#bumble masterlist

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Hey!

Bumble here! (20sF) this is where I collect all my hyper fixations :) BTS, 5SOS, F1, NHL (go stars), funny memes, whatever else graces my feed.

Hope you enjoy! Inbox is open✨

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Bumble’s MASTERLIST

** indicates mature content

Echos | JJK Soulmate AU

Meet OC! Part One Part Two Part Three

Part Four Part Five Part Six. Part Seven

Part Eight Part Nine Part Ten Part Eleven

Part Twelve Part Thirteen Part Fourteen

Part Fifteen Part Sixteen Part Seventeen

Part Eighteen** Part Nineteen Part Twenty

Part Twenty-One Epilogue

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Soft Places to Land | MYG Soulmate AU

This is a spinoff of Echos but can be read as a standalone

Meet OC! Part One Part Two Part Three

Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven

Part Eight Part Nine Part Ten Part Eleven

Part Twelve Part Thirteen Part Fourteen

Part Fifteen Part Sixteen Part Seventeen

Part Eighteen** Part Nineteen Epilogue

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The Things We Carry | PJM Soulmate AU

Meet OC! Part One Part Two Part Three

Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven

Part Eight Part Nine Part Ten Part Eleven

Part Twelve Part Thirteen Part Fourteen

Part Fifteen Part Sixteen Part Seventeen

Part Eighteen Part Nineteen Part Twenty

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Soft Places to Land | MYG pt 1

SUMMARY: After the world learns BTS can actually have soulmates, shy interpreter Ellie Parker joins the U.S. leg of BTS’s Arirang tour unaware that Min Yoongi recognizes her instantly as his soulmate. As growing public attention and a dangerous fan obsession threaten Ellie’s fragile sense of safety, Yoongi becomes the quiet place she keeps finding herself drawn back to. This is a slow-burn story about learning that love can be gentle, protective, and safe enough to finally stop surviving.

WARNINGS: soulmate au, idol!yoongi, Fem!OC, past emotional abuse, anxiety, panic responses, stalking, invasion of privacy, obsessive fan behavior, toxic family dynamics, emotional manipulation, Contains heavy angst, hurt/comfort, and discussions of trauma and healing throughout.

A/N: this story is gonna contain a lot of angst, but the overall theme is healing! LMK if I left any warnings out.

Masterlist

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LOS ANGELES — THREE DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST U.S. SHOW

Ellie Parker checked her reflection in the dark elevator mirror three separate times before deciding she looked normal enough to survive the next hour…Not good. Normal. She had to be normal because ‘good’ implied confidence. ‘Good’ implied someone who belonged in places like this. Ellie had spent most of her life feeling like she’d accidentally wandered into rooms meant for other people.

The elevator continued upward smoothly beneath her feet….Twenty-two….Twenty-three… Breathe in. Breathe out

A production manager beside her scrolled through emails while speaking quickly, “So for the U.S. dates, we’ll mostly need you during press blocks, livestream translations, backstage coordination, and any emergency media situations.”—Emergency media situations.

Ellie still couldn’t believe that was a real phrase people used professionally. She nodded anyway, “Okay.”

“You’ll be working closely with management and members directly.”

Okay.

“You comfortable with live translation?”

“Yes.” That answer came easier.

Live translation didn’t scare her. Translation was safe because the words weren’t hers. People couldn’t judge you if you were only carrying someone else’s meaning from one language into another.

“You’ll mostly rotate between interviews, backstage communications, and live translation support,” he said. “The previous arrangement worked city to city, but after everything that happened…” He trailed off awkwardly.

Ellie knew exactly what he meant: after the livestream; after the soulmate reveal; after the entire internet collectively imploded. She still remembered sitting cross-legged on her apartment floor at two in the morning watching headlines refresh in real time while millions of people argued online about destiny and love and whether soulmates should even exist publicly. Meanwhile she had just been trying to finish translating a research paper.

The elevator dinged softly…..Twenty-five. The doors slid open. Noise immediately crashed into her: Footsteps, voices, music bleeding faintly through walls, walkie-talkies crackling constantly. The entire hotel floor looked transformed into a moving ecosystem of staff and controlled chaos. Ellie instinctively stepped aside as two stylists rushed past carrying garment bags. Out of the way.

The production manager motioned toward the large conference suite at the end of the hallway, “This way.”

Ellie adjusted the strap of her laptop bag and followed.

Behind her, another figure stepped out of the elevator quietly. She only glanced back once. Black hoodie, Beanie pulled low, Phone in hand—Min Yoongi.

Her stomach dropped instantly. Not because he looked intimidating. Honestly he looked tired. But suddenly the situation became real in a way it hadn’t during contracts or emails or Zoom onboarding meetings.

She was about to work beside BTS. Actually beside them. Not through a screen. Not from another room. And for some strange reason, the second Yoongi walked behind her down the hallway, something inside her chest loosened slightly. Like her body relaxed before her brain could question it. Weird. Very weird.

—————————————-

The conference suite looked less like a hotel room and more like mission control. Laptops covered the main table while tour schedules lined the walls. Coffee cups sat abandoned beside translation packets and stage layouts.

And spread throughout the room were the members of BTS: RM sat near the center of the table reading paperwork with terrifying concentration. Jimin leaned against the catering counter stealing strawberries from a fruit tray. V somehow occupied an entire couch horizontally.

And near the window, Jungkook stood beside Avery Monroe while she aggressively poked at his phone screen. “You posted this on purpose.”

Jungkook looked deeply unbothered, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You zoomed in.”

“You looked pretty.”

“You’re annoying.”

“You love me.”

“That unfortunately appears to be true.”

The room erupted into easy laughter. Warm, loud, comfortable….loud

Ellie froze near the entrance for half a second because suddenly she felt like she’d accidentally walked into someone else’s family gathering.

The production manager cleared his throat. “Everyone, this is Ellie Parker. She’ll be joining the team as the primary English-Korean interpreter for the U.S. leg.”

Every eye turned toward her immediately….Too many.

Ellie smiled automatically and bowed slightly. “Hello,” she said carefully in Korean. “Please take care of me.”

The reaction happened instantly. Taehyung sat upright dramatically. “Oh your accent is good.”

Ellie blinked, “Oh. Thank you.”

Jimin looked delighted already. “You learned in America?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Ellie tucked blonde hair behind her ear automatically. “I started taking Korean classes in high school.”

“Why?” Namjoon asked with genuine curiosity.

Ellie hesitated, “…For fun.”

Silence. Then Avery burst out laughing, “That is the nerdiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Ellie startled before realizing Avery sounded affectionate rather than cruel. “Oh.”

Avery softened immediately. “No, no—I’m sorry, I mean that lovingly.”

Jungkook grinned beside her, “She sounds mean when she likes people.”

“I’m from New York,” Avery defended.

“That explains nothing.”

“It explains everything.”

Ellie laughed quietly before she could stop herself.

The room paused briefly. Taehyung pointed immediately, “There it is.”

Ellie blinked. “What?”

“The real laugh.”

Heat rushed into her cheeks instantly.

“You got shy again,” Jungkook observed.

“I wasn’t—”

“You were.”

“I just—” The words tangled embarrassingly fast. Ellie lowered her gaze instead.

And directly across the room, Yoongi watched the entire interaction silently.

——————————————-

He knew. He knew immediately. The second the elevator doors opened. The soulmate bond settled into place inside him with terrifying certainty. No confusion. No delay. Just recognition.

Yoongi had spent years watching Jungkook and Avery navigate soulmate bonds.

He knew what the connection felt like. What instinct felt like.

And now his soulmate stood awkwardly near the conference room doorway apologizing for laughing too loudly. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

He leaned back slightly in his chair and studied her carefully.

Ellie Parker. American. Interpreter. Nervous.

Every time attention shifted toward her, she physically made herself smaller. Every single time. Interesting….and concerning.

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The meeting started quickly after introductions: Schedules, Press coordination, Transportation adjustments, Security changes after recent media escalation. Ellie transformed the second translation began.

The nervousness disappeared beneath focus. Her posture straightened. Her voice steadied. Words flowed smoothly between English and Korean without hesitation.

She was professional, confident, beautiful.

That thought annoyed Yoongi immediately. Because it wasn’t even appearance. It was the way she relaxed while helping other people communicate. Like usefulness made her feel safe enough to exist fully.

The soulmate bond warmed faintly every time she spoke. And every time she stopped, anxiety returned underneath it almost immediately. Like silence left her alone with herself again. Yoongi hated that instinctively.

“Tomorrow’s media turnout will probably double after the livestream discussions,” one American coordinator explained rapidly.

Ellie translated immediately into Korean. Natural. Quick. Precise.

Namjoon looked impressed and relaxed now that he wasn’t the one having to relay all the information to the others. Jimin mouthed wow toward Taehyung. Taehyung nodded dramatically like Ellie had personally solved world peace.

Meanwhile Ellie kept her attention fixed carefully on her notes instead of the room itself. Avoid eye contact. Avoid taking up space. Avoid becoming noticeable. The habits were so practiced Yoongi doubted she even realized she was doing them anymore.

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The meeting lasted nearly two hours. By the end, most of the room looked exhausted. Managers filtered out first followed by stylists. Eventually only the members, Avery, Ellie, and a few remaining production staff stayed behind while lunch arrived.

Taehyung stretched dramatically across the couch. “I’m starving.”

“You ate during the meeting,” Jimin pointed out.

“That was meeting food. Different category.”

“There are not categories.”

“There absolutely are.”

Jungkook grabbed a grape from the fruit tray. “You just eat constantly.”

Taehyung looked offended. “I’m beautiful. Beauty requires nutrients.”

Avery snorted loudly into her drink.

Ellie laughed again before she could stop herself.

Immediately, everyone looked at her.

Her smile faltered slightly. Too visible. She instinctively stepped backward closer toward the wall. Yoongi noticed.

———————-

Then chaos happened. Because apparently BTS could not exist peacefully for longer than six consecutive minutes. Taehyung grabbed a balled-up napkin and threw it at Jungkook.

Jungkook caught it instantly. “Really?”

“You looked too comfortable.”

“You’re annoying.”

“You adore me.”

Jungkook launched the napkin back.

Taehyung dodged dramatically before grabbing an actual decorative pillow from the couch. “Fight me.”

“Please don’t destroy another hotel,” Namjoon sighed without looking up from his laptop…Too late.

Jungkook immediately grabbed another pillow and launched it across the room.

Jimin yelled.

Avery cackled.

Taehyung nearly fell over laughing.

The room exploded into movement and overlapping noise.

And then, someone near Ellie suddenly lifted an arm quickly to catch the flying pillow. Ellie flinched hard. Not startled. Terrified.

Her entire body recoiled instinctively before she could stop herself. Silence slammed across the room immediately. The pillow dropped onto the carpet uselessly. Nobody moved.

Ellie realized what she’d done exactly one second too late. Humiliation crashed through her instantly.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted automatically. Too fast. Too practiced.

“I’m sorry, I just—”

No one spoke.Because every member of BTS was staring at her now with the exact same expression. Understanding.

Avery’s face fell first.

Jimin looked quietly horrified.

Yoongi felt something inside himself go dangerously cold. Because that was not surprise. That was fear. Learned fear. The kind that lived inside muscle memory.

Ellie’s face burned hotter. “Oh my god,” she whispered miserably. “I’m so sorry.”

Why was she apologizing? Why was she apologizing for being scared?

Avery moved first….Slowly….Carefully.

“Avoided sports growing up?” she asked softly. An escape route.

A lie handed gently enough to become mercy.

Ellie looked at her with immediate grateful panic.“Yes.”

Everyone knew it wasn’t true. But nobody challenged it.

“Honestly same,” Avery said lightly. “I got hit in the face with a volleyball once and never emotionally recovered.”

The tension loosened slightly. Conversation slowly resumed afterward, but Ellie stayed near the edge of the room for the rest of the afternoon like she wanted to disappear completely.

And across the room, Yoongi watched her quietly while one horrible realization settled heavier and heavier inside his chest. Someone had taught his soulmate to fear raised hands.

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LOS ANGELES — TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST SHOW

Ellie woke up before her alarm because her body apparently no longer believed in restful sleep. Dark hotel ceiling. Cold air conditioning. 5:12 A.M. glowing softly across the bedside clock.

For one disorienting second she forgot where she was. Then reality settled back in slowly. Tour. Los Angeles. BTS…and unfortunately, the memory of flinching in front of everyone yesterday.

Ellie groaned softly into the hotel pillow. Fantastic. First official day and she’d already embarrassed herself in front of internationally famous people. She should’ve reacted normally. Laughed it off. Acted casual.

Instead she’d looked like a terrified idiot because someone raised an arm too fast beside her. Humiliating.

Ellie rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. ‘You’re fine. Everything was fine.’

No one had actually said anything afterward. Nobody had pushed. Nobody had looked at her cruelly. If anything, they’d been gentler afterward…Which honestly almost made it worse…because pity was unbearable.

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By 7:30, she was fully dressed and walking toward the production floor carrying an iced coffee she barely wanted. The hallway buzzed with early-morning movement already. Staff members hurried past carrying equipment. Stylists rolled racks of clothing between rooms. Someone shouted about lighting cues further down the corridor.

Ellie stepped automatically closer to the wall to avoid blocking traffic. A habit so ingrained she barely noticed herself doing it anymore.

“You know nobody’s going to hit you if you take up space in the hallway.”

Ellie startled violently.

Yoongi stood several feet away leaning against the wall outside the conference suite, coffee in hand. Black hoodie again. Dark hair slightly messy. Voice low with sleep.

Ellie’s heartbeat immediately stumbled into chaos. “Oh my god.”

His mouth twitched slightly. “You scare easily.”

“You appear out of nowhere.”

“That sounds more like a you problem.”

The corner of her mouth lifted before she could stop it. And instantly, that strange calm feeling returned. Like her nervous system settled the second he looked at her directly.

It happened so quickly Ellie almost missed it….Weird.

Yoongi studied her quietly over the rim of his coffee cup. Ellie looked away first….Dangerous. Not him specifically. Just—feelings around famous people in general. Especially famous people who somehow made her feel safer by existing nearby. That was concerning.

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The conference room slowly filled over the next twenty minutes.

Jimin arrived first carrying two coffees and entirely too much energy for the morning, “Ellie!”

She blinked as he held one cup toward her, “Oh—I already have coffee.”

“That one looks sad.”

Ellie looked down at her plain iced coffee, “It’s just coffee.”

“Exactly.” He handed her the second cup proudly, “This one has cinnamon.”

Ellie stared at him, “…You bought me coffee?”

Jimin looked confused by the question, “Yes?”

Something about his tone made her chest ache unexpectedly. Like kindness still surprised her too much.

Ellie accepted the drink carefully, “Thank you.”

His smile widened immediately, “No problem.”

Then he tilted his head slightly while studying her face, “You seem tired.”

Ellie immediately answered automatically. “I’m fine.” The response came too fast. Too rehearsed.

Jimin’s expression softened slightly in a way that made Ellie instantly regret speaking. Because suddenly she knew he noticed it too. That reflexive fine.

Thankfully Taehyung burst into the room dramatically before the conversation could continue. “Good morning emotionally unavailable people!”

Jimin groaned. “It’s eight in the morning.”

“Exactly. Prime emotional vulnerability hours.”

Taehyung immediately spotted Ellie. “Interpreter!”

Ellie blinked. “…Interpreter?”

“I forgot your name for half a second.”

“That’s somehow worse.”

Taehyung gasped dramatically “She jokes now.”

Yoongi quietly watched Ellie laugh from across the room. The soulmate bond warmed instantly. Soft. Steady…Dangerous.

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Rehearsals started an hour later at SoFi Stadium. Ellie had never seen anything on this scale before. The arena floor looked like organized chaos: backup dancers running formations; lighting rigs adjusting overhead; stage managers shouting timing corrections; cameras moving constantly; music echoing through the empty stadium.

The members shifted into performance mode almost instantly. Focused. Sharp. Professional. Even exhausted, they moved with terrifying precision.

Ellie spent most of the morning translating rapidly between American production staff and Korean crew members while trying not to get flattened by moving equipment. Which almost happened twice.

“Behind you.” A warm hand caught her elbow gently before she stepped backward directly into a rolling camera rig. Ellie startled hard enough to nearly drop the tablet in her hands.

Yoongi steadied her automatically. Warm fingers against her sleeve. Gentle grip. Gone too quickly afterward.

“You okay?” His voice stayed low enough that only she could hear.

Ellie nodded immediately. “Yes.” Then automatically, “Sorry.”

Yoongi’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly. Tiny, but unmistakable.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Ellie looked down instantly. “I almost caused a problem.”

“You almost got hit by equipment.”

“…Right.” There was no judgment in his voice. No frustration. That somehow made her more nervous.

Yoongi stepped aside slightly so another crew member could pass before speaking again. “Still not your fault.”

The words landed strangely hard in her chest. He sounded like he meant them.

————————————-

Yoongi spent the next several hours trying not to look at Ellie constantly. He failed…..Completely.

But in his defense, Ellie Parker was impossible not to notice once you started paying attention. Not because she demanded attention. The opposite.

She moved through rooms like she was trying not to disturb the air itself. Always apologizing. Always stepping aside. Always carrying too much herself instead of asking for help. And every single time someone thanked her, she looked surprised. Like kindness still caught her off guard. Yoongi hated that feeling more every time he saw it.

“Hyung.”

Yoongi glanced sideways.

Jungkook stood beside him near the edge of the stage holding a water bottle. “You’re staring.”

“I’m literally not.”

“You’ve looked at her nineteen times.”

“That’s an insane thing to count.”

“I had rehearsal breaks.”

Yoongi took a slow sip of iced coffee. “Mind your business.”

Unfortunately, Jungkook now looked interested which was dangerous. His eyes shifted toward Ellie translating near the lighting crew below, then slowly widened—Oh shit. Absolutely not.

“You—”

“No.”

“Hyung—”

“No.”

Jungkook looked personally offended. “You have the soulmate face.”

“There’s no soulmate face.”

“There absolutely is.”

Across the arena Avery looked over at exactly the wrong moment. Saw Jungkook’s expression. Then followed his line of sight directly toward Ellie. Avery froze. Then immediately snapped her gaze toward Yoongi.—Traitor.

Yoongi closed his eyes briefly….Fucking fantastic.

———————————————

By lunch, four people knew. Technically five if Namjoon counted, which he unfortunately did because he noticed everything.

The only members still oblivious were: Taehyung, Jimin, and apparently Ellie herself. Though Taehyung was mostly distracted trying to convince Ellie to rank American fast food restaurants “for cultural research.”

“This is important,” he insisted seriously.

Ellie laughed quietly. “I don’t think Taco Bell counts as culture.”

Taehyung looked scandalized. “Blasphemy.”

Across catering tables, Yoongi watched Ellie smile for the third time that day. The soulmate bond warmed instantly. Contentment.

God, This was bad….Because Yoongi couldn’t remember the last time simply seeing another person happy affected him this much.

The problem was: Ellie affected him even from across rooms. He could feel: her easing anxiety; her exhaustion; tiny flickers of happiness; moments of calm—Like emotions brushed softly against his ribs through the bond.

He’d understood soulmate bonds academically before. Living inside one was something entirely different. More intimate. More invasive. More dangerous.

“Okay.”

Yoongi looked up. Avery stood beside him holding iced tea and the expression of someone about to become deeply annoying.

“No,” Yoongi answered immediately.

“You literally haven’t heard the question.”

“I know the question.”

Avery grinned, “Soulmate?”

Yoongi stayed silent. Which unfortunately answered everything. Avery’s expression softened almost instantly afterward.

“Oh,” she said quietly.

That single syllable somehow contained sympathy, understanding, and emotional devastation simultaneously. Yoongi hated it immediately.

“She knows?” Avery asked.

“No.”

“You didn’t tell her?”

“She’d panic.”

Avery looked toward Ellie across the stadium floor. Watching the way she kept herself carefully at the edge of every group conversation. Watching how quickly she apologized whenever anyone moved around her.

Then Avery nodded slowly. “Yeah,” she admitted quietly. “She would.”

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Hello! Spin off to Echos is here! Bc yoongi is my wrecker I had to write one with him.

I think you can read this as a stand alone story pretty easily. The little side interactions with Avery might be sorta confusing but the overall plot should not be compromised if you haven’t read Echos!

Hope you like it!

Like, comment, Reblog please

Xoxo, Bumble

Taglist:

@bbl32 @bb3armira @bjoriis @lumora-the-white @itsluvie @traumaanatomy @joonmonjagi

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Echos | J.Jk pt 9

SUMMARY~ For thirteen years, Avery Monroe has secretly heard the voice and emotions of her soulmate inside her head—only to discover it belongs to Jungkook. After becoming a professional dancer to cope with the bond, she lands a spot on BTS’s comeback tour, where staying away from Jungkook becomes impossible… and keeping her secret becomes even harder.

WARNINGS~ back up dancer AU, soulmate AU, Jungkook soulmate, Jungkook x OC!reader, FemOC, Arirang Tour, eventual smut (18+), talk of anxiety, unhealthy coping habits

Series masterlist

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First, The bond changing was somehow even more overwhelming than hiding it.

And second, The members of BTS adapted to life-altering revelations disturbingly f

“Okay,” Jin announced, clapping once like they were discussing lunch plans instead of soulmates. “Ground rules.”

Namjoon blinked slowly. “…Why are there ground rules?”

“Because this is emotionally complicated and I’m hungry.”

“That second thing has nothing to do with the first.”

“It has everything to do with the first.”

Yoongi rubbed his forehead.

Avery stood awkwardly near center stage, completely unsure if she should still be here for this conversation. Should she bow and leave? Would leaving be rude? Would staying be worse? God. Even during emotional collapse she was worried about etiquette.

Jimin noticed immediately. “Avery,” he said gently, “you don’t have to stand like you’re waiting for detention.”

Heat flooded her face. “Oh. Sorry.”

Jungkook physically winced, “See? She apologizes for breathing.”

“I do not.”

“You literally just did.”

“I—”

“She did,” Taehyung confirmed helpfully. Traitor.

Despite herself, Avery laughed softly. Then immediately felt it. Warmth. Quick and instinctive through the bond.

Jungkook reacting to her laughter again. His head lifted slightly at the same moment hers did.

Both of them froze. Oh no. Because now they could both feel it happening.

Namjoon noticed that too. Interesting.

“…How strong is the connection right now?” he asked carefully.

Avery swallowed. “Stronger than before.”

Jungkook nodded immediately. “Yeah.”

Hobi looked deeply unsettled. “This is insane.”

“Correct,” Yoongi said calmly.

Avery adjusted the headphones around her neck automatically. Comfort gesture.

Jungkook’s gaze followed the movement instantly. And suddenly, he understood those too. Not fashion. Not preference. Protection.

His chest tightened painfully. “You wore those because of me.” Not accusation. Just realization.

Avery looked away. “They helped.”

Jungkook stared at her. Then quietly: “…I’m sorry.”

That hit her harder than she expected. Her head snapped back up immediately.

“No.” Too sharp. Too fast.

Everyone blinked.

Avery exhaled slowly, trying to untangle words from emotion. “You don’t apologize for existing,” she said quietly.

The room fell silent. Because that….That came from somewhere deep. Somewhere honest. And Jungkook felt it. Not just the words. The years behind them. Every sleepless night. Every emotional overload. Every moment she chose endurance instead of resentment. Her bond with him had exhausted her. But she had never hated him for it. Not once. Jungkook looked wrecked by that realization.

Taehyung saw it immediately and leaned toward Jimin. “He’s in love already.”

Jimin whispered back: “I think technically soulmates are cheating.”

“I support it anyway.”

“Obviously.”

“Can you two stop commentating?” Namjoon sighed.

“No,” they said together again.

Avery rubbed her temples. This was surreal. Absolutely surreal. Yesterday she was desperately hiding a life-changing secret. Today Kim Taehyung was openly narrating her soulmate situation like reality television. Culture shock truly never ended.

“So…” Hobi said cautiously, looking between Avery and Jungkook. “What happens now?” Excellent question.

Avery would also love to know. All eyes shifted toward her and Jungkook. Immediately uncomfortable. Because despite everything, They were basically strangers. Connected strangers. Emotionally entangled strangers. Soulmate strangers…..But strangers.

Avery crossed her arms slightly. Defensive.

“I still want to work,” she said immediately.

Jungkook blinked. “…Okay?”

“No special treatment,” she continued quickly. “No weirdness. I’m still here as a dancer.”

Something flickered across Jungkook’s expression. Hurt. Tiny. Quick. But there. And immediately Avery felt it. Damn it. This was going to take getting used to.

“I didn’t mean—”

“No, I know,” Jungkook said softly. And the sincerity in his voice made her chest ache.

Because he genuinely wasn’t thinking about power or status or changing her role. He was thinking about her. Which was exactly the problem.

Yoongi watched the exchange quietly. Then: “You two need boundaries.”

Everyone turned.

Yoongi shrugged slightly. “What? They do.”

Unfortunately, he was right. Because the bond was unstable now. Open. Reactive. Every emotion passed too easily between them. And judging by the way Jungkook’s concern kept brushing against Avery’s panic…Neither of them knew how to control it yet.

“How do you even set boundaries for soulmates?” Jin asked.

Yoongi deadpanned: “Google it.”

Taehyung gasped. “You can’t Google destiny.”

“Watch me.”

Avery laughed again before she could stop herself. And again, that warmth flickered through Jungkook instantly. Immediate. Natural. Like her emotions now had a direct line into him.

His eyes widened slightly. “…Whoa.”

Avery’s stomach dropped. “You felt that?”

Jungkook looked almost dazed. “You were amused before you laughed.”

The room went silent again.

Hobi went still “That’s horrifying.”

“Actually,” Namjoon said thoughtfully, “that’s fascinating.”

“You would say that.”

“It is fascinating.”

Avery wanted to disappear. Not because they were cruel. They weren’t. If anything, they were handling this with terrifying kindness. But being seen like this, fully seen, was overwhelming. Especially in another country. Another language. Another culture she still felt clumsy inside. She didn’t even know the proper etiquette for soulmate revelations. Was there etiquette for soulmate revelations? Probably in Korea there was. There seemed to be etiquette for everything.

As if sensing her spiraling thoughts, Jungkook spoke quietly. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now.”

Her eyes lifted to his. And there it was again. That softness. God. How was she supposed to survive him being gentle on purpose?

—————————————————————

A staff member suddenly opened the rehearsal room door. “Ten minutes until reset!”

The normalcy of it almost gave Avery whiplash. Right. Tour. They still had a tour.

Everyone slowly shifted back into motion. Water bottles. Phones. Shoes. Reality reassembling itself around the impossible. Avery bent to grab her bag….and paused, because Jungkook was suddenly right beside her. Not crowding. Not overwhelming. Just close enough that she could feel the steady warmth of him beside her. Still new. Still terrifying.

“…Avery.”

She looked up carefully. “Yes?”

He hesitated. Which seemed rare for him. Then finally: “Were you ever happy about it?”

The question hit her like a physical thing. Not “Was it hard?” Not “Did you hate me?” Not even “Were you scared?” Happy. Like he genuinely needed to know.

Avery looked at him for a long moment. Then, very quietly: “When you sang because you loved it.”

Jungkook went completely still.

Avery’s fingers tightened slightly around her bag strap, “Those were my favorite days,” she admitted softly.

Truth. Pure truth. And the second it crossed the bond, Jungkook felt it. All of it. The warmth. The admiration. The years she spent quietly loving the sound of him being happy. His chest ached so suddenly he almost reached for her instinctively. He stopped himself just in time.

But Avery felt that too. The instinct. The care. And suddenly her own heartbeat turned traitorous. Because this—This was exactly what she had spent thirteen years trying to avoid. Not the soulmate bond. Not the fame. Not the chaos. This. Him starting to care about her back.

————————————————

The next few days were… strange. Not bad. Which honestly might have been worse. Because Avery had prepared herself for disaster once the truth came out. Awkwardness. Distance. Management involvement. Some kind of emotional apocalypse.

Instead, vveryone just… adapted. Which was apparently what BTS did. The world exploded around them constantly, and somehow they still showed up to rehearsal arguing about snacks and dance formations like normal people. It was deeply unsettling.

“Headphone girl!”

Avery looked up automatically.

Jin pointed at her from across the rehearsal hall. “Come settle a debate.”

She sighed softly, already smiling despite herself. “That sounds dangerous.”

“It is,” Namjoon confirmed immediately.

Jin ignored him. “Is mint chocolate ice cream refreshing or toothpaste?”

“Hyung,” Jungkook muttered from nearby, “why are you asking her specifically?”

“Because she has trustworthy energy.”

Taehyung smiled “She absolutely has mint chocolate opinions.”

Avery blinked. “…Refreshing?”

Jin pointed triumphantly. “YES.”

“Traitor,” Yoongi muttered.

And just like that, the room dissolved into chaos again. Avery stood there watching them bicker, something warm and unfamiliar twisting quietly in her chest. Because somehow, they hadn’t made her feel like an outsider. Even after knowing. Maybe especially after knowing.

“You’re thinking loudly again.”

Avery blinked.

Jungkook stood beside her now, handing her a water bottle. Oh. Right. That. The bond. Still adjusting.

“…Sorry.”

Jungkook immediately gave her a look.

She pressed her lips together. “Right. No apologizing.”

“Good.”

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. And Avery’s stomach betrayed her instantly. Wonderful.

—————————————————

The problem was proximity. Not physical proximity. Emotional. Before, the bond had been one-way enough that Avery could compartmentalize. Now? Now feelings slipped accidentally between them all the time. Small things Quick flashes. Jungkook’s amusement when she rolled her eyes at Jin. Avery’s anxiety before difficult choreo resets. His frustration during vocal runs. Her exhaustion after long rehearsals.

Nothing huge. But constant. Like learning another language through emotion instead of words. And honestly? That part terrified Avery most. Because she had spent years controlling herself around him. Now her feelings reached him whether she wanted them to or not.

“Again from top!”

Music blasted through the arena. “SWIM.”

Avery stepped into formation automatically and this time, when Jungkook took position beside her, neither of them flinched. Progress…small progress.

The choreography started. Sharp. Fluid. Controlled. And for the first time since the soulmate reveal, they moved together naturally. No panic. No pulling away. Just instinct. The bond hummed softly between them, stable enough now that Avery could almost ignore it. Almost.

Until Jungkook laughed during a reset after Taehyung intentionally messed up a transition. The sound hit Avery instantly. Warm. Bright Real.

And before she could stop herself….She smiled too.

Jungkook looked over immediately. Their eyes met. Suddenly, a pulse of affection slipped accidentally through the bond. Both of them froze. Avery’s soul left her body…..Oh my God…..No no no….Because that had not been vague. That had not been subtle. That had been direct.

Jungkook’s eyes widened slightly. Not alarmed. Just startled. Because he’d felt it too. Clear as day. Not soulmate destiny. Not abstract connection…..Her. Liking him. Specifically him.

Avery looked away so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash. The room kept moving around them. Music resetting. Hobi yelling counts. Jin dramatically complaining about cardio. But suddenly Avery could hear her own heartbeat louder than everything else. This was bad. This was catastrophically bad. Because now the bond wasn’t just sharing emotional residue. It was sharing personal feelings. And she had exactly zero control over it.

Beside her Jungkook was malfunctioning quietly because that feeling…..It had been so immediate. So sincere. Not fan admiration. Not infatuation. Something softer. Something built over years.

His chest tightened. And before he could stop himself….His own emotion slipped back across the bond. Protectiveness. Immediate and instinctive.

Avery physically stumbled mid-count. “Oh my God,” she whispered under her breath.

Jungkook winced immediately. “Sorry.”

“YOU CAN APOLOGIZE?” Taehyung shouted from across the stage.

Jungkook threw a towel at him without looking.

Taehyung looked delighted.

Unfortunately, the members were noticing more now. Not details. But patterns. The pauses. The sudden eye contact. The emotional ricochets visibly throwing both of them off balance.

“Okay, this is actually insane,” Hobi muttered during break.

Namjoon nodded thoughtfully. “It seems stronger than most resonance bonds I’ve heard about.”

Avery immediately focused very hard on her water bottle. Most bonds. Cool. Great. Fantastic. So there were varying levels. Wonderful information to learn while actively living through emotional collapse.

Jimin sat beside her carefully during a break. “You okay?”

Avery laughed weakly. “No.”

“Fair.”

She glanced at him gratefully. At least Jimin understood how overwhelming this all was without making her feel dramatic for it.

“I don’t know how to…” She gestured vaguely. “Exist normally anymore.”

Jimin smiled softly. “I don’t think there’s a normal version of this.”

Helpful….Terrifying….True.

—————————————————-

Across the room, Jungkook was being aggressively cornered by Taehyung. “So.”

“No.”

“You didn’t even let me ask.”

“I know what you’re gonna ask.”

“And?”

“No.”

Taehyung gasped dramatically. “You like her.”

Jungkook nearly choked on his water. “WHAT?”

Jimin burst out laughing from beside Avery. Too late. Everyone heard that.

Jin looked up instantly. “Oh we’re HERE now.”

“We are nowhere,” Jungkook said immediately.

Yoongi looked unconvinced. “Mm.”

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair. “This is not funny.”

“It’s a little funny,” Namjoon admitted. Traitor.

——————————————

Taehyung leaned closer, entirely unhelpful. “She likes you too, you know.”

Jungkook froze. Because yes. He did know. Technically. He had literally felt it. And somehow that made it infinitely worse. Not because he disliked it. God, no. Because he liked it too much.

Across the room, Avery accidentally felt that realization through the bond. Her entire body locked. Oh. Oh no. Because now she knew too. Jungkook liked her. At least a little. Enough for the thought itself to carry emotional weight. And suddenly the room felt much too small again.

Their eyes met across the rehearsal hall. Instantly. Like the bond pulled them toward each other automatically now. Jungkook looked just as startled as she felt. Because he realized at the exact same time, She’d felt that too.

Taehyung looked between them slowly. Then pointed. “See?!” he yelled.

Namjoon covered his face with both hands.

Yoongi sighed into the void.

And Avery seriously considered throwing herself directly into the Han River.

“Okay,” Namjoon said with the exhausted calm of a man holding reality together by sheer force of leadership, “everyone needs to stop yelling.”

“No,” Taehyung replied immediately.

“Especially you.”

Taehyung looked deeply offended. “I’m supporting love.”

“You’re causing cardiac events,” Yoongi muttered.

Accurate, because Avery genuinely thought her heart might stop working.

—————————————————

The rehearsal hall suddenly felt unbearably warm or maybe that was just the bond spiraling out of control now that both she and Jungkook were emotionally compromised. Because now every glance meant something. Every flicker of feeling echoed back twice as hard. Panic. Embarrassment. Affection. Mortification. Everything bounced between them like emotional pinball. And the worst part? Everyone could visibly tell something was happening.

“Break,” Hobi announced immediately, clearly deciding productivity was no longer possible. “Ten minutes. Maybe twenty. I need aspirin.”

Smart man.

The dancers scattered quickly, wisely pretending not to notice the increasingly obvious soulmate situation unfolding center stage. Avery made it approximately three steps toward the exit before—

“Avery.”

Of course. She stopped with her eyes closed briefly. Steady yourself. Then turned.

Jungkook stood there looking equally overwhelmed. Which honestly helped a little. At least she wasn’t suffering alone anymore.

“Can we—”

“No.” The answer came out too fast.

Jungkook blinked.

Avery immediately winced. “I mean—not no forever.”

Excellent recovery. Truly inspiring.

“I just…” She gestured vaguely at the room. “Not here.”

Understanding flickered across his face instantly. Because yes. Half the group was openly pretending not to eavesdrop. Jin wasn’t even pretending.

“You’re both very loud emotionally,” he informed them helpfully while eating chips.

“How would you know?” Jungkook asked.

Jin pointed dramatically at Taehyung. “His face.”

Taehyung grinned. “I know everything.”

“You know nothing,” Yoongi corrected.

“I know romance.”

“You watched one romance movie.”

“And it changed me.”

Avery laughed helplessly before she could stop herself. Immediately warmth rippled through the bond again. Jungkook felt it this time with startling clarity….The way she relaxed slightly around the members. The comfort slowly replacing fear. The disbelief that these globally famous men were somehow acting like this about soulmates. His chest tightened softly. Because she still seemed surprised every time they treated her kindly. And something about that bothered him more than he could explain.

“Hey.”

Avery looked back at him carefully.

Jungkook hesitated briefly. Then quieter: “We can go somewhere else.”

The room instantly erupted.

“OHHHHH.”

“HE ASKED HER OUT!”

“That was smooth.”

“It was not smooth.”

“HYUNGS,” Jungkook groaned.

Avery covered her face with both hands. This could not be her life.

“We’re not dating,” she mumbled through her fingers.

Taehyung gasped. “Yet.”

Jimin smacked his arm. “You are making this worse.”

“I’m making this entertaining.”

“You are stressing them out.”

Jungkook looked like he wanted the floor to open beneath him. Which Avery unfortunately found adorable. Which he immediately felt. His ears turned pink…Oh my God.

“Oh no,” Avery whispered aloud. Now she was embarrassing him emotionally. Fantastic.

Yoongi watched both of them quietly for a long moment. Then finally stood. “Everyone leave them alone.”

Miracle of miracles, The members actually listened. Mostly because Yoongi used the tone. The tone meant stop being idiots immediately. Even Taehyung obeyed with only minimal dramatic sighing.

One by one, the room cleared out until only Avery and Jungkook remained near center stage. The sudden quiet felt enormous. Avery immediately became aware of everything again. The massive mirrors. The faint hum of stage equipment. Jungkook standing much too close.

And the bond….Steady. Warm. Nervous on both sides.

————————————

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Because honestly, where do you even start after accidentally emotionally confessing across a soulmate bond in front of BTS? Not exactly a common social scenario.

Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck. “So…”

Avery laughed softly. “Great opening.”

“I’m trying.”

“I can tell.”

Warmth flickered between them again. Smaller this time. Manageable.

Jungkook smiled a little despite himself. And Avery’s stomach immediately betrayed her again. Traitorous organs. All of them.

“I didn’t mean to…” Jungkook gestured vaguely between them. “Do that.”

“The feeling thing?”

“Yeah.”

Avery looked down briefly. “I don’t think either of us knows how to stop it yet.”

That sobered both of them immediately. Because underneath all the awkwardness and teasing, This was real.Powerful. Unpredictable. Intimate in ways neither of them fully understood yet.

Jungkook’s expression softened. “Does it scare you?”

Avery almost laughed at the understatement. “Yes.” Honest. Simple.

Jungkook nodded slowly. “Me too.”

That….That helped more than she expected. Because she’d spent so many years carrying this alone that some part of her assumed he’d adapt instantly once he knew. But he was overwhelmed too. Confused too. Feeling too much too quickly.

Avery leaned lightly against the mirrored wall behind her. “I spent years making sure you’d never find out.”

Jungkook looked up sharply. “…Why?”

The question held no accusation. Just genuine confusion.

Avery swallowed slowly. Because how did she explain this to someone who had never lived outside fame?

“You’re not normal famous,” she said carefully.

Jungkook blinked. “That sounds insulting.”

“It’s true.”

A tiny smile tugged at his mouth despite himself.

Avery exhaled softly. “People already take things from you constantly,” she admitted quietly. “Attention. Privacy. Pieces of yourself.”

Jungkook’s expression shifted. More serious now. “And you thought telling me would be taking something too.” Not a question.

Avery nodded once.

Silence settled between them. Heavy. Because unfortunately, She wasn’t wrong. There were people who would’ve used something like this. Publicly. Cruelly. Selfishly. But Avery hadn’t. She’d hidden for thirteen years instead. Protected the secret even when it hurt her. And the weight of that settled heavily in Jungkook’s chest.

“You know what’s crazy?” he said quietly after a moment.

Avery looked up.

“The whole time…” He laughed softly, disbelieving. “I thought you were avoiding me because you didn’t like me.”

Avery stared at him. Then burst out laughing. Fully. Bright and helpless and immediate. The bond lit up instantly with warmth so strong Jungkook physically smiled before he could stop himself.

“There is no universe,” Avery laughed, “where hearing your voice in my head for thirteen years ends with me disliking you.”

The second the words left her mouth….Both of them froze. Because that had been…Dangerously close to too honest.

Jungkook’s heartbeat jumped. Avery felt it immediately.

And now she panicked. “Not—I mean—”

“You liked my singing,” Jungkook said carefully, clearly trying not to smile too hard.

Avery narrowed her eyes. “Don’t make this worse.”

“I’m not making it worse.”

“You’re enjoying this.”

A pause, then..

“…Maybe a little.”

Warmth flooded through the bond again. Soft. Flirtatious. Accidental.

Avery looked horrified.

Jungkook looked delighted.

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

“You felt that too?”

“Yes!”

Jungkook laughed suddenly. Open and bright and real.

And Avery….Avery realized with terrifying clarity, She had spent years surviving the sound of his happiness from far away. Experiencing it this close might actually destroy her.

————————————————

After that, things became dangerous in an entirely different way because now Jungkook knew how easily feelings slipped through the bond. And apparently, He found that fascinating. Avery found it horrifying.

“You’re doing it on purpose.”

“I’m literally standing here.”

“That counts!”

Jungkook looked deeply amused. Which was a problem. A very large problem. Because every time he got amused now, Avery felt it immediately—warm, playful energy sliding straight through the bond before he even smiled. And her own reactions betrayed her right back. There was no privacy anymore. No emotional poker face. Just disaster.

It started small. A tiny pulse of smug satisfaction when Avery complimented his vocal run accidentally slipped through to her.

She rolled her eyes instantly. “See? That.”

Jungkook blinked innocently. “What?”

“You know exactly what.”

“I actually don’t.” Liar.

She narrowed her eyes at him across the rehearsal floor.

Unfortunately, the look only made him more entertained. Avery felt that too.

“Oh my God.”

——————————————

Taehyung appeared beside Jimin like an excited ghost. “They’re flirting psychically.”

Jimin buried his face in his hands. “Please never say that sentence again.”

“I’m documenting history.”

“You’re making me tired.”

————————————

Rehearsals somehow became easier and infinitely harder at the same time. The choreography finally clicked between them now that neither was fighting the connection constantly. Partner transitions flowed naturally. Timing synced instinctively.

During “SWIM,” their spacing was suddenly perfect without effort. Hobi noticed immediately.

“Well,” he said slowly after one run-through. “That’s terrifyingly better.”

Avery pretended to be deeply focused on adjusting her in-ears. Jungkook coughed into his fist. Namjoon looked like he was trying not to laugh.

The emotional side, however? Absolute chaos. Because now that the bond was open, neither of them fully understood how to control emotional bleed-through. Especially not strong emotions.

Which meant: Jungkook accidentally projecting pride every time Avery nailed difficult choreography. Avery unintentionally flooding him with secondhand embarrassment whenever Jin said something insane. And worst of all….Attraction.

It happened during costume fittings. Because of course it did. Avery stood on a small platform while stylists adjusted one of the ARIRANG stage outfits—a black performance top with silver embroidery inspired by modernized hanbok lines. Beautiful. Also slightly more fitted than she would’ve preferred for maintaining emotional stability around Jungkook.

Unfortunately, Jungkook walked in halfway through the fitting. And stopped. Not dramatically. Just—Stopped.

Avery looked up instinctively. Big mistake.

Because the second she met his eyes…There it was. A very brief. Very human. Very male thought: Pretty.

Avery almost fell off the platform. “Oh my God,” she whispered.

Every stylist looked up immediately. “You okay?”

“Yes!” she said too quickly.

Across the room, Jungkook looked equally horrified. Because apparently he hadn’t realized thoughts could slip through now too. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

Taehyung watched this unfold from a nearby couch and nearly ascended spiritually. “Oh, this is incredible.”

“Stop encouraging them,” Yoongi muttered.

“I’m not encouraging. I’m appreciating.”

“You’re enjoying their suffering.”

“A little.”

“A lot,” Jimin corrected.

——————————————

Jungkook immediately fled the fitting room after that. Not because he was embarrassed she knew he found her attractive. Okay, partially because of that. But mostly because the bond reacted so strongly to her flustered panic afterward that he genuinely forgot how to function for a second. Now he sat outside the building on the back steps with an iced coffee he wasn’t drinking. His face was warm. His chest felt weird. And the worst part? He kept replaying her reaction. Not offended. Not uncomfortable….Flustered. Because she felt it too. Literally.

The door behind him opened. Namjoon stepped outside quietly. Without asking, he sat beside Jungkook. For a minute, neither spoke. Then—

“You’re smiling at nothing,” Namjoon said mildly.

Jungkook immediately stopped smiling. “I wasn’t smiling.”

Namjoon hummed skeptically.

Silence again. Then: “…Hyung.”

“Mm?”

“What am I supposed to do?” That question held far more weight than romance.

Namjoon understood that immediately. Because this wasn’t just a crush. This wasn’t casual attraction. This was soulmate resonance. Emotional intimacy before actual intimacy. Connection before choice. Complicated. Potentially overwhelming. Especially for Avery.

Namjoon leaned back slightly against the concrete steps. “What do you want to do?”

Jungkook frowned. “That’s not the same question.”

“No,” Namjoon agreed. “It’s the important one.”

Jungkook looked down at his hands. What did he want? The answer came too quickly. He wanted to know her. Not the soulmate version. Not the years of connection….Her. What music she liked besides dance instrumentals. Why she overthought every interaction. What made her laugh when she forgot to be careful.

He wanted—His thoughts halted abruptly. Because warmth suddenly brushed lightly through the bond. Questioning. Curious.

Avery. Oh no. She’d heard that. Not clearly. Not every detail. But enough.Jungkook physically covered his face with one hand.

Namjoon started laughing immediately. “You projected, didn’t you?”

“I hate this.”

“No you don’t.”

Unfortunately, No. He really didn’t.

———————————————

Upstairs, Avery sat frozen in the dressing room chair while a stylist fixed her sleeve. Heart racing. Because suddenly, out of nowhere, she’d felt something from Jungkook so sincere it almost hurt. Not attraction this time. Something deeper. Interest. Real interest in her. Not the soulmate bond. Not destiny. Her.

And somehow that was infinitely scarier. Because Avery had spent years convincing herself that if Jungkook ever knew the truth, obligation might blur into affection. But this? This felt genuine. Untangled from the bond itself. Which meant she was losing the last emotional defense she had left.

“Avery?”

She blinked.

The stylist smiled gently. “You’re zoning out.”

“Sorry.”

The stylist laughed softly. “You say sorry more than any person I’ve ever met.”

Avery groaned quietly. “It’s a problem.”

——————————————

Later that night, full-stage rehearsal ran until almost midnight. Everyone was exhausted. Sweaty. Hungry. Running on caffeine and stubbornness. Which meant emotional control was basically nonexistent.

Avery sat on the edge of the stage stretching beside Dani, headphones resting around her neck. Across the arena, Jungkook was reviewing playback footage with Hobi. Normal. Fine. Safe distance.

Until Jungkook laughed suddenly at something on the monitor. And without warning, the sheer brightness of his happiness flooded through the bond so strongly Avery physically smiled before she could stop herself.

Dani looked over immediately. “…Why are you smiling at him from across the arena like you’re in a romance movie?”

Avery nearly choked. “I wasn’t!”

Dani looked unconvinced. Then slowly her eyes widened. “Oh my God.”

No. No no no—

“Oh. My. God.” Dani whispered.

Avery froze completely. Because suddenly, this wasn’t just the members anymore. Other people were starting to notice.

———————————————————

I tired to make this one longer? Do we like this length? Y’all tell me your thoughts

I’m picturing some more drama here soon. So get ready!

Please comment, like, reblog, share, DM.. anything :)

Inbox is open.

Xoxo Bumble

Taglist:

@bbl32

@bb3armira

[deaddumblbumble]

ECHOS | J.JK pt 6

SUMMARY~ For thirteen years, Avery Monroe has secretly heard the voice and emotions of her soulmate inside her head—only to discover it belongs to Jungkook. After becoming a professional dancer to cope with the bond, she lands a spot on BTS’s comeback tour, where staying away from Jungkook becomes impossible… and keeping her secret becomes even harder.

WARNINGS~ back up dancer AU, soulmate AU, Jungkook soulmate, Jungkook x OC!reader, FemOC, Arirang Tour, eventual smut (18+), talk of anxiety, unhealthy coping habits

Series masterlist

——————————————

Rehearsal ended later than usual…..Again. The kind of late where conversations softened, movements slowed, and even the perfectionists—Hobi, Jungkook, Avery—started running on muscle memory and stubbornness alone.

“Good work today,” Namjoon called, clapping once. Scattered responses followed.

“Finally.”

“I can’t feel my legs.”

“Hyung, I can feel my legs and I don’t like it.”

Avery lingered near the back, unplugging her in-ears, carefully wrapping the cord like she always did. Routine. Control. Something familiar in a place that still felt slightly off-balance.

“Are you heading out?”

She looked up. One of the other dancers—Dani—smiled at her.

“Yeah,” Avery said. “You?”

“Same. A few of us are grabbing food.”

Avery hesitated. There it was again. The moment. Back home, she would’ve said yes without thinking. Here…She overthought everything. Would it be rude to say no? Would it be weird to say yes? What if she misunderstood something? What if she used the wrong level of speech? What if—

“You should come,” Dani added gently, reading her hesitation.

Avery opened her mouth—

“Go.” Both of them turned. Jimin stood a few feet away, already changed out of rehearsal clothes, jacket slung casually over his shoulder.

“It’s good,” he said, nodding toward Dani. “Team dinners help.”

Avery blinked. “Oh—okay.” Too quick? Too eager? She added, “If that’s okay.”

Dani laughed softly. “It’s more than okay.”

Jimin smiled, satisfied, and gave a small nod before heading toward the exit. Avery watched him go for a second…..Then immediately overthought that too. Did she bow? Too late now. God.

————————————————————

Dinner was… an experience. Not bad. Just…..New. They sat on the floor. Shoes off. Low table filled with dishes Avery recognized vaguely but couldn’t name with confidence. She watched carefully before touching anything. Chopsticks……Right. She could do chopsticks. Mostly. Kind of……Don’t drop anything. Don’t reach wrong. Don’t—

“Relax.” Dani nudged her lightly, “You look like you’re taking an exam.”

Avery let out a quiet laugh, “I feel like I am.”

“You’re doing fine.”

That helped. A little. Still every movement felt deliberate. Measured. Like she was constantly checking herself against invisible rules.

“Yah!” Jin’s voice cut across the room from the other side.

Avery looked up instinctively. The members had joined later, filling the restaurant with familiar chaos.

“Why are you sitting so far away?” Jin called dramatically.

Avery blinked, “…Me?”

“Yes, you!”

Namjoon sighed. “Hyung, don’t shout across the restaurant.”

“I’m inviting her.”

“You’re yelling.”

“It’s an enthusiastic invitation.”

Jimin laughed, “Just come sit here,” he said, patting the space beside him.

Avery froze for half a second. Was that okay? Should she wait? Was there an order? Hierarchy? Her hesitation stretched just long enough—

“Come on,” Taehyung added, softer. “It’s fine.”

That did it. Avery stood, carrying her bowl carefully, and moved over

She gave a small bow out of habit…Shit. Was that right?

“Sorry.”

“For what?” Jin asked immediately.

“For… moving?”

Silence. Then—

Jin burst out laughing, “Why are you apologizing for walking?”

Avery’s face heated instantly, “I don’t know.”

Taehyung grinned, “You’re overthinking.”

“Clearly,” Yoongi muttered.

Jimin leaned in slightly, voice gentle, “You don’t have to be so formal with us.”

Avery nodded. “Okay.” Then immediately worried if that “okay” was too casual.

Jungkook hadn’t said anything yet. He sat across from her. Quiet. Watching. Not in a way that made her uncomfortable. Just… present, aware. And that was somehow worse. Because every time she accidentally glanced up, He was already looking.

“You’re American, right?” Jungkook asked finally. Simple question. Normal.

Avery nodded. “Yeah.”

“Where?”

“New York.”

He hummed softly,“Far.”

“Very.”

A small pause. Then—

“You understand Korean a little?”

Her grip on her chopsticks tightened just slightly. Here it was.

“Yes,” she said carefully. “Some.”

“How much is ‘some’?” Taehyung asked, immediately interested.

Avery hesitated because that answer was complicated. “I pick up… things.”

“Like what?” Jin asked.

Avery shrugged lightly, “Common phrases. Tone. Context.”

Yoongi’s gaze flicked up. Sharp. “That’s not ‘some,’” he said.

Avery’s stomach dropped. Abort. “I mean—not everything,” she added quickly. “Just… enough to get by.”

Jimin smiled reassuringly. “That’s impressive.”

“Yeah,” Jungkook said quietly.

Avery looked up. He was still watching her. Expression thoughtful. Like he was connecting something. Her pulse spiked.

“Eat,” Jin ordered suddenly, dropping more food into her bowl. “Thinking burns calories.”

Avery blinked. “…Thank you?”

“You’re welcome.”

Namjoon shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” she said quickly. And it was. Strangely. Because despite the confusion. Despite the constant second-guessing. There was something grounding about this. About sitting here. About being included. About not being alone with everything in her head for once……Until—

“You dance differently when you’re alone.”

Avery froze. Jungkook. Of course. Conversation slowed. Not stopped. But slowed enough that she felt it. The attention shifting. Her heart started pounding.

“What?” she asked, buying time.

“In the practice room,” he said simply.

Her stomach dropped. He saw that. Of course he did.

“Just… practicing,” she said lightly.

Jungkook shook his head slightly. “No.” Soft. Certain. “It’s different.”

Taehyung leaned forward immediately. “Oh, I want to see that.”

“You’re not helping,” Yoongi muttered.

“I’m curious.”

“You’re always curious.”

“And you love that about me.”

“I tolerate it.”

Jimin nudged Jungkook lightly, “Don’t interrogate her.”

“I’m not interrogating.”

“You are a little.”

Jungkook exhaled softly. Then looked back at Avery. “I just noticed.”

That was the problem. He noticed everything.

Avery forced a small smile. “Different how?”

Jungkook paused. Like he was choosing his words carefully. “Like it’s… not for anyone else.”

Her breath caught. Because he was right. Completely. And he had no idea why.

“That’s kind of the point of practicing alone,” she said, deflecting. It almost worked….Almost. But Jungkook didn’t look convinced. Not even close.

———————————————————

The conversation shifted after that. Thankfully. Jin started arguing with Taehyung about something completely unrelated. Jimin got pulled into it. Namjoon tried to mediate. Yoongi pretended not to care. And slowly, the attention moved away from her. Avery exhaled quietly. Relief. Temporary. But real.

Later, as they all stood to leave, Shoes back on, Goodbyes exchanged. Avery bowed slightly again out of habit.

“Thank you for the food.”

Jin waved a hand. “Eat more next time.”

“I will.”

Was that the right response? Too late. Already said it.

She turned to leave—

“Avery.” Jungkook again. Of course. She looked back.

He stepped a little closer. Not too close. But enough. “You don’t have to try so hard,” he said.

Her chest tightened. “…Try what?”

“To be careful all the time.”

The words landed softly. But they hit deeper than anything else he’d said so far. Because he was right…..Again. And she hated that he could see it.

“I’m not—”

“You are.” Not accusing. Not harsh. Just… observant.

Avery swallowed, “I just don’t want to mess anything up.”

Jungkook studied her for a second. Then— “You won’t.”

Simple. Certain. Like it was fact. Her chest tightened again because if only that were true.

He stepped back. Giving her space this time. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Avery nodded. “Yeah.” She turned. Walked away. Heart racing all over again.

And behind her, Jungkook stood there for a second longer than necessary. Watching. Thinking. Because the more time he spent around Avery Monroe— The clearer one thing became. She wasn’t just adjusting to a new country. She was hiding something. Something big. Something that affected both of them. And no matter how careful she was….No matter how many walls she built…Jungkook was getting closer to it. Whether she wanted him to Or not.

————————————————

Avery decided the next morning that she needed a new strategy. Because clearly, avoiding him wasn’t working. Deflecting wasn’t working. Pretending nothing was happening was definitely not working. So she pivoted. If she couldn’t disappear, She’d normalize.

That meant: Talk when spoken to. Don’t flinch. Don’t overcorrect. Don’t act like every interaction was life or death. Be normal. Be just another dancer. Be someone Jungkook could lose interest in. Simple…..In theory.

“Morning.” Avery said it first. That alone felt like a small victory.

Jungkook blinked slightly, caught off guard. Then—“Morning.” His voice was softer this early. Less polished. More real.

Avery forced herself not to react to it. Progress.

“Ready?” she added, casual.

He studied her for a second. “…Yeah.” A pause. Then— “You?”

“Always.” Too confident? Too much? Too late. She was committing.

———————————————

From across the room, Taehyung leaned into Jimin. “She’s changed tactics.”

Jimin didn’t even look up. “I noticed.”

“Phase two.”

“She said ‘morning,’ Taehyung. It’s not a master plan.”

“It’s absolutely a master plan.”

Yoongi, passing by, muttered: “Or she’s trying to survive both of you.”

Valid.

——————————————-

Rehearsal started and for the first time since everything shifted, Avery didn’t run. Not physically. Not emotionally. She stayed in formation. Stayed present. Stayed close when choreography required it. It was terrifying. But also….Strangely grounding. Because when she stopped fighting every second of proximity— The bond didn’t spike. It steadied. Not gone. Never gone. But calmer. Like it wasn’t being constantly resisted. That realization alone was enough to rattle her.

“Again from chorus!”

Music hit, SWIM. Avery moved through the choreography, fully present this time. No overthinking. No pulling away. And when the formation shifted, she didn’t hesitate. She stepped into place. Directly in front of Jungkook.

———————————————————

From Jungkook’s perspective something had changed. He felt it immediately. Not in the choreography. In her. The tension was still there. But it wasn’t… sharp anymore. She wasn’t pulling away, wasn’t flinching, wasn’t looking like she was bracing for impact every time they got close. And because of that the strange, underlying feeling he’d been chasing for days… Smoothed out. Not gone. Just… clearer. He could almost—No. Not quite, but closer.

Their timing locked. Perfect. For the first time since rehearsals began, Perfect.

Hobi noticed instantly. “Good,” he called out.

Avery exhaled quietly.

Jungkook didn’t break focus. But something in his chest eased.

Water Break. Avery grabbed her water, forcing herself to stay instead of bolting like usual. Stay normal. Stay present.

“You’re better today.”

She looked up. Jungkook again. “…Thanks.”

He tilted his head slightly. “What changed?”

Everything. Nothing. Her entire internal system. But she couldn’t say that.

“Just… settling in,” she said. Half true.

Jungkook nodded slowly, like he was filing that away. Not fully convinced. But not pushing….Yet.

“Hey!” Jin appeared out of nowhere, clapping his hands, “Important question.”

Avery blinked, “…Okay?”

“Do you prefer Korean food or American food?”

A trap. This felt like a trap.

“Both?” she tried.

Jin narrowed his eyes, “Diplomatic answer.”

Namjoon sighed, “Hyung, let her breathe.”

“I am helping her integrate.”

“You’re interrogating her taste buds.”

“It’s cultural exchange.”

Yoongi, from the side: “It’s chaos.”

Taehyung grinned. “I support it.” Of course he did.

Avery laughed softly. “I like Korean food,” she said.

That part wasn’t a lie. Even if she was still figuring out what half of it was.

Jin beamed. “Correct answer.”

Namjoon looked tired.

“Do you miss home?” Jimin asked gently.

Avery hesitated. That question…Was easier….And harder.

“Sometimes,” she admitted. Honest. “Mostly when I don’t understand something.”

Jimin nodded. “That makes sense.”

“It’s… a lot,” she added before she could stop herself.

Everyone quieted slightly. Not uncomfortably. Just listening.

Avery shifted her weight, “I don’t always know if I’m doing things right,” she said. “Like… talking, or reacting, or—bowing, apparently.”

Jin laughed immediately,“You bow too much.”

“I know.”

“You look like you’re apologizing for existing.”

Namjoon rubbed his forehead. “Hyung—”

“I’m helping!”

Jimin smiled softly,“You don’t have to get everything perfect.”

Avery huffed, “I’d like to try.”

“Of course you would,” Taehyung said, amused.

Jungkook had gone quiet again. Watching, Listening, Because something about that…About the way she said it….Connected. She wasn’t just careful with him. She was careful with everything. Every word, every action, every reaction. Like she was constantly trying not to cross a line she couldn’t see. And suddenly, the way she treated him didn’t feel personal anymore. Not entirely. It felt… consistent. Controlled. Like she was protecting something. Or someone.

“Avery.”

She looked at him. “Yes?”

Jungkook hesitated. Then, “You’re doing fine.” Simple. But sincere.

Her chest tightened slightly. “…Thanks.”

He nodded once. Then looked away first. Which….that was new.

————————————————————

From the sidelines, Taehyung whispered: “Oh, he’s gone.”

Jimin elbowed him. “Stop.”

“I’m serious.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“I’m observant.”

Yoongi: “You’re annoying.”

Rehearsal resumed, but something had shifted again, Not tension, not confusion. Something quieter. Something building.

————————————————————————————-

Later, during a lighting reset, Avery found herself alone near center stage. No music. No talking. Just space. For a second, she let herself breathe. Actually breathe. And without thinking…..She hummed. Soft. Absent-minded. Barely there.

Across the stage, Jungkook froze. His head snapped up. Because…That melody….

Avery stopped immediately. Eyes widening…..Oh no.No no no—

She hadn’t even realized what she was humming. But she knew. Of course she knew. Because it wasn’t just any melody. It was his. Something he used to sing late at night. Quiet. Unfinished. Never released. Something no one should recognize.

Silence stretched. Heavy. Dangerous. Avery didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Slowly, She turned. Jungkook was already looking at her. Not confused. Not curious. Something else. Something deeper.

“How do you know that?” he asked quietly.

Her heart dropped straight into her stomach. Because this time, There was no good answer. And no way to pretend…That it was nothing.

—————————————————————

A Cliffhanger! :)

As always: please comment, like, reblog, DM!

Do we want a tag list? Idk how but I’ll figure it out lol. Google is a wonderful thing.

Please interact and let me know if you like this. It helps me stay motivated to keep going!

Xoxo Bumble

[deaddumblbumble]

Soft Places to Land | MYG Pt 2

SUMMARY: After the world learns BTS can actually have soulmates, shy interpreter Ellie Parker joins the U.S. leg of BTS’s Arirang tour unaware that Min Yoongi recognizes her instantly as his soulmate. As growing public attention and a dangerous fan obsession threaten Ellie’s fragile sense of safety, Yoongi becomes the quiet place she keeps finding herself drawn back to. This is a slow-burn story about learning that love can be gentle, protective, and safe enough to finally stop surviving.

WARNINGS: past emotional abuse, anxiety, panic responses, stalking, invasion of privacy, obsessive fan behavior, toxic family dynamics, emotional manipulation, Contains heavy angst, hurt/comfort, and discussions of trauma and healing throughout.

A/N: this story is gonna contain a lot of angst, but the overall theme is healing! LMK if I left any warnings out.

Masterlist

——————————————

LOS ANGELES — ONE DAY BEFORE THE FIRST SHOW

By the third day, Ellie had learned three things about touring with BTS. First, nobody in this group slept enough. Second, Taehyung operated like a highly affectionate raccoon with unrestricted access to caffeine. And third, Min Yoongi noticed everything. Not in an intimidating way. Just quietly. Which could be considered worse.

“Ellie.”

She looked up from the translation notes in her lap.

Yoongi stood in the aisle of the production shuttle holding out a protein bar, “You skipped breakfast.”

Ellie blinked, “How do you know that?”

“You said your coffee tasted acidic.”

“…What does that have to do with breakfast?”

“You only complain about coffee tasting acidic when you haven’t eaten.”

Ellie stared at him. He stared back calmly.

The shuttle continued moving through downtown Los Angeles traffic while chaos unfolded around them: Taehyung loudly singing something incorrect on purpose; Jungkook arguing with Avery over playlists; Jimin trying to sleep against the window; Namjoon reading production notes like finals depended on it

Meanwhile Ellie sat frozen holding a protein bar because somehow Yoongi had apparently developed observational powers bordering on supernatural.

“…I didn’t know I did that. ” she admitted softly.

Yoongi shrugged once before sitting beside her, “You should still eat.”

The seat beside her dipped slightly with his weight.

Instantly, that strange calm feeling settled through her chest again, like static disappearing. Ellie hated how quickly she was getting used to it.

————————————-

The stadium looked entirely different full. Yesterday’s empty rehearsal arena had transformed overnight into thousands of screaming fans and flashing lights and overwhelming movement. Even backstage, the energy felt electric. Staff rushed constantly through hallways. Security moved in tighter formations. Managers spoke faster into headsets.

Ellie stayed close to the production team while translating timing changes between American venue staff and Korean coordinators. Professional mode. Safe mode.

Focus on words. Focus on work. Don’t think too hard about anything else. Especially not the fact that Yoongi kept appearing beside her unexpectedly throughout the day. Near catering. Near interview staging. Near security transitions. Like gravity kept subtly shifting him closer.

“Are you nervous?”

Ellie looked up.

Avery stood beside her near the backstage monitor wall holding two bottles of water.

“A little,” Ellie admitted.

Avery handed her one automatically. “You’ll survive.”

“That inspiring confidence was life-changing actually.”

Avery grinned. “You’re doing good.”

The compliment hit harder than expected.

Ellie looked down at the water bottle in her hands. “Thanks.”

Avery studied her quietly for a second. “You know,” she said casually, “they already like you.”

Ellie blinked. “…Who?”

Avery looked genuinely confused. “The boys?”

“Oh.” The response came out too soft. Too surprised. Avery noticed immediately.

Ellie saw it happen in real time: that flicker of understanding crossing another woman’s face. Like Avery was suddenly seeing things Ellie hadn’t meant to show.

Ellie forced a small smile quickly. “They’ve all been really nice.”

Avery hummed slightly, “You don’t trust nice people much, huh?”

Ellie’s stomach dropped instantly. She’s too perceptive.

She laughed lightly instead. “That’s kind of a dramatic conclusion.”

“Maybe,” Avery leaned against the wall beside her, “Or maybe I recognize survival mode because I used to live there too.”

The words landed directly in Ellie’s chest. Before she could answer, someone shouted Avery’s name from across backstage.

Avery pushed off the wall immediately, “Duty calls.” Then softer before walking away “You’re allowed to relax here, Ellie.”

Ellie watched her disappear into the crowd feeling strangely exposed afterward. Avery said things too gently, too accurately, like she saw more than she should.

——————————————————

Yoongi found Ellie twenty minutes later sitting cross-legged on the floor behind one of the backstage curtain partitions reviewing interview packets alone….Or pretending to review them.

The soulmate bond buzzed faintly uneasy beneath his ribs—Anxiety. Not sharp panic…the quieter kind. The kind people carried so long it became part of their bloodstream.

He sat beside her without speaking.

Ellie startled slightly anyway, “You really do appear out of nowhere.”

“You keep saying that like it’s my fault.”

The corner of her mouth twitched.

Small victory. For a minute neither spoke. Backstage noise echoed faintly around them: distant music checks; staff movement; crowd screams bleeding through stadium walls

Ellie relaxed incrementally beside him anyway. Yoongi felt it happen through the bond before he physically saw it…Interesting.

“You ready for tonight?” he asked finally.

Ellie looked down at the papers in her lap, “I think so.”

“You think so?”

“I’ve never translated live for something this big before.”

“You’ll be good.”

The certainty in his voice made her glance up automatically, “You sound very confident about that.”

“You’re good at your job.”

Simple. Matter-of-fact. Like it wasn’t even a question. And for some reason that affected Ellie more than exaggerated praise would have. He didn’t sound like he was trying to make her feel better. He sounded like he genuinely believed it. That felt unfamiliar enough to hurt a little.

——————————————————

The first show started at seven-thirty. From backstage, Ellie could feel the stadium vibrating. The screams became almost physical once the opening VCR began. Then the lights dropped. And suddenly the entire arena exploded.

Ellie had watched concert footage before. None of it compared to standing backstage while seventy thousand people screamed loud enough to shake the floor beneath her feet.

The members transformed onstage. Larger somehow. Brighter. Untouchable….Especially Yoongi.

Ellie stood beside one of the backstage monitors during the opening songs translating headset communication for production staff while trying not to stare too much. Which was difficult because Yoongi performing should probably be classified as a public safety hazard.

The energy shift alone was terrifying. Sharp. Focused. Magnetic. Completely different from the quiet man handing her protein bars on shuttle buses.And yet, the second he exited backstage between songs, his eyes found her immediately. Like instinct.

The soulmate bond surged warm enough to make Yoongi’s chest ache. Relief. There you are.

Ellie felt it too. Not the bond itself. Just….that strange settling sensation again, like she could finally breathe properly once he was nearby….Weird.

————————————-—

The problem started after the encore. Crowds outside became chaotic faster than expected. Security tightened immediately while moving staff and members toward waiting vehicles beneath the stadium.

Ellie stayed close to the production managers translating rapidly between venue security and Korean staff as movement bottlenecked near one of the underground corridors. Too many people. Too much noise. Too many voices at once.

Her heartbeat started climbing gradually. Not panic, not yet. Just overwhelm.

“Move left.”

“Keep staff together.”

“Fans breached lower barricade—”

The hallway suddenly compressed tighter as security redirected movement. Someone shoved unexpectedly behind Ellie. Hard enough to send her stumbling forward. Before she could regain balance, another body slammed too close beside her.

Male voice. Too loud. Too aggressive—“Move.”

Ellie froze instantly. Her body reacted before her brain could. Shoulders curling inward. Breath catching. Pulse spiking violently.

Then suddenly, warm fingers closed firmly around her wrist. Steady. Grounding.—Yoongi.

He moved her behind him in one smooth motion so instinctive it clearly wasn’t planned. Security shifted immediately afterward. The hallway reopened. Movement continued. But Yoongi didn’t let go of her wrist, not immediately.

Ellie stared at the back of his black hoodie while her heartbeat slowly stabilized against her ribs….Safe.

The thought arrived so suddenly it almost scared her more than the crowd had, because she couldn’t remember the last time another person made her nervous system feel safe instead of threatened.

And somewhere ahead of her in the corridor, Yoongi felt the exact moment Ellie relaxed behind him through the soulmate bond. It nearly ruined him.

——————————————————

LOS ANGELES — 1:14 A.M.

The first show ended in chaos. Not bad chaos. Successful chaos. The kind built from adrenaline and seventy thousand screaming fans and production staff trying to move an entire stadium operation before midnight.

Ellie spent most of it translating rapid-fire conversations between venue security, management, and transportation coordinators while trying not to get flattened by moving equipment. Which she considered a personal success, barely.

Now, sometime after one in the morning, the hotel floor had finally gone mostly quiet…Mostly. Taehyung was still arguing loudly with Jungkook somewhere down the hallway about ramen proportions. Ellie could hear Avery laughing through the walls.

Apparently exhaustion did absolutely nothing to reduce this group’s volume levels. She smiled faintly despite herself while sliding her hotel keycard into the door.

The room greeted her with silence. Immediate, heavy. And just like that, the strange sense of calm she’d carried all evening disappeared. Ellie paused halfway inside the room….Weird, again.

She closed the door slowly behind her and leaned against it for a second longer than necessary. The silence felt… louder tonight somehow. Her thoughts sharper. Her body heavier. Too much adrenaline probably. Nothing else. Definitely not because Yoongi’s hand had stayed wrapped around her wrist for several seconds too long backstage earlier. Absolutely not that.

Ellie pressed both palms against her face. Get it together.

Twenty minutes later she was still awake. Sweatpants. Wet hair. Translation notes spread across the bed. Her laptop screen glowed softly in the dark room while she reviewed interview terminology for tomorrow morning’s press run.

Focus on work. Work was safe. Work made sense. Feelings did not. Especially feelings involving internationally famous rappers who somehow noticed things nobody else did.

Ellie rubbed tiredly at her eyes before reaching for her phone.

Three unread texts from her younger sister.

Mia:

Mom said you’re working with BTS???

Mia:

Dad found articles already

Mia:

Call me tomorrow before he does something annoying

Ellie stared at the screen too long. The calm from earlier vanished completely now. Of course he found articles….Of course he did.

Her father treated information like ammunition. Whatever vulnerability he discovered eventually became useful later.

Ellie locked the phone immediately and tossed it face down onto the bed.

Nope…Not tonight. Just…not tonight.

————————————

Someone knocked softly on her door fifteen minutes later. Ellie froze instantly. Not logical. Automatic. Her heartbeat stumbled hard enough to hurt.

Silence—Another knock. Gentle. Not aggressive.

Still, her body stayed tense as she crossed the room carefully and checked through the peephole. Yoongi stood outside holding two paper cups.

Ellie blinked, then opened the door before fully thinking through the decision.

“Oh.” Brilliant response.

Yoongi lifted one coffee slightly, “You left yours backstage.”

Ellie looked down automatically. Oh right, She had,

“You didn’t have to bring it up here.”

“I know.”

The hallway stayed quiet around them.

Ellie became painfully aware she was standing barefoot in oversized sleep clothes while Min Yoongi casually occupied the space outside her hotel room at nearly two in the morning. Very normal. Very professional.

“You can just leave it there,” she offered awkwardly.

Yoongi looked at her for one long second, then: “You okay?”

The question hit too directly. Ellie forced a smile immediately. “I’m fine.”

Too fast….again.

Yoongi’s expression barely changed, but something in his posture softened slightly. “You’re bad at lying.”

Ellie stared at him. Nobody said things like that gently. Usually people used observations as weapons. Embarrassment. Criticism. Not…concern?

“I’m just tired,” she admitted quietly. That at least wasn’t fully a lie.

Yoongi nodded once, then held out the second coffee cup. “This one’s actually yours.”

Ellie blinked again, “You brought me another coffee?”

“You looked like you were falling asleep during debrief.”

“I wasn’t—”

“You were.” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, tiny, but enough to completely derail Ellie’s train of thought.

She accepted the cup carefully. Their fingers brushed for less than a second. Warm. Instantly that strange calm feeling settled through her chest again, like stepping inside after rain.

Ellie’s breath caught slightly. Weird.

Yoongi noticed. Of course he noticed. The soulmate bond warmed faintly beneath his ribs as Ellie relaxed almost imperceptibly in front of him.

“You don’t have to keep apologizing for existing around us, you know.”

Ellie’s head snapped up, “What?”

Yoongi leaned one shoulder lightly against the hallway wall, “You apologize every five seconds.”

Heat flooded her face immediately, “I do not.”

“You said sorry because Jimin handed you coffee this morning.”

“…no? No, I didn’t?”

“You apologized when Taehyung moved his own bag earlier.”

Ellie opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

“I’m polite.”

Yoongi looked unconvinced, “You’re nervous.” The words weren’t cruel, which somehow made them worse.

Ellie stared down at the coffee cup in her hands instead. Steam curled softly upward between them. The hallway suddenly felt too quiet. Too intimate.

Finally she said softly: “I don’t like causing problems.”

Yoongi’s gaze stayed on her face. “You don’t.”

Simple. Immediate. Like fact. And something inside Ellie’s chest tightened painfully because….because he sounded so certain, like there wasn’t even a possibility she could be difficult. That feeling was unfamiliar enough to scare her.

————————————

Down the hallway someone yelled loudly. Taehyung probably. Ellie flinched instinctively before she could stop herself. Tiny movement. Barely noticeable. Except Yoongi noticed everything.

His expression changed immediately. Not pity. Something quieter. Something heavier.

Ellie looked away fast. Humiliating.

“I should sleep,” she said quickly.

Retreat. Deflect. Disappear….that was safe.

Yoongi studied her for another second, then nodded once. “Okay.”

He pushed away from the wall slowly, “Goodnight, Ellie.”

Her name sounded strange in his voice.Softened somehow.

“Goodnight.”

He started walking down the hallway…Then stopped.

Without turning around he said quietly: “You were good tonight.”

Ellie blinked. “At translating,” he clarified after a beat.

The corner of her mouth lifted despite herself. “…Thank you.”

Yoongi glanced back once over his shoulder. And for one terrifying second, Ellie felt completely seen. Not looked at. Seen.

Then he disappeared around the corner. Leaving behind silence and warmth and a strange aching feeling in her chest that made sleep almost impossible afterward.

——————————————-—

Meanwhile down the hallway, Yoongi entered his own hotel room and closed the door quietly behind him. The soulmate bond still pulsed faintly warm beneath his ribs. Ellie calming down. Ellie safe. Ellie tired. He leaned back against the door and closed his eyes briefly.

This was becoming a problem. A serious one. Because every instinct inside him already revolved around her. Protect her. Stay near her. Notice everything. Keep her safe. And Ellie still had absolutely no idea why looking at him made her nervous system finally rest.

God. He was completely fucked.

—————————————————————

LOS ANGELES — DAY THREE OF THE U.S. LEG

By the fourth morning, Ellie had accidentally developed a routine with Min Yoongi. Which was concerning because routines implied consistency. Consistency implied comfort and comfort around people had historically been a terrible life decision for her.

Still, every morning around 7:30, Yoongi appeared somewhere nearby holding coffee like he’d materialized directly out of hotel walls. Sometimes outside the conference suite. Sometimes near the elevators. Once silently sitting in the back row of the production shuttle while an extra iced coffee occupied the seat beside him like a reserved spot. None of it was acknowledged directly, which somehow made it worse.

Today he was leaning against the hallway window outside rehearsals scrolling through his phone. Black hoodie. Silver rings. Half-awake expression.

Ellie slowed slightly despite herself. The calm feeling arrived instantly. There you are. The thought appeared so naturally inside her head it nearly made her trip over her own feet….Absolutely not.

Yoongi glanced up at the exact same moment. Then silently held out an iced coffee.

Ellie stared at it. “…How do you keep knowing my order?”

“You order the same thing every day.”

“That feels invasive.”

“You’re predictable.”

“That’s rude.”

“You still took the coffee.”

Ellie looked down….Right, because apparently sometime in the last 72 hours she’d developed the horrifying habit of accepting drinks from Min Yoongi without question. Very normal behavior.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

Yoongi hummed softly. Then after a pause: “You slept?”

Ellie blinked. “A little.”

“You look tired.”

“That’s because I am tired.”

“You looked tired yesterday too.”

Ellie narrowed her eyes slightly. “Do you ever stop observing people?”

“No.”

At least he was honest.

———————————————-

Rehearsals moved to soundcheck preparation by noon. The stadium buzzed constantly with movement: lighting crews adjusting cues; backup dancers running formations; managers shouting timing changes into headsets

Ellie spent most of the afternoon translating production corrections while trying to ignore the fact that Yoongi’s presence had somehow become the emotional equivalent of weighted blankets for her nervous system, which felt suspicious.

At one point she lost sight of him entirely during stage transitions, and the anxiety hit immediately. Tiny at first. Then sharper.

Ellie frowned down at her translation notes…Weird.

Before she could overthink it further, Yoongi appeared beside her carrying another coffee. Like an actual fucking cryptid.

Ellie jumped, “Oh my god.”

His mouth twitched slightly. “You should stop saying that every time you see me.”

“You should stop teleporting.”

“I walk normally. You’re just distracted.”

“That sounds fake.”

Yoongi handed her the drink calmly. “You forgot this in catering.”

Ellie looked down at the coffee. “…This is hot.”

“You said the venue air conditioning was making your hands cold.”

Ellie stared at him. Slowly….“How are you a real person?”

Yoongi shrugged once, then casually: “You say things out loud without realizing it.”

Heat rushed into her face instantly. “I absolutely do not.”

“You absolutely do.”

Oh god…Had she been talking to herself around him? Mortifying.

Yoongi watched the horror spread across her expression and actually looked amused. Tiny. Brief, but definitely amused.

Suddenly Ellie understood why the members teased him constantly, because apparently Min Yoongi enjoyed psychological warfare in his spare time.

—————————————-

Across the stadium floor, Taehyung spotted them immediately. “Oh my god,” he whispered dramatically.

Jimin looked up from his phone. “What?”

“Look.”

Jimin followed his gaze. Saw Yoongi standing beside Ellie while she held coffee and looked somewhere between embarrassed and fond.

Then Jimin froze. “Oh.”

Namjoon glanced over once. Immediately sighed into his coffee. “Finally.”

Jimin blinked rapidly, “Wait—how long have we known?”

“You specifically?” Namjoon asked. “Approximately four days less than everyone else.”

Jimin looked offended. “No one told me?”

Namjoon just shrugged.

Meanwhile Taehyung looked personally thrilled. “I knew they were soulmates.”

Namjoon looked at him flatly. “You had no clue.”

“That is also possible.”

————————————————

Ellie remained blissfully unaware of all of this. Mostly because she was currently trying to survive the fact that Yoongi had started remembering tiny details about her.

Like how she took coffee; which translation headset hurt her ears; when crowds overwhelmed her; that she hated being startled; when she forgot meals; how she rubbed at her wrist when anxious

Nobody noticed details about Ellie. Not usually. People noticed Mia. Her younger sister was impossible not to notice. Doctor. Confident. Smart. Effortlessly charismatic.

Meanwhile Ellie had spent most of her life existing quietly beside louder people. Easier that way. Safer too.

So every time Yoongi noticed something small about her, it unsettled her a little. Because part of her kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Kindness always became conditional eventually….Didn’t it?

——————————————————

That evening’s interviews ran longer than expected. Ellie stood just off-camera translating rapid English questions into Korean while media staff crowded aggressively around the set. Flashing lights. Too many voices. Too much movement.

Her headache started sometime around interview number five. By interview seven, her shoulders were fully tense.

“You okay?”

Ellie startled slightly.

Yoongi sat beside her between takes while stylists adjusted his mic pack.

“I’m fine.” Automatic. Too quick.

Yoongi looked unconvinced immediately. “You say that every time something’s wrong.”

“That feels dramatic.”

“You’re rubbing your wrist.”

Ellie froze. Slowly lowered her hand from where she’d been unconsciously twisting the bracelet around her wrist. “Oh.”

Yoongi’s gaze stayed steady on her face. “Headache?”

“…Maybe.”

He reached into the pocket of his hoodie and held out a small packet of pain relievers.

Ellie stared at him. “You carry medicine?”

“We tour internationally. Of course I carry medicine.”

“That’s terrifyingly responsible.”

“You say terrifying a lot too.”

Ellie laughed softly before she could stop herself.

And the second she did, Yoongi felt the soulmate bond flare warm enough to make his chest ache.

Fuck. This was getting worse. Not better.

Every day around Ellie felt more natural than the last, like she was slowly becoming stitched into the rhythm of his life without either of them realizing it fully yet….Dangerous. Very fucking dangerous.

The problem was: Yoongi wasn’t sure he even wanted to stop it anymore.

——————————————-

I’m really excited for this story yall!

Like, comment, reblog please!!

Xoxo, bumble

Taglist:

@bbl32 @bb3armira @bjoriis @lumora-the-white @itsluvie @traumaanatomy @joonmonjagi

[deaddumblbumble]

Echos | J.JK pt 8

SUMMARY~ For thirteen years, Avery Monroe has secretly heard the voice and emotions of her soulmate inside her head—only to discover it belongs to Jungkook. After becoming a professional dancer to cope with the bond, she lands a spot on BTS’s comeback tour, where staying away from Jungkook becomes impossible… and keeping her secret becomes even harder.

WARNINGS~ back up dancer AU, soulmate AU, Jungkook soulmate, Jungkook x OC!reader, FemOC, Arirang Tour, eventual smut (18+), talk of anxiety, unhealthy coping habits

Series Masterlist

———————————————

Jungkook didn’t sleep after that. He stayed in the studio until nearly four in the morning, elbows on his knees, replaying the feeling over and over again. It had only lasted a second. Barely even that, but it had been unmistakable. Not his. Someone else. Soft exhaustion, Warmth. A strange ache wrapped around loneliness. And underneath it—Her.

Avery. He knew it with terrifying certainty.

——————————————————

Thhe next morning, he was late to rehearsal. Not dramatically late, but enough that everyone noticed.

“Wow,” Jin said as Jungkook walked in. “The apocalypse approaches.”

Jungkook ignored him and grabbed a water bottle.

Taehyung looked delighted, “You look terrible.”

“Thank you.”

“No, genuinely. This is exciting.”

Jimin frowned slightly;“Did you sleep?”

“Not really.”

Namjoon looked up immediately from reviewing stage notes, “Jungkook.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re saying that a lot lately,” Yoongi muttered.

Jungkook opened his mouth to argue….And stopped. Because Avery had just walked in.

The entire room shifted. Not visibly. Not enough for outsiders to notice. But the members felt it immediately now. The awareness…The strange pull that seemed to exist whenever those two occupied the same space.

Avery froze for the smallest fraction of a second when she saw him. Then immediately bowed, too fast.

“Good morning.” Formal again. Guarded again. Headphones around her neck like armor.

Jungkook watched her carefully. And suddenly, He felt it. Not full emotion this time. Just a flicker. Nervousness. Gone instantly. But there.

His breath caught. Oh…..Oh, this was real.

“Avery!” Jin waved dramatically from across the room, “You escaped yesterday.”

Avery managed a small smile, “Sorry.”

“Again with apologizing,” Taehyung muttered.

She laughed awkwardly.

Jungkook noticed she only looked at him briefly before looking away again. Like eye contact itself was dangerous….Maybe it was.

—————————————————

Rehearsal started quickly after that, unfortunately for Avery’s sanity, today was partner transition cleanup. Which meant: touching…..Lots of touching.

Avery realized this approximately three seconds before Hobi announced: “Everyone pair up!”

Her soul exited her body.

“Nope,” Dani whispered immediately beside her. “I’m not saving you this time.” —Traitor.

Before Avery could strategize an escape route—“Jungkook, Avery.” Hobi pointed between them.

Done. Finished. Dead.

Avery swallowed hard. Professional…Be professional. This was choreography. Nothing else.

Across from her, Jungkook looked almost equally tense now. Which somehow made everything worse.

“Relax,” Hobi said immediately, misreading the entire situation. “You both look like you’re about to fight.”

Taehyung coughed suspiciously into his sleeve.

Yoongi closed his eyes briefly like a man enduring suffering.

Avery forced a laugh, “Sorry.”

Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck, “We’re fine.” No one believed that.

The choreography itself wasn’t intimate. Not really. Just stabilization grips. Weight transfers. Timing corrections. Normal. Except nothing about this felt normal anymore.

“Again,” Hobi called.

Avery stepped forward automatically. Jungkook’s hands settled lightly at her waist to guide positioning—and both of them froze.

Because this time— The bond didn’t explode. It opened. Suddenly, Jungkook staggered. Not physically…. Internally. Emotion flooded through him so fast it nearly stole his breath.

A dance studio in New York. A teenage girl spinning alone in oversized headphones. Blistered feet. His voice echoing through her mind while she cried from exhaustion.

His chest tightened violently. What—Another flash.

Avery at seventeen, sitting on her bedroom floor staring at BTS performing on television with tears streaming down her face. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she’d whispered.

Jungkook jerked back instinctively. The connection snapped. The rehearsal room slammed back into focus.

Silence. Complete silence….because everyone had seen it. Jungkook’s breathing was uneven. Avery looked horrified. And suddenly—He understood. Not everything. Not fully. But enough. Enough to make his entire world tilt sideways.

“You—” His voice cracked slightly.

Avery shook her head immediately. “Don’t.”

Fear. Sharp and immediate. Not fear of him. Fear of this. Of everyone hearing. Of the truth existing out loud. Jungkook looked at her like he’d never seen her before. Because somehow, He hadn’t. Not really. Not until now.

“Okay,” Namjoon said smoothly, standing immediately. “Break.” Leader mode. Instant.

Everyone moved at once, pretending normalcy for the sake of the room. Staff scattered. Music cut. Conversations restarted too loudly.

But the members…The members knew. Or at least suspected enough now.

Taehyung looked seconds away from spontaneous combustion from curiosity.

Jimin looked worried.

Yoongi looked unsurprised.

Hobi looked deeply confused.

Jin looked like he’d accidentally wandered into a drama halfway through season two.

And Jungkook…..Jungkook couldn’t stop staring at Avery, because he had felt her. Years of her. Not details. Not complete memories. But enough. Enough to know one devastating thing: She’d been carrying him for a very, very long time.

“Avery.”

She flinched slightly at the softness in his voice. That hurt more than if she’d yelled. Jungkook stepped closer carefully. Slowly. Like approaching a frightened animal.

“We should talk.”

Avery laughed once. Small. Shaky.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “Probably.”

Her green eyes finally lifted fully to his. And Jungkook’s chest physically ached at what he saw there. Not obsession. Not excitement. Not fantasy….Exhaustion. Years and years of exhaustion… from him.

“You knew,” he said quietly. Not accusation. Realization.

Avery looked away first, “…Since I was thirteen.”

The room inside Jungkook’s chest went silent. Thirteen. Before debut. Before fame. Before everything. All those years…And she’d never come forward. Never told anyone. Never tried to use it. The weight of that hit him hard, because if their situations were reversed—he wasn’t sure he would’ve been strong enough to stay hidden.

“I didn’t want anything from you,” Avery said quickly, hearing the direction of his thoughts almost instinctively. “I swear.”

Jungkook’s heart twisted. “I know.”

And somehow—He did know. Completely. Because if she wanted fame? She could’ve destroyed his life years ago. Instead she’d hidden. Protected him. Protected herself. Alone. For over a decade.

Avery’s throat tightened. This was exactly what she never wanted. That look on his face. That gentleness. That understanding. Because now— Now he would care. And caring changed everything.

—————————————————

The practice room felt too small now. Too full. Not just of people…of truth. Avery stood frozen near center stage, every instinct screaming at her to run while she still could. But there was nowhere to run anymore. Not after thirteen years. Not after Jungkook had felt pieces of her life inside the bond itself. The secret was gone. Or at least—Gone between them.

Nobody spoke at first. Mostly because no one seemed entirely sure how to speak. Even Taehyung, miracle of miracles, looked momentarily speechless.

Jin blinked between them slowly. “So,” he said carefully, “I’m understanding this correctly, right?”

“Probably not,” Yoongi muttered.

“A soulmate thing?” Jin clarified.

Silence. Which was answer enough.

Jimin’s eyes widened slightly, “Oh.”

Hobi sat down heavily on the edge of the stage, “Wait. WAIT.”

Namjoon pinched the bridge of his nose like the universe had personally targeted him for stress.

And Jungkook…Jungkook never looked away from Avery.

She hated that. Not the attention. The softness. Because there was nothing worse than kindness when you were trying not to fall apart.

“I didn’t tell anyone,” she said quickly, words tumbling out before anyone else could speak. “Ever. I swear, I never—”

“Avery.” Jungkook’s voice stopped her instantly. Gentle. Careful. “You don’t have to defend yourself.”

Her chest tightened painfully. Because she did. He just didn’t understand why yet.

“You’re Jungkook,” she said quietly, like that explained everything. To her, it did.

The room fell silent again. And for the first time since this started—The members truly understood what this looked like from her side. Not magical. Not romantic. Not exciting. Terrifying. Because soulmate bonds were private enough already. But this? This involved one of the most recognizable men on earth.

“I didn’t want to become…” Avery trailed off, struggling to find the right English first. Then quietly, in hesitant Korean: “Burden.”

The pronunciation wasn’t perfect. But the emotion behind it was.

Jungkook stared at her. Then something in his expression cracked slightly. Because suddenly, All the distance made sense. Every headphone. Every flinch. Every careful step backward. She wasn’t rejecting him. She’d been trying to protect him.

Taehyung sat down slowly beside Jimin. “Oh,” he murmured softly this time. Not teasing anymore. Understanding.

Jimin looked heartbroken. “You carried this alone?”

Avery gave a tiny shrug. What else was she supposed to do? “Yes.”

The simplicity of the answer somehow made it worse.

“Since thirteen?” Namjoon asked gently.

Avery nodded. “I didn’t know who he was at first.”

Jungkook’s chest tightened again. Because he remembered thirteen. Puberty. Training. Fear. Loneliness. And somewhere across the world, She’d been hearing all of it.

“I thought I was crazy,” Avery admitted with a small laugh that wasn’t really a laugh. “At first.” No one spoke. Because what do you even say to that?

Then—“Oh my God.”

Everyone looked at Jin.

His eyes were wide with genuine horror. “You heard puberty Jungkook?”

The room broke. Taehyung wheezed.

Jimin folded over laughing.

Even Yoongi covered his mouth.

Hobi made a strangled noise.

Jungkook looked deeply offended. “HYUNG.”

“What?!” Jin cried. “That’s traumatic!”

Against her will, Avery laughed. Actually laughed. Bright and startled and real.

And the second she did, Jungkook felt it. Warmth bloomed straight through the bond so suddenly it stole his breath. Not through touch. Not through resonance. Just….Her happiness.

His eyes widened slightly. Avery stopped laughing almost immediately once she realized. Too late. Because now he was looking at her like he’d just discovered sunlight.

Taehyung saw that too.b“Oh, he’s gone gone,” he whispered to Jimin.

Jimin nodded solemnly. “Devastating.”

“Can you both stop narrating my life?” Jungkook muttered.

“No,” they answered together.

The tension eased slightly after that. Not gone. Never gone. But softer. More human. Less like a bomb waiting to explode.

Avery exhaled slowly for what felt like the first time in hours. Until—

“Wait,” Hobi said suddenly.

Everyone turned.

Hobi pointed at Avery. “So all this time, when Jungkook sings…”

Avery visibly died inside.

Jungkook blinked.

“…What happens?” Absolutely not.

“Nope,” Avery said immediately.

Jin looked delighted. “Oh, I need to know.”

“You do not.”

“Do you hear it like Spotify?”

“Kim Seokjin.”

“Surround sound?”

“Please stop talking.”

Taehyung was already losing it again.

“Wait wait wait—when he’s sad do you just—”

“Yes,” Avery said before she could stop herself.

Silence. Oops. Jungkook’s expression shifted instantly. “…You feel that too?” Too late now.

Avery closed her eyes briefly. “Yes.”

Quiet. Honest. Painfully honest.

The room grew still again.nBecause suddenly this wasn’t abstract anymore. This wasn’t destiny or romance or soulmate fantasy.This was years of emotional bleed-through. Years.

Jungkook swallowed hard. “…All of it?”

Avery hesitated. Then nodded once. And something about that visibly affected him. Not ego. Not fascination. Guilt. Deep, immediate guilt.

“You carried that alone?” he asked softly.

“There wasn’t exactly a manual.” Her attempt at humor landed crookedly.

Jungkook looked down briefly. Because suddenly every lonely night, every breakdown, every moment he thought no one saw…She had. And she’d endured it in silence.

Avery immediately noticed the shift.

“No,” she said quickly. “Don’t do that.”

He looked up.

“That.”

“What?”

“The guilt thing.”

His brows furrowed slightly. “You heard it?”

Ah. Right. That. Wonderful.

Avery rubbed a hand over her face. “I hear emotions, Jungkook. Yours are loud.”

Jin made an offended sound. “That’s incredibly rude.”

Yoongi nodded thoughtfully. “Accurate, though.”

“HYUNG.”

Jungkook stared at Avery for another long moment. Then quietly: “…What do you feel?”

The room went still again, because that question…That one was dangerous.

Avery’s throat tightened. Because she couldn’t answer honestly. Not fully. Not with him looking at her like that.

“I dance,” she said instead. Confused silence.

Avery looked down at her hands.

“When it gets too loud,” she explained quietly, “I dance.”

And somehow….That answer hit Jungkook harder than anything else yet. Because suddenly he understood why she moved the way she did. Why her dancing felt emotional before technical. Why contemporary looked like survival.

Why she danced like she was translating feelings into motion. She’d spent years turning him into choreography just to stay afloat. And Jungkook didn’t know whether that realization made him want to cry… Or hold her.

Avery panicked the second that thought crossed the bond. Because yes. Now she felt his too. Faintly Newly Unsteady. But there.

And that— That terrified her more than anything else so far. Because now it wasn’t just her carrying him anymore. Now he could carry her back.

——————————————

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[deaddumblbumble]

ECHOS | J.JK pt 20

SUMMARY~ For thirteen years, Avery Monroe has secretly heard the voice and emotions of her soulmate inside her head—only to discover it belongs to Jungkook. After becoming a professional dancer to cope with the bond, she lands a spot on BTS’s comeback tour, where staying away from Jungkook becomes impossible… and keeping her secret becomes even harder.

WARNINGS~ back up dancer AU, soulmate AU, Jungkook soulmate, Jungkook x OC!reader, FemOC, Arirang Tour, eventual smut (18+)

Series Masterlist

———————————————

BRAZIL— 1:13 A.M. — POST SHOW

The high from the concert lasted exactly forty-three minutes. Then management arrived.

The backstage hallway outside the dressing rooms buzzed with exhausted adrenaline. Staff packing equipment. Dancers changing out of stage clothes. Members still riding post-show energy. And for one brief moment, Avery let herself feel happy. The show had gone perfectly. The bond stayed stable the entire night. Jungkook looked alive onstage again. Everything felt okay.

Until she saw Director Kim waiting outside the private lounge.

Her stomach dropped immediately. The bond reacted with a sharp flicker of anxiety. Across the hallway, Jungkook felt it instantly. His attention snapped toward her automatically. Too quickly.. Director Kim noticed.

“Avery-ssi.” Professional smile. Calm tone. Avery already hated the conversation before it started.

“We’re very pleased with tonight’s performance.” Corporate praise.

Avery folded her arms instinctively. “Okay.”

The manager sighed softly, “However… the current visibility between yourself and Jungkook-ssi remains a concern.” There it was….Again.

Avery looked away briefly, because she understood. The airport photos alone had exploded online. Fans analyzing every interaction. Every touch. Every glance. While they were careful in public, they were still always together. Avery was always with the guys. She was seen getting in one of their vans, she was seen in the airport, she was in the background of behind-the-scenes videos.

“We need more caution moving forward,” Director Kim continued carefully. “Especially during travel days and backstage access.”

The bond shifted uneasily beneath Avery’s ribs, because suddenly all the old fear came rushing back again. The fear of becoming damage. Distraction. A threat to the tour.

“You’re both very important to ARIRANG right now,” the manager added.

The wording made her chest tighten painfully. Not important to each other. Important to the tour. Products.

“We’re not asking you to deny anything explicitly,” he continued. “But maintaining ambiguity publicly is best for everyone.” Ambiguity. Avery almost laughed. As if Jungkook didn’t already look at her like she hung the moon.

The conversation ended politely. Too politely. They just reminded her quietly that love became dangerous once cameras saw it too clearly.

—————————————-

By the time Avery slipped away toward the quieter backstage corridors, exhaustion sat heavy in her chest again.

She found Yoongi exactly where she expected, sitting alone near one of the equipment loading doors with a half-finished iced coffee and his phone. Quiet. Still. Safe.

He looked up once when she approached. Then immediately held out the second coffee beside him. No questions first. Just understanding.

Avery sat heavily beside him on the floor. The concrete backstage hallway felt cool against her legs.

For a while neither spoke. That was the thing she loved about Yoongi. Silence never felt uncomfortable with him.

“They talked to you again.” Not a question.

Avery stared tiredly at the opposite wall. “Am I that obvious?”

“Yes.” Blunt…Classic Yoongi.

Avery laughed weakly despite herself. Then quieter: “They’re not wrong though.”

Silence…..Yoongi took another sip of coffee. “You know what I think?”

Avery groaned softly. “Everyone in this group says that before emotionally ruining my life.”

“I think you’re trying to carry responsibility that isn’t yours.”

Avery rubbed tiredly at her eyes. “If this turns into a scandal during the tour—”

Yoongi interrupted instantly, “Then it becomes management’s problem.”

Avery blinked. “…That’s your advice?”

“My advice is stop acting like loving you is a career-ending tragedy.” The bluntness punched straight through her chest.

Avery looked down quietly, “It affects all seven of you.”

Yoongi nodded once, “Yeah.”

The simple agreement startled her. No dismissing her fears. No pretending the industry wasn’t brutal. Just honesty.

Then quieter: “But we’re grown men, Avery.”

The hallway stayed silent as Yoongi leaned back against the wall slightly.

“We know what this industry costs…..We know what choices mean.”

The words settled heavily in her chest. Truth over comfort.

“And Jungkook?” Yoongi gave a soft smile, “He already chose.”

Avery’s throat tightened immediately. He had. Over and over now. Publicly. Privately.

Without hesitation, he chose her.

Yoongi looked at her carefully. “You’re still waiting for him to regret you.”

The sentence hit like a physical blow, because she hadn’t realized that some terrified part of her still expected the moment Jungkook finally looked at the pressure, the headlines, the risk….And decided she was too much to love.

Avery stared at the floor silently trying to process her thoughts.

Yoongi sighed softly, “You know what your actual problem is?”

Avery eyed him suspiciously, “I’m afraid this answer is going to hurt my feelings.”

“It probably will.” Blunt, as always.

Yoongi looked completely serious now. “You still think love is something you earn by sacrificing yourself first.”

The breath caught painfully in her chest.

Oh…damn…That one landed too cleanly.

The hallway suddenly felt very quiet. Yoongi looked away toward the distant stage area before speaking again.

“You almost collapsed trying to protect seven men who would burn down an entire tour before letting you die.”

Avery’s eyes burned instantly. He meant that literally, especially Jungkook.

Yoongi glanced back at her finally, “So maybe stop deciding what everyone else can survive for them.”

That was exactly what she’d been doing all along.

———————————————

LEAVING BRAZIL —TWO DAYS LATER

Yoongi’s words stayed with Avery longer than she expected. Stop deciding what everyone else can survive for them. The sentence sat quietly inside her chest. And sometime during their rest day in Brazil, Avery finally got tired of hiding love like it was shameful.

The airport proved it immediately. Normally by now management would’ve hid her from the press. Large bodyguards in front of her, putting her on the side farthest from the fans. Hats, masks, hoods. Jungkook and Avery never held hands when they were seen in the airport or traveling to a new locations. A Slight hand on her back to get through a tight space was as much as the public would see. A gentlemanly thing to do.

No, the comfort soulmate touches were saved for the safe space of the rehearsal rooms and backstage with people who were used to them. Even then, management expressed their concerns. There was no pleasing them, no pleasing everyone

She finally decided enough was enough. The second Avery stepped out of the van, Jungkook reached for her hand automatically to help her out of the car. Such a gentleman And this time, She didn’t let go when her feet were safely on the ground.

The bond warmed instantly. Steady. Complete. Safe. Jungkook looked down at her briefly like he was checking she was still comfortable with it.

Avery squeezed his fingers once in answer. No more hiding from him.

The airport exploded. Fans screaming. Phones recording. Paparazzi practically sprinting backward trying to get footage.

But for the first time since ARIRANG started, Avery didn’t step away. She stayed beside him.

The members noticed immediately and didn’t seem phased. Yoongi might have even given a slight nod of approval. Management, unfortunately, looked seconds from cardiac arrest.

“Avery-ssi—”

She didn’t move. Jungkook didn’t move either.

—————————————

AMSTERDAM

By the time they landed in Amsterdam, social media was already exploding. Videos everywhere. Jungkook shielding Avery through crowds. Their hands intertwined naturally. The way he looked down at her constantly without realizing cameras were catching every second.

But the reaction wasn’t what management expected. Not outrage…Support.

Fans posting old clips from the tour. Compilations of Jungkook stopping the Milan concert. Moments Avery protected the members backstage. The visible improvement in Jungkook after Barcelona.

People noticed. Most of them understood.

“He looks happier.”

Avery blinked down at the translated tweet on her phone.

Another post beneath it: I watched him panic when she collapsed. Leave them alone.

Then: If that girl survived Yoongi, Taehyung, AND airport chaos, she deserves a medal honestly.

Avery snorted softly.

“What?”

“Your fans are weirdly funny.”

“Our fans are terrifying detectives.”

Fair. Very fair.

—————————————

The Amsterdam interviews went exactly how management feared. Not explicit, but not subtle.

“Jungkook, you seem especially happy this tour.” The interviewer smiled brightly

Avery sat off-camera beside staff and dancers while BTS prepared for the next segment. Jungkook glanced toward her instinctively before he could stop himself. The interviewer noticed immediately.

Warm embarrassment flickered through the bond….then affection, then acceptance.

At this point what was the point pretending anymore?

“I’m happy because the people around me are healthy,” Jungkook answered carefully. Professional enough. Management hated every second.

——————————————

AMSTERDAM — SHOW DAY

The disaster happened a few minutes before stage call. Dancers rushing final positions. Stylists doing last-second mic checks. Managers shouting over in-ear comms while seventy thousand fans screamed beyond the stadium walls.

The air itself vibrated with adrenaline. Avery was laughing quietly at something Taehyung said while adjusting the straps of her in-ears when a staff member approached looking pale….too pale.

“Avery-ssi.”

She looked up slowly.

“We need a word.”

Thinking nothing of it, she bid a goodbye to Taehyung with a wave and walked over to see what was needed.

Avery walked over to the side stage monitors, “What is it? Are my in-ears not working?”

“We need to change formations tonight.”

The world around her blurred slightly beneath the stadium noise.

“What?”

The answer came too fast. “Management made a decision regarding your position.”

No—wait, what?

“You’ll sit this performance out.”

The sentence hit like physical impact. Cold and sharp straight through her chest.

Minutes before stage. Minutes before Jungkook went out there expecting to dance with her.

The completed bond reacted instantly; violent emotion tore through it immediately.

Too late to figure out what was happening, the count down to places had already started. The VCR was coming to an end. The fans were getting louder in anticipation and the dancers were hyping each other up, ready to go out for another show.

“What do you mean sit it out?”

The choreographer swallowed hard. “There’s another dancer stepping into your position.”

The hallway suddenly felt too bright. Too loud.

After everything—They waited until right before curtain to pull her.

So Jungkook couldn’t fight it without delaying the show. Control.

“You can explain after the show,” the choreographer rushed out. “We don’t have time now.”

The bond reacted sharply with her hurt. Jungkook immediately felt it. Confusion flickered through the connection…concern. He couldn’t leave stage positions now. Couldn’t come backstage. The opening VCR was nearly over.

The bond brushed warm and questioning against hers even across the stadium. Where are you? The emotion nearly wrecked her instantly.

Then the lights dropped. The concert began. And Avery got pulled away from stage positions before Jungkook even realized she wasn’t there.

———————————————-

AMSTERDAM — LIVE ONSTAGE

The opening set passed in a blur of lights and screaming fans. Each time

Avery’s spot was filled with a different dancer. Someone who was not her was in her spot.

“Hooligan”

“FAKE LOVE”

“Mic Drop.”

Jungkook performed automatically. Professionally. But the bond kept pulling strangely at his attention. It felt wrong like Avery felt upset somewhere behind the stage walls and he couldn’t physically reach her.

During the first water break, Jungkook immediately looked toward the dancers’ tunnel. Searching automatically. No Avery.

His smile faltered slightly. Tiny enough most people wouldn’t notice, but the members did.

Namjoon looked over immediately.—Where is she?

————————-

The stage manager in his ear was already counting them back into positions before Jungkook could ask anything. “Thirty seconds!”

He looked backstage again anyway. Still nothing.

The second set started. And suddenly Jungkook couldn’t focus properly anymore. Not because the bond hurt. That was probably the only reason he wears still performing, she didn’t feel hurt or in pain. But something was still wrong.

During transitions between songs, he kept looking toward backstage openings. Searching for her.

The cameras caught some of it accidentally. Fans noticed immediately online.

Why does Jungkook keep looking backstage?

——————————————-

By the midpoint of the concert, Jungkook was visibly distracted enough that even the members started getting worried. During a fast costume change backstage, he immediately grabbed the nearest staff member.

“Where’s Avery?”

The staff froze. Wrong reaction. The bond went cold with realization.

“She’s still backstage,” the staff answered too quickly.

Jungkook’s expression hardened instantly. “Why isn’t she onstage?”

Silence.

“Management changed the formations tonight.”

The world inside Jungkook went completely still.

“What!?”

The stage manager shouted loudly from nearby: “JK, stage in twenty!”

But Jungkook barely heard him. The bond surged hard with anger now. He was furious. And underneath it….Hurt. They did this without telling him, without telling Avery properly either. Like she was removable…Replaceable.

“She’ll explain after the show,” the staff member rushed.

Jungkook looked genuinely dangerous suddenly. “You pulled my soulmate from choreography in the middle of a concert?”

The hallway went dead quiet. Even nearby stylists froze.

“I—No, I didn’t. They—It was—“

“Jungkook, we have to go now,” the stage manager said urgently.

“No.” The answer came instantly. Cold.

Jungkook turned toward the backstage corridors instead. Trying to go find her.

The bond pulled hard in that direction immediately. Avery…Upset….Trying to stay calm for him.

Then management physically stepped into his path. “Jungkook-ssi, you need to stay onstage.”

The sentence snapped something final inside him. Because the implication underneath it was clear: The performance mattered more than Avery did right now.

Wrong answer.

“You waited until I was already onstage.” His voice dropped quieter, which honestly sounded more terrifying than yelling.

Nobody answered. They did, specifically so he couldn’t stop it.

The crowd screamed loudly beyond the stage entrance. The next VCR ending and thousands waiting for him. Jungkook stood there visibly shaking with anger while the bond pulsed with Avery’s hurt somewhere deeper backstage.

Namjoon appeared first, then Yoongi right behind him. One look at Jungkook’s face and both immediately knew something was wrong.

“What happened?”

Jungkook laughed once. Cold. Disbelieving.

“They pulled Avery.”

Silence.

Then Yoongi’s expression went absolutely blank.

Namjoon swore quietly under his breath.

“Stage now,” the manager pressed again desperately.

Jungkook looked like he wanted to burn the building down.

“Kook, She didn’t come and find you, she didn’t want to make a scene so you could do your job.” Namjoon, the leader, spoke quietly to him.

“She’d want you to finish the show. Then we will deal with this.”

Jungkook closed his eyes briefly, then finally walked back toward stage position.

—————————

And then SWIM started, the entire arena exploded screaming immediately.

Fans already emotional from the setlist. The lights. The atmosphere. Those who knew, were ready to see the connection between Avery and Jungkook for their own eyes. Ready to see their chemistry live and not on a fancam.

But backstage, Avery couldn’t breathe properly because this choreography belonged to them now. Not officially. Emotionally. This was theirs. This was how they found each others and they took it away.

Onstage, Jungkook moved through the opening formations automatically. Professional. Perfect. Until the partner transition arrived and instinct betrayed him instantly.

He turned automatically toward Avery’s usual position and found another dancer instead. For one split second, His composure broke. Humanly.

The confusion hit first, then hurt. Tiny changes across his face visible only because the stadium cameras were zoomed in too closely. But fans saw it immediately. The entire arena felt it. Jungkook looked genuinely lost.

The next formation came late by half a second because he kept looking again. Like some instinct inside him still expected Avery to appear. The replacement dancer looked nervous immediately. The energy felt wrong…Disconnected.

Jungkook hated this….Hated performing something tied so deeply to her while she stood hidden backstage instead.

————————————————

Social media exploded before the song even ended.

WHY ISN’T AVERY THERE?

HE KEEPS LOOKING FOR HER.

Oh my God he didn’t know.

You can literally SEE the moment he realizes she’s gone.

The clips spread everywhere instantly. Millions of views within minutes. And the reaction? Pure outrage on their behalf.

By the time the concert finally ended, Jungkook barely waited for the lights to go down before disappearing backstage. Ignoring managers calling after him. Ignoring staff trying to redirect him.

The bond already pulling him straight toward Avery.And the second he finally saw her standing near the monitor station, the anger inside him cracked instantly into relief. The kind that softened his entire body at once.

The cameras backstage unfortunately caught that too. More viral clips. More headlines. But Jungkook didn’t care anymore. Not even slightly. Because the second Avery looked up at him, he felt at home.

——————————————-

A bit more drama!! Hope you like it! I’m working on the next part don’t worry!

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Please please share!

Xoxo, Bumble

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@bbl32 @bb3armira @bjoriis @lumora-the-white @itsluvie @traumaanatomy

[deaddumblbumble]

ECHOS | J.JK pt 7

SUMMARY~ For thirteen years, Avery Monroe has secretly heard the voice and emotions of her soulmate inside her head—only to discover it belongs to Jungkook. After becoming a professional dancer to cope with the bond, she lands a spot on BTS’s comeback tour, where staying away from Jungkook becomes impossible… and keeping her secret becomes even harder.

WARNINGS~ back up dancer AU, soulmate AU, Jungkook soulmate, Jungkook x OC!reader, FemOC, Arirang Tour, eventual smut (18+), talk of anxiety, unhealthy coping habits

Series masterlist

——————————————————————

Avery didn’t answer, because there was no version of the truth that didn’t shatter everything. And every lie she could think of felt too thin. Too easy to see through. The silence stretched. Too long. Too loud.

“How do you know that?” Jungkook repeated, softer this time. Not accusing. Just… searching.

Avery forced her brain to move. Think. Think fast.

“I—” she started, then stopped. Wrong start. Reset.

“I heard it somewhere,” she said instead…Weak. God, that sounded weak…Fuck…

Jungkook’s brows pulled together slightly. “Where?”

She swallowed, “I don’t remember.” Worse. So much worse.

Because now it didn’t even sound believable to her.

Across the room, Taehyung’s head tilted. “Oh,” he murmured under his breath.

Yoongi didn’t look up. “What.”

“That’s new.”

Yoongi glanced over and watched the two of them for exactly three seconds. Then, “…Yeah.”

—————————

Back at center stage, Jungkook didn’t move. Didn’t push closer. Didn’t raise his voice. He just stood there, eyes locked on hers.

“You don’t remember,” he repeated.

Avery held her ground. “I hear a lot of music.” Technically true. Just not in the way he thought.

Jungkook’s gaze sharpened. “That wasn’t released.”

Her chest tightened. “I know.”

The second the words left her mouth—She wanted to take them back.

Jungkook went still. “…You know?”

Fuck, a trap….She walked straight into it. Abort.

“Like—you know, unreleased stuff gets leaked sometimes,” she said quickly…Too quick. Too defensive. Not good.

Jungkook didn’t respond immediately. And that silence….That was worse than anything else. Because it meant he was thinking. Connecting. Replaying.

“…I never recorded that,” he said quietly.

Avery’s heart stopped. Not recorded. Not shared. Not leaked. Nothing. It had only ever existed In his head. In those late nights. In those quiet, unseen moments. And somehow, She had just hummed it….Perfectly.

“I—” Nothing came out. Because there was no explanation left. None.

Jungkook took a slow step forward. Not aggressive, but intentional. “How do you know something I’ve never shown anyone?”

The question landed heavier than before. Because now It wasn’t curiosity. It was certainty that something wasn’t right.

Avery’s pulse roared in her ears. Say something. Anything.

“I guessed?” she tried. Even she winced. That was the worst one yet.

Jungkook blinked once. Then, A breath of disbelief escaped him. “…You guessed.”

Not a question. A statement. Flat.

Avery nodded anyway. Commit. Commit to the lie. “Yeah.”

————————————————————

From the sidelines: “That’s a terrible lie,” Taehyung whispered.

Yoongi nodded, “She’s panicking.”

Jimin frowned, “Should we—”

“No,” Yoongi said immediately.

“Why not?”

“Because if we step in, it gets bigger.”

Taehyung’s eyes didn’t leave the scene, “…It’s already big.”

—————————————————————

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair. He should drop it. He knew he should. This was going somewhere messy. Unclear. Complicated. But….He couldn’t. Because this wasn’t just weird anymore. It wasn’t just coincidence. It was something deeper. Something that had been building since the first rehearsal. Something he could feel, even if he couldn’t explain it. And Now there was proof. Right in front of him.

“You knew it exactly,” he said quietly.

Avery didn’t respond.

“You didn’t hesitate.”

Still nothing.

“You didn’t even think.”

Her chest tightened painfully. Because he was right. She hadn’t thought. It had just… come out. Like it always had. For years. Without her realizing.

“Avery.” Her name, softer now. Careful. Like he was approaching something fragile.

She looked up. Big mistake. Because his expression, It wasn’t confusion anymore. It wasn’t curiosity. It was understanding. Not complete. Not clear. But enough to be dangerous.

“You hear me,” he said. Not a question. A realization. The room went still. Completely still. Because even the members….Even they felt that shift. That moment. That line being crossed.

Avery’s entire body locked…No…..No, no, no…..shit….He wasn’t supposed to get there. Not like this. Not now. Not ever.

“That’s not—” But the denial died in her throat.

Because her voice shook. And he heard it. Of course he did.

Jungkook’s breath slowed. Everything suddenly clicking into place in fragments….Not a full picture, but enough pieces to see the outline. The reactions. The avoidance. The headphones. The timing. The silence. And now…This.

“…Since when?” he asked quietly.

Avery shook her head immediately. “I don’t—”

“Since when?” he repeated. Not louder. But firmer.

Her vision blurred slightly. She couldn’t do this. Not here. Not with everyone watching. Not with him looking at her like that….Like she was something important. Something connected to him in a way he didn’t understand yet.

“I can’t,” she whispered. Honest. Finally honest.

That stopped him. More than any lie. More than any deflection. Because that—That wasn’t avoidance. That was fear. Real fear. And Jungkook felt it. Not through the strange, unexplainable thing between them. Just….Human. Immediate. Clear.

He stepped back. Just slightly. Giving her space. Not pushing. Not pressing.

“…Okay.” The word was quiet. Controlled. But not dismissive.

Avery blinked. She hadn’t expected that.

“We’ll talk later,” he added. Not a threat. Not a demand. A promise.

Her chest tightened. Because that was worse. Much worse.

He turned. Walked away. Leaving her standing there. Heart racing Mind spinning Secret hanging by a thread.

————————————————————-

“…Well,” Taehyung said.

No one answered immediately, because there was nothing casual left about this. No jokes. No teasing. Just tension. Real. Heavy.

Jimin exhaled slowly, “That’s not normal.”

“No,” Namjoon agreed quietly.

Yoongi’s gaze stayed on Avery. Sharp, Focused. “…We need to be careful.”

Taehyung glanced at him. “About what?”

Yoongi didn’t answer right away. Because the truth was He didn’t know exactly what this was yet. But he knew one thing for certain. This wasn’t small. And whatever was happening between Jungkook and Avery, It wasn’t going to stay hidden much longer.

At center stage, Avery finally moved. Slowly. Mechanically. Like her body was catching up to everything that had just happened. Because the one thing she had feared most, The one thing she had spent years preventing, had just begun. Jungkook wasn’t guessing anymore. He was figuring it out and she had no idea how to stop him.

—————————————————————

Avery avoided Jungkook for exactly six hours. Which, honestly, was a personal record at this point.

The second rehearsal ended after the humming incident, she disappeared. No lingering, no dinner, no “good work today.” Nothing. She bowed quickly to staff, grabbed her bag, and left the building before anyone could stop her. Or worse, ask questions. Because the look on Jungkook’s face before he walked away kept replaying in her mind. You hear me. Not confusion. Recognition. And Avery had absolutely no idea how to recover from that.

—————————————————————

Seoul at night blurred past her through the taxi window. Neon signs. Rain-slick streets. Crowded sidewalks. Normally, she liked the city after dark. It felt easier somehow less pressure to understand everything perfectly. Tonight, it just made her feel far from home. Far from herself. She leaned her head against the cool glass and closed her eyes. Huge mistake. Because without distraction, there he was again. Not singing. Just… present. A low emotional hum at the edge of her chest. Restless, Thinking, Focused entirely too hard…..On her.

Avery groaned quietly. “Please sleep,” she muttered under her breath.

The taxi driver glanced at her in the mirror.

She immediately straightened. “Sorry.”

Why did she apologize to everyone in this country?

—————————————————————

Meanwhile, across Seoul, Jungkook was very much not sleeping.

“Hyung.”

Yoongi didn’t look up from the kitchen counter where he was making tea, “What.”

Jungkook stood in the doorway of the dorm kitchen, hair still damp from a shower, expression tight with frustration, “…Can I ask you something weird?”

Yoongi snorted softly, “You already are.”

“Hyung.”

“Ask.”

Jungkook hesitated. Which immediately told Yoongi this was serious. Because Jungkook usually just… said things. Now he looked like he was trying to organize thoughts that refused to cooperate.

“That dancer,” Jungkook started slowly.

Yoongi took a sip of tea, “Knew we’d get here eventually.”

Jungkook ignored that, “She knew a melody I never released.”

“Mhm.”

“And she reacts every time I sing.”

“Mhm.”

“And when we’re close—”

Yoongi lifted an eyebrow, “Careful.”

Jungkook exhaled sharply, “Something happens.”

There it was. Out loud. Real.

Yoongi set his mug down, “And what do you think that means?”

Jungkook went quiet. Because that was the problem. He didn’t know. Not fully.

But there was one thought—one impossible, irrational thought—that kept pushing to the front of his mind no matter how hard he tried to shove it away.

“No way,” Jungkook muttered to himself immediately.

Yoongi’s gaze sharpened. Interesting, “Say it anyway.”

Jungkook looked over. Then away. Then finally: “…Soulmates are real, right?”

The kitchen went silent. Not because Yoongi didn’t believe in them. Everyone did. Soulmate resonance bonds were rare, but real. Stories existed. Cases existed. People hearing emotions. Music. Dreams.

“Those bonds are usually mutual from the beginning,” Yoongi said carefully.

“I know.”

“And they’re unstable when ignored too long.”

Jungkook’s stomach dropped slightly. Because that….that sounded uncomfortably familiar.

Yoongi studied him, “…You think she’s your soulmate?”

Saying it out loud sounded insane, Completely insane. And yet, Jungkook couldn’t deny the way his chest tightened at the possibility.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. Honest. Raw. “But something about her feels…”

He stopped. Because he didn’t have language for it.

Yoongi watched him for a long second then sighed softly, “Well.” That was not reassuring.

Jungkook frowned, “What does that mean?”

“It means,” Yoongi said calmly, “if she’s hiding it, there’s probably a reason.”

That hit harder than expected because Jungkook hadn’t really thought about that part yet. If she knew….If she’d known before him…..Then why hide it? Why avoid him? Why panic? Why look terrified every time he got close?

His chest tightened, “…Do you think I scared her?”

Yoongi’s expression softened almost imperceptibly, “Probably.”

Jungkook looked stricken immediately

“Not intentionally,” Yoongi added, “But you are Jeon Jungkook.”

“That doesn’t mean—”

“It means a lot, actually.”

Silence. Because unfortunately, Yoongi was right. Jungkook wasn’t just a man to most people. He was global, Public. Constantly watched. And if Avery really was connected to him in some rare, deeply personal way… The pressure of that would be enormous. Especially if she never wanted attention in the first place.

—————————————————————

Back at her apartment, Avery sat cross-legged on the floor of her bedroom with her headphones on at full volume. No music playing. Just noise cancellation. Just pressure. Something solid around her ears. Because she needed distance from him somehow. Even fake distance.

Her phone buzzed. She ignored it.

Buzzed again. Ignored it harder. Before she sighed.

DANI:

you okay???

Avery exhaled. At least not Jungkook.

She texted back quickly:

AVERY:

yeah just tired

Three dots appeared immediately.

DANI:

girl u vanished like a criminal

AVERY:

dramatic

DANI:

says the woman fleeing rehearsal at olympic speed

Despite herself, Avery smiled faintly. Then the next text came through.

DANI:

…jk asked where you went btw

Her smile vanished instantly….Absolutely not.

AVERY:

why

DANI:

idk??

he just looked weirdly concerned

Concerned…God. That made it worse. Because concern meant he cared enough to keep looking. And Avery was running out of places to hide.

———————————————————-

Across the city, Jungkook stared down at his own phone. One contact open. No messages sent. Because asking a dancer for her number through management definitely crossed professional lines. But also, Taehyung had absolutely already obtained it somehow.

“Don’t,” Namjoon warned from the couch without even looking up from his book.

Jungkook blinked. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking loudly.”

“That’s not a thing.”

“It is when you look like that.”

Jungkook sighed and dropped onto the opposite couch. “This is insane.”

“Probably,” Namjoon agreed calmly. Not helping.

“What if I’m wrong?”

“Then you’re wrong.”

“And if I’m not?”

Namjoon finally looked up. And unlike Taehyung’s curiosity or Yoongi’s caution, Namjoon’s expression held something steadier: Understanding.

“Then let her tell you in her own time.”

Jungkook frowned. “But she’s clearly struggling.”

“Yes,” Namjoon said gently. “Which means pushing harder probably won’t help.”

Jungkook leaned back against the couch cushions. Frustrated. Restless.

Because every instinct in him wanted answers now. But another part, A quieter part, Remembered the fear in Avery’s face earlier. Real fear. Not of him hurting her. Of being known. And somehow…That felt important.

———————————————————

Much later that night, Avery finally drifted off sometime after 2 a.m. Headphones still on. Exhaustion finally winning.

And across Seoul, Jungkook sat in his studio alone, absentmindedly humming under his breath while working through melodies. Then suddenly—He stopped. Because for the first time since he was thirteen years old himself—He felt something unfamiliar. Not his own emotion. Not his own thoughts. Something soft. Warm. Sleepy. Like someone falling asleep while trying not to be afraid.

Jungkook went completely still. His pulse quickened. And somewhere deep in his chest…..Something answered.

—————————————————-

Eeeeek! He’s figuring it out!!

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Xoxo Bumble

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