Chapter Text
🧸
It’s September first.
Jimin hates and loves it at the same time.
He loves it because it means he’ll meet Jungkook again within a year. He’ll get to know him and fall in love with his new persona all over again. All because it’s always him; the same smile, the same scent, the man he loves to death.
He hates it because it also means that Jungkook will leave him within a year.
Again.
It’s a bittersweet feeling, to say the least.
He goes on about his day as best as he can, but he’s always ridden with anxiety on Jungkook’s twenty-third birthday, so his hands are trembling as he slurps the cold blood bag that doesn’t seem so tasty anymore.
He prefers warm blood anyway, but stealing blood bags from the hospital feels better than hunting animals. And still, he usually enjoys drinking blood, but now he’s not even hungry.
Jimin drinks until he can’t do it anymore; he throws the half-finished bag in the trash and turns the TV off for the sake of his sanity.
He decides that going for a walk is better, so he grabs his coat and leaves the rented apartment.
An apartment that doesn’t feel like home and it never will. Jimin has spent hundreds of years traveling and even living in different countries, eager to see the world and to run from his real home. He either stays at hotels or rents apartments even though he owns two properties: a house in Seoul and a castle in Romania he bought almost 100 years ago. He finds it fitting. Seoul for Korea, his motherland, and Romania, his Mother’s land.
The place that he frequents the most is Romania though. All because he’s spent all of his immortal years trying to find Mother and rip her apart.
After forcing her to undo the curse of course.
He hasn’t succeeded.
He’s looked for her everywhere but Busan. He can’t bring himself to go back there. Being in South Korea is hard enough. He swears he smells the pack’s blood the moment he steps on Korean soil.
Jimin has been living in London for the past month. He’s made sure to explore every bit of Britain though; England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. So far his favorite city has been Edinburgh. But what he loves the most about Britain is how gray and rainy it is. The weather mirrors his mood.
So when Jimin walks out of the building and notices the sun is out, he’s baffled.
Since it’s already September, the temperature is cool but the heat of the sun makes it pleasant. It’s a nice day. Birds singing, people happily strolling down the streets, dogs playing around… And yet it doesn’t make Jimin’s mood any better.
In fact, it makes it worse.
Jimin decides that going for a drive is better. He’d rather see cars and pollution than happy people.
His mood gets a little better once he slides into his red 1973 Monte Carlo. He’s not much of a car guy, but this car is so sexy he had to have it. He’s only had it for a couple of months and he loves it so much he drives it nearly every day now.
He only turns the radio on once he’s been driving for ten minutes. He regrets it immediately when he hears Angie by The Rolling Stones playing.
Oh, Angie, don't you weep
Oh, your kisses still taste sweet
I hate that sadness in your eyes
But Angie, Angie
Ain't it time we said goodbye?
Destiny is mocking him.
Jimin doesn’t have the heart to turn it off. Not when he loves the song so much. He probably wouldn’t have been so affected if it weren’t Jungkook’s birthday today.
Come on, baby, dry your eyes
Angie, Angie
Ain't it good to be alive?
Angie, Angie
They can't say we never tried
Jimin stops the car.
Even though the song is over, Jimin turns the radio off and rests his forehead against the steering wheel, eyes closed and trembling hands holding onto his black hair.
Jimin wishes he could say it gets easier. But it hasn’t. It never will. Loving Jungkook is both the best and worst thing he’s ever done.
Jimin doesn’t feel like driving around anymore, so he looks around and realizes he parked in front of a café. Jimin doesn’t crave human food so he doesn’t eat it often, but a couple is feeding each other berry cupcakes that look rather tasty.
Jimin loved berries. Back when he was human, Jimin used to eat berries from the forest right before he met Jungkook because they both loved the taste. They also made his lips darker. Jungkook loved that too. So much they’d just spent their nights kissing until they fell asleep under the stars.
The memories make Jimin’s mood even gloomier. It annoys him that the weather isn’t accompanying him today.
Taking a deep breath that he obviously doesn’t need, Jimin walks out of the car with confident strides. He’s used to people turning his way and staring; all to lure them into the wolf’s mouth. They’re lucky Jimin isn’t a newborn vampire anymore. The scent of so much fresh blood would have driven him crazy before.
Even the couple who looked so in love openly stare at Jimin once he walks in. It makes a smirk curve on his lips. Looks like they aren’t so perfect after all.
The cashier stutters and blushes as she takes in Jimin’s order, but Jimin just smiles and does his best to relax her even though her arms are covered in goosebumps.
He finds a lonely table to sit at and stares at the lone cupcake with curious eyes. Since his sense of smell is so strong, he can smell the sugar, eggs, vanilla, butter, and more from here, but he still doesn’t crave it. He doesn’t know why he still tries.
The cupcake is cute though. Vanilla flavored with white icing and blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries on top.
Ignoring people’s not-so-subtle glances, Jimin begins to eat. The radio is playing Can’t Help Falling in Love with You by Elvis Presley, but it doesn’t even bother him, it just relaxes him since he loves the song so much. Jimin hums the song as he breaks pieces with his fingers and sucks the icing on his fingertips. He does it slowly because he has lots of time. Not being hungry lets him taste the food properly. Maybe he should try becoming a food critic. It’s something he hasn’t done yet and Jimin has done a lot. Being alive for more than 200 hundred years gives you lots of free time.
Jimin’s relaxation vanishes the second he smells it.
He tenses in his seat, nose twitching, and eyes frantically looking around for him.
But he can’t see him. The cafe is too crowded; there are way too many scents, way too many unknown people, way too many voices.
Jimin can’t find him.
But that’s probably because he’s not there at all. Jimin is starting to hallucinate because he’s never met Jungkook on his birthday before. He has fantasized about it; meeting Jungkook on his birthday and having the luck of spending a whole year with him. Mother will never be that kind though.
Jimin rises from his seat and throws the remains of his cupcake away, eager to leave the café and do his best to forget about Jungkook for the day.
He fails.
“I’m sorry!”
That voice.
Jimin raises his eyes slowly, trying to prepare himself for his sight, but it still doesn’t work. It never has.
“I’m running late and didn’t see where I was going! I’m so sorry!”
Jungkook’s British accent is so cute Jimin wants to coo.
Jungkook isn’t even looking at him, he’s busy trying to clean his shirt with napkins. It’s adorable; the panic in his brown eyes and his effort to fix his mistake even though it’s to no use. He crashed into Jimin and spilled burning hot coffee on his shirt. A coffee so hot it should’ve caused a second-degree burn, but Jimin has already healed.
“It’s alright,” Jimin whispers in English, grabbing onto Jungkook’s wrist as gently as he can to stop him. “I’m alright.”
Jungkook looks up once he’s addressed, but his round eyes widen even more once he finally gets a look at Jimin’s face.
Jimin will never get used to this. To their eyes meeting for the first time.
They are staring at each other in the middle of the café after causing such a commotion, so Jimin knows they’re being watched, but he doesn’t care. He’s learned to appreciate every second he has with Jungkook.
And Jungkook looks gorgeous. Just as always.
His cheeks are flushed pink from embarrassment, lips shining with balm, and doe eyes flickering all over Jimin’s face nervously. His black hair is short and gelled to the side, but he’s just wearing a black jean jacket, a The Rolling Stones T-Shirt, and black jeans. The contrast is nice and so Jungkook.
“Are you sure?”
Jungkook’s voice brings him back. It also brings back the noises of the café, the feeling of people’s eyes on him, scents that he doesn’t care about. Because he just cares about Jungkook’s. He’s addicted to his scent.
“I’m wonderful,” Jimin can’t help his smile. He knows he should be annoyed or groaning in pain, but he can’t fake it. Not when the love of his life is giving him the most gorgeous smile ever.
“Uh,” Jungkook gulps and grabs his brown messenger bag to rummage through it. He grabs a card and then starts writing something on it with his pen. Jimin just watches with amused eyes, hoping Jungkook can’t see how whipped he already is. “Here,” Jungkook offers Jimin the card with trembling hands, so Jimin is quick to grab it. Jungkook looks and smells extremely nervous. “I-It’s my house number. Please call me so I can get your clothes dry cleaned? I feel so bad, but I’m really late and I have to leave.”
Jimin looks down at his clothes and only then realizes the huge coffee stain. He doesn’t care. He won’t wash the clothes because they will probably smell like Jungkook later.
“I’ll call you,” Jimin is quick to reply.
“Cool,” Jungkook smiles. “Hm, talk to you later then?” he wonders, opening the café door to leave. He’s still grabbing the sticky coffee cup, but Jimin knows he doesn’t mind. At least none of it slipped on the floor. Looks like Jimin’s shirt is pretty absorbent.
“Will do. Have a good day,” Jimin waves Jungkook goodbye and Jungkook does the same with a tight-lipped smile. The sight of the mole under his pink mouth makes butterflies flutter in Jimin’s belly.
Jimin feels like he’s walking on clouds the whole walk to his car. The smile doesn’t leave his face once he’s inside.
Because even though Jungkook had to leave, Jimin knows they will meet again. Destiny has never failed to bring them together and Jimin doesn’t have the heart to try to avoid it anymore. He loves Jungkook with every fiber of his being. The heartbreak will always be worth it.
Since his mood is better, Jimin finally decides to appreciate the weather and drives around the city's outskirts. He rolls the windows down and listens to music as he enjoys the warm sunshine over his cold skin. But only the thought of seeing Jungkook again warms him up.
But of course life was too good.
His car starts to make a weird banging noise from under the hood when he’s twenty minutes away from his apartment.
“Fuck,” Jimin groans, but still focuses on driving. He doesn’t know what’s wrong with his car and he doesn’t know how to fix it. He’s not a technology person.
Or a person.
He drives around for five more minutes and stops when he notices an auto repair store on his right.
This is a sign.
The auto repair shop is open but there is no one in sight. Still, he drives the car into the garage and parks. If it’s open, there must be someone right?
Jimin slides out of the car with curious eyes. The space looks really clean for an auto repair store and it doesn’t even smell that bad. There is nice music blasting from the speakers. He still hates he’s here though.
“Good afternoon. How can I help you today—? Oh.”
Jimin is going to pass out.
He’s not surprised that he met Jungkook again today, not really. He knew it was going to happen again sooner or later.
He didn’t expect this though.
Jungkook is wearing a blue mechanic jumpsuit that’s pulled down to his hips and a white undershirt that’s stained and stuck to his abs since he’s sweating so much. Even his face and biceps are covered in oil.
Jungkook is a mechanic.
“I-I didn’t expect you to come here,” Jungkook blushes, crossing his bare arms nervously and getting even more oil over his skin. Jungkook is quick to grab a rag to try to clean the oil off his big biceps and Jimin almost offers to clean it up for him. With his hands.
“Wait, what?” Jimin shakes his head with a confused expression on his face. “You knew I was coming?”
Jungkook frowns. “Uh… No? But… Aren’t you here because of the card?”
“The one where you put your house number in?” Jimin asks and Jungkook nods. “I haven’t looked at it yet. I was going to do it later…”
Jungkook flushes from head to toe. The undershirt has a low cut so Jimin can see his chest blooming pink.
“It’s a business card, what I gave you. From my shop,” Jungkook waves around. “Because it’s the only thing I could write on. I obviously didn’t expect you to come here, but when I saw you… I thought it was because of that.”
Jungkook owns an auto repair shop.
“You’re hot,” Jimin accidentally blurts out. Jungkook looks like a tomato now. “O-Oh, I mean, like, the weather? ‘Cause you’re sweating.”
“Oh,” Jungkook looks embarrassed. “Yeah, sorry. Hm, I get really hot working. Sometimes the fans aren’t enough.”
“Nothing to be sorry about,” Jimin clears his throat. Why is he being so awkward? “I don’t mind.”
“Cool,” Jungkook grins, looking more relaxed. His hair is still gelled back, but now there is one single strand hanging in front of his eyes and Jimin doesn’t know if he wants to tuck it in or grab Jungkook and do less than innocent things. Jimin can’t help it though. Jungkook is covered in oil and sweat and his undershirt is sticking to his small waist and his pecs and arms look so big and his neck— “How can I help you today, uh…?”
“Park Jimin—Jimin Park,” he corrects himself nervously.
“I’m Jeon Jungkook. I’m twenty-three,” Jungkook speaks in Korean, but there is still a huge grin on his face.
“Twenty-five. Nice to meet you,” Jimin replies in Korean. He loves hearing the Busan satoori in Jungkook’s voice. Fuck English.
“Hm, I’d shake your hand, but—” Jungkook raises his stained hand to show him. “Wait, do you prefer Korean or English?”
“Whatever you feel most comfortable with,” Jimin is quick to reply. He loves to hear Jungkook’s satoori because it reminds him of their hometown, but he wants Jungkook to feel comfortable.
“Korean then,” Jungkook grins, easily switching back to Korean. “I like hearing the dialect in your voice.”
“Oh, yeah?” Jimin flirts, walking towards Jungkook unconsciously. “Why?”
Jimin already knows.
“I’m also from Busan,” Jungkook grins. “Moved here with my parents when I was nine. What about you?”
“Born and raised in Busan,” Jimin tries not to sound too sad.
“What are you doing in London?” Jungkook asks curiously.
“I like to travel,” Jimin shrugs nervously. “I’ve been here for a month now.”
“Oh, so you’re leaving?”
Jimin can smell the disappointment in his scent.
“I won’t if I find a reason to stay...”
“A reason to stay?”
“Yeah,” Jimin smiles and Jungkook seems to get what he means then. He’s probably being too forward, but Jungkook doesn’t seem put off by it. He never is.
“Hm,” Jungkook scratches his ears nervously. “I still don’t know how to help you…”
“Oh, right!” Jimin laughs and guides Jungkook to his car.
Jungkook widens his eyes and caresses the hood like it’s an actual person. “A 1973 Monte Carlo… This is one of my favorite cars. It’s amazing.”
“Thanks?” Jimin laughs. He really doesn’t know shit about cars but it must be a good car if a mechanic is drooling over it.
“What seems to be the problem?” Jungkook asks, finally taking his eyes off the leather seats.
“Hm, the car has been fine? But it started making a weird noise from under the hood.”
“What noise?
Jimin imitates the noise and Jungkook laughs.
“I’ll check,” Jungkook says before opening the hood.
They don’t talk as Jungkook checks things out, but it’s not needed. Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones is blasting through the speakers and Jimin loves the song. Jungkook seems like he loves The Rolling Stones himself because they’re both tapping their feet to the rhythm of the music.
“Well, it seems to be the… Blah, blah, blah… Valves, yada, yada, yada… Two days since there’s a lot of work. Is that okay?”
That’s literally all Jimin heard because Jungkook looks so hot.
“That’s fine,” Jimin assures him. “Do you work alone or something?” he laughs.
“No,” Jungkook scratches his head, looking embarrassed. “The other employees are on their lunch break and we’re short on staff today. One of them had an emergency, that’s why I was rushing this morning—”
“Appa!”
It’s an out-of-body experience.
Jimin sees a little girl running towards Jungkook, who turns, and then a huge smile breaks out on his face once he knows she’s okay. She jumps and Jungkook is quick to crouch down the floor and catch her without minding her getting dirty. Her safety is more important.
And Jimin is frozen.
Because there’s no way that girl called him appa, right? There’s no way Jungkook has a daughter.
“Look. It’s us. Another birthday gift,” she whispers excitedly and Jungkook grabs the gift with widened eyes. Jimin doesn’t have time to glance at the two stick figures on the piece of paper much, he’s too busy watching Jungkook smiling at his daughter.
“Oh, this is the best drawing ever! I love it! Shall we put it up in a museum?”
“No! Over the fridge!” she smiles at Jungkook again and then finally notices Jimin. The smile drops from her face. “Who’s that, appa?”
Even amidst all the chaos happening inside his heart, Jimin admits it’s cute that she speaks all of her words in English but the word appa. She’s beautiful too. Small with long, light brown hair and round eyes.
Jungkook’s round eyes.
They are the same.
“Oh,” Jungkook widens his eyes and rises to his feet, still holding the little girl in his arms. Jimin can’t blame him for forgetting him. “Sorry. I bring her to work sometimes and she’s excited that it’s my birthday today. Uh, why don’t you introduce yourself, baby?” he turns to ask the little girl in his arms, but she just whines and hides her face in his neck. “Ah, sorry,” Jungkook chuckles and pets her hair. “She’s really shy around strangers. But anyway, her name is Noori. She’s my daughter.”
“Your daughter,” Jimin tastes the word on his tongue and realizes he feels a little sick. He wishes he could feel bad about it, but he doesn’t. In the nearly 300 years Jimin has been “alive”, he has never interacted with children. He doesn’t know how they work and he doesn’t care to find out either. The only human he’s ever cared about is Jungkook.
“Yes,” Jungkook nods, looking serious and even a little bit defensive.
When Jimin’s eyes zero on his left finger, Jungkook is quick to notice and even stretches his fingers to show him it’s empty.
“Are you with her mother?” Jimin blurts out. He knows he’s being blunt, but he’s never encountered this situation before. Yes, Jungkook has been married before—once and it ended up really badly—but this is a whole child that came from his flesh and bones. He can see it.
Jimin should’ve expected it. He met Jungkook on his birthday and this is the price he has to pay.
He’ll have to share.
And to anyone else, it’d be stupid, but Jungkook is Jimin’s whole reason to live. Jungkook is the light of Jimin’s eyes and in all of his past lives, Jungkook has always reciprocated it.
Now he won’t.
“Baby, go back to the office, okay?” Jungkook puts his daughter down, who nods and leaves only after Jungkook kisses her forehead. “No, I’m not with her mother. Is this your way of hitting on me?” Jungkook chuckles and stands back to his feet, but Jimin can smell the anxiousness in his scent.
“I’ll call in two days to know if the car is ready,” Jimin clears his throat, slowly stepping back.
The smile drops from Jungkook’s face.
And it makes Jimin feel so bad. Jungkook smells sad and disappointed, face painted with rejection. He thinks Jimin doesn’t want him anymore because he’s a dad.
He’s kind of right.
But it’s more complicated than that.
“Actually, I’m supposed to call you. If you give me your house phone number—”
“I’ll call,” Jimin cuts him off.
Now Jungkook looks hurt.
“Happy birthday,” Jimin fakes a smile and leaves the shop just like that.
The walk home is ridiculously long and yet Jungkook’s hurt expression haunts Jimin the whole time.
🧸
Jimin is supposed to see Jungkook tomorrow and he doesn’t feel ready. He has spent the past days sulking about their encounter and his awful reaction. The problem is he doesn’t think he’ll react any better.
If he wasn’t a supernatural being and he and Jungkook weren’t cursed, Jimin knows he wouldn’t have minded he has a daughter.
But that’s not the case.
Jimin and Jungkook’s love has an expiration date and this time he will have to share Jungkook. He’ll have to share his love with a tiny human Jimin doesn’t know how to feel about.
Jimin doesn’t have a problem with Jungkook being with other people before he meets him. It hurts when he has to see it or when it’s recent, but he understands. So the fact that Jungkook made a tiny human with another human it’s not the problem. The problem is the tiny human he doesn’t know anything about.
How is he supposed to be with Jungkook when he has no idea how children work? All he knows it’s from movies and even then he hated them.
His house phone rings.
Jimin sighs and rises from the bed to pick up the phone. He knows who it is before he speaks up. He’s the only person who has his number.
“Hello.”
“Hey, sweets,” Taehyung chirps. “What’s going on?”
Jimin sighs. Sometimes having a powerful sorcerer as a best friend sucks.
“I met Jungkook.”
“You did? This early?” Taehyung gasps. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“‘Cause I kinda fucked up,” Jimin admits, resting his back against the wall and using his free hand to twirl the cord.
“It’s impossible for you fuck up, Jimin-ah. You know this man better than he knows himself.”
“Which is exactly why I know I fucked up.”
“I’m sure it can’t be that bad—”
“I kinda rejected his daughter, Tae,” Jimin cuts him off. “We were flirting and then I found out he had a daughter so I panicked and left. He looked so hurt, Tae. He’ll never forgive me for this. It’s his daughter, you know?”
No one says anything for a few minutes.
“He has a daughter?”
“Yes,” Jimin gulps. “And I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how children work, and what if she doesn’t like me—?”
“That’s not your main concern, Jimin. Spill.”
“I don’t wanna share him,” Jimin whispers, a lump growing in his throat. “The time I have with him is never enough and now it’ll be even less. I want him all to myself. Like I always have.”
“So, you’re gonna avoid him? You know that never works.”
“I know,” Jimin sighs, running his hands through his black hair and messing up his ponytail. The hairband falls on the floor next to Jimin’s bare feet. He doesn’t pick it up.
“I can’t say I understand because I never will,” Taehyung starts. “I know you’re scared but—why delay the inevitable? You’re just making things worse for yourself. Sulking never works, so go ahead and fall in love with him all over again, Jimin. You know that’s how it ends.”
“You know damn well that’s not how it ends.”
Taehyung gulps. “I don’t have to remind you. You already knew that.”
“All too well, yes,” Jimin sighs and decides to change the topic. “Now tell me what you’ve been up to.”
Hearing Taehyung boasting about his travels and spells and lovers make Jimin feel better. They became best friends when Jimin was looking for someone to help him break the curse. Jimin was willing to pay all the money in the world but Taehyung only accepted—and cried—once he heard his story. Taehyung has been trying ever since, but nothing has worked so far. Still, Jimin is glad they met because he doesn’t feel so alone anymore even though they only see each other every few months. Jimin is more of a loner and he doesn’t interact with vampires because he hates them so much. The only vampire Jimin ever grew close with was Taemin, but that’s a story for another day.
Taehyung’s advice is what gives Jimin the courage to call Jungkook the next day.
“Hello. This is Jeon’s Auto Repair Center, how can we help you today?”
It’s not Jungkook.
“Hi. Hm, may I speak with Jungkook? Uh, Jeon?”
“Sure. Give me a minute,” the woman chirps and then leaves Jimin waiting in the line.
There is no music, so Jimin can hear how busy the shop is. It makes him happy because it means Jungkook is doing good but it also worries him since he knows Jungkook is such a hard worker.
“Good morning. Jeon speaking. How can I help you today?”
Not even the static on the phone can take away the sexiness in Jungkook’s voice. Or maybe it’s just Jimin. He’s so whipped his skin has broken into goosebumps just from hearing his husky voice.
“Hm,” Jimin clears his throat nervously, tangling his fingers with the cord. He doesn’t know why he always does it. “I-It’s Jimin. Park Jimin. I don’t know if you remember me?”
A pause.
“Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook gulps. “Are you calling to ask about your car?”
Jimin forgot they agreed to speak in Korean.
“Yes,” Jimin mumbles, sitting up on his bed.
“It’s ready. Can you come by in two hours? It’s really busy right now.”
“That’s perfect,” Jimin is quick to assure him.
“Nice. See you later.”
Jungkook hangs up without waiting for Jimin’s reply.
And Jimin gets it. He does.
Jimin sighs and walks out of his room. He hates it and only uses it to sleep or to answer calls. Since the apartment came furnished, everything about it feels impersonal. Jimin doesn’t buy anything to decorate it because he’ll leave soon. What’s the point?
He walks to the kitchen and opens the fridge that’s full of blood bags. He grabs one and then sits on the couch to drink it as he watches TV.
Jimin decides to hail a cab instead of walking like the last time. He’s nervous the whole ride and gets even worse once he walks into the shop.
As Jungkook mentioned earlier, the shop is busy. People are running around and working with customers, all wearing the same jumpsuit Jungkook was wearing the last time.
Said Jungkook is watching him. Jimin can feel his eyes on his back.
This time, Jungkook’s jumpsuit is fully on and his black hair is a mess over his forehead. Jimin did his best to look good this time; he’s wearing black dress pants, an electric blue long-sleeved shirt, black shoes, and his long hair is perfectly combed. Maybe it’s too much, but he wants to make a good impression this time. He doesn’t know much about children, but he should look serious and appropriate, right?
Plus, his ass looks amazing in those pants.
“Jimin-ssi,” Jungkook clears his throat once he’s in front of Jimin.
He looks serious, but Jimin’s mouth waters as he watches him cleaning his oil-stained hands with a rag. He knows what those long fingers can do. Jimin wouldn’t mind getting dirty.
“Jimin-ssi?”
“Ah,” Jimin gulps, eyes leaving the drop of sweat sliding down Jungkook’s tan neck. He’s glad he can’t blush. “Hi.”
Jungkook nods with a frown. “Wanna see the car?”
“Sure.”
The walk is quiet, but at least Jimin gets to see how good Jungkook’s ass looks in that jumpsuit.
Once they arrive, Jungkook explains what he had to do and suggests Jimin go for a test drive. Jimin does and is very satisfied with Jungkook’s hard work. Not like he expected anything less.
Jungkook speaks up again once Jimin pays.
“If the car starts making the noise again, please don’t hesitate to come back and we’ll fix it.”
“Will do,” Jimin gulps, knowing now it’s his time to leave, but he doesn’t want to. They are in his office now and it reeks of Jungkook’s scent. Jimin loves it and he wants to look around to learn every piece of Jungkook’s new life. Now the only thing he can see is a framed black and white photo of Jungkook and Noori. They seem to be in a park, hair messy but with big smiles on their faces as Jungkook piggyback rides his daughter.
“Well, have a good day—”
“Can we talk?” Jimin blurts out, gripping Jungkook’s desk with trembling hands.
Jungkook clenches his jaw. “I’m busy, so—”
“Please?” Jimin whispers, holding onto Jungkook’s wrist to stop him from leaving.
Jungkook looks down at his wrist and then at Jimin. “Your hand is cold.”
“I’m sorry,” Jimin is quick to take his hand off. He hates how cold his skin is. He hates being a vampire.
“I don’t mind,” Jungkook sighs. “What do you wanna talk about?”
“Yesterday… I was a dick, wasn’t I?”
Jungkook chews on his lip and tilts his head. “A little.”
“I’m sorry,” Jimin mumbles, running his hands through his hair. “I shouldn’t have left like that.”
“I thought we were hitting it off,” Jungkook crosses his arms, looking serious again. “Does my daughter bother you that much?”
“No!” Jimin widens his eyes. “Of course not!”
“Then why?” Jungkook looks insecure now. “You know what? Nevermind. You can leave now—”
“I don’t want to,” Jimin insists, making eye contact with Jungkook. “You are right. We were hitting it off and then I got scared because I don’t know how children work and I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. B-But I’ll try. For you. If you give me the chance.”
“Aren’t you going a bit too fast?” Jungkook frowns. “I don’t even know what you want. We don’t know each other. We met yesterday.”
Yesterday hundreds of years ago.
“I want to ask you out on a date,” Jimin speaks as confidently as he can. “And I know you’re a father first so I just wanted to let you know I’m serious. If you accept me of course.”
Jungkook blushes bright red and looks down, but Jimin can see him worrying his teeth over his lip.
“You’re still moving too fast, you know?” Jungkook looks up again, but he’s smiling this time.
Jimin smiles back.
“I’m not. I’m asking you to go out with me. Now all you gotta do is say yes or no.”
“Where would you take me?” Jungkook flirts, leaning against the desk. “That will influence my choice, by the way. Gotta see if it’s good enough to forgive you.”
“You like The Rolling Stones, right? You were wearing the T-shirt and you were playing one of their songs before…”
“They're my favorite band, yes?” Jungkook frowns.
Jimin just got the idea earlier while he was watching TV. He hopes he isn’t being too crazy.
“September 9th. There’s a show, I’m sure you already know. And—well, I have good tickets? But my friend bailed on me. So… I was wondering if you would like to come with me. Unless you’re already busy or you already got tickets.”
Jimin doesn’t have the tickets but he’ll get them no matter what.
Jungkook widens his eyes. “I—what? That’s… What the fuck? Are you serious?”
“Very,” Jimin smiles nervously. “The ticket is yours if you want it. If you don’t want to go with me, I could just give you the ticket. For your forgiveness—”
“No!” Jungkook interrupts him. “I’m sold—I mean, I would love to go with you,” he chuckles, looking surprised by his answer. “Wow, what a first date.”
“I’ll make sure to wow you,” Jimin gives him a flirtatious smile. “Uh, I already have your number, so should I give you mine? To set things up…”
“Yes, yes. Of course,” Jungkook scrambles to get something to write on and ends up grabbing another business card.
“Uh, I’ll call you then,” Jimin offers Jungkook the card once he’s done writing his number.
Jungkook grabs the card and Jimin bites his lip when he feels their fingers brush. He hates waiting. He already wants to touch and kiss Jungkook all over.
The urge becomes almost impossible when Jungkook’s bigger hand envelops his smaller one. The warmth of his skin, the comforting smell of his scent, and the sound and feeling of his fast heartbeat make Jimin’s stomach fill with butterflies.
“Call me,” Jungkook smirks and releases his hand just like that.
Jimin is in for a ride.
🧸
The phone call is awkward.
Jimin stutters the whole time and Jungkook’s nervousness is obvious because he never finishes his sentences. In the end, they settle for meeting at the venue one hour before the show starts.
Jimin spends the rest of the week walking around London and driving around the outskirts. He likes to see the green and the animals away from the dirt of the city.
It makes him realize how lonely he is.
He always realizes it once he meets Jungkook and they still aren’t together.
But now he’s meeting Jungkook in an hour.
So of course he makes sure to look hot.
He keeps his long hair messy, but he adds dark eyeshadow and makes sure his lips are extra glossy and pink. Then he pulls out the big guns: he wears black, skinny jeans, black Chelsea boots, and an embroidered black jacket with a white tee underneath that has a neckline so low his nipples are one tug away from saying hello. He wears sunglasses that he’ll take off later—he just wants to look sexy and mysterious—and then adds rings to his fingers and layers of necklaces to bring even more attention to his chest.
Jimin knows he looks hot.
However, his confidence disappears the moment he spots Jungkook.
The line is huge. There is a crowd in front of the venue and all of them are wearing interesting outfits. They are also extremely loud, or maybe it’s just his vampire ears. Having so many scents around him would make Jimin very overwhelmed any other time.
But Jungkook makes it better.
Jungkook hasn’t seen him yet, he’s looking to the side, tapping his foot, checking his watch, and chewing on his pretty lips anxiously, all at the same time. Jimin knows he’s on time, in fact, he arrived ten minutes before, but he understands Jungkook is afraid he’ll be stood up. He didn’t make the best first impression after all.
But he’ll fix it.
It’s easy to stand behind Jungkook without him noticing. Being a vampire has its perks.
Jimin tiptoes and leans until his lips are nearly brushing Jungkook’s ear.
“Looking for someone?”
“Shit!” Jungkook jumps away from Jimin and then turns, looking at him with widened eyes. Jimin smirks when Jungkook places his hand above his heart. He can still hear it perfectly: thump-thump-thump-thump-thump. His breathing and heartbeat are so fast Jimin knows he’s not just scared. He’s nervous. “You scared me,” Jungkook gulps, trying to put himself together, but his flushed face doesn’t help.
“That was the point,” Jimin laughs and walks towards Jungkook with crossed arms. “Boo.”
“So funny,” Jungkook rolls his eyes, but there’s a tiny smile tugging at his lips.
Jungkook is wearing a set of blue denim pants and a jacket with a white t-shirt inside. There is a long necklace dangling from his neck, but Jimin’s eyes are more focused on his pecs. It doesn’t help that the black belt makes his waist look even smaller. Jungkook gets sexier the more he sees him.
“So,” Jimin clears his throat and stands next to Jungkook without minding the other people in line. He’s here with his date after all. “Are you excited?”
“So excited,” Jungkook gives him a bright smile Jimin returns. He loves Jungkook’s smile and he smells so happy. “I can’t believe I’m finally seeing my favorite band live.”
“You’ve never seen them before?” Jimin is surprised and happy he’s doing this for Jungkook. He wishes he could give him everything.
“Yeah,” Jungkook shrugs, looking sheepish. “I’ve wanted to… But I’ve been busy with the shop and Noori. She’s five now and started school last week so I’ll probably have more time. I’m gonna miss her a lot though. Because she also has swimming and taekwondo lessons,” he frowns, looking sad. “I’ll probably have to switch it up later because now she says she wants to be a ballerina but last week she wanted to be a gold medal gymnast. The only thing that doesn’t change is her wanting to become a car racer but she’s obviously way too young for that. She wants to do a lot of things, you know?” he looks at Jimin with expectant eyes and then gasps. “Oh, shit, I’m sorry! I just ramble a lot when it’s about Noori but you probably don’t care about that—”
“I care,” Jimin reassures, squeezing Jungkook’s shoulder with a small smile. Jungkook looked so happy talking about his daughter Jimin wants to cry. He’s such a great father. “She sounds like a very smart girl. Ambitious too. Please tell me more?”
Jungkook still looks a little unsure, but the desire to talk about his daughter wins. She’s his pride.
“She says she’ll learn how to write Arabic and Korean before she gets into Elementary and that by the time she finishes High School, she’ll know about ten languages. Which is hilarious because she doesn’t even know how to write in English yet,” he smiles, looking down at his feet as they walk. The line is slow, but it’s moving.
“Why Arabic?”
“Farah’s family was from Egypt so Khadija is the one who teaches her Arabic when she picks her up. Khadija says Farah would’ve loved it and—” Jungkook suddenly stops walking, eyes widening when he realizes what he said.
Loved it.
Jimin gets Jungkook’s reaction. You usually don’t talk about your child’s dead mother on the first date.
It’s not even Jungkook’s grim expression that makes Jimin want to hold him, it’s the sadness in his scent.
And Jimin can’t have that. He wants to make this the best night of Jungkook’s life.
“May I see the time?” Jimin improvises.
Jungkook looks confused, but he shows him the time.
“Oh! My friend is probably here. Let’s go in.”
“Go in? What—?”
Jimin doesn’t give him a chance to reply, he just grabs Jungkook’s warm hand and drags him along. Jungkook is obviously confused, but he follows him regardless. He even interlaces their fingers.
Jimin stands in front of security and takes his glasses off.
“I’m Jimin Park. I’m here to see Klein. He’s waiting for me. Let us in please.”
Maybe being a vampire does have a lot of advantages.
The compelled security guard lets them in easily and Jungkook follows Jimin with a gaping mouth.
“You know their manager?!” Jungkook yells once they’re inside the venue. The workers throw them weird glances, but Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind. “Is that how you got the tickets?!”
“Yes,” Jimin nods nervously. He’s glad he also likes The Rolling Stones enough to know who their current manager is. He’s nowhere near a fanboy as Jungkook is though.
“Holy shit,” Jungkook laughs, holding his head excitedly. “This is unbelievable! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me!”
“No problem,” Jimin dismisses him awkwardly. It’s hard to function when Jungkook looks so cute and Jimin is afraid his stomach will burst with butterflies. “Let’s go?” Jimin offers his hand again, hoping he’s not pushing it, and Jungkook proves him right when he holds it immediately.
So Jimin drags him to find one of the crew people. The compelling works flawlessly; they get VIP passes and then they walk into the pit until they’re standing right in front of the stage. Front row.
The concert goes by in a blur, but Jimin falls in love even more with Jungkook every second of it. He’ll never forget this night.
He and Jungkook dance and sing throughout most of it, and in the little breaks they have, Jungkook enthusiastically tells him backstories of the songs like the adorable fanboy he is. The beer Jimin bought for him probably isn’t helping.
Jimin excuses himself to the “restroom” once. He only comes back once he’s sure Jungkook’s wishes will come true.
Jungkook has been all smiles and giggles, sweaty and hair messy from moving so much, a bubble of energy that’s threatening to burst.
He bursts when the first notes of Angie roll out.
“That’s my favorite song from the album,” Jungkook explains when he stops dancing.
That album dropped the day before Jungkook’s birthday.
What a sick joke.
Because Jimin can relate to the song.
But so can Jungkook.
Jungkook is not looking at Jimin. But he’s not staring at Mick Jagger’s abs either. That’s how Jimin knows he’s not feeling well.
Jungkook spends the whole song with his eyes closed, mouthing the lyrics and swaying along with the sweaty crowd.
Jimin watches Jungkook the whole time.
When the song is done, Jungkook turns to give Jimin a small smile. His eyes are glittering like they hold all the stars of the universe in them.
But they aren’t. They are holding tears.
To give Jungkook some privacy, Jimin puts his eyes back on the stage again. But he also extends his hand.
He and Jungkook hold hands for the rest of the concert.
When it’s done, Jungkook is a happy ball of energy again.
And Jimin is determined to make it better.
“That was so good! I can’t believe it’s over—!”
“It isn’t,” Jimin winks at him and pulls Jungkook with him.
Maybe it’s too soon to be holding hands, but Jimin needs to make sure he won’t lose Jungkook in the crowd, right?
Jimin knows Jungkook realizes where they are going when his hand starts shaking in his hold. His heart also sounds like it’s going into cardiac arrest.
So while Jimin pretends to be friends with a very compelled manager, Jungkook looks like he’s about to shit himself while he talks to his favorite band.
Jungkook is speechless by the time they leave the venue.
“Are you okay?” Jimin laughs, amused by Jungkook’s incredulous expression.
Jungkook turns to look at Jimin. “He touched my hand, hyung. Mick Jagger shook my hand...”
Hyung.
“Yes, he did, pup,” Jimin ruffles Jungkook’s hair affectionately and then freezes when he realizes what he did.
Thankfully, Jungkook doesn’t even seem to hear him. He’s too busy freaking out.
“Are you hungry?”
“Kebab.”
Jimin laughs and walks with Jungkook to the nearest Kebab truck. Jimin is glad they didn’t even bother to get their cars. That means they’ll have more time together.
Jungkook talks about the encounter the entire walk. He even keeps talking after they order and only stops once they’re walking out with their food. They both prefer to walk. The night is dark but alive. The rain puddles don’t even bother them.
Jimin only got a small ration of fries so he wouldn’t look suspicious, but Jungkook doesn’t even look at him as he eats, too focused on his hunger to care. He even frowns and moans as he eats, obviously enjoying the food. Jimin loves how human he is. He looks adorable.
“This is the second best night of my life. Thank you,” Jungkook smiles at Jimin and then looks ahead so they can keep walking. They’re done with their food now, though Jimin just ate two fries.
“Second?” Jimin pouts to try to hide his disappointment.
“First was the night Noori was born,” Jungkook smiles softly and Jimin melts just like that.
“Ah, of course. That’s unbeatable.”
“It is,” he grins, looking at the city ahead of them. There are many people outside, drinking and laughing under the fake city lights. Jungkook makes it all look beautiful. “But it’s also the saddest.”
“Oh?” Jimin frowns.
“Farah—Noori’s mother… She died giving birth to her,” he mumbles. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to talk about it, but it’s also obvious Jimin caught on earlier, and Jungkook wants to get the conversation out of the way.
“I’m so sorry,” Jimin gulps, feeling his chest hurt when he feels how sad Jungkook is. He hates seeing Jungkook sad. He wishes he could fix it all for him.
“Yeah… It’s just—we were really young, you know? We should’ve been more careful, but teen hormones are strong I guess,” he laughs, but it’s sad.
“Was she your girlfriend?” Jimin whispers.
Jungkook shakes his head. “She was my best friend. We had been neighbors since we were eight years old. And then puberty happened and we were experimenting, having fun I guess… And that’s how Noori happened. We were just eighteen.”
“That must have been hard,” Jimin gulps and Jungkook turns with curious eyes. “Raising a child when you’re one yourself. Learning how to be a single father while you mourn your best friend.”
“I guess it was, yeah,” Jungkook hums. “But it was worth it.”
“Yeah?” Jimin turns to give him a small smile that Jungkook returns.
“Yes,” Jungkook nods. “You know why we called her Noori?”
“Why?”
“The name means my light in Arabic and world in Korean. She’s my light and my world. She’s the reason why I wake in the morning. She’s the reason why I’m happy. She means everything to me. And even though things have been hard, I would’ve done it all over again just to have her in my life. I’m sure Farah would’ve too.”
“You’re a great dad,” Jimin sniffles not so discreetly. Jungkook laughs when he notices Jimin’s teary eyes.
“You don’t know me.”
“I want to.”
Jungkook freezes and turns to look at Jimin. They’re standing on the sidewalk now, but thankfully it’s wide enough for people to keep walking by them.
He chews on his lip. “What does that mean?”
“Whatever you want it to mean,” Jimin is being honest. He just wants to be in Jungkook’s life however he wants him to be.
“I’m gonna need you to be a bit more clear with that. I need you to tell me,” Jungkook stresses seriously.
And Jimin gets it.
“I want to see you again,” Jimin offers, nervous because Jungkook’s face is so serious and he can’t read his scent. His heartbeat and breathing are steady. “I wanna go on a second date.”
“And then what?”
“Then we go on a third, a fourth… A fiftieth,” Jimin chuckles, crossing his arms in a miserable attempt to protect himself from rejection. It’s something he’s never been afraid of before with Jungkook.
But this Jungkook is a father.
“I have a daughter,” Jungkook stresses Jimin’s thoughts.
“I know,” Jimin nods. “I don’t mind.”
“Do you?” Jungkook’s smile is bitter. “You ran off the last time. Fuck, I don’t even know why I’m here,” he groans, running his hands through his hair.
Jimin ignores his own hurt and steps closer to grab Jungkook’s wrist. Jungkook looks at him with a frown.
“I’m so sorry. That was awful of me and I’ll always regret it. I swear it won’t happen again. But I just—I panicked. I mean it when I say I don’t know how to deal with children and I knew I’d have to if I—if I—”
“If you what?” Jungkook speaks up when Jimin gets stuck. Jungkook wraps his fingers around Jimin’s wrist and pulls their hands down. Jungkook interlaces their fingers and rubs Jimin’s wrist with his fingers while his dark eyes bore into his. He’s comforting him.
Jimin melts.
He wants Jungkook to hold him so badly.
“If I wanted to be in your life for a long time.”
“Really?” Jungkook laughs, but he’s blushing and his heart is beating faster. “You thought that after only meeting me twice?”
“To be fair, you looked really hot in your mechanic uniform,” Jimin flirts and Jungkook’s face turns even redder. Jimin has learned to control himself around Jungkook, but the smell of his blood is too enticing. Jimin’s gums start to hurt, fangs itching to come out, but he holds back. He always does. “Wouldn’t mind seeing it every morning.”
“Seeing it every morning or taking it off every night? You’re looking at me like you want to eat me,” he laughs nervously, but Jimin can smell the slight arousal in his scent.
“You don’t seem to mind.”
“‘Cause I don’t mind,” Jungkook gulps, looking around like he just realized they’re in a street surrounded by people. “Aren’t we moving too fast?”
“You tell me,” Jimin whispers, squeezing Jungkook’s hand.
Jungkook seems to ponder over it for a moment.
“No… This is actually perfect for me,” he gulps. “Because I have Noori. I’m a father first and I need to know what you want ‘cause… I only dated once since Noori was born and she never met him. Didn’t last long, but…”
“You want us to last long?”
“Noori already knows you,” but Jungkook doesn’t deny it.
“Well, I want you. You and Noori. If we ever get that far, I promise I’ll do my best to make her happy.”
“Fuck, we are moving too fast. This is insane,” Jungkook sighs, throwing his head back, but Jimin won’t give up now.
“Let’s just see where this goes, okay? I had a great time with you.”
Jungkook opens his eyes with a sad smile. “Yeah? Was my depressing rambling attractive?”
“Very much,” Jimin grins, and Jungkook chuckles. “No, but seriously,” Jimin says. “I think it’s good that you’re being honest now. You need to know what you may be getting into because you’re a father first. And I understand that. You aren’t scaring me away.”
“Am I not? ‘Cause I can get really busy, and my daughter and I are a package deal. She will always come first. You know that, right?” Jungkook’s face is serious again.
His words don’t even hurt Jimin now. He loves how much Jungkook loves his daughter.
Why was he so hesitant before?
“I love that,” Jimin says and Jungkook smiles brightly.
“Cool.”
“Cool.”
The walk back to the venue parking lot is nice and quiet. Which is exactly what they both need after such an intense conversation.
Once they reach the parking lot, Jungkook mumbles he’ll walk Jimin to his car to “see how it’s doing”.
“So, no problems?”
“Nope, it’s perfect,” Jimin smiles, looking up to Jungkook. Jimin is sitting in the driver's seat and Jungkook is standing outside with a hand on his hip. He looks cute.
His other hand is resting over the rolled-down window. Jimin’s hand is right next to his. Their fingers are brushing.
“Hm, would you like to do this again?” Jungkook finally blurts out the awaited question.
So of course Jimin teases him.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
Jungkook blushes furiously.
“Is that a yes?”
“Hell, yes.”
Jungkook smiles softly, but the excitement in his scent is very telling.
“Goodnight then. I’ll call you to set things up?” Jungkook’s squeezes Jimin’s cold hand. He really doesn’t seem to mind.
“Yes, please,” Jimin doesn’t bother to hide his excitement.
“Hm, could you call me when you get home? To know you got home safe.”
Jimin is already in love with this Jungkook.
“I will,” Jimin nods. “Goodnight. Drive safe.”
“Bye,” Jungkook smiles and waves before turning to walk back.
The ride back home feels like forever to Jimin.
He’s trembling with excitement once he finally arrives home. He doesn’t know where Jungkook lives, so he waits ten minutes before he calls.
Hopefully, he’s already home.
So Jimin sits on his bed and dials Jungkook’s number, twirling the cord with trembling fingers.
“Hi!”
Noori.
“O-Oh, hi—”
“Noori, honey, I’ve told you not to pick up the phone! Give it please!”
“I don’t want to! I wanna speak on the phone! Hello!”
Jimin hears some rustling and then some giggles before he hears Jungkook’s familiar breathing on the phone. It’s crazy that he can recognize his breathing, but he’s known Jungkook for nearly three centuries now.
“Hello?”
“Hi,” Jimin clears his throat nervously. “Hm, it’s me… Jimin.”
“Hi, hyung,” Jimin can hear the smile on Jungkook’s voice. “Got home alright?”
“Yes,” Jimin whispers. “What about you?”
“I’m alright too,” Jungkook whispers.
They stay in silence for a while, but it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Jimin doesn’t want to say goodbye.
“Hm, I gotta go. It’s late,” Jungkook whispers, sounding apologetic. “‘Cause I gotta get Noori ready for bed and then school… And I work early… And yeah.”
“I get it,” Jimin smiles. Jungkook is adorable. He didn’t have to explain, but he did. “Goodnight, Jungkook. Sleep well.”
“You too, hyung.”
Silence.
“Aren’t you gonna hang up?” Jimin giggles and Jungkook chuckles awkwardly.
“Aren’t you gonna hang up?”
“Nope. You’re the one who has to leave so…”
“Right,” Jungkook’s gulp is so loud Jimin grins. “Goodnight, Jimin hyung… Have sweet dreams.”
Jimin dreams of Jungkook that night.
🧸
They set up another date the week after.
Jimin waits for Jungkook by his car this time. The diner looks crowded and lively from here, something Jimin wouldn’t have tolerated any other time, but Jungkook is worth it.
It has only been a week, but Jimin has missed him a lot. He’s missed him so much he’s slept more than usual, and as a vampire, he doesn’t get sleepy or tired unless he hasn’t had blood for a while, but sleeping makes time move faster.
“You won this time.”
Jimin can’t hide his smile when he turns to meet Jungkook. He’d already smelled him, but he still acts surprised.
“I didn’t know it was a competition,” Jimin raises his eyebrow.
Jungkook crosses his arms and tries to hide his smile by biting his lip, but it just makes him look cuter. Tonight, he’s wearing blue jeans and a tricolor rugby sweatshirt that looks way too adorable on him.
Jimin also went for the cute route tonight: dark blue jeans and a brown turtleneck sweater with a black and yellow plaid shirt tucked into his jeans.
Jungkook is cuter though. So he tells him.
“You look adorable.”
And as expected, Jungkook flushes bright red. He still pretends he isn’t affected though.
“Shall we go inside?”
Jungkook opens the door for Jimin, but apparently, he’s out for the kill tonight because he guides him inside by placing a delicate hand over the small of his back.
His hand was just there for a split second, but it’s enough to have Jimin’s knees almost give out. He decides to look around as Jungkook talks with the waitress, doing his best to distract himself.
The diner is pretty. It’s decorated with neon lights, red leather booths, and checkered floors. The music seems nice so far and the food Jimin will have to eat smells good enough.
It’s not enough to distract him though. Jimin is still thinking about Jungkook’s big hand on his small back once they sit in the booth to order drinks.
“So, how was your day?”
Jimin comes back to himself and finds Jungkook sitting in front of him, elbows on the table and using his clasped hands to rest his chin on them. Jimin swears he almost loses himself in his eyes for a second.
“Hm, I’m sure yours was more interesting,” Jimin smiles nervously, hand scratching at the hair in his neck. He hasn’t grown out his hair for a while and it’s hard to get used to it. He likes it though.
“Why?” Jungkook chuckles and Jimin almost melts on the booth. “Tell me about it.”
“Hm,” Jimin taps his fingers on the table, not knowing what to say. He literally spent the day sleeping. As in, he slept for almost twenty hours and then drank a ton of blood bags to avoid wanting to sink his teeth into Jungkook’s neck. “I slept all day,” he decides to be honest.
“Sounds very interesting to me. In fact, I’m jealous,” Jungkook winks at him and Jimin relaxes just like that.
“Oh, yeah? How did you spend your day then?”
“Well,” Jungkook releases a dramatic sigh. “Since Noori is new to school, she throws tantrums sometimes. Today was the second worst after her first day of course. And I felt so bad I almost started crying too,” he laughs. “But since I’m the adult I gotta be strong and all. Then I went to work and it was extremely busy today. When I went to pick up Noori, she was a ball of energy. Like, she was bouncing in the backseat and that’s how I knew she wasn’t gonna take her usual nap back home. Apparently, they gave her lots of cookies and—we played for hours. By played I mean she beat my ass with her taekwondo moves.”
“That’s insane,” Jimin laughs, but he’s in disbelief. He knew being a dad wasn’t an easy job but… Damn. “How do you even keep up? What’s the—I dunno, schedule?”
“Well, the auto repair shop is a family business, and since I’m the current owner my hours are more flexible. I work from Mondays to Fridays to match Noori’s schedule. But I visit the shop on the weekends too. On Thursdays, her aunt picks her up from school, and then she brings Noori home after dinner, but sometimes she sits her too. On the weekends, Noori has early swimming and taekwondo lessons. Noori spends a weekend of the month at my parents’ house and they take her to the lessons. I usually use that free time to spend more time at the shop or to deep clean the house—which I frequently do by the way!” Jungkook is quick to clarify and Jimin nods with a laugh. “But I miss her when she’s not home. The house feels empty without her.”
“Of course you miss her,” Jimin smiles softly. “And that sounds like a lot, but I’m sure Noori appreciates it.”
The waitress interrupts their conversation when she returns with their drinks. Then they order their food. Jungkook orders a strawberry milkshake, a burger, and fries. Jimin decides to order a burger, too, but he doesn’t want to push it with a milkshake. He’s so full he has only sipped his soda once.
“I forgot what I was saying,” Jimin says when they’re alone. “But you must be exhausted. We could’ve met up any other day, you know?”
Jungkook shakes his head. “I wanted to see you.”
Jimin can’t blush, but the comment still makes him cover his face with a groan. Jungkook’s melodic laughter makes the butterflies in Jimin’s belly go haywire.
“You know,” Jungkook slurps his drink loudly and Jimin takes his hands off his face. “I feel like you know everything about me, but so far I only know your name and your age.”
“False. You also know I’m from Busan.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes. “I also know you’re friends with The Rolling Stones’ manager.”
“Ah,” Jimin starts getting nervous. Lying to Jungkook is always the hardest part.
“Spill,” Jungkook grins, dark eyes shining with mischief. “I want to know everything about you.”
“Well,” Jimin clears his throat. “I recently graduated with a master's degree in Asian Studies,” by recently he means five years ago. And by graduating he means he sneaks into college classes because he loves to learn. “So I’ve been traveling. Trying to figure out what I wanna do.”
“That sounds awesome,” Jungkook grins. Jimin is glad he didn’t ask about his family or where he gets his money from. He knows it’s coming sooner or later though. “Tell me about your trips!”
And so Jimin does.
Jungkook listens attentively the whole time and they only switch topics once the food arrives. They eat and talk like they’ve known each other for years—technically, they have. Jungkook tells him funny stories, little details about himself, about his adolescence, and his cat. Then Jimin asks how he managed when Noori was born because he’s genuinely curious. Jungkook tells him how little he slept at first and that he used to cry when Noori would cry if he couldn’t fix it. He tells him about Noori puking over his favorite shirts and how much he used to struggle to put her diapers on. He also insists that he’s a hair expert now. He says he used to be really bad at it, but Noori loves her hair long so he learned how to do the coolest hairstyles on her.
“Wait, I’m gonna play a song,” Jungkook blurts out when he’s nearly done with his food.
Jimin just nods with a smile and watches Jungkook walk to the jukebox.
“Good taste,” Jimin grins once Jungkook walks back.
Ring Ring by ABBA would put anyone in a good mood.
“What can I say?” Jungkook shrugs with a playful smile, but then Jimin smells the nervousness in his scent. “Uh, do you want some?” he nods at the untouched milkshake.
That’s how Jimin notices the two straws.
Oh.
“I didn’t tell the waitress, maybe she just assumed? But, uh, you don’t have to, it’s just so big—”
Jimin doesn’t let him finish, he simply leans forward and starts sucking the milkshake from the straw. Jungkook flushes bright red but leans forward and drinks from the other straw, his pretty eyes shyly looking into Jimin’s.
And really, this is cheesy, and Jimin doesn’t even like milkshakes, but he loves Jungkook. He loves him and he’d do anything he asked.
The butterflies in Jimin’s stomach are very present at the moment, but in times like these, he wishes Mother hadn’t poisoned him, that he hadn’t died. Because he misses his hands getting clammy with sweat. He misses feeling the warmth of his blood rushing to his cheeks. He misses the adrenaline of his breathing and his heartbeat growing faster.
Jimin hopes Jungkook can read his eyes.
“You have freckles,” Jungkook points out once they have enough of the milkshake. “They’re pretty.”
“Thank you,” Jimin is flustered and he’s glad Jungkook seems to read the nervousness on his face.
“You are pretty.”
Jimin is going to die all over again. That’s what Jungkook does to him.
“You’re prettier,” Jimin flirts back and Jungkook throws his head back in a laugh.
They spend the rest of their time at the restaurant drinking the milkshake and talking some more. Only this time, Jungkook forces Jimin to talk about himself. He asks about his favorite color, his favorite number, about his most embarrassing moment, about what superpower he’d like to have, about his favorite book, and more. Tiny details that seem insignificant to Jimin but that Jungkook seems to treasure.
At the end of the night, none of them want to leave.
“I had fun,” Jimin whispers, looking up at Jungkook.
They’re by Jimin’s car again. Jimin is resting his back against the door and Jungkook is standing right in front of him, but he’s resting his hand on top of the car and effectively caging him in. They’re so close it takes Jimin every bit of his willpower not to grab Jungkook’s collar and kiss him silly.
“I had fun too,” Jungkook whispers, looking down at Jimin with a small smile. “I wish the night didn’t have to end.”
It doesn’t have to, Jimin almost says, but then he remembers Jungkook has to come home to his daughter. Her aunt is sitting her too.
“Me neither. But it’s okay. We’ll see each other again,” Jimin sighs, doing his best not to look sad.
“But I’ll miss you,” Jungkook blurts out, looking embarrassed. “And it’s so dumb ‘cause we’ve only met, like, three times, but… I missed you the last time and I’ll miss you now.”
It’s not dumb at all, Jimin wants to say. We are meant to be together.
“I miss you right now,” Jimin whispers instead, feeling tears prickling at his eyes. Because it’s true. He always misses Jungkook. He always will.
“We’re moving so fast,” Jungkook chuckles nervously and looks away, but Jimin is quick to grab his face with gentle fingers. He looks at Jimin with widened eyes.
“Who cares?” Jimin smiles, rubbing Jungkook’s cheekbone delicately. He wishes he could tell Jungkook that this isn’t fast at all. Because even though Jungkook is just a human now, the wolf in him still imprinted on Jimin centuries ago. And even though they didn’t have time to give each other mating bites, Jimin still sees Jungkook as his mate. He always will. “‘Cause I don’t.”
“Then I guess I don’t either,” Jungkook chuckles and pulls Jimin’s hands away from his face, only to interlace their fingers and swing their joined hands.
Jimin loves him so much.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Jimin tells him because he knows he should.
Jungkook looks confused for a moment, but then he understands. “Thank you for being safe.”
Jimin almost breaks down crying right there and there. Because he’s not safe. Not at all.
He’s a monster.
But Jungkook doesn’t have to know that. Not this time.
“Call me when you get home?” Jimin clears his throat and slips his hands away from Jungkook’s to try to pull himself together.
Jungkook doesn’t look phased, he just smiles. “Okay. Goodnight, hyung.”
“Goodnight, pup.”
“Pup?”
“You have puppy eyes. Cute,” Jimin is quick to reply.
Jungkook smiles. “I like it.”
Of course he does. Jimin has been calling him that for centuries.
“Good,” Jimin gulps nervously.
His nerves get even worse once Jungkook leans down.
They’re so close Jimin can smell Jungkook’s cologne perfectly.
And most importantly, his intoxicating scent. His blood.
“Bye, hyung,” Jungkook whispers in his ear.
And then he kisses his cheek.
Jimin holds onto Jungkook’s shoulders unconsciously, but he still melts onto the car. His toes curl in his shoes and his cheek feels warm. Alive.
He almost grabs Jungkook and kisses him, but then he remembers that kiss would be the beginning of the end.
Because Jungkook’s kisses warm him up for a reason. His kisses are a reminder they will always be destined to crash and burn.
Jungkook pulls away and smiles at him before he leaves.
Jimin is cold again.