Work Text:
Verisimilar — Having the appearance of truth
“Are you gonna get that,” Yoongi absently wonders from his spot on the floor next to Jeongguk, his attention drawn to the phone that’s lit up between them, vibrating with enough force to do a full rotation on the knicked hardwood.
It distracts him long enough that Jeongguk is able to get a few dirty punches in on the round of Tekken they’re currently playing, grinning as he watches Yoongi's health bar steadily decrease, and gives a sharp, decisive shake of his head.
“Nah. Not important.”
“You sure? It’s been ringing non-stop.”
“Telemarketers. Am I right?”
He executes a debilitating combo on Yoongi’s character, but only because he’s too busy reaching for the disruptive phone—maybe to put it on silent or to shut it off entirely—his motions halted, brow creasing when he finally gets a better look at the caller ID.
“Says it’s your mom. Wanna answer it?”
“Nope,” he responds, popping the ‘P,’ tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth, and button-mashes until Yoongi goes down hard, a giant K.O. taking up the majority of the screen, experiencing not an ounce of guilt for the sneaky win.
If he's going to pick Michelle and do nothing but ankle kick the entire match, it's what he deserves anyway.
“What if it’s an emergency?”
“It’s not,” Jeongguk confidently reassures, setting aside his controller with a languid stretch before delving into a short but involved explanation.
“I talked her into letting me get my first snake when I was ten, right? And if you knew her, you'd understand how monumental that was. I loved him. I mean, seriously. He was my best friend. Went everywhere with me. Anyways, when I started college I couldn’t take him, which was absolutely devastating. My mother said she'd look after him, or pay someone to do it for her, probably. She left me an email when he died. A fucking email, hyung! Not even a text.”
“Cold blooded. What was his name?”
“Sir Hiss.”
“Of course it was.”
“She only calls me incessantly like this when she’s trying to set me up.”
“To take a fall?” Yoongi wonders, reclaiming his controller just in time for a new match to start, ignoring Jeongguk's pointedly judgemental look.
“On a date, hyung, what the hell?”
The older man shrugs, and Jeongguk is reminded that he’s never actually met his family.
It’s for his own good, really.
“You don’t wanna go? On the date, I mean. Weren’t you just complaining about being single and lonely?”
“I wasn’t complaining, I was simply stating a fact. I’m single. Being single can be lonely. That’s it. A fact.”
“So you’re single and lonely and your mom is trying to set you up with someone. Why not go?”
Jeongguk shivers.
“Do you know how many dates I’ve gone on that my mother has orchestrated? Do you know how many of them went well?”
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse. I once went out with a girl my mother swore by, only to be threatened by her recent boyfriend-turned-ex midconversation—which was like pulling teeth trying to keep up, by the way—who just so happened to be there because she purposefully texted him the location of the restaurant we were at, along with my picture in an effort to make him jealous.”
“Wow.”
“That wasn’t even in the top three of horrible experiences I've been put through during one my mother's blind dates.”
Yoongi whistles beneath his breath, the sound drowned out by the vibrating of his phone going off once more.
Jeongguk ignores it.
But then it starts up again.
And again.
The game is paused so they can both look at it this time, Jeongguk sighing before finally reaching for the device and gaining his feet, tone already defeated when he mumbles, "I’ll be back.”
“Hold your ground Jeongguk-ah. Be firm,” the older man calls after him with a teasing lilt, but the truth is he needs the reminder, finding it notoriously difficult to say no to his mother.
After softly closing the door to his room for some privacy, he indulges in a few deep breaths of the humid air, mentally preparing himself, then answers the call.
“Hi mom.”
“There you are! I’ve been trying to reach you for a while now.”
“Everything alright? Did something happen?”
“It’s more than alright, sweetheart. Do you remember Lee Soheechul? Aecha’s son?”
Here we go.
“Vaguely.”
He’s pretty sure the last time they spoke at one of his mom’s many social gatherings, Soheechul had the annoying tendency of asking Jeongguk questions only to immediately talk over him before he could get a word in.
“Well, Aecha and I had brunch today, and she told me that he’s gay.”
“Oh? Good for him.”
“And single.”
“Ahhh, that’s a shame. I’m sure he’ll find someone eventually.”
There's a long pause over the line, and Jeongguk can vividly imagine the way her lips have probably turned into a thin line, owlish eyes blinking once or twice before she recovers.
“Well that’s just it, sweetheart. I told Aecha all about you, and we agreed that the two of you would get on really well. What do you think?”
“Unlikely.”
“What was that dear? You mumbled just there.”
Hold your ground, Jeongguk. Be firm. You can do this.
“I appreciate the thought, mom, but I’m not really interested.”
Another pause.
“Well why not?” She asks, sounding offended on Soheechul's behalf.
He’s obtuse, uninteresting, and I’m not attracted to him.
“I don’t have time. Work is picking up and with all the projects I’m involved in, I—”
“You have to eat, don’t you?”
Fuck.
“...Yes?”
“Well then perfect, so does he. The two of you can eat together.”
Jeongguk collapses face first onto his bed, a frustrated groan spilling freely from his lips to be muffled into his duvet, his mother’s voice small but resonating all around him after pulling the phone away from his ear.
“Jeongguk? Are you there? I think we have a bad connection. Jeongguk-ah—”
“I’m here,” he slurs, unenthusiasm clear in his tone after lifting his head again and bringing the phone back. “I’ll…I’ll do it.”
It sounds very much like he's agreeing to be sacrificed.
“I thought you’d say that. I already passed along your number—”
“Of course you did.”
“—so expect Soheechul to get in touch with you soon.”
He couldn’t sound more apathetic when grumbling, “Looking forward to it.”
But of course his mother doesn't notice.
“I have a good feeling about this one, sweetheart. You’re going to like him, I just know it.”
ㅡ§ㅡ
Jeongguk does not, in fact, like Soheechul. Not at all.
He’s pretentious without being witty or clever. Talkative with nothing interesting to say, and the worst part is that he hasn't changed. He still barrels through conversations like a bull seeing red, seemingly forgetting that he's just asked a question that he'll never receive an answer to because he's too busy talking about himself.
It makes Jeongguk feel insignificant.
"What is it that you do again?" Soheechul wonders, having already asked once before, only to immediately switch topics.
Jeongguk has just enough time to open his mouth when—
"Well, as you know I'm a facilitator for the Doosan Group, so you can imagine that my free time is very limited. Coming here today I—"
Strike one.
"I'm a herpetologist."
"—hope that you…I'm sorry, what?"
Jeongguk blinks, keeping his expression calm and his tone perfectly level when he elaborates.
"You asked me what it is that I do. I'm a herpetologist."
Soheechul is clearly thrown, and Jeongguk is sure he's never been this quiet for this long in all the time they've known each other, seconds passing before finally saying; somewhat off-footed, "Oh."
"Do you like snakes, Soheechul-ssi?"
The man looks appalled, nervously wiping at his hands with the ivory cloth napkin that once wrapped up his silverware as if he feels dirt on the surface of his skin from the mere question.
"No. Can't say that I do."
That's strike two.
Jeongguk beams, elbows on the table; even though he can hear his mother's voice chastise him for it as clear as day, ignoring the imagined reprimand while resting his chin atop his interlaced fingers and poses another question.
"Any reptile, for that matter?"
"I don't particularly concern myself with…reptiles, Jeongguk-ssi."
Strike three.
The derision is obvious in everything from his tone to the dismissiveness of his answer, and Jeongguk's smile tightens but never wavers, staring at him a moment longer than necessary until it feels as if he'll jump out of his skin, and grits out, "Excuse me while I go to the restroom.”
The man nods, easily accepting the request, wincing when Jeongguk's chair screeches across the floor after he pushes it back too fast and moves away in a bit of a disappointed daze. He bends close to the sink once he reaches the men's room, uncaring that water is splashing onto his nice maroon button down, absorbing into the fabric as he looks up, freezing when he comes face to face with his reflection in the mirror.
He wore fancy clothes for this, and even managed to wrangle the upper half of his long hair into a tie at the back of his head to keep the strands out of his eyes.
A lot of effort for someone he can't imagine a future with. Someone he has no interest in.
What the fuck is he even doing here, anyway?
He can't really say.
So Jeongguk leaves. He pays the bill for both of them; knowing it's the least he can do for walking out, and asks that the host let his abandoned date know of his departure within the next five minutes in order to give him enough time to get away, the guilt gnawing at him once he does. But as soon as he's back outside, it feels like he can finally breathe again, lids sliding closed while the cool breeze caresses his cheeks consolingly, and begins the short walk towards home.
"Didn't you just leave like twenty minutes ago?" Yoongi asks in lieu of a greeting from his reclined position on the couch after he lets himself in. "I didn't even get a chance to look in on your children yet."
"It's fine," Jeongguk assures, waving away both his confusion and concern as he heads straight for the fridge.
He could do with a drink.
"Didn't go well, huh?" The other asks, watching Jeongguk pour himself a highball in a chilled mug he had the foresight to prepare for this exact occasion.
"I don't want to talk about it," he huffs, taking a long drink and shivering once it fizzes over his tongue, immediately disregarding his own words and talking about it. "He wouldn't let me speak. Kept asking questions only to answer them himself."
Yoongi scoffs and shakes his head in commiseration, being supportive when he mutters, "Fucking annoying."
"And he doesn't like reptiles."
"Definitely incompatible then."
"I should say so! You'd think the least my mother could do is vet these people to make sure they can handle my professional and personal interests."
“Why is she so hell bent on setting you up, anyway?
“To be able to gloat that she alone is responsible for whatever happiness I find in whoever she chooses for me.”
Yoongi whistles beneath his breath with a small shake of his head.
“Damn. If that’s true it's fucking heartbreaking.”
Jeongguk shrugs and nearly downs the rest of the drink in one go, trying to muster up a smile for the other man.
“Sorry for calling you down here for nothing—”
But Yoongi is already waving away his concern.
“Don’t even worry about it. At least it’s over now, hmm? What excuse did you give?”
Jeongguk winces, and hides his face in his glass when he hears Yoongi snort.
“You didn’t?”
Lowering the mug, he's barely able to meet the other’s eyes as he admits to what he did.
“I kind of just…left.”
“Wow,” Yoongi breathes, though it’s said with a grin so Jeongguk knows he isn’t too disappointed in him.
“I did ask the host to tell him though,” he mumbles, blanching with how insensitive he sounds and owns up to it, “Okay, it was a dick move.”
Yoongi’s lips purse as if he’s reluctant to agree.
“He sounds kinda shitty, and you weren’t interested in the date to begin with. Why didn’t you just explain that to your mom?”
Jeongguk gives a short, barking laugh that holds no amusement.
“Trust me, I tried. She doesn’t hear anything she doesn’t want to.”
The response appears to make Yoongi contemplative as he traces over his lips with his middle and forefinger, giving a shrug to his own thoughts before speaking them aloud.
"Why don't you just tell her that you're seeing someone?"
Jeongguk blinks.
"Because I'm not."
"Yeah, but she doesn't have to know that. It might get her off your back for a while if she thought you weren’t single."
That makes him outright laugh this time, feeling only slightly guilty when Yoongi raises a brow.
"Sorry hyung," he says as he reigns in his lingering amusement, "but you don't know my mother. She would drive all the way up here unannounced just to meet and not-so-quietly judge whoever I was seeing. She'd never let it go until I introduced them."
Yoongi flashes his teeth in an exaggerated grimace, a clicking sound emanating from his tongue as he gains his feet, patting his pant's pockets to ensure he has everything while looking around, eyes no longer wandering once he locates his jacket.
“You don’t have to rush out. I could make you a drink,” Jeongguk offers, but the older man shakes his head.
“I would, but I’ve got an early day tomorrow at the lab. We have a handler who’s letting us look at three Uroplatus Phantasticus.”
“Oh? Bring me in so I can take a look.”
“Will do,” Yoongi waves, sliding on his jacket as they move towards the entryway.
“See you tomorrow Jeongguk-ah. Take it easy.”
“You too, hyung. Get home safe.”
The older man hums in acknowledgement before slipping out the door with a soft click.
Breathing a sigh, Jeongguk finishes his drink and drags his feet towards his bedroom, the humidity hitting him square in the face as soon as he enters. Undoing the top three buttons on his dress shirt, he makes his way to the wall of bioactive enclosures, checking the temperature and humidity for each before making a few adjustments.
“Hello my love,” he grins once he sees the pink ball python with patches of lavender-tinted scales visibly perking up when she spots him. Slowly, she comes out of hiding, nearing the opening as if waiting to be taken out, and Jeongguk can't help but chuckle. “Give me a second to check on the others and then I’ll get you.”
Her tongue flicks, and Jeongguk softly laughs again as he moves down to another enclosure, sliding the acrylic door open while he sinks to his knees. The gargoyle gecko inside cocks her head at him, her brilliant emerald eyes tracking his hand when he reaches inside and presents it to her.
A gasp breaks past his lips when she attempts to jump onto his palm, but he manages to catch her and keep her from damaging herself, letting her small, clawed toes grip into his skin as he pulls her out and sets her on his chest.
“We’ve talked about this, haven’t we Olive? Remember how you hurt yourself last time doing that exact same thing?”
She licks her eye in response and attempts to scurry into the opening of his shirt. Jeongguk lets her, deciding she can't get into too much trouble if she’s trapped inside the tucked in material, and reaches for the lidded cup with hundreds of flightless fruit flies crawling around inside. He really should put them in the freezer for five minutes to keep them from crawling out and all over the place, but decides he can't be bothered, settling for banging the cup against the shelf several times to disorient them a bit before pouring a generous helping into Olive’s enclosure. Quickly, he caps it again, muttering a curse when a few of them manage to escape out onto the floor, ending their lives with a few claps to the hardwood and sets the cup back in its place.
Grabbing her small water bowl, Jeongguk regains his feet and travels back to the kitchen for a quick clean and refill and to wash his hands, trying not to laugh when he feels the gecko squirm against his abdomen. He makes it all the way to his room without incident until he stands before her home, spilling some of the water in the exact same spot he always does when he attempts to put the dish back.
Exposing his teeth, he sucks in air through them in a hiss, contemplating the small puddle before ultimately deciding to leave it be.
The wood is already warped anyway.
“Here we go, Olive,” he murmurs once he sets the bowl back down in its designated spot, and reaches into his shirt with a careful hand, holding her up to his face after he secures her in his grasp.
He blinks. She doesn’t.
Rubbing over her head with a gentle finger, Jeongguk's nose scrunches when she seems to lean into it, and carefully sets her down in the nesting bed of moss she’s made for herself, knowing she'll hunt the little pests once she becomes hungry enough.
“Enjoy love.”
Closing the door and moving further down, he looks in on the male Paraguana Peninsula Boa with a sigh and a disappointed shake of his head, eyes roving over the drooping saplings he planted less than two weeks ago.
“Archer, Archer, Archer,” he tsks. “What am I going to do with you, buddy? You keep destroying your plants.”
If the plants won’t hold, he’ll have to go back to potted ones, and his enclosure will cease to be bioactive. But if that’s what’s best for him, he’ll make the change.
Jeongguk opens it and searches for the boa until he locates the snake curled up beneath his hollowed out half-log, heated from the overhead light. He ate less than a week ago, so he’s fine, and his water is still clean and full from when he changed it out the previous night. Jeongguk leaves him be in order to check on the clutch of mourning geckos that are so small they're hard to see, and finally the axolotl below.
"Hi Plume."
He beams at the friendly smile that greets him, getting out a long slimy worm with his tongs and lowering it into the tank. Plume only takes an interest when it's close to him, devouring the food in an instant before going back to his original position at the bottom of his tank near his hidey hole. Jeongguk removes the instrument and regains his feet, going for a quick shower to wash the product out of his hair and the cologne from his skin.
Such a waste.
It's only once he's clean that he finally goes back to the first enclosure, seeing that the pretty pink python is still resting near the front panel.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," he mumbles as he carefully slides the door open, reaching inside. "Did you miss me, Lily?"
The end of her tail slowly wraps around his wrist and Jeongguk takes that as a yes, supporting her weight with both hands when he pulls her out, and holds still until she's fully coiled around his arm. Moving towards his bed, Jeongguk finds himself grinning as she slithers further up, her head already buried beneath his soft, threadbare sleep shirt, searching for more warmth.
He can feel her tongue flick every so often, her body inching towards the back of his neck where she likes to hide behind the long curtain of his hair, soaking in his body heat. He lets her get comfortable as he sits in the center of the mattress, taking the time to answer emails in preparation for tomorrow's workday, a bit on edge. Any second now he's going to hear from his mother, he knows it. She'll learn that he ditched the date she set up for him, and will call and call and call, eager to chew his ear off.
But an hour passes and she never does.
Jeongguk sets his phone aside, eyeing it distrustfully, and carefully unwraps Lily from his body, holding her up as she attempts to recoil herself around his arm.
"He said he didn't like reptiles. Can you believe it?" He huffs like a juicy bit of gossip, smiling when Lily flicks her tongue once more. "How could anyone not like you, love?"
Her tail curls around his wrist again, and Jeongguk coos like he's entertaining a baby.
"I'll never understand what my mother was thinking with this one. Or any of the others," he concedes, as all her potential prospects have been absolute nightmares.
It's late, and Jeongguk reluctantly puts Lily back in her enclosure, returning to bed with a deep sigh as he settles into the thin sheets. Even though the temperature is beginning to drop in Seoul with the approach of winter, this is all he can stand, the heat and humidity in his room preventing him from getting cold.
As he sinks into the soft pillow-top of his mattress, he makes yet another promise to himself that next time his mother tries to set him up on another date, he'll say no.
Next time.
Definitely.
ㅡ§ㅡ
The following day is quiet, with no incessant calls like he was sure there would be.
Which is troubling.
Then five days pass, and nothing.
Which is even more troubling.
Friday, his brother’s contact name flashes up on the screen of his phone, and Jeongguk flinches, teeth sinking into his bottom lip. This has to be it, right? His mom has gotten her eldest son to scold him.
Only when he answers, he’s caught off guard by what he hears.
“What?”
Jeonghyun patiently repeats himself.
“Can you pick Minho up from his tutoring session at five? I’m running late and Haeun has a catering thing—”
“Yeah, of course,” he’s quick to answer, easily identifying how frazzled and out of breath his brother sounds.
“Oh, thank you. Do you remember the address?”
“I remember,” Jeongguk assures, as this isn’t the first time he’s had to pick up his nephew in the event of unforeseen complications. “You want to come get him at mine when you’re free?”
“Sounds good. Shouldn’t be too long.”
“No worries. Take your time.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Jeonghyun murmurs gratefully before disconnecting.
Pocketing his phone, Jeongguk grabs his coat and keys and heads out the door, driving down to a pretty neighborhood in Apgujeong that is near to the shops and plazas, but isolated enough to feel separated and quiet. The building he parks across from is a shade of ivory with darker accents and about ten stories tall. Minho's tutor lives on the seventh floor, and as Jeongguk enters the elevator, he texts his nephew to let him know that he's on his way up.
There's only two units per floor, and the one he approaches holds a placard with the number thirteen emblazoned over the top, the door the color of charcoal with a handle of silver. Jeongguk is about to ring the bell when it's slowly pulled open, his pointer finger still held aloft as his gaze sweeps from head to toe and back again over the lithe body that stands in the entryway.
After every instance of being in Park Jimin’s presence—which admittedly could be counted on one hand—Jeongguk tells himself that the effect the other has on him will wear off next time. Today is not that day. It’s almost as if he forgets each previous encounter, until he lays eyes on him again and is reminded anew just how physically attractive he is. Jimin’s long dark hair frames his siren eyes, flirting over round cheeks to the corner of pouty lips in a shade of vibrant pink, stealing Jeongguk’s breath in a near silent gasp, though it's the freckles that are sprinkled across the bridge of his nose that nearly has him acting like a fool everytime.
There’s something almost too beautiful about him, like a painted veneer, and Jeongguk has always compared it to those expensive displays in the storefront windows below, meant to be admired. Enticing, even, but never feasibly attainable.
"Are you alright?" Jimin asks, polite concern laced in his tone, and he physically has to shake himself, wondering if maybe he missed a greeting, or perhaps stared longer than he thought.
"Fine," he's quick to reassure, breathing a sigh of relief when Minho provides a welcome distraction as he suddenly appears behind Jimin, beginning to shuffle out the door while attempting to zip up his bag, body tensing before immediately rushing back in with a call of, "Forgot my notes."
Jimin shakes his head, but his smile is fond as he looks after him for a second, turning back to Jeongguk with that same expression, and he feels something inside of him soften and go warm. Something that yearns to start a conversation. To maybe try and get to know Jimin a little better, even if it won't go anywhere.
There's still that urge.
"He didn't give you too much trouble, did he?" He wonders with an unserious tone and a smile on his lips.
"Never," Jimin answers, brown eyes shining in the light and filled with clear affection before it falls away behind concern. "I thought Jeonghyun was supposed to pick him up though, is everything alright?"
"Of course. Just work stuff."
Jimin nods, leaning against the frame and giving Jeongguk his full attention when Minho doesn't immediately return. There's something about the stance of his body coupled with the curl of his mouth that has his heart rabbiting in his chest, while heat pools beneath the surface of his skin. They've never been alone together this long. Hell, they've never been in each other's company for this long, their meetings usually perfunctory. It messes with his nerves, which become increasingly frazzled with each second that passes in silence, desperately searching his thoughts for something to use in order to fill it, horrified as everything slips through his fingers like sand.
“Winter break is coming up,” he settles on, and immediately wants to kick himself. “Any plans?”
The inquiry has Jimin looking far more contemplative than the question probably warrants, and immediately Jeongguk realizes—unbeknownst to him—that he’s just asked something complicated.
After another few seconds of silence, Jimin finally shrugs, the crease in his brow slowly softening.
“Haven’t decided yet,” he replies, and Jeongguk nods, a newfound wariness keeping him from asking anything else in case he upsets him further.
Jimin seems to sense as much, a hesitance to his words when he turns it back on him.
“What about you? Any plans?”
“M’going down to Busan. My mom hosts this whole involved…thing. It’s a pretty big deal to her.”
That seems to pique his curiosity, and Jimin appears far more interested when he asks, “Is it fun?”
Fun isn’t how Jeongguk would usually describe it, but it’s not a bad time, either. It’s just…
“It’s busy. Chaotic, I mean,” he answers truthfully. “But a lot of people have a good time.”
That thoughtful look reappears over Jimin’s features, and Jeongguk’s lips fall open, eager to keep the conversation going when Minho returns, shouldering his over-packed bag with a grin.
“Got ‘em.”
“Here, Let me take that,” Jeongguk immediately offers, beaming at the grateful smile his nephew directs his way when he's relieved him of the burden, the two turning back to Jimin as they say their farewells.
“See you after the break, hyung. Thanks for all your help.”
“Of course, Minho-ah. Good job today,” Jimin praises, his features gentling again.
Jeongguk's farewell is far more awkward, their eyes meeting as a few notable seconds of silence pass, to which he just holds his hand up in a sad little wave.
“Enjoy your break, Jimin-ssi.”
“You as well, Jeongguk-ssi.”
And with that they turn away, hearing the door click shut behind them when they’re halfway to the elevator, Jeongguk’s free arm pulling his nephew in close, and asks the same question he always does whenever he picks him up.
“What do you need a tutor for, huh? You’re the smartest twelve year old I know.”
“I think I’m the only twelve year old you know.”
“Touche.”
“Numbers are hard,” Minho mumbles, trying to shrug under the weight of Jeongguk’s arm, and he can’t help but nod in agreement as he summons the elevator.
“Numbers are hard.”
“Jimin hyung helps make math bearable.”
“Anyone who can make math bearable is some kind of superhero. That’s why I work with reptiles.”
The boy lights up as the doors slide open, pressing the button for the ground floor.
“Can I help you feed the snakes when we get to your house?”
“As long as you don’t tell your mother, deal? You know how squeamish she gets about that.”
“Deal,” he eagerly agrees, wearing the most elated expression all the way back to Jeongguk’s place.
By the time Jeonghyun arrives, everyone’s been fed, and Minho is doing his homework at the island counter.
“Sorry it took so long,” he says in lieu of a greeting, immediately moving to give his son a hug, and Jeongguk waves away his concern.
“No worries. We just finished dinner not too long ago.”
“I owe you,” he murmurs in gratitude, turning back to Minho.
“Did you have a good day?”
“I got to feed the snakes,” he answers with a grin that reaches his eyes, Jeonghyun grimacing at the admittance.
“Don’t tell your mother. Why don’t you say goodbye to your uncle, get your things and go put your shoes on. I’ll meet you in the entryway.”
Jeongguk's goodbye to Minho consists of a secret handshake, and ends only after he ruffles his hair with a fond grin, the two of them remaining quiet until Minho has left the room.
“Everything alright?” Jeongguk asks when he can no longer handle the anticipation, a sense of relief filling him once his brother nods.
“Things are picking up with Haeun’s business, and until she can hire on extra help she’s dealing with the brunt of the additional work.”
“That’s still good though, right, that things are expanding?”
“Really good,” Jeonghyun confirms. “And my promotion is going through at work, but it means my hours are changing. Longer days.”
“That’s also good,” Jeongguk beams, trying to stay positive even if his brother doesn’t look the most enthusiastic.
“It is,” he tries to confirm, though there’s a tinge of something bittersweet in his tone, “but it also means more time is taken away from Minho. He’s still so young, it isn’t fair to him.”
It isn’t, and Jeongguk knows he can’t replace the time they might lose together, but still…
“Listen hyung, if you ever need anyone to pick him up and watch him like today, I’ll do it. You know my schedule is set already.”
A look of what can only be described as immense gratitude crosses Jeonghyun’s features, the tension in his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly, even though there's a reluctance there.
“That’s a lot to ask of you, Jeongguk-ah.”
“I’d be happy to do it. You know I would.”
He seems to consider it, and Jeongguk can tell he wants to say yes.
“It would be just until Haeun can hire the extra help.”
“However long it takes is fine,” he reassures, grinning when the rest of the tension seems to evaporate from his form, and Jeongguk is happy to give him one less thing to worry about.
“I’ll text you his schedule. School will always be the same pickup time, but he has tutoring three times a week for an hour.”
Jeongguk nods, concerned about the way his stomach clenches at the thought of seeing Jimin more consistently than he ever has in the past, until he suddenly remembers something else.
“Hey, have you uh, have you talked to mom recently?”
Jeonghyun thinks about it.
“Couple of days ago, I think.”
“Did she…did she say anything? About me?”
“Not that I recall. Why?”
Jeongguk shrugs.
“No reason. Just haven’t heard from her in a bit.”
“Sure she’s busy planning for her party. You know how she gets.”
“Yeah. Yeah, that must be it,” he mumbles, even though he's positive that's not it at all.
His mother has to know he ditched her friend’s son by now. Otherwise she would’ve already demanded that he tell her in excruciating detail about the events of their date and when they have plans for a second. She definitely knows, and now she’s punishing him with a cold shoulder.
Which may or may not be a good thing.
By the time Jeonghyun and Minho leave, Jeongguk hasn’t decided yet.
ㅡ§ㅡ
“You’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Why would I mind?” Yoongi asks over the phone. “I did it for you last year, didn’t I?”
“We’re a lot closer than we were last year. You can tell me to fuck off with no hard feelings, you know. Especially if you have plans.”
“My plans include seeing as few people as possible, so I can feed your children for you while you’re gone.”
“If you're sure. I’m going to take Lily and Olive with me this time. They get antsy when we go a few days without interacting.”
“Are you sure it’s not you that gets antsy?”
“It’s definitely not,” he says, about as convincing and subtle as a flashing neon sign. “They get separation anxiety or something. Lily starts shedding prematurely and Olive refuses to eat. It’ll be better if I take them.”
“Mhmm. You got some travel tubs ready, or…”
“Yeah, I’ve got some old ones that I'm putting together,” Jeongguk answers, eyeing the tubs in question on his bedroom floor. “Anyway, there’s a calendar on my fridge that details their feeding schedule and you know where everything is. You can stay over if you want, or just pop in, whatever works best for you.”
“You do have a better view of the city than me, but your room is hot as fuck.”
“My children are high maintenance. Besides, it’s winter.”
Yoongi gives an absent hum, and Jeongguk can picture the way he probably shrugs in his head.
“Thank you for doing this, hyung. Means a lot to me.”
“I know. And Jeongguk-ah?”
“Hmm?”
“Enjoy your break.”
He hangs up after that without waiting for a response, and Jeongguk can’t help but smile at how caring he is, even if he doesn’t always like showing it.
He gets to work on the tubs, which already have holes drilled into the sides, setting up the new enclosures with a draining layer, substrate, plants, heating tape, and plenty of places to hide. By the time he’s finished, there’s dirt all over the floor, and he’s just getting some fresh water for the mourning geckos when his phone rings and he spills it in the exact same spot he always does.
Jeongguk eyes the small puddle before looking back towards the ensuite where a towel is less than ten feet away. He shrugs and places what's left of the water back in the enclosure, sliding the door shut and diving onto his mattress as he answers the phone.
“Hey hyung.”
“Hey.”
Jeonghyun sounds a bit apprehensive, and Jeongguk immediately frowns.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Um, what time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Early. Probably around seven or eight. Why?”
“Us too. So uh, mom called me. She said something about you bringing Jimin up with you? For some reason she wanted me to remind you.”
Jeongguk blinks.
“What?”
Jeonghyun’s tone is uncomfortable.
“Yeah.”
“Jimin? As in your son’s tutor Jimin?”
“The very same. Is she mad at you or something? She said you would do it, and that you would know why in the tone she gets when she's stroppy. You know the one.”
Jeongguk groans, head hanging low until he buries it in his pillow, only sitting up again when Jeonghyun calls his name in confusion after he's been quiet for too long.
“I didn’t even know Jimin was going.”
“She invited him a long time ago, but I think his plans were tenuous until recently. Pretty sure it was a last minute decision.”
“And she wants me to bring him.”
“The words she used were you would.”
“Can't he ride with you?”
“He could, if Haeun wasn't bringing our entire kitchen with us.”
Jeongguk whines, burying his face again.
“Why can't he take the train?”
Jeonghyun sighs, and Jeongguk hates that he can hear the disappointment in that sound.
“Pretty sure mom already told him you'd pick him up—”
“Of course she did.”
“—and Jimin is a really nice guy. Easy going. It won't be as bad as you're imagining.”
It's a four hour drive in the car with someone he doesn't know. Jeongguk wanted to sing the whole way there. Now he has to stay quiet.
With a defeated hum he asks, “What time am I supposed to get him?”
“I'm meant to give you his number so the two of you can work out the details. Are you ready?”
With another sigh, Jeongguk mutters, “Give me a minute.”
He gets a pen and an old envelope that was lying around and jots down Jimin’s number, disconnecting from the call after bidding his brother a safe drive tomorrow and a distracted goodbye.
He eyes the scribbled digits, the only sound being the constant hum from the bioactive enclosures, lips pulled tight.
Jeongguk doesn't want to call him. He hates phone calls, and settles on shooting him a text instead, even though his dislike for them is only marginally less.
Hi! It’s Jeon Jeongguk. I was told I'll be driving you down to Busan tomorrow? What time should I pick you up?
Rather than do something else, he stares at the screen, waiting for a response that comes less than five minutes later.
Hi Jeongguk. Sorry it's such short notice. What time were you originally planning to leave?
His fingers tap over the keyboard quickly, checking over his spelling before sending the message.
Seven or eight. We'll probably get there by noon.
Jimin’s answer is immediate this time.
I'll be ready by seven.
Despite himself, Jeongguk grins.
See you then Jimin-ssi.
He gets a smiling emoji in response, and tosses his phone aside before going back to packing.
ㅡ§ㅡ
Whoever decided that people should wake up with the sun rather than the moon is on Jeongguk’s shit list.
His eyes feel swollen as he drags himself from his nice warm bed, tripping over the mess he made last night and nearly crashing down to the floor, only just managing to catch himself. After brushing his teeth and struggling to get into the comfortable, loose outfit he picked for the drive, Jeongguk cleans up his room for Yoongi’s sake, and approaches the shelf full of acrylic enclosures.
Making a note of temperature and humidity, he presses his face close to Plume’s tank and gives a bittersweet smile.
“I’ll miss you, you know?”
The axolotl stares unblinkingly at him from the “cave” Jeongguk made. The blank expression causing him to chuckle.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
He moves over to Archer’s enclosure and gives a weary sigh at the sight.
“When I come back we’re going to have to reevaluate your home, buddy.”
The snake is nowhere to be seen, but Jeongguk knows he’s hiding under the same log he always holes up in.
Bringing out the flightless fruit flies, he bangs the lidded-cup on the ground before dumping a decent amount in the mourning gecko enclosure, using his hands to kill any that escape before recapping the lid and washing them in the ensuite, immediately coming back to the shelf. Catching Olive is always a game of who has the quickest reflexes—she does—but he still manages to save her when she throws herself from the highest branch she likes to perch on at the first sight of his hand.
“You’re not Spiderman, you know?” he grumbles, gently petting over her head with the tip of an index finger as he leads her to the smaller of the two tubs. “We’re gonna go on a little trip, okay? Shouldn’t be too bad. It’s warmer in Busan.”
He’s already turned on the portable heat tape, and as soon as he sets her inside that’s immediately where she skitters off too, resting beneath the warm pieces of a broken clay pot. Securing the lid, Jeongguk moves to get Lily next.
“Good morning, my love. I know,” he coos as he pulls up her half-log to reveal her coiled form, “you’re not a morning person either.”
He’s careful as he lifts her up and out, tongue flicking, slitted pupils focused on him as he brings her close to get a better look, the fingers of one hand sliding along her smooth scales.
“What about you, Lily? Do you want to come back home with me?”
She looks about as thrilled as a snake can. Lily goes in the larger tub with the secure clasps on the lid. If those weren’t there, she’d be able to use the significant amount of strength that she has in order to force the top open. She’s done it before.
It was a whole mess.
Jeongguk loads up the equipment he’ll need for them first and organizes it in the back of his car. Then returns for his suitcase, and finally, he carefully transfers Olive and Lily to the floor of the backseat, speaking aloud a few consoling words as he opens his messaging app and presses Jimin’s name.
On my way.
The drive is too short, the roads not quite crowded yet, and before he’s even able to settle himself and acclimate to the idea of driving all the way to Busan with a virtual stranger in his passenger seat, he’s already riding the elevator up to the seventh floor of the man's building.
Jeongguk rings the bell for unit thirteen and shifts from one foot to the other as he waits for Jimin to answer the door, his mouth falling open when he does.
“You didn’t have to come all the way up here,” the tutor assures. “I would’ve met you outside.”
Blond.
Jimin is blond.
He also seems to be waiting for Jeongguk to say something, and instead he’s just standing there like a gawking idiot until he physically shakes his head as if to jumpstart his brain.
“I thought I’d help you with your hair—I mean you’re blond. Bags! Sorry. I wanted to help you with your bags. Your hair is blond.”
Jimin’s smile is worth his mortifying blunder.
“I’ve got it. And yes. My hair is blond.”
“Looks nice,” he nearly wheezes, cheeks heating up even more at how strangled he sounds.
Jimin glances down as if embarrassed, or maybe just unsure, mumbling a quiet, “Thank you.”
Jeongguk nods, shuffling as he waits in the hall while Jimin gathers his things and locks the door, conjuring a smile when their eyes meet again. The elevator ride back down feels long, and he only manages to take the other’s bag from him when they reach his trunk so that he can carefully stack it with the others.
“Climb in,” he encourages, and slips seamlessly into the driver’s side as Jimin does the same on the other, eyes averted, buckling his seatbelt with an awkwardness to him that has Jeongguk desperate to set him at ease. “Ready?”
“Ready,” he confirms, and with one last look over his shoulder at the tubs on the floor in the backseat, Jeongguk starts his car and begins to drive.
The music volume is turned down to a manageable level, the only sound keeping the quiet at bay, and Jeongguk longs to turn it up even more, but is worried that’ll be perceived as rude since they’ve hardly exchanged any words.
It prompts him to make another stilted attempt at conversation.
“Decided to go down to Busan for break?”
Jimin keeps his eyes on the front windshield, and when Jeongguk peeks over quickly there’s something almost melancholic about his expression, while at the same time remaining closed off when he gives a shrug.
“I didn’t really have any plans,” he admits. “And to be honest, when you were talking about it the other day, the idea was appealing. My parents are down in Busan as well. They’re really busy, but maybe I can visit them while I’m there.”
“I hope you get to,” Jeongguk offers with another friendly smile, and swears he sees Jimin’s lips curl up out of the corner of his eye.
“Thank you, Jeongguk-ssi.”
It’s quiet for another few minutes, and when it’s broken this time, it’s by Jimin.
“Did you grow up in Busan?”
“I did. Born and raised. I came to Seoul for college, and then got hired on here.”
“What is it that you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m a herpetologist.”
“Ahh, reptiles,” Jimin answers in understanding, and Jeongguk risks briefly turning away from the road in order to direct a surprised look his way.
“Most people have no idea what a herpetologist is.”
“I’m an ecologist,” Jimin reveals, adding to Jeongguk’s shock as he continues none the wiser, “specifically a terrestrial ecologist.”
“So…plants?”
Jimin gives a soft laugh.
“Plants are a big part of it, yes.”
“But I thought you were a math tutor.”
“Only a couple of times a week. It’s just something I’m good at that I like to do.”
“You like to do math?”
Jimin laughs again over the disbelief in his tone and gives another shrug, but there’s something about him that seems to have loosened, his expression less guarded, body relaxing into the seat, and Jeongguk can’t help but press.
“I’m curious. What does your work entail?”
“My field focuses on land-based ecosystems. Plants, animals, microbes and the effect they have on each other.”
He looks over and their eyes meet, Jimin giving him a smirk.
“That includes reptiles, too.”
Quickly, Jeongguk turns back to the road and hates how difficult it’s suddenly become to swallow.
“Do you like reptiles, Jimin-ssi?”
“I do, Jeongguk-ssi. Do you like plants?”
“I do,” he parrots back with a smile, turning onto the freeway. “I work with a lot of them when making my bioactive enclosures, but I’m sure my knowledge pales in comparison to yours.”
“Bioactive enclosures? Is that something you do for work, or pleasure?”
“Both. I care for two snakes as well as two species of geckos and an axolotl. I’ve tried creating bioactive homes for all of them.”
“Tried?”
“One of my snakes, a Paraguana Peninsula Boa is crushing his plants. I’ll have to figure something out with him. Make some changes.”
“You think it’s him and not the environmental conditions?”
“Could be both, I suppose. He’s most active when I’m asleep, and the next day is usually when I notice the damage. But I haven’t ruled anything out yet.”
Jimin hums, almost thoughtful, and it appears as if he’s on the verge of saying something, but remains quiet in the end, much to Jeongguk's disappointment. It gets louder inside the cab when he picks up speed, and that's when he finally decides to turn the music up a little.
“Feel free to find something you want to listen to, Jimin-ssi.”
The offer is met with more silence, until—
“When were you born?”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve met you several times whenever you come to pick up Minho, and now we’re driving down to Busan together. Maybe we could drop the formalities?”
“Oh. Right. Yeah, um, I was born in ninety-seven. You?”
“Ninety-five,” he answers, clearly pleased. “You can call me hyung if you want to, Jeongguk-ah.”
Despite himself, Jeongguk feels his mouth stretch into an amused smile, a weightlessness in his stomach from the new way of addressing him that speaks to familiarity.
“Alright, Jimin hyung.”
After that they stay quiet, and Jeongguk gives his complete focus to the road.
Halfway into their journey, he pulls into a gas station, putting his car in park and shutting the engine off as he turns towards Jimin.
“I’m gonna fill up the tank. Use the restroom. Did you want to get something to eat while we’re here? Stretch your legs?”
Jimin nods, a tinge of pink taking over his cheeks.
“Are you hungry? I can get you something as well.”
Jeongguk tries to shake his head in denial.
“You don’t have to do that—”
“It’s the least I can do. You’re driving me all the way down to Busan, I can get you some food. And I can chip in for gas too.”
“Jimin-ssi—”
“Hyung,” he’s quick to correct, and Jeongguk finds himself smiling again.
He’s been doing that a lot today.
“Jimin hyung, you really don’t need to help with gas.”
“Fine, food then. Either tell me what you like or be surprised.”
His stubbornness is oddly endearing, and because of it Jeongguk finally relents.
“Hoeori gamja, please. And a corn dog too, if it’s not too much.”
Jimin beams, the picture of pleased now that he’s gotten his way, and climbs out of the car in order to walk to the attached mart, Jeongguk quickly turning away when he realizes he’s staring at the pronounced sway of his hips.
Getting out of the car himself, he refills the tank with gas and rummages around in the back seat, unlatching the lid for Lily’s tub on one side in order to peek in and check on her. She appears to be sleeping soundly in the corner, mostly hidden beneath a hollow branch with just a bit of her side visible. Closing the lid back up, Jeongguk is more cautious when he checks on Olive, her wide emerald eyes spotting him immediately, head cocking, and he shuts the lid when it looks as if she’s getting ready to jump.
Once Jimin returns with the food, he thanks him profusely, trying to ignore the way the smaller man's coy smile has something clenching in his chest, and takes his first bite before they can even snag a free table to sit at, making quick work of the meal.
Once they’re both finished, they take a trip to the restroom and get back on the road with nothing but the sound of the music between them. It doesn’t feel as awkward as when they first embarked on this trip—which is something that he’s truly grateful for—and time passes quickly, the distance to Busan rapidly shrinking until they finally enter the city.
Jeongguk decreases his speed as he pulls off of the freeway, driving through town with its closely packed buildings, giving way to more rural homes once he goes beyond the city limits, the houses out here less crowded, and as they drive into a richer area, more opulent.
“This is your first time visiting my mother’s house?”
He already knows the answer, but asks anyway to segway into the next topic.
“It is,” Jimin answers, his eyes already wide as he stares at the large estates they pass.
“It’s um…it’s a lot to take in when you first see it. Fair warning.”
Turning onto a stone-paved drive, Jeongguk slows once he approaches the wrought-iron gate, both sides open as they always are during such occasions to allow entry to guests, and carries on down the mile long road, immaculately trimmed bushes, trees and hedges framing their path. When the house comes into view, Jimin audibly gasps, and Jeongguk feels his cheeks heat in embarrassment, even after all these years.
The structure is nothing short of excessive, square footage somewhere in the thousands, four wings, multiple floors and endless rooms. There’s a hedge maze on the property for fuck’s sakes, along with gardens, fountains, a pool, a pond, and even a tennis court.
It’s ridiculous.
“You’re messing with me,” Jimin decides, still staring out the window, and Jeongguk can’t help but mutter, “I wish I was.”
He pulls right up to the front entrance, putting the car in park and shutting off the engine. Neither one of them move, Jimin glued to the house in awe, Jeongguk, in resignation.
“Lets get your things, hm?”
He climbs out first, the other not too far behind as Jeongguk opens the trunk, helping Jimin with his bags before grabbing the two tubs from the backseat. The weather in Busan is a lot more mild, barely a chill in the air or a breeze, a far cry from what they left behind back in Seoul.
Climbing the stairs to the door, Jimin immediately moves to ring the bell for him since his hands are full, the two standing shoulder to shoulder as they wait.
Jeongguk recognizes the woman who opens the door as Kim Miyoung, the head of staff that helps manage his mother’s household.
“Good afternoon,” she greets, her eyes lingering on him. “Your room has already been prepared, Jeongguk-ssi. Do you need any help with your bags?”
“I think we’ve got it,” he responds, and at that she finally turns to Jimin, eyeing him up and down.
“Are you his guest?”
“My mother invited him,” Jeongguk answers, noting the way her shoulders straighten, clasping her hands behind her back.
“May I ask your name?”
“Park Jimin,” he answers, only sounding slightly nervous.
She nods in recognition, brow furrowing after her gaze searches over their shoulders.
“Did you come with anyone?”
Jimin appears just as uncertain, his eyes sliding over to Jeongguk.
“I came with him,” he murmurs with a tilt of his head, and Miyoung shakes her own.
“Any plus ones?”
It’s Jimin’s turn to adamantly shake his head in denial this time.
“I’m on my own.”
Miyoung nods, though she still appears as if something is bothering her.
“If you'll follow me, I can show you to your room.”
“I’ll take him,” Jeongguk interjects, and immediately wishes he could shove his foot into his mouth, but there’s a part of him that isn’t ready to end their time together, even if it was forced time.
“Your mother has him in the green room,” Miyoung informs, inclining her head as they come further into the house.
Jimin is understandably captivated by their surroundings, taking in the sparkling crystal from the overhead chandeliers that cast hundreds of rainbows onto the marble floor below, expensive furnishings everywhere you turn. Its novelty has worn off on Jeongguk long ago, but he grew up here, unable to appreciate it until instances like this, witnessing it for the first time through the eyes of another. He keeps his steps measured, allowing Jimin time to admire the grand staircase they travel up, the corridors filled with painted portraits, and the large open windows adorned by their golden thread curtains that cast light onto it all.
When they finally reach the green room, Jimin’s eyes are wide and glistening, lips parted in what appears to be a permanent state of dismay as he gently drops his packed bag to the hardwood below, the expensive oriental rug muffling the minor impact. The room he’s been given could more aptly be described as a small apartment, with a sitting room, the bedroom and an ensuite.
“Is the room okay?” he asks with an amused smile, and Jimin clearly knows he’s teasing if his narrowed eyes and snort are anything to go by.
Jeongguk readjusts his grip on the tubs, hoping he’s not jostling Lily or Olive too badly, and begins to make his exit.
“You have a couple of hours to settle in. Around five someone should come get you to escort you down to the ballroom where drinks will be served and people will mingle until we move onto dinner. Dress code is usually an amalgamation between business casual and formal. If you have a button down and some slacks, that’ll work.”
Jimin nods, pulling and twisting at his own fingers, keeping his gaze downcast, nervously sinking his teeth into his full bottom lip. Jeongguk is just about to ask about it when he looks back up at him with something hopeful in his gaze.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you maybe come get me when it’s time to go down?”
Jeongguk blinks, rendered mute by the request that feels somewhat out of place after Jimin’s reserved attitude, but it's certainly welcome, and he gives a quick answer before his silence is taken for a denial.
“Of course I can. I’ll be here at five,” he assures, and it’s worth it to see the visible relief in the other’s expression.
Jimin walks him to the door, opening it for him so that he can maneuver out of it, careful not to hit the tubs, and hears the soft click behind him as he walks to his own room. He drops off Lily and Olive first, then goes back downstairs and out the front door to gather the rest of his things, passing the keys to Miyoung so that the car can be hidden out of sight to leave the drive open.
His mother has her aesthetic, after all.
Going back up to his room, Jeongguk sees to the reptiles first, checking their water and tubs to make sure the drive and transfer hadn’t ruined their temporary homes, monitoring the heating tape and temperature before leaving them be, and unpacks some of his more formal outfits to hang up in his closet, where a sealed garment bag already waits.
He's got time to kill before he's due downstairs, a yawn stretching his jaw, lids gone heavy. Waking up early for the drive down has left him exhausted, so Jeongguk closes his curtains, sets his alarm, and then lays down on his four poster bed, barely hitting the pillow before he drifts off to sleep.
ㅡ§ㅡ
“Hi,” Jeongguk greets as soon as Jimin answers the door, taking in the eye-catching shade of red he wears for a top, the sleeves coming down to mid-length, brushing over his inner elbows while the hem has been tastefully tucked into his dark trousers.
Jeongguk himself wears all black, more of the buttons undone on his shirt then what he knows his mother will approve of.
“Hi,” Jimin responds, obviously nervous as he shuffles in the frame of his door, eyes somewhere near the substantial amount of skin that Jeongguk has on display, Adam's apple bobbing. “You look nice,” he’s quick to compliment, and Jeongguk looks down at what he can see of his outfit, long hair pulled up in a bun, and grins when he glances back at the other, still staring at his chest.
“Thank you. So do you.”
He really does, and Jeongguk can’t help but appreciate it, his newly blond hair going well with the color of his shirt.
“Thanks,” Jimin softly responds, a bit of pink tinging his cheeks as one hand comes up to sweep away a long strand behind his ear like he knew he was thinking of it, the reaction causing Jeongguk’s blood to heat, and he pushes the feeling away in the hopes to avoid an awkward situation.
“Ready to head down?”
“I think so. Is there anything I should bring with me?”
“Nah, you’re good. We’ll do drinks, eat, and then probably more drinks or dessert or something. Then my mom will make a big speech and greet everyone before the night is over.”
Jimin nods, conjuring a small smile, and moves out into the corridor to shut the door behind him. Jeongguk leads him back downstairs, the sound of countless voices reaching their ears the closer they get to the ballroom. By the time they walk through one of the entrances; the double doors pulled open, the room is completely filled as far as the eye can see, and when Jeongguk chances a look over at Jimin to assess how he's taking it, the smaller man appears as if he’s about to have a minor panic attack.
“All of these people are staying here?”
“Most, but not all. Some of them are neighbors or friends that are invited to the events but are staying elsewhere.”
“Oh.”
Jeongguk feels the endeared smile that curls over his lips, and he moves until his shoulder gently bumps into Jimin’s, hoping that he can offer at least some reassurance that’ll set him at ease.
If anyone knows how overwhelming all of this can be, it's him.
“If it gets to be too much just tell me and I’ll take you back upstairs.”
Jimin looks up at him with wide brown eyes and a whole lot of gratitude pouring from them that nearly steals Jeongguk's breath away.
“Really?”
“Of course,” he murmurs, the two continuing to stare before a familiar voice breaks through the haze that’s somehow managed to encompass them.
“Jimin-ah! I’m glad you could make it.”
They both turn when Haeun approaches, and Jeongguk can practically feel the way the other man relaxes next to him at the familiar face.
“Me too,” he smiles, that same strand of blond hair falling over his eyes once more. “I’m just happy to be invited.”
“Come with me and we’ll get you a drink. Minho has been looking for you.”
Jimin spares Jeongguk one last glance before stepping towards Haeun, his brother’s wife turning to him with a bit of sympathy.
“And your mother is looking for you, Jeongguk-ah.”
“Lovely,” he grits, giving a small incline of his head when he notices that Jimin is still staring at him until they move away.
Rather than seek her out he goes to the bar and orders a highball, eyes sweeping over the crowd as he waits for its completion. When it’s placed on the counter before him, Jeongguk wastes no time in downing half of it, chewing on the tip of the black straw while attempting to blend in.
He knows he’s failed when he hears her before he sees her.
“There he is,” his mother says to his left, and when he turns to look, he can tell she’s alone, even though she speaks as if addressing someone who has been made privy to his most recent transgressions. “I’m surprised you came, or do you have plans to sneak out before dinner is served?”
The jab nearly makes him blanch, but Jeongguk crafts his expression to be unreadable, knowing that the first sign of guilt will only vindicate her. But his silence seems to make her more indignant, and she moves in closer until her side brushes against his own, likely not wanting to cause a scene.
“Do you know how embarrassed I was when I found out that you left Soheechul on your date without even bothering to give an explanation? I raised you better than that, Jeongguk. Aecha won’t even speak to me now. They didn’t even RSVP.”
“I’m really sorry, mom—”
“She was my best friend, Jeongguk.”
He would feel worse about it if she didn’t have a new best friend every other week.
“Her son is such a sweet young man too.”
“It would’ve never worked.”
“And why not? Did you even try?”
“Of course I tried. I went, didn’t I?”
“Well then what was so wrong with him that you couldn’t even let him know that you were leaving before the appetizers were served?”
“He wouldn’t let me speak—”
“Oh sweetheart, some people just get excited when they’re nervous and can’t help but ramble, you know that. And you’re usually so quiet, maybe he was just trying to make you comfortable.”
That definitely wasn’t the reason, but Jeongguk admires his mother’s determination in offering up a viable excuse.
“He doesn’t like reptiles.”
“Oh,” she huffs, waving her hand like it's an insignificant detail. “Most people don’t, that shouldn’t be something to hold against them.”
“Reptiles are literally my career. Not to mention a big part of my personal life.”
“I’m sure you could bring him around. Maybe if you gave him a call and were forthright with him, the two of you could—”
“Mom. No.”
She’s getting visibly upset, a flush to her fair cheeks that becomes all the more stark when compared to the contrast of her dark hair, and the string of pearls that adorn her neck.
“Well why not? Why can’t you give him another chance?”
He wracks his mind, knowing that if none of the excuses he’s offered so far are good enough for her, then nothing else he could throw out will be either.
Why don’t you tell her that you’re seeing someone?
Yoongi’s voice echoes in his thoughts like someone throwing out a lifeline, and he grasps onto it like a man drowning, the words tumbling from his mouth before he can consider the repercussions.
“Because I’m already in a relationship, mom.”
It goes quiet between them, only the sound of the cacophony from the other occupants in the room resounding, her keen eyes narrowed and piercing.
“No you aren’t.”
“Yes I am,” he argues, trying not to feel childish or panic as she continues to heavily scrutinize him. “I tried to tell you before but you didn’t want to listen.”
If possible, it feels as if she stares him down harder.
“Who?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Who are you seeing? What’s their name?”
Fuck.
Jeongguk’s eyes search the room to mirror the way his mind searches for a plausible answer, gaze landing on the bright vermillion color of Jimin’s shirt, long blond hair lit up almost as much as the smile on his plump lips.
“Park Jimin.”
The name slips from his mouth like an admittance as well as a statement, and Jeongguk’s eyes go wide before they fall closed in mortification. Why did he say that? Why, when he could’ve just made someone up? He doesn’t even know if Jimin is into men—
When he opens his eyes, they meet his mother, her own matching gaze turned skeptical.
“Park Jimin? As in Minho’s tutor?”
“The very same.”
His throat is closing up, palms clammy, and he’s sure there’s sweat forming along his hairline.
“You’re lying.”
Jeongguk gulps.
“No I’m not. We’re seeing each other.”
One of her perfectly shaped brows lifts up higher at that.
“Park Jimin already has a boyfriend.”
Oh, so he is into men.
Wait.
What?
“Yeah. Me,” he argues, pulling at his collar in obvious discomfort even though most of his buttons are undone, hoping that sheer determination alone will get her to believe him.
“No. Not you. I invited him here months ago, and Jeonghyun informed me then that he was seeing someone. That’s why I gave him a plus one invitation.”
Jeongguk frowns, his mind racing, recalling the way Miyoung asked him at the door if he brought a guest, and Jimin denying that he had.
“They broke up awhile ago,” he confidently explains, doubt creeping in when his mother pins him with another frown, but he doubles down. “Ask Miyoung-ssi, he came with me and no one else.”
She looks unimpressed.
“Jeonghyun told me you wanted to make him take the train rather than ride with you. Doesn't sound like something a boyfriend would do.”
God dammit Jeonghyun.
“Look,” he starts, frantically trying to gather his thoughts on the fly. “It’s a new relationship. He just got out of one, and I've been single for a good while. Both of us are still trying to figure things out and take it slow. We haven’t even told anyone, you’re the first. So please, just…don’t make it a thing. Can we just keep this between us? Don’t try to talk to him about it, or where we see our future going. We’re just…trying to take it one step at a time. I don't want to scare him away.”
She looks over, glancing between Jimin and him, and Jeongguk can tell that she’s still having trouble accepting it.
“So...he broke up with his boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“And he’s really seeing you?”
Is there something about that that's hard to believe?
“Yes,” he repeats, wondering why she suddenly appears concerned.
“I have to…I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere, I need to—check something.”
“You won’t talk to him, right mom?” Jeongguk calls after her, and he hates that he can hear the nervousness in his own voice, but she seems to be in a fog, nodding even as she continues to walk away.
“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll be back.”
It’s hard not to let his anxiety get the best of him, so Jeongguk signals the bartender and orders another highball as he tracks his mother’s progress across the room, making a beeline for Miyoung.
Maybe she wants to confirm his story that Jimin did, in fact, come alone, the two seeming to talk fast, their heads bent together until their temples almost touch, hands waving around wildly.
How could he be so stupid?
Of course Jimin isn’t single. Why would he be? Just look at him. No one that fucking beautiful remains avaliable. There’s no way.
He calls Yoongi, because he needs someone to blame.
“They’re fine,” the older man drones as soon as he picks up, and Jeongguk breathes down the receiver, his words so rushed that they come out a jumbled mess.
“ItookyouradviceandnowI’mscrewed.”
There’s nothing for several seconds.
“Do you wanna say that again with some pauses in between maybe?”
“I took your advice,” he articulates. “You know, about telling my mom I was in a relationship.”
“Oh. Good for you.”
“No, not good for me. I’m screwed.”
“Why?”
This part is going to be a little less easy to blame on Yoongi, since it was his dumb choice that got him into this mess.
“I, um…I told her I was dating Park Jimin.”
Yoongi makes a sound of confusion, before it transforms into one of epiphany.
“That guy you had to drive down to Busan?”
“Yeah, him. I told her we’re dating.”
“And she didn’t buy it?”
“She told me he has a boyfriend.”
The line is quiet again before, “You did find out if he was single beforehand, didn’t you?”
“...Not exactly.”
“Pffffttttttttttttt.”
Jeongguk pulls the phone away from his ear as Yoongi devolves into a full fledged laugh.
“And this is my fault, how?”
“I never would’ve lied if it wasn’t for you.”
“Okay, but if you’re going to lie, make it an airtight one, yeah? Didn’t anyone ever teach you that the last thing you want is someone who can ruin the validity of your story? Why didn’t you just make someone up?”
“I wasn’t thinking, okay, and he was right there. It just slipped out.”
“That’s unfortunate. Well…good luck.”
“Wait! What should I do?”
“I don’t know, Jeongguk-ah. Maybe try telling her the truth, and that she doesn’t need to constantly set you up with people you have no interest in.”
“But that’ll never work. I already tried and she didn't listen. That’s why I told her I was dating Jimin in the first place.”
“I really wish I could help, but I can hear Plume calling me so I should go check on him.”
“Just take the phone in the room with you—”
“I would, but he’s really upset, so I should probably go.”
“You’re no help, you—dammit,” he huffs, staring at the home screen of his phone once the call disconnects.
Jeongguk pockets it, eyes scanning over the mingling crowd when they land on Jimin and widen.
His mother is with him.
His mother is talking to him.
And Jimin is looking his way.
Oh fuck.
Abandoning what’s left of his highball, Jeongguk desperately weaves through the crowd, mumbling distracted, half-hearted apologies when he bumps into people, eyes remaining fixed on Jimin as he watches his approach. He’s too late. He has to be, especially with how fast his mother is speaking.
Jeongguk reaches them on unsteady feet, nearly barreling into his mom as he comes to a stop, a trembling hand rising to push back his hair until he remembers that it's in a bun, and awkwardly lowers it again, slightly breathless when he blurts, “Um, hi. Hey.”
“There you are,” Jimin greets with a beaming smile that’s a little too smug for comfort. “I was beginning to think you forgot about me.”
His tone speaks to a familiarity that they do not have, sidling closer to him with a glint in his eye that’s far too mischievous to be anything else than what it is.
He’s gloating.
He knows.
“Your mother was just talking to me about you. About us.”
“That’s interesting,” Jeongguk hums with a tight-lipped smile, unable to stop the words from spilling through gritted teeth. “because I thought I specifically asked you not to do that,” he directs at his mom, aware of how ridiculous it is to be upset with her for catching him in a lie, but she purses her lips and makes a tsk sound.
“I can’t not say hello to my son’s boyfriend, I’m not rude,” she huffs, resenting the implication. “I didn’t press. I just wanted to personally introduce myself. There’s also been a slight complication that I need to discuss with Jimin-ssi.”
Jeongguk freezes when he feels Jimin’s arm wrap around his own, their sides fully flush, and when he looks down, cherry-chocolate eyes already stare back up at him, lashes fluttering in a mockery of innocence.
He’s enjoying this.
“She was just telling me what a beautiful couple we make. Isn’t that sweet, baby?”
Jeongguk’s cheeks immediately heat over the endearment, a lump in his throat that has him sounding strangled when he replies, “The sweetest.”
A flash goes off in front of them, and Jeongguk blinks white spots from his vision, turning to discover his mother holding up her phone, blinding his eyes once more as she takes another picture of his dumbfounded expression.
“Aren't you two cute,” she compliments with an emotionally tinged voice, flipping through the two photos she took, finally putting her phone away only to look up and frown. “You're buttons have come undone, sweetheart,” she points out, only just noticing.
Stepping forward, she meticulously fits them in their respective clasps, Jeongguk able to feel the way Jimin's body vibrates against his own in silent laughter the entire time. When she finally steps back, Jeongguk watches the way her lips thin, though her attention is drawn elsewhere, and when he follows her line of sight he sees Miyoung standing near the doors this time, discreetly beckoning her.
His mom's smile is far more strained once she turns back to them, something nearly manic in her gaze when she says, “Excuse me a moment. I’ll be back.”
Jeongguk almost wants to beg her to stay, not ready to be alone with Jimin and his amused eyes, those small fingers tickling the skin of his arm when they readjust their hold, and he has just enough time to undo all his buttons again before that melodic voice rings out.
“So.”
Now would be a good time for the floor to open up and swallow him.
“I am so, so sorry,” he starts, turning until they're facing each other, able to look Jimin in the eye, and tries not to think about the way the warm skin of his palm sears past the material of his shirt and into the flesh below where the smaller man is still touching him, speaking quickly in an effort to explain before his mom returns. “This doesn't justify it at all, but my mother keeps setting me up on these dates that are truly awful, and she won’t take no for an answer. I thought that if I could convince her I was already in a relationship she’d be happy and let it go. I never should've dragged you into this, I was hoping it would be harmless. Even told her not to bother you or make a big deal out of it but I should've known she would do the exact opposite.”
Jimin takes a moment to let the rushed explanation sink in, then nods, lips still pursed when he says, “I can see where you’re coming from, but where you lose me is why you chose to give her my name, without even discussing it with me beforehand.”
He has a point, and Jeongguk doesn’t have a satisfactory reason.
“I know. I shouldn’t have. I wasn't thinking rationally. I saw you standing there and I panicked.”
Jimin nods again, expression attempting to be stern, though there’s a lighthearted air about him, clearly still amused—at least a little—with the situation.
“You really should just talk to her. Tell her the truth.”
That’s the last thing he wants to do, but realistically, what does Jeongguk expect? For Jimin to play the part of his boyfriend during their entire stay? That’s asking for way too much, and his shoulders lower in defeat over how much worse he's made things, and it's only the first day.
“You’re absolutely right. I apologize for dragging you into this, and I—”
“Put your arm around my waist.”
Jeongguk looks back up at him, clear confusion in both his tone and expression.
“What?”
But Jimin is looking somewhere over his shoulder, clear distress painted over his features when he repeats. “Put your arm around my waist. Now. Do it now, and grab my ass.”
Heat pools between Jeongguk’s legs, and he doesn’t need to be told a third time as he snakes an arm around the other to bring their bodies flush, palm sinking down until it conforms to the generous curve of Jimin's ass, fingers slipping into his back trouser pocket until he's got a handful, instinctively giving it a squeeze. Jimin jolts in his hold, both of their breaths hitching as their eyes meet, entirely too close, and Jeongguk watches as he blinks rapidly up at him before those sharp eyes fall to the shape of his lips, a tongue sneaking out—
“This is, uh, awkward, to say the least?”
Jeongguk’s brow furrows at the unknown voice, feeling the way Jimin tenses in his arms over the intrusion, head lowering, and Jeongguk glances over his shoulder at the strangers behind him, identifying them as the cause of his distress. Two men stand there, one tall, the other maybe less than a head shorter. He turns until they both can face them, taking note of a man in gray who’s solely focused on Jimin even when Jeongguk pins him with his stare.
“What's awkward?” he asks, unable to explain why he’s so comfortable being curt, only knows that for whatever reason, he doesn’t like this guy.
Likes it even less the way Jimin has suddenly closed off.
Despite being addressed, the man doesn’t even look Jeongguk’s way, and continues to keep his eyes on Jimin.
“I honestly didn’t expect you to come, that’s why we’re here.”
“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Jeongguk demands, a sharp edge to his voice this time as he raises it, refusing to be ignored any longer.
Jimin’s fingers clench in the material of his shirt as he finally turns enough to look at the newcomer, features carefully blank.
“This is Choi Jiwon,” he introduces. “Someone I dated briefly.”
Jeongguk’s eyes sweep over the man, seeing him in a new light, satisfaction filling him when he notes that he’s taller and—sure, he's biased, but also—better looking. Choi Jiwon’s features are harsh and unkind, short hair cropped close to his scalp, frown lines apparent. The man he's accompanied by shifts hesitantly behind him, hand pressed to Jiwon’s lower back in an attempt to soothe or placate, and immediately Jeongguk’s jaw clenches.
“Weird, what’s your ex doing here, baby?”
Jimin leans against him, keeping their bodies close as he plays it up, tilting his head back when murmurs, almost bored, “I wish I knew. You would think that—regardless of being invited—someone who’s no longer in a relationship with the one who's employed by those who gave out the invitation would realize that means their invite is rescinded.”
“You would think,” Jeongguk repeats, staring the other two down, the smaller one pulling on Jiwon’s jacket now, seemingly attempting to get him to leave before a full blown confrontation breaks out.
“Like I said,” Jiwon presses, keeping his voice level, clearly wanting to project the picture of maturity and reasonableness, even if he is the one being grossly unreasonable just by being here, “I didn’t think you would show. You had no interest in coming when we spoke about it months ago.”
“A lot can change in that time,” Jimin quips, and Jiwon eyes how close they are, the way Jimin is pressed against Jeongguk, even sneering at his blond hair before a forced smile takes its place.
“I can see that. We'll go, if it makes you more comfortable.”
Jeongguk is just about to tell them to do so, but to his surprise, Jimin shakes his head.
“Stay,” he shrugs in monotone. “Makes no difference to me.”
Jiwon gives the fakest smile Jeongguk has ever seen, inclining his head before storming off with the smaller man following after him.
“Should’ve let me throw them off the property,” Jeongguk mutters, turning back to Jimin and hating the way he looks almost resigned, giving a small shake of his head.
“He’d prefer it if I made a scene.”
“So…you dated him?”
Jimin’s snort is amused, which sets him at ease.
“In my defense it wasn’t for very long, and I ended it a while ago. He wanted to come here together, but I felt like that was moving way too fast, so I gave an excuse. Didn’t think he was that much of a piece of shit to try and come here anyway.”
“I really don’t mind kicking him out, you know.”
Jimin laughs and turns until they’re better facing each other again, able to lock eyes, and it's then that he realizes their arms are still wrapped around each other, heart fluttering at the physical proximity as Jimin seems to realize it too. Those eyes slip all the way down to his lips again, and linger, and Jeongguk swears he feels Jimin’s heart pick up speed against his own, sending messages in Morse code as it rattles against the cage of his ribs, one he wouldn't mind deciphering. But then Jeongguk detects movement to their right, seeing that his mother is quickly making her way towards them, and he feels compelled to reassure him.
“I’ll tell her that I lied, okay? I should never have involved you in the first place, and I hope you can accept my apology.”
Jimin’s hand conforms to the bare skin of his collar, the tips of his fingers tickling along his throat, and there’s something in his eyes that looks thoughtful. Hesitant even, as if he wishes to speak but can't find the words. Only then his mother stands before them, and his hand falls away, keeping whatever it was to himself.
“I wanted to talk to you before that happened.” She says with an understanding of the situation, her eyes following Choi Jiwon's back, clearly regretful. “He RSVP’D some time ago, so I just assumed it was for the both of you. I had no idea you'd broken up until Jeongguk said something. How utterly rude of him to insert himself here after the fact. Would you like me to kick him out, dear?”
“That won't be necessary,” Jimin assures, “but thank you.”
“Some people are truly horrid. I'm so sorry about that. Unfortunately because of it, there's been an issue with the room to guest ratio and it's just a mess. But enough about that for now. I want to hear all about the two of you and how you started dating,” she beams, smile wide and genuine, causing Jeongguk’s stomach to drop, knowing he’s about to wipe that happiness clear off of her face—
“We met a few times when he came to pick up Minho,” Jimin answers, stealing Jeongguk’s breath away, and he can’t help but pointedly stare at him in confusion as he continues. “We talked quite a bit, and realized we clicked.”
When Jimin looks up at him, something passes in his expression that seems to say, It’s okay. Go ahead.
“Right baby?”
The encouragement snaps him out of his shock, and he turns back to his mother with a stilted nod, stammering into his own confirmation.
“Right. Um…like I said, we haven’t been seeing each other long. Everything is still pretty new. You’re the first one we’ve told.”
Her face lights up, and Jeongguk feels about as low as dirt.
“Oh sweetheart,” she hums emotionally, cupping his face in both hands. “I’m honored you trusted me with this, and so so happy for you both.”
She looks as if she’s about to cry, until her eyes fall down to his chest.
“Your shirt is open again.”
“Yeah, the buttons keep coming undone,” he fibs, though it seems to mollify her.
“Give it to Miyoung. She’ll sew it shut.”
“Will do.”
Reimmersing herself in the emotion of the moment, she steps back and actually sniffles, warm eyes on Jimin now.
“I’ve already rearranged the seating so the two of you can sit together, and after dinner there’s something I wish to discuss with you both, shouldn't be too long before the—”
A bell rings out in the room, and his mother’s finger goes up to show that that’s exactly what she was waiting for.
“There it is. We’ll all move on to the dining room now,” she explains for Jimin’s benefit. “The chefs I have are the best in Busan, so look forward to an amazing meal.”
Jimin nods with a polite smile before Jeongguk's mother sighs, looking past at the people who have begun to shuffle towards the exits.
“Excuse me again, dears. I’ve spotted one of my neighbors, and she’s notorious for trying to change up the seating arrangements if I don’t catch her in time.”
And with that, she’s off again, leaving the two of them to stare after her.
“Sorry. She’s a lot,” Jeongguk sighs, to which Jimin smiles again.
“She seems nice though.”
He gives a noncommittal noise of acknowledgment before nodding his head towards the doors, suddenly feeling very awkward again.
“Shall we?”
The two remain close as Jeongguk leads them into the dining room where several tables that have been dressed with gleaming tablecloths and exquisite dishes, each one sporting gold-trim name cards that serve as placement holders.
Jeongguk directs Jimin to the table he sits at every year, the one designated for family, and tries to hide his nerves when Minho lights up as soon as he spies his math tutor, Jeonghyun turning to smile at them both in greeting.
“How was the drive?” He asks, eyeing the way Jimin sits next to Jeongguk, checking the namecards before looking next to his son’s, as if he expected him to be there.
“It was good. Nice,” Jeongguk murmurs distractedly, seeing if he can catch sight of his mom as Jeonghyun leans forward to look around him in order to give Jimin a friendly smile.
“What about you, Jimin-ah? My brother didn't annoy you too much?”
Jimin’s eyes go wide, the color leaving his face while his gaze slips over to Jeongguk and then back again, unsure how to proceed.
“No. Nope. Not at all,” he finally says after a bit too much time has passed, Jeonghyun clearly not knowing what to make of them and their odd behavior.
This isn't going to go well. He can't tell his brother the truth because he'll just rat him out to their mother, and his mother definitely isn't going to keep his “relationship” with Jimin quiet. He's going to have to lie to his brother as well, but that's easier said than done.
“Can I sit next to Jimin hyung?” Minho asks, but Haeun shakes her head and quiets him quickly.
“You know how your Grandmother gets about her seating arrangement.”
Once everyone is in their designated places, Jeongguk's mother appears at the front of the room, tapping a silver spoon to a crystal glass in order to get every occupant's attention, conversations gone quiet.
“I’d like to thank all of you for joining us this year for our annual winter celebrations. I’m seeing a lot of returning faces and plenty of new ones as well. There’s going to be so much in store as we share these days together, and I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am. Tonight it’s dinner and drinks, and tomorrow I’m told the weather will be agreeable for our outside soiree. With that, I hope you all have a wonderful meal. Let’s eat.”
A round of applause strikes up, and the french doors open to reveal the servers as they bring out the first course, while Jeongguk’s mother slowly makes her way back to their table, stopping to greet and speak briefly to those that flag her down. Once she finally takes her seat, she wastes no time in pinning Jeongguk beneath her stare, one that does not bode well.
“So,” his mother starts, her dark eyes fixed on him, and Jeongguk already knows what’s coming. “Jeongguk-ah, Jimin-ah. How long have the two of you been seeing each other for, exactly?”
She takes a bite of her food just as Jeonghyun chokes on his, eyes flying rapidly between them while Minho gives a surprised but happy gasp, Haeun’s brow furrowing.
Jeongguk pulls at his collar again like its open flaps are impeding his ability to breathe, suddenly too hot, and turns his focus when he feels Jimin looking up at him, waiting to see what he'll say.
“A few weeks now?” he asks with uncertainty, feeling it out, and Jimin gives an adamant nod.
“That’s right. Officially it’s been a few weeks, but we’ve been talking for a while.”
“Exactly,” Jeongguk is quick to confirm, desperate to avoid the right side of the table.
“What are you talking about?” Jeonghyun questions when he’s managed to clear his airway, head turning between Jimin, Jeongguk, and their mother. “They’re not seeing each other.”
He says it with all the certainty of someone stating a fact that has data to back it up. The sky is blue. The grass is green. Jeongguk is a big fat liar.
Their mother clicks her tongue and shakes her head.
“I forgot I wasn’t supposed to say anything—”
Unlikely.
“—but it’s true. They said I’m the first one they’ve told,” she finishes with pride, obviously bragging before taking a small sip of champagne.
Jeonghyun pins Jeongguk with a look, one that says he refuses to believe what he’s just been presented with.
“You aren't dating.”
“Jeonghyun,” Haeun cuts in, looking somewhat embarrassed while Jeongguk attempts to use the sheer power of his eyes to make him accept it.
Doesn’t matter if he believes the lie or not, he just has to accept it.
“We are, actually.”
“You aren’t.”
“Don’t be childish you two,” their mother huffs, even though she did the exact same thing when Jeongguk told her, but just like when they were kids, they carry on as if they don’t hear the reprimand in her tone.
“I doubt you even know what he does for a living.”
“He’s a terrestrial ecologist. That’s actually how we began talking. His field is similar to my own.”
Jeonghyun’s eyes narrow, shaking his head in disbelief.
“You wanted him to take the train down here.”
Beside him it sounds as if Jimin splutters on the sip of the drink he’d been taking, and Jeongguk feels so much guilt that he overheard, until he realizes Jimin is giggling around a mouthful of bubbly champagne that nearly spills out of the corners of his lips, obviously amused.
Immediately Jeongguk turns to him, needing to salvage this somehow.
“Baby, it’s not what it sounds like. I just like to sing in the car. Sometimes I don’t even realize when I’m doing it, and I was worried it would bother you, you know? It’s a long drive.”
“I forgive you,” Jimin wheezes, using a fist to knock on his own chest to try and make the liquid go down easier, and Jeongguk helps by pounding on his back as gently as he can.
He then turns to Jeonghyun and pins him with what he hopes is an accusing stare, his brother instantly appearing chagrined.
“This isn’t going to affect my job, is it? I really enjoy helping Minho with math,” Jimin softly murmurs once he's settled, the entire table turning expectantly to Jeonghyun.
“Mom?” Minho asks, uncertain, clearly worried while she attempts to comfort the boy.
Their mother lifts a brow at her eldest son.
“Of course not,” Jeonghyun rushes to reassure, an easygoing smile taking over his lips when he sees the way his mother is still glaring and cracks under the pressure. “Your…relationship with my brother; no matter the outcome, will in no way affect your job.”
Jimin lets free a heavy sigh that Jeongguk knows isn’t contrived.
“That’s a relief.”
“So you’re like, a part of the family now?” Minho wonders, and bless him, he looks so excited about the prospect.
Jeongguk goes to answer, but his mother beats him to it.
“He is, sweetheart. He’s Jeongguk’s special person.”
The way her eyes light up, almost a match for Minho’s is…
Fuck.
Jimin seems to sense the gravity of the situation as well, the tension coming off of him in waves matches Jeongguk's perfectly. This was such a monumentally bad idea. The worst he’s ever had probably, and there have been some truly terrible ones in the past.
Turning in his seat, Jeongguk angles himself so that his thighs fall open, making room for Jimin’s body, hand going to the back of his chair, leaning in close to quietly whisper in the other’s ear.
“I am so sorry.”
It’s hard to ignore the way Jimin shivers, eyes slightly widened when they turn up to look at him, giving a small; almost imperceptible, shake of his head.
“D-Don’t be,” he stutters, his hand—somewhat uncertain—goes to Jeongguk’s shoulder, gripping into the muscle in an intimate display.
He knows there are people watching. Jeongguk hardly ever brings anyone to these things, and that alone is enough to stir interest. Somewhere behind them sits Jiwon. And he very much doubts his mother’s eyes have left them for even a second, likely cataloging and making a mental note of all their little touches and looks so that she can coo about it later.
He’s pretty sure she just snuck another picture of the two of them, bokeh dancing across his vision.
By the time dessert is served, Jeongguk’s shoulders are up to his ears, and he’s never felt so many eyes on him, his own widening when Jimin takes the fork from his plate of cake and uses it to cleanly section off a piece, offering it up to Jeongguk’s lips. It’s then he realizes that he’s still got an arm wrapped around Jimin’s chair, body practically framing his own, and obediently opens his mouth to allow it entry, a rich sweetness exploding over his tongue as the other gifts him with an amused grin.
“Is it good, Jeongguk-ah?”
He hums and swallows, nodding before murmuring, “Delicious.”
Next to him he can hear his brother mumble, "He doesn’t even like cake—ow.”
It's likely that beneath the table, Haeun grinds the heel of her foot into his toes, and before it can become too awkward Jimin smiles at the others and shrugs.
“He does when I feed it to him.”
Jeongguk’s mother looks absolutely delighted by that, and once again he’s reminded of how much of a horrible son he is for lying to her rather than being forthright, but it feels too late to fix it now.
As soon as the plates are cleared away, the servers go around with drinks, people getting up to mingle with one another. Jimin and Jeongguk stay seated in place, but plenty of neighbors, friends, and acquaintances come to them, wanting to satisfy their curiosity over the identity of his companion. He awkwardly introduces Jimin as his boyfriend every time, gaining confidence the more he does it. The current woman they're engaging in polite conversation with lives next door, and has been there since before he was born, seeming to delight in revealing what she can of his most embarrassing moments.
"When Jeongguk was a kid, I used to catch him running naked through the fields trying to catch frogs and snakes. He was a real terror."
"Well that's, we don't have to talk about that now, in this setting," Jeongguk stutteringly protests, and that only makes Jimin laugh harder, falling into his side, head pillowed on his shoulder, and Jeongguk can't help but smile warmly down at him.
"Why were you naked?"
"My mother practically tore my ear off whenever I ruined my clothes. It just became easier to go without them if I knew I was going to get dirty."
Jimin genuinely seems to love the stories, lips stretched into a beautiful smile of his own, a crooked front tooth on display that is far cuter than it has any right to be. And in turn he seems to charm everyone that speaks with them, Jimin's sincerity and kindness evident and appreciated. The later it gets, the more the crowd dwindles, and they're both finally given a reprieve just as Jeongguk's mother takes to the front of the room, and once again taps at a crystal glass to gain everyone's attention, a quiet descending before she speaks.
“While our first evening together comes to a close, remember there’s always plenty to do. My house is your house, and I fervently hope each and every one of you enjoys your stay. Don’t forget that tomorrow the activities start at eleven in the outer courtyard. There will be numerous games and events, so rest up, and have a lovely night.”
Jeongguk joins in when everyone begins to clap again, watching the way his mother flushes and moves to socialize. She truly does look happiest when surrounded by people like this, a light to her that shines bright, clearly in her element.
Jeongguk is just finishing up his drink when she reapproaches the table, leaning down between him and Jimin in order for the both of them to hear what she has to say.
“I wanted to speak to the two of you about a minor complication.”
They turn to give her their full attention, sharing an anxiety that's almost palpable over what it could be.
“You see, there was an influx of guests that showed up without giving an RSVP, and unfortunately I’ve had to stash someone in the pool house. You know how much I hate doing that,” She says to Jeongguk, eyes heavenward as if it truly is the worst thing.
“Of course,” he answers solemnly, humoring her.
“So I thought—since the two of you are seeing each other—that you could share Jeongguk’s room.”
Her mouth stretches into a pleased smile as if she's just offered them a gift, and Jeongguk tries to keep the horrified expression that’s desperate to show itself at bay. Turning to Jimin, it’s obvious that he’s doing the same.
"Don't worry, we're not old-fashioned here," she reassures, misreading their hesitation.
The older man blinks, then downs the rest of his drink in one go and Jeongguk knows his own mouth is hanging open in barely concealed resignation.
Fuck. She’s still waiting for an answer.
And it’s Jimin who gives it to her.
“That’s fine. Of course it is.”
He sounds as if he’s trying to convince himself, but thankfully his mother doesn’t notice.
“Do you need help moving your bags, dear? I can send someone.”
“That’s okay,” Jimin reassures, his tone more confident. “Jeongguk can help me.”
She claps her hands in quick succession, clearly pleased.
“Then it’s settled.”
They don’t linger after that, despite the majority of guests that remain, and Jeongguk escorts Jimin back to his room after they give their goodbyes, uncomfortably shifting from foot to foot once they reach the green room as he watches the other repack what little it is he managed to unpack.
“Here. Let me take that.”
“It’s alright, you don’t have to.”
Jeongguk continues to hold out a hand, smiling when Jimin passes over his bag with a sigh, even as his lips twitch upward.
“Looks more convincing this way,” he tries to joke, but even to him it feels strange.
Jeongguk guides him back to his own room, the entire trip spent in silence, and now that they’re alone, behind closed doors, the awkwardness of their current situation seems to seep in around them, making itself known in the way Jimin clears his throat, or how they practically jump away from each other as soon as their arms accidentally brush. It gets worse the longer the two eye the space, confronted with the realization that they'll have to share it for the next few days.
“So, um…bedroom is through those doors,” he points, setting Jimin’s things down carefully on one of the plush couches. “Bathroom is through there. If you want to hang some of your stuff up, you'll find plenty of room in the closet.”
“Thank you,” he says in soft appreciation, eyes fixed on his luggage as the air turns more strained.
Nodding, Jeongguk wrings his hands together, a question on his mind that he both does and does not want to ask. But he knows if he doesn't, it's only going to stay with him.
"Why did you do it?" He quietly voices before elaborating, "Decide to pretend to be my boyfriend, I mean. I was going to tell her the truth. You didn't have to lie for me."
"I—" Jimin's cheeks flush, visibly struggling to swallow, and then tries again. "To be honest, I did it for you, and for me as well. I didn't expect Jiwon to be here."
Ah.
"So you want to make him jealous by pretending to be with me?"
Surprisingly, Jimin chuckles.
"Jealous? No. I guess it's really about saving face. He's here with someone, and if I was alone he'd just use that against me and gloat."
"He sounds like an asshole."
"Yes, I quickly learned he is," Jimin reveals with a smile, not a hint of anger or sadness in his voice, and Jeongguk believes he's well and truly over anything they might've had, listening as Jimin continues to explain. “In the moment it seemed like the only way we could both help each other was to keep pretending."
"Mutually beneficial?"
"Exactly," he beams, before suddenly looking unsure. "Did I...should I not have said anything?"
"No, no," Jeongguk denies, waving his hands. "I really do appreciate it. I just didn't want to take advantage of you, or put you in an uncomfortable spot."
Jimin's smile is sweet, eyes crinkling adorably.
"Promise you're not taking advantage of me, and I'm not uncomfortable."
"Oh, well, that's...good. We can carry on then."
They grin at each other before Jimin motions to the bathroom door.
"Is it alright if I take a shower?”
“Of course,” Jeongguk nods. “You don’t even have to ask. Go ahead, take your time.”
“Thank you.”
Jeongguk listens to the way he searches through his bag, no doubt gathering a change of clothes and the toiletries he’ll need before entering the bathroom, gently closing the door behind him. The sound of the water turns on, and he releases a deep sigh, deciding to check on Olive and Lily. After making sure they’re both alright, he takes Lily out of her tub and allows her to coil around his arm, traveling towards her favorite spot at the back of his neck, and he carefully pulls the tie from his hair to allow the long strands free so that she can have her hiding place back.
He calls Yoongi.
“Are you coming home early because everything blew up in your face?”
Jeongguk grimaces.
“Not exactly.”
“Oh, so you told your mom the truth.”
“...No?”
“Are you asking me, or telling me?”
“I didn’t tell her the truth.”
“So…?”
“Jimin; the guy I told her was my boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
“Well,” Jeongguk pets over Lily’s smooth body, “he’s pretending to be my boyfriend.”
Silence.
And then, “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I cannot do that.”
“So he’s…okay with this?”
“He is. His ex showed up, and—anyways. It’s a long story, but it's mutually beneficial.”
“So you're using each other."
"I guess that's an apt way to put it."
"Well, then. I hope the two of you are fake happy together.”
“I really don’t know what to do, it’s too late to fix it now,” Jeongguk laments, hanging his head low.
“How many times have I told you to think before you act?”
“I know, it’s just hard to remember in the moment.”
“Maybe one of these days it’ll stick.”
“What the fuck do I do until then?”
“You said yourself it’s too late to fix it now. Just ride it out, I guess.”
Jeongguk sighs, pushing a hand through his hair as a wave of exhaustion takes over.
“Yeah, you're right. How are the kids? Did Plume eat yet?”
“He did, and they’re fine. But the plants in Archer’s enclosure are looking a little droopy.”
“Yeah, I probably have to switch him back to potted plants,” Jeongguk mumbles.
Just another thing to worry about.
“Thank you again for looking after them, hyung.”
“You’re welcome, Jeongguk-ah. Good luck with your fake boyfriend.”
He chokes on his own saliva, and by the time he gets himself back under control, Yoongi has already hung up. Jeongguk is just placing his phone down beside him when the bathroom door creaks open and Jimin exits in a cloud of steam. His blonde hair is even longer when wet, hanging in damp strands that frame the sides of his pretty face, brushing the tops of his shoulders. The shape of his lithe body is pronounced beneath the simple white, long-sleeved shirt he wears that is almost form-fitting, black sweatpants loose and hanging off of his hips. When he spots Jeongguk on the ground at the foot of the bed, he pauses, eyes immediately drawn to Lily, something warm filling his stomach as he watches his face light up.
“Wow,” Jimin whispers, getting closer with a twitch of his lips, a genuine smile overtaking his features. This close, he smells like lavender and fresh laundry. “Is that a ball python?”
“It is,” Jeongguk beams, palm conforming to her body as Jimin moves in, kneeling down right next to him with a clear expression of awe rather than uncertainty or disgust; which is what he's used to seeing, and decides to introduce them. “This is Lily.”
“Lily," he says gently with an even gentler smile. "Her coloring is so pretty.”
The compliment has Jeongguk beaming with pride, grateful of both Jimin’s ease and interest, the offer tumbling off of his lips without thought.
“I have to take a shower. Did you maybe want to hold her while I do? If not, it's totally okay. I can put her back,” he rushes to reassure, but Jimin already appears hopeful.
“Can I hold her?”
“Of course. She’s super friendly, and she’s been fed recently, so don’t worry.”
He almost looks like a kid on Christmas as Jeongguk carefully unravels her and passes her over, watching the way Jimin supports her expertly and allows her to wrap around his arm. Her tongue flicks curiously at the newcomer, and Jeongguk can’t help but chuckle, endeared by the awe that remains in Jimin’s eyes when he pets down her back.
“If you need anything just yell through the door. I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Take your time,” he assures, and Jeongguk grabs a comfortable set of clothes before disappearing into the large bathroom.
Ten minutes later he comes out again, and Jimin appears completely taken with Lily, his fascination not yet diminished.
“I think she likes you,” he calls, placing his dirty clothes in the hamper and running a comb through his long hair before bending forward and shaking out the strands.
“Of course she does. She has good taste.”
The declaration brings a laugh, and Jeongguk once again approaches to sit down on the floor beside them.
“She’s an easy going girl. Olive; the gargoyle gecko I brought, she’s the real menace.”
Jimin’s lips part when he turns to look at him, and Jeongguk smirks, already seeing the wheels turning in his head.
“Do you want to meet her?”
“Yes,” he answers without hesitation, before immediately looking down at Lily as she slithers her head across his chest. “Maybe in just a few more minutes, though.”
“Take your time.”
When he finally untangels Lily from Jimin's body and puts her back in her tub, Jimin has already shuffled over to the other one, clearly eager.
“Be warned though, she will jump, and she will hurt herself if we don’t catch her.”
It brings another smile to Jimin’s lips as he promises to keep that in mind, and carefully, Jeongguk opens the lid, peeking inside to see if he can get a visual on Olive. She’s probably hiding under her half log, and when he lifts it he sees her resting above the heating tape, perfectly still. Carefully, he reaches in and grasps her around the middle, lifting her up and out for Jimin to see.
“Oh wow. She’s very pretty too.”
“Isn’t she? Wanna hold her?”
At his adamant nod, Jeongguk delicately transfers her over to Jimin’s hand, watching as he brings Olive up to his face, giggling when she licks her eye.
“Wow,” Jeongguk jokingly complains. “She remains still and well-behaved for you, but when I try to hold her she suddenly thinks she can fly.”
It makes the other man chuckle, the sound airy and light, shaking his head when he murmurs, “Cute.”
It’s hard to say who he’s referring to, but Jeongguk knows who he wants him to be referring to.
Olive remains perfectly behaved throughout the interaction, taking things slow and refraining from going airborne. Jimin seems loath to part with her, but by the third yawn, he finally concedes.
“It’s been a long day,” Jeongguk offers after securing Olive back in her tub, the two awkwardly shifting in place. “I’ll um, I’ll take one of the couches, and you can have the bed.
But Jimin is already shaking his head, clearly not a fan of the idea.
“Look—you can tell me if you’re uncomfortable with this—but we’re both adults, and your bed is massive. I don’t think either of us have to relegate to the couch if you’re okay with it. I don’t mind sharing. No reason we should suffer from a bad night’s sleep just because we put ourselves in this situation without thinking it through.”
That brings another laugh out of Jeongguk, and even though he feels suddenly embarrassed, able to feel the way his cheeks are burning at the thought of sharing a bed with Jimin, he tries to hide it along with his attraction.
“I’m okay with that.”
This is a bad idea.
“You’re sure” Jimin presses, glancing up at him with perceptive eyes.
Just take the couch, Jeongguk.
“I snore.”
"Oh. I don't mind, I'm a really heavy sleeper."
Fuck.
"If it doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother me."
Liar.
After that verbal confirmation, it’s an awkward dance to decide on who should take which sideㅡJeongguk takes the right, Jimin the leftㅡand they then plug their phones in to charge before turning out the lights. Jeongguk climbs into bed tense, scared to move or shift, not wanting to bother the other. He swears he can practically feel the heat emanating off of Jimin’s skin, even though there’s a decent amount of space between them, no part of their bodies making contact.
The silence is too loud, and Jeongguk coughs to clear his throat just as Jimin softly bids, “Goodnight Jeongguk-ah.”
For a second he remains quiet, unsure if he imagined it, but then he returns the sentiment regardless.
“Goodnight, hyung.”
ㅡ§ㅡ
Jeongguk wakes up warm and heavy, the kind that has him wanting to succumb to sleep once more, lured by the gentle rise-and-fall motion of the chest beneath his hand. A chest that is not his own.
He’s slow to blink his eyes open, as if any sudden moves will risk discovery, and immediately takes note of blond hair fanned across the pillow before him. Somehow during the night, they closed the substantial distance between them, with Jeongguk’s arm wrapped securely around Jimin’s waist, the other’s back to his chest, ass resting in the cradle of his pelvis where he's hard, cock nestled between warm cheeks, his unconscious rutting carving a place for itself even through layers of fabric.
Fucking hell.
The friction has his eyes crossing, but as soon as the disorientation wears off and he manages to summon enough control, he scoots his hips back and away, taking a deep breath, desperately trying to calm his body down. Carefully, Jeongguk unhooks his arm, extricating himself from Jimin’s warm, soft form, and rolls until he’s completely out of bed, landing deftly on his feet. Repositioning his weeping dick until the head is trapped beneath the waistband of his sweats, Jeongguk glances at the time on his phone, which shows that it’s early in the morning, and he gives himself a moment to relax before checking on Lily and Olive, moving into the bathroom to take care of his problem and wash it away in the shower before getting dressed and running a comb through his messy hair. Seeing that Jimin is still asleep after he's finished, Jeongguk then quietly slips out into the hall to take a trip down to the dinning room where a communal breakfast has already been served.
Grabbing a platter of food and some water, he heads back upstairs and carefully lets himself into his room, listening to see if he detects any sign of movement. When he doesn’t, he makes his way to the bedroom once more and enters on light feet, sighing when he sees that Jimin is still in the same position as he left him. Setting the tray down on a nearby table, he approaches the bed, unsure how to go about waking him up.
Kneeling down next to the bedside that Jimin is closest to, Jeongguk tentatively reaches out, tapping at his shoulder and getting no response. He tries gently shaking him next, but still nothing. Reassessing what to do, his gaze traces the soft, delicate features lax in sleep, takes note of the smattering of freckles that travel from one cheek, across the bridge of a button nose and to the other side. His eyelashes are more noticable like this, long and thick, lips appearing fuller, poutier with sleep, a lighter shade of pink.
How can anyone be so beautiful?
“Jimin?” he whispers after forcing himself to quit staring, his hand going back to the other’s shoulder in order to try and rouse him, breath catching in his throat when his eyes finally flutter open. “Hi,” he says, forgetting what he was going to say at the drowsy way Jimin blinks, the two staring when he suddenly remembers. “I brought breakfast before the kitchens closed. It’s our only time to eat before all the events start.”
Jimin’s hum is raspy, lids slipping closed as he indulges in a full body stretch, reminding him of a cat. His lips smack endearingly, long sleeves covering the fingers of his hands as he pulls the hem of his shirt back down after revealing his abdomen, and Jeongguk doesn’t know where to look. Bringing himself into a seated position, Jimin tiredly stares down at him and gives a small, dopey smile.
“You said there was food?”
They eat in the sitting room, quiet as they chew while it seems Jimin is still trying to wake up, when a sudden realization dawns on Jeongguk, and it’s only after the thought enters his head that he quickly voices his concerns.
“We should get our story straight, just in case. Like, how this happened. Us dating, I mean.”
Jimin blinks at him, his eyes wide as he gives a slow, groggy nod.
“That's probably smart.”
“So…we met plenty of times when I picked Minho up.”
“And we started talking,” Jimin continues.
“Went on our first date in...November?”
“And decided to make things official at the beginning of December.”
“We’re still getting to know each other. Figuring things out,” Jeongguk adds.
“Right. There’s bound to be things we don’t have the answers to, or get wrong.”
“Exactly. I think it’s more realistic if we’re still unsure around each other. Awkward. Since we're framing it as a new relationship.”
“I agree.”
They smile before Jeongguk’s nerves get the better of him and says, “We didn’t get to touch on this last night, but how do you feel about physical contact?”
Surprisingly Jimin’s smile turns almost fond with a hint of amusement.
“I’m the one who made you grab my ass yesterday,” he chuckles, and Jeongguk can't help but shiver at the memory. Swears he can still feel the pillow-like shape of it in the palm of his hand. “I think it's safe to say that I'm okay with it if you are. Realistically it wouldn’t look too good if we’re afraid to be close or to touch each other.”
“Right, I just. I wanted to be sure.”
“Thank you for asking.”
“Of course.”
They finish what’s left of their breakfast, and Jimin excuses himself to get ready, switching places with him once he comes out of the bathroom so that Jeongguk can freshen up.
They wait until half past eleven before making their way to the outer courtyard together, the events already in full swing. There’s plenty of people swimming in the heated pool, while a few more take up the tennis courts. A net has been set up on the vibrantly green grass for what looks to be badminton various tents erected to offer protection from the sun, lawn tables and chairs sprinkled throughout with all types of food, while servers weave through the crowd carrying drinks.
“Are those mimosas?”
“It’s never too early,” Jeongguk murmurs, delighting in Jimin’s giggle.
Both of them grab one as soon as a tray is close enough, and Jeongguk continues to sweep the crowd, hoping to spot his mother when—
“There you are, darling!”
She has him in a hug before he even knows what’s going on, her enthusiasm shifting over to Jimin as she pulls him into an embrace as well, careful not to spill their drinks.
“Come with me, the both of you. I’ve hired a photographer and we’re taking pictures in front of the fountain.”
Without waiting for a response, she leads the way to a gaudy angel fountain and positions them in front, taking their drinks and passing them off as a man some feet away—the photographer, if his fancy camera is anything to go by—steps forward.
Both Jimin and Jeongguk stand there awkwardly, and he becomes oddly aware of his arms, the limbs heavy at his sides, unsure what to do with them as his mother makes a waving motion.
“Go on, get closer, you two.”
Right.
Hesitantly, Jeongguk’s hand goes to Jimin’s waist, fingers conforming to his side as he pulls him in, Jimin’s leaning into him, their breaths gone shallow.
They're awkward. Stiff. Definitely not giving off the vibes of young love.
“Smile,” his mother reminds them, and the two make a valiant attempt to loosen up before smiles strain their lips.
They take a couple of photos, Jeongguk trying to relax further when he notices Jeonghyun, Haeun and Minho waiting off to the side.
“Now a family photo,” his mother calls in excitement, and he immediately feels the way Jimin tenses up again as the others approach.
“I should—I should step out,” he tries, stilling when Jeongguk's mother won’t hear of it.
“Nonsense, Jimin-ah. You’re family now.”
There’s that guilt again, the kind that flares up whenever his mom sounds happy for them, or is genuinely lovely, over the moon that her youngest son is finally in what she perceives is a happy relationship.
They sit through the pictures, enduring several different calls for changes in pose before they’re dismissed, his mother pulled away, laughing with one of her friends, while Minho excitedly ropes Jimin into a lifesize game of chess. His brother siddels up to him, then, both watching as the two laugh when they struggle to push their pieces into place.
“I didn’t think it was true, but you actually like him.”
Jeongguk already has a denial ready on the tip of his tongue before he remembers himself, deflecting instead.
“What do you mean?”
“Please," Jeonghyun snorts. "You’re an open book. It’s obvious in the way you look at him.”
Fuck.
“Of course I like him. He’s my boyfriend.”
“I’m getting that now,” he chuckles, admitting, “To be honest, I thought all this was some ploy to get mom off your back about setting you up on dates all the time.”
“That’s a bit excessive,” Jeongguk awkwardly mumbles, his brother laughing as he claps him on the back.
“It really is, isn’t it?”
With that he pats him again, going off to relocate Haeun, most likely, while his mother has disappeared to entertain her many guests.
“Jeongguk-ah, do you want to play?” Jimin calls, and despite himself he finds his lips twitching upwards as he moves closer, Minho adamantly shaking his head.
“Don’t let him play with us.”
Jimin outright laughs at his rudeness, and Jeongguk thinks it’s the loveliest sound.
“Why not?”
“Because he’s good at everything.”
“Everything?”
“Everything,” Minho confirms, and even Jeongguk can’t hide his growing amusement.
“I don’t even know how to play chess,” he defends.
Jimin pins Minho with a look that says to give him a chance, but he holds firm.
“That may be true, but he’ll pick it up quickly and beat the both of us. I’m warning you.”
They eventually talk Minho into letting him play, but just as he predicted, Jeongguk ends up winning on his first ever game, the two staring at him, one in exasperation, the other in awe.
“See,” Minho huffs with a roll of his eyes. “I told you he’d win.”
“I’ll never doubt you again,” Jimin assures, and the boy perks up, taking immediate advantage of those words.
“Even during math lessons?”
“Look at that, I think your mother is calling you,” Jimin teases, a clear deflection.
They entertain Minho for most of the afternoon, partnering with him during the sack race, or joining his badminton team when he wants to play. The boy stands next to Jeongguk as they watch Jimin do well at the ring toss, Minho’s soft words catching him off guard.
“I think you’re really good for Jimin hyung.”
He blinks, staring down at him in shock, several seconds passing where he doesn't elaborate, his curiosity making him ask, “Why do you say that?”
Minho shrugs a shoulder.
“He tries to hide it sometimes, but I can tell that he’s sad. Lonely. This is the happiest I’ve ever seen him. I think it's the happiest I've seen you, too. That means you're good for each other.”
But Jeongguk knows the truth. He has absolutely nothing to do with it.
When lunch is served Haeun comes to collect Minho, Jimin surprising Jeongguk by lacing their fingers together, but only because he spots Jiwon and his date nearby, his exe's eyes following them as they pass. Jeongguk can't say that he minds, this is essentially what they signed up for, and Jimin's skin is warm and petal soft against his own. The seating arrangement is more relaxed than it was at dinner the previous night, and Jeongguk and Jimin find a private table to eat at, laughing over the memory of how hard they went down during the sack race.
As soon as they finish their meal, he takes Jimin’s hand again; heart jumping in his chest over the simple contact, and pulls him away from all the noise and activity.
“I want to show you something,” he grins, leading him towards the treeline.
When they come upon the pond, Jimin looks at it with amazement, the picturesque scenery straight out of an oil painting.
“Come on,” Jeongguk encourages, leading them onto the wooden dock.
“Whoa, what are you doing?” Jimin demands as he watches Jeongguk’s arms cross over his torso, lifting his shirt from his body. "Is this like that neighbor's story where you get naked and run through the fields again?"
“We'll save that for our third day of fake dating," Jeongguk teases. "The weather’s great, why not go for a swim?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s still winter, Jeongguk-ah. If you want to swim, why not do it in the heated pool?”
“The pond is heated.”
Jimin snorts, clearly in disbelief.
“It is not.”
“Is too. I’ll show you.”
Unbuckling his belt, Jeongguk feels slightly emboldened by the captivated way in which Jimin watches as he undoes the clasp and zip, guiding his pants slowly down his thick thighs and the rest of his long legs, stepping out once they pool at his ankles. Going to the edge of the dock, he hears the other follow closely behind, and executes the perfect dive. Staying under for a minute to allow his body to fully acclimate, then resurfaces with an easygoing smile.
“See? I told you.”
“You’re a liar, There’s no way this entire pond is heated.”
“Jimin-ah,” he smirks, purposefully dropping honorifics despite them being alone. “Look behind you. You see my mother’s house? Do you really think she wouldn’t blow money on something as useless as heating a pond?”
Looking from the structure to him and back again, Jimin releases a sigh and gives in, quickly removing his clothes and folding them carefully to place next to the crumpled pile of Jeongguk’s own. This whole thing may have backfired, because Jimin's body is simply unfair, from his pretty, dusky nipples, to his tiny fucking waist—good lord—a trail of barely visible hair leading down from his navel and disappearing into his boxer briefs. His skin is golden, legs long, with thighs that look strong enough to put him in a chokehold.
Which he may or may not be imagining.
Coming to the edge of the dock, Jimin takes another deep breath, arms going up and dives in, missing the way that Jeongguk’s smile widens to show teeth.
“Y-You! You b-bastard, you l-lied!” Jimin yells as he comes up spluttering, blond hair obscuring his face, and Jeongguk finally allows his body to shiver, no longer needing to hide its natural response to the frigid temperature of the water.
“I did,” he shamelessly admits, “and the potential pnemonia is completely worth it.”
His teeth chatter through a wobbly laugh when Jimin gracelessly flounders over, splashing water in Jeongguk’s face and attempting to drown him, his laughter only gaining in volume the more the smaller man tries unsuccessfully to push his head under.
Jeongguk grabs his wrists and pulls him close, their chests colliding as they pant from exertion, and once Jimin finally calms down he lets his fingers trail over his wrists, the other trembling in his hold.
“Can’t believe you did that,” Jimin pouts, and Jeongguk feels his lips turn up into a smile, features going soft.
“I can’t believe you fell for it. Who heats a pond?”
“I’m a trusting person.”
It makes him chuckle, pointing out the obvious.
“Almost the entirety of our relationship is based on a lie.”
“Yes, but we’re lying to everyone else. We shouldn’t lie to each other.”
Their thighs brush beneath the surface as they tread water, neither one of them moving to put some distance between them, and Jeongguk swears he can feel the heat of Jimin's breath caress across his lips.
“I suppose you’re right. We have to trust someone in this tangled web we’re weaving.”
“And if we can’t trust each other, who can we trust?”
Jeongguk nods solemnly before holding out his dripping hand. “I apologize. Truce?”
Jimin’s palm slides against his own, small fingers encircling his wrist.
“Truce. But I warn you. I will get you back.”
Jeongguk frowns at the threat, Jimin beaming as he swims towards the shallows.
“Oh look. Tadpoles.”
That has Jeongguk moving to follow him, the two grinning like children as they spy what must be dozens of small black tadpoles, not yet in their second phase.
“I used to come down here all the time and catch them in a jar. My mother would find me well past dusk with my clothes soaked and a jar full of ‘em.”
“I used to do that too in the creek near my home. Until I realized that if there’s not enough room for them they’ll make room by eating each other.”
“Yeah, learning that was a bummer. But when I was young I just thought they were like, merging to create one super frog.”
Jimin looks up with bright eyes and a sweet smile, crooked front tooth catching Jeongguk’s attention again when he murmurs, “Cute.”
That one was definitely about him.
His heart rabbits inside the cage of his ribs, and Jeongguk only just manages to stop himself from rubbing the skin over it, his thoughts cautioning to not put too much meaning into it. Into any of this.
When they finally climb out of the tepid water, they lie out on the dock next to each other, allowing the sun to dry them, their pinkies touching. Afterwards the two redon their clothes, and Jeongguk takes him to one of the places he used to search out reptiles with his father, overturning fallen branches and rocks, crowing excitedly when he finds a baby garden snake beneath a large stone, the two admiring it together before he puts it back safely where he found it.
Jimin then points out various mundane plants, the two giggling when he recites the scientific name for each one, and daring Jeongguk to attempt the correct pronunciation.
He fails miserably almost every time.
"I'll give you an easy one. Trifolium macrocephalum."
Jeongguk just stares at him with indignant, narrowed eyes until Jimin falls over, a giggling mess again.
Eventually they wander back to the festivities, though they remain on the outskirts, plopping down on the emerald lawn and flagging over servers so that they can get tipsy off of mimosas while Jeongguk watches the dwindling tennis matches and Jimin braids daisy chains. He ends up making a whole crown, and Jeongguk grins, cheeks flushed when he says, “It’ll look really pretty on you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
There’s that sweet smile again. Something about it almost embarrassed, and yet there’s a budding confidence in it as well.
“I think it’ll look prettier on you.”
And with that Jimin lays the daisy crown to rest on his head, Jeongguk’s nose scrunching while he looks up, as if he could see it perched on his hair. When their eyes meet again the air between them feels poignant. Heavy, neither one of them looking away, both of them leaning closer as if already addicted to the physical contact they've been freely providing all afternoon. But then the breeze picks up and a tremor runs through Jimin’s body, the reaction immediately bringing Jeongguk to his feet.
“Come on,” he encourages, extending a hand, and Jimin takes it without hesitation to be pulled up as well. “Let’s go back to the room, and you can take a warm shower. Relax. These things can go on until dinner, so.”
Jeongguk releases him as he leads the way, but Jimin immediately retakes his hand, their fingers intertwining, and he automatically looks for Jiwon, knowing his ex must be around here somewhere, as that seems to be the only time Jimin remembers to initiate physical contact.
But…
He’s nowhere in sight.
It’s only after they make it back up to their room that Jimin seems to remember himself, finally dropping Jeongguk's hand and carding his own through the still-damp strands of his long blond hair, an interesting flush hiding his freckles.
“Are you sure I can take a shower first?”
“Of course. I’ll take one after you.”
Jimin nods and finds a comfortable outfit to wear before closing himself in the bathroom, and just like before, Jeongguk uses the time to check on Lily and Olive, letting the boa sleep when he sees her curled up in the corner, but moves to take Olive out once her viridescent eyes stare up at him. He manages to snag her before she can jump, setting her down on his chest, having to corral her to keep her from disappearing inside the material of his shirt.
Jimin laughs when he sees her attempting to burrow into the open flaps, only to be thwarted by Jeongguk’s palm acting as a wall.
“Can I hold her while you shower?”
“Are you sure? She’s being a handful right now.”
“I think I can handle her,” the other man assures with a grin, and Jeongguk trusts him enough to allow him to do so, gathering his clothes and shutting himself in the bathroom where he carefully removes the crown of daisies from his head, setting it to rest on the counter before stepping into the shower. After he’s clean and redressed, he repositions the crown back where it was and goes out to meet Jimin in the bedroom.
“How?” he demands upon seeing how chill Olive is behaving perched on his shoulder, tongue striking to lick at her eye.
“I’ve been humming to her,” Jimin beams. “I think she likes the sound of my voice.”
“Unreal. She’s always trying to hurt herself when I hang out with her. Thinks she’s a superhero or something.”
“Maybe she is,” Jimin grins before looking up at Jeongguk, eyes going soft when they slide further to the top of his head.
“You’re still wearing the daisy chain.”
“Of course I am. You made it for me so it’s very important.”
That brings a giggle out of him, and Olive cocks her head before attempting to spring from her position, Jimin quick enough to catch her.
“Okay, I think she’s done holding still for now.”
“Even so,” Jeongguk mumbles as she’s transferred to his hold, “that’s gotta be a world record.”
After he gets Olive back into her tub and checks on her water, he brings out the flightless fruit flies, banging the styrofoam cup against his palm before Jimin peers at what he’s doing.
“You’re feeding her?”
“Mmhm.”
“Can I watch?”
“Of course. Be warned, though, sometimes these things get everywhere.”
With that he opens the lid, sprinkling a few into the tub, and sure enough, some land on the floor, the two of them smashing the escapees with their palms after Jeongguk caps the cup again, Jimin peering at them with an exaggerated look of disgust that makes him laugh.
They both wash their hands afterwards, shoulders bumping as they giggle, still slightly tipsy from the mimosas when they shuffle back into the bedroom.
“What do you want to do now?” Jeongguk asks.
“Honestly?”
“Of course.”
“I’m kind of tired. Someone woke me up early this morning.”
“In my defense, I did it with breakfast.”
“That’s true,” Jimin concedes. “I suppose you’re forgiven then. How long do we have until dinner?”
“A few hours,” Jeongguk assures after checking his phone. “I can set my alarm. I’m beat too, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. It’s your bed.”
With that, the two of them move to their chosen sides, and Jeongguk carefully removes his daisy crown, setting it on his nightstand as he lowers down to the mattress, a deep sigh slipping past his lips. When he turns on his side. Jimin is already there, looking at him, and for a moment, the two simply stare at each other.
“I had a lot of fun today, Jeongguk-ah.”
It brings a wide smile to his lips to hear that. The kind that makes his cheeks hurt.
“I had a lot of fun today too.”
Jimin reaches out, and Jeongguk holds his breath, tracking that small index finger until his eyes cross, the tip of it poking into his cheek as the other lets out a tired laugh, eyes drooping already.
“Sleep well.”
Jimin’s arm goes lax, and Jeongguk is sure he’s already passed out by the time he whispers, “You too, Jimin-ah.”
ㅡ§ㅡ
Dinner is another formal affair, the two dressed in button downs as they sit at the same table as the previous night, drinking wine and eating premium cut beef. About halfway through Jeongguk realizes he’s once again angled his body towards Jimin, arm around the back of his chair, the expanse of skin where the older man has a hand on his thigh feeling as if it burns.
Jiwon isn’t even within eyesight, and yet Jimin's hand is still there, fingers rubbing over the inner seam of his trousers as if he doesn't realize he's doing it, all while laughing with his mother about the game of tennis they attempted to play earlier. It's maddening, and it makes Jeongguk useless for the entire night, Jeonghyun attempting to strike up several conversations, only to give up after Jeongguk can only manage various forms of confused noises in response.
By the time they make it back up to their room, they’re pleasantly tipsy again, Jimin giggling when he joins in to check on Olive, remarking about how cute her toes are. Jeongguk has never really thought about it, but in this instance, he can't agree more. When it's Lily's turn, the smaller man almost becomes emotional while he comments on how pretty she is, running the pads of his fingers down her back, seemingly transfixed by the smoothness of her scales, and when his eyes appear watery and overcome, Jeongguk relatches the lid.
"Okay, I think it's time for you to go to sleep," he announces, the alcohol having an obvious affect on him, and Jimin's head lolls when he nods in easy agreement, whining endearingly about still being tired, despite the nap they took. "Go on then," Jeongguk encourages, nodding towards the bed, only for Jimin's head to follow his eyes as they fall down to his shirt, uncoordinated fingers coming up, clumsily attempting to unbutton it.
"Gotta change first," he slurs, swaying where he stands, clearly having trouble.
"Here," Jeongguk sighs; though he's beyond endeared, stumbling as he invades his space, not realizing how tipsy he is until his vision starts to swim.
Even so, he does a better job of undoing Jimin's shirt than he did, a loud gasp escaping the other when Jeongguk's fingers skim over soft, bare skin as he encourages the material to fall from his shoulders, revealing the golden flesh beneath. Jeongguk can't stop staring at every inch revealed, until Jimin presents him with his hands, a cute pout taking over those plump lips when he asks, "Can you help me with the cuffs too?"
Diligently, Jeongguk sets his wrists free, and Jimin gifts him with a loopy smile, nearly crashing into his chest before Jeongguk keeps him steady, the two giggling like drunken teenagers.
"You're really sweet, Jeongguk-ah."
"I am?"
"Mhmm," Jimin affirms, giving an adamant nod. "S'one of the things I like about you."
With that, Jeongguk is left to watch as Jimin shuffles into the bathroom, comfortable clothes bundled in his arms. He comes out five minutes later, eyes barely open, bumping into walls as he goes. Jeongguk gets it in his mind that he needs to be carried, and lifts him up into his arms bridal style, chuckling when Jimin squeals, arms wrapping tightly around his neck.
"You're gonna hurt yourself bumpin' into everything."
"I'll hurt even more if you drop me," Jimin slurs, and Jeongguk laughs again, bringing him closer to the bed.
"I would never drop you. You weigh about as much as a kitten, wet."
Just then, Jimin buries his face in Jeongguk's neck, inhaling deeply through his nose, vibrations rumbling across his skin when Jimin gives a hum. Jeongguk's foot slips, and he nearly crashes to the floor, only just managing to right himself.
"See," Jimin murmurs, sounding unconcerned, those lips brushing over his throat.
"That was your fault," Jeongguk accuses, his brain-to-mouth filter nonexistent, and carefully sets Jimin down on his side of the bed. "You're distracting."
"Am I? I wasn't doing anything."
"Your existence is enough," Jeongguk whispers, watching the way he falls asleep almost as soon as he relaxes into his pillow, and he carefully maneuvers the blankets from underneath him in order to cover him up.
Relocating to the sitting room and closing the bedroom door behind him, Jeongguk calls Yoongi.
“Ah, you’re still alive,” the older man greets, and the casualness with which it's spoken makes him frown.
“Of course I am.”
“Good. So are your children.”
“I need your help with something.”
“What happened now,” he asks, sounding bored. “Did you get fake engaged or something?”
“No. I think I like Jimin, and he said he likes me—well—he said one of the things he likes about me is I'm sweet.”
“I would hope so, you are his boyfriend after all.”
“I’m being serious. Not only is he gorgeous, but he’s kind and smart and funny. He even held my snake.”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to call it that?”
“What? What are you—oh, no! shut up. That’s not what I’m talking about. Lily. He held Lily. Jimin is a terrestrial ecologist and he likes reptiles,” Jeongguk gushes, eyes sliding over to the door to make sure it’s still closed.
It is.
“He’s literally perfect, Yoongi.”
“Sounds like a match made in heaven.”
“But what do I do?”
“Well, you could tell him you like him, for starters.”
“But I can’t. Not while we’re fake dating. It’ll just make everything awkward if he doesn’t feel the same.”
“You’re worried your fake boyfriend won’t like you for real?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s trippy. So then wait until your little theater act is over and then tell him.”
“Yeah. You’re right. I’ll um…I’ll do that.”
“I may not be there, but I can see the look on your face, you liar. Just don’t overthink it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’m gonna go now.”
“Okay.”
“Enjoy your holiday, Jeongguk-ah.”
“Okay.”
Yoongi’s snort is the last thing he hears before he hangs up, and Jeongguk turns back to that closed door, staring it down for several minutes before he gathers enough courage to walk back into his room. His childhood room, where there’s a beautiful man asleep on his bed because he’s pretending to be his boyfriend.
Fuck, what is his life?
Jeongguk can’t really say, but there’s one thing he does know.
His fake life is becoming a lot more appealing than his real one.
ㅡ§ㅡ
He’s pulled from sleep when something presses between his brow, smoothing the furrow there, lids blinking open to see what it is. Jeongguk’s eyes meet Jimin, bathed in sunlight, the other man pressed in close, an amused smile curling over his too tempting lips.
“You whimper in your sleep sometimes,” he mumbles by way of a greeting, voice scratchy from disuse, Jeongguk’s equally so when he asks, “Do I?”
“Mhmm.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
It's then that he realizes his arm is wrapped around the other man, keeping him pressed tight to his chest, and his cheeks heat immediately, Jimin’s smile widening once he detects the cause of his embarrassment.
“You have a strong grip. Didn’t seem to want to let go.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” he groans, immediately releasing him in order to cover his face, words muffled into his palms when he promises, “I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.”
Hands tug on his own, and Jeongguk allows Jimin to move them away, smile as bright as his eyes when he shakes his head.
“Don’t be so dramatic. I don’t mind. Honestly.”
His body is so warm pressed against his own, and the way he looks up at him from beneath long lashes has Jeongguk's heart thundering in his chest, longing to bring him closer, to do something stupid.
He doesn't.
“If you’re sure.”
Jimin's smile is wide enough to show his cute teeth when he nods, turning over onto his back in order to stretch. The movement causes his shirt to ride up again, toned stomach revealed, and Jeongguk averts his gaze, not wanting to be caught staring.
“Do you know what the schedule is for today?”
“Breakfast in the dining room, a movie marathon in the theater afterward and then dinner before they’re making snow globes or something.”
“I know this is a lot to ask, and feel free to tell me no if you’d rather not do it,” Jimin offers, somewhat tentative, “but I was hoping I could try to visit my parents today? I wanted to see if maybe you could drive me into town?”
“Of course,” Jeongguk immediately agrees, taken with the bright smile of gratitude that Jimin gifts him with. “What time did you want to go?”
“After breakfast, if that’s okay.”
“Sounds good, I’ll get ready.”
After they’re both dressed and they’ve checked up on Lily and Olive, they head down to the dining room where a sizable group of people are eating, including his mother, who waves them over as soon as she spots them.
“Well hello you two,” she greets when they set their plates piled high onto the table. “How was your night?”
“Good,” Jeongguk answers, taking his seat after helping Jimin to pull out his own chair.
“Slept well, I hope.”
“Really well,” Jimin affirms, tone polite when he says, “I don’t think I’ve gotten to say this yet, but you have a really lovely home.”
“Oh thank you, dear. I’m glad you think so. I did most of the decorating myself, so I’m quite fond of it.”
The way she looks at Jimin…
Fuck, she likes him.
Jeongguk doesn't think she's ever liked any of the partners he’s chosen for himself, prefering the ones she sets him up with.
It’s going to be a disaster when the two of them “break up.”
“Will I see you in the theater later?” She asks before turning to Jimin, explaining the event. “We like to play all the classics. There’s snacks, food, drinks and rows of cozy, comfortable chairs with blankets.”
“That sounds lovely, but Jeongguk is driving me into town so that I can spend some time with my parents.”
“I didn’t know your family lives in Busan. Are they local?”
“They are. They own a little bakery in the city.”
“Oh how exciting. You’ll have to send me the name so I can order from them for my next event.”
Jimin promises to do so before his mother’s gaze sweeps over them both.
“What about tonight? Do you think you'll make it back in time? We do these arts and crafts activities like making wreaths and ornaments. This year it's snow globes. Jeongguk loves it.”
“You do?”
Cheeks flushing again at the attention and genuine interest, Jeongguk shrugs in a non-answer, his mom continuing to gush on his behalf.
“He is so artistic. Truly has an eye for that kind of thing.”
“We’ll definitely be back, then. I wouldn’t want to miss it,” Jimin reassures with a smile directed Jeongguk’s way.
“I’ll have Miyoung pull your car around. You two have fun.”
They finish breakfast and drive into town, Jeongguk following Jimin’s directions to get to his parent’s bakery, parking the car in the adjacent lot and letting the engine idle. Jimin reaches for the handle to his door, though he seems to hesitate as he looks back at him.
“Would you like to…do you wanna come inside with me?”
Jeongguk's lips part in surprise but shakes his head at the offer.
“Oh. No, that’s okay. I don’t want to take time away from you and your family. I’ll just…find something else to do around town until you’re ready to go back.”
“It’s really okay, promise. They’re going to be busy with work anyway, it gets really hectic around this time. You could meet them, and then keep me company.”
Jeongguk blinks, heart quickening inside his chest, because he really does want to stay.
“You’re sure?”
Jimin’s smile is soft and sweet.
“You always ask me that.”
“I have to check,” he explains. “Sometimes people say things because they feel like they have to.”
“I’m saying it because I want to.”
“Oh, well, in that case.”
Jimin laughs when he opens his door, immediately following after him. The two walk side by side into the bakery, the man behind the counter lighting up when he sees who it is.
“Jimin-ah,” he calls with open arms as he moves to greet him, wrapping Jimin up in a hug.
His voice is a little emotional when he murmurs, “Hi dad. It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you too. Are you well?”
“I’m good, yeah. Where’s mom?”
“In the kitchen. Let me get her real quick.”
There’s more cries of joy when Jimin’s mother comes out, her face full of emotion as well when she too wraps her son up in her arms.
“Who’s this?” She asks, her attention caught by Jeongguk, who watches off to the side.
“Mom, dad, this is my friend Jeon Jeongguk. He drove me here.”
They treat him like he's a member of the family, immediately embracing him, their gratitude overflowing for his help in bringing Jimin to visit, and Jeongguk is immediately able to see where Jimin’s kind and humble disposition comes from. They’re shown to a table, Jimin’s father bringing them warm hot chocolate and some mochi donuts that Jeongguk swears are the best he’s ever tasted. But true to what Jimin said, the bakery fills up quickly after that, and they immediately have to go back to work, leaving the two of them alone.
“Your parents work really hard.”
“They do, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. This place is their life, and they love it. I don’t get to see them very often, but even when I come down they keep working,” he laughs, clearly not holding it against them.
“Are you an only child?”
Jimin shakes his head.
“I have a younger brother, but he’s busy with university. Wants to be a doctor.”
“That’s amazing,” Jeongguk grins, and can’t help but chuckle. “My mother wanted me to be a doctor.”
“I think most mothers want that of their children,” Jimin smirks, “Mine was over the moon when Jihyung announced his intention was to go into the medical field.”
Jeongguk smiles into his cup of hot chocolate, the foam lining his upper lip.
“Can I ask you something?”
He looks up at the nervousness in Jimin’s tone, and hastily wipes his mouth with a napkin, immediately wanting to set him at ease.
“Of course.”
“Tell me to mind my own business if I’m overstepping but…may I ask what happened to your father? You mentioned him yesterday when we were at the pond.”
“Oh, um, he got really sick five years ago and passed away.”
“Oh fuck. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it—”
“No, it’s okay! Really. No worries. I don't mind talking about him. It was a long time ago, so.”
But Jimin still appears remorseful.
“Well, I asked you a shitty question, so feel free to ask me anything.”
“It wasn’t shitty,” Jeongguk reassures, but there is something that he’s recently been curious about. “I was wondering though—If you don’t mind answering, of course—what happened with Jiwon?”
Jimin chuckles and shrugs, the tips of his fingers delicately tracing over the rim of his mug, and Jeongguk feels a bit more at ease when he doesn't appear upset at all.
“Not much to tell, to be honest. Met him through a mutual friend, and in the beginning it was okay, though looking back on it now I think I was just lonely. It felt like he kept trying to move too fast and I wasn’t comfortable with it. Maybe that should’ve been my first clue, because if I really liked him it wouldn’t have bothered me so much. Then he was there when I got the invitation from your mom, and he was adamant that we go together, so I made an excuse. Said I would be too busy with work. He wasn’t happy about that, and it just went in a downward spiral from there. He said I was cold, boring, and predictable. There wasn’t much to say after that.”
Jeongguk gapes at him, the sudden anger he feels on his behalf curdling inside his stomach.
“What a piece of shit. God, you really should’ve let me throw his ass out.”
But Jimin shakes his head.
“I really don’t care about him. I just hate it when people think they get the best of me. And to be honest…what he said about me kind of struck a nerve. I wanted to prove him wrong. That’s why I came here.”
Jeongguk’s gaze sweeps over his features and he asks, “Is that also why you dyed your hair blond?”
Jimin looks embarrassed, but he nods, eyes falling to the tabletop where the tips of his fingers trace shapes.
“It’s stupid, I know.”
“It’s not,” Jeongguk rushes to reassure. “You look amazing. But for the record, you looked just as amazing before, and you’re not any of those things that he said you are. Not even a little.”
Jimin stares at him with a look that Jeongguk has only seen in brief glimpses, teeth sinking into his thick bottom lip until it turns white under the pressure, fingers pushing another long strand of hair behind his ear.
Jeongguk blinks and the moment is gone, the air between them lightening, and they talk more in depth about their work, their interests, getting lost in their easy conversation. Before they know it, two hours have passed.
“I’m hungry. Do you want to get out of here?”
Jeongguk turns to track Jimin’s parents, still busy behind the counter.
“Are you sure? We can stay longer.”
“Nah, it’s okay. Like I said, it’s always like this.”
“Then yeah. I could eat.”
He waits by the door as Jimin says goodbye to his mom and dad, wanting to give him that privacy, and waves when they do the same before the two of them head out.
They end up buying some ddakkochi from a nearby street vendor, and walk around town as they slowly eat, their shoulders bumping into each other as they talk.
“So you get sent all across Korea to study different types of ecosystems?”
“I used to. Lately I’ve been staying rooted in Seoul. I enjoy my workspace there, and teaching Minho math. Made me realize that I don’t like moving around as much as I did when I was younger. It’s nice holding still sometimes. Later though, I wouldn’t mind moving somewhere more rural than the city. I mean everything's in driving distance, but it would be nice to be closer to nature.”
“That does sounds nice.”
“Really?” Jimin asks, as if he’s never heard that response before. “Most people kind of look at me like I’ve grown a second head when I say that.”
“No, I agree. Especially being back home these last few days. I forgot how nice it is to not be so tightly packed together, you know?”
“Exactly. Anyways, obviously I don’t know what’ll happen in the future, but it’s just one of those goals I’ve set, so we’ll see.”
The two of them finish their meal, then circle back to the lot where Jeongguk’s car is parked and climb in, returning to his mother’s house. He parks near the front entrance, once again entrusting the keys to Miyoung so she can have the vehicle moved.
The movie marathon is still underway, and the two sneak into the theater, sharing a comfortable loveseat near the back in order to catch the last movie playing, Jeongguk’s nerves flaring up slightly when Jimin rests his head on his shoulder, and decides to test his luck by wrapping his arm around his waist. The older man sighs, and burrows against him even more, their eyes remaining fixed to the screen, and he willingly sinks into the illusion that Jimin is his, and he's Jimin's.
By the time dinner rolls around neither of them are that hungry, but they still eat with Jeongguk’s family, Jimin discussing with his mother the details of his parents bakery, watching as she makes a note of it on her phone, and Jeongguk looks down to see that they’re holding hands above the tabletop, the gesture feeling so natural that he doesn’t even question the reasoning behind it anymore. It feels like they’re magnets, gravitating towards each other, and he can’t help but wonder if Jimin feels it too, or if he's just making something out of nothing.
When the meal concludes, all the dishes are cleared away, and in their place are mason jars with lids, cute wintery figurines, sparkles in every color, and plenty of glue.
Jimin chooses a family of polar bears for his, and Jeongguk goes with a snowman and a Christmas tree, dusting the inside of the lid with glue so that he can spread white sprinkles in order to emulate snow. He then carefully uses the hot glue gun to set his figures in place, filling the jar up three quarters of the way with sparkle-filled water and carefully securing the lid in place before turning it right side up, adorning it with a ribbon.
“Amazing,” his mother compliments, always so taken with his creations before immediately turning to Jeonghyun with a huff. “You’re spilling water everywhere, sweetheart, didn’t you read the instructions? You’re not supposed to fill it to the top.”
“It’s really pretty,” Jimin compliments once he sees Jeongguk’s snow globe before going back to his own, appearing slightly defeated when he mutters, “for some reason my figurines keep unsticking.”
“Here, let me see.”
Jeongguk takes a metal file and runs it over the inside of the lid, giving it more grit to better adhere the small little polar bears.
“Try gluing it now.”
He beams when it works, the family of bears staying in place as he carefully turns the lid and rotates it right side up.
“You did a really good job,” Jeongguk murmurs, before passing his snow globe over to Jimin. “This is for you.”
“For me?”
“Yeah. You said it was pretty, so I want you to have it.”
Jimin’s eyes appear glassy, emotion clear in his features before he passes over the one he made until it rests in front of Jeongguk.
“You can have mine then.”
“Thank you, baby,” he says sincerely, not even teasing this time when he feels his mother’s eyes on them, her smile warm when she says, “You two are so adorable.”
“Sickening, even—ow,” Jeonghyun huffs, the sound of a foot being stomped from under the table easily identifiable before their mom starts up none the wiser.
“I’ll have you know that you and Haeun were just as bad when the two of you first started dating.”
“Yeah, but we were much younger,” Jeonghyun tries to defend.
“And immature,” Haeun adds, Jeonghyun nodding before he changes his mind.
“What are you talking about? I can’t speak for you, but I was the picture of maturity.”
“Actually, comparing then and now, you haven’t changed much.”
“Well that’s good, because you fell in love with me then, so obviously I was doing something right.”
Minho makes a gagging sound while attempting to carefully close the lid of his mason jar, only to bump one of his figurines, the santa sinking pitifully into the water.
After the globes are completed, they go back up to their room, Jeongguk practically dragging his feet. Tomorrow is their last night here, and looking down at the snow globe Jimin gave him, he admits to himself that he’s not yet ready for this trip to end.
Jimin takes a shower first, like usual, and Jeongguk checks on the girls while he does, holding Lily and passing her off to the other man when it’s his turn. A habit that's beginning to feel routine, even after such a short amount of time together.
When they both crawl into bed together, Jeongguk’s mind is in chaos even as Jimin’s breathing deepens beside him, having no trouble at all falling asleep. Meanwhile, Jeongguk tries to come to terms with the fact that soon, things will go back to the way they were, and instead of bringing relief, it only brings dread.
ㅡ§ㅡ
Sleep isn’t easy to come by that night, and when he does manage it, it’s fitful, his gaze automatically searching Jimin out, those striking features causing him to lose track of time as he appreciates plush lips, soft eyes, and the smattering of freckles interspersed over his cheeks.
He isn’t sure, but he thinks he falls asleep looking at him.
When he wakes, the sun lights up the entire room as he looks around disorientedly, spotting Jimin seated in an armchair near the window with a book in his hand. He sets it aside as Jeongguk sits up with a loud groan, wiping at his swollen eyes.
“There you are, sleeping beauty.”
“Time s’it?” He croaks.
“Just passed noon. I tried to wake you earlier but you were dead to the world.”
Fuck, he slept most of the day away. So much for savoring the time he has left.
“Couldn’t fall asleep last night for the longest time.”
“Was I tossing and turning?”
“No, it wasn’t you,” Jeongguk assures, not wanting to allude to the truth. “Just one of those things, I guess.”
“Well, if you’re hungry they’re serving lunch in the dining room I believe.”
“Yeah, let me just,” he motions to the bathroom before grabbing a change of clothes and stumbling inside.
By the time they make it downstairs, all the food has been laid out like a buffet, and the two of them spend time picking their favorites before finding an open table, Jeongguk’s arm automatically, going to the back of Jimin’s chair, while the smaller man grips into his thigh, holding up a bite of tteokbokki to his lips. Jeongguk eagerly swallows down the food, even though there’s plenty on his own plate.
“I don’t see your mother. Do you think she ate earlier?”
“Nah, she’s most likely preparing for tonight. It’s the grand finale of events.”
“What is it?” Jimin asks, feeding him another bite, and Jeongguk chews, deliberating on whether to tell him or not.
“It’s a dance.”
“A dance?”
“Mhmm. A formal dance.”
“Jeongguk-ah?”
“Yes, baby?”
“I don’t know how to formally dance.”
“Well then, you’re in good company.”
Their heads bend close together as their snorts turn into giggles, the two of them finishing their food before Jeongguk decides to take Jimin on a tour of the house. Something that he should’ve done sooner, but better late than never.
“Thats the study, and this is the library,” he says, dramatically waving his hands as Jimin frowns.
“Um, can we go inside?”
“Nope. See the sign?”
It’s the fifth such room they’ve come across that has a notice next to it that states the room is not accessible to guests right now.
“Why are they all closed off? They weren’t before.”
“It’s for tonight.”
“What do you mean? I thought tonight was the dance.”
“It is,” Jeongguk agrees, grinning when Jimin’s eyes narrow.
“Why do I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me?”
He hums before giving a shrug.
“How am I supposed to know why you feel that way?”
Jimin huffs, though it’s ruined by the smile he can’t seem to help.
They waste time wandering through the corridors, Jeongguk showing Jimin all the best hiding spots he found when he was a child and used to play hide and seek with Jeonghyun, right before he challenges Jimin to hide, promising to find him within minutes.
He makes good on that promise, the other man so scared of breaking something that he hides—not very well—behind a golden curtain.
They eventually make their way back up to their room, where Jimin stares at his open bag with a frown.
“What should I wear for tonight?” He asks. “I didn’t bring anything too fancy.”
“You already have an outfit,” Jeongguk informs him, going into his closet and pulling out two garment bags; Jimin’s being moved here after he switched rooms, and holds them up. “You remember the invitation asked for your measurements?”
“Is that why? I was wondering.”
“My mother likes to plan this night down to a T.”
He passes Jimin his and lets him get ready first. When he comes out of the bathroom, Jeongguk’s jaw drops, the air leaving him in an audible rush.
The suit he wears is a deep embassy purple and the same color throughout, from the shirt with the first three buttons undone to the waistband, to the jacket and all the way down to the pants. His hair hangs over his eyes, which look to be dusted with an iridescent lilac shadow, smoking the outer corners of his lids, eyelashes more pronounced. A long golden earring dangles from his left ear, ending in a perfect pearl, with several expensive-looking rings that adorn in his fingers.
“There was a lot in the garment bag,” he murmurs, shuffling his feet as if he feels awkward, peeking up at Jeongguk like he wants to gauge his reaction.
But Jeongguk has no words.
He’s never seen anyone as gorgeous, as breathtaking as Jimin, and for a moment he wonders if he’s hallucinating, having to physically shake himself to see if the vision Jimin creates wavers like a mirage.
It doesn’t.
“W-Wow,” he stutters, lips dry while too much saliva fills his mouth, slurring his words. “Jimin you look—wow.”
Jimin laughs, tucking more blond hair behind his ear, shy.
“Is that a good wow?”
“I promise you, if I could remember how to articulate, I’d be showering you with compliments. You look beautiful.”
An enticing flush spreads over Jimin’s cheeks, and his voice is soft when he says, “Thank you, Jeongguk-ah.”
They switch places, and Jeongguk spends time in the bathroom trying to figure out his own outfit. His mother may not know what he’s looking for in a partner, but she certainly has his fashion sense down. The suit is black, while the dress shirt is a simple white button down, with the statement piece being the jacket. It’s covered in delicate silver and gold chains, artfully draped and pinned in place with the use of glistening pendants, leaving the thin tie he wraps around his neck loose. He also has rings at the bottom of his bag, as well as earrings for each one of the piercings in his ear, connecting the first one to the last by another small chain. For the final touch, he decides to tie his long hair up into a bun, looking over the picture he makes in the mirror before exiting the ensuite.
Jimin waits for him seated on the edge of the bed, gaining his feet when he hears his approach and immediately freezes, eyes sweeping over his form, down, up, then down again.
“How do I look?” Jeongguk asks after holding his arms out and giving a little spin, the chains on his jacket making a soft tinkling sound.
“Yeah, I mean…you look—good. Really good.”
Jimin seems to have trouble swallowing, struggling once he continues.
“It uh, it suits you the,” his hand comes up to wave in a circular motion as if encompassing Jeongguk’s entire ensemble, “the outfit was chosen well.”
“You think so?”
Jimin pulls at his collar even though the buttons are already undone.
“Definitely.”
Jeongguk’s smile is pleased, finding Jimin’s awkward confession to be beyond cute.
Offering up his arm he asks, “Are you ready?”
Jimin accepts it with a grin and nods.
“Ready.”
Together they make their way downstairs towards the ballroom they gathered in on the first night, the room already full of guests mingling, some dancing to the quartet that plays in the wings. There’s a spread of food along the back wall where several guests mill about, while waiters carry trays of drinks overhead. Jimin manages to snag both of them some champagne, and even though it makes Jeongguk terribly fuzzy, he still drinks from it eagerly, while Jimin himself downs his own, ditching the glass on the table next to him as he nervously eyes those who are dancing.
“You want to try?” Jeongguk asks.
“Yes and no.”
“Which one is winning?”
“No. But that just means I have to do it.”
“You don’t have to, you know.”
“No no, I do, I just…I need to relax,” Jimin explains, shaking out his hands, pursing his lips and blowing air past them until they vibrate together.
Jeongguk finishes his champagne and grabs another that he passes to Jimin, who takes it with a grateful, “Thank you.”
He drinks half in one gulp before passing it back to Jeongguk, who drinks the rest, setting it on the table to join the other empty ones and turning when he feels a hand on his arm. Jimin’s eyes are wide, a flush to his cheeks as he battles his nerves.
“Dance with me?” He asks.
“I’d love to," Jeongguk answers.
Side by side, they walk onto the dance floor, Jeongguk helping Jimin get into position, guiding one hand to rest on his shoulder, while the other he holds, his own moving down to grip Jimin’s tiny waist. Their eyes meet, Jeongguk giving a small nod that Jimin returns, and with that, they begin to move.
Jimin is stiff at first, clearly not knowing where to put his feet, or when, but he gets the hang of it relatively quickly enough, an elated smile taking over his plump lips.
“You told me you didn’t know how to dance either,” he accuses, and Jeongguk can’t help but smirk.
“Did I?”
“Yes, you did.”
“Huh.”
Jimin smacks his arm, the two breaking out into quiet laughs as Jeongguk expertly spins them around the room, feeling as if they’re floating on air, though that could be the alcohol finally going to his head.
“Look at you, though,” Jeongguk points out once they have a few songs behind them, grip shifting lower on his waist. “You’re a natural.”
“What are you talking about? You’re leading me, I’m just following.”
“No, you’ve already got the steps down. You were struggling a bit before.”
Jimin looks down at his feet, as if only just realizing. When he looks back up he’s glowing with happiness, and it literally takes Jeongguk’s breath away.
The room is filled with laughter and music, bodies that sway gracefully, but Jeongguk doesn’t take note of any of it. He only has eyes for Jimin, and from the way the other looks at him, he has hopes that the feeling is mutual. Fingers tickle across his shoulder, breath hitching when they reach his neck, and Jimin appears determined, as his hand slides up further still, conforming to his cheek, the pads of his fingers coming up to frame his ear—
A bloodcurdling scream rings out, the two of them jumping at the sound, Jimin clearly scared and concerned, while Jeongguk sighs, looking up on the platform at the front of the room where his mother stands, chest heaving.
Of course this would have to happen now, of all times.
“There’s been a murder!”
“Oh my god,” Jimin whispers, hand covering his mouth before he grabs Jeongguk, lacing their fingers together as he cuts through the crowd, a confused frown marring his brow when he comes upon the scene.
A man in a fancy suit lies face down on the ground, while beneath him spreads a pool of blood. And by blood it’s really just a vibrant crimson cloth with some fishing line attached, pulled by staff to give it the appearance that it’s growing in size.
Jimin stares, then blinks, and finally looks up at him with a raised brow, clearly not happy, the look he gives nearly causing Jeongguk to lose it, even though he feels bad. Leaning in close so that he can whisper in the other’s ear, Jeongguk tries not to focus too much on the way Jimin shivers again when his breath tickles his lobe.
“I may have forgotten to mention that the dance wasn’t tonight’s main event.”
“I knew you were hiding something from me earlier. I really thought someone had been killed, you know,” he grumbles, the back of his hand lightly hitting Jeongguk's stomach. “And I still haven't gotten you back for the pond.”
“I'm two for two now,” Jeongguk smirks.
“Everyone please remain calm,” his mother calls to the room, playing her part perfectly. “Mister Rig R. Mortis is dead, but If you’ll follow me to the library, I know we can solve this.”
“Are we really doing one of those murder mystery roleplaying games?” Jimin murmurs quietly, actually sounding hopeful, an excitement to those wide eyes.
“Yup. My mother likes to end the last night with a bang. Sometimes literally.”
It’s slow going, but they all shuffle out of the ballroom and make their way up to the library, the spacious room filling with guests. When a server passes by with more bubbling champagne, Jeongguk grabs two and hands one to Jimin with a grin.
“Medicinal,” he assures, delighting in his amused snort.
“Of course,” Jimin giggles, the two downing them in one go.
“Everyone stay where you are,” his mother calls out, framed on either side by members of her staff, fancy trays holding personalized gold trimmed envelopes. “I’ll come to you and deliver your role for the evening. Please don’t open it until I say.”
“Oh wow, we’re actually going to be given a character?”
“Mhmm,” Jeongguk answers. “Though, to be honest, it’s mostly to keep up the aesthetics and the vibe of the game. If you had been here like four years ago when there weren’t as many people, it used to be a whole involved thing, but now there’s just too many participants to go into depth with it, but she still gets a kick out of people roleplaying.”
Jimin hums in response, slightly disappointed, but his excitement can’t be completely mitigated.
When his mother reaches them, she gives them both a fond smile, cupping Jeongguk’s cheek as she passes him an envelope with his name on it, doing the same for Jimin before moving on. Once she’s back at the front of the room, she addresses everyone with a loud voice.
“When you open your letters, it’ll have four items inside. A nametag, a brief description of who you are, a character list, and a slip of paper that will either proclaim your innocence, or your guilt. This has all been chosen at random by one of my staff. The majority of them and myself don't even know who is who, so please, no complaints. When I give the go ahead, I wan’t each of you to open your envelopes—carefully, don’t let anyone else see what you are—and then don your nametags. We’ll go around the room and let everyone read the brief summary about themselves, understood?”
Everyone murmurs an affirmative, his mother smiling as a staff member passes over her own letter.
“Good. Now, open them.”
Jeongguk peeks inside his, keeping his expression neutral when he does, but Jimin huffs next to him.
“Are you kidding me?”
His indignation almost causes Jeongguk to burst out laughing.
“What’s wrong?”
But Jimin only sighs and shakes his head, pinning his nametag to his chest. Jeongguk slips his envelope in the inner pocket of his suit jacket, and then struggles to pin his own identifier, having trouble finding a free spot due to all the chains and draped jewelry. Jimin takes it from him, gently but insistently batting his hands away and carefully moves one of the dangling pieces aside, securing it in place. Their eyes meet, something heated passing between them that makes it hard to pay attention when they start going around the room, people reading off their character profiles.
He does hear that his brother is a disgruntled cook though, employed by the dead man, while Minho is a retired physics professor who was former colleagues with the deceased, in possession of a well known grudge after he plagiarized his dissertation. Haeun is a previous employee of Rig R. Mortis, who was fired after discovering incriminating documents, and was subsequently used as a scapegoat. Funnily enough, his mother is a landscaper who worked on the dead man’s property, gathering a different kind of dirt on him as revenge for ruining the life of her father.
He thinks Jiwon's character is the only one that is no accident, framed as a nosy socialite who has a habit of inserting himself in situations he was not invited to, with a rude disposition that everyone finds off-putting. They both get a kick out of that, snorting behind Jimin's envelope, and when Jeongguk looks up, his mother winks at him.
When it’s Jeongguk’s turn, he succinctly reads from his card containing his own character’s description.
“My name is I. C. Ulysius. The illegitimate son of Rig. R. Mortis. My mother was used and discarded by my father, who never acknowledged my existence, nor gave me what was rightfully mine by birthright.”
Once finished, he waits in anticipation for Jimin’s turn.
“I’m Vixen N. Snare. My previous husband died under mysterious circumstances, leaving his sizable fortune to me. The socialite gossip groups claim I was having a secret relationship with Rig R. Mortis, in search of my next victim.”
Jeongguk can't help it and snorts loudly again, which devolves into more laughter as Jimin tries to look irritated but ends up joining him instead. Thankfully they don't get reprimanded, quieting down quickly so that they can finally finish introducing everyone.
“If this is your first time solving a mystery with us, the game is simple. On the back of your description card is a riddle. Everyone will be each given them in a different order to ensure that we're not all crowding each other, and that we’re not just following someone around as they guess the correct answers. Throughout the house you’ll find members of my staff, and what we like to call ‘replenishing stations,’ for those who get hungry or fancy a drink,” she grins. “Some of these stations will actually be the location to answer the riddles you’re given. Simply approach the staff member that mans it, show them your riddle and give them the answer. They’ll give you a stamp on your nametag to ensure that no one cheats. Some of you remember the debacle from two years ago.”
The room fills with soft chuckles.
“Once you solve a riddle, the staff will hand you another one. The person who solves the final riddle will be given a prize, but everyone is encouraged to keep playing the game until we have all come to the correct conclusion. Any questions?”
“Can we group up with people who have the same starting riddle as us?” Someone asks, and his mother turns to them with a smile.
“Of course. But remember, only one person wins the prize.”
When the questions cease, she addresses the room at large again.
“Everyone ready? Go ahead and read your first riddle.”
Jeongguk takes out his character card, turning it over to read through his.
Inside this room I hold fire and ice
The heart of a dwelling with both sugar and spice
If these walls could talk then they’d surely reveal
That without me you’d never know a home-cooked meal
Leaning over, he asks, “Which one did you get?”
Jimin turns his card towards him, revealing it’s the exact same one, and Jeongguk shakes his fists in excitement as the crowd begins to filter out of the library.
“Want to work together?”
“I don’t know,” Jimin says, suddenly guarded. “What if you’re the killer?”
“I’m not the one whose husband disappeared under mysterious circumstances.”
“Fair enough. So, to the kitchen then?”
“I would say that’s the most likely place,” Jeongguk grins, and the two head back downstairs, running into other people as they scramble to solve their own riddles.
Inside the large industrial kitchen—which is usually off limits to guests—is one of those ‘replenishing stations’ his mother spoke of, with a large variety of food and plenty of alcohol, attended by a staff member in costume. They're the only ones in the room, and Jimin and Jeongguk approach with their cards to show him their identical riddle.
“The answer is the kitchen,” Jimin whispers, to keep from being overheard, and the staff member takes their papers and reaches forward to carefully cup their name tags before marking it with a tiny stamp in the color green, and then hands them each another small card.
They move over towards the food and drinks just as more people begin to come in, and Jimin grabs two more glasses of champagne, passing one of them to Jeongguk.
“Medicinal,” he giggles, and Jeongguk feels his cheeks puff up in a smile, staring at him for far too long before he remembers himself and takes a drink. “What’s it say?” Jimin asks, motioning to the cards, and Jeongguk lifts his own and starts to read.
“The place where you go to leave your world behind
Here you will sail across oceans or go back in time
I can keep you distracted though you’ll willingly lose sleep
And take you to so many places all without moving your feet.”
“These riddles aren’t that hard,” Jimin mumbles with a frown, and Jeongguk can’t stop himself from reaching out to poke at the furrow in his brow, feeling a pleasant buzz already.
“They had to account for those who get drunk off their asses.”
“Couldn’t be us,” Jimin says confidently before tossing back the rest of his drink.
“Definitely not,” Jeongguk agrees with a grin, finishing his own. “So. Back to the library?”
“Lead the way, Mister Ulysius.”
They go back to the library where there’s already a sizable group of people at the ‘replenishing station,’ Jiwon and his date included, but Jimin doesn’t even seem to notice or care as they get their name tags stamped after showing the previous riddle, only to be handed a new one, the two moving to a deserted corner where Jimin reads it aloud this time.
“I am a vessel and a stone
When I am hot my temper is known
I have my own money as well as a bank
If I take a bath the devil you can thank
I have no mercy when I am cold
If I am bad ill will shall unfold
I can be thirsty and have shot many eyes
In the dead of night as the curdling hound cries.”
They both look at each other, the answer falling from their lips at the same time.
“Blood.”
“And where have we seen blood?” Jimin asks, another smile overtaking his lips.
“The ballroom,” Jeongguk murmurs, before they both walk swiftly out of the library and back downstairs.
The ballroom is nearly deserted, only the staff at the replenishing station standing around. Even the body of Rig R. Mortis has vanished, the crimson “blood” cloth still there.
After showing their riddles and reciting their answer to the staff member, Jeongguk reads the new one they were given.
“Walk through me one way to be safe and warm
But if you go backwards risk cold and harm
I can be welcoming and open to those I adore
But shut tight and immovable to those I abhor.”
“Walk through me one way,” Jimin hums, looking up when Jeongguk adds, “Welcoming and open, or shut tight and immovable. Sounds like a front door.”
“I was thinking the same.”
Traveling the corridors, they pass several other stations manned by staff, and Jeongguk wonders if they’re decoys, or if they’ll come upon them later on, the one in the entryway empty of other guests. They show the woman at the table their cards and give the answer to the riddle, accepting the new ones she gives them before getting a stamp each.
“Are you hungry or thirsty? We could take a rest for a minute,” Jeongguk offers, smiling at the determined expression that takes over Jimin's features.
“After. I wanna win.”
“Oh, the competitive type?”
“Don’t act like you aren’t either, I saw you in that sack race.”
“Touche. Your turn to read.”
Taking the newest card, Jimin’s eyes skim over the words.
“Surrounded by water yet I do not drink
I float on the surface and never sink
A solid above liquid yet I’m fluid as well
I sway with the waves the wind and the swell”
“Okay, so somewhere with water,” Jeongguk starts, looking over his shoulder when he hears approaching voices. “Let's go outside.”
“Could be the pool,” Jimin offers. “Or the pond.”
“I float on the surface and never sink.”
“Maybe there’s a floaty in the pool. Or do you guys have one of those…cover things?”
His words are slightly slurred, and Jeongguk wonders if the alcohol is hitting him as well when the answer comes to him.
“It’s a dock,” he exclaims, taking Jimin’s hand as he begins to quickly move in that direction.
Sure enough, there’s a replenishing station at the dock, the entire grounds covered in tealights to show the way.
They do the same song and dance, showing their riddles and stating the answer before gaining a new card and getting their name tags stamped. Standing under a bright lamp post, Jeongguk reads this one.
“As sharp as a knife but in no kitchen you’ll find me
With a handle of wood I keep the ground tidy
Five prongs at my end which are used as a spear
Inside the garden shed you’ll find me here.”
“It’s never explicitly told us where to go before,” Jimin says with a frown, and Jeongguk nods and then shrugs.
“Now we know where to go and what to look for.”
He leads them to the massive garden shed since Jimin doesn’t know the grounds like he does, another staff member standing just outside it beside another full table, the door to the shed open, the inside lit up. Jeongguk takes Jimin’s hand, and together they go in.
“Pretty sure it’s a pitchfork,” Jimin reveals when he sees they’re the only ones in there. “Do you see one?”
“Yup,” he points to it as he tries to stifle his laugh. “The tips have even been dipped in bright red paint.”
Jimin leans around him to see, disbelief coloring his voice when he asks, "Are you telling me you killed your father with that thing?”
“Excuse me, I prefer sperm donor. Now tell me, how did you hide a Pitchfork on you when you killed your lover, Vixen N. Snare?”
“Not very subtle, is it?”
“Not really, no. Certainly not the first thing that comes to mind as a practical way to end someone’s life.”
“One of us is very dramatic.”
“Agreed,” Jeongguk hums before pulling Jimin back outside.
After getting a new stamp and card, they move back under a strong light to read it.
“I lie in the eye of a storm of green
With water from which that no one can drink
Filled with wishes aplenty and paid for with gold
While the lovers remain frozen in each other’s hold.”
Jeongguk thinks before excitedly whispering, “I know the answer. It’s a fountain. There’s tons in the garden, so that’s where everyone is probably going to go, but there’s one at the center of the hedge maze, and it’s of two lovers. I lie in the eye of a storm of green. It’s definitely there.”
“Please tell me you know how to navigate the maze.”
“Of course I do, baby, who do you take me for?”
And with that he grabs his hand again, the two traveling some distance away to the entrance of the maze. He doesn’t hesitate, taking each path and turn confidently, sure that this must be the end of the game.
Jimin said he wanted to win, and Jeongguk is going to make sure that happens.
He lets go of a deep breath when they reach the center of the maze, and there, before the fountain of the lovers, is another replenishing station.
Jeongguk allows Jimin to go first, wanting him to win, and after stamping their name tags, the woman gives them another card, Jeongguk remaining quiet as Jimin reads it, a confused furrow to his brow.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
He turns it over so that Jeongguk can look.
“It just says I see you.”
Jeongguk smiles, knowing immediately what it means, and watches as it begins to dawn on Jimin, eyes roaming around while he thinks, until Jimin’s gaze finally lands on Jeongguk’s name tag, a smug grin turning up those pretty pink lips when he comes closer, practically closing the distance between them as he taps on it, right over his heart.
“I see you. I. C. Ulysius. I do believe you are the killer, Mister Ulysius.”
“I believe you’re right.”
Those fingers walk up towards his collar, tugging on a lapel. “Does that mean I’m in danger?”
His own hand flattens overtop of Jimin’s when he shakes his head no.
“Never from me. Besides, your husband disappeared under mysterious circumstances. It's likely we're both killers.”
“Or you killed him as well so that you could have me all to yourself.”
“Oh I definitely did.”
“And you killed your sperm donor for the inheritance?”
Again, Jeongguk shakes his head.
“It was rumored the two of you were having an affair. Couldn’t have that.”
“So it was to get me all to yourself?”
“It was. And look, I succeeded.”
They’re so close now their noses nearly brush, Jimin’s smile elated before it diminishes slightly, going back down from the tiptoes he stood on in a bid to get closer.
“You're good at this.”
“Good at what,” Jeongguk asks, wondering what went wrong.
“Pretending.”
It’s almost bittersweet the way he says it, and Jeongguk doesn't know if he's talking about the game or their “relationship.”
When Jimin gives the answer of the riddle to the waiting staff member, he’s congratulated on winning the game, presenting him with a gift certificate for a ridiculous amount of premium beef. The atmosphere lightens between them when they share another drink in celebration before stumbling their way out of the maze, a laughing mess as they pass other people getting lost along the way.
“Knew you would win,” Jeongguk chuckles, the two drunkenly bumping into each other, tucked in close while making their way back up to the house and their room.
“You did not,” Jimin snorts, hitting him lightly on the chest, fingers getting tangled with one of the many chains on his jacket, but he doesn’t seem to mind, just wraps it around his fingers and gently tugs, as if his grip will keep them together.
“No, I really did! I could tell. You’re very determined, and smart and clever, and—”
He looks down, a blush blooming over his cheeks seeing that Jimin is staring up at him with wide, puppy dog eyes.
“Don’t stop. Keep going,” he encourages, the sound of Jeongguk’s breath stuttering overly loud in the sudden quiet.
“Well you’re—”
Funny. Kind. Beautiful…Perfect.
But just then, a group of people go running by, loud and giggly and clearly drunk like they are. Jimin and Jeongguk watch them go, and the moment is over, even though the words still linger on the tip of his tongue, like regret for all the things he didn’t say.
When they finally make it to their room, an awkwardness has settled between them, and once again Jeongguk insists that Jimin take a shower first, following him with his gaze as he gathers a change of clothes and disappears into the bathroom. He checks on both Lily and Olive and then fumbles for his phone, immediately calling Yoongi.
“It’s been awhile, I was beginning to fear the worst.”
“I wanna be with him, Yoongi. I really do.”
“Who, exactly?”
“Park Jimin.”
“Oh, you’re boyfriend.”
“Fake boyfriend,” he corrects.
“Who you wish was your real boyfriend.”
“Yes. He’s amazing, and I could’ve told him but I fucked it all up.”
“Jeongguk, we’ve talked about this, how is anyone supposed to know how you feel if you don't use your words?”
“I wanted to! I really did, s’just bad timing.”
“Maybe that's a good thing. You sound kind of out of it.”
“We drank a bit while solving a murder. I killed my sperm donor.”
“Well that's…nice.”
“Yeah. Jimin is really nice too. I want to date him for real though. What should I do?”
“Usually people ask. Didn’t we already go through this, or am I having deja vu?”
“I just don’t want to make him uncomfortable.”
“You’re making me uncomfortable.”
“But what if I ruin everything?”
“What, like your fake relationship? I don’t think there’s much you can ruin.”
“I might have to start picking Minho up from tutoring for a while. If he doesn’t feel the same, I don't want to make it worse by showing up to his house every other day as some reminder of his rejection.”
“He hasn't even rejected you yet.”
“But he could.”
“So have the kid meet you in the elevator if he does. Just stop looking for excuses to get out of this. If you like him, tell him, yeah?”
Jeongguk stares at the bathroom door, a longing in him that he’s sure he’s never felt before.
“Yeah,” he hums, mumbling his goodbyes to Yoongi seconds later.
Despite the revelations made during their; albeit short conversation, no words are exchanged when Jeongguk and Jimin swap places in the bathroom, nor when they climb into bed, the lights turned out.
It’s Jimin who moves in first, getting close and wrapping an arm around his waist, until hesitantly, Jeongguk’s own pulls him in as well.
“Thank you for tonight. This whole trip, really. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and you’re the reason for that.”
He knows they’re tipsy, maybe even drunk, and that he shouldn’t say or do anything in an impaired state, but he can’t stay quiet after that confession.
“I’m usually miserable when I come to these things,” he admits. “Counting down the days until it’s over. This is the first time I’ve dreaded it ending, and that’s because of you. I had such an amazing time with you, Jimin.”
…
“Jimin?”
But he’s already asleep.
Jeongguk wraps him up tighter and follows him down.
ㅡ§ㅡ
The day starts off quiet, and for the most part it stays that way. There are no events planned, as everyone is departing, but his mother still has the chefs prepare breakfast to see everyone off. She spends a lot of time mingling, laughing and talking with fervent promises to host another one like this next year. When she spots Jimin and Jeongguk, she joins them, mostly speaking to Jimin with a wide smile, making him swear to keep in touch, while planning to get together for lunch in the not so distant future. When she pulls him into a warm hug, he visibly freezes in shock, lips parting before returning the gesture.
“Take care of each other,” she whispers, faint, but Jeongguk still hears it. “You’ve made me so happy, because I see how happy you make my son.”
Jimin’s eyes slide up to him from across the table, his expression mirroring Jeongguk’s own.
Guilt.
It lingers with him as they go back up to his room to pack their things, Jeongguk careful with his snow globe and dried up daisy chain. The two stop to check on Olive and Lily together, Jimin giggling at the way the gecko tries to jump again when she spots them, and Jeongguk’s heart twists, stomach sinking while a wave of emotions threatens to drown him.
Because he knows he’ll miss this. Miss Jimin.
He’s not ready to say goodbye.
Jeongguk carries the tubs downstairs as a staff member helps him with his other bags, leading the two to a sitting room just off of the entryway while his car is brought around. Inside, Jeonghyun, Haeun, Minho and his mother already wait, brightening up when they enter.
“Are you ready to go back to work?” He asks his brother, watching as Jimin eagerly moves past to entertain Minho once the boy calls him over, laughing softly when he hears the older man sigh at the question.
“Yes and no. Mostly no. Haeun has to start the interviewing process in order to get more help, and my hours change as soon as I go back.”
“So, when should I start picking up Minho?” Jeongguk asks with a grin, his brother’s features warring with both gratitude and remorse at having to seek his help.
“He goes back tomorrow, and has tutoring after.”
“Got it. I’ll be there.”
To his surprise, Jeonghyun pulls him into a tight hug, and he pats his back in reassurance, promising that it’s no trouble while his brother vows to compensate him, no matter how many times Jeongguk tells him it isn’t necessary.
The three of them go to leave first, Jeongguk ruffling Minho’s hair and laughing when the boy huffs but smiles.
“Guess what?” Jeongguk asks excitedly, Minho gazing up at him in curiosity. "Your favorite uncle is picking you up tomorrow.”
“You’re my only uncle.”
“But I bet if you had more I’d still be your favorite.”
“Maybe, but if Jimin becomes my uncle it would be too close to call.”
There’s that sinking feeling again, added to the culmination of his very real feelings for Jimin that will lead nowhere if he doesn’t confess, mixing with the lie he’s told to his family these last few days until it all leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
After their secret handshake, they wave goodbye to Jeonghyun, Haeun, and Minho at the door, watching as they pull away down the long drive just as Jeongguk’s car is brought around. Carefully setting Lily and Olive back on the floor of the backseat, he looks up in time to see Jimin hugging his mother goodbye once more before descending the stairs. He helps him load up his bag, and while opening the passenger door for him can’t help but notice how torn he looks.
It's clear the lie they've both indulged in is weighing heavily on him as well.
“I’ll be right back,” he tells him softly, worried that if he’s too loud, it’ll spook the other. “Need to get my bag and say goodbye to my mom,”
“Take your time,” Jimin encourages, sliding in, and Jeongguk closes the door for him once he’s all the way inside, jogging back up the steps towards the sitting room, where his mother waits by his bag.
She looks as if she’s about to say something, but he beats her to it, knowing he won’t be able to stand it if she starts talking about how happy she is for him one more time.
“I need to tell you something, and it’s going to be hard to hear, but I want to be honest.”
“Okay,” she says, sitting down once she hears the seriousness in his tone.
Shaking out his hands, he takes a deep breath, voice weak and trembling when he starts, clearly nervous.
“So…for the past couple of years, you’ve been pretty persistent about setting me up with someone. I didn’t mind at first when it was once or twice, even when it ended badly, because I knew you just wanted me to be happy. But after a while it kind of felt like—to me, anyway—that you were just throwing me at anyone you knew who was single, whether we would be compatible or not. Half of the people you’ve sent me on dates with couldn’t even stand reptiles, and you know how big of a role they play in my life.”
His mother looks increasingly upset, but also a little bit resigned, so he presses forward, not wanting her to feel like she has to defend herself.
“I know you mean well, I do, but even when I try to explain that I’m not interested in someone it feels as if my feelings aren’t considered. So when I got here, and you were still trying to set me up with Soheechul, I um…I did something that I deeply regret.”
There’s a pause, his mother waiting for him to finish explaining. Taking another deep breath, Jeongguk comes clean.
“I lied to you—well, I lied to everyone. When I said that I was dating Jimin, you were right, that wasn’t true. I thought if I told you I was seeing someone, it might pacify you a little, and I saw him standing there and his name kind of just came out. Please don’t be upset with him. I put Jimin in a very awkward situation these last few days, none of this is his fault.”
Silence falls over the room as he stares at his mother while she processes what he's just revealed, becoming increasingly desperate for her to say something. He can tell that she’s upset; as she has every right to be, but she remains composed while gathering her thoughts, hands smoothing over her slacks.
“I know you think I’m silly for doing this. For throwing these events,” she elaborates, hands encompassing the house, “and there are times when I would agree with you on that. But the house has been so quiet since you and your brother left, and when your father passed…well, it gets lonely, and all those people who turn out, all that noise they make, and the quiet they chase away, it becomes more bearable. They bring the house to life again. It’s the last thing I want for you, sweetheart. To be alone. To know that kind of quiet. I know you find me overbearing, and that you’re tired of me trying to set you up with people, but I’m just so scared that one day you’ll feel like this too. I only wished to spare you from that, and that fear made me lose sight of some things, and for that I’m sorry. I never wanted you to hate what I was doing so much that you felt the need to lie.”
Her words cause an acute pain to blossom in his heart, and he only feels worse for not having this conversation sooner, for not articulating his feelings better before things escalated to this.
“I know mom, and I’m really, really sorry.”
She shakes her head as she gains her feet, and Jeongguk releases a relieved breath when her arms extend open as she approaches, pulling him into a tight embrace. When he hears her sniffle, he nearly cries as well, pulling her in tighter as they sway back and forth.
“I'm sorry too, sweetheart. Promise,” she starts, words muffled into his shoulder, “no more blind dates.”
“No more fake relationships,” Jeongguk responds, feeling his mother laugh wetly against him before pulling back.
“It’s a shame, too. I really like Jimin.”
“I do too, mom,” he quietly admits, face flushing when he sees the way she looks at him with a raised brow.
“Well then. You better go. He’s waiting for you.”
He swears there's a double meaning behind her words, nodding as he ponders them, still unsure if he should leave her just yet, but she guides him back to the still-open front door, giving him another hug before he jogs down the stairs and back to his car as she watches him, waving from the stoop. Jimin is returning it as he slides inside, quickly buckling up and starting the engine.
“Sorry about the wait.”
“It’s okay,” he says, still waving to his mom. “I’m going to miss her. She was really kind to me.”
Leaning closer to Jimin’s side, he waves at his mother again before righting himself.
“I’m going to miss her too,” he admits, and begins the long drive back.
ㅡ§ㅡ
The return trip to Seoul feels shorter than the one down to Busan, a bitter sadness sinking into him when he parks outside of Jimin’s apartment. They both get out and move towards the back where Jeongguk opens the trunk, grabbing his bag for him and shouldering it.
“I’ll walk you up,” he offers, Jimin’s usual polite protest not forthcoming, and something about his general disposition seems off, a tinge of sadness to it, maybe.
When they make it up to the seventh floor, Jimin opens the door to his unit and hesitates before asking, “Do you want to come in?”
He sounds nervous, and beneath that, hopeful.
Jeongguk’s lips part, not quite trusting his voice, and so nods enthusiastically, stepping inside when Jimin invites him.
“You can go ahead and set that down wherever,” he says as they come into Jimin’s living room, motioning to his bag, and Jeongguk places it carefully on the hardwood as he looks around, the apartment spacious and tastefully decorated, revealing little pieces of Jimin's life. “Can I get you anything? Something to drink or—”
“I told my mother the truth,” Jeongguk blurts out, pulse thundering in his ears, observing the way Jimin turns back to him, confusion overtaking his features before Jeongguk explains.
“I told her that I lied about you and me being together.”
“Oh,” he says simply, feet toeing at the ground where his gaze falls, a variety of emotions flying across his features. “Why?”
“Because,” Jeongguk murmurs, struggling to swallow around the lump in his throat while Jimin continues to stare up at him expectantly. They're both nervous, as if standing on a ledge, waiting to see if the other will take that leap. He wants to back away where it's safe.
But he wants to jump even more.
“I wasn’t pretending," he declares, letting the silence sink in around them before elaborating. "Last night, you said I was good at it, but I think…Somewhere along the way—this, us,” he distinguishes, motioning between them, “it started to feel real. I know that it wasn’t, but I wanted it to be. So I told her because I didn’t want to pretend anymore. Didn’t want what I feel for you to be wrapped up in a lie.”
He watches the way Jimin’s chest almost heaves, as if he’s physically exhausted himself, a tongue tracing over plump lips, long lashes kissing the tops of his cheeks as he blinks.
“And what is it that you feel for me?”
Jeongguk's eyes widen at the question, stomach swooping in what he hopes it implies.
“Do you want me to list everything? It might take awhile.”
Jimin’s smile is almost wobbly, eyes glistening when he says, "I've got time.”
Jeongguk nods, and makes the decision not to hold back.
“Interest,” he starts off with. “For the past few days that we've spent together there is this unwavering interest I have to get to know you better, to learn about your likes and dislikes, the nuances behind your habits. You're one of the easiest people to talk to, and that's a pretty big deal for me, because I don't always find it so easy to communicate. You're kind and patient, and the way you are with my nephew and Lily and Olive breaks my heart a little because they're so important to me, but not everyone treats them with the amount of respect and care that you've managed to show in such a short time period. I'm giddy when I'm with you, like there's this laugh constantly stuck at the back of my throat that's just waiting to burst out. You make me feel hope because I can see a future with you.”
It’s quiet for too long, and Jeongguk is just about to excuse himself and make a hasty retreat, when Jimin speaks again.
“I wasn’t pretending either.”
Jeongguk’s chest constricts, voice shuddering when he asks, “You weren’t?”
Jimin appears terrified while he shakes his head, inching closer as he admits, “I feel it too, everything you just said. I feel it for you.”
“You do?”
Fuck, it sounds like he's gonna cry.
Jimin’s nod is adamant, almost too quiet to be heard when he questions, “So…what now?”
Jeongguk smiles.
“Now, I’d like to ask you out on a date, as many as you want, and then I’m going to ask you to be my boyfriend. Properly, this time, and not just for pretend.”
Jimin giggles, and the sound is like music to Jeongguk’s ears.
“I’d really like that.”
The two share bashful smiles, Jeongguk’s so wide that it has his cheeks hurting, while Jimin’s eyes turn into beautiful upside down crescent moons.
And for the first time in a long time, he finds himself looking forward to a date.
ㅡ§ㅡ
WEEKS LATER
“You gonna get that?” Yoongi asks, eyeing the phone that’s vibrating on the side table.
Frowning, Jeongguk pauses the game and reaches for it, not wanting to give the other man the opportunity to drain his life while he’s distracted. His mother’s contact lights up the screen, and he smiles before accepting the call.
“Hey mom, how are you?”
“Good sweetheart. I got your text. Is everything alright?”
“Fine, yeah. There’s just something that I wanted to tell you.”
“Oh?”
“Jimin and I are together.”
The line goes quiet before his mom audibly sighs, one of defeat, rather than elation.
“I wasn’t going to try and set you up with anyone, I already promised you no more matchmaking from me, so you don’t have to lie.”
Despite himself, Jeongguk can’t help but chuckle softly.
“I swear I’m not lying this time. I asked him to be my boyfriend and he said yes.”
It goes quiet again before she lets out an excited shriek, her words almost indiscernible, though every now and then Jeongguk will catch a random word like happy or finally. He pulls the phone from his ear once her screaming gets to be too much, gaze falling to the sleeping man nestled in his lap against his chest, and softly brushes the hair from Jimin’s eyes, now back to black after he got tired of his roots coming in.
He didn’t last long on his first game night, still tired from work, but Jeongguk couldn’t be happier to have him here.
ㅡ§ㅡ
“His plants are doing better,” Jimin murmurs, looking in on Archer’s bioactive enclosure.
“They are,” Jeongguk agrees with a grin. “I switched the dead ones out and readjusted the lamp, just like you said.”
Jimin turns to him, slipping a bit when his foot catches on the floor, and Jeongguk moves closer when he points at the hardwood.
“It's badly warped here.”
“Oh?” he asks, the inflection of his voice high as he looks at the spot he always spills water. “Wonder how that happened.”
“You should tell your building manager.”
“I definitely will.”
Pulling Jimin into his arms, his heart stutters in his chest when the other man grins, hands coming up to allow his fingers to snake into the back of his hair.
“So you listened to my advice about the lamp?”
“Of course I listened. You’re the expert.”
“Do you know what else I’m an expert in?”
“Solving murders,” Jeongguk says firmly with a confident nod. “I remember you caught me red-handed.”
“Okay, but do you know what else I’m an expert in?”
This time Jimin covers his mouth when he goes to answer, giggling at the way his tongue licks over his palm, and reveals, “I’m an expert at kissing, and you should definitely kiss me now.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Jeongguk grins when he’s finally released, chuckling at the way Jimin wipes his spit-covered hand on his chest. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
Leaning down, he slants his mouth over Jimin’s, sure he’ll never get tired of the way they fit together, plump and pillow soft, his taste addictive. Those fingers near the back of his neck pull on his hair, and Jimin swallows down the breath he exhales in a soft stutter, causing his body to tingle, heat pooling between his legs, cock twitching in his pants.
“Easy,” he tries to warn, but Jimin is already shaking his head, hands roaming over Jeongguk’s chest as if in a frenzy.
“Do you really want easy when you can have the other option?”
“What’s the other option?” Jeongguk asks into his open mouth, tongue curling against Jimin’s own when it comes out to meet him.
“Hard,” Jimin whispers. “Very hard.”
“Tell me more.”
“How about a physical demonstration?”
“I fucking love those,” Jeongguk growls, backing him up towards his bed, which is pushed against the far wall, the two stumbling just as they reach the edge, laughing when they fall down to the mattress below.
“Your room is so hot,” Jimin faux complains—he’s already well aware—and Jeongguk clicks his tongue.
“I can help with that,” he assures, gripping the hem of Jimin’s shirt, his arms rising when he does, Jeongguk guiding it up and off.
“Thanks,” he hisses, “but I’m still burning up.”
“Not to worry,” Jeongguk pants, immediately going for the snap and zipper on his jeans.
Jimin wriggles until he’s completely out of them, lying on the bed in nothing but his boxer briefs.
“How about that? Better?”
“Sort of,” Jimin pouts, the palm of his hand sliding down his stomach, passing his naval and further still, until he’s cupping his dick through the material.
“It’s really hot here though.”
“Is it? Let me blow on it, baby.”
And with that he crawls between his legs, bats away the hand there and hovers above the very obvious tent in the fabric. Taking a deep breath, Jeongguk blows it out directly over the shape of him, watching the way Jimin twitches in those thin briefs before diving in and burying his face in his groin. Mouthing along that length, he purposefully allows saliva to fill up in his mouth, and lets it spill past his lips until they’re both messy with it, the cloth drenched and adhering to his cock.
“Jeongguk-ah,” Jimin whines, one of the most endearing sounds—he thinks—and lifts up until their eyes meet.
“Yes Jimin-ah?”
“Take them off.”
“Of course, love.”
Jeongguk finally gets him naked, and as soon as he does Jimin practically wrestles the clothes off of him as well, climbing into his lap and wrapping around him like a snake when it strikes and coils. Their mouths find each other again just as Jeongguk’s fingers—dripping with lube courtesy of the small bottle beneath his pillow—breach past his rim. Jimin’s body undulates, a pretty little moan resonating around them as he pets at his inner walls.
“Feel good?” Jeongguk asks, just when he strokes over the smaller man’s prostate, the sounds he makes almost desperate as he nods.
“They’re so long,” Jimin whimpers, using his knees to rise ever so slightly before sinking back down again, knuckles flush with his ass.
Meticulously, Jeongguk prepares him, even when Jimin starts begging while using his hand to try and get off, mouth so dirty and demanding when he’s this horny.
“You should be fucking me already. If you don’t stop teasing and fuck me now, I’m going to tie you up and make you watch while I do it myself.”
The threat has Jeongguk blurting more precome over his wet and sensitive head, but he still keeps the challenge in his tone when he asks, “Yeah? Think it’ll feel as good if you’re the one doing all the work? Without me to fuck up inside you?”
“If you’re going to move as slow as a tortoise then I’ll do what I have to.”
Jeongguk pumps his fingers faster, the motion of his hand almost blurring until Jimin’s lashes flutter and his eyes roll back.
“Slow as a tortoise, huh?”
“Maybe even slower, now fuck me.”
“Anything for you, baby.”
Removing his fingers only so far as Jimin's entrance, he uses them to pull and spread open his hole, swollen cockhead already slick with lube and precome catching on his rim when he positions himself. Jimin's hands bury in Jeongguk's hair once more, tugging on the long strands to force his head back and into another filthy kiss, body slowly impaling itself on Jeongguk's length until he's buried balls deep, the two moaning into each other's mouths at the feeling.
Gripping into his ass, Jeongguk uses his strength to lift and drop him while simultaneously thrusting, loving the way it makes the smaller man whine.
“You're so tight baby,” he whispers, circling his hips to try and carve him open further.
“Then do something about it,” Jimin demands through gritted teeth, his pleasure so intense that it’s almost painful, Jeongguk raising a brow at the brattiness in his tone.
Repositioning himself onto his knees, Jeongguk uses the better leverage he has to pound into Jimin, the sound of skin slapping against skin overly loud in the room, even surpassing the hum of the bioactive enclosures. The humidity too much, sweat clinging to their skin and making them slip and slide against each other as they writhe.
“Hold still,” Jimin demands, though it’s so winded that it takes the bite of it, a smile curling over Jeongguk’s lips when he sinks back down to the mattress and obeys.
He continues to remain frozen once Jimin’s fingers grip into his hair again, leaning back until his arm is taut, his perfect body leaning back at a dramatic angle, Jeongguk taking the time to allow his eyes to sweep over his form.
Fuck, he’s gorgeous.
Jeongguk can’t help but openly appreciate him, but then all thought flies out the window as Jimin begins to ride. His hips roll sensuously, teeth sinking into his plush bottom lip while his motions turn fluid, taking Jeongguk’s cock slow and deep.
He grows bored of the pace soon enough, and it isn’t long before his movements lose their control and precision, trading in those tide-like currents of to and fro for outright bouncing, his own flushed dick bobbing in the air and slapping precome over his tummy with the force of his movements. Jimin is a panting, sweaty mess, and Jeongguk is enraptured, but it’s obvious he gets tired of this as well, whining when he drops his forehead against Jeongguk's own, their lips brushing in a not quite kiss.
“Would you move already?”
“You told me to hold still,” Jeongguk reminds him with a chuckle, brushing the long damp strands of Jimin’s hair back so that they can better see each other.
“Hold still doesn’t translate to do nothing.”
“I mean…it kind of does,” Jeongguk hums, licking up the drop of perspiration that slides down Jimin’s cheek, tasting salt and clean skin.
“I’m tired, and it’s hard to breathe,” he complains, and Jeongguk loves him like this.
“That would be because of the humidity,” he teases, before guiding Jimin down to the bed below, only his head and shoulders making contact as his hips remain elevated in Jeongguk’s lap. “Don’t worry, princess. I’ll take care of you.”
Jimin throws his head back as a loud gasp tears past his lips, Jeongguk’s hips pumping against his ass where his hands support his weight, using his strength to force him down to meet each thrust. The look on his face is nothing short of euphoric, and if Jeongguk could, he’d give that feeling to him constantly.
He remembers the first time they did this. Remembers how nervous he was, how nervous they both were, how he couldn’t stop watching Jimin, losing himself in every reaction his body offered up to every single touch. Jimin is so responsive, and Jeongguk is sure he’ll never tire of finding out what has that pretty moan rumbling up past his throat. What makes his cheeks flush, his cock leak, body arching while his toes curl.
So far he’s found he’s rather adept in causing those reactions.
“Spread your legs wider for me, baby. Let me see you.”
Jimin complies without giving any lip, allowing his thighs to fall open further, and Jeongguk is able to watch the way his dick sways in the air, how his own cock disappears and reappears inside Jimin’s puffy hole. The smaller man keeps reaching up for him as if he’s desperate for touch, but the angle makes it so his fingers just fall short of making contact, hovering above Jeongguk’s chest like he wants to give it a squeeze, pinch the pebbled nipples, maybe give them a twist until it elicits a hiss.
Since Jimin can’t reach him, he settles for touching himself, fingers dipping into his mouth to get them wet before sliding down, flicking at his own nipples, leaving one hand there while the other continues, slithering past his navel, his wrist rubbing against his dick when he goes further down between his legs, tracing where they’re connected. The sight nearly fucks up Jeongguk’s rhythm, transfixed when Jimin goes back up to cup his balls, pulling them away from his body, in danger of coming, and from the way he finally wraps his fingers around his shaft; stroking in languid motions until his hand flies over the flesh, unable to tease himself, he’s pretty sure he is close.
“You gonna come?”
Jimin’s nod is frantic, eyes gone glassy, and just when Jeongguk thinks he’s gotten used to how ethereal he is, he realizes how that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“But I haven’t even been fucking you for that long,” he teases, slowing down his pace and circling his hips, reveling in the way it makes the other keen in complaint.
“Let me come.”
“Of course I’ll let you come,” Jeongguk pants, lips curled up at the edges. “I just wanna savor this.”
“I’m not a meal.”
“You are to me. And so delicious,” Jeongguk growls, giving a particularly sharp thrust that has Jimin arching with a mewl.
“I’ll let you do the thing!”
His cry gives Jeongguk pause, and he goes still entirely; much to Jimin's disappointment, which he expresses through various noises of frustration, trying to fuck back on Jeongguk's cock by forcefully shoving his hips. But Jeongguk's heart is racing in his ears, voice holding an edge of excitement when he asks, “What thing?”
"The thing," he grunts. "Just let me come.”
“Fuck,” Jeongguk, groans, picking up speed as he actively chases his own orgasm now, fueled by Jimin’s promise. "You really mean it, baby?"
“Yes. Fuck, yes! Right there—nghh,”
He’s close, Jeongguk can see it in the erratic motions of his wrist as it flies over his flushed cock, and watches the telling clench of his abdomen, thighs going taut, back bending to mirror a bow as his lashes flutter, and then long ropes of white adorn his stomach, giving off the appearance of pearls, nearly translucent in the light, an elated sound drowning out the constant hum. Jimin’s walls tighten further around him like a vice, and Jeongguk’s pace turns brutal as he works towards his own completion.
When he finally comes, painting Jimin’s insides white, he sinks his teeth into his inner thigh, feeling him jolt in his hold, the other man’s appreciative moan breaking past the thump in his ears. Relatively quickly though, it gets drowned out by their panting breaths synchronizing, the pleasure putting him through a high the likes of which he never knew before Jimin came into his life.
Sucking on the flesh still in his mouth, Jeongguk releases it with a pop, turning his head to look down at Jimin, giving himself plenty of time to take him in. Jimin’s arms reach above his head, body stretched, a satisfied afterglow to him, and Jeongguk’s cock can't help but twitch at the sight. Jimin feels it inside, his eyes sliding open, pupils dilated, and Jeongguk grows steadily harder when he remembers what Jimin promised him.
Carefully, he pulls out of the clutch of Jimin's body, shuffling down to lie flat on the mattress, head between Jimin’s legs. When their eyes meet again, Jeongguk can see the way his swollen lip quivers, chest shuddering and watching raptly. In a suggestive motion, Jeongguk licks his lips, delighting in the way his boyfriend’s breath hitches, and only then buries his face between his cheeks.
The cry Jimin releases when his tongue touches his wet, red rim is loud, drawn out even more once Jeongguk seals his lips over his hole and sucks, humming appreciatively as soon as the taste of his own release trickles into his mouth. Pressing against him more insistently, Jeongguk’s hands have to hold Jimin’s twisting body down as he sucks out as much of his come as he can, rising back up onto his knees, face a mess when he travels back up Jimin’s torso, carefully lapping up his come as well, mouth full when he finally reaches Jimin’s lips.
He can’t talk, but Jeongguk waits until Jimin nods, opening his mouth to receive Jeongguk’s kiss before sealing their mouths together. Their combined release spills from him just as his dick slips back inside Jimin's heat, causing him to nearly choke on the fluid from the sensation, tongues caressing over each other as they kiss.
Jimin swallows everything down, and they rut against each other until they both come again, the second time less frantic. It’s only after they’ve managed to calm their breathing that Jeongguk carries the smaller man into the ensuite and runs them a shower. By the time they’re clean and the bed sheets have been changed, Jimin is pliant and relaxed, and Jeongguk loves it when he gets like this, too. Loves when he lets him take care of him, running a comb through his hair, or compliantly opening his mouth when told to do so, so that Jeongguk can brush his teeth. He loves the soft sounds he makes, and the way that he shifts from foot to foot, rubbing at his eyes with his sweater paws.
He loves it all.
“I love you,” he smiles, hand stilling with the toothbrush that had been working on Jimin’s back bottom molars when he realizes what he just said.
Fuck.
They haven’t—neither one of them has said it yet, and Jeongguk isn’t really sure if there's like, a certain amount of time that’s supposed to pass before admitting this to your partner, but fuck it feels like he’s said it too soon. Like maybe he’s moving too fast and will scare Jimin off the way that Jiwon once did…
“You don’t—don’t feel like you have to say it back, or anything. Because you don’t,” he rushes to reassure, Jimin’s wide eyes never once deviating from him.
“Yew shtill haf the toofbrush en ma mouf.”
“Oh. Right. Sorry,” Jeongguk mumbles, cheeks heating unbearably as he turns away, trying not to bump into Jimin as he washes the toothbrush off and Jimin rinses out his mouth out.
Suddenly, small hands frame his face, using a gentle insistence to turn him until they're looking at each other once more.
“Say it again, please,” Jimin whispers, so beautiful and lovely that it makes Jeongguk’s stomach swoop in the best of ways, overwhelmed with a mountain of emotion that it won’t be contained, the words once again escaping past his lips.
“I love you.”
The smile that Jimin gifts him with is as bright as the sun, accompanied by watery, crescent moon eyes, and Jeongguk’s hands come up to allow his thumbs to brush beneath the soft lids, their noses brushing.
The laugh he gives is watery, and Jeongguk is in awe all over again, unsure if he hears correctly when Jimin gives him a reply.
“I love you too, Jeongguk-ah.”
ㅡ§ㅡ
Years later, Jeongguk’s mother still takes credit for the relationship he has with Jimin. Likes to brag about it during every family gathering at least once. How, if it wasn’t for her constant nagging, Jeongguk never would’ve felt the need to lie that one winter, claiming that without which, it’s likely the two wouldn’t’ve gotten together.
Jeongguk has his doubts, confident that, eventually, he would’ve gathered the courage to ask him out eventually, especially with the additional time he spent picking up Minho from his apartment while helping his brother for those couple of months.
But he keeps that to himself, always sharing a secret smile with Jimin over the mention of how they came to be, neither one of them expecting a fake relationship to transform into something so real, that it’s impossible to imagine life without the other in it.
Yoongi likes to say they faked it til they made it.
Jeongguk couldn’t be more eloquent than that.