with a look in her eyes that you can’t quite decipher. A few years ago, this would’ve ended in a slap across your face. But now, she knows she can’t. Probably the reason why she sighs and decides to speak in a much gentler tone. “I thought you were getting better.”
Not this shit again!
During the time where Jungkook was dating Ysela you were positively miserable which somehow gave her the impression that you were in some kind of toxic relationship. You’re surprised to even think that she noticed. Nonetheless, the only thing she did was make your life even more miserable, demanding you stop it and even walking into a length where she outright called her own daughter a whore. Then when their relationship ended, you were more miserable. You shared Jungkook’s pain as if it was your own. You got drunk with him every night. Skipped classes with him. Your mom didn’t ask anything about it. Maybe she thought your toxic relationship–which never existed–had ended and you were simply heartbroken. Either way, you’re certain she’s talking about that now.
“I was just sleeping, Mom. Can you just not–I don’t know–don’t try to become a Mom. It doesn’t suit you. I was doing fucking fine and now I’m not.” You throw a pillow down to the floor. She waits in utter silence for a second and then throws her hand in the air.
“Fine! Do whatever the fuck you want.” Then as surprising as it is, she storms away, slamming the door behind her. You fall back onto the bed, cursing. Mourning your interrupted sleep and trying to go back to your slumber again when your phone pings. Despite your grumpiness you fish under your pillow for your phone, expecting—hoping it’d be Jungkook. The only person who could make this morning a better one, though, all he talks about these days is Kim Taehyung.
Rolling onto your side, you glance at your lock screen, instantly frowning to see an unsaved, unknown number flashing there. Slowly you unlock your phone to check the message.
Unknown Number: Need help! (11. 15 a.m.)
Your frown deepens. Who the hell is that? Wrong number? Probably because who’d ask for help that way. You almost ignore it with your crushed hopes when a second message pops in. This time an image. Without a second thought, you tap on it to download it and the frown on your face almost becomes a permanent fixture on your face when the photo reveals a mirror selfie. Of none other that Kim FUCKING Taehyung.
It’s a mirror selfie of him. Looking absolutely, inhumanly, gorgeous as he stands there with ruffled hair and a white T-shirt. A part of his face is visible as the rest is covered by the phone. Fucking hell!!! How could someone look that good? From that untamed hair to his long fingers clutching the phone. If you didn’t already hate him with a passion, then maybe you’d have appreciated this beauty like someone should. But unfortunately for both of you, you hate him. So you hate this picture. Hate how good he looks.
Besides, why is he sending you this? Before you can question things further, another image pops in. This time, it’s another mirror selfie. Same posture and almost the same expressions minus the T-shirt. In this one, it’s black. You stare at the image with an expression torn between a glare and a frown when a third message follows.
Unknown Number: Which one is the best? Black or white?(11. 17 a.m.)
Okay what the actual fuck! Why would he send you this? Why on earth would he want to ask you? Sure you’ve been seeing each other a lot lately whether you like it or not. He’s always there at the gym. You’ve accidentally bumped into him a couple of times on campus too. But you know you never gave him any impression that you’re best friends now. You didn’t even give him your number or ask for his.
Wait, how's he texting you then?
With a soft curse you take a screenshot of the chat, ignoring his Godly looking mirror selfies and the stupid question as you open your chat with Jungkook. You send him the screenshot first and shoot a text next.
You: Did you give him my number 😑(11. 18 a.m.)
Jungkook reads the message almost instantly and three dots appear down the screen. His reply is very quick.
Kookie: Maybe 😓(11. 18 a.m)
Your frown deepens. You are about to give him a piece of your mind when he sends you an image too. Another screenshot. Of his and Taehyung’s chat. And the same two images and the same question sit there with just different wordings. The way your heart drops is insane that you’re certain you’d be able to pick it up from the floor.
Taehyung called him Kookie.
Kookie!
You call him Kookie. It’s your Kookie.
Now, you already knew what was happening all right? You knew Jungkook wanted Taehyung. But there was a tiny hope that Taehyung might not be into him. The nickname changes it all.
You can see Jungkook had sent Taehyung a goodnight text before the images along with a red heart. Not pink. Not purple. Fucking red. So he replied to Taehyung– unlike you– with a ‘white for sure’ and another text saying ‘where you going?’. You don’t see a reply from Taehyung to that. But what you see is enough to crack your heart open. Leave it bleeding. It’s always been bleeding. You believed there was no space for it to get cracked anymore. Apparently, it can. You tilt your head up to drain your tears before focusing back on the screen and trying to think what to say when Jungkook sends another message.
Kookie: Damn 😒 I thought he was asking only me!!! (11. 19 a.m.)
Kookie: Do you think he’s asking everyone in his contacts? 😣(11. 19 a.m.)
Your own pain sinks into guilt immediately. The last thing you want is to make Jungkook feel bad. You hadn’t thought it would be the case when you sent him the screenshot at all. Fuck! You’re such a bitch. See what you’ve done. Why can’t you just understand he doesn’t see you any way other than a friend? Why can’t you let him just be happy?
Nibbling on your lower lip, you go into crisis mode to salvage his feelings.
You: Maybe he didn’t want to make it weird by asking only you? Yk like maybe he thought you’d find it weird (11. 20 a.m.)
Kookie: You think so? (11. 20 a.m.)
You: Yes!!! (11. 20 a.m.)
You: Which wouldn’t have happened if you hadn't given him my contact btw! 😒(11. 21 a.m)
A few minutes pass before he replies again.
Kookie: It would’ve been fucking weird if you didn’t have each other’s contacts (11. 23 a.m.)
You are about to ask how the hell that is weird when he sends another text.
Kookie: Besides this is good. (11.23 a.m.)
Kookie: Now we both can discuss SCIENTIFICALLY how fucking mouth watering he looks in those goddamn selfies (11.24 a.m)
You cringe visibly. Oh, hell no!
You: Ewwww!!! (11.24 a.m.)
You: I’m not going to drool over your crush Jeon Jungkook! 11. 25 a.m.)
He sends you a sticker of a man looking thoroughly offended and clutches his chest.
Kookie: Why the hell not? (11. 25 a.m.)
You: Um… because that’s your crush???!!!! (11. 25 a.m.)
Kookie: So what? (11. 25 a.m.)
Kookie: I totally don’t mind my best friend drooling over my crush. Some people are worth two people drooling over (11. 26 a.m.)
You frown at his message. Your mind gets stuck somewhere between disgust and disbelief. Maybe, if you were actually his best friend as he says, you would’ve drooled over that God of a man. Just to show your support. But you’re not just his best friend. Not in your mind anyway. The only man who you want to drool over and will drool over is the one who’s texting you right now.
Kookie: We can use this in our favor anyway… (11.27 a.m.)
Not wanting to explain why you absolutely don’t want to drool over his crush, you simply let it go and reply.
You: How????? (11.27 a.m.)
Kookie: Tell him the black looks good. Let’s see if he’d choose my choice (11.27 a.m.)
No. No way! This is a terrible idea. For many reasons but mainly for two. First, you don’t want to talk to Taehyung. If you text him now, he’s gonna keep texting you and treat you like a friend. You don’t want that. Second, if he actually wears white that means he actually has something for Jungkook. Well, you can’t say that for sure but it means he listens to Jungkook. It has to mean something. And it’ll break your heart. Besides, Jungkook shouldn’t be choosing this method either. Beating around the bush. Waiting for something to happen. Hoping Taehyung would just reciprocate his feelings by a miracle. You’ve been on that path. It doesn’t end well. Though you’re too much of a selfish bitch to tell him that.
You get up from your bed. It’s a completely inexplicable feeling that makes you walk over to your window and draw the curtain aside. Maybe it’s a hunch. But somehow you knew he'd be there. And sure enough, he is. Shirtless. Those goddamn tattoos on display. Hair still ruffled from bed and sticking in funny and odd directions. The most bunniest grin appears on his face as he waves to you with his eyes scrunched up. You give him a look that clearly says that you won’t do as he says. His grin falters, a pout that’s so adorable it makes your body ache appear in its place. He clasps his hands, rubbing his palms together as he begs. Or pretends to do so. You know he’s buttering you up. The thing is, though, he looks too damn cute to say no.
With a heavy sigh, you relent. This is a bad idea. But things can’t get any worse than him getting together with Taehyung. You already knew that this would be the end anyway. Known that you’d be heartbroken no matter what. So, you pick up your phone and shoot a text to the unknown number that sits on your chat list under Jungkook’s chat.
You: Black. (11.35 a.m.)
You glance back at the man who you’re ready to give your entire life. Noticing that you’ve texted, his grin returns to his face. Oh so damn adorable. He mouths a ‘thank you’ and, making your heart skip a whole series of beats that borders on a heart attack, he blows a kiss your way before grinning like a maniac and biting on his lower lip to contain it. Then he walks inside. Leaving you rooted on your spot. Heart breaking. Fuck, it hurts! Hurts so much that you want to drop to the floor and scream.
Because he doesn’t mean it the way you want it to. He’s just happy because you helped him with landing Taehyung. He’s always been touchy. Of course. Would flirt with you sometimes. But never serious. Never romantic. Just for fun. And he never sees the pain. Never.
…………….
White!
Kim Taehyung is wearing white. And you don’t know what you should feel about it. Jungkook on the other hand, is visibly trying and effectively failing to hide his excitement. He has dragged you out tonight. That’s how you ended up in a club. Taehyung said he'd been visiting a friend that morning and came to join you right after. You wonder who that friend is. A friend who made him think hard about what he wears. You hope it’s a special friend. Like Jungkook is to you. Oh, how selfish. But you can’t help it. Can’t help but wish that things would turn around. Taehyung will vanish from your lives just like he came.
Jungkook, however, doesn’t seem to mind or wonder even a tiny bit who that friend is. He doesn’t question. Doesn’t look bothered at all. They're each nursing a bottle of beer.You’re pretty sure it’s their second or third. Meanwhile you’re still sipping from your cocktail which you don’t even know the name of.
It’s not very often that you go clubbing. Among many and countless things you’ve changed for Jungkook, being an introvert hasn’t changed much. It never became a problem considering he was an introvert too. You both always prefer to get drunk in his room or yours. Sometimes on his rooftop. Whenever you did go clubbing or anywhere out, it was normally with whichever other friends Jungkook had. Not your friends. But they all knew you. You’ve been a part of Jungkook’s life forever. Of course everyone knew you. When you did go out with those people, you didn’t hate it as much as you thought you would. Unless of course there was Ysela. But even then it wasn’t insufferable as this is. At least she didn’t try to become friends with you.
Unlike Kim Taehyung!
You don’t know why he’s trying. There’s a message from him that you never replied to sitting ugly on your phone. Just as you’d expected, he’s sent you a reply after you asked him to wear black this morning. He asked if you were sure it was the best option. Out of pure pettiness you’ve shot a very aggressive “Why the hell would you ask me if you didn’t want to believe me?”. To which he had replied with a “Fucking feisty 😏”. You ignored that. Then after a few minutes he sent another text asking what your plans are for Saturday night. You read it and left him on read. Maybe he asked so he could invite you to this night and despite your lack of enthusiasm you showed him, he had managed to get what he wanted.
Your train of thoughts gets disrupted when Taehyung suddenly slides the dish of roasted cashews towards you. “You’re gonna stick to that one drink?” He asks, gesturing at your still full glass of cocktail. See? This is exactly what’s bothering you. Why would he even try? Can’t he just drink his own drink and enjoy?
“C’mon, (__)…” Jungkook gives a soft whine too. “That’s not fun, we’re in a club. What got you so wound up anyway?” He scrunches up his face adorably.
“Nothing. I just don’t feel like drinking.” You frown at them.
“Bullshit! You never feel like not drinking.” Jungkook huffs, to much of your annoyance. You open your mouth to protest but Taehyung steals your drink at that moment.
“Okay, I’m ordering shots. We’re getting wasted and we’re having fun.” He stands up. Then bends down to your height, bringing his face closer to you. “Especially you. You look like you need all the fun in the world.”
“Fuck, yes!” Jungkook chirps as Taehyung disappears in the mass of bodies. The moment he gets out of your sight Jungkook turns to you and scoots closer to you at light speed. “He’s wearing white!” He practically yells in your face that you flinch. You almost roll your eyes but he cups your face between both of his hands. Your heart stops. So does the time. Your eyes go wide as you stare at his awfully beautiful and devastatingly adorable face. “See…it was a good idea!” He grins from one ear to the other. And your stopped heart returns to its normal beating so hard that you feel like someone punched you in the chest. The stopped world comes into motion as well. So suddenly that it’s all a blurry noise in your ears.
He is drunk. And happy. So happy. Because Teehyung wore the T-shirt Jungkook wanted him to wear. He is happy because he’s reading too much into it and jumping into his own conclusions. Something you’ve always done. You still do it. Reading into every little thing. A look. A touch. A smile. Anything and everything. Not that they ever meant what you wanted with Jungkook. Maybe you should advise Jungkook not to do that. But then…maybe, in his case, he’s right to read into it.
The place where your heart forgot to beat for a second, now lies a stinging pain. Before you can process that pain Taehyung walks back with a black tray and six shot glasses. He places it on the table with a grin.
“Tequila.” He announces. Jungkook scoots away from you again. Like a moth drawn to flame, he’s instantly back at Taehyung’s side. Of course. That stinging pain worsens. Oh, how pathetic you are? You look at the pure joy on Jungkook’s face. And Taehyung’s. You sweep your eyes over the club. So many people. Smiling. Laughing. Dancing. Chatting. Drinking. Enjoying. Everyone except you is actually living a life. Here you are. Being heartbroken for almost all your life. Waiting for a person who never was yours. Never will be yours.
Pathetic.
You look like you need all the fun in the world!
True. You couldn’t agree anymore. You do need fun. Because this is enough. Maybe, this should be the night you should get over with this pathetic love of yours. Yes. You should. So fuck this! Fuck everything! You want to numb the pain anyway.
You reach for a shot glass like you’re a robot. Waste no time at all before you bring it to your mouth and tip it back. Scrunching up your face at the bitter taste you reach for the second one and down it in one go again. When you look back at your companions, both of them are blinking at you heavily in disbelief.
“Okay…” Taehyung chuckles first. “Gonna make a toast, but that works too.”
Oh, he wanted to do that?
“Well, we can!” You snatch a third glass, knowing very well you’re stealing one of their drinks considering Taehyung only brought six and there’s three of you. Not that you care. Jungkook does, apparently.
“Yah!” He exclaims, almost reaching for the glass when Taehyung forcefully clinks his glass against his.
“Looks like we need more shots.” He says with a grin that’s so wide and joyful it nearly infects you with joy too. “C’mon!” He invites you to join the toast too. So you do, bringing your own shot glass toward theirs. “Cheers!” Taehyung bellows first and Jungkook does it even louder.
“Cheers to what?” You ask softly. Taehyung stops grinning for a second, pursing his lips as he considers.
“To us?” He asks cautiously. As if he’s not sure whether you’d like it. His eyes on you. Careful. Curious. But before you can decide whether you like it or not, Jungkook steals your opportunity.
“To fucking us!” He practically yells through the top of his lungs, causing a few other clubgoers to startle and throw weird looks your way.
“Jesus!” You mumble but a smallest of smiles ghosts across your lips.
“C’mon, (___)…. Everyone needs to say it.” Jungkook gives you those puppy eyes that make you weak in the knees. You groan yet relent without much persuasion. You are weak for him.
“To fucking us!” You repeat with less enthusiasm than Jungkook but with a grin nonetheless. See, alcohol is already working, which is concerning since you need substances in your blood to feel happy. But as the night progresses you don’t care about it. Not when you’re actually hollering in laughter. Not smiling. Not grinning. Not pretending. Actually laughing until your eyes prick with tears. So do the two men. Taehyung is slumping lower in the booth as you’re describing how that one time six year old Jungkook started a fight with a girl and came back home with a black eye. Jungkook is evidently mortified that you bring this up now. In front of his crush. The man he wants to impress. But he doesn’t look offended. If anything, he looks touched by Taehyung’s reaction. As if he’s glad he could make him laugh even through a memory he’d rather bury thirty feet underground.
“No way, Kook!” Taehyung gasps for air as he rights his position again.
“Oh, but yes way! He did that.” You say matter of factly before throwing a roasted cashew in your mouth. You don’t know why you’re so happily engaging in conversations with Taehyung. It’s probably the alcohol’s doing. Come tomorrow morning, when you have a killer hangover and blurry memories, you would absolutely go back to being a hateful bitch and start to dislike him again. Until then though, you’d have this moment.
“She was fucking strong, all right?” Jungkook defends. “She was this tall and trust me she even had muscles.” He shows the said girl’s height by holding his arm at least four feet off the floor.
“Bullshit!” You bellow. “She was this tall.” You argue holding your hand so close to the floor that you have to duck beneath the table. Jungkook gasps in pure offense, trying to reach you under the table. You shriek in panic, hastily trying to straighten up when a hand lands on top of your head, warm fingers slipping through your hair before you hear Taehyung’s bubbly voice with a little drunken slur to it.
“Head, sweetheart! Watch your head!” He yells through his laughter. You freeze in your spot for a second before Jungkook gets a hold of you under the table and starts tickling you.
“Say she was bigger.” He demands with some other drunken gibberish that quiet don’t reach you as you’re doing your best to escape him, giggling and squealing while Taehyung tries his damn best to protect your head so you won’t hit it and bleed to death.
“Okay! Okay!” You yell after trying and failing to escape Jungkook for the ninth time and giving up before all these tickling would make you piss yourself. “She was way bigger and older than you.” You gasp and pant as you finally manage to come out from under the table, Taehyung still keeping his hand over your head. He doesn’t take it away even after you sit back properly and Jungkook reaches for another beer. All he does is grinning at you with that strange kind of glint in his eyes. Then he turns those eyes to Jungkook.
“Dance?” He asks. Jungkook perks up. Doesn’t give you any time to consider that as he grabs your hand, hauls you up into your feet and starts dragging you towards the mass of bodies on the dance floor who are swaying to the loud, obnoxious music. Within ten seconds you find yourself among those swaying bodies, facing Jungkook–the man in your dreams. You’re both grinning like fools as he takes your hands in his, pulling you into a silly dance. A loud laugh escapes you. Jungkook copies it. Then he drops your hand, just to place them on your waist so he can take the dancing seriously.
Just like that, your smile drops. Not giving way into a frown or sadness though. It completely turns into a breathless gasp. You’ve danced with him before. Hundreds of times. But today? Today something feels different. Maybe it’s the way his smile drops too. Or the way he grips your waist a little too tight. Or maybe, just maybe his gaze drops to your mouth. Or it’s completely in your head. You won’t complain, however. Even if it’s in your head, you won’t complain. A strange kind of electric feeling sparks where his hands are currently on your body. You decide that you like it so damn much to be able to complain about it. You probably shouldn’t make your past mistakes. Reading too much into this. Make this into something that it isn’t. But how? How could you do that when he tugs you closer, a slow smile appearing in his pink lips?
The world slows down again. The loud music turns into an incessant thump in your ears. A shudder runs down your spine.
Okay…this is not normal. Something’s not okay.
The way your body reacts to him? Yes, normal. Completely. This is how you’ll always react to his close proximity. Body frozen. Heart thumping. Ears ringing. In a very good way. A fire licks at your insides keenly. But what’s not normal is the way Jungkook acts. He’s been touchy. Flirty even. Yet you always knew he never meant anything. At least nothing that suggests he wants to do something more than being silly and innocently flirting with his best friend.
At this moment? It’s not normal. Why? What’s happening? Are you hallucinating? Are you too drunk? Are you—
Another pair of hands land on your body. A little further down from where Jungkook’s hands are. Those spiraling thoughts of yours crash down into a rumble. A gasp escapes you. Even before you can process anything Taehyung’s voice comes right next to your ear that it equally leaves you breathless and flinching.
“When you have two friends, it’s a jerk move to ignore one, sweetheart.” He says in a really low voice, you’re surprised that you even heard it over the million other sounds in the club. You open your mouth, to say what you have no idea. Though nothing whatsoever leaves your parted lips when Taehyung tugs you to him, your back plasters with his chest, creating a few inches of distance between you and Jungkook.
You frown immediately. You might have been having a good time. Hell, you even forgot that you don’t like Taehyung as you’ve been drowning in drinks. But this? This is unacceptable. Sure, you have no idea what Jungkook meant when he pulled you closer like that. It’s probably nothing. It doesn’t matter in the end. Because even if Jungkook is making a drunken mistake. Even if he’s completely out of his mind. Or even if he’ll come to you tomorrow morning and admit that he regrets even laying a finger on you. You don’t care. This could be a dream for all you care. What you want is Jungkook. What you need is Jungkook. You want to be closer to him even for a fleeting second. Which is exactly what you almost do. Trying to get closer to him again when Jungkook softly chuckles and eats up the distance between you. In a blink he’s pressed against your chest, sandwiching you between two warm bodies.
In another time, if you were sober, you would’ve panicked. Blanched. As much as you want Jungkook, you despise the man behind you. Or you wouldn’t. Maybe it has nothing to do with the alcohol but everything to do with the man in front of you. He makes everything else fade away. Any protests or questions fail to form in your brain. He makes your brain a scrambled mess. Makes him the only person alive in your mind.
Then why the hell are you so fully aware of the presence behind you?
Your breath hitches as Taehyung starts to sway you into the music, Jungkook soon following the rhythm. You’re keeping your eyes on Jungkook, fully immersed in him. Only him. Right? It should be only him. But Taehyung’s presence is demanding attention. You can’t ignore his hands on you. Can’t ignore his warmth. Can’t ignore his breath tickling your neck.
This is not good. Something is wrong. You hate Taehyung.
You close your eyes for a split second, trying to control the tremors running down your body. Strangely or not, this feels so good. Really good. Especially, when Jungkook presses more and more into you, causing you to shove more into Taehyung.
Fuck! Fuck! What’s happening!
Taehyung squeezes your hips, making you snap your eyes open. Your eyes land back on Jungkook. He’s not looking at you. His eyes are fully on the man behind you. Pupils obviously so dilated it’s all black in his eyes. Soft pants are escaping his lips. It takes you a second to realize that his hands are no longer on your waist. With an effort, you train your eyes down to find them on top of Taehyung.
Oh!
Oh!!!!
The reality comes crashing in to you. Jungkook is not pressing into you. Or he is physically but this whole thing is revolving around the man who gently guides your movements from behind. Maybe he’s not trying to press into you either. Maybe his sole focus is on the man before you. Maybe in their heads, you don’t exist at all. Or…simply they are using you as an excuse. An excuse to be closer without actually doing it with each other. Testing the waters. Neither of them probably doesn’t know if the other is into men, right? Of course they don’t. It’s too risky to make a direct move. So why not use the woman as a stepping stone.
The high you’ve been feeling pops out. That familiar pain you’ve been trying to avoid replaces in your chest, ten times worse. Even your eyes start burning as you place a firm hand on Jungkook’s chest and push him away. He doesn’t even budge for a second, his eyes fully on Taehyung. His mouth agape. A bead of sweat lining on his forehead. He looks delicious. Likes sin. Not for you, though. Never for you.
“Move, Jungkook!” You finally find your voice and grumbles through gritted teeth. Still he doesn’t even look your way. “Fucking move!” So it leaves you no other options but to yell. That gets his attention. His head snaps to you. Confused and heavily blinking as if he sees you only now.
“(___)? What–” He begins but you push him away as you step away from both of them.
“Sweetheart!” Taehyung tries too. You take a look at his face for the first time after you come into the dance floor. And fuck! If Jungkook looks like sin then this man looks like the devil himself.
“I want to go home.” You state firmly, ignoring the memory of how good it felt to be in their arms. Their arms. Including Taehyung. Not just Jungkook.
Fuck your life!
“Of course, let me book a ride.” Jungkook says as he searches for his phone. You nod, gazing back at Taehyung momentarily and finding disappointment written all across his features.
Well, of course, he’s disappointed. You just ruined his chance, didn’t you?
contains: inexperienced!reader, making out to something more spicy (👀), jungkook is a fuckboy but is a big softie for reader!!
jungkook was notorious for being the biggest fuckboy on campus, showing up to house parties and crashing them with his big dick energy. he could get any girl he wanted - until he met you, that was.
jungkook knew he had to have you. your doe-like eyes that lit up every time your friend called your name, the way you politely declined other men that offered to refill your drink, the flush of soft pink that creeped up your cheeks when he brushed a hair behind your ear. Everything about you was mesmerising.
jungkook didn’t know you were inexperienced, you see. until he had you pinned against the bedroom door with his knee in between your thighs—until you let out a wary whimper—until you accidentally bit his lip a little too hard.
jungkook immediately lifted him self off of you, pushing himself backwards away from the door.
“you good?”
“..i-yeah! i’m okay…just that i have never done …this before”
“this? like makeout with someone?”
“like..everything”
now the whole room was spinning.
jungkook felt the familiar rush in his lower body, and licked his bottom lip to stop himself from towering over your figure again.
“…you want to stop? we don’t have to continue if you don’t want to”
this was a surprise to you. THE fuckboy jungkook cared about consent? you thought he was just like every other douchebag; just chatting to anything and anyone with a hole was a win.
“no! i mean..no, i…want to”
even in the dimly lit room, he could tell from the tone of your voice that your cheeks and ears were tinted pink.
jungkook took a slow step towards you, eyes searching your face to see any hint of uncertainty, or wariness.
“i’ll go slow”
your eyes met his with certainty, and jungkook’s heart skipped a beat when he spotted a faint glimpse of lust.
jungkook met your lips a lot more slower this time. he made sure to guide you; whether it was his tongue gently parting your lips before exploring your mouth or him placing his hand at the back of your head, tilting your head to make it a little easier for you to meet his lips while you were on your tippy toes.
jungkook felt himself slipping a few times—his knee finding that sweet spot between your thighs again—and would snap back to reality when you tugged on his plain white t-shirt. going slow was a good idea until he was kissing you.
jungkook felt you gain confidence as your makeout session went on. the more swollen both of your lips got, the more bold you got. your hand travelled up his bare abdomen underneath his t-shirt—even travelling down to fiddle a bit with his belt that was doing an awful job of restraining his hard-on.
“shit—now you wanna go fast?”
“oh!—sorry…should i not have done that?”
“no,”
jungkook states, his tone and demeanour darker than before,
“you have no idea how much i’m holding back. can you feel how bad i want this?”
his hand engulfs your hand, guiding it down to his hardened cock over his jeans and gives it a little squeeze.
jungkook’s other hand wanders up from your waist, to your breasts, to your neck, putting enough pressure to leave your head spinning—his veins popping out behind his tattooed sleeve.
“babygirl, i want to touch you so bad. i want you to touch me so fucking bad. but i’m trying to be a gentleman.”
your knees nearly give out on you. you gulp against his hand on your neck, and let out a whimper.
“…you can touch me. i want you to touch me…and i want to touch you too”
jungkook is done holding back now. he picks you up by your waist, and carries you to the bed, practically throwing you onto it.
he tosses his white t-shirt over his head and onto the floor, the band of his calvin klein underwear peeking out from his black jeans.
“no going back now, baby. let me make you feel so fucking good you’ll be crawling back to me.”
Two rival CEOs who absolutely despise each other keep ending up in bed despite the hatred. Their relationship is nothing but angry texts, blackmail, and raw hate sex with zero feelings involved.
𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 / 𝗮𝘂 (warnings): smau/texting au + written, ceo!jk x ceo!oc, enemies with benefits/enemies who fuck, sexting, smut, jealousy, intense competition, corporate sabotage, toxic rivalry. // NO SERIES TAGLIST
Genre: enemies to lovers; angst; smut; obsession; power imbalance; socioeconomic gap; toxic seokjin; hurt/comfort; bully seokjin; dark romance; billionaire au
Summary: They call him Saint. He's anything but. A monster hidden behind charm, wealth, and a perfect reputation. Seokjin Saint Kim is ruthless, obsessive, and far more cruel than anyone realises. The only thing standing between him and what he wants is...you. Too bad he's not willing to let that stop him.
Word Count: 6.5K
Warnings: explicit, vaginal fingering, mentions of child abuse, dirty talk, smut, sexual tension, light dom/sub, family trauma, manipulation, obsession, coercion, threats, blood/ injury, power imbalance, strong language, alcohol use, mentions of child abuse
Chapter-specific warnings will be added at the beginning of each chapter.
a/n: this one took me a little longer than usual, so apologies for the wait!!!! work has been absolutely whooping my ass lately, so this chapter isn’t fully edited, but she’s finally here and ready for y’all to read. if you enjoy it, please show it some love in the comments. they genuinely mean the most to me. and yes…seokjin is a complete asshole, isn’t he? but have a little faith! we’ve got three loooong chapters left for him to earn his redemption. anyways, happy reading! 🤍
You sat across from Eli Parker on the lush leather couch of his office. When he greeted you, he was just as polite and welcoming as he had always been. Whatever that had happened between you and his son, he never once let it show. You were grateful for that.
Seokjin wanted you to testify.
He knew you were his strongest chance of winning.
He also knew you were weak when it came to him.
It was becoming a pattern. Every time you were around him, you found yourself fighting your own morals.
The conversation carried on around you as Seokjin and Mr. Parker discussed prenups, wills,and inheritance clauses but the words barely registered to you. Your mind kept circling back to the same question.
Was Seokjin telling the truth?
Your heart wanted to believe him. Your brain wouldn’t allow it.
It kept dragging you back to the seventeen year old you he’d driven out of Blackwood on a whim. Seokjin had always been terrifyingly capable of cruelty whenever there was something he wanted badly enough.
“Do you have any questions, dear?” Eli Parker’s voice pulled you back.
You straightened instinctively, wiping your damp palms against your long skirt before forcing a polite smile.
“No, Mr. Parker. I think I understand.”
“Well, if anything comes to mind, you have one of the best attorneys in the country sitting right beside you.” He chuckled, reaching for a thick law book from the shelf behind him. “Your testimony could end up being the deciding factor in this case. I’m glad you offered to help.”
Offered?
Your eyes snapped to Seokjin. He wasn’t looking your way, too busy discussing something with Eli in hushed, animated voices.
That absolute prick.
For the rest of the evening, your heart and brain continued to reason with each other.
If Eli Parker believed you could tip the scales in Seokjin’s favour, then perhaps there really was truth to what Seokjin had told you, perhaps—
No.
He was still a lawyer before he was anything else, looking out for Seokjin’s interests was his job.
By the time you stepped outside, you felt mentally wrung out.
You didn’t trust Seokjin.
Yet you still wanted to help him.
Were you really this easy for him to sway? Was Seokjin capable of making you do just about anything?
Eli walked the two of you to the front door. Mrs. Parker greeted Seokjin with a warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek, pointedly overlooking you.
She didn’t respond when you greeted her. You couldn’t blame her. She wasn’t as gracious as Mr. Parker about your breakup with Nate.
As you walked towards the limousine, Seokjin tutted, “And to think she once wanted you as her daughter-in-law.”
“You must be so proud of breaking us up.” You spat and quickened your steps. He ignored your jab. Instead, a wolfish grin broke across his stupidly handsome face.
What was he so happy for?
His long strides closed the distance between you in seconds as he pulled the car door open for you. You rushed to slide as far into the corner of the seat as you could. Seokjin climbed in after you and, instead of taking his usual place across from you, settled down right beside you. His thigh pressed against yours, and you inhaled sharply.
The distance between the two of you was so minuscule you could feel the heat radiating from his body and breathe in his heady, intoxicating scent.
He turned to you and reached for your hands from where they rested on your lap, lifting one gently before pressing his lips against the pulse fluttering at your wrist.
Your breath hitched, and the spot where his lips touched burned.
“Did Nate ever make you feel like this?” he whispered and you gasped.
When he leaned further into you, you didn’t dare look back into his eyes. He lifted his free hand to rest two fingers against the side of your neck, right over your racing pulse, and smiled to himself when it lurched wildly under his touch.
Your eyes fluttered shut. Make it stop. Fight the pull.
“Tell me, did Nate ever make you tremble all over like this, hm?” His fingers started to move, tracing the frantic beat so softly, his breathing turning heavy and strained. Each slow stroke coaxed another uneven breath from your lungs.
Goddamn him.
You felt your clit throb, and you broke, silently gasping as shame heated your cheeks. He was barely touching you and you were already falling apart.
What the hell had he done to you?
“You can deny it all you want but I will know, Angel. I’ll always know. Just like I always have. Your body has never learned how to lie to me.”
He caught your hand and pressed it flat against his chest. Goosebumps spread all over your skin as you felt his heartbeat pounding against your palm, so fast and violent it felt it might break through his ribs any moment.
“Do you know what I have to do to myself to get it to pump like that?” he asked hoarsely, voice rough with restraint. He dropped his head into the side of your neck, his breaths coming in hot, uneven puffs against your skin, setting every nerve ending alight.
His fingers started tracing a slow path down your neck, past the curve of your breast, grazing your taut nipples as they continued the tormenting descent.
You couldn’t help but whimper as heat pooled low in your gut under his feather-like touch.
But it wasn’t enough, you wanted more.
“See? You feel it too.” He murmured, lips ghosting over your neck. “We want what we want, Help. You and I, we’re exactly the same.”
Seokjin parted his lips from your throat for a second and you almost whined at the loss.
Only for him to return with renewed force as he sucked hard on your pulse point.
A shudder rolled through you and you instinctively pressed your thighs together.
You hid your face against his shoulder hoping to muffle the sound, but the moan that ripped from your throat was heard loud and clear inside the cramped car.
“Are you wet, Princess?”
It took everything in you to force out a shaky “No.”
“You’re not, hmm?” He blew hot air against the mark he’d just sucked into your skin. “So you’re telling me that if I reach under your skirt, you won’t soak my fingers?”
You clamped your lips shut choking back the mewl that’d been clawing its way through.
“Maybe I should check?”
The word stop hung on your tongue but for some godforsaken reason you swallowed it down.
You shouldn’t let him do this. It was wrong. So so wrong.
Then why did it feel so good?
Seokjin wrapped his thumb and forefinger around your nipple and squeezed. A zapping sensation shot straight to your core and you felt a gush of arousal leaking through your hole.
“Your nipples are so hard, baby.” He squeezed some more until you made a keening sound. “Look at them….they’re so fucking tight and sensitive.”
Every contact of his skin against yours was like a scorching fire. And like any fire, you knew, ashes would be the only thing he’d leave behind.
“Fuck baby.” He grunted as he continued pinching and twirling your nipple, but it’s not his focus. His entire attention remained on the angry red mark he’d left on your throat.
All of a sudden, he caught both your wrists and pinned them above your head with one hand, his grip so tight it bordered on bruising. With the other, he shifted your legs until they rested across his hard thighs.
He landed his large palm on your thigh in the small space between your skirt and stockings. Your skin burned and prickled with the tension crackling in the air. Shame washed over you at the way your body reacted to his touch. How the hell was he pushing those buttons?
You felt him tilt his head to the side, and you were sure he was watching you intently as his fingers traced lazy circles over your inner thigh, way too close to where you craved his touch.
You kept your eyes closed.
Opening your eyes meant this was all real.
“Seokjin…” You couldn’t even recognise your throaty voice. Sweat broke on your forehead and your skin pulsed as if begging to be touched by him.
His fingers traced the edges of your boy shorts before he slowly pinched your clit. You whimpered at the feel of his slender fingers on the spot that ached the most.
He cupped you through your panties and licked a long stripe across your earlobe.
“You’re so fucking soaked baby. This pussy can’t wait to be ruined by me, huh?”
You arched your back as his thumb swiped up and down your folds through the cloth.
His finger finally slipped inside your panties and slowly thrust inside you, your walls fluttering and spasming to accommodate the stretch. You half cried at the intrusion, fingers curling helplessly into your palms.
“So fucking tight.”
His thumb rubbed up and down your clit in slow circular movements as he thrust his fingers inside you.
It didn’t take a lot for the double assault against your over sensitive clit and walls to bring you to the edge.
A wave built inside you, doubling and magnifying under Seokjin’s crude words.
“You’ll take everything I give you princess? Wouldn’t you?” He chuckled darkly. “Do you feel how good I am stretching you? Yeah? I wonder how this tight little hole would feel wrapped around my cock? Would you be even able to take it, hm?” he mused in filthy, hot words.
You were gasping, panting and mewling. The worst part was you didn’t want to stop.
“You’re so wet, I can smell you in the fucking air. See how your body reacts to me? You know why? Because this pussy is mine. You are mine. Aren’t you?”
You’re too consumed by his devilish fingers to pay attention to his words.
Something brutal and destructive built at the bottom of your stomach, clashing and smashing with his rhythm.
“Say yes,” he ordered, flicking your clit faster.
“S…Seokjin…” You shook your head, pulling your bottom lip in between your teeth to stop yourself from admitting it.
“Fucking say it!” He pumped harder into you, causing stars to form behind your lids. Before you could reply, he bent his head down and sucked a swollen nipple over your shirt, and fuck it felt so good that you sobbed, head lolling back as your hips rolled forward against his lap.
“Yes!”
You screamed as white hot pleasure crashed over you, turning your vision hazy and leaving a sharp ringing in your ears. You opened your mouth to say something, but it remained in an ‘O’, no words coming out.
He stole your ability to speak. To breathe. To think.
The violent wave doesn’t let you go. Not even when he removed his glistening fingers and brought them to his mouth. You felt your pussy clench against nothing as Seokjin sucked at them lewdly.
“Hmm, you’ve no idea how long I’ve waited to taste you, baby.” He purred, his voice smooth as velvet.
You’re still dazed and slumped against him, breathing harshly and unevenly when he did something that shocked the living shit out of you.
He dropped a gentle kiss on your nose.
His eyes were still dark and foggy, but a lot clearer when he whispered, “Good girl.”
He finally drew back, and the moment you looked at him, you found him already staring at you with frantic lust-filled eyes. You watched him lazily run his tongue across his lips, the gesture so erotic you felt a dark flush creeping over your face, your body feeling too warm.
You were so so screwed.
At that moment, you realised two things.
First, you wanted Seokjin. Badly. You always had, it was pointless pretending otherwise now.
The second was that you could never let yourself fully have him.
Because at the end of the day, this was still a game to him, and no matter what your heart wanted, you refused to become another one of his toys.
6 Years Ago
You broke up with Nate the very next morning, and Seokjin felt like he could breathe again. He knew his reaction to your relationship had been irrational and unacceptable.
But did he care?
Not in the slightest.
All he knew was that if he couldn’t have you, there wasn’t a chance in hell Nate fucking Parker would. Nate looked upset, but not devastated, and that was exactly the outcome Seokjin had been counting on. Good. Better to end it now while everyone can still come out of this unscathed.
His mood soured when he had found you waiting outside his door the next morning, your eyes bloodshot and your lashes still damp from what must have been a night spent crying. The sight of your tear strained face almost made Seokjin falter. In a small voice, you’d asked him for one month so you could graduate, convince your parents, and prepare yourself before leaving everything behind.
For the briefest moment, Seokjin felt like the biggest fucking jerk alive. His gut recoiled knowing he had done this to you. But he was quick to bury the strange ache in his chest before it could become guilt.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was tearing you away from your family, a great future full of opportunities, and above all, from love.
He was essentially destroying your life.
All because he was jealous.
But it was too late to take any of it back. Besides, if he ever saw you and Nate together again, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to stop himself from killing him. He told himself it had nothing to do with wanting to claim you first. He was only protecting you. He knew you didn’t love Nate. He knew you’d wake up one day and regret settling for him.
Bullshit. Who was he kidding?
He wasn’t worried about you.
He was worried about himself.
The irony wasn’t lost on him. He’d convinced himself he was saving you from Nate, when he was, by far, the worst thing that could ever happen to you.
Yes, you had driven him completely fucking mad.
He couldn’t understand the hatred and the jealousy. The sick, fiery rage that clawed at his insides every time he pictured you with someone else.
Because he did not want to date you. Did not want to be your boyfriend. Did not want to take you on dates, make you laugh, or kiss you on some dumb fucking Ferris wheel.
So what the fuck was wrong with him?
Could one stupid barely-there kiss stolen in a treehouse at twelve years old really have poisoned him this badly, left him this irreparably fucked up?
Because if it wasn’t that, then what the hell was it?
Whatever, he was doing everyone a big damn favour.
It wasn’t like you were thirteen anymore. You were beautiful. Christ, you were so fucking beautiful. It was only natural that guys wanted you. While Seokjin could threaten them, fight them, even kill them if he had to, he couldn’t keep living like this.
Because sooner or later, you’d lose your virginity like any normal teen your age would. And you’ll fucking love it, enjoy it, would want to do it again and again and again. You’d fall in love, move on from him, build a life, and never look back. He didn’t know what line he’d cross when that day came. He didn’t fucking know what kind of monster that would turn him into.
You were becoming a weakness. Seokjin hated being weak.
As long as you stayed in his orbit, you would only bring destruction—to yourself, to anyone who got too close to you, and eventually, to him.
So he made the decision. You had to go. You had to go far, far away, out of his fucking life — somewhere he couldn’t reach and ruin you.
He was choosing himself over you. His feelings over your life. It was a cruel fucking thing to do, but it had never stopped him before. It was what it was. He was who he was.
For now, though, he lets you have that one month.
You’d looked at him with nothing but hurt and contempt, and for the first time in years, there hadn’t been even a trace of that foolish affection you’d always carried for him. He’d finally killed it.
You hated him.
He told himself it was better this way. And when he closed the door on you, he knew it was the end. The end of whatever you and him had been.
The rest of the month had been good. Or as good as it could be with you still breathing the same air as Nate.
You were here for another thirty days and and every time Nate glanced your way at school, Yoongi or Jimin were fast to slap his back and remind him that this was for the best. And it was. If you were in love with him, you wouldn’t have kissed Seokjin back.
You did your part too. You told him you didn’t want to lead him on. Told him he was a good man. Said everything was too complicated and you refused to come between four brothers.
Too. Damn. Late. Princess.
Soon enough, Nate was back to being the funny, permanently stoned idiot everyone knew. Seokjin took it as a sign that he’d finally gotten over you.
He was so fucking wrong.
He found that out on a Friday afternoon during training, when Nate sauntered toward him wearing that familiar, stupid grin.
Seokjin and Nate had barely spoken since the party. Seokjin had told him the two of you kissed, but he’d conveniently left out the part where he’d been the one to force it.
It didn’t matter.
You’d kissed him back.
You wanted to.
He remembered the way your body had slowly given in, the way you had melted against him, the way your fingers had twisted in his shirt. The moans and whimpers that escaped you. The way your soft tits had pressed against his hard chest. Every second of it had carved itself into his memory. Every damned second.
You were a terrible liar, and you wanted Seokjin. Those were just facts.
“So I dropped by your house today, but you weren’t there. Guess who I ran into outside the servants’ quarters?” Nate smirked. “I was a little high, so I told her what a bitch she was for jumping on my best friend.”
A muscle ticked in Seokjin’s jaw, his molars grinding together hard enough to make his temples ache.
You’d broken up with Nate before Seokjin ever told him about the kiss. By the time Nate found out, there had been nothing left to confront you about. You’d already broken up with him.
“Dude, I’m actually a little embarrassed for you. She wasn’t the one to make the first move, was she? She dumped me just so you’d stop throwing your little tantrums, you giant pussy baby—”
That was it. Seokjin saw red.
Nate never got to finish. Seokjin was on him before the last word left his mouth. His fist slammed into Nate’s jaw, then another, then another. Weeks of jealousy, rage, and self-loathing exploded all at once, each punch landing harder than the last.
The next thing Seokjin knew, someone was dragging him backward.
“What the fuck, Seokjin!”
Jungkook had his arms locked around his chest while Yoongi hauled Nate in the opposite direction. Nate’s lip was split open, blood dripping down his chin as he struggled against Yoongi’s grip, still trying to lunge at Seokjin.
“So what?” Seokjin seethed. “You’re back with her?”
Nate smiled through the blood. He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and gave a lazy shrug.
“Not yet,” he sneered. “But you better believe I will be. I’ll follow her to wherever the fuck she’s going, and sooner or later she’ll be mine.”
He spat a mouthful of blood onto the grass.
“You need to make peace with that, because you already blew your chance. You had her for all those fucking years, and all you ever did was treat her like shit.”
Seokjin lurched forward again, but Jimin shoved himself between them, planting a hand square against Seokjin’s chest.
“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” he barked. “Enough. Jin, stop this shit. Nate, get the fuck out of here before I beat your ass myself.”
Nate shot Seokjin one last look, equal parts pity and disgust, before he jerked from Yoongi’s hold and walked away.
Nothing between them was ever the same after that. From that day on, Seokjin and Nate were no longer on speaking terms.
Yoongi and Jimin did everything they could to keep the four of them together. They ruled the fucking school. Together, they were untouchable.
Apart, they were just four loudmouthed athletes with inflated egos.
Seokjin understood that. He really did. So he played along and they all kept up appearances. They still shared a lunch table. Still showed up at the same parties.
It was all bullshit.
The friendship had cracked. Everyone could feel it. You became the elephant in every room. Nobody said your name. Nate pretended like you didn’t exist.
Seokjin tried to do the same.
He failed.
Because even when you weren’t there…
You were fucking everywhere.
He thought about you all the fucking time. During football practice, at parties, while playing video games, and, most of all, when he fucked other girls. Eventually, he stopped fucking girls altogether because every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was your face. You’d gotten under his skin like a disease. A disease that had infected every corner of his mind and heart, rotting it from the inside out. The harder he fought it, the deeper you spread.
He finally felt a sliver of relief when all four of them left for college, scattered across different cities hundreds of miles apart. Maybe people were right. Maybe distance really did make friendships last. Or at least it did for him and Nate. By the time they all met again the following year during the holidays, the worst of it had settled. The tension wasn’t gone, but it wasn’t suffocating anymore.
You, however…
You were still there, fucking with his head.
But Seokjin had stopped fighting it. He resigned himself to the fact that this was just his new reality. No matter how much time passed or how many miles stretched between the two of you, he would never be able to get rid of you. You had rooted yourself too deeply inside his head, and he had long since accepted that there was no cure for you.
You weren’t going to do it.
Seokjin wanted you to walk up to Katherine and tell her, to her face, that if it came to it, you were willing to testify against her.
You couldn’t.
For one, you were a terrible liar, and Katherine would sniff you out in seconds. And secondly, there was no certainty that Seokjin was telling you the truth. You couldn’t trust him. And even if every horrible thing Seokjin had told you was indeed true, it still wasn’t your truth to tell.
Yes, you needed the money desperately, but not enough to sell your conscience. You’d survive somehow, just like you always had.
Long after you’d made up your mind and tucked yourself into bed, you were still wide awake staring blankly at the ceiling. You kept thinking about everything that had happened in the car today. Against your will, you found yourself picturing Seokjin’s face when he had sucked his fingers full of your slick into his mouth. The raw hunger on his face.
Your face burned. Your body too.
You rolled onto your side in frustration. The image still refused to leave, and your heart continued to drum in your ears.
Hours of twisting and turning on the bed later, sleep was still nowhere in sight. By four in the morning, you gave up trying altogether and made your way to the library. You’d always wanted to see it properly, and somehow it felt important to do it now. You had a feeling that once you told Seokjin you were truly done, you would never get to set foot inside this mansion again.
Clad in an oversized T-shirt and a pair of cotton pyjama shorts, you padded barefoot down the hallway before easing the heavy oak door open. The old hinges gave a protesting creak and you winced, slipping inside before gently closing the door behind you.
You had barely taken three steps before you yelped at the figure in the far corner.
Seokjin was there.
Sat behind the massive carved oak desk, files spread carelessly across its polished surface, reading glasses resting low on the bridge of his nose. At the sound of you, he lifted his head.
He didn’t speak but kept staring at you for long agonising minutes. It felt too intimate being here, with your heartbeat the only thing you could hear.
He finally pushed back his chair and rose.
“I’ll go,” you blurted, before he could reach you. There was no way in hell you could face him right now.
You turned on your heel, ready to leave, when his fingers closed gently around your wrist.
“Don’t.” His firm voice rooted you to the spot.
“Stay,” he said, loosening his grip. “I promise I won’t start a conversation.”
The decision was already made. You kept your back to him, silently berating yourself. You shouldn’t be here with him. Especially after what you both had done in the car today.
He’d changed into a white V-neck that dipped low enough to expose the sharp line of his collarbones, the fabric stretching taut across his broad shoulders. Paired with grey sweatpants that slung too low on his impossibly narrow waist.
Your eyes dipped lower before you caught yourself and tore them away, irritation flaring at the heat rising into your cheeks.
Seokjin dragged a chair beside him and gave you a small nod, waiting for you to sit.
You didn’t take the seat. Remaining where you were, you drew in a slow, unsteady breath.
“I’m resigning.”
Your eyes stayed fixed on the floor. You couldn’t look at him. Looking into Seokjin’s eyes was dangerous. You didn’t trust yourself to say no if you did.
You wrapped your arms around yourself and quickly turned your back to him again.
“I can’t do what you’re asking me to do.” Your voice wavered despite your best efforts to steady it. “Please…don’t threaten my mother. Or Bella. I have made up my mind.”
Behind you, his chair scraped against the wooden floor.
You squeezed your eyes shut.
Your fingers curled into your palms as you fought to steady the trembling running through them. You could feel your resolve breaking with every step he took towards you.
He came to a stop right in front of you.
Even without looking up, you could feel him. The warmth radiating from his body wrapped around you, close enough that you wanted nothing more than to lean into him instead of away.
“Open your eyes.”
You did. For a long moment, neither of you spoke. You simply stared at each other, seconds blurring into minutes as you stood there in a haze.
Without breaking eye contact, he hooked his fingers under the hem of his T-shirt and peeled it off, tossing it aside on the floor.
You kept your eyes on his face, hyperaware that he was now standing half-naked in front of you.
“Look down.” He ordered.
Swallowing hard, you let your gaze drop slowly, cautiously, tracing the strong line of his throat before drifting over the broad slope of his shoulders and finally settling on his chest.
A lump formed in your throat.
His skin carried a warm golden hue, stretched taut over hard muscle, but that wasn’t what held your attention.
It was the scars.
There were too many to count.
Some had faded to thin, pearly white lines. Others were wider, uneven, their edges puckered with time. Long ones slashed across his ribs. Short ones disappeared beneath his collarbone. Some looked shallow. Others were deep enough to carve into him. They crisscrossed his torso until there was hardly a place your eyes could rest without finding another.
Oh god.
Your stomach lurched, a strong wave of nausea rolling through you.
“Remember when I used to arrange fights at my tennis court?” he asked. “They were fun, sure. At least that’s what I wanted everyone to believe. Truth is, I needed an excuse. I didn’t want people asking where the scars came from.”
You blinked hard, trying to chase away the tears gathering behind your eyes.
“Katherine did this?” you barely managed to whisper.
“No.” He licked his lips, his expression giving nothing away. “Her brother, Victor. He moved here after my mom got sick.” He hesitated for a second but continued. “Katherine slapped me around herself, but she’d call Victor whenever she wanted the real damage done.” He drew a slow breath. “She’d lock the door…and leave me alone with him for the punishment.”
You had never wished another person harm before. But as you looked at the scars covering his body, you just wanted Katherine to die. Rage tore through your veins so violently it made your body tremble.
“Did you ever tell your dad?” You asked.
Seokjin gave a small nod. “I did, but he was hardly ever around. By then Katherine had already convinced him I was the problem. Violent. Unstable. That I was hurting myself.” A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “She was good at playing the worried stepmother.”
He looked away for a moment before continuing. “Dad bought every word of it. They sent me away to a treatment facility for troubled kids halfway across the country. After that, I learnt to keep my mouth shut about the beatings. I didn’t say another word until I was fifteen and finally big enough to fight back.”
You couldn’t stop looking at the scars scattered across his body. Your heart felt impossibly heavy as your eyes wandered over every faded line, every jagged mark, every ridge of his honeyed skin.
Without thinking, you raised your hand and let your fingertips brush the scar that sat just below his left pectoral. Almost dazed, your fingertips followed its uneven path, moving reverently, before slowly drifting from one faded mark to the next, until they reached the one slashed across his abdomen.
Seokjin hissed and the sound brought you back to your senses.
Your cheeks burned at realizing what you’d been doing.
Horrified, you started to pull your hand away, but Seokjin stopped you, his hand closing around your wrist in a firm grip before you could move an inch. Without a word, he pressed your palm back against his skin.
Your eyes widened, and you looked up at him, your lips parting in surprise. His eyes were so dark they were almost black, and fixed on you with an intensity that stole the air from your lungs.
“Help,” he said huskily, the word scraping out of him.
He stepped forward, closing the little distance until your bodies were flushed together.
“Seokjin…”
Every part of you wanted to melt into him, but you knew better than to give in to that temptation. He was haunted and broken. And above anything else, he still hated you.
For God’s sake, the man still called you Help.
Yet when he stepped into you, his body warm and impossibly solid against yours, you couldn’t bring yourself to move away. His arms stayed at his sides, your hand still trapped under his where it rested against his chest now.
“I won’t drag you into my mess, and I won’t make you testify,” he said. “I just need Katherine to believe you would.”
You frowned. “Then why not ask one of your friends? I’m sure Yoongi would be far more convincing than I ever could. You said it yourself, I can’t lie to save my life.”
“They don’t know.” He sighed. “I don’t want anyone knowing about…” His jaw tightened. “…this.”
His eyes moved briefly to the scars before returning to yours.
“Or what happened to me.”
You wanted to tell him it hadn’t been his fault. That there was nothing to be ashamed of. And that he wasn’t alone. But you kept your mouth shut. Seokjin wasn’t standing in front of you to be comforted. His pride wouldn’t let you console him.
You closed your eyes and shook your head.
You didn’t know what to do.
You didn’t even know if you could trust him.
Almost as if he’d read your mind, Seokjin said, “You’re going to have to trust me.”
You let out a bitter laugh.
“And what have you ever done to earn my trust, Seokjin?” You fired back, glaring as you yanked your hand back from his grasp. “Because from where I’m standing, it’s been the exact opposite.”
His lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ve been cruel,” he admitted. “I’ve been a dick. But I’ve never lied to you, Help. Not once.”
His voice hardened. “Katherine wants everything. And I’m not letting her have this.” His eyes held yours, unblinking. “Not after what she did. It’s so fucking unfair.”
You stood there for another moment, searching his eyes before deciding it was better to leave.
“I’m tired,” you murmured, taking a small step back. “I’m going to go.”
You barely made it half a step when Seokjin pulled you back, one arm wrapping tightly around your waist and pinning you against his chest. You gasped softly at the impact, hands coming to rest on his shoulders to steady yourself. Your heartbeat picked up at how close he was, so close you could feel every breath he took mingling with yours.
“Stay,” he repeated and you could’ve sworn there was a pleading note in his voice. You could feel a static electricity moving between your bodies, feel his warm breath brushing your cheek.
“Why?”
His face moved closer to yours until your foreheads were touching. “Because I ordered you to.” He closed his eyes and you slowly shook your head as much as the space allowed you to.
Seokjin growled low, pushing your body impossibly closer to his until every inch of your frame was molded to his, every soft curve fitting against his hard ridges. You were drunk on his scent and high on his face.
“Because I asked you to.” He buried his face against your cheek, breathing you in slowly. “I want you to.” His voice rumbled against your burning skin, making heat pool in your belly.
Your thighs pressed together instinctively, knees threatening to give out. You could feel your nipples pucker and strain against your flimsy shirt until it’s slightly painful.
“Ask me what I want,” he whispered hoarsely in your ear.
“No…”
“Ask me.” He rasped, his tone desperate.
“W-what do you want?”
“I want to fuck you in your bed from across the garden. You will take everything I give you, nice and slow, hard and fast. I want to watch your face while I pound my cock into that tight little cunt over and over and over again until you’re flushed red and a broken mess. Until the only word you can form is my name. Until you know who you belong to.”
The same overwhelming sensation from earlier tonight takes over your body because of the filth coming from his mouth. You wished for it to be disgust or anger, but it’s far from it. Still, you raised your hand and slapped him, the force of it snapping his head to the side.
This was high school all over again.
For a brief moment Seokjin stayed that way before he slowly looked back at you, his eyes falling at his mark on your neck.
Your heartbeat hammered against your ribs, his intense eyes making you want to curl into a ball. His breathing came ragged, chest rising and falling against yours. One hand dug into waist your gripping you tightly while the other cradled the nape of your neck, his thumb lazily tracing over the mark he’d left there. He bent down, stopping only inches from your lips this time.
“Ask me what I want again.”
“What do you want Seokjin,” you exhaled.
“I want you to kiss me back.”
His voice came out low and scratchy.
“But you-”
He shut you up by slamming his lips on yours. The force of it nearly sent you reeling, but his grip kept you exactly where he wanted you.
His lips were warm and soft and right. So right.
His kiss was carnal, deep, desperate, and you felt feverish—breathless—like you were about to die. Like a sweet poison had been poured straight into your bloodstream, turning your blood molten and setting every nerve on fire.
You whimper at the sensation and your lips part, Seokjin takes that as a chance to tilt your hand to deepen the kiss and plunge his tongue inside your mouth. He swallows your moans, licks and bites hard into your mouth. Your hands come up to his chest as a wave of liquid heat rolls through your core.
Seokjin kisses you like a man starved, all want, arrogance, and possessive hunger. Nothing gentle about the way he devours you except the hands squeezing and rubbing against your waist.
You try to keep up with him but there was no matching the animalistic pace of his kiss. So you slacken your jaw and simply let him take over.
Soon enough, your lips begin to ache, but Seokjin was ravenous. You mewled into the kiss, and Seokjin all but roughly grunted as he kissed you even deeper.
You finally break the kiss with a shaky breath, your chest burning from the lack of air. Seokjin follows you immediately, chasing your lips again until you plant a trembling hand against his chest. The two of you stand there panting. When you finally lift your eyes to his, the breath you’d only just managed to reclaim is knocked clean out of you.
Seokjin’s eyes on you were blazing hot and your stomach all but flutters. You felt a smile creeping on your face until you suddenly realised.
What the fuck.
NO NO NO….
This was not happening.
Seokjin softly called your name and you pressed your eyes shut as if it would make everything disappear.
“I-I can’t…I have to go…” you whispered, still struggling to steady your breathing as you took a step back. What the hell did you just do?
from running away in the streets to being trapped together at a penthouse party, your dangerous secret is finally exposed. but when jungkook learns what you really are, will he run or beg you to bite?
pairing: vampire!reader x human!jungkook
genre: supernatural, vampire AU, smut with plot, heavy angst to smut, mutual obsession, dark romance
warnings: 18+ explicit sexual content, blood drinking/vampire feeding, biting/marking, trance themes, alcohol consumption, dark themes, cold skin/body temperature play, fingering, lip/finger sucking, mouth play/gagging, mirror sex, jk is sooo needy.
summary: avoiding jungkook was supposed to keep him safe from your lethal vampire instincts. but when your boss invites you to an exclusive penthouse birthday party, his irresistible blood leaves you with nowhere to hide. trapped in a locked luxurious bathroom, jungkook offers his neck on a silver platter.
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
staying in the city was becoming a bit of a challenge for you. you would usually escape at night in search of some drunk human stumbling through the streets here and there, and while you had to admit their blood tasted terrible, it was the best you could do in the city. it was the only way you could feed without drawing attention.
living during the daytime was also impossible.
the harsh sun hurt your skin, but you did what you had to do to survive and escape the hunters, a massive group of people who walked the town carrying holy crosses, desperate to force any creature to expose themselves. creatures like you.
your brother had warned you about them, telling you the best option was to run far away. you had managed to book late-night flights, hopping between different hotels, strategically choosing crowded areas where staying hidden was easy and finding food was always an option.
making money was another hurdle. you worked at a crowded nightclub mixing drinks, which solved two problems at once: earning money to survive and, more importantly, having a constant supply of blood.
you couldn't help what you were, you were born like this. and no, these creatures weren't just fairytale monsters, you were very, very real.
you checked your reflection in the mirror one last time. your extremely pale skin was styled with a beautiful low waisted skirt paired with a tight, long sleeved black top.
the truth was, you couldn't really feel temperature, all you knew was that it was currently winter and you needed to blend in with the crowd.
your long burgundy hair fell in loose, soft curls at the ends. after spritzing on some alcohol-free perfume and putting in your brown contacts to hide your true eyes, you left your hotel room to catch a cab to work.
vampires had a few tricks that made them special, like superhuman strength and speed, but you possessed a rare ability to control emotions. with just a small thought, you could make a super stressed person feel totally calm, or instantly stop someone's angry fight before it even started. but your smell was your strongest sense, and, right now, it was driving you insane. the terrible smell of gross, alcohol-soaked blood from the loud crowd was making your stomach turn.
that gross feeling in your stomach instantly disappeared the second you walked over to a booth of guys to drop off a tray of drinks they had ordered.
a heavy, unwanted hand landed on your butt with a sharp slap.
disgusting
your eyes flashed. you turned around fast, glaring at the creepy customer with pure disgust. a low, angry hiss came out of your throat, like a dangerous wild animal about to attack. you immediately started using your vampiric ability, trying to change his gross, mood and make him fall into a heavy, sudden sleep right in his chair to give him a secondhand embarrassment moment in front of everyone.
before you could even weave the mood shift, a tall, impossibly attractive guy stepped directly between you and the creep.
time seemed to stall into slow motion. as he stood up for you, a sudden breeze swept past him, carrying his scent straight to you.
you inhaled, and your eyes closed for a quick, helpless second.
holy shit
his blood…
it smelled… insanely and intoxicatingly sweet.
so agonizingly pure that a violent wave of starvation hit you out of nowhere. behind your closed, red lips, your sharp fangs involuntarily snapped down, throbbed, and grew long, desperate to puncture his skin.
horrified by your own body's reaction, you moved your hand over your mouth to hide your teeth, completely overwhelmed. playing it smooth, you excused yourself and slipped back toward the bar counter before anyone could notice your slip up.
behind the bar, your knees gave out. you dropped low to the ground, slapping both hands over your mouth and nose to block out the smell and hide your fangs as you fought to force them away. you had never smelled blood that pure in your entire life, let alone reacted like this.
of course, your sudden disappearance didn't go unnoticed.
footsteps approached, and the pretty boy slowly leaned over the bar counter, looking down at you with deep concern.
“sorry to bother, but, are you okay? i just saw that creepy dude touch you,” he said worryingly, his cute doe eyes searching yours.
you cut him off quickly, frantically forcing your sharp fangs to retract back into your gums before speaking.
“yes, i am fine, i just—” you forced out, finally daring to look up at him. the moment you took another breath, inhaling the dangerously sweet scent of his blood, your mind spun “i need to have a cigarette. excuse me.”
without waiting for an answer, you managed to push past your co-workers, rushing out the back exit into the freezing night air.
as soon as you slipped out the back door, you impulsively pulled out a cigarette and lit it as fast as you could. you didn’t actually enjoy smoking, but the thick, toxic smoke helped confuse your hyper-sensitive sense of smell, and that was exactly what you needed right now.
you sat down on the cold step in front of the back door and sent a quick text to your boss, asking for a few minutes to take ‘an important call’ and have a quick smoke. she agreed without a problem, taking over your spot at the bar for a bit.
the night breeze brushed against your still body, but you couldn’t feel it.
how did hot or cold even feel?
to you, everything was just frozen. that was why you never let a human touch you, no high-fives, no hugs, nothing. even when your boss had congratulated you on your fake birthday and tried to pull you into a hug, you had stepped back. catching the quick flash of sadness on her face had made you feel so terrible that you immediately used your mood-shifting ability to make her happy again.
you traced small circles on your tatted knee, playing with the soft fabric of your skirt as you exhaled a cloud of grey smoke.
having the ability to sense every single human’s mood around you was truly a curse, it left your mind constantly wandering into dark places.
i'm a monster, you thought to yourself.
horrible.
truly horrible. a single, cold tear slipped down your pale skin.
you just wanted to feel the breeze. you watched the leaves rustle in the dark trees, but then a sharp hunger hit your stomach. your body was desperately asking for blood. your vision started to blur.
finishing your cigarette in a rush, you stood up and checked your surroundings for any human walking alone.
that was when you saw a young blonde girl staggering out of the club... all by herself.
perfect, you thought.
checking for the security cameras you already knew by heart, you waited until she was finally in a blind spot about to cross the street. then, you took off with unbelievably speed, so fast no human eye could track.
the girl turned around, terrified by your sudden presence. thankfully, it was 2 AM, and the street was empty, with only a few cars driving by.
“w-what do you want?!” she asked, taking a step back as a dark, dangerous energy radiated off your body.
“i'm sorry,” you said softly. you grabbed her jaw, slamming her back against a large tree.
“HELP, NO!” she yelled.
before she could scream again, your sharp fangs stabbed her neck, right below her ear, hidden behind her long hair so the scar wouldn't be visible. your free hand clenched into a tight fist as her blood hit your tongue. she wasn't as drunk as you thought. her blood tasted far too good.
taking only what you strictly needed, you grabbed both of her wrists and forced her eyes to lock with yours. you used your ability to make her calm down, so calm that when she woke up, this whole moment would come back as a quick, blurry flash.
“y-you’re a mon— a mons—“ the girl tried to say as her eyes slowly closed.
“i know,” you said, wiping your lips clean so no visible blood remained.
the moment you saw a cab, you stopped it with your hand.
“please take her to the nearest hotel, sir,” you said, helping her inside just as loud shouting echoed from the club exit.
“oh my god, sammy!” another girl, who was clearly drunk, ran toward the taxi “oh my god, did she bother you? or vomit on you?”
you chuckled “no, no, far from that. she asked me to help her call a taxi because she’s, apparently, too drunk...”
liar
“oh, thank you very much, good samaritan!” the girl said, getting into the back of the car with her best friend.
good, you thought. everything went according to plan! a little boy-scout salute to yourself.
you went back inside to finish your shift, trying to survive the night while a pair of dark eyes connected with yours from across the room.
you were back behind the bar, preparing drinks here and there. you had to take deep breaths every few minutes because the amount of humans painfully hurt your brain with so many different, chaotic emotions.
still, you couldn't help but search for those sweet brown eyes. somehow, you felt... safe under his stance. but you internally hated yourself for it. the only time you had allowed yourself to feel this way was back in your homeland with another vampire who was stubborn as hell and completely manipulative. because of your emotion ability, his toxic feelings had wrecked you.
and yet, this man’s eyes and his feeling of protection filled your brain.
on the other side of the room, he got the memo and didn’t approach you anymore, thinking he was too invasive during your last interaction. but he had this urge, this heavy feeling of needing to be around you.
that was the thing about vampires. to the human eye, they were outrageously beautiful, perfect creatures. and that was probably what he was feeling, completely mesmerized by you. still, he held back from approaching you again, keeping his distance and just watching you finish your shift.
finally, the night came to an end and you were asked to close up the nightclub.
the moment you stepped through the heavy back doors into the 4 AM air, that powerful, intoxicating scent hit you.
it was him.
you wanted to vanish into thin air the second you saw him. he was standing right there under the dim streetlight, waiting for you.
“sorry... i couldn’t just leave without making sure you were okay...” jungkook said worryingly “are you—”
“for fuck's sake, it was only a slap on my ass! i literally could’ve punched him, i don’t need a superhero, so just—” you stared at him angrily “leave…”
what he felt when you said those crude words to him, you automatically felt: disgust, sadness, and awareness. his whole face changed. he didn't say anything else, he just walked away, hands in his pockets.
fucking monster
idiot, you thought to yourself.
treating him like shit was the best thing you could do so he would disappear from your sight. you wanted to devour him entirely, his blood had something you had never felt or smelled before.
standing alone in the dark, you mind wandered through your thoughts. you wanted to feel a human’s warmth, and not only from their neck by sucking their blood. you needed more than that: a warm hug, a kiss, a real connection.
you slammed the door and disappeared at full speed behind a tree, crying in the dark before the dangerous sun came up.
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
the next evening at 10:00 PM, jungkook was in his office, sitting straight in his chair and organizing papers that clearly didn't need to be organized. his mind was wandering around those five-second memories of you, your mysterious beauty, your sad eyes, and that strange, intense attraction that activated all five of his senses.
“yo, jeon, everything alright?” matt asked, rolling over in his office chair.
jungkook popped out of his thoughts quickly “yeah, yeah...” he said “why?”
“you were staring at your desk for 20 minutes straight. i counted them with my phone,” matt jokingly said, patting jungkook’s back “ah, what about some dinner? i'm starving for some steak.”
“sure!” jungkook said, standing up and taking his coat and scarf.
they ended up going to a restaurant down the street and taking a table right next to the big glass window.
around 10:50PM, matt stood up to go to the restroom.
left alone, jungkook stared out the window into the dark. the streets were quiet, and cold wind rustled the bare trees in the park across the street.
and then, he saw…
you?
yes! it was definitely you, standing right in the middle of the park under a dim, yellow streetlight.
jungkook couldn't breathe. he stared through the glass, taking in your entire figure. you were wearing a tight black top that had slipped far below your shoulders, leaving your pale, bare shoulders and collarbones exposed to the freezing winter air. the shirt fit tight on your waist, flowing into a long skirt that rested just above your ankles.
under that soft yellow light, surrounded by dark trees, you looked unbelievably beautiful.
what is she doing out there alone at 10:40 at night? jungkook thought. it's dangerous
he watched as your small hands pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a slow drag.
the urge to protect you pulled at him so hard it was physically painful. he couldn't just sit in a warm restaurant while you stood out there in the cold with your bare shoulders exposed.
he pushed his chair back, ready to go running to you…
“whoa, where are you going?” matt said as jungkook bumped on him
“i- i need to take an important call, i’ll be outside for a minute okay?” jungkook said quickly as matt sat back down.
“oh, alright,” he said.
jungkook grabbed his heavy coat, pushed open the glass restaurant doors, and ran across the street into the dark park, heading straight for you. before he could cross the street, a big bus suddenly drove past, making him stop in his tracks. but once it passed by, you were... gone.
“fuck,” he muttered to himself, scratching the back of his neck as he looked around, trying to catch even a glimpse of you.
were you even real?
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
the bass pounded through the crowded night club, but for you, the noise was secondary to the endless sea of heartbeats and veins around you. working as a bartender was equal parts survival and torture.
you were in the middle of wiping down the sticky counter when rachel, your boss, slid right next to you, a mischievous grin on her face. she pushed a shot glass toward you, the liquid inside a deep, ruby red.
how convenient
“drink this, boss’s orders,” rachel insisted, leaning over the counter “it’s cherry vodka”
you looked at the glass, forcing a small, polite smile while carefully maintaining your distance “rachel, you know i can't drink on shift—“
“just one shot! come on, they say i'm the best preparing it!” she pleaded, pouting.
before you could reply, the air around you shifted violently.
a sudden, overwhelming scent cut through the cheap perfume, sweat, and spilled liquor of the bar. it hit your senses like an absolute drug, rich, hot, and insanely addictive. your throat immediately burned with a vicious, hollow ache, and behind your gums, your fangs throbbed, trying to force their way out.
you froze, your eyes widening as you saw him walking towards you. he was dressed effortlessly, his dark hair slightly messy, completely oblivious to the chaos his mere presence was causing inside your head.
“oh, jungkook is here!” rachel called out, waving him over.
as jungkook turned his head and his dark eyes locked onto yours, your survival instincts screamed at you to run. you couldn't be near him. not tonight. not when your thirst was already riding such a razor thin edge.
without saying a single word to rachel, you abandoned the counter, turned on your heel, and practically flew toward the back exit, vanishing into the dark alley before he could even reach the bar.
“y/n!” your boss yelled after you.
jungkook just stood there, watching your disappearing figure with a heavy heart.
does she hate me? he thought, his chest aching.
“sometimes i really wonder what goes through her mind,” your boss sighed, shaking her head as she wiped down the counter.
“what? why?” jungkook asked quickly, looking at her.
“she’s always so anxious,” your boss explained softly “she didn’t have it easy growing up you know... she lost her entire family in a terrible car accident.”
jungkook stared at the spot where you had vanished, his chest feeling tight “a car accident?” he repeated softly, the image of your sad, pale face flashing in his mind.
“yeah,” rachel, your boss, said, leaning on the counter “poor girl keeps everyone at arm's length. she never lets anyone get close, doesn't like being touched, and works constantly. to be honest, she's terribly lonely and anxious all the time,”
jungkook looked down at his hands, trace memories of your eyes burning in his head “rachel, i... i don't know what it is, but from the first time i saw her, i was just completely stricken by her. i just can't get her out of my head"
rachel’s eyes lit up, a huge smile spreading across her face. “really? oh, jungkook, you should take her out! seriously, she needs someone like you to bring her out of her shell and ease that loneliness. try talking to her again!”
jungkook felt a spark of hope “okay i will,”
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
you couldn't do this anymore honestly. his smell was a literal torture device for your body. that night, after jungkook left, and you closed up the club, you begged rachel to change your schedule. you asked to take the next few weeks off during the week and only work late weekend nights when it was too crowded for him to find you. rachel felt bad for your ‘anxiety’ and agreed.
for three whole weeks, you successfully avoided him. you thought you were safe.
until rachel announced a massive birthday celebration.
her uncle owned a luxurious, high-end penthouse at the very top of a skyscraper in the middle of the city, and she was throwing an exclusive party for her birthday. you tried your best to make up an excuse, but rachel practically forced you, saying you needed to get out and live a little.
so the night of the party finally arrived. you decided to dress up for the occasion. you put on a white long-sleeved top, a very short white skirt, and cute silver jewelry. to finish the look, you chose your favorite pair of big black boots decorated with edgy metal harnesses. your makeup was completely flawless, styled with sharp eyeliner and your special colored contact lenses, you could never forget those, or your glowing vampire eyes would give you away in a second.
since rachel knew all about your supposed ‘anxiety’ you arrived early to spend some time together before anyone else got there. you spent a couple of hours hanging out on the rooftop terrace, stringing up fairy lights, connecting the bluetooth speakers, and setting up a long table packed with alcohol. rachel even offered to buy you dinner, but you politely declined. a big meal was a hard no for you, since… your diet was strictly blood.
slowly, the guests started to arrive. a few guys tried to greet you by holding your hands or touching your arm, but every single time, you quickly made up an excuse to step away.
“she doesn’t like being touched,” rachel explained to everyone with a sympathetic smile.
a few minutes passed, and the suffocating air on the terrace became too much to handle. excusing yourself quietly, you slipped away from the pool area and retreated to the bathroom upstairs to take a few deep breaths and pull your monster back under control.
the moment you walked out into the corridor, rachel caught your eye from across the floor, waving you over with a bright, expectant grin.
“oh, crap! y/n, can you do me a massive favor?” she asked, turning to you with wide, pleading eyes “jungkook just texted me. he's downstairs at the entrance with a bunch of heavy ice bags and extra booze for the bar, but i have to finish setting up the speaker system. could you please go down and help him bring the bags up?”
your heart did a violent flip inside your chest. “rachel, i—“
“pleeeeease! it'll take two minutes, i promise!” she pouted, practically bouncing on her toes.
you swallowed hard, choking down the immediate spike of anxiety. you mustered up your courage, nodded slowly, and made your way toward the elevator.
when the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, jungkook was standing near the lobby entrance, holding two heavy ice bags under his arms and some liquor bottles in his hands. his hair was slightly messy, and he looked dangerously good in his leather jacket, what was that on lis lip… a piercing? the moment the scent of his blood hit the air, your throat burned with that familiar, hollow ache.
“oh, hey, y/n,” jungkook said, his eyes lighting up the second he saw you. a small, warm smile spread across his lips “rachel sent you to rescue me?”
“y-yeah, let me help you with those,” you mumbled, keeping your eyes strictly on the bags to avoid his gaze.
you reached out to grab the heavy bag with liquors from his hands. even though you were holding back your vampire strength, your movements were fast and effortless. jungkook blinked, clearly surprised by how easily you lifted the heavy bag without even straining.
“whoa, alright,” he chuckled, grabbing the ice bags and stepping into the elevator beside you “guess you're stronger than you look.”
you gave him a quick, uncomfortable smile and kept your back pressed against the cold metal wall of the elevator. with your head tilted down, you held your breath for the entire ride up, desperate to keep his intoxicating scent from completely taking over your mind.
she is so beautiful, he thought to himself.
once the elevator reached the 30th floor, the doors slowly opened, revealing an excited rachel who immediately ran straight into jungkook’s arms to hug him tightly. you, on the other hand, slipped past them to make your way into the kitchen, quickly storing the liquor bottles before excusing yourself to the upstairs bathroom once again.
nearly everyone's eyes followed you as you walked away.
“she’s weird as fuck,” one of rachel’s friends spat, a few others nodding along in agreement.
“just leave her alone, she’s a sweetheart. come on, let’s go, let’s go!” rachel said, gently patting her friends on the back as she led them back outside to the terrace.
but jungkook’s eyes remained glued to you. he watched as the soft fabric of your white long sleeves swayed with every step you took, perfectly accompanying the graceful motion of your body as you disappeared up the stairs.
perfection
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
it started raining at some point during the night, forcing everyone to move inside to keep the party going. with all the glass doors shut, the heavy bass of the music echoed even louder through the penthouse. human bodies packed together in the living room, dancing dangerously close, completely lost in the rhythm and the alcohol.
you, on the other hand, isolated yourself in the clear glass hallway, leaning your back against the cool glass as you watched everyone have fun.
truth was, your stomach was beginning to ache with a sharp, hollow pain. jungkook’s blood scent lingering in the air kept your instincts at war with your mind, a constant, exhausting mental battle.
you caught rachel waving her hands frantically, motioning for you to come over to the crowded dance floor where she was dancing. at first, you shook your head no, wanting to stay in the safety of the dark corridor. but seeing her pout and feel down instantly made your chest physically hurt. you mustered up every drop of courage you had left and finally made your way toward the center of the room.
jungkook was under the influence of a few drinks. it was his childhood friend’s birthday and the weekend, he desperately needed this break off from his daily duties. but the exact second he saw you round the corner of the clear glass gallery, he swore he saw an angel.
the dim, warm lights of the massive penthouse outlined your silhouette in your white clothes in a way that felt entirely unreal. he watched your hips sway from side to side and your smooth legs move with effortless grace. he wondered what it would feel like to just... touch you.
he watched you stand near the edge of the crowd, sticking as close to rachel as possible to avoid everyone else. but then he noticed something strange. rachel had been pouting just a moment ago, but the second your eyes met hers, her mood magically shifted. she stopped frowning and beamed with pure joy, as if your presence instantly fixed her spirit.
jungkook stared at your face, analyzing every detail. you were perfect. ridiculously perfect. your skin was impossibly smooth, devoid of a single mole or freckle, and your eyes held a mystery he craved to see up close.
oh,
you were going to be his tonight.
he made it his mission to slowly approach you without you noticing. slicing through the warm, sweaty bodies on the dance floor, he closed the distance between you.
the sudden shift in the air and the rush of his distinct scent immediately alarmed you, but it was too late to back out. jungkook was already standing directly behind you, dangerously close.
he began moving his body to the heavy rhythm of the drums, pressing just close enough that your inner creature screamed for more, more closeness, more touch, anything to quiet the wild hunger raging inside your mind.
“escaping from me again, sweetie?” jungkook whispered softly against your ear, his lips almost brushing the shell of your skin. you froze, praying he hadn't fully touched you.
“i-i was not escaping i—” you stuttered, a few stray strands of his dark hair brushing against your cheek because of how close he was leaning.
“it’s obvious. anytime i get close, you just disappear,” he murmured, his breath fanning over your neck “i'm surprised you haven’t left yet.”
before you could step away, his warm hands reached out and clamped around your hips from behind.
“n-no, jungkook, don’t—” you gasped, trying your absolute best to pull forward and stop this, but his grip only tightened, his fingers holding you firmly in place.
your top wasn't quite long enough, leaving a small, delicate strip of bare skin exposed right above the waistband of your white skirt. jungkook’s warm fingers shifted slightly, hovering right over that bare skin.
yet, as physically close as you were, something strange happened to your moods instincts. being this close to someone for the first time in years was actually dulling your ability to read the rest of the room. somehow, his potent blood and focused intense thoughts alone, acted like a shield against everyone else. for a brief second, you felt safe.
“come on, dance with me,” he rasped, connecting the entire front of his body to your back. he began guiding your hips to the rhythm of the music, using his hands to keep you flush against him.
you doubted yourself a million times, but the feeling of peace was overwhelming. you let your head fall back against his muscular chest, your lips pressing tight together as your fangs unconsciously began to sprout behind your gums. you squirmed under his touch, trying desperately to suppress your true nature.
but your eyes started burning, your throat was doing flips, and your tongue could feel the sharp tips of your fully grown fangs resting against your lower lip.
you couldn't stay here. not like this.
you ripped yourself from his grip and bolted through the crowd.
“y/n!” jungkook shouted over the music, his eyes widening as he immediately gave chase, matching your rapid pace as you headed straight up the stairs toward the bathroom, the furthest one from everyone else.
you burst into the bathroom, too panicked to even think about locking the door. your eyes were stinging agonizingly from the glowing vampire nature building up behind the colored contact lenses. lifting your hands with trembling fingers, you quickly peeled the painful lenses out of your eyes and threw them onto the marble counter.
before you could even turn around to catch your breath, jungkook was right behind you.
he stepped into the dimly lit bathroom, closing the door behind him. but as his eyes locked onto yours, his breath hitched completely in his throat.
there you stood in the shadowy room, your glowing red eyes cutting through the darkness, your sharp fangs glinting under the soft light, and your skin pale and freezing cold.
he didn't scream. he didn't run. he just stared at you, his chest heaving, his dark eyes wide with pure awe.
“what... what are you?” he whispered, taking a slow step toward you.
“i'm a monster, jungkook,” you growled softly, backing up until your lower back hit the counter “and i swear if you stay in this room for another second, i won't be able to stop myself from draining you dry,”
a dark, breathtaking smirk slowly spread across jungkook's lips.
what? a smile?
he walked right up to you, completely towering over your smaller frame. reaching out, he wrapped his burning warm hands around your freezing wrists and pulled you flush against his body, his breath hitching slightly in surprise at the intoxicating contrast between your frozen skin and his burning skin.
“then don't stop,” he whispered, tilting his head back to expose his warm, beating pulse right in front of your lips “bite me y/n,”
“w-what? but jungkook...” you stuttered, completely caught off guard by his insane reaction.
“bite me y/n make yourself a feast out of me, do it,” he said pushing you on the marble counter, your ass pressed against it.
and you didn't need to be told twice.
the agony of your aching stomach and the sweet, intoxicating scent of his pulse drove you over the edge. with a low, desperate sound in your throat, you gripped his hair, tilted his head to the side, and buried your fangs deep into his neck.
jungkook let out a low, breathy groan, his entire body shuddering violently against yours. his hands dug into your waist, fingers tightening against the fabric of your white top, pulling you flush against him until not even air could pass between you.
and then… his blood hit your tongue.
it was pure fire, sweet and rich, clearing the fog in your head in an instant. you drank hungrily, completely helpless to the taste of him.
jungkook’s head fell back, his chest heaving as he gasped right against your ear “f-fuck... y/n...” he panted, his pulse hammering wildly.
your vampire strength pushed him back until his knees hit the edge of the bath counter, and in one fluid motion, you both tumbled onto the soft bench next to it, jungkook flat on his back with you pinned right on top of him.
you didn't break the connection for a second. your hands slid into his dark hair, holding him still as you drank.
“y/n...” he whimpered, his dark eyes opening slightly, hazy with pure surrender.
through the haze of your hunger, you felt his heart beating faster, his pulse softening just a tiny bit. pulling on every drop of willpower you had left, you painstakingly dragged your fangs out of his neck.
a thin red trail ran down toward his collarbone. driven by pure instinct, you leaned down and gently licked it clean.
jungkook arched his back off the wall with a ragged gasp, his fingers knotting tightly in your hair.
you sat up, straddling his waist, completely breathless. your lips were stained red, your fangs extended, and your crimson eyes glowing in the dark.
jungkook lay beneath you, his chest rising and falling heavily. he lifted a trembling hand, his warm thumb gently wiping a drop of blood from your bottom lip.
“see?” he whispered, a breathless smirk touching his lips as his other hand settled heavy on your hip “bite me again,”
“but i could have killed you, jungkook,” you whispered, your voice shaking “i almost didn't stop,”
“but you did,” he said softly, his thumb stroking your cheek. his gaze darkened, pressing you firmly down against him “and now that you've had a taste... you really think i'm going to let you run away from me again?”
lifting you up effortlessly, he sat you back down on the cold marble counter, never breaking eye contact as he reached back to lock the bathroom door. he stepped right between your parted legs, his warm hands greedily tracing every inch of exposed skin they could reach before slowly traveling under your skirt.
“god, you’re so beautiful,” he breathed against your skin, capturing your lips in a ferocious, bruising kiss. you kissed him back with equal desperation, completely helpless to how fiercely your body physically craved his touch.
your hands tangled wildly into his dark hair, pulling him closer. the moment you both broke away to catch your breath, you sank your fangs right into the other side of his neck. your teeth extended instantly, letting you taste the sweet, intoxicating rush of his hot blood all over again.
“hmm,” he hummed in pure delight, his large hands squeezing your hips and gripping your ass tightly to pull you right to the edge of the counter.
the feeling sent a shiver straight down your spine. pulling your fangs back, you dragged your lips back to his for a hungry, messy kiss, involuntarily grinding yourself flush against him.
he could feel himself slowly and painfully hardening, desperate for friction, practically burning with heat as he unbuttoned his black shirt. you gasped softly at the sight. beautiful black tattoos sprawled over his chest and shoulder, and you wondered how far down his arm they traveled.
his torso was dangerously toned, making your hands greedily touch every inch of smooth, hard skin they could reach, causing him to shiver at the stark contrast of your icy temperature.
“wanna fuck you real good, y/n,” he growled, his dark eyes searching for your glowing crimson ones.
“then do it,” you breathed, completely lost in the sensation, lifting your arms so he could pull your white shirt over your head.
he took his sweet time looking down at your pale, beautiful skin. his head dipped down, curiously reaching for your nipple, wrapping his lips around it and drawing wet circles with his tongue. your back arched off the counter, hands caressing his back and shoulders as a soft moan escaped your throat.
“hmm, fuck, jungkook...” you whispered, grabbing his hair once more to drag him back up for another taste.
you sank your fangs into the sensitive dip between his neck and collarbone, biting down and drinking him in. while you were distracted by the rush of his blood, he somehow managed to strip off your ridiculously short skirt. his fingers slid down your thigh, hovering dangerously close to your center. as much as you hated to admit it, you were leaking wet for him, and only for him.
you suddenly realized you had bitten down a little too hard. jungkook flinched, his body trying to pull back, and it took every ounce of your strength to break the bite. he offered you a strained smile, but his eyes gave him away.
pain.
“i’m sorry, i—” you tried to apologize, panic flickering in your chest.
“shhh, i’m okay,” he rasped, spreading your legs wide as he traced his long, hot fingers along your aching center.
you were clenching around nothing, practically throbbing for him.
how embarrassing, you thought.
“jungkook—” you moaned as two of his warm fingers slid straight inside you “hmm, yes...” you whimpered, rolling your hips back and forth, desperate for more intensity.
“fuck, y/n,” he growled, his free hand reaching up to wrap around your throat, lightly squeezing to choke you as your back hit the cool mirror “so fucking perfect”
the only sounds filling the dimly lit room were the low, heavy bass thumping through the floorboards and the loud, wet sound of his fingers fucking you out of your mind. you couldn't get enough, moving desperately against his hand with your head tilted back. jungkook gritted his teeth, adding a third finger and shifting his stance to drive deeper and faster into you.
“hmmm, fuck...” you were a moaning mess. “want more, jungkook... please.”
his brows furrowed with dark intent as he withdrew his fingers and licked them. then he unbuttoned his pants, kicking them aside, and pulled a condom from his pocket, quickly rolling it down his thick shaft. you let out a ragged breath at the sight of him, completely consumed by desire.
placing both hands on the edge of the counter beside your hips, he aligned his tip with your entrance. you wrapped your legs tightly around his waist as he slowly slid inside, the scorching warmth of him stretching you to the limit.
“fuck, you’re so tight,” he groaned, his jaw clenching “how long has it been since you’ve been fucked, beautiful?” he murmured mockingly, a dark smirk pulling at his lips.
“d-doesn’t matter,” you huffed.
annoyed by his teasing, your nails dug into his back and you sank your fangs straight into his shoulder, tasting his blood once more as he pounded into you.
you couldn’t seem to find the will to stop, craving more of him, more of his blood. but then you felt his heartbeat accelerating dangerously fast, the sudden surge alarming your instincts. with a gasp, you managed to pull your fangs back once more, genuinely surprised by your own restraint.
he reached up to gently caress your cheek with his thumb, his index and middle fingers dangerously tracing the curve of your lips, smearing your red lipstick into a messy blur.
you unconsciously parted your lips, your sharp fangs still extended from the bite, making him stare at you in pure awe. without a word, he slid his fingers right into your mouth.
“suck,” he demanded hoarsely.
you rolled your red eyes back, swirling your tongue around his fingers “ah, fuck,” he groaned as the sharp tip of your fang lightly pricked his skin, letting a tiny drop of his blood hit your tongue. but you didn't stop there. you pushed your head forward, letting his long fingers slide down to touch the back of your throat. you gagged softly, your eyes briefly fluttering back as your head tilted against the mirror.
“fuck, y/n, what a dirty mess you are,” he growled, his voice thick with lust.
you took his wet fingers back between your lips, sucking them hungrily, imagining they were his cock filling you so good. you let yourself choke a couple more times, looking up to meet his dark, dangerous smirk. you could see the dark bite marks scoring his neck, shoulder, and collarbone. he was completely gone for you, consumed by the madness.
pulling his fingers from your mouth, he hooked his thumb over your bottom teeth instead, tugging your face up close to his.
“bite me,” he rasped desperately, his dark eyes searching yours “drink from me babe,”
the words did something terrifying to your soul. as he drove deeper and faster inside you, you found a sweet, sensitive spot right between his ear and neck, sinking your fangs into his skin once more. you drank slowly this time, savoring every drop as his rhythm became wild, as if he wanted to break you apart right then and there.
you were becoming completely addicted to his blood, to the brutal way he was fucking you, and to the overwhelming feeling of being wanted, loved, and completely seen for what you were.
when you finally released his neck, he leaned down to leave a trail of wet, bruising kisses against your collarbone. pulling out of you with a low sigh, he guided you down off the marble counter, leading you toward the floor-to-ceiling mirror right beside the massive bathroom jacuzzi.
he turned you around, pressing your chest flat against the cold, reflective glass. looking at your reflection, you saw the beautiful mess you had become just for him.
he was your drug.
“look at yourself, baby. look how i make you feel,” he whispered darkly, gathering your hair in one hand like a makeshift ponytail while his other hand clamped firmly around your hip to guide himself back inside you.
with your lower back arched and your hips raised, the loud, wet sounds of his thrusts echoed through the spacious bathroom, mingling with the heavy bass thumping through the building. you loved it so much it made your head spin. your hands scrambled for purchase against the slick glass, your face pressing into the mirror with every hard push.
“harder, j-jungkook—” you begged, drool dripping from your mouth over your extended fangs.
“fuck, baby,” he groaned, his grip tightening on your hip “such a fucking mess for me.”
he slammed into you with everything he had, driving you right over the edge. a violent wave of pleasure crashed through your entire body. your climax took over, quickly followed by jungkook spilling hot inside you with a breathless roar.
when it was over, you turned around, resting your back against the cool mirror to catch your breath. your glowing red eyes shone dimly in the shadowy light, your lips messy with a slick mixture of saliva and blood.
jungkook stepped up to you, gently helping you gather your strength. you used the sink faucet and a wet hand towel to clean yourself up, wiping away the blood and lipstick while he stood beside you, fixing his messy hair and examining the dark bite marks on his neck in the mirror.
“i’m so sorry, jungkook,” you murmured, sliding your skirt back into place and staring at the vivid marks scoring his skin.
“i like how they look,” he confessed, a slow, breathtaking smile spreading across his face.
“are you crazy?” you asked, your voice a mix of utter disbelief and deep worry.
he closed the small distance between you, leaning down to press a sweet, lingering kiss to your cheek.
“y/n...” he started quietly “i just... i can’t stay away from you anymore”
“jungkook—” you tried to speak, pulling your shirt back over your head as he gently helped you adjust the sleeves.
“i’m serious, y/n,” he insisted, his dark eyes locking onto yours with absolute sincerity “from now on, anytime you need to feed, anytime you need comfort, call me. i want to be the one for you”
“but jungkook, it’s dangerous—”
“i’m begging you, y/n,” he whispered, taking your hands in his. “let me be yours,”
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
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